Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/90317
6A Daily News – Saturday, October 27, 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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Barbara Boxer (D), 1700 Montgomery St., Suite 240, San Francisco, CA 94111; (510) 286-8537. Fax (202) 224- 0454. Fifth anniversary column Commentary I recently ran across this quote from Antoine Lavoisier, the father of modern chemistry once said, "Let us hope especial- ly that the enthusiasm and exag- gerations, which so easily seize men congregated in large groups - affecting human passions and leading the crowd against its own interest, sweeping up in their whirlwind the sage and philosopher as [ it roars through us...will not engulf us as a pan- demic]." The quote reminded me why I have been writing these columns each Saturday. In October of 2007 I told the editor of the Daily News that I would be glad to provide 1,000 words per week for the editorial page. I pledged to use proper English, to avoid name calling, and to try not to offend anyone. I was motivated by the unabashed use of selective facts to support then President Bush and his choice to invade Iraq, the degree of rant and anger expressed, and the excessive fin- ger pointing, all of which seemed to take place on the edi- torial page on the first day of the week. I wrote: "I do not want to appear to be picking on any local columnist, but I feel we need to direct our energies in a more positive direction. Bicker- ing over the past is not produc- tive. The Russians are not the only example of people who can reconstruct history to fit their needs." The world has changed some- what during the last five years. I hope my principles have not. I do get picked on for poking at Republicans more frequently than others, and I have to remind some of those who complain that this is commentary, not objective reporting. It is also not an agenda announcement for any local party. I do try to get my facts straight and explain whatever reason I have for the statements and opinions I write. Because of my 25 years of handling public funds, my bias still experience a general blare from the cacophony of highly financed political ads that bel- low at us, telling us what to believe. While both major par- ties have each raised over $800 million, the so-called super- PACs have made that look like chump change. I am not sure that our Supreme Court knew what it was doing in the Citizens United case, but it did not take long for those with big check books to take advantage of the new rules. I feel that we have wounded our democracy, and I hope for a recovery that can allow for the balance between the electorate and the elite, a balance that can retard the rush to cynicism that has to result from the excessive infusion of money into politics. Some of those who are spending so much money surely expect something from their efforts; it is hard to believe that you and I will be their beneficiaries. We cannot afford to become cynical, however. British journalist Jeremy Pax- man once said, "Skepticism is a necessary and vital part of the journalist's toolkit. But when it becomes cynicism, it can close off thought and block the search for truth."I try to check myself when I feel cynical because I know what Paxman said is true. How unfortunate for us as a peo- ple if cynicism becomes endem- ic and we give up our fight for justice and opportunity for all. I was surprised at how people reacted to my suggestion to eliminate the State Senate as a redundant and expensive body that seems merely to provide a is toward fiscal conservatism; I might be characterized a social liberal, however, because I believe in an open and embrac- ing society. I freely acknowl- edge that my slant on life impacts what I choose to write about and what I say. I do admit to being a skeptic, and I try to avoid cynicism. Even more than in 2007 we stepping stone for career politi- cians who would like us to con- sider them just one of us. The reaction was from both the right and the left, some even echoing the "toss 'em all out" mantra. I think this reflects a pessimism that maligns our elec- torate. Some have even suggested we start a petition for a state con- stitutional amendment to restructure our state legislative branch into a unicameral body. We have an even shorter news cycle now than in 2007; that there is almost no time to put anything into perspective before the spin doctors tell us what the latest "news" means. In the "old days" I could take time and read my Newsweek to keep up to date and feel like I had some sense of context when approaching cur- rent events. Now I am bombard- ed daily by emails interpreting "news" that I haven't even heard yet. Joe Harrop time 'when the sun starts back.' These structures were construct- ed by a civilization without writ- ing. That means that generation after gener- ation had to make accurate observations and pass them down until enough data had been gathered to con- struct these monu- ments. Similarly, other pre-literate societies have passed down leg- ends, stories, and epics orally with a great deal of accuracy. The art of listening was important, listen- ing and remember- ing." I cancelled my Newsweek subscription of almost 50 years after the magazine failed to keep up with current events and became "Newsweak;" the maga- zine will go to a "pay for view" on line format at the start of 2013. Newspapers are strug- gling, but blogs are abounding, and so-called fact checkers are working full time. The trend was already there in 2007, but it has accelerated.. None of my chil- dren subscribe to a newspaper or news magazine, but they seem to keep up with much of what is going on. I worry about their ability to concentrate on issues, however. a difficult task and a lost art." I continued, "This summer we were in the Andes in Peru. We saw magnificent structures placed in the exact position to pinpoint the winter solstice, the In 2007 I wrote: "Listening is I concluded, "It scares me to think that many of us forget that our current elected leaders and candidates have made various promises and declarations, that they bombard us with buzz words and labels, that they spin more than a balanced top from a long string, and that they treat us as if we were unable to accept leadership and that we need the 'bread and circuses' Caesar pro- vided the Romans." I believe that listening is even more important today. The selective use of quotations from the various candidates, usually taken out of context, and then repeated over and over again at great volume, make it hard for us to step back, listen, and understand. As an electorate we have the responsibility to partic- ipate fully in our democracy; it is not a part time option. The local career politician who pro- claims he is really an "anti" career politician is right when he says we are in charge; let's go to the polls and let our government know what we want. Joe Harrop is a retired educator with more than 30 years of service to the North State. He can be reached at DrJoeHarrop@sbcglobal.net. TOT for RV parks Editor: RVing for over 25 years. We have found that it is common- place for RV parks to collect Transient Occupancy Taxes (TOT) from guests. We have never avoided an RV park because of a TOT tax. We would not consider looking for another RV park just to save the $2-5 TOT charge . Virtually every city and My wife and I have been many counties have this tax not only for RVs, but hotels and motels, including Redding, Anderson, Corning, Chico and Shasta County. These taxes sup- port police, fire and other public services provided to overnight guests. Durango RV Resort refuses to collect or pass on this tax, but the other two RV parks in the city of Red Bluff — O'Nite RV Park and The Hampton Inn — continue to pay. The only reason this issue is on the ballot is for voters to clarify that this TOT is for all overnight accommodations in our community. Please support Measure A Nov. 6. Forrest Flynn, Red Bluff Editor's note: Forrest Flynn is mayor of Red Bluff. Save schools trict for over 30 years. In the last years I was privileged to work in the reading program with Editor: I worked in the school dis- groups of children that needed extra help in reading and com- prehension. This program was a model for other schools who came and learned how it worked. As the children improved in their reading skills they also improved in their classroom work and their self esteem. Your Turn Go forward in time to 2012. This program is gone. The classroom size has increased. What is happening to the chil- dren who need this help? The schools do not have the man power to help all the children that need help. Even the kinder- garten classes have gone from 20 children and an aide to 30 children and no aide. This is where learning to read begins. These children are our future. Are we going to help them fin- ish high school and go onto to college or be a high school drop out because the test books are too hard to read or understand? I do not know how you will vote on the 1/4 cent increase in the state sales tax that will effect everyone the same. But I do know how it will effect the children. I know people say that all you need to do is bring children into it and you get things done. But these chil- dren do need your help and they need it now. How many children will get lost in the system wait- ing for things to change? They need to change now, and they need your help to do it. Ann John, Red Bluff Your officials