Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/67439
6A Daily News – Saturday, May 26, 2012 Opinion DAILYNEWS 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 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 Editor: Wednesday evening I attended a Candidates Night at the Red Bluff Veterans Memorial Hall. In case you have never visited this facility, it is decorated with pic- tures of military memorabilia and pictures of service men that have served in the Armed Forces. As a veteran, the atmosphere in Flag salute a building dedicated to our ser- vicemen always seems to give me a feeling of pride that can't be described. flag salute? Bill Reed, Flournoy The editorial cartoon on Tues- day indicates that an anti-vaccina- tion mother is immune to the facts regarding vaccination of her chil- dren. It takes only a little study of the facts to learn that the value of most vaccinations is very debat- able. Vaccinations Editor: Let me set the stage just a tad. I am in the Red Bluff Veterans Hall, dedicated to servicemen of the United States, we have govern- ment officials jockeying for posi- tions, there was an American flag directly in front of the stage, and lastly it's Memorial Day weekend. My question, why was there no The candidates for Tehama County all had opportunities to give their pitch on why they should be elected for various posi- tions in the county and state. I was really amazed to find that all can- didates that were selling them- selves bypassed something that is very special to me. a vaccination, for example, when you step on a rusty nail you really need a tetanus shot. But more people than in the past believe that most shots are useless, or actually damaging. Consider pertussis, diphtheria, measles, and polio. These diseases were almost eliminated in this country due to improved sanitation and hygiene prior to the introduc- tion of the shots to prevent them. Baby shots have been linked to autism and crib death. Flu shots have been linked to alzheimer's. Mercury, aluminum and formaldehyde are commonly put into the serum, and it is possi- ble for some to get a bad reaction There are times when we need even though most may tolerate it with no serious side effects. Before you run in and get a shot or take your precious children in, study the facts and make an edu- cated decision. Al McKnight, Corning Not a quitter Editor: Nowhere outlined in the email did it state Ron Paul was suspend- ing, quitting or retiring his cam- paign. Your Turn Ron Paul did not drop out of the Republican Presidential race. The email that Doctor Paul sent out to his supporters has clearly been misconstrued by the corporate news outlets. Contrary to the media reports, In his email, the following was written, "Moving forward, howev- er, we will no longer spend resources campaigning in pri- maries in states that have not yet voted." Donations to his campaign come directly from his supporters, not the big banks or corporations like other candidates are so privy too. It is a financially sensible position — use your resources where they matter most and can build the most change. Continuing with the email, "Our campaign will continue to work in the state con- vention process. We will continue to take leader- ship positions, win dele- gates, and carry a strong message to the Republi- can National Conven- tion that Liberty is the way of the future." Ron Paul has consistently focused on the fact that Presiden- tial nominees are chosen by dele- gates, not popular vote. The 12 term Congressman from Texas has been doing exceedingly well in the caucus states. From Iowa to Nevada, Washington to Minneso- ta, Missouri to Louisiana, Maine to Virginia — Ron Paul continues to win a majority of the delegates. The media refuses to report his victories in the delegate selection but what credibility does the media have left when they cannot even accurately report a Ron Paul email to his supporters? Nelissa Goedhart, Orland 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. Explaining America Commentary Memorial Day was once Dec- oration Day, a day for honoring Union Soldiers; it originated after the Civil War. The South honored its dead on a different date from the North. Wiser heads prevailed, and by the 20th Centu- ry Memorial Day became a day to honor all of the fallen who have served our country. In some ways, its transition into a united time of celebration is symbolic of the progress we have made in the 150 years since the Civil War. That progress has included women's suffrage, civil rights, and direct election of senators, among other things. We are not without our internal conflicts, even if we are "over" our Civil War. national policy. I begin to explain that some states claim the federal government cannot mandate cer- tain requirements of the law. That is the point at which I had to explain the concept of "states' rights." We just returned from small ship trip down southeastern Alas- ka, from Juneau to Ketchikan. Whenever we travel out of the country we end up trying to explain America to foreigners. On our recent trip to Alaska, which is not out of the country, we spoke with people from Aus- tralia, New Zealand, Scotland, England, Monaco, and Canada. The discussions often came around to the question of why the United States, the most dominant economy in the world, does not have universal health coverage. Other modern countries do, we were told. Why can't the United States? I tried to explain the case before the Supreme Court about portions of the Affordable Care Act, disdainfully referred to as "Obamacare", a clever label cho- sen by those who are against any further expansion of federal man- dates about healthcare or reduc- tions in profits for insurance companies. I was told that health- care is a national issue, and the only logical solution was a I usually start out by saying, "While we may be the "United" States, we are also 50 separate states." Compromises between state sovereignty and federal sov- ereignty have been a theme of our form of government from the beginning, and those compromis- es often make it difficult to have a truly national policy on many things. I point out that three-fifths rule for counting slaves for repre- sentation purposes is one exam- ple of compromises in our found- ing document, The Constitution. Then there is the interstate commerce clause which says Congress has the power "To reg- ulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian Tribes." We are still trying to find out just what that clause covers; modern trade practices and tech- nology have made what might have seemed a simple power in the 18th century much more complex in the 21st. We are often then asked how state education authority, an area reserved for the states in the Con- stitution, can be influenced by federal statue such as the No Test (I mean Student) Left Behind Act. I explain that states do not have to accept the federal funds that support such a law, but it might be fiscal suicide if they didn't. Then I am asked why we don't have national curriculum standards for our schools. Other conflicts between the states have included the mileage and emission standards for auto- mobiles; some states have more stringent requirements than the federal standard, but none have less stringent requirements. The Federal Government also con- vinces states to adopt some other kinds of standards using, using bribery, I mean federal funds given to the states which agree to meet specific requirements when accepting the money. marriage. It simply defines mar- riage as the legal union of one man and one woman. Under the law, no U.S. state or political sub- division is required to recognize a same-sex marriage treated as a marriage in another state. But each state does have to honor the driver's license of each other state. In California, of course, the medicinal use of marijuana is specifically allowed by a law passed by the electorate, Prop 215. Nevertheless, the feder- al government has been raiding marijuana dis- pensaries in California even though those dispensaries meet the state and local legal require- ments. Similarly I have been asked why we have fifty different state drivers' licenses instead of one national driver's license. In the case of drivers' licenses each state recognizes the licenses of non-residents driving through, but new residents have a timeline for obtaining a driver's license in their adopted state. One passport from the United States works everywhere. Things really get interesting when the subject of marriage is broached. Then I had to start explaining that even though there is a federal law defining mar- riage, euphemistically called the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), each state can define marriage as it sees fit. DOMA does not protect existing mar- riages, nor does it require only people be of sound mind to marry, nor does it place stringent demands on the dissolution of a Joe Harrop fashion, some seem a logical assertion of regional indepen- dence from uniformity applied to all. At one time "states' rights" was a code word for a certain apartheid life style associated with Southern states, but these days the issues are more com- plex. Lawyers like this kind of thing because it provides an opportunity to stretch logic and explore new possibilities, not to mention billable hours. The con- flicts make politics in America uniquely interesting and excit- ing…and difficult to explain to outsiders. It also makes traveling interesting. hard to explain Ameri- ca to foreigners, yet alone for us citizens to understand it our- selves. Some of the complexities of the state-federal govern- ment relationships seem quaint and old Needless to say it is weekend, as we honor our war dead, we also continue with our tradition of ongoing conflict about just what is this confusing place we call home. So, on this Memorial Day 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.