w00t w00t booyah

If someone manages success, in the face of all opposition - be happy.

Instead of angry because they did it in spite of your threats, curses and claims to the contrary.

Just saying.

(Success is wonderful. Success is also the best revenge. If they actually MEANT all that stuff, of course.)

(And no, schaudenfreude pie is NOT for throwing. Also just saying.)

If someone manages success, in the face of all opposition - be happy.

Instead of angry because they did it in spite of your threats, curses and claims to the contrary.

Just saying.

(Success is wonderful. Success is also the best revenge. If they actually MEANT all that stuff, of course.)

(And no, schaudenfreude pie is NOT for throwing. Also just saying.)

It's as if someone decided that corner needed a stop sign, after too many people had been killed in the crosswalk by negligent traffic.

I can't put the links up fast enough.

We 'idiot' liberals have been saying this for years - the amount of vitriol, pure spite and wanton calls for violence in 'conservative' dialog has been overwhelming, unattractive and in a lot of cases? Just plain scary.

(For folks who really just want to be left alone to live quietly at peace, returning the same in kind never made sense. We just don't have it in us. So we turned it off, and allowed those their first amendment rights. Hey, set an example, right?)

It became such an integral part of our popular culture, some unhinged idiot decided to take them up on it.

Of course, you assign all responsibility to the person who pulled the trigger. But the amount of scrambling on the parts of those who said the words, made the threats, directed the actions...DROVE THE BUS...to remove, scrub, deny and reframe everything ever said, claimed or supported?

Cowardly. And it's pretty clear the message is 'it's okay as long as you don't get caught' - and well, it's too late.

Folks are going to remember - at least us 'idiots' do, because in a lot of cases we must. If someone decides we don't deserve our lives because we are the wrong color, religion, gender - pick a feature - we could be killed by someone who took it upon themselves to decide it needed doing. For whatever reason.

It only takes one guy with a gun - and these days? The guns are really good.

Removing stigma, prejudice, discrimination from groups isn't only to make working environments fair and equitable (thought that's required by law), or to give underprivileged groups a hand up. It's not only to make everything accessible and fair that we allow everyone to use the same public facilities, attend the school or church of their choice or live where they want.

It also makes clear what is acceptable in this society. Where you start when you think about what's okay when you don't agree.

When too many people sneer at such things as 'weak' and show their resolve by claiming only armed resistance is the final answer to any dispute?

No surprise when it comes to pass.

You get the world you ask for, my friends.

Oh, and by the way? It's asshattery to wonder why someone didn't get mental health services in the same breath you're screeching to repeal what little health care reform has been accomplished, standing in the state that repealed assistance to the point people are dying for lack of it. Just saying.

I just nudged a buttload of people. Yo, my bad. Hey, I miss you guys.

RANT MODE=ON

A standout season has done plenty to calm the controversy surrounding quarterback Michael Vick. But President Obama's praise of the Philadelphia Eagles for giving the convicted dogfighter a second chance has brought new energy to an old firestorm.

You know, if you say anything about Michael Vick, you are asking for a major flaming. Seriously. There is very little middle ground when discussing all the circumstances surrounding him.

Well, flame on, says I. Go right ahead. Have a weenie roast while you're at it.

Outside of making a case against yourself, projecting your issues onto the wider stage and basically using a public figure to make your personal arguments, this isn't doing a single dog any good, making Vick another dollar or bringing a football team any more publicity that it could do all on its own.

There are a lot of people who think Vick should be killed for what he did.

That's not an option.

That he shouldn't be making a dime off his chosen profession. (Tonya Harding, anyone?)

People want to get paid, folks. Also, off the table.

He's never going to get another chance to do it again, guys. Let alone want to, need to or be any party to a single dogfight ever again. You remember that warning about your life only serving to be a warning to others? Yeah. That.

I doubt I'd walk across the street to tell him this, though. Nope, don't want to.

The dogs that survived the experience - which normally, would have been put down 'as a matter of policy' if they had been in Los Angeles? Jim Gorant wrote a book on them. 49 out of 51 are homed, often within families. Amazing. (But not altogether so if you know anything about the breed. Pibbles are incredible.)

We are giving the dogs more opportunity for rehabilitation than we are the people involved. Don't you think that's a little uneven? At least?

You want to castigate Vick, go right ahead. While you're at it, call out the people who run puppy mills for profit, okay? (My personal peeve.)

Find some money for the local shelter. All the ones near me - and all the rescues - are so impacted it's beyond reason.

It's easy to vilify Vick. So easy. It's harder to do something useful, going forward. Why, that would be WORK, for crying out loud.

So have your entertainment at the expense of a public figure who is clearly identified, tried and convicted (but served his time - more than I would have expected, but that's a story for another day) for things that are a matter of public record, and are not discussed around children. That awful.

Go for it.

When you're done? Do something useful with the time you have left over. Thanks.

RANT MODE=OFF

I just nudged a buttload of people. Yo, my bad. Hey, I miss you guys.

RANT MODE=ON

A standout season has done plenty to calm the controversy surrounding quarterback Michael Vick. But President Obama's praise of the Philadelphia Eagles for giving the convicted dogfighter a second chance has brought new energy to an old firestorm.

You know, if you say anything about Michael Vick, you are asking for a major flaming. Seriously. There is very little middle ground when discussing all the circumstances surrounding him.

Well, flame on, says I. Go right ahead. Have a weenie roast while you're at it.

Outside of making a case against yourself, projecting your issues onto the wider stage and basically using a public figure to make your personal arguments, this isn't doing a single dog any good, making Vick another dollar or bringing a football team any more publicity that it could do all on its own.

There are a lot of people who think Vick should be killed for what he did.

That's not an option.

That he shouldn't be making a dime off his chosen profession. (Tonya Harding, anyone?)

People want to get paid, folks. Also, off the table.

He's never going to get another chance to do it again, guys. Let alone want to, need to or be any party to a single dogfight ever again. You remember that warning about your life only serving to be a warning to others? Yeah. That.

I doubt I'd walk across the street to tell him this, though. Nope, don't want to.

The dogs that survived the experience - which normally, would have been put down 'as a matter of policy' if they had been in Los Angeles? Jim Gorant wrote a book on them. 49 out of 51 are homed, often within families. Amazing. (But not altogether so if you know anything about the breed. Pibbles are incredible.)

We are giving the dogs more opportunity for rehabilitation than we are the people involved. Don't you think that's a little uneven? At least?

You want to castigate Vick, go right ahead. While you're at it, call out the people who run puppy mills for profit, okay? (My personal peeve.)

Find some money for the local shelter. All the ones near me - and all the rescues - are so impacted it's beyond reason.

It's easy to vilify Vick. So easy. It's harder to do something useful, going forward. Why, that would be WORK, for crying out loud.

So have your entertainment at the expense of a public figure who is clearly identified, tried and convicted (but served his time - more than I would have expected, but that's a story for another day) for things that are a matter of public record, and are not discussed around children. That awful.

Go for it.

When you're done? Do something useful with the time you have left over. Thanks.

RANT MODE=OFF

Two for the kids - and for the question - what would you do?

His dad immediately stepped out of the line, jammed his fingers into his son's collar bones until he winced in pain, and threatened him. "If you so much as make a sound or come off of that wall again, I promise you're going to get it when we get home." The boy again cowered against the wall. This time, he didn't move. He didn't make a sound. His beautiful face pointed down, locked to the floor and expressionless. He had been broken. And that's how his father wanted it. He didn't want to deal with him, and breaking him was the easiest way.

Single parent Dad blogging. Outstanding. Share with a friend.

Remembering how excited I was to start teaching....Remembering the email that stopped it all. Two years ago this week. A parent whose child had chosen to read Lessons from a Dead Girl by Jo Knowles, and how that parent sent an email to the superintendent, the board members, the principals, and me saying that I taught “soft pornography.”

You can't fight City Hall with six knives stuck in your back.

Discuss amongst yourselves. Share.

Even though I look like one, neh?

There's been a nifty copy and paste meme going 'round, both with and without pictures, related to the recent 'spate' of children who have taken their lives. Ostensibly, because they were bullied. Ostensibly, because they were gay. One, in particular, is truly heinous because he had been recorded, video and audio, without his knowledge or permission. Which really? I'm out of words big enough. I'm not sure they exist.

But I'm not here to spread the word.

Folks, this is not much more than new asphalt and striping on the road to hell. Best of intentions, of which I am very sure.

Not much more than that. Maybe after the 20th is gone, and the purple whatever is in the wash, you might think about it. Maybe. Do you really think that's good enough?

Do you really think any of this is new?

I've been telling you for years this group is AT-RISK. Every single day. This group is at risk. That doesn't mean the possibility simply exists, oh no. This group kills itself at a rate so much higher than the general population it's painful. And has been. Probably longer than the numbers have been split out by gender identification, and folks - it hasn't been that long folks though that was even important. When it wasn't important, it was because those weirdo kids had enough wrong with them that nothing would save them anyway. Do I remember those days? PLEASE.

And if they were not killing themselves, other people were more than happy to do it for them - if they knew. That's why it's called a hate crime, Virginia. That's why.

I don't know if it's a good thing or not that I can remember DADT being a means to 'protect' the members of our military at risk. Why yes, yes it was justified in that very way once. If you didn't know, nobody would have an unfortunate accident, doncha see?

So no - one day wearing a color is NOT going to cut it. Not for this little red hen.

And the fact this is merely considering this one group with regards to suicide also makes my blood boil just that bit higher.

Everyone knows someone who wasn't famous by the time they were 30 and ended it suddenly. I thank the Dean I had in college who worked with curriculum specifically to target us in our 40's - when were were barely old enough to drink legally. "When you get there, realize that you're forty and this isn't what you had planned - I don't want you guys to kill yourselves because you're forty and don't know what the next step should be." Direct quote.

It's more than 'you shouldn't desire your own demise because you're gay' - it's 'your demise is never the answer to whatever.' And by the way, remove the word 'should' - it's a bad habit and doesn't do much of anything to help.

It gets better? It changes, darlings. You get to decide who you are going to be, who you get to love, what you do to make your daily living and where you want to do it. People survived the Holocaust hanging onto the concept that they deserved to live and there was nothing wrong with them - you can too. And if you have any question about that?

You can come to me. Seriously - there are methods to reach me right through this journal that work pretty damn well. You can come to me. I will be here, even after the 20th, even after the purple whatever is threads and lint. You can come to me.

And I will answer.

Believe me. I'm death on teasing, no pun intended. I'm really not very nice to mean people - and I have little fear of people bigger than me. (Ask Jim about the Avis incident with the Marine in Oakland after 9/11.) I was taught by someone who knew the fine art of wigging out your opponent - people expect you to be scared. Don't be. They want to sue you? That takes at least a phone call and they're really too busy with you to do that in the thick of things.

When you're right, you're right - that also helps. So no - if I see someone being picked on? I tell. Oh man. I am the biggest tattletale on the block and now I have a cell phone. FEAR ME.

Because this makes me THAT angry.

I may find you a better, more experienced resource to talk to - because I do know my limits and I'm not the trained professional, at best the first-aid station. You really want to know who needs this attention? The Hopeline, 1-800-SUICIDE and may they remain fully funded and available 24/7. Afraid someone is going to use that phone number information if you call it? Send an email.

I am never going to forget that you know what you want better than I do. Believe it. This is not my chance to 'change' any part of you 'for the better.' That's your job.

But I will answer the phone.

I will call in your accident on the freeway if I don't see you doing it first.
I will have your back if I see someone taking advantage of you in a dark hallway at a con.
I will pick up your screaming child if you don't.
I will tell you how brilliant you are when you forget.
And I will throw you in the pool if you're an idiot and need a different perspective on things.

I will not assume anyone else has already done it and I don't have to worry.

Not just for a day, but for always.

If you're going to wear the purple - make sure you go to bed on the 20th hoarse from talking. That's all I can ask for one day's work.

Always do your best.
If you make a mess, clean it up.
And never forget your impact on others. That includes offing yourself, dumbass.

*grumble grumble grumble*

Even though I look like one, neh?

There's been a nifty copy and paste meme going 'round, both with and without pictures, related to the recent 'spate' of children who have taken their lives. Ostensibly, because they were bullied. Ostensibly, because they were gay. One, in particular, is truly heinous because he had been recorded, video and audio, without his knowledge or permission. Which really? I'm out of words big enough. I'm not sure they exist.

But I'm not here to spread the word.

Folks, this is not much more than new asphalt and striping on the road to hell. Best of intentions, of which I am very sure.

Not much more than that. Maybe after the 20th is gone, and the purple whatever is in the wash, you might think about it. Maybe. Do you really think that's good enough?

Do you really think any of this is new?

I've been telling you for years this group is AT-RISK. Every single day. This group is at risk. That doesn't mean the possibility simply exists, oh no. This group kills itself at a rate so much higher than the general population it's painful. And has been. Probably longer than the numbers have been split out by gender identification, and folks - it hasn't been that long folks though that was even important. When it wasn't important, it was because those weirdo kids had enough wrong with them that nothing would save them anyway. Do I remember those days? PLEASE.

And if they were not killing themselves, other people were more than happy to do it for them - if they knew. That's why it's called a hate crime, Virginia. That's why.

I don't know if it's a good thing or not that I can remember DADT being a means to 'protect' the members of our military at risk. Why yes, yes it was justified in that very way once. If you didn't know, nobody would have an unfortunate accident, doncha see?

So no - one day wearing a color is NOT going to cut it. Not for this little red hen.

And the fact this is merely considering this one group with regards to suicide also makes my blood boil just that bit higher.

Everyone knows someone who wasn't famous by the time they were 30 and ended it suddenly. I thank the Dean I had in college who worked with curriculum specifically to target us in our 40's - when were were barely old enough to drink legally. "When you get there, realize that you're forty and this isn't what you had planned - I don't want you guys to kill yourselves because you're forty and don't know what the next step should be." Direct quote.

It's more than 'you shouldn't desire your own demise because you're gay' - it's 'your demise is never the answer to whatever.' And by the way, remove the word 'should' - it's a bad habit and doesn't do much of anything to help.

It gets better? It changes, darlings. You get to decide who you are going to be, who you get to love, what you do to make your daily living and where you want to do it. People survived the Holocaust hanging onto the concept that they deserved to live and there was nothing wrong with them - you can too. And if you have any question about that?

You can come to me. Seriously - there are methods to reach me right through this journal that work pretty damn well. You can come to me. I will be here, even after the 20th, even after the purple whatever is threads and lint. You can come to me.

And I will answer.

Believe me. I'm death on teasing, no pun intended. I'm really not very nice to mean people - and I have little fear of people bigger than me. (Ask Jim about the Avis incident with the Marine in Oakland after 9/11.) I was taught by someone who knew the fine art of wigging out your opponent - people expect you to be scared. Don't be. They want to sue you? That takes at least a phone call and they're really too busy with you to do that in the thick of things.

When you're right, you're right - that also helps. So no - if I see someone being picked on? I tell. Oh man. I am the biggest tattletale on the block and now I have a cell phone. FEAR ME.

Because this makes me THAT angry.

I may find you a better, more experienced resource to talk to - because I do know my limits and I'm not the trained professional, at best the first-aid station. You really want to know who needs this attention? The Hopeline, 1-800-SUICIDE and may they remain fully funded and available 24/7. Afraid someone is going to use that phone number information if you call it? Send an email.

I am never going to forget that you know what you want better than I do. Believe it. This is not my chance to 'change' any part of you 'for the better.' That's your job.

But I will answer the phone.

I will call in your accident on the freeway if I don't see you doing it first.
I will have your back if I see someone taking advantage of you in a dark hallway at a con.
I will pick up your screaming child if you don't.
I will tell you how brilliant you are when you forget.
And I will throw you in the pool if you're an idiot and need a different perspective on things.

I will not assume anyone else has already done it and I don't have to worry.

Not just for a day, but for always.

If you're going to wear the purple - make sure you go to bed on the 20th hoarse from talking. That's all I can ask for one day's work.

Always do your best.
If you make a mess, clean it up.
And never forget your impact on others. That includes offing yourself, dumbass.

*grumble grumble grumble*

"No, you have sex!"

"No, YOU!"

"YOU!"

Welcome to my morning. That was all AFTER I dropped the kid off at school, so no - we're not dealing with that yet.

I just love the smell of bannings in the morning. It smells like utter failsauce.

(The upside to this is that there's little more that could be worse, so the rest of the day can't help but be better than that.)

To the good, we've gotten the fingerprinting done again - yes, AGAIN, they expire - for adoption package #2, and took the opportunity to go visit a K-5 school for kid to move into next year in August. They want to test him. We just rolled our eyes - but I can see their concern. MUCH happier with the ethnic mix there as well - verra Asian, lotsa brown kids. I'm racist? Why, thank you. THIS IS GOOD FOR OUR FAMILY. Again, we're the minority and I like it that way. Kid will fit right in. (They also teach piano as part of their music program. Mamma likes this a LOT.)

And so it goes.

No surprise, except I thought this had already happened years ago.

See, my agency didn't do them - and had not done them for some time, having closed their program. I asked - and the answer at that point was that they did not recommend it.

And in the five years since, I've seen story after heartbreak regarding Russian adoptees that you just don't hear about otherwise, even from adoptees from Romania (most of which I think died of AIDS, but that's off-the-cuff kibbitzing from me). Yes, you see RAD in adoption - dude, every adoption is 'special needs' - don't kid yourself. No matter where your child came from. Every adoptee is going to show attachment issues - they ALL begin with primal loss, and goes from there.

I feel like a broken record on this subject.

What I think will be *most* interesting is what this so-called 'adoption treaty' is going to contain. Second-most interesting is what charges will actually be brought against Hansen, et al, and who will have jurisdiction.

And the beat goes on.