Tacking Back Your Own Backyard

This chapter was a great conclusion to the book. The story in the beginning really got me thinking about how I can become a challenge to the government. The story about the woman starting a NIMBY (Not In My Back Yard) about the poisonous chemicals in anti-freeze that have killed children and pets by just taking a very small amount. Europe created a bitterant that was put into their antifreeze and had a taste so bitter, if it were to be consumed, one would spit it out immediately. The fact that a women posed as a potential donor to her cause only to spy on her financial records and see how much of a legitimate threat this woman could be, really makes me sick. I heard once that the government should be afraid of its people, not the people afraid of the government. One person can make a difference here. If someone is passionate enough about a cause, they can rally a group together and make a difference in Washington. This woman's story was an example, she got the bill passed in her home state, Oregon. If we were passionate enough about a cause we could rally together and take it to Washington. I feel like too often we are just passive and become vegetables and let the PR and media dictate our life. We go with the flow, and don't want to cause controversy or confrontation. This notion saddens me, and the book has inspired me to try to make a difference by informing people about the propaganda and lies that are weaved throughout the media and politics. I learned so much from reading this book, I think my head may actually explode.