Due to technical difficulties, we were not able to watch the whole film of Thirst, so here is what I can sum up of the first half!First half of Thirst:
The film "Thirst," is a non narrative documentary showing the contraversal topic of water privatization and how the city of Stockton, CA is stuck on the decision to make about privitizing their water or not. Mayor Gary Podesto proposed to give the control of Stockton's water system over to global water corporations. He proposes that by doing this, it will save them 172$ over 20 years if approved. MOney Money Money!!!! The town was in outrage about the fact that they would not own their water anymore and was demanding Pedesto to let them have a say on the issue and vote. Increasing prices, the quality of the water, and the major layoffs of public employees are some of the concerns held by the citizens of Stockton. Since the filming of the film in 2003:
Stockton continued to battle their rights over the water 7 years after the filming in 2003. The city council decided in favor of local water control by a vote of 5-0! The city decided to end the water and sewage services contract. A victory like this is important for the city of Stockton because they actually took a stand on something that was important to them and won! If only all places progressed in a way that Stockton did by standing up for what they believe in! The Sierra Club (which is the oldest and largest grassroots environmental organization) citizens coalition, and the League of Women voters filed a lawsuit to stop the privatization act saying that under California's Environment Quality Act, the city should have included an impact statement before approving. What a great win!
My thoughts on the topic:
My thoughts on this topic are confused and angry. Before reading 31 and viewing this documentary, I had no idea what water privatization even was. I am so glad that I am given these opportunities to learn more about issues effecting our environment. The issue of whether water is a "common right" or not is confusing to me because it seems like there should be an easy answer to this...Water is Water! If only it were that simple? I have definitely never thought of this issue in this way before and am surprised to know that it is even taking place in not just our countries but others as well such as India and Bolivia. This seems ridiculous to me because where is the line drawn here? When is it okay for the rights of citizens to no longer be present? We talked about this a lot in class after the film about certain rights we have as citizens. What other rights are we going to be stripped of? Also, who has the say in who owns what parts of the water? So much to think about...! Im glad that we live by one of the largest supplies of fresh water...for now! Who will own Lake Superior in a few years? This is a good question.
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Good review, Katie!
ReplyDeleteThat's so awesome that the citizens of Stockton were able to fight for what they thought was right...and actually WIN!
Also, I thought you brought up some excellent points in your last paragraph. I agree that this class has been great so far to introduce us to all of these issues. Hopefully no one will ever "own" Lake Superior - what a frightening thought!
Katie-
ReplyDeleteI never knew about water privatization before either. I really hope that our country never has this issue, but considering we waste so much of our water.. it might just happen! You did a good job summarizing the video even though we only got to watch half of it.. :/ Hope the water is nice in Arizona! haha
Katie- Thanks so much for doing the research on the outcome of the situation in Stockton. Is is very existing for the citizens to have actually completed something that they were outnumbered and overpowered by.
ReplyDeleteI also never knew about the issue of water privatization until this last week of class. Sadly, I find other environmental issues to still be so much more important, but I know if they were trying to privatize the water of my city/town, I would care a lot more. I think our opinions in life tend to sway and shift and refocus when issues become much more serious or detrimental to ourselves. --S
Katie,
ReplyDeleteNice review, what an interesting topic. We are so fortunate to be in MN and really don't have too many worries about our water. That may change in the future, as the rest of the world is looking for usable H2O. Interesting topic!!
Katie-
ReplyDeleteNice review! I didn't know what water privatization was either and wasn't aware of how big of a deal it was. I think that WE ARE being stripped of almost everything. Dr.V made a great point.. what's next air being privatized? Keep up the good work!
Katie:
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad that you helped us find out what happened after the film was over! It was great to read that the citizens won the hard fight that they had been dealing with. I agree with you that I am still kind of confused but more so just angry about this topic. And I hadn't thought about who may or may not own Lake Superior soon.... what a deal.Great Reivew!!
Hope you had a great spring break!
Heather
Hey Katie!
ReplyDeleteGreat job and Im glad to here that the citizens were able to fight for themselves and there water issues! I agree with you that it is really great that we are being exposed to these issues and learning how people in other places live so differently than we do.. it is eye opening and makes me want to do something to change the way things currently are in the world! Water I cant imagine not having it!
Katie- I had no idea about water privatization either! And you're right a simple solution should be water is water...noone has any right to own it! I think about if people started to own the water what would happen to beaches and everything. You might not be able to freely go to them, they will start chargin to use "their" water! I was glad to find out that the citizens won the battle!!!:) Good job!
ReplyDeleteKatie, I never heard of water prioritization either before last week! Sad to think that this is an issue in the world and we had no idea that it was even going on! I don't think our generation will run out of water like Dr. V said but I think it will be an issue for future generations. Kind of like, how no one did anything about global warming until it continued to get worse...
ReplyDeleteLastly, I hope no one gains ownership of Lake Superior! That would be scary.
Good review Katie!
Katie,
ReplyDeleteGood review I liked how you mentioned what has happend since the film in 2003. I didnt know what water privatization was either, it was interesting to learn about. It opened my eyes and made me look at how important water is and how easily it could be taken away.
Hey Katie!
ReplyDeleteGood job! Yes, I think many of us were clueless about this topic! I am also glad we have the opportunities to learn about things effecting our environment! If only it were simple as "water is water!" life would be great, but of course money rules many decisions and it's really irritating to think about! This issue makes me feel so lucky that we have a great water system and it would break my heart is Lake Superior was owned by someone!
Thanks for the review Katie!
Kathy
Katie,
ReplyDeleteGood review! I think it was great that the people fought for their rights and got what they wanted! It makes me feel lucky that we have never had to witness that first hand. I really hope that someday it doesn't come down to that.
Hey there Katie!
ReplyDeleteHaha I know exactly what ya mean by 'confused and angry'. And how ya said 'where is the line drawn?'. It's such an odd subject to think about because its water. Doesnt seem like it should be an issue!
Steve
Katie-
ReplyDeleteGreat review. I agree with what steve just posted. It seems like water is so easy for us to have here, when in some places it can be owned and privitized by people? The whoel concept is just hard to comprehend.
I was really happy to hear that the people of Stockton, CA were finally able to get local control of their water and sewage services. It was really great that they stood up and fought for something that they believe in. I also had no idea what water privatization was before I read reading 31. It was kind of cool to see a documentary on the same topic as a reading that we had just done. It made this issue really stand out to me. I also never thought of the issue of water ownership. Water was initially created for everyone, so why is it that certain groups of people should own it. I just don't like that idea. You brought up a really great point; if water can be owned...than what next. That is a really scary thought.
ReplyDeleteKatie,
ReplyDeleteI also admired the city of Stockton, CA and how they handled the issue there. Democracy can be a very powerful thing, only if the people take advantage of it! When you talk about where the line should be drawn for people's rights, I think there shouldn't be a line drawn at all. Just like "water is water," I believe "rights are rights." Rights are the one thing that no one should be able to take away, but unfortunately people have been stripped of their rights many times in the past. If the gov't or anyone else takes away our right to water, we have a lot more to worry about!
Hey Katie,
ReplyDeleteThat's awesome that the stand those people took paid off. It would have been quite a let down to a lot of people if they would have lost the vote. I don't think people should have to go through so much just to fight for something like water. It is something that should be shared and not priced.
Very good post Katie~ I too found it so cool how the people of Stockton stood up for themselves, and made a positive thing happen. Hopefully this will happen in more places :) I feel the same way in terms of having the opportunity to learn about things and issues I had NO idea about before this class, I just hope I am able to do something to be part of a solution for so many of the issues we are learning about. Great job Katie!!
ReplyDeleteConfused and angry are the right words to use in this situation. I can't believe this whole water issue! what is becoming of the world? Are the people in power going to start fighting over water like oil now? I just hope people come to their senses and think of their families, friends and communities before this water issue gets way out of control.
ReplyDeleteKatie,
ReplyDeleteI agree with you, I am so glad that I am given these opportunities to learn more about issues effecting our environment. I also liked the question you posed at the end of your review: "Who will own Lake Superior in a few years?" I think that is a question we need to ponder the answers to becuase it will be hitting home if water privitization takes hold of the country. Nice job!
If only "water is water" were that simple... If people were not so greedy and wanting control over things for money, our country would be in a much better place. It's time to think of our countries benefits and not individual benefits. Each decision our nation makes today, will effect future generations. Water should be open and free to all individuals!
ReplyDeleteNice work! It's crazy to think how companies are actually taking over something that everyone has a right to. It's also iteresting to see how areas with little water have comeup with simple ideas to conservse the little water they have. It's good to see that the people in Stockton are standing up against the big companies
ReplyDeleteGreat Post! Good question on who will own lake superior...i hope we that it will not come down to that, where we need to own nature like that!!
ReplyDelete