HEY! DON'T ROCK MY GRAVY BOAT!

Isn't if funny how none of these Flea-Party people were around screaming and yelling about the debt, the deficit or the debt-ceiling when Bush and Cheney were running our economy into the ground? How soon we forget. Or is it some strange form of selective outrage or photogenic memory? Maybe all these people just woke up at the same time from self-induced eight-year comas!

In the entirety of the eight miserable Bush years, I don't remember hearing one Republican standing up and saying, "Hey, we need to cut spending!" I don't remember seeing a Flea-Party movement when Bush added Tax Cuts for the Rich and a Medicare Prescription Drug Program, both of which were completely unpaid for! I don't remember hearing anybody yelling and screaming about the deficit. And where were all these angry conservatives, wealthy businessmen and Flea-Party activists when Bush and Cheney lied us into an unnecessary war in Iraq. The Iraq war is going to cost this nation a great deal of precious credibility abroad, the lives and limbs of tens of thousands of American soldiers, untold resources that we needed to fight Al-Qaeda and about $10 Trillion Dollars before it's all said and done. Where were they? I didn't hear a peep out of the "Right-Wing" or the "Flea-Party".

When George W. Bush took office, the national debt was $5.73 trillion. When he left, it was $10.7 trillion. That's a difference of $4.97 trillion. Where were all these screaming deficit-haters from January 20th, 2001 till January 20th, 2009? Hibernating in Alaska?

The U.S. debt has shot up significantly over the past few years, mostly due to the economic meltdown of 2008 and the government's efforts to shore up the federal banking system. You take away the economic disaster created during the Bush years, entirely remove the, unpaid for, Bush Tax Cuts for the wealthy and his, unpaid for, Medicare Prescription Drug Program and give back the $10 Trillion dollars blown on the Iraq war and we would have no deficit problem today.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR - Las Vegas Sun:

Don’t blame Obama for bad economy

William R. Morales, Henderson

Sun, Jul 10, 2011 (2:03 a.m.)

By far, the Great Recession is the worst I’ve experienced during my 72 years. Particularly sad is the ignorance of the general public about underscored reasons for the problems we face today and the next five to 10 years.

Much cable chatter and clutter commentaries in newspapers pin the blame for high unemployment and lack of progress of any recovery on President Barack Obama. The mess is not of his doing. John McCain would be facing the same predicament had he been elected president.

As a Republican, I am thoroughly ashamed of the party I largely supported for 35 years. Our terrible fiscal mess resulted from failed policies and inept leadership during the George W. Bush administration. Presidents George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton left the country on a healthy course. Both set smart tax standards. Clinton balanced the federal budget and left a surplus.

George W. Bush left office as our economy plunged toward the brink of a depression. Bush spent money like a drunken sailor. He enacted a Medicare prescription drug program whose cost is approaching a trillion dollars without paying or budgeting for it. His Iraq adventure, a war of choice, passed the trillion-dollar mark and that tab still grows. The worst decision he made, however, was the $1.3 trillion tax cut.

The only Americans flourishing in our country are the very rich who continue to profit from the Bush tax cuts, which Republican legislators refuse to allow to expire. They tell you that taxes kill job growth. If that were true, the $1.3 trillion tax cut should have generated more than 20 million jobs. History tells a different story.

What we citizens want is fairness. Clinton brought about a balanced budget and a surplus by balancing revenues with spending.

The fact of the matter is, all these people and these phony organizations and corporate-backed groups are acting out of fear. Fear of a changing status quo. It's narrow, self-interest. The SUPER RICH have carved out a sweet deal with the Republicans and they will fight like hell to keep their gravy boats afloat! They will stop at nothing to keep their yachts, corporate welfare, oil subsidies, tax loopholes and giveaways intact! The remaining group of angry reactionaries do not want to see any change or shift in the American power structure. They realize that in just 20 years, Hispanics will be the largest ethnic group in this country...add to that, a non-white president in the White House today and you've got yourself a Flea-Party! 

“Hey, all of you jobless and soon to be homeless, can you spare a dime for the wealthiest of the wealthy?” It would seem that when Congress passed the law that protected the super rich from taxes for the next two years, they also sealed the fate for those that are middle class or lower. So is it really any surprise that the gap between rich and poor has widened into a chasm–that we continue to become a country of haves and have nots?  To add insult to injury, the current House of Representatives, controlled by John (He makes me cry) Boehner and his cadre of white cronies continue to introduce legislation that works AGAINST the American people. So much for civil servants. Yes, let’s eliminate social programs, social services, healthcare; let’s do everything in our power to make the poor even poorer. Most of us better get used to eating cat food soon.  When will we see the breaking point? When will we be inspired by the good working class of Wisconsin railing against the rich and health-insured GOP that has now proposed to use physical violence against the working class protesters?  When do we stop thanking the rich for raping us?  See the full article here.

What Sarah Palin, Michele Bachmann and the Flea-Party represent is FEAR. The fear and acknowledgement of a changing world. They can see the political world of the past slipping away. And the beginnings of a fundamentally different political landscape taking shape just over the horizon. A political landscape where whites are not in complete and total control. A landscape where other ethnic groups in America play far more significant roles. That's what the Flea-Party and all this rage is truly about. That's why you only see whites involved in these deceitful groups and their transparent "political" agendas. 

Because the true reasons behind these groups, their benefactors and destructive agendas are so unappealing, they continually disillusion themselves and pretend that the entire Far-Right / Flea-Party movement is really about cutting taxes, deficits, stopping big government spending and reducing the power and scope of "big government". I think we all know, deep down, what all these pretend political groups and their politics of fear, anger and resentment are really and truly about. This most recent waive of anti-government, anti-freedom, anti-worker, anti-women, anti-gay and anti-poor and middle class all boils down to FEAR. The fear of someone or some thing breaking the status quo. The fear that the long-held, institutionalized, systematically ingrained, deeply entrenched enclaves of power in America may be on the verge of collapse. From the highest seats of power, down to our most basic socioeconomic and political behaviors, a sense of profound change is now upon us. Just as non-whites in America are coming to grips with their own increasing empowerment and political strength and the gradual casting off of some mental and social constraints, white Americans are being confronted with the fear of a lost sense of entitlement and the inheritance of privilege. We are all slowly coming to grips with the inevitable sharing of power and equal footing of non-whites, at every level of American society.

The super rich are afraid of going from billionaires back to millionaires and angry reactionaries are afraid of any fundamental shifts in America's power structure. That's where we stand at the moment and these are the fears we face. The deep-seated and undeniable fear that someone or some thing is about to rock their precious gravy boats!

Confidence is the greatest single asset we can possess because it often moves mountains. It is a product of self-esteem which, in turn, is dictated by self belief, self love, and self-value. When those three elements are absent, it is impossible to have true confidence in one's self because the essential foundation would be missing. We would have very low self-esteem which means equally low confidence to match. Low self-esteem is driven by fear: the fear of not being good enough, not being wanted and valued and being worthless and insignificant.

That is why many tips for 'boosting' one's confidence are ineffective because they ask people to do what they are not capable of. For example, one tip an article gave was this:
"Make a conscious effort not to compare yourself to others. Affirm your uniqueness. Remind yourself of your talents and strengths."

Low self-esteem is about feeling worthless. It is well nigh impossible not to compare one's self with others and be found wanting. Additionally the low confidence person cannot affirm their uniqueness, if they do not value themselves enough to appreciate that uniqueness in the first place! They also cannot focus on their talents and strengths if their weak self-belief tells them that they don't have any! It would be very difficult for them to see those strengths. Such tips are merely putting the cart before the horse!

Another tip said: "Accept yourself. Admit your mistakes and move on."
Glib and easy to say, but much harder to do. That's a silly tip because the basis of low confidence is a lack of self-acceptance, always thinking the worst of one's self. How does someone of low esteem suddenly accept him/herself? Not possible! That's what a confident person does, one who already possesses the self-belief to do so.

That is why people who simply follow 'confidence tips' might be able to cope with an immediate situation but are soon back to their normal fearful selves because the root cause of low self-esteem has not been addressed. The only sure thing to boost one's self confidence is to focus on WHY the person lacks self belief, does not love himherself or believe they have no value and slowly reduce those through gradual positive actions.

The reasons usually lie in how we are treated in childhood or in a faulty relationship somewhere. Once we can identify them and begin to understand the negative ways they affect us, and how we can turn them around to our advantage - mainly through emotional exploration and self education - we are on our way to appreciating our unique selves and building true confidence within us.

However, many people, especially men, fear that emotional exploration; fear the answers they might find, and resist it. So the low confidence and esteem continue to dog them while they often put up with behaviour which is not appropriate for them just to feel valued.

©Elaine Sihera (Ms CYPRAH) 2011
Emotional Health and People Management Consultant
"Respect and love begin with the self. If we have none, how can we give away any?"

Confidence is the greatest single asset we can possess because it often moves mountains. It is a product of self-esteem which, in turn, is dictated by self belief, self love, and self-value. When those three elements are absent, it is impossible to have true confidence in one's self because the essential foundation would be missing. We would have very low self-esteem which means equally low confidence to match. Low self-esteem is driven by fear: the fear of not being good enough, not being wanted and valued and being worthless and insignificant.

That is why many tips for 'boosting' one's confidence are ineffective because they ask people to do what they are not capable of. For example, one tip an article gave was this:
"Make a conscious effort not to compare yourself to others. Affirm your uniqueness. Remind yourself of your talents and strengths."

Low self-esteem is about feeling worthless. It is well nigh impossible not to compare one's self with others and be found wanting. Additionally the low confidence person cannot affirm their uniqueness if they do not value themselves enough to appreciate that uniqueness in the first place! They also cannot focus on their talents and strengths if their weak self-belief tells them that they don't have any! It would be very difficult for them to see those strengths. Such tips are merely putting the cart before the horse!

Another tip said: "Accept yourself. Admit your mistakes and move on."
That's a really silly tip because the basis of low confidence is a lack of self-acceptance, always thinking the worst of one's self. How does someone of low esteem suddenly accept himherself? Not possible! That's what a confident person does, one who already possesses the self-belief to do so.

That is why people who simply follow 'confidence tips' might be able to cope with an immediate situation but are soon back to their normal fearful selves because the root cause of low self-esteem has not been addressed. The only sure thing to boost one's self confidence is to focus on WHY the person lacks self belief, does not love him/herself or believe they have no value.

The reasons usually lie in how we are treated in childhood or in a faulty relationship somewhere. Once we can identify them and begin to understand the negative ways they affect us, and how we can turn them around to our advantage - mainly through emotional exploration and self education - we are on our way to appreciating our unique selves and building true confidence within us.

However, many people, especially men, fear that emotional exploration; fear the answers they might find, and resist it. So the low confidence and esteem continue to dog them while they put up with behaviour which is not appropriate for them just to feel valued.

You know what I think about guns, the NRA and the imbeciles like Heston, Nugent, Palin and the other irresponsible stinkpottie right wing wonders in the NRA's tax free murder incorporated that is the social conservative/republican/NRA gun lobby?

As the red flag of Populism waves angrily out in the nether lands, I sit and ponder the actions and reactions and think of history, the end ofa century and the beginning of a new one. Scary place to be here right now folks.

We have passed the fin de siecle, the end of the century and we barely survived all the prognostications. Y2K had people hoarding food and sizing up their neighbor for the meat hook, building shelters again in the back yardsof the suburbs, making plans and buying guns for that time, that end of the world scenario. How the heck did we get roped into this menagerie of fear and hopelessness? Well we listened to those first fears and prognostications of some and we saw doom for the lifestyles we had created. Damn, I hate having to make a fire in the morning and then going out to the woods to do what bears do!

Well anyway, We humans go crazy at certain times and this streak of Populism crops up especially when fear, anxiety and loss of an internal order displaces many of us. We all start to feel the heat on our own lifestyles. Who will be next to get the axe at work, why can't I pay all the bills I used to pay off every month, when will we begin to starve, who will help us?

America, the only people who have helped us is ourselves. The People.

From The Whiskey Rebellion till now we have fought against the same problem, the few over the many, the powerful over the weak, the power of money against the rights and wishes of the mass or the individual. It is the fight of the wants over the needs!

American Business, are your companie's wants more important than your workers needs? Does your global image superceed your national identity?

Politicians and party members, is you identity as an American less important than your political persuasion, is your TV station your image maker and argument creator, is one damn political celebrity more important than you or your family?

To all Americans, would you like people to open your door and throwin their trash, do you walk through your home and kick a beer can out of the way, or jump over an old pizza box on your trip to the kitchen? Well if you don't live like that then why do so many throw their garbage and used items out on the streets everyday. And whydo so many driveor walk right by it as they go to and from places?

Why do you walk past your neighbors house and not help if you see they need it, Ask if they need their grass cut! Go clean up your neighborhood with friends and family. You make your neighborhood what it is. Find out who your darn nieghbors are, meet them and help them.

Why let the smallest and weakest Americans wait in shame for health care, a job and a place tokeep clean just because you are scared too? Think how afraid they are everyday. Put yourself in someone elses shoes for a change.

This week we will all being thinking of thanks in some manner or other. Some will receive the gift of food from others, some will gain a little shelter from the storm.

Some of you are those people who will help and aid those in need. My heart and mind thank you for your help and your time doing this great thing, helping others is helping all of us. I cannot say it enough, thank you for your humanity.

Thismy friends is what it means to be an American, it is not how strong we are, it is not how rich our nation is, it is not the power or the glory of god, it is not a certain lifestyle or living space.

It is our nature to help those who need it, anyonein the world that may have strife, death and destruction knows there is one place that may offer sacntuary from the storm outside.

We are a Nation of helpers. Help our nation by doing more for it and its people.

You help others and you help yourself, it is really that simple.

Welcome to ELECTION YEAR THEATRE, your 24/7 fact-free fear fest!

Now Playing (over and over and over again)...

"MUSLIM MANIA!"

Thrill to the chills as brazen Muslims dare to… exist!

“MUSLIM MANIA!”...produced by the GOP, Fox News, assorted wingnuts, and rightwing billionaires with too much money and time on their hands—the same folks that gave us...

“Homo Hysteria!”…

“Migrant Mayhem!”…

“Tax Tweak Terror!”…

“Health Care Horror!”…

“OBAMAnation!”…

"Night of the Living Debt!"

PLUS the enduring epic, “Iraqnophobia!”

AND that all-time favorite...

"Dude, Where's My Constitution?!"

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

RAVE REVIEWS for "Muslim Mania!"...

Boffo Socko! Better than my three marriages!--Newt Gingrich

A-OK, you betcha! I can see terrorists from my private jet!--Sarah Palin

Thoszzhh peobble haf a bedder tan 'an I do [hic]!--John Boehner

Aaaaaarrrrrrgggggghhhhhh!!!!!--Glenn Beck

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Rated "R" for RIDICULOUS

COMING SOON...

"Social Insecurity (Or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Wall Street)"

From the deepest chasms of my mind,
An exit it stirs to find,
With fiery, blood, red eyes it stands,
Impatient it grows watching the sands.

Symbiotic, we live a single life,
Each knowing the tool is sharp as a knife,
It brings haunting dances in the dark,
Desire and pleasures stab the lark.

When freed it crafts a strange clarity,
Through a heavy haze it finds alertness,
Falsely creating a necessity,
Boiling all within in adversity.

Residing a lonely life atop,
Cannot force the body into gallop,
Nonetheless, the phantom rests at ease,
Waiting for its imminent release.

It waits right there at the end of the road

When you are going home

street light blinking like a crazy lightning bug

just over there next to that bush

beyond your periphial vision black spots

surround it like flies or

floaters

It waits there for you right there

shadow tested and under-worldy

in fallen leaves it waits

scratching for you

a lowered eye alert for

weakness and loss or just a

simple hair toss

and maybe a bloody nail

a moment of fear my dear

it waits here

darkness over your shoulder creeps

bolder like death

towards the one it

waits for

YOU!!!!!!!

She told me right away

with those dark eyes

and her loud shrill

"Don't go down there"

on that dark dead

fateful hill,

I said

'What this ain't no

teenage

slasher deal"

and then I turned and went

and made her pay,

She made a noise as I hit the first stair

I didn't look

I knew she was back there

open

like a new blank book,

I showed her who would pay

the cost

what I did not know was

I would soon be

lost,

I got down there and the dark

was deep and old

and held me

in its sway

I hesitated and

then she pushed me

down and closed

the door and walked

away,

I wait here for her to come back

I know she will

I have to sit and

eat

my bitter pill

with other

bones that feel

the chill,

I sit and wait

and I know I am

her

next kill.

As I am writing this, the National Amthem is being sung at the Saints kick off in New Orleans, and yes I am misty eyed. Americans have shed so much blood to protect the "land of the free" and the home of the brave" and, it is so sad that we are engaged one more time in a battle over freedom, the right of an individual(s) to build a building in close proximity to where the land of the free and the home of the brave was attacked by outside forces.

The why of why has this captured so much media attention is:

My opinion is none of this is about politics, religion or anything else other than which corporations are going to get richer. Somehow, in the great land, "nothing is fought over unless it means someone will get rich from it." (A paraphrased quote from the late, great Will Rogers) And this has been happening since our country's inception and it will go on, and on, and on.

All of these events creating so much media attention (too much in my opinion) are without a doubt in my mind a diversion from what our elected representatives and the mega corporations in this country are up to while we focus on other events. Yes they are always up to something and usually nothing that will benefit the "people."

I for one would like to know how this Pastor in Florida came up with this idea and who exactly alerted the media. He is an insignificant player in the grand scheme of things as is his copycat in another state. And there will be more copycats, that is just the way it goes. But we have to learn to pay attention to what our representatives are up to/legislation they support, what the administration is doing and while it is important to be aware of what the fringe elements are up to it should not consume us as it has.

As far as the Mosque in NYC, questions that should have and need to be asked:

-why there, exactly?

-who owns the property, when did he/she purchase it?

-was it always the intent to build a Mosque or interfaith center?

-who is funding this project?,

-why and what is the endgame/goal?

It is of interest, at least to me, that with so many other locations this Imam and his followers could choose to pray in/at, they chose the specific spot so close to Ground Zero. Of further interest is, that now, they have decided to build, what we are now told, is an "Interfaith Center." I must have missed that memo.

Was it not only a Mosque originally? Let me know how the interfaith project has come about. And, what is the alternative if they do not, after it is built, have an interfaith center with rooms for the various faiths to pray? And further, no non-Muslims allowed. They do have that right. So tell me, what if anything is going to happen?

History has also shown us that what the Republicants are doing to the Democants is nothing new. Republicants are in a snit because the middle class is not completely destroyed, the devastation of Katrina brought in its aftermath hope for a new and better New Orleans for its residents. Yes I really believe that the Republicants end game is a two class America, the rich and the rest of us. And to that end Republicants and their various supporters and followers will not be happy until America looks like Haiti after the earthquake earlier this year.

Each political party has and will continue to beat up on each other in an effort to win power, control and hence money! It is also interesting at the least, and hopeful at best that individuals who are usually at each others throats condemning each other to Hell and beyond because of their parties policies, agree on this. Had they done this for the last couple of years, just think how much improved our economy would be, and how many millions of our presently unemployed citizens just might be employed.

As far as the comments that we wanted the book burning stopped out fear of Muslim reprisals, the world over, how about instead, stating that common sense prevailed? I do not like to be threatened. I am guessing that many of you out there in the Newsvine ether world do not take to threats either. But somewhere that concept reared its ugly head. I would like it to stop here and now.

In the interest of peace, harmony, kindness, compassion, and understanding towards all living creatures, let us say and believe that instead of fear, common sense prevailed. I pray that it continues to do so

What say you?

I dream of her most

everynight

She is dark and sharp and

has inner light

A severe cut

of her black hair

bangs straight

but split

a pair

of swirls that

show off

narrow eyes

violet

and violent

a shadow falls

across my face,

she bites and I

dream of all

things

in the universe

completion

darkness

then inner light.

This installment in the " The Running Mouth" thesis collection and almanac of ideas, rants and the words of a jester, will be on fear, terrorism and the Fanatic.

Fanatic n-one who holds a belief, esp a religious or political belief that he or she can neither discuss it reasonably nor think well of those who disagree with it-n fanaticism. Webster's Concise English Dictionary.

The cat's paw heralds back to dark ages and witches with magic powers. It is deep and old, the shamans sign that nature holds power of the mind and there are many who fall under it's spell. It is the tool of fear!

Fanatics, my friends, are the cat's paw of terror. They do the final work of terrorism, they breed contempt for others, they spread the anger, fears and lies that are the ultimate weapon of terrorists. Terrorists breed atmosphere, not the thunder or lighting ( they create one loud noise and we all see the coming storm)!

Am I talking about one side, one group or mind-set, nope, I am talking about all of us, we all can become fanatical in our defense and offense during the debates.

Some of these age old debates will go on, goodness, the arguments we used to have sitting in the cave, around the fire, were probably just as fanatical at times, and a few people probably bonked someone over the head with a half eaten bison legbone at least once.

I am tired of that ageless tirade and see it for what it is, road apples that stick to the bottom of your moccasin. Politcs, same thing, legbone and the fire scenario again!

But what I want to talk about is the voice, the voice you portray to us.

Is it Fanatical?

Have you fallen into being a cat's paw for others?

What is your true voice that is not controlled by "THE PAW"?

I leave you with a few last words to think about, and I hope you will think hard on my questions to you, answer if you wish, I don't make cat's paws.

Many use the cat's paw, politicians, cops, judges, your mother (these examples can all breed terror in our hearts). You have been put into this position many times before.

Seems like you should know by now, being used sucks big time!

On 911 I was getting dressed for work and had the TV on as background noise. I walked out of the bathroom tying my tie and saw the World Trade Center smoking like a bad forest fire. I turned the TV up to see what the hell happened. I knew in the back of my mind that this didn't look like an accident but that didn't surface because the next instant I saw the other plane.

I immediately called the school I worked for, I asked the secretary if anyone had been watching TV and seen what had taken place. " Yes" she said. I asked if they were going to cancel school because it was in the middle of the city of Pittsburgh PA and I knew panic would be the first reaction of many. She said"No, school would still be open". I was pissed, how simple minded, I wanted to say something but I knew she was not the problem. I said"see you soon" and hung up.

How did I feel, scared, no, I felt anger. I waited for the bus, got on and saw all the people and their faces, everyone on board knew what had happened. I went to the back where I always sit and sat down. Two guys were in the back and were complaining loudly that this would mean a draft would be the next move of our government and they would be drafting the poor and blacks to do the dirty work. I was incensed more than learning that the school would still be open. I wanted to tell them they were doing the terrorists job for them "you idiots", but I held my tongue and looked out the window.

I got to town and say what I suspected would happen, panic, fear, tears, rage and everyone was walking quickly and looking in the sky as they moved to where they were going.

I got to the school and could see the students streaming out of the door, one of my students saw me and said "Mr. A, school is cancelled, what are you doing here?" I let that go and started to get the kids moving to there cars and bus stops. I kept calm and told them to get home and I would see them next class. I soon got the crowd dispersed. I was pissed that no one in the school had decided to even have a presence at the front door.

After the crowd of students left I went towards my bus stop and ran into a few students that were coming in for later classes. I stopped and talked to each one and let them know to go right home. I hugged many who were crying and upset, calmed them and saw them on their way. I was angry but I kept it well hidden for their and my benefit.

I waited two hours for a bus that would stop, the ones I saw that would take me home were packed to the gills. I started walking towards the bridge that would take me home 5 miles away.

I walked and tried to thumb a ride, no one would stop to offer one, I was angier than ever now. I was a mile from home when my feet started to give out, my work shoes were not made for that amount of travel. I was hot, tired and mad as hell. I had seen what I knew would happen and I should not have been mad but "you know how it is"! I saw a small bar that was open and went in to get a drink and to sit and rest. The only one in there was the bartender who was watching the TV. I ordered the coldest beer he could find and sat and watched with him, we exchanged few words, mostly me or him asking about another drink. We didn't need to talk about anything, we sat and stayed inside our own heads.

I was drinking and thinking. I thought about my reaction to everything, I counted my emotions and looked at each one. The one I still didn't have was fear. I had anger, sadness, grief and was unsure of myself and other people. I felt lighter than air and heavier than a boulder. And I was getting tipsy. I paid for my drinks and left a big tip, he didn't want it but I turned and walked out the door, I had paid him for leaving me alone. Time for home.

As I walked the last mile, I thought of terrorism and the history of terror and violence. I lived it everyday growing up in the neighborhood that was my home for 15 years. I did not like being back there in my mind and I knew that as I walked, the terrorists had grabbed hold of me and I had to shake that hold or I would lose it emotionally.

I have never gotton afraid or fear these monsters. Where I grew up fear could kill you. They know this, this is the first lesson of terror.

Am I still holding anger, yep, but mostly that is for those who now use the fear of the terrorists to implant fear in us.

The greatest and strongest weapon is fear and intimidation. Stand up and make it weak! Do not give them the strength of purpose they seek.

Fearmongers I detest you. No matter were you stand or what you believe, if you use fear and intimidation you are a terrorist. Your tactics to weaken opposition is the same tactic of terrorism.

To all here and in America do not let these terrorists or fear mongers control your lives or our countries leaders.

Do not use there only real weapon against your fellow Americans, they win and we all end up letting Bin Laden win.

Peace of mind for all of us and good will towards your fellow countrymen, even when you disagree, will defeat monsters in the end.

Let me ask you something. Why do you choose to be motivated by fear rather than hope whenever you are in a voting booth?

Revenge n- making someone suffer for a wrong done to another, repaying evil for evil. (Websters Concise English Dictionary).

The Cordoba House argument has brought out those who want revenge for the actions of 911. While playing this up as a sensitivity issue it really boils down to one thing, reactionary pay back for the violence brought to our shores by 19 hate filled men.

By trying to stop the mosque from being built these few angry and simplistic complainers are falling right into the trap set by these terrorists. We would end up making the terrorists correct to those who may feel the same about our country. We enforce the reasons the terrorists used to justify their actions and end up losing the war on terrorism. Stopping the mosque in NYC and complaining about other mosques through out our nation will end up showing other nations and people that we do not believe in what we really support, religious freedom for all who come and live here in America.

We would end up handing the terrorists the propaganda they are looking to use against us.

While "an eye for an eye" sounds simple and direct it is not how we Americans have grown and become great. In fact the adage is still used in Saudi Arabia to enforce many of their laws. The recent story about the man who paralyzed another and now may be paralyzed by a doctor is a very good example how the adage has created more terror. Do we really want to become just like these repressive religious zealots, hacking off hands and stoning woman may not be the same as complaining about a mosque but it is the start of a slippery slope we may not want to go down. We are grouped as infidels by the terrorists, repressive middle Eastern Potentates and the less educated, do we want to do that also and group all muslims as potential terrorists, all mosques as potential Islamic forts? Do we really want to try and make Sharia law our next boogey man?

There is an old saying "revenge is a dish best eaten cold". Some read this as meaning that the best revenge is when you are patient and wait till the attacker is not expecting revenge and then getting your revenge the same way as they attacked you. Back to the 'eye for an eye" principle.

For me it means waiting till your outrage subsides so that your emotions do not control your actions and when you do act, you do it without getting as dirty as they are. We become those people by being just like them in our own actions.

How do we get revenge without becoming just like them, how do we get revenge without using the same tactics?

First we must prove them wrong, we must not react in kind. We must show that religious freedom is not just fancy words that we use when is is convenient for our cause. We will not prove them wrong by using anger and words that degrade others with a different religious background.

Second, we must show by example that we are not just tolerent but that we celebrate the diversity of our nation. We are better for being different than those countries that are less tolerent. It is the reason our ancestors came here and it is still the reason many still come here.

Third, we must not make enemies of the same people the terrorists are trying to attract to their side. We must use moderate muslim voices to help us in this struggle for the minds of others who may not agree with us now. We cannot change hate by giving hate.

Fourth, we must not fear, we must not breed fear in others. We must stand above the hate, anger and recriminations and show by our actions that we are who we say we are.

The terrorists of 911 sought revenge for what they perceived as our evil ways. They say that they were repaying evil for evil by killing innocent people. by calling us an evil empire they have given themselves a reason to kill men, woman and children who have never harmed anyone. They have taken on the vestments of righteous indignation and turned it into a political argument about which religion, group or country is better at following moral principles.

If we use words of anger against the innocent, we fall into their trap. If we argue for violent reaction we are no better than they are. If we blame all for the actions of a few, we become just like them. Do you want to eat like a terrorist?

Originally published in August 2009, re-published here in part, copyright. Maddad

Part One:

http://maddad0467.newsvine.com/_news/2010/06/12/4501645-a-story-of-abuse-part-one

Part Two:

http://maddad0467.newsvine.com/_news/2010/06/19/4527420-a-story-of-abuse-part-two

Part Three:

http://maddad0467.newsvine.com/_news/2010/06/30/4590866-a-story-of-abuse-part-three

Part Four

It was late in the afternoon, there were pay phones around, but who the hell was he going to call? His mother's second husband had molested him from the age of 5 through around 8. He had told his mom several times and she insisted he was a liar and trouble maker. Who the hell would believe him, he thought. As he walked along he saw an overpass, under it were a couple kids that did not look much older than him. Maybe they would have a better idea about things. He walked up and again, as certain as he could be of himself said, "hi, what's goin' on?". Fortunately these kids were in the same or similar situation. They talked awhile, careful not to actually talk about the more horrible things they faced. "Need a place, man?" one of them asked. "Yes" the boy said, I think I would like to take a break for a couple days. Been traveling awhile." The first, of many lies he told and never knew why. They told him to follow them as they took him down farther into the overpass structure. A small camp was tucked away like a rat hole in a mansion, but it looked safe and the boy was tired.

That night sleep never really came, but rest was there. As he laid on the cold concrete, the thoughts of the previous night would not leave. His anger and rage were swelling inside him like a bomb. "I will get that bastard" he said to himself. But right now, survival and figuring out what to do next were of greater importance. These new "friends" seemed to be o.k., maybe they will show him the way.

The next morning brought the sounds of cars by the hundreds passing above his head. A new day. A new adventure. Food would be the first order of business. Wonder if McKie D's takes promissory notes?

The sun was shining, the boy's new friends seemed to have some routine to there moves, so he followed.

The first stop was the Denny's out by the highway, between two huge palm trees sat a metal box, not quite big enough to be a dumpster, but the smell was the same. Two of the kid's in the group swung the side doors open and began digging around. Out they came with bread, sausage patties and potatoes. None of it looked very appealing, but the boy couldn't remember the last real meal he had eaten, so something has to better than nothing. "Not bad", he said to the others..."nope and the price it right" answered the oldest looking of the group. "Don't waste it...that's all that was on top, the stuff underneath it's any good". After eating what they could, the group headed down toward the beach.

Maddad

What happens after the fact is what determines the extent of mental damage. (Damage Control) This is a dramatization of an ACTUAL EVENT that happened in Floyd County, Virginia on Feb. 15, 2010 to seven year old Sally Andrews. (not her real name)

Sally answered the hard knocking on the front door. It was Joshua Lantz Cromer, and he was mad! He barged through the storm door and proceeded to beat her then raped her with foreign objects. All her begging, screaming, and pleading for help and mercy was in vain.

There hasn’t been a night pass by since that fateful day that she hasn’t woken up screaming, in a cold-sweat-drenched nightmare. She was terrified of being alone for even a minute, anywhere, at anytime. She was frightened of going to school, petrified to go outside to play, but mostly, she was horrified of just being at home. It happened right there, in the living room. She could still see the blood stain on the carpet, under the coffee table. Every time there was a knock on the door, her heart fluttered and her eyes darted around the room looking for escape routes. Joshua Lantz Cromer, violated and stripped away the sanctity and safety of her own home, among other things. If it could happen in her own living room, without a reason or a cause, it could happen again, anywhere, at any time, and for no reason at all.

For weeks now, the counseling and therapy sessions has had no effect in alleviating this trauma and her parents pleaded for help. The child-care counselor involved with this case contacted TARP (Teens At Risk Program) and spoke to Dr. Amy Baxter at the University in Pennsylvania. Dr. Baxter immediately arranged to bring Sally and her parents to Gray’s Farm the following week for a six-month intensive, TARP intervention program, with all expenses covered by the research foundation.

Arriving at the farm the family had set up in trailer #12, which nestled in along side the horse corral and the pasture with an over-looking view of Wintergreen Gorge. For the first two weeks, they were to live there together and participate in every activity as a family unit. The father had to return home after a few days but the mother stayed on for the second week, participated in some of the activities with her daughter, and helped with chores around the farm. For sixteen hours a day, everyday, Sally’s day filled over with action, adventure, structure, mentoring, learning, teaching, dog training, etc, etc, etc, all with good guidance and mentoring from the many, good and caring people who understood pain and suffering.

Julia Roberts, (17) had been working with Sally to develop assertiveness and self-identity through defensive action moves in the Combat Hapkido Self-Defense Program. “It’s all about control.” Julia kept repeating to Sally. Julia knew about fear and its ability to freeze you in that moment of indecision and panic. It will lock up your mind making you virtually unable to move, helpless with no recourse, no choice, and no control. She knew the only solution is to take control now and prepare, with training, for that day when you might need it.

Julia had worked with Sally every day for a week now, both at the farm and here at the Animal Shelter. She showed Sally just a couple simple techniques and focused on speed, accuracy, conviction, and spontaneous reaction. There are at least five techniques to break the thumb of an 800 lb gorilla and Sally already knew two of them. She was getting readings of ‘SEVERE SPRAIN’, on the ‘Rule of Thumb Meter’, a contraption J.F. designed and built to measure the actual twist torque delivered to a fake thumb. She knew the sidekick and the front kick now and her impact force, speed, and accuracy kept improving every day. Julia knew it doesn’t matter how many moves you know, but how well you know them and kept repeating the mantra, “It’s better to know one thing well than ten things not quite good enough in a pinch.”

Mrs. Andrews, Sally’s mom, sat on a bench and watched them finish their workout in the front yard of the shelter. The kick bag hung from a big oak tree in the yard and Buddy stood behind the bag, supporting it. Julia looked over to Sally and smiled, “OK, let’s do it one last time for today.” Then she shouted, “MY NAME IS JULIA AND YOU WILL NOT HURT ME!!!” She went into a backspin, then a round kick hitting high on the bag almost knocking Buddy off his balance with the impact force. “It’s your turn Sally. Show your mom what you can do!”

Sally glanced around at her mom then back at the bag. She zoned in on that exact spot Julia had showed her and with conviction in her voice, she shouted loudly, “MY NAME IS SALLY, AND YOU WILL NOT HURT ME!”, and then went into her kick. At the impact, Buddy, in his bag-support position, grunted loudly and pushed himself off into a back roll. Being the natural clown that he is, he bounced off the tree and rolled backwards again. He then got up, staggered a few steps, feigned a faint, and fell to the ground, motionless, and pleaded, “Hey, take it easy on me, I’m a good guy.” Sally and Julia looked at each other, high fived it, and started laughing.

Mrs. Andrews just sat there for a moment. She could not believe the difference in her daughter, after only two weeks. She had thought she might never see her sweet child laugh again, but…. A tear seeped into her eye, and she had to shake herself, to control her voice, “You’re doing really good sweetheart.”

Julia put her arm around Sally as they walked towards her mother, “She’s going to be a champ Mrs. Andrews, you can be real proud of her.”

Her mom stood up and took Sally in her arms and they hugged.

After a second Julia spoke, “Were going to do a short cool down walk, then she can get ready for her appointment with Dr. Amy. Come on Sally, let’s get a quick drink, grab a dog, and hit the trails.” Julia patted Sally’s back. “You’re doing good kid, there’s nobody ever gona ever mess with you again.”

After grabbing two bottles of water from the fridge and two leashes off the hook on the wall, they went into the kennel area, walked down ‘dog-isle’, and stopped about halfway. Julia opened a gate and put a leash on a little beagle pup for Sally then went to the large dog section. She went to the last kennel on the left, knelt down, and spoke softly to Ol’ Maude, an old yellow lab they found last year beaten and almost starved to death. Maude was about ten years old and nobody seemed interested in adopting the old dog so Julia did. Ol’ Maude was Julia’s favorite and got all excited when Julia stood up and opened her gate. She wagged her tail so hard it swayed her whole backside back and forth, and she almost lost her balance. She loved her walks with Julia everyday. With people in tow, the dogs lead the way out the side door, around the agility course, and up the well-worn trail that meandered through the trees. Ol’ Maude took point position with her keen nose and sharp eyes, always looking and smelling for any signs of danger, or food. This was her pack and she had a job to do. Julia and Sally followed behind their dogs with an easy walk and some small talk until they came to a fork in the trail. Julia paused for a moment. “What time is your meeting with Dr. Amy?”

“Three o’clock.” Sally said.

Julia looked at her watch then back to Sally, “We’d better take the short trail this time.” She then tugged the leash to the left with two easy snaps of her wrist and said “Haw.” to Ol’ Maude, who knew the lingo and headed off onto the trail to the left.

Sally looked over and asked, “How long have you lived at the farm Julia?”

“Oh, for about a year now, my real home is in W.Va. Did you know that J.F., Christina’s dad lives right next me and that’s where Christina grew up? And Buddy always use to come down for the summers, and that’s how we became best friends.”

“No, I didn’t know that. So how come you’re here, don’t you miss being home?”

“Yeah, I miss home, but this is important, helping Christina, Buddy, and Cathy get this Animal Shelter going.” Julia went off in thought for a second, “Ya know, what I really miss the most is watching the wild mustangs frolic in the creek, in the late evening with the moonlight reflecting off the water. It looks like a liquid silver-ribbon running back and forth through the valley. It’s the most beautiful thing I have ever seen.”

“YOU have wild mustangs?”

“Yep, ‘bout 25 of them, all ranging free in the upper meadows behind J.F.s cabin. We bring them down every year for the rodeos.”

“Rodeos! Oh, that’s mean; I saw how they are so mean to those horses on TV.”

“Nobody’s mean to my horses! I’m with them most of the time and they really like it. They spend all year long looking forward for the rodeo season to begin, so they can buck those cowboys off their backs and put em down on their butts in the dirt.” Julia smiled and looked over to Sally, “Do you ride?”

“No, I’ve always wanted to but…”

“Well how about tonight, after supper, you can come along with me and Buddy for a little trail ride.”

“Sure! That’s neat.” Sally piped up with enthusiasm. “Julia? Will you teach me to barrel race like you do?”

“I think that might be something we can work towards, yeah! That’s good idea, Sally.”

They reached the half waypoint of the trail where it turned and followed along side the babbling creek for a short bit before winding into the woods back towards the shelter. “Hey, you want to switch dogs?” Julia asked as she held out her leash towards Sally.

“Sure, I’ll take the lead with Ol’ Maude” she said, then switched dogs and positions. Sally admired the way Ol’ Maude just moseyed along, smelling everything there was to smell when she noticed a big scar on her hind leg, “What’s that Julia?” she asked pointing to the scar.

“That’s an old battle wound Maude carries with her. She was abused and beaten pretty bad before we found her.”

Sally stared at the scar that ran from the top of the left hip all the way down to her knee, “Who would ever hurt a dog like Ol’ Maude?”

“I don’t know,” Julia said vehemently. “But they sure as heck wouldn’t if I was around.” She looked over to Sally then off to the side and threw out a swift round kick at some imagined dog abuser and shouted out simultaneously, “UHAAUUH!!!”

Sally then imitated Julia’s kick with one of her own, “My name is Ol’ Maude, and you will not hurt me! Uhaauh!”

Ol’ Maude turned her head around to see who called her name and what the ruckus was about, then turned back again, and resumed leading her pack.

If something bad in my past has made me the way I am. I had a good childhood, a bit on the poor side but happy, I can't remember ever been depressed or unhappy. My parents took care of me the best they could. There where a few instances that where questionable, morally, with a neighbor, but i doubt those caused too much harm. Sure I was hit a few times by my parents, and I will not say I deserve it all the times but a few sure. Everyone acts up, and needs to be straighten out, whether a smack is the answer I am not so sure, but that pain is fleeting. By all accounts I should be a well in every aspect rounded individual. I fashion myself as a smart, can-do-anything guy, strong, and most of the time happy, but in my dreams I, well, don't know.

I never remember my dreams, I mean nothing at all, you can say this happens to everyone, but I never remember a single thing. In those rare occasions that I get to remember, I remember every little detail of them, I have written about them. My joke was that my dreams are so dark that my mind has decided to block them all completely. You need only ask anybody that has shared my bed that while i dream, it seems like i am running from something. I have been awaken by my little daughter's mom because I was kicking her in the middle of the night. I have some very weird habits, like not getting close to people and hiding my feelings. I mean i fell everything so strongly, even a sogn can lead me to tears, but at the same time I do things to distant myself from every one. I am not trying to make an excuse for me being an ass, but when I started thinking and adding up my bad actions, something has to give. Could something in my past caused me to block out certain things? I remember so much about my childhood, but there are things I should remember, i can't. I can't remember what my grandmother looked like until I saw a picturer of her and knew it was her, but in my mind I could not remember, but i can remember her favorite song and the way the little farm she owned looked like. Am I putting too much in my past and trying to justify me being at times as sociopath, or not caring my actions can emotionally hurt someone, or being closed of. Is it that I truly don't care about people? Are my dreams trying to tell me something? Should I allow myself to remember? The truth is that I can keep been the dumb-I-am the-master-of-my-domain individual and push everyone aside.

That night was a long one for Elizabeth,but Henry's night felt endless. He had one of the most vivid and dark dreams he had ever suffered. He had always had weird and dark dreams, but he had learned to control them and even wait without despair until they passed, but that night he was close to losing his mind. The voices were coming from everywhere, and everything. There was no escaping them, no matter what trick he tried.
When Henry was a young man he had gone trough a nightmare that had taught him to control his fears, at least that is what he had convince himself it was. As he was sleeping, he awoke to see the most strange and scary thing he had ever seen to that point in his life. At the age of 14 Henry shared his room with his sister, he slept towards the far end of the corner, but always left the door open, and always slept with his back towards the door. That specific night for some reason he slept towards the door like if he knew he had too. Henry had never been sure of the time, but he knew it was too late to be up and too early to get up, as if in a time limbo. When he awoke that night Henry found himself unable to move any part of his body, nothing worked. The only thing he could do was open his eyes, and to his horror, he saw a shadowy figure standing, hovering, at the doorway; he could never recall correctly because of the fear that completely enveloped him. At that tender age, Henry had learned how to control almost all fears, but the fear he felt that night was different; it was as if it was coming from the shadow itself. The shadow never moved, it just stood there as if gauging how far he could make Henry's fear go.
Henry knew it all could not had been more than a few seconds, but frozen on his bed it felt like hours and the fact that the shadow never moved towards him haunted him for years after that night. Henry could not understand why the shadow never moved, he would not have been able to defend himself.
Henry could only swing his eyes towards her sister as if asking for help, for her to wake up and scream; maybe her screams would wake up his senses and allow him to get up and at least try to fight the shadowy figure. Henry's sister did not even turn. He closed his eyes as if in defeat, held them closed for few seconds and opened them expecting the shadow to be next to his bed, but as he opened his eyes experiencing the most horrible feeling in his life, the shadow turn away from his view and faded into nothingness. Henry never spoke of this to anybody, not even to his wife; this was his only secret to Elizabeth, it was too dark for him to try and explain.

There is a little saying that the loudest voices attract the most attention and there is a lot of truth in it. Learning to ask for what you want is a skill that takes time but is guaranteed to get results in a number of ways, particularly in helping you to achieve intended objectives. Many people do not get what they want in life through simple fear: the fear of being denied it; the fear of being thought badly of by asking for it; the fear of not deserving, or being entitled to it, and fear of the consequences of asking, especially if one is not successful. Learning to speak up for yourself clearly and assertively helps to get rid of that fear, to enhance your presence among others and to ensure your are not left behind in the race of life.

There are five ways in which learning to ask for what you want gets you the results you hope for.

First, it gets you the attention you need. If you are not noticed, you are likely to be passed over by others, ignored, sidelined and deprived of what you truly deserve. Society is a very competitive one where too many people chase after too few opportunities and resources. Not asking and remaining reticent might get you to your destination, eventually, but it is likely not to get you there at all, especially if others around you are more vocal and aggressive in fulfilling their own needs!

Second, learning to ask for what you want gradually boosts your confidence to communicate with others even more successfully. Repeated successes in achieving your desires gradually increase your self-belief, raise your self-esteem and heighten your feeling of capability and competence.

Third, learning to ask for what you want makes you more assertive. By being assertive you not only stick up for your corner, but you are also sensitive to the needs of others, a key factor in assertiveness. By asserting yourself in sensitive ways, particularly in the recognition that the other person is as important as yourself, you enhance your position and ensure you are not taken for granted or denied what is due. By asserting your presence you ensure you are not invisible and reinforce your value.

Fourth, constant practice in learning to ask for what you want actually improves your interactional skills. You learn how to be assertive without fear, how to get what you want while enabling others too and how to engage others in a mutually beneficial negotiating process, where necessary. It also avoids ambiguity, helps to clarify what you seek and also your specific direction.

Finally, learning to ask for what you want helps you to achieve tangible objectives which is the cornerstone of success. The greatest results are seeing dreams and goals slowly materialise through your own endeavours. By setting specific goals and being prepared to ask for them, or work towards them, every step of the way, you are more likely to ensure their fulfilment.

Elaine Sihera (Ms CYPRAH)
Emotional Health Adviser
"Respect and love begin with the self. If we have none, how can we give away any?"

You might hear a lot about how to achieve success and, especially on the Internet, there are zillions of advice as t how to reach personal goals. But the simple steps outlined below shows how we interact with success and how we can help it to materialise. These eight steps guarantee that you have the edge over others who might be ignorant of them

Experience, and lots of achievements, have taught me that every thought and creation is marked by eight stages:

1. Excitement

2. Possibility

3. Fear

4. Belief

5. Faith

6. Action

7. Commitment

8. Result

Most people get stuck on stage 3 (FEAR) which kills both the excitement and the possibility of something good happening, so very little happens to them to reinforce the talent and ability they know they possess. Many people have few fears so they get a result EVERY TIME, even if it is not the result they expected. That only fires them up to keep trying until they get the desired outcome. There is nothing more exciting than creating your own reality, seeing an idea take life from nothing, except your thought, and watching it evolve.

Others might only reach stage two (POSSIBILITY) in their ideas but lack the encouragement or resources to take it further, so they end up without any action. A few might make it to stage six (ACTION) but lack the stickability to produce the right results, while the ones who also have four essential ingredients: self-belief, faith in their abilities (and a higher power), the willingness to pay the price in focus and commitment, and the courage and patience to see it through, will triumph in the end. They will reach a result, no matter how long it takes. If you believe it, you can create it. Your focus and thought processes will eventually find the means and resources to attempt it and your commitment will give it life. This applies particularly to finding the right soulmate.

If you believe someone special is there for you, your faith, action and commitment will bring him into your world. It's your level of resistance and non-belief that will keep him/her away. Self-belief and faith are two powerful tools in getting us what we require, but without the action to bring it to life, and the courage and commitment to stick with it, we will always remain dreamers.

Self-belief and faith are also governed by our past experiences. If we have not done very well in our own eyes, or have not achieved the success we have sought, both of those ingredients gradually diminish as we brand ourselves 'failures' and hide behind our fears. We come to dread trying and experimenting with anything new because we fear having to face the consequences of any action which fail to come up to expectations. Yet consequences are part and parcel of results. We cannot escape them. The only way to cope with them is to keep trying in order to get more of the results we desire.

Elaine Sihera (Ms CYPRAH)
Emotional Health Adviser
"Respect and love begin with the self. If we have none, how can we give away any?"

This is something I started in Scott Butki's "Writing Down the Bones" Topic -

The sun reflecting off the aluminum siding of the travel trailer was blinding. The heat of the July day was stifling. I made my way across the gravel driveway with the armload of folded t-shirts and underwear. My clothes clinging to me already, even though I was only a few yards from our back door. It was so hot it felt like a crackling dry blanket had been thrown over my head. That wasn't why I was sweating.

I knocked on the door of the trailer. He said, "Come in." I squeezed in the door, making myself as small as possible and reached in with the laundry to put it on the fold down table immediately inside the door. It was suffocating inside, yet there was a cold pit in my stomach. I started to back out of the door.

"You know where they go," He said. "would you put them away for me please?" Sweat was trickling down my back, my forehead, everywhere it seemed. I picked up the pile of clothes and skirted around him to place them in the drawer. His artificial leg was in the corner opposite him. I imagined grabbing it and running with it as far and as fast as I could. Never stopping. But just for a moment. What would be the point? I scooted back around him. He grabbed me and pulled me onto his lap. "Why so shy?" he said. Putting his arms around me.

His hands slid all over my body. Grasping fingers reached under the t-shirt the stuck to my body with a sticky coating of sweat, groping and fondling. The other hand probing between my legs, inside my shorts. The cloying odor of the powder he used on his fleshy body was nearly as overpowering as his stale panting breath in my face. All I could see in my head was blackness. All I could feel was nausea and fear. I knew it wouldn't last long. He wouldn't want to raise my mother's suspicions. I would escape soon. Until next time.

http://sbutki.newsvine.com/_news/2009/05/17/2828917-writing-down-the-bones-may-17-topic-hot

So I had to go to the local PakMail store today to fax a document....the owner of the establishment is a friend of the family and runs the store. He is a pretty neat guy, former federal law enforcement, and a Republican. Yes, and I still believe he is a neat guy.

My step dad, with whom the store owner has the most contact, has had this guy really take a shine to him...for some odd reason....

Their debates on politics are regular as my step dad is the Chairman of the Democratic Committee for this county, a former city councilman and a real southern gentleman.

Anyway, i entered the store today and was waiting in line. RJ, the store owner, was complaining because someone had stolen his political sign from his front yard.

I inquired, "What's that all about, RJ---was it an Obama sign?" Knowing full well of course the reaction I would receive----(instigator!) however, the reaction I received was something I never thought possible.

There were two other female customers there, one with her Pomeranian in arms, and RJ went into a tirade that went something like this:

"Yeah----well ---- if Obama wins we will become a Socialist state---he's a Socialist---they will confiscate our guns, tell us how to run our businesses----and take over our homes and schools....In fact I just got an email from Pakmail corporate that said if Obama wins don't be surprised if you have federal regulators in your store telling you what to charge, and who you can have as customers....."

The woman with the Pomeranian, wide eyed said, "That's right..."

I said, "Well, REALLY? I haven't been paying too much attention to the election...what is that all about???" (I know that was a lie---but read the above....instigator!)

RJ then launched into a diatribe against Obama----which I won't even repeat---but as he spoke everyone in the store was getting wider and wider eyed.....terrorist, socialist, big government, control, ad nauseum.

I asked, "But do you really believe Sarah Palin is legitimate as a candidate?" (The lady standing in the background shook her head NO and mouthed the words silently, NO NO NO......)

RJ replied, "Oh, yeah, well---just go ahead and vote for Obama buddy----we will have full blown socialism...."

The lady with the Pomeranian piped up---"All I know is that for eight years we haven't been attacked by terrorists....and we are safe...."

I said, "But what about the national deficit?"

Pomeranian Lady replied, "Hey, as long as I am safe I don't care what it costs...."

Did you hear that?

So, for all the denials by John McCain and Sarah Palin about their campaign of fear, there you have a first hand pandemonium taking place in the state capital of Florida, Tallahassee.

"I don't care what it costs..." is still echoing in my ears. I don't think the poor lady knew what she was saying---nor do I think she has any comprehension of what the past eight years has really "cost...."

Which of these two sections do you have the most of? Assets or Debits?

A. ASSETS

The Most Powerful Force In Life................................Love

The Greatest Joy.......................................................Giving

The Most Satisfying Work..........................................Helping Others

The Most Encouraging Words.................................A Compliment

The Greatest "Shot In The Arm"................................Encouragement

The Most Effective Sleeping Pill................................Peace of Mind

The World's Most Incredible Computer.....................The Brain

The Worst Thing To Be Without.................................Hope

The Two Most Power-Filled Words............................."I Can"

The Greatest Asset.......................................................Faith

The Most Prized Possession........................................Integrity

The Most Contagious Spirit...........................................Enthusiasm

The Most Beautiful Attire...............................................A Smile!

B. DEBITS

The Greatest Paralysing Problem........................Fear

The Most Destructive Habit.......................................Worry

The Greatest Loss.....................................................Loss of Self-Respect

The Ugliest Personality Trait......................................Selfishness

The Most Crippling Failure Disease...........................Excuses

The Deadliest Weapon................................................The Tongue

The Most Worthless Emotion.......................................Self-Pity

The Greatest Obstacle to Growth...........................Resentment & Bitterness

The Most Corrosive Feeling................................................Envy

The Worst Personal Emotion.......................................Lack of Self Love

Is there anything else you think should be on this list?

Elaine Sihera (Ms CYPRAH)
Emotional Health Adviser
"Respect and love begin with the self. If we have none, how can we give away any?"

Domestic abuse is something that has affected millions of people worldwide. My mom and many other women in my life have struggled with this for years, it hurt me to write this, but hopefully my poetic words shed some light on the subject and Break the Cycle of abuse!

Starting in 2002, Spokane, Wash., journalist Sherry Jones toiled weekends on a racy historical novel about Aisha, the young wife of the prophet Muhammad. Ms. Jones learned Arabic, studied scholarly works about Aisha's life, and came to admire her protagonist as a woman of courage. When Random House bought her novel last year in a $100,000, two-book deal, she was ecstatic. This past spring, she began plans for an eight-city book tour after the Aug. 12 publication date of "The Jewel of Medina" -- a tale of lust, love and intrigue in the prophet's harem.

It's not going to happen: In May, Random House abruptly called off publication of the book. The series of events that torpedoed this novel are a window into how quickly fear stunts intelligent discourse about the Muslim world.

I listened to the Obama's speech last night and then I listened in shock to the McCain/Bush 100 years of Hate and war speech. I am fired up about American voters today and I want to know how Newsvine readers would vote today.

Everybody knows by now that Obama swept the Democratic Potomac Primary states by double digits and McCain won the Republican Primary states.

Obama dramatically improved his strategic effectiveness. Not only did Hope get the young, independent and African American vote. Obama expanded his voter base by digging into Hillary's woman and Latino vote and making inroads into the elders (65+) vote.

Putting all the statistics aside what was most inspirational and informative was last nights speeches. The two things that cought my eye in the Obama speech was his understanding that elder Americans should be able to retire with honor and dignity and his commitment to insure they get their Social Security benefits as promised. And he rightly pointed out that we should not be protecting corporations from the peoples bankruptcy we should be protecting the peoples pensions from corporate bankruptcy. This is a wise man.

Along with the elders he had a good feel and focus on the nation's youth. He wants to give our children a rounded education by bring back music, art and history. He is on point here, our children need a well rounded education. For College students, he committed to make sure that you can go to university even if you are poor. Your government will help you with $4000 dollars a year, but not for free, you must give back to the nation with service, in a Veterans Administration, Nursing home, homeless shelter, etc.

Then I watched the McCain speech, Wow, these people are off the chain as our young people say. To summarize, McCain basically trashed hope and promoted fear, hate and continued external and internal divisions for the next 100 years. I also noted the small mono-ethnic crowd as the camera failed to pan and show how few people I was listening to clap.

Putting the details and McCain aside, I was most impressed by the American people and their energy for change and their Cultural Health. As Obama spoke the camera paned and I saw a stadium filled to capacity with a multi-ethnic crowd of my fellow Americans in peace, hope and harmony. So to day I am happy about my fellow man, proud of the primary Americans. This is a good day for the Nation's Cultural Health.

How do Newsviners feel today, vote in the poll.

For more polls, click here.

Faludi notes that the fixation on feminism began just days after 9/11 -- perhaps best encapsulated by the Houston Chronicle headline, "No Place for Feminist Victims in Post 9-11 America"; a seemingly out of place assertion that speaks volumes about the American fixation on a clear-cut vision of victim and hero, otherwise known as female and male. Indeed, while the bulk of the World Trade Center victims were male, it is the pictures of the woman being comforted by a fireman that we saw in the newspapers. And it was, as New York Magazine put it in a headline, the stay-at-home widows -- preferably pregnant at the time of the attacks, those "Perfect Virgins of Grief" that America's attention turned to.

As Faludi sees it, after 9/11, "We reacted to trauma ... not by interrogating it but by cocooning ourselves in the celluloid chrysalis of the baby boom's childhood." When search dogs at the site of 9/11 could not find any living humans to rescue, they became so demoralized that their handlers took turns hiding for each other's animals in order to simulate a "live find." It's a striking parallel to the American media's attempt to rewrite 9/11 as a moment of valor and glory, conveniently skipping over the sadness, the loss, the humbling gravity of a world in which America could be so vilified by those in other parts of the world.