Opinion Columns
A day in the life of the Fabulous 54
June 18, 2013 —With concern I read George Boardman’s letter (The Union May 30).
Apparently he has unanswered questions regarding the legitimacy of obtaining valedictorian honors at Nevada Union.
Learn more »The supervisor doth protest too much!
June 14, 2013 —That Supervisor Richard Anderson wrote an op-ed assuring Nevada County that U.N. Agenda 21 is not relevant to local land-use planning is curious.
It is unfortunate that he didn’t attend Rosa Koire’s recent lecture on her book “Behind the Green Mask: U.N. Agenda 21” in Grass Valley and learn the documented facts that he so easily dismisses.
Learn more »Dysfunctional, unaccountable government
June 14, 2013 —Recent government scandals, going as far back as last year, have revealed that we have a dysfunctional federal government, an atmosphere of deception and lack of accountability where non-supervision has become the accepted norm. The rule of law is ignored, and no one seems to be accountable. Examples from the past few months demonstrate how an ever-expanding unsupervised government can get so out of control.
Americans were misled for more than 10 months about “Fast and Furious,” the controversial gun-walking operation by Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms in which ATF lost track of 1,700 guns. The operation resulted in the death of border patrol agent Brian Terry, and many guns appeared in a variety of crime scenes. The Justice Department was given countless warnings and yet did nothing to stop it. Attorney General Eric Holder stated he wasn’t aware of the operation. A top justice official plead the Fifth Amendment when he was subpoenaed, a significant indictment of the department’s integrity. President Obama finally issued an executive order to prevent more Congressionally subpoenaed material from coming to light, avoiding more embarrassment and preventing any criminal charges. Will we ever find out who was responsible, and will there be justice for Brian Terry and his family?
Learn more »Convenient, affordable vaccines available
June 14, 2013 —Vaccines for Children is a program funded by the state of California, enabling children to receive vaccines at no cost. Sierra Family Medical Clinic has been an enthusiastic provider for this program for many years.
The Vaccines for Children program provides immunizations to children and teens (ages 0-18) who are uninsured or under-insured. Come have your children immunized! The VFC program has made the process for accessing vaccines more convenient and affordable for children who are covered under Medi-Cal, have no insurance or are under-insured. With the help of this immunization program more children and their families have been spared the debilitating results of many highly communicable diseases that in the past have devastated lives.
Learn more »Airing of unbalanced regulations
June 13, 2013 —Americans do and should care about the environment but not to the exclusion of everything else. We should also care about housing, jobs, the economy and our individual rights guaranteed by the Constitution. Over the past 40 or so years, the federal government and California have enacted a number of environmental laws that too frequently result in violations of individual liberties and constitutionally protected rights.
These violations have taken the form of excessive federal and state regulations exceeding constitutional and legislative authority due to tortured interpretations based on questionable scientific and technical assumptions. In recent years, California in particular has been a victim of the depredations of bad science masquerading as “progressive” public policy, with California Air Resource Board, as perhaps the most prolific and outrageous proponent of government overreaching under the guise of environmental protection.
Learn more »Competition in Medicare programs: Boon or boondoggle?
June 13, 2013 —Does competition to provide insurance for Medicare recipients reduce costs? Or does competition simply increase the tab picked up by taxpayers?
Dr. Ida Hellander, policy director for Physicians for a National Health Program, a nonprofit research and advocacy group, thought taxpayers should know the answers to these questions.
Learn more »Walk4YouthPeace1 fundraiser a success
June 11, 2013 —In case you missed it, there was a 30-day ‘walkathon’ in May called the ‘Walk4YouthPeace1’ to raise public awareness/funding for four local youth-related agencies via challenging students and others to see just how many miles they could walk from May 1 through May 30.
I’m happy to say that everyone who took the challenge did quite well and I know that those who couldn’t participate this time will do very well when they become walkers in the next event.
Learn more »Raising the minimum wage does not benefit the poor
June 11, 2013 —Why are cigarettes taxed so fiercely? Raising the price of cigarettes discourages people from smoking them.
Why are foreign goods (like Chinese-made tires or solar panels) taxed on importation?
Learn more »On that earthquake
June 11, 2013 —I learned some interesting things in the earthquake article, like Greenville is 30 miles north of Grass Valley.
I think it is more like 70 to 75 miles north of us. Depending on the ground your house is on, the recent earthquake could have been a lot more exciting if only 30 miles distant.
Learn more »Pay attention to the real risks of UN Agenda 21
June 7, 2013 —County Supervisor Richard Anderson expressed his opinion in a recent article that U.N. Agenda 21 is not a risk to our county.
We appreciate his freedom to express his opinions, which I note he did not back up with any references, but nothing could be further from the truth.
Learn more »Good news and bad: Earth won’t run out of oil
June 7, 2013 —The good news is that planet Earth will never run out of oil (The Atlantic, May 2013). The bad news is that planet Earth will never run out of oil (same reference).
The rationale for the good news is that experts once predicted the world’s oil would give out by the end of this young century, so we should be working fast to develop alternative, naturally occurring sources of energy. But now Japan, which has never had control over a petroleum source of its own, is testing methods for extracting all the energy it needs from the earth’s inexhaustible supply of methane hydrate, a petroleum product that stretches down to a great depth below the ocean floor. The U.S. is making plans to follow suit.
Learn more »Consolidated board member recall a first step
June 6, 2013 —While we, the proponents of the Recall Grueneberg 2013 effort, agree with the The Union’s editorial, “the full NCCFD Board needs to be held accountable,” we also feel it is highly improbable that there are seven individuals who would be willing to step up and run the Nevada County Consolidated Fire District board in the manner it should be run.
Please note, we are not opposed to recalling more board members (all of them, if necessary), but we also feel that by removing the rotten apple first, there is hope that the rest of the bunch can be saved. By deposing Keith Grueneberg (March 31) from the chairman seat and removing him from all standing committees, it is the first step in the right direction. By admitting their oversight on the special tax measure, that is the second step.
Learn more »Concern about mercury overblown
June 6, 2013 —Our local newspaper, The Union, has recently printed three environmentalists’ opinions, and now we would ask for some space for the truth.
Their recent issue by Amber Taxiera of the Sierra Fund is a diatribe about mercury in fish. The truth is that of the 300 million people who live in the United States, none of them has ever been sick or died from mercury poisoning from eating any kind of fish.
Learn more »Most Tea Party members honest, hardworking folks
June 6, 2013 —This is in response the article “Tea Party Turmoil” in the May 31 edition of The Union.
As a member of the Tea Party, I attended the February meeting where Mike Walker was introduced as the interim president and then proceeded to present a very long conservative discourse, not seeming to realize he was “preaching to the choir,” but seemed quite happy to hear himself talk. The meeting lasted much longer than planned because of this. That happened again at the March meeting and, likewise, at the April meeting, where he arbitrarily declared himself CEO. I have not returned because of Mike Walker.
Learn more »Agenda 21: conspiracy theory or not?
June 4, 2013 —I would like to respond to Supervisor Anderson’s comments in a recent Other Voices guest column. Mr. Anderson said, “To claim the United Nations can somehow insidiously harm the quality of life in Nevada County is not only to misunderstand the history and process of American land-use planning, it devalues the prominent role that you and I play in shaping the places where we live. There is no such conspiracy.”
UN Agenda 21 is an action plan of the UN with regard to sustainable development and a product of the UN Conference on Environment and Development held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. It is a nonbinding agreement that has been supported and agreed to by every United States president from George H.W. Bush on.
Learn more »Because you asked, Mr. Boardman
June 4, 2013 —As a Nevada Union teacher and the California Scholarship Federation (CSF) adviser, I feel compelled to respond to Mr. Boardman’s letter that suggests that being a Nevada Union valedictorian means nothing.
These 54 students have worked hard throughout their high-school careers, and every one of them has accomplished many personal achievements.
Learn more »Ban psychotropic drugs
June 3, 2013 —My first disagreement with Conni Barker’s piece in The Union (Other Voices, May 21) is the title: “Mental disorders are not behavioral problems.” It should have read “Behavioral problems are not mental disorders!” Psychiatry wants us to believe that every kind of childish behavior is a mental disorder! Ms. Barker’s pro-psychiatry piece doesn’t surprise me since she worked for the California Psychiatric Association. Unfortunately, she doesn’t know of what she speaks.
No doubt she’s unaware of psychiatry’s sordid Nazi and criminal history and has swallowed their lies. For instance, is she aware that there is no scientific or medical basis for any of those so-called “mental disorders,” such as ADHD, OCD, etc., and that they are simply made up at psychiatry’s annual meetings?!
Learn more »Obama handling of Benghazi is an outrage
May 31, 2013 —The Benghazi terrorist attack, that horrible night in the dark rancid air of Libya when four of our American citizens were killed, one being our U.S. ambassador, our own Chris Stevens … had to be covered up by Obama and his cohorts because it didn’t fit his “priority of the say” … campaign.
The Obama idea of a priority is to make sure nothing real or tragic happens to lessen his chances of re-election, one of his re-election mottos being … “Osama Bin Laden is dead!” … that’s what Obama insisted everyone remember, that he did that … and to accomplish this he, with the aid of others, exposed our people to this unnecessary, unprecedented danger … the arrogance of Obama is the absolute “Outrage” … just to make sure everyone believes his version of events, he had to present a low profile appearance in Libya to prove that when more security was requested, begged for, by our people, by our ambassador and others, it was denied. No, sending in more security would send the wrong message when you’re out to convince the voters and the world that all is well — Osama Bin Laden is dead! The reality is that our people are at risk. They are dispensable. The truth is never a consideration to Obama when a lie and deception will get the results he wants.
Learn more »It starts with me: June is National Safety Month
May 31, 2013 —Every year, June is declared National Safety Month by the National Safety Council. The objective of National Safety Month is to create a heightened awareness that “safety starts with me” to reduce the most significant reasons for unintentional injuries and deaths in the American workplace, on the road and in the home and community.
The board of supervisors recognizes the importance of increasing the awareness about safety to create a safer workplace and sustain the ability of workers to be productive. Thus, the Nevada County Safety Committee was established to help accomplish this goal. The committee is comprised of 40 individuals who each represent a department or agency in the county. The committee meets monthly to keep up with safety issues, become educated and help apply best safety practices within our departments.
Learn more »United Nations not relevant in local land-use planning
May 31, 2013 —Despite the worries expressed by some in our county regarding the specter of a United Nations–led takeover of land-use planning, the fact is that the U.N. has no substantive influence on the decisions made by local government.
Land-use decisions affecting private property occur at the lowest levels of government, the city and the county. City council members, county supervisors and the planning commissioners of both are people you likely see in your community and probably know and who probably know you and are familiar with the issues of concern to you.
Learn more »What a Wild & Scenic trip it’s been: SYRCL’s turning 30!
May 31, 2013 —On June 8, the South Yuba River Citizens League will celebrate its 30th anniversary — and everyone who loves the Yuba River is invited to the party!
Since 1983, when local activists successfully fought to protect the South Yuba River from dams, SYRCL has remained the central hub for community activism to protect, restore and celebrate the river we love.
Learn more »Thoughts on the 2013-14 grand jury term in Nevada County
May 30, 2013 —Once again, the constitutionally mandated annual ritual has begun: The courts are selecting and impanelling grand juries in each of California’s 58 counties for the 2013-2014 term.
So we ask: Whom should they be looking for and what is needed to perpetuate and preserve the grand jury institution, an institution that epitomizes democracy in action — truly government “by the people?” Where else can citizens take a close look at their local government and make recommendations to improve it?
Learn more »Big Brother and garage sales in Nevada County
May 30, 2013 —Garage sales in Nevada County and elsewhere in our wonderful country are synonymous as apple pie and the American flag … it is a fun way for families to explore our area, meet new and interesting people and sometimes even come across a bargain.
It is a fun way, albeit a family recreational event, that occurs most weekends, much like hiking, fishing, hunting, coupon clipping, etc. I love yard sales/estate sales. I enjoy going through the classified section of The Union and Craigslist.com.
Learn more »Appreciate value of straw houses in Nevada County
May 30, 2013 —Many residents of Nevada County enjoy living in the comfort of homes built with straw. We have all heard bad jokes about blustering wolves and houses of straw. When you look at what makes straw such a good building material, objections and teasing soon give way to interest.
Humans have been building with straw for thousands of years. Combined with earth, it is a readily available building material. Protection from moisture, as with any building material, keeps a straw building durable. Around the world, buildings using straw and clay are still standing after hundreds of years.
Learn more »Friends gone but never forgotten
May 29, 2013 —Bill O’Leary — we grew up together and he was my best friend. Died flying a B-17 Flying Fortress over Europe in World War II. He was a week short of his 20th birthday, a month younger than me.
Pat Fallon, a full colonel, died flying a rescue mission into Laos, a mission he volunteered for. He had a new son he had never seen. His third war. He is an MIA, missing in action, his body never found …
Learn more »Restoring the dream
May 28, 2013 —We will be the first generation to break the implied covenant of leaving our children a better America than the one we inherited. Instead we will hand off a malfunctioning Congress and administration, which has mastered only one capability — spending and promising more than we can afford.
We are galloping toward bankruptcy with a workforce that was once the marvel of the world but is now slipping in education, ranking from the very best to the middle of the pack.
Learn more »A no-brainer for the Old Mill Valley site
May 28, 2013 —One of the most difficult things I deal with as a biologist in western Nevada County is what I call the “shattering of the myth of western Nevada County” with my clients, many of who have moved here from places that offered community assets that, to them, were just common sense; things like open space and parks, bike paths, sidewalks, etc.
It’s painful to watch the rose petals fall off their eyes as they learn that “all the beautiful open space” is on private land, some protected with owner-installed cameras; vicious, threatening signage; electric gates and other “welcoming” emblems. In other words, we have no publicly supporting county parks and open space programs here, but you are welcome to toss a Frisbee with your kid in the middle of the roads! They’re public!
Learn more »Time for state to take steps against meth
May 29, 2013 —Methamphetamine remains a scourge in our local communities, with a heavy impact on individuals and families that requires strong efforts from many parts of society to combat. It starts with education of our children to understand the dangers of the drug and what it can do to their bodies and minds. It requires ready treatment for those already caught in the drug’s clutches. It requires a coordinated effort of law enforcement and the courts to root out sales and distribution of methamphetamine to keep it off the streets. Finally, efforts must be made to decrease its manufacture in the first place.
While methamphetamine comes from many sources, a significant amount is still made locally in California out of cold and allergy decongestant tabs that are bought over-the-counter. State and federal laws currently restrict how these medications are sold, including requiring ID and limiting how much medication can be bought in a single day or month. However, these rules are enforced with written and paper logs, and there is no way for stores to know if someone is buying these medications at multiple sites.
Learn more »Dave Schmall: With your family media guide, you’re the film critic
I love movies. I used to see a lot of movies. I was one of those annoying folks who would brag about having seen all the Oscar-nominated films before the Academy Awards and would freely give my less than humble predictions to anyone in earshot.
If nothing else, it certainly made the awards show much more interesting.
Learn more »
