Page 4 - Mid Valley Times 12-5-19 E-edition

Thursday, December 5, 2019 | 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 Reflecting on the lost art
of writing letters, cards
Have you ever just stopped for a
quiet moment of introspection and
wondered to yourself just exactly how
we got ourselves into such a socially-
convoluted mess? Half of this great
nation literally hates the other half
because of differing political views.
A large portion of the younger, col-
lege educated generation — as well
as some who should know better —
think everything should be provided
but have no idea about where the hell the money would come from. “Just take it from successful people.”
In one of those moments of contemplation, I found myself sitting and wondering what ever happened to that majority of our population who once actually hand wrote letters and sent cards. There was truly a per- sonal involvement in messaging, and we visited with each other and routinely sat down and talked. People actually took personal ownership of thoughts and utter- ances. No one stood behind the curtain of anonymity provided by the internet.
We lost something special in dealing with interper- sonal relationships when pen and paper disappeared, only to be replaced with a keyboard attached to some electronic device with someone on the line to monitor, data-mine and sell our personal information. Penman- ship was actually taught in our public schools and the ability to write and read cursive handwriting was an accepted fact.
This has little to do with the lost art of writing and everything to do with education in the proper use of such an exciting new technology. No one can get a full grasp of the challenges without fully comprehend- ing how we reached this point. History no longer is really taught and yet, where it is, it has been so thor- oughly sanitized by the textbook writers that there is little resemblance to actual events and what caused them.“Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it.”
My heart breaks for some of the teachers one sees, seemingly everyday, on television or in the newspaper who must endure the incivility that infects a school when discipline is unenforced. Administration bends over backward to assure that no one is ever suspend- ed or expelled because the average daily attendance money paid to each school for each student who is in a classroom on a daily basis is so important in the bud- geting process. Recognition of the damage caused to others in that classroom seems to be getting lost.
Political correctness is rampant on high school and college campuses, where students are forced to ac- knowledge dogma that is counter to proven scientific fact. A handful of academics and a handful of scream- ing crazies should not be sufficient to alter science. Once again, with a granddaughter attending Fresno State, I regularly hear horror stories about how much of that very expensive academic time is used by pro- fessors for personal political agendas which, in many cases, promote causes that are historical failures or scientific impossibilities.
The United States Department of Education is a rel- atively recent addition to that list of agencies staffed to oversee everything we do by people who are “far smarter than we.” The department was bestowed on the American educational process by President Jimmy Carter on May 4, 1980 and, despite a budget of $70 bil- lion a year hasn't accomplished anything which we can identify. My opinion is that it would represent a good starting point — along with the Department of Energy, but that's another story — if we were to shut that agen- cy down and send the money back to the state or, even better, leave it to local school districts.
The stakes are entirely too high to entrust the minds and education of our children and grandchildren to those who are so bold as to announce their political agendas and then tell us we can't do anything about it.
Birthday chuckles and a message from a stranger
Rick Curiel — Sanger Editor Jon Earnest — Reedley Editor Dick Sheppard — Editor Emeritus
It was quite the holiday break for my family and I. We celebrated three birthdays and two Thanksgiving meals. Need- less to say, it was an assault on the waistline.
But a thought occurred to me while we were singing ‘Happy Birthday’ to my broth- er-in-law, Manuel, on the eve of Thanksgiving. If you’re for- tunate enough, you may have experienced something similar.
Maybe I didn’t realize it un- til recent years, but it seems to happen more and more.
It’s the chuckle in the song.
“Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to you. Hap- py birthday dear (Fill in the blank). . .” And that’s when it happens. . . the chuckle. (And, did you sing the song?)
We chuckle because we don’t always say the same name when filling in the blank. The names we use are based on our relationships. For some the name is a nickname, a pet name, a title or AKA. Every name is a relationship.
I realized then what I was most grateful for this Thanks- giving - relationships.
It’s the reason why we cele- brated three birthdays and two Thanksgiving meals last week.
But the relationship I am most grateful for can only be found in the gift of family. No gift in life is greater than that which comes with the titles of mother and father, sons and daughters, brothers and sis- ters.
granted sometimes, not realiz- ing how good we have it. And then I may hear of the strug- gles from other families who may have not even spoken to siblings in years. That’s not the case for my family, and I have a big family.
Though we live hundreds of miles apart, when possible, we still get together and celebrate holidays, certain birthdays and other random occasions.
My siblings and I have had a text chain going since Easter. We use it from time to time to communicate as a family and when planning our next get- together.
The chain usually begins with a message from the old- est sibling, my brother, Steve. This Thanksgiving was no ex- ception. Steve greeted us in the morning to wish us a Happy Thanksgiving, remind us of our blessings and how he is looking forward to seeing the family.
I responded in kind, and re- minded my three brothers, who would be traveling from South- ern California, to make sure to check the road conditions be- cause the grapevine had been closed and traffic was being rerouted through Tehachapi.
My youngest brother, Alex, was traveling the morning of Thanksgiving and, after five siblings chimed in on the group text he responded with words of Thanksgiving and a photo he took while stuck in traffic. There was snow everywhere. He was on the Highway 58 West.
At 1:30 p.m. my sister, Ve- ronica, let us all know that Alex was home, safe. Saturday, we celebrated Al- ex’s 30th birth- day.
Rick Curiel
Fred Hall
But the best message had to come from a stranger. As it turned out, my sister, Beatriz, had recently changed her num- ber and her old number was still being used in the group. Apparently, her old number was being used by someone else and had been receiving ev- ery message in the group text.
Then, we got the message. It read: “Super cool you made it to Dinuba. You guys sound like a great family. You actu- ally want to spend time with each other. Be safe and have a wonderful Thanksgiving, to whoever you are.”
My siblings and I all shared a great laugh after receiving the text and figuring out what had happened. But, we also agreed that it sometimes takes someone looking in from the outside to help you realize what you really have on the inside.
I am truly blessed to have the family I do. Yes, we like to spend time with each other. No, we are not perfect. But, we are blessed with plenty of chuckles in life that spell — relationship.
I may take my family for
Letters from readers
Rick Curiel is editor for The Times' Sanger office.
But, as always, that's only one man's opinion.
A farewell from Reedley business
We are informing the com- munity that we have closed our automotive repair busi- ness. It comes with a very heavy heart to make this deci- sion. We tried to sell the busi- ness for more than a year-and- a-half, but we had no serious buyers. We were hoping that what we built up would con- tinue in Reedley to keep our customers coming back for
their automotive repair needs. Unfortunately, with the rising costs to do business in Califor- nia, we feel that it’s time to close our doors.
We have enjoyed the friend- ships we have made over our 16 1⁄2 years in business here in Reedley. We can hold our heads up high knowing we have suc- cessfully had two automotive repair businesses over the last 25 years. The time has come for us to look into our retire- ment future in the next 10-15
years. Jon has accepted a po- sition with KCUSD in their transportation department. Jennifer’s future plans are not known at this time.
Thank you so much for trusting us with your vehicle needs over the years. We could not have done this without you. We appreciate you very much! We will miss you.
Sincerely,
Jon and Jennifer Callahan Reedley
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QUOTE
“As a matter of principle, I never attend the first annual anything.”
— George Carlin (1937-2008)