Shortly after I moved to Eldersburg (and saw the XFiles 2 movie) the Flagship Cinema movie theater behind the KMart closed due to various concerns. (http://www.eldersburg.net/news/business/290-carrolltowne-movie-theater-closes-not-set-to-re-open)

The closest theater is in Westminster (inside the mall). Or, if youre able to travel, you could go to Columbia or Owings Mills.

Then, we heard that the bowling alley down at Liberty Rd and Rt 32 closed. (http://eldersburg.patch.com/articles/cross-roads-bowling-center-closed-up-for-sale)

Granted, I dont bowl (and yea, Im from Dundalk-so much for stereotypes, huh?) but I dont even believe that there is another bowling alley in Carroll County. And because I dont bowl, I dont even know where the next closest alley would be. So, if you enjoyed that past time, so much for your enjoyment.

Last night, I heard that the Buffalo Wings and Beer in Eldersburg was closing February 6th. (http://votenomalley.blogspot.com/2012/01/closing-in-eldersburg-buffalo-wings.html)

Other than Bellisimos on Liberty and Klee Mill, I dont even know where theres another place with pool tables. And Bellisimos only has one pool table and an air hockey table. So I guess its down to Ellicott City to the VIP if we wanna go out and shoot some pool.

I understand the economy is bad. Really, I do. But without anything of entertainment in Eldersburg, what would a teenager do in Eldersburg? I guess hanging out in half vacant shopping center parking lots would be the alternative.

Development-Schmeveloment!

There are several problems that I can see occurring in Eldersburg. We have the half vacated shopping center where KMart is. When I first moved to Eldersburg, I heard all the stories regarding Black Oak and that assorted mess.

We have some Main Street Project behind the Walmart, that I STILL dont see anything built.

We have this Liberty Exchange project that still doesnt seem to have anything happening in despite articles in local papers saying otherwise. (http://eldersburg.patch.com/articles/liberty-exchange-business-community-signs-first-tenant)

And Peebles is closed (http://eldersburg.patch.com/articles/eldersburg-peebles-to-close-its-doors-in-january)

And not that Im against Starbucks or anything, but the K Bank is going to become one. (and there is a Starbucks inside Safeway) (http://eldersburg.patch.com/articles/starbucks-to-replace-k-bank)

Are our teenagers supposed to just hang out there? Some alternative huh?

I guess everyone can hang at the gas stations that are rumoured to be built. I have to wonder where the planners get their ideas from. Just how many gas stations does Eldersburg need?

Alternatives?

Im guessing that teens and the parents of teens that dont drive yet, will be forced to take their money into other areas in order to be entertained. This is bad news for Eldersburg.

No matter which way you to attempt to spin it, having residents travel out of the area to spend their money will kill the area. When and if another business opens in the area, people will already have been used to going out of the area, and more than likely wont give new establishments a chance.

Someone, please tell me just how Eldersburg can survive?

Someone, please tell us what our kids (as well as adults) are supposed to do for entertainment?

This week, I posted 3 articles on my facebook page. While this is a common practice for me, it was the content of these articles that got many to either comment, send me a facebook message, or straight up email me wondering just what I was trying to accomplish.

Ive had several people ask me when I became a liberal based on the articles I posted. (Funny how none of these people would post it as a comment and would only send me a message)

Huh?

First, I posted this article – Tennessee Rep Says Its Virtually Impossible To Contract AIDS Through Heterosexual Sex (http://www.addictinginfo.org/2012/01/26/tennessee-rep-says-its-virtually-impossible-to-contract-aids-through-heterosexual-sex/)

I seriously cannot even begin to wonder how GOP lawmaker, Sen. Stacey Campfield, can even THINK that this is true. It is true that gay people were the first to contract HIV and AIDS, they are not the only victims. AIDS is an epidemic that knows no bounds. It doesnt discriminate against anyone, including children.

And then a friend of mine posted this article that I shared – Anti-gay Pastor Claims Same Sex Marriage Will Lead to Pedophilia and Bestiality (http://www.addictinginfo.org/2012/01/27/anti-gay-pastor-claims-same-sex-marriage-will-lead-to-pedophilia-and-bestiality-video/)

And while this isnt an article about the Republicans per se, it certainly is an argument Ive heard echoed within the arguments from several conservatives. And while I dont have the statistics in front of me, almost all pedophiles are straight….not gay. And since I know how search engines work, theres no way I am going to search anything regarding bestiality. Im not even sure how one goes from arguing gay rights into making assumptions regarding bestiality, but it sure does make one wonder about the person making that argument.

And the last article I posted was this one – Oklahoma Lawmaker Wants to Ban Fetuses in Food (http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/nationnow/2012/01/oklahoma-lawmaker-ban-fetuses-food.html)

I actually posted a ‘Guess His Affiliation’ on this one. I have to say that this might actually be my favorite of the wack-a-doo articles. You see, I love conspiracy theory. Ive been known to peruse a prisonplant forum every now and again. And its absolutely hysterical that this topic has a thread dedicated to the dead baby parts in your sweetener stories. (http://forum.prisonplanet.com/index.php?topic=209653.0)

If you happen to actually go to the Children For God for Life website (http://cogforlife.org/) it looks just like every anti-science, anti-vaccine, anti-medicine, anti-government conspiracy theory website. (For crying out loud, it even uses Dr Mercola as a reference in its articles)

There are no fetal cells in your soda, your sweetener, etc. You wont consume a fetus. Look it up. And yes, there is a ‘slippery slope’ when it comes to bio-tech, but lets not confuse your fears with facts.

Yes, I said that.

The Republican Party has become a laughing stock.

And while we get a good laugh at what some of these people think and say, we also need to realize that in many parts of our country, these leaders are attempting to pass legislation based on their beliefs. Should some of these wack-a-doos pass such legislation, our children will be subject to hearing, as well as possibly believing some of these things as well.

And while I still consider myself a conservative, its really hard to see the party that once aligned with what I believed in, resort to such vasts amounts of crazy. I feel like a far left liberal compared to most of these conservatives.

What ever happened to common sense?

What ever happened to being elected by the people FOR the people?

The GOP has continued to go against what their constituents want. When you are elected to office, you are SUPPOSED to represent those that you represent, NOT what YOU personally want.

The only thing that the Republicans ARE doing, is to ensure that those who are in office, WONT get reelected, and the ones currently running for office, WONT get elected. More and more of my currently unaffiliated friends are telling me that the GOP doesnt represent what they value. As a registered Independent myself, I have to agree. And considering that there are almost double the amount of democrats to republicans, their party is in deep trouble if they believe that Independents and Unaffiliated voters will be voting for Republicans, unless this type of crazy is dealt with.

A letter to yourself, tell yourself EVERYTHING you love about yourself

I decided not to do this in the manner posted. Instead, I will write a letter to myself as a young adult. I think this will be more beneficial.

This letter is written to you, from you, at 40 years old.

In just a few short months, your life will change…..and then, it will change again and again, and again. The events that will occur between now and up to, and including age 40, would astound you if you wrote them down and had them handed to you. I dont think I would believe my life, even if I handed it to myself. None of the plans I made occurred. And ya know, Im sort of glad they didnt.

I know you have an opinion, but dont think your mind is made up. In many cases, you will have to look at issues from another point of view to understand them completely-or in many cases, go thru something yourself, in order to change your position.

You will face challenges. Some of these challenges, will become opportunities. Others, will become lessons.

The obstacles placed in your path will educate you on many levels. People will tell you that they are stumbling blocks, and you will stumble, but you will also get back up and try again. In some cases, you will become bitter because of it, but eventually, you will ‘forget’ being bitter.

You will meet many types of people. You might not agree with how they live their life, but they will open your eyes that people are people, and to treat them as such. The absurdity of not being friends with those people, just because they arent like you, will be obvious.

Dont treat change as failure. Sometimes there is a need to stop what you are doing, and change it up a little.

People wont like you. It still wont matter to you.

And lastly….Love who you consider your family. Those people may not be your ‘blood’, but they will be the only people who have stuck by you thru thick or thin.

I didnt plan on blogging about this topic. And most people know how I feel about the topic of abortion. However, there are some people who are pro-life in every sense of the word who are up in arms regarding a recent White House health care decision.

I point to this article for clarification: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/ezra-klein/post/white-house-stands-firm-in-birth-control-battle/2012/01/20/gIQAtZu6DQ_blog.html

The most important sentence in this article is this and I quote: ‘The rule upholds a requirement for nearly all employers to offer birth control without a co-pay. What’s more, the White House won’t expand exemptions for faith-based hospitals and universities, as religious groups had urged.’

As well as this video: 

This is a HUGE win for women in the US, as well as the White House.

But you say, what does this have to do with the pro-life movement? Well, a large majority of this movement do not condone the use of birth control. One of my friends shared this article this morning: http://www.catholic-convert.com/2012/01/21/obama-gives-catholics-one-year-to-learn-to-violate-their-consciences/comment-page-1/#comment-313666

Im sorry, but no. You are not learning how to violate your consciences. You will learn that the majority of women need preventative health care and if  you insure your workers, you must provide ALL the necessary healthcare to them. You cannot continue to pick and choose thru and cross out the parts of what you dont like.

The hypocrisy of this situation is that none of the same people freaking out about this, freaked out when men were able to get that little blue pill.  Why the double standard? I dont know.

All I DO know is that women, no matter where they stand will remember that it took THIS administration to do what no other has done. And thats to make womens reproductive rights MANDATORY for every company that gives their employees health care.

First Point: Back in the 90s, Newt has this ‘great’ idea. Lets take welfare reform to another level. His suggestion? Cut off all payments and place those children into orphanages. Suffice it to say, this ignited a pure firestorm of controversy. (As a matter of personal disclosure, this topic was the only time I ever called into a local talk show ‘Sunday Lopez’ on local radio channel 98 Rock)

• Orpanages are the not the solution- http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1272/is_n2606_v124/ai_17606188/
• Is welfare reform sending more kids to foster care-http://www.salon.com/1999/09/01/welfare/
• Putting the Children of Welfare Mothers in Orphanages- http://www.u.arizona.edu/~lbriggs/Adoption/crackbabiesadoptionreform.pdf

I wont presume that this topic will offend many, but hopefully it will offend enough people to place this subject firmly in the minds of those who are seriously considering this man as a viable candidate for the office of president.

Second point: I dont understand how ANYONE can write off this affair-open marriage business without thinking back to something else that occurred during Newts time as speaker of the house…..Namely his witch-hunt regarding Bill Clinton and the Monica Lewinsky scandal.

Now, dont get me wrong, what Clinton did was in fact, wrong. He shouldnt have had ‘relations’ with that woman.

But, Newt….well, he took the holier than thou role, leading the charge for Clintons impeachment (See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Impeachment_of_Bill_Clinton )

and then Newt admitted his own affair that occurred during the same period of time as Clinton: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-441336/U-S-senator-tried-impeach-Bill-Clinton-Lewinsky-affair–admits-having-affair-.html

So, whats with the double standard? I dont know.

And I dont know how any of the GOP candidates can let some of this slide.

And I dont know how ANYONE in the main stream media wont go into the snafu that Newt backtracked on regarding orphanages, or group homes or whatever other label he put out there regarding children of those who receive government assistance.

Something you hope to change about yourself. And why.

When I saw this subject on the list, I admit that I thought long and hard about how I would answer it.

Ive made many changes in my life. I stress the word MANY. Some of those changes I HAD to make out of necessity.

But here is the most important part….you ready?

I didnt HOPE to change anything. I decided that something had to change. You cant hope for anything to change. YOU have to decide. Yes, YOU.

If something in your life isnt working, its up to YOU to do something about it. You just cant sit idly by and keep hoping for it to change itself. You have to figure out what you need to do to make whatever it is different.

What if you were pregnant or got someone pregnant, what would you do?

This topic amuses me.

First, I had a complete hysterectomy in 1997 due to a few bad Paps, and several issues that would disgust the majority of people who might be reading, so I think my first instinct would be to be to sue the pants off my gyn and the hospital I had the surgery at.

Secondly, I would wonder why in all the years since my hysterectomy, I never once had any type of indication I even COULD get pregnant.

Thirdly, I would get a definite second opinion.

Thats about it. If I WAS pregnant, I would get prenatal care obviously and carry the child to term. I would be rich, ya know…..from the massive malpractice.

FIRST-THE FACTS…..

You see, a young teenage student in Rhode Island saw a religious prayer banner in her high school auditorium. And it wasnt just religious, it was Christian. (Only specifying because Im sure there are those of other faiths/denominations in this town)

Here is the banner in question:

Text of what the prayer banner says:

Our Heavenly Father,
Grant us each day the desire to do our best,
To grow mentally and morally as well as physically,
To be kind and helpful to our classmates and teachers,
To be honest with ourselves as well as with others,
Help us to be good sports and smile when we lose as well as when we win,
Teach us the value of true friendship,
Help us always to conduct ourselves so as to bring credit to Cranston High School West.
Amen

I think we all would agree that the banner is, in fact, highly Christian in nature. However, this young lady is a non-believer and thought that displaying this banner in a prominent place in her school auditorium was in-the-least excluding those who werent of like mind.

So, she decided to do something about it. She created a facebook page to rally support for her cause. And so it began…..a year and a half of threats and insults.

There were heated meetings of the school board and then the ACLU picked up the case against the Cranston School District.

Yesterday the courts ruled that the banner should be removed. See 40 page decison:  http://news.providencejournal.com/breaking-news/2012/01/11/ahlquist_decision_011112.pdf (examples of what occurred at the school board meetings are made within this 40 page decision)

After the courts decision, Mayor Chafee put in his two cents and surprisingly agreed with the courts decision.

AND THEN IT GOT ‘INTERESTING’

You see, somewhere along the line, the defenders of this prayer banner forgot the words contained on it. Specifically the ones that said

• To grow mentally and morally as well as physically
• To be kind and helpful to our classmates and teachers
• Help us to be good sports and smile when we lose as well as when we win
• Help us always to conduct ourselves so as to bring credit to Cranston High School West.

In what world do threats of violence and hateful attacks fit in with those words?

Or, if youre really inquisitive you could head on over and look at some of the following links-

See article:  http://cranston.patch.com/articles/ahlquist-fight-over-mural-despite-harrassment-threats-worth-it  Quote:  Ahlquist today was dubbed “an evil little thing,” a “clapping seal” and a “pawn star” on WPRO today by state Rep. Peter Polombo. (I have to wonder how an elected official describes a constituent in this manner.)

The courts decision led to online threats, not only from strangers, but from those in her own community and school.

See:  http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2085964/School-ordered-remove-religious-banner-tells-pupils-kind.html?ito=feeds-newsxml

See: (Warning-graphic language) http://jesusfetusfajitafishsticks.blogspot.com/2012/01/ahlquist-screenshots-if-by-christian.html

Lets get real now people. I dont personally care what you believe in, or dont believe in. Thats not my business. But when a court says that you need to remove something religious from a public building because it violates the Constitution, you probably should do it.

Theres this:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Amendment_to_the_United_States_Constitution

Quote:  I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should ‘make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof,’ thus building a wall of separation between Church & State.” Jefferson reflected his frequent speaking theme that the government is not to interfere with religion.

CYBER BULLYING INVESTIGATED

Let me wrap this post up with where it currently stands. The police and school officials are now investigating threats of violence against this student. Apparently someone posted her home address, and there are horrible threats (as seen in above links) against her personal safety.

Personally, I dont care if I agree or disagree with someone, I will NEVER threaten someone with violence. And those who call themselves Christians making these threats against this teenager (especially those who are adults) should be ashamed.

http://www.rifuture.org/girl-at-the-center-of-the-cranston-prayer-banner-case-targeted-by-cyber-bullies.html

http://cranston.patch.com/articles/police-school-officials-investigating-online-prayer-case-reaction-for-cyberbullying

In case you missed this entire saga of repulsiveness, I give you some links:

http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/Americas/Marines-guilty-of-shocking-act-against-Taliban-identified/Article1-796578.aspx

Quotes from above linked article:

“Certainly what is apparently occurring in that video is deplorable and does not live up to the very high standards set for the US Marines or, broadly, the US military,” he said.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton joined Panetta in deploring the video, saying “it is absolutely inconsistent with American values, with the standards of behaviour that we expect from our military personnel.”

Considering what Im seeing online, (from a Marine) these quotes are far from the truth.

The conversation I commented on in my facebook stream, went from what you see to ‘whats the difference between murder and urination’ very quickly. Beyond those comments, its apparent that if you havent served in the armed forces, you have no right to comment…..what?

Even later in this same thread, its even commended that our military formerly suppressed evidence such as this video–Which makes me seriously question the ethics of our service personnel.

Heres another link:  http://www.theroot.com/marines-urinating-dead-taliban-soldiers

And another:  http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2085872/Urination-video-4-US-Marines-charged-hours.html

Quote from the above linked article:

‘If verified as authentic, the video shows behaviour that is totally unbecoming of American military personnel and that could ultimately endanger other soldiers and civilians.’

And Americans wonder why these people HATE us?

I dont care if you disagree with how Afghanistan treats its citizens. As an American woman, I can certainly see where one can get angry at the way they treat females who speak their mind. But to desecrate ANY dead body, whether they were a soldier, insurgent, or just a citizen is wrong and immoral.

The argument that they would do the same to us is moot. Two wrongs do NOT make a right. Period.

JUSTIFICATION?

And how can you justify this when stories about maimed and neglected soldiers incense you?

See: http://www.sweetliberty.org/issues/war/wantwar/maimed_mistreated_neglected.html

Quote:  According to an officer, their living conditions were so unacceptable for injured soldiers he said they “were being treated like dogs.”

And how can you justify this when stories about our soldiers remains being thrown in a dump incense you?

Or see this: http://www.presstv.ir/detail/210961.html or this:  http://www.presstv.ir/detail/209679.html (Articles on throwing US soldiers remains in the dump)

Quote:  According to the reports, the mortuary was even responsible for severing the limb of a fallen soldier without his family’s consent, simply because they were unable to fit it into his uniform.

Funny how this is how WE treat our own service personnel?

No, I havent served in the armed forces. And no, I dont plan on serving. But that shouldnt be the basis for dismissing my points.

If desecration of human remains is wrong, then its wrong on ALL levels. Yes, ALL of them.

Personally, if you can even justify the behavior that was caught on video, you arent worthy of my respect. I dont care what branch of the military you serve/served in. Your tolerance for such a disgusting and repulsive act speaks for itself.

Whats the best thing going for you right now?

The best thing right now? My current lupus treatment options.

Yesterday I started Benylsta infusions. I previously was part of the clinical trials before the FDA approved them.

This time its different. For one, this flare is worse than the last one. It seems like they are progressively getting worse with each one. This flare requires immuno-therapy infusions, albumin infusions and now Beylsta infusions. This flare also requires SERIOUS lifestyle changes. (Which Im doing begrudgingly)

Yesterdays infusion has left me completely worn out, sick to my stomach, and otherwise bleh. I dont remember feeling like this during the clinical trials. Luckily I dont get another Benylsta infusion until next month, so we will see then how it goes.

But even tho I am not feeling well right now…..these treatments ARE the best thing I have going for me. Because without them, I WILL get sicker, and my kidneys ‘could’ fail, requiring dialysis. And quite honestly, that isnt something I want to do.