Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/46631
4A Daily News – Thursday, November 3, 2011 Opinion Chronic realities Editor: 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 I'm responding to Richard Mazzucchi's article, "Does mari- juana policy trick or treat?," Mon- day, October 31. While his opinion is appreciat- 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 ed by many of us who are not in favor of what he is stating (it's always good to view all sides) I was wondering if any of those sta- tistics he quoted involved the effects of second-hand smoke on children and others with chronic ailments. Does he know of any? Let's face it, it's not really about medical marijuana; it's more about personal entitlement under what- ever name anyone wants to call it. Hardly ever does anyone mention, in the research they cite, what physical harm that second-hand smoke causes. Treatment for breathing disorders doesn't include smoking something. More fresh, smoke-free air maybe? Because there are so many peo- ple who want to smoke marijuana and use some form of an ailment or medical condition as a reason, few, if any, understand or even care what it means for those of us who suffer from COPD and relat- ed diseases caused by second- hand smoke. It makes it hard to breathe around people who smoke anything or to be around them or in their homes or vehicles. Because I do not advocate the use of marijuana — except for ter- minal illness (chemo) and maybe glaucoma in rare cases — and these should be in specialty assist- ed living facilities only — I am concerned about the physical health and well-being of those who live with with marijuana and tobacco in their homes. Who is watching out for these children and others who are now at risk? Yes, these kids do get a contact high from being around it. Does this lead to actual use? Do some math. I have no actual facts or sta- tistics to cite for you. But I do believe that most smokers learned to smoke (tobacco and marijuana) from watching others and having it readily available. Our kids are going to imitate our own behav- iors, whether controversial or not. I'm asking Richard and all oth- ers who advocate for medical or any other marijuana use to think about about who has the right to be happy under our laws. Can com- mon sense just have a say in this? Ain't none of us stupid. We're all fairly intelligent, aren't we? I have COPD/emphysema and have never smoked — tried mari- juana a couple times back in the day but didn't want to end up like many of my friends and family — too stoned to be productive. My chronic disease came from just being around these smokers, both tobacco and marijuana, too much. Not assigning blame to them. Just a fact. Cancer related smoking has taken the lives of family members. I wouldn't be opposed to look- ing at a specialized treatment facil- ity for those who truly need this kind of treatment (sorry, I won't call it medicine). But I won't advo- cate its use out in the community, while driving under the influence (marijuana, other drugs or alco- hol). And he is very correct about how the government first classi- fied it as a very bad thing. I don't agree with how they did that back then — to scare people instead of educating them. I'm satisfied that for the most part Tehama County has dodged Prop. 215 all these years. It helps many of us to be able to continue to breathe with little side effects, except good health. Everyone needs to be respectful of everyone else's personal space — especially our children. John Minton, Red Bluff Protesters Editor: The vast majority of those who have accumulated personal wealth from frugality, sacrifice, savings and investing achieved their com- fort through many decades of sac- rifice. How sad that so many are now protesting because they made bad choices, overspent and saved nothing. Here are some choices that have worked for the many hun- dreds of our friends who escaped poverty to achieve a comfortable retirement. Do odd jobs from age 11 to 18 to provide for clothing, any luxuries, and to fund college education. This includes cutting neighbors lawns, hauling trash to the dump in a homemade cart, have a paper route, work 18 hours weekly after high school classes, Your Turn Thank you for allowing me to present some thoughts on this issue. and pay for the school lunch by working in the lunch room. Delay a car purchase to age 21 to pay for college costs. During college work 40 hours weekly either during the day, or overnight. Spend 15,000 hours commuting to class, attend- ing class and studying 3 hours for each class hour to obtain the undergraduate and graduate degrees over 19 years while working full time. Avoid college debt through dropping out occasionally to build up funding for added college con- tinuance. Earn partial scholarships through academic hard work. Fully fund your parochial high school and public college costs, plus living expenses without parental contribution, as the sev- enth in a family of 13. Take career field science, technology, engi- neering and math classes where there are jobs instead of degrees with limited opportunities. Lifetime education of at least one seminar or class per year assures continuing update of skills to obtain employment dur- ing the dozen or so recessions during the age 17 to 65 work career. Obtain part time jobs after age 65 retirement to pay for health care costs. Too many believe they are enti- tled to a free education, Medicaid, housing, food, transportation, and home heating as a taxpayer sub- sidy. You are entitled only to that which you have contributed, saved and invested. Joseph Neff, 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), 2595 Cean- othus Ave., Ste. 182, Chico, CA 95973; 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; (510) 286-8537. Fax (202) 224- 0454. More agents but less secure northern borders Commentary Somewhere out there on America's northern borders, security patrol agents are show- ing up to work, grabbing a news- paper, and positioning their vehicles to gaze across one of the Great Lakes, so they can enjoy a scenic view while they work the daily crossword puzzle -- on our dime. Back in May, the Obama administration assured us our borders were strengthened because Homeland Security had beefed-up border agent numbers by more than double the amount we had back in 2004. For what? Crossword puzzles? If there is a surplus, it seems the country would be better served by re-dis- tributing its wealth of agents to our southern borders, but that would not fit into this adminis- tration's "Bizzaro World" where logic is defied and common sense is denied. According to the Associated Press, this has nothing to do with a surplus of agents. Last month, border patrol offices across the country received dis- creet orders to cease routine bus, train and airport searches for illegal immigrants "soon after the Obama administration announced that to ease an over- burdened immigration system, it would allow many illegal immi- grants to remain in the country," so it could focus on the deporta- tion of illegals who have actual- ly committed crimes. I could incorporate some Bizzaro World humor here, but shall suppress the urge. During his 2011 State of the Union address, Obama said he strongly believed "we should take on, once and for all, the issue of illegal immigration." Back in September, Homeland Security released a report sug- gesting they had deported a record-breaking number of ille- gals, but House Judiciary Com- mittee Chairman Lamar Smith, R-TX, begs to differ. In an Octo- ber 18, 2011 press release, Smith claimed the Obama administration "continues to inflate its deportation numbers" and "is cooking the books to make it look like they are enforcing immigration laws, when in reality they are enacting amnesty through inaction." If the Canadian border was some super-secure perimeter where everything (and every- one) traversing its borders was given the utmost of scrutiny, lax security measures would not raise so many eyebrows. But that is not the case. Back in 2009, Homeland Security Secre- tary Janet Napolitano said although "the September 11th hijackers did not come through Canada to the United States, there are other instances, howev- er, when suspected terrorists have attempted to enter our country from Canada to the United States. Some of these are well-known to the public — such as the Millennium Bomber — while oth- ers are not due to secu- rity reasons." With that in mind, it would make sense for the administration to strengthen the security of our northern bor- ders. Canada is well- known for its lenient immigration policies, and, according to Canadian Security Intelligence Service, Canada ranks second highest in the world for active terrorist groups. On Octo- ber 25, 2011, Canada's Public Safety Minister, Vic Toews, spoke to the ongoing "risk of violent extremism in a number of communities in Canada." Many believe Canada has a dysfunctional refugee system that all but invites terrorists into its fold because it is known as the easiest developed world country for applicants to obtain refugee status, and allows them four years to roam to and fro while awaiting the legal process. Rather than strengthening our security, it appears the adminis- tration is doing the opposite. (Bizzaro) After meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, the White House made a "Beyond the Bor- der" declaration on February 4, 2011, stating his administration intends "to pursue a perimeter approach to security" to "enhance our security and accel- erate the legitimate flow of people, goods, and services between our two countries" in hopes to "address threats before they reach our shores." According to Attor- Susan Brown ney General Holder, the yet-to -be enacted "Beyond the Border" program will launch a pilot program called "NextGen" sometime next year. "Sometime next year" may not be soon enough considering the potential danger lurking due north. And, "sometime next year" may be too soon to share a new "perimeter approach" with a country that does not share similar immigration views. Meanwhile, border patrol agents sit idly by. 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.