From: lile@netcom.com (Lile Elam)
Subject: Cars an their ill effects on the earth...
Date: Fri, 04 Sep 92 02:48:48 GMT
Organization: Netcom - Online Communication Services  (408 241-9760 guest) 
Summary: Ride bikes :)
Keywords: Cars pollution

I had a very awakening experience today. I had to get new tires
for my car as mine were ruined from not rotating them for about
2.5 years. Turns out that I had to also have the muffler and
breakshoes replaced. I also had to get new rear break cylinders
as one was leaking. Instead of costing the 270.00 I had planned
on, it cost 700.00. Argh!

But what was more desterbing was to find out that breakshoe
pads are made from asbestus (sp?) and metal mixed together. The
thought that every time I press my breaks I am releasing 
asbestus into the environment made my stumach feel really nausiated
and sick. And when I asked "What do you do with these things 
when they are bad?" the response was "We through them in the
trash." I about died. These things go into the landfills... I
talked with the machanic afterwards to see if they recycled stuff
and he said that an old man would come by and pick up the old
mufflers and stuff. They did this out of pitty for the guy
cause he dosen't have much going his way and recycling give
him a lively hood. I am so thankfull for such folks because
they are the ones who will help of save this planet. 

Every time I look at a street person, my heart feels with
respect because I know that they really care. The pick up our
trash and recycle it! They really care for the earth even
though they have no place to sleep except outside. I feel that
the environment knows that they do these things and cares for
them as much as it can. I feel that everything has love energy
except for some of us humans who are out of touch with our hearts...

Anyways, after being slapped in the face today with the ill
effects of cars on the environment, I have decided to ride my bike
to work from now on (or at least whenever I can!). And I will take
my bike for joy rides instead of driving my car to a cafe in the
next town over to have a latte! 

You know, I felt today as I watched other cars emit awful smells
and black smoke, that it doesn't matter because we'll probably all
parish in about 10 years at the rate we're going. But then I felt
that we do have a chance if we change our ways now. There is
hope! And the earth and animals want to help too. They're just
waiting for us to "wake up" and get well so that we will stop
living in anger and hate which causes us to abuse our surroundings.

My friend gave me a button this weekend which says:

	"If we are to have peace, we must begin with the children."

					-Gandhi

I would instead say the following:

	"If we are to have peace, we must begin by healing ourselves."
	"Once we heal ourselves through self love, we can then help
	others to heal themselves through love and acceptance."

Of course, I'd only put the first line on a button as the rest
wouldn't fit. :)

So, does anyone know the awful things cars do to our environment?

I also found that tires can't be melted down and recycled because
they turn toxic when burned. Just think how bad a *hot* day is
in a traffic jam on 101 with all these tires emitting toxins...

Ugh!



energy, light, love..

peace,

-lile



-- 

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Lile Elam	    |  "Remember... No matter where you go, there you are."
lile@netcom.com     |		
Un*x Admin / Artist |			 Buckaroo Banzai
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