2 years 3 months ago, I stepped onto Wrightsville Beach as just a mom with a plan... with a goal to help make Wrightsville Beach the first smoke-free beach in North Carolina. I did my first 20 minute beach clean up at Wrightsville Beach picking up 346 cigarette butts. Since then, I've picked up more cigarette butts than I ever imagined possible... and I connected to a community of people who were just as passionate about helping WB become smoke-free. On November 6, my goal became a reality when 65.3% of votes cast by WB residents were FOR a smoke-free beach. I'm so proud and grateful to have been able to contribute my voice to the Smoke-Free WB community movement!
"One voice can change a room, and if one voice can change a room, then it can change a city, and if it can change a city, it can change a state, and if it change a state, it can change a nation, and if it can change a nation, it can change the world. Your voice can change the world." ~ Barack Obama
Just think about the possibilities for changing the world we live in for the better... let's get together. Inspire each other, motivate each other to use our talents, actions and our voices together for a common cause.
20 minutes on November 12, 2012 at Access 43
Cigarette butts: 150
Total amount of cigarette butts removed from Wrightsville Beach, NC in 169 days:
53,143
Congrats Danielle. You have been a true inspiration for this process. I, and many of your Friends, look forward to seeing the fruit of your Labors blossom next tourist season. Sure there will be some issues but I am thinking the peer pressure will be the dominate motivating factor for eliminating most 'butt litter' from WB.
ReplyDeleteNow, since you introduced BO in your post tonight I just want to express a feeling too. You remember, I am more of the conservative persuasion. Some would call my thoughts a dichotomy, supporting taking away individual freedoms (WB smoke-free) on one hand yet thinking BO as the worst possible choice to lead this country. The quote you posted 'sounds' awesome. Who wouldn't want that type of attitude from USA leadership. I sure would 100% of the time. The fallacy of his/Progressives style of politicking is win the hearts over no matter what it takes. BO is smooth. His statements tug at our heartstrings. Our morals want to believe. I would suggest for you to keep your eyes open on the big political picture.
The philosophy, which I know you have heard, is to ultimately make enough Americans dependent on govt to retain leadership and power. The USA has reached malcolm gladwell's 'tipping point' this election. The only party electable in the future will be parties making promises to its Citizens the USA will be unable to keep. The USA national debt will become the greatest weapon of mass destruction there will be no answer for. We will be longing/begging for Saddam Hussein and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's WMD intensely when/if the dollar devaluation hits. The USA will be at the mercy of these leaderless leaders during the fall. Sounds far-fetched? If so, I would suggest to expand your readings to Ayn Rand and John Allison's The Financial Crisis and the Free Market Cure. I know that is not readings desired but as they say you have to study your enemy to understand them.
Government policy has failed us all. If this country does not revive its economic engines then you can count ALL the social issues we all morally want to support goodbye. No petro facilities, no litter, foodstamps for the needy, medicare, medicaid, disability Affordable Health Care. On and on the programs go that are only available from proceeds the govt collects and re-distributes to the less fortunate. Policy should be written to encourage work and self-sufficiency. Instead many are written creating govt dependency, intended and unintended. The 'tipping point' has arrived. The quality of life is on it's downward spiral as we know it and especially for our kids if economic change does not occur soon. Doubt me? Take a year and live in Greece or Spain or Portugal. We are there. The Federal reserve is the ONLY thing holding it together for now.
I know this will not change your political philosophy. All I want to do is for you to keep your eyes open to the possibility-
"What if I am wrong about Barack Hussein Obama II?"
......then what? It will be too late.
Again, awesome job. You did make a difference for WB.
Surf ... you know how much I've appreciated your immense support over the course of this project. I'll be forever grateful for the energy you put in to helping me win the FilterForGood Film Project :)
DeleteObviously, you know that I do support Obama ;) ... but the reason I shared that quote (which by the way is a very old quote that I've used here in the past)... is not to incite a political debate... but to inspire... I was inspired by it because really it's the truth. I connect to those words. We all put energy out in the world and I fully believe that our voices and our actions can make a difference and help change the world. A reminder to us all to use our voices to make a difference in this great big beautiful world... :)
I think the environmental and financial issues should not be confused.
ReplyDeleteDanielle is well aware that the republican side is not invested in implementing any measure that will improve our bleak environmental future, that's why she chooses Obama, a president who has spoken and done many things in favor of the environment. Where would we enjoy spending our vacation time and money if more and more corners of the planet are polluted with plastic and disposable items?
I see both issues have something in common though, excessive behavior, too much spending and too much disposing.
I would be interested if the new law results in a marked decrease in butts. When will it be issued?
Absolutely Laura! When I vote, I vote for our environment. I'm not looking for perfection... I weigh my options and I vote for the person who is most likely to stand up for our environment (because without that, we have nothing). Obama was hands down the better candidate for the environment.
DeleteAt this time, I'm not sure when the ban will go into effect... sometime in 2013. I would guess that they'll have new signs put up by April to Memorial Day, and then give it a couple of months before beginning enforcement. As I plan on continuing my beach cleanups to 365 non-consecutive days, I will continue tallying cigarette butts and hopefully I'll see a difference in the amount littered :)
love your post as always. love what you have accomplished on your own and with the help of others. and i love the quote that you shared.
ReplyDeleteyou rock
xo
Thanks so much Kim! I'm so happy we're friends :) xox
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