Kingston & Erin Brockovich
I was out a bit ago having dinner on the cheap and the phone rang. It was a dear friend of mine who particularly wanted to call me because of the hub-bub that was being caused in her store by the appearance of certain famous person. Turns out Erin Brockovich was in her store and had apparently caused a big stir in the local community. The funny thing was that Ms. Brockovich was standing in the only parking spot and my dear friend did not realize who it was when she pulled in to go to work and (ahem) politely asked her to move. Only later did she learn who it was and when the friend called Ms. Brockovich was wandering around in the store.
Sad thing is, I had seen late last week or maybe over the weekend that Erin Brockovich was going to be visiting the area – generally she does not just make such a trip for nothing. I do not have all the details, but I know that in short there is a dam in the Kingston area that was associated with TVA. In addition there is a coal-fired electric plant in the area. Apparently the dam failed due to flooding and other issues back around the holidays (don’t quote me on the dates) but there was a huge release of what is considered toxic coal ash sludge into the area down from the damn as a result.
They are comparing the mess down stream from the break in the dam to the same kind of catastrophic and toxic environment that was left behind in New Orleans as that behind the hurricane. Apparently lots of people are, not surprisingly, going on the second week with out power. I can only image how the impact is effecting the water, especially ground water, giving the heavy rains in the area. Also imagine the effect on the wildlife and what was once fertile river bottom land for years, perhaps decades to come.
I personally find it ironic that such a thing as this would happen in such an area. Just a few short miles mostly north of Kingston is the original atomic city – Oak Ridge. A city that did not exist on maps for a long time and was completely isolated. Where even today one can still see the remains of shops and loud speakers and just imagine what happened in the 1940′s there. One would have expected to maybe find a nuclear sludge pile somewhere or a leak of radiation during the day, but no – it was just a good old coal mess.
Ironically I started this post with a different thought in mind completely about Gaelic Storm and ten minute brush with fame, will have to do that another time I suppose.
** – photo credit to J. Miles Cary of the News Sentinel. I personally found it on the KnoxNews.com website.
i have been in same position..someone holding a parking space. not sure how i would handle it but sure seen how the fella wanting that parking space acted. I was imbarrased for everyone involved yes finding out they have had knowone monitoring.there sludge piles..makes you wonder what is next
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