No man is an island entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main;

Newtown is like any other small town in the U.S.  Aside from concerns with international and national politics, we have our share of local issues to fret about.

For example here in Newtown and actually the state of Connecticut there's a whirlpool of discussion regarding the use of plastic bags in grocery stores.  Most stores in Newtown have stopped using plastic although you can still get plastic bags at some groceries but you have to pay extra for them. People are encouraged to get permanent cloth bags.

A few days ago, in an effort to keep this going, someone posted on Facebook a picture of a sea bird caught in a plastic bag that had been left at a beach somewhere along the CT shore of Long Island Sound.  The point they were trying to make was obviously that we need to eliminate the use of plastic as much as possible.

Someone from the other side chimed in with the comment "What on earth does that have to do with Newtown?"  Hence the title of this post.

I don't usually involve myself in these local skirmishes.  It tends to bring the craziness out in people but in this case I couldn't help myself.  I responded that it has everything to do with Newtown!  After all we don't live in a vacuum.  We're part of a larger community.  For example when people go to the beach, they often shop for snacks and drinks to bring along. They then proceed to toss those bags into the car along with towels and whatever else people take to the beach.  Once there, they get everything out, kids start eating, the now empty plastic bag gets away in the breeze and, well, you know the rest.

I wasn't the only only to respond.  A whole bunch of other people said I was right and started with their own comments-some of which were a tad harsh-which is why I avoid getting involved.  Anyway, the guy who made the original comment wisely cried uncle and the whole thing eventually died down.  But the original point still holds.  Everything we do affects others in one way or another.  Let's try to make it a good effect, shall we?

OK, go ahead and respond!!