Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/12156
6A – Daily News – Thursday, June 17, 2010 Opinion Ceremonies 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 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 Editor: I want to thank all who partici- pated in the Memorial Day ser- vices at Oak Hill in Red Bluff. That includes the audience. Observing the interaction of parents, grandparents and children contributed to the whole event. One restless young boy dressed in his military attire settled on his knees in front of one of the veteran headstones and had the most thoughtful look on his face. I won- dered what he was thinking. A lady I presumed to be family noticed and snapped a picture. I hope she was able to capture what I saw. Mr. Gott delivered a real tribute to all veterans and an important history lesson to me. The impor- tance of that small island of Iwo Jima to our military in WWII and the strategic development of the structures above and below ground by the Japanese that made the bat- tle so costly are details I never recall hearing about. We can never know what the soldier has experienced — but we can get a respectful perspective with information from those who have lived it. Susan Reynolds, Red Bluff Memorial weekend Editor: This day was supposed to be a tribute to the men and women who sacrificed there lives to protect our freedom. But I guess times have changed in this country of ours. To start with, the county decided to give a permit for a hemp festival on this weekend. And to top that off, in subdivi- sion that really didn’t want it. People came from all over to enjoy three days of smoking pot and listening to loud music. There was an average of 1,500 to 2,000 people every day, I for one feel this is not a time or place for this kind of event. On Monday, my girlfriend and I, along with her daughter, went to Red Bluff Cemetery to honor our fallen soldiers that gave their lives for this country of ours. There were probably 150-200 people in attendance. Shame on us, you all can attend a party for smoking pot, but can’t show your support for our fallen heroes. My girlfriend’s daughter, who has been off drugs for the last eight or so months, was really upset that the attendance for the pot party was so large and only a handful showed up for our soldiers. At this festival there were deputies everywhere along with Highway Patrol, but at the memorial there wasn’t one uni- formed officer present. And yet in the paper it stated that Sheriff Parker attended these kinds of events. I mean this is an event that honors our fallen heroes to keep this country free. Dave Buntain, Red Bluff Davin Diaz Editor: Do you know how much it hurts to see your kid's name in the paper because he took a short cut to his death? On Feb. 3 I did not know my kid was hit by a train. I took my moth- er to the store that evening, and past by twice where my kid had landed on the hillside with no shoes, because the force from the train knocked him out of them. When I got home my world became a nightmare, and still is. Two officers came knocking at every night to tell my son good night, and on the eighth day I sat in my car and watched them roll my baby on a gurney in a bag into the van to take him to Lawn Crest in Redding. Lawn Crest was so good to my Your Turn son, they even let his family see him two days later. All I can say is you never want to see your child dead and later pick-up his ashes and carry your child in a small black box to take him home. my door, one the chaplain who gave me the bad news and hand- ed me a plastic bag with three bracelets, one lighter, one pack of rolling papers, three dollars and change and a bloody pack of Camels with three cigarettes in it. When they came my son was at the morgue already. My baby was born in this hospital and not a phone call, so I could not even be with my son when he past and if I wanted to donate any of his parts, that was too bad for anybody who might have needed them, but this hospital had no problem sending my dead son a bill? I was not allowed to see my son at the the funeral home for seven nights, so I drove over I wrote this letter because I hope this will be the last time that I see my son’s name that has to do with people who have to be reminded by the department, that people that are trespassing on railroad property that it is illegal and dangerous. Union Pacific Railroad spokesman Aaron Hunt, who said the collision is under investi- gation, but it appears the man was trespassing on railroad prop- erty. I think maybe somebody should but up a sign or more that states this, because I can't find any. My baby did not want to die and he got to learn no lesson from his death, but I did and I can say it is a pain nobody wants. I hear the train blowing every day and I can't tell my son to get off the tracks, because if you don't you'll break your mom's heart. Terasa Hulseman, 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. Feminism in the Wake of ‘Ladies’ Night’ Commentary While perusing the Internet, I came across an article about how to be a more attractive woman. First on the list was to learn how to tell a funny story. “Wit is the key. Be interest- ing.” When have you ever heard anyone advise a woman to learn to tell a decent anecdote? Never. Encourage women to be inter- esting as opposed to hot? It was radical. Totally progressive and forward-thinking. Then I realized I misread the premise: it was how to be more attractive to women. The sug- gestion is well-worn and typical — for dudes. Here’s the thing: if we still have a need for the word “femi- nist” then the goal of gender equality has not been reached. No one has to say they’re an abolitionist. It’s just assumed you’re against slavery unless otherwise indicated. We clearly still need the word — and the concept of — feminism. The 2010 primary season has marked an unprecedented num- ber of female candidates for national and state offices, according to the hype. Republi- cans winning Republican pri- maries across the country is a victory for Republicans every- where. There are more female GOP candidates this season than ever before. Well, there are four: former HP CEO Carly Fiorina, former eBay CEO Meg Whitman, South Carolina State Represen- tative Nikki Haley and former Nevada Assemblywoman Shar- ron Angle. To some this could seem like a feminist victory. It’s a female Republican victory, sure. But being a feminist and being against reproductive freedoms means you are not a feminist. You can say you’re a Mets fan, but if you only want the Yan- kees to win — you’re not a Mets fan. The irony is this swarm of candidates, almost all entirely anti-abortion rights — save Whitman, has the feminism movement to thank for their ability to be candidates. Which is like using Twitter to get your message out about the evils of micro-blogging. This new trend in the Repub- lican Party — putting up women who want to turn the clock back to criminalize abor- tion — is complicated for femi- nists. And feminism in its third wave — or so — is already complicated. Yes, it’s great to think of women in power, but not when they’re against women’s rights as their plat- form. The anti-choice movement tells women they deserve better than abortion, that they are the ones who have the best interests of women in mind. But treating women like children who need to be told what’s best for them is hardly equality. It’s a step back. And saying not having an abor- tion is the right choice — is a choice. A stealthy anti-abortion movement has been chipping away at access to information and services since before Roe v. Wade. Crisis Pregnancy Cen- ters, the first opening in Hawaii in 1967, are fake women’s clinics offering no medical services, only reli- gious-based misinfor- mation and scare tac- tics to discourage abortion and in many cases premarital sex. They outnumber abor- tion providers 2-1 in this country. diers to get the same basic health care access as civilians. Civilians with money, at least. This has been called “govern- ment funding of abor- tions” by opponents and “supporting the troops” by everyone else. Because nothing says “sanctity of life” like serving in a war zone. Tina The Dutch organization Women on Waves provides health services in countries where abortion is a crime. A doctor with the group told me an alarming amount of their calls are from women in the U.S. in desperate situations. Some are from U.S. soldiers who don’t have access to abor- tion while serving their country, even if they’re raped. This should be embarrassing to us. This should be a concern to thoughtful female candidates and patriots alike. Currently, an amendment added to the 852-page Pentagon policy bill repealing “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” calls for sol- Dupuy The Republican rhetoric about free- dom, the sacredness of the Constitution and government not encroaching on your rights all come to a screeching halt at reproductive issues. Republicans are for those plati- tudes, but with asterisks. To glaze over this contradic- tion, female anti-abortion GOP candidates have flippantly called themselves feminists. Which is like proclaiming your- self vegetarian while eating a ham sandwich. They’re not feminists. They’re just female. “Being a feminist isn't a question of plumbing,” author Gloria Feldt said to me. Yes, this third wave is com- plicated. But at least it’s inter- esting. Tina Dupuy is an award- winning writer and the editor of FishbowlLA.com. Tina can be reached at tina@cagle.com.