Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/17393
6A – Daily News – Wednesday, October 6, 2010 Opinion Manners 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 Editor: We were privileged and hon- ored to attend the Tehama County Community Concert on Sept. 28 at the First Church of God in Red Bluff. We were given tickets from a friend who was to be out of town that evening. 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 It is hard to imagine going to see a professional entertainer, one who has performed all across America, including Carnegie Hall and throughout Europe, here in Red Bluff. But, sure enough, there he was, Anthony Kearns, lyric tenor, one of the new Three Tenors. He and his accompanist, Patrick Healy, performed to an auditori- um filled to capacity. The evening was filled with beautiful music, some lighter moments of comedy, but the artistry of Mr. Kearns and Mr. Healy were something we will not forget. What I would like to forget were the sights in the audience. There were attendees clad in shorts, flip-flops, T-shirts with questionable things written on them, men wearing their base- ball caps all night, women wear- ing outfits you might see in the laundromat. How disappointing to spend an evening with the super-elite of masterful musicians while sitting next to someone in their shorts and T-shirt. It was embarrassing to meet the entertainers, wearing white tie and tails, while the vast majority of the audience was dressed for a barbecue. I fully realize this is not New York, Los Angeles, Chicago or any huge metropolis, but peo- ple, please? When spending your money and time to go to an event such as this, take a little time and think about what the entertainer is seeing as he or she performs for you. Have the courtesy to at least wear something better than beach wear and underwear, and be a gentleman and take off your hat. Bill Law, Cottonwood Rights denied Editor: As an independent journalist for my own online media com- pany, my constitutional rights are being violated by three state agencies here in Tehama Coun- ty. I am trying to get back prop- erty which is vital to my employment and video work opportunities. This confirmed violation is currently bankrupt- ing me and making me home- less at the same time. On top of these continued violations is also employment discrimination by a big-box retailer. I cannot even file an official complaint because it is 180 days beyond the event. This time restriction is news to me and it's discouraging. Even more discouraging is the violation of my voting rights on June 8. Being prevented from exercising that right is inexcus- able. I strongly support Consti- tutional values and am a mem- ber of the American Civil Liber- ties Union and I have written to them regarding what actions I can take. How would you feel if a vital part of your employment was suddenly taken away? How would you like to be unable to pay credit card bills, your rent, your utilities, and being forced out of a home you've made for the past eight years? You'd feel helpless, right? Texting driving Editor: To the red-headed lady in the Your Turn teal Ford truck that missed hit- ting me head-on by a couple of feet on Willow Street because you were texting and speeding in the 25 mph zone, if you had hit me and I wasn't injured enough that I could still move under my own power, I would've taken that gadget, smashed it to pieces and rammed them down your throat for trying to murder me. It's happening to me. It can happen to you. No one cares about the truth anymore nor does anyone care about the Con- stitution either. But I do care and you'd better too. I want to go on record that I wholeheartedly support Tea Party groups. We need to get back to Constitutional values before it’s too late. Individual freedoms are being taken advantage of. I know I was taken advantage of but at least l’m trying to fight back. Ask yourself this, folks: do you believe in the Constitu- tion and the Bill of Rights? Or do you live it? Cameron Farmer, Red Bluff I hope that if you hit anything that it's a big old sturdy tree. That's certainly more effective than let's say, the sheriff’s deputy that was cruising the Food Maxx parking lot and stopped at the stop sign to get on Belle Mill just look straight at the pretty blonde in the big pretty red truck bab- bling away on her cell phone as she turned into the parking lot and did nothing. Personal friend of yours officer? I was behind you waiting my turn and watched in disbelief. You weren't in any hurry for any- thing else. Unfortunately, this is common and not the first time I saw an officer intentionally ignore a driver on a cell phone. I have talked with others who have seen this trend with offi- cers, also. And some wonder why others choose vigilantism. Kelly Walen, 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. Mom 1, phone scammer 0 Commentary "Grandma," said a young man when my mother answered her phone last week, "I'm in trouble." He sounded like one of her grandsons. "Jerrod?" she said. "Yes, Grandma. We were fishing in Canada and didn't know we were on an Indian reservation. Some mean-look- ing men said we broke the law. They're taking us to a judge for sentencing. I need bail money or they won't let me come home!" "Oh, Jerrod, are you OK?" said my 70-something mother. She quickly realized it was a scam and began feigning her most feeble voice. "No, Grandma. They assigned me a lawyer. Can I have him call you? I am so embarrassed. Please don't tell anyone." "I won't even tell Grandpa!" said my cagey mother. A few moments later, "the lawyer" phoned. "This is serious, ma'am," said an authoritarian male voice. "We have two hours to raise $575 for bail or the judge will send Jerrod to jail." He gave her details on how to wire money to Vancouver. She told him she'd do what he asked. Ninety minutes later, the scammer called back. "I have the cash," said my mother, "but my car won't start!" "Can you take a cab?" "I don't know how to do that," she said. "Maybe my neighbors can help. Can you give me 15 minutes?" He phoned back 15 minutes later. "We still can't get it started," said my mother. "My neighbor doesn't drive, but her husband will be home soon. Can you give me a half-hour?" He phoned back 30 minutes later. "I went to Western Union," said my mother, "but the lady said I didn't have the right infor- mation. Can you give it to me again?" Grumbling, he gave her the information again. "Can I talk to my grandson?" she said. “Is he OK?” "He's on his way to the judge." "May I have your cell num- ber in case I forget something?" "I'm unable to take calls when in court. How long do you think it will take to wire the money?" "Can you give me a half- hour?" He phoned back several more times -- the caller ID said "no information" when he did -- but my mother waited 30 minutes to answer. "I gave the Western Union woman the money!" she said, sounding relieved. "Do you have the confirma- tion number on the receipt?" "Receipt?" "When you give them the money, they give you a receipt," he said impatiently. "I didn’t get a receipt!" "Lady, how can you give someone $575 and not get a receipt?!" He was beside him- self. worried about Jerrod! Can you give "I'm sorry. I’m so me Tom another half-hour so I can go get the receipt?" "For godssake, lady. Get it right this time." Purcell He called back 30 minutes later. She gave him a made-up confirmation number. Two minutes later, realizing the confirmation number was useless, he began calling back every two minutes – and did so for more than an hour. My mother let the phone ring. She scammed the scammer. She tied him up for more than seven hours — preventing him, we hope, from scamming some- one less suspecting. She had fun, but what she did was profound. There are bad people in the world. Despite our laws — despite multiple government agencies that are supposed to protect us — bad peo- ple persist. My mother stepped up. In between the scammer’s calls, she called the local police. Since there was little they could do, she did what she could to take control and thwart something wrong. Imagine a country where everybody took control — everyone stepped up to do what little he or she could do. There surely would be fewer scams. There would surely be a more energetic, engaged citi- zenry — the kind of citizenry on which lasting civilizations are built. One thing is for sure: Scam- mers won't be phoning my mother anytime soon. ——— Tom Purcell, a humor columnist for the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, is nationally syndicated exclusively by Cagle Cartoons newspaper syndicate. Visit Tom on the Web at www.TomPurcell.com or e- mail him at Purcell@caglecartoons.com.