NIMBY Highway blues

Here's my pick of the day for a reasonable perspective that sees through the trees of the NIMBY equation...




I'm pretty sure that the 'Tree Huggers' are not trying to stop the


highway. We all want to arrive safely. I can guarantee that there

isn't a single 'Tree Hugger' who does not share this sentiment.

The people who are protesting the project are trying to delay the tree

cutting until it is absolutely necessary - government has delayed the

highway project before. Who knows what the future holds? So let's not

cut the trees until the project is a definitely going through... until

it's weeks not years away. Remember what happened in the Meech Creek

Valley when all the farmers were expropriated because they were going

to build a zoo? That was in the 1970's and there is still no 'zoo'

Additionally, from what I understand the 'Tree Huggers' were trying to

convince those in power that we don't necessarily need such a GIGANTIC

clover leaf just outside Wakefield. Those making the decisions stand

to make a great deal of money or gain influence through executing this

project. There is the issue of the mega dump and proposed sewage

treatment plant. Are these the REAL reasons why we need such a huge

cloverleaf - so more big trucks can move more quickly through our

beautiful hills? Please don't be naive enough to believe everything

the 'experts' tell you. Just coz they're are the ones making these

decisions doesn't mean they have OUR best interests at heart. It

doesn't even mean, in my opinion, that they are trying to save lives.

And they sure haven't got a track record of giving a rat's ass about

the environment.

Regardless, how about just slowing down and driving the actual speed

limit? How about practicing mindfulness while driving? How about

asking the experts and politicians that this be enforced? Anytime MY

life has been jeopardized on that highway it's been because someone is

following too close, passing in a stupid place and/or driving too

fast. Yes, I know the truckers are on a clock; people have to get to

work in the city; skiers have to make it to the hill by opening;

cottagers have to get home to Ottawa on Sunday night.....

At what cost?