Connecticut Welcomes You - to the Landfill?

 I had the pleasure of driving home to Massachusetts Sunday night via I-95 northbound out of New York City, a route I almost never ever take because of high possibility of getting stuck in traffic on the George Washington Bridge.  I normally would go north to I-87/287 to cross the Hudson on the Tappan Zee Bridge into White Plains, NY.  I now have a second reason not to take the I-95 route....  it is like a traveling though a landfill.  Garbage, trash, run down areas...  terrible roads and it extends right into Connecticut.

This is not a bash of Connecticut per se...  it could be about similar locations in any state.  It is a bash of how we as citizens have contributed to the mess.  It's a bash of the owners of properties, such as the ones pictured here, to not take the responsibility to clean them up.  It's a bash of people for throwing their trash on the ground... or feeling they are allowed to place their stickers and signs on the property of others.

I stopped at this Norwalk, CT rest area on I-95.  I presume it is owned by the State of Connecticut (shame on you) and leased to businesses, such as McDonalds (sort of shame on you...  I will say, the McDonalds area was the cleanest at this entire rest stop).  The parking lot is a trash can without the can.  Litter everywhere... in the parking lot, in the bushes, on the little patches of grass.  Welcome to Connecticut.

I thought the light post in the parking lots were interesting.  Hundreds of stickers of posters, signs and stickers... that's normally the first place I think of going to look for the best rates for a new home mortgage or for the ultimate weight loss solution.  What would make ANYONE think that posting their sign would be seen, let alone followed up on by anyone?!!! By the way, I made up the mortgage and weight loss thing, the spot where I took this picture from is as close to post I got.















Lastly, I thought it funny how I found a comment box tucked away behind a plant inside.  "How are we doing?" to sign ask.  There's a box to deposit your selections.... a pen to write them... but nothing to write on.  Do you suppose so many people were so disgusted, as I was, they already used all the comment forms?  I'm guessing this box has not been checked in years.  In case you can't read it, you can visit their Web site at: http://ctserviceplazas.com (does not appear to be a State of Connecticut page....  does that mean it is privately run and just designed to make you think it has something to do with the state?) or you can e-mail your comments to: comments@ctserviceplazas.com (1-888-406-3466).  If I were from Connecticut, I'd call or write them.

Does the Justice System Work?

This week we again saw what many feel was tragedy in our American court rooms.  Caylee Anthony, pictured here, was found dead about six months after she was finally reported missing. Her mother, Casey Anthony was acquitted of first degree murder charges levied against her.  Most people are appalled and flabbergasted.  Most people, but not the jury of her peers.  It seems sad, but I too think she got away with murder.

This is not the first time we feel our courts have failed us.  The O.J. Simpson trial was the most recent other alleged failing of the court system.  People were appalled and flabbergasted then as well.

I don't even know why I am writing this because I personally am so frustrated with the court system for personal reasons that could be a blog all of it's own.  I think the problem is that the court system is a system of no accountability.  None for the judges, none for the lawyers.  They could do what they choose almost without reprisal.  I don't buy the argument that it is a defense attorney's job to get someone off...  I think it is there responsibility to ensure a fair trail, but not at the cost of technicalities.

On the other hand, it is better than some of the options.

Volunteers for the Good

Last month, tornadoes came home to us in Massachusetts.  I have been amazed with the devastation and destruction.  I have been even more amazed at the out pouring of help of good people in the surrounding areas.  Story after story of people giving of themselves to help those that need it.  I know a few names, but they are only a few and they know who they are.  My hat is off to each and every one of you folks.  You are what we as a society are all about.  Thank you.

I've been lucky for most of my life in that I have never had to endure a natural disaster of the magnitude that destroyed people and property around me.  Most of the time, the closest I have been is to see what's happened via the news on television.  I do remember once on a flight to the west coast, flying over an amazingly hugh flood area where the Mississippi had gone over the top.

On the return part of a college trip with my son Tyler to Savannah, GA, we decided to stop early for the night in South Carolina.  Someone said, good thing you stopped, there are suppose to be tornadoes in North Carolina tonight.  Weatherman, who listens to them?  Well there were tornadoes in North Carolina in which several people lost their lives.  Driving up I-95, we drove through an area that had been hit and saw where, what appeared to be, a mobile home park.  All that was left was "stuff" everywhere, and I mean everywhere.  We saw people working on and going through the mess.  We felt the "wow" of it.

This particular post is about the Chain Saw Response Team that came to the aid of Monson, MA.  Kudos to you.  The pictures don't come close to telling the real story, but for those that are not here, it's a story.  Look -> here.  I am trying hard not to slam those that showed up and charged astronomical fees for their help, but I can't help it.  Just because you got to people that were over a barrel.  Screw you, what goes around, comes around.

Thank you Chainsaw response Team; Belchertown Helps Monson and ALL the others I don't even know about. I urge you, and you children, that if and when the need every arises, go volunteer, for something, for anything. Teach a value so that we may all take the time to help where help is really needed.