I grew up in a single parent family, the youngest of 7, and my parents divorced shortly after I was born. My dad was a deadbeat dad. I never knew him, but I know that he never paid any child support. He told my mom that he "would break [her]". His goal in life was to provide misery for her wherever she went, and to ensure that she struggled financially every day of her life. At the time they divorced, he was forced to pay $35/week child support, and he never paid a dime. My mom never raised it for fear of the wrath that could follow.
When I turned 18, my mom received a letter from the friend of the court that she would lose what was owed to her unless she filed a motion. I happened to read the letter and pushed her to file. She was owed a little over $35,000. I took her to the court house. I helped her with the case, and not to toot my own horn, but because of me, she finally started getting a little bit of money when he retired. The state garnisheed his social security checks.
I say all of this because throughout all of that, my mom did everything on her own. She never applied for WIC, welfare, or any type of government aid. I was the youngest of 7. 7 kids, who my mom raised on her own, and did what she could for us in every possible way. She never missed any of our games. She went to all of our conferences. She cooked every meal. Yet, she worked like a dog in a factory to provide for us. I was the youngest of 7 kids. My mom, God bless her, retired when she was 65, paid off her house, and now enjoys her grandkids. She has 16 of them.
I learned a lot from her. I received my tenacity from my dad, I think, because my mom would rather let things go than fight for what's right. I learned that to make a living in this world, you have to work hard, provide for your family, and never count on anyone but yourself. I learned that the government isn't there for you, but if you want to make it in the world, you need to do what you can to contribute. My mom had too much pride to take any assistance. She was the 53% before the 53% was cool.
Today, I work for a fortune 500 company, I paid my own way through college, I'm married, and I have 3 children. I pay my taxes, I donate to charities, I donate to my church, and I have also coached youth sports for 15 years. I do what I can to make sure that my family doesn't have to live the life that I had to live. I provide the best I can.
Today, I read that there are 1Million less jobs, more people on disability than ever, the highest number of people ever on food stamps, and that I am not paying my fair share. I realized while reading this, that I am hated. Things have flipped somewhere down the line. What was once good is now bad. What was once right is now wrong. What was once black is now white. What was once up is now down. Because I am a provider, and one who contributes to society in a positive way, works hard to make a living, and pays my "fair share" in taxes, I now find myself hated.
I'm hated by the president. I'm hated by the takers. I'm hated for my beliefs. I'm hated for having a foundation in a belief of God as the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. I'm hated for being a producer. I'm hated for earning what I earn. I'm hated because I pay taxes, but it isn't enough. I'm hated because I have a job. It's alright though. I've learned from my mom that you can make it. She was hated by an evil man. She was told that she would be broken. She was told that she will not make it in life. She did. She told the world to kiss her ass without saying it, because she perservered. She taught me a lot. I learned from her. I will make it too. And because of the tenacity I inherited from a father I never knew, I'll tell the world to kiss my ass too. Only I'll yell it from the top of the mountain. Hate me all you want. There are those who do what I do and believe what I believe. Together, we'll right this ship. We'll take our country back, and we'll make sure that what was once shall be again. We'll get this thing going again... and they will hear us loud and clear. I'm hated, but I'm hated for the right reasons; because I am doing right by my mom. I'm the youngest of 7 kids.
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Friday, January 18, 2013
Te'o and the Media
I'm putting this out there. I was duped, along with the rest of America, into believing a gut-wrenching story about a star linebacker who lost his grandmother and his girlfriend within hours of each other; about the typical football player who uses adversity to his advantage. He goes out, has a spectacular year, brings in the team to feed off of that, and collectively, they overperform for the entire season.
What amazes me about this story, is that the media is now demonizing Manti Te'o into oblivion, making him out to be some decrepit individual who will pay for the rest of his career for lying about having a girlfriend. Another aspect of this story is that this same media who perpetuated this story every chance it got, from the days before the Michigan State/Notre Dame (9/15/12) game through the BCS National Championship game (1/7/13), is now eating crow, washing the pie from its face, and throwing out unsourced stories to cover its ass. A "non-mainstream" site, Deadspin, scooped the rest of the sports world with the story of Manti Te'o, and how he made up his girlfriend. Now? Watch out Manti, the national media is pissed they got scooped and they will come for you. On all 4 horses. To crush you in every way possible.
This story, if nothing else, exposes the lack of journalistic integrity anymore. This story exposes everything we need to know about a media today, and a public willing to believe whatever is written or put on Sportscenter. The Manti stories from before the hoax was reported were numerous; from local to national, and were even the centerpiece of a couple of pre-game segments of the National Championship. It was always mentioned in conjunction with Manti's name. Whenever you heard "Manti", you also heard a variation of "who played so valiantly this year when..."
I guess, now that the shock of what is bizarre at the most and a lie at the least is out there for public consumption, what needs to be brought to this story is a little perspective. First, who cares if Manti lied about having a girlfriend? Was anyone hurt? Did anyone lose any money? Were there any crimes committed? The answer is no to all of those questions. If this is a lie, then Manti will be haunted by this for the rest of his career, and the media has been exposed as an empty boilerplate for not doing some basic fact checking. If it turns out that Manti can cover his tracks and provide a plausible timeline of events, it should be good enough. He's a great linebacker, and up until this week, he was a golden child playing at the golden dome. No one thought anything adverse about him, and he was going to be a great star at the next level.
12 years ago, after Super Bowl XXXIV (that's 34), another great linebacker was charged with conspiracy to murder. Ray Lewis is a celebrated icon in the NFL, and he recently played what would have been his last home game for the Baltimore Ravens. They are still in the playoffs, and they will play the Patriots in the AFC Championship game on 1/20. Ray Lewis is a certified 1st ballot hall of famer, racking up great statistics in a great football career. The media loves Ray, and I have no doubt that he will be a great analyst in the years that follow football. He is well spoken, has great football acumen, and is a very entertaining interview. Yet, to get out of murder charges, he had to testify against his then co-defendants in the crime of murder. He plead guilty to a misdemeanor, served out his probation, and went on for another 12 years to play some great football.
Manti Te'o, at worst, lied about having a girlfriend who died of leukemia. At worst, he pulled the wool over the nation's eyes, used it to fuel his teams successes, and might have embelished a little bit more for a sympathy vote for the Heisman trophy, college football's most prestigious award. Nobody was murdered. The media was exposed as a hackjob of an institution. The nation was duped. That's it.
So, in the scheme of things, can the media just do its job of reporting factual information for the masses, remind the nation that people can overcome adversity in the mold of a Ray Lewis, and move on to some real news? Remember, the only people who look silly here are the entire sports media (Deadspin excluded) and Manti Te'o. Why perpetuate a story that was totally mishandled, distributed without fact checking, and destroy somebody in the process? No matter what happens, the media will be more scrutinized (as they should be), and they will have to scrutinize those subjects of a future story. Let's just move on, shall we? The media has done more to hurt its credibility by trying to cover its tracks than Manti Te'o will ever do in the first 10 tackle game of his rookie season. Funny how when a guy has a good game, the media forgets that he almost got away with something... even murder.
What amazes me about this story, is that the media is now demonizing Manti Te'o into oblivion, making him out to be some decrepit individual who will pay for the rest of his career for lying about having a girlfriend. Another aspect of this story is that this same media who perpetuated this story every chance it got, from the days before the Michigan State/Notre Dame (9/15/12) game through the BCS National Championship game (1/7/13), is now eating crow, washing the pie from its face, and throwing out unsourced stories to cover its ass. A "non-mainstream" site, Deadspin, scooped the rest of the sports world with the story of Manti Te'o, and how he made up his girlfriend. Now? Watch out Manti, the national media is pissed they got scooped and they will come for you. On all 4 horses. To crush you in every way possible.
This story, if nothing else, exposes the lack of journalistic integrity anymore. This story exposes everything we need to know about a media today, and a public willing to believe whatever is written or put on Sportscenter. The Manti stories from before the hoax was reported were numerous; from local to national, and were even the centerpiece of a couple of pre-game segments of the National Championship. It was always mentioned in conjunction with Manti's name. Whenever you heard "Manti", you also heard a variation of "who played so valiantly this year when..."
I guess, now that the shock of what is bizarre at the most and a lie at the least is out there for public consumption, what needs to be brought to this story is a little perspective. First, who cares if Manti lied about having a girlfriend? Was anyone hurt? Did anyone lose any money? Were there any crimes committed? The answer is no to all of those questions. If this is a lie, then Manti will be haunted by this for the rest of his career, and the media has been exposed as an empty boilerplate for not doing some basic fact checking. If it turns out that Manti can cover his tracks and provide a plausible timeline of events, it should be good enough. He's a great linebacker, and up until this week, he was a golden child playing at the golden dome. No one thought anything adverse about him, and he was going to be a great star at the next level.
12 years ago, after Super Bowl XXXIV (that's 34), another great linebacker was charged with conspiracy to murder. Ray Lewis is a celebrated icon in the NFL, and he recently played what would have been his last home game for the Baltimore Ravens. They are still in the playoffs, and they will play the Patriots in the AFC Championship game on 1/20. Ray Lewis is a certified 1st ballot hall of famer, racking up great statistics in a great football career. The media loves Ray, and I have no doubt that he will be a great analyst in the years that follow football. He is well spoken, has great football acumen, and is a very entertaining interview. Yet, to get out of murder charges, he had to testify against his then co-defendants in the crime of murder. He plead guilty to a misdemeanor, served out his probation, and went on for another 12 years to play some great football.
Manti Te'o, at worst, lied about having a girlfriend who died of leukemia. At worst, he pulled the wool over the nation's eyes, used it to fuel his teams successes, and might have embelished a little bit more for a sympathy vote for the Heisman trophy, college football's most prestigious award. Nobody was murdered. The media was exposed as a hackjob of an institution. The nation was duped. That's it.
So, in the scheme of things, can the media just do its job of reporting factual information for the masses, remind the nation that people can overcome adversity in the mold of a Ray Lewis, and move on to some real news? Remember, the only people who look silly here are the entire sports media (Deadspin excluded) and Manti Te'o. Why perpetuate a story that was totally mishandled, distributed without fact checking, and destroy somebody in the process? No matter what happens, the media will be more scrutinized (as they should be), and they will have to scrutinize those subjects of a future story. Let's just move on, shall we? The media has done more to hurt its credibility by trying to cover its tracks than Manti Te'o will ever do in the first 10 tackle game of his rookie season. Funny how when a guy has a good game, the media forgets that he almost got away with something... even murder.
Monday, January 14, 2013
Are We Ready (for another 4 years)?
We are a week away from the end of arguably the worst presidential term in the history of the US. One week from today will mark the beginning of the 2nd term of the King of America, and with it, there is only one question that will be answered by the end of it. Will the years 2013-2016 be worse than 2009-2012?
I wrote last time about what we nobodys can do to become effective. I assigned some tasks to myself for the coming years to ensure that, at the very least, I've done my part. I saw the open agenda items remaining from President Obama's first term, and cannot help but wonder if we are really ready as a people for what is coming. I understand the knee-jerk reaction to opposing all things Obama/Democrat. After all, I've had a lifetime of capitulation from the right equaling compromise, while the left has not once come our way, even a speck.
I look at items such as gun control, immigration, court appointments, cabinet appointments, racial divide, class warfare, and our move toward "assisting" countries in Africa, and I can't help but wonder if we're ready for what's coming. I look at who has left Obama's cabinet and where they went following their departure. I look at who will be implementing policy over the next four years, and I can't help but wonder if we're ready for what's coming.
The fact is, half of this country can't stand the guy in the white house. I look at the map from the 2012 election, and I can't help but see that 12% of our land mass is dictating what the rest of us must do. It is so frustrating! Nonetheless, I can't help but wonder if we're ready for what's coming.
I look at how my family reacts to the coming agenda items, and I wonder if I'll be able to articulate why certain things are bad to my children. They are old enough to think for themselves, and they ask solid questions and push me to answer them. We don't always agree, but I don't dismiss them either. I try to provide them with foundation to come to their own conclusions, and if they disagree with me, I ground them. Is that wrong? :) As these items start coming to the forefront, and with hyperspeed ferocity, I can't help but wonder if we're ready for what's coming.
I look at the conservative movement, gearing up already for 2014, blowing every argument, and losing to a media and narrative that is overtly false, as well as in your face, and I wonder what our chances are to restore the US. I wonder if we will be able to out maneuver the left, even a couple of times, to ensure that our most basic liberties are not infringed. I wonder if our Speaker will suddenly grow a spine, and if he will call out the President and the Senate for their inadequacies and failure of leadership. I wonder if our only sane section of government will begin to lead and propose real solutions to ensure that there is fiscal sanity in our spending. I wonder if the House will begin to come together to develop a sound majority, instead of a fractured body of legislatures meandering down different paths. If there is any time to stand together, these next four years are it. Because, I wonder if they're ready for what's coming...
So, do your part. Get involved. Support organizations that will help your causes. Invest in companies that support your lifestyle. Get to know your school boards. Get to know your city council members. Get to know your representatives. Hold all of their feet to the fire. Let them know that they are but a piece of the puzzle for your community, state, and country. If ever there was a time to stand firm, this is it. If we all do our part, then I know we'll be ready for what's coming. We must be ready... and armed.
I wrote last time about what we nobodys can do to become effective. I assigned some tasks to myself for the coming years to ensure that, at the very least, I've done my part. I saw the open agenda items remaining from President Obama's first term, and cannot help but wonder if we are really ready as a people for what is coming. I understand the knee-jerk reaction to opposing all things Obama/Democrat. After all, I've had a lifetime of capitulation from the right equaling compromise, while the left has not once come our way, even a speck.
I look at items such as gun control, immigration, court appointments, cabinet appointments, racial divide, class warfare, and our move toward "assisting" countries in Africa, and I can't help but wonder if we're ready for what's coming. I look at who has left Obama's cabinet and where they went following their departure. I look at who will be implementing policy over the next four years, and I can't help but wonder if we're ready for what's coming.
The fact is, half of this country can't stand the guy in the white house. I look at the map from the 2012 election, and I can't help but see that 12% of our land mass is dictating what the rest of us must do. It is so frustrating! Nonetheless, I can't help but wonder if we're ready for what's coming.
I look at how my family reacts to the coming agenda items, and I wonder if I'll be able to articulate why certain things are bad to my children. They are old enough to think for themselves, and they ask solid questions and push me to answer them. We don't always agree, but I don't dismiss them either. I try to provide them with foundation to come to their own conclusions, and if they disagree with me, I ground them. Is that wrong? :) As these items start coming to the forefront, and with hyperspeed ferocity, I can't help but wonder if we're ready for what's coming.
I look at the conservative movement, gearing up already for 2014, blowing every argument, and losing to a media and narrative that is overtly false, as well as in your face, and I wonder what our chances are to restore the US. I wonder if we will be able to out maneuver the left, even a couple of times, to ensure that our most basic liberties are not infringed. I wonder if our Speaker will suddenly grow a spine, and if he will call out the President and the Senate for their inadequacies and failure of leadership. I wonder if our only sane section of government will begin to lead and propose real solutions to ensure that there is fiscal sanity in our spending. I wonder if the House will begin to come together to develop a sound majority, instead of a fractured body of legislatures meandering down different paths. If there is any time to stand together, these next four years are it. Because, I wonder if they're ready for what's coming...
So, do your part. Get involved. Support organizations that will help your causes. Invest in companies that support your lifestyle. Get to know your school boards. Get to know your city council members. Get to know your representatives. Hold all of their feet to the fire. Let them know that they are but a piece of the puzzle for your community, state, and country. If ever there was a time to stand firm, this is it. If we all do our part, then I know we'll be ready for what's coming. We must be ready... and armed.
Friday, January 4, 2013
What Do We Do Now? (Ode to a Political Nobody)
Two months. It's been almost two months since I've posted something. I started this blog in a fit of rage over the election, and then realized it wasn't who I was. I needed to regroup. I needed to just take some time and look at what was happening, get an idea of where we were going as a country, decide whether or not I wanted to still pay attention to what was going on in the world, or just go on disability, collect food stamps, apply for section 8 housing, and get a free phone.
I chose to come back, because I do give a shit. I do care about what is going on. The problem is that I'm a nobody. No connections. No money. I feel alone in my voicing concerns, even though there are those bloggers and new media who represent about 85% of what I feel inside. Oh well, at least this is therapy for me. I can get an outlet going, and maybe someone will stumble upon it, start nodding, and then say "hey, I get what he's saying. Me too dammit!"
So, what do we do? What can we nobodys do to make sure we are heard? What can we do to save ourselves? What can we do to save our country? What can we do to make sure that we maintain this last ounce of sanity remaining in the world? Well, I've made a list; it is as follows:
1. Get closer to God.
2. Volunteer - gotta start somewhere.
3. If there is a vote that takes place that affects me, I'm going to let my representative and senator know.
4. Take time out and forget the world at least once per day. Play a game, watch a movie with the kids, take the wife out to dinner, crank up some Disturbed and lift some weights... anything to just zone out for a sense of semblence.
5. Buy a gun, or 2, or 100.
6. Buy some ammo.
7. Don't back down, and stand my ground. It's my country too, dammit!
8. Go to my representative's office and introduce myself.
9. Introduce myself to my neighbors (I've been at my new place for 4 months, and I have not met them yet).
10. Join some groups in my church.
11. Start going to school board meetings.
12. Attend city council meetings.
I've heard on numerous occasions that "you can only change the world if you believe in yourself, or else be a damned good salesman." What we have in DC right now are great salesmen/saleswomen. We have very few with any integrity whatsoever, but we do have those few. Hold them to account, but start with yourself. From there, the sky is the limit. Start small, grow bigger, think biggest, and be an example. We nobodys can make a difference. It's time we start. Let's change this thing around.
I chose to come back, because I do give a shit. I do care about what is going on. The problem is that I'm a nobody. No connections. No money. I feel alone in my voicing concerns, even though there are those bloggers and new media who represent about 85% of what I feel inside. Oh well, at least this is therapy for me. I can get an outlet going, and maybe someone will stumble upon it, start nodding, and then say "hey, I get what he's saying. Me too dammit!"
So, what do we do? What can we nobodys do to make sure we are heard? What can we do to save ourselves? What can we do to save our country? What can we do to make sure that we maintain this last ounce of sanity remaining in the world? Well, I've made a list; it is as follows:
1. Get closer to God.
2. Volunteer - gotta start somewhere.
3. If there is a vote that takes place that affects me, I'm going to let my representative and senator know.
4. Take time out and forget the world at least once per day. Play a game, watch a movie with the kids, take the wife out to dinner, crank up some Disturbed and lift some weights... anything to just zone out for a sense of semblence.
5. Buy a gun, or 2, or 100.
6. Buy some ammo.
7. Don't back down, and stand my ground. It's my country too, dammit!
8. Go to my representative's office and introduce myself.
9. Introduce myself to my neighbors (I've been at my new place for 4 months, and I have not met them yet).
10. Join some groups in my church.
11. Start going to school board meetings.
12. Attend city council meetings.
I've heard on numerous occasions that "you can only change the world if you believe in yourself, or else be a damned good salesman." What we have in DC right now are great salesmen/saleswomen. We have very few with any integrity whatsoever, but we do have those few. Hold them to account, but start with yourself. From there, the sky is the limit. Start small, grow bigger, think biggest, and be an example. We nobodys can make a difference. It's time we start. Let's change this thing around.
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