Ogallala Aquifer, Keystone pipeline, transgender bathroom, public health

We are pumping the Ogallala Aquifer dry

With more than a dozen previous water studies sitting on the shelf gathering dust, do we need another study to tell us what anyone with common sense already knows?

We’re pumping the Ogallala Aquifer dry. Pumping rate far exceeds recharge.

The only winners are giant agribusiness corporations sucking the meager profits out of rural America. Pumping this precious natural resource to produce crops and livestock to sell at a loss is just plain stupid.

When the Ogallala gets too depleted, the vision of western Kansas as a “Buffalo Commons” will become reality.

Pipeline spilling

I fell rolling on the floor laughing my head off when I read the headline “TransCanada: Oil spill forces shutdown of Keystone pipeline” (April 6 Business). The first paragraph said: “The Keystone pipeline will likely remain shut down for the rest of the week while officials investigate an apparent oil spill in southeastern South Dakota.” That’s just to “investigate it”; nothing about remedial action.

We who opposed it all knew it would happen sooner or later, but now already?

Thank you, President Obama, for rejecting the Keystone XL project last November. Why wise care of our environment can’t be taken seriously before this kind of incident beats me.

Calling all horndogs

A growing list of corporate CEOs are now pressuring state governments to allow transgender people to use the restroom aligned with their gender identity. This must come as excellent news to the adolescent horndogs who have but to strap on a skirt and declare themselves “a lesbian trapped in a man’s body” in order to shower with the ladies’ high school volleyball team. Yeah, I certainly don’t see any potential for this idea getting abused.

Become the healthiest

This is National Public Health Week. This year’s theme is “Healthiest Nation 2030.” The idea is to make America the healthiest nation in one generation.

This year’s theme encourages public health professionals, health care providers, decision makers and residents to partner together to spur the community to make the healthy choice the default choice. The week also provides community members with an excellent opportunity to make small changes that will make big differences in their health.

In Sedgwick County, there is much work to be accomplished to improve our community members’ health, but let’s not forget the incredible work that has been accomplished. The Wichita Bicycle Master Plan, the Wichita Pedestrian Master Plan, the formation of the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board, and the Wichita clean air ordinance are just a few examples. We also need to recognize the substantial role a healthy and vibrant community plays in economic development.

Let’s work together to improve our health by engaging in lifestyles that include regular exercise and play (just a walk around the block is a good start), healthy eating and tobacco cessation.

Prevention is key

Americans are celebrating National Public Health Week. The Susan G. Komen organization would like to take the opportunity to remind everyone that prevention is important to reduce one’s risk for breast cancer. Studies show that a healthy diet full of fresh fruits and vegetables, maintaining a healthy weight, incorporating daily exercise in one’s life, and limiting use of alcohol all help to reduce a risk of breast cancer. We also know that these strategies influence preventing a recurrence for those already diagnosed.

Where one lives and economic status are additional risk factors for a cancer diagnosis and other health risks. Susan G. Komen joins other health care agencies in the community to promote lifestyle changes to improve the overall health of our community. Komen Kansas provides funds to support local organizations that promote healthy lifestyles, and joins them to encourage our community to recognize the need for access to services and community efforts to build healthy communities.

Public health is not the responsibility of one organization but the entire community, including our elected officials and our government agencies.

This story was originally published April 8, 2016 at 7:04 PM with the headline "Ogallala Aquifer, Keystone pipeline, transgender bathroom, public health."