Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/32977
4A Daily News – Wednesday, June 1, 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 Just wondering 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 Editor: I have a question. If mari- juana becomes legal and peo- ple can grow it to profit from or for personal use in their homes, how long before the Mexican drug cartels and the gangs start terrorizing and killing off the competition? I see lots of home inva- sions and murders happening. We don’t have the manpower or judicial system to handle the trouble they cause now. Our government won’t or can’t protect our borders from this invasion as it is. Would be a good use of our military rather than having them messing around in other countries. How long before the Mexi- can drug cartels govern us instead of our own? The Americans that purchase their products keep them in busi- ness, profitable business that they won’t be interested in giving up. Just wondering. Kelly Walen, Red Bluff In agreement with Polson Editor: I seldom agree with any- thing Polson has to say, and today (May 16) I did have some difficulty getting past his first, defensive, para- graph. But then - he started making sense. Teachers have no reason to gripe about their salaries. They are more than adequately compensated and they’re over protected against termination. In private employment, unionized or not, it you can’t do the job you’re gone. Not so with teachers. I was fortunate getting my education in Tehama County. I had exceptional teachers here; Mr. Rich at Lassen View, Mr. Coleman, Mr. Yeo- man, Mr. Rogers, Ms. Brooks at Red Bluff high. Do we have any of their quality around now? I do disagree with his assessment of the origins of organized labor. Companies did not reward the most pro- ductive workers as a policy. Contrarily, they underpaid everyone. Until Henry Ford signed the deal with the UAW he was barely making it. Afterward, wages went up, everybody bought a Ford and capitalism was self-sustain- ing. Fred Boest, Red Bluff Land of the Free Editor: Kudos must go to Dave Demo of the Corning Fire Department for his valiant efforts to fly the US Flag along Corning's main thor- oughfare (Solano Street) - they look magnificent, proud- ly fluttering in the breeze. Kudos also to the Corning City Council for having fixed the possible damage present- ed to the flags by nearby trees. This done without any further fuss or ado!! On the subject of the flag..... Today was a moving, poignant and sad, yet uplifting cere- mony in observation of Memorial Day held at the Ceme- tery down in Corn- ing. I was so pleased to see such a huge turnout - the likes of which many a larger City couldn't (and simply, don't) replicate. The number of younger folks in atten- dance brought tears, I am sure to many, including this former(British) Royal Marine, standing in the land of the free who took great personal pride and pleasure in saluting the Flag pf the United States of America, here today. Chris Copley, Corning Readers missed my point Editor: After my comments about President Obama were print- ed in May 26th's newspaper, I have been called ignorant and racist by Mr. Mazzucchi, defended by Mr. Atwell, and have received interesting comments from Corning resi- dents. Your Turn the rest of the liberals, you missed the point of my 5/26/11 comment. Barack Obama rode into the White House, touting himself as an African American. Fine... I have no problem with that. I did not vote for him because I am a republican, simply put. I still respect and support him as the president of our To Mr. Mazzucchi and country. Now, President "O'Ba- ma" proclaims his Irish roots? I cannot wait until he travels to China! Vickie Darnell, Corning In your memory Editor: You were like a bolt of lightning when you entered a room, with that flaming red hair and mega watt smile. Your laugh was contagious, along with your zest for life. So many love you and miss you, I just happen to be one of "them"....someone whose life you touched, someone who's life you made a difference in. Such a senseless tragedy to take such a beautiful young life. This has been a wake up call for a lot of us. For in the blink of an eye it can all be gone....so in your memory Carrie Fox, I promise to live my life as if it were my last. Barbara Sivesind, Ofallon, Ill. 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. Vacation? What vacation? Commentary “Ah, Memorial Day. I know what that means. Summer has arrived, which means the wife and I won't be taking any vaca- tions again!” “Ah, yes, you speak of a spate of stories on the subject. CNN reports that ‘not only do Ameri- can workers get less vacation time than workers in other industrialized countries, but they also opt to take fewer days off.’” “You're singing to the choir, brother. The wife and I haven't had a vacation since before the economy collapsed in 2008. All we do is work.” “Well, you're not alone. CNN reports that ‘the average employed American worker got 18 vacation days last year, but only used 14 of those desirable days off.’” “We're thinking if we're going to be broke anyhow, we may as well be French!” “But of course! French work- ers got 37 vacation days last year and used 35 of them.” “Thirty-five days! That's seven weeks of paid vacation — the stuff of dreams in America!” “And unlike Americans, the French use most of their paid days off. According to Reuters/Ipsos poll, 89 percent of French workers use up all 37 days, whereas only 57 percent of Americans use up all their vaca- tion time.” “That's 'cause we're terrified to take time off in this econo- my!” “That is absolutely true. CNN also reports that companies are so lean in this tight economy that employees, who are doing the equivalent of up to two jobs, are eager to show their loyalty and value so they don't get canned.” “Like there is such a thing as time off. Every Friday at my company, we have a funny say- ing: ‘Only two more working days until Monday!’” “You speak another unfortu- nate truth. With all the e-mail, smartphones and other forms of electronic communication, workers are accessible to their employers 24 hours a day. A Rasmussen Reports poll finds that even when Americans do take time off, 72 percent of them will check in with the office.” “Sometimes I dream of start- ing my own business and taking vacation whenever I want!” “Dream on! According to Business News Daily, ‘fewer than half of small-business own- ers will be taking a summer vacation for a full week this year, down from 67 percent in 2006.’” “You're kidding me.” “Look, small busi- ness owners create 90 percent of the jobs in America. Right now, with the economy so uncertain, many are afraid to hire. They are picking up the slack by working two or three jobs themselves. Where is the time to take a vacation? Besides, Americans like to work!” “We do?” define happiness through leisure.” Tom “Sure! According to a report by the Journal of Happiness Studies, Americans believe hard work is associated with success. The harder we work and the more successful we become, the happier we become.” “With all due respect, I'd be happy with more leisure time.” “Then you must be European. The same study found that whereas Americans define hap- piness through work, Europeans Purcell “Look, all the wife and I want to do is take a couple of weeks off and relax a little. Yet we feel guilty — like we're breaking some law.” “Funny you men- tion that. There are some groups advocat- ing new laws to make at least one week of employer-paid vaca- tion mandatory. Such legislation hasn't got very far, though.” “You're a depress- ing guy — which reminds me: The boss just texted me. I've got to get back to work.” ©2011 Tom Purcell. Tom Purcell, a freelance writer is also a humor columnist for the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, and is nationally syndicated exclusively by Cagle Cartoons newspaper syndicate. For more info contact Cari Dawson Bartley at 800 696 7561 or email cari@cagle.com. Email Tom at Purcell@caglecartoons.com.