PENINSULA DAILY NEWS for Thursday, October 4, 2012 PAGE
A7
Schwarzenegger minimizes his sin “You can’t run from your mistakes. You have to confront them.” — Arnold Schwarzenegger
is a mistake. Does “mistake” best describe Arnold’s behavior? For certain readers, definiBELIEVE tions may help. Cal IT OR not, Dictionary.com defines a “misthere was a take” as “an error in action, calThomas time when peoculation, opinion, or judgment ple didn’t go on caused by poor reasoning, careTV to confess lessness, insufficient knowledge, their sins. etc.” That was Let’s pick another word — back when “fornication” — and consider its most underdefinition: “voluntary sexual stood what sin intercourse between two unmaris, before everyried persons or two persons not thing became married to each other.” excusable, It’s an old-fashioned word especially for that has fallen out of favor, but celebrities and the politically doesn’t it describe Schwarzenegpowerful. Former California Gov. Arnold ger’s behavior better than “mistake”? Schwarzenegger is on a media If you prefer a definition with tour promoting his book, Total some moral force, it is “sexual Recall: My Unbelievably True immorality in general, especially Life Story. adultery.” It certainly is. Perhaps the saddest moment On “60 Minutes,” in USA in the “60 Minutes” interview Today and elsewhere, Schwarwith Lesley Stahl is a video of zenegger acknowledges affairs with women not his wife, and the Schwarzenegger’s wife, Maria son he fathered with their house- Shriver, defending him when he was accused of groping several keeper. women. He calls it all a “mistake.” Shriver basically testifies to No, a mistake is something far her husband’s character when less consequential. she says she has spent more time Claiming you’ve been to “all with him than the few moments 57 states,” as President Obama his accusers claim they spent, said during the 2008 campaign,
implying she knows he doesn’t do stuff like this. Given Schwarzenegger’s piggish behavior, Shriver’s role as a character witness for a man who clearly has none is painful to watch. One of the criticisms of the Republican Schwarzenegger when he became governor was that he quickly moved to the left from his mostly conservativesounding campaign themes. He blamed the Democratic majority in the California State Assembly. So much for sticking to political principles. Schwarzenegger’s interviews reveal a man without a moral center. He didn’t admit to fathering his housekeeper’s son until after he left office, reportedly during a session with a marriage counselor. Lesley Stahl asked him why he didn’t tell Maria about the affair. “I didn’t know how,” he said. Sure he did. It’s something like Lauren Bacall telling Humphrey Bogart how to whistle in “To Have and Have Not.” He simply had to open his mouth and tell her. Was it political expediency that kept him quiet?
Peninsula Voices up the tab for the photograThere are many reasons pher who apparently is assigned to follow Mayor to support Initiative 502. Cherie Kidd everywhere she Reasons include divertgoes? ing the efforts of police Or, does she just hear toward more damaging about a photo opportunity criminal behavior and defunding black marketers, and, already a vision of sartorial splendor, rushes to cutting their profits and that location, poses while increasing state revenues. There are many endors- smiling, frowning, or assuming whatever other facial ers, including Democratic organizations from 22 leg- expression is called for? Concerned citizens want islative districts and 14 to know. counties. John Joseph Malone, There are also many Port Angeles estimable clergy and political leaders from all across Here’s PUD spokesman the state. Michael Howe’s response: But the endorsement Thank you for the comthat really caught my attenments about the PUD’s tion is the Children’s Alliance, whose endorsement on marketing efforts. We are always pleased to Sept. 10 focused on unjust know they are working. arrest and incarceration One of the primary rearates for minorities. sons utilities like the PUD While white marijuana market conservation prouse is proportionately grams is because of the higher than black usage, Washington Energy Indeblack adult arrest and incarceration rates are two- pendence Act (formerly known as I-937). and-a-half times as high. This act not only The Alliance points out requires significant the disparate effect on the children of these imprisoned increases in the amount of qualified and costly renewadults. A disproportionate num- able energy the PUD must purchase (of which existing ber of black children are deprived of parental support. hydro is not considered That is in addition to the renewable), but it also mandates increased conservafundamental injustice of a criminal justice system that tion targets. Conservation is nothing routinely locks away a far new to the PUD, as we have greater number of blacks had great programs in place than whites, even though for years. more whites than blacks The voter approved manuse marijuana. Let’s pass I-502 to take a dates, though, have raised step toward equal justice for the bar significantly. all. In fact, the conservation Robert Stevenson, targets mandated to the Port Townsend PUD have essentially doubled the amount of conserA reader’s questions vation we must achieve each year. Although I appreciate If those targets are not the concern that the Clalmet, there are steep penallam County Public Utility ties and we must meet the District so frequently targets anyway, plus the expresses in their radio new targets, each year. spots as to how ratepayers So, it is a compounding might save money, I have to wonder what those frequent mandate with penalties if announcements are costing we do not meet the mandates. the ratepayers. As such, the PUD has In a somewhat related established a budget for concern, are the Port marketing its conservation Angeles taxpayers picking
OUR
Arnold Schwarzenegger What other explanation could there be? Does he care nothing about his children and the message he has sent them? Apparently not, or he would have behaved more responsibly. Next up is Monica Lewinsky. She reportedly is writing a book about her liaisons with Bill Clinton. Affair doesn’t seem the right word for assignations so transitory, does it? What additional detail does the public need to have? Those we were given were sleazy enough to prompt mothers of young children to shield them from news coverage for
JOHN C. BREWER PUBLISHER AND EDITOR 360-417-3500
■
john.brewer@peninsuladailynews.com
REX WILSON
STEVE PERRY
EXECUTIVE EDITOR
ADVERTISING DIRECTOR
360-417-3530 rex.wilson@peninsuladailynews.com
360-417-3540 steve.perry@peninsuladailynews.com
MICHELLE LYNN
SUE STONEMAN
CIRCULATION DIRECTOR
ADVERTISING OPERATIONS MANAGER
360-417-3510 michelle.lynn@peninsuladailynews.com
360-417-3555 sue.stoneman@peninsuladailynews.com
Cal Thomas is a Fox TV network commentator and syndicated news columnist. His column appears on this page every Thursday. He can be reached at tmseditors@tribune.com or by U.S. mail to Tribune Media Services, 2225 Kenmore Ave., Suite 114, Buffalo, NY 14207.
READERS’ LETTERS, FAXES AND EMAIL is another forecasted $1 billion state budget deficit because we have not yet found long-term solutions to our budget problems. Rob McKenna has outlined real solutions to correct the re-emerging structural problems in the state budget that result in shortfalls each year. My vote goes to the experienced leader who has real, workable solutions we can live with. Vote for Rob McKenna for governor. Pili Meyer, Port Angeles
Pot measure
PENINSULA DAILY NEWS
months on end. Lewinsky’s writing the book for the money. Apparently, the handbags she designed failed to catch on. Richard Nixon couldn’t get away with “mistakes were made” when his press secretary, Ron Ziegler, tried explaining the Watergate affair. But Arnold Schwarzenegger thinks he can get away with this. In today’s “anything goes” climate, maybe he’s right. The cultural condemnation for this behavior long ago went into retreat. Still, if you want to support fidelity while showing disapproval for Schwarzenegger’s behavior, don’t buy his book, or Monica’s. Schwarzenegger’s book might have been more accurately titled, Total Reprobate. Reprobate: “A depraved, unprincipled, or wicked person.” ________
Here’s who to blame and other programs. Marketing efforts include radio, print media, digital media and other tools. For 2012, that budget is less than two-tenths of 1 percent — $112,525 — of the PUD’s entire 2012 budgeted expenditures of $57.9 million. With the Energy Independence Act mandates, customers can expect more marketing efforts in the future. Cherie Kidd’s response: The Port Angeles taxpayers are not paying for a photographer for the mayor or anyone else. The photographs of me doing my official duties as mayor are submitted by private organizations who have invited me to participate in their events or taken by the PDN photographer assigned to cover the events. It is an honor and privilege for me to be mayor of Port Angeles, my hometown. I try to accept most of the invitations I receive. I do feel it’s important to set a good example by dressing professionally. It shows respect for the citizens I represent. I have a busy job as your mayor. This is a great town, and there is a lot going on. I’m working for you, and
This never ceases to amaze me: Congress “enjoys” an approval rating of 10 perI actually work seven days a knows our state and will week. skillfully address the steep- cent by the public. However, 90 percent of If you want to know how est challenges we face in the members of Congress Washington. busy I am, just put on your While we still have one of are re-elected year after running shoes and try folthe highest statewide unem- year for a lifetime career in lowing me around! ployment rates in the coun- politics. I am working hard and Does this make sense? try at 8.6 percent, the jobless doing my very best as are Stop blaming Congress. all of our hardworking City rate in Clallam County is Put the blame where it stuck at 10 percent, the PenCouncil members. belongs: on the American insula Daily News recently voter. reported. Martin For Melly Don’t vote for these good[“Jobless Rate Up Across As a former Clallam for-nothings, whose primary Peninsula,” Sept. 26 PDN]. County sheriff, I write this Rob McKenna has a plan concerns are to get reletter of support for Chris to create the jobs we so des- elected, not the national Melly. interest. perately need and to foster Chris is running for In fairness, I do recognize small business growth that Superior Court judge Posithat there are dedicated supplies those jobs. tion 1 of Clallam County. members of Congress who On the housing front, I personally have worked though the market is slowly know the enormous probwith Chris on legal issues lems facing our country and improving, the Runstad and found him to have excel- Center for Real Estate Stud- want to solve them. lent legal knowledge, and he ies reported that 80,000 Unfortunately, they are is very articulate. very few. Washington mortgages are Chris is a very calm man, still in trouble. Ed Ellinger, working his way through all Sequim As the state attorney cases requiring different general, Rob McKenna has decisions. actively worked for fair During that process, he treatment of troubled homeWhere’s was still compassionate and owners, providing ways for understanding. Amy them to keep their homes. Chris will work hard and Our state education sysGoodman? fairly serve all citizens of tem is underfunded, despite Clallam County. Columthe fact that Washington’s I ask for your vote for nist Amy constitution calls for amply Chris Melly. Goodman funding education. Joe Martin, is off this And our universities and Neah Bay hopeful students have been week. Her burdened with double-digit For Rob McKenna column tuition increases. resumes Rob McKenna should be Rob McKenna has a plan next the next governor of Washto fund education, making it Thursday. ington state because he is our number one priority. an intelligent leader who On top of all of this, there
NEWS DEPARTMENT
HAVE YOUR SAY
Main office: 305 W. First St., P.O. Box 1330, Port Angeles, WA 98362 ■ LEAH LEACH, managing editor/news, 360-417-3531 leah.leach@peninsuladailynews.com ■ MARGARET MCKENZIE, news editor; 360-452-2345, ext. 5064 margaret.mckenzie@peninsuladailynews.com ■ BRAD LABRIE, sports editor; 360-417-3525 brad.labrie@peninsuladailynews.com ■ DIANE URBANI DE LA PAZ, features editor; 360-452-2345, ext. 5062 diane.urbani@peninsuladailynews.com ■ General news information: 360-417-3527 From Jefferson County and West End, 800-826-7714, ext. 5250 Email: news@peninsuladailynews.com News fax: 360-417-3521 ■ Sequim and Port Townsend offices: See Page A2
■ REX WILSON, executive editor, 360-417-3530 We encourage (1) letters to the editor of 250 words or fewer from readers on subjects of local interest, and (2) “Point of View” and “Teen Point of View” guest opinion columns of no more than 550 words that focus on local community lifestyle issues. Please — send us only one letter or column per month. Letters and guest columns published become the property of Peninsula Daily News, and it reserves the right to reject, condense or edit for clarity or when information stated as fact cannot be substantiated. Letters published in other newspapers, anonymous letters, personal attacks, letters advocating boycotts, letters to other people, mass mailings and commercial appeals are not published. Include your name, street address and — for verification purposes — day and evening telephone numbers. Email to letters@peninsuladailynews.com, fax to 360-417-3521, or mail to Letters to the Editor, Peninsula Daily News, P.O. Box 1330, Port Angeles, WA 98362. Sunday RANTS & RAVES 24-hour hotline: 360-417-3506