Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/8590
4A – Daily News – Friday, April 2, 2010 Opinion D NEWSAILY RED BLUFF TEHAMACOUNTY T H E V O I C E O F T E H A M A C O U N T Y S I N C E 1 8 8 5 The impoverished medium An interesting study on the effectiveness of e-mail communication caught my eye when a friend showed it to me the other night. I say he showed it to me, but he posted it Greg Stevens, Publisher gstevens@redbluffdailynews.com Chip Thompson, Editor editor@redbluffdailynews.com Editorial policy The Daily News opinion is expressed in the editorial. The opinions expressed in columns, letters and cartoons are those of the authors and artists. Letter policy The Daily News welcomes let- ters from its readers on timely topics of public interest. All let- ters must be signed and pro- vide the writer’s home street address and home phone num- ber. Anonymous letters, open letters to others, pen names and petition-style letters will not be allowed. Letters should be typed and cannot exceed two double-spaced pages or 500 words. When several letters address the same issue, a cross section of those submit- ted will be considered for publi- cation. Letters will be edited. Letters are published at the discretion of the editor. Mission Statement We believe that a strong com- munity newspaper is essential to a strong community, creating citizens who are better informed and more involved. The Daily News will be the indispensible guide to life and living in Tehama County. We will be the premier provider of local news, information and advertising through our daily newspaper, online edition and other print and Internet vehi- cles. The Daily News will reflect and support the unique identities of Tehama County and its cities; record the history of its com- munities and their people and make a positive difference in the quality of life for the resi- dents and businesses of Tehama County. How to reach us Main office: 527-2151 Classified: 527-2151 Circulation: 527-2151 News tips: 527-2153 Sports: 527-2153 Obituaries: 527-2151 Photo: 527-2153 On the Web www.redbluffdailynews.com Fax Newsroom: 527-9251 Classified: 527-5774 Retail Adv.: 527-5774 Legal Adv.: 527-5774 Business Office: 527-3719 Address 545 Diamond Ave. Red Bluff, CA 96080, or P.O. Box 220 Red Bluff, CA 96080 to a Web site I frequent and that's where I clicked on the link and read an article about the study. A minor distinction, yes, but an impor- tant one considering the study’s findings. The article, from Christian Science Moni- tor, can be found at http://www.csmoni- tor.com/2006/0515/p13s01-stct.html. Two professors were looking at the way e-mail messages lack the vocal inflection and body language of face-to-face or tele- phone interactions, yet the immediacy of e- mail lends such interactions the urgency of a real-time conversation. and almost always find a way to soften it before sending the reply. In all but the most extreme situa- tions, this does the trick. The reader is grateful for a thoughtful reply, whether we agree or not. In the news business that's a victory. As for those most extreme situations, these folks tend to be so full of indigna- tion that no amount of reasonable discus- sion will amount to anything useful for either of us. I save us both time with a curt summary of the preceding phrase. In the two years, I’ve sent only three such mes- sages. *** Chip The result is that meanings, sarcasm and emotions are often misinterpreted via e- mail, because the care we take writing let- ters, which are subject to the relatively slow postal system, is absent in our cyber blasts. I’ve been both the recipient and sender of these mis- taken missives plenty of times. Newspaper editors, like politicians and educators, are considered fair game by those who believe they could do better. Occupational hazard. Couple this with the ability to instantly, typically without revi- sion, shoot off one's every impulse or outrage in an e- mail message and you’ll start to get an idea what my inbox looks like most days. When I mention these messages to friends, their first reaction is that I should reply with equal or greater venom. But such an approach typically serves only to escalate the tension. Who has time for that? Instead, I write the most reasoned response I can — offering an explanation, apology or evidence that may temper the sender's temper. Then I save and hide the message and go back to whatever I had been working on before the angry tome arrived. Later in the day, I give my response another read Thompson 545 Diamond Ave. Shish Boom Bah I spent Thursday morning selling Tehama County to a group of Redding business folk as a guest of Leadership Redding’s Arts, Communication and Boardsmanship gathering. The purpose was to talk about the Daily News, but I found myself, with each new batch of participants, leaning more toward extolling the virtues of Tehama County and all there is to see and do here. After all, right next to me was Silas Lyons, editor of the Record-Searchlight — the local paper for these participants. It was surprising how few of the participants were aware of the county’s fine wineries in Cottonwood, Manton and Vina, the burgeoning olive oil industry, the Ribs, Rods and Rides Hot Air Balloon Festival, Fourth of July Heritage Days and the great variety of art galleries in Red Bluff. It was pleasing though, that most were impressed and eager to check out one or all of them. It was somewhat like being a cheerleader — Goooooooo Tehama. Chip Thompson can be reached at 527-2151, Ext. 112 or by e-mail at editor@redbluffdailynews.com. Your Turn Inappropriate Editor: Sorry, Barry LaVitte, but as far as I am concerned your letter is inappropriate. Never during a fire drill did any classmate have to put their hands over their heads and march outside while some idiot held a weapon. Fire drills were held mainly because our government told us the Rus- sians were going to blow us off the globe, but if you check the armed conflicts in the last 50 years, who start- ed all these conflicts? A letter last week described a mother request- ing help at Red Bluff High School who, as she described it, got no help at all, just as she stated a police officer walked away. Text messages can be verified, so even if her child is at fault it should be addressed. Festering inci- dents need to be investigated or, like a boil, they pop. Exposing children to sit- uations like those at Reeds Creek para military raid or lock down, in some instances, instills in some children ideas we may not like down the road. W.R. Hendrix, Red Bluff Your officials STATE ASSEMBLYMAN — Jim Nielsen (R), State Capitol Bldg., Room 4164 P.O. Box 942849, Sacramento 94249; (916) 319-2002; Fax (916) 319- 2102 STATE SENATOR — Sam Aanestad (R), State Capitol Bldg., Room 2054, Sacramen- to, CA 95814. (916) 651-4004; Fax (916) 445-7750 GOVERNOR — Arnold Schwarzenegger (R), State Capitol Bldg., Sacramento, CA 95814; (916) 445-2841; Fax (916) 558-3160; E-mail: gover- nor@governor.ca.gov. U.S. REPRESENTATIVE — Wally Herger (R), 2635 Forest Ave. Ste. 100, Chico, CA 95928; 893-8363. U.S.SENATORS — Dianne Feinstein (D), One Post Street, Suite 2450, San Francisco, CA 94104; (415) 393-0707. Fax (415) 393-0710. Barbara Boxer (D), 1700 Montgomery St., Suite 240, San Francisco, CA 94111; (415) 403-0100. Fax (202) 224- 0454. Thinking beyond the box on Good Friday Commentary Note: I wrote this last year and wanted to share it again. Of all the columns I’ve written, this one remains one of my favorites. Today is Good Friday. It’s one of my favorite days of the year. It ranks above such Christian holidays like Christmas and Easter. Considering all the pre- sents and goodies I get, that’s saying something. I’ve never been comfortable with receiving, of having some- one say, "Here, I did this for you." I don’t know why; it’s just the way I am, I guess. People can say what they want about historical theology. Many cast their doubts regard- ing the existence of Jesus; whether he was the true Son of God; whether he was really cru- cified only to rise again three days later. Whatever the case, the argu- ment surrounding this man remain controversial. Wars have been fought, affiliations mani- fest, and entire races nearly ren- dered extinct. As for me, I stand aside. I try to avoid the arguments, the con- troversy, and the debate. My grandma always said, "The two things you don’t talk about with people are politics and religion." I tried to heed those words, but there were times when I did- n’t. Unfortunately, I strained relationships and lost friends. It’s sad, but true. These days, I don’t say much. You won’t find me going door to door trying to convert the mass- es. I don’t stand on street cor- ners waving signs nor pass out leaflets on college campuses. I write this because what today symbolizes speaks to my heart. Not just as a person of faith, but as a human being, as well. There isn’t much historical argument against the crucifix- ion. In fact, this is the one point upon which most scholars actu- ally agree. Somebody died on a cross, and history shows there was a Jesus present. What happened after that remains the subject of much debate, but that’s not what I want to talk about. Scripture says Jesus died for our sins. Why would any man want to do that? Let’s forget, for a moment, that this event had any divine repercussions at all. What did Jesus have to gain if he weren’t in cahoots with the almighty? I guess we could say he was crazy – and many did. I don’t know why any mortal man would want to spend an after- noon and evening nailed to a cross, getting whipped, spit at, and cursed. That’s not exact- ly my idea of a good time. In that context, it makes no sense, so there must be something more. There’s the ultimate sacrifice to consider, that one would willingly put his life on the line in that manner for someone else. Are you kidding me? Today, like every Pat year, I consider that very act. If Jesus were noth- ing more than a charac- ter in a piece of literature, I would still admire him. Why? As flawed and mortal as I am, as great a heathen as I can be, I can still follow his example and do the same for those I love – but only in a sym- bolic sense. Every single day, I can sacri- fice myself for my family. I can set aside my own self- Gleason Simply Put ish desires. Instead of my agen- da, it’s our agenda. I can work to provide security and safety, both emotionally and physical- ly. Moreover, I hurt when they hurt, and cry when they cry. I can feel compassion for their needs and try to be there when needed. Simply put, I take my roll as husband, father, son, brother, uncle and friend pret- ty seriously. I am also a teacher, thus I wear many hats; but I try to carry out my com- mitment of sacrifice as best as I can. Jesus gave his life; what more could he give? The least I can do is give mine. And that is something I am comfortable with. Have a great Good Friday. ——— Pat Gleason grew up in Los Angeles and has taught English at Red Bluff High School since 1990. He can be reached at phgleaso@rbuhsd.k12.ca.us.