I've been hearing a whole lot of verbosity about how poor people should be drug tested, if they receive money from the US Government, lately. Staying true to their colors, middle class Americans are falling for whatever their wealthy MASTERS want them to fall for. I used to think it was a conservative/republican phenomena, but now I'm convinced it's a mental thing; as in "where the hell is your brain?"
There's also been a of of talk about "bullying" at this same time. Seems to me these loud mouths are little more than bullies themselves. Afraid to question what the wealthy want them to believe, they resort instead to going after the lowest possible hanging fruit. Poor people with no discernible voice, and certainly no one to speak up on their behalf. They are exactly the kind of people I've grown to despise most my life.
They take the talking points from CORPORATE MEDIA, and espouse them as their own. They never use their brains to wonder who is behind corporate media... instead they spend their time watching reality TV (also put out by CORPORATE MEDIA) to deaden any sense of compassion and common sense they once had.
Tell me... who effects your own bottom line more... a corporate thug who accepts billions of tax payer dollars for their screw ups, or a low income person who sells their food stamps to buy alcohol or lottery tickets in an attempt to escape the hell they live in? Use your fucking heads! It's not rocket science. How about the CEO who gets millions each year in salary and bonuses, and hasn't paid any taxes themselves for the past 5 years, vs. the poor individual who sells their blood to supplement what little assistance they get from the state to help them feed their children?
Ever live in a city where finding a job is almost impossible? No? Then shut the fuck up! Ever been born in the ghetto where survival is a full time job? No? Then shut the fuck up! Ever had to sacrifice by deciding whether it's utilities, rent, food, or medicine this month? No? Then shut the fuck up! Tired of all those stupid fucks thinking it's their job to decide who should get nailed and who deserves a pass.
Maybe someday I'll develop a better understanding of the type of people I've described here. Maybe not. Maybe if I was a more spiritual being, I could see beyond their outward exterior to embrace the God in them, but as I am today, I can't. I just don't get it.
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
Tuesday, June 04, 2013
"Pull Yourself Up by the Bootlaces"
I've always been mystified and angry with the idea that somehow poor people will also thrive along with the rest of the populace as the economy improves. That is purely a myth. Poor people are ALWAYS an afterthought! They (we) are constantly fed the poisonous foods of lies and betrayals as we struggle to survive in America.
I AM NOT an afterthought! For more than 40 years of my life, I've been dedicated to trying to change this stupid belief. First, for others less fortunate than me, and now for myself also. Why should someone who has DELIBERATELY chosen to take lower paying jobs (caring/working for people with disabilities) because they recognize the need the REST OF SOCIETY ignores, suffer later in life, rather than be REWARDED for making that choice?
For me (and countless others) it's always been about SERVICE to humanity. Never made any difference who you were. Black, gay, disabled, etc. If you were struggling to survive through no fault of your own, I was there with you... in the trenches. In fact, even if you struggled in part, through your own mistakes, I passed no judgment on you, because I was taught people deserve a second (and sometimes third) chance!
Now that I'm older, and wiser, I'm able to see the choices people make to BEAT THE SYSTEM. Making choices much different than mine, they do, and will thrive as the financial situation in our country improves. Am I jealous of them? HELL NO! Their choices to "look out for number 1" and to hell with the rest, don't impress me in the slightest. All that shows me, is that they excel at being selfish. Not something to be real proud of.
So there you have MY MANIFESTO. I may not have built a legacy that many will recall years from now, but that's not what it ever was about in the first place. It was (and is) about pulling for the underdog in this fucked up capitalist country. And THAT, although I too am a poor person, makes me proud.
I AM NOT an afterthought! For more than 40 years of my life, I've been dedicated to trying to change this stupid belief. First, for others less fortunate than me, and now for myself also. Why should someone who has DELIBERATELY chosen to take lower paying jobs (caring/working for people with disabilities) because they recognize the need the REST OF SOCIETY ignores, suffer later in life, rather than be REWARDED for making that choice?
For me (and countless others) it's always been about SERVICE to humanity. Never made any difference who you were. Black, gay, disabled, etc. If you were struggling to survive through no fault of your own, I was there with you... in the trenches. In fact, even if you struggled in part, through your own mistakes, I passed no judgment on you, because I was taught people deserve a second (and sometimes third) chance!
Now that I'm older, and wiser, I'm able to see the choices people make to BEAT THE SYSTEM. Making choices much different than mine, they do, and will thrive as the financial situation in our country improves. Am I jealous of them? HELL NO! Their choices to "look out for number 1" and to hell with the rest, don't impress me in the slightest. All that shows me, is that they excel at being selfish. Not something to be real proud of.
So there you have MY MANIFESTO. I may not have built a legacy that many will recall years from now, but that's not what it ever was about in the first place. It was (and is) about pulling for the underdog in this fucked up capitalist country. And THAT, although I too am a poor person, makes me proud.
Friday, May 24, 2013
The Cleansing Flames of Confession
I'm gonna share something with you, but you've got to swear to keep it to yourself! I think the statute of limitations is probably up for this stuff, but I'm not exactly sure. I don't want to go to prison at 57 years old (don't think I'd survive with my cute little tushy), so I'm counting on you to keep your lips sealed...
When I was a little kid I was a pyromaniac! I know what you're thinking, but please hear me out. At around 8 years old when my family lived on Jennings Avenue, there was a small field next to our house, on the other side of the driveway. One day I was smoking a cigarette in that field, along with Peter Junker (pronounced Yunker) who was a few years older than me. The abandoned field was fairly over grown with a few small trees, tall weeds, and such. It was in the summer and was very dry. I guess we didn't put our smokes out properly, and an hour later the field was up in flames!
I don't know who called the fire in, but my mother and I watched the big red trucks as they pulled in. One of the firemen approached us, asking if we knew anything about how this fire was started. Actually, they were asking mom, who honestly said she had no idea. I certainly didn't say I knew EXACTLY how the fire started, they put it out, and left. I never confessed to it, and I'm sure no one remembers that fire by now.
A few years later we had moved to Moses Lane. I was about 10 or 11. We lived on a long driveway, shared with two other houses. One day I was out exploring in the neighborhood with... a future facebook friend, who shall remain nameless, lest he also face charges. At the very end of the driveway is where Lynn Klemuk (pronounced Klemuk) and her single mother lived.
They had an old garage which they never used. Along with my co-pyro, I snuck into the garage one summer's day to see what we could see. It was very dark in their, but early on, we came upon some candles, and found some way to light them. As we rifled through stuff, we came upon a stack of old Playboys! We immediately sat down and began "reading the articles" as they say. For a couple pre-pubescent teens, this was a real treat!
As we sat there gawking, we suddenly heard the sound of a car coming up the driveway. Not wanting to be caught, and feeling embarrassed and ashamed of ourselves we made a hasty exit out the back door. Later that night, I heard firetrucks once again. There was in fact, lots of noise and flashing lights going on in our driveway. The whole family threw on some clothes and went outside to see what was going on. The Klemuk's garage was on fire! Must have been the candles we were burning earlier.
This time things seemed a lot more serious than my other guffaw a few years back. In fact, I recall a fireman asking my mother if any of her children could have been involved in starting the fire. She reacted strongly to this querry, acting like instead it was a suggestion. She told him ALL her kids had been home and in bed when this fire started, which was true. She went on to tell him that she wasn't pleased to be asked such questions. It's a good thing it went on no further.
So now you know about my secretive criminal past. I was an evil kid, but those days are long behind me. Now I'm an upstanding citizen in my community! Where fire is concerned, I'm much more aware and careful than I was back then.
When I was a little kid I was a pyromaniac! I know what you're thinking, but please hear me out. At around 8 years old when my family lived on Jennings Avenue, there was a small field next to our house, on the other side of the driveway. One day I was smoking a cigarette in that field, along with Peter Junker (pronounced Yunker) who was a few years older than me. The abandoned field was fairly over grown with a few small trees, tall weeds, and such. It was in the summer and was very dry. I guess we didn't put our smokes out properly, and an hour later the field was up in flames!
I don't know who called the fire in, but my mother and I watched the big red trucks as they pulled in. One of the firemen approached us, asking if we knew anything about how this fire was started. Actually, they were asking mom, who honestly said she had no idea. I certainly didn't say I knew EXACTLY how the fire started, they put it out, and left. I never confessed to it, and I'm sure no one remembers that fire by now.
A few years later we had moved to Moses Lane. I was about 10 or 11. We lived on a long driveway, shared with two other houses. One day I was out exploring in the neighborhood with... a future facebook friend, who shall remain nameless, lest he also face charges. At the very end of the driveway is where Lynn Klemuk (pronounced Klemuk) and her single mother lived.
They had an old garage which they never used. Along with my co-pyro, I snuck into the garage one summer's day to see what we could see. It was very dark in their, but early on, we came upon some candles, and found some way to light them. As we rifled through stuff, we came upon a stack of old Playboys! We immediately sat down and began "reading the articles" as they say. For a couple pre-pubescent teens, this was a real treat!
As we sat there gawking, we suddenly heard the sound of a car coming up the driveway. Not wanting to be caught, and feeling embarrassed and ashamed of ourselves we made a hasty exit out the back door. Later that night, I heard firetrucks once again. There was in fact, lots of noise and flashing lights going on in our driveway. The whole family threw on some clothes and went outside to see what was going on. The Klemuk's garage was on fire! Must have been the candles we were burning earlier.
This time things seemed a lot more serious than my other guffaw a few years back. In fact, I recall a fireman asking my mother if any of her children could have been involved in starting the fire. She reacted strongly to this querry, acting like instead it was a suggestion. She told him ALL her kids had been home and in bed when this fire started, which was true. She went on to tell him that she wasn't pleased to be asked such questions. It's a good thing it went on no further.
So now you know about my secretive criminal past. I was an evil kid, but those days are long behind me. Now I'm an upstanding citizen in my community! Where fire is concerned, I'm much more aware and careful than I was back then.
Monday, May 20, 2013
Simply Titled "Ricochet"
I'm excited this morning! I just watched a story on Sports Center (ESPN) that truly inspired me. It's about a dog. YES, a DOG! A golden retriever named Ricochet, who works with people who are "differently abled" in California. I connect with this story on 3 maybe 4 levels. Kinda like God put this story before me to blog about. Something VERY positive . In case you're wondering, or have your doubts, there IS good in the world!
Ricochet is a kick ass surfer! He gave up the typical service dog roll when he was very young, opting instead to spend his time at the beach (smart dog). Like myself, when I was younger, growing up on Eastern Long Island, he recognizes what's really important in life... being in the ocean! AND... he simultaneously does the noble work of assisting people who need help in accessing the ocean! Totally cool!
The fact that he's a golden retriever makes him all the more special to me. I've always wanted one of them, but never felt the timing was right, where I'd be able to give a dog the kind of attention they require. Having a kitten/cat is plenty enough for me. I'm including a link to the story right here. http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=9291324 You may want to grab a few tissues before viewing.
Ricochet is a kick ass surfer! He gave up the typical service dog roll when he was very young, opting instead to spend his time at the beach (smart dog). Like myself, when I was younger, growing up on Eastern Long Island, he recognizes what's really important in life... being in the ocean! AND... he simultaneously does the noble work of assisting people who need help in accessing the ocean! Totally cool!
The fact that he's a golden retriever makes him all the more special to me. I've always wanted one of them, but never felt the timing was right, where I'd be able to give a dog the kind of attention they require. Having a kitten/cat is plenty enough for me. I'm including a link to the story right here. http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=9291324 You may want to grab a few tissues before viewing.
Saturday, May 18, 2013
Did I Hear the President Say How Great Margaret Thatcher Was Lately??
I don't know why it took me so long to connect these two, but I finally did. It's looking more and more that what Margaret Thatcher did in imprisoning Irish dissidents in the H-Blocks, is now happening in Guantanamo Bay. Only this time it's not the British running the show.
There are some differences and nuances which make the two appear to be unrelated, and the Americans are force feeding the hunger strikers (by forcibly placing tubes in their noses in order to MAKE them eat), the results are similar. I recall many throughout the world disgusted with what was happening with the prisoners right outside of Belfast.
Lately I've been hearing similar grumblings here in the US and abroad. After half hearted attempts to close Guantanamo went nowhere, folks are getting fed up with watching the 160 (or so) men still there endure being imprisoned for over 10 years without being charged with a crime. 6 of these folks have already succeeded in taking their own lives.
I don't think the government wants the kind of bad PR that Britain had in the 70's and 80's, or do they? It's kind of confusing really. You always hear politicians spouting off about the "allies" we can count on, but it's looking like those days are coming to an end. I'm thinking that the black eye the US is getting from Guantanamo, will soon be worse than the world view of the Thatcher administration in 1982.
There are some differences and nuances which make the two appear to be unrelated, and the Americans are force feeding the hunger strikers (by forcibly placing tubes in their noses in order to MAKE them eat), the results are similar. I recall many throughout the world disgusted with what was happening with the prisoners right outside of Belfast.
Lately I've been hearing similar grumblings here in the US and abroad. After half hearted attempts to close Guantanamo went nowhere, folks are getting fed up with watching the 160 (or so) men still there endure being imprisoned for over 10 years without being charged with a crime. 6 of these folks have already succeeded in taking their own lives.
I don't think the government wants the kind of bad PR that Britain had in the 70's and 80's, or do they? It's kind of confusing really. You always hear politicians spouting off about the "allies" we can count on, but it's looking like those days are coming to an end. I'm thinking that the black eye the US is getting from Guantanamo, will soon be worse than the world view of the Thatcher administration in 1982.
Friday, May 03, 2013
Hill Country Farms and Their Slave Labor
Yesterday, I put up a link which talks about Hill Country
Farms, and their abuse of the developmentally disabled people who work there. A
link to someone else's article doesn't quite do it for me. I decided to do some
research into the situation to see if I could find out more. After all, DAWG
Oregon would not exist without the inspiration I get from this class of folks.
Their own "description" of what they call a
"program" can be traced back to 1980, where on page 3 of a booklet
they had produced, it says the "description" was based on materials
gotten from the staff, as well as the observations of the author. Next, I found
out there is not just 1 farm in Texas, but they also have farms in Iowa, South
Carolina, Kansas, and Missouri. Another discrepency I came up with, is that
it's not just 37 men involved, but 132! Big difference....
In their "description" of their
"program", they tell us "These sites also have bunkhouse
facilities, which include modern kitchens and recreational areas". Yet, in
another article we're told they had to close down the "bunkhouse" in
Iowa because investigators found substandard construction and other unsafe
living conditions, a leaky roof and insect infestation. It gets worse.
In addition to the workers being paid substandard wages, hit
by fellow employees, called names, confined to rooms, denied bathroom breaks
and prevented from seeking medical attention, the EEOC's lawsuit, alleges that
the men faced a hostile work environment, harassment, verbal abuse and other
"adverse terms and conditions of employment" because of their
disabilities. Many of these men had worked for $65 per month over the course of
30 years. Can you believe that? For the life of me, I can't figure out how they
got away with this...
Modern day serfs you ask? Exactly! Because the owners of
these farms, Kenneth Henry and Jane Ann Johnson found the perfect way to take
advantage of other people to meet their own greedy, illegal, and hurtful
desires. I don't believe that any amount of money makes up for the crimes they
committed!
Thursday, May 02, 2013
And Now Ladies and Gentlemen... The Newses!!
There is definitely more than one news. First you have the mainstream news. These are 3 stories done today by the local news team from channel 12 (FOX) here in Portland. Obie The Dachshund to Undergo Surgery , Man Lost Life Savings Trying to Win Xbox, and Law Enforcement Recruits Prepare and Train For Busy Water Season. I also was treated to the weather and traffic every 12 (get it? KPTV 12) minutes.
In order to get my blood pressure back to normal and slow down my pulse after watching, I changed the channel to Free Speech TV where Democracy NOW!! was on. I saw these reports there.
Bolivia Orders Expulsion of USAID,
Disabled Turkey Plant Workers Awarded $240 Million in Damages for Abuses, Discrimination, and
Muslim Taxi Driver, Iraq War Veteran Accuses Aviation Exec of Assault, Hate Crime. But they seemed to refuse to give me the weather or traffic.
Amazing what you find on the different newses, aint it?
In order to get my blood pressure back to normal and slow down my pulse after watching, I changed the channel to Free Speech TV where Democracy NOW!! was on. I saw these reports there.
Bolivia Orders Expulsion of USAID,
Disabled Turkey Plant Workers Awarded $240 Million in Damages for Abuses, Discrimination, and
Muslim Taxi Driver, Iraq War Veteran Accuses Aviation Exec of Assault, Hate Crime. But they seemed to refuse to give me the weather or traffic.
Amazing what you find on the different newses, aint it?
Thursday, April 25, 2013
You Find The Darndest Things Online!
No kidding! I just found this online! It's the actual transcript of the Due Process Hearing for my nephew where my wife and I represented him vs. Portland Public Schools back in 2001. This is one of the crowning achievements of my life, and it's online for the whole world to see! It's extremely lengthy, so unless you have a legalistic mind, or are just plain curious, it may not be up your alley. We won!!
http://www.ode.state.or.us/services/disputeresolution/dueprocess/dp-00-134.pdf
http://www.ode.state.or.us/services/disputeresolution/dueprocess/dp-00-134.pdf
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
A Visit To West, Texas
I've never been a big fan of the state of Texas. In fact, right here on this blog I took a shot at them back in August of last year. http://dawgoregon.blogspot.com/2012/08/why-i-hate-texas.html
But I've come here today not to bury Texas (or praise them either), but to say I can understand why they are so pissed off with the rest of the country.
If an entire town was blown up (like West, Texas) in my state, and the national media payed as little attention to that town compared to big 'ol Boston, I'd be pissed off too! Sure, they have loud mouthed Rick Perry as governor, and the president doesn't like him, but does that justify not even GOING THERE to grieve with the citizens?? It's been 8 days since the explosion, and he still hasn't gone there!
I read today that he plans to stop by either tonight or tomorrow for a memorial service, but was SCHEDULED to be in Texas to raise money for the Democratic Party http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/22/obama-west-texas_n_3132941.html and to be a part of the dubious dedication of George Bush's spankin' new Library anyway. http://act.rootsaction.org/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=7792
God! These people and their willingness to look the other way when called upon to do what they were elected to do! Anyway, I'm glad I'm not from Texas, for several reasons. And if the people who live in Texas want to distance themselves from the rest of America, I for one, don't blame them.
But I've come here today not to bury Texas (or praise them either), but to say I can understand why they are so pissed off with the rest of the country.
If an entire town was blown up (like West, Texas) in my state, and the national media payed as little attention to that town compared to big 'ol Boston, I'd be pissed off too! Sure, they have loud mouthed Rick Perry as governor, and the president doesn't like him, but does that justify not even GOING THERE to grieve with the citizens?? It's been 8 days since the explosion, and he still hasn't gone there!
I read today that he plans to stop by either tonight or tomorrow for a memorial service, but was SCHEDULED to be in Texas to raise money for the Democratic Party http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/22/obama-west-texas_n_3132941.html and to be a part of the dubious dedication of George Bush's spankin' new Library anyway. http://act.rootsaction.org/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=7792
God! These people and their willingness to look the other way when called upon to do what they were elected to do! Anyway, I'm glad I'm not from Texas, for several reasons. And if the people who live in Texas want to distance themselves from the rest of America, I for one, don't blame them.
Sunday, April 21, 2013
They Did It!! (part ll)
The more I think about what I merely BEGAN to write about yesterday, the more questions and observations come to mind. Answers and thoughts are most welcomed, however you choose to comment...
1.) Whatever became of the carjacking victim? No follow-up interviews, no requests for interviews that were denied, even because the FBI isn't allowing it?
2.) What about the rest of the citizenry? As the governor of Massachusetts reported on Face the Nation this morning, "millions" of people in the greater Boston area were locked down from Thursday night until sometime Friday afternoon. I find it would be impossible for there to not be any resistance to the order, people arrested or harassed for refusing to comply, people not allowing police entry to their homes. Why haven't we heard from anyone who resisted or was detained and had any trouble with police?
3.) Why was the stay-indoors "request" lifted before the suspect was apprehended? If you are going to lockdown a city for the reasons stated it makes no sense to lift that lockdown before you have the suspect in custody. Either that, or, you've realized that locking down an entire city to apprehend one suspect never made any sense in the first place?
4.) Where were Boston's homeless during the lock down? Were they given homes at last, or were homeless camps rifled through and people swept off the streets and out of the city by the "authorities" and we just didn't hear about it? If I were on the run, I think I might consider hiding out in a homeless camp.
5.) Why the hell is Wolfe Blitzer still on the air?
None of this makes sense. I've seen action movies with stronger plot lines.
1.) Whatever became of the carjacking victim? No follow-up interviews, no requests for interviews that were denied, even because the FBI isn't allowing it?
2.) What about the rest of the citizenry? As the governor of Massachusetts reported on Face the Nation this morning, "millions" of people in the greater Boston area were locked down from Thursday night until sometime Friday afternoon. I find it would be impossible for there to not be any resistance to the order, people arrested or harassed for refusing to comply, people not allowing police entry to their homes. Why haven't we heard from anyone who resisted or was detained and had any trouble with police?
3.) Why was the stay-indoors "request" lifted before the suspect was apprehended? If you are going to lockdown a city for the reasons stated it makes no sense to lift that lockdown before you have the suspect in custody. Either that, or, you've realized that locking down an entire city to apprehend one suspect never made any sense in the first place?
4.) Where were Boston's homeless during the lock down? Were they given homes at last, or were homeless camps rifled through and people swept off the streets and out of the city by the "authorities" and we just didn't hear about it? If I were on the run, I think I might consider hiding out in a homeless camp.
5.) Why the hell is Wolfe Blitzer still on the air?
None of this makes sense. I've seen action movies with stronger plot lines.
Saturday, April 20, 2013
They Did It!!
How many times must Americans be reminded that the modus operendus of today is that of a football game. Seems like they just fell for one of the oldest plays in the sport. The "End Around" has just played out in the media with the desired results. America fell asleep (once again) praising their own country while the REAL SHIT escaped without ever hitting the fan! That's what the Boston Bomb All-The-Time news has accomplished.
While people have actually been pleased with the shutting down of a city, to find and arrest 1 person, they magically seemed to forget about the proposed Social Security cuts getting ready to go into effect. These cuts will surely cause the deaths of thousands of seniors, people with disabilities, and others who depend on this money! We don't care, they got the bad guy.
Then you have the CISPA fiasco http://rt.com/usa/congress-house-bill-cispa-031/, which people would have been up in arms about, if they weren't clapping and saluting the people who made the arrest. Pay attention sheep...err... people! Big Brother is watching...
Finally we have the (much larger) explosion that occurred in West, Texas, which has claimed the lives of at least 35 people (including 10 first responders), with at least 160 injured and many left homeless. Did you forget about that? http://www.cnn.com/2013/04/18/us/texas-explosion
Of course there's no need to shut down the city to find those responsible. There IS NO TOWN to lock down any more!
While people have actually been pleased with the shutting down of a city, to find and arrest 1 person, they magically seemed to forget about the proposed Social Security cuts getting ready to go into effect. These cuts will surely cause the deaths of thousands of seniors, people with disabilities, and others who depend on this money! We don't care, they got the bad guy.
Then you have the CISPA fiasco http://rt.com/usa/congress-house-bill-cispa-031/, which people would have been up in arms about, if they weren't clapping and saluting the people who made the arrest. Pay attention sheep...err... people! Big Brother is watching...
Finally we have the (much larger) explosion that occurred in West, Texas, which has claimed the lives of at least 35 people (including 10 first responders), with at least 160 injured and many left homeless. Did you forget about that? http://www.cnn.com/2013/04/18/us/texas-explosion
Of course there's no need to shut down the city to find those responsible. There IS NO TOWN to lock down any more!
Monday, April 15, 2013
Everything Is NOT Jake
HOMELESSNESS SUCKS!! Glad I got that off my chest. I hope I said it loudly, and strongly enough.
Last night Suzanne and I watched the film "Everything's Jake". To say we were "disappointed" in it would be a large understatement. It's more like "Why are these people trying to bullshit the public"? The movie was supposedly about a happy-go-lucky homeless guy teaching a newbie on the streets the intricacies on being homeless, and how to enjoy the experience.
30 years ago I moved to Portland with virtually no supporting resources. Being 27, I believed I'd be fine. Uh uh... I was not fine. I too ran into a savvy homeless character, who was kind enough to teach me how to survive. I wrote about our relationship on this blog 3 years ago. http://dawgoregon.blogspot.com/2010/04/my-friend-marvin.html
Upon reading the post, I think it's clear that the experience I had was anything but pleasant.
If their misrepresentation of homelessness wasn't bad enough, their story line was possibly even worse. They are telling us how Jake (the happy homeless man) plays bongos on the street to get enough money to buy food and keep cardboard over his head in New York City. Granted, the film was made in 2000, but not much has changed in 13 years in the NYC homeless scene. It's a dirty, dangerous existence for the 50,000 plus people living out there. He also spent much of his time playing chess with his alcoholic peer, who obviously also experienced mental health issues. When Ernie Hudson (the actor who played Jake) was interviewed about the film on The View, http://www.everythingsjakefilm.com/view/ he said he was trying to live the homeless life for 4 days, but could only do it for a few hours.
Then you have the other guy; an Englishman who was somewhat picky about his life of homelessness. He slept in trees in the park, hiding from what they called "The night patrol". When Jake showed him how to eat from garbage cans (I've been there, done that), the fellow couldn't bring himself to join in. As if he actually HAD A CHOICE! He was able to pick up rich people's dog shit and charge them $5 for doing so... yeah right.
Here's where it got REALLY weird. Toward the end of the film we find out the Englishman was only faking homelessness! In reality he's an author who takes on various characterizations to write about the experiences. Darn!; they had me fooled. And guess what? Jake had at least $10,000 hidden away! Those rascals! They only pretended to be homeless, so they could have fun on the streets! It was all a joke! And neither one knew about the other!
That movie is a joke. Although there were scenes where they showed some pain involved in being homeless, for the most part it was STUPID! My concern is that there are some people who probably believe other people become homeless on purpose. Believe me. They don't.
Last night Suzanne and I watched the film "Everything's Jake". To say we were "disappointed" in it would be a large understatement. It's more like "Why are these people trying to bullshit the public"? The movie was supposedly about a happy-go-lucky homeless guy teaching a newbie on the streets the intricacies on being homeless, and how to enjoy the experience.
30 years ago I moved to Portland with virtually no supporting resources. Being 27, I believed I'd be fine. Uh uh... I was not fine. I too ran into a savvy homeless character, who was kind enough to teach me how to survive. I wrote about our relationship on this blog 3 years ago. http://dawgoregon.blogspot.com/2010/04/my-friend-marvin.html
Upon reading the post, I think it's clear that the experience I had was anything but pleasant.
If their misrepresentation of homelessness wasn't bad enough, their story line was possibly even worse. They are telling us how Jake (the happy homeless man) plays bongos on the street to get enough money to buy food and keep cardboard over his head in New York City. Granted, the film was made in 2000, but not much has changed in 13 years in the NYC homeless scene. It's a dirty, dangerous existence for the 50,000 plus people living out there. He also spent much of his time playing chess with his alcoholic peer, who obviously also experienced mental health issues. When Ernie Hudson (the actor who played Jake) was interviewed about the film on The View, http://www.everythingsjakefilm.com/view/ he said he was trying to live the homeless life for 4 days, but could only do it for a few hours.
Then you have the other guy; an Englishman who was somewhat picky about his life of homelessness. He slept in trees in the park, hiding from what they called "The night patrol". When Jake showed him how to eat from garbage cans (I've been there, done that), the fellow couldn't bring himself to join in. As if he actually HAD A CHOICE! He was able to pick up rich people's dog shit and charge them $5 for doing so... yeah right.
Here's where it got REALLY weird. Toward the end of the film we find out the Englishman was only faking homelessness! In reality he's an author who takes on various characterizations to write about the experiences. Darn!; they had me fooled. And guess what? Jake had at least $10,000 hidden away! Those rascals! They only pretended to be homeless, so they could have fun on the streets! It was all a joke! And neither one knew about the other!
That movie is a joke. Although there were scenes where they showed some pain involved in being homeless, for the most part it was STUPID! My concern is that there are some people who probably believe other people become homeless on purpose. Believe me. They don't.
Monday, April 08, 2013
"Back" Again, So Soon?
Today I'm going to write about something very personal, that I've been hoping would eventually go away. It hasn't. What I'm writing about is my failing health. I know there's other folks out there with similar situations, and I hope this is helpful to you too.
I have to go back in time, around 35 years, to give you the full scope of how my health problems began. When I was 19 years old, I was in a bad car accident. A carload of friends, including myself, had a head on accident with an extremely large tree. I was in the back seat and smashed head first into the seat in front of me. I broke my nose, and my upper front teeth came all the way through my bottom lip. Though I didn't realize it at the time, I also messed up my neck. Some of the other kids in the car were hurt much worse than me. One girl was in a coma for around 2 months, so who was I to complain?
10 years later, I began my career working with people having developmental disabilities. I was in pretty good shape, so transferring folks from wheelchair to various tables, toilets, and chairs was no big deal (so I thought). I was always one of the stronger people in my different jobs, so I'd inevitably be counted on to lift more than my co-workers. It was what it was. Sometimes, when you lift dead weight, like another human being, they will tend to slip out of your hands, and I'm extremely proud that I never let one person fall. I had no idea at the time, the price my back was paying. That's the type of work I did for the next 25 years.
Eventually, I began having less lifting, as part of my work day, but it was too late. My back began bothering me. It's hard to point at exactly when it started, but I would say it was 7 or 8 years ago. At the time I was involved in installing portable (yeah, right) air conditioners in the homes of people with disabilities. One day, as I was installing my third air conditioner of the day, I felt something tingling then hurting in my lower back. When I tried to get out of bed the following morning, I realized I was truly injured. I stayed in bed for 3 days, before I was able to get up and move.
Slowly my back began to feel better, so I didn't go to the doctor. Big mistake! Within a few weeks the pain was back, and I was forced to go. They recommended some stretches and exercises, but they didn't do much to help, so I stopped after a month or so. I began hoping that with rest, and being careful, my back would get better on its' own. No such luck. Now I'm at the point where in order to do the dishes, sweep the floors, cut grass, or go up and down the stairs to do laundry must be done in 10 minute shifts. It's frustrating, but there's shit I gotta do!
Will my back ever get better? Highly doubtful at this stage of the game. I'm getting older, and doing the simplest of tasks has become a burden. If only... If only I'd taken better care of my body, instead of using it as a work tool. If only I'd started with some serious rehab. sooner. If only I'd paid better attention to the signals my body was trying to send me... I'm pretty sure it's not. My looming question? What do you do at 57 for work when you can't do what you've done for the past 27 years??
I have to go back in time, around 35 years, to give you the full scope of how my health problems began. When I was 19 years old, I was in a bad car accident. A carload of friends, including myself, had a head on accident with an extremely large tree. I was in the back seat and smashed head first into the seat in front of me. I broke my nose, and my upper front teeth came all the way through my bottom lip. Though I didn't realize it at the time, I also messed up my neck. Some of the other kids in the car were hurt much worse than me. One girl was in a coma for around 2 months, so who was I to complain?
10 years later, I began my career working with people having developmental disabilities. I was in pretty good shape, so transferring folks from wheelchair to various tables, toilets, and chairs was no big deal (so I thought). I was always one of the stronger people in my different jobs, so I'd inevitably be counted on to lift more than my co-workers. It was what it was. Sometimes, when you lift dead weight, like another human being, they will tend to slip out of your hands, and I'm extremely proud that I never let one person fall. I had no idea at the time, the price my back was paying. That's the type of work I did for the next 25 years.
Eventually, I began having less lifting, as part of my work day, but it was too late. My back began bothering me. It's hard to point at exactly when it started, but I would say it was 7 or 8 years ago. At the time I was involved in installing portable (yeah, right) air conditioners in the homes of people with disabilities. One day, as I was installing my third air conditioner of the day, I felt something tingling then hurting in my lower back. When I tried to get out of bed the following morning, I realized I was truly injured. I stayed in bed for 3 days, before I was able to get up and move.
Slowly my back began to feel better, so I didn't go to the doctor. Big mistake! Within a few weeks the pain was back, and I was forced to go. They recommended some stretches and exercises, but they didn't do much to help, so I stopped after a month or so. I began hoping that with rest, and being careful, my back would get better on its' own. No such luck. Now I'm at the point where in order to do the dishes, sweep the floors, cut grass, or go up and down the stairs to do laundry must be done in 10 minute shifts. It's frustrating, but there's shit I gotta do!
Will my back ever get better? Highly doubtful at this stage of the game. I'm getting older, and doing the simplest of tasks has become a burden. If only... If only I'd taken better care of my body, instead of using it as a work tool. If only I'd started with some serious rehab. sooner. If only I'd paid better attention to the signals my body was trying to send me... I'm pretty sure it's not. My looming question? What do you do at 57 for work when you can't do what you've done for the past 27 years??
Sunday, March 31, 2013
Be Happy This Easter
I know it's Easter, but I can't help it if we just finished watching a documentary titled "American Winter". Being as it was filmed in Portland by HBO, I figured I'd give it a quick review while it's still fresh in my mind. As usual, I only talk about timely movies. This one's REAL timely!
The film is about 8 families who have called 211 ( like a 911 for social services) due to unforeseen economic circumstances this past winter. It's very upsetting to see people moving into homelessness in the place you live. It's a gradual process beginning with the loss of a job. There's been a lot of that going around in the past few years, and Suzanne and I have experienced it first-hand.
We used to feel pretty secure, with a combined income of around 50-55 thousand per year. Now we're getting near the end of all forms of savings, unemployment insurance, and retirement money, but I don't want to talk about us. We've yet to get to the place these other folks found themselves. We haven't faced eviction, our chidren are grown, haven't had the electricity turned off, and so far we still have water. We'r e a step up from these other folks.
I was taken by the words spoken by the people who have a solid understanding of what poverty means. Their fears not only for themselves, but also for others really touched me. Watching as they slowly went under with what was described as a shredded safety net was just plain frightening. I sure hope we wake up here in Portland/America, sooner than later, and see that we are all in this together. And I don't mean to throw a wet balnket on your Easter festivities, but I'm reminded today that poverty knows no holiday.
The film is about 8 families who have called 211 ( like a 911 for social services) due to unforeseen economic circumstances this past winter. It's very upsetting to see people moving into homelessness in the place you live. It's a gradual process beginning with the loss of a job. There's been a lot of that going around in the past few years, and Suzanne and I have experienced it first-hand.
We used to feel pretty secure, with a combined income of around 50-55 thousand per year. Now we're getting near the end of all forms of savings, unemployment insurance, and retirement money, but I don't want to talk about us. We've yet to get to the place these other folks found themselves. We haven't faced eviction, our chidren are grown, haven't had the electricity turned off, and so far we still have water. We'r e a step up from these other folks.
I was taken by the words spoken by the people who have a solid understanding of what poverty means. Their fears not only for themselves, but also for others really touched me. Watching as they slowly went under with what was described as a shredded safety net was just plain frightening. I sure hope we wake up here in Portland/America, sooner than later, and see that we are all in this together. And I don't mean to throw a wet balnket on your Easter festivities, but I'm reminded today that poverty knows no holiday.
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
"Throw the Little Sh!t in Jail!!"
Today is as good a time as any to talk about the Prison Industrial Complex as it pertains to children. Ted Koppel did a report on "Children in Adult Prisons" for 60 Minutes on Sunday, which caused me some great concern. I want to explore the idea here on my blog.
It was reported that there are at least 100,000 minors currently incarcerated in adult prisons. They are kept primarily in solitary confinement as a means to "protect them from the adult predators", who are also incarcerated. They usually have violent tendencies, so locking them up by themselves is best for all involved. Really? Being isolated at 15 or 16 is somehow good for a kid? I don't think so.
Many of these children develop psychoses which stay with them for the rest of their lives. Nothing good about that! They are often undiagnosed AT ALL until they begin to unravel in their cells. In effect, we are adding to whatever problems they may have had, which brought them to prison in the first place. Once they have served out their sentence, they are released back into the community, in worse shape than they were years earlier. Sounds like a lose/ lose proposition to me,
Many people would argue that we're safer with these young Frankensteins behind bars, but I disagree. Especially when you consider someone who does 30 years, leaves prison as a 45 to 50 year old. Now you have someone whose age and strength are ideal (to go along with their screwed up heads) to re offend, released back into the community. That seems like creating a long term problem in exchange for a quick fix.
I believe that (once again) the REAL problem lies in the lack of political will to DO THE RIGHT THING for ALL the people in America. That is to make sure that love and compassion take the lead in the decisions made that effect ALL the people in America. Yes, that means fewer millionaires along with a healthy society. Are ya wimme or aggin me?
It was reported that there are at least 100,000 minors currently incarcerated in adult prisons. They are kept primarily in solitary confinement as a means to "protect them from the adult predators", who are also incarcerated. They usually have violent tendencies, so locking them up by themselves is best for all involved. Really? Being isolated at 15 or 16 is somehow good for a kid? I don't think so.
Many of these children develop psychoses which stay with them for the rest of their lives. Nothing good about that! They are often undiagnosed AT ALL until they begin to unravel in their cells. In effect, we are adding to whatever problems they may have had, which brought them to prison in the first place. Once they have served out their sentence, they are released back into the community, in worse shape than they were years earlier. Sounds like a lose/ lose proposition to me,
Many people would argue that we're safer with these young Frankensteins behind bars, but I disagree. Especially when you consider someone who does 30 years, leaves prison as a 45 to 50 year old. Now you have someone whose age and strength are ideal (to go along with their screwed up heads) to re offend, released back into the community. That seems like creating a long term problem in exchange for a quick fix.
I believe that (once again) the REAL problem lies in the lack of political will to DO THE RIGHT THING for ALL the people in America. That is to make sure that love and compassion take the lead in the decisions made that effect ALL the people in America. Yes, that means fewer millionaires along with a healthy society. Are ya wimme or aggin me?
Monday, March 25, 2013
Closet Nazis
There are a lot of Nazis that read my blog. They think that because they are self described Liberals that they can fake me out, but they can’t. I know that they have a deep seated hatred for people with developmental disabilities, but they’d never admit to that.
Instead they read what I’m currently writing about, hoping that I’ll say some strange things that will allow them to see me as a side show. I’ll gladly give them what they want...
Abortion is bad. 90% of fetuses who have the Down Syndrome chromosome are aborted each year. There is currently a lot of money going into research to find a way to predict if a child will be Autistic when they get older. Then these babies can also be aborted. The closet Nazis like this idea, though they’ll never admit it (except in thought).
Death With Dignity is bad. The number one reason given for assisted suicide is not wanting to be a burden on loved ones. Number two is not wanting to suffer the indignity of disability. Compassion & Choices (the Hemlock Society) wants you to believe it’s fear of pain. That’s not true, but there are many who choose to believe it is. DWD/Managed Care has also given Support Teams the impetus to withhold treatment from people with developmental disabilities, causing premature death.
Am I a right winged nut case for making these statements? Nope. I’m a card carrying Socialist who cares about these people, and wants to stop the closet Nazis from killing them.
Instead they read what I’m currently writing about, hoping that I’ll say some strange things that will allow them to see me as a side show. I’ll gladly give them what they want...
Abortion is bad. 90% of fetuses who have the Down Syndrome chromosome are aborted each year. There is currently a lot of money going into research to find a way to predict if a child will be Autistic when they get older. Then these babies can also be aborted. The closet Nazis like this idea, though they’ll never admit it (except in thought).
Death With Dignity is bad. The number one reason given for assisted suicide is not wanting to be a burden on loved ones. Number two is not wanting to suffer the indignity of disability. Compassion & Choices (the Hemlock Society) wants you to believe it’s fear of pain. That’s not true, but there are many who choose to believe it is. DWD/Managed Care has also given Support Teams the impetus to withhold treatment from people with developmental disabilities, causing premature death.
Am I a right winged nut case for making these statements? Nope. I’m a card carrying Socialist who cares about these people, and wants to stop the closet Nazis from killing them.
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Why Should I Comply??
Last night Suzanne and I watched a film called
"Compliance". It was disturbing on a few different levels, but I want
to write about the social implications I got out of it. The way it’s described
on Netflix is… “Based on a true incident, this tense drama unfolds as a prank
caller pretends to be a cop and convinces a restaurant manager to interrogate
her teenaged employee about a supposed theft from a customer -- a situation
that soon spins out of control.”
The “cop” mentioned above uses his authority to get the
manager of the fast food joint to do his bidding, by manipulating her into
seeing him as a major authority figure. He does the same thing with all the
people he speaks with on the phone. Even the girl who is in fact, the victim of
this prank becomes (as if hypnotized) convinced by him that she should “comply”
with what he wants to happen. This smells of what you see in the USA right now,
in regard to the “WAR ON TERROR” and the threat of “MUSHROOM CLOUDS” spoken of
repeatedly in the buildup of the military activities in the Mideast. Keep in
mind where she is in the power structure of a fast food joint.
There is a boy (peer) who also works at the restaurant who
shows enough doubt about the cop’s authority, as to be eliminated from the
fiasco altogether, after a little involvement. He represents to me someone who
is beginning to question authority, but doesn’t exactly buck the system either.
He left it to others. Man, do I know a LOT of people like him! They are unwilling
to act when they see something that is obviously wrong to them. These folks are
full of fear. Like a big part of the population in America.
The girl allows these restaurant workers to strip search
her, and she spends most of the movie naked beneath an apron. To me, her
clothes represent a shield, and without them she becomes completely powerless.
It’s not unlike what you see in this country, when people have their rights,
finances, and safety net taken away. They give up fighting altogether, and give
in to the wishes of the people “in charge”. Are you with me so far?
Next we have the fiancé of the manager called into action.
He does some very outrageous stuff to the girl, half drunk and confused. He
(and all the others) is directed by the cop to call the authority figure “sir”,
which he automatically does. When he completes his assigned tasks, he’s
obviously ashamed of himself, and hastily exits. What I read into this is the
shame and embarrassment many people feel when they realize they have been duped
by the media who have been duped by corporate money. They simply stop
participating, and stick their heads in the sand.
Finally, the janitor saves the day. He lacks the intelligence
needed to allow the cop to continue, and brings the whole thing to a screeching
halt. As a janitor you’re usually looked upon as someone who will do what they’re
told. The truth is that he had very little to lose by his refusal to
participate, as well as some good old common sense. This also sounds like
people I know. I have several Facebook “friends” who have little more than a
computer, a voice, working fingers, and feet that can get them around. They
speak up about injustice with the knowledge that they may be seen as “TERRORISTS”
for telling it like it is. I probably fit in with this group the best.
You may think what I’ve described could never really happen.
According to the folks who made the flick, it happened 70 times over a 30 day
span. That’s not my point. I think it is an excellent example of how people can
be used, manipulated, and abused by people they trust to care about them.
Monday, March 18, 2013
Ireland With Viv
In 1979 I was 23 years old. That was the year I went with my Mom on a trip to Ireland. Here's that story.
It was the end of Summer, and my Mom, Tom Kelly, and I were enjoying a barbecue in Mom's back yard. It had been a beautiful day, and as the sun began to set, Mom started telling us a story. She spoke of her own mother who had come to the US from Ireland earlier in the century. I believe it was in the 1915ish years.
Every day grandma would cry over missing her homeland. She had accepted her new home (she met my grandpa on the boat on the way over), but couldn't avoid the call of the Emerald Isle to return, if only for a visit. Next thing I know my Mom starts to cry, telling us she had made a promise to her mother that she didn't keep. She promised her that she would take grandma back for a visit. Said she was just about my age when she made the promise, and then she met my dad, got married, had 4 children, and failed to come through. Grandma died when I was about 7 or so.
At this point the 3 of us were teary as I tried to console her. I told her I was sure her mother understood, but Mom felt bad about it none the less. At that point Tom (who was very close to my Mom) came up with the idea that maybe I could take Mom to visit Ireland myself! Summer was all but over, and my job working in a disco with Tom was virtually done, so why not? When I committed to going Mom's tears stopped flowing, and she became very excited. We'd fly to London, visiting with my brother Terry for a few days before heading over to Ireland. What a great idea!
We left Southampton (NY) a few weeks later, flying over to England. Terry was living in a communal setting at the time, and was able to hook us up with comfortable if not classic accommodations. We tripped around London for a few days (I believe we saw A Chorus Line on stage in the West End), and had a wonderful time hanging out with Terry and his friends. After that we flew to Shannon Airport outside of Dublin, rented a car, and began our trek to Aughnacliffe (pronounced Au-cnah-cliff) in the county Longford.
Driving was nuts with Mom! She was constantly worried that we were going to crash, driving on the left and all. And every time we'd get out of the car to eat or pee, etc. she'd walk back with the notion that she'd get in on the passenger side, which was in fact, the driver's side. Though the scenery was beautiful along the way, I was overjoyed when we reached our final destination. Now I could relax without someone screaming in my ears.
We stayed at my cousin Shawn's house, where Mom's second cousin Bridget lived. Shawn ran the meat market, so every day we'd have the freshest delicious meats that his wife Margo cooked to perfection. It was a very tiny town. There was a Catholic church, a small grocer, a pub, the meat market, and very little else. It was kind of like going back in time to the 1800's. Mom loved it! She'd spend the days chatting with Bridget (around the same age) about relatives and various things her mom had talked about to her. We took a ride to the house my grandmother was born in almost 100 years earlier. That was a bit strange.
My mother's first cousin lived there. When we went inside it was pitch black, and I remember a black cat curled up in front of an old stone fireplace, with a fire going. My aunt was far from being a jolly Irish woman. In fact she made me feel like we were inconveniencing her with our presence. Bridget had told us she might not be the friendliest person, and she was right! I took some pictures inside and out, and we got out of there pretty quickly. I felt like we'd been in a witch's house.
Anyway, we went to a dance where I figured out there's very little difference between American Country Music, and Popular Irish Music. Church was especially fun. Long and drawn out services that lasted for what seemed like forever, followed by (seriously!) a race to the pub up the street. While the women were at home fixing an early Sunday dinner after 1 pint, the men were all slamming several pints of Guiness at the pub!
As our trip slowly came to an end, I began to feel a lot of sadness about my aging mother, and all she'd been through in her life. I did manage to find some solace in knowing I'd done something for my mother that she was unable to do for her own. When I dropped her off at the airport (I stayed behind and went back to London for a year) we thanked each other profusely. She for having a wish fulfilled for her and her mother, and me for having such a great Mom of my own.
It was the end of Summer, and my Mom, Tom Kelly, and I were enjoying a barbecue in Mom's back yard. It had been a beautiful day, and as the sun began to set, Mom started telling us a story. She spoke of her own mother who had come to the US from Ireland earlier in the century. I believe it was in the 1915ish years.
Every day grandma would cry over missing her homeland. She had accepted her new home (she met my grandpa on the boat on the way over), but couldn't avoid the call of the Emerald Isle to return, if only for a visit. Next thing I know my Mom starts to cry, telling us she had made a promise to her mother that she didn't keep. She promised her that she would take grandma back for a visit. Said she was just about my age when she made the promise, and then she met my dad, got married, had 4 children, and failed to come through. Grandma died when I was about 7 or so.
At this point the 3 of us were teary as I tried to console her. I told her I was sure her mother understood, but Mom felt bad about it none the less. At that point Tom (who was very close to my Mom) came up with the idea that maybe I could take Mom to visit Ireland myself! Summer was all but over, and my job working in a disco with Tom was virtually done, so why not? When I committed to going Mom's tears stopped flowing, and she became very excited. We'd fly to London, visiting with my brother Terry for a few days before heading over to Ireland. What a great idea!
We left Southampton (NY) a few weeks later, flying over to England. Terry was living in a communal setting at the time, and was able to hook us up with comfortable if not classic accommodations. We tripped around London for a few days (I believe we saw A Chorus Line on stage in the West End), and had a wonderful time hanging out with Terry and his friends. After that we flew to Shannon Airport outside of Dublin, rented a car, and began our trek to Aughnacliffe (pronounced Au-cnah-cliff) in the county Longford.
Driving was nuts with Mom! She was constantly worried that we were going to crash, driving on the left and all. And every time we'd get out of the car to eat or pee, etc. she'd walk back with the notion that she'd get in on the passenger side, which was in fact, the driver's side. Though the scenery was beautiful along the way, I was overjoyed when we reached our final destination. Now I could relax without someone screaming in my ears.
We stayed at my cousin Shawn's house, where Mom's second cousin Bridget lived. Shawn ran the meat market, so every day we'd have the freshest delicious meats that his wife Margo cooked to perfection. It was a very tiny town. There was a Catholic church, a small grocer, a pub, the meat market, and very little else. It was kind of like going back in time to the 1800's. Mom loved it! She'd spend the days chatting with Bridget (around the same age) about relatives and various things her mom had talked about to her. We took a ride to the house my grandmother was born in almost 100 years earlier. That was a bit strange.
My mother's first cousin lived there. When we went inside it was pitch black, and I remember a black cat curled up in front of an old stone fireplace, with a fire going. My aunt was far from being a jolly Irish woman. In fact she made me feel like we were inconveniencing her with our presence. Bridget had told us she might not be the friendliest person, and she was right! I took some pictures inside and out, and we got out of there pretty quickly. I felt like we'd been in a witch's house.
Anyway, we went to a dance where I figured out there's very little difference between American Country Music, and Popular Irish Music. Church was especially fun. Long and drawn out services that lasted for what seemed like forever, followed by (seriously!) a race to the pub up the street. While the women were at home fixing an early Sunday dinner after 1 pint, the men were all slamming several pints of Guiness at the pub!
As our trip slowly came to an end, I began to feel a lot of sadness about my aging mother, and all she'd been through in her life. I did manage to find some solace in knowing I'd done something for my mother that she was unable to do for her own. When I dropped her off at the airport (I stayed behind and went back to London for a year) we thanked each other profusely. She for having a wish fulfilled for her and her mother, and me for having such a great Mom of my own.
Saturday, March 09, 2013
Let's Take a Ride!
The more I try to make sense of this particular concept, the more confused I become. I'm hoping that writing about it will assist me, and am inviting you along for the ride. So strap yourselves in and smoking's ok. Just crack the window.
If 5% of Americans can be labeled "rich", the other 95% can be called "not rich". If that's the case, why do so many of the 95% see it as important to protect the 5%? I see this on a regular basis among friends on Facebook, and it drives me crazy! It happens in politics on all governmental levels. It's as if the 5% has hypnotized folks into believing their job is to protect them from any form of criticism.
Maybe it has to do with people hoping they will someday crack the 5% themselves, and are covering their asses proactively? Or could it be (as I was told recently) that "there's no crime in being successful", as if that's the reason the rich are rich. The truth is that a vast majority of these people were rich BEFORE they were even born. They were born into wealth. And if not, they were given a lot of help to get rich along the way.
Very few of these people ever had to bust their asses to be where they are. They may have busted other people's asses to get there, but theirs are without a bruise. It could be that many not-rich people have been busting their own asses all their lives for the few crumbs they've gotten as a reward. Now they hope that it all hasn't been in vane.
Well, that's our final destination for now. I hope you've found something to help you with your own questions and opinions. Before exiting, please return your seat to the upright position, and have a nice day.
If 5% of Americans can be labeled "rich", the other 95% can be called "not rich". If that's the case, why do so many of the 95% see it as important to protect the 5%? I see this on a regular basis among friends on Facebook, and it drives me crazy! It happens in politics on all governmental levels. It's as if the 5% has hypnotized folks into believing their job is to protect them from any form of criticism.
Maybe it has to do with people hoping they will someday crack the 5% themselves, and are covering their asses proactively? Or could it be (as I was told recently) that "there's no crime in being successful", as if that's the reason the rich are rich. The truth is that a vast majority of these people were rich BEFORE they were even born. They were born into wealth. And if not, they were given a lot of help to get rich along the way.
Very few of these people ever had to bust their asses to be where they are. They may have busted other people's asses to get there, but theirs are without a bruise. It could be that many not-rich people have been busting their own asses all their lives for the few crumbs they've gotten as a reward. Now they hope that it all hasn't been in vane.
Well, that's our final destination for now. I hope you've found something to help you with your own questions and opinions. Before exiting, please return your seat to the upright position, and have a nice day.
Wednesday, March 06, 2013
RIP Hugo, The "R"Word, and Alvin
Things seem to be coming at/to me in 3's these days. Not sure what that's about, but I 'll go with it. Today I want to write about 3 things that I believe are very important.
Hugo Chavez died yesterday. If you pay attention to main stream media you may see that as something positive. I don't. Hugo was a hero to me and millions of others who believe what's happening in the world with greed is bullshit. He fought for his country and all impovershed people throughout the world for a better place to live.
Today was the international day to spread the word to end the word. The word that is spoken of is "retarded". If the people who use this word so loosely were able to see the number of people it hurts, they might be able to bring anoother kind of death to it.
Finally, I think of the rock musician Alvin Lee; another of my heros. He wrote of the sickness that has been , and continues to hurt ALL OFF US today. He hated war and wrote "I'd Love To Change The World" back in the late 60's, which continues to be an important song today.
May all of these 3 thoughts find their way to graves that bring us all together.
Hugo Chavez died yesterday. If you pay attention to main stream media you may see that as something positive. I don't. Hugo was a hero to me and millions of others who believe what's happening in the world with greed is bullshit. He fought for his country and all impovershed people throughout the world for a better place to live.
Today was the international day to spread the word to end the word. The word that is spoken of is "retarded". If the people who use this word so loosely were able to see the number of people it hurts, they might be able to bring anoother kind of death to it.
Finally, I think of the rock musician Alvin Lee; another of my heros. He wrote of the sickness that has been , and continues to hurt ALL OFF US today. He hated war and wrote "I'd Love To Change The World" back in the late 60's, which continues to be an important song today.
May all of these 3 thoughts find their way to graves that bring us all together.
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