An Open Letter to the Members of the USA Government

Dear Representatives:

The title in which I address you in this letter is one that is dripping with sarcasm and utter disrespect, as you actions yesterday prove that you are NOT a representative of the American people but only of yourselves.



When it came to the Healthcare Reform bill (which is a misleading name considering that it is actually reform of INSURANCE), you voted against the wishes of the majority of your constituents knowing good and well that you will be replaced in November.

How can you face yourself in the mirror today and call yourself a man or a woman knowing that you gave in to the most arrogant, egotistical, self-centered person this country has ever elected as a president. You call yourself defenders of the republic?

YOU ARE AN EMBARRASSMENT TO THE REPUBLIC!

When you were giving in to the man and his Cruella-looking sidekick in the name of saving yourself, did you realize that there WILL come a day that you will have grandchildren, great-grandchildren and other loved ones who will be subjected to this "Healthcare" reform?

Probably not. It was all about you. Today. Living in the moment. Saving your behind right now.

Maybe you did help the American economy. After all, come the latter part of this year, there's going to be a lot of job vacancies on Capitol Hill. Maybe some good ol' boys with common sense and knack for listening can take your place.

And you think amnesty legislation will help you? Think again. It will only fuel the hate fed fires.

Once you've fallen from grace, it's hard to rise again. Face it, your fifteen minutes of fame is over.

Barack Obama USED you to further his own agenda. He will be remembered, oh yes. You, my washed-up friend, will never even be mentioned by name in a history book.

In closing, I just want to remind you that all of your efforts are most likely in vain. The American people are ones who are born fighters (remember our Founding Fathers?). We will not just accept this new legislation as gospel.

On January 16, 1920, the Eighteenth Amendment (Prohibition) became effective. In 1933, it was repealed.

What is done can be undone. Especially when it tramples all over our Constitutional rights.

Was it really worth it?

Read more...

Fred Phelps and the Poltergist Movie Preacher

Well, it seems that Fred Phelps and his hate-spirited, judgmental clan is back in the news.

Seems that the U.S. Supreme Court has decided to hear a case filed by the father of a slain Marine on the issue of whether the protest held by Phelps' congregation crossed the line from freedom of speech to harrassment.



This could turn easily turn into a landmark case. And I fear the outcome.

While I think there is no doubt a special place in hell for the self-righteous, judgment-passing "Christians" that are more like dumb sheep following Phelps' every command in the name of religion, I still think they have the right to protest within the public confines.

My father, uncles, grandfather, and great-grandfathers gave years of their lives to this country for the freedoms we enjoy.  Including freedom of speech.

And even though I may HATE (and, yes, I understand that fine line between strong dislike and hate) what he is saying, where he is saying, and how he is saying it, I still believe he has a right to say it.

If we open the door to one government restriction, we open the door to many more.  Many, many more.

Like I said, I think Phelps and his "Christians" (I'm not referencing Christians in general here, notice I am referring to this specific group) will pay for their wicked acts in ways we will never know; but that is up to God, not us - and in the meantime I want to retain my freedom of speech.

Anyway....getting off my soapbox since that wasn't the point of my post anyway.

Am I the only one who thinks that Fred Phelps has an uncanny similarity to the preacher in the Poltergist movie?

Can you see it?  Isn't it just downright creepy? 

Read more...

Taking America Back (Video)

Watch it. It's awesome! America is speaking louder than ever before. And the Democrats want to pull it - wonder why?

Because it's the truth.

Read more...

I WILL NOT Feel Guilty Because I'm A White Girl

Let me warn you: if you don't think a Mom blogger has any business spouting off her political views, then you need to leave now and return your head to the sand because I'm fixing to unload right here, right now.

I am so sick and tired of the race card being played every time I turn around.

You'd think by now that race card would be rather tattered having been pulled from the deck so much.

I used to have a lot of respect for Bill Cosby.

Not so anymore.

Sure, I wasn't so blind as to see how his very popular sitcom made white people out to be idiots. And it irritated the fool out of me.

But then he gained tons of respect from me when he laid out the facts for people of his own race on why they were holding themselves back, not the white man.

While his own race was talking smack about him, the white man applauded his efforts and gained a new found respect for someone who could see it for what was.

Then he has to go and back up former President Jimmy Carter's statements that the protestations of late over Obama's spending and healthcare idealization is centered on racism.

What the-??!!

Can people actually be this stupid??!!

Apparently so.

It doesn't matter that a vast majority of the American people hated Jimmy Carter for what he did to this country, because a black man (only half-black, mind you) is doing it and we still hate it, then - as a white - it must be because we are racist.

What exactly were we white folk when people were protesting Jimmy Carter and his stupid, country-crippling policies?

Does any of these race-card playing liberal socialist ever stop to think that the reason most Americans dislike Obama is because he's so flippin' arrogant to come on fast and strong in the spending department? That he is insistent on shoving his policies down our throat?

That's exactly why I despise Obama, and the exact same reasons that I hated Carter's sissy-style politics.

Yet now I should feel bad because I am white and therefore my disgust is mostly based on my hatred of the black race?

Get over yourself!

I will not be made to feel bad because I was born a white girl. I am proud to be Caucasian. That is my heritage, that is who I am.

Stop thinking that because a white person disagrees with a black President it's centered in racism.

Remember, plenty of us "racist" white folk didn't like George Bush (Daddy and Baby), Bill Clinton, or Jimmy Carter.

We weren't racist then, why are we now?

Read more...

Doh! I'm Not The Only One Who Should Have Had A V-8

Lately I have just completely lost my every-lovin' flippin' mind!

I live in a small little Tennessee town where there is NOTHING to do.

So when the carnival (or, as we call it, fair) makes its annual pilgrimage into town, it's a BIG deal.

Part of the week long festivities includes a Baby Show. Anybody who has had a baby within the last 3 years enters this dang pageant.

Yeah, even me.

When Big Brother was a tot, I entered him two years in a row.

Even after I swore after the first year I wouldn't do it again.

Why?

Because he won.

And when your kid wins, you have to wait around for what seems like forever for the "Best of Show." (Sounds like a dog show, huh?)

By that time, your little bit is hot, cranky, and could care less if they are The Best - they just want to get the heck out of dodge and so do you.

He won both times. But not the best of show. Any guesses why?

But four years has caused me to have a memory lapse.

Until the other day.

After I had paid my $25 entry fee and told our family when to be there.

Doh! What have I done??!!

Now I am dreading this dog-and-pony show with every ounce of my being.

I don't want to do it.

But I will because, well, I'm too cheap to waste my entry fee.

I am, however, hoping that we don't win.

Isn't that insane?

Yet I am. That way I can show Princess A off then high tail it back to the house and the air conditioning.

Wish us luck - or not. How exactly would that work in this case?

And I'm apparently not the only one suffering from Doh moments.

What was that with Congressman Joe Wilson (SC-R) yelling out "You Lie!" at Obama during his speech last week?

I'm about as Republican as they come and Congressman Wilson was dead-on with his accusation, but, man, that's like yelling out the F-bomb in the middle of a church sermon.

You. Just. Don't. Do. It.

I did think it was classy of him to apologize to Obama - it's more than I would have done - but, unfortunately, the damage is done.

Of course, not as much damage as ACORN has done to themselves with the recent unveiling of undercover video footage of them promoting illegal immigration and prostitution.

When you figure out you've been secretly video taped doing those kind of crazy, ILLEGAL things, that's really gotta be a DOH! moment.

Here's a V-8. Bottoms up, boys!

Read more...

Where Were You On September 11, 2001?

Please take time today to remember the victims of the worst attack to ever occur on American soil: September 11, 2001.

And remember those victims still bearing the grief today of losing a loved one.

Most of all REMEMBER.

My Question:

Where were you on the morning of September 11, 2001 when you heard the news that America was under a terrorist attack?

My Answer:

Even 8 years later, it's difficult to remember that day without crying.

I had only been at work for a short while when friends from a nearby law office called to ask if I had turned on my television. When I responded that I hadn't, I was told that a plane had hit the World Trade Center and asked to see what the news reports were saying.

At this time, there was no indication that this was anything other than a horrendous accident.

Not long after turning on the television, I witnessed live as the second plane flew into the second tower of the WTC.

Even in my small town, hundreds of miles from New York, it seemed that mass confusion ensued as people began exiting their businesses looking for confirmation that what they had just seen on television or heard on the radio was real.

I will never forget how, in that one day, everything seemed to come to a grinding halt. Everyone gathered together to watch the news reports; hoping somehow that it was all wrong. Only later to watch as reports came in about the Pentagon and United Flight 93 in Pennsylvania.

I remember being sickened as the towers crumbled; knowing the fate of those who remained inside.

I will forever carry images of fireman and police officers who ran toward danger to save the lives of people who they had never even met - many to forever leave behind wives, husbands and children.

I will always admire those who I knew personally, and those I didn't, who - without a second thought of their own safety - headed north to render aid in any way they could.

I will always hold in the highest regard the men and women who fight the war in Iraq - to ensure our safety against such evilness - despite the callousness of many Americans who now claim that we are fighting a rich man's war; a war about oil.

Because they have forgotten.

But I will never forget.

Find More Aloha Friday at An Island Life

Read more...

Will Your Children Hear President Obama's Speech Tuesday?

From WorldNetDaily: "Parents across the country are rebelling against plans by President Barack Obama to speak directly to their children through the classrooms of the nation's public schools without their presence, participation and approval....

At issue was an announcement that Obama plans to deliver a message directly to students via the Internet into public school classrooms across the nation on Sept. 8.

According to announcement posted on ServiceWire.org, Obama will address students "about the importance of persisting and succeeding in school" at 1 p.m. Eastern at the WhiteHouse.gov website.

The announcement said the federal Department of Education "is encouraging educators, students and parents to use this opportunity to help students get focused and begin the school year strong."

The government also is publicizing a list of suggestions for students and teachers to do in preparation for the speech, including studying Barack Obama's writings and presidency."

[read the complete article....]

My Question:

Will you allow your children to participate in this event if your school district opts to broadcast it?

My Answer:

I think I've made my thoughts pretty clear in previous posts...lol....no, my children will not be permitted to attend school on that day.

It is MY responsibility to teach MY children about citizenship, not a President who has so been so transparent in his arrogant, egotistical views.

Although I declare my self a Republican, I can assure you if a Republican President was so brazenly against my views on morality, economics, citizenship, and race as Obama, my children would not listen to him either.

Have a Safe & Happy Labor Day Weekend!

Visit More Aloha Friday at An Island Life.

Read more...

13 Things You Really Should Consider About Universal Health Care

Since Obama and Congress weren't able to sell their universal health care idea on the American people by August, they've bought themselves some additional time by pushing the vote to September.

I found it amazing that on the same date at the push-back vote was announced (July 23, 2009), the U.S. stock markets did better than they had since January 2009.

That in itself speaks volumes to me - clearly investors are thinking that such a taxing plan is doomed for failure and therefore are investing their money once again in worthwhile goods and services.

I don't know whether you are for or against universal health care while you're reading this. Irregardless, the following are 13 things that all Americans should consider when thinking/discussing universal health care plans:

1. Government-controlled health care would lead to a decrease in patient flexibility. In other words: if you're on the government's dime, you're on their time.
   
   
2. Patients aren't likely to curb their drug costs and doctor visits if health care is free; thus, total costs will be several times what they are now. Consider this: when there was no such thing as insurance, people didn't run to see a doctor for the sniffles or to cure heartburn; and the majority of people still lived to be a ripe old age.
   
   
3. Healthy people who take care of themselves will have to pay for the burden of those who smoke, are obese, etc. So what's the incentive to be healthy?
   
   
4. Just because Americans are uninsured doesn't mean they can't receive health care; nonprofits and government-run hospitals provide services to those who don't have insurance, and it is illegal to refuse emergency medical service because of a lack of insurance. Enough said.
   
   
5. Like social security, any government benefit eventually is taken as a "right" by the public, meaning that it's politically near impossible to remove or curtail it later on when costs get out of control. I think we've used up all the bailout options, what then?
   
   
6. Health care equipment, drugs, and services may end up being rationed by the government. In other words, politics, lifestyle of patients, and philosophical differences of those in power, could determine who gets what. A little too reminiscent of Russia to me.
   
   
7. Loss of private practice options and possible reduced pay may dissuade many would-be doctors from pursuing the profession. That's great! We'll rid ourselves of the good doctors and invite in only the lame ones!
   
   
8. A long, painful transition will have to take place involving lost insurance industry jobs, business closures, and new patient record creation. What an excellent idea for a country struggling to pull out of a recession - let's create more unemployment!
   
   
9. Government-mandated procedures will likely reduce doctor flexibility and lead to poor patient care. A prime example: under government controlled health care, individuals beyond a certain age are not considered worth treating.
   
   
10. "Free" health care isn't really free since we must pay for it with taxes; expenses for health care would have to be paid for with higher taxes or spending cuts in other areas such as defense, education, etc. Seriously, with the state of the world today, do we really want to do any of these things?
    
    
11. There isn't a single government agency or division that runs efficiently; do we really want an organization that developed the U.S. Tax Code - which is full of a lot of bureacratic BS -handling something as complex as health care? Hmmm, in other words: lawyers playing doctor. No thank you!
    
    
12. Patient confidentiality is likely to be compromised since centralized health information will likely be maintained by the government. That's all we need: somebody like the 15-year-old who hacked the Pentagon's system getting in and messing with all our private and confidential information.
    
    
13. Government is more likely to pass additional restrictions or increase taxes on smoking, fast food, etc., leading to a further loss of personal freedoms. Do you enjoy your freedoms or would you rather be a government sheep?
    

BONUS: If this universal health care plan is so great, why has Congress incorporated legislation that specifically exempts them from being on the same plan? Why is the President, who is so intent on passing this bill, also ensuring his exemption status through this bill?

If it's not good enough for them, it's not good enough for me either. I'll support it after seeing them follow an identical plan - successfully - for a minimum of 5 years.

Visit More Fun Thursday 13 Participants!

Read more...

Book Review: The Bike Path Rapist by Jeff Schober with Detective Dennis Delano

As a boy, Detective Dennis Delano never aspired to be a cop; but it was apparently his destiny.

Working as a homicide detective in Buffalo, New York, Detective Delano would spend hours studying cold cases to refine his investigative techniques.

All the while, a serial rapist was on the loose in and around the bike paths of Western New York.

His first known attack occurred in 1977, and his would continue raping - and killing at least three women - until 2006.

Three decades of stalking women and brutalizing them.

He became known to law enforcement as The Bike Path Rapist.

And in the meantime, an innocent, mentally-ill man, Anthony Capozzi, would pay for The Bike Path Rapist's crimes with twenty-two years of life; his freedom.

When Detective Delano discovered Capozzi's innocence, he made it his mission to set him free.

What should have been a simple task became a politically-induced nightmare for Delano and Capozzi's family.

Yet Western New Yorkers remained oblivious to the political details as detectives from a specially formed task force hunted a serial rapist turned murderer.

DNA evidence would soon identify Almetio Sanchez as the man women had feared meeting along the beautiful yet secluded bike paths; a man beloved within his community but whom harbored a sociopathic hatred towards women.

Sanchez's crimes would solve almost thirty years worth of cases; many of which had ran their statute of limitations.

And vindicate an innocent man of the crimes for which he had been wrongfully convicted.

Unfortunately, the overinflated ego of a rogue District Attorney would be exposed and a dedicated cold-case detective would be forced into retirement; making the case of The Bike Path Rapist end on a bittersweet note.

Bike Path Rapist is the book to read if you want to know all of the inside workings that pertains to this twisted case that spanned three decades.

From the inner-office disputes to legal wranglings to head butting between the brass and prosecutors, Bike Path Rapist is an straight-shooting account of the hunt for a monster and the careers it would subsequently end.

Buy It! Purchase Bike Path Rapist from Amazon for only $7.99.

Read more...

Ha! Republican National Committee (RNC) Survey

When I got the mail the other day, I noticed this official looking envelope from the Republican National Committee in Washington D.C.

Yes, I am a Republican (or was, which will be explained later). I have been a proud conservative for all of my voting years.

That clear, I'll continue....

So anyway, I opened the envelope to find this official looking letter explaining how the Republican party needs to revamp, rebuild, and regain control of Congress.

Agree, agree, and agree.

According to the letter, they want me to take a census to help them understand what their constituents want to see happening in the Nation's Capitol.

So I pull the official looking survey form entitled "Census Document Questionnaire."

I read along, calculating my answers, then come to the "donation" part.

Donation request. Fine.

It's the next part that got me.

They want $12 to tabulate my survey!

Huh?

You're kidding me right.

The letter moans and groans about government-backed bailouts, then the RNC wants $12 just to tabulate a survey??!!

I don't think so.

I will not pay a dime to tell them how they should be doing their job. Quite frankly, if they need me to fill out a questionnaire to tell them that, I think it's time I vote them out and put somebody in there who was listening the first time around.

Lately I'd been disgusted with the Republican party anyway. Not disgusted enough to become liberal - that will never happen.

And after reading up on beliefs of Constutionalist, that is what I will now officially declare myself. (Not the militia version, I promise!)

Thank you, RNC, for bringing to my attention that you're not better than those left-winging crooks you wrote about.

Read more...

Your Thoughts On Pregnancy and STD Testing In Schools

Beginning this fall, schools (elementary, middle and high schools) in Port Chester, New York will be administering pregnancy and STD testing to requesting students.

If the child tests positive, s/he will be referred to a nearby off-campus medical clinic.

The policy was put into place by Port Chester school officials after realizing that 19 of 525 (roughly 4%) high school girls were pregnant or parenting in 2008.

Parental notification is not required prior to testing. However, the board did election to require notification of parents before pap smears or the dispensation of the "morning after pill" although New York state law does not require such disclosure for a minor.

My question for you this week:

Do you agree or disagree with this new policy by the Port Chester school board?

My Answer:

I do not agree with any legislation (federal, state, or local) that permits a kindergartner to be tested for such serious matters as pregnancy and STDs.

Quite frankly, if you have a child in elementary that needs testing for these potential "ailments," you've got bigger problems than for what they are testing.

Some have argued it is a good thing because children are afraid to approach their parents on these subjects. Well, in my opinion, when children did have to go to their parents because they were pregnant or needed to be treated for an STD, there was a lot less of it going on.

So maybe the government should butt out of raising our children for us, because all of their "efforts" to decrease is only resulting in drastic increases.

Maybe letting parents be responsible for their children would be a nice "change."

Read more...

Really Getting Sick And Tired

... of having Obama's health care agenda shoved down my throat.

What part of "Most Americans Do NOT want a Universal Health Care Plan" does the man not understand?

Shut up already! Get off the freakin' TV! You're not going to whoo me with your prepared speeches about how this is good for me.

Go peddle your expensive, taxpayer-costly crap elsewhere, dude!

Read more...

Illegal Immigration and Universal Health Care for Random Thoughts Tuesday

I was tickled pink last week to see that my rant on illegal immigration in America is something that most everyone agrees on.

I think it's probably the one issue that can literally bring Americans (the legal ones) to the brink of something similar to world peace; just on a national level.

Or the ones who don't agree had enough sense to see they were outnumbered and kept their mouth shut. ;)

You've got an estimated 15 million illegals in this country and the hot topic of universal health care brewing on Capitol Hill.

So what do they have to do with each other?

Well, if Obama and his brown-nosing Congress gets their friggin' way...a lot!

In this Universal Health Care plan that Obama is trying like a madman to push through - to the point of sounding like a broken freakin' record - insurance will not only be provided to Americans (yippee! *rolling my eyes*) but to illegal immigrants too.

Oh boy! Not only do they get to live here without paying federal taxes, contributing to the social security and medicare funds, and pop out anchor babies that then insure them food stamps and similar benefits, but now we're going to reward their CRIMES (for the dense: illegal = crime), by signing them up on an AMERICAN FUNDED insurance program.

When we're all waiting in line for own health care after ObamaCare goes into effect, better look around and thank all those illegals you see in line too - after all, they just made you wait a little bit longer.

And how long did they wait for all these benefits?

None. Nada.

They want all the benefits of an American, but they sure don't to be an American.

That might require them to wait.

Why bother? We just keep rewarding them for sneaking over here under the cover of darkness.
And we're about to do it again with a universal health care plan.

Even those who support a universal health care plan don't support giving it to illegals. As a matter of fact, 70% of health care plan supporters are in disagreement with illegals receiving the benefit.

Get that Congress? Hear that Obama?

NOBODY, except a few people still running around with their head up their butts, wants it to reward criminals!!

And for those who haven't figured out that the head is supposed to be well above the rear, don't give me that old song and dance about illegals coming here for a better life. Because the truth is, while they're running here ILLEGALLY in the name of bettering their life, they are destroying for those of us here LEGALLY - which eventually will ruin it for them too.

But what will they do? They'll run back to Mexico (or wherever they're from). Just as I've heard others who are living here legally yet not citizens say that, if American health care gets screwed up much like their own countries (read: Canada and New Zeland, as two examples that come to mind), they'll just return home because private care there, if needed, will be cheaper than in the U.S.

Must be nice. As a born and bred American, I don't have any where to run away to. I have no choice but to stick out. After all, other countries won't let me just pop in and start sucking off their system.

Yep, my homeland is definitely the land of opportunity; that's for sure. It's the only place on earth that refuses to acknowledge illegal immigration as a crime then not only fails to punish it, but rewards it.

Read more...

This Mom Blog Goes Political About Universal Health Care

I know what many have said: Mom blogs shouldn't be political.

I've never really understood the reasoning behind that thought.

Just because I'm a mother and I blog mostly about "Mom things", doesn't mean I don't have opinions on current political issues.

So I'm going to cross that line today and go a bit political on a topic that has many people talking these days: Universal Health Care in the U.s.

To be frank about it, I'm against a universal health care system.

While it is sad that there are many who cannot afford health care, I'm so happy to live in a country where at least good excellent care can be found.

I don't care where you go in the world, money does talk. Even in Canada, the very basis of argument for a universal health care system in the United States, offers private clinics where you can avoid excessive waits - up to 2 or 3 years just to get a family doctor! - if you can afford to pay for it out-of-pocket.

I've known several people who have become very ill and had an inability to pay high medical costs. In those cases, the community came together -as most will do - and held fundraisers to help those in need.

And because of a competitive medical society, where cash fuels awesome care, those people were able to get effective treatment quickly.

My sister-in-law was one of those people. Suffering from severe Type I diabetes, she was in desperate need of a pancreas transplant. With the aid of fundraisers, she was able have a successful surgery in a relatively short amount of time.

If she had lived in a country with a universal health care system, chances are she would still be waiting - if she was still alive to wait.

My Question To You:

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON A UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE SYSTEM IN THE UNITED STATES?

And, if you have a few minutes, watch this video on the truth about the Canadian health care system:

Read more...

Affiliate Marketing Becoming An Endangered Species

Affiliate marketing is a major backbone of Mom bloggers.

Through affiliate marketing, Mom bloggers are able to make their blogs profitable; thus compensating them for their hard work and time.

With the current economic crisis that is affecting our nation, more and more shoppers are looking to online resources as a means to finding better deals. In turn, states are seeing a rapid decrease in sales tax collections and are eager to recoup those losses.

"The trouble began in 2008, when New York passed a law requiring Amazon (and other retailers) to collect sales taxes if they had 'affiliates' in the state," writes Chris Null of Yahoo! Tech. Null continues, "New York claimed that having these local affiliates meant Amazon was operating a physical 'nexus' in that state, thus subjecting any sales there to New York state sales tax. Amazon sued the state, and lost."

Other sites with affiliate marketers, such as Overstock.com, decided to instead "fire" their affiliates; thereby eliminating any claim by states of a nexus.

As a results of New York's victory, four other states - California, Hawaii, Rhode Island, and North Carolina - have successfully or plan to institute a plan to collect sales tax on internet sales.

Amazon, one of the internet's largest affiliates, is already responding. Rather than continue their efforts to abolish internet sales tax with the judicial system, Amazon instead opted to terminate their affiliate ties with participants in those states.

Anyone who currently participates in affiliate marketing needs to be keeping an eye on their state's stance pertaining to this issue. And in the meantime, you should contact your Representatives to let them know you do not agree with such measures.

It should be taken into consideration that, as these states continue to create more havoc with their frivolous taxation, they will be creating an even greater number of those suffering income loss; which, in turn, will reduce the number of goods and services sold thereby slowing down even more an almost idle economy.

And I can assure you, just as we have seen throughout history, government won't be able to manage the money made from internet sales no better than they properly allocated funds previously collected. So what will be their next target for taxation and the excuse for doing so?

I agree with Lynn Terry as she states on her ClickNewz blog, "Personally, I applaud the merchants for taking a stand, and the affiliates who have written to their state Representatives regarding the new internet sales tax laws."

Will you take a stand? Or will you set idly by as government once again taxes us for their inability to manage a budget?

Read more...

I Don't Wanna Grow Up

Somewhere around my thirtieth birthday I began to have an awakening.

And I'm not sure I'm completely okay with it.

Some of it's okay. Actually, many of things I've "grown up" about are things I really wish I'd learned a long time ago. Such as:

• Learning not to judge others until you've walked a mile in their shoes; you never know what you would do if it were your issue/crisis/situation.
  
  
• Realizing that it's not about what you have in your life but who.
  
  
• Grasping that I will be leaving a world behind to my children and grandchildren and that I need to be a little "greener."
  
  
• Learning that debt is a burden and it's time to unload it.

While I'm happy to have to have a firm grasp of those very important life lessons, unfortunately there are some not-so-good realizations. For example:

• While my own home and community may be at peace, much of the rest of the world is not. All it takes is just a minute to change the security we all enjoy.
  
  
• Understanding the financial state of America has left me fearful of the inflation of tomorrow.
  
  
• Bad things can happen to you. It won't always be someone else.
  
  
• You can't live in the moment; what you do today will affect you tomorrow.
  
  
• While I always knew that someday I would die, I have come to really understand that any day could be your last; you don't have to be old to die.

Sometimes I find myself roaming around, paralyzed by fear, worry and frustration. I would give anything to return to my late teens/early 20's - a time when my head was in the sand.

In my mid to late 20's, I remember being frustrated with young people over their unrealistic views about life, debt, politics and death.

Now I envy them.

How did that happen?

Oh that's right...I grew up.

*sigh* Why me?

Read more...

Federal Trade Commission Looks to Regulate What You Say On Your Blog

Recently the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has decided to once again trample on American's First Amendment Rights. This time it's directed at companies using word-of-mouth advertising via blogs.

"Revised guidelines on endorsements and testimonials by the Federal Trade Commission, now under review and expected to be adopted, would hold companies liable for untruthful statements made by bloggers and users of social networking sites who receive samples of their products.

"The guidelines would also hold bloggers liable for the statements they make about products," says David Gelles in an article he published April 2, 2009, titled Advertisers Brace For Online Viral Marketing Curbs.

So what exactly does this mean for a review blogger?

"If a blogger received a free sample of skin lotion and then incorrectly claimed the product cured eczema, the FTC could sue the company for making false or unsubstantiated statements. The blogger could be sued for making false representations," says Gelles.

Can you image the impact that this revision will have on your average mommy blogger?

It's no secret that Mom blogs are the fastest growing blog type. Why? Because advertisers can't get enough to spread the word about their products. Of course, now that is sure to change.

When (and it is when not if) this revision takes effect, advertisers will undoubtedly drastically reduce the number of Mom blogs used as a means of advertising. Even if they don't wish to do so, I'm sure their liability insurance companies will require them to do so. After all, it's just to risky; a loose cannon, if you will.

And speaking of liability insurance...how many mommy bloggers are really in a position to purchase liability insurance? After all, most of us are simple stay at home moms, living on one income, and blogging as a way to bring in a little something extra to the household.

Quite frankly, I see this as a violation of my First Amendment Rights! Isn't it my right to say as I wish about a product or service I've used?

For example, Krista of Boutique Flair at discussion held on this subject at Mom Bloggers Club (MBC), "While I'm all for cracking down on companies that promise miracles via their product and hoodwink people, I think this has always been an issue, web or not. I remember my very wrinkly great-grandma slathering herself with Oil of Olay in hopes of fighting wrinkles. Did it work? Maybe for some, but not for her."

Without a doubt, there are many who feel strongly that Oil of Olay, just as an example, does fight wrinkles or create smoother, younger looking skin; otherwise, Oil of Olay would be out of business. And isn't it those individuals rights to say so when they've used the products and feel strongly that they've seen such results? Even if they received a free sample in exchange for a written review from the company?

This most likely comes about as people are like to litigate over the most trivial of matters; even more so in a slow economy, as we are experiencing now.

The only way to save the reviewing Mommy blogger, may be to introduce the idea offered by member Maternal Spark during the previously mentioned MBC discussion, "I think bloggers can overcome this by simply using a disclaimer....'this post is my personal opinion and does not represent the opinion of the sponsor company. My experience in using this product may not reflect your experience...blah blah blah.'"

While the majority of bloggers would gladly be willing to include such a caveat in their review, I personally feel it's ridiculous. Blogs are nothing but personal opinions; why is it necessary to state the obvious?

Oh that's right....because there are those out there who believe everything they read.

Maybe instead of regulating blog advertising, we should regulate stupidity.

Read more...

Tuesday Tribute:

The more I listen to and watch the news, the more disgusted I become. So for this week's Tuesday Tribute, I'd like to give a shout out to the United States Congress:

Dear Congress,

As a taxpaying, property owning, voting and law-abiding citizen of the United States of America, I want to thank you for all of your recent hard work as it relates to the finances of our country.

I want to give you this heartfelt thank you for passing out bailouts like it's dime store candy. Bailouts that are sure to indebt not only our children and grandchildren, but our great-great-great grandchild. That's assuming that America is still its own country.

I want to thank you and Miss Hilary Clinton personally for recently promising the Palestinians $900 million dollars. After all, they should be rewarded for burning our flag and dancing in their streets immediately following the events of September 11, 2001.

I want to thank you for handing out billions of dollars to the CEOs of huge corporations that flew in with their hands out in big corporate jets. I may have given you the benefit of the doubt if these executives had flew coach; a lot more credit if they had gone "green" (as you and our new president like to tout so loudly) and pedaled in on a bike.

There just aren't enough appropriate words to express my heartfelt appreciate to you for essentially placing our country in what will result in bankruptcy.

I hear through the grapevine that Washington is being bombarded with tea bags these days. If you're as dense as I believe you are, you may not be getting the message: your approving taxation without representative (it's not what your constituents want you to do) and come next election...YOU'RE FIRED!

Yet Another Jay and Deb Production.

Read more...