Please forgive me for not responding to your emails just yet. I only have a few minutes before I have to leave to catch the train, and I wanted to tell you about what I learned today.
I had a fascinating and disturbing conversation with Mark Hermanson, who is the Arctic Chair for Norway (I mentioned him in my last email). He is also a consultant for major environmental lawsuits, and it turns out that he is an expert witness for a major case being filed against Monsanto in Sauget, which is also in St. Clair County (East St. Louis and O'Fallon are all part of the same county). The prosecution alleges that a series of cancer clusters are caused by this contamination. In fact, when I told him I was from St. Clair County, he seemed startled and told me he considers the county to one of the most polluted in the U.S., and the air pollution, which drifts northeast, continues to be a significant problem. Monsanto has been releasing PCBs into the atmosphere for some time, and recent tree samples from East St. Louis (from trees as young as 8yrs old) show significant levels of PCB contamination. In any event, he is testifying for the prosecution, which is making the case that the cancer clusters in the area are caused by Monsanto's pollution. The case is due to be decided in May of 2011.
Okay, back to Norway...a couple of observations:
It's cheaper to use an American debit card than an American credit card.
Gender equality is considered part of the country's national identity.
We can join a hiking club and get significant discounts on travel in the fjords.
Saw Edward Munch's paintings today at the National Museum.
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