Brent Harold / Journal

On a walk I noticed NStar’s sub-contractor’s trucks parked in our neighborhood. I assume that means they are about to do it to us.

That’s what it feels like.

“Nstar’s Rape of the Cape.” Has a nice ring to it. But is “rape’ too strong a word for what NStar has been doing to this delicate, vulnerable peninsula? I wouldn’t want to use that powerful word lightly in the post- feminist world. And after all it’s just metaphorical, since the word connotes forced sexual intercourse.

But no, “rape” is about right. NStar, against the will of every town on the Cape has been spraying invasive chemicals on its right-of-way, chemicals which penetrate–the ground, the body of our town, and, it is feared, not unreasonably, our own bodies. It’s an alien infusion. Not sexual, but intercourse? Forced entry? Definitely.

As for the stipulation that it’s not rape unless the victim has said “no”: every town (along with our legislative reps) has said “no” in no uncertain terms: Do not do this to us, to our ground, to our water, to our bodies.

And yet with complete disregard for the feelings of the citizens and towns they’ve gone ahead with their spraying program when all along there’s been a perfectly viable alternative.

And what does that feel like? Like you’ve been raped. Like a passive, helpless victim. Like someone has had their way with you.

As for the company’s having official permission from a state agency: rape is not less rape just because someone stands by and not only lets it happen but encourages it.

So though it may be a metaphor, the word “rape” applies. With all the outrage that usually goes with that word.