Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/17537
4A – Daily News – Friday, October 8, 2010 Opinion Dope or dupe? 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 Editor: Have any of you seen the pic- ture in (the Sept. 25) Redding Record Searchlight? I’m glad I didn’t see this in the Daily News. Two young ladies lighting up before the Cheech and Chong show. One says it’s for medical marijuana but she's in the driver’s seat of her car. Migraine while she's relaxing and enjoying herself while at the show. Yeah, uh huh. So, the marijuana issue finally got on the state ballot. I won’t bore you all with the known facts about the actual effects of this drug, you aren't dopes, you already know. Or do you? (During the mid-’60s) I began to hear about the National Organi- zation of Reform of Marijuana Laws - NORML. Wow, what an acronym, huh? What's NORMAL about going to work stoned, driving stoned, living stoned? Showing your kids how to get stoned and that it's real- ly just NORML? It's everybody else who isn't normal. NORML and all the like don't really seem to care about what's normal. I wish all those citizens that really want something like this would do something more NORML like maybe go some- where and create their own state. It might even be a mental state. They could make a lot of money with all their dope rev- enues, create their own laws and live dopely ever after. Of course, they'd have to break away, call it the "Gateway State," from the rest of us, create their own govern- ment and understand they aren't welcome here any longer, while they're stoned. Yes, like the rest of us, they'd have to sacrifice their families and friends to something more impor- tant to them. Sadly, many of us would lose family and friends just because of dope and it's message. I wonder what their Constitu- tion and Amendments would say. Do they realize that after Prohibi- tion ended crime rates stayed rela- tively low until about the mid 1970s? Education may have had something to do with that. How would they educate anyone who was high? I call it dope because that's what it was called back in the day. Dope, bud, weed, whatever you want to call it, ask yourself this: "Do I really want to have to smell this stuff all the time, in my neighborhood, home, school, at work, at the store?" Many of you might say yes. But please look around now and if this law gets passed, well, one day you may even get tired of this and do some maturing along the way and realize the mess you've gotten us all in —including you. No pun intended but the grass Your Turn always looks greener on the other side. The color isn't important but the decision to pass this legislation won't make the Great State of Cal- ifornia any richer, smarter, clean- er, friendlier. It's going to make us a lot dumber, filthier, poorer, meaner. Crime rates will rise because so many of us are against something so dopey. I see vio- lence rising everywhere, especial- ly in the home where our nation's most valuable resource is — our children. The marijuana these days is more potent and the ill effects of second and third hand smoke are much deadlier. Does anyone know what COPD is? So, you want to suffocate us all, huh? Even your own kids? You can get COPD and other lung and heart disorders even if you have never lit up. Thank your family and so- called friends for voting for that one. Yeah, breathing with COPD sucks. Put that picture in your head of your loved one dying slowly. The last week of October is proclaimed as Red Ribbon Week. It takes courage to wear that Red Ribbon and claim victory over drugs, alcohol, tobacco, gangs and vio- lence. The residents of Tehama County can proclaim victory at the polls and demonstrate their courage in honor of their own families and the true value system this state used to be about. When you go to vote on this issue please be clean, sober and clear headed so that you don't make the wrong vote. Make an educated decision. Be NOR- MAL. John Minton, 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. Why the Daily News is here to stay Commentary There will always be an England, or so the saying goes…and I am coming around to the notion there will always be a newspa- per. There is something satisfying about holding a fresh copy in your hands early in the day. When you read the first pages of the Daily News, you will find it all about local news. The national and international news will generally be relegated to the back pages. This is calculated to keep you abreast of what is really important in the life around you without having to wade through hashed and re-hashed big time news you’ve probably already witnessed on television. While in self imposed exile from newsprint and puttering about with a blog on the Internet for a couple of years, I wrote often of the pending demise of newspapers, and felt somewhat smug about being on the cutting edge of journalism by having a per- sonal website. But now, back in the fold, I realize this is where the action is. I urge those who may have cancelled subscriptions in the past, to reconsider this medium for the best and the rest of local news. By being strictly a couch potato, you could not have learned how many people turned out for long time Sheriff Lyle Wil- iams’ funeral, which groups are fighting for curb space in front of the doughnut shop to wave their flags and banners and whether the city’s Finance Director is going to go quietly away or mount an unlawful termina- tion suit against the city. News like this is the stuff of drama and enlightenment right here in river city. I think even the old Word Merchant, C. Larimer, would like another run in the DN if it were available and wages were life sus- taining. * * * Speaking of wages, humor columnist J. Stein in TIME magazine thought he was among the richest 2 percent of Americans until he realized the $288,115 he made last year was only his gross…and that his net was a considerably less. That may be, but simple calculations indicate he was earning $24,000. per month, $800 per day, and with an 8 hour day, earning $100 smackers per hour by my calculation. Calculations concocted for the City Manager, for example, might vary. In any event, this is considerably more than local papers can afford…which makes their staff efforts all the more remarkable. * * * A study in contrast: Our Saturday tennis doubles group is going at it hard and heavy when son Bran- don drops by to announce he is headed east for anoth- er climb of Mt. Lassen. The tennis court is about 300 feet above sea level…and Mt. Lassen tops off at over 10,000 feet. He is looking forward to the climb and I am looking forward to concluding a match without dropping dead. That is an exaggeration, of course. I am Robert Minch I Say in very good health and have no heart con- dition. And yet, at an advanced age, some- thing may go amiss when one is forced to scurry about the court gasping for breath. Of course something could go awry when Brandon, in his fifties, launches his ascent, but the odds are in his favor that he will sur- vive to climb again. Our group, however, is, if nothing else, resilient. Among us we can count two total knee replacements, stomach ulcer removal, a bovine valve heart procedure and many exploratory surgeries. What we have in common, young and old, is recognition of the value of exercise. Pity more are not so inclined. * * * The good and productive G. Robeson has announced his retirement. This fellow is to be lauded for his work as the long time head of the County Planning Department while often taking abuse from several misguided quarters. The infamous and eventually recalled Gang of Three County Supervisors certain- ly made life miserable for George a number of years ago…and at least one Antelope Valley resident pursued a one-woman vendetta at every opportunity. If she arose to speak in a meeting, anywhere at any time, you could be certain she would slip in uncomplimentary remarks aimed at the saintly George. We will miss his steady hand at the helm and hope his successor will assist in keeping our comfortable, country way of life on course. One name, John Stoufer, comes to mind, but then he has to apply for the job, doesn’t he? * * * Last week’s quiz was answered by a number of responders, not the least being F. Boest of the Dairyville Boests, who mentioned, as was a lad, my father bought a steer from him, and he used the money to buy a clarinet at Hammer & Ohrt’s music store on Walnut. Mr. Boest stated correctly that the word Amazon comes from the Greeks and the accepted meaning of the word is breast-less, that Sheriff Clay Parker also doubles as County Coroner, and that a death certificate is available to all who pay a fee. On said document there is only a pro- vision for male or female gender. * * * The headmistress of a girl’s school asked an author to give a talk to the students about sex. After much persuasion he agreed to give the talk but was too embarrassed to tell his domineering wife, so he told her he was giving a talk on sailing. The day after the talk, the headmistress met the author’s wife on the street and told her that her husband had given the class a wonderful lecture. The wife raised her eyebrows and replied, “I can’t think how. He only tried it twice. The first time he was sick and the second time he lost his hat.” Robert Minch is a lifelong resident of Red Bluff and former columnist for the Corning Daily Observer and Meat Industry magazine. He can be reached at rminch@murray@hotmail.com.