Opinion

Voters deserve to know the truth

Oct. 30, 2012 — Mud slinging and politics go together like apples and apple pie. Politicians of all persuasions, parties and ideologies have been throwing the dirty stuff at each other and trying to make it stick as long as there have been candidates for office. That’s not unusual, and negative campaigning has become a hallmark of many national, state and local races this election season. And it seems to be getting worse.

As Election Day nears, the pressure to win increases, and the campaigns and political action committees that have no direct relationship with the candidates seem to shift from a message of here’s what’s good about our candidate and here’s why he or she deserves your vote to here’s what’s bad about our opponent and here’s why he or she should not get your vote.

It’s time to occupy a new way of thinking

Oct. 30, 2012 — A little over a year ago, the Occupy Wall Street movement broke out on the scene and, while we don’t hear as much about it these days, protests continue to crop up world-wide.

Last month one of the Internet groups I subscribe to asked us to share our thoughts on the Occupy movement and to take a survey with three options to choose from:

1. I’m all for it and even participated in some of the events.

2. It’s a nice idea, but I don’t think the protests do anything

3. I don’t support it at all, and disagree with the ideas.

Cast an informed vote

Oct. 23, 2012 — The Nov. 6 election is only two weeks away, and voters will elect a number of public officials and approve or reject a number of initiatives on the ballot.

Calling each election the most important in history may be considered a bit of hyperbole and even a cliché, but in each and every election the voters make decisions that have far-reaching consequences for years to come. This upcoming election is no exception.

Local residents who are registered to vote have received information in the mail regarding the candidates and the issues. The newspaper has offered candidate statements, and a local radio station and other groups have hosted candidate debates or forums.

Library provides an invaluable service to our community

Oct. 23, 2012 — The Lassen County Times does not endorse candidates or issues up for election, so this piece should rightly be considered my own personal opinion. I want to make sure everyone understands that.

On Tuesday, Nov. 6, voters are asked to approve Measure W, a ballot measure that will create a $28 per year tax on each inhabitable dwelling in Lassen County. Residents of the city of Susanville already pay this tax.

It’s curious to note an argument in favor of the tax is included with the election materials mailed to county voters last week, but there is no statement in opposition.

Are the photos you post online providing too much information?

Oct. 23, 2012 — Several years ago a sitcom called “Bewitched” included a nosey neighbor named Gladys Kravitz in their lineup of characters. She was always peeking out the window at the house across the street to see what her neighbors were doing. Her snooping was obvious to Darren and Samantha Stevens, the neighbors she was watching.

A few decades ago it was easy to determine if someone was watching or stalking us. We would catch glimpses of the figure in the window or a car following our patterns of turns as we drove home late at night. With the introduction of the Internet and invention of new technology such as smart phones, it is much more difficult to detect inappropriate behavior.