How to combat acid rain, 100-year storms
I read Dave Price’s letter in this space and I agree with some of what he says. I agree that world opinion is based on a consensus of scientists that agree with them. They are some pretty educated people and their opinion should be heard even if it isn’t ironclad. Acid rain is real. I took Dave’s comment on the cow’s stomach to indicate he may be a farmer. If he is, he no doubt has seen the holes that a drop of acid rain landing on a crop will eat into a leaf. We can spray for insect leaf eaters there is no cure for acid rain.
I have my own theory about the current spate of 100-year storms. Shortly after space exploration began, yes I’m that old, I began noticing shortly after a launch severe weather was soon to follow. My theory is that as the rocket penetrates the layers of the Earth’s atmosphere it opens ever so briefly a path for the much colder air of the upper atmosphere to rush down into the warmer air causing the creation of swirling air that rapidly spins out of control and travels on the natural currents around the globe creating some pretty severe storms as it does so. This isn’t such a crazy notion as going way back in time man has been firing objects into the sky (cloud seeding) to try to end droughts.
So what has been happening in recent years? A race by multiple companies competing for the NASA business have been conducting tests on their own products, other companies are developing space travel businesses, several other countries have expanded their space exploration, and the Russians and North Koreans have expanded development of weapons of mass destruction. I agree with Dave that current science holds no definitive cure for global warming no matter how much money businesses must lose as theories are enacted into law. My belief is that a moratorium on launches will greatly reduce the current number of severe weather storms all over the globe. As to acid rain, the burning of fossil fuels is the only way that I can think of that acid can get into the clouds in the amounts that it would take to make the effects noticeable on the ground.
Steven Davidson
New Windsor
More trails needed in North Carroll area
Thursday’s report from Carroll County Recreation and Parks, stating a recent survey by the department indicated that Carroll County residents wanted more walking and riding trails provided in the county. I strongly agree. The North Carroll area has been sadly overlooked for many years, while trails in other parts of the county, seem to flourish.
I suggested, several years ago to Parks and Recreation, a plan to develop a trail from the Ebb Valley Elementary School to the recently developed Manchester Valley High School. This trail would connect three public school facilities, a nature center, a public swimming pool and access to a well-organized public park in Manchester. In addition, future extensions could connect south to a middle school and a public library. Plans for this trail were started by Parks and Recreation, but fell silent.
I would like to also comment on the recent findings of the Long Term Advisory Council that reveled, to no surprise, that recreation facilities in this staunch conservative county were extremely inadequate. Turf fields were all around us in Frederick and Howard counties. Fortunately, due to the urging of two adult softball coaches in the ‘70s, the commissioners developed a softball complex similar to the one already built in Frederick county.
The Advisory council correctly recommended many new projects to promote active recreational activities and more passive recreational activities for the growing county demographics. For this group, I was disheartened to find that bocce courts were not discussed.
Vince DePalmer
Manchester
Why the breaks for the coal industry?
It looks like the coal industry, not satisfied with the recent Republican tax cuts for the wealthy, are getting another break from the Administration. According to the March 22 article in the Times, the mine operators contributions to the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund was cut in half by those folks in the White House.
They had been paying 100 percent of the Fund's cost since 1977. Now, in effect, they get a nice, large tax-cut. The American taxpayer, you and me, get to pick up the tab.
Why the Administration wants to continue subsidizing an obsolescent industry escapes me. The president promised during the 2016 campaign to bring back jobs in the coal mines. I guess he forgot to tell the retired miners that he had to put their Black Lung fund at risk to do so. Sad.
Frank Rammes
Westminster