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4A – Daily News – Thursday, October 14, 2010 Opinion Brother, can you 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 spare a twinkie Editor: 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 The Full Gingrich Commentary It takes a special kind of 3-D hyperbole to curl your eyelashes and simultaneously drop your jaw. Newt Gingrich’s declara- tions produce an Andy Kaufman type of discomfort, where I don’t know if what I’m hearing is brilliant, offensive or inten- tionally comedic. "What if [Obama] is so out- side our comprehension, that only if you understand Kenyan, anti-colonial behavior, can you begin to piece together [his actions]?" Gingrich asked Americans to ponder last month. "That is the most accurate, pre- dictive model for his behavior." Wait, so who’s pro-colonial? Weren’t the Founding Fathers "anti-colonial?" Gingrich’s schtick is Scorched Earth meets Straw Man. He not only incinerates the hypothetical Straw Man – he also verbally salts the soil where the Straw Man’s make-believe family lives after razing their made-up home. So, if you’re imaginary – meet your worst nightmare: Newton Leroy Gingrich, former Speaker of the House, now test- ing the waters for a 2012 presi- dential bid. In the ‘90s, while beating the drum of morality against Presi- dent Bill Clinton for his affair, Gingrich brazenly had his own extra marital affair with a con- gressional staffer. And now because he’s a man of principle, he’s pictured next to his third wife on his new DVD, "America at Risk." No, he’s not selling burglar alarms as the slogan would lead you to believe. He’s warning us about people who aren’t him – who aren’t us – "others." What others? The Obama Administration. Sure, Gingrich did tour with Al Sharpton last year at the request of the White House. It was surely a Machi- avellian attempt by the president to ruin the Gingrich’s Republi- can purity street cred. Their five- city tour was aimed at bridging the achievement gap for minori- ties on the 55th anniversary of Brown vs. The Board of Educa- tion. Well, Obama is foiled again. Because Gingrich has moved beyond that bi-partisan experi- ment he had in school. Now he knows who he is. He’s perfect to point out the moral weakness of phantom unknowns. More than anyone else you could imagine, he’s ready to take down anyone he imagines. One has to admire the bravery it takes not to navel gaze about your own personal failings and former Sharpton associations. While I want to shrink into the fetal position for three days after making a typo on Twitter, Gin- grich is out there – candid Wikipedia entries and all - among the people. More specifically, he spoke at the Values Voters Summit last month. What pressing issue did Gingrich decide to take a hard stance against? "I am totally opposed to any effort to impose Sharia on the United States," said Gingrich to the enthu- siastic crowd. "And we should have a federal law that says under no circumstance…will Sharia be used in any court to apply to any judgment made about American law. And we should make clear to Justice Breyer and Justice Kagan, who both seem confused on this topic, that no judge will remain in office who tries to use Sharia law to interpret the American Constitution." But we have that law: the First Amendment, ratified in 1791. Done. And yes, Gingrich called out two Jewish justices for allegedly trying to impose Islamic law in the U.S. Which is like declaring North Dakota needs to respect its border with Florida. Yes, we agree, and we are so grateful you pointed out the urgency of the issue. To add a nice twist to this very twisted tale: Politico is reporting this week Republicans are going on record saying Gin- grich sometimes goes "too far." This is shocking. In 2010 when the Tina Dupuy first black U.S. presi- dent-as-a-Nazi is so ubiquitous it’s a cliché, and the word "socialism" is used as punctuation on right- wing media outlets – there’s still such a thing as "too far." Congressman Tom Cole (R-Oklahoma) told Politico Gingrich "has a tendency to go one stop further than he should." Cole clearly doesn’t see the things that Gingrich sees. In fact, it’s safe to say most of us don’t. Who else has the leadership and resolve to take a firm posi- tion on something that doesn’t exist and no one is actually for? It just proves Gingrich is a visionary. Or at least having visions. Tina Dupuy is an award- winning writer and the editor of FishbowlLA.com. Tina can be reached at tinadupuy@yahoo.com. In 1931, crooner Bing Cros- by sang a song titled “Brother, Can You Spare a Dime.” This was during the Great Depression, which started in 1929. Overnight many people throughout this country lost everything they had. Long food lines formed as people sought to find something to eat for the next meal. Once again, due to the cur- rent economic situation, many people are facing the same situ- ation. The Salvation Army Corps – located here in Red Bluff – is seeing a huge increase in the amount of folks looking for something to eat for their next meal. The Salvation Army has used up all its food that was collected at the end of last year at our last large food drive, and all of the donated funding to be used for the purchase of food is also all gone. The Salvation Army will be holding a large food drive on Tuesday, Dec. 7, to seek food for next year, but at the present time food storage pantries are empty. The Salvation Army is not looking for Twinkies – as this article is titled – but it desper- ately needs your help right now. If the community doesn’t help The Salvation Army right now, it won’t be able to help anyone with food between now and mid December. The Salvation Army is seek- ing your help right now. It des- perately needs very large quan- tities of such food items as mac- aroni and cheese, dried beans, tuna and canned meat, peanut butter, rice, oatmeal, chicken noodle soup, tomato soup, spaghetti and spaghetti sauce, canned vegetables, canned fruit, snack foods, bottled water, fresh vegetables, etc. All items must be fresh and new – nothing out- dated. The Salvation Army is seek- ing individuals, businesses, schools, service organizations, clubs, etc. to help it to help those who are going hungry. Please contact The Salvation Army at 940 Walnut St., Red Bluff, or call 527-8530. Richard White, Red Bluff Budget cuts Editor: To the people of California, you have just seen politics in action. Our state leader just showed you how to make the people of California better off at the last moment by a move of the most dumbest cuts for working poor you can imagine by cutting day care. He forced the working class to be forced to quit their jobs, no daycare for workers no way for the average worker to support is family. I didn’t hear a word about cutting illegal aid? It’s time for all Americans to take a stand, fight back, call, write, email, tell are leaders it’s time to really stand up and see what is really happening here. We had better look within our country and where the real danger is. Our strongest sword is the vote, use it wisely, make your voice be heard loudly. I am just a common man , but I can see the real world, with open eyes we are heading down the wrong path. I am calling for all Americans to take a stand, make them, our leaders, do what’s right. The way is for- ward. If you can’t do the job, move over, let someone who can. This is not what are forefa- thers wanted for the people. We have to be strong ourselves, before we can help others. Don’t cut jobs, those who work put money back into the econo- my. Eric Peterson, Gerber Gambling too much a gamble Editor: After spending last weekend in Reno, Nev., I have come to the conclusion that gambling is just too much of a gamble. My companion, Tim, attend- ed a CTA conference at the Grand Sierra Hotel and I tagged along. Hey. We're talking about Reno, Nev. Instead of spending my time in the casinos, I visited Scheeps sporting goods store in Sparks. Wow. What a place, Your Turn complete with a ferris wheel inside the store. When I met Tim back at the hotel, we decided to go to the casino, located in the lobby of the hotel, to do a bit of gam- bling. Tim seemed to know his way around the tables, but I was lost and confused, like a fish out of water. I had no clue about how to even play the slot machines, much less sit at the black jack or poker tables. I never acquired the penchant for gambling. This, of course, is contrary to the notion that all Chinese people gamble. It also debunks the stereotype of the Irish gamblers, as well. When I was a baby, around 1954, my Irish father, David Downey, used to take me with him, when he would stop at one of the bars in San Francisco. He was my babysitter during the day. No, gambling was not his pastime. No, I have never had the desire to gamble, at least not with my hard-earned money. I marvel at those who willingly spend their money in the casi- nos, in hopes of striking it big. That is not to say I am with- out fault. I have gambled, many times, in the affairs of the heart. This form of gambling has not affected my pocketbook, just my emotional state of well- being. I have recovered from many heartbreaks in my life, but when it comes to money, gam- bling is too much of a gamble. Vickie Darnell, 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.