Sounds like a great future Supreme Court case (among many related others!). From: oe-bounces@lists.wedgeblade.net [mailto:oe-bounces@lists.wedgeblade.net] On Behalf Of Marianna Bailey Sent: Wednesday, January 9, 2013 2:08 PM To: Order Ecumenical Community Subject: Re: [Oe List ...] Response to Del I hope the following is not a portent of the future. In this case they need water for fracking. Needless to say the Republicans won big in 2010 and we are beginning to see the results. Marianna North Carolina's General Assembly is about to take the unprecedented step of seizing a municipal-run water system from a city, which in this case has owned and operated it for over 100 years. Members of the NCGA have signaled their intention to introduce legislation in early 2013 that would force the city of Asheville to turn over not only its water distribution system, but control of its pristine 20,000 acre watershed, to the Metropolitan Sewerage District of Buncombe County (MSD). Indications are that the city of Asheville will likely receive no compensation for the taking of these assets. On Jan 9, 2013, at 12:03 PM, R Williams wrote: George, A point Paul Hawken makes (Natural Capitalism) is that we currently determine the worth of natural resources based on what it costs to extract and process them, rather than for the value they add to standard of living and quality of life. I dare say if water in your area, or ours, were to be valued based on the quality of life it brings, and the deterioration of quality of life in its absence, then your friend's estimate that you're paying only a fourth what it's worth wouldn't even be close. Maybe one onehundredth. Randy "Whatever the problem, community is the answer. There is no power greater than a community discovering what it cares about." Margaret Wheatley From: George Holcombe <geowanda@earthlink.net> To: Order Ecumenical Community <oe@lists.wedgeblade.net>; ICA LIST SERVE <dialogue@wedgeblade.net> Sent: Wednesday, January 9, 2013 10:52 AM Subject: Re: [Oe List ...] Response to Del Yes, everything seems to be in contention. From gun control to how do we address the rapidly growing inequity between rich and poor, but the matter that will put all of this as secondary is global climate change. What is happening in Australia, the island nations, rise of seas, the Arctic melt and increasing acidity of the oceans, the violent weather, Sandy in the U.S., Cyclone season in other parts of the world and last years Tornado season, expanding desertification and loss of potable water is going to change everything very quickly. Last night at our community meeting the question of water rates came up and the resident who serves on several state and federal water regulation and study groups, jumped to his feet and announced that what we are paying for water is a 4th of what it's worth and the cost will rise rapidly in the coming year, He also pleaded for everyone to stop watering their lawns, saying that's our drinking water. I'd never seen such passion coming from this cool, reasonable mediator type before. It is more than likely that the water sold to rice farmers in South Texas will be cut off because the lakes and aquifers around Austin are at historic lows and even if there were sustained heavy rains it would not fill the lakes or recharge the aquifers. In as much as the wealthy and corporate interests have large stakes in keeping the exploitation of natural resources and pollution levels as they are, or even increasing them, what is unfolding is breaking all of the models of sustainability and, in proportion, governance and life style. It is likely that, in my thinking, that locality will become more contentious and some of the questions that will be driving things will be how can I protect what I have. Facilitators might want to consider how to implement ways to aid the wealthy and the corporate world in how to step back from exploiting consumerism and become expert in conservation and slimming down as a way to profitability. Just as a way was found to eliminate CFCs for the most part and other chemicals creating the Ozone hole, I imagine something similar may begin to occupy the powers that have ignored climate change so far, which will have an enormous effect on how business and governance is done, and will effect everyone's life style and economics, particularly if these measures do not work. Some of the climatologist feel we passed the tipping point. If this be true, what are the models for living on the other side of that? Maybe some of our young folk are already working on that. George Holcombe 14900 Yellowleaf Tr. Austin, TX 78728 Mobile 512/252-2756 geowanda@earthlink.net Hope appeareth, but it is not your Hope-you do not have anything to do with it. It just appeareth. It comes as a stranger, as an alien-it just appeareth! You do not even know why you hope. How in the world could you hope when there is absolutely nothing to justify any hope? ~Joseph W. 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