http://www.andersonvalleypost.com/news/opinion/?partner=RSSAnderson Valley Post Stories: Opinionen-usopinionhttp://www.andersonvalleypost.com/news/2012/feb/07/regelin-family-receives-patriot-guard-riders/?partner=RSSAt least two dozen Patriot Guard Riders of Northern California, led by Ride Captain Jeff Nelson, gathered shortly before noon Saturday, Feb. 4, at the Veterans Memorial garden in Anderson River Park. Two by two, with American flags unfurled and fluttering behind their throbbing motorcycles, they rode in formation out of the park and to a nearby subdivision. They were on a solemn mission to visit and present four video DVDs to Scott and Shirene Regelin of Anderson, the surviving parents of Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Chad Robert Regelin, 24, who was killed in southern Afghanistan early last month. gwinship@andersonvalleypost.com (George L. Winship, Editor)Tue, 07 Feb 2012 14:00:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.andersonvalleypost.com:news-Story-23118-734540opinion/editorialGeorge L. Winship, EditorAnderson, CARegelin family receives Patriot Guard RidersAnderson Valley Postregelin-family-receives-patriot-guard-ridersurn:publicid:www.andersonvalleypost.com:news-Story-23118-734540Change734540Usablehttp://www.andersonvalleypost.com/news/2012/feb/07/homelessness-rise-north-state/?partner=RSSDriving around town these days, I’ve noticed a lot more bicycles and foot traffic along the roadways. Hmmm … Maybe high gas prices are catching up or maybe the homeless rate is increasing? I see different people holding “PLEASE HELP” and “ANYTHING HELPS” signs outside shopping centers, along main streets or at intersections. It seems to be getting pretty tedious out there. There were days when we didn’t see many homeless nor did we worry about locking our doors way back in the 1950s. It seems that the drug scene gradually prompted homeowners to play it safe so they didn’t lose property to thieves seeking ways to pay for their habits. Tue, 07 Feb 2012 14:00:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.andersonvalleypost.com:news-Story-23119-734540opinion/editorialVirginia ReeterAnderson, CAHomelessness on rise in north stateAnderson Valley Posthomelessness-rise-north-stateurn:publicid:www.andersonvalleypost.com:news-Story-23119-734540Change0Usablehttp://www.andersonvalleypost.com/news/2012/feb/07/updated-american-creed/?partner=RSSAt the beginning of the 20th Century, Americans truly believed in the goodness of our government. William Tyler Page, a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, expressed this when he wrote “The American’s Creed” in 1917. It was accepted by a House vote and presented to the nation in 1919, becoming required learning for California school children in the years leading up to World War II. What follows is the original wording of The American’s Creed: Tue, 07 Feb 2012 14:00:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.andersonvalleypost.com:news-Story-23120-734540opinion/editorialWinifred MakerAnderson, CAThe updated American CreedAnderson Valley Postupdated-american-creedurn:publicid:www.andersonvalleypost.com:news-Story-23120-734540Change0Usablehttp://www.andersonvalleypost.com/news/2012/feb/07/letters-editor-its-right-thing-do/?partner=RSSSo, what do you do with a brand, spanking new $88 million dollar, 150-room veterans residential care facility you can’t afford to open? Although 98 percent complete, the veterans home in Redding probably won’t open until around January 2014, if then. Governor Brown says there’s no money to hire the required staff and operate the facility. Even by government standards of inefficiency and ineptitude, this screw-up rises to a new level of incompetence and lunacy. Heads ought to roll for making a decision to construct such a facility without guaranteeing funds were going to be available to actually use it. Tue, 07 Feb 2012 14:00:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.andersonvalleypost.com:news-Story-23121-734540opinion/letters-to-editorStaff WriterAnderson, CALetters to the Editor: It's the right thing to doAnderson Valley Postletters-editor-its-right-thing-dourn:publicid:www.andersonvalleypost.com:news-Story-23121-734540Change0Usablehttp://www.andersonvalleypost.com/news/2012/jan/31/my-circle-life-keeps-changing/?partner=RSSMy life now consists of books, tuition, part-time work shifts, and classes although it isn’t just the simple circle that it seems. The books involve reading, learning, and studying that fill up much of my brain and physical time and leaves me exhausted. Tuition is hard-earned money from those part-time work shifts. And the work shifts aren’t just simple to-do lists. They involve working with people who sometimes hurt my feelings and send me home with an emotional mind frame different than the one in which I began my work shift. Tue, 31 Jan 2012 18:20:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.andersonvalleypost.com:news-Story-23083-734533opinion/editorialMelissa Lewis, Guest WriterAnderson, CAMy circle of life keeps changingAnderson Valley Postmy-circle-life-keeps-changingurn:publicid:www.andersonvalleypost.com:news-Story-23083-734533Change0Usablehttp://www.andersonvalleypost.com/news/2012/jan/31/my-beloved-bessie-was-special-dog/?partner=RSSOn Nov. 28, I lost a good friend. She was 12 years old and the sweetest but best watchdog around. Bessie could read people — the good the bad and the ugly — giving out a friendly welcoming bark or one that cautioned the unwelcome stranger. It just depended on who was there and what they were doing. My loyal friend was a mini Aussie Shepherd/English Collie mix, with purebred parents. Tue, 31 Jan 2012 18:19:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.andersonvalleypost.com:news-Story-23082-734533opinion/editorialVirginia ReeterAnderson, CAMy beloved Bessie was a special dogAnderson Valley Postmy-beloved-bessie-was-special-dogurn:publicid:www.andersonvalleypost.com:news-Story-23082-734533Change0Usablehttp://www.andersonvalleypost.com/news/2012/jan/31/open-letter-california-business-leaders-organizati/?partner=RSSWe all agree that California faces fundamental problems. These include a $15 billion budget deficit, $500 billion in unfunded pension liabilities, a tax and regulatory climate that drives businesses away, wasteful and ineffective use of our tax dollars and a political system unduly influenced by special interests — most notably the public employee labor organizations. The mismanagement of this state and the pursuit of harmful policies have led to the following: Tue, 31 Jan 2012 18:17:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.andersonvalleypost.com:news-Story-23081-734533opinion/editorialStaff WriterAnderson, CAAn open letter to California business leaders, organizationsAnderson Valley Postopen-letter-california-business-leaders-organizatiurn:publicid:www.andersonvalleypost.com:news-Story-23081-734533Change0Usablehttp://www.andersonvalleypost.com/news/2012/jan/24/weather-here-and-ever-present/?partner=RSS‘Drought, Drought, Drought” We kept hearing this dire prediction for the future through the mild. sunny days of November, December and spring-like New Year. I remember years in the past when we heard the same moans and groans that became wails of “Turn it off! Rain, rain, go away!” during the early and late spring. Last year, for example, Shasta Dam had to release a lot of excess water between storms to lower the lake as a safety factor to keep the dam from overflowing and flooding the valley. Tue, 24 Jan 2012 17:51:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.andersonvalleypost.com:news-Story-23057-734526opinion/editorialWinifred MakerAnderson, CAWeather is here and ever presentAnderson Valley Postweather-here-and-ever-presenturn:publicid:www.andersonvalleypost.com:news-Story-23057-734526Change0Usablehttp://www.andersonvalleypost.com/news/2012/jan/24/it-proves-tough-get-seat-belted/?partner=RSSMy old Chevy truck still gets around like a lot of old work trucks do. No need to replace it if it’s running good, passes smog tests and is safe. But, Heaven forbid anything fails because we are at the mercy of a higher governmental authority; the same one that initiated the seatbelt laws. My seatbelts once worked great, but after 100,000 miles the center lap belt failed to click, click or click. I tried using a lubricant, hoping it would come back to life. Tue, 24 Jan 2012 17:50:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.andersonvalleypost.com:news-Story-23056-734526opinion/editorialVirginia ReeterAnderson, CAIt proves tough to get (seat) beltedAnderson Valley Postit-proves-tough-get-seat-beltedurn:publicid:www.andersonvalleypost.com:news-Story-23056-734526Change0Usablehttp://www.andersonvalleypost.com/news/2012/jan/24/reunion-brings-back-many-fond-memories/?partner=RSSWhile visiting my mother recently in Spokane, Wash., I enjoyed a brief reunion with my fifth-grade teacher. We each enjoyed trading memories and stories that afternoon in the living room and kitchen of a comfortable home that Bruce Anthony, now 78, shares with his wife of 45 years, the former Sharon Larson. Not only was Mr. Anthony my first male teacher, the 27 students in my class (1962-’63) were the first he would encounter in 31 years of teaching, he noted. Mr. Anthony spent 30 of those years working in Spokane School District 81, retiring in 1993, the same year he was named Spokane’s “Teacher of the Year.” gwinship@andersonvalleypost.com (George L. Winship, Editor)Tue, 24 Jan 2012 17:49:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.andersonvalleypost.com:news-Story-23055-734527opinion/editorialGeorge L. Winship, EditorAnderson, CAReunion brings back many fond memoriesAnderson Valley Postreunion-brings-back-many-fond-memoriesurn:publicid:www.andersonvalleypost.com:news-Story-23055-734526Change734527Usablehttp://www.andersonvalleypost.com/news/2012/jan/18/browns-budget-more-taxes-spending/?partner=RSSLast week, Governor Brown released his 2012-13 budget — a full five days ahead of schedule. While I had hoped that the Governor would put forward an honest plan that would help the state continue to make progress in closing its budget shortfall, sadly what we received from the Brown Administration was more of the same. The Governor announced that our budget deficit has fallen to $9.2 billion. It is good news that California is finally making progress to get its budget deficit under control. Despite the Governor’s rosy rhetoric, California isn’t making nearly enough progress to eliminate the deficit. Wed, 18 Jan 2012 22:25:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.andersonvalleypost.com:news-Story-23027-734520opinion/editorialAssemblyman Jim NielsenAnderson, CABrown’s budget — more taxes, spendingAnderson Valley Postbrowns-budget-more-taxes-spendingurn:publicid:www.andersonvalleypost.com:news-Story-23027-734520Change0Usablehttp://www.andersonvalleypost.com/news/2012/jan/18/freedom-whats-great-about-america-even-freedom-can/?partner=RSSThis past weekend, Petty Officer First Class Chad Regelin was laid to rest. And though this column has been written prior to Regelin’s funeral, word has already spread that a certain church group with tenuous connections to God would be protesting. I won’t waste space relaying their words as to why they’re protesting. Suffice it to say, the only good thing about the flyer is the spelling and grammar. pbritton-baer@andersonvalleypost.com (Pamela Britton-Baer)Wed, 18 Jan 2012 22:22:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.andersonvalleypost.com:news-Story-23026-734520opinion/editorialPamela Britton-BaerAnderson, CAFreedom is what’s great about America, but even freedom can be abusedAnderson Valley Postfreedom-whats-great-about-america-even-freedom-canurn:publicid:www.andersonvalleypost.com:news-Story-23026-734520Change0Usablehttp://www.andersonvalleypost.com/news/2012/jan/18/get-sofa-and-get-moving/?partner=RSSI used to nag at my grandsons to get up off the sofa and get some kind of action going. There isn’t much activity happening by sitting on the sofa. Of course there is reading, watching TV, playing on the laptop or portable video game device. However, there is a world outside the house when the weather is great like it has been recently. Wed, 18 Jan 2012 22:21:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.andersonvalleypost.com:news-Story-23025-734520opinion/editorialVirginia ReeterAnderson, CAGet off the sofa and get movingAnderson Valley Postget-sofa-and-get-movingurn:publicid:www.andersonvalleypost.com:news-Story-23025-734520Change0Usablehttp://www.andersonvalleypost.com/news/2012/jan/18/letter-editor-jan-18-2012/?partner=RSSWar is a too commonplace scene around the world. Some of us have been spared, even though the mass media bring closer this remoteness, which hurts those who live there, but images on a full stomach are always painless. As it happens most of the time, for good and for bad things, a minority will push a majority. The passions moving a few will lead many others to take up arms and devastate everything in their way, without distinguishing between fighters or simple citizens. Women and children get the worst of it in wars, whose underlying reason they never get to understand clearly, and which seem to have no end. Wed, 18 Jan 2012 22:19:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.andersonvalleypost.com:news-Story-23024-734520opinion/letters-to-editorStaff WriterAnderson, CALetter to the Editor: Jan. 18, 2012Anderson Valley Postletter-editor-jan-18-2012urn:publicid:www.andersonvalleypost.com:news-Story-23024-734520Change0Usablehttp://www.andersonvalleypost.com/news/2012/jan/10/letters-editor-thank-you-kevin-snyder-physical-the/?partner=RSSI have struggled with multiple sclerosis (MS) for two years. When my order for physical therapy ended, Kevin allowed me to continue using the facility for a small monthly fee any time I needed. The entire staff has kind of taken me under their wing and helped me deal with my MS and physical limitations. At one point I was unable to make a figure eight with my hips so I asked Kevin what I should do. Tue, 10 Jan 2012 18:22:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.andersonvalleypost.com:news-Story-22995-734512opinion/letters-to-editorStaff WriterAnderson, CALetters to the Editor: Thank you, Kevin Snyder Physical TherapyAnderson Valley Postletters-editor-thank-you-kevin-snyder-physical-theurn:publicid:www.andersonvalleypost.com:news-Story-22995-734512Change0Usablehttp://www.andersonvalleypost.com/news/2012/jan/10/newspaper-delivery-offers-life-lessons/?partner=RSSSon Jim and I were talking this past week about newspaper deliveries, which recalled the various paper routes he had while a student in Enterprise during the 1960s. It was an upsetting time for us. The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation had seized our property in Trinity County and closed the gold dredge down leaving my late-husband George out of a job. We had to move with no place to go. Tue, 10 Jan 2012 18:20:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.andersonvalleypost.com:news-Story-22994-734512opinion/editorialWinifred MakerAnderson, CANewspaper delivery offers life lessonsAnderson Valley Postnewspaper-delivery-offers-life-lessonsurn:publicid:www.andersonvalleypost.com:news-Story-22994-734512Change0Usablehttp://www.andersonvalleypost.com/news/2012/jan/10/working-desk-can-be-real-pain/?partner=RSSOh, my aches and pains. I need a break. If you are like me and work behind a desk a good part of your work day, you might be experiencing some pain somewhere in your body, mainly legs, hips and back. Tue, 10 Jan 2012 18:19:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.andersonvalleypost.com:news-Story-22993-734512opinion/editorialVirginia ReeterAnderson, CAWorking at desk can be a real painAnderson Valley Postworking-desk-can-be-real-painurn:publicid:www.andersonvalleypost.com:news-Story-22993-734512Change0Usablehttp://www.andersonvalleypost.com/news/2012/jan/10/governor-delays-opening-redding-veterans-home-insu/?partner=RSSBudget Vice Chair Assemblyman Jim Nielsen (R-Gerber) expressed outrage with California Gov. Jerry Brown’s proposed budget decision to delay opening the Redding Veterans Home for yet another year. Such a move is tantamount to “denying those who have served and sacrificed for our nation the care they deserve,” Nielsen said. Tue, 10 Jan 2012 18:18:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.andersonvalleypost.com:news-Story-22992-734512opinion/editorialAssemblyman Jim Nielsen, Budget Vice ChairAnderson, CAGovernor delays opening Redding Veterans Home, insults those who servedAnderson Valley Postgovernor-delays-opening-redding-veterans-home-insuurn:publicid:www.andersonvalleypost.com:news-Story-22992-734512Change0Usablehttp://www.andersonvalleypost.com/news/2012/jan/04/cascade-board-president-proposes-changes-rebut-loo/?partner=RSSChanges may loom for Cascade School District Wed, 04 Jan 2012 14:00:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.andersonvalleypost.com:news-Story-22965-734506opinion/editorialJeff Carr, Board PresidentAnderson, CACascade board president proposes changes to rebut looming state budget cutsAnderson Valley Postcascade-board-president-proposes-changes-rebut-loourn:publicid:www.andersonvalleypost.com:news-Story-22965-734506Change0Usablehttp://www.andersonvalleypost.com/news/2012/jan/04/saga-holidays-and-household-pets/?partner=RSSPets can create havoc during the holiday season Wed, 04 Jan 2012 14:00:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.andersonvalleypost.com:news-Story-22967-734506opinion/editorialVirginia ReeterAnderson, CAThe saga of holidays and household petsAnderson Valley Postsaga-holidays-and-household-petsurn:publicid:www.andersonvalleypost.com:news-Story-22967-734506Change0Usable