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6A Daily News – Friday, September 7, 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. 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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 North State's political shell game explained on the next act of political theater for North State residents. As a disclaimer, this column is The curtain lifted Wednesday in no way to be considered an endorsement, nor condemnation, of any political candidate. It's sim- ply some personal musings on recent developments in the whacky realm of North State poli- tics, which I find painfully hilari- ous. planned to run for LaMalfa's Sen- ate seat. State Sen. Doug LaMalfa, who is running to replace Rep. Wally Herger in Congress, stepped down from the Senate a week ago citing that doing so would save taxpayers a costly special election by com- bining the Senate election with November's General Election. Herger endorsed LaMalfa, who is running on a platform of spend- ing cuts and fiscal responsibility while having collected generous farm subsidies, when Herger announced his retirement, all but assuring LaMalfa the Republican nod in the primary. LaMalfa faces Democrat Jim Reed, an attorney from Fall River Mills. who owns a home in Gerber but can't honestly expect anyone to believe he resides there, announced earlier this year he wouldn't seek reelection to the 2nd Assembly District because he Assemblyman Jim Nielsen, Nielsen cited the same noble reasoning as LaMalfa — saving taxpayers the cost of a special elec- tion — when announcing his intention to not seek reelection. I admire his concern for saving tax- payers money, but wish it extend- ed to forgoing per diem payments for room and board while staying at his Woodland home when the Assembly is in session. The succession plan was in place until Wednesday, when Assemblyman Dan Logue tossed his hat into the State Senate race for the seat recently vacated by LaMalfa. To be more specific, Logue tossed a second hat into the Senate race. His first is still vying for the 3rd District Assembly seat against Democrat Charles Rouse of Corn- ing, a retired postal worker. In a statement, Logue said, and Rouse agreed, LaMalfa's resigna- tion and previous endorsement of Nielsen amount to a maneuver to assure Nielsen's election to the Senate. Ya think? LaMalfa has denied this, even though this is the same strategy Herger used to place LaMalfa as the frontrunner for the Congres- sional seat. So where does that leave North State voters? LaMalfa is favored to become the representa- tive of California's 2nd Congressional District. Nothing against Jim Reed, but it's a tall order to expect North State vot- ers to elect a lawyer and a Democrat over a Repub- lican farmer. I could be wrong. Nielsen is popular among constituents and has a solid record in the Senate and Assembly, so he would appear to be a lock for LaMalfa's Sen- ate seat. Logue will cam- paign hard, but his recent history of jumping dis- tricts to avoid facing Nielsen, then jumping back when Nielsen announced he wouldn't seek reelection, will likely give voters pause. It's the 3rd Assembly District race that is perhaps most interest- ing to consider. It's safe to assume that, should Logue win election to both the Assembly and Senate, he would choose the Senate seat. The result would be the dreaded special elec- tion for the 3rd Assembly District. The alternative would be voters electing a Democrat, Rouse. Chip Thompson 545 Diamond Ave. Again, a tall order for the predominantly Republican North State electorate. I could be wrong. Sadly, Tehama County lost out on its other option for truly local representation when Supervisor Bob Williams was defeated by Logue in June's Republican primary. Sadder still when you consider Logue does- n't appear to want the Assembly job very badly. selves having to choose between voting for a Democrat to repre- sent them or having to pony up for a special election simply to assure a Republican will fill the seat. Only in the North State do Republican voters find them- But that's what makes North State politics the best show in town. Chip Thompson can be reached at 527-2151, Ext. 112 or by email at editor@redbluffdailynews.co m. Follow him on Twitter @EditorChip. 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: governor@governor.ca.gov. U.S. REPRESENTATIVE — Wally Herger (R), 2595 Ceanothus Ave., Ste. 182, Chico, CA 95973; 893- 8363. U.S.SENATORS — Dianne Fein- stein (D), One Post Street, Suite 2450, San Francisco, CA 94104; (415) 393-0707.Fax (415) 393-0710. Barbara Boxer (D), 1700 Mont- gomery St., Suite 240, San Francis- co, CA 94111; (510) 286-8537. Fax (202) 224-0454. Necessity is the mother of invention Commentary Great grandson Jacob, age 4, and family were at Disneyland last week, and the little fel- low was anxious to go on the various rides. His folks, N. and J. Duckham, chose a ride that looked adventurous but not dangerous. Howev- er, when they went to the booth to purchase tickets, little Jake was asked by the attendant to stand against the wall on which had been marked a height requirement of 40". But as lit- tle Jake did not measure up, by 2 inches, the attendant told him he was not allowed on the ride. He immediately burst into tears. His par- ents told him they would find him another ride just as adventurous, but when the father spotted another marker on the wall next to the booth, he knew that ride was also denied for his boy unless he could grow another couple of inches immediately. A light bulb of an idea went on over Jeremy's head and the two of them retired to a restroom where folded toilet paper was added to the liner of his shoes. They then pro- ceeded to march proudly to the ride entrance where Jake just managed to qualify as a big boy. I know, I know, the rule was in place for the safety of the child, but, as an old army buddy once transposed it, "Give the chance a kid"…and they did. *** for another poll that may pose the question in a different way. For example, a 1972 poll by Oliver Quayle & Company asked which public figures they trusted the most. Of the choices, Walter Cronkite came out ahead. And yet the poll surveyed voters in only 18 states and Cronkite was the only news- man on the list...all the others were politicians. However, in a poll taken in 1974 specifi- cally of attitudes toward tele- vision newscasters, Cronkite finished fourth in the best liked category behind John Chancellor, Harry Reasoner and Howard K. Smith. *** Robert Minch I Say In a letter to the editor last week, V. Lallatin of Red Bluff listed the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' 13 articles of faith...and concluded her lengthy dissertation stating Mitt Romney would be a great President. That may well be the case, but I found of interest Article 7, which avows that the Mormons believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelations and so forth. Thus the staying power of any religion responds to change when the public mood demands it. In 1978, Mormon Church leaders, led by Spencer W. Kimball, declared they had received a revelation instructing them to reverse their racial restriction policy meaning no longer were people of dark skin considered cursed and therefore were deemed acceptable to be members of the church and eligible for ranking positions therein. And so Mormon Mitt can be counted upon to be President of all the people...if elected, of course. *** If you are disappointed in the results of recent political polls, don't dismay. Just wait The DN edition of 28 August had a perplex- ing headline which read, "Make sure wayfarin does is accurate." I am as much in favor of accuracy in media as the next guy, but confess I am not familiar with Wayfarin and its "does." Aha! The word is Warfarin and it is a rat killer, although repeated use of it over the years has caused rats to become resistant to it. But what we should be concerned about is the word "dose" rather than the word "does." Is that clear? Good. Let's move along rather than beat the proofreader over the head. He who is fore- warned is forearmed. effort I wrote "fete" instead of "feat" which caused a quick response from school secretary V. Darnell of Rancho Tehama Elementary School. She cautioned that a fete is a feast, whereas a feat is an accomplishment. As she is a Giants' fan, she gets my attention on several levels. *** Of course, typos are catching. In last week's threat in the far South Pacific, i.e. the fall of one bastion of democracy will cause the fall of its neighbor. Well, we lost that war only to see the region thrive on post war benevo- lence. Tsk, tsk. Such a loss of young men such as Dean Belnap, Wendell Chatfield, Don Dunn, Loren Martin- sen, Gary Richardson and Michael Smith. *** Judo? They are white, brown, black and higher degrees may wear red and white and then solid red. Also Ben Gunn, in the Treasure Island novel, wanted a piece of cheese from Jim Hawkins, not a kiss. This week's quiz: What can run, but not walk, has a mouth but never talks, has a head but never weeps, has a bed but never sleeps? And who is buried in Grant's Tomb? *** Last week's quiz once again went unanswered. Have we lathered this horse once too often? The question last week: What are the col- ors of the belts awarded in very loud and unattractive woman walked into the store shouting obscenities at her two boys. As instructed, I said pleasantly, "Good morning and welcome to Walmart. Nice children you have there... are they twins?" On my first day as a Walmart greeter, a The ugly woman yelled back at me, "Don't be so stupid! Of course they're not twins. One is 6 and the other is 8. Why the hell would you think they are twins? Are you blind or just stu- pid?" Last week the Traveling Vietnam Wall opened at the Tehama District Fairground accompanied by a fly over by a Boeing C17 Global Master. The flight apparently was to call our attention to the exhibit and to once again remind us of "the forgotten War." On said wall, B. and S. Davidson noted six veter- ans from Red Bluff who gave their all in that dubious cause designed to curtail a "domino" I replied, "I'm neither blind nor stupid, Madam…I just couldn't believe anyone would make love to you twice." I got fired. Robert Minch is a lifelong resident of Red 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.