B8B8 Mountain Views-News Saturday July 4, 2026 OPINIONOPINION 
RICH JOHNSON 
B8B8 Mountain Views-News Saturday July 4, 2026 OPINIONOPINION 
RICH JOHNSON 
MOUNTAIN 

VIEWS 

NEWS 

PUBLISHER/ EDITOR

Susan Henderson 

PASADENA CITY 
EDITOR 

Dean Lee 

SALES 

Patricia Colonello 
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John Aveny 

DISTRIBUTION 

Peter Lamendola 

CONTRIBUTORS 

Lori A. Harris 
Michele Kidd 
Stuart Tolchin 
Harvey HydeAudrey SwansonMeghan MalooleyMary Lou CaldwellKevin McGuire 
Chris Leclerc 
Dinah Chong WatkinsHoward HaysPaul CarpenterKim Clymer-KelleyChristopher NyergesPeter Dills 
Rich Johnson 
Lori Ann Harris 
Rev. James SnyderKatie HopkinsDeanne Davis 
Despina ArouzmanJeff Brown 
Marc Garlett 
Keely TotenDan Golden 
Rebecca WrightHail Hamilton 
Joan Schmidt 
LaQuetta Shamblee 

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Mountain Views News 

Mission Statement 

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top priorities. We 
support a prosperous

community of well-
informed citizens. We 


hold in high regard the 

valuesoftheexceptional

quality of life in our 

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Integrity will be our guide. 

STUART TOLCHIN PUT THE LIGHTS ON 
CELEBRATION vs DESECRATION 

That first word is familiar to all of us, especially at 
this time of the year. At the beginning of July in 1980 Ihad just moved to Sierra Madre from Venice. In Venice 
I celebrated July 4th with friends at the Ocean’s shore 
viewing fireworks and celebrating beachgoers. I had 
separated from my wife and two children in 1976 and 
was living alone in a one bedroom, more like a one room, 
apartment on the third floor of a building right across 

from the beach. Later, the whole building had a sign saying Morrison 
Hotel referring to Jim Morrison, referring to Jim Morrison, the charismatic 
singer and songwriter of the Doors, who had formerly lived in the building. 
Another former tenant was Charles Manson, probably still famous for the 
murders, where his followers murdered nine people around Los Angeles in 
1969. 

Without saying much more I think you can understand that Venice 
Beach was not exactly an appropriate place to raise children. I had my 
own Law Office in El Monte and frequently needed to be in Court at 8:30 
in the morning in distant Courts such as San Fernando. Briefly, although 
watching the roller-skaters and musclemen on the beach was fun and 
I enjoyed composing Legal Arguments while sitting on the beach, it was 
definitely time to move to another part of town.

I searched around and a friend mentioned a place called Sierra 
Madre, wherever that was. So, one day when the smog cleared and I could 
see the San Gabriel Mountains from El Monte, I headed north on Santa 
Anita Avenue and made a turn on Sierra Madre Ave and went up the hill. 
It so happened on that day, the gorgeous purple jacarandas were in full 
bloom and I thought as I drove up the hill that if I could live in such a 
beautiful place, I would never be unhappy again. I can’t exactly say that this 
prediction was altogether correct, but I never regretted my move to Sierra 
Madre, especially obtaining custody of my two children, one by one, in the 
early 1980’ s.

But now, jumping back to July 4th, 1980, in the morning it seemed 
like much of the whole town was walking past my house on Vista Circle 
down the hill and going somewhere. I had, as yet made no friends in town 
but followed along towards the Center of town and soon was enmeshed in a 
wonderful July 4th parade with fire engines squirting people and everyone 
seeming carefree and happy. Yes, it was CELEBRATION. This 4th of July 
there will also be a Parade, but times are very different.

Certainly, in 1980 there were problems. There was economic 
“stagflation”, and fuel shortages, under employment, and long gas lines. 
President Jimmy Carter had mounting failures especially dealing with his 
inability to free 52 American Hostages taken custody in Iran. Yes, Carter 
was not an effective President and we Democrats had concerns about the 
coming November Presidential election. Those concerns valid, because in 
November 1980, ex-California Governor Republican Ronald Reagan was 
elected President. 

But let’s get back to July 4th, 1980. As I have described there were 
problems, perhaps much like today but there was an important distinction. 
Even the most liberal progressive citizens did not believe Jimmy Carter,
despite his ineptitude, was intending to destroy our American Constitutional 
Democracy. Yes, I seem to remember Reagan supporters saying somethinglike “Let’s Make America Great Again” but there is a world of difference 
between the obvious intent of that statement and the Trump MAGA 
movement facing us today.

The news today, and every day since the Trump election in 
November 2024, and his taking office on January 20, 2025 (yes. it was not 
that long ago) has involved a blatant consistent attempt to undermine the 
basic values many, I think, most Americans held in common. Let us say 
that the attempt of this administration is to create and maintain a class-
structured nation controlled and operated by the White Super- Rich Males 
that destroys and denies the rights of all-other Americans. I cannot see 
this July 4th as a time of happy care-free celebration. To me it is obvious 
that we are all facing complete DESECRATION AND DESTRUCTION OF 
ALL that we took for granted before. I personally no longer feel safe and 
worry over the futures facing my children and grandchild and the rest of 
humanity, Nevertheless, I hope you enjoyed the holiday parades for one day 
without forgetting what we Americans are facing. 


HOWARD Hays As I See It 

“Being the only one that can Fox News posts: “One of the most recognizable 

prevent forest fires really lawns in the world is nearly ready for fight 

stresses me out.” – posted by night. . . Preparations have been underway

love_ladonna82 for weeks”. Queen Chimerazilla asks: “Didn’ty’all get mad at Michelle Obama for having a

Here are some favorite 

vegetable garden”? 

posts from the past month: 
Melanie D’Arrigo on Trump’s UFC fight: “WeFrom davidthestella: “White privilege is 

have this, but kids cancer research was deemed

believing Mayor of LA is an entry level 

wasteful spending.” 

position”. 
Reacting to a photo of a motorcycle stunt

Jeff Bezos is quoted: "You could double the 

preceding the event, mark normand posts: 

taxes I pay, and it's not gonna help that teacher 

“This looks like a Disney movie where a 12 year

in Queens." NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani 

old becomes president”. 

responds: “I know a few teachers in Queens

who would beg to differ.” Responding to the U.S. agreeing to $300 billionreconstruction funding as part of the deal with

“The funniest part about the world rallying 

Iran: “Are you telling me my tax dollars are

behind Zoran Mamdani is that he’s just 

being sent to rebuild all the (stuff) that Pete

literally doing his job, but by doing so shows 

Hegseth blew up also with my tax dollars”? 

us that every other politician is just lining their

pockets & leaving us to rot”. From hayesjeremy: “BREAKING: America hasdropped out of the Freedom 250 Concert”.

The White House posts a Norman Rockwellclassic, captioning it “The values that shaped John Hartzell suggests it “was called Freedom 
America.” Melanie D’Arrigo points out: “This 250 because that’s how many people went.” 
painting is from 1951 when the marginal tax 

From Jamie Bonkiewicz: “Trump’s State Fair

rate for the top .1% was 91%.” 

is so empty, you’d think it was a movie theater 

Finneas on Elon Musk’s milestone: “No one is showing Melania.” 

jealous of the first trillionaire because no one 

Covie notes: “You should have known the state

is jealous of anyone who sits on twitter all day 

fair was going to flop the moment Trump and

retweeting racist stuff. The brokest dude I’ve 

his people took it over.” 

ever met is spending his days the same way.” 
am.l.berger reflects: “kinda miss the time when

From Lyn: “I want a refund on every minute 

the words ‘SCOTUS decision day’ didn’t cause

I spent in 8th grade learning that monopolies 

existential dread”.

are illegal and the government would protectus from greedy men . . .” 

Vice President J.D. Vance complains: “what 
really does bother me is that (Democrats) don’t

“News – Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) was 

show gratitude for the United States”. Jon

hospitalized this morning and is receiving 

Favreau notes: “No one has ever demanded

‘excellent care’, according to a spokesperson.” 

more gratitude but done less to deserve it than

Sarah Ironside responds: “So glad he’s getting 

JD Vance” 

excellent government funded care after 
spending his entire political career trying to 

From lordmackatron: “Calling Trump an

block everyone else from having the same.” 

‘alpha male’ is like putting a spoiler on a Priusand calling it a muscle car.” 

Kayamawebb observes: “Gofundme (2012):
just a cool lil website where ur friends can 

nikki mccann ramirez warns: “Antifa 

support your projects :) Gofundme (2026): The 

operatives are seeding algae in stagnant shallow

backbone of the American healthcare system”. 

bodies of water to embarrass the president”. 
@dr_james wonders: “Why don’t the 

Again from davidthestella: “How long before

immigrants start their own countries?” Noah 

Trump supporters start dyeing their own pools

Smith replies: “They did, it was called America”. 

green?” 
Kyle Rittenhouse asks: “If you could deport 

And Jamie Bonkiewicz: “They’ve arrested more

100% of only one group of people, who would 

people for touching the peeling paint at the

it be?” Andrew-#IAmTheResistance answers: 

reflecting pool than they’ve arrested from the

“White supremacists.” 

Epstein files.” Responding to Trump’s threat of 
10-year sentences, Robert Jon Anderson adds:

New York Post reports: “CBS News boss 

“If only storming the Capitol carried such a

Bari Weiss poised to oversee CNN editorial 

penalty”.

operations”. Samantha Ruddy responds: “The 
girl in your freshman social studies class who 

From Gov. Tim Walz: “Found an imaginary

raised her hand to ask why there’s no white 

problem, said only they could fix it, didn’t listen

history month is running half the major news 

to experts, hired buddies who grifted millions,

outlets.” 

failed miserably, bragged how great it went.
The entire Trump presidency in a nutshell.” 

“The IRS has audited every President annuallyfor decades to ensure there was no corruption. 

kolchak observes: “Schoolhouse Rock did not

Only one President found that to be a problem.” 

prepare me for how much of politics revolvesaround ballrooms and algae.” 

Em notes: “The President of the United States is 
promoting his own crypto coin at a UFC fight 

One more about our nation’s birthday – from

being held in front of the White House. That is 

Halfway Post: “BREAKING: The attendance 

a real sentence. What are we doing.” 

at the 250th fair is so humiliatingly low thatDonald Trump has reportedly started referring

“The White House having half naked men 

to it as the ‘Biden Fair’.” 

from the UFC fight on their front lawn on June14th is a great way to celebrate Pride Month”. 

JULY 4TH FUN, FACTS AND FIBS 

Almost halfway through my 7th decade on this revolving planet, I realize

I am 5 years older than the oldest guy who signed the Declaration of

Independence. That was, of course, Bejamin Franklin and he was only 70

when he signed it. The youngest signers of this venerable document were

Edward Rutledge of South Carolina and Signer Thomas Lynch who wereboth 26 when he signed. By the way, it took six months for all the signatures to come in. 56 
people had to travel in by horseback to sign the Declaration. 

For some reason unbeknownst to me, Americans consume approximately 150 million hotdogs on July 4th. Stretched out end to end 150 million hot dogs would stretch out 35,400miles, one and a half times the circumference of the earth at the equator (24,901miles).
By the way, did you know New York’s One World Trade Center stands exactly 1,776 feet tall.
I wonder if that’s just a coincidence. Someone look it up. Speaking of New York, the EmpireState did not vote for independence on July 2, 1776. They abstained. Pennsylvania and SouthCarolina flat out voted “NO” and Delaware was split right down the middle. 

Too bad July 3rd doesn’t enjoy the same notoriety as the 4th. July 3rd, 1775 GeorgeWashington took over command of the Continental Army and in 1863 The Battle ofGettysburg ended in Pennsylvania (turned the tide of the whole Civil War in favor of theNorth). 

And July 5th has its own special accomplishments. Did you know it was July 5th, 1946 thatwe witnessed the debut of the bikini swimsuit (ooh la la). And speaking of ooh la, la, it wason July 5th 1954 that Elvis recorded his first record. Okay, he recorded “That’s All Right” atSun Records in Memphis on July 5th. And on July 5th, 1975 Arthur Ashe became the firstblack man to win a Wimbledon singles title. He defeated Jimmy Connors. 

Meanwhile, back on July 4th the day did not become a federal holiday until 1870. Go figure.
And on July 4th of 1946 the U.S. signed the Treaty of Manila giving the Philippines their 
independence. 

Did you know, as of June 2023, there are six American flags standing on the moon? Put thereby the Apollo 11, 12, 14, 15, 16 and 17 missions. The number one song played most on July4th is “America” by Ray Charles. There is nothing more American than Ray Charles. I’mglad he holds that honor. 

By the way, you are breaking the law if you wear the American flag as a clothing article.
According to the “U.S. Flag Code”: “The flag should never be used as wearing apparel,
bedding, or drapery” . 

Okay let’s end with some conversation starters or stoppers. 

Speaking of great Americans, in 1958, a great Dane named Juliana was awarded theprestigious Blue Cross Medal during World War II. What did Juliana do? She peed on anunexploded incendiary device, extinguishing it. 

Know what a neutron is? Neither do I but I’ve been told one teaspoon of a neutron starwould weigh about a billion tons, matching the weight of Mount Everest. 

AI, which we affectionately refer to as Artificial Intelligence, was once asked the followingquestion: “What’s the most unknown fact?” Here’s AI’s answer:
“The most truly “unknown” fact is actually a paradox: we will never definitively knowthe absolute most unknown fact, as it is lost to human history, deep time, or the infiniteexpanses of the observable universe.” Huh? 

By the way, we have better mapping of the surface of Mars and Venus than the mapping wehave of the bottom of our oceans. According to scientists, more than 80% of Earth’s oceansremain unexplored. So, no one really knows what countless species exist down there. I mayhave relatives living down under. 

And finally, as you reach for that July 4th Beer (or 10) make note statisticians say, on averageAmericans open the refrigerator door 22 times a day. 

In closing, I remember a company that sold a gadget that attached to your refrigeratordoor. When you opened your refrigerator door, you heard a voice with one of a number ofrecordings like “You again?” Or “No wonder you’re so fat!” 

Happy Fourth of July to you and yours! We are fortunate, blessed and lucky to be Americans. 


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