Stop. Look and Listen.
Anyone who's been raised with responsibility has heard those instructions when first learning to negotiate streets and car traffic to get to where they wish to go.
By now most of us early fastened our seat belts as passengers before the vehicle we were in moved. Later as drivers, after completing requirements to be a licensed driver, we routinely put on our seat belts and look before we drive. While driving we remain aware of the road, weather and traffic conditions as well as adhering to the speed limit.
While driving on hills and sharp curves we make adjustments, and in inclement weather we are advised to drive at least 5 miles below the speed limit. There are the signals of other drivers on the road as well as sounds of any sirens that must be taken into consideration.
Laws prohibit driving under the influence. Drivers of specialized vehicles must have a license to drive them. Pedestrians have the right of way by law. Every driver in a rural community knows to "take it easy and look out for deer crossings" -- for instance.
Also, there are the many individuals who often have the thankless job of patrolling the roadways and enforcing safety when needed. Anyone who's ever received a ticket or been given a warning later in retrospect realizes being stopped was for the good of all.
So, my question is -- given we have all of this in the 21st Century in our sophisticated, beautiful rural environment -- what safety issue are Rio Tinto and the MCRC (Marquette County Road Commission) concerned about?
Certainly concern for the safety of the natural existing wildlife was given short shrift while "pushing" for the 595 H road. To answer that question requires more than a click to vote or a visit to a website.
What will we leave to our grandchildren?
From near the shores of Gitchee Gumee/Lake Superior
Rosa Musket
Marquette, Michigan
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Hmmm...Wildlife deaths? Yes. If wolves are being targeted with barroom mythology as "killers" and "attacking the deer population", and more recently "teaching coyotes to hunt and kill deer" (I wonder, with flashcards? Tests? Pop quizes?) then surely these trigger pulling folks would like to 'draw down' on motor vehicles, right? How 'bout a Sharps Buffalo Rifle aimed at an SUV with those lovely off road bumpers, and wildlife safari lights? Semi trucks? Sure, they get to cream large mammals onto the road often. Splat! Stain! And laugh about their own canines getting a snack from the underbody. Birds? Sure..Feeding on grit, salt, maybe some seeds. Pop! Whap! Heh, heh..hardly notice em.
Aaron Payment summed it up succinctly and accurately when he told the Michigan Legislature and Guv' Snyder, "What happens to the Wolf happens to all of us." That's biology, climate change, water quality, physics and a lot more...In one sentence. Guv' Snyder didn't 'get it'. Do you? Check out 'Idle No More'. The best hope we have for keeping the U.P. something more than a tailings pile covering rivers and streams, oozing toxics. 'And no birds sang.'
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