January 18, 2020 Issue, Page 4 of 14

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Page 4 The Elk City News, Elk City, Oklahoma Saturday, January 18, 2020 Opinion Page Living now early on that life holds no guarantees and she never “ElkCituNews left anything for tomor- row that needed to be said Glynda Lomax is a Chris- are so busy today that there or done today. She took up keyboard playing, she sang, Serving Western Oklahoma since 1901 tian author and podcaster seems to be no time to en- who resides in the Ozark joy anything. Why are we she shopped, she did crafts, she spent time with her chil- Sad week for Mountains of Northern Ar- in such a hurry? What are kansas with her two very we hurrying to? More work? dren and her grandchildren. She cooked huge holiday bossy dogs. She wrote her More stress? More rushing baseball, music fans {first About Life.column in 2003 for a newspaper in through the holidays we are supposed to be enjoying? meals and spent time with those she loved. Though she Dallas. She is planning her Sometimes we live in was often in severe pain, it By Don Munsch, Editor It was a distressing last few days for sports fans and clas- next book. someday mode because all was common for her to make Glenda Lomax our happiest times seem to jokes and keep everyone time for today if you knew sic rock music lovers. Let’s start with sports. “Most men pursue plea- be behind us. And that’s else around her laughing. you would never see tomor- sure with such breathless where the happiest times Right up until the end of her The Houston Astros received stern punishment from Ma- row? jor League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred after his haste that they hurry past will always be if we aren’t life, she lived every moment What would you do if office determined players and a bench coach on the Astros it” - Soren Kierkegaard doing anything to create a to its fullest and her life and you knew you only had six devised a scheme during the 2017 season — the year the happy life now. Some people her home were filled with We all know at least one feel there is some person or love and laughter. months to live? team won the franchise’s first World Series — and in part of person that, when given obstacle that makes it im- Life is not a relay. When How do you know you the 2018 season to steal signs during games. something really beautiful as possible for them to enjoy we rush down the fast lane don’t? The team lost its first and second round picks from the a gift, will open a closet and today as much as yesterday. of life, we miss the most Enjoy every moment. Sometimes we are just enjoyable moments (and Look around you right now 2020 and 2021 drafts and was fined $5 million. The team’s manager and general manager were suspended for a year, store it away for “a special but the Astros owner fired them on Monday, the same day day” or “for when company making excuses because we people) it has to offer - the and find one thing of beau- results of the investigation were released to the public. A comes over.” When you are afraid to take a chance hope of a beautiful sunrise, ty that you can appreciate. former front office employee was suspended for a year as gave that gift to them, you on our dreams and really live the calm of the soft sum- Now spend three minutes envisioned them using and now. Or we feel living our mer rain, the whisper of the doing nothing but appreci- well for conduct unrelated to the sign-stealing scheme. life the way we would enjoy breeze through the pines, enjoying it, but they feel it is ating that one thing. See the Another MLB team, the Boston Red Sox, is being inves- for “someday,” not for today. it would upset someone else the laughter of children in tigated for its own sign-stealing enterprise during its 2018 change in how you feel? See Many people live the larg- close to us. the park. We can run past all how it changes your attitude World Series championship season. My sister was diagnosed these moments paying hom- Baseball fans could be considered the most forgiving of est portion of their lives in “someday” mode. Every- with a terminal illness in age to our busyness or we when you shift from some- sports fans, because over the history of the game they have thing good is going to hap- 1998. Though she lived al- can realize this may be the day to right now? endured the Black Sox Scandal, a steroid era and player pen “someday.” All their most five full years after that, last sunrise we are offered, strikes — including one strike that shut down the 1994 sea- dreams are going to come she never let a single day go the last rain we will see. “Stop acting as if life is a son and canceled the World Series. true “someday.” Things areby that she did not experi- and slow down and delight rehearsal. Live this day as if The game, though, will survive these episodes with the going to calm down or get ence everything it had to of- in every second of it and car- it were your last. The past is Astros and now likely Red Sox, because baseball has pre- better “someday.” fer her. Having been ill more ry that moment in our hearts over and gone. The future is vailed over other trials. Sometimes we live in of her life than not with a through the day. not guaranteed.” - Wayne someday mode because we heart condition, she learned What would you make Dyer Fans of the Canadian rock band Rush — and pop music in general — were sad to hear the news of the passing of its drummer and main lyricist, Neil Peart, last week. He was 67. He died from glioblastoma. Rush was one of the first bands I followed as a youth, Adverse Childhood Experiences Plague Oklahoma’s Children way back in junior high and high school, the time when most young people define their taste in music. During those times in the 1980s, Rush, a three-man band, released its best albums: “Permanent Waves,” “Moving Pictures,” “Signals,” “Grace Under Pressure,” “Power Windows” and By Joe Dorman The reports shows that the from alcohol abuse and anx- Chisholm Trail Hall for the “Hold Your Fire.” The latest report from national average of 20.5% iety issues. event aimed at educating on My favorite songs from Rush? “Fly by Night,” “The America’s Health Rankings endured ACEs, which is a OICA hopes this conver- how community members Trees,” “Red Barchetta,” “Digital Man,” “Marathon,” shows a slight improvement slight decrease from recent sation will continue to fur- can rally around “Adverse “Mystic Rhythms” and “Lock and Key.” My favorite work in Oklahoma on a critical years. In Oklahoma, 28.5% ther shed light on this crisis. Childhood Experiences.” from Peart could be found in “The Trees,” although I’m child wellbeing area, Ad- of our youth have two or We are thankful Oklahoma’s The movie is titled “Resil- sure lots of Rush fans prefer his work in the instrumental verse Childhood Experienc- more of these toxic, long- First Lady, Sarah Stitt, has ience: The Biology of Stress “YYZ.” Not a bad choice, either. es also called ACEs. Sadly, term experiences. The good chosen to take on this top- and the Science of Hope.” Peart was one of my favorite drummers, and his work was Oklahoma is still the worst news is the number is down ic. She has participated in The first hour will be the film well-respected in the industry. I didn’t keep up with Rush in the nation in the frequency from 32% in recent research. several town hall discus- and the second hour of each much as the 1990s rolled around, and I haven’t bought one of Adverse Childhood Expe- This issue goes beyond sions with the Potts Fam- session will feature a panel of the band’s records since “Hold Your Fire.” Radio wasn’t riences among our children, family and the children im- ily Foundation on ACEs and discussion. I am honored to playing their new stuff much anymore beginning in the but awareness is making a pacted. A September report discussed solutions over the be one of the panelists for 1990s and what I did hear, I didn’t gravitate toward. Maybe difference. Psychology Today exam- past year. OICA was hon- both viewings; consider this it’s because those junior high and high school years are ur- The study examined the ined lost economics in the ored to set up the first of your invitation to join us, but gent, critical years, and the music that spoke to me then percentage of children ages workplace because of ACEs these events with the First you must register if you plan from Rush just couldn’t be matched by anything that would 0-17 who endured two or across two continents. TheLady in Tulsa last year, and on attending. come once I hit my 20s. more of the following ACEs: study looked at immediate we are thankful this dialogue To register, visit www. But I can always go back and hear what I missed. economic hardship; parental losses for employers who continues across the state. eventbritecom and make divorce or separation; liv- lost time on the job with Duncan will play host to sure the events you search ing with someone who had their employees, as well the next event this Thursday, for are for Duncan. For more Higher tobacco purchase an alcohol or drug problem; neighborhood violence vic- as the long-term impact January 16. Pathways to a information, contact Kim of reduced productivity or Healthier You is presenting Whaley at 580-251-8558 age only first step tim or witness; living with health-related costs for men- a free film screening and someone who was mentally tal and physical health con- panel discussion on Adverse and she can assist you. Please join us for one of ill, suicidal or severely de- ditions. In Europe, the total Childhood Experiences. the viewings and learn more Julie Bisbee, TSET Executive Director pressed; domestic violence annual costs from ACEs was The event requires registra- about what you can do to Last month, President Trump signed legislation that in- witness; parent served jail $581 billion or 2.67% of the tion and will include refresh- help our state, your commu- creased the minimum age to purchase tobacco to 21 years time; being treated or judged GDP. In North America, it ments and door prizes. nity, and the children who old. That move, one advocated for by TSET and other or- unfairly due to race/ethnici- was worse, with an econom- Two film screenings will desperately need help. ganizations, is a great first step toward decreasing youth ty; or death of parent (2-year ic hit of $748 billion or 3.6 show at 11 am. and 5:30 Joe Dorman is the CEO of tobacco addiction, but more remains to be done. Ahigher purchase age could prevent 223,000 premature estimate), percent of the GDP, mostly p.m. at the Simmons Center OICA. deaths and 50,000 deaths from lung cancer nationwide, Baby dinosaurs on Noah’s Ark despite the separation of according to a report by the Institute of Medicine. Ninety- DeVos want to increase tax five percent of adult smokers began smoking before they money for religious schools, turned 21. If we want to reduce adult smoking, we need to by James A. Haught dents — most of them funded movement occurred because ensure that fewer young people start. In violation of the sepa- with tax dollars through a “power-hungry individuals church and state. Here’s an We must also be vigilant in enforcing those laws. The ration of church and state, voucher plan passed by Re- stirred up the people” — and ominous court case: Conser- adolescent brain develops until age 25 and our youth American tax dollars are publican legislators. The that the Endangered Species vative Montana legislators Act is part of a “radical so- passed a 2015 law letting should not enter adulthood hampered by addiction. funneled to fundamental- Sentinel’s report began: Stemming the tide of youth vaping should also be a pri- ist private schools teaching Some private schools in cial agenda” — and they hint religious parents donate to ority. On Jan, 2 the FDA issued guidance that restricts fla- crackpot absurdities — such Florida that rely on public that gays are evil, and Euro- private church schools and vors for cartridge-style vaping products — JUUL being the as a claim that Noah proba- funding teach students that pean whites are superior. write it off their taxes. In most popular. bly took two baby dinosaurs dinosaurs and humans lived The Sentinel said some 2017, Montana’s Supreme The new rules would stop the sale of flavored cartridge- onto his ark. together, that God's inter- evangelical schools “hire Court struck down this based vapor products. Like most policies — read the fine To me, it’s a form of child vention prevented Catho- teachers without degrees print. The flavor restrictions will apply only to cartridge- taxpayer funding of faith. based e-cigarettes, not vape liquid for tank-style devices. abuse to teach such lies to lics from dominating North and with criminal records, Right-wingers appealed to JUUL and other makers of vaping cartridges can still sell youngsters. However, that’s America, and that slaves and forge fire and health in- the U.S. Supreme Court, menthol, a close cousin of JUUL’s best-selling mint flavor. what happens under the who “knew Christ” were spection forms, and... hold which is to hear Espinoza v. voucher system supported better off than free men who classes in aging strip malls” State policies can take these protections further. Some by USS. Education Secretary did not. where some face eviction for Montana soon, on January states and communities have instituted bans on flavors in- 22. cluding menthol, which has been shown to make tobacco Betsy DeVos and many Re- It says some evangelical nonpayment of rent. Secular groups have filed publican legislators across schools use texts from three The Huffington Post like- products more attractive to children. America. fundamentalist publishers — wise studied fundamental- briefs against the Montana Oklahoma lags in protecting workers from second- Under the banner of Abeka, Bob Jones Univer- ist private schools and con- travesty. But Republican hand smoke and state leaders could pass a comprehensive “school choice,” vouchers sity Press and Accelerated cluded that they “teach lies. appointees on the highest smoke-free policy in Oklahoma. Current clean indoor air are a device to pour taxpayer Christian Education — add- These schools teach cre- bench may ignore the First laws include exemptions that expose 30,000 workers to the hazards of second-hand smoke, not to mention making money into religion, despite ing: ationism, racism and sexism. Amendment’s — command it harder for current smokers to quit. the First Amendments pro- The books denounce They’re also taking your tax that government must stay hibition of it. Pious par- evolution as untrue, for ex- dollars.” It says one teacher out of religion. Smoking remains the leading cause of preventable death ents who don’t want their ample, and one shows a car- in Oklahoma and across the country, and it costs every called environmentalist Stay tuned. Keep watch- Oklahoman $545 each year, whether they smoke or not. children exposed to public toon of men and dinosaurs “hippie witches.” ing to see whether conser- Tobacco Stops With Me, a program of TSET, outlined a schools can obtain govern- together, telling students the Intelligent, educated vative justices funnel your seven-point policy plan to reduce the smoking rate by half ment vouchers to pay for Biblical Noah likely brought Americans should pity chil- tax dollars to church schools in ten years and keep kids safe from nicotine addiction. We religious schooling — some baby dinosaurs onto his ark. dren from born-again fami- teaching that Noah took should build on this momentum to protect young people of it Catholic but more of it Actually, the last dino- lies who suffer indoctrina- baby dinosaurs on his ark. from tobacco and create a healthier Oklahoma. Visit Stop- evangelical. The born-again saurs became extinct nearly ion with such right-wing WithMe.com to learn more. schools provide shabby edu- 65 million years before the hate and superstition. When James Haught, syndicat- cation. first early humans appeared. the youths enter adult life, ed by PeaceVoice, is editor Julie Bisbee is executive director of the Tobacco Settle- ment Endowment Trust (TSET), a voter-created grant- The Orlando Sentinel ex- The books teach they’re ill-equipped for emeritus of West Virginia’s Reli- making trust devoted to preventing cancer and cardiovas- amined 151 private Florida gious Right politics, say- modern scientific society. largest newspaper, The cular disease, Oklahoma’s leading causes of death. schools with 140,000 stu- ing the historic civil rights Regardless, the GOP and Charleston Gazette-Mail.