Well not yet. But it could become one if a proposed Hindu temple is erected there. That was at least one of the reasons residents tossed around before San Bernardino County protested vehemently against construction. From KTLA.com:
It was proposed as the largest Hindu temple and cultural center in Southern California, an ornate structure with the kind of religious status held by the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove and the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in downtown Los Angeles.
But when a nonprofit Hindu organization selected Chino Hills farmland for the project, residents in this wealthy bedroom community of San Bernardino County protested vehemently, saying it would generate too much traffic, ruin the city’s rural atmosphere and become an unwanted regional attraction.
Objections also surfaced from opponents who said the project would turn Chino Hills into a “Third World city” and a haven for terrorists. One petition to stop the project said the temple would play a role in “changing the city’s demographics forever.”
Gee, I wonder if the proposed building of a large church would have caused such a reaction as well. That, I bet would have been touted as being good for the local economy. The chairman of the city’s Planning Commission, supported the Hindu project, calling it an asset to the city. “It’s a beautiful building with wonderful landscaping and water features,” he said. Still, many folks don’t like the idea.
Some of the opponents also seemed worried that the temple would draw Hindus to live in the city. “Unless you want the current demographics to look a bit like New Delhi, don’t do this,” said an e-mail dated Aug. 9, 2003. Another letter suggested Muslim extremists might blend in among Hindu worshipers, making the temple a “hiding place for terror.”
“…the project would turn Chino Hills into a ‘Third World city…'”
Who are they kidding? That whole area already is a third world city. The residents in that backwoods wasteland make the good ol’ boys from Deliverance look like sophisticates. Sure, it’s a gold mine if you’ve ever wanted to do a study on teenage pregnancy or illiteracy among caucasians, but there’s definitely no rush to bask in the splendor of that chromosome-deficient dump.
For those of you unfamiliar with Southern California, you may recognize San Bernadino County from “The OC.” Popularly referred to as “The 909,” it’s the white trash mecca that lead character Ryan escaped from.
First they came for the Jews and I did not speak out – because I was not a Jew. Then they came for the communists and I did not speak out – because I was not a communist. Then they came for the trade unionists and I did not speak out – because I was not a trade unionist. Then they came for me – and by then there was no one left to speak out for me.
Thank you Super Jagit for that random potshot against Chino Hills. As an API living in the 909, it is pretty clear that you have no idea what you are talking about. Then again, anyone who takes life lessons from a TV sitcom shouldn’t really be listened to anyways.
I wish you only the best Super Jagoff, enjoy your curry meals while driving your early 90’s BMW and chatting with your Gujarati friends at your temple.
i am FROM the 909. if super jagjit wants to tell it like it IS, then i for one have got his six.
he has every right to call out the unbelievable hypocrisy of one rather ugly community who tried to prevent the building of a religious edifice by lobbing ignorant, inflammatory insinuations and pure bigot-friendly bullshit at it. where’s your ire at THAT? oh, right. you have none.
helping our widely-flung readers identify where this story occurred by using only the most POPULAR show of the year is thoughtful. not EVERYONE knows where chino hills is, and you’re deluded if you think they do. america IS television. that’s why it’s perfectly acceptable to reference it. speaking of referencing things, would you be so kind as to point out WHERE he states anything about taking his life lessons from TV? i was too busy taking my curry meals in my decade-old bmw to find it.
finally, SHAME ON YOU for being an API and spouting such garbage in your second paragraph; it was prejudiced, puerile (“jagoff”??) and thorougly lame.
seriously. take a time out and ponder how as an API you’re just as “other” as the people you’re attempting to diss.
ANNA, I am NOT from the 909, but I believe you’re shooting blanks. Although API did not address the lobbying against the temple in his post, you jump your “six” by assuming that means he has no “ire” at that. The focus of his post was SJ’s allegations about the neighborhood, but that is not mutually exclusive of ire, indignation, conniption, et al.
Although your ability to give a sound reprimanding is notable, obviously API’s second paragraph was a satirical take on SJ’s own prejudiced generalization that the 909 is a “third world city” and a “chromosome-deficient dump.” Maybe you were too trigger-happy to catch this.
You also argue semantics when you ask API to identify where SJ states “anything about taking his life lessons from TV.” I doubt this characterization of SJ’s television reference was meant to be taken so literally. (By the by, not everyone watches the O.C. nor would I agree that it is the most popular show of the year.)
Should logic escape you again, my criticism of your post is not an endorsement of APIÂ’s point of view.