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I am one of many who celebrated the legislation that passed a few years ago banning smoking from bars and clubs. I can finally go see a show at the Spotlight Lounge or the Far East without having to passively smoke a pack of cigarettes. It’s a great thing, and from what I can tell most of the businesses are surviving. I definitely patronize them more now that they offer a smoke-free environment.
Ironically, however, the residents of the Grand Valley can no longer be outside from March to whenever the historically rooted and government sanctioned “burn season” comes to a close without having to breathe smoke-polluted air. It seems that as soon as winter ends (the long-awaited and perfect time to go back outside, ride a bike, go for a hike, whatever), the valley fills up with smoke from people burning all the stuff they don’t want to take to the landfill.
Now I’m sure farmers have been burning their fields for generations and the mere suggestion that they should find another way, other than burning, to deal with their farming requirements would be met with great protest. But can we not, as a community, at least start thinking about reducing the amount of air pollution we create from just burning things that are inconvenient to dispose of? We all know that littering on the side of the road is wrong. Polluting the air is even worse!
In the Grand Valley, the old saying “Out of sight, out of mind” should be changed to “Out of sight, out of mind, into lungs.” Grand Junction always touts its great views and quality of life, but if you can’t see across the valley or go for bike ride without coughing up a lung, it’s sad. For the elderly or those with respiratory issues, it’s an even more serious health concern.
I know there are much more polluted places, like Beijing perhaps, where people have it worse. And, there are places with cleaner air to move to, like somewhere in Montana maybe. But you know, I really like Grand Junction! Let’s make it great, shall we?
PAUL AIETA
Grand Junction
22 Responses to “It’s time to look for alternatives to burning”
Posted April 9th, 2008 at 11:16 am Login to Send PM Report this comment
i’ve a question for all of you demanding the burning of feilds and ditches end…have you researched exactly why people do this?….have you researched the end results of the burning?….i would suggest you do so before weighing in on a subject you know absolutely nothing about
Posted April 9th, 2008 at 11:31 am Login to Send PM Report this comment
AMEN Redneck!!!! I am sooo tired of the whining about this subject that the valley should be full of smoke from my ears any day now!!! Maybe everyone that wants to stop the burning because of air pollution should park their SUV for the entire time of the burn season!!!!
Posted April 9th, 2008 at 11:45 am Login to Send PM Report this comment
Mr. Comparing cigarette smoke to burning off ditches. . loooooong stretch. Take your vacation through the burn season.
Paul you said”"Ironically, however, the residents of the Grand Valley can no longer be outside from March to whenever the historically rooted and government sanctioned “burn season” comes to a close without having to breathe smoke-polluted air.”" NO LONGER BE OUTSIDE? - since when? Why? the valley is not smoke filled. . a few areas for a short period. . than its all over! and many many toxic weeds are gone, canals and ditches run smoothly, food grows in the fields minus weeds.
I really like Grand Junction too, Mr. Aieta, I think its great already, well, minus a few whiney newcomers.
Posted April 9th, 2008 at 1:21 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
Interesting responses - but clearly the burden is on the “burners” to find alternatives. The non-burners far out number the burners, so the example of smokers vs. non-smokers is entirely relevant. My right as a non-burner and enjoyer of clean air takes greater precendence over your lazy approach to weed control. The burners have yet to provide any sound science or real basis for the necessity of open burning, other than “that’s the way it’s always been done.” Remember - cigarttes are not addictive. Should I rub diesel fuel all over my body to keep the mosquitos away? Won’t a quick radium bath cure my arthritis? Unfortunately, history has a tendency to prove many wild ideas (and people) wrong.
As for pashunpls response about a “short period” - does 42% of the year qualify as a short period? Five months is the allowable open burning season. FIVE MONTHS out of each year. As stated prior, open burning is an archaic practice that should be banned. Unless there is proven ecological necessity, there are large fees for permits, the burning period is cut down to 1 month, and there is consideration of the true external costs (i.e., added fire dept. calls, degradation of air quality, increased doctor visits for asthmatics, etc.).
And, it’s truly comical how many assumptions are posed along the way - usually attempting to target the so-called “newcomers” or some sort of weird bias against the west coast. If I’ve been here for 20 years, am I still a transplant? Shall I assume that the pompous “oldtimers” are all direct decendants of the Utes or Fremonts?
Posted April 9th, 2008 at 1:48 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
There is a difference between agricultural burners and “people who burn all the stuff they don’t want to take to the landfill.” I will agree that the latter have no excuse
But I vehemently defend the rights of farmers and ranchers to burn as part of managing their operations.
Let me ask the “anti burners” this: Do you also want to ban wood burning stoves in the winter? Because even on the day when it is allowed I find the smoke to be worse than any time during outdoor burn season.
Yet, I would NEVER ask that my neighbors — many of whom use wood to offset natural gas bills — not to use their wood stoves. I recognize it is an economic thing for them. I know this is also true for many farmers.
Like one said, if you want to go out and remove all their weeds by hand, go ahead. But no you just want to declare them “lazy” (imagine!) and change the the law to make sure they have to hire someone to hand remove all the weeds. So they can’t afford it, and they sell their land to developers. Oh yeah that is good for the valley and our environment (not).
Posted April 9th, 2008 at 2:18 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
P.S. to everyone … I wold be considered a “transplant” because I have only lived in the Grand Valley for nine years. However I love it here from the bottom of my soul. And I for one would not change a thing, that goes for smoky spring days, horse apples and cow pies.
I have lived in Boulder and I shudder to think that if some people have their way Grand Junction will be like that. I SHUDDER. And this from a tree hugging liberal.
Posted April 9th, 2008 at 3:01 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
Well Tonya, maybe another 9 years and you can drop that tree hugging liberal title.
Posted April 9th, 2008 at 3:10 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
Tonya, there may be hope for you yet. It sounds like your eyes are open, read this:
Little Suzy had a box of very small kittens that she
was trying to give away, so she placed them out on the
street corner with a sign “FREE KITTENS” next to them.
Suddenly a big line of big black cars came up the
street with several policemen on motorcycles in front.
The cars all stopped and a tall man, with big ears,
stepped out of the largest car, a Mercedes limousine
“Hi, little girl, what do yo u have there in the box?”
he asked.
“Kittens !” Little Suzy says. “They’re so small, their
eyes are not even open yet.”
“What kind of kittens are they?” he asked.
“Democrats” says Little Suzy.
The tall man, who was none other than Sen. Obama,
smiled and returned to his car and they all drove
away. Sensing a good photo opportunity, Sen. Obama
called his campaign manager and told him about the
little girl and the kittens.
Together, they planned that they would return the next
day, have all the
Media there and tell everyone all over America about
these great little kittens.
The next day, Little Suzy is back –standing on the
corner with her box
Of kittens with the “FREE KITTENS” sign on it and,
again, the big motorcade of black cars pulled up, this
time with all the vans and trucks from ABC, NBC, CBS,
CNN and five New York Times reporters
Everyone had their cameras ready and then, Sen. Obama
got out of his limo and walked up to Little Suzy.
“Now, little girl, don’t be frightened,” he said, “I
only want you to tell all these nice news people just
what kind of kittens you’re giving away today.”
“Yes sir, “Suzy said, “they’re REPUBLICAN kittens.”
Taken by complete surprise, Sen. Obama said, “But
yesterday, you told me that they were DEMOCRATS.”
Little Suzy says, “Yes, Sir, I know. But today, they
have their eyes open.”
.
Posted April 9th, 2008 at 4:07 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
Tonya, there may be hope for you yet. If you keep your eyes open you may be able to shed that awful tree hugging liberal title. Read this:
Little Suzy had a box of very small kittens that she
was trying to give away, so she placed them out on the
street corner with a sign “FREE KITTENS” next to them.
Suddenly a big line of big black cars came up the
street with several policemen on motorcycles in front.
The cars all stopped and a tall man, with big ears,
stepped out of the largest car, a Mercedes limousine
“Hi, little girl, what do yo u have there in the box?”
he asked.
“Kittens !” Little Suzy says. “They’re so small, their
eyes are not even open yet.”
“What kind of kittens are they?” he asked.
“Democrats” says Little Suzy.
The tall man, who was none other than Sen. Obama,
smiled and returned to his car and they all drove
away. Sensing a good photo opportunity, Sen. Obama
called his campaign manager and told him about the
little girl and the kittens.
Together, they planned that they would return the next
day, have all the
Media there and tell everyone all over America about
these great little kittens.
The next day, Little Suzy is back –standing on the
corner with her box
Of kittens with the “FREE KITTENS” sign on it and,
again, the big motorcade of black cars pulled up, this
time with all the vans and trucks from ABC, NBC, CBS,
CNN and five New York Times reporters
Everyone had their cameras ready and then, Sen. Obama
got out of his limo and walked up to Little Suzy.
“Now, little girl, don’t be frightened,” he said, “I
only want you to tell all these nice news people just
what kind of kittens you’re giving away today.”
“Yes sir, “Suzy said, “they’re REPUBLICAN kittens.”
Taken by complete surprise, Sen. Obama said, “But
yesterday, you told me that they were DEMOCRATS.”
Little Suzy says, “Yes, Sir, I know. But today, they
have their eyes open.”
Posted April 9th, 2008 at 7:09 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
Well Paul, y’all just go right on ahead and see a show at the Far East, let us know how long the intermission is, OK?
“the residents of the Grand Valley can no longer be outside from March to whenever the historically rooted and government sanctioned “burn season” comes to a close without having to breathe smoke-polluted air”
Now this is pure drivel, in fact it’s nothing less than a lie Paul, but we have come to expect it from the more insipid among us.
“the valley fills up with smoke from people burning all the stuff they don’t want to take to the landfill.”
what do you smoke that gives you these flights of fancy Paul? The sheriff would like to know.
“For the elderly or those with respiratory issues, it’s an even more serious health concern.”
No Paul, you just described ME, and I burn my own weeds every year all by my lonesome little self.
Wanna know how and why?
I get this really big torch, and stay upwind so my oxygen tank and wheel chair aren’t in danger.
And why, you ask?
Because ignorant little weasels such as yourself won’t come over and do it for me.
Did I resort to “name calling” or just relaxed and gave accurate descriptions?
Now, which of you crybaby peepants imbeciles is going to be first to volunteer to help out a really nice, elderly, disabled gentleman with his weed problem?
I make some really good lemonade with the lemons I got….
Posted April 10th, 2008 at 4:46 am Login to Send PM Report this comment
Leon, Leon, Leon:
Well here we are again my son-why is it that when I leave you to your own devices on this chat of the world for even a few days you turn the whole thing into the Willis_Leon_Johnson’s versus anyone else who dares ventures forth a thought that does not replicate your own?
Nonetheless, after unintentionally generating a significant volume of bile and other highly-corrosive digestive juices after reading your rants I was just plumb taken aback by this last post where you really pound on someone who differs from your self-indulgent pontifications.
Let me take the liberty to quote some of your puerile, low-brow, ad hominen attack phrases: 1) pure drivel; 2) nothing less than a lie; 3) the more insipid among us; 4) ignorant little weasels; 5) crybaby peepants imbeciles; and 6) to top it all “…a really nice, elderly, disabled gentleman.”
Now son listen here and listen good-enough is enough. I am just plain repulsed by your comments and, by association, you. You have taken over this forum and run it like the pit bull owner you probably are-through fear and intimidation. Well as much as I don’t like to have to do this please note for the record the following–there is a new sheriff on this forum and it is NOT you.
If you continue along this repugnant vein of communication when I get back in town I am going get my ruler out and flog you within an inch of your life. Grow up or get in your wheelchair and roll on out of here. At least it’s all downhill for you!
Have a nice day.
Yours,
IM Flogginbottoms IV
Posted April 10th, 2008 at 7:13 am Login to Send PM Report this comment
Oh goody, the board mommy is out of town.
Found a new place to flog IV a while.
Every time I read one of your posts I get a vision of a BB on an eight lane highway.
And it may be downhill for me, but it’s all up hill for you, as you crawl out of the depths of irrelevance.
Posted April 10th, 2008 at 9:54 am Login to Send PM Report this comment
ding ding ding…. round three boys….. FIGHT! ( my moneys on the old guy)
Posted April 10th, 2008 at 11:34 am Login to Send PM Report this comment
HEY … pit bulls are awesome! Let’s not drag these sweet doggies into it OK? I mean it!
Posted April 10th, 2008 at 12:21 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
Relax Tonya, no creatures with living brain cells will be harmed, or otherwise injured.
Besides, pit bulls are a bit too mild mannered for me to abuse.
Life is good.
Posted August 16th, 2008 at 7:42 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
Classless, you OLD fool, please read post #10, then note the date.
We can go back further if you need.
I have been disabled since this board sited, and some number of years prior.
Your claim to not have known is either a bald faced lie, or you’re too stupid to pay attention to those around you.
Even GJBubba makes regular comments about my need for Oxygen.
Posted August 16th, 2008 at 8:06 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
Willis,
If you will look just a couple of posts down from yours, you will find another example. (Class, 8/15, 1:27pm)
Respectfully, I know class’s denying knowledge of your disability was nothing but self serving, but I have to say despite whatever physical ailments you might have, it is unfair of you not to recognize classof52’s obvious malignant disability. That is his inability to human feelings or compassion, but I suppose that is only a disability if he ever decides to aspire to be a human being.
Posted August 17th, 2008 at 9:10 am Login to Send PM Report this comment
J. Eugene Fox, did you, or did you not read post #10 in this thread?
It does state quite plainly my infirmities.
Do you not pay attention? is it a senility thing?
Posted August 17th, 2008 at 10:37 am Login to Send PM Report this comment
Interesting
Posted August 17th, 2008 at 9:55 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
Oh classless?
Did you read post number 10 yet?
It has been posted around in quite a few places.
Posted August 17th, 2008 at 10:21 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
OK. Just as I suspected I was not part of any of this conversation back in early April, so I obviously would not have read it. Indeed I am pretty sure that I was not even posting anywhere on this forum at that point. You think you have proved your point? In fact you have just proved mine that I did not read this material and that I was unaware of it. Thanks for making my point so definitively.
Posted August 18th, 2008 at 8:15 am Login to Send PM Report this comment
poor classless little moron.
Since the time of original posting, it has been common knowledge, your claim of ignorance is not valid since many times since then, the subject has been mentioned in numerous threads in which you did participate and responded to by you.
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