Burning fields harms many people, creates few benefits

To the Editor:

To Karl Heiss and other field burning advocates:

All freedoms must be tempered. The law does not allow the freedom of speech to include yelling “Fire!” in a public building without cause or yelling words that incite riots; the law does not allow the freedom to pursue happiness at the expense of another person’s peace; and the law should not allow the freedom for you to burn your fields at the expense of your friends’ and your neighbors’ health.

I’m all for crop production, and I’m all for profit-making; but when increased profits depend on hurting others, I’m against it. And field burning does hurt others. Many others. In my own household, every member is affected. Because of field burning, we all choke up and hack and cough and sniffle and endure headaches. Because of field burning, my children, when they were younger, and I were held hostage in our home. Because of field burning, my younger son was hospitalized many times. Because of field burning, he suffered greatly; and I suffered watching him fight for his life and caring for him day and night. Because of field burning, we (and insurance and welfare) spent thousands upon thousands of dollars for his medical care. Thankfully, he is doing better these days.

Perhaps you think we should have moved elsewhere. Forget it. We tried that first. But I’m not just talking about my son.

I’m talking about the many people in this county who suffer from your profiting, both in health and in diminished standards of living.

If you insist on ignoring this reality, perhaps you should consider visiting the infirm during August and September, and paying their medical bills.

Yes, prosper, but find another way. And, by the way, as Bill Bishop from Homeland Security stated at last week’s meeting about the flooding that occurred here in May and the untold damage it caused (Could the flooding have been caused by weightier consideration being given to endangered species recovery than to the welfare of people and property?

Sure sounded like it.), “We need to get this right, and we can do better (paraphrase).”

We are the United States.  Let’s act like it. 

Michelle Lefebvre

(a die-hard conservative, wearing the hat of a mother, a neighbor, and a farmer’s wife)  

Bonners Ferry, Idaho