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4A Daily News – Thursday, July 11, 2013 Opinion 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. Letters are published at the discretion of the editor. Mission Statement We believe that a strong community 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 vehicles. The Daily News will reflect and support the unique identities of Tehama County and its cities; record the history of its communities and their people and make a positive difference in the quality of life for the residents 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 In response to Wilson column Editor: I was very taken by James Wilson's letter in the opinion page of Wednesday's paper. There were a few points I agreed on and a few I did not. First off, I did not find the court's decisions murky or hard to understand. After taking a quick read on us.practicallaw.com I found the rulings understandable. In regards to DOMA, the act that was struck down (section 3, Windsor) was because it clearly violated Windsor's right to the 5th amendment equal protection. You see, Windsor and her spouse worked and paid taxes in this country. Windsor should be entitled to the federal state tax exemption for surviving spouses. The Supreme Court did allow states to make their own decisions regarding same sex marriage and has moved to disable one of DOMA's main standing points. The supreme court believes the "scope and size of DOMA" is unfair to state's decisions. If the federal government doesn't have the right to rule on this matter, than what the hell gives DOMA the right to rule by influence and money? And how about the Full Faith and Credit clause in our constitution? Doesn't it state that states should recognize each other's contracts and rulings? Such as lawsuits or marriages? Maybe I'm way off here, but I know straight couples have no issue proving their marriages from state to state. The Prop. 8 ruling was simple to understand. Prop. 8 was funded by Mormons from Utah to single out a group of citizens simply to strip them of over 1,000 rights married couples are entitled to. It's unconstitutional and un-American. Mr. Wilson church has no business interfering with my rights to life, liberty and happiness. This country was founded on separation of church and state. This is not Saudi Arabia. But there was one thing I did agree with Mr. Wilson on. Church in this country needs to clean house. According to mainline Christians, We should throw out constitutional rights and separation of church and state. The church was correct about women's suffrage when they told activists to be "obedient," right? How about segregation? Was the church correct in say- ing that black citizens were the 20:13 but they seem to forget descendants of Canaan? about eating shellfish and wearMarked and cursed people use- ing clothes made of two fabrics. ful only as slaves? Wow, with a Bible shopping through pastrack record like that one, I'm sages. Gang rape was common sure the church is the place to in those days. It was used against men to humiligo for societal advice. ate them. But the sin of I'd say they skipped Your Soddom wasn't their John 3:16 a few times homosexual feelings. when it comes to It was inhospitably and homosexuals. arrogance. See Ezekiel Remember "whoso16:48-50. The church ever?" It means everyhas skewed these verses and one. The pastors that preached taken them out of context to hate from the pulpit years ago push an agenda of hate. It is are the same ones that preach it ridiculous to try to mirror a today about gays. They are not 3,500-year-old culture. I'm gay and I can tell you rejoicing in God's love. These pastors menu shop the bible, it's not a choice. I know God picking and choosing what they loves me the way I am. He made me this way. And only want and not God's word. Biblical times were very dif- God can reverse and heal the ferent from today. The oldest damage churches have inflictform of "traditional" marriage is ed on me. Mr. Wilson seems like a nice one man and many women. Women were exchanged for man. I'm sure he's not hateful to property. Women who could not LGBTQ. people. The church's conceive could be divorced. efforts would be better spent on Marriage for love is a new con- homeless or poor people, the cept. In those times, women people Jesus wanted churches were stoned and people used to help. God loves me. California sex as a form of worship, "idolatry." Sex in those times was not recognizes my rights. The about love or consent. People church really has no place in had little sense of monogamy. this debate and that is why they The bible needs to be taken and lost. Chelssie Langum, read in context. Red Bluff Everybody touts Levticus Turn Your officials STATE ASSEMBLYMAN — Dan Logue, 1550 Humboldt Road, Ste. 4, Chico, CA 95928, 530-895-4217 STATE SENATOR — Jim Nielsen, 2635 Forest Ave., Ste. 110, Chico, CA 95928, (530) 879-7424, senator.nielsen@senate.ca.gov GOVERNOR — Jerry Brown, State Capitol Bldg., Sacramento, CA 95814; (916) 445-2841; Fax (916) 5583160; E-mail: 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) 3930710. Barbara Boxer (D), 1700 Montgomery St., Suite 240, San Francisco, CA 94111; (510) 286-8537. Fax (202) 224-0454. What volunteerism means to me For a number of years (15) now, with the grace and appreciation of the Red Bluff Daily News (even through two editors) I've been able to submit many articles about two youth organizations that I have volunteered with. Over these years I've been able to share with you what kind of feeling I get when just being around kids. And the Red Bluff Daily News has partnered with several of these youth organizations, over the years, so that the word gets out. Currently, I am fortunate enough to be a member of the Tehama County Police Activities League Board of Directors. Fortunate, because of the people who now serve and who have served in the past. These adults haven't forgotten what is was like being a kid. That's why they volunteer. There are cops from all the agencies along with professionals still working at various companies and other government agencies and then there's a few of us who are retired. Over fifteen years I have learned so much from all of them that there's not enough time or space to tell you about it. In one word? Rewarding. But just a few thoughts about PAL. For one thing, it's "the best kept secret in California." PAL is an organization that provides free healthy programs for the youth in your community. Volunteers are not paid in terms of money or pay checks. But the rewards are priceless. How can anyone put a price tag on something so valuable? The PAL Board members and its many volunteers in these pro- grams can share experiences and memories of having coached and mentored the kids on their teams and in their programs. A potato is a tangible reward that I recently received from a young lady in the program I am serving in. She grew it at her school's gardening program (at Vista Middle School). I was shocked but the feeling I got when Brooke gave it to me was like, Wow. She'd grown several of them but I got first pick of the bunch. Of all the thanks I've gotten over the years I have to say that this ranks right up there. Of course, volunteers don't expect anything like this. Volunteers just enjoy watching kids grow up before them. That, in itself, is a reward. Right now, the economy, well, it sucks. That means there's not a lot of money to donate to your favorite youth programs. But Americans are very generous in many ways. Time and money come to mind. What does it take to become a volunteer in a youth program? Hopefully, your program checks out each person who has the time. Most definitely, PAL does. "Every child needs another healthy adult in their life." PAL, like other organizations, is looking for a few more "good men and women" for many of their programs. Volunteers aren't required to have a certain specialty or knowledge but they can. Volunteers hopefully receive good training from those who lead the programs. By training I mean you have to be able to under- We're hoping that you can stand what kids are all about. It's not about being in charge of make time for our event even a bunch of unruly kids because, though it's on a Sunday morning. Inconvenient? as I believe, "There's no such thing as a bad kid, Guest View Yes. Rewarding? Yes. We will need volunonly bad examples." teers to help us at the Personally, this means John registration table, that although some kids helping with handing are born hard wired out tee shirts and with various conditions medals that proclaim: and illnesses, we can still learn how to be those exam- "I'm a winner, I don't do drugs!" ples that so many of our chil- We'll need those who are not dren in the community need and able to run or walk from 1/4 mile to 3 miles (5k) to hold want. If volunteering was some- signs along the way that prothing easy most of us wouldn't claim that Tehama County is the be involved in doing it. Volun- most famous county, in Califorteers take on the jobs that are nia, along the I - 5 corridor that too tough for many others. Vol- sends out these anti-drug mesunteers do if for the love sages and will continue to send exchanged. It feels good and it them out. Let Tehama County feels right. Many years from continue to be a legacy in this now will you regret not having effort. Call the Drug Enforcement been something special in the Administration in Washington, life of another child? Try putting volunteering on D. C. and ask them about once, like putting on your shoes. Tehama County's efforts to Let your brain see how it feels. "Run Drugs Out of Town." The How will it feel? Scary at first, other program I was fortunate yes. Difficult sometimes, yes. to serve in is the nationally Time consuming, yes. Reward- award winning Tehama County Young Marines. Those kids do ing, yes, we hope so. On Sunday, Oct. 20, PAL is a lot in and for this community. going to hold an event, "The Ask the DEA about them. Yes, Run Drugs Out of Town Run," that program is staffed by passtarting and finishing at the PAL sionate and dedicated volunbuilding at 1005 Vista Way, teers the same as PAL and several others such as the Prevennext to the Red Bluff Airport. Previously, we had reported tion Project and Mentoring Prothat the event would be on Sat- gram. For more information about urday, Oct. 19. I didn't do enough research and later found PAL's free youth programs and out that the Dairyville Festival how to donate funds either call Fun Run/Walk was on that day. 529.7950 or visit www.tehamaYou see? There are so many so.org and for the "Run Drugs healthy programs and events out Out of Town Run," on Sunday, there. So many volunteers. But October 20, call the volunteer event coordinator at 840-0345. more are needed. Minton