Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/808248
ChipThompson, Editor How to have your say: Letters must be signed and provide the writer's home street address and home phone number. Anonymous letters, open letters to others, pen names and petition-style letters will not be allowed. Letters should be typed and no more than two double-spaced pages or 500words. When several letters address the same issue, a cross section will be published. Email: editor@ redbluffdailynews.com Fax: 530-527-9251 Mail to: Daily News 728Main St., Red Bluff, CA 96080 Facebook: Leave comments at FACEBOOK.COM/ RBDAILYNEWS Twitter: Follow and send tweets to @REDBLUFFNEWS Ihavedecidedtotacklethetopicofabortion again because a bill has been introduced in the California legislature that says all state- funded student health centers in California's universities and colleges should be able to give two pills to each pregnant student who wants them. Thesepillsendapregnancy if they are taken by a woman within 30 days of her last pe- riod. The bill was introduced by State Senator Connie Leyva, a Democrat from San Bernardino County. I sup- pose you could call them "month after pills." As we all know, in 1973 the United States Supreme Court made a landmark decision when the case of Roe vs. Wade made abortion legal through- out America. My personal 18 years expe- rience serving in the Califor- nia Assembly tells me that the same abortion controversy will now be raising its ugly head again. That controversy seems to always begin as a battle be- tween the Pro-Choice people and the Pro-Life people. Let me write that I don't think any person, especially a woman, ever had an abor- tion that was a positive expe- rience. And, there seems to be no use debating when life ac- tually begins either. Does life begin when a man and woman first fine each other irresist- ible? Or could it be when the man's seed is transferred to the woman. Indeed, this is a very heavy topic. It is also starting again this week because President Trump has chosen Niel Gor- such, a far right nominee, who is trying to become the next justice on our United States Supreme Court. Some politicians think the decisions on abortion need to be made at the state level. If that ever happens it could turn this issue into 50 differ- ent ways to handle the issue of abortion throughout America. A primary reason Senator Leyva is doing this is because she fears President Trump can't be trusted on women's is- sues, especially his present ef- forts to defund or possibly even eliminate the Planned Parenthood organization. Leyva was recently quoted say- ing, "Women in 2017 shouldn't be fighting for access to their bodies." I totally agree. In a world where women bare the biggest challenge to their bodies during the re- productive process, as well as the responsibilities for rear- ing their offspring, it is hard not to believe that women de- serve to have all the options that could be made available to them. The Food and Drug Administration has already approved this particular pill. Three million women have al- ready taken it. The availability of this abortion pill service on California's campuses would become the first in our nation. For undergrads and gradu- ate students abortion has un- fortunately become an almost normal life style. I think it is pretty much impossible to stop our species from falling into lust or love, so this option for women becomes very fortunate and frugal at the same time. I don't think government will ever stop people from doing what they want to do anyway. Please give me your per- sonal decision on this touchy and controversial proposal. Mytakeonthemovies Please take a pass on the film "Chips." It is a modern day version of the television series that was popular in the 1970s and '80s. My take is that it is not even good enough for puberty rid- den teenagers. This film only has a couple of laughs and unfortunately is loaded with crude sex jokes. They go way past innuendos. I think this film has basi- cally no redeeming value. StanStathamserved1976-1994 in the California Assembly and was a television news anchor at KHSL-TV in Chico 1965-1975. He is past president of the California Broadcasters Association and can be reached at StanStatham@ gmail.com. StanStatham Mytake on campus abortion pills Looking for missing sculptures Editor: I chauffered Dr. Chew Fish Yuen of Ukiah and Red Bluff from January 1973 until his passing in late April 1975. During this time I accompa- nied Dr. Yuen when he donated three gold "slow boat to China" sculptures to three museums in Oroville, Weaverville and the Kelly Griggs House Museum in Red Bluff. Sadly all three pieces have disappeared, listed as ei- ther missing or stolen. These boats are valuable items and were delivered in good faith by Dr. Yuen. I am writing a book about the time I spent with him and would like to know the true fate of these items. I have no wish or need to obtain them and have no plans for legal action of any kind. If somebody comes forward and tells me what happened to the boats, said person will re- main anonymous in the book if preferred. The chapter relating to the fate of the gold boats will say something like "I discovered what happened to these items but to protect those involved, I cannot reveal it here." I will continue to search for the truth, and if I discover the facts on my own I will publish them. My phone number is 775-423- 7555 and e-mail is quamdc@ cccomm.net. — Dr. Robert Quam, Fallon, Nevada The key to victory Editor: Lately, we've heard disturb- ing news about a nude photo scandal involving US Marines. Apparently, senior leaders were aware of this matter since 2013 and did nothing. Not to be outdone, the Na- vy's also dealing with its own sex and bribery — Fat Leonard — scandal, involving nine ac- tive and retired officers, includ- ing an admiral. Such incidents should make all of us wonder what's going on within our military. Are these simply isolated instances or is there an undercurrent of misbe- havior more pervasive than we care to imagine? Frankly, relying upon a 26- year military career and several command assignments, I'd say there's been a significant de- cline in military order and dis- cipline, most likely across all the services. As a squadron commander at one particular air base, I was required to perform periodic in- spections of my young airmen's on-base quarters. I was shocked by what I saw. Spit dripping down common- use stairwell walls, hundreds of empty beer cans, liquor bottles and pizza boxes strewn across the grounds, forbidden earrings in ears, improper wear of the uniform, including no required cover when outside, failure to render proper military courte- sies, take-out food containers overflowing in trash recepta- cles and stuffed in a public toi- let, music blasting across the courtyard from speakers placed in dorm windows and door- ways, a barbecue grill illegally cooking food on a second floor balcony and vehicles parked on grass and shrubbery despite le- gal postings forbidding entry. Yes, sadly, all true. After several attempts, the commanding general and se- nior enlisted advisor begrudg- ingly called for an All Hands formation and offered a half- hearted chewing out. To my dismay, even the 1st Sergeants Group showed no interest. Abu Ghraib prisoner abuse, Fat Leonard, USMC nude photo scandal and cheating during Minuteman Missile emergency war order testing. These and other documented incidences should give us all reason to be concerned. So, what's causing this appar- ent decline in good order and discipline? Perhaps it's the prevailing "don't rock the boat" attitude among military leadership, pre- ferring not to draw unneces- sary negative attention and pos- sibly compromising a coveted promotion or assignment. Or, there's the reluctance to offend the all-volunteer force for fear they may not reenlist. For some, it's just easier to accept the lower standards of behavior often found in the public sector. And finally, no kidding, it may boil down to sheer laziness by those in posi- tions of leadership. Although the problem is quite serious, the solution is rather simple. Senior military leadership must send a clear, unequivo- cal message to all troops, officer and enlisted alike, that failure to maintain good order and dis- cipline will not be tolerated. It must hold those in positions of command directly accountable and responsible for the enforce- ment of the highest personal and professional standards of conduct. Violations should be prosecuted, as appropriate, to the fullest extent possible. Dare I Say, all the fancy, high priced weapon systems in the world will never replace a well- trained, well-disciplined fight- ing force — the key to victory on the battlefield. — Pete Stiglich, Cottonwood No shortage of jobs Editor: Jobs are available everywhere in the county. There are a few paid jobs, most are non-pay and low pay. Many need volunteers due to low compensation being available. A strong work ethic with be- ing satisfied by having a job well done is needed. The big- gest job isn't finding a job, it's the challenge to fill all the non-pay and low pay jobs available. I remember a youngster with limited sight and hearing who read lips. He couldn't get a job after school so he volunteered for a few days, was hired and worked 10 years before chang- ing jobs. Volunteering helps to im- prove health and longevity of the doer, as well as enhancing the lives of others. — Steve Kelsey, Corning Your opinions Cartoonist's take This column isn't about the Affordable Care Act or a poten- tial Republican replacement, but about some issues that I have with healthcare. I know many of us would like to see some sort of single payer healthcare system, where the govern- ment essentially pays for everything. Many be- lieve that our government isn't capable of running such a pro- gram with any efficiency. I've heard complaints over the years about long waits to see a doctor in Canada, and well-to-do Cana- dians coming across the border to see American physicians. It seems that the country that de- veloped the atomic bomb, and was first to put a man on the moon, could figure out how to provide excellent healthcare for its lawful residents and citizens. The current healthcare bill- ing system is just downright loo- ney. It's like airline tickets. One passenger pays $1,300 for his roundtrip ticket, another $450, and the third travels "free" using frequent flyer miles. Medical in- surance statements typically list the amount billed, the amount allowed, the amount paid, and how much the insured actually has to pay. And things really get complicated when married folks each have their own separate medical insurance. You're always being sent questionnaires asking about whether you have "other" insurance and then you need to make sure both get billed by the providers. I once received a statement that said the physician was "out of plan". This meant he was not a member of the group that has agreed to accept the insur- ance company's pre-determined payment for specific services. I spent several months arguing that the doctor was part of my plan. But once everyone finally agreed with me, the amount charged to my insurance com- pany increased substantially, and my share was much more than before my full insurance kicked in — this is nuts, right? Furthermore, I know that hospitals often charge less for those who aren't insured, and even offer a substantial discount for prompt payment. Back when computer bill- ing started, software was cre- ated and marketed to medi- cal practices as a way to en- sure they didn't miss billing for each and every procedure. Some treatments had previously been lumped into a single description with one charge, but the soft- ware could now break this down and separately code each com- ponent for which the insurance companies would provide reim- bursement. I especially hate reviewing the bills I receive after any hospital- ization or major procedure. Who are these people? Just paying the hospital bill doesn't mean you're finished. There are bills from any physician who had anything to do with you. I got one from "Napa Imaging Inc." I didn't see anyone in Napa! It turned that the local imaging folks belonged to this group. There is usually some radiologist sitting in a room somewhere reviewing your x-rays or CT scan. And he sends his own statement. You think telephone and cable compa- nies have confusing bills, they're nothing like this. What if you bought a new car, and then after paying the dealer, you start getting miscellaneous statements in the mail? Here's a bill from the company that put on your tires. And another from the company that road-tested your car and conducted the final in- spection. And a cleaning bill from the independent contractor who washed your car. That's pretty much like a trip to the hospital. "Doc, I want the 'out-the-door' price on this gall bladder sur- gery — what's the total going to be?" Not likely. Wouldn't it be nice to get what- ever medical treatment you need, and never get a bill? I think I'd rather pay more taxes and avoid this mess altogether. Where is Doc Martin when you need him? Corky Pickering and his wife relocated from the Bay Area to Cottonwood in 2014. He recently retired from the federal government as an attorney advising law enforcement. He has been a rock and roll bass player and a Marine JAG. He can be reached at thecork6@ gmail.com. Corky Pickering Some issues I have with health care Corky Pickering Stan Statham OPINION » redbluffdailynews.com Thursday, April 6, 2017 » MORE AT FACEBOOK.COM/RBDAILYNEWS AND TWITTER.COM/REDBLUFFNEWS A4