What defines “poor”?

So, recently I’ve been thinking alot of the financial difficulties my family is facing. It seems that every time we get ahead, we fall even farther back. Although I’ve tried to remain optimistic, it is very difficult. And than I saw this.

When facing poverty
Making the best of bad situations
First of all, ask yourself if you are really poor. Having less than others does not necessarily mean you are poor. A number of people feel poor because they compare themselves with others despite the fact that they already have everything they need. You may not own a car or a house but look again, you already have a lot of comforts in life, don’t you?

As soon as you feel contented or satisfied with what you have you will no longer feel poor and miserable.

What is gone wrong with the Maryland courts?

There has been an ongoing case, for three years now, involving a Liberian man who “allegedly” raped and molested a 7 year old girl. The reason it has taken so long is the courts seem to have exhausted it’s efforts in finding a translator for Mahamu Kanneh, the man allegedly who committed these crimes.

During the three years, they found 3 translators, even swore them in to testify, but I’m not sure what happened and can find no information for the reasoning behind this. So, needless to say Judge Katherine Savage threw the case out, based on the defendants request to a speedy trial. I do understand where she is coming from on that one, we as American citizens do have the right to a speedy trial, but I’m not sure if that applies to someone who has political asylum in this country. Maybe I need to do some investigating on that a bit more.

Calling all Tibetan nannies

I’m not sure if this is happening in other parts of the country, but in New York, specifically NYC, there is a growing trend. The hiring of Tibetan nannies. You heard me right, they are becoming a sort of “commodity”.

There are postings all over websites such as urbanbaby.com and other forums that mothers use to exchange info on what trends they are currently involved in. One woman posted “My nanny is Honduran, should I get a Tibetan? I hear they are all the rage.” What kind of junk is this? When did human beings become so “disposable” sounding?

An open letter to Mr. Roger Goodell, NFL Comissioner

I realize there is a court system here in the US that will allow Michael Vick to be innocent till proven guilty, and I’m glad we have such a system in place. But, I am utterly disgusted at the allegations facing him. And if he is found guilty, Michael Vick should kiss his career good bye. Meaning, the NFL should immediately, upon conviction, get rid of Michael Vick.

I am a big NFL fan, have been since I was a kid and me and my father would watch every Sunday. I would be terribly disappointed if Michael Vick is convicted and is then allowed to come back to play in the NFL. As a child I looked up to many players. I have children of my own now and hope they will find players to look up to. Michael Vick is not one of them, his name is tarnished and he will never be a positive role model. His antics throughout the years have shown this.

I request you look deeply into your beliefs and realize, if convicted, what he did was HORRIBLY wrong. I have friends who own pit bulls, and they are very nice dogs, if trained properly. They are killing machines if not trained properly. If you have children Mr. Goodell, who would you want raising pit bulls? Michael Vick? Or someone who has a compassionate intention to raise that dog as a companion and friend?

I hope this e-mail finds you well and I look forward to hearing you have done the right thing.

And… we’re back

Got a big post coming about what happened during the down time, should be up in the next couple days, I hope. I have four 14-hour shifts (working 2 jobs now, woo hoo) in a row though so it may actually be closer to the weekend. Until then, here’s a brilliant quote  found while surfing around…

“Years ago I recognized my kinship with all living things, and I made up my mind that I was not one bit better than the meanest on the earth. I said then and I say now, that while there is a lower class, I am in it; while there is a criminal element, I am of it; while there is a soul in prison, I am not free” – Eugene V. Debs

Cheese Sandwich: The new scarlet letter

Here comes another rant folks, bare with me.

I heard on the news yesterday the approach a school in Chula Vista, CA is taking for people that are having a hard time paying their kids food vouchers at school. Rather than dealing with the situation in an “adult” like manner, the school system has stooped to new lows.

When a kid, who’s account is low, reaches the line at lunch time he or she might notice a red check on the ticket. This signals the lunch people, and the child is only given one choice for lunch that day, a plain old cheese sandwich. Mind you, I used to love cheese sandwiches as a kid, a little mayo on it and I was good to go. But the school is sending mixed signals here.

Back in jail for Paris.

Firstly, to my regular visitors who I’m sure are not interested in reading this Paris mess, this is the last article I’ll write about it. Back to the basics from here on out.

So, after being picked up at her house by the Sheriffs office, Paris was escorted back to court for her appearance. Superior Court Judge Michael T. Sauer , thankfully, threw her back in jail. This time though it was for the original sentence of 45 days. She will get time served for the time she was incarcerated as well as the day she spent on the bracelet at home.

Judge Sauer stood by his original words and sent her back, even over her sobbing and weeping. My final words on this are, if you cannot do the time, DO NOT do the crime. Maybe she’ll really learn her lesson. And now she realize as well, noone is above the law, no matter who you are or how much money you have. She can thank her lucky stars she didn’t kill someone in the original ordeal or else she’d be locked up alot longer for sure.

CLICK HERE for the latest CNN news on this.

And Paris walks right out…

Today, 6/7/07, Paris Hilton walked right out of jail. She is going home on a bracelet system which will “monitor” her and make sure she doesn’t leave the house. Boo hoo!

It has just been reported that due to a “medical condition” she has been released. She was not eating the food at the jail, which is perfectly ok for every other prisoner, but not an “icon” like Paris Hilton. This is absolutely outrageous folks. Because she goes on a hunger strike she gets out? Where is the justice? Where is the outrage?

What happens the next time she gets drunk and runs someone over? What happens then? Who will be held accountable? Surely not princess Paris! Her parents will just pay another person off.

CLICK HERE to read the CNN Article about the release

Editors Note: But wait, there’s more. It’s later on, same day the news broke on the release and it’s back to court. The original judge has ordered Paris to return to see what the hell is going on. CLICK HERE to read the current news. I’ll post more later as the shit continues to hit the fan. This is still ridiculous, as a matter of fact, it is nearly beyond ridiculous.

Student denied her diploma.

(Original news story link) http://www.hoinews.com/news/news_story.aspx?id=37221

Last week a young girl, Caisha Gayles, faced one of the biggest moments in her life, high school graduation. What a happy moment for anyone, it is a big achievement considering the dropout rate. High school is hard, not only all the work and study involved. There are lots of different pressures on kids in school nowadays. Whether it be the kids that are bullies, made fun of for their clothes, picked on for their social status, etc, etc. Graduation is a VERY BIG DAY for anyone who has worked hard to get there.

So why, did the school withhold this young woman’s diploma? Because her family and friends cheered? Because her family and friends saw the things she overcame to get there, to that stage to graduate from high school?