Yes in My Backyard

This American Life has been a staple of our weekend unwinding for years. The once-a-week, hour-long radio show is probably the most entertaining, inspiring, and impacting radio show on the air right now. It's never been a let down, not once.

Recently, This American Life featured a story entitled "Yes in My Backyard," the story of the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency cracking down on chocolate emissions in the air from a local chocolate factory in Chicago. Yes, that's right, chocolate emissions. If only some communities could be so lucky.

People liked these dreamy emissions. But it doesn't end there. While the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency cracked down on these chocolate factories, at the same time they turned their back on illegal, toxic air pollution from dozens of coal burning power plants in the state. It's the classic double standard that the state and federal government often plays. Come down hard on the small polluters, and let the big fish off the hook. The intensity of enforcement of our clean air laws is often indirectly proportional to the size of the polluter.

Sure, a violation of clean air laws is a violation. But if you were a cop, wouldn't you rather get the drunk driver plowing down the freeway at 120 miles per hour instead of ticketing people for jaywalking?

If you don't already, you should listen to This American Life--always.