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| Thursday, Jul 3 2008 7:11 PM
Last Updated: Thursday, Jul 3 2008 7:16 PM
Fireworks started early
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Well, it's that time of year again. I am writing this as the July 4th holiday nears. Already our southwest Bakersfield detonator is at it. This year, it started June 12 around 10 p.m. and the next night around 2 a.m.
The problem is, once you are awake and go out to try to determine its source, they have already stopped. I'm sure the police have been called and the Fire Department also, but we all know how busy they are.
I must say these people are using some pretty good stuff, as this area really gets lit up. It will probably end when someone's house gets burned to the ground and some child is injured. Why doesn't someone just turn these people in?
FRED EVENSON
Bakersfield
Be good to be great
Alexis de Tocqueville, the French statesman, upon visiting America in the mid-1800s, stated that he sought America's greatness in her glorious harbors, in her vast forests, in her fertile fields, in her schools, in her Congress and in her matchless Constitution.
But, it was not until he went into the churches of America and heard the pulpits flame with righteousness did he understand the secret of her genius and power.
America is great because America is good. If America ceases to be good, America will cease to be great.
America is the greatest nation the world has ever known. Pray for revival. God bless America!
SHIRLEY STEIN
Bakersfield
Who pays for hospital stay?
I have been living here for years. I have to go to an allergist two times a week for shots. I use inhalers three times a day to breathe somewhat normally.
Why is Bakersfield allowing fireworks? I want to know if these nonprofit organizations are willing to pay for my hospital stay if I end up hospitalized.
BOB BEADLING
Bakersfield
Lengthy vacation wrong
I cannot believe what I heard, that Congress is taking a lengthy July 4th vacation. Seriously? Our country is having major problems that these guys do not seem to know how to handle.
I am not saying I could do a better job, but I know I would not be taking a vacation! People are losing their houses and their jobs, and Congress decides to take a more than week-long vacation.
I'm sure they work hard and maybe they deserve it, but that is why they make the money that they make. People only wish they could have a job to go to on July 4th. Or get back the house they just lost.
Please, next time Congress wants to take a week's vacation for July 4, maybe they should consider working and taking a three-day weekend like most Americans can afford!
KANDICE HAWKINS
Bakersfield
Americans: Work together
Born out of strife, delivered through suffering, sustained in sadness, upheld by the sincere and honest desires of her citizens, the United States has historically forged greatness by remembering that only through humble petition and thoughtful care will we endure.
As long as our leaders and politicians exercised the true will of the people, and as long as the people held dearly to the principles that made the country great we survived the trials of the past.
It is troubling to see current elected and presumptive national leaders wandering so far from the ideals that made this country great. Our candidates for political office wander aimlessly without firm-rooted moral depth of character, resolve and experience.
On the occasion of our country's anniversary of independence, we have a great opportunity to collectively refocus. We can either decide to press our legislators to encourage both short- and long-term solutions to our oil shortage and our economic problems, or we can collectively resolve to replace those leaders.
When I was a little boy, my father used to tell me: When I stumbled and skinned my knee, I had two choices -- to sit there and cry; or to get up, dust off my knee and keep walking. He suggested that the first choice was a weak and cowardly one, and the second choice represented resolve and leadership.
Make no mistake, we have stumbled and fallen with respect to our greatness and leadership, both on the national and international level. What matters most now is how we strive together to solve problems, not how much our politicians can bicker and moan about the obvious.
PAUL LEWIS
Bakersfield
Fireworks ban good idea
Kudos to Gov. Schwarzenegger for urging individual Californians to not use fireworks this year to celebrate the July 4th holiday. Common sense dictates that we take the governor's suggestion to heart.
Our air quality is particularly bad because of current fires. Fires are an expensive public cost and we are in the midst of a budget crisis. It is more than foolish to worsen conditions by adding to the problem.
We are experiencing dangerous air quality levels because of the elevated particulate matter in the air caused by fires. We have every reason to not use fireworks that simply add more debris to the air we breathe.
We all know children, seniors, athletes and people with lung disorders. For them, excessive heat and poor air quality can be a lethal mix. Many more people stay home to protect their property from reckless use of fireworks with water hose at hand. Don't forget we are in the midst of a drought.
Let common sense prevail. I urge community members and civic leaders to join our governor in a prudent effort to save lives, conserve water and reduce expenditures while we celebrate the glorious Fourth with picnics, patriotic songs and recollections of those who helped found this nation.
PAULINE LARWOOD
Bakersfield
Make miscreants pay
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger recently requested that people not buy fireworks this year. A member of the Bakersfield City Council responded that there hasn't been a large outcry from the public to ban fireworks.
What sandbox are their heads in? Every year, various groups representing the elderly, children, those with respiratory conditions and the health department all decry the use of fireworks.
We all know the city makes money licensing the fireworks stands and we all know the nonprofits fill their coffers from the sale of fireworks. Therefore, the city and nonprofits will prevail in keeping these stands open.
Arnold? Are you listening? Place an immediate surcharge of 20 percent on each fireworks item to defray the cost of fighting California's fires.
Those who want to go deaf, blow off their fingers, pollute the air, frighten the cats and dogs, set their house on fire, etc., can pay for their inconsideration for others.
JOHN W. SIERCKS
Bakersfield
Show flag some respect
Last week, The Californian ran a picture of a house covered by a flag. The young man who lived there said they did this in July because of their patriotism.
Humbug! I use to live on Occidental Street and my husband and I were appalled by the display. If this young man would read up on the rules of displaying the flag, he would not let the flag touch the ground. He and his family would not be sitting on it eating and drinking and having a party. He would respect the flag for what it stands for.
Our servicemen would be sad if they could see what this young man does with this flag. Our younger generation needs to study up on the rules on how to display and respect the flag of the United States.
PAULA COPELAND
Bakersfield