Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/58765
4A Daily News – Saturday, March 17, 2012 Opinion PTSD 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 Editor: Two questions immediately crossed my mind after hearing about the Afghan civilians being killed. 1st: Did they inadvertently 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 Now I'm a believer Commentary I enjoyed attending the Branding Project presentation on March 6; I went to the earlier of the two meetings because I had cataract surgery scheduled for later that morning. There appeared to be a good turnout. I sat near the front so I could see everything clearly, and I took careful notes. Before the meeting started several people commented on what they thought was my nega- tive view of branding; I apolo- gized for not making myself clear, and I said I was not against branding. I said that I felt it was important to remem- ber it is only a first step to over- come some basic problems in our community. It is important that those working locally on this project do not see it as simply develop- ing a brand and a logo. Even Roger Brooks of Destination Design International, made a point that it will take long term and great coordinated effort on the part of dedicated local resi- dents to create something more concrete to attract new visitors and new residents, and eventual- ly to attract new business, to come to Tehama Country. Richard Bourne reminded me that when we first moved to Red Bluff over 35 years ago we tout- ed ourselves as the Gateway to Lassen Park. Brooks' idea of Red Bluff as the Base Camp for Mt. Lassen may not be striking- ly original, but it affirmed at least two things: 1.) We had a good idea; and 2.) We did not follow through. His idea of emphasizing "Adventures in Your Hands" was a logical extension of that theme, and the Red Bluff logo with Lassen Peak and "Your Lassen Adven- ture Starts Here" was very good. Now we have something to focus our efforts on, if we do maintain focus we can generate the synergy needed to make a difference in our community. A local group has created a very professional and colorful Adventure Guide for Tehama Country, with the theme "Reach Your Peak." The brochure is pic- turesque; it portrays adventure opportunities we could promote and develop even further. It will help attract people here, but it is not a substitute for the hard work ahead to develop Tehama Country as a true destination. Brooks said Tehama Country could be a world class destina- tion. The operative word is "could", meaning it is possible. It will only be possible if we now unite around the themes presented and work for that to happen. It will be a long haul, but those I spoke to were undaunted by the decade it will take to make a new Tehama Country. Brooks and local brand pro- moters emphasized that we have a lot of development to do before we flood the market with our themed literature. One example he gave was Highway 36W, that twisty but scenic road from Red Bluff to the Coast. Even with its improvements over the years it is challenge to drive in a car, but it is recognized nationally as one of the best motorcycle drives in the country. But, as Brooks pointed out, we have no motorcycle rental facilities in Red Bluff. (One person in the audience pointed out that operating a motorcycle rental enterprise involved a significant invest- ment in equipment and good insurance. Would anyone want to take that risk?) Davy Jones passed away a Joe Harrop creation of brands and logos, to expand our potential, and to bring a new prosperity to Tehama Country; and I believe that they have the dedication, focus, and energy to see this eight to ten year pro- ject to fruition. I hope all of us can support their efforts. I have seen their face, and "I'm a Believer." There will be risk and some disappoint- ment in building on the new brands; that will be normal. Mar- garet Mead is famous for one of her inspira- tional quotes: "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." few days ago. He was the lead singer of the Beatles imitation group called the Moneys. One of their biggest hits was a song entitled "Now I'm a Believer"; the singer became a believer after seeing "her face." I have now seen the face and heard the voice of those locally who want to take us beyond the If we keep Mead's quote in mind, focus on our brand, and work together I think we will be singing a new song while we work on this project, "High Hopes", a song that emphasizes that persistent effort has its rewards. Joe Harrop is a retired educator with more than 30 years of service to the North State. He can be reached at DrJoeHarrop@sbcglobal.net. make some move that resulted in the response by that sol- dier? 2nd: Did they innocently, but mistakenly walk behind the soldier resulting in his demise? Let me tell a couple of instances of combat related stress. The thought of going to sleep with my wife and having her bump me petrified the day- lights out of me. Would I do her bodily harm before I was awake enough to know where I was? I smoked a lot of cigarettes that night. I was running a dozer on the road job when the grade checker climbed on the draw- bar, reached over and touched my shoulder, I nearly killed him. Trying to explain my reac- tion was like talking to a wall, he had no perception of what I said. To this very day I detest being startled; it never goes away. Only someone who has been there can relate to what reaction is taken in a given sit- uation. Thad Blanchard Sr., Gerber Brown's tax Editor: Knowledge is power. Use of power is more powerful. More taxes may not be as important as the use of tax dollars. Chefs, home mak- ers and old lovers all agree it is not what you have or how much you have, it's how you use what you have that is important. Steve Kelsey, Corning Pot brownies Editor: California Education Code Sec. 48900 spells out answers to the questions parents are look- ing for. Subsections (C),(D) and (J). Also read Section 48915 (3) and (5b (2). Sec 48900 (C) and (D)… Unlawfully possessed, used, sold, or otherwise furnished, or been under the influence of, a controlled substance listed…. Sec 48902 Notification of law enforcement authorities, liability for making report; fail- ure to notify; penalty; Sec 48902 (b) The principal of a school or the principal's designee shall, within one school day notify the appropri- ate law enforcement authorities. If this happened on February 10, a Friday, then they would have until the end of school on February 13th. Sec 48902 (e) The willful failure to make any report required by this section is an infraction punishable by a fine of not more the $500.00. My questions are; 1. Were the parents of the other kids involved called on February 10th? 2. What is the log in date of the report taken by the Corning Police? 3. Mr. Cardenas's statement "In a case like this, especially where there was no evidence of the posses- sion of marijuana…," why did- n't they do a drug test on these kids? That might sound harsh however there's your evidence. 4. Has there been any investi- gation into the 27-year-old daughter? Does she have a med- ical marijuana pass? Has she been cited for giving or leaving her marijuana in harms way? Or did the boy bake the brownies by himself? 5. What would have hap- pened if one of these other kids would have had some kind of bad reaction like it effected them in a way to be a danger to themselves or others? Would the school then take responsibil- ity for the mother and sister of the boy who shared the brown- ies? Kathy Nelson, Red Bluff Bailouts Editor: Sub-prime home borrowers are not owed bailouts from tax- Your Turn payers or banks. They chose a home mortgage with nothing down and taxpayer subsidized low interest. They used this mortgage to buy an overpriced home during a price bubble. Bubbles always collapse and some borrowers are underwater with a home value decline of one-third to one-half. It did not take a finan- cial genius to realize that the temporary bubble would collapse. It has been common for mil- lions of home owners to sell their homes at a 5 to 20 percent price below the purchase price during the dozen recessions these past 60 years. You take your losses and move on. We lost $167,000 in inflation adjusted dollars on home sales in 1967, 1983, 1987, and 1994.You live with your losses. The 20 percent downpayment plus equity prevented foreclo- sure. Government created this lat- est crisis with artificially low interest rates, and mandating banks to provide credit to bor- rowers with poor credit history. If banks choose to reduce their mortgage principal, that is free choice but it should not be a government mandate. No tax- payer should fund sub=prime bailouts. Any mortgage principal cut should be taxed as income. 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.