Friday, June 27, 2008

Folsom Trail, Hamlet & River Tragedy

1) Great news from Folsom, in yesterday’s Bee, an excerpt:

“FOLSOM – The city has won a $750,000 grant to build a nature trail from near Old Town Folsom to Lake Natoma, the state announced Wednesday.

“The 2,500-foot trail will include a lighted pedestrian promenade along the shore of Lake Natoma and will comply with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act, according to a press release from state Secretary for Resources Mike Chrisman.”

The access for the disabled is the real great part, as they just have some difficulty getting down to one of the best places in our community to recreate or just sit and watch the weather.

2) Victor Davis Hanson has a great column at Patriot Post about our Hamlet-like uncertainty regarding building the infrastructure we need—pretty relevant during a time of drought in California and floods in the Midwest.

Here is an excerpt:

“In my home state of California, we spent a decade arguing over the replacement for portions of the aging and earthquake-susceptible San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge. Now that the design has finally been agreed to, it will be several years before it is finished. That's quite a contrast to the original bridge that was completed in just over three years.

“California is also in yet another predictable drought and ensuing water shortage. Despite strict conservation and new water-saving technology, we simply don't have enough water for households, recreation, industry and agriculture. Building new dams, reservoirs and canals, you see, would apparently be considered unimaginative and relics of the 20th century.

“The causes of this paralysis are clear. Action entails risks and consequences. Mere thinking doesn't. In our litigious society, as soon as someone finally does something, someone else can become wealthy by finding some fault in it. Meanwhile a less fussy, more confident world abroad drills, and builds nuclear plants, refineries, dams and canals to feed and fuel millions who want what we take for granted.

“In our present comfort, Americans don't seem to understand nature. We believe that our climate-controlled homes, comfortable offices and easy air and car travel are just like grass or trees; apparently they should sprout up on their own for our benefit.”

3) Another possibly tragic drowning in the American River is reported in the Bee today.