Letters for March 26, 2015

‘Cock-a-doodle-doo!’

Re “On hens and hypocrites” (Letters, by Patrick Newman, March 19):

The oftentimes utilized punctuation of Man Who Dances With Quotation Marks has dramatically shifted to He Who Employs Dashes Like Jack Rabbit. This ambiguous compositional effort to fuse three disparate fragments of contemporary life has so confounded any ambition in me to go on living—that anything I have ever done could be so rhetorically connected in this breezy manner surprises me I have got this far.

My choices are: death by vehicle emissions (unless death by deaf occurs first), a nice working-class guilt-free Happy Meal (after all, it is my last), or death by “tablecloth”—and all that infers. What say you, Prospero? Whether ’tis nobler in the mind to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune or to take arms against a sea of troubles, and by opposing, end them? Cock-a-doodle-doo!

Rick Vagts
Chico

Remembering Rick Rees

Re “Nice people,” Second & Flume, by Melissa Daugherty, March 12):

I certainly agree with CN&R Editor Melissa Daugherty’s very nice comments about Rick Rees. He was a remarkable professional, a good friend and a lovely person. Rick passed away suddenly and this community will miss all his qualities and giving. But most of all we feel for his children and family, whose grief is deep.

I was fortunate to know and work with Rick for many years, first at CAVE, and also in many community activities. I would ask all who knew him, or were touched by his work at the university or in the community, to attend the service for Rick on Saturday (March 28) at 2 p.m. at the California Park Lakeside Pavilion. It is a time to thank him and show our support for his family.

Jane Dolan
Chico

Two on the commentary

Re “Death to the race card” (Guest comment, by Mazi Noble, March 19):

Last week, Mazi Noble wrote about racism. Years before he was born, my wife and I were in the Bay Area, working against discrimination in housing and hiring. The election of Barack Obama has brought a flood of ugly racism to the surface. I write about it now as did when I was 20 years old. I’m an old white guy. Calling out the abundant racism I see has earned me hate mail, mostly from people of my demographic.

When Mr. Noble wrote, “I’m sorry, white people, but your free speech rights do not trump my right to feel safe …” and when he wrote that the racist chanting of those Oklahoma frat boys “illustrates how white people talk about blacks in their ‘safe’ groups,” he is indulging in the very racism he deplores.

All white people don’t share the same racist attitudes, nor are we all likely to exhibit racism when we’re with people of similar pigmentation. I can’t imagine expressing an opinion about race that began by addressing readers with a phrase like, “I’m sorry, black people …” Assuming all people of color are the same, by definition, would be racist. By addressing white people as though we are all the same, Mr. Noble revealed the social pathology he so righteously deplores.

Jaime O’Neill
Magalia

First of all, we are raised and influenced by parents, schools, peer pressure, co-workers. We usually see what we want to see, or expect to see. This young man is no different. Personally, President Obama and Eric Holder have cried racism so much over these years that all it means to most is an excuse card for covering up lies, failures and anti-social acts and crimes.

Working at a local retailer, I have seen many black people cite racism to keep from being fired or forced to work certain shifts or to stop working in a certain section. The left will cite racism over the lynch promotion when everyone knows her own party is holding up a bill that’s stopping her.

Recent arrests include people resisting the law or engaged in crimes. When refusing an arrest, it will always be rough. This young fellow should take his five or six examples of racist actions in this area and ask people of Biggs or Paradise or Orland if they agree? The problem would be to him that these people were naturally racist, which affects their answers. In short, he can’t see anything else. Most likely, he does not want to.

Allan Clark
Paradise

CN&R Foundation supporters

Re “Full-time watchdogging” (Second & Flume, by Melissa Daugherty) and “A new model” (Editorial, March 19):

I just donated to the new CN&R Foundation to fund in-depth investigation of local matters, such as police and fire salaries and benefits and other issues such as homelessness. What I hope for is to see actual hard-core investigation into these matters.

For instance, I would like to see the practice of public employee unions donating to the very people who make their salary and benefit decisions challenged in a very confrontational manner so as to cause such a conflict-of-interest relationship to be deemed illegal, as it should be. Perhaps the idea of allowing cities and counties to set aside any previously agreed upon benefit packages, which are breaking our communities’ backs due to these conflicts of interests, could be explored.

I don’t want to see any more bleeding-heart homelessness articles. I want to see why so many people are sponging off of the disability system that we can’t afford to take care of the truly mentally ill. I want to know how much money is spent locally on our drug war and how it could be better spent and why the police/prison organizations openly oppose any change to their failed drug policy whatsoever.

Garry Cooper
Durham

I think the CN&R Foundation is an excellent idea and personally donated to the cause the first time I read about your new fund a few days ago! Speaking for the League of Women Voters of Butte County, we are thrilled to have a more vigorous press out there bringing truth to power.

We are fortunate in California to have various open meetings laws, in addition to those at the federal level, to encourage and enforce governmental transparency. A vigilant press is a welcome addition to those of us out there keeping an eye on government. Thank you for your dedication and enthusiasm.

Jane Wanderer
President, League of Women Voters of Butte County

Note to fracturing opponents

Anti-fracking activists can rest easily, since they’ve already won. There will be no fracking in Butte County. Ever. Congratulations. Fracking safely occurs nationwide, including places like environmentally sensitive, ultra-liberal Santa Barbara County, where a similar election proposal in November to ban fracking was defeated 63 percent to 37 percent.

But fracking won’t safely occur in Butte County. Fracking won’t unsafely occur in Butte County. Fracking simply won’t occur. There’s a very simple reason: There’s nothing to frack. No oil or natural gas is under our feet. Scientists have stated this simple fact repeatedly, but the self-righteous preservers of “health, safety and quality of life for everyone in this area” obviously don’t care about science.

Science is meaningless compared with the opportunity to be a moral preener. So in a quest to make some sort of smug statement, environmentalists have caused the county supervisors to waste countless hours of their time, and expense of legal counsel, knowing that even if the proposal passed, it would invite lawsuits from energy companies. So, to the science-denying anti-frackers: Get off my lawn. And take your anti-fracking yard signs with you.

Barry Johnson
Chico

Editor’s note: For more on the subject of fracking, see Newslines, page 10.

Middle East piece

Israel will not let Iran build a nuclear bomb: The talks are a mocKERRY.

Stephen T. Davis
Chico

About CPAG

The Chico Palestine Action Group (CPAG) formed to raise awareness about Israeli denial of Palestinian rights, and pressure Israel to change its oppressive policies, including occupation and theft of Palestinian lands, closed borders for the people of Gaza, demolition of Palestinian homes and ancient orchards, and incarceration and torture of Palestinian youth. We promote BDS—boycott, divestment, sanctions—to bring economic pressure on Israel to end its oppressive policies.

CPAG demonstrates regularly at the Chico Target with signs and leaflets to educate the public and urge citizens to join the BDS movement. We recently were met at Target with a group counter-demonstrating with signs saying Stand With Israel, holding Israeli flags, handing out fliers filled with distortions and lies, stating that BDS is an organization of Hamas and Muslim Brotherhood that advocates for the destruction of Israel and the genocide or enslavement of Israel’s non-Muslim populations.

Palestinians are characterized as evil terrorists while Israelis as innocent victims trying to live in peace among hostile neighbors. While all peoples have violent elements, the opposite is basically true. The goals of CPAG and BDS are to promote human rights, peace and justice for all peoples in the embattled state of Palestine/ Israel.

Emily Alma
coordinator, Chico Palestine Action Group

For the animals

We are so excited about the upcoming second annual Bella Vista Farms Animal Sanctuary fundraiser dinner and auction/raffle to be held on May 1 at the Win River Event Center.

The farm, owned and operated by Bob and Chic Miller since 1990, is located at 4301 Lower Gas Point Road in Cottonwood. The Millers’ hard work and dedication ensures hundreds of injured and unwanted animals have a safe and permanent home for the remainder of their lives. Without question, this year’s fundraiser theme, ‘It’s All About the Animals,’ truly captures the essence of life at the farm.

Of course, the good work of the farm would not be possible without the direct assistance of individuals and businesses within the community. As a recognized nonprofit organization, the farm welcomes all financial donations to help cover the monumental cost of feeding and caring for so many animals.

Our masters of ceremonies for the event will be Shasta County Supervisor Les Baugh and Shasta County Sheriff Tom Bosenko. Should you desire additional information regarding Bella Vista Farms, please visit www.bellavistafarm.org.

Pete Stiglich
Corning