I could only see the pitchfork scene through the tiny space between my fingers. When it comes to horror movies, I’m more than a bit squeamish. On Friday, February 26th, The Crazies hits theaters and I was lucky enough to snag an early viewing to witness all the slashing, hacking and suspense.
I think moviegoers will really enjoy the film, I know I did. I won’t spoil the movie for you, but the story’s about a small town of innocent people who are mysteriously infected with a fictitious bio-warfare agent. Unfortunately, for these people, the infection makes them go crazy and the ensuing horror is enough to make you jump out of your seat. I can attest jumping out of my seat at least a dozen times.
Luckily, for me, this movie is fiction and I’m not going to go crazy (at least I hope I won’t). If you’re scratching your head and wondering why we’re talking about this crazy movie (pun intended) here at Greenpeace, I’ll explain. The movie gives us an eye opener into the real toxic dangers that exist in our every day life.
One important danger that we should all be reminded of is the disastrous risks posed by poison gases used in chemical plants. Some of them started out as chemical warfare agents.
Did you know that the Department of Homeland Security has identified over 6,000 “high-risk” chemical plants in the United States? An accident or attack at just 300 of them would put 110 million Americans at risk. That’s not only crazy, but also down right terrifying.
But, a happy ending is really possible! Since 9/11 more than 200 chemical facilities have converted to safer chemical processes, eliminating poison gas risks to more than 30 million Americans. That’s the good news. The bad news is that not all plants have adopted safer technologies – and they won’t until laws are passed that require them to.
November 2009 the House of Representatives approved the "Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Act of 2009," (H.R. 2868) by a vote of 230 to 193. This is the first time either house of Congress has approved comprehensive chemical security legislation.
Now it’s up to the Senate, they will take up chemical security legislation.
Please take action today. Use our online advocacy tools to tell your Senators to prevent a real horror.
Oh, and you’d be crazy not to check out The Crazies (it’s a good date movie).
— Michelle
