There is a missing girl from my area, that we need to keep an eye out for. Please pass this around, if anyone is reading.
http://www.journaltimes.com/news/local/article_9d1cf240-0e8c-11e0-bde9-001cc4c03286.html?oCampaign=email
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Keeping the Holy Spirit alive.
I remember my first Christmas adventure with Grandma..
I was just a kid. I remember tearing across town on my bike to visit her. On the way,
my big sister dropped the bomb: "There is no Santa Claus," she jeered.
"Even dummies know that!"
My Grandma was not the gushy kind, never had been. I fled to her that day because
I knew she would be straight with me. I knew Grandma always told the truth, and I knew
that the truth always went down a whole lot easier when swallowed with one of her
"world-famous" cinnamon buns. I knew they were world-famous, because Grandma
said so. It had to be true.
Grandma was home, and the buns were still warm. Between bites, I told her everything.
She was ready for me..
"No Santa Claus?" she snorted..."Ridiculous! Don't you believe it! That rumor has
been going around for years, and it makes me mad, plain mad!!
Now, put on your coat, and let's go."
"Go? Go where Grandma"I asked. I hadn't even finished my 2nd world famous cinnamon
cinnamon bun..
"Where" turned out to be Kerby's General Store, the one store in town that had a
little bit of just about everything.
As we walked through its doors, Grandma handed me ten dollars.
That was a bundle in those days.
"Take this money," she said, "and buy something for someone who
needs it I'll wait for you in the car."
Then she turned and walked out of Kerby's.
I was only eight years old. I'd often gone shopping with my mother,
but never had I shopped for anything all by myself.
The store seemed big and crowded, full of people scrambling to finish
their Christmas shopping. For a few moments I just stood there, confused, clutching that ten-dollar bill, wondering what to
buy, and who on earth to buy it for..
I thought of everybody I knew: my family, my friends, my neighbors, the kids at school, the people who went to my church. I was just about thought out, when I suddenly thought of Bobby Decker. He was a kid with bad breath and messy hair, and he sat right behind me in Mrs. Pollock's grade-two class.
Bobby Decker didn't have a coat. I knew that because he never went out at
recess during the cold weather.
His mother always wrote a note telling the teacher that he had a bad cough
but all us kids knew Bobby Decker didn't have a cough, he didn't have a good coat.
I fingered the ten-dollar bill with growing excitement. I would buy Bobby Decker a coat! I settled on a red corduroy one that had a hood to it. It looked real warm, and he would like that.
"Is this a Christmas present for someone?" the lady behind the counter asked kindly, as I laid my ten dollars down.
"Yes ma'am," I replied shyly. "It's for Bobby." The nice lady smiled at me, as I told her about how Bobby really needed a good winter coat. I didn't get any change, but she put the coat in a bag, smiled again, and wished me a Merry Christmas.
That evening, Grandma helped me wrap the coat (a little tag fell out of the coat, and Grandma tucked it in her Bible)in Christmas paper and ribbons and wrote, "To Bobby, From Santa Claus" on it..
Grandma said that Santa always insisted on secrecy. Then she drove me over to Bobby Decker's house, explaining as we went that I was now and forever officially, one of Santa's helpers.
Grandma parked down the street from Bobby's house, and she and I crept noiselessly and hid in the bushes by his front walk. Then Grandma gave me a nudge. "All right, Santa Claus," she whispered, "get going."
I took a deep breath, dashed for his front door, threw the present down on his step, pounded his door and flew back to the safety of the bushes and Grandma.
Together we waited breathlessly in the darkness for the front door to open. Finally it did, and there stood Bobby.
Fifty years haven't dimmed the thrill of those moments spent shivering, beside my Grandma, in Bobby Decker's bushes.
That night, I realized that those awful rumors about Santa Claus were just what Grandma said they were: ridiculous.. Santa was alive and well, and we were on his team.
I still have the Bible, with the coat tag tucked inside: $19..95.
May you always have LOVE to share,
HEALTH to spare and
FRIENDS that care...
and may you always believe in the magic of
SANTA CLAUS !
Give back - what you can, where you can, whenever you can.
I was just a kid. I remember tearing across town on my bike to visit her. On the way,
my big sister dropped the bomb: "There is no Santa Claus," she jeered.
"Even dummies know that!"
My Grandma was not the gushy kind, never had been. I fled to her that day because
I knew she would be straight with me. I knew Grandma always told the truth, and I knew
that the truth always went down a whole lot easier when swallowed with one of her
"world-famous" cinnamon buns. I knew they were world-famous, because Grandma
said so. It had to be true.
Grandma was home, and the buns were still warm. Between bites, I told her everything.
She was ready for me..
"No Santa Claus?" she snorted..."Ridiculous! Don't you believe it! That rumor has
been going around for years, and it makes me mad, plain mad!!
Now, put on your coat, and let's go."
"Go? Go where Grandma"I asked. I hadn't even finished my 2nd world famous cinnamon
cinnamon bun..
"Where" turned out to be Kerby's General Store, the one store in town that had a
little bit of just about everything.
As we walked through its doors, Grandma handed me ten dollars.
That was a bundle in those days.
"Take this money," she said, "and buy something for someone who
needs it I'll wait for you in the car."
Then she turned and walked out of Kerby's.
I was only eight years old. I'd often gone shopping with my mother,
but never had I shopped for anything all by myself.
The store seemed big and crowded, full of people scrambling to finish
their Christmas shopping. For a few moments I just stood there, confused, clutching that ten-dollar bill, wondering what to
buy, and who on earth to buy it for..
I thought of everybody I knew: my family, my friends, my neighbors, the kids at school, the people who went to my church. I was just about thought out, when I suddenly thought of Bobby Decker. He was a kid with bad breath and messy hair, and he sat right behind me in Mrs. Pollock's grade-two class.
Bobby Decker didn't have a coat. I knew that because he never went out at
recess during the cold weather.
His mother always wrote a note telling the teacher that he had a bad cough
but all us kids knew Bobby Decker didn't have a cough, he didn't have a good coat.
I fingered the ten-dollar bill with growing excitement. I would buy Bobby Decker a coat! I settled on a red corduroy one that had a hood to it. It looked real warm, and he would like that.
"Is this a Christmas present for someone?" the lady behind the counter asked kindly, as I laid my ten dollars down.
"Yes ma'am," I replied shyly. "It's for Bobby." The nice lady smiled at me, as I told her about how Bobby really needed a good winter coat. I didn't get any change, but she put the coat in a bag, smiled again, and wished me a Merry Christmas.
That evening, Grandma helped me wrap the coat (a little tag fell out of the coat, and Grandma tucked it in her Bible)in Christmas paper and ribbons and wrote, "To Bobby, From Santa Claus" on it..
Grandma said that Santa always insisted on secrecy. Then she drove me over to Bobby Decker's house, explaining as we went that I was now and forever officially, one of Santa's helpers.
Grandma parked down the street from Bobby's house, and she and I crept noiselessly and hid in the bushes by his front walk. Then Grandma gave me a nudge. "All right, Santa Claus," she whispered, "get going."
I took a deep breath, dashed for his front door, threw the present down on his step, pounded his door and flew back to the safety of the bushes and Grandma.
Together we waited breathlessly in the darkness for the front door to open. Finally it did, and there stood Bobby.
Fifty years haven't dimmed the thrill of those moments spent shivering, beside my Grandma, in Bobby Decker's bushes.
That night, I realized that those awful rumors about Santa Claus were just what Grandma said they were: ridiculous.. Santa was alive and well, and we were on his team.
I still have the Bible, with the coat tag tucked inside: $19..95.
May you always have LOVE to share,
HEALTH to spare and
FRIENDS that care...
and may you always believe in the magic of
SANTA CLAUS !
Give back - what you can, where you can, whenever you can.
Friday, December 10, 2010
Sears - A good message!
Saw this a few years ago (these are getting to be looooong wars!) so checked the facts again - still true.
Sears - Christmas shopping this year.
I know I needed this reminder, since Sears isn't always my first choice. It's amazing when you think of how long the war has lasted and Sears hasn't withdrawn from their commitment. Could we each buy at least one thing at Sears this year?
How does Sears treat its employees who are called up for military duty? By law, they are required to hold their jobs open and available, but nothing more. Usually, people take a big pay cut and lose benefits as a result of being called up for active duty.
Sears is voluntarily paying the difference in salaries and maintaining all benefits, including medical insurance and bonus programs, for all called up reservist employees for up to two years.
I submit that Sears is an exemplary corporate citizen and should be recognized for its contribution. I suggest we all shop at Sears at least once, and be sure to find a manager to tell them why we are there so the company gets the positive reinforcement & feedback it well deserves.
Pass it on.
I decided to check this before I sent it forward. So I sent the following e-mail to the Sears Customer Service Department:
I received this e-mail and I would like to know if it is true. If it is, the internet may have just become one very good source of advertisement for your company. I know I would go out of my way to buy products from Sears instead of another store for a like item, even if it's cheaper at that store.
This is their answer to my e-mail:
Dear Customer:
Thank you for contacting Sears.The information is factual. We appreciate your positive feedback.
Sears regards service to our country as one of greatest sacrifices our young men and women can make. We are happy to do our part to lessen the burden they bear at this time.
Bill Thorn
Sears Customer Care
webcenter@sears.com
1-800-349-4358
Please pass this on to all your friends. Sears needs to be recognized for this outstanding contribution and we need to show them as Americans, we do appreciate what they are doing for our military!!!
It's verified ! By Snopes.com at:
http://www.snopes.com/politics/military/sears.asp
Sears - Christmas shopping this year.
I know I needed this reminder, since Sears isn't always my first choice. It's amazing when you think of how long the war has lasted and Sears hasn't withdrawn from their commitment. Could we each buy at least one thing at Sears this year?
How does Sears treat its employees who are called up for military duty? By law, they are required to hold their jobs open and available, but nothing more. Usually, people take a big pay cut and lose benefits as a result of being called up for active duty.
Sears is voluntarily paying the difference in salaries and maintaining all benefits, including medical insurance and bonus programs, for all called up reservist employees for up to two years.
I submit that Sears is an exemplary corporate citizen and should be recognized for its contribution. I suggest we all shop at Sears at least once, and be sure to find a manager to tell them why we are there so the company gets the positive reinforcement & feedback it well deserves.
Pass it on.
I decided to check this before I sent it forward. So I sent the following e-mail to the Sears Customer Service Department:
I received this e-mail and I would like to know if it is true. If it is, the internet may have just become one very good source of advertisement for your company. I know I would go out of my way to buy products from Sears instead of another store for a like item, even if it's cheaper at that store.
This is their answer to my e-mail:
Dear Customer:
Thank you for contacting Sears.The information is factual. We appreciate your positive feedback.
Sears regards service to our country as one of greatest sacrifices our young men and women can make. We are happy to do our part to lessen the burden they bear at this time.
Bill Thorn
Sears Customer Care
webcenter@sears.com
1-800-349-4358
Please pass this on to all your friends. Sears needs to be recognized for this outstanding contribution and we need to show them as Americans, we do appreciate what they are doing for our military!!!
It's verified ! By Snopes.com at:
http://www.snopes.com/politics/military/sears.asp
Thursday, December 9, 2010
The Dog House
The Dog House - it's a cute video. Please view it, and stay out of the dog house this season.
Christmas time is coming up, and we all have feelings of warmth, friends, family, a quiet meal or a huge banquet, and even if it's a bit of work, we endure the extra little bit of stress because it's exciting. We enjoy what the season means, and we always are celebrating.
But just remember, too often, during the holiday season, people living in an abusive situation end up with escalated abuse, because the stress comes up that high. When this happens, the victims end up in the hospital, and rather than enjoy a family holiday, they endure a nightmarish ordeal. Abuse doesn't take off for a holiday. Please take a moment to sign the petitions, just to take one little step in helping to end the torture.
The first is to help stop child sex predators on and off line. There is a federal and a state version, please sign both. The next is one to help get equity of services for our abused men, because there is little there to nothing out there. The petition is named after a toddler who died at the hands of his mother. So here we go! Please click the links below, which are highlighted.
Federal April's Law Petition
State April's Law Version
Sean's Voice Petition
Christmas time is coming up, and we all have feelings of warmth, friends, family, a quiet meal or a huge banquet, and even if it's a bit of work, we endure the extra little bit of stress because it's exciting. We enjoy what the season means, and we always are celebrating.
But just remember, too often, during the holiday season, people living in an abusive situation end up with escalated abuse, because the stress comes up that high. When this happens, the victims end up in the hospital, and rather than enjoy a family holiday, they endure a nightmarish ordeal. Abuse doesn't take off for a holiday. Please take a moment to sign the petitions, just to take one little step in helping to end the torture.
The first is to help stop child sex predators on and off line. There is a federal and a state version, please sign both. The next is one to help get equity of services for our abused men, because there is little there to nothing out there. The petition is named after a toddler who died at the hands of his mother. So here we go! Please click the links below, which are highlighted.
Federal April's Law Petition
State April's Law Version
Sean's Voice Petition
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Final Day! Knock, knock! Action Needed!
This is the final day for the Male Abuse Awareness week for this year. Thank you to everyone who has been reading, signing the petition and passing it around. Action is still needed, so please keep signing and passing around this important petition.
I want to thank Grandma Elizabeth for sharing the story about baby Sean, who died at the hands of his mother, simply for being a boy. For more information, I'd like to direct everyone to YVI's website page dedicated to the Sean's Voice cause: http://www.youthvoiceinitiative.org/Sean_s_Voice.html
In this section, you will read about how the mother systematically abused her baby, along with the boy's father, whom would try repeatedly to escape with his children, yet would end up incarcerated because the mother would get hysterical and blame the father for the whole thing. It was the worst case of male abuse by a female, and because the police lacked training to understand the situation, and the myths involved that men can't be abused, she was believed, and who knows what happened when the father wasn't home to protect the child.
If, after reading the story, you're not compelled to sign the petition to ensure that our men get equal safety under the law, please sign the Sean's Voice petition to bring emergency shelter, support and services to our unacknowledged survivors of abuse, our men, who currently have little to nothing for them. Here is the petition: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/a-new-perspective-the-unacknowledged-abuse-survivors/
Please continue to pass the petition around. If you would like to do more, please feel free to email me at lika.yvi@gmail.com - and you don't need to be a public voice, there is plenty to do behind the scenes.
If you haven't already, please check out Michael Skinner Music: http://www.mskinnermusic.com/mskinner.html You will find a lifting experience, along with comradeship while there. I encourage all to go, especially if you're recovering from abuse, male or female.
Another good website is the Children Without a Voice website, which will give you a lot of information about how abuse of all kinds affects children. Please give them a look: http://www.childrenwithoutavoiceusa.org/cms/
These are great organizations, and if you could, please at least give encouraging comments to them. Abuse doesn't take a holiday, and often the stress that comes with the holidays make it worse, so please, keep signing the petition. Here is in honor of baby Sean - the Sean's Voice Petition: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/a-new-perspective-the-unacknowledged-abuse-survivors/
I want to thank Grandma Elizabeth for sharing the story about baby Sean, who died at the hands of his mother, simply for being a boy. For more information, I'd like to direct everyone to YVI's website page dedicated to the Sean's Voice cause: http://www.youthvoiceinitiative.org/Sean_s_Voice.html
In this section, you will read about how the mother systematically abused her baby, along with the boy's father, whom would try repeatedly to escape with his children, yet would end up incarcerated because the mother would get hysterical and blame the father for the whole thing. It was the worst case of male abuse by a female, and because the police lacked training to understand the situation, and the myths involved that men can't be abused, she was believed, and who knows what happened when the father wasn't home to protect the child.
If, after reading the story, you're not compelled to sign the petition to ensure that our men get equal safety under the law, please sign the Sean's Voice petition to bring emergency shelter, support and services to our unacknowledged survivors of abuse, our men, who currently have little to nothing for them. Here is the petition: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/a-new-perspective-the-unacknowledged-abuse-survivors/
Please continue to pass the petition around. If you would like to do more, please feel free to email me at lika.yvi@gmail.com - and you don't need to be a public voice, there is plenty to do behind the scenes.
If you haven't already, please check out Michael Skinner Music: http://www.mskinnermusic.com/mskinner.html You will find a lifting experience, along with comradeship while there. I encourage all to go, especially if you're recovering from abuse, male or female.
Another good website is the Children Without a Voice website, which will give you a lot of information about how abuse of all kinds affects children. Please give them a look: http://www.childrenwithoutavoiceusa.org/cms/
These are great organizations, and if you could, please at least give encouraging comments to them. Abuse doesn't take a holiday, and often the stress that comes with the holidays make it worse, so please, keep signing the petition. Here is in honor of baby Sean - the Sean's Voice Petition: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/a-new-perspective-the-unacknowledged-abuse-survivors/
Saturday, December 4, 2010
More Help Available for Guys! You have "The Strength of a Man"!
In honor of Male Abuse Awareness week, which is hosted annually from December 1-8 each year, I'd like to post some other websites that are available for everyone.
First of course is www.help4guys.org sponsored by PLF. There are counseling sessions available, and it is all confidential and anonymous. You may have to register for some, but, it's worth taking steps forward.
I'd like to introduce the Surviving Spirit website: http://survivingspirit.com/
This is a comprehensive website, with many aspects that help people past the abuse issues, and there IS help for those who have other issues also. It is a professional site, with much information. Please check it out, and if you need them, please contact them. It's a great site.
Please also continue to go to YVI's website, www.youthvoiceinitiative.org and see what interests you. Even if you don't want to talk to legislators, you may still want to pass out the petitions, and we still need you to sign and pass around the Sean's Voice Petition, to push for equity in services for our abused men, who currently have little to nothing. Please read precious baby Sean's story there. While you're at it, please sign your name to the petition: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/a-new-perspective-the-unacknowledged-abuse-survivors/
Last but not least, Namid is the founder of the R.A.P.E. Foundation, which stands for Recovery. Advocacy. Prevention. Education. She is a strong and beautiful woman who cares about others. Please check out the foundation's website: http://www.rapehelp.com/index.html
Namid has books available for self help for people in need of moving through rape, incest, sexual assault, and much more. Her bookstore is here: http://www.vanillaheartbooksandauthors.com/Namid.html
Please guys, if you are in need of recovery, and aren't ready to talk to someone, please order her book, The Strength of a Man and go through the workbook too. Men aren't always the social butterflies that women are, where we reach out. This book set can really help you. Here is her myspace profile which have other important websites Namid would like for you to see - http://www.myspace.com/Namid
My best wishes, peace out.
First of course is www.help4guys.org sponsored by PLF. There are counseling sessions available, and it is all confidential and anonymous. You may have to register for some, but, it's worth taking steps forward.
I'd like to introduce the Surviving Spirit website: http://survivingspirit.com/
This is a comprehensive website, with many aspects that help people past the abuse issues, and there IS help for those who have other issues also. It is a professional site, with much information. Please check it out, and if you need them, please contact them. It's a great site.
Please also continue to go to YVI's website, www.youthvoiceinitiative.org and see what interests you. Even if you don't want to talk to legislators, you may still want to pass out the petitions, and we still need you to sign and pass around the Sean's Voice Petition, to push for equity in services for our abused men, who currently have little to nothing. Please read precious baby Sean's story there. While you're at it, please sign your name to the petition: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/a-new-perspective-the-unacknowledged-abuse-survivors/
Last but not least, Namid is the founder of the R.A.P.E. Foundation, which stands for Recovery. Advocacy. Prevention. Education. She is a strong and beautiful woman who cares about others. Please check out the foundation's website: http://www.rapehelp.com/index.html
Namid has books available for self help for people in need of moving through rape, incest, sexual assault, and much more. Her bookstore is here: http://www.vanillaheartbooksandauthors.com/Namid.html
Please guys, if you are in need of recovery, and aren't ready to talk to someone, please order her book, The Strength of a Man and go through the workbook too. Men aren't always the social butterflies that women are, where we reach out. This book set can really help you. Here is her myspace profile which have other important websites Namid would like for you to see - http://www.myspace.com/Namid
My best wishes, peace out.
Friday, December 3, 2010
Male Abuse Myths & Facts, Survivors Spirit, & Action Call.
Here are some facts and figures regarding male abuse, and I hope that this will help dissolve some misconceptions.
Please have a look at the Male Survivor Website - http://www.malesurvivor.org/myths.html
I hope this helps with what is the real truth, and to ensure that we don't discriminate against our abused men, who are currently pretty isolated.
Here is some news for Male Survivor from my friend and talented musician Mike Skinner on the topic of Survivorhood -
Please don't forget to sign the Sean's Voice Petition to ensure that our guys who are enduring and suffering abuse issues can get access to emergency shelter, support, and services to overcome and become the survivors we all need to be. Please click this link: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/a-new-perspective-the-unacknowledged-abuse-survivors/
Thank you for your continued support!
Lika & YVI
Please have a look at the Male Survivor Website - http://www.malesurvivor.org/myths.html
I hope this helps with what is the real truth, and to ensure that we don't discriminate against our abused men, who are currently pretty isolated.
Here is some news for Male Survivor from my friend and talented musician Mike Skinner on the topic of Survivorhood -
The Surviving Spirit Newsletter Nov 2010
The Surviving Spirit Newsletter
– Healing the Heart Through the Creative Arts -
Out of
suffering have emerged the strongest souls; the most massive characters are seared
with scars. - Kahlil Gibran
Hello Folks,
.. .. .. Nov
2010
Greetings and my best to all - it is hard to believe that November is
almost over and soon we will be entering into a New Year. I hope this latest
newsletter finds you to be in a good place, I know that the holidays can be a
difficult time to go through for so many. Hopefully, with this
month’s sharing of resources and information, it may help those of you
who struggle through this season of the year – personally, it has always
been a difficult time for me.
We can also experience great joy at this time of year, and yet,
sometimes the slightest trigger of painful thoughts, feelings or memories from
the past can send many into a downward slide. The good news, there are all
kinds of ways and resources to help us cope and move past these debilitating
feelings and memories. If you are struggling, please reach out; please do not
be alone in your pain. Take the time to treat yourself to something nice -
because you deserve it. You can also visit our website Resources Section for a
variety of resources to help you; these website links can lead you to all kinds
of hope, healing and help - http://survivingspirit.com/..resources.html
Our thanks to Alison Rogers for sharing these insightful resources that
help create awareness and education regarding concerns around the holidays for
those who struggle with PTSD and depression – this information can also
help their family and friends.
PTSD and the Holidays - http://www.sidran.org/pdf/..PTSDandholidays.pdf
State of Grace - An Adult Child Abuse Survivor's Guide to
the Holidays –
Sometimes just the simple act of sharing your story with someone can be
one of the most powerful tools for healing – it is exciting to be able to
share some great resources that can help you in that process. Maybe these
sources of inspiration can lead you to some of your own ideas to help not only
yourself, but to also help others – just as these kind and caring folks
and organizations are doing with their respective works and advocacy.
1] Meghan Caughey has founded a new arts organization called VISIONS:
A.R.T.- Art for Resilience and Transformation - VISIONS will inspire persons
who have lived experience of mental health challenges to create art that
expresses their unique stories, creating opportunities to educate, inform, and
transform public perception of what it means to have mental health
challenges.
You can learn more at - http://www.visions-art.org/
Meghan recently received “The Howie the Harp Award” at the
Alternatives 2010 Annual Conference - “Promoting Wellness Through Social
Justice”. This distinguished award is given each year to someone who best
exemplifies social change in using the creative arts. Meghan is someone who I
not only think of as a ‘Surviving Spirit”, but also a gentle spirit
and she gives so much to so many in her creative advocacy efforts - so a well
deserved award. You can learn more about the Alternatives Conference at:
http://www.power2u.org/..alternatives2010/index.html
and “The Howie the Harp Award”
at: http://www...alteredstatesofthearts.com/..index.htm
- then click on News and Info.
2] Gayle Bluebird who has been ‘in the trenches’ for so
long in helping and inspiring so many was also honored recently with a VOICE
Award. The VOICE awards
are given annually by SAMHSA [Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services
Administration] to honor movies, TV shows, and stars that portray mental
illness in a positive light. They also present six consumer advocate
awards. This year Gayle was one of them [and justly so], along with
a few others you may know; Laverne Miller, Janet Paleo, Moe Armstrong - who
received the Lifetime Achievement Award [way to go Moe!!], Fred Freese,
Clarence Jordan and Lorrin Gehring [for the youth award].
I am one of those who Gayle has helped to inspire in my own creative
advocacy endeavors; she has been a friend, a peer, mentor and so much more.
Please visit the NASMHPD [National Association of State Mental Health Program
Directors] website to read her bio and her acceptance speech along with
pictures of the event – just scroll down to - Recent updates and
Information:
http://www.nasmhpd.org/..consumernetworking.cfm
3] Ed Pazicky, Coordinator and Webmaster for Altered States of the Arts
– “Promoting Recovery Through Art’ is looking for artists to
display their creative efforts at the website - www.alteredstatesofthearts.com
Ed is another one of those caring people who helps so many others, just
visit the website to see this in action. He’s also posted Gayle
Bluebird’s above mentioned award and information – scroll down to
Bluebird’s Words. Please contact Ed at - edpazicky@comcast.net
4] Corinna West is gathering recovery stories and recovery poems to
post on her website for Poetry for Personal Power. Corinna’s words sum it
up best – “I would love to feature works from people across the
country.” Please contact her at:
Corinna West, MS, CPS Creative Director, Human Hand Wordworks
PO Box 172351, Kansas City, KS 66117 816-392-6074
http://corinnawest.com/
corinnawest816@gmail...com
5] Draw That Beast is an online art project. People are welcome to
submit original artwork (drawings, paintings, montages, photos) of how
depression visually looks to them. Anyone is welcome to join in; it is not an
art competition. If you can't draw, then take a photo or compile some pictures
together that have some meaning to you. If words fit best, then that is ok too.
http://drawthatbeast.blogspot...com/
Submit by email: drawthatbeast@gmail.com
Submit by post:
Draw that Beast, PO Box 7043, Watson ACT, AUSTRALIA 2602
6]
Christopher De Serres has created a powerful medium for the millions of sexual
abuse survivors out there who want to tell their stories - many of whom feel
isolated and unable to express the deepest pain in our lives. The
“My Name Is Project” is there to provide a survivor a way to
express it via video sharing. All of the information and resources to help you
in this worthwhile endeavor are posted at –
Christopher De Serres has created a powerful medium for the millions of sexual
abuse survivors out there who want to tell their stories - many of whom feel
isolated and unable to express the deepest pain in our lives. The
“My Name Is Project” is there to provide a survivor a way to
express it via video sharing. All of the information and resources to help you
in this worthwhile endeavor are posted at –
Chris and his wife Ophelia are also the founders of (Wo)Men Speak
Out™ - a non-profit organization dedicated to eradicating violence
against both genders. They seek to educate both men and women, cultivating
healthy relationships and gender equity. Learn more at - http://www.womenspeakoutnow...com
Chris also took part in the recent Oprah Winfrey shows about males who were
sexually abused as children.
7] Lauren Leigh, mental health activist and founder of “On the
Borderline” [and fellow NH resident!!] is looking for your videos about
your experiences while living with Borderline Personality Disorder. Please
include all of your relevant links in the email – e.g. your You Tube
channel, Facebook or Myspace profile, your blog, etc and send to – contact@ontheborderline.org
To learn more, please visit Lauren’s sites at - http://ontheborderline.org/
and
http://www.youtube.com/..ontheborderline30
8] Sharon Wise is now holding first readings for people interested in
her hit play, "Meet me on the Moon". She’s looking for two
females and one male actor to be a part of this creative effort – so if
you are in the Washington, DC area, please contact her at
Skype - 202-460-2753 or by
e-mail at - thehouseofsharon@msn.com
I have been fortunate to
experience Sharon’s powerful dance renditions and her equally
impressive art creations, so I can’t wait to see this play.
9] Kate Swift’s book - “This Tangled Web” is one
woman’s journey from victim to survivor. It is the untangling of a web
created by the pain of childhood sexual abuse. The author brings you to the
center of the web through her poetry and art, allowing you to see the journey
through her eyes.
http://www.thistangledweb.co...uk/kate-swift-book.htm
10] Chipmunka Publishing’s catalog of mental health books gives a
voice to writers with mental illness around the world. They help to raise
awareness of mental health and the stigma surrounding mental health problems by
encouraging society to listen. They are offering 45 Free E books to
download from their website, learn more at - http://www...chipmunkapublishing.co.uk
Click on specials and then e books.
I would like to close by sharing this quote from Albert Einstein -
“Try not to become a man of success but rather to become a man of
value.” I truly believe that all of you who are mentioned in these
newsletters and those who graciously receive them exemplify this quote –
Thank you for what you do in helping others.
Please keep the Surviving Spirit in mind for your next event when you
need a talented and inspirational keynote or workshop presenter. Please visit
our Speakers’ Bureau for all of your needs - http://survivingspirit.com/..Speakers_Bureau.html
You can help the Surviving Spirit in its Mission to help
others with your Time, Treasure or Talent. To learn more please visit - http://survivingspirit.com/..donate.html
Take care, Mike
ps. Please share this with your friends
& if you have received this in error, please let me know.
Our
lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.
~Martin Luther King, Jr.
A
diagnosis is not a destiny.
www.survivingspirit.com
– Healing the Heart Through the Creative Arts
Speakers’ Bureau - http://survivingspirit.com/..Speakers_Bureau.html
www.mskinnermusic.com
- Hope, Healing, & Help for Trauma, Abuse, & Mental Health through
music, resources, & advocacy
www.new.facebook.com/profile...php?id=635415804%20 Facebook - for friends, music, & advocacy!!
"BE the change you
want to see in the world." Mohandas Gandhi
Please don't forget to sign the Sean's Voice Petition to ensure that our guys who are enduring and suffering abuse issues can get access to emergency shelter, support, and services to overcome and become the survivors we all need to be. Please click this link: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/a-new-perspective-the-unacknowledged-abuse-survivors/
Thank you for your continued support!
Lika & YVI
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
3rd Annual Male Abuse Awareness Week - December 1-8, 2010
The
P. Luna Foundation, a California 501(c)3 Nonprofit Organization is proud to
present the
3rd Annual Male
Abuse Awareness Week Campaign, December 1st through 8th,
2010!
This
is an important awareness campaign to encourage young males who are victims and
survivors of abuse to seek help before they grow up to become the abusers.
We also provide men of all ages a huge list of help resources and
communities. This is how we can all help stop many cases
of child abuse, domestic violence, drug addiction
and suicide before they start.
Oprah
Winfrey
embraced this cause last month with a landmark double episode where 200 sexually
abused men came forward.
Of the 200 men that showed up, 80% had admitted to contemplating suicide because
they were not able to come out about their past abuse and seek help. The
taboo of this cause has to end!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FxRKMdUnWvA&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ur-xEpwN68g&NR=1
To learn
more about this year’s 2010 campaign, check out this
video?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZhDGP0wQm8&feature=player_embedded
Or, see the Official
Male Abuse Awareness Web Site:
JOIN
THE SHOW DECEMBER 5th!
The PLF's founder, Petra Luna, and Lisa from Power Of Mind Online
Counseling, will be on the Internet talk radio show, "Current
Events with Patrick Cook"!
They
will be discussing Male Abuse Awareness Week Sunday,
December 5th, at 4PM CST and 2PM PST (US). Click
here to tune in or download; http://www.blogtalkradio.com/profile.aspx?userurl=currentevents
Patrick’s
blog: http://tailormadetalkradio.blogspot.com/
Lisa’s
video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1iXQgKhho3U&feature=player_embedded
Other
MAAWeek activities are being held by foundation
volunteers!
A
Male Abuse Benefit event in NYC by volunteer Justine;
December
03, 7-9PM, Space on White, 81 White St, Studio 4 New York, NY
10013
A
TV appearance in Georgia by volunteer Darrell;
A
male survivor will be discussing the MAAWeek campaign, Dec 7th at 8:30 am, on
WCAG TV-33.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzevFwss9GU&feature=player_embedded
To
see our wildly popular Annual Slide Show Video for 2010, with beautiful ladies
supporting the cause;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktr91xS43Ro
Thanks
ladies!
We
also want to thank volunteers Ange and Don for the great graphic images that
were created for the 2010 campaign.
THIS IS A REAL PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED for our families,
communities and future.
Any
helpful donations and/or ideas for the annual campaign are welcome. You
can also help by forwarding this email to the people on your email
list.
Or,
click the “Like” us button on Facebook @
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Male-Abuse-Awareness-Week-Dec-1-8/166616156689573
Barbara
Ochoa aka Petra Luna
Executive
Director, P. Luna
Foundation
Leader
of the War On Abuse Movement
Please continue to sign the Sean's Voice Petition, sponsored by Youth Voice Initiative, to ensure that our abused men get equity in emergency shelter, support and services to become survivors in the community. Here is the link:
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/a-new-perspective-the-unacknowledged-abuse-survivors/
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/a-new-perspective-the-unacknowledged-abuse-survivors/
TSA: Game made out of patting down children.
I got this from:
Brasscheck TV
2380 California St.
San Francisco, CA 94115
=== It's sick - plain and simple ===
There's been little discussion about the
euphemstically-named full-body "pat downs" taking
place in US airports as they effect CHILDREN.
We've put up numerous videos now of very young children
being stripped searched in public, touched against their
will, and, in any other place and under any other
circumstances, molested by TSA screeners.
Parents are counseled to tell their children that
these "screenings" are a game.
The US news media's comment on this?
Deafening silence.
Instead they ask us if we aren't being "too sensitive"
and tell us there needs to be a "balance between
security and privacy."
Children are being taught that anyone in uniform
has free access to their bodies...that they can't
say "no"...and that their parents are unable to protect
them.
In turn, parents are being taught that they
cannot protect their children.
The only word that comes to my mind to describe
this enterprise is "criminal."
Did not the TSA, Homeland Security, and the White
House (and the jackals in Congress that fund this
insanity) anticipate this as an outcome?
There are two possibilities here: either this is
official idiocy and arrogance of the highest order
or this outcome was anticipated and deemed acceptable.
I don't know the answer...but I do know that as a
governmenty agency that works closely with the CIA
and FBI, Homeland Security and the TSA have access
to hundreds of psychologists and psychiatrists,
in their employ, under contract, and available
at the drop of a dime.
I am not an expert in child abuse so I asked my
friend and colleague Kenneth Wooden for his comment.
Wooden is a former journalist and author of the
chilling and important book "The Children of Jonestown."
His experience covering the Jonestown story and seeing
the hundreds of children's coffins that came back from
Guyana motivated him to create a training company that
teaches children how to identify and protect themselves
from predators.
I asked him what he thinks of the TSA's policy of
commanding its employees to strip search and conduct
full body "pat downs" of small children.
I specifically asked him his opinion of the TSA
advising that young children be told that these officially
sanctioned intrusions of their bodies are a game.
Wooden's answer follows...
=== The TSA has crossed the line ===
As a national child personal safety expert, I submit the TSA
crosses the line when it allows the patting down of children for
security reasons, cloaked as a game.
The most recent Gallup Poll on childhood abuse revealed that in just one
year, more than a million children were sexually and physically abused.
Along the same lines, the American Medical Association has referred to the
rape and sexual exploitation of women and children as a "violent and silent
epidemic." Men increasingly reveal how they were sexually assaulted in
their youth, by a rainbow of sexual predators, usually someone they knew.
Given that background - and the number of survivors that have been sexually
abused and exploited - it is beyond comprehension how the Homeland Security
Agency's TSA can conceive of such insensitive and invasive security checks
on our children and youth. Even worse, they want to depict pat downs of
children as a game! As an investigative researcher/reporter who has
interviewed well over a thousand sexual offenders, I can document that one
of the favorite ploys to lure children and youth into sexual abuse is to
disguise it as a "game."
How can experts working at the TSA be so incredibly misinformed and
misguided to suggest that full body pat downs for children be portrayed as a
game?!To do so is completely contrary to what we in the sexual abuse
prevention field have been trying to accomplish for the past thirty years.
Such policy could essentially desensitize children to inappropriate touch
and ultimately make it easier for sexual offenders to prey on our children.
This policy is also incredibly insensitive to the countless victims who have
already been traumatized by unwanted touching in their lives and could be
re-traumatized by such pat-downs.
In my judgment as a lifelong journalist and child advocate, such unapprised
actions by the TSA borders on criminal negligence and, legally speaking,
"deliberate indifference to the future emotional well being of millions of
victims and the potential for far too many more young victims."
Ken Wooden
Child Lures Prevention
=========
=== What you can do ===
Please - if you think this information is important - share this
e-mail far and wide.
As far as I know, this issue is not being discussed
anywhere else in a public forum in America...not
in Congress, not in the news media, not in the White
House, and not in the self-justifying press conferences
of the TSA.
The TSA, and the entire US government White House and
Congress, has crossed the line here.
Think long and hard before you agree to allowing the
small children in your care to be subjected to these
searches.
Let the so-called public servants who conceived of and
imposed this system - and now unashamedly defend it -
know what you think.
Share this e-mail.
Thanks.
One of our videos on this subject:
http://www.brasschecktv.com/page/978.html
- Brasscheck
P.S. Please share Brasscheck TV e-mails and
videos with friends and colleagues.
That's how we grow. Thanks.
================================
Brasscheck TV
2380 California St.
San Francisco, CA 94115
Brasscheck TV
2380 California St.
San Francisco, CA 94115
=== It's sick - plain and simple ===
There's been little discussion about the
euphemstically-named full-body "pat downs" taking
place in US airports as they effect CHILDREN.
We've put up numerous videos now of very young children
being stripped searched in public, touched against their
will, and, in any other place and under any other
circumstances, molested by TSA screeners.
Parents are counseled to tell their children that
these "screenings" are a game.
The US news media's comment on this?
Deafening silence.
Instead they ask us if we aren't being "too sensitive"
and tell us there needs to be a "balance between
security and privacy."
Children are being taught that anyone in uniform
has free access to their bodies...that they can't
say "no"...and that their parents are unable to protect
them.
In turn, parents are being taught that they
cannot protect their children.
The only word that comes to my mind to describe
this enterprise is "criminal."
Did not the TSA, Homeland Security, and the White
House (and the jackals in Congress that fund this
insanity) anticipate this as an outcome?
There are two possibilities here: either this is
official idiocy and arrogance of the highest order
or this outcome was anticipated and deemed acceptable.
I don't know the answer...but I do know that as a
governmenty agency that works closely with the CIA
and FBI, Homeland Security and the TSA have access
to hundreds of psychologists and psychiatrists,
in their employ, under contract, and available
at the drop of a dime.
I am not an expert in child abuse so I asked my
friend and colleague Kenneth Wooden for his comment.
Wooden is a former journalist and author of the
chilling and important book "The Children of Jonestown."
His experience covering the Jonestown story and seeing
the hundreds of children's coffins that came back from
Guyana motivated him to create a training company that
teaches children how to identify and protect themselves
from predators.
I asked him what he thinks of the TSA's policy of
commanding its employees to strip search and conduct
full body "pat downs" of small children.
I specifically asked him his opinion of the TSA
advising that young children be told that these officially
sanctioned intrusions of their bodies are a game.
Wooden's answer follows...
=== The TSA has crossed the line ===
As a national child personal safety expert, I submit the TSA
crosses the line when it allows the patting down of children for
security reasons, cloaked as a game.
The most recent Gallup Poll on childhood abuse revealed that in just one
year, more than a million children were sexually and physically abused.
Along the same lines, the American Medical Association has referred to the
rape and sexual exploitation of women and children as a "violent and silent
epidemic." Men increasingly reveal how they were sexually assaulted in
their youth, by a rainbow of sexual predators, usually someone they knew.
Given that background - and the number of survivors that have been sexually
abused and exploited - it is beyond comprehension how the Homeland Security
Agency's TSA can conceive of such insensitive and invasive security checks
on our children and youth. Even worse, they want to depict pat downs of
children as a game! As an investigative researcher/reporter who has
interviewed well over a thousand sexual offenders, I can document that one
of the favorite ploys to lure children and youth into sexual abuse is to
disguise it as a "game."
How can experts working at the TSA be so incredibly misinformed and
misguided to suggest that full body pat downs for children be portrayed as a
game?!To do so is completely contrary to what we in the sexual abuse
prevention field have been trying to accomplish for the past thirty years.
Such policy could essentially desensitize children to inappropriate touch
and ultimately make it easier for sexual offenders to prey on our children.
This policy is also incredibly insensitive to the countless victims who have
already been traumatized by unwanted touching in their lives and could be
re-traumatized by such pat-downs.
In my judgment as a lifelong journalist and child advocate, such unapprised
actions by the TSA borders on criminal negligence and, legally speaking,
"deliberate indifference to the future emotional well being of millions of
victims and the potential for far too many more young victims."
Ken Wooden
Child Lures Prevention
=========
=== What you can do ===
Please - if you think this information is important - share this
e-mail far and wide.
As far as I know, this issue is not being discussed
anywhere else in a public forum in America...not
in Congress, not in the news media, not in the White
House, and not in the self-justifying press conferences
of the TSA.
The TSA, and the entire US government White House and
Congress, has crossed the line here.
Think long and hard before you agree to allowing the
small children in your care to be subjected to these
searches.
Let the so-called public servants who conceived of and
imposed this system - and now unashamedly defend it -
know what you think.
Share this e-mail.
Thanks.
One of our videos on this subject:
http://www.brasschecktv.com/page/978.html
- Brasscheck
P.S. Please share Brasscheck TV e-mails and
videos with friends and colleagues.
That's how we grow. Thanks.
================================
Brasscheck TV
2380 California St.
San Francisco, CA 94115
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Who in their right mind calls the police over myspace drama? Mikey the Dumbchester Guy!
You know, I really really thought I heard it all. Okay, so some of us on myspace haven't quite grown up yet, and well, lets face it. Even if we don't want to participate in the drama, some of it is totally hilarious, and other times, against your own good judgment, you get pulled in anyway. But it's fun, and well, even if you get irritated, you still laugh, because even if it gets a little mean, you know it's still more funny than anything else.
Okay, so, last night, I was listening to a BTR show archive, because I keep missing the good stuff WHILE it's happening. I admit it, I'm rarely, if ever, the early bird that gets the worm. But anyway, I'm listening, figuring that it's going to be a session of Lisa (who ought to be paid as a comedian, imho) ranking all over those who deserve it. Particularly this guy from Rochester, New York, who whines and dines his cheese, and his form of a valid political blog/argument is all about how "liberal women" are ugly, and posts the most unbecoming pictures of those in power. Then says "conservative women" are beautiful, and he posts celebrity activists or something like that.
Anyway, then he brags about how as a 24 year old college student, how he entertained a 13 year old girl in his apartment, and how he let her drive his car, and how by the time she was 17, he couldn't wait until she turned 18 so he could hook up with her.
So Bad Lisa hijacked a BTR show that she created for someone else, and that other person got irresponsible, so she took the channel back. Good for Bad Lisa, for staying true to herself, and getting it done. The way she went off on some of these, it was too funny... I wish I'd have listened live, but, oh well. But the crazy part? There was this phone recording they played on the air, and on one hand, it was funny, on the other hand, I can't believe how much of a loser this dickchester guy is. Excuse my vulgar language, but it's true.
So, for some reason, he and some others got onto each other's phone list. I really don't know how. He gave out some woman's phone number, and then accidentally calls her, thinking he got the local police department in her town. Thing is, it's no mistaking her voice, and I just can't believe how stupid he is. While I don't necessarily care for this lady, I have to give her credit for stringing him along. He thought he was talking to a police department in the middle of Texas. Mind you, Michael the Crapchester guy lives in a small town in New York. He accidentally called the number of the woman he was trying to report to the PD. He says he's intimidated by her, and how he wants her to stop saying he's a rapist. Well, she has reason to call him that, amongst other things. The Chester ended up ripping up on rape victims/survivors. Then there's the crush on a 13 year old girl. There are other incidences, such as saying he wants to "f*ck* the hell out of 17 and younger girls until well, it's really too explicit to say here.
The most retarded part of that is, he wanted to say that because this particular woman has a "drama page" on myspace, he wanted to stay out of facebook. WTF? If that isn't so freaking stupid.
Anyway, I made this video in his honor. It took me a few tries, and here is my special tribute to this dork in this little video. This is all about Michael the Rochester Guy, aka MtRG, aka Michael Meggison. Enjoy. Make sure you listen a couple of times, because you'll laugh and miss parts.
In case it doesn't show quite right above, here is the URL: http://www.xtranormal.com/watch/7787257
Okay, so, last night, I was listening to a BTR show archive, because I keep missing the good stuff WHILE it's happening. I admit it, I'm rarely, if ever, the early bird that gets the worm. But anyway, I'm listening, figuring that it's going to be a session of Lisa (who ought to be paid as a comedian, imho) ranking all over those who deserve it. Particularly this guy from Rochester, New York, who whines and dines his cheese, and his form of a valid political blog/argument is all about how "liberal women" are ugly, and posts the most unbecoming pictures of those in power. Then says "conservative women" are beautiful, and he posts celebrity activists or something like that.
Anyway, then he brags about how as a 24 year old college student, how he entertained a 13 year old girl in his apartment, and how he let her drive his car, and how by the time she was 17, he couldn't wait until she turned 18 so he could hook up with her.
So Bad Lisa hijacked a BTR show that she created for someone else, and that other person got irresponsible, so she took the channel back. Good for Bad Lisa, for staying true to herself, and getting it done. The way she went off on some of these, it was too funny... I wish I'd have listened live, but, oh well. But the crazy part? There was this phone recording they played on the air, and on one hand, it was funny, on the other hand, I can't believe how much of a loser this dickchester guy is. Excuse my vulgar language, but it's true.
So, for some reason, he and some others got onto each other's phone list. I really don't know how. He gave out some woman's phone number, and then accidentally calls her, thinking he got the local police department in her town. Thing is, it's no mistaking her voice, and I just can't believe how stupid he is. While I don't necessarily care for this lady, I have to give her credit for stringing him along. He thought he was talking to a police department in the middle of Texas. Mind you, Michael the Crapchester guy lives in a small town in New York. He accidentally called the number of the woman he was trying to report to the PD. He says he's intimidated by her, and how he wants her to stop saying he's a rapist. Well, she has reason to call him that, amongst other things. The Chester ended up ripping up on rape victims/survivors. Then there's the crush on a 13 year old girl. There are other incidences, such as saying he wants to "f*ck* the hell out of 17 and younger girls until well, it's really too explicit to say here.
The most retarded part of that is, he wanted to say that because this particular woman has a "drama page" on myspace, he wanted to stay out of facebook. WTF? If that isn't so freaking stupid.
Anyway, I made this video in his honor. It took me a few tries, and here is my special tribute to this dork in this little video. This is all about Michael the Rochester Guy, aka MtRG, aka Michael Meggison. Enjoy. Make sure you listen a couple of times, because you'll laugh and miss parts.
In case it doesn't show quite right above, here is the URL: http://www.xtranormal.com/watch/7787257
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
The System: The Rants & Confessions of a Politically Insane Woman.
I don't know about some of these people... I've been asked, over and over again, about how long it takes to get a law changed or amended and what have you, and why it takes so long to do it. There have been enough people inquire, so I figure it must be more than just a good question, so I'll answer that too, along with appeasing some of you drama whores who seem to think the only way to be an advocate is to meet face to face with the victim. While I admire people who do it on a daily basis, because I know what it entails... I used to work as a crisis counselor for a shelter, and I've dealt with them face to face.
So, to answer the question... it's all about the system, and how the legislature works. Sometimes, it's a group of people, say the PTA of your state, or the Democratic Party, or whom ever, comes up with a laundry list of things they'd like to see for their group. So they either write up a proposal, or if familiar enough with the lingo, write a proposition and take it to their representatives. Mind you, usually there is at least a few people from the same area, and they have other people in other areas doing the same thing... So the politician looks at it, thinks about it, and decides if they want to take it from there... Now, if they decide to take it further, it has to be the right time of year to do something about it. Usually, the January of the first two year cycle is the best time to talk, since all of their other fruits of the labor are in process of being discussed, and they'll need new ones to take over in the future. The ones they had ready, but not introduced will go in the second year. In the mean time, after they come to a vote in March.
In about April to June, they will come back to ask a few questions about what it is you want, and how you'd like it executed. So there is that appointment. They take it back to their staff, and between you and them, there's research to be done about what is already in place vs. what needs to be changed. Fall starts and they will get back into their legislative places. If the draft was easy, you'll be able to maybe get it in within the year, and it will be introduced the following January, along with the stuff that didn't make it the first session. (Just remember, the legislative session goes for about 2 years, from January to January.) We are starting a new session this upcoming January, to where April's Law will be introduced.
Anyway, if your piece of legislative amendments or new bill is not so easy to draft up, it goes to a group of researchers that will do an estimated study on how it's going to be written up, how much the projected costs will be, how feasible it will be indefinitely, maybe make adjustments on it, get back with the constituents that proposed it, see if it's okay, draft the final copy, and then this is when it's ready. Because in the fall, there's the other stuff like the legislative budget, new items aren't introduced until January, because it's this quarter where it all happens, as far as we're concerned. It's the January to March/April where the voting on laws go on. They take a late spring break, work from their home offices in the summer, and then go back in the fall to talk and vote on shop work, and during this fall session, they campaign also, if there is an election, come home for the holidays, to start it all over in January.
So, for those of you who missed the portion of American History of the Constitution where this is a government for the people by the people, here it is. This is the end of your lesson how your government works.
Of course now we're talking about April's Law legislation. Since we're talking about April's Law, and I don't have a ton of people, I did things a little bit different. I introduced it briefly to two state legislators in January/February of 2009. Before I did that, I had started getting lots of support for the federal version, which I pushed starting in mid to late 2007. It was a joint effort with online associates, and one of them decided to start a charity. Since charities can't push legislation, I decided to take it, and to give it some umph, started Youth Voice Initiative. Anyway, I decided to do it because, we all know how most often, sexual assault victims don't get a fair shake to begin with. Rape and other sex crimes are grossly under reported. There's the fear that victims won't be believed. Or even blamed for the assault. Depending on situation, even when the case goes to court, the legal system is very lenient on sex criminals.
Yet I have people saying that I don't care about the victims, and that if it's such a good idea, why the laws haven't been put there before. Well, not all advocates are the face to face people. The system sucks, and if the system won't take care of the people who need it most, I'm here to put in what it's lacking. And as for good ideas would be there, well, once upon a time, women and children were property, and there was nothing. If she was raped, she must have deserved it. No more. And our children are precious. If the government is going to serve us, we must be the squeaky wheel. They don't just get a light bulb and say, "Oh, that's a great idea!" We the people... that's what it's all about.
So yes, people. I used you myspace people to get the support in the preliminary, so I can introduce what I do, with lots of pre-legislative support... just to ensure that it will be introduced. Once introduced, I'm sure it will pass. If that makes me a slut, well, I'm your biggest whore. I really don't care what people think, and well, the more you hate on me, the more popular I become. The way I figure, if you're going to fight with me to try to take care of your children's safety on and off line, you're either thinking your child can't be a victim, or you don't know if the nice new neighbor up the street is a pedophile who hasn't been caught yet... could be taking pictures of YOUR child, and photoshopping them into kiddie porn. So it's not just the predators online searching FOR your child, it's also those predators in real live SELLING your child online. Yes, April's Law covers both ways. Yet, because it's taking me, ONE PERSON, a long time to do it, I'm not really an advocate...
But you know what? I like to do this. I don't mind. If I caved in to the haters, I'd have stopped a long time ago. I started talking to legislators when I was about 11 years old, and went on various campaigns. I learned about the legislative system as a high school student, and continued in college. I eventually became a student lobbyist, and got various things passes, such as Act 177, a Wisconsin bill to create equal pay for equal worth. The Mini-Skirt bill, which renders the attire of a rape victim inadmissible as evidence against the victim in the court of law. (You see the gender neutrality?) And of course the Violence Against Women Act of 1993, where the Safer Campuses for Women section was written by the group here in Wisconsin, to where those are some of my ideas that was part of that compilation in there, and one of my cohorts wrote the final copy, that sits there today.
So, if you don't mind, I'd like for those who are still new to my cause, here is the April's Law Federal Petition. I will be introducing this to legislators after the state version gets passed, hopefully this upcoming March. So, I'd like to present April's Law Wisconsin to ensure that we can get this pushed through for our children. There is an option to stay anonymous, so if you want to sign but not show your name, that is an option. Your email is just to verify it's you. That won't show regardless. I hope everyone will sign, and all pass it around to your friends.
Aside from liking to talk to the legislators, I suppose it's negative drama blogs... the haters really do a good job to promote me, so go ahead, please do so. Write a bad blog on me. Thing is, if you still have nightmares that haunt you from your own victimization, you're not removed far enough from it to be working face to face with your victims. Even if you are past the trauma, it's not easy dealing face to face, because there are a whole slew of other problems that may arise that you're not prepared to deal with... I sincerely give credit to those who do work with the victims into survivorship. These advocates and counselors are priceless. I give a million and one kudos to each and every one who does take care of the precious hearts that need safety.
Me? I guess I am the insane one that would rather deal with the system. Yeah, it might be an uphill battle, but hey, it's where I get to let out a lot of hot air, and that kind of stuff suits me just fine. Sure, it's an ugly job, it takes a long time, and it's often frustrating... but someone's got to do it, and my hands are already dirty.
So, to answer the question... it's all about the system, and how the legislature works. Sometimes, it's a group of people, say the PTA of your state, or the Democratic Party, or whom ever, comes up with a laundry list of things they'd like to see for their group. So they either write up a proposal, or if familiar enough with the lingo, write a proposition and take it to their representatives. Mind you, usually there is at least a few people from the same area, and they have other people in other areas doing the same thing... So the politician looks at it, thinks about it, and decides if they want to take it from there... Now, if they decide to take it further, it has to be the right time of year to do something about it. Usually, the January of the first two year cycle is the best time to talk, since all of their other fruits of the labor are in process of being discussed, and they'll need new ones to take over in the future. The ones they had ready, but not introduced will go in the second year. In the mean time, after they come to a vote in March.
In about April to June, they will come back to ask a few questions about what it is you want, and how you'd like it executed. So there is that appointment. They take it back to their staff, and between you and them, there's research to be done about what is already in place vs. what needs to be changed. Fall starts and they will get back into their legislative places. If the draft was easy, you'll be able to maybe get it in within the year, and it will be introduced the following January, along with the stuff that didn't make it the first session. (Just remember, the legislative session goes for about 2 years, from January to January.) We are starting a new session this upcoming January, to where April's Law will be introduced.
Anyway, if your piece of legislative amendments or new bill is not so easy to draft up, it goes to a group of researchers that will do an estimated study on how it's going to be written up, how much the projected costs will be, how feasible it will be indefinitely, maybe make adjustments on it, get back with the constituents that proposed it, see if it's okay, draft the final copy, and then this is when it's ready. Because in the fall, there's the other stuff like the legislative budget, new items aren't introduced until January, because it's this quarter where it all happens, as far as we're concerned. It's the January to March/April where the voting on laws go on. They take a late spring break, work from their home offices in the summer, and then go back in the fall to talk and vote on shop work, and during this fall session, they campaign also, if there is an election, come home for the holidays, to start it all over in January.
So, for those of you who missed the portion of American History of the Constitution where this is a government for the people by the people, here it is. This is the end of your lesson how your government works.
Of course now we're talking about April's Law legislation. Since we're talking about April's Law, and I don't have a ton of people, I did things a little bit different. I introduced it briefly to two state legislators in January/February of 2009. Before I did that, I had started getting lots of support for the federal version, which I pushed starting in mid to late 2007. It was a joint effort with online associates, and one of them decided to start a charity. Since charities can't push legislation, I decided to take it, and to give it some umph, started Youth Voice Initiative. Anyway, I decided to do it because, we all know how most often, sexual assault victims don't get a fair shake to begin with. Rape and other sex crimes are grossly under reported. There's the fear that victims won't be believed. Or even blamed for the assault. Depending on situation, even when the case goes to court, the legal system is very lenient on sex criminals.
Yet I have people saying that I don't care about the victims, and that if it's such a good idea, why the laws haven't been put there before. Well, not all advocates are the face to face people. The system sucks, and if the system won't take care of the people who need it most, I'm here to put in what it's lacking. And as for good ideas would be there, well, once upon a time, women and children were property, and there was nothing. If she was raped, she must have deserved it. No more. And our children are precious. If the government is going to serve us, we must be the squeaky wheel. They don't just get a light bulb and say, "Oh, that's a great idea!" We the people... that's what it's all about.
So yes, people. I used you myspace people to get the support in the preliminary, so I can introduce what I do, with lots of pre-legislative support... just to ensure that it will be introduced. Once introduced, I'm sure it will pass. If that makes me a slut, well, I'm your biggest whore. I really don't care what people think, and well, the more you hate on me, the more popular I become. The way I figure, if you're going to fight with me to try to take care of your children's safety on and off line, you're either thinking your child can't be a victim, or you don't know if the nice new neighbor up the street is a pedophile who hasn't been caught yet... could be taking pictures of YOUR child, and photoshopping them into kiddie porn. So it's not just the predators online searching FOR your child, it's also those predators in real live SELLING your child online. Yes, April's Law covers both ways. Yet, because it's taking me, ONE PERSON, a long time to do it, I'm not really an advocate...
But you know what? I like to do this. I don't mind. If I caved in to the haters, I'd have stopped a long time ago. I started talking to legislators when I was about 11 years old, and went on various campaigns. I learned about the legislative system as a high school student, and continued in college. I eventually became a student lobbyist, and got various things passes, such as Act 177, a Wisconsin bill to create equal pay for equal worth. The Mini-Skirt bill, which renders the attire of a rape victim inadmissible as evidence against the victim in the court of law. (You see the gender neutrality?) And of course the Violence Against Women Act of 1993, where the Safer Campuses for Women section was written by the group here in Wisconsin, to where those are some of my ideas that was part of that compilation in there, and one of my cohorts wrote the final copy, that sits there today.
So, if you don't mind, I'd like for those who are still new to my cause, here is the April's Law Federal Petition. I will be introducing this to legislators after the state version gets passed, hopefully this upcoming March. So, I'd like to present April's Law Wisconsin to ensure that we can get this pushed through for our children. There is an option to stay anonymous, so if you want to sign but not show your name, that is an option. Your email is just to verify it's you. That won't show regardless. I hope everyone will sign, and all pass it around to your friends.
Aside from liking to talk to the legislators, I suppose it's negative drama blogs... the haters really do a good job to promote me, so go ahead, please do so. Write a bad blog on me. Thing is, if you still have nightmares that haunt you from your own victimization, you're not removed far enough from it to be working face to face with your victims. Even if you are past the trauma, it's not easy dealing face to face, because there are a whole slew of other problems that may arise that you're not prepared to deal with... I sincerely give credit to those who do work with the victims into survivorship. These advocates and counselors are priceless. I give a million and one kudos to each and every one who does take care of the precious hearts that need safety.
Me? I guess I am the insane one that would rather deal with the system. Yeah, it might be an uphill battle, but hey, it's where I get to let out a lot of hot air, and that kind of stuff suits me just fine. Sure, it's an ugly job, it takes a long time, and it's often frustrating... but someone's got to do it, and my hands are already dirty.
Saturday, November 6, 2010
A dream to end abuse, a tribute to our male survivors.
This is a tribute blog for the BFF - 71 series, for the recurring dreams... and I'm taking a slightly different direction again.
This is a dream, that I wish could come true, but unfortunately, it's not something that can happen overnight. This is a recurring dream, similar to Martin Luther King Jr.'s dream, where he wanted equality for all people regardless of race. Mine is to end the abuse of all people.
Mind you, our system is screwed up, and granted, most of our abuse victims are women, and most of us don't get the justice we deserve when bad things happen. But unfortunately, there is a whole new category of abuse victims that are lost... virtually invisible. This would be our Unacknowledged Survivors of Abuse, our men, who represent a minority of abuse victims, and because abuse is always traumatic, this is why I'm sponsoring the Sean's Voice Petition.
I came across Elizabeth, Sean's Grandma about 2 years ago here on myspace. She is the true voice of baby Sean. Here is a synopsis.
Sean died at the hands of his mother, for simply being a boy, so basically no reason what so ever. He died at the hands of his mother, who had inflicted blunt force trauma to his head, which killed him. The sad part is, for most of his life, his mother abused him. You can read more of the story from Sean's Grandma Elizabeth HERE. He wasn't quite 3 years of age... and the precious boy died for a poor excuse for a mother. And no, no one makes excuses for the dad about not doing enough, but more or less ensuring that when abuse is present, too many bad things can happen.
Now many of us may ask, "What about the father?" Yes, what about him? He would work full time, sometimes taking on extra part time jobs, to make ends meet. Not that this is an excuse, but, sometimes I wonder if it's easier for dads to be blind to the abuse than some of the moms... I will get back to that, and it's so odd to find a mom that would abuse her own children, that it's often abhorring. The very person that gives us life... who is supposed to fight to the death protecting her young... abusing the very precious life that was given? Who would think, since we carry them for 9 months or form a strong bond in some other way... It's so not normal that it's shocking, and it almost seems as if the gender of the child is irrelevant, just that moms aren't supposed to hurt their kids that way, much less kill them because our children are a part of us. Yet we hear too often about the step father or live in boyfriend who abuses a child to death, and we get infuriated that the mother would allow that. So now she is also held responsible for the abuse/death as well. As it should.
Thing is, when the mother and children are being abused, and it seems to matter not who calls the police... and when they arrive, one of two things happen. The man gets arrested, while the mom and children get to stay in the house. Or, the man gets detained while mom and child(ren) get packed and transported to the nearest shelter. Good. It should happen like this, because it helps protect the innocent. Yet okay, lets turn it around, coming back to this situation... Sean's father was the one being abused. Yes, this mild mannered man, even though he's big, was being abused by his female mate, especially when he tried to leave with his son. The mother would scream, shout, everything - even start full blown tantrums to the point she had self inflicted marks and would call 9-1-1 on him, and when the police arrive, would arrest him, leaving the children unprotected with her. Because she had marks on her, the authorities figured she had been abused, so he got arrested... The mother would often coerce her daughter, Sean's big sister, to help in the abuse. Yet the father trying to protect them would be taken away because the authorities saw it as him trying to rip the babies right from their mother's arms, even though she was the abuser... yes, our system is messed up, which is part of the reason I'm here. I want the madness to stop.
The father was, btw, arrested and also served time as well, for not doing enough to protect his son. The older sister as well as the baby daughter born subsequent to the mother being arrested have both been adopted to a different couple who are raising them as their own. The mother is not allowed to have contact. I don't think the father is allowed at this point either, and while we can all agree that maybe he could have tried to do other things, such as file a court document, call the police himself, or CPS to go while he's at work, what have you... Though being abused often has a way of making one insecure and doubts that any good justice can come about, I'm hoping people can see the dilemma here, rather than accuse him of "allowing his son to die" as I've had someone accuse before, and actually turned it into a drama. I personally don't understand why... abuse is no laughing matter, and a child died. If being a voice for these deceased children who have been killed at the hands of their parents is a crime, I plead guilty to the maximum degree.
Anyway, for those of you who may not know, here is a short list from Male Survivor about the Myths & Facts about male abuse. I hope you will all have a look, because it's important to understand that males are victims too, and often don't have a place to go to get shelter, help, support, etc... I find this sad. This is the reason why I want to push getting Help 4 Guys. Just remember, 1 in 6 boys are sexually molested by the time they're 18. If male to female abuse is going on, and he files divorce, there is a higher likelihood that she will murder him, rather than the other way around.
Please don't forget to visit Youth Voice Initiative page on Sean's Voice, and don't forget to read all the way to the bottom, there is a LOT of info there. Have a look around, and don't forget to go to the action page to sign other petitions there.
I have a (recurring) dream, and I'd like it to end up being a success story, rather than just a dream. April's Law will be introduced in the Wisconsin Assembly this upcoming January. A full petition would be nice to submit... It's a gruesome process, but someone has to do it. Thank you for your support. Have a blessed weekend!
This is a dream, that I wish could come true, but unfortunately, it's not something that can happen overnight. This is a recurring dream, similar to Martin Luther King Jr.'s dream, where he wanted equality for all people regardless of race. Mine is to end the abuse of all people.
Mind you, our system is screwed up, and granted, most of our abuse victims are women, and most of us don't get the justice we deserve when bad things happen. But unfortunately, there is a whole new category of abuse victims that are lost... virtually invisible. This would be our Unacknowledged Survivors of Abuse, our men, who represent a minority of abuse victims, and because abuse is always traumatic, this is why I'm sponsoring the Sean's Voice Petition.
I came across Elizabeth, Sean's Grandma about 2 years ago here on myspace. She is the true voice of baby Sean. Here is a synopsis.
Sean died at the hands of his mother, for simply being a boy, so basically no reason what so ever. He died at the hands of his mother, who had inflicted blunt force trauma to his head, which killed him. The sad part is, for most of his life, his mother abused him. You can read more of the story from Sean's Grandma Elizabeth HERE. He wasn't quite 3 years of age... and the precious boy died for a poor excuse for a mother. And no, no one makes excuses for the dad about not doing enough, but more or less ensuring that when abuse is present, too many bad things can happen.
Now many of us may ask, "What about the father?" Yes, what about him? He would work full time, sometimes taking on extra part time jobs, to make ends meet. Not that this is an excuse, but, sometimes I wonder if it's easier for dads to be blind to the abuse than some of the moms... I will get back to that, and it's so odd to find a mom that would abuse her own children, that it's often abhorring. The very person that gives us life... who is supposed to fight to the death protecting her young... abusing the very precious life that was given? Who would think, since we carry them for 9 months or form a strong bond in some other way... It's so not normal that it's shocking, and it almost seems as if the gender of the child is irrelevant, just that moms aren't supposed to hurt their kids that way, much less kill them because our children are a part of us. Yet we hear too often about the step father or live in boyfriend who abuses a child to death, and we get infuriated that the mother would allow that. So now she is also held responsible for the abuse/death as well. As it should.
Thing is, when the mother and children are being abused, and it seems to matter not who calls the police... and when they arrive, one of two things happen. The man gets arrested, while the mom and children get to stay in the house. Or, the man gets detained while mom and child(ren) get packed and transported to the nearest shelter. Good. It should happen like this, because it helps protect the innocent. Yet okay, lets turn it around, coming back to this situation... Sean's father was the one being abused. Yes, this mild mannered man, even though he's big, was being abused by his female mate, especially when he tried to leave with his son. The mother would scream, shout, everything - even start full blown tantrums to the point she had self inflicted marks and would call 9-1-1 on him, and when the police arrive, would arrest him, leaving the children unprotected with her. Because she had marks on her, the authorities figured she had been abused, so he got arrested... The mother would often coerce her daughter, Sean's big sister, to help in the abuse. Yet the father trying to protect them would be taken away because the authorities saw it as him trying to rip the babies right from their mother's arms, even though she was the abuser... yes, our system is messed up, which is part of the reason I'm here. I want the madness to stop.
The father was, btw, arrested and also served time as well, for not doing enough to protect his son. The older sister as well as the baby daughter born subsequent to the mother being arrested have both been adopted to a different couple who are raising them as their own. The mother is not allowed to have contact. I don't think the father is allowed at this point either, and while we can all agree that maybe he could have tried to do other things, such as file a court document, call the police himself, or CPS to go while he's at work, what have you... Though being abused often has a way of making one insecure and doubts that any good justice can come about, I'm hoping people can see the dilemma here, rather than accuse him of "allowing his son to die" as I've had someone accuse before, and actually turned it into a drama. I personally don't understand why... abuse is no laughing matter, and a child died. If being a voice for these deceased children who have been killed at the hands of their parents is a crime, I plead guilty to the maximum degree.
Anyway, for those of you who may not know, here is a short list from Male Survivor about the Myths & Facts about male abuse. I hope you will all have a look, because it's important to understand that males are victims too, and often don't have a place to go to get shelter, help, support, etc... I find this sad. This is the reason why I want to push getting Help 4 Guys. Just remember, 1 in 6 boys are sexually molested by the time they're 18. If male to female abuse is going on, and he files divorce, there is a higher likelihood that she will murder him, rather than the other way around.
Please don't forget to visit Youth Voice Initiative page on Sean's Voice, and don't forget to read all the way to the bottom, there is a LOT of info there. Have a look around, and don't forget to go to the action page to sign other petitions there.
I have a (recurring) dream, and I'd like it to end up being a success story, rather than just a dream. April's Law will be introduced in the Wisconsin Assembly this upcoming January. A full petition would be nice to submit... It's a gruesome process, but someone has to do it. Thank you for your support. Have a blessed weekend!
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Election Results: Wisconsin... Laments and more.
The election is over. On one hand I'm relieved, because my schedule will calm down and such. I voted, and felt good about it, and I was pleased to see a lot of people voting. I wasn't feeling well, and against better judgment, went to check out what was going on anyway.
I don't get our country... it's crazy, really. After 8 years of Bush and all of his failed economic policies that are now being blamed on Obama, just because he's in office... Look here at this article from Care2. I know it's too late to look at it BEFORE the election since it's over, look at it as more as an after the fact FYI: Everything You Knew Was Wrong! Click the link, you'll find out that 1) Obama did NOT double the deficit, he reduced it. 2) Obama reduced taxes, and 40% of the stimulus was wasted on tax cuts, which actually hurt the economy. 3) Just remember, the "Bank Bailout" was a Bush thing, NOT an Obama thing. 4) The stimulus worked, just not as much as we'd hoped. 5) Businesses don't need more money to hire, as hiring staff meets equilibrium w/ demand... 6) The health care bill will actually SAVE money. 7) Social Security runs a surplus. 8) Just remember, the Government IS We, The People. Money spent is money for us. Go read the article. You know you want to.
Back to the election results... anyway. We lost 4 democrats in the Wisconsin State Senate. The State Assembly looks about the same. On the US level, we lost some and gained some. In the House, Republicans took over. I'm bummed, but what am I going to do? I can't change the results. So I must move on, but not before I celebrate some, and mourn others.
Scott Walker (R) was victorious over Tom Barrett (D). I kind of figured, because people bought into Milwaukee Mayor Barrett as being worse than former Governor Jim Doyle (D). Because we have a democratic president, it seems as if states will try to go for republican governors. It just seems norm for the par... but just doesn't make sense. We've had 8 years of Bush, it's not like Obama can make the necessary changes in 2 years.
Ron Johnson (R) defeated incumbent Russ Feingold(D). This is actually too sad... to me it seems that Feingold is the best. He crossed party lines to vote against NAFTA, and is independent enough to stand his own ground. I will most certainly miss him, and Russ, don't be a stranger. Ron Johnson, just upon winning the election, starts laying into "stopping spending away from the hands of the enemy"... I am part of the new constituency, and now so are the former members of the 'enemy party', and we are all part of the hiring staff now. Ron Johnson, I'm one constituent that's watching you. You run a successful small business, so I'm expecting you to run the State of Wisconsin to success. And unlike your business, you work for us, not the other way around.
Paul Ryan (R) won Wisconsin's 1st Congressional District as expected, he's well known throughout the country, and is also the incumbent. For an unknown, small budget & being an underdog though, I must give John Heckenlively a big huge kudo for gaining over 30% of the vote. Great job for giving him Heck!
On the state level, we lost Senator John Lehman (D), an incumbent to the cause, to Van Wangaard (R). If people remember, Senator Lehman helped author April's Law Wisconsin, so now I'm hoping to be able to get a last minute appointment with Van Wangaard to get him to sponsor April's Law to the Wisconsin senate. I've worked too hard to get this going just to not try to get a bipartisan support on this issue. Plus pushing the safety of our children to protect our most precious against sex predators on and off line should not be about party politics. Thank you Senator Lehman for almost a quarter century of hard work... I will miss working with you immensely. Senator elect Wangaard, I am a vocal constituent... I hope you're ready.
While I'll miss those who are now moved on, here is something on a more positive note. Representative Cory Mason, the other one who authored April's Law has won, keeping his seat. It comforts me that April's Law will be introduced in January in the State Assembly. I'm hoping that it will be a low number, but you'll be hearing from me in January about the fact that Cory Mason will be an official sponsor of April's Law Wisconsin, and hopefully I can get others from Racine on that list. Thanks and congrats to Cory Mason! Just to let you know, Representative Mason has had the cleanest campaign ever, w/o over whelming anyone. and I'm so very thankful for that also. I'd also like to thank Anthony DeCubellis (L) for running, and taking time to listen to the issues that are important to me. I'm hoping someday, he will run again, maybe for a spot that doesn't have quite the competition.
Out of my district, but just as important, Representative Bob Turner (D) & Representative Robin Vos (R) have won their seats back. They are already supportive toward April's Law, so I'd like to thank them for the support to protect our children, and also that we work together to push this through. Congrats to both and a huge thank you for supporting April's Law.
There were other spots too, but, these were the ones that were most near and dear to me, so I'm sticking with these. Before I look to the next election in 2 years, I need to look to this January to get April's Law passed... by any means necessary. I'm hoping I can work with both parties.
In the mean time, please keep signing the petition to push April's Law Wisconsin, so when it comes to the legislative vote, Wisconsin politicians know that we support protecting our children. Don't forget to also sign the federal April's Law Petition, because we are nearing the time where I'll start talking to our federal people about pushing this on the national level, where we may need it most. Remember, this isn't for me, it's for the children.
I don't get our country... it's crazy, really. After 8 years of Bush and all of his failed economic policies that are now being blamed on Obama, just because he's in office... Look here at this article from Care2. I know it's too late to look at it BEFORE the election since it's over, look at it as more as an after the fact FYI: Everything You Knew Was Wrong! Click the link, you'll find out that 1) Obama did NOT double the deficit, he reduced it. 2) Obama reduced taxes, and 40% of the stimulus was wasted on tax cuts, which actually hurt the economy. 3) Just remember, the "Bank Bailout" was a Bush thing, NOT an Obama thing. 4) The stimulus worked, just not as much as we'd hoped. 5) Businesses don't need more money to hire, as hiring staff meets equilibrium w/ demand... 6) The health care bill will actually SAVE money. 7) Social Security runs a surplus. 8) Just remember, the Government IS We, The People. Money spent is money for us. Go read the article. You know you want to.
Back to the election results... anyway. We lost 4 democrats in the Wisconsin State Senate. The State Assembly looks about the same. On the US level, we lost some and gained some. In the House, Republicans took over. I'm bummed, but what am I going to do? I can't change the results. So I must move on, but not before I celebrate some, and mourn others.
Scott Walker (R) was victorious over Tom Barrett (D). I kind of figured, because people bought into Milwaukee Mayor Barrett as being worse than former Governor Jim Doyle (D). Because we have a democratic president, it seems as if states will try to go for republican governors. It just seems norm for the par... but just doesn't make sense. We've had 8 years of Bush, it's not like Obama can make the necessary changes in 2 years.
Ron Johnson (R) defeated incumbent Russ Feingold(D). This is actually too sad... to me it seems that Feingold is the best. He crossed party lines to vote against NAFTA, and is independent enough to stand his own ground. I will most certainly miss him, and Russ, don't be a stranger. Ron Johnson, just upon winning the election, starts laying into "stopping spending away from the hands of the enemy"... I am part of the new constituency, and now so are the former members of the 'enemy party', and we are all part of the hiring staff now. Ron Johnson, I'm one constituent that's watching you. You run a successful small business, so I'm expecting you to run the State of Wisconsin to success. And unlike your business, you work for us, not the other way around.
Paul Ryan (R) won Wisconsin's 1st Congressional District as expected, he's well known throughout the country, and is also the incumbent. For an unknown, small budget & being an underdog though, I must give John Heckenlively a big huge kudo for gaining over 30% of the vote. Great job for giving him Heck!
On the state level, we lost Senator John Lehman (D), an incumbent to the cause, to Van Wangaard (R). If people remember, Senator Lehman helped author April's Law Wisconsin, so now I'm hoping to be able to get a last minute appointment with Van Wangaard to get him to sponsor April's Law to the Wisconsin senate. I've worked too hard to get this going just to not try to get a bipartisan support on this issue. Plus pushing the safety of our children to protect our most precious against sex predators on and off line should not be about party politics. Thank you Senator Lehman for almost a quarter century of hard work... I will miss working with you immensely. Senator elect Wangaard, I am a vocal constituent... I hope you're ready.
While I'll miss those who are now moved on, here is something on a more positive note. Representative Cory Mason, the other one who authored April's Law has won, keeping his seat. It comforts me that April's Law will be introduced in January in the State Assembly. I'm hoping that it will be a low number, but you'll be hearing from me in January about the fact that Cory Mason will be an official sponsor of April's Law Wisconsin, and hopefully I can get others from Racine on that list. Thanks and congrats to Cory Mason! Just to let you know, Representative Mason has had the cleanest campaign ever, w/o over whelming anyone. and I'm so very thankful for that also. I'd also like to thank Anthony DeCubellis (L) for running, and taking time to listen to the issues that are important to me. I'm hoping someday, he will run again, maybe for a spot that doesn't have quite the competition.
Out of my district, but just as important, Representative Bob Turner (D) & Representative Robin Vos (R) have won their seats back. They are already supportive toward April's Law, so I'd like to thank them for the support to protect our children, and also that we work together to push this through. Congrats to both and a huge thank you for supporting April's Law.
There were other spots too, but, these were the ones that were most near and dear to me, so I'm sticking with these. Before I look to the next election in 2 years, I need to look to this January to get April's Law passed... by any means necessary. I'm hoping I can work with both parties.
In the mean time, please keep signing the petition to push April's Law Wisconsin, so when it comes to the legislative vote, Wisconsin politicians know that we support protecting our children. Don't forget to also sign the federal April's Law Petition, because we are nearing the time where I'll start talking to our federal people about pushing this on the national level, where we may need it most. Remember, this isn't for me, it's for the children.
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