OPINIONOPINIONMountain View News Saturday, October 3, 2026 1010 OPINIONOPINIONMountain View News Saturday, October 3, 2026 1010 
MOUNTAIN 

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Susan Henderson 

PASADENA CITY 
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Dean Lee 

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Patricia Colonello 
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John Aveny 

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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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PUT THE LIGHTS ON

STUART TOLCHIN 

RICH JOHNSON 
SEND IN THE CLOWNS 


HOPE VS. DESPAIR 

Well, they’ve been sent, already. Do you know what I 


Don’t know if you’ve discovered this yet, but our lives are chock 
am referring to? I hope you are aware of the despicable 

full of despair. And it starts early on. Just take a quick peek at my 
performance by Senator Eric Schmitt of Missouri 

5th year on the planet: “Mommy, why can’t I stay up with you and 
occurring as a part of his attempted interviewing of 

daddy and watch TV?” ”I don’t like asparagus and I won’t eat it… 
Special Counsel Jack Smith. The expression I use as the 

can I have ice cream instead?” It seems all I ever heard was no! I 
title of this article is a theatrical term referring to what 

was a 5-year-old overcome with despair. I needed hope. How did I 
circuses do if an act went wrong such as a trapeze artist 

ever survive? Did I survive? 
falling. I understand the phrase to refer to a performance that is goingdisastrously wrong and fools are being called in to rescue a “pathetic 

Hope, by the way, is defined as “an optimistic state of mind that anticipates positive 
situation”. 

outcomes, despite the hardships in front of you.” How many of us live in that 
mindset? Be honest! 
What is the “pathetic situation” to which I am referring? Is it justthe Trump Administration or the entire Republican Party or America 

Despair, on the other hand, is defined as “the complete loss of hope. Completelyitself; or is it the potential demise of our entire specie? Before I get too 

giving up”. 
carried away, please allow me to be more specific. Yesterday, September 
29, 2026 former special Counsel Jack Smith defended his prosecution of 

The Yin and the Yang…so to say. Two of my favorite brainiacs, 19th centuryDonald Trump during a four-hour hearing before the Senate Judiciary 

philosophers Soren Kierkegaard and Friedrich Nietzsche viewed despair not as 
Committee. Republican Senator Eric Schmitt of Missouri questioned 

a permanent dead end but, as a catalyst for psychological and spiritual growth. 
Smith about his alleged attendance at an Atlanta Hawks and Golden State 

Maybe Fred and Soren are onto something. 
Warriors Professional Basketball game in Georgia, February 2024. (In fact,
Smith attended a female basketball game involving the Hawkeyes a College 

Therein lies the key me thinks. I’m thinking of a diving board. A diving board isn’t 
Game in Maryland on February 24.) This was an attempt by Schmitt to 

stiff and rigid. It has bounce. And competition divers jump up and down on the 
link Smith to Georgia Fulton County District Attorney Fanni Willis. 

board before they dive. In other words, they go down to go up. Not sure what itmeans but it is cosmic. Let’s talk about real losers. 
What was revealed instead was the total ignorance, incompetence,
malice, and indifference to truth, and the political hypocrisy of that group 

Colonel Sanders was quoted saying: “One has to remember that every failure can 
which now runs America. Partisanship to me is pardonable, excusable, 

be a stepping stone to something better.” 
inevitable I guess. Lying, cheating, and outright ignoring basic valuesis not so easily excusable. As America aligns itself with the world’s 

Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple Computers, was ousted from Apple in 1985 over 
dictators and seems indifferent to climate threats and labels the possible 

disagreements with his partners and the board. He returned in 1997 to a failinghuman domination by machines as a “hoax” there is reason for us all to 

Apple and resurrected the company with the iMac, iPod, iPhone and iPad. 
be concerned. As I think about it I realize that historically mankind has 

J. K. Rowling, creator of the Harry Potter series, struggled as a single mother before 
chosen to see humanity itself as the primary purpose of existence and 
Harry Potter finally found its success. She said, “It is our choices that show what we 
it was an accepted truth that the Earth was the Center of the Universe. 

truly are, far more than our abilities.” 
Most of us learned in School that Galileo invented instruments that 
allowed him to observe the motion of the stars and planets more closely. 

Comedian Jim Carrey, as a teenager, lived in a VW van with his family. He said 
Galileo proclaimed that the sun was the non-moving center around which 

about his father: “I learned many great lessons from my father, not the least of 
everything else orbited. 

which was that you can fail at what you don’t want, so you might as well take achance on doing what you love. 
Sorry, Galileo, the sun is moving too. In fact, EVERYTHING, ismoving all the time and that includes human knowledge and what we call 

Those four people would have identified themselves as losers. A good synonym 
PROGRESS. My view of the world has changed radically over the past 

for loser in this conversation would be risk takers. They took risks and succeeded. 
couple of months. During that time my son has been hospitalized or 

Most successful people risked losing. 
maintained in a Skilled Nursing Facility. At the beginning of this processI was very naïve imagining that being taken to the hospital was a process 

I ran my own business for 30 years. Actually made money from attorneys. Hey, that 
for a heathy human similar to an automobile being taken to a repair shop 

must be good for something. The last twenty years of my life, I became involved in 
where it is soon repaired. Well, my son is not being repaired. He is not 

an Improv Comedy group, I have a rock and roll band that plays around the San 
improving but simply remains in bed looking helpless. I am helpless to 

Gabriel Valley. Next gig is actually on my birthday. That would be Halloween night 
be of any help at all but I feel my heart beat as I leave his room and hear 

at Nano’s Café in Sierra Madre. The band name is JJ Jukebox. 
him utter “I love you Daddy”. I was not ready and am not ready for thisexperience. Throw in the fact that on our way to the Hospital our car broke 

And as you probably know, I write a column in the local newspaper every week. I 
down requiring an Uber to get us home and then to take us to Car Max to 

certainly appreciate all of you who read the column. This particular column was 
buy a new-used car. 

difficult to write as I always try to make you smile, or laugh if I’m lucky. 

Believe me, I am not complaining. Well, of course I am; but I know 

This time I wanted to leave you with the encouragement to venture out and do 
things could be worse and are worse for many people. What concerns me 

something you’ve always wanted to do but, for whatever reason, felt too insecure or 
right now is the future. The clowns are dominating the scene and I wonder 

timid to try. Give it a shot! The worst two words anyone could ever utter looking 
what will be next? Will humanity be able to stay in step and move along 

back on their lives would be…”IF ONLY”. Do you have any if only’s in your past? 
with progress or, like Galileo who for bringing attention to unwanted truths 

If there is anything you’ve ever wanted to do, step out and take the risk. You may 
was confined to his house for the rest of his life? All we can know is that 

really be surprised. And just maybe I’ll be coming to see you at Nano Café. 
everything will keep moving even clownish humanity. Maybe laughing is 
better than crying? HA 

T.S. No.: 26-20698 
Loan No.: 3234 APN: 5767-029-025 

HOWARD Hays As I See It 

NOTICE OF TRUSTEE'S SALE


“This is the president of you need to know about his actual IQ.” 
the United States. His 

YOU ARE IN DEFAULT UNDER A DEED OF TRUST DATED 10/11/2005. UNLESS YOU TAKE 

supporters will say ‘oh, Senate Republicans posts: “Democrat 

ACTION TO PROTECT YOUR PROPERTY, IT MAY BE SOLD AT A PUBLIC SALE. IF YOU

I don't watch the news, I socialists promise free stuff. But they 

NEED AN EXPLANATION OF THE NATURE OF THE PROCEEDING AGAINST YOU, YOUdidn't see any of that.’ You never mention who pays for it.” AJ Punk SHOULD CONTACT A LAWYER. A public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash, cashier'sknow who *is* watching? responds: “Trump has promised: -$5k in check drawn on a state or national bank, check drawn by a state or federal credit union, or a checkThe rest of the world, free DOGE dividends (not delivered) -$2k drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, or savings association, or savings bank

including our enemies, and 

in free tariff dividends (not delivered) -$5k specified in Section 5102 of the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state will be

drawing conclusions about 

held by the duly appointed trustee as shown below, of all right, title, and interest conveyed to and

in ‘Trump dividends’ if the GQP wins the

his stability and cognitive 

now held by the trustee in the hereinafter described property under and pursuant to a Deed of Trust

midterms (won’t be delivered) - But sure,

health.” – Tom Nichols, posting on President 

described below. The sale will be made, but without covenant or warranty, expressed or implied,

it’s the Dems who love promising free

Trump’s public remarks about a “very obese” 

regarding title, possession, or encumbrances, to pay the remaining principal sum of the note(s)

friend taking “ fat pills” who still “looks like stuff.” 

secured by the Deed of Trust, with interest and late charges thereon, as provided in the note(s),

(crap)” Another reaction, from jp: “He’s just 

advances, under the terms of the Deed of Trust, interest thereon, fees, charges and expenses of the

With his trade war against Canada leading

a pathetic old man who thinks he’s amusing. 

Trustee for the total amount (at the time of the initial publication of the Notice of Sale) reasonably

to the prospect of Canada becoming an

And has nuclear codes. Good Lord.” 

estimated to be set forth below. The amount may be greater on the day of sale.

“asso-ciate member” of the European 
MORE FAVORITE POSTS FROM Union, Trump now threatens to end all 

Trustor: JEFFREY J MCNEAL AND KRISTIN C MCNEAL, HUSBAND AND WIFE AS JOINT

SEPTEMBER: trade with Eu-rope. Alex Cole posts: TENANTS

Iran offers to open the Strait of Hormuz in “Imagine running a business this way. 
return for the U.S. lifting the blockade on Every time a customer talks with another Duly Appointed Trustee: Prestige Default Services, LLC Recorded 10/19/2005 as Instrument No. 
its ports. Trump responds, “I’m rejecting supplier, you threaten to stop selling to 05 2515494 of Official Records in the office of the Recorder of Los Angeles County, California, 
their deal. They want to make a deal everyone. Trump keeps giving Canada 

where they open the strait immediately. reasons to rely less on America, then Date of Sale: 11/12/2026 at 9:00 AM 
. . we’re winning tremendously. We gets angry when Canada relies less on 

Place of Sale: Vineyard Ballroom Doubletree Hotel Los Angeles-Norwalk

have total control of the Hormuz strait”. America.” Trump posts a map on Truth 

13111 Sycamore Drive, Norwalk, CA 90650

Gregg Carlstrom of The Economist posts: Social with the Strait of Hormuz labeled 

“’They want to make a deal that would 

“Trump Strait”. Hawai-iDelilah responds: Amount of unpaid balance and other charges: $650,396.99

immediately do the thing that would lower “Look up ‘psychotic malignant narcissist’ 
your gas prices, and I’m rejecting it’ seems and next to it you will find a picture of Street Address or other common designation of real property: 321 SANTA ANITA CT 
like . . . curious domestic messaging”. Trump.” SIERRA MADRE, California 91024 
Economist Dean Baker asks: “Since Trumphas total con-trol over the Strait, why is he The American Culturist complains: “Why A.P.N.: 5767-029-025 The undersigned Trustee disclaims any liability for any incorrectness of the 
letting so little oil through?” the (heck) is there a mariachi band on street address or other common designation, if any, shown above. If no street address or other 

my TV per-forming The Star Spangled common designation is shown, directions to the location of the property may be obtained byBill Maher mocked Trump’s showing off Banner for a Monday Night Football sending a written request to the beneficiary within 10 days of the date of first publication of this 
construction projects like the White House game in Chicago? What country do we Notice of Sale. 

ball-room and heli-pad to Xi Jinping, the live in?” Again from Alex Cole: “MAGA: 

NOTICE TO POTENTIAL BIDDERS: If you are considering bidding on this property lien, you

Chinese leader who builds “entire cities in HOW DARE BLACK PEOPLE KNEEL 

should understand that there are risks involved in bidding at a trustee auction. You will be

a week.” Maher posted, “It’s like showing DURING THE ANTHEM!!! MAGA: 

bidding on a lien, not on the property itself. Placing the highest bid at a trustee auction does not

Gordon Ramsay how you can reheat 

HOW DARE MEXICANS PLAY THE automatically entitle you to free and clear ownership of the property. You should also be aware pizza.” AMERICAN NATIONAL ANTHEM! At that the lien being auctioned off may be a junior lien. If you are the highest bidder at the auction, 
some point you start wondering whether you are or may be responsible for paying off all liens senior to the lien being auctioned off, before

Video from two years ago resurfaced of 

the anthem was ever the issue.” you can receive clear title to the property. You are encouraged to investigate the existence, priority,

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy 

and size of outstanding liens that may exist on this property by contacting the county recorder's commenting on Sydney Sweeney’s figure, As diesel prices keep climbing, Trump office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge you a fee for this information. If youhow “God made us a certain way . . .” Alex maintains the problem is not his war consult either of these resources, you should be aware that the same lender may hold more than 
Cole posted: “Noth-ing screams traditional with Iran – but rather Ukraine bombing one mortgage or deed of trust on the property. All checks payable to Prestige Default Services, LLC. 
Christian values like publicly discussing a Russian refineries. Shaun Pinner posts: 
woman’s chest and then bringing God into NOTICE TO PROPERTY OWNER: The sale date shown on this notice of sale may be postponed

“Trump isn’t asking Putin to stop killing 

one or more times by the mortgagee, beneficiary, trustee, or a court, pursuant to Section 2924g of

the explanation.” From Lauren Windsor: Ukrainian children. He’s telling Zelenskyy 

the California Civil Code. The law requires that information about trustee sale postponements be

“Sean Duffy: I’m not letting my daughter to stop striking the oil infrastruc-ture that 

made available to you and to the public, as a courtesy to those not present at the sale. If you wish to

go to Harvard because those liberals will funds Russia’s war and is putting real 

learn whether your sale date has been postponed, and, if applicable, the rescheduled time and date corrupt her. Also Sean Duffy: I LOVE pressure on Moscow. Literally a sock pup-for the sale of this property, you may call (800) 793-6107 or visit this Internet Website www.auction.SYDNEY SWEENEY’S (chest)” pet of the Kremlin.” com, using the file number assigned to this case 26-20698. Information about postponements that

are very short in duration or that occur close in time to the scheduled sale may not immediately

From mariodenzil: “JD Vance always gives A favorite post was a pic of a slogan on 

be reflected in the telephone information or on the Internet Web site. The best way to verify

‘new principle trying to connect with inner a guy’s t-shirt. I did some research to 

postponement information is to attend the scheduled sale. 

city students’ at his press conferences”. make sure I got the attribution right. It 
And from lillianjeanc: “JD Vance is like originated with a sign held by one of NOTICE TO TENANT: You may have a right to purchase this property after the trustee auction 
if wearing wet jeans was a person.” Sen. hundreds of protesters turn-ing out in pursuant to Section 2924m of the California Civil Code. If you are an “eligible tenant buyer,” you 
Ted Cruz (R-TX) posts: “God save us from Edinburgh and Aberdeen, Scotland, in can purchase the property if you match the last and highest bid placed at the trustee auction. If you 
liberal White women.” supbixx reacts: July 2025 for Trump’s visit to mark the are an “eligible bidder,” you may be able to purchase the property if you exceed the last and highest 
“This post is like 1000 grams of protein for opening of another of his golf courses. (As bid placed at the trustee auction. There are three steps to exercising this right of purchase. First,

48 hours after the date of the trustee sale, you can call (800) 793-6107, or visit this internet website

liberal white women.” Tom Nichols is quoted above, “This is the 

www.auction.com, using the file number assigned to this case 26-20698 to find the date on which 
From rubyrockwellcomics: “Breaking presi-dent of the United States.”) There the trustee’s sale was held, the amount of the last and highest bid, and the address of the trustee. 
news: Trump delivers speech detailing were signs like; “The Smallest Man Who Second, you must send a written notice of intent to place a bid so that the trustee receives it no 

Ever Lived”, “They’re Eating the Checks, more than 15 days after the trustee’s sale. Third, you must submit a bid so that the trustee receives

his surviving of the Titanic . . . Blames 

They’re Eating the Balances” and one it no more than 45 days after the trustee’s sale. If you think you may qualify as an “eligible tenant

Biden for creating icebergs”. Trump 

showing bagpipes with the caption, “At buyer” or “eligible bidder,” you should consider contacting an attorney or appropriate real estate 

announces, “I was quite impressed with 

professional immediately for advice regarding this potential right to purchase.

least this bag of hot air serves a purpose”.

my intelligence. I’m a very high I.Q. 
person, after all.” Chetter posts: “Nothing But the one getting the most attention, the Date: 9/23/2026 Prestige Default Services, LLC 
says high IQ quite like conducting your one later adapted for that t-shirt, was the 1920 Old Tustin Ave. 
own intelligence review and unanimously one that read, “I pray that ‘Big Beautiful Santa Ana, California 92705 
approving it.” Adds Barnacules: “Donald Bill’ will be the name of Trump’s cellmate Questions: 949-427-2010

Sale Line: (800) 793-6107

Trump thinks a demen-tia exam was an in prison.” Ceej posted their response on 

Perla Vega, Foreclosure Coordinator

IQ test. This should tell you everything X: “We love you Scotland.” 

PPP #26-010502 

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