We all know how much contributions to politicians speak to their interests. I am sad to see someone I support on this list. I hope some do, however, support what is truly best for the people.
Tag: politicians
Internet for All
The term net neutrality has been bouncing around for the past few years. While I’m sure many know what it is and the true impact of this on society, I’m also sure many get glassy-eyed when they hear the discussions. This is something that will affect us all. We should all pay attention for the hope of our society.
Perhaps I am being a bit bold when I say “hope for our society.” I think I’m spot on. We do not know yet the impact of the Internet on us as a people. We can clearly see that it has changed us, and I’d argue for the better.
Internet access is something most individuals have either in their home or at least in their community. Net neutrality levels the playing field by providing nearly limitless access to educational resources (MOOCs anyone?), professional connections and collaborations (how many of us got to collaborate and communicate with people around the world instantly before the Internet?), and so much more!
Net neutrality is important to our current success as a society. Not only do people pay bills online, shop for new clothes, but we do amazing things together. We collaborate. We communicate. We educate. We are empowered and all through this interconnected web.
President Obama spoke today about his thoughts on net neutrality. I do hope the FCC takes some of the hints so we can keep moving forward with such powerful intentions.
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Area 51 at Home
Chris and I live at the top of a valley between Jefferson and St. Louis counties. Jefferson County recently built a new sewer district administration building. We lived through the blasting, hammering and sawing throughout the summer and fall, and assumed the disturbance would end with construction.
Wrong.
Apparently, Jefferson County must be trying to summon spaceships with their parking lot lights. We are talking at least 10 gigantic, ballpark-type lights for a parking lot smaller than a gas station.
Chris and I, and I am sure some of our neighbors, feel the pain of the lights streaming into bedroom windows at night.
I am the type of person who wakes up with the sunrise. If it’s dark, I’m dead to the world. If it is light, I’m wide awake. So, with the lights, it’s no sleep with the drapes open. Or, if I shut the drapes, I wake up late for work – regardless of the alarm!
Today, after rolling out of bed at 7 and trying to cram an hour and a half’s worth of bed-making, dinner prep, breakfast eating, showers, dog walking, and ironing into 30 minutes, I finally had enough. I put a call in with Jefferson County. I live in St. Louis County. You can imagine where this is going.
I call. I get the automated system. No idea where to start, I dial the operator. She cannot remember a new building in North Jefferson County being built this year and transfers me to public works.
The person in public works does not understand what I want them to do, so I explain how I petitioned Gravois Bluffs shopping mecca to turn off every 2 parking lot lights at night to cut down on light pollution (because when we purchased our house 4 years ago, I could see everything BUT the Milky Way, then with Gravois Bluffs, I was lucky to see Polaris). Then I have to explain light pollution, and it’s a thing that bothers astronomers really, and, yeah. I have alienated myself already in this 5 minute phone call.
She transfers me to voting.
There, after requesting my address, and telling the lady I am not in Jefferson County, she tells me I am not in Jefferson County and need to have my counsel member call the sewer building’s counsel member. I ask to talk to the counsel member over the sewer building.
“What sewer building?!”
She consults with her colleague.
“Oh! You mean the Northeast Sewer Management District Building!”
“Yes.”
She whispers the name and number to me.
I call Don, and he was very understanding and said he would phone them right away to see if some sort of timer could be set.
Thanks, Don!
Now, hopefully, Don will get the lights toned down, and I can wake up at 6 am, leave the house at 7:30, and omit the good morning panic!