Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/23764
8A – Daily News – Wednesday, January 26, 2011 Opinion Evolution, God Editor: 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 I am a freshman at RBHS. First and foremost, I am a Chris- tian and believe that God created us in his image, but I also believe in evolution. No, I am not saying that I 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 believe the human race originates from monkeys, that is just a theo- ry in which someone else with different opinions and viewpoints came up with. I actually believe that evolution is not saying how we got here, but how we adapt. Throughout history, the envi- ronment and population of all species has changed. This is called natural selection. There are four parts of natural selection: overpopulation, which states there are more organisms that are produced than the actual amount that survives; the second is genetic variation, which is say- ing that within a species, every organism has different traits; struggling to survive is the third part of natural selection, which is an organisms chance to survive and reproduce, and also how a better adapted organism is more fit to survive; and lastly, differen- tial reproduction, or how popula- tions differ as the species adapts to a new environment, even if they descend from the same ancestors. Not one of Darwin's theories concludes that humans come from a completely different species. Therefore, in my opin- ion, it is unnecessary to bring Christianity or any other religion into the picture. I would also like to point out that Nancy Godina should have let her son learn about these the- ories and learn about another's opinion so he could make his own decision. I completely understand her wanting him to believe in what she does, but she can't force him into believing something. Lastly, I would like to address those who have commented on the article online. Not all, but quite a few were very offensive and completely disrespectful. Yes, as humans we have different beliefs, but to go to someone, without attaching your name, and tell them they are wrong because they don't have the same belief as you is criminal. If you disagree, you can sim- ply state your theory and that is it, rather than being animalistic about the situation. I by no means want anyone to feel disrespected by what I've mentioned, my only intent is to help others see the flaws in their actions regarding the article and for the others, to help them understand where another person is coming from. Ali Milroy, Red Bluff Godina's letter Editor: I am writing in response to Ms. Godina’s letter to the editor on Jan. 8. Ms. Godina if you had gone to Back to School Night, you would have heard about Mrs. Brown teaching the Dar- win Theory this year to her class, and therefore you could have dealt with this privately at an earlier time. If your religious values were really that strong then why did you break your promise to fam- ily, friends and God and get a divorce? Is trying to degrade the teachers, schools, principal, the district and your son also part of those values? What did you teach your son about your beliefs? You talk about your rights. What are your son’s views on this subject? Did he agree with you, or did he want to learn about Darwin’s Theory? Did he have a choice, or did you deny him the right to choose and the freedom to explore his own reli- gious and educational views? Did you ask him if he would like you to send the letter to the editor on his behalf? I hope for your son’s sake that he hasn’t felt the repercussions from his fellow classmates because of the choices you made. It sounds like you’re denying your son an important part of his education, and I hope you reconsider your choice. I also hope that you will make a pub- lic apology to Mrs. Brown, Mr. Yates, the school, and Red Bluff School District. This was your mistake not theirs. Bad tea parties Editor: At last, my husband and I attended a tea party. My main reason was curiosity, we've heard so much. Most of it bad. Apparently the radicals didn't attend that night. I was sorry there weren't young adults there since they're getting stuck with all the bills our elected officials have run up. They haven't fig- ured it out yet. It was inspiring to say the least. The people were courte- ous, respectful, warm and friendly. It was such a good feeling to see other people who care about our country. The wasteful spending, the decep- tion we're fed by candidates for election. etc. We vote mostly on the basis of what little we've heard or read and those booklets that come with our ballots. We can't wait to go next week. They served cookies and coffee. This tea party invites candi- dates and elected officials for Your Turn talks that enable us hopefully to make a better decision on elec- tion day. It gives us a chance to listen to other people's views and figure it out for themselves. They also attend local meetings for Red Bluff. Any person is welcome, no matter what party they belong to. I've never been political until the last 10 years when I realized what's hap- pening all around us. I was convinced it was too late, but I don't think so since the last election and knowing Michelle Clark, Red Bluff we have our tea party on the job. For free. No big bucks, no ben- efits, nothing but knowing this is right. They can call it whatev- er they want, we're bad, we're bias, etc. More lies and look at who is calling who bias. The blaming of Sarah Palin and Russ Limbaugh for the tragedy in Tucson should embarrass that sheriff to no end. A Pima County Sheriff, can you believe it? Apparently the shooter wasn't political at all. Nancy Pelosi and others won't be happy until all the newspapers are gone, talk radio is shut down, our guns are banned, anything that gives us information to keep this country free is under their control. Apparently that sheriff didn't do an adequate job himself and he's been at it for 35 years. Shame, shame. I remember when the tea party marched on the capital about Obamacare. Didn't do any good, they don't listen to us, they still shoved it down our throats. All the more rea- son for an organization like this. All I can say is God bless all those willing to fight the fight. Bernice Cressy, Cottonwood 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 — Jerry Brown, 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. Metaphor madness Commentary “Now that I've had a chance to think about it, I probably could have used a different metaphor.” “This is going to be good. Please explain.” “I've been coaching our high school's basketball team for a long time. We don't have the most tal- ented kids, but we have the most heart. I've developed quite a knack for firing them up before big games.” “Firing up?” “We were about to play our archenemy in our biggest game of the year -- but our kids wouldn't get the lead out. They should have been warming up, but instead sat around, shooting the breeze.” “That's no good.” “I understood why, though. They were still shellshocked over the loss we suffered a few days before. That game was murder.” “Shellshocked! Murder!” “Well, they figured I was going to console them, but I came at them with both barrels blazing. I told them point-blank that they were at fault for the loss. They were not prepared and went off –“ “Half-cocked?” “That's right. I called out my guard for having an itchy trigger finger -- he'd rather shoot than pass and he couldn't hit the broad side of a barn with a bazooka.” “Oh, my goodness.” “Well, after I shamed them a while, I figured it was time to start building them back up. I told them we're bloody but unbowed. Then I threw down the gauntlet. I told them it was no time to retreat; it was time to –“ “Reload?” “That's right. We needed to bite the bullet, after all. We had a real pitched battle ahead of us. Our opposition had a lot of weapons. If we had any hope of beating them, we had to draw first blood.” “How did the game go?” “Son of a gun if we didn't anni- hilate our archenemy. We started slow in the first period, but our kids stuck to their guns. The momentum shifted our way. It was like shooting fish in a barrel. But that's when my metaphors got me into trouble.” “Trouble?” “I assembled our kids after the game. I praised them for their excellent play. I told them the rest of the season was up to them -- it was a shot in the dark, but if we didn't shoot ourselves in the foot, we might make the playoffs.” “And that got you in trouble?” “One kid's father overheard my speech. He's had me in his sights all year and finally had a clear shot. He com- plained to the school that my metaphors were vit- riolic. He complained to the police that I was inciting violence. I was suspended as a coach and the cops may press charges.” metaphors really mean? Really? Have you ever seen anyone shoot fish in a barrel?” “A fair point.” “Everything is back- Tom Purcell “In these highly sensitive times, it might be a good idea to choose your metaphors more carefully.” “That may be true. Nobody ever accused me of being a great orator or choosing the best metaphors. Still, they're just metaphors. But apparently weak- minded people think we're too stupid to understand what ward, if you ask me. In the process of trying to attribute rational, politi- cal motives to a crazy man, people in the media and political arena make themselves look, well, crazy. Now they're afraid to use such metaphors at all. They're missing the tar- get. They need to take more careful aim.” “You can't help yourself with the metaphors, can you?” “Not by a long shot.” ——— Tom Purcell, a humor columnist for the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, is nationally syndicated exclusively by Cagle Cartoons newspaper syndicate. Visit Tom on the Web at www.TomPurcell.com or e-mail him at Purcell@caglecartoons.com.