The Chyna Perspective

It was one of those commercials that comes on late at night.

But there I was, up and waiting to hear all about the Loma Linda City Council's decision about a proposed shopping center ... that just happens to have a spot in its layout for a fast-food restaurant.

And after all the fighting that went on at the council chambers, it was a commercial that put what happened in Loma Linda into a bit of perspective. The perspective that McDonald's may not be all that bad, when you could consider the alternative.

The alternative? Deja Vu Erotic Ultra Lounge in Redlands. The str... top... wait, what's the new term? Gentlemen's Club? Yeah, I think that's it.

Anyway, Deja Vu in Redlands was advertising a special show ... just in time for the holidays!

Joanie Lauer will be in town this week to do two special shows at the club.

Now, I can hear you ... who in the blue blazes is Joanie Lauer? Well, you might have known her as World Wrestling Entertainment "Superstar" -- and now legal name -- Chyna.

Yes, everyone's favorite former female wrestler, recovering addict and now porn star is coming to town to put on a show.

Now, I'm not going to cast stones against a gentlemen's club. I'd be lying if I said I hadn't been inside a few in my lifetime. My brother-in-law is still employed by one -- a full nude one at that.

It's just a little funny ... and sad. The idea that this woman, who was billed as "The Ninth Wonder of the World," is out doing the strip... errrr ... gentlemen's club circuit as a way to make a living. Yep, she's out there working, contributing to society. Can't blame her for it either. You gotta do either what you're good at or, at the very least, what people will pay you for.

So, we circle around to the point in all this. The commercial led to a bit of a revelation. For all the conservative views in this region -- and there are a lot of 'em -- Loma Linda's pretty well surrounded by one of the scourges of conservative Americans, gentlemen's clubs.

Colton, San Bernardino, Redlands ... all of three of 'em have at least one. And yet, despite rules and regulations that limit where and how they can do business, they're still allowed to operate.

And yet, a capacity crowd showed up to blast away at a proposed -- a maybe -- McDonald's. A place well within the norms of society. A fairly good corporate citizen that likes to give back to sick children and their families by providing shelter near hospitals.

And a place none of us has to go if we don't want to.

Personal choice will keep most Loma Linda residents from heading down to the Deja Vu to see Chyna. Just like I expect it will be the personal choice of everyone who spoke out at Tuesday night's meeting not to patronize a McDonald's, should it open, in Loma Linda.

Maybe its not fair to make the comparison. But I don't see the difference. They're both a couple of businesses marketing to certain demographics who are looking for small bit of happy in their day. Only, I guess, one doesn't come with a little toy inside.