PGAQ #55 by Vic Steblin, Nov 29, 2008

2570 Laurier Crescent, Prince George, BC, 250-564-1123

A letter to the editor supports the burning of wood as common sense. The term “common sense” is almost pointless because everyone thinks that their “common sense” is right. Even Nazis and terrorists use common sense to support their warped beliefs. We all select “special facts” to support beliefs and we should realize that others do the same. For example...

It is common sense to me that many dangerous particles in our airshed are caused by burning wood. It is common sense to me that there are differences in breathing abilities where children and seniors suffer more than healthy adults.

It is common sense for me to blame wood burners for making a lot of smoke during the winter months. It is common sense to me that wood burners should be treated differently than the job supplying mills since most residents have access to clean heat like gas, electricity and warm clothes.

It is common sense to me that most “want” to burn wood and do not “need” to burn wood. It is common sense to me that responsible people who live close to others should be considerate with things like noise, mess, and wood burning.

It is common sense to me that burning any biomass is not responsible. It is common sense to me that burners violate the balance between freedom and responsibility to neighbours.

Common sense has the tendency to change over the years as new information comes along. As the philosopher Schopenhauer noticed “An issue passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as common sense.”