VIA Times – January 2017 Issue Vital News, Vibrant VIews for Asian Americans in Chicago & Midwest
By: Joe Mauricio
Strangers and friends alike have wondered how a highly-educated Filipino American could possibly support a man widely considered as racist, sexist, misogynistic, xenophobic, and Islamophobic. It is not that complicated, really. I like the man and what he stands for, and I reject the caricature propagated by the mainstream media and his opponents.
Instinctively, I recognized in Trump the key ingredients that have made success possible in my own life. As a child from the Philippines, I succeeded in getting American education. It’s not that I worked hard, and I do, but because I dream big, took risks no one I knew would take, and kept faith in America’s promise.
Trump’s story is widely more successful and dramatic, but ir resonates with me nonetheless. Since he declared his candidacy, he has defied the odds.
Donald J. Trump is the definition of the American success story, constantly having the standard of excellence in business. May this standard be the guiding light for all of us, in raising the standards of American Dream, for our children and grandchildren. ***
As of deadline, Donald Trump’s inauguration is shaping up to be a booming business for Washington. It’s just not the type of business the president-elect may want.
Protesters distraught over Trump’s victory will be flooding into Washington, D.C.—creating a potent, potentially tense mix as they collide with die-hard billionaire supporters at hotels, restaurants and national malls.
Like much of Trump’s campaign, the festivities and crowd descending on Washington for the inauguration will not neatly fit into Washington’s norms. All hotels are sold out. There will be some guests that are sympathetic to two different parties and there will be some who will not and are adamant about the going-on. When alcohol is involved, sometimes voices get raised.
It was the great leader of India, Mahatma Gandhi, who said, “First, they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they attack you, and then you win.”
Well, we won, didn’t we?
THE YEAR OF THE ECLIPSE AT THE ADLER PLANETARIUM
On August 21, 2017, a total solar eclipse will occur in the United States—the first in 38 years. The path of totality will begin in Oregon around 10:15 am PST and make its way east to South Carolina before heading into the Atlantic Ocean at approximately 2:50 pm EST. For people in the “path of totality,” the Moon will block out the mid-day Sun completely for nearly three minutes.
While Chicago is not in the path of totality, at 11:54 am CST, the Moon will start to block Chicago’s view of the Sun, covering up to 90 percent of it and creating a spectacular sight. The last time Chicago was this close to the path of totality for a total solar eclipse was over 210 years back in 1806.
The path of totality will make the eclipse visible from several major highways and cities in the middle of the day during a time of year when many people are on vacation and enjoying outdoor activities. Because of this, the 2017 eclipse may be the most viewed solar eclipse ever.
In celebration of this rare celestial occurrence, 2017 is The Year of the Eclipse at the Adler Planetarium. We’ll be drumming up excitement and giving people the tools they need to make the most of the event.
The Adler invites everyone in Chicagoland to view the eclipse with us at the museum! Chicago viewers should be able to see the eclipse at 90 percent totality. Guests will receive free solar viewing glasses, participate in eclipse-related activities, talk with Adler experts, and share the experience with 10,000 other space enthusiasts.
To encourage community viewing around Chicago, the Adler will set up two satellite locations allowing people to view the eclipse together. Guests will receive free solar eclipse viewing glasses and have a chance to meet and chat with Adler experts. Locations to be announced later this year.
