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6A – Daily News – Friday, December 10, 2010 Opinion A dilemma that will live in infamy 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 It happens every year like clockwork. 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 Pearl Harbor Day, Dec. 7, comes and goes and it doesn’t seem to matter how the newspaper handles it, people get upset. This year, we ran a story in Monday’s paper about a veteran looking back at his service in the Pacific Theater during World War II. Tuesday, the bombing of Pearl Har- bor was the highlight in history in the Today in History feature we run each edition. Finally, Wednesday’s front page carried a lengthy story about Tuesday’s commemo- ration of the attack that took place in Hawaii. Such headlines are supposed to reflect news of immediate, huge and urgent importance, such as this newspaper and many others ran on Sept. 12, 2001. My grandfather’s Chip Thompson 545 Diamond Ave. But just as I have every year, I received a handful of angry calls from readers demanding that Tuesday’s edition should have had a banner headline across the top reading...well, I’m not sure what it might read. cousin was shot down and killed during the Battle of Midway and having lived in several places in the Pacific, and Europe, that were ravaged by the war, I certainly don’t lack an appreciation for the significance of the attack on Pearl Har- bor. Not only is Dec. 7 one of the most impor- tant dates in the nation’s history, it marked the beginning of both great misery and remarkable success. Our nation came together like it never had before, and hasn’t since, to defeat ominous and ambitious enemies on multiple fronts — with little thought for personal sacrifice and loss. When interviewed, World War II veterans invariably say they simply did what they need- ed to do. And those at home who rolled up their sleeves, donated of their time and resources and did without in support of the war effort did what they needed to do. Dec. 7, 1941 is the day that started it all in motion. I fully appreciate the signifi- cance of remembering Pearl Harbor Day, so let’s look at how the newspaper should commem- orate its anniversary. As far as we know, there were no local events to com- memorate the anniversary. If there were, we would be eager to give them top billing. Maybe the Daily News could organize such a commemoration ceremo- ny? Interviews with local folks who survived the attack would be of great interest, too, but many times people don’t sug- gest a name until after the fact. Perhaps next year we’ll run a few notices in the weeks leading up to the anniversary seeking out these veterans. Tuesday’s event in Hawaii was the top wire story to move on the commemoration and I was happy to have it for Wednesday’s paper. But that doesn’t solve the question of what should have been in Tues- day’s edition — or what events could have happened in Tehama County on Dec. 7 — to mark the anniversary. On holidays we often replace one of the teasers at the top of the page with a holiday wish. A simple acknowledgement and graphic regarding Pearl Harbor Day might be best — a reminder. Most of those who feel strongly about the anniver- sary say their hope is that the tragic attack will not be forgot- ten. If, for whatever reason, you were disappointed by the three days of items we published to commemorate the anniversary, I’d be happy to hear your sug- gestions of what we can do dif- ferently. Chip Thompson can be reached at 527-2151, Ext. 112, or by e-mail at editor@redbluffdailynews.com. Your officials STATE ASSEMBLYMAN — Jim Nielsen (R) State Capitol Bldg., Room 6031 Sacramento, CA 95814 (916) 319-2002; Fax (916) 319-2102 STATE SENATOR — Doug LaMalfa (R) State Capitol Bldg., Room 3063 Sacramento, 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. Pontificating on poetry Commentary Our local PBS station, Sundays at 6 a.m., features The People’s Pharmacy. Listening to the show, while making waffles, the topic of the day sometimes catches my attention. Sunday has been our day for waffles ever since the missus and I learned of the benefits of sourdough, while in Alaska. I guess we could have learned of it in any other state, but I was stationed there to defend the Port of Whittier from possible attack by North Korea, and everyone there was extolling the virtues of the real sourdough which was conceived in Alaska during the Klondike Gold Rush. I just made up that last part. I have no idea when or where people decided to eat the stuff rather than throw it out when it got too ripe. In any event, we were hooked on it and have dutifully stored the starter for use every Sunday thereafter. That would make our starter over 50 years old, but I think I have had to make a new batch every 20 years or so…so it is no world record. But I digress… However, last Sunday said station fea- tured a doctor who was also a poet, and it was his contention, that a patient reading poetry before a procedure, was more likely to submit quietly rather than kicking and screaming. Poetry, in his eyes, was so calm- ing for his patients, that he left copies of his poems around the office for them to read rather than, say, something as challenging as People Magazine. I wonder what the results would have been if he distributed some Dorothy Parker poems about the waiting room. For example, “Razors pain you; rivers are damp; Acids stain you; and drugs cause cramp. Guns aren’t lawful; nooses give; Gas smells awful; you might as well live”. I guess we will never know the efficacy of poetry and its calming effects, but we do know that the Daily News is not interested in promoting a Poetry Corner, for it might put readers to sleep before they could turn to the ads. *** “What am I afraid of? I’ll tell you: a feather. That’s right, a feather. How could anyone be afraid of a feather, you ask? That’s an honest question, and I will try to give it an honest answer. First of all, did I say it was a poison feather?” Jack Handey. *** Did you know that this week is “Older Driver Safe- ty Awareness Week?” I thought not. According to the census bureau, one in five people will be at least 65 years old by the year 2030. Is that not a depressing thought, or what? That same year, near- ly 10 million people will be 85 or older...and an estimat- ed 90% of these old folks will be licensed to drive! Younger people would take their lives in their Robert Minch I Say hands every time they hit the road with these old folks about. Sources say seniors have the highest crash death rate, per mile, of any group except teenagers. To counter these alarming statistics, I propose a bumper sticker which would read “KEEP OLD FOLKS OFF THE ROAD!” Not on my pickup, mind you, but on any other vehicle. You driving elderly people are out there... and you know who you are! *** A couple of us sharp readers caught Ye Editor using the word “refudiate” in his col- umn last week. He responded by saying Sarah Palin had used the word...and covered her gaffe by saying Shakespeare made up words, so why can’t she? Chip said he used the word to see if any of his readers were hip to the Palin anecdote. Sure, R. Ramsey and I got it... after he explained it, of course. *** Last week’s quiz was too easy once again because many readers knew that Gene Autry’s horse was named “Champion,” Roy Rogers rode “Trigger,” Tom Mix rode “Tony” and Buck Jones was mounted on “Silver.” Several readers were resourceful enough to discover that son Brandon named his current horse “Cactus.” This week’s quiz: What would be the opposite of a Night Hawk? A Cat- walk ? Where did Dizzy Gillespie spend a night? And, in the 1938 film “The Adventures of Robin Hood,” Olivia de Havilland rode the horse of which famous cowboy’s? *** RBUHS is starting up their radio station again. To listen, set your FM dial at 93.1. This is nothing new. When we were in high school, back in the ‘40s, Russ Frey’s father owned the local radio station…and we convinced him we should have a program pro- duced and performed by students. He said OK so Russ, myself, Marilyn Dana and Kathleen Bulkely put on the show. We named it “Juvenile Delinquents On The Air” and we started each show with a police siren and the sound of marching feet as though on a chain gang. It was an inspired show for its day, but we soon got into trouble for off color humor and Doctor Frey shut us down. It was alleged that I was responsible for the blue material, as unlikely as that may seem. *** A father often read bible stories to his young children at bedtime. One night he read, “The man named Lot was warned to take his wife and flee out of the city, but his wife looked back and was turned into a pil- lar of salt.” His son asked, "What happened to the flea?” 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.