Arts

Eco-Logic

Sat, Jan 7, 2023 06:00 AM

Info
Hosts: Ken Gale, Donna Stein, Sally Gellert
Topics:
  • hosts - right to repair legislation, New York, signed by Gov. Hochul, seriously weakened (virtually useless, per Louis Rossmann)
  • Therese McNally - section of Riverside Park stripped of all vegetation, during winter months when birds need cover—with only vague plans to replace invasibe species
Synopsis:

RIGHT TO REPAIR: A GROWING MOVEMENT

We were so excited that New York’s long-sought-after right-to-repair bill was passed, only to realize, with further delving into it, that the bill that passed was much watered down. Yes, it helps with digital devices but there is a lot missing. Politicians can’t rest on their laurels and let small successes look like major feathers in their cap, encouraging us to go on to other things and ignore the real needs. There have been years of actions by concerned people, and then she (Gov. Hochul) just throw us a crumb.

We’d invited Louis Rossmann of the Rossmann Group, who started advocating for Right to Repair in New York in 2015 to join us, and our preinterview with him informed our show when he was unable to make it at the last minute. Louis had predicted Gov. Hochul’s failure to sign the current bill as passed—and sure enough, she added an amendment to eliminate the main goal of independent repair shops: the ability to buy individual parts!

A generation ago, repair was common. The old Yankee saying, “Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without” was a Great Depression mantra, and those of us growing up with parents or grandparents from that era were instilled with an ethic of thrift. Generations of people repaired cars, did their own oil changes, or went to a local mechanic or gas station. In the 1960s, with the beginnings of the environmental movement, repair and recycling took on renewed importance.

In the last few decades, more devices are run by software or connected to the Internet, and corporations are controlling access to software and codes that are needed for repairs, freezing out owners and independent mechanics.

Many states are considering right-to-repair legislation, including New Jersey. We must be sure that they are passed without being weakened.

Join us to hear more about this important issue that affects us all.

Important news pieces include the recent destruction of a natural area in Riverside Park. We do our best to keep you aware of the encroaching threats on our green spaces.

Donna is not able to join us live on Saturday mornings. She remains a co-producer and joins us in the first part of the show.

Guests:
  • Therese McNally - birder, park enthusiast
  • (scheduled: Louis Rossmann, Right to Repair activist) -
Playlist:
  • Eco - Logic Theme Medley
  • Takin’ It to the Streets - everybody! at No Nukes concert in Madison Square Garden, 1979
  • Change - Mavis Staples
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