Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/19792
6A – Daily News – Tuesday, November 16, 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 People knew Editor: In his article of Nov. 5, Mr. Minch’s statement “and no one could have foretold the depth of the current decline” is mislead- ing. 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 Some one’s had to perceive that an important enough prob- lem was approaching, early enough, to go ahead and orga- nize a panel of top US econo- mists, held at the American Enterprise Institute by March of ‘07. In trying to sound byte from that first panel, I see "Bulls die badly." "It's a big problem." "Perfect storm." "Only large will survive." "Doesn't seem to recognize systemic problem." "Bust is here." "New territory." There were no optimistic opin- ions. The state of public knowl- edge of economics is confusion. And unless a point is made to study it, plus luck, then one doesn’t know whom to believe. One to believe is Nouriel Roubi- ni, a number crunching econo- mist who consistently, and earli- er then anyone else, predicted the depth of the problem. His recent book, “Crisis Econom- ics,” details how this has hap- pened ever since the first bub- ble, the tulip of the 1600s. The first boom and bust of the, now known, boom and bust cycles of laizzes faire economy. For all his number crunching and trips to Switzerland to lec- ture to the world’s top business people, Nouriel appears as a very down to earth person and writes about economic issues in a very nuts and bolts fashion. For the laymen. He wants bank- ing to be a very, very boring business. Regulated. And this out of the panel host, Knut Gin- grich loving, conservative American Enterprise Institute. Another person who knows his economics well is not some- one you would expect. Elliot Spitzer, ex governor of New York, appearing at 5 p.m. on CNN lately. You don’t expect such an outgoing, even playful person to know anything. Espe- cially a politician. But he has an absolute hold on the real dynamics of economics. There is a difference between regulating banking and all other regulations. As bad as some government regulations might be, and there are some real bad ones, nothing approaches a deregulated, laizzes faire bank- ing system in it’s destructive power. This is not a ditch we’re in. It’s the modern yuppie ver- sion of 1929 in slow motion. Review history in your con- sideration of how, and how soon, recovery begins. Now you know what new territory means. People knew. James Bryant, Red Bluff Piazza's conviction Editor: Eleven years for killing someone? As I read today’s online edi- tion of the Daily News, Nov. 11, regarding Steve Piazza's convic- tion I am once again reminded of how truly screwed up our judicial system really is. Shame on you Judge Bottke for allowing this 6-foot, 280- pound man to beat and stomp to death Linda Griggs. Allowing him to be charged on a lesser sentence is uncomprehensible to me. It sickens me to know that this convicted killer will be liv- ing amongst us no later than 2021. I can only pray he’s not paroled into Tehama County, And if for some reason he is, I can only hope that he moves in next door to Judge Bottke. My thoughts and prayers are with Linda's family now and the rage they must feel for this unjust sentence. Donna Zimmers, Red Bluff Shasta bus Editor: In regard to the front page article, “Shasta College student upset about bus flap,” in the Nov. 9 Daily News. It seems that a Shasta Col- lege student, Marybel Torres, was a passenger on a college bus trip to CSU Fresno for a motivational conference. While speaking with another student in Spanish, it seems the bus dri- ver, being distracted, asked the two students to keep the conver- sation down, speak English or move to the back of the bus. Ms. Torres filed a formal written complaint about the incident, but she feels that the college is "pushing the matter aside." Ms. Torres has said that "at least three administrators," including the human resources director, have "apologized to her." Later the Transportation Supervisor "visited the class and read aloud an apology statement from the driver." In the statement, the driver apolo- gized to all the passengers and explained that "he had no inten- tion of offending anyone or causing any hurt feelings." Apparently Ms. Torres was not satisfied with the apology. Ms. Torres again complained. Evidently the col- Your Turn lege, in response to Ms. Torres' lack of satisfaction with the apology, is now initi- ating "a formal inves- tigation by hiring an independent, outside investiga- tor." I wonder how much this investigator is costing the col- lege district and who is footing the bill for the investigation? I am sure that it is probably the college, which obtains it's fund- ing from the state, and ultimate- ly the taxpayers. I wonder how many under- privileged college students could be assisted in their tuition with the funds that are being wasted because Ms. Torres feels the college is not doing enough to rectify the situation. And this is after three administrative apologies and a written apology from the driver. What does Ms. Torres want, the driver terminated for his unforgivable act? What would satisfy Ms. Torres' traumatic experience on that fateful bus trip? I would suggest that Marybel Torres take a deep breath, grow a thicker skin and get a life before any more state monies are wasted on her ridiculous and childish tantrum with the Shasta College bus driver. What nonsense. Larry W. Gray, 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. Decisions decided by the Deciding Decider Commentary You have to marvel at George W. Bush’s audacious return to the national stage, not to mention his curious timing. After all, there wasn’t what you would call an overwhelming popular demand clamoring for his reappearance. Apparently even putative war criminals got to make a living. But it’s going to take more than one media-blitzing book tour to scrub his image. For that he’ll either need another two or three decades of restorative exile or a wire-mesh scouring pad the size of Albania. Here comes the New Bush, just like the Old Bush. The first vol- ume of 43’s memoirs (oh, there will be more) has been released and though you know in your heart he wanted to call it “The Great Decider” or “Decisions Decided by the Deciding Decider,” cooler heads prevailed at Crown Publishing Group, sim- ply titling it, “Decision Points,” as told to George Bush by Dick Cheney. No. I just made that last part up. And neither is Amazon bundling the autobiography with “My Pet Goat,” but it’s a fiendish- ly good idea. Not sure who edited this puppy, but odds are they burned through about four spell checks. Ironically, he’s got a long way to go to live up to the standards set in previous Bush family tell-alls, especially the one penned by his mother’s dog. Booksellers will surely decide which section to stock the volume geographically. In Dallas, it will go under Biogra- phy. D.C., Current Events. San Francisco, Horror. And New Orleans, True Crime. To be honest, it’s kind of creepy to see Laura’s husband plastered all over the tube again after a two-year sabbatical. Like Hollywood rebooting a particular- ly gruesome series of “Nightmare on K Street” movies. Can’t be easy for him either, flacking 512 pages of redacted reminiscences with an approval rating hovering around the level of “go to snake belly and dig,” but that’s show biz. This collection of recollections or, more precisely, lack thereof, is about as revealing as an aerial view of an underground bunker. Like a negligee on your grandma. You’re afraid of what you might see but can’t help looking. No problem. To say this print revival effort is not big on revelations is like implying moles don’t need sunblock. Then again, maybe it’s a continuation his own per- sonal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, Then Lie” policy. George Bush and intro- spection: Not a match. The board goes back. He does nail a collo- quial tone in this tome, leading off with a self- deprecating tour of his storied mis-spent youth. Then takes too much time whining about the churlish noise of politics, oblivious to the fact that his good buddy, Karl Rove, is responsible for adding numerous deci- mal points to the decibel damage. Goes on to speak about how happy he is to be out of Washington, and with all due respect, may I say Sir, that makes 310 million of us. segment of the book-reading pub- lic who would rather be waterboarded than read this unapologetic self-serving hogwash. Although admittedly, compared to other presidential self chron- icling -- not half bad. Definitely two steps above the expected “I Can Haz Prezidenzy?” Crayons sold separate- ly. Will Durst Raging Moderate Will Durst is a San Francisco-based humor columnist who frequently tells jokes. Out loud. On stage. In front of people. Ideally. Catch an example at The Bell Theater at Angelico’s Restaurant Throughout the book, Bush clings to the notion that water- boarding is legal and not torture (cuz a guy said so), which should hold a measure of solace to the in Redwood City, Calif. on November 13. Coming up: Portland and Milwaukee. His new CD, “Raging Moderate,” is now available from Stand Up! Records on iTunes and Amazon. Coming early next year: “Where the Rogue Things Go!” from Ulysses Press