What with all the deserved cynicism on the part of We the Great Unwashed, with all the nuclear saber rattling going on worldwide just how do those of us in Kern County expect to get the attention of the powers that be to a local problem like the Isabella Dam? Compared to the threats America is facing because there is no accountability on the part of politicians, if the dam bursts it will be in the media euphemism of Thoreau’s day “a melancholy accident” with those responsible crying the usual crocodile tears while wringing their hands and calling for Pilate’s Laver. But we locals are assured by our leaders that by their naming the Isabella Dam the number one dam in the entire nation in danger of bursting attention is being paid; and here is the scene right out of the film “Dante’s Peak.” All the warnings are in place, but there is no urgency on the part of those in power to take the necessary immediate action. Don’t you wonder why? Could it be as in the film a matter of economics vs. lives?

Caesar Bush ignored everything he did not want to hear in order to get his wars. That such a course had no exit strategy came with the territory. In the broader scheme of things this may yet turn out well as some defenders of Caesar are saying, we can hope the Isabella Dam will not burst, but it remains a disquieting fact those holding power are not inclined to listen to criticism; and just so with the Isabella Dam in my opinion. Bush is being asked, quite understandably and legitimately, What is the fix and when? And, for those of us concerned about the Isabella Dam we have every right to ask, What is the fix and when?

As I have already written previously addressing the issue of the dam, I was living here in the Kern River Valley while the dam was under construction. I overheard some of the workers at the time saying “I sure wouldn’t want to be living below this thing.” But I was a boy at the time far more interested in girls, cars, hunting, and fishing than I was about any threats the dam might pose for “flatlanders,” and little did I appreciate at the time the threat this would pose to all those in both the Kern River Valley and Bakersfield, I had no idea of how this area would grow, how many people would eventually be in harm’s way should the dam fail.

In retrospect, I realize it may have been known to the experts the dam should not have been built; which would explain the remarks I overheard from those involved with the construction. I would be surprised if the dangers were not known at the time when the dam was first being contemplated and the original studies of the site made. So why, if these dangers were known was the dam built anyway? In a word: Money.

There was a lot of money to be made by the dam. To be sure there were the economic benefits; there were the genuine issues of flood control and so on. But the bottom line throughout, as to be expected, was the economic benefit to those profiting from the construction of the dam, the moving of the old town of Kernville, moving the old cemetery, those of us locals including me who made wages doing some of the work, a little something for everyone involved.

In his book “Night Flight,” French philosopher Antoine de Saint-Exupery writes about the building of a bridge. It is known that in order to build this bridge lives will be lost, but the decision to build the bridge goes forth. Why, Saint-Exupery wonders, since life is considered to be the most valuable of all, far above any material considerations, the decision to go forward with constructing this bridge? The simplest explanation in the case of the bridge, and all other such works, is economic benefit; and this trumps life. But it only trumps life on the basis of who profits. Follow the money. Virtually never do such decisions place the wealthy in harm’s way.

No one questions we have a dysfunctional government due largely to the fact politicians lie to get elected then lie to stay elected. This continued path of lies for the sake of power and wealth has to lead to destruction for America. Just the refusal to secure our borders for the sake of the wealthy profiting from the slave labor of illegal aliens thereby inviting nuclear and biological terrorism in America is lunacy based on greed and avarice.

The Katrina disaster and tragedy certainly proved how our government at all levels is a shambles. From 9/11 through Katrina there has been no accountability, no one in government held responsible and punished. Nagin continues to work for his “chocolate city” with every expectation of taxpayers supporting this and a politically correct media is emasculated from confronting his blatant racism, but the world recognizes it for what it is. Follow the money and you will find politicians irrespective of race including Nagin expecting to profit from any rebuilding of New Orleans.

Ok, so politicians despite 9/11 and Katrina continue doing business as usual expecting to profit from the misery being visited upon We the People, continue to extort us through taxation without representation to feather their own nests and those of their corporate bosses. In just such a manner it is my opinion was the Isabella Dam built. And like New Orleans, the fact it was a disaster just waiting to happen was of little consequence to politicians and their corporate bosses. But trying to hold any in government accountable, trying to get answers to why there were so many failures built not only into the levees of New Orleans but other construction projects like Isabella Dam is an exercise in futility. That lives are lost due to this lack of accountability whether of 9/11 or Katrina is a “melancholy accident,” one for which no one in a position of leadership is accountable.

There are many of us here in the Kern River Valley and in Bakersfield that are quite justifiably anxious about the potential failure of the dam; a potential that would appear an inevitability. I’ve talked with several people about this, but those in the real estate business most certainly do not want it talked about; nor do the politicians want to talk about it. For example, I received the following note recently from a friend of mine in Bakersfield:

Sam; I see a bit more information concerning the dam. Mostly as you know bad. For some reason, the lake is being filled rather than keeping it low. I spoke with Thomas Lewis yesterday who had written the article in the Wednesday local section (Bakersfield Californian). He was very interested in my ideas of prevention by blasting. He like yourself felt it to be something that could really work. He really liked my idea of blasting the Kern River gorge above the Johnsondale Bridge. I think we need some good old fashioned “town hall meetings “. Your contacts would be a good place to start... I’d like to see an “Isabella Dam” website with a chat room for a couple of thoughts. Another thing Sam, is why in the hell our planning department continues to issue permits within the flood zone? Rather than spend the money for land based sirens like in his article, why not just meet with the Bakersfield Police Dept, the Sheriffs Dept, Hall Ambulance, Fire Dept, and Highway Patrol. They would know about the dam if it breached and if properly organized could use their loudspeakers and sirens in the needed areas. Frankly I’m worried; our head in the sand approach is not making any headway. I stand to lose my home and 2 businesses in the event of the dam bursting. We need someone who has inroads to Congress and Arnie. I’ve called Bill Thomas’ office and Kevin McCarthy with no help.

I would say to my friend if the dam should burst catastrophically due to an earthquake there will be no time for sirens to be effectual; and there is no one in politics willing to acknowledge the truth of things. To do so, they would have to go back into the history of the dam, naming those that were making the decisions for it being built, what they knew and when they knew it, and who profited from its being built. Ah, then we would know why lives were being placed in danger for profits. But here are a few facts. No politician will be held accountable; none of those who profited from the building of the dam will be held to account should the dam burst.

There are hundreds of billions of dollars available for wars but none to secure our borders or repair the infrastructure of America, and despite all warnings there is no money or urgency for fixing Isabella Dam. And in respect to the latter, I do wonder how it would be “fixed” in any event? Could the foot-dragging have to do with this? Could this be the reason politicians are proving so reluctant to address this issue? I would not be surprised. And what would be gained by Townhall meetings if we are not told the truth? Certainly such meetings should be held if for no other reason than to discuss the options, but what is sorely needed is for politicians, not hired toadies or bureaucrats to tell us the facts of the matter.

The truth of the matter is that the business of America is business, and God help those that get in the way of business! The Godfather was a very pragmatic realist; there is little difference between government and organized crime, and “only the little people pay taxes,” only the little people died in Katrina, Nagin, the governor et al. were safe, only the little people will die if the dam fails and I submit all the dangers of building Isabella Dam were known before its construction and if it bursts it will only be a “melancholy accident” and as with 9/11 and Katrina none in Congress, our state legislature and local elected officials or their corporate bosses will be held accountable.