Cross your fingers

At what point do we draw the line? When does ensuring equal and unquestioned rights for everyone create a situation that destroys the rights of others?

I can give you a recent answer...Thursday, November 5, 2009.

Apparently, this tragedy should NOT have happened. It did, though. The reason?

No one wanted to file a complaint for fear of looking discriminatory.

And now, 13 people are dead and 30 more wounded because of it.

Was the gunman a terrorist? I don't know. Perhaps he was, perhaps he was not. However, he clearly needed to be in a different environment than the one that he was in. He should NOT have been serving in our armed forces. He SHOULD have been, at the very least, receiving some sort of counseling.

For those who have been with me for a while...remember what I've said about "finger-pointers." It's a different story of the same situation here.

For those who are new (or forgetful), I will bring you up to speed.

One of the concerns that I have over the direction our country is moving in is "finger-pointing." Every time a thought is raised, a decision made, or an action taken, someone who opposes that thought, decision, or action points a finger. "Something is wrong"..."Someone's rights are being violated."

And it's making our country unsafe.

NO ONE wants to be on the wrong end of an accusation...be it about torture, discrimination, budgeting, etc. Decisions are based NOT on what's right, but on what's acceptable...what's politically correct...what's SAFE.

And in this case, the price for that was the lives of 13 innocent Americans, the health of 30 more, and the morale of our armed services.

God bless the USA.

An award and a challenge...

Due to the tragedy in Ft. Hood, I will not be posting a news rant tonight.

My heart goes out to the families involved and aches over the senseless losses.

What I will do, though...is keep things positive!!!

First up...

My dear friend, Polly over at The 5th Sister, has awarded me with this...

I am honored...and reminded, yet again, why I love blogging so much! I have "met" so many great people here. Polly and I are very similar in our ideals, but we DO have our little areas where we disagree...AND THAT'S OKAY WITH US!!! We both understand and respect each other's opinion. So, if you haven't already, head on over to her blog and check it out...you won't be disappointed!!!

The rules for this award are...

1. Each Superior Scribbler I name today must in turn pass The Award on to 5 most-deserving bloggy friends.

2. Each Superior Scribbler must link to the author & the name of the blog from whom he/she has received The Award.

3. Each Superior Scribbler must display The Award on his/her blog.

4. Each Superior Scribbler must post these rules on his/her blog.

The friends that I would like to pass this award along to are...

1) Holly at 504 Main because I am totally in love with her blog right now! She is a new one for me and I am so glad to have found her! She has it all...from recipes to crafts to crazy weddings! Head over to her place if you haven't been there yet. She's a "can't miss!"

2) Lee at Headaches, Hot Flashes, & Hormones because she keeps me in stitches! She, too, is a new blog for me and I don't know how I made it through each day before finding her!!! There is never a dull moment when partying with the "Hot Flash Queen"...so drop on over if you haven't called on her before!!!

3) Nicole at Tattoos and Teething Rings because she is real. She is one of the classiest tattooed ladies I've never met...and I say that with the utmost respect!!! She's a wife, a mama, and a friend who is defining herself one day at a time!!! She has been a virtual friend from the very beginning of my blog and has been a loyal supporter...even though she doesn't agree with all of my crazy ranting!!! RUN over to her blog because she gets a little impatient if she has to wait!!! LOL!!!

4) Daffy at Batcrap Crazy because she is H-I-L-A-R-I-O-U-S!!! She has crazy stories about life, high school (she works in one), and asshats (which she is trying to define). Another new one for me, but it seems like we've been blog buddies forever! If you want a good laugh (or if you know the definition of asshat), head over to Daisy's blog. She's waiting...

5) I saved this one for last for a reason. Deidra at jumping tandem gets this award for being an inspiration to women! Not only did she have the heart to post an untouched, unmade-up picture of herself on her blog today (which was beautiful, by the way!), she issued a challenge to her readers...which is the second half of my post!!! Deidra is the newest blog that I've added to my list...but I'm already totally in love with her musings and am totally excited to read more from her! To take part in the OATH that I will be talking about next, head over to her blog!!!

So...for the second half...

I have taken the OATH put forth by Deidra. Her OATH stands for "Only Adjectives That Heal/Help." She is challenging her followers to stop carrying around the baggage of their own self-doubt and to start looking at themselves in a new light! How great is that?!?!?! Head over to her blog and take the OATH for yourself!

I have taken Deidra's OATH...and I'm not going to look back!!!

Hindsight's 20/20

I'm glad so many of you enjoyed last night's "news interval." When I am feeling a news overload, I will have to continue with these lighter, funnier posts.

That is not the case tonight.

For my newer followers, let me give a very brief background.

I don't have a problem with what has been referred to as the "torture" and "abuse" of suspected terrorists.

It doesn't faze me a bit.

I realize that it's an unpopular opinion...but that hasn't stopped me in the past!

If you care to read more about why, feel free to search through my blog for anything labeled "terrorists" or "torture."

Now, having said that, it should be fairly obvious that the closing of Guantanamo Bay (otherwise known as Gitmo...which is MUCH easier to type) is not a popular decision with me.

I think it's a HUGE mistake.

As many of you know, I have said in the past that Obie made a big deal of it in his campaign and in the days shortly after his inauguration...but has kind of dragged his feet since.

And he's still doing just that.

My opinion of this, if you care to know, is that our Great Leader realizes that closing down Gitmo is a mistake. He realizes what a logistical nightmare it will be to find homes for all of the suspected terrorists being housed (but no longer "tortured") there.

I think that, had he not made such a huge stink about it, he would have changed a few policies and then left things alone...with everyone still in the custody of the United States and a big fat headache avoided.

But he played it all wrong.

And I think he now sees that.

By allowing other countries to step in and take over here, we are doing two very bad things.

First of all, we are allowing our country to admit a mistake...which, in the field of battle is akin to turning your weapon on yourself. We are saying, "We did the wrong thing here. Please take the heat off of us so that we can bow out gracefully and without further turmoil."

What we should be saying is, "Ok...we'll stop "torturing" them. No more waterboards. But HELL NO, we won't release them because they were in some way involved in a threat to the safety of OUR country and WE will deal with it as we see fit. Back off."

That way, we appease the poo-pooers and still keep our testicles in place.

The second mistake that this breeds is allowing another country to be responsible for the punishment of OUR prisoners.

Make no mistake...these people may be labeled as "suspected terrorists," but in reality, they are prisoners of war. And their punishment is retribution for, among other things, the greatest act of terror that has been carried out against us in the history of our nation.

It is the blood of OUR country on their hands (or in some cases, that was their plan) and WE should have the opportunity to see that they are held responsible for it.

Not to mention the fact that this "torture" and "abuse" gained critical intelligence that, in many cases, may have saved us from other horrific acts of terror against our country.

I don't care how long it takes O(h shit, what did I do)bama to close down Gitmo. Put it off indefinitely for all I care.

Hell, it may be the ONE "change" that would actually make me smile!

If your family tree has a rope hanging from it...

I'm doing a non-news post tonight because it's my blog and I feel like it. If you don't like it...well...read my last post or something!


As most of you know, I live in Redneckville. I don't mean that people just say "y'all" a lot, either.


I mean R-E-D-N-E-C-K-S. The kind that wear overalls and carry guns and deer hunt out of season...from their pickup trucks...with spotlights. (If you do not live within 50 miles of a redneck outlet, you probably won't understand the significance of that last part in qualifying as a redneck...just take my word for it.)


There are redneck branches on my family tree. (And there are 'possums a-hangin' from those branches.)


I, however, am the antithesis of redneck. I kind of gave the ol' middle finger to my redneck roots when I married my husband...and my last name became "Garcia." It kind of kicked me out of the running for the Miss Skinhead (kidding) beauty pageant. However, I can still attend the Testicle Festival (not kidding...go on, click the link) if I so choose.


I do not.

Now, when I was growing up, there were two colors of white in this town...and that was it. My school was ENTIRELY white. Completely without color. (This has now changed.)


There were often times growing up that I heard the terms "spic" and "wetback" spew forth from the mouths of my family members.


All of that changed when I met my husband.


I know why I love him, but I am unsure what it is about him that was able to convert such backward-thinking people into loving him, too. I think one reason is because he doesn't "look" Mexican according to their stereotypical ideas.

He is, however, Mexican...nothing else. He was born and raised in Kansas City, MO. He speaks Spanish as a second language. English is his primary language. He does not have an accent. He is a big, burly guy...a robust teddy bear full of machismo.


He deals with the frequent ignorance that comes with our decision to live in Backwoods America with an amazing sense of humor and self-worth that amazes me.


He is my hero. (awwww)

Which leads me to the point of this post.

When the fact of his heritage comes up, he is cautiously jovial. For some reason, it's like a big reveal to these people. He says that he's Mexican and people are like..."Whut? You kiddin', right?"

Yes, I'm serious.

Oh, but it gets better.

From this point forward, I am not referring to family. This is stuff that has been said by co-workers. It's real. I couldn't make this crap up.

For the sake of my fingers (and the privacy of the idiots I will be talking about), I will refer to ALL idiots in the following conversation snippets as "J" for "jackass." Raouly will be "R."

J- "You really Mexican?"

R- "Last time I checked."

J- "How long you been here?"

R- (straight faced) "2 years."

J- "Wow. You speak real good American...no accent or nothin'."

J- "You speak real good English."

R- "You don't."

J- "It bother you if people call you "wetback?"

R- "Not really."

J- "So I could call you wetback and you wouldn't get mad?"

R- "Well, I look at it this way...my people crossed a river to get into this country. Your people crossed an ocean. Who's the wetback?"

J- "So, do you speak Mexican?"

R- "I speak Spanish."

J- "But you don't speak Mexican?"

J- "So...what made you decide to come to America?"

R- "I wanted to marry a young white girl."

J- "That's your wife?"

R- "Yep."

J- "She's white?"

R- "Yes. She's young, too."

J- "She looks more Mexican than you do."

R- "She's only Mexican by injection."

Sorry...he gets a little crude sometimes.

J- (after finding out that he was raised in KC) "So you grew up in Missourah?"

R- "Yep."

J- "So you could be a redneck."

R- "Well, if not for the whole "Mexican" thing."

J- "No man...you can be a 'spic hick!"

R- "And you can be a real redneck and carry your teeth in your front pocket if you say that again."

J- "You speak Mexican?"

R- "It's not Mexican...it's Spanish...and yes, I can speak it."

J- "How do you say '(insert vulgarity of your choice here)?'"

R- "Soy un burro ignorante."

J- "You know, man, for a Mexican, you're alright."

R- "You know, for a redneck, you have a lot of teeth."

J- "Your wife from around here?"

R- "Yep. Born and raised."

J- "How'd you meet her? On the internet?"

R- "How'd you meet yours? Family reunion?"

J- "I wouldn't 'a guessed that you are a Mexican."

R- "Really? Why not?"

J- "Well, you don't look it."

R- "Am I supposed to thank you for that?"

J- "And you're real smart for a Mexican."

R- "And you're very cretinous for a redneck."

J- "Thanks, man!"

J- "So what do you think about this whole illegal immigration thing?"

R- "What about it?"

J- "Well, somewhere down the line, someone from YOUR family had to come here illegally...didn't they?"

R- "Somewhere down the line, someone from YOUR family came here illegally, too."

J- "Nah. We're American."

I could go on and on.

Seriously.

The ignorance of some of these people is absolutely astounding. I would find it incredibly amusing, but for one thing...my girls are probably going to have to put up with this same type of thinking.

If not worse.

My husband and I chose to raise our children here because the public school is great and my family lives here. Both of those things are extremely important to us. If the general population were still at 100% white, we probably would have made a different decision. However, now that there is a growing diversity of cultures, we felt that it would be okay to raise them here. So far, in spite of the ignorance shown by some of Raouly's co-workers, the children that the Squirrel goes to school with seem to be much more accepting.

I pray that they are able to continue to be that way...that they are able to rise above their roots and see people for who they are on the inside. I pray that the majority of them are able to shed the stereotypes that many people here have about different cultures.

I'm proof that it can be done.

My family is proof that it is never too late to start.

I promise...

So, I took the weekend off...sue me.

My insomnia has reared its ugly head again and I am not getting much sleep...which makes for a grumpy Christi.

Not a good thing.

However, while scouring through the news tonight, I came across this ...but I warn you...that link will take you to Fox News...which is terribly uncooperative with Obama's administration. Not only have they (so far) refused to drink the Kool-Aid, but they spit it in Obie's eye and kicked him in the nuts a couple of times. Being associated with them ranks right up there with being associated with...well...me and others like me!

If you don't want to take the time to click the link (or you're chicken), let me break it down for you...

and throw in a little of my pessimistic radical racist redneck opinion.

(Lucky you)

The article goes over some campaign promises that The Great One made and how he has followed through on them. Let's just see what's on the list...

1) PROMISE -- "I would send two to three additional brigades to Afghanistan." - Sept. 26, 2008 debate at the University of Mississippi
REALITY -- He actually followed through here. He's sending in the troops...and may possibly be sending more in. Apparently, The Queen Mother Obama lets Junior play "big boy" with his cajones on occasion and he actually made a decent decision. Unfortunately, she doesn't let him hold them often enough.

2) PROMISE -- "Obama will create a foreclosure prevention fund to help people facing foreclosure to stay in their homes and renegotiate with their lenders or sell their homes." - Obama campaign policy paper
REALITY -- Yep...we're paying for this one. $75 billion dollars, to be exact. How many people are actually taking advantage of it, though? Not many. So let me get this straight...the government is paying to help people keep their homes...and they're not taking the handout? Better grab it up quickly folks...this is funded by the Wall Street bailout. If you don't grab your share while you can, guess who's gonna step in and take care of it for you???

3) PROMISE -- "In the first 100 days of my administration, I will travel to a major Islamic forum and deliver an address to redefine our struggle. I will make clear that we are not at war with Islam."
REALITY -- Remember his trips to Turkey and Cairo? He assured the world then that the United States was not now, nor had it ever been at war with Islam. Of course, while on his infamous trip to Turkey, he tried his damnedest to disassociate our great nation with the dreaded and evil "Christianity"...I suppose Obie felt this was the best way to reassure his new friends that he wasn't going to send a bomb up their backside.

4) PROMISE -- "Well, Hillary, I'm looking forward to you advising me, as well." - Dec. 13, 2007 debate in Des Moines, Iowa
REALITY -- Though made as a snide remark, he followed through...unfortunately. As Secretary of State, Hillary has made more gaffes and stupid remarks than Joe Biden and Sarah Palin combined. Remember the "reset" button that she gave the Russian Foreign Minister? Or how about how she fawned over the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico...only to ask who painted it? Of course, the world was watching when she said American democracy had been around longer than European democracy. That's just a few of the minor gaffes made by the woman that Obie-Wannabe chose to represent our country to other nations. Yep...good call, Junior...good call.

5) PROMISE -- "We can safely redeploy our combat brigades at a pace that would remove them in 16 months -- that would be the summer of 2010." - on the war in Iraq during a July 15, 2008 speech
REALITY -- He's working on it. Now, his little minions are claiming to have the troops out of Iraq by the end of 2011. He has to accomplish this promise in order to keep promise number 1. However, my guess is that he will leave many of the troops there in order to have some sort of rallying point in 2012. "Give me more time...I still haven't gotten all of the troops out of Iraq. Bush Jr. mucked things up so bad that it's taking a lot longer than anticipated to clean things up. Give me one more term. I'll bring the troops home..." I'm almost counting on it, actually.

6) PROMISE -- "I can make a firm pledge. Under my plan, no family making less than $250,000 a year will see any form of tax increase. Not your income tax, not your payroll tax, not your capital gains taxes, not any of your taxes." - Sept. 12, 2008 in Dover, N.H.
REALITY -- Tax relief costs about $787 billion.

7) PROMISE -- "When I am President, America will reject torture without exception. America is the country that stood against that kind of behavior before, and we will do so again." - Aug. 1, 2007 in Washington, D.C.
REALITY -- Mr. President has kind of backpedaled on this one a bit. While he still adamantly stands behind his "love thy terrorist neighbor" policy, his actions in the matter have been a little sluggish. He cried "hocus pocus" and waved his hands a bit in distraction. That's all. He's still transferring prisoners to foreign governments (rendition)...but he gains the promise of those governments that no torture will take place (insert eye roll here). He also claimed to "restore habeus corpus"...only to admit later that some prisoners would have to be held indefinitely. I've said it before and I'll say it again...it's all in the wording.

8) PROMISE -- "Now is the time to finally keep the promise of affordable, accessible health care for every single American." - Aug. 28, 2008 Dem. nomination acceptance speech
REALITY -- We're still waiting. Sure, it's in the works...but how long do you really think that's going to take? I've stopped trying to follow along on this one because...seriously...all of the bickering back and forth makes my ears bleed. If the day comes that EVERY SINGLE AMERICAN is insured with affordable health care, Obie can smile and prance and preen a little bit...because that's what he does...and know that he had absolutely nothing to do with it...but take credit for it anyway...because that's what he does, too.

9) PROMISE -- "We'll work with Russia to take U.S. and Russian ballistic missiles off hair-trigger alert, and to dramatically reduce the stockpiles of our nuclear weapons and material." - Oct. 2, 2007 in Chicago
REALITY -- Well, Hillary gave them the "overcharged" button...that was a step in the right direction. Also, of course, no one said anything about Iran...

10) PROMISE -- "Guantanamo has become a recruiting tool for our enemies. The first step to reclaiming America's standing in the world has to be closing this facility. As President, Barack Obama will close the detention facility at Guantanamo." - Obama campaign policy paper
REALITY -- This "first step" has kind of been pushed back a little. Set for closure in January, the facility is still up and running and probably will remain that way...at least for the foreseeable future. While quick to reassure that the slated closure will happen, Obie's minions admit that it has been more difficult than originally planned. (Ya think? Just leave it alone, you jackass!)

11) PROMISE -- "We must build upon the ideas I have laid out over the last several years about how to modernize our financial regulation in this country, and establish commonsense rules of the road for our financial system to help restore confidence in our financial system." - Sept. 19, 2008 in Miami
REALITY -- Bailout, bailout, bailout. Apparently, "modernizing our financial regulation" means pumping money into a system that is so corrupt and demoralized that the corporate heads took that same money and partied with it. Another good call by Junior. We're still waiting for this promise to be fulfilled.

12) PROMISE -- "We need comprehensive reform. We have to require that undocumented workers, who are provided a pathway to citizenship, not only learn English, pay back taxes, and pay a significant fine, but also that they're going to the back of the line, so that they are not getting citizenship before those who have applied legally." - Feb. 21, 2008 in Austin
REALITY -- Slacker! The great one has conceded that, with everything else on his plate, he just isn't going to get to immigration reform anytime soon. It was a great rallying point, though...right?

13) PROMISE -- "As a senator, I strongly support passage of the Armenian Genocide Resolution, and as President, I will recognize the Armenian Genocide." - Jan. 19, 2008
REALITY -- The POTUS is a castrated weenie. He has refrained from acknowledging the historic massacre as such...despite ample opportunity. If you were looking for proof that his testicles were given to Sarah Palin as a parting gift, this is it.

14) PROMISE -- "When you walk into my administration, you will not be able to work on regulations or contracts directly related to your former employer for two years." - June 22, 2007 in Manchester, N.H.
REALITY -- With the help of handy-dandy "waivers" Obie has managed to weasel his way out of this promise. In some cases, they don't need "waivers" at all! These folks are so honest and trustworthy that they are allowed to "recuse" themselves from whatever interest it is for which they used to lobby. Good thing all of these politicians are such honest fellows!

15) PROMISE -- "When George Bush came into office, our debt...national debt was around $5 trillion. It's now over $10 trillion. We've almost doubled it. But actually I'm cutting more than I'm spending so that it will be a net spending cut." - Oct. 7, 2008 in Nashville
REALITY -- Bull$hit! Do I even need to say anything here? Three words...bailout, bailout, bailout. When does his "cutting more than spending" policy start?

16) PROMISE -- "That's what I will do in bringing all parties together, not negotiating behind closed doors, but bringing all parties together, and broadcasting those negotiations on C-SPAN so that the American people can see what the choices are." - Jan. 31, 2008 in L.A.
REALITY -- Sure he's been on your television more than any POTUS in history. However, have you really heard anything? Have you seen any of these "negotiations?" Me either. It sounded good, though...right?

17) PROMISE -- "If you've got a health care plan that you like, you can keep it. All I'm going to do is help you to lower the premiums on it. You'll still have choice of doctor. There's no mandate involved." - Oct. 7, 2008 in Nashville
REALITY -- ALL of the plans before Congress have some sort of requirement for people to get health insurance. This is opposite of what he was preaching when he was campaigning against his "advisor" Hillary Clinton...when he said he believed that people should be able to choose whether to have health insurance or not because most people wanted it but just couldn't afford it. Now, he's saying it's only going to work if "everybody does their part."


So...what does all of this boil down to? What does it mean?

Basically, it just means that Obie-Wannabe is a good politician. He's able to speak and blow smoke up the asses of the majority of America at the same time...so bend over and take it, friends...we still have 3 years left!!!

"And maybe you should sleep..."

..."And maybe you just need
A friend as clumsy as you've been..."

excerpt from "Clumsy" by Our Lady Peace

So...funny story...

I have this friend (for the sake of not embarrassing her, she shall remain nameless).

My friend is an insomniac. Basically, this means that sleep is a blessing to her. It also means that once she finds this blessing, she is resistant to losing it.

Alarm clocks are the bane of her existence.

They are also sometimes ineffective. Because of this, my friend has had to place her alarm clock across the room from where she sleeps...so that she has to get up out of bed in order to turn it off.

So, this morning, my friends alarm clock went off on time...just like it does every morning. My friend, having a battle with insomnia lately, bolted out of her bed, tripped over the laundry basket (that is NOT supposed to be in the middle of her floor...her husband is riddled with guilt)..

And fell...


Face-first into her bedroom floor...


And broke her nose.

Those of you who are friends with me on Facebook know who this friend is. The rest of you will just have to speculate.

(ahem)

So...for no particular reason AT ALL...tonight, I'm going to make this short.

My friend Kayla over at Bashful Toast (isn't that adorable?) blessed me with a couple of awards!!!

Thanks, Kayla! These made my day!!! Anyone would be truly blessed to be able to count you as a friend, sweetie!!!

So, in the name of friendship, I'm going to pass both of these awards along to another blogging buddy who I consider a good friend. He's been with me from the beginning.

Luis from Muddy Runner!

He is very deserving of this award...and an excellent read! He's had a long journey over the last year and his blog is a testament to that...and also to his role as a doting father. Plus, he keeps Disneyland in business...so he can't be that bad, right???

If you haven't checked out his blog, you should definitely head on over there! It's not just about running. It's about life, fatherhood, and even food! He's a one-man show!!!

That's it for tonight. This girl is going to go take a bubble bath!

Maybe that will soothe my sore nose!

Da plane!!! Da plane!!!

I used to fly quite a bit when I was a teen. My sister lived in Arizona and I flew out often (alone) to visit her. She's been back home for 11 years now and I haven't set foot on a plane since.

It wasn't just because my sister moved back, either.

Traveling hundreds of miles an hour...thousands of feet off the ground...in a metal brick? What was I thinking?

The parent with the child who holds the world record for the longest and loudest scream ALWAYS ended up on my flight.

I unfailingly ended up sandwiched between...(pick any two)...the "creepy perv", the old man with gas, the old lady who wouldn't shut up, the busybody lady who wanted to know my life story, the old lady with too much cheap perfume, the obnoxious prick who demanded all the elbow room, or the sleeping drunk (complete with drool) who's head kept falling onto my shoulder.

Oh, and be assured that the remainder (that I wasn't sandwiched between) were in very close proximity.

The bathrooms are a joke. I don't sit on public toilets and the bathrooms in those places don't have "hover room"...and they certainly don't have enough elbow room to maneuver the "front to back."

Plus, my parent's were not loaded. I flew economy. So my in-flight meal was peanuts and a plastic cup of soda.

Years have passed, and we've now added in the slim, but possible chance of hijacking.



Oh yeah...and with technology comes THIS!



I can see his Facebook status now...

"Pilot Tim just missed his landing. Whoops!"



And they were so wrapped up in their laptops that they couldn't respond to radio messages? What the hell were they doing...looking at porn? Blogging? Playing WOW?

I'm sure they'll find relief in the fact that they can apply for a new pilot certificate in one year.

What?!?!?!

These aren't teenagers. You don't just "ground them" from their toys and let them have them back after a year!!!! Yank their damn wings!!! Don't give them back!!!



Better yet, let them provide the transportation for the prisoners when they close down Gitmo...

Heartwrenching

So, I went back on forth on this all day long.

I wasn't sure if this was a topic that I wanted to tackle here. I wasn't (and still am not) sure that I won't scare off some of my new followers...and maybe some of my old ones.

However, I decided to go ahead with this because it's real. It's something that happens in this crazy world that we live in.

That doesn't change the fact that it's horrific and heartbreaking.

If you wish to stop now, please do so.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
I chose this story because it is happening only a short drive from my home. I do not know any of the people involved in this awful tragedy, but my heart goes out to all of them.

Now, with very few details (since the suspect in custody is a minor and it has yet to be determined if they will be tried as an adult), it is difficult to say what kind of track this particular case is going to take.

However, it raises a question that has to be decided on an alarmingly increasing basis...

Should a juvenile (in this case, 15 year old) be tried as an adult?

Most of you know how strongly that I feel about justice and punishment. For those of you that don't, you can read some of my earlier posts. I can sum it up by saying that I am very vocal about my support of swift justice and strong punishment (including the death penalty).

Having said that, it would be very easy for me to say here, "This person killed a child. I don't know any of the circumstances involved and I don't need to know. Try them as an adult, punish them to the max, and don't look back."

My head is saying that. Believe me...it is screaming it.

But my heart...oh my God...my heart is breaking here.

What could possibly be so wrong in this child's life that they chose to take the life of another child?

Without knowing any of the circumstances surrounding the case, I am left with nothing but questions.

Is it right to charge a 15 year old child for 1st degree murder?
Is it right to try them in an adult court?
Is it right to sentence them to time in an adult correctional facility?
Is it right to demand from them an adult's reasoning and an adult's knowledge of right and wrong?

My heart tells me this is just a child.

A child who made an awful, tragic decision.

My heart is a mother's heart. A mother who has looked upon the faces of her own children and, after finding that they have done something that they knew was wrong, has punished them...knowing that, even though they are sorry, they have to learn that their actions have consequences. Their tears are real, but at times, they are necessary.

But my brain tells me this is a killer.

A killer who took the life of an innocent child.

My brain is a mother's brain. A mother who has looked upon the beautiful faces of her children every night of their lives as I tuck them in and said a small prayer that God will keep them safe...knowing that, even though I'm vigilant, they could be taken from me in an instant. My tears are real, but at times, they are necessary, too.

They remind me that there are predators out there...and that they do not always fit into a specific mold...but that they can be just as deadly.

It's a Bird! It's a Plane! It's a...Lie?!?!?!

How many of you desire to be really famous? *Otherwise known as A-list*

Acting in a blockbuster movie...playing at a sold out rock show...being absolutely talentless but having rich parents...hosting a well known and wildly popular reality show...

What about kind of famous? *Otherwise known as B-list*

Acting in a mildy famous soap opera...recording a one-hit wonder...Being absolutely talentless, but having talentless sisters with a reality show...having your own "family" reality show during a messy estrangement and divorce...

What about mildly recognizable? *Otherwise known as D-list*

Playing an extra on a soap opera...singing back-up for a kiddie music group...winning season 2 of a popular reality show...having an intervention on a reality show...

And how many of you dream of being pathetic? Spend your days spinning tales to maybe...just maybe...get your 15 minutes of fame? Even go so far as coaching your children to lie to authorities, emergency services personnel, and...well...basically, the entire country? To have it all fall apart before you finally realize your dreams of being famous?

Yeah...me either.

Some people just shouldn't procreate.

"I am not a crook"...

Just a short and sweet tonight, I'm afraid. Wednesdays are actually Saturdays around here (at least after the kids go to bed 'cuz it's Daddy's night off) so we'll make this quick.



The post, that is...



Remember back before The Big O happened...err...I mean...was inaugurated and I told you that he fancied himself to be like President Lincoln?

If you don't feel like clicking the link, let me just sum it up for you...

I got a real chuckle out of the idea...for a couple of reasons...but the main thing that caused me to chuckle was this...

The last President to fancy himself a Lincoln incarnate...

....

....

Richard Nixon.

Now this is funny!!! I'm tellin' ya...I'm not the only one who is making these connections.

Senator Alexander from Tennessee connected the dots as well...it just took him longer!!!

Actually, in all seriousness, this guy has a point.

And don't I know it!

It is not easy to be an Obama heretic.

Being a "Bush basher" was ok...it was widely accepted. Dubya just stuck his fingers in his ears and said, "LALALALALALALALALALA!!!!! I can't hear you!!!!!!"

With Barry, on the other hand...

It is immediate and absolute...if you don't drink the Kool-Aid you are...

a) a racist
b) a militant
c) a Republican
d) an employee of Fox News
e) Dick Cheney
f) all of the above

"In the television age, the key distinction is between the candidate who can speak poetry and the one who can only speak prose. "
-Richard Nixon