Tragic. Yeardly Love is murdered by a rich white guy who attends a top drawer university and the world comes to a halt. It is tragic that this young woman died at the hands of her obviously quite psycho ex-boyfriend. But, is it any less tragic when a poor woman of color is murdered by her equally psycho, but less well off, ex-boyfriend?
Every national news organization has carried the story. Women are murdered every day by their abusive ex's and it never makes the Today Show. But, take an affluent, attractive woman from a good school and have her murdered by her equally attractive, affluent ex, and we have national news.
Where are these same news organizations when a young woman of color is murdered? Where is the outpouring at candle light vigils when that woman of color is murdered? Why is there no president at the college or university of that poor woman of color, leading a vigil? Why does it appear that women from money and good schools, matter more? Is it any less of a loss for a parent of an affluent white girl than a less for an affluent parent, particular the parent of a girl of color?
When will our news organizations, and our society learn to place equal value on any life lost? We claim to not be racist but flock to the murders or disappearances of white girls from "good" backgrounds but give only cursory notice or worse yet, ignore the reports on the young women, who by no fault of their own, failed to draw the "affluent" white girl card.
I want to scream "WAKE UP!" to the media and others. We have to learn to value all lives no matter race, wealth, or religion. We have to teach our children that the value of a person is not made up by how much money they make or how pretty they are, or what color they are, but in the fact that they are a human being, on this earth, trying to do the best they can.
I feel terrible for Yeardly's parents. But I feel no less terrible for all the other parents out there whose daughters have been murdered but who failed to get the "press."
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Sluts R Us
How slutastic can it get?? Rielle and Johnny. "Gee mommy! Why are you posed on my bed with the stuffed animals in nothing but your shirt? How desperate were you for your 15 minutes of fame to tell the world that daddy wanted you to abort me?"
Does anyone else envision a Made for TV LifeTime Channel movie in this child's future?
Thank you John Edwards and Rielle Hunter for taking us to an even better low. Woman hits on man who is married, has a wife diagnosed with stage IV cancer, and who has small children at home. Man, apparently forgets all the above and quite clearly does not care. The hurt and the misery that such selfishness causes is just unfathomable. I am waiting for him to whip out the grief card and maintain the death of his son made him do it. I am sure Rielle can tell us she has "daddy" issues.
Surely there is a country western song in the works: "Nothing says lovin like wanting to abort the bun in the oven. Oops Johnny." Or "Daddy can't keep it in his pants. What an unfortunate circumstance."
Does anyone else envision a Made for TV LifeTime Channel movie in this child's future?
Thank you John Edwards and Rielle Hunter for taking us to an even better low. Woman hits on man who is married, has a wife diagnosed with stage IV cancer, and who has small children at home. Man, apparently forgets all the above and quite clearly does not care. The hurt and the misery that such selfishness causes is just unfathomable. I am waiting for him to whip out the grief card and maintain the death of his son made him do it. I am sure Rielle can tell us she has "daddy" issues.
Surely there is a country western song in the works: "Nothing says lovin like wanting to abort the bun in the oven. Oops Johnny." Or "Daddy can't keep it in his pants. What an unfortunate circumstance."
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Prayers
"God answered our prayers." What does that truly mean? If I pray to God for the miracle of healing but that is not the outcome, does that mean God chose not to answer my prayer? What does that say about me? If someone prays for the health of their child and that child dies, does that mean God did not find that child worthy of saving?
When we read that someone's prayers were answered what does that mean for the rest of us? Could it possibly mean that God is there for us despite what our outcome is? Could it mean that by walking through what we walk through, God is using us in a grander fashion than the miracle receiver? I truly believe that God can perform the miracle of healing but I also truly believe that if healing is not the plan, that the same God can provide the courage and strength we need to accept what life brings us and provides us opportunity to be an instrument of his peace.
There is not a single one of us who would not expect and want to be healed from what afflicts us. Those afflictions can cover physical health, mental health; even economic health. I would never ever believe that it is too much to ask for a miracle and that I deserve that miracle as much as anyone else, but the reality is that if miracles occurred every time we asked, then is it truly a miracle? I am special, but am I any more special than my neighbor? I believe that is what has always led me to never ask "Why me?" When I ask that question I suggest that someone else should have this. Who would wish that on anyone?
So, the next time you want to say "God answered my prayer" stop and think what that statement truly means for yourself and others. When you pray for someone and the outcome is not what you had hoped for, then look for the meaning in that. If the answer is not what you expected, then look for the opportunities that God has provided, through the answer He has given.
When we read that someone's prayers were answered what does that mean for the rest of us? Could it possibly mean that God is there for us despite what our outcome is? Could it mean that by walking through what we walk through, God is using us in a grander fashion than the miracle receiver? I truly believe that God can perform the miracle of healing but I also truly believe that if healing is not the plan, that the same God can provide the courage and strength we need to accept what life brings us and provides us opportunity to be an instrument of his peace.
There is not a single one of us who would not expect and want to be healed from what afflicts us. Those afflictions can cover physical health, mental health; even economic health. I would never ever believe that it is too much to ask for a miracle and that I deserve that miracle as much as anyone else, but the reality is that if miracles occurred every time we asked, then is it truly a miracle? I am special, but am I any more special than my neighbor? I believe that is what has always led me to never ask "Why me?" When I ask that question I suggest that someone else should have this. Who would wish that on anyone?
So, the next time you want to say "God answered my prayer" stop and think what that statement truly means for yourself and others. When you pray for someone and the outcome is not what you had hoped for, then look for the meaning in that. If the answer is not what you expected, then look for the opportunities that God has provided, through the answer He has given.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Health Insurance - Priceless
For those of you who have health insurance I would like to ask you to take a few minutes and think about where you would be without it. When did you last see your doctor? If you have health insurance you probably either paid a copay or a percentage of the visit and home you went. What about an x-ray? The charge for a PET scan is $6K. Bone scan is a bargain at $2K. One visit to the oncologist for a 30 minute Zometa drip -- $3K. In one month, it is possible to accrue medical bills adding up to over $11,000 THOUSAND dollars without much effort. If you are fortunate to have health care you could end up with a $30 copay for Zometa, $200.00 for the bone scan and roughly $400 for the PET. Grand total is $630.00. Thank goodness radiology takes payments. The balance should be paid off just in time for the next bone scan and CT scan.
This is not about Democrat or Republican. Who cares who comes up with a plan. Do you think it really matters? Something has to be done or people will continue to be forced into choosing between being buried with medical costs or literally being buried.
Much like that well known commercial... Equal access to health care.... PRICELESS
This is not about Democrat or Republican. Who cares who comes up with a plan. Do you think it really matters? Something has to be done or people will continue to be forced into choosing between being buried with medical costs or literally being buried.
Much like that well known commercial... Equal access to health care.... PRICELESS
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Squirrel 0 Donna 1
Lesson 1: Squirrels love bird feeders
Lesson 2: Squirrels are pigs
Lesson 3: Squirrels are very, very persistent
We have a great bird feeder in the back yard. It is located right long the common area where there are trees and bushes. Proof that Ron and I technically have no life, we like to watch all the cardinals come in and feast. We have counted at least 8 out there all at once; some on the feeder, some on the ground under the feeder and others in the bushes or trees near the feeder. Unfortunately, we have found that where there is a feeder, there will be squirrels. Not sure why it makes me crazy that they get up on the feeder and chow down because as we all know, squirrels gotta eat too! They are just pigs though. It would be like serving an all you can eat buffet and the hot dog eating champion shows up hungry. Just not good.
We have tried the BB gun route but apparently squirrels have heard that the biggest risk of BB guns is that maybe it can put an eye out; so not much to fear. But, thanks to our son Daniel, we did discover a BB gun can put a hole in a bird feeder and actually even kill a bird, but that is another story.
I came up with the idea of taking Crisco and putting it on the bird feeder pole. Have no clue what I look like out there smearing it all over the place, but thankfully my neighbors are pretty used to me at this point. I looked out today and there were not 1, not 2, but 3 squirrels!! They were taking turns shimmying up the pole, getting up on the feeder, causing it to list to its side, dumping seed on the ground, so the squirrel buddies on the ground could reap the benefits.
I decided the rain had let up enough that it was worth trying the Crisco. I applied it and came back in the house. I sat at the table to do the puzzle and looked up and there was 1 squirrel shimmying his or her way up the pole. He or she made it half up and then slid completely back down. It tried it again and down it came again. It actually gave up after the third try. Do you think it went back to its buddies and reported a problem? Do you think the birds were laughing at it? Do you think Ron and I need to watch our back for squirrel payback? I can confirm for you that it is pretty funny seeing a squirrel losing its grip, holding on for dear life, sliding back down the pole.
My only concern now is fear that PETA will pick this blog up and we will be in big trouble.
Donna B
Lesson 2: Squirrels are pigs
Lesson 3: Squirrels are very, very persistent
We have a great bird feeder in the back yard. It is located right long the common area where there are trees and bushes. Proof that Ron and I technically have no life, we like to watch all the cardinals come in and feast. We have counted at least 8 out there all at once; some on the feeder, some on the ground under the feeder and others in the bushes or trees near the feeder. Unfortunately, we have found that where there is a feeder, there will be squirrels. Not sure why it makes me crazy that they get up on the feeder and chow down because as we all know, squirrels gotta eat too! They are just pigs though. It would be like serving an all you can eat buffet and the hot dog eating champion shows up hungry. Just not good.
We have tried the BB gun route but apparently squirrels have heard that the biggest risk of BB guns is that maybe it can put an eye out; so not much to fear. But, thanks to our son Daniel, we did discover a BB gun can put a hole in a bird feeder and actually even kill a bird, but that is another story.
I came up with the idea of taking Crisco and putting it on the bird feeder pole. Have no clue what I look like out there smearing it all over the place, but thankfully my neighbors are pretty used to me at this point. I looked out today and there were not 1, not 2, but 3 squirrels!! They were taking turns shimmying up the pole, getting up on the feeder, causing it to list to its side, dumping seed on the ground, so the squirrel buddies on the ground could reap the benefits.
I decided the rain had let up enough that it was worth trying the Crisco. I applied it and came back in the house. I sat at the table to do the puzzle and looked up and there was 1 squirrel shimmying his or her way up the pole. He or she made it half up and then slid completely back down. It tried it again and down it came again. It actually gave up after the third try. Do you think it went back to its buddies and reported a problem? Do you think the birds were laughing at it? Do you think Ron and I need to watch our back for squirrel payback? I can confirm for you that it is pretty funny seeing a squirrel losing its grip, holding on for dear life, sliding back down the pole.
My only concern now is fear that PETA will pick this blog up and we will be in big trouble.
Donna B
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