Don’t let the fear mongers ruin your life; help out a local cause; drive safely
Afew things to ponder: Is it us, or is every political type convinced, nowadays, that the United States, democracy, freedom and liberty, capitalism, the balance of powers and the entire world ... maybe the entire universe ... is all about to implode and we’ll all devolve into barbarians or sink into slavery or be blasted into the ether?
Is our incessant angst a sign that things have really gotten bad? Or is it a sign that we’ve all gotten soft?
This country, as we ponder it on the Fourth of July, has survived rebellions, riots, injustice, terrible wars, strident movements, every sort of calamity possible. We may be unhappy with our government at the present ... but we have been unhappy before and faced up to it and made it through.
Sorry, we don’t mean to be insensitive, but it seems like we’ve become a nation of the privileged and entitled. And we allow bigmouths to goad us into feeling fearful and poor and put upon.
This isn’t to say we don’t have problems, that we don’t have major issues. And we are faced with some harsh realities: some of the things we thought were a given are being questioned by politicians .... whether rightly or wrongly, and it makes us uncomfortable. Realizations can be troublesome. Maybe we aren’t the only superpower, after all. Maybe those of us now alive won’t be driving flying cars. And we’re reminded that we have enemies ... and maybe some friends that we can’t wholly trust.
You can turn this rant in any direction you want, conservative or liberal. All we truly want to say is, “Americans: We’ve got a great country; we can solve problems; we can adapt. Just don’t let the exploiters of fear and anxiety win the day.”
* Patriotism is best exhibited by deeds.
Here’s a good deed we can all do: chip in to the local United Way. We saw this message Monday night from local United Way chief Bob Harlan:
“I need your help! Please read this message. These are the last eight days of the Yuba-sutter-colusa United Way’s ‘Cash for Food’ Drive. As executive director, I am asking you to give at whatever level you can this week.
“As of Monday morning, we are closing in on $5,000 in collections. Our goal is $15,000. ... Please realize that because your local United Way is covering all overhead costs, 100 percent of every penny you donate will go to local food closets to assist in feeding those in need. 100 percent! This is an important plea because its the LOWEST INVENTORY time of the year for our food closets and yet it is the time of highest demand. Please give! Thanks!”
If you go to the Yuba-suttercolusa United Way website at www.yscunitedway.org and click on “Events” and then click on the “Cash for Food Drive,” you’ll find all the particulars and how to get involved and how to donate. It’s truly a great cause. If you’ve got a little down time today between the parade and the concert and the evening barbecue, check it out.
* We’ve got to admit we’re a tad worried about this holiday and its convergence with this spell of high temperatures and dry gusty wind. The atmosphere is already smoky and the sky is already orange ... please, keep an eye out for illegal fireworks and unsafe fires and such.
We don’t need any more wildfires or house fires.
* Finally, the obligatory (but entirely important) warning for driving on the holiday.
Officer Jodie Beck, public information officer, for the local California Highway Patrol, sent along a press release warning that officers will be hard at work on this “maximum enforcement period” (MEP). The MEP started at 6 p.m. last evening and concludes at midnight tonight. They’ll be looking for drivers who show signs of alcohol or drug impairment.
“Do not let a day of festivities turn into a day of tragedy. If you drive impaired, you risk your life and the lives of others on the road,” CHP Commissioner Warren Stanley said. “Motorists will help make everyone’s holiday safer by driving sober, fastening their seat belts, and avoiding distractions.”
Make sure there’s a designated driver around if you plan on drinking away from home. Or volunteer to stay sober and be a designated driver yourself.
“If you are hosting an event, have plenty of non-alcoholic beverages on hand. Fourth of July gatherings often extend into the evening, as people wait for fireworks. Stop serving alcohol well before the end of your party. If any of your guests become impaired, take their keys and call them a cab or ride-share, or give them a ride home.”
It was noted that during the Independence Day MEP last year (which involved a weekend, so a much wider timeframe than this year), 47 people were killed in collisions in California. Of those investigated by the CHP, half of those who died were not wearing seat belts. The CHP made 1,244 arrests for driving under the influence last year.
Be responsible; and be wary of those who aren’t.