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| Dear Editor, The presidential election reminds me of the old Japanese legend about the “Three Monkeys.” The legend of “see, hear and speak no evil” is represented by three monkey statues. The first is covering its eyes, the second, its ears and the third, its mouth. The meaning is not clear. Some think the ancient Buddhist symbols mean that if we disassociate ourselves with evil, we will become better people. Others think the statues represent those who will tolerate evil. In the case of our presidential candidates, if we substitute the word “constitution” for “evil”, we may have a clear picture of what is happening to our free and independent America. Most of our political leaders today, like the monkeys, seem to not know that the Constitution does not permit most of what the Federal government is doing. There is no authorization for Federal government involvement in local schools, heath care or thousands of other things it is doing. In order to have a better tomorrow and preserve our free and independent America, we must elect leaders who will honor their oath to support and defend our Constitution. Albert J. Segalla Dear Editor,
Regarding the newly discovered cost over runs in the Calaveras County Community Development Department, it was reported that $1.6 million dollars is being paid annually by the taxpayers to subsidize the planning and building departments. These services are normally supported by permit fees. There is a staff proposal to simply jack up the fees. However, the building industry is suffering major reductions in activity from the boom time of 3 years ago. Many property owners object to unreasonable charges for permits and would cancel or postpone building. Also, the real estate industry smells a rat and wants an investigation and the supervisors seem to agree, even though they may have caused the problem in the first place. One test of insanity is to continue doing the same thing but expecting different results. It seems, to return to fiscal sanity, we need to look at this public animal a little closer. A major question could be: Is it reasonable to expect county government entities to operate efficiently and be responsive to changes in the economy? The answer is no, according to studies by the Reason Foundation and many others. It seems the squander factor intrinsic to government usually runs between 30 and 50% compared to similar activity in the private sector. This does not include the substantial losses caused by bureaucratic delay or even abuse of police power whereby property owners are unreasonably denied the right to build. Perhaps contracting out is part of the answer. Many communities successfully do this, however, it is politically difficult and could be a true character test of our elected officials. The test starts now. Albert J. Segalla SEGALLA & ASSOCIATES www.bambiland.com Email: alsegalla@mindspring.com |
Columbia College Students Learn to Breathe Free
by Al Segalla
On January 31, 2008, the Associated Students of Columbia College sponsored a political forum featuring speakers, plus information about California's seven ballot propositions. Domnic Torchia and Joseph Day represented the Democratic and Republican parties, respectively. The Barrack Obama Campaign sent Jay Bell. I spoke for the Libertarian Party.
We also had a table, staffed by Barbara "Miss Joy" Waymire, CLP candidate for the 25th Assembly District. She administered the Nolan Chart quiz to about 30 people. Most found it interesting.
My talk generated the most audience response. Many students agreed that we must end drug prohibition. Many agreed that we must end government welfare handouts -- for both corporations and individuals.
I demonstrated the safety of electrical appliances that are assured by Underwriters Laboratories -- a non-governmental quality assurance firm – by clenching an electrical cord between my teeth! I offered UL as a successful model for the protection of public safety in lieu of government regulation, which must lessen if we are to restore liberty.
Regarding law and justice, I compared common law to regulatory law; the former protects individual rights, unlike the latter. Pollution should be a trespass problem, not a regulatory one. Private ownership, not regulations, saved the once endangered buffalo.
I discussed my political awakening during the 1964 Goldwater campaign, which a few audience members in this college crowd still remembered. I recalled flying gliders in Fremont back then, and how clear the air suddenly became when climbing over the smog -- much like the clarity of vision expressed in libertarian principles, which are clear, reasonable, and the basis for all prosperous civilizations throughout history.
I ended by inviting everyone to join me in climbing out of the collectivist smog, and breathe the free, clean air of libertarian principles -- and then follow those principles to build a better America and a better world.
____
Al Segalla's email is: alsegalla@mindspring.com.
Dear Editor,
Some media attention recently appeared indicating there were several
hundred
prominent scientists objecting to the assertion of carbon caused
global
warming.
Actually, according to
http://www.oism.org/pproject/ , TWENTY THOUSAND
scientists have now signed a petition saying so!
This is what they signed:
"We urge the United States government to reject the global warming
agreement
that was written in Kyoto, Japan in December, 1997, and any other
similar
proposals. The proposed limits on greenhouse gases would harm the
environment, hinder the advance of science and technology, and
damage the
health and welfare of mankind.
There is no convincing scientific evidence that human release of
carbon
dioxide, methane, or other greenhouse gasses is causing or will, in
the
foreseeable future, cause catastrophic heating of the Earth's
atmosphere and
disruption of the Earth's climate. Moreover, there is substantial
scientific
evidence that increases in atmospheric carbon dioxide produce many
beneficial effects upon the natural plant and animal environments of
the
Earth."
I think it is important for the public to be aware of this now.
Albert J. Segalla
SEGALLA & ASSOCIATES
Dear Editor,
This is in response to the recent rebuttal to my “Shadow Knows!” article, which suggest that those seeking to expose the man made climate change hoax are getting money from big oil or are refusing to believe scientific evidence like those who would not accept the theory the world was round.
My cat, named Shadow, has hair and I have hair – at least some. Does it follow that I am a cat?
The important question is, has man made pollution in the form of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other gases caused a runaway Greenhouse Effect and Global Warming? Before joining the mantra, we should consider the following:
1. The idea that man-made pollution is responsible for global warming is not supported by historical fact. The period known as the Holocene Maximum is a good example-- so-named because it was the hottest period in human history. The interesting thing is this period occurred approximately 7500 to 4000 years ago -- long before humans invented industrial pollution.
2. CO2 in our atmosphere has been increasing steadily for the last 8,000 years-- long before humans invented smokestacks. Ice Core data indicate CO2 concentrations in earth's atmosphere move with temperature. Both temperatures and CO2 have been steadily increasing for 18,000 years. Ignoring these 18,000 years of data "global warming activists" contend recent increases in atmospheric CO2 are unnatural and are the result of only 200 years or so of human pollution causing a runaway greenhouse effect. Incidentally, earth's temperature and CO2 levels today have reached levels similar to a previous interglacial cycle of 120,000 - 140,000 years ago. From beginning to end this cycle lasted about 20,000 years. This is known as the Eemian Interglacial Period and the earth returned to a full-fledged ice age immediately afterward.
3. Total human contributions to greenhouse gases account for only about 0.28% of the "greenhouse effect". Approximately 99.72% of the "greenhouse effect" is due to natural causes -- mostly water vapor and traces of other gases, which we can do nothing at all about. Eliminating human activity altogether would have little impact on climate change.
4. If global warming is caused by CO2 in the atmosphere, then does CO2 also cause increased sun activity? Variations in sun activity are generally proportional to both variations in atmospheric CO2 and atmospheric temperature. Put another way, rising Earth temperatures and increasing CO2 may be "effects" and our own sun the "cause". This seems to relate to the fact that increased CO2 levels also follow global warming periods by several hundred years according to the ice core research.
So, if I am not a cat, then we need to expose the man made global warming hoax before it does real damage to our liberties, the economy and the world.
Albert J. Segalla
What Now?
By Al Segalla
Our local real estate market has been experiencing a reduction in volume starting in 2006 and continuing through July 2007. This has resulted in a longer marketing time and consequential price reductions, following state and national patterns. Based on the law of supply and demand, the trend should correct itself. Fortunately, this has no direct effect to those who are not in the market place.
Buyers and Sellers have real questions on what to do. My advice to each is:
AS A BUYER, now is the best time to buy as you can save 20% - 30% in price and still have reasonable financing available. The financing market is tending to be more conservative due to a large number of foreclosures. Look for price reductions, which will begin to happen when Sellers have equity and are more concerned about selling than price. Be sure to get yourself pre-qualified with a lender and stay current on what loans are available for you now.
Many homes have loan balances higher than present value. "Short Sales" occur when the lender will allow the loan to be paid off at a lower amount rather than lose more money in a foreclosure sale. However, this process is problematical and time consuming. It is better to buy clean at reduced prices.
AS A SELLER, now is not the best time to sell. If possible, postpone selling for a year or two. If you are in foreclosure, talk to your lender about the possibility of a "short sale," or deeding your property to the lender to avoid a foreclosure sale. This is better than walking away from the obligation and will be better for your credit. Find an agent familiar with "Short Sales." If you have equity, list your property at a value similar to the other listings and then reduce the price to a value comparable to actual sales. Be sure the price reduction is well advertised. If this is your home, start thinking of it as simply a house you own and clear out all clutter. Remember, you are selling a "house" but the buyers are buying a "home" for their own clutter.
Contact Al Segalla, Realtor, by email at alsegalla@mindspring.com or visit his website at www.bambiland.com
