What, in the world?

You know, it's crazy.  I've always considered myself progressive.  Progressive with common sense.  For example, respect the constitution, but, the fact that our Native American culture was almost crushed.  Black people were slaves.  Women could NOT vote.  The fact that we are moving toward racial and gender equity, it's a great thing.

Thing is, these days, the Democrats are getting more liberal, to the point of being radical.  The Republicans are getting more conservative, to the point of being authoritarian.  It's disgusting, considering that most of the citizens in this great country of the USA, along with the people of Wisconsin are more centrist, in the middle.  There may be some obviously on one side or the other, but tend to be moderate to the point that most of us aren't 100% democrat nor republican.  Maybe mostly one or the other, but sharing some views with the other side.

What is crazy is, here we have a president who is trying to make the health care access a more equal playing field, and our governor trying to resist to the point of turning it away.  The finger pointing back and forth is becoming a childish bickering contest, by saying you're wrong, no you, NO you, no YOU, NO YOU!  Grow up, will you?  No wonder why our economy is in shambles.

The jobs went to 3rd world countries, and we are left with low paying jobs, to which don't hire full time nor offer benefits.  Yet the liberal way is to extend unemployment.  The conservative way is to try to abolish the minimum wage, and tell people to grovel for their job.  Both perpostuous.  Seriously.  We.  Need.  Jobs.  Now.  And no, not at $3.00/hr.

Then, here we have people complaining that Walmart doesn't pay their employees properly?  What do they get paid?  On average of $9.00/hr?  I barely make more than that as a home care aid to wash poop off of people's butts, and we are worried about cashiers not making enough money?

Then, what is even crazier...  while our high paying manufacturing jobs went overseas to El Salvador, Mexico and China, the products that get sold at Walmart are also from, guess where?  Your first three guesses don't count...  You got it.  From El Salvador, Mexico and China.  I bought a package of underwear for my son, and the first wash, it shrunk to a third of it's size.  So no.  Saving the money for something that should have been able to last more than one use was NOT worth me buying.

So what is the problem?  Not only are these people in these other countries getting paid $3.00/day, the products that come back are sub-par, and we are paying for it.  In more ways than one.

Our wonderful governor promised us jobs.  In the urban areas.  Racine is urban.  Yet I see so many abandoned store fronts, downtown, uptown, Elmwood Plaza, Badger Plaza, North Main Street, Douglas Ave, and everywhere.

And Walmart wants to build on a farm on 4 Mile and Old Green Bay Rd.  Where the people there don't need nor want a store there.  yet the impoverished areas on Douglass Ave don't have anything except an Aldi's.  Ahem.  Here they could build, and have an automatic workforce as well as an automatic customer base.  But no.  they don't want to go.

I could go on...  and the saga continues...   Put your two cents in.  I might give you a nickel back...

Master of the Universe ~ Blogophilia 20.6

Blogophilia Week 20.6 - Master of the Universe Bonus Points:

(Hard, 2 pts):   Incorporate a hyperbole
(Easy, 1 pt):  Include a corn dolly


https://www.facebook.com/notes/marvin-martian/blogophilia-week-206-master-of-the-universe/584864611534760

In the past of yore, when life was supposedly simple, women dressed to the nines just to go about their daily lives.  I'm not so sure, if life was really simple.  Maybe the stresses of modern conveniences didn't put everyone into the overdrive of doing, going, moving, etc...  people still hustled and bustled.  Walking to the market to buy daily dosages of fresh produce, meats, and what ever may catch their eyes...  laundering with washboards, to the point that you'd think that thee ladies weren't damsels in distress, but to push, and to twist, and to heavily clean til their arms pumped up like Popeye, yet, these women of your are spoken of as if they were Oliveoyl.

In the busy bustle, Nina shows us her blast from the past, as her great grandmother's wish to walk around In the Winter Wonderland, to feel the crunch of the recently fallen snow, and the star-shaped flakes.  Even though we may end up with some exaggerated and romantic tales, Lisa Conrad is full of the creative hyperbolas.

All too often, those of us who may be summer babies, we end up with a European corn dolly, Heather prefers the Indian corn dollies.  Yet, deep inside, our hearts, the summer babies grow up wanting to frolic in the snow, and us winter babies want to swim with the fishes in the summer.

In the meanwhile, Tyler wants to be the Master of the Universe.

Positively Racine County & NAASCA Radio Show Guest.

Here is the section, I'm on page 4, the first billing out of 19 people.  Thank you to the Journal Times, with an extra special thanks to Ann Walter, who is very community oriented.

http://advault.journaltimes.com/SS/Page.aspx?ptype=SS_TILE&secid=134692&pagenum=1&facing=false

National Association of Adult Survivors of Child Abuse
www.NAASCA.org

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Stop Child Abuse Now Show - 609 -- special guest Lika Saliscente
Tonight's special guest is Lika Saliscente from Wisconsin, a lobbyist who specializes in issues related to women and children. She's also the founder of the Youth Voice Initiative, an action group, to take an active stand against those who abuse children. The YVI is a social welfare organization which authors and lobbies the innovative and groundbreaking laws needed to protect children from the dangers that arise from abuse and take away the tools for child predators who conspire to commit crimes against children. It also addresses the growing problem of domestic violence against men and fathers, as well as other abuses against our children. YVI also gathers support for these laws and build awareness to the problems that inspire them. Lika writes, "I have successfully lobbied the State of Wisconsin for Act 177, a fair pay bill for equal work as well as the "Mini Skirt Bill" which renders the attire of the rape victim inadmissible as evidence against the victim in the court of law." And she goes on, "I've also successfully lobbied for the federal law called the Violence Against Women Act of 1993. The Safer Campuses for Women was written by the Wisconsin student body." YVI is currently working on April's Law Wisconsin, currently going to the floor of the State Assembly, and the federal version yet to be introduced. We are also still working on getting equal services, shelter and support for our male abuse victims, as currently there are little to nothing for them. Read Ms Saliscente's BLOG at: http://likaslaments.blogspot.com

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Here are the Special Guest "Recommended Show" Archives as they appear on our NAASCA web site (but all daily episodes are recorded and available for "on-demand" listening, too). We've created quite a library of shows, all searchable by names, web addresses, key words, etc:

2013 - http://www.naasca.org/_2013-RadioShows-RECOMMENDED.htm
2012 - http://www.naasca.org/_2012-RadioShows-RECOMMENDED.htm
2011 - http://www.naasca.org/_2011-RadioShows-RECOMMENDED.htm

As you know, we're a grassroots organization at NAASCA .. one that belongs to no one else .. but this leaves us able to quickly decide which of the individuals and child abuse groups we support, promote and work with closely.

No doubt you will remain at the top of our list, and we're delighted to welcome you as a part of the family.

Please keep us informed about your work as it progresses and let us know how we can assist you in the future.

Yours in service,

Bill Murray

Bmurray3rd@aol.com
323 / 552-6150

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LA Community Policing
www.LACP.org

Adult Survivors of Child Abuse
www.NAASCA.org

Internet-based talk radio shows
www.blogtalkradio.com/Bill-Murray

Facebook home page:
www.facebook.com/NAASCA

Blogophilia 19.6: Even The Losers Get Lucky Sometimes.

Bonus Points:
(Hard, 2 pts):   Incorporate 3 things that could happen to you while swimming in the ocean
(Easy, 1 pt):  Mention a fly on the wall


https://www.facebook.com/notes/marvin-martian/blogophilia-week-196-even-the-losers-get-lucky-sometimes/584850301536191



I grew up in Tokyo, Japan in my formative years, I liked the fact that there was this big vast body of water, that looked like a whole world in and of it's self, called the Pacific Ocean.  I remember daydreaming about pirates finding hidden treasures, and chests full of booty.  Coming to Racine, WI, it was neat to have this Great Lake Michigan to the east.  Even the family cottage on Eagle Lake, was on the west side of the lake, and you could swim across, if you had the stamina.

With all of the comforts we can find at the ocean, sometimes, it could bring us gloom, like a typhoon looming over the sails, as Doris suggests, as many things can happen while you're swimming in the ocean.  Photographer Sharon Lee captures the scene well in the picture.

 Even if the sailing seems to be good, there are often troubled times.  Nissmith can verify that often we feel like losers, and that there is something missing, like the special person to share it with.  Sitting at the break rocks, we might be mesmerized by the lapping waves to jump in, and drown while being pummeled into the rocks.  The sun comes out, bringing a ray of light glistening on the water.  So rather than bumming around feeling sorry, like Nissmith, realize that even losers get lucky sometimes.

I walk over to the sunny beach, hoping that I don't get bitten by a jellyfish, I realize I'm lucky that I didn't get eaten by a shark.  So, I decide to enjoy life, and do it my own way, and the heaviness lifts, and I go wash up in the bathroom, elated.  The fly on the wall like Ruggi probably thinks I'm a maniacal schizophrenic, I pep and primp myself up, ready to see the world.

But then, when Marvin the Martian wants to give us secret passages, there's always adventures around the corner where everyone has their story.

When Night Blooms: Blogophilia 18.6

Bonus Points:
(Hard, 2 pts):   Include a title from an Elvis song
(Easy, 1 pt):  Incorporate "yellow ribbons"


https://www.facebook.com/notes/marvin-martian/blogophilia-week-186-when-night-blooms/575798685774686



I've always been a evening to night person, although I always liked to be a go getter and enjoy life.  Sometimes, I didn't wait until dark to to enjoy the activities of when the night blooms, as Barbara K may tell you about.

Many activities Rip It Up as it gets going into the night.  Think about the school dances that started off tame, with a smaller crowd sitting back to enjoy the music, and by the end of the night, it's more like Jailhouse Rock, being led by D J Mike and the Boombox.  But all is good, because I like turning it loose with the Hound Dog so much, It's a Sin.  Even still, with all this rocking and gyrating going on, there is still the class of all the cool gals like Heather wear Yellow Ribbons in their hair, so we all know where to hang out for the action.

Eventually, some lucky couple will end up at the cave of love, and everyone will be jealous that Jay gets to be with the Girl of my Best Friend hanging out with that lake-view scene from the cave with the heart shaped opening.  But no matter, I will have and make my own fun with some lucky person, and take a walk in the sand.

On The Bookshelf: Blogophilia 17.6

Bonus Points:
(Hard, 2 pts):   Incorporate a song title by Prince
(Easy, 1 pt):  Include a drink made with vodka

https://www.facebook.com/notes/marvin-martian/blogophilia-week-176-on-the-bookshelf/574208122600409




As a pauper, I would often take the bus places.  Sometimes buses would go missing, so rather than the 20-30 minutes to the next bus, I'd have an hour to kill.  Then I'd walk over to the coffee house which doubled as a used bookstore and mini library with many intellectual reads.  All too often, I'd lose the time, forget that I was supposed to be somewhere, and end up walking home after bus hours ended.

While in the Coffee House Book Shop, I'd order my double mocha, often wishing that it was a Cosmopolitan that was being sipped on at a sophisticated sky rise in Tokyo.  While I was finding a seat, I looked up on the wall, and thought, "I am NOT insane!  I think I'm seeing the poster from 'The David' promoting that book club event featuring Charles Dickens books and Batman impersonators"!  I walk up to check it out, and sure enough, it's going to be the real deal of an event.  Then, looking through the books, I remembered that Kim wanted me to find something On the Bookshelf.  But what did she want me to find?  I'm sure it was a book...

I scroll across and up and down the shelf.  Then I saw a book that brought me back to my childhood...  Oliver Twist.  My 6th grade class performed that as a musical.  I wasn't interested in playing dress up in the dated dresses and clothing, so I opted to play in the practice band, though for the shows, a different group was brought in, to make the show extra special.  I enjoyed watching from the audience.  I finally sit down, and start to read the book.  I take a sip of my coffee, and damn, it's as cold as a Bloody Mary.  Before I know it, it's 7pm, and it's time to close up shop.

It's getting dark, and I missed missed my appointment at the Attorney's Office, and the last bus is gone...  As the sun sets behind the buildings, there is a chill in the air, and I so wish that I had a Little Red Corvette to drive home in...

Calling All Lighthouse Brigade Marching Band Supporters!

On Wednesday night the Joint Finance committee approved a budget that will impact the Lighthouse Brigade funding for this year and next as well as many other services for students in our district.
In the budget there is language about the use of the community service levy (fund 80) that school districts can utilize to fund activities for youth and adults.
The budget states that districts will only be allowed to levy for the 13-14 and 14-15 school years what they levied from the 2012-13 school year.
Our district in efforts to keep the tax rate low used monies saved from our health insurance savings to cover fund 80 expenses for this current school year. So we did not access fund 80. Therefore we will not be allowed to access it in the next two years as the language is a freeze on what you accessed this year.
Can you please send this message out to your band boosters and ask them to contact Rep Robin Voss at Rep.Vos@legis.wisconsin.gov to ask that he consider the impact it will have on his district and that what we did was a way to help tax payers, now we will be penalized.
If we do not have this changed the district will not have the money to pay for the Brigade this year as it comes from this allocation of funds and we have a budget deficit.

PLEASE CONTACT REPRESENTATIVE ROBIN VOSS AND VOICE YOUR OPINION ON FUND 80. Thank you...

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My sample letter:

Dear Representative Vos,

Thank you for all of the work that you do for our State Legislature.

I would like to urge you to allocate the funds so that the Lighthouse Brigade Marching Band can access the the monies needed from Fund 80, because of the quality added to our city.

As a former member of the Brigade, I can assure you that the band is worth the money. It gives students the opportunity to work as a unit, be self discipline, and for them to be ambassadors from Racine to all over the state, as well as to other states by performing their shows. Racine still has one of the best 4th Fest Parades, to which our very own marching band participates in.

For these reasons, please lift the freeze on Fund 80, so that the band can get what it needs to continue providing our city something all of us can be proud of.

Thank you for your time, and please consider the impact of keeping the freeze on the Community Service Levy Fund 80. The Lighthouse Brigade is most definitely a community service for all ends of our city on the lake.
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His answer back to me:

I hope he's more active.... Thank you for your email regarding the community service levy limitation (Fund 80) within the state budget. I truly appreciate the time you took to reach out to me and share your concerns.



This issue was called to my attention the day after the last meeting of the Joint Finance Committee. I understand the important role that the Lighthouse Brigade and other programs funded through the community service levy play for the students in our community. I am working with my colleagues to create a fix for Racine Unified and other school districts that will be negatively impacted.



Again, thanks for reaching out to me.



Sincerely,



Robin J. Vos

State Representative

63rd Assembly District
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Please write him, so that we can keep the music going.  :)