Page 4 - Mid Valley Times 4-22-21 E-edition

Thursday, April 22, 2021 | 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 Low expectations applied
by the 'woke' crowd
Plenty of options for prep sports fans to see their athletes in action
Jon Earnest — Reedley Editor Dick Sheppard — Editor Emeritus
It's getting increasingly difficult to read a larger newspaper or watch tele- vision news (either cable or network) without some loudmouth pontificating that America is a terrible country which was built on systemic racism and racist policies. These same people insist on our children being taught that jaded position as a part of their school curriculum.
If you're fan of high school sports, you could consider this week's schedule of games- events to be your ultimate dream – or nightmare — sce- nario.
Take Reedley High School, for example. In the next seven days, you'll have the opportu- nity to catch the Pirates in ac- tion in football, baseball, soft- ball, basketball, soccer, water polo and track and field. If I've forgotten a sport in this time frame, forgive me.
It truly is like a dream, a good one, for these high school athletes who have been forced to live a nightmare for more than a year by not being able to play their beloved sport or game. It's been even more frustrating for those who are looking to possibly continue their athletic careers at the col- legiate level, even if that's com- munity college. Now, with the state having exited the most restrictive forms of COVID-19 enforcement by the state, ath- letes have the opportunity to finally live the dream of a bud- ding young athlete, at least at the high school level.
It took a few extra months, but some area prep football fans have the chance to see their team play for a champi-
onship this week. In Reedley, the Pirates host the Sunny- side High Wildcats on Friday night, April 23, with a win en- abling them to collect their first outright league champi- onship (this one North Yosem- ite League) since 1972. That's a long time, back to my junior high school days. A win also gives Tony Gates' squad a path to a possible perfect season. But remember, one game at a time.
Also, the "Tribe" at Sanger High also have title aspirations. The Apaches travel to Fresno, also on April 13, for a show- down against defending Coun- ty Metro Athletic Conference champion San Joaquin Memo- rial. Sanger has bounced back nicely from a season-opening loss at home to Kingsburg to win three straight, the final two in impressive style. An- other victory would put a great finish to an unlikely season.
Then there's Immanuel High, which ultimately over- powered visiting Yosemite High last week in the first of two games in an abbreviated season. This week's home con- test with Dos Palos will give the Eagles' outstanding core of players to show off their talents for one more contest.
While it was
a disappoint-
ing season for
Dinuba High
— the Emper-
ors dropped all
four of their
games — the
team's seniors
at least were given the oppor- tunity put on the pads and play some physical football for the first time in 16 months.
There's plenty of other sports — and extracurricular activities — back under way on high school campuses through the end of the school year and the end of June. We'll miss get- ting a few of those scores and results publicized because of lack of news hole and bodies in attendance. You can help us out by sending us recaps, high- lights or even a photo or two to jon@midvalleypublishing.com. We'll do our best to get caught up.
Best of luck to the Pirates, Apaches and Eagles this week, as well as good health to all competing athletes during the next two months-plus of com- petition.
Jon Earnest is news-sports editor for The Times.
Fred Hall
As a general rule, most of these people are completely unaware of what they are condemning and know noth- ing of which they sully this great nation. If they feel that strongly, why not spend some of the billions of dollars they've socked away to help provide a better education and greater opportunities for minors? Even that should be on a merit basis.
These “woke” companies and individuals think noth- ing of giving millions of dollars to unknown, unidentified race hustlers who are unable and unwilling to account for where the money has gone. Black Lives Matter is a classic example of a lack of control when it's co-founder, Patrisse Cullors, went on a spending spree, buying several million- dollar properties. The press was too busy propping up the movement and the Joe Biden administration to find time for investigation and questions which sorely deserve answers.
A prime example of that is on full display when voters are being asked to produce a government generated iden- tification card of some sort and the left screams racism and voter suppression! The position of the left seems to be that minorities are incapable of securing an ID, al- though almost everyone has a driver's license or some other form of identification.
The pendulum has swung so far to the left that “people of color” actually are given preferential treatment for the application of government programs. It seems to me that it is discriminatory or racist when everyone, with the exception of minorities, is barred from federal and state money or even college admissions. We understand that schools like Yale and Harvard, with huge endowments and still took huge amounts of Payroll Protection money, are restricting enrollment of Caucasians and Asians. The exception would be for legacy students — children of big- wigs and politicians who went there.
Race relations have steadily worsened in America since the election of Barack Obama and Joe Biden, who were first sworn into office back in 2009. Until the left saw fit to use it as a political cudgel. Somewhere, some- time a Democrat strategist came up with the idea that there was an advantage to be gained from pitting Ameri- can voters against each other by color and ethnicity.
Don't kid yourself, the world is watching what they per- ceive as a weakened America which is being torn asunder internally and whose borders are being over run by drug smugglers, human traffickers and drug cartels who are becoming even richer through their control of our border. While we're on the subject, will someone explain to me why we are getting hotel rooms for illegals and yet there is already a huge homeless population who would appreciate one of those rooms. Saddest of all is the huge contingency of veterans who have gone in harm's way for this country and are without housing. Seems to me that it's just common sense to take care of one's own first. America is weaker than it has ever been. Stop dividing us!
Jon Earnest
What bothers me most is the fact
that the most pernicious form of racism being practiced by the “woke” crowd is their “soft racism” which is im- plemented through the application of low expectations. “You can't possibly do that all by yourself; those of us in the “woke crowd” will have to help.” Increasingly, Amer- ica's largest companies have joined a full-throated chorus condemning America. One can add to that group which includes names like Coke, Delta and United Airlines, the National Basketball Association, Major League Baseball and the National Football League.
But, as always, that's only one man's opinion.
A message of thanks to a teacher, mentor
By John G. Velasquez
Guest columnist
It was around January or early February 1962 when my dad became ill and we needed help to survive as a family. My dad didn't want anything to do with welfare, and that is when it was decided I had to quit school to support my family.
I was going around check- ing out of classes when one of my teachers told me Mr. Laem- mlen wanted to talk to me. He had been my FFA teacher and had taught me how to weld and prune fruit trees. I wanted to learn farm work in case I end- ed up as a farmworker.
I went to see Mr. Laem- mlen, and he asked me why I was quitting school. I explained the situation to him, and he asked me if I wanted a job. I thought maybe working for his father on the farm. I asked do-
ing what, and he said working for General Cable. I told him I was only 17 and that I thought you had to have a high school diploma. He explained to me that the plant manager was a friend of his and he would talk to him, and I said yes.
I had a job lined up working at North Fork Lumber Mill for $2.19 an hour. Mr. Laemmlen setitallupandIgotthejobtag General Cable starting at $1.79 an hour. This was late Febru- ary, early March. I took the job at General Cable because going to North Fork would require me to pay rent or commute. General Cable would be close to home and less expensive.
Mr. Laemmlen changed my life forever the day he called me into his office. He did for me what no one has ever done for me since, except my father. I believe that he is one in a mil- lion. He came to this country
as a small child, speaking only German, and made a life for himself and his family. He lift- ed as he climbed, and I was one of the lucky people he lifted.
As we have aged, I ran into him now and again and I've al- ways made it a point to thank him for what he did for me. We were in the same senior exer- cise class, before the pandem- ic, and I made it a point to take him for lunch after class.
Because of him, I learned good work ethics. I went to work for Santa Fe Railroad and later PG&E until my retire- ment at 68 years of age.
I thank you, sir, and may you have a wonderful life, my friend. See you around.
Sanger resident John G. Velasquez wrote this letter of thanks to his teacher and men- tor, retired Sanger schools edu- cator Wilfred Laemmlen.
Letters Policy
MID VALLEY TIMES invites letters from the public on any topic of local relevance. We reserve the right to edit letters for clarity or brevity, and we reserve the right to NOT publish them if they could be deemed libelous or profane. Letters should be 350 words or less, and bear the author's name, address, and phone number. Letters can be mailed, emailed, submitted via our website, or personally delivered to: Editor, Reedley Exponent, 1130 G St, Reedley CA 93654.
QUOTE
“It is a good morning exercise for a research scientist to discard a pet hypothesis every day before breakfast.
It keeps him young.”
— Konrad Lorenz (1903-1989)
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