Letters to the editor for Dec. 23, 2010
State job killer To the Editor: as noted in the Union Democrat on Dec. 16, the California Air Resources Board approved the creation of the nation’s first broad-based program to place a cap on greenhouse gas emissions and begin charging large emitters for the excess carbon dioxide they place in the air. California is once again moving forward with climate change policy, while efforts on the national level have stopped. After the vote, Air Resources Board member Ronald Loveridge stated, “the comment ‘the world is watching’ is sometimes an idle comment. It’s not idle this afternoon.” CARB believes that the rest of the states will follow suit, as they have with some previous rulings. This is exactly as the founders envisioned, each state could carve its own path. News flash — with a few exceptions, most other states will not pass such a job and business killer. they will gladly take the businesses, manufacturers and skilled workers (tax-payers all) that California chooses to smash like a bug. many will predict that California’s effort to reduce emissions to 1990 levels by 2020 will fail. Really, it will succeed beyond even their hopes. the first step will be to reduce employment to 1990 levels, California is already well on its way to achieving that part of its goal. the state will also need to reduce the population to 1990 levels, the state is making excellent progress on that goal as well. you may feel that energy costs are high now, that’s nothing compared to what will happen when this program is imple California is trying to “Cloward-Piven” the republic. Ray Anderson Sonora Hypnosis heals To the Editor: Hypnosis is an effective alternative for healing. It can help stop addictions like smoking and over eating, as well as help chronic pain, dread, phobias, etc. Our bodies are made up of billions of cells, each one unique and having its own memory. sometimes we may feel like we’ve been there, done that, seen it but don’t recall it in this life. This could be from cell memory from your life’s journeys. Our minds are very powerful and full of information. the key to a successful hypnosis is to let your conscious mind relax and open up your subconscious mind to see what’s inside of you. the rhythm of your spirit will help guide you there. Julie Barnes Groveland PG&E claims To the Editor: If you are like most people who filed a loss claim for the recent five day plus power outage, you got a three page letter stating “we are not responsible for your loss.” the question is why does PG&E advertise a claim procedure, mail out forms, review claims and send out denial letters if they are “not responsible for your loss.” they use our money for labor, mailings, etc., on a claim process that is denied at the start. why not just tell us they are a huge monopoly with no loss claim responsibilities? they waste our time and money. the outage phone line gave us hope of getting power back soon and the claim procedure gave us hope of a refund. we got neither. Keep up the excellent work Union Democrat. Roy Jueal Twain Harte Marijuana laws To the Editor: I am confused, in an article that ran Dec. 13, our District Attorney said that proposition 215 and Senate bill 420, that govern medical marijuana, neither mention dispensaries. I have read both of these laws online and found that in fact collectives are mentioned in SB 420 by the state’s Attorney General in 2008, Section IV — Guidelines Regarding Collectives and Cooperatives. I am no lawyer and not sure about the difference between a collective and a dispensary, but what I read said, in part, “a collective should be an organization that merely facilitates the collaborative efforts of patient and caregiver members-including the allocation of cost and revenues.” It then went on to give guidelines for a lawful operation of a cooperative or collective. When I found that I started looking at “caregivers” and everything I read said that cooperatives or collectives are not, nor can they be caregivers. instead, they are facilitators for patients and caregivers. Is that what our District Attorney meant? I for one think this county could use a medical marijuana collective if it is lawful and they can collect taxes. It is a medicine and is taxable. What’s the downside here? you Californians read the law. Confused. Jana Evans Tuolumne Tuolumne County Land-use plan To the Editor: the fact that the Tuolumne County Board of Supervisors was surprised about the Federal Management plan is an ideal example of why we need to complete the Coordination plan, Comprehensive Land Use plan for Federal and State Managed Lands and Regulated Resources in Tuolumne County. It’s time that our local representatives resolve their differences for the sake of our economic protection. This issue started with an unanimous board decision in 1995. It’s time to quit lollygagging and take a stand. On page 17 of the TC plan, it’s stated “The TC plan seeks to achieve and maintain balance presently missing between natural and human environments. Environmental values must be balanced with socioeconomic values to achieve policies that marry excellent stewardship with the preservation and enhancement of local communities. there currently exist many local, state and federal statutory protections for the natural environment.” It also specifies that “the board seeks to promote planning and actions that ensure the general prosperity and quality of life of the county as a whole” and “to encourage agencies, local, regional, state and federal, to better evaluate and analyze local and regional socioeconomic conditions and needs so that they will respond effectively to potential problems and opportunities facing the county.” we have been bypassed yet again on an issue that directly affects our livelihood, the huge draw to the county for recreational use. how much clearer can the need for this policy get? Joan C. Kern Sonora Christmas play To the Editor: the Mother Lode Christian School performed their Christmas Play “Back to the Manger,” under the direction of Laura Brinegar last week. It was uplifting and heart warming. the bands played, the entire school sang and performed a memorable event. the entire audience left being reminded of the true meaning of Christmas. Steven and Janet Crook Groveland