Canadians deliver water to protest Detroit shutoffs

[Fern]

-snip-

Maude Barlow, a leading water rights advocate in Canada, and other activists brought 750 gallons of water in a seven-vehicle convoy that traveled through the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel to deliver the water and the message that the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department's policy of shutting off service to delinquent customers violates the United Nations' 2010 declaration that water is a human right...

Detroit says it has 90,000 delinquent accounts totaling more than $90 million. The city has been stepping up collections efforts since last fall, and in April and May alone cut off service to more than 7,500 customers — moves that have prompted outrage among groups that advocate for poor people in a city with deep unemployment and the scars of decades of neglect.

The UN said access to water is a human right.

It didn't say free water is a right.

The people of Detroit do have access to water.

Fern

 

[Fern]

drinking water should be free.


its not hard to grasp.

So, walk over the grocery store etc and use their water cooler to get free drinking water.

Fern

 

[Fern]

And I would argue that they aren't. They're paying for the maintenance of the facilities and infrastructure to deliver it to their tap.

I have a well, I don't pay for my water, but I do pay for the new well pump when it breaks, the water softener and salt if needed in a "hard water" environment and any electricity needed to pump it out of the ground and filter it if needed.

I would say that you're 100% correct.

(I'm also on a well.)

Fern

 

[werepossum]

drinking water should be free.

its not hard to grasp.

Drinking water IS free. We have laws mandating free drinking water from all large commercial businesses. Go to one and drink as much as you want, absolutely free.

However, piping that water into your home for your own convenience is a different story.

 

[rommelrommel]

You're thinking on too small a level. We should bus these folks into Canada and drop them off. Tell them to say they are seeking asylum from the dangers of Detroit. Have Canada feed, clothe and house them as well as provide for their education and health care.

Can I seek asylum from the socialist oppression in Canada?

 

[boomerang]

Can I seek asylum from the socialist oppression in Canada?

Absolutely. Borders are just so last year...

 

[Oldgamer]

So if I decide to stop paying my bills, you're going to help me out?

Actually I already do..lol I put more money into my electric bill in a share fund for those who need help in assistance paying their electric bills. Like the poor. I even put money into the food bank, and do even more. Why? you don't?

 

[Oldgamer]

The UN said access to water is a human right.

It didn't say free water is a right.

The people of Detroit do have access to water.

Fern

Fern let me ask you a question. If people started dropping like flies, and we had a news report that over 200 people died from lack of water over there.. would you still say this?

 

[owensdj]

Go to any one of those homes that didn't pay their water bill and you'll find either cigarettes or alcohol. They can afford those, but not water.

 

[glenn1]

Fern let me ask you a question. If people started dropping like flies, and we had a news report that over 200 people died from lack of water over there.. would you still say this?

People dying from not paying their bills? Where do I sign up?

 

[Victorian Gray]

Go to any one of those homes that didn't pay their water bill and you'll find either cigarettes or alcohol. They can afford those, but not water.

And you know this because you've been in everyone of those homes and checked personally. Good for you! Thanks for making the effort.

 

[Oldgamer]

Go to any one of those homes that didn't pay their water bill and you'll find either cigarettes or alcohol. They can afford those, but not water.

You don't know that, and you are making stereotypical assumptions again of poor people..sigh

 

[Oldgamer]

People dying from not paying their bills? Where do I sign up?

Your reading comprehension skills are piss poor, good learn to read..please.

 

[OutHouse]

And I would argue that they aren't. They're paying for the maintenance of the facilities and infrastructure to deliver it to their tap.

I have a well, I don't pay for my water, but I do pay for the new well pump when it breaks, the water softener and salt if needed in a "hard water" environment and any electricity needed to pump it out of the ground and filter it if needed.

Ill give you that.

But is the city providing community water stations so that the citizens can get water to stay alive?

 

[Fern]

Originally Posted by Fern
The UN said access to water is a human right.

It didn't say free water is a right.

The people of Detroit do have access to water.

Fern

Fern let me ask you a question. If people started dropping like flies, and we had a news report that over 200 people died from lack of water over there.. would you still say this?

Well, because what I wrote is factually correct I suppose I would have to.

Frankly I find the idea of large numbers of people dropping dead from dehydration absurdly melodramatic.

I lived in a camper in Europe for the better part of several years. I often had little-to-no access to onsite water. I had about a 10 gallon jug in my camper. I often walked to where water was available, filled up my jug and hiked back with it. Was the jug heavy? Yes. Was it a major chore? Yes. But you figure out how to manage and you put in the effort to make it happen. Other people all over the world do this sort of thing everyday. You don't want to pay? Fine, just find another way to deal with it and that 'other way' isn't whining about it.

At present I'm unimpressed with the attitude and ingenuity of the people of Detroit. Why hasn't some a'hole figured out that they can pay their water bill and charge their neighbors $1 to fill up their water jugs etc.?

Fern

 

[Oldgamer]

Well, because what I wrote is factually correct I suppose I would have to.

Frankly I find the idea of large numbers of people dropping dead from dehydration absurdly melodramatic.

I lived in a camper in Europe for the better part of several years. I often had little-to-no access to onsite water. I had about a 10 gallon jug in my camper. I often walked to where water was available, filled up my jug and hiked back with it. Was the jug heavy? Yes. Was it a major chore? Yes. But you figure out how to manage and you put in the effort to make it happen. Other people all over the world do this sort of thing everyday. You don't want to pay? Fine, just find another way to deal with it and that 'other way' isn't whining about it.

At present I'm unimpressed with the attitude and ingenuity of the people of Detroit. Why hasn't some a'hole figured out that they can pay their water bill and charge their neighbors $1 to fill up their water jugs etc.?

Fern

So you skirt my question. I see. If they don't pay their bill find some way to hike somewhere and get jugs of water from somewhere? Really? In a city? Please.. that is a truly unrealistic idea. In addition many cities do not allow people to collect rain water. So.. again, if we had a news report of 200 or more people die from lack of water would you still feel the same way?

That is why the Canadians are doing what they are doing. Screw the whole, pay your bill crap. That city and its people are in dire straights right now. There are no jobs there. People are broke and jobless they can't pay their bills. Without water you set things up for the elderly to die from dehydration and children to who are in fact most vulnerable to this. In addition it is a major hygiene issue. It won't take long for disease to set in when there is no free running water available in a city or parts of a city like that.

 

[feralkid]

Excellent news! The humble beginnings of foreign aid to the United States of America!

I guess you never heard of the French helping us during the American Revolution.

 

[Spungo]

You're thinking on too small a level. We should bus these folks into Canada and drop them off. Tell them to say they are seeking asylum from the dangers of Detroit. Have Canada feed, clothe and house them as well as provide for their education and health care.

And we can call them racist if they refuse.

 

[Fern]

So you skirt my question. I see.

I thought I answered it in my first sentence.

If they don't pay their bill find some way to hike somewhere and get jugs of water from somewhere? Really? In a city? Please.. that is a truly unrealistic idea.

Umm, a city is exactly the place to do that.

How many water faucets have you stumbled upon while hiking in the forest or desert?

Fern

 

[DucatiMonster696]

"Free" is not sustainable someone has to pay for and support the infrastructure that delivers those services be it delivered by the public or private sector.

 

[DucatiMonster696]

Drinking water IS free. We have laws mandating free drinking water from all large commercial businesses. Go to one and drink as much as you want, absolutely free.

However, piping that water into your home for your own convenience is a different story.

No it is not "FREE".


It's not free to the commercial business owner as they are ones who pay for the water bill and even if they are partially or completely subsidized as then it is the taxpayer who is picking up part of/ the whole tab.

Hence, there is no such thing as "FREE" anywhere in human society, where in no one pays a cost, be it direct or indirectly (higher prices, higher taxes).

 

[ch33zw1z]

Are you really serious?!? Mursills said if he decided to stop paying his bill, not that he couldn't pay his bill just that he wouldn't want to.

Being willing to help those who CAN'T help themselves is admirable, but helping those who WON"T help themselves is stupid.

Easy buddy, he didn't define the context like you are. The decision may not be just "because", for example:it's buy food and hope the city doesn't turn off your water....still a decision.

I'm expecting the majority of people not paying their bill isn't because they just said fuck it, I'd rather get a new car....or some shit like that.

 

[ch33zw1z]

I thought I answered it in my first sentence.



Umm, a city is exactly the place to do that.

How many water faucets have you stumbled upon while hiking in the forest or desert?

Fern

I've seen none in a desert.

We have a few piped outlets for fresh mountain water in my area. Pretty sweet to refill while out and about.

 

[ch33zw1z]

I guess you never heard of the French helping us during the American Revolution.

bro, we won 2 world wars, WE DON'T NEED NO STINKING HELP, WE'RE UNSTOPPABLE....wait....wut.

 

[yllus]

As the official representative of Canada on these forums I would like to denounce the actions of these few bleeding hearts. Pay your damn water bill.

Alternatively, I would bless the adoption of Detroit by Canada as long as it meant we get the Red Wings in the deal.