in the news – Page 10 – This Old House 2

WARNING: This post may offend you.

So, Cecil the beloved Lion is tortured and then finally killed by some asshole dentist in the Midwest who got a big thrill, apparently, out of watching a majestic and beloved Lion die a long slow painful death after he shot it with an arrow. He liked doing it so much he paid $55,000. for the -privilege-.

Asshole. He deserves all the negative backlash he’s getting because of it. And I have zero tolerance for his “regret” now… Hey Asshole Dentist – of course you regret it, you’re humiliated and your practice is in jeopardy. I’ll say it one more time for good measure. Asshole.

Some anti-abortion folks are actually outraged that there is outrage over the tragic death of Cecil. They want to know why we’re not all showing as much outrage for the current Planned Parenthood scandal that’s rocking CNN, Fox, facebook, Anderson Cooper and wherever else this stuff can be spewed.

I can only speak for myself, but here’s why I’m not outraged because there is more Cecil outrage. Planned Parenthood is not selling body parts. Stop the hysterics here. They do give -donated – fetal tissue to researchers who are trying to cure Parkinson’s, aids, cancers, etc. etc. etc. For those of you who think Planned Parenthood is evil, you’re not being real in the real world. Here’s why I say that…PP is responsible for making sure poor women have access to basic medical care including cancer screening, checkups and birth control. That should be important to you if you’re anti-abortion. They help them find resources when they are in crisis, such as abuse and rape. According to material I’ve read on the subject that I consider to be reliable, Three percent of all PP activities include abortions – more than 90 percent of those are conducted in the first trimester when you and I might disagree that this stage of development is a viable life.

***To be clear, I don’t agree with abortions at later stages when the forming cells inside the uterus is a viable life. I understand you may not agree and you have every right to your beliefs and what you would ever decide should you find yourself in the early stages of pregnancy after being raped, or finding out there is something significantly medically wrong with the developing fetal tissue or yourself, or if you’re economically unable to care for a child. But you don’t have the right to make that decision for me, nor does any politician or religious group.

I mentioned economic feasibility above – Think that’s not a problem?…. Don’t tell me all can be adopted until you honestly take a look at all the children living in below poverty level conditions in this country, all the children who go to school hungry every day, all those languishing in foster care after horrific abuse at home, all those looking to be adopted but not finding that family because they have issues of one sort or another. Am I saying those people shouldn’t have been born? No. I’m saying why aren’t we more outraged and focusing our productive energy on those lives that are here, now, aren’t getting the care or love or nurturing they need in order to live a decent life. And don’t the homeless, the mentally ill count for something? They’re already here, and yet they suffer.

Be outraged that we’re not doing more for those who are among us. Unfortunately those who walk among us no longer include Cecil the Lion, may he rest in peace.

Headlines. Come on over, weigh in…

Mental illness? Or is it racism, pure and simple. Nine people killed in a church in Charlest0n while participating in bible study. A woman played dead while lying in her sons blood. Amazingly, she survived. The killer asked one survivor if he had hit her. She said no… and he said… GOOD, I need a witness here, because I’m going to kill myself. He didn’t. Coward. The victims all black, the murderer a white 21 year old punk who had previously let his racist views be known. He discussed with friends how he wanted the races segregated. He admits now, in custody, that his intention was to start a race war. My husband says he must be mentally ill. I beg to differ – there is still enough ignorance and hate and -dumb- in the dark corners of our society to produce such a being. If ever there was a case for capital punishment, this is it.

His family is horrified, can’t fathom how this happened. I don’t know that I believe that, although I believe they are horrified. We find out after the fact in stories like this, and there are far too many stories like this….. that there were most often signs, warnings, writing on the wall. How to stop it? I wish I knew. I wish we didn’t have to know.

Like it or not, we’re all here to stay. Red white black brown yellow green purple. The conversations we have in our households matter. The attitude we project, display, announce… matter. It starts there, although admittedly it’s not the only influence. And if you think this doesn’t affect you… it just ain’t true. We all pay a price, it seeps into all of ours lives in one way or another.

The families of the victims? They FORGAVE him, already… publicly. Amazing grace, that.

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The Confederate Flag – how do you all feel about that? Honestly I hadn’t given it an ounce of thought until the other day when a friend expressed outrage that it’s still allowed to fly – She believes it represents hate, racism, the history of slavery, etc. Others will tell you it’s merely a symbol of Southern Pride, especially to today’s young people, those who don’t have the memories of our older generations.

Interesting fact – did you know the Swa$tika was once an aboriginal symbol of Peace? What does it represent now to anyone other than Hitl3rs insane atrocities against humanity. For me it’s not just about Hitl3r… how about all those people who followed his command?… That’s what I think of when I see that symbol. All those willing people.
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.… Donald Trump – for President? The man is as arrogant as they come. He has filed for corporate bankruptcy four times. – 1991, 1992, 2004 and 2009. All connected to over-leveraged casino and hotel properties, all now owned by Trump Entertainment Resorts. True, in very big business, bankruptcy is explained as merely a restructuring of debt, not the devastation it represents for the average Joe. To me it means arrogant abuse of power and a degree of poor judgement, regardless. Very informative article HERE if you’re interested in learning much more about his inheritance, rise to power, over reaching stumbles, saving-his-ass assistance by government that he frequently rails against….and a trait I find particularly ugly – He gives zero credit to anyone but himself for his extreme wealth. He’s been married.. how many times? He lives in over the top opulence. He’s crass, pompous, disrespectful.

Presidential material? Some of you love him and say you’d vote for him. Although I love you all dearly and value your opinions almost as much as my own, maybe sorta, I’m scratching my head here, Just that.

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Rachel Dolezal – bizarre? yes. Deserving of crazy national attention? I’m leaning toward no. So she identifies herself as black, why do we care so much? She’s apparently been lying about her ethnicity for years. Maybe I don’t know all there is to know, actually probably…. but the only people who this really affects, in my opinion, are her parents and her children. The ‘rents have been banned from family celebrations such as her sons graduations,etc… for fear that she would be exposed as -NOT BLACK -. Now that sucks. But seriously – People alter their appearance all the time, it’s commonplace. Ever dye your hair? Get a perm? Cosmetic surgery? Go tanning? I identify with those living on a waterfront villa overlooking crystal blue lagoons in quaint European villages in the Mediterranean… if I could pull it off and tell you that’s me, I might have done it! Does anyone care? Why is this such a big deal?

She’s been fired from the NAACP, and I don’t think it has to do with her actual ethnicity so much as the lying. Why lie? Why not just -be-.

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Bruce

I know, I know.. you’re tired of hearing it, seeing it… it’s almost worse than the KardASS*ans, right? Yet I see THIS picture, by the ever awesome Annie Leibovitz, and I can only say – WOW.

Bruce/Caitlyn looks fabulous, better as a woman than she ever did as a man. And he wasn’t bad looking in a feminine sort of way.

It’s just so hard to wrap the mind around the concept that such a masculine sports hero of years gone by could actually do THIS in his sixties. I think he’s sixty-ish anyway… Kinda drastic. Could be humiliating, even. Because people will be people. In my own group of FB friends the reaction is mixed.. mostly full out support, and a few who say PLEASE! and GROSS!

Well, here’s my thinking. I don’t believe it’s fair to judge the guy/girl. This is not something anyone would do lightly or without YEARS of thought. In his case, a lifetime! ..because of the backlash and shunning that will come with it, let alone the psychological warfare you must go through within yourself to get to this place. Bruce Jenner had to be a pretty tormented soul for all those years, if he truly felt this is what he was meant to be. So I say live and let live. Bravo to him for having the courage to become the -she- he felt he was all along, regardless of the backlash. That takes courage, whether you think it’s gross or not. Who are we to judge when we have not walked in anothers shoes?

Don’t do it

We had a lovely weekend, and there were things I planned to post… but something happened in town that is more important to share.

I’m drinking coffee in my kitchen this morning, and I keep looking out at the mist, thinking of the people affected by something terrible that happened up the road just days ago.

There was a horrible accident at a busy intersection. I had driven through the area about 20 minutes prior and K came up to it right after. She said the flames were so crazy she had no idea what was involved in the accident. The immediate result – One female cyclist was dead at the scene, the other male life starred in critical condition, fate still unknown. In the news we learned the motorcyclists were from NJ and were with a group, probably leisure riding through the countryside… when they were hit head on by an SUV driven by a teen who had just gotten his/her license. The kids in the SUV were unhurt. Turns out this teen driver is a really good kid, an honor student at the local HS. Just got his/her license a month prior. It’s not clear why he/she veered into the oncoming lane and hit the cyclists head-on, it was the middle of the day and they were in a stream of cars going regular speed.

But I can take a guess.

How often have I looked at my phone while driving. – Did she respond to my e-mail? Did K get back to me yet? …. who “liked” that funny quote on FB? –

How Stupid.

Nothing is so important it can’t wait until you’re not driving. And yet, like Pavlov’s dog, I find myself checking, checking, checking. I’m making a big effort from now on to put the phone in the purse until I ‘ve reached the destination. I’ve also lectured my kids and husband, although we’ve done that before.. and people tend to forget once the horror of someone else’s tragedy fades.

I feel so badly for the woman who died so horribly. The man will never be the same if he survives.. and the teens in that SUV? *sigh I have no idea what the investigation outcome will be, but this is certain – it’s a terrible burden to bear for the rest of their lives regardless.

How cool is that!

I know a girl who knows a girl who lives down the street from the newest American Idol!!!… somehow that doesn’t excite you, does it.

So here’s the deal – we’ve ALL had the Fradiani Fever thing going on for a while now because he hails from our shoreline and everything and everyone is all YAY NICK!!! Storefronts have banners, restaurants are having parties, I’m sure drinks will be named after him in the local bars. …. OUR HOMETOWN BOY!!!…as if he’s actually our son or cousin or BFF since nursery school or ex boyfriend who we still get along with just fine. (oh, but don’t we WISH!)

I get it, I do. I think he’s really talented and a very nice young man and wow, what a thing to happen to someone. The irony? Just six months ago he was walking through town like the rest of us, just a regular Joe. Now? The girls scream when they see him. My daughter works on the green where he held a hometown concert last week. You may have seen it on TV if you follow AI. He was arriving at four with a parade and then the concert. I had to drive her in to work because employees were already told there would be nowhere to park. I saw the lines forming at noon. WOW.

26 years ago we were married in a church on this beautiful historic green. What an awesome place to kick off his new life with his hometown crowd…….

Wishing you the best of luck, Nick Fradiani! Gee, your parents sure look familiar.. I think we shop the same days at the Big Y. Maybe we’re cousins! 🙂

Justice?

Chances are you haven’t been able to completely avoid the fiasco in Baltimore, even if you’re making a concerted effort. What a tragedy in so many ways. At the heart of it is a supposed long standing divide between Police officers and young men of the black community. There is no trust, they say. Cops are suspicious right off the bat, they say. We’re angry.. they say. I don’t doubt that’s a factor. How can it not be. But lets be totally honest, look at the statistics. Who did you see in the news footage looting, robbing, destroying. Who was running from burning buildings to their cars with armloads of clothes, sneakers, pharmaceuticals? Who torched 144 cars, destroyed 19 businesses? Set their city back at least five years? As for the young man who’s death caused the protests in the first place? He had a rap sheet a mile long, he was a narcotics dealer among other things. Was his death a tragedy? Unless you’re Adolph H*tler or cut from similar cloth, any death is a tragedy. But how much can we ask of our police officers? If you’re not breaking the law, not running from the law, not known for drug and stolen property arrests for years on end, chances are you’re not going to die at the hands of a police officers. It’s that simple. I’m not denying there have been times when we’ve all heard a story where too much force was used and a tragic death occurred. Some people shouldn’t be cops. That’s true of any career choice. Weed out the few, but don’t condemn the whole. And I hope there will soon be body cameras that do not interfere with an officers capabilities so that their actions can no longer be questioned, and the few rogue cops out there will be identified and lose their status.

M talked to one of our friends, an officer who has been at it a long time. This is what he had to say about the current issue. ” When we are dealing with a person who is high on drugs, and most of those who are committing a crime or selling dope ARE high on their preferred substance… they are ten times stronger than the average man while on the drug. They fight with everything they’ve got, even knowing they are going to be arrested and will not win the struggle. We have a protocol we are supposed to follow and we do it with the best of our ability. Remember we’re packing guns, tasers, other equipment as we’re trying to arrest the person and have to attempt not to use those weapons unless absolutely necessary. The perps adrenaline is running high and they are powerful on their drug, and our adrenaline is running high as we try to protect the life of the one fighting us, our OWN, and anyone who may be in the vicinity. It’s impossible in that kind of situation to have everything go perfectly according to any rule books, but we do the best we can with what we’re handing at that very moment, and we never know what that’s going to be.”

Makes sense to me.

I put this on FB yesterday – forgive the repeat if you’re a friend there. It’s what I believe.

I have always been appalled by racism. Disgusted with some of the worlds history.. all forms of racism that exist… We are all PEOPLE OF THIS EARTH. And if you think white people don’t deal with racism, you’re wrong. Just a few of my experiences…and they are nothing in the big picture. I sat on a public bus headed for school and because I was the only white girl that morning on the bus, I was approached and the simple gold chain I wore was ripped from my neck. The group cheered. Here’s an irony – Because of my dark skin and non-Ivy League education, I was frowned upon by a boyfriends family as soon as they met me. He was honest about his parents clear snub and I am so thankful we didn’t last.

Of course we can’t change the past. But it’s sure hard to shape the future in a positive way when opportunist thugs use the “justice for” and racial profiling excuse to burn down and loot their cities, damage businesses, homes, neighborhoods. You only fuel the stereotypes when you behave in such a way. You want justice? Respect? The key is to give it. To raise your children so that they have a moral compass, a respect for life, not just their own. Teach them to value education and the law.. Are there rogue cops out there who shouldn’t have a badge? You bet, just like in any other profession. But the majority are hard working people who put their lives on the line every single day and we’re damn lucky they’re willing. I don’t care what the color of your skin is….the conversation needs to change everywhere, but it starts with taking responsibility at home. Period.

By the way… BRAVO to the people of that community who stood by the officers, defending them, as their neighbors rioted and destroyed and threw bricks. Bravo to the family of the deceased who, even in their grief, asked that no violence be brought to the city in the name of their son. Bravo to those who came out of their homes the next morning with brooms and garbage pails, cleaning up their city. Bravo to the mother who found her son among the looters and dragged him home, literally.

Does racism still exist? As I said above.. you betcha. Sad deal. But that’s not the way to fix it.

ROSA PARKS… refused to give up her seat on a bus. She didn’t torch it.

Unbroken

Have you seen the movie yet?

Amazing.. amazing true story. – 2014 , produced and directed by Angelina Jolie, based on the 2010 non-fiction book by Laura Hillenbrand. The film revolves around the life of USA Olympian Louis “Louie” Zamperini, portrayed by Jack O’Connell. Zamperini survived in a raft for 47 days after his bomber was downed in World War II, then was sent to a series of Japanese prison camps where he sustained unfathomable torture but showed a resilience I can’t even describe.. except to say I was in awe and in tears often throughout the movie. The icing on the cake is knowing Zamperini went on to marry his sweetheart, raise two children, and even ran with the Olympic torch IN JAPAN at the age of 81. He recently passed in July of 2014 at the age of 97.

Amazing.

Back in the day, I used to think of Angelina as not much more than a gorgeous but whacked young actress who was going to tip over the edge for certain one of these days. Of course she has always been my husbands ultimate fantasy figure.

In recent years, however, I have a whole new respect for her. She has talent behind the cameras, as evidenced in producing and directing this movie. She came to know this incredible man personally, and wanted to portray his journey as authentically as possible. I believe she did just that. Angie also shows a generosity and soul so many other celebrities do not possess. And right here I admit.. way back when it was the -thing- I was Team Aniston all the way.

Only thing?..Sometimes I just want to throw her a cheeseburger, ya know?

Shown below….. with the authentic Louie.

Bravo, Angelina Jolie, and Louie – I sure hope there is a reward at the end of this life.. if anyone deserves it, you most definitely deserve it.

Lets ramble through…

Feel free to chime in on any of the below mentioned items…..

How about them Patriots?!!!…. Yes I’m a fan.. and boy did they come through in a clutch, once again. I can’t stand the arrogance in the Seahawk camp and while it was very unfortunate that they made a really bad mistake at the very end of the game, they deserved it. As for deflate gate, funny video here. But.. they’re all lying… because I AM THE LOCKER ROOM GAL.

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Sarah Palin… I know some of my readers are fans. I have never understood the following, and the fact that she still has some support and is given any platform at all is just.. wow. But.. I’m going to venture to guess that the brave souls who still stand in her camp are quietly backing away at this point because… the freedom speech. And hey, if you’re going to defend her with “Her Teleprompter broke!”…. then my answer is…. Yeah.. so you got the REAL DEAL right then and there. Boom.

I get that we are all weary and want change. Change is needed, no doubt… but this -ain’t it – .

Didn’t catch the speech? Here’s just an excerpt.. one of the more coherent.

“Things must change for our government. Look at it. It isn’t too big to fail. It’s too big to succeed! It’s too big to succeed, so we can afford no retreads or nothing will change with the same people and same policies that got us into the status quo. Another Latin word, status quo, and it stands for, ‘Man, the middle-class everyday Americans are really gettin’ taken for a ride.’ That’s status quo, and GOP leaders, by the way, y’know the man can only ride ya when your back is bent. So strengthen it. Then the man can’t ride ya, America won’t be taken for a ride, because so much is at stake and we can’t afford politicians playing games like nothing more is at stake than, oh, maybe just the next standing of theirs in the next election.”

Ouch.

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It’s snowing, sleeting, raining again here in Connecticut. I’ve just come in from shoveling paths to the dog run, the barn, the chicken coop and rabbit hutch. These are the times when I ask myself the question… .”Why do I have all these animals again??”… but you know.. the consolation is.. I love to eat. Without all this work, I’d probably weight 200 lbs. And theres all the love. All you need is LOVE… and a dog. (.. or four….. and a few horses, rabbits, chickens and fish… apparently).

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I’m going back to an official work status and the task of turning my office back into an actual office meant we had to toss Bens queen size mattress and buy him something smaller, a twin. He’s still getting used to it. Most of the time he has figured out how to fit his entire being on it quite nicely.

Sometimes it’s just all wrong.

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Apple Chicken Sausage recipe HERE

Delicious, healthy, easy to make and comforting on a cold winters night.

Speaking of recipes.. I’m not much of a drinker.. but now and then

a good one is just refreshing and the load becomes a little lighter

with just a little buzz. I was recently introduced to this drink and it’s a winner in my book.

Dark & Stormy

Ingredients:

Goslings Ginger Beer

Goslings Dark Bermuda Rum

Lime, Ice

Fill a tall glass with ice. Pour in about an inch of rum. Fill the rest of the glass with Ginger Beer. Squeeze a large wedge of lime into the drink and drop the slice in. Stir.. enjoy. YUM!

It’s a new day, all!.. Let’s make it a good one.

Theres an a$$ for every seat

To the GOP who stood up and applauded last night when the President mentioned in his speech that he had no more campaigns to run… You are a disgrace, as was your foolish, childish mockery. Actually, I think CHILDREN know better than to behave in such a way. As for anyone out there who thought that was appropriate behavior aimed at THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, your attitude is part of why our government is such an embarrassment at this place in time. And after being handed such an ignorant display of behavior, he is chastised for his response? If you approved the applauding but disapproved of his giving a response… which referenced winning both elections… you’re showing your true colors.

I’ll say it again as I have said here before.. I don’t approve of all ideas and actions President Obama has brought to the table during this two term presidency and I can say that about any politician elected to office that I’ve ever paid attention to. I think you can say the same. What we have before us now in our government is shameful behavior that brings to mind schoolyard tactics. Other nations are losing respect for us NOT because of any particular man who holds the highest office, but because of the way we do not stand together, work together, have respect for each other right here in our own home, America. Especially on the highest platform. We are ALL better than this… and yet we keep sinking further down that hole with our cheers and jeers and accusations and discord and idiotic behavior.

Enough said.

On Burning and the Bills…

If you don’t live under a rock you know the outcome of last night’s grand jury decision in the MB shooting. Tragedy all around. I wrote a huge post on the subject early this morning. Then I deleted the whole thing. I realized I had no answers, I had no solutions and my opinion is just that. The end result is a young man is dead, a young officer who has never fired his weapon on the job until that fateful evening will have to live with the consequences for the rest of his life… and some angry protesters took it upon themselves to burn their town instead of making the kind of statements that might change the conversation, heal wounds, move forward in a positive way.

Bill Cosby – *sigh* Boy, that was hard to hear. I have loved that man and his sense of humor for decades. At first I honestly had the thought… oh, here comes another has- been spurned starlet whose career never took off, now she’s older and writing a book and wants it to sell. So she drops a bomb on a powerful guy and wow, how unfair is that. I had no doubt Bill was capable of affairs, seems to come with the territory of huge star power… but drugging and raping? Come on, not BILL!?….

I had the same reaction when the Monica Lewinsky crap came out… Oh PLEASE… There is no way Bill would be so stupid as to have an affair with a very young naive intern who would most definitely spill the beans because OMG I’M SCREWING AROUND WITH THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES!!!! and yet…. it was true.

Not going to make fans here but I still think Bill Clinton was one of our better Presidents and my Conservative Republican husband actually agrees. I think we made a huge circus out of something we had no business f*cking with. Presidents have conducted affairs – right or wrong – for all of our Presidential history and it has never hindered their performance as our leader until we decided to meddle where we don’t belong.. in their bedrooms.. or closets where blue dresses with stains are preserved for future prosecution.

Now why did I go there again??…. ah yes. The question .. what is it about men of great power thinking they can do atrocious things and get away with them? What gives them the impression they WILL get away with it?

As for Bill Cosby… with so many women coming out of the woodwork with similar stories…my original theory doesn’t hold water and I’m just sad for the man and his family and especially the women who were abused.

I think I’ve ranted enough on this blog for a while. Next.. a tale of neutered bunnies….. really!