Why do we care so much about what politicians do with their time off? Is it because our tax dollars pay their salaries? Is it really any of our business what these men and women do behind closed doors or their time off? They are consenting adults who also pay taxes. Seriously, this is a free country...is it not? Wasting time on sex scandals is futile considering we have to fix the economy and create jobs. So I ask you this: Are the crimes of a sex scandal so bad that it takes precedence over the real problems our country faces today? Does it really get in the way of their work so severely that they must resign?
Let us look at some economical facts. According to the New York Times, private sector jobs are up only by 2% and buying new equipment only by 26%. Not the greatest news in the world. Especially when you have 14 million Americans unemployed and 8 1/2 million of those will be unable to get full time jobs because those jobs just don't exists.
This is not the time for scandals and bashing of the political opponent even if it is time for campaigns. It is time to make an argument and negotiate an agreement for what is best for the American public. And do it in a timely manner.
I personally find it in poor taste when I turn on the news and see reports of these so called scandals. If no one was hurt, killed, harassed, stolen from, then frankly its none of my concern. I believe most Americans would agree with me. Perhaps reality TV made these events all to interesting and that is why we feel the need to dig our noses deep down into each public figures life. Whatever the reasons we need to snap out of it, shake it off, and pay attention to whats important...Getting the economy back on track. If we can do that jobs will follow and so will peace of mind.
Friday, June 17, 2011
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Bad For Business
Have we become complacent as Americans? Do we except bad service and behavior from each other so much that it trickles right down to those who serves us in our doctors offices and goes as far up as our politicians. I think we have. Yes, I most certain we have. It is either that or we just got tired of all the arguing, so like little children we gave up and are given in. I could give a million working examples of how this problem affects us, but I am only going to give you three today. These three working scenarios have - I'm certain of it - been experienced by all who read this column today. However, each one of us who have different personalities, so how we handled the situations may have been completely different.
I was speaking to an elderly woman in a doctors office who told me how she was mocked and laughed at by a pair of nurses during the time her husband was dying. Apparently, she was trying to get a much needed appointment for him, and explained her situation to them. They acted as if they didn't believe her. She walked away feeling like she had been called a liar, was embarrassed, and unfortunately never got the chance to take her husband to the appointment because he passed away shortly after that encounter. She said she never went back there again and almost sent them a copy of the death certificate just to make them feel as bad as they made her feel.
Another great example of "bad business" is one I personally experienced. I had an appointment with the eye doctor. Now, if you are late they expect you to reschedule but if they are the ones are late they expect you to sit down and be quite and not complain. We have all been there once or twice. Well as I sat there at the Williamson Eye Institute in Lafayette Indiana not only did I find out they gave me the wrong time to be there they had me waiting over 45 minutes past my scheduled appointment time. When I confronted the receptionist about it, and of course told her they would not tolerate it if I was that late to my appointment, she assured me I was third in line to go in. Five patients later my name was still not called and in order to make it to my next appointment I was forced to reschedule without an apology. Instead she attempted to argue with me, which I quickly defused.
My last example of bad business is the people who represent us; Politicians. Pretty broad...I know, but they all have one main thing in common - to serve the communities they represent to the best of their ability. NOT themselves but the cities and states or districts they preside over. Not who can contribute the most into their re-election campaigns, but all who live within their cities and states. So why is it that every time we are voting in "change" all we get is the same old "bad business" as usual? Look at all these political sex scandals. The latest one being Anthony Wiener. Using our tax paying dollars to show nude or half naked pictures of himself online attempting to find women. If you think for a minute that wasn't our money he was using ask yourself this: Who pays his salary? We do!!!
Let us look beyond Mr. Wiener. All of those in public office seem to have a price tag on them now a days. Its only those who truly fall out of the "club" like John Edwards that get prosecuted or persecuted for it. Time off with pay, or they may resign and go work for a large corporation for a couple of years then resurface into politics later. Where is the true accountability These are the people who hold our financial, legal, and sometimes emotional fates in their hands. They control the money. They write the laws and enforce them. This can even make or break someone emotionally or physically depending on what your status in the world today is.
Face it there are three sets of rules for everyone. A set for the millionaires, one for the middle class, and one for those who don't have two nickles to rub together. Maybe it will always be this way. Maybe as a society we need it to be this way. However it is bad business to treat people with disdain because of their class. I believe it is just another form of racism. Until we as a society start putting our foot down and saying this has gone on long enough nothing will ever change. We all need to learn to speak up: The elderly, voters and patrons...Start saying you wont be getting my business, my money, or my vote until you start doing the right things, and doing right by us. You will treat us with dignity and respect. Same and Equal. We should expect more out of one another. Do better. Worry less about profits and more about people. Worry more about people and less about power. It can be done.
I was speaking to an elderly woman in a doctors office who told me how she was mocked and laughed at by a pair of nurses during the time her husband was dying. Apparently, she was trying to get a much needed appointment for him, and explained her situation to them. They acted as if they didn't believe her. She walked away feeling like she had been called a liar, was embarrassed, and unfortunately never got the chance to take her husband to the appointment because he passed away shortly after that encounter. She said she never went back there again and almost sent them a copy of the death certificate just to make them feel as bad as they made her feel.
Another great example of "bad business" is one I personally experienced. I had an appointment with the eye doctor. Now, if you are late they expect you to reschedule but if they are the ones are late they expect you to sit down and be quite and not complain. We have all been there once or twice. Well as I sat there at the Williamson Eye Institute in Lafayette Indiana not only did I find out they gave me the wrong time to be there they had me waiting over 45 minutes past my scheduled appointment time. When I confronted the receptionist about it, and of course told her they would not tolerate it if I was that late to my appointment, she assured me I was third in line to go in. Five patients later my name was still not called and in order to make it to my next appointment I was forced to reschedule without an apology. Instead she attempted to argue with me, which I quickly defused.
My last example of bad business is the people who represent us; Politicians. Pretty broad...I know, but they all have one main thing in common - to serve the communities they represent to the best of their ability. NOT themselves but the cities and states or districts they preside over. Not who can contribute the most into their re-election campaigns, but all who live within their cities and states. So why is it that every time we are voting in "change" all we get is the same old "bad business" as usual? Look at all these political sex scandals. The latest one being Anthony Wiener. Using our tax paying dollars to show nude or half naked pictures of himself online attempting to find women. If you think for a minute that wasn't our money he was using ask yourself this: Who pays his salary? We do!!!
Let us look beyond Mr. Wiener. All of those in public office seem to have a price tag on them now a days. Its only those who truly fall out of the "club" like John Edwards that get prosecuted or persecuted for it. Time off with pay, or they may resign and go work for a large corporation for a couple of years then resurface into politics later. Where is the true accountability These are the people who hold our financial, legal, and sometimes emotional fates in their hands. They control the money. They write the laws and enforce them. This can even make or break someone emotionally or physically depending on what your status in the world today is.
Face it there are three sets of rules for everyone. A set for the millionaires, one for the middle class, and one for those who don't have two nickles to rub together. Maybe it will always be this way. Maybe as a society we need it to be this way. However it is bad business to treat people with disdain because of their class. I believe it is just another form of racism. Until we as a society start putting our foot down and saying this has gone on long enough nothing will ever change. We all need to learn to speak up: The elderly, voters and patrons...Start saying you wont be getting my business, my money, or my vote until you start doing the right things, and doing right by us. You will treat us with dignity and respect. Same and Equal. We should expect more out of one another. Do better. Worry less about profits and more about people. Worry more about people and less about power. It can be done.
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
I'm back
Hello to all my loyal followers. Sorry I have been gone for so long. Been a lot going on. That's life sometimes. But now I am back and hope you will continue to follow all the great stories, opinions, and news of The Creative View. I am so glad to finally be back in circulation. It is nice to have Internet again. It is my crack. Some of you can appreciate how difficult it has been for me to have been without it for the last month. However, I believe now that I am back the blog will be better than ever. Thank you for hanging in there with me. You all are the best readers a writer could have.
Sincerely,
Sherry Lynn Tharp
Sincerely,
Sherry Lynn Tharp
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Trump for President or Reality Star Gone to Far
Donald Trump for president...hum, well I guess if we can can have an ex-president who was a movie star then why not a reality star. Seems like just about anything goes these days. This must be just the next crazy step for Americans.
Trump is more than a reality star. He is also an author, chairman and CEO of Trump Organization, real-estate developer, Founder of Trump Entertainment Resorts, executive producer, devoted father and husband.. Wow! What a resume. Love or hate him most of us can agree on at least two things: The Donald knows how to sell his brand at any cost, and no matter what always seems to come out on top.
There are many layers to Trump. that is obvious. We all know that he "acts" like he doesn't like to be criticized or questioned. However, when seriously contemplating a run for the presidency, a individual opens him/herself up for this type of commentary. Come on, the presidency is the most powerful job in the United States if not the world. So if you are not just putting on an act for ratings and self-promotion, than you need to grow thicker skin. This "Charlie Sheen"- "Winning"- and "I'm better than you" mentality is getting old, and will not get you or anyone like you elected. If you can't handle good folks opinions (eg. Mr. Bill Cosby or mine) you better stick to what you know best, business, real estate, and reality television.
That's the thing about Donal Trump, he is a brand builder. All his talk about "birther issues" is just that...talk. First and foremost, he is a businessman. A smart businessman. He will do or say whatever it takes to sell himself to either get more people to buy whatever he is selling. If he decides to run in the election of 2012 he will do whatever it takes to get elected. Any great business person is truly a politician at heart, in my opinion. They know how to sell themselves - by definition they are "a schemer who tries to gain advantage in an organization in sly or underhanded ways." I have never met a "great" business person who didn't get to the top without following the definition to some degree.
Yet, I am so sick ad tired of hearing about this birth certificate issue regarding President Obama. Recently I have met some "die-hard" Republicans on my trip in Chicago. They say they too are tired of hearing about this issue. Every time I have gotten on this subject with anyone they have stated "Obama was born in the U.S. and people need to drop it." Even Mr. Trumps political friends who he described as, "some of the smartest and most talented in Washington DC," told Trump to drop the issue. You ask why he doesn't drop it. Because of publicity! If he runs in 2012 he will also be able to get the birther votes.
Many do not think he will run. New Jersey Governor Chris Christye said on an interview on ABC that after speaking to his friend Donald Trump he doesn't think he serious about wanting to run for president. Time.com and the Huffington Post both believe this is a promotional tool for his reality show The Apprentice. I ask why waste our time at all? Unless you are serious about running in 2012. Oh yeah...GREED!!! Greed is the most selfish thing in politics or business and can be the most powerful. You don't care who you hurt or use to get where you want to go. You work hard to build others up just to tear them down later for your own self-serving intentions.
America and Americans face real problems. We do not have time right now to listen to a self-serving, narcissiotic, shady corporate businessman. We are facing a $14 trillion debt, non-stop partisan fighting, two wars with no end in sight, higher food and gasoline cost, and a high unemployment rate just to name a few things. Sorry Mr. Trump, you can't just walk into the House or Senate and say "You're Fired," when you you don't like whats going on. It just doesn't work that way.
As much as you like to bark what you would do if you were in charge of this or that situation, I have a feeling you are in for a rude awakening if you do get the job of president in 2012. See Americans have short memories, but elections seem to awaken those sleeping memories that we have worked so hard to hide or get away from. For example, Trumps past bankruptcies. From 1989 to 1997 he not only attempted to buy into the airline industry, buying the Eastern Shuttle Routes, but also two Atlantic City Casino businesses including the Taj Mahal Casino from the Crosby family. Trump had to file bankruptcy on both ventures in a time America was prospering, and the real estate market was booming. Again in 2008 Trump International Hotel and Tower in Chicago failed to pay $40 million in loans to Deutsche Bank by that December. Trump tried to claim the crisis was an "Act of God" and he evoked a clause in the contract to not pay the loan. Then he initiated a countersuit asserting his image had been damaged. The bank answered back in court was that, "Trump was no stranger to overdue debt and that he has twice previously filed for bankruptcy with respect to his casino operations."
I don't know about all of you out there, but I don't want someone in office who doesn't take full responsibility for their own debt. It doesn't bother me if someone has to file bankruptcy once, but to say it was an "act of God" is absurd, then having the nerve to counter sue for damages on his image is even more of an outrage. Obviously neither his image nor his business was harmed. I bet he got out of paying the $40 million though. If he becomes president what will he do with the debt we are in? He can't file bankruptcy on it. No he wants to do even more absurd things such as charge our allies to continue to keep our military bases on their land.
STOP!!! We don't really expect them to pay us do we? He does realize that in some case we owe some of these countries money, while the reason we are in the other countries is because we have situated ourselves there after major wars. We conquered. We stayed. We may be an empire as some have sugested. However, lets not forget history - over and over again, all major empires fall when they have gotten too powerful and too greedy.
Trump would also be running as a Republican this time around. From 2001 to 2009 he was a registered Democrat. Trump stated in an old interview, "I'm very much independent in that way. I go for the person, not necessarily the party. I mean I vote for Republicans and I vote for Democrats." personally respect this. When I tell people this they always accuse me of being an Independent. Thank God we live in a free country where you can change your mind, opinion, and your political party as much as you want.
Look I'm nt a fan of Donal Trumps. On some level i think he is a brilliant businessman. He has great qualities, such as, being a very loyal friend and familyman. Yet, as president I think he would be wasting our time. He is about making money. Making money for himself. Public office is about helping others. Doing what is right for the greater good of not just one, but the whole country. In some case the world...if they need us. He has to show me that there is more to him then a reality star, and that he wont go off half cocked everytime he doesn't like what someone has to say or think. Like i said before, this "Charlie Sheen" attitude is getting old and doesn't look good on him or anyone else. In the end you mayhave your money but that doesn't mean you are truly "winning" anything.
Trump is more than a reality star. He is also an author, chairman and CEO of Trump Organization, real-estate developer, Founder of Trump Entertainment Resorts, executive producer, devoted father and husband.. Wow! What a resume. Love or hate him most of us can agree on at least two things: The Donald knows how to sell his brand at any cost, and no matter what always seems to come out on top.
There are many layers to Trump. that is obvious. We all know that he "acts" like he doesn't like to be criticized or questioned. However, when seriously contemplating a run for the presidency, a individual opens him/herself up for this type of commentary. Come on, the presidency is the most powerful job in the United States if not the world. So if you are not just putting on an act for ratings and self-promotion, than you need to grow thicker skin. This "Charlie Sheen"- "Winning"- and "I'm better than you" mentality is getting old, and will not get you or anyone like you elected. If you can't handle good folks opinions (eg. Mr. Bill Cosby or mine) you better stick to what you know best, business, real estate, and reality television.
That's the thing about Donal Trump, he is a brand builder. All his talk about "birther issues" is just that...talk. First and foremost, he is a businessman. A smart businessman. He will do or say whatever it takes to sell himself to either get more people to buy whatever he is selling. If he decides to run in the election of 2012 he will do whatever it takes to get elected. Any great business person is truly a politician at heart, in my opinion. They know how to sell themselves - by definition they are "a schemer who tries to gain advantage in an organization in sly or underhanded ways." I have never met a "great" business person who didn't get to the top without following the definition to some degree.
Yet, I am so sick ad tired of hearing about this birth certificate issue regarding President Obama. Recently I have met some "die-hard" Republicans on my trip in Chicago. They say they too are tired of hearing about this issue. Every time I have gotten on this subject with anyone they have stated "Obama was born in the U.S. and people need to drop it." Even Mr. Trumps political friends who he described as, "some of the smartest and most talented in Washington DC," told Trump to drop the issue. You ask why he doesn't drop it. Because of publicity! If he runs in 2012 he will also be able to get the birther votes.
Many do not think he will run. New Jersey Governor Chris Christye said on an interview on ABC that after speaking to his friend Donald Trump he doesn't think he serious about wanting to run for president. Time.com and the Huffington Post both believe this is a promotional tool for his reality show The Apprentice. I ask why waste our time at all? Unless you are serious about running in 2012. Oh yeah...GREED!!! Greed is the most selfish thing in politics or business and can be the most powerful. You don't care who you hurt or use to get where you want to go. You work hard to build others up just to tear them down later for your own self-serving intentions.
America and Americans face real problems. We do not have time right now to listen to a self-serving, narcissiotic, shady corporate businessman. We are facing a $14 trillion debt, non-stop partisan fighting, two wars with no end in sight, higher food and gasoline cost, and a high unemployment rate just to name a few things. Sorry Mr. Trump, you can't just walk into the House or Senate and say "You're Fired," when you you don't like whats going on. It just doesn't work that way.
As much as you like to bark what you would do if you were in charge of this or that situation, I have a feeling you are in for a rude awakening if you do get the job of president in 2012. See Americans have short memories, but elections seem to awaken those sleeping memories that we have worked so hard to hide or get away from. For example, Trumps past bankruptcies. From 1989 to 1997 he not only attempted to buy into the airline industry, buying the Eastern Shuttle Routes, but also two Atlantic City Casino businesses including the Taj Mahal Casino from the Crosby family. Trump had to file bankruptcy on both ventures in a time America was prospering, and the real estate market was booming. Again in 2008 Trump International Hotel and Tower in Chicago failed to pay $40 million in loans to Deutsche Bank by that December. Trump tried to claim the crisis was an "Act of God" and he evoked a clause in the contract to not pay the loan. Then he initiated a countersuit asserting his image had been damaged. The bank answered back in court was that, "Trump was no stranger to overdue debt and that he has twice previously filed for bankruptcy with respect to his casino operations."
I don't know about all of you out there, but I don't want someone in office who doesn't take full responsibility for their own debt. It doesn't bother me if someone has to file bankruptcy once, but to say it was an "act of God" is absurd, then having the nerve to counter sue for damages on his image is even more of an outrage. Obviously neither his image nor his business was harmed. I bet he got out of paying the $40 million though. If he becomes president what will he do with the debt we are in? He can't file bankruptcy on it. No he wants to do even more absurd things such as charge our allies to continue to keep our military bases on their land.
STOP!!! We don't really expect them to pay us do we? He does realize that in some case we owe some of these countries money, while the reason we are in the other countries is because we have situated ourselves there after major wars. We conquered. We stayed. We may be an empire as some have sugested. However, lets not forget history - over and over again, all major empires fall when they have gotten too powerful and too greedy.
Trump would also be running as a Republican this time around. From 2001 to 2009 he was a registered Democrat. Trump stated in an old interview, "I'm very much independent in that way. I go for the person, not necessarily the party. I mean I vote for Republicans and I vote for Democrats." personally respect this. When I tell people this they always accuse me of being an Independent. Thank God we live in a free country where you can change your mind, opinion, and your political party as much as you want.
Look I'm nt a fan of Donal Trumps. On some level i think he is a brilliant businessman. He has great qualities, such as, being a very loyal friend and familyman. Yet, as president I think he would be wasting our time. He is about making money. Making money for himself. Public office is about helping others. Doing what is right for the greater good of not just one, but the whole country. In some case the world...if they need us. He has to show me that there is more to him then a reality star, and that he wont go off half cocked everytime he doesn't like what someone has to say or think. Like i said before, this "Charlie Sheen" attitude is getting old and doesn't look good on him or anyone else. In the end you mayhave your money but that doesn't mean you are truly "winning" anything.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
My Life Starts In 11 Days: Freedom Can be Yours and Mine
I sit here and wonder what happened to the last 36 years of my life. I have done so much but so little. I look around the world and see so much mistrust, pain, prejudice, back-stabbing, in-fighting, bullying, and destruction, yet I have done little to do anything to change it. I have done little to change it till now.
Can one person make a difference? Many people ask themselves this question everyday. Even I ponder the thought from time to time. Can we? Can any of us truly fix the difficulties that we as a county and a world are having? As I watch how our leaders handle the crisis's that we face I find myself questioning their abilities, and I do not like the feeling that gives me.
Over the years, I have experienced first hand how our judicial system truly works, and that too gives me pause. It is truly broken. We all know it but no one seems to be doing anything about it. This saddens me. We not only have fathers who must fight for years, for the right to see their children, but also mothers. Sometimes, if you do not have the money, you can't even fight for those rights. Lets face it, if you don't have the money, you almost always lose the court battle. If you even can afford to go to court. I will not get into my story now. You can read my book when it comes out. I will admit that I did make my mistakes. However, I nor anyone that knows the story, other than my ex believes that I deserve all the torture my ex, or the courts have put me through in the last sixteen years.
Child custody or child support issues are not the only two issues broken in the judicial system. To many innocent people are being sent to jail and not enough people who are in power are being brought down for their crimes. There is a double standard in this country and around the world. Some in this country are saying "we are policing the world" right now. How can we police the world when we can't even police our own leaders. Our police officers, governors, senators, financial executives, the list goes on and on. We allow our own police to get lessor to no sentences for drunk driving or killing others while drunk driving. We allow our attorneys and judges to abuse the legal system by going around the court and ethical rules because who they have lunch with or play gulf with. (If they want a certain ruling or don't like the ruling they got they find a judge that will give them that ruling) We allow our financial executives the right to steal our money...pocket it...and let them go free while we as Americans suffer, lose jobs, homes, benefits, etc. We allow our politicians to continue to promise things they can't possibly keep, drive up deficits, take away our rights, and put up with their endless childish fighting. We don't expect enough from our doctors. There are few great doctors. It took me years to find a great doctor. To many doctors are more interested in pleasing the insurance companies and pushing their drugs than really curing you. When all you really want is to feel better and lead a normal life.
All, most people want is to have a good job, be loved, live comfortably, and live their lives in peace with their families. Unfortunately we do not live in such a world. Not most people. We as a nation maybe even a world have become addicted, entitled, and afraid. My theory is, that we are all addicted to something. Some of us are addicted to good things and some to bad things. It is not for me or anyone but yourself to determine what you are addicted to. Only you can determine what it is. It could be exercise, drinking, drugs, God or religion, politics, work, sex, gossiping, partying, anything. The only way to figure it out is finding out who you are. Then ask yourself this question. Can I live with it? Meaning...Can you live with who you are and what you give out to the world. Are you living the best life you can live? Are you being the best person you can be? Not for you only but also for those around you. Who do you want around you? Are the good or toxic? We are always going to come across people that are not going to be our cup of tea, however, it is our choice to put up with it.
I am tired of being quite. Anyone who knows me, knows that it is not in my nature. I have always known I have to speak up for what I believe in. In eleven(11) days I leave for a trip that I have waited for for nineteen(19) years. I have tried my hand at a little bit of everything. I used to be ashamed of the fact that I worked in fast food or gas stations. That I had to start out in community college and never really finished with anything but a bachelors degree in psychology and never finished my law degree. I'm not anymore. I also raised 8 kids, plus was a nanny for a year. I took care of a mentally ill man for six years. I came from a broken situation, foster homes, children early in life, took on 5 children like they were my own, have tried my hardest to overcome my severe disabilities over the last six years (SLE-Lupus, Degentergative Disc Disease, Cancer, Kidney Disease-Lupus, Partial Blindness-Lupus, Full Body Nuropathy, PTSD-Mild Depression), and screwed up while cleaning up along the way.
So I am going to do what I know I am good at. I have had almost 36 years to hone my skills. I have truly perfected them with the help of some wonderful people I like to call family and friends over the last 10 years. I am going to make a difference. I am a writer and a speaker. My strengths are business management and training issues, customer service issues, legal advocacy, family law advocacy, child and adult disability issues, educational management and reform issues, state and federal government domestic political issues, etc. I will write on these issues. I will speak out and tell you what I really think. You may or may not agree. That is alright. We all have that right. I am open to other people's opinions. I believe we can always learn from others. I don't know everything. I am open to learning new things. However, I am tired of not doing anything. The more we allow things to continue the way they are the longer they will spiral out of control. So can one person make a difference? Yes. Yes they can. It is never easy, but they can make a difference if they do it for the greater good...others...and not for themselves.
So my articles will be slightly different. I will still continue to report on the news, however, there will be more commentary from me. You are going to find out what I really think and what i really think should happen as a result of the issues we face. I will only talk about the subjects I am versed on. I will not pretend to be something I am not. I love the law, business, advocacy, and politics. So These will be the different subjects I will write about. My first book coming out in the fall will be about my life. "Life Without Love Tragedy Without Defeat" My second book hopefully will be published in 2012 and I am currently working on it and is called "In My Opinion" which is a book about the issues I am passionate about. However I also interviewed and I am presently in the process of interviewing many different individuals for the book. It gives different points of view on these political and social issues. Once it is complete it will be the book everyone will be talking about. The truth of what people are really thinking and guides on how to fix the issues that are covered by the people from the people. The world will see that everyday people can make a difference and their opinion counts.
I know that in eleven days my life will begin again in a metaphoric way. My hope is that someone will be inspired and they too will begin again. Stronger, better, wiser. We can do it. Not divided but together. If we truly want to, we can do it.
Can one person make a difference? Many people ask themselves this question everyday. Even I ponder the thought from time to time. Can we? Can any of us truly fix the difficulties that we as a county and a world are having? As I watch how our leaders handle the crisis's that we face I find myself questioning their abilities, and I do not like the feeling that gives me.
Over the years, I have experienced first hand how our judicial system truly works, and that too gives me pause. It is truly broken. We all know it but no one seems to be doing anything about it. This saddens me. We not only have fathers who must fight for years, for the right to see their children, but also mothers. Sometimes, if you do not have the money, you can't even fight for those rights. Lets face it, if you don't have the money, you almost always lose the court battle. If you even can afford to go to court. I will not get into my story now. You can read my book when it comes out. I will admit that I did make my mistakes. However, I nor anyone that knows the story, other than my ex believes that I deserve all the torture my ex, or the courts have put me through in the last sixteen years.
Child custody or child support issues are not the only two issues broken in the judicial system. To many innocent people are being sent to jail and not enough people who are in power are being brought down for their crimes. There is a double standard in this country and around the world. Some in this country are saying "we are policing the world" right now. How can we police the world when we can't even police our own leaders. Our police officers, governors, senators, financial executives, the list goes on and on. We allow our own police to get lessor to no sentences for drunk driving or killing others while drunk driving. We allow our attorneys and judges to abuse the legal system by going around the court and ethical rules because who they have lunch with or play gulf with. (If they want a certain ruling or don't like the ruling they got they find a judge that will give them that ruling) We allow our financial executives the right to steal our money...pocket it...and let them go free while we as Americans suffer, lose jobs, homes, benefits, etc. We allow our politicians to continue to promise things they can't possibly keep, drive up deficits, take away our rights, and put up with their endless childish fighting. We don't expect enough from our doctors. There are few great doctors. It took me years to find a great doctor. To many doctors are more interested in pleasing the insurance companies and pushing their drugs than really curing you. When all you really want is to feel better and lead a normal life.
All, most people want is to have a good job, be loved, live comfortably, and live their lives in peace with their families. Unfortunately we do not live in such a world. Not most people. We as a nation maybe even a world have become addicted, entitled, and afraid. My theory is, that we are all addicted to something. Some of us are addicted to good things and some to bad things. It is not for me or anyone but yourself to determine what you are addicted to. Only you can determine what it is. It could be exercise, drinking, drugs, God or religion, politics, work, sex, gossiping, partying, anything. The only way to figure it out is finding out who you are. Then ask yourself this question. Can I live with it? Meaning...Can you live with who you are and what you give out to the world. Are you living the best life you can live? Are you being the best person you can be? Not for you only but also for those around you. Who do you want around you? Are the good or toxic? We are always going to come across people that are not going to be our cup of tea, however, it is our choice to put up with it.
I am tired of being quite. Anyone who knows me, knows that it is not in my nature. I have always known I have to speak up for what I believe in. In eleven(11) days I leave for a trip that I have waited for for nineteen(19) years. I have tried my hand at a little bit of everything. I used to be ashamed of the fact that I worked in fast food or gas stations. That I had to start out in community college and never really finished with anything but a bachelors degree in psychology and never finished my law degree. I'm not anymore. I also raised 8 kids, plus was a nanny for a year. I took care of a mentally ill man for six years. I came from a broken situation, foster homes, children early in life, took on 5 children like they were my own, have tried my hardest to overcome my severe disabilities over the last six years (SLE-Lupus, Degentergative Disc Disease, Cancer, Kidney Disease-Lupus, Partial Blindness-Lupus, Full Body Nuropathy, PTSD-Mild Depression), and screwed up while cleaning up along the way.
So I am going to do what I know I am good at. I have had almost 36 years to hone my skills. I have truly perfected them with the help of some wonderful people I like to call family and friends over the last 10 years. I am going to make a difference. I am a writer and a speaker. My strengths are business management and training issues, customer service issues, legal advocacy, family law advocacy, child and adult disability issues, educational management and reform issues, state and federal government domestic political issues, etc. I will write on these issues. I will speak out and tell you what I really think. You may or may not agree. That is alright. We all have that right. I am open to other people's opinions. I believe we can always learn from others. I don't know everything. I am open to learning new things. However, I am tired of not doing anything. The more we allow things to continue the way they are the longer they will spiral out of control. So can one person make a difference? Yes. Yes they can. It is never easy, but they can make a difference if they do it for the greater good...others...and not for themselves.
So my articles will be slightly different. I will still continue to report on the news, however, there will be more commentary from me. You are going to find out what I really think and what i really think should happen as a result of the issues we face. I will only talk about the subjects I am versed on. I will not pretend to be something I am not. I love the law, business, advocacy, and politics. So These will be the different subjects I will write about. My first book coming out in the fall will be about my life. "Life Without Love Tragedy Without Defeat" My second book hopefully will be published in 2012 and I am currently working on it and is called "In My Opinion" which is a book about the issues I am passionate about. However I also interviewed and I am presently in the process of interviewing many different individuals for the book. It gives different points of view on these political and social issues. Once it is complete it will be the book everyone will be talking about. The truth of what people are really thinking and guides on how to fix the issues that are covered by the people from the people. The world will see that everyday people can make a difference and their opinion counts.
I know that in eleven days my life will begin again in a metaphoric way. My hope is that someone will be inspired and they too will begin again. Stronger, better, wiser. We can do it. Not divided but together. If we truly want to, we can do it.
Friday, March 25, 2011
A Peanut Allergy or Missed Opportunity for Compassion: A 6 Year Olds Fight
Peanut allergies, food allergies, they are becoming more and more prevalent in our world and with our children every year. Recent CDC reports say 3.9% of children in the U.S. under the age of 18 have food allergies. An increase of 18% in the last decade. But in one town in town in Edwater Florida and the Edwater Public Elementary School has now made news headlines not because of their welcoming, warm-hearted, supportive role in the fight against this epidemic. No, it is because a six year old girl, Alena Bailey, who has such a severe peanut allergy that her parents had to put a sign on their own front door to warn visitors, was publicly protested against her own community of peers and their parents. Even though the Federal and State law prohibits discrimination against such events through the ADA. (Americans with Disability Act)
Apparently, these parents are up in arms about their children losing time in school because the children are made by the school to wash their hands and rinse their mouths before they reenter the classroom before school starts and after lunch. One parent said it takes away 2 1/2 hours a week from the children's education. Parents are also upset that the traditional snack hour has been cancelled because of possible peanut exposure.
The parents and even some of their elementary children have began picketing the school. One parent told me, "A lot of time has been taken away from our education." This same parent during school hours, when asked if their child was with them picketing too said, "Of course they are. My child is not going back to school until my child has the same rights as the student with the peanut allergy. My child's rights are being trampled on for one student, and that is not fair. It is not fair to any of the other kids. Until the school hears and follows up with our demands, then my child will go back to school. We have taken our demands to the school board and will continue to protest until they are forced to come to a different resolution." She of course would not go on the record and allow me to share her name. But she wasn't alone. Many of the parents reportedly also feel like their children's rights are being taken away. So far it has been a four day stand off.
The Bailey's have not brought Alena back to school either. They say "if we could come up with another resolution we would but we are talking about life or death here." Yet they are not alone in their fight. Though it may seem they may be silently alone at the moment. The six year old has been made to sit in a classroom at lunch by herself, while other children with food allergies have been alienated to a lone table in the schools cafeteria away from the other students during lunches for their "safety" the school says.
Dr. Margaret Smith, the Superintendent of Volusia County Schools said "That the process doesn't take that long, their are many misconceptions, and knows and understands each parent wants all the kids to be safe, but also knows it is a very emotional issue." She went on to say "We as a school district have been working very hard to protect the child's safety with the peanut allergy, but also address the concerns the other parents have." One of the biggest misconceptions she said was that the children did not have to rinse their mouths out anymore, "That was just something we did as part of a school wide project for healthy mouth hygiene for awhile. It had nothing to do with the food allergy." And as for the daily snack time being taken away due to the food allergy problem, Dr. Smith says "This just was not the case. Many schools have gotten rid of there daily snack times not just because of possible food allergies but other concerns, such as possible food contamination's or foods that could possibly have drugs put in them. It was a safety issue and that was all."
Is this a missed opportunity for compassion? Anyone with any common sense would say yes. I am an adult with a disability and have a child who has Aspergers. I know what it is like to fight for the rights of children who are different and help others, especially children with learning disabilities and adults, because I used to work in the field of social services and have been an advocate for years. It is a sad day when you have to go to a school and watch children being separated from others just because they are different. Then watch them not learning anything because the school is to lazy to do so. I was able to help change that, and now my daughter has flourished. However, because my children have been so involved with their peers and I have 8 children and have had many many children in my house over the years I also understand food allergies. It blows my mind that these parents are so narrow minded that they believe what should be just good hygiene anyway is becoming an issue about some sweet little girls food allergies.
Each parent complain or participating in this boycott or picketing the school, especially with their children should seriously take some time and think about how much time they are taking away from their child's education now. Maybe we should take away recess. The kids don't need it really do they? It does take away from there education and study time.
If people would take just a moment out of there day and use a little time to think things out before the acted...we call that common sense by the way...the world would be such a better place. Who I feel bad for the most is this little girl. She now has this scarlet letter on her. It is hard enough growing up and fitting in, and the grown ups have made it just that harder on her. You have missed a great opportunity to teach your children about compassion, empathy for others, and to educate them about an important topic. I feel sorry for you. I believe in second chances. I hope you take it for yourself and give one to little Miss Bailey. Also I hope you throw her a party (peanut free of course) just to say your sorry. Because if your child comes home beat up, made fun of, crying, etc, you can't complain, no matter how wrong it is...you taught them the behavior. Sad isn't it!
Apparently, these parents are up in arms about their children losing time in school because the children are made by the school to wash their hands and rinse their mouths before they reenter the classroom before school starts and after lunch. One parent said it takes away 2 1/2 hours a week from the children's education. Parents are also upset that the traditional snack hour has been cancelled because of possible peanut exposure.
The parents and even some of their elementary children have began picketing the school. One parent told me, "A lot of time has been taken away from our education." This same parent during school hours, when asked if their child was with them picketing too said, "Of course they are. My child is not going back to school until my child has the same rights as the student with the peanut allergy. My child's rights are being trampled on for one student, and that is not fair. It is not fair to any of the other kids. Until the school hears and follows up with our demands, then my child will go back to school. We have taken our demands to the school board and will continue to protest until they are forced to come to a different resolution." She of course would not go on the record and allow me to share her name. But she wasn't alone. Many of the parents reportedly also feel like their children's rights are being taken away. So far it has been a four day stand off.
The Bailey's have not brought Alena back to school either. They say "if we could come up with another resolution we would but we are talking about life or death here." Yet they are not alone in their fight. Though it may seem they may be silently alone at the moment. The six year old has been made to sit in a classroom at lunch by herself, while other children with food allergies have been alienated to a lone table in the schools cafeteria away from the other students during lunches for their "safety" the school says.
Dr. Margaret Smith, the Superintendent of Volusia County Schools said "That the process doesn't take that long, their are many misconceptions, and knows and understands each parent wants all the kids to be safe, but also knows it is a very emotional issue." She went on to say "We as a school district have been working very hard to protect the child's safety with the peanut allergy, but also address the concerns the other parents have." One of the biggest misconceptions she said was that the children did not have to rinse their mouths out anymore, "That was just something we did as part of a school wide project for healthy mouth hygiene for awhile. It had nothing to do with the food allergy." And as for the daily snack time being taken away due to the food allergy problem, Dr. Smith says "This just was not the case. Many schools have gotten rid of there daily snack times not just because of possible food allergies but other concerns, such as possible food contamination's or foods that could possibly have drugs put in them. It was a safety issue and that was all."
Is this a missed opportunity for compassion? Anyone with any common sense would say yes. I am an adult with a disability and have a child who has Aspergers. I know what it is like to fight for the rights of children who are different and help others, especially children with learning disabilities and adults, because I used to work in the field of social services and have been an advocate for years. It is a sad day when you have to go to a school and watch children being separated from others just because they are different. Then watch them not learning anything because the school is to lazy to do so. I was able to help change that, and now my daughter has flourished. However, because my children have been so involved with their peers and I have 8 children and have had many many children in my house over the years I also understand food allergies. It blows my mind that these parents are so narrow minded that they believe what should be just good hygiene anyway is becoming an issue about some sweet little girls food allergies.
Each parent complain or participating in this boycott or picketing the school, especially with their children should seriously take some time and think about how much time they are taking away from their child's education now. Maybe we should take away recess. The kids don't need it really do they? It does take away from there education and study time.
If people would take just a moment out of there day and use a little time to think things out before the acted...we call that common sense by the way...the world would be such a better place. Who I feel bad for the most is this little girl. She now has this scarlet letter on her. It is hard enough growing up and fitting in, and the grown ups have made it just that harder on her. You have missed a great opportunity to teach your children about compassion, empathy for others, and to educate them about an important topic. I feel sorry for you. I believe in second chances. I hope you take it for yourself and give one to little Miss Bailey. Also I hope you throw her a party (peanut free of course) just to say your sorry. Because if your child comes home beat up, made fun of, crying, etc, you can't complain, no matter how wrong it is...you taught them the behavior. Sad isn't it!
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Controller Falls Asleep?
At Regan International Airport Wednesday just a little after midnight two 7-37's and their pilots had to land on their own planes because they couldn't reach anyone in the control tower. American flight 1012 was the first that could not reach the control tower with seven passengers aboard their flight only minutes from the other flight. The other was United Airlines, with sixty-eight people on board, and heading in from Chicago. So where was the controller? Was he or she asleep? Did they have a medical emergency? Why is there only one controller and not two?
Both pilots had to seek guidance from a near by tower in Virginia who also attempted to contact the controller and they couldn't get a response either. Here was the response back to the pilots: "American 1012, uh we called a couple times on a landline, and uh tried to call on the commercial line, and there's no answer."-Operations Facility Message Sent- "United 628, just so you are aware, we've had one aircraft go into DCA. he tower is apparently unmanned."-Operations Facility Message Sent-Thank goodness both planes landed safely and about five minutes later the tower controller was back.
Passenger John Schriffen says the pilot got on the loud speaker and said, "Sorry folks. I can't get ahold of the air traffic control tower. We can't land right now. We are going to keep circling until we get a response." The plane did land safely a few minutes later using procedures for unmanned airports. They made frequent radio calls to other planes to let them know what their position was.
The government believes that the controller who was the only one on duty may have fallen asleep. However this Federal officials say this controller has an unblemished record but they are trying to find out if he fell asleep or had a medical emergency. Former airline pilot, Jim Tillman, calls it "a serious laps," and went on to say, "of all the airports on the planet, this is the worst one for this to happen to.Lets face it, that airport sits within a baseball throw of the Pentagon, of the White House, of the Capital Building. This is not a good situation." Ray LaHood the Transportation is saying he is going to make sure there are two controllers on the late shift and he will also be reviewing staffing in the towers nationwide.
STOP!!! Does anyone happen during 9-11? Now I understand that this was not the same situation. That someone may have fallen asleep or even had an emergency, but come on. Now I will be honest, I do not fly. Not if I can help it. The security measures scare me. Having to go through long lines of people, not knowing whether or not my luggage will actually get to my destination with me or not. Frankly my anxiety is way to high for all that fuss. I like the Amtrak or the car whenever possible. But this is ridiculous.
My point is this. They expect us to stand in those long lines. Go through the intrusive pat-downs, and screenings, but they can't even stay awake or man a station (tower) so we can land safely. Thank the Lord for the pilots. Thank God they knew what they were doing. I don't understand why there wasn't already two people manning the towers to begin with. The Government needs to get their act together. Stop making yourselves richer, us more uncomfortable, and risking our lives in the process.
Both pilots had to seek guidance from a near by tower in Virginia who also attempted to contact the controller and they couldn't get a response either. Here was the response back to the pilots: "American 1012, uh we called a couple times on a landline, and uh tried to call on the commercial line, and there's no answer."-Operations Facility Message Sent- "United 628, just so you are aware, we've had one aircraft go into DCA. he tower is apparently unmanned."-Operations Facility Message Sent-Thank goodness both planes landed safely and about five minutes later the tower controller was back.
Passenger John Schriffen says the pilot got on the loud speaker and said, "Sorry folks. I can't get ahold of the air traffic control tower. We can't land right now. We are going to keep circling until we get a response." The plane did land safely a few minutes later using procedures for unmanned airports. They made frequent radio calls to other planes to let them know what their position was.
The government believes that the controller who was the only one on duty may have fallen asleep. However this Federal officials say this controller has an unblemished record but they are trying to find out if he fell asleep or had a medical emergency. Former airline pilot, Jim Tillman, calls it "a serious laps," and went on to say, "of all the airports on the planet, this is the worst one for this to happen to.Lets face it, that airport sits within a baseball throw of the Pentagon, of the White House, of the Capital Building. This is not a good situation." Ray LaHood the Transportation is saying he is going to make sure there are two controllers on the late shift and he will also be reviewing staffing in the towers nationwide.
STOP!!! Does anyone happen during 9-11? Now I understand that this was not the same situation. That someone may have fallen asleep or even had an emergency, but come on. Now I will be honest, I do not fly. Not if I can help it. The security measures scare me. Having to go through long lines of people, not knowing whether or not my luggage will actually get to my destination with me or not. Frankly my anxiety is way to high for all that fuss. I like the Amtrak or the car whenever possible. But this is ridiculous.
My point is this. They expect us to stand in those long lines. Go through the intrusive pat-downs, and screenings, but they can't even stay awake or man a station (tower) so we can land safely. Thank the Lord for the pilots. Thank God they knew what they were doing. I don't understand why there wasn't already two people manning the towers to begin with. The Government needs to get their act together. Stop making yourselves richer, us more uncomfortable, and risking our lives in the process.
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