Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/15788
6A – Daily News – Friday, September 3, 2010 Opinion 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 Alliterative author amuses audience 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 Some of you have no doubt noticed something odd about the Daily News, more specifically the Annie’s Mailbox feature, start- ing in late June. That’s when I opted to have a bit of word fun by writing an alliterative headline — meaning all the words begin with the same letter or sound — for the feature. June 23’s item ran with the head- line “Missing money mystifies mother.” Over the next few days I made a couple other attempts with “Avian anxiety alien- ates, annoys associates” and “Bulbous boys are butt of berating banter.” Within a week or so, it became a daily challenge. Alliteration goes back to Old English and shows up quite a bit in Beowulf. Cartoon characters often have alliterative names: Donald Duck, Mickey Mouse and Beetle Bailey — birthday wishes to Mr. Walker, by the way. Alliteration pops up in comic books, too: Peter Parker, Clark Kent and Scott Summers. That’s Spider-man, Superman and Cyclops to the rest of us. And don’t forget Lois Lane. One of my favorite cartoons as a child was Underdog, which made liberal use of alliteration with char- acters named Sweet Polly Pure- bred, Simon Bar Sinister and Riff Chip Thompson 545 Diamond Ave. Raff. The show was paired with other greats including Tennessee Tuxedo, Go Go Gophers and Klondike Kat. Episodes were even titled “March of the Monsters,” “Simon Says “ and “Tricky Trap by Tap Tap.” These guys liked alliteration. For newspapers, allit- eration a way of making a headline catchy and memorable but should be used in moderation. An alliterative headline on a story about a mur- der or tragic car wreck would be inappropriate at best. Still, alliteration is a kick for word junkies and Annie’s Mailbox is the ideal spot for using it in head- lines — it appears every day, but is a lighter feature. Yes, some- times the topics of the feature are tragic. In these cases, we switch the order of the letters so the first letter — that to which the head- line refers — is of a less serious nature. A few of you have let me know you enjoy the headlines and some have suggested their own, just for fun. Who knows, if enough people send me their own alliterative head- lines, I may publish them in a future column — for further pho- netic fun. Chip Thompson can be reached at 527-2151, Ext.112, or by e-mail at editor@redbluffdailynews.com. Let debates begin Editor: Democratic congressional candidate, Jim Reed, recently challenged Congressman Wally Herger (R-CD2) to a series of three debates in the North State. The first two would have occurred in August, one in Yuba City, the other in Chico. The final debate in September would have taken place in Redding. Seems like a reason- able plan to me. wasn’t quite ready to commit to or even seriously discuss a specif- ic date . . . at least not at the moment. You know the old say- ing, "Don’t call us; we’ll call you." Your Turn Holding debates in some of the more populated areas of the congressional district would have afforded voters a pretty conve- nient opportunity to judge first- hand the strengths and weakness- es of the candidates. Unfortunately, Wally refused. Instead, his campaign staff appar- ently suggested they’d be interest- ed in a possible October debate. Anxious to lock in on a firm date, the Reed campaign then, apparently, approached the Chico League of Women Voters to see if they’d be interested in hosting an October debate. They were. A tentative date of October 6th was selected. Again, seems like a reasonable plan to me. A debate in early October would most likely garner a lot of voter interest given its close prox- imity to Election Day, while also taking place well before absentee ballots began showing up in voter mail boxes. Unfortunately, Wally refused . . . again. Although still expressing interest in a single October debate, Herger’s campaign staff Back during the primary con- gressional campaign, similar efforts were made to schedule debates between myself, the republican challenger, and the congressman. All to no avail. To their credit, the Bostonian Tea Party and Chico League of Women Voters tried mightily to get Wally to partici- pate in their respective debates. He declined all offers, citing a convenient ‘longstanding policy’ preventing him from engaging in political discourse with fellow republican challengers. All personal political consid- erations aside, candidates seeking elected office should welcome the opportunity to engage in rig- orous political debate. In fact, they should pursue it. What bet- ter opportunity to showcase one’s command of the facts and leader- ship on the many critical issues facing America today? I realize I run the risk of being accused of jumping onto the Reed bandwagon by supporting his call for debates. Trust me . . . nothing could be further from the truth. My conservative roots run long and deep. Rather, I’ve jumped upon the growing band- wagon of everyday folks demanding accountability, hon- esty, and a healthy command of the facts from all those who seek or hold elected office. Dare I say, "Let the debates begin." Pete Stiglich, Cottonwood 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. Of growing up and learning to finally let go Commentary I’ve decided to make some changes in my life. After five years of writing in this space, I’ve realized it’s time to finally let go – at least for a while. Whether or not it’s forever remains to be seen. I discovered recently that I’m not as mentally present at home as I need to be. Therefore, the column needs to go. I spend way too much time thinking about what I’m going to write. I want to stop thinking about it for a while. I can’t even drive down the street or sit and watch a sunset without wondering how I’m going to capture it in words. Sorry, but I’m sick of it. It may not sound like a big deal, but writing a column every week can take up a good deal of mental space. Next, no more television news that’s not local. I’ve grown to despise CNN and Fox News so much that I wish I could figure out a way to get it removed from my Dish program. Politically, I’ve come to hate the left and I hate the right. All these talking heads on the screen have done is sap my interest of anything that smacks of legiti- mate controversy. What has discouraged me the most is the "spin" in the news. Virtually no one presents just the facts anymore. It’s all opinion and political bias neatly wrapped and placed under a fantasy tree. Sadly, too many folks out there are buying it. Look, I’m an educated man, so don’t tell me how to think. Ladies and gentleman, broth- ers and sisters, the media elite, as well as our politicians, have decided that the average Ameri- can Joe is not smart enough to think for his own self. If this is not a slap in the face to every hard working, true blooded American, I don’t know what is. The liberal left will say that it’s okay for a mosque to be built near ground zero, but question whether Glen Beck or Sara Palin should speak on the Lincoln Memorial at a Tea Party rally. On the other hand, I cannot believe how paranoid Fox News has become of attacks from lib- erals and Democrats over the past few months. Not everyone thinks like Fox. That’s okay. Conversely, not everyone thinks like liberals. That should be okay, too. What saddens me the most is that our right to disagree has come under attack. Apparently, having an opposing view has become increasingly inappropriate. Reader, our country is headed in the wrong direction, and politi- cians and political pun- dits are to blame. Life in this country will not improve until our leaders decide to work in a bi-partisan fashion. Unless politi- cal greed and the rat- ings game are removed from the equation, the average American will continue to suffer. I vowed recently that this year I would be still and silent. But it’s really hard when I turn on the tube and see all the craziness going on in the world. And that’s just trying to keep up with the Kardasians. Talk about a stupid show. I told a friend of mine recent- ly that I just want to live a quiet life. I don’t want the day to day drama anymore. I see myself sitting under a shade tree in my back yard, lis- tening to the sound of the breeze and the laughter of my chil- dren in the wind. Don’t fault me for this. Pat Gleason Simply Put I appreciate all the support I’ve received in this space over the years. I’ve met some really nice people and written some stories about folks I otherwise may not have met. My life is better because of Simply Put. I hope yours has been, too. Maybe someday, I’ll see you down the road. 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. Have a great Friday. ———