Drought a Warning
Recent drought conditions in the Valley remind us all of the vital importance of our aquifers to us and the wildlife that live in or pass through the area. Reports that the Nestle corporation is interested in a water bottling operation that would draw from the Montague Plains aquifer should give us pause. The still undetermined results of global climate change will alter weather and rainfall patterns in New England. What effect would Nestle have on the aquifer under such conditions? It is my understanding that the Town of Montague would like to retain the aquifer as a backup for future use. Certainly the local population and wildlife should have first priority to such resources.
Faced with a climate crisis in the 21st century, business will no longer be as usual. Precautions will have to be taken to secure and safeguard the resources our lives depend upon. Our children, and the wildlife we share this place with, need dependable sources of water for the long term. The Montague Plains aquifer must remain secure for those who reside within its borders, not be a cash cow for some mega-corporation.
Don Ogden, Co-host
The Enviro Show
WXOJ-LP
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Thanks and No Thanks
Thank you for publishing Andrew Potter's comments on religious dissent ("No Golden Mean," Aug. 16, 2007). How difficult it is, for anyone with strong convictions, to be tolerant of other people's equally strong convictions! You published a reply the next week [in What Do You Think?] which exactly illustrates your point. These days, tolerance seems to be in short supply all over the world. Please continue giving a voice to "the moderates" in religion and social matters. They are our silent majority. They also are the glue that will keep us from destroying ourselves.
Chris Waterman
Shutesbury
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Thank you, Tom Tomorrow, for pointing out in your cartoon about Sen. Larry Craig that the only crime that counts is hypocrisy (This Modern World, Sept. 6, 2007). It matters not that Clinton perjured himself and told the American people he "did not have sex with that woman" because we already knew he was a liar and an adulterer. Good thing there is no hypocrisy on the Dems' side. Oh, I forgot about Sen. Chuck Schumer supporting massive tax breaks for billionaire hedge fund managers who just happen to be campaign contributors, or Sens. Ted Kennedy/John Kerry opposing windmills off Hyannis. I don't expect your paper to be fair and balanced, but cartoons like Mr. Tomorrow's make you look quite naïve.
R.P. Curt
Westbrook, Conn.
