Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/233106
6A Daily News – Tuesday, December 24, 2013 Opinion Merry Christmas for one and all 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 Sharing our blessings and expressing gratitude for the simple pleasures of life are the hallmarks of humanity and the bulwarks of hope and joy. In every moment each of us has the ability to choose whether to be kind or mean, happy or sad, and compassionate or coldhearted. I feel sorry for the conservatives who, like my colleague whose column appears below the fold, seem to revel in negativity by finding fault with our President, our democratic governance, and those that strive to make America a more equitable place for all her citizens and foreign residents. As residents of northern California we are blessed with bountiful resources and open spaces to live comfortably while enjoying the wonders of creation. Such luxuries are not afforded to most people of the planet and the least we can do is be grateful and be good stewards that protect and equitably share what we have with others. Those that would deny such pleasures to others because they come from foreign lands to eke out an existence, like many or our grandparents did, or that turn a cold shoulder to those that struggle with addiction, homelessness, or hopelessness fail to appreciate that were it not for the grace of God and the kindness of friends and relatives they might face similar struggles. So please spare them and us plati- tudes of hard labors, moral rectitude, and socialistic paranoia to simply share the joys and benefits of livings in this great land. I am grateful that millions of Americans are now being provided with health insurance and preventative medicine that ultimately reduces costs while increasing health care access and efficiency. Those that claim the Affordable Care Act is fatally flawed fail to appreciate that without it medical costs were spiraling out of control and insurance premiums were increasing without any reason to believe they would stabilize. The wealthy few that see their insurance costs increase because they are now members of a broader pool of insured persons should appreciate that they are contributing but a small portion of their large disposable incomes to keep medical costs in check for all and by helping those with disabilities and pre-existing conditions. I am also grateful to live where we are pioneering the implementation of energy efficiency improvements, renewable energy systems, and carbon emission controls that help to address fossil fuel dependence and global warming. These advancements are not without cost and effort in the short term to secure a more sustainable future but provide employment opportunities and immediate environmen- tal benefits. Those that find fault insulting they are inaccurate harmwith these pursuits would have us ful fictions that malign and disparbelieve that things are just peachy- age others with callous disregard of American history and keen as glaciers inexphysiological fact. It is orably recede, sea levels sad that so many selfrise, and climate patrighteous white Ameriterns contort due to cans come to the support unprecedented levels of of one who makes such fossil fuel combustion statements in public and the release of sphere and defend outgreenhouse gasses. moded racist platitudes While such concerns and moralistic judgmay not be significant ments that not even Pope to many adults, they are Francis will support. The issues with which their children and grand-chilRichard next time you might feel compelled to condemn dren must certainly conothers or rationalize tend. inappropriate behavior I Finally I would like hope that you first conto address the millions sider the Golden Rule that are defending Phil and instead do unto othRobertson, a cast memers as you would have ber of the popular A&E done onto you. By network show Duck Dynasty. As you may know, Phil adopting such a practice every day attacked both African Americans could be like tomorrow – a merry and LGBT people in a recent GQ Christmas for one and all. magazine interview – saying that Richard Mazzucchi is a retired African Americans were happier under Jim Crow laws, and equat- research engineer specializing in ing being gay with bestiality and energy efficiency and renewable promiscuity. While Phil has the energy. He has travelled right to express his asinine views extensively and now makes his broadcasters of entertainment pro- home in Los Molinos, where he is gramming have a responsibility to striving to manifest a sustainable censor such offensive stereotypes and spiritual lifestyle and operate and distance themselves from a barbecue equipment and supply business. He can be those that endorse them. Not only were his remarks reached at living-green@att.net. Mazzucchi Positive Point 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) 558-3160; E-mail: governor@governor.ca.gov. U.S. REPRESENTATIVE — Doug LaMalfa 506 Cannon House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515, 202-225-3076. 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; (510) 286-8537. Fax (202) 224-0454. Commentary Duck Patriarch: A man for all seasons Tea Party Patriots have cancelled tonight's, as well as next Tuesday's, meeting to allow fellowship and camaraderie with family and friends. I can speak for my fellow Tea Party Patriots when I offer a hearty "Merry Christmas and Happy New Year" to all. Do put Tuesday the 14th on your calendar as the Patriots plan to have unique four-legged visitors. I refer to the K-9 "officers" serving with the Tehama County Sheriffs Department, who, together with their deputy-handlers, are slated to show us some of their training. Don't miss it. One of my highly-valued resources is "Imprimis" from Hillsdale College, which inculcates the timeless values of America's faith and founding principles in students of their 4-year institution. You can receive this free pamphlet via USPS mail, or via email, by going to Hillsdale.edu and using the "Imprimis" link, which includes archived issues. These essaylength articles are a great way to wind down your day and absorb insightful, illuminating and uplifting thoughts on America's challenges as you drift off. The April Imprimis, "Religion and Public Life in America" informs my thoughts in anticipation of the highest of Holy Days, dedicated to the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. That commemoration, other pivotal events in the life of Jesus, together with recognition and acclamation by vast sections of Americans, is a never-ending source of contention, friction and litigation. This relatively recent trend, unknown in America when founded, reinforces the contention that the greatest accomplishment of Satan was convincing people that he didn't exist; so, it comes as no surprise to find that some deny there is a "War on Christmas." There is a larger, determined and unrelenting war waged against Christianity in this, the very country that included the rights and laws of "Nature and of Nature's God" in our Declaration of Independence and Constitution—that larger war proceeds inexorably through our universities, our news and popular media, our civilian and military institutions, courts, schools and places of business. An address by R. R. Reno of "First Things," Feb. 20 at a Hillsdale College National Leadership Seminar, began: "Religious liberty is being redefined in America, or at least many would like it to be. Our secular establishment wants to reduce the autonomy of religious institutions and limit the influence of faith in the public square. The reason is not hard to grasp. In America, 'religion' largely means Christianity, and today our secular culture views orthodox Christian churches as troublesome, retrograde, and reactionary forces. They're seen as anti-science, antigay, and anti-woman—which is to say anti-progress as the Left defines progress. Not surprisingly, then, the Left believes society will be best served if Christians are limited in their influence on public life. And in the short run this view is likely to succeed." I'll depart from Mr. Reno's address to say that I recently enjoyed re-watching "A Man for all Seasons," about the trials and execution of Sir Thomas More at the behest of King Henry VIII. More refused to positively affirm, and agree with, the king's sacrilegious move to make himself head of a new church, in rejection of the Roman Catholic church and its Pope. This high-handed creation of more traditional-values cable staa king-led-and-centered English tion like The Nashville Network. I found it refreshing church was instigated for to find harsh reaction the sole, and crass, purfrom "social critic and pose of the king allowing openly gay, dissident himself to divorce his feminist Camille queen, prohibited under Paglia," who called the Catholicism. Look up suspension of Robertson those tragic events at outrageous in a nation Wikipedia.org and watch that values freedom. Her that superbly crafted view was that people movie sometime. have the right to think I had cause to reflect whatever they want on how violations of about homosexuality, one's religious confor or against; if they science can be imposed, Don base their views on the currently in the insurance mandates requiring Polson Bible, that is their religious right. "[T]his is religiously devout The way the level of punitive PC, employers and churchutterly fascist, utterly affiliated institutions to I see it Stalinist, OK, that my provide, against their liberal colleagues in the wills, contraception and abortion-inducing drugs through Democratic Party and on college employees' health insurance. Busi- campuses have supported and pronesses and religious institutions are moted over the last several legally fighting to protect their decades," Paglia said. Also, look rights, rights that should require no up "GLAAD: Lethal Enforcers of the Left's Tolerance Mob" by court's approval to maintain. Then, I sensed anti-religious Michelle Malkin. Personally, for my 63rd bigotry in the reaction to the controversial comments on homosexu- birthday last Friday, I considality and sin by "Duck Dynasty" ered 2 headlines to be gifts: star and family patriarch, Phil "Obamacare Is Falling Apart Robertson. First, I'll delicately Before Our Eyes—Obamacare suggest that if a prominent homo- madness, Christmas edition" by sexual had, in the course of a GQ James C. Capretta, Weekly interview, used the same crude Standard, and "Obama Repeals terms to express his intimate per- ObamaCare—Under pressure sonal preferences, little more than from Senate Democrats, the a "tut-tut" over the verbiage would President partly suspends the have ensued. Certainly if that gay individual mandate," Wall man had told the world that he did- Street Journal. More on religious liberty next n't think anything is sinful, the cultural, media and political left week. would have celebrated the imporDon Polson has called Red Bluff tance of being "open-minded." Vociferous protests and cries of home since 1988. He can be by e-mail at censorship would ensue if he was reached then suspended from a show on a donplsn@yahoo.com.