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6A – Daily News – Tuesday, December 28, 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 Regarding the Lucer letter Editor: Maybe you stopped short of your destination. 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 This is the United States of America where our constitution influenced by Christian values gives you the right to espouse your opinion no matter how stu- pid. However, we are a Christ- ian Nation whether you like it or not. If you are offended by open discussions of Jesus, Christiani- ty, salvation, etc., I suggest you continue on to, let’s say Cuba, Iran, North Korea, just to name a few, where you can be guaran- teed none of the above will be discussed in their daily news print. The question is, will you or your opinion be welcome there? Les Wolfe, Red Bluff Christian representation Editor: Regarding Claire Lucer’s charge that the Daily News is proselytizing for Christianity by printing “stories, poems, and op-eds that openly discuss Jesus...” First, she mistakenly under- stands that printing articles for Christianity implies proselytiz- ing for it, but she does not apply the concept to other subjects. Think accidents, agriculture, local organizations and other subjects covered by the Daily News. Given her logic, would- n’t coverage of them imply proselytizing for them? Second, Christians con- tribute the poems, et al because this is primarily a Christian community and demand for such is given by community readers. Perhaps Ms. Lucer could note the Christian propensity of this community with its array of churches and their activities. Usually materials are provided by local people who should have access to their local paper. In other words, these stories, poems, and op-eds are part of the news of this community. One of the duties of a communi- ty newspaper is to reflect its community. If she has another dimension to reflect, she is wel- come to contribute to the Daily News. I believe the Daily News does a very good job of report- ing “actual news for and about the community.” Christians are a large part of this community, Ms. Lucer, and are represented by this paper, as they should be. Carol Anne Crowley, Los Molinos Unsung hero Editor: Do you realize there is a woman that works at our local animal shelter who goes way above and beyond her call of duty? I cannot tell you how many times I have heard her ask "hey, we have a great — what- ever breed — know anyone that wants one?" I have seen posts on Face- book regarding some of these animals, and I have heard her call various rescues to see if she can find a home for one more animal. I am sure that countless animals have been spared a needle because of her. As a matter of fact, thanks you. Tammy Sheppard, Red Bluff Daily newspaper Editor: I walked into the shel- ter one day about 3 years ago. My daugh- ter wanted to volun- teer, so we were there to get her signed up. That day, a man was bringing in this huge dog. We did not want a dog. We didn't have time for a dog. Through her comments and the dog's behavior — he came in, sat down beside me, nudged my hand and I was putty look- ing into those eyes — we went home with this dog. I must say, this dog, this amazing creature, has been such a blessing in our home. He is loyal. He is loving. He is protective and he is just as gen- tle as he is big — 119 pounds. Thanks, Michelle. Thank you for all you do for those who cannot speak for them- selves. We take him back to the shelter to say hello from time to time. He gallops to to door. He knows he's not staying there. He knows he's there to see Michelle. Thanks Michelle for every life you helped rescue. Maybe this time I can speak for one that can't speak for himself. I know my four-legged human Your Turn I would like to say that I love the Red Bluff Daily News. We've lived in this area for over 6 years, coming from larger cities. It is so refresh- ing to live and read about the comings and goings of the com- munity. Many folks appreciate the fact that the news editors are not afraid to print religious infor- mation. Not only do we get reli- gious, we get the local cattle info and the local high school and college sports info, and even an opinion page that I may choose to disagree with, but am happy that the person who writes that particular article has the right to his opinion. Even though I may disagree with a little here and there, I still will subscribe to this wonderful newspaper. It's a pleasure to read Chip Thompson's column and the article put out by the Firemen, and I even miss the Police Officer's column. So, you newspaper folks, just keep up the good work, there are still many of us who appre- ciate and will continue to sub- scribe. And Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all of you. Judith Savage, Corning 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. The Baby Boom turns 65 Commentary The three words that mem- bers of my generation never thought we’d hear: "aging baby boomers." But the first boomers — defined by the United States Census Bureau as individuals born between 1946 and 1964 — will be turning 65 on Jan. 1, beginning the inexorable shift of the "Me Generation" to the "Bathe Me Generation." Yes, the oldest members of the movers and shakers of soci- ety will find themselves need- ing Metamucil to have move- ment ("Hell no! We can’t go!") and depending on $4 generics to stop the shaking. To be fair, the rebellious van- guard boomers — still chal- lenging tradition — are deter- mined not to glide into a retire- ment of rocking chairs and courthouse square whittling benches. They intend to stay more physically and mentally active than the stereotypical senior citizen — "I’ll use a walker – but only if it’s light enough for rappelling, man." They’ll continue to champi- on social justice — "Hair plugs to the people!!!!" They’ll partake of the 4:30 early bird special only if they get the munchies — The pizza here is too hard. Oh, wait – that’s my Cheech & Chong LP I was chewing. Whoa." By its sheer size, the boomer generation has transformed society every step of the way, affecting school construction, advertising campaign focus and racial equality. Sometimes soci- ety’s kowtowing goes to extremes — "Okay, we got the Colorado River redirected. But now the boomers are question- ing the whole ‘rock beats scis- sors’ ethic. Quick. Call a con- ference of the Vatican, the Unit- ed Nations, and the AFL-CIO." The boomers have redefined hair length, fashion and dating. I’m confident that the retiring professionals among the boomers will bring their own flair to senior citizen cranki- ness. — "I’ll have my people call your people and tell you kids to get off my $#@& lawn!" But what forces shaped the boomers themselves? Certainly rock music helped define the generation, and alas, will con- tinue to do so. The Who and Bob Dylan will have to travel back to the recording studio for "Talkin’ About My Defibrilla- tion" and "The Depends, They Need A-Changin’." Many analysts have blamed pediatrician Dr. Benjamin Spock for encouraging par- ents to rear a spoiled, self-centered genera- tion. The fault actual- ly lies with the pub- lisher for leaving out the pivotal last page of his best-selling book "Baby and Child Care": "Not!" cover’ under their desks when the aster- oid hit?" Disillusioning Danny Tyree The formative years of the boomers weren’t the squeaky clean world of the ‘50s sitcoms, but it was a time before AIDS, terrorist threats and outsourcing. It was an era when the only metal detector in school was the insufferable kid sitting next to you, who would announce to everyone, "Hey, look! Suzie has braces! Can you pick up as many stations as my transistor radio?" Schools beefed up science education when the Soviets launched Sputnik, but Cold War hysteria hampered the teaching of biology — "Why couldn’t the dinosaurs just ‘duck and Tyrades! events — the Kennedy and King assassina- tions, the Vietnam War, Watergate, the cancellation of "My Mother, The Car" — plagued those first boomers when they came of age. And the disillusionment keeps on coming. The first boomers always assumed some benign puppeteer to be the man pulling the strings for the iconic Howdy Doody, but WikiLeaks recently revealed that the mas- termind all along was…Dick Cheney. Was it contractor Hal- liburton that paid Clarabell the Clown to remain silent all those years? Only future leaks will tell. Danny welcomes reader e- mail responses at tyreetyrades@aol.com. Danny’s’ weekly column is distributed exclusively by Cagle Cartoons Inc. newspaper syndicate.