Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/6491
6A – Daily News – Tuesday, February 2, 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. 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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 When asked how he thought his first year as 44th president of the United States had proceeded, Barack Obama gave himself a B+. To say other parties have been less enthusiastic is like say- ing Tiger Woods is unlikely to receive the NOW Husband of the Year Award. Although the Divorce Lawyers of America might be coerced into throwing a testimonial or two. Admittedly, there are three camps in the whole "How has Obama Done So Far?" debate. The right, which has been call- ing for impeachment since this time last year; Independents, who consider every politician the enemy of the people; and the left, which can be seen wearing their disappointment like dented chain mail on returning Cru- saders. For those of you wishing to celebrate the occasion, may I mention that the traditional first- year anniversary gift is paper. And a piece of photographic paper incriminating a Republi- can senator in a compromising situation would be most appro- priate. That's "compromise" we can believe in. Granted, history will give the ultimate grade and you'd have to be a fool to judge an entire pres- idency based on 12 months, but this particular fool thinks it's not only instructional but also a lot of fun to produce a quarter-term report card, so here goes: English. B+. Good under- standing of vocabulary words, and the ability to use them cor- rectly. Nice having a president who, when he speaks with a for- eign leader, the other guy isn't more eloquent in English as a Second Language. History. C+. Apparently was- n't paying attention during Clin- ton Health Care instructional in '93. Looks like we'll be forced to repeat this class every 16 years. Geography. A+. Displays exceptional work habits. Visited more countries in first year than any other president in history. Most of that necessary to rebuild the bridges torched by a prede- cessor who shall remain name- less. Mathematics. Incomplete. Seems to be working with a mal- functioning abacus. Further review by Professors Bernanke and Geithner not expected to help much. African American Studies. B+. Has innate understanding of the subject. Semantics. B-. Is a conscien- tious worker. No matter what you think of his policies, you have to admire his ability not to get involved in them. Business. C-. Needs to increase speed and comprehen- sion. Tends to allow himself to be bullied by the louder stu- dents. Physics. C. Seems unable to grasp rudi- mentary concepts like how every action affect- ing Congress will have equal, opposite and totally disagreeable reaction Creative Writing. A-. Exhibits enormous cre- ativity. Sometimes gets carried away and con- fuses other students. Home Economics. C. Shows initiative; thinks things through for him- self. Must come up with more encouraging phrase than "We're los- ing jobs at a much slow- er pace." Sex Education. B+. No visi- ble activity at all. Pleasant change for a Democrat. Helpful to have so many negative role models in Congressional ranks for comparison. Attendance. Satisfactory. However, whole school is begin- ning to suspect that the most dangerous place in Washington is between him and a camera. Physical Education. Exem- plary. Photo of him emerging from Hawaiian surf set off beef- cake war with Scott Brown. Penmanship. Satisfactory. Leaves very few fingerprints. Home Room Con- duct. Cooperative. Polite. Plays well with others. Some- times fails to stand up for himself. General Com- ments. Continues to grow in indepen- dence. Has problems accepting responsi- bility. Needs to work on leadership quali- ties. Overall Grade. B-. 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. Obama, year one: A report card 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 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 Liberals can't handle the truth Editor: Such irrational rancor from Larry Gray's response of Jan. 21 only proves my point, pro- gressive liberals can't stand the truth. If anybody needs to get a grip on reality and start popping pills it's you, Mr. Gray. I didn't say your facts about Sara Palin are wrong, the truth is what it is and I can stand the truth. The truth is, as bad as you paint Sara Palin, Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid make her look better and better all the time. Also, one can say, Obama's biggest success is making George Bush look really, really good. Oh yes, another reality check, Scott Brown's landslide victory gives hope that the Kennedy legacy is over. His vic- tory also points out people, who are promised transparency, resent something as big as health care being decided behind closed doors. God bless the Tea Party Patriots, a movement that has come to Red Bluff and is grow- ing by leaps and bounds. So much so, that finding a meeting place big enough has resulted in having to move for about the fourth or fifth time. Les Wolfe, Red Bluff Solve school zone problem Editor: Why does it take a retired CHP officer to explain the rules of the road around school zone? Are local police officials (CHP, sheriffs department, city) not understanding of the laws or just putting out BS as usual. There are as many school zones along the highways and streets in the county but Ante- lope School is always the prob- lem area. Rather than these problems arising, try solving the problem. I have not heard of any child being struck by a vehicle at this school, some parents pulling in front of another vehicle, either in the school lot or back on the highway. For the children put up a fence high enough to keep balls and children out of the street. A rear access road to Trinity on St. Marys Avenue. Does anyone remember why the speed limit was changed on Kaer Avenue several years ago from 40 to 25 mph? It was due to a blind person crossing the street to get his mail, so if the law or speed limit can be changed so frivolously as the school zone has been, then why look up the law. W.R. Hendrix, Red Bluff Corning should encourage developers Editor: Corning is finally attracting new businesses to downtown. We now have the only mari- juana collective in Tehama County, and recently two other new businesses have opened their doors in downtown Corn- ing. A hydroponics shop, selling equipment and supplies for indoor cultivation of marijuana, and a tattoo shop have opened for business. They will now join a number of ethic meat markets, and "used" merchandise stores that line Solano Street. Let me make something crystal clear by saying that I have anything against the own- ers of any of these stores. As long as the businesses are legal and meet health, safety and building codes, the owners can only be commended and respected for their willingness to invest their money and sweat equity to open shops in Corn- ing. However, I have been argu- ing for quite some time that Corning, and City Manager Steve Kimbrough in particular, have failed to do enough to attract mainstream businesses to Corning. In fact I have even suggested that the city may actually be discouraging the building and development of new mainstream businesses by treating them rudely, and by imposing unrealistic and costly requirements on them. We have all heard the horror stories about businesses – after ini- tially deciding to build and open businesses in Corning – that have moved on to greener pastures. Corning residents shouldn't have to travel to Red Bluff or Chico to buy new clothes or shoes, see a movie, or to enjoy a fine dining experience. Corning has fallen into disrepair and continues to deteriorate on the current administration's watch. It is inexcusable that City Hall has failed to take proactive steps to effectively turn this deplorable situation around. We need a new business friendly City Manager, Mayor and City Council majority that will actively promote develop- ment – while aggressively beat- ing the bushes to seek out and attract new mainstream busi- nesses to Corning. The historic 3-2 split on the City Council that has allowed and erected roadblocks to development for more than 17 years must change. Dean Cofer, Corning Your Turn