Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

On Track with John Ragsdale

Still Dangerous

As more and more people clean up their yards from the December ice storm, indications of spring are becoming visible. Hauling off limbs was a major improvement to the homes and yards that once were hidden from view by the piles of debris. Streets that were made an obstacle course by the unsightly limbs are now clean and passable.

This is all good to us who appreciate the beauty of flowers, green grass and budding bushes and trees. This time of year always bring out the best of everyone, even those who have no interest in doing their own yards.

But danger still lurks from the heights of our trees. Every family who had damage from the ice storm should examine their trees. Just look up through the remaining limbs. See those dangling?

One can only imagine being in the yard  feeding the dogs, cats or birds or just enjoying the shade  when one of these limbs is moved by only a small breeze. Disaster can strike again.

Limbs that are still perilously clinging by a thread need to be removed. They are dangerous!

Yet, if we love our trees, even more should be done and now is the time to do it. Limbs remaining that have wounds from the breakage should be trimmed back. Better than that, the entire tree may need trimming. New growth is where all the beautiful blossoms come from, where our fruit will be. Many trees have needed pruning years ago, but have been neglected. Stress may be too great for fruit this year, but it will help the tree and it will mean better fruit if the trees are pruned properly.

Clinton Won't Go Away

Weeks after leaving office, Bill Clinton is still making news. Much is said of him and his family ransacking the White House. Just as bad is if he  or members of his family  actually took bribes for the pardons that were granted during the last days of his Presidential term.

The President of this great nation has the right to make pardons, but it must be done properly and lawfully, not for an exchange of money, gifts or other favors. One must remember that a Presidential pardon will stand no matter how it came about.

Does the public have a right to know more? Sure, and that's the reason Clinton won't go away. Even though he is no longer President, he was once the leader of our nation and had a public trust. He should be regarded as a leader, which is questionable in itself. But doing things beyond the law or a code of ethics just because you have power is not one of the qualifications a leader must possess. Exemplifying leadership through courage and honesty is a quality that all Presidents  nay, everyone  should have.

Being greedy or dishonest or lustful is not partisan either. Republicans can be just as dishonest as the next person  and it would be just as wrong. It would be wrong for anyone to commit adultery, not just Bill Clinton; for anyone to take a bribe, not just Bill Clinton; for anyone to lie, not just Bill Clinton. Weaknesses come in all different sizes, parties and races. None is immune from them. When one crooked thing is done, it generally leads to another and another, as has been evidenced the last few years.

Let's just hope that all will stop lying, cheating and anything else that is wrong. Our leaders, especially, need to be better leaders, possessing honesty, courage and strength to do that which is right; right for the country, right for themselves and their families. We believe George W. Bush has these qualities. It's too bad what we're seeing in the news now was left over from the Clinton administration.