Residents urged to act to cut trash processing

As a part of the new generation emerging, I hear time and time again that we’ve had everything handed to us — education, work, you name it— many believe it is ours for the taking.

But a future free of nuclear weapons does not seem to be something freely given. As a welcoming gift to our generation, many in Congress are determined to make us work a little bit harder for a safer future, free of these threats. Their determination to undermine negotiations with Iran illustrates their indifference to these diplomatic processes.

Last week (in mid-March), a letter addressed to Iran warned that agreements could change along with the presidency, courtesy of Senator Cotton and 46 other members of Congress.

Sadly, two of these signatories represent North Carolina. Was there a statewide memo agreeing upon this?

The real threat does not come from a deal with Iran; it comes from those who believe they know what is best for the American people without consulting them first. 

Negotiations with Iran promote an international platform where real progress for a future without nuclear weapons can be achieved.

I believe it is time to take back the responsibility of guaranteeing a safer future for our families.

I know North Carolinians. We are strong. Demand a nuclear-free future. Demand diplomacy.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Hargus is also an Action Corps leader for Global Zero and an intern with the Nuclear Information and Resource Service 

Residents urged to act to cut trash processing

Every week a large, noisy trash truck stops in front of my house. While idling, the mechanical arm picks up my curbed trash can, dumps it into the truck, then returns it to the curb.

The same amount of energy is used whether or not my trash can is full, half-full, one-eighth full or nearly empty.

Please consider the energy saved if we only put out our dumpster when it is full.

Do the math.

If the truck stops every week, that’s about 52 times; every other week, 26 times; every third week, about 19; once a month, about 12 pick ups.

Please, it’s an easy, common-sense way to reduce pollution.

Mission Health criticized for issues in caring for baby 

Mission Health must be used to community hospitals doing the dirty work of close observation and having to keep some “at-risk” newborns away from their mothers.

Otherwise, why would they have not followed the American Academy of Pediatrics protocol for low birth weight babies with low blood sugars?

For my great nephew, he was on his third day of life, instead of his third HOUR of life, before getting an IV because his blood sugar remained under 45 (the hospital’s own parameter, instead of the 47 recommended by the AAP). 

Actually he did finally get over 45 for a time, when I finally strongly recommended to my nephew and his wife that they either dress, tightly swaddle, or place their son back under the heated crib and get him warm because he was using all his calories trying to keep warm because he was almost naked in room air.

It was like the nurses hadn’t taught them about newborns, especially newborns under 5 pounds, being at risk for being cold stressed!  My concern for brain injury won’t rest until this baby is in college.

Luckily, lawsuits related to birth-related trauma can be lodged for 21 years.

I know because I was an OB nurse for over 20 years myself-at those community hospitals doing the dirty work and shipping our sick babies to the likes of Mission!