As the Summer of 2009 arrives we've been served up a huge helpin' of searing southern heat. Temps in the mid to upper 90's the past week in Montgomery and much of the state, with those "heat indexes" even higher.
It's funny how we have such short weather memories. In 2007, Alabama has severe record drought conditions, and the news was filled with stories about the "water war" underway, with Alabama Georgia and Florida fighting for water from the river basins they share. Atlanta is a thirsty place, but so to is the rest of the region. 2008 was wet, and so was the start of 2009, so we've put aside thoughts of a lack of rain and instead everyone talks about the recent flooding. You'd be hard-pressed to find a spot of Alabama that's in a drought. But during the past few weeks, the severe heat has returned...so I expect any day now the "water wars" will be the lead story on the TV news.
That's odd... I'd always been taught that "indices" was the plural of "index." But in modern common usage (vernacular?), that's 'prolly okay.
ReplyDeleteOf course, outdeseas means out in a bunch o' water, as in sailor. So I reckon this muss' be an entry 'bout aqua, por favor!
America needs a national water infrastructure, just like we have an electrical grid/infrastructure.
There is vast unused arid areas that could be reclaimed, if only a bit of water was put on it. Out west, land reclamation is a BIG issue, as are water rights!
Down South, we fight about water rights on a large, state level. Out west, the fuss on a personal level!
As well, it's not beyond us to create desalination plants along the oceans' shores on our coastal areas. After all, Texas and the California coastlines have almost persistently been in dire need of cool, clear water.
And if the Georgia state legislature had some initiative, they'd be using some of that lottery money to build 'em on their coast too! Seems they've been bickering with us in Alabama for quite some time. Why, hell! Every now and then, they wanna' take over Chattanooga! No kidding!
See? Here's what we could do to resolve this issue - at least in part: In return for access to our water, allow all Alabama college/higher ed students to attend Georgia colleges/universities at in-state rates. (As well, we should probably have an at-large seat in their legislature!)
That last one probably won't fly, but think of the higher level negotiations that would emerge if we stuck a tuition for water deal with 'em!
"Water Wars" only points to the ever-growing need our nation has for water.
A national water infrastructure would go a long way toward ameliorating such problems.
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