Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/36313
6A Daily News – Tuesday, July 12, 2011 Opinion Our trails 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 Editor: We are very lucky to live in a city that has so many beautiful out- door things to see and do, like walking on the River Trail. It is always a joy to join friends for a good walk. However, lately it has become more difficult to navigate the trail due to the tremendous overgrowth of vegetation that is covering the walkway. Seems all the recent rain has benefited more than our lawns. Knowing that everyone’s bud- gets have been severely cut, but wanting to make sure the trails remain a safe place to walk, I would like to suggest that the city find a way to work with the Bureau of Land Management to clean up this area by using local folks assigned to Community Service work. It might also be possible to use low risk prisoners to per form the work. In my opinion, it would benefit both the trail users, the City, and those needing a place to work off fines or reduce their prison time. In any case, whatever can be done to clean up and improve the trails would be greatly appreciated. Mildred Mynatt, Red Bluff Marijuana letter Editor I can't help but wonder what Robert Hogan was trying to say in his letter "Marijuana" on July 6. Tell me Robert, does alcohol support the major drug cartel? Not. Does alcohol turn what was a nor- mal, educated student into drug dealers? Not. Oh, and my favorite, How many alcoholics go to schools or playgrounds and sell fifths of brandy to students? Now make no mistake about it, I am not advocating either, but aren't drunk people a little like zombies with no speech coordina- tion? True that there are violent people who drink, but more vio- lence comes from the ladder of drug use than any other, and top- ping this ladder is marijuana. And though many may think that marijuana isn't the top drug or just medicinal, this is the drug that starts the life-destructing ball rolling toward the devastation of crime and death to drug users, deal- ers and innocent people. Steven Ismail, Red Bluff Funnel cakes Editor: In response to Mark Jones' letter to the editor. I also operate a funnel cake business known as Mike’s Funnel Cakes. We do a lot of events locally but did not partici- pate in the Crawdad Festival. We do a lot with youth sports organizations and would not want bad publicity to jeopardize that. This is a business I find fun and relaxing and see no reason to be mean to any customer. Nothing personal against Mark Jones, I just wanted to set our small town straight. Mike Rector, Red Bluff Muslims Editor: This time of year many of us have participated in some kind of 4th of July event celebrating our country and freedom. It has been frustrating to have our newspaper during this period printing, on the "Religion" page, articles telling of the peaceful nature of Islam. Islam has been our enemy for as long as most of us can remember, and has attacked us numerous times. So how can they claim to be peaceful? According to Islam, anyone that doesn't belong is the enemy and should be converted or killed. The founder of Islam, Mohammed, also taught that it is proper to lie to their enemies to gain advantage. I wish the Daily News would get wise to this pro- paganda and stop printing articles that are evident lies. Check it out editor, you will find that what I say is true. Isn't that reporters are supposed to do? Phillip Southern, Red Bluff Where's Tina? Editor: I am very disappointed to pick up my Thursday newspaper and not find the Tina Dupuy commen- tary. What I found was even more disappointing, Susan Brown. She my have blond hair but she isn't Tina. She also has a very uncivil right wing, disrespectful attitude toward President Obama and I do not appreciate it. At one time I thought the Daily News was trying to be balanced. Now I see it is following Fox news tact. Very unfortunate. Sharon Young, Red Bluff California taxpayers Editor: Reference to letter of Saturday, July 2, in the opinion column of the Red Bluff Daily News: It is a must read, written by Helen Carroll. I am as guilty as many of us for let- ting many of our elective officials and hired personnel go on how they have been handling our tax money. Your Turn Safety comes first. Spending only money that we have left in a real business way. Some of the things or programs what we would like to have, we can’t afford. This is a simple exercise, but we have not been doing that. This poor management is being used—- clear from our county, state and the federal govern- ment. Speaking of our federal government - why? They have so much to say and authority in how we handle our state government. We must express our thoughts and ideas to our elect- ed officials — often! Let them know your thoughts. Andy Giambroni, Red Bluff 4th of July Editor: While reading your Fourth of July insert it became glaringly obvious as to the huge roll that you play in the community. Often times your community support has to be a financial bur- den for the paper yet you carry the community in dignity anyway, as you did with printing all of the interesting “what makes America special” essays and listing all the places in the North State to cele- brate this great county. The Independence Day insert had just seven advertisers. I thank them for stepping up to serve us all. I thank the Daily News for never missing a beat when it comes to serving Red Bluff, Tehama County and in this case the North State. Irene Fuller, Red Bluff 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. Commentary Pity the poor rich Allow me to offer up a few words in defense of one of the most maligned groups in America today. Citizens, who through a simple twist of fate, are routinely subjected to some of the most scathing con- demnation and slanderous stereo- typing in the annals of recorded his- tory. Of course I'm talking about those unsung heroes of capitalism, the highly lubed pistons in the engine of our economy: the rich. Isn't it time we stopped demo- nizing the wealthy simply because they have a couple more bucks? You've heard all the scurrilous charges: Greedy. Selfish. Thieving. Insatiable. Rapacious. Grasping. Hog-like. Power-mad. Heartless. Wear a lot of pink. And what's the deal with the no socks thing? Like they can't afford them? People, settle down. The rich are just like the rest of us, only with access to a better class of orthodon- tists. They put their Egyptian silk trousers on one leg at a time, same as you and me. Besides, wasn't it God, in the Bible, who said money can't buy happiness? Although admittedly, it can be used as barter for a lot of stuff that might make you happy, like prescription drugs and bus fare and rent and ramen. Being rich isn't all a bed of roses, you know. It's not easy having green. You can't trust anybody. That includes but is not limited to — per- fect strangers, casual acquain- tances, prospective suitors, family members, non-profit organizations, banks, shysters, crooks and lawyers, but I repeat myself, not to mention the most dangerous threat of all, other rich people. Do the names Bernie Madoff, Warren Buf- fett and the Kardashians have any meaning here? Off-shore accounts can be sooooooo confusing. The cost of private jet fuel is legalized extor- tion. And good housekeeping help is impossible to find. Scoundrels constantly plot to make your money, their money. Hence, rich people are forced to cower in a con- tinual state of paranoia. But like buttery soft vicuna sport coats, it comes with the territory. Nobody robs poor people. Well, actually, rich people rob poor people, but that's different. That's business. The main problem with being rich is never having enough money. And while liberals gripe and snipe that the rich and their corporations are sit- ting on trillions (no, real- ly, trillions) of dollars waiting for the "correct political climate" to rehire workers, the fact that they employ thousands and thousands of lawyers to ferret out loopholes to keep from paying taxes goes criminally unreport- ed. It's all about jobs. I know what you're saying, "How can you defend these avaricious squeezebags? These scabrous zits on the fore- head of egalitarianism? These predatory pus wads with the principles of dis- eased weasels in heat?" Well, self- preservation mostly; because someday, like everybody else in this great land of ours, I intend to be rich. A major reason why Democ- rats find it impossible to wage a class war. Will Durst Raging Moderate The difference is I'd be a really good rich person. Would cheerfully pay my fair share of taxes and regularly engage little people in sparkling small talk and never stiff waiters or prostitutes no matter how lousy the service received. How rich? Filthy rich. Rich enough not to stuff the Kleenex box in my suitcase when I check out of hotel rooms. I'd leave it right there on the bath- room sink for the next guy. Hey, it's a goal. The New York Times says Emmy-nominated comedian and writer Will Durst "is quite possibly the best political satirist working in the country today." Check out the website Redroom.com to find out more about upcoming stand- up performances or to buy his book, "The All American Sport of Bipartisan Bashing."