Storming the Gates

      The ineptitude of Congress has forced a government shutdown. The welfare of the people has been overstepped in favor of political standings.  The worst part of this occurrence is the number of citizens who will suffer in terms of income and services.  Amidst the confusion and disbelief, a group of veterans from what is often called the nation’s greatest generation, showed us the will and strength of the American people.

     World War II veterans, in their ‘80s and ‘90s arrived at the gates of the WWII memorial only to find gates blocking the entrance. After travelling thousands of miles, and planning for months, the reality of the shutdown stared them in the face. They fought in a horrendous war. Many of their fellow soldiers did not return. Many came back injured or suffering from PTSD. They returned, went back to work, raised families, and lived their lives with a legacy of having served their country. They believed in the land of the free and the home of the brave. To them, there was no place better than the United States of America.

     So, this week, when they arrived to find the gates closed, they reached back to the strength and courage they had all those years ago and fought their way in. They visited the memorial that honored the sacrifice so many had given in order to preserve the freedom we treasure. They reminded us of the American they for which they fought so hard.  They lived a life dedication and love of country.

     The politicians did not need to be there. We didn’t need to hear the prepared statements they made in disguise of praise. We cheered when we saw those gates come down, and the veterans made their way to their memorial. In many ways it symbolized what we as a country need to do. We need to start working together to find solutions. We need to respect our fellow citizens and remember that no matter what we go though, we can come out stronger. We have stay focused, determined, and bust through the obstacles that hold us back. Just like the veterans from a war that changed the world continue to show us by storming through those gates.

Home of the Brave

     Thousands of small children claim when they grow up they want to be one of them.  In reality, far fewer answer the call.  Months of training and passing tests are required to be added to the city, town, and rural units that exist across the country.  Others will become part of the elite corps called up for the most serious and difficult situations.  They are committed in their service to society, and often are taken for granted until something happens which make us painfully aware just how much we need them.

     They understand the danger and risk they face on an ongoing basis.  Their loved ones know there is always the chance, no matter how well-prepared, something could go terribly wrong.  Every time they leave for work may be the last.  Yet, when the call comes, they do not hesitate to respond.   While others are told to evacuate for their safety, they march in to save lives and property.  If any fall, there are others right behind them to continue the job.  They don’t take time to grieve until the mission is accomplished.

   Who are they?  They are the firefighters of America.  Be it the local department, or the forces called up for national disasters, they encounter heat, flames, and smoke to put out a force of nature that is all consuming.  They are the NYPD on 9/11, the Hotshots in Arizona, and the countless departments that fight fires in the neighborhoods of every community.  It is devastating when one is lost, catastrophic when whole units are wiped out, all dying what they loved to do.  This past week, we celebrated the 4^th of July.  Thoughts of freedom and patriotism are revisited and renewed in our hearts.   But, there is another phrase we recite as a source of national pride.  One epitomized in the strength and character of the people committed to keeping our nation safe regardless of risk.   For the nineteen lost last week, and all the firefighters who have died before them, you are part of the fabric in the words ….”home of the brave.”   A nation is forever indebted.

Remembering Our America

     This weekend, the nation celebrates Memorial Day.  Picnics and parades will commence in numerous towns and cities across America.  This year the feeling is especially poignant given the number of human tragedies and natural disasters which have occurred.  It has been a never-ending series of events causing pain and disbelief.  We are a nation stuck in a mode of constant healing, and are wondering if there will ever be a period of calm and peace again.  Storms, bombings, shootings, bullying, and economic depression have left us praying for those suffering loss and heartache.  In the midst of all the chaos, comes a holiday when we honor those who have served our country.  A country whose values they held close to their heart in hope of preserving our democracy and freedom.

     My mother’s uncles served in both world wars.  Uncle Mike served in WWI. He was given special honors for his bravery.   Experiencing happenings so horrific, he actually tried to get himself shot in the leg near the end so that he could go home.  Uncle Tony served in WWII.  He joked that he only won the lottery once in his life.  Surprisingly when he went to claim, there were thousands of other winners.  Not a day went by when he didn’t have some story related to the war.  A good, kind man, the effects were deep and lasting.  Although parades were held in the large cities, soldiers returning to small towns and rural areas simply went home to the relief of their loved ones.  Somehow their lives went on, but the experience lived with them forever.

     On Monday, when people gather to celebrate in backyards, parks, and on Main Street, let’s remember our America.  It remains country of enduring hope, support, and thoughts of the future.  A country where people offer support to those in need and those capable of evil will never be tolerated.  Areas of destruction will be rebuilt, and those lost will never be forgotten.  The veterans, who served so proudly and sacrificed so much, deserve our praise for reminding us what it means to be an American, and for being the definition of love of country.   God bless America.

 

Enough is Enough

Official seal of Newtown, Connecticut (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

      On a beautiful Friday morning, the world changed forever.  In Newtown, CT,  26 sweet souls lost their lives in a senseless act of destruction.  I have not been able to shed any tears.  I think I am still in the shock of disbelief.  I am so angry that the perpetrator targeted an elementary school for an act so horrid.   There are no words to explain why this continues to happen in this country.  I heard on one news report that 100,000 Americans have been killed in America, by Americans, since 9/11.  So much focus has been placed on securing our safety from terrorists.   While this is certainly important, the safety of our citizens within our own towns, cities, malls, movie theatres, and schools is another area that deserves immediate attention.

      Our constitution provides the right to bear arms.  This was written at a time in history when the nation was still growing.  It was also essential that people had the ability to hunt for food in order to survive.  Much has changed in the hundreds of years that have passed since its inception.  No one needs a gun that is capable of shooting off multiple rounds of ammunition.  There is no reason for the average citizen to be in possession of this type of assault weapon.  Gun proponents will not be able to convince me that it is right of anyone to own this type of artillery.  Why they continue to have such a hold on our leaders in unacceptable.

    There is much we have ignored.  There are many neighborhoods in this country where its residents live in fear every day.  It has now spilled into areas of the unexpected.  I used to live in the Sandy Hook section of Newtown.  When I became pregnant with my second daughter, my husband and I decided we needed a home with more space.  Eventually we found a home in a neighboring town.  Had we not moved, that same child would have been in Sandy Hook Elementary School.  I agree that never would anyone have thought this could happen in a small community which places a high value on its youth.  Now that it has, we as people need to speak up, act, and work towards building a better society.  If it could happen there, it could happen anywhere.

     Good people in our country should not have to worry that if they go to the movies, or stop for a bite to eat at the mall, they will be in danger.  That if they go to work, they will have to stare into the face of a disgruntled employee.  That if they go to a place of worship, they will be met with evil while they pray.  That if they send their smallest children off to school, they will not come home.  That if they choose a career path of working with those children, they will be forced into a position of having to protect them, and possibly lose their life.

      It is now time for all citizens to send messages to Congress and the President that we need change, and we need it fast.  I am tired of hearing mental illness is the reason for these acts.  I am sure there is more that can be done in that area, but we also need to revise our gun laws, strengthen our communities, and provide a society where people can live without fear, heartache, and left asking why.  Enough is enough.

http://signon.org/sign/gun-control-now-1.fb23?source=s.icn.fb&r_by=6446212

Lining Up for Powerball

The Lotto Powerball logo (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

     The Powerball Lottery has reached $500,000.00.   By the time the drawing occurs, it will be above that amount.   Taxes will take a significant chunk, but it will still be a huge amount of money for the individual who wins.  People are lining up to have a chance at fortune.   As I looked at those waiting to purchase their chance, I realized why so many want an opportunity to become a millionaire.  Most likely it is not the reason promoted by the media.   It is much more basic than simply wanting the good life.

     I went food shopping early Monday morning.   Being that it was after the Thank giving weekend, and I live in a small town, the store was quiet.  I don’t buy lottery tickets on a regular basis, but when the jackpot rises to a large amount, I buy one chance.   I get a quick pick since my odds of winning are not any better if I pick the numbers myself.  The supermarket sold the tickets, so I was able to make my purchase without waiting in a line.  That is not the case in the rural areas I have seen on the news.  People are waiting in lines that stretch for miles to get their Powerball tickets.  Why are so many willing to wait and wait and wait?  They are all hoping for a better life.

     I don’t think most of the people purchasing the tickets want to be among the rich and famous.  Most are just hoping for a chance of being able to live comfortably and worry free.   They want to have their housing, food, and bills paid every month.  They want to be able to send their kids to college without going into major debt.  They want to wake up every day reassured that they will not have to worry about if their job is going to be eliminated, if they will have the means to meet their financial responsibilities, and if they can either pay the mortgage or the rent.

     I have seen many senior citizens waiting in line.   Many are probably living on a fixed budget.  I imagine that they are hoping to make enough to pay for housing, food, and expensive medications.  There are some who have probably had a hard life.  Winning the lottery would give them peace of mind in their last years.  They would like to provide for their children and grandchildren so that future generations would have a better life.

     I bought a ticket because I know there are people I could help.  Sure, I would put aside money for my kids and my old age, but so much good could also be done.   We are living in hard economic times.  Winning Powerball would change some lives forever.  It gives everyone hope that the future can be brighter if just given a chance.  Hopefully the person who has the winning ticket handles their new-found fortune well, and takes the opportunity to enhance the lives of many others.

A Magnificent Victory

     It was a wonderful moment of achievement.  It took 10 years of hard work, sacrifice, and determination.  Countless hours were spent strategizing, analyzing, designing, and reviewing.   All led up to one moment that would end up as an outstanding success, or a disastrous failure.  There would not be a chance for a second try.  It was all or nothing.  The London Olympics have produced some wonderful and memorable moments, but this is not what I am referring to.   It is the scene of NASA scientists and engineers exploding with joy when they realized that the Curiosity rover reached Mars, and landed successfully.

     I am not always happy with the way the media reports certain topics, but I have to give them credit for repeatedly showing the moment when the mission was completed.  You could only smile when you saw this group of scientists and engineers jumping out of their seats, giving each other high fives, and shouting in a chorus of cheers.  Why is this so important?  It shows that people who work in this field are human.  They aren’t the stereotypical mad scientists or nerds so often portrayed, but real people.  It also highlighted the fact that there are a significant number of women who contribute in the creation of these incredible works.

     What they accomplished was a scientific and technological marvel.  It has been compared to a sci-fi movie about space.  But this was no movie, this actually occurred.  Many hours were spent developing and working toward a goal of providing a vehicle that will relay information about our nearest neighbor.  Images and tests will be transmitted back to earth adding information to the puzzle of how this planet and the universe formed.  With all the virtual images available at our fingertips, these real images will make people stop and take a look.  They might actually listen to or read the reports of what is being shown.

     America is in dire need of more of young people pursuing engineering and the sciences.  It requires years of study and hard work, but the payoff can be great.  There are jobs readily available, and there are a number of different areas where these skills are needed.  The Curiosity landing was a great example of what can be accomplished.  It gave us a glimpse of how interesting the work can be, and how necessary it is that we continue to develops projects that extend knowledge, advance technology, and provide services.  This week we saw a room full of people celebrate their victory and… dare I say it….what they did was cool.  Very cool.

Watch the landing and the reaction at this site.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9hXqzkH7YA

The Freedom Granted by July 4th

      The Fourth of July is here again.  People celebrate with barbecues, going to the shore, fireworks, parades, and family gatherings.   But what are we celebrating?  Do we take time to remember the meaning of the day?  It is the day when America declared its independence, but it also serves as a reminder of a value we all treasure.  Freedom.  It is a term which at times requires a refresher course regarding its meaning.   There are those who tend to forget that all Americans are granted a right to freedom.

Centuries ago, people braved the oceans to escape religious persecution.  They wanted the right to worship and follow traditions as they believed.  Why then does religion play such a part in our political elections and rulings?  If everyone has the right to worship as they see fit, how can any religion determine the social and moral standards of living of people living in this country.  As long as it abides by the law of the land, no group or individual should be told how to live their life.

The writers of our nation’s documents were wise to include the separation of church and state.   It did not stop anyone from having their own beliefs, but it ensured that those beliefs would not influence our laws.  Yet the campaigns of our candidates for public office have to tip toe around certain groups so as to not offend and lose their vote.  This is another game of politics which many can see right through.  Our leaders have to make clear their stance on issues and remember that they are representative of a nation, but any one group.

So on July 4th, remember the people from past generations who fought for freedom.  They are the colonists, the suffragettes, the civil rights leaders, and the thousands of Americans who served and gave their lives defending our freedom.  They are the people who continue to fight for equality.  Remember that we enjoy the rights and way of life that others around the world aspire to.   Every individual has the freedom to live a life that brings the greatest achievement of all.   Happiness.

Pink Slime, Growth Hormones, and Sugar

Over the past year, I have had 3 distinct revelations regarding the food that is produced in the United States.  It is an understatement to say it has been alarming and eye-opening.  The good thing is that I have made significant changes in where I shop and what I eat.  This is all due to the documentary Food, Inc., an episode of Jaime Oliver’s Food Revolution, and a recent report on 60 minutes.  The information in these reports enable people to make decisions, seek better choices, and in some cases succeed in changing the industry.

About a year ago, I watched the documentary Food, Inc., and changed where I buy the beef and chicken consumed by my family.  After seeing how these animals are housed, fed, and grown to be abnormal in size, I was disgusted to learn that these practices are used by major brands found at the supermarket.  I now go to a meat store in a nearby town to make these purchases.  Not only is the quality and taste noticeable, but the price is lower.  Even the stores that claim to have the best cuts of meat, and the greatest chicken, cannot match what I have found in this small store.  The other advantage is that you can purchase only what you need, so none goes to waste.

A couple of months later, I saw the episode of Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution demonstrating how Pink Slime is created.  Jaime reproduced the exact process that is used by the big companies that produce this fatty, chemically washed filler that is used in burgers found in fast food establishments and school lunches.  It does not appear to be a coincidence that McDonald’s and many school districts are now in the process of eliminating this filler from their burgers.  How many people have eaten this manufactured food product and what effect has it had on their health?

Lastly, 60 Minutes recently aired a report regarding the amount of sugar that is added to many food items in order to improve taste and increase the desire for more.   Dr. Robert Lustig, stated sugar is responsible for obesity, heart disease, and some types of cancer.  I eliminated high fructose corn syrup a few years ago.  Now I’m reading labels to see how much sugar is in foods that we might not suspect such as bread, yogurt, milk, etc.   I can honestly say that I am well below the daily limit, but it is astounding to see the amount that is found in a serving of some items.

Reports and the media should be used as an avenue for providing information so people can make decisions regarding the choices in their lives.  It is not easy to eliminate everything that is deemed bad for us like Orlando movers at orlandomovers.info, but at least we can make decisions when we have the knowledge.  It also puts pressure on an industry that is continuously being exposed for unhealthy products that sit on shelves, or served in schools and restaurants.  Food is a major factor that affects our health, our energy, and our minds.  If we want to lead a life that allows us to enjoy it to the fullest, then changes have to be made.

Note:  There will be a follow-up to this post regarding the availability of better foods for all.

An Opinion on Bullying

This week, a tragedy unfolded at a high school  in Ohio.  It has left many questioning the motive of a young man who violently took the lives of 3 innocent victims.  Questions might never be  answered for many who wonder why such acts occur, and why so many young people are turning to such drastic measures as a method of dealing with their emotions.  The subject of bullying comes up over and over again.  The focus on this problem has been explored by the media, schools, and mental health experts.  It has reached the concern and the involvement of the White House.  What more can we do to help not only the victim of bullying, but the bullies themselves?  Just calling attention to the problem is not enough.  We have to take stronger actions to improve the reality of these young people so that incidents like this do not occur again.

It doesn’t take a psychologist to notice a kid that is the outcast. When I was teaching, I could tell on day one of a new school year, the students that were not part of an acceptable group. They were quiet loners who no one wanted to talk to, work with, or be friends. That was years ago and since then, the internet and social networking has exacerbated the problem. I read seen a number of reports by experts who give advice on how to handle a bully.  It ranges from ignoring, to shouting at them, to not allowing them to have power over the victim.  This might seem doable, but when a kid is the target of an individual or group of tormenters, this type of action is not going to make them back down.   More likely it will cause a ramping up of the negative behavior, causing the victim to feel an increase in depression and helplessness.   If we really think about it, why should any child have to handle a bully?

The bully needs to be the target of change.   This is a person in need of rehabilitation and behavior modification.  They have to be counseled to understand that their actions unacceptable, and will not be tolerated.  Parents need to accept the fact that their offspring is causing another human being a significant amount of pain.  Although filled with bravado, the bully is often a child who feels insecure, neglected, and in desperate need of attention.  Ironically those are exactly the same feelings experienced by their victim.

We are living in difficult times, but our kids demand our attention. Everyone needs to feel wanted, validated, and encouraged. We need to get more students involved in activities that promote their talents and interests like work – give your kid a movingquote.co moving quote calculator and send him on his way to get a job.   The school, places of worship, libraries, organized clubs, music, dance, art, sports, etc., all allow kids to feel like they belong to something. They become contributing members of a group that accepts them. It doesn’t cost anything to volunteer, and the rewards can be tremendous. If we show kids a better use of their time,  they won’t be so involved in negative behavior, and  more of them will be happy.  Once again, adults have the responsibility to lead the way.

People in New York City are Friendly

Travel and Leisure Magazine came out with the results of survey categorizing the rudest and friendliest U.S. cities.   New York City was ranked number one for rudeness.   Having lived close to Manhattan for most of my life, I have had a number of opportunities to travel into the city for a show, shopping, museums, or other special events.  I am not a well-traveled person, but I know rudeness when I see it, and my experiences in New York have always been positive.

Walk down Fifth Ave. or Broadway and you have to stop at every block and wait for a crossing light to change.  People are orderly and wait.  Of course taxis have right on red so sometimes you have to speed across, but people do not push or run over anyone who takes their time.  They might walk around you and seem to be in a hurry, but that is because they probably are.  When you have to walk 10 blocks for an appointment you have to move fast.  When the train or bus is late, you have to run to be on time for work.  This is the city that never sleeps.

The restaurants in the theatre district are often crowded.  I have never encountered a rude host, or waitperson.   Many are young people in search of a dream.  Most have come for other places, and are trying to make a wage that will allow them to live in a very expensive area of the country.  They often ask where you are from, if you are catching a show, did you go to a concert, etc.  I have had many a nice conversation with the workers in every style of restaurant.

I always get lost in Greenwich Village.  It might as well be the Bermuda Triangle.  East and West confuse me and for some reason, the main avenues seem to get twisted around.  This is an area where the people hanging out a bit more relaxed.  It is a mix of students, artists, musicians, people with dogs, and merchants.  I have always been able to ask someone for directions, and they have more than willing to help.   The same holds true for questions regarding the subway system.  I have been told the best number to catch, and which station to go to.

I’m sure that there might be places I have not been where people might smile more and are not all hurrying around.  Life is enjoyed at a more leisurely pace, and that the sun and scenery are enjoyable.  But for those of us who have been to New York, there is no place like it on earth.   Broadway is simply the best in plays and musicals.  Lincoln Center is a phenomenon all its own.  The history and art museums are outstanding.  The music scene is eclectic.   The fashion district is still strong, and the universities are some of the best in the world.   The sports fans are among the most loyal.

New York saw its darkest day on 9/11.  The horror of what occurred, and the lives that were lost will never be forgotten.  On that day and the days that followed, the people of the city came together.  Police, firefighters, EMS, and ordinary citizens banded together to help others.   No matter what the perception is as reported in a survey,  the people of  New York  are kind, gracious, strong, and always lend a hand in time of need.  History will remind of us of that forever.