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Show Volume XIX Issue XI The Ogden Valley news Page 3 September 15, 2011 Letters to the Editor It is One Thing to Show a Man That He is in Error; Another, to Put Him in Possession of the Truth Ouch! I hit Gary Anderson’s liberal nerves I guess. Calling my commentary vitriolic? Now come on, it’s just a conservative voicing his opinion about liberals wanting to force everyone to do good acts. How is it vitriolic to say that’s wrong? Or, was it because I pointed out the fact that liberals, or should I say liberals who are in positions to make laws that are contrary to our Constitution, continue to press for a collectivist society where everyone is equal financially, economically, socially, and politically? My, my, the Constitution has been frustrating liberals since 1789 and they are so uptight about it and call people like me vitriolic, full of hyperbole, extreme…and, basically, full of it. But that’s what liberals do, they call conservatives names and rarely come up with any legitimate, opposing argument, Mr. Anderson included. A couple of things Mr. Anderson did say are true, however. One is that he correctly said it’s the Republicans who cry for no new taxes. Someone has to stand up to the continual upward spiraling of taxes because 43.4% of Americans don’t pay any income tax at all and/ or get refunds from the government without having paid any taxes. Ever read the story of the Little Red Hen? Mr. Anderson needs to re-read my Commentary. I did not say retirees do live lavish lifestyles. I said the liberal left would like them to. Commendable, I too would like them to live lavish lifestyles. Additionally, Mr. Anderson is still confused with what I said about ObamaCare. Maybe our health care system isn’t perfect and needs fixing. Perhaps we all should go to Cuba for our health care. Perhaps, but as far as the constitutionality of the federal government getting involved in our health care system, there isn’t any basis for it. Ever hear of enumerated powers? Article I, Section 8, U.S. Constitution….read it! One court after another is agreeing that this health care bill is unconstitutional. Of course it is! Mr. Anderson would have us believe that the government should get involved in forcing us all to be “fair.” I want things to be fair as well, but it isn’t the role of the government to ensure that it is. Period! Mr. Anderson says that liberals recognize that in order to have a society that treats all Americans with at least a modicum of fairness, there will be a cost to all—including the wealthy. He’s got that right; there will be a cost to all—loss of our Liberty. The Constitution is the permanent voice of We the People. The people did not give any authority to the government to provide everything fairly to everyone. We are all endowed by our Creator with rights that cannot be alienated. Yes, we have the right to be stupid, unfair, stingy, greedy, and even liberal. These traits are not laudable or even desired by most decent people, but the government has no constitutional authority to force anyone to be charitable, fair, generous, smart, or even conservative. The law of nature demands that the creature be subject to its creator. We the People, as individuals, do not have the power or authority to go to our neighbor and force them to hand over their money so that it can be given to someone else who is less fortunate or who is in need; we cannot grant a power to government that we ourselves do not possess. When government does it by force, it is usurping the powers We the People gave it. We all, Mr. Anderson included, have the right to be selfish. A very poor way to live one’s life to be sure, but we have that right and government has no constitutional authority to force us to be generous or charitable. I have to agree with Mr. Anderson about a Democrat attempting to convince others by talking nice and offering them a big bowl of hummus. The hummus, however, would not be the Democrat’s own hummus, but taken by force from the rest of us. I hate hummus. Another statement with which I agree . . . Mr. Anderson said, “…people like [me] are fully capable of doing the right thing on their own.” Absolutely, we are capable, and even if we are, but still don’t do it, Mr. Anderson hints that “Unfortunately…” the government has to force us to do the right thing. How does this stand up to the words, “Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness?” Good idea to wear seat belts and anyone who doesn’t wear them is unwise. The government does have the constitutional power to make laws to protect society and pass laws against criminal acts. This is not the same as forcing us to be generous or charitable. Talk about dishonesty and hyperbole . . . . Mr. Anderson misquoted what I said about the health care bill, saying I claimed there would be death panels. Yes, that has been debunked, but the truth of the matter is, I didn’t say death panel. And, number one, under this bill, there will be at least one panel, or commission, or body of some sort that is going to examine the medical evidence on how effective a certain treatment is likely to be in a certain population of patients. Two, this, let’s call it a panel if you will, will let the doctors know whether that treatment ought to be used in those patient groups… (a euphemism for “guidelines,” which itself is a euphemism for legally-binding and ruthlessly enforced directives). However, we certainly know that our government is a compassionate and caring one, and wishes to reduce unnecessary suffering, and make available palliative care in the form of pain control, even while withholding potentially curative care. Numbers 1 and 2 above are taken from a summary of comments taken directly from President Obama’s own mouth when asked about the so called “death panels.” If you like how our postal service is run, you’ll just love government controlled health care. Mr. Anderson again misquoted me, saying I said liberals are trying to overthrow the government. Really? Is that what I said? Read my commentary again…talking about dishonesty and hyperbole. Heck, I’ll just call it what it is—disingenuous (I wanted to say lying). “An unconstitutional act is not law; it confers no rights; it imposes no duties; affords no protection; it creates no office; it is in legal contemplation, as inoperative as though it had never been passed.” (Norton vs. Shelby County, 118 US 425 p. 442) “It is one thing to show a man that he is in error, and another to put him in possession of the truth.” (John Locke) Lonnie D. Crockett, Ph.D., Huntsville Changes Needed to State Law Regarding Enforcement of Noise Restrictions for Boats This letter is to call attention to the noise ordinance for our Utah waterways; in particular, Pineview Reservoir. In the preceding summer, and many summers in the recent past, there have been many times when boats, that seem to be racing on the north arm of the lake, have been so loud as to disrupt normal conditions for making telephone calls, hearing the television, and carrying out normal conversations—even inside the house at the dinner table, etc. These boat motors are loud enough to be heard in most areas of the valley. There exist rules for noise levels within the state of Utah. Below, I paraphrase some of these rules. R651-222-1 of the Utah Administrative code states that every motorboat operated upon the waters of this State shall at all times be equipped with a muffler or a muffler system in good working order and in constant operation and effectively installed to prevent any excessive or unusual noise. R651-222-2 - “Muffler” means a sound suppression device or system designed and installed to abate the sound of exhaust gases emitted from internal combustion engine and prevents excessive or unusual noise. R651-222-3 - No person shall operate or give permission for the operation of any motorboat upon the waters of this state in such a manner as to exceed the following noise levels: For engines manufactured before January 1, 1993 a noise level of 90 dB(A) when subjected to a stationary sound level test as prescribed SAEJ2005 or for engines manufactured on or after January1,1993 a noise level of 88dB(A) when subjected to a stationary sound level test as prescribed by test SAEJ2005. The testing methods, (SAEJ2005) for these dB requirements are grossly unrealistic and needs revision. SAEJ2005 - Measurement site—A suitable site is a body of water free of large obstructions or reflective surfaces such as buildings, boats other than involved in this procedure, large embankments or breakwaters, etc. for a minimum distance of 8m (25ft.) from the boat being measured. The boat being tested shall either be moored to a dock or lashed to another boat. If moored to a dock, the dock shall be of open construction so that it presents a minimum of reflecting surfaces. If the measurement is made in open water, the boat being evaluated shall be lashed to the measurement boat to prevent relative motion and to allow positioning of the microphone in the prescribed location. The measurement boat shall be positioned to minimize reflected sound. Boat Operation—The engine shall be operated at low idle speed within the engine manufacturer’s recommended operating range, in neutral gear if so equipped. For motorboats without a neutral gear, the engine shall be operated at its lowest operational speed. The engine shall be operated for a sufficient amount of time to allow water to flow through the exhaust system before taking measurements I submit that this test is unrealistic, since some boat exhaust outlets are under water during idle and will come out of the water when planning speeds have been reached. Back in the days when some of us would put “glass pack mufflers” on our cars, and get stopped for making too much noise, the police officer did not stand 25 feet behind the car and listen to it idle (HOW SILLY!), we would have to rev the engine to the level where it actually did make max noise. I submit that this SAEJ2005 test is silly too. Whoever decided to make this the legal test must not understand noisy exhaust systems. The police officer would, on occasion, look under the car to actually see the mufflers before giving out the citation. We then had to install stock mufflers and have a police inspection to verify the change before we could operate our cars on public roads, plus, pay the fine. Rule R51-222-1 clearly states that every motorboat must have an adequate muffler system in constant operation to effectually reduce any excessive or unusual noise or not be allowed to operate on Utah waters. Richard Reeder, Eden HUNTSVILLE TOWN NOMINATING CONVENTIONS Huntsville Town will hold their Nominating Conventions at the Ogden Valley Library, located at 131 S. 7400 E. Huntsville. September 14, 2011, at 7:00 p.m. Both conventions: Party #1 and Our Town, will be holding their Nominating Conventions at the Ogden Valley Library at 7:00 p.m. Please plan to attend ONE of the conventions and show your patriotic duty by supporting your local neighbors and town. There are two positions open for this year’s election. Two 4-year terms for Council Member. Party #1 Chairman: Artie Powell Secretary: Pam Johnson Our Town Chairman: Rod Layton Secretary: John Harris |