Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/32432
4A Daily News – Thursday, May 26, 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 Graduation at Vista Middle School changes Editor: 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 I started writing this letter as a comment to the letter previously written on May 17, submitted by Erika Manasco. There was an article written previous to that about the graduation at Vista Middle School. I read the previous article and also heard and felt the anger that was evident in some of the comments. I also felt the hurt I do not have a child at Vista Middle School. I do however have many friends with children that attend this school. I have spo- ken to several people (chil- dren and adults) concerning this issue. As Ms. Manasco stated, we rural community members like change to come slow and gradual. We also like some sort of warning that it is com- ing. We are unaccustomed to being hit by a freight train changing something that we had been counting on and looking forward to for several months and years. In my conversations, I real- ized something about each person — they were hurt and felt robbed. If they had been given more notice, they might not feel the same, however, they were not. This news was dropped on them with very little warning. I have had two children graduate from Vista Middle School. The ceremonies were not ostentatious. They hon- ored the accomplishments of the graduates and yet left something to look forward to for high school graduation. We now expect our eighth- graders to know what they want to go to college for and we encourage them to join groups like CJSF. I fear that if we do not acknowledge the accomplishments that they achieve, with some valor, we threaten to squelch their desire to achieve. So, I respectfully request Mr. Yates, Mr. McCoy and the School Board, please consid- er, if time permits, moving the Vista graduation ceremo- ny back to the Red Bluff High School football field in the evening in keeping with the tradition and honor of our small community of past, pre- sent and future generations. thank You. Sonja Akers, Red Bluff Injured duck Editor: An occurrence last Wednesday left me highly frustrated. A Muscovy duck living in the park was attacked by a dog and I wanted to find some help for him. I called my vet but they said that they could- n’t take him but told me to try Shasta Wildlife. I went online and searched Shasta Wildlife and the page that came up had Tehama Wildlife on it also, so I decided to call them, but it turned out to be in Anderson which is really in Shasta county not Tehama County. The lady who answered we take the duck there. When we got there they started to declined but one of the per- sonnel made a phone call and said they could take him to get euthanized. Your Turn was nice enough to tell me how to get out there but said she had to go to Red Bluff. She gave me the directions to the refuge but I couldn’t understand why I couldn’t meet her here in Red Bluff instead of taking the painfully injured duck all the way to Anderson. I did ask what vet the refuge used and she told me. I decided to call them here in Red Bluff and they told me that I had to be a licensed cer- tified person connected to wildlife to be able to bring the duck in. The Muscovy duck is declared a domestic and is not covered by California Fish and Game, but all the other ducks are. My neighbor called Ani- mal control in Red Bluff but got no answer. She suggested One other thing troubles me, the geese are considered domestic also but yet run wild in Red Bluff River Park. I did read the sign there and it states the area is operated and maintained by the city of Red Bluff. It also states California Fish and Game has control over wildlife. The geese are constantly assailed by running dogs and rocks thrown at them. What happens to them when they get hurt or sick? The city or wildlife? Monica Ernst, Red Bluff President Obama's trip to Ireland Editor: I did not vote for President Obama, but I respect the fact that he is the president of our country. This week, the US President went to Ireland, where he proclaimed his Irish roots. Obama is about as Irish as a shot of tequila. Come on. Vickie Darnell, 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 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. Obama’s Israel foreign policy ‘codifying insanity’ Commentary "You never know how much you really believe anything until its truth or falsehood becomes a matter of life and death to you." – C.S. Lewis Perspective is the ability to perceive something in its proper context. The Bible’s King David had perspective when, as a teen, he was found standing eyeballs- to-bellybutton with the gargan- tuan man-killer Goliath. Having only a sling and a few stones in- hand and his faith in God in his heart, David assessed the situa- tion, his surroundings, and decided to go for it. From David's view, aloft the mighty power of God, he was actually looking down on Goliath, who didn't stand a chance. David had the right perspective. Thousands of years later, dur- ing World War II, another hero stood against all odds, but his perspective saved the day. Then Lieutenant Colonel Creighton Abrams and his troops found themselves surrounded by the enemy, and rather than accept defeat, Abrams chose to fight. He is quoted saying, "For the first time in the history of this campaign, we are now in a posi- tion to attack the enemy in any direction.” And so it is with Israel in 2011. Humor me long enough to imagine yourself as a citizen of a country that is the size of a city like Houston, Los Angeles or Toronto. Also consider that as an inhabitant of this speck on the map, you must spend your every waking moment wondering if this day will be your last. Will the enemies which utterly sur- round you fulfill their unified commitment to destroy you and your loved ones - simply because you exist? And every day, Israel, led by Prime Minis- ter Benjamin Netanyahu, look their enemy in the eye and stand their ground. They have the right perspective, but our president does not. One can only hope President Barack Obama is up to speed on the state of Middle East affairs and especially the Fatah-Hamas alliance and their vow to destroy Israel. The heinous statement suggesting that Israel give up land they fought hard for is not naïveté’, but cognizant, repre- hensible and malevolent intent. The attempt to backpedal, as soon as the clicking sound of closing Jewish campaign donor pocketbooks was heard – is quite telling. While other U.S. presidents have made admirable attempts to make peace in the Middle East, Obama is the first to turn his back on Israel, while trying to give to the Palestinians what was never theirs to begin with. There is no country of Palestine nor has there ever been. Prior to the infamous 1967 Six Day War, Israel made every effort to avoid conflict by attempting negotia- tions with its hostile neighbors only to be met with threats, taunts and harassments. In 1963, the Arab League organized the Palestine Liberation Organiza- tion (PLO), whose charter called for Israel’s destruction. The PLO’s guerrillas attacked Israeli citizens 35 times in 1965, 41 in 1966 and 37 in the first quarter of 1967, infil- trating Israel from Jor- dan, the Gaza Strip and Lebanon. Shedding light on the motivation for all the attacks, Egyptian president Gamal Abdel Nasser explained, “The danger of Israel lies in the very existence of Israel, “promising Arabs would enter Palestine “with its soil saturated in blood.” From 3000 feet above Galilee atop the Golan Heights, Syria joined the attacks by shelling Israeli farms and vil- lages forcing women and chil- dren to live in bomb shelters. Having no choice - after the United Nations refused to inter- vene on its behalf and America’s State Department said America would remain “neutral in thought, word and deed.” - Israel proceeded into war alone. In the end, Israel brilliantly captured the Sinai, Gaza Strip, West Bank, Golan Heights- thereby unifying Jerusalem. From that time, Susan Brown forward, every honest attempt Israel makes in self-defense becomes twisted and contorted into an alternate version of reality. A Middle East expert friend of mine recently told me, “We are in effect codifying insanity by formulat- ing policy based on the legiti- macy of the emotional and hys- terical Muslim view of the world, which bears no resem- blance to historical or political reality.” It truly is all about perspec- tive. Susan Stamper Brown is an op-ed columnist, motivational speaker, military family advocate and grief counselor who writes about politics, the military, the economy and culture. she can be reached at susan@susanstamperbrown.co m.