KUDOS

The largest desalination plant in the Western Hemisphere has been built in San Diego, California. California Desalination Plant

Years ago I spent a few days of vacation on the island of Bermuda. The local houses were beautiful...mostly pastel colors, and all had snowy white-washed roofs. This was to ensure the purity of rainwater that everyone saved. I asked about water usage for the huge resort hotel we stayed in. Surely they didn't use rainwater. (I was pretty naive.) The hotel actually had their own desalination plant. From that point on, as climate change and the longer periods of drought brought more and more attention to our dwindling water supply in the U.S., I often wondered why desalination was not being used more frequently. Of course, it is not without risks -- especially to the sea life in areas where water was being pumped into the desalination plants, and it makes water more expensive, but surely the costs can be minimized with the advance of modern technology. After all, we as humans must adapt to survive.

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• Three women's health clinics reopened in Texas as a Federal Judge struck down portions of HB 2 as unconstitutional due to requirements that prevent women from acquiring legal abortions. The closing of one clinic forced women in South Texas to drive 7-hours to the nearest clinic for women's reproductive and health assistance as well as abortions. 

Of course, this ruling might still be appealed, as the conservative Texas legislature continues to vote against women's reproductive rights issues. Texas Abortion Clinics Reopen

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• Two weeks ago, Massachusetts passed a gun control law that appears to be more comprehensive than any in the U.S. to date.

According to an article on Huffington Post, "The legislation allows police chiefs to ask courts to deny firearms identification cards needed to buy guns to individuals they feel are unfit to obtain them, toughens penalties for some gun-based crimes, creates an online portal for background checks in private gun sales, carves out a firearms trafficking unit within the state's police department and requires that Massachusetts join the National Instant Background Check System." Of course, the NRA opposed this bill. Massachusetts Overhauls Gun Laws Pay attention, America. We need more laws like this on the books.

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And on a personal note, more Kudos to:

• My 16-year old grandson Tanner who won the TriState Area Tennis Tournament this past weekend with a tie-breaker against an 18-year old. He's pictured here with Mom and Dad and his trophy. Way to go, Tanner!

May your world be full of things deserving Kudos as well.

Peace and love,

Marilyn