ALBANY ONCE AGAIN IN
EMBRACE OF WHITE DEATH

We continuously read and hear that
our local and state governments are
in deep debt, and ordinary citizens
are hard pressed financially.

Well then, why are tons of road salt
being dumped on local streets, county
and state highways and shopping center
parking lots?

Where are all the environmentalists
who wring their hands over global
warming?

Where are all the health care advocates?

Where are the economists?

Where are the media? The ordinary
people?

Are all blind to the harm that this
excessive seasonal ritual of salt dumping
is doing to our transportation infra-
structure, our costly vehicles, our water
supplies, our homes and buildings, the
air we breath, to roadside trees, and
to our own health?

There is more salt residue on roadways
sidewalks, driveways, parking lots than
snow.

I know, some will argue that road salt
contributes to road and pedestrian
safety. To some degree, yes.

What about states that do not participate
in this seasonal road salt dumping mania?

How do people in those states survive?

How about New York drivers  slowing
down in bad weather?

I say that the evironmental damage
economic costs and health impacts of
these annual road salt dumping binges
far outweigh any benefit.

For days Albany has been submerged
in a dense blanket of airborne road salt.

Doesn't anyone feel the sting of that
salt smog, in their nasal passages, throats
and lungs?

Doesn't anyone notice the deterioration
of road surfaces, bridges, and parking lots
due to excessive salt dumping?

Doesn't anyone look at the dying road
side trees?

Doesn't anyone look at their vehicles
and tires and wonder how long those
vehicles will last, and where will they
get the money to replace them?

Do any health care professionals observe
the smog containing a mix of airborne
road salt , vehicle  and chimney emissions
and ponder the adverse impacts to human
health?

How about vetinarians? Don't they
wonder about the adverse effects on
pets? On farm animals?

Consider this: if people with high
blood pressure are advised to limit
their salt intake - does this mean they
should stop breathing?

If it were sugar, instead of road salt
dumped - would we have an out of
control epidemic of diabetes among
humans and pets?

Exercise? Going outdoors, this time
of year, poses  downright health risks
to people and their pets, in urban
places.

Tonight, I drove my dogs to places
where they could run in the snow
avoiding the excessive road salt dumped
on streets and sidewalks.

But, we could not avoid breathing the
salt- vehicle-chimney emission laden
smog.

As I stood on my front porch, I could
hear a man gagging and coughing about
a half a block away. Finally, he came
into view, walking his loyal dog out of
a side street and across New Scotland
Avenue.

I wanted to call out to him and say
be sure to wash your pal's paws in warm
water, when you get home. Otherwise,
your pal runs the risk of kidney damage
from licking his salt encrustred paws.

But, I said nothing, thinking of Charles
Darwin and his theory of survival of the
fittest.

Modern humans have lost their  survival
instincts and powers of observation and
analysis.

Saving the world is a tall order. A
Chinese proverb says- a long journey
begins with a single step- so, saving the
world begins with each individual
doing their best to save themselves
and their loved ones.

As much as big government seeks to
control every aspect of our lives, do
not look to politicians to save you.
They just don't get it.

The exessive dumping of road, with
all it's adverse environmental, economic
and health impacts is exhibit A.

You are on your own. Just pay your
taxes and vote the party line.

                                     Joe Sullivan