Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/432611
Like other readers, you no doubt noticed a typo in a headline in Tuesday's paper for a story about the local commemoration of Pearl Harbor Day — Dec. 7, 1941. Ididtoo. The first indication some- thing had gone wrong with the story came as I pulled in to the parking lot of the gym around 8:15 a.m. Tuesday and checked my email quickly. I had about a half dozen notes from read- ers about the huge screw up in the Pearl Harbor story. I remember thinking this was odd, as I wrote and pub- lished the story on redbluffdai- lynews.com nearly 48 hours before, just a little while after the Sunday morning event con- cluded. Since then, not a peep. When I got my hands on a printed edition it confirmed my suspicion — a headline was lengthened for design reasons at the last minute and the typo was made right before the page went to the printer. First and foremost, I apolo- gize to readers. This was a hu- man error, but because of the importance of that particular date it was a particularly gall- ing error for many of you. Me too. There was no disrespect intended and I am deeply sorry for any offense that was taken. As you might guess, I spent a good portion of my day Tues- day repeating one version or another of the above para- graph to readers who called to make sure I knew about the mistake. The tone of these calls ranged from disproportionate outrage to good-natured rib- bing and even sympathy. Astute readers figured out that we know when Pearl Har- bor was attacked — the date was correct in the story — and called to chide me for the blun- der. Well deserved egg on my face. Others, fortunately only a few, chose the route of "what a bunch of incompetent mo- rons" and "this is a slap in the face to anyone who's ever worn a uniform." One caller claimed she was "horrified." By a typo? I'd hate to see what happens when she spills milk. Another said the person re- sponsible should be fired. I as- sured her that our building, and that of just about any other business, would be empty if ev- eryone who ever made a typo was fired over it. I don't mean to take any- thing away from those who were offended by the mistake — Dec. 7 is a date that changed our nation forever. I under- stand its importance. That's why I took time on my day off — we don't have enough re- porters anymore to cover Sun- days — to attend the local cer- emony and write about it. I have to wonder, though, how many of those who called to lay into me about the impor- tance of Dec. 7 were among the roughly 20 people who both- ered to turn out for the cere- mony honoring those who died and were wounded that day? I do know I received more calls than there were faces in the crowd that morning. Which brings me to a larger point. Dec. 7, 1941 was a tragic day for America and ever since then the rallying cry has been to never forget the events and sacrifices of that day. On Sun- day a handful of local veterans and a small audience took that to heart and did something about it. The newspaper cov- ered the event for those unable to attend. The headline con- tained a typo. Is the typo really the most important part of that bigger picture? Otherreactions To avoid dwelling on the most negative reactions to the error, I thought I would include some of the more amusing ones. No names, but these are verbatim via email and texts. From a columnist old enough to remember: "As I recall December 17, 1941 was not a day that lived in in- famy." From a friend: "A day to be remembered, but not a day that will live in infamy (ex- cept for Chip). A day late and a dollar short. Ten days late and...." From a reader who demon- strated how easily typos can occur, perhaps to make me feel better: "Ooops! December 7, 1917. I'm sure I'm not the first to write of this morning's blunder, sure I'm not the last. We all make mistakes but a mistake about one of the most infamous dates in history? I can see through out the story regarding 'D Day' that all dates are correct. All but the title of the story. People our age who lost friends and fam- ily will not likely forget that day. Even my 11-year-old son noticed the mistake before I did. He then ruminated a bit and decided he was right..." Another reader gave me what for about the impor- tance of Dec. 7, 1941 and the abundance of errors in the paper before signing off: "I enjoy reading the articles from 90 years ago. Those folks knew how to right an article." Finally, from a friend who meant to give me a laugh and did, though perhaps not in the way he intended: "Dec. 14? Ouch." ChipThompsoncanbe reached at 530 527-2151, Ext. 112 or by email at editor@red- bluffdailynews.com. Follow him on Twitter @editorchip. 545DiamondAve. A day of living in infamy Cartoonist's take DECEMBER12,2014 Jean Barton wrote of last week's flooding and men- tioned her house remained high and dry be- cause it was built on an In- dian mound. We did likewise on property we pur- chased back in the 1950s when Bob Crowder, the seller, advised us to build on one of the mounds because they never flooded. We took his advice, but during the first year in our new house Salt Creek Overflow did indeed overflow and encircled the mound containing our newly built abode. Throwing cau- tion to the wind we took the pregnant missus and our pet goat Banana out in a row boat. However, it proved unnec- essary and, as in last week's flood, our home and our horse barn were safe and dry. If you are reading this on Friday the 12th, a second flood may have ensued, but I doubt it. Lightning and floods sel- dom strike twice — at least have not done so in my long lifetime. Other land owners did not fare as well. The Ed- wards ranch was hard hit with loss of fencing and roadways. The Parole Office on Antelope Boulevard was also flooded out. In the past, we only experi- enced flooding when we had a deluge in Salt Creek Can- yon and the river was high. But last week the river was low and still the tributaries flooded. Let's hope Mother Nature spares us another go-around this weekend, but then implor- ing that entity for relief is no more effective than praying for rain. ••• This plethora of rain is cer- tainly what the north state has been needing, but it makes horse stall cleaning more dif- ficult. Those not blessed with said chore would not be aware of the difference between wet and dry manure. On dry days, the horses and burros stay in the pasture and when put up for the night, they tend to do their business in the open air of the attached paddock. The stalls do not be- come their toilet for someone to daily clean. Furthermore, when inclement weather per- sists, the horses get restless in their stalls, pull their hay onto the stall floor, which is cov- ered with shavings for their comfort, and they poop on the hay. When this happens, stall cleaning becomes a greater chore and entreaties with the horses encouraging them to do their business in the paddocks fall upon deaf ears. I relate this plaintive tale because cleaning up after cat- tle in the pens at our old meat plant is how I got my start about 80 years ago, and one could say "what goes around, comes around." ••• Regarding my remarks about Al Sharpton last week, a reader recounted his encoun- ter with the fellow: "I have often questioned if Jessie Jackson and Al Sharp- ton were really preachers since they have no church. When I heard Sharpton was a guest preacher at a black St. Louis church, I decided to check him out in person and see what it was all about. I sat down and Sharpton came up to me — I don't know why, maybe it was because I was the only white person in the church. He laid his hands on my hand and said: 'By the will of Jesus the Lord All Mighty, and the will of God, you will walk to- day.' I told him I was not par- alyzed. He came back and laid his hands on me again, and re- peated the same thing. Again I told him there is nothing wrong with me. After the ser- mon I stepped outside and my car had been stolen." ••• "The time has come," the walrus said, "to talk of many things," and this old walrus says that the majority of peo- ple with whom I talk say they want the County Library to stay where it is. However, if it must give way to additional housing for convicts or those awaiting trial, then the library should remain in the center of downtown Red Bluff. The logical locations are either the Court House — slated to be vacated when a new court house is constructed on west Walnut — or the former Kraft Library on Jefferson, which is for sale. The Kraft could be expanded north and south in yellow courthouse brick and even accommodate an exte- rior elevator to serve the base- ment, main floor and the sec- ond story. Libraries all over the country are downsizing in favor of digital renderings of books and what could be finer than sitting in an easy chair in the Kraft Library on a rainy day once again? With- out my having any knowledge of what the proposed new li- brary would cost if built out on the outskirts of town near the Community Center, nor privy to the findings of the ad hoc committee that wrestled with the problem of a new lo- cation, I say let's give it an- other look. ••• A Mafia Godfather discov- ers that his bookkeeper, Guido, has embezzled him out of $10 million. His bookkeeper is deaf, which is why he got the job in the first place. It was as- sumed that Guido would hear nothing and would therefore never have to testify in court. When the Godfather went to confront Guido about the miss- ing $10 million, he took along his lawyer, who knows sign language. The Godfather tells the law- yer, "Ask him where the money is." The lawyer, using sign lan- guage, asks Guido, "Where's the money?" Guido signs back, "I don't know what you are talking about." The lawyer tells the Godfa- ther, "He says he doesn't know what you are talking about." The Godfather pulls out a pistol, puts it to Guido's head and says, "Ask him again or I'll kill him." The lawyer signs to Guido, "He'll kill you if you don't tell him." Guido trembles and signs back, "OK. You win. The money is in a brown briefcase, buried behind the shed at my cousin Bruno's house." The Godfather asks the law- yer, "What did he say?" The lawyer replies, "He says you don't have the guts to pull the trigger." Robert Minch is a lifelong res- ident of Red Bluff, former col- umnist for the Corning Daily Observer and Meat Industry magazine and author of the "The Knocking Pen." He can be reached at rminchandmur- ray@hotmail.com. I say Rain not only on the plain in Spain First and foremost, I apologize to readers. This was a human error, but because of the importance of that particular date it was a particularly galling error for many of you. Me too. Sounding off A look at what readers are saying in comments on our website and on social media. Ihavenoticedthatthestormdrainsare full of leaves blocking alot of them anyway. Overtime is all I can think of as to why they didn't prep better. Cheryl Bush: On sheriff's request for emergency declaration due to flooding This is for the next storm. Wondering about what's the status of declaring the last storm. Difficult to keep track of happenings while moving out of flood damaged house and no Internet. Dorothy Kersey: On sheriff's request for emergency declaration due to flooding Greg Stevens, Publisher Chip Thompson, Editor EDITORIAL BOARD How to have your say: Letters must be signed and provide the writer's home street address and home phone number. Anonymous letters, open letters to others, pen names and petition-style letters will not be allowed. Letters should be typed and no more than two double-spaced pages or 500words. When several letters address the same issue, a cross section will be published. Email: editor@red bluffdailynews.com Phone: 530-527- 2151ext. 112 Mail to: P.O. Box 220, 545 Diamond Ave., Red Bluff, CA 96080 Facebook: Leave comments at FACEBOOK.COM/ RBDAILYNEWS Twitter: Follow and send tweets to @REDBLUFFNEWS Robert Minch Assemblyman Dan Logue 150 Amber Grove Drive, Ste. 154, Chico 95928, 530 895- 4217 Senator Jim Nielsen 2634 Forest Ave., Ste. 110, Chico 95928, 530 879-7424, senator.nielsen@senate. ca.gov Governor Jerry Brown State Capital Building, Sacra- mento 95814, 916 445-2841, fax 916 558-3160, governor@ governor.ca.gov U.S. Representative Doug LaMalfa 507 Cannon House Office Building, Washington D.C. 20515, 202 225-3076 U.S. Senator Dianne Fein- stein One Post St., Ste. 2450, San Francisco 94104, 415 393- 0707, fax 415 393-0710 U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer 1700 Montgomery St., San Francisco 94111, 510 286- 8537, fax 202 224-0454 Contact your officials OPINION » redbluffdailynews.com Friday, December 12, 2014 » MORE AT FACEBOOK.COM/RBDAILYNEWS AND TWITTER.COM/REDBLUFFNEWS A4