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4A Daily News – Friday, October 19, 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 Political reality TV Tuesday's "town hall" debate roused the passion of both Democrats and Republicans, because it combined two enter- tainment forms that most Ameri- cans understand and enjoy far more than politics: sports and real- ity TV. The N.Y. Post headline, "Mitt, Bam go blow to blow," was indis- tinguishable from how the tabloid would cover a boxing match. On Fox News Channel, the conserva- tive pundit Charles Krauthammer said it was enjoyable because the candidates looked like gladiators in a ring, swinging away at each other. In The Washington Post, liberal columnist Eugene Robin- son said Obama "punched hard." And those "real people" asking the questions? They were chosen, choreographed and rehearsed with the same degree of faux reality that you get on a show like "Sur- vivor." age folks, after all, they were self- defined "undecideds," who actual- ly comprise a tiny percentage of voters. Eleven of them made it on air, having been hand picked by the moderator, Candy Crowley, in a delicate balancing act of male and female, young and old — with care taken to include one African American and one Latino. Crowley, by the way, did an excellent job. But those asking the questions were merely theatrical props. Not only were they coached by Crowley before the event, their microphones were cut immediately after they asked their questions, to guarantee they could neither comment further nor attempt to follow up. The pool of 82 citizens select- ed by the Gallup Organization was not really typical of anything other than what organizers believed would make the best tele- vision show. These weren't aver- The thing about today's reality TV is that the stakes are too high to let it be completely real. Stage- crafted the way it was Tuesday, it was great television, and over 65 million people tuned in. Viewers have repeatedly said in surveys that they favor the town hall for- mat, even though most journalists have criticized it over the years. This time around, even news people softened a bit and praised the show. But what were they real- ly praising? The realness? Or the fact that Crowley and the Commission on Presidential Debates did all they could to suck most of the reality out of it? With tens of thousands of questions submitted online, and more than a hundred turned in by the folks on stage, Crowley was able to guide the event exactly as she felt was journalistically appropriate and could plug in pretty much any question she wanted. There weren't going to be slips like in 2004 when the first question of the night, unfiltered, challenged Sen. John Kerry to explain why he seemed "wishy- washy." Reality works best on television when it's not too real. Sticking with sports jargon, many are calling Monday night's final debate a "tie-breaker." Rom- ney won round one, Obama won round two, and in Boca Raton, Fla., they'll compete for the title. Monday's finale will focus on Peter Funt foreign affairs, with CBS veteran Bob Schieffer, 75, as moderator. How will Schieffer play it? Will he be like the slick- fielding Crowley? Will he use an aggres- sive game plan like eager rookie Martha Raddatz employed in the vice presidential debate? Or, will Schi- effer play it safe the way Jim Lehrer did in round one — making Lehrer seem more like a replacement ref? those town hall questioners? Will any of them write a book or turn up on "Today" or "Good Morning, America"? And what about The only thing certain in American sports, reality TV and politics is that the losers often insist that the game was rigged. Peter Funt is a writer and speaker and can be reached at www.CandidCamera.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. Be sure to vote, I think Commentary Have just completed my Vote by Mail Bal- lot...and it was not as satisfying an experience as in the past. It seems, to this voter, that the coun- try has not been run efficiently for many years, and yet the candidates currently running for the various offices often seem to have baggage sug- gesting they are not the best to lead us into the future. It may be that the task is too formidable, or that the government is so large and unwieldy that no one individual or party can manage it properly. Therefore, there is a great urge to vote for none of the above. But that is like not voting at all. Sigh... *** A study by Kyung-Jin Min of Korea Univer- sity indicates that castrated men live longer. Eunuchs, back in the Chosun Dynasty days, apparently lived an average 14 to 19 years longer than "intact" men in similar socio-eco- nomic status. 3 of 81 eunuchs studied lived to 100 or more, giving the group a centenarian rate some 130 times that in developed nations today. In my opinion there is nothing in these sta- tistics to indicate the trade off of longevity ver- sus virility is particularly beneficial in today's society. True, one undergoing this alteration might find employment in a harem...but harems are scarce in the U.S. and it is rare to find such in the yellow pages. Best to rely on vitamins and a seat in the Senate or House of Representatives, where a long life at the public trough is practi- cally guaranteed as is libidinous conduct. *** would have to be Rotary Club approval, which has proven to be sloth like in such action. I'm still awaiting approval to place the original bell from the tower on the lawn facing Main Street. Tsk, tsk. *** In 1996, President Clinton and Congress passed a wel- fare reform law. However, on July 12th of this year, the Health and Human Services Department issued an admin- istrative order to the states effectively reversing the work requirements contained in the law. The move is troubling because lawmakers went to great lengths to craft the 1996 reform law such that the work requirement could not be eas- ily reversed, certainly not without congressional approval. However, says writer Gary Halbert, "For whatever reason, President Obama decided to do it anyway. Many Republicans and even some Democrats are stunned by this action." As the late John Hoy once said, inaccurately, "You don't have to work for a living...you can starve!" *** Julie Zeeb, staff writer for the DN, reported that "bright, vibrant colors were shooting off the wall of the art building behind the Tehama County Fairground's office" during the recent district fair. This would be the work of members of the Red Bluff Art Association where they created a collage of images spanning the 108- foot wall. This reminds me that the 115 foot wall to the south of the Cone & Kimball Plaza...a part of Peter Lassen Square, would still be a dandy spot for a mural depicting the old Cone & Kimball building, which once occupied the present park like setting. I had proposed this years ago but the rest of the committee, con- vened to promote the clock tower replica, vetoed the idea. Said mural is still feasible at this late date, but a couple of trees would have to be removed to allow adequate viewing...and tree removal is not fashionable these days. Plus there eage credentials and is a lifelong resident of our fair county. Governor Brown should be notified that John is the man for the job. Whereas he appears to have a perpetual smile on his face, he is a shrewd assessor of people, does not suffer fools gladly and if placed in a position of trust, will serve his constituents well. This all assumes he will accept the appointment to the position. *** Robert Minch I Say In the ever fascinating DN Police Reports, we learned that "someone on Mobile Drive called Corning Police Wednesday to report her feelings had been hurt. The woman was coun- seled that it was not appropriate to handle the issue in this manner and an improper use of 911." True, many folks get their feelings hurt from time to time (see such as reported by for- mer and current DN columnists) but such anguish should be aired though proper chan- nels. Letters to the editor being a good start, or public forums such as conducted by Tea Party members. No sense pouting and keeping such slights to one's self. *** Although our unofficial Tehama County Ambassador John Growney should be in the Senate in Sacramento, we could find no better man to fill the unexpired term of the late George Russell on the Tehama County Board of Super- visors. He is a fine fellow, like horses, has lin- The Lone Ranger and Tonto went camping in the desert. After they had erected their tent, both men fell asleep. Some hours later, Tonto wakes the Lone Ranger and says, "Kemo Sabe, look towards sky. What see?" movies and radio by Richard Chamberlain. This week's quiz: How about identifying more doctors? Doctors No, Gillespie, Jekyll, Seuss and Watson. *** stars." The Lone Ranger replies, "I see millions of "Astronomically speaking, it tells me there are millions of galaxies and potentially billions of planets. Time wise, it appears to be approxi- mately a quarter past three in the morning. Meteorologically it seems we will have a beautiful day tomorrow. What's it tell you, Tonto?" "Kemo Sabe dumber than dirt! It means someone stole tent!" "What that tell you?," asks Tonto. He ponders for a moment and then says, 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. Last week's quiz was answered correctly and promptly by S. Kennedy who knew that Dr. Zarkoff was a character in the old Flash Gordon serials, most recently portrayed in a film by Topol, Dr. Strangelove by Peter Sell- ers, Richard Kimble by David Janssen in The Fugitive, and Dr. Kildare by Lew Ayres in