Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/27432
4A – Daily News – Friday, March 18, 2011 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 You can leave your hat on 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 We all wear a lot of hats here at the Daily News thanks to staffing cuts that have been made to trim spending during the down economy. Reporters are covering more beats and attending to clerical duties in the absence of a news clerk, advertising reps are taking on more clients and production, circulation and business departments are full of Swiss army knives able to take on whatever crisis aris- es. My boss, Publisher Greg Stevens, is no exception. He wears as many or more hats that any of us — including one you’re apt to spot him wearing during Round-Up week that is visible from space. Beginning in July, Greg will don the hat of chairman of the Red Bluff-Tehama County Chamber of Commerce. In certain ways, he’s already tried it on for size, being a ringleader for gathering com- munity leaders wanting to offer more and better activities leading up to Round-Up, also known as the 11 Days of Round-Up. This new hat will put him in the middle of news stories from time to time, and such was the case when he spoke up on behalf of the chamber at Tuesday’s City Council meet- ing in Red Bluff. As print journalists, we avoid becoming part of the stories we write. For the most part, if an employee or the spouse or child of an employ- ee is involved in something newsworthy, we will some- times downplay that involve- ment. This varies depending on the story — we’re not here to toot our own horn, but good deeds should be recognized regardless of family connec- tions. In Greg’s case, he was involved in a discussion of general public interest — a proposed street dance and car- nival requiring city approval for street closures during Round-Up. This is likely to happen fairly regular- ly over the coming year, so I want to explain how we han- dle such cases. First, Greg and his comments were rele- vant to the story and needed to be report- ed, as they were. It was made clear he was speaking as pres- ident elect of the chamber, not as the publisher of the Daily News, though the reporter was careful to point out he holds that title, too. You probably recognize this as full disclo- sure. story we write, Greg does not ask to see the story before it runs. This is the poli- cy with all sources, those in this building included. Chip Thompson 545 Diamond Ave. Probably the most impor- tant safeguard we have in place is that, as with any news That includes yours truly. Should I become involved in a news event, all reporting, editing and layout for the stories we produce about that event would be handled by the capa- ble newsroom staff and I would read them for the first time over my morn- ing coffee. When and if that day comes, I will proudly tip my hat to them. Chip Thompson can be reached at 527-2151, Ext. 112, or by e-mail at editor@redbluffdailynews.co m. 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 3070 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. Lions and tigers and bears, oh my Commentary Our wars…and I say “our wars” because we are paying for them in money, lives lost and body parts, were mercifully off the front page lately because of the devastating Japanese quake. Out of sight but not out of mind. Oddly this appalling quake and tsunami has given Gadhafi (4 ways to spell the bastard’s name…this is the DN version) room to clean out the dissidents and restore him to his throne or his camel or whatever he sits on. There is nothing like an earthshaking event…no pun intended, to disrupt attempts to hold a demon- stration in Libya, or the U.S. for that matter. However, our greatest concern, upon hearing of the quake, was that a radioactive cloud from their melted down reactors might drift our west coast way. Of course we have empathy for our neighbors across the Pacific and their great loss, but self preservation begins at home. And speaking of the quiet wars, here are a couple of quotes regarding one of our military leaders, the imposing General Petraeus. He is the much decorated 4 star fellow who looks good in a uniform but is guilty of military speak designed to lessen the impact of body bags i.e. “reduced assets” and the like. Dick Cavett thinks the plethora of medals and ribbons on the general’s chest are a bit over the top. He knows the general is a high ranking officer from the stars on his shoulder but feels his win- dow dressing does nothing to enhance the man and his mission. He likens him to a “flower covered float in the Rose Parade.” And the icing on this cake comes from the great Mort Saul who stated excessive military decorations “are indeed impressive…to a 12-year-old!” So, despite the assertions that we are making head- way in the war zones, many of us now agree that our experiment of imposing the American brand of democracy on other countries and cul- tures has come to an end, we should declare victory and bring our troops home… now! * * * Additional quotes, this time from Mark Twain, who scoffed at those who spoke of themselves in the third person. He said, “The use of ‘we’ should be restricted to the use of Presidents, royalty and tapeworms.” * * * Regarding the Japanese reactor scare, H. Merhoff, M.D. wonders where was our robot technology when we needed it? * * * On the business front, you no longer have to worry how to spell the name of the world’s largest retailer. Their logo began in 1962 as WALMART. Two years later they hyphenated it as WAL- MART. In 1968 they clut- tered it up with “We sell for less WAL-MART Discount City Satisfaction Guaran- teed.” In 1981 they simpli- fied with “WAL-MART” then “WAL*MART,” and now are back to the simple “Walmart”with a starburst at the end. At least they have kept the sign makers employed. * * * Robert Minch I Say Perhaps pontificating from his perch in Par- adise, City Manager Nichols says (regarding the proposed horse running event down Main Street prior to our annual Red Bluff Round- Up), from what he has heard, the horse run- ning was not a highly attended event in the past. This is a distorted and inaccurate pro- nouncement from the pines, sir. Down here at near sea level, the event was thrilling. In days past, the city always cooperated in the promo- tion of the rodeo allowing Pine Street to be blocked off for dances, and encouraged mer- chants to join caravans to other cities to entice them to our main event. The L word (liability) was not an issue. * * * We snicker at foreigners’ attempts, especial- ly over the phone, to speak our language. Per- haps it is no wonder. English can be difficult to speak and interpret. For example, “The ban- dage was wound around the wound….the farm was used to produce produce…the dump was full and had to refuse more refuse…when shot at, the dove dove into the bush… I did not object to the object.” Difficult indeed. * * * I saw a young girl at an intersection the other day, who may not have a promising future. She had a cigarette in hand and was jabbering excit- edly while repeatedly depressing the walk but- ton. Her male companion was staring vacantly across the street and appeared to have little interest in her remarks. She was another overweight teenager, and oblivious to the fact that constant jabs at the button would have little effect on the timed system. Why did I feel there was something wrong with this picture? She was not breaking the law nor contemplating shooting a congresswoman. She just looked as though she was not taking care of herself…and if she doesn’t, no one else will. It was none of my business, but sad to contemplate. It is said that the young are resilient. I hope so. * * * Last week’s quiz was answered first by L. Gaines who knew that Laurel and Hardy’s theme was “The Cuckoo Song,” that Clarence Linden “Buster” Crabbe was the first film Flash Gordon and that Lady Godiva rode through Coventry in her birthday suit. This week’s quiz: How about the music “Thus Spoke Zarathustra,” when was it written, by whom and why should it be familiar to movie goers? * * * In the 90 Years Ago section of the DN of 10 March, the story forecasted a bumper “LAMP CROP,” to which I could only reply, “Watt?” * * * A three-year-old was trying to put on her own shoes all by herself. Seeing her struggling, her mother said, “Honey…your shoes are on the wrong feet!” The little girl replied, “No, mommy…I know them…they are my own feet.” 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.