This is an email that I received from Rock the Vote:
Dear Katrina,
At Rock the Vote we want to break down every barrier and make it easy for everyone to vote. Others want to build barriers.
Shouldn't the right to vote be protected for every American? Unfortunately, we have already started seeing instances of voter suppression, like we saw in 2000 and 2004.
If you want to know what you can do to ensure fair and honest elections check out the new film American Blackout, a Sundance award winning documentary that looks at the barriers to vote for many in America. Once you see the film you will want to take action in your community.
Go Rock the Vote Everyday.
Register to Vote Here!
p.s. Voter registration deadlines are here nationwide. With skyrocketing debt, financial aid cuts, the situation in Iraq—what are you waiting for? Register to vote at your current address, now!
Thursday, September 28, 2006
Monday, September 25, 2006
Rock the Vote
When did Rock the Vote start taking a political side? I realize it is MTV and it’s not going to be ultra conservative, but when where does it say that you can’t watch MTV and be a Republican?
Rock the Vote started out as an organization that encouraged young people to vote. Just to vote, not vote for any political party. Rock the Vote was a movement about educating young people about the importance and the responsibility of casting a vote in every election.
I was at one time a big supporter of Rock the Vote. As I got older I drifted away from the movement a bit not because I no longer believed in its importance, but because I got information from other venues and honestly I was no longer the target age. I went back to the site to see what was going on and I was a bit shocked and dismayed. No longer the bi-partisan group of my youth, now just another voice of the Democratic Party.
It’s too bad. The concept was great, encouraging socially conscious people. Now it is just another cattle drive.
Rock the Vote started out as an organization that encouraged young people to vote. Just to vote, not vote for any political party. Rock the Vote was a movement about educating young people about the importance and the responsibility of casting a vote in every election.
I was at one time a big supporter of Rock the Vote. As I got older I drifted away from the movement a bit not because I no longer believed in its importance, but because I got information from other venues and honestly I was no longer the target age. I went back to the site to see what was going on and I was a bit shocked and dismayed. No longer the bi-partisan group of my youth, now just another voice of the Democratic Party.
It’s too bad. The concept was great, encouraging socially conscious people. Now it is just another cattle drive.
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
Looks Good to Me
There is a commercial that always makes me hungry. The scene opens with a chef preparing some salmon. Greens are mixed in a bowl and a brown reduction is poured over the salmon…. then it is served to a cat. Yes, a cat.
I crave cat food.
I crave cat food.
Thursday, September 14, 2006
The View
In the past I have said on multiple occasions that The View is a great chance for liberal woman to voice their option under the guise of entertainment.
No longer is that the case.
The new picture of The View is a bunch of liberal woman voicing their opinion with a clear political agenda. They no longer try to hide behind guests and free gifts for the audience.
Rosie joined the show at the beginning of September. Since then the veil has fallen, Rosie is “educating” us on world problems and how they all rest at the feet of George Bush and the Evil Empire.
The show has always outraged me, yet I continue to watch it whenever I have the chance. Just like I watch CNN and listen to talk radio. I try to balance out the madness by listening to Michael Savage.
The bottom line, they are all crazy. What happened to the average citizen.
No longer is that the case.
The new picture of The View is a bunch of liberal woman voicing their opinion with a clear political agenda. They no longer try to hide behind guests and free gifts for the audience.
Rosie joined the show at the beginning of September. Since then the veil has fallen, Rosie is “educating” us on world problems and how they all rest at the feet of George Bush and the Evil Empire.
The show has always outraged me, yet I continue to watch it whenever I have the chance. Just like I watch CNN and listen to talk radio. I try to balance out the madness by listening to Michael Savage.
The bottom line, they are all crazy. What happened to the average citizen.
Monday, September 11, 2006
God works through us
I could not resist posting this. I do not know who to credit for writting it, but I think its great.
A United States Marine was attending some college courses between assignments. He had completed missions in Iraq and Afghanistan.
In one of the courses, he had a professor who was a vowed atheist and a member of the ACLU. One day the professor shocked the class when he came in. He looked tothe ceiling and flatly stated, "God, if you are real, then I want you to knock me off this platform. I'll give you exactly 15 minutes." The lecture room fell silent. You could hear a pin drop.
Ten minutes went by and the professor proclaimed, "Here I am God. I'm still waiting." It got down to the last couple of minutes when the Marine got out of his chair, went up to the professor, and cold-cocked him knocking him off the platform. The professor was out cold.
The Marine went back to his seat and sat there, silently. The other students were shocked and stunned and sat there looking on in silence. The professor eventually came to, noticeably shaken, looked at the Marine and asked, "What the hell is the matter with you? Why did you do that?"
The Marine calmly replied, "God was too busy today protecting America's soldiers who are protecting your right to say stupid shit and act like an ass hole. ... So, He sent me."
A United States Marine was attending some college courses between assignments. He had completed missions in Iraq and Afghanistan.
In one of the courses, he had a professor who was a vowed atheist and a member of the ACLU. One day the professor shocked the class when he came in. He looked tothe ceiling and flatly stated, "God, if you are real, then I want you to knock me off this platform. I'll give you exactly 15 minutes." The lecture room fell silent. You could hear a pin drop.
Ten minutes went by and the professor proclaimed, "Here I am God. I'm still waiting." It got down to the last couple of minutes when the Marine got out of his chair, went up to the professor, and cold-cocked him knocking him off the platform. The professor was out cold.
The Marine went back to his seat and sat there, silently. The other students were shocked and stunned and sat there looking on in silence. The professor eventually came to, noticeably shaken, looked at the Marine and asked, "What the hell is the matter with you? Why did you do that?"
The Marine calmly replied, "God was too busy today protecting America's soldiers who are protecting your right to say stupid shit and act like an ass hole. ... So, He sent me."
9/11
Lets all take a moment today to pray for the families who are still grieving those lost five years ago.
September 11, 2001
September 11, 2001
Friday, September 08, 2006
Abby made me do it
I am not a big fan of MySpace. I just figured out how to manipulate blogger HTML code so I am happy playing there. Abby is a MySpace junky and promised that I would love it. I do love some of the graphic stuff, but I am not willing to give up my blogger account just yet.
I have a ton of pictures that I want to post but we can not find the cord for the camera to download the pictures… so here is an old favorite from Vegas last fall.
I have a ton of pictures that I want to post but we can not find the cord for the camera to download the pictures… so here is an old favorite from Vegas last fall.
Thursday, September 07, 2006
Book Review: Talk Before Sleep by Elizabeth Berg
Talk Before Sleep is the heart wrenching tale of a woman, her struggle with cancer and the circle of woman who surround her. Elizabeth Berg is a former nurse and captures the perspective of the caregiver and the stress and strain that accompany the role.
The focus on the book is not the terminal cancer but the intermingling of the lives of the women and their families. The women told their life stories, pains and triumphs as they ate french fries and lobster with a side of whipped cream and hot fudge. They discussed fears and outrage about cancer and dying without giving in to hopelessness.
Talk Before Sleep was a beautiful book that I would recommend to any woman.
The focus on the book is not the terminal cancer but the intermingling of the lives of the women and their families. The women told their life stories, pains and triumphs as they ate french fries and lobster with a side of whipped cream and hot fudge. They discussed fears and outrage about cancer and dying without giving in to hopelessness.
Talk Before Sleep was a beautiful book that I would recommend to any woman.
Wednesday, September 06, 2006
Open Mouth Insert Foot
I put my foot in my mouth today.
I have been following the Marcus Fiesel case with my hands over my eyes not wanting the details but not able to stop reading and listening to stories about him. I was speaking with a woman about the fact that Marcus was taken from his mother and put into a tragic situation and how the mother is now suing Butler County for placing him in the care of such terrible people. I made the comment that she lost her right to have a say in his life and she should not have rights in his death. Furthermore, if she is going to blame Butler County she must take responsibility for her part in his death. Had she been a good mother – no had she been an average mother Marcus would not have been in foster care. After letting me rant for a few moments the woman looked at me and said, “A few months ago my kids were placed in foster care because I spanked them. I don’t think I was a bad parent, but the authorities did. It could have been me, it could have been my child.”
I did not know what to say. I was at a total loss for words. I still stand by what I said, but I do wish I had been more considerate of her feelings. I had no idea of her situation and point of view. I was harsh. I was angry.
The entire situation is tragic and there is more than enough blame to spread around. The Carroll family should never have been on the foster parent list to begin with. The social worker should have noticed the neglect. The neighbors should have noticed that something was wrong. The mother should have taken responsibility for her child. Nothing will bring Marcus back.
We can only look to the future. What can we do to prevent this from happening to some other child? What changes can we make to the system? What can we do as neighbors and members of the community to help foster children and their foster parents? What can we do for parents to prevent the need of foster care?
Abuse Indicators
The Child Abuse Prevention Network
I have been following the Marcus Fiesel case with my hands over my eyes not wanting the details but not able to stop reading and listening to stories about him. I was speaking with a woman about the fact that Marcus was taken from his mother and put into a tragic situation and how the mother is now suing Butler County for placing him in the care of such terrible people. I made the comment that she lost her right to have a say in his life and she should not have rights in his death. Furthermore, if she is going to blame Butler County she must take responsibility for her part in his death. Had she been a good mother – no had she been an average mother Marcus would not have been in foster care. After letting me rant for a few moments the woman looked at me and said, “A few months ago my kids were placed in foster care because I spanked them. I don’t think I was a bad parent, but the authorities did. It could have been me, it could have been my child.”
I did not know what to say. I was at a total loss for words. I still stand by what I said, but I do wish I had been more considerate of her feelings. I had no idea of her situation and point of view. I was harsh. I was angry.
The entire situation is tragic and there is more than enough blame to spread around. The Carroll family should never have been on the foster parent list to begin with. The social worker should have noticed the neglect. The neighbors should have noticed that something was wrong. The mother should have taken responsibility for her child. Nothing will bring Marcus back.
We can only look to the future. What can we do to prevent this from happening to some other child? What changes can we make to the system? What can we do as neighbors and members of the community to help foster children and their foster parents? What can we do for parents to prevent the need of foster care?
Abuse Indicators
The Child Abuse Prevention Network
Tuesday, September 05, 2006
I salute you Steve Irwin
Steve Irwin “The Crocodile Hunter” passed away this weekend. Steve was shooting "The Ocean's Deadliest" in the Great Barrier Reef, demonstrating the dangers of stingrays.
As a young boy Steve helped his father founder of the Australia Zoo, rescue crocodiles. As he grew older his passion for conservation and animal welfare grew. In his 20’s he volunteered at the Queensland government's rogue crocodile relocation program. Steve began his television career in 1992 Crocodile Hunter which first aired in Australia.
Steve and his wife Terri purchased over 60,000 acres of wildlife-sensitive land and worked the rehabilitation and breeding of some of the world's most endangered animals. The husband and wife team also established a breeding program at the Australian Zoo to further their efforts to help endangered species.
Steve was able to capture our attention and educate us not only about crocodiles but about the environment that we live in. Always respectful of the world around us, he strove to make us all aware of how fragile life can be.
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