The crows are roosting
In tall leafless trees
The rustle of feathers
Sound like Death's breath
Something disturbs them
The cacaphony begins
Cawing and croaking
The flapping of wings
Off they fly
A black soaring blanket
Wheeling and circling
They land once again
Restless and edgy
An ebony shroud
A-top the skeletal trees
Happy Halloween, Samhain, All Souls Eve.... whatever you want to call it, have a wonderful evening.
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Thoughts on Campaign Reform
After viewing one too many campaign ads, and after listening to yet another friend complain about how all the candidates are alike and that none of them are honest, I started thinking about how I would fix things if it were up to me. Which, of course, it isn't. And my guess is that those who are elected probably wouldn't like my ideas anyway.
But, here goes:
First, I'd leave the final vote for the first Tuesday in November. That much is okay. I would, however, get rid of the Electoral College. It is outdated and unnecessary. The primaries work quite well without it, as do all State and local elections.
Now, count back one month from that date to the first Tuesday in October. This is when ALL primaries will be held. I am sick and tired of evaluating candidates who are no longer running by the time the later primaries come along. It really isn't right (or fair to anyone) to weed out all kinds of qualified people in one or two primaries.
Then, counting back once again, this time 6 months. This is when the campaigning and fund-raising can start. Those who want to run, can enter. But, and this is a huge one, there will be limits on fundraising. There will be a set limit on how much can be had from any single entity. And once that cap is met, the candidate cannot go back for more. Caps is caps. Also, ALL money raised must be accounted for. Names will be named and amounts will be totted. You can spend all the money you want, but I think I'll throw in one more rule: Once the primary is done, the time for fundraising is too. The final month of campaigning and debates will determine how well any of the candidates can manage money and work on a budget. If you run out of money, oh well, too bad, so sad. You are done.
So, that would be a total of seven months of campaigning. It would be a really good idea to limit your campaign to what you would do. We are sick and tired of hearing how Candidate A really doesn't like Candidate B or how he/she does things. It really doesn't help us to make up our minds. Oh, and the debates that would happen after the primary? They must allow ALL of the remaining candidates to take part. Not just the two "big" ones. Any candidate who garnered the most primary votes in his/her party is going on to the general election. That means the Dems and the GOP will have to get used to the idea that they aren't the only fish in the sea.
So. Am I totally cracked or is this a good idea?
But, here goes:
First, I'd leave the final vote for the first Tuesday in November. That much is okay. I would, however, get rid of the Electoral College. It is outdated and unnecessary. The primaries work quite well without it, as do all State and local elections.
Now, count back one month from that date to the first Tuesday in October. This is when ALL primaries will be held. I am sick and tired of evaluating candidates who are no longer running by the time the later primaries come along. It really isn't right (or fair to anyone) to weed out all kinds of qualified people in one or two primaries.
Then, counting back once again, this time 6 months. This is when the campaigning and fund-raising can start. Those who want to run, can enter. But, and this is a huge one, there will be limits on fundraising. There will be a set limit on how much can be had from any single entity. And once that cap is met, the candidate cannot go back for more. Caps is caps. Also, ALL money raised must be accounted for. Names will be named and amounts will be totted. You can spend all the money you want, but I think I'll throw in one more rule: Once the primary is done, the time for fundraising is too. The final month of campaigning and debates will determine how well any of the candidates can manage money and work on a budget. If you run out of money, oh well, too bad, so sad. You are done.
So, that would be a total of seven months of campaigning. It would be a really good idea to limit your campaign to what you would do. We are sick and tired of hearing how Candidate A really doesn't like Candidate B or how he/she does things. It really doesn't help us to make up our minds. Oh, and the debates that would happen after the primary? They must allow ALL of the remaining candidates to take part. Not just the two "big" ones. Any candidate who garnered the most primary votes in his/her party is going on to the general election. That means the Dems and the GOP will have to get used to the idea that they aren't the only fish in the sea.
So. Am I totally cracked or is this a good idea?
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Conservative politicians, women's rights and birth control
Dear Conservative Representative and/or Senator: About that problem you're having regarding insurance and birth control. I really don't think that the employer has the right to determine what coverage the employees get. After all, the employees pay for at least part of the premiums, all of the deductibles and all of the co-pays.
Second point: Not all of us are Roman Catholic, so stop trying to shove that down our throats. I'm not talking about a separation of Church and State. I'm talking about the 1st Amendment: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances." So you go ahead and exercise your rights, and leave me to exercise mine.... as I'm sure you have found out, women don't have a problem exercising their right to free speech, either.
Third: You bitch and moan and complain about abortion and how you don't want Federal dollars paying for it. Okay. Federal dollars DO NOT pay for abortions. So, once you figured that out (after having it screamed at you for how many years??) you've decided that artificial birth control is evil as well. I'm beginning to think that this isn't about birth control or abortion after all. It is all about you having something to complain about.
Fourth: When you men (and it seems to be mostly men in this debate) can actually have babies, THEN AND ONLY THEN can you start micromanaging the lives of women. As it stands now, insurance (and Medicare) pays for Viagra, vasectomies and penile implants. As long as all those are covered, you had best make sure that the Pill, IUD's and other forms of artificial birth control used by women are covered.
In other words, what's good for the goose is good for the gander.
Lastly, it might be a really good idea to put a muzzle on your spokespeople. Some of them have a hard time thinking before they speak.
Second point: Not all of us are Roman Catholic, so stop trying to shove that down our throats. I'm not talking about a separation of Church and State. I'm talking about the 1st Amendment: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances." So you go ahead and exercise your rights, and leave me to exercise mine.... as I'm sure you have found out, women don't have a problem exercising their right to free speech, either.
Third: You bitch and moan and complain about abortion and how you don't want Federal dollars paying for it. Okay. Federal dollars DO NOT pay for abortions. So, once you figured that out (after having it screamed at you for how many years??) you've decided that artificial birth control is evil as well. I'm beginning to think that this isn't about birth control or abortion after all. It is all about you having something to complain about.
Fourth: When you men (and it seems to be mostly men in this debate) can actually have babies, THEN AND ONLY THEN can you start micromanaging the lives of women. As it stands now, insurance (and Medicare) pays for Viagra, vasectomies and penile implants. As long as all those are covered, you had best make sure that the Pill, IUD's and other forms of artificial birth control used by women are covered.
In other words, what's good for the goose is good for the gander.
Lastly, it might be a really good idea to put a muzzle on your spokespeople. Some of them have a hard time thinking before they speak.
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Birth Control: Apparently, Not a Choice Any More
I don’t care what anyone’s religious beliefs are. What I want to know is: Why should an employer be “morally outraged” by birth control to the point where they won’t let their insurance company offer it to an employee who wants birth control? Said employee obviously doesn’t have the same beliefs. It isn’t his or her soul at risk...... And, I really don’t think the employee’s “sin” would rub off (unless he or she is messing around with the employer, and that’s a whole ‘nother story).
So what seems to be going down here is (possible) Roman Catholic employer says NO to their insurance company offering artificial birth control. Apparently, even if the employee is NOT Roman Catholic, she will have to go outside of her health policy and pay 100% for any birth control, because her BOSS doesn’t believe in artificial birth control. Since when does an employer have the right to dictate what their employees’ beliefs are? Beyond that, if, for some reason, the employee ends up with an unplanned, unwanted pregnancy, it damned sure follows that if the insurance wasn’t going to pay to prevent a pregnancy it sure won’t pay to end one.
I wonder what the odds are that said employer will pay to raise, feed, clothe and educate the result? Hmmmm, probably nil.
Even in a so-so economy with high unemployment, I’ll bet that if these employers get their way, there will be a lot of people telling them to take the job and shove it if they can’t have standard healthcare included in their health insurance benefits.
So what seems to be going down here is (possible) Roman Catholic employer says NO to their insurance company offering artificial birth control. Apparently, even if the employee is NOT Roman Catholic, she will have to go outside of her health policy and pay 100% for any birth control, because her BOSS doesn’t believe in artificial birth control. Since when does an employer have the right to dictate what their employees’ beliefs are? Beyond that, if, for some reason, the employee ends up with an unplanned, unwanted pregnancy, it damned sure follows that if the insurance wasn’t going to pay to prevent a pregnancy it sure won’t pay to end one.
I wonder what the odds are that said employer will pay to raise, feed, clothe and educate the result? Hmmmm, probably nil.
Even in a so-so economy with high unemployment, I’ll bet that if these employers get their way, there will be a lot of people telling them to take the job and shove it if they can’t have standard healthcare included in their health insurance benefits.
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Still Fighting for Rights
In 1920, the Nineteenth Amendment was ratified and women were given the vote. Fifty years before that, in 1870, the Fifteenth Amendment was passed and ratified, making it legal for men of all races to vote. In the 1950's and 1960's, the Civil Rights movement marched on. In the mid to late 1960's, there were protests all over this country against the war in Viet Nam.....
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We have forgotten, apparently. Because it sure seems like we're heading in the wrong direction......
Friday, February 17, 2012
Dear Far, Far, Far Right-Wing Republicans
Dear GOP Senators and Representatives:
Keep your draconian morals and religion far, far, far away from my health care choices.
The very idea of allowing one person's religious beliefs (i.e., the "boss") to dictate what healthcare choices everyone else (the "employees") gets is ludicrous. But, that is exactly what you are talking about these days. I think its time to look at what you are doing and pretend that you are a sane and intelligent person. And if that doesn't work, how about you just listen to the thousands of people who are outraged by this lunacy.
These ideas you are propounding sound like you want to go back to a time in history when women were basically the property of their husbands and fathers. That idea really does not have a place today. It doesn't even bear thinking about. I am NOT someone's property. No one makes decisions regarding my healthcare but me and my doctor.
I have no idea where you got the idea that birth control is immoral, but you really need to give it up. The days of "breed early and often" are long past. The days of old men deciding what is right for young, vital women is in the past (or should be). It is time to embrace the real world and give up these lunatic ideas.
Keep your draconian morals and religion far, far, far away from my health care choices.
The very idea of allowing one person's religious beliefs (i.e., the "boss") to dictate what healthcare choices everyone else (the "employees") gets is ludicrous. But, that is exactly what you are talking about these days. I think its time to look at what you are doing and pretend that you are a sane and intelligent person. And if that doesn't work, how about you just listen to the thousands of people who are outraged by this lunacy.
These ideas you are propounding sound like you want to go back to a time in history when women were basically the property of their husbands and fathers. That idea really does not have a place today. It doesn't even bear thinking about. I am NOT someone's property. No one makes decisions regarding my healthcare but me and my doctor.
I have no idea where you got the idea that birth control is immoral, but you really need to give it up. The days of "breed early and often" are long past. The days of old men deciding what is right for young, vital women is in the past (or should be). It is time to embrace the real world and give up these lunatic ideas.
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
WEATHER TERMS IN THE UPPER MID-WEST
WEATHER TERMS IN THE UPPER MID-WEST
For those of you who are unfamiliar with what we have been up to in the upper Midwest and Great Lakes area, here's a list of weather terms to help you understand:
Winter: Any month beginning with a consonant or vowel
Summer: (1) Mythical season mentioned in ancient epic songs and poetry. Said to be experienced sometime between June and September. (2) Season that appears as the great Nile floods used to before construction of the Aswan Dam -- Every seven years. Not known if building a dam will force it to appear more often.
Rain: Liquid falling from the sky.
Freezing Rain: Liquid falling from the sky, freezing solid upon contact with any object, such as streets, sidewalks, trees and slow-moving people.
Hail: Large ice pellets or balls falling from the sky -- very dangerous. Said to fall during the mythical season of "Summer" as well as at other times of the year.
Sleet: Partially frozen liquid falling from the sky. As with 'Freezing Rain' will freeze completely upon contact with any objects, depending upon the temperature. Slightly warmer temperatures result in an even layer of what looks solid, but is in truth a large puddle made up of material similar to a Sno-Cone without the flavoring.
Frozen Rain: Similar to Freezing Rain, but more solid. It mostly freezes before hitting anything, and then continues the freezing process once it has landed.
Snow: Fluffy white ice crystals that fall from the sky, creating mounds of not-so-fluffy white stuff on the ground. Must be removed from walkways with hours and hours of manual labor. Often results in death, especially the death of the snowplow operator when he/she covers end of driveway five minutes after completing the original task. Forecasts for snow often mention a range of amounts; i.e., 6 to 12 inches, 7 to 14 inches, etc. Most popular range mentioned is 1 to 27.5 inches.
Light Snow: Generally refers to the color as once you have shoveled it for about 2 minutes, each individual flake weighs about 10 pounds.
Overcast: The entire sky above you is covered with grey clouds. If it is during the daylight hours, it is believed that the sun has gone south. Generally a prelude to any type of precipitation.
Partly sunny: More clouds than sun. Nearly 'overcast'. Generally a prelude to any type of precipitation.
Partly cloudy: More sun than clouds. But not by much. Generally a prelude to any type of precipitation.
Temperature: In winter this means "cold".
Wind-Chill Factor: Fancy term for "damn cold!"
Wind: Works with 'temperature' to create "damn cold!"
Clear and Sunny: Usually means too cold to go outside.
Winter Weather Advisory: Snow, rain, sleet and/or freezing rain with some wind that will commence in the near future.
Winter Weather Warning: Snow, rain, sleet and/or freezing rain currently falling with some wind that will get worse.
Blizzard: Snow so thick you can't see your hand in front of your face, always involves high winds. Occasionally, when this happens, they call off school, but rarely work. If this occurs while you are at work, plan to stay there for an extended amount of time -- with no pay..... If this happens while at home on a day when work is scheduled, it is best to do your best to come up with a valid excuse for not coming to work. ANY MENTION OF THE WEATHER WILL INVALIDATE YOUR EXCUSE.
For those of you who are unfamiliar with what we have been up to in the upper Midwest and Great Lakes area, here's a list of weather terms to help you understand:
Winter: Any month beginning with a consonant or vowel
Summer: (1) Mythical season mentioned in ancient epic songs and poetry. Said to be experienced sometime between June and September. (2) Season that appears as the great Nile floods used to before construction of the Aswan Dam -- Every seven years. Not known if building a dam will force it to appear more often.
Rain: Liquid falling from the sky.
Freezing Rain: Liquid falling from the sky, freezing solid upon contact with any object, such as streets, sidewalks, trees and slow-moving people.
Hail: Large ice pellets or balls falling from the sky -- very dangerous. Said to fall during the mythical season of "Summer" as well as at other times of the year.
Sleet: Partially frozen liquid falling from the sky. As with 'Freezing Rain' will freeze completely upon contact with any objects, depending upon the temperature. Slightly warmer temperatures result in an even layer of what looks solid, but is in truth a large puddle made up of material similar to a Sno-Cone without the flavoring.
Frozen Rain: Similar to Freezing Rain, but more solid. It mostly freezes before hitting anything, and then continues the freezing process once it has landed.
Snow: Fluffy white ice crystals that fall from the sky, creating mounds of not-so-fluffy white stuff on the ground. Must be removed from walkways with hours and hours of manual labor. Often results in death, especially the death of the snowplow operator when he/she covers end of driveway five minutes after completing the original task. Forecasts for snow often mention a range of amounts; i.e., 6 to 12 inches, 7 to 14 inches, etc. Most popular range mentioned is 1 to 27.5 inches.
Light Snow: Generally refers to the color as once you have shoveled it for about 2 minutes, each individual flake weighs about 10 pounds.
Overcast: The entire sky above you is covered with grey clouds. If it is during the daylight hours, it is believed that the sun has gone south. Generally a prelude to any type of precipitation.
Partly sunny: More clouds than sun. Nearly 'overcast'. Generally a prelude to any type of precipitation.
Partly cloudy: More sun than clouds. But not by much. Generally a prelude to any type of precipitation.
Temperature: In winter this means "cold".
Wind-Chill Factor: Fancy term for "damn cold!"
Wind: Works with 'temperature' to create "damn cold!"
Clear and Sunny: Usually means too cold to go outside.
Winter Weather Advisory: Snow, rain, sleet and/or freezing rain with some wind that will commence in the near future.
Winter Weather Warning: Snow, rain, sleet and/or freezing rain currently falling with some wind that will get worse.
Blizzard: Snow so thick you can't see your hand in front of your face, always involves high winds. Occasionally, when this happens, they call off school, but rarely work. If this occurs while you are at work, plan to stay there for an extended amount of time -- with no pay..... If this happens while at home on a day when work is scheduled, it is best to do your best to come up with a valid excuse for not coming to work. ANY MENTION OF THE WEATHER WILL INVALIDATE YOUR EXCUSE.
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Are Americans in Line for Gitmo? by Ray McGovern -- Antiwar.com
A few hundred years ago, the Inquisition was in full force. People were arrested, jailed, tortured and killed because of rumor and suspicion. Rumor and suspicion was all it took to kill thousands of people. And greed. Actual proof never came into the process.
In the 1600's here in this country (before we were a country), people were arrested, jailed indefinitely and quite a few killed based on suspicion and rumor. Again, actual proof was never on the agenda.
During World War II, thousands of people were put in camps here in the US only because they were of Japansese descent -- no crimes, no courts, no proof of wrongdoing.
I really don't understand what is going through the minds of those who we, collectively, have put in office. Because it looks like we're going down that same road.
Are Americans in Line for Gitmo? by Ray McGovern -- Antiwar.com
Why?
In the 1600's here in this country (before we were a country), people were arrested, jailed indefinitely and quite a few killed based on suspicion and rumor. Again, actual proof was never on the agenda.
During World War II, thousands of people were put in camps here in the US only because they were of Japansese descent -- no crimes, no courts, no proof of wrongdoing.
I really don't understand what is going through the minds of those who we, collectively, have put in office. Because it looks like we're going down that same road.
Are Americans in Line for Gitmo? by Ray McGovern -- Antiwar.com
Why?
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Unbelievable Rant on MSNBC! Reporter CRACKS & Spews TRUTH! Occupy Wall S...
Powerful:
We really do need to get the money out. In more ways than one. In the Capitol, we need to get rid of the lobbyists and the special interest groups. More than that, we need to do something about that oh-so-sweet pension our elected officials enjoy when they retire (or arefired voted out of office). Maybe then we would get people running who actually want to be part of the solution rather than being the problem. Maybe then we'll get people who are more than petty bureaucrats who want to get rich and retire on the government's dime.
The pension for Senators, Representatives and Presidents? Their entire annual salary plus that very sweet benefits package for the rest of their lives.
We really do need to get the money out. In more ways than one. In the Capitol, we need to get rid of the lobbyists and the special interest groups. More than that, we need to do something about that oh-so-sweet pension our elected officials enjoy when they retire (or are
The pension for Senators, Representatives and Presidents? Their entire annual salary plus that very sweet benefits package for the rest of their lives.
Apathy in America
As I watched yet another GOP presidential wannabe implode, I started thinking about how we came to this point. This point where a group of clowns in nice suits can spawn our possible next president. How can this be? The Occupy movement is going strong, for all the attempts to shut it down. Even with the attacks on our educational system, this is still a mostly intelligent and educated society. So what's with the acceptance of these total losers as possible presidential material?
Then I got the answer: Apathy. Yup, that's right, apathy. How can that be? you ask. How can it NOT be, I say.
Too many people are living horror stories. Private, personal horror stories. They've lost their jobs, their homes, their savings, and there isn't an end in sight. All they see on the news is bad. The economy sucks, the war in the Mideast drags on, and now, on top of everything, on the horizon is a holiday that used to be a time of hope. Too many people have seen their futures destroyed along with the futures of their children. Some may have taken part in the Occupy movement in the beginning, but that doesn't put food on the table or clothes on their backs and it doesn't pay the rent.
Then they start listening to a bunch of people who are jockeying for position to become the next President of the United States. At first, they probably laugh and scoff, but then they start hearing what they want to hear: Quick, easy answers to all their problems. It doesn't matter that these "solutions" won't work. Its what they want to hear.
This is what really scares me. One of the clowns may become president because people can't afford to care any more and will vote for the one with the easy answers with no substance.
Then I got the answer: Apathy. Yup, that's right, apathy. How can that be? you ask. How can it NOT be, I say.
Too many people are living horror stories. Private, personal horror stories. They've lost their jobs, their homes, their savings, and there isn't an end in sight. All they see on the news is bad. The economy sucks, the war in the Mideast drags on, and now, on top of everything, on the horizon is a holiday that used to be a time of hope. Too many people have seen their futures destroyed along with the futures of their children. Some may have taken part in the Occupy movement in the beginning, but that doesn't put food on the table or clothes on their backs and it doesn't pay the rent.
Then they start listening to a bunch of people who are jockeying for position to become the next President of the United States. At first, they probably laugh and scoff, but then they start hearing what they want to hear: Quick, easy answers to all their problems. It doesn't matter that these "solutions" won't work. Its what they want to hear.
This is what really scares me. One of the clowns may become president because people can't afford to care any more and will vote for the one with the easy answers with no substance.
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Remembering too much
Remember September 11, 2001. Today is the 10th anniversary of that day. It isn't something that anyone can really forget. But isn't it time we stopped picking at the scab and let it scar over? We really need to grow through and past what happened. It really doesn't do anyone any good to keep the memory so fresh that we can't finish grieving for what happened.
Does anyone remember April 19, 1995? I'm sure some do, but this is a date we should remember as well.
Does anyone remember April 19, 1995? I'm sure some do, but this is a date we should remember as well.
Thursday, August 11, 2011
This is just plain wrong
This isn't what I was going to say today, but a friend pointed out that "Deviant Art" is dropping the ball big time. Here's what my friend had to say:
Dear Deviant Art:
How long will it be before you open your eyes and see that the 'joking' stamps about rape are not jokes, that they are warning signs that the person who makes them sees rape as funny and encourages others who think like they do? We report them and you seem to just giggle and ignore us, as if you agree with these sociopathic cretins that keep making these violent stamps. Well starting today, each time one comes to my attention there will be a post about it on all my blogs and on FB and Twitter. Oh and on Care2 as well. I want the world to see that Deviant Art seems to have a hatred of women and encourages that attitude.
Shame on you for supporting rape, for that tells me you care little for the welfare of the women in your lives and I feel such sympathy for them.
And so people can see what you support, let's share a link or three shall we? And I ask all who read this to report these stamps and even reblog this to get more people to pressure DA into doing the right thing.
Nastiness 1
Nastiness 2
Really? Some things are just plain wrong, and this is one of them. Okay, Deviant Art, time to wake up and fix this.
Monday, August 1, 2011
Tea Party? No!
Until the "Tea Party" is officially designated as a viable political party, we really need to stop using that term. At the very least, add in the word "Republican." Why? Because there will be no "Tea Party" designation on the ballots come election time. There are those who will look for their favorite "Tea Party" candidate....
Second, I really don't like the term "Tea Party" since it kind of means that they are patriots of some sort. Patriots with a very skewed sense of history. Apparently, all that tea was dumped into the Boston Harbor to stop the British from taxing us and the "Tea Partiers" are all about no taxation.... They forget about the other two words: "without representation."
I say we go back to calling them "Tea Baggers" since the term fits... "Tea Bagger Republican". I like the sound of that......
Second, I really don't like the term "Tea Party" since it kind of means that they are patriots of some sort. Patriots with a very skewed sense of history. Apparently, all that tea was dumped into the Boston Harbor to stop the British from taxing us and the "Tea Partiers" are all about no taxation.... They forget about the other two words: "without representation."
I say we go back to calling them "Tea Baggers" since the term fits... "Tea Bagger Republican". I like the sound of that......
Sunday, July 31, 2011
In Which I Lose My Temper Over Politics
Okay. I have had it. I am sick of the stupid partisan politics. I am sick of the idiocy that is happening over the national budget. I HAVE HAD IT!
It is time to remember a little history. The big finance bail-outs? That was under the Bush presidency. Entry inton not one, but two wars? Yup, you guessed it, Bush again. Do the math. The budget problem was set up by A REPUBLICAN PRESIDENT. Even better, the problems in the Bush presidency were set in action by.... THE FIRST BUSH PRESIDENT. Yes. And the rest of the budget problems? Well, do you really need to be told again that trickle down economics DOES NOT WORK. It never did, it never could, and you bought it like it was the gold standard.
I am sick of all of it. Leave the politics out of the budget talks. Hell, leave the f*ucking partisan politics out of the whole thing. Each of you elected idiots has personal things you want to get passed... how many of those things actually help the people who put you in office? My guess is about 1% the rest is all for personal glory.
I am calling on the voters to vote every single one of these greedy, narcissistic asshats out of office. Let them be the ones trying to figure out how to feed their families and pay the doctor and keep a roof over their heads. I have had enough.
Its time we all quoted the movie "Network." "I'M MAD AS HELL AND I"M NOT GOING TO TAKE IT!"
Sunday, June 19, 2011
The Dark Side of the Social Internet
I guess it was inevitable.
Social networking is THE thing these days what with blogging, FaceBook, Twitter, MySpace (well, maybe not so much) and other sites. Along with the social part comes something that everyone's mom would cringe at and would then send us to our rooms with no supper over... Rudeness.
Only its more than just being rude. Its some people feeling like they can get away with just about anything because of the anonymity afforded by the very nature of the internet. Everyone is basically faceless and unknown to everyone else and likely to stay that way.
This lends itself to blog comments calling the blog host a "moron" or an "imbecile". And it goes downhill from there. In extreme cases, the rudeness devolves into bullying and whether you are a direct target or not, bullying hurts everyone.
The unfortunate thing is, most of these bullies hide behind the Constitution (if they're American) if they're caught. The vast majority are not caught or stopped. So, where does that leave us? In the dark, mostly. I don't have any answers.
I wonder, though, would most of these internet bullies behave the same way in a real-life, face-to-face meeting? Would someone who disagreed with a movie or book review call the reviewer a "moron" right to their face? I'm guessing the majority of them would not. So, why do it in a blog comment? Because they can. Because there's a shield there: Anonymity. Yeah, maybe you fill out a form with a name and an email address in order to comment, but there's still no actual contact, no apparent reason to act respectfully toward the other person.
Right now the only weapons a person has is 'moderation' and ignoring the bully. What happens when you ignore a bully? They try harder. It becomes a 'Catch-22' situation that can easily spiral out of control. I don't like the possible answers, but I really don't like bullies.
Anyone have any ideas?
Thursday, June 16, 2011
A Republican Who Supports Gay Marriage And Doesn
I'm not from New York. And I'm not a Republican. But right now, I'm very proud of a Republican from New York State. The Honorable Roy McDonald has restored my faith in humanity. I admire him. He is worthy of admiration.
He stood up against the party line and said "Enough!" He is doing what he's supposed to be doing. Its easy to uphold the rights of the strong, but difficult to help the weak secure those same rights. Democracy is NOT about making sure the strong continue to win. Its about making sure everyone has a chance to at least enter the playing field. Senator McDonald is doing his part to make for a more equal playing field.
Its very easy for us liberal types to lump all the conservatives together in one group and say that they're all the same. Hell, they do the same to us. But we know they're wrong about us, which pretty much makes it even money that we're wrong about them. And Sen. McDonald proves that. He said to hell with the party line and decided to stand up and fight for a group of people to get rights that they should already have. We need more people like him. I don't care what political party anyone belongs to, not really. What I care about is that those elected officials do what is right, not what is expedient. I want my elected officials to fight for my rights, which means they have to fight for the rights of everyone, whether I like them or not because my rights really won't mean a thing if someone else can't exercise the same.
Senator McDonald, thank you. Thank you for being an honorable, admirable person who believes that ALL Americans are entitled to equal rights.
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Dancing With the Dead
Walking with the dead
In a fog shrouded night
Midst the gravestones of memories
In a cemetery of the past
The dead don't stay dead
In dreams
They walk the streets and alleys
Of the mind
Dredging up a past
Best forgotten
Dancing with the dead
In the night of the dark moon
Phantom musicians play
On and on forever more
The dancers continue
Until they rot and fall
To be trod on by the others
Dawn
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Twisted Easter
Although I am not Christian, I did get into the secular part of Easter when my kids were small. I'd hide eggs and baskets. Occasionally, the cat would find said eggs while I was sleeping and we'd find an egg in the middle of the living room floor kinda cracked and smooshed.... apparently, Easter eggs are fine cat toys.
My kids discovered early on that there was no Easter bunny and chocolate bunnies also did not exist. We had the Easter Chipmunk. And really adorable Chocolate Chipmunks for them to eat. This happened by accident one year, and I had to foster that story on purpose for a lot of years after that (still do, btw).
As I was putting the baskets together one year (helping out said bunny), one of the chocolate bunnies was dropped and the ears broke off... Damn. Not only did they break off, they shattered. So, I warmed a knife up, and smoothed off the bunny's head (and ate the ears). Of course, I had to do the same for any other bunnies that were around. From that time on (1982 or so), the legend of the Easter Chipmunk lived.
In the late 1990's I was shopping for candy and discovered that one of the candy companies finally figured out what I had known all along: The best part of the choc. bunny was the ears. For a year or two, one could buy just the bunny ears! Of course, this did nothing to abate the ear-ectomies going on late at night on the night before Easter.
To this day, there are Easter Chipmunks wandering around, looking for a way to get into your celebrations.
My kids discovered early on that there was no Easter bunny and chocolate bunnies also did not exist. We had the Easter Chipmunk. And really adorable Chocolate Chipmunks for them to eat. This happened by accident one year, and I had to foster that story on purpose for a lot of years after that (still do, btw).
As I was putting the baskets together one year (helping out said bunny), one of the chocolate bunnies was dropped and the ears broke off... Damn. Not only did they break off, they shattered. So, I warmed a knife up, and smoothed off the bunny's head (and ate the ears). Of course, I had to do the same for any other bunnies that were around. From that time on (1982 or so), the legend of the Easter Chipmunk lived.
In the late 1990's I was shopping for candy and discovered that one of the candy companies finally figured out what I had known all along: The best part of the choc. bunny was the ears. For a year or two, one could buy just the bunny ears! Of course, this did nothing to abate the ear-ectomies going on late at night on the night before Easter.
To this day, there are Easter Chipmunks wandering around, looking for a way to get into your celebrations.
Friday, April 22, 2011
Weird stuff that's in my head
I don't really "get" Easter. Its a Christian holy day that is determined in a very Pagan manner (the first Sunday after the first full moon after the Spring Equinox). From there, you count backwards for Good Friday, Maundy Thursday and Ash Wednesday.
Okay, now for the week leading up to Easter.... First, you have virtual cannibalism; then either a sacrifice, murder or execution; and finally, a couple days later, reincarnation (or a zombie, depends on who you talk to).
What I want to know is: Where do the chocolate bunnies come in? And the jelly beans?
Okay, now for the week leading up to Easter.... First, you have virtual cannibalism; then either a sacrifice, murder or execution; and finally, a couple days later, reincarnation (or a zombie, depends on who you talk to).
What I want to know is: Where do the chocolate bunnies come in? And the jelly beans?
Thursday, January 6, 2011
The Fashion Police rant
There are things we see as adults that we just know if we had seen them as a child, we would have been scarred for life and would possibly never leave the house again.
Case in point: Larger woman in a very tight mini-skirt bending over to get something off the floor.... Ummmm, lady, the last thing I really need to see is your whoo-ha hanging out all over the place. Look in the mirror. Then look again as if you were looking at a stranger. Then, go back to your closet and find something else to wear so you don't flash (or moon) your co-workers.
There is more need these days for the fashion police than ever before. "Skinny" hip-hugger jeans really don't look good on anyone who wears a size 18 (or larger). Especially when said person seems to think they still wear a size 14. Add a 'belly shirt' and all eveyone else sees is muffin-tops. Made of jello. This is really not attractive. Please people! There is absolutely NOTHING wrong with wearing the size that fits! Honest, there are clothes for those of us who are 'healthier' than the average that look good and are "in". I wear a size 20 and I don't have a problem actually purchasing clothes that not only fit, but look good.
Larger people aren't the only ones making the fashion faux pas these days. I have seen otherwise intelligent people leaving the house in color combinations that are not only unflattering, but you can get the same painful effect by scraping your eyes with a cheese grater. "Hey, Mister! Whoever told you that it was okay to wear a lime green and blaze orange tie was wrong." And, yes, there are times when its okay to mix different patterns. But it is never, ever okay to wear a red and blue striped shirt with yellow, green and black plaid pants (my ex did this regularly).
Finally, "Casual Fridays" does not mean wear your jammies to work. Nor does it mean that you can wear your rattiest, holiest, worn-out jeans with a Megadeth t-shirt. At least, not in an office setting. I'm sure that somewhere there exists a description of what "office casual" means. There has to be. I don't want to have to be the one to write it....
Dawn
Case in point: Larger woman in a very tight mini-skirt bending over to get something off the floor.... Ummmm, lady, the last thing I really need to see is your whoo-ha hanging out all over the place. Look in the mirror. Then look again as if you were looking at a stranger. Then, go back to your closet and find something else to wear so you don't flash (or moon) your co-workers.
There is more need these days for the fashion police than ever before. "Skinny" hip-hugger jeans really don't look good on anyone who wears a size 18 (or larger). Especially when said person seems to think they still wear a size 14. Add a 'belly shirt' and all eveyone else sees is muffin-tops. Made of jello. This is really not attractive. Please people! There is absolutely NOTHING wrong with wearing the size that fits! Honest, there are clothes for those of us who are 'healthier' than the average that look good and are "in". I wear a size 20 and I don't have a problem actually purchasing clothes that not only fit, but look good.
Larger people aren't the only ones making the fashion faux pas these days. I have seen otherwise intelligent people leaving the house in color combinations that are not only unflattering, but you can get the same painful effect by scraping your eyes with a cheese grater. "Hey, Mister! Whoever told you that it was okay to wear a lime green and blaze orange tie was wrong." And, yes, there are times when its okay to mix different patterns. But it is never, ever okay to wear a red and blue striped shirt with yellow, green and black plaid pants (my ex did this regularly).
Finally, "Casual Fridays" does not mean wear your jammies to work. Nor does it mean that you can wear your rattiest, holiest, worn-out jeans with a Megadeth t-shirt. At least, not in an office setting. I'm sure that somewhere there exists a description of what "office casual" means. There has to be. I don't want to have to be the one to write it....
Dawn
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