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4A Daily News – Friday, May 27, 2011 Opinion It is what it is, even when it isn’t 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 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 A memorable article in a trade publication I read a few years back took a poke at a lot of the cliches that seem to crop up in board rooms, even in the newspaper business, where we pride ourselves on our words. This particular author took excep- tion to the phrase “It is what it is.” The last time I saw that magazine was on the dresser in the guest room at my mother’s house, so I won’t quote from the article. The line that stood out, though, was the question: Is anyone seriously suggesting that it isn’t what it is? How is this phrase useful in any way? You’ll notice a new feature in today’s edition of the Daily News, on page 3A, from an outfit named Food on the Table. The weekly column will feature recipes, shopping tips and other information with one goal in mind — helping you get food on the table for your family. Our goals in the newspaper busi- ness include helping you stay informed, manage your budget, live better and keep healthy, so Food on the Table seems like a good fit. In addition to the weekly columns, visiting foodonthetable.com will help guide you through planning, budgeting, shopping and preparing meals that fit your lifestyle, tastes and pock- etbook. In short, Food on the Table is what it is, and we hope you will enjoy it. No news is... Talking with a friend at lunch, he questioned what the 24-hour news cycle does when nothing much happens on a particular day. Volumes could be written on that topic, but you can make up your own mind about how electronic media handle the slow days. What about when a news event is, essentially, planned and doesn’t come to pass? That happened recently when Ger- ber’s own, ahem, Assemblymen Jim Nielsen was scheduled to hold a fundraising breakfast at an upscale restaurant in Eureka. Political fundraisers outside our coverage area are not normally something of which we would take notice, but I received an email the night before saying a large protest was planned outside the restaurant. Heck, the Times-Stan- dard in Eureka is a sister paper and it may be of interest to our readers if a large crowd gathered to give our local man what for, so I sent a note to the newsroom asking for whatever coverage it might get. Here’s the response I Chip Thompson 545 Diamond Ave. received the next day. “Chip, “We sent a photograph- er as we were notified very late last night that it was to happen. Our photographer called from the spot and reported: NADA. He said there appeared to be a fun time going on inside Aval- on. I was going to suggest he take a picture of an empty street in front of the restaurant and run a caption: ‘What happens if you call a protest and nobody shows up.’ “Dave” It is what it is, even when it isn’t. Chip Thompson can be reached at 527-2151, Ext.112 or by e-mail at editor@redbluffdailynews.com. Your Turn Think you are a man? Think again Editor: Yesterday the little business opposite my downtown building was robbed. In broad day- light. Today, I took flowers and eggs in to the little Mexican lady and tried to say sorry — to my shame I don’t speak Spanish. Why so sorry? Because two men stuck a gun in her mouth, tied and bound her and stole every cent from her ice cream shop. I am ashamed that we have so called men here in Tehe- ma County who would and could do this. They call themselves men. No, in reality, you are bastards — and dear Lord forgive my lan- guage Chris Copley, 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. It’s the thoughts that count Commentary Our family has received a great quantity of cards, letters and e mails regarding Mada- lyn’s recent demise. The volume was unex- pected only in the sense that she had spent most of adult life in L.A. However, she was very popular when a student at Red Bluff Union High, and many messages are from her former classmates. Altogether it was a great show of affection and our family appreciates your concern. Son Brandon and daughters Melody and Maralyn, to use a baseball metaphor, stepped up to the plate and made life more bearable for us when they went to Los Angeles, made arrangements, and returned with Madalyn’s urn, which now sits atop the desk in her room at the ranch. It may not be the final denouement...but it is a start. * * * Small world department: Daughter Melody Konte was advertising director for the Marin Independent Journal for many years until she decided on a change of venue. She is now Marketing Director for a company called “At Home Caregivers” based in Novato. Anyhow, she had an assignment to check up on a promi- nent Marin Insurance Broker and man about town, who was under the weather. As she was filling in the blanks at his home, she casually mentioned that she was originally from Red Bluff. Hearing that, her patient perked up and replied that he knew of Red Bluff and a broker therein by the name of Minch. Melody’s eyes flashed with acknowledgement, told him her maiden name was Minch...and the story played out as follows. Shortly after I entered the real estate business, I received a call from Judge Harold Brown in S.F. He had purchased 80 acres out west of town and asked if I would keep an eye on it. I did and over the years we became good friends. He, by the way, was brother to former Governor Pat Brown and uncle to the present Governor Jerry. Upon the Judges’ demise, the property accrued to his daughter Helen and son Harold Jr. Thus our relations with the Browns continue to this day. Harold Jr. is a guiding force in Marin and the longest serving Supervisor in the County, being 25 years in office! His bio says he is well known for his casual dress (a man after my own heart) and has been recognized for his years of dedication to wildfire protection, and open space preservation. It is said that his constituents benefit from his keen and energetic enthusiasm. He even has a park named after him! Hal Brown is a fine fel- low and we wish him a speedy recovery. * * * Lee Pitts, writing in the Northern California Farm Credit News, compares the efficiency of tractors and ATVs to the horse. Fuel costs: Although grain and hay prices have risen, it is still cheaper to fuel up a horse than to fill up a tractor…and besides, who would you rather be enriching, corn farmers in Iowa or oil sheiks in Saudi Arabia? And when it comes to environmental considerations, tractors and ATVs allegedly produce climate altering pollutants, whereas a horse produces a col- orless and odorless gas that can be dead- ly…ask a horseshoer. Though tractors pro- duce emissions that are highly flammable, he says he has never been drunk enough to see if a horses’ emissions will catch fire. Lee Pitts is a funny guy. * * * Patrons of Tri County Bank might call to their attention the bank owned eyesore prop- erty on Antelope, which is the former home of R & R Furniture. The bank foreclosed but the property remains, after nearly a year, in disarray with garish painting on the win- dows...and enough weeds to start a weed pharmacy, should the need for such ever arise. Tsk, tsk. * * * Robert Minch I Say Last week’s quiz was answered early by N. Ricks who knew that the Empire State building would be taller than the Queen Mary if the latter were stood on end, that the longest word used by Shakespeare is honorifica- bilitudinitatibus, and that early golf balls were not filled with sheep drop- pings, but with feathers. This week’s quiz: What is J.D.Salinger’s full name, Ernest Hemingway’s middle name...and W.H. Auden’s full name. And while you are at it, my middle name. * * * Why dogs may be better companions than women: Dogs love it when your friends come over. Dogs think you sing great. They do not expect you to call when you are run- ning late. In fact, the later you are, the more eager they are to see you. They will forgive you for playing with other dogs. They don’t even notice if you call them by another dog’s name. And, you never have to wait for a dog. They are ready to go 24 hours a day. * * * It is said puns are the lowest form of humor. A guy went to a séance and flew into a temper because the psychic was laughing her head off at fooling the gullible public. So he hit her. He was subsequently arrested for striking a happy medium. Want ad bloopers: “Man wanted to work in dynamite factory. Must be willing to travel.” “For Sale: Large crystal vase by lady slightly cracked.” “Wanted: Antique desk suitable for lady with thick legs and large drawers.” 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.