In the early years of our relationship, my husband (who is always into his job/career, actually into what he is doing, which is great) was doing some class/job training which entailed the popular at the moment, "7 Habits of Highly Effective People." It drove me crazy. Every conversation, even those of the mundane topic, turned into a lesson of what Stephen Covey would do. Now my husband, boyfriend at the time, was just trying to be the best person possible and he like many out there, believed that Stephen could help him in this mission. The problem however, was that I thought he was already a great person. He did not need Stephen or Tony Robinson for that matter to tell him anything. He was already and always has been a genuine person, who works hard, and lives life according to values and principles a majority of people do not have. He is not rigid by any means it is just how and who he is, and I lucked out big time when I snagged him. (Which as a directionless spirit still amazes me!)
So getting back to why I was bothered, well essentially, why I wanted to call Stephen Covey himself and shove his 7 habits where the sun does not shine and for that matter any self help or advice book for that matter, is because these people make a ton of money off telling others they need their help because they are not good enough just being who they are. It is like the multitude of parenting books, which I am convinced is leading to a generation of neurotic children being raised by neurotic parents who are being told on daily basis that what they are doing is not good enough by some "expert" author or another. I can just see the next title beyond the horizon, "How to Properly Wipe Your Kids Ass: Because if you do it wrong the consequence can be dire!" We are becoming a society who cannot do anything right, but if we just spend $400 on this seminar, on this magic weight-loss program, on this book, listen to this person all will be right in my world.
Here is where I am sorry. I am sorry because this is not how life works. Nothing works according to how it is supposed to and anyone who has planned a party, wedding, or anything understands that there are is an enormous amount of issues beyond our control. No matter how hard we try, life can throw literal shit or rainbows at you and there is a different way to deal with each one of them. Stephen, Tony, Orpah, and Gweneth Paltrow cannot tell you how to handle it, they are not giving you "tools" to cope because everyone is different. I absolutely hate it when people say, "I am just trying to be the best person I can be." We need to try just being if we want to be the best person possible, because in the words of one my dearest friends, "here's the deal"- We have a hard enough time being mindful of the present moment we are in. We are constantly being told by society that we need to be "here" when in fact that might not be the right moment to be "there" so how at the present moment do we understand where we need to be? To break it down in the simplest analogy, it is not always safe to clime, to venture forward, to dive deeper. Sometimes we need to be on plateau, stand still, or stay in the shallow waters and that is fine.
It is like F. Scott Fitzgerald said so very poignantly all that time ago, "So we beat on, boats against the current, born back ceaselessly into the past." We are so focused on moving forward against the current, hell bent on not letting our past determine what and who we are because we are told it is what we must do by "everyone who knows everything about life." But not acknowledging the past means you are not moving forward ironically. Nobody knows you like you. No one knows your deepest darkest desires, your aspirations, your dreams like you do. Sometimes things come along in life and force or coax you to change those. It could be a human, an experience, or a situation all beyond your control. That is just it, sometimes it is beyond your control, how do you let go? How do fall so helplessly and greedily in love when that means losing some control? How do live in the present moment with abandon pleasure or pain if it means pushing back or letting go of an arbitrary goal that causes you stress and anxiety?
I might not know a lot about a lot :) But what I do know is that most people are just looking for a way to just live. Because, essentially that is all we can do. I admire that more than I admire the "goals" junkies who puts on blinders and plows through life never really surrendering to the ultimate pleasure of just being. Because you are not only robbing yourself of essential human experiences, you are robbing those around you from every emotion they are trying to give you, love, happiness, togetherness, sadness, everything essential about human beings. I truly believe we are connected to each other through our experiences, positive and negative. Thankfully my husband quickly ended his quest to obtain those damn 7 habits, and though he still can't help but quote Tony Robbins (I gotta admit he does seem nice) every once in awhile our joys, sadness, debates, and just discussion are hashed out by the two of us dictated by who we are in the present moment. It is just the two of us in our boat, trying to navigate the waters towards an uncertain future just like everybody else because, the hard truth is that the future is uncertain for everyone, no matter what your habits or goals happen to be. Welcome to life ladies and gentlemen, put down the propaganda and start living because, I am sure you are wiping your kids ass in the proper manner.
Me
Thursday, March 27, 2014
Friday, March 14, 2014
Begging to be Heard
Dear United States Government (and I mean everyone involved in it),
After going through my monthly mental budget process, I decided to do something that I hate doing, should not have done, but unfortunately I did it anyway. You see, I looked at the amount of interest I paid the last year on my student loans. Then I went one depressing step further and decided to look at how my monthly payments were applied. If you really want to feel like you are drowning with no way out, I suggest you experience this once in your lifetime.
Now, it is not that my loans are not manageable, they are. Furthermore, I have always paid them without complaint really, because they are my loans and I took them out knowing how much I would pay them back. However, the older I get the more upsetting it is since this problem never gets better. You see, looking at it opens a whole other can of worms of an array of situations that while not necessarily making the problem worse, never helps. I will start with my personal background. If my husband died, I would be screwed. I do not make enough in my 2 jobs to pay a mortgage or rent, buy myself insurance, pay my car payment or student loans. We are lucky so far (and I really do the sign of the cross as I say this bc my husband works in the corporate world. A world increasingly harsh, inconsistent, lacking a certain humaneness in decision making, and ever bowing to overly demanding shareholders....when I hear the world lay-off I almost start hyperventilating. Thanks to your inability to keep any sort of rational aura in regards to our economy.) The main reason I do not get to contribute much financially to my marriage is that I am paid a fairly low wage. About as much as an airport fast food worker in Seattle to be exact. It is hard, it is embarrassing, but I don't mind my job. I get to do so many more things than the average specialized worker in America who only has one skill (not that being able to do what I do is valued). Anyways, back to the point. Part of the reason I never get a raise is that every year the taxes, unemployment insurance, workers compensation insurance, licensing fees, and God really anything having to do with bureaucratic nothingness costs goes up. Here is the cruel ironic part of it, and you are fooling yourself if you think I am crazy. It does not matter who is in office, Republican or Democratic, you are all unfriendly to micro-business. I have seen very successful "small" business with hundreds of workers get tax breaks and loans from the government for little to no other reason than campaign contributions or agreeing to do something they had already planned on doing. All the while I have to fight with the State of WI or City of Milwaukee just to be able to do business, be in business, and all the while trying to deal with all the other aspect of the job. All the while you, our fair Government, sits there an schmoozes with your donors who have zero connection to reality, not to mention self-awareness. Kill me if I ever become a white angry overly-rich man in an unshapely business suit. Jeez, we can't do better than that for influence?
One a scale of 10-1, one being the lowest, ten the highest, I give you government a 3. Here is a quick rundown of why I am 100% certain you are all failing the American people, from President Obama, to Mitch McConnell, Nancy Pelosi to Scott Walker, and even those of you running for office. You do nothing to fix problems. You can't do anything to fix problem because you have let politicization and partisanship get sorely out of hand. You people could and would turn a freaking paper cut into a polarizing political debate. The paper cut me because conservatives do not care about index fingers. No, the paper is a democrat because it wanted to cute off my middle finger to make it the same size as the rest of my fingers! (Yeah if it sounds stupid, it is supposed to, because it sounds like you people) Not to mention you have not solved any problem of anything for anybody. I have seen my 2 year old niece and nephew settle a dispute more diplomatically than you ever even attempt. I also would not want to discount how horrible whatever convoluted solutions you propose to certain problems that actually end up existing. Why can't I get a lower rate on my student loans again? What is the rate at which the federal government borrows money, wait....no what was in 2009 and 2003? How come my car loan and mortgage loans rates added up do not even come close to my student loan rate? How come I have to pay the city of Milwaukee a fee for another redundant license? How come the State of WI is hell bent on creating new problems on a daily basis making doing business sooooo hard?
The ultimate questions, is why can't we do this better? All our politicians care about are their stupid pet issues. In our government there seems to be about as much intellectual curiosity as the Kardashian household. I dare one of you to actually come up with some sort of solution to a real issue faced by this country. I know President Obama and the democrats cares about really really poor people and really really rich people. I know most Republicans care about really really really really rich people and those who are religious and really old. I know Libertarians only care about themselves. Can someone actually step forward that cares about us who are in-between? People who wake up every morning and go to work. Pay their bills on time, all the while praying disaster does not strike this week, month or year. People who pay their taxes and are not asking for much. People who deserve a place at the table because even though we are not the richest or the poorest, we still are the one driving the economy for better or worse and it is scary. It is scary because we are driving a car with no brakes, seat belts or laws of the road, and when we crash I hope all the blame is placed squarely on your obstinate shoulders with your deaf ears.
I will wish for a change, but as I read in an article today, you can't fix stupid.
Always,
Your Favorite Millennial Redundant Taxpayer-
PS, There are about a gazillion more things to be scared about that gay people getting married and women taking birth control....How bout we focus on something that actually posses a threat other than a who is getting a nuva-ring and who isn't-
After going through my monthly mental budget process, I decided to do something that I hate doing, should not have done, but unfortunately I did it anyway. You see, I looked at the amount of interest I paid the last year on my student loans. Then I went one depressing step further and decided to look at how my monthly payments were applied. If you really want to feel like you are drowning with no way out, I suggest you experience this once in your lifetime.
Now, it is not that my loans are not manageable, they are. Furthermore, I have always paid them without complaint really, because they are my loans and I took them out knowing how much I would pay them back. However, the older I get the more upsetting it is since this problem never gets better. You see, looking at it opens a whole other can of worms of an array of situations that while not necessarily making the problem worse, never helps. I will start with my personal background. If my husband died, I would be screwed. I do not make enough in my 2 jobs to pay a mortgage or rent, buy myself insurance, pay my car payment or student loans. We are lucky so far (and I really do the sign of the cross as I say this bc my husband works in the corporate world. A world increasingly harsh, inconsistent, lacking a certain humaneness in decision making, and ever bowing to overly demanding shareholders....when I hear the world lay-off I almost start hyperventilating. Thanks to your inability to keep any sort of rational aura in regards to our economy.) The main reason I do not get to contribute much financially to my marriage is that I am paid a fairly low wage. About as much as an airport fast food worker in Seattle to be exact. It is hard, it is embarrassing, but I don't mind my job. I get to do so many more things than the average specialized worker in America who only has one skill (not that being able to do what I do is valued). Anyways, back to the point. Part of the reason I never get a raise is that every year the taxes, unemployment insurance, workers compensation insurance, licensing fees, and God really anything having to do with bureaucratic nothingness costs goes up. Here is the cruel ironic part of it, and you are fooling yourself if you think I am crazy. It does not matter who is in office, Republican or Democratic, you are all unfriendly to micro-business. I have seen very successful "small" business with hundreds of workers get tax breaks and loans from the government for little to no other reason than campaign contributions or agreeing to do something they had already planned on doing. All the while I have to fight with the State of WI or City of Milwaukee just to be able to do business, be in business, and all the while trying to deal with all the other aspect of the job. All the while you, our fair Government, sits there an schmoozes with your donors who have zero connection to reality, not to mention self-awareness. Kill me if I ever become a white angry overly-rich man in an unshapely business suit. Jeez, we can't do better than that for influence?
One a scale of 10-1, one being the lowest, ten the highest, I give you government a 3. Here is a quick rundown of why I am 100% certain you are all failing the American people, from President Obama, to Mitch McConnell, Nancy Pelosi to Scott Walker, and even those of you running for office. You do nothing to fix problems. You can't do anything to fix problem because you have let politicization and partisanship get sorely out of hand. You people could and would turn a freaking paper cut into a polarizing political debate. The paper cut me because conservatives do not care about index fingers. No, the paper is a democrat because it wanted to cute off my middle finger to make it the same size as the rest of my fingers! (Yeah if it sounds stupid, it is supposed to, because it sounds like you people) Not to mention you have not solved any problem of anything for anybody. I have seen my 2 year old niece and nephew settle a dispute more diplomatically than you ever even attempt. I also would not want to discount how horrible whatever convoluted solutions you propose to certain problems that actually end up existing. Why can't I get a lower rate on my student loans again? What is the rate at which the federal government borrows money, wait....no what was in 2009 and 2003? How come my car loan and mortgage loans rates added up do not even come close to my student loan rate? How come I have to pay the city of Milwaukee a fee for another redundant license? How come the State of WI is hell bent on creating new problems on a daily basis making doing business sooooo hard?
The ultimate questions, is why can't we do this better? All our politicians care about are their stupid pet issues. In our government there seems to be about as much intellectual curiosity as the Kardashian household. I dare one of you to actually come up with some sort of solution to a real issue faced by this country. I know President Obama and the democrats cares about really really poor people and really really rich people. I know most Republicans care about really really really really rich people and those who are religious and really old. I know Libertarians only care about themselves. Can someone actually step forward that cares about us who are in-between? People who wake up every morning and go to work. Pay their bills on time, all the while praying disaster does not strike this week, month or year. People who pay their taxes and are not asking for much. People who deserve a place at the table because even though we are not the richest or the poorest, we still are the one driving the economy for better or worse and it is scary. It is scary because we are driving a car with no brakes, seat belts or laws of the road, and when we crash I hope all the blame is placed squarely on your obstinate shoulders with your deaf ears.
I will wish for a change, but as I read in an article today, you can't fix stupid.
Always,
Your Favorite Millennial Redundant Taxpayer-
PS, There are about a gazillion more things to be scared about that gay people getting married and women taking birth control....How bout we focus on something that actually posses a threat other than a who is getting a nuva-ring and who isn't-
Thursday, March 13, 2014
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
This is dedicated to all the teachers, coaches, and wretched fools who work with teenagers every damn day. Our society, and a handful of politicians and parents, are hellbent on railing you with a heedless abandon rarely seen in any other profession. You poor souls who must confront the increasingly untamed beasts, also known as our children. Those precious little sparkles in their parents blind eyes, whose un-bounding love causes the most opaque of cataracts. Alas, I feel your pain and would like bring up this not so fun topic.
*Disclaimer: I am not parent. This does not mean I dislike children, I do, just right now I find the little ones to be highly burdensome. It might change, it might not change, but it does not make me evil or any less of a woman or person in general. It also does not mean I live a less satisfying or shallow life (and while I am at it, it also does not mean I do not know what love it). I most certainly am not trying to give an parental advice, this is merely a public service announcement.
I understand that most parents do the best that they can and it is great that you do what you do. However, I do fear that there are too many parents who strive to be friends with their children, please don't. I had a strong disdain for my parents as teenager, it is totally normal for your kid to hate you, it probably means you are doing a great job. I have a fantastic relationship with my parents, and have had one for many years (pretty much since I grew up a little and got my head out of my ass). I attribute this to the fact that I did NOT consider them to be my friends as a teenager. On a further note, my mother also did not try to dress like me. When I coached volleyball the most disgusting aspect for me were the moms and dads who dressed like teenagers, did their hair and make-up like teenagers (glitter and shimmery pink lips look laughable on a 40 yr old with a fake tan and horrible dye job). Parent's when you do this you look ridiculous. As I stated earlier, I do not have kids, am 31 years old and clearly do not look like one of the kids I coach or deal with in school. Furthermore, I do not want to. Teenagers have a horrible sense of style generally and they tend to look slovenly or well, like a teen on any given day. Adults should never emulate that.
Mostly, what I want to make clear here is that I owe NOTHING to your child. I am not sure where that notion developed. The one where I automatically have to bow in respect and admiration to children, where they do not have to do ANYTHING to deserve said respect or admiration other than just exist. On that note society also owes nothing to your child, or you for having a child. We need to have higher expectations of each other. That being said, there are so many things I will do or try to do for your child. I will show up with a smile on my face, will set my expectations clearly and fairly, say please and thank you, and like any normal person will wait for reciprocation. What I will not do is tolerate attitude, snarkiness, bitchiness or some weak ass "bad boy" routine typically displayed by more than a handful of kids on any given day. It is the result of the notion that they are special just because they exist. This could be further from the truth.
We gain respect in our communities by how we treat others, how we behave, and by our actions. Our existence is defined by who we are and this starts at an early age. What we demand of our children molds them into what they become and when we demand nothing from them, well....What I demand from the kids I deal with is respect, honesty, and decent behavior. I for one do not think I am asking them to particularity over-achieve at anything. I am demanding that they behave like human beings. Also, venturing a guess, I would probably say 95% of adults who work with teenage kids understand the extenuating circumstances that are teenagers. The drama, hormones, over-reactions, etc... and give due leeway, a lot. It is the abuse of this leeway and blatant disrespect practiced by so many kids these days that is really bothersome. This is the crux of my argument. Can I really be angry with the kids who constantly display this behavior?
Here is my mantra for dealing with these situations on any given day. "I am not this child's parent, I did not screw up. I just got here (literally and metaphorically). They are angry because they have no limits, expectations, or guidance in there life. Try not be angry with the child, and have sympathy for them because they are not getting what they need from their life at home which is setting them up for failure." This is sad. It is sad mainly because you look around in life, on the roads, in the stores, in your neighborhood, on a plane, etc.. and you see the most awful displays of humanity continually practiced by adults. The careless disregard with which we treat others around us, like we as adults are owed something by the world. It is no wonder our children behave in the same manner. It is hard work being a human, all I am asking is that we teach our children well.
*Another disclaimer...I do know a ton of wonderful children. I am literally surrounded (my neighborhood and friends' kids, family) by some of the most intelligent, caring kids. I have also had the pleasure to coach some of the most amazing young women I know in existence. Everyday I come to the school I work at, I am continually heartened by the actions of many students towards their fellow classmates. They make me so very happy and thankful that I get to be a part of their lives. Those are the kids I owe something to because they have earned it.
*Disclaimer: I am not parent. This does not mean I dislike children, I do, just right now I find the little ones to be highly burdensome. It might change, it might not change, but it does not make me evil or any less of a woman or person in general. It also does not mean I live a less satisfying or shallow life (and while I am at it, it also does not mean I do not know what love it). I most certainly am not trying to give an parental advice, this is merely a public service announcement.
I understand that most parents do the best that they can and it is great that you do what you do. However, I do fear that there are too many parents who strive to be friends with their children, please don't. I had a strong disdain for my parents as teenager, it is totally normal for your kid to hate you, it probably means you are doing a great job. I have a fantastic relationship with my parents, and have had one for many years (pretty much since I grew up a little and got my head out of my ass). I attribute this to the fact that I did NOT consider them to be my friends as a teenager. On a further note, my mother also did not try to dress like me. When I coached volleyball the most disgusting aspect for me were the moms and dads who dressed like teenagers, did their hair and make-up like teenagers (glitter and shimmery pink lips look laughable on a 40 yr old with a fake tan and horrible dye job). Parent's when you do this you look ridiculous. As I stated earlier, I do not have kids, am 31 years old and clearly do not look like one of the kids I coach or deal with in school. Furthermore, I do not want to. Teenagers have a horrible sense of style generally and they tend to look slovenly or well, like a teen on any given day. Adults should never emulate that.
Mostly, what I want to make clear here is that I owe NOTHING to your child. I am not sure where that notion developed. The one where I automatically have to bow in respect and admiration to children, where they do not have to do ANYTHING to deserve said respect or admiration other than just exist. On that note society also owes nothing to your child, or you for having a child. We need to have higher expectations of each other. That being said, there are so many things I will do or try to do for your child. I will show up with a smile on my face, will set my expectations clearly and fairly, say please and thank you, and like any normal person will wait for reciprocation. What I will not do is tolerate attitude, snarkiness, bitchiness or some weak ass "bad boy" routine typically displayed by more than a handful of kids on any given day. It is the result of the notion that they are special just because they exist. This could be further from the truth.
We gain respect in our communities by how we treat others, how we behave, and by our actions. Our existence is defined by who we are and this starts at an early age. What we demand of our children molds them into what they become and when we demand nothing from them, well....What I demand from the kids I deal with is respect, honesty, and decent behavior. I for one do not think I am asking them to particularity over-achieve at anything. I am demanding that they behave like human beings. Also, venturing a guess, I would probably say 95% of adults who work with teenage kids understand the extenuating circumstances that are teenagers. The drama, hormones, over-reactions, etc... and give due leeway, a lot. It is the abuse of this leeway and blatant disrespect practiced by so many kids these days that is really bothersome. This is the crux of my argument. Can I really be angry with the kids who constantly display this behavior?
Here is my mantra for dealing with these situations on any given day. "I am not this child's parent, I did not screw up. I just got here (literally and metaphorically). They are angry because they have no limits, expectations, or guidance in there life. Try not be angry with the child, and have sympathy for them because they are not getting what they need from their life at home which is setting them up for failure." This is sad. It is sad mainly because you look around in life, on the roads, in the stores, in your neighborhood, on a plane, etc.. and you see the most awful displays of humanity continually practiced by adults. The careless disregard with which we treat others around us, like we as adults are owed something by the world. It is no wonder our children behave in the same manner. It is hard work being a human, all I am asking is that we teach our children well.
*Another disclaimer...I do know a ton of wonderful children. I am literally surrounded (my neighborhood and friends' kids, family) by some of the most intelligent, caring kids. I have also had the pleasure to coach some of the most amazing young women I know in existence. Everyday I come to the school I work at, I am continually heartened by the actions of many students towards their fellow classmates. They make me so very happy and thankful that I get to be a part of their lives. Those are the kids I owe something to because they have earned it.
Monday, March 3, 2014
Is anyone else tired of Assholes or is just me???
I just spent an amazing 6 days with a fantastic group of people at one of my greatest friends' wedding. The few days with 70+ people there went pretty flawless when you consider what could have happened. In fact the only miserable times I ever faced were obviously on the airplane rides (what I feel like is probably the closest thing to hell in the US) and once at the resort while I stood in line at a restaurant to see if we could get in with a larger party for dinner (which is a pretty impossible feat unless you dole out hundos to the staff everyday). We ended up not getting in for dinner, which was predictable, but anyone there from our group noticed my subtle upset at the situation.OK, it was not subtle, honestly I was irate and it was not because were denied our request. It stemmed from the fact that most of the people in line behaved like craven, mad idiots, hell bent on pushing there way into this restaurant...I have no idea why they wanted in so bad. It was probably the nearest thing to feeling like I was in a pack of dogs fighting over meat as I will ever be. I was overwhelmed with the need to protect my space at all cost. Had I been well versed in some sort of martial arts, the disgusting bastard behind me would have ended up in the shallow pool on either side.
Now, I do not mind my dog hot breathing my neck, but there is something utterly disgusting about an old fat Italian man doing the same thing to me while I am trying to simultaneously hold my spot in a line quickly becoming one of those trashy scenes from a Walmart on Black Friday, but I was also trying to be patient. Which when everything was said and done went out the window as I watched the large group of Italian's waddle and sweat to our place in the restaurant. Do you realize how hard it is to hold back vomit as you gag every time a fat old mans distended belly pokes your back? The same rage I felt at their pushiness and the dutiful way they flaunted their mindlessness towards everyone else is the same feeling I get at the Ukrainian situation.
As far as I am concerned Vladamir Putin is nothing more than that fat old Italian ass. Furthermore, it might be a giant flaw, but I have a really hard time being impressed with people. When I look at a man like Putin and the fat Italian, all I see are sad has-been men, using whatever power and might they have to grasp at what they feel they deserve. The fat man, using his fat tumor of a belly to get to more food that he desires. Putin, a poor excuse, to achieve his ultimate goal of obtaining more power and influence. Do not mistake his intentions, he could care less of the people in Crimea. I do not want people like Putin gaining more power and influence. I hate men like him. Men like him make every ones life living hells. Ukrainians fought for this small revolution. The Ukrainians made it very clear they do not want Putin's puppet doing his bidding in their country. What they did was an admirable feat. Now their own soldiers are trapped in a land governed by their laws.
But, for those of you who do not know your history. The Crimea problem is not new and no matter how you look at it, Russia has been subverting the relationship between Ukraine and it's Autonomous Republic of Crimea since the USSR collapsed. It is the same bullshit Putin used in South Ossetia and Georgia. It would be akin to the US allowing Cuba to have a port in Puerto Rico, then Cuba slowly trying to take over Puerto Rico from with in. Disseminating Cuban passports, purposely exploiting tense issues between the US and Puerto Rico, and so forth. It is like the chick who is getting used by the asshole. He treats her nice, but only because he needs her for something. That kind of relationship that makes people cringe because you know the guy is a douche and cares little for the chick, but the chick is number one fan of the douche. Crimea....right now, you are the number one fan of a douche.
So the question remains, what is the rest of the worlds plan??? Ohhhhh..ok the EU and US backed out of economic talks in Russia this summer....OMG I am so scared, I bet Putin is too. This is where I need to fess up, I totally identify with the the original Neo-Cons (I love you Jean and William) here, and apparently some modern Republicans. If Putin is going to throw caution to the wind, why can't we? If I was President Obama I would tell the truth. It would be a totally Love Actually moment and I would tell the truth. Truth being simple and I would state, "Vladmir Putin, you are being a dick. Not only are you being a dick, but you are being a sneaky dick. Your problem is that you think you are smarter than everyone else, but you are not. I have no problem calling a spade a spade and that is what you are sir. Now, if you think the world will stand by and watch another USSR in the making, you have been sorely misinformed and should immediately fire your advisers. Already demonstrated by the international markets, Russia is not as strong as you perceive. So I suggest before things get out of hand, and while you are cleaning up the mess of a collapsed stock market and run on your banks, remove your troops from the Autonomous Republic of Crimea. You are not God, you are not the "Man behind the curtain." You are mortal and you are a mortal asshole who ignores and exploits the will of the people, period. I hate asshole, I am sick of dealing with assholes. Stop being an asshole!"
Now I doubt either John Kerry nor President Obama will take that route. However, I hold out the Biden or McCain could let something like that slip.
Now, I do not mind my dog hot breathing my neck, but there is something utterly disgusting about an old fat Italian man doing the same thing to me while I am trying to simultaneously hold my spot in a line quickly becoming one of those trashy scenes from a Walmart on Black Friday, but I was also trying to be patient. Which when everything was said and done went out the window as I watched the large group of Italian's waddle and sweat to our place in the restaurant. Do you realize how hard it is to hold back vomit as you gag every time a fat old mans distended belly pokes your back? The same rage I felt at their pushiness and the dutiful way they flaunted their mindlessness towards everyone else is the same feeling I get at the Ukrainian situation.
As far as I am concerned Vladamir Putin is nothing more than that fat old Italian ass. Furthermore, it might be a giant flaw, but I have a really hard time being impressed with people. When I look at a man like Putin and the fat Italian, all I see are sad has-been men, using whatever power and might they have to grasp at what they feel they deserve. The fat man, using his fat tumor of a belly to get to more food that he desires. Putin, a poor excuse, to achieve his ultimate goal of obtaining more power and influence. Do not mistake his intentions, he could care less of the people in Crimea. I do not want people like Putin gaining more power and influence. I hate men like him. Men like him make every ones life living hells. Ukrainians fought for this small revolution. The Ukrainians made it very clear they do not want Putin's puppet doing his bidding in their country. What they did was an admirable feat. Now their own soldiers are trapped in a land governed by their laws.
But, for those of you who do not know your history. The Crimea problem is not new and no matter how you look at it, Russia has been subverting the relationship between Ukraine and it's Autonomous Republic of Crimea since the USSR collapsed. It is the same bullshit Putin used in South Ossetia and Georgia. It would be akin to the US allowing Cuba to have a port in Puerto Rico, then Cuba slowly trying to take over Puerto Rico from with in. Disseminating Cuban passports, purposely exploiting tense issues between the US and Puerto Rico, and so forth. It is like the chick who is getting used by the asshole. He treats her nice, but only because he needs her for something. That kind of relationship that makes people cringe because you know the guy is a douche and cares little for the chick, but the chick is number one fan of the douche. Crimea....right now, you are the number one fan of a douche.
So the question remains, what is the rest of the worlds plan??? Ohhhhh..ok the EU and US backed out of economic talks in Russia this summer....OMG I am so scared, I bet Putin is too. This is where I need to fess up, I totally identify with the the original Neo-Cons (I love you Jean and William) here, and apparently some modern Republicans. If Putin is going to throw caution to the wind, why can't we? If I was President Obama I would tell the truth. It would be a totally Love Actually moment and I would tell the truth. Truth being simple and I would state, "Vladmir Putin, you are being a dick. Not only are you being a dick, but you are being a sneaky dick. Your problem is that you think you are smarter than everyone else, but you are not. I have no problem calling a spade a spade and that is what you are sir. Now, if you think the world will stand by and watch another USSR in the making, you have been sorely misinformed and should immediately fire your advisers. Already demonstrated by the international markets, Russia is not as strong as you perceive. So I suggest before things get out of hand, and while you are cleaning up the mess of a collapsed stock market and run on your banks, remove your troops from the Autonomous Republic of Crimea. You are not God, you are not the "Man behind the curtain." You are mortal and you are a mortal asshole who ignores and exploits the will of the people, period. I hate asshole, I am sick of dealing with assholes. Stop being an asshole!"
Now I doubt either John Kerry nor President Obama will take that route. However, I hold out the Biden or McCain could let something like that slip.
Friday, January 31, 2014
Tom Perkins is a jerk....a nutso jerk
You know that part in Disney movies where the villain gets their comeuppance and they are rightly destroyed, embarrassed, or accordingly punished? As we get older, reality sets in and the happy endings start to disappear or become more subjective to ones perception. Soon we get to the place were we are watching The Walking Dead or Game of Thrones and boom the best people are decimated and it just seems like evil is winning and there is no hope. The glimmers of hope that do remain are often the young characters who represent not only innocence, but also a changing tide. A new generation that will be different, will be better, because they are not to the cynical point in their lives yet where they see truth, justice and hard work being slayed as if it were a dangerous dragon, or zombie. If they do, they still believe the righteous will hold. It has to and it is that implanted seed in our young that keep people going, fighting. Of course all these stories are just fiction so what does it ultimately matter?
I think in this world, this day and age it really matters. It matters because people have been struggling and fighting to make it each day, week and month. You look from Syria, to Ukraine, to our very own soil in the United States. Struggling and fighting to maintain control of their destiny in a world that is increasingly cold, depressing, and unrewarding. I think there is no greater evidence of that than the statements coming from the recent Davos conference, the Pope, and some in our own government. In finally bringing up the elephant in the room, income equality, world leaders have started to incur the wrath of some of the 1%'s truly most power-hungry, sociopath, paranoid jokes for human beings. And there will be no greater happy ending for me at this moment than seeing Mr. Tom Perkins get his comeuppance.
If you have no idea what I am talking about, I am referring to his recent editorial in the Wall Street Journal comparing the plight of the worlds wealthiest 1% to that of the Jewish population in Nazi Germany. An abhorrent sentiment even to the most cold hearted, this man has single handedly and simultaneously I might add, become a symbol of all that is wrong in this world and rallied more people against his argument. If you want to argue that being wealthy is awesome, and it is, try not to sound like a paranoid delusional scrooge. By comparing himself and the rest of the 1% to the millions of Jewish people slaughtered in WWII, POWERLESS people controlled by a madman, to their plight is incomprehensible. How out of touch does one have to be where that even sounds remotely OK?
Not to mention, the obvious fact of getting up going to work every day, one job or two, barely enough to make ends meat, unable to spend time with family because of jobs, or the inability to get a job you so desperately need and want in order to survive, the argument should provoke such a sense of anger and resentment. And it does! How dare Mr. Perkins talk down to people like you and me, and that is exactly what he is doing. I work every day, pay my bills and try my damnedness to control my little sphere of influence in this world. Yet I feel like I have no voice, no control, no power. Why, because the opportunity is not there for me, just like millions of you out there. The only thing his argument makes me want to do, is throw a rotten egg at his head and hope it knocks him and his kind of their high horses. You can rich, but you do not get to be an asshole.
What Mr. Perkins fails to realize is that income inequality is more than just about money. It is about equality of opportunity, making the world a better place, because here is my one warning to Mr. Perkins and those who defend his train of thought. There are true threats to this world that will effect us all and the sooner we realize this the safer and more prepared we will be. Like the Lannister's in Game of Thrones, do you want to be the among the last to understand where the true danger lies? With all the problems our ONE world is facing a crazy old Ebenezer, who probably sleeps with a wad of his money, can do more damage than good. In his warped mind he fails to realize the that when hard working people are denied the opportunities to advance, or just make enough to survive that is what causes the "divide". It also causes resentment towards people like him, who have a foolishly hard time even just pretending to be grateful, empathic or understanding. The only danger being presented to Mr. Perkins is himself. The only person making me despise Mr. Perkins his himself. The only one diving the people of "different incomes" is Mr. Perkins himself.
I am the kind of person who wants to fight the White Walkers united. One humanity against a group of monsters. I am the kind of person who wants to rally and include everyone possible in a new community to focus on the greatest threat to our existence and kill zombies, damn it. Get what I am doing :) People like Mr. Perkins and those who do not get it, should be dropped right into the middle of Homs and then come back and tell me you are being persecuted like Jewish people on WWII or the innocent women and children who have been trapped in that city for years now. Send him to Kiev to experience the anger of thousands of youths being denied the one thing humans have been fighting for since all of time, the ability to control their own destiny. I dare Mr. Perkins to walk into the Boeing factory in Washington and discuss with the workers what it means to have your pension gone right before your eye, despite all your hard work.
No, being rich is not a bad thing, but being an vile person who obviously can't tell ass from mouth is. Every time someone like this is defended a little party of humanity dies. This is why I have a hard tim with fiction, is that sometimes it seems to real. Here is the irony of it all, if he just sat in his mansion with his mouth shut, I would not think anything of him. In the attention he draws to himself, he reminds me of everyone who struggles, every person whose dream is crushed. He is worse that Randolph and Mortimer Duke combined! Money does NOT make a man. I think Mr. Perkins clearly demonstrated this, as well as those at the Wall Street Journal editors who stumbled over each other to rally to his defense.
I think in this world, this day and age it really matters. It matters because people have been struggling and fighting to make it each day, week and month. You look from Syria, to Ukraine, to our very own soil in the United States. Struggling and fighting to maintain control of their destiny in a world that is increasingly cold, depressing, and unrewarding. I think there is no greater evidence of that than the statements coming from the recent Davos conference, the Pope, and some in our own government. In finally bringing up the elephant in the room, income equality, world leaders have started to incur the wrath of some of the 1%'s truly most power-hungry, sociopath, paranoid jokes for human beings. And there will be no greater happy ending for me at this moment than seeing Mr. Tom Perkins get his comeuppance.
If you have no idea what I am talking about, I am referring to his recent editorial in the Wall Street Journal comparing the plight of the worlds wealthiest 1% to that of the Jewish population in Nazi Germany. An abhorrent sentiment even to the most cold hearted, this man has single handedly and simultaneously I might add, become a symbol of all that is wrong in this world and rallied more people against his argument. If you want to argue that being wealthy is awesome, and it is, try not to sound like a paranoid delusional scrooge. By comparing himself and the rest of the 1% to the millions of Jewish people slaughtered in WWII, POWERLESS people controlled by a madman, to their plight is incomprehensible. How out of touch does one have to be where that even sounds remotely OK?
Not to mention, the obvious fact of getting up going to work every day, one job or two, barely enough to make ends meat, unable to spend time with family because of jobs, or the inability to get a job you so desperately need and want in order to survive, the argument should provoke such a sense of anger and resentment. And it does! How dare Mr. Perkins talk down to people like you and me, and that is exactly what he is doing. I work every day, pay my bills and try my damnedness to control my little sphere of influence in this world. Yet I feel like I have no voice, no control, no power. Why, because the opportunity is not there for me, just like millions of you out there. The only thing his argument makes me want to do, is throw a rotten egg at his head and hope it knocks him and his kind of their high horses. You can rich, but you do not get to be an asshole.
What Mr. Perkins fails to realize is that income inequality is more than just about money. It is about equality of opportunity, making the world a better place, because here is my one warning to Mr. Perkins and those who defend his train of thought. There are true threats to this world that will effect us all and the sooner we realize this the safer and more prepared we will be. Like the Lannister's in Game of Thrones, do you want to be the among the last to understand where the true danger lies? With all the problems our ONE world is facing a crazy old Ebenezer, who probably sleeps with a wad of his money, can do more damage than good. In his warped mind he fails to realize the that when hard working people are denied the opportunities to advance, or just make enough to survive that is what causes the "divide". It also causes resentment towards people like him, who have a foolishly hard time even just pretending to be grateful, empathic or understanding. The only danger being presented to Mr. Perkins is himself. The only person making me despise Mr. Perkins his himself. The only one diving the people of "different incomes" is Mr. Perkins himself.
I am the kind of person who wants to fight the White Walkers united. One humanity against a group of monsters. I am the kind of person who wants to rally and include everyone possible in a new community to focus on the greatest threat to our existence and kill zombies, damn it. Get what I am doing :) People like Mr. Perkins and those who do not get it, should be dropped right into the middle of Homs and then come back and tell me you are being persecuted like Jewish people on WWII or the innocent women and children who have been trapped in that city for years now. Send him to Kiev to experience the anger of thousands of youths being denied the one thing humans have been fighting for since all of time, the ability to control their own destiny. I dare Mr. Perkins to walk into the Boeing factory in Washington and discuss with the workers what it means to have your pension gone right before your eye, despite all your hard work.
No, being rich is not a bad thing, but being an vile person who obviously can't tell ass from mouth is. Every time someone like this is defended a little party of humanity dies. This is why I have a hard tim with fiction, is that sometimes it seems to real. Here is the irony of it all, if he just sat in his mansion with his mouth shut, I would not think anything of him. In the attention he draws to himself, he reminds me of everyone who struggles, every person whose dream is crushed. He is worse that Randolph and Mortimer Duke combined! Money does NOT make a man. I think Mr. Perkins clearly demonstrated this, as well as those at the Wall Street Journal editors who stumbled over each other to rally to his defense.
Wednesday, January 29, 2014
HELL YEAH CAPA!!!!!
In a 2011 interview on NPR, Sandra Aamodt, a neuroscientist had a lengthy discussion about human brain development. In relation to this long blog post (Sorry!) I decided to start with one of her quotes involving the process. In her discussion with the host, she explains that the pre-frontal cortex is only about halfway developed at the age of 18, which ushers in a host of complex issues when we discuss what it meas to be an adult, mainly at what point and when the onus be on us as "adults" to make important decisions. She stated, "the changes that happen between 18 and 25 are a continuation of the process that starts around puberty, and 18 year olds are about halfway through that process. Their prefrontal cortex is not yet fully developed. That's the part of the brain that helps you to inhibit impulses and to plan and organize your behavior to reach a goal" That comment seemed very fitting to describe why I am in 100% support of what the football team at Northwestern University did just this Tuesday.
If you are unaware of what CAPA stands for, it is the College Athletes Players Association, in short a union for college athletes. As a former college athlete myself, I am 100% behind the Northwestern University's football team who recently founded the organization. I support it for many reasons, mainly because the NCAA, our beloved Universities, their administrations and coaches have failed these young athletes in too many ways for too long. The young, but intensely bright beyond his years Kain Colter (quarterback and catalyst) explains it best, "The No. 1 thing that I want to accomplish is to finally give athletes a true voice. They need to finally have a seat at the table when rules and regulations are determined. They need an entity in place that can negotiate on the players' behalf and have their best interests in mind."
The life of a college athlete is increasingly starting at younger and younger ages. 12, 13, 14, maybe even younger for male basketball prospects. It is a long time to be involved in such a corrupt, selfish world, that has little regard for the human behind the athlete.The stress is ruining our children, emotionally wreaking havoc on them at a time when their biggest worry should be what they are going to wear to their first high school homecoming dance. I know this not only as a former athlete, but as a coach and someone who has been involved in numerous sports recruiting experiences. The NCAA acts like they regulate this operation, the coaches act as if they follow these rules. It is like a mutual agreement to pretend rules are being followed. Have you ever been to a NCAA sanctioned basketball tournament? Do you know the security involved in that event, and no it is not because these events are inherently violent. It is merely to keep the vulture coaches away from the young players. Coaches, knowingly and willingly bucking the rules.
Have you ever seen a talented young woman give up on all her extra-curricular activities because she no longer is afforded the "luxury" of playing on her high school basketball team with her friends since grade school, so that she can focus 100% on soccer, volleyball or softball. So that by the time she actually gets her college team she has already torn her acl or rotators cuff. The young man reporting to his football teams pre-season practices with 4 concussions already under his belt. These are kids, trying to get an education and play the sport they love, they are not gladiators here for our financial benefit or entertainment. And before you get all defensive and pissy because they are getting money for school, that is true. I got a scholarship, without it, I would not have been able to attend a college like the one I did. However, I also put in so much time in the gym since I was 12, missed out on a lot in high school, that the least I deserve, as well as all other "student-athletes" is dignity when we got to the place that was supposed be our ultimate goal. Additionally, a majority of college athletes also never become pros making millions, mainly because most sports do not have professional leagues. The ones that do have been making their problems abundantly clear.
The arrests and personal turmoil experienced by so many profession athletes (who seemingly have everything) are so avoidable and so much of the blame, for their actions and self perceptions, lie on the NCAA, the University and their coaches. They have a unique ability to make a difference, to impact these players for the better and help them become mature intelligent you men and women. These should be the first and foremost goal of all sports teams on every college campus across the country. Instead they want the impermanent. They would rather take the win than put in the time and effort to positively impact their players. For basketball, what does that matter, the coach can ship them off to the NBA after a year or two, why put in the effort? I will tell you why you put the effort in, because their actions have consequences that affect not only their lives but the lives around them. Aaron Hernandez will spend the rest of his life in prison, and what about the three lives he is accused of taking, and their families? We are allowing kids with misguided perceptions of the world either due to lack of or because of life experiences. We are not guiding them on how to live a life of meaning. Then we are sending them out, in some cases, with millions of dollars to fend for themselves.
Who can you turn to when the rigors of that age catch up with you? When you start to experience all the basic trials from life? Your fellow teammates are basically just as immature as you, and also going through their own issues. I was lucky, my coaches doors were always open, and even if they did not handle my immaturity in the best way (sorry :( it is just i was really immature ) at least I had somewhere to go. It saddens me when that option does not exist for many of these kids. We need to stop forcing these kids to somehow "rise" above all the feeling and emotions teenagers and people in their early twenties face on a daily basis and remember the fact that they are kids. We can be tough athletes, we can be the toughest of athletes, but we all still have bad days and dark periods in our lives. The ability to grow and mature is not always allowed in the locker room or practice field. This is a dignity that should be afforded to the "student-athlete."
And getting back to the development of the human brain...I should not have to make the point that these are young men and women who still have a fair amount of years to go in their maturity and brain development. Many times they are far from home, susceptible to injury, struggle with school, have a hard time making friends with other students on campus, this list is endless. Are there universities out there that address these issues, yes, but are there universities out there who treat their student athletes like a commodity without giving them the support they so desperately need? You bet your ass there is. The NCAA can say they do everything they can to protect the "student-athlete" but I have seen and personally been involved in the process from many angle and they do not. It is a shame. Do the university's, administrators and coaches take their responsibility for molding a young person more important than their own pride and profit? Unfortunately that remains to be seen in so many programs in so many different sports it is scary.
I have had the privilege to be a "student-athlete" but I also had the misfortune to experience its downside. I have always experienced massive bouts of insecurity and self-doubt, it is a giant flaw that I will openly admit. It has aided me, unfortunately, to make some pretty bad decisions in life. I can say that there are some I regret, but others I do not. If I did not have some smart, wise "real" adult to go to, it would have been infinitely worse. Looking at so many professional athletes who suffer from so many self-destructive behaviors, I grieve for their 19 year old self's. I wish they felt loved and valued instead of exploited. If we can end that, stop that, if every one can be a Richard Sherman or Kain Colter, then we are doing something right. But at the present this is not the case. If that means an independent advocate is there for those kids, than so be it. Someone, not affiliated with either NCAA or University, there to just simply see a kid succeed. Someone at the tournaments to keep the recruiters and coaches from pressuring the young athletes who are just trying to do what they love. I will take that any day over a broken NCAA system.
I will leave you with another poignant quote from Colter, "Money is far from priority No. 1 on our list of goals. The health of the players is No. 1. Right now the NCAA does not require or guarantee that any university or institution covers any sports-related medical expenses. Student-athletes should never have to worry about if their sports-related medical bills are taken care of." (I would also include mental health as well)
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/northwestern-football-team-takes-first-step-in-forming-college-players-union-163217754.html
Friday, January 24, 2014
I Do NOT Heart Huckabee
In the first "Anchorman" movie after Ron Burgundy blindly reads the teleprompter, telling the people of San Diego to go f*#k themselves he slowly comes to the realization that he did something bad, very bad. As he is trying to leave the station which has been mobbed by the angry citizens of San Diego, Garth Holliday, the stations assistant producer cries out to Ron, "Why'd you have to say that? You come out with stink like that. Poop. Your poopmouth, with poop out of your mouth." I am going to go ahead and say that quote aptly applies to the literal s#!t that spewed from Mike Huckabee's pie hole last night at a winter meeting for members of the Republican National Committee. Below are a few of his utterly timeless and brilliant (obvs sarcastic) quotes about some alleged "War for women."
"Women I know are outraged that Democrats think that women are nothing more than helpless and hopeless creatures whose only goal in life is to have a government provide for them birth control medication," he continued. "Women I know are smart, educated, intelligent, capable of doing anything anyone else can do. Our party stands for the recognition of the equality of women and the capacity of women. That’s not a war on them, it’s a war for them.
"And if the Democrats want to insult the women of America by making them believe that they are helpless without Uncle Sugar coming in and providing for them a prescription each month for birth control because they cannot control their libido or their reproductive system without the help of the government, then so be it," he said. "Let’s take that discussion all across America because women are far more than Democrats have made them to be. And women across America have to stand up and say, 'Enough of that nonsense.'”
Although, there was a little ditty he did about how Republicans need to address income inequality as well, it was totally negating by the unintelligible trash uttered above. I take so many issues, with his inability to address women's rights without insulting women. It is beyond painful to hear white rich, insanely old-fashioned men letting their opinion of women loose. Who wrote this? Was it some sort of PR aide, Huckabee himself, an intern? More importantly, did they think it was good, or correct? Whom ever the genius was, they should be fired. There are so many problems with this speech, it is hard to know where to begin and where to stop, so I will limit myself, no worries. Also, if you are NOT offended by this abhorrent political poetry, do not read this blog because I do not need your audience. If you agree with Huckabee and want to know why I am beyond offended by it, by all means read it, but I will not entertain any comments or disagreements because I am tired of being treated like, oh I don't know, "a victim of my gender."
You know what, lets start there. What the hell does that sentence even mean. Coming from a party that sorely lacks in participation of a diverse group of women, it is utterly laughable. Especially after the absolutely Shakespearean line informing us that Republicans are in fact fighting the, "War for Women." Because, you know, without the Republicans women would not have equal rights, fair wages, maternity leave, the ability to vote, access to education, hell, actually decided their life course for themselves. Seriously Mr. Huckabee and staff, you have to look around at your party, examine some of the things your people say, then you know, lets sit down and talk.
Lets get back to that equality thing and the recognition of it. The republican party, with the inclusion of the religious right all those years back, took away much of our ability to play the game of life in fair manner. Why don't you give us the right to chose what is best for OUR bodies? Oh that's right, it would include so many things besides the abortion issue. Let us get fair healthcare with out an astronomically higher cost than our male counterparts. I take offense that my insurance as a 31 year old woman is higher than some fat f*^k of an unhealthy man all because I was born with a vagina, not by choice, not that I don't love it. Secondly Mr. Huckabee, in your statement you assume that all women taking birth control pills are over-sexed whores that lack the ability to close their legs at the right time, inferring that Democrats not only allow and encourage this behavior but additionally control our bodies as a result. This insistent Republican notion about women who take birth control pills is comically outdated and dangerously uninformed. If you want to fight a "war for women" than I suggest you get behind a damn plan that allows women the basic right to affordable family planning, an obvious issue that affects our lives ten-fold more than men. Again, who ever wrote that should get the boot without severance pay, it is a clear case of basic life skill incompetence and total lack of empathy for the opposite sex.
Also the last time I check, Mr. Huckabee, I do not think it was Obamacare that decides when I ovulate, or menstruate or when I do or do not have sex. (Everyone knows it is a headache that decides that!) That statement alone is the epitome of an illogical point to an illogical argument. As someone with a masters degree I demand that you or whoever wrote this goes back to basic logic 101 course at your local university. You could greatly benefit from it in the future. Basic reproductive rights, and our reproductive system (which is now clear you have no idea what it actually consists of) should be our right and it is the one area that I actually applaud the Democrats for standing-up to the old white dicks who have too much of an opinion on what I do with my "reproductive system." Until the Republican party shuts these a-holes up and ride them out of town on the rails, you do not get to say you are fight a damn "war for women." I think G.W Bush summed if up best, if you are not with us you are against us and YOU are not with us.
So, Mr. Huckabee, yeah I will stand-up and say "Enough of that nonsense!" When people like you, who clearly lack a critical ability to think and speak at the same time, do not exist with a public platform and receive millions of dollars to say non-sensical juvenile ideas that give grown men a stiffer hard-on than a Jenna Jameson flick, disappear only then will women actually achieve the power to claim their body and their rights. The longer you continue with this façade that you actually are for women, the deeper your graves get. Here is a little advice for you Chairman Priebus, if you want to "re-boot" your party, I suggest you make mandatory sophomore biology classes a requirement for the men who want to retain office. It will go longer distance than allowing someone like Mike Huckabee to come to the defense of us poor helpless women being attacked and pimped out by the Democrats. Seriously.
"Women I know are outraged that Democrats think that women are nothing more than helpless and hopeless creatures whose only goal in life is to have a government provide for them birth control medication," he continued. "Women I know are smart, educated, intelligent, capable of doing anything anyone else can do. Our party stands for the recognition of the equality of women and the capacity of women. That’s not a war on them, it’s a war for them.
"And if the Democrats want to insult the women of America by making them believe that they are helpless without Uncle Sugar coming in and providing for them a prescription each month for birth control because they cannot control their libido or their reproductive system without the help of the government, then so be it," he said. "Let’s take that discussion all across America because women are far more than Democrats have made them to be. And women across America have to stand up and say, 'Enough of that nonsense.'”
Although, there was a little ditty he did about how Republicans need to address income inequality as well, it was totally negating by the unintelligible trash uttered above. I take so many issues, with his inability to address women's rights without insulting women. It is beyond painful to hear white rich, insanely old-fashioned men letting their opinion of women loose. Who wrote this? Was it some sort of PR aide, Huckabee himself, an intern? More importantly, did they think it was good, or correct? Whom ever the genius was, they should be fired. There are so many problems with this speech, it is hard to know where to begin and where to stop, so I will limit myself, no worries. Also, if you are NOT offended by this abhorrent political poetry, do not read this blog because I do not need your audience. If you agree with Huckabee and want to know why I am beyond offended by it, by all means read it, but I will not entertain any comments or disagreements because I am tired of being treated like, oh I don't know, "a victim of my gender."
You know what, lets start there. What the hell does that sentence even mean. Coming from a party that sorely lacks in participation of a diverse group of women, it is utterly laughable. Especially after the absolutely Shakespearean line informing us that Republicans are in fact fighting the, "War for Women." Because, you know, without the Republicans women would not have equal rights, fair wages, maternity leave, the ability to vote, access to education, hell, actually decided their life course for themselves. Seriously Mr. Huckabee and staff, you have to look around at your party, examine some of the things your people say, then you know, lets sit down and talk.
Lets get back to that equality thing and the recognition of it. The republican party, with the inclusion of the religious right all those years back, took away much of our ability to play the game of life in fair manner. Why don't you give us the right to chose what is best for OUR bodies? Oh that's right, it would include so many things besides the abortion issue. Let us get fair healthcare with out an astronomically higher cost than our male counterparts. I take offense that my insurance as a 31 year old woman is higher than some fat f*^k of an unhealthy man all because I was born with a vagina, not by choice, not that I don't love it. Secondly Mr. Huckabee, in your statement you assume that all women taking birth control pills are over-sexed whores that lack the ability to close their legs at the right time, inferring that Democrats not only allow and encourage this behavior but additionally control our bodies as a result. This insistent Republican notion about women who take birth control pills is comically outdated and dangerously uninformed. If you want to fight a "war for women" than I suggest you get behind a damn plan that allows women the basic right to affordable family planning, an obvious issue that affects our lives ten-fold more than men. Again, who ever wrote that should get the boot without severance pay, it is a clear case of basic life skill incompetence and total lack of empathy for the opposite sex.
Also the last time I check, Mr. Huckabee, I do not think it was Obamacare that decides when I ovulate, or menstruate or when I do or do not have sex. (Everyone knows it is a headache that decides that!) That statement alone is the epitome of an illogical point to an illogical argument. As someone with a masters degree I demand that you or whoever wrote this goes back to basic logic 101 course at your local university. You could greatly benefit from it in the future. Basic reproductive rights, and our reproductive system (which is now clear you have no idea what it actually consists of) should be our right and it is the one area that I actually applaud the Democrats for standing-up to the old white dicks who have too much of an opinion on what I do with my "reproductive system." Until the Republican party shuts these a-holes up and ride them out of town on the rails, you do not get to say you are fight a damn "war for women." I think G.W Bush summed if up best, if you are not with us you are against us and YOU are not with us.
So, Mr. Huckabee, yeah I will stand-up and say "Enough of that nonsense!" When people like you, who clearly lack a critical ability to think and speak at the same time, do not exist with a public platform and receive millions of dollars to say non-sensical juvenile ideas that give grown men a stiffer hard-on than a Jenna Jameson flick, disappear only then will women actually achieve the power to claim their body and their rights. The longer you continue with this façade that you actually are for women, the deeper your graves get. Here is a little advice for you Chairman Priebus, if you want to "re-boot" your party, I suggest you make mandatory sophomore biology classes a requirement for the men who want to retain office. It will go longer distance than allowing someone like Mike Huckabee to come to the defense of us poor helpless women being attacked and pimped out by the Democrats. Seriously.
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