Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/71339
6A Daily News – Friday, June 22, 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 Cyber to fiber The reverse of this phrase has long been used to describe the transition of printed newspapers — on fiber-based material — to digital media. I've flipped it around in an attempt to illustrate how many ways we use digital resources to produce your traditional folds of newsprint each day. And to point out the ways it makes that product better and allows us to produce it with fewer journal- ists. Web can't be trusted, and that's true in many instances — I have received plenty of comically misinformed letters to the editor based on half-truths and out- right falsehoods gleaned from the Web. Most people picture newspa- per reporters interviewing sources face to face and we still do that. But it's as common that we'll exchange e-mails and texts with sources. The latter assures better accuracy, as the information can be lifted verba- tim and not subject to a reporter's stenography skills. We have a world of back- ground information available on the Web for many of the stories we write — including, but not limited to, the archives at red- bluffdailynews.com. There are those who will argue that information from the know to consider the source and verify questionable information through multiple channels. If there's any doubt, we err on the side of what we know to be true. At the same time, journalists employed nearly as many pho- tographers as they did reporters. The Daily News hasn't had a dedicated photographer in the more than four years I've been here, and likely not for some years prior. Today we have just two reporters and a sportswriter, but that means we have four pho- tographers, including me, thanks to digital photography. We have as many videographers for the same reason. Nowadays, we each carry a smartphone that's smaller than a pack of cigarettes and can cap- There was a time newspapers ture still photos and video at a moment's notice. Smartphones ensure we'll always be able to capture news when we witness it. Click and send. I can be at a traf- fic collision, take a photo, type a short caption as a text mes- sage and send it all to our webmaster and within minutes it can be on our site — in the paper the next edition. It's easy to long for the large newsroom staffs of years gone by, when we had the luxu- ry of spending days or weeks developing sto- ries, at the same time covering all the check presentations and installation dinners. Chip Thompson 545 Diamond Ave. Instead, we focus on the technological advantages we have gained in recent years and capitalize on the partnership we have with readers, who can pro- vide us with information easily through this technology. Thanks to a nifty applica- tion, our smartphones are also police and fire scanners. When an incident breaks over the scanner in the news- room, we can follow its development on our phones while responding to the area. This is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to utilizing technology. The real frontier is the red- bluffdailynews.com, where we are explor- ing a vast array of innovative and inter- active tools to better gather and deliver news. more time we will have to explore the next generation of newrooms. editor@redbluffdailynews.com. 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. Father's Day vs. Mother's Commentary fathers, I can state that we, as a group do not have high expectations when cometh Father's Day. It is not a mandatory day such as Mother's Day, in which a failure to observe could result in last will and testament change…and without said observance nationwide, could spell doom to the flower and greeting card industry. However, when dads do get recognition, it is appreciated. That said, the highlight of last Sunday for yours truly was when I looked out the kitchen window and witnessed a ritual that has been gathering steam since we lost Madalyn a year ago. On the north patio, the missus has a garden swing upon which she sits and drinks her early morning coffee. When our remaining two daughters are at the ranch, this is where they convene to catch up on local happenings. And often, when our son has finished his chores with the horses, he joins them and becomes a part of this bonding experience. Readers may find this familiar territory with their own offspring, but for me, it was the essence of Father's Day. I did- n't have to join in the discussion but merely to observe it in action to bask in the warmth of it all. Maybe you had to be there. *** A woman poked her head into our office and Speaking without authority, but for all asked for directions, "To the firehouse." I asked if she was familiar with Red Bluff. She said yes and I proceeded to direct her over a block to Washington, to turn left and go south two and a half blocks. She looked confused and protested it was supposed to be on Main Street. Then a light went on over my head and I replied that if she meant the Firehouse Pizza place, it was just in the middle of our block. I was relieved that she only wanted a slice rather than to report a con- flagration in our vicinity. *** Mayor that these were hard times. He nodded and I continued. 'We lost Steve Jobs. And before that we lost Johnny Cash. And before that we lost Bob Hope. Do you know what that means Mr. Mayor?' He said no. 'It means the country has no jobs, no Cash and no Hope!'" The mayor should have seen that coming. *** Have you noticed a pletho- ra of little dogs being led about town on a leash? These are tiny dogs that could nearly fit in a teacup! And they seem to be led about by young peo- ple who apparently rely on foot power to navigate our fair city. I figure, if on a fixed income or even nonexistent income, these little pets are economical to maintain. One bowl that Murray Clyde consumes twice a day would feed these fly weight pooches for a week. However, we prefer the big dog…the kind you can pet and stroke without bending over. *** The apostrophe police should have been alerted when the Redding Record Searchlight printed the headline to Annies' Mailbox which read, "ADDICTION AND IT'S TOLL ON THE FAMILY" Stuff like this drives C. Larimer nuts. If you respond he has not far to drive, I must protest most vigorously. *** From a column in the San Jose Mercury News, author unknown: "I mentioned to the When the recently demised Mary Lee Grimes and I talked about churches, I reminded her that my mother was a Presbyterian and I attended Sunday school in the old and I guess original church. It had a half basement in the rear which served as a nursery-kindergarten room. It was a half basement because the win- dows opened onto ground level in the alley. It was therefore a big deal when we moved upstairs with the adults for Sunday school. I asked Mary Lee why the service before the main service was called "school." She said it was because it was where one studied the bible…but, to be sure, she would look it up. I don't think she did but she was right about most things. Years later my father moved us to the Baptist church, which seemed cold and remote in contrast. Father had faith but he also allocat- ed his time well because he had to load out trucks on Sunday afternoon…and so conspicu- ously held his watch in his hand so the minister would be reminded not to pontificate beyond the noon hour. And I have told the story many times since that because I had ear trouble as a young lad, the minister was instructed, when baptizing me, not to put my head under water. He obeyed and therefore did not get a full immersion…and conse- quently the baptism did not take. On that I think we can all agree. *** Robert Minch I Say Chico State, many of our bebop songs had chord changes based on "I Got Rhythm" and "Indi- ana." Ah, those were the days… *** Last week's quiz asked to match popular song chord progressions in one column with those in another. I added, if stumped, readers might contact the pianoman J. Gon- salves. Though no one provid- ed the correct answers, John was disappointed no one called him for the answers, which he readily knew, of course. As an aside, when playing in a jazz quintet at The more we rely on technology to help us deliver the print product you want, the Chip Thompson can be reached at 527-2151, Ext. 112 or by email at This week's quiz: Match the following poets with their famous works: John Milton, Alexan- der Pope, Thomas Gray, Robert Burns and William Wordsworth with Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard, On His Blindness, Soli- tude, A Red, Red Rose and Perfect Woman. *** Worth a repeat: A wife, going through her husband's overalls discovered an old frayed claim check from a shoe repair man. "What is this?" she asked. "Oh", the husband answered, "that slip must be 20 years old. I wondered what had happened to those boots. I better go down to the shop and see if they are still there." He did so, presented the claim check to the cobbler. "They will be ready Thursday." Robert Minch is a lifelong resident of Red The cobbler replied, without missing a beat, Bluff, former columnist for the Corning Daily Observer and Meat Industry magazine and author of the "The Knocking Pen." He can be reached at rminchandmurray@hotmail.com.