December 2011 will be a month that will live on, in the historical archives of the former Ms. Independence. In Part I of The Quality of Compassion, she/I came clean about her/my former intractability in learning to accept help in a time of need. What is that saying about “teaching an old dog new tricks”? It is possible. This wannabe pup had another “trick” (teachable moment), thrust upon her.

In early December 2011, when stores were gearing up for big time sales, kids were writing to Santa, and parents were calculating the budget, I was fighting almost intractable pain. I had no health insurance, so I did what any uninsured person would do – I tried to ignore the pain, hoping it would go away. It did not. I had looked into purchasing individual health insurance and was confronted by the reality that paying for such insurance meant paying at least half of my rent in premiums, and living in my car, or continuing to pay the rent. I have to say that by Divine providence, I confided in a friend at church, and she told me about a county hospital that takes folks in my condition. Thank you, Manijeh. Donna, another friend from church, promptly drove me to that hospital on the following day.

I entered the facility with some trepidation. The former Ms. Independence had always had the necessary insurance and had never been treated in a county facility. My preconceived notion of care at such a facility, was that I would take a number and told to “move it along.” I was wrong. The professionalism, courtesy, caring and compassion at Olive View-UCLA Medical Center, began with the admissions person, who checked me in. It continued with the doctors, technicians, nurses and nursing assistants who tested me for most of that day. One type of exam was so painful, that when the doctor returned to do a third test, I gave her my deal: kill me first, then do the test. She promised me to try her best not to hurt me too much. For the most part she kept her word.

It also helped that there was an intern with very aesthetically pleasing facial features, who held my hand and tried to comfort me. I told him: “Don’t take this the wrong, way, but you are one good-looking dude!” I was on a roll. I asked him if he knew that he could make a lot more money playing a doctor on television. To his credit, he did not call security, but had a good laugh. No, I was not trying to pick him up. I could have been at least his older sister (in my imagination). My God-given sense of humor was kicking in, even in that type of circumstance.

The serious business continued. The doctors met in conference, while I waited in the assigned hospital room, for them to arrive at their findings. The doctor returned and I found out that my test results were to be analyzed for a very serious disease. I was not surprised. I was already beginning to suspect. After she left the room, I said a prayer to God and promised Him that I was not going to fret, but leave everything in His hands. The former Ms. Independence was continuing to learn upon Whom she should rely. I was to return to the hospital the following week, to learn my fate.

Twice during that week, I cheated – I fretted. I apologized to God. I returned to the hospital to find out the verdict. It was as I suspected. I now had something in common with John Wayne, my mother and countless others. I was not even fazed when the doctor delivered the news. I listened to the plan of action. Surgery was first up. My only wish was that I would not have to spend Christmas Day in the hospital. I did not want “Jingle Bells,” replaced by hospital bells. Days later, I received my wish. I was to report to the hospital on December 26, 2011 to receive blood transfusions before surgery the following day. Whew! I would get to go to church on Christmas Day, December 25, bedecked in my red outfit, feeling ill or not! I should not have forgotten to place Kleenex in my purse. I needed it, after all the prayers that were sent up for me, especially by Toyin. I felt enveloped in love and ready to face the knife.

Am I the first person in history who went into the hospital for surgery, and could not give an account of what happened? I had envisioned being in the surgical unit, waiting and experiencing the anesthesia being applied, dreaming dreams of floating in air, and subconsciously being able to witness at least part of the proceedings. None of that happened. One minute I was in the pre-op room being given instructions, and something to ingest. The next, I was in the hospital room, wide awake and wondering if anything had happened. I like that type of surgery! I was so alert, I called Donna to report that I was out of surgery – I think. She expected me to sound groggy and out of it.

So I was now out of surgery. Surely, I would be allowed to rest and recuperate, maybe not move from the hospital bed for another week, having staff at my beck and call. No. The very next morning, I was instructed to begin walking. To my surprise, I could. In the next few days, I learned that maybe the brain is not the most important organ in the body. I began to learn why the abdomen is considered the “core” of the body and the bowels have a mind of their own! Similar to a baby learning to walk, I went through a process where certain organs in the abdomen had to learn to “walk” again, and were determined to show me who is boss! While sitting on an earthly “throne,” I said many a prayer to God on His Heavenly Throne. He answered.  I was released to a skilled nursing facility, Verdugo Vista Healthcare Center, where I continued to make progress, and was discharged from there after three weeks. Approximately one month after this major surgery, I was out in the land of the well, although still recuperating, because I was making such good progress. Pain, although reducing, is still a too present companion

My December holiday season may have been interrupted, but while everyone else had to wait until today for Valentine’s Day, mine came extremely early, in January. Family, friends and medical staff members showed me enough love and caring to fill a hot air balloon! The staff members, at the skilled nursing facility, as did the staff at the hospital, were determined that I would recover my health, and gave me round the clock care. I probably would need to devote another article to those folks who really earn their pay, and who are often under and unappreciated. Family and friends, including those of my church family, showed me philia (brotherly love), that left me overwhelmed and speechless. I am grateful. I know that I will probably forever struggle with that fiercely independent streak, but I have come a long way.

One recent tangible sign that the walls, of Jericho, dangerous independence, are crumbling, is when my friend Carolyn H. persuaded me to hop, actually crawl into a SmartKart in a Target store. What? Yours truly riding around in a cart for the “disabled”? Yes. Reality kicked in. I got in that cart and proceeded to try not to run over other shoppers. I think that those carts are a scaled down version of an Indy 500 racing car!

This former Ms. Independence has had a hard life, from birth to now, with interludes of peace, love, no want, and no pain. But, pain and separation have been a part of her life, sometimes too much, in her estimation. However, don’t cry for me. In looking back, I realize that God, of course, knew the travails to come, and He assembled a “team” of angels who have made it their duty to care for me. I now realize that the one constant in my life, has been love, familial and philia on earth, and God’s love from above. God is in charge of my life, but I do believe that I owe a great debt to Olive View, Verdugo Vista, my family, my church family and my friends. Thank you all.

Happy Valentine’s Day from Ms. Christmas!

This is the season of joy, peace and love, but I would like to introduce another emotion, which could also encompass joy, peace and love. Portia, one of the characters in William Shakespeare’s play, The Merchant of Venice, stated that mercy “blesseth him that gives and him that takes.” Compassion is like the quality of mercy, but with a different motivation. Compassion is described as “a feeling of deep sympathy and sorrow for another stricken by misfortune, accompanied by a strong desire to alleviate the suffering.”

A little over a year ago, a woman to be known henceforth as “Ms. Independence,” thought that she could continue to handle every curve ball that “life” threw her way. Even her own mother called her “Ms. Independence,” because she was always helping others, but never wanted to accept help from others. She was always “fine,” even if a building was about to collapse on her. Then, in the last five years or so, she watched her mother die from cancer. She lost her job. She lost her home.  She spent what little savings she had left, trying to survive. A friend, Jean N., took her in after hearing about her new lodgings at “Vanagon Lane.”

She found another job with a “Fortune 500” Company. She was grateful. She soon found out why this Fortune 500 company had such a high turnover.  It turned out to be little more than a glorified sweat shop, albeit with “insurance and other employee benefits.” She thought that the job was about “providing excellent customer service.”  She found out that “excellent” was in the glossy public relations manifesto, but was threatened by the reality of the back room operations. Ms. Independence did not know how vulnerable she was in trying to fulfill two diametrically opposed goals, until one day when one of the “overseers” yelled at workers to wrap up calls being taken. Ms. Independence’s poor ticker felt as if it actually tore about an inch from the walls of her chest. She began to jump at every sound. She knew it was time to leave. She left. She also left the friend’s house as one of the adult children of the friend, was moving back in. He was in fear for his employment.

At first it was paying for motel rooms, in between other arrangements. Then friends took her in at a motel, where she slept on a chair for about six months, while she kept searching for new employment. She did not qualify for unemployment, because she left the job. It did not leave her, except possibly ill. Her body went on strike from the abuse that was being heaped on it, beginning with that stay at the Fortune 500 company. She ended up in the hospital with three diseases, including sepsis.

Ms. Independence was gone from her laptop for nine days, which was unusual. Friends, especially those online, were frantically making calls to track her down, including calling her church.  She was stricken with hopelessness and homelessness. When she was finally able to reconnect with her online friends, she found out that a rescue mission had begun. Her mailing address was shared and the checks began pouring in. She was humbled and astonished, at the same time. Americans have been given the moniker of “ugly American.” Yet, many of these same Americans,, many of whom were online friends, had never even seen Ms. Independence in person, opened their hearts and wallets. They could have decided that compassion was too far a step – mere sympathy would do just as well – and would not cost anything.

Two friends especially, went beyond generosity. Jake R. who hides his generous heart under an exterior of gruff, plain speaking, “advised” Ms. Independence, “when I get paid, you get paid.” For well over six month, Ms. Independence got paid, every two weeks, anywhere from forty five to sixty five dollars.  Fred S., teacher by day, unpaid mover by night, moved Ms. Independence four times, including from the last place that was supposed to be a temporary refuge, and which developed quite nightmarish elements, with electricity being turned off up to six times daily. The electricity was part of the utilities, included in the monthly rent. Fred never asked for payment, not even for gas. In addition to their compassion for Ms. Independence, Jake, Fred, and many of the others who showed compassion to Ms. Independence, share one other thing in common. They are Christians. Although these two friends were singled out, because of the nature of their ongoing commitment, the totality of assistance received, can accurately be described as “inter-racial, inter-denominational, and somewhat multi-national.” 

So who is Ms. Independence? Your guess is correct. I am.  I can say with complete certainty, that nowhere else in this world, would compassion have taken up residence in my life, for as long as I needed it, but here in the good old USA. Those who hate Americans, love to throw around that moniker “ugly American.” I have yet to find one. I am not saying that there aren’t any. However, if they were that prevalent, I would have encountered my fair share. The folks who have been generous to me are not “movers and shakers.” They are ordinary Americans, including some who served in the Military. They are quality folks, and not just because they helped me from falling into a ditch. They love this country, and they have unbelievably generous hearts.

On Thanksgiving Day, radio host Dennis Prager invited naturalized Americans to call into his show and share why they are grateful to be in America. I called in and we had the following conversation:

I told him that I was born in St. Kitts, but as I say, "I was not born in America but I was born to be an American." He loved that one. I shared with him how I grew up with my adopted mother, who had an American Flag flying in the living room in St. Kitts, and then received my education in American history, when I went to live with my biological mother in the US Virgin Islands.

I told him that the main reason I am in the US is because of the people. I also told him that I am going to go on a cross country tour in search of the "ugly American" because so far, I have not found one. He suggested that I write a book about "The Beautiful American." I told him that a book was in the works, but first for this Christmas, I will be blogging on the topic of "Compassion," profiling a woman called "Ms. Independence." He said that he looked forward to reading the article.

Throughout the show, I heard other immigrants of the type that the US needs to keep attracting. They ranged from across the globe, but the unifying emotion was gratitude to be in the US, and how they can help to preserve the US to which they immigrated, and now owe allegiance. I emigrated from a free country. Some of them immigrated to escape tyranny. I pray to God, that through complacency, we do not let this country change from the fundamentals that have made it great. If we do not work to preserve it, there is no alternative in the world. Those who think that they will rejoice at its demise, will be confronted by a dose of financial reality.

My late mom used to tell me that I had done so much for others, that one day that generosity would be returned. It was – tenfold. It was returned in such measure that one of my friends, Joyce R, began to call me God’s pet. Those blessings happened when I learned to say “yes” to those who had “a strong desire to alleviate the suffering,” I went through. I no longer hide in a cloak of “independence.” It was not easy, but I learned that part of being “your brother’s keeper,” is that when you need to be kept, you allow your brother to keep you.

P.S. although I will never be described as being in the “1%” in terms of wealth, I am doing all right, and most importantly, my spirit has not been broken. I am in the special class of those who are enveloped by love and caring. Nothing else compares. I have also learned another very valuable lesson. Immunity from pain and suffering is not guaranteed to any of us. But, it is how we handle that suffering, that is important.

Honestly, I have not been an impeccable example of “grace under pressure.” Thoughts of suicide fleeted across my mind, on at least two occasions. I banished them for two reasons. The number one reason is my certainty that God gave me life, and it would be a dishonor to Him, to take away from Him, the rest of His plan for my life. Additionally, I could not put my family and friends through the misery of wondering why didn’t she come to us, what more could we have done, and all of the other anguished questions that come up in these situations.

Since writing this article, I have found that I have a major health challenge, but I am facing it with grace and equanimity. How could I not, when I have a circle of family and friends praying for me, and surrounding me with love? To be continued…..

Thank you, compassionate ones – family, friends, and my church family. God bless you, and God bless America, land that I do love – because of its people.

 Merry Christmas from Ms. Christmas!

“What the heck is going on”? 

This is my daily round up of all of the stories that are sent to me through FaceBook, Twitter and e-mails. These stories will be the ones that I find interesting or informative.

Warning: The sarcasm meter is off the charts!

The world is going crazy and while it is in the process of so doing, and before it reaches its final destination, of “CrazyLand,” I am going to continue to be informed.  Feel free to join me, but be warned, as Margo Channing memorably declared in “All About Eve” – “Fasten your seat belts. It is going to be a bumpy night” – or day!

Variations of verbiage for today:

Today’s edition is about the “war on Christmas.” Ms. Christmas is here to defend Christmas – not that it needs defending. Every year around this time, many who are dissatisfied with their lives, come out of the woodwork and decide to take on their personal “bogeyman.” Aided by the increasing number of the practitioners of political correctness, they boldly strike out where the defenders of Jesus and Santa, do not necessarily want to go – the route of vile, vicious behavior. Infused with the usual spirit of peace, joy and love, most Christians and non-Christians are busy decorating, picking up bargain Christmas presents to show those whom they love, especially kids, that they care.

Fort Worth bans Santa from classrooms.  That jolly, fat fellow sure puts a scare into some! Maybe that should be the headline. Is it Santa’s weight that is the real problem? Maybe Santa can sue for weight discrimination.  Santa, if I had a chimney, you would be welcome to travel down that chimney any time! J

This news should light up the spirits of atheists worldwide! They have their own atheist Christmas album, courtesy of Gruff Rhys, whose EP is supposed to be “an unholy trinity of three-turkey free new tracks for the festive season.” Mr. Rhys is so famous that I had never heard of him. Good luck with the EP.

So, the governor of Rhode Island, has decided in his finite wisdom, that the usual Christmas tree is now a “holiday” tree? How many holidays do we celebrate in this country? I am thinking that since Christmas, and its symbols, will be celebrated as the generic “holiday,” why don’t we celebrate July 4, as “holiday,” Thanksgiving as “holiday,” etc., etc.? We could put up generic “holiday” banners whenever there is a holiday, or leave those banners up year round. Rep. Doreen Costa – you go, girl!

This effort against Christmas is a multi-state effort! Atheists in Texas want their own banner displayed right alongside the Christmas displays on an East Texas courthouse square. Meanwhile in PA, the story goes:

In Elmwood City, Pa., the foundation has proposed hoisting a banner that reads: “At this season of the Winter Solstice, LET REASON PREVAIL. There are no gods, no devils, no angels, no heaven or hell. There is only our natural world. Religion is but myth and superstition that hardens hearts and enslaves minds.”

Enjoy the nice talk you are scheduled to have in the afterlife with You Know Who, He Who does not exist – in your world.

In California, they know how to take things a step further. In Santa Monica, CA, atheists have succeeded in displacing nativity scenes in a park. Those other states could take a lesson from this. Don’t go about trying to share space. Show Jesus, Mary and Joseph, that not only is there no room at the in. There is no room at one Santa Monica park.

The “war” continues. Christmas cookies are to be left at home, and not brought to school in Westford.  Fruits, unsweetened juices, popcorn and raisins are the order of the day. Where is Westford anyway? I would offer a suggestion about omitting some of the items on their list, as not being totally harmless, but why bother?  This is being done in the name of “childhood obesity.” Has anyone heard about feeding kids healthy foods from January to November?

The other side in the war is not having all of the victories. In Arkansas, one school superintendant, Mr. Jerry Noble, has decided “enough is enough!”  He is getting offers of legal help from his community, and he rightfully sums up the situation:

“The Christians in America have been silent for too long,” Noble said. “That’s why I struggled with it in the beginning.”

Amen!

This story nicely encapsulates what the Christmas spirit is all about. Anonymous donors pay off Kmart layaway accounts.  The following is an apt description:

"It was like an angel fell out of the sky and appeared in our store," she said.

I wish that I had the resources to do this.  “Christmas” brings out this spirit of generosity – not “holiday.” In previous years, I was incensed by the efforts of atheists and their sympathizers, to attempt to rob this time of year of its spirituality and joy. This year, I am not. I actually feel sorry for them, that their apparent inner emptiness, causes them to try to destroy the season for everyone else. I wish them peace, joy, happiness and wisdom. Come into the light, witness The Light, and be happy.

Merry Christmas, ya’ll from Ms. Christmas!

“What the heck is going on”? 

This is my daily round up of all of the stories that are sent to me through FaceBook, Twitter and e-mails. These stories will be the ones that I find interesting or informative.

Warning: The sarcasm meter is off the charts!

The world is going crazy and while it is in the process of so doing, and before it reaches its final destination, of “CrazyLand,” I am going to continue to be informed.  Feel free to join me, but be warned, as Margo Channing memorably declared in “All About Eve” – “Fasten your seat belts. It is going to be a bumpy night” – or day!

Variations of verbiage for today:

The US is in the crosshairs again. This time Vladimir Putin is delivering the verbal lashing. He had nothing but scorn for the US Secretary of State. He was not finished. He accused US Special forces of killing Muammar Gaddafi. I am confident that this did not happen, because we have the word of President Obama that there were/are no US troops on the ground in Libya. At least the US should not feel too bad about being berated. Russian citizens got their fair share of bashing by their leader!

I just know that I am not reading this article correctly. In New Haven, Connecticut, the mayor is trying to get illegal immigrants to be able to vote in municipal elections because this would lead to a more “engaged community”? Darn! I messed up on this entire immigration, by doing it the legal way. I have become a tax-paying “citizen” paying for how many illegals? Only in America – where citizens are subject to every law on the books, some not on the books, and pay for the privilege of supporting an illegal invasion. This country is going down and it may not be long and protracted.

I wonder if the mayor of New Haven has a solution for this educational fiasco in American schools. “No Child Left Behind” is sure leaving a lot of children behind. Why is this law needed anyway? How about education being left in the hands of local officials, but kids doing standardized tests? Of course, that would mean that all the union involvement, federal involvement, where everyone benefits but those poor kids, would probably be curtailed.

I thank God that I received my education, including college, before I immigrated to the US. I have to give credit to some nuns in a Catholic school in the US Virgin Islands for a great junior high school education, including American history. That education in American history is one of the reasons I am here today, and proud to be an American, although my heart is breaking at witnessing the suicide of this nation.

Oh, oh, an atheist is suing the state of Kentucky because of the "God" word. Nothing to see here – move along. I am just going to leave it to God to sort this all out. If He decides to withdraw His blessings, even this atheist will be yelling “please help me, God!”

Now this is a piece of good news! CBS apologizes to shushed Veterans on set of Hawaii Five-O. This does not mean that I will be watching that series. I prefer the original. By the way, is Hollywood running out of original ideas, why there is this recycling of old movies and television series?

I am running off now, to see if I can recycle something! J

“What the heck is going on”? 

This is my daily round up of all of the stories that are sent to me through FaceBook, Twitter and e-mails. These stories will be the ones that I find interesting or informative.

Warning: The sarcasm meter is off the charts!

The world is going crazy and while it is in the process of so doing, and before it reaches its final destination, of “CrazyLand,” I am going to continue to be informed.  Feel free to join me, but be warned, as Margo Channing memorably declared in “All About Eve” – “Fasten your seat belts. It is going to be a bumpy night” – or day!

Variations of verbiage for today:

What took so long? US Congress panel freezes $700m worth of Pakistan aid. Of course we know how this will really end. Pakistan will do the Math, and either threaten retaliation, or make nice for a couple months, until the aid is released. They have done this dance before with the US.

On another front, Iran is expanding its war base on America's doorstep? This is a trite expression, but do they ever stop to smell the roses, or is the smell of death, their version of smelling roses? The rulers of Iran do not have to worry about those of us in El Norte. We are busy with important stuff such as going to the movies, going out to dinner, and shopping the latest sales. They already have from Mexico down to South America. What an insatiable appetite for destruction!

Still on the subject of Iran, the US formally requests drone return, Iran scoffs?   The Iranians must be having the best laugh they have had at US apparent impotence, that they have had in quite a few years. While all of the leaders of the West, go about with their attempts at “negotiation” and civility, Iran and those who fit into the same mold, go about making their preparations, and these preparations do not include “negotiation,” and are certainly bereft of civility. While being interviewed on a television station of one of his satellite countries, the President of Iran, gave the US his version of go pound sand:

“The Americans have perhaps decided to give us this spy plane,” Ahmadinejad said. “We now have control of this plane.”

Since this is considered a gift, I am expecting a thank you card!

This is interesting.  Major US companies spent more on lobbying than taxes? Words fail me in trying to describe that place called DC. Why do lawmakers have to be “lobbied” in order to do their jobs? This is a nice set up. Cloak one’s self in the Flag, patriotism, and all of the other stuff that Americans like to hear. Do your job, only if you are prodded by the sums of money coming from lobbyists? When does it end and the country returned to what it was intended to be? I need to check and see when this lobbying began.

I thought that my ire was up? This story about Hawaii Five O cast and crew disrespect World War II survivors , caused the ire quotient to skyrocket! I would like to know if whowever rented out this public cemetery, knows his or her history. Couldn’t an exception be made to have the cemetery empty for that one day? As for the cast and crew, well maybe it was expecting too much to have any reverence for that day. After all, it was just a bunch of ordinary men, who probably could not score in Hollywood, who ended up sacrificing limbs and lives.

My ire is not up for this next story. My reaction falls more into the area of humor and irony. Obama campaign collecting Republican e-mails?  The idea appears to be to get the e-mail addresses of Republicans, who can be turned? I could be persuaded to turn in the e-mail addresses of all my Republican friends, for $1,000 per e-mail. My services are not for free! I can split that fee with those being turned in. It is a win-win situation. Have your people call my people. I think I am changing my mind. This could be another failure in the attempts to get citizens to snitch on one another. Is this even the US anymore?

That is all for today, from the rapidly transforming America.

“What the heck is going on”? 

This is my daily round up of all of the stories that are sent to me through FaceBook, Twitter and e-mails. These stories will be the ones that I find interesting or informative.

Warning: The sarcasm meter is off the charts!

The world is going crazy and while it is in the process of so doing, and before it reaches its final destination, of “CrazyLand,” I am going to continue to be informed.  Feel free to join me, but be warned, as Margo Channing memorably declared in “All About Eve” – “Fasten your seat belts. It is going to be a bumpy night” – or day!

Variations of verbiage for today:

I hate to begin with bad news. President Obama’s reelection organ Attack Watch could be comatose much like snitch.gov, or whatever the heck that similar site was called. I threatened to turn myself in and was planning to turn in all my conservative friends for loving their country, and speaking the truth about what is being done to it by the president. Now, I won’t get to do that? Darn it! Before this president is finished with his term, he will have a graveyard of sites designed to have citizens turned in for daring to criticize their president. My unsolicited advice to the president and his posse is to stop with these types of sites. They are making him appear to be paranoid. I never want my president to appear anything but courageous, forthright, patriotic, etc., etc. It is a good thing that I still believe in Santa Claus! J

This could be even worse news – for the world. A legislator in Iran supposedly said “if the world wants to make the region insecure, we will make the world insecure." Of course the US and Israel will be the first recipients of any Iranian attack. Crazy world.

It appears that the slashing/burning of the US Military is beginning. The US Army is about to slash 8,700 jobs, mainly civilian. I guess those returning Veterans from Iraq can be reassigned to desk jobs? Iran, China and all of those other “friends” of the US, please slow down any plans you may have to attack the US. Maybe I should be more circumspect in speaking about China. China, after all, does own a lot of the US. How does one say “very sorry” in Mandarin?

UN floats global climate court?  The following states its purpose:

United Nations climate envoys have proposed the creation of a global "climate court" that would be responsible for enforcing a sprawling set of rules requiring developed countries to cut emissions while compensating poorer countries in order to pay off a "historical climate debt."

Let me see if I can translate. The UN, which hates successful countries wants, to yet again extort those countries to hand over even more money to “poorer countries.” Here is a suggestion, UN. Stop wasting the damn money that is pouring into your coffers and help those “poorer countries” develop themselves, and their leaders stop building ostentatious palaces, while their people starve. How many more centuries will these “poorer countries” continue being “poorer countries”? It is an insult to these “poorer countries” to keep encouraging them to keep their hands perpetually out. You are in effect treating them as inferior beings.  When will the US finally get a leader with coglioni to tell the UN to get the hell out of New York, and stop extorting American citizens to send billions to this agency? The ROI (return on investment) is non- existent. America is headed in the direction of a “poorer country.”

This decision must be really bad when it got the ire of Sen. Susan Collins. The Fort Hood massacre is to be classified as "workplace violence"?  I blame Major Hasan for not providing sufficient evidence that this was a terrorist attack. He has to realize that some folks not only need to have pictures drawn, but need to have those pictures explained frame by frame. For example, he did not shout “Allahu akbar” enough. He should have corresponded much more with Anwar al-Awlaki, who is now supposedly digging up daisies. He should have killed more of his fellow troops and civilians, more in line with 9/11. If the US loses this “war on terror,” I am not going to bother to call it by its fancy new name, it will be because those supposedly leading the charge, not the troops on the frontline, but the civilian and military leadership, choose to lose it.

Former Illinois governor, Rod Blagojevich is going to serve , actually has been sentenced to 14 years in the slammer for “wheeling and dealing.” He probably got more time than Major Hasan will,  for his “workplace violence.” What is it with Illinois? Is it a requirement that in order to become governor, there is a requirement, that time in prison is a must?

This is sad and could be a case of Karma? The Reverend Al Sharpton's charities are "deep in the red"? I hope that MSNBC gig is paying well. I hope that NAN makes a successful recovery. By the way, of which church is the Reverend, the reverend?

The Occupiers are back! Actually, they never really went away. The new strategy is to shut down ports from Anchorage to San Diego, in order to “cut into corporate profits.” Good luck with the cutting and dicing. As with all of the actions of the Occupiers, this one will affect the 99%. It is called passing on costs to consumers.

I find this news comforting. According to this Gallup poll:

“An overwhelming 64 percent of people surveyed said big government was the biggest threat to the country, compared to just 26 percent who said big business is their gravest concern and 8 percent who picked big labor.”

Please keep this news, about the 74 percent of folks, who fear big government more than they fear big business, from the Occupy Wall Street crowd!

This story really tested “love one another.” What I initially felt for the perps who severely beat an 80 year old priest in his rectory, was definitely not love. But I quickly recovered. I “love them like brothers,” but do not show up for Christmas dinner.

I have to run now. I am off to see if Tommaso, the kitty who was bequeathed a $13 million fortune needs another caretaker, or even a relative. For thirteen mil, I would force myself to morph into a cat! J

“What the heck is going on”? 

This is my daily round up of all of the stories that are sent to me through FaceBook, Twitter and e-mails. These stories will be the ones that I find interesting or informative.

Warning: The sarcasm meter is off the charts!

The world is going crazy and while it is in the process of so doing, and before it reaches its final destination, of “CrazyLand,” I am going to continue to be informed.  Feel free to join me, but be warned, as Margo Channing memorably declared in “All About Eve” – “Fasten your seat belts. It is going to be a bumpy night” – or day!

Variations of verbiage for today:

The news continues in this crazy world, where it seems many have a death wish, and do not appreciate the many blessings offered.

Some positive news about jobs growth, slip in unemployment, had some pundits and ordinary folks giddy. Daniel Gross is advising us to “curb our enthusiasm.” There is this “conservative recovery” where apparently, jobs are being added in the private sector, while the government is shedding jobs. I guess the government cannot keep up with the exorbitant pensions and benefits? I had never heard of the “slack attack.” That must be some loose jobs rubber band. J

What have we here? An American organization the NAACP is turning in its country to the UN? Is that organization even relevant anymore? I like the strategy of bringing Hispanics into the complaint. The last name of the NAACP president is certainly interesting. The new reality is that the new class that will need an organization to protect its rights, will be the white male.

Can I change places with this Seattle welfare recipient, and live in a million dollar home? I don’t receive welfare, and I do not live in Seattle, so that could be an automatic disqualification. I like the fact that the couple have been receiving their benefits for almost ten years, but "records show that they accurately listed the address of their current home when applying for the state and federal benefits.” I see this as this couple doing the right thing by listing their correct address  which is a “2,500 square-foot home, which includes gardens and a boat dock, is valued at $1.2 million” Folks, if you have government agencies stupid enough to supply your needs, why not go for it?

Here is another tale of “high living,” this time involving Los Angeles port pilots. Pilots, if you can get it, continue to steer your way to those almost half a million annual salaries. And – if you need a new relative, I am available for adoption!

This story about a Tennessee burns while firefighters watch is conflicting. On the one hand, the homeowners should have paid the required fee. But, to become a spectator to the fire, by men trained to fight fires? I could not do it. I would have been fired for grabbing a hose and trying to fight the fire. I know that the firefighters were “following orders, and just doing their jobs,” or in this case doing their jobs, by not doing their jobs. I see a lesson in this, for the US as a whole. We could come to a stage where no one will be protected by the “authorities.”This US has gone crazy and maybe in the not too distant future, the entire country will be burning down. No, I am not advocating that anyone begins burning down the country. For those unaccustomed to figures of speech, this is one.

If this new organization inserted another letter (right after the letter "L"), into the name of CELAC,  it would be interesting and informative. The big question for me is, now that these nations are banding together, does it mean that the US aid recipients among them, will declare their independence from US taxpayer money? I say “go for it,” gentlemen! Show “big, bad America,” that you don’t need its stinking money – until the next disaster. But, you already know that you can badmouth the US all you want, because your faithful piggybank will always be there. If these countries want to protect “migrants rights,” why don’t they create conditions where their citizens do not have to become “migrants” by fleeing these countries?

Here is one country that could be on the way to self-sufficiency? I doubt it. VP Biden has declared "we're not claiming victory in Iraq"? If not victory, what are we claiming? What we are claiming is that we will continue to pour billions into that country, even after we leave, and Islamists take over?

This is interesting. Muslims are being asked "which house is America to you"?  I did not know about these different houses. To sum up:

This “refuge,” a nation of all nations called America, is indeed the harbinger of the not too far away world of the future. A future world where liberty rules supreme and fascisms of all forms, including Islamofascism, will be remembered as horrific impediments to humanity’s ever-forward-march toward the goal of making this presently darksome village earth a reflection of heaven.

It is going to be very interesting when the traditional America is destroyed and no one anywhere has any place to run.

This is ironic. I did not know that this Indian outsourcer has to outsource jobs within India. When folks make this big issue about differences, in the end, we are united by our love of money, and our desire to save a buck, at the expense of others.

Is this a case of “in-sourcing” instead of outsourcing? There was an international scheme of importing strippers? I like the name of the FBI operation “Operation Dancing Brides.” Now that yet another qualification to becoming a bride, has been added to the mix, those potential brides who are “rhythmically challenged,” may have a difficult time snagging a groom? I recommend Arthur Murray Studios, instead of a pole.

Score another for the unions? Greedy union to destroy black restaurant owner's business?  Will the NAACP take time out from reporting the US to the UN to look into this? I tried holding my breath, but I was beginning to turn blue, which is how I feel about this “assault” on this business owner, no matter her color.

No, say it is not so! Obamacare is not all it is cracked up to be? A former Planned Parenthoo director blows the whistle on Obamacare?  Apparently, “after the passage of ObamaCare the federal government and private insurance carriers summarily dropped pregnancy and maternity coverage from its plans.” Maybe when this is all implemented, the “care” will entirely be dropped from Obamacare.

What would be a day without another TSA encounter of the interesting kind? I am with TSA with this one. This teenager could have been broadcasting her true intentions, by wearing her gun design on her purse, instead of her sleeve! And – she does fit the profile of the new terrorist. She is young. She is Caucasian.  Thank you, TSA for saving us/US from this gun design purse toting pregnant teen!

Finally, it is good to be able to end with good news! Austin, Texas is the job capitol of the world! Well, maybe not the world, but could be of the US. $17.30 an hour for a job? I smell a relocation coming on! I will worry about the qualifications later. At least I have a B.A.

This story has a warm, furry feeling! Dog lost 8 years ago in Virginia is found in Yuba County , CA! This is one time when I can appreciate a chip in the skin.

Miracle saves two year old! Actually, Caleb appears to have been the recipient of two miracles – he did not die, and he appears to have resumed his normal life. Caleb’s mom stated that she was “crying out to God.”  He answered. Yes!

That’s all folks! J

“What the heck is going on”? 

This is my daily round up of all of the stories that are sent to me through FaceBook, Twitter and e-mails. These stories will be the ones that I find interesting or informative.

Warning: The sarcasm meter is off the charts!

The world is going crazy and while it is in the process of so doing, and before it reaches its final destination, of “CrazyLand,” I am going to continue to be informed.  Feel free to join me, but be warned, as Margo Channing memorably declared in “All About Eve” – “Fasten your seat belts. It is going to be a bumpy night” – or day!

Variations of verbiage for today:

Mother Nature went on a rampage overnight in Southern California, with Pasadena apparently getting the brunt of her wrath. Is it the fire next time? Maybe between the winds and earthquakes, someone may want to rethink that planned “bullet train”?  My prayers and thoughts go out to all of those affected.

Not to worry though – California politicians are on the move to push for tax increases.  California is already on a downward trajectory, with private citizens and businesses fleeing the state. Even illegal aliens are changing their travel plans. I love the name “Think Long Plan!” It is quite a misnomer.  According to this plan, the following will occur:

The committee’s tax overhaul proposal, one of a series of reforms it is hoping to put before voters, is intended to produce about $10 billion annually to eliminate the state’s debt and return money to the publicly financed school and university systems. It would reduce personal and corporate tax rates, but expand the sales tax to services like those provided by lawyers and accountants.

“Return money to the publicly financed school and university systems”? To do what? To establish more “exotic” and impractical courses that the recipients of the high costing college education, then cannot find work in the real world? Lawyers and accountants, you are in the crosshairs. Ironically, the indoctrinated voters of California may just vote for these initiatives. Good luck to all of them.

Just when Californians may possibly need these services, Cedars-Sinai is cutting most psychiatric services? The reason:

The decision, which was announced Wednesday, was driven by hospital finances and changes to the delivery and organization of healthcare services nationwide.

Does this decision have anything to do with the coming of Obamacare?

Say it is not so! Occupy Wall Street protestors are turning against President Obama? That is ingratitude. Wasn’t he one of the first politicians to come out in support of the group? Now there are signs:

Demonstrators held signs that leveled some of the Occupy protest’s most pointed criticism to date of the president. “Obama is a corporate puppet,” one said. “War crimes must be stopped, no matter who does them,” read another, beside head shots of President George W. Bush and President Obama.

One man, wearing a mask of the president’s face and holding a cigar, carried a sign that read, “I sold out!”

“President Obama is coming to town solely to raise money from the richest of the rich,” Mr. Campbell said.

Mr. Campbell, he has to “raise money from the richest of the rich,” because that is where the money is. It is the legal equivalent of the Jesse James principle – robbing banks because that is where the money is. Now, if you and your fellow occupiers are willing to pick up the slack….have your people call his people. J

Adam Carolla has apparently diagnosed the psyche of the occupiers. Interesting. Ironically, the occupiers are missing the boat in their diagnosis of what is wrong with the US. It is not the “rich.” It is the immoral, amoral, corrupt, inept practices of the power structure (read politicians and their sycophants, including in business), that is the crux of the problem. I want the rich to keep making money, and use some of that wealth in way that benefits society at large, such as by creating jobs. I am not for the rich being forced to “share the wealth.” But, for heaven’s sake, stop the dishonest, incestuous practices!

I don’t know what to believe anymore about the Iran nuclear facility explosions. I have heard that it is an inside of Iran job, or an American-Israeli collaboration. I do not believe the latter, unless the American part of the collaboration, is removed.

Meanwhile back in the USSR, I mean Russia, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin's welcome may be wearing out? Those Russians do not want to be ruled until 2024, by Pres. Vlad? At least he has not come out and declared himself leader for life, and skipped those pesky elections.

This story is sad and bewildering. Former sheriff arrested and sent to the jail named after him? He was a former “sheriff of the year” and he has now been busted for trafficking in methamphetamines?  Is he using? If he has been, can that have clouded his judgment? I have heard about Meth and its powers.  Quite frankly, I am reaching for straws in order to attempt to understand all of this. I look at his picture and he looks about 80 years old. If at 68 years old, he has not developed moral clarity, then maybe it is too late.  I pray for his redemption, and the comfort of his family.

More suspected perps – this time, they are in the in the inner circle of Gov. Bev Perdue.  Thankfully, she is not under indictment, but quite frankly, it begs the question if she knew anything.  If she is an innocent victim of folks who were on her payroll, she is to be pitied. The money involved in politics is so much that it boggles the mind. Politicians spend millions to pay for an office that pays thousands. I guess that I should add to the thousands, millions by the time they get out of office, and continuing millions, once they are out of office. It is worth the few legal detours along the way. Good luck to the governor.

I guess that I may as well stay in the political arena. It appears that President Obama is receiving some change – without the hope. He has now passed President Carter in unpopularity at this time in their respective ruling periods? One has to give President Obama credit. He is on track to surpass many previous presidents in various categories. Scratch that. This particular category is not on the plus side of the performance ledger. On the bright side, US leaders are more popular than those of China and Italy? America, what the hell happened to the skills of practicality and savvy judgment of people, that I think you possessed at one point in your history?

Here is another solid piece of evidence at President Obama’s usurpation of the records of many former presidents. He has them beaten at the sealing of records, record! His administration has sealed the records of murdered Border Agent Brian Terry? Why were the records sealed? Was this to protect the guilt of the murderers, or – someone else? I hope that the records have not been sealed until 2053.

I have repressed my initial thoughts of hanging these thieves on a Christmas tree, with thoughts of compassion – for them. Anyone who can, apparently without conscience, steal donated gifts for children from a church, is to be pitied. The church is getting more donations to replace the stolen gifts. I hope that when the thief looks in the mirror to shave or put on makeup, he or she, will see a monster staring back at him or her, and return the gifts. Yeah, I believe in Santa Claus.

I hope that tomorrow I find a redemptive story of a heroic rescue of child or animal.

“What the heck is going on”? 

This is my daily round up of all of the stories that are sent to me through FaceBook, Twitter and e-mails. These stories will be the ones that I find interesting or informative.

Warning: The sarcasm meter is off the charts!

The world is going crazy and while it is in the process of so doing, and before it reaches its final destination, of “CrazyLand,” I am going to continue to be informed.  Feel free to join me, but be warned, as Margo Channing memorably declared in “All About Eve” – “Fasten your seat belts. It is going to be a bumpy night” – or day!

Variations of verbiage for today:

Yippee! All is well in the financial world! The Dow is dancing in the streets, or at least on Wall Street, all because the Federal Reserve and compatriots “lowered the cost of emergency dollar funding for financial companies in a global effort to ease Europe’s sovereign-debt crisis!” So that means that Europeans can more easily exchange their Euros for US dollars, and vice versa? Who gets the better deal? Somehow I think that since the US taxpayer is being made the patsy of the world, it will not be the US taxpayer, or investor for that matter.  I am going to begin my own version of swaps. I will swap my skills as a writer, faux gourmet chef, fairly articulate speaker for US dollars. I absolutely refuse to take any Euros. J

The good news keeps pouring in! Cyber Monday “was the highest-grossing online shopping day in U.S. history, with spending reaching $1.25 billion!” I am almost ashamed of myself. I did not contribute and “share the wealth,” or the buying. Here was history being made in the US and I did not participate. I wonder how many folks in Europe participated. I am going to have a hard time believing all of the other statistics about “economic uncertainty,” and “economic downturn.” There is money out there, just not in my wallet.

Instead of Cyber Monday, in Little Havana, Miami, "free holiday food vouchers" Wednesday? The crowd is described thus:

Some people began to line up last Friday. Many of those who waited in line for hours were either unemployed or they live on a fixed income and can’t afford any extras.

Still in Miami – stealing Continental breakfasts from hotels? This is a new one to me:

Times are tough, so many people search for hotels with free continental breakfasts. 

Folks walk into tourist hotels and pose as guests to gain access to morning chow. Who would do such a wacky thing? Lots of people it turns out.

If they keep coming back, he either charges $7.50 -- the estimated cost of the breakfast per person for the hotel, or calls the cops and have them charged with trespassing, but not stealing!

Still on the subject of meals – In San Francisco, McDonalds is outsmarting the Happy Meal toy ban? I love it! I don’t eat at McDonalds or any of the other fast food places, but anytime anyone can get one over on the “law happy leaders,” I am in that person or company’s corner. These lawmakers, at all levels of government, are out of control. Maybe they need more happy meals! Even better, maybe this situation is another plug for having part time legislators? “Healthy Meal Incentive Ordinance”? Why the heck don’t you people return to filling potholes and cleaning it parks, and leave parents to raise their children? You won’t because we, Mr. & Mrs. Citizen, are too busy to keep an eye on you.

On the other side of the euphoria street dancing are these S&P's downgrades “for many of the world’s largest banks, including Citigroup (NYSE: C), Goldman Sachs (NYSE: GS) and Bank of America (NYSE: BAC).”

When I mentioned about the world heading for “CrazyLand,” I was kidding. Maybe I am onto something.

Henry Paulson “gave Hedge Funds advance notice of the rescue of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac,” back in 2008? These folks must have financial STDs from their financial incestuous relationships! They, including politicians, are in that square footage in Washington, or that other square footage in NYC, in their “hallowed ground,” and we the “prey” are outfoxed, time after time, after time! I hope that this is not true.

I was going to include about Occupy LA being evicted from the grass of the Los Angeles City Council, or wherever the heck the occupation was, but I am just not that interested. Good luck to the occupiers, and the taxpayers who will be picking up the tab for the cleanup and the policing.

I wish that I could end this with a cute puppy story, but this one is about slaughtering horses. We may soon be eating horse burgers, with a side order of fries? Maybe I am betraying my lack of sophistication, but I do not envision having the equivalent of Trigger on my plate – ever! The GAO is presenting its case:

In June the Government Accountability Office, Congress’s official investigative branch, released a report saying the ban had shut down U.S. slaughter, but that only depressed prices for horses here while causing many of the animals to be shipped to “foreign slaughtering facilities where U.S. humane slaughtering protections do not apply.”

So, the bottom line is that the horses should be slaughtered, the only difference being that the U.S. has “humane slaughtering protections.” My bottom line is that humanely or not – the horses are murdered. Bred to be dead. L

On that less than cheery note, that’s it folks.

“What the heck is going on”? 

This is my daily round up of all of the stories that are sent to me through FaceBook, Twitter and e-mails. These stories will be the ones that I find interesting or informative.

Warning: The sarcasm meter is off the charts!

The world is going crazy and while it is in the process of so doing, and before it reaches its final destination, of “CrazyLand,” I am going to continue to be informed.  Feel free to join me, but be warned, as Margo Channing memorably declared in “All About Eve” – “Fasten your seat belts. It is going to be a bumpy night” – or day!

Variations of verbiage for today:

Before I even fully opened my eyes this morning, I head the headline that American Airlines and its parent company AMR, had filed for bankruptcy. The following two paragraphs probably sum up the situation:

AMR is the only major airline to have not filed for bankruptcy in the past ten years, putting it at a "very substantial disadvantage" to its competitors, the company said . The airline found itself stuck in lengthy, and unsuccessful, negotiations with the unions representing its major workgroups, which left it locked in a non-competitive cost structure. It also still needs to fund worker pensions, which other major carriers do not.

The decision was also influenced by "global economic uncertainty, volatile and rising fuel prices, and intensifying competitive challenges."

So now all American airlines have filed for bankruptcy? There was also the union factor. Two other factors were not mentioned – the role of the man, who between mopping his brow in his new quarters, must be grinning at the results of his “operation” on 9/11, and the TSA.

Reluctantly, I move on to the occupiers and only because of this article, occupying seven deadly sins:

Is it fair to compare the entire movement to a certain percentage of participants committing such acts as the seven deadly sins? Perhaps not. But if we have to evenly distribute wealth and success throughout the populace, then the vices, excesses, and sins should also be redistributed.

California has certainly been in the news quite a bit. This article discusses the mass exodus from California:

"We used to say California, here we come," said Frey. "That now has flipped."

From leader in innovation, technology, education, and all other positives to one big negative? Was this sheer stupidity on the part of the “leaders,” or was it deliberate?

And now onto news of religion with this article that a Christian worker loses her job after being targeted by Islamic extremists. This poor dismissed worker is suing. She apparently did not get the memo – this is not the old London. She is of the wrong religion and the wrong sex.

At least this fired worker is not Jewish. In this article about more news of the Arab spring in Egypt, the venom was apparently pouring out:

Arab hate: A Muslim Brotherhood rally in Cairo's most prominent mosque Friday turned into a venomous anti-Israel protest, with attendants vowing to "one day kill all Jews."

 Some 5,000 people joined the rally, called to promote the "battle against Jerusalem's Judaization." The event coincided with the anniversary of the United Nations' partition plan in 1947, which called for the establishment of a Jewish state.

Meanwhile, back in the US, on the matter of Pakistan, according to this writer:

The Obama administration has painted itself in to a corner. It cannot cajole or threaten Pakistan. On the contrary, Pakistan is threatening Washington. China's growing presence in Pakistan reduces America's capacity to punish Pakistan, for example, by withdrawing support for American-built fighter aircraft. India remains understandably cautious. And the Afghan war, as Mr. Al-Tamimi wrote in the Middle East quarterly, ''will prove at best a massive drain on US resources and lives, possibly reaching a cost of up to $100 billion a year, all for killing a few dozen al-Qaeda militants in a country whose annual gross domestic product is a mere $13 billion.''

Maybe more aid will at least purchase, if not friendship, “non-active enmity”? It is worth a try. After all, some Americans still have jobs, and have not been forced from the tax rolls.

Huh? Boys swimming on girls' teams find success then draw ire? Boys, on girls’ teams are breaking records, girls’ records, and the boys are proud of that? What the heck is going on in this country? God made women and men differently, in case that has not been noticed. Men are stronger with more hair on the body, and a few other differences that I could mention, but choose not to. Anthony Rodriguez sums this up nicely:

“If people hear that you set a record, they’re like, ‘Oh my gosh, that’s awesome,’ ” Rodriguez said. “But if they knew you were competing against girls, they wouldn’t have as much respect for you.”

I want to make one minor change to the above statement. I would change “as much” to “any.”

At least these NBA players playing in China, are playing against other men. However, they have a whole different problem.  The NBA season is scheduled to kick off on Christmas Day, 2011. Their Chinese contracts stipulate that they remain playing in China until March 2012. Good luck to all.

I learn something new almost on a daily basis. Courtesy of Prime Hospitals , I learned about “upcoding,” which are “billings deliberately exaggerated to obtain big payouts from the government.” In defense of Prime Hospitals, if Santa government is getting involved in every facet of the lives of the serfs, collecting money from them, and doling out in the form of payments, why not get your share?

And now for some feel good articles, beginning with the gentleman who returns, with interest, the money he stole from Sears, back in the 1940s. Sir, you did a good thing, by finally making right, what was wrong. Sears, you are doing a good thing with the disposition of the returned money.

Note to self: If you are ever in trouble, call on Jonah Yano, the “young boy (who) fended off a suspected car thief and kidnapper with his bare hands to save his younger sister.”  I know that we are supposed to not fight against our attackers, but my theory is that these attackers are basically cowards. That is why they pick on the young and the elderly. This perp picked the wrong victims in Jonah and his dad.

Taya Kennedy is a cutie pie, with a bubbly personality, and a new modeling star:

The fact that 14-month-old Taya also has Down’s Syndrome is quite incidental.Taya was picked because, quite simply, she is a star.

This is good news for Santa and Ms. Christmas! Retailers are calling it Christmas again, meaning that smart retailers have seen the(financial) light, if not The Star, and have discarded the “generic holiday wording.” I got a kick the other day from a television ad. The big Christmas card had the word “Christmas” scrolling down the screen, as page after page of the card opened. Yet, the singers were singing about “holiday.” They never once mentioned the word “Christmas.” I won’t be snuggling in the product being hawked.

“….and to all a good night!”