Mountain View News May 2, 2026 
1111OPINIONOPINION Mountain View News May 2, 2026 
1111OPINIONOPINION 
STUART TOLCHIN PUT THE LIGHTS ON 


REALLY IT CAN HAPPEN THE LOSS OF 
DOMINATION OF THE PLANET BY 
HUMAN BEINGS 

Some things are inevitable and those things must be accepted 

and endured whether we individuals like it or not. Chiefly, among those 

things is the inevitability of our own death. The time of this unfortunate 

event can be hastened or delayed by our own individual choices, but 

eventually it will happen, and we all understand that. I thought of this 
subject in connection with the fact that the article I submitted to the paper last week was 
not published. Instead, there was a republication of my article which appeared during the 
prior week.

You should know that I considered this article to be one of my most profound as 
it described my experience sitting alone in a Chapel contemplating my past and future as 
my eighty-second birthday approached while I experienced great pain and could barely 
walk. I did not resubmit the article now because writing an article each week, timely to 
what is going on around me, is a vital part of my routine of life. Last week there had been 
no attempted assassination of the President and, although I may not mention it again, it is 
among the events which have or will have an influence on this new article which I am now. 
attempting to create.

On Monday my pain lessened enough to allow me to do my regular morning walk 
around our canyon circle. During the walk I met a neighbor who had previously loaned 
me a book, lshmael, authored by Daniel Quinn. I have referred to the book in a prior 
article, but this time the neighbor wanted to discuss the book in more depth. I had written 
about it only to describe Human communities continual need for more area to obtain 
additional land to grow the food necessary to feed their increased populations. This need 
resulted in continual conflicts and wars and is a problem that needs to be solved. My 
neighbor, Eunyoung explained that there was much more to the book than that. After our 
conversation she provided me with her academic research paper that discussed the book. 
After reading the paper and thinking a bit I realized that the crucial point of the book 
was that mankind had maintained the illusion that the story of evolution concludes with 
“finally man appeared). Quinn explained that we all assemble this belief as a common 
erroneous assumption that there is a human exceptionalism that believes the entire cosmic 
process of creation came to an end three million years ago which is a complete myth. We 
human beings are not the pinnacle of creation, and the world was not created for man. We 
are just steps along the way.

I keep thinking about this and realized that, like my article’s exclusion from last 
week’s paper, there is little I can do about it. I now look around and notice multiple signs 
that man is on the way out and is in the process of losing power and control. Certainly, the 
existence and progress of Artificial Intelligence might lead to human extinction. One of 
the reasons for human domination was that it is recognized that the human brain possesses 
distinctive capabilities that other animals lack. Already a substantial percentage of 
researchers believe that human inability to control AI will cause an existential catastrophe.
Frankly, as I look around, I see that we may be in the process of destroying ourselves. 
Pointless wars continue. People no longer feel comfortable conversing with one another. 
The number of suicides and domestic violent attacks is everywhere. Military values are 
emphasized and there is no gun control in this country. There is a shortage of energy, and 
a huge percentage of the world’s children go to bed hungry. Meanwhile, “democracies” 
which to me always represented the best hopes of mankind are ruled by capricious, 
perhaps unstable individuals, who care about little about anything other than their own 
aggrandizement. {The news discussing our President’s desire for a huge new expensive 
ballroom in the midst of all this chaos is to me intolerable.)

So, maybe it’s so long to human dominion and control. I know it was probablyinevitable, but I was not quite ready to see it in my or my children’s, or grandchildren’s 
lifetime. Do your best to enjoy life while you can. 

stuarttolchin@gmail.com. 
I would love to hear from you. 

HOWARD Hays As I See It 

"I'm tired of edging the apocalypse". - perfectionist


posting on X 

Heading into May, Iwanted to share some 
more favorite postsfrom April. 
Fly Sistah posts a freeze frame of a CNNnewscast from twelve years ago, withthe headline at the bottom of the screen: 
“Obama criticized for chewing gum”.
Dave Cavell notes, “To people under the 
age of 30: I realize you don’t believe us andthis seems like a meme, but this was a realstory.” 

Clay Travis complains of England’s banning 
Kanye West: “No American should 
be banned from entering England for anypublic commentary on any subject, no 
matter how offensive, period.” And the 
reply: “America will literally deny you avisa for saying you don’t like Trump onsocial media mate”. 

News out of Toronto, “ICE says its agentswon’t carry guns in Canada ahead of theWorld Cup” brought this posted observation: 
“sorry i don’t get this how does anentirely different country’s immigrationgestapo get to even enter canada”. 

Responding to Trump’s threat to Iran, “Awhole civilization will die tonight”, Kier-
an Maguire posts: “The FIFA Peace Prize 
winner speaks . . .” 

BBC reports: “President Trump says hewill suspend attacks on Iran for two weeksif it opens Strait of Hormuz immediately”.
Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA) responds:
“So he’ll stop bombing Iran in order toreopen the Strait of Hormuz . . . which 
was open before he started bombing Iran.
Got it.” 

Responding to an NBC News poll, Stephen 
Wertheim posts, “It took two yearsfor two-thirds of Americans to disapproveof Bush’s handling of Iraq. It took less 
than two months for the same number to 
disapprove of Trump’s handling of Iran.” 

In his response to Virginia voters approving 
redistricting favoring Democrats,
President Trump referred to himself as 
“an extraordinarily brilliant person”. Rep.
Ted Lieu (D-CA) points out, “It is a fact ofhuman nature that anyone who is an ‘extraordinarily 
brilliant per-son’ never feelsthe need to say that.” MikeBates posts:
“That must be why he threatened his highschool, his colleges, and the College Boardwith lawsuits if they ever released hisgrades or SAT scores.” 

Also posted in response to that vote,
from Alex Cole: "Unlike Texas, Virginiaand California did this with the consent 
of the people. Republicans wanted thisfight. They got it." And Just Jack: "Nothing 
(upsets) republicans off more than letting 
the people decide how they should begoverned." 

Regarding Vice President Vance unsuccessfully 
campaigning for the reelectionof Viktor Orban, jordan posts: “The guywho just flew to Hungary to get involvedin their politics tells the Pope, who isfrom Chicago, Illinois to stay out of U.S. 

politics.” 

Jake Traylor reports the Akins Ford arena 
in Georgia less than 25% capacity fora Turning Point rally featuring the vicepresident. Molly Jung Fast posts: “The JDVance humiliation tour continues”. 

Sean Hannity says, “As of today, I no longer 
consider myself a Catholic.” Republicans 
against Trump posts: “Fox News’Sean Hannity makes it pretty clear: Trumpcomes before everything, even over his religion. 
It’s a cult.” From guillecummings:
“Only Trump could get liberal atheists toside with the Catholic Church.” And from 
Covie_93: “Last week trump was tellingthe Pope to stay out of politics this weekhe’s reading the Bible in the Oval Office”. 

As for Defense Secretary Pete Hegsethmisquoting a Bible verse, amrinderarora 
posts: “So he has been confusing“Pulp Fiction” as the bible. That explainsEVERYTHING!” 

Trump claims drug prices are falling“500%, 600%, 700%, and more.” HHS 
Secretary RFK Jr. explains, “President 
Trump has a different way of calculatingpercentages”. Sharlene posts, “I’m going 
to tell my accountant I have a different 
way of calculating my taxes.” Jes-sica 
Tarlov notes, “There is no way to work forTrump and not have to humiliate yourself.” 
Brendan Duke offers “Some professional 
advice: never take a job whereyou’re re-quired to say ‘my boss has a different 
way of calculating percentages.’” 

Valentine posts: “Conservatives are generally 
happier than liberals. Why? Because 
we ac-tually have foundation and familyvalues.” And then the response: “No, I ampretty sure it’s the lack of empathy.” 

Lauren notes, “If you think data centersare using all the water wait till you find outabout farms”. Then the response: “If youthink datacenters are useful wait till youfind out about food”. 

CNN’s Dana Bash asks Rep. Jamie Raskin(D-MD) if perhaps they should “think 
twice” about using “heated rhetoric” inlight of the shooting at the White HouseCorrespondents’ Association dinner. Jennifer 
Erin Valent posts in response: “Accurately 
assessing the ugly truth aboutwho Trump is and what he does is not 
inherently inciteful, and insinuating so isutterly unhelpful. If we stop speaking theplain truth about Trump’s abysmal character, 
we aid and abet him in the havoc heis wreaking across the world.” 

From Tim Miller: “Words aren’t violence. 
Heated rhetoric is part of democracy. Saying 
someone is terrible doesn’t mean youwant them shot. We can be grownups”.
Jamesetta Williams adds: “Remember 
Trump himself cheers when his political 
foes pass away.” And from Keith Edwards: 
“Hey, Dana Bash, why not ask Renee 
Good and Alex Pretti’s family this?” 

And finally, from Alton: “The next president 
of America will spend his entire four-
year term apologizing to everyone.” 

RICH JOHNSON 


YOU TOO CAN BE THE LIFE OF THE PARTY! 

Listen up! 

Be slow to speak, quick to listen! Surprise, Surprise!!! As the pundits tell us (wisely)…be 
interested first… then interesting. The key to being the life of the party is to be a better 
listener than a talker. 

The oxymoron at the heart of interpersonal communications is the more you listen, the 
smarter people will think you are. And finally, when you do get the opportunity to speak, be interesting. 
That’s where I chime in. My assignment is to equip you with fascinating bits of mostly useless trivia that 
just might spur conversation. Let’s begin. 

For example, did you know…anyone over 80 has probably walked enough steps to circle the globe six 
times. Yeah, I don’t believe it either. 

Did you ever have a paper route? You’re not alone either. I was a paper boy and so was Bing Crosby, Joe 
DiMaggio, Harry Truman, Frank Sinatra, Bob Hope and General Omar Bradley. 

The U.S. Navy never, ever launches a new ship on any Friday or on any 13th! 

So, when were the current faces of the Queens, Kings and Jacks plastered on playing cards? Don’t know 
the exact day, but historians tell us it was before Columbus discovered America. By the way, the faces 
have not changed all these years. 

Animal experts tell us a cat is more inclined to watch television than a dog. Those experts tell us a cat 
relies more on its vision and less on its sense of smell, like a dog. 

Anybody here know actor Yul Brynner’s real name? Alfie Jones is what my researchers tell me. Speaking 
of actors, can you name the actor who was the most clothes conscious? He had at last count 500 suits, 
190 sports jackets, 30 tuxedos and a really big clothes closet. His name? Cesar Romero. 

Remember the name of the mechanical great white shark in the movie “Jaws”? The film crew named 
him “Bruce”. 

Speaking of movie roles here are some poor choices made by actors: Jack Nicholson turned down the 
role of Michael Coreleone in “The Godfather”. Al Pacino rode that role to super stardom. Speaking of 
Mr. Pacino, he turned down the role of Han Solo in “Star Wars”. Of course it didn’t hurt Harrison Ford’s 
career. And speaking of Harrison Ford, he got to play Indiana Jones in “Raider of the Lost Ark” because 
Tom Selleck turned Stephen Spielberg down for the lead of Indiana Jones. Maybe because Tom was born 
in Detroit. Who knows? Harrison did turn down “Alan Grant” in “Jurassic Park”. 

John Travolta could have been “Forrest Gump”. Will Smith could have played “Neo” in “The Matrix”. 
Speaking of “The Matrix”, had a certain actor said yes, “Neo” would have been played by Sandra Bullock. 
Robin Williams could have played the lead in “The Shining” if he said yes. 

Burt Reynolds was offered the role of James Bond in “Live and Let Die”. Burt said, “Hey, I’m an American 
as he turned the iconic role down!” Speaking of James Bond. Sean Connery turned down the role of 
“Gandalf ” in the “Lord of the Rings”. He would have made $450 million dollars if he had said yes. 
Speaking of James Bond, Hugh Jackman turned down the role of Mr. Bond in “Casino Royale” because 
he was about to start filming “X-Men2” 

Johnny Depp could have been “Ferris Bueller”. Nobody knows why. I’m glad it was Matthew Broderick. 
And Brad Pitt could have been “Jason Bourne”. 

And finally, Julia Roberts can thank Molly Ringwald for turning down the lead in the movie “PrettyWoman”. 

My band JJ Jukebox is back at Nano Café for a dinner concert with dancing (not mandatory) Saturdaynight August 8th. Yes, a way off, but I’m giving you plenty of time to make reservations. Or at least make 
up some good excuses for not being able to make it. 

Thanks for reading. Now go out, listen and then use some of the clever material in your brilliant repartee. 

NATIONAL DEBT MOUNTAIN TOPS GDP MOUNTAIN 


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