If you have not read the previous post below, you may want to first.
I spoke about America needing a wake up call still following the tragic suicide/murder of a man, wife, and 5 children.
After writing it I saw an article about someone else going through a rough patch. A man, wife and 3 children who have put everything they own (not the kids) on Ebay to raise money to cover medical bills for their children.
A seemingly average couple and average family willing to do anything to help their children and willing to give away all they have to make good on paying their bills and protecting their children.
The bad news, their stuff has not sold since people feel bad about buying the possessions of a struggling family. The good news they have received more then 10 grand in donations helping them get through this time.
I think these recent bail out business’ could learn something from the “average” folks. When down, good people help other good people. When dealing with “real” adversity and hardship, we do come together. When this particular family received these donations… these little bail outs… did they go buy a new TV or reward themselves with a bonus, new car, or even new cloths… NOPE! They paid down their medical bills and made good on thier debts as best they could.
They are the Peters Family and they should make Corporate American fat cats feel ashamed… If I thought Corporate American fat cats had any feeling at all that is.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Economic Stimulus too late for some.
There is not happy spin to this. No funny or ironic catch phrase.
In LA, a man killed his 5 children, wife, and then himself, despondent after losing his job and unable to find work. In his suicide note he speaks how he has failed to support his family, and that his wife and himself felt that ending their lives, and that of their children, was better then the hole they found themselves in.
OK, so I think it was an over-reaction. Having two children myself I know I would do anything before harming them for any reason. I would swallow any pride I may have and sacrifice all I have to protect them so there are clearly some other issues this man and family were dealing with that led them to this tragic end…
But it does make me think just how low many American’s are during this economic crisis. It make me furious to hear about a 400 million dollar bonus program that one company gave to it’s employees (about 400 employees to be exact, or just over a million each). Why does this outrage me? Well, this is one of the companies that was “bailed” out from the Bush plan. So tax payer money just lined the pockets of 400 folks with 1 million dollars. Lined the pockets of the very folks, who based on records, where the very same folks that were at the center of the huge losses of said company and required the bail out in the first place.
So we reward absolute negligence and stupidity with a million dollars, and bring the common man to his knees where he feels (right or wrong) that death is better then a broken life.
For as far as we may think we have come electing Barack Obama, we have a long way to go America.
In LA, a man killed his 5 children, wife, and then himself, despondent after losing his job and unable to find work. In his suicide note he speaks how he has failed to support his family, and that his wife and himself felt that ending their lives, and that of their children, was better then the hole they found themselves in.
OK, so I think it was an over-reaction. Having two children myself I know I would do anything before harming them for any reason. I would swallow any pride I may have and sacrifice all I have to protect them so there are clearly some other issues this man and family were dealing with that led them to this tragic end…
But it does make me think just how low many American’s are during this economic crisis. It make me furious to hear about a 400 million dollar bonus program that one company gave to it’s employees (about 400 employees to be exact, or just over a million each). Why does this outrage me? Well, this is one of the companies that was “bailed” out from the Bush plan. So tax payer money just lined the pockets of 400 folks with 1 million dollars. Lined the pockets of the very folks, who based on records, where the very same folks that were at the center of the huge losses of said company and required the bail out in the first place.
So we reward absolute negligence and stupidity with a million dollars, and bring the common man to his knees where he feels (right or wrong) that death is better then a broken life.
For as far as we may think we have come electing Barack Obama, we have a long way to go America.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
What You May Have Missed
As we can all agree Tuesday was a historic event. Nothing I write here could possibly do it justice or convey the gravity of what has taken place. That being said I'm sure we've all watched the coverage of the Obama's entire day on Tues., from Breakfast to the Prom to when I'm sure they made sweet sweet presidential lovin. So here are a few headlines you may have missed from Tues.
Reuters: Entire South African Airways crew arrested over drug bust
BRITISH customs officers arrested the entire crew of a South African Airways plane after finding cannabis and cocaine in baggage at London's Heathrow airport, officials said.
The crew of 10 women and five men, including the pilot and stewardesses, was held after arriving on a flight from Johannesburg.
The crew of 10 women and five men, including the pilot and stewardesses, was held after arriving on a flight from Johannesburg.
New York Post: HOT DOG OF WAR ON LI
What a bunch of wienies!
An East Hampton man who proudly adorns his back yard with a 6-foot statue of a smiling hot dog, said his neighbors' gripes are a bunch of baloney.
"I love it," Rian White, 53, said of the giant-size sausage, a 30-year-old antique.
White, who clutters his lawn with various artifacts, said he's been skewered by neighbors and town officials. The freakish frankfurter landed him in front of a jury in East Hampton town court, which gave him a pass on an illegal-signage rap, but convicted him Friday of five misdemeanors relating to his property upkeep. "I'm not a slob," he insisted. "I'm a collector."
An East Hampton man who proudly adorns his back yard with a 6-foot statue of a smiling hot dog, said his neighbors' gripes are a bunch of baloney.
"I love it," Rian White, 53, said of the giant-size sausage, a 30-year-old antique.
White, who clutters his lawn with various artifacts, said he's been skewered by neighbors and town officials. The freakish frankfurter landed him in front of a jury in East Hampton town court, which gave him a pass on an illegal-signage rap, but convicted him Friday of five misdemeanors relating to his property upkeep. "I'm not a slob," he insisted. "I'm a collector."
Arizona Republic: Man arrested after exiting plane, walking on wing
An airline passenger was arrested at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport on Tuesday evening after opening an emergency door on a Delta Air Lines flight as passengers were exiting at a gate. As people were getting off the plane, the man opened an emergency door and walked out on the plane's wing. Police and federal authorities questioned the man.
Christian Post Reporter: Evolution Disclaimer Proposed for Miss. Textbooks
A Mississippi lawmaker has introduced a bill that would require textbooks to include a disclaimer describing evolution as a "controversial theory" and advising students to keep an "open mind" to other explanations for the origin of life.
The proposal, if enacted, would require the State Board of Education to include the 200-word disclaimer on the inside front cover of textbooks that include evolution topics.
"The word 'theory' has many meanings, including: systematically organized knowledge; abstract reasoning; a speculative idea or plan; or a systematic statement of principles," the opening paragraph of the bill states. "Scientific theories are based on both observations of the natural world and assumptions about the natural world. They are always subject to change in view of new and confirmed observations."
"This textbook discusses evolution, a controversial theory some scientists present as a scientific explanation for the origin of living things. No one was present when life first appeared on earth. Therefore, any statement about life's origins should be considered a theory," the proposal continues.
"Evolution refers to the unproven belief that random, undirected forces produced living things. There are many topics with unanswered questions about the origin of life which are not mentioned in your textbook, including: the sudden appearance of the major groups of animals in the fossil record (known as the Cambrian Explosion); the lack of new major groups of other living things appearing in the fossil record; the lack of transitional forms of major groups of plants and animals in the fossil record; and the complete and complex set of instructions for building a living body possessed by all living things."
The textbook disclaimer would end with the following advice: "Study hard and keep an open mind."
"The word 'theory' has many meanings, including: systematically organized knowledge; abstract reasoning; a speculative idea or plan; or a systematic statement of principles," the opening paragraph of the bill states. "Scientific theories are based on both observations of the natural world and assumptions about the natural world. They are always subject to change in view of new and confirmed observations."
"This textbook discusses evolution, a controversial theory some scientists present as a scientific explanation for the origin of living things. No one was present when life first appeared on earth. Therefore, any statement about life's origins should be considered a theory," the proposal continues.
"Evolution refers to the unproven belief that random, undirected forces produced living things. There are many topics with unanswered questions about the origin of life which are not mentioned in your textbook, including: the sudden appearance of the major groups of animals in the fossil record (known as the Cambrian Explosion); the lack of new major groups of other living things appearing in the fossil record; the lack of transitional forms of major groups of plants and animals in the fossil record; and the complete and complex set of instructions for building a living body possessed by all living things."
The textbook disclaimer would end with the following advice: "Study hard and keep an open mind."
Well there's just a smattering of what else happened on Tues., All in all Tues. showed the country at it's best and as you've read above at it's dumbest.
So until next time, don't forget. "Study hard and keep an open mind."
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Shave and a Haircut – 2 bits
A young man was sent home and ordered to remove a symbol of a star from his head (made via a clever haircut) because the 5 pointed star is considered a gang symbol. The young man, an A/B student was given the haircut for free by a local barber knowing the Mom could not afford it, and chose the design based on a “reach for the stars” theme the young man was affiliated with at school. (The image to left is not the actual image, I do not want GANG signs on my Blog!)
The haircut was altered so the boy could return to school.
The Boy was upset
The Mom was crushed… saying he should be able to wear what he wants and express himself.
That is where the story ended…. But it got me to thinking…
I am all about being able to wear what you want etc… but a see what the school means. Mommy may be upset her kid cannot wear a certain shirt or symbols, but I bet she would be even more upset if her A/B student got shot never having been part of a gang. It is sad we need to make compromise and sacrifice on how we express ourselves because someone else stupidly thinks it means something gang related.
On a side note, the Gang affiliated with the Star Symbol – The Shoot at the Stars Gang said they are pleased with the schools decision as the student is a major geek and would bring a bad rep to their symbol.
The haircut was altered so the boy could return to school.
The Boy was upset
The Mom was crushed… saying he should be able to wear what he wants and express himself.
That is where the story ended…. But it got me to thinking…
I am all about being able to wear what you want etc… but a see what the school means. Mommy may be upset her kid cannot wear a certain shirt or symbols, but I bet she would be even more upset if her A/B student got shot never having been part of a gang. It is sad we need to make compromise and sacrifice on how we express ourselves because someone else stupidly thinks it means something gang related.
On a side note, the Gang affiliated with the Star Symbol – The Shoot at the Stars Gang said they are pleased with the schools decision as the student is a major geek and would bring a bad rep to their symbol.
This is Idio-1 signing off.
PEACE!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
