Murdering Innocence

A recent Supreme Court ruling stated that child rapists can not be executed. The ruling stated that it would go beyond the "evolving standards of decency" in the United States. By those standards it would forbid capital punishment for any crime against an individual other than murder.

It began with the case of the State of Louisiana v Kennedy. Kennedy, 43 was appealing his 2003 death sentence after he was convicted of raping his 8 year old stepdaughter. Kennedy was convicted of sexually assaulting his stepdaughter in her bed. The attack caused severe emotional trauma, internal injuries and bleeding to the child, requiring extensive surgery. Although the High Court acknowledged "the victim's fright, the sense of betrayal, and the nature of her injuries caused more prolonged physical and mental suffering than, say, a sudden killing by an unseen assassin.", they sited the rapist's Eight Amendment rights against cruel and unusual punishment.

We all know child molesters/predators can not be rehabilitated. We never know how many victims they have until they are caught. Given the opportunity to be back in society they will continue to prey upon our little ones until they are caught again. How many lives have to be destroyed before that is considered cruel and unusual? Even after these animals are caught and caged there is a child who is scared for life. No amount of therapy will restore their lost childhood. There will never be enough hugs to take away the nightmares that will haunt them for the rest of their lives. There is a trust that is shattered beyond repair.

Although many do not believe in an eye for an eye, doesn't that child deserve the reassurance that the predator will never be able to hurt anyone else again? I know statistically the death penalty is not a deterrent but it definitely makes sure that guy won't be able to commit the crime again.

Believing in your magic

I have been very fortunate to have a lot of people pulling for me since I started my project. Writing the book and building the website were definitely learning experiences for me. I have a new found respect for webmasters everywhere.

But ocassionally I will come across a detractor. Someone will come along and tell me I'm not being realistic or I've set my expectations too high. Success is for other people but not for me. Sometimes it is difficult to shut out the negative voices and douse the self doubt.

Successful people do have moments of doubt. They also have many many failures before that moment that changes their lives. There will always be people telling them it's never going to happen or what they were trying to accomplish is impossible. But everything is impossible to someone who never tries. Those of us who choose to take risks are the successful ones no matter what happens. It takes a lot of courage to believe in your magic and live on the strength of your convictions even when others don't see the big picture.

So I will work hard to shut out the naysayers. I know there are 100 times more people cheering me on. It doesn't matte if you don't believe in me as long as I believe in myself.

Life before you

Life before you

Some of the best parts of my teenage years were spent with a group of 5 guys. We were best buds since I was 13. They were the first people who liked me for me. They were my protectors from the bullies and my shoulders to cry on when I need one.We bonded like a family. We did everything together as brothers and sister. The only thing I didn't do with them was pee standing up. I was the only girl in the group. We were proof that males and females could be just friends.

Of course as we grew up they had girlfriends. We were still pals and continued to do the things we did as buddies. Then one by one my pals feel in love and married. Even though the women in their lives met me and knew of our familial bond something changed after the ring went on. Suddenly I was being excluded from things. I wasn't hanging with the group anymore because the group dynamic had changed. The women in their lives decided they could no longer have female friends. WTF?? My friends were forced to give up a lifelong friendship because of petty insecurity and the need to be territorial. 

I have never understood how you can say you love someone but still be suspicious of any relationships they may have had before you came along. Now I can understand if there's some ex girl/boyfriend still hanging around. That can be a red flag for a lot of reasons. But when your significant other is made to cut off platonic friends simply because there is the fear that something could potentially happen, that falls in the category of being just stupid. If it was going to happen it would have before you came along.

I guess since I've not been in love I can't understand this concept of I must have you completely to myself. I've been told it's a natural part of a relationship. But if you are secure in your relationship then you don't need constant reassurance that the person you're with cares about you above all others.

Tick tock, tick tock

Many people are often surprised when they find out I don't have kids. Almost anytime there are kids around I become their new long lost pal. When I was in college, I'd babysit for extra money. My little guys decided I was the best babysitter in the universe. When I worked as a substitute teacher I was like the Pied Piper.

I just haven't met the right guy who wanted to settle down and have a family. Sadly at 44 I can hear my biological clock going off like Big Ben. Thank goodness these days there isn't a huge stigma attached to having children later in life. Many of my friends married in their 20' or 30's and have kids that are nearing high school or college. They can't understand why I would want to have kids now. They bring up how old I will be when the kid is a certain age. But I will grow old whether I have kids or not. It  doesn't take away the desire to be a parent. Or they say well you can always adopt. I'm not infertile, I just don't have anyone to fertilize me. I know I'm not the only person who feels like this. I just wish those who have kids would be a little more sensitive to those of us who don't but would give anything to hear the pitter patter of little feet.

Would you like some cheese with that whine?

The primaries are over and the votes are counted. On to the big game. But there are still a lot of battle scars that are bleeding out there. Senator Hillary Clinton is still finding this a bitter pill to swallow. Too many of her supporters still sucking on sour grapes.

Senator Clinton cried foul because she felt she was being picked on by the press and other politicians because she was a woman. When you run with the big boys you have to have a thick skin. Nothing makes me crazier than women who want to be treated equally but then when they don't get their way they play the gender card. She and her supporters should be damn proud that she stood up and made it as far as she did. I see it as a victory because she shattered the glass ceiling. Just because she didn't received the nomination should not be seen as a defeat. She stood toe to toe with some impressive candidates and outlasted all (except one) down to the wire. She has cleared the way for the next woman (president).

No more excuses

There is audacity in hope. There is strength in faith. There is clarity in believing. So now we stand on the edge of history. It's too soon to tell the outcome but exciting nonetheless. What should we take away from this moment in time?

That our heroes don't have to be athletes and actors. That no matter how much others say the odds are stacked against you, if you believe in yourself nothing is impossible. If you listen to your inner voice and block out all the nay sayers then you can go as far as your dreams and desires will take you. What you life can be is entirely up to you.

When you are ready to step outside your comfort zone there will always be people who will try to bring you down. They have let go of their own dreams so they will want to take away yours. Sometimes they don't want you to leave them behind. You might have to step away so you can grow. It's never easy to leave behind what is familiar and safe but in the end you are always better for it. Never be afraid to take risks. Taking risks means you are alive. In the end you'll be glad you did.

So as long as what you truly desire isn't illegal or hurt others then go for it.When the negative self talk starts, shut it down. There are no more excuses for not living the life that makes you you.

Enough

Who would have ever envisioned a day when a gallon of milk would cost more than a gallon of gas? We are always told there would be flying cars and poverty would be eliminated on the planet by now. But the news is full of stories of rising prices, food shortages, and downsizing worldwide. Governments everywhere play games with the odds because they have lost touch with the common man. We are constantly reminded that our safety is never assured because some nut job might blow himself up at anytime in a crowded area. Simply put, I'm sure we've all had enough. We want our voices to be heard.

One day what if there was a worldwide protest? One 24 hour period where every person around the world went to their presidential palace, local parliament or congress, governor's mansion, city council, village elders meeting place in silent protest. Just gather outside. No speeches of boring empty rhetoric. No chants or hostilities. The only expression would be a sign-ENOUGH.

We have had enough of terrorist taking away our peace of mind and the security of our children. We have had enough of politicians turning a blind eye to our needs and concerns so they can advance their own agendas. We've had enough of big corporations poisoning our air and water or monopolizing markets to shake us for every penny of our hard earned incomes.

So we are here in silent protest. We are taking back our power as citizens of the world to let you know you are on notice. So what's everybody doing December 31, 2008 around midnight?

Planet Earth Calling

I can remember as early as 10 years old that scientist were sounding the alarm about the dangers of global warming. Back then we just thought there were a few crackpots running around like Chicken Little. 

But the realty is coming at us like a runaway freight train. We can see it coming but we are standing on the tracks pretending we don't hear the warning bells. What is it going to take before we stop living in denial and do something to turn this around?

Bring green should not be a corporate slogan or ad campaign. What is so frustrating is that we have the tools and technology to turn the tide. There are so many brilliant people out there taking small steps but their voices are being shut down by politicians and big corporations who haven't yet figured out how to get their slice of the pie. In the meantime the train is picking up speed. We better do something before we get run over.