All it takes is an hour of C-span to see that many leaders care less about people and more about lining their own pockets.
What is infuriating is the manner in which the negligence, and deliberate actions of some is minimized, excused, rationalized, swept under the rug, and not exposed for it's blatant criminality.
Decisions are made every day that demonstrate how little human life is regarded; how easily we can forget, dismiss, or disregard what we don't have to see.
Decisions are made every day that demonstrate how little human life is regarded; how easily we can forget, dismiss, or disregard what we don't have to see.
How much money is now being spent because someone thought saving money eclipsed the health and safety of the residents of the town?
On what was the saved money going to be spent that was more important than the community?
Greed, prejudice, racism, mis-education, arrogance, and ignorance cause people to so shamelessly disregard the value of another person's life. Why do we ever think that dreadful--even deadly situations should be acceptable to, and good enough for others but not for ourselves? Who deserves and is more worthy of good health, health care, clean air and potable drinking water?
Every time there's another update that informs us of just how deliberate and preventable the situation was in Flint, I think of a commercial; a public service announcement that used to air back in the mid or late 70's. Sometimes it would air late at night. Surely someone has a copy of it somewhere. I keep expecting it to show up on Youtube, especially in this "Throwback Thursday", "Flashback Friday", "Open Season", "Fishing in the Sea of Forgetfulness" information age. Someone has the cassette tape, 8-track, or reel in a box somewhere and I hope it's found. It is eerily timely, and more proof that there's nothing new under the Sun--just different players.
Why I still remember the song sung in the commercial is a mystery. The tune was catchy; even likable. You almost wanted to sway and sing along. The male singer had a beautiful, soulful voice. Before you knew it, you were singing along. Then it hit you. This was no new R&B hit record. This wasn't supposed to be your jam. You weren't supposed to scream and swoon as soon as you heard the opening line. The singer was emoting agony and helplessness. The song was slyly educating viewers and listeners. The song drew you in, then schooled you; opened your eyes. The misery of the ending made you look up and around at the condition of your own surroundings. It made you wonder who was being sold and rented veritable death traps in which to live and raise their families, but never told of the danger.
Who discovered the toxicity? Who had the information and immediately began making changes? Who needed it most? Perhaps some anxious producer thought, "They'll listen if we put it to music".
Lead poisoning was a serious problem in many homes and businesses. The song was a clarion call to those who were impacted the greatest, but informed the least.
The lyrics were:
"Paint chips peeling
From the ceiling
By my baby's bed
Eating paint and plaster
I took him to the doctor
Convulsions
Lead poison
Ghetto malaria
Why!? Lord,why!?
Landlord lazy
And I'm half crazy
'Cause my baby's dead.
My baby's dead."
Greed, prejudice, racism, mis-education, arrogance, and ignorance cause people to so shamelessly disregard the value of another person's life. Why do we ever think that dreadful--even deadly situations should be acceptable to, and good enough for others but not for ourselves? Who deserves and is more worthy of good health, health care, clean air and potable drinking water?
Every time there's another update that informs us of just how deliberate and preventable the situation was in Flint, I think of a commercial; a public service announcement that used to air back in the mid or late 70's. Sometimes it would air late at night. Surely someone has a copy of it somewhere. I keep expecting it to show up on Youtube, especially in this "Throwback Thursday", "Flashback Friday", "Open Season", "Fishing in the Sea of Forgetfulness" information age. Someone has the cassette tape, 8-track, or reel in a box somewhere and I hope it's found. It is eerily timely, and more proof that there's nothing new under the Sun--just different players.
Why I still remember the song sung in the commercial is a mystery. The tune was catchy; even likable. You almost wanted to sway and sing along. The male singer had a beautiful, soulful voice. Before you knew it, you were singing along. Then it hit you. This was no new R&B hit record. This wasn't supposed to be your jam. You weren't supposed to scream and swoon as soon as you heard the opening line. The singer was emoting agony and helplessness. The song was slyly educating viewers and listeners. The song drew you in, then schooled you; opened your eyes. The misery of the ending made you look up and around at the condition of your own surroundings. It made you wonder who was being sold and rented veritable death traps in which to live and raise their families, but never told of the danger.
Who discovered the toxicity? Who had the information and immediately began making changes? Who needed it most? Perhaps some anxious producer thought, "They'll listen if we put it to music".
Lead poisoning was a serious problem in many homes and businesses. The song was a clarion call to those who were impacted the greatest, but informed the least.
The lyrics were:
"Paint chips peeling
From the ceiling
By my baby's bed
Eating paint and plaster
I took him to the doctor
Convulsions
Lead poison
Ghetto malaria
Why!? Lord,why!?
Landlord lazy
And I'm half crazy
'Cause my baby's dead.
My baby's dead."
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