8:00 am on September 11, 2001. I was sitting in my recliner nursing a three month old YS and watching Good Morning America, as I had every day since his birth. The news report came in about a fire in the World Trade Center, cameras showed a huge plume of smoke emanating from the building. They went live to the scene, watching fire trucks arrive, firemen run in, people streaming out. I watched live as the second plane struck the second tower. My life was forever changed in that instant.
I remained glued to the television for the next 20 hours or so, not believing what I was seeing. We were under attack by a foreign aggressor of unknown origin. Instinctively, I wanted to be armed. I wanted to suit up and drive myself to Ground Zero. I wanted more than anything to reenlist. For a soldier, there is no greater calling than my Nation on her knees. I ran through the options in my head for days. What to do about the baby? The older boys could manage fine without me when the time came to deploy and seek our justice for this. But this tiny, innocent new life was a problem.
My spouse did not (probably still doesn't) understand my emotional attachment to this day, these events and the months that followed. He never served in the military. He was in law enforcement, small and local, and saw his duty to protect and serve people he actually knew. I respect that too. But it's not the same, and I can't express the gut level disappointment I felt for not being able to rise to the occasion when my country needed me most. I trust that God has a plan for me. This crossroad came with a clearly marked sign to follow, yet I still struggled to accept my place was at home, as a mother, without a gun or a uniform.
I took an oath when I was 17 and honorably served my commitment on Active Duty in the United States Army. I followed in my grandfather's footsteps, becoming the fourth generation to serve. Honor, duty, country - those were more than words in our family. My grandfather retired after twenty-five years in the Army, fought in WWII and Korea, and served in missile silos during the Bay of Pigs. He went to work for a defense contractor after that, continuing his life of trusted secrecy and military pride for another twenty years. I loved him dearly and learned my patriotism on his knee. My father served in the Navy during the Vietnam War. I officially now qualify for some "Cold War Era" service ribbon which they are supposedly mailing to me. I guess that means I can finally join the local VFW.
Leaving the politics of war aside, I will say that I never understood the Iraq mission. I spoke openly against it when it began, casting my clear doubts as to the ability to complete our mission in Afghanistan and against those men that attacked us by starting a new conflict. History will judge the men who made such decisions, and as a soldier, I respect that the mission is not ours to choose. Questioning the politics as a voter in no way erodes my deepest respect and unconditional support for the men and women carrying the orders out, at home and abroad. I briefly saw that it may have been a good thing I didn't reenlist, as I would no doubt have felt the same way in uniform and spoken openly about it.
It took nearly ten years for our justice to see daylight. The mission to find and apprehend the mastermind responsible for our generation's greatest tragedy has finally seen success. I applaud all those who contributed to this goal, including the Commander in Chief, both past and present. When faced with the daunting task of deciding the life or death of unknown hostile subjects in foreign countries, they did not waver in doing what was right for our nation at the time. I salute them.
For me, it seems like a chapter of my life has finally closed. The thorn piercing my soul has been removed so that it can begin to heal. I still wonder if I would have done it all differently without my youngest "surprise" child. In my heart, I know that I would have gone wherever they sent me and done my best to protect the country I love so much. Whether I would still be serving, I can't say. I guess I will never really know.
I am blessed with three healthy sons. I fully expect one of them to carry on the family tradition of service for their generation. I would prefer that all three did, to see what I have seen, to feel the pride and comradery, and to truly know that the world is bigger than themselves. The oldest is now a parent, so it's less likely that he'll make that sacrifice now. The middle certainly needs the discipline and structure, though I wonder whether he could follow orders long enough to see the purpose and grasp the ideals at this point in his life. The youngest, my child of the millennium, feels the duty to serve the most. It helps that he has veteran grandparents on the other side too. He's little, so when he speaks bluntly of doing ROTC in college and then joining as an officer to "make the real bucks," I have to chuckle. He's like an old soul sometimes.
I pray that we have seen that darkest days on our soil and that we can come together as a nation, of all parties, races and religions, to heal united from our tragedy. I hope that our children are never faced with another day like September 11th. I wish that they could know how it felt in that moment, if only to prepare them for the battles ahead. I vow to never forget those that gave their lives, both the innocent victims and the courageous heroes who went in to save others that fateful day. I look forward to the completion of the World Trade Center Memorial and a family trip there to experience it with my grandchildren. I seek a future in which these memorials grow few, the atrocities grow rare, the fear subsides, and hope and faith can thrive again. May God bless America.
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Thursday, February 17, 2011
A Year of Saturdays
Six weeks into the year, I am sitting with my calendar marking a few important dates and trying to schedule some "me" time. 2011 has 53 Saturdays and I have numbered them beginning with New Years Eve (12-31-11) so that they count down to it, our Saturday #1. We have 46 of them left to go. Looking at the big picture, I am struck by a goal not to let this year slip by so quickly. Or rather, to be cognizant of the balance between pure fun and reasonable home and family responsibilities.
January is gone, with its bitter weather and cabin-fever inspiring weeks of chores, projects and snow storms. February is plowing along, with teasing sunny days and free time to be outdoors with the youngest son (YS). Already, two Saturdays this month are consumed by family outings that are pure fun. This coming weekend had been set aside for a much-needed spring cleaning, as the grumpy spouse (GS) insists that we pare down the storage function of our spare rooms. So I think maybe the rest of the year should strive for that ratio too.
What will I do with the remaining 44 Saturdays? Well, #44 is our Anniversary weekend - so a date night with GS is in order. I am planning to run a few 5Ks this Spring with YS to further my fitness goals. We will be in Florida for nine days in July, a combination trip as one weekend will include GS, one won't. There are random birthdays, holidays, parties and sports to factor in too. But I am serious about keeping one Saturday a month as a project/work day, one as "other obligation" and two for pure fun each month.
There are budget restrictions to be met, so theme parks, cruise ships and air travel are virtually impossible options. I have asked YS to compose a wish list for fun weekends that include both mom/me time and whole family outings.
Camping is again on the top of his list, and this year I think I'm going to have to bend my "mom doesn't sleep on the ground anymore" rule. After three years of active duty in the Army, the VAST majority of which was spent "in the field," on assignment or training up for deployment, I feel I have earned the right to sleep in beds. In fact, I have insisted upon it for nearly two decades. But since buying an RV is not in the budget, I suppose I will make do by replacing the air bed the oldest "borrowed" five years ago never to be seen again.
Camping equipment has come a long way since my military days. There are reasonably priced coffee makers, portable stoves and camp kitchens, which are all now on my shopping lists. The tents are larger, simpler and lighter than ever before, and we own a nice three-room one. The beds and sleeping bags have improved greatly too. And I do love being out in nature. I even saw portable toilets, solar showers and a washing machine, though I have no intention of "roughing it" enough to need those.
Two locations have made the definite list, one state park near home and one in a mountain area. The state parks have some really nice little cabins that I will be checking on (i.e. BEDS and showers). The mountains are still a vague idea with the priority being on the available hiking trails. It's been years since we've gone camping, but this is the year I am reviving old traditions. We will also spend a night or two at the lake for July 4th, likely in the same tent. After factoring in YS' love of baseball (Spring and Fall), motorcycle races, and GS' fishing habit, I think I may be covered until nearly the holidays again. And maybe we'll even find the money to squeeze in a theme park or two along the way.
Let's face it, the years seem to go by quicker than ever and before we know it, there will be Christmas music playing on the radio again. Don't let 2011 sweep by for your family without at least giving it a little thought. So what will you do with your next 46 Saturdays?
January is gone, with its bitter weather and cabin-fever inspiring weeks of chores, projects and snow storms. February is plowing along, with teasing sunny days and free time to be outdoors with the youngest son (YS). Already, two Saturdays this month are consumed by family outings that are pure fun. This coming weekend had been set aside for a much-needed spring cleaning, as the grumpy spouse (GS) insists that we pare down the storage function of our spare rooms. So I think maybe the rest of the year should strive for that ratio too.
What will I do with the remaining 44 Saturdays? Well, #44 is our Anniversary weekend - so a date night with GS is in order. I am planning to run a few 5Ks this Spring with YS to further my fitness goals. We will be in Florida for nine days in July, a combination trip as one weekend will include GS, one won't. There are random birthdays, holidays, parties and sports to factor in too. But I am serious about keeping one Saturday a month as a project/work day, one as "other obligation" and two for pure fun each month.
There are budget restrictions to be met, so theme parks, cruise ships and air travel are virtually impossible options. I have asked YS to compose a wish list for fun weekends that include both mom/me time and whole family outings.
Camping is again on the top of his list, and this year I think I'm going to have to bend my "mom doesn't sleep on the ground anymore" rule. After three years of active duty in the Army, the VAST majority of which was spent "in the field," on assignment or training up for deployment, I feel I have earned the right to sleep in beds. In fact, I have insisted upon it for nearly two decades. But since buying an RV is not in the budget, I suppose I will make do by replacing the air bed the oldest "borrowed" five years ago never to be seen again.
Camping equipment has come a long way since my military days. There are reasonably priced coffee makers, portable stoves and camp kitchens, which are all now on my shopping lists. The tents are larger, simpler and lighter than ever before, and we own a nice three-room one. The beds and sleeping bags have improved greatly too. And I do love being out in nature. I even saw portable toilets, solar showers and a washing machine, though I have no intention of "roughing it" enough to need those.
Two locations have made the definite list, one state park near home and one in a mountain area. The state parks have some really nice little cabins that I will be checking on (i.e. BEDS and showers). The mountains are still a vague idea with the priority being on the available hiking trails. It's been years since we've gone camping, but this is the year I am reviving old traditions. We will also spend a night or two at the lake for July 4th, likely in the same tent. After factoring in YS' love of baseball (Spring and Fall), motorcycle races, and GS' fishing habit, I think I may be covered until nearly the holidays again. And maybe we'll even find the money to squeeze in a theme park or two along the way.
Let's face it, the years seem to go by quicker than ever and before we know it, there will be Christmas music playing on the radio again. Don't let 2011 sweep by for your family without at least giving it a little thought. So what will you do with your next 46 Saturdays?
Friday, February 11, 2011
Keeper of the Flame
Be careful what you wish for...because you just might get it. In my efforts to get my household to go greener, eat cleaner and be overall healthier, I have discovered some down sides. I know you are reading this saying, "Well, duh. If it was that easy, we'd all be doing it." So please take this not really as my list of complaints (though they might sound that way), but as observations from the front line.
I am a grown up recently re-committed to a healthy lifestyle. My spouse however, has come reluctantly on this journey because frankly he has no choice. He doesn't cook and doesn't shop for food (at all, ever). So whatever I buy, I have to plan, prepare, cook, store and reheat without the slightest interference (or help) from him. Since our youngest son (YS) still lives at home (for another decade), he's just a passenger either way. The little often volunteers to "help" with dinner, which is sweet even if not truly a benefit. I am learning to be more patient and use my teaching voice, so there's that.
Let me start with snacks, or as I prefer to call it, Battle #1. For me, snacks come in fantastic little pre-packaged servings bought in a convenient bulk package. I call them "fruit." Occasionally, they might also be veggies or nuts, but those require a second step. I have to put them into the snack cup. For my grumpy spouse (GS), snacks come in jumbo bags and jars, or are magically prepared in the kitchen and appear on plates. These include chips, crackers, four kinds of nachos and "real" popcorn. The first two come ready to serve, the latter means MITK (mom in the kitchen) time. YS adds things like fruit gummies and brownies to that list, respectively. I am buying a healthier version of those chips, but they refuse to give them up. So I will soon be resorting to memory loss...
Battle #2, breads and starches. GS grew up on farm land, hence he believes in the traditional meat-and-potato meal. He eats vegetables, but thinks they should be boiled beyond recognition with butter and salt. Or covered in cheese, dripping with dressing, and wrapped in bacon...you know, for flavor. I prefer raw or steamed, and believe it has to have a color to have nutrition (crazy, I know). GS counters that butter yellow is a color, therefore by putting adequate amounts of butter in the mashed potatoes or on the white bread, there will now be nutrition. They have learned to eat red potatoes (skin on), boiled, quartered and sprinkled with dill. They tend to "yellow" them a bit on the plate, and I let that slide.
I only buy whole grain breads, but am beginning to bake my own at home. There is apparently something of a learning process to bread-making despite the wording on the boxed mix. The dogs have thoroughly enjoyed my failures. It makes me sad that I missed out on learning this from my great-grandmother when I had the chance. So far, her recipe has turned out one edible loaf from three attempts. Unfortunately, it was the first not the last, and I have no idea where I am going wrong.
Time to resort to professional equipment and a how-to book, both of which are now on my anniversary gift list (March). By that I mean I have added them to the cart on our Amazon account, and GS just needs to click "checkout" and enter his password to have it shipped in time. And the one success loaf has them salivating over the idea of fresh bread daily.
Battle #3, going green. We had a hail storm two years ago and got a new roof. I insisted on the energy star rated one, and he agreed. Our subsequent summer electric bill went down a little. So we shrink wrapped the windows to correct drafts for winter. Well, actually, I shrink wrapped all the windows on the front of the house. GS put pink foam house sheathing in the back windows and the garage, and on the garage door. Electric bill goes down a little more. They extended the tax credit for insulation, so we installed the pink roll stuff on all the attic walls. Then I read that radiant barrier is what we should have installed, so I tell him.
It was my idea, so I am not complaining. GS is simply not the type of person you want to do home improvement projects with. He has no patience, communicates in four letter words and grunts and frequently throws tools (not at anyone). For an hour or two, that is no big deal. But imagine the joy of installing 8,000 square feet of what is essentially thick aluminum foil to the rafters and walls of your attic space with a staple gun and a step ladder on Christmas Eve.
The coworkers from hell. GS also suffers from a touch of "keeping up with the Jones'." Not in flashy things (luckily), but in man stuff. So when someone at work bragged about his wood stove fireplace insert, we had to have one. He must have called me ten times that day to find them on the internet and get prices. Skipping over the banner day we had installing it, the stove is here and working. EPA approved and energy efficient, it converted our unused pre-fab fireplace (visual: covered with pink foam held by duct tape), that was a complete waste of fire wood into a sauna furnace.
This winter has been unusually cold for Georgia. GS, being a native Floridian, believes that there is no such thing as too hot. Therefore, the stove should be operated at prime temperature 24 hours a day so that the electric heat never comes on. To accomplish this, one must tend the fire throughout the day. It stays roughly 400-600 degrees inside the firebox by keeping it stocked with dry, aged firewood and glowing with hot coals. This is now my job.
Fire wood is heavy, dirty, and attracts bugs so storage should obviously not be inside your house. For years, I have wanted a storage building beside the house to clear certain items from the double garage. GS insisted there was no room for such a thing, and he didn't want the motorcycle, dirt bikes, lawnmower and such getting stolen from a detached shed anyway. Then he got a boat. Somehow the boat cover I bought him wound up in the attic, as it was too much hassle taking it off at 4 am. I came home one day to find that my garden gazebo from the opposite side yard had been turned into a boat enclosure in the very spot where the building should have gone. This was rationalized by the fact that I did not use it all the time (false) and that it would "kill the grass" being up year round (it's moss). Since we also own a portable EZ Up, GS insisted I can just put that up over my lawn furniture when I'm actually out there (unless he's using it, or has loaned it to one of his buddies). Anyway, the gazebo was destroyed by the recent snow storm, so this summer I will finally get my building, sort of, because his wood needs a space.
In the meantime, we have a landscape trailer that has become the wood bin. Not because GS took that to go get the wood, mind you, but just because it's there. So he unloaded the wood from the truck bed onto the trailer. To keep it dry, it must be tarped. We have a two-story house, and the fireplace is upstairs. So each day, about a hundred pounds (feels like) of firewood must be moved from the "storage area" to the fire.
Would it not have been easier to erect a log rack on the back deck and enclose it, you ask? It would have, yes. But that apparently is not the manly way. Besides, then the wood could be stacked (ONCE) on the deck (upstairs) rather than onto the trailer to be un-tarped, carried in arm loads through the front door, up the stairs, through the living room, out the back door and THEN stacked in a trash can on the back deck. There's a logic to this, I am sure, but darned if it doesn't elude me. Did I mention that the boat parking, wood storing side yard has NO grass and becomes a mud hole when it rains?
The stove itself should have come with a thermostat that attaches to it magnetically. It is vital to keep the temperature in a certain range to prevent dangerous build up in your chimney and a potential house fire, or damage to the stove. GS neglected to order one as the website recommended, insisting it wasn't necessary (coworker said so). After reading in the owner's manual that it was extremely important, he tried to find one at the local hardware store (sold out). So, he instead found my Starbucks thermometer in a drawer and attempted to use that. You know, the kind you hang on the milk frother cup when you make cappucino so you don't get scalded milk. It's plastic, with a little metal rod, and reads from 100 to 200 degrees. Yeah, he "accidentally" melted that a little, but he'll get me another one. Days later, the meat thermometer was located and now sits prominently atop the stove. I am to keep the fire "between hamburger and beef wellington."
My GS needs reading glasses, but resists using the pair I bought him. The meat thermometer doesn't have the word "wellington" anywhere on it. There are numbers to the left (internal meat temp) and words to the right that correlate to those ranges. But what he means is to keep the gauge over and above the temps pointing to the right side words, between hamburger and beef Well done. If it gets up to Rare, you should open the door and let it cool off.
Somehow after graduating from high school at 16, serving in the Army and getting my degree in Criminal Justice, I foolishly thought that my life would be more meaningful by now. Yes, I raised two kids already, with one to go. Yes, I have worked in my chosen profession and made good money. Yes, I love volunteering at the schools, courts and charities. I really love owning my small business. Sure, I know that this is temporary. The weather will turn warm and this job will go away until next year. But for now, just call me the Fire Master.
I have to go, the beef wellington has simmered down toward hamburger. Then the organic vegetables have to be prepped for roasting. The stale bread needs to be toasted, then turned into crumbs to shake and bake the organic chicken. Then I have to let the puff pastry rise overnight for my dark chocolate croissants... Somebody remind me, what was I thinking when I made this resolution?
I am a grown up recently re-committed to a healthy lifestyle. My spouse however, has come reluctantly on this journey because frankly he has no choice. He doesn't cook and doesn't shop for food (at all, ever). So whatever I buy, I have to plan, prepare, cook, store and reheat without the slightest interference (or help) from him. Since our youngest son (YS) still lives at home (for another decade), he's just a passenger either way. The little often volunteers to "help" with dinner, which is sweet even if not truly a benefit. I am learning to be more patient and use my teaching voice, so there's that.
Let me start with snacks, or as I prefer to call it, Battle #1. For me, snacks come in fantastic little pre-packaged servings bought in a convenient bulk package. I call them "fruit." Occasionally, they might also be veggies or nuts, but those require a second step. I have to put them into the snack cup. For my grumpy spouse (GS), snacks come in jumbo bags and jars, or are magically prepared in the kitchen and appear on plates. These include chips, crackers, four kinds of nachos and "real" popcorn. The first two come ready to serve, the latter means MITK (mom in the kitchen) time. YS adds things like fruit gummies and brownies to that list, respectively. I am buying a healthier version of those chips, but they refuse to give them up. So I will soon be resorting to memory loss...
Battle #2, breads and starches. GS grew up on farm land, hence he believes in the traditional meat-and-potato meal. He eats vegetables, but thinks they should be boiled beyond recognition with butter and salt. Or covered in cheese, dripping with dressing, and wrapped in bacon...you know, for flavor. I prefer raw or steamed, and believe it has to have a color to have nutrition (crazy, I know). GS counters that butter yellow is a color, therefore by putting adequate amounts of butter in the mashed potatoes or on the white bread, there will now be nutrition. They have learned to eat red potatoes (skin on), boiled, quartered and sprinkled with dill. They tend to "yellow" them a bit on the plate, and I let that slide.
I only buy whole grain breads, but am beginning to bake my own at home. There is apparently something of a learning process to bread-making despite the wording on the boxed mix. The dogs have thoroughly enjoyed my failures. It makes me sad that I missed out on learning this from my great-grandmother when I had the chance. So far, her recipe has turned out one edible loaf from three attempts. Unfortunately, it was the first not the last, and I have no idea where I am going wrong.
Time to resort to professional equipment and a how-to book, both of which are now on my anniversary gift list (March). By that I mean I have added them to the cart on our Amazon account, and GS just needs to click "checkout" and enter his password to have it shipped in time. And the one success loaf has them salivating over the idea of fresh bread daily.
Battle #3, going green. We had a hail storm two years ago and got a new roof. I insisted on the energy star rated one, and he agreed. Our subsequent summer electric bill went down a little. So we shrink wrapped the windows to correct drafts for winter. Well, actually, I shrink wrapped all the windows on the front of the house. GS put pink foam house sheathing in the back windows and the garage, and on the garage door. Electric bill goes down a little more. They extended the tax credit for insulation, so we installed the pink roll stuff on all the attic walls. Then I read that radiant barrier is what we should have installed, so I tell him.
It was my idea, so I am not complaining. GS is simply not the type of person you want to do home improvement projects with. He has no patience, communicates in four letter words and grunts and frequently throws tools (not at anyone). For an hour or two, that is no big deal. But imagine the joy of installing 8,000 square feet of what is essentially thick aluminum foil to the rafters and walls of your attic space with a staple gun and a step ladder on Christmas Eve.
The coworkers from hell. GS also suffers from a touch of "keeping up with the Jones'." Not in flashy things (luckily), but in man stuff. So when someone at work bragged about his wood stove fireplace insert, we had to have one. He must have called me ten times that day to find them on the internet and get prices. Skipping over the banner day we had installing it, the stove is here and working. EPA approved and energy efficient, it converted our unused pre-fab fireplace (visual: covered with pink foam held by duct tape), that was a complete waste of fire wood into a sauna furnace.
This winter has been unusually cold for Georgia. GS, being a native Floridian, believes that there is no such thing as too hot. Therefore, the stove should be operated at prime temperature 24 hours a day so that the electric heat never comes on. To accomplish this, one must tend the fire throughout the day. It stays roughly 400-600 degrees inside the firebox by keeping it stocked with dry, aged firewood and glowing with hot coals. This is now my job.
Fire wood is heavy, dirty, and attracts bugs so storage should obviously not be inside your house. For years, I have wanted a storage building beside the house to clear certain items from the double garage. GS insisted there was no room for such a thing, and he didn't want the motorcycle, dirt bikes, lawnmower and such getting stolen from a detached shed anyway. Then he got a boat. Somehow the boat cover I bought him wound up in the attic, as it was too much hassle taking it off at 4 am. I came home one day to find that my garden gazebo from the opposite side yard had been turned into a boat enclosure in the very spot where the building should have gone. This was rationalized by the fact that I did not use it all the time (false) and that it would "kill the grass" being up year round (it's moss). Since we also own a portable EZ Up, GS insisted I can just put that up over my lawn furniture when I'm actually out there (unless he's using it, or has loaned it to one of his buddies). Anyway, the gazebo was destroyed by the recent snow storm, so this summer I will finally get my building, sort of, because his wood needs a space.
In the meantime, we have a landscape trailer that has become the wood bin. Not because GS took that to go get the wood, mind you, but just because it's there. So he unloaded the wood from the truck bed onto the trailer. To keep it dry, it must be tarped. We have a two-story house, and the fireplace is upstairs. So each day, about a hundred pounds (feels like) of firewood must be moved from the "storage area" to the fire.
Would it not have been easier to erect a log rack on the back deck and enclose it, you ask? It would have, yes. But that apparently is not the manly way. Besides, then the wood could be stacked (ONCE) on the deck (upstairs) rather than onto the trailer to be un-tarped, carried in arm loads through the front door, up the stairs, through the living room, out the back door and THEN stacked in a trash can on the back deck. There's a logic to this, I am sure, but darned if it doesn't elude me. Did I mention that the boat parking, wood storing side yard has NO grass and becomes a mud hole when it rains?
The stove itself should have come with a thermostat that attaches to it magnetically. It is vital to keep the temperature in a certain range to prevent dangerous build up in your chimney and a potential house fire, or damage to the stove. GS neglected to order one as the website recommended, insisting it wasn't necessary (coworker said so). After reading in the owner's manual that it was extremely important, he tried to find one at the local hardware store (sold out). So, he instead found my Starbucks thermometer in a drawer and attempted to use that. You know, the kind you hang on the milk frother cup when you make cappucino so you don't get scalded milk. It's plastic, with a little metal rod, and reads from 100 to 200 degrees. Yeah, he "accidentally" melted that a little, but he'll get me another one. Days later, the meat thermometer was located and now sits prominently atop the stove. I am to keep the fire "between hamburger and beef wellington."
My GS needs reading glasses, but resists using the pair I bought him. The meat thermometer doesn't have the word "wellington" anywhere on it. There are numbers to the left (internal meat temp) and words to the right that correlate to those ranges. But what he means is to keep the gauge over and above the temps pointing to the right side words, between hamburger and beef Well done. If it gets up to Rare, you should open the door and let it cool off.
Somehow after graduating from high school at 16, serving in the Army and getting my degree in Criminal Justice, I foolishly thought that my life would be more meaningful by now. Yes, I raised two kids already, with one to go. Yes, I have worked in my chosen profession and made good money. Yes, I love volunteering at the schools, courts and charities. I really love owning my small business. Sure, I know that this is temporary. The weather will turn warm and this job will go away until next year. But for now, just call me the Fire Master.
I have to go, the beef wellington has simmered down toward hamburger. Then the organic vegetables have to be prepped for roasting. The stale bread needs to be toasted, then turned into crumbs to shake and bake the organic chicken. Then I have to let the puff pastry rise overnight for my dark chocolate croissants... Somebody remind me, what was I thinking when I made this resolution?
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
My View on Politics
Funny, I used to consider myself a moderate Republican. Now I find myself firmly without a party or firm ideology that reflects a particular letter. I suppose that makes me technically an Independent, whatever that means.This is me spelling out where I stand, and where I think our country needs to be headed. It's all my opinion, my ideas, my ramblings.
I believe the US should be the strongest standing military in the world (no matter what it costs). The National Guard should never be deployed outside our borders, as that is not what they were intended for. The Reserves are supposed to fill in the gaps.
Reinstate the draft for every man and woman, age 18 – 26, not in college. Two years of MANDATORY service in either the military, job corps, Peace Corps or Urban Renewal (my new program). One can choose to attend college first and get better public service options afterwards. Job corps will need management with degrees, Peace Corps requires them. Military has officer candidates. Urban renewal can use degrees in architecture, engineering, planning, demolition, management, etc.
There should be military bases in every state, even if only for state & Army Natl Guard training and retiree use. All should have a commissary, PX and offer retiree’s health care.
Our space program should lead the world, mainly because we can’t afford not to. If someone is going to colonize the moon, it better be us. Private investment (bonds for new programs) and contract use of facilities should be allowed to raise revenue, but not to the point of renaming the buildings or putting stickers on the rockets. No T-Mobile Satellite Launcher 3000 taking off from the Motorola Doritos Kraft Space Center.
Radical education reform for all aged 3-18, 6-10 hours a day, year round with short breaks. It should start will a primary school ages 3 – 7, 3K to 1st grade. They should be on the 6 hour day, with optional after school sports/hobby programs. Elementary should be an 8 hour day grades 2nd through 5th, with daily physical education in some form. Middle school through graduation should be 10 hour days, with study hall, tutoring, Phys Ed and the Arts. Do away with standardized testing as promotion points, use only for assessment and rewards.
Completely overhaul classroom structure and time management to better engage the students. Give teachers’ complete flexibility in their teaching methods, subject/grade content, choice of textbooks, and curriculum progression. Stop thinking about meeting minimums, let the students learn at their best group pace and see how far it takes them. Allow self-guided discussions in critical thinking classes without strict moderators. Offer self-paced instruction for advanced learners by subject, so they are always engaged and learning something new. Reward teachers and administrators for excellence with salary incentives. Demote and remove ineffectual teachers unwilling to undergo remedial performance training.
Keeping up with China has to be a national priority, because we owe them too much already. Import tariffs are needed to keep American business competitive, but should not give them an advantage. They should be designed to be revenue neutral.
Massive infrastructure investment for the future is necessary, both to compete with China and reduce our dependence on fossil fuels. We need highways, bridges and high speed rail complete in the next ten years. Strive to make public transit FREE by offering advertising space, concessions and premium for-fee services. Wi-Fi access, express commuter trains, better seating, music, porters…all for a small fee.
The future of our nation (and our planet) is clean, renewable Energy and Green Industry. Create a competitive private sector industry by way of massive PRIVATE investment in Green Bonds (with Federal guarantee for first ten years). Use existing vacant factories and buy up dilapidated inner city areas. REQUIRE that all parks and public buildings be “green,” beginning in 2012. We’ve got to set the example, and put our money where our mouth is.
Make a Juvenile Job Corps for high school dropouts (under age 18) mandatory. When they learn a marketable job skill and complete a GED program, they can graduate the JJC program. I feel this is necessary to make meaningful change in this growing segment of the population, rather than allowing them to be a life-long burden on society.
Universal, single-payer, catastrophic health insurance paid for by the Fed govt. in conjunction WITH a strong, national private health insurance system. This MUST be a priority. Moving all catastrophic care coverage to ONE national policy removes the spiking costs of private policies. Individual coverage that follows regardless of job changes, chosen and paid for BY the individual (or family) will make the free market actually COMPETE. Employers can then reward employees with generous, UNTAXED, health care bonuses to pay premiums. This streamlines the whole process, no more group liability, ratings, etc.
Repeal the federal law requiring medical providers to offer “emergency” care to the uninsured, as all life-threatening care will be covered. This will force participation in the private health care system. Private medical insurance should be allowed to offer deep DISCOUNTS for healthy lifestyle choices like non-tobacco use, average weight, cholesterol, etc. (rather than the ability to deny coverage or charge MORE for health issues). Remove ability to forgive medical bills in bankruptcy.
I'm firmly pro-choice. I offer no discussion about that because we all feel the way we feel for our own reasons. I respect opposing views, and their reasoning. Yet it does not sway me from mine. And I don't expect to sway anyone with my feelings. Hence, that's all I have to say about that...
I believe in the Fair Tax, as written. I won’t drone on about all the aspects (find those at their website www.fairtax.org), but mainly that it removes the ability to drift through our economy without paying federal taxes. Freeloaders are dragging us all down.
Legal drinking age should be 18 and STRICTLY enforced. Old enough to die for your country means you are old enough to have a beer. There should only be ONE legal age of being an adult, responsible for yourself and your actions. No more trying kids as “adults” for crimes either. If the juvenile system NEEDS to reflect serious crime and repeat criminals, do THAT. You can’t just hodge-podge a system and expect to have fairness.
Legalize marijuana, but restrict its sale and use just like alcohol. This opens up a whole new cash crop for America, and hemp products are green alternatives for many other uses.
Eliminate welfare, free public housing and food stamps entirely. Generational poverty and entitlement has to end. Open publicly-funded food banks instead (with strict eligibility standards), offer free day-care (vouchers) for low-income working parents, and provide group homes for the permanently disabled. Other needs will have to be met by private charity and family.
Reward wellness and productivity by offering EXTRA time off when the work is done ahead of schedule. We can begin this example in schools, and extend it into the workplace whenever possible. Encourage (not demand) that employers reward productivity with extra vacation time, rather than longevity. Students who consistently EXCEED grade level standards should get an extra week off quarterly, rather than punishing students who are falling behind with attending extra weeks. Or better yet, FIELD TRIP WEEKS for the best and brightest. Kids need tangible motivation to excel. Give it to them.
I’m sure many will think I’m nuts. Some will point out the liberal views, maybe even throw out the “nanny state” comments. I don’t think I’m a genius. I have just been living in this country, trying to raise children and be a good citizen, for 42 years. And this is how I see things. Feel free to disagree, just have a reason that doesn’t revolve around MONEY.
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