Human-caused fires shouldn’t happen Many people in the United States want to buy an American flag and display it during Memorial Day, Veterans Day and July 4. Oh yes, the proud American spirit many have and display. But do we know what it stands for? A good American does not leave litter and debris behind on a beach, park, campground, or on a street. A good American does not light illegal fireworks and terrorize residential neighborhoods by having sparks fly among homes and apartment buildings. A good American does not open gunfire at a parade, in a school, at a mall, in a church, or at any public gathering. Good Americans know the risks of fire, especially in the summer months, and do everything possible to prevent it, rather than being careless, then running away from the scene once they have ignited a fire. True Americans care about their safety and others’ safety. Now we are learning the Electra, Washburn, and possibly Oak fires were human-caused. Maybe we need to close our parks during fire season since there are those who are careless and show no American spirit. Ann Burke Carson City
Need solution on fossil fuels I applaud Jim Hartman's recent article, "Water: Running dry in the West.” His grim statistics about the drought we are facing in the West are true and hard to accept. His solution was equally wise: "Higher water pricing and water use restrictions are obvious ways to encourage conservation." If the price of something goes up, we all will use less of it ... i.e. the market works. We also need a similar solution for the burning of fossil fuels. Carbon pollution must begin to pay the unintended consequences of its production. Close to 98% of climate scientists know that the burning of fossil fuels is causing the warming of the planet. Citizens' Climate Lobby has a bill in Congress to lessen our dependence on fossil fuels. We call it Carbon Fee and Dividend – putting a fee on carbon pollution and giving that money directly back to American households. Then we, as citizens, can use that money to deal with the rising prices, but also to find ways to lower our use (e.g. insulate our homes, buy a bike or smaller car, live in smaller spaces and/or closer to where we work, etc.) It is a hard truth that we can't keep using water or fossil fuels the same way we would like to. The long-term price we're paying for both is too dangerous. Go to citizensclimatelobby.org to become part of the solution. Midge Breeden Carson City
Piggy banks stolen during open house To the dirtbag who decided it was OK to steal from my 5-year-old and 10-year-old at our open house, it's not OK. You not only stole their piggy banks, which represent years of chores, helping neighbors, pulling weeds, and hard work, you stole their peace of mind. The money you stole from me represents a year of downsizing, months of tagging, prepping, cleaning, and organizing for a three-day garage sale, days of setting up, 15-hour days of holding the sale in 100 degree weather, and countless hours of mental stress having a mess in my house and garage holding all the stuff for the sale. If you are stealing with your daughter, shame on your for teaching your kid it's OK to steal. I hope you get caught and can apologize to my kids for stealing their piggy banks and peace of mind. For anyone holding an open house, or attending one in the near future, please be on the lookout for a 40-50-year-old balding male and blond teenager. They may steal your piggy bank too. Barb Mathers Carson City
