Truly a *Black* Friday

I am already sick of the holiday season. Well, maybe I'm just sick of greedy, unappreciative people who have this sense of ENTITLEMENT that just won't go away.

For example: Amazon.com. My all-time favorite place to shop. They are running their Black Friday deals again this year, and I cannot begin to count the number of posts on the website that are people doing nothing but complaining about how "terrible" the deals are. Um. Excuse me? First of all, there are hundreds of thousands of people out there shopping for deals. Something that does not appeal to you may certainly appeal to someone else. And who the hell are you to complain anyway? It's not like the stores are REQUIRED to not only discount items, but to turn around and make sure that (personal survey, maybe?) that EVERY SINGLE ITEM is one that you, yourself, personally want.

Another example, and one this is even worse (to me, anyway). Again, amazon. I got invited to participate in a program called Amazon Vine. Basically, amazon sends a newsletter out once a month with a bunch of stuff on it. Books, electronics, toys, food...whatever. You can pick out two items from each monthly newsletter, with the understanding that you will review 75% of the items you get. These items are then yours to keep. For Free. Let me say that again - FOR FREE. I personally am so excited to be part of this program - I get to select new stuff, and only have to spend a small bit of my time writing an honest review. I have gotten things I didn't know existed, and have gotten things I've had my eye on. Honestly, I owe them for allowing me to participate! But, again...we have the jackasses.

Several posts are made, every single month, about why this person didn't get the cool camcorder that someone else may have gotten, or how come that person didn't get anything besides books, or why so-and-so got cat food when they don't have a cat. GOOD GOD, PEOPLE! First of all, the newsletters always have several things, so bypass the flippin' cat food and find something else. Second - this is a privilege. You are getting these things for free. You are NOT entitled to the camcorder, or printers, or anything else. If you get something you wanted - Great! Be excited! But, if you don't, then please do not whine about it. Third - if you *don't* get something you wanted, the BROADEN YOUR HORIZONS. Read a new book. Try a new snack food you may not ordinarily purchase. You may not like it, but at least you've tried something new.

Then we have the absolute, ultimate example. People so filled with the sense of entitlement, the belief that they are owed, that they are willing to not only trample a man to death...but to CONTINUE TRYING TO SHOP afterwards!! People were still standing in line when they were trying to clear the store! Are you kidding me? What gives any human the right to trample another - let alone over a flippin' television? It makes me sick. The family of this poor man are now left trying to find any meaning in the death of their loved one.

The sad thing is - these people are breeding. They are passing their "I am owed" attitudes on to their children, who begin carrying that torch at a very young age. Like feeling entitled to an "A" without having done the work. This is why our culture has become what it is, and why our race may not survive. We are willing to go to war and to kill over what we believe to be "ours".

Who are the animals again?!?

Slow news day...

So, in some big news today, it was revealed that President-Elect Obama has not attended church since election night. Apparently, many people are very upset that this apparent *lack* has come to light. In a poll conducted on aol.com, 49% said that his choice to not go is wrong, and a further 49% said it is very important for a U.S. President to attend church (the remaining respondents were divided between somewhat important and not important).

Um. Why? First of all, my understanding regarding his reasoning is that he has not wanted to overwhelm any parishes with his attendance. Keep in mind - his motorcade is *20* cars long at the moment. I mean, really. What church has a parking lot big enough for THAT?!? Then the church has to be scoured by the Secret Service, old Aunt Bertha has to give up her prime seat that she's had since 1958 because it is right next to the exit (the faster to get the President-Elect out), and people end up paying attention to the drama rather than the priest/pastor...really, it's just too much to ask!

But here's my big question - just why is it important for a U.S. President to attend a church service? I do believe that we have a separation of church and state policy in this country, so it truly shouldn't matter. And even if our policy was to marry church and state and make them bed partners (probably some sacrilege there), does it really require a church to believe in God? Isn't belief supposed to be in the heart, and not in your butt while it's sitting on a pew? True belief in a higher power is carried with you always, and reflects in your actions - not in whether or not you are *seen* by others pretending to listen to the sermon while secretly snoozing.

Some of the most hateful people I've ever known were those who never missed a Sunday church service. I'll just be content to know that this does not seem to fit our future President, and let him worship as he chooses...whether in a temple of stone, or one of the heart.

In this corner...

Ah. Christian love, peace and brotherhood. Monks - the symbols of all that is RIGHT within Christianity...or not.

Truly, it lends itself to some kind of joke..."Did you hear the one about the monks at the tomb?"...only this is no joke, and shows the kind of behavior that wouldn't be acceptable from my CHILDREN, let alone grown men who profess to love the Lord above all things.

In Jerusalem, in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre (believed to be the site of Jesus' crucifixion, burial and resurrection), a group of Armenian monks were celebrating and commemorating the discovery (in the 4th century) of what was believed to be the cross Jesus was crucified on. Well, the Greek Orthodox monks were having hissy fits that the Armenians didn't have a Greek escort - fearing that without one, the Armenians would have a better claim to the area...how celebrating the discovery of a cross without a Greek policemonk on hand gives extra claim is beyond me...

Anyway, the Armenian monks refused the not-so-generous offer of an escort, and the Greek Orthodox monks decided to be bullies. They formed a chain and refused to let the Armenians continue their march. When the Armenians tried, the fighting began. Police had to be called and two men (one of each sect) were taken away.

So, can someone explain this to me? Aren't monks, like nuns and priests, supposed to be the epitome of the loving, generous and forgiving spirit of Christ? I'm kind of failing to feel that here...Not only that, but this smacks of idolatry - granted, it's part of their religion, but since when should a piece of wood come before a human being? I personally believe that Jesus would have some issues with that particular stance.

So, apparently the rule is to show loving kindness to all...unless that "all" includes people who believe differently than you do. Then, all bets are off. And so are the gloves...

Walk towards the light!

You know, I'm getting so tired and frustrated by people who don't do their homework. Not literal homework, like "read pages 204 - 566 and answer the following 35 questions" type of homework, but the kind that makes a person certain of their facts. The most recent cause of this nonsense was the election - and politics always has more than it's fair share. Of course, it exists in all places where two or more people might have a difference of opinion...religion is another good example.

But, this example happens to be about the politics. I had hoped that once the election was over, people could move on and begin to go about life again. Regardless of who was elected, there's not a damn thing that can be done about it now, so being snarky (I like that word:) and rude won't get you anywhere. But! Even worse is if you're snarky, rude and UNINFORMED!

People, in this day and age, just about everything from what the name of the first cave man might have been to what the color of my underwear might currently be can probably be found *somewhere* on the internet. Because of that, it takes little time to sit down and make sure you know what you're talking about (Oh, and going to www.rumormill.com or some such place doesn't count).

For example. This ridiculous rumor that Obama is planning on downsizing the military. That was yet another smear by McCain and his camp. Obama has in fact promised to increase the military and, more importantly, INCREASE SPENDING for the military so that the men and women who give so much of themselves will have better training, better equipment, and better duty rotations (more people = less time in the sandbox). AND - he voted for the newest version of the GI Bill...and McCain did not. Not only that, but Mrs. Obama has decided that as one of her pet projects will be to spotlight the military family. How in the world can that be a bad thing? Lord knows we all get the short end of the stick 95% of the time - and isn't it about time that someone is willing to call attention to that fact?

When did we as a nation become the kind of people who are voluntarily led around by the nose without bothering to make sure of the truth? It's sad to me that so many people are willingly putting themselves in the position to be parrots...It's just as ridiculous as the two ladies I saw who said that if Obama got elected, he was going to whip out a turban to put on and start shooting people. Um, hello? What the hell rock have you been hiding under?

We are better than this. We are smarter than this. Our nation was built upon more than this. Get out and read something more than whatever crap is going to feed your delusions and fears.

Hm. Chickens or human rights?

Wow. What a night and day after. I think I'm still in shock...the high was incredible! Then I read the news and was abruptly brought back down to earth.

In one of our nation's biggest elections ever, a young black man was elected president - while in California, voters passed Prop 8. Shatter one ceiling while building another. Talk about two steps forward, one step back. So now, in the state of California (supposedly one of the more progressive), all those gay and lesbian couples who celebrated their love by getting married are now in a state of limbo. I cannot imagine having a court suddenly tell me that no matter how much I love someone, no matter the fact that the State Supreme Court said it was ok, no matter that it's nobody else's damn business who someone loves...that my marriage was no longer valid. That my significant other would no longer be protected by law in the event something happened to me. And in another state, that even if I could marry, I would not be able to adopt children. What century is this again?!?

What really peeves me about this whole thing is that a majority of the money to push this absurd proposition came from an entirely different state! What the hell is Utah doing getting involved in California's laws? What, the Mormons aren't satisfied with running their own state - they have to run another one as well? Don't get me wrong - I respect the Mormon religion as a whole and have several Mormon friends. But I don't believe that it is right for money to be funneled into a state ballot measure from another state...another state that is run by a Church.

I don't know anyone personally affected by this. But I can point to a famous example: Ellen DeGeneres. The few pictures I saw of her wedding to Portia showed not two lesbians putting one over on the state, but two women blissfully in love and thrilled at the opportunity to demonstrate that love in the time-honored fashion. I can only imagine the devastation they, and thousands of other gay and lesbian couples, must have felt this morning.

We have overcome the color barrier - when are we going to overcome the gay barrier? When are we finally going to realize that people are people, no matter their orientation? That *everyone* deserves the same right to happiness as the local bigot hanging out down the street.

I'll say the same thing about gay marriage as I do about abortions: You don't like it, then don't do it. But don't force your beliefs or your rigid ideologies onto everyone else. We all, as a nation, deserve better than that.

But! On the plus side - the chickens in California now have more rights than half the human population. Now THAT is progress!

My Condolences

I know that Obama will probably never read this, and that's ok. But I feel the need to acknowledge how bittersweet this election eve has got to be. He's ahead in the polls, he's run an amazing campaign, and yet...the day before he could be elected as President of the United States, his beloved grandmother has died. The lady who raised him and who helped him be the man he is today - his "quiet hero".

Rest in Peace, Mrs. Dunham. You helped shape an amazing individual, and possibly (hopefully) our next President. May you fly with angels and be the voice of wisdom in Barack's heart and soul.

Here is a small clip of Obama giving tribute to his grandmother. I apologize for the quality...but the heart shines through nonetheless.

Absolutely, beautifully true

The link to the article is my blog title, but I am posting it here as well...It's a short article, but eloquent and honest.

My wife made me canvass for Obama; here's what I learned

By Jonathan Curley – Mon Nov 3, 3:00 am ET

Charlotte, N.C. – There has been a lot of speculation that Barack Obama might win the election due to his better "ground game" and superior campaign organization.

I had the chance to view that organization up close this month when I canvassed for him. I'm not sure I learned much about his chances, but I learned a lot about myself and about this election.

Let me make it clear: I'm pretty conservative. I grew up in the suburbs. I voted for George H.W. Bush twice, and his son once. I was disappointed when Bill Clinton won, and disappointed he couldn't run again.

I encouraged my son to join the military. I was proud of him in Afghanistan, and happy when he came home, and angry when he was recalled because of the invasion of Iraq. I'm white, 55, I live in the South and I'm definitely going to get a bigger tax bill if Obama wins.

I am the dreaded swing voter.

So you can imagine my surprise when my wife suggested we spend a Saturday morning canvassing for Obama. I have never canvassed for any candidate. But I did, of course, what most middle-aged married men do: what I was told.

At the Obama headquarters, we stood in a group to receive our instructions. I wasn't the oldest, but close, and the youngest was maybe in high school. I watched a campaign organizer match up a young black man who looked to be college age with a white guy about my age to canvas together. It should not have been a big thing, but the beauty of the image did not escape me.

Instead of walking the tree-lined streets near our home, my wife and I were instructed to canvass a housing project. A middle-aged white couple with clipboards could not look more out of place in this predominantly black neighborhood.

We knocked on doors and voices from behind carefully locked doors shouted, "Who is it?"

"We're from the Obama campaign," we'd answer. And just like that doors opened and folks with wide smiles came out on the porch to talk.

Grandmothers kept one hand on their grandchildren and made sure they had all the information they needed for their son or daughter to vote for the first time.

Young people came to the door rubbing sleep from their eyes to find out where they could vote early, to make sure their vote got counted.

We knocked on every door we could find and checked off every name on our list. We did our job, but Obama may not have been the one who got the most out of the day's work.

I learned in just those three hours that this election is not about what we think of as the "big things."

It's not about taxes. I'm pretty sure mine are going to go up no matter who is elected.

It's not about foreign policy. I think we'll figure out a way to get out of Iraq and Afghanistan no matter which party controls the White House, mostly because the people who live there don't want us there anymore.

I don't see either of the candidates as having all the answers.

I've learned that this election is about the heart of America. It's about the young people who are losing hope and the old people who have been forgotten. It's about those who have worked all their lives and never fully realized the promise of America, but see that promise for their grandchildren in Barack Obama. The poor see a chance, when they often have few. I saw hope in the eyes and faces in those doorways.

My wife and I went out last weekend to knock on more doors. But this time, not because it was her idea. I don't know what it's going to do for the Obama campaign, but it's doing a lot for me.

I hear a bucket of water works well...

Well, apparently the Wicked Witch is still alive and thriving in Grosse Point Farms, Michigan. She must have hitched a ride back when the "Great OZ" took off in his hot air balloon...maybe clinging to the underside of the basket with her nose?

Anyway, the newest incarnation of the Wicked Witch goes by the alias of Shirley Nagel. Ms. Nagel declared herself on the most appropriate of days - Halloween. Apparently, she realized that the holiday has become too much about the children and not enough about the mean and nasty, and she made a vow to fix that. So, she tried her hardest in a one-witch campaign.

Ms. Witch decided that the only children she would give Halloween treats to would be the children of those people who voted/will be voting for John McCain and Sarah Palin. Apparently there was a quiz before the treating, and unfortunately, many children failed and ended up tricked instead. She posted a sign outside her house that read "No handouts for Obama supporters, liars, tricksters or kids of supporters.". Her reasoning? That Obama is "scary". Her reaction when asked about the children turned away crying? "Oh well. Everybody has a choice."

She's right - sort of. The PARENTS have a choice. But she effectively took away any choice those children had. And everyone has a right to choose whether or not they will hand out candy and to whom. However, having said that - it is completely unfair to those children. The majority of trick-or-treaters tend to be the younger children who have little or no concept of the election or who their parents may be voting for. Nor will they understand why other kids got candy, but not them. What are their parents supposed to say to that? "I'm sorry sweetie - it's all my fault because I'm voting for the person I believe would run our country the best...but I'll change that so you can have some candy!".

I have no problem with people choosing who to vote for, and that is a huge part of this country as it stands. But when grown adults start acting like bullies and picking on children so that they can make a point or take a stand - then I have to wonder about not only those people, but those they are voting for. I'm hearing way too many stories of McCain/Palin supporters showing their true natures - nooses, picking on children, cries of "kill" at McCain/Palin rallies...the same things that the conservative, racist bigots said were going to happen with the Obama supporters. Their fears brought to life when they looked in the mirror...

Would it make me kin to the witch to hope that she got some lovely "treats" visited upon her? Maybe someone could free all her flying monkeys...