Archive for July 30, 2013

New Ideas Available (Updated Website)

July 30, 2013 Comments Off on New Ideas Available (Updated Website)

I’ve just updated my other website (http://www.jackieodonnell.net) and invite you to take a look.  There’s some of my poetry (Poetry page); the most popular blogs from the last time I updated (Pop-Posts page); some suggestions for a useful product and equipment maintenance, plus some disability law, a thoughtful quote, and bit of humor–all for people living with a disability himself or in his family or among his friends (Adept-Able Living page).

While you’re there, look on the Home page for a special offer for my website/blog readers for a good discount on any of my ebooks, then go to the My Books page to learn how to apply the offer.

And, as always, I welcome comments!

 

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Pope Restates the Obvious

July 29, 2013 2 comments

It’s good that Pope Francis stated again that the Church must accept homosexuals into the fold, as they, too, are part of God’s family.  He says we should accept and not judge any person who follows God, even, I assume, homosexual priests (gasp!).

Well, duh!  Homosexuality is a “sin” when practiced.  If a person is, within himself, a homosexual–or tax cheater or liar or Tweeter of unsavory pictures–he has the inclination but doesn’t “sin” until he actually practices that inclination.

Priests take a vow not to enter into sexual relationships.  Which is more important, that one is inclined toward AC or DC or that he breaks that vow?  If he keeps his vows and goes about a life of priestly work and doesn’t flaunt or promote his sexual preference–who cares?  If God does, isn’t that between God and him?

Let the Church discipline and reject those who fail to keep their vows, not just a group that “real” men somehow feel threatened by.

 

 

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For My World-Weary Friends

July 26, 2013 Comments Off on For My World-Weary Friends

Right now I know so many people going through unbelievable trials. This saying isn’t offered as a platitude but as a reminder of the strength of the human spirit.

 

 

 

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Thursday Thought: The Power of Words/Seeing through Blind Eyes

July 25, 2013 Comments Off on Thursday Thought: The Power of Words/Seeing through Blind Eyes

 

This very short Youtube video struck me on so many levels.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hzgzim5m7oU&sns=em

 

 
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Follow Your Congress-people on Their Vacations

July 24, 2013 Comments Off on Follow Your Congress-people on Their Vacations

Have something you want your Congress persons to hear?  Then, follow them on vacation. 

August is their “vacation” time—away from Washington but closer to their constituents.  During the entire month, they come home to get back in touch with us. They’re more available and open to contact in August than during any other month of the year.

Now is the time, in other words, to get them to listen to you about that issue that is so important to you and your family. Call, write, email, send smoke signals, or whatever to their local offices.  Write a letter to the editor (they’re more likely to read and respond to it in August.) Arrange a meeting with them.  Go onto your representatives’ or senators’ websites to find out when they’ll hold a town hall meeting you can attend.

You have only a week to start composing those letters or arranging for meetings.  Why are you sitting there reading this?  Get going!

 

 

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I Celebrate the ADA

July 22, 2013 Comments Off on I Celebrate the ADA

For those of us with disabilities, this is a week to celebrate.  It’s the 23rd anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).  During those years we’ve seen businesses and offices look at us as customers who are important enough to them to make access into their buildings a reality for people needing mobility devices.  We’ve seen potential employers listen to our qualifications instead of dismissing us offhand because of what they assume we can’t do or because we don’t have a “look” that they’re comfortable with.  Those of us with hearing loss can enjoy a concert or stage play, and we can participate in civic meetings, all because we can ask to borrow one of the available hearing devices, and those who are blind can expect to find braille signs and dots on walkways to warn us that we’re close to a curb cut.  If we have a child with a learning disability or other special need, we can expect our education system not to just shuffle him off to an isolated program but help him become part of the school’s culture now so he can become a productive member of a society that values what he has to offer.

Yes, the ADA is truly something to celebrate!

 

 

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Personal Note: 32 Years

July 19, 2013 2 comments

Today my husband and I have been married 32 years.   Like everyone else, we’ve had our ups and downs.  Unlike many Hollywood couples, we took the downs and used them as building blocks for a stronger marriage and partnership. Together we overcame spiteful ex-spouses, financial hardship, deaths of loved ones, serious illness, and other life changes we didn’t plan for or want.  Also together we regained financial stability, built a successful business, matured in a variety of ways, changed directions for the better, and made it into our later years without killing each other or heading for divorce court–all of which strengthened us as a couple.  And together we produced and raised Brian, a rather remarkable human being who never stops making us proud.

That’s not a bad record for 32 years.  We don’t have 32 more, of course, but that’s okay.  We’ll accept what we have and enjoy the ride together.

Happy anniversary, Frank, and to all others who share this anniversary date with us.

 

 

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Martin Too Black or Too Young?

July 16, 2013 Comments Off on Martin Too Black or Too Young?

There’s a type of profiling in our society that people upset with the Zimmerman verdict are overlooking.  Instead of profiling Trevon Martin as a BLACK person, could Zimmerman have reacted to his YOUTH?  A kid, likely with a bit of a youthful, jaunty walk, coming down the street, face partially covered by a hoodie, carrying…something….  As they moved closer together, a KID probably failed to give an adult the desired response (translate that into “respect”).  Words exchanged could not have been conversation, because kids and adults don’t speak the same slanguage, and adults, often uncomfortable with that, become defensive to keep themselves from becoming intimidated by a PUNK KID.

I don’t know.  I think there was some pre-conceived notion on Zimmerman’s part.  Otherwise he wouldn’t have left his car to confront Martin.  I have reasonable doubt, though, that it was simply racial.  Maybe partially racial, maybe not.  But I’d bet that, in that Neighborhood Watchman’s mind, young people were the perpetrators of a recent rash of burglaries; therefore, he saw Martin as a suspect and a threat because he was a KID.

 

 

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Supreme Court Decisions You Didn’t Hear About

July 12, 2013 Comments Off on Supreme Court Decisions You Didn’t Hear About

The Supreme Court made some interesting decisions recently, but we didn’t hear about them because they were overshadowed by the “biggies.”  Here are some you may be interested in:

1. The circle of life does not apply to seeds owned by Monsanto.

2. No need to be mentally competent during federal appeals.

3. Sharing a joint won’t get you deported.

4. Proving employer retaliation just got harder.

5. Employers just got a break on sexual harassment and other bias claims.

For a brief summary of what each of these was about and what decision the Court made, go to www.care2.com/causes/5-important-scotus-rulings-you-didnt-hear-about.html.

 

 

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Thoughtful Thursday: Our Youth

July 11, 2013 Comments Off on Thoughtful Thursday: Our Youth

[Appropriate for July, which is National Make a Difference to Children Month]:

“When educating the minds of our youth, we must not forget to educate their hearts.” (Dalai Lama)

 

 

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