Because of my job I don't get a chance to step on the soapbox too often. But since I've been away from the office for the past few days -- enjoying my paternity leave -- I thought I'd share my opinion on a local news events.

The wind has wreaked havoc on Bakersfield the past few days, and as I write, it's pouring down in Rosedale. But before this sudden monsoon, the strong winds were kicking up dust all around Kern County. When my wife and I would look out our front window, Rosedale looked like the Dust Bowl.

I have to comment on this latest story that's made the news. A 7-car accident on Highway 99 south of Bakersfield sent a few people to the hospital, and a one of the family and apparent lawyer for one of the injured blaming a farmer that wasn't even on the road. Here's a link to the story: www.bakersfield.com/hourly_news/story/452618.html

I don't know the Tom Gutcher family, and I pray for a speedy and healthy recovery for him and his family. I'm sorry that this happened to him but to lay blame on a farmer is ridiculous.

How could a farmer have control on which way the wind blows? Someone is quoted as saying, "I have no idea why they would be out there, pulling a huge plow when the wind is so high." Ummm. How about doing his job? You can't regulate mother nature, so you can't regulate a farmer.

I guess the family will hire some slick city lawyer to sue the farmhand that was driving the tractor, the farmer that owns the tractor and the county for allowing this farmer to have a field so close to a highway, which of course was built through the fields.

No news source, not even the Californian, has asked for the farmer's thoughts on the matter but KGET was quick to find the lawyer, who of course, questioned why there wasn't some local/county/state/Farmer's Almanac mandate on plowing, or driving or whatever the farmer was doing through the fields during windy conditions by a roadway.

Mr. Gutcher I'm sorry that the truck hit you from behind. The insurance companies will call it a no-fault accident because of the conditions, and you'll have to pay your deductible. White out conditions/slick, icy conditions, most fall under no-fault claims.

The farmer was doing his job. Mother Nature unfortunately was doing hers.

Afterall, we're all just Dust in the Wind.