Is anyone out there sick of politics already? We have a big election coming up in November, and it seems that these people have been campaigning since 2008. Something that has been worrying me of late is money. Money and politics, to be specific.
It has always been more difficult for a poor person to rise to the office of the presidency, but there was always a possibility. Now there is none. Unless a person is wealthy or can be bought by an ambitious billionaire who thirsts for power, there is no presidency in his or her future. Abraham Lincoln would have stood no chance in today's world, and that's really, really sad. We are getting candidates who are so removed from everyday life and everyday people that our needs are swept aside and we are left with laws that are wonderful for people who make over a million dollars a year.
To lead the masses away from the current state of our taxes (who pays them and who receives huge breaks), the current candidates have been successful in throwing in the bone of social issues, which has been leaped upon and now dominates the political discourse. Too bad.
My hope is that America wakes up over the next few months and that the people make it clear that the elected officials work for them. Social issues are easy to understand and emotional, but will do nothing to help our economy or bring back our jobs from overseas. They will distract us and allow politicians to continue doing what they are doing. Let's get the country back on track, bring jobs in, and lower taxes for the working people (not the rich). And, since our new House and Senate has never had a lower satisfaction rating from the people they serve, maybe we should look at who we elected in the last elections for lessons we can learn.
Showing posts with label Current Events Commentary. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Current Events Commentary. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Do We Applaud Executions Now?
A couple of years ago I published my first post lamenting how rude our country had become. This was during the infamous Town Hall meetings, where red-faced, screaming people disrupted the meetings and shouted down everyone who disagreed with them. Unbeknownst to me, this was only the beginning of the decline and fall of our good sense.
The Tea Party arose, thanks in large part to the Town Hall meetings. This is not a political blog, but sometimes things are intertwined, as is the case with our losing our humanity and politics. The political arena has given a pulpit and excuse for people to express their "anger", and those angry people are the ones given a voice on the local and national news.
The Town Hall meetings led to very large Tea Party rallies, where citizens were empowered to tote large signs with shockingly racist pictures and commentary on the President of the United States. Some also encouraged violence and a takeover of our country. I believe that most of the Americans who watched this just shook their heads, at least I hope so.
Over the months, things have gotten worse. Watching the recent Republican debate, it was sad to hear the ovation when a candidate from Texas was asked about the fact that Texas executes more humans than any other state in the union. That's how low we have finally sunk - applauding the death of others. At a later debate another question received cheers - this one was whether a candidate would allow a young person to die if he was required to buy insurance but didn't.
One thing cheered me this past week - the video showing a group of people lifting a burning car to rescue a young guy who was thrown off his motorcycle after a wreck. These people put themselves at risk to save a stranger's life. Yes, there is still some compassion, courage and bravery left in America. It's not in the political blogs, it's not at the debates, it's not at the Tea Party rallies. It's within ordinary citizens who, like most of us, are sick and saddened by seeing the daily parade of hate on the internet and television. Whether courage and compassion can defeat hate and anger in the battle for our country is yet to be seen. I know which side I'm on....
The Tea Party arose, thanks in large part to the Town Hall meetings. This is not a political blog, but sometimes things are intertwined, as is the case with our losing our humanity and politics. The political arena has given a pulpit and excuse for people to express their "anger", and those angry people are the ones given a voice on the local and national news.
The Town Hall meetings led to very large Tea Party rallies, where citizens were empowered to tote large signs with shockingly racist pictures and commentary on the President of the United States. Some also encouraged violence and a takeover of our country. I believe that most of the Americans who watched this just shook their heads, at least I hope so.
Over the months, things have gotten worse. Watching the recent Republican debate, it was sad to hear the ovation when a candidate from Texas was asked about the fact that Texas executes more humans than any other state in the union. That's how low we have finally sunk - applauding the death of others. At a later debate another question received cheers - this one was whether a candidate would allow a young person to die if he was required to buy insurance but didn't.
One thing cheered me this past week - the video showing a group of people lifting a burning car to rescue a young guy who was thrown off his motorcycle after a wreck. These people put themselves at risk to save a stranger's life. Yes, there is still some compassion, courage and bravery left in America. It's not in the political blogs, it's not at the debates, it's not at the Tea Party rallies. It's within ordinary citizens who, like most of us, are sick and saddened by seeing the daily parade of hate on the internet and television. Whether courage and compassion can defeat hate and anger in the battle for our country is yet to be seen. I know which side I'm on....
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
They Didn't Have That Green Thing Back Then
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bMkUdFNeJQQ
Hello - Hope you are having a great Wednesday! I am providing a You Tube link today, hope it works....
This video drives home the point that we do much more damage to the environment today than our parents and grandparents did. It's pretty shocking the difference in the way of life between generations!
Hello - Hope you are having a great Wednesday! I am providing a You Tube link today, hope it works....
This video drives home the point that we do much more damage to the environment today than our parents and grandparents did. It's pretty shocking the difference in the way of life between generations!
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Do You Have A Job Interview?
Hello....In this economy, many of us are seeking employment, and it's a tough row to hoe out there. The competition is fierce, and companies can pick and choose. So, how do you get them to pick and choose YOU? I ran across some tips from a government website recently, and they actually look pretty good. If you are out of work, or afraid that you will be at some point, it would be worth perusing this little article.
Here is the website from the Bureau of Labor Statistics: http://www.bls.gov
In my job, I hire about 10-15 people every year. Although I agree with most of the tips to follow, I will put some comments in parentheses and you are welcome to ignore them!
Job Interview Tips
An interview gives you the opportunity to showcase your qualifications to an employer, so it pays to be well prepared. The following information provides some helpful hints.
Preparation:
Here is the website from the Bureau of Labor Statistics: http://www.bls.gov
In my job, I hire about 10-15 people every year. Although I agree with most of the tips to follow, I will put some comments in parentheses and you are welcome to ignore them!
Job Interview Tips
An interview gives you the opportunity to showcase your qualifications to an employer, so it pays to be well prepared. The following information provides some helpful hints.
Preparation:
- Learn about the organization.
- Have a specific job or jobs in mind.
- Review your qualifications for the job.
- Be ready to briefly describe your experience, showing how it relates it the job.
- Be ready to answer broad questions, such as "Why should I hire you?" "Why do you want this job?" "What are your strengths and weaknesses?"
- Practice an interview with a friend or relative.
- Be well groomed.
- Dress appropriately.
- Do not chew gum or smoke.
- Be early.
- Learn the name of your interviewer and greet him or her with a firm handshake.
- Use good manners with everyone you meet.
- Relax and answer each question concisely.
- Use proper English—avoid slang.
- Be cooperative and enthusiastic.
- Use body language to show interest—use eye contact and don’t slouch.
- Ask questions about the position and the organization, but avoid questions whose answers can easily be found on the company Web site.
- Also avoid asking questions about salary and benefits unless a job offer is made.
- Thank the interviewer when you leave and shake hands.
- Send a short thank you note following the interview.
- (Use some humor, but not too much. Smile a lot)
- (No matter how nervous you are, do not talk too much - answer the questions but don't ramble on)
- (And if you ARE nervous, let the interviewers know (with a smile).
- Social Security card.
- Government-issued identification (driver’s license).
- Resume or application. Although not all employers require a resume, you should be able to furnish the interviewer information about your education, training, and previous employment.
- References. Employers typically require three references. Get permission before using anyone as a reference. Make sure that they will give you a good reference. Try to avoid using relatives as references. (The best references are work-related, especially former supervisors).
- Transcripts. Employers may require an official copy of transcripts to verify grades, coursework, dates of attendance, and highest grade completed or degree awarded.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
For Dog Lovers Everywhere!
A man and his dog were walking along a road. The man was enjoying the scenery, when it suddenly occurred to him that he was dead.
He then remembered dying, and that the dog walking beside him had been dead now for many years. He wondered where the road was now leading them.
After a while, they came to a high, white stone wall along one side of the road. It looked like fine marble. At the top of a long hill, it was broken by a tall arch that glowed in the sunlight.
He then remembered dying, and that the dog walking beside him had been dead now for many years. He wondered where the road was now leading them.
After a while, they came to a high, white stone wall along one side of the road. It looked like fine marble. At the top of a long hill, it was broken by a tall arch that glowed in the sunlight.
When he was standing before it he saw a magnificent gate in the arch that looked like mother-of-pearl, and the street that led to the gate looked like pure gold. He and the dog walked toward the gate, and as he got closer, he saw a man sitting at a desk to one side.
When he was close enough, he called out, 'Excuse me, where are we?'
This is Heaven, sir, the man answered.
Wow! Sure is beautiful. Would you happen to have some water? the man asked.
Of course, sir. Come right in, and I'll have some ice water brought right up for you immediately.
The man gestured, and the big gate began to open.
Can my friend, gesturing toward his dog, 'come in, too?' the traveler asked.
I'm sorry, sir, but we don't accept pets.
When he was close enough, he called out, 'Excuse me, where are we?'
This is Heaven, sir, the man answered.
Wow! Sure is beautiful. Would you happen to have some water? the man asked.
Of course, sir. Come right in, and I'll have some ice water brought right up for you immediately.
The man gestured, and the big gate began to open.
Can my friend, gesturing toward his dog, 'come in, too?' the traveler asked.
I'm sorry, sir, but we don't accept pets.
The man thought a moment and then turned back toward the road and continued the way he had been going with his dog.
After another long walk, and at the top of another long hill, he came to a dirt road leading through a farm gate that looked as if it had never been closed. Indeed, there wasn't even any fence to protect the property.
As he approached the gate, he saw a man inside, leaning against a tree and reading a book..
Excuse me! he called to the man. 'Do you have any water?
Yeah, sure, there's a old pump over there, come on in.
How about my friend here? the traveler gestured to the dog.
There should be a bowl by the pump.
They went through the gate, and sure enough, there was an old-fashioned hand pump with a bowl beside it on the ground.
The traveler filled the water bowl and took a long drink himself, then he gave some to the dog.
When they were full, he and the dog walked back toward the man who was standing by the tree.
What do you call this place?' the traveler asked.
This is Heaven, he answered.
Well, that's confusing, the traveler said. The man down the road said that was Heaven, too.
Oh, you mean the fancy place with the gold street and pearly gates? Nope. That's actually hell.
Doesn't it make you mad at them to be using the name 'heaven' there like that?
No, we're just happy that they screen out the folks who would leave their best friends behind.
After another long walk, and at the top of another long hill, he came to a dirt road leading through a farm gate that looked as if it had never been closed. Indeed, there wasn't even any fence to protect the property.
As he approached the gate, he saw a man inside, leaning against a tree and reading a book..
Excuse me! he called to the man. 'Do you have any water?
Yeah, sure, there's a old pump over there, come on in.
How about my friend here? the traveler gestured to the dog.
There should be a bowl by the pump.
They went through the gate, and sure enough, there was an old-fashioned hand pump with a bowl beside it on the ground.
The traveler filled the water bowl and took a long drink himself, then he gave some to the dog.
When they were full, he and the dog walked back toward the man who was standing by the tree.
What do you call this place?' the traveler asked.
This is Heaven, he answered.
Well, that's confusing, the traveler said. The man down the road said that was Heaven, too.
Oh, you mean the fancy place with the gold street and pearly gates? Nope. That's actually hell.
Doesn't it make you mad at them to be using the name 'heaven' there like that?
No, we're just happy that they screen out the folks who would leave their best friends behind.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
It's HOT here in Oklahoma!!
Wow, this has been the hottest July I can remember. It's like a blast furnace anytime you walk outside, with no end in sight. Thank goodness for air conditioning - It's really too hot to do anything on the weekends except sit on the couch.
For those few who still claim that global climate change is a hoax, even after the extreme weather/earth events of the past few years, I can only say that I respectfully disagree.
I hear that this heat is encompassing the entire United States, even the "up north" states, where homes with air conditioning are not as prevalant. We have the dog days of August to look forward to, and please, everyone, take heat precautions.
Wear light, loose clothing whenever possible, less is better. Use sunscreen and never get far away from an air conditioned, cool area. This is not the time for a 2 hour hike, away from civilization! Sweating is good in extreme heat, not sweating is a sign that something is wrong and that you need to get cool very quickly.
Save the stenuous, outdoor activities for autumn and, in Oklahoma, even winter.
A great way to cool off quickly when you come from outside is to wash your face, arms and legs with a washcloth soaked in cold water.
Stay safe, stay cool and remember that the heat will eventually end.
For those few who still claim that global climate change is a hoax, even after the extreme weather/earth events of the past few years, I can only say that I respectfully disagree.
I hear that this heat is encompassing the entire United States, even the "up north" states, where homes with air conditioning are not as prevalant. We have the dog days of August to look forward to, and please, everyone, take heat precautions.
Wear light, loose clothing whenever possible, less is better. Use sunscreen and never get far away from an air conditioned, cool area. This is not the time for a 2 hour hike, away from civilization! Sweating is good in extreme heat, not sweating is a sign that something is wrong and that you need to get cool very quickly.
Save the stenuous, outdoor activities for autumn and, in Oklahoma, even winter.
A great way to cool off quickly when you come from outside is to wash your face, arms and legs with a washcloth soaked in cold water.
Stay safe, stay cool and remember that the heat will eventually end.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Bring Back The Pickle-O's!
I was reading Territory Mom's great blog the other day ( http://oklahome.blogspot.com/)and ran across a post about the great Sonic food item Pickle-O's. I decided to join her in a Bring Back The Pickle-O's plea....
Pickle-O's were popular in the 1970's at the Sonic drive-ins. I first tasted one at the Purcell, Oklahoma Sonic and was immediately hooked. I have eaten a lot of fried pickles since then, but none even half as tasty as Sonic's version. Pickle-O's were around for, oh, about 15 years or so, I guess. At the peak they were available at all Sonics, but then you could only find them at select Sonics, and now I don't think you could find a Sonic that still sells them.
Pickle-O's were about the size of a half-dollar - they were made from dill pickle slices, dipped in batter and fried to perfection. They were great with a Sonic burger, and we didn't know at the time what we had....until it was gone.
I discovered Pickle-O's again around 1990 or so at the Coalgate Sonic, and my mother, aunt and I were in seventh heaven until they pulled the Pickle-O's off the menu.
Sonic, please bring back the Pickle-O's. They are 10 times better than your onion rings, and your onion rings are exquisite. People will love them again! It's a hot summer - please give us a little relief and reward us with Pickle-O's....
Pickle-O's were popular in the 1970's at the Sonic drive-ins. I first tasted one at the Purcell, Oklahoma Sonic and was immediately hooked. I have eaten a lot of fried pickles since then, but none even half as tasty as Sonic's version. Pickle-O's were around for, oh, about 15 years or so, I guess. At the peak they were available at all Sonics, but then you could only find them at select Sonics, and now I don't think you could find a Sonic that still sells them.
Pickle-O's were about the size of a half-dollar - they were made from dill pickle slices, dipped in batter and fried to perfection. They were great with a Sonic burger, and we didn't know at the time what we had....until it was gone.
I discovered Pickle-O's again around 1990 or so at the Coalgate Sonic, and my mother, aunt and I were in seventh heaven until they pulled the Pickle-O's off the menu.
Sonic, please bring back the Pickle-O's. They are 10 times better than your onion rings, and your onion rings are exquisite. People will love them again! It's a hot summer - please give us a little relief and reward us with Pickle-O's....
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
The Blind Men and The Elephant
The original parable originated in China sometime during the Han dynasty (202 BC-220 AD) and goes as follows:
"Three Blind Men and an Elephant"
One day, three blind men happened to meet each other and gossiped a long time about many things. Suddenly one of them recalled, " I heard that an elephant is a queer animal. Too bad we're blind and can't see it."
"Ah, yes, truly too bad we don't have the good fortune to see the strange animal," another one sighed.
The third one, quite annoyed, joined in and said, "See? Forget it! Just to feel it would be great."
"Well, that's true. If only there were some way of touching the elephant, we'd be able to know," they all agreed.
It so happened that a merchant with a herd of elephants was passing, and overheard their conversation. "You fellows, do you really want to feel an elephant? Then follow me; I will show you," he said.
The three men were surprised and happy. Taking one another's hand, they quickly formed a line and followed while the merchant led the way. Each one began to contemplate how he would feel the animal, and tried to figure how he would form an image.
After reaching their destination, the merchant asked them to sit on the ground to wait. In a few minutes he led the first blind man to feel the elephant. With outstretched hand, he touched first the left foreleg and then the right. After that he felt the two legs from the top to the bottom, and with a beaming face, turned to say, "So, the queer animal is just like that." Then he slowly returned to the group.
Thereupon the second blind man was led to the rear of the elephant. He touched the tail which wagged a few times, and he exclaimed with satisfaction, "Ha! Truly a queer animal! Truly odd! I know now. I know." He hurriedly stepped aside.
The third blind man's turn came, and he touched the elephant's trunk which moved back and forth turning and twisting and he thought, "That's it! I've learned."
The three blind men thanked the merchant and went their way. Each one was secretly excited over the experience and had a lot to say, yet all walked rapidly without saying a word.
"Let's sit down and have a discussion about this queer animal," the second blind man said, breaking the silence.
"A very good idea. Very good." the other two agreed for they also had this in mind.
Without waiting for anyone to be properly seated, the second one blurted out, "This queer animal is like our straw fans swinging back and forth to give us a breeze. However, it's not so big or well made. The main portion is rather wispy."
"No, no!" the first blind man shouted in disagreement. "This queer animal resembles two big trees without any branches."
"You're both wrong." the third man replied. "This queer animal is similar to a snake; it's long and round, and very strong."
How they argued! Each one insisted that he alone was correct. Of course, there was no conclusion for not one had thoroughly examined the whole elephant. How can anyone describe the whole until he has learned the total of the parts?
From:
Kuo, Louise and Kuo, Yuan-Hsi (1976), "Chinese Folk Tales," Celestial Arts: 231 Adrian Road, Millbrae, CA 94030, pp. 83-85.
Picture: Michelle Meiklejohn
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Thank you, Thunder!
Well, the basketball season is finally over for our great, youthful, exhuberant team, the Oklahoma City Thunder. Whether or not you are a professional basketball fan, you have to love this bunch of kids. They are quite different from most NBA teams - they don't have long rap sheets (or any rap sheets, for that matter), you won't see many tattoos or fistfights, and no one, at least that we know of, has beaten up a child, a wife or a pet. The Thunder took some heat this year, particularly during the Denver series, for being "boy scouts" and not "tough enough", but they dispatched Denver quickly enough, then Memphis, and finally met their match in an outstanding Dallas Maverick team. Our guys were simply too young and inexperienced to prevail against a much older and wily Dallas team.
The Thunder were one of the four NBA teams (out of 30) still standing. Now there are only two and the Thunder has come home to their cheering crowd. Watch out next year, NBA...
I was going to write a tribute to our team of boy scouts, but one of our celebrities here in OKC, Jenifer Reynolds beat me to the punch. Her tribute was much better than mine would have been, so I am re-posting it right here. Jenifer Reynolds was one of our best news anchors ever in OKC and retired from news much too early. She now hosts a popular Oklahoma program on our PBS channels.
Here is Jenifer's tribute to the Thunder:
Dear Thunder:
I know by now you must be asking yourselves, what's the deal with these people in Oklahoma City? Can they not do math? Have they not figured out the rules? Did they not notice we threw away a fourth quarter lead in two consecutive games to lose the series 4 - 1? Should we tell them, or hope they never figure it out???
The truth is we couldn’t love you any more than we do now even if you had won the title. I wanted you to know that, so you'll stop thinking you let us down.
It's odd that I would be writing this letter, since I don't even like NBA basketball, or at least I didn't before. By this time each year, my husband would be watching with the sound down because the endless squeak of basketball shoes during the interminable months of the pro season would have been driving me mad.
But not this year. Throughout the playoffs, we were stitched to the set through every game we could watch, screeching and howling like breeding cats over every basket you hit, every one you missed, every bad call, every win and every loss.
And while we would have loved for you to win the title, here's what you have to understand - we wanted it for YOU, not for us.
Why is that? Because you’ve helped us show the world who we are.
You guys never give up and we don't either. We didn't quit after the Dust Bowl or the oil busts or the Murrah Bombing or the tornadoes that plowed through the heart of our community a decade ago. We never looked up and said who's going to fix this? Who's going to bring us trailers to live in or send our kids to college? We just rolled up our sleeves and went to work.
What you see downtown - Oklahomans did that. Our leaders dreamed it up and we paid for it. That building you play in? We built that, too. The names of the big energy companies may spin around the light board inside, but it was the sweat of ten thousand roughnecks that helped put their money in the bank. We know how to work hard and we respect that ethic in others.
After April 19, 1995 people kept asking us, "Will you ever be the same?" And I always thought, "Of course not! The real question is, whether we'll be better or worse." WE decided we'd be better, and we are. In fact, sometimes when I look at all we've done since then, it's hard for me to believe - and I saw it all happen! But no matter what we do, we have a hard time convincing the rest of America we're not just a hump on the back of Texas.
You’re helping us change that, and we’d sure love it if eventually you’d beat those guys. But we’re willing to wait.
Just like you, Oklahoma is a little on the young side – the fifth youngest state in the Union. In a way, we're still trying to create our place in America and we face some pretty heavy stereotypes. We're the state (along with the Dakotas) that Rand McNally once left out of its portable atlas to save space. We're the state that gets dismissed by national sports writers and coaches as a backwater or a "small town". That backhanded dis-not-so-cleverly-disguised-as-a-compliment by Nuggets Coach George Karl who called us the “Green Bay of the NBA” is just par on our course. Actually, I really don't mind being compared to the Cheeseheads, because most people in America don’t get them either. WE do. They’re working people just like us who know how to support a team!
We're the people who set what is now called "The Oklahoma Standard" for community response to disaster. We're the people who taught the world how to grieve in a public and positive way, how to turn disaster into opportunity.
We don't always win here, but nobody cares more, tries harder, or stays truer than Oklahomans. There's something strange and special about this place, but you have to stay here for a while to understand it.
Today when somebody drove by with his Thunder flag still flying, while we were listening to Native Son Bryan White sing “Dust Bowl Dreams” about how Oklahomans “push on and persevere” I realized exactly why it is we love you guys: In some odd way that defies explanation you GET us.
You get who we are and you've been able to give us a voice in the world by the way you play, by the way you persevere. All of us Native Okies are here because somebody decided to stick it out through the bad times and keep working for better times. When we watch you play, we see those beliefs rewarded. For us, whether you win or lose really is less important than how you play the game.
And that's why the crowd was still chanting "OKC! OKC!" even as you set a dubious new NBA record for a blown lead. That's why they were waiting for you at oh-dark-30 this morning, chanting, "Thank you, Thunder!" While you may think you owe US something, we know in our hearts that we really owe YOU.
So don’t hang your heads. Just get ready for next year, because as Bryan White sings, “Quitting is something Okies just don’t do.”
Keep rolling, Thunder. We’re behind you all the way.
http://www.facebook.com/notes/jenifer-reynolds/an-open-letter-to-the-thunder/228700937143914
The Thunder were one of the four NBA teams (out of 30) still standing. Now there are only two and the Thunder has come home to their cheering crowd. Watch out next year, NBA...
I was going to write a tribute to our team of boy scouts, but one of our celebrities here in OKC, Jenifer Reynolds beat me to the punch. Her tribute was much better than mine would have been, so I am re-posting it right here. Jenifer Reynolds was one of our best news anchors ever in OKC and retired from news much too early. She now hosts a popular Oklahoma program on our PBS channels.
Here is Jenifer's tribute to the Thunder:
Dear Thunder:
I know by now you must be asking yourselves, what's the deal with these people in Oklahoma City? Can they not do math? Have they not figured out the rules? Did they not notice we threw away a fourth quarter lead in two consecutive games to lose the series 4 - 1? Should we tell them, or hope they never figure it out???
The truth is we couldn’t love you any more than we do now even if you had won the title. I wanted you to know that, so you'll stop thinking you let us down.
It's odd that I would be writing this letter, since I don't even like NBA basketball, or at least I didn't before. By this time each year, my husband would be watching with the sound down because the endless squeak of basketball shoes during the interminable months of the pro season would have been driving me mad.
But not this year. Throughout the playoffs, we were stitched to the set through every game we could watch, screeching and howling like breeding cats over every basket you hit, every one you missed, every bad call, every win and every loss.
And while we would have loved for you to win the title, here's what you have to understand - we wanted it for YOU, not for us.
Why is that? Because you’ve helped us show the world who we are.
You guys never give up and we don't either. We didn't quit after the Dust Bowl or the oil busts or the Murrah Bombing or the tornadoes that plowed through the heart of our community a decade ago. We never looked up and said who's going to fix this? Who's going to bring us trailers to live in or send our kids to college? We just rolled up our sleeves and went to work.
What you see downtown - Oklahomans did that. Our leaders dreamed it up and we paid for it. That building you play in? We built that, too. The names of the big energy companies may spin around the light board inside, but it was the sweat of ten thousand roughnecks that helped put their money in the bank. We know how to work hard and we respect that ethic in others.
After April 19, 1995 people kept asking us, "Will you ever be the same?" And I always thought, "Of course not! The real question is, whether we'll be better or worse." WE decided we'd be better, and we are. In fact, sometimes when I look at all we've done since then, it's hard for me to believe - and I saw it all happen! But no matter what we do, we have a hard time convincing the rest of America we're not just a hump on the back of Texas.
You’re helping us change that, and we’d sure love it if eventually you’d beat those guys. But we’re willing to wait.
Just like you, Oklahoma is a little on the young side – the fifth youngest state in the Union. In a way, we're still trying to create our place in America and we face some pretty heavy stereotypes. We're the state (along with the Dakotas) that Rand McNally once left out of its portable atlas to save space. We're the state that gets dismissed by national sports writers and coaches as a backwater or a "small town". That backhanded dis-not-so-cleverly-disguised-as-a-compliment by Nuggets Coach George Karl who called us the “Green Bay of the NBA” is just par on our course. Actually, I really don't mind being compared to the Cheeseheads, because most people in America don’t get them either. WE do. They’re working people just like us who know how to support a team!
We're the people who set what is now called "The Oklahoma Standard" for community response to disaster. We're the people who taught the world how to grieve in a public and positive way, how to turn disaster into opportunity.
We don't always win here, but nobody cares more, tries harder, or stays truer than Oklahomans. There's something strange and special about this place, but you have to stay here for a while to understand it.
Today when somebody drove by with his Thunder flag still flying, while we were listening to Native Son Bryan White sing “Dust Bowl Dreams” about how Oklahomans “push on and persevere” I realized exactly why it is we love you guys: In some odd way that defies explanation you GET us.
You get who we are and you've been able to give us a voice in the world by the way you play, by the way you persevere. All of us Native Okies are here because somebody decided to stick it out through the bad times and keep working for better times. When we watch you play, we see those beliefs rewarded. For us, whether you win or lose really is less important than how you play the game.
And that's why the crowd was still chanting "OKC! OKC!" even as you set a dubious new NBA record for a blown lead. That's why they were waiting for you at oh-dark-30 this morning, chanting, "Thank you, Thunder!" While you may think you owe US something, we know in our hearts that we really owe YOU.
So don’t hang your heads. Just get ready for next year, because as Bryan White sings, “Quitting is something Okies just don’t do.”
Keep rolling, Thunder. We’re behind you all the way.
http://www.facebook.com/notes/jenifer-reynolds/an-open-letter-to-the-thunder/228700937143914
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Remember on Memorial Day
Please don't forget to remember.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Disc Golf, Anyone?
Went out for another round of disc golf last weekend. Had a nice outing, a long, healthy walk in the fresh air, and a really good time. If you haven't considered this fun game, you really should. Almost every town has at least one disc golf course, usually maintained by the city or by disc golf enthusiasts, and usually on city-owned property. Most disc golf courses that I have played are in city parks.
A disc golf course is usually 18 holes, just like a regular golf course, with a tee box and a basket instead of of hole in the ground on the green. The point of the game is the same as in regular golf - Put your disc in the basket in the fewest number of throws.
The best part of disc golf is that it's usually free. Purchase a couple of discs (driver and putter) and you're good to go. Although they look like the old frisbees, they are different, and you should really have disc golf discs rather than toy frisbees purchased at the discount store. Discs are generally around $10.00 or so, and I've found that the Internet and places like Academy Sports have good selections.
Speaking of the Internet, there is a wealth of information out there about disc golf, including sites that list the disc golf courses in the U.S. Just Google it.
I also play regular golf, and while I enjoy it, I've found that it tends to be much more stressful and a lot more expensive than disc golf. Also, because golf clubs are heavy, I use a golf cart on the course, but always walk the disc golf course, making disc golf a lot healthier.
You can play disc golf even if you have never thrown a frisbee. It's not hard, and there aren't a lot of nuances involved with flinging a disc (unless you are a pro).
Disc golf is something you can play by yourself, with another person or an entire group. And it sure beats walking around the block for exercise!
A disc golf course is usually 18 holes, just like a regular golf course, with a tee box and a basket instead of of hole in the ground on the green. The point of the game is the same as in regular golf - Put your disc in the basket in the fewest number of throws.
The best part of disc golf is that it's usually free. Purchase a couple of discs (driver and putter) and you're good to go. Although they look like the old frisbees, they are different, and you should really have disc golf discs rather than toy frisbees purchased at the discount store. Discs are generally around $10.00 or so, and I've found that the Internet and places like Academy Sports have good selections.
Speaking of the Internet, there is a wealth of information out there about disc golf, including sites that list the disc golf courses in the U.S. Just Google it.
I also play regular golf, and while I enjoy it, I've found that it tends to be much more stressful and a lot more expensive than disc golf. Also, because golf clubs are heavy, I use a golf cart on the course, but always walk the disc golf course, making disc golf a lot healthier.
You can play disc golf even if you have never thrown a frisbee. It's not hard, and there aren't a lot of nuances involved with flinging a disc (unless you are a pro).
Disc golf is something you can play by yourself, with another person or an entire group. And it sure beats walking around the block for exercise!
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
My Schnauzer Flunked Out Of School!
The resident Schnauzer has been in school for the past 8 weeks, working very hard to learn all of her lessons. This is her third semester - puppy class, beginner class and now novice class. Novice class has proven to be much more difficult that the other two. The demands were pretty stringent, both on the pup and her handler (me). Hold the leash THIS way, move your feet THIS way when you turn. Begin walking off the LEFT foot when heeling, and the RIGHT foot when leaving the dog. I thought I was back in grade school.
But the bowser loved going to class, and seemed to get a lot out of it, not the least of which was seeing tons of other dogs. The entire semester led up to the big final exam, which consisted of proper heeling, a figure eight, leaving the dog and walking several yards away and calling her, and she comes immediately and sits prettily. Also the dog in a sitting position, leaving her, walking away while she sits for one minute. And last, the dog in a down position, walking away while she lays down for 3 minutes. Whew. It's safe to say I dreaded this thing for an entire week, because the rover has an attention span of a gnat and for her to pass everything was a real shot in the dark.
The big night arrived, and the canine was wild as usual. But to my amazement, she breezed through every single test. Until the last one - the 3 minute down. I had no worries, this one she handled on a weekly basis - I would consider this her best area. For some reason, she had the ability to lay there and just look around for 4 or 5 minutes - 3 minutes was nothing! Week after week she would nail the 3 minute down.
Of course, she has a mind of her own. And her mind decided that on this night she would not down for even a minute. The kindly judges allowed her to try again. And again. And again. To no avail. She would down, I would walk away, and when I turned to face her, she would pull herself up and leisurely stroll toward me.
No matter how well she did on the other areas, she could not pass the course if she completely failed in an area. So we took the walk of shame out the door, while the English Setter, the big bulldog-type thing and the Doberman Pinscher received their diplomas and box of dog yummies.
The red-faced pooch and I have decided that this failure was actually a good thing - a character builder and a defining moment in the life of a dog. NOT!
Maybe my grade-school dropout and I will venture to the dog park on Saturday. She will be lurching ahead of me, nose to the ground, walking around on her hind legs and generally annoying all of the other dogs, and I will, as usual, just smile at the absolute best little dog in the world....
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Goodbye, Paul....
Paul had a ton of talents - he was our resident office decorator and paint-color-chooser. He laughed a lot and drove way too slowly, which made him the butt of a lot of office jokes. He also couldn't walk on ice or snow and had at least one broken bone to prove it. Paul loved to eat and was always one of the first in line at our office lunches. He took a lot of heat for that, too, from the jokesters, and Paul loved all the attention and would just smile and smile. Paul always reminded me that he was our office's Kickapoo-Seminole Indian, and we only had one. Now we have none.
A few months ago, Paul gave me an antique Oklahoma home made quilt. It was beautiful and full of that Oklahoma history that we love so much. It was perfect. Paul was a giver, never a taker.
Paul's funeral was a wonderful Native American ceremony, full of tradition and history, just as he would have wanted. Although I may not have understood the beautiful chanted laments, I definitely felt the emotion.
The world is a much lonelier and less happy place today. Goodbye, Paul - I'm sure you're up in Heaven right now, driving your little car really, really slow....
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Survived Another Round Of Tornadoes!
Hello and happy peaceful Wednesday!
Last Thursday night Oklahoma was hit hard by about 25 tornadoes. Southern Oklahoma suffered serious damage and at least two deaths in the small town of Tushka. Tushka is about 20 miles east of my mother's house, and I sweated out several hours of watching the Oklahoma radar and talking occasionally to my mother on the phone. Being two hours away from her town, I am at the mercy of our television meteorologists to know what's going on and when things are all clear.
This is normal in the state of Oklahoma, and it seems to be happening more and more frequently in the states east and northeast of us as well. Global climate changes are resulting in changes for all of us. Extreme weather is becoming commonplace, but that doesn't make it any easier.
As I write this on Friday, the storms that blasted Oklahoma last night have moved through Arkansas, killing several, Mississippi, Alabama and are now menacing Georgia. Not sure when this monster is finally going to run out of steam, but I hope it's soon.
Here is my plea - Don't live in constant fear of tornadoes, but give them a healthy respect if they are threatening. As I told my mom last night, the odds of being hit by a tornado are very slim, but it definately does happen. I have ridden out two major tornadoes in Moore, Oklahoma, one being the largest tornado ever recorded (May 3, 1999) and the other one I watched coming right at me from the top step of my storm shelter (May 9, 2003). Neither one directly hit my home, but both were killers and cut a huge swath out of my city of 50,000 people. Both scared the dickens out of me, and I will never take a tornado lightly again. I will confess to being nervous and edgy in April and May, to the point of dreading those two beautiful months now. So don't be like me - the odds of losing your life, or even your home, in a natural disaster are low - don't let those fears control any part of your life!
Last Thursday night Oklahoma was hit hard by about 25 tornadoes. Southern Oklahoma suffered serious damage and at least two deaths in the small town of Tushka. Tushka is about 20 miles east of my mother's house, and I sweated out several hours of watching the Oklahoma radar and talking occasionally to my mother on the phone. Being two hours away from her town, I am at the mercy of our television meteorologists to know what's going on and when things are all clear.
This is normal in the state of Oklahoma, and it seems to be happening more and more frequently in the states east and northeast of us as well. Global climate changes are resulting in changes for all of us. Extreme weather is becoming commonplace, but that doesn't make it any easier.
As I write this on Friday, the storms that blasted Oklahoma last night have moved through Arkansas, killing several, Mississippi, Alabama and are now menacing Georgia. Not sure when this monster is finally going to run out of steam, but I hope it's soon.
Here is my plea - Don't live in constant fear of tornadoes, but give them a healthy respect if they are threatening. As I told my mom last night, the odds of being hit by a tornado are very slim, but it definately does happen. I have ridden out two major tornadoes in Moore, Oklahoma, one being the largest tornado ever recorded (May 3, 1999) and the other one I watched coming right at me from the top step of my storm shelter (May 9, 2003). Neither one directly hit my home, but both were killers and cut a huge swath out of my city of 50,000 people. Both scared the dickens out of me, and I will never take a tornado lightly again. I will confess to being nervous and edgy in April and May, to the point of dreading those two beautiful months now. So don't be like me - the odds of losing your life, or even your home, in a natural disaster are low - don't let those fears control any part of your life!
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
It's Wild Onion Season!
My wind-blown mother and I had wild onions for lunch when I visited her on Saturday. We went down to the creek on her property where we had spotted them two weeks ago, she carried the pan, I carried the shovel, and we went home with a bunch of onions.
This is a time-honored tradition in our family - I remember family get-togethers when growing up that centered around wild onion season. Someone (usually my mom and her sister), would drive to wherever the wild onions had been spotted and dig up enough to feed the family. The onions would be transported to my grandparents' house, where the onions were cleaned, chopped and cooked, along with scrambled eggs, fried potatoes and my grandmother's great biscuits.
I wasn't crazy about wild onions back then (they were green, after all, and what kid likes green stuff?), but I've developed a taste for them, so long as they are scrambled up with eggs. But I loved the family gatherings, and my grandmother's fried potatoes and biscuits!
If you are from Oklahoma and eat wild onions, it's a pretty sure bet that you have some Native American blood, since this is first and foremost a Native American dish and tradition. Wild onions come into season in March and early April in Oklahoma, and are found near creeks and ditches, where water gathers. A wild onion enthusiast can spot a clump of them from yards away.
I'm not sure if our wild onions are the same as the Tennessee/North Carolina ramps, but they may be...
Anyway, if you ever have a chance to chow down on some wild onions, scrambled eggs, fried potatoes and biscuits, don't pass it up - Even if you don't have Native American blood!
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Have You Seen Enough Of Charlie Sheen?
Hello and happy Wednesday, everyone.
Yes, everyone likes to look at disasters. Not the terrible, fatal disaster, but the human train wreck type of disaster. The Charlie Sheen type of disaster. Now we have this guy touring the country, sitting on a stool and ruminating about drugs, women and hard living, which he calls WINNING!
I can't figure this one out. Everything in me believes that Charlie Sheen is messed up - really messed up, but doesn't he seem like the happiest guy in the world? Has he found the secret to eternal happiness and joy?
But no one can get around the fact that Sheen gains much of his joy from doing things that are decidedly illegal. You and I would lose our jobs if we did that sort of thing and happily admitted it to the press, and so I'm not about to defend the network's action against Sheen. In fact, I will be most unhappy if he gets his job back....
Joyous, messed up, mentally ill or not, it's time that Charlie Sheen fold up his road show and spend a few years out of the public eye. I think we've seen enough of this train wreck....
Yes, everyone likes to look at disasters. Not the terrible, fatal disaster, but the human train wreck type of disaster. The Charlie Sheen type of disaster. Now we have this guy touring the country, sitting on a stool and ruminating about drugs, women and hard living, which he calls WINNING!
I can't figure this one out. Everything in me believes that Charlie Sheen is messed up - really messed up, but doesn't he seem like the happiest guy in the world? Has he found the secret to eternal happiness and joy?
But no one can get around the fact that Sheen gains much of his joy from doing things that are decidedly illegal. You and I would lose our jobs if we did that sort of thing and happily admitted it to the press, and so I'm not about to defend the network's action against Sheen. In fact, I will be most unhappy if he gets his job back....
Joyous, messed up, mentally ill or not, it's time that Charlie Sheen fold up his road show and spend a few years out of the public eye. I think we've seen enough of this train wreck....
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Tornado Season
Howdy from Oklahoma!
As we move into April and May, the thoughts of Sooners turn to tornadoes. If you happen to live in the tornado alley - a wide strip stretching from Lawton northeast through Moore, Harrah/Jones and up to the turnpike - the thought of April and May turns your stomach.
This is the area of the killer tornadoes, and the largest tornado ever recorded. The May 3, 1999 twister killed, maimed and destroyed, leveling a good part of the cities of Moore and Midwest City. I rode that one out in the closet, with an O.U. football helmet on my head and a heavy winter coat on my back. Shortly thereafter a storm shelter went into my garage, where it came in handy during the May 9, 2003 tornado that took the same swath across Oklahoma.
This is just a reminder that it's time to prepare. If you have a shelter, you may want to move your valuables, pictures, computer back-ups, etc. into it until the dangerous months have passed. If you haven't taken digital pictures of the property inside and outside of your home, now would be a good time. It's really easy! Most importantly, have a disaster plan. Know where you and your family will go in the event of a disaster and it's always a good idea to put a few emergency items in a backpack in case you need to grab it in a hurry.
Here's hoping that we will all stay safe this year - We need a little downtime!
As we move into April and May, the thoughts of Sooners turn to tornadoes. If you happen to live in the tornado alley - a wide strip stretching from Lawton northeast through Moore, Harrah/Jones and up to the turnpike - the thought of April and May turns your stomach.
This is the area of the killer tornadoes, and the largest tornado ever recorded. The May 3, 1999 twister killed, maimed and destroyed, leveling a good part of the cities of Moore and Midwest City. I rode that one out in the closet, with an O.U. football helmet on my head and a heavy winter coat on my back. Shortly thereafter a storm shelter went into my garage, where it came in handy during the May 9, 2003 tornado that took the same swath across Oklahoma.
This is just a reminder that it's time to prepare. If you have a shelter, you may want to move your valuables, pictures, computer back-ups, etc. into it until the dangerous months have passed. If you haven't taken digital pictures of the property inside and outside of your home, now would be a good time. It's really easy! Most importantly, have a disaster plan. Know where you and your family will go in the event of a disaster and it's always a good idea to put a few emergency items in a backpack in case you need to grab it in a hurry.
Here's hoping that we will all stay safe this year - We need a little downtime!
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Should We Protect Hateful Free Speech?
Hello and happy hump day - We're headed straight for the weekend, now!
It's Wednesday, and time for a serious subject.....
You may have heard about a recent Supreme Court decision, Snyder v. Phelps, that states that the Westboro Baptist Church of Kansas has the right to picket the funerals of soldiers. This warped handful of people (mostly members of one family) regularly marches and pickets at the funerals, shouting the most vile things at the family and friends attending the funeral. The reason for this outrageous action, apparently, is the church members' hatred of what they believe is America's tolerance of homosexuality. According to the attorney for Fred Phelps, the leader of the "church", the members believe that gay people should be put to death.
They are an embarrassment to all good churches and church members. They are an embarrassment to Americans in general. And they spread hate and pain to the most vunerable of people - those who are struggling to cope with their grief. This little group of haters make even the most gentle of us curse their ignorance and joy at what they obviously see as great power. One of their visits to Tulsa last year resulted in their discovering the air gone from the tires on their van when they returned from spewing filth at a funeral. Yes, even peaceful, laid-back Okies feel a need to take action against this bunch.
The haters make us cringe at their lack of human decency. They make us cry for the pain of the families, struggling in the midst of grief to deal with strangers laughing at their deceased loved ones. They make us sad, mad, crazy and sick. And the Supreme Court decision that protects them was absolutely correct....
This is my opinion, of course, and your's may be different. But please consider this - The First Amendment of our Constitution protects free speech. This amendment was not written in contemplation of nice, happy speech - it was written to protect the right of all of us to say whatever we want, even if no one else in the world likes it. Once we begin limiting speech to whatever we deem is correct, where is the line drawn and who will draw it? I believe we are the only country in the world that protects our citizens' speech to this extent, and I personally am proud that we do. My father went to war to protect this freedom, along with all of the other freedoms that we often take for granted.
I detest the people from the Westboro Baptist Church who spit their hatred toward our innocent fallen heroes and their innocent grieving families. But I will defend their right to spit that hatred - The Supreme Court got it right.
It's Wednesday, and time for a serious subject.....
You may have heard about a recent Supreme Court decision, Snyder v. Phelps, that states that the Westboro Baptist Church of Kansas has the right to picket the funerals of soldiers. This warped handful of people (mostly members of one family) regularly marches and pickets at the funerals, shouting the most vile things at the family and friends attending the funeral. The reason for this outrageous action, apparently, is the church members' hatred of what they believe is America's tolerance of homosexuality. According to the attorney for Fred Phelps, the leader of the "church", the members believe that gay people should be put to death.
They are an embarrassment to all good churches and church members. They are an embarrassment to Americans in general. And they spread hate and pain to the most vunerable of people - those who are struggling to cope with their grief. This little group of haters make even the most gentle of us curse their ignorance and joy at what they obviously see as great power. One of their visits to Tulsa last year resulted in their discovering the air gone from the tires on their van when they returned from spewing filth at a funeral. Yes, even peaceful, laid-back Okies feel a need to take action against this bunch.
The haters make us cringe at their lack of human decency. They make us cry for the pain of the families, struggling in the midst of grief to deal with strangers laughing at their deceased loved ones. They make us sad, mad, crazy and sick. And the Supreme Court decision that protects them was absolutely correct....
This is my opinion, of course, and your's may be different. But please consider this - The First Amendment of our Constitution protects free speech. This amendment was not written in contemplation of nice, happy speech - it was written to protect the right of all of us to say whatever we want, even if no one else in the world likes it. Once we begin limiting speech to whatever we deem is correct, where is the line drawn and who will draw it? I believe we are the only country in the world that protects our citizens' speech to this extent, and I personally am proud that we do. My father went to war to protect this freedom, along with all of the other freedoms that we often take for granted.
I detest the people from the Westboro Baptist Church who spit their hatred toward our innocent fallen heroes and their innocent grieving families. But I will defend their right to spit that hatred - The Supreme Court got it right.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Does Donald Trump Promote Bullying?
Hello everyone, hope your Wednesday is going great so far.....Happy birthday to my terrific pal and partner in crime - Barb!
I tuned in to Celebrity Apprentice last Sunday night because this season features some true characters and I thought it would be fun to see some fireworks. What I and everyone else witnessed was a mean bully being rewarded for, well, being a mean bully.
Now, I've seen Celebrity Apprentice before, and I understand that ruthless people often win (Joan Rivers). But Sunday, Donald Trump had the opportunity to send an important message to bullies everywhere. Unfortunately he chose the wrong message to send.
The episode pitted the aggressive Richard Hatch of Survivor fame against a much smaller and meeker David Cassidy of the 1970's show The Partridge Family. The scheming Hatch, leader of the men's team, obviously chose the seemingly-weaker Cassidy to be the scapegoat in the event that Hatch's team lost. When a team loses, that team's leader is fired by Trump unless Trump can be convinced that another team member caused the failure.
Hatch carefully set Cassidy up to be the fall guy, bullying him mercilessly along the way. Hatch even shoved Cassidy on one occasion and pushed him on yet another, all in full view of the rest of the team. What Hatch didn't count on was Cassidy's competence - Cassidy worked hard throughout the task, was pleasant, well-liked by his team and an all-around good guy. Hatch could only come up with two criticisms in the boardroom after his team lost - that Cassidy took some breaks from his work and he brought in little money for the charity event (although I think he brought in more than Hatch). Hatch, on the other hand, was an incompetent leader and was clearly the cause of his team's failure.
But the real fly in the ointment turned out to be a guy that said almost nothing during the entire episode - baseball slugger Jose Canseco. Canseco witnessed the bullying and went all over Hatch in the boardroom in front of Trump. This brought agreement by the rest of the team, all of whom told Trump that they would fire Hatch. Cassidy, when he could get a word in, defended himself to Trump against Hatch's attacks. It was a unanimous decision to fire Hatch, except for the one man whose vote really counted....
Donald Trump should have fired Richard Hatch then and there - sending a clear message to the millions watching that bullies are losers and the bullied can come out on top. There has been an effort in our country lately to encourage people who witness bullying to stand up for the victims and defend them, and this is exactly what Canseco did. He earned my respect for his actions and his words. But, of course, Trump chose the wrong message to send. Smelling future conflict between Hatch and Canseco that will translate into higher ratings, Trump bowed to greed and, inexplicably, came up with a lame excuse to fire the guy that was bullied. Why did he fire Cassidy and not Hatch? Well, according to Trump, Cassidy didn't "stand up for himself". Because he was bullied, he was evidently deemed a weak link by Trump, and therefore not worth keeping on his show. So, Trump rewarded the bully, the guy that everyone on his own team and everyone watching the show was convinced should and would go. The bully strutted back to his room in Trump Towers, and the victim left through the front door with his shoulders slumped.
Trump's message to America: Bullies are winners. Bullying victims are losers. Plain and simple.
I tuned in to Celebrity Apprentice last Sunday night because this season features some true characters and I thought it would be fun to see some fireworks. What I and everyone else witnessed was a mean bully being rewarded for, well, being a mean bully.
Now, I've seen Celebrity Apprentice before, and I understand that ruthless people often win (Joan Rivers). But Sunday, Donald Trump had the opportunity to send an important message to bullies everywhere. Unfortunately he chose the wrong message to send.
The episode pitted the aggressive Richard Hatch of Survivor fame against a much smaller and meeker David Cassidy of the 1970's show The Partridge Family. The scheming Hatch, leader of the men's team, obviously chose the seemingly-weaker Cassidy to be the scapegoat in the event that Hatch's team lost. When a team loses, that team's leader is fired by Trump unless Trump can be convinced that another team member caused the failure.
Hatch carefully set Cassidy up to be the fall guy, bullying him mercilessly along the way. Hatch even shoved Cassidy on one occasion and pushed him on yet another, all in full view of the rest of the team. What Hatch didn't count on was Cassidy's competence - Cassidy worked hard throughout the task, was pleasant, well-liked by his team and an all-around good guy. Hatch could only come up with two criticisms in the boardroom after his team lost - that Cassidy took some breaks from his work and he brought in little money for the charity event (although I think he brought in more than Hatch). Hatch, on the other hand, was an incompetent leader and was clearly the cause of his team's failure.
But the real fly in the ointment turned out to be a guy that said almost nothing during the entire episode - baseball slugger Jose Canseco. Canseco witnessed the bullying and went all over Hatch in the boardroom in front of Trump. This brought agreement by the rest of the team, all of whom told Trump that they would fire Hatch. Cassidy, when he could get a word in, defended himself to Trump against Hatch's attacks. It was a unanimous decision to fire Hatch, except for the one man whose vote really counted....
Donald Trump should have fired Richard Hatch then and there - sending a clear message to the millions watching that bullies are losers and the bullied can come out on top. There has been an effort in our country lately to encourage people who witness bullying to stand up for the victims and defend them, and this is exactly what Canseco did. He earned my respect for his actions and his words. But, of course, Trump chose the wrong message to send. Smelling future conflict between Hatch and Canseco that will translate into higher ratings, Trump bowed to greed and, inexplicably, came up with a lame excuse to fire the guy that was bullied. Why did he fire Cassidy and not Hatch? Well, according to Trump, Cassidy didn't "stand up for himself". Because he was bullied, he was evidently deemed a weak link by Trump, and therefore not worth keeping on his show. So, Trump rewarded the bully, the guy that everyone on his own team and everyone watching the show was convinced should and would go. The bully strutted back to his room in Trump Towers, and the victim left through the front door with his shoulders slumped.
Trump's message to America: Bullies are winners. Bullying victims are losers. Plain and simple.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Are We Done With The Snow????
Hello, hope you are having a wonderful Wednesday! It's looking like we may be finally crawling out of the long, hard winter and racing headlong into Spring. Sunday, after minus 30 degrees temps only a few days ago, the weather was a little better, 68 degrees. So I went shopping, played 18 holes of disc golf, picked up some topsoil at the local nursery and even managed to get half of my onions in the ground!
Yes, it's time to start getting our gardens ready and planting early season plants like onions and, in a couple of weeks, potatoes and other goodies. I'm hoping that we don't see any more snow in Oklahoma, but that's never a sure thing until late March or April.
After a particularly hard winter here, Spring will be especially welcome this year. It's a good time to start thinking about the jellies and jams you want to can, and the recipes that will showcase your fresh vegetables. And don't forget to visit your farmers' markets that will be opening up around April!
Yes, it's time to start getting our gardens ready and planting early season plants like onions and, in a couple of weeks, potatoes and other goodies. I'm hoping that we don't see any more snow in Oklahoma, but that's never a sure thing until late March or April.
After a particularly hard winter here, Spring will be especially welcome this year. It's a good time to start thinking about the jellies and jams you want to can, and the recipes that will showcase your fresh vegetables. And don't forget to visit your farmers' markets that will be opening up around April!
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