As Luck would have it, We're NOT all Irish on St. Patrick's Day as previously believed.

YAY! 2 weeks to go until I am still Irish and a shit ton of folks run around saying "we're ALL Irish for a day!". That was my thought this morning as I looked at the calendar and did an inventory of up and coming events etcetera etcetera. And I don't apologize for the look on my face as I say it. My fair skinned, freckled face, framed by auburn hair. Which is an heirloom handed down to me for safekeeping by my equally gorgeous Grandmother, Eileen Ciardi, nee CONLEY. Or Connolly. Hailing from the family name O'Connolly  (which is traced back to three original Gaelic septs of the same name: O'Conghalaigh, O'Conghaile, and O'Coingheallaigh) We are associated most with those from Co.Monaghan & Co.Meath.

THIS is what makes me Irish. So you see, I have a difficult time not raising an eyebrow at the throngs of folks who are going to "Be Irish for the Day!" simply because.... ohhhhh yes! they wear green, make a boiled dinner, quote some Irish verse or sing Danny Boy, paint their face perhaps, and most importantly! go to some "pub" to drink some Irish beer or whiskey and inevitably act like a douchebag. Because???? They are Irish for a day of course!!!! And the next day? Hungover and rambling of what they'll do next year.


That is what the DAY is for them.  Never mind that fella St. Patrick - nor the spiritual celebration and feast day in his honor. I know you see pictures of him as a glorified snake charmer, however he actually was British born, forced into slavery in Ireland at the age of 16, escaped, and would go on to spend the rest of his life spreading the faith he found in his heart and for the people of Ireland. Often putting himself in danger with those that mistrusted or opposed him and his outrageous views. He is a symbol not only of Christianity but also for Ireland. But don't worry over that, and certainly do not honor the people themselves!


It's about You and your Holiday, Not for the Irishman who fled a famine, for the shores of a better chance...that is if they were not first forced into slavery. Or Killed. Be sure to read about the "act for Settlement of Ireland" passed by Parliament in 1652 to fix us good. Here let me save you the trouble, read the preamble:

"Whereas the Parliament of England, after the expense of much blood and treasure for suppression of the horrid rebellion in Ireland, have by the good hand of God upon their undertakings, brought that affair to such an issue, as that a total reducement and settlement of that nation may, with God's blessing, be speedily effected..."

How nice right? Their God somehow gave them the grace and power to try to wipe us right off the map. And they did a good job, If you had ever participated in the rebellion, you were hanged & killed; and when they came for our land they also took Us and shipped us to the "colonies" for a life of servitude.  Such a lovely place to settle back then, don't ya think? We Irish folk also pay homage to those before us who were lucky enough to have survived famine (a few times over for some) and fled here through Canada in the early 1850's.  Their road was no less difficult, and the death toll no less a travesty. 

And despite all of that, you have but only glance out your window to see how they overcame. Who can't wait to run & ride down the Erie Canal??? Guess who had a large role in building it? They built your railroads, your cities, worked the coal mines. Our women were tethered in sweat shops, washer women,  and literally dieing in sewing factories. We were mocked, ridiculed, beaten and we Remained. As did many many diverse people, all trying to make their way. And eventually, we did. The Irish began to assimilate into the culture - writers, actors, comedians, business owners, builders, and beyond. 2nd & 3rd generation Irishman went on to be police, fireman, teachers, doctors, high ranked public officials, and Yes. even Presidents :)

See this is who I think about when I think of all that is Ireland, and more importantly how thankful I am actually to be living it up in America. When you really know the history, it's safe to say Some of my family did not make it out alive and for those who did, even in the atrocious way they came here, their sacrifice and Fight, allows me to put on my "Kiss Me I'm Irish" shirt with true Pride. A Pride shared by ALL of us with a tale to tell. As far back as you can trace civilization, you can find those that seek to oppress and control it. And those that fought and escaped it.

We all came to be here somehow, from different heritages and different plights. I have respect for them all. And that is all I am suggesting, a little respect if you will. Along the lines of there is more to Cinco de Mayo then drinking a Margarita, or in the same way Memorial Day is not really about BBQ's., My sincere hope is that going forward when you say "WE are ALL Irish for a Day", it is not because of the color of our clothing or drink in our hand, but in sharing the Pride of being fighters. survivors! But only if you are Irish can you say the also the Best at everything you do wink wink wink....(boastful little things we are too, but you should have already known that.)

 ERIN GO BRAGH

Please Press 1 for Stupid.

Once again some of my fellow Americans, or perhaps what I mean is Amuricans* have gotten themselves all in a fuss over well. Nothing. But they sure are making something out of it. And the media is right there to help you all out too, gas you right up into a massacre if you lambs aren't careful. All because Coke had the nerve to air a commercial of America the Beautiful sung in a language not...American. What ever that means. Coke...the same company that had you humming along with "I'd like to teach the WORLD to sing" now should probably amend that to "Only the United States of America" ?????

a snapshot of some of the shared opines of our loyal American brethren in response to the commercial....

Ya know....unless I missed something? There is no such thing as the Americanish Language. You Patriots have been speaking a foreign language since ohhh the day some of your ancestors fled another country to come claim a country that belonged to someone else.  Remember that place across the ocean where Queens still pretend to rule? England ringing any bells???? The rest of your ancestors not lucky enough to be Brit born, hail from some OTHER foreign country. And they came by the droves to the FREE WORLD. And They spoke their native tongue, and learned others as well - England = English, Spain = Spanish. France =French. So on and so on, you know how it goes!  see the connection? America??? hmmmmm???? No AMERICANISH. And do you really not understand those other languages have shaped the Dialect of our country? Go to the mid west and you hear the Scandinavian settlers, New England and up into the east coast of Canada sounds ironically much like their Celtic ancestors that fled Scotland and Ireland, We have the Dutch in Pennsylvania, and the French in the bayou of the South. All over the Map we can trace the settlements of the Immigrants that came to create the USA. Wars, territories, treaties, blood, sweat, tears, and more! suffered by many races are what produced this Nation. Not a select few of "American" only people. They never existed. The first American's were here when the ships landed. The 2nd generation were born here after their Foreign Born parents conceived them.

Rule #1 - start speaking Americanish before we get to shore! Or you don't get off the boat....

And again, some should be smart enough to weave that all together, however no. No, sadly instead of embracing the part of our history that makes us diverse, some choose to grasp the side that makes us Assholes. Somehow you take claim now on this country to the point that songs can not be sung unless in a language you deem.....but you fail to see the hypocrisy. You Eat foods that had their names translated so you would understand, right? Do you not sing music, and Christmas songs that were translated from other languages so you could understand them??? And famous books that were translated as well, no one came and said NO! YOU can only read that if you read it in the language it was written! If you can't, TOO BAD. Imagine there was no King James Bible, read it in old Hebrew or you don't get to go to heaven. Yet today you pound your fist in outrage because a song about our country, dared to be sung in another, GASP* language.

And what's that???? YOU all want to press 1 for English???? Uhhh, nope. That would be press 1 for NATIVE AMERICAN.  See none of you complainers have bothered to learn the language of this country your damn selves but ya sure have a lot to say about what others should do.  How about until there is a Rosetta stone to crack the code on some long forgotten AMERICANISH, all you whiny babies do the rest of us a favor, and shut up. Because as a matter of fact, I don't speak Whinish. Ask my kids.  As I wrap this up, remember, there is perhaps ONE language we all do speak after all. Longfellow said it best: "Music is the universal language of mankind", some people just forgot is all.

Music is the universal language of mankind.
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/universal_language.html#kHUjtQovlfXMwU6R.99

 

* Amurican

According to Urban Dictionary: (n) An American nationalist who believes so firmly in America that when one has stated an aspect of another culture is superior to America's equivalent, they have committed the ultimate sin. Amurican's hold a similar belief about those who have admire and respect of a nation that, at one time or another, has defied us, this includes: Russia, Germany, Dems, Japos in China, Great Britain, France, Aladdin, and the Mexicanese. Amuricans can be recognized by a trucker hat, sleeveless tee-shirt, raging hard-ons when in the presence of nice cars, and still finding the phrase "Git-r-done" Hi-frickin'-larious.

 

Amurican 1 - "I saw my boy, Larry, playin' ninja with his friends, I told him that he shouldn't act like that because those Chinas bombed our Pearl Harbor."

Amurican 2 - "I shot my wife when she said she liked rice better than corn..."

The Right to Practice, or NOT Practice Religion....

PLEASE, let us not forget the second half when raising your almighty fists in outrage of what you perceive to be a violation of your fundamental right. Ok.  Just as you faith following citizens have been granted the right to practice how and where and when you see fit...So do those that do NOT practice your faith, or any for that matter, have the right not to have your doctrines and moral codes wedged into laws that they must follow or as in the case of the Health Care debate, Prevent them from services that they use. 

There is the misconception that just because you are a business owner, who happens to be a practicing anything, suddenly you are permitted to let your Religious beliefs Govern your employees. Your Right to Religion Governs YOU. And I am not talking about places recognized by law as truly religious organizations...these would operate for the church, and have tax exempt status and so on. I am talking about a place such as Hercules Industries. An HVAC company, where in the President, Mr. Newland has expressed a "moral objection" to covering birth control in employee insurance. Insurance which the employee Pays for and worth noting, the employers expense is actually reimbursed through tax credits from the govt. Which I must add are paid for by business funds that the employees in part, generate in sales and manufacturing, not Mr. Newland's private, out of pocket money which means Newland does not "pay for" these services at all. Just because you run a business and are catholic does not suddenly change that business to "religious organization" and to deny coverage to employees that are NOT Catholic, well are you not denying them their "right to live according to their faith"????? Funny you want that term to apply to only those that practice yours, not to those that do not. Well then I guess you need to get out of a public business that employs people of all race color and religions and open a business that falls under the category of "religious institution" to be able to exercise that right. Other wise, welcome to operating a business in a free society buddy. You are free not to use birth control, however you can not tell your employee what to do morally.

This applies to Chik-Fil-A as well. Just because Mr.Cathy is religious, does not suddenly elevate Chik-Fi-A to church Organization status. . It is not a church, and furthermore is not "organized and operated exclusively for religious, educational, scientific, or other charitable purposes" as covered by the law that oversees Churches and true Religious Organizations.http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p1828.pdf
So what if he is closed Sundays, many places are, banks are not religious and they are closed then as well, and many of their CEO's and Branch Mangers practice faith as well. That does not make them a "religious organization" nor may I point out so bluntly, does the health care as an employee somehow PREVENT them from going to their church and practicing their faith. A female taking a birth control pill does not mean you, Mr.Cathy have to take one. Nor does it mean you violated your own faith. And that is what the law says, you personally can not be Prohibited from practicing your faith...and you aren't nor will you be.  THE END. (on the recent topic of his Free Speech liberties, He is free to talk about not supporting that Health Care requirement just as he free to tell everyone he does not support Same Sex Marriage...however, when he sends money from the company to groups that are politically motivated in changing that legislation, you no longer are just speaking your mind you are doing things to prevent or deny or be intolerant of another persons lifestyle because it differs from your own, which is the definition of bigot)

This outcry of Freedom to Practice to My Religion is becoming very one sided. Somehow there is this misconception it should only cover those that practice instead of what the law said, which sought to protect those that choose NOT to as well. Otherwise, we would ALL be Puritans. As that was the heavily practiced faith of the Pilgrims...who incidentally fled they Tyranny of Britain and their expectations of how people should bend knee.  The Health Care laws already protect the places recognized as Church and Religious Organizations from complying with anything that violates that...What is popping up are business that would like to redefine that law.  And that you just don't get to do.

In comparison, there are equally as many faith practicing opponents to war and the killing in their moral eyes it promotes...they do not get to tell the IRS they will not pay taxes because the defense budget is funded by them. Practicing Jehovah's do not refuse to support Hospitals in their local taxes because they perform blood transfusions. Nor as employers working in the free market do they not cover that in health insurance for employees not of the same faith system. If I worked for a business, and my manger happened to practice Judaism....I could not be told that I can not eat lunch if it is not Kosher...Unless I worked at the Jewish community center, or in the Synagog. And even then if I was caught eating non-kosher they simply believe my punishment would come in the 'World to Come' as opposed to them having to impose this on me. There is a very REAL difference between the right to worship and making others comply with your style of worship and folks seem to be trying to blend it all into one.

You should not be using your faith to further political agendas. You should not use your faith to seek legislation that would deny someone not of your affiliation their own civil liberties according to THEIRS. You live by your morals and let others live by theirs. That is why the Bill of Rights is not the Bible.  Jesus was not a republican nor a democrat nor a tea partyier, so why anyone is flying him on their political flag is beyond me. He ministered to all, weak, able, blind, seeing, rich, poor. Pagan, Hebrew, Christian, whoever cared to join and listen - Many would do well to practice the same TOLERANCE he preached about. No strings or rules attached. He prayed for all, he died for all our sins. Is that not what your faith teaches? So you do not need to worry about the sins of others...he will. And you can just pray. Amen.

The Tax Man and the Tax Plan

999 say some?  It will benefit all???? Or perhaps to quote the "inventor" of this slogan, "9-9-9 does not raise taxes on those that are making the least."  Really. Well the simplest of Math says Yes it does.  And I'll break it down in laymans terms.

Number 1 - You are adding in a National Tax on top of the State tax I already pay - so you are now taxed twice on all sales - Homes, Cars, grocery, clothing, movies, dinner out, Gas Gas Gas, even for the most frugal of shoppers, this money will be hard to come by as now items that were not part of sales tax will be taxed by the National 9%. Pay attention to the markets already - many suppliers and grocers will need to raise their prices to cover the increase as they also will have to pay more to Buy the Products that they will sell as well as increases in shipping costs etc , so that 2.39 loaf of bread will be more like 3.50 even 4.00 in some areas. Basically add in about 3 thousand more a year just to Spend your money. THAT RAISES TAXES ON THOSE MAKING THE LEAST 


Number 2 - On the 9% Income Tax across the board - Well, the last time I checked if you get a paycheck and a w2 that means your Income is wages which categorizes you into this tax...so of your 45 Thousand a year income, you pay tax to the tune of 9% WITH NO EXEMPTIONS, DEDUCTIONS, or CREDITS - bye bye Dependent Child, Property Tax Credit, Interest Credit for School Loans, etc etc - Also! There is no longer a credit to employers who pay a share of the wages taxes, so it will be even more expensive for them to retain or more importantly Hire new workers. Not looking good for the little guy here. Now. what about the Big guy who made 1.2 Million from his job? where he set himself up as an 'employee' not the owner and paid himself in dividends? NO TAX on Dividends remember??? Get out of Tax Free Pass. And On the Business End?  If that same business took in 7 Million in capital gains from investing the earnings of the corporation in stocks etc Cain suggests he only pays tax on the first 25% (Down from the 35% currently in place) ...until Cains plan phases OUT the Capital Gains tax in part 3 of his scheme and all that remains is the 9% National Tax. Think about that.  Collin (and the rest of those that take a paycheck) will pay taxes on his Entire Earnings while those again in the top 1% will get away with 75 percent of their earnings tax free.  And because there is no Estate Tax, if they own Millions in property as well, again they get out of Tax free while Collin will pay every year the MAXIMUM on our Property Taxes...because we own 1 house not 20  - as do most of the middle and lower class. THAT RAISES TAXES ON THOSE MAKING THE LEAST

Number Three - What is the actual "National Tax" of the 3rd phase of this plan??? Sky's the limit perhaps? Or what happens when 999 turns into 11 11 11 or 15 15 15 on a bad year....Flat tax is falling Flat. THAT RAISES TAXES ON THOSE MAKING THE LEAST

Special consideration must also be given to the REVENUE or lack there of with this plan. His notion of "widening the tax base" is making those at the very very bottom "pay their share" while those at the very top "keep their share".  A person on a Social Security Disability Income that is less than 14 Thousand a year can not survive this plan yet the CEO of some insurance company or bank who pays himself in dividends contributes NOTHING.   70 percent of the IRS's Capital Gains Revenue came from the top 1.4%...Billions of Revenue that Drive America and keep in mind it is not the 1.4 percents America it is 300 million peoples America. In the Cain plan, Gains tax is abolished and you will never be able to collect billions from the poor and impoverished to replace that...but you come after them because those are the "Americans that get by every year not paying taxes at all!"

And how do States already reeling in this recession cover the shortages from these businesses and corporations? Cain can not be bothered with sticky details, maybe he thinks "the Churches will take care of it" as he suggests for those that will be on there ear when he proposes to do away with that Social Security and Medicare problem.  Because if you pay attention and read his plan, he does not fund those programs. If he takes away the payroll tax that takes away the funding for Social Security and Medicare. Period.  He likes to regurgitate the word "Personalization" and imply that we should instead have a portion of our earnings put into personal investments accounts....in the same shaky market that is UNREGULATED (and Repubs won't vote to change that) where the firm that holds your money can make record earnings on the capital gains of those accounts, and probably loose it all in some back door scheme where they can get some TARP to balance their loss and you, well when you do need to retire you are on your own.  On top of the fact that it does nothing NOTHING to address the funds needed to cover those already ON SS! Or those too close to retiring to ever benefit from Privatizing err I mean PERSONALIZING.  He suggested that he is using the Chilean Model for these proposals? Well, incidentally - he failed to actually look at what happened when Chile did that - That plan has “left millions without savings for their retirements and originally provided no safety net for the poor.” According to estimates by Chile’s undersecretary for pensions, “in 2007, only 60 percent of Chilean workers had some kind of pension coverage, down from 86 percent in the 1970s.”.  That Breaks the Back of the Working CLASS and Gives Windfalls to the Corporate Class - FAIL.

Cain just can't Explain...how this will benefit anyone other than those already benefiting. Perhaps because he has never balanced a State budget let alone a National one? All he knows is corporate math - how to get the best ROIC...and that works. For your Godfather Pizza's, Not For 300 Million Americans. His response when faced with opposition was "The reason my plan is being attacked so much is the lobbyists, accountants and politicians, they don't want to throw out (the) current tax code and replace (it) with something that's simple and fair," WRONG. There ARE indeed ways to improve and repair the current tax code, but CONGRESS has not done what they are supposed to in terms of addressing it. I don't like this plan because it theory and assumption based. Every number your accountant has come up with are based solely in assumptions. I believe in the Progressive Tax Model proven in our economy - That Regressive Tax puts a larger burden on those with less means to pay hurts the middle to lower class which is 80 percent of the Tax Paying BASE. - THAT, Mr.Cain, is why I do not like your plan, That is why naysayers are saying Nay and it is not some 999 gimmick, But Congress who needs to make the hard decisions and make the changes to the tax system - that is what the 99 Percent have been demanding - to replace the current wealthfare tax free for all on the top 20 or 1 or what have you and balance it back to what was pre Bush and economically proven to produce results.

Logic and Judge Judy say "if it doesn't make sense it's usually not true" and you can take that to the bank! But not much else on the 999.

Knowledge is Power - Sir Francis Bacon

MAKING SENSE OUT OF NONSENSE

okay so to be sure I got this straight

The GOP keep insisting that Low taxes for the wealthy and corporations brings investments and job growth, Yet after 10 Years of the LOWEST rate in history, there is none.

The Left even granted you your extension of this wealthfare in 2 Budget years (because you pulled a NO vote and threatened not to pass ANY extensions letting Unemployment and the Tax credits for the Middle class expire - Boehner's "If you couldn't keep ALL cuts then you would vote for nothing plan" of December 2010?)  And STILL it has produced no growth or investments with a stale mate for average consumers and small business lending? I am confused? You said there would be growth if the banks and corps didn't pay high taxes?

They also assert that it is Obama who is accountable for jobs, yet unanimously vote NO to the very bill that would create thousands of jobs in each of the states you are supposed to represent?  For no other reason than good ol fashioned Posturing, making sure when you try to get another 4 years in your seat your record shows you never supported any Democratic/Obama policies.

They supported Bush's 700 Billion dollar TARP which bailed out Wall Street provided they agreed to continue lending,  Yet vote against Regulations that prevent them from defrauding the consumers that they work for and holding them accountable when they fail to deliver?

They tell the people they represent "I won't vote for Obama's Stimulus"...yet fail to reveal that TWO THIRDS of what comprises the spending is MAINTAINING THE BUSH TAX CODE! Of which you won't vote to let even the top 1% be cut from the Spending?

GE was able to earn a 3.5 Million dollar Green Energy Tax Credit while also NOT paying one dime on 14 BILLION in earnings.  Is that what the GOP meant by Growth and Investment? Because GE is also adding 8000 jobs they said, over the next 18 months....I am just not sure if that will be before or after they close their Wisconsin Plant and move it to China (which they also announced) speaking of Wisconsin....how does Ron Johnson not only vote NO on Creating Jobs but has a voting record that helped GE stick it to his state - I'd love to see what they (GE) contributed to his "campaign stimulus package"?

Even less stimulating are the raw numbers. In simple terms - of 234 billion dollars of 'Tax Cuts' for 2010 alone, More than HALF was divided amongst the Top 1% - read 121 Billion dollars for 1.4 million taxpayers - leaving 113 Billion for the other 130 million tax payers - Do You get that? this THIS is what the 1:99 protestors (those that know anyways) are enraged about!!!! HALF of the RELIEF we were sold went to the very people that DO NOT NEED RELIEF, and the worst part is that by 2005 those making less than 75K already received the most they would get - remember the 350 dollar check mailings? and another 25$ or so a week in your paycheck...A Far Cry from the 85,000 in relief that someone like Koch, Dimon or G Dubbya himself gets. So basically for the last 5 years we have been been padding pockets of those in the Top while Crippling those at the bottom. And the GOP has the gal to demand you continue this? They look you in the eyes and tell you if you keep the rich, rich our economy will Grow but the numbers for the last 10 years do not lie and for the Obama haters - it was CONGRESS that continued to pass the tax breaks and Vote No when Obama tried to halt it. Smoke and Mirrors folks and those with the most 'blood' on their hands are already long gone enjoying pensions, parachutes, and life in the top 1%

Bush pitched these breaks in 2001. Under his watch that year there were 132 Million jobs. 3 years later in 2004 the economy showed a drop to 131.4 million jobs. By 2007 there were a reported 137 mil. jobs for a total growth of a whopping 4.8 percent. In stark comparison, there were 111 million jobs in 93 when Clinton Raised taxes, 6 years later his economy boasted a 16 percent GROWTH with more than 129 million jobs. In 2008 - 2010 not only did we loose jobs but Investments as well.

A House whose only consistency in voting is doing Nothing is not working. Tax cuts for Millionaires is not working.  And 14 Million Americans are not Working either. The only difference is The Republicans Not Working on that hill are still collecting a 6 figure paycheck at the same time they are voting NO to your Jobs, and campaigning to eliminate your Unemployment Benefits, Medicare, and Soc Security as "costly entitlements." while they are receiving universal free healthcare, and striving to get that congressional pension.

Moral of the story folks: A Mad Man once said "Tax relief will create new jobs, tax relief will generate new wealth, and tax relief will open new opportunities." A Wise Man once said "Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result."

as always the views expressed in this rant are my own, comment at your own risk as their is no life guard on duty

31 DAYS

You find car accident victims in or near cars and roads.
You find airplane accident victims amongst the debris of plane crashes.
You find drowning victims in or near bodies of water
....except in Florida where it is perfectly rational to 12 jurors and their alternates to find a "horrific drowning accident" victim with their mouth taped shut, wrapped in a blanket, stuffed in a laundry bag, shoved into a trash bag and thrown in the woods.  At least that is what the jury for Anthony have deduced from the evidence and their imaginations no doubt honed by CSI and Law & Order episodes, thereby giving them the sharp skills to piece together what they "feel" happened to this "dysfunctional family".  They took a sharp left at rationale and went right into storybook land to create an event where there is nothing to support it EXCEPT the rantings of a pathological liar. Every thing she says grows her nose a foot, yet somehow this is the truth? Why? Because it is easier for the jurors to understand than the fact she acted with pure emotionless disregard for her child.  Think about it.

We (spectators) have watched this unfold with our hands to our hearts and mouth in absolute disgust. "WHY?" we have asked for years.  It is impossible at times to get our minds around how you could even maybe hurt a child, let alone kill and dispose and pretend it never ever happened. Our brains have a hard time computing that a Mother could actually take the life she labored to bring into this world.  This is not the first time we have seen this, and we were equally alarmed at those tragedies as well.  In the case of Susan Smith there was a moment when the idea of "someone taking her boys" was an easier pill to swallow than thinking of the alternative.  However all good lies do come to an end and hers did as well. It all is Crazy because we are not.  That is why it hurts our heads to try to answer the Why.  My instructions to the jury would have included NOT to try to grapple with the why, because to do so would require a break from all logic and we need your thinking cap in tact as you assess this situation.

This was not a case that lacked evidence, however it was missing a mother distraught over the accidental drowning of her child and angered by the disposal of her baby by her Horrible father, thus robbing her of grieving rights ....we should have seen that. Where is the mother sitting in her back yard screaming at EMT's to help her baby?  Then at least there would have been a body to autopsy, and there would have been lungs to show us weather Caylee took her last breath before or after being you a ledge she drowned in the pool....Instead 31 days pass BEFORE Casey Anthony indicated anything was even wrong all while spinning tales of nannies and vacations...to only her family - remember she was actually hanging out with friends in town??? She was even caught in the house by her "accomplice" aka George, who was under the impression she and the baby were in Tampa w/ the fake nanny - and yet she told him she was in town to get "Zannys' insurance papers"?  Why would she need to tell him that if he knew the baby was dead? Why would she need to tell him any lie actually about where she is? DID YOU 12 ACTUALLY PAY ATTENTION TO THE DETAILS or were you more interested in a good story?  31 Days she stalled her parents for time, hiding from them at a boyfriends house and another 150 days of Wasted resources hunting for a nanny who kidnapped her baby...Her father is not who spun that tale, nor is her mother, Casey is. All her parents did was act like desperate parents - trying to not loose faith in their child while looking for hers.  Trying to hold onto hope that Casey didn't do what they feared...And yet the morally defunct Baez has the nerve to suggest that "none of the police officials wanted to see any other possibilities"?, We hear the detectives ask her, feverishly if this was an accident? Did something happen? She was not under arrest at that time, they were sitting in Universal where her first lie bubble was being busted, and the first of many more to come. Right there she Could have said, "ask my Dad"   - We hear her parents, brother and close friend break down over and over pleading with her to tell them something, her reply? She wasted her time calling them and let me talk to my boyfriend.  Susan Smith kept asking about a boyfriend at the most inappropriate time as well....when they were looking for her children. hmmm.

There is a body discarded in bags in a swamp. There is a mother who pretends for 31 days she is alive and well. And when she can't stall anymore invents a kidnapping (thankfully this time it was not the token "a black guy did it", but she still went after the Hispanic minority...or did she? I must add that coincidentally, and I use that term sarcastically, the 2 houses that back up to the woods on Suburban Dr. where Caylee lay, were in 08 owned by a woman named Zanieda Almodovar and the other by a Gonzales family - verified with Tax Records, White page listings as well as testimony from a friend of Casey...) - that coupled with the video and phone call tapes from her jail time BEFORE Caylee was recovered is better than Anthony on the stand, these were her own words rantings and tantrums before and in jail. Somehow we are to believe at the moment the silver bracelets were snapped on you wouldn't shriek "It was my molesting father, he knows!!!!"??? Instead, for MONTHS Casey insisted to BOTH her parents that Caylee was "still alive because she felt it in her heart", and that she "could be more help if she was out", and she is a victim too, and yelling at her mom for questioning her involvement...jeeeeesh, that seemed as good a time as any to tell Mom "ask Dad"?

And all I can wonder is if your father was your accomplice then why were you telling him you "told police all you knew?"  He already knew right? And we should have seen awkward glances between you and you father during those calls, the father who was letting you take the fall, You really expect me to believe you would just sit in jail leaving your accomplice free to help the "media make you look bad"??? (fails logic test) Even when the police began doubting, she maintained that story, (even telling her dad - you know, the other killer? that police were wrong and needed to check NY records) WASTING TIME! That is until the body shows up - and that is where the tall tales ended and the character assassinations began. For Baez and Anthony, victory by any means possible.  Get an alternate story that introduces sympathy - insert molestation and another body to take the punch - Hello George.

And the last ingredient to this gross injustice, 15 jurors that failed to understand that having an "unanswered question" is not the same as reasonable doubt. When I heard that Jack ASS alternate Huekler actually say that #1 - Prosecution did not Prove HOW Caylee died, but they felt instead it was a "horrific accident that was covered up by Casey and George" - my heart stopped just a little. WHERE IN GODS NAME WAS ANY EVIDENCE OF THAT...as a matter of fact that little "theory" falls directly under the term speculation, imagination, and presumption which Judge Perry instructed you NOT to do if there was no evidence or testimony to support. or #2 that George being "combative" while he is cross examined by the attorney who is making a name for himself calling him a molester and child killing accomplice must have meant he was "hiding something" as opposed to just hating the guy....again remind me where that is evidence George committed a crime or as the verdict implies No crime was committed by Casey? Because George was not the guy on trial. (Please George, repay the man for his kindness with a Defamation suit PRONTO) and lastly Juror #3 who has issued a statement of "I did not say she was innocent. I just said there was not enough evidence. If you cannot prove what the crime was, you cannot determine what the punishment should be." Well guess what Jurors, it was not the punishment phase of the trial, it was the Innocent or not, and if you didn't think she was innocent then she was....GUILTY. You were not supposed to be deciding over punishment - that would come through Perry in the NEXT phase.  But thank you Ms. Ford for confirming my fear that none of you really wanted her head in your hands. So in the end dysfunction excuses depraved indifference to human life and apparently it's not a crime to hide bodies either as long as you think it may have been accidental, what a great Jury of Peers Casey got...a bunch of lunatics just like her. 

I can only wonder that if there was a law to prevent jury members from earning any MONEY following a trial we would have had a different day in court? It is no accident they all walked past the 12 seats in the media room, that would have been free info coupled with a beating by the press - networks are up to 5 figures in their offers to get a story from them.  I cringe to think of Mason and Baez and their subsequent book jackets as well, actually I really hope Florida Law Enforcement and the FBI come after Baez for Obstruction of Justice, Anthony as well for perpetuating a Fraud. 31 days Casey. 31 Days. and further more sue their faces off to recover the thousands spent in search and recovery efforts from July until December while looking for a baby that according to Baez "was never missing".  I pray that TV and Entertainment shun her as they have already begun to do and that CIVIL proceedings haunt her the rest of her miserable days.

Matthew 10:26 - There will be nothing hidden that won’t be revealed. This will not be in vain. Justice will be served somehow for this Angel.

Swim For Your Life

....a reflection on the weeks unfolding events.  Change is inevitable. The more you resist the harder it will be to catch up.  This is certain.  Change is the spoon of life, it comes along to stir the stagnant waters especially at times when you are laying on your raft floating in oblivion...*ZING - and like that, you are treading water watching the flotation device drift further and further away.  You look around, as if to ask what? where? why?  with no guarantee that you will ever answer any of those and no idea how you'll get out of the water...

I don't know if you will either.  I am constantly swimming against the tide of my own ocean of life and you expect me to know how you'll fare?  How about this, as good or as bad as you choose to. That is what my infinite wisdom has shown me thus far. I think you get handed loads in life based on your willingness to step up and take it.  If you happen to be one of those for whom the 'load' seems unfairly balanced, seems to never end? To you I say, well done!!! For the universe would not waste energy giving to those that can not handle it.  Do not envy the guy that seems to never have a thing go wrong - it simply means they could not cope if it did.  Instead I urge you as you feverishly swim for your life to give thanks, for there is another anomaly to this scenario...I have almost always found that those who carry these heavy loads need only look to the right or left and find they have also been blessed with the strongest of shoulders to help.  If and only If they will share it.

Back to my original sentiment, "as good or as bad as you choose to" And I mean that.  If you choose to bear your crosses alone, than you will.  If you choose to let it overcome you, it will. If you choose to do nothing, then that is what you will get.  And likewise, should you choose to lean on and accept the help of others, then lighter the load will get. If you choose to attack head on, then you can over come. And as long as you are in action you will have momentum.  You can not swim out of the water if you do not move your legs and arms friend.

As this day gives way to all that has yet to be, I know that I am ready. For what? No Clue, But you can bet your bottom dollar that when strife and struggle rears it's head (and it will) I'll be ready with an army of shoulders beside me. And should it be a false alarm then I will raise my glass with them instead in celebration and live to fight another day <3