Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/186246
4A Daily News – Friday, October 4, 2013 Opinion Globally ready? DAILY NEWS RED BLUFF TEHAMA COUNTY T H E V O I C E O F T E H A M A C O U NTY 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 letters from its readers on timely topics of public interest. All letters must be signed and provide the writer's home street address and home phone number. 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 submitted will be considered for publication. Letters will be edited. Letters are published at the discretion of the editor. Mission Statement We believe that a strong community 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 vehicles. The Daily News will reflect and support the unique identities of Tehama County and its cities; record the history of its communities and their people and make a positive difference in the quality of life for the residents 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: I read last Friday's front page article by Andre Byik titled, "Common Core explained" and would like to respond. Lorna Manual was quoted as saying, "I look back to 1999; it's a much different world out there. The needs of business and the community are way different than it was in 1999 as it is in 2013." My first reaction was, really? In the past 14 years, the world of business and community have changed that much? As justification for implementing Common Core she said, "We need to be able to be globally ready so that we can compete." While I have no real issue with Common Core (or Lorna Manual, for that matter), the reasons politicians and educators are offering in the press really don't explain anything. These are nothing more than sound bites and talking points that need further explaining. In addition, it needs to be noted that Common Core strategies were taught as part of teacher credentialing programs as late as 1998; it's just that they went by another name. Now they're back. So, what's really changed? Maybe the Daily News could provide that venue for writers to benefit our readers. For example, if the needs of business and the community are different now, what are those new needs — beyond the new techno gadget changes? In addition, what does it mean to be "globally ready?" I hear this phrase uttered all the time. Matter of fact, former Red Bluff High Principal Joe Pelanconi used it 23 years ago when I first came here in 1990. Truth be told, the global economy became a world-wide force back in the 18th Century. Why do we continue to use it as our focus for educational change? To steal a line from The Princess Bride's Indigo Montoya, "You keep using that word; I don't think it means what you think it means." Does anyone? Pat Gleason, Red Bluff definitely not factory issued. I have hauled firewood, lots of hay, a six-horse trailer, car hauler, garbage to the dumps and especially furniture, as my adult Your son seems to move Editor: once a year I would like to My truck is defithank Mr. Sharp and nitely a workhorse, Mr. Young for keepbeing a crewcab with dualies. ing their theater open. We are The fiberglass rear fenders are seniors so this is very inexpen- still intact, although chipped sive entertainment. Some of the and dented. My 100 Ib. black movies nowadays are pretty lab prefers to ride in the cab awful but we like the movies so with me and acts as co-pilot. we go every week. I expect with I do have the front license the new digital we will get some plate secured with bailing wire better ones. We support you. and keep a supply of binder See you at the movies. twine in the bed of the truck for Esther Anderson, Red emergencies. Bluff Nevertheless, I love my truck and have enjoyed the 321,000 miles over the last 17 years. It runs like a champ — when I can Editor: I found your article about afford to fill the dual tanks up. pickup trucks very enlightening, A new truck would be so nice, but could not decide what cate- but $45,000? No thanks. Like my truck, I'm old but still getgory I belong in. My truck could be a hauler, ting around. Vickie Linnet, Coming as the tailgate is present, but Theater Turn My truck Your officials STATE ASSEMBLYMAN — Dan Logue, 1550 Humboldt Road, Ste. 4, Chico, CA 95928, 530-895-4217 STATE SENATOR — Jim Nielsen, 2635 Forest Ave., Ste. 110, Chico, CA 95928, (530) 879-7424, senator.nielsen@senate.ca.gov GOVERNOR — Jerry Brown, State Capitol Bldg., Sacramento, CA 95814; (916) 445-2841; Fax (916) 5583160; E-mail: governor@governor.ca.gov. U.S. REPRESENTATIVE — Doug LaMalfa 506 Cannon House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515, 202-2253076. U.S. SENATORS — Dianne Feinstein (D), One Post Street, Suite 2450, San Francisco, CA 94104; (415) 393-0707. Fax (415) 3930710. Barbara Boxer (D), 1700 Montgomery St., Suite 240, San Francisco, CA 94111; (510) 286-8537. Fax (202) 224-0454. Commentary The nation's pastime Last Sunday's final baseball game of the season for the S.F. Giants provided much more enjoyment than was warranted for a meaningless game between two bottom dwelling teams in the western national division. If you are not a baseball filbert, skip to the jokes, but the final game featuring the San Diego Padres vs. the Giants had all the drama one would could desire. In a previous game, the retiring pitcher Barry Zito was yanked by manager Bochy after 5 innings much to his dismay. The unceremonious yank did not provide Zito the curtain call he wanted nor deserved. Then came the final game of the season, a Padre batter hit a grand slam and it looked like our boys were going out losers. However, they scratched their way back and finally won it in the bottom of the 9th with a hit by the charismatic Hunter Pence, emboldened by a new multimillion dollar 5-year contract. And what about Zito? Perhaps it was scripted all along, but in this final game, when he was not scheduled to pitch, Bochy sent him in the 8th inning where he got a quick out and departed with a standing ovation by the fans and much doffing of his cap. When the game was over, the Giants hung around the field and soaked up good vibes after a less than winning season. *** Speaking of baseball, the missus has one such signed by Hunter Pence. More than a year ago, we attended a game at AT&T Park in S.F. courtesy of a company owning a fancy suite therein. We were able to invite other guests, one thing led to another, and Hunter's father was in attendance. Also Hunter's girlfriend. After the game she offered to get an autographed ball for the missus. She did and it is worth a bit more now than when first signed by the big right fielder millionaire. However, the girlfriend is now an ex-girlfriend, but such is life. *** More baseball. Son-in-law J. Konte, author of "The Rivalry Heard 'Round the World" now has a blog wherein he addressed the recent tantrum of former Giants closer Brian Wilson, who now pitches for the hated Dodgers. After a Dodgers vs. Giants game at AT&T Park , Wilson publicly berated Giants President Larry Baer for not delivering Wilson's last year's World next year so he can stir up enough interest in Series ring to him, despite many attempts by the rivalry for a second printing.Amen." *** management to do so. Regarding the inci"Animals are such agreeable dent, Joe blogged this little gem: friends. They ask no ques"MAY GOD BLESS tions, they pass no critiBRIAN WILSON. Let me cisms." George Elliot be clear. I am not real big *** on athletes who bring God Last week's quiz was into the conversation after first answered by S. Orner hitting the winning homer who deduced that Shasta or scoring the winning Dam is 883 feet thick at the touchdown. I don't think base, 60 stories high and God sits there on Game workers labored 24 hours a Day with a bowl of popcorn day from September 1938 in front of his big screen to its completion in 1945. TV with St. Peter to decide Robert This week's quiz: What who he is going to let catch is odd about the word the big pass. I'm thinking "typewriter" regarding a he's got other business keyboard? What do the foloccupying his mind besides lowing words have in commulti-millionaire athletes mon with the alphabet: any, such as starving children or victims of some catastrophe. But, before I beady, cagey, cutey, decay, easy and empty? lay myself to sleep tonight, I would like to And finally, what do you call a naked grizgive you a sneak preview of my little pre- zly…or an equine with a sore throat? *** bed prayer." When Beethoven died, he was buried in a "Dear God: Thank you so much for Brian Wilson. That's the Dodger pitcher, not the churchyard. A couple of days later, the town Beach Boy guy, though I am thankful for drunk was walking through the cemetery him and all those fine tunes which I heard and heard strange noises coming from the over and over and over again from my teen area where the great composer was buried. sister's record player back in the day. Any- Terrified, the drunk ran and found a priest to way, I just wrote this book about the Giants- listen to it. The priest bent low and heard Dodgers rivalry, and I'm told that the more some unrecognizable music coming from bitter the rivalry, the more books we might the grave. Frightened, he summoned the sell. Unfortunately, Brian was on his best town organist who listened for a moment behavior tweeting how much he adored the and said, "Well...that's Beethoven's Ninth fans and mostly taking the high road about Symphony...but it is played backwards!" He his sensitive departure from the listened further and exclaimed, "Yes, there is Giants. Then, at the end of the Dodgers- his Eighth Symphony ...also played backGiants game the other night, there was The wards. And then the Seventh, the Sixth ..." Suddenly it dawned on the organist and Beard chastising The Baer for not forking over his 2012 World Series ring. Never mind he stood up and addressed the crowd that that the Giants president had already offered had gathered: "My fellow music lovers, to drive the ring over to his house himself there is nothing to worry about. It's just and kiss it, or something like that, but there Beethoven decomposing!" was Wilson acting wilder than when he Robert Minch is a lifelong resident of would start off the ninth by walking the Red Bluff, former columnist for the Corning bases loaded. "So, dear eternal Father, thank you for Daily Observer and Meat Industry giving us this tantrum that is sure to rev up magazine and author of the "The Knocking the rivalry and sell a few more books. And Pen." He can be reached at please, may the Dodgers re-sign Brian for rminchandmurray@hotmail.com. Minch I Say