Don's Tuesday Column

THE WAY I SEE IT by Don Polson    Red Bluff Daily News 8/19/2025

    What a (camping) life; LaMalfa town hall

With all the criminality in cities and news headlines, it doesn’t take much to restore one’s faith in humanity and the nation in a campground. One thing about those we visit is the genuine variety (I hate the word “diversity”) of campers; however, families are the predominant demographic.

In South Beach State Park, Newport, Oregon, with its hundreds of campsites and loops that go from “A” to “I” there are flush toilets, showers, large open play areas, even a playground with equipment we never saw as kids. Our only regret is that, with the dull roar of crashing waves and barking of sea lions, we can’t walk to the beach without either climbing a sand dune-type hill (elderly knees protest) or a lengthy trail. There are other trails; we might yet put our feet in the ocean.

Part of the sign for the “tent” camping ring “I” said “No generators.” Our motorhome has one; in the past, we’ve had to use it hours a day to recharge our batteries (a CPAP breathing machine drains them). Then several devices and computers need recharging, but we are the first ones to groan when we start it. The noise and vibration is far worse than the low hum of newer generators campers now bring.

That all stopped, for us, when we purchased some flexible solar panels, about 2½ feet by 6 feet, with cables and a controller. Three of them recharge the coach’s four 6-volt batteries even under cloudy skies; we even use the microwave without draining them. Admittedly, a non-generator loop induces enjoyment of quiet camping amid family fun. The panels are about five pounds each and roll up into a foot-wide tube.

Back to the “restoring faith” part. Who would, in their responsible adult minds, send kids off to the bathrooms with no accompanying parents? How could kids be turned loose to ride bicycles and scooters, and play out of sight? Well, it happens in campgrounds where “normal” America spreads tents, canopies, chairs, trailers and the accouterments of outdoor living; same in RV park camping fields. It renews our faith in America.

However, Barbara did hear some of what surely sounded like gunshots late Tuesday night; they could have come from anywhere outside the state park, over the Highway 101 bridge in Newport, as the sound carries a long way at night. It reminds me that some cities have implemented technology to pinpoint where gunshots are located; it is probably as effective in reducing crime as the useless “diversion” programs (de-incarceration=surefire way to keep criminals among, and preying upon, civilians).

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I probably would have made my way to the LaMalfa town hall were we still in Red Bluff’s outdoor sauna in August; not apologizing for spending summer months in cooler climes. Having only the Daily News article “Town hall draws heated crowd” by Mandy Feder-Sawyer, this writer was inclined to “read the lie of the green” and apply some interpretation. I would have labeled it a “partisan, angry crowd” to help readers understand the emotionally biased nature of many attendees.

Having already read of similar “heated” (actually, “unhinged” and “hysterical”) crowds that have been organized to turn up at other Republican town halls—having little more than bile and anathema to share with, or pummel, the targeted Republican congressman—it seemed more of the same thing for LaMalfa’s town hall. To the extent that LaMalfa’s crowd included local Tehama County Democrats rather than the traveling circus of lunatic malcontents, I would welcome thoughtful contributions to debate on the issues they care about.

However, if the news article’s description of attendees—which did include that some were there to support Congressman LaMalfa—is any indication, the left-leaning Democrats were fairly consumed with (speaking politely) untruths, fabulisms, mis- and dis-information, and fallacious, twisted versions of the issues. The lengthy diatribe at the end from Max Walter of Redding (not local) proves my point).

Suffice it to say, everything they believe about Medicare, Medicaid, Immigration and Customs Enforcement efforts to remove illegal aliens from our country, and President Donald J. Trump—is simply delusional and wrong-headed.

Reality check: Congressman Doug LaMalfa was recently reelected by about 2 to 1 margins in the primary, as well as the general election in November. He is working with President Trump and congressional Republicans to implement the America First, Make America Great Again agenda voted for by a solid majority, winning the Electoral College, the House, the Senate, and all “swing” states. Gallup shows the lowest popularity for Democrats in 30 years; they’re losing voters.

It’s disappointing to see opponents resort to character assassination and destruction instead of reasonableness and dialogue; however, that’s where we are at, even in Tehama County. Local Democrats: angry venting at a popular Republican Congressman won’t sway public opinion your way.