(this was written before Senator Kennedy passed away)
"Beautiful, isn't it?"
"Gorgeous. Just as God intended."
Jeez, what a doofus Ted Kennedy is, huh? "Mr. Liberal Environmentalist" doesn't want nice, wholesome offshore wind farms in his neighborhood? This is the guy who practically spawned the term NIMBY.
Not In My Back Yard!
Now, if these things were actually going to be put just offshore, as in the above pic, we could see his gripe. None of us would like that, either. But the wind farm in question is going to be FIVE MILES offshore.
So, what's the problem?
The problem is that Mr. Kennedy is right.
Now being the proud owner of a 40-foot boat, I now understand his beef. Real boats don't putt along 10 feet offshore — that would be "dinghies" for those of you scoring at home. Real boats cruise much further offshore.
How much further offshore?
Oh, about 5 miles.
Away from the shallows and reefs and sand bars, in other words. If it's low tide and I just want to putt around without panicking every time I see something in the water in front of me, I make a beeline for deeper water.
But that's me. What about you?
Why, there you are now! You've worked a lifetime to buy this terrific sailboat and you're finally out on the ocean, wild and free! A mighty gust of wind fills the sails as you-
"LOOK OUT!"
Close one!
Just like the interstate back home.
Go ahead, razz ol' Ted Kennedy all you want.
Just don't start bitching and moaning when it's your turn.