Archive for August 31, 2011
An Article About Articles
by John Weckerle
It’s been a while since we checked in on the folks at the Sandia Tea Party. In our last article on the subject, we examined two posts on the Sandia Tea Party site: one which we felt was a slap at minorities, and another on global climate change on which we thought it appropriate to clarify the source. Predictably or not, both articles vanished from the Sandia Tea Party site very quickly after our article was published.
Since then, we’ve been busy with other things, but have been keeping an eye on the site from time to time. There have been a few times where we’ve considered taking the author(s) to task on disinformation and other issues. It is rife with “the usual” – branding people with different opinions as “socialists” (even those who advocate sustainable development are now included in this ever-broadening category); suggesting that widely accepted scientific postulates are a) false, b) stupid, c) the result of dishonesty or myopia in the scientific community, or d) all of the above; and peppering all this with vague (or sometimes not-so-vague) scatological references that are certainly more enjoyable to write than they are to read.
We find ourselves currently amused by several posts on the site dealing with issues associated with carbon and anthropogenic climate change. The first of these consists of a doctored (we hope) photograph depicting a child urinating off a pier with the caption “After rising CO2 levels were blamed for increasing ocean acidity, a new theory emerges.” Apparently, this is supposed to suggest that it is foolish to believe that an increase in atmospheric CO2 lowers the pH of water.
Announcement: Flood Maps Changing for East Mountains — Public Meeting Scheduled
by Catherine Lopez, Bernalillo County Public Information Department
Bernalillo County – A couple of weeks ago, letters were mailed to approximately 730 East Mountain residents notifying them of the revised flood zone maps and the direct effect it will have upon them. As of August 11, the county entered the 90 day appeal period when residents can appeal the technical aspects of the new mapping or protest the information presented on the maps themselves.
“It’s very important that homeowner’s understand that if they have a mortgage, they may be required to purchase flood insurance. Doing so before the maps take effect will save them significant money,” states Commissioner Wayne Johnson.
A public meeting is scheduled on Wednesday, August 31, at the Los Vecinos Community Center beginning at 6:00 p.m. Bernalillo County Public Works staff will talk about the flood zone changes, answer questions about the appeal process and insurance requirements; and discuss the next action steps for East Mountain residents.
For more information, residents can contact the Bernalillo County Floodplain Administrator, Don Briggs, at 848-1511 or visit our website at www.bernco.gov.