Barbara Duke - Writer

A Familiar Poem for the Holidays! (Christmas)

2011-11-29T11:40:00.001-05:00

'Twas the month before Christmas

When all through our land,

Not a Christian was praying

Nor taking a stand.

Why the PC Police had taken away

The reason for Christmas - no one could say.

The children were told by their schools not to sing

About Shepherds, and Wise Men, and Angels, and things.

It might hurt people's feelings, the teachers would say –

December 25th is just a 'Holiday',

Yet the shoppers were ready with cash, checks, and credit,

Pushing folks down to the floor just to get it!

CDs from Madonna, an X BOX, an I-Pod –

Something was changing, something quite odd!

Retailers freely promote Ramadan and Kwanzaa

In hopes to sell books by Franken & Fonda.

As Targets were hanging their trees upside down

At Lowe's the word Christmas - was nowhere to be found.

At K-Mart, and Staples, and Penny's, and Sears,

You won't hear the word Christmas - it won't touch your ears.

Inclusive, sensitive, Di-ver-si-ty

Are words that were used to intimidate me.

Now Daschle, Now Darden, Now Sharpton, Wolf Blitzen,

On Boxer, on Rather, on Kerry, on Clinton!

At the top of the Senate, there arose such a clatter

To eliminate Jesus in all public matters.

And we spoke not a word, as they tried to remove our faith,

Forbidden to speak of salvation and grace.

The true Gift of Christmas was exchanged and discarded,

The reason for the season stopped before it started.

So as you celebrate 'Winter Break' under your 'Dream Tree',

Sipping your Starbucks, listen to me.

Choose your words carefully,

Choose what you say,

Shout "MERRY CHRISTMAS!"

Not Happy Holiday! - Anonymous

My Kindle Fire

2011-11-17T21:39:00.000-05:00

I am obsessed with my Kindle Fire. I love it. It was waiting on the porch mail table for me last night when I got home. The package was pretty damp from the rain, but the Kindle was in a plastic bag inside the box.. . . I watched a video the night before about someone opening the box and it was just like I had been there before. It wasn't difficult to open. I pushed the little button on the bottom to turn it on and it said 'kindle fire.'

I was in love. Then it told the the time and I put my finger on the tab on screen and slid it over just like the video said. I was able to connect it to my home WiFi in no time and soon I was downloading apps, connecting Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin, Gmail, Calendar, Angry Birds, downloading books that I plan to read soon. It is so amazing. This afternoon, I had to lie down, I was so tired. I took my 'kindle fire' to bed with me. I don't know how I got there, but the next thing I know, I was reading articles by @ProBlogger. The articles were amazing. The kindle fire' is amazing. It is larger than my other kindle, but small enough to read in bed.

Sometimes I forget to read other peoples' blogs, but the 'kindle fire' is going to make it so much easier. It is light enough to carry in my purse without having a purse with wheels. It is sleek and so cool, bigger than a cell phone, smaller than an IPad. I wish I could buy one for everyone for Christmas. I did purchase two kindle touch for my grandchildren for Christmas. I have been ordering children's books for a while for them. One of my favorites is "Meet Franklin Bean" by Emmy Swain. You can find the book on Amazon, of course.

The 'kindle fire'is my third Kindle. I have one of the original ones. and probably have over 120 books on my account. If you figure that you save at least $10 on each book and more on most, that is a lot of money, much more than the three Kindles cost. Not to mention, I don't have to reinforce the floors in my house because the books are so heavy. I have a lot of regular hard back books. They are nice to read, but a lot of them are too heavy for my purse and they collect dust.

I sure wish Kindle had been around when I was in school. They will be replacing the books that children will be carrying in the future. I have already used two books in my classes. Maybe my back wouldn't hurt all the time if I hadn't carried all those heavy books when I was growing up.

Girlfriends are Forever

2011-11-15T12:59:00.004-05:00

A young wife sat on a sofa on a hot humid day, drinking iced tea and visiting with her mother.

As they talked about life, about marriage, about the responsibilities of life and the obligations of adulthood, the mother clinked the ice cubes in her glass thoughtfully and turned a clear, sober glance upon her daughter.

'Don't forget your sisters,' she advised, swirling the tealeaves to the bottom of her glass. 'They'll be more important as you get older. No matter how much you love your husband, no matter how much you love the children you may have, you are still going to need sisters.Remember to go places with them now and then; do things with them.' 'Remember that 'sisters' means ALL the women... your girlfriends, your daughters, and all your other women relatives too.'You'll need other women. Women always do.'

What a funny piece of advice!' the young woman thought. Haven't I just gotten married? Haven't I just joined the couple-world? I'm now a married woman, for goodness sake! A grown-up! Surely my husband and the family we may start will be all I need to make my life worthwhile!' But she listened to her mother. She kept contact with her sisters and made more women friends each year. As the years tumbled by, one after another, she gradually came to understand that her mother really knew what she was talking about. As time and nature work their changes and their mysteries upon a woman, sisters are the mainstays of her life.

After more than 50 years of living in this world, here is what I've learned:

THIS SAYS IT ALL:

Time passes.

Life happens.

Distance separates.

Children grow up

Jobs come and go.

Love waxes and wanes.

Men don't do what they're supposed to do.

Hearts break.

Parents die.

Colleagues forget favors.

Careers end.

BUT.........

Sisters are there, no matter how much time and how many miles are between you. A girl friend is never farther away than needing her can reach. When you have to walk that lonesome valley and you have to walk it by yourself, the women in your life will be on the valley's rim, cheering you on, praying for you, pulling for you, intervening on your behalf, and waiting with open arms at the valley's end. Sometimes, they will even break the rules and walk beside you...Or come in and carry you out.

Girlfriends, daughters, granddaughters, daughters-in-law, sisters, sisters-in-law, Mothers, Grandmothers, aunties, nieces, cousins, and extended family: all bless our life! The world wouldn't be the same without women, and neither would I. When we began this adventure called womanhood, we had no idea of the incredible joys or sorrows that lay ahead. Nor did we know how much we would need each other.

Every day, we need each other still. Pass this on to all the women who help make your life meaningful.

I just did. Short and very sweet:

There are more than twenty angels in this world.

Ten are peacefully sleeping on clouds.

Nine are playing.

And one is reading this post at this moment.

This was sent to me by a friend, and I just couldn't help but put it on her for others to see. I love my girlfriends and just wanted them all to see it and have the opportunity to read it.

Meet Franklin Bean

2011-11-05T19:28:00.044-04:00

"Meet Franklin Bean" is about a boy named John who is worried about adapting to his new life after his mother loses her job. With the influence and inspiration from his new friend, a dog named Franklin Bean, John finds a smile on his face once again. This magical little dog, full of surprises, will keep children's imaginations wondering and eager to read more about the adventures of Franklin Bean.

For every purchase of "Meet Franklin Bean," author Emmy Swain will donate $1 to Operation Smile through September 1, 2012. (Excluding e-book sales.) Buy the book for $9.95 on Amazon.com or BarnesandNoble.com.

I am so sure that Emmy is going to sell so many of these and Operation Smile is going to have all the money they need this year to make children smile.

The Holiday Season is beginning and it is so important for us all to pitch in and make sure that every child has something to eat and wear this year. What are you doing to help? You should know that the only way to serve God is to serve others. Thank you Emmy for reminding us how we should share with others less fortunate. Barbara Duke

#Klout Scores

2011-11-01T20:49:00.000-04:00

My #Klout score dropped from 74 to 53. What a shock when I first looked. The only thing it did was make me realize that I really did not care. I have used #Klout a lot, and I liked #Klout before this change, because I loved using it to give others props. It was never about me. My score just meant that I was reaching more people with the message of kindness and love.

I thought about it and I will continue to use it because people seem to like it. It is just a waste of time to me. I don't think most people care about it either. They actually have lives away from the computer. The only way to have a really high score is to be a celebrity or stay on the net 24/7. Since I am not a "Celebrity" and do like having a life offline as well as online, #Klout may not be my cup of tea. Go figure.

Take a look at @jkcallas'blog article: How to Get Your Profile and Data Completely Disconnected from Klout

TAKE CARE OF YOUR OWN FIRST

2011-10-11T10:44:00.002-04:00

I have been really tired of watching the news on TV. So, I quit. I hear that we are considering giving Pakistan $3 Billion over the next 3 years. I am sick of our legislatures giving our country away. Who made us the policemen of the world?

What about our senior citizens who go without medicine because Medicare doesn't cover it or have learned to eat dog or cat food because they don't have enough money after they pay for everything each month to eat. Those who do whatever they can do to make a little extra money, i.e., babysit, clean houses, yard work for cash because if they make too much, their Medicare will be reduced. Why should their Medicare be lowered, they still paid into it?

Why are we in Iraq and Afghanistan using our troops that are dying to save their country. Why are we giving those countries money and equipment when we have children that are not getting a decent education.

My daughter is a teacher, one of the most underpaid professions around. She buys school supplies out of her meager wage. She also brings food for those children who are able to have food on the weekends, either because their parents are working and still cannot afford food, or their parents are addicts that would rather inject their money in their arms or snort it up their noses. She keeps snacks in her purse for the little children who get on the bus in the mornings without breakfast or maybe haven't had anything to eat since lunch at school the day before. If someone steals anything at school, it is usually food. My grandchildren have given their lunch away to children who are hungry.

What is going to happen to these children? They are starving. The only decent meal they get each day is lunch at school. My daughter and the other teachers bring in things on Friday and fill up their backpacks. One little boy told her that he had to hide his food under the house or his parents would eat it all on Friday night. How can these children learn when their stomach is growling? These are children in a rural area in North Carolina, but there are children all over the United States who are hungry. Why do you think Feed the Children is always asking for help? Because our children are starving. We are giving the Middle Eastern countries our future. They like to say that the tenants of their faith say that they should give alms to the poor. Why don't the oil rich fat cats in those countries feed the poor instead of jet-setting all over the world and spending the money elsewhere? I am sure that a good deal of the money that we send to them go into very few pockets, surely not into the pockets of the poor.

Family is first and we in the United States are a big family who are responsible for each other. Our taxes are supposed to take care of the poor and all the other things that need to be done in this country. After we take care of our own, then we can worry about those in other countries. We pay our taxes, unless we are very rich and can afford to have someone help us get out of it. On top of paying our taxes, we give to our churches and charities. Shouldn't we get more bang for the buck from our taxes. Why does the government let people go from their jobs and then subsidize Wall Street to keep them from going broke because they have been playing fast and loose with the stock market.

Why did Congress take away the tax breaks for the poor years ago. All they left us is the mortgage benefit and now I hear they are trying to take that away. I figured out why so many people are working from home; it is the tax break. I can bet you that pretty soon, Congress will try to take that away too. Why don't they take some of the tax breaks for large companies? They may have to give their investors a little less return on their investment. Each year they get rid of more employees and then the government tells everyone they need to hire more. Each year more children are probably born in this country than there will be jobs for 18 years from now.

How about the usurious rates of payday loans and the credit card companies are allowed to charge us. Congress can set that and should go back to 21.5 % as the absolute most they can charge. Congress votes themselves a raise each term that is more than most people make all year. Not to mention all the perks they get from their states.

I know that we believe "All men are created Equal," but are we equal? If we are all equal, why don't we have a say about the way our country is run? We are becoming a socialist country where the government is trying its very best to invade every aspect of our lives.

The upshot of my ranting is it doesn't make any difference whether you are a Democrat, Republican, or a Tea Party Independent,

Don't let Congress Give Our Country Away!

By the way, even if you comment I won't debate this issue. I am steadfast in my belief.

Also, if you use bad language, your comment will be deleted.

Stealing is Stealing

2011-09-13T09:13:00.020-04:00

There was an article about some criminals in Florida stealing 60 IPads from a Best Buy that someone on Google+ wrote about. The general attitude from the comments was "so what, insurance will pay them for it?" Businesses are in business to make money. If they collect insurance, then insurance goes up and who does that harm? "Us" the normal everyday people who do not steal have to pay the increased insurance rates one way or another.

This is just not the thinking I grew up with. My son took a toy gun when he was 4 and I made him go to the manager of the store and return it. We are supposed to teach our children not to take things that don't belong to them, but most of the comments are certainly not the values that we should have as a country. That is the reason that things are going downhill in this country. Our children are not being taught integrity. It should never be glossed over when there is a theft of any kind. We should have been taught to be people of integrity, no matter what is stolen. What is the difference in stealing a toy gun, or millions from the retirement accounts of elderly people? NOTHING! Stealing is stealing. It doesn't matter whether you are a Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Buddist, Republican, Democrat, Tea Party, Atheist, Redneck, or agnostic.

Just my opinion, you are entitled to yours. I grew up with "Thou shall not steal." There is no qualification for that, whether it is an IPad or a toy gun - Stealing is Stealing. It harms us all.

Yes, we can (Reagan Remix) v1.0

2011-07-21T07:34:00.000-04:00

Fun with #SMmanners and @TWYLAH

2011-07-06T09:47:00.001-04:00

Dabney Porte

I think that everyone would agree that we had a grand time on #SMmanners last night. The guest speaker was Twylah.com's - Kelly Kim. That Dabney Porte gets only the best because she loves what she does and loves providing awesome content. We all learned a lot about Twylah and what it can do for our branding of ourselves, businesses, etc. There will be Twitter Fan Pages - for celebrities, brands, & personal brands.

“Tweets here on how to create great content and true engagement:” http://www.twylah.com/ and http://tweets.twylah.com/ “ (FB Page)

Here is the link to the #SMmanners chat last night: http://search.tweetreports.com/q/topic/%23SMmanners/id58378.html

Dabney Porte's fanpage on Twylah: http://www.twylah.com/dabneyporte

“Twylah allows you to extract maximum value from your tweets. By using proven branding and marketing strategies, Twylah creates an optimized experience out of your tweets, which highlights the value you provide and attracts new and more targeted followers. All you need to do is get your own Twylah and share it with your followers and fans.”

Peg Fitzpatrick

Take a look at @PegFitzpatrick’s Twylah page:
http://www.twylah.com/PegFitzpatrick

Kelly Kim

Thank you to Kelly Kim for you and your husband's vision for how we need to connect in Social Media.

Thank you @DabneyPorte for your vision and discipline. You have made Twitter a more interesting place to be and multiplied the "Friend" concept.

(Someone said something about a transcript of the phone chat. If I find it, I will put the link on here.)

How to get started with Google + // Your complete guide -> http://twy.la/l1zHoU

Mojo Moxy's Isabella & Twitter #Slumberparty

2011-07-02T22:06:00.000-04:00

Mojo Moxy's Isabella sponsored the Twitter #Slumberparty last Friday night. The hour went so fast. There were 5 winners but I cannot remember all the names and I can't get them back on Twitter. What really matters is that they sponsored our #slumber party and everyone had a grand time.

Everyone says I’m quite a character! Luv fashion, girl talk & traveling – usually on short notice! Never quite sure where I’ll be, but I live in Mojo Moxy shoes - Izzy

You can purchase MOJO MOXY footwear at these fine retailers: Bakers, Victoria Secret, Von Maur, and Zappos as well as www. amazon.com, www.endless.com, and www.shoes.com.

Five pair of Mojo Moxy shoes were given away. That is just awesome. Check the mentioned stores for prices. Everyone loved the shoes and they even had something for those of us who cannot wear h

Join the Twitter #Slumberparty every Friday night at 11 p.m. EST. The Hostess with the Mostess is Diva Dabney Porte or @dabneyporte on Twitter. Join us for virtual glasses of wine, coffee, ice cream, cake, and popcorn. We also have pillow fights and play Twister. We have a scavenger hunt that results in 5 winners and the winners receive a gift from the sponsor. It is so much fun and has made Twitter exciting.

Then don’t forget to join us at #latteclub for a cup of Joe. Or, maybe you would like to chat with #SMGirlfriends or, there is #SMManners on Tuesday night at 9 p.m. EST. #SMManners is Dabney’s baby too. She makes sure that there is a speaker that discusses interesting topics about Social Media. We look forward to seeing you on Twitter or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/OnlineSlumberParty.

http://www.mojomoxy.com

Amazing Viaggio Bracelet

2011-06-30T10:41:00.003-04:00

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A few weeks ago, our Diva Coach Dabney Porte hosted a Twitter #slumberparty on a Friday night at 11 p.m. EST. The lovely Dabney had procured a sponsor for the party and that was Viaggio, owned by Julienne Paulson. Julienne is an amazing lady.
I was so disappointed that I could only watch and not participate because I was in #VerizonWireless Purgatory and couldn't even tweet.

Julienne provided five prizes for the games, listed below:

@princessaeryn
won: Journal w/Swarovski crystal birthstone charm.
@alongcamemary1 won: Journal w/Sterling silver Mended Heart charm.
@elivya won: Sterling silver chain w/Detour charm.
@sunnee63 won: Journal w/Sterling Silver chain & Celebration charm.
@tiffany053p

won: Viaggio signature Sterling silver bangle w/journal & birthstone charm

"When my great grandmother's charm bracelet was passed down to me, I wished I had known what each charm meant to her. Viaggio's bracelet has captured this so beautifully! Now as I begin my own journey, I am able to document my experiences so that my children will have a true heirloom to treasure." Julienne Paulson
For some unknown reason, I cannot download a picture of the bracelet, so could you take a look at the links below. It is so beautiful. It is definitely on my wish list.
Check out the links out to see the absolutely beautiful bracelet and charms. Hear the touching story of the history of the bracelet.
Viaggio Bracelet Viaggio Charms Viaggio Video Viaggio Mp3 file

Neiman Marcus Chocolate Cookie Recipe

2011-05-14T08:47:00.004-04:00

This recipe has been circulating through emails for over 20 years. It was one of the first emails I ever got. I thought I would share it with you today so that some of the younger people might enjoy it. I have made the cookies and they are absolutely awesome. However, they were never served at Neiman Marcus and the whole story is false. That is okay because they are scrumptious.

Neiman Marcus Cookies

(Recipe may be halved):
2 cups butter
4 cups flour
2 tsp. baking soda
2 cups granulated sugar
2 cups brown sugar
5 cups blended oatmeal (measure oatmeal and blend in blender to a fine powder)
24 oz. chocolate chips
1 tsp. salt
1 8 oz. Hershey bar (grated)
4 eggs
2 tsp. baking powder
3 cups chopped nuts (your choice) (I like pecans best)
2 tsp. vanilla

Cream the butter and both sugars. Add eggs and vanilla; mix together with flour, oatmeal, salt, baking powder, and soda. Add chocolate chips, Hershey bar and nuts. Roll into balls and place two inches apart on a cookie sheet..Bake for 10 minutes at 375 degrees. Makes 112 cookies..

Enjoy!

My 9/11/2010

2010-09-13T11:16:00.006-04:00

Saturday was a difficult day. As we all remember the events of 9/ll/2001, we also have personal memories of where we were and how we felt when we saw the events unfold on television. As for myself, I was home sick that day, waiting to go to the doctor. Ray was in Arlington VA taking a class to become a Professional Registered Parliamentarian. I had gotten up and took a shower, did my hair, and gotten ready to go to see my doctor when a friend called to tell me about the first plane. It is strange, but I cannot remember who called. I turned on the TV just as the second plane was hitting the second tower. Of course, my first reaction was to call Ray in Arlington. No way to get through. I tried on the house phone and on my cell. Nothing. Circuits were busy. I called work and told them what was going on. There was no TV there and no one that I knew of listened to the radio except the boss had a Sirus radio. They had not heard. Then I felt guilt at telling them such horrific news.

When the plane hit the Pentagon, Ray and his classmates, heard and felt the crash. They ran outside and saw the smoke. They had trouble getting back in and later couldn't leave. The hotel was secured because it was a place where military stayed when in DC on duty. I went to the doctor and waited for Ray to call. It was one of the most terrifying days of my life. My blood pressure was up that day, which is truly unusual for me. I couldn't relax until I heard from him. Watching and listening to all the events that happened that day was so traumatic. For weeks and months afterward, I could remember something from that day and feel the tears falling from my eyes.

The thing that was so difficult for me and for so many Christian Americans to understand was that the terrorists did this for their god, Allah (who we think of as Satan). How could a false god inspire people to murder their fellow man? The One True God would never do such a thing. I know that there are people who would disagree, but God didn't approve of this. All this was caused by men who have let false teaching invade their minds and their countries. How could the sons of Abraham be so different. One son follows the only true God and one son follows Satan (who was a creation of God). I guess there is always opposing forces and one day, when Christ returns we will all see the light. Muslims say they see Christ as a prophet, but that is wrong. How could they read His teachings and believe that? I am just sorry that there are so many nice people who are Muslims who we will not see in Heaven because of their false beliefs.

A Muslim man online once told me that he prayed 5 times a day and that Christians only prayed on Sunday. I told him he was wrong. As a Christian, my life is a prayer. I pray constantly for others. I pray for their health and well-being. I pray for the protection of their children from forces that could destroy their lives, i.e., sex, drugs, violence, pornography, etc. I pray for the people I have met on Twitter and FaceBook, just as I pray for people in my church, my clubs, my neighbors, our country, and most of all, our troops. I love them all. I even love Muslims. I try to pray them into true faith. I forgive the terrorists, they are led by people who are insane or brain-washed. I pray for the Holy Spirit to open their minds and hearts to the One True God.

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not love, I am become a sounding brass or, a tinkling cymbal. and through I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not Love, it profiteth me nothing.

Love suffereth long and is kind; Love envieth not; Love vaunteth not itself and is not puffed up; Doth not behave itself unseemly, Seeketh not her own, Is not easily provoked, Thinketh no evil, Rejoiceth not in inequity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

Love never faileth; but whether there are prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I become a man, I put away childish things, For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face; now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known, And now abideth faith, hope, Love, these three: but the greatest of these is Love. 1 Corinthians 13

Okay, I am off my soapbox. Just please remember, I do not argue. What you believe is your business, I just put my beliefs out there for you to see. I love you all.

GOD IS GOOD, ALL THE TIME!

Kate Gosselin - Mother for all Seasons

2010-04-13T12:40:00.008-04:00

I am having a real problem with the way the press has treated Kate Gosselin. And, no, I do not know her personally. Unfortunately, I have been a single-mother at one point in my life. I only had 2 children at home and made a decision to leave my government job and move to Texas to ensure that I had enough money to take care of them. I even drew out my retirement to make up the difference until I could get us in a home and earn some money. I worked for my mother in her design shop in Plano Tx. I quickly learned how to use an upholstery sewing machine, air gun, etc. I learned to make drapes, cover furniture, make cornices, etc. It was a very different life than I was used to. I went to work at a certain time and expected to leave at a certain time. I was able to provide for my children.

Kate is doing what is necessary to provide for her children. Dancing With the Stars is her job right now. Considering her time invested in it, she will surely make enough to keep her children well this year. They say that the celebreties are paid $200K for appearing on DWTS. She does most of her training at home and only flies to California for the taping of the show. They say she is a DIVA. How can that be? She is a mom who had a husband who cheated on her and her children. I know from personal experience that when this happens, it doesn't make you a diva. If anything, it makes you a depressed woman with low self-esteem.

Now the ex-husband (John Gosselin) is doing whatever he can do to make sure that she cannot provide for her children. He would rather humiliate her and the children by constantly going to court for trivial matters so Kate has to pay lawyers to keep him at bay. I have heard it said that he would like to go back home to Kate and the kids, but he is doing everything he can possibly do to ensure that she will never take him back. Maybe at the beginning, if he had gone to her and apologized, that might have worked. But now, with all the disgusting publicity of him and his girlfriend, how could he possibly expect her to take him back.
If I was Kate, I would hire a body guard for her and the children. John would just like to have control of the money and who knows what he might do to achieve his end. Personally, I hope Kate finds a wonderful, Godly man to share her life with. Someone who would be good to her and love her children. Wouldn't that be wonderful?
You may think this is simplistic but it is how I feel. Good for Kate, I hope she finally gets rid of this money-grubbing demoralizing idiot and can get on with her life.

Chris Brown - Lame Attempt!

2009-08-04T23:53:00.006-04:00

Posted from my friend on Twitter, CiaoBella's website http://www.ciaobella50.blogspot.com/

Chris Brown has made a public apology for an incident in February that sent his then girlfriend, Rihanna, to a hospital."Since February, my attorney has advised me not to speak out, even though ever since the incident I wanted to publicly express my deepest regret and accept full responsibility,” the singer said in a two-minute clip posted on his official YouTube channel on Monday. “Although I will do some interviews and answer some questions in the future, I felt that it was time that you heard directly from me that I am sorry.”

Really Chris?....Really are you sorry?...I doubt it!....I think your sorry it has cost you millions of dollars...I think your sorry your image was branded as an abuser....! Try as you may to put the pieces back together in your perfect puzzle, this so called redemption attempt will require much more than a Two minute apology!Michael Vic received 23 months in prison and a $928,000.00 fine for Animal Cruelty!

Chris Brown was sentenced to five years probation, enrollment in a domestic violence counseling program and 180 days in a labor program in his home state!Obviously these radical differences in sentencing brings out extreme anger on my part!... I cannot be the only one who sees where society places women!

Brown pleaded guilty last month to one count of felony assault stemming from the Feb. 8 incident, where the singer allegedly beat Rihanna (real name Robyn Fenty), following a pre-Grammy party.

A recent report from the Bureau of Justice found that 1 in 3 girls in the US is a victim of physical, emotional or verbal abuse from a dating partner. 13 percent of teen girls say they were physically hurt or hit and 40 percent of teenage girls 14-17 year olds say they know someone their age that has been hit by a boyfriend.

And a 2003 nationwide survey from the Center for Disease control of 15,000 9-12 grade high school students found that nearly 9 percent experienced physical dating violence, with rates among Black females (14 percent) nearly twice their white counterparts (7 percent). The rate for Latino females was 9.3 percent.

These Stats pale in comparison to the cumulative picture of Domestic Violence !Now is not the time for young people inspired during the last election cycle to fall back into complacency. Instead this energy should be channeled into the creation of a concrete national agenda committed to ending domestic violence.
This certainly will require an institutional approach. In the same way that sex education worked it's way into our schools, we need a similar curriculum from the earliest grades upward to change the ways Americans think about dating violence, domestic abuse and gender equity. At a bare minimum, this curriculum must teach boys that physical and emotional violence toward their girlfriends or any boys or men toward woman is never an option.Such a move would have several benefits: it would help create the major societal shift needed to curtail violence against women; it would allow hip-hop to reveal to the world that it has a moral center!!!! ; and it would solidify a new movement for a new generation. All are important steps on the road to transforming America into a county that reflects, more accurately than our media representations, the generation currently preparing to inherit it.

Although hip-hop didn't create America's gender problem, it's mainstream dominant representations certainly helped reinforce it.Today's young Americans--especially those in the Chris Brown and Rihanna age group and the legions of even younger fans who idolize them--have come of age consuming a steady diet of these images. Few would argue that they are healthier or wiser as a result.

Reprint Permission received via Twitter on 5 August 2009.

CHARITY MISPLACED

2009-06-09T17:52:00.007-04:00

The media has made it fashionable to support charities and I am not saying that is a bad thing, but our children are seeing spoiled celebrities who pitch fits if they don't get their way. They walk around half-naked in $2,000 shoes and tell you they support a child in the Christian Children's Fund, Feed the Children, or an overseas villiage somewhere. Who needs $2,000 shoes, or a $6,000 purse? Aren't they sending the wrong message? Giving to others and then making sure that it is picked up by the media is not the way to go. Your right hand shouldn't know what your left hand is doing. Whatever happened to anonymous gifts?

There are wonderful people that think they are buying their way into the afterlife. They give lots of money and some even give of their time, but their ideas are misplaced.

Truly wealthy people don't want the world to see the good they do. Holding it in their heart is enough for them. They help in silence knowing that the One who sees all knows. Why do we seem to need the approval of our fellow man? Why is that so important? If you want him to really see the good, you spend the $2000 on the children and wear cheaper shoes. When are we going to learn that charity is also about sacrifice? Helping others doesn't just giving what will reduce our taxes, it is giving until it is uncomfortable.

It is nice to go to third world countries and adopt children, but wouldn't it be better to make their life there easier and allow them to be raised in their homeland, instead of bringing them here as guinea pigs. There are people who adopted Russian children who had been so neglected as babies that they have no bonding skills at all. They terrorize their parents and then the parents end up sending them back or abandoning them.

My problem is, why can't these celebrities just donate their money and step aside and let people who know how to help the children, help them. Are they just trying to make their celebrity larger. Don't enough people know who they are? They can go on television and ask people to donate instead of bragging about how much they gave.

Then you get the businesses that say they donate millions to charity, but it really isn't them, it is their customers donating money, and the corporate fat cats get to claim the glory. Our sense of charity in this country is very slanted.

Funny, but it is the common man/woman who are doing the most. They are the ones raising money for cancer, birth defects, the food banks, etc, and stepping up to help their neighbors. They don't ask for recognition, they just want to serve and help others. Lets hear it for the the common person.

Adulthood

2009-06-01T16:26:00.006-04:00

Have you noticed that there are some people who do not seem to reach adulthood until they are in their late thirties or even forties? They never get over that childhood "I/Me" stage.

They think it is okay for them to do whatever they feel like doing or saying. They have absolutely no concept that anyone else has a valid opinion, but them. They look down their nose at you if you disagree.

Sometimes it takes a "life-changing experience" to actually propel them into adulthood. Mine was my father's death when I was 33 years old. All of a sudden, I did not have anyone to turn to if things went wrong. I was suddenly responsible for myself and could not pick up the phone and call for help; I was it. I finally had to depend on myself.

People in Israel have the right idea. Young people should serve in the military for a couple of years after they get out of school. The Peace Corps was a very good idea, but I think that went down the tubes. If young people cannot go away to college, they should have some kind of service to go into that would transition them from school to the real world. Being away from your parents enables you to mature in a much better manner. Some parents don't want to let go, but I have seen so many young people go to serve as missionaries, or join a secular group help out in under-privileged areas who came back changed in their attitude completely.

Universally Immoral People

2009-06-01T16:25:00.006-04:00

Did you ever wonder why there are evil or immoral people who always seem to be getting everything they want for themselves and there are moral people who never get any breaks? I think it has more to do with the way you were raised. Did your parents encourage you to be all you could be? Did they set a good example for you? Or maybe their parents just let them run wild. Did they set such a bad example that every decision they made is predicated on being the exact opposite of what their parents would do?

I think that upbringing has an immense influence on who we turn out to be. But, even if our childhood was bad, we have the choice to go one way or the other. It is sad that there seem to be people who do not have a moral compass. They really do not have a sense of right and wrong. It is almost like some brain cells are missing. They go through life thinking that the world owes them a living. They have their hand out all the time.

Somehow, they got it into their heads that they are the center of the Universe and everyone should revolve around their world. They think that it is alright to have sex with anyone they want, wherever they want, with no regard to other people.

They think that drugs or alcohol are okay, even good and believe that they should just do whatever feels good with no regard to other people. They go through life just taking and never giving.

I have seen smart people, who would put in hours or days into thinking of slick things to do to cheat others, the government, or even their family. If they would put all that concentration into something positive, just imagine what a wonderful world this could be. Sometimes we think they are just lazy, but that s not the case. They spend so much time trying to circumvent the system, that they are just tired.

The Center of the Universe. (Isn't that how we felt when we were six?)

Abortion

2009-06-01T15:49:00.000-04:00

There was a news flash on TV this morning about a man shooting and killing a doctor in church, who performs late-term abortions. Just how stupid is that?
First of all, I can tell you up front that I think abortion is wrong, but I would never think of taking a life to clarify my opinion. That doctor, as wrong as he was, still had the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness that we all have. I may not agree with his decisions on how to live his life, but it is not my place to stop him.

I believe that we live in a democracy and we must elect people who have good moral character and can change laws to benefit all the people. Just because someone doesn't believe the way you do, it doesn't give you the right to impress your opinion on them. God will take care of their poor judgement in the future.
Of course, there are some who would say "What goes around, comes around." In the doctor's case, I guess it did.