Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/6281
4A – Daily News – Tuesday, January 26, 2010 A MediaNews Group newspaper 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 Opinion What you need to play: • Four taxpayers: One rich white guy banker type wearing a suit (Bank Boy). Two ordinary folks wearing jeans, one in a blue work shirt, the other in a white shirt, no tie, sleeves rolled up (the Jeans), and one person wearing clothes that look like they were involved in some sort of sewage treatment plant engagement-ring retrieval oper- ation. Belt and shoelaces safely secured (Rags). • One living room with a large screen HDTV tuned to C- SPAN. • One shot glass per person. Everybody furnishes own, plac- ing it on a coffee table in front of TV. Bank Boy gets first choice for use during game. White shirt picks next, then blue shirt. Bank Boy takes last shot glass as well, and Rags either rents it from him, finds a replacement or drinks out of own cupped hands. • Everybody antes up 20 bucks. Cash. Except Bank Boy, who tosses in an I.O.U. • Two cooked packages of Vienna Beef Chicago-style hot dogs in middle of table with butter-grilled buns and pickles and tomatoes and onions and condiments, and that weird neon-green relish on the side. • One bottle of bourbon. • A large stash of beer in cans, on ice. Rags gets whatever is on sale, like Heileman's Old Style Light. Bank Boy gets whatever import he wants. The Jeans get domestic, but must pay for all the beer, bourbon and hot dogs. Rules of the Game: 1. Every time Barack H. Obama says "Democratic lead- ership," the first person to stop laughing is exempt from drink- ing three shot glasses of beer. 2. When the president says the state of the union is good, but could be better, the last per- son to eat a fully accoutered hot dog has to drink one shot of bourbon. 3. If either the vice president or the speaker of the House gets caught napping on camera, last person to sing the chorus from "Wake Up, Little Susie" has to drink four shots of beer. If Sen. Robert Byrd ever appears awake, everybody has to drink six shots of beer. 4. As soon as Mr. Obama starts a defense of Cap and Trade, everybody must drink a whole beer then throw the empty can at the television. If anybody hits Harry Reid in the head, everyone else has to drink three shots of beer. 5. Whenever Barack uses the phrase "economic stimulus package," the last person to slap the side of his or her forehead with a hot dog has to drink two shot glasses of beer. 6. If Obama speaks of how he sympathizes with the elec- torate's fundamental desire for "change," the last person to cough "Hack!" must drink three shots of beer. 7. Every time the chief executive winks or points at Michelle, all four players sword- fight with hot dogs. The last person with an intact weenie does not have to eat an entire shot glass full of that weird neon-green rel- ish. 8. If the president relates a touching, heartfelt story of some poor unfortunate denied health care, Rags gets to kick everybody else once. Twice, if the subject of the anecdote is in the audience. Three times, if the subject is sitting next to an astronaut. 9. Whenever Obama makes a reference to his faith getting him through tough times, last person to fall to their knees and shout "Hallelujah!" has to drink one shot of bourbon. 10. The first time Barack H. Obama mentions bipartisanship, the last person to pretend to faint has to drink three shots of beer. Extras: •Before the speech, everyone writes down who they think is giving the Republican response. Anybody who correctly identi- fies the person doesn't have to watch it. •Bank Boy takes home all the money, and the Jeans have to pay off his I.O.U. •Leftover bourbon, beer and hot dogs go home with Rags after Rags finishes washing the dishes. Catch Durst in the premier of his new one man show "The Lieutenant Governor from the State of Con- fusion" as part of the Solo Mio festival at the Cinnabar Theater in Petaluma — w w w. c i n n a b a r t h e - ater.org or 707 763- 8920. Will Durst is a political comedian who has performed around the world. He is a familiar pundit on television and radio. E-mail Will at d u r s t @ c a g l e c a r t o o n s. c o m . Check out willandwillie.com for the latest podcast. Will Durst's book, "The All American Sport of Bipartisan Bashing," is available from Amazon and better bookstores all over this great land of ours. Don't forget to check out his rooftop comedy minutes at: http://www.rooftopcomedy.com/ shows/BurstOfDurst. The 2010 State of the Union drinking game Commentary N EWS D AILY RED BLUFF TEHAMA COUNTY 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 Will Durst Raging Moderate STATE ASSEMBLY- MAN — Jim Nielsen (R), State Capitol Bldg., Room 4164 P.O. Box 942849, Sacramento 94249; (916) 319-2002; Fax (916) 319- 2102 STATE SENATOR — Sam Aanestad (R), State Capitol Bldg., Room 2054, Sacramento, CA 95814. (916) 651-4004; Fax (916) 445-7750 GOVERNOR — Arnold Schwarzenegger (R), State Capitol Bldg., Sacra- mento, CA 95814; (916) 445-2841; Fax (916) 558- 3160; E-mail: governor@governor.ca.go v. U.S. REPRESENTA- TIVE — 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. Your officials Caltrans suggestions Editor: Maybe now that Caltrans has time on their hands, they can trim the bushes and move the one way sign at the Diamond exit. In October, I received a tick- et for impeding traffic there, because I pulled onto Diamond at the same time a white car appeared out of nowhere from over the bridge. I knew something had impeded my vision, but wasn't sure what. When, I went back, I discovered the bushes and sign totally blocked my view, when turning onto Diamond. By early November, I told the Highway Patrol about the blind spot, who told me to tell CalTrans. I told CalTrans, who told me to contact Red Bluff Landscaping. I took pictures of this dangerous blind spot and pled not guilty, after wasting 3 1/2 hours to be arraigned. I asked Judge Ed King, if I could have my trial date set for after the holidays. He set it for December 21, in Corning. During the trial, I asked Offi- cer Van Veen, if he had ever noticed a dangerous blind spot at Diamond. He said, "No," even after I showed him the pic- tures, clearly showing the blind spot. I showed the judge the pic- ture, knowing he would see the problem easily. Many of my friends and clients have told me they were having trouble seeing traffic coming over the bridge, especially now that traffic has increased so dramatically, since Tehama College was built. I explained to the judge that giving out tickets doesn't fix the problem, that Caltrans needs to fix the problem, before some- one is killed at that intersection. It will cost next to nothing to fix it and it appears they have the time. I was found not guilty. It's almost the end of January and still no one has trimmed the bushes or moved the sign, but I bet CHP is still giving out tick- ets there. Pat Johnston, Red Bluff Medicare has always cost more for some Editor: Most Medicare insured are penalized for developing their talents and earning higher salaries. The Ponzi scheme of Medicare is intend- ed to penalize those who work a full 48-year career from age 18 to 65. It benefits those who retire early and no longer con- tribute 2.9 percent of salary into the so-called trust fund. Those who earn $30,000 per year receive the same Medicare pay- out as those who earned $80,000 yearly. A public employee or union member who retires at age 50 or 55 pays the same post age 65 insurance premium as the per- son who contributed to Medicare until age 65. Socialized programs are never intended to benefit responsible taxpayers. They are intended to subsidize those who did not work full 48 year careers, or did not choose to develop their talents, and con- tinue lifelong education, for higher paying jobs. ObamaCare is intended to punish those who fully paid into their Medicare program and responsibly pur- chased insurance poli- cies during periods of unemployment or underem- ployment. The sub-prime housing pro- gram of low interest and subsi- dies for first time and multiple time home buyers is intended to punish those who responsibly put 20 percent down for mort- gages and accepted losses when homes sold below the purchase price. Big government is unfair to the majority who do not have the funds to buy politicians' votes. Joseph Neff, Corning Your Turn