"Democrats and the environmental NGOs should abandon ship from USS IWLL now, and quit talking about it." I agree. The words of Einstein come to mind: The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.
I’ve sent this article to my book club, which will be discussing your book on Thursday. I’m looking forward to their observations. Just learned from someone last week that ISU livestock farms don’t have much of a manure-runoff management plan near a local creek that feeds into the aptly-named Skunk River. It would be reasonable, without the presence of political interference, that ISU would be in an ideal position to lead and teach about conservation of natural resources, including farmland. Please don’t ever “shut up” about these important issues, Chris.
In the system of control and no control, I find it rather telling when towns and cities have regulations changed calling them out for higher standards for control of nitrates from wastewater treatment plants. The vast majority of nitrate pollution is coming from uncontroled "non-point source" pollutors! Especially when the powers that be pull the water monitoring stations that tell them exactly that! If cities and towns are forced to control their pollution, it seems only fair that those who are ruining our water supplies for profit should be doing as much BY LAW! Those in the legislature who represent higher numbers urban voters should represent their base and vote against these bushwhackers of the public good! Those urban voters should also consider who they are voting for when it comes to representing your best interest!
Chris, while I wholeheartedly agree with all you say, you may be over-generalizing here. As a former Regents University teacher, I know of many past and present professors who are alarmed at the current state of out environmental policies. I am also aware of some farmers who are acting responsibly. Maybe we should occasionally highlight their actions, also. Nothing gives one hope or contributes to action like seeing stories of brave individuals who are fighting the slide toward environmental destruction. So, while I think you were treated miserably by UI for telling the truth, let's find some warriors who are actively engaging in bettering the lives of others and celebrate their stories, too.
Thanks for the comment Glenn and thanks for reading. I get comments like yours from time to time and I first would point out that the people eager to do you what you describe out number me about 1000:1, and so I guess I have a hard time understanding why my contribution in this regard is so necessary. I'm not an elected person or even a public employee so I don't see that this is my obligation. I have no doubt that there are some in the university system that are indeed 'alarmed' but as Elliot Cohen makes clear in his Atlantic piece, there's a huge difference between being alarmed and then acting on that in ways that might incur risk. And I draw a distinction between the low-paid librarians and the high-paid uni faculty--look who went to DM en masse to fight for what they thought was right. Have you ever seen uni faculty do that? I suppose they might if tenure was meaningfully threatened. Likewise with the so-called 'good' farmers--how many of them publicly call out the larger body of farmers and agricultural system that has resulted in what we see across our state? Not many. Here again, people have been more than happy for me take that on and thus that is what I do. In writing a piece that will resonate, I cannot waste words rubbing down every person that is an exception to the rule. It just doesn't work when writing. There are plenty of opportunities for people that can do that if they wish to step up and do it.
Thanks for your thoughtful response, Chris. I believe I do understand your role. It's always a choice isn't it: what is more effective for influencing movement of a huge somewhat stationary mass -- a volatile body farther away or a larger body closer to the mass? We probably need both. I encourage you to continue your role.
Thanks for letting me freeload. I scavenged under the couch cushions to finally be able to contribute to one of the Substack writers; I'll continue to scrounge in hopes of being able to join yours soon.
Those who love how Trump "tells it like it is" should read your stuff. No one else in Iowa is doing this, that I know of.
"Democrats and the environmental NGOs should abandon ship from USS IWLL now, and quit talking about it." I agree. The words of Einstein come to mind: The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.
I’ve sent this article to my book club, which will be discussing your book on Thursday. I’m looking forward to their observations. Just learned from someone last week that ISU livestock farms don’t have much of a manure-runoff management plan near a local creek that feeds into the aptly-named Skunk River. It would be reasonable, without the presence of political interference, that ISU would be in an ideal position to lead and teach about conservation of natural resources, including farmland. Please don’t ever “shut up” about these important issues, Chris.
“EPA directive renews debate over state’s role in protecting drinking water from farm pollution”, Madison McVan, Minnesota Reformer, February 22, 2024. (https://minnesotareformer.com/2024/02/22/epa-directive-renews-debate-over-states-role-in-protecting-drinking-water-from-farm-pollution/)
In the system of control and no control, I find it rather telling when towns and cities have regulations changed calling them out for higher standards for control of nitrates from wastewater treatment plants. The vast majority of nitrate pollution is coming from uncontroled "non-point source" pollutors! Especially when the powers that be pull the water monitoring stations that tell them exactly that! If cities and towns are forced to control their pollution, it seems only fair that those who are ruining our water supplies for profit should be doing as much BY LAW! Those in the legislature who represent higher numbers urban voters should represent their base and vote against these bushwhackers of the public good! Those urban voters should also consider who they are voting for when it comes to representing your best interest!
Looking forward to your new Substack column Glenn
Chris, while I wholeheartedly agree with all you say, you may be over-generalizing here. As a former Regents University teacher, I know of many past and present professors who are alarmed at the current state of out environmental policies. I am also aware of some farmers who are acting responsibly. Maybe we should occasionally highlight their actions, also. Nothing gives one hope or contributes to action like seeing stories of brave individuals who are fighting the slide toward environmental destruction. So, while I think you were treated miserably by UI for telling the truth, let's find some warriors who are actively engaging in bettering the lives of others and celebrate their stories, too.
Thanks for the comment Glenn and thanks for reading. I get comments like yours from time to time and I first would point out that the people eager to do you what you describe out number me about 1000:1, and so I guess I have a hard time understanding why my contribution in this regard is so necessary. I'm not an elected person or even a public employee so I don't see that this is my obligation. I have no doubt that there are some in the university system that are indeed 'alarmed' but as Elliot Cohen makes clear in his Atlantic piece, there's a huge difference between being alarmed and then acting on that in ways that might incur risk. And I draw a distinction between the low-paid librarians and the high-paid uni faculty--look who went to DM en masse to fight for what they thought was right. Have you ever seen uni faculty do that? I suppose they might if tenure was meaningfully threatened. Likewise with the so-called 'good' farmers--how many of them publicly call out the larger body of farmers and agricultural system that has resulted in what we see across our state? Not many. Here again, people have been more than happy for me take that on and thus that is what I do. In writing a piece that will resonate, I cannot waste words rubbing down every person that is an exception to the rule. It just doesn't work when writing. There are plenty of opportunities for people that can do that if they wish to step up and do it.
Thanks again for your thoughtful comment.
Thanks for your thoughtful response, Chris. I believe I do understand your role. It's always a choice isn't it: what is more effective for influencing movement of a huge somewhat stationary mass -- a volatile body farther away or a larger body closer to the mass? We probably need both. I encourage you to continue your role.
Thanks for letting me freeload. I scavenged under the couch cushions to finally be able to contribute to one of the Substack writers; I'll continue to scrounge in hopes of being able to join yours soon.
Glenn Nelson
Janesville, Iowa