Mountain Views News          Saturday, March 8, 2014

Mountain Views News Saturday, March 8, 2014 
15OPINION Mountain Views News Saturday, March 8, 2014 
15OPINION 
Mountain 
Views 
News 
PUBLISHER/ EDITOR 
Susan Henderson 
CITY EDITOR 
Dean Lee 
EAST VALLEY EDITOR 
Joan Schmidt 
BUSINESS EDITOR 
LaQuetta Shamblee 
SENIOR COMMUNITY 
EDITOR 
Pat Birdsall 
SALES 
Patricia Colonello 
626-355-2737 
626-818-2698 
WEBMASTER 
John Aveny 
CONTRIBUTORS 
Chris Leclerc 
Bob Eklund 
Howard HaysPaul CarpenterStuart Tolchin 
Kim Clymer-KelleyChristopher NyergesPeter Dills 
Hail Hamilton 
Rich Johnson 
Merri Jill Finstrom 
Lori KoopRev. James SnyderTina Paul 
Mary CarneyKatie HopkinsDeanne Davis 
Despina ArouzmanGreg WelbornRenee Quenell 
Ben Show 
Sean KaydenMarc Garlett 
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STUART Tolchin........On LIFE 
DREAMING IS JUST A START 

Last week a only losing bets. For me losing felt 

couple of friends of right. It occurred to me that winning 

mine came to visit was something out of the ordinary 

from New Mexico. which probably required getting up at 

Their presence pulled sunrise and studying the horses, their 

my wife and I out of past performances and their present 
our usual comfort zone. Our friends condition. It took a great deal of extra 
had never been to a horse race and so, effort. Is it that extra effort that assists 
about a week ago, I got up at sunrise and people to rise out of the ranks of the 
drove over to Santa Anita to see what ordinary and to actually win their bets. 
time races began. What I discovered I didn’t win my bets so I wouldn’t know.
at sunrise was a whole unknown I thought about this same 
world. As the sun rose the mountains question of what it takes to be more 
glowed pink and gold and I found than ordinary as my wife and I watched 
myself among hundreds of people the Academy Awards presentation on 
completely engrossed in what they were Sunday night. What I saw was a large 
doing. Horses were being exercised as congregation of people very pleased 
people with stop watches monitored just to be there. Many had taken 
their movements. Other people were the time to be beautiful and to be 
studying their crumpled newspapers as stunningly dressed. Even the nominees 
intensely as potential lawyers preparing in the technical categories, who were 
to take the Bar Examination. Some frequently not physically beautiful, had 
never study that hard again.that special glow that seemed to say “I 

Perhaps these early risers at the have proved it, I am not ordinary”. When 
track were ordinary people; but they a winner was announced and allowed 
didn’t seem to be ordinary that morning. to make a short speech something real 
Everyone around had that look of what seemed to emerge beneath the pro-
I think of as a hard-working dreamer. forma words that thanked everyone 
Today was the day they were going to who supported their success. What I 
get rich or, to put it another way, today got from the speeches was the feeling 
was the day they were going to discover that the winners truly believed they 
some secret that would change their deserved their awards. They were up 
lives At least that’s how I thought they there celebrating not because they were 
all looked. A few hours later when just lucky. Hard work, study, sacrifice, 
my wife and our friends went to the belief in their own talents had placed 
track to view the races and bet things them in the position of being honored. 
seemed very different. Because it was It was as if each of them was saying 
a Thursday, I guess, we were all allowed “I am not ordinary; look what I have 
to enter for free because we were senior done.” 
citizens. We arrived in time for the Sure these people are frequently 
second race and looked at the horses paid a lot of money but it’s not about 
and watched the post-parade and found the money and it shouldn’t be. Talks 
our way to the betting windows and of money taint the whole society 
placed our bets. Our friends won forty and obscure the fact that what is of 
dollars on their first bets while my wife importance is a connection to one’s life 
and I lost ten dollars. and the ability and the clarity to take the 

It’s funny how elated our friends opportunity to create something and to 
were by winning those few dollars. dream. As important as is the dream 
Getting in for free had excited them is the belief that one can achieve that 
but now winning their first bet had dream and to work toward those ends. 
reached into their souls. I could see Really many Americans of my 
them imagining that they would win generation have been fortunate enough 
forever and that there was something to sort of get in for free. We were born 
special about them. As they collected in the right place at the right time with 
and counted their winnings I saw many great opportunities to imagine ourselves 
other people throwing their losing achieving all kinds of things. Most of 
tickets to the ground. The look of these us did not take full advantage of these 
disappointed people was a very different opportunities and, like me, wonder 
look than the look of the dreamers about what more can be done. Certainly 
I had seen in the morning. Reality there’s more to life than golf, watching 
had already struck these disappointed television, and finding low price early 
bettors, reminding them that they were restaurant dinners. No matter one’s age 
just ordinary people, and it was only a there is still time to imagine, to create, 
little after noon. and to change dreams into realities. 

We stayed for a few more Sometime; but that’sx just a start.. 
races and our friends won a couple of 
more bets while my wife and I made 

LEFT TURN /RIGHT TURN 
HOWARD Hays As I See It

 
“God, in his infinite whatever bad things happen, here or abroad, 
wisdom, has so ordained it it’s got to be Obama’s fault.
that when man destroys his The tone has softened over the past few days, 
racial purity, it can never though. Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) suggests our 
be redeemed.”response should be to approve construction 


- former Mississippi Sen. of the Keystone XL pipeline; the prospect of 
Theodore Bilbo, 1946Canadian tar sands oil flowing through our 
Bilbo shared the heartland on its way to China some years 
prevailing religious from now would no doubt cause Putin to 
conviction of his time, rethink his options. Sen. Lindsey Graham (Rcondemning 
any “re-SC) asserts it all goes back to Benghazi.
defining” of marriage that The first meaningful outside engagement 

would permit interracial couples. Using the in this conflict, it appears, was launched 
Bible as cover for bigotry is nothing new.by German Chancellor Angela Merkel, 

 Greg Welborn wrote last week that the veto who tried to make clear to Putin what was 
by Gov. Jan Brewer (R-AZ) of the bill allowing at stake. Europe may rely on Russia for a 
businesses to discriminate against gays (based third of its natural gas (the major pipeline 
on “religious conviction”, of course) was in running through Ukraine), but more than 
response to “a small minority of activists”.half of Russia’s revenues comes from energy 

 Those “activists” included the Arizona and exports. The message was that Europe could 
Greater Phoenix Chambers of Commerce, more easily make do without its imports from 
who in a letter expressed “a fervent desire Russia than Russia could do without its export 
for Arizona to be a welcoming, attractive revenue.
destination for the top talent that will be Putin himself might be “living in another 
the cornerstone of our continued economic world”, as the Chancellor put it, but the 
growth”, along with top employers like Apple, oligarchs he relies on are presumably more 
Marriott, Delta and American Airlines, J.P. grounded in reality. Almost Immediately, 
Morgan Chase and American Express. They, Russia’s major state-controlled oil and gas 
and most Arizonans, have had it with inmates producer took a $12 billion hit in value. The 
taking over the asylum at their statehouse.ruble plummeted against other currencies, 

 The bill’s purpose wasn’t to address any with a consequent leap in the cost of imports. 
expressed need, but to divide people. Over a From Germany, these imports include not 
decade ago, Karl Rove put anti-gay marriage only the Beemers and Benzes oligarchs 
initiatives on state ballots – not because of any have become accustomed to, but the high-
expressed need, but to divisively energize and technology expertise upon which Russian 
draw to the polls the voters he wanted; bigots industries rely.
fearing the “others” responsible for their Kremlin strategy is to inflame divisions 
problems and not bright enough to realize among Ukrainians; Europe-leaning 
their state likely had an anti-gay marriage law nationalists in the west, ethnic Russians 
on the books already.in the east and Muslim Tatars in Crimea. 

 Pitting one group against another is The Obama Administration, meanwhile, 
nothing new, here or abroad. In a former is forging a unified response among our 
Soviet Republic, stories spread of persecution allies. In his first public remarks after the 
of the ethnic Russian minority, tensions were incursion, Putin mocked our “you’re either 
stoked, and Vladimir Putin sent forces south with us or against us” posture. He seemed 
to “protect” the ethnic brethren.unaware that was the proclaimed stance of 

 This happened in Georgia in 2008. Sort the previous administration; that under our 
of like today in Ukraine, except then nobody current leadership, the goal is one of unified, 
was accusing the president of being “weak international resolve.
and indecisive”; Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) In Ukraine, leaders realize their future 
wasn’t on talk shows blaming events on the depends on their ability to achieve “one 
president’s “feckless” foreign policy (George W. nation, indivisible”. 
Bush, presumably, had plenty of “feck”.) Putin In Arizona and elsewhere, they’ve followed 
made that move despite a U.S. administration the Kremlin strategy; focusing on how to 
with a record of seven years demonstrating a exploit divisions between us to advance 
disturbingly casual, alarmingly eager attitude political goals.
towards committing our forces overseas.Bill Clinton put it best in his first Inaugural 

 Commentators on Fox News simply Address; “There is no ‘us’ and ‘them’. There is 
acknowledged what was happening in only ‘us’.” 
Georgia, that there was not much we could From the time of our Revolution, we’ve 
do about it and that it really didn’t affect us, been the land of E Pluribus Unum (“Out of 
anyway. President Bush and Secretary of Many, One”). In1956, though, at the height 
State Condoleezza Rice ultimately did go of the “Red Scare”, our official motto became 
public in condemning the incursion into “In God We Trust”; the words “under God” 
Georgia, according to NBC News, “after five having been added to our Pledge of Allegiance 
days of fierce fighting that may have killed two years earlier.
2,000 people”. The message there could be interpreted 

 Critics today are those who derided the air as being, although we generally share the 
strikes under President Clinton which ended Founding Fathers’ commitment to an 
the slaughter in the Balkans, and Obama’s indivisible “We the People”, “with liberty and 
support missions over Libya which helped justice for all”, we’re willing to give you an “out” 
bring an end to Kaddafi (both of which if you want to claim such a commitment would 
achieved their goals without any American be contrary to your “religious conviction”.
casualties), because they didn’t entail massive And finally – didn’t singer Julie London 
commitment of ground forces – depriving war have a hit some decades past with “Crimea 
profiteers of opportunities for multi-billions River”?
in “support” contracts.

 Their goal is not to address any expressed 
need, but to divisively energize those believing 



OUT TO PASTOR 

A Weekly Religion Column by Rev. James Snyder 

CHURCH AIN’T WHAT IT USED TO BE 

I have been going to they were saying it was a "Knewest church." 
church for more years I never heard of such a thing. My question 
than I care to remem-quite naturally was, what is it that these peober. 
If I tried to re-ple knew. I am constantly open for any new 
member how many information so my curiosity went up. 
years it is, I might then 

remember how old I am. Knowing how old I Then my friend pulled out his smart phone 
am does not have any appeal to me. and showed me a videotape that was on the 
news about this church. It was not a "Knewest 
I rather like going to church. I do not go to church" but rather a nudist church. 
church because I have to. I go to church because 
it is a wonderful place and it is filled When I watched it, I laughed because I be-
with wonderful people. Are there hypocrites lieved my friend was playing a prank on me. 
in the church? Yes, a whole lot more. There are stupid people in the world, I admit, 

but I think even stupidity has a limit. 
You would be surprised at the people that go 
to church. No matter how crazy you might He finally convinced me that this was a real 
be, I am sure there will be somebody to relate news story of a real nudist church in Virginia. 
to in any church you go to. Church is not for Fortunately, the people who produced this 
the perfect, just for those who love the Lord. I video for the news strategically blurred out 
think I could make myself comfortable in any certain parts of the video of which I am ever-
Christian church. lastingly thankful. 
I do not always have to amend my thinking. It is a legitimate church and the motto, ac-
Lately I had to amend this thinking that I cording to the pastor, is that they do not want 
could make myself comfortable in any Chris-to judge people by the clothing they are weartian 
church. ing. Really! How about judging people by the 

clothing they are not wearing? 
In the news recently was the snake handling 
church in Kentucky. These people believe that I have a hard time seeing through that kind of 
you can pick up a poisonous snake and if it theology. I like to get down to the bare facts, 
bites you, it will not kill you. I know the Scrip-but this is absolutely incredulous. 
ture they use for that, but I am not sure they 
understand what that Scripture really means. Of course, it does save a lot of time in the 

morning trying to figure out what you are go-
Someone said to a friend of mine, "You mean ing to wear to church. You do not have to look 
that if God told you to pick up a snake you at several neckties to see which one fits with 
wouldn't do it?" this suit. 

Without any hesitation, my friend said, "He Apart from the sheer ridiculousness of this 
hasn't and I ain't." sort of matter, one matter truly annoys me. 
Where do they keep their offering? On sec-
The fact that the minister of that church died ond thought, I do not want to know. 
from a snakebite might bring into question 
the validity of what they believe. Go ahead; Then a brilliant idea sloshed its way through 
play with a poisonous snake in church if you the corridors of my mind. What if these two 
want to. Me, I let those things alone and I pray congregations had a convention together? 
they let me alone. The snake handler's and the nudist churches 

get together for an annual convention. Can 
I would not feel comfortable in that church you imagine the craziness of such a thing as 
I am sure. that? 

Then I learned of some other church. I guess Then I got to thinking about it again. That 
in America, there are all kinds of churches for would be grossly unfair to the snakes. Who in 
all kinds of people. And in America sanity is the world would they bite first? On the other 
not a prerequisite of anything, just look at our hand, would they grow legs and run for the 
politicians. I guess the only thing more insane nearest door? 
today than politicians are some preachers, 
and I happen to be a preacher, hopefully not I remembered what Jesus said to Peter refer-
of the insanity kind. ring to the church. "And I say also unto thee, 

That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will 
One of my goals is to keep my insanity at a build my church; and the gates of hell shall 
low level every day that I live so nobody re-not prevail against it" (Matthew 16:18). 
ally sees it. 

The church does not belong to men or any 
Then I learned of a church in Virginia. I have one man. It belongs exclusively to God. The 
often had a lot of respect for Virginia and vis-more churches look like the world around it 
ited quite a few times. Some great men and the less pleasing it is to Jesus, the head of the 
even presidents have come from the state of church. 
Virginia. You can imagine how alarmed I was 
to hear about this new church. Rev. James L. Snyder is pastor of the Family 

of God Fellowship, PO Box 831313, Ocala, FL 
When somebody told me about it, I thought 34483. 

WHY THE UKRAINE MATTERS GREG Welborn 

 The Sochi Olympics were a success, backwards where 
not just for the athletes who won, not hostilities will 
just for the visitors who came and left increase, freedom 
without a terrorist incident, but mostly will be lost and the 
for Vladimir Putin. Putin desperately United States directly 
needed to put forth an image of threatened.
a modern, sleek, “member of the 

 There has been no 

international community”. President 

time in history when 

Obama also needed the imagery to be 

appeasement worked, 

successful to camouflage his feckless, 


when it achieved the 

lead from behind foreign policy. Recent 

peace it sought to secure. All it has ever 

events in Ukraine have now revealed 

done is delay the inevitable – war! World 

the lie behind both these fantasies. 

War II is the best historical reference, 

Eventually, the truth always presents 

but too many in America consider it 

itself. Vladimir cares not a whit about 

ancient history. So, if we must relearn 

the international community, and 

the lesson with examples from the 

Obama’s foreign policy is a disaster. 

modern era, consider Iraq, Iran and 

Unbelievably, there are those who Syria. We’ve abandoned Iraq, and Al 
don’t think these revelations matter. Qaeda is on the ascension. We failed to 
Ukraine is a far-off, insignificant land, confront Iran’s nuclear ambitions, and 
they argue, and who controls it will they continue to develop the bomb they 
simply be an historical footnote. In fact, will export when given the chance. We 
it does matter; it matters a great deal to blinked when Syria crossed the red line, 
Eastern Europe, Western Europe and to and the civil war has been escalated.
the United States.

 But more importantly, Putin has 

 Russia has sought to expand, gained confirmation of the weakness 
conquer and control from the days in President Obama’s character, of his 
of Peter The Great forward. The incapability to meaningfully defend 
communist revolution hinted that the U.S. interests or democratic principles 
“imperialistic” goals and policies of the anywhere in the world. With the issue 
Czars would come to an end, but the of west’s resolve settled, Putin simply 
truth was that the communists simply took over what he wanted. What 
redefined the goals of imperialism: possible hope is there that he won’t 
they still sought to conquer their continue to seek hegemony over every 
neighbors. They just did so in the name other country once controlled by the 
of an ideology. The result was the same. Soviet Union? He said he would, and 
The iron curtain was not constructed he just took the first step.
to keep us out of Eastern Europe, but 

 Meanwhile, almost as a dark comedic 

to keep Eastern Europe captive to 

aside, China just announced another 

Moscow.

(this ain’t the first) 10%+ increase 

 Weakness, indecision and in military spending. The signs are 
appeasement in the west only absolutely unmistakable. When a 
exacerbated the problem. Russia political and/or leadership vacuum is 
engaged in proxy wars across the globe. created, someone always rushes to fill 
They sought to throw democracy it. We lie to ourselves if we think the 
on the trash heap of history. It was new leader is always the good guy and 
only Reagan’s policy of strength and further deceive ourselves if we believe 
confrontation that ended the cold war the transition will always be peaceful. 
and freed millions. Western Europeans They rarely are.
and Eastern Europeans celebrated one 

 Hitler’s actions were “peaceful” 

of the great political, humanitarian and 

except to those who were enslaved and 

moral victories in modern history.

murdered in occupied lands or to those 

 Vladimir Putin called it “the greatest who finally had to pay the ultimate 
geopolitical catastrophe of the 20th price to liberate a continent. Winston 
century”. He has sought to reverse it Churchill decried World War II as the 
ever since. Those are his words. As most unnecessary war because decisive 
with the pronouncement from so many action could have prevented it. The 
politicians, we have been tempted to Ukraine matters because it is a critical 
dismiss them as simply propaganda opportunity to prevent greater tragedy 
for his political base. Putin’s physical and greater loss of life later. 
seizure of Crimea and political seizure 

About the author: Gregory J. Welborn 

of Eastern Ukraine demonstrate the 

is a freelance writer and has spoken to 

truth and intentionality of his words.

several civic and religious organizations 

 Putin is seeking to restore the old on cultural and moral issues. He 
Soviet Union. Without the Ukraine, lives in the Los Angeles area with his 
that goal is impossible. With the wife and 3 children and is active in 
Ukraine, the goal is not just possible, the community. He can be reached 
but probable. Events in the Ukraine, gregwelborn2@gmail.com 
if left unchecked, will hurl the world