Tag Archive for American

An Approach to Voting

October 9, 2020 Comments Off on An Approach to Voting

I’m not going to tell you WHO or WHAT to vote for, but I am giving you some advice to ensure that your vote will truly make a difference.

I’ve noticed the all-or-nothing attitude of people around me and people in general. That is, vote totally one party or another because they’re conservative/liberal/not socialist/progressive/whatever. Or vote for one candidate because they’re anti-abortion or pro gun control or some other single issue.

One problem is that no party is fully conservative/liberal/whatever. In the olden days they were more unified in a political direction. Today, though, both major parties have several wings.

Which brings me to the other problem. Voting straight party ticket does not guarantee that your main view will be pushed. Sometimes, for example, a representative will be against your view on civil rights and someone from the other party would have been more in line with your view. Or the candidate who is stanchly for that one view may go against your other important issues.

The best way to vote, then, is to figure out what you think would make this overall a safer, happier, more just country, then evaluate each candidate’s previous actions and stated goals, and vote accordingly, no matter what party they belong to. And examine your own moral stance not just over one issue but all that affect the common good.

In short, vote to strengthen the basic American values of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

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Sink Your Canines Into This

February 18, 2020 Comments Off on Sink Your Canines Into This

I discovered a dog-show I can really sink my canines into!  The Kennel Club ones are okay, but the dogs are over-groomed and the owners over-tense.  I’m talking about the American Rescue Dog Show.  It’s open only to dogs adopted from rescue organizations and shelters.  And you can bet the only papers these dogs have are newspapers on the floor and paper-towel wipe-ups.  The owners are more laid back and at least as proud of their furry ones as those in the Kennel Club contests.  These dogs compete in categories that matter to families, especially kids: Best in Belly Rubs, Best Couch Potato, Best Wrinkles, Best Wiggly Butt….  To me, though, the best thing is watching what looks like love born from these dogs’ appreciation for being rescued and brought into a loving forever home. 

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February–An Important Historical Month

February 3, 2020 Comments Off on February–An Important Historical Month

Know why February was chosen as Black History Month? Because of the birthdays of two important U.S. historical figures–Abraham Lincoln (issued the Emancipation Proclamation) and Frederick Douglass (African-American abolitionist, orator, and author). Maybe you knew that.

But few people know its background–historians seeking truth and awareness. Here’s a short, 4-paragraph article that explains it in a nutshell and, hopefully, inspires people to celebrate it: African American History Month.

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What a Dog-Gone Day Today Is!

August 26, 2019 Comments Off on What a Dog-Gone Day Today Is!

Today, and every Aug. 26 since 2004, is National Dog Day. It’s a day for all of our dogs, pure-bred or so mixed they have to be referred to as “American.” The day was established to remind us of the multitude of dogs that need to be rescued or re-homed, and the many way dogs serve us–protecting us, searching out bombs, drugs, and humans lost in earthquake rubble, helping the blind and disabled, and, in recent years, detecting seizures and cancer in people. Read about this day and its significance at About National Dog Day.

Meanwhile, I’m remembering all my past faithful furry friends and celebrating Rosie, my re-homed companion/helper, shown here when she couldn’t decide on whether to continue her nap or play.

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Why Does that Kid Act Funny?

April 5, 2019 Comments Off on Why Does that Kid Act Funny?

One in every 110 U.S. kids  has it, and 3.5 million Americans live with an autism spectrum disorder.  Between 2000 and 2010, autism in our nation’s children increased by 119.4%, and it’s still increasing.  In fact,  autism is the fastest-growing developmental disability in the U.S.

You probably know someone with it but think of the person as “a little off” because you don’t recognize his or her autism.

This is good month to learn about it, because it’s National Autism Awareness Month.  http://www.whathealth.com/awareness/event/nationalautismmonth.html gives an excellent summary of how autism affects a person, the characteristics you might notice, and how the American Autism Society is trying to spread the word about this condition with no known cause (no, vaccines don’t bring it on).

Another very good site is offered by Easter Seals, “Autism Signs and Symptoms,” including a list of behaviors with which you can evaluate your own child.

These sites are worth looking at, if for no other reason than they may lead people to be more tolerant and understanding rather than writing someone off as “odd,” “cold,” or “stand-offish.”

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Is that Kid Autistic?

April 2, 2018 Comments Off on Is that Kid Autistic?

One in every 110 U.S. kids  has it, and 3.5 million Americans live with an autism spectrum disorder.  Between 2000 and 2010, autism in our nation’s children increased by 119.4%, and it’s still increasing.  In fact,  autism is the fastest-growing developmental disability in the U.S.

You probably know someone with it but think of the person as “a little off” because you don’t recognize his or her autism.  Today is World Autism Awareness Day, and April is National Autism Awareness Month–a great time to learn about it.

 http://www.whathealth.com/awareness/event/nationalautismmonth.html gives an excellent summary of how autism affects a person, the characteristics you might notice, and how the American Autism Society is trying to spread the word about this condition with no known cause (no, vaccines don’t bring it on).

Another very good site is offered by Easter Seals, “Autism Signs and Symptoms,” including a list of behaviors with which you can evaluate your own child.

These sites are worth looking at, if for no other reason than they may lead people to be more tolerant and understanding rather than writing someone off as “odd,” “cold,” or “stand-offish.”

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10 Absurdly Funny American Laws

May 22, 2017 Comments Off on 10 Absurdly Funny American Laws

The political world has been too anger- and ulcer-producing recently.  We need to laugh at ourselves a little to reduce the stress.  Here’s a quick look at some laws we’ve passed to solve or prevent some potentially dangerous (?) situations.

 

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Minding your Ps and Qs in a Bar

May 15, 2017 6 comments

My regular readers know that I like to pass on some American trivia from time to time, especially as it relates to language.  Today is one of those days.

We older people still use this expression, and younger people have heard it: “Mind your Ps and Qs.”  Fact is, it all started in a bar.

In the olden days, a barmaid was supposed to remember what size ale her patrons normally drank, either Pints or Quarts.  In other words, she had to pay close attention to–mind–her Ps and Qs.

Now there’s a bit of American trivia you can work into any conversation…if you’re in a bar.

Image result for mug of beer picture

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Support Trump?! Yes/No???!!!

January 20, 2017 Comments Off on Support Trump?! Yes/No???!!!

Love him or hate him, agree with him or not, trust him or not–as of noon today, Donald J. Trump is President of the United States.

We are all Americans, who pride ourselves on being fair-minded and willing to give people a chance.  Let’s come together and do just that, give him a chance to demonstrate that he is truly a President for all the people and has our country as his top priority.  Once we see what he actually does we can react by expressing our displeasure (and pressuring our lawmakers to do something about it) or give credit where credit is due.

Our nation is divided and angry enough.  Giving President Trump the opportunity to prove himself and his intentions is not only less divisive but is also the American ideal.

 

 

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Save Money AND Buy American

January 4, 2017 Comments Off on Save Money AND Buy American

Do you like shopping at Dollar Stores but feel a little guilty about buying “junk from China”?  Drop the guilt and shop.  There are many items there that are manufactured in America–manufactured, not “distributed by” (made elsewhere): food, stationary, party items….  Get your list-making materials ready, read the Finance article  Dollar Stores Have Plenty of  Items Made in America , and go shopping!

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