RIVER RANTS

THANK YOU MR. PRESIDENT

2009-02-27T14:10:00.000-08:00

THANK YOU MR. PRESIDENT
Posted 3 hours 2 min ago by Skye Rivers
for all your concern for the American people. I commend you for doing a great job conning the nation with your dazzling speeches, but you don't fool me. Thank God, and no, I am not referring to you. Action does speak louder than words and the proof will be in the pudding in the months to come. Everything seems to be unfolding just as I had thought when it comes to your Presidency Sir. The bottom line is not that WE the people don't have a clue, We the People don't have a voice. YOU, Mr. President don't have a clue as to what you are doing and are being led by the nose by all your so called advisors that bought into your cabinet by supporting your campaign. You are STILL an empty suit.

So you are selling to Congress a $3.55 Trillion Budget Plan for 2010; not to mention the more immediate changes that would push spending to $3.94 trillion in the current year, while still pointing fingers, blaming the last administration for the reason we are where we are today. I am not, nor have I ever been a Bush supporter. I have always thought of myself as a Democrat, that is until this past election where I decided Independent was the way to go after all the political drama that went on. It seemed that Ron Paul was making more sense than the snake charming lot of you. I think it would be better if you look at where the other three fingers are pointing and worry about where we are now and what road ‘you’ are taking us, the American people down. I am no Rocket Scientist, but I have to tell you Mr. President, it does not look good from where I am standing. We both know that Congress will pass ANYTHING you put in front of Pelosi regardless of whether it is in our best interest or not, and frankly I am growing more and more concerned whose interest you have at heart. Gee Mr. President, according to some figures, do you realize that what you are ‘proposing’ will result in a record deficit that will hit $1.75 trillion ::clapping::

Thank you Mr. President for your compassion in taking care of our nations poor, buy robbing the one's who really work hard for a living instead of trimming down the fat in all your pork paybacks. Unfortunately what has been known as ‘the middle class’ is rapidly becoming a dying breed and has now become the poor as well. As much as I appreciate you playing Robin Hood in your spare time, stealing from the rich to help the poor to me is really not the way to go. This economy has become disabled. There are NOT enough jobs to go around, people are loosing their homes, hungry, are being put out in the street and your answer is to raise taxes, cut more programs and continue the spending in not only Iraq but now Afghanistan. Are you kidding me? In reading one article it stated that as part of this effort to end this crisis, you feel by boosting the deficit by an additional $250 billion this year, which will support $750 billion in increased government rescue programs for banks and other financial institutions is the way to go. My question to you is in whose eyes? I thought it was We the People, not ‘The One’ who has the only voice. Did WE the People not put you in Office? (For arguments sake, let's just say We the People did put you in Office, but then again, I also question how you really got put in Office and WHO put YOU there.) Is it not WE the People who can impeach you out as well? I know there is not a bat in hells chance of that ever happening while you are President for so many reasons as we both know that you are merely the ‘yes’ man, the political puppet and are only doing what you are told. But, since you are ‘The President’ and all, you are ‘The One’ the American people are going to question. 'The One' that takes the heat because most Americans are completely ignorant and out of touch with what is really going on. They will believe whatever they hear in the media, because it's those political mental messages that have the entire country believing that you are the next coming of Christ and God forbid anyone disagrees with 'The One.'

Do you realize that what you are proposing to Congress would more than double the $700 billion bank bailout that will be passed by your friends in Congress ::achem, Pelosi::: I have an idea, how about helping the American people instead of bailing out the guys who put us here in the first place. Those companies did NOT deserve the bailout, and companies like AIG are still spending irresponsibly. By the way... what ever happened with holding all those companies you bailed out accountable for their actions? Nothing! GM is now asking for more billions to help them out? What are you going to do about that one Mr. President? I wonder if I call you up and him and haw, will you help me and my business as well? I know, you have your priorities, and being the new guy in Office, you really need to keep up with your motto "Change We Can Believe In" but seriously? You say these are hard choices that will be lying ahead... I would ask... for who? Certainly not you or your family. It is more important for the media to go on and on about what kind of dog your are getting than dealing with the meat and potatoes of the matter. I don’t mean to sound heartless, but I don’t give a rats ass about what kind of dog you have.

Mr. President, it sounds as if these hard choices again lie on us, the American people who once again will have to pick up the pieces for all of the government's BAD CHOICES. Call me ignorant, but spending all that money on a new limo, in an economy in crisis to me is not a good choice. You are yet to show me where 'you' are cutting back, or is it Presidents are excluded from that sort of thing? Are you not suppose to lead by example? You are doing nothing more than exploding the deficit and raising taxes plain and simple. Mr. President, explain to me how that helps the American people in a struggling economy? Sadly, I read today that the the Rocky Mountain News out of Denver Colorado that has been around since 1859 had to close it doors due to the looses it has incurred from this economic crisis? A Scripps company. Why didn't you help them out?

O and Mr. President...I don't feel your new plan is an honest accounting of where we are and where we intend to go. I have to ask, are you doing drugs with Michelle in the Oval Office because if you are, that must be some kind of crack for you to think you that this would make any sense to anyone. That would make more sense than what you are proposing. Then I could at least understand where you are coming from with some of these plans you are conjuring up.

In ending, you are right when you say that the American people do deserve a budget that puts fiscal discipline and jobs first... but between us girls Mr. President, what you are offering fails on both counts. You just sent to Congress a 134 page outline with more to come in April. Is anyone going to read that, or is it a given that that too will be passed through Congress because you and Pelosi are running the show. You would think matters of such importance deserve the full read if you get my drift before passing such things, i.e. like your last bailout plan that sailed right through? Some of your democratic friends are starting to call you out Mr. President saying you may not be doing enough to get the deficit under control. We all agree things have to be done, but gee Mr. President increasing taxes during an economic recession, especially on small businesses, may not be the right way to accomplish this goal Sir.

Also, Afghanistan - NOT a good idea. Especially since when you took office in January, you made a campaign promise to bring U.S. troops home from Iraq. You were expected to announce your withdrawal plans in a speech today at Camp Lejeune, a Marine Corps base in North Carolina, but I was NOT holding my breath on any more of your promises Sir. You say one thing, and yet do another. Par for the course for any promising President. As an example, turning around and authorizing the deployment of 17,000 plus more troops to Afghanistan, where violence is worsening. The costs of pulling out of Iraq and building up in Afghanistan means the price of the wars will remain high and our economy will continue to suffer. Is this sort of like feeding Peter to pay Paul because it certainly sounds like it to me, except frankly they both should be going hungry and you should start feeding the American people who need it most right now.

You have the audacity to request close to $205 billion to fund this war through the end of fiscal 2010 while seeking to withdraw tens of thousands of troops from Iraq while boosting forces to fight the Taliban in Afghanistan. I get it. The Taliban needs to go, needs to be stopped, but my questions to you Mr. President is this... Who made you God; at what point do we stop this madness, and at what cost to the United States? When is enough enough? This recent article stated your first budget proposal asked for $75.5 billion through September, which would bring total war spending to $141.4 billion for the current fiscal year. You also requested a slightly smaller $130 billion to fund the wars for fiscal year 2010, which starts on October 1. You asked Congress to increase the Pentagon's regular budget to $533.7 billion next year -- up 4 percent, or $20.4 billion, from its spending plan for the current year, drawn up under the Bush administration. Seriously? Where does all this money come from? O wait, I know the American people who are close to bankruptcy.So, how far are you going to go before our economy collapses entirely? What is this really about? Is it really the war and ending terrorism which in my opinion is a loosing war; or the funding of government contracts to rebuild the messes you and Busy have made overseas? You are NO better than Bush Sir, and shame on you. You lied to the American people; it's right here in black and white; or can I even use that expression anymore before it becomes racist as well. You lied!Here's a hot tip..........Put down the bong and get back to reality.

HELP AT ANY COST - A LOOK INTO THE MULTI MILLION DOLLAR TEEN & YOUNG ADULT REHAB SCAM THAT IS SWEEPING THE U.S.

2009-01-24T23:20:00.000-08:00

Every year, over 20,000 teens and young adults are being placed (most against their will) in drug and alcohol residential treatment centers across the country.Parents feeling powerless to their children’s addictions feel this is their only recourse in helping save them from what some “so-called” experts in the field of addiction call “a disease” that is only treatable with “their” interventions and can be cured only at their facilities. Unfortunately, what is REALLY going on is horrifying and stunning. This is a multi-million dollar industry filled with domestic predators that prey not only on the teens and young adults of addictions, but their parents heart and purse-strings as well.Hundreds of thousands of dollars are being spent each year, per child, while these predators are abusing and brainwashing our teens and young adults in private in order to keep them at these torturous facilities. One of the numerous ways they use is having them succumb to their cultish style of mind set having them believe that they have no where else to go because they are worthless human beings that nobody wants. A dirty little secret that continues to go on unnoticed. What you see is not what you are getting and awareness needs to be brought to the forefront. Parents all over the country are re-mortgaging their homes, taking out loans and pulling the money from where ever they can in order to private pay these so called treatment centers to "save their child's" life. In saving a soul, you are loosing your's in the process to these trecherous insitutions. What is more ironic, that even in this economy, these residential treatment centers are flourishing, and growing in huge proportions.

There is a term coined that most have heard call “tough love” which is an expression used when someone treats another person harshly or sternly with the intent to help them in the long run. Unfortunately, when dealing with this type of challenge, threats of abandonment towards an already broken person is truly not the way to go in the healing of an addicted youth. I admit, living with an addict is not easy. I have been dealing with addiction for over 30 years with not only my partner, but now my son who is 22. Talk about the Oreo Cookie Reality. Both are currently in AA. I have found personally, that in trying to help the addict, you end up enabling the addict further into their addiction which is not healthy on either’s part. Below is a link to two articles from Maia Svalavitz. She wrote the book “Help At Any Cost” which talks about tough love and it’s consequences in an industry that will stop at nothing to keep your child entrenched, while also trying to gain your trust; and why this form of treatment in these facilities is not healthy. The bottom line is this, it’s gone from tough love to just tough.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/con...

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/maia-szala...

Who would have thought most of these “treatment centers” (group homes) that go by the names of Wilderness Camps, Boot Camps, Drug and Alcohol Residential Programs, to name a few, would be places that are operating without proper accreditations, improper licenses; staffing personnel whose only qualification is that they have gone through “their” programs and are recovering addicts with 98% of them having no therapeutic credentials, leaving your children vulnerable at best. I had no idea until it happened to us, just how much scam and scum is lurking around when it comes to our trouble teens and young adults with addiction challenges had it not been for an organization called HEAL which is an advocacy organization for survivors of such programs when I was researching out solutions when the red flags started waving. The woman who heads up this program, Angela, has been doing this for over ten years and is a survivor herself (see Warning Signs of Abuse At Treatment Programs for Teens you may be considering from the advocacy organization HEAL below listed on their home page)

http://www.heal-online.org

At some point, after spending sleepless nights wondering if your teen or young adult is safe, you come to the painful conclusion that you have no other choice but to reach out for professional help. You have to trust the process and hope you are heading in the right direction of healing and recovery because you have no other choice considering your options. You then find out, “if your lucky,” that you are being scammed in the most heartless, ruthless way and that your teen or young adult is being put through hell, being broken down mentally; in some cases starved, living in standards much less than was promised with all his/her rights taken away and these treatment centers are getting away with it. Well why not? People like Montel Williams are sending children on his show to places such as Eagle Ranch Academy and Red Rock Canyon School that are known for abusing children; American Express who is giving thousands of dollars to help fund Pathyway Family Centers (I was horrified at what goes on there – see video)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OfCXLdOA...)

Let’s not stop here, for you always save the best for last… How about all the Teen Challenges through-out the country that are endorsed by Drug Fee America Foundation (DFAF) who was founded by Mel Sembler, former owner and Director of an organization called Straight, Inc, a confirmed torturous group of institutions for teens; and who was also indorsed by Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush. Georgie instituted the “New Freedom Commission” in 2000. The “New Freedom Commission” is a group of psychiatrists and pharmaceutical lobbyists working to insure that every child in America is drugged and virtually enslaved through behavior modification. How about them apples? (see below link for entire scope from HEAL.)

http://www.heal-online.org/teen.htm#acti...

My son was recently in a rehab center here in Arizona. We were referred to this program by my son's therapist, who happens to also be their Clinical Director. He was there 3 months; but it was a year’s program. When we did the intervention, little did we know we too were being prayed upon. These Programs are so sewn up tight, that even with checking them out, most of the time you would never suspect fowl play. As time went on, and we starting to notice holes in “the” system, we starting putting two and two together and doing some major research and realized after demanding to see our son privately, and finally seeing him after almost 3 months, t was time to pull him out. Any program that keeps your child away from his/her family, monitors ALL correspondence and phone calls, does not allow you access to where he/she is residing, beats them down emotionally using the tough love tactics that is tough as a format of therapy is a red flag.

I share this information because this hit too close to home for me not to bring this to the attention of the many I hope to be fortunate enough to reach, in hopes you don't have to suffer as we did; and for all those reading, may I encourage you to pass this along, comment and help make this blog thread multiply. I can be reached personally at skyerivers@gmail.com to talk further on options, but please note, I can not make recommendations on where to send your child. May I also encourage you to go to the HEAL website for further information on how you can avoid being taken in by such organizations when seeking help and how your voice can make a difference.

BAILING OUT ON THE BAIL OUT... FEEDING PETER TO PAY PAUL

2008-09-28T08:22:00.000-07:00

So we have been feeding Peter to pay Paul; but Peter wasn't full and wanted MORE, and Paul couldn't get anymore because Peter was getting it all and now Paul is pissed off. HUMMM. PONDERING.

I was in tears this morning watching the headlines on Bailing out the Bail Out. Who is at the helm? Sorry, didn't get that email. I have two (fortunate financially sound) sons. One is 22 and is 24. I don't know where one draws the line from middle to upper class, but I hate labels and by seeing me you would think I was still a hippie. LOL! In any event, I am CONCERNED for their financial well being. They may have a few bucks now, but when it really matters, what then? Ten, Twenty years from now... what then? Who is going to pay this debt? NOT US GUYS! Our children. STOP! Take it in. I SAID OUR CHILDREN!

There was a very informative blog on RBA with a letter posted by Treetopflyer by Steve Chapman entitled "The Ultimate Bail Out." If you have a moment, please read it. Here is the URL http://redblueamerica.com/blog/2008-09-28/another-article-4430

QUESTION: Why isn't anyone doing anything to stop this?

QUESTION: Why aren't we taking a stance, like NO!

You know as well as I do, the CEO's scum of the earth will be getting their bonus's, and what the gov is doing now is scare tactics. Unfortunately, you can call it a duck for so long until you finally get, IT AIN'T NO DUCK AND IT AIN'T DUCKY! We are pissed off, and thanks to you, our government, we have smartened up over the past 20 years or so and frankly, we are mad as hell and want to do something about it. Unfortunately guys, well................... what do we do? Should I start a mass internet email? Want to help write it? What..........

AND TO TOP IT OFF, Tree states we will probably borrow from the Chinese, WOW! Just the f@#$ I needed this morning to make my day! THEY are the LAST people I want to be obligated to, which then means, follow me on this one, that WE WILL OUTSOURCE because we OWE THEM.

The big bad US now owes China. The land where all people work hard, know the meaning of a dollar, and don't have shit for brains for a President. Where in this land of where Respect means something and laws do rule the roost, families matter, children obey their elders and they can make a kiss ass chow mein ;)

As much as China is NOT one of my favorite countries, you have to give them kudos for what they stand for.
What do you think they have to say about us...

Well...

Chinamen #1. O, dat pur US... feil vry surry for demm.

Chinamen #2. O, no prablim, we got dem bi bulls hehehehehe

WHITE HOUSE COVER UP OF GLOBAL WARMING DANGERS MUST END NOW ACCORDING TO SENATOR BARBARA BOXER

2008-07-13T10:18:00.000-07:00

A very controversial topic. According to Senator Barbara Boxer, and new evidence leading into information from a former EPA official Jason Burnett, the White House is involved in a nasty cover up of "real" threats of global warming and hiding the facts from the public.

In October of last year, there was a hearing on the health impacts of global warming. It turns out that the testimony of CDC Director Julie Gerberding was not only watered down and many statements false; but, entire pages on global warming and public health from air pollution, disease to food and water shortages had been deleted.

The White House yet again, most certainly Bush and Cheney are certainly covering up a real threat to the American people they were put in office to protect.

This is NOT a long article and gets right to the point. How much more are we going to endure as citizens of the US before we stand up and take back our control, instead of leaving the control to the likes of Bush and Cheney; not to mention our next Presumptive Presidential Dumbass Obama.

If this was your house, and someone was pulling down their panties, bending over and throwing waste in your front yard, would you just stand there and allow it to happen or would you do something about it. There is no difference, except WE are the ones bending over if you ask me and taking it. The bottom line is the American people are cows being led by their hoofs to the slaughter house called global warming. You can all it what you want, color it in any way that makes you feel better about it, give it a different name, but here again is a great example of political greed and carelessly. What the hell do they care anyway... they have more money than GOD and the power to do what they want.

Don't blame them. We gave them the loaded gun by putting these people in office. Payback is a bitch isn't it?
Skye Rivers

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sen-barbar...

Don't blame them. We gave them the loaded gun

FAITH, POLITICS AND GOD

2008-07-12T10:08:00.000-07:00

There is a saying... 'a little Faith will go a long way.' IF that is the case, just how long will one's Faith endure? My question is 'how much Faith do you have, and how does one measure faith?' Does this mean if you go to Church or Temple every Sunday, you have more Faith than someone who does not? If you pray every night, is GOD more present in your life than others who do not?

What does Faith mean to you and where do you feel Faith comes from? Could it be Faith lives in one's heart, or maybe it's one's belief in GOD; or it lies in the eyes of a child?

The definition of Faith is this:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faith

(great link to different religious faiths)

Faith is a belief in the trustworthiness of an idea that has not been proven. Formal usage of the word "faith" is usually reserved for concepts of religion, as in theology, where it almost universally refers to a trusting belief in a transcendent reality (therefore spirituality and spiritual immortality), or else in a Supreme Being and their role as a guide for people moving into an experience of such reality.

Informal usage of the word "faith" can be quite broad, and may be used standardly in place of either as "trust," "belief," or "hope". For example, the word "faith" can refer to a religion itself or to religion in general. (For informal uses of the word "faith", see Faith (word)). As with "trust," faith involves a concept of future events or outcomes.
What about Faith in politics?

Let's quickly explore this Reconciling Faith and Politics speech from BO. IF Obama has so many shortcomings, then where do you feel ALL HIS FOLLOWERS are pulling their Faith together to support him into this presidency, when some many others feel he is an empty suit?

Could it be that from the beginning stages of Obama's campaign, all was a divine plan, starting with the Reverend to draw more attention to himself? Remember, I am the bell ringer.

Below is “Obama's speech on Faith. According E.J. Dionne, Op-Ed, Washington Post, June 30, 2006, this speech may be the most important pronouncement by a Democrat on faith and politics since John F. Kennedy's Houston speech in 1960 declaring his independence from the Vatican...Obama offers the first faith testimony I have heard from any politician that speaks honestly about the uncertainties of belief.”

So EJ states that Obama speaks honestly about the uncertainties of belief. I am wondering who stepped down and made him Preacher O.

http://www.barackobama.com/issues/faith/

Where does all your faith come from, whether it be Political Faith, or Personal Faith

What Happened to the Days When We Didn't Have Much But We Sure Had Plenty?

2008-07-08T19:19:00.000-07:00

Life was so simple then. You didn't have to worry about gas, you just jumped on Ole Nelly and road off to the General Store, got your supplies for the week from Mr. Drucker, went home to fresh baked bread and a bowl of beans, and all was good!. All that was needed to get Ole Thunder moving was a little love, some water and hay and you were well on your way. The only barrel back then you had to worry about was the one kept full of drinking water from the creek down the road. The climate was either hot or cold; no one knew or cared about global warming or Al Gore who then was just a sparkle in the stars. You grew your own food, went to Church in the same building your kids were being schooled, and there was a community of people that gave real meaning to love thy neighbor.

Yeah, it was sure nice back in the day when we didn't have much but we sure had plenty. If you were lucky, there was one phone line that went in and and out of town. I say lucky, because some folks had to rely on a telegram. Either way, Mrs. Cartwright was always there with a smile, anytime of day to send that telegram, answer the call and hook you up. There was No need for prompts, because you were promptly connected. Prompts was something you did to get the mule and goats going and that was about it.

AND SPEAKING ABOUT THOSE PROMPTS...

Things are sure different today... Yes indeedy! Now, you're asked to call a company "promptly" if you have any questions about your bills or customer service questions. The object of the game is to first reach a person. That can take some doing. Trying to reach a person in a company is like riding a hay barrel to hell. The days of Mrs. Cartwright are long gone my buckaroos. She is now called Receptionist.

Hell, I remember a time when there was a lovely receptionist on the other end taking your calls, putting you through to the appropriate parties and all was a real Walgreens commerical. Now, even the receptionist has a receptionist. You know the one, the one who has that talk dirty to me voice on the other end of which loves to repeat herself in many different ways asking you the same question over and over and over again before you can get to what is just another voice activated prompt.

Yes, how times have changed... All these companies that are crying poverty because sales are down. Blaming the economy. How about for shame on yourselves. It's not the economy you swashbucklers! It's how you're doing business that is turning your customer base away. Mr. Big Company should really reconsider their customer service departments. I remember when O meant Operator and that was all it took to put you through. Now, companies got real smart and try to trick you into finding their O spot that every company has, because they are all Prompted Up now and god forbid you should actually find a real person that works there. Leading into finally, the true meaning of good ole American customer Service and outsourcing...

How about outsourcing? Back in the day when we didn't have much but we sure had plenty, we were plentiful with outsourcing. We outsourced our lumber into the next town, if there was some nice rose water, we could get it from the next town to give our dear mothers for her birthday, life was sure simple then, and it was all outsourced to the next town over, of whom by the way ALL SPOKE IN ENGLISH.

You gotta love that one...

BUT my all time favorite.... is the I Can't Speak English Guy on the other end of the phone. This usually happens when I am pulling my hair out of my head because my computer has failed me. So like yourself, I call for customer service assistance and I Can't Speak English Guy FINALLY gets on the phone after about a half hour of prompts and patiently waiting who obviously has never in his life seen a computer, nor has any idea about the product you are inquiring about has to refer to a manuel that he himself can't read or understand because he is I Can't Speak English Guy. You know the one, the guy you spend most of the time saying excuse me... what did you say....... can you speak engish so I can understand you?

What is up with that?

How many times have you called the number for computer assistance, just as an example and got Mohammad on the phone who lives in Bum F@#$! India somewhere across the globe; or better yet, my favorite, the non speaking Chinese guy who you can't even understand.

I think Mr. Big Company does this intentionally to stop us from calling and complaining altogether. These big companies don't have time for complaints, nor do they care, cause if they did, they would have English speaking customer service people answering the phones, instead of prompting us to death hoping we will just hang up, and if you are one of the lucky ones to get through, you're luck to get someone who knows about the product of which you initially called about...

O yes, life was grand, when we didn't have much, but we sure had plenty. Right now, i am plenty fed up!

O CAPTAIN WHERE ART THOU IN A LAND OF POLITICAL CHARLATANS

2008-05-21T10:53:00.000-07:00

It's nearing that time again in Arizona, when the wind is caressing us with her dry heat and the sun is getting ready to settle into the White Tank Mountains on her way to kiss the West Coast good night... Yet again, another day has gone by with still as many unanswered questions as I had yesterday; the day before and so on with no clarity in sight as to what direction this country is heading, and who is truly worthy at the Helm. O Captain where art thou in the land of political charlatans.

You don't have to be a Svengali to project that Clinton won in Kentucky and Obama is getting his due rewards in Oregon. Sometimes it feels as if it’s just another “Your Decision in 2008” because your vote matters kind of day, when truly it’s not. We are being force fed by the media on who they want YOU to choose and it’s working. Are the American people so easily swayed?
When I saw the sea of people supporting Obama in Oregon, as the media proclaimed him having rock-star status, it felt as if Americans had been politically raped and slipped “the pill” in their holy waters as they helplessly fell prey to Obama-mania. Two Democrats and a Republican candidate, all three so very flawed, questionable at best, of whom a few of you have so eloquently pointed out in recent blogs their short comings for our enlightenment. I truly did enjoy reading them and realized I am NOT alone in how I feel, and your voice carried me into a world of inspiration. One of these candidates will become our next President and that is an absolute fact :)........

What kind of message do you think we as a nation are putting out into this ever changing world choosing these nominees for President to represent out country? We are a country in tears with no more tissues left to wipe them away, and for the proud... silent tears.

We have a President who in almost 8 years has
1. taken us to our knees single handedly and hand tied us to a poor economy.
2. In the state of Arizona alone, there are well over 30,000+ foreclosures and still growing daily. Houses left vacant in sparsely lived-in neighborhoods. Sometimes I think you can actually hear the homes cry out for their owners as you drive through the numerous city blocks. All building, if not most, has ceased with only the corpses of trailers left behind.
3. With gas going up to almost $130 a barrel it has become almost unbearable for most American's to travel via car, train, or airplane. And, what about small businesses who rely on UPS (such as myself) and other shipping carriers who have also had to raise their prices making it very hard to sell wares in an economy that is now thinking twice before buying even a cup of coffee.
4. Not to mention the Katrina victims hopelessly still left waiting for needed help who are still living in trailers. Waiting. Still waiting for someone to come help them with no help in sight. Yet Life goes on.
4. We as a country forced into a war to feed the wealthy and corrupt for material gain. The ones I cry for are our military sons, our young men and women who are no older than my two sons, fighting overseas in the worst conditions imaginable and for what? Where has all that money gone to support our troops. The millions and millions of dollars spent. Where is it going and why isn't our government taking care of them? I am very confused for what. I see my sons in every one of our soliders. I am very proud of our young men and women, but my heart is so very full being a mother.

These are only a few things that according to polls, the worst President in our nation’s history is leaving to us as his legacy for the next President to take on.
I have two sons, almost 22 and 24 of whom I look at and wonder what will it be like for them four years from now when Obama or McCain are in office? Should I dare mention the C word as a possibility here? Clinton, as abrasive as she is, as misspoken as she proclaims, as a woman running for Office really got a raw deal. If she had to do it all over again, I am wondering if she would do things any differently to win the nomination. Did she ever really have a chance to be back in the White House after all that has been said and done?
Will there be enough gas for my sons, your children, so that they too will be able to move freely in this world and enjoy the same freedoms as we had growing up? What will "they," our children have to endure because of decisions we as a nation had to make? Will they have to suffer because of an upcoming President who will not be strong enough to run our country, make the right decisions; or because of the President who ran it into the ground? Have these questions already been asked and in the process of questioning the questions some bad form of deja vu keeps repeating itself because we still have not gotten it right? Who is the “we” in the getting it right?

These are some of the questions I ask myself as a mother and American citizen.

There are so many political promises being made on both sides, that there are promises being made promising the promises now and who can keep track. It feels as if we have and have been tossed into the middle of a raw deal salad mixed in with hopes we can't even believe in. But according to some “Yes WE Can.” What about all those folks in that small Kentucky town, who are not even voting, don't have enough money to buy gas to work, and have just given up? How many are out there who have just given up? Is this what we as a nation have become? Is this what we have to look forward to?

In closing, there is a saying, the brighter the light the darker the shadow. The more you know, the harder it is to turn away from the light and what is right.

Has it become much easier to sleepwalk than to challenge what you truly believe in?

God Bless America… she needs it more than ever.

IF GORE WAS ASKED TO BECOME OBAMAS RUNNING MATE, WHAT MIGHT HE SAY IN RESPONSE TO KEVINS PLEA ON REDBLUEAMERICA.COM

2008-05-21T10:24:00.000-07:00

On redblueamerica.com, there was a blog recently posted AL AND BARACK by kevinkind. When I tried to post this response, I was flagged for god knows what reason. So here it is, my take on if Al Gore was to respond to Kevin's plea, it might go something like this...

Kevin, buddy, um... thank you. As much I appreciate your plea, and truly I do, for asking me to consider, if asked, the position as VP to the non stopable Obama-Bot, I would have to say, ah... NO! I have already been there, done that and as you can see it didn't work out too well the first time around with Bill. Most of my VP'ness was keeping Bill out of trouble; and trying to justify his expense account (i.e. cigars) and I can't go through that again with Obama. The 3AM wake up calls alone would really piss Tipper off. Plus, I have a lot on my plate with this Global Warming thing you know, saving the world, getting honored and the whole shabang. I just don't have the time.

Let me ask you this... how can I VP someone who is just not right for the job even though the thought of taking the wind out of Hillary's sails is very tempting :evil grin, rubbing hands: (keep that between us ok) not to mention how much it would piss Bill off, but hey, payback is a bitch. Frankly, between us girls, I am still trying to digest how Obama even got as far as he did with the little we do know about him. Hillary, bless her little abrasive heart, is still hoping someone will dig up some "more" dirt on the Obama-Bot in her eleventh hour to change the minds of the powers that BE. I almost want to make that call to her myself and say darlin, how is that working for you?

In any event, thanks again for thinking of me. Even though I could the extra income to help pay for my "energy efficient house and natural gas bills" of which the press will not seem to stop hounding me on, which as you know totalled around $30,000 back in 2006, how about considering, o gotta run, just blew another fuse. That 18,400kWh is killling me and my reputation. Take care!

SEE NO EVIL McCAIN, SPEAK NO EVIL OBAMA AND HEAR NO EVIL CLINTON... Yeah, that's right!

2008-05-10T21:53:00.000-07:00

I find it utterly fascinating that even though the website redblueamerica.com has, from what I have been told, come full circle and has moved on in another direction (kudos on that site by the way), my views are still causing bloggers to foam at the mouth and blast me personally. How unfortunate.

My last blog "Shame On You John McCain" really pushed some buttons leaving me feeling the heat just because my viewpoint did not resonate with some. Isn’t that why one blogs - to share opinions openly with others without attachment or crucifixion? I write it as I see it! I’m just a simpleton among a world of educated journalists sharing another perspective.

To set the record straight, I commend Senator McCain for serving his country. I can’t begin to imagine the hell he went through as a POW. However, he may have been a great solider, but I don't trust him to run this country, nor do I agree with the way he wants to do things if elected as our next President.

Now with that said, I have been a Clinton supporter, nutcrackers and all from the onset, but even I have had enough of this rhetoric. I am truly politically taxed after this last primary and I too want this to end. A good thing is only a good thing if it makes sense, and the only sense this campaign is making is horse sense. I don't trust her. I am finding the more she has campaigned the more questions I have, which has now led me down the road of doubt and confusion. To me, she is running her campaign on the throws of desperation. This was her nomination to loose. You don't have to be a political rocket scientist to see that smug Obama will be the last nominee standing with his very hefty ego in tow. Sort of like the one his Pastor has been hauling around. I guess the saying holds true... the apple doesn't fall far from the tree, and in this case, it is still hanging from the branch. I am wondering if Oprah had not stepped in when she had, would the name Obama mattered to any American?

I started blogging a couple of weeks ago because I wanted to take part in the bigger picture instead of sitting watching the world go by like so many other Americans moo-ing to themselves and each other, oblivious to the reality of what is really going on in our world at large staying stuck in political dong. I was tired of being hand fed what the media wanted to feed me via information from the NY Times, local papers, watching CNN, FOX, MSNBC, yadda, yadda, ya... So, I started voicing opinions to my tea-cup poodle and a few close media/radio associates and decided to take charge of my ‘rants’ and start walking my talk.

In my first blog, "To Obama or Not Obama, That is the Question," I ended that post with, "for all I know, I know nothing" and received some nice feedback. That to me was as honest and true as I get. I can be raw worded, quite outspoken and at times seem antagonistic, but it could be worse. You just never know... we may learn something along the way, given the opportunity to journey together for beneficial growth. From my deepest core I believe that we do the best we can in any given moment or we would do better. Who wouldn't? If my passion has appeared as anger, than I would as you to embrace the reflection and ask yourself what within you is so passionate that it comes off as anger, and why are you given me credit for pushing your buttons when it's your buttons that were already ignited long before our paths crossed.

In ending, I hate to have to regress to employ a cartoon as a reference, but I recently watched a very relevant episode of the vulgar cartoon South Park with my son. The episode informed the children of South Park of the importance of voting and to always vote regardless of the candidates; since it is always between a giant douche and a terd sandwich. As crass as that sounds, there is much truth to it. When you really think about it, they all feed us a bunch of what we want to hear anyway. Then we turn around and we give them our votes, because at the end of the day we so much want to have something to hold onto and believe in at any cost, even if it is a bunch of crap we will believe it.