HERGER DOESN'T DESERVE FREE AD

I unfolded the paper Wednesday morning expecting an article somewhere
on the front page about the gubernatorial debate between Meg Whitman
and Jerry Brown the previous evening. But there was nothing. Wally
Herger and the wisdom of the Record Searchlight did what neither
Whitman or Brown could do.

Somehow Herger was able to make the front page with a free political
ad. Not just the front page mind you, but about half the print space
on the front page with an "action" picture depicting two park rangers
in fatigues descending a hill on a hot day and two, bold, eye catching
headlines. Herger was able to establish that he was a law and order
dude, against marijuana and marijuana growing on public lands, he was
tough on those dastardly illegals and the Mexican drug cartels, and he
was deeply concerned for the "severe threat to the public and the
severe damage to our forest lands." Herger is so committed he "dangled
below a helicopter" and was flown into a pot garden to view first hand
what "the boots on the ground are dealing with." This was such
riveting news that I found myself humming the "Battle Hymn of the
Republic" louder and louder as I neared the conclusion of the article.

All of this was accomplished because he wrote one letter last July to
the Office of National Drug Control Policy asking for money and a
plan. The resolution has to be introduced and approved by the House
Judiciary Committee before moving on for a full congressional vote.

This "news" belonged not on the front page, but on the back page of
the Local section as a paid political advertisement in the Monday
"thin" edition. And the Record Searchlight deserves credit for
redefining "free press." It was free alright. Free pandering in it's
purest form.

If the Republicans win the House and Senate I wonder how much money
Herger will want the federal government to print to fund HR 1540? The
answer is none. Some fresh thinking is needed from our district in
D.C. Maybe, just maybe, if marijuana was legalized the Mexican drug
cartels would fade away and the millions of futile dollars spent on
enforcing the unenforceable could be redirected towards our fire,
police and education system. It's time for Herger to keep his own
"boots on the ground," back home at his ranch! Elected office was
never meant to be a career.

Keith Melton, Redding