THE CONVERSATIONS.. Talking About The Things That Are On Our Mind
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Mountain Views News Saturday, September 12, 2020
PORTRAITS OF OUR NEIGHBORS
By Stuart Tolchin
BOB JONES
Bob Jones is a very
personable man who I met
on the Azusa Greens Golf
Course. We are both 76 years
of age and have underlying
medical conditions. During
the entire time of our
acquaintance he has been
enduring arduous medical
treatments which include
radiation and the use of
experimental treatments
in order to cope with his
advanced cancer conditions.
He has stubbornly refused to
abandon much of his regular
activities. He adamantly
explains “I will never alter
my lifestyle out if fear.” In
between radiation treatments
and medical consultations
he continues to play golf a
few times a week. He goes
to Costco and Home Depot
regularly and has made few changes to his lifestyle. He maintains contact with
his numerous children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. He maintains
a supervisory interest in the company he has started which provides computer
billing services to hospitals across the United States.
Bob at one time was superior athlete whose picture still hangs on the wall
of San Gabriel High School honored as the best all-around athlete of 1962. Bob
has never tasted caffeine, alcohol or tobacco. He has never indulged in drugs.
In High School these prohibitions caused him to be recognized as an “outsider”
who at times provided needed assistance to other students who were either too
drunk or too stoned to drive home. As you may have guessed he is a Mormon
who together with all of his five children have engaged in Missions all around the
world. As a result of the missions to faraway places by his children Bob now has
grandchildren of different colors and ethnicities. When I asked Bob if any of his
children were ever rebellious he laughed and said they all were. To my surprise he
explained that every athlete hated his Coach at one time or another in much the
same way that God chastises and watches over his children on Earth. “ It is only
when one stops hearing God’s cautioning voice that one should worry because
God may have given up on you.”
That explanation made little sense to me. I am a proud life-long sceptic
who, nevertheless, admires the certainty and consistency and overall satisfaction
that is a part of Bob’s life. He is a good man, who cares about others, and engages in
many philanthropic activities. Bob is a Republican who intends to vote for Donald
Trump on November 3. Frankly, although I do not believe in the concept of sin,
a vote for Donald Trump is to my mind an unforgiveable act which evidences a
total lack of concern for the welfare of humanity in addition to an indifference to
the unnecessary suffering resulting as direct consequence from Trump’s actions
and inactions. That is our dilemma and before you stop reading this please realize
that hundreds of millions of Americans similarly are steadfast supporters of the
President. Surprisingly, Bob and I still enjoy one another.
Does a person’s politics, no matter their underlying behavior and the
commendable way they live their lives make them absolutely unworthy of respect?
I suggest that we attempt to consider the person. Politics is something like the
frosting on a cake. Many of the frostings are too sugary, too comforting in the
short run but clearly unhealthful in the long run. We all should be able to scrape
off the frosting and that which may be healthful and substantial underneath the
disagreeable topping. It is worth the effort to realize that political partisanship
does not prevent friendship and that there are possible lessons to be learned from
those with very different beliefs and standards. As a long practicing attorney
who handled a sad number of vicious divorce cases I can testify to how frequently
feelings can change. But for today, let us keep our wits about us and look for the
healthy substance beneath the repellent, but to all too many, enticing frosting.
If I can ever get out of the house, I look forward to Bob and my next round of golf.
Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com
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