Bad Girls

A forum I sometimes visit is comprised of young people from teens to twenties. Many are girls who struggle to present themselves as the worst behaved, ugliest, foul-mouthed girl posting -- each trying hard to out do the other. Tattoos and piercing abound. Talk of suicide is prevalent. Discussion of personal sexual adventures (and misfortunes) are offered openly, and with a casualness that leaves one with the feeling it has no value or meaning.

Why is there a trend for girls to want to be worse than any other girl? Is it mere competition, or something in society that makes attractive, young women want to create an ugly, self-destructive aura for themselves?

Overflow

Immigration, both legal and illegal, affects all of us. And, the variety of subtopics surrounding the subject are more numerous than I care to think about. But, one big issue is louder than all of the others. How can we pay for it?

It's clear that people immigrate to other countries because of the conditions created by poverty. They leave home seeking employment and opportunity, not merely for the welfare system and free handouts found elsewhere.

We're left with deciding between helping the less fortunate, and following the law. We can permit people to immigrate illegally, allowing employers to hire them, or we can bar the gates at the border and arrest those who sneak in.

But, in the same way a glass can only hold so much until it overflows, any country can only offer so much support until the system crashes. What to do?

I think the solution is to enlarge the glass. The extraordinary wealthy, both private and corporate, have long gotten away without paying their fair share of taxes. With loopholes and schemes, diverting profits, creating tax shelters and phony corporations, the very rich have managed to get even richer, while the lifestyles (and bank accounts) of the not-so-rich-and-famous have dwindled. I often wonder how many million-dollar mansions a person can live in at one time.

In addition, let's add more glasses to help carry the volume. There are more than just one or two countries that could afford to contribute to the effort. Some of the smallest are the richest.

I wouldn't want to see a one-world socialist government, but long ago, pictures from space looking back at the Earth made it clear that we're all in the same boat.

Gay Games

A controversy is brewing in the small town of Crystal Lake, Illinois over whether to allow rowers a permit during an Olympic style event planned for this July called, "The Gay Games."

I've always prided myself in taking an extreme liberal stance on such matters, particularly those having to do with freedom of expression. It's not an effort for me to practice tolerance, understanding, or to be accepting of others. However, in this instance, a flood of questions, jokes, and one-line wise-cracks immediately come to mind, indicative of the confusion I'm experiencing regarding a decision like this one.

Can anyone participate other than openly gay people, but then, who would want to? Should there now be a "Black Olympics, or a "Left-Handed Olympics," an "Olympics for People Who Hate Sports?" What will some of the events be titled, "Throwing like a Girl," or "Lesbian Mud Wrestling?"

I wonder if this is just a publicity stunt to legitimize the gay lifestyle, or could it be simply a new way for people of a like mind to connect? An additional concern I have has to do with a U.S. Federal blanket waver permitting non-U.S. citizens living with HIV/AIDS to travel to the Gay Games from July 8 - 28, permitting a 20-day visit without HIV declaration. The travel visa will be issued on a special form without it being permanently placed on an individual's passport. One wonders if the same accommodations would be afforded people carrying the Avian Flu.

I'm not against gay and lesbian people throwing, tossing, racing, and rowing about all they want. I just don't understand why they would want to degrade their lifestyle, and demoralize their participants, by creating something akin to the "Special Olympics," for the physically and mentally challenged.

Why I like dogs.

I like dogs, and I like cats. In fact, I like all animals, birds, and fish... so much so, that my dream (if I had unlimited financial resources) would be to open an animal sanctuary for stray, homeless, and unwanted animals. I'd accept old race horses, elephants discarded from the circus, and any animal injured on the highway that was still alive. I'd have plenty of land for the animals to roam around, and an on-site veterinary staff to be certain the animals stayed healthy. I'd employ lots of people, more than necessary, so that those in the community could have jobs, and to ensure the proper care and feeding of the animals.

I like dogs and cats, but I like dogs just a wee bit better. Because dogs... can smile.

Teachers and Students

There's been a rash of news reports lately surrounding incidents of teachers being arrested for having sex with their under-age students.

CLICK HERE!
More and more, the tales involve adult women, and much younger boys. But, there seems to be almost an acceptance on the part of the public in these situations, whereas much stronger feelings erupt when it involves a male teacher and a younger girl. I've heard some on TV and the radio actually joking that the boys were fortunate... or that they wouldn't mind it as much if it were their son having sex with his teacher. Sounds like a double standard to me. I think that either way, someone is being taken advantage of, and that's the real issue. Not bragging rights for some teenage boy.

Fat Cats

I view pets as a member of the family. When we lose them, we're devistated, and we mourn their loss as we would if they were human. I believe we're obligated to protect and care for our pets as though it were a parent/child relationship. After all, they don't know about all of the things that can be harmful, dangerous, or deadly. So, I'm puzzled when I see, or hear, about pets being abused or neglected.

This is NOT my cat.