Pick it up!

I'm lucky enough to live in a particularly beautiful part of the world. For those of you not familiar,
South Carolina is divided into two major regions by the fall line that runs through the center of the state from Augusta, Georgia, to Columbia and thence to Cheraw, near the North Carolina border. The area northwest of the line, known as the upcountry, lies within the Piedmont Plateau; the region to the southeast, called the low country, forms part of the Atlantic Coastal Plain.  I live on Johns Island, which you may have guessed is in the Low Country.

We are blessed with a lovely climate and an amazingly diverse flora and fauna, Johns Island is densely wooded and many of the roads are lined with grand oaks that drip Spanish moss so that a mundane drive can feel like a walk on part in Gone with the Wind. Until you look down and to the sides, trash, everywhere. It's so depressing, 90% of it is alcohol related, bottles and cans, a direct result of the stupid open container law that I've touched on before. In the UK the drink/drive laws are designed to dissuade people from drinking and then driving, here the problem seems to be that people drink while they are driving which means they get rid of the evidence as soon as possible by throwing it out the car.

I know exactly how long it takes to eat a McDonalds meal purchased at the intersection because the debris is thrown out about 2 miles down the road (that's about 3 minutes) I don't get it, it drives me crazy. I live in a cul de sac which means most of the trash thrown out in my road, is thrown out by people who live there. What the hell? And people seem oblivious to it, I stopped at a particularly bad spot a couple of miles from my house and my daughter and I got out to spend some time clearing up. It was a Sunday, I remember that because the church across the road (god knows we have enough or them) suddenly opened it's doors and the faithful tripped out and climbed in their cars (off to IHOP no doubt). They saw us and paid no heed, I mean I'm clearing up across the road from their stupid church and they don't see a problem with that.

I called the county, asked who to speak to about getting the roadsides cleared up, only to be told it's not their responsibility, it's the landowners. This is despite the county having all rights over all the land 25' from the roads edge. Here we have a direct consequence of "small government" It's all very well banging on about "personal responsibility" but when the weakest link fails (in this case the majority of the public) then the system collapses. When I say "the majority" I mean it because if you're not out there picking up then you are part of the problem, have some pride people, when I have visitors from out of state I'm embarrassed and I'm out clearing the crap up all the time.

This week the county cut the verges, not sure why as they profess non responsibility but nonetheless the tractors were out and what a mess, bottles and cans that were at least hidden by the undergrowth are now smashed up and scattered all over the place, every road for miles around looks the aftermath of a major traffic accident. There are few sights more depressing than an egret wadding in the storm ditches after a downpour looking for a stray frog amongst the fast food containers and empty beer cans. What is wrong with people, who are these people? Have they no pride? No self respect at all? It makes me SO mad, such a beautiful place, such an ugly species.

But if you want to see real filth drive down some of the dirt roads. These trails look like a public dumping ground, old furniture, tires, fridges, you name it and often these roads lead to low end trailer parks which themselves are like a cross between a refugee camp and a crack convention, talk about shitting on your own doorstep? There are children living amongst you, I know you don't have much money but you have plenty of time, get out there and have some @*$%ing pride.

Rant Over.