PROTECT THE GREAT LAKES ECO-SYSTEM

This letter to the editor is reprinted from the Chatham Daily News

Sir: By now, many of us have been made aware of the public relations disaster created by the SouthPoint Wind Company of Leamington.  Empowered by the antidemocratic provisions of the Liberal government's Green Energy Act, SouthPoint Wind hosted a series of brief, poorly organized and incoherent presentations around the county on March 27, announcing their intentions to erect 715 wind turbine towers in the waters of Lakes St. Clair and Erie.

The absurdity of this plan is only surpassed by the audacity of this company to tout this as good for the environment, despite its acknowledgement that there are few guidelines from the province to ensure so, and the arrogance of our provincial politicians who have deprived ordinary citizens of their right to effectively protest this plan.  I also blame the Liberal government for this heinous mess and I certainly have no faith in South Point Wind's ability manage any project anywhere, given their amateurish dog-and-pony shows of March 27.

We can continue to debate ad nauseam the effects on people, wildlife and property values from the noise, lake-effect vibration and the constantly flickering shadows cast across the waters from the 2,145 turbine blades.  But none of this is truly known yet since the Liberal Government is allowing the Great Lakes system (the largest source of fresh water in the world) to be used as a first-time laboratory experiment for lake-based wind farms.  What is the point of developing wind technology to protect the environment if the natural beauty and eco-system of this part of the Great Lakes system is destroyed in the process?

Anyone that has ever marveled at the beauty of either of these two lakes from any of the public access points, marinas, beaches or parks along their shores may ask why we should allow the permanent alteration of these two shorelines when other alternatives are available. Specifically, would we be as concerned about noise, vibrations and esthetics if wind farms were located in any of the uninhabited and uninhabitable areas of this great country?  Or for that matter, if they were to line the 401 corridor? Would energy from those areas be any less green? Or is it just less profitable for developers?

Like most people, I understand the importance of promoting green energy alternatives, but not at the cost of forever denying our children the opportunity to see the natural beauty of an unobstructed horizon from the shorelines of our lakes. Imagine standing at the water's edge and never again seeing the sunrise or sunset without 715 massive concrete and steel structures rising 125 meters out of the water to block your view. That's about as esthetically appealing as looking at 715 cell phone towers, or 715 highrise condos, or 715 statues of our provincial politicians waving back at us to remind us forever that they allowed this to happen.

 — Anton Klarich
Stoney Point

http://eedition.chathamdailynews.ca/epaper/viewer.aspx

I am Anonymous

The blogosphere is buzzing about losing its anonymous co-authors. A few days ago a Nova Scotia Supreme Court judge said that internet anonymity shouldn’t be a shield for legal actions. One possible read of such a statement is that there are those out there who would like to create a new legal supermarket (open season if you will) based on potentially libelous commentators to electronic media. This is iffy material that goes against one of this society’s most fundamental rights. That is, to communicate freely, anonymously or not.  Our local bloggers have posted their thoughts about it here:


http://chrisschnurr.wordpress.com/2010/04/20/censorship-or-corporate-responsiblity/

and here:

http://windsorcityon.blogspot.com/2010/04/anonymity-on-web.html

It is completely understandable why one blogger chooses not to post comments and why another wishes to qualify them. It’s about varying degrees of comfort. All might agree though that it would be a lot more fun and engaging if the forums allowed for a freer and fuller banter from our anonymous guest speakers.

The legal eagles can distort this “anonymity” thing as far out of kilter as they wish but in this bloggers book it is they and their plaintiff friends who do more harm to honest and open communication than any blogger or anonymous commentator. By opening litigation the plaintiffs are either trying to hide something or to gain something by their actions. They only make themselves appear more suspicious and indeed self serving. By snuffing out any form of free dialogue they are committing an even greater injustice.

Wrong or right, “comments” in this forum are wide open. The policy as stated on this blog is very informal and simple:

“A reminder from M.O.M: Before submitting, review the post to ensure your comment is on topic. Profanity is discouraged. TRY TO RESPECT PEOPLES IDENTITY AND PRIVACY! Take your flamewars to private email. Thank you.”

In all of the years that this blog has been up only three comments were disallowed and they were all language related. Blog readers seem to get it and they are a reasonable and respectful lot. It appears to be the same in other local blog forums. Some agree with the things that are written and others aim square for the space between the eyes. In all instances they are talking to the blogger and to the forum so all is good.

Comments are the building blocks of blogs. They are added value and resource. The next thought. They tell us if we are on track and whether there is any sort of consensus. They remind us that we live in a free and democratic society. Without them we have no alternative perspectives and without other points of view we cannot grow and expand on the ideas generated within the ongoing dialogue. That is the “good” that comes from commentary whether it is anonymous or not. So in the end we have to ask ourselves a more fundamental question:

If we are not allowed to utter our thoughts can we forgive ourselves for the silence?

Anon

Monmouth Roady Gone. High but Dry. With Olives

Duane Bondy, one of Monmouth Roads most notable characters, passed away on April 9, 2010.  Monmouth Roadies had a soft spot for Duane ever since he and his late wife Renee moved into the hood.  He was always in the thick of things.  Always the kind hearted Bohemian. He had a natural radar for any kind of social event and his bar keep talent was always in high demand.  Especially if one craved a high octane, very wet martini.  He stayed up with the best of us and often did us all in.  Somehow, after an evening of wine and cheese everyone would inevitably end up at Duanes house for one last night cap.  Duane never mastered parallel parking which is  required on Monmouth but rarely mastered by anyone.  His brand of parking was more of a unique three point variety; never pretty, never the same way twice but effective.  Always a contributor to hood functions and always some great stories.  He was extremely fond of his entire clan and we heard about them endlessly.  Duane even ran road tours for hoodies.  Often times everyone would pile into his convertible and cruise the neighbourhoods of Detroit.  The odd Tiger game was not out of the question either.  He even did the slimy bar tours with us.

Here is what his kids have to say about him:

  BONDY, Duane James Duane James Bondy-December 10, 1927 2010. Born in Rockwood, Michigan. Our Father and Friend died suddenly on Friday, April 9th. He was eighty two. Dad had a wonderful sense of "self" and humor. Ironically while making his bed (a chore he detested) he became weak, his heart stopped and he was sent into the arms of his wife. When mom died he was devastated and his "stride" became forever changed, this confused some who knew him. Dad was handsome, intelligent and charming beyond compare, funny and at times a challenge. He loved friends, family, being a "dad," teaching, good hair, a double Windsor knot, theatre, music and culture of any sort. He hated Cats, Onions and oddly....Squirrels, but he "rraaallghly" loved martinis on the balcony, history, folklore, Detroit, Windsor in full bloom, architecture, bacon and eggs, fashion, literature, writing, art, tuxedos, parties and gatherings of any kind, but mostly he loved Renee. His relationship with his children was similarly complex and wonderful. He was a great dad! As per his wish there shall be no ceremony, cards, flowers or donations. In lieu of such... call a friend, child, parent, spouse or sibling and tell them that you love them. And if you can, please join us at Christopher and Gina's house this Saturday, April 17th (1945 Ontario Street, Walkerville,Windsor) at 2:00pm and share a heart felt story or a prayer to help complete Duane's journey. As his children, we would like to thank all of you who have enlightened both his and our lives. Tim and Marie, words cannot express our gratitude and love... Merci! Jeff... good job...very good ...thank you. Lastly, dad laughed frequently with this high pitched "giggle" that in truth was highly annoying. To hear it one more time would be... Well you get the picture. So Long Dad, Pops, Poppa, Duane James, El Duano, Straw Hat Man... You truly are the King of France...Give mom a kiss. Much Love from Mark, Christine, Paul, Suzanne, Artie, Chris, Gina, his wonderful grand daughters Georgia and Rachel, and all those who enjoyed you....Bravo!..Merci!...Fini.

See you out there Duane.  Keep a couple of stools open.