Industry and Cancer… Makes Me Sick

I recently just watched a movie in one of my other class’ about Cancer Valley. For those of you who may not know what Cancer Valley is, it is all the communities along the Mississippi River. Within these communities hundreds of big name companies, such as Shell and other gas and oil companies, etc., have built factories along the river and it is believed that they realize their chemicals not only into the air but also the river. As a result many citizens, including children have developed tumors that have been diagnosed as cancer. Much of the cancer has been rare types. Many people have died as a result and for those who have survived have had the cancer come back or they have been left with a permanent developmental disorder. Watching this movie was so hard to the point I was tempted to walk out. This is so WRONG and it bugs the crap out of me because it hits home.

First of all the middle school in my home town was closed down a few years ago mainly because of structural issues but also because there was/is asbestoses in the ceiling tiles (which were/are falling). While I was a student there one of my teachers developed a brain tumor (this teacher is healthy now). Since then a number of other teachers have been diagnosed with similar cancers. And I am sure if they went back they would find out that many of the older and retired staff and students have had or have cancer. Now maybe it’s just me but, hello, asbestoses in the ceiling, teachers developing cancer…I am pretty sure there is a relationship here. But wait this isn’t even the catch yet…come fall they are going to reopen the school so necessary repairs and additions can be done to the high school so it can better accommodate the high school and middle school and thus because of the time involved  the high school is being temporarily closed. They claim they are going to fix up the middle school enough so it is safe but I am pretty sure they haven’t started anything yet and well, there is only so much you can do in a summer.

Another example…a high school only a town away from the college was built on top of an old airport runway…actually at least one airplane hangar is still intact. Anyways the chemicals from the planes leaked and seeped into the drinking water supply that the school uses. And yup you guessed it a number of factually and students have developed cancer. The alumni that I know who developed cancer developed a very rare type of cancer to the point where specials from all over had to be brought in to treat him. And to make matter worse this kid already had a tough life sense birth (he is now in his mid 20’s). So the catch here…he decided that he was going to do something about this. He did a bunch a research and began to take the necessary steps to hopefully get something done about this. Well guess what….after a certain point the authorities cut him off and no longer would help him.

Also in Berkshire County GE built its factor along the Hudson River and released PCP’s into the water. As a result many of GE’s former employees and other people in the area have developed cancer. For once there is actually being something done about this but it is very expensive and very time consuming…they are attempting to clean the river. But I believe within a five year period they have only been able to clean about half of a mile of the contaminated river….this is simply not fast enough.

And one more example for you… Just bearably over two years ago my grandmother (the only biological grandparent I had left) passed away due to cancer. It was all over her body and only two months after she was diagnosed she ended up in the hospital until she died. Now when she was younger she worked in a wire factory where there were many chemicals…it was even said you could see them falling in the air. Although it wasn’t proven we are pretty sure there is a relationship between the factory and the cancer.

Every time I turn around I am hearing about another person dying of cancer. And obviously there is cancer in my family history on both sides. But the scariest part is I went to that middle school for three years…so how have I been affected. (Please excuse my language) this is completely unacceptable BS and it really bothers me (as if you couldn’t tell this is the longest post I have ever done) that there isn’t much being done about it.

Question:

                                                                                                

Why is it that morals and ethics seem to be pushed aside when industries produce these harmful chemicals?? Why are we still letting this happen?? When will it stop….how can we make this stop??

In response to Julia’s question, “So are you more likely to donate to a cause if you have been through such a situation yourself? Why does it always seem that though you may help others while they are in need, when the time comes for you to get help, no one will give it to you? Are you more likely to be more “charitable” after such a thing happens?”

I definitely believe you are more likely to donate to a cause if you have been through a similar situation or have depended on the charity before. I think many people feel they are obligated to, more or less pay, back the charity for everything they did and continue to do. I work at a McDonald’s and we always have the little cans for the Ronald McDonald House put sometimes we sell hands and hearts too. When we do this I get some people who tell me about how much the Ronald McDonald House helped them so they will always donate.

As for why it seems like when there comes a time when you need help no one is willing I have no idea as to why this is. All I know is it is oober disappointing and annoying. It also causes me to develop a very negative attitude….it makes me think , “that person better not ever ask me for a hand out”. I think it would be interesting to see if there is any research being done or already done on the reason for this.

I believe the last question ties into your first one as well. Again if you have received helped from someone you are more likely to help them in return. As for whether or not you become more “charitable” if it seems like no one helps I am not so sure this is always the case. Some people may do this because they may think that if they help more and others see that they help more they think they will be respected more and thus get more in return. Or if they develop more of a negative attitude like in the example above they may become less likely to donate.

Question:

Why do you think it is that so many people think that in order to be altruistic you have to donate to a charity??

In response to Samantha’s question, “Why does music generate or invoke certain emotions in the listener?”

Music can generate or invoke emotions in the listener for a couple different reasons. One reason might be the song triggers memories, such as people and events. These different memories would then most likely be the reason for the emotions.  For example if you and your partner have/ had a song together than every time you heard that song you would not only be reminded of the person and some of the different events you were at together when that song was playing. My friend who pasted away about a year ago use to play the piano so whenever I heard a song that he use to play I always think of him and although it may make me smile it makes me sad too because e isn’t here anymore.

Another reason why it may seem like the music we listen to generates different emotions is because we choose the type of music we listen to based on how we feel and these songs just make theses emotions even stronger. For example many people when they break up with someone usually listen to love songs because they are upset. Another example would be is usually when people are happy they listen to more fast pace and upbeat music. I know this is true for me and when I am upset with my dad I listen to the song titled “Father of Mine” by Everclear. It all depends on how you use music to cope.

Question:

What about smells that generate memories and emotions??

In response to Catherine’s question, “Do parents have the right to refuse medical treatment to their children if they have religious reasoning for it?”

Religious beliefs and parental rights regarding a child’s medical treatment is a very touchy area. I believe that it depends on the condition of the child. If the doctor thinks the child can heal or become healthy again without the condition worsening and with the lack of treatment then the parents should have rights. But when it comes to things like cancer this is when there is a lot of controversy. I believe if the child has a life threatening condition then the doctor should have the right to overrule the parents or if the child is old enough to understand what is happening the child should have the right to decide whether or not he wants treatment. Either way there are still some problems to work out. For example if the doctor or the child overrides the parents who is responsible for the bill. Also I can guarantee that for the doctor it would raise some ethical issues. So no matter what I don’t believe there is a good solution to this problem because it will just lead to more problems all which could lead to a court date. But I believe if the government intervened people would still have problems. All I know is that if it was me I could not watch a child die no matter what the situation…it’s just wrong!

Question:

Do how you feel about the government intervening when it comes to this issue??