You know what?

I’m getting really tired of having to think about every little piece of trash I throw away.

No, this isn’t a tirade against how the left wing has blown the environmental issue way out of proportion.

I believe we have a problem.  I believe we have a responsibility to our planet.

I use canvas bags for my groceries, phosphate free cleaners, I do not use paper plates (well, except last week and it was totally a one time thing), I buy locally grown organic produce, I recycle everything that comes through my house, I used and will be using cloth diapers for my children, and I rarely drink bottled water.

(I do not, however, have one of these. And, frankly, it will be a cold day in hell before I get one).

But,  I would really love it if all of this planet’s corporations just started making stuff so that I don’t have to worry about whether something is recyclable or whether or not the packaging is adding to our environmental perils.

I know that a lot of corporations are doing this, but, it’s not nearly enough to make my life easier.  I think we’re waaay past the point where “recyclable” and “green” should be considered marketing tools.

Recyclable and green should be considered the standard.

And companies that don’t offer them as the standard are … the devil.

Take, for example, the new earpiece I bought for my  iPhone a few months ago.  It was bound with a small piece of plastic, then wrapped in a larger piece of thin plastic, then placed in a plastic bag and THEN covered in plastic packaging.

FOUR layers of plastic.  Really?  REALLY??  Apple is supposed to be a 21st century kind of company, right?  Why do I, as a consumer, have to worry about this nonsense?

(And may I mention how annoying all these layers of plastic can be when a 3 year old is tugging at your shirt announcing that she has decided she wants to watch Sleeping Beauty and drink a Pepsi right now even though she’s only allowed to do that on Fridays and we did calendar this morning and she knows it’s Tuesday…)

But, I digress.  As I was saying, do we really need all these freaking layers?!!

I understand that some of you will insist that the packaging protects the items as they are being shipped from damage.  Agreed.  Yes, they are protected.

But, hey, how about instead of investing all of our capital into finding new ways to kill each other, we devote a little R & D to shipping methods which could potentially reduce the amount of plastics needed to protect the stuff that we buy?

I think the results of that kind of research would be useful on a daily basis.  As opposed to the “kill each other” research that only proves useful every thirty years or so.

I also read a blog post about crayon recycling.  The author, who I am thankful to for pointing to this issue and the immediate actions necessary to correcting it, mentioned that Crayola suggests that if you were to line up all the unrecycled crayons next to each other that they could cover the earth, like, fifty bajillion times.  Or some number close to that.

So, Crayola has given us some kind of address or program where we can send all our old crayons.

I hope they don’t want a recyclable paper ticker tape parade for this. Because they aren’t getting one from me.

You know what?  How about they make a crayon that I can throw away that will just melt into thin air  when my kid decides it’s too beat up to use.

Don’t laugh.

They can clone sheep… soon, they’ll be cloning people… they can totally make a disappearing crayon.

They just don’t make disappearing crayons and eco-friendly shipping materials because they know that we’re a bunch of guilt ridden schmucks that will turn over every piece of plastic to check and make sure that we’re doing our part.

I’m doing my part.

I’m tired of working around outdated technology and packaging.

Somebody.  Fix it. Now.

::Cough.::

Please.

Full disclosure?

I hate Wal Mart.

I wish I could tell you that I hate it for political, social or ethical reasons.

But, no.

I hate Wal Mart because it’s dirty.  And shady.  And just gross.  And no matter how respectable and dignified a person might think they are, the moment they walk into a Wal Mart they become human trash scouring filth laden aisles for the cheapest prices on items manufactured in poorly regulated overseas factories that will most likely kill us all because said items are infused with lead, mercury and God-only-knows-what.

OK, maybe it’s not that bad.  But… it’s close.

More full disclosure?

I love history.  Particularly the history of the American Civil War.  I think this era represents a formative point in our nation’s history.  I also think too many Americans, in general, live in ignorance of how the events of this particular era directly affect the way in which we still approach the basic ideals of freedom, nationalism and government.

I know.

What do my love of history and disdain for Wal Mart have to do with one another?

About 145 years ago, Generals Ulysses Grant and Robert E. Lee faced one another for the first time on a battlefield in Locust Grove, Va.  in what became known as the Battle of the Wilderness.  It was a definitive battle, according to some historians.  It represented a turning point in that many argue that the Confederacy lost its offensive edge beginning with this battle.

In a few months, it seems there will be a Wal Mart looming over this battlefield, roughly across the street.

It’s an interesting situation.

Some of the residents of this area support the initiative of this Wal Mart, citing that it will bring needed economic development to the area.

Others, for obvious reason, are horrified by the idea that extra low prices will be touted just steps away from a place in which more men lost their lives in service to this nation than both of the Gulf wars combined.

Me?  Here’s what I think.

I think that a historical landmark in and of itself is a viable opportunity for economic growth and development.  I think we have a lot of Wal Marts, but we only have one battlefield where Grant’s men and Lee’s men first faced each other.

I don’t like the idea of a Wal Mart being anywhere near this nationally sacred (yes, sacred) place… this place where many men offered their lives simply so that their version of American ideals would live on.

If the citizens of Locust Grove are looking for economic growth, Wal Mart is an expedient, but poor choice.

But, I don’t live in Locust Grove, Virginia.

Maybe they need these jobs really badly?

Maybe arguments of preservation, identity and national treasure are a bit ivory tower for people who are standing in an unemployment line or might have had to apply for government aid for the first time in their lives?

It’s a difficult situation and the most that I’m willing to commit to is an opinion that wavers precariously whenever I consider that my tendency to lean towards historical preservation has a very real human cost.

My God, I do hate Wal Mart, though.

P.S. Be sure to enjoy your Memorial Day.  And the meat you’ll be barbequeing.  Which was no doubt purchased at extra low prices.  Sigh.