STAR*BRIAN

Sempre Americo

2006-01-12T12:23:00.000-05:00

Americo was my father.

a good man. smart. loving.

he loved racing formula vee race cars, and was very good at it!

he loved his children, even when he didn't know how.

business was his toy, and he played with it with such skill.

he always believed in "gritting your teeth" and the better would come.

he was my best friend. and my most trusted advisor.

i will love him always (sempre), Americo.

my dad.

What War?

2006-01-07T12:00:00.000-05:00

There are those who say there is a cultural war on Christmas, and there are those who laugh it off as nothing more than Chicken Little claiming the sky is falling.

Never the less, each year there are more signs to prove that the few voices that find Christmas offensive out weigh the rest who celebrate Christmas openly and proudly.

For example, this year Third graders in Madison, Wisconsin were not allowed to help raise money for the local Salvation Army. Each year the kids would take turns ringing bells and help raise money with those famous little red kettles.

But, ONE parent objected. Citing the over used “separation of church and state.” Because the kids were helping a religiously based organization, and the school had approved, the parent must have concluded that the school was endorsing religion.

When faced with the complaint, school Principal Howard Fried said the school administration quickly stood down.

Hey school admins, how about the rest of the kid’s parent’s who had no complaints and gladly let their kids help out a charity?!

Another example of Christmas complaints going to far have a McDonald’s customer complaining to corporate about a sign the store uses every year.

The McDonalds, located in Raleigh, North Carolina, would put up a sing reading, “Merry Christmas, Jesus is the reason for the season.

Some felt that came on too strong. Amanda Alpert added this, “It offends me because it specifically talks about Jesus, Merry Christmas,"

Well, duh. After all, what is Christmas supposed to be about?!

War? No War? You decide. But one thing is clear, companies and school officials need to realize they do not need to bend over backwards because one or two people find something offensive. As a matter of fact, it’s rather offensive to punish the majority for the comfort of a few nutty people.

"Hey Teach, F-YOU!"

2005-08-30T13:35:00.000-05:00

England

In a bizarre move, school officials at a British secondary school have decided it's ok for students to use the F-word towards teachers.

What a F-ing fabulous idea. Students will be tracked on a blackboard and are only allowed to use the word five times in a day! If they go over, they get a talking to. No word on whether they can swear at the talking to.

The school hopes the move will help problems with behavior (yeah right). Parents, who were notified of the idea by letter, were quick to sound off at the looney idea. And good for them.

What students need is structure and discipline in the school setting, not more "freedoms" like swearing at teachers. Teachers have a hard enough time keeping classes in order. And people wonder why education seems to be getting harder and harder.

Hopefully parents and other school officials can nip this idea in the bud. Otherwise, it's going to be free reign on teachers and students will learn even less. And isn't that the point? Learning?

Why I Hope Hillary Runs

2005-08-04T14:54:00.000-05:00

Here's two reason why I'd like to see Hillary Clinton run for President.

>First, I hope she resigns from the Senate to run.

In the time she has been a New York Senator, she's done nothing but show up for photo ops with the likes of Chuck Schumer and Ted Kennedy. Even though those shots are becoming more rare in her run to the political "middle", she was still one of the first in line to question whether or not John Roberts would be a good choice for the Supreme Court. Then she pulled a "Kerry" and flopped to support Roberts.

NY Governor Pataki has no chance if he runs for President, but he could take her vacant seat is she left the Senate.

>My second reason I hope she runs.

She'd lose.

She'd get a lot of the same people who voted for Kerry or Gore. I think the political map would still be a whole lotta red and even less blue. Someone like a Rick Santorum has a much more realistic chance at becoming the next President than she does.

Right after the 2004 Election, I heard a great quote. The person said, "What now? If this country can't elect a liberal male to the White House, we'll never get a liberal woman voted in."

And that's right.

My Take on Harry Potter "6"

2005-07-16T11:54:00.000-05:00

Let me start by saying I've never read the books. I have seen the first movie.

With all of the buzz and hysteria surrounding last night's release of Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, it got me thinking.

I do work for one of those large book retailers out there, so I see first hand all of the security involved in the sale of the books. Can't imagine how bookstores sell it early knowing you face serious fines. I also see the anticipation on fans faces as they wait, with ticket in hand, for the clock to strike 12:01am.

I think it's fun to see so many people enjoying the books. People were dressed up as characters, ghosts, witches, and just about anything else as it has become a sort of holiday. Stores were, and will be today, chaotic with customers waiting in long lines. I think our last customer paid at about 1:50am est.

You can buy it almost anywhere. Bookstores, grocery stores, online, and even in Canada they sell a "green" version. On 100% recycled paper.

Sure there are those that say it costs too much. There's also witch craft, and the stories are getting darker. But I look at it a little differently.

In an era where we have Playstation, X-Box, High Speed Internet, and hundreds of cable channels, isn't nice to see kids, and adults, rushing out to..... read a book?

I think it is.

You Don't Look Nice Today

2005-07-05T10:01:00.000-05:00

John Soloski won't be complementing anyone anytime soon.

Soloski, the Dean of journalism at University of Georgia, has been found guilty of sexual harassment by the school's office of legal affairs. And just what did Mr. Soloski do or say that brought him under suspicion in the first place? He commented that a co-worker's outfit was "pretty" and showed concern, after a fund raising event, about the co-workers safety walking home alone.

Gasp!

Someone call the National Organization for Women (N.O.W.), 'cause this guy's a real pig.

Although Soloski admits to making the complement, he says he meant nothing sexual about what he said. In fact, she didn't seem bothered at the time. But it bothered someone.

And the concern for her safety? I have done this hundreds of times in my career. With both co-workers I have liked, and disliked, male and female. I feel it's the right thing to do. Because if something were to happen to them, I would never forget it.

Again, it's time for me to call on adults to start acting like adults. I'm pretty sure women don't get up early and style their hair, put on a nice business suit, and maybe a little make-up to go totally unnoticed. Perhaps it's because of whom the compliment came from...

So another career looks to be ruined in an effort to sterilize the nation and the nation's work place. And it's really too bad.

And no, you don't look nice today.

Happy Fourth!

2005-07-04T08:49:00.000-05:00

PeTA's Not So Ethical Treatment

2005-06-23T17:22:00.000-05:00

P.E.T.A., or People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, has a lot of explaining to do.

It seems that two counties in North Carolina will stop handing over animals from shelters to Peta. Officials were shocked to learn that between 2001 - 2003 Peta had killed more than 6,100 domestic animals. In fact, the cats and dogs were turned over to Peta to help find homes for them.

This is the same company that raises large amounts of money for awareness by using celebrities in their ads claiming things like, "I'd rather show my buns than wear fur." or, "I'd rather go naked than wear fur." They also encourage people not to eat meat, as it's hurtful to kill animals for food.

I guess house cats are fine. In fact, two of the employees are facing charges for dumping the dead animals bodies in a near by shopping mall dumpster.

It doesn't take much to see the total hypocrisy of this group. Maybe now they can stay out of people's lives and crawl back in the hole they came from. And maybe celebrities will think twice about a company that talks out of both sides of their mouths.

Here kitty, kitty.

Another Reason to Rethink Immigration Laws

2005-06-21T16:54:00.000-05:00

They met in Kosovo. He was working for the U.N. on a peacekeeping mission. She was working as an interpreter. Later they married, and she promised to raise his son as her own.

Then in September, while training security forces, Todd Engstrom lost his life in Northern Iraq. Because he and his wife, Diana, has been married less than two years, and he was a civilian serving on a contract basis, she could be deported. And without another blood relative U.S. citizen, she might be.

Superstar Senator Barack Obama, D, Il., and foot in his mouth Senator Dick Durbin, D, Il., have both put forth legislation that could see Diana Engstrom stay in the States. While Obama has made a good point that we should not make special legislation based solely on one person, like I believe Florida tried, this case is obviously much different.

There's also another consideration, Engstrom's 12 year old son. First the loss of his father and now possibly his step-mother, who he is very close to.

I have said before that we have laws in this country for a reason, but when a law is so obviously misguided, it needs to be looked at. That's the real reason we vote our lawmakers in or out.

Father's Day

2005-06-18T01:05:00.000-05:00

father's day 1998

To all of the Fathers out there, Happy Father's Day.

What June 11th Would Have Been

2005-06-09T16:40:00.000-05:00

In January my Dad was killed by the coldest mystery; suicide. He would have been 56 on the 11th.

Even though reports suggest more adult Americans are taking medications to help with depression, a recent report notes that there has been no drop in suicidal tendencies.

One of the leading causes of death in the world, suicide is still a taboo subject. The World Heath Organization and the U.S. Surgeon General are increasing the amount of studies on the subject with the hope of understanding the sad trend.

Surveys from 1990-1992 and 2001-2003 of more than 9,000 people ages 18-54 showed that treatment is up. In the first survey, 40% of those with suicidal tendencies got treatment. In the 2001-2003 survey that number jumped to almost 93%. But the attempts, and sadly the success of those thoughts, has not declined.

The reason for feeling suicidal is as varied as it's victims. While chemical imbalances in the brain causing depression can be treated with common anti-depressant drugs, the feeling of desperation cannot. When someone feels so low that they do not even think about the impact of the act of killing themselves, they are almost already gone.

It's time for adults of all ages to address this issue and stop treating it as taboo.

If you, or someone you know, are having difficult times and feel no one is there, I urge you to reach out to someone you trust. Talk, cry, scream. There is always hope. And, there is no shame in asking for help.

For more information or help: www.suicide-helplines.org or http://suicidehotlines.com, in the U.S. you can call: 1 800 784-2433

Church or Jail

2005-06-03T12:34:00.000-05:00

A District Judge in Kentucky is offering offenders the option to go to church rather than jail.

While I believe that church can be a healing and nurturing place, it is not the place to serve time for a crime. This is like being sent to your room as a kid. Gee, my room was nice enough and I barely remember why I might have been sent there.

Judge Michael Caperton is also coming under fire from civil rights groups claiming he is establishing religion, or violating the so-called separation of church and state. Making the option, just that, an option, offenders have the choice to seek a church. Caperton also does not mandate a specific denomination, nor a specific church.

True we do have over crowding jails and rehab centers, and church can be a helpful thing, but allowing someone to skip out on a sentence for church is just not write in my book.

Off to my room I go.

A Racist Preschool?

2005-05-24T17:31:00.000-05:00

Dallas, TX

A parent of a local preschooler is asking the preschool to change it's logo. Why? Because she insists the logo is racist because it's features a Caucasian child.

Leslie Moore, a teacher in McKinley, Texas, believes the logo (below) is sending the wrong message. She believes the logo implies that all other races are inferior to whites. Even though the school has printed bags and even letterhead with the logo, the leaders of the school say they will meet with Moore to discuss changing the logo.

Racist?

This is clearly another example of the "PC" movement going way out of control. Wasting a schools time, and money, because one parent feels a logo is implying a secret message is absurd. Time and money that could be spent on the actual kids attending.

It's time for people to grow up. Stop looking for hidden agendas to try and support your wacky views. I think it's more important to worry about the learning the kids are doing, than the logo out on the front lawn.

No word from Moore on whether the logo is also sexist. As it does feature a little girl....

Banning Free Speech

2005-05-16T23:14:00.000-05:00

San Francisco's at it again.

The Board of supervisors has voted, and passed, a resolution banning comments that are insensitive to people based on their race, religion, color, ancestry, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, weight, height or place of birth.

While being a well intended move, this resolution is tip toeing very close to banning free speech. But some think the resolution isn't strong enough. Supervisor Michela Alioto-Pier wants training for city commissioners to help identify such inappropriate public speech.

There's no question the public, or private, comments regarding sex, race, sexual orientation, etc. is inappropriate and wrong. But to pass legislation banning forms of speech is over the top. People should be policing themselves, not having law makes decide what you can and cannot say.

This is a clear example that we go too far with laws. People who choose to make fun or put down people that are different from themselves, embarrass themselves. But the laws should be there to protect people's opinions and thoughts, not make us all into obedient robots.

Can I say that?!

Tolerance...

2005-05-08T02:22:00.000-05:00

I found this flyer at a local laundry mat...

I guess the loving, same sex, couple is only loving of a Caucasian baby! I'm glad that confidentiality is assured because this premise is absurd.

Why does it seem that the very people who cry for acceptance and tolerance are the one's most likely to be closed minded? This couple would probably be the first in line if gay marriage was available, but to complete their family, a white baby needs to do the trick. Total hypocrisy.

And in a related story

An Alternative High School in Tompkins County has allowed a "club" for minorities. Now what's wrong with that? Well, any white kids who want to participate are not allowed to. And to make matters worse, a girl decided to form her own "club" for her fellow white kids at the school. She wasn't allowed to, and was threatened with expulsion. Hmmm, for doing the same thing as the other classmates?

Tolerance is supposed to be accepting of one's beliefs without judgment. These two cases show we are a long way from true tolerance. In fact, most people seem to enjoy living in their hypocritical bubble.

What Now?

2005-05-02T07:22:00.000-05:00

So missing Bride to be, Jennifer Wilbanks, has turned up not missing. For her friends, family, and fiancé John Mason, they all must be wondering, “what now?”

Last week Wilbanks lied to her fiancé saying she was going for a jog. In fact, she was leaving with one of the biggest cases of cold feet. She then cut her hair, must have had to ignore the media covering the case, and eventually lied to police, saying she was kidnapped. In the end she left to avoid her lavish wedding that was supposed to take place this last Saturday.

Wasn’t there one friend or close family member that she could have turned to? How about her fiancé? I mean, this is supposed to be the person you want to spend the rest of your life with. She claims the wedding will go forward, I say, hold on to your receipts.

John Mason has a tough call to make. No one would blame him if he cuts his losses and leaves her. It takes a pretty strange person to plan an exit like that. He must be relieved, angry, and embarrassed. But he’s the least of Jennifer’s troubles.

Local prosecutors are looking into whether or not they will file charges against the “bride to be”. I say charge her. Law enforcement takes cases like this very seriously. DNA labs were checking her hair against the clump found while searching for her. And it’s estimated that the whole search has cost local tax payers some $100,000. She should pay that back.

For once it’s nice to see a missing person story that actually comes home alive. But there are consequences for actions. With all of the different forms of communication at our disposal, there is no excuse for freaking out and running away.

Her friends and family will never forget how it felt when they heard she was missing. And she shouldn’t forget to act like an adult.

God's Just Not PC

2005-04-26T17:15:00.000-05:00

A substitute principal at Everitt Middle School, in Wheat Ridge, CO, has come up with the idea for a new Pledge of Allegiance.

Her new Pledge, which she claims is more inclusive, now ends with, “one nation under your belief system.” Instead of one nation under God. Nice.

Hopefully the residents in Wheat Ridge wake up and make Margo Lucero’s tenure a short one. Here’s an idea, if you disagree with the pledge, remain silent. No one is forcing anyone to actually say the pledge. The idea that everyone needs to be sheltered, is not a decision that a school principal should be making.

In Other God News

Students at a college in Scotland have banned Bibles from resident halls because it might be offensive to non-Christian students. In addition to the ban, the students want all 6,000 Gideon bibles removed as well. I guess it’s ok to offend someone who might actually want to read the bible, or believe it’s teachings as a part of their faith. This proves once again that it’s ok to be anything you like, just so long as it’s not Christian.

Is Network News "Dying" ?

2005-04-21T23:14:00.000-05:00

On Tuesday, April 19, former ABC newsman Sam Donaldson declared network news “dead.”

Speaking at a breakfast panel for the National Association of Broadcasters in Las Vegas, Donaldson went on to say that the days of the “monster” news anchor are long gone.

Even with over 30 million viewers a night, what would lead a former insider to claim network news is dying? CNN, Fox News, and MSNBC would love to have those numbers. Bill O’Reilly gets about 6 million a night, and CNN’s top rated show gets about half of that. MSNBC is barely on the map.

While 30 million viewers is nothing to laugh at, it is about half of what it was 30 years ago, and continues to grow smaller each year. So when did the shift start?

Blame CNN

In the 90’s, CNN did something unheard of, cover a war – live. At almost any point in the day, you could tune in and see the progress over in the Gulf. Since then, Fox News and MSNBC have hit the airwaves. Matt Drudge became a, almost, household name when he broke the Monica Lewinsky scandal, on the internet, during the Clinton administration.

Today, newspapers are too late. Network news is late. We can tune in to the internet or cable and know what’s going on in the world, all in a matter of minutes. By the time we get home, we know the big news of the day. Only local news has any impact.

As Sam Donaldson points out, if something huge, like the President being shot, were to happen; people would turn to cable or the internet. God forbid someone breaks into General Hospital or CSI. And, ABC is even testing new shows for the long running “Night Line” time slot.

With Tom Brokaw retired, Dan Rather “retiring”, and Peter Jennings fighting cancer, network news is encountering a facelift. Looking ahead, it may not be the kind they wanted.

New Era

2005-04-19T16:12:00.000-05:00

White smoke. Ringing bells. Cheers from tens of thousands.

Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, of Germany, walked out today as the new Pope of the Catholic Church. Former right-hand man to Pope John Paul II, Ratzinger begins his new roll in the church as Pope Benedict XVI.

Many wonder how this new Pope will guide the church. In some ways there will be little difference compared to John Paul, as the two were very close. He is known as a hard-liner, strictly adhering to conservative principles. Including the current stance on homosexuals and birth control. He has upset some in the past by saying that Jesus is the only way to salvation, that other Christian faiths have fallen away from Christ, and saying no to women serving as priests.

From Behind a Large Shadow

Whatever the outcome of the new Pope, one thing is clear. He takes over the church trying to fill the large shoes that Pope John Paul II leaves behind. No doubt he will have a strong influence on the direction of the church. As it grows all over the world, he will have to guide the faithful. With grace and humility he asked today for Catholics to pray for him. I'm sure they are.

With all of the loud cheers today, Pope Benedict, which means "blessed", will be starting out on a high point.

More Apathy, Please

2005-04-13T09:15:00.000-05:00

There are some new polls out recently showing President Bush and California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger seem to be dipping in their approval ratings. Schwarzenegger’s people are questioning the source for the poll, while the White House rarely comments about poll numbers.

Schwarzenegger was successful in winning the recall election, which saw the horrible Gray Davis removed from office. President Bush was reelected this last November by the largest number of any President. Why the dive?

Forget “Red State” or “Blue State”

I think the real reason for the number slide is that the American people, in general, just don’t care. There are some out there who never tune into the news and never even open a news paper. And usually they claim it’s because the news is too depressing.

The lawmakers are no different. Republicans are content with their majority and really aren’t getting much done. Democrats are worse. All they seem capable of is shooting down anything the Bush administration talks about and never come up with their own idea. But, look for a nasty battle when it’s time to appoint some new Judges to the Supreme Court.

Call it a State of Apathy. We care to not care. Complain, rather than act. Point our fingers at what’s wrong, but are not trying to do something right.

A good example; more people care that Britney Spears is pregnant, than care that Social Security’s slush fund is running out.

Oh, who cares……

"C" Used to be for Cookie

2005-04-07T19:09:00.000-05:00

In an effort to encourage kids to eat healthier, Cookie Monster is cutting back on the cookies.

Instead of cookies being an “anytime” food, Cookie Monster is learning that cookies should be a “sometime” food. Even the beloved song, “C is for cookie, that’s good enough for me” is being changed. The new song features, “a cookie is a sometimes food.”
McDonald’s did something similar with Ronald McDonald telling kids to eat less burgers. But how effective can a puppet’s push for change be?

“P” used to be for Parent

TV is not a baby sitter. Too many parents these days see no problem plopping their kids down in front of the boob tube while they go on with their business. Meanwhile, kids are getting lazier, eating more, and are having learning problems as they get older.

Perhaps if parents spent more time paying attention to what their kids are doing and less time pursuing their own success, Cookie Monster could have as much of his favorite treat as he likes.

I mean, what’s next? A kinder, gentler Oscar the Grouch?!

At Rest

2005-04-06T20:18:00.000-05:00

2005-04-01T20:05:00.000-05:00

as i write this, the cameras of the world are focused on the top level of the Vatican waiting for the moment when the shades are drawn and the lights turned out. at that moment Pope John Paul II will have passed away from this life and leave behind a legacy truly worthy of the title "Pope of the People."

in his years as pontiff, he defied critics, built up the church, and took on the strongest of world leaders. but not with a weapon or government, he took them on with a deep belief and faith and a simple microphone.

i have believed that if it were not for his determination and integrity, the Catholic Church would have suffered more during all of the recent scandals and lack of new priests. his standing for the highest and most modest person is what has set him apart in his years as Pope.

so as the world holds it's breath, it is right to take a moment and remember a man of faith and caring. a man who took on evil empires and held babies born with A.I.D.S. a man whose Lord and Savior will be glad to welcome home.

Woman Brought Back to Life - By The I.R.S.!

2005-03-29T20:22:00.000-05:00

Sinking Spring, PA

it's been said that two things are certain in life, death and taxes. Toni Lausch has both.

it seems that Lausch, 47, and her husband went to apply for a car loan. the salesman returned to notify the couple that the husband qualified for the loan, but she did not, as she was "dead."

the Social Security Administrations says the mistake came from an error confusing the Cumru Township woman's social security number for someone else's who had recently passed away. they sent the Lauschs a letter informing of her reestablished status as living.

she will have to file her back taxes, but Mrs. Lausch says she doesn't mind. she just happy to be alive.

now Toni and her husband are free to pay their taxes, apply for loans, and file for returns. and the I.R.S. is still free to take it's sweet time cutting their return checks.

Easter

2005-03-27T15:45:00.000-05:00

the angel said to the women, "do not be afraid, for i know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. he is not here; he has risen, just as he said. come and see the place where he lay. then go quickly and tell his disciples, 'he has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you to galilee. there you will see him.' now i have told you."

matthew 28: 5 - 7