2019 Life Logs, Day 225: The Lion King versus Plastic Straws
Date: Tuesday, August 13, 2019
Weather: Overcast with Rain; High 80, Low 67 degrees F
Location: At Home in the Cottage, East Falmouth, MA
I had a personal battle over what to name tonight’s log. Should I focus on the positive and name it ‘The Lion King’? The reason for this is that I spent this rainy afternoon in the Falmouth Cinema Pub with the Goldpebbles and friends watching the new rendition of the original animated film that came out in 1994. Or should I focus on the negative and rant about the almost half a million dollars some Americans have spent buying Trump plastic straws? I decided to include both, but I’ll start with the positive. The new Lion King gets mixed reviews, but I was anxious to see what the realistic animation looked like and how it changed the film’s effectiveness. I was fascinated by the realistic animation, but I will have to go back and watch the original to make a fair comparison. But, no matter, it was a great way to spend a rainy afternoon. Nothing earth shattering, just enjoyment. Learning about the Trump plastic straws, however, almost sent me over the edge. Trying to get people to buy into the idea of getting rid of single-use plastic anything is not going to turn around climate change, but it is something that we need to do for our health and for the good of the environment. And it is something that even the youngest Americans can understand. The movement to get rid of plastic straws, a totally unnecessary item in the first place, has been gaining momentum. My grandchildren know to ask waitresses to not bring them plastic straws and this is helping them understand why single use plastic items are harmful to the environment. But our President has decided to take issue with this and Trump 2020 has just made almost half a million dollars through the sale of plastic straws. They claim ‘liberal’ paper straws don’t work. What does this say about our country? There are so many things being done by this administration that have much more serious consequences than using plastic straws. I can name at least five things that he did just today that have negative world-wide consequences. But to intentionally try to undermine the tiny little anti-plastic straw movement that has come to be an important thing young children can do to improve the environment just set me off. The man obviously knows his base and is obviously a great marketer. Just think of the progress that he could be making if he were working for the good of all people, for the good of a healthier environment.
I want to end by wishing my friend Alan Kanegsberg good luck. He is having a knee replacement tomorrow and I will be thinking of him. And I want to wish a happy birthday to my world traveling friend, Linda Stuart. Linda and I worked together in the Concord School District in New Hampshire. She and her husband Mike are now traveling around the world on their bicycles. They are currently biking north from Singapore through Malaysia. Sure hope Linda had a great day.
