The Political Zone..

It Is Who I Am..

noreply@blogger.com (Sandra Bonadonna) — Fri, 12 Jul 2013 17:20:00 +0000

Music, for me, is a religious experience. Regardless of genre, I truly like all kinds, the outcome is the same - my hands are in the air, just like in church, and I feel what I can only describe as a true religious awakening and my soul comes to new, reborn, refreshed life. Music speaks to me like no other media vehicle. The lyrics only enhance the composition and I feel myself slipping into a pure, safe, true, loving and honest state where the music truly washes over me and cleanses my soul. I love to write lyrics and create musical composition. I "hear" musically, always have and probably always will, it is who I am and what I do.

I started writing when I was three years old. My mom heard me making up my own lyrics and says that I would walk around singing to myself - so she bought me my first tape recorder. It was a 1973 model of the PlaySkool ® plastic tape recorder, white, yellow, red and blue with the attached microphone on the side. Remember those? I have always been a writer. It is who I am and it is what I do.

I write about everything and anything and nothing. I am a woman, my mother’s daughter and daddy’s little girl. I am a mother of the five most wonderful blessings I could have ever have been given. I am a grandmother (albeit still trying to wrap my head around this one - only 43) to the sweetest, most beautiful 9 month old baby boy. I am a wife to my husband of 19 years and I am beyond blessed to also say that he is my best friend. I am a sister who loves her siblings. I am a cousin and niece who loves all the extended members of my family as if they were siblings. I am a friend with anyone who will share friendship with me. It is who I am and what I do.

Mostly though, I am a human being. A simple, yet complicated creature who tends to make many mistakes, falls down and has to get back up often, and anything but perfect. I am me - nothing more and nothing less - but I do like think that I try, each and every day to find ways to improve. It is who I am it is what I do.

I have been on sabbatical from ZonePolitical for nearly 3 years now. The last three years of my life have been challenging. I have learned much about myself along the way. It was a great thing to do but now it is time to get back to who I am. During this sabbatical some squatter came along and bought my web aka zonepolitical - so until we get that straightened out, I am going to continue to run the Zone on the Blogger site and I will drop links on F-book and Twitter. A few years ago I took the Zone into an alternative Entertainment and Travel direction in addition to political reporting and commentary - simply because politics will make you sick if you don’t find a way to lighten up. I have decided to continue this practice.

In the last few years I have written books (some of which will be published later this year), published poetry and spiritual writings, and reconnected in a big way with my family. Thank you, all of you, who have stood by me and continue to support me in all of my endeavors.

I look forward to writing a weekly installment on the Zone every Sunday, and I hope you will look forward to reading it.

Thank you for hanging in there with me while I walked this journey of self discovery - of finding out who I am and what I do. I wish blessings and peace for you all.

With Love,

Sandra Dee Bonadonna

Jon Stewart All Over The News

noreply@blogger.com (Sandra Bonadonna) — Sat, 02 Oct 2010 19:50:00 +0000

Rick Sanchez has said his goodbyes with CNN because he claims

Jon Stewart is a "bigot" and those who run CNN are just like Stewart.

President Obama is supporting Stewart's 10.30.10 Rally To Restore

Sanity at The Washington Mall.

Arianna Huffington has promised bus transportation to all who need it

and can meet the buses in front of her NY office to travel to Stewart's

10.30.10 Rally To Restore Sanity.

Bill O'Reilly appears on Stewart's The Daily Show, and Stewart

appears on O'Reilly's The Factor.

Stewart talks about both appearances while stopping to visit David

Letterman on his show.

Glenn Beck discusses the Letterman show and Stewart on his radio

program after Stewart again discusses his desires to appear on the

Beck program.

The list goes on..

I personally am a fan of Jon Stewart's The Daily Show and I watch it

often. I admit I turn to Stewart when I need a lighter, more comedic

take on the miserable news of the day. I never watch the show,

however, thinking that I am watching something other than comedy.

Isn't that the point of his show? Comedic relief using news topics

as source material?

I was reading the Drudge Report on my droid..(I recently installed the

Drudge Report app for droids), and I learned of the departure of Rick

Sanchez from CNN and was shocked at his statements! Seriously this

man can't take a comedy show and make it something personal, so

personal that he lashes out and accuses Stewart of being a bigot?

I then headed off to obtain a copy of the transcript of the Interview between

Rick Sanchez and Pete Dominick on Sirius XM. The man's words really

baffle me.

"It’s not just the right that does this. cause I’ve known a lot of elite

Northeast establishment liberals that may not use this as a business

model but deep down when they look at a guy like me they look

at a-- they see a guy automatically who belongs in the second

tier and not the top tier."

"I think Jon Stewart’s a bigot. I think he looks at the world through

his mom who was a schoolteacher, and his dad who was a physicist

or something like that. Great, I’m so happy that he grew up in a

suburban middle class New Jersey home with everything that

you could ever imagine."

When Pete Dominick asked him what group Stewart is bigoted

toward, Sanchez responded: "Everybody else who's not like him.

Look at his show! What does he surround himself with?"

The interview continues on and then there is this exchange between

Pete Dominick and Rick Sanchez, where Dominick is apparently

attempting to reach the rational side of Sanchez.

Sanchez: "I think Jon's show is essentially prejudicial. I think that

Jon’s show is…"

Dominick: "Against who?"

Sanchez: "Against anybody who doesn't agree to his point of view,

which is very much a white liberal establishment point of view. He

cant relate to a guy like me. He can’t relate to a guy who's dad

worked all his life. He can’t relate to somebody who grew up poor."

Dominick: "He cant relate to … whoah whoah whoah he's a standup

comedian!"

Sanchez: "No, he's not. According to Time magazine, he's the guy

that most Americans trust for news."

Dominick: "Whatever, he's a standup comedian."

Yes it is true that Stewart may be the most trusted name in news,

but it is also true that those who watch him are intelligent people

who are fully aware that they are viewing a comedic program on

a channel titled Comedy Central. We are further aware that Jon

Stewart is a Comedian! We are aware that he pokes fun at the

news and those who report it. I personally choose to watch this

comedy because it takes the edge of the sadness, in-fighting,

and miserableness of the news in general and makes me laugh

at least once per day. I remember watching SNL News skits

years ago for the same reasons. I am grateful for comedy outlets

like this because frankly I think we all are prone to take life just a

bit too seriously from time to time and need a break.

Did Sanchez deserve to lose his job? At first I wasn't so sure

and then I read the entire transcript. I am not so keen on anyone

losing their job, especially in this economy, but I am not his boss.

Maybe he could have used some counseling or anger management

therapy, who knows? He seems to be a rather upset and angry

gentleman. You can read the entire transcript of the Pete Dominick

interview here:

http://www.thewrap.com/media/article/transcript-cnns-rick-sanchez-meltdown-sirius-radio-21386

Jon Stewart sure is a popular fellow these days. This comedian seems

to be at the height of his popularity for numerous reasons, but being a

bigot is obviously not one of them.

Mayor Emanuel?

noreply@blogger.com (Sandra Bonadonna) — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 16:12:00 +0000

Rahm Emanuel steps down as the White House Chief of Staff in order to return to Chicago and begin a bid for the City's Mayoral Office long held by Richard M Daley. A native of Chicago myself I spent the morning looking back at the people who have held this office over the last 30+ years wondering if Rahm, or any of the other Mayoral hopefuls, are Chicago Mayoral material. The list since the death of the father of Mayor Richard M Daley, Mayor Richard J Daley who died in office in December of 1976 after serving as the City's Mayor since 1955 has included:

77-79 Michael A Bilandic
79-83 Jane M Byrne
83-87 Harold Washington (died in office)
87 (interim mayor) David Orr
87-89 Eugene Sawyer
89-Current Mayor Richard M Daley

Mayor Daley has held the office for the last 21 years. During his press conference to officially announce his retirement from the position he said, "I am deeply grateful to the people of this city, more grateful than I can fully express. I have given it my all. I have done the best."

"Now, I am ready with my family to begin the new phase of our lives. In the coming days, I know there will be some reflecting on my time as mayor. Many of you will search to find what's behind my decision. It's simple. I've always believed that every person, especially public officials, must understand when it's time to move on. For me, that time is now,"

"The truth is that I've been thinking about this for the last several months. And in the last several weeks, I've been increasingly comfortable with my decision. It just feels right."

Rahm Emanuel has made no secret about his desire to hold this office, but did make it clear he would not run against Daley. With Daley stepping down the playing field is now wide open for the entire slew of those would be mayoral hopefuls to throw their hats into the ring, including a slew of City Alderman.

Will Emanuel make a good mayor for Chicago? He has a proven track record of being able to push through and get the job at hand done, but for the City of Chicago, if they elect him, only time will tell.

ZonePolitical On Allvoices!

noreply@blogger.com (Sandra Bonadonna) — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 21:37:00 +0000

The Zone has been syndicated on AllVoices.com over the last year, however the name was not easy to find. That has been corrected as ZonePolitical links & syncs all of the networking communities we are a part of into one easy to find and named location.

ZonePolitical is the name you will find on Allvoices.com, Twitter.com, Digg, Reddit, Buzz, and in the next few weeks as the clean up of sites continues on Facebook and MySpace as well.

Thanks for hanging in there with us as we clean up and expand the site!

The articles will start up again soon!

ZonePolitical/Sandra Bonadonna

Travelling!

noreply@blogger.com (Sandra Bonadonna) — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 17:17:00 +0000

I left Las Vegas about 2-3 weeks ago and headed out to visit my parents in Charleston, S.C. Then I boarded the Carnival Fantasy for 5 nights and sailed off to the Bahamas. I returned to sunny Charleston and tomorrow I am visiting Savannah, GA.

Next week I am flying out to Chicago to visit with my brother for a few days before I head back to Vegas and prepare to write my next series of articles. I will be writing a full review of the Cruise, which overall was pretty fantastic, and catching up on some political news about Senator Reid, Congresswoman Titus and some other local politicians running for office. I also took plenty of notes on tours so that I could write some opinion pieces on history topics..my favorite subject!

This has been a fabulous vacation. I look forward to getting back home and helping to finalize the Wounded & Homeless Veterans Charity Event coming up in September as well. There are all kinds of things coming up to write about and get involved in this fall.

I also am launching a new site just about Las Vegas, called The Vegas Hotline. That new venture should be off the ground and running early this fall. Lots to do and lots to see and in the mean time...I am back off to enjoy the rest of my vacation and some quality time with my family.

Sandra

Upcoming Stories on The Zone!

noreply@blogger.com (Sandra Bonadonna) — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 19:19:00 +0000

What a last few months it's been! During this brief hiatus there has been quite a bit going on here at Zonepolitical. Next week there will be a new series on the Zone covering Las Vegas local attractions, hot spots, night-life, & the best of Travel & Tourism on the Las Vegas Strip!

Last week I had the awesome pleasure to meet with U.S. Congresswoman Dina Titus and sit in on a Community meeting. Watch for an article detailing more information on Dina Titus and her issues and platform as she runs for another term as the 3rd District U.S. Congressperson for the State of Nevada.

Charity work abounds, of course! I can't wait to tell you all about the fabulous Red Carpet Celebrity Event to Benefit Wounded and Homeless Veterans that is taking place at the Las Vegas Hilton on September 11, 2010 hosted by Sports Life Magazine together with Lenny Randle Sports Tours and Ricky Lee Watson's 'That's What I Love About America' Tour. This event is sure to be special and is beyond honoring for our Country's Veteran's.

Keep your eye on the Zone over the next few weeks for new articles, entertainment news, and as always the political scene!

FOR CURRENT ZONEPOLITICAL UPDATES VISIT OUR ALLVOICES SYNDICATION

noreply@blogger.com (Sandra Bonadonna) — Wed, 12 May 2010 22:33:00 +0000

For All Current ZONEPOLITICAL UPDATES & STORIES PLEASE VISIT OUR GLOBALLY SYNDICATED COLUMN ON ALLVOICES.COM/USERS/SANDRABON

Thank you for your continued support of ZONEPOLITICAL. We appreciate you. To contact the Zone, please email us at Zonepolitical@gmail.com

Nevada 2010 Elections - Campaign By Social Networking & Rankings

noreply@blogger.com (Sandra Bonadonna) — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 05:34:00 +0000

READ FULL STORY HERE BY CLICKING HERE

Political Research Study:
Is it even possible to consider Social Network Campaigning into the overall potential polling figures within each individual's campaign?

More Information by following the link above regarding Senator Harry Reid , and the potential Candidates: Danny Tarkanian, Sue Lowden, and Sharron Angle - Here.

INTERNET SHOPPING SECURITY CHASE & VISA LEADING THE WAY?

noreply@blogger.com (Sandra Bonadonna) — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 12:14:00 +0000

Today was another one of "those" days. Everything seemed complicated, even paying a bill online seemed to be an impossible feat, until it turned into finding out a bank is actually doing more to protect us and keep our Identity Protected and our finances safe, while enhancing the Shopping Experience by offering more security online, through a partnership with Verified By Visa.

Identity Theft is one of, if not the most quickly growing crime, and it leaves behind literal disaster for the victims that can drag on for years and years. My husband and I are all to familiar with being victims of Identity Theft, so we have worked very hard over the years to make sure we are beyond protected. We learned you can do things like have your checks mailed to the bank so you can pick them up in person. This avoids thieves stealing your boxes of checks from the mailbox and ever obtaining your account information. We also learned about more secure programs our bank offered to help people like us who were afraid to bank again. Before Chase bought them out, we banked with WAMU because they offered so much in regard to banking security. Today I learned that our new bank, CHASE, has taken this issue even more seriously and stepped up the Protection Services!

We couldn't pay the bill, something was wrong and we were being directed to call the bank. Oh, the aggravation when all you want to do is quickly pay a bill and move about your day! Then as I was directed to:

CHASE VERIFIED BY VISA

https://www.securesuite.net/chase/registration/welcome.jsp

We needed to complete and update information by first calling our bank directly or any online purchases or bill payments would continue to be declined for our safety.

This is the kind of aggravation I appreciate! The, "How can we help and protect your finances" kind! I still did not realize what a wonderful service this really was until I started researching the site.

CHASE & VERIFIED BY VISA have connected with businesses, and all kinds of companies across the Internet to really work this Internet Shopping Security program and make doubly sure that customers are protected from would be Identity Thief Criminals.

Some of the companies participating in this safer Internet Shopping Security Program include:

WALMART http://www.walmart.com/

HOTWIRE.com http://www.hotwire.com/

JET BLUE AIRLINES http://www.jetblue.com/

VERIZON http://www.vzw.com

DELTA http://www.delta.com/

DELL http://www.dell.com/

SPORTS AUTHORITY http://www.sportsauthority.com/home/index.jsp

TOYS R US & BABIES R US http://www.toysrus.com/

ZALES http://www.zales.com/

TIRE RACK http://www.tirerack.com/

and a whole list of other's you can look up at http://usa.visa.com/personal/security/visa_security_program/vbv/shop.html

It took us close to an hour today to straighten it all out and pay a bill, but it was so worth it to learn that Internet Shopping Security is at the forefront of what is most important to corps like VISA and banks like CHASE that partner into this program. I would rather jump through hoops to pay one bill and rest confident that we are financially protected on a more stringent level now, than ever be without this kind of Internet security and safety.

I am also so glad to report this list of Companies who respect their customers so much they want them to be safe and join this program. These are companies I know I want to do business with because they are showing us they see the problems and want to do all they can to help prevent it from ever happening to their customers. That alone, is all I need to make me want to be a customer.

That is the definition of Customer Service. How can we make your life financially safer, more secure, and enhance your Internet Shopping experience all at the same time?

They figured it out! I am sure more banks are part of this program, or can easily become part of this program, but all I was able to find online today was in reference to CHASE and VERIFIED BY VISA. If you are aware of other banks who are participating in this wonderful Prevent Identity Theft measure while Internet Shopping and "please keep security tight and thank you for doing all you can to make the Internet a safer and more secure place to shop", like CHASE please comment and let us know which banks are doing more to protect their customers! I know I definitely want to know, so I can help sing their praises also.

Learn more about VERIFIED by VISA and the wealth of information they share about Identity Theft and how to keep yourself safe here:

http://usa.visa.com/personal/security/visa_security_program/

Wishing you a safer, more secure, and pleasant future Internet Shopping Experience!

Sandra Bonadonna

Zonepolitical.com

1985, YouTube & Social Networking

noreply@blogger.com (Sandra Bonadonna) — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 06:18:00 +0000

1985 * YouTube & Social Networking

I was listening to Bowling For Soup's hit song, 1985, on my desktop Verizon Rhapsody Account while working one day on my many Social Networking sites, and writing outlets - and really paid attention to the lyrics. With my 40th birthday, (yeah I put it print now, so it's as official as it gets), this song really started speaking to me. I was 15 years old in 1985 and I have two teens in high school and two other kids not far behind them.

I wanted to see the video. I headed off to www.youtube.com which is where I always go to find and watch videos these days, because MTV, as we all knew it way back in the day - the ‘80's day - no longer exists for us. The awesome news is that YouTube has picked up where MTV left off!

The cool thing about YouTube is it allows people to partner up and make an investment to bring these AMAZING, Songs and Videos back to us. The people who participate in this hope to earn a return on that investment through views, ad-clicks and stuff, but hopefully by people clicking on that purchase the track now link through Digital Music Downloads on Amazon
or which-ever music source allows you to purchase the track. The tracks usually cost about .99 each. This is how I purchase my music, by Digital Internet Downloads
.

I started to really think about that Bowling For Soup song, 1985, and all that it spoke about. I wondered how many others, like me, truly miss the days of music videos and good old fashioned "musical fun".

I started a Twitter account, mainly to start singing the praises of Vegas because I live here and I love this City. Then I realized that everyone deserves to be treated as if they matter because they do! Everyone matters if they are breathing! So I created various lists, including one called OthersWhoCount2, for those who I couldn't find a specific place to list, but they still mattered! My next decision was to see if people missed music & music videos from the past as much I did, so I decided to throw "Zone Flashback Vegas Music Party's' using YouTube links, provided by people on www.YouTube.com that I subscribe to.

My purpose for choosing as many regular people links as I can find is to help support the little people in their efforts to eek out a living in today's tough economy while at the same time entertaining my followers and friends, and of course myself! I miss the music & videos too!

Imagine my surprise when I hold the Zone's first "Flashback to 1985 Music YouTube Link Vegas Twitter on ZonePolitical Party" and it was a hit! People really miss the Music Videos, just like me! The next one was a Rock Show, and wow that was a blast! Even Dallas Cowboy's Offensive Tackle, Marc Columbo joined in because he too is a Vegas fan, and a Rock Music fan & ENTERTAINER! He is currently the lead singer and plays rhythm guitar in a metal band called Free Reign! (You can also find them on Twitter & other Social Networking Sites, or click on any of the pre-set links throughout this this article.) Music simply speaks to people, all people from all walks of life, and is a uniting force, which truly is a beautiful thing.

So I guess Bowling For Soup really hit on something with that song 1985, because we former kids of the 80's, 70's, 60's, 50's - we love our music and the videos! We are ever grateful that YouTube exists and has picked up where MTV left off, and allowed the people to take over and entertain us!

The music world has much to be to grateful for when it comes to YouTube and all those "YouTuber's" out there who work so hard to keep those Music Videos we love so much and never want to forget or lose, coming our way. We thank you. I thank you! I can assure you, I will definitely continue to support the YouTube people. VEVO, is another big part of YouTube, and what a cool Music Video service they are too!

When all is said and done, when you need your music fix of the good old days of "your kind of music", look no further than www.YouTube.com my friends. There is an entire world of Entertainment just waiting to be explored by us - the lost generation who watched it all change. The kids who played Atari Space Invaders, then moved onto Zork on our Commodore 64's, learned how to type on type-writers with no letters, took computer classes that required binary stuff and punch cards with holes in them (remember that crazy stuff?), went to Arcades at the mall when the cool color versions of video games came out, and WOW when Windows made C prompts a thing of the past? Then Mac? Now we can walk around and watch www.Youtube.com videos in the palm of our hands on our CELLPHONES! All in the SPAN of OUR lifetimes, we people who totally get every word of that song, Bowling For Soup sings, 1985.

So here's a hurrah to 1985, Bowling For Soup, and one heck of a THANK YOU to the Owners, Operators, and USERS of YouTube who keep us Entertained with the Music & Video's we love!

Sandra Bonadonna

Zonepolitical

Oh and that picture on the cover of this story.. Yes, that would be me way back in the GREAT 1985

Words.. Uniting or Dividing?

noreply@blogger.com (Sandra Bonadonna) — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 04:26:00 +0000

Writing is what I do, it is who I am, and it is the very nature of my soul - my inner being. I use words every day of my life. I have come to love and appreciate words, but I have also learned quite a bit about words.

Words are simply the tool that a writer will attempt to use to describe feelings and emotions to express to the reader, listener or intended audience, the thoughts and emotions within the soul that the writer wishes to convey.

Words are meaningful in life for more than writers, however. People use words every single day. Words can be uplifting, healing, helpful, kind, caring, and sweet, perfect for the moment, and words can also be very damaging.

In my life I have witnessed many instances where people, including myself, don't stop and think before they speak. The thing about words is that once they are spoken, they have been put out there into the World and they can't be taken back.

Sometimes we people would like to think that an apology will wipe away the things we wish never came out of our mouths, but the reality is once spoken, words have been given life and any potential damage has already been done.

When I was a child in elementary school I had a teacher that taught us little children a poem that went something like this:....
"Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me."

This is probably this biggest untruth told to all of us in life, and most of us already know this. Words, especially negative, mean and purposely hurtful words are damaging to others. There is no realistic justification for utilizing hurtful words against another human being simply because we can.

There has definitely been a time in our live's when we have been on the receiving end of hurtful words, and I would encourage anyone, all of us - self included here - who has experienced this pain to stop and remember those moments before preparing to use words to hurt or wound another.

In the animated film, Bambi, the character Thumper states that his mother always told him, "If you have nothing nice to say, say nothing at all." These are words to live by, and bless the writer who chose to put this statement out into the World for us to hear.

Life is full of pain on so many different levels. Just turn on the evening news and you will find pain and suffering all around the World. In our tiny circles of life, the places where we group together to socialize, to congregate, to hang out together, to work together is where we can start!

In all of these smaller circles of social settings we can truly make a difference by allowing our example of how we want the World to be a better place, simply by and through the use of our words. Negativity breeds negativity, where positivity breeds positivity - or rather kindness breeds more kindness.

All of this requires the use of words, and it is up to us which words we will choose in order to bring out the desired outcome in our surroundings.

Words will write and sell a novel,

Words will write and sing a song,

Words will unlock hidden mysteries,

Words will help some get along,

Sometimes words can wound and hurt,

Words can cut the heart just like a knife,

Once stated you can't take them back,

Words once spoken now have life!

Words truly are a gift in this World,

Our words are ours to use forever,

Shouldn't it be time to see that our words are uniting?

Isn't it time to use our words to bring us all together?

Let our words that we speak today be the words that we are proud to have our children repeat tomorrow, in our honor.

Sandra Bonadonna
Zonepolitical
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JOHNNY B SINGS THE SONGS OF OUR LIVES Tonight At BUGSYS LAS VEGAS!

noreply@blogger.com (Sandra Bonadonna) — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 00:39:00 +0000

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Kevin Smith Get's The Little People Don't Matter Treatment from SWA

noreply@blogger.com (Sandra Bonadonna) — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 20:34:00 +0000

COP OUT. That is the name of Director,Writer, Producer, Kevin Smith's new film and I plan to go see it, but that is not what this story is about. It is about how I am constantly finding myself shouting out for how the little people are being wronged. Who knew, Kevin Smith would wind up being mistaken as a "nobody, little person" and treated like crap, just like an everyday "nobody, little person" is used to!

As this nonsense around him continues to unfold, the truth of the matter isn't even being reported, according to Smith, and I believe him, I have no reason not to, I am friendly with him on Twitter and have been listening to him talk about this mess Southwest Airlines started with him yesterday since it began. I also am very familiar with Airlines screwing people over, if you have been following my stories lately.

Kevin Smith likes to not be broke. He is a common sense man who chooses to fly Southwest when he can because it is affordable. He even went so far yesterday after being insulted by Southwest Airlines, to tell the entire Twitter World to NOT BOYCOTT Southwest, but to keep using them because "they're so damn cheap!" Which even I have to admit, is true.

So Kevin Smith is setting a great monetary example for the rest of us. He said "Look folks: some people seem to think that because I work in the pictures, I should piss away money on private jets or first class flights. Rest assured: I take LOTS of first class flights. But while I've got some comfortable money, it'd disappear quick if I didn't respect a $."

With all this misrepresentation of what happened, and all the media out there spinning it out and making Kevin Smith look like he did something wrong, here is some truth for you. (I can't help but wonder why one little mommy with a big mouth is the only one screaming truths, but heck I guess that is what I do best these days):

1. Southwest Airlines & media outlets are reporting that Kevin Smith regularly purchases 2 tickets whenever he fly’s SWA. FALSE

The truth: THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME KEVIN SMITH HAS PURCHASED TWO TICKETS FROM SWA, USUALLY HE PURCHASES ONE SEAT.

One Seat for himself. One seat for his wife or whomever is flying with him. One seat for privacy so a stranger is not sitting next to them, as is stated by Kevin Smith and his wife in the SModcast, on www.Smodcast.com

2. The first thing Zone Political did yesterday, was to tell Kevin Smith via Twitter that we here in Las Vegas are so sorry that yet another Airline went above & beyond to cause pain and hurt, but we know Smith loves Las Vegas and Las Vegas loves Kevin Smith too! ZonePolitical believed him, and spoke the truth. Why not? Does he have any reason to not be telling the truth? Believe an airline? Please! Seriously?

3.Kevin Smith told GMA (Good Morning America) no, and who to contact, and GMA showed up at his home. His kid answered the door. Even his kid found it as Kevin Smith put's it, "Tacky".

4.Somehow, in all of this it spinned out into Kevin being too fat to fly. FALSE! He passes all the rules, guidelines, standards, fits in the seats just fine, the seat belt fits just fine, and anyone who calls him fat, well you are just very INCORRECT, (and a name caller!)

So, all you Airlines out there, there is this little thing called CUSTOMER SERVICE! I know some of you are not big on treating your Employees well at all, but if you continue to treat your customers this way, you won't have any customers left. Kevin Smith can afford to find another route, but he is choosing to stay with you. Wise up, and take a lesson. Kevin Smith is admired by many "regular people" who will follow his lead, and many of those people are young. He also loves to come out here to Vegas, and many young people fly your Airline to Vegas! Now with US Airways leaving Las Vegas, the biz is all yours if you want it, so how about admitting the truth! You screwed up, apologize, Kevin Smith did NOTHING WRONG, and he is just another Little Person who was stepped on yet again, even if by an Airline that made a mistake and had a bad day.

It happens. He will understand, we all will. We've all been there before. When you issue apologies, however, you have to tell the WHOLE TRUTH.

Kevin, I hope you have blast next time your in town, and I can't wait to see Cop Out!

Sandra Bonadonna

AllVOICES.com (Sandrabon)

ZonePolitical.com

thepoliticalzone@gmail.com

@zonepolitical on Twitter

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

A Comment was posted that I feel deserves to immediately follow this article. I started to post my comment, but out of a great respect for this man I am editing this post to place his comment here in it's entirety, then I will follow up with my comment. Mr. Margulies, I invite you to email me personally at the politicalzone@gmail.com and I will directly post your comments as stand alone articles in the future. I would also like to let you know that I will make sure to post this on the AllVoices Syndication site so that the story is complete in both places.

Respectfully,

Sandra Bonadonna
Zone Political
**********************
David Margulies

Crisis Expert Asks, 'Was Southwest Airlines Too Polite to Overweight Passenger?'
DALLAS, Feb. 15 /PRNewswire/ -- Was Southwest Airlines too polite to director Kevin Smith when he posted a profanity-laced Twitter tirade against the airline and its employees on the Internet? Smith was asked to leave a Southwest flight because his weight had him encroaching on the seat next to him. The airline has had a long standing policy that requires passengers who can't lower their armrests between seats purchase a second seat. Smith acknowledged that he was aware of the policy and had in fact purchased two seats but tried to get on an earlier flight as a standby passenger.

"Too many companies back down from reasonable policies because they are afraid of negative publicity," said crisis management expert David Margulies. "We urge our clients to use a devil's advocate approach to avoid problems when possible but to stand up for themselves when their policies are fair and reasonable.

"Southwest certainly took the high road when it posted a strong defense of its policy on its blog," said Margulies. "Southwest's reasoned approach is in sharp contrast to Smith's attitude, allowing consumers to see the difficulty airlines and other service businesses have with unreasonable customers.

"Most large corporations want to be very careful with how they respond to this type of over-the-top reaction by a customer," said Margulies. "In this case, I think the public would have understood if Southwest pointed out that Smith's profanity and overall negative attitude toward the company and its employees would make it a good idea for him to find another mode of travel.

"Southwest has taken a very reasonable and fair approach to dealing with the issue of overweight customers and should be applauded for their actions," said Margulies. "This is the time that customers and employees should take to the Internet in defense of the company."

David Margulies is a former award-winning journalist who covered the aviation industry. He is currently a leading expert on crisis management and crisis prevention. For the past 23 years, The Margulies Communications Group, a leading public relations firm (prexperts.net) has worked with government agencies, corporations and non-profits providing litigation support, crisis management, media training and crisis prevention programs.

SOURCE The Margulies Communications Group

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

ZonePolitical Reply

Dear Mr. Margulies:

I admire your work, and respect your opinions greatly. However, in this particular situation the facts, in my opinion, are being misrepresented by Southwest Airlines, not Kevin Smith. I followed every second of that Twitter roll because Kevin Smith is listed on more than one of my many lists, including my private friends list, where I read every word he said.

He continued to update every aspect of his conversations today, and even talked about a call with someone named Linda at Southwest Air. He was quite detailed on all fronts. The problem was not a fat issue, until, and again this is how I see it, and how I am almost certain Mr. Smith may be seeing it if you actually read his words, Southwest & the Media spinned it out that way.

For example: Fox News having a guest on wearing a bright Red T-Shirt that said "NO CHUBBIES" and made statements like, "You eat too much pie, you don't fly!"

We should find this type of behavior, including News Organizations, like GMA who were told "No", and then proceed to go Kevin Smith's home anyway, acceptable?

It is no secret to anyone on this planet, unless the have been living under a rock that Kevin Smith has a potty mouth. Anyone who has seen or heard of any of his films or knows anything about Jay & Silent Bob, Clerks, Mall Rats, or Dogma for a few examples, knows that he is a film maker and a great one, with a potty mouth. He has his own style and appeals to his audience. This is no different than anyone else in this field, some have potty mouths, and some don't. I am certain I don't need to name them for you.

Kevin Smith supports this Airline, and early on made a clear point of stating that he would not boycott, & he even stated he wouldn't sue if they would just be truthful as to what really happened. It is all listed right there from beginning of the Twitter conversation to the end, or you could just ask Mr. Smith. He has been quite honest and vocal about it all, to those who are fair and honest and truthful and choose to listen.

I like Southwest too. If I were treated that way, I would be livid too! Who wouldn't be? What paying customer, who spends money regularly and is loyal enough to frequent this organization, wouldn't be extremely peeved after being treated this way? Why aren't more people defending him?

The fact is he fits into the seat, the arm rest easily went down, and the fact is the seat belt as it is fits him. The fact is he stated all of the above and I have no reason to question him. I saw him on the television today, and the last time I was on a plane there were at least 5 people heavier than Mr. Smith that I can remember, one of which I sat next to. The man was very nice, and I had no problem with his weight. We shared a nice conversation and nice flight.

What I did have an issue with was a Flight Attendant who was wearing an overabundance of perfume. I felt nauseous every time she walked by, along with several other female passengers who felt it necessary to load up on perfume and cologne's or body sprays just before we boarded. I have severe allergies, and in a closed environment like an airplane, it is rude enough for the fellow passengers to do this. With the no smoking rules on planes, and all of our Clean Air Acts, I would think the Flight Attendants would be required to not wear scented anything out of common courtesy to the passengers.

In closing there is so more that could be done to accommodate customers who spend money on Airlines. I do appreciate Southwest Airlines, but I don't appreciate being mistreated by companies I spend my money on loyally year after year, either. I went through this recently with another company I had a major issue with personally, and wrote about them as well. This is what I do.

I very much appreciate you taking the time to visit the Zone, Sir. I have always admired your work and look to some of your studies for research aides and studies of my own, and genuinely respect you. Over the years I feel I have learned a great deal from studying your work. However this does seem an area where I will have to sincerely ask that we respectfully agree to disagree.

Respectfully,

Sandra Bonadonna

AllVoices.com/users/Sandrabon

US Airways or DELTA? HEY DC! Let's Get The Truth Out There Already!!

noreply@blogger.com (Sandra Bonadonna) — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 11:09:00 +0000

Is it Karma or Kharma? Follow this link to find out the Newest Breaking Story of more lost jobs across the Country and the blame game that has now begun HERE!

Open Letter To President Obama Regarding Las Vegas Comments

noreply@blogger.com (Sandra Bonadonna) — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 22:58:00 +0000

Please follow this link to read Sandra Bonadonna's Open Letter to President Obama on our All Voices Syndication Site:

Open Letter To President Obama Regarding Statements About Las Vegas & The Overall Travel Industry

HEY POLITICIANS! LISTEN UP!! WE'RE HOUSE CLEANING!

noreply@blogger.com (Sandra Bonadonna) — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 20:41:00 +0000

Please all Republicans and Democrats who really think that the American People who VOTE, those of us who care and plan to VOTE, actually give a crap about your Political Parties..you are so very wrong. We have come to learn that political parties are nothing more than clubs. Clubs where you people gather in DC to play your political games.

We now vote for people, not parties, and that means you too, Republicans! Don't go and get all uppity thinking that it was the GOP that elected "Senator Dreamy" (isn't that ridiculous, not to mention nauseating??), don't kid yourselves, even though you like to! We don't like political parties period, the message of the day is: We are fed up, pun intended, and we want change ALL THE WAY AROUND. (even I hear this message loud and clear with ear plugs in..can't figure out why the GOP wants to take any kind of credit because you guys are in just as much trouble..)

It's time to vote for people, deserving Legislative PEOPLE, not slimy politicians. So, which politician is going to sign up, and STEP UP to save some jobs? All I currently hear is more talk and NO ACTION from any Candidate, even the new ones. Everyone is ALL TALK about the Jobs, but they all sit back and do nothing as all these real jobs keep silently slipping away from Cities all across the Nation.

Taken away from all of these Middle Class, Low-Middle Class, and Poor, Poverty level, and Below Poverty level American Homes! I thought we were done beating up on the little guy in this Country and making the broke people pay for the rich people?? So yeah Republicans, feeling all warm and gooey about that recent election? Pay attention along with the Democrats. House Cleaning, refers to all of you. Clean up your acts or the Voters will sweep you out and replace you and it is NOT A PARTY AFFILIATION THING! Hope you get the message.

Still to date..only one legislator doing anything here locally to help at all with over 400 layoffs right around the corner and 140 Pilots being stolen from our State and sent over to Arizona (more lost homes, income, stability)..not to mention the only legislator helping the other States this is happening in also..but hey, why would anyone want to mention that horrible guy's name, for doing something so NICE? I can't imagine why someone would want to talk about Harry Reid doing something GOOD? No, heavens WE CAN'T LET THAT HAPPEN. Get with the program.

Even if I don't like half of what you are currently doing, the second you change your nonsense and start doing right by your constituents, HELLO, the VOTERS PAY ATTENTION. DO ANY OF YOU?

Remembering Families, Giving, and How To Help

noreply@blogger.com (Sandra Bonadonna) — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 17:02:00 +0000

Wow, does reality have a way of slapping you right in the face and waking you up. I have been in tears for days, every time I turn on the television set and I see what is going on in Haiti. I thought it was just the mass sadness of what I was seeing on the television, but no, for my family it woke up so much more than that. My family has been walking around in somewhat of a daze, almost afraid to look at the visuals being played out on the television in front of us. I can't stop watching though, because of a dear friend I know is also watching and his heart is breaking because he is traveling back in time, to a place he does not want to be either. I lost his number when we moved, when my cell phone broke, and I searched like crazy on the net to find the old articles, and I finally found one or two that specifically spoke to these sweet Chicago people that know exactly how these poor people in Haiti feel right now.

I was able to call this old friend today, and tell him how much I missed him, his family, but more than anything, that I am praying for him too! I know how just seeing this on television has awoken those dreadful nightmares of the day he got the call to turn on the TV right after Christmas, only to be told that besides his wife Zahra, his 11 year old daughter Sima Bambouyani had perished in the Earthquake that rocked Bam, Iran on December 26th, 2003, along with so many other members of his immediate family and extended family that they all had intended to visit over the Christmas holiday.

His 11 year old daughter, Sima, who played in my home, and my daughter Hayley who spent so much time over at this family's home being welcomed, loved, and just hanging out with her buddy the "Chicago Karate-Kid", it was true heart-break; for she was going to travel to see where her family came from for the first time, and she was excited about this trip. I knew in my heart that just seeing what is going on in Haiti, must be the most painful re-awakening of memories for this man who lost most of his family that day. It was nice to hear his voice. Nice to know that his doing all he can to move forward and carry the torch to hold up their names, their memories, the meaning that their lives gave to the City of Chicago overall. I look forward to working with him well into the future to continue to try and raise some money in Sima's name for Karate, which she adored and was so talented, to help other children while at the same time raising Earthquake awareness, and continued benefits for a shared love for Children's Memorial Hospital which was so dear to Zahra and our late son, in the future.

Wow, can you even imagine losing almost all of your entire family to an Earthquake? I can't, not at all. I have been touched by the loss of a child, and that alone is a loss I wouldn't wish on anyone. Last night I sat my family down and we all spoke about Haiti. I reminded everyone of the service we attended for Sima and her Mother and the rest of the family. I pulled up my old copy of the Pioneer Press Article written by Amy Le on February 17, 2005 that spoke of the Interfaith Memorial Service that was held to honor, remember and raise money in memory of Sima and her wonderful mother, to which her husband stated to the reporter one of my fondest memories of this dear woman, "Zahra spent her life giving to others, always helping to raise money for the Children's Memorial Hospital. So it only makes sense that this foundation will continue her legacy," Bambouyani said."

So, what do you do? How do you help? When you see the images of horror and mass destruction in front you? I know that was the first question we all, as family asked..what exactly can we do, besides pray? Then I looked down at that little luxury in my life. I had watched the Colbert report the other night and he was talking about it. Then I was watching Mike Huckabee and he was talking about it. It seems lately every time I turn on a program they are talking about it. Could I live without a cell phone? I feel like I need it for my writing, but I even asked my kids this. Could you check in every 30 minutes to an hour like we used to do, and do we realize that these are more of luxuries than needs? (and my kids, we all, have the cheap plan, that comes with that free no bells and whistles phone, unless they want to go out and get a job and upgrade themselves, but they can text to whoever they want. Regardless, still on many levels, a luxury more than a need when you get down to the nuts and bolts of it, just looking at the Haitian needs.)

So, I called my cell phone company because I have all premium texting blocked, (Verizon does that for free so my kids can't run the bill through the roof). In tears, I explained to them that I was going to be calling twice, and I wasn't playing games with turning off a feature just to turn around and turn it right back on. I also said if this is one of those record a calls, start recording! I felt guilty that all I could afford to do was attach $10.00 to my cell phone bill, but I told my cell phone company, if my bill was a little less I would be able to give a little more. I then made the comment that I sure hope THEY are making up for that by DONATING to this cause as well, for if we cell phone users can give to the RED CROSS BY TEXTING THE WORD HAITI to 90999, (this will send $10 (USD) to the Red Cross for direct Disaster Aid Relief for Haiti and is the official giving non-scam way to text-give), I sure hope our carriers are doing their parts and AT LEAST MATCHING on some level, what we customers give..(considering the size of our consumer bills.) Just a humanitarian thought..Cell Phone Providers..let me know if you do, and I will start singing your praises from the rooftops!

But yes, as a family we all knew that not one more day could go by with us using our cell phone service, and seeing what was going on in Haiti, while we knew first hand people who have been personally touched by this kind of devastation. Friends of our family. They need help in Haiti, lots of help and will continue to need help for a very long time. Whatever you have to give, please give it. Even if it is a few minutes of your good thoughts and prayers, or $10 bucks. Please consider giving.

Sometimes giving the smallest things can change the world.

For more information on how to Help Haiti visit http://www.redcross.org

For more information on the Bambouyani family visit http://www.itka-karate.com/

Get All The Updates and More Information on The US Airways Story Here

noreply@blogger.com (Sandra Bonadonna) — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 23:11:00 +0000

More Updates On This Story Can Be Found On The All Voices Global Syndication Site, where this story is receiving more National attention as well. The Zone is on Twitter @zonepolitical and we are sharing this All Voices link there as well! Please help spread the news!
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Copy and paste this link or email this article
http://www.allvoices.com/contributed-news/4988910-senator-reid-sue-lowden-danny-tarkanian-sharron-angle-this-ones-for-you
or
http://www.allvoices.com/contributed-news/4960762-exclusive-interviews-with-captain-ray-another-pilot-facts-from-usapa

Thank you for the continued support,
Zone Political
Sandra Bonadonna

Attention Sue Lowden, Danny Tarkanian, and Angle, and Senator Reid

noreply@blogger.com (Sandra Bonadonna) — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 17:20:00 +0000

Hey, Senator Wannabe's and Senator Reid this opinion blog is specifically for all of you! This little blogging Citizen mommy, resident of Las Vegas, and Community big mouth has something to say: especially to you Sue Lowden, who chose to appear on FOX News this morning, and attempt to embarrass not only Senator Reid and the City of Las Vegas, but our entire State!
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On FOX News this morning, while Sue Lowden was all smiling talking about how she "heard" Senator Reid is going to "vaporize" her, and she hopes he "starts with her hips", the FOX News opinion-reporter threw up some "poll" results to show us 'how much trouble Senator Reid is in' along with continued commentary from the ever over-confident and smiling Sue Lowden.

This poll was a Mason-Dixon Poll performed between January 5-7 2010, and was comprised of 625 (yep, that's right, count them, SIX HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FIVE NEVADA REGISTERED VOTERS), and with this information both FOX NEWS, and Sue Lowden, Danny Tarkanian (btw, Danny FOX totally blew the pronunciation of your last name..probably because they interviewed Sue and not you, but they blew the numbers and the real polls and talking to more registered voters as well, so go figure)! Further this poll, specifically stated a MOE (Margin of Error of +/- 4%). So, hello? What is it exactly you all seem to be so excited about?? Still can't figure this one out, for two really huge reasons, and I will explain.

I am not a party loyalist, but I can tell you that NONE OF YOU REPUBLICAN OR CONSERVATIVE CANDIDATES, NOT ONE OF YOU, WHO WERE NOTIFIED ABOUT ALL THE UPCOMING JOB LOSSES AT US AIRWAYS DID ANYTHING ABOUT IT! SENATOR REID DID!

All of you knew, including Danny Tarkanian, and you too Sue Lowden, and you did not only show up the day of the picket, you made no public statements at all!
HARRY REID DID AND HE CALLED A MEETING WITH THE CEO OF THE AIRLINE DOUG PARKER! YOU TWO, YOU THREE, CLAIM TO CARE MORE THAN HE DOES AND COMPLAIN ABOUT WHAT AN EMBARRASSMENT HE IS BECAUSE HE SOMETIMES FAILS TO THINK BEFORE HE SPEAKS. OKAY SURE, BUT, WHERE WERE ALL OF YOU AND WHERE ARE YOU NOW, WHEN HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE ARE LOSING THEIR JOBS? IT APPEARS THAT ALL YOU CARE ABOUT IS GETTING ELECTED AND TAKING HIS JOB AWAY FROM HIM?

WHERE WERE YOU WHEN YOU WERE CALLED UPON BY THE PEOPLE TO HELP US SAVE OUR HOMES AND OUR JOBS? SPEAKING IN RENO, IS WHERE ONE OF YOU WERE, NOT HERE WHERE IT MATTERED SO MUCH THAT DAY. CURRENTLY YOU PEOPLE ARE SLAMMING HIM TO GET YOURSELVES ELECTED, WHILE HE IS PULLING DOUBLE DUTY HERE BACK HOME AND IN WASHINGTON! YOU THREE ARE SIMPLY CAMPAIGNING.

So, when the three of you have real answers on how to stop US Airways from taking all the jobs away from our State, and real answers on how to stop us from being number one in foreclosure and climbing to that spot in unemployment, and focus your campaigns on that rather than attacking Harry Reid personally via FOX News as your personal attack outlet, maybe just maybe you will have attained real credibility with the rest of the people who are REGISTERED VOTERS AND INDEPENDENT AND CARE ABOUT OUR COMMUNITY and DON'T KNOW OR TRUST YOU ENOUGH YET BECAUSE YOU ARE SHOWING US THAT ALL YOU CARE ABOUT IS GETTING TO CALL YOURSELF THE NEXT HARRY REID.

Currently, Harry Reid, in my book is 1000 times a better choice than any one of you because he is not simply seeking a Senate seat, like you three are, he is working to help us at the same time. And if you read my blogs, going back over the years, I have nothing more than a journalistic working relationship with the man. Even when I am hard on him, there is a reason he still writes back, takes my calls, responds in times of crisis, and that reason is because although he is human and prone to err, he CARES ABOUT HIS HOME STATE TOO! So before you are so eager to slam him, LET ME ASK ALL OF YOU AGAIN, what are you doing, like Senator Reid is about the US Airways situation and the USO situation? I am speaking to his office regularly and they are on it. They take and return my calls, all the time. What are you doing besides trying to get on FOX News and make someone look bad using polls with 625 registered Nevada voters to make people think you have done something so fantastic?

I can prove what Senator Reid has done in the last 5 days ALONE,(not to mention over the last 5 years), that has made some heavy duty serious change help. I can't say the same about any one of you. Why is that? You all have my email and my phone #. Reach out and answer the questions. I will give you a fair chance to respond, and I am certain my readers would like to know the answers as well.

In the mean time, lay off of Senator Reid, until you are 100% certain you have cleaned up you own backyard.

No party loyalty from me, just this one concerned little citizen who demands truth, integrity, and honesty from those who seek to be public servants. Definition of public servant is to leave your personal agenda at the door and work on behalf of those you represent. Have a blessed day. Happy Sunday. Sandra

REID CALLS ON US AIRWAYS TO RECONSIDER CUTS IN LAS VEGAS

noreply@blogger.com (Sandra Bonadonna) — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 01:22:00 +0000

Reid calls on the carrier to take the long view to protect jobs and growing tourism.

Las Vegas, NV—Nevada Senator Harry Reid in a letter to the president and CEO of US Airways called on the carrier to reconsider planned cuts to flights and pilot positions at McCarran International Airport. These cuts would affect more than 400 jobs at the airport at a time when tourists are beginning to return to Las Vegas.

Click HERE TO READ THE FULL TEXT OF THE LETTER FROM SENATOR REID TO CEO DOUGLAS PARKER.

Allow me to say, THANK YOU, SENATOR REID. Thank you for stepping up and standing UP for the people of our State and getting involved! The full of text of your letter makes a strong statement and we all hope that Mr. Douglas Parker is open to hearing and remembering how loyal we all here to him and his company here in Vegas..and how we hope he continues to repay that loyalty by not ABANDONING US NOW! Thank you Senator, and please keep us informed of the progress as you continue to speak with Mr. Doug Parker at US Airways.

Sincerely,
Sandra Bonadonna
The Political Zone

US Airways Pilots Protest Las Vegas Exclusive

noreply@blogger.com (Sandra Bonadonna) — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 05:10:00 +0000

PLEASE MAKE SURE TO START BY VISITING THE NATIONALLY SYNDICATED ALLVOICES REPORT AND THEN CHECK BACK IN HERE AT THE ZONE. THERE IS MORE UP TO DATE, CURRENT AND NATIONAL BREAKING NEWS ON THE ALLVOICES NATIONAL AND GLOBAL SYNDICATION. PLEASE CLICK ANYWHERE ON THESE WORDS TO VISIT THERE FIRST AND THEN RETURN HERE FOR THESE UPDATES. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT IN SAVING LAS VEGAS JOBS, AND CARING ABOUT OUR WONDERFUL CITY THAT LIVES TO ENTERTAIN YOU!

**UPDATE** IT IS TRUE!! SENATOR HARRY REID IS INVOLVED AND ASKING FOR A MEETING WITH US AIRWAYS CEO DOUG PARKER! THERE IS AN ARTICLE IN TODAY'S LAS VEGAS REVIEW JOURNAL YOU CAN READ IT HERE:
http://www.lvrj.com/business/aiming-to-save-jobs-reid-seeks-meeting-with-us-airways-chief-80983822.html

EVEN BETTER!! I SPOKE WITH SENATOR REID'S OFFICE A FEW MINUTES AGO AND THEY WILL BE SENDING A LETTER TO THE ZONE SHORTLY TO SPEAK TO US ABOUT THEIR INVOLVEMENT WITH THIS ISSUE. THANK YOU SENATOR REID FOR CARING!!!

BEFORE YOU WATCH THE VIDEO READ THE SHOUT OUTS!

US Airways is planning to cut the flights in and out of Vegas from 155 to 36 on February 1st.
Our CBS News Local Affiliate here in Las Vegas was the only News Channel to go above and beyond in pointing out the severity of this, and what it will do to our City. The other stations covered the story, but CBS stood out as the station that cared, way to go channel 8 Las Vegas! You get the Caring about the Community Zone Kudo's today!

Several local journalists, many were for a short a while, one stayed for quite some time and we talked for a while. I was glad to stand with him and see him take the time to care. A caring journalist, a caring reporter, it was so wonderful that this one little citizen blogger was befriended by a real journalist who stuck around and spoke to the people. His name is Richard N. Velotta, and he is a Reporter for the Las Vegas Sun. Mr. Velotta You get the Caring about the Community Zone Kudo's today!

Our Local NBC station showed up, did some interviews and got some quick footage of the picket. I give them credit for showing up and staying longer than our local Fox channel did. I believe NBC did a fair job.

Fox showed up long enough to get some quick interviews and some footage of the picket and then they left. They were the first ones there, however.

Now, our wonderful, CBS station stuck around for a while and did very long interviews, took plenty of footage, and even took the time to speak to me about some of the community issues. I believe they also spoke with some other people on the scene who were not in the Pilot's Union.

There will be two exclusive interviews, and the complete news story with the facts and fundamental details, on the AllVoices Syndication. You can get to AllVoices by clicking the link at the bottom of this article. The article and interview videos should be up in a few hours.

Now, I called every single office of every single Politician in the State yesterday, including the Governor. While on line with the Governor's office I was informed that he is a pilot and is going to be seriously looking into this. I received that response from all of the offices I called. All of them. (not the pilot part...the I love Nevada and I care blah, blah, blah part). Even Danny Tarkanian, who I spoke to just the other night, who is planning on running against Senator Reid. Your platform is you care about Nevadan's. Here was your chance to show up, you knew it, said you'd get right on it, you and Team Tark. He [Harry Reid] was elsewhere, who knows, maybe in D.C. doing the Health Care dance, (I don't know because I was busy all day) and you could have been here to support the hurting people...you could have been. My vote does not come your way. The people are in pain, you looked away too.

Please watch this video and then check back in a few hours for the link to the AllVoices site and watch the Interviews with Captain James Ray, and an interview a local Pilot who has lived here for years, back from the original America West days, and the toll this is taking on his family. There will also be very informative statements from the President of USAPA, Captain Mike Cleary, from today's Press Release. *UPDATE* Here is the ALLVOICES LINK FOR THE EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS FROM THE PILOTS PROTEST AT LAS VEGAS MCCARRAN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT 01/06/2010 (just click on any of these words or copy and paste this link into your browser window)

http://www.allvoices.com/contributed-news/4960762-exclusive-interviews-with-captain-ray-another-pilot-facts-from-usapa

Please also visit the Airline Workers New Websites http://www.keepvegasworking.com/ and http://www.keepusflying.com/

Thanks for supporting The Political Zone - The Zone Political - Heck just call it The Zone!

Just the opinions of this one seriously concerned little Citizen.
Be patient with me while I figure out how to break up this video into smaller pieces so it will all upload..I'm working as fast as I can. Sandra

Keep US Flying Picket at Las Vegas Airport Media Alert

noreply@blogger.com (Sandra Bonadonna) — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 00:53:00 +0000

MEDIA ALERT

US AIRWAYS PILOTS TO PROTEST LAS VEGAS BASE CLOSURE

MEDIA ALERT

US AIRWAYS PILOTS TO PROTEST LAS VEGAS BASE CLOSURE

What: The US Airline Pilots Association (USAPA), representing the pilots of US Airways,will begin picketing tomorrow to protest US Airways’ announced closure of its Las Vegas crew base.

USAPA believes this closure will have a detrimental impact on Las Vegas passengers, Nevada taxpayers and US Airways employees in the losses of flight options to and from Las Vegas, hundreds of local jobs and associated tax revenue.

When: Wednesday, January 6, 2010
` 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. PT

Where: Las Vegas McCarran International Airport
Domestic Terminal, Level 1, north of Door 16
Las Vegas, Nev.

Contact: Captain James Ray
US Airline Pilots Association
980-875-7642

****

From The Desk of Sandra Bonadonna at The Zone:

I spoke with the Following Politicians and Offices Today and these were the responses:

Mayor Oscar Goodman will be attending a City Council Meeting tomorrow and will not be attending. He is aware of the situation but has not spoken with Mr. Doug Parker, the owner of US Airways, (America West Airlines). He will not be attending the picket tomorrow.

Senator Harry Reid's Office, was not aware about this, they are fully aware now. I still do not have confirmation on whether or not he will be attending, but it is very possible that he might be.

Representative Dina Titus is also now aware and is very possibly going to be there as well.

The Governor is currently reviewing www.keepusflying.com and is now concerned and involved.

Judy Flynn at Senator John Ensign's is helping us to get everything in front of the Senator so he may potentially show up tomorrow.

The biggest problem so far has been attempting to get through to the ACLU. They are next to impossible to reach, and we need them involved to get the Unions to stand up for their people in Fleet Service, and Customer Service, Ticket Agents, all the little people that the Pilot's and their Union are fighting alone for.

I am still awaiting a return call from Doug Parker, the owner of US Airways, (America West Airlines) to confirm whether or not he will be present, and to confirm a few questions.

A few news stations are showing. I will post more information as it comes in.

Danny Tarkanian, a local Candidate running against Senator Harry Reid, has been reading www.keepusflying.com and is seriously concerned, and will definitely be there tomorrow along with some other local new potential candidates for some other offices, as well.

It shocked me how no one really knew anything until this one concerned little citizen picked up the phone and told them about it. That is the true definition of a Corporation pulling a sneak attack, and the Unions definitely not doing enough to protect their people. So, get with the program ACLU and join this fight!

Something Really Stinky In Vegas? Does Anyone Care?

noreply@blogger.com (Sandra Bonadonna) — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 11:52:00 +0000

*Update* You can find more updated information on this story on The Zone's All Voice's Syndication PageBy Clicking Here

Rumors are everywhere and people are angry, upset, and freaking out. What is the truth and what is just rumors, and what in the world is going on in Las Vegas, the supposed to be thriving Entertainment playground in our outback USA?

On Wednesday, January 6, 2010, at McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas, there will be a protest, or a rally, or a picket..call it what you will , but there will be voices speaking up and out against this great wrong being done to the people of the City of Las Vegas by US Airways, formerly America West. (Funny but it is also rumored to be very true, and factual, 100% factual, I have the proof in front of me right now, that employees of US Airways in Las Vegas actually collect pay from a company in Phoenix called America West Airlines, at 4000 E Sky Harbor Blvd. Phoenix Arizona..not US Airways..so I wondered why is US Airways getting all the goodies?)

See just a few years ago, it was just America West and all these good people had jobs. Good jobs. Secure jobs. Then something happened. A merger with another airline happened, not sure why that meant all these local people had to get sacked, but somehow that is exactly what happened.

First the name change. Then about a year ago, approximately 300 local Las Vegan's employed by formerly America West, now known as US Airways, (still paying people out here as America West, at least some or most of them, could be all of US Airways employees but I don't know that for a fact..just a majority of the getting ready to be unemployed locals..), and then this..sneak attack.

The Pilots probably said it best:

"On February 1, 2010 US Airways will cut its flight schedule by 60%, leaving only 26 mainline flights a day at McCarran Airport! This reduction will lead to the loss of nearly 400 jobs at US Airways alone. If you are currently employed at McCarran Airport your job may be in jeopardy as well. All business establishments in the A & B gates will be affected by this reduction of flights. There will be lay-offs and reductions in work hours. Please read on to learn how you can help preserve your current level of employment."

And why is this happening you ask? Well, I too want to know, and I want the truth!! I want to know where Mayor Oscar Goodman is? Where is Senator Harry Reid? Where is Shelley Burkley? Where is Dina Titus? Where is Senator Ensign? Where are the local candidates that plan on running against the incumbents claiming that they care so much about Nevadans? Where are you people? Why aren't you having a conversation with DOUG PARKER, the man who used to call this Airline, America West, and is rumored to not even have set foot in this town of ours that has given him profit all these years, because it is rumored he does not like it here? I would like to personally invite Doug Parker to answer this RUMOR, and let us make it clear this is a RUMOR, himself. I will not ever report a rumor as fact..so make sure you note that in all this talk going on, this rumor of Doug Parker not even setting foot in Vegas in years or even liking Vegas has not ever been confirmed it is a RUMOR. (everyone needs to remember that when people are losing jobs, home, and starving, people can talk a lot of crap, so let us all take the time to sort out rumor and truth and fact.)

So, to move on with more FACTS: it is fact that for some reason, all of a sudden there is a need for a new HUB in Washington D.C.! Seriously, too, I am not making that up. We need to close down the US Airway HUB in Vegas and kill over 400 jobs here so this really important new HUB in D.C. can be up and operational for them to make the money I guess? Sure, I guess? Something about all the jobs and money going straight to D.C. sounds like nothing is wrong at all and everything is absolutely ABOVE BOARD AND HONEST AND TRUTHFUL TO ME, DOESN'T IT TO YOU? I JUST NEVER KNEW THAT D.C NEEDED THE WORK SO MUCH MORE THAN WE DID, SO WE SHOULD PUT EVERYBODY OUT OF WORK HERE. Somehow this makes so much sense..Mayor Goodman, WHERE ARE YOU?? Senator Reid, HOW DARE YOU?? Senator Reid, Harry Reid, I plead with you, beg of you, to please turn your eyes back home for a while. We need you here, focused on us!

And SHAME ON THE UNIONS! WHERE ARE YOU?? WHY ARE YOU NOT STANDING UP AND FIGHTING FOR YOUR PEOPLE? What is going on in this Country when the Unions cave to the Corporations and fail to be Unions?

Yes, something is STINKY IN VEGAS, and you can read all about from the Pilots here. Please, please read all about it because if they can get away with doing this here, they will get away with doing it in your town too! Only the people can fight back now, with our voices, and ask again why our leaders don't care and are not livid that this is happening?:

http://www.keepusflying.com/ Make sure to read the Background Information, How to Help and Contact Links, please read as much as you can, especially how this affecting this small town that survives to entertain visitors from around our Country and around the Globe. We the people, and the those who are employed by these companies, understand Customer Care and Customer Service in Las Vegas. Why don't the employers? Why don't the elected leaders and Unions and Organizations who usually fight for the little people come out and fight? Where is everyone?

I will be present and covering the protest live by video and posting that coverage the following day here and at AllVoices.com

If it can happen like this here in Las Vegas, don't think it can't happen in your City too. Pay attention people, pay attention.

Just the opinion of a seriously concerned little citizen

UPDATESenator Reid..Emails..Links..Manager's Amendment? PDF Link Right Here!

noreply@blogger.com (Sandra Bonadonna) — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 16:08:00 +0000

I have been rather hard on my Senator as of late, during all the health care stuff, but Senator Harry Reid was here in Las Vegas last night at the University of Nevada Las Vegas Campus and he gave quite a speech. I was unable to attend, but he was kind enough to send me his remarks, so that I would be able to share them with my readers. I would sincerely like to thank Senator Reid for never forgetting to listen to the voice of this one little disabled mom of 4. He never forgets this little citizen with the crooked spine who almost fell over after two solid hours of trying to help those Pilots get the word out that day because my health could barely hold up, but the Senator listened and came through! He never fails to respond to my blog, to my questions, to take my calls, even when I give him a hard time. I am grateful, Senator Reid, this little Citizen thanks you for always taking to the time to simply listen and respond.

Here is the Senator's Health Care Remarks from the UNLV Judy Bayley Theatre last night, Thursday January 7, 2010:

After decades of waiting and years of suffering, in just a matter of weeks this health insurance reform bill will become law. We are closer than ever to making this dream a reality.

We've come this far and stand this close because of you. Don't let the political rhetoric andWashington photo-ops fool you - it's you who've made this possible.

Every day the people of Nevada have spoken to me in person, visited my office, written me letters, and called me on the phone - all to share their stories and help explain to America why doing nothing is not an option.

I've listened carefully to your stories - I've even shared many of them on the floor of theUnited States Senate - and I've thought about each and every one of them as we wrote this good bill.

Too many hardworking Nevadans don't need statistics to tell them that our state suffers more than almost any other from a broken health insurance system. And I'm here to tell you that when President Obama signs this bill into law, Nevada will benefit more than almost any other.

Nevada has the second highest rate of uninsured citizens in the nation. That often leads to bankruptcy and foreclosure, and as you know Nevada has the highest rate of foreclosures in the country. And in far too many cases, lack of health insurance leads to more sickness and even death - in fact, America is the only developed country in the world where dying for lack of health care is even possible.

That's what I mean when I say that doing nothing is not an option. And that's why I am proud of what this bill will do.

It will make health care affordable for half a million Nevadans who today have none, and lower premiums by as much as $1,600 for those who do.

It will stop greedy insurance companies from denying health care to the sick. That happens to thousands every day in Nevada and across the nation - but when this bill becomes law, that number will drop to zero.

It will ensure consumers like you have more choices, and ensure insurance companies face more competition.

For seniors, it will mean free annual check-ups. And it will close that loophole known as the "doughnut hole" so seniors can finally afford all of their prescription drugs - instead of having to decide which pills to split and which to skip.

This bill will also add years to the life of Medicare, which will add years to the life of our seniors. Let me be clear, if you're on Medicare, you won't see a single cut to the benefits you receive. In fact, our bill gives you more. I would never push a bill that would do anything less than strengthening this vital program.

It will make more Nevadans eligible for Medicaid, and I made sure it will do that in a way that protects our state's economy. It will give 24,000 small businesses in Nevada a tax credit to help them cover their employees and their families. And because more people will be able to go to the doctor, this bill will help bring more doctors to our state, and will supportcommunity health centers. As we do all this, we will slash our children's deficit in dramatic measure.

We may not completely cure this crisis today or tomorrow, but we must get started toward that end. That's what this bill does - it starts to trade a system that demands you pay more and get less for one in which you will pay less and get more.

You've no doubt heard a lot of myths and rumors about this bill. Some people say that we should solve the health care crisis by eliminating mandates and allowing insurance companies to get away with providing less care than they already are. Let me tell you, they are dead wrong.

I think it's too bad that some care more about politics or partisanship or polling than they do about the health of their neighbors. Because affording to live a healthy life isn't about politics, or partisanship, or polling.

It is about people.

It's about making sure no Nevadan has to choose between taking their mother to the doctor or sending their daughter to college.

It's about making sure no Nevadan has to hear a health insurance company tell them they are too risky to help.

It's about helping all Nevadans and all Americans - those fortunate enough to have health care, and those who do not.

It's about making the ability to afford a healthy life in America a right and not merely a privilege for the wealthy.

When health insurance reform becomes a reality - and we're closer than ever to that day: the uninsured will benefit - and so will the insured; seniors will benefit - and so will children;small business owners will benefit - and so will their employees; the healthy will benefit - and so will the sick.

And more than almost every other state in America, Nevada will benefit.

We're doing this because it is not a question of politics - it is a question of morality. It isn't about left and right - it's about right and wrong.

Health insurance reform is about saving lives, saving you money and saving Medicare. It's about human suffering. And given the chance to relieve this suffering, we must take it.

**************************************************
So, on an ending note, I will be re-reviewing his materials, and studying them again, and writing a new opinion within the week, based on this and some other new materials I have received. I thank the Senator for keeping us informed.
**************************************************
I opened up my email inbox this morning to get yet another one of the mass emails from my Senator, Harry Reid, bragging yet again about this "wonderful new health care reform legislation". EXCEPT..this time, the email says I can go to his website and download all the information and read all about it! Not. Disappointed yet again..
So here I was (prior to opening the file), all humble, after my article yesterday, getting ready to pick up the phone and call his office and apologize, and then write a big retraction..until I open the file and begin to read! SERIOUSLY?? Either this is a summary or they spent all this time in secret to simply add 383 pages to 2074 existing painful pages.
What is on the website at http://www.reid.senate.gov/index.cfm is the Original 2074 page headache of read, Bill, and a new link for a PDF download that states: Manager's Amendment Now Available, 12/19/2009
Download the complete text of the Manager's Amendment, #3276 to Reid Substitute amendment #2786 (Click for PDF) and if this link does not work for you to simply click on, you can try this..
http://democrats.senate.gov/reform/managers-amendment.pdf
(Heads up, readers and friends, this is one is only 383 pages, average length of textbook..) but I encourage you to all read and read quickly so that you can pick up the phone and call your legislators and tell them if you are for or against this. Once again, please remember they can't read your minds and they need to know how you feel. They need to be reminded they represent us, not their own personal agendas, and they will not know what we think unless we are reading and educating ourselves, and then emailing, or calling them and making them aware of our feelings. This is legislation about us, the people, so please all I ask is that you make yourself aware and your opinion known via phone or email.
I can honestly say, I find the fact that this is all we are receiving and this closed door nonsense, secret keeping, sweetheart deals, and using CLOTURE rather than a fair Democratic political process to do anything is seriously affecting my choices and opinions in future elections. I am not anti-health care reform, I am anti-failure to use the democratic political process, and secret meetings, and not allowing the American people in on the process. Let us in and let us share, and allow our voices to simply be heard and allow us to let us know what you are doing, that is all, nothing more.
In my little corner of the world it does not seem like you are asking too much to be involved in the process of an all new program that is going to affect the lives of all American Citizen's.
Just my opinion though..
Oh, and just out of curiosity..Who is the Manager..you know on the Manager's Bill and Amendment? :)
Sandra
Happy Holidays to one and all!

Secret Bill? It Will Be Good For Us? Vote Anyway?

noreply@blogger.com (Sandra Bonadonna) — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 17:07:00 +0000

I may be just one little person, but I like to think I am somewhat intelligent and this very expensive college education that I will be repaying the Federal Government for the rest of my life by way of student loans, has taught me a few things.

So when I hear about this FANTASTIC, WONDERFUL, LIFE-CHANGING, Health Care Legislation that is "going to be passed into law" per the Press Conference, I stop and say, okay where can I read this new bill that is so wonderful that was written in SECRET?

I CAN'T! YOU CAN'T! NO ONE CAN! Not yet, at least..that is until they all have a few hours to quickly review several thousand pages, or maybe they said they could review they summary or something..I couldn't get the gist of what exactly it was they were asking the Legislators to vote on..but I did hear loud and clear that all they needed was 60 votes to do whatever they wanted anyway, so they made some kind of "sweetheart deal" to get that 60th vote. Sweet. [pun intended]

I just want to read it. Why can't we read it? Why are you pulling this stuff while every one is out Christmas and Holiday shopping? Throw a PDF file up on your website Senator Reid, like you did with the last 2000 pager, and allow all of us in on the big SECRET! Let us do this the American, political democratic system of government way that we always do, and knock off this closed door stuff already!

I thought we were ushering in a NEW ERA OF TRANSPARENCY? When will this begin? Just toss up the new bill link so we can start reading it too. Please don't forget it is us, the PEOPLE that you are doing this for, so don't we have a right to be in on the process before you VOTE? Please?

I will forward this to the Senator as I always do, for he is my Senator, and ask for a response. When he responds, I will post it.

Just this one little citizen's opinion..

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*UPDATE*Senator Reid..Emails..Links..Manager's Amendment? PDF Link Right Here!

Secret Bill? It Will Be Good For Us? Vote Anyway?

UPDATESenator Reid..Emails..Links..Manager's Amendment? PDF Link Right Here!