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Opinion
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- Written by: James BlueWolf
Many Americans seem to have bought into the idea that the US is a democracy. That myth has been pulled out to use at various times, mostly for political gain, but the reality is that we have never been a democracy.
The idealists who founded this country were just as divided in their ideals as we are today. They realized that to simply allow the current “dominant voice” among the people to formulate laws and direct government would surely lead to a fragmentation of unity and the ultimate dissolution of the Union.
Our republican system of government, balanced by judicial oversight, was carefully structured by the Founding Fathers to guard against a simple majority determining our course and our laws. They recognized that the fickle populace, driven by emotion and righteous indignation, could be swayed to pass any number of unreasonable laws, by majority consent, which would infringe on the rights of others.
That’s the reason they put together the document we call the Constitution. Those are the guiding principles (not always enforced and twisted whenever possible) that protect America from itself. We have had presidents who ignored Supreme Court decisions and acted unilaterally to achieve the privilege of executive power — Jackson’s decision to remove the Cherokees — but generally we have pretended to be governed by the rule of law.
America is not one color, one religion or one creed — it is supposed to be every citizen together. We are as compelled to protect the rights of those we disagree with as fervently as those singing to our choir. The reason for this is that even those racist, deist and revolutionary thinkers who put this country together understood that majorities can be just as totalitarian as governments. Achieving religious, cultural or moral supremacy are the typical driving culprits behind depriving peoples of those “inalienable rights” we read about in school. The Constitution was intentionally made difficult to change because “the whims of the people” were not deemed by the Founding Fathers to be stable enough to uphold the Bill of Rights.
The majority does not rule in America, the Constitution does — or it should. That’s why we have “Supreme” Courts. They have the duty to point out when the populace is becoming unreasonable, pushing their values and mores on others for no other purpose than to bolster their own failing institutions and socio-political control. Of course, even the courts have proved themselves subject to agendas and politics, but the Supreme Court has managed to stay somewhat above the fray — maybe.
Not all Americans have benefited from constitutional or court protection in our checkered history, but as we move forward in time, the promise of what America can become is much greater than the mystical, misrepresented and over-glorified realities of our past. The greatness of America is in our yet-to-be-realized potential—and while that potential is there, we are obliged – in our own time – to reach for it. I have heard some argue that “state’s rights” should supersede federal law however at present that is not the prevailing priority, as evidenced by the difference between state and federal cannabis legislation.
So anytime someone says that “the voice of the people” is greater than the law, as defined by the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, and as interpreted by the US and state Supreme Courts — who are challenged to protect and uphold the Constitution from every enemy, foreign AND domestic — we should jump up and protest! Otherwise, “might” will continue to make “right” and the loudest voice or biggest gun will always control our lives.
James BlueWolf lives in Nice.
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- Written by: Debi Sally
Let me begin by once again saying that I have a vested interest in the financial success of this city. As a local business owner who has, like some other professionals, trouble recruiting practitioners into rural practice, I am in favor of development. But, I really want to see it be healthy growth, not urban sprawl that paves a 292-acre piece of paradise and makes it into another densely populated golf community.
This is the most awesomely beautiful big chunk of land in the city! Go out to the end of Dam Road or boat down the creek and have a look for yourself! Besides, we need to encourage more development of the “inner city.” We still have many empty lots and right now quite a few empty houses. It’s time to think sustainable. I know it’s an overused word, but it really gets to the heart of the matter. If we and our children are to have future, we need to use it and implement it.
On June 5, 2005, in San Francisco, a conference began when Gov. Schwarzenegger and participating mayors of 60 cities around the world signed an environmental action plan to reduce the state’s emissions of greenhouse gases, the Urban Environmental Accords.
These leaders, recognizing the need for critical change decided upon the following actions among others:
Adopt urban planning principles and practices that advance higher density, mixed use, walkable, bikeable and disabled-accessible neighborhoods which coordinate land use and transportation with open space systems for recreation and ecological restoration.
Adopt a policy or implement a program that creates environmentally beneficial jobs in slums and/or low-income neighborhoods.
Pass legislation that protects critical habitat corridors and other key habitat.
You can see the whole accords if you “Google” it. And while you're at it, have a look at www.sfenvironment.org, www.citymayors.com/environment/environment_day.html and www.coolcities.us/.
The Provinsalia project doesn’t quite fit this picture. It’s old hat. It’s using the allure of a fading fashion and deeply embedded in the box. It’s time to embrace the new ideal that will make us a prime tourist destination and a model of cool cities, keep our air clean and our stars visible, and make us proud of ourselves!
So, here’s my idea. Let’s turn it into an eco-destination. There can be accommodations that suit the eco-traveler, concessions, activities, education. Look how many long-term jobs that would create.
You know, Mr. Price, maybe your bosses would like the idea. It could make them lots of money and provide them with an excellent place for their meetings and family getaways. I hear you’ve been seen enjoying the place with your family.
Remember, the property is owned by multimillion dollar developers who don’t even live in this country, let alone this county. How much do they care about us except as a means to their financial ends?
We citizens of Clearlake need to direct our growth in a way that will honor the beauty of the place in which we live. We don’t want to keep others from enjoying the paradise we’ve found but we do want to keep it beautiful, don’t we?
If you agree, please let your thoughts be known. Visit, write or e-mail our planning commissioners and City Council members right away.
Debi Sally lives in Clearlake.
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- Written by: Victor Stryker
Some times in space and time – in this particular and amazing Universe – in a small insignificant corner of our awesome and magnificent Milky Way galaxy – in our Solar system with our light and life giving SUNstar ...
The beautiful slooooooowly ever-orbiting and dancing planets above our daily too-busy lives puts on a grand, unique and attractive beautiful sky show by joining closer together to catch our attentions to remind us that we are all Children of the Universe.
We saw tonight’s so rare, lovely and quietly spectacular joining of three heavenly bodies – just for you and me – on this clear and precious quiet evening, giving us a rare chance to stop our busy and distracting Earthly lives, for just a few inspiring moments, to look up at the joining of the crescent Moon and Jupiter and brilliant Venus … Reminding all in the world that we all live, love, laugh, cry and die under the same moon, planets and SUNstar.
As I walked out from my observatory office on this dark and so clear eve. I too looked up, and was re filled with awe and respect – as I saw this beautiful conjunction of planets and moon. I was so moved and reminded that we all are Children of the Universe and each able to – each new day as SUNstar comes up in the east – trust that we have a new dawn and a new chance each day – to be "response able" to choose beyond fear, anger and greed to choose light, love, peace and respect of each other and our homeworld – always and all ways …
Victor Stryker is an astronomer with the Taylor Observatory and Norton Planetarium in Kelseyville.
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- Written by: Wendy Jensen
Since the holidays are coming up and my collision took place around the holidays I decided to elaborate a bit more on the consequences I had pay for the poor choice I made to drink and drive.
On Nov. 18, 2007, I was involved in a head-on collision on Highway 4 in Martinez. I chose to get behind the wheel of my car after a night of heavy drinking, got onto the freeway driving the wrong way.
“What idiot drives the wrong way on the freeway?” A question you may ask yourself. I did, it could happen to you or your mother, your father, sons or daughters, if you choose to drink and drive.
After the collision I was placed under arrest and charged with felony driving under the influence, driving on the wrong side of the road and causing injury. I spent Thanksgiving in the hospital and a few days later I was taken into custody where I spent the next seven months at West County Detention Facility in Richmond.
Christmas was approaching and I couldn't be there to see my daughter open her Christmas gifts or see her little face when she saw that Santa had been there the night before. Instead I was in jail where it was just like any other day. No decorations, no tree, no gifts, no Christmas carols, no family, no special dinner, no hugs and kisses.
What you get on Christmas Day from the jail is a warm TV dinner meal, being surrounded by strangers, the sounds of the deputy sheriffs shouting over the loud speaker and the sounds of your crying family over the phone wishing you were there with them.
Imagine talking to your children on the phone from jail and them asking the questions: "Why can't you be here? Why did you drink that bad stuff and wreck the car? When are you coming home?" These are very hard questions to explain to a 5-year-old.
My husband at the time, whom I had been together with since high school and married to for 11 years, had enough of my drinking; this was the straw that broke the camel's back for him. He filed for divorce, custody of our daughter and temporary ownership of our home.
This was not very easy to deal with while I was in jail. But it was me who made the choice to drink and drive. These are just a few of the consequences I had to pay for my actions. Others include three years' probation; three months of DUI classes which you have to pay for; one year suspended driver's license with no restrictions, which means that you also have to pay a lot of money when you do get it back; thousands of dollars in medical bills, court fines and fees; and, most importantly, the mental trauma I went through, knowing the pain I have caused to so many people.
The man I hit suffered severe injuries that included two broken femurs, punctured lungs, lacerated liver, a torn aorta, a crushed right hand and lacerations to his face. Imagine yourself being the cause of all that. He had to miss out on the holidays with his family as well. He had to go through countless surgeries and intense therapy. The pain he had to endure as a result of my actions was unnecessary.
In the blink of an eye, many lives were changed forever. Is it worth it? Seriously, think about how much you have to loose. Family, home, job, physical and mental health, possibly your or someone else’s life, everything you have worked so hard for.
If these things mean anything to you, don't drink and drive or get into a car with anyone who has. If these things don't mean anything to you, then expect to do some jail time, then you'll have plenty of time to think of how much they do mean to you. Take it from someone who has to live with this everyday.
Don't get me wrong in any of the things I have shared with you. I’m not looking for sympathy or trying to make it sound like, “Oh, poor me.” I got what I deserved and paid the price dearly for my actions. It’s what I do from here on out that really matters to me.
I joined Team DUI in the hopes of making a difference, to help educate our youth and adults about the dangers of drinking and driving. I hope by sharing my personal experience with you that it will help you make the right choice about drinking and driving.
I hope you all have a safe and fun holiday season!
Wendy Jensen is a member of Team DUI, a group of local individuals and officials working to prevent underage drinking and drinking and driving.
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