HANG IN THERE BRIDGET ANNE KELLY!

Whatever the facts are about the infamous New Jersey bridge closing my message to Ms. Kelly is hang in there!

When someone as powerful as the Governor of New Jersey needs to resort to character assassination to make his "case" you can be sure there is a lot more to investigate beside the character of his staff.

I hope that Miss Kelly realizes that men and women across New Jersey and this Country understand what abuse of power means, even when a powerful person is able to coerce another to commit questionable acts.

So Bridget Anne Kelly, even as hard as it is, we support you and will not be mislead by still more bullying.  Hang in there sister!

DOES THE HUMAN SPECIES RESPECT NATURE?

People are missing and killed from a massive mud slide in Oso, Washington State.  Families, children, and animals buried beneath the land which once held their community. 

The community nestled on land below a lovely expense of rolling hills and trees.  Land that environmental and energy management reports and geographical maps clearly showed the dangers for development.

Reports that went as far back as 1967 were obtained from the Army Corp of Engineers by the Seattle Times said the area posed  "a significant risk to human lives and private property."

Some survivors, stunned and angry asked why they were not warned of the dangers.  Some thought  deforestation by commercial interests may have left the land with the inability to absorb and withstand the heavy rain. All prayed and dug hoping to unearth loved ones.

So who was derelict? 

Did people not respect the reports because they were wary of scientific findings?  Did the Army Corp of Engineers withhold information that should have been made public?

Or is the human species destined to carry forward an inability to recognize and respect nature?

MALAYSIA: THANKS! BUT NO THANKS! WHY?

The disappearance of  Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 is a mystery. Intriguing also is the "Malaysian authorities refusal to accept large-scale American assistance."*

When America's arsenal of military and scientific expertise is refused because of nationalistic or political interests it indicates little regard for the lives of people.

The Malaysian refusal reminds me of American politicians and pundits who do not want  federal laws and regulations for health programs, the environment or gun control because of "state's rights."

When we say, no thanks to federal laws and regulations about people's health, our environment and gun control, do we not have the same narrow regard for people and country as do the Malaysians in not seeking help?

* Michael S. Schmidt and Scott Shane New York Times, 3-17-14.