Clarity sought on Great Lakes (Kerry gaffe on Great Lakes diversion issue)

Detroit Free Press ^ | February 5, 2004 | Hugh McDiarmid

[cebadams]

Front-running Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry told a Free Press reporter Tuesday that Great Lakes water diversion issues require a "delicate balancing act" to provide for "national needs."

Twenty-four hours later, his Michigan campaign spokesman, Mark Kornblau, said the Massachusetts senator's position on shipping water out of the Great Lakes is "unequivocal."

[cebadams]

Two points --

1. Kerry himself did not amend his comments.

2. For Kerry not to realize that this is such a major issue is unbelievable.

[dirtboy]

As recently as 1998, a Canadian company won approval to send tankers full of 158 million gallons of Lake Superior water annually to drought-stricken Asian countries. When public uproar ensued on both sides of the border, the Canadian government revoked the permit.

That is about what flows down the St. Mary's river in twenty minutes. It seems to me that there is a valuable resource that could be sold in small amounts for a goodly amount of money.

[ElkGroveDan]

This is all part of plan for Los Angeles to steal Great Lakes water.

[NordP]

shhhh ;-)

---'cause we're counting on having some of it trickle down to San Diego, too.

[NordP]

(thinking to myself)

Of course, we'll have to BOIL it first, if it comes to us via L.A., but....

ha ha

[ElkGroveDan]

Nope San Diego is stealing their water from the Salton Swamp.

[NordP]

Is THAT why it tastes so funny!

(Thinking to myself...good thing I buy the very best KIRKLAND water... ha ha)

[Catspaw]

If someone wants Great Lakes water, they're free to move to a Great Lakes state. Otherwise, forget it.

[cebadams]

If someone wants Great Lakes water, they're free to move to a Great Lakes state. Otherwise, forget it.

Exactly!! And what does that say about Keryy who doesn't understand how deeply this issue is to those who live around the Great Lakes??

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

It seems to me that there is a valuable resource that could be sold in small amounts for a goodly amount of money.

The Lakes are currently down 19 inches. That is up an inch from last year but it is far to much. We are hoping with good snowfalls to see them rise another six inches but that still is over a foot below normal. Until the Lakes are back at their normal levels we should leave them alone as much as possible.

The Lakes bring in a lot of revenue just by being. And rebuilding all those docks is going to cost a bundle if the level continues to fall.

If they were at normal level or over I would agree with you

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Most of the steamships on the Great Lakes are carrying short loads because of low water. The US Coast Guard granted an extension of the navigation season in January but USS Great Lakes Fleet's Edgar Speer ran aground in the St. Marys and effectively cancelled the extra days for everybody else.

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

It is effecting property values too. My cabin is now worth much less now. That area of the river used to be great for fishing and boating. Now it is too shallow. I have to portage in areas where I never had to before and the dock is worthless. You jump off into the mud basically

Which is why I am not complaining about the snow this year. Every flake is precious. Except for that Lake effect stuff. Totally worthless. Should stay in the Lake where it belongs!

[SierraWasp]

Could be... huh!

There's enough water in Lake Tahoe to cover the entire central valley one foot deep with water!!!

[dirtboy]

If they were at normal level or over I would agree with you

That makes sense - that any sale of water would be allowed only when there was a surplus of water going down the St. Marys.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

My wife and I and another couple sailed from Two Harbors to Rouge Steel several years ago aboard an Interlake steamer. I noticed the boat sort of "bumped along" when we went upriver into the Ford Works.
Where the heck is all the water going ? Is there less rainfall and drainage coming out of Boundry Waters ?

[Dan from Michigan]

Front-running Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry told a Free Press reporter Tuesday that Great Lakes water diversion issues require a "delicate balancing act" to provide for "national needs."

Bwahahahahhahhahahhaahhahaha. There;s an extra percentage to Nader right there.

[cebadams]

That makes sense - that any sale of water would be allowed only when there was a surplus of water going down the St. Marys.

And who's going to say what normal levels are?? Great Lakes water levels change every day. There is an annual cycle of lake levels. There is NO constant average lake level. Never was one.

No way, no how -- not one drop. Let the International treaty of 1909 stand forever.

[breakem]

Then let's get on with it.

[q_an_a]

finally someone with a post that provided some understanding of what is the reason for people to complain.

if texas had as much water as michigan we would all be laughing. there is only one NATURAL LAKE in this state, so learning to live with impound water is part of our life. you are so lucky.

[Leroy S. Mort]

Clarity sought on Great Lakes

I didn't know he'd moved from California.