Sunday, August 23, 2009

Temperatures Rising

There has been a great debate this century about Global Warming, the causes and what needs to be done to reverse this trend. Let us first take a look at the basic definition of Global Warming; http://zfacts.com/p/49.html
Definition of Global Warming: Gradual increase in the earth's surface temperature.


While researching this topic I have found most evidence pointing to greenhouse gases being produced by mankind. Even though, I believe this is a prudent observation, the planet earth has gone from warming to chilling trends since it was created millions of years ago. However, the production of greenhouse gases must be recognized as a catalyst to climate change at a much higher rate than Mother Nature would unfold. The following I submit to support my belief;
http://www.greenfacts.org/climate-change/global-warming/global-warming.htm
Natural reasons will always affect global warming. However, human activities are increasing significantly the concentrations of greenhouse gases, mainly CO2) in the atmosphere, resulting in global warming. Although more research is needed, understanding of global warming processes and computer models have improved. global warming models conclude that most of the warming over the last 50 years is likely to have been due to man-made activities. Scenarios are developed to predict what global warming are expected for the future and what the likely consequences will be.
http://www.greenfacts.org/en/climate-change-ar4/index.htm#5
The Earth’s climate is influenced by many factors, mainly by the amount of energy coming from the sun, but also by factors such as the amount of greenhouse gases and aerosols in the atmosphere, and the properties of the Earth’s surface, which determine how much of this solar energy is retained or reflected back to space.
The
atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) have significantly increased since the beginning of the industrial revolution. This is mainly due to human activities, such as the burning of fossil fuels, land use change, and agriculture. For instance, the atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide is now far higher than in the last 650 000 years and has been growing faster in the last ten years than it has been since the beginning of continuous measurements around 1960.

Now, regardless of whether you believe mankind is totally responsible or not, there are advantages and disadvantages to the future involving global warming. The following is the good and the not so good; http://hamariweb.com/article.aspx?id=285
Disadvantages of Global Warming• Ocean circulation disrupted, disrupting and having unknown effects on world climate. • Higher sea level leading to flooding of low-lying lands and deaths and disease from flood and evacuation. • Deserts get drier leaving to increased desertification. • Changes to agricultural production that can lead to food shortages. • Water shortages in already water-scarce areas. • Starvation, malnutrition, and increased deaths due to food and crop shortages. • More extreme weather and an increased frequency of severe and catastrophic storms. • Increased disease in humans and animals. • Increased deaths from heat waves. • Extinction of additional species of animals and plants. • Loss of animal and plant habitats. • Increased emigration of those from poorer or low-lying countries to wealthier or higher countries seeking better (or non-deadly) conditions. • Additional use of energy resources for cooling needs. • Increased air pollution. • Increased allergy and asthma rates due to earlier blooming of plants. • Melt of permafrost leads to destruction of structures, landslides, and avalanches. • Permanent loss of glaciers and ice sheets. • Cultural or heritage sites destroyed faster due to increased extremes. • Increased acidity of rainfall. • Earlier drying of forests leading to increased forest fires in size and intensity. • Increased cost of insurance as insurers pay out more claims resulting from increasingly large disasters.
Advantages of Global Warming• Arctic, Antarctic, Siberia, and other frozen regions of earth may experience more plant growth and milder climates. • Northwest Passage through Canada's formerly-icy north opens up to sea transportation. • Less need for energy consumption to warm cold places. • Fewer deaths or injuries due to cold weather. • Longer growing seasons could mean increased agricultural production in some local areas. • Mountains increase in height due to melting glaciers, becoming higher as they rebound against the missing weight of the ice.


I honestly believe, in the final analysis, planet earth or Mother Nature will correct itself like it has done throughout its long life. An example is with seasonal weather patterns. In New England, when we have a snowy winter, we usually end up with a hot dry summer. If the summer is too wet, we will end up with a cold dry winter. Scenarios like this are repeated all over the world. My only hope is that we will change our technologies to be more ecologically friendly and that mother earth will realize that. I would like to see this planet, make the adjustments to survive, in a way that will include the continuation of mankind. We can only hope.

That’s How I See It.

Websites of reference;
http://timeforchange.org/pros-and-cons-of-global-warming
http://www.bionomicfuel.com/pros-and-cons-of-global-warming/
http://hamariweb.com/article.aspx?id=285
http://www.greenfacts.org/climate-change/global-warming/global-warming.htm
http://www.greenfacts.org/en/climate-change-ar4/index.htm#5
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_warming
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&rls=com.microsoft:en-us&defl=en&q=define:global+warming&ei=wLCRSramCMvAlAfL3sWpDA&sa=X&oi=glossary_definition&ct=title
http://zfacts.com/p/49.html
http://www.eoearth.org/article/Global_warming
http://www.greenhq.net/definition-for-global-warming.html
http://ecobridge.org/content/g_evd.htm

Living Through Their Mother's Eyes

Beauty Pageants have been apart of our culture since the 1920’s. However, since the 60’s, additional versions were developed due to the continuing interest, from all ages. One of the versions is the Child Beauty Pageant. I’m talking about from five years to nine years old. I have heard and read varying opinions about these pageants. The following article describes my feelings about this topic;
http://media.www.collegian.com/media/storage/paper864/news/2001/02/22/UndefinedSection/Child.Beauty.Pageants.Are.They.Positive.Or.Poisonous-1696865.shtml
Child beauty pageants: Are they positive or poisonous?
Devon Hoover
Do beauty pageants have negative effects on a child or is it merely all in good fun?
While beauty pageants may have some overall redeeming qualities, for which I am still searching, the impact of a pageant can be far more detrimental to a child than beneficial. The big, frilly dresses and styled hair may seem cute and harmless but is it still cute when a girl is 20-something and still using her looks to get her way?
I was watching a Discovery Channel special that featured pushy mothers who spent thousands of dollars to enter their children into pageants. Because of the intense and sometimes brutal competition between the parents, what may have started out as a fun event quite often turned into a miserable experience for the child.
A 6-year-old contestant confessed that looking in the mirror was scary because she didn't even recognize herself with all the makeup. Despite heartbreaking testimonies like this, parents continue to push their children onto the runway.
Although pageants may provide discipline, fun, mother-daughter bonding time, poise and confidence, beauty pageants, indeed, have negative effects on a child's developmental process.
A pageant provides experiences that are abnormal for such a fragile stage in the life cycle.
While other children indulge in games of tag and "let's pretend," pageant contestants spend much of their time and money in modeling and dance classes and most of their weekends on the road in pursuit of new competitions. This can often create problems of social interaction that could lead to loneliness and isolation later in life.
Pageants create a very stressful environment where the emphasis on beauty and winning takes precedence. Pageants coach children to convey sexuality. They may, in turn, acquire behaviors and attitudes about sexuality that are rather atypical. Such early emphasis on appearance and body image can lead to eating disorders and/or promiscuity at a very young age.
Growing up, most of us are taught that beauty is only skin deep and that real beauty lies within. We are told to love people for who they are, not what they look like. Yet every day, parents contradict such morals by entering their children in beauty pageants to compete in a "game" where winning and losing is based solely on physical characteristics.
Many children are never even given a choice; they are simply pushed into it by parents who vicariously thrive on their adorable offspring. Contestants develop a sense of self worth and acceptance based on how pretty they are.
The unfortunate reality about beauty pageants is that they mirror certain societal values that stress appearance and status as the most important attributes. Everywhere you look, beautiful people are glorified. Television shows, advertisements and beauty magazines emphasize the need to be beautiful and skinny with flawless features.
Due to this abundance of publicity, children develop eating disorders, depression and low self-esteem trying to keep up with the image that society defines as beautiful.
Beauty pageants merely enhance that theme. Pageant winners develop an egotistical self-image, while the losers are made to feel like unattractive failures. Children are taught that beauty wins recognition, money, the biggest trophies and the perfect crowns.
Children have plenty of time to be grown-ups - to wear makeup and high heels and look 10 years older than they really are.
But while they are kids, why not let them enjoy it? Parents shouldn't force children to rush the crucial development process that determines who they will become as adults
They should engage in activities that stress important values and enhance development rather than hinder it. Such activities are critical to development by teaching teamwork, cooperation and acceptance of differences.
The beautiful thing about children is that they are still pure and innocent, viewing the world as inherently good. It is only later, as adults, that they are exposed to the true ugliness of the world.
Why rush such precious innocence for a few trophies?





The following is from an article by Jane Treays, who filmed a Documentary for the BBC entitled, Painted Babies;
http://women.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/women/article3997487.ece
To my relief, the two shocking little Dolly Partons whom I had filmed all those years ago had both become poised, decent and disciplined young women. Who knows? Perhaps some of that is down to the beauty pageants. They certainly think so.

For me personally, the reasons this is not considered child abuse or even child exploitation, do not hold any credence. I believe the parents, in particular the mothers, need some psychotherapy. I believe these young girls are living through the eyes of their mothers. As for the fathers, did you ever consider who is in the audience staring at your daughter? Did it ever bother you that some stranger could be filming your daughter or even stalking her? Maybe if these had been thought of ahead of time, JonBenet Ramsey would still be alive today.

That’s How I See It.

Websites of reference;
http://www.eastcoastusapageant.com/?gclid=CNf_592cs5wCFeFM5QodEjTmnQ
http://www.universalroyalty.com/
http://media.www.collegian.com/media/storage/paper864/news/2001/02/22/UndefinedSection/Child.Beauty.Pageants.Are.They.Positive.Or.Poisonous-1696865.shtml
http://www.news.harvard.edu/gazette/2000/06.08/beauty.html
http://kottke.org/09/07/the-face-of-child-beauty-pageants
http://www.minorcon.org/pageants.html
http://www.truthout.org/051109A
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090815181747AAyu6X0
http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=2338102
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pedophilia
http://crime.about.com/od/sex/p/pedophile.htm
http://www.trutv.com/library/crime/criminal_mind/psychology/pedophiles/1.html
http://women.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/women/article3997487.ece
http://media.www.collegian.com/media/storage/paper864/news/2001/02/22/UndefinedSection/Child.Beauty.Pageants.Are.They.Positive.Or.Poisonous-1696865.shtml

Thursday, August 20, 2009

A Second Chance

Healthcare reform may be the hottest issue in our country today. But, in the sports world, that issue is rivaled with as much fervor as the return of Michael Vick to the National Football League (NFL). After being convicted of involvement in a Dog Fighting Ring, spending nineteen months in prison, along with a few months of home confinement, Michael Vick is ready and anxious to begin to rehabilitate his reputation and try to salvage his career as an NFL Quarterback. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell holds the future of Mr. Vick in his hands. I am sure the public’s reaction, along with fan and sponsor support will play a big factor in his decision. For now, Mr. Vick was allowed to sign a one year deal with the Philadelphia Eagles and can practice with this organization. He will be allowed to participate in one, possibly two, preseason games before a final decision on his playing status will be determined.


The following is a quote from Mr. Goodell, in regard to, the reinstatement of Mr. Vick to the NFL; http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4359354
"I accept that you are sincere when you say that you want to, and will, turn your life around, and that you intend to be a positive role model for others," Goodell said in his letter to Vick. "I am prepared to offer you that opportunity. Whether you succeed is entirely in your hands."
"Needless to say, your margin for error is extremely limited," the letter said. "I urge you to take full advantage of the resources available to support you and to dedicate yourself to rebuilding your life and your career. If you do this, the NFL will support you."
Goodell said he spoke to numerous current and former players and coaches as he weighed his decision and that the responses were "very mixed."
"I do recognize that some will never forgive him for what he did," Goodell said. "I hope that the public will have a chance to understand his position as I have."

For me, I do not have an opinion either way, whether Michael Vick plays again or not. I will bet that Dante Stallworth probably has an opinion on this considering he has been suspended for a year without pay for the DUI Manslaughter conviction he received.

That’s How I See It.

Websites of reference;
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/russell-simmons/michael-vick-champion_b_253506.html
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/07/27/michael-vick-reinstated-b_n_245715.html
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/alec-baldwin/michael-vick-black-sheep_b_260990.html
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/05/20/michael-vick-jail-sentenc_n_205631.html
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4262751
http://theconversation.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/08/19/michael-vicks-apology/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Vick
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=2549
http://blogs.ajc.com/mark-bradley-blog/2009/08/20/dicks-to-vick-we-say-nix-to-your-jersey-sort-of/?cxntfid=blogs_mark_bradley_blog
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4359354

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Volt Or Bust

The Chevrolet Volt was finally unveiled recently by General Motors. I, along with many, have been waiting in anticipation of this event. The original concept of this vehicle peaked my interest years ago, when it was first introduced. The following is from the website; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevrolet_Volt
Fuel efficiency
For trips less than about 40 miles (64 km) per recharge cycle, the Volt will not use any on-board gasoline. This is referred to as Charge Depletion (CD) mode. Assigning a fuel consumption value which only refers to on-board fuel might not be appropriate.
[64]
Once the Volt's battery has discharged to its lower limit set-point, the engine starts and supplies the battery, possibly recharging it while the electric motor continues to drive the car. Once the battery has been recharged to an upper limit set-point, the internal combustion engine will again shut off. In this way the battery's State of Charge (SoC) is maintained within tight limits. The Volt's range-extending gasoline engine is expected to get approximately 50 mpg


This was how I understood the vehicle was going to work. It appears this has remained the same today. To add to the performance promise, this statement was reported from the website; http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124998537270122333.html
General Motors Co., outlining a raft of new vehicles designed to reinvigorate its lineup, said its much-awaited Chevrolet Volt is expected to get 230 miles per gallon in city driving.
Now, I am not a Mechanical Engineer but I find this claim to be hard to believe. The technology being used is still the same as first introduced in prototype but, if design improvements made, have allowed this dramatic fuel economy then, General Motors is well on their way to automotive dominance as they once held. But the following statements from the Volt website, paint a contradictory picture considering the suggested retail price of $40,000.00; http://www.chevrolet.com/pages/open/default/fuel/electric.do
Chevy Volt is designed to move more than 75 percent of America's daily commuters without a single drop of gas.3 That means for someone who drives less than 40 miles a day, Chevy Volt will use zero gasoline and produce zero emissions.2
Unlike traditional electric cars, Chevy Volt has a revolutionary propulsion system that takes you beyond the power of the battery. It will use a lithium-ion battery with a gasoline-powered, range-extending engine that drives a generator to provide electric power when you drive beyond the 40-mile battery range.
The contradiction is in the premise that this is the vehicle for Middle America. I would presume that the 75% of daily commuters is that group. In which case, how is this demographic expected to be able to afford the price tag. Considering the amount of Government help they have received, I would have thought a bigger break could have been given to the Taxpayer, who bailed their sorry asses out of a jam.


Now, I am not completely down on General Motors. In fact I commend them and am proud they are an American Company that has developed this technology. I am sure as time goes on the price tag will begin to fall. In particular, when the second and even third generation Volts, arrive on the scene. It will have to if; the 75% of commuters is to be realized.

That’s How I See It.

Websites of reference;
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124998537270122333.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevrolet_Volt
http://www.chevrolet.com/pages/open/default/fuel/electric.do
http://www.chevrolet.com/pages/open/default/future/volt.do?seo=goo__2009_Chevy_Awareness__IMG_Chevy_Volt_Phase_2_Branded__GM_Volt__gm_volt

Saturday, August 8, 2009

Lobbyists, Civil Unrest And Subversion

The Insurance Companies Jihad against Healthcare Reform
Watching the Healthcare debate and seeing the Town Hall gatherings looking more like disorganized third world chaos, I can not help but think Lobbying and Corporate influence is the cancer that is eroding the Constitution and the overall moral fiber of our nation. When Politicians receive donations from Corporations, it is not only to elect or re-elect that politician but, to bribe them to legislate in the Corporations best interests. Corporations and the bitter political fighting between the Republicans and the Democrats have replaced the work of the people with the war of the Lobbyists.

Earlier this week, the Rachel Maddow Show on MSNBC, talked about a Lobbying Organization called the Freedom Works. Ms. Maddow described how the Town Hall meetings were being organized and orchestrated by this group under the direct influence of a high ranking Republican and former Legislator. This individual is Dick Armey. Everything I have read about Mr. Armey seems to praise him and present a very accomplished political career. This is why I fail to understand how a man of his stature, can be apart of what I believe is, the instigation of Civil Unrest and Government Subversion, by his organizations bid to defeat the Healthcare Bill being presented by the Obama Administration. I obtained a copy of a letter Mr. Armey has published along with detailed instructions on how to deliberately disrupt any organized discussion on healthcare. I believe these tactics go directly against the very root of what our nation is all about. For this prominent former Legislator, to be a part of a deliberate subversion, to our democratic system is unconscionable. I would like to know where the FBI or any Law Enforcement agency is in allowing this to happen. Spirited conversation and debate is the hallmark of our great liberties and this encroachment upon our rights should not go unchallenged. The following is from the Freedom Works website; http://www.freedomworks.org/about/about-freedomworks
What We Do
FreedomWorks recruits, educates, trains and mobilizes hundreds of thousands of volunteer activists to fight for less government, lower taxes, and more freedom.
This organization calls their recruits Activists? The following is from their mission statement; http://www.freedomworks.org/about/our-mission
FreedomWorks drives policy change by training and mobilizing grassroots Americans to engage their fellow citizens and encourage their political representatives to act in defense of individual freedom and economic opportunity.
Change the rhetoric a little bit here and this could be recruitment for a Suicide Bomber. The Gun these Bombers carry is their voices. The bullets they shoot are the words they use to drown out the real discussion needed. The bombs they have are the disruption and discord that shuts down any conversation about the Healthcare Issue.


Freedom Works, along with the politicians receiving Insurance Company donations (bribes) are the Jihadists hired by the Insurance Companies to prevent their Gold Mines from being closed. The people who believe this organization and other Lobbyist groups, are uninformed citizens who have become the victims of the old Karl Rovian Mantra; Be Afraid, Be Very Afraid. In turn, the despicable Goebbals style propaganda, weaves its ugly influence and prays on the ignorance of the unknowing. So much to the effect that the average citizen is deceived into fighting for a cause, which is thought to be a danger to them, when it serves only the wealthy Insurance Companies best interests.

So, for all of you who have your pockets lined with bribe money, how do you look yourself in the mirror every day. When you see the Civil Unrest and discord you have caused, do you even feel any type of regret? Is the amount of money worth that much to all of you that you even sacrifice your soul? If I were Mr. Armey, I would not want to be associated with any type of activities that could impugn upon a stellar career as he has had. But then again, maybe his career is not as stellar as I think. For Mr. Armey and those of the Lobbyist groups, integrity has a price. For me, keep your Master Card in your pocket because mine is priceless.

That’s How I See It.

Websites of reference;
http://thinkprogress.org/2009/04/14/lobbying-clients-teaparties/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dick_Armey
http://www.freedomworks.org/about/chairman-dick-armey
http://www.chicagotribune.com/topic/arts-culture/dick-armey-PEHST000081.topic
http://www.freedomworks.org/
http://www.freedomworks.org/about/about-freedomworks
http://www.freedomworks.org/about/board-of-directors
http://www.freedomworks.org/about/our-mission
http://www.freedomworks.org/take-action
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lobbying
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Random House, Inc. 2006 Dictionary.Com entry on "lobbyist".
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civil_disorder
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subversion_(politics)
http://www.freedomworks.org/files/aug%20action%20kit.pdf
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/10/AR2009051002243.html?hpid=topnews
http://www.alan.com/2009/08/03/angry-right-wing-mobs-harass-democratic-officials/

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Not On My Watch

As Life and death events are reported on the news, I am sure you are like me and wonder how we would act, if confronted with similar circumstances. Five days ago I was tested.

It was a hot and humid night on that last day in July 2009. We had the usual evening. There was absolutely no indication of what was about to take place. It was around ten o’clock at night. My Mother-in-law stuck her head through the doorway to the side of the house where my wife and I live. She called out to me and said she was ready to go to bed. My Mother-in-law is eighty six years old and walks with a manual walker. So, I help her at bed time, to climb into bed and get snug as a bug in a rug. This night was no different than any other. We were talking and laughing about things. When she sat on the bed, she swung herself around and I lifted her legs up onto the same place in the bed I have done hundreds of times before. She said goodnight to me as I did to her. But, in the middle of her laugh, an eerie silence occurred. I looked at her face and saw the color drain. Her head fell to the side and her eyes rolled up inside her head. I immediately shook her twice. When I did not get a response I picked up the phone next to the bed and dialed 911. As the phone rang I checked for a pulse and respiration. As the operator answered I found none of each. I relayed this information to the 911 Operator and requested EMS help. Then, I told him I had to hang up, to call my wife on the other side of the house, to get her to come and help me. Before I hung up the phone from talking to my wife she came bursting thru the door between our living areas and I gave her instructions to meet the EMS outside and bring them in. She was off in a flash. As I stared down at the lifeless body lying before me I saw something in her mouth. I quickly realized it was Vomit and I grabbed my mother-in-law into my arms and turned her head to the side. I did not want her to aspirate the vomit so I kept sweeping her mouth with my fingers to clear an air way. For some reason an anger built inside of me and I shouted to no one in particular “No, goddamit. Not on my watch”. I knew I could not lay her down because of the threat of more vomiting so; I held her in my arms and placed my left hand on her back. I then placed my right hand at the base of the rib cage and began CPR. This maneuver is for newborns and I am not sure if it really made a difference but, at least I felt like I was doing something. As the seconds ticked away it seemed like hours. I could hear sirens in the distance and eventually my wife’s voice getting louder as she was telling the EMT Technicians her mother’s medical history. When the EMT’s came into the room they sprang into action. I continued the CPR while they hooked up their equipment. Then when they were ready, one of them placed their hand underneath mine and as I felt her taking over the compressions I moved to the side and swung myself out of the way. Soon, the EMT’s had my mother-in-law on a gurney and whisked her to the ambulance. She was on her way to the Hospital in a flash. When everyone was gone I collapsed into a chair exhausted. After a minute or two I called my brother-in-law Jack and told him what happened. He immediately went to the Hospital.

In all of the confusion I had completely forgotten the “No Resuscitate Order” that my mother-in-law had on her refrigerator. A few days later I asked my sister-in-law Kathy if the family could revisit that. I told her there is no way I could have done nothing. I could not live with myself if I had just stood there and did nothing.

As I write this my mother-in-law is recovering and asking when she can return home. She has one or two more hurdles to reach then, she can return. Normalcy has returned here at home. I have gone to work, cut the lawn, and trim the hedges and blogged. We are just waiting for the matriarch of our family to return home. As we wait I am saying a little prayer of thanks to the man upstairs. I thank him for his help and that what could have been never did.

That’s How I See It.

Special Thanks;
In Fitchburg, Massachusetts:
Fitchburg 911 Call Center
Fitchburg Fire Department
Fitchburg EMS
Leominster Hospital
UMASS Medical Center Worcester, Massachusetts
If it was not for these heroes doing what they do, we would be a family in mourning.

Sunday, August 2, 2009

Caught In The Middle


I do not know about you but, I think our Government Leaders, from the Local Mayors’ Office to the Whitehouse and Congress, just plain suck. I think the American People feel caught in the middle with the political wrangling and bickering that has reached a point where our politicians are useless. The Lobbyists from K-Street have just about completely shut out the voice of the American People. The feeling of entitlement and privilege of “the Family” at C-Street has brought the American Politician to be reviled and vilified. More so for the Republican, than that of the Democratic Party.

Within the last two decades, our nation has been sent to war twice, by Presidents from the same family. Our economy was used like an inflatable doll, to be played with then, discarded when its usefulness was reached. The lies in all areas of our Government became so numerous, that it has obscured the truth and good of what our Nations pride and Constitution is all about. Illicit Sex and debauchery have become the norm regardless of which party is in power. Bi-partisanship or working together has been cast aside and replaced by each party’s obsession, to be in and of holding power, in as many parts of the Government as they can. The welfare of the average American never even considered.

So, what can “we the people” do about this situation? In the immediate, pass the word. We should begin to hold our political figures to a much higher standard than we ever had in our past. For the future, every one of us must take part and make the choices necessary to remove those politicians that favor personal greed over the betterment of the American way of life. Each and every American must take a stake in our nation’s future and place our politicians on notice. The political notice that, deliberate ignorance towards the needs of the American People, will not go unpunished.

Now, you could say, we do this every Election Day. This is when we should we be doing this. However, apathy and lack of caring in the past, has led to many of the useless political deadbeats we have in office, from both political party’s today. So, from this moment on, let us all give that notice to all our politicians, especially those who are on summer break from Congress, that the free ride is over. The self indulgence and selfish infighting will come to an end. Either they must put the country’s best interests first, over all others, or face a shortened career that will be swift and complete. Boy, wouldn’t that be refreshing.

That’s How I See It.

Websites of reference;
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0809/25698.html
http://www.politico.com/blogs/politicolive/0809/Summers_downplays_call_for_tax_increase.html?showall
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0809/25695.html
http://www.miamiherald.com/692/story/1168044.html
http://www.politicsdaily.com/2009/07/31/obama-losing-the-faith-less/
http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2009_07/019098.php

Saturday, August 1, 2009

Being White In A Nation Of Diversity

Living in the Boston area, for all of this past week, I have been barraged with the story of the Cambridge Police Sergeant and the arrest of a Harvard Professor. From the stupidly made remark by President Obama to witnessing the Cambridge politicians groveling over the lessons to be learned, sit back and let me tell you about a white man who has had to live his life through this long time of diversity. Just for the record, this white man is me.


Today, I am a 55 year old White American Male. I am married to my second wife, of 18 years and have six children. The two oldest from my previous marriage of 17 years, (yeah, my present wife finally has seniority) and four step children. All six have grown and are living their own lives. I am so proud of all of them that there are times I wipe a tear from my eyes over the memories. Our oldest, my son, served in the U. S. Army. Because of his classification and duties I can say no more. Our youngest, one of my step daughters, is also in the U.S. Army. She is on her second deployment to Iraq. I am not sure what her exact classification is but, she is a medic and is riding on the “Gun Trucks” as I write this. Now that you know about me, let us go back in time to where being White, was a racial handicap.



About twenty five years ago, I was working two jobs to support my family. During the day, I worked in a Manufacturing facility in Milford, Connecticut. I worked in a place where the majority of the employees were Hispanic with blacks and whites thrown into the pot. The company management was big on training and education, so schooling for all of us was easy to come by. Because we all spent so much time together, we became close friends. We were a very good mix. Many of the Hispanics invited me to their homes in Bridgeport Connecticut as I did them, living in Milford. As the company expanded promotions and opportunities arose. The company decided they would choose the Leadman Positions based on test scores. I had scored the highest at 98.2 after all the testing was complete. One of my friends, Hector Diaz, scored in second place at 97.8. The company did not want the overall Hispanic employment in the factory to be offended by naming a White to the position so, they promoted Hector instead. To justify the promotion the management said that Hector had the highest score. Both Hector and I, along with many others, knew this was not true. Since Hector and I were personal friends and it was only a difference of twenty five cents an hour, I really did not mind Hector received the promotion. I really did not have the time to spare to give to the responsibilities of the new position anyway since I needed to leave on time everyday to go to my second job. But Hector, along with others from the front office, thought this was unfair and protested. The company decided to promote me as well and I became a Lead Setupman. The record was set straight and I was acknowledged to have had the highest score. I was so touched by this incident and the friendships that I had made, I decided, from that day on, more so than ever, to make sure I always practiced the words of the late Dr. Martin Luther King jr. and would always judge a man by the content of his character and not by the color of his skin.


A few years later, I moved to Florida where I divorced and met my second wife. Soon after we were married, I was laid off from my employment and my second wife became so ill that she became disabled. She still is today. I found myself needing assistance so; I applied at the Health and Rehabilitative Services (HRS) Office in Brooksville, Florida to obtain this assistance until we could get back on our feet. I was the only White person applying for assistance. Everyone else was predominantly black with a scattering of other minorities. All of the Councilors were white. After I applied for assistance and was interviewed, I was lead down a back corridor where there was another councilor and a Florida Highway Patrol Trooper (also white). At that point my councilor told me I did not qualify for any benefits and I had to leave. I asked why I did not qualify. The councilor stepped back and the Trooper stepped forward stating that I would be placed under arrest if I caused any more problems. I said I was not causing any problems I just wanted to know what I needed to do to qualify. The Trooper opened the door and told me to leave or I would be placed under arrest. Without saying another word I walked out the door. When the door closed behind me, I found myself in a back alleyway with no outside door knob on the door I had just walked through. I walked around the building and as I made it to my car I saw people, Black, Hispanic and such laughing, trading their food stamps for cigarettes and having the time of their lives. Yet, I was leaving empty handed. I was the only White person there. I remembered a place on U.S 19 called Daystar. This was a place supported by local churches and businesses to help the poor. I applied there for assistance. When I left that facility, I had groceries for a week and a temporary job working at a local farm. After a few weeks, another job came along and we eventually recovered from our economic woes.


So, Mr. President and all you bleeding hearted souls, who say we need a true dialog on race, are you sure about this? If so, are you sure you are ready to hear the truth about the problems, so called, diversity has caused in my life as well a many other hard working people in this country? Whether you know it or not, it is not just about the Blacks in this country. Let us hear from all races like Latino, Hispanic, Asian, Muslim American and even Whites. Let us talk what true diversity should be all about and be prepared. You may not like what you are about to hear. A simple beer around a picnic table is not enough to quell the fire that has now been reignited. A fire that was long on its way to being extinguished, until now. Oh, by the way, if I get an invite to the table, make my beer a Sam Adams Lite.

That’s How I See It.