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6A – Daily News – Monday, April 5, 2010 Opinion Fanning flames of discontent 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 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 It's been a little more than a week since Tea Party protesters hurled racial and homophobic slurs and spat at members of Con- gress. I don't want to repeat the language they used. Their despi- cable statements were widely reported in the media, and unfor- tunately this was not an isolated or fringe event. Sadly, and likely without the widespread support of their members, the Tea Party movement is inciting violent acts targeting Democrats who voted to support the health care reform bill. Democrats and Republicans alike must immediately address this atmosphere of violence target- ing our elected officials. You would think this would be uncon- troversial in the wake of protesters shouting the "N word" in the halls of Congress. But shockingly the Republican National Committee has refused to endorse a bi-parti- san "civility" statement that would send a message to the protesters. As evidenced by Wally Herg- er’s enthusiastic reception by the Red Bluff Tea party last week, Republican leaders have courted the Tea Party movement while methodically supporting, exacer- bating, and exploiting its mem- bers' fear and anger for cynical political ends. The Sad Saturday protest and recent past events are just the most recent examples of the intolerance and hate coming from right-wing extremists since the election of President Obama. Some are even actively work- ing to escalate the violence. Tea Party darling and FOX News commentator Sarah Palin told her supporters "Don't Retreat, Instead — RELOAD!", and published a map with cross-hairs over the dis- tricts of some Democrats who voted for health care reform. While Palin and her Tea Party sup- porters say they do not advocate violence, their rhetoric and tenor speak otherwise. Words carry great weight and power, as conser- vatives well know by using terms such as "cramming legislation down our throats", raising the specter of "Armageddon", and fabricating fictitious entities like "death panels", to describe the recently enacted health care legis- lation. As I write this I reflect upon the desire of Ann Landers to set aside April 2 as National Reconciliation Day, a time to make a first move toward mending broken relation- ships. I hope that in the spirit of this season of renewal, those fan- ning flames of discontent might turn over a new leaf and begin to focus instead upon opportunities to bridge gaps in our relationships by building upon common inter- ests so that together we might forge a more perfect union. To elevate this hope I’m calling on Democratic, Republi- can, Tea Party, and now Coffee Party members to do three simple things: 1) unequivocally condemn bigotry and hate among their sup- porters, and make clear that those who embrace it have no place in their party, 2) make clear that they will not tolerate fear-mongering and coded appeals to racism and stereotyping at any level and 3) apply the golden rule to their pub- lic discourse by speak- ing unto others as they wish others would speak to them. Richard Mazzucchi Positive Point These are among the goals we will discuss at the next meeting of the emerging local Coffee Party Movement this Wednesday April 7 at 5:30pm. To better accommodate supporters in a quiet environment we will be at the M&M Ranch House meeting room across from the Tehama County Fairgrounds. Items on the agenda include introduction of new faces, adoption of a mis- sion statement, development of goals and "rules of engagement", and the conduct of a brief survey to gauge interest in specific topic areas, understand par- ticipant perspectives, and identify those interested in helping form and maintain the local party. We want you to feel welcome and appreciated so long as you are civil and respectful of the time and viewpoints of oth- ers. I also want to openly apologize to anyone that may have been offended at our first gathering or by any of my statements here or elsewhere. It is my sincere hope to break down barriers that divide us so we can work together irrespective of our political, religious, or ethnic affil- iations for our common good. If you’d like to work with people of like mind please plan to meet with us on Wednesday evening. Richard Mazzucchi is a retired research engineer specializing in energy efficiency and renewable energy. He can be reached at living-green@att.net. 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. Chili, dinner and truth in polling Commentary This Saturday, which should be a delightful spring day, will pro- vide opportunities to appreciate and get to know folks serving the cause of local conservatism, while having some deserved fun. The annual Round-Up Chili Cook-off is, after all, about noth- ing but fun — unless you’re cook- ing. Readers all know the game plan: get your sampling kit, start at one end of the street, methodi- cally, or not, proceed from one booth to the next and, finally, vote for your favorite. Bear in mind that chili tasting can only go on so long – pots do run out and stom- achs reach their fill. That’s about the time you’ll notice some booths that don’t actually have any chili, and among those deserving your attention will be the Tehama County Tea Party Patriots. They’ll be multi-tasking with crafts to look over and possibly buy, voter registration forms, petitions for causes you may want to support, and literature and flyers to famil- iarize you with what they stand for. It may surprise you to see one of your neighbors greeting you. When the chili starts to wear off and the call of dinner arises, plan on dressing western and breaking bread at the 7th Annual Red, White, and Blue Fundraising Banquet for the Tehama County Republican Party. It will be at 5 p.m. at the Veterans Memorial Hall, 735 Oak St. For a little more than the cost of dinner at a fine restaurant, you can: partake of a high-end menu by Snack Box Catering, rub elbows with past and present elected representa- tives, and honor the flag with the Sons of the American Revolution Color Guard. The National Anthem will be sung by Megan Mandolfo, dinner piano will be courtesy of Devin Penner, and Chad Bushnell will serenade you with western songs. C. Jerome Crow will be honored for his service to the Republican community. Raffle items might suit your needs and could be a bargain if you bid wisely. So, just who is State Senator Sam Aanestad? Well, his 4th State Senate District is pretty large and includes us, so we don’t see much of him, but that changes on Satur- day when he’ll be the featured speaker at the banquet. He’s run- ning for the Republican nomina- tion for Lt. Governor in the prima- ry election and, in what could be a Republican wave in November, you may be able to say you heard him speak and shook his hand before he won the election. Reservations are preferred for planning the meal service; call Linda Allison at 865-2666 or Ken Say at 529-1226 for individual and table prices. Active, uni- formed military and children under 12 are free. Moving on – misrepresenta- tion, intentional or otherwise, has always bothered me, wherever it is found. I think a lot of readers can tell when a writer is engaged in hurling cheap shots and falla- cious criticism, but when history itself is tortured to present an untruth, a correction is warranted. It was stated on this page, with malice, that Republicans opposed Medicare, Civil Rights laws and Social Security. Interest- ingly, I recently saw the actual numbers for Republicans and Democrats that voted for those items. I recall that about 80 percent of Republicans voted for the 1964 Civil Rights law, compared to less than half of Democrats; about 60 percent of Republicans voted for Medicare. I forget the percent government to fight the require- ment for every American to obtain health insurance; they also believe that the bill will worsen deficits. A plurality of voters is "less likely to vote for House members who voted for the health care bill" and believes it will increase premiums and reduce coverage. Overwhelmingly, by Don that voted for Social Security but it was not insignificant. Republi- cans did mostly oppose Roosevelt’s New Deal, Johnson’s Great Society and, consistently, Obama’s stimulus and health care measures. Those positions were principled and, in my opinion, correct. Polson The way I see it Since, in the battle for public opinion, polling results are often misrepresented, here are accurate, truthful results from polls of adults or voters by USA Today/Gallup, Rasmussen, Wash- ington Post, CBS News and Quin- nipiac: Majorities called passage of the Affordable Care Act "a bad thing," and the methods used by Democrats "an abuse of power." A majority said the vote made them "more pessimistic about Washington." Majorities disapprove of Oba- maCare, want it repealed, and favor their state suing the federal about two to one, they say health care reform "costs too much and expands government too far," and want Republicans to "contin- ue to challenge the health care bill." In all of these questions, the independent or "unaffil- iated" voters were much closer to the Republican position than the Democrats’ position. When polled, the so- called "political class," who work in and around government, are far more favorable to ObamaCare. Finally, most voters believe Tea Party members "have a better understanding of the issues facing America today than members of Congress." Coincidentally, Fidel Castro considers health care reform to be "a miracle" and "an important battle and a success of his (Obama’s) government." (AP, LA times) Don Polson has called Red Bluff home since 1988.He can be reached by e-mail at donplsn@yahoo.com.