I have been living back in my hometown for about 5 months now. It has been an interesting transition. When I first moved back, I thought I was going to ignite some fire within myself and my neighbors. I hoped everyone's eyes would raise to the bright glowing flame in the sky, we would all shout in unison "NO MORE OIL!" But I more or less started to wander as I went looking for kindling-sticks and found myself back into the bonds of my gasoline-filled car.
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| With over 2,200 acres of property, the refinery touches the fence lines of four different communities. |
I do not have an easy solution for my problem or for the larger problem that involves the beloved earth under the refinery tanks, the river nearby or the animals that use to hip-hop around where the smoke now rises. I use to be able to pass by such a scene and say to myself, "
it is sad, but there is a plan of redemption, I am sure." I would drive by the refinery that is building up, taking over the fields of our genetically engineered corn and soy beans, pushing it's way nearly on top of the grocery store which is conveniently close to the new highway (easy for the trucks) and I'd think, "
oh, there must be hope, let's just look the other way." But, now I look the other way and there is a street named after a lawyer that is now in prison, 2 new credit union buildings and 2 new car dealerships. I sadly whisper with great assurance, "
we are fucked."
I use to breath easy when I would get to this point but now the air is getting a little thicker. I use to think there was a plan but I just didn't get the memo (still a plan, nonetheless). Now I am beginning to think that there is no plan, the supposed memo was just something we told ourselves so we could sleep at night. There is real danger and no one is doing anything about it. The plants are dying, people are dying, and no amount of money is going to undo the death that is happening all around us.
(Although it may help with medical bills)
Alton Telegraph: Man Sues Refinery
And now for my first ACTION:
Feel pain. Let the pins and needles come. Take a good look around, acknowledge the life and the death. Allow the blood to return to the numb parts. It hurts... but you can't expect any movement from a body that is still asleep.
