RE: WARD VALLEY AND THE PAPER BY PROFESSOR HAYDEN OF NEBRASKA

[Eric Denison <denison.8@osu.edu>]

At 11:52 AM 12/11/97 -0600, Sandy wrote:
>While Dave Scherer makes some good points, imagine the political 
>ramifications IF the federal government initiated such an action! 
>We'd have Ruby Ridges in most parts of the country!  The states 
>sovereignty can not be over-stepped by the federales. The states are 
>required to manage their own territories, and, are bound to protect 
>their own constituents to the best of their ability, and based on 
>their own needs and assumptions. While we may not disagree, there are 
>certain states rights that must be followed, and accepted, whether or 
>not we agree or disagree with them. 
>
I agree wholeheartedly with Sandy on the issue of states' rights, but the
federal gov't has already amply demonstrated its willingness to trample on
the states when politically expedient.  I offer as examples: the mandatory
minimum drinking age, promulgated under the Interstate Commerce clause and
upheld under same (by a Reagan-era Supreme Court, as I recall); the
(former) mandatory 55-mph speed limit (forced on the states using the
"we'll take away your highway funds" blackmail method; the Brady handgun
registration law (looks way too much like the beginning of what the Nazis
did in the 30's); and the "assault weapons" ban (not really a ban, not
nearly comprehensive, and ludicrous even its conception).

In each of the four cases above, Congress (as a group, with too few
exceptions) bowed to special interest pressure on a high-profile issue and
acted to make itself look good and caring and important.  When state and
local officials complained, the Feds threatened punitive action to force
the states to go along.  It's not right, but it keeps happening, and those
of us in the RS field but not in the few states with disposal sites might
benefit by it this time.  I guess the question becomes whether we stand on
principle or request/allow additional degradation of the Constitution
because it benefits us professionally and/or economically.

Eric

Eric Denison <denison.8@osu.edu>
Radiation Safety Technician
Environmental Health & Safety
The Ohio State University