BAN Ban The Box

 

As a supervisor who hires, trains and managers numerous employees, I am NOT in favour of Ban TheBox. To be perfectly honest, I’m totally against it.

There is a reason job applications ask if an applicant is a convicted felon. It’s for protection—person and property. In my 32+ years hiring employees, many felons are repeat offenders. Many others are career felons and a mere handful are those who made a mistake, paid their dues and never did it again. The latter are the ones who should be given a chance. And in my career, I have given plenty. Even though I get less and less background checks that are blank—meaning the person committed NO crime, not even a DUI. That’s just shameful.

Ban The Box eliminates the question on job applications with the hopes that you will not judge the applicant if they checked “yes” and by the time you’ve interviewed the felon you will like them so much, and think they are so qualified, you will hire them in spite of their criminal record.

I’m here to tell you, if you are a CAREER felon, I don’t give a rat’s patootie how qualified you are, I will not hire you.

Now, if you made a mistake 20+ years ago and have had a clean record since, absolutely, I will hire you, and as I said, I have.

This crap that it’s discriminatory to ask if someone is convicted of a felon is BS. Is it also discriminatory to have employees drug tested?  Or are we going to have to accept alcoholics and drug addicticts because it’s not fair and they can’t help it? Is it discriminatory to get someone’s credit report when their job duties include handling thousands and thousands of dollars? Or how about when they work with children? Are we going to stop doing criminal background checks and finger printing and eliminate the sexual predator’s list? Honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised if we did eliminate all that. We are a society where no one is responsible for any of their actions. And if they perpetrate a crime, we owe them something. After all, we’re all entitled now.

I’m sick of this. It’s dangerous to carry a gun, but it’s safe and acceptable to put employees and customers in danger with convicted felons. And I do know of what I speak. I’ve had people apply for jobs who committed assault and battery, robbery, identity theft, selling drugs, stalking and even rape. And many of them lied on the application by saying “no” they committed no felon. However, their arm-long criminal background shows they are career criminals. And no, many are not 20+ years ago. Many aren’t even 10 years ago. I’ve had them within one year, or less.

So, if you don’t want me to judge, DON’T COMMIT A CRIME.

 

 

Calling Out Unethical Bloggers!

I feel it’s important to conduct oneself in an honorable manner on the internet and I’ve behaved properly since my first social networking gig, which was MySpace back in the day. When I decided to begin blogging I knew I would continue my good behavior not only because I wanted to maintain my respectable on-line reputation but also because I didn’t want anyone I knew to read something unsavory written by me. I can say with confidence that after 3 years of blogging I have maintained my respectable behavior and will continue to do so.

I’m not proud of some bloggers who actively and knowingly tried to censor other blogs. You can read the story here. I’m a firm believer in our 1st Amendment and I’m ashamed that Conservatives have been named in this Digg scandal. It makes those of us who are respectable and noble look bad. I would like to go on record right now by saying that I denounce anyone, Right or Left, who engages in sleazy behavior. I also oppose bloggers here in our community who pose as Conservatives to disrupt dialogue and cause trouble and those who blog with an explicit agenda, like those on Digg, and will turn on you for being an independent thinker.

I and a few other Bloggers have had run-ins with Conservative-blogger-posers. They would come on our blogs and give us trouble because we conversed with Liberal Bloggers and visited Liberal Blogs and when we didn’t concede they called us names, blogged unfavorably about us and when those tactics didn’t work, they banned us. In one week’s time I lost 60 followers. I thought that was really odd, but now that I know that these blogs are actually owned by a handful of people it explains why most of them haven’t been posted on in almost a year and why at least 30 of them have celebrity photos or pictures from over-seas advertising sites as their profile photos. I understand some people don’t wish to use their real picture on the internet therefore they use a photo of a pet or a cartoonish-type picture or even an avatar, but when a person uses a picture from an advertising site and allows commenters to assume it’s him/her—that’s deceitful and these Blogger-posers have done just that.

These bloggers have set up fake blogs and have gone as far as stealing the photos of REAL people for their profile page. Yes, they steal photos of real people from Facebook and other social network sites. This is a problem because these fake blogs have ideas and opinions posted all over them that DON’T match the opinions of the identities that the bloggers stole. This is IDENTITY THEFT and not only is it illegal but it’s also reprehensible. These bloggers also plagiarize by copying/pasting comments written by others onto their fake blogs but give no attribution to the original writer. They do this with comments also. Anyone participating in any of these behaviors should be ashamed of him/herself! And any blog that has been set up or used in a deceitful manner should SHUT DOWN IMMEDIATELY.


There is nothing worse than a person who has no integrity or honor and would stoop so low as to steal something—especially an identity. Even if some of these followers are real, I find it difficult to believe they would want to follow a fraud, a liar and a thief, therefore they must be one in the same person, OR these people have no character either. And if that’s the case then I wouldn’t want them to read my blog let alone follow it—I would much rather have a handful of loyal, honorable followers than a hundred dishonest ones!

A blog, to me, should be informative, or at the very least, entertaining. The cookie cutter blogs with authors who rant and rave are a dime a dozen. I can turn on my radio to hear the “talking points”; I certainly don’t want to read them on blogs, too. Give me some substance. But substance is what these posers are sorely lacking because they lack moral character! (Not to mention English and Grammar skills!)

It’s too bad we can’t send them all into cyber-space… for real! The only thing we can do, fellow Bloggers, is what we’ve been doing—keep blogging and acting honorably. WE will prevail because these deceitful trolls have no stamina, no courage and no perseverance. So, hold true to your values and strong to your convictions and we will beat them.

I want to say thank you to Shaw at Progressive Eruptions for the work she has done at exposing these posers and thank you to Blue Pitbull, Infidel and The Swash Zone for supporting her. We may not all agree on politics, but we DO agree on principles and that’s because we know UNETHICAL behavior when we see it and DECENT people stick together.

Governor Jan Brewer Tough on Food Stamp Fraud

For years-- literally, I’ve asked why we haven’t clamped down on fraud, waste, abuse and just plain THEFT of our welfare and food stamp programs, until it became quite apparent that the Federal Government didn’t WANT to do anything about it, so I stopped beating my head against a wall. Not asking, however, never stopped my anger or frustration, though.

I have to say that Governor Jan Brewer has impressed me yet again and given me some hope. First with her immigration bill, which proves she is at least trying to help her state of Arizona and its residents, something the Feds should be doing but have neglected for decades, and now with her new program to stop fraud within the food stamp program.

By stepping up to the plate and tackling fraud and abuse in the food stamp program, Governor Brewer is once again in the news and the topic of something controversial. The new fraud prevention unit, which was launched July 1st, was assembled to ensure that people who receive food stamps aren’t using them illegally. The Trafficking Detection Unit (TDU) will investigate people to make sure they aren’t purchasing items other than food or trying to convert their benefits into cash, a common fraudulent practice. Arizona saved 9.5 million dollars between 2008-2009 by denying people who weren’t “eligible” for the benefits. Imagine what our federal budget could “save” if it would implement such a program! Maybe Governor Brewer could give them a few lessons on how to use one’s “back-bone”!

I’m sure once this goes viral, Jan Brewer will be called a racist—again, and it will be said she hates poor people. But this has nothing to do with skin color, ethnicity, sex, religion, or creed and everything to do with CHARACTER. If you are cheating the system you are a dirt bag and should be thrown off, and have to pay back what you STOLE! But I’m sure that won’t happen, unless our politicians grow back bones or at the very least find the ones they left at the door when they checked in.

But for starters I’d be happy if all 50 states hopped on this bandwagon and tackled this problem which is a dis-ease that has infected our system for decades. Maybe once the feds see that the states aren’t afraid to implement something and that the people are willing to back their governors, they will finally step up and do the right thing!

I can dream, can’t I?

Glenn Beck CPAC 2010 Keynote Speech—Specific Topics for All Americans

Glenn Beck was the keynote Speaker at the CPAC 2010 convention this year, and if you’d like, you can watch the entire speech at Ablur’s blog, where I watched it. Thanks Ablur!

Beck is very popular among Conservatives but not so with Liberals. You can find Beck’s speech deciphered all over the net by a lot of bloggers, authors and journalists, some positively, some not so favorably. I found a fair amount of what Beck had to say very sensible and think some of it is worth repeating.

Glenn Beck felt that, “...it’s not enough just to not suck as much as the other side”

Who can disagree with that! “Not sucking as much” isn’t BETTER, it’s just mediocre. This is a message that our Representatives NEED pounded into their heads. Who wants to SETTLE for mediocre? Certainly NOT me! Do you? Why would our Representatives? Why wouldn’t they want to be the absolute BEST that they can be? And more importantly, why aren’t MORE Americans demanding that our Officials be the BEST?

Beck went on to say that he was a recovering alcoholic and that he believes in redemption. I do too, by the way. Although I believe you must repent to those you’ve hurt. It doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks as long as you are truly sorry and make amends to those to whom you’ve caused grief. We’ve all screwed up, but, if we make amends, never do it again, and atone to those we hurt, I feel forgiveness is possible.

But what happens when it’s our Public Officials who are making the mistakes and causing the pain? Do they deserve forgiveness? Well, it’s my belief that if they admit to their mistakes and are truly remorseful, then yes, they should be forgiven. But do we have any Representatives who will actually stand up and tell us that they screwed up? Are any of our Representatives capable of remorse? Repentance? Or are they all too self-absorbed and “above us” to ever admit to anything, especially a major screw up?

Or as Beck said, “You are somebody who has said ‘Okay I’ll represent you’. Did you check your soul at the door? Make sure you hang onto your soul. Now if you are just like me, if you are just like the average every day person, you won’t lose your soul along with way. ”

He’s right. I didn’t lose my soul or check it at the door when I was in a position of power. I was in charge of hundreds of employees and I didn't "lose my way”. I conducted myself in an honorable manner as I was the role model. If my subordinates saw me behaving less than honorably what would stop them? Our Officials are role models but yet they don’t conduct themselves honorably. Why should Americans be honest on their taxes when we have a bunch of tax cheats in Public Office? Or put in an honest day’s work when our Officials aren’t working 40 or 50 hours per week yet getting paid a lot more than the average American and on OUR dime! Why should WE worry about a balanced budget or the deficit when Congress is on a spending spree that would put a drunken sailor on shore leave to shame—yet we’ve cut back on everything from movie tickets to haircuts! These people are out of control but they preach to US about fiscal responsibility. We NEED politicians in DC who will reflect decency, integrity and good moral character, plus NOT take advantage of us, our country or the position they hold.

Glenn said that he wasn’t sure what the definition of Conservatism was in America anymore, however, he knew what it meant to him. It meant “personal responsibility”. He and I couldn’t agree on something more. Also, if you’ve done something wrong then it’s up to YOU to pay the price. It’s up to YOU to make it right. Wouldn’t it have been great to have the CEO’s stand up and be “accountable” rather than have the American people “bail” their reckless butts out? That USED to be the American way. What the heck happened?

He said that people needed to stop jabbering about their childhoods. You know, he has a point. Personally I could “boo-hoo” about the nightmare of a childhood I endured, but I don’t, because everybody has a sob story. A bad childhood doesn’t give you the right to “bail-outs”, “hand-outs” or “opt-outs”. It’s over and done with; today is a new day and if you’re still “moaning” about your childhood then you’re using it as an excuse NOT to take “personal responsibility”.


Which leads me to Glenn’s point, “We have a right to fail. Without failure there is no growth.” Failure isn’t bad. I’ve had failure in my life and I’ll probably fail again. I’ve also had quite a few successes. It was my failures that made me strong. They taught me determination, self-discipline and courage. Without those I wouldn’t be the independent, brave, compassionate woman I am today. So, I’m thankful for my failures. If someone had bailed me out, how would I have learned a valuable lesson? Or take famous novelist John Grisham’s first novel, “A Time to Kill”, it was rejected by a dozen publishers and 16 agents before breaking into print and launching his career. Failure is only bad if we give up.

I’m with Beck 100% on this message, “This is America, there is no cap on success. There seems to be some sort of cap on willingness to search for success. That has to change in America. We have a different system here. We choose our own destiny. We choose. All men are created equal. All men will not end up equal. But all men are created equal. And in our daily choices that determines our outcome.”

There ISN’T a cap on success and it most definitely ISN’T limited. The only thing that is limited is our thought process. Many people have pulled themselves out of poverty to become extremely wealthy, although success isn’t only determined financially. For me success is determined by one’s level of happiness. [Achieve THAT and you have the world in the palm of your hand-- regardless of your W-2!] The message, however, is very clear—we are all equal, but we don’t all end up equal and that is due to our CHOICES. Again, don’t blame it on your childhood because a pleasant childhood doesn’t guarantee a good life just like an awful childhood doesn’t guarantee a bad life.

“We need an understanding that life is not fair. It is not fair. The bad guys sometimes wins. Sometimes OJ Simpson gets away with it. Sometimes the big banks fail. Sometimes the good banks fail. Not everybody gets a trophy. What is the point in competing for a trophy if everyone gets a trophy? Please stop teaching my children that everyone will get a trophy just for participating.”

Oh don’t get me started on giving trophies to everyone who participates! I find THAT practice not only ridiculous but damaging in more ways than one. We are teaching our youth that all you have to do is “show up” and you “win”. What kind of message is THAT? People need to realize that competition is healthy and not everybody wins. But it’s those who refuse to “give up” who eventually “win”. Again, everyone’s level of “success” is measured individually, but “participation” shouldn’t guarantee anything.


There are times when bad things happen to good people. There are times when we are victims of circumstance and sometimes life just happens and it’s JUST NOT FAIR. But guess what? We can wake up tomorrow and the sun will be out and we need to realize WE have the power to fix our OWN lives! We can make choices to alter our course, to alter our destiny and make a difference. Will this guarantee that bad things will never happen? No, of course not. But it will guarantee that OUR life and OUR destiny is in OUR hands and not the hands of someone else! I will be damned if I will hand my power over to someone else. I WANT the power over my own life. And anyone who doesn’t want that power has been brainwashed to believe that they have no power and THAT is shameful.

Glenn mentioned that, “People are losing a fundamental belief that it’s going to be better tomorrow than it is today.”

Of course they are. Our economy is in the tank. Unemployment is 10% and probably going to get higher. Inflation is sure to hit. Interest rates are low only because they are being held down on purpose. The housing industry is only doing as well as it is because of government intervention. But take those incentives away and what would happen? The economy is NOT getting better and I’ll go out on a limb and say that’s it’s going to take quite some time before it does. The price of everything from paper towels to ground meat has sky-rocketed but most salaries have not followed. People who have worked hard all their lives watched as their life savings was lost. They also watch as the Government spends their taxes frivolously with no regard for their future. We’re angry, frightened and disenfranchised. We have tightened our belts but Congress hasn’t. No, Congress has been doing business as usual and then some—all under the “guise” of “it’s best for our country”. That’s bull. Spending us into oblivion isn’t in our best interest. Congress states it can’t “cut” because everything is necessary. The first stimulus was necessary. This second stimulus is necessary—EVERYTHING Government does is NECESSARY—ever notice that? Yet we are bleeding through every vein, losing private sector jobs daily, BUT Government jobs are SAVED! Yippee! Tell that to the carpenters, hair stylists, waiters, car salesmen, technicians, secretaries and childcare workers, to name a few, who have been out of work for over a year and can’t find work and whose unemployment benefits have run out. Tell them how many jobs have been saved. They’ll tell you the government is full of it—and they are right. You NEED private sector jobs to pay for those “saved government jobs” and THAT is the FACT Jack.

I’m tired of the lies, the distortion of facts and the spin. I want honest people in Congress to tell me the truth—for once. We, as Americans, have the right to the truth. And by golly if they don’t start then we have every right to FIRE them! Forget the voting booths. These people aren’t “public servants” anymore—they are PAID employees! And we are their bosses! We have the RIGHT to fire them if they aren’t doing their job. You give me a list of those who are doing what is RIGHT, TRUE, HONEST and IN THE BEST INTEREST of our country and her people and I’ll get off my soap box…until then I will preach about the dishonesty of DC until the cows come home.

In closing, like or dislike Glenn Beck, he made some valid points in his speech. Personal responsibility shouldn’t be avoided and neither should failure as failure can lead us to our greatest success because success isn’t limited. We also need some optimism, which isn’t easy with what we’re faced with today. But it might help if our politicians were more honorable and decent and if they aren’t then we should be doing something about them—no more “status quo”. This is OUR country and we Americans need to take pride in her and make sure that everything our Representatives are doing is truly in the “best interest” of OUR country.

Frankly My Dear…

On my last post “Blogging Etiquette-Open Thread” I believe someone said, “Pam, thank you for this wonderful blogging experience. It worked out really well. The usual suspects have said exactly what was expected of them.”

It was not a “wonderful” experience for me and I most definitely don’t think it worked out “really well”. Although, for me, it did confirm the “usual suspects” and I must say I’m very displeased that yet again they disrespected me and my blog.

I could go on a tirade and tell all of you that I know exactly who started what, when and with what comments, because I have taken the time to read through all the comments, something I’m sure no one else will take the time to do to find the truth. I also have the ratio of unfavorable comments between Liberals and Conservatives. But people who hide from the truth don’t want to hear facts so I’ll keep that information to myself as I wouldn’t want facts to interfere with anyone’s fantasy. Suffice to say that I know the truth and I will keep it in mind for future comment sections.

I just want to say one last time that I have been nothing but respectful to everyone I’ve ever encountered in the blogosphere, and one would think since I’ve never done anything nasty or discourteous, that maybe, just maybe, out of courtesy for me, people would refrain from immature, irrational rantings and discourteous, insulting comments. But I guess that’s too much to ask from people who aren’t mature or reasonable and who lack even the most basic sense of decorum.

I will continue my venture for blogging civility because I’m not one to be broken easily and I can guarantee most of you will quit long before I ever will. With that being said, I will also maintain MY claim to fame of being a “classy” blogger and continue being civil and polite, but I will NOT tolerate the condescending, insulting or even remotely rude comments. I will delete them faster than a New York minute. And if I’m questioned or told I’m “unfair” or that I’m “censoring”, the person will get my new award! It’s my “Frankly My Dear” award! And it stands for “Frankly my dear I don’t give a damn”, after my favorite movie of all time, Gone With the Wind. Scarlett was a force to be reckoned with and I believe she and I would’ve gotten along quite well…

Obama Girl lost that Loving Feelin’

New Jersey resident, Amber Lee Ettinger, better known as Obama Girl, lip-synced a YouTube video about her “crush” on Candidate Barack Obama back in 2007. Her “tune” regarding Obama has since changed and she now gives him a B- because she wishes he would’ve spent his first year in office more focused on the economy.

Ettinger, 28, who doesn’t have health care, “I can’t afford it”, thinks Obama should have waited to tackle the enormous health care legislation that has been blamed for everything from Democratic in-fighting to the lost Kennedy Seat. “It’s definitely a distraction because of the economy being as bad as it is,” said Ettinger, “I know he’s getting a lot of flak for things that he’s not doing. In my opinion, I feel like he should be focusing a lot more on jobs and the economy. He did create some jobs, but most of them were government jobs and that doesn’t really help the middle class. But it helps a bit.”

On Hannity, the host, Sean Hannity, asked Amber if she had fallen out of love with Obama and she said, “I just don't have that big crush like I used to.”

When Sean said, “It’s gone.” Amber replied, “Yeah, I mean it was two years ago. If I had this crush on him the same way as I did in the beginning, I'd be the fool. You know, it's like a relationship. When you get into a relationship with somebody, they are great and perfect. They say all the right things. And then once you're in the relationship, it's like, okay, they're not that perfect.”

Hannity asked Ettinger if it was similar to your boyfriend lying to you and Amber replied, “Sort of.”

But Amber’s “line of the year” was, “Well, at least I wasn't the Edwards Girl, right? That's one thing I know.”

I am in 100% agreement with the former Obama Girl! I can’t imagine anyone aspiring to be an Edwards Girl! Although his illegitimate daughter is stuck with the title whether she likes it or not as John Edwards has finally acknowledged the fact that he sired her with mistress Frances Quinn Hunter while his wife, Elizabeth, battled with cancer. In my opinion, Edwards’ infidelity tops all Republican Cheaters combined.

They’re OUR Seats!

As many of us are aware, the Massachusetts’ Senate seat, which was vacated after Senator Ted Kennedy passed away, has become quite a heated race between Martha Coakley[D] and Scott Brown[R]. I have no real dog in this race so I haven’t been following it and I have no idea what the candidate’s ideals are, other than their party affiliation. Although, I did hear this from their most recent debate:

I have to admit that I was impressed with how Brown handled this question. Because he’s 100% correct! It’s NOT the Democrat’s seat; it’s NOT Ted Kennedy’s seat, even though he occupied it for 47 years; it IS the People’s seat.

Look at it this way. Obama’s not in Bush’s seat; Bush wasn’t in Clinton’s seat. The Presiden't seat is the PEOPLE'S seat!

As I said, I was impressed with Brown’s response. I’ve been saying for awhile now that we need MORE men and women representing us in the House AND the Senate who believe as Brown does. It’s the PEOPLE’S House; it’s the PEOPLE’S Senate; therefore they are the PEOPLES’ seats, hence, they are there for us—the PEOPLE. If we had more officials who possessed this type of mentality OUR country wouldn’t be in this current mess. Our officials are there to serve US, not themselves; not big business; not lobbyists. They have a duty to US and the sooner we elect honorable men and women to OUR seats, the faster we will have a country that better reflects our ideals and beliefs.

Politicians aren’t Gods, they are people, just like you and me, and they should be people who will reflect what We the People need and want. The elitist mentality needs to be abolished and be replaced with integrity, honesty and good character—something that has been sorely lacking in the last few decades.

It’s MY Blog

When I wanted to blog, I first did some research. I began reading other blogs. I read all types—Cooking blogs, Style blogs, Humor and Gay blogs. I found that I was most interested in Political blogs. The Political blogs I liked the best were the ones that had both Conservative AND Liberal commenters. I enjoyed reading the viewpoints of both political persuasions. It gave me an insight to the topic at hand that I might not have had had only one political opinion been available. These particular blogs also had respectful followers. There wasn’t any name-calling, insults or degradation. I found these blog very refreshing and I really enjoyed them.

I think I also connected to this type of blog because it reminded me of the way I conversed in real life. I have co-workers, friends and family members who have Liberal views. (My Godmother, whom I love very much, voted for Obama.) I talk with these people about politics on a regular basis, but we NEVER get hostile, we NEVER fight or offend one another—heck, we don’t even raise our voices!

One day at work, I was having a discussion with a Democrat co-worker about former President Jimmy Carter. This co-worker said to me, “You are the only Republican who has ever been respectful of my opinion.” I was speechless! How could THAT be? How could other Republicans be ignorant to her just because her views are different?

I pondered that and decided when I began my blog it would be civil and respectful. Everyone—Conservatives, Independents AND Liberals would be welcome. They would all be able to express themselves, as long as they were courteous to one another. With my mind made up, I started my blog. I was so excited! It took a long time for me to get any comments, or followers for that matter, let alone any Liberals, but one day it happened!

My first Liberal was a tad sarcastic and I had to set him straight, but I did it politely. He apologized immediately and has been respectful ever since. After he began following me a few others started to follow, then a couple more. In turn, I began to visit their blogs and started leaving comments on their sites. I can honestly say that I have had only one problem since I began blogging. ONE. And that was partially my fault.

I am not the only person that visits these Liberal blogs, either. There are other Conservatives and they are treated just as respectfully as me. I believe the reason we are treated with consideration is because we treat the blog owners and the followers with respect. We don’t go to these blogs with aggression or in attack mode. We state our opinion in a polite manner and we are acknowledged the same way. I know this because I have read many comments by other Conservatives and I can see where the Conservative has provoked the author or one of the other commenters but then tries to say it’s the Liberal’s fault. I think that is quite unfair and I don’t like that type of behavior. If a person is attacked, then that person has every right to defend him or herself, but to provoke the person and then blame the person whom you provoked…that’s just wrong. It makes me disheartened to see this type of behavior.

I’m a Conservative and I love my blog. I also like to visit other blogs, which includes Liberal blogs. I will continue to do this because it’s what I like to do and I DO what makes ME happy. I am very strong in my values and beliefs so I have no fear that someone is going to “brainwash” me or “skew my perspective”. Actually something really good has happened since I began blogging! I’ve met a lot of really great people and it makes me happy that I created my blog. But as everyone who has a blog knows, it takes time to maintain it. There are those of us who think of our blogs as our “babies”. We develop it, look after it and watch it grow. It’s our creation and we’re proud of it. So, when someone pollutes it, we take it personally. I’ve taken it personally when some people have disrespected my requests to be courteous. I feel it’s an affront to me. This is my special place…where I can spew my sentiments ‘til my heart’s content, and I would like for my readers, followers and commenters to respect that my blog is an avenue for me to express myself and it’s also a pathway for others to express themselves, BUT they MUST be polite, regardless of the topic or political persuasion.


Which brings me to my rules. They are posted at the top of my blog, but have been grossly ignored. I’m partially to blame for this. I should’ve been more strict with them, but I felt everyone had the “right” to “express” themselves. And, in a way, they do. However, just as I invite Conservatives, Liberals and Democrats to sit at my kitchen table, I would NOT hesitate to toss them out on their butt if they insulted me or one of my other guests. So, beginning with this post, my first for 2010, I will NOT hesitate to delete if:

You ATTACK me or one of my readers/followers

You get OFF topic

Or

Because I’m having a bad day and YOU get on my nerves

Please familiarize yourself with my rules because they are not open for discussion and I will not explain if I delete you; apologize if I delete you; argue because I delete you. The rules are the rules. I don’t argue with my kids about the rules, so, since that’s the way I live in real life, and that’s how I want to run my blog, that’s what I am doing. Period.


I would like for my readers and followers to understand and accept that I am an independent woman who will do what’s in my heart. But for those who can’t, I will obviously understand and accept their decision to move on. And for those who feel the need to move on, I want to thank you for your contribution to my blog and I wish you every happiness and success that life has to offer.

For everyone who wants to follow the rules and engage in civil, courteous discourse—WELCOME! I hope 2010 is a wonderful year for all of us!

Liars, Thieves and Cheats…Oh My

What's up with these politicians that run on family values, blah, blah, then get caught in public restrooms trying to pick up other men; emailing sex messages to teenage boys; keeping 3 mistresses while married; putting prostitutes in jail while paying thousands of dollars for a whore for yourself...and the list goes on. Not that other men don't do the same sick, twisted, illegal actions. The difference is the average Joe isn't in the public eye spewing lies about his integrity using tax dollars. Then you have the wives of these disgusting pig politicians standing next to them while they read from their prewritten apology like they truly feel remorse. They’re only sorry they got caught. The apologies are as genuine as their integrity speeches that got them elected in the first place. What’s wrong with these women? They have to know how ridiculous they look standing next to their so-called husbands on national television. If it were me…I’d go in front of that camera and just as he began his hypocritical, prewritten apology, I’d kick him in his crotch and walk away.

The Correct Response

I suffer from migraine headaches. Thanks to my headache specialist, they’ve been reduced from twenty-four migraines per month to about nine. I take 150 mg of Topamax each day for preventative measures and an Imitrex tablet when one strikes. Sometimes I need two tablets to really break the monster, but they work and I’m so grateful.

A prescription of Imitrex comes in a package of nine pills and cost $359. Fortunately, I have insurance and can get two packages (18 tablets) for $20. My insurance will not pay for more than eighteen pills in any thirty day period. So, these little pink pills are like gold to me. On my last refill the Pharmacist told me she only had one package in stock because their shipment hadn’t come in yet and I could pick up the other package in a few days. This wasn’t a problem for me as I’ve been going to CVS for years and the Pharmacist has always treated me well.

A few days later I arrived at CVS’s drive-thru for the remainder of my Imitrex and a couple other prescriptions. Unfortunately I was waited on by the worst woman in the pharmacy department--this woman never smiles and only speaks when absolutely necessary. I figure her to be a miserable person in general or she just doesn’t like me. I politely told her I was only due one package of the Imitrex. She ignored me, never looked in the bag, handed it to me and gave me my total. I paid then bade her “good day”, which, of course, she ignored. I drove away, pulled onto the roadway then at the red light looked into the bag. Well, there were 2 packages of Imitrex, which meant that CVS was out $359 and I had nine extra precious pink pills.

I had to run some errands and while doing so I knew darn well I couldn’t, with good conscience, keep those pills. But before I went back to CVS, I rehearsed all the things I was going to say to Miss Miserable when I returned them. About two hours later I arrived at CVS, entered with Imitrex bag in hand and strode back to the pharmacy counter. Miss Miserable was there waiting on another customer. Her face never changed from its usual stiff discontent. (I think it’s safe to assume she was mad at the world and not just me). The customer left…my turn.

I stepped forward and said, “I don’t know why you chose to ignore me when I told you I was only due one package of Imitrex. It’s a good thing I’m honest or your pharmacy would be out three-hundred fifty-nine dollars.” I pulled both packages out of the bag. She grabbed the bag out of my hand and said, “Let me see who filled that!” I was flabbergasted that she tore the bag out of my hand. Yes, whoever initially filled it made the mistake; but she was wrong for not listening to me when I told her to check it! I looked at her and said, “The correct response is, Thank you.” I held out my hand for my package of Imitrex, which she handed me and I left the store.

I’m sure it didn’t sink into her bleached blonde head that it doesn’t matter to a customer where the mistake first happened. It could have been prevented had she just listened rather than worry about balancing that chip on her shoulder--and finger pointing has never solved anything. It sure wouldn’t have replaced the missing $359. People who finger point look incompetent, immature and just plain stupid, in my opinion. Figure out the quality control issue when the customer isn’t around. Until then, the correct response is--Thank you.

Sticks and Stones

As a kid I can remember being bullied. It made me feel bad and there were times when I had to hold back tears least the bullies see and call me a crybaby. However, I endured, persevered…strengthened even. This was the era of Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me and Takes one to know one and who from my generation could forget I’m rubber you’re glue; what bounces off me sticks to you?

Oh, those phrases, my saving grace at times. I used them like a security blanket and they helped me feel a little better. I flung those sayings at the bullies like balls from a canon to give myself a sense of power, no matter how false or fleeting it may have been. I used those snappy little clichés to try and prove I wasn’t affected by the cruel, harsh words hurled my way, but inside I was angry, embarrassed, dejected and humiliated.

In spite of the cruelness of childhood and the callousness of some children, I prevailed and I believe I grew stronger each and every time someone picked on me. As an adult I don’t get offended at remarks directed at or about me or heard through the numerous media avenues. I walk tall and proud among my peers. My posture is flawless today, having perfected it years ago as a defense mechanism. I don't have to be reminded to hold my head high, my chin up and my shoulders back-- it's quite automatic. When I walk into a room people turn and take notice because my presence demands attention. I'm not stuck up nor do I think I'm better than anyone else. I just know my own self-worth and it's not determined by what people say. It’s not assessed by the color of my skin, my nationality or religion, where I shop, the clothing labels I wear, the square footage of my home, the transportation I use or the balance in my checkbook. One’s sense of worth is determined by one’s inner strength and character. And mine was built years ago when I chose not to let someone’s words define who and what I am.

The Female Debacle

I’ve noticed over the years that women, like me, have progressed, but not all evolved in a positive manner. Many believe that getting pregnant before or without marriage and a daddy is totally acceptable. There are numerous web-sites, chat rooms and blog spots exclusively for single unwed mothers. They give and seek support from one another for such issues as child support from dead beat dads, what to do about their ex’s new girlfriend, how to meet a new stud, and where to find a baby sitter so they can go out with said stud.

These women complain and condemn the fathers of their children; ranting on and on about how much they hate him, then in their next breath state how much they love their child. THAT really confuses me. I love the baby we created TOGETHER, but I hate YOU. How can you hate him but love something that is half of him? The mental attitudes of these women dumbfound me. It’s as if they’d rather have men only for pleasure and bank accounts. They might as well come right out and say it. I only want a man for sex and money. That way they can at least claim SOME dignity by being honest.

But they don’t have to face the truth. Our culture has bent the rules so much that it’s socially acceptable to be a single mother raising a few kids all from different fathers; children being raised by grandparents; and children being raised by two sets of step-parents with step and half siblings. We can’t call it “Dad and Me Day” at school anymore. New Politically Correct terms are needed to include many different people like grandfather, uncle or even Mom’s new friend, Bob.

Moms bring many new "friends" in and out of the child’s life which is confusing and emotionally damaging to children. The excuse, and I use that term lightly, these women have for going through boyfriend after boyfriend is the fear of being alone. Can you even believe that one! They have a beautiful child that loves her beyond anything in the world; his primary goal is to please and make her smile; his entire universe revolves around his mommy. And she has the audacity to fear loneliness! More like she’s afraid she’ll SLEEP alone.

Women who are more concerned with their carnal desires than they are for their child’s emotional, physical and psychological well-being make me sick to my stomach. These pathetic, selfish, weak-minded women are a disgrace to the female race and I’m ashamed to be of the same gender. Thankfully there are women, like me, and others in my family and circle of friends, who consider marriage and motherhood sacred. We have quality, integrity and character and hopefully one day we will out-number those females who devalue children, and the family unit will be reinstated and esteemed once again.