Air like Shrek's Swamp

Some of you may be aware of the air quality issues that exist here in Midlothian. USA Today conducted a significant survey of over 120,000 schools nationwide. It listed Mt. Peak Elementary, where Dustin attends, as in the 1st percentile of all offenders, together with all the other schools our children attend being in the top worst 5 percent! Here is the link to the recap on WFAA (channel 8 here): http://www.wfaa.com/sharedcontent/dws/wfaa/latestnews/stories/wfaa081211_mo_airpollution.53f937f9.html#slcgm_comments_anchor
In apparent attempt to asuage concerned parents, although completely unqualified, JD Kenedy, Superintendent the MISD, issued a statement to the community that he had inquired with the TCEQ (Texas Commission on Environmental Quality) and all is well (...in Zion). Here is his statement:
http://www.midlothian-isd.net/_misdnews/archive/misd-air.html
I decided to post replies through several media, and here is a copy of my comments:
The influence of big money seems to be penetrating every level of government and politics. That it should also affect the course of public education is bewildering to a trusting public. My wife spoke to the attendance person at school the other day and asked her what she thought about this alarming news. In response, she recited Dr. Kenedy's statement and parrotted his feelings, exclaiming that she had been here 30+ years and everything is fine to her. Maybe, but what about everyone else?! The problem is that not everyone reacts to these toxins the same way. For example, I am allergic to Benadryl, commonly used to help with allergic reactions! For whatever reason, it makes my heart race at an alarming and life-threatening rate. The toxins being unnecessarily spewed out of these factories, like a game of Russian Roulette, are killing unsuspecting citizens while the EPA, TCEQ and now, MISD stand by, in the face of ever-mounting quantities of evidence, and offer lame statements endorsing the offenders. The scriptures speak of those in the latter days who call evil good and good evil. While some may live healthy lives with no adverse reaction to the proven and known toxins, others will surely suffer. How can we turn this blind eye?! I hear the words from pro-cement advocates, "Midlothian needs TXI. Midlothian needs Holcim. Midlothian needs Ash Grove." "There are too many jobs, too much money and too much power to make them comply with clean emissions standards and lose them." I ask, how is this point of view really different than the selling of Senate seats, with comments like, "...it's worth too much #$%^& money to give it away"? The bottom line is that it is wrong! Do we want a legacy for our children that reads, "Big Business over Young Minds?" Will our ephithats read, "Rest in peace, uh, no, scratch that--I mean Rest in cement kiln dust!" It is time to do as the Boy Scouts and live the Scout Law, being Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean, and Reverent. It is time to do as Jesus taught, to do unto others as we would have them do unto us, NOT before they can do it to us.

Crazy what goes on in this little town...