Running Off At The Keyboard !

Elections do matter and it is quite evident when we look at Supreme Court decisions. No members of the court are elected, but having a President that nominates and a Congress that approves a justice has long reaching consequences. The Defense of Marriage act of 96, could be reversed, hopefully. The Voting Rights Act of 65 is being reviewed. In recent years Heller v DC in 08 is the center of gun rights. Elections do matter!

Looking at Supreme Court decisions, why are we still debating Roe v Wade. This was decided in 1973 and the right is still trying to chip away at women's rights.

Do you believe it is 2013 and we still have not figured out that women deserve equal pay for equal work. We are still debating the Violence against Women laws. That gays are a group of people and their rights are being ignored. Try as they may, old, rich, white guys are going  to loose their power and influence. It is only a matter of time and it scares the hell out of them.

Does anyone really believe that the Republicans in Congress are willing to work with the President on any issue. Issues that have historically been Republican are now poison to them. Why, because the "black guy in the White House" supports it. Can everyone say, racists.

Racism does exist in America and because they try and hide it, it may be more dangerous then ever. In the 50's and 60's everyone knew who the racists were. Today we have to look for them. Trust me they are there and we need to stop them.

Bigotry may be the better word. The current group of hate mongers, go after, women, gays, Blacks, Hispanics and anyone who supports an America, where everyone is truly created equal.

I happen to believe that the NRA and its true backers, the weapons industry, are just playing a waiting game. Let the public sentiment go dormant and they will win. What do they want? The ability to sell more weapons and ammunition to line their pockets with more gold. They do not care how many people die, or if weapons get into the hands of criminals. They make money each time an American is gunned down. Whether it is in the streets of Chicago, or the schools of New Town. Each weapon used and each bullet picked out the bodies, represent cash to them. Their mantra should be, "Let the blood and bullets flow freely."

If the cuts to spending go into effect, I guarantee the poor and middle class will feel the most distress. The wealthy and corporations have their stock pile of money. They really do not care about the rest of us.

Does anyone, beside Congress, have a job where you can do nothing, accomplish nothing, drive your company into bankruptcy, go on multiple vacations and still not only keep your job, but get paid? I think term limits and elimination of public funds in elections are in order. We cannot even fire the real, freeloaders.

The Pledge of Allegiance

A friend of mine, Marines, posted the, "Pledge of Allegiance" to my face book page and stated that she recited this and the, " Lord's Prayer" everyday, in school. I grew up at a time when this was the normal. We then went from the prayer to a moment of silence. We kept the pledge. I asked my eight year old grandson and they do neither. This is sad! The words to the pledge is something we not only should recite each day, but we should look at the words and bring our country back to actually believing them. I understand the conflict of church and state, however I do not believe the framers of our Constitution meant that nobody would be able to have at least their own thoughts during a moment of silence. What would be the harm?

My main reason for bringing this conversation up is the, "Pledge of Allegiance".

"I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

The original pledge was composed by a minister, Francis Bellamy in 1892. He was, and I find some irony in this, a Christian Socialist. More on this in a minute. It was formally adopted by Congress in 1942. The pledge has been modified four times over the years, the last in 1954 when the phrase, under God, was added. Sorry but I really enjoy the idea that a Socialist, which the right wing is so obsessed over, actually wrote the Pledge. They would set their hair on fire if they stopped long enough to read history. Anyway back to the words. All of the little tweaks that were done over the years, one phrase that has never been altered was, "one nation, indivisible with liberty and justice for all".

Does anyone really think about that part? Indivisible. That means united in purpose for the good of the entire country. What it does not mean is we cannot have a reasonable discussion about differences among us. It means that after the debate we come together and move America forward. We stop the politics and do what is best for the country. Have any of the people, who live on the fringe either way, far right or far left, taken the time to absorb this concept? I do not believe they have. We do not need extremist running the direction of the country. The debates have occurred. The election happened, whether the Republicans like the outcome or not. Now we need to come together and accomplish, govern America. Remain indivisible.

With liberty and justice for all. Is there liberty and justice for all? Is that why forty years after Roe v Wade we have extremist trying to become more invasive in women's rights. Whether it is about a women's rights to chose how her body is used, or the right to equal pay for equal work, is this liberty and justice? Living in a poorer neighborhood and having your children denied quality education and access to better paying jobs, is this liberty and justice for all. Having your voting rights trampled by a party, that instead of changing their ideas, they want to change the system, either by gerrymandering or changing election laws, is this liberty and justice for all? Is allowing an extreme, vocal minority that does not want gun accessibility changed, so we can stem the tide of violent crime and the slaughter of our citizens, liberty and justice for all. Is denying workers the right to organize and thus create better paying jobs, with better benefits represent liberty and justice for all? Of course the answer to all of the above is a resounding, NO. We need to look at these and an ever growing list of offenses by the extremist and remember those words. Indivisible with liberty and justice for all. It needs to be recited every day, in schools and in our hearts. Indivisible with liberty and justice for ALL. These are truly words to run our country by.

This is Our Coronation!

Every four years, on January 20th, we have a national celebration that culminates with our President, starting either a brand new administration or continuing four more years of direction. In the United Kingdom, for example, they have a coronation of their monarch, but only get to observe the process, in most cases, once in a generation. Queen Elizabeth has been on the throne for sixty years. We have an opportunity to enjoy ours, so many times and this should be a chance for all Americans to watch and enjoy the democratic process and traditions.

I first watched on January 20, 1961. The principle at Hempfield Elementary School in Greenville, Pennsylvania, brought his television into the school and placed it on the stage in the gymnasium. I may have been one of the few third graders or even any child that was completely enraptured by the events of that day. John Kennedy was being sworn in as President, replacing Dwight Eisenhower. The television screen was not the gigantic projection screens we have today, but fortunately I sat near enough to the front, to get a good view of the black and white images on the tube. The President and most of the men on the platform, that day, wore top hats. I could not hear the sound very well, and would not have understood the words, anyway. That did not bother me as I was thrilled to be able to see the celebration. Over the years I have heard the words of President Kennedy and have been inspired to a greater love of the political process and America.

Kennedy's speech is more likely to be remembered for his, "Ask not what your country can to for you, ask what you can do for your country." However I have been more struck by this part of his speech. "Let every nation know...that we shall pay any price; bear any burden; meet any hardship; support any friend; oppose any foe, to assure the survival and the success of liberty."  This message was not only for Americans, but for people and leaders around the world. It signaled that though the torch had been passed to a new generation, we would continue our pursuit of freedom.

Many years have passed since then and I have attempted to watch as many of the inaugurations since. Today I have to go into work at three o'clock, but now we have various recording devices at our disposal and there is no reason to miss anything. The swearing in, even though it is a repeat from yesterday. The speech. The parade. There are traditions that have been in place for two hundred plus years an I want top see it all. Watch it and share it with a someone from the younger generation.We all should want to see it. Whether you voted for our President or not, you should want to participate in the process. It is a fulfillment of our Constitutional process and laws. It is inspiring. It is uplifting. It is American.

I want to end today's writing with a quote from another inaugural address. President Abraham Lincoln said in his second address on March 4, 1865, the following, "With malice toward none, with charity for all; with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nations wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle; and for his widow and his orphan- to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations." Let us all work to follow Lincoln's words and strive, to make better and finish, the American dream for all.

What Have You Done.

Just a little over a month ago, we watched the horror unfold in Newtown Ct. Their was shock, anger, grief and a voice of determination to never allow this to happen again. My question to everyone is what have you done since to have your opinion and voices heard. That is fine to have outrage, but if all you did at that point was to talk amongst each other, then nothing and I mean NOTHING will change. Somewhere in the not to distant future, we will have to suffer through another mass killing of people and possibly children. Why, because we lack the conviction and the will to stand up to the extremist chatter from guns rights groups to stop the massacres.

Yesterday the President put forth a beginning of common sense approaches to the violence epidemic in America. Immediately he was attacked from the right for wanting to destroy the Constitution and specifically the second amendment. What he proposed was looking into video game and film violence. Something the NRA proposed. He wants to close loopholes to try and keep weapons out of the hands of criminals. Something the NRA proposed. He wants to allow mental health experts be able to legally share information about potentially dangerous people, to keep weapons out of their hands. Something the NRA proposed. He is asking Congress to reinstate the military style weapons ban and to reduce the limit of high capacity magazines. Something that is supported by police and citizens around the country.

With these and other changes that we could look at in the near future we could make a difference and stop additional killings. The responses are attacks by Republicans and the NRA. Senator Marco Rubio, Rand Paul, Steve Stockman, Rush Limbaugh, Glen Beck, NRA leaders, FOX and many other organizations and individuals that can only oppose attempts to move us forward, while offering no solutions.

Now back to my original question. What have you done? The right is mobilizing and will try to drown out any reasonable changes. Yesterday I wrote, my two Senators in Florida, Senator Bill Nelson and Senator Marco Rubio. I also wrote my Congressman Alan Grayson. I sent an e-mail of support to the White House. The whole process took about 30 minutes. That's all, and for what? A chance to have my voice heard. A chance to tell my Representatives in Washington that I support the President on his efforts to reduce violence. A chance to tell the President to keep the fight going to make our children safe. What have you done. Do you have a few minutes to help protect the innocent people in America and possibly save lives? Do you care enough about others to take a few precious minutes out of you busy day to save people from the horrors of Sandy Hook? Do it and do it now! Don't wait. Let your leaders know that your vote will be determined by how they vote on this issue. Your vote will be determined by whether they sit on the sidelines or get involved to save Americans. Your vote cannot be bought, like the gun manufacturers try, as they become merchants of death. It is too important to stand by and allow others to dictate the results. Please do it now. Our children need your help!

We Have Become a Country of Extremist!!!

I told you I would never abandon my political agenda and I have not. Over the past month I have listened to the far right wing idiot machine and am sickened by the takeover of America by extremist. These are paranoid, neurotic, narcissistic people that somehow gained the attention of the public. Twenty, six and seven year old children have been massacred and all we hear is their whining about their second amendment rights. The President, Democratic Leaders and intelligent people across this country are not after the second amendment. We are after common sense solutions to an epidemic problem.

People, who believe that, black hawk helicopters are waiting to swoop down into their front yard and drag your family into the street, to kill them are suffering from some type of neurosis or psychosis. They should remove them selves from any contact with civilized people and leave the rest of us to solve the problem. The far right wing radio and media are fanning the flames of hysteria by predicting revolution. They expound on the value of hate to drive their listening audiences and it is working. The gun manufacturers are making millions of dollars and their profits are driven by unfounded fear and hate. People like Glen Beck, a megalomania in my opinion, are responsible for this hysteria. The NRA responds to the nuts on the fringe and ignore the average person. Their leadership is the marionettes at the end of the strings that are maneuvered by the gun and ammunition industry.  The money pours in, the paranoia spreads and the killings continue.

I know that throughout the history of our country the fringe has existed. They screamed their lunacy, but for the most part it feel on deaf ears. The problem today is this group of people have a megaphone and the constant shouting is driving our leaders. Steve Stockman a Republican Congressman from Texas, was running around, screaming he will bring articles of impeachment against the President, before Mr. Obama even introduced his proposals for gun legislature. Rand Paul from Kentucky was denouncing the President as trying to set himself up as a king or monarch, also without any idea of the Presidents agenda. Paul even stated he would leave no, "rock unturned", to stop the President. Does that include the rock that he and Stockman live under? Could we, please at least, hear what the President has to say before we start to attack him for it?

Folks, right now America is under siege. The extremist have taken our country hostage. They see conspiracy and subterfuge around every corner. They have to be stopped. Last week a former Marine wrote a letter to Senator Feinstein and denounced her attempt to place a new ban on assault weapons. He even stated " No woman could tell him what to own." He became the darling of the far right. I will thank him for his service and then suggest he get treatment for his mental health issues. This is the type of personality that becomes dangerous. They feel they have a right to do and say anything. They have a right to ignore laws and people that are legally elected to make those laws. They feel their rights are the only ones worth protecting. He swore an oath to defend our country and the Constitution. That oath extents to the twenty children and their families. What about their rights? What about the rights of other innocent people that are destroyed every year, by gun violence?

Keep your hunting rifles. Keep your hand guns for protection. Also find ways to blend your rights and protect the rights of others to live. Societies should find ways to move forward. Are we that fearful, are we that unintelligent, are we that unwilling, to find a way to stop violence without more violence. I happen to believe that the best way to move forward as a country is to find ways to settle our disputes and our differences, peacefully, with our intellect, not our weapons.  

My Grandson, Jayden Lifts Me Up.

The people who know me personally are aware that Jayden is my eight year old grandson. He has lived with us most of his life, starting at six months old. There are times that he stretches our patience, but ninety nine percent of the time he adds so much joy, life and love to our days. When I was recovering from surgery, he brought home a folder of his work done at school. I was going through the papers and found one that has since become a permanent display on my bedroom dresser. Here is the essay.

Heros are people that help you and save you. Heros are always there for you too. I have a hero. Do you have a hero like mine?

My hero is my grandfather. He is a hero because he looks out for me. He helps me with my homework and with a problem. He is always nice to me. He is the best hero and grandfather ever.

I hope you enjoyed reading about my hero.

Jayden Leavell
9/13/12

I know he misspelled the word heroes, but believe me I still loved the story. In a few years, when he becomes a teenager, I will pull this story out and remind him that I am his hero and he should never talk back to heroes.

I wrote about this for two reasons. One I am proud and touched that Jayden would write about me this way. We are best buddies and have been since he could talk and understand the words. The second is to reflect the change in America's Voice. This is an example of the stories I want to hear from my readers. In this case it is about how I was recovering from surgery and one part of the antidote is the love from my grandson. It illustrates how even an eight year old boy can lift the spirit of a sixty year old man. Look around yourself and see the love and spirit that surrounds you. It is there, all you need to do is pull back the veil of sadness and let it be revealed.

Why Stop At Arming Teachers?

As I start to write this I do want to say, this is not meant to make light of the terrible tragedy that occurred in Newtown, it is to point out the complete stupidity of the NRA and the gun toting members of our society. We are trying to protect our children from weapons by placing more weapons in their reach. There is a mad rush to arm teachers and have them take a course on gun safety, an oxymoron, and in the interim make us feel like we are doing something positive. Are we going to grade our schools and teachers by how they qualify on the rifle range?

Here is my take. Why stop at arming the teachers? Why not make sure everyone is armed. The ridiculous idea that the only thing that stops a, "bad guy with a gun, is a good guy with a gun" should be taken to the extreme that the gun manufacturers want. Arm everyone.

Why not the janitors? We could empty the supply closest of all of the unnecessary items, such as mops and floor cleaner and stock it with the latest automatic assault rifles. the shelves could be filled with multiple clips of ammunition, so they would be prepared for any contingencies. Those closets are even large enough to house an RPG (rocket propelled grenade). Now we are talking some nice profits for gun and ammunition makers.

How about the lunch ladies. Instead of pots hanging down from the ceiling, they could have a supply of Bushmasters within arms reach. The mash potatoes would be a handy place to keep a fully loaded Glock. An armed intruder would never expect, Granny to reach into that mushy pile and draw down on them. It might even improve the taste of the lunches. Spaghetti with .30 caliber ammunition, anyone?

Let's not forget the school nurse and the office workers. They could get their concealed weapons permit and be packing through out the day. Better yet we could get them armed with M16A3's. This is the type of weapon used by the Navy Seals. Fully automatic and the good guys with a gun would be prepared.

Lastly what about the kids themselves? They already have amour plated backpacks. Now we can pack their lunches and the latest assault rifle, when we send them off to school each day. Then when that deranged, psychopath charges into the local school, they will be met with a hail of bullets. That is the ultimate, "the only way to stop a bad guy with a gun, is a good guy with a gun."

The NRA is thinking way to small. We could go from 300 million guns in America to 500 million in a heartbeat. The weapons manufacturers would be swimming in money, and isn't that what this is really about. It is not about protecting our children it is about profits for the real killers in America, the weapons industry, who will then funnel more money into the pockets of the NRA's leadership. Is anyone concerned about collateral damage. One of the points that I never hear is, with everyone shooting a weapon, how do you know which one is really the bad guy. Just start shooting and when the smoke is cleared, we can start the body count. I can hear the defense lawyers at the trails, "My client though the principle was the bad guy, she(he) had a gun!"

Yeah, this is the way to solve the problem. Arm everyone and let the shooting begin. So what if innocent lives are lost. We get the bad guy, hopefully. I don't know, but it does strike me that the real lunatics  are the people that are preaching the theory of arming more people.