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6A – Daily News – Wednesday, April 21, 2010 Opinion Unhappy about 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 editorial cartoon Editor: On Monday, April 5, I noticed on the opinion page a cartoon showing a simulated crucifixion of our Lord with two clowns appar- ently unhappy having this week- end spoiled. 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 surprised you allowed such a cartoon at this time or any time trashing the faith of millions of people; a symbol revered around the world. I quit the Sacramento Bee because of the trash it printed. I won’t miss your paper either. If you weren’t aware of it, then maybe you shouldn’t call yourself the editor. On Easter Sunday a reenact- ment of the crucifixion was done at Ide Adobe Park and no mention of it in your paper. You’re beginning to sound and look like the left wing media across the country. Kenneth Reineman, Red Bluff Conservative comments Editor: I'm concerned about some of the recent writers taking to task the liberal columnists and the edi- tor. For sure the columnists Richard Mazzucci and Tina Dupuy, along with frequent writer Orval Strong, are total left wing ideologists. A true conservative should be understanding though and remember the famous words of the best conservative thinker of the 20th Century, Winston Churchill. It was Winston that enabled England to withstand Hitler and his legions. Winston commented on this subject and said “If you’re not a liberal when you're in your twenties, you have no heart. If you haven't become a conservative by the time you're 40, you have no brain.” Considering this statement we should, by her picture, forgive Tina Dupuy for her lack of age and wisdom. Remember she wrote a lengthy article explaining that freedom wasn't such a great thing. Unfortunately Mazzucci and Strong haven't the excuse of young age. Although Strong's fre- quent defense of using marijuana may be an explanation. One wonders though about our editor's line of thinking. It is apparent that he is as much a left wing ideologist as the ones he chooses to print. The national news page looks like it was copied from Michael Moore's Move On .org. He is apparently over 40 also and hopeless, which makes one wonder about the CEO that hired him in the first place for a local paper in the conservative Northern California. I conclude by wondering about a recent article on the Daily News religion page. It told how peaceful and loving Muslims were. It must mean these same Muslims that were in the streets celebrating worldwide on 9/11 when the World Trade Center was destroyed and the Pentagon attacked. How nice. Phil Southern, Red Bluff Facts on state employees Editor: There is a lot of misinformation being passed around about state employees. In one, the misconception is all state retirement comes from taxpayers. In the last 20 years, CalPERS has taken in a total of $290 billion and 12 per- cent of this is the contri- bution of employees; 19 percent is the result of employer's contributions – taxpayers. The other 69 percent is the result of prudent investments by the PERS board. State retirement is not what is breaking the finan- cial back of state government. Another example was a person visiting the AARP TaxAid service ranting about state employees get- ting full dental insurance. In fact, my dental plan pays $1,000 or $2,000 per year maximum, per family member, depending on which plan the dentist is enrolled in. I pay by the month for the insurance. In the last three years, we have paid out more than $12,000 to den- tists over and above the dental insurance contribution. If you are going to complain, get your facts straight. John Elko, Red Bluff Recreational pot use explodes Editor: A pot ordinance is like putting a 50-pound marshmallow in a one- Your Turn pint baggie. With 99 percent of recreational users obtaining pot under the myth of it being medici- nal, it is senseless to attempt to eradicate the Mexican National Cartel growing pot in the local national forests or the tons of drugs crossing our border. Clueless voters created a mon- ster by supporting a porous border and allowing almost anyone to get a pot use recom- mendation. It is illegal to fly an airplane if the pilot has any alcohol in the previous 12 hours. A pot user has his pilot's license suspended. A pot using car driver should similarly lose their license, with the violent side effects and endangerment of life. Whenever you are dealing with drugs and money, there will be crime. The violence is further proof that the proliferation of so- called medical marijuana is a prob- lem that will worsen if it is legal- ized or decriminalized. More home invasions, robbery and drug wars will accompany legalization. With taxpayers so seriously damaging schools and the econo- my from doubling and tripling public employee pay and benefits in 1999, you would think they would get wise. Californians seem clueless about the damage US drug use has caused. Since 1987, we have had three home or property thefts, and one car stripped at Corning’s airport to support drug users. Most of our friends have similar theft. Medici- nal pot should be limited to distri- bution by a pharmacist with a legal prescription. Joseph Neff, Corning 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. Pledge of Allegiance revised Commentary "Billy Johnson, stand at the head of the class. I want you to help us conduct an exercise on the Pledge of Allegiance." "Yes, Ms. Smith." "Billy, last week the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that it is constitutional to use the phrase 'one nation under God' in the pledge. Did you know the court reversed its 2002 decision in which it ruled the same phrase was unconstitutional?" "No, Ms. Smith." "Did you know that the phrase 'one nation under God' was not in the original version of the pledge? Or that the origi- nal pledge has been altered four times?" "No, Ms. Smith." "The original pledge was written in 1892 by Francis Bel- lamy. Shortly after he wrote it, the word 'to' was placed before 'the republic.' In 1923, the words 'my flag' were changed to 'the flag of the United States of America.' And in 1924, 'United States' was changed to 'United States of America.'" "What about the fourth alter- ation, Ms. Smith?" "That came in 1954, Billy. President Eisenhower added the words 'one nation under God' to -- says about.com -- 'reaffirm the transcendence of religious faith in America's heritage and future ...'" "Cool, Ms. Smith." "The LA Times points out that America was in the middle of a Cold War with the 'godless' Soviet Union in 1954, Billy. Times change. Today I want the class to alter the pledge one more time to reflect more con- temporary values. Billy, begin reciting the current version of the pledge." "Sure thing, Ms. Smith. I pledge ..." "Stop, Billy. 'I' is so typical of Americans looking at the rest of the world through their own narrow point of view. Say 'we' instead." "We pledge ..." "Stop, Billy. A pledge is so harsh. Besides, the courts ruled that reciting the pledge is volun- tary. Change 'pledge' to 'may or may not provide.'" "We may or may not provide our allegiance ..." "Stop! 'Allegiance' is so con- fining, Billy. It's fine if a student wants to hold allegiance for America, but what about those students who don't? Change 'allegiance' to 'like.'" "We may or may not like the flag ..." "Stop! The American flag is so divisive, Billy. Isn't it a sym- bol of American overreaching all over the globe? It's really just a promotional marketing gim- mick and that's what I want you to call it." "We may or may not like the promo- tional marketing gim- mick of the United States of America and to the Republic ... " "Stop! 'Republic,' Billy? You sound as though a republic is somehow better than the political systems used in other coun- tries. Your tone is so condescending. Delete!" "We may or may ty ..." "Liberty, Billy? Is there lib- erty for the millions in this country who are held down by the rich and powerful? Delete!" "We may or may not like the promotional marketing gimmick of the United States of America, with justice ..." Tom Purcell not like the promotional market- ing gimmick of the United States of America, one nation under God ..." "Whoa! God, Billy? Sure, I the 9th Circuit Court decided that 'one nation under God' doesn't violate a citizen's right to be free of state-mandated religion -- that the words are of a ceremonial and patriotic nature. But for today's exercise, let's delete." "We may or may not like the promotional marketing gim- mick of the United States of America, indivisible with liber- "Justice, Billy! You really believe there is justice for all in good old America? We use the vast majority of the world's resources. Where's the justice in that, Billy? Delete! Now read our new Pledge of Allegiance from the top." 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. "We may or may not like the promotional marketing gim- mick of the United States of America." "Bravo, Billy, bravo!" ———