Mountain Views News          Saturday, July 23, 2011

14

OPINION

 Mountain Views News Saturday, July 23, 2011

STUART Tolchin..........On LIFE

A POSSIBLE SOLUTION

HAIL Hamilton My Turn

Mountain 
Views

News

Publisher/ Editor

Susan Henderson

City Editor

Dean Lee 

Sales

Patricia Colonello

626-355-2737 

626-818-2698

Production 

Richard Garcia

Photography

Lina Johnson

Chris Bertrand

Contributors

Teresa Baxter

Pat Birdsall

Bob Eklund

Howard Hays

Paul Carpenter

Stuart Tolchin

Kim Clymer-Kelley

Christopher Nyerges

Peter Dills 

Hail Hamilton 

Rich Johnson

Chris Bertrand

Mary Carney

La Quetta Shamblee

Glenn Lambdin

Greg Wellborn

Ralph McKnight

Trish Collins

Pat Ostrye

Dorothy White

Webmaster

John Aveny 


Water Safety: 

Instinctive Drowning Response



Over the 
past few 
weeks I have 
consciously 
tried to 
create 
optimistic 
articles. 
These articles reflect my view 
that although I recognize that 
great problems presently exist 
it is my feeling that somehow 
humankind will come up with 
an acceptable solution. The 
feedbacks from readers that 
I have received indicate that 
many feel that the endings of 
my articles seem unrealistic 
and insincere. People seem to 
agree with my criticisms but 
disagree with my solutions. 
These solutions generally say 
that if people just start thinking 
for themselves and eat right and 
get enough sleep and treat each 
other civilly then everything 
will be all right. People say they 
just don’t buy it.

Last weekend I talked to 
some friends and couldn’t help 
noticing that many people 
feel doomed. Not only does 
the ongoing world economic 
crisis frighten everyone but 
personally people seem to be 
having problems. Maybe it is 
a reflection of the economy 
or the endless wars. Famines 
threaten Africa and dust storms 
and intolerable heat waves are 
in the news. Perhaps there is 
a connection between these 
conditions and the personal 
problems some people are 
experiencing. Husbands are 
lying to their wives and having 
secret affairs and teenagers who 
are having trouble finding jobs 
are having all kinds of problems 
with drugs. Many seem 
bored with their lives and are 
searching for new adventures 
while dissatisfaction with 
their present lives just makes 
everything worse.

Everyone seems to be looking 
for some sort of escape and 
expensive fantasy films like the 
Harry Potter movies offer some 
relief, but it is only fleeting and 
the movie ends and it’s back to 
regular lives. This weekend, 
along with the crowd my wife 
and I paid eleven dollars to see 
the Harry Potter film. The next 
day we went to the art house 
and saw the movie Project Nim. 
There were only six people in the 
theatre but nevertheless I found 
the movie very worthwhile. 
The film, a kind of semi-
documentary, describes the 
attempt by a research scientist 
to place a chimpanzee in the 
home of a family who would 
treat the chimp just like another 
human child, while attempts 
were made to teach the animal 
American Sign Language. The 
results were disastrous as the 
family completely overlooked 
the actual nature of the 
chimp. The chimp was first 
treated like a cute little doll, 
but as he grew his needs were 
completely ignored and he 
became isolated and depressed. 
The chimp physically injured 
members of the family who 
were completely unprepared 
to deal with what grew to be 
a primate with the strength 
of five adults. Eventually the 
chimp was moved from place to 
place and finally was used as a 
subject of medical experiments. 
The chimp became a very 
sad, damaged animal living 
an isolated half-life while the 
humans who had worked with 
him grieved but could do little 
about his situation.

After seeing the film I went 
home and searched around 
for my book about Bonobos. I 
found the book entitled Bonobo 
The Forgotten Ape by Frans De 
Waal and Frans Lanting. It is 
a large beautiful book which 
describes the nature of the 
Bonobo, which is a primate 
closely related to the chimpanzee 
and to humans. Perhaps you are 
already familiar with Bonobos, 
which biologically speaking are 
the closest you can get to being 
human without being human. 
Bonobos look more like humans 
than other apes and display 
many behavioral similarities 
as well. They differ from their 
cousins the chimpanzees in that 
their primary behavior can be 
described as making love not 
war. While chimpanzee society 
is male-dominated and war-like, 
Bonobo society is very different. 
Bonobos use sex to bond with 
each other; relieve tensions, and 
exchange energy and pleasure. 
They maintain their peaceful 
society by regular sexual contact 
homosexually, heterosexually, 
between older individuals and 
younger individuals and in 
groups. Interesting, isn’t it?

What I am suggesting is that 
it is quite possible that human 
nature at its core is similar 
to the Bonobo. Perhaps we 
are all suffering from sexual 
deprivation, which results in an 
inevitable dissatisfaction with 
our lives. Perhaps somewhere 
along the line humankind lost 
its way and became frightened of 
itself. We are all aware of the very 
limited way sexual expression 
is accepted in our society. Yet 
with all the pressures telling us 
what the rules are supposed to 
be, it is clear that many people 
break these rules and, as a result, 
suffer great personal losses. 
Increasingly societies have been 
forced to recognize that the one 
size fits all mode is no longer 
applicable. As homosexual 
and non-married contacts are 
increasingly accepted world-
wide, perhaps this is recognition 
that humankind is becoming 
more accepting of itself. Possibly 
we are moving toward more 
satisfying lifestyles, eliminating 
the need for diversions like wars 
and other destructive behaviors. 
It is a little bit threatening to 
think about but such a change 
might allow men and women 
to actually live on this Earth 
in a peaceful and constructive 
manner, which would really 
be a change for the better. It’s 
certainly something to ponder. 

Summer is here and water 
safety should be first thing 
on our minds. For many -- 
especially kids -- summer 
means many hours cooling 
off in a pool. This summer 
I’m asking that everybody do their part by 
keeping our eyes open and being extra vigilant, 
especially where kids are swimming. It really does 
take a village where water safety is concerned. 
If you’re not familiar with Instinctive Drowning 
Response (IDR) you should be for the simple 
reason that drowning doesn’t usually look like 
drowning and is often silent. Ironically, the 
involuntary reactions that cause drowning 
to be a quiet struggle are founded in the 
body’s uncontrollable instinct to survive. 
Here’s how lifeguard instructor and water safety 
expert Frank Pia describes IDS:

“Except in rare circumstances, drowning people 
are physiologically unable to call for help. The 
respiratory system was designed for breathing. 
Speech is the secondary, or overlaid, function. 
Breathing must be fulfilled, before speech occurs.
“Drowning people’s mouths alternately sink 
below and reappear above the surface of the 
water. The mouths of drowning people are not 
above the surface of the water long enough for 
them to exhale, inhale, and call for help. When the 
drowning people’s mouths are above the surface, 
they exhale and inhale quickly as their mouths 
start to sink below the surface of the water.
“Throughout the Instinctive Drowning 
Response, drowning people cannot voluntarily 
control their arm movements. Physiologically, 
drowning people who are struggling on the 
surface of the water cannot stop drowning 
and perform voluntary movements such as 
waving for help, moving toward a rescuer, or 
reaching out for a piece of rescue equipment.
“From beginning to end of the Instinctive 
Drowning Response people’s bodies remain 
upright in the water, with no evidence of 
a supporting kick. Unless rescued by a 
trained lifeguard, these drowning people 
can only struggle on the surface from 20 
t0 60 seconds before submersion occurs.
“This does not mean that a person that is yelling 
for help and thrashing isn’t in real trouble -- they 
are experiencing aquatic distress. Not always 
present before the instinctive drowning response, 
aquatic distress doesn’t last long -- but unlike 
true drowning, these victims can still assist in 
their own rescue. They can grab lifelines, throw 
rings, etc.”

The Center for Disease Control says IDR is the 
number two cause of accidental death in children, 
age 15 and under (just behind vehicle accidents) 
– of the approximately 750 children who will 
drown next year, about 375 of them will do so 
within 25 yards of a parent or other adult. In ten 
percent of those drownings, the adult will actually 
watch them do it, having no idea it is happening.
Look for these warning signs of IDR when people 
are in the water:

Head low in the water, mouth at water level 

Head tilted back with mouth open 

Eyes glassy and empty, unable to focus 

Eyes closed 

Hair over forehead or eyes 

Body vertical -- Arms extended outward, Not 
using legs 

Hyperventilating or gasping 

Trying to swim in a particular direction but 
not making headway 

Trying to roll over on the back 

Appear to be climbing an invisible ladder.

The point is that a real drowning doesn’t look 
like drowning at all. Be aware of swimmers 
who go quiet. Check and ask if they are OK -- 
if they answer they probably are. Pay particular 
attention around children. Play time in the water 
is loud and full of splashing and shouting. A real 
drowning is quiet. If your child should go quiet 
while swimming, find out why and find out now! 
Have a wonderful summer and stay safe. 


RICH Johnson

Well, I’ve gone ahead and 
done it. My mother wouldn’t 
be surprised if she were still 
alive. She predicted this the 
minute I picked up a guitar 
all those years ago. My road to 
ruin and perdition is all but assured. 

What have I done? I hesitate to come clean. 
All right, I have joined with three other well-
intentioned guys and formed a rock and roll band 
(shriek). The four of us are calling ourselves J J 
Jukebox primarily because we do songs from the 
1950s, 1960s and 1970s. You know, the Beatles, 
the Beach Boys, the Turtles, Van Morrison, Roy 
Orbison.

The other three members are Barry Schwam, 
Steve Cipriani and Mike Gallegos. 

I don’t want to sound arrogant but out of the 4 
members of J J Jukebox I am easily the fourth best 
musician. And my ranking is secured (unless we 
add a 5th member). 

We have two performances under our collective 
belts. One was a July 4th pool party, and the second 
was the Sunday morning music at Mary’s Market 
a few weeks back. 

We have two upcoming gigs (a gig is the 
musicians term for a professional engagement.) 
We are performing the evening of Wednesday, 
August 10th, back at Mary’s Market for their once 
a month BBQ event. The event starts at 6:00 pm 
and Mary’s is at the mouth of the Sierra Madre 
canyon area, 561 Woodland Drive (head north on 
Mountain Trail, east on Sturtevant, left at the stop 
sign and wind up a couple of turns) Their phone 
number is 355-4534. 

We are also performing Saturday night, August 
13th at Corfu Restaurant, 6:30 until we’re asked to 
leave : ) That restaurant is at 48 W. Sierra Madre 
Blvd (just west of Baldwin on the south side of 
the street) If you want to come, please make 
reservations as the seating capacity is limited. The 
number to Corfu is 355-5993. They are closed 
Mondays. The food at both restaurants is terrific. 

Since I don’t want this to be totally a self-serving 
plug for my band, I want to pass along some 
interesting trivia that can be used as conversation 
starters over the summer. Did you know:

Astronauts can’t belch…in space that is. Seems 
there is no gravity to separate liquid from gas in 
their tummies.

Mona Lisa has no eyebrows. I guess that look 
was fashionable during the Renaissance.

Each bottle of Champagne has over 25 million 
bubbles waiting to burst out.

 

In 1886, when Coca Cola was introduced 
it was billed as an “Esteemed Brain Tonic and 
Intellectual Beverage”.

 

Zero is the only number that cannot be 
represented by Roman numerals.

 

Peanut oil is used for cooking in submarines 
because it doesn’t smoke unless heated above 450 
degrees Fahrenheit.

 

Nine out of every ten living things live in the 
ocean.

 

Toss an apple to a girl in ancient Greece and 
you are proposing marriage. If she catches it, she 
accepts. 

 

Do you know the names of the three wise 
monkeys? (See no evil) Mizaru; (Hear no evil) 
Mikazaru; (Speak no evil) Mazaru.

 

The military salute evolved from medieval 
times when the knights in armor would raise 
their visors to reveal their identity.

 

When a person dies, hearing is the last sense 
to go, Sight is lost first (How do we know this?)

 

Mickey Mouse is know as “Topolino” in Italy.

 

Thanks to Ken and Nancy for this cornucopia 
of useless information.

 

Come join us August 10th and/or August 13th 
for good food and…well good food anyway!

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JJ JUKEBOX


Curbing Bad Behavior: 

THE BEAUTIFUL GAME

by Ron Carter

I was 
elated to 
observe 
the pride, 
joy and 
pain the 
USA Women’s Soccer Team 
provided their American fans 
throughout the 2011 Women 
Soccer World Cup. They played 
“The Beautiful Game” with 
grit, determination, skill and 
grace. As a young man who 
grew up playing soccer in my 
native country, Guyana, South 
America, I was disappointed 
when I arrived in America and 
found my two favorite sports, 
Soccer and Rugby, were not 
popular in the USA. I was a 
talented Rugby player and was 
looking forward to continuing 
my growth in the sport in 
America.

Fast forward to the present, 
more than 30 years later, and 
Soccer, Women’s Soccer, is 
front and center on America’s 
sport consciousness. The USA 
Women’s Soccer Team has 
won the Women World Cup 
twice and was on the verge of 
making history by becoming 
the only women’s team to win 
the coveted cup three times. 
It was not to be, because the 
Japanese Women’s Team won 
the 2011 World Cup against the 
USA women on penalty kicks. 
The Japanese were destined to 
be crowned champions.

Chatting before the game 
with my childhood friend, 
Carl Andrews, an architect at 
John Hopkins Hospital and 
a Women’s Soccer Coach , 
we shared some insightful 
thoughts. It was not until 
the USA Soccer Federation 
decided to focus its resources 
on training and supporting 
women’s soccer that the game 
blossomed in America. Their 
plan to encourage young 
women to play soccer in the 
youth and amateur leagues 
was a brilliant idea. Also, the 
tactic to recruit international 
soccer coaches to work in 
America was a smart strategy. 
The USA Soccer Federation’s 
changed behavior allowing 
women the same opportunities 
as men propelled Women’s 
Soccer to its powerhouse place 
internationally in the sport. It 
also helped that the 1972 Title 
IX legislation which mandated 
gender equity in education in 
America was enacted. 

I am also happy to report my 
friend Carl works in tandem 
with Clyde Watson, a fellow 
Guyanese and respected soccer 
coach, who has mentored and 
coached the USA Women’s 
Soccer Team star player, Abby 
Wambach. These gentlemen are 
contributing to the marketing 
and growth of Women’s Soccer 
in America. I am proud of 
them. Today, as we celebrate 
the USA Women’s Soccer 
Team accomplishments, let us 
remember it was when a change 
in behavior was forged with a 
commitment to support soccer 
in America, the game (Soccer), 
which the Brazilians called 
“The Beautiful Game,” emerged 
to become a fan favorite of 
an enthusiastic American 
audience.

Even though the USA 
Women Soccer Team lost 
the championship game to 
their Japanese competitors, 
we should applaud these 
young women for displaying 
professionalism, pride and 
grace in defeat. They are one 
of the best teams in Women’s 
Soccer….their journey 
continues. 


Mountain Views 
News

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