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6A Daily News ��� Friday, December 14, 2012 Opinion Rise and fall of the personal touch DAILY NEWS RED BLUFF TEHAMA COUNTY T H E V O I C E O F T E H A M A C O U NTY 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 letters from its readers on timely topics of public interest. All letters must be signed and provide the writer���s home street address and home phone number. 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 submitted will be considered for publication. Letters will be edited. Letters are published at the discretion of the editor. Mission Statement We believe that a strong community 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 vehicles. The Daily News will reflect and support the unique identities of Tehama County and its cities; record the history of its communities and their people and make a positive difference in the quality of life for the residents 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 caught political humorist Will Durst at Old City Hall in Redding Saturday night. The occasional DN columnist ��� though not so much lately to make room letters about proper purposing of the American flag ��� is something of a big name in the Bay Area, where I grew up, so I couldn���t miss a chance to see him close to home. Smart guy, good jokes and a fun evening in an intimate setting. The latter was the best part. After the show I walked over and shook his hand, thanking him for the show. That didn���t happen a few weeks ago when I saw comedian Louis CK at Davies Symphony Hall in San Francisco ��� along with several thousand other fans. A couple of other times I���ve had such personal contact with entertainers. In Honolulu, at 19, I saw Don Ho perform and afterwards had him sign the back of my driver���s license ��� the only piece of paper I had on me. For younger readers, driver���s licenses used to be on photographic paper. For even younger readers, photographic paper used to be how we looked at and shared pictures. A few years later I saw Monty Python founding member Graham Chapman perform in San Francisco, where he screened and made fun of the first ever footage of folks bungee jumping. In black and white. Man, I feel old. He, too, signed my license and was even tickled that he shared the privilege with Mr. Ho. That���s twice in the last nearly half-century, but such encounters happen regularly here in the North State. Just another item on the list of why I so much enjoy living here. Godless billboards A panicked email arrived this week about "Godless billboards" appearing in Chico. Normally I would relegate such out-of-area missives to the trash bin, but I decided to find out whether the "Star of India" sign on the north side of town made the list. Turns out this person and his group only object to billboards espousing the virtues of atheism something to indicate ��� for example, ���Don���t that I also believe "pupbelieve in God? Join pies are cute" or the club.��� This just in: "America is great" furSeems vandals went thers any of my relaand cut the word tionships with friends ���Don���t��� out of the billor family members. board���s message. One���s faith is a perSeems the nonthesonal matter, yet many ists, as they describe of these Facebook themselves, are not so posts suggest that my concerned about an faith hinges on my Indian eatery I���ve yet to willingness to click my try. They just want to Chip computer mouse. let folks know that it���s Not to be outdone, OK to agree with their Thompson the atheists have joined view. The atheists are 545 Diamond in to religiously post challenges and clever making some headway, Ave. quotes they���ve lifted but I���m afraid it���s not in from others ��� apparthe direction they hope. I been using Facebook for a ently meant to make themselves few years, but I���m close to giving feel smarter and anyone with it up. What used to be a good way faith feel stupid. Congratulations atheists, you to keep up with far flung friends and relatives has turned out to be have become as annoying as just a constant stream of people I so many theists. know posting words and pictures Chip Thompson can be created by people I don���t know. Many of these posts implore me reached at 527-2151, Ext. 112 or by email at to click "Like" if I agree. I fail to see how clicking editor@redbluffdailynews.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: governor@governor.ca.gov. U.S. REPRESENTATIVE ��� Wally Herger (R), 2595 Ceanothus 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) 2240454. Commentary Deck the Halls with Boston Charlie Although it is a little early to open Xmas presents, it occurred to me, after decades of observing the opening of gifts, the participants follow a set pattern. For the kids, it is the rapid tearing open of packages and their instant acceptance or rejection. I recall most vividly my disappointment at age 6 or 7 of only receiving articles of clothing. Of course, this was during the great depression, and father had yet to make his fortune. As to adult giving, men make terrible choices unless hints are given well in advance by the real head of household as to what she really desires. A spouse not picking up the hints will fall back on perfume, a charm bracelet or a wristwatch. Whatever his selection, it will probably not be anything she would buy for herself. That said, women are the best givers and make the right selection. They can give an inexpensive mixing bowl to a grown daughter and the latter will invariably exclaim, "This is just what I've been looking for! How did you know?" Ah well, it is a lovely time of the year and, in the final analysis, it is the thought that counts...unless all you get is a pair of socks. *** Speaking of Xmas and the observance of same, K. Swanson authored a bit of drivel in a recent letter to the editor in which he took to task those who believe in the separation of church and state. He bemoaned the fact that non believers do not fully participate in the celebration of Christmas aka the birth of Jesus. To reinforce his faith based concern, he avows that all Americans celebrate the birthdays of Lincoln, Washington, ML King and Columbus, so why not the late JC? Well, Ken, for one thing, most holidays, ostensibly for celebration, are in reality merely welcome days off from work. Secondly, the people you cited historically are known to have walked the earth. For evidence of JC having done so, we are asked to take the word of the bible. And the bible, many believe, is not only the work of man but of many men who have added to the lore and mystique of the book over time. The "good book" is fraught with reports of miracles which are perhaps dependent upon the wavering eye of the beholder at the time. And resplendent with error. During the battle of Jericho, the lord did dress. Former Sheriff C. Parker was resplendent not stay the flight of the sun across the sky in matching suit and tie, while Robert Sheppard because the sun does not move. My point being Jr. looked as though he had just completed a recent leaf blowing assignthat the bible has undergone ment. However, this is not to revision time and time again say their performance on the as have the 10 commandment council will be less than satis(See Christopher Hitchens factory. New faces were desbook "god is not Great). In perately needed thereon. your letter, you used the *** phrase, regarding the desire Last week���s quiz was of some to remove Xmas promptly answered by L. themes from government Brown who knew that the buildings, schools and so current big four golf tournaforth, "I have never been able ments are The Masters, the to understand this idea." Robert US Open, the British Open, Actually, you used it twice. I and the PGA Championship, have no doubt about what that Par is determined by the you understand and what you golf course designer and that don't understand. Thank you the word ���Putter���comes from for your clarification. But the old English potian, meanplease, go and pontificate no ing to poke repeatedly. more. *** *** This week���s quiz: Name the first lighterAn elderly woman called to say that the police department had over stepped their than-air airship to fly around the world in 21 bounds by sending her to the hospital for obser- days, how did Alexander solve the Gordian vation. She said, late last Sunday night, she Knot and did a one-armed outfielder ever play could not get to sleep and took an anti-depres- professional baseball? *** sant pill. When that didn���t work she took anothThere once was a little church in the country er, and finally, sleep deprived she walked to a convenience store across the street for a news- that was badly in need of a coat of paint. The paper. This was at midnight, and when she pastor decided to tackle the job himself and paused to sit on the curb because of her bad went to town to buy a gallon of white paint. ankle, some busy body called the police to After thoroughly painting the first wall, he realreport a woman in distress. They did, sent her ized that he would not have enough paint to by ambulance to the hospital for observation. cover the other three walls, so he decided to use When she was released, she was sent home by an ample amount of paint thinner and was able taxi. Not much of a story except that she to finish the job. But that night, it poured rain and the followthought somebody should write about it because no one had asked her why she was sit- ing morning the pastor saw that the paint had ting on the curb...and had just jumped to con- washed away on the 3 walls. He then looked to the sky for guidance saying, "Oh Lord, what clusions. Checking with the police, they confirmed shall I do?" A voice came back from the heavens, the incident, and if the patrolmen erred, it was on the side of caution. Sounds plausible and "Repaint and thin no more." thus ends this tale of a midnight outing. Robert Minch is a lifelong resident of Red *** A sharp eyed critic of appropriate decorum Bluff, former columnist for the Corning Daily directed me to the front page photo in last Observer and Meat Industry magazine and week���s DN depicting newly sworn-in members author of the ���The Knocking Pen.��� He can be of the Red Bluff City Council in various state of reached at rminchandmurray@hotmail.com. Minch I Say