Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/16394
4A – Daily News – Friday, September 17, 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 Complementing feedback Today’s careful reader award goes to a 92- year-old subscriber who sent me a note the other day to point out a mistake I had made in this column Aug. 27. Let’s start with the tenor of the note. Here’s 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 an excerpt: “And, unfortunately, I found an error, either a misspelling or the incorrect use of a word: in the right column near your picture.” Have to say, this beats the heck out of comments such as “Has any- one there ever taken a high school English class?” or “The first rule of journalism is to...” Not that I mind criticism, but it’s much better when it is useful rather than sarcastic or ludicrous, and these types of notes are typically riddled with errors, which, shall we say, lessens their impact. At a previous newspaper, a are college graduates, many of whom earn their paychecks, at least in part, writing. I’m sure a good number of readers know the distinction but if we’re honest, there are some of you who don’t. So here’s a quick guide. Compliment is the more commonly used spelling and it means to say something nice about a person. Chip woman sent a scathing note to the editor about how poor the grammar in the newspaper was. It was a full page and included several “high school English” and “rules of jour- nalism” comments, and the editor forwarded the note to the entire newsroom. She misspelled grammar. Guess nobody’s perfect. Thompson 545 Diamond Ave. people. Back to the polite and constructive note from our 92-year-old. The reader noticed that I used the word “compliment” when I more like- ly intended “complement.” The reader was right. Rushing to get the column done, much as I’m rushing now, I inadvertently used the wrong word. But I was impressed. In the last few days I’ve asked friends and acquaintances if they knew when each spelling should be used. Most didn’t know there are two spellings. A couple knew there are two, but didn’t know exactly when to use each. These Seems nobody knows this except newspaper editors and Greyhound — who’s website I used to double check the spelling in my early career. Figured out the other usage of complement yet? It means a full array of nouns to make up a complete set or group. The pharmacy has a full compliment of beauty supplies. Tony’s new car has a full complement of safety features. Thanks again to our 92-year-old reader for the eagle eye — and make sure to let me know if you find anything in this week’s column. Chip Thompson can be reached at 527- 2151, Ext. 112, or by e-mail at editor@redbluffdailynews.com. Complement means a noun that sup- plements or enhances another noun. A good rib eye steak complements a glass of fine merlot. Susie’s blue dress complements her beautiful eyes. When a business offers a comple- mentary bonus for your patronage, the bonus supplements your purchase. So complement is not interchangeable with free. For the bonus round, there is anoth- er meaning for complement. Take a shot while we move on to some other word fun. A note from a friend the other day mentioned that she was arranging the busses for an upcoming group outing. I wrote back that busses are small kisses and buses are long vehicles to transport Your Turn Pot value Editor: Lots of speculation in today's papers on the value of California's marijuana crop and the amount of taxes that will be collected if Prop 19 passes. Nobody knows that answer and you can't even make an "educated" guess. As of today the illegally grown or imported marijuana goes for $300.00 an ounce. The legal medicinal marijuana has a known price too. The illegal home grown is as free as growing flowers or toma- toes. Will the illegal growers/importers even stay in the business if the price drops to $30.00 an ounce, or whatever the legal medicinal price is? I serious- ly doubt it. Will the illegal home grown producers, even if for only their own use, pay the tax on their crop? Remember two things. 1) We have not been able to make a dent in the amount of illegal marijuana available with our war on drugs. 2) Al Capone did not go to prison for murder, or violation of the Volstead Act. He went to prison for tax evasion. Face it folks if you want to control marijuana you will only do so through the tax code. Crime pays. Fred Boest, 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. To doom or not to doom Commentary Doom. Impending doom. Deep, dark, impending Democ- ratic Party doom. Losing one if not both houses of Congress – deep, dark, impending Democ- ratic Party doom. Deep, dark, impending Democratic Party doom of Bib- lical proportions destined to make 1994 seem like walk in the park with a loved one down a sun-kissed lane strewn with fall- en magnolia petals. Then again, wait. Maybe not so much doomishness. A week ago, the Gallup orga- nization released a tracking poll giving the GOP a 10-point lead when voters answered which party they favor. And much wailing and crowing ensued. Whispers grew into shouts, and fear and joy swept the land. Democratic candidates avoid- ed Obama like a plate full of haggis dipped in botulism toxin. Fox News commentators boast- ed that independents would pre- fer having a sack full of snarling weasels dropped into their pants than vote for a Democrat. And being home to Bill O’Reilly, it was assumed they knew what they were talking about. Then Gallup released a new poll showing the parties dead even. Same question; now we’re tied. Double-digit swing in a single week. Why? Nobody knows. Might be a backlash to Glenn Beck’s trek to the Lincoln Memorial to reclaim the civil rights move- ment for loud, angry, chubby white guys. Perhaps it was a col- lective sigh of parental relief after returning their budget-bust- ing, vacationing rug rats to school. Or maybe it had to do with Obama coming back from 10 days golfing with the big-time swells on Martha’s Vineyard. And no, I’m not talking about Hurricane Earl. And what a comeback. Wor- thy of Secretariat. With recharged batteries pinning the brim, the president shifted into overdrive. In Milwaukee on Labor Day he floated a program to rebuild America’s infrastructure. And who hasn’t rattled their teeth in a pothole big enough to qualify for its own area code? John Boehner maybe, that’s about it. Then in Ohio, Obama pro- posed cutting taxes on small businesses, placing the GOP on the defensive since they offered up the very same legislation dur- ing the Bush years. Of course now they’re against it. Which, in the middle of an election year is less surprising than a big belt buckle on a rodeo star. Ski wax in a Telluride closet. A fat tortoise- shell cat napping on a bed & breakfast lobby counter. At this point, all we can be sure of is that people are pissed. At everyone. For every- thing. At restaurants for stubbornly retain- ing pre-recession, stratosphere- scraping entrée prices. At the Oakland Raiders for charging 33 bucks to park at a meaningless pre-season game. But then, they’re all mean- ingless. At banks for turning greed into an art form. At Obama and the Dems for waiting so long to address the economy, and at the Republicans for politicizing anything coming out of Congress including the "Aren’t the Clouds Dreamy" proclamation. Will Durst Raging Moderate the key. Which could be tomor- row. Or the decade after next. Voters hate the Democrats. Except when they dislike Republicans more. We’re headed down the wrong path, but it’s the only one that’s lit. And that clears everything up like the view through the windshield of a VW Beetle going uphill with a blown head gasket. Also known as: politics as usual. Will Durst is a political comedian who has performed around the world. He is a familiar pundit on television and radio. E- mail Will at So, to doom or not to doom. That is the question. And the answer remains Yes and No. There’s no way out and we’re stuck here until someone locates durst@caglecartoons.com. Check out willandwillie.com for the latest podcast. Will Durst’s book, "The All American Sport of Bipartisan Bashing," is available from Amazon and better bookstores all over this great land of ours. Don’t forget to check out his rooftop comedy minutes at: http://www.rooftopcomedy.com/ shows/BurstOfDurst.