Your Rights WARRANT common sense!

Following the horrific events that took place last week in Aurora, Colorado, the debate about our right to bear arms has been up for discussion again.  Many are saying we need stricter gun laws, others say, stricter laws infringe upon our civil liberties.  I'm sure it isn't surprising to hear me agree with the need for stricter laws.

Look, I have a natural fear of guns and the argument that guns don't kill, people do... holds very little water for me.  While I would love every gun in every county, city and state removed off the streets, I know THAT WILL NOT HAPPEN.  So I subscribe to a little common sense.
Yes, you have every right to bear arms.  It is clearly stated in the constitution of the United States, but some common sense is most definitely warranted.  I am waiting for someone to explain to me how an "ASSAULT RIFLE" or a "SEMI-AUTOMATIC WEAPON"  are necessary in your "domestic protection", or hunting.

I believe it was former Pennsylvania Governor, Ed Rendell said on MSNBC last week, there is no reason any legal domestic  weapon needs to have more than 10 or 11 rounds of ammunition.  Heck, I say keep it at single digits, no more than 9 if I have to give in somewhere.  While it is unknown how many rounds were actually fired, James Holmes could have gotten off 60 rounds in one minute with his assault rifle alone.... 60 ROUNDS!   He purchased some 6000 rounds of ammunition on-line..... how is that even slightly ok?  That is absolutely ridiculous.  No person needs that kind of weaponry that isn't fighting for their lives in an ACTUAL WAR!

Then you get statements like the one from Texas Congressman (R) Louie Gohmert, who asked why the shooter was the "ONLY" one with a gun?  So let me get this straight, you want to add another gun or two or three to the mix, possibly endanger even more lives because now, bullets flying back and forth in every which direction as if we we're back in the wild west?!  How about, if he isn't able to fire off 60 rounds in a minute.  How about in the time it would have taken him to stop and reload a handgun, or shot gun, someone might have gotten to him to stop him, or, better yet, authorities, may have gained valuable moments to stop him.  But no, we have the "freedom to bear arms" as the argument allowing someone of this sick nature to assault unassuming movie goers.

I am not naive to think, the removal of guns means sick people won't find other ways to do harm.  I know who Timothy McVeigh and Ted Kaczynski are.  It wasn't about guns for them and yet they caused plenty of death and harm.  But to act like we can't help get one area of violence under more control is ludicrous.

Here's what I think, and just so we are clear, I think this should be NATION-WIDE. You should NOT be able to own assault rifles and semi-automatic weapons, period!  You should NOT be allowed to purchase 6000 rounds of ammunition on line, period!   If you want to purchase a gun, you should be subject to a background check.... I was subject to a background check at every job I was hired for, and I was reporting sports!  You should be required to pass a users exam for the gun you are purchasing.  You have to pass a driver's test to drive, in fact you have to pass separate exams for a motorcycle or carrier truck.  There should be a mandatory 30 day waiting period for all licenses to carry a weapon and another 30 day waiting period to physically own a gun... Period!  You should not be able to purchase more than one gun in a 30 period.  You shouldn't be able to purchase more than 12 guns in a calendar year!   I hate guns and I just gave you 12 in a single year!

Explain to me, how these infringe on your rights!?  They don't.  They  are reasonable, common sense protective measures that might, just might help curb the James Holmes and Jared Loughner's of the world.  It might also take a huge chunk out of the weapons of gangs, but that's a whole other day of discussion.

Do my measures solve violence in America, of course not, dumb to think so.  As I mentioned before, depraved individuals spend hours, days, weeks and months figuring out how to hurt, you can't stop them all....But this is a step in the right direction.

Is there anything more annoying?.....

Than feeling as though you are getting a good sleep on, and then your eyes pop open?  As if the darkness in the room didn't tell you already, that it was way too early, when you look at the clock you realize.... it is WAY TOO EARLY!  Hence it's 3:45 AM eastern time and I am here writing this.
I wouldn't be so frustrated about it, except, I'm tired and have been faithfully trying to get back to sleep for over an hour.  It also doesn't help, that my precious little toddler, really won't care that 'mommy didn't sleep much, she still needs to  be on point when I wake up in about 2 and half hours!'
So tell me you wayward sleepers out there.... what do you do when you know you should be asleep but you are simply.......up!?

Now see back in my single days... house cleaning would be an option.  But with a 17 month old fast asleep as well as a husband..... well, you get the idea.
I am tempted to turn on the tv... but somehow, I think that will only stimulate my brain even more.
One thing I have been doing, that is completely NOT CONSTRUCTIVE, is make a mental list of all the b.s. that's happened and continues to happen in my personal world.  I don't know, maybe that's the problem, maybe I haven't mentally purged enough.

Well, here's a mindless purge.... Text messages, are starting to really bother me.
A new friend that I have made over the past several weeks recently had nose surgery.  Wanting to allow her proper rest time, I waited a few days before reaching out to see how she was doing.  But I didn't call, nope, I sent a text message.  She replied, happy that I was checking in and so our finger banter via cell phone began.  We moved from her surgery to trying to organize some park time with our kids the next day.    Well, the discussion continued to the next morning, because I eventually went to bed and the message I sent that afternoon, didn't get a reply until later that night.... people get busy.... I'm one of them and it's easy to miss a text when you've got the day to deal with.
When I reached for my phone to reply to her text that I missed the night before, I stopped myself... I was about to begin the finger banter again and decided.... no..... I actually want to speak to this person.  I am going to call.  I did.  I got her voicemail, but she called me back pretty quick and we had a great little chat.  In fact, we laughed about the fact that we, like so many others text way too much.  Here's the thing, in the time it takes to send a text, get the reply, reply yourself and repeat.... you could have just as easily called the person and worked out whatever it was voice-to-voice and actually saved some time.

Now, don't get me wrong.  Texting serves a good purpose for me.  When I don't really have time to talk, but want someone to know I'm thinking about them... quick text.  Confirming a girls night out, place and time, quick text.  Checking to see if someone is available to actually talk on the phone, quick text.  The problem is when the text turns into a complete conversation.... that's the stuff that just grinds at me.  Add to it, when you don't want to text back and forth for the 10th time in the same discussion, you decide to call, and the person doesn't answer.... see that makes me want to throw something.  It is also the world we live in.  As advanced as a culture and people that we have become, I think socially, we are lost.  We don't know how to talk to people anymore.  It serves as a means to keep your distance.  We do it with family members, friends and acquaintances alike.  Heck, I have a friend who's son broke up with his girlfriend, VIA TEXT!!!!  Let me repeat that, he BROKE UP WITH HIS GIRLFRIEND VIA TEXT...... AND SHE WAS OK WITH IT!
When did that become ok?

My husband has eyesight issues, so texting isn't something he does at the rate of most.  He still actually calls people and I like that.  In fact, I remember a few years back, when we were planning our wedding, we were trying to pick the song we would dance our first dance to as husband and wife.  We called up his cousin to ask something random about a song and the conversation became one of the most entertaining discussions any of us had had in a long time with no alcohol involved.  We weren't saving the world, just driving down memory lane listening to bits of different songs that brought back vivid details of our life's journey.  We started with the soundtrack from "The Wedding Singer" and from there, it just grew to a phenomenal chaos.  In case you are wondering... we chose "Ebony & Ivory"... it was fitting.... :-)

 I just want to get back to real conversations.  Really developing relationships with people, you know actually talking and getting to know them.
I know, I know, I sound old.  The text isn't going away, or at least not in a sense of winding down, it will evolve into something else, I have no idea what, but something.
Until then the finger banter will continue, and I too will continue to participate.  But may I ask one favor from you today, just one itty bitty, teeny weeny, little favor.... As you go through your day today, sending multiple texts.... If you have the time, see if you can turn one text, just one text into an actual phone conversation.  You never know, it may end up being one of the best chats you have ever had.

Team USA... made in CHINA!

Oh say can you see, by the dawn's early light......
Your chest is filling with pride right now isn't it?

What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming....
We will hear these words proudly throughout the 2012 Olympic games.

Whose broad stripes and bright stars, through the perilous fight....
Picturing Michael Phelp's again....

O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming....
You are wondering where I am going with this aren't you?

And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air.  Gave proof through the night, that our flag was still there....
So here's the big question, while the flag stood, did it say, made in China on the label?
I ask, because the Team USA opening ceremony uniforms will.  Yep, standing tall in red, white and blue Ralph Lauren design, our most athletically talented men and women will proudly stand dashingly in outfits, outfitted in China ( check out the link to see what I am talking about USA Uni's).

Is it me, or does something seem inherently wrong with that little bit of information.  Here we are, representing the United States of America, putting our country on display in the most basic way possible and on the world stage, our uniforms can't even support AMERICAN COMMERCE?  That is down right ludicrous.  Heck, my husband was ticked off when he heard this story, to the point that he actually started a petition..... AND HE'S CANADIAN!!
I personally think, all USA gear should HAVE to be made in America.  If you want the shirt, the pants the shoes to say USA, it should be made, in the USA.  Oh, did I just stumble on to something here?  Do the opening ceremonies actually bear the letters USA or is it just implied in the classic Lauren yacht time design?

Now, I am not going to sit here and act like my closet isn't filled with apparel bearing labels of every country but the USA, including stuff that says, USA, but when it comes to an olympic uniform for the opening ceremonies, maybe, just maybe, the pride of the country should be showcased through and through, including the little flags they will be waving!

Freedom of Independence

So I've been listening to the back and forth set off by comments from comedian Chris Rock regarding the "Fourth of July" Holiday.  Yep, he set off a real firestorm when speaking of the ugly history that is a part of the fabric of our flawed yet wonderful nation.  The Fox News machine of course had a field day chiding Chris.  Saying how disrespectful his observations were, because he is a "beneficiary" of the greatness of our nation.  Herman Cain chimed in re-writing history to make his point.  I don't remember reading the section in my history book, where George Washington said the slaves were free people... but I digress.


Melissa Harris-Perry also drew the ire of  Fox because she too put a spotlight on some of the history of the nation that isn't so celebratory.
Here's the thing, these two individuals drew fire because they told the truth.  They simply spoke about the FACTS of some of the not so great history of our nation.  FACTS, that while many would love to forget them and sweep them under the rug, they cannot be forgotten and should not be forgotten.... because if you haven't learned from the mistakes of the past, you are doomed to repeat them.  WE ALL have to recognize and understand the history that is the United States of America, warts and all.
The Fourth of July is the only Holiday that celebrates our Nation as a whole and I celebrate it just like most everybody else, but I also remember, my parents weren't allowed to do what I am doing right now when they were my age.  You celebrate the good, acknowledge the ugly and try your hardest to make this nation better every single day.


That also means that while I found the criticisms directed at Rock and MHP absurd, I also have to recognize, those individuals rights to say them.  It means that when I hear Congressman Allen West, continually speak as if the history of our nation doesn't exist at all, I HAVE TO defend his right to say them.  It's a catch 22 and honestly was best described in one of my favorite movies, "The American President".  President Andrew Shephard, played by Michael Douglas finally stood up for what he believed in when he was running for re-election and this was in my mind the most poignant part of the speech:


America isn't easy. America is advanced citizenship. You gotta want it bad, 'cause it's gonna put up a fight. It's gonna say "You want free speech? Let's see you acknowledge a man whose words make your blood boil, who's standing center stage and advocating at the top of his lungs that which you would spend a lifetime opposing at the top of yours. You want to claim this land as the land of the free? Then the symbol of your country can't just be a flag; the symbol also has to be one of its citizens exercising his right to burn that flag in protest. Show me that, defend that, celebrate that in your classrooms. Then, you can stand up and sing about the "land of the free".


100% correct!  Hurts sometimes doesn't it?  Stings to the bone when you hear hateful words, when you hear people disrespecting and purposefully trying to rile up the crowd just because they can.  But it's their right to do so... our founding fathers made sure of it, and I appreciate it.  However, it doesn't absolve you or me of consequence.  You see freedom of speech means exactly that... in the words of John Mayer, "say what you wanna say", but remember your words, good or bad will draw a reaction.  You could be fired, you could be advanced, you could be jailed, you could be celebrated, you could be attacked, you could be hugged.... your freedom to speak WILL result in a reaction.  


We are all human, at least the majority of us, and therefore, we ALL have hypocritical moments.  Allen West makes me want to hit a wall pretty much whenever I hear him speak, one of his latest claiming President Obama wants us to be his slaves.   But you know what, I have to recognize his right to say what he wants to say and then respectfully say what I want to say in disagreement.  It stings, but it's a freedom Mr. West, you and I all share....

Uncomfortable with your discomfort....

So the big Olympic Trials 100 meter run-off between Jeneba Tarmoh and Alysson Felix was cancelled after Tarmoh chose to concede the third place spot to Felix monday.  Tarmoh says she wasn't really ever comfortable with USATF's decision to do the run-off in the first place, that she felt she had already earned the position fair and square.
Now I get that.  She had done her qualifying victory lap, done the media and then hours later is told actually, it was a tie and we need to figure out what to do next.  I'd be PISSED, no doubt about it.  To make matters worse, it takes the USATF a week and a day to decide ok let's do a run-off.  RIDICULOUS! USATF definitely earned an "F" for their failure to handle a situation that was not overly complicated to deal with, regardless rarity.  Tarmoh and Alysson Felix have every reason to be bitter about how this whole thing was handled.
But a decision was finally made, and it was the correct one.... A run-off that was supposed to be a prime time event.   But something else happened, Jeneba Tarmoh decided not to participate in the run-off and conceded her third place finish to Felix.   Now I am even more ticked!!!!

Young lady, you said running in the Olympics was a dream of yours, here you are on the cusp and you decide to walk away instead of letting your speed do the talking.
As a former track and field kid the Olympics were indeed the ultimate goal, but alas, I simply didn't have the talent to get me there.  I set some goals for myself in college, said if I reached them, I would continue on.  I did not and so all I can do is sit and cheer on our greatest athletes with the rest of the country.... but I digress....

There is a term that we hear regularly when it comes to the Olympic Games.... it's the "Olympic Spirit".  It describes the courage, the strength, the desire that an athlete has and displays in representing their country in one of the most pressure packed environments on earth.  This, Miss Tarmoh, is not an example of your "Olympic Spirit".

Again, I can understand feeling that you've already qualified and shouldn't have to prove it again, but honey, that is called life.  Proving yourself NEVER EVER goes away.  Your decision to just concede because you were uncomfortable with the situation tells me more about your spirit in a negative fashion than in a competitive one.  And now you've done another flip.... after agreeing to do an interview on CNN this morning (Wednesday, July 4th) on what was behind your decision, you decide right before the interview to back out.... You are presenting a trend that no one wants to get saddled with Miss Tarmoh.
If I were the head coach, I have to look at your actions and determine, is this what the heart of a champion looks like?

What if you were to have beaten Miss Felix Monday night and qualified?  If a similar situation had happened in London (Yes, I understand I am reaching here, I am just trying to make a point), would you have decided no, I qualified for the Finals and since you want me to do a run-off, I simply will give up my opportunity to run for gold, out of what..... a misguided principle?
Are you injured?  Is something going on personally that has taken precedence and needs your attention? If that is the case, no one on earth would fault you for that, but that is not what you are presenting right now and my disappointment is at an all time high.

Your discomfort to compete, gives me no comfort if you end up as an alternate for our relay team.