{"id":1371,"date":"2016-02-03T20:37:14","date_gmt":"2016-02-04T01:37:14","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/readyforanything.org\/?p=1371"},"modified":"2016-02-03T20:37:14","modified_gmt":"2016-02-04T01:37:14","slug":"straight-talk-about-flint-and-americas-crumbling-water-infrastructure","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/readyforanything.org\/?p=1371","title":{"rendered":"Straight Talk About Flint And America’s Crumbling Water Infrastructure"},"content":{"rendered":"

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By Aton Edwards, I.P.N. Executive Director<\/strong><\/p>\n

I’m writing this piece for the good folks in Flint,\u00a0Michigan who are currently caught up in one of the worst acts of governmental\u00a0malfeasance, incompetency and neglect that I’ve ever witnessed in my life. \u00a0 It reminds me of a similar incident back in 1976 in a place called the Love Canal in Niagara Falls where the Hooker Chemical company buried over 22,000 tons of toxic waste that poisoned the water and the land in the area. \u00a0It was called a “national symbol of a failure to exercise a sense of concern for future generations” — words that perfectly match the horrific situation in Flint today.<\/p>\n

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22 May 1980, Niagara Falls, New York State, USA — Original caption: Clean up efforts have started in the Love Canal. Signs have been posted all over the area with a special warning to all residents to KEEP OUT. Most of the residents have taken that advice and have moved to Motels following a press statement yesterday in Washington. — Image by \u00a9 Bettmann\/CORBIS<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

It’s said that over 20,000 children have been\u00a0unnecessarily exposed \u00a0to high levels of lead due to a series of completely irresponsible, ridiculous decisions on the part of the Governor of Michigan Rick Snyder and other elected officials who didn’t care enough to take a moment to consider that the choice they made would be nothing less than a devastating sentence to thousands of people who will over time develop debilitating illnesses that will last for their lifetimes.<\/p>\n

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Governor Rick Snyder<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lead poisoning can cause a number of serious health issues. \u00a0This is especially true for people who were exposed to high levels for long periods and children. \u00a0 It can stunt growth, damage the central nervous system and brain development, intellectual capacity, and behavior. \u00a0It can also produce seizures, damage the kidneys and other serious ailments. \u00a0A few people who were exposed to low levels can\u00a0reverse some of these effects with proper treatment, but most will carry this scar for the rest of their lives — all because the Governor\u00a0that they elected to protect their health, safety and welfare just didn’t in the immortal words of Rhett Butler from Gone With The Wind “give a damn.”<\/p>\n

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Sadly, the people of Flint will never be allowed to forget his decision for the rest of their natural lives. \u00a0 I believe of for this outright betrayal of trust, he should be removed from office and punished to the fullest extent of the law.<\/p>\n

I don’t know if this will ever occur, but I am certain of one thing. \u00a0They\u00a0need and deserve more immediate solutions to their situation.<\/em> \u00a0Replacing\u00a0a\u00a0tainted water supply with bottled water only offers a temporary solution to a long-term problem.<\/p>\n

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Thanks to donations by vibesearch.com, Vegans delight & noego.com, I’ve been able to work on a operational plan that will offer the citizens of Flint more practical methods that can satisfy their daily water consumption needs and when you study the numbers, it’s more than you may think.<\/p>\n

For example, the US Geological Survey says, an average person consumes up to 123 gallons of water per day<\/em>\u00a0by:\u00a01. showering, 15-30 gallons, (57-114 liters) 2. brushing teeth, 1-2 gallons (3.75-7.51 liters) 3. dishwashing, 20 gallons (75 liters) 4. toilet flushing\u00a05-7 gallons (19-26 liters) \u00a0This can be reduced a bit but even if it is,\u00a0there really isn’t any way for an individual or family to collect that much bottled water on a daily basis.<\/p>\n

Only a very specific and specialized water safety\/distribution\/storage plan can provide the residents\u00a0with what they need. \u00a0 I’ll be traveling to Flint, to meet the people and officials that can help to make this happen. \u00a0 \u00a0We’ll also present a special forum called Ready-UP! Flint! Get The Lead Out! hosted by Michigan native R&B artist Davina.<\/a><\/p>\n

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