Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/8240
Wednesday, March 24, 2010 – Daily News – 5A Opinion Refreshing D NEWSAILY 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 Editor: How refreshing. An elected official taking the blame himself and not passing it on or playing the excuse game (regarding the improper release of a suspect arrested for violating a no contact order). 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 "I'm a busy person. Why do I have to fill out this U.S. Cen- sus form anyhow?" "The U.S. Constitution says that every 10 years, the federal government must count every resident in the United States. It sounds simple, but what it real- ly comes down to is politics and money." "How does it involve poli- tics?" "There are 435 seats in the U.S. House. The government uses the population count to determine the number of seats your state will have. In 2002, after the 2000 census results were tallied, 12 seats moved across 18 states." "Change happens. What's the big deal?" "When a state gains or loses seats, the political party in power redraws congressional districts with hopes of making it impossible for the other party to win." "Politicians would do that? I'm shocked. But what does the census have to do with money?" "It determines, says the cen- sus form, the 'amount of gov- ernment money your neighbor- hood will receive.' The idea is that the more people the census Thank you Sheriff Parker for doing the right thing. Bob Chaney, Red Bluff Marijuana ordinance Editor: I do not know if anyone did the math but the following figures per- tain to the proposed 1,000-foot from any school bus stop restric- tion in the proposed ordinance. One thousand feet from a des- ignated bus stop equals 3,141,590 square feet. That figure equals 72 acres. In a call to Antelope School, it only has three bus routes equal- ing 55 stops that equals a total of 3,960 acres that fall into the pro- posed no cultivation areas. Adding all of the bus stops for all of the schools will considerably increase that number. Also the proposed no cultiva- tion within 100 feet from any property line makes most of the residential lots in Tehama County within the no grow zones. This will make many of the people growing their own medical mari- juana in violation of this proposed ordinance. This ordinance would favor people with large parcels of land, restricting or prohibiting qualified patients and caregivers’ right to grow, and creating a market for illegal sales. I question the reasons for this. It makes me wonder who on the Board of Supervisors, or their supporters, owns the amount of land that allows them to grow up to 99 plants? This could benefit the large land owners by putting them in a position to make a profit from sell- ing their crop to the very patients whom the board is restricting or prohibiting the ability to grow their own medication. This ordinance practically encourages illegal, for- profit commercial growth. Since the ordinance doesn't allow collectives, cooperatives and dispensaries how does the board rationalize allowing a single large land patient or caregiver 99 plants” Does the board assume a large land owner is growing 99 plants as medicine for one person's con- sumption? There is a conflict of logic here. Douglas Gunning, Corning Knowing our candidates Editor: Each election season I drive around town and see poster boards telling me to vote for thus and such, or so in so. The problem is I don't know of anywhere I can get information on the views the can- didates hold, nor what laws would they try to pass, etc. I used to think it was no big deal whether I voted or not. How- ever, after hearing one of the rep- resentatives from the Wall Builders — a Christian group that spends its time educating the pub- lic of America's Christian roots — explain that it is a Christian's responsibility to vote for those whom would uphold Godly prin- ciples, I realize it's my duty to vote. He used the story of the Minas and Tallents to illustrate his point spo- ken of in Matthew 25: 14-30. So with all this in mind, would you know where a person could find the information on the candi- dates which state where they stand on such critical issues as abortion, gay marriage, and educational reforms? Thank you very much. Bernadette Holliday, Red Bluff Coffee Party Editor: The Tea Party is in favor of less government interference more military spending and low tax rates. They are against any appear- ance of socialism like free health- care, education or any program that takes money from those who have it and gives it to those that don't. As I envision it the Coffee Party is for more government interference in business especially in the food production business. Did you know that A livestock drug banned in 160 nations and responsible for hyperactivity, muscle breakdown and 10 percent mortality in pigs has been approved by the FDA. Why is a drug marked, "Not for use in humans," allowed in the meat section of our supermarkets? The same folks that say individu- als with cardiovascular disease should exercise special caution to avoid exposure. Use protective clothing, impervious gloves, pro- tective eye wear, and a NIOSH- approved dust mask claim it is safe in human food? With no washout period? We have become the bully Your Turn boys of this new century with troops stationed all over the globe. The military has no need for expansion or to developing deadlier killing machines. The ones they have are sufficient to render this planet uninhabitable a thousand times over. The war barons need to keep us fighting endless wars so their profits con- stantly come rolling in. If this War On Terror was a just war I don't believe the military would have experienced a record breaking suicide rate this last cou- ple years. As far as the health care debate goes, shouldn't we be more con- cerned about the quality and avail- ability of health care rather than concentrating solely on the profit margin of insurance companies? Governments always redistrib- ute wealth, that’s what govern- ments do. For the last few decades the powers that be have funneled money upstream. Draconian cuts were made in social programs while CEOs have gotten multi- million dollar bonuses for running their companies into the ground and laying off workers. Marijuana doesn't breed crimi- nals but abject poverty and a hyp- ocritical and un-just justice system do. If you agree with the above, let’s get together and brew some hot political coffee. The place is Round Table Pizza in Red Bluff and the time is 5-7 tonight. Hope to see you all there. Orval Strong, Gerber Your officials 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. Census 101 Commentary determines to be living in a region, the greater percentage of federal dough that region will receive. You better fill out the form to get your fair share." "Wait a second. I work hard and pay taxes to the federal government. The government skims off its share, then sends what is left back to me based on the number of people who live in my neighborhood?" "You're beginning to under- stand. The government sends your neighborhood money to fix roads, build bridges and fund all kinds of government programs — so that your House member can take cred- it." "That doesn't sound like a very efficient way to use my money." "It's much worse than that. Our government is spending hundreds of billions more than it is taking in. It is borrowing that money. Your children and grandchildren will be saddled with the cost of that debt." "People not yet born are already in debt? But how does this tie into the census?" "If the people in your neigh- borhood don't complete the census form, some other neigh- borhood will receive your chil- dren's and grandchildren's hard-earned money — that would be immoral." "I'll complete the form as soon as I get it. Is it difficult?" "Not at all. There are 10 questions. You are asked to state your name, sex, age, race, telephone number and whether you own or rent your home. There are no questions about your religion, whether you are a legal U.S. resident or if you have a Social Security num- ber." "That figures. I'd be entire form by April 1 to ensure that my state counts as many people as possible, so that my representative will be able to take credit for as much government spending as possible, and so that my neigh- borhood will receive its fair share of my children's and grand- children's hard- earned money?" "Now you've got it." Tom happy to say what my religion and Social Security number are, but I'm touchy about giving my age. What if choose to keep some of this information private?" "If you don't complete and mail the form by April 1, cen- sus workers will come to your home. If you don't cooperate with them, criminal charges may be filed or you may be fined up to $100. Besides, the information is to be kept pri- vate." "OK, then let me get it all straight: I need to complete the Purcell "Too bad the cen- sus people can't col- lect information of people who aren't born yet." "Why is that?" "If we had their Tom Purcell, a humor columnist for the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, is nationally syndicated exclusively by Cagle Cartoons newspaper syndicate. Visit Tom on the Web at www.TomPurcell.com or e-mail him at Purcell@caglecartoons.com. future addresses, we could send them cards to thank them for so generously advancing us bil- lions of dollars of their hard- earned dough." ———