Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/210288
6A Daily News – Wednesday, November 13, 2013 Opinion Fool chimes in 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: Persons who live outside the city limits should refrain from expressing opinions on the proposed leaf burning ban in the city. I remarked recently that it was only a matter of time until some fool likened leaf burning to a nostalgic fall tradition — and sure enough some fool did. Leaf burning would be one thing. Leaf smoldering, which is what it really is, produces a noxious smoke that goes on for an extended period of time. Autumn in Red Bluff is a lovely time of year but some of us with allergies and respiratory problems have come to dread it due to leaf burning. Why a leaf burning ban was not enacted years ago is a mystery to me. Jean Bowers, Red Bluff Leaf burning Editor: I thank Mr. Minch for putting a face to end my curiosity of "Who in the world could support leaf burning in the city limits?" I couldn't imagine how anyone could be in support of this disgusting tradition. Now my ponderings have ended. More pressing problems? Well, at this time of year it couldn't be more urgent than now to address the issue. Mr. Minch doesn't live in the city limits? Well, I do as do a great number of our community and all within feet of each other. When my neighbor decides to burn, the whole neighborhood has to deal with that action. Mr. Minch wants them to burn around the Victorians? Please, choose a day and announce to those streets that he would love to walk through and enjoy the stroll through their "regal splendor" through smoke, smell and filth. My guess is he'll go back to his property and congratulate himself on having fresh air to breathe and think of the poor souls that have to endure that environment. Want the smell during the football games? Why don't we just invite everyone to bring a bag of leaves and burn them for him at the stadium? We'll make sure the wind is blowing in such a direction as he can be enveloped in that glorious odor. You see, when my neighbors burn and my windows are opened, that's my experience. Nothing like a beautiful fall day where I can't open a window or enjoy my patio. I would also assume that Mr. Minch is an active, healthy man. What if he wasn't? What if he was of fragile health? Maybe a family member or friend is struggling with asthma or allergies, or maybe something lifethreatening? What if burning contributes to health issues or exacerbates them? Just say the word, Mr. Minch, and I will gladly bring my leaves. Hey, I'll even ask my neighbors to contribute theirs, and bring them to his house to burn. We could do this all seaEditor: son long so that he can enjoy I would like to express my gratopening his house up, turning on a great football game and itude to The Exchange Club and being "a part of the ambiance of Sunrise Rotary for the honor small town America." I'll be bestowed upon me at Farm City Night. waiting patiently for I am deeply apprehim to give me his ciative of all the service address. Your organizations that work Betsy Palubeski, so hard for our commuRed Bluff nity. Although I have received the recognition for these two prestigious awards, and am very humbled, they really belong to all of you who took my Editor: hand in support of Tehama CounI couldn't help but think of ty. Thank You. Hamlet's Soliloquy when I read The next community project I Thursday's paper about the City am championing is the 2nd annual Council gagging on the burn Christmas for a Cause, which pays ban ordinance. "To burn or not it forward and supports local nonto burn, that is the question." profits that have given so much to Having lived here long us. Seven organizations have given enough to endure the stench of us a list of items they are wishing burning leaves in town, I think I for this holiday season. speak on behalf of all of those Visit www.ChristmasForAwho oppose such an unhealthy CauseTehamaCounty.com for this practice. Even though I tried it year's recipients and their wish once or twice when we lived in lists or visit the Gold Exchange. the downtown Victorian district, Together we can accomplish great I quickly realized how the smell things, by holding hands we create wreaked havoc on my sinuses. miracles. The smoke would drift up Would you consider as a faminto the trees and hang there for ily, service group, classroom or hours. Eventually, I made the business taking on one item from simple decision to go buy some any list? Help our local non-profbarrels and rake them up. I have its and feel good about your givbeen disposing of my leaves this ing. way ever since. Thank you for considering This decision is a no-brainer, Christmas for a Cause. May your in my opinion, whether to burn holiday be filled with love and or not to burn. I say not. gratitude. Pat Gleason, Red Bluff Jessie Woods, Red Bluff Thanks, cause Turn To burn or not to burn? Your officials STATE ASSEMBLYMAN — Dan Logue, 150 Amber Grove Drive, Ste. 154, 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 Obamacare backlash no surprise Sheesh, what did they expect? I speak of the backlash to the Affordable Care Act of 2010, which passed along purely partisan lines. Not one Republican in the House or Senate voted in favor of it. More than half of the American people were against it in 2010. In fact, according to Politico, ObamaCare was the most partisan bill to become law in the past 100 years. Politico points to a study conducted by JPMorgan's Michael Cembalest, who reviewed major legislation that became law during the past century. Cembalest reviewed a variety of bills that covered civil rights, entitlement programs, welfare reform, labor relations, tax preferences and a variety of other monumental and sometimes controversial, issues. Consider: The Federal Reserve Act of 1913, which gave the federal government the ability to create money, was controversial in its day — but it was supported in the House by 99 percent of Democrats and 41 percent of Republicans. The Social Security Act of 1935, which did plenty to transform America, received support from 96 percent of House Democrats and 81 percent of House Republicans. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 received House support from 80 percent of Republicans and 61 percent of Democrats. Heck, even the Revenue Act of 1913, which established the income tax and was, before ObamaCare, the most controversial bill in the last 100 years, received support in the House from 5 percent of Republicans (and 98 percent of Democrats). "Regardless of what anyone thinks about its merits and failings, Obamacare has an 'original sin' problem," says Cembalest in his report. "For the first time in 100 years, one party crammed down a bill with national implications without any agreement from the opposing party." And now our country has a real mess on its hands. It's not just because ObamaCare is hitting all kinds of obstacles as it is rolled out. Our incompetent government spent some $600 million on a website that still doesn't work. It's not just because the president promised Americans they could keep their policies and doctors — as millions are seeing their policies canceled, forcing them to buy ObamaCare-compliant policies that cost two or three times as much. And it's not just because tremendous hubris and arroAmericans are worried that the gance for politicians to think that the federal governworst is yet to come as ment could remake the ObamaCare disrupts health-care sector and remakes one-sixth without causing the of the U.S. economy massive chaos we are — and that it is likely now witnessing. to continue to disrupt And so the backlash labor markets and not only continues, but inhibit economic is growing worse. growth. Yet, despite the It is mainly because backlash, ObamaCare's our political class — creators are doubling in this case, the down. The president is Democrats who had saying he didn't say control of the House, Tom what he said — what Senate and White he said over and over House in 2010 — disagain about keeping regarded the will of the majority of the American coverage and doctors. PR flacks are showing up on people and rammed through a bill without the majority's con- news programs, trying to convince average Americans they sent. Numerous polls show that are not experiencing what they more than half of Americans are experiencing. This is what happens when still do not like or want ObamaCare — and those numbers you ram through a massive bill will worsen as more people find that is one-sided from the start. Sheesh, what did they expect? out their policies are not eligible for "grandfathering." Tom Purcell, a humor Rage is growing among citicolumnist for the Pittsburgh zens, who are losing their policies. Many are speaking out to Tribune-Review, is nationally their elected representatives and syndicated exclusively by demanding that ObamaCare be Cagle Cartoons newspaper repealed or, at the very least, syndicate. Visit Tom on the Web at www.TomPurcell.com or edelayed. him at More Americans are coming mail to the conclusion that it took Purcell@caglecartoons.com. Purcell