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.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
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.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Elizabeth Taylor Will Be Remembered and Missed
Elizabeth Taylor a two time Academy Award winning actress had recent health problems in recent years and appeared very frail during public appearances, was hospitalized six weeks ago with congestive heart failure. She recently suffered a number of complications, however was stabilized and it was hopeful she would return home. Thus, these hopes failed when our dear Miss Elizabeth passed away at the age of 79 in Los Angeles, California at Cedars Sinai Hospital surrounded by her children; Michael Wilding, Christopher Wilding, Liza Todd, and Maria Burton. Taylor was also survived by 10 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.
Taylor's publicist said in a statement, "My mother was an extra ordinary woman who lived life to the fullest, with great humor, and love." Her son also went on to make a statement, "Though her loss is devastating to those of us who held her close and so dear, we will always be inspired by her enduring contribution to our world. Her remarkable body of working film, her ongoing success as a businesswoman, and her brave and relentless advocacy in the fight against HIV/AIDS, all make us incredibly proud of what she accomplished. We know quite simply, that the world is a better place for Mom having lived in it. Her legacy will never fade, her spirit will always be with us, and her love will forever be in our hearts."
Taylor was born in London in 1932 to American parents who returned to the U.S. with WWII looming. Elizabeth Taylor later beamed into the spotlight at the age of twelve after starring in the 1944 box office hit sensation "National Velvet." Yet it wasn't till later when she won acclaim as an adult with the 1951's "A Place In The Sun," and went on to score Best Actress Oscar Nominations for "Raintree County," "Caton A Hot Tin Roof," and "Suddenly Last Summer." And of Course we can not leave out the violet eyed film goddess most memorable role as "Cleopatra" in 1963. But later won Oscars for "Who's Afraid of Virginia Wolf?" and "Butterflied 8." 
Unfortunately, Miss Taylor's sultry screen life was up-staged by her all to often publicized personal life. Her life was covered by all the gossip magazines and entertainment news stations. From her marriages and divorces (all 7), to what some believed or called as her eccentric friendships and lifestyle. The one most talked about was her relationship with the late Michael Jackson. Even all her health problems and concerns made headlines. The biographers say there were up to 30 maybe even 40 surgeries. Everything from the fall from her horse during an earlier film shoot, bouts of pneumonia, skin cancer, a tracheotomy, treatment for alcohol and pain killer addictions, and hip, brain, and even heart surgeries.No matter what the headlines and gossipers like to say, I would like to say Thank You. Thank you for for being the most popular actress of Hollywood's Golden Age. Thank You for all the wonderful work you did for HIV/AIDS, and thank you for all my favorite perfumes. The only one's on earth I am not allergic to. My favorite being Passions and White Diamonds. You were a wonderful woman. I met you once when I was young. You took the moment to sit and talk with me. Spend time and listen. I will never forget your generosity, your kindness, your love, and your words, that I will hold close to my heart. God bless you and your family. God rest your sweet soul.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Bullying...We Have Had Enough In All Forms!!!
Everywhere we look now a days we find ourselves seeing or experiencing bullying! When is enough going to be enough? Will it always be a part of our societal make up forever or will, we as a society be able to knick this in the butt? These are the questions I am posing to you today.
According to www.bullying.org bullying is a conscious, willful, deliberate, hostile, and repeated behaviour by one or more people which is intended to harm others. This includes physical violence, attacks, verbal taunts, name calling, put downs, threats, intimidation, extortion, stealing of money, possession, and exclusion from peer groups. They say this assertion through peer groups gives them a sense of entitlement and they have a intolerance towards indifference's.
If face to face bullying wasn't enough, now we have what we call cyber bullying. "Cyber-bullying involves the use of information and communication technologies such as emails, cell phones, personal web sites, defamatory online personal polling websites, to support deliberate, repeated and hostile behavior by an individual or group that is intended to harm others."(-Bill Belsey) Cyber bullying has taken on its own life. Individuals are now using it to send hate list, smut list, and even nude pictures of others they do not like or want to embarrass. We now call this sexting.
Now a days you can turn on your televisions and everyday there is a new headline on the news about a child, adult, or even ad from some political figure bullying another person. Yes, I even included political figures. Let's face it, bullying does come in many forms. And Political Ads is one of them. Take the Presidential Campaign of 2008. McCain went as far as to compare Obama to Paris Hilton and Brittany Spears. We all know how low these ads can go. We also know and understand that political campaigns are not beneath the bullying concept either before or after the election is over. Take a look at the next three YouTube Videos as examples to my point:
In these video's you noticed not only negative ads but the bullying concept. Putting fear into others! Isn't that what bully's do? I say yes! Especially in the second video. How are we to expect our children to act any differently when we can't even get our own leaders to behave better. We must stop the negative behavior from the top down. We must tell our political leaders not only to stop the negative campaign ads but also the backhanded remarks, side-stepping behaviors they throw around daily on our dime. Then we can make a difference in our children's lives. Then we can stop teaching our children how to bully!
In 2007 it was a parent involving himself in a wrestling match at school. Then it was a group of Florida teens pleading to beating a girl after inviting her to a slumber party. Today we have a boy who is hung by a fence and 7 teens arrested for the assault.Take a look:
It used to be said that this would lead to suicide. Now that is a reality. All along it was leading to suicides, however it is just becoming more and more noticeable because of the Internet and other technologies. We have to many children dying because not enough schools, parents, or by-standards really give a damn. The worst thing on this earth is to feel alone. To feel like you have no one. Even if you do, not feeling that way can be a very lonely place. It has to stop.
Yes, even I have been bullied! It wasn't a good feeling. I was scared, lonely and confused. I wanted to die! Luckily I am here to talk about it. Once, I was so bullied in school my mother had to go to school to make sure that the 20 kids waiting for me the day before off the school bus wouldn't be trying that again. I was even more embarrassed. Now that I look back on it, I am so glad I was embarrassed and safe rather than beat up, in the hospital, or worse.
If you are bullying someone than you must stop and get help. You can have all the excuses in the world you want, but there is a problem and a reason you do what you do, and you need to reach out for help. Maybe you have been bullied to. Maybe you are having problems at home. Maybe you need to feel like you need to fit in. Whatever the reason, you can't continue this type of behavior because we are all watching. We will no longer allow it to happen anymore!
If you are being bullied than please reach out for help! Reach out till you are heard. You are not alone. You do have people who do care and who want to help. Do Not Give Up! You are a special human being, with wonderful skills to offer this world. Do not let them win.
If you are enabling this to happen shame on you! If you are a parent, teacher, or school administrator, police officer, judge, or anyone else who has authority and you allow this to happen, act this way yourself therefore contribute to this problem, or say things like "kids will be kids" and turn a blind eye to this epidemic please take a look at the next video and I hope you remember what can happen.
According to www.bullying.org bullying is a conscious, willful, deliberate, hostile, and repeated behaviour by one or more people which is intended to harm others. This includes physical violence, attacks, verbal taunts, name calling, put downs, threats, intimidation, extortion, stealing of money, possession, and exclusion from peer groups. They say this assertion through peer groups gives them a sense of entitlement and they have a intolerance towards indifference's.
If face to face bullying wasn't enough, now we have what we call cyber bullying. "Cyber-bullying involves the use of information and communication technologies such as emails, cell phones, personal web sites, defamatory online personal polling websites, to support deliberate, repeated and hostile behavior by an individual or group that is intended to harm others."(-Bill Belsey) Cyber bullying has taken on its own life. Individuals are now using it to send hate list, smut list, and even nude pictures of others they do not like or want to embarrass. We now call this sexting.
Now a days you can turn on your televisions and everyday there is a new headline on the news about a child, adult, or even ad from some political figure bullying another person. Yes, I even included political figures. Let's face it, bullying does come in many forms. And Political Ads is one of them. Take the Presidential Campaign of 2008. McCain went as far as to compare Obama to Paris Hilton and Brittany Spears. We all know how low these ads can go. We also know and understand that political campaigns are not beneath the bullying concept either before or after the election is over. Take a look at the next three YouTube Videos as examples to my point:
In these video's you noticed not only negative ads but the bullying concept. Putting fear into others! Isn't that what bully's do? I say yes! Especially in the second video. How are we to expect our children to act any differently when we can't even get our own leaders to behave better. We must stop the negative behavior from the top down. We must tell our political leaders not only to stop the negative campaign ads but also the backhanded remarks, side-stepping behaviors they throw around daily on our dime. Then we can make a difference in our children's lives. Then we can stop teaching our children how to bully!
In 2007 it was a parent involving himself in a wrestling match at school. Then it was a group of Florida teens pleading to beating a girl after inviting her to a slumber party. Today we have a boy who is hung by a fence and 7 teens arrested for the assault.Take a look:
It used to be said that this would lead to suicide. Now that is a reality. All along it was leading to suicides, however it is just becoming more and more noticeable because of the Internet and other technologies. We have to many children dying because not enough schools, parents, or by-standards really give a damn. The worst thing on this earth is to feel alone. To feel like you have no one. Even if you do, not feeling that way can be a very lonely place. It has to stop.
Yes, even I have been bullied! It wasn't a good feeling. I was scared, lonely and confused. I wanted to die! Luckily I am here to talk about it. Once, I was so bullied in school my mother had to go to school to make sure that the 20 kids waiting for me the day before off the school bus wouldn't be trying that again. I was even more embarrassed. Now that I look back on it, I am so glad I was embarrassed and safe rather than beat up, in the hospital, or worse.
If you are bullying someone than you must stop and get help. You can have all the excuses in the world you want, but there is a problem and a reason you do what you do, and you need to reach out for help. Maybe you have been bullied to. Maybe you are having problems at home. Maybe you need to feel like you need to fit in. Whatever the reason, you can't continue this type of behavior because we are all watching. We will no longer allow it to happen anymore!
If you are being bullied than please reach out for help! Reach out till you are heard. You are not alone. You do have people who do care and who want to help. Do Not Give Up! You are a special human being, with wonderful skills to offer this world. Do not let them win.
If you are enabling this to happen shame on you! If you are a parent, teacher, or school administrator, police officer, judge, or anyone else who has authority and you allow this to happen, act this way yourself therefore contribute to this problem, or say things like "kids will be kids" and turn a blind eye to this epidemic please take a look at the next video and I hope you remember what can happen.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Same Sex Marriage Distracting from Economic Goals?
I caught up on some reading last night. A pile of newspapers that accumulated in my front room. A article in the 'Conversation' section in The Indianapolis Star caught my attention - "Marriage ban distracts from economic goals" written by Angela F. Braley, John C Lechleiter, David Simon, Jeffery H. Smulyan, and Tim Solso. All representing the companies they happen to be CEO's and chairman's to. Braly of WellPoint, Lechleiter of Eli Lilly and Company, Simon from Simon Property Group, Smulyan of Emmis Communications, and Solso from Cummins.
Apparently these companies and their presidents are concerned with the HJR 6 measure that went before the Indiana State Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday, where the ban on same sex marriage and civil union was expected to pass with a GOP majority.
The executives wrote in their article in The Indianapolis Star, "As some of Indiana's largest public companies, we are profoundly concerned about this legislation and its effect on our employees and our state...our concerns are these:
*The legislation is not needed because Indiana already has a law banning same-sex marriage.
*The legislation represents government targeted discrimination against a specific group of people.
*The legislation is ambiguously written and we believe it will have a chilling and discriminating effect on many of our employees.
*The legislation sends a signal to the world that Indiana and its residents are less than welcoming people."
They do go on to say "discrimination is bad in any form. When it is expressed in the form of public policy, it not only makes for bad policy, but it makes for bad business.."
It was apparent that these companies opposed HJR 6. What took me back and made me almost gasp is when I read and re-read, "Our companies...believe it works against Indiana's sated desire to broaden its appeal to attract new business to the state...our success is directly affected by our ability to attract the best talent in the world...HJR 6 would severely limit our ability to bring those talented individuals home to Indiana."
OK! Hold Up! Stop and think about this for a minute. Do you really believe that allowing or disallowing same-sex marriage marriages or civil unions will effect who gets hired in the state of Indiana or any other state in this country right now. With a 8.9% unemployment rate can we really afford to turn anyone away? Whether they are gay or straight. We are not so narrow minded as Americans that we wont come here or anywhere in the U.S. where same-sex marriage has been banned. Do you truly believe that the millions of Americans desperately looking for work won't go just about anywhere to find work, including Indiana if the ban is lifted or not.
The company adds fuel to the fire by not only pointing out how they already provide "various domestic-partner benefits" but later state, "HJR 6 is a distraction that does nothing to solve our broader economic goals."
The Indiana House voted 70-26 to pass the ban on same sex marriage and civil unions. The amendment states, "Marriage. Provides that only marriage between one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage in Indiana. Provides that a legal status identical or substantially similar to that of marriage for unmarried individuals shall not be valid or recognized. This proposed amendment has not been previously agreed to by a general assembly." Though it did pass in the Indiana Senate it now must go to a separately-elected House and Senate for approval which wont vote on it until sometime in either 2013 or 2014.
In my opinion, these company executives should be ashamed of themselves. You cant say we provide domestic partner benefits and embrace diverse perspectives than slap all the employees and customers you serve in the face by saying that they are a distraction from broader economic issues. These are the people who buy your products, shop at your malls, and buy your drugs. And most of all work very hard for you.
If it were not for all Americans including the Gay and Lesbian community, you would not have jobs, a cushy salary, or a business to begin with. It is not the legislation that sends a signal to the world that Indiana and its residents are less than welcoming to all people. No it is CEO's like yourself that look at the bottom line instead of the full picture. You are walking a tight rope. On one hand you are standing up for the opposition of HJR 6 and on the other hand you are not taking a complete stand on discrimination of same-sex couples and civil unions. For example, your first concern, "legislation is not needed because we already have a law banning same-sex marriage. Why not say we don't need the ban anymore, period.
These companies are to be commended to some degree if they do have benefits in place for domestic partnerships. However, do not think for a moment we don't see through all the political correctness rhetoric. Ask yourselves, is it that you want the issue of HJR 6 to just go away, so the money you paid during all the political campaigns will be spent on issues or projects more palatable to you, or do you really actually care about same-sex marriage issues and civil unions? My guess is that since you believe it is a distraction...well you are intelligent well educated executives, I think you can figure it out.
It's a shame we as Americans can't have civil right issues heard because once again those who truly run the country...Corporate America...doesn't have time or it doesn't fit their itinerary.
Apparently these companies and their presidents are concerned with the HJR 6 measure that went before the Indiana State Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday, where the ban on same sex marriage and civil union was expected to pass with a GOP majority.
The executives wrote in their article in The Indianapolis Star, "As some of Indiana's largest public companies, we are profoundly concerned about this legislation and its effect on our employees and our state...our concerns are these:
*The legislation is not needed because Indiana already has a law banning same-sex marriage.
*The legislation represents government targeted discrimination against a specific group of people.
*The legislation is ambiguously written and we believe it will have a chilling and discriminating effect on many of our employees.
*The legislation sends a signal to the world that Indiana and its residents are less than welcoming people."
They do go on to say "discrimination is bad in any form. When it is expressed in the form of public policy, it not only makes for bad policy, but it makes for bad business.."
It was apparent that these companies opposed HJR 6. What took me back and made me almost gasp is when I read and re-read, "Our companies...believe it works against Indiana's sated desire to broaden its appeal to attract new business to the state...our success is directly affected by our ability to attract the best talent in the world...HJR 6 would severely limit our ability to bring those talented individuals home to Indiana."
OK! Hold Up! Stop and think about this for a minute. Do you really believe that allowing or disallowing same-sex marriage marriages or civil unions will effect who gets hired in the state of Indiana or any other state in this country right now. With a 8.9% unemployment rate can we really afford to turn anyone away? Whether they are gay or straight. We are not so narrow minded as Americans that we wont come here or anywhere in the U.S. where same-sex marriage has been banned. Do you truly believe that the millions of Americans desperately looking for work won't go just about anywhere to find work, including Indiana if the ban is lifted or not.
The company adds fuel to the fire by not only pointing out how they already provide "various domestic-partner benefits" but later state, "HJR 6 is a distraction that does nothing to solve our broader economic goals."
The Indiana House voted 70-26 to pass the ban on same sex marriage and civil unions. The amendment states, "Marriage. Provides that only marriage between one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage in Indiana. Provides that a legal status identical or substantially similar to that of marriage for unmarried individuals shall not be valid or recognized. This proposed amendment has not been previously agreed to by a general assembly." Though it did pass in the Indiana Senate it now must go to a separately-elected House and Senate for approval which wont vote on it until sometime in either 2013 or 2014.
In my opinion, these company executives should be ashamed of themselves. You cant say we provide domestic partner benefits and embrace diverse perspectives than slap all the employees and customers you serve in the face by saying that they are a distraction from broader economic issues. These are the people who buy your products, shop at your malls, and buy your drugs. And most of all work very hard for you.
If it were not for all Americans including the Gay and Lesbian community, you would not have jobs, a cushy salary, or a business to begin with. It is not the legislation that sends a signal to the world that Indiana and its residents are less than welcoming to all people. No it is CEO's like yourself that look at the bottom line instead of the full picture. You are walking a tight rope. On one hand you are standing up for the opposition of HJR 6 and on the other hand you are not taking a complete stand on discrimination of same-sex couples and civil unions. For example, your first concern, "legislation is not needed because we already have a law banning same-sex marriage. Why not say we don't need the ban anymore, period.
These companies are to be commended to some degree if they do have benefits in place for domestic partnerships. However, do not think for a moment we don't see through all the political correctness rhetoric. Ask yourselves, is it that you want the issue of HJR 6 to just go away, so the money you paid during all the political campaigns will be spent on issues or projects more palatable to you, or do you really actually care about same-sex marriage issues and civil unions? My guess is that since you believe it is a distraction...well you are intelligent well educated executives, I think you can figure it out.
It's a shame we as Americans can't have civil right issues heard because once again those who truly run the country...Corporate America...doesn't have time or it doesn't fit their itinerary.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Japan Crisis A Turn for the Worse
This is now the second worst nuclear disaster in the worlds history. Reactor 4 the cement containment dome; fire broke out in reactor that was shut down be for the earthquake. The steel to the core was damaged. There are still many brave souls working in the nuclear plants risking their lives to help save the lives of others. 50 workers in all still working in the Japanese Nuclear Power Plants.
"Early today there was a explosion at the spent fuel pool at the #4 reactor. This was a reactor that had been shut down but all the fuel had been put up in the spent fuel core pool, so it was relventantly hot. That experienced a hydrogen explosion, indicating there was fuel damage. Certaintly, if there is boiling water in another pool that means the water level, covering the spent pool could decrease and we could face another episode of fuel degredation and hydrogen explosion. These pods are not within the leak tight containment. Any radiation released from the damaged fuels and spent fuel pools would communicate directly with the enviroment." -Edwin Lyman PhD
Edwin Lyman PhD, the leading expert on nuclear power in the United States maybe the world says, "there are things that have to be done manually at the plant. I don't know if it can be done, if unattended or kept in a stable state."
A couple hours ago Japanese Officials said, "the water inside the waste store fuel pool inside the nuclear reactor may be boiling."
Dr. Lyman, www.allthingnuclear.org says, "radiation levels increased 100 million background levels and at that rate, someone who is standing at the fence, would start to experience symptoms of Acute Radiation Syndrome, which is a potentially severe and life threatning illness. Even if they leave before breathing in a signifigangnt amount of radiation they woud have increased risk of getting cancer."
The 13 mile radius is now a 19 mile radius and officials are telling the Japanese to stay in doors and avoid exposure. However, Dr. Lyman says , "this won't be good enough if a accident continues to develope...depends on if shelter is lick tight enough, strong, not sure if this is an effective measure."
US 104 Nuclear Power Plants Provide 21% of Americans Power
Three issues if we don not learn from what happened in Japan:
Issue1: Earthquakes- Some plants are located in or near areas of sesmic risk. The U.S. Plants are supposed to be able to withstand the risk plus a margin of safty. Examples: Diablo Canyon built to withstand 7.5 Richter scale earthquake and San Onofre built to withstand 7.0 Richter scale earthquake. Japans earthquake was 9.0!
Issue 2: Plant Design- 31 plants in trouble designed by G&E (General Electric) similar to those in Japan but by same owner. Oyster Creek is the oldest and only 50 miles from New York City.
Issue 3: Back Up Power Systems- Japanese power systems got into trouble because they lost the back up to and had no way to cool the core. Marvin Fertel, from the Nuclear Energy Power Instute, speaks for the nuclear industry says, "we would be able to handle the situation much easier than what Japanese is facing now," because of improvements made during 9-11.
I am not so confident. If past behavior redicts future behavior in this country, than how are we as Americans to feel confident after what happened with Hurrican Katrina? I would hope that we have learned from our own mistakes. Yet I know people who are still living without power or essential resources in the New Oreleans and surrounding areas. So Mr. Fertel I hope you are right.
IN OTHER NEW IN JAPAN
Humanitarian Crisis is rising. 2500 people in Japan confirmed dead but 15,000 still missing and that number is still planning to rise. Today the troops removed 2000 bodies from the shore. Half a million of Japanese are living in shelters and have no access to TV and very little to no contact with the outside world. They have been told "just not to go outside"according to reports.
The first envoy has reached remote fishing villages like the one in Minamisanriku Japan. Once that had a 17 thousand population, now half of their people are missing. Still, Us Navy Ships did begin delivering much needed supplies Sunday. 90 other countries followed suit. The Japanese Red Cross also reported they have already received $23.5 million in donations to help in the effort.
I would like to say that I am very proud of my fellow Navy men and woman, as well as all the other Serviceman and Woman helping with the recovery efforts in Japan. As a former Navy Woman, it warms my heart every time we as Troops step up and do the right things. I understand that it is just apart of the job. But please understand we take great pride in it when we do it because we do the job because we do care. That is why most of us signed up to begin with.
Nevertheless....Tokyo is paralyzed with trains out of service and stores closed. Japans stock markets also took a huge hit the last 2 days. Yesterday it was down by 6% and today it was down by 13%. Experts say fear causes uncertainty. Japan has closed its markets till Thursday, and this is bound to cause a ripple effect across the world.
If there is anymore news on Japan I will let you know. Please feel free to add any information you may have.
"Early today there was a explosion at the spent fuel pool at the #4 reactor. This was a reactor that had been shut down but all the fuel had been put up in the spent fuel core pool, so it was relventantly hot. That experienced a hydrogen explosion, indicating there was fuel damage. Certaintly, if there is boiling water in another pool that means the water level, covering the spent pool could decrease and we could face another episode of fuel degredation and hydrogen explosion. These pods are not within the leak tight containment. Any radiation released from the damaged fuels and spent fuel pools would communicate directly with the enviroment." -Edwin Lyman PhD
Edwin Lyman PhD, the leading expert on nuclear power in the United States maybe the world says, "there are things that have to be done manually at the plant. I don't know if it can be done, if unattended or kept in a stable state."
A couple hours ago Japanese Officials said, "the water inside the waste store fuel pool inside the nuclear reactor may be boiling."
Dr. Lyman, www.allthingnuclear.org says, "radiation levels increased 100 million background levels and at that rate, someone who is standing at the fence, would start to experience symptoms of Acute Radiation Syndrome, which is a potentially severe and life threatning illness. Even if they leave before breathing in a signifigangnt amount of radiation they woud have increased risk of getting cancer."
The 13 mile radius is now a 19 mile radius and officials are telling the Japanese to stay in doors and avoid exposure. However, Dr. Lyman says , "this won't be good enough if a accident continues to develope...depends on if shelter is lick tight enough, strong, not sure if this is an effective measure."
US 104 Nuclear Power Plants Provide 21% of Americans Power
Three issues if we don not learn from what happened in Japan:
Issue1: Earthquakes- Some plants are located in or near areas of sesmic risk. The U.S. Plants are supposed to be able to withstand the risk plus a margin of safty. Examples: Diablo Canyon built to withstand 7.5 Richter scale earthquake and San Onofre built to withstand 7.0 Richter scale earthquake. Japans earthquake was 9.0!
Issue 2: Plant Design- 31 plants in trouble designed by G&E (General Electric) similar to those in Japan but by same owner. Oyster Creek is the oldest and only 50 miles from New York City.
Issue 3: Back Up Power Systems- Japanese power systems got into trouble because they lost the back up to and had no way to cool the core. Marvin Fertel, from the Nuclear Energy Power Instute, speaks for the nuclear industry says, "we would be able to handle the situation much easier than what Japanese is facing now," because of improvements made during 9-11.
I am not so confident. If past behavior redicts future behavior in this country, than how are we as Americans to feel confident after what happened with Hurrican Katrina? I would hope that we have learned from our own mistakes. Yet I know people who are still living without power or essential resources in the New Oreleans and surrounding areas. So Mr. Fertel I hope you are right.
IN OTHER NEW IN JAPAN
Humanitarian Crisis is rising. 2500 people in Japan confirmed dead but 15,000 still missing and that number is still planning to rise. Today the troops removed 2000 bodies from the shore. Half a million of Japanese are living in shelters and have no access to TV and very little to no contact with the outside world. They have been told "just not to go outside"according to reports.
The first envoy has reached remote fishing villages like the one in Minamisanriku Japan. Once that had a 17 thousand population, now half of their people are missing. Still, Us Navy Ships did begin delivering much needed supplies Sunday. 90 other countries followed suit. The Japanese Red Cross also reported they have already received $23.5 million in donations to help in the effort.
I would like to say that I am very proud of my fellow Navy men and woman, as well as all the other Serviceman and Woman helping with the recovery efforts in Japan. As a former Navy Woman, it warms my heart every time we as Troops step up and do the right things. I understand that it is just apart of the job. But please understand we take great pride in it when we do it because we do the job because we do care. That is why most of us signed up to begin with.
Nevertheless....Tokyo is paralyzed with trains out of service and stores closed. Japans stock markets also took a huge hit the last 2 days. Yesterday it was down by 6% and today it was down by 13%. Experts say fear causes uncertainty. Japan has closed its markets till Thursday, and this is bound to cause a ripple effect across the world.
If there is anymore news on Japan I will let you know. Please feel free to add any information you may have.
Monday, March 14, 2011
There Are Landlord Tenant Laws For A Reason
Today I got a visit from my landlord. He informed me that he didn't like who my daughter was dating and if it continued he was going to evict me and my family from our home. Of course I didn't stand for it. I didn't study law for all those years for nothing...now did I.
He then proceeded to tell me that this boy my daughter is dating, who lives two houses down, can not leave his house at all. I asked him if he had any legal documents saying such a thing. He said, "I don't need a legal document. If I say he can't leave his house he can't leave his house. That is the agreement his mother and I made."
Now let me tell you, I don't just let my daughter just date anyone. I do a throe background check. My daughter is a honor roll student, who goes to church regularly, and volunteers in the community. Our family keeps to ourselves and doesn't socialize with anyone in our community. Not because we are snobs but because we are busy and very private people.
After a few heated words my landlord left. I called his boss who said she would get back to me. She never did. Yet I did get another visit from my landlord with a letter. In that letter it stated that if my daughters boyfriend ever stepped foot in my house again I would be evicted. Can you believe that? A letter!? Seriously, come on! Well today was rent day, so I sent the rent check out with a note on it. Saying that nowhere on my lease did it say we could not have visitors. The next thing I know I get another letter. This time it is from my Landlords wife.
In this letter she not only threatens me, she also states in the letter that she is evicting me. She also sent a letter to my daughters boyfriends mother. It said they had 10 days to move out. When did it become legal to just send a letter to evict someone. Last I knew you had to go through the proper channels and go to court and file eviction proceedings.
The whole division I live in seems to be frightened by this bully of a landlord but me. He actually has people worried that if they don't do what he says he will just throw them out with out going through the proper legal channels. Well Not this girl!! Hell No!! I know my rights.
Just so you know your rights...in most states, landlords can only evict you for good reason. These reasons have to follow your lease agreement. They cannot amend the lease without notifying you and you have to sign the amended agreement. Also, if you are paid in full and you have not broken any rules that are in your original lease, they cannot just hand you a written letter saying you are evicted. They have to file with the courts in the county you reside. You have a right to a hearing. The judge then decides when your date of eviction is. This letter of notice is given to you by your local police. Once you go in front of the judge and show all your evidence the judge will then decide whether or not the eviction is warranted or not.
In my case, my landlord would lose his ass! I have always paid on time. Have always followed my lease to the letter. And most of all he would have to pay my court cost, because he waisted my time by taking me to court in the first place, just because he is a bored old man who has nothing else better to do than get involved in other peoples lives.
So look into your hearts and find your balls people! Don't let people bully you just because you think they have all the money or power. Most of the time they don't! If you take a little time to find out what your rights are people are less likely to take advantage of you.
He then proceeded to tell me that this boy my daughter is dating, who lives two houses down, can not leave his house at all. I asked him if he had any legal documents saying such a thing. He said, "I don't need a legal document. If I say he can't leave his house he can't leave his house. That is the agreement his mother and I made."
Now let me tell you, I don't just let my daughter just date anyone. I do a throe background check. My daughter is a honor roll student, who goes to church regularly, and volunteers in the community. Our family keeps to ourselves and doesn't socialize with anyone in our community. Not because we are snobs but because we are busy and very private people.
After a few heated words my landlord left. I called his boss who said she would get back to me. She never did. Yet I did get another visit from my landlord with a letter. In that letter it stated that if my daughters boyfriend ever stepped foot in my house again I would be evicted. Can you believe that? A letter!? Seriously, come on! Well today was rent day, so I sent the rent check out with a note on it. Saying that nowhere on my lease did it say we could not have visitors. The next thing I know I get another letter. This time it is from my Landlords wife.
In this letter she not only threatens me, she also states in the letter that she is evicting me. She also sent a letter to my daughters boyfriends mother. It said they had 10 days to move out. When did it become legal to just send a letter to evict someone. Last I knew you had to go through the proper channels and go to court and file eviction proceedings.
The whole division I live in seems to be frightened by this bully of a landlord but me. He actually has people worried that if they don't do what he says he will just throw them out with out going through the proper legal channels. Well Not this girl!! Hell No!! I know my rights.
Just so you know your rights...in most states, landlords can only evict you for good reason. These reasons have to follow your lease agreement. They cannot amend the lease without notifying you and you have to sign the amended agreement. Also, if you are paid in full and you have not broken any rules that are in your original lease, they cannot just hand you a written letter saying you are evicted. They have to file with the courts in the county you reside. You have a right to a hearing. The judge then decides when your date of eviction is. This letter of notice is given to you by your local police. Once you go in front of the judge and show all your evidence the judge will then decide whether or not the eviction is warranted or not.
In my case, my landlord would lose his ass! I have always paid on time. Have always followed my lease to the letter. And most of all he would have to pay my court cost, because he waisted my time by taking me to court in the first place, just because he is a bored old man who has nothing else better to do than get involved in other peoples lives.
So look into your hearts and find your balls people! Don't let people bully you just because you think they have all the money or power. Most of the time they don't! If you take a little time to find out what your rights are people are less likely to take advantage of you.
Japanese Crisis Will America Be Next
10,000 people in Japan feared dead after a 9.0 earthquakesand tsunami last week. 2800 confirmed dead. 11 workers were injured in the second explosion of the 3 explosions that occurred at the nuclear facilities and now damaged nuclear power plants in Shizogawaa Japan. This is the gravest crisis since World War II. The country that is so versed in planning is now devastated in disaster.
On Saturday March 12, 2011 only a day after the massive earthquake and tsunami hit Japan a total of 6 nuclear reactors suffered damage and 2 blew up. 3 of the reactors lost control and the ability to cool the plant. Unit 3 has partially melted. Japans Cabinets Secretary said, “Reports of a meltdown are inaccurate.” However, Robert Alvarez Professor at Institute for Policy Studies said, “at least one reactor has had some sort of meltdown. Unit number 3 may be on the verge or maybe undergoing a meltdown. Unit number 3 reactor also has a core in it that contains plutonium in it that make things
much more complicated and risky. You have reactors that they have lost the ability to control and this is a very serious matter. I’m hoping they will regain the ability to restore their
ability to cool these reactors.” He went on to say, “The seawater is their last stitch…their Hell Mary option. If that fails I’m not sure what else they have available to them. Hope and pray the secondary containment can withstand, hold up…the concrete dome won’t escape radio-active activity.”
However, on Sunday morning the reports said that Unit 3 reactor suddenly stopped. That the Japanese had to relieve the pressure building in that reactor the utility company opened the valve releasing some radioactive vapor. That vapor goes into the containment buildings surrounding
the reactor. The fear is that this vapor contains hydrogen. Fears that it will build up and there will be a repeat of what happened the day before at reactor Unit 1 if there is a build-up of hydrogen. That explosion blew off the roof and consumed the walls of the containment building surrounding Unit 1. Officials say that the wall incased in steel with reactor was not damaged. Screened evacuee’s for contamination when they began evacuation proceedings. Cabinet Officials say 9 people were being treated for radiation exposure. To try to avoid meltdown in Unit 1 they flooded it with seawater. They are writing off any future use of the 40 year old reactor saying it was better to lose it than risk any further disaster.
Edwin Lyman says, “Monitoring air around the reactor they have found two elements. Radioactive iodine and radioactive Desenex. Those elements are created when the metal rods begin to melt. That’s why they think there is a partial meltdown in Unit 1 and 3.” Edwin Lyman is a senior staff
scientist in the Global Security program at the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) in Washington, DC. Before coming to UCS in May 2003, he was president of the Nuclear Control Institute, a Washington-based organization committed to nuclear nonproliferation. He earned a doctorate in physics from Cornell University in 1992. From 1992 to 1995, he was a postdoctoral research associate
at Princeton University's Center for Energy and Environmental Studies (now the Science and Global Security Program). Dr. Lyman’s research focuses on the prevention of nuclear proliferation and nuclear terrorism. He has published articles and letters in journals and magazines including Science, The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, Science and Global Security, and Arms Control Today. He is an active member of the Institute of Nuclear Materials Management. He has testified before Congress and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and has served as an expert witness for interveners in several NRC licensing proceedings. In February 2009, he testified at an NRC briefing on risk-informed regulation, and in March and June of 2009 he spoke on reprocessing issues at two NRC events.
Now they have to manually inject seawater into the reactors. However last night there was another explosion in reactor 3. Edwin Lyman PhD. Said,“trying to keep vessels from melting down which are made from steel and escape the vessel they are held in…the fear is that the radioactive gases will escape and not dissipate.” Dr. Lyman described the explosions, “can be something like lava… most likely the path would be up-word." He believes that the estimations of the radiation exposure “20 kilometers (12 miles is not adequate.” However, he did say it doesn’t pose a threat to the United States.
Condenser brings in water. Heats up water brings it to a boil at the control rods and reactor vessels
the nuclear core. Steam comes out this way – Turbine turns the steam to the generator and that how you get electricity. In order to make sure it is contained – to make sure it doesn’t get hot, you need constant water cycling through the whole thing. That requires power which was lost in the earthquake and tsunami.
What is being done
and how this has affected the Japanese?
Could This Happen In America?
past earthquake traces on both the northern San Andreas Fault and the southern Cascadia
subduction zone indicate a correlation in time which may be evidence that quakes on the Cascadia subduction zone may have triggered most of the major quakes on the northern San Andreas during at least the past 3,000 years or so. The evidence also shows the rupture direction going from north to south in each of these time-correlated events. The 1906 San Francisco earthquake seems to have been a major exception to this correlation, however, as it was not preceded by a major Cascadia quake, and the rupture moved mostly from south to north.[
On Saturday March 12, 2011 only a day after the massive earthquake and tsunami hit Japan a total of 6 nuclear reactors suffered damage and 2 blew up. 3 of the reactors lost control and the ability to cool the plant. Unit 3 has partially melted. Japans Cabinets Secretary said, “Reports of a meltdown are inaccurate.” However, Robert Alvarez Professor at Institute for Policy Studies said, “at least one reactor has had some sort of meltdown. Unit number 3 may be on the verge or maybe undergoing a meltdown. Unit number 3 reactor also has a core in it that contains plutonium in it that make things
much more complicated and risky. You have reactors that they have lost the ability to control and this is a very serious matter. I’m hoping they will regain the ability to restore their
ability to cool these reactors.” He went on to say, “The seawater is their last stitch…their Hell Mary option. If that fails I’m not sure what else they have available to them. Hope and pray the secondary containment can withstand, hold up…the concrete dome won’t escape radio-active activity.”
However, on Sunday morning the reports said that Unit 3 reactor suddenly stopped. That the Japanese had to relieve the pressure building in that reactor the utility company opened the valve releasing some radioactive vapor. That vapor goes into the containment buildings surrounding
the reactor. The fear is that this vapor contains hydrogen. Fears that it will build up and there will be a repeat of what happened the day before at reactor Unit 1 if there is a build-up of hydrogen. That explosion blew off the roof and consumed the walls of the containment building surrounding Unit 1. Officials say that the wall incased in steel with reactor was not damaged. Screened evacuee’s for contamination when they began evacuation proceedings. Cabinet Officials say 9 people were being treated for radiation exposure. To try to avoid meltdown in Unit 1 they flooded it with seawater. They are writing off any future use of the 40 year old reactor saying it was better to lose it than risk any further disaster.
Edwin Lyman says, “Monitoring air around the reactor they have found two elements. Radioactive iodine and radioactive Desenex. Those elements are created when the metal rods begin to melt. That’s why they think there is a partial meltdown in Unit 1 and 3.” Edwin Lyman is a senior staff
scientist in the Global Security program at the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) in Washington, DC. Before coming to UCS in May 2003, he was president of the Nuclear Control Institute, a Washington-based organization committed to nuclear nonproliferation. He earned a doctorate in physics from Cornell University in 1992. From 1992 to 1995, he was a postdoctoral research associate
at Princeton University's Center for Energy and Environmental Studies (now the Science and Global Security Program). Dr. Lyman’s research focuses on the prevention of nuclear proliferation and nuclear terrorism. He has published articles and letters in journals and magazines including Science, The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, Science and Global Security, and Arms Control Today. He is an active member of the Institute of Nuclear Materials Management. He has testified before Congress and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and has served as an expert witness for interveners in several NRC licensing proceedings. In February 2009, he testified at an NRC briefing on risk-informed regulation, and in March and June of 2009 he spoke on reprocessing issues at two NRC events.
Now they have to manually inject seawater into the reactors. However last night there was another explosion in reactor 3. Edwin Lyman PhD. Said,“trying to keep vessels from melting down which are made from steel and escape the vessel they are held in…the fear is that the radioactive gases will escape and not dissipate.” Dr. Lyman described the explosions, “can be something like lava… most likely the path would be up-word." He believes that the estimations of the radiation exposure “20 kilometers (12 miles is not adequate.” However, he did say it doesn’t pose a threat to the United States. 
Condenser brings in water. Heats up water brings it to a boil at the control rods and reactor vesselsthe nuclear core. Steam comes out this way – Turbine turns the steam to the generator and that how you get electricity. In order to make sure it is contained – to make sure it doesn’t get hot, you need constant water cycling through the whole thing. That requires power which was lost in the earthquake and tsunami.
and how this has affected the Japanese?
300 bodies were found
in one area around airport neighborhood. People who did survive are in need of supplies.
Those who can are keeping in contact
with loved ones and are ready to get out of harm’s way. All but one airport is
functioning, so flights are running except in the hardest hit areas. Iodine
tablet are being given out as a precaution. Why? Because of possible radiation poisoning
that can cause Thyroid Cancer. The Japanese are also telling people to use wet cloths to seal their doors. “People are coping by leaning on each other, helping each other because help hasn’t arrived. The Japanese are waiting in lines in an orderly manner. This shows the character of the people. They are de- traumatizing and looking forward toward the future,” according to Ann curry from NBC’s Today Show.
in one area around airport neighborhood. People who did survive are in need of supplies.
Those who can are keeping in contact
with loved ones and are ready to get out of harm’s way. All but one airport is
functioning, so flights are running except in the hardest hit areas. Iodine
tablet are being given out as a precaution. Why? Because of possible radiation poisoning
that can cause Thyroid Cancer. The Japanese are also telling people to use wet cloths to seal their doors. “People are coping by leaning on each other, helping each other because help hasn’t arrived. The Japanese are waiting in lines in an orderly manner. This shows the character of the people. They are de- traumatizing and looking forward toward the future,” according to Ann curry from NBC’s Today Show.
Officials are telling Americans to avoid traveling to Japan
due to the aftershocks and other dangers that will meet them there. However, Navy ships have been dispatched for
aide and U.S. Military efforts on the U.S. Japanese bases are underway. 45 countries, 75 % of the International Community are sending search and rescue teams. Included in the search efforts are countries such as Australia, South Korea, and the UK. Heading up the recovery efforts is Sayaka Matsumoto of the Red Cross of Japan. For more info on how you can contact the Red Cross of Japan go to www.jrc.or.jp/english so they can get food and water out to those who still can’t be reached due to lack of resources.
due to the aftershocks and other dangers that will meet them there. However, Navy ships have been dispatched for
aide and U.S. Military efforts on the U.S. Japanese bases are underway. 45 countries, 75 % of the International Community are sending search and rescue teams. Included in the search efforts are countries such as Australia, South Korea, and the UK. Heading up the recovery efforts is Sayaka Matsumoto of the Red Cross of Japan. For more info on how you can contact the Red Cross of Japan go to www.jrc.or.jp/english so they can get food and water out to those who still can’t be reached due to lack of resources.
San Andreas Fault in California may be the source to the next tremor. According to Simon Winchester these things happen in clusters: New Zealand, Chili, Tokyo, and next the San Andreas Fault in California. “If either of those ruptures it could be major, major problems.” The last which happened in 1906 happened in San Francisco. He also says that California isn’t taking this serious enough.
It has a Cascadia connection. So what is a Cascadia connection? Would this cause a tsunami? Yes. It could travel as fast as 500 miles an hour. Waves could be as large as 15 feet high says some experts, and go inland 2 to 3 miles in Los Angeles, California.
Cascadia connection
Recent studies ofpast earthquake traces on both the northern San Andreas Fault and the southern Cascadia
subduction zone indicate a correlation in time which may be evidence that quakes on the Cascadia subduction zone may have triggered most of the major quakes on the northern San Andreas during at least the past 3,000 years or so. The evidence also shows the rupture direction going from north to south in each of these time-correlated events. The 1906 San Francisco earthquake seems to have been a major exception to this correlation, however, as it was not preceded by a major Cascadia quake, and the rupture moved mostly from south to north.[
The Cascadia Subduction Zone is a very long sloping fault
that stretches from mid-Vancouver Island to Northern California. It separates the Juan de Fuca and North America plates. New ocean floor is being created offshore of Washington and Oregon. As more material wells up along the ocean ridge, the ocean floor is pushed toward and beneath the continent. The Cascadia Subduction Zone is where the two plates meet.
that stretches from mid-Vancouver Island to Northern California. It separates the Juan de Fuca and North America plates. New ocean floor is being created offshore of Washington and Oregon. As more material wells up along the ocean ridge, the ocean floor is pushed toward and beneath the continent. The Cascadia Subduction Zone is where the two plates meet.
The last known great earthquake in the northwest was in January,1700, just over 300 years ago. Geological evidence indicates that great earthquakes may have occurred at least seven times in the last 3,500 years,
suggesting a return time of 400 to 600 years.
suggesting a return time of 400 to 600 years.
For More Information:
Friday, March 11, 2011
A Letter To Anonymous/Follow up on Violation Laws Civil Rights Entitled GOP
First I would like to thank you for taking the time to share your views and leaving your comments. That is what we are here for. This is a place for people to come to share their views and let their views be heard, whether we agree or not. And we will not always agree. The important thing is to keep an open dialogue.
The first site you provided me to check out (politifact.com) was very interesting. It gave facts and quotes on what important figures said and whether they were true or false. For argument sake I will only cover some of the ones I found that cover our topic today:
*Mostly True Comments
"Wisconisn state and local Government workers pay $500, $600 or in some cases, $1000 per year in union dues. -Gov. Scott Walker(R-WI)
"Under Gov. Soctt Walker's proposals, "Money is being taken away from workers, and the tax breaks given to major corporations." -Progressive Change Campaign Committee
The site you provided to show your minimum wage argument (plantingdollars.com) showed if you live with roomates than yes you can live on minimum wage. Not all Americans live or want to live with roomates. Hence, the fact you can not survive alone on minimum wage without help from a roommate, spouse, or another income coming into the household. It is nearly impossible unless you live in Section 8 housing or some other type of housing that goes by our income alone.
*Example of a Average Minimum Wage Budget
(7.25hr 40hrs week after taxes $940 if you claim 0 on tax returns as most Americans do)
Rent: 450
Electric: 150
Natural Gas Bill: $150-300(winter mths)
Car/Maintainace: $200
Car Insurance: $100-150
Student Loans: $100
Food/Peronal Items: $150-$400(depending on if you have a child or children)
Cable/Internet: $30-120
Phone Bill: $100-180
*This does not include other bills such as child support, credit cards, or medical costs.
As you can see it is impossible for a single peson or even a person who is a single parent to live alone on minimum wage.
"Keep government out of PBS and you can keep your Sesame Street," you said. I would agree. However, it was the House that voted to make cuts to Public BroadCasting not me. I just report it and give my opinion. Like you, I too believe that the government has no place in this area, but it seems they do. And until we speak up and say something, they will continue to make votes regarding issues that they have no place in.
You are also right about America being a Constitutional Republic. Yet it prides itself on its democratic values. So a single voice may not speak for a movement, but it does however keep a open dialogue and allow voices that may have in no other country have a voice to be heard.
Both if not all past and present administrations have made their fair share of bad decision making. It is the American way and right of passage for the American President it seems. This in no means do I agree with any of it. I think I made that very clear. I believe I made it very clear I dont take sides one way or the other. In fact I have very strong opinions when it comes to all of the past and present administration policys. If I did not make myself clear before let me make myself clear now. I am neither a Democrat or Republican. I vote for who I believe will do the best job and at times leave the ballot blank.
As for Cash for Clunkers. Cash for Clunkers began in the Clinton Era and was removed by the Obama administration. Yes for a brief time in his early administration it was a tool to help revamp the car industry. Now everyone seems to have a new car. Some folks did not have a great experience with this program from what I understand. I personally did not partake in it. However, since around 2003 I believe the program no longer exsist so it really is a mute point.
As for Social Programs, as Americans most sof these programs you do not have to participate in them. Despite that if you do your research, you as an American have been paying for these earmarks for years and have not even know about most of them. This is why so many congressmen and women are fighting to eliminate them all together. However, if you do this it is a catch 22. A lot of helpful programs that benefit others such as programs for special needs children, programs for the elderly, and also the most controversal planned parenthood could and would be eliminated.
There would be more abuses of the poor, sick, disabled, and many states would suffer greater than they do now because funding just would not be available.
So you can not just eliminate the Government all together. That is just absurd to suggest. My issue is the abuse wiithin the sytem. That many of our tax dollars don't go to what they say they go to, but instead go into big corportions.
"You and others complain about the republican's stance lowering tax on the rich. But that is revenue taken from them, which in turn keeps the company from being able to expand, to create more jobs that could go out to an American."
The Unions in Wisconsin is not the reason the state is going broke. It may be part of the problem but not the full reason. Gov. Scott Walker made it clear on many interviews he gave that this was his agenda "to make history" and not necessarily to cut his $3.6million dollar deficit.
Maybe the Unions should be more flexible. They did attempt to work out an agreement with the governor and even agreed to his term. The Governor then made it clear he had no desire to compromise. It was all or nothing. It was his way or the highway. This was one of the main reasons people were so upset.
To take away the rights of collective-bargaining is wrong. What will be the next thing the next right they will take away? I believe that the way they handled this in Wisconsin was not the answer.
As for Charlie Sheen...If people did not care what has been going on with him, he would not be on every news station everyday, being tweeted about, or received over 10,000 hit within minutes of airing his Internet broadcast.
If you would have read my blog about him more carefully, you would have seen that I was discussing mental illness more so than Mr. Sheen. But I appreciate the fact you may not care, though others do.
The first site you provided me to check out (politifact.com) was very interesting. It gave facts and quotes on what important figures said and whether they were true or false. For argument sake I will only cover some of the ones I found that cover our topic today:
*Mostly True Comments
"Wisconisn state and local Government workers pay $500, $600 or in some cases, $1000 per year in union dues. -Gov. Scott Walker(R-WI)
"Under Gov. Soctt Walker's proposals, "Money is being taken away from workers, and the tax breaks given to major corporations." -Progressive Change Campaign Committee
The site you provided to show your minimum wage argument (plantingdollars.com) showed if you live with roomates than yes you can live on minimum wage. Not all Americans live or want to live with roomates. Hence, the fact you can not survive alone on minimum wage without help from a roommate, spouse, or another income coming into the household. It is nearly impossible unless you live in Section 8 housing or some other type of housing that goes by our income alone.
*Example of a Average Minimum Wage Budget
(7.25hr 40hrs week after taxes $940 if you claim 0 on tax returns as most Americans do)
Rent: 450
Electric: 150
Natural Gas Bill: $150-300(winter mths)
Car/Maintainace: $200
Car Insurance: $100-150
Student Loans: $100
Food/Peronal Items: $150-$400(depending on if you have a child or children)
Cable/Internet: $30-120
Phone Bill: $100-180
*This does not include other bills such as child support, credit cards, or medical costs.
As you can see it is impossible for a single peson or even a person who is a single parent to live alone on minimum wage.
"Keep government out of PBS and you can keep your Sesame Street," you said. I would agree. However, it was the House that voted to make cuts to Public BroadCasting not me. I just report it and give my opinion. Like you, I too believe that the government has no place in this area, but it seems they do. And until we speak up and say something, they will continue to make votes regarding issues that they have no place in.
You are also right about America being a Constitutional Republic. Yet it prides itself on its democratic values. So a single voice may not speak for a movement, but it does however keep a open dialogue and allow voices that may have in no other country have a voice to be heard.
Both if not all past and present administrations have made their fair share of bad decision making. It is the American way and right of passage for the American President it seems. This in no means do I agree with any of it. I think I made that very clear. I believe I made it very clear I dont take sides one way or the other. In fact I have very strong opinions when it comes to all of the past and present administration policys. If I did not make myself clear before let me make myself clear now. I am neither a Democrat or Republican. I vote for who I believe will do the best job and at times leave the ballot blank.
As for Cash for Clunkers. Cash for Clunkers began in the Clinton Era and was removed by the Obama administration. Yes for a brief time in his early administration it was a tool to help revamp the car industry. Now everyone seems to have a new car. Some folks did not have a great experience with this program from what I understand. I personally did not partake in it. However, since around 2003 I believe the program no longer exsist so it really is a mute point.
As for Social Programs, as Americans most sof these programs you do not have to participate in them. Despite that if you do your research, you as an American have been paying for these earmarks for years and have not even know about most of them. This is why so many congressmen and women are fighting to eliminate them all together. However, if you do this it is a catch 22. A lot of helpful programs that benefit others such as programs for special needs children, programs for the elderly, and also the most controversal planned parenthood could and would be eliminated.
There would be more abuses of the poor, sick, disabled, and many states would suffer greater than they do now because funding just would not be available.
So you can not just eliminate the Government all together. That is just absurd to suggest. My issue is the abuse wiithin the sytem. That many of our tax dollars don't go to what they say they go to, but instead go into big corportions.
"You and others complain about the republican's stance lowering tax on the rich. But that is revenue taken from them, which in turn keeps the company from being able to expand, to create more jobs that could go out to an American."
The Unions in Wisconsin is not the reason the state is going broke. It may be part of the problem but not the full reason. Gov. Scott Walker made it clear on many interviews he gave that this was his agenda "to make history" and not necessarily to cut his $3.6million dollar deficit.
Maybe the Unions should be more flexible. They did attempt to work out an agreement with the governor and even agreed to his term. The Governor then made it clear he had no desire to compromise. It was all or nothing. It was his way or the highway. This was one of the main reasons people were so upset.
To take away the rights of collective-bargaining is wrong. What will be the next thing the next right they will take away? I believe that the way they handled this in Wisconsin was not the answer.
As for Charlie Sheen...If people did not care what has been going on with him, he would not be on every news station everyday, being tweeted about, or received over 10,000 hit within minutes of airing his Internet broadcast.
If you would have read my blog about him more carefully, you would have seen that I was discussing mental illness more so than Mr. Sheen. But I appreciate the fact you may not care, though others do.
Violation of Laws...Civil Rights...or Entitled GOP
"Shame" chanted the Wisconsin workers Wednesday night for over 30 minutes. Republicans some how bypassed the Democrats and cut Union Rights in a 18-1 vote with no Democrats present for the vote. This will now put sharp limits on collective bargaining rights, increase pension and health care cost for workers. Scott Walker (Gov. WI) said, "I applaud the legislation...to stand up to the status quo and take a step in the right direction..." Ok Governor but that "status quo is who will be the one who will remember this at the next election and I guarantee you wont be around for another one after that.
Democrat Senators say its a done deal but maintain Wednesday's night vote was illegal. I would have to think so! Not even the Federal House or Senate could take a vote without a vote on what some call "Obama Care" without all present. No they had to find a way around their plans and push their agenda through legally and with all members of both houses present.
So What now? Well we will have to keep a close eye on all this. Yesterday, downtown Indiana was also feeling the heat with at least a 1,000 or more protesters at the State House held a Union Rally. Even people who were in town visiting for the Big Ten Conference was joining in with the Union Workers.
If we take collective bargaining rights away from the workers we say "their voice doesn't matter." Their vote doesn't matter. That BIG BUSINESS wins again. Lets face it. That is what this is all about isn't it? Making room for big business to make even more money and the "normal person" to make less. They already control the low cost of minimum wage, which no one can live on - not even a single person these days. They control the tax cuts and breaks. Look at it, they make all the money but get the same tax breaks as a person making $250,000 right now. They are even trying to take away Public Broadcasting. Sesame Street? You want want to take away Sesame Street Really Mr. and Mrs. GOP?
What I find absurd most of all, is that the GOP and Tea Party had the nerve to hold up signs calling President Obama Hitler during the health care debates. Who is Hitler now?
I am not a Democrat, Republican, Independent, or Tea party constituent. I have always prided myself on voting for who I felt was right for the job. Sometimes that was a Republican other times that has been a Democrat. Once in a while if on the ballot and available, I may even vote for an Independent if they are so worthy. However, if this kind of absurdity continues with the GOP I will have no choice but to side with the Democrats or even Independents.
I have always been a bit suspicious of Republican motives in the past. Yet I have always given them the benefit of the doubt as I would anyone. At least till they gave me a reason not to trust in what they said or did. If I was truly confused I would just leave that place on the ballot blank and vote for no one. The problem with doing that is that you automatically give the power back to the people who screwed things up to begin with.
I believe that Republican and these Tea Partier's are just so pissed off about loosing, that they have decided to go in and become power hungry and greedful. Stay with me for a minute. Think about it. Their behavior across the country seems to be: "I didn't get my way here so I'm really going to show them now!" Some Americans are upset about the Democrats walking out. Yeah all the people I know who are mad are rich, white Americans who have corporations and large businesses. Why? Because they are like small children who are entitled not getting what they want when they want it. You heard a few grumbling when the Democrats were attempting to get the health care bill passed but you didn't see them call people "Hitler" or try to take over peoples rights completely. No time and time again they tried to work with the GOP and time and time again the GOP refused.
What is wrong with helping the average American? What is wrong with doing it legally. Come on you could have found a way to get your agenda passed eventually. The Democrats were working on trying to make changes to the Bill. Why not work with them and come to a compromise? Maybe that is not in the vocabulary of the Republicans and The Tea Partier's.
By no means am I saying the Democrats are squeaky clean. Hell no they are not. They too have made their share of mistakes and acted like asses. Whose Country is this? The Peoples Country!!! The American Peoples Country!!! I believe you all have forgot that! Everyday it is more and more about raising money for your campaigns and getting re-elected than doing what is right for the American People! I understand we have Federal and State Deficits to eliminate and get down. We also need to get people back to work. The way you are going about it is appalling and ridiculous. It needs to stop before you take this great country of ours and run it into the ground.
We could but people back to work, create jobs, and yes we may have to raise some taxes to do that, however most Americans are not against that idea. Nevertheless, you give these and many other workers a even bigger pay cut while corporate executives still face no penalties or criminal charges for their actions for the financial mess they created while continuing to make millions of dollars off of these hard working American backs. Shame was not a strong enough word in my book.
Democrat Senators say its a done deal but maintain Wednesday's night vote was illegal. I would have to think so! Not even the Federal House or Senate could take a vote without a vote on what some call "Obama Care" without all present. No they had to find a way around their plans and push their agenda through legally and with all members of both houses present.
So What now? Well we will have to keep a close eye on all this. Yesterday, downtown Indiana was also feeling the heat with at least a 1,000 or more protesters at the State House held a Union Rally. Even people who were in town visiting for the Big Ten Conference was joining in with the Union Workers.
If we take collective bargaining rights away from the workers we say "their voice doesn't matter." Their vote doesn't matter. That BIG BUSINESS wins again. Lets face it. That is what this is all about isn't it? Making room for big business to make even more money and the "normal person" to make less. They already control the low cost of minimum wage, which no one can live on - not even a single person these days. They control the tax cuts and breaks. Look at it, they make all the money but get the same tax breaks as a person making $250,000 right now. They are even trying to take away Public Broadcasting. Sesame Street? You want want to take away Sesame Street Really Mr. and Mrs. GOP?
What I find absurd most of all, is that the GOP and Tea Party had the nerve to hold up signs calling President Obama Hitler during the health care debates. Who is Hitler now?
I am not a Democrat, Republican, Independent, or Tea party constituent. I have always prided myself on voting for who I felt was right for the job. Sometimes that was a Republican other times that has been a Democrat. Once in a while if on the ballot and available, I may even vote for an Independent if they are so worthy. However, if this kind of absurdity continues with the GOP I will have no choice but to side with the Democrats or even Independents.
I have always been a bit suspicious of Republican motives in the past. Yet I have always given them the benefit of the doubt as I would anyone. At least till they gave me a reason not to trust in what they said or did. If I was truly confused I would just leave that place on the ballot blank and vote for no one. The problem with doing that is that you automatically give the power back to the people who screwed things up to begin with.
I believe that Republican and these Tea Partier's are just so pissed off about loosing, that they have decided to go in and become power hungry and greedful. Stay with me for a minute. Think about it. Their behavior across the country seems to be: "I didn't get my way here so I'm really going to show them now!" Some Americans are upset about the Democrats walking out. Yeah all the people I know who are mad are rich, white Americans who have corporations and large businesses. Why? Because they are like small children who are entitled not getting what they want when they want it. You heard a few grumbling when the Democrats were attempting to get the health care bill passed but you didn't see them call people "Hitler" or try to take over peoples rights completely. No time and time again they tried to work with the GOP and time and time again the GOP refused.
What is wrong with helping the average American? What is wrong with doing it legally. Come on you could have found a way to get your agenda passed eventually. The Democrats were working on trying to make changes to the Bill. Why not work with them and come to a compromise? Maybe that is not in the vocabulary of the Republicans and The Tea Partier's.
By no means am I saying the Democrats are squeaky clean. Hell no they are not. They too have made their share of mistakes and acted like asses. Whose Country is this? The Peoples Country!!! The American Peoples Country!!! I believe you all have forgot that! Everyday it is more and more about raising money for your campaigns and getting re-elected than doing what is right for the American People! I understand we have Federal and State Deficits to eliminate and get down. We also need to get people back to work. The way you are going about it is appalling and ridiculous. It needs to stop before you take this great country of ours and run it into the ground.
We could but people back to work, create jobs, and yes we may have to raise some taxes to do that, however most Americans are not against that idea. Nevertheless, you give these and many other workers a even bigger pay cut while corporate executives still face no penalties or criminal charges for their actions for the financial mess they created while continuing to make millions of dollars off of these hard working American backs. Shame was not a strong enough word in my book.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
The Creative View Will Be Moving!!!
Hey all!! I have decided that the Creative View needed a bigger and better place. So we have a official web page now. It is http://www.creativeview-sherryltharp.com Come Check us out. Soon we will be able to provide you with more resources, information on events, and a lot more commentary on Political and Social issues we face today in America and around the World. For the next 4 days you can still come here to take our poll or read our blog. I hope after that you will let me know what I can do for you!
Do you have a website you want advertised? Do you have a Event you want Published? Do you have a Resource for others? I want to hear from you!!! Please contact me at my web page at Contact Us and I promise I will get back to you as soon as I can!!
Let me know what you want discussed! What is on your mind! I will make it happen! The worlds changing and its time to make changes for the better. Real changes that make a real difference. The only way we can do that is if we work together, step up and let our voices be heard. Once we speak up we can formulate a plan and do something about the problems we have in the world.
I believe as a writer I can be very instrumental in making these changes happen. By giving you a voice. By speaking up for those who can not speak for themselves. So I know you will join me in this journey.
Sherry Lynn Tharp
Do you have a website you want advertised? Do you have a Event you want Published? Do you have a Resource for others? I want to hear from you!!! Please contact me at my web page at Contact Us and I promise I will get back to you as soon as I can!!
Let me know what you want discussed! What is on your mind! I will make it happen! The worlds changing and its time to make changes for the better. Real changes that make a real difference. The only way we can do that is if we work together, step up and let our voices be heard. Once we speak up we can formulate a plan and do something about the problems we have in the world.
I believe as a writer I can be very instrumental in making these changes happen. By giving you a voice. By speaking up for those who can not speak for themselves. So I know you will join me in this journey.
Sherry Lynn Tharp
Charlie Sheen Fired! Help Coming?
Charlie Sheen was fired from CBS Warner Brothers yesterday due to his "dangerously destructive behavior" and because he was "very ill." I hear a law suit of great magnitudes coming!!! Last I checked you can't fire someone for an illness. Though I and many Americans experience this everyday.
Charlie Sheen is clearly sick. At first, I thought he was just a bully, blow-hard that liked to hear the sound of his own voice, just like many other Americans. The Internet, especially Twitter is full of opinions of Mr. Sheen behaviors, rants, out-burst, and commentary now-a-days. However, if it is not clear by now that this man needs help and HELP NOW...Than I am afraid this man will surely perish!!!
I understand that many want to continue to turn their heads and watch "great TV" and see how all this plays out. But who is going to stop this madness and help this man? At least Lindsay Lohan had a few people in her camp that cared enough to say "get it together." Where were all these TV Executives when he was spiralling out of control. Lets, say for a minute they did try to help. They tried to reason with him. Boy I would have loved to have been a fly on that wall. Did they bring in doctors? Did they take him to appointments? Did they attempt to call his family before all this happened?
I take this all very personally, because I lived with a mentally ill man for 6 years. My ex-husband suffers from bipolar . No one would listen to me either at first. When it comes to mental illness some want to think, "it isn't happening to my son or daughter...my friend." The sooner you can get them help the better. My ex-husband went from a very vibrant person to seeing things that were not there and shooting himself in the east wing of a hospital. That's not the only attempt of suicide. He also became such a different person he began to become very physically abusive towards me and to our children. Watching Sheen has been like watching my ex-husband.
They take drugs, believe it or not, because it makes them feel normal. When a person who suffers from bipolar is in its aggressive stages and not properly medicated (which can take years to find the proper medication for that particular individual) it does not only destroy that a person it can destroy everyone and anyone that comes in contact with that person.
Maybe, the Executives from CBS did the right thing. I am sure they will settle out of court and Charlie Sheen will get his payday. Yet, this isn't about a payday in the end. This is about a life. A life that is obviously in need. A life that is obviously very sick. Trust me, he is manic now, but when he comes down and he will... he will come down hard. God help those who are close to him then. He will need round the clock care. Someone to watch him, no matter how much he says he doesn't want it, because the risk for suicide goes up. That is if he makes it that far.
Someone needs to get in there now. They need to think of not Charlie Sheen but his children. Children can be the common bond, his saving grace, and a great way to reason with him. I know what I am talking about because I lived it. I still live it. I may be remarried and have gone on in many ways with my life, however, my ex-husband will always be a huge part of my life because we have children together. They are, our common bond. My ex got help and stays on his meds because of them, hence, his saving grace. When he is falling back into the manic behaviors I have to pull them back. Its not using the kids. It is saving them. It is reasoning with him. It is the only balance you can have with someone who suffers from bipolar or disorders like it.
For more information on Bipolar or other Psychological Disorders Go to www.WebMD.com
Charlie Sheen is clearly sick. At first, I thought he was just a bully, blow-hard that liked to hear the sound of his own voice, just like many other Americans. The Internet, especially Twitter is full of opinions of Mr. Sheen behaviors, rants, out-burst, and commentary now-a-days. However, if it is not clear by now that this man needs help and HELP NOW...Than I am afraid this man will surely perish!!!
I understand that many want to continue to turn their heads and watch "great TV" and see how all this plays out. But who is going to stop this madness and help this man? At least Lindsay Lohan had a few people in her camp that cared enough to say "get it together." Where were all these TV Executives when he was spiralling out of control. Lets, say for a minute they did try to help. They tried to reason with him. Boy I would have loved to have been a fly on that wall. Did they bring in doctors? Did they take him to appointments? Did they attempt to call his family before all this happened?
I take this all very personally, because I lived with a mentally ill man for 6 years. My ex-husband suffers from bipolar . No one would listen to me either at first. When it comes to mental illness some want to think, "it isn't happening to my son or daughter...my friend." The sooner you can get them help the better. My ex-husband went from a very vibrant person to seeing things that were not there and shooting himself in the east wing of a hospital. That's not the only attempt of suicide. He also became such a different person he began to become very physically abusive towards me and to our children. Watching Sheen has been like watching my ex-husband.
They take drugs, believe it or not, because it makes them feel normal. When a person who suffers from bipolar is in its aggressive stages and not properly medicated (which can take years to find the proper medication for that particular individual) it does not only destroy that a person it can destroy everyone and anyone that comes in contact with that person.
Maybe, the Executives from CBS did the right thing. I am sure they will settle out of court and Charlie Sheen will get his payday. Yet, this isn't about a payday in the end. This is about a life. A life that is obviously in need. A life that is obviously very sick. Trust me, he is manic now, but when he comes down and he will... he will come down hard. God help those who are close to him then. He will need round the clock care. Someone to watch him, no matter how much he says he doesn't want it, because the risk for suicide goes up. That is if he makes it that far.
Someone needs to get in there now. They need to think of not Charlie Sheen but his children. Children can be the common bond, his saving grace, and a great way to reason with him. I know what I am talking about because I lived it. I still live it. I may be remarried and have gone on in many ways with my life, however, my ex-husband will always be a huge part of my life because we have children together. They are, our common bond. My ex got help and stays on his meds because of them, hence, his saving grace. When he is falling back into the manic behaviors I have to pull them back. Its not using the kids. It is saving them. It is reasoning with him. It is the only balance you can have with someone who suffers from bipolar or disorders like it.
For more information on Bipolar or other Psychological Disorders Go to www.WebMD.com
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Financial Reform Who will Save Us
Financial Reform is on every one's minds now-a-days. It is on every news station you turn to. Every newspaper you read. It is even a topic I am passionate about.
Mr. William Daley the White House Chief of Staff and a former executive for JP Morgan Chase said today on Meet The Press "The normal average American is feeling it." Feeling what you might ask? Feeling the higher gas prices. The national average now being $3.50 a gallon. Why? Some might argue that it is the higher demand in the world. Others might say it is because of greed in corporate America. Whatever your position, it is not the only issue that is causing our financial crisis in America today.
According to A Wall Street Journal Poll 37% of Americans polled "Top Priority For The Government" is job creation and economic growth, while only 22% of Americans polled top priority was the deficit and government spending. And get this, only 12% of those polled top priority was health care. So what does this mean for us? Well It means a lot more confusment, arguments, and politics.
According to Daley, "Nobody has taken steps to that," speaking about the President and balancing the budget. I am sure I don't necessarily agree completely with this statement. However, when Daley went on to discuss the things that was driving the deficit, he made this statement: "Social Security is not the big driver of the deficit right now. We have to strengthen Social Security for all the recipients of that." I do agree with his position on this subject. I am a disabled American. However, I can not get Social Security Disability because of all this mess. There is just not enough money. Though the Judge would not say so on the record. He did make a statement off the record stating just that. He did, however, state in my written decision that I was a "severely disabled" individual, but could do "sedentary" work. Hence the fact I became a writer.
Than we have The Tea Party. Folks like Michelle Bachman (R-MN) head of the Tea Party Caucasus and very out spoken on what she refers to as "Obama Care" and refers to the current administration as a "Gangster Government."She said in her interview with David Gregory, "It is shocking the revelations all the money that has been spent. There was a Congressional Research Service Report that was issued in February and we discovered secretly, unbenouced to Congress over 100.5 billion dollars was hidden in the Obama Care legislation to fund the implementation of Obama Care. This was something that wasn't known. The money was broken up and hidden in various parts of the Bills. We have worked hard to discover 61 billion in cuts we could put forward and give to the President, so in effect we have taken one step forward and two steps back. Because we have found 105 billion it has already been implemented or appropriated." Later she added when asked about if she was willing to see or participate in a government shutdown, which I found interesting, funny, and absurd, "Members of Congress didn't know this money was in the Bill because we couldn't read the Bill before it was passed because it wasn't given to us but hours before we had to vote on it."
OK hold on a minute! Are you telling me that a group of educated grown adults can't speak up and say "wait a minute, we need more time to look over this before we vote on it." Come on! Do you really believe that the American Public is going to buy that excuse? Are you not Big Boys and Girls? Who were voted into office to be responsible constitutes. In my view that makes you just as responsible for that 100 billion if not more responsible because you were sloppy, and allowed yourselves to be bullied into a vote.
Michelle Bachman you can't have it both ways, sorry to say. What troubles me most about you and your comments isn't not necessarily your obvious racist remark referring to the Obama administration as "The Gangster Administration." No, it is when you said "the day before the President took office gasoline was $1.83 a gallon. In What state? I would love to have been living there at the time. As I remember it I paid well over $2.30 a gallon in gas during the Bush administration and it didn't go down till Obama took office. It wasn't till recently that it has gone back up. Sorry you can't blame everything on Obama, no matter how hard you try.
Even Bachman's statements on how President Obama handles the trouble with Gadhafi "is troubling." However, she agrees that we should not only listen to Gates and Petraeus. Excuse me Mrs. Bachman, who do you think the President advisers are on this matter? Seriously? I understand you are concerned like many Americans are about how much we depend on borrowing from other countries, but you really can't make a statement such as "its troubling how the President is responded to the situation in Lybia," and then turn around and agree with what his advisers are telling him he should do.
Michelle Bachman did say one thing I did agree with when talking about our deficit. "That can have national security implications. We don't serve our American interest well when we put our hands into creditors." She is correct. We are supposed to be the most powerful nation in the world yet we must continually borrow our way out of debt just to create more of a deficit for ourselves.
I don't know about most of you out there but I am so sick and tired of Politicians!!! I hope Bill Daley is right when he said speaking about the President, "He is not going to play the Washington games. I think we have had enough in the last two years and people are sick and tired of it. They're tired of the partnership and if anyone thinks out of this last election. The American people were voting for more partnership, more saying no. Their going to have a rude awakening in the next election. Thank you Mr. Daley for clearing up what most of us already knew...it will be politics as usual.
Most Politicians are CEO's and we have to start facing the facts. The also run the Justice System. Most Judges are "elected officials" are they not? I understand William Daley a former Executive for JP Morgan Chase disagrees. After responding to Charles Fergusons' statement (Director and Oscar winner for the documentary for "The Inside Job) "Forgive me. I must start out by pointing out that 3 years after a horrific financial crisis caused by massive fraud, not a single financial executive has went to jail and that is wrong." Daley's response to this was, "The Justice System should take its place. A politician should not be engaged, or say who should be prosecuted and who should not. That's not a responsible thing to do. You've got a number of Justice, Attorney Generals that are moving forward on cases that are legitimate. The President felt very strongly and that's why he fought so hard for financial regulatory reform. That system has to change. Most of the laws that are worked under were enacted were closer to the Civil War than to this Century."
So who do we turn to? If the Judges are also indeed truly elected officials, hence also politicians, than they to have a stake in whether or not to move forward to prosecute the executives. Most Politicians have worked with big corporations to help raise funds for their campaigns, so they don't want to take them down. And of course, their are the Politicians that are already CEO's or former executives and have special interest in these corporations that are raising prices on the "normal person."
Let's face it. This problem will not be solved over night. But until we face the truth and the facts nothing will change. Reform by definition is "a campaign aimed to correct abuses or malpractices." All I see here is more abuses and continuing malpractices being allowed to happen. The question is what are we going to do about it? Who will rise up and save us from ourselves?
Mr. William Daley the White House Chief of Staff and a former executive for JP Morgan Chase said today on Meet The Press "The normal average American is feeling it." Feeling what you might ask? Feeling the higher gas prices. The national average now being $3.50 a gallon. Why? Some might argue that it is the higher demand in the world. Others might say it is because of greed in corporate America. Whatever your position, it is not the only issue that is causing our financial crisis in America today.
According to A Wall Street Journal Poll 37% of Americans polled "Top Priority For The Government" is job creation and economic growth, while only 22% of Americans polled top priority was the deficit and government spending. And get this, only 12% of those polled top priority was health care. So what does this mean for us? Well It means a lot more confusment, arguments, and politics.
According to Daley, "Nobody has taken steps to that," speaking about the President and balancing the budget. I am sure I don't necessarily agree completely with this statement. However, when Daley went on to discuss the things that was driving the deficit, he made this statement: "Social Security is not the big driver of the deficit right now. We have to strengthen Social Security for all the recipients of that." I do agree with his position on this subject. I am a disabled American. However, I can not get Social Security Disability because of all this mess. There is just not enough money. Though the Judge would not say so on the record. He did make a statement off the record stating just that. He did, however, state in my written decision that I was a "severely disabled" individual, but could do "sedentary" work. Hence the fact I became a writer.
Than we have The Tea Party. Folks like Michelle Bachman (R-MN) head of the Tea Party Caucasus and very out spoken on what she refers to as "Obama Care" and refers to the current administration as a "Gangster Government."She said in her interview with David Gregory, "It is shocking the revelations all the money that has been spent. There was a Congressional Research Service Report that was issued in February and we discovered secretly, unbenouced to Congress over 100.5 billion dollars was hidden in the Obama Care legislation to fund the implementation of Obama Care. This was something that wasn't known. The money was broken up and hidden in various parts of the Bills. We have worked hard to discover 61 billion in cuts we could put forward and give to the President, so in effect we have taken one step forward and two steps back. Because we have found 105 billion it has already been implemented or appropriated." Later she added when asked about if she was willing to see or participate in a government shutdown, which I found interesting, funny, and absurd, "Members of Congress didn't know this money was in the Bill because we couldn't read the Bill before it was passed because it wasn't given to us but hours before we had to vote on it."
OK hold on a minute! Are you telling me that a group of educated grown adults can't speak up and say "wait a minute, we need more time to look over this before we vote on it." Come on! Do you really believe that the American Public is going to buy that excuse? Are you not Big Boys and Girls? Who were voted into office to be responsible constitutes. In my view that makes you just as responsible for that 100 billion if not more responsible because you were sloppy, and allowed yourselves to be bullied into a vote.
Michelle Bachman you can't have it both ways, sorry to say. What troubles me most about you and your comments isn't not necessarily your obvious racist remark referring to the Obama administration as "The Gangster Administration." No, it is when you said "the day before the President took office gasoline was $1.83 a gallon. In What state? I would love to have been living there at the time. As I remember it I paid well over $2.30 a gallon in gas during the Bush administration and it didn't go down till Obama took office. It wasn't till recently that it has gone back up. Sorry you can't blame everything on Obama, no matter how hard you try.
Even Bachman's statements on how President Obama handles the trouble with Gadhafi "is troubling." However, she agrees that we should not only listen to Gates and Petraeus. Excuse me Mrs. Bachman, who do you think the President advisers are on this matter? Seriously? I understand you are concerned like many Americans are about how much we depend on borrowing from other countries, but you really can't make a statement such as "its troubling how the President is responded to the situation in Lybia," and then turn around and agree with what his advisers are telling him he should do.
Michelle Bachman did say one thing I did agree with when talking about our deficit. "That can have national security implications. We don't serve our American interest well when we put our hands into creditors." She is correct. We are supposed to be the most powerful nation in the world yet we must continually borrow our way out of debt just to create more of a deficit for ourselves.
I don't know about most of you out there but I am so sick and tired of Politicians!!! I hope Bill Daley is right when he said speaking about the President, "He is not going to play the Washington games. I think we have had enough in the last two years and people are sick and tired of it. They're tired of the partnership and if anyone thinks out of this last election. The American people were voting for more partnership, more saying no. Their going to have a rude awakening in the next election. Thank you Mr. Daley for clearing up what most of us already knew...it will be politics as usual.
Most Politicians are CEO's and we have to start facing the facts. The also run the Justice System. Most Judges are "elected officials" are they not? I understand William Daley a former Executive for JP Morgan Chase disagrees. After responding to Charles Fergusons' statement (Director and Oscar winner for the documentary for "The Inside Job) "Forgive me. I must start out by pointing out that 3 years after a horrific financial crisis caused by massive fraud, not a single financial executive has went to jail and that is wrong." Daley's response to this was, "The Justice System should take its place. A politician should not be engaged, or say who should be prosecuted and who should not. That's not a responsible thing to do. You've got a number of Justice, Attorney Generals that are moving forward on cases that are legitimate. The President felt very strongly and that's why he fought so hard for financial regulatory reform. That system has to change. Most of the laws that are worked under were enacted were closer to the Civil War than to this Century."
So who do we turn to? If the Judges are also indeed truly elected officials, hence also politicians, than they to have a stake in whether or not to move forward to prosecute the executives. Most Politicians have worked with big corporations to help raise funds for their campaigns, so they don't want to take them down. And of course, their are the Politicians that are already CEO's or former executives and have special interest in these corporations that are raising prices on the "normal person."
Let's face it. This problem will not be solved over night. But until we face the truth and the facts nothing will change. Reform by definition is "a campaign aimed to correct abuses or malpractices." All I see here is more abuses and continuing malpractices being allowed to happen. The question is what are we going to do about it? Who will rise up and save us from ourselves?
Saturday, March 5, 2011
First Amendment v Bad Taste
For 20 years the congregation of the Westboro Baptist Church picketed military family funerals. They believe that God hates the United States for its tolerance of homosexuality especially in the military. Fred Phelps founder of Westboro Baptist Church and his family full of parishioners traveled to Maryland to picket the funeral of Marine Lance Corporal Matthew Snyder who was killed in a non combat related vehicle accident March 3, 2006 while serving our country in Iraq.The signs this group picketed and displayed for the whole world to see, including Matthews father said things like, "Thank God for Dead Soldiers," "Fags doom Nations, and " America is Doomed."
Matthews father filed a diversity action against Phelps and the church alleging intentional inflection of emotional distress, intrusion upon seclusion, and civil conspiracy. The lower courts ruled in favor of Snyder and Phelps had to pay punitive damages that was later reduced and challenged than later reversed. The Court stated in this ruling, "Statements were entitled to First Amendment protection because those statements were on matters of public concern, were not provably false, and were expressed solely through hyperbolic meteoric."
So after a long court battle and taking all arguments into consideration The United States Supreme Court heard and ruled on the case. On March 2, 2011 Chief Justice Roberts delivered the opinion of the Court. He stated, "speech on public issues occupies the highest rung of the hierarchy of First Amendment values, and is entitled to special protection."
He later went on to say in the opinion of the Court, "the Court is obligated to make an independent examination of the whole record in order to make sure that judgment does not constitute a forbidden intrusion on free expression...." Then went on to say "the content of Westboro's sign's plainly relates to broad issues of interest to society at large, rather than matters of purely private concern."
Roberts rapped up reading the Courts opinion by saying, " Speech is powerful. It can stir people to action, move them to tears of both joy and sorrow, and - as it did here - inflict great pain...to protect even hurtful speech on public issues to ensure that we do not stifle public debate."
Justice Alito disagreed saying, " Albert Snyder is not a public figure. He is simply a parent whose son Marine Corporal Matthew Snyder, was killed in Iraq. Mr. Snyder wanted what is surely the right of any parent who experiences such an incalculable loss: to bury his son in peace."
In my opinion Mr. Albert Snyder and all families military or not should have the right to bury their loved ones in peace. This means without hateful messages or screaming participants. My question is why pick this family? Matthew Snyder was not gay. He served his country proudly. His sister told the Baltimore Sun that the reason he joined the military was because he had a "unwavering sense of responsibility." Why pick any family? Is this what Christianity is about or coming to? I think not!
The people of this church or anyone like them should be ashamed of themselves. However if you look back in history they are not alone. The Supreme Court never really put the issue to rest till the 20th Century. Many individuals were killed or jailed speaking out against issues they to believed in. It was not until around the Vietnam Era (United States v. O'Brien 391 U.S. 367 1968) that the court finally took a position on public criticism of the government and changes occurred. The courts opinion stated "Our decision have fashioned the principle that the Constitution guarantees of free speech and free press do not allow a state to forbid or proscribe advocacy of the use of force or law violation except where such advocacy is directed to inciting or producing imminent lawless action and is likely to incite or cause such action."
So folks, what it comes down to is this. The courts are not going to do anything as long as they show no threat to anyone. No matter how hateful they are. I guess we can forget about telling our kids not to bully or watch what they say on facebook. Heck, its freedom of speech right? The can protest all the want as long as they do it from 1000 yards away. But just because you have these rights doesn't make it right.
I think most of us out here are smart enough to figure out that this church is full of ignorant souls. And we are also smart enough to know there are more out there just like them. My fear is that the next round of people will start bringing guns to these demonstrations because well that is one of their rights too. The Right To Bear Arms. Who are we kidding. This bad taste in our mouths have to stop. I'm not suggesting we take away the rights of anyone. I am suggesting we use a little more common since.
I would also like everyone to reach out and help Albert Snyder (Matthew Snyder's father) with the court cost he will have to pay toward the Westboro Church and Phelps attorneys. I do not usually do this and will not do it often, however, this loving father was fighting for the rights of all Americans to have peaceful burials for their fallen. I think the least we can do is help him to pay the attorney fee's of the ignorant people who started this mess to begin with. Go to www.matthewsnyder.org for more info.
Matthews father filed a diversity action against Phelps and the church alleging intentional inflection of emotional distress, intrusion upon seclusion, and civil conspiracy. The lower courts ruled in favor of Snyder and Phelps had to pay punitive damages that was later reduced and challenged than later reversed. The Court stated in this ruling, "Statements were entitled to First Amendment protection because those statements were on matters of public concern, were not provably false, and were expressed solely through hyperbolic meteoric."
So after a long court battle and taking all arguments into consideration The United States Supreme Court heard and ruled on the case. On March 2, 2011 Chief Justice Roberts delivered the opinion of the Court. He stated, "speech on public issues occupies the highest rung of the hierarchy of First Amendment values, and is entitled to special protection."
He later went on to say in the opinion of the Court, "the Court is obligated to make an independent examination of the whole record in order to make sure that judgment does not constitute a forbidden intrusion on free expression...." Then went on to say "the content of Westboro's sign's plainly relates to broad issues of interest to society at large, rather than matters of purely private concern."
Roberts rapped up reading the Courts opinion by saying, " Speech is powerful. It can stir people to action, move them to tears of both joy and sorrow, and - as it did here - inflict great pain...to protect even hurtful speech on public issues to ensure that we do not stifle public debate."
Justice Alito disagreed saying, " Albert Snyder is not a public figure. He is simply a parent whose son Marine Corporal Matthew Snyder, was killed in Iraq. Mr. Snyder wanted what is surely the right of any parent who experiences such an incalculable loss: to bury his son in peace."
In my opinion Mr. Albert Snyder and all families military or not should have the right to bury their loved ones in peace. This means without hateful messages or screaming participants. My question is why pick this family? Matthew Snyder was not gay. He served his country proudly. His sister told the Baltimore Sun that the reason he joined the military was because he had a "unwavering sense of responsibility." Why pick any family? Is this what Christianity is about or coming to? I think not!
The people of this church or anyone like them should be ashamed of themselves. However if you look back in history they are not alone. The Supreme Court never really put the issue to rest till the 20th Century. Many individuals were killed or jailed speaking out against issues they to believed in. It was not until around the Vietnam Era (United States v. O'Brien 391 U.S. 367 1968) that the court finally took a position on public criticism of the government and changes occurred. The courts opinion stated "Our decision have fashioned the principle that the Constitution guarantees of free speech and free press do not allow a state to forbid or proscribe advocacy of the use of force or law violation except where such advocacy is directed to inciting or producing imminent lawless action and is likely to incite or cause such action."
So folks, what it comes down to is this. The courts are not going to do anything as long as they show no threat to anyone. No matter how hateful they are. I guess we can forget about telling our kids not to bully or watch what they say on facebook. Heck, its freedom of speech right? The can protest all the want as long as they do it from 1000 yards away. But just because you have these rights doesn't make it right.
I think most of us out here are smart enough to figure out that this church is full of ignorant souls. And we are also smart enough to know there are more out there just like them. My fear is that the next round of people will start bringing guns to these demonstrations because well that is one of their rights too. The Right To Bear Arms. Who are we kidding. This bad taste in our mouths have to stop. I'm not suggesting we take away the rights of anyone. I am suggesting we use a little more common since.
I would also like everyone to reach out and help Albert Snyder (Matthew Snyder's father) with the court cost he will have to pay toward the Westboro Church and Phelps attorneys. I do not usually do this and will not do it often, however, this loving father was fighting for the rights of all Americans to have peaceful burials for their fallen. I think the least we can do is help him to pay the attorney fee's of the ignorant people who started this mess to begin with. Go to www.matthewsnyder.org for more info.
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