Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/266182
6A Daily News – Tuesday, February 25, 2014 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 Opinion During District Attorney Greg Cohen's time with the Tea Party Patriots, he did his best to provide attendees a frank, if somewhat bru- tal, picture of the state of criminal prosecution and justice in Tehama County. Given the harsh reality of civic life under the imposed incar- ceration standards of AB 109, or "realignment," Mr. Cohen used his hands to simplify the quandary fac- ing local criminal prosecutors: Holding one hand at a level above his head, he explained that that represented the relative num- ber of crimes considered "serious" or "felonies." His other hand was above his head but a bit short of the first hand. He explained that that hand represented how many of those serious crimes would have resulted in state prison terms prior to AB 109, Gov. Brown's response to judicially mandated reductions of inmate populations. The euphemism "realignment" says simply that criminals are remanded back to local and county jails, pro- bation and enforcement person- nel—all never designed nor intend- ed to deal with serious and repeat offenders who deserve hard time in state penitentiaries. Then he moved the second hand down near his waist to dramatical- ly illustrate the level of those crimes that will realistically result in a state prison sentence. His pros- ecutors know this, law enforce- ment knows this, and the criminals know it all too well. State Senator Jim Nielsen has labored mightily to call attention to the terrible injus- tice of it all, while disingenuous Democrat and news media mouth- pieces downplay the obvious surge of resulting crime. It calls for citi- zens to take their own security in hand—handguns carried with proper permits wherever possi- ble—because when seconds count, the police are only minutes away. I did not put Cohen on the spot with a question about how things could be different if Tehama Coun- ty, together with similarly minded rural counties of California, were no longer under the judicial and legal authority of Sacramento. It's not his issue but it is mine to the extent of being able to think through some applicable scenarios. Existing state prisons could be acquired for some reasonable terms. Over time, inmates originat- ing from California could be returned there; likewise, inmates in California from the counties form- ing the State of Jefferson would transfer here. Correctional officers would be informed that their employment is terminated unless they wish to take pay reductions more reflective of the market rate for such personnel, absent union- driven exorbitant salaries and ben- efits. New prisons, if required, could be built far more economi- cally without the outrageous, man- dated union scales of "prevailing wage" rules. Rather than turning serious offenders loose on innocent civil- ian populations, they could be packed to the walls until such new facilities are completed, including field-tent operations for the low- risk prisoners that have earned such security arrangements. If judges decide against the State of Jefferson's prison regimen, let them get their like-minded judges together and try to enforce their judicial fiats. Prisoner health care? Just the basics, please. Anyone saying the State of Jef- ferson would be short of potential revenue for things as basic as law enforcement, prosecution and incarceration, should consider how much revenue would come from a booming economy, labor force and retail business- es free of sales taxes. Blessed with abundant opportunities no longer present in the over-regu- lated, over-taxed, highly welfare-dependent Cali- fornia status quo, jobs would explode. A truly conservative governor and legislature would, first and foremost, pro- vide essential security to Jeffersonian citizens. They could also figure out how anyone with the means and desire to start a business could be expedited through a streamlined permitting process—let the mov- ing vans be welcomed at our bor- ders and unload the productive but formerly "Californi-cated" people yearning for economic freedom here. In fact, with a few more states like Jefferson, the balance could even tip in Washington toward a more conservative Senate and an Electoral College advantage in presidential elections. Upon Oba- macare's repeal, free-market solu- tions to health care affordability and access could more easily be implemented, particularly by allowing states the flexibility they need, not currently available under Medicaid mandates, to provide health care to the truly indigent. On a related note, Covered Cal- ifornia follies proceed apace: "Facing a $78 million budget shortfall, California's ObamaCare exchange has spent $1.37 million to fund an outreach featuring exer- cise guru Richard Simmons gyrat- ing on the floor and hugging a contortionist who is kneeling with his buttocks in the air." (Noted by NorCal Republican State Sena- tor, Ted Gaines, report- ed by Foxnews.com, 1/30) "In California, poli- cies for about 900,000 Californians are being canceled because of ObamaCare's man- dates, and about two- thirds of these do not qualify for subsidies. The result: These folks will be paying higher premiums." (1/04, Chicago Tribune) About 500,000 were enrolled in Covered California through Dec. 31 (latimes.com). So, almost twice as many lost insurance as were signed up for Obamacare in our state, same ratio as the whole nation. Finally, I offer my antagonistic colleague some cheese (a little brie, perhaps?) to go with his "whine," as I see it, over our local "extremely conservative climate," "animosity among the electorate," my "continuous diatribes," as well as apparent supporters who "don't hesitate to condemn and vilify," with "harangues" directed at "everyone who speaks to the con- trary." Poor besieged liberal! Did Joan of Arc ever have such a bur- den? Don Polson has called Red Bluff home since 1988. He can be reached by e-mail at donplsn@yahoo.com. Crime and punishment — Jefferson style? Commentary N EWS D AILY RED BLUFF TEHAMA COUNTY 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 Don Polson The way I see it 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 Fein- stein (D), One Post Street, Suite 2450, San Francisco, CA 94104; (415) 393- 0707. Fax (415) 393-0710. Barbara Boxer (D), 1700 Mont- gomery St., Suite 240, San Francisco, CA 94111; (510) 286-8537. Fax (202) 224-0454. Your officials While last year was the driest year in 119 years of record keep- ing in California it bears a notable resemblance to a crippling drought in 1976 and 1977 decreasing the likelihood it is the result of global warming. Whatever the cause, the effects are made worse by climatic change putting President Obama's recent remarks in Fresno linking it to California's water crisis on solid ground. A United Nations report released last September finds that scientists are 95% certain that at least half of climate change in the last fifty years is due to human activity. Much to the chagrin of cli- mate change deniers this is due to such things as driving cars, run- ning power plants on coal and oil, torching swathes of forestland and debris and anything involving burning carbon-based fuels and emitting greenhouse gases. According to the report we are see- ing the consequences of this already in extreme weather pat- terns, particularly drought and flood, and they will get much worse absent worldwide mitiga- tion efforts like carbon sequestra- tion and emissions controls. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry echoed these sentiments in an official statement to an interna- tional audience last week by say- ing "Those who deny the science or choose excuses over action are playing with fire. Once again, the science grows clearer, the case grows more compelling, and the costs of inaction grow beyond any- thing that anyone with conscience or common sense should be will- ing to even contemplate." For Cal- ifornians, both northern and south- ern, the drought of 2013 should serve as a wake-up call to preserve water and reduce carbon emis- sions. California has been warming along with most regions of the United States, and temperatures in recent months have been markedly higher than during the 1976-77 drought. In some of the state's most important agricultural regions, including here in the Sacramento valley, this winter seems to have lasted only a couple weeks with high temperatures of 10 or 15 degrees above normal much of the time. As a conse- quence any moisture we do get evaporates more rapidly, intensify- ing the effects of the drought on agriculture in particular. So while we are going through a pattern we've seen before we're doing it in a warmer environment. All this being said, and still debated at nauseam by a diminish- ing but fervid minority of climate change deniers in the wake of Wally Herger, the informed among us are taking responsible action. These actions involve some sacri- fice but also include minimizing consumption of natural resources by ensuring efficient use and applying methods to meet our needs more sustainably. Specifi- cally here are some things we do: 1) stop watering lawns in the heat of the day using sprinklers, or bet- ter yet landscape with only drought resistant plants and materials, 2) use Energy-Star rated front loading clothes washers and dishwash- ers, 3) ride the Trax bus to work and shop, 4) drive a hybrid or all- electric vehicle sized to efficiently meet needs, 5) ensure homes and businesses are right sized, well insulated and conditioned with heat-pumps and/or solar energy, 6) install solar or heat-pump water heaters, 7) use smart meter to bet- ter manage and control electricity use particularly during hot sum- mer days, 8) purchase or lease solar electricity systems, 9) recy- cle, reuse, and repurpose items, 10) teach children and adults how to use resources wisely and make sustainable purchasing decisions choosing locally produced items with minimal packaging and max- imal efficiency, and 11) support research, development, and incen- tive programs that develop, pro- mote and utilize resource use effi- ciency and clean energy technolo- gy. It is irresponsible to argue that nothing can or should be done about climate change because it may be only the result of natural phenomena beyond human control. Must we have unequiv- ocal proof of causation before acting prudently to help ensure our com- mon good? I think not, particularly in light of the fact that by helping protect the climate you save money in the long run by reducing both the demand and cost for the resources you use while making our world a better place for all. If you are predis- posed to view climate change as some con- spiracy cooked up by over-zealous environmentalists and liberal loonies promoting themselves, I suggest you learn more about the topic from unbi- ased sources by at least consider- ing the possibility and ask the question "climate change is upon us – now what?" Richard Mazzucchi is a retired research engineer specializing in energy efficiency and renewable energy. He has travelled extensively and now makes his home in Los Molinos, where he operates a barbecue equipment and supply business. He can be reached at living-green@att.net. Climate change is upon us – now what? Richard Mazzucchi Positive Point