Off line until 9/3

Driving to Tybee Island - without electronics until 9/3. I'm going to unplug in more ways than one. The beach will be the only medication I will need, and good for the soul.

Ghastly behavior

I know that I'm part of the older generation now, but I am appalled by so many of the young celebrities of today.There is such degeneration, debauchery and self-aggrandizement, but what concerns me mainly is that this cult of ( debatable) celebrity seems to preoccupy the young mind of the average preteen, and we have a marked and obvious deterioration of values and morals in the 21st Century.Cyrus, Bieber, Lohan and their ilk - really? These are the " role models" for today's teens? Sadly, these marginal talents are no longer aberrations ; they are becoming the dubious norm. I cringe with disgust.I feel a melancholia for the loss of childhood innocence; I have nostalgia for a PG life, where cursing isn't every third word, violence is not graphically exhibited, and sex acts are left to the imagination. Yes, there's backlash at times , but unfortunately, the malevolent trend is towards more debasement, increased crudeness and lessened civility. Thwarting this overt affront is unlikely, and the sad headlines could read: "The Fall of Western Civilization" " The Tip of the Societal Iceberg", "Perversion as Preference ", and "Reality Shows are our Reality."Instead of this disheartening level of mediocrity and insipidness, give me Medal of Honor recipients, good Samaritans, philanthropy, volunteerism, sacrifice and general positive behavior and attitude.I am so over the glorification of the lowest common denominators and their vulgarity.These young celebrities are imploding; I hope our country doesn't.

Sigh....

IEPs, numerous counselors, psychologists, psychiatrists, medications, community service, probation officers, juvenile court, group therapy, family counseling,ISS, detentions, Saturday scHool, summer school,virtual school,retreats, Camps, vacations, enrichment ,but most of all unconditional help,a stable and Christian home, support and Love.Put it all together and what do you get? Two very tired parents ,who have tried their upmost, and an unappreciative daughter who hasn't progressed.It is an example of genes over environment. In this particular case, you can put a fork in me; I'm done.

Just the way I am

I stopped being who I wasn't and starting being who I am. I don't need you to like me, but I'm glad if you do. I don't need you to pay me compliments, but I will trust you are being sincere,if you give me one. I can take constructive criticism( if that's what it is).I keep myself clean and groomed, but I don't dress to impress or wear makeup for effect. I can not abide ignorance, bigotry or condescension.I will tell you what I think, if solicited, and I will be honest. You may not like my lifestyle, and I may not like yours, but I will respect you and be tolerant.I expect that in return.I believe in second chances, but I will no longer be used, taken for granted, or lied to. I will say,"I'm sorry" when I'm wrong, but I,too, want an apology when warranted. I am not as flawed as some, but I am more flawed than some others. I live within my means, but I live well. I may not be a great mother and a great wife and a great friend, but I try hard to be the best mother, wife and friend I can be. I know myself a little better each day, and in the grand scheme of Humanity, I'm doing ok.

Illegal immigrant B.S.

Why do we focus giving funds to illegal immigrants when we could give that money to military families and vets? Why should illegal immigrants have any benefits? Do I feel sorry for illegals? NO. What part of the word illegal don't they understand? Oh wait, they don't speak English. So let's make sure we have signage all over the place in their native language, and make sure they get emergency healthcare to boot.Tie the hands of the police, so to speak, so they can't enforce deportation laws, and hey, aren't cities like San Francisco great when they are "safe haven" cities? Also, I'm glad I don't live in border towns in the Southwest. What a nightmare that is for residents and police there! Oh yea - don't call them illegal aliens - that's so offensive , they decry. Then stay the hell away - or go back to where you came from.Get in the line with all the other people who are trying to enter lawfully.Immigration reform is just code for amnesty, and the gravy train. Am I racist ,because I don't like the illegal immigrant problem? Some people would say, "yes" , but the key word is ILLEGAL. Of course, ten years from now, I will be saying the same thing, but by then, it will not only be exponentially worse, the gov't will be harping, "if only we had done something meaningful a decade ago." It's all so exasperating.

A divided country

We are a divided country in so many ways, and it appears that we are becoming more and more polarized, unfortunately. It seems to be an either/ or situation - for or against, and we are no longer the great country we once were. The intelligensia is the minority, and there has been a coarsening of our once strong values and ethics. Sometimes societal "opposites" aren't opposites at all, but red herrings for selfish , self- preservation agendas. Take Congress; many members have a ruling class mentality, and the political class has placed itself above the folk.I would love to have one term in Congress. That's all it would take to get a great pension and fabulous health care benefits for life.I think the two major political parties, per se, can't be trusted , but it's unlikely a third party would succeed in taking the presidency.It's in their personal interests to preserve the status quo, so consequently, America's decline seems inevitable. It's not so much Republicans vs Democrats. It's more nuanced than that.Socialism vs Capitalism, religion vs secularism, nanny state vs smaller gov't, cult of celebrity vs true role models, patriotism vs uninformed rebellion, takers vs givers,slackers vs workers, the blasé vs the concerned, action vs passivity. President Obama was elected and reelected;again, half the population is for and half the population is opposed to his policies.His election and reelection are historic,and that's about it. He is a smart guy and good family man, but I think he and his administration will go down in history as one of the most divisive, destructive and demoralizing presidencies ever.And for all our sacrificing,noble military , I am embarrassed by our president's mediocre leadership. We can't sustain the nation's financial burden, and we can't get a majority of politicians from both sides of the aisle to reverse it.Other problems that don 't look like they will be solved any generation soon because of polarizing opinions: immigration, Middle East, entitlements, fossil fuels, our Space program( or should I say lack of space program),higher taxes, diminishing middle class, yada, yada. It isn't uncommon for someone of my generation( or older) to have a sense of ennui and be jaded. It's sad, really, that I don't hold out a lot of hope for righting the leaning ship of state, or improving the deterioration of civility and national pride. Of course, for everything I just wrote, there will be people who adamantly disagree - the divided country dilemma.

Political correctness

I'm pretty tired of political correctness and social justice.Al Jazeera TV - really? We can't presume to do racial profiling, so let's pick Granny to get patted down at airport security.Don't say anything about Islam or that most terrorists are radical Islamists, but Christianity can be mocked. Buy hybrid cars, but they cost more money than the average person can afford. Everybody should embrace Obamacare, but Congress and the president are exempt. Be tolerant, excuse the "gansta" lifestyle, play the victimization or race card, feel ashamed if you're overweight,overspend to expand the misnomer " entitlement" ( you shouldn't be entitled;you should earn the privileges) programs, and let's all have selective outrage.