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4A Daily News – Friday, January 25, 2013 Opinion Obama's speech: One for the 'herstory' books DAILY NEWS RED BLUFF TEHAMA COUNTY T H E V O I C E O F T E H A M A C O U NTY S I N C E 1 8 8 5 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 letters from its readers on timely topics of public interest. All letters must be signed and provide the writer's home street address and home phone number. 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 submitted will be considered for publication. Letters will be edited. 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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 (MCT) — We, the female people of the United States, would like to thank President Obama, and not just because his inaugural speech Monday was one of the shortest in history — much as we appreciate succinctness in our busy, multitasking, parent-spousefriend-career lives. Not just because he addressed the problem of women's pay inequality for the first time in any inaugural speech, saying, "Our journey is not complete until our wives, our mothers and daughters can earn a living equal to their efforts." Not just because he called to our attention _ for only the second time in an inaugural speech; the first time was by President Clinton in 1997 _ the fact that girls as well as boys aspire to success. Not even just because he took that most revered of Americanisms, that "all men are created equal," and set it straight: "We, the people, declare today that the most evident of truths — that all of us are created equal — is the star that guides us still." We, the female people of the United States, would like to thank Obama because his use of female pronouns substantially outnumbered male pronouns — five to two — marking a high point in the history of American presidential inaugural speeches. Calvin Coolidge, the only other president who comes close, used five male pronouns to six female ones just a few years after women gained the right to vote, and his use of female pronouns referred only to the nation rather than to human beings. A study published last summer looking at pronoun use in 1.2 million books in the Google Books database published between 1900 and 2008 found the ratio of male to female pronouns was roughly 3.5 to 1 between 1900 and 1945 and increased to 4.5 to 1 during the 1950s and early 1960s. But beginning at about the time of the second wave of the women's movement in the late 1960s and early '70s, the ratio dropped dramatically, reaching 2 to 1 by the 2000s. Another study, looking at pro- noun use in the 450-million-word females, his use of feminine proCorpus of Historical American nouns wasn't even conscious. Or perhaps it was a reflecEnglish, showed a simition of the facts that lar pattern. And those ratios correlate signifi- Guest View women now outnumber men in the nation's cantly with indicators of women's status in terms Meg Waite colleges and that our numbers are increasing of educational attainin the workforce and in ment, workforce particistarting businesses and pation, age of marriage even, if ever so slowly, and assertiveness. By one measure, women decid- in the Senate and the House. Now about those two instances ed the election of Obama to a second term, voting for him by a 10- in which the president used a male percentage-point margin, while pronoun, though — each came the male vote went to Mitt Rom- with a capital "H." Perhaps there ney. Whether it was "binders" or will come a time when an Ameribirth control or something else can president will think about altogether, women voted in droves God as something other than for the candidate who treated male. Perhaps that president will women with respect, who be male. Or perhaps American acknowledged that girls and women, seeing the difference women face obstacles men don't their votes make, will elect one of and that those obstacles need to be our own the next time we go to the addressed, whose dreams for his polls. own daughters are something he Meg Waite Clayton is the author talks about publicly. Perhaps Obama's call to of four novels, including the women in his second inaugural forthcoming "The Wednesday address was a nod to all that. Per- Daughters." She wrote this for the haps, in a household dominated by Los Angeles Times. Clayton Your officials STATE ASSEMBLYMAN — Dan Logue, 1550 Humboldt Road, Ste. 4, Chico, CA 95928, 530-895-4217 STATE SENATOR — Jim Nielsen, 280 Hemsted Dr., Ste. 110, Redding, CA 96002, 530223-6300, Fax: 530-223-6737, senator.nielsen@senate.ca.gov GOVERNOR — Jerry Brown, State Capitol Bldg., Sacramento, CA 95814; (916) 445-2841; Fax (916) 558-3160; E m a i l : governor@governor.ca.gov. U.S. REPRESENTATIVE — Doug LaMalfa 506 Cannon House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515, 202-2253076. 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; (510) 286-8537. Fax (202) 224-0454. Commentary Play ball! When the baseball season ended with the San Francisco Giants winning their second World Series title in 3 years, the prospect of watching other sporting events was not all that compelling. However, as we got into the swing of 49ers football, we felt that there was indeed life after baseball, but it would be without the Giants' cliffhanger drama. Then came the playoffs and the prospect of the 'Niners going all the way to the Super Bowl…and as our boys mowed down one adversary after another, the missus and I found ourselves, once again, in suspenseful conclusions. Last Sunday's game was a case in point. As those who follow the game well know, the 49ers allowed the Atlanta Falcons get up on them 17 points in the first half only to turn around and best the birds by 4 points at game end. To add to the tension, the previously superb place kicker David Akers, who had, of late, missed too many field goals, once again missed one of modest length which put a 49er win in jeopardy until our boys reeled off a touchdown late in the game propelling them to a trip to the Super Bowl. *** In the midst of pro-life discussions, we seldom see raised the specter of the current population explosion. It doesn't seem newsworthy although it may affect our planet more than global warning. The problem is that it's hard to get one's mind around the numbers. Sources say the world population in year 1 was 2 million. I have no idea how they came up with this number but the same sources say by the year 1000 there were 275 million. Things didn't start getting out of hand until 1804 when the world became party to 1 billion souls. Since then the numbers have risen alarmingly: year 2000 to 6 billion and currently about 7 million. By 2083, the projection is for 10 billion of us clamoring for a little space. Who currently needs more space? China with 1.3 billion and followed by India with 1.2. The U.S., by contrast, seemingly has elbow room a plenty for our 310 million. By 2050 (young readers take note) India will lead with 1.7 billion, China will stay relatively stable at 1.3 and the U.S. will only add a hundred million or so. That said, it is hard to comprehend the numbers now versus the minded local son or daughter. Of course I numbers in the future that will burden our would not sanction the naming it after me, planet. And yet there are those who consid- posthumously or otherwise, for my civic coner life sacred from the day of concep- tributions have been minimal. Besides, I do not fly. I once did but a couple of close tion…and something as distant as calls convinced me that fly2050 is not on their agenda. ing is not for me. Travelling But the good news is that by auto these days is rapid one day we will all be the enough for my needs. So, if same color. That is a good anyone were considering the probability…and a majorinaming of the Red Bluff ty of our world leaders will Municipal Airport after, for be women. That could example, a Daily News make a difference. But in columnist, they might conthe meantime, perhaps relisider perhaps Polson Field or gions, which disdain conHarrop Field…or even traceptives, will have an Robert Larimer Field. epiphany and join the 21st *** century. Let us pray. Last week's quiz was *** first answered by N. Rick When praising Walwho informs us that mart's decision to offer a Samuel Clemens was born job to any honorably disand died in the years of the charged veteran who wants one, Michelle Obama said, "We all believe arrival of Halley's Comet, that the original that no one who serves our country should words to "Hail To The Chief" were written have to fight for a job once they return by Sir Walter Scott and that Xaviera Hollanhome." She did not delineate what consti- der plied her trade as a prostitute. This week's quiz: Does Aaron Rodgers, the tutes "serving our country." Perhaps it means being stationed overseas or being Green Bay Packers' quarterback, have a relashot at. Serving stateside as a computer spe- tive who also plays football, was there a wide receiver for the Minnesota Vikings that hailed cialist may not qualify. from Red Bluff, and for what college does a *** A sign on my desk reads, "MAY WE former local quarterback currently play? *** DISPENSE WITH HAND SHAKING An old geezer is carefully driving his DURING THE FLU SEASON AND automobile. He is firmly griping the wheel TOUCH ELBOWS INSTEAD?" with both hands. At 2 a.m., he is pulled over *** There is a movement underway to rename by a policeman and asked where he was San Francisco International Airport as the going at that hour. He replied, "I'm on my Harvey Milk Airport…this in memory or in way to a lecture about alcohol abuse and the honor of the late gay rights activist. We effects it has on the human body as well as should be thankful that a holiday was not smoking and staying out late." The officer replied, "Really? Who's givcreated for him instead. I say thankful, because we have too many holidays already ing that lecture at this time of night?" The man replied "That would be my which tend to lessen national productivity. It is not that I am against honoring Mr. Milk, wife." for I share his advocacy for gay rights. I am Robert Minch is a lifelong resident of for same sex marriage with the same benefits it bestows on conventional marriage Red Bluff, former columnist for the Corning Daily Observer and Meat Industry between man and woman. And speaking of airports and the naming of magazine and author of the "The Knocking same, our local airport does not have a distin- Pen." He can be reached at guished name. It is not named after a civic rminchandmurray@hotmail.com. Minch I Say