Letters: Break the addiction to plastics; Another ‘audit’ for Pennsylvania?
Break the addiction to plastics
It was great to read that Governor Tom Wolf has a litter action plan. I particularly agree with PennDOT Secretary Yasmin Gramian — “we need to change behavior.” Plastics (and their byproducts), in particular, are littering our cities and waterways and contributing to health problems in humans and animals. Meanwhile, we’re generating more plastic than ever, and very little of it gets recycled. We have become addicted to single-use or disposable plastic.
Fortunately, we have forward thinking leaders like Ferguson Township Supervisor Pam Steckler. She is one of two Green members of that board, making it the first municipality in the USA with a pair of such officeholders. On Nov. 1, Ms. Steckler introduced a resolution that passed unanimously that commits the township to eventually crafting an ordinance regulating single-use plastic carry-out bags and plastic straws. Hopefully surrounding municipalities will adopt similar resolutions and move related ordinances.
Unfortunately, the fossil fuel industry and its lobbyists are gearing up for plastics production as renewable energy production moves us away from greenhouse gas sources. Shell is planning to open a $6 billion ethane cracker plant near Pittsburgh in 2022. Facilities like Hilex Poly outside Bellefonte produce plastic bags with strong support from State Sen. Jake Corman and State Rep. Kerry Benninghoff, two of Pennsylvania’s most powerful legislators.
What to do besides vote? Google the Ecology Center for fact sheets like “Get Plastic Out of Your Life.” Read blogs like Beth Terry’s “My Plastic-Free Life.” Join local environmental groups for camaraderie and further inspiration.
Another ‘audit’ for Pennsylvania?
Now that the Penn State football season is all but over, I feel that it should be pointed out that the team has probably been defrauded of the National Championship bigly! The referees were flagrantly corrupt and should be replaced, or better yet, eliminated. We can all certainly agree that for Penn State to lose five games, the system has got to be rigged!
Fans, we have all witnessed on live TV the innumerable “irregularities” in games against Iowa, Ohio State, Illinois, Michigan and Michigan State. These were crucial swing games that allegedly were lost by a total of 21 points. Surely, the officials can “find” 26 stolen points and the outcome reversed.
Consequently, I am urging our state legislature to conduct a full “forensic audit” of these stolen games. This would be well worth the quarter mil or so that state Republican leaders could appropriate to examine the game footage. Chump change!
Stop the steal!
Pennsylvania deserves better than Oz
I love watching Dr. Oz and hearing of some non-pharmaceutical methods for weight loss, or the use of a neti pot. I do not feel he is poised to represent the state of Pennsylvania as a senator, especially since he has lived in New Jersey for the last 20 years! An article in the April 2021 edition of Hellomagazine.com features his home that he shares with his wife. Google it!
As I watch the new Dr. Oz ad in his run for senator from the state of Pennsylvania, it is disturbing that he never utters the word Pennsylvania once. Not once, as of Dec. 5! Who is he representing? The fact that his ad is so generic and doesn’t even mention the people he wants to represent translates to me that the Republican party got him to run, but they weren’t sure what state they were going to run him in. Were they waiting to see which state would be easier or more convenient, without regard to the citizens of that state? That folks, is called carpetbagging! Look it up.
He’s even pandering to science deniers and contradicting statements he has made on his shows!
Pennsylvanians deserve better! They need a candidate who has actually lived in Pennsylvania for at least the last 20 years. Not some political “wannabe” who hasn’t worked in the trenches to understand the needs of his or her constituents. Do your homework, people! Don’t be spoon fed!