2009 October, 8th

Phil Butler

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger sits at this moment on a stack of legislation taller than he is in an effort to force the legislature into action. With Sunday’s midnight deadline on signing current session legislation clearly in focus, the Governor is “stonewalling” legislators in an effort to get ove a critical environmental bill passed. The Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta, which has been declared “the nation’s most endangered waterway system”, endangered fish and wildlife issues, potential natural disaster dangers, and pollution free drinking water for the whole valley being the basis. Besides signing a couple of bills revealing his heart is in the right place, Schwarzenegger sits on the rest of the legislature’s offerings in stoic strength of conviction.

Governor Schwarzenegger and California’s U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein have been the two key supporters of efforts to deal with the critical situation for California residents. The Delta is not only in a state of virtual emergency with regard to species of fish and wildlife, but with regard to levee restoration, flood control, wetlands restoration. We are talking about a water system which supplies two thirds of the drinking water to California residents here. For decades this delicate and crucial water system has been ignored or “dodged” by California leaders and the legislature.

Brains With the Brawn

Schwarzenegger has always been noted for his stature physically, but not everyone “tags” him with academic prowess, though they probably should. No political figure is perfect, as compromise and mediation sometimes require leaders to disappoint one end of the public in order to gain the greater good for all, this should go without saying. In this particular instance the interest of the people of California is what is at stake. If the average reader could grasp the enormity of the water resources we are talking about here, Schwarzenegger’s “brains” and priorities are obviously in tact. Jobs, bills about wine, women song, or any other situation really pale by comparison. Look at this system via the magic of Google satellite images below.

Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta "is" California's water

The gist of Schwarzenegger’s position is, “the man is right” to take these unprecedented measures to ensure the future of the people of California. Detractors argue that a project to alleviate some of the delta’s issues is too expensive. But, anyone can see the alternative is far more expensive in the long run. Most people do not have the time or inclination to understand the gravity of these environmental situations, but a simple way to put Schwarzenegger’s attitude about this is; “If I were him, I would not want the disaster which “WILL” occur here eventually, to be traced back to my watch.” Even taking into consideration the political value here, no sane politician would want to be associated with burying his head in the sand on this one.

The What If’s

Well, if the “Governator” does not step in now, 10 days or 10 years from now California is headed for a monumental disaster, the cost of which will dwarf the $8 billion to $10 billion projected to act now. Regardless of how the project is funded, not acting now will cost many times that amount later on. Why? One has to understand the enormity of the situation to fully see this, but imagine sea water polluting (PDF) two thirds of California’s water supply for starters. If this is not fuel for every person’s concern, think of this water system as the largest “pluming job” ever undertaken on Earth, and one which will fail eventually. The resultant flooding of a thousand or more square miles of farm land, will have an effect on people’s lives. This says nothing about species of fish and wildlife being effected by the already toxic pollution there.

The system of levies constructed in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta make the Panama Canal look like a mud puddle. The last flood event cost upwards of $240 million in 2006. This disaster was caused by heavy rain, and I doubt the extended costs were never really calculated into these figures. Looking at all this from Schwarzenegger’s position, if he does not take this opportunity now, opponents will be even more emboldened to resist in the future. I do not suppose anyone has calcualted either, the number of jobs the program to rework the delta system would create either? It is obviously apparent to the Governor and his supporters in this, that we are not talking about “what if’s” here, but “what when”.

Last flood event 2005/6

A Time for Leadership

I have always liked Schwarzenegger. I have said that before many times. The man is a success at everything he does, who can argue that? This is not about preferences or favorites however. Schwarzenegger is taking a huge chance here, and I think people should start asking why. If he sits on 700 bills that effect people, and legislators call his hand, the people of California, many of them at least, will be effected. He risks the anger of millions in an effort to help millions. This implies a dire situation to me. It also reveals something else about Schwarzenegger’s character, the man is not short on guts either. Interestingly, and also indicatively I think, the he has passed a few pieces of legislation on his desk. One to honor Vietnam War veterans, another to defer some payments to schools until later, and most notably another restoring funding to the state’s Healthy Families insurance program, a system which helps needy children.

If every leader could have this combination of brains, brawn, guts and a sense of priorities? Well, we would be better off for sure. Rather than applaud Schwarzenegger too loudly though, perhaps it is time we all looked at priorities here on Earth. Arnold Schwarzenegger may not always be right, but time and again he seems to rise to the top of at the least “leaders with guts” heap. I hope the people of California will support the man in this, for their own good and that of all of us. There are such things as precedents to be set, after all.

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About the Author

Phil Butler is editor-in-chief of Everything PR and senior partner at Pamil Visions PR. He’s a widely cited authority on beta startups, search engines and public relations issues, and he has covered tech news since 2004. Phil wrote in the past for ReadWriteWeb, Mashable, Profy, SitePoint, Search Engine Journal, AltSearchEngines. Follow Phil on Twitter or send him an email at phil [at] pamil-visions [dot] com.

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