Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/90924
6A Daily News– Wednesday, October 31, 2012 Opinion Hometown 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 pride Editor: not like all the graffiti and garbage I see in the town where I live. We are taught at school to be respectful and responsible. We kids would be proud of I am six years old and I do the grownups if they would just clean up their mess. Immigrants will tell you America is the greatest nation on Earth, that's why they come here. Two of the greatest things Freedom Editor: about living in America is our rights to freedom of religion and freedom of speech. I'm so very thankful for those freedoms. Many of us don't even consider some of our freedoms, so we inadvertently take them for grant- ed. If you doubt my words ask an immigrant from Germany or Cuba if we take our freedoms for granted. Our Founding Fathers based the Constitution on Godly princi- ples, whether people choose to believe it or not, like it or not. We have traditions like honor- ing our flag and our National Anthem that some ignore. Why is that? Are people just lazy, do they just not care? Did their parents not teach them to honor the flag? When a flag goes by in a parade, you should be standing at atten- Noah Bennett, Red Bluff tion with your hand or hat over your heart. When the National Anthem is played, you should be standing with your hand or hat over your heart. Citizens of other countries present should stand at attention. In our current politically correct era with so many people crying out about being offended, let me tell you, I'm offended about peo- ple not honoring the flag, our mil- itary and our veterans. Some people that are living here act — maybe it's not an act — like America is awful. My question to them is, why are you living here? If you feel that way, move to another country. Serious- ly, why live in a country that you don't respect? We are about to have an elec- tion that will, in my beliefs, keep us on a track toward communism — ask an immigrant — or return us to the freedoms that have been compromised. I'm a pro-life Christian and my freedom of religion protects that. I'm a patriotic person, I believe in standing up for my beliefs and speaking out. My freedom of speech protects that. Does that make me a radical racist? No, it makes me an Amer- ican that is defending my rights and those of other Americans. And I'll ask again, if you don't Editor: For the Nov. 6 election, there are 78 nonpartisan positions in Tehama County open for election. Of that total, 18 are con- tested with more than one candidate, 53 are not contested having only one candidate and 7 have no candidates. Of the 53 uncontest- ed positions, 35 have incumbents running unopposed and 18 have new candidates running unop- posed. Election interest Your Turn On Nov. 6, 53 Tehama County residents can declare victory with- out competing and in almost all cases not even having their name on the ballot. At some point, while thanking our residents who do run for pub- lic service, consideration should be given to this lack of interest in city, school and special district elections. Does it mean that we are extremely happy with incumbents, we feel insecure about stepping up to run for an office, we don't feel local offices are important, we can't take the time to participate or we just don't care? like America why are you here? Voters in this country that think communism is a great idea, please do America a huge favor and move to a communist coun- try. Don't vote to change our republic. Patty Smith, Paskenta ence.Vote on Nov. 6. Orle Jackson, Red Bluff The other day a little boy died in Dairyville. He was in his moth- ers' car when it was involved in an auto collision. 99E death Editor: It's not too late to make a differ- slow down. Some people just believe it is their right to drive as fast as they want. They are the immortals. I went down and looked at the tire marks on the high- way and my impression is that the woman was leaving the gas station and pulled out in front of the a motor home. From the rubber marks I saw I know we can't get people to the motor home never even hit the brakes. He/she probably didn't have time to until after the impact. The curve at Jill's Market is just plain dangerous. The speed limit on 99E is 55 mph. It would be bet- ter if on that curve it were 35 mph, but the immortals wouldn't slow down anyway. The problem is that when you are pulling out of the gas station and you can't see southbound traf- fic. So if you pull onto the high- way intending to go to Red Bluff you're just driving blind. I live in Dairyville and there is a simple safer solution to the prob- lem. Turn to the right before you get to the highway, do a U-turn toward the truck repair shop then go left to the far end of the parking lot. From there you can see both ways up and down the highway and safely cross the southbound lane and turn toward Red Bluff. I even exit that parking lot that way when I'm going toward Chico. It just makes it easier to merge. little boy. May God Bless him. Fred Boest, Red Bluff Just a safety tip. Too late for a 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. Ahmadinejad calls Obama Commentary Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad phones President Obama's private line. Obama answers. "Why are you calling me, Ahmadinejad? You know we're not ready for one-on-one talks." "But Mahmoud and the mul- lahs worried about American election! We worry Obama will lose!" nut job. People love me here. I give them other people's money." "I'm not going to lose, you ney use Iran to score big points in debate. He scare people into thinking Iran developing nuclear weapons and that you not do enough to stop us!" "That's not true. My sanc- tions are killing your economy and if anyone knows how to slow an economy, I'm your guy." "But Mahmoud think Rom- make Iran sanctions worse. Mahmoud and the mullahs fear he will block American cable TV just as 'Dancing with Stars' getting good." "Romney isn't as tough as I am. I killed Osama bin Laden." "Here's what really worries Mahmoud: Romney threaten to indict me under United Nations genocide convention for my threats to eliminate Israel. Mah- "But Romney threaten to moud like Obama much better." "You like me! If you don't stop the development of nuclear weaponry, I'm going to be your worst nightmare." "But Romney is Republican like those crazy Bush presi- dents. The Bushes say they will attack Middle East and then do — three times!" "Yeah, well, when I'm in a second term and don't have to run again, you better give up nuke production or I'll really let you have it. I have Israel's back, buddy." You visit other countries in region. While in other coun- tries, you say America has been arrogant and dismissive. You say America has made its share of mistakes. Mahmoud like such words!" "You're quoting me out of "But Obama not visit Israel. context, you zealot. I was merely trying to distance myself from the reckless poli- cies of my predecessor." "Mahmoud really like how Obama sit on sidelines when uprising break out in Iran. Obama let Mahmoud and mul- lahs squash protesters before they succeed. Mahmoud like that!" "You better watch your step or I will squash you." "Mahmoud more worried that Romney squash Iran. Mah- moud fear that Obama's poli- cies in Middle East make him look weak — that Obama olive branch is backfiring and that Middle East hate America just as much as ever." "Not true. My charm is working on the people there. It takes time, but they'll come around." you madman?" "Mahmoud get Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez to complain about Obama being hard on him, then he break down crying on TV!" "But radicals kill your ambassador in Libya. Violence breaking out all over. Al-Qaida is far from dead. Obama appease- ment policies no seem to be working. No wonder American voters think Obama lack respect, which allows Mah- moud and the mullahs to keep building nuclear weapon. That's why Mahmoud want to help Obama!" "Help me? How can a crazed half-dictator help me?" "First, Mahmoud cut deal with tough dictators and shady leaders from around world. They all endorse Obama in public now — not good for Obama image. So Mahmoud persuade them to not endorse you." "What are you talking about, Tom Purcell more and Iran finally give up nuclear bomb ambitions!" "Nice try, Ahmadinejad, but you have a long history of mis- truths and exaggerations. I highly doubt that you will do what you say you will do." "Funny, Mahmoud think very same thing about Obama." 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. "Then Russian President Vladimir Putin go on TV and say you negotiate too tough and get the bet- ter of him." "Keep going." "Then Mahmoud complain that Iran can't take tough Obama sanctions any- "Go on."