Sun Rises in the West by David Haldiman

Political Dialogue in the U.S., circa November 2010

1. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell appears on a Sunday morning political talk show and announces that the Earth is the center of the solar system. Any sensible American should see that. Why else would the sun circle around us the way it does? The program’s host treats this utterance as provocative and new, as if there had never been Copernicus, Galileo or grade school science classes. Before any critical discussion of this notion can begin, the host regrets that they’re out of time. Tune in next week for an exclusive with John McCain (for the 22nd time this year).

2. On Monday, every Fox News personality jumps on the geocentric bandwagon and flogs the story for all it’s worth. For the next three days an array of military, economic and political experts comment on how this momentous development affects national security and financial markets, and raises again the possibility that Democratic voters could well be under the influence of daily bursts of radio waves sent by brown-skinned space aliens, intent on taking over the Earth.

On Tuesday, the House Republican Caucus demands that the broadcast licenses of all NPR member stations be immediately revoked, citing dire national security concerns.

Markos Moulitsas and Congressman Raul Grijalva suggest that McConnell is either lying or a dolt. When asked about this at a White House press conference, Robert Gibbs grimaces and shakes his head, saying that Grijalva and Moulitsas aren’t helping things at all with their negativity. He cracks a joke at their expense and moves on to the next question.

3. CNN reports the controversy. Even their flashy graphics avoid any definitive content, showing cosmic bodies spinning around one another without actually placing any of them in the center. Commentator Erick Erickson responds to a statement by Stephen Hawking, pointing out that geocentrism had been scientifically debunked more than 300 years ago, by calling Hawking “just a drooling cripple.” James Carville notes that he, personally, is drooling at the memory of them deelishus sun-dried shrimp he so loved as a boy. CNN incessantly polls its viewers for their opinions on where they think the sun rises, collating the results by employment status and which direction their bedroom windows face.

James Inhofe becomes the talk of the Washington media when he threatens to shut down the Senate unless there immediately are hearings into how much federal funding heliocentric astronomers in the U.S. have received. Harry Reid appears on C-Span 2 at 6 pm on Friday. Before an empty Senate chamber he clears his throat, vigorously shakes an index finger, as if trying to dislodge a booger, then disappears into the cloakroom for two weeks of discussions with "centrist" lawmakers.

4. On Saturday, many dozens of listeners to the President’s weekly radio address hear Obama say that while he personally believes that the sun rises in the east, this controversy offers us an opportunity to join together in a national discussion. A nation as great as ours should be able to find common ground on which to sit together and view the sunrise -- perhaps to the south?

5. On yet another Sunday political chat show, Michelle Bachmann reveals that this Christmas, the White House plans to hand out sex toys carved with Obama’s likeness, made in Mexico from the thigh bones of slain U.S. boarder patrol agents. But that’s all the time we have for this week.

My response to the "Other Views" letter published in August 3rd Janesville Gazette by Julie Backenkeller

In my 7/18/10 article, I refer to a local BBQ restaurant that served food in styrofoam containers, and did not offer recycling options. The good news is that Pit Stop BBQ has gone green! The bad news is that I didn't check with them before submitting that article. I can't give any excuses about being understaffed, however, since this article is a "for-fun" project for me (meaning I don't get paid), I take full responsibility for the gaffe and offer my sincere apologies.

Earlier this week, the President & CEO of SPI: The Plastics Industry Trade Association, wrote a letter to the editor in response to my 7/18/10 article concerning the use of styrofoam containers for food. SPI is the plastics industry trade association, and represents the third largest manufacturing industry in the United States. "SPI's member companies represent the entire plastics industry supply chain, including processors, machinery and equipment manufacturers and raw materials suppliers. The U.S. plastics industry employs 1.1 million workers and provides nearly $379 billion in annual shipments." - Barry Eisenburg, Director of Communications & Marketing for SPI.

The letter from William Carteaux states that our society would be stricken with food-borne illnesses and disease, if people listened to the irresponsible opinions expressed by yours truly. Wow, I'm not sure that I'm ready to be responsible for the downfall of society, simply because I suggested choosing an environmentally friendly option to styrofoam. The intended message of my article, was that there are greener alternatives to polystyrene, specifically, a food storage product which is made from sugar cane, is compostable and will biodegrade in as little as 45 days. It seems silly for me to bring home some leftovers, that will be eaten within 24 hours, yet the container that SPI feels is the only safe option for my food, will be around for many centuries. Interestingly, the Environmental Protection Agency agrees with me - or more than likely, I agree with them; that those that provide single-use food containers should avoid quick-serve packaging made from non-renewable, petroleum-derived plastics. Alternatively, the EPA suggests using packaging made from a renewable resource. See the article "Greening your Purchase of Food Service-ware" at http://www.p2pays.org/ref/13/12198.pdf Carteaux also quotes EPA figures on landfill composition, claiming that because plastics make up only 1% of the trash in landfills and paper 31% means plastics are no cause for alarm. However, he doesn't elaborate on the fact that plastics pose more of a toxic risk to the environment (post-use) than paper does, so this percentage-based argument on volume is irrelevant.

I especially liked Carteaux's argument that "reusable plates and cups also have significant impacts on the environment, as they require water and energy to clean, time and time again." And that "plastic foodservice packaging conserves these resources" and allows us "to save water, energy detergents and labor that are required to sanitize reusables." Am I missing something here? Is he suggesting that we should scrap the dishes in our cupboards in favor of throw-aways? Are my kids paying off SPI so they never have to do the dishes again? Energy is slowly becoming a renewable resource, while plastics in landfills threaten our ability to reuse our water resources in any amount required. Without water, we don't survive. The toxicity of inorganic plastics to the water supply far outweigh any advantages that plastics have over other options. Again, what about the toxicity vs. volume post-use argument regarding plastics? Fodder for a later date.

Meanwhile, on July 1st, 2010 the City of Seattle banned single-use food packaging. Restaurants in the city are now required to use recyclable or compostable packaging, and provide bins for customers to dispose of the material. The City hopes to save 6,000 tons of food packaging waste from being deposited into a landfill, and produce compost that can be sold for gardens and landscaping. According to The Daily Green, "this new legislation highlights the growing impact that packaging, which represents about 65% of household garbage and 33% of the refuse in an average landfill - is having on the environment." Even further, they have published their "packaging hall of shame", and offer green options for each of 6 "least green" types of packaging. Topping the list? Polystyrene foam. "Also known as Styrofoam, polystyrene foam is the worst of the packaging offenders. It's made of non-renewable petroleum and once manufactured, it's not biodegradable. As soon as polystyrene is contaminated by food (like crumbs or grease from your french fries) it is no longer recyclable, and very few recycling facilities accept it even when it's clean."

They go on to state that "Polystyrene is also hazardous to human health. It contains the neurotoxins styrene and benzene, which are widely accepted to be carcinogens. These toxins can leach into food that's acidic, warm, alcoholic or oily and into the environment after exposure to rain and other weather. Many cities, like Portland, San Francisco and Freeport, Maine, have banned polystyrene both because of the threats it poses to human and environmental health and because it can choke wildlife when swallowed." The next three items on the list, in order, are plastic bags, plastic bottles and plastic tableware. Check out a list of polystyrene bans here - http://riseaboveplastics.blogspot.com/2010/03/current-polystyrene-ban-list.html

The most interesting part of the letter is the statement that "when used properly", polystyrene containers are a safe and smart choice." I don't recall receiving instructions on proper use of my styro-container the last time a restaurant packed up my manicotti. For more information on proper use, see page 2. http://www.wq.uiuc.edu/Pubs/Styrofoam.pdf

As long as the SPI is representing those that make money from the sale of polystyrene containers and the chemicals that go into them, their opinion will never truly be without bias. This goes along the same lines as BP managing their own guidelines to deal with an oil spill, or data on a new medication provided by a company that will profit from the findings. Carteaux's job depends on defending the use of plastics. My job is to protect the environment for my kids.

Julie Backenkeller

Rock Environmental Network, Inc.

Take care when protecting pets from Pests - products may do more harm than good by Julie Backenkeller

by Julie Backenkeller for Rock Environmental Network, Inc.

It's tick season. Ticks, mosquitos and other pesky bugs seem to be magnetically attracted to my dog. As a concerned pet owner, I want to protect her from Lyme's disease, heart worm and keep fleas at bay (and out of my house), but what are the dangers to our Lucy from these products? More importantly, if my kids pet her and get this stuff on their hands, or in their mouths, what is the danger to them? If she hops in bed with them for a morning snuggle, what is she bringing with her? In my attempt to ward off the chemical paranoia that rises when I look at the products available, I decided to first consult several websites to get some answers.

The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) believes that the risks from flea and tick control products are acceptable, but not everyone agrees with them. Acceptable? “This is really an example of how public human health is not being protected in our current system of pesticide review,” asserted Miriam Rotkin-Ellman, a scientist with the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC).

A couple of drops of a pyrethroid-based flea and tick treatment can keep bugs off your pet for a whole month, however, an NRDC analysis reveals that some pet flea collars can create toxic chemical residues on pet fur," that can threaten human health." The NRDC found high levels of propoxur and tetrachlorvinphos (TCVP), (another carcinogenic neurotoxin common in household pet products) on pet fur after use of ordinary flea collars.

The NRDC published a list of chemicals commonly found in flea and tick treatments, ranked according to how safe they are for humans. Permethrin, an active ingredient in products like K9 Advantix and Bio Spot Spot On Flea and Tick Control for Dogs, is classified under the most toxic category by NRDC because the EPA says it is “likely to be carcinogenic to humans” if ingested orally. So why do we even have these types of products available for sale? If they are toxic to humans, then wouldn't they, logically, also be toxic to our pets?

The labels warn of the risks; “Harmful if swallowed or absorbed through skin,” reads the label on Sergeant’s Gold Flea and Tick Squeeze-On for Dogs. The label on Bio Spot instructs users to “Avoid contact with skin or clothing. Wash thoroughly with soap and water after handling.”

After reading several of these labels, I thought of my friend who has dogs, and toddlers in the house, so I researched this further on the EPA's website. EPA tests revealed a "possible danger " to toddlers who play with treated pets. Their assessment of Sergeant’s cyphenothrin spot on products in 2006 concluded that “toddler exposure from dermal (hug) and hand-to-mouth activities to treated companion animals continues to be of concern.” Similar testing of Hartz’s d-phenothrin products in May 2008 found the same risk. But both of these assessments were revised shortly after the original conclusions. EPA officials stated that "tests had overestimated the amount of product commonly applied to the pet, and when calculations were done for a smaller dose, the margin of safety was acceptable", explained Marion Johnson, branch chief of the EPA’s Office of Pesticide Programs registration division. A more refined test of the d-phenothrin products also “resolved the risk for toddler hand-to-mouth exposure.”

As a parent AND a pet owner, I am not convinced of the safety of these products and neither is the NRDC. “It’s definitely very alarming to us,” Rotkin-Ellman said. “The more we look into these products, the more we find examples of how the risk assessments fall short of protecting human health.”

Before treating Lucy this year, I consulted greenpaws.org's updated product guide, their toxic fact sheet, and printed a copy of their "pocket pet guide". You can also join with Green Paws and the NRDC to protect kids and pets from dangerous products by signing their petition at the website listed above, or join them on-line at many social networks.

My husband accuses me of loving the dog more than anything else, but if you have a dog like my Lucy, you'll understand my concern. (and you've probably heard the same thing)

EPA Safety tips for pet owners:

· Consult your veterinarian about the best way to to protect your pets from fleas and ticks and whether pesticides are even needed.

· Use extra care before use on weak, aged, medicated, sick, pregnant, or nursing pets, or on pets that have previously shown signs of sensitivity to pesticide products.

· If you use a spot-on product or any other pesticide on your pet, carefully read and follow the product label.

· Use flea and tick control products only on the animal specified by the product label - for example, dog products for dogs only and cat products for cats only.

· Follow any label prohibitions against use on weak, aged, medicated, sick, pregnant, or nursing pets, or on pets that have previously shown sensitivity to pesticide products. Apply only the amount indicated for the size of the animal being treated.

· Do not apply to kittens or puppies unless the product label specifically allows this treatment. Pay attention to the age restrictions for puppies and kittens on the label.

· Monitor your pet for side effects or signs of sensitivity after applying the product, particularly when using the product on your pet for the first time. Do not apply spot-ons to pets known to be sensitive to pesticide products.

· If your pet experiences an adverse reaction, immediately bathe the pet with mild soap and rinse with large amounts of water.

· Keep the package with the product container (such as individual applicator tubes). Also keep the package after treatment in case adverse effects occur. You will want to have the instructions at hand, as well as contact information for the manufacturer.

Contact Julie at rockenvironmentalnetwork @charter.net, or join Rock Environmental Network's conversation on FaceBook.

Economic Development News and Tools by Vic Grassman, Janesville Economic Development Director

From time to time, I would like to update the people in the Janesville area on new economic development initiatives and programs. Rest assured that there is “a lot” going on in Janesville’s and Rock County’s efforts to bring more jobs into the area. With the economy steadily improving, Janesville is getting significant interest from companies outside of the city looking at existing industrial space. Just like everywhere else, companies are conducting their site location analyses but are waiting for the last moment to make their site moves and expansions. As many of you may have noticed, the economic news in the media is generally more upbeat that six months ago but most companies want to wait and see if real growth occurs.

According to Jeff Thredgold, economist, US worker productivity has increased 2.8% annually over the past ten years. These increases are critical for U.S. workers to increase their standard of living and reverse off shoring decisions made by many international companies. Recently, the media reported on a local expansion by W.W. Granger, Inc. (formerly Lab Safety) a commitment to create over 130 plus jobs in the next three years here in Janesville. A major factor in this commitment is the productivity of the Janesville area labor force. Acknowledged by Granger this factor was an important consideration in their decision making process, it is one more reason that Janesville and Rock County can effectively compete for company expansions and relocations.

Recently announced, I would like to bring to your attention the Rock County 5.0 “Accelerate Your Business” plan contest which starts in June and concludes in October. Although the winner will receive $10,000 in cash and $15,000 in professional services, I feel that the real benefit for contestants is the opportunity is to get information on how to write a plan as well as professional contacts with accountants, attorneys and others. Simply by participating, one can get the experience and contacts that may benefit you in the future if starting a business is on your mind but you do not know where to begin. Requirements are that you are at least 18, are willing to locate your business in Rock County and have a potential customer base that would be outside of Rock County. Also this is a great opportunity for existing businesses with less than 25 employees and $5.0 million dollars in sales to take your company up to the next level. For more information, contact Mary Rajek, Rock County Business Alliance, 608-757-3160 or check the Rock County Alliance web site at www.rockcountyalliance.com.

In Janesville there is a new loan program focusing on individuals or businesses who would like to start up or expand their business in the downtown area. The Downtown Janesville Redevelopment Loan Program is a public/private partnership between the City and three banks, M&I, Johnson Bank and Chase Bank. Minimum size loans are $10,000 and up with below market interest rates. Eligible uses of funds for this program are façade improvements, code upgrades, equipment purchases and installations. Please recognize that if one has other money needs, such as buying a building, general working capital, inventory purchasing etc. there may be additional conventional loan opportunities through these banks. Additional information is available at the Janesville Design and Development Center (608) 756-3721 or contact Vic Grassman, (608-755-3181) at the City of Janesville.

Recognizing that Wisconsin’s business climate significantly impacts Janesville, the Janesville City Council recently passed a resolution supporting the efforts of the Wisconsin Economic Development Association, the Wisconsin Counties Association and Competitive Wisconsin in their initiative to develop and implement a study contrasting Wisconsin’s business climate with our neighboring states and making recommendations as to how we can improve. This non-partisan study, available in June, will hopefully provide a focal point for economic development discussions between this year’s gubernatorial and legislative candidates. Until next month, enjoy what Janesville has to offer.

April Showers bring - Stormwater Runoff by Julie Backenkeller

A few weeks ago, Frontline (PBS) aired a 2 hour feature called “Poisoned Waters”. It was an eye opening program that outlined, in excruciating detail, the damage being done to US waterways by pollutants, storm-water runoff, manure from large farming operations, and sprawling development. You can watch it on line, at http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/poisonedwaters/clean/

One of the things we need to keep in mind here in Janesville, is that most of what runs into our sewers, runs eventually, untreated, into the river or the greenbelt. I never realized this until I read a screened notice on the storm drain up north, stating something like “Do not dump anything in here, this empties directly into the lake.” As with most people, I hadn’t given much thought to what happens to rainwater, after it hits the ground. This is also why the City of Janesville periodically sweeps the streets!

Storm water runoff, created by impervious surfaces (roofs, roads-concrete), is the “leading remaining cause of water-quality problems” in the US, according to the EPA. When it rains, or snow melts, water picks up chemicals we have left behind from vehicles, lawn fertilizers, pet and livestock waste – the list goes on. Jay Manning, Washington Department of Ecology, states that storm-water in his state “picks up on an annual basis, a volume of oil that is equivalent to half of the Prince William Sound spill from Exxon Valdez.”

Development contributes to the problem. When rain falls on farm or forested land, it filters down through the trees and plants, through the soil, and moves slowly through the ground to emerge clean in streams and rivers. If these areas are developed, rainwater lands on pavement or rooftops, moves quickly across the impermeable surface, resulting in possible flooding, damage to habitat in and around waterways and damage for people downstream. Urbanization also increases the variety and amount of pollutants transported to receiving waters, according to the EPA.

What types of contaminants are found in stormwater?

According to stormwaterauthority.org, stormwater pollution can be divided into three categories:
Natural — organic material such as leaves, grass clippings and sediment
Chemical — such as detergents, coolant, oil, grease, fertilizer and paint
Litter — such as plastic bags and cigarette
Check out their website at http://www.stormwaterauthority.org/pollutants/default.aspx to learn more.

The newest threat is pavement sealcoats. They may make pavement look nice, but they contain polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), that wash off into stormwater, and into our waterways. PAHs are highly carcinogenic, and do not break down easily, thus will remain in the environment for decades.

What can we do? The EPA offers a list of household do’s and don’ts to reduce your personal contribution, and fact sheets about sources of runoff, and ideas for low impact development. http://www.epa.gov/weatherchannel/stormwater.html

Sooner or later, stormwater ends up in someone’s drinking water. Emerging contaminants post a threat to drinking water because older filtering systems are not designed to catch them. Technology for screening and detecting contaminants in the environment can’t keep up with new chemicals manufactured by companies.

Protecting Wisconsin’s waterways is the subject of this in depth study by the WISPIRG Foundation
http://act.americanrivers.org/site/DocServer/Protecting_Wisconsin_s_Water.pdf?docID=5381

email: rockenvironmentalnetwork@charter.net

Why Janesville Should Be Concerned With Diversity by Dave Haldiman

I recently heard about a blog posting asking why Janesville and its leaders should be concerned with diversity. There are ways to answer that some could dismiss as "liberal" abstractions about equality and justice (although I'd subscribe to most of them). My reply to that blogger would be along more practical lines:

1. Diversity is inevitable. The events of January 20th do not represent an anomaly or mistake.

2. Without new, varied and innovative inputs, most any system, species or community will become static and decline, ultimately heading towards extinction (e.g. hemophilia, guillotines, and WW1, if you're European royalty). Okay, that's a bit abstract, but objectively pretty much true.

3. Most times, people who feel excluded develop resentments against the dominant majority. These resentments can be real or imagined (how do you quickly answer someone who claims that because of his neighborhood, his street is the last to be plowed? It doesn't matter whether he's right or wrong). Dangerous infections of attitude result, which are passed down generations, and become more and more difficult to treat throughout a population.
3a. The infected attitudes in the excluded enclaves cost the entire community: more crime and policing, infrastructure and property degradation, and the image/reputation of the community (both within and without).

4. By reaching out to minorities and the disadvantaged in tangible ways, community leaders can invite equity interest. Respect, pride and investment flow both ways. The absence of those attributes from either side equals returning to point three above. When people believe the community cares about them, they care about the community, and they contribute in tangible ways.

"Regulate Pawnshops" by Bambi J Matzke

I am writing all of you a note, hoping to have a city regulation passed on Pawn shops. Yes, I have a personal experience that I have had to go through two years ago relating to this issue. But, most regulations, local ordinances, or laws are passed out of someone's bad experience. I will relate that experience down the road. But, the recent Gazette article has fueled my fire. Especially when the first sentences were.

Richard Erdman has more people wanting to sell him their televisions, jewelry and even their family heirlooms.

"You feel bad when it holds a sentimental value to them," The Coin Shop pawnbroker said. "There are some people that are really hurting out there."

This I know is a lie. He does not feel bad at all. But enough of my feelings.

In Eau Claire they have an ordinance requiring that pawn shop owners submit electronically their pawn sale slips. This has saved the taxpayers in that city a lot of money by allowing detectives to go back on the street.Contact the detectives in the Janesville police department and see what they have to say. They will tell you that this has been a problem. This is a computer age, it would be much easier to keep track of sales by computer. I might ask but then why use paper? I think we all know the answer to that.

With GM shutting down soon, and Lear and LSI, I think the council needs to be proactive, before someone sells their sisters Heirloom $10,000 ring to The coin shop for $150.

The point of my request for regulations is that this is a computer age, where everything is bought and sold with a computer trail.

Why is a pawn shop owner not required to have a name in his file and be able to look it up right away. If I walk in and say I know my Television was sold by John Smith, did John smith sell you a tv?

When I was missing an heirloom piece of jewelry, I went into the pawn shop on Center avenue and they looked through their paperwork with me standing right there, they were very willing to help me right then.

I went into the Coin shop and Richard Erdman was not out front but his employees said that they could not give me the information without a police order.

I went to the police department and Officer Blank went with me, then Mr. Erdman appeared and I gave him the name of who I thought sold it, and he said nope, did not buy it.

It was not until 4 months later after Detectives got involved did he admit that he bought the jewelry. He never once returned my phone calls. If you want to know how the pawn shop downtown works, talk to the Detectives down town. Ask if they have had them under surveillance. Ask them if they have bought new tvs in the box without question.

I leave you with this article.http://www.govtogovsolutions.org/Default.aspx?tabid=129