Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/114320
6A Daily News – Saturday, March 9, 2013 Opinion Happy Trails 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. Editor: I couldn't help wondering, as I read Robert Minch's criteria for "A-holes" on March 1, whether he realized how his definition fit our President to a T. Yes, that's our boy. Larry Feser, Red Bluff Battle of the Antipodes Editor: I regularly enjoy your Tuesday "Battle of the Antipodes," though I think you should alternate who is above the fold; after all, it's only fair (the Liberal shibboleth). Anyhow, last Tuesday Mr. Mazzucchi presented three points: the first and third reconfirming his Liberal bona fides, but the second sounding deeply scientific – except for one thing. Where were his citations? Without citations we are to pre- sume he presented it as his own original research or study; otherwise, he plagiarized, which should mean expulsion from the Scientific Academy. And not just to pick on him, I think any writer presenting potentially controversial ideas as fact should either name his sources or else clearly state the measurements and conclusions are his own. And for anybody discussing global warming, economic theory or other highly-debatable subjects, let me give excerpts from Nobel physicist Richard Feynman, who many would agree was the quintessential scientist: "… scientific integrity, a principle of scientific thought that corresponds to a kind of utter honesty – a kind of leaning over backwards. . . Details that could throw doubt on your interpretation must be given, if you know them. . . . If you make a theory, for example, and advertise it, or put it out, then you must also put down all the facts that disagree with it, as well as those that agree with it." (cited in letter by Peter and state spending. Pearson, Aptos, CA, in WSJ, It makes sense for every gov12/03/2009) ernment department to cut When's the last time you read a speeding 5 percent each year discourse on global warming, until there is no deficit. Limit Keynesian theory, evolution, abor- federal and pensions to Social tion, etc., where the writer labeled Security plus a 5 percent salary moral opinion as such, match for a 401(k) presented all sides, gave retirement fund. What Your citations and identified is good enough for prithe sources of quotes? vate sector employees And no fair claiming should be good your theory is a fact and enough for federal and therefore exempt from presenting state current and future retirees. all sides equally — gravity exceptAs private sector retirees, ed, perhaps. Oh, just think were there is certainty that spending our educational system to do this. must be cut 3 percent each year Joe Busey, Red Bluff to match inflation. Many retirees must make ever deeper cuts because of the government program to reduce the interest Editor: earned on savings that finances Your Democrat President is retirement. borrowing 40 cents for every $1 Return state stimulus dollars of federal spending. The Feb. 26 to the federal government and Daily News article on "Millions let them know taxpayers want to of fed dollars going unused" is use these dollars to repay the typical of why our nation is in federal deficit. bankruptcy from excess federal Joseph Neff, Corning Turn Obama's deficit Your officials 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. Letters are published at the discretion of the editor. 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Barbara Boxer (D), 1700 Montgomery St., Suite 240, San Francisco, CA 94111; (510) 286-8537. Fax (202) 224-0454. Commentary Sinkholes and pulling the wool over our eyes It is unclear where the term "pulling the wool over your eyes" originated. One speculation is that the phrase refers to the way that clever English barristers in the early 19th century could manipulate their case to the point, where in effect, they had twisted the wool wig worn by the judge to cover his eyes, obfuscating the truth, and assuring a favorable decision. I am beginning to feel the itch of wool over my eyes, and I am convinced that the term applies to the way our representatives in Washington cover up what they do; they assume we wear those wigs, and they pull the wool over our eyes. I received a phone call from a concerned reader Thursday night, February 7. She had been watching a television discussion show during which the commentators made mention of a hidden gift for the company Amgen in the so-called fiscal cliff legislation. The item that was slipped into the bill exempts Amgen's product, Sensipar, from Medicare price controls for two additional years; it had been quietly placed in that bill by three senators; she thought two were Republicans and one a Democrat, but was not sure. In any case both of our proud political parties were represented in the action. Her concern was threefold. First, she was concerned about how this chicanery could happen. She wondered what is wrong with a system that allows our legislators to sneak into bills favored projects or benefits for favored benefactors. Second, she was concerned about the reported value of this gift to Amgen; it was in excess of $500 million, and apparently given as a result of heavy lobbying. For most of us this is a huge amount of money. Stockholders at Amgen would appreciate that as well. Third, she was concerned about the disrespect for the common citizens inherent in such action. She wondered how those who put this item in the relief bill could face us, the common citizens of the country, the people who trusted them enough to elect them to "represent" us. Politicians usually know when to keep quiet, but Amgen couldn't. Prior to the uproar over this "gift", Amgen had briefly highlighted the gift's benefits during a fourth quarter conference call with analysts and investors. So the "word" was out. I did a little research on line and found out that both the NY Times and the LA Times had published lengthy articles on this issue and now, after the public has been made less unaware, a bipartisan group of legislators have vowed to take care of the problem. Congressman Peter Welch initiated legislation to eliminate the gift. "Amgen managed to get a $500 million paragraph in the fiscal-cliff bill and virtually no one in Congress was aware of it," Welch said. "It's a taxpayer rip-off and comes at a really bad time when we're trying to control healthcare costs.(The cynical among us might think that when Welch says the timing is bad, that he really means Congress got caught.) He continued, "Amgen should not be allowed to turn Medicare into a profit center." I have contacted our local Congressman's office regarding the progress of the bill, but have not received a response as of this writing. It will be interesting to see if the bill actually makes it up for a vote. The newspaper articles pointed out that Amgen had an have blown that [the Amgen army of 74 lobbyists up to the deal] out of proportion because task of twisting arms and mak- there are good, solid reasons that were backed up ing promises of supby government as to port. Those same artiwhy that needed to go cles said it was some over for another two members of the Senate years." Roughly Finance Committee translated I think he who inserted the favoris saying, "Trust me, I ing provision into the knew what I was fiscal cliff legislation. doing; how dare you "The company has been question me." very generous over the Hatch's alleged years to several memconcern seemed to be bers of the committee, that if the drug wasn't including Orin Hatch Joe profitable enough for (R-Utah) and CommitAmgen those in some tee chair Max Baucus rural areas might not (D-Mont)." have access to it. It is Also of interest was unfortunate that he that Amgen had agreed to pay a criminal fine of $720 did not have the "wisdom" to million for mis-marketing a share his vast knowledge and drug called Aransep just a "concern" while the bill was month before this latest flap. being drafted so our representaSo, on the surface, Congress tives might have known just was rewarding a criminal opera- what they were voting to tion with a $500 million break. approve and why it might be I was reminded by one of the important to more of us than more profound, yet seemingly just Amgen. Perhaps he was idiotic statements that Nancy sequestering himself, or perhaps Pelosi once made. "We have to $500 million is not a significant pass the bill so you can find out amount to this Senator who has what is in it." Although our rep- had ample time in his 36 years resentatives have plenty of time in the Senate to become blasé to rant and rave and posture, about such sums. After considering the Conalthough they work fewer hours in session than they could, gressional actions that led to although most seem to wear Amgen getting a pricing advanglasses in order to read and tage and the ridiculously self therefore should be able to read righteous response of Senator with relative ease, and although Hatch, a light went on in the laws are written in English, those empty dark spaces of my head. representatives do not actually The sinkhole in Florida was a seem to have read what they vote diversion; the real sink hole is on. They must rely on their staff, actually Congress itself, undertheir party leaders, or lobbyists mining whatever confidence we to tell them what is in those bills, have in our leaders. My caller was right when she or at least how to vote. Senator Orin Hatch, who said, "What are we to believe?" some say speaks as if he is conJoe Harrop is a retired stipated, or perhaps, as I feel, speaks like he is dealing with educator with more than 30 the stress of being so important, years of service to the North said on February 2, "I personal- State. He can be reached at ly resent the way some people DrJoeHarrop@sbcglobal.net. Harrop