Before You Judge, I Just Feel Like Railing

Yesterday, I read a story about a mother who applied for Food Stamps for herself and two children.  She was so upset she pulled out a gun and took hostages.  After awhile, she turned the gun on her children and then killed herself. 

http://news.yahoo.com/state-mom-shot-kids-self-denied-food-stamps-204249288.html

I have an idea there is much more to this story than what is being reported.  What I don't understand is how many more people out there in America is facing the same humiliating doom of applying for public assistance.  Personally, I have seen folks in local stores make faces and comments to those carrying the Texas SNAP card.  Really???? Just who are we to judge others? 

This story just makes me so incredibly sad because there by the Grace of God could walk my family so far, we have been spared.  $296 a month may seem like a lot to others but, from experience with teenagers who constantly eat --- it's not near enough for growing children.  I understand the SNAP card is supplemental assistance meant to augment a meager income. 

Another thing that just pisses in my Cheerios, it pundits much like Mr. Gingrich wishing to abolish federal laws concerning on child labor.  All I can say is: "WHAT AN ASS."   How the heck are children who have enough trouble in their homes getting their nutritional needs met to concentrate on their studies; let alone be put to work as janitors, library aides, or crossing guards? 

This makes the assumption that said children have no working parents at home. 

I am sick to death of listening to others make harsh judgements on families they do not know.  Just perhaps, if we take that mirror and look at ourselves with the same critical eye --- we may just be shocked. 

-- Not everyone knows how to budget; a skill that has not been taught to the masses.
-- Not everyone has access to lawyers to explain credit applications.
-- Not many know how to plan meals and work with sales or coupons & rebates, or stockpiling when able.
-- Not everyone has access to free banking with over draft protection (those with large accts.)
-- Not everyone has low interest rate home loans.
-- Everyone does not have a reliable mode of transportation.
-- Not everyone has cadillac health insurance provided for them.
-- Not everyone has been lucky to have an education.

Let me tell you gentle reader; I am sick and tired of Republicans wanting to take away from government employees as well.  I will tell you all about my own income. 

When I joined the Air Force in 1986, I earned a total of $5,111 for ten months of active duty.  Upon my last year, I earned a whopping total of $34,898 after 20 years of honorable service to my country.  Granted, I lived on base in Maryland and got approximately $300 a month for food allowance, and had access to 24-hr medical care. We as a family was so fortunate (lucky lotto-winners) to have a second income from hubby's job. 

All that went away upon my retirement with the exception of 1/2 of my active duty pay under $1,200 a month when adding our insurances for health and life.  My hubby was lucky to find a job with the Army; we watch our spending throughout the year.  We save a little each month to cover holiday gifts and emergencies.  However, the retirement system my husband is enrolled in will not give him a retirement check --- those went away in the 1980s.  We will only have Social Security and my retirement check.  We are the lucky ones....................

So far, with this economy we are waiting for the other shoe to fall to wipe out our cushion. On this day as we remember those who scarificed during the attack on Pearl Harbor.  Please keep in mind those who are scarificing just to make ends meet.

Woman Against Herman Cain, Or Any Republican

Okay folks, I finally figured out why Hermain Cain is not the candidate for me.  Personally none of the Republican offerings this campaign have a flipping clue as to what middle America is like anymore.  Today as I listened to Cain's nonsense it dawn on me while my back was turned to the telecast about GOD and other ilk he was laying out to the national media.

He sounds just like Samuel L. Jackson's character from 'SNAKES ON A PLANE.'  I do not want the person who is representing me to start ranting like a maniac during a national crisis.  Another thing Mr. Cain reminds me of a banty rooster in a pimp daddy hat strutting around the hen house; knowing full well he will be mostly ignored.  I mostly feel sorry for Mr. Cain's wife because it feels like another Tammy Wynette moment of 'Standing By Your Man.'  Mr. Cain makes for awesome reality television viewing but, not as leader of the free world. Really does anyone take this person seriously? JMHO

Next, I could not vote for Mrs. Bachman either.  Anyone who does not fully support human rights and the ability for citizens to fulfill their life by marrying whom they wish; it just not my choice either.  No full rights for our gay population means Mrs. Lady means you need to pray for my vote yet, that is not happening on my watch.  Her flubs in other subjects just makes my head turn; how in the hell did she get elected to Congress in the first place?  Again my opinion.....

Newt Gingrich,  I personally could not support this man after what he did to his former wives.  No Way No How! Secondly America, do you not remember he was basically tossed out as Speaker of the House for corruption; go look up his record.  Third, he is sorely out of touch with suggesting 'poor kids' need to work so, they will learn how to join the working poor masses and not use welfare. 

Here I also understand Mr. Gingrich has read 'The Working Poor:, chapter 4 The Dauting Workplace' by David K. Shipler.   I am tired of folks who have not lived on Ramen noodles tell our country; all that is wrong with the poor is a work ethic.  Really Mr. Gingrich; you need to go back to your ivory tower or live on less than 10K a year. Go ahead Mr. Gingrich, I double dog dare you to live a life in the margins without access to a viable job, health care, housing, and food.  Our American schools are in shocking disarray and you suggest to have children become janitors instead of actually teaching them their required education subjects. Again......JMO

I can not vote for Mr. Romney either.  Any man who changes his mind with the blowing of the media wind or audience he is addressing is not trust worthy.  I could not pull the lever for any one who has rested upon his laurels without actually busting his / her tocks for anyone other than themselves. 

Santorum was a Bush Lackey............nuff said.

Ron Paul, I am still researching his record.
Mr. Huntsman, I am still researching.

Rick Perry has screwed up Texas and used federal handouts to balance the budget while cutting programs for the poor and public education.

After paying attention to the media circus for the last year.  I am under the impression the GOP, the Koch brothers, Grover Norquist and corporations have designed this campaign mess on purpose.  My way of thinking is, US political system is hi-jacked to keep Mr. Obama in office because he can get nothing done.  Mr. Obama is left twisting in the wind while Republicans are running amok and killing the American economy by wiping out the middle class and sequestering the poor under more and more scrutiny.

What better way for the Republicans to get a smaller government and more control by passing more laws: to limit personal freedoms, social reforms (deep cuts), a less educated populace, making deals with banks and so on.  By keeping Mr. Obama in office, Republicans and the weathly get exactly what they want.  Don't let the 8.6% unemployment numbers confuse you because this is a shell game.

While the troops are drawn back stateside, government positions are cut -- just where are all those people going to be? 

Folks,  we really need to wake up here.  Americans, the 99% are using the teachings of Gene Sharp to get their voices herd.  If you have time go check out books by Mr. Sharp. 

So pissed off at our societal issues, I am going to find a book in which to escape for a few days.
/////Steps off egg crate/////

We'll Want to Be Rockstars!

His come hither and strum my gee-tar look!

Mistah Simmons has nothing on Daddy-O.

The Hair Band of the HOE HEN INN.

Cubby Man gets his picture taken with our Rock Stars. 

I Love Some Commercials

Allstate's 'Mayhem,' AFLAC duck, Geico Caveman commercials are a riot but, coming up quickly in our family is the Duluth Trading Company.  So this crazy Black Friday our family hopes you finished all your holiday shopping.  We decided to let ya'll in on a few of our favorite commercials.











Enjoy your holiday!
Mal & Family

Thinking Outloud

While I have been on a self-imposed bed rest after a knee injury 2 1/2 weeks ago.  I have been thinking about things when I could no longer tolerate reading. 


Have you ever thought about how much education you have acquired or achieved since adulthood? 


I would safely wager between the Air Force educating me in: how to be a solider, how to do my jobs, OJT in safety, plus all the extra professionalization courses for 20 years -- my brain was given around 500K+ in military (managerial) training.


Now this does not include all my college courses of which I have around 60 or more full 3 hr classes for a bargin rate of 150K.  Now this is not counting all the materials I have used to self-teach and fill my gray mater sponge through: reading, research, and exploring the world, 1000s of books, videos, actual visits to learning institutions, volunteer work and trial / error .  I would wager my brain (& yours) has had access to over 1 million USD in information, education, training, and maintenance.  AMAZING THOUGHT RIGHT?


So why is it folks assume a Stay At Home Mother (SAHM) has not attained an education equal or greater than that of a college professor?  I am consistently amazed at my own family assuming my life has not been fulfilled because I have not become a PAID public school teacher.  Mind you, I have done and achieved all that I said I wanted to be as a child.


Teacher: 
I am currently home schooling two very bright and happy sons.
Veterinarian: 
I have learned how to take care of animals through our farm life.
World Travel:
20 yrs on active duty


I feel sucessful because I am happy.  I may never have a fancy house yet, I have the best life can offer;  my family.  I know it may be hard to parlay this into my extended family's brain because some folks can not see themselves off the rut in the road they are traveling.  I am so grateful to have my husband and children.  I am grateful for all I was able to achieve in the Air Force.  I am so blessed to know it is not the size of my paycheck that gives me peace but, the faces of my menfolk with their sleepy faces each morning -- knowing they are my gifts.


I also want to recognize my husband.  Though I was told about 'lazy Mexicans' years and years ago.  My heart, you are the hardest working and smartest man I know. 


Much love and peace to all;
In your slices of heaven,
Mal

I Am A Reader So...

After reading some articles I wanted to pass on to all of my readers.  I am really incensed after watching the Republican debates.  Yes, I do watch them because I want to know who is being set up at the sacrificial lamb (figure head) to led the free world. 

Mind you, I am not happy with President Obama nor did I vote for him in 2008.  I feel he just gives too many concessions to our GOP leaders.  In this I believe he was being a patsy up until; he started signing Executive Orders to right some of America's economic ills.  Thank you Mr. Obama for finally finding your voice and standing up to the 'NO MORE TAX INCREASES,' edict issued by Grover Norquist and signed many 'elected Republican officials.'  

And before you all consider voting for a Republican or say Libertarian just go look in many sources until you are comfortable with your candidates voting stance -- that is all I am saying.

By the way Mr. Cain, we do not purchase any oil from IRAN for the record.  LOL I almost passed out over that gaffe.  Also, if our candidates applaude or sanction water boarding or other torture techniques then, they are saying they are okay with the torture of our military or civilian abductees.  Just saying be careful of whom you are voting for because when one finger points three are pointing back in return.

Why I can not vote for a Republican this go around:
http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/how-the-gop-became-the-party-of-the-rich-20111109?link=mostpopular1

One of the many reasons I can not ever indorse Mr. Perry:
http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/rick-perry-the-best-little-whore-in-texas-20111026

The Libertarian Party website:
http://www.lp.org/

On the divide for those who serve in the military and going back to civilian.  It is not easy:
http://battleland.blogs.time.com/2011/11/10/an-army-apart-the-widening-military-civilian-gap/

The entire Republican debate on foreign policy; brace yourselves it's long.  The one of foreign policy usually seals my vote since, the LOCK BOX and condensending tone of Al Gore's .  I just imagine the TO BE President talking to a hostile foreign leader.  If I can't see a war started right there then maybe:
http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7388072n&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+CBSNewsVideo+(News+Video%3A+CBSNews.com)

My books for the last week:

THE HELP by Kathryn Stocket (excellent read)

NIGGER by Dick Gregory (Excellent read and will use this in our curriculum.)

A MIGHTY HEART by Mariane Pearl (Excellent read and I cried for Daniel Pearl's family again.)

WISHFUL DRINKING by Carrie Fisher (Love her sense of wry humor and outlook dealing with her upbringing.)

DISPATCHES FROM THE EDGE by Anderson Cooper (Well written, sometimes people shock me too and the absurdity of the human condition in given disasters.)

I leave y'all to a wonderful week in your slices of heaven.  We are so fortunate and are still acknowledging our blessings as a family. 

Stay informed,
Mal

Complete Debate coverage online videos:
http://www.2012presidentialelectionnews.com/2012-debate-schedule/2011-2012-primary-debate-schedule/

On Veteran's Day: I Can't Explain Why

On this day of thanking our nation's veterans; I am hard pressed to explain to my sons and husband why I cry when watching or hearing:

the National Anthem, TAPS, Saluting the Flag or President, taking an oath of office, listening to prayers for peace, attending a funeral, visiting a memorial for the fallen, the Passing of the Colors, or witnessing those gathered in ceremonies to recognize veterans or our fallen. 

I well up for all those families, co-workers, and friends who have waited for months or years for their loved ones to come home.  I just bawl for those who will never again slip their loved ones into their embrace. 

As a veteran, I love my country with all her blessings and flaws and though I never stepped foot onto a battle field; I weep from feeling guilty of not being chosen to stand by those who did.  It's not that I feel cheated but, I feel like I cheated because of not being there with my 'band of brothers.' 

It is so hard to explain to my sons how being in the military; I served in only support roles. Or convey the unity of standing in a flight, with the smell of starch so strong;  it caused hunger pangs in the wee mornings during reveille's beaconing call to duty. Somethings I can only tell them about from a point of view that is still burns in my soul at the sound of a band's first solemn note -- taking me back to my youth and honor as a airman.

Another point, I can not tell them what it is to be a man in uniform so there are times I just can not speak since, I am a woman.  I can only allow them to see my tears on days such as this. On this day, I pray for peace and say thanks to all who have served to include friends and family of those who did.

May God be with you,
USAF RET,
Mal Torres
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=radaOA0eFsw (Army Cadence Ad)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8-XkPJXhCw&feature=related (Air Force Cadence)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7MlFdFs1z0&feature=related (Marine Cadence)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_qv0CJnTtn8 (Navy Cadence)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1E1F5x85-g&feature=related (National Guard)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x__WAj170F0 (Coast Guard)