Page 4 - Mid Valley Times 12-10-20 E-edition

Thursday, December 10, 2020 | A4 | Mid Valley TiMes Editorial & Opinions
Serving the Readers of the Reedley Exponent, Dimuba Sentinel and Sanger Herald.
A Mid Valley Publishing Newspaper
Founded March 26, 1891, in a two-story building on the corner of 11th and F streets, by A.S. Jones
Fred Hall — Publisher
In my OPINION The brainwashing of
young minds continues
Ever wonder how and when we be- gan to lose America as we know it?
December shapes up to be region's biggest challenge with COVID-19
Rick Curiel — Sanger Editor Jon Earnest — Reedley Editor Dick Sheppard — Editor Emeritus
We believe the radicalization began
with our schools in the 1970s and, al-
though a bit more complex, that very
same process of brainwashing young
minds continues today, being supplied
and directed by that same education-
al system! If one were to have any
doubts about that it's relatively easy
to check the curriculum for your student or even moni- tor one of their classes. We suspect you'll be surprised at how little of what they are being taught is applicable to daily living.
That same bunch who threatened the country with anarchy during the Vietnam era matured and took over the education of our young people. Republicans, who were asleep at the wheel, sat placidly aside and just let it happen. That group somehow seized upon the idea of government taking charge and providing sustenance for the whole country. Problem with that is that gov- ernment actually does nothing more than divide the money which is collected from the working, productive members of our society.
As a matter of fact, Donald Trump is the first Re- publican in a long while who displayed any fight for the cause. Democrats, on the other hand, have always been extraordinary in their ability to “circle the wag- ons” when defending one of their own or one of their misguided causes. Trump has become the hero for the working man in this country. He has taken up the chal- lenge while weak-kneed Republicans are busy “going along to get along.”
Hipocrisy runs wide and deep with our current po- litical class. Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez, who hates capi- talism, has begun marketing a sweatshirt at $58 a pop which carries a political message. That just strikes me as the very epitome of a capitalist endeavor. Maybe she could donate the profits to her agenda items which in- clude free health insurance for all — including illegals — free college, the new green deal — costing trillions of dollars, open borders and all sort of waste of the tax payer dollar. Congresswoman, put your money where your mouth is and stop siphoning off cash from your own campaign.
Strong parental influence would help, but the prob- lem exists because we turn educating of our youngsters over to be educated by someone else. The concept is excellent in that these instructors are supposed to be trained individuals who will leave politics out of the classroom. The problem is that we send our youngsters to schools and universities to learn and not be subjected to someone else's political opinion. That mediocre per- formance by institutions is supported by ever increas- ing tuition rates.
In a nutshell, the federal government should have no part of the educational process and parents should be able to avail themselves of school choice. Those two alone would represent a good starting point.
Politics of a different sort are prevalent in this week's headlines. The governor has cavalierly issued another shelter in place order which will be the death knell for many small businesses here in California. Per- haps, since it has become impossible for many owners and employees to earn a living, it would be appropriate for those in government to lose their paychecks as well.
During this grueling Covid mess one can't find a single government employee who missed a single pay- roll check.
Our hats are off to Donald Trump for fighting the good fight involving the absolute mess that was the result of the general election. There are just too many anomalies, statistical improbabilities and coincidences for the result to be legitimate. Our liberal court system should not but will be the final arbiter.
But, as always, that's only one man's opinion.
But we're
also getting a
sobering re-
minder — many
at quite a per-
sonal level — that coronavirus is some sort of hoax, or a virus that shouldn't be treated any differently than the flu. While it's certainly true that there's often pre-existing medical maladies that put people, par- ticularly the elderly, at high risk to the virus, it's still being proven time and again that this virus is the ingredient that can prove fatal to people who may have been able to overcome or live with other medical issues.
So we do what we can do in our everyday lives. Mask up as often as possible in public (par- ticularly indoors when direct- ly dealing with people), wash hands often and effectively, politely practice physical dis- tancing, and whenever pos- sible support our neighbors in business with our dollars. For our health care workers, emer- gency personnel and grocery/ retail workers, lift them up and show you care.
Fred Hall
If there's a universal opin- ion about how the year 2020 has been for Fresno and Tu- lare counties, Central Califor- nia, the United States and the world in general, it's that the past 12 months are highly un- likely to be on anyone's Top 10 list (with the possible exception of Joe Biden). And while many of us already have humorous thoughts of heaving the year collectively behind us, it's turn- ing out that December could be one of the bleakest months of this insanely unprecedented year when it comes to corona- virus.
We ended the first week nervous about the eventual decline below 15 percent in in- tensive care unit bed capacity, which would throw the region into a stay at home order from Gov. Gavin Newsom. This past weekend, that expected decline became a collapsing trap door, with available ICU capacity numbers actually dropping to zero in Fresno County. The numbers have risen so rap- idly, the county's COVID-19 surveillance data is having a difficult time keeping pace and updating. Our most recent figures we are sharing for our individual communities is only through late last week.
that depressing state of no in- door dining or working out, no indoor church and worship ser- vices, and the continuing lim- ited amount of schools open for students (although those who gained waivers and were able to reopen some thankfully can continue on should they choose to do so). There's also next to no sports on a youth up to high school level, and the absence continues through the commu- nity college ranks. Major col- lege and professional sports tread on, but have met with numerous COVID roadblocks leading to postponements and cancellations of practices and games.
•••
There's the competing forc-
es at play in the entire COVID situation. The high number of positive cases and resulting quarantines, shelter in place and stay at home edicts have had a devastating effect on the majority of business in this county – certainly small busi- nesses and specialty operations that are deemed "non-essential" in many local and state gov- ernments' viewpoints. These onerous regulations and re- strictions likely put a number of businesses under for good, and we're also bound to see a number of permanent changes
to the way we conduct many aspects of our lives.
QUOTE
“The time to stop talking is when the other person nods his head affirma- tively but says nothing.”
— Henry S. Haskins (1875-1957)
Jon Earnest
So once again, we're back at
Letters from readers
To our communities, hang tough this month.
Thanks from the Reedley Chamber
The Greater Reedley Cham- ber of Commerce is grateful for everyone who turned out to support Reedley’s Holiday Lane Reverse Parade on Nov. 28. Unfortunately, it was so suc- cessful we were unable to ac- commodate the overwhelming number of cars waiting to get through.
We would like to thank all our participants, volunteers, and the Reedley Police Depart- ment, which stayed past 9 p.m. in the cold to take in as many cars as was feasible. We are heartbroken for anyone that was unable to enjoy the experi- ence in person. COVID-19 has been difficult on all of us, so it was the goal of event organiz- ers, sponsors, participants, and volunteers to safely provide the community a little bit of joy and hope with this event. We hope that message was not lost.
For a video of the tree light- ing and parade, please visit the Greater Reedley Chamber of Commerce Facebook page.
Happy Holidays to all!
Erik Valencia Executive Director, Greater Reedley Chamber of Commerce
The 2020 election was a fair election
In response to Mr. Fred Hall's column of Dec. 3:
I find it amusing that gen- erally the outcome of the 2016 election was accepted so well even amid possible foreign in- tervention by the Russians. Yet, these four years of rhetoric from our president of how terrible our media and our democracy is — unless, of course, it benefited him — have been damaging.
Now, some are doubting our democratic election and the re- porting of news to keep us in- formed. We are a democracy, not a dictatorship. How sad that our beloved country now is an adversely divided people. This is a real and present danger to our democracy.
The 2020 election was a fair election, just as the one in 2016; just not the candidate of choice
for some!
As far as the economy, Presi-
dent Obama took eight years to bring back a faltering economy – let's give credit where the real credit is due! Do your research, and not listen to unfounded comments.
The real issue about the elec- tion, in my opinion, is that with- out gerrymandering and voter suppression — thanks to the mail-in vote — many citizens of this great free country finally are able to make their voices heard at the polls. Unfortunate- ly, this has angered some.
Incidentally, the term "mi- nority" when referring to people of color, brown or black, who are citizens of this great coun- try is disrespectful. People of color are not a minority to any- one and should be respected as any other citizen, especially their voices at the polls.
This is 2020 and change is not easy for some groups, espe- cially much older ones. Going back is not what this country is about. Let's go forward, it's called progress!
Celia R. Fellows Reedley