Crystal Clear

So Amanda, Marsha, and Carrie

Some who helped shape the O.J. Simpson case

Amanda Cooley, Marsha Rubin-Jackson, Carrie Bess: Three black jurors who wrote Madam Foreman : A Rush to Judgement? after the criminal trial. Asserted in book that speedy verdict was shaped mostly by suspicions about police and evidence handling. Denied race was a factor in their decision and said they considered Christopher Darden as a token black assigned by the district attorney.

I still can't help wanting to sit down with one of these fools mentioned above and asking...so what do you think now? I mean suspicious about the police and evidence handling is one thing but how would they respond now that OJ has continued to flaunt his status as the Brentwood Butcher? How do these women sleep at night? Where are they now and what do the people who know them think about them? I just would love to know...

Bloggers Beware

    Petite Anglaise joins an illustrious if not obviously misunderstood group of bloggers fired for blogging...
    I recall the first time I heard the term Dooced... Initially I thought it must be an urban myth or joke as I couldn't really imagine people being fired for something they wrote without naming names in their free time away from work  ...I could understand being fired for blogging on the job or sharing corporate secrets perhaps...but how the hell could someone be fired for expression of personal thoughts, feelings, observations, and opinions? Even more so as the number of bloggers such as myself who take steps to distance their blogs from their jobs and never mention names...well Crystal Clear... the blogosphere and web are not so vast and there are far too many small minded, destructive,and jealous people out there who don't blog and have far too much time on their hands...far too much time on their hands and jealous and destructive...otherwise:

How do you explain going out of your way to cause another human being such unneccessary strife?

Let me again make it Crystal Clear if I haven't done so enough already... and I will promptly  be placing a disclaimer on my about page ...

The opinions expressed on Crystal Clear are completely mine and mine alone and do not express any opinion of any employer I ever had, have, or ever even hope to have...

Sadly, I don't even think that would be enough to stop the most destructive of individuals...
    I think this story of Petite Anglaise especially touched me because I understand as a single mother (and she too has a 3 year old) the limited time and energy single parents have to develop relationships and gather support. Blogging is an excellent way to not only express thoughts and feelings...it is a way to gather support and feedback. It is therapeutic, creative, engaging, and inexpensive... Unfortunately being found on the internet and linked to one's blog is a Crystal Clear possibility and reality...just like the reality there are small minded, jealous, and vindictive people who would prefer doing you harm than to the Crystal Clear option of getting their very own blog..eh?

This is Where We Should Be Moving In

But we aren't. This unit is supposedly not ready yet. The inside looks fine when you look from the outside in, only missing the washer and dryer.

So the unit we started to move into today is awful by my standards. AWFUL. There were carpenter ants and some type of millipede allover the tub. My bathroom was crawling with ants. I understand tropical but this just gives me the heeby jeebies.

Great news though is BOTH Bryceton and Nethan were thrilled with the place we are taking for now. I mean it was the happiest I have seen Bryceton in a very very long time. That warms my heart and I can stand the geckos running across my foot. Well no I really can't stand sharing my bedroom with geckos but I understand they eat the ants and bugs. I will post some pics of the place we took but I am not up for it tonight. I just spent several thousand dollars to start to outfit the place and frankly I am beat and it is almost 1:00 a.m here.

Please...Rain on Any Parade

    First off, let's get this right out there right off the bat...I don't GET parades period. I place them in the same category as clowns. In my opinion, the world would be a whole lot better place without clowns and parades. Afterall, we have the MSM and elections...We don't need clowns and parades.

    Since our arrival in early June there have been 3 parades here in Waikiki.

First there was the King Kamehameha Day Parade honoring King Kamehameha I :

Colorful floral floats, glamorous Pa`u riders, outstanding marching bands traverse the streets of Honolulu...

However, there were virtually no floral floats, only a handful of Pa'u riders, and  I think perhaps one outstanding marching band.

The next evening there was the Pan Pacific Matsuri Parade. Crystal Clear, this dragon was a hit with the entire crowd. Although only a handful of floats, there were beautiful colors, costumes, and music far more interesting than your lame highschool band. This was definitely our favorite parade thus far. 

    Yesterday we had the Gay Pride Parade. Lots of rainbow flags, nice music and a  few interesting floats.

    However, even more than not getting parades...I don't like parades. I especially don't like parades when they are for something I consider exclusive and divisive such as Gay Pride. After taking a look at this post about Toronto's Gay Pride Parade (photo included) though I realize it could have been even far less enjoyable.

    Crystal Clear I am not the only one who takes issue with a bunch of people screwing up traffic for hours upon hours several times a month for things as important as Great Hawaiian Rubber Duckie Parade & Race. Leave it though to the ACLU to bark up the wrong side of any tree. In  June 2004 the city settled a lawsuit  filed by the Hawaiian ACLU on behalf of Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays-O'ahu, The Center, and the Gay Lesbian Bisexual and Transgender Family Network. In the settlement with the ACLU, parades and other events sponsored or co-sponsored by the city are to be open to virtually anyone who wants to participate. You see the ACLU was upset with Honolulu because Gay groups were not included in the Family Day "Kid's Parade," a parade sponsored by the Hawaii Christian Coalition.

    Although both citizens and business owners applaud the city council's bill in December 2004 to limit parades to 24 a year, there are to be exceptions.  I am guessing the following statement  by ACLU Legal Director Lois Perrin regarding responsibility for the costs of police and safety at such events gives a teeny hint on what types of groups expect to always be allowed to have a parade regardless of who pays for the costs and whether there have already been 24 or 48 parades that month.

"Any First Amendment activity or event, the city is required to pay for all additional police costs and services associated with that event..."

That's right, scream First Amendment to shove your message down everyone's throat and of course also make them pay for you shoving your message down their throat. You see, I may not GET parades but I certainly GET the way the ACLU thinks and behaves.

 

GRRRRRR!!!

Via SondraK:

Mother sues NHS after twin survives abortion

A MOTHER who underwent an abortion after learning that she was pregnant with twins is suing the NHS for £250,000 after one of the babies survived.

Stacy Dow, who was 16 when she found out that she was pregnant, is seeking compensation and damages for the “financial burden” of raising her daughter. Miss Dow, whose father has had to take on a second job to help to pay for his granddaughter, is claiming for “loss, injury and damage” suffered at the hands of Tayside University Hospitals NHS Trust.
…
Miss Dow’s daughter, Jayde, who is now a healthy three-year-old, weighed 6lb 2oz when she was delivered by Caesarean section on August 30, 2001, at the same hospital in which her mother had had the abortion seven months previously.
…
She added: “I still don’t know if, or what, I’m going to tell Jayde when the time comes. I just hope she understands what happened and why I did it.”

Excuse me…WHAT THE FUCK!!!

How is she going to explain it?  How is she going to explain why she tried to kill her?  How is she going to explain to this unwanted child why she is suing THREE YEARS after the child was born? Is there any way possible to show a child more how much you don’t want her? Does she think it’s POSSIBLE that the child will “understand”?

Why didn’t she give her child up for adoption when she was born, fer Chrissakes?  It’s not like she decided she wanted the child!

She said that when she discovered that she was pregnant she didn’t know what to say or do. “When I told my Dad what had happened he nearly crashed his van. I have got a child now that I wasn’t planning to have and I believe the hospital should take some reponsibility for that. It has totally changed my life and my parents’ lives. I wasn’t ready for it.”

She wasn’t ready for it?  I’m sure millions of others would have relieved her of that responsibility!  Money-hungry, immature, evil, callous, selfish BITCH!!!

[Cross-posted at My VRWC]

Just What I Was Wondering...

    In another of his not-to-be missed essays, The Bush Dilemma,Victor David Hanson asks,   If the president is willing to take risks abroad, why won't he do it at home?

    The most pressing examples President Bush is not taking adequate action on are presented of course as:

• Long-term American financial strength
• Illegal aliens from south of the border
• The astronomical prices of gasoline

    I am headed back to work or I'd write a bit more but please check out the essay and give it some of your own thought. I respect President Bush a great deal. I don't feel the need to agree with him on everything but these three issues need to be addressed far better than he is currently attempting.

   
   

Terri Schindler-Schiavo, Gone but Will Never, EVER Be Forgotten

    America has been blessed, even in the tormenting evil that has spread its darkness upon our courts and murdered an innocent woman, we have been blessed.  We were bestowed with the gift of an innocent woman whom many of us never had the privilege of meeting and yet she profoundly touched our lives and therein is our blessing.

 

    Please read the rest over at The Empire Journal: Through Every Tragic Event We Are Given An Opportunity To Rise Above. When I find things like this, it is Crystal Clear to me I do better as a blogger to share a link than to try and "recreate the wheel"...As I reflected between my clients this morning, I knew the thoughts of The Empire Journal are indeed where we need to go from here...
    In the same fashion of wanting to share and express my grief and need for comfort, I remembered this wonderful flash movie.....The Lord is My Shepherd-Psalm 23. I always watch it on the anniversary of 9/11 and whenever I feel a profound loss and  need of comfort. I hope it will bring you some comfort as well.   

   

Crystal Clear Saturday Roundup

     If you couldn't quite tell... I was quite distressed, outraged, and incensed yesterday afternoon... I spent the rest of the evening replying to some readers and scouring the web while listening to Amazing_Grace over and over and over...and OVER...
    I have written to some readers of my fear and anger and struggle with feeling my faith was being wrestled from me...I hate that feeling.... By the time I finished "wrestling" and was safe in my faith again,  I had to head to sleep as I had to be at a mandatory continuing education seminar in Woodland Hills today at 8:00 a.m. on of all things....Domestic Violence: Assessment & Treatment with Alyce LaViolette of It Could Happen To Anyone : Why Battered Women Stay.
    Several colleagues around me found the seminar to be uncomfortably cursory and elementary.  I came away with a few Crystal Clear inspired gems I couldn't help but want to share with my few remaining  but faithful blog readers and those of Blogs for Terri , especially with regards to Tim of Blogicus' suggestion I  provide more of my thoughts concerning  Michael's current behaviors in light of my previous thoughts.

    In that post I wrote about the misunderstanding many have about abusive men. Today some interesting numbers regarding the behaviroal characterizations of abusers were presented by Ms. Violette. As I generalized before, the numbers of monster Antisocial/Generally Violent Sociopathic abusers is reportedly only 8%-25% of abusers. These are the monster types....the type most lay people think of  unless they have dealt with an abuser before. Think CRIMINAL whohas high likelihood of drug/alcohol problems,  has violence problems with everyone and has a difficult time functioning in society.

    The other numbers presented  refer to  Family Only  also called Hitters/Infrequent Abusers as between 50%-56% of abusers. This type is  behaviorally characterized as  having  among other things ...observed low  rates of violence in family of origin, low to moderate impulsivity, adequate social skills in non-marital situations, lower level/sporadic violence, and remorseful/more empathetic. Think of the guy next door who has a job and kids and you would never suspect of flipping out on his wife and family. . The other group, Dysphoric/Borderline Overcontrolled Hostile group of abusers, was reported as between 25%-42% of abusers. This group in comparison to the Family Only experienced more parental rejection and child abuse, low to moderate extra family violence, some substance abuse, low to moderate level of empathy, hostile attitudes toward women, and high level dependency on wife. Think of the kind of whacked neighbor next door who inappropriately overreacts to small transgressions, may have hard time getting along with others in life, and you just really don't like very much but don't always have a reason as to why you don't like to be around them.

    As you can see from the numbers...

The vast majority of abusers are people we'd probably never suspect and are amongst us right now.   

    As far as how I see Michael from the time of Terri's collapse to present day, I feel obviously I need to again throw in a bazillion caveats and disclaimers. That having been said and hopefully very well noted by all,  Ms LaViolette brought up the Woody Allen movie, Crimes and Misdemeanors.From her description and example of that movie, I sat bolt straight up in my seat and thought of Michael Schiavo.

    Having almost killed one's beloved, how the heck does one live with one's own criminal misconduct? For a while there are actions out of love as well as guilt, shame, and remorse. Gradually over time there is a distancing..,you don't see  the beautiful young woman you married to be the mother to your children...you see suffering YOU know YOU caused...Where her family sees Terri, YOU just see a shell of the person you loved ...and you can't stand it...You can't stand her dependence and you can't stand her weakness and neediness. You can't stand knowing  you are to blame so through  externalizing blame onto doctors and nurses and anyone in your way, you come back to an emotional homeostasis.   Abusers are highly adept at defending their own integrity. Through the distancing of time and the distancing of one's self  from the problem and one's own actions, one can move from a heinous crime all the way down to considering it a mere misdemeanor.

    In Michael's interviews as well as his determination to kill Terri, I believe we can see how well indeed he has faired at accomplishing the gradual distancing of himself from the problem, the externalization of blame,and seems to have sincerely convinced himself if not all of us that the problem really is the congress, the senate, the governor of Florida, the President, and of course that infamous  Big Brother sticking their noses in his/Terri's business.  At this time, everyone else is to blame for his troubles. Everyone except Michael. Wickedly, with the assistance of Felos, Greer, and the  death culture,  he almost found legitimacy.

Adios Mexifornia-Part One

     The weather the past few days to a week have been absolutely breathtakingly gorgeous here in Ventura, Mexifornia.  The sky is blue, the sun out, puffy white clouds, and temperature in the 70s. Days that years ago, I was able to smile, shake my head, and say "Yep, this is a big part of why I pay outrageous prices to rent..and will probably never be able to afford to buy a place on a single mom's income." 
    Having made the 112 mile round-trip  drive from Santa Monica four days a week  for 4 years, I moved to Ventura in 1997 after Bryceton was born. I was so used to driving through fields everyday to get to work I didn't really give it much thought and I guess if anything I thought it added a bit of quaintness and rural  feeling to this city by the ocean. I didn't really think about the possible impact on our health to be surrounded by fields and the spraying of pesticides. I was happy my drive to work at a non-profit medical clinic was about 5 minutes. I have always enthusiastically and wholeheartedly and will always continue to wholeheartedly embrace the mission statement of my employer and work  to serve the under-served. What joy and relief  it was to also  spend less time in the car, less money on gas, less money on car insurance, and more time with my infant son.
    Over the past 2-3 years I started looking around at our surroundings and local politics (Ventura, Los Angeles, & Mexifornia) and started thinking and feeling very differently about what I see is going on around us. I have come to put it together into a different picture with a different meaning. A different meaning that although might be only personal in nature, I believe has implications for millions across Mexifornia and the United States of America.

What do you see when you look at this picture taken half a mile from my home?

 

At Least They'll All Learn the Right Words at The Same Time

 Mexican Schools Provide Drug Songs-Library book glorifying traffickers draws criticism
    I just don't "get" this... I understand the historical and cultural aspects of folk songs and all that jazz... It just is not Crystal Clear to me what the good is in having these songbooks that include the lyrics of "narcocorridos" — folk songs that glorify drug traffickers, in MEXICAN SCHOOLS...I seriously question the judgment of people who would think this is a good thing for children...Guess the Mexican Gov't  could also hand these books out with their Guide to Illegal Immigration to help that trip across the border more enjoyable...I am sure the 'Coyotes' would love singing along.

 

Long Beach Could Always Follow the Example Of Chief de Werk But They Will Probably Get A Lot of Grief If They Do

There are more gang shootings on a daily basis than you would ever want to know about or guess. However, Thursday there was a gang shooting in Long Beach, Ca that infuriates me not only because a 17 year old boy was brazenly murdered in broad daylight across from a police sub-station but also because I know this is not going to be the last time a mother loses a son to a  bunch of  thugs and the effort of law enforcement  agencies to try and really address this on-going increasing gangster terrorism is likely to be met with grief and distortions from the media and ridiculous groups such as the ACLU.

 

    From A Plea For Peace : 

...A gang injunction against the West Side Longos was revived in December. It bars active gang members of one of Long Beach's oldest and most notorious Latino street gangs from engaging in a host of activities in an area bordered by the Terminal Island (103) and Long Beach (710) freeways, Hill Street and PCH. Since then, the police department has served more than 60 warrants and arrested about eight gang members. A West Side Longo Task Force of four officers patrols the area in addition to the two beats that cover the area 24 hours a day, Kilmer said. Despite those efforts, a cluster of Westside residents gathered Friday at the corner where Williams collapsed and criticized the city for not doing enough to stop the long-standing problem of violence. Parents of Cabrillo High students said they are fed up with their children navigating streets that resemble war zones. "These kids have to walk to school in a certain code," said one parent, who identified herself as Ms. Bey. "They're not in Afghanistan or Iraq, but they may as well be.

...City Council members Tonia Reyes Uranga and Bonnie Lowenthal, whose districts cover the area of the slaying, said a day of dialogue has been scheduled at the high school for Saturday, March 5 at 9 a.m. "I am standing here to say that this community is united," Uranga said at a press conference held at the Police Department's West Division Station. "Latinos, African Americans, Asians, Anglos, we are all united, and we will not let this violence divide us."

    There really is more to quote that is relevant to the point I want to make but I am just a bit distracted right now. So let me jump over to Police Chief Art de Werk of Ceres, California and the gratitude he & his department are getting from the media and ACLU in trying to stymy the domestic terrorism of gangs just as these residents of Long Beach want law enforcement to do.
    First Crystal Gettin' Techy With It ( video of news story ran by local TV-full of misleading distortions). Look who was watching (ACLU Letter to Chief de Werk)and mentions in the letter the request for policies and procedures came from watching the MEDIA REPORTS.

     In Chief de Werk's Op-ed piece in Modesto Bee 2/18/05, he does an exemplary job of politely and appropriately calling the media to task and requesting their assistance. Look at the e-mail forwarded to him (emphasis mine):

From: Fred Herman & Mary Menz [mailto:hermenz@ainet.com]
Sent: Monday, February 21, 2005 3:00 PM
To: stanaclu@yahoogroups.com
Subject: reaction to Op-Ed from De Werk
Unbelievable! The good Ceres police chief must really believe that  the media are picking on him instead of cheer-leading for him, and he doesn't have a clue that the "anti-establishment" ACLU is not defending The Bad Guys but the American constitution. The good chief is wrong about police being accountable to *any*one  but possibly city officials who sign paychecks. The good chief seems to feel that a kid's choice of companions somehow affects his credibility. He seems to imply we shouldn't believe brutalized youngsters if  or because they hang with gangs. "Finally, our concentration on a certain neighborhood in Ceres is not discriminatory. " Oh hell no. Nor did Hitler necessarily focus on ghettoes; that's just where the Jews lived.

    Ahem...I wouldn't say from reading the op-ed piece Chief de Werk feels the media are "picking on him"...I would say he is  rightfully asking the media to be responsible and accountable for their work the same way the ACLU is asking de Werk and law enforcement agencies to be responsible and accountable for their work in protecting all citizens.
    Ahem...I would say the chief is far from alone in "feeling a kid's choice of companions effects his credibility." In fact, the gangstas I work with and know, live and act on that exact feeling and thought!
    Quite telling isn't it that this:  ADL Applauds the City of Ceres Police Department for Arresting White Supremacist for Hate Crime didn't garnish the well-deserved attention of the ACLU and the media.
    Let me make it Crystal Clear ane please pay attention, media, ACLU, and special interest groups, this blogger, the public and law-abiding citizens want responsibility and accountability from you and we are most definitely watching.

 

 

Terri Schiavo & MSM Watch

From New Twists Arise For Schiavo:(emphasis added)

In 2003, both Pinellas State Attorney Bernie McCabe and the Tallahassee-based Advocacy Center for Persons with Disabilities, the state-appointed organization which monitors the treatment of disabled adults in Florida, responded to reports that Terri Schiavo was abused.
McCabe's review of some medical records found no evidence of abuse and noted that even if it had, the statute of limitations had expired.
Richard LaBelle, a Dunedin attorney who works with the advocacy center, said the agency reviewed court files and other medical records that were readily available and presented them to a medical expert who said he needed to examine Terri Schiavo before deciding whether she had been mistreated.
LaBelle said the group needed Michael Schiavo's permission to examine his wife and didn't get it. LaBelle said he welcomed DCF's involvement in the case now.

Maya has some help from John Kennedy and realizes the blogosphere is watching

Gotta love the internet. Here we have PDF copy of Greer's actual order. He really seems as though he is finally tiring of this and perhaps wants to get out of the pure idiocy he has allowed as far back as 2000. He seems to pave the way to Terri's safety through the appellate courts.
    How terribly chilling to read the date March 18, 2005 at 1:00 p.m....how can anyone not read this as though it were the setting of an EXECUTION date....

<>

<>

Maybe if We Call It Schiavogate?

    This humorous cartoon found on Long Time Gone might actually be missing something...Any thoughts? Well a hint is ...feel free to also take this as a commentary on the Higher Beings of the Blogosphere not posting about Terri Schiavo and the fight for her life.
     What would Instapundit, Powerline, Michelle Malkin, Captain's Quarters, and Hugh Hewitt  and all the illustrious others who blogged about Rathergate and Easongate  find interesting and blog-worthy about Terri Schiavo and the fight for her life? I believe just what  LaShawn Barber, Dean's World  and the entire blogosphere blogging on issues and events of social and political relevance find worthy of spending time at our computers for: getting all the facts out, holding people accountable, and sharing the truth and our opinions on the facts.
     Speaking up in the fight for Terri's life  doesn't have to mean joining the blogroll and committing to posting daily (although of course that would be wonderful and greatly appreciated!). It can be as simple as a phone call, single post or comment of fact(s) in this saga, or as Jimmie of Sundries Shack did by calling attention to one of us (myself in this case-Thanks Jimmie!) who is blogging daily. The blogosphere most definitely has power and some very loud and trustworthy voices that are listened to. Crystal Clear there are countless  voices that can and should sing as  loudly for Terri Schiavo as they  did  concerning Dan Rather and Eason Jordan. 

Crystal Clear This is No Game To Play Let Alone Lose

I know I had heard or read about this a while before I blogged about it, but it just really upsets me to see things like this and people acting like this is actually news and that something shouldn't have been done a long while ago...say like September 12, 2001 or actually even earlier.... Ok, back to "Game Day" with Bryceton. We agreed on a brief snack break. So far we have played Speed, Mouse Trap, Lord of The Rings for the GameCube, and I have multi-tasked 2 loads of laundry in there as well. Later this afternoon he is off to a slumber birthday party. So then, Nethan and I will get each other  for some 1:1 Mommy time. I just realized my title really makes sense for Terri Schiavo but  will be back for my Blogging For Terri entry later...and most certainly will be tuned to CNN to watch the interview with the Schindlers which I just now learned about..
 

Not a Wife but How Long a Living Daughter?

It is Crystal Clear this story and the story of this struggle for life embraces several themes that hit really close to home for myself and countless others.  Many with blogs
and many without. Crystal Clear readers know of the on-going struggles I have had and unfortunately continue to have  in getting Nethan appropriate and adequate medical care.Tonight, let's hit upon the theme of motherhood,caring for, and fighting for your child.
      A man who marries a woman is a husband. A woman who marries a man is a wife. Gay marriage/partnerships only further fill out this picture and my position tonight . The point is that the choice to marry another human and join your lives together is a sacred choice and decision and is a choice in every sense of the word. Marriages end in death and marriages end in divorce.  In my world and Teri's Mother's world, Motherhood never, ever ends. With motherhood comes the reality that choices such as suicide are forever GONE.In the world of Motherhood, if necessary  you throw out the judges, courts, & any husband who even tries to stand in your way of what is best for your child. Your ears give way to your heart and your love for your child takes over. You truly know in every single cell of your soul and body what is right and correct for you child. Truly you do. You have a purpose and faith that carries you and guides you in what you need to and must do for your child. Yes, of course,there are times of doubt. Doctors will try to tell you things. They will tell you things you know you don't want to hear or believe.Yet,  you take those things into your mind and heart. You suffer with your child.  Nevertheless, a mother knows. She knows. Times of doubt eventually end up in strengthening your resolve as to the right thing to do for your child, even if it causes you harm and pain to do right by your child.
    As though this were Nethan or Bryceton, I have no doubt in my mind or heart regarding Terri; if you have any doubt just take a look at this videos on the website. Afterwards, please join the growing blogroll & follow through here.

One Last Thing

    This example, more or less, has come into my office several times over the years:
Single mother 25 years old with two children on WELFARE had TWO abortions and then on the third pregnancy  within ONE YEAR it ends up she had a tubal pregnancy and obviously needed to terminate the pregnancy but when she asked her doctor in a moment of fantastic judgment to perform a tubal ligation at the same time was DENIED completely by her doctor...She was told NO flat out because her two healthy children might DIE....HULLLLLLLOOOOOO
    This whole thing is just too much for my 2 margarita-ed brain to manage right now. My best guess is that abortion is covered by Medi-cal but tubal ligation is NOT....???? The last case within a year ago  I know of this type of example is of a 18 year old girl on welfare who had THREE children by THREE different fathers who was crack addicted and her doctor KNEW it and was on her FOURTH yes 4th child and the doctor would not perform a tubal ligation by HER REQUEST because she was only 18...
    ok..you may be sleepless but I can sleep better now knowing I shared with you that there most certainly are some girls out there who DO show good sense and stupid ass doctors step in their  way...

If You Have to Explain it...You Just Probably Wouldnt' Get It

I heard about this on the radio today as I took the kids to school and started laughing at first because I couldn't believe a person could be so foolish let alone a group of people. I couldn't wait to see what Michele Malkin and Malkin Watch would do with this one.  I know my memory is a bit out of whack lately but wasn't one of the first things the DMV and your parents told you about driving was that it was a privilege???? I can imagine I believed it to be my right to drive but Hullo Hollowood folk...

• Driving is a privilege it is NOT a Civil Right...you disgrace all those before you who fought for REAL civil rights...
• Do you even realize how blatantly absurd this is?  It is Crystal Clear you must not even have a clue as to how ridiculous and racist YOU appear by running this ad. Please let me try to explain this: You all have more than enough money to pay the necessary fees and employer taxes and you are hiring ILLEGAL ALIENS? A few years or... hell if I know how long but you are going to be hanging your head in shame when people liken you to those who refer to fat black women as Aunt Jemmimas...I guarantee you there are MORE than enough highly qualified American citizens or legal immigrants   willing to perform the duties of a nanny to your children as you go off to earn mega bucks and feel good about yourself exploiting some poor hard-working illegal alien...

Hat tip:the brilliant  and always dead on sane Lone Wacko
Post script here concerning commenting now and in the future regarding illegal aliens: I have always had the most open and welcoming policy regarding all comments. I invite respectful discussion and am terribly proud many liberal voices contribute here know I appreciate what they have to offer in the way of opinion and experience. I also have left the possiblity open to allow anonymous comments. However, lately I have felt  somewhat abused and taken advantage of by some commentators who do not leave a legitimate e-mail addy or post a URL yet post something of a personal experience that is not backed up with data. For example, I can understand you may choose to not agree with the data I have regarding the facts showing hard-working illegal aliens do NOT just take the jobs Americans don't want or won't do...I know you cling to the myth that  illegal aliens support the economy and we would all be terribly off without their service...However, I have a feeling there is no data out there I could present that you wouldn't consider biased...thus from now on ...UNLESS

• there is a legitimate email addy with or without your URL (not everyone obviously has a blog or website) with your personal experience or
• Your anonymous post links to data substantiating your differing point of view and experience... I reserve the right to delete or edit your comments ...my voice andmy blog are genuine and I expect the same whether you agree, disagree,  or are a troll.

 

A Stretch and a Jump With a Train of Thinking

    I believe my train of thought is quite Crystal Clear with regards to illegal aliens and open borders. I  admit I have not invested a lot of time or energy in writing about those that come to America and sign our guest book, legal immigrants. However, at this point in time I feel the invasion of illegal aliens  and La ReConquista are of far more importance and danger.
   In  Recalibrating Immigration, Power Pundit links to Volokh Conspiracy's valid comments about immigration and national security. Both seem to agree, and I completely concur, there are dangers in severely limiting immigration.  The point being we never know who we might be saying "No" to and what great things they might contribute to America.
    I know the following of what I am going to write is a bit of a  stretch but I respectfully invite you on to my train of thought  no matter what your position is regarding abortion. My mind makes lots of links between things important to me. In this case, it was an easy jump for me to make an argument about the number of dangerous people we might have to let in to get that one great achiever. I also thought about what if that great person such as the next Einstein brought along some more shall we say ...less than great relatives...who ended up on the public dole or in our prisons. Would it be worth it? Now here's the next jump of the tracks before I head back to work.....

    What happens when we take that way of thinking and apply it to abortion? How do we know any single  wonder of life before it has taken a first breath wouldn't be the one to go on to cure cancer? How do we know? Seems Crystal Clear to me we obviously can't know what might become of the life  being sucked away down a sink. Some lives would be great and worthy and others would go on to be destructive and evil. We can't know and yet many loudly advocate for the right. Just something I was thinking and wanted to share...So have at it dear readers...What do you think and want to share in a respectful way regarding this train ride of thought that jumped a track?

Not at All Crystal Clear

I have always wondered what the real purpose of spam like this is. Could someone please explain? I am guessing it is to know that my e-mail addy is legit. I also don't understand why I sometimes get barraged with a flurry of odd nonsensical comments on this blog...Care to enlighten me and make it Crystal Clear?

----- Original Message -----
From: "Winston W"

To: "Mfct"

Sent: Monday, January 03, 2005 8:00 PM
Subject: dont be so bored
> qqghxwmff comaolyuuf eujqcobu
> wermeneqmg aktuf RND_LC_CHAR[3-10]  jxwyej
>
> P'H'A'M'A'R'Y'
>
> 'l'i'n'k
> blf.wessda.com
>
> msmrhzes
> >

Until I Can Get To This

Remember in this post of mine I wrote about not needing to throw more money at the issue of gangs?  Well this post by The Smarter Cop referencing an LA Times' commentary referring to  LA's Jordan Downs as modern-day  Mogadishu seems to be a thump on my head to get me back to that issue that always seems to be percolating in my heart and head... Until I can get a bit more time, please consider the Smarter Cop's link and these following articles:

Ludlow Proposes City Anti-Gang Agency
Anti-gang agency backed amid crisis
Disparity, a blog post by Amy
The Myth of the Working Poor

 

as suggested reading.  I will be using and/or referencing them in my next post which will move us along in the direction of my   "to be continued".
    I often think about what I consider the "Liberal" view of the "Poor" and "Gangs"...I often think about Latino Pundit and some of his commentators, this post by Amy, and others I can't quite pull out of my memory right now. I often think about what I thought about the "Poor" and "Gangs" before I started working as a psychotherapist with this population. My point, before I move on over to traffic school, is that I honestly believe I have day-to-day experiences, knowledge, and training I want  to use in writing that not many other bloggers have the experience or background to write.  Although it is both challenging and highly frustrating to try and bring together my variety of experiences and views about the teens I work with and blog about them in short posts , I am hoping I can do it over a series of posts. Probably a lengthy and repetitious at time series of short posts but I anticipate learning something too! Even more so, I am hoping to generate discussion, thought and get feedback from both conservative and liberal leaning readers. As with many , most of my posts I don't necessarily have an answer or solution but I try to present what I believe the issue(s) to be in a Crystal Clear fashion.

 

What a Mess

This post  over at C.R.A.M.I  reminded me of a post that has been percolating in my heart lately. Although I won't be able to do it complete Crystal Clear clarity tonight I wanted to dash off a few thoughts so as to not over tax those last few synapses firing.
The bottom line to what I want to get down and out that is bothering me so very much is that brave young men and women are fighting in Iraq and other countries around this wide wide wide screwed up world so that Iraqis and others can enjoy the freedom I cherish so much, vote, and participate in democracy. Yet here all across the USA, little gang bangers and wannabes are fighting and killing over the colors red and blue. Way too many neighborhoods are infiltrated with this stupidity. One teen I work with was not able to go to the funeral of her young cousin (murdered in a drive-by) because it would have been unsafe for her to do so. It was known and a given that many of the people of all ages attending the funeral for that little boy were packing guns. Everyone at that funeral was in danger. Is that not just completely  crazy and sick?
     Don't even go thinking I am writing some anti-war post thinking we should be spending time and more money down in the ghetto righting this stupidity.....Righting this stupidity does not cost a single dime. Not every person in poverty is packing a gun and killing over red versus blue or Nortenos versus Surenos ...Nope.... No, it isn't easy to not join in the madness but it does happen...Guesses as to why some don't join or partake in the stupidity and disregard for life? Guesses as to why some make it out and don't just embrace the life dealt them?
I know it is Crystal Clear to me but do you hazard a guess that doesn't blame society or Republicans? I know me far too well and if I provide the start of an answer...it is going to go on way past my bedtime and I need to be in good form tomorrow to deal with six young men I am trying to help see they indeed do have choices....Strangely enough, that actually takes a great deal more listening than it does speaking....
To be con'td...

Remember This?

Scary to think what might have happened if the hostages had been abducted today...Somehow I don't think the radical Islamic fundamentalists of today would let them leave with their heads 444 days later...Frankly I will remember President Carter more for his inept handling of that situation than any other achievement of his presidency and probably more than all the wonderful things he has done since...On a personal note though, at sixteen years old I think the hostage crisis was probably a little bit of manure on the seed of interest in exploring and trying to understand the various cultures of the world that eventually led to me graduating from
Thunderbird...

Why Isn't It This Clear to All People?

This article found on the Heritage Foundation web site makes a good deal of sense to me. I don't understand where others who are for Open Borders are coming from...It seems so clear to me...Nevertheless if you want to step up and comment on what parts you don't agree with...would you please? I know I had a comment a few back from someone who wondered what I would love to see ...and I hope that same person can let me know what they find objectionable about thsi piece. ....
The Principles of Immigration

And Security Mom Says...

A favorite loyal reader has posted some comments and genuine questions that I would love to resond to but the first thing I want noticed is that Andy really seens to be searching to understand and reach out as opposed to many who disagree with me and when they ask questions actually have an agenda and are more interested in getting a point across.The second thing I want to note which I may not have addressed in my post where I revealed I am a registerd Republican is that technically I really am more of an Independent but registered as a Republican so I could vote in primaries. Having said that I am really grateful for Andy's questions and a chance to not only express myself and my viewpoints but the opportunity to explore my own thinking and beliefs. Nuf' said let's get to his comments!

I guess I'm curious as to what you feel like Kerry's response will be when the country's been attacked? Like you, I think it's a matter of "when" rather than "if", and terrorism on American soil is a reality that all future presidents will have to live with. But given the way the country's focus has shifted away from combatting terrorism and onto Iraq, how has this president made you feel more safe than the alternative?

I went back and read what I wrote because I shivered and then drew a blank. My first reaction is visceral and intuitive. I tend to trust and honor my intuition. In my opinion Kerry's response would be akin to President Carter's handling of the Iran hostage crisis. I believe he would try to use economic and diplomatic pressures.
UPDATE: As I said I wrote some of this a while ago before I knew I really was so sick and during the debate Senator Kerry in his own words use the term "global test"...That is a part of what makes me shake my head and shiver. I believe France and Germany to name two of our so-called allies would never have agreed to invade Iraq as they both were whoring themselves. I also disagree that as you wrote:

focus has shifted away from combatting terrorism and onto Iraq

I believe the war in Iraq is indeed part of combatting terrorism and am sorry our honorable soldiers are having to fight so heartily but am oh so grateful they are fighting there instead of waiting to fight on here our soil...Yep I would much rather the al-quaeda and other terrorists and others who hate America at the cellular level pour over the borders and do all that nasty stuff there. I am glad that Hussein is sitting in a prison. I think the world is better off with Iraq heading towards democracy. I am very very proud that our American soldiers and Dubya had the balls to do this. I think terrorists hate us because we are who we are and they are who they are... I don't think a different president is going to change their viewpoint or feelings towards us ever ...Thus I am all for keeping the war on terrorism far away from here...I don't honestly care whether it is for oil or whatever hoopla is thrown out there....Even if I buy it (and I don't wholeheartedly) it is for oil...the way this security mom sees it is that a group of Muslim extremists want to see us gone off the planet and have no value for life the way I have value for life they have no tolerance for my choices the way I have tolerance for their choices...and I am sorry blood is flowing in Iraq but I hope indeed yes that many middle easterners eventually gain the liberty and freedom I cherish and am proud of...

My feeling is that the President has succeeded in making us feel more afraid, every day. Let me be clear here: I'm not even hinting at the notion that the threat of terrorism isn't very, very real. However, the focus of this administration's "war on terror" seems to be on restricting civil liberties and scaring the public when the moment seems opportune to make political hay. Meanwhile, the true pillars of a sensible homeland security policy — doing what it takes to prepare emergency services, committing dollars to counter-terrorism intelligence initiatives, enhanced diplomatic efforts with international partners — have been underfunded or ignored entirely. Add to that the rage and ire in the Arab world that the administration's policies seem to have ignited, and I feel less safe rather than more safe.

Although I agree with much of which you wrote and I think you know very clearly how disgusted and scared I am by our open borders... I don't put a whole lot of hay in diplomatic efforts...Also I don't for one nano-second think the rage and ire in the Arab world was ignited by just this administration's policies. Nope...they have always hated us and likely always will...I don't like thay they hate us or don't like us but I am not in any way shape or form going to change who I am or what we stand for...I am proud of it...Although we are all human we are obviously quite different... I also personally don't feel unduly scared as you seem to often bring up or as manipulated by political stuff...That will cause some more thought and observation on my part...

I only ask this because I am genuinely curious. Poll after poll shows people saying that they don't like the direction the country's headed, they feel Bush has mishandled the war, and don't even necessarily think he's doing a great job. And yet a plurality still say they'll vote for him because he makes them feel safer. I guess I'm asking, "safer than what"?

I know you and Hilary are genuinely curious and I hope I spent enough time and thought to shine a little Crystal Clear clarity on why I feel safer with President Bush staying in office for four more years...Oh and ask away for more Crystal Clear clarity where I was murky or inconsistent or both!

This Cleaning is Far Over Due

A post by Michelle Malkin on September 27, 2004 references other blogs and recent Oakland events and sums up beautifully my irritation and frustration of late..Even pictures of the open border are available with a click...This is just ridiculous... How can this continue to go unnoticed? As a Mother and American I am upset that my main domestic concern of Health Care is not even part of my voting decision this election. But then again it appears that my main concern of national security is not going to be addressed by anyone either...Just sick sick sick of the craziness and hypocrisy...Believe me I hate being able to say "I told you so" and that is exactly where we are headed...

Mexifornia & Homeland Insecurity

VDARE.com Home Page
Remember when I said I hated discussing politics??? Well I do and yet I have to tell you that I am having a very hard time even seeing the "other side" when it comes to illegal immigrants who here in California are largely from Mexico...So I don't really want to debate it but am curious if any one who sees "the other side" can point me to some web stuff that discusses and explains why it is a good thing that California is becoming Mexifornia and why it is Ok or even plausible for ILLEGAL immigrants to have driver licenses etc etc etc....Anyone care to help me out????I mean they make me take off my shoes for goodness sakes when I get on an airplane and show my ID but people walk through the border like it is a crowded Wal-mart...
This will likely and unfortunately not be my last post on this issue because I agree with John and Ken that this state is sliding down a very slippery slope and it is only going to get more and more ugly and more and more

D A N G E R O U S

Camping is a Stressful & Expensive Hobby

Bryceton's school, Open Classroom, has a charming little tradition of an all school campout during the first part of the school year. I am not as anxious and worried this year as I was last year but still... I d r e a d going on this lovely community building two night outing which starts on Wednesday.
I just don't get IT.
I understand the community building thing and I did honestly feel closer to Bryceton last year after the campout and Bryceton has a total blast camping. BUT I think the same things could just as easily be achieved in some wonderful family friendly resort. A place with showers and no bugs or critters. A place with real beds and no sleeping bags or tents. A place with room service and no cleaning up.
It is not fun for me to have to pack up all this stuff and you know the list is

L O N G...

and then unpack all this stuff and set up camp and then turn around and pack it all up again and come back and unpack

O N C E again

and put it all away....Where is the fun in this?
The souvenirs are bug bites upon bug bites and an extra visit to the chiropractor.
Last year I begged and borrowed a great deal of the major equipment from friends and acquaintances for the first campout. However, I always enjoy an actual bonafide reason to shop and slowly through the rest of the year I started picking up things here and there. By the time of the classroom beach campout I had amassed a fair amount. And now for this trip I am pretty well stocked except for the actual tent. And this will likely be the last time I borrow Claudio's tent. Today's fun campout purchases included such things as a Swiss Army Knife, a solar heated waterbag shower, a folding shovel, a grip of snacking foods, and a large bottle of Cuervo Gold Margarita Mix with the Tequila already mixed in! Last year I followed the school outing rules and did not partake in any alcoholic beverages. On the beach campout I asked a parent in a joking manner whose bright idea it was to not allow beer on the trip and she chuckled and told me that people were indeed imbibing but the key was to do it discretely...So although Vodka might have been a more discrete choice I decided to go with Margaritas since I don't usually drink alcohol and I always enjoy a Margarita.
Part of why I wasn't dreading the trip that much this year is because I figured I had today, Labor Day, to get all packed up. Well I have, as usual, sorely disappointed myself. My time management skills suck and between changing 8 diapers and two changes of clothes before we left the house this morning and feeding them...well I am still looking at a long night ahead both tonight and tomorrow night...Ahh yes... I love my kids I love my kids I love my kids...I just HATE CAMPING!

That Point

A day or so ago I hit that point in the trip. That point is the point when I start to think about what might happen or would happen if I just decided "Hey, I am not going back."
I am totally and absolutely 100% serious. But yep I think about hey, this is my parents' condo and what are they gonna do??? Eventually they will come back but they would never kick us out. I would want to move before they wanted us to leave and I know I could find a place before that happened. As far as my ghetto home in Ventura...Fuck it....Yep those words came out of my fingers. I have no attachment to that place...other than some personal items you can have everything right down to my dirty 1995 Blazer. They have a beautiful PT Cruiser here that has less than 10K miles on it...Although I do hate driving around in a car that has "To Cute" for a license plate because I hate people thinking that I spelled "Too" the wrong way. As far as friends...well if you live in Hawaii it is pretty safe to say that anyone you really want to see again is eventually gonna come to visit. What else? My job? Hmm ...As much as I love what I do and as much as I love the group home kids...and I genuinely do...they could easily replace me and I am always surprised by how easy it is for me to let go of thinking and worrying about them...Not to mention that of course there are certainly group homes for foster teenagers here in Hawaii that need psychotherapy too...So you see there is really no reason to not stay and more reasons to stay!! ... Indeed I have asked Bryceton if he is sure he wants to go back and he answered "Yes, he is not ready to stay...yet."
I forget about this point. I am always surprised by it and yet it has come during every single trip except for the year I was married. One year I tried to convince my sister to get off the plane. I told her "Hey, noone would doubt that we got into a fight and missed the flight..." She had a boyfriend back in Phoenix though and was not willing.
Bryceton already knows that when Nethan heads to college in seventeen years I will be heading here to stay for good for the rest of my days... Until that time I guess we just keep visiting and I will keep hitting this point...

Bad Run of Luck Continues

Yesterday we actually tried to head out to Kailua but there was some awful accident on Pali highway. So awful that they actually had us going the wrong way on the highway to get out of the mess. Instead we ended up at Ala Moana . Nice family friendly beach but Bryceton was stung twice by Jelly Fish...
Today we wake up to not a drizzle but R A I N.... So I decide we should just head to the Waikik IMAX but learn when I try to look at showtimes that they closed it several years ago...With a week to go in our trip I feel just as harassed and tired as I did when I arrived...However at least I do have shaved legs, a bit of a Hawaiian tan, and a favorite reader Andy has returned declaring himself part of my loyal readership!