Law goes too far ADVERTISING Law goes too far Once again our government is trying to protect us from ourselves. They passed a new law to keep us away from the current lava flow because they deem it to be
Law goes too far
Once again our government is trying to protect us from ourselves.
They passed a new law to keep us away from the current lava flow because they deem it to be too dangerous. Safety is important, but it should not be the only consideration when writing laws.
The lava flow is a natural phenomenon people should be allowed to see and enjoy. Public access points such as Apa‘a Road should be open to the public to get as close as they think is safe. The government might need to limit access because of limited parking or make other reasonable requirements on those wanting to view the lava, but it is wrong to just close everything off to the public.
What we need are laws that make people responsible for their own actions, so if the lava burns someone, they cannot sue the government.
We all are adults and should be able to make our own choices in life. Our country was founded on freedom not safety. Let’s put freedom first and safety second.
Jerry Lindman
Pahoa
‘Power trip’
Now that the lava is crossing Pahoa, and we are under martial law, we desperately need County Council/Mayor’s offices on the southeast side of the flow. Where will the new county offices be if and when the conditions force moving from the current location?
I would like it known that we residents in the cut-off section of lower Puna are very aware of our inalienable rights as human beings and do not take lightly to this “occupation” at all.
It would be prudent to focus all this military might in the vacant neighborhoods, where the looting/squatting/pillaging and the attendant crack/meth houses are operating in their normal, full openness instead of the usual financial extortion of us poor citizens because of the continuing seat-belt/registration/safety checkpoints that waste our valuable police resources, and ticketing of persons trying to see the lava.
At this time, I would like you to urge the police and National Guard on duty to continue to act friendly toward the local residents, and realize laws aimed at keeping people safe from a lava flow moving a few feet an hour, instead of allowing walk-up access on paved roads leading directly to the flow, will only lead people who have come from all over the world, and local residents alike, to risk their lives and the lives of potential rescuers — all for some weird Homeland Security power trip over Pele and Puna.
Sara Steiner
Pahoa
