Teddy's Excellent Earth Day Adventure!

Oregon's Gubner Ted Kulongowski set a fine example for all Oregonians on Earth Day by opting to walk from the Gubner's Mansion (Mahonia Hall) to the State Capitol building. Golly, that was impressive and a good hike at that.

Yes, Teddy walked from that old, cold, damp and creaky mansion monstrosity (with an old boiler that catches on fire now and then) the State owns and provides to the sitting Gubner. I must admit that wine cellar-ish barn is likely a great place to take a nap on a hot Summer afternoon.

So there we saw Teddy on the evening TV News walking through Bush Park when he just happened to meet up with a large group of high school kids when he delivered his memorized chant about the environment. It was the same old script he recites at these type of media opportunities be that a first grade class or a Legislative assembly.

But what I'm wondering is, did Teddy walk back to Mahonia Hall and the end of his day or did one of his handlers bring his SUV to the Capitol building? And, if so wouldn't that require two people and an additional vehicle and all wasting time and gasoline? Or, did Teddy walk home alone? Or, did somebody give him a lift home and then return to the Capitol building? Golly, that would seem wasteful.

What about the high school students that just happened to be waiting along the Bush Park trail. Had they been waiting in a warm school bus or did they walk from South Salem High School to meet Teddy and then wait for him standing outside in the bitter 40+ degree rain? Now, what do your think would be appropriate?

Oh yes, can we assume the State employees (Teddy's handlers) that morning had walked out to meet Teddy at the appointed location (about a mile from the Capitol) and the TV News crews with channels 2, 6, 8, 10 and 12 had they all bicycled there from Portland and all bring along all their remote broadcast satellite trucks?

Don't get me wrong but I was greatly impressed with Teddy's demonstration and I learned a great deal.

What most impressed me was learning how the environment would have been better served if Teddy had just stayed in the barn and his handlers hadn't arranged such a wasteful publicity stunt. A stunt with a Carbon Footprint big enough to stumble over.