If you’re a woman, I hope that you’re voting with the Democrats this November. Why? Because women will suffer if the balance of power shifts.

A report released last Thursday by the White House makes an excellent case that women have benefited greatly from the policies and programs advanced by the Obama administration and the Democratic Congress. Also see Speaker Pelosi’s report released Friday, highlighting the top 5 gains for women in the 111th Congress and how few Republicans voted for each. By inference, women will suffer if the November elections shift the balance of power between the parties. Unfortunately, many women, leaders included, probably do not know just how much women have benefited from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, otherwise known as the economic stimulus, the Affordable Care Act (health care reform), and other policy changes in the past 22 months.

-Heidi Hartman, President, Institute for Women’s Policy Research, Huff Po

Have any doubt? This is Pelosi’s report:

Progress For America’s Women

10/22/2010

The Democratic-led 111th Congress has been enacting key measures to improve the lives of America’s women and their families; in sharp contrast, Republicans are out-of-touch with women’s concerns and have consistently opposed these gains.

America is moving forward, and Democrats will continue to focus on creating good jobs for women, expanding opportunities for women-owned small businesses, better supporting working women at home and in their jobs, protecting Medicare from Republican voucher schemes, and preserving Social Security from Republican plans to privatize and cut it.  Protecting Social Security is key for women; 58% of Social Security recipients are women and for a majority of women over 65, Social Security provides more than half of their income.

TOP 5 ACTIONS IN THE 111TH CONGRESS

EQUAL PAY FOR WOMEN

One of the very top issues for American women is equal pay for equal work.  The first substantive bill enacted into law in the 111th Congress was the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act.  It restored the right of women and other workers to challenge unfair pay—by reversing the May 2007 Ledbetter v Goodyear Supreme Court decision that overturned precedent and made it much more difficult for workers to pursue pay discrimination claims.  The bill restored prior law—allowing a complaint to be filed within 180 days of a discriminatory paycheck, not of an employer’s first decision to discriminate.  The bill was supported by many groups, including AAUW, Business and Professional Women, and the Women’s Chamber of Commerce.  98% of House Republicans voted NO, including the House GOP Leadership.

CREATING AND SAVING GOOD JOBS FOR WOMEN

As with all Americans, American women want a fair shot at getting and keeping a good job—during a struggling economy caused by the Bush recession. According to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, the Recovery Act has been responsible for up to 3.3 million jobs nationwide through June 2010.  The Recovery Act included numerous provisions to expand job opportunities and job training for women, including in non-traditional careers like hundreds of thousands of new clean energy jobs and skills training and expanded opportunities for women in the transportation industry. An independent report by two prominent economists, including an advisor to the McCain for President campaign,concluded that the Recovery Act and certain actions by the Federal Reserve helped prevent a second Great Depression—and that, without them, we would have lost an additional 8 million jobs and unemployment today would be over 16%.  That would have been a disaster for American women and their families.  100% of House Republicans voted NO, including the House GOP Leadership.

Millions of American women own a small business—and have had trouble getting critical access to credit in the Bush recession.  The Small Business Jobs Act unlocked up to $300 billion in private sector lending to them and included 8 new small business tax cuts, worth $12 billion. 99% of House Republicans voted NO, including the House GOP Leadership.

PROTECTING CHILDREN & TEENS FROM TOBACCO AND UNSAFE FOOD

Protecting our children from health dangers is a primary responsibility of government—and this Congress has made great strides to protect children from the dangers of smoking and from the nightmare of contaminated food.

Every day, more than 3,500 children try a cigarette for the first time, and another 1,000 will become new, regular daily smokers.  One-third of these youth will eventually die prematurely as a result.  The Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act, enacted in 2009, grants the Food and Drug Administration authority to regulate the advertising, marketing, and manufacturing of tobacco products, including banning all outdoor tobacco advertising within 1,000 feet of schools and playgrounds; restricting vending machines and self-service displays to adult-only facilities; requiring retailers to verify age for all over-the-counter sales; and providing for federal enforcement and penalties against retailers who sell to minors. 56% of House Republicans voted NO, including the House GOP Leadership.

Each year, more than 325,000 Americans are hospitalized and 5,000 die from consuming contaminated food.  In just the last few years, there has been a string of food-borne illness outbreaks in foods consumed by millions of Americans each day—from spinach to peppers to peanut butter.  The House passed a landmark food safety bill, the Food Safety Enhancement Act, that makes several long-overdue repairs to our broken food safety system—giving the FDA new powers and tools to ensure our food is safe.  It requires more frequent inspections of food processing facilities; gives FDA the authority to order a food recall if a company fails to do so when requested; and takes steps to ensure that imported foods meet safety standards.  69% of House Republicans voted NO on this bill, including the House GOP Leadership—and the bill has been held up in the Senate by threats of Republican obstruction.

BEING A WOMAN WILL NO LONGER BE A “PRE-EXISTING CONDITION”

Under the abusive practices of many health insurers, being a woman has essentially been treated as a pre-existing condition.  In the individual insurance market, where millions of woman purchase coverage every year, women have suffered enormous discrimination for decades—many health insurers have treated pregnancy, having had a C-section, and even being the victim of domestic violence as a pre-existing condition.  These health insurers have also used “gender rating”—charging women more than men for the same coverage.  The Affordable Care Act requires health insurance companies to stop discriminating against women when reforms are fully implemented in 2014—eliminating pre-existing conditions and stopping insurers from being able to charge women more than men for the same coverage.  100% of House Republicans voted NO on this bill, including the House GOP Leadership.  House Republican Leader Boehner has continually vowed that the number-one priority of a Republican Majority would be to repeal the health reform bill.

BANNING DISCRIMINATION AGAINST SICK CHILDREN & ENSURING COVERAGE FOR AT LEAST 11 MILLION CHILDREN

All American children deserve to have a healthy start in life. One of the cruelest practices of America’s health insurance industry has been denying children with pre-existing conditions coverage—or dropping them from coverage when they get sick.  TheAffordable Care Act ended those practices for new plan years starting in September under the new Patient’s Bill of Rights.  It also gives comfort to parents of adult children under the age of 26—who can finally stay on their parents’ insurance policy if they need it.  100% of House Republicans voted NO—and they threaten to repeal these historic gains.

The second substantive bill enacted into law in the 111th Congress provided health care coverage for 11 million children. The Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Reauthorization Act preserved coverage for 7 million children covered by CHIP and extended coverage to 4 million uninsured children who are eligible for, but not yet enrolled in, CHIP and Medicaid.  The bill was fully paid for by increasing the tobacco tax.  77% of House Republicans voted NO, including the House GOP Leadership—opposing legislation which simply strengthened the popular, bipartisan Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).

**********

Girls: Just when Congress has been enacting key measures to improve our lives and the lives of our families, we many lose our momentum this November. You can see how the Republicans are voting. They certainly aren’t on our side when it comes to our health, our livelihood, our concerns. We can keep the momentum going if we get out and vote Democratic, and encourage our girlfriends to stick together and do the same.

Don’t you think we have had enough? Aren’t you tired of being considered a second class citizen? When will women get a clue? Men just don’t care enough about us as they do each other. It’s really that simple, and it’s really the truth. At least with the Democrats we have a chance…a voice. With the Republicans, “the party of no“, we girls stand little chance of being heard.

So…stop standing behind your man, and stand beside your sisters. You girls know who I am talking to.

I long for the day when women support women, the way men have always supported men. I’m envious of the camaraderie that men have amongst each other. If there is one thing that we can learn from men, it is how loyal they are to each other. And they have shown us that they can be ruthlessly loyal when it comes to putting others aside, and sticking by each other’s side.

I’m not asking to be ruthless, although maybe we should. I’m only asking for simple loyalty, simple support amongst us girls. How about making that day this November 2nd…and beyond? We have the numbers – Stick with the Dems. Let’s do it.

Zen Lill: This afternoon should be good. Call me in my office when you have the time.

Peace & Love: “Live it, Give it”

Lastly, greed over a great story is surfacing from my “loyal”(?) readers. With all this back and forth about who owns what, that appears on my blog, let me reiterate that all material posted on my blog becomes the sole property of my blog. If you want to reserve any proprietary rights don’t post it to my blog. I will prominently display this caveat on my blog from now on to remind those who may have forgotten this notice.

Gratefully your blog host,

michelle

Aka BABE: We all know what this means by now :)

If you love my blog and my writes, please make a donation via PayPal, credit card, or e-check, please click the “Donate” button below. (Please only donations from those readers within the United States. – International readers please see my “Donate” page)

Or if you would like to send a check via snail mail, please make checks payable to “Michelle Moquin”, and send to:

Michelle Moquin PO Box 29235 San Francisco, Ca. 94129

Thank you for your loyal support!

For archives dated before January 17, 2008 click on my Blogroll:

or click here: “A Day in the life of…”

All content on this site are property of Michelle Moquin © copyright 2010

" Politics, god, Life, News, Music, Family, Personal, Travel, Random, Photography, Religion, Aliens, Art, Entertainment, Food, Books, Thoughts, Media, Culture, Love, Sex, Poetry, Prose, Friends, Technology, Humor, Health, Writing, Events, Movies, Sports, Video, Christianity, Atheist, Blogging, History, Work, Education, Business, Fashion, Barack Obama, People, Internet, Relationships, Faith, Photos, Videos, Hillary Clinton, School, Reviews, God, TV, Philosophy, Fun, Science, Environment, Design, The Page, Rants, Pictures, Church, Blog, Nature, Marketing, Television, Democrats, Parenting, Miscellaneous, Current Events, Film, Spirituality, Obama, Musings, Home, Human Rights, Society, Comedy, Me, Random Thoughts, Research, Government, Election 2008, Baseball, Opinion, Recipes, Children, Iraq, Funny, Women, Economics, America, Misc, Commentary, John McCain, Reflections, All, Celebrities, Inspiration, Lifestyle, Theology, Linux, Kids, Games, World, India, Literature, China, Ramblings, Fitness, Money, Review, War, Articles, Economy, Journal, Quotes, NBA, Crime, Anime, Islam, 2008, Stories, Prayer, Diary, Jesus, Buddha, Muslim, Israel, Europe, Links, Marriage, Fiction, American Idol, Software, Leadership, Pop culture, Rants, Video Games, Republicans, Updates, Political, Football, Healing, Blogs, Shopping, USA, Class, Matrix, Course, Work, Web 2.0, My Life, Psychology, Gay, Happiness, Advertising, Field Hockey, Hip-hop, sex, fucking, ass, Soccer, sox"

Foreclosure unfortunately is not an uncommon word these days, and with so many homes across the country going into foreclosure, it is no surprise that fraud has a face here too. First Fannie, Freddie, and the Wall Street financial firms, got the best of homeowners through bad loans, now there getting their piece on the back-end too.

Here’s an article from the Palm Beach Post that I found interesting, and thought you might too:

Ex-employee says foreclosure firm forged signatures

A former paralegal for Florida foreclosure giant David J. Stern describes an office where signatures on notarized documents were regularly forged, legal papers were prepared en masse in Guam and the Philippines, and closed-door screaming matches erupted when files weren’t moved fast enough.

The accusations were made in a sworn statement taken Sept. 22 by the Florida Attorney General’s Office for its investigation of the Plantation-based law firm, and appear to support nationwide concerns about behind-the-scenes practices used to take people’s homes.

Paralegal Tammie Lou Kapusta, who said she was fired by the firm in July 2009 after refusing to falsify documents, recalls Stern’s business growing from 200 employees to 1,100 in a little more than a year’s time as foreclosures skyrocketed and staff struggled to keep up.

Notary stamps, Kapusta said, were readily available in the office and employees, including herself, who were not notaries, routinely stamped documents.

People who could best fake the signature of the person designated to verify foreclosure affidavits would be sought out to sign her name. Firm executives knew about the practice, Kapusta said.

Also, assignments of mortgage were sometimes made after a foreclosure judgment was entered, a sign that the wrong bank brought the action, she said.

Stern’s firm, which is one of four large companies in the state representing banks in foreclosures, handles thousands of cases in Palm Beach County.

Stern attorney Jeffrey Tew, of the Miami-based Tew Cardenas law firm, said Friday that Kapusta is a disgruntled former employee with a vendetta against the company. None of her accusations of wrongdoing is true, said Tew, who noted that he was not invited to attend the testimony and was unable to ask rebuttal questions.

“When you read it, you can see her bias,” Tew said about the statement.

Kapusta’s testimony was obtained by St. Petersburg foreclosure defense attorney Matt Weidner in a public records request. He posted the more than 100-page document to his blog, calling it a “bombshell.”

“It’s flat-out fraud for someone else to sign your name and say it’s you and then have a notary sign it,” said defense attorney Tom Ice of Ice Legal in Royal Palm Beach.

Last year, Ice deposed Cheryl Sammons, the woman whose signature was allegedly forged. In the deposition she said she spent about 10 hours each week signing foreclosure documents she rarely read.

It was Sammons, Kapusta said, who would get into screaming matches with Stern in his office about the speed at which foreclosures were processed.

“The servicers grade the attorneys by how fast they get that paperwork through,” Ice said.

In recent weeks, Bank of America, Ally Financial, JPMorgan Chase, and now PNC Financial Services have suspended portions of their foreclosure proceedings because employees signed thousands of documents every month without personally verifying their contents.

Even before those announcements, the Florida attorney general had begun investigations into four so-called foreclosure mills concerning allegations that fraudulent documents were submitted in court.

The firms are Stern’s, and those of Marshall C. Watson of Fort Lauderdale, Shapiro & Fishman, which has offices in Tampa and Boca Raton, and the Florida Default Law Group in Tampa.

It’s estimated the firms handle about 80 percent of the state’s foreclosures.

But the investigations were dealt a blow this week when Palm Beach County Judge Jack S. Cox said the attorney general’s office has no authority to investigate law firms.

He quashed an attorney general’s subpoena for information from the Shapiro & Fishman law firm.

Tew said he has filed a similar request on behalf of Stern in Broward County. A judge there is expected to hear his arguments Tuesday.

If that wasn’t enlightening enough, this was e-mailed to me the other day. If you are facing foreclosure, this video is a must see…

I’ve been talking about the foreclosure crisis in my recent emails. This is a multiple-trillion dollar crisis that is reaching the boiling point in the houses on your street.

Most Americans are totally unaware of the significance of this crisis. It is much, much, much worse than mere “robo-signers.”

Congressman Alan Grayson, who is a layer, has done a 7 minute video explaining the basics of this foreclosure crisis.

His video speaks for itself.

The only solution to this fraud that I see is to hold those who are responsible accountable. Sadly, that will mean holding the giant Wall Street financial firms accountable, which may cause them to collapse.

This is serious. Just as Fannie, Freddie, Lehman, and AIG failures caused the financial system to crash in 2008, the foreclosure crisis can cause the failure of Bank of America, Ally Financial (formerly GMAC), Citigroup, and other giant financial firms.

The meltdown is occurring in real time, right before our very eyes, just as it did in 2008.

You do have a leg to stand on, if you realize that you want to stand up and fight for your family and what is right!

After viewing this video give me a call.

Thank you.
Patrick Lourim

Readers: “Foreclosure Mill Law Firms” – The title says it all doesn’t it? And what about these “robo-signers” having no idea what they are signing? Unbelievable. Yet they are basically writing the American dream off for so many Americans by forging a signature. A simple signature, and oops! sorry!…you no longer own your house.

When will this criminal behavior stop? Thanks to Congressman Alan Grayson, he is a voice worth listening to, and hopefully one that will speak loud in support of the rights of people, and the downfall of these fraud factories.  Comments? Blog me.

FYI: This e-mail was sent from US Loan Auditors. I know nothing about this company but they may be worth checking out if you feel you are a victim of a forged foreclosure.

Lastly, greed over a great story is surfacing from my “loyal”(?) readers. With all this back and forth about who owns what, that appears on my blog, let me reiterate that all material posted on my blog becomes the sole property of my blog. If you want to reserve any proprietary rights don’t post it to my blog. I will prominently display this caveat on my blog from now on to remind those who may have forgotten this notice.

Gratefully your blog host,

michelle

Aka BABE: We all know what this means by now :)

If you love my blog and my writes, please make a donation via PayPal, credit card, or e-check, please click the “Donate” button below. (Please only donations from those readers within the United States. – International readers please see my “Donate” page)

Or if you would like to send a check via snail mail, please make checks payable to “Michelle Moquin”, and send to:

Michelle Moquin PO Box 29235 San Francisco, Ca. 94129

Thank you for your loyal support!

For archives dated before January 17, 2008 click on my Blogroll:

or click here: “A Day in the life of…”

All content on this site are property of Michelle Moquin © copyright 2010

John Curley Photography

" Politics, god, Life, News, Music, Family, Personal, Travel, Random, Photography, Religion, Aliens, Art, Entertainment, Food, Books, Thoughts, Media, Culture, Love, Sex, Poetry, Prose, Friends, Technology, Humor, Health, Writing, Events, Movies, Sports, Video, Christianity, Atheist, Blogging, History, Work, Education, Business, Fashion, Barack Obama, People, Internet, Relationships, Faith, Photos, Videos, Hillary Clinton, School, Reviews, God, TV, Philosophy, Fun, Science, Environment, Design, The Page, Rants, Pictures, Church, Blog, Nature, Marketing, Television, Democrats, Parenting, Miscellaneous, Current Events, Film, Spirituality, Obama, Musings, Home, Human Rights, Society, Comedy, Me, Random Thoughts, Research, Government, Election 2008, Baseball, Opinion, Recipes, Children, Iraq, Funny, Women, Economics, America, Misc, Commentary, John McCain, Reflections, All, Celebrities, Inspiration, Lifestyle, Theology, Linux, Kids, Games, World, India, Literature, China, Ramblings, Fitness, Money, Review, War, Articles, Economy, Journal, Quotes, NBA, Crime, Anime, Islam, 2008, Stories, Prayer, Diary, Jesus, Buddha, Muslim, Israel, Europe, Links, Marriage, Fiction, American Idol, Software, Leadership, Pop culture, Rants, Video Games, Republicans, Updates, Political, Football, Healing, Blogs, Shopping, USA, Class, Matrix, Course, Work, Web 2.0, My Life, Psychology, Gay, Happiness, Advertising, Field Hockey, Hip-hop, sex, fucking, ass, Soccer, sox"

Good morning!

I wrote about Ayesha (Aisha)  about a month ago when her mutilated face graced the cover of Time Magazine. Now one month later Ayesha is on her way to recovery, at least physically.

‘Bibi’ Ayesha, Mutilated Afghan Woman, Receives ‘Enduring Heart Award’

After having her nose and ears cut off by her husband as a punishment handed down by Taliban elders, “Bibi” Ayesha was left for dead. The courageous young woman found her way to an American military hospital where she was treated for her wounds.

In August, Ayesha traveled to California to begin an intensive eight-month facial reconstruction.

Readers: This is definitely heading toward a happy ending, or should I say beginning (?) for Ayesha, and I am so happy for her. How could you not be? – her story was devastating. And as I’ve said before, devastating doesn’t even come close to describing this atrocity. Devastation to women happens daily; I’ve written about them here, and readers from all over the world have chimed in with their personal stories. Ayesha is only one of many.

So yes, Ayesha was a lucky one, if you can call having your ears and nose chopped off by your Husband and in-laws, and left for dead, lucky. I still can’t help but think of the many other women who suffer daily from abuse, mutilation, and slavery, not just in Afghanistan, but in Iran, Sudan, Congo, India…What about them?

What I would like to come out of this horrific story is more than just a nose job and an “Enduring Heart Award”. Don’t get me wrong, I am grateful for the California doctor who is graciously providing Ayesha’s reconstructive surgeries. And no doubt Ayesha deserves a reward for “enduring” such an experience, not to mention “enduring” the life she lead, before her husband pulled out a knife, first slicing off her ears, then her nose.

I don’t mean to keep driving the mutilation point home, but something has to happen to prevent this from ever happening again. As the article in my past blog write stated: This didn’t happen 10 years ago, when the Taliban ruled Afghanistan. It happened last year.

Last year. Are things getting worse for women or are we just able to access the atrocities easier because of the internet?

I try to remain HOPEful that things are getting better for women. But then I look at the huge numbers of girls who have contacted me wanting to be a girlz. It seems many are saying “Get me the fuck off of this planet. Anything is better than the life I have now. I am willing to risk dying in space for a cause, than dying at the hands of evil men.”

Do you blame them?

Comments? Thoughts? Blog this BABE. Speaking of girls…

Chin: You should be back? How about telling my readers what it was like for you out there?

Oh…and on a totally different subject….Hooray for the miners in Chile who are finally out and on their way home to their families!

Zen Lill: I don’t buy the alien bit. Aliens are such a small part of my blog. Unless one reads every day, you could miss them even being here. Wish they had a bigger presence here like they use to. Of course many peeps do read every day, but my blog is so much more than a hangout for the aliens. (Nothing against my friends the TAO – they know how I feel about them.:) Although I shouldn’t say my friends “never” talk about my blog…I do have conversations, but it is mostly me who broaches the subject. It is what it is, and I accept it. (most of the time) :P

On another note…what is going on in the zen life of Zen Lill? The universe is speaking that’s for sure. Now you just need to figure out what she’s saying. Sounds like you are in your own little random world looking for order. Good luck!  Such a bummer. I HOPE Your wallet is returned. The postal person will deliver it if the person who found it drops your wallet into a mailbox. Of course then you have to HOPE that the postal person is a decent person and delivers it to you.

Larry: That would be a kind person, and an easy thing to do, but there are many people who aren’t kind. And with identity theft raging, a wallet falling into the hands of the wrong person, would be seen as a gift from the Gods.

When I was living in LA, I mistakenly left my wallet on the hood of my car and drove away. It went flying into the street. I noticed it, so I pulled over. So did someone else. They pulled their car over at the same time as I did. I thought, “How nice; they’re going to rescue my wallet from the middle of the road and give it back to me.” Nope. They got out of their car as I was stepping out of mine, ran over to my wallet, and ran back to their car and drove away! I was shocked.

H: Cute.  :)

Anon: My pleasure. Well…give it up – what did you say to your wife in response?

Hi Helena: How are you? I just wanted to point out that you have been a loyal reader for a pretty long time now – how long has it been? I just wanted to say thanks.

And I liked the article you posted. Good observation about white women but I would like to think (and HOPE) it is changing. We are no longer in an era where women are predominantly stay-at-home housewives and mothers. And it seems that more and more younger women are either getting married later or opting out of marriage altogether.

Emily: Cute :) Nice to see you here again.

Peace out…

Lastly, greed over a great story is surfacing from my “loyal”(?) readers. With all this back and forth about who owns what, that appears on my blog, let me reiterate that all material posted on my blog becomes the sole property of my blog. If you want to reserve any proprietary rights don’t post it to my blog. I will prominently display this caveat on my blog from now on to remind those who may have forgotten this notice.

Gratefully your blog host,

michelle

Aka BABE: We all know what this means by now :)

If you love my blog and my writes, please make a donation via PayPal, credit card, or e-check, please click the “Donate” button below. (Please only donations from those readers within the United States. – International readers please see my “Donate” page)

Or if you would like to send a check via snail mail, please make checks payable to “Michelle Moquin”, and send to:

Michelle Moquin PO Box 29235 San Francisco, Ca. 94129

Thank you for your loyal support!

For archives dated before January 17, 2008 click on my Blogroll:

or click here: “A Day in the life of…”

All content on this site are property of Michelle Moquin © copyright 2010

John Curley Photography

" Politics, god, Life, News, Music, Family, Personal, Travel, Random, Photography, Religion, Aliens, Art, Entertainment, Food, Books, Thoughts, Media, Culture, Love, Sex, Poetry, Prose, Friends, Technology, Humor, Health, Writing, Events, Movies, Sports, Video, Christianity, Atheist, Blogging, History, Work, Education, Business, Fashion, Barack Obama, People, Internet, Relationships, Faith, Photos, Videos, Hillary Clinton, School, Reviews, God, TV, Philosophy, Fun, Science, Environment, Design, The Page, Rants, Pictures, Church, Blog, Nature, Marketing, Television, Democrats, Parenting, Miscellaneous, Current Events, Film, Spirituality, Obama, Musings, Home, Human Rights, Society, Comedy, Me, Random Thoughts, Research, Government, Election 2008, Baseball, Opinion, Recipes, Children, Iraq, Funny, Women, Economics, America, Misc, Commentary, John McCain, Reflections, All, Celebrities, Inspiration, Lifestyle, Theology, Linux, Kids, Games, World, India, Literature, China, Ramblings, Fitness, Money, Review, War, Articles, Economy, Journal, Quotes, NBA, Crime, Anime, Islam, 2008, Stories, Prayer, Diary, Jesus, Buddha, Muslim, Israel, Europe, Links, Marriage, Fiction, American Idol, Software, Leadership, Pop culture, Rants, Video Games, Republicans, Updates, Political, Football, Healing, Blogs, Shopping, USA, Class, Matrix, Course, Work, Web 2.0, My Life, Psychology, Gay, Happiness, Advertising, Field Hockey, Hip-hop, sex, fucking, ass, Soccer, sox"

Don’t forget to pay your annual service fee…

…or your house may burn down.

Firefighters Watch As Home Burns: Gene Cranick’s House Destroyed In Tennessee Over $75 Fee (VIDEO)

A smoldering rage may be all that remains after Gene Cranick’s home burned to the ground last week in Obion County, Tennessee.

Firefighters are usually the bold “veni, vidi, vici” sort, but those from neighboring South Fulton could only say “veni, vidi.” They came. They watched. That’s it.

Cranick lives outside of the city limits and he admits that he forgot to pay a $75 annual service fee that would have provided him with fire protection. Firefighters wouldn’t lift a finger, much less the hoses that might have saved the house.

The fire reportedly started in some barrels outside. As the flames crept closer to the home, Cranick says he offered to pay whatever it would take. The plea fell on deaf ears. Hours later, the home was gone.

So were three dogs and a cat.

“They coulda’ been saved if they put water on it. But they didn’t do it,” Cranick told MSNBC.

The South Fulton firefighters did show up and managed to save a neighbor’s field. The neighbor had paid the fee. But they would provide no heroics for the Cranicks. A local news report shows them climbing back on their trucks, flames still dancing over what was once the family’s home.

The event was dubbed “pay for spray” by MSNBC host Keith Olbermann. It’s a chilling vision of what could play out in a third world America, where paying taxes isn’t enough to cover basic services. Fire protection, it turns out, is a privilege in some communities. On Monday’s show,Olbermann railed against the larger implications the incident, calling it “a look now into the America envisioned by the tea party … just a preview of what would come in a kind of a la cartegovernment.”

WATCH:

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Think Progress was equally incensed:

Readers: You’re probably on it, but I missed this one a a few days ago, and when I heard of it, I was shocked. I don’t even know how to express what is appalling anymore because these days there is so much that is “appalling”, that the word “shocking” has lost much of its impact, not to mention the word “appalling”, and “atrocious”, and “disgusting”…Need I go on?

These days what isn’t shocking is actually what is quite “surprising”. Do you know what I mean or does it sound like I am just talking in circles? My example is the homeowner Paulette Cranick, who doesn’t blame the firefighters. “They’re doing what they are told to do. It’s not their fault,”

Okay. I have a problem with this. I don’t care if they are doing what they’re told, it isn’t right and they know it. How can firefighters just stare at a burning house when it is their job to save it? Not to mention knowing that the family pets were in their dying – what if a person was in there, would they still stand by? Can you imagine?

When are people going to stand up for each other and do the right thing?

Not to mention the tax dollars in this particular area that aren’t going towards covering a fire unless you pay this “extra” fee. And what about Beck? Fuck Beck. It’s not surprising what came out of his mouth.

That’s just my opinion. What’s yours? It’s Friday…start flapping your lips. Blog me.

**********

Jennifer: Back to your comment. All I want to say is that I will take your concerns, as well as the concerns of those that e-mailed me, into consideration and act accordingly.

Josie: That stat is scary and very disappointing.

Chin: You make a very valid and logical point and it is noted.

Democrat women: How about changing this stat that Josie reported and making sure that you go out and vote on November 2nd? Do I really need to ask? Just do it.

Anonymous: That is so funny!

Now I’m out of here. Happy Friday!

Lastly, greed over a great story is surfacing from my “loyal”(?) readers. With all this back and forth about who owns what, that appears on my blog, let me reiterate that all material posted on my blog becomes the sole property of my blog. If you want to reserve any proprietary rights don’t post it to my blog. I will prominently display this caveat on my blog from now on to remind those who may have forgotten this notice.

Gratefully your blog host,

michelle

Aka BABE: We all know what this means by now :)

If you love my blog and my writes, please make a donation via PayPal, credit card, or e-check, please click the “Donate” button below. (Please only donations from those readers within the United States. – International readers please see my “Donate” page)

Or if you would like to send a check via snail mail, please make checks payable to “Michelle Moquin”, and send to:

Michelle Moquin PO Box 29235 San Francisco, Ca. 94129

Thank you for your loyal support!

For archives dated before January 17, 2008 click on my Blogroll:

or click here: “A Day in the life of…”

All content on this site are property of Michelle Moquin © copyright 2010

John Curley Photography

" Politics, god, Life, News, Music, Family, Personal, Travel, Random, Photography, Religion, Aliens, Art, Entertainment, Food, Books, Thoughts, Media, Culture, Love, Sex, Poetry, Prose, Friends, Technology, Humor, Health, Writing, Events, Movies, Sports, Video, Christianity, Atheist, Blogging, History, Work, Education, Business, Fashion, Barack Obama, People, Internet, Relationships, Faith, Photos, Videos, Hillary Clinton, School, Reviews, God, TV, Philosophy, Fun, Science, Environment, Design, The Page, Rants, Pictures, Church, Blog, Nature, Marketing, Television, Democrats, Parenting, Miscellaneous, Current Events, Film, Spirituality, Obama, Musings, Home, Human Rights, Society, Comedy, Me, Random Thoughts, Research, Government, Election 2008, Baseball, Opinion, Recipes, Children, Iraq, Funny, Women, Economics, America, Misc, Commentary, John McCain, Reflections, All, Celebrities, Inspiration, Lifestyle, Theology, Linux, Kids, Games, World, India, Literature, China, Ramblings, Fitness, Money, Review, War, Articles, Economy, Journal, Quotes, NBA, Crime, Anime, Islam, 2008, Stories, Prayer, Diary, Jesus, Buddha, Muslim, Israel, Europe, Links, Marriage, Fiction, American Idol, Software, Leadership, Pop culture, Rants, Video Games, Republicans, Updates, Political, Football, Healing, Blogs, Shopping, USA, Class, Matrix, Course, Work, Web 2.0, My Life, Psychology, Gay, Happiness, Advertising, Field Hockey, Hip-hop, sex, fucking, ass, Soccer, sox"

Good morning!

My dear friend Tracey, as in “Tracey”, Reiki healer, and wonderful wife of “Elliot” our resident film noir guy, is helping to promote an International Film Circuit documentary. “Enemies Of The People” has gotten many awards, including Sundance this year, and is coming to the Bay Area for three special showings.

Here’s a little peek:

Award-Winning Film plays Three Days Only in Bay Area
with Filmmaker in Attendance

Mon, Oct 11 @ 7pm
BALBOA THEATER
3630 Balboa St (37th Av) • SF • 415-221-8184
www.balboamovies.com/

Tues, Oct 12 @ 4p
UC BERKELEY HUMAN RIGHTS CENTER
110 Boalt Hall, UC Berkeley

http://hrc.berkeley.edu/events.html#enemies

Weds, Oct 13 @ 4:30p, 7:15p & 9:30p
GRAND LAKE THEATER
3200 Grand Ave • Oakland • 510-452-3556
www.renaissancerialto.com/

FILMMAKER ROB LEMKIN IN PERSON at ALL SHOWS

International Film Circuit is pleased to present Rob Lemkin and Thet Sambath’s ENEMIES OF THE PEOPLE, one of the most harrowing and compelling personal documentaries of our time. Winner of a dozen top documentary festival awards, including a Special Jury Prize at Sundance and the Grand Jury Award at the Full Frame Festival, ENEMIES OF THE PEOPLE exposes for the first time the truth about the Killing Fields and the Khmer Rouge who were behind Cambodia’s genocide. It is also an intimate journey into the heart of darkness by journalist Thet Sambath, whose family was wiped out in the Killing Fields, but whose patience and discipline elicits unprecedented on-camera confessions from perpetrators at all levels of the Khmer Rouge hierarchy. More than simply an inquiry into Cambodia’s experience, the film is a profound meditation on the nature of good and evil, shedding light on the capacity of some people to do terrible things and for others to forgive them. ENEMIES OF THE PEOPLE will open in New York on Friday, July 30 at the Quad Cinema, with a national roll-out to follow.

In 1974, Thet Sambath’s father became one of the nearly two million people who were murdered by the Khmer Rouge. Sambath’s mother was forced to marry a Khmer Rouge militiaman and died in childbirth in 1976, while his eldest brother disappeared in 1977. Sambath himself escaped Cambodia at age 10 when the regime fell in 1979.

Fast forward to 1998, and Sambath, now a reporter with the Phnom Penh Post, got to know the children of some senior Khmer Rouge cadre and gradually earned their trust. Then, for a decade, he spent weekends visiting the home of the most senior surviving leader, Nuon Chea, aka Brother Number Two under Pol Pot. Over time, Nuon Chea began to reveal to him about the truth of the genocide, including details of the killing. Sambath also won the confidence of lower-level Khmer Rouge soldiers, now ordinary fathers and grandfathers, who demonstrated for him how they slit people’s throats. It was the first time these murderers admitted what they had done. He taped their interactions, and together with British documentarian Rob Lemkin created this landmark film.

For Sambath, it has been an ongoing, lifelong personal journey to discover what was behind such horror; he neglected both his family and his own happiness in the search for truth with hope of reconciliation. ENEMIES OF THE PEOPLE is at once a cinematically beautiful, chillingly insightful, and deeply personal piece of documentary filmmaking.

“Stunning. Inspiring. A testament to one man’s persistent search for the truth.
Extraordinary on several fronts…an intensely personal film undertaken at some risk.”
- Stephen Holden, New York Times

“One of the most GRIPPING and MOVING films I have ever seen. STUNNING. ”
– Andrew Marr, BBC Radio

“A must-see exposé. Fascinating and Remarkable.” – Gary Goldstein, Los Angeles Times

*************

Readers: I can not boast that I have seen this film, but I am intrigued, aren’t you? And I will be attending one of the viewings. Why not support this film and join me? And then I want you to blog me and tell me what you thought of it.  Sound good?

Zen Lill: My pleasure. :) The difference between sitting and chatting poli all day is that you really don’t get anywhere with it. People are either with you or they aren’t, and having a conversation isn’t going to change that. When you phone bank you will have a script; very to the point. You can knock out 60-70 calls in less than 2 hours. And you’re calling people who are already registered Dem voters. (I realize you regard yourself an “Independent”, but to my understanding, you promote yourself like you would vote like a Dem [?])

That being said, you will get many answering machines, but the people you do talk to are usually very nice and appreciative that you are volunteering for the cause. And most importantly, stats show that if they weren’t going to vote, and they make a commitment on the phone to you that they will go to the polls and vote, they most likely will. Simple – That’s grassroots baby. Thanks for giving it a go.  :)

Peace out…

Lastly, greed over a great story is surfacing from my “loyal”(?) readers. With all this back and forth about who owns what, that appears on my blog, let me reiterate that all material posted on my blog becomes the sole property of my blog. If you want to reserve any proprietary rights don’t post it to my blog. I will prominently display this caveat on my blog from now on to remind those who may have forgotten this notice.

Gratefully your blog host,

michelle

Aka BABE: We all know what this means by now :)

If you love my blog and my writes, please make a donation via PayPal, credit card, or e-check, please click the “Donate” button below. (Please only donations from those readers within the United States. – International readers please see my “Donate” page)

Or if you would like to send a check via snail mail, please make checks payable to “Michelle Moquin”, and send to:

Michelle Moquin PO Box 29235 San Francisco, Ca. 94129

Thank you for your loyal support!

For archives dated before January 17, 2008 click on my Blogroll:

or click here: “A Day in the life of…”

All content on this site are property of Michelle Moquin © copyright 2010

John Curley Photography

" Politics, god, Life, News, Music, Family, Personal, Travel, Random, Photography, Religion, Aliens, Art, Entertainment, Food, Books, Thoughts, Media, Culture, Love, Sex, Poetry, Prose, Friends, Technology, Humor, Health, Writing, Events, Movies, Sports, Video, Christianity, Atheist, Blogging, History, Work, Education, Business, Fashion, Barack Obama, People, Internet, Relationships, Faith, Photos, Videos, Hillary Clinton, School, Reviews, God, TV, Philosophy, Fun, Science, Environment, Design, The Page, Rants, Pictures, Church, Blog, Nature, Marketing, Television, Democrats, Parenting, Miscellaneous, Current Events, Film, Spirituality, Obama, Musings, Home, Human Rights, Society, Comedy, Me, Random Thoughts, Research, Government, Election 2008, Baseball, Opinion, Recipes, Children, Iraq, Funny, Women, Economics, America, Misc, Commentary, John McCain, Reflections, All, Celebrities, Inspiration, Lifestyle, Theology, Linux, Kids, Games, World, India, Literature, China, Ramblings, Fitness, Money, Review, War, Articles, Economy, Journal, Quotes, NBA, Crime, Anime, Islam, 2008, Stories, Prayer, Diary, Jesus, Buddha, Muslim, Israel, Europe, Links, Marriage, Fiction, American Idol, Software, Leadership, Pop culture, Rants, Video Games, Republicans, Updates, Political, Football, Healing, Blogs, Shopping, USA, Class, Matrix, Course, Work, Web 2.0, My Life, Psychology, Gay, Happiness, Advertising, Field Hockey, Hip-hop, sex, fucking, ass, Soccer, sox"