Behind The Walls Of Vanderwilt

Response to a Trump Supporter - 2/7/2020

2020-02-08T01:05:00.001-06:00

The very next day, another response was given to yet another Trump Supporter who doesn’t believe in facts or truth. I’m not quite sure what it will take for them to recognize evil. This particular Trump Supporter, I feel, berated my Mom, which is why I start off the response as an acknowledgement to my Mom.

Mom, I have to start out by saying what an AMAZING woman you are. And while this quote is not yours, it’s become my guiding force as an adult, “The standard you walk past is the standard you accept.” – Lieutenant General David Morrison (Australian Army). It signifies the strength you and Dad gave my brother and I, to stand up to injustice and always protect the less fortunate. Thank you for instilling those values in both of us, I’m forever grateful.

Peggy has known you ALL of her life and she too knows what an amazing person you are, with a kind heart and generous soul. Therefore, I hope my words yesterday didn’t stain that.

Now, on to Dennis’s comments... you went after the wrong person yesterday... literally. You didn’t take the time to realize that my mother is not the one that posted the picture of the tweet from Max von Essen. IT WAS ME! Instead of paying attention to detail, you went on a tirade and tried to mansplain your interpretation of political affairs to my mother, who quite honestly doesn’t need or deserve that. When reading your comments, it felt as though I had just hit play on the stereo to hear all of the Republican talking points, as if you took line after line from the Republican playbook written by Trump, his administration, his supporters and by FOX News. You asked my mother what news outlets she watched, as if I’m sure you felt she only watched CNN. Well, I personally don’t watch the news, AT ALL. I read and I listen to objective talk radio. I’m also the type of person that takes all of your comments, and forms an opinion based on factual information, so here are my opinions....

There are countless ways Trump has degraded the office of presidency, for one, as of January 2020, he’s lied 16,241 times. All politicians lie, I agree with that, but not to the overwhelming level Trump lies. After Trump was elected, he lied about the crowd size at his inauguration, said it was the biggest crowd ever and from then on, he’s continued to lie... A LOT. Trump has praised a congressman who body slammed a reporter, he’s degraded more women in power than any other president has, but it doesn’t just end with women, he degrades men as well, if they don’t agree with his views. Trump has said, in his own words, that “there were fine people on both sides”. NO, there weren’t fine people on both sides. Nazis aren’t fine people! Trump has threatened to strip security clearances from his critics, all while making sure his SIL, Jared Kushner received his through improper channels. And while many people call The Mueller Report, a witch hunt, it surely found a lot of witches! While the MR wasn’t used in the impeachment proceedings of your president, it did find that the Russian government interfered in the 2016 election “in sweeping and systematic fashion” and produced an assessment that Trump was involved in committing crimes, which could result in impeachable offences. In fact, there were 10 instances of obstruction of justice (Trump asked James Comey to let Michael Flynn go, then the firing of James Comey, the reaction to the continuation of the Russia investigation, the attempts to oust Robert Mueller and his efforts to remove him, the efforts to curtail the Russia investigation, his attempts to stop the public from seeing the evidence, his efforts to bring back Jeff Session to take control of the investigation and lastly Trump telling Don McGahn to deny that he wanted the special counsel removed). The MR also produced 37 indictments and guilty plea deals (George Papadopoulos, Paul Manafort, Rick Gates, Michael Flynn, 13 Russian Nationals and 3 Russian companies, Richard Pinedo, Alex van der Zwaan, Konstantin Kilmnik, 12 Russian GRU officers, Michael Cohen and Roger Stone). I can continue with more examples of Trumps degradation of the office he holds if you’d like. I have more, many more!

Nancy did not start the “crime-less” impeachment. Your president did, by calling on a foreign government to help him with his own political purpose to be re-elected. He not only called on Ukraine, but he obstructed justice by not allowing many with 1st hand knowledge to testify and he called on government agencies to withhold crucial documents. However, there were several witnesses who defied the president’s orders to not testify, and they are the ones who became the real hero’s in this whole process. He’s been impeached, he’ll always be an impeached president and that will not change. He was not convicted and removed from office due to the Senate, but keep in mind, just because he was not convicted doesn’t make him any less guilty and guilty he is. And your claim that he “kept more promises than any president in recent memory”. You do remember that he flipped his party affiliation because he couldn’t win the election as a Democrat. This president has actually flipped his positions more than any other president in recent history.

Regarding the tweet by Max von Essen, while you may not like what his tweet said, it doesn’t make it propaganda or untrue. Trump HAS sexually assaulted women, 17 to be exact. One of his assault victims, E Jean Carroll has recently asked for Trump’s DNA for evidence in her case. He HAS mocked the disabled, not my opinion, but fact and on tape. The link you shared from 600amtheanswer.com clearly shows that. In the video, Trump is referring to Serge Kovaleski, who is disabled. You can try and spin it to say that at the beginning of the video, it doesn’t appear from what you’re seeing that Kovaleski is disabled, but that doesn’t mean he’s actually not and it doesn’t mean that’s not what Trump’s intent was on that stage in Florida. Trump HAS torn children from their parents. In fact, in November 2019, there were 69,550 being detained from their parents, which is more than any other country. Trump DID HAVE Michael Cohen pay off a porn star on his behalf, which lead to Cohen serving a 3 year prison term in Federal prison. Trump DID insult a gold star family, the family of Capt. Humayun Khan who died while serving our country in Iraq. Again, not opinion, but fact and on tape. Trump DID call Nazis fine people and your claim that he condemned Charlottesville is an outright lie. He didn’t! Once again, not opinion, but fact and on tape. Trump DOES deny science. He rejected the climate assessment based on thousands of climate studies, involving 13 different federal agencies, he withdrew the US from the Paris climate treaty which was signed by nearly all nations to reduce fossil fuel emissions, and he replaced Obama’s Clean Power Plan, which reduces emission from US power plants. There’s more, I can keep going with this one too but those are a few examples. Trump DID steal from his charities, which resulted in him paying $2 million in damages to those 8 charities involved. Trump DID start a fake university and because of multiple lawsuits, it is now defunct. Trump settled the 3 lawsuits brought against the “university” and the Trump organization in November 2016 for a total of $25 million dollars.

You mentioned to my mother that she should try realclearpolitics.com as a reputable news source because they give both sides to issues of the day. But that’s not actually true. I rely on Media Bias Fact Check to source my information. They give RCP a mixed rating for factual reporting “due to use of multiple sources who have failed fact checks”. They do lean Right Center, but I wouldn’t rely on them for factual information. In fact, I always use mediabiasfactcheck.com, factcheck.org or politifact.com.

To sum this up, it is my opinion based on the examples I’ve given that there is no longer an objective moral compass and complete lack of situational ethics and our country deserves better than that.

And that is how my response ended. Again, I’m sure it went in one ear and out the other but at least I can say, I tried to make sense of it all.

Response to a Trump Supporter - 2/6/2020

2020-02-08T00:36:00.001-06:00

President Trump was acquitted Wednesday in the Senate. Not because he’s not guilty but because the Senators feared what their fate would be if they went after their authoritarian leader. This is a response to a Trump Supporter, the very next day.

To start, I’ll just say that you didn’t answer my question. However, in response to your reply, I’ll go one by one with all the things you praise your president on and then I’ll ask a very specific question, to which I hope will be a specific answer with factual information rather than you spewing the talking points from the right.

1st, he doesn’t “state facts bluntly”, because he doesn’t have the facts. He lies, and as of January 2020, he’s lied 16,241 times. With that said, he’s not worthy of anyone’s trust.

2nd, “called folks names”, you’ve absolutely right. He’s called people some of the most horrible names and made fun of so many different people from almost all different races, religions, genders, etc. He’s a “mean girl” in a male wig.

3rd, “he’s not a politician”. Words could not be truer and our country is suffering because of that.

4th, “he is a great POTUS”, well that’s just BS and historians have already ranked him towards the bottom of the pack. That is just a factually inaccurate statement and one that history books will be written about for our eternity.

5th, “his policies are solid”, again, factually inaccurate. Your president has flipped on more policies than I can count. Do you remember, he used to claim to be a Democrat, until he knew he couldn’t run and win as one?

6th, “he protects OUR religion”, you mean he protects the Christian belief? He definitely doesn’t protect religious beliefs, or he wouldn’t have banned Muslims from our country because of theirs. This man is the furthest from a religious man than anyone in politics today.

7th, he “saves lives of millions of aborted humans”. But he’s ok with keeping those same children he wants to protect, in cages? He’s ok with bombing other countries where children sleep, because they’re in another country, so it doesn’t really matter?

8th, he “protects/supported Israel”... he’s friends with Netanyahu, that’s the only reason he even got involved. However, it’s already been said that Trump is inflicting long-term damage on the US/Israel alliance.

9th, he “requires other nations to do their part”. Yes, he does have a way with asking other countries to do his dirty work. He already has Russia and Ukraine working on his behalf. Or maybe it’s Putin working through Trump on Putin’s behalf. I think that’s more in line with what’s actually going on here.

10th, he’s “slayed terrorism”? You do realize that ISIS still exists, right?

11th, he’s “correcting healthcare”? Correcting what? Millions of Americans had healthcare because of the Affordable Care Act. You guys had a problem because you were told “you could keep your doctor” and then found out otherwise and I’m wondering if we can keep our healthcare and not be penalized for pre-existing conditions. I’m ok with going to another doctor, I’m not ok with being denied coverage.

12th, he “rallies for higher unemployment rate”. Unemployment rates have been dropping since 2011, so it’s difficult to see this as anything other than what’s been trending than it has anything to do with Trump’s presidency. I’m sure the workers of GM who have lost their jobs don’t particularly like being unemployed because of Trump’s failed promises.

13th, he “employs women as leaders”. Again, factually untrue. In cabinet level positions, Trump holds the lowest number since President George HW Bush. Bill Clinton actually holds the records highest women in leadership roles.

14th, he “does NOT drink alcohol or take Drugs”. He doesn’t need to, he’s a narcissist and gets high off of praise of himself. He lives for admiration and accolades and is self-serving when it comes to every aspect of his life. And that is actually like a drug because he’d die without it.

15th, he “donates his salary”. He does... and to his supporters, that’s a great talking point. However, it has been said that Trump’s golf outings have incurred costs totaling $109 million in taxpayer dollars. For someone making $400K a year, that would mean he’s spent 278 years worth of salary on golfing alone. It has also been said that “no president in history has imposed larger personal lifestyle costs on the taxpayer than Donald Trump”. So, sure, maybe he donates his salary, but what about all of his lifestyle costs you and I pay for via tax dollars and what is that adding to the national debt?

To answer your last question to me, “can you admit this or do you focus on the bad with no forgiveness and no support for his leadership”. My answer to that is very clear. I admit fact, I believe in evidence and context and while you may spew the right’s talking points, you don’t delve into what’s actually occurring. You’re listening to right wing media, you’re listening to your president and you’re not searching for truth. That is the saddest part to all of this and it scares the majority of us who not only didn’t vote for him but who continue to not support him. I can’t support someone who has caused so much damage to this country. I WON’T support him!

Now, if you’re still reading, I have a specific question for you. Let’s go to the beginning, before he was elected. Are you ok with him grabbing women by the p@$$%? Let’s start there and only there. We can continue to have dialogue but I’m curious as to whether it’s ok to sexually assault a woman?

That is where this post ended and to my surprise, she actually defended Trump’s sexual assault of women. It’s simply astounding! I went on to ask more questions and time after time, she defended him.

Racist or not?

2019-07-16T09:07:00.001-05:00

Choosing to ignore the deep rooted history as to why “go back to where you came from” is racist, is astonishing to me.

You know that friend you use to say, “I’m not racist, one of my closest friends are black”? Maybe you should ask them their opinion of whether they consider the statement to be racist. The epitome of white privilege is telling a black person what is and what’s not considered racist.

What’s Trump Hiding?

2019-05-06T17:28:00.000-05:00

“When you have nothing to hide, you hide nothing!” There is substantial evidence as to why Mueller should testify in front of the Judiciary Committee and why his tax returns should be turned over by Mnuchin. If this President is “the most transparent President we’ve ever had” (his words, not mine), then what on earth is he trying to hide from the American People? There should be no reason to withhold this information unless he is. We all know Mueller disagreed with Barr’s summary of his 400+ page report. Therefore, there is more to all of this than this President wants us to know. In all honesty, I’ve not read the report in full but the excerpts I have read, it’s clear he obstructed justice and continues to do so with stunts like this.
I found this article, posted by Fox News, very interesting. It’s a statement , signed by 379 former Federal Prosecutors who feel Trump would have been indicated if he weren’t president.
Trump Would Have Been Indicted...

To put you in a good mood for the 1st day of Early Voting in TX

2016-10-24T13:37:00.001-05:00

If this can't put you in a good mood, nothing can. :)

Hillary Clinton on Ellen after the 2nd debate (Parody)

And this is why Trump CAN NOT be President of the United States of America...

2016-10-24T13:37:00.000-05:00

I honestly don't know how much more undecided voters need in order to make their decision, but this is a clear choice for me. I've sat back and watched this man say so many nasty things during this campaign, so this is a good reminder for those who haven't heard some of the horrendous comments he's made.

I've also seen some of the most outlandish responses when DJT supporters try and defend his insults, such as the only thing he's guilty of is that "he says mean things". It's much more than that and to defend his comments only adds to what's clearly wrong with this Country.

It's a simple choice for me! He's un-American and has no place in becoming the leader of our great Country.

Below is the link to The New York Times article, referencing all of DJT's insults:
281 People, Places and Things Donald J. Trump has insulted on Twitter

Debate Thoughts...

2016-10-21T14:08:00.000-05:00

I agree with protecting the 2nd Amendment, but also think there must be stricter regulations to protect our people. Our Founding Fathers, in my opinion, had no idea that one day we'd have the ability to get our hands on assault rifles that could spray bullets killing hundreds of precious lives in a matter of minutes. I'm with her...

I agree with protecting Roe v Wade and protecting Women's Rights. It's especially important, not only for myself but for my Daughter and the daughters she may have one day. I'm with her...

I want to make sure the rights of the LGBTQ Community are protected. Our Country is proven to be better when we're inclusive as opposed to not. I'm with her...

I want stricter regulations to secure our borders. However, I don't agree with deporting undocumented immigrants. We, as a Country, are better than that. I'm with her...

I don't agree with the clear cyber attacks encouraged by Donald J. Trump. It's espionage! I'm with her...

I agree that when the middle class strives, we all strive. I agree with many top Economists of our Country who believe Clinton's plan to grow our Country is a much better plan. I'm with her...

I agree that experience matters, especially when it comes to upholding our Constitutional Rights and understanding policy. I'm with her...

I agree that America is already great and won't be fear mongered into thinking otherwise. I'm with her...

I believe a candidate running for the Presidency should release his tax returns. I come from the belief that "when you have nothing to hide, you hide nothing". I'm with her...

I don't believe anyone should be exempt from paying taxes. It's un-American and disgraceful. Just because the loophole may be there doesn't mean you knowingly take advantage of it. I'm with her...

I don't believe the election is rigged and can't believe the thought has even been raised. It's been proven to be undeniably false and quite frankly it's just unpatriotic to say it. I'm with her...

I'm standing with all 5 living Presidents who agree that Clinton is the best choice to be our next President. I'm with her...

I agree that Hillary is more versed when it comes to protecting us and keeping America safe. She's sat in the "war room". Her experience matters when it comes to this topic. I know, there's Benghazi... However, she sat for testimony for over 11 hours and was found to not be responsible for the 4 Americans we lost in Benghazi. I also know about the 33K emails, but in this case she was deemed careless, not criminal. I'm with her...

I agree with the Affordable Care Act. Does it need refinement? Yes. But should it be repealed? No! Our Country, our whole Country, deserves Healthcare. I'm with her...

I don't need to defend my stance as I've explained why I'm with her. I also don't need to bash Trump, it's just not necessary.

Lastly, I heard a wonderful quote today from a commentator before the debate, when he said "Clinton was for addition and multiplication, whereas Trump was for division and subtraction". I'll take addition and multiplication over division and subtraction anyday... I'm with her!

ObamaCare and who pays the penalty...

2012-06-29T14:30:00.000-05:00

I love the answer to The Huffington Post question they asked this morning on their blog.... The question: "Who pays the Health Care Tax?" The answer: "Not Many People!".

I'm so glad that they have brought more light to this discussion and I hope and pray that more people will understand that the majority of the American People will not be affected at all by the new law. In fact, only 4% will be affected by the new Health Care plan. Yes, that's it, 4 PERCENT! Most of the people I know are in the 96% that will not be affected one bit! I've been an advocate for the plan from the very beginning, but this article really clears some things up that I believe most of those opposed to plan don't really understand.

Here are 10 really good reasons why we need to look at this as a good thing, not a negative one.

No one said CHANGE came easy. In fact, it can even be a little uncomfortable at the beginning. However, I can think of so many things where change was not necessarily wanted at the time, but none the less necessary.... the Civil Rights Movement, the right to an Education and the right to be FREE. These changes have made such a positive impact in the lives we live today.

This is one of the many reasons we put President Obama into the Oval Office and I'm proud he not only got the law passed but I'm blessed to have been part of this CHANGE!

The day we lost Lori...

2010-09-07T13:26:00.002-05:00

Today marks the 18th anniversary of the day I lost one of my closest friends, Lori Michelle Martin. It's so hard to believe that 18 years have already passed. I remember the day just like it was yesterday.

Labor Day weekend, 1992 I was heading back home that Monday from a trip to the beach with another friend of mine. All day I tried reaching my parents on the phone, but had no luck. I even tried calling my line but got no answer and my answering machine didn't pick up either... strange. I tried and tried but no one was answering their phone. I tried my grandparents phone, no answer. This now got me a little worried that something had happened to a family member because they always answered the phone and it seemed as if they never went anywhere. The closer I got to the house, the more I tried calling every number I could think of to get someone on the phone who knew what was happening with my family. About 15 minutes from the house, I decided to call Lori's house to see if maybe my parents were with her Mom and maybe the "beach" crowd had gotten together for a Labor Day Cookout. So, I'm calling Lori's house and my Mom answers the phone, strange. She sounded fine, but very limited in what she had to say to me. In fact, all I really remember her saying was can you please come by Lori's house before heading home. I was so relieved to hear my Mom's voice, but also agitated at the time I had spent trying to get in touch with her. I told her I was tired and needed to get laundry done so I would just meet them at the house. My Mom insisted that I come by Lori's house and then I knew something wasn't quite right. I asked my Mom what was going on and why she couldn't just tell me what she needed to over the phone. I was tired and cranky and just wanted some answers but my Mom was also loosing her patience with me, so I dropped it and just decided to swing by Lori's.

I got off on the exit and I clearly remember the song playing as I pulled up in Lori's gravel driveway. It was the song Please Don't Go by KWS. To this day, I can't stand that song. It takes me back to what seemed like the longest driveway in history where I saw lots of friends, and family and cars everywhere. I still don't think it registered that something was wrong. In fact, I just figured, it's labor day so everyone is here for a cookout. There were friends there that I had not seen since high school, so why I thought everything was copacetic was beyond me. My Dad met me in the driveway before I even had a chance to park the car and I could tell by his face that something was very wrong. It was the first time in my life that I had ever seen my Dad get teary eyed. He asked me to get out of the car and as he grabbed me tightly he said, "I can't believe I have to tell you this, but Lori is dead". I literally fell to the ground, screaming, crying, hitting my Dad in the chest as my Mom began to walk out of the house to help. I was uncontrollably screaming "WHAT HAPPENED, WHAT HAPPENED". At this point, I just figured it was an automobile accident, even though now I remember seeing her car sitting in the driveway, so that just couldn't be the case. I never in a million years thought I would hear what would come out of my Dad's mouth next... "Shelley, Lori was shot this afternoon. It was an accident, "K" was cleaning his gun when it accidentally went off". I didn't believe it then and I don't believe it now, nor do I ever think I will ever believe it was an accident. I don't know that it was intended to happen that day, but I do believe it also wasn't an accident either.

A few weeks before the gun went off on this dreadful Labor Day, "K" had "accidentally" shot himself in the same house with another gun. The bullet pierced through his hand and luckily no one in the house was hurt. Maybe I've been watching too much TV, but I believe this was all part of his plan. If he could show that one gun went off accidentally, then why couldn't another one do the same a few weeks later. There were also things that didn't jive with me in regards to the way "K" described to me what happened. Lori was sitting across the room from "K" at an angle that doesn't make sense how she could then be shot underneath her arm. If the bullet had hit the other side of her body, I might have bought it, but in my opinion, in order for her to have been shot from where she would have been sitting, "K" would have had to have been right by her side. "K" knew about guns, he knew the safety of guns and he knew not to clean his gun with a bullet in the chamber. In my opinion, Lori was really ending things with him that day, one thing lead to another, their argument got out of control and he shot her.

My Mom would later tell me that Lori had called me the morning of her death. Was she calling because she was in trouble, or was it just a call to say hello? I'll never know! I think back to the last time I saw Lori, in that same driveway where I got the awful news of her death. She yelled to me as I was walking to my car "I'll talk to you later this week". I remember the feeling I had as I turned to tell her to "Take Care", it was like that would be the last of our goodbyes. I think we all have those premonitions, but sometimes don't know exactly how to bring them to light or question why they occur in the first place. Could things have been different if I had been home that day and gotten her call? Would the circumstances have been the same or would she still be here today? Again, I'll never know.

RIP my friend. I think of you often and think of those you left behind. I know I speak for us all when I say, we miss you!

Andrew Breitbart and FOX owe Shirley Sherrod an apology!

2010-07-22T10:55:00.005-05:00

I was floored earlier this week when the falsified story broke about Shirley Sherrod and her so called racist remarks at the NAACP's 20th Annual Freedom Fund Banquet. Andrew Breitbart and FOX News, you guys owe Mrs. Sherrod an apology... A BIG ONE!

In Breitbart's original post http://http//biggovernment.com/abreitbart/2010/07/19/video-proof-the-naacp-awards-racism2010/ he refers to the Democratic Party's attempt to slander the Tea Party and makes the following statement in regard to the "Capitol Hill N Word incident", he says and I quote, "the incident was a manufactured lie". Really, well what on earth did you think the entry you were posting regarding Mrs. Sherrod was? It was completely manufactured, misleading and falsified report.

It was purposeful and it was malicious and it cost Mrs. Sherrod her job. Yes, I understand she's been offered another position, but this will forever be part of her legacy. It's tainted her for life.

So, my question is, what should happen to Breitbart and FOX News? Should there be consequences for their blatant disregard for full disclosure reporting?

A Family Who Lives On One Income

2010-07-20T10:25:00.004-05:00

I know it can be done, and I know it's sometimes a choice but I don't understand how the average American does it. I understand that there are Mom's, and even some Dad's that want to stay home to be with their children, I get it and I think it's great when you have the opportunity to do so. However, when it comes to looking at your future, how on earth does it work?

Inhumane or Justified?

2010-06-17T13:50:00.004-05:00

Ronnie Lee Gardner, sentenced to death row in 1985 is just hours away from execution by way of a 5 man firing squad. Yes, you heard right, firing squad. The execution is scheduled for 2:00AM Friday if he does not win his stay of execution. He will be one of only 3 to die by firing squad, all in Utah.

Here's a little background on the case... As a child, Gardner was the victim of poverty, abuse and neglect. In 1984 he was convicted of killing Melvyn Otterstorm at a bar in Salt Lake City, Utah. In 1985, while at a pretrial hearing in the murder of Otterstorm, he was slipped a gun and fatally shot attorney, Michael Burdell. In 1976, Utah restored the death penalty. In 2004, Utah changed their way of execution to lethal injection however, Gardner was one that was grandfathered in to die by firing squad.

So, what's your opinion? Is this way of execution inhumane or is it justified? Are you for or against capital punishment and if you're for it does it matter how you're put to death?

Part of Gardner's defense is that the jurors did not get to hear his recollections of his childhood and therefore they may have made a different decision. Should it matter what his childhood was? Isn't there a right and a wrong and shouldn't we as sane people know the difference?

THE GIRL CAN SING!!

2010-06-17T11:30:00.005-05:00

Alice Tan Ridley, mother of Oscar Nominee, Gabourey Sidibe sings her butt off on America's Got Talent. How did she go this long without being discovered?
Alice performs "At Last" on AGT

Alice performs "Midnight Train To Georgia"

Alice performs "What's Love Got To Do With It"

Decked for Jaywalking...

2010-06-17T09:52:00.004-05:00

Does a teenage girl, who's caught jaywalking in the streets of Seattle deserve to be punched in the face? That is the question!

I look at the this video and don't know how I feel about it. I'm not going to say it's justified in any way as a police officer should have more restraint than to let a jaywalking incident escalate to this. However, once it did escalate, I'm at a loss for where I stand. I wish the video would have been shot a few minutes prior to see how the girls ended up at the police car in the first place. Did the police officer start using his authority to push the girls to a breaking point, or did the girls push the officer to his breaking point. We all know that you aren't supposed to resist arrest, or you will be faced with stronger force on the officers part. On top of that, this officer has 2 girls screaming, wailing and grabbing at him along with several bystanders screaming and hollering at him too.

What should have happened? How should this have been handled? If this were a male, would the reaction have been the same as what we feel for this young girl? Does it make a difference that both teenagers have criminal records already? Does that play any part in what could have happened prior to when we see the two girls at the police officers car? So may questions... it will be interesting to see how this plays out. Surprisingly, for once I can actually say I wont be judging either side until I hear all the details leading up to the video. What are your thoughts?

9 Year Old's PINK Mobile Dance Studio

2010-06-08T14:09:00.003-05:00

LOVE IT, LOVE IT, LOVE IT!! This is the best idea and it came from a 9 year old. So entrepreneurial at such a young age. Can't wait to see what she becomes! Way to go Amiya Alexander!

Father's Day Gift Ideas...

2010-06-04T14:40:00.002-05:00

GOT ANY?

"You Will Never Stand Taller Than When You Stoop To Help A Child" - Dr. Phil

2010-06-04T13:20:00.004-05:00

I was in Target the other day with Laura and as we were in line to check out, there was a mother with 4 of her children at the end of the aisle. This mother was being so loud and so disrespectful to one of her youngest sons. You could tell he was so beaten up inside about whatever it was he did, but she continued to badger and intimidate him in front of everyone. I felt so sorry for him and now I'm kicking myself for not saying something to the mother. You could tell she was just doing this to get a reaction out of the people shopping in the store more so than she was trying to teach her son a lesson. She liked being seen as the person standing tall over her child yelling and pointing her finger in his poor little face.

After leaving the store, Dr. Phil's quote ("You'll Never Stand Taller Than When You Stoop To Help A Child") popped into my head. I'm all for lessons and correcting a child when they have done something wrong. However, do we always have to do it by standing tall over them and watching them cringe with fear as we yell at them? I looked at this poor kid and thought to myself, this mother will never earn the respect of her child unless she learns to respect them first. I'm not saying kids shouldn't be disciplined or corrected, but shouldn't their be a mutual level of respect between one another? Isn't that how they learn respect in the first place?

Happy Memorial Day!

2010-05-31T19:10:00.003-05:00

Be safe and remember those we've lost to war!

Remember what Memorial Day is all about, even if our leader doesn't.????

2010-05-28T14:09:00.006-05:00

This statement came from a Facebook post this afternoon and IS NOT MY THOUGHT AT ALL and that is why there is a question mark at the end. What the hell does that even mean? I get so sick of blanket comments like that with absolutely no elaboration of what the basis of the statement even means.

Let's break the statement down...

"Remember Memorial Day"... that's a given. We should all honor our fallen soldiers on Monday. How do we do that? Go to a parade, hang a flag in your yard, wear red-white & blue, have a cookout. Now I don't know what President Obama has planned on Monday, but I feel pretty confident that he will probably do one if not all of the things that make us as a nation patriotic. I think he'll even go a step further by visiting the Veteran's Memorial that day in DC. What will you be doing that day?

"Even if our leader doesn't".... WHAT? What does that even mean? What is the basis of that statement? Everyone knows I am an Obama supporter through and through, but even if this message was posted during Bush's term I would have the same reaction. Don't use Memorial Day to trash the current President and what he stands for. Obama, and even Bush for that matter, have more patriotism in their pinkie finger than I have in my whole body. They live and breath the United States of America and what it stands for and that's why they are where they are.

If you're going to make a statement like that, state your reasons for why you feel like that. In my opinion, there is nothing to support it! We must find a way to stop trashing a President that has been given so many obstacles. Why can't we support him in making this a better country instead of making statements like that, which only set us back!

The Experience Of Oprah's Live Your Best Life Weekend

2010-05-19T14:20:00.023-05:00

What a chance of a lifetime.... and what a wonderful time my Mom and I had in NY over Mother's Day Weekend.

It all started back in March, March 15th to be exact, when Oprah's Live Your Best Life tickets went on sale. Weeks before that I had a conversation with my Mom and asked her if she would be interested in going if I could actually get tickets. We both thought, "we probably wont get them, but if we do, it's meant to be". So, on March 15th and 12:00:01, when tickets went on sale I was online trying to get through. Five minutes later, I had two tickets and got all the lifeshop seminars of my choice (Dr. Oz, Nate Berkus and Peter Walsh). I couldn't believe it, in fact I sat there for the rest of the afternoon in shock that I had actually gotten through. I called Mom and I think she was as dumbfounded as I was. I really thought that tickets would have been gone or I would have lost computer connection and not been able to complete the transaction. But it was really meant to be.

Then the planning began; airline tickets, hotel, transportation, food... you name it, I was organizing everything. I didn't want Mom to lift a hand. So, I got our travel arrangements coordinated where I would leave from Houston and she would leave from Charlotte and we would both fly to NY and get there within an hour of each other. It worked out perfect. I also arranged for a car to pick us up at the airport and went ahead and made our dinner reservations. I knew the weekend would be full of Oprah events so I wanted everything laid out where we didn't have to make last minute decisions in an unfamiliar city.

Friday
The day finally came, May 7th and I had to get up so early as I had a 3 hour flight and wanted to be in NY before noon. Mom's flight was a little delayed so I had time to sit down, eat and make a few phone calls before walking over to my Mom's terminal. Mom finally arrived, the car was there to pick us up and we were whisked away to the Hotel just in time to freshen up before the Welcome Reception began.

We got to the Reception at Gotham Hall and it was beautiful, simply beautiful. You walked in to the reception hall with the music playing, champagne and hors d'oeuvres were being served and in the middle of the room was Loreal's Step And Repeat where photos were being taken of all attendees. The colors were beautiful, the flowers was gorgeous, the sight was breathtaking. Pictures don't even do it justice. The O' Team even went as far as placing bouquets of flowers in the men's urinals. Yes, there were men there, but the women sure outnumbered them.

I made reservations for Mom and I at Park Avenue Spring, which is a quaint little restaurant on 63rd and Park Avenue. It was really very pretty. Park Avenue Cafe changes their decor with the change of the season. Luckily, from the pictures I've seen, Spring was my favorite season! The food was delicious and the atmosphere was so lovely.

After dinner, Mom and I had all intentions of touring the Empire State Building, but from traveling and walking through New York during the day we were so very tired. So, we ended up heading back to the hotel so we could get a good nights rest for the next days events.

Saturday
We needed to be at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center at 8:00, so Mom and I got up early enough to walk down there from the hotel in hopes to get something to eat before the lifeshops began. The doors opened at 8:00, but the Opening Remarks were not until 9:30, so in my mind we had plenty of time. Do you know, when we got there the lines were unbelievably long. People must have gotten there at 6AM as the line wrapped around 5 city blocks, it was amazing. I've never seen anything like it. We walk in, and because of the heightened security due to the Times Square bombing attempt, we all had to walk through metal detectors and have our bags checked. So, this made the line seem to take even longer. We got in just in time for the Opening Remarks, but not in time to get something to eat. Oprah came out and started the day welcoming everyone and thanking them for showing their support. She didn't speak long, and there wasn't anything poignant said, but EMOTION TOOK OVER! I was so overwhelmed by the whole experience and couldn't believe I was sitting in the same room with a WOMAN that I so admire and look up to and I was sharing that experience with MY MOM on Mother's Day Weekend. I just lost it. The only thing that could have made it better was having Laura there. I so missed sharing that experience with her. It was such an emotional start to the day. After Oprah's welcome, she introduced Elizabeth Gilbert, author of EAT, PRAY, LOVE. I tell you, she was a hoot. I thought she was so funny and I really enjoyed her story. I've never read the book, but after hearing her speak I've downloaded the book on my Kindle and can't wait to see the movie when it comes out. After hearing Elizabeth Gilbert, Mom and I had to get to our lifeshops. We saw Dr. Oz, Nate Berkus and Peter Walsh. Because this was a celebration of O' The Oprah Magazine's 10th Anniversary, each lifeshop focused on 10 things to living your best life. I took away something from each one, maybe not all 10 but something and I've tried to incorporate them into my life.

After the lifeshops, Mom and I went back to the hotel in order to get ready for Oprah's Celebration at Radio City Music Hall. Luckily we were only 2 blocks from the Hall because we were already tired and our feet were a little sore as well. We walked in not knowing where the seats would be, and were blown away when the attendant walked us down 18 rows from center stage. Mom and I both looked at each other in amazement. So surprised and so excited.... we would actually get to see Ms. Winfrey up close, live and in color. Oprah spoke for and hour and a half and talked about where she came from, where she is now and where she's going. She talked about how important following your passion is. I can truly say that I've not learned to do that yet but I hope that one day I can find that inner voice that tells me it's OK to follow my passion. I've talked about this before, but my passion is to become a photographer. I love it, love catching life in motion. However, I don't do enough to support my passion. One day, I hope I can go there and have the nerve to break away from an office environment and follow my dream. I'm not there yet, and don't have that courage quite yet, but I pray that one day I will.

Once again, Mom and I had all intentions of going to the Empire State Building. Did we make it there? NO! We were now even more tired than the day before and had to be at Oprah's Charity Walk the next morning by 7AM.

Sunday
The days prior to Sunday had been beautiful. Sunny skies and really pleasant weather. We woke up Sunday to pretty skies as well but it was so very cold, in the 40's. As well as I had organized the weekend plans, I surely didn't do that when it came to my Sunday outfit. I had shorts and a t-shirt and did not bring a jacket at all. At 40 degrees, I would surely freeze. Luckily Mom brought 2 pairs of long workout pants, but I still didn't have a jacket. Fortunately, I brought a few pashminas and threw them over my arms just to try and stay warm. Because it was so early in the morning and it was Sunday, there were no stores opened when we left so I had to just suck it up and walk.

We arrived at the Intrepid Museum at 7 and got lined up for Oprah's LYBL Walk. Mom and I were walking for the organization, Share Our Strength®, which is dedicated to making sure no kid in America grows up hungry. The walk was to start at 7:30, but Oprah and few other celebrity walkers did not arrive until 8:30. We were cold, hungry and at that point getting a little frazzled. By the time the walk began we were so through with speeches and thank yous.....it was time to get this thing started. The walk began at the Intrepid and ended in Times Square. Once we arrived in Times Square and walked around to a few of the booths then it was time to head back to the hotel in order for the car to pick us up and take us back to the airport.

So, that was the weekend. I had such a nice time and so enjoyed the experience with my Mom. I hate that we didn't get to see more of NY but for me the experience was a chance of a lifetime!

AWKWARD....

2010-05-13T14:42:00.003-05:00

I used to think VH1 was pretty safe to let your kids watch. Not anymore!!! Laura was watching the Top 20 Countdown Sunday morning when her dad walked by as she was watching the following video. Laura's response, AWKWARD!!

Laura, you don't even know the 1/2 of it. Your poor dad was mortified that this is what was being shown. What can you do but just pause, change the channel and next time monitor VH1's videos more closely before letting your little ones watch.

The following video is not suitable for children

Miss USA going scantily clad

2010-05-13T13:42:00.004-05:00

So, what do you think of the new Miss USA photos? So much for the wholesome image they were trying to uphold. I honestly don't have a problem with the pics and think that they are really tastefully done, but.... not so quick.... We're talking about Miss USA, not the next Angel walking down the runway at the annual Victoria Secret Show. There is a difference in the two.

I'm not a Carrie Prejean fan to say the least, but I do remember she was dethroned after 1/2 naked photos appeared of her. The two contradict each other. You can't have a boyfriend or significant other take racy pictures of you, but it's OK to have a full fledged photo shoot and get the same type picture? What's that all about?

Something is wrong with this picture.....

2010-05-13T09:28:00.003-05:00

My little one is in dance and I'm all for shakin' what your Mamma gave you, but this is too much. These kids look to be Laura's age or maybe even younger and they are being way too sexy. I could not have even dressed Laura like this to go to her dance recital in the first place, but if I saw her shakin' it like these little girls, she would be yanked right off the stage? What children's dance instructor teaches their students to dance like this and be OK with it?

Wonder what Beyoncé thinks? She wore more clothes in her video than these little girls are. Too grown!

What a voice for a 12 year old...

2010-05-13T09:09:00.004-05:00

I am so amazed by this voice. This is Greyson Michael Chance performing Lady Gaga's song Paparazzi. Such a pure tone to his voice and he's only 12! Keep in mind, this is in a school auditorium so just think what he'll sound like with the right acoustics.

This is Greyson performing a song he has written called Broken Hearts

And this is another song Greyson has written called Stars

Oprah's Live Your Best Life Weekend In Photos

2010-05-10T23:00:00.002-05:00

Stories of the experience to follow.