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4A – Daily News – Friday, April 16, 2010 Opinion 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 A powerful tradition What choice? 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 on a roll lately. We got some great feedback for our proposal of using local buses to round up those who have had a few too many during the Round-Up weekend — some arguing that regulations would make it impossible, but most saying it was a good idea that might at least get folks thinking about a positive solu- tion to a very real problem. Still waiting to hear back from the county on the regula- tions — though I did note that TRAX buses are used to shuttle visitors to the Civil War Days event next weekend. Whether or not it’s practical, I’m glad the proposal got people talking. Maybe by next year, we will see a working solution in place. It made me appreciate how much depends on electricity. No power means no cash registers, traffic lights, gas pumps, office phones, etc. I could still go home and fix a sandwich — as long as I didn’t leave the fridge open too long. By the same token, the tim- ing was just about perfect con- sidering a little thing that’s going on in Red Bluff this week. Chip Then Thursday, I had an idea for another solution to a much bigger problem facing Red Bluff and the rest of the state — California’s budget crisis. It’s so simple, I find it hard to believe those we elect to repre- sent us in Sacramento could spend so many years working on the problem and miss it. Here’s what we need to do, in a nut- shell. First, we take all state-funded pro- grams and di Dang. Power went out. I forgot to save and now the idea’s gone as quickly as it came. *** Surely the massive power outage Thursday afternoon will be the topic of conversation at water coolers and fence- posts throughout the county today. Thompson 545 Diamond Ave. The Red Bluff Round-Up is big on returning us to a sim- pler way of life, when putting food on the table absolutely depended on working your fingers to the bone. Rodeo celebrates the tradi- tion of the hard work of an industry that hasn’t gotten much easier with modern con- veniences. Men and women still need to rise early and put in long days of hard labor to turn a profit, regardless of weather and natural disas- ter, minor and major. That’s probably what makes rodeo so exciting to so many — folks who work that hard play every bit as hard. Keep that in mind as you sit in the grand- stands and you’ll appreciate Round-Up that much more. Finally, I’m guessing preparations for Round-Up weren’t hindered at all by the loss of power. Rodeo is fueled only by sweat, blood, courage and pride. Chip Thompson can be reached at 527-2151, Ext. 112 or by e-mail at editor@redbluffdailynews.com. Editor: Regarding Mr. Mazzucchi’s article on fan- ning the flames on April 5: If we the people believe our government is taking us in the wrong direction, should we just bend over and keep our mouths shut. No. My two cents worth, and I vote. Ron McBride, Red Bluff Sheriff questions Editor: On April 1, I attended a Tea Party Patriot meeting in Corning to hear three candidates talk on their qualifications. After Sheriff Clay Parker’s presentation there were questions. The first posed to the sheriff was about three of his admin- istrators working on coun- ty time at their personal businesses. The sheriff stated “They do not, thanks for the question.” After several more questions, but prior to my question, one of Parker’s supporters asked about Dave Hencratt, his opponent. The Sheriff stated, “I make it a practice not to discuss my oppo- nents.” Your Turn After getting the sheriff’s attention, I wanted to address a question about administration employees that, in fact, do work at their private businesses on county time. The sheriff’s response was that they work a four-day work week and he cannot control what they do on their own time. When pressed that this was not being truth- ful, he followed up with the statement that Dave Hencratt was working as a veterinarian and that we couldn’t have it both ways. This is clearly a fabrication of the true facts. The fact is that Dave Hencratt’s wife is a veterinarian. Certainly the sheriff was being evasive and untruthful with the people in attendance. There goes integrity and what else is missing? Mike Kain, Red Bluff 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. Ten reasons to love rodeo and Round-Up Commentary Today is Friday. The rodeo starts tonight. So, without further ado, here are the top ten reasons why I love the Red Bluff Round Up. Reason Number Ten: the scenery. Nothing is more natu- rally beautiful than a cowgirl chasing her dreams in the rodeo arena of life, whether as a com- petitor or a queen of a court. I admire their effort and determi- nation. Number Nine: the weather. It’s either totally beautiful or dreadfully dreary. I’ve sat under sun drenched skies and torren- tial downpours. Either way, it’s still a rodeo. Number Eight: the food. Give me a sausage sandwich and a tray full of curly fries, and life is good. I just have to make sure I double up on my cholesterol meds over the weekend. Number Seven: the horse races. I grew up a few miles from the great race track, Santa Anita Park. So, watching the ponies run around the track out- side the arena brings back mem- ories. Number Six: the clown. Flint Rasmussen used to bring lots of laughs throughout the course of the program. His Michael Jack- son routine used to have my sis- ter and I doubled over in hyste- ria. We miss him, but the new guys are funny, too. Number Five: the atmos- phere. There’s a lot to be said about "the buzz" that permeates our community throughout the course of the week. It’s nice to know that something special came to town for a few days. Number Four: the roar of the crowd after a great ride. I’ve sat in many ballparks across the country, and heard fans scream at game winning home runs. But, it doesn’t match the crescendo of a rodeo crowd with a bull rider on the brink of breaking eight seconds. Number Three: wrestling. I don’t know what it is about a cowboy, his horse and a runaway steer, but the chase is pretty amusing. It’s even funnier when it takes place in a muddy arena. The cowboys look like they’re on skis. Number Two: the grand entry. I love seeing all the colors of the flags, the horses all falling in line, and the important men and woman who organize the event taking a bow. Number One: Bob Tallman. I’ve written columns on him before, but his importance to rodeo and appeal to fans cannot be underestimated. For the non rodeo fan – and that was me twenty years ago – Tallman is both informative and engaging. His energy, enthusiasm, and love of the sport are both admirable and conta- gious. Toss in side kick Wayne Brooks, and that makes for quite the trick. steer And there is nothing – and I mean nothing – more intensely moving than the end of the grand entry. The arena is full of cowboys and cowgirls, the stands crammed with expec- tant fans, and the place goes completely…silent…for a few moments. Then all you hear is Tall- man’s voice, deeply resonant, generous, kind, and reassuring, rising above the stillness and calm. There is a moment right before the national anthem where a person can feel the pounding of his heart, the Pat Gleason Simply Put warmth of a loved one next to him, and the extreme gratitude to live in the greatest country on the face of the earth. Tallman puts you in the moment and takes your cares away. Simply put, Tallman makes you happy to be alive. Every year, the tears fall, and I curse him for turning me into a crying fool. Bob Tallman has made me a better man. He loves God and his country. He loves his wife, kids and grand kids. More than anything, he understands the impact a single person can have on the life of another. I hope he knows what he’s meant to mine. Now, as he would say, "Let’s get ready to rodeo." Have a great Friday. Pat Gleason grew up in Los Angeles and has taught English at Red Bluff High School since 1990. He can be reached at phgleaso@rbuhsd.k12.ca.us. ———