The Paper
Letters to the Editor Cont. from Page 4
door. My young neighbor (student at CSUSM) named Trevor Albright, had tears in his eyes and handed me six copies of The Paper then just turned silently away. The cover story was on the Tuskegee Airman written by Friedrich Gomez. It was the most original, most refreshing, most unique style I've ever encountered. Halfway through the narrative, Gomez brilliantly shifts to what English teachers (such as myself) call "Third Person Omniscient" style, which places the reader right there with First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, as events and her inner thoughts are actually happening (in 'real time')!
My coterie of friends, teachers, and neighbors have only discovered The Paper these past few months. Seems the students at CSUSM even know who you are! And what I've read, also UCSD-La Jolla students as well! The Paper has a most unusual spread in age, gender, and ideological demographics! Your writer Friedrich Gomez bridges these gaps with top stories such as 9/11 Final Calls, Dementia, German-Americans, Super Rich Pastors, and now, Tuskegee Airman. Gomez is unpredictable; eclectic; and we now understand why he has such a powerful fanbase! Better hold onto him! Sent from Anthony Logan & friends, Valley Center & Poway. Welcome, New Reader!
New reader, first time letter writer. Really enjoyed your Tuskegee story! Also the Rich Pastors and German-American covers. Are you guys affiliated with the Valley Roadrunner or Times Advocate and how long have you been publishing? Editor’s Note: We are very good friends with the folks at the TA and Roadrunner and greatly admire tham and their work. Technically, we’re competitiors, but we seem to get along just fine. The Paper, under current ownership, has been publishing for 23 years as of March, 2022).
Curious about your writer Friedrich Gomez. German first name, Hispanic surname. Is he part German? Editor’s Note: Friedrich is a proud Kumeyaay Indian. He has lived in Germany and reads, writes, and speaks it fluently).
I recall seeing him at Cruising Grand here in Escondido. To be honest, he doesn't look like a scholarly writer at all but he's brilliant at it. A friend of mine is from Southern Germany and said Mr. Gomez speaks with a distinct Bavarian accent (southern region) when speaking to some people there. I was told his German sounds like he's a native from maybe Stuttgart or thereabouts. Is Lyle Davis the owner of The Paper and what is his newspaper background?
Letterf to the Editor Cont. on Page 10
Page 6
January 27, 2022
America’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Continued from Page 3
It sold millions of copies within a single month around the world in the spring of 1955.
But, as the History Channel pointed out: “Yet, it was far from being the first rock and roll song, nor was it the first rock and roll hit record.
Nonetheless, the History Channel said: “But it became the very first global hit; the first to hit the No. 1 spot on Billboard’s Hot 100, a feat it repeated on charts around the world! And there it stayed for a staggering two straight months! The world had never before witnessed anything like this. “And it became the single, biggest selling rock and roll record of all-time!” Ironically, the mega-hit song would hit the top music charts in Europe first, the U. K. and then Germany in January 1955 – four months before it first entered the U. S. pop charts!
Citizens of more cloistered and stringent nations were relegated to listening to bootlegged versions, as previously discussed.
“ROCK AROUND THE CLOCK” CREATED A BACKLASH AGAINST ROCK ‘N’ ROLL MUSIC BOTH IN AMERICA AND ABROAD. Still, some foreign countries condemned it in 1955 in lieu of the frenzied riots it caused in American schools and cinemas, as it became the “First Teen Anthem Song.” “Rock Around The Clock” swirled in controversy as a Teen Anthem song when it was chosen in America to play during the opening credits of the highly-combustible motion picture “Blackboard Jungle” – a film which dealt with sensitive, volatile, rebellious issues of segregation, teenaged delinquency, high school gangs, and the usage of forbidden terms such as ‘nigger.’
Blackboard Jungle, released in 1955, was the first Hollywood film to feature a rock and roll soundtrack. Teenagers across the world were so excited about it that many danced in the aisles when the music was played on the cinema screen. Some went further, tearing up seats and creating riots at movie houses where the film was shown. The British newspaper, The Guardian, chronicled various events. At one cinema in south London, on 16 September 1956, before the movie started, a 15year-old English girl is sitting on the lap of her 18-year-old boyfriend and cheerily asks the Guardian newspaper reporter in American slang: “What are American teenagers like? I bet they’re hep-cats!”
When the film begins, the teen-aged groups begin to scream, shout, and click their fingers in unison as the loud locomotive-powered rock ‘n’ roll soundtrack vibrates the seats.
“One, two, three o’clock, four o’clock ROCK! Five, six, seven o’clock, eight o’clock ROCK!”
America’s ‘Rock n Roll’ Continued on Page 7
Stopping Smash and Grabs
Mobs of people have been raiding department stores and walking out with thousands of dollars in stolen goods. In some cases, up to 90 people have stormed into stores at one time, and thefts have not been confined to department stores. Union-Pacific freight trains entering Los Angeles are being systematically looted. In October 2021, the railroad reported a 356% increase in thefts over the previous year. Union-Pacific is reportedly considering bypassing Los Angeles, its major hub on the West Coast. What are the causes of this seeming breakdown in civil order, and what can be done about it? Proposition 47, which voters approved in 2014, is a contributing factor. Among other provisions, shoplifting and grand theft, where the stolen property is valued at less than $950, were downgraded from felonies to misdemeanors. Thieves can steal up to $950 each day, it never adds up to a felony. In the wake of Prop. 47’s passage, some California retailers announced plans to completely shut down or curtail hours due to “off the charts” increases in thefts.
That’s why I have introduced Assembly Bill 1597, which will impose stricter penalties on thieves who repeatedly steal
from California businesses. The bill will give prosecutors the discretion to charge thieves with prior convictions with either a felony or misdemeanor, restoring penalties to pre-Prop. 47 levels. The bill requires a majority vote from both houses, and since it amends a measure approved by voters, it would also require voter approval. Everyone deserves a second chance if they make a mistake, but a pattern of repeated thefts is not a mistake, it’s a lifestyle. There must be consequences for these actions, or lawlessness will continue to spiral out of control. Public safety should be priority number one for the State Legislature. My bill is an important step towards creating safer neighborhoods for everyone
Assembly Republican Leader Marie Waldron, R-Valley Center, represents the 75th Assembly District in the California Legislature, which includes the communities of Bonsall, Escondido, Fallbrook, Hidden Meadows, Pala, Palomar Mountain, Pauma Valley, Rainbow, San Marcos, Temecula, Valley Center and Vista.
5th District Supervisor
Jim Desmond
Moving Nuclear Waste
Last week, I shared what my office has been doing when it comes to public safety. To summarize, we’ve increased our services to ensure North County remains a safe place for everyone. This week, I wanted to share another topic that I will be focused on for 2022. We must find a solution to move nuclear waste at San Onofre.
It is critical for our community, our state, and our country to find a solution for spent nuclear fuel. While the spent fuel at the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS) is safely stored, the intention has always been for a permanent geologic repository so the land, where the generating station sits, can be fully restored, and returned to the Navy. For the past 2 ½ years I have sat on the SONGS’s Community Engagement Panel, participating in quarterly meetings with the public. I am also a participating member of Congressman Mike Levin’s SONGS Taskforce as well. Last year, the Board of Supervisors unanimously supported participation in a new coalition named Action for Spent Fuel Solutions Now that provides an opportunity for stakeholders, including local
governments, business and labor leaders, Native American leaders, environmental groups, and community members to join forces and make offsite spent fuel storage and disposal a priority. This is a major step to protect our region and find a solution for SONGS. I will keep you updated with our efforts and if you have any questions, please reach out, Jim.Desmond@sdcounty.ca.gov.
To contact
North County Office – by appointment only 325 S. Melrose Ave., Suite 5200 Vista, CA 92081 Mon.-Fri., 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Website: www.supervisorjimdesmond.com Email: Jim.Desmond@sdcounty.ca.gov
