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4A – Daily News – Friday, January 29, 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 Doing laundry can be tedious. I mean, you've got to sort things – one color from the next, fabrics from cottons. It can be a real hassle. The same can be said of real life. For me, I've been trying to sort through a number of issues that have bothered me recently. Today, let's talk about sports and accountability. What is it about professional athletes that grant them immuni- ty from their sins? I don't know about you, but I'm tired of hearing how so and so screwed up more than once – and we all forgive him. Then, we forget as if nothing ever happened. What is wrong with us? Forgiving is fine, but forgetting is not. Let's begin with Tiger Woods. The guy is the greatest golfer ever and, because of that, we have placed him on a pedestal close to this side of Jesus. Then, he gets married and has two kids. We all marvel at how he has become quite the family man, which only contributes to his rise in popularity with the common man. This includes me. As much as I hated his arro- gance, I at least respected his willingness to become a hus- band and father. At that point, he just seemed more "real" to me. Then, the crap hit the fan. Not only did he cheat once, twice, three times, four, five, six, and beyond, the extramarital affairs seemed infinite. Then, the media debated how he should solve his problems. Their conclusion: admit guilt and get back to playing. Why? Not because it's best for him, although that's what they say. No, Tiger needs to play golf because it's best for us. After all, we need our Tiger fix. As for me, I could care less what he does now. Why? I'll tell you why: as a man, this guy is a fraud. "Hey, we all make mistakes. Tiger should just come clean and admit he made some mis- takes. Then, he can get back to playing golf and get on with his life," Charles Barkley said. Whatever, Chuck. The same can be said of the likes of Mark McGwire, Roger Clemons, and all the other base- ball phonies who willingly took steroids to enhance their perfor- mance. They cheated on the game and on the fans, and we continue to let them off the hook. Heck, the other day Cardinal fans gave Big Quack a standing ova- tion when he was intro- duced as their new hit- ting coach. It makes me wonder, is there an honest ath- lete in the house? Why don't we ask basketball star Gilbert Arenas, who thought it would be funny to take guns into the locker room where he plays. I wonder if Barkley would have given the same advice to Arenas as he did Woods. Sadly, there are kids all over America watching. As of this moment, the mes- sage our so-called pros are send- ing is that it's okay to commit adultery, take drugs, and possess guns in public. This is what ticks me off the most: If I cheated on my wife – not once, but ten times – I'd be the laughing stock of this com- munity. Not to mention my butt would be kicked out on the side- walk, and my kids would never speak to me again. And if I carried guns into my classroom where I work, I'd get fired and lose my credential. I'd never teach again. The bottom line is that I'd lose my credi- bility as a man, in addition to losing my job for being such an i r r e s p o n s i b l e , immoral jerk. So, I have to ask, why doesn't boorish behavior by athletes carry any conse- quences with most fans? At what point does negative actions and poor character count? Personally, I look forward to the day when our superstars receive the same treatment as we do. Maybe then they would learn how to fold their own dirty laun- dry. Have a great Friday. ——— Pat Gleason grew up in Los Angeles and has taught English at Red Bluff High School since 1990. He can be reached at phgleaso@rbuhsd.k12.ca.us. It's time sports fans took out their laundry 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 Pat Gleason Simply Put STATE ASSEMBLYMAN — 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, Sacramen- to, CA 95814. (916) 651-4004; Fax (916) 445-7750 GOVERNOR — Arnold Schwarzenegger (R), 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. Your officials Knee-deep and loving it Though I've lived in my share of cow towns, I must admit I'm what most would call a city slicker — I'm the guy who got excited to see the souvenir concession includes wine glasses this year. Despite this, or perhaps because of it, the Red Bluff Bull & Gelding Sale is one of my favorite events to cover — for a few reasons. I learn something almost every day at the sale, and I do make it over for at least an hour each of the five days. But a lot of what I learn comes from the articles you read in the Daily News on the spe- cial pages we publish with photos and stories about the sale. To the best of my knowledge, none of us here at the newsroom comes from a ranching back- ground. That's a good thing because it allows us to approach events at the sale and cover them in a way accessible to readers from outside the ranching commu- nity. Much like the Tehama District Fair, Red Bluff Round-Up and Fourth of July Heritage Days at the fair- grounds, there is always something going on at the sale. From shoveling waste and grooming, to sifting and showing, there's never a dull moment. And for those who enjoy photography, there's no shortage of interesting, often breathtaking, scenes to capture. But the best part of the sale, in my book, is the people. Yes, the event is a spectacle everyone should take in for at least an hour or so each year, but for most of the partici- pants it is their livelihood. The cattlemen are courteous, but hard- working, no-nonsense types. They know their line of work inside and out because they have to. Ranching is not a job, it is a way of life — a life of which the rest of us rarely get a glimpse. The cattlewomen are just as straightfor- ward and work every bit as hard as the men. They're helpful when asked and don't hesitate to step up when somebody needs them. The children are typically cut from the same cloth. You won't see a rancher's child throwing a tantrum or whining incessantly for Mom or Dad to buy them a treat. They seem to understand at an early age that the family busi- ness is just as much their respon- sibility as their parents' and they take that responsibility seriously. So thanks to all the ranchers in town this week for giving our community a window into your way of life for a few days. *** Salute to Veterans You can read more about it in Saturday's edition, but local vet- erans might like to know they will be hon- ored at Saturday night's Red Bluff's Buckin' Best Bull Riding event at the fair- grounds. The Grand Entry that will open the show will include veterans from several wars, including World War II, and a military Honor Guard presenting the colors. Whether you served in the military or not, it will surely be a sight to behold. Chip Thompson can be reached at 527- 2151, Ext. 112 or by e-mail at editor@redbluffdailynews.com. Chip Thompson 545 Diamond Ave. Concerned about Red Bluff intersection Editor: I am concerned about the intersection on Antelope Boulevard, Gilmore Road, Belle Mill Road and Center Street. With all the roads coming together plus a gas station and what was Roy's Friendly Mart now an empty lot, it makes for a very confusing inter- section. I propose we do something about it, especially since my wife was talking to me about an accident she saw in the intersec- tion recently. My thought would be to invest by installing additional lights making them all work together. That way traffic coming from Belle Mill Road would stop before the intersection, Center Street would have a light instead of a stop sign and make the right turn off of Antelope a turn on green only. Because the lights are already on Antelope it should not be as expensive as putting in a new light all together. I hope I am not the only one who has these concerns and I hope more people speak up about this issue so that something can be done about it. I am confident that we have the knowledge and technology to make this work in our county. In Redding off of 273 in front of Win River Casino, the side street has stop lights that work with with the main stop lights as well. It would be great to see this happen in the near future before someone really gets hurt. Thank you everyone for listening to me, and thank you in advance for speaking up to anyone that will listen and do something to make a difference. Bryce Drummond, Red Bluff Your Turn