America’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Cont. on

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?

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!” 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

America’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Cont. from Page 6

Everyone roars the words and pandemonium ensues with teenagers dancing wildly in the aisles, while others stomp their feet, cheer, and click their fingers in unison!

Some theatre seats are damaged, some ripped with switch-blade knives, as police arrive to throw overhyper teens into the meat-wagon.

One young British soldier yells, “I’ve seen it five times! And I’m going every night this week!”

There are six policemen in helmets standing outside the cinema, as a group of Teddy Boys (a subculture of teens who radically embrace rock ‘n’ roll culture) walk defiantly pass the British police officers shouting at the coppers in American vernacular: “Dig that crazy jive, man! Like, they were far from ‘gone’!”

Another sneers defiantly at the police and says loudly: “What a bunch of squares, man! Dig? See ya later, alligator!”

Across the pond, in America, several U. S. cities ban the movie, outright.

By September 1956, Rock Around The Clock” had been banned in several British and American cities.

Despite the ensuing and negative tumultuous brouhaha in the U. K., the curiosity even proves irresistible for the British Royal Family, as the Queen, herself, orders a copy to be sent to Balmoral Castle in Scotland, where she was on holiday with members of the Royal Family.

Ironically, even on its own homefront, rock ‘n’ rolls’ seemingly rebellious nature would meet with acrossthe-board condemnation here in America from parents, clergy, schools, politicians and even Hollywood’s elite, as Frank Sinatra chanted: “Rock ‘n’ roll is the most brutal, ugly, desperate, vicious form of expression it has been my misfortune to hear.”

Yet, in time, as with many nations, Sinatra would bend and eventually succumb to his eventual love for rock ‘n’ roll music.

Many years later, when the hipswiveling Elvis Presley, who was demonized by various religious leaders, passed away, Sinatra greatly mourned his close friend’s passing: “There have been many accolades uttered about Elvis’ talent and performances through the years, all of which I agree wholeheartedly. I shall miss him dearly as a friend. He was warm, considerate, and a generous man.”

In time, even the most resistant of countries would, ostensibly, fall from grace and embrace rock ‘n’ roll music.

Indeed, with the passing of time, rock ‘n’ roll would reshape and influence the cultural landscape of an entire world. Clothes, behaviour, hairstyles, even their respective languages would be altered with American slang and mindset. Russian politicos mixed with Hollywood celebrities have gathered. St. Petersburg holds a special place in the heart of then-Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, the city being the place of his birth.

The illustrious gathering is a charity event to benefit and raise awareness for children with cancer, and for Russia’s Children’s Cancer Research Program.

Hollywood celebrities in the audience include Kevin Costner, Sharon Stone, Kurt Russell, Goldie Hawn and many others from foreign countries.

Sharing the stage with the Russian M. C. is movie actress Sharon Stone.

The M. C. motions for Vladimir Putin to join them on the Ice Palace stage.

Putin waves them off with a gentle hand and a smile.

He politely refuses.

Sharon Stone persists, and the audience joins her in encouraging Putin, and he finally agrees, as he slowly and reluctantly makes his way to the centre stage.

Everyone in attendance is aware that Putin has been taking English classes and also takes music lessons on the piano when he has time. The M. C. has said as much to the gathering.

Putin knows what’s coming as he steps up and is immediately asked to sing for the charity gathering.

According to Reuters news, Putin says: “Like an overwhelming majority of people – I can neither sing nor play. But I very much like doing it.”

But it’s a cancer charity to benefit innocent children struck by the dreaded disease, so the then-56-year-old Putin complies.

He sits at the grand piano and proceeds as a novice to clumsily peck at the piano in disjointed fashion and goodnaturedly begins to slowly sing (offkey) Fat’s Domino’s rock ‘n’ roll version of “Blueberry Hill” in accented English!

Putin had specifically chosen the song for his English-learning classes, to facilitate and better learn to speak English, along with his more conventional language classroom exercises.

And although Prime Minister Vladimir Putin is well-aware that “Blueberry Hill” was written in 1940 America, and sung by various other singers, including Louis “Satchmo” Armstrong, it’s Fats Domino’s version which he most loves. (source: The Moscow Times.)

It was Fats Domino who raised the song out of virtual obscurity and made it an international hit record in 1956.

It was an historic event in more ways than one.

Who could ever have imagined, that the very country where rock ‘n’ roll was once vilified and condemned as decadent, and made illegal, would someday be shown open and unrestrained love from Russia’s political leaders?! Surely, Joseph Stalin would be spinning in his grave!

Today, the now 69-year-old Vladimir Putin is currently President of Russia

Historically Speaking

by Tom Morrow

History’s Most Controversial U.S. Presidents

There are several Presidents whom students of history should study to understand what made America the dominant global nation. Today’s young people, for the most part, pay little attention to history and take for granted America’s position in the world. It was no accident how we got here. Along the way there was a lot of kicking and screaming, name-calling and even threats of “impeachment.” The nation’s “White House” has been occupied by some rather controversial figures.

While the 45th White House occupant, President Donald Trump, was an easy “love him or hate him,” he isn’t that much different than other controversial presidents like Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt, the turn-of-the 20th century president who found himself in the Oval Office due to the assassination of President William McKinley.

Roosevelt, a Republican, believed in a strong Navy. He had the Navy’s “Great White Fleet” circle the globe to demonstrate our nation’s growing power. “T.R.” believed in his “Big Stick” foreign policy – “Walk softly but carry a big stick.”

T.R. oversaw the historic, but controversial building of the Panama Canal, opening the Atlantic to the Pacific, cutting east-west travel time in half.

Roosevelt was placed in the vice presidency by the Republicans to get rid of him. As governor of New York, he had been such a thorn to old-guard GOP politicians. They wanted to put him where they thought he couldn’t do any harm. It backfired. Once in the presidency, T.R. created havoc in both government and business with a vast variety of reforms. Among other monikers, he became known as the “Trust Buster.”

Franklin D. Roosevelt often has been called America’s greatest president. He served more than 12 years, guiding the nation through the dark years of the 1930s Great Depression into five years of World War II. Dozens of books have been written on FDR, making his presidency the pivotal time of the 20th century. Many of his policies and actions were challenged in the courts and remain a subject of controversy such as Social Security. But, to date no one has returned their monthly checks.

Arguably, one of our best chief executives was Harry S. Truman. During the 20th century, he was the only high school graduate to become president. Known among detractors as “His Accidency,” Truman became president in 1945, when Roosevelt died a few weeks into his fourth term.

As vice president, Truman wasn’t told about the $2 billion atom bomb project until he took over the presidency. Five months later Truman made the decision to drop two bombs on Japan. It remains one of history’s most important, yet controversial decisions. The “Cold War” began with Truman and lasted for more than 40 years until President Ronald Reagan caused the Soviet Union to collapse trying to keep up militarily. Staunchly antiCommunist, Reagan dedicated himself to ending the Cold War – and did.

Richard Nixon was great on foreign affairs, but dishonest domestically.

If you supported, defended, or were upset, confused, baffled, and dismayed with former President Trump, you might try spending a few hours studying arguably our most controversial of presidents, Andrew Jackson.

During the War of 1812, Jackson led a force of inexperienced volunteers against overwhelming British forces to win the Battle of New Orleans. He had at least two duels during his tumultuous life, and was the only president to serve in both the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812.

Maj. Gen. Andrew Jackson, (a title he gave himself), was committed to representing and protecting the “Common Man,” a banner to be carried by several future chief executives. As president between 1829 and 1837. Jackson might have been the closest we’ve had to a dictator.

Some presidents have seemed beyond controversial because of instantaneous world-wide mass media, whereas Jackson was more explosive, but only limited media kept the nation informed of that.

Jackson forever changed history setting the executive branch on an equal footing with Congress by assuming the ability to shape law and government policies.

He believed the presidency should have broad authority and was widely criticized for expanding its power. Like others, he was known for rewarding his supporters with government jobs. The threat of “impeachment” loomed over the Capitol.

During his watch both the economy and the Native American population suffered. He was responsible for the moving Indians from traditional home lands in the East to the Oklahoma territory. The movement was known as the “Trail of Tears.”

The placement of Jackson on the $20 bill is ironic. He vehemently opposed paper money while attempting the destruction of the National Bank, and in his farewell address he cautioned about paper money.

Students of history should enjoy comparing “Andy” Jackson to Donald Trump. Joe Biden, our current president, may yet be another controversial chief executive. Most of the decisions made by Trump already have been undone by Biden. The jury will be out until the next three years pass to see how he fares.

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