Racist, Really? Is that the best we can do?

I awoke this morning to the firestorm about Herman Cain's comments on Rick Perry's father's hunting camp.  First, if you are democrat and you have never asked why your party allowed a man who recruited 150 of his friends to start a new chapter of the Klu Klux Klan in a state that was the location of the infamous anti-slavery rebellion led by John Brown--shut-up, sit down.  Your opinion is tainted by opportunism at best. For those of you who need subtitles, I am referring to Robert Byrd, the esteemed Senator from West Virginia. And John Brown lead anan anti-slavery insurrection in West Virginia.

For those of you who never protested your Democrat Governors' decisions to fly the "stars and bars" over the state house in honor of the state's southern history--shut-up, sit down. Also for those of you who need subtitles--Confederate flag.

Two viable candidates have a difference of opinion.  From looking at the transcriptions and listening to the clips, the worst thing said by Herman Cain is that Perry's father and Perry hunting at a camp called by custom and stone outside of the camp--"Niggerhead" was insensitive.  I listened,  and listened for the part where Cain uses the word "racist".  Didn't hear it. For the record...I don't care when they painted over it in the 1980s? Really in the 1980s, it was insensitive! If you painted over it in the 1970s, still insensitive.  In the 1960s or 1950s understandable for Southern Democrats.

Let's talk about real issues.. Where is all the talk about the 9-9-9 Program? The flat tax plan that Mr. Cain discussed? Where is the conversation about his belief that he can win 1/3 of the Black vote...he can! He can win the votes of those of us who, as I say, "have outlived our democrat parents."  In truth, those of us who vote our values not our race, those of use who know the history of oppression in the democrat party, and those of us who think an abortion loving, fascist who thinks America should not be proud of its history regardless of his race is wrong for this country could vote for Mr. Cain or any other good conservative candidate, regardless of race.

This Bumble Does Not Bounce!

So on Friday, August 26th your Conservative Black Barbie rolled her Tacoma Pick-up on Woodhaven Road.I was coming home from an overnight volunteer shift at the USO. The results--a smashed tibia, smashed next to pinkie finger and a middle finger with multiple dislocations. At 6'2" I have always identified with the Bumble from Rudolf the Red Nose Reindeer. I felt protected by Yukon Cornelius' declaration that, "Bumbles bounce." Two surgeries, three hospitals and a lot of therapy later, I am able to hop on a walker and spin in a wheelchair! Want to race? I don't think that counts as bouncing! My life is a blessing and very unexpected if you have seen my poor totalled truck. Better still, and most important, I did not hurt or kill or hit anyone else. Thank you God!!! Thank you God!!! I will not be able to put weigh on my left leg for three months. Then I get to learn to walk again! I am blessed beyond all reason to be alive, to feel the pain of physical therapy, and to experience every event again for the first time ...in my new life.

Here is what I know:
Nurses, CNAs, PT, OTs and Drs are great! Most of the rules I helped write as a health care executive really....what is the technical word...suck for patients. I love, appreciate and miss my battle buddies from the hospitals --Linda and rehab--Diana, Joyce, June, Dante, etc. I feel like so much has happened since I went away. September 11th anniversary, a hurricane, floods.... On the health care front...the first encounter with the health insurance world involved my insurance company trying to send me to a nursing home (skilled nursing facility) versus active rehab. For those not in the feild, the SNF is a step down from inpatient care, but does not have intensive PT and OT, as in 3 hours per day. Knowing that I was going to be hopping for three months, I knew I needed intensive strengthening and conditioning--more than "this is how you move from a bed to a wheelchair and wheelchair to a walker." The rules are clearly written to favor those on Medicare, as in cost shifting for rehab from the private payor to the Medicare program. While I was not a candidate for three hours of therapy a day, I shared the gym with one old lady who could not even move from the wheelchair. I learned the value of filing an appeal of the decisions of the health care bureaucrats, like me! I learned that for those with cognitive impairments from accidents or cardiovascular events, how on earth do you expect the person or family to keep track of the bills and rulings and everything. I have high hopes for my auto insurance company who keeps asserting responsibility for all bills. Thank you! Every health care executive should have to live as a patient prior to making decisions. To the clients of my programs in my past...I apologize. I will catch-up!

Is That You Mom?

So I am off to the airport for another volunteer midnight to 6am shift (that's 0600 where I am going) with an organization that supports our troops. I have almost recovered from the last one...not the time, but a moment of absurdity. While a young marine and I waited for either airport police or someone with an escort badge to get him through security, we were allowed to watch an episode of the theater of the absurd. A woman (?) wearing a burka, showing only her eyes appeared at the security checkpoint, flashed a drivers license and was let in.

I guess the TSA recognized her eyes? Her distinctive black burka? My husband the Constitutional law practicing landscaper, often quotes the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment to the Constitution to government auditors, licensing bureau, innocent bystanders. Here I was wanting to do the same. I have been patted down for wearing a full skirt...how does this lady (?)...I mean really how would you know? get through security without a second, or for that matter, a first look?

My marine was very good natured about having to empty his pockets, have his ID checked multiple times, but he did make the best quote ever. When asked by me how in the world could they recognize her as the lady on the license. He smilingly said, "you want to throw a flag on that play?"

Yes I did. And for my husband I say,"I want equal protection against being searched or for that matter recognized."

The Congressional Black Caucus -- Really?

In the August 2011 issue of Ebony magazine there is acknowledgement of the Congressional Black Caucus’ (CBC) 40th Anniversary. Technically, these events are sponsored by the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, a non-profit, non-partisan (pause for laughter here) organization that was founded in 1976. In fairness the CBCF does leadership training and scholarship programs in addition to sponsoring the social event of the year in Washington, D.C. I once had a job that made me attend the CBCF’s annual meeting and Gala because they thought it was a perk for Black employees. For those of use who have conservative values it was painful, but I did learned two things there:

• It is the Democrat Black Caucus – those who were Republican were not welcome in the Caucus
• It is a wonderful advertisement for term limits

Of the founding members of the Black Caucus, two are still in Congress. The Black Caucus was originally founded in January 1968 as a Democrat Select Committee, and renamed in February 1971 by a motion by Charles Rangel (still there). Even Wikipedia only cites a moment of silence for Michael Jackson’s passing as major accomplishments. Interestingly, each member represents a district or city that continues to send Democrats to Congress despite the fact that the success and achievement continue to elude them. My memories of Black Caucus weekend include:

• Senator John Kerry telling an audience that “when I am elected President, you will not have to come through the back door of the White House like you have to now.” Did Colin Powell and Condoleezza Rice know about this?

• Senator Tom Daschle asking the audience after introducing all the members of the Black Caucus. “Would they (Republicans) let you do what we’ve (Democrats) let you do?” Why how very white of them to let these individuals work for election to Congress.

Perhaps J.C. Watts said it best when he refused to join the CBC citing its members as “race baiting poverty pimps.”

Where is the CBC’s focus on stopping the over-taxation of Americans, job creation in the private sector, encouraging Black entrepreneurs through tax cuts, achievement in schools, and success without government subsidies? Where is the call for recognition of those who have achieved greatness in this country in both parties, such as Condoleezza Rice, Colin Powell, J.C. Watts, Alan Keyes, etc. When will they stand up for the values of Black families like life, the open practice of religion, including Christianity, and family values?

I can’t help, but think that a truly effective CBC would celebrate the election of a Black president and its 40th Anniversary by acknowledging that its time of division and race-baiting has come and gone.

Our Kids Don't know History?

A couple of weeks ago the Wall Street Journal ran an article entitled,”Students Stumble Again on the Basics.” The article lamented our children’s lack of literacy in Social Science or History. According to this article, only 20% of 4th Graders, 17% of 8th Graders and 12% of 12th Graders are considered proficient or advanced in understanding history skills according to the National Assessment of Educational Progress. The test revealed that U.S. schoolchildren have made little progress since 2006 in their understanding of key historical themes, including the basic principles of democracy and America's role in the world.

Interestingly, the teachers feel that this deficiency is due to the need to focus on reading and math for the No Child Left Behind tests and standards. Surprisingly in my day we managed to learn math, reading and social studies. While the teachers seem to feel that NCLB is taking too much time, they still find time to teach “my two moms”, “my two dads”, “Betty wears a Burka” or “Felipe is illegal”. Or hours of curriculum about the environment and the evils of fossil fuels.
I took a little visit to the curriculum for the highest income school district in our area – Council Rock Bucks County. The Council Rock curriculum does not teach United States history until 5th Grade. From 1st to 4th Grade the children learn – about what it means to be a citizen using books with titles like “About My World” and “Neighborhoods Near and Far”. This curriculum, while interesting are based on Time Magazine for Kids – need I say anything about Time Magazine for adults? Do you really want these people teaching their values to your children? The magazine that has brought us both Global Cooling and Global Warming within 30 years as irrefutable science?

The bottom line is that we have time for our children to learn our history, how we fit and have changed the modern world while also learning to read and do math. We need to allow the social engineering to remain outside of the school and focus on learning academic skills.

Let’s not have another year of our children failing at history and social studies.

When you put down, Sarah Palin, you put down me and others!

So another weekend of attacking Sarah Palin for...for being considered by others as a candidate for President. Or maybe it is for being a mom. Or maybe its for owning and using guns or maybe...enough already.

Whether you would like her as presidential candidate or not, media please note how she resembles many women I know. Media please note that when you put her down, you insult all women. Media please note, how irrelevant you are becoming. You are following Mrs. Palin, because she won't grant you status to know her schedule. If I were less of a lady, I would ask "who's your Momma now?"

So here is my news flash, like Mrs Palin:
* I am a business woman with a family
* I use my husbands last name
* I value my rights, as enumerated in the Constitution including my right to carry a gun
* I am intelligent and, at times successful
* I try to live my Christian values
* I don't think that the media should have the right to know or to tell me what I should think, do or consider
* I have helped my husband maintain a small business
* I care about men and women, born and unborn
* I did not abdicate my intelligence by wearing a tiara

Unlike Mrs. Palin, I have not been as consistent over time in living my beliefs. I started living my beliefs much later in my life.

To the Sarah Palins and Michele Bachmanns of the world--thank you for your consistency, your values and your example for young and old women. Thank you for showing that marriage and a family is possible with a successful, public minded career.

To the press, this is how I define feminism--achieving your dreams regardless of your gender without having to be less of a woman, or a democrat.

Run ladies, run!

Doing the Right Thing!

On Thursday, May 19th, I had the privilege of watching the life story of a dear friend. Melissa Ohden is not your average woman. Melissa is the unintended consequence of a late term salient abortion. That's right, for those who don't speak lawyer, she lived.

Her story, "A Voice for Life" (www.avoiceforlife.com), is so honest and unvarnished that if you make it through without a tear you are a stone. This film is compassionately made by Gunther Meisse II and written by Melissa Ohden and Steve Feazel. We watched it with Melissa, her husband and her beautiful daughter (a second generation miracle).

When I tell people about Melissa, my pro-abortion friends are usually politely awed. My pro-life friends are moved to goose bumps and tears. The reaction that affected me the most was when a retired physician friend asked, "They let her live?"

I had to hear it twice to understand the question. That question proves that Melissa is doubly a miracle, and that Kermit Gosnell (Philadelphia abortion "doctor", indicted for killing children who survived the abortion process and other gruesome acts) is just the worse example of what has been accepted in our society--the death, by neglect, of the accidentally born. Something once advocated by our President on the floor of the Illinois legislature.

Last week we had the opportunity to review our lives. Some seriously considered that Rapture might take place on May 21, 2011. Others hedged their bets by revisiting their faith and beliefs. Others just thought it was all a big joke. Most of us, should be grateful to still be here--to have another chance.

I firmly believe that when the time comes, and we meet our God, we will not just have to answer for what we have done to live a life of faith. I believe we must also answer the question--"what have we done to help others turn from evil?"

Turn from evil--not tolerate evil or justify evil, but turn from it. The nurse who saved Melissa when she heard this tiny child grunting turned from evil. Are you ready to do that? Is our country ready to do that?

Let's thank God for the time to have a do over. Let's make it count for ourselves, our families and our country.