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4A – Daily News – Friday, November 12, 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 Migrant camp 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 My letter is in regards to the migrant camp Mr. Angelo Ferro is requesting Tehama County Board of Supervisors to approve. As a native of Corning I remember as a boy and even today during olive picking time the migrant pickers camping in the orchards sleeping in tents and cars most having no place to shower or use the restroom — having to use the nearest bush. I have to say this is most inhumane. I left Corning in 1979 and moved to southern California. I made a career for more than 25 years drilling water wells, one job I will never forget. My company bid on and was awarded a job drilling two agriculture wells in a community called Cadiz. You go east out of Barstow at Ludlow. You get on old Route 66 and it will take you to Cadiz. It’s 100 miles to the nearest motel or store. Well, way out there in Cadiz is a very large ranch with a migrant camp about the size of the one Mr. Ferro wants to put in. I have to say this camp was very well kept. My crew and I stayed there for about a month. There was an absolute no alcohol rule, didn’t matter who you were. You got caught you were run off. My crew and I were the only white people out there. They provided us with a trailer to stay in. They fed us, and the peo- ple were very friendly. My point is don’t judge an entire race because of only or even a few bad apples. You can find bad in every race. Now these people need a safe and humane place to stay during the olive picking season when they’re down here. Most move on to Washington to start the apple picking season. It’s not like these workers are going to stay year round. I know the city of Corning sure likes them olives, especially Bell Carter and the Olive Pit and other olive distributors. You all make a big profit from these migrants moving north. So give them a little humanity while they’re here. Celdon Lee Chambers, Gerber The price of war Editor: It’s a given that our country is in financial trouble. I have heard the reasons blamed on presidents, politi- cians, political parties, board members and etc. In all the election rhetoric I never once heard that our war involvement had anything to do with anything. Our tax money flows out of the coun- try like a river 24/7. Some say we are fighting for freedom. I see no risk of freedom in our actions except at some point our resources will be depleted and our country will be so vulnerable the we will lose all our freedoms. HR 4646 Editor: This bill places a 1 percent transaction tax on every move you make. Check it out. Doing something good for our children and us, seems a bit pretentious don’t you think? Is this more Obama change? He and some of his henchmen must have worked overtime to come up with this bit of another stimulus. If he smooth talks the public into accepting this malarkey then God help this country. Take away our money and our guns and what remains. Hitler started the same way and remember what happened to him. Your Turn There is a saying, “Woe to the man who would be King”. Thad Blanchard, Gerber Cowbell Editor: I was very happy to see your Question the price of war. Lois Tow, Gerber Nov. 8 Daily News story on Una Jordan being named Cowbell of the Year. This dear woman is also on our Salvation Army Advisory Board. She and Tom Moisey helped us start our Ket- tle Kick-Off Dinner and our Run for the Needy. This dear and caring woman has helped The Salvation Army to keep moving forward in helping families and individuals in crises. Even though Una has had some real health challenges, she has continued to stay active. Major Frank Severs, 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. Mea clupa Book Barn Commentary Use a word or phrase three times and it is yours. Today’s phrase is “mea culpa.” It is Latin for “my mistake” or “my error” or words to that effect. The Catholic Church is grounded in this concept and they call it confession. I am not of that faith but I certainly did make a mistake. When discussing the closing of Facts & Fiction book store…and suggest- ing we would be left with only the County Library as a repository of books, I forgot the thriving Book Barn on Oak Street, just south of said library. At last count, no fewer than 11 readers have taken me to task for my glaring omission. The Barn apparently has quite a follow- ing. The owners said I should have remem- bered them if for no other reason than I had acted in my capacity as a “greedy real- tor” (not their words) when they purchased the vacant lot about 10 years ago. As I recall the property had been owned by the Wilson family. As the Ess Eff Giants have done their thing, we can now take up the chant, “Go Book Barn!” *** Peanuts can be the most profound of comic strips. Last Saturday, Lucy announced to Linus, who was sitting next to her, “I might as well tell you now…” and Linus ran away screaming. His reac- tion was quite appropriate. That phase, when uttered, is fraught with ominous meaning. It might be followed by, “I’m getting married.” Or “There is somebody else.” Or ” Jerry Brown is your new gover- nor.” Ominous indeed. *** If you are a reader of the obituary col- umn, and who isn’t, you will notice a ten- dency to celebrate not only the life of the deceased, but to applaud the last days of their terminal illness. Well, how else can you describe it, you ask? A fellow named Ronald Wallace comes out leading with his chin: “Just once I’d like to see an obituary in which the deceased didn’t succumb after ‘a heroic battle’ with whatever it was that took him down. Just once I’d like to see the obit read, ‘He got sick and quit. He gave up the ghost. He put up no fight at all. Rolled over. Bailed out. Got out while the getting was good.’” This is known as black humor. It works as humor when you or yours are in the sunshine and not in the shadows. *** Sources say that although the City Council is prohibited by law from imposing residency requirements to employ- ees, the council has some discretion as to what level of restriction they can impose. I pose this ques- tion to City Attorney R. Crabtree: Can you perhaps find case law that states employees can be ordered Robert Minch I Say to reside in the County in which they work? As they say in talk radio, I will take my answer off the air. *** TIME reports in an article titled “Death of a Small Town Bank,” that 132 banks in the U.S. have failed in 2010, so far. Although one such failed recently in Red Bluff, I assume the others are keeping their heads above water. I remember when the late Orville Jacobs got together a few movers and shakers such as J. Koeberer, M. Froome and H. Dudley, and they start- ed up the Tehama Bank, which became wildly successful. As I recall, I was not invited to pony up the initiation fee to become a director…but then again, I’ve always been poorer than a church mouse. *** Last week’s quiz was designed for base- ball fans who were asked the full name of Giant’s catcher Buster Posey…and every responder (and there were plenty) knew he is named Gerald Dempsey Posey III. And they knew that Edgar Renteria was named most valuable player in the World Series. But the other question required a little reading between the lines:”What Giants on the roster at the start of the season, actual- ly played in the World Series final?”…and by that I meant the final game in the series. L. & P. Bullock, among others, strove mightily and came up with Lincecum, Wil- son, Huff, F. Sanchez, Renteria, Uribe, Torres and Rowand. However, sources say that F. Sanchez was on the dis- abled list...and not on the roster at season start. And furthermore, should we not also include B. Moli- na? He was in the final series game as a Ranger, but also on the Giants’ starting roster at the begin- ning of their season before being traded. Yes, I think so. This week’s quiz: Complete the open- ing lines in these famous poems: “Listen my children, and you shall hear...” “Once upon a midnight dreary...” “Sweet and low, sweet and low...” “How do I love thee?...” and, “Candy is dandy, but...” *** A man is stopped by the police at mid- night and asked where he is going. “I'm on the way to listen to a lecture about the effects of alcohol and drug abuse on the human body.” The policeman asks, “Really? And who is going to give a lecture at this time of night?” “My wife,” he replied. 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 rminchandmurray@hotmail.com.