Topic Of Discussion

Do You Like To READ???

2011-12-03T15:06:00.000-08:00

This is an very inspirational book about overcoming obstacles, understanding many different levels of love, and embracing and renewing family relationships. If you have ever fallen in love unexpectedly, if you ever had seemingly insurmountable odds stacked against you or if you ever longed for the family closeness that you had as a child then this EBOOK is definitely for you! Learn what it's really like to be hospitalized, to feel helpless, and to regret words said in anger. If you like true stories and being completely entertained, then this is a must have! Follow along on my blog http://rickysnewbook.blogspot.com or twitter account https://twitter.com/#!/Rickysnewbook to get the behind the scenes story and extra details about the EBOOK. Please reserve your copy today and be one of the first 1,000 readers to enjoy $5 off the retail price! Make sure you get a copy for you or that advid reader that you know. Go to http://rickysnewbook.blogspot.com .

RESERVE A COPY OF MY EBOOK TODAY!!!

2011-11-27T21:44:00.000-08:00

Why do I think this EBOOK is worth your hard earned $15 - $10 if you are one of the first 1,000 to reserve a copy??? Well, if you know somebody who has been cooped up in a hospital room, or has fallen in love unexpectedly, or has been scared or confused then, this would be a GREAT gift any day of the year. Anyone will totally relate to this story.
My name is Ricky and I grew up in the 1980's. It was a more fun and a lot safer time. I was heavily into football and college basketball -- Go HEELS! I wanna write some feel good and inspirational stories; possibly even a movie script. I'm trying to bring that fun, comfortable, and safe feeling back in this morbid time of fear and turmoil. So feel free to sample some of my writing on my blog. My blog is here but if this is posted elsewhere then it's at http://rickysnewbook.blogspot.com/ There I have excerpts of the first draft posted and you can even follow my twitter account at https://twitter.com/#!/Rickysnewbook I made it especially for giving insight about my writing, thinking, and the EBOOK. I promise it will be a way to get the most for your $10; as one of the first 1,000 readers/buyers. The money is for the appreciation of what I am sharing in the book about my life, because it's a great true story, because everything I make on this one is gonna help fund my next project, and because everyone that reserves a copy is going to get $5 off my next book. My next book is an action thriller about what would happen if China flexed its muscles in the U.S. It came to me in a dream. If for nothing else, thanks for your time and thanks in advance for buying my EBOOK! The official release date is slated for January 20, 2012 but I will update on my blog, twitter, and email if I get the editing done earlier; maybe in time for Christmas. Please leave your email address below where I can give updates and information on my ebook and release date. AGAIN THANK YOU ALL!

Music And Me...

2011-04-17T07:10:00.000-07:00

     What are my music tastes and what were my main influences? Hello, I listen to music quite a bit and I find myself liking many different types. And guess what? I am not afraid to say it. There is a certain stigma that comes with liking music that "you shouldn't like" due to your race or culture. I was never big on doing things according to others. I grew up in the 1980's and at the time, there weren't a lot of the themed music stations. The few radio stations, at the time, played everything. It was an era of skating rink birthday parties and dodgeball. Well, naturally, my tastes grew from there. I had a pretty happy childhood; even though, we did have our struggles, I really enjoyed it! I loved sports and I was good at them. I had many friends and many positive influences in my life. Why do I like the music that I like today? There are a few reasons that stand out.
     I touched on it briefly; however, it started my love for music. Growing up, we had radio stations that played Top 40 music. The internet didn't exist and neither did radio stations that specialized in one particular type of artists. Like it or not, I had to listen to R & B, pop, country, rock and roll, and rap all on one station. Well, I did like it! As I was exposed to more music, I began to seek out similar music from different singers. While listening to Aerosmith's "Dude Looks Like A Lady", I would stumble upon The Rolling Stones' "Jumping Jack Flash" and so forth.
     Now at home, I would hear mainly Motown because that was from my Moms generation. This started my thirst for Rhythm and blues or R & B. It was not only about the singer, I enjoyed the beat and the lyrics too. How could you not enjoy the infectious beat on James Brown's "The Big Payback?" I play that now still today. And let's not forget Mr. Michael Jackson. It was safe to say that I was hooked from the very first note.
     Then, the 1990's came along with Alternative and Gansta Rap. I had already started listening to rap in the '80's but this was more hardcore than DJ Jazzy Jeff and The Fresh Prince's "Parent's Just Don't Understand." One of my all time favorite groups is NWA. Yeah, they were an in your face rap group that talked about everything that your parents feared and never apologized for it. But, it was really good music! The beats and the lyrics were well put together; just perfect and it was the first time that I heard a black group be so defiant. Alternative, as it was called at the time, was ushered in by R.E.M. I liked them because it was different and good. Their "Losing My Religion" was a classic. I have many of their songs on my ipod today. many other groups would come along in this genre but R.E.M. was the first that was really commercially successful.
     Now, when it comes to classic rock, I have to give thanks to my first...well you know. She was a beautiful, free-spirited soul that captivated me. I had already been listening to The Eagles "Long Run" so it wasn't new. However, there was so much more to it. For instance, Eric Clapton's "Cocaine" is a good song that I might not have heard if she wasn't in my life. So I dove into this category and found many great artists. Through this, I became even more musically diverse. From Kansas to Creedance Clearwater Revival, there are too many too list. Thanks Ms. X!
     When it comes to country, I listen to a few artists. My first was probably Dolly Parton though. Way back in the day, her duet "Islands In The Stream" and "9 to 5" were good ones. But, more so in the 1990's, Shania Twain made it interesting again. I think that a women's sex appeal is highly underrated. What man hasn't done something for no other reason than the fact he was following an attractive woman? Countries have fallen. Anyway, she had some great songs such as "Still The One" and so I got back into country. I prefer female country artists but there are a few male groups such as Little Texas' "What Might Have Been." Great song!
     I could go on and on but you probably want to leave a comment so I will shut up. Way too many artists to list; I couldn't do it real justice. But, I have given you some insight. Being a black male, it is not popular to like most of the music that I like. You know what I say...ef them. Starting back when going to the skating rink was cool, I learned to enjoy and appreciate many different types of music. I am grateful that I do enjoy it all and I think it also had to do with my overall attitude towards life. Today is gonna be a good music listening day!

Tools To Become An Effective Manager...

2011-04-03T16:42:00.000-07:00

    Throughout my employment experiences, whether it was as a leader or a follower, the thing that determined my overall job satisfaction was the effectiveness of my supervision. A great effective manager can make a somewhat stressful job a much more pleasant environment. It's the managers that understand their role that have the most motivated and dependable employees. Please don't think that just by title alone, you can rule with an iron fist. Nobody likes orders shouted at them in a disrespectful manner. If you are a manager or will become one soon, then I suggest that you take heed and sharpen up these 5 qualities of an effective manager.
     Be an excellent communicator! You must be able express what it is that you want carried out in a precise manner. Everyone can't follow the level of instructions easily. You must know the employee that you are talking to and give tailor-made directions. People comprehend and work on different skill levels so this would definitely help in the communication department. Also, remember to listen to any special needs or requests so your employees will have the proper tools needed to complete their job.
     Be fair! I have worked for different people in my life and the ones that stood out the most, were the managers that were fair. If you are a manager remember that employees notice everything. So if you "show" that you have favorites, it will be questioned and resented by everyone else on some level. For example, if you send someone home early today, then send someone else home early tomorrow. Give everybody a chance to enjoy the few perks that are offered and you will be much more appreciated. There is no need to add drama to the workplace by showing favoritism.
     Be knowledgeable! There is nothing more disenchanting and depressing than going to work for a boss that is clueless. Employees will lose all respect for you if you do not know if you don't know how to direct them. If there are different areas of expertise, then you must work to become efficient in all of them. You should be able to answer any questions that arise correctly. An employee will take what you say more serious if he or she knows that you know what you are talking about. You will be more involved in important decisions because you will be more assured with your self worth.
     Be confident! Being able to solve problems is good. Being confident that your solution will permanently solve them is priceless. Not every decision that you will have to make will be the best one. However, you must be confident, that at the time and current circumstances, you have made the best decision. When you are confident it shows in your expressions and your demeanor.
     Be a good decision maker! Be able to make good decisions based on information and facts. If you come across a theme that you might not be that familiar with, then be able to make a very educated guess. Stay informed of any new techniques, rules, or procedures so you won't base any decision on out-dated material. Making good and quick decisions will make your employees comfortable when approaching you with a problem and you will be better informed.
     These are five of the best qualities of an effective manager. There are more qualities that you should possess , but if you start with these as a foundation, then you will be well on your way to being the best at your workplace. By being a good manager, you will make work a more pleasurable experience for your employees and it will result in better work performance.

They Burnt The Quran...

2011-04-02T17:23:00.000-07:00

     Well, they finally did it! It was talked about last year around the anniversary of the September 11th attacks. The dishonorable Reverend Terry Jones must have lost his mind. Mr. Jones and his church, the Dove Outreach Center, decided to put the lives of U.S. military members in further jeopardy. He selfishly took it upon himself to create a more hostile environment because of a personal crusade. Although he did not commit any crimes, as far as I know, he placed shame upon himself and this great country by his despicable actions. As a man of the cloth, I would think he would know better and have more respect for others. Atleast I thought.
     Somewhere, on or about March 20th, Terry Jones and his crew burnt the Quran. The Quran is essentially the Bible of the Muslim faith. Not only did he burn it, he had the audacity to broadcast it online. Apparently, he put the Quran on trial and found it guilty of training and promoting terrorist activities worldwide. Yeah, he's crazy. He blames a sacred Book for the actions of ignorant individuals. Make no mistake, terrorists rank among the lowest forms of life. However, all Muslims are not terrorist. And, it's not the Quran, it's the people that wrongly use it to influence weak-minded individuals to commit horrible crimes. His actions caused an uproar among devout Muslims around the world to include those residing in the United States. In Afghanistan, people have taken to the streets looking for anything American to destroy. In one case, 11 people were killed including 7 foreigners when they stormed a U.N. compound on Friday. Afghan President Hamid Karzai issued a statement that called the incident a crime against a religion. He further stated that it was a disrespectful and abhorrent act.
     Yes, other countries have burnt the American flag and worse; that doesn't make what Jones did right. Do stupid things that will cause yourself harm not others. What do you think? Do you agree with what he did? Just because you have the right to do something doesn't make it morally correct.

Obama's High-Speed Rail System Stalls...

2011-03-29T18:06:00.000-07:00

The Obama Administration launched a high-speed rail system in the United States, in order to change the preferred way of travel. This would improve carbon emissions, create jobs, spark a new and healthy competition within the U.S. economy, and help reduce the dependence on oil from foreign countries. President Obama put $8 billion , for the high-speed railway, in the 2010 stimulus bill. The government was to provide grants for 31 states while creating a network of 13 high-speed lines. The new plan seems to be more about improving old, out-dated rails than constructing new ones. Early on, there have been issues and concerns among these states resulting in the refusal of government funds in most cases.
     Florida, Ohio, and Wisconsin are all rejecting high-speed rail funding which will cause taxpayers to have to foot the bill. These states decided to refuse federal funds that were meant to cover the millions of dollars that were already invested in the project.
    Florida has refused $2.4 billion in grants. Governor Rick Scott was opposed to this proposal from the start. The new railway had been planned to run between Tampa and Orlando. Most democrats condemned Scott's actions of refusing the money. Senator Bill Nelson and Representative John Mica, Chairman of the House Transportation Infrastructure Committee, are trying to find a way to make it happen. Governor Scott doubted that the early estimates of projected paying customers were correct. That would mean great financial loses every year. Scott was leery because the Jacksonville Skyway already loses $5 million a year.
     The great state of Ohio was to receive $400 million for the new railway system but Governor John Kasich would rather not. His offices believed it would be more of a burden than relief by generating only $12 million in sales yet costing $29 million to operate. Of course, the burden would fall on the Ohio taxpayers.
     Wisconsin has a similar case. The state was slotted to receive $810 million in federal cash to create the new rail system. Governor Scott Walker had his people crunch the numbers and concluded that it would create more debt for the state than it was worth. He feels that the money would  be better spent fixing old highways and bridges rather than creating a high-speed railway. After rejecting the funds for the high-speed line, Walker is asking for $150 million to improve the current train lines within the state.
     Now it is North Carolina's turn to figure out if they are going forward with the project or refusing the funds. It seems as though the Tarheel state is going to return it's $545 million share of government funds. The legislative branch wanted to put funds, that were already accepted, into a general fund and use the money at their discretion. However, they were quickly informed that the money was to be used for the rail system only or returned to the government. This case is somewhat different than the other states because Governor Beverly Perdue supports it.
     Although the good will is there, many states have turned down the creation of jobs by not approving the construction of a high-speed railway. They have cited future expenses as a major concern when compared to profit. If the funds are not used by the state for the railway then, they must forfeit the money back to the federal government. There was a lot of hype and energy surrounding this better mode of transportation at the start. The whole project was likened to that of the interstate highway projects of the Eisenhower era. Just how many more states will decline on this offer remains to be seen.

My First Love...

2011-03-26T01:20:00.000-07:00

I like to dabble in poetry from time to time. Especially for that significant other that I might have at the time. I was up late, as usual, and I felt poetic so here goes...

.
My first love, really knew how to sing.
My first love, was the sexiest little thing.
My first love, enjoyed many cheap thrills.
My first love, always gave me major chills.
My first love, I used to admire her from afar.
My first love, I wonder if you know who you are?
My first love, will always be special to me.
My first love, there's nobody else I'd want her to be.
My first love, has a special place in my heart.
My first love, why did it all fall apart?
My first love, it was exciting to discover.
My first love, there will never be another.
My first love, we had a lot of fun in bed.
My first love, forever dances in my head.

If It Doesn't Kill You Then It Will Annoy You...

2011-03-22T17:15:00.000-07:00

     Let's vent eh? I am not a major complainer but I am human. Things get to me just as much as the next guy or girl. So let's do it. I am gonna share with you, things that annoy and irk me. I hope that you will leave a comment and feel free to add anything that I have missed or that you want to share. I hope there are a lot of comments on this one because I want to see what everybody thinks is annoying. It's a learning experience! Now, in no particular order, here are some of my pet peeves.
     Over analyzing is a good place to start. Oh man, don't you hate it? You say something like "I thought you were sleeping and that's why I haven't called you yet" and then you hear... What does that mean? So what are you trying to say? You think all I do is sleep? So are you trying to call me lazy? I wonder how all of that came out of what I just said. It is so very annoying. Maybe it means that I just thought you might be asleep.
     Automated phone systems are another sore point. They suck. I take a real disliking to the ones that also use the voice recognition type of technology. Press or say 1 if you are inquiring about a checking account. Then, achoooo! I am sorry, did you say 2? Press or say 1 if you said 2, press or say 2 if you said something else, or press or say 3 if you want to return to the main menu. And it goes on and on and on... How annoying?
     Alarm clock buzzing is exactly what I want to hear in the morning. This sound is dreaded for different reasons. It can mean the end of a great weekend on a Monday morning. It could mean that you gotta get up now and dress for work no matter if you are still tired. It could also mean that you forgot to shut it off and now you woke up early on a Saturday for nothing. One thing is for sure, that dreadful tone is unwelcome at my place. I usually wake up not too long before it goes off for that very reason. It irks me.
     Slurping annoys me to no end. For me, Slurping is a very annoying sound that drives me crazy. It is bad enough for someone to slurp on a cup of coffee or a drink. But, people will slurp on anything as long as there is any amount of liquid in the food. Loud annoying slurping sounds while everybody is eating. I am like, what the ef are you slurping on; it's spaghetti. This ranks high on the list with me.
     Toilet up splash irritates me too. It is super funny that it does but it does. When you are on the toilet and you start dropping bombs and, as you are still sitting there, you feel the water splash up on your ass. Ewwww, nasty toilet water... It just makes me mad that the raunchy toilet water hit my skin, not to mention the fact that it is cold. It makes me feel all dirty.
     That is just a taste of what irks me. Over analyzing, automated phone systems, alarm clock buzzing, slurping noises when eating (lol), and the infamous toilet up splash are just a few examples of things that get on my nerves. What annoys you? I know you wanna tell me.

Avatars...

2011-03-20T14:53:00.000-07:00

    An avatar is a personalized graphic that represents a person. There are pretty much two types: those used in forum like situations on websites and those used in gaming. I am not a big gamer so I am going to talk about those that are found on websites. A website usually offers a way for you to upload a file to use as an avatar to represent yourself. It could be a real life photo of yourself or just an image that you think represent you or your business. In Hindu mythology, an avatar is a deity that has taken on an earthly form such as a human. Humans have created virtual worlds and the computer avatar represents human incarnation in that world.
     People choose different photos and images to represent them on the computer. Some people choose a logo maybe to give them a recognizable brand. Some people choose to use a celebrities photo because maybe they want to remain anonymous or they just simply like that person that much. Others use their own photo as their avatar. I must admit that this is my favorite. I don't take a lot of pictures so when I get a chance to show my face then, I will jump at the chance. I like to see the person that I am interacting with on line. I am talking just a personal amateur picture taken that shows off their face. There are also people who like to create a cartoonish version of themselves as an avatar. The ones that I dislike the most, are the generic avatars that are given to you before you upload yours. I guess hate is a strong word; let's say dislike. I feel it just shows a special kind of laziness (sorry if that is you).
     So what is your avatar of and why? And which ones do you like the most? I probably missed a few so just let me know.

Why Ping?

2011-03-17T14:39:00.000-07:00

Pinging notifies search engines that an update has been made on your blog. A signal is sent to ping servers which will generate a list of blogs that have been updated with new material. Pinging is a very useful tool and should be used to maximize a blog's exposure. Pinging your blog is an excellent source of building link popularity while gaining global exposure to your blog. This will help you get more traffic, more visitors, and listed in the search engines faster. It is not difficult to ping your blog. There are websites that will do it after you enter your information or you can set it up in your blog configuration to have it automatically done. There are numerous free sites that will do it for you. Two of the better ones are: http://www.pingomatic.com/ http://www.pingler.com/ . Basically, all you have to do is enter your blog URL and name. Then, check all of the services that you want to know about your blog. The more the merrier. You can ping your blog manually or automatically. To do it automatically on Blogger through your blog configuration, go to settings and scroll down the page to "let search engines find your blog." Then, use the drop down box to say "yes." Manual pinging is simply going to the above sites and filling out the form. Then, just hit the ping button. Wait for the site to finish pinging your blog before you leave. Refrain from sending excessive pings in a short time period because you could get banned from some search engines.

Meta Tags

2011-03-10T16:33:00.000-08:00

A meta tag is a code or tag in the Hypertext Markup Language or HTML that outlines features of the contents of a web page. Internet search engines use meta tags to index a page so when people search for something that is written in your page, they are most likely to find you. That tag is usually written in the form of <META name = "something" content = "something else" > It is imperative that each tag doesn't have any line breaks. The basic types of meta tags are the description, author's name, and keywords. Although not viewed by users, the meta description tag, the author's name tag, and the meta keyword tag provide information to user agents like search engines. The description tag is a word, sentence, or paragraph describing the page. The author's name tag s simply that; the author's name. The keyword tag is a list of optimum keywords that are included in the text or appropriate synonyms of these keywords separated by commas. Meta tags help search engines determine how to list or rank your site. These tags can tell a browser what character set to employ. While the majority of search engines use the contents of your page as a method to determine how to index it, don't forget to include meta tags with good keywords and descriptions. well-written tags can make your page rank higher in search results. After every new post or addition to your page, you should visit the HTML section and add the appropriate meta tags and then ping your blog. I will touch on pinging your blog in my next post. I have received a lot more traffic since following this formula. Google likes my page due to frequent updates to the content plus the meta tags that I have used. If you have any questions, there are several ways to contact me. Here is how to add those valuable meta tags to your page or site.

1.Sign in to your blogger dashboard>click the 'design' button[it used to be the 'layout' button]

2.Click on the 'Edit html' tab

3. Then, check the "expand widgets" box

Here is the code you have to add

<meta content='DESCRIPTION HERE' name='description'/>
<meta content='KEYWORDS HERE' name='keywords'/>
<meta content='AUTHOR NAME HERE' name='author'/>

DESCRIPTION HERE:Write your blog description
KEYWORDS:Write the keywords of your blog
AUTHOR NAME:Write the author's name(Your name)

{ UPDATE : }
Now..You don't need to do it manually.. I created an automatic Meta Tags Generator to make this process easy for you!
Just go to this page and Enter some basic information like keywords,description,etc.. It will automatically generate you error free, effective Meta tags. Once done, copy that code and follow the next step.

4.Add the above code just after this [Look at the below screenshot]
<b:include data='blog' name='all-head-content'/>

Don't forget to add description, keywords, and your name
and save the changes.

5. A quick way to check to see if you added the meta tags properly is to preview or view your blog. As long as the blog appears the same as it did before you added the tags, then you have done a great job! If there are errors, you want to go back to your to Design, Edit HTML, and Expand Widgets and check where you added the meta tags to make sure all of the keywords (except the last one) have a commas and spaces behind them.

IMPORTANT:
Several people were filling with just the keywords in the description.DON'T DO THAT.Google and other search engines will ban your site from the search engines list if you did so.And also,don't repeat the keyword more than 3 times.
That's it!You have sucessfully added the metatags to your blogger(blogpsot) blog.If you want to check whether you added the meta tags correctly or not,just type 'meta tags analyzer tool' in the google and you will find so many sites which can check whether you have added the tags correctly or not.

Phone Sex...

2011-03-08T14:44:00.000-08:00

Phone sex is basically sexually explicit conversation usually just between two people via telephone while one or both of the participants masturbate. Phone sex can involve people who are together in a relationship or total complete strangers that met over the telephone. It can be exciting to fantasize with a person with whom you have been intimate with or a stranger that either is horny or that you share the same sexual compatibility. Phone sex does not include physical contact between the two people. Couples could use it when they are far apart in distance and can't be together physically. Like most taboo or sexual things, there is a stigma that goes along with phone sex just like that of masturbation. people that do it or have tried it, don't usually talk about it in public.

Phone sex is a billion dollar industry. It has been thriving since the advent of 1-900 and 1-800 phone lines that provide dirty talk for a fee per minute. People, predominately women, can be employed as phone sex operators and work from home or at a designated office. They simply talk dirty to people who call for sexual gratification through masturbation. Women are usually employed but there are some men working for alternative chat lines. There are some local chat lines that are advertised as dating lines where you can call and possibly find someone who you can have a relationship with. Maybe. However, don't be surprised to find people who are looking for phone sex. There are usually only amateurs on this type of chat line. These type of phone lines are free for women but men have to pay a fee after the initial free trial is over.
There are different reasons that people engage in phone sex. One reason is being sexually unhappy at home but not wanting to physically cheat. Another is not being able to find a sexual partner in person due to their appearance or fear of sexually transmitted diseases or STD's. Some people just might not have the time for finding an appropriate sexual partner and find mutual masturbation as a better option than settling for someone out of lust. Sexual fantasy is another thing that might make phone sex appealing. Some people might get turned on by the idea of a sexual act but don't want to incorporate it into their bedroom. Embarrassment is another possible reason for participating in phone sex. A person could be embarrassed by their sexual desires such as domination, cross-dressing, homosexuality, or any other desire not socially accepted. And last but not least, some people just plain like dirty talk in their lives as an enhancement to sexual pleasure and have yet to find that kind of verbal stimulation in a sexual partner.

Phone sex is a widely used but not socially accepted way to enhance mutual masturbation. It is a billion dollar industry but there are many amateurs that enjoy it just the same. I feel that it definitely can help out when a couple is separated or if a person just wants to fantasize while masturbating. People can live out fantasies of interracial sexcapades, role playing, being degraded, domination, public sex, group sex or any other sexual fantasy without the stigma. I personally feel that there is nothing wrong with it. Many people don't even admit that they masturbate and there is nothing wrong with doing that as well. When skype came out, that made things even more interesting but I need a whole different post to get into that one...lol. What do you think about it? Have you ever one it (I don't expect too many people to admit it)? I will honestly say that I have done it and I like it. So download skype or grab your phones and enjoy!

Human Trafficking...

2011-03-06T22:21:00.000-08:00

Human trafficking is illegally trading human beings for forced labor or commercial sexual exploitation. This also considered by some as a form of slavery. In the year 2000, the United Nations, or UN, adopted the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress, and Punish Trafficking in Persons. It is the first set of international diplomatic guidelines based on human trafficking. Another purpose of the Protocol is to assist and protect the victims with respect for their human rights. The Trafficking Protocol was started on December 25, 2003. Since it's inception, it has been signed by 117 countries.
     Trafficking is a very lucrative industry. It has become the fastest growing criminal industry in the world. Women and children are usually the victims of this crime. The UN suspects that over 2.5 million people, from roughly 127 different countries, are trafficked throughout the world.
     People smuggling and human trafficking are two different things. With people smuggling, people voluntarily hire someone to transport them from one place to another. Usually it's from one country to another involving illegal entry. After arriving at their destination, the person is set free. Human trafficking does not require the physical movement of someone. However, it must involve the exploitation of a person for labor or sex. The victims are not permitted to leave upon arrival. They are held against their will by coercion and forced to provide services to others. This arrangement could be structured as a work contract with very low or no payment. Sometimes it is even set up to where the victim owes a debt to the trafficker that they are unable to pay due to low wages.
     There are basically three forms of this type of illegal labor.
     Bonded labor is most widely used to enslave people. The victims' labor is demanded to repay a loan or service and the terms of the contract is not clearly defined. The system is set so the victim will not be able to pay them back in a reasonable amount of time.
     Forced labor is where the victim is forced to work against their will. Their freedom is restricted under the threat of violence or other forms of punishment. Men can be coerced into forms of forced labor such as agricultural, janitorial, factory, or food service jobs.
     Sex trafficking victims are usually women in dire circumstances. They prey on homeless individuals, runaway teens, drug addicts, and refugees. Traffickers exploit their vulnerabilities by offering marriage, education, or just a better life. The victims are forced to work dancing in strip clubs, in pornography, or prostitution.

     Human trafficking does not require travel from one location to another; however, a form of sex trafficking involves international brokers who arrange travel and job placement from one country to another. Women are lured by promises of high paying job that they can't find in their own country. But, when the reach their destination, they realize that they have been deceived. In some cases, their passports and visas are held by their employers to prevent a safe and legal escape.
     Many impoverished countries are involved in such acts; however, it happens within the U.S. as well. There is an estimated 10,000 forced laborers trafficked in the U.S. The U.S. is mainly used as a destination country for victims. States have laws against trafficking, though federal laws are much tougher. Slavery itself was outlawed in the 13th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. Atlanta, Georgia has been designated as the place with the highest rate of child sex trafficking. There are many organizations with free hot lines where people can call if they are caught in a trafficking situation. The Trafficking Victims Protection Act, or TVPA, was established to combat all forms of human trafficking in the U.S. The TVPA has three ways to prevent human trafficking. They include public awareness, economic alternatives, and consultation. Basically, public awareness is raised through commercials and pamphlets that are distributed to inform the public of trafficking and how to identify it when they see it. The government hopes by creating a steady flow of jobs, it will deter the need for such a drastic choice. And finally, the government consults with higher authorities on new ways and ideas to combat this problem as well as educates the ones that are unaware.
     Human trafficking is a serious problem and it does exist. Although, it is more prevalent in less fortunate countries, the U.S. is not immune. unfortunately, women and children are the main victims. Due to the lack of opportunities in their country, a lot of women seek work in different countries and there are people waiting to prey on them. Homeless women and children are also targeted as victims. How do you think we could do a better job of prevent human trafficking here in the states or in your country? Have you ever seen it happening firsthand?

Let Everyone Read Your Blog...

2011-02-21T11:18:00.000-08:00

Hello, this is definitely one tool that you will want to add to your blog. Google translate will convert your entire blog into most other languages so international readers can understand your blog. I posted this because a blogger friend ran into this very issue. Below is everything you need from google.com.

Add Translate to your website

Add Google's website translator to your webpages, and offer instant access to automatic translation of the pages. Adding the website translator is quick and easy. Get started with our wizard below:

Step 1: Type of translation element

Add translation to the entire webpage

Add translation to a section of the webpage

Step 4: Copy and paste this snippet of code into your webpage

<div id="google_translate_element"></div><script> function googleTranslateElementInit() {   new google.translate.TranslateElement({     pageLanguage: 'en'   }, 'google_translate_element'); } </script><script src="//translate.google.com/translate_a/element.js?cb=googleTranslateElementInit"></script>

Preview your page

You can simply add this code just as you add any other widget to your blog; copy and paste it. If you have any questions then please leave them in the comment section. Thanks!

Is MDMA Useful?

2011-02-12T16:33:00.000-08:00

     Methylenedioxymethmphetamine or MDMA is the active ingredient in ecstasy. Ecstasy fueled a party culture in the 1980's and 90's in North America and Europe. Ecstasy goes by the nickname "E" which stands for euphoria, energy, empathy, and escape. Rumors swirled that it could cause nervous breakdowns, Parkinson's disease, memory loss, and even death. MDMA has been accused of being many things including a killer. However, some therapists claim that it can help patients move beyond horrible feelings that torture them and help light the way out of an unspeakable past. It's kind of like MDMA started getting a bad reputation because of ecstasy.
     Thousands of practitioners have risked their licenses to use MDMA in underground clinics since 1985. It was labeled as a Schedule I by the Drug Enforcement Administration or DEA, for substances with no approved medical use and a high risk for abuse. The effects of a dose lasts for 4 hours. It initiates a surge in serotonin and dopamine. They are neuro-chemicals associated with feelings of happiness and pleasure. It also gives a surge of oxytocin. This chemical gives a feeling of trust and bonding. MDMA controls the fear center in the brain, the amygdola, and suppresses the fight-or-flight response. The apprehension, that a trauma patient could suffer, is silenced with no sedative effects of anti-anxiety medications. It helps a victim of abuse or an injured veteran live a life free of pain. Also, it can be used to treat depression, eating disorders, end-of-life anxiety, chronic pain, and PTSD.
     Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD, leaves psychological scars on the human brain. When a person experiences a traumatic event such as a tour of duty, a rape, or a car accident, the amygdola sends panic messages to the body. past events resurface in the present in the form of flashbacks and nightmares. With PTSD, you exhaust your energy trying to get work, paying the bills, and keeping up the facade that you are "normal." Then, when something else goes wrong, it triggers fight-or-flight and you panic.

     Of course, it is not all good. There are risks with MDMA. Along with increasing blood pressure and heart rate, it causes the heart to pump inefficiently. MDMA can have adverse effects when taken with other medications causing serotonin syndrome. This is when the brain overdoses on serotonin, resulting in tremors, sweating, and hallucinations. In more serious cases, it can lead to hyperthermia or an increase in body temperature, which can bring on seizures, a coma, renal failure, and possibly death.
     The some professionals believe the safer alternative to MDMA is prolonged exposure or PE therapy. PE therapy is when patients go over the details of their trauma in 8 to fifteen weekly sessions. There is a 95% success rate in cases where the patients complete the course. But, 20% of the people that start PE therapy, drop out.
     MDMA is risky to an extent but most drugs are. It's a case of risk versus reward. If I was a military veteran that suffered from PTSD, would I want some take MDMA and get some of my sanity back? Or if I were a rape victim, would I want to end all of those horrible nightmares?  I feel a big part of the negativity of MDMA has to do with the fact that it is associated with ecstasy. What do you think? Do you think that trauma patients should have to go with PE therapy, where they relive their traumatic experience over and over or be able to use MDMA where they can basically face and forget the event with a clean mind?

Free Egypt!!!.

2011-02-11T13:14:00.000-08:00

How important will this day wind up being in world history? I am happy for Egyptian people everywhere; especially the ones who wanted President Mubarak out. This is a good example for other nations as far as running a generally peaceful protest on such a wide scale. I followed this story but I never wrote about it because it was forever changing. Hundreds of thousands of protesters in Cairo rejoiced Friday when vice president, Omar Suleiman reported that Hosni Mubarak had decided to officially step down. There were chants of "Egypt is free! Egypt is free!" The protest lasted for 18 days straight. The vice president said that the military would assume power. Field Marshal Mohammed Hussein Tantawi, commander-in-chief of the armed forces, has taken control. It was rumored that Mubarak would step aside but when he gave his speech Thursday, he was acting as though all of the protests hadn't taken place. This confused many people. I think that he just didn't want to give it up and initially thought he could just wait out the will of the people. The protesters had demanded the departure of the prime minister, the parliament, the vice president, and the president. They also said that thy didn't want a military-led government. I guess four out of five isn't bad. It will be interesting to see what comes out in the wash. How quick will the people disperse and return to their homes? Will they still wait it out until they have all of their demands met or will Mubaraks ousting be enough for now? I hope that all of the hard work will pay off in the end. The people have spoken and the whole world saw it unfold. Will this prompt other Arab nations to action?

Super Bowl Fiasco...

2011-02-09T11:57:00.000-08:00

Americans are quick to file a lawsuit for the most trivial things. Although some are warranted, most are just get rich quick schemes. In this case, I will let you decide for yourself if it's a scheme or legit.
After the Super Bowl XLV on February 6th, the NFL, owner Jerry Jones, and the Dallas Cowboys are on the receiving end of a major lawsuit. Football fans bought tickets to the game and didn't have seats. One man said some of the Cowboys' biggest fans were promised Super Bowl tickets and winded up sitting on metal folding chairs with a crappy view. The way it went down was right before the game, the NFL announced that 1,250 temporary seats were found unsafe so they rushed to get seats for about 850 people. The other 400 fans had to stand and watch the game on television monitors. Now mind you these are people that had already paid full ticket prices. In the lawsuit, it states that the Cowboys gave no compensation for the inconvenience. The NFL said that about 400 of the fans have two options. Either get a ticket to next years Super Bowl game and a $2,400 cash payment or a ticket to any future Super Bowl including airfare and hotel accommodations. Do you think that is fair? It seems to me that it is except for the fact that it was Green Bay and the Steelers in this particular Super Bowl. If either one was your team, they might not make it back in your lifetime.

The way plans fall apart these days, we shouldn't be surprised when things don't go our way. However, I am the first one to get what I paid for with no exceptions. Some people say that these fans are making too much of this incident. So far, I don't think that it has gone too far. But, who knows what is to come out in the next several weeks. I feel as though the Cowboys organization should take the brunt of the blame for this fiasco. That was piss poor planning that could have been easily avoided. By the way, the Packers beat the Steelers 31-25. What do you think about this mess? Who's fault do you think it is?

Militants Kill Suspected Spies

2011-02-05T16:31:00.000-08:00

Here we go again. Militants killed four men accused of spying for the U.S. Their bodies were dumped along a road in Pakistan's tribal region. The area where they were found is thought to be a safe haven for al Qaeda and Pakistani Taliban militants. There was a note affixed to one of the men that said, "This is the fate for whoever works for the U.S." It also stated that they confessed to spying. Dozens of men have been killed for aiding U.S. and Pakistani forces in Afghanistan. Many believe that these killings are carried out because the U.S. is suspected in more than 30 missile strikes in Pakistan since August 2010.
I took a moment to see just how I felt about all of this. The proud American in me wants to suit up and go hunting; although, that would just add to the overwhelming ignorance in that region. So the better man in me would just wish that those involved suffer 10 times as much humiliation and pain as the men who were executed. Don't get me wrong, I know that actual spies are severely punished and killed. But, who determined that they were spies? Did they have any kind of trial? Or was it just a case of street justice? Now, on the flip side, suspected terrorists and spies have a court trial if charged by the U.S. Can you believe it? I will give them spies to throw in prison but terrorists? In Ricky's world, I would determine if the accused was involved and then, a la Samuel L. Jackson in the movie "Unthinkable", force them to tell on their buddies. When I was done, they would have the right to a speedy death. I know it's kinda harsh but is it though? How would you handle spies and terrorists?

What Is Going To happen Here?

2011-02-01T12:40:00.000-08:00

I knew it was just a matter of time before I got around to writing about Egypt. I have been following this compelling story since it started. I will make a separate post on the topic. Do you wonder if something like this could ever happen here in the U.S.? And what would it take to spark off such a revolution? I am a proud American by birth, by allegiance, and in spirit. It would definitely be a sad day but could become one of the most defining moments in history. I served in the military so I have been on both sides of the spectrum. What I want is for Congress to put aside egos and to work with President Obama to help strengthen this country back to prominence. Americans need to act like Americans. Why not buy American and start supporting more stateside causes instead of the overseas causes until everything is good here at home? We tend to use patriotism as a knee jerk reaction after the fact. After something terrible has happened. Use all of your energy constructively instead of becoming part of the problem. I see the "Tea Party" as a joke. They have a good premise but no substance. The people that represent them have crazy agendas. Not to mention all of the negativity that has surrounded gatherings and protests. They have changed the atmosphere of politics but not in a positive way. The whole vote with your guns kind of mentality has no place in this society. Just take a good look at what happened in Arizona. I strongly feel that, due to the volatile atmosphere in politics, this event happened. Not everyone is strong enough mentally to handle the in-your-face style of politics without taking it a step further.
The events that have happened in Tunisia and Egypt might end up being a precursor to what's to come over there in other countries. Hopefully, we can all come together without taking it that far in the U.S. What do you think is to come here in the states? What do you think about the way things are going here?

Acid Rain Update

2011-01-29T14:22:00.000-08:00

This is an "Acid Rain" update. Since Bethany Storro has been accussed of throwing acid on herself and claiming that she was attacked by a black woman, she has appeared in court before a judge to agree to postpone her trial date. The new date is March 9th and she had to waive her right to a speedy trial in order to do so. The trial was postponed due to ongoing negotiations.
Her face is realluy jacked up! It looks like someone drug her by her face accross uneven pavement. One of the things I can't believe is that people are still using "the black person did it" excuse. I mean come on. Well, let's just hope that she gets what she deserves in March.

Nothing But Net...

2011-01-29T06:15:00.000-08:00

Another crazy video that I just had to share with you. I will get back to my usual thought provoking topics after this video. How many points do you think he should get for this amazing shot? Please comment and let me know.

Rat On NYC Subway Crawls On Man

2011-01-18T20:40:00.000-08:00

This video is crazy! I saw this one the other night and I had to make sure that everyone has seen it. Just a little somehing to laugh at and change the pace a little. Please feel free to comment.

Politics Gone Crazy?

2011-01-13T12:51:00.000-08:00

A gunman shot a semi-automatic weapon, during a public gathering for Representative Gabrielle Giffords, into the crowd. He shot her in the head and killed Arizona's chief federal judge and five other people. The shooting was aimed at Representative Giffords and left her in critical condition. Twelve other people were wounded including a 9 year-old girl and a U.S. District Judge. The 9 year-old was later pronounced dead in the hospital. People were angry because Giffords supported President Obama's health care plan. They expressed their anger by vandalizing her office in March and, at an earlier event, someone showed up at her rally with a gun. The suspected shooter was identified as Jared Loughner and his motive was not known. He as been described as mentally unstable and may have been acting with an accomplice. His former classmates described him as a pot smoking loner. At one point, he had tried to enlist in the army but was rejected for reasons not disclosed.
What contributed to this tragic event? Was it all of the hostile political rhetoric that has become associated with the Tea Party and some Republicans? For example, Republican challenger Jesse Kelly urged his supporters to help remove Gifford from office by joining him to shoot an M-16 rifle. Also, Gifford was among 20 Democrats that were posted on Sarah Palin's facebook page with the cross-hairs of a gun scope over each of their districts. Did these events help some devoted supporters go over the edge and act out these threats?

I feel that all of the threats have contributed to a very hostile political environment. Some of the things that have been said, like all of the racial slurs that were blurted out, anti-gay speech, and anti-semitism rhetoric, makes you wonder what exactly is the agenda of the "Tea Party." Since the Tea Party has gained some steam, more radical Republicans have even jumped on the band wagon. Democratic Congressmen and women had their offices windows smashed and have received threatening phone calls. Is it gonna get worse as the Presidential election is coming up? I thought that everybody claims that it is all for the people. How does further separation in Congress and this senseless violence help the people?

Where Have All The Blackbirds Gone?

2011-01-09T08:28:00.000-08:00

Every once in awhile there comes along an event that defies logic and goes unexplained. This may very well wind up being another one. It was like an eerie scene from a horror flick. On New Year's Eve, in Arkansas, thousands of blackbirds died and crash landed all over streets, roofs, and backyards. U.S. officials were trying to figure out how this could have possibly happened. Some officials think that high winds and tornadoes, in the area, could have caused the bizarre event. Another theory is that maybe fireworks shot in the area could have stressed the birds out so much that they got disorientated. And maybe even lightening could have struck the flock and killed the birds. About 100 dead birds were sent to laboratories in Georgia, Arkansas and Wisconsin for examination. We won't know for sure until these tests results come back. So what do you think happened? Everybody rules out the possibility of a disease or virus. Is that just to cover up some experiment gone bad? Is this just the beginning of other animals dying off in the future? And last but not least, is this one of the first signs of the end of the world? What do you think happened? Why did all of those birds die?

Where I Have Been...

2011-01-06T12:07:00.000-08:00

It has been a long and tired journey to make it this far. I haven't been updating my blog regularly because I was in the hospital for the last 2 and a half months. I went through a lot of tests; from MRI's to Bronchoscopes and everything in-between. I have had blood taken and have had blood transfusions. It has taught me to never take anything for granted; even the simplest things. Before I was admitted in the hospital, I got to the point that I couldn't even walk. Thank God that an ambulance was called for me when it was because I was just laying in bed scared of what the diagnosis would be when I did actually go to the hospital. It was a miracle when, out of the blue, my family showed up and off to the hospital I went. It was scary but, at the same time, I was relieved that I was finally getting the help that I was afraid to ask for. First, I went to ICU and then it was to the 8th floor to a medium sized room that would wind up being my home for the duration of my stay. I was isolated there and couldn't leave my room for anything but tests and x-rays. All I saw were the fours walls that surrounded me, doctors, and nurses. My computer went on the fritz a couple of weeks earlier so I didn't have a way to update. But, now that I am back, I will keep the topics coming regularly. Thanks for any comments and thanks for following!

Acid Rain!!!

2010-09-24T14:25:00.000-07:00

Bethany Storro, who claimed to be a victim of an acid attack throwing, is now being charged with three counts of theft from those acting as Good Samaritans. The Washington authorities have issued a warrant for her arrest. She admitted to the police that she did the damage to herself. Her story started falling apart. There were a few inconsistencies in her story like the fact that the acid material didn't appear to be splashed on her face; more like applied. Plus, the crime scene did not look like any other acid attack crime scene. She said she bought drain cleaner and applied it to her face with a towel. She said the first reason that she did it was because she thought it would kill herself, then she thought she could get her face redone with all of the donation money. You know, all money from people who were concerned and wanted her face to appear somewhat normal again. She was gonna use it as a way to get free cosmetic surgery. She didn't think that cops would take it that far. She thought that after a week or two of not finding the attacker, they would just drop it. I am speechless. To go through all of this as way to get free plastic surgery. Do you think it was worth it?

U.S. Soldiers Accused Of Killing Afghan Civilians For Fun....

2010-09-15T11:47:00.000-07:00

     Twelve American soldiers are being accused of being a part of a kill team that shot Afghan civilians for fun and collected their fingers as trophies. Seven of them are also being charged with smoking hashish that they stole from civilians and assaulting a soldier who told authorities what was going on. Allegedly members of the kill team come from a brigade based in Kandahar.
     They started discussing killing civilians when a Staff Sergeant Calvin Gibbs arrived there last November. Apparently, Gibbs bragged about things he got away with in Iraq and talked about how easy it is to kill someone. Almost like he was looking for soldiers with the same type of mentality.
     People investigating the case, found that Gibbs and Jeremy Morlock devised a plan to form a kill team. They allegedly killed three civilians while on patrol over the next few months. The first was killed by a grenade and gunfire in January. Gibbs is 25 and Morlock is 22.
     Morlock, Gibbs, and another soldier, Andrew Holmes killed another Afghan while on guard. Gibbs gave Morlock a grenade that he threw at the Afghan and Holmes shot him. Holmes is 19. Later, Morlock told Holmes that they did that for fun and threatened to kill him if he told. A month later, another victim was shot and killed. Gibbs shot him and put a gun next to the body to set it up like the innocent civilian shot at him first.
     The Army Times newspaper said that there was one soldier involved in the group that would collect the fingers of victims as some posed for pictures with the dead bodies. Five soldiers out of the kill team Adam Winfield, Gibbs, Michael Wagnon, Morlock, and Holmes are being accused of aggravated assault and murder along with other charges. If they are convicted, they face life in prison or the death penalty.

Andrew Holmes, Michael Wagnon, Jeremy Worlock, and Adam Winfield.

After a soldier was brutally assaulted, the murders were highlighted because he told authorities that some soldiers were smoking hashish and he also told of soldiers drinking smuggled alcohol. Gibbs and Morlock beat him for snitching and told him to shut up. He then told of what he knew about the kill team. He is an unidentified soldier that was straight out of basic training.

After the original five were arrested in June, seven others were charged with covering up the assault on the snitch and covering up the killings. Morlock admitted his involvement in the killings and gave details about the others involved. Now his lawyer is trying to have the confession thrown out saying his client wasn't coherent because of the use of prescription drugs and traumatic brain injury.

I think this is outrageous and puts a big blemish on all of the good things that the U.S. military does. They should definitely be punished to the extent of the law. There is no excuse for killing innocent individuals. What do you think?

McDonald's Maniac..!!!

2010-09-13T02:14:00.000-07:00

I had to put this on here because it is rare footage of fast food gone bad. There is no sound for the video but it is self-explanatory. I have heard some horror stories before but this takes the cake. One of the funniest things about this; watch when the next car pulls up. Business as usual...lol. So watch and enjoy! Let's see how many different reasons we can come up with for her getting so upset. I will start. The cashier told her that she was gonna have to pay 50 cents to get one more cup of barbecue sauce for her 20 piece...lol.

Don't Discipline Your Child...!

2010-09-10T11:54:00.000-07:00

     It used to be that a parent could discipline their child and just expect the silent treatment or an attitude from them. The child would get over it and basically understand that they were wrong. Now, you can't be that sure of the kind of reaction you will get. Assigning chores, grounding, and even setting a curfew can all have fatal consequences. There have been numerous cases where children have retaliated against their parents just for them being a parent and trying to set the proper guidelines.
     There is a case in Texas where a 12 year old girl and a 13 year old boy are being charged with capital murder in the deaths of Darlene and Alan Nevil. At first, they were being charged with murder and aggravated assault until Alan died on Thursday. Capital murder is a higher charge than murder and increases the number of years a juvenile can be locked up before getting a parole hearing. They won't be eligible until after serving a minimum of 10 years in prison.
     Alan and Darlene Nevil were the parents of the 12 year old girl involved in the shooting. The daughter came home for lunch with her boyfriend. They shot her mom in the head and killed her instantly on August 17. Her step-dad was found bleeding on the neighbors front yard. He told the cops who shot him and they immediately apprehended the youths. Alan died September 9th from wounds he suffered in the attack.
     There is really nothing out of the ordinary apparent in this case. The mom and daughter did have a rocky relationship but nothing that deserved death. The daughter had threatened to run away before because she said her mom was too strict. She claimed to be totally in love with her 13 year old boyfriend. She even stated that he was the best boyfriend that she has ever had. She is 12 years old; how many boyfriends have she had?
     It is scary that this is becoming common to kill your parents because of some disagreement. How did things get out of hand like that? There have been several cases where the parents didn't like the boyfriend and got murdered for forbidding their daughter to see him. These children are old enough to know right from wrong so what gives? They are also old enough to know that when you are dead, you are dead. Parents have to watch how they discipline their kids now because they never know when they will wake up just as they are getting killed.

To Burn Or Not To Burn The Qur'an?

2010-09-08T15:45:00.000-07:00

The Qur'an is the main religious text of Muslims. Muslims believe it is the book of order and divine guidance for all of mankind. Islam believes that Allah disclosed the Qur'an to the prophet Muhammad, verbally through an angel Jabril, over the course of 23 years. It basically means to Muslims what the Bible means to Christians. Needless to say, It is very offensive to intentionally damage or disrespect the Qur'an.
There is a Reverend in Florida, named Terry Jones, that has very controversial views of the Muslim faith to include the Qur'an. He has recently gained worldwide attention because he plans to burn copies of the Qur'an to celebrate the September 11th terrorist attacks on the United States. Some people are praising him as a hero and some people are attacking him as a derelict. Muslim, Roman Catholic, and Jewish leaders have condemned his plans. Jones is clinging on to his First Amendment rights and plans to go through with it. He calls the Qur'an evil because he says it supports something other than the biblical truth and it agitates radical and violent behavior among Muslims. Jones said that if Muslims wanted to burn Bibles, they would be protected by the First Amendment as well. He wouldn't like it but he wouldn't threaten to kill them either.

Jones has been warned by many that if he goes through this, he could endanger himself, U.S. troops and Americans everywhere. Amid hundreds of death threats, he still says he is going to do it on September 11th. In Indonesia, Muslims have already held demonstrations, at the U.S. Embassy, and threatened violence should the Reverend go through with it. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said that the plans are outrageous and disgraceful. She hopes that it is not considered an act of patriotism. General David Patraeus the U.S. Commander in Afghanistan has even tried to get him to back down. General Patraeus said that this definitely could endanger U.S. troops, American citizens, and the overall effort in Afghanistan.

I know that everyone is protected by the Constitution in the United States but does there come a time where it may be detrimental? And if so, should something be done if it's a matter of national security? I think that's a tough one. Let's not forget that there are Americans who are Muslim and the fact that not all Muslims are terrorists. I do not think what the Reverend has planned is smart at all. Why would you intentionally jeopardize the lives of yourself and others by doing something that in itself is so disrespectful?

Acid Attacks!!!

2010-09-07T13:11:00.000-07:00

Acid throwing is an attack where a person throws acid at the intended targets face. The acid burns and damages the skin and sometimes dissolves the bones. Usually they occur in countries like Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Cambodia. In Asia, these attacks are used as a form of revenge for a woman refusing sex or marriage proposals. In Cambodia, usually, it's the wife who attacks the "other woman" with a dose of acid. In Afghanistan, women who decided to attend school were targeted by extremists. There is basically no good reason for such despicable actions. Unfortunately, these evil attacks have made their way to the United States.

Just last Monday, Bethany Storro was attacked by a stranger near a coffee shop in Washington. The attacker, who was a woman, walked up to her and said, "hey pretty girl...do you want to drink?" Then, she threw a glass of acid in Bethany's face. Bethany said that her clothes started to dissolve and her face was bubbling and sizzling. If she had not been wearing sunglasses, she might have lost her eyesight. The attacker is still unidentified and appeared angry at the time of the incident.

On September 3, there was another acid attack in the U.S. This seems like maybe it was a copycat crime of the first one. This one occurred in Arizona. Derri Velarde, was the victim of this malicious offense. She said that she was in the parking lot of her apartment building when a woman splashed a cup of acid in her face and ran. She had thought the attacker had a cup of water as she approached her. When the acid hit her face, it started burning.

Who would do something so awful? These attackers are deliberately destroying these women's faces. How cruel do you have to be? So far there have only been two attacks in the U.S. and both were committed by people that the victim did not know. Both women who committed these assaults are still at large. So is this just a coincidence or is this going to spread nationwide? Hopefully, they are just very unfortunate events that will stop and not become the norm.

WARNING!!! Disturbing Video Footage Of A Deranged Nanny: Caution Is Advised!!!

2010-09-04T05:13:00.000-07:00

This is a nanny caught on hidden camera video mistreating an 11-month old little boy. In the video, you will see her kick, slap, and throw things at this helpless child. When police saw the video, they had enough to charge Jeannine Campbell with battery on an infant. She is 53 years old. What in the world was this woman thinking? As it turned out, the married couple put the camera up after they discovered this same child had a black eye. So she was whooping him for a while. What would you do if you discovered something like this? It's absolutely horrible and I don't think she could run fast enough to get away from me, if that was my child. The sad thing is that this isn't the first case of a nanny abusing a child that was left in their care. Quite a few have been caught on "nanny cam" since the invention. A lot of people already don't trust leaving their child with a nanny or babysitter as it is. Would you still consider using a nanny to watch your baby?

Golfer Causes A Fire!

2010-09-01T04:46:00.000-07:00

I couldn't pass this story up. An unidentified golfer started a fire with his golf club. It happened at Shady Canyon golf Course in California. He hit a bad shot into the rough (higher grass). Then, on his next shot, he hit a rock causing a spark that ignited the dry grass around him. The fire spread through the rough and over the hillside that was covered with brush. By the time it was all said and done, about 150 firefighters were involved. There weren't any charges pressed against the golfer. That's crazy! I have definitely never heard of that before. I bet if he was looking for a rock to start a fire, while camping, he wouldn't find one...lol.

Mad Mel Gibson...

2010-08-31T19:34:00.000-07:00

Mel Gibson has been involved in a horrible scandal ever since those "alleged" abusive recordings have been made public. The latest polls taken have shown that there is very little impact on whether people go watch his movies. About 75% of the people polled said that the recordings would not determine whether or not they watch him on the big screen. The poll was conducted as a joint venture involving Vanity Fair and 60 Minutes. Of course, his movies include "Braveheart" and "The Passion of The Christ" but should he be forgiven for such outrageous outbursts? Let's not forget that this wasn't the first time that his mouth got him in trouble. He made some anti-Jew comments to a California police officer in 2006.

He has two movies that are about to come out, "The Beaver" and How I Spent My Summer Vacation." The last movie that he put out "Edge of Darkness" didn't do so well at the box office. So do people really not care about what he has "alleged" said? I say alleged only because the case has gone to trial yet. When you hear the tapes there is no mistaking that it's his voice. After the racial slurs, anti-Jew comments, degrading and verbally abusive nature of his messages, does he deserve a second(actually third) chance? Take a listen and then you tell me what you think.

Tea Party Crazies

2010-08-25T18:19:00.000-07:00

By now, I am sure that all of the citizens of the United States of America are aware of the Tea Party movement. There is nothing wrong with speaking out against what you don't agree with or wanting things to change for the better. Unfortunately, this group of people don't seem to have that in mind. People have gotten angry because times have been better. There are positive ways to focus that energy to be part of the solution. Is there even a clear cut plan for the Tea Party or is it just the I don't like this and I don't want that syndrome? The Tea Party thinks that the government is too big, spending is out of control, and President Barack Obama's polices are making things worse. They have every right to have those opinions. What I say is work on constructive ways to help improve things; not destructive ways to make things worse. There have been numerous allegations of racism, anti-gay rhetoric, anti-semitism, and other abusive types of behavior. The Tea Party has staged many demonstrations and protests throughout the U.S. Many of them have been tainted by irresponsible behavior. Here are just a few examples of this.

Movement protesters have carried several different offensive and threatening signs. During one gathering, there were signs that stated, "Bury Obama-care With Kennedy". This came not too long after Senator Edward Kennedy's death. There was an incident that transpired on Capitol Hill at a rally against health care reform. Signs were carried by members that threatened gun violence if health care passed. The sign said, "Warning: If Brown can't stop it, a Browning can". This was in reference to Senator Scott Brown and a Browning firearm.

There have also so been some physical violence and offensive words shouted at people while protests were under way. In Virginia, the brother of a congressman who supported health care reform, had a gas line severed at his home. A Tea Party activist posted his home address on an internet forum, thinking it was the congressman's, and urged angry opponents of reform to pay him a visit. Now this is the insane and reckless behavior closely associated with the movement. While a group of Tea Party members were protesting the Patient Protection and Affordable Car Bill, protesters shouted out racial and anti-gay slurs at people passing by. Congressman Emmanuel Clever was spat on and black Representatives Andre Carson and John Lewis had the "n" word shouted at them by the crowd. At the same demonstration, congressman Barney Frank, who is openly gay, was directly called a faggot. There is no place for such racism and bigotry. Also, on several occasions, bricks have been thrown through government office windows. These are just a few of the happenings associated with the Tea Party.

Tea Party members behavior is out of control and getting worse. They are trying to get people who represent this party elected to congress. What a scary thought. I would hate to think what would happen to this country if they got control of the government. Hopefully people aren't dumb enough to make that nightmare come true.

Too Much Water Can Kill You!

2010-08-23T16:00:00.000-07:00

     I am sure that you never thought that you would hear those words. Actually, too much water can kill you. It is called water intoxication or Hydronatremia. It happens more often than you would think. There are a couple of different scenarios where it is most likely to occur. Usually it happens when people have strenuous workouts for more than four hours and drink such an excessive amount of water that they dilute the sodium concentrate in the blood. This puts vital body functions in jeopardy and can result in death. Signs and symptoms of water intoxication are similar to that of dehydration. The victim may experience difficulty breathing, nausea, muscle cramps, slurred speech, and disorientation. They need to be taken to the hospital immediately. While waiting for medical help, sit them upright, keep them as calm as possible, watch for seizures, and try to increase their sodium levels by giving them salty foods like chips.
     People who live in hot environments and sweat profusely should not rehydrate with water alone. They need to rehydrate with drinks that contain electrolytes and eat salty snacks to replace the loss of sodium. Sports drinks by themselves won't replenish your sodium if you exercise for several hours. Here are some examples of water intoxication cases that resulted in death.
     In 2002, 3 year old Rosita Gonzalez died of water intoxication when her babysitter punished her by forcing her to drink 3 quarts of water in a four hour period. The babysitter was arrested for first degree murder. In 2007, Jennifer Strange was found dead hours after trying to win a Nintendo Wii. A radio station in California held a contest where contestants had to drink large quantities of water without urinating. The family sued the radio station and were awarded $16.5 million in the wrongful death lawsuit. In 2008, Jacqueline Henson died after drinking 4 liters of water in under 2 hours as a part of her diet plan.
     Water isn't bad for you. But, like everything else, do not overindulge or you will have issues. Water intoxication is real and can occur when you exercise for long periods of time and drink only large quantities of water. If you are gonna workout for extended periods of time, then bring along a salty snake and drink a sports drink. You can also die of water intoxication if you drink large amounts of water in a short period of time. Such as in a water drinking contest or as a part of an extreme diet plan. Please drink responsibly!

Golf's Stupid Rules

2010-08-23T09:50:00.000-07:00

     Golf is always referred to as the gentleman's game. That same holier than thou attitude was definitely prevalent during the Tiger Wood's scandal. Although Tiger allegedly had more extramarital affairs than the average guy; you can't tell me that he is the first golfer to cheat on his wife. How can so many "gentleman" screw up the game with stupid rules? It has even bled over to the women's game as well. A lot of these PGA and LPGA rules are really petty. I don't understand the mentality on a few of them. And if it was just because the founders of the game made these rules, then why don't they change them today? The rules stand out because they have caused a lot of would be champions to be disqualified. Many sports have had rule changes and rule additions to help try to make things better. Here are a few examples of some of the more silly rules in professional golf.
     In 1987, at the Andy Williams Open, Craig Stadler's ball landed in the mud, under a pine tree, on the 14th hole during the last round. Due to the positioning of the ball, he had to kneel down to play it. He put a towel down so he wouldn't destroy his light-colored pants. He went ahead and finished the round and he placed second at the end of tournament. So the trophy was handed out and everybody went home. The very next day, someone saw the error on the highlights and notified PGA officials. Stadler was disqualified for illegally building a stance by kneeling on the towel. Again I say he had finished in second place.
     In 2008, at the State Farm Tournament, Michelle Wie had turned in her second place scorecard and forgot to sign it. She had only walked out of the room and someone called her back so she could sign it. She came right back in the room, in a matter of minutes, to find out that she was disqualified. She didn't leave the course, or the grounds, or even the clubhouse. Just because she left a roped off scoring area, that disqualified her. Just like Stadler, she had a second place finish.
     The most recent case involves Hall of Fame golfer Julie Inkster. In 2010, Julie Inkster was disqualified from the Safeway Classic Tournament. During the tournament, there was a 30 minute delay at the 10th hole. She put a weight on her club and took some practice swings to loosen up. She later comes to find out that's not legal during tournament play. A television viewer saw her breaking this rule and informed tournament officials by email. Inkster finished the round and on her way to the clubhouse, she was informed that she was disqualified. She was only three shots off of the lead at the time.
     These petty rules have got to go. If I go out and play the best golf in my life and win a tournament, it could be taken away just because I forgot to sign my scorecard before I leave the room. That's crazy to me. I think the PGA officials should look into changing some of these rules. Imagine if all sports had this kind of officiating. Someone watching the superbowl could call the NFL and say that they saw a player on the offensive line commit a holding penalty. Then what would they do; take the trophy away from the New Orleans Saints?

Alienation Of Affection Law...Whatever!

2010-08-22T05:15:00.000-07:00

     How about this? You know how there are still some old laws that have been left on the books that were never abolished? Well, there is this law called the Alienation of Affection Law that dates as far back as 1864. There are still seven states in these United States of America that recognize this law. In no particular order, they are Mississippi, South Dakota, Hawaii, Illinois, Utah, New Mexico, and my home state of North Carolina. The law is a suit that can be filed by a spouse against a third party who is said to be responsible for the break up of their marriage through an adulterous affair with his or her spouse. So it is a law that basically says the third party is to blame for the divorce. Can you believe this? I cheat on you, we get a divorce, and you legally can lay the blame on the other woman not me. And you can take this other womans money when you win the suit. Obviously, I don't agree with this scapegoat mentality.
     The reason that this ridiculous law even came up was the fact that now a celebrity could be on the receiving end of one of these lawsuits. The 2004 "American Idol" winner Fantasia Barrino could become a defendant in an Alienation of Affection suit. Paula Cook is accusing Ms. Barrino of having an affair with her husband Antwuan Cook. They were photographed together and are said to have had a relationship.  If Ms. Barrino could prove that she had no idea that Mr. Cook was married, then she might have a chance. If the claim is legitimate and Mrs Cook wins, then she stands to gain quite a bit of money from Ms. Barrino.
     Believe it or not, there are precedents in this type of proceeding. About 200 claims are filed each year in North Carolina alone. In 2001, Christine Cooper won a $2 million decision against her husband's alleged ladylove. And more recently, in March 2010, a 60 year old Cynthia Shackleford was awarded $9 million after suing her husband's mistress for allegedly breaking up her 33 year old marriage. There have been bills introduced to abolish this law but the bills were never passed by legislators.
    I absolutely do not agree with this law because I feel that it is the cheating spouses fault. The spouse decided to go down that road knowing all along that is was wrong. They were not forced nor coerced into breaking their marriage vows. They did it of their own free will. I feel that this is just a way to get revenge on the other person. What do you think?

What's Up With China?

2010-08-21T22:39:00.000-07:00

     In ths day and age, the only major threats, to the U.S., that are given much credibility are terrorist groups such as Al-Qaida. However, after researching for a book that I am curently writing, I found out that there is a country that Americans should watch carefully. There is a country that seems to be hiding like a wolf in sheeps clothing; just waiting for the right opportunity to strike. But why has the issue not come up often and why is the U.S. on somewhat friendly terms with them?
     The People's Republic of China, also known as China, is the second largest country in the world according to population. Their economy has just become the second largest economy in the world behind the U.S. China's economic and military advancements have been pretty dramatic over the past decade. China has used this economic growth to fund the expansion of offensive and defensive military capabilities. So what brings me to consider China as a threat to U.S. national security?
     The Chinese have been very clear of their intensions, through the years, with different statements, threats, and speeches aimed towards the U.S. There was a speech made by the Chinese Minister of Defense where he talked about solving the issue of America. He also talked about how China must put up with America and conceal their ultimate goals; hide capabilities and await the right opportunity. He spoke of cleaning up America by using biological weapons to eliminate mass populations. He admitted that they are willing to kill one to two hundred million Americans to secure a victory. In the recent past, the Chinese have even threatened to drop a nuke on Los Angeles if we interfered with the Chinese invasion of Taiwan.
     Why has the U.S. been so tolerant with all of this aggressive rhetoric coming from China? To make it even worse, the U.S. has sought to broaden cooperation with China. Why? Well, one reason is that China has a lot of influence over the American economy. In order to fund the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, we sold government bonds abroad. China has purchased a bunch of those bonds because it is a good investment for them. When bonds are purchased, it is basically giving the government a loan. Should China cash in those bonds, it would cripple the U.S. economy into a depression. Nobody wants that to happen. The economy already went into a recession and is still trying to recover.
     Another reason is the fact that many influential government leaders are involved with businesses that conduct business in China. Since China has more consumers than any other country in the world, people salavate at the prospect of doing business in China. If you cause problems for the Chinese government or publicly embarass them, then you will not do business in China.
     The Chinese are in a position to cripple our economy and have built up their military as if preparing for war. They have been more cooperative recently than in past years. Both countries have reasons to keep things civil when relating to one another; however, we are one of their natural enemies. So what's next in this akward relationship? Are the Chinese doing as their Minister of Defense suggested; concealing their ultimate goals of destroying America by playing nice and waiting for the right opportunity? I guess we will all find out.

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