Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/15425
4A– Daily News – Friday, August 27, 2010 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 Last week’s column about a curious reader who had a couple of head-scratchers he couldn’t find answers to got several of you thinking — not about the answers as much as questions of your own. Fittingly, this went to prove that a recent idea from Publisher Greg Stevens is a good one. Greg suggested an “I want to know” feature in the Daily News. Readers send in their questions about the news or the community, and the newsroom goes about seeking out answers, which are published. Anytime a newspaper Chip offers this kind of inter- active feature it’s a risk. What sounded like solid gold around the conference table generates zero response. Then again, it might just as well strike a nerve and be a popular addition. Oh Snap, as it has come to be known, involves printing reader photos when we have extra space on a color page. It’s taking off, with as many as a half-dozen sub- missions each day and several pos- itive comments from readers. The response to last week’s col- umn attempting to answer a couple of reader questions about the news and meteorology brought forth a handful of questions from other readers, so we’ll give “I want to know” a shot. Here’s the deal. You come up with questions to which you’ve always wanted answers and we Thompson 545 Diamond Ave. will endeavor to find and publish those answers. There may be times your ques- tion raises a bigger issue and the answer turns into a news story. Other times a simple answer will be published along with the question — probably complimented by some sort of logo to help read- ers find the feature. We won’t attempt to find answers to weighti- er issues like the mean- ing of life, and it’s unlikely we’ll be able to answer every question submitted. But the plan is to increase reader involvement in the Daily News and give readers something to think about. Questions to avoid are those that seek to push an agenda, such as “When did a certain local offi- cial stop beating his wife?” And, unless you’re a reincarnated George Carlin, avoid “Can God make a rock so big he himself can’t lift it?” Send questions to editor@red- bluffdailynews.com, PO Box 220, Red Bluff, 96080 or drop off at 545 Diamond Ave. in Red Bluff. Finally, for those who will ask “Have you ever seen the rain com- ing down on a sunny day?” Yes. After all, this is Red Bluff. Chip Thompson can be reached at 527-2151, Ext. 112, or by e-mail at editor@redbluffdailynews.com. Opinion I want to know Rights vs. choices Editor: When our forefathers established this great nation, they were faced with a daunting task — how could they ensure the rule by the many while protecting the rights of the few? This task was not some grand experiment, but came as a result of personal knowledge of being under the heavy-handed rule by a government in which they had no voice. For many years they suffered through the heat of summer and cold of winter debating how to best form a more perfect union. It was never their intent to establish a perfect government because they knew that would be an unobtainable goal. They knew, and in fact dealt with issues, that for Your Turn some seemed proper and appropriate while, to others, were a clear abomination. The idea of this government was not that everyone should have his or her way but that every voice would be heard. This no longer appears to be the case. Today's humanistic society believes that everyone has the right not only to do what is in their own special interest but to force their beliefs onto society regardless if the majority believes that right even exists. There is little doubt in my mind that our forefathers would cringe at the thought that the document they developed as a rule of law would become an instrument of anar- chy at best, and lawlessness at worst. Those who oppose the ban on same sex marriage say their civil rights are being violated. What rights are being violated? They are not being banned from jobs. They are not denied health care. They are not denied legal representation. They are not made to sit in the back of the bus or taken out and hung. They are not even being denied the right to voice their opinion. They are denied the rights and privileges of a traditional lifestyle because they have chosen not to live a traditional lifestyle. This is not a restriction of rights but a matter of their own choosing. The good news is, is that the Constitution allows each of us to have a say. The bad news is, the Constitution does not guar- antee that we always get our way. Those who represent us are not always those we voted for. The decisions made on our behalf are not always decisions we agree with or even like. That's a shame but that's the American way. That is what our Constitution does and should continue to do-establish laws on behalf of the many while protecting the basic human rights of the few. We do not serve our country or our Constitution by overturn- ing that which the majority so clearly supports. In fact, we weak- en our Constitution, our democracy and our way of life when the interests of the few are allowed to negate the voice of the many Dennis Wyman, Corning 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. Alesson learned by the passing of John Fox Commentary I was sitting on the front porch the other night having a conversation with the Big Dip- per. He appears in the sky north and west not long after the sun has set and the light from the west has faded to blue. The house was quiet – every- one asleep except for me. There are few moments that I appreci- ate more than sitting in the dark- ness, listening to the sounds of quiet while the breeze falls soft on my face. It is during that time that I realize so many things while alone with my thoughts. I am reminded of what a truly wonderful family I have. I’m also overcome with humility beneath the stars, knowing full well that I am but a speck of dust in the universe. Our time here is so short. I wonder what the stars or the angels think of us? Do they look down from the heavens, laugh- ing and mocking us over our silly day to day follies? If I were them, I know I would – laugh at me, that is. I admit that I take life much too seriously. I get worked up over things that matter little in the grand scheme of things. So why am I talking about the stars? My friend John Fox died last Friday night. He did so much for so many, and dedicated his life to helping others, especially the kids of our community. His passing and my subse- quent conversations with the stars remind me of what’s lack- ing in my own life. John did so much – did he ever stop moving? His example shows me what I lack, and just how much more I could do – or should be doing. Maybe we could all take a lesson from him. For example, I don’t visit my parents nearly enough. I should cuddle with my daughter and read books more often; she loves that. My son wants to learn how to fish, but we haven’t done that, either. He loves golf; I don’t take him regularly, though. My wife deserves more from me; she talks and sometimes I don’t listen. I need to be more mentally present when I’m at home. Look, I don’t want my life to pass and look down from heaven with regret. I still have time, so I best get on with making sure I don’t. John Fox was liked by a lot of people. I think his legacy won’t be what he did or achieved, but rather how well he treated them. I think that’s the les- son for me – some things are more impor- tant than others. I have two college degrees; so what? I wrote a book; big deal. If I take a good look at myself under the reflection of the night sky, I don’t want to be remembered for those things. Good husband, father, son, brother and friend. More than anything else, I want to be remembered for how well I treated people, especially those I loved the most. That’s easier said than done sometimes, though. Beyond my immediate fami- ly, the older I get, the more I pre- fer to keep to myself. I can be a stand-offish, disinterested per- son when I want to be. But I can also say that I honestly don’t mean anything by that when it happens – trust me, it’s not per- sonal. Pat Gleason Simply Put "All we are is dust in the wind," the songwriter says. If that’s true, then what will remain for others to say about us once we’re gone? I’m quite certain many nice things will be said about Mr. Fox this week and beyond. Maybe his ears will burn from all the talk. I’ll miss John Fox, and I’m grateful for what he helped me discover about myself. It’s written in the stars every night. 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. Thanks, John. Have a great Friday. ———