The Politically Incorrect Mom

An Invitation to Hate Us More

2008-03-11T18:48:00.003-04:00

I recently sat through an agonizing 30-second video of Whoopi Goldberg boo-hooing about a Rush Limbaugh comment. First, let me say that Rush Limbaugh makes me sick, too. I don’t know which fat, used-to-be-funny, obnoxious, blow-hard, has-been is harder to listen to – Goldberg or Limbaugh, but I have to say that for once…just this once…I hope Limbaugh is right.

Limbaugh’s comment was regarding the idea of pairing up Clinton and Obama on the same ticket as President and Vice President. He made a comment that a black man and a female running together meant, “they don’t have a chance”. Goldberg was highly offended and went into one of her typical diatribes about how being raised in the United States affords her the right to be anything or do anything she wants. Whatever.

The truth is – being born/raised in the United States only affords us the privilege to PURSUE those dreams – not to achieve them. Achieving success is entirely up to us – and our ability to overcome the obstacles that are in our way, but that’s not really what I sat down to rant about…

I have long since confessed that I don’t believe the United States is ready for a female President. And I don’t just mean the citizens are not ready – I mean the country and the world is not ready for the fall-out that will undoubtedly be tied to putting a woman in the White House.

As an American girl, I was raised with the same “girls can do anything boys can do” sermons as anyone else. I have achieved a lot in my life and can honestly say that I have not been held back by man or beast. I have a lot to be proud of, but I’ve worked hard. Nevertheless, I still don’t believe a woman is the right person for the job of President of the United States and it has nothing to do with a woman’s ability to lead. It has everything to do with the responsibilities that the President of the United States has not only to America, but to the rest of the world.

To those of you who do not believe there is such a thing as a “War on Terror”, you might want to plug your ears for the rest of this.

Notwithstanding my position that the Commander and Chief of our Armed Forces should be required to have served in the armed forces – let me just pose a question…

What do hate-mongering Muslims hate at least as much as they hate the United States?

If you guessed WOMEN – we’re on the same page.

Am I the only person who believes that the very idea of Hillary Clinton in the White House is going to antagonize the already horrific situation the Unites States is in with regard to terrorists who hate us? With all that’s happened in the post 9/11 era – diplomacy is more difficult to obtain than ever. What are the odds that an arrogant female is going to get a diplomatic round-table discussion going with a group of Sunni’s and Shiite’s? How about NONE. Absolutely NO CHANCE.

So, let me get this straight… The plan is to put a female in the White House who claims to be against the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan (but that’s only after she voted for those wars), let her remove troops from the middle east (although not nearly as quickly as our friend Barack Hussein Obama would do it if given the chance) and then perch the sitting duck up there on Capital Hill as though the United States is looking for a way to become more of a target than we already are. Do I have that right?

Great plan, folks. And just how is she planning to communicate with the terrorists? Shake her finger at them? Cry?

Fortunately, Limbaugh is probably right on this one. I’ve felt from the gate that whomever wins the candidacy on the left is going to be an easy opponent for the right to beat – based solely on the good old fashioned racism, fear and sexism that still exists in this country. We can say what we want about how far we’ve come with civil rights (and as far as I’m concerned – we’ve gone TOO FAR on most fronts), but the truth of the matter is – there are an awful lot of closet racists and sexists out there – and for once, I hope they’re registered to vote. If not, being offended by a blowhard will be the least of Whoopi Goldberg’s worries. She’ll have plenty to think about while she’s picking out which veil goes best with her jiibab.

Well, aint that just dandy?!?!?

2008-03-07T22:56:00.003-05:00

Hat tip - Neo-Contastic

Campaign Finance Reform - PI Mom Style

2008-03-07T22:36:00.002-05:00

I am sick to death of hearing about how much money the candidates have raised and spent on their election campaigns. As far as I’m concerned, it’s a complete and utter waste of money and all of them should be ashamed of themselves.

We hear them all talking about campaign finance reform whenever they’re mad that someone else raised more money than they did – how about some good, old fashioned, REAL campaigning. How about a shoestring budget and some blood, sweat and tears?? How about spending campaign contributions on things that REALLY matter?? How about that, eh?

Here’s my proposal.

The NEW Rules of Campaigning:

Candidates must choose the “platform of choice” that they consider to be the most important issue – you know, the one they promise to fix as soon as they’re finished redecorating the Lincoln Bedroom.

For the sake of an “example” – let’s use Hillary’s platform….Socialized….err, “Universal” Healthcare

Candidates may accept as much or as little contributions as they see fit during campaign.
$1,000 of campaign funds may be used to fund the campaign each month. The rest of the funds must be donated to the cause of their “platform of choice” – assuming the platform allows for the money to stay in the United States. If not – the money goes into a natural disaster fund that will be used to help rebuild AMERICAN cities after hurricanes, floods, fires, mudslides, etc.

For the sake of an example – how many uninsured people could receive healthcare for $138,048,905 (Hillary’s total receipts as of the end of January 08).

Candidates must solicit free advertising from the media – which would eliminate the argument about which way each of the media outlets lean and force organizations like the New York Times to publicly choose a candidate.
Candidates may work the talk-show circuit, but they may not be paid for their appearances.
No television commercials may be aired, unless they are free.
The monthly $1,000 may be spent in any way (except for television commercials), including billboards, yard signs, bumper stickers or picket signs, but those who acquire them must purchase them from campaign headquarters and the money goes back into the kitty for next month. People buy bumper stickers and yard signs for their favorite football teams and any other nonsense they litter their lawns with – why should these items be free?
Neither the Democratic or Republican National Committee may pay any television network for advertising or for debate time. The networks can solicit sponsors. Coca Cola pays American Idol an insane amount of money just to place their cups on the judge’s table each week. The networks will get by on sponsorship!
All campaign employees must be un-paid volunteers.
Candidates must drive wherever they go. The Government can continue to provide cars and secret service (most of them would have it anyway, since they already work for the government), but if the candidate’s “platform of choice” has anything to do with the environment, the candidate must travel in a sub-compact hybrid.
If the candidate works for the United States Government, they must take an official, un-paid leave of absence from their job. If I wanted to campaign for something, I would have to take off work without pay – why should we be paying them for a job they clearly are not performing while they campaign?
And last, but certainly not least – candidates must spend at least 50% of their time knocking on doors and meeting the American public – you know, the very people they ask for votes from. This shouldn’t be a problem – they can just stop in the neighborhoods they’re driving through.

As of the end of January, the total money raised (according to CNN) by ALL candidates, from both sides (including the drop-outs) was $650,239,992.

How many neighborhoods in New Orleans do you suppose could have been rebuilt with 650 million dollars?

End of an era

2007-11-30T21:57:00.000-05:00

The last REAL American hero died today. Evel Knievel....the legend....
The professional athletes and musicians that the kids these days look up to - they're all pansies compared to Evel Knievel. More than 40 broken bones with no steroids, no gazillion dollar contracts.....just raw manhood, guts and a little bit of crazy.
I'm so depressed.
Elvis....Ronald Reagan...now Evel Knievel. I may as well just crawl in a hole and wait for the blaze of Glory.

Paleeeez!

2007-06-04T20:33:00.000-04:00

Isn't it funny how people "find God" when it's a politically effective strategy in a Presidential race? Good God!

From the AP...

In a rare public discussion of her husband's
infidelity, Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton said Monday that she probably could not have gotten through her marital troubles without relying on her faith in God.

"I am very grateful that I had a grounding in faith that gave me the courage and the strength to do what I thought was right, regardless of what the world thought," Clinton said during a forum where the three leading Democratic presidential candidates talked about faith and values.

"I'm not sure I would have gotten through it without my faith," she said.

I think I just threw up in my mouth.

Oh C'Mon!

2007-05-28T18:53:00.000-04:00

Ok - lemme get this straight….

We have to put up with museums, public school curriculum, television, radio, books and crackpots whose theories slap the face of every Christian in this country - but let someone open a Creationism Museum and there are
fruit loops standing outside on opening day - picketing the visitors because they believe it ignores science...per Comcast News.

If you're going to be in Kentucky (or Cincinnati), support this place!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

In other nonsense....err news...

I PREDICTED THIS...

On April 21st, during a trip to Memphis, I predicted that the fat pig #2, Rosie O'Donnell was becoming such a liability to Barbara Walters that she would have to get her off that stupid show, The View. Less than a week later - she announced she would be leaving (of her own accord...yeah, right!). Then she kept running her flap and couldn't keep the job until her planned mid-June departure date.
Not that any of you actually KNEW I predicted it - and Lisa is the only one who can verify it - but I did. So, this is my "told-ya-so" on that subject. I don't get to say it often, so I'm taking advantage of this one.

Now....to get fat pig #1, Michael Moore, to mysteriously disappear....hmmmm......

Let's Just Copy & Paste Mexico's Immigration Policy

2007-05-22T20:15:00.000-04:00

I like Allan Wall's take on the Mexican Immigration Policy. We could take a lesson or two from Mexico. What was the golden rule?? Do unto others.....

Check it out

Give me a break

2007-05-19T17:55:00.000-04:00

Just a few things that have tickled me today...

Carter says the Bush administration is the "the worst in history" in international relations.

That’s really weighty stuff coming from the worst President in history - relative to any subject or relations.

- - - - -

Danny Glover: Can’t we deport him for this???

- - - - -

And last, but certainly not least - considering the size of this big FAT PIG...
What happened to the IRS investigating the fat pig, Michael Moore, for unauthorized trips to Cuba related to financial gain?

His zombies are thanking him now and "sicko" is a very good description for all of them.

His latest aim is the US healthcare industry. That’s my back yard. It may be interesting to see what lies he’s come up with for this one. Then again, it may be more interesting to watch someone pull his toenails out.

Home of the Brave....via Paradise.

2007-03-14T22:45:00.000-04:00

I just returned from vacation and those who know me will be expecting my usual suitcase full of wise-cracks and sarcasm that trips outside the United States bring out of me.

My girls and I travelled to Jamaica and let me first say we had an excellent time and we will undoubtedly return. I love the Caribbean and what it does for my attitude...not to mention the tone of my skin. I'm not planning to rant about our stay....it was glorious!

This trip, we had the unusual ?luck? of being in Ocho Rios during the World Cup Cricket matches. Now, forget that I think cricket is a pansy game and forget that the hair stands up on the back of my neck when someone (like our airport shuttle driver) says, "it's just like baseball!" and forget that it's so boring that when forced to watch it I start fantasizing about using that club/bat/stick used to bunt the ball to crack people in a 1970's style high-school paddling. This really isn't about cricket - although I could go on all night. No - the only interesting thing about being in Jamaica during this tournament was that the Pakistani cricket team was there - playing this pansy game against the West Indies, Zimbabwe and Ireland.

So, the day we were leaving, I'm watching these sheep herders in their long beards and little pansy cricket helmets bounce balls to each other and while the camera is panning around the stadium I couldn't help but notice the crazy number of "fans" these people had with them and the thought occurs to me - how in the name of anything sacred are these people hopping on planes to go to Jamaica? I mean, at the risk of sounding like the politically incorrect person that I am - shouldn't it be really, REEEEEALLLLY hard for people from that region to travel the world right now? Excuse me while I clear my throat.......ahem.....and say, "YES!"

Suddenly I recalled the day we arrived and how incredibly easy it was to slide into the little island of Jamaica without so much as a baggage check. Immigration was nothing - and I do mean NOTHING. No scanning of our passports, not even a second look at my youngest daughter who looks nothing like her passport photo and certainly no questions.

Then, there was Customs.

Customs Guy:"How many bags, mon?"
PIMom: 5
Customs Guy: "Welcome to Jamaica"

End of Customs

And let me clear something up right now....
We might be three very white girls from Pennsylvania, but the olive skinned, Arabic speaking couple in line ahead of us got the same Q&A and freedom to cruise on into the country.

Fast forward past the sunscreen, the kayaking, the waterfalls and the countless banana drinks with little umbrellas....

Now it's the day to go home. The sky is blue and there is a beautiful breeze (of course there is because the most beautiful day of the year is always the day you're going home!). We pile our bags into the airport shuttle and take the 2 hour hike back to the airport. When we arrive expecting the usual scrutiny that accompanies leaving a foreign country and returning to the United States (I swear the airport people take it out on Americans), what do you suppose happened?? I'll give you a hint....it starts with N and ends with ING.....NOTHING, folks. A BIG FAT NOTHING. No baggage check, no questions, no forms, no x-ray machines....not even so much as a peek into my shoe bag.

So, I'm standing there watching the sheep herders bunt the little ball on the TV screen next to the "security check point" and it occurs to me......What a great way to enter the United States....no....questions....asked. And what a great place to be standing in line behind a bunch of people who look like "freedom fighters". Yeah - it's a beautiful day in paradise.

At least they can't actually GET IN to the United States, right?

When I returned to the Philadelphia airport, we went through Immigration along with a number of foreigners with passports that may or may not be legitimate (would the minimum-wage-earning immigration "clerks" really know the difference?) and then headed to customs, which is usually a zoo and a huge pain in the rear while greasy people paw through my luggage. Guess what, folks??? There was nobody in the Customs area. Just a couple of security guards standing in the hallway leading out of the area. One of them held his hand out for the customs declaration card we filled out on the plane while the other stared at my boobs. I never showed anyone my luggage. I didn't go through an x-ray machine, nor did my bags. I could have had a bag full of explosives, cash or Bob Marley smoke...and nobody cared.

It's nice to know that the good ole' boys at the Department of Homeland Security are "keepin' it irie". If I was curious whether we are doing enough to keep the bad guys out - I'm not anymore.

In case of inclement weather

2007-02-12T18:58:00.000-05:00

The PI Mom hasn't disappeared. I've just been in a cold induced hibernation for the last several weeks. Single digits and even some sub-zero temperatures have slowed the old Mom to a crawl on most days and sucked the energy right out of me. I'm definitely not a good candidate for living in South Central Pennsylvania - what with all the temperatures below 75 degrees....but family ties and the circumstances of my life to date have dictated this curse I call my geographical location.

I usually don't know what's on my schedule without writing it down in three places and then ultimately having my administrative assistant read it off the calendar, but I know this.....
One day I will be trading in my business suits, power pumps and sensible sedan for a sarong, flip flops and convertible. White, sandy beaches are in my future....oh yeah....

Meanwhile, we had the first day of "warm" weather today in weeks - with temperatures at 42 degrees it felt like a heat wave. The problem is that behind the warm temperatures is a winter storm heading toward SC PA.

Now, I was born in the mountains. I may hate the cold and the snow, but it doesn't scare me - not in the least. On the contrary, those born and raised here in the "flat lands" are a bunch of crying, screaming mimi's! I've never been able to figure out why all the bread and milk disappear from the convenience stores whenever the weather man predicts even the smallest of flurries. What do people do...sit around and eat toast when it snows?

The weather man has predicted a "storm" with accumulations of up to 6 inches. SIX INCHES folks! That's barely enough to make tracks in the snow. I'm pretty sure that the first time I drove a car there was at least 6 inches of snow on the road - I remember because it was a GOOD weather day in the mountains. Honestly....I realize I am more than a little politically incorrect and perhaps a little judgmental and maybe even somewhat unsympathetic....but I really had to restrain myself when 4 of the managers who work for me sent me e-mails today asking for help in developing an "Inclement Weather Plan" for this week.

It was, of course, the easiest task I performed all day and here it is:

February 12, 2007
Inclement Weather Policy for XXXXXXXX Site of XXXXXXXX Management Group
Policy:
If it snows less than 2 feet....get your butt to work.

If you're looking for me during the storm - try me at the office.

No surprises here...

2007-02-01T19:47:00.000-05:00

It's no surprise that the Mayor of San Francisco is a creep who cheated with his "right hand man's" wife. It's no surprise that the residents of San Francisco could care less about the affair and say they'll vote for him again...
So, why am I surprised that this entire 492 word article doesn't mention once....not once that the good Mayor is a Democrat. Had he been a Republican, the words "Republican" and "Conservative" would have appeared every other sentence.
I'm tired of politics these days....in case you hadn't noticed.

Highlights Of My Week

2007-01-05T23:34:00.000-05:00

I spent the last two days of this week interviewing potential candidates for mid-level management positions. I always partially dread these tasks because they take me away from more important work, but a small part of me looks forward to the entertainment value of the encounters.

It never ceases to amaze me when grown men and women who have seemingly worked other jobs and, I assume, have participated in other interviews, do not know how to act when shut in a room with someone they are hoping to impress enough to hire them.

Yes, people get nervous and don't always give the best glimpse of their personality - I'm not talking about nerves. Some people simply choke when they get into an interview, but a good interviewer can discern the difference between nerves vs. stupidity. I'm talking about astronomical stupidity.

I was so amused with this round of interviews, I thought I would end my week with a little re-run of the "highlights". I call this piece,

"What Not To Do/Say In An Interview".

In two days, I interviewed 14 people. 9 out of 14 applicants did or said something ridiculous enough to make me walk out of my office and hand their resume to my secretary (she types the rejection letters) before they made it out the door.

Applicant #1: 50+ YO Female.
Woman walks in...shakes my hand and introduces herself....pulls out TWO chairs from the table...kicks off her shoes and says, "Whoooooooooo! My dogs are barking! (sits in one chair - puts feet up on the other) I've been at the mall all morning shopping for underwear. I've got to get these shoes off!"

(Believe it or not, this is not the first time I've had someone put their feet up during an interview.)

Applicant #2: 26 YO Female.
Appears to be about 11 months pregnant. Brought her 3 other children to the interview with coloring books and asks if I mind if she leaves them in the lobby. "They won't be any trouble, they're really quiet kids". (FTR: I did not allow her to leave them in the lobby, but asked my secretary to "babysit") After telling me she's 6 months pregnant, she said, "I usually only take off 2 weeks to have a baby and I have really good child care, so you don't have to worry about me taking off work too much".

(Yes....I can see that your childcare situation is excellent!)

Applicant #3: 50+ YO Male.
Q: If you had to choose one outstanding quality that you have, what is the first thing that comes to your mind?
A: I am a very, VERY patient man.
Q: How about a shortcoming?
A. Sometimes I have anger issues.

(Would that be BEFORE or AFTER your saintly patience?)

Applicant #4: 30+ YO Female.
Q: Why do you want to leave your current job?
A. Because there's a company policy against sleeping with your boss, so one of us has to get a new job. Since he makes more money than I do, it has to be me.

Applicant #5: 25ish Female.
Q: What DON'T you like about your current job?
A. If I tell you, do you promise not to tell my boss?
(My Response: Of course.)
A: My boss is the BIGGEST BITCH! She's so jealous of me because I'm prettier than her so she makes me do all the shit jobs. Female bosses are such BITCHES!

(Of course, this person would be answerable to me if she were to be hired....and she was aware of that.)

Applicant #6: 40+ Female.
Q: What type of co-worker do you find the most difficult to work with?
A. People who bother me first thing in the morning. I just have to wake up, you know? I'm usually fine by about 10:00, but before then I like to be left alone.

Applicant #7: 25ish Female.
Two questions into the interview she asked to be excused to use the ladies room so that she could, "...take off my pantyhose - they're driving me CRAZY!"

Was I supposed to say "NO"?

Applicant #8: 30+ Female.
This woman was VERY qualified and interviewed very well. I had but one dilemma, so I came right out and asked her...

Q: How do you feel about removing your tongue ring during working hours?
A. (as she swiftly got up and headed for the door) F*** YOU!!!

(I took that as a "NO")

And the most memorable of the day...

Applicant #9: 50+ Male.
This guy had a tremendously creepy presence from the moment he walked through the door, so I rushed through the questions in hopes of getting him out quickly. I almost skipped the following question, but I love the answers I get, so I went ahead with it.

Q: If education and experience were irrelevant and you could wake up tomorrow and just BE **insert dream job here** What would you be?

(After looking at me over the top of his glasses for about 20 seconds with a creepy grin...he finally answered)

A. I would be you. I really like your hair.

Alrighty then....We'll get back to ya!!

I solemnly swear...to Allah?

2007-01-03T21:33:00.000-05:00

Representative-elect Keith Ellison, a Muslim, is planning to be sworn in to office using a Quran. And this is acceptable, why???? Because Thomas Jefferson owned the book.

"It demonstrates that from the very beginning of our country, we had people who were visionary, who were religiously tolerant, who believed that knowledge and wisdom could be gleaned from any number of sources, including the Quran,"

Ellison said in a telephone interview Wednesday.

I'm sure Mr. Ellison's definition of "visionary" involves people who have a vision of the future in America as an Islamic nation, which hardly describes Thomas Jefferson.

This whole issue - both the election of a Muslim and allowing him to swear in using the dictionary of death - is very scary. What's next?

For the record - owning a copy of the Quran doesn't make you religiously tolerant. I own a copy. I've read it cover to cover...more than once. I've been called a lot of things...but NEVER religiously tolerant. My guess is that Jefferson collected it for the same reason I did - out of curiosity and to better understand and discuss it.

We're on a slippery slope, folks.

Happy New Year

2007-01-01T21:21:00.000-05:00

To all my friends in the blogosphere.
May each of you find happiness, hope, love and peace in the coming year.

Saying Goodbye to a Legend

2006-12-25T13:23:00.000-05:00

It's sad to see many of the musical influences of my childhood fading away...one by one...

Elvis...Buddy...Mahalia...Otis...Sam...Frank...Dean...Ray...

Today, the world lost another legend....the Godfather of Soul....James Brown. There's never been another - before or since - who has influenced so many genres. I hope he's resting in a better place.

Good God!!

Merry Christmas

2006-12-24T22:46:00.000-05:00

May God bless you today and in the coming year!!

Oops?

2006-12-19T18:43:00.000-05:00

"Killing him with my bare hands"...would be an understatement.
MIDLAND, Texas - A 3-month-old baby was left unattended in a shopping cart for about an hour Sunday when her parents accidentally left her behind, police said. Shoppers noticed the abandoned baby at a Toys "R" Us store, Midland police Sgt. Alfredo Grimaldo said.

"It was a misunderstanding among family members," Grimaldo said in Monday editions of the Midland Reporter-Telegram. "One man took the kids home and left the ladies to shop. But when he took the kids, he didn't take the baby from the cart."

The family members, who were traveling in different cars, didn't realize what happened until they all got home and nobody had the baby, he said.

"We don't think it was really a child abandonment issue. It was just a misunderstanding," Grimaldo said.

Police spokeswoman Tina Jauz said Child Protective Services is looking into the case.
Me thinks the divorce will be final by spring.

A Girl's Gotta Dance...

2006-12-18T19:15:00.000-05:00

Dreams are great. Do you remember what you wanted to be when you grew up? I do. I have a good life, but I'm not living my dream. My "dream" just wasn't in the cards - nobody's fault...just not as fate would have it.

I just spent the weekend with my girls in New York City and found myself discussing what they see for their futures. I couldn't help noticing how much they're like I was at their ages and how different their own dreams are from what I wish for them. It's not always easy, but I do my best not to ever discourage them, even when their dreams seem a tad on the unrealistic side...and scare the heck out of me.

It doesn't hurt that we were in what I've found to be one of the most magical cities in the country. Every time I visit, I wonder how the people of New York get such a bad rap. Ok, ok...put them in a car and they're maniacs....but otherwise - New York City has some of the most wonderful people on the planet living in it and if you're looking for something great to do during the holidays...or any time of year, really...you should consider New York. You'll never be sorry you did.

As my daughters discussed how they both want to move to NYC and pursue completely different career paths, which of course include living brilliant, glamorous lives... I wondered how many times they would change their minds before they actually reached their goals and I thought, "what a wonderful, terrifying dream". But I never said it out loud.

It was friends of my parents who first took me to New York City when I was 11 years old. My parents were wildly opposed to any of their children ever setting foot in the city of sin. Seems they lived there early in their marriage (long before I came along) and according to them - Satan himself lives there.

I was terrified when I arrived (remembering all the horror stories my parents told me about the filth and crime I could expect). Before long, however, I found myself at awe that I hadn't contracted some terrible disease or been mugged in the first 15 minutes and that what I was seeing/experiencing was actually quite wonderful.

During my first trip I visited China Town, went to the top of the Empire State Building and then visited a place that I thought about every single day for the next several years... Radio City Music Hall.

I will never forget the way I felt - sitting in the very center of the orchestra level at a summer matinee. I never wanted that show to end and when it did...I decided right then and there....if I never did anything else, I had to be a Rockette (go ahead...laugh...)

I went home with my Rockettes poster and hung it on the wall next to my bed. When I told my mother and sisters about my career plans, they (in typical form) mocked me and reduced me to tears, but that didn't deter me from dreaming about my future as a Radio City Rockette. I remember thinking....if I have to hitch hike to New York City the day I graduate from high school....I will be a Rockette. And so it went for the next 4 and a half years. All I dreamed of was getting out of smalltown USA and finding my niche as a high-kicking glamour girl with feathers on her head. Of course I stopped telling people about it in order to avoid being humiliated, but I practiced daily (I was a gymnast, not a dancer) and eventually taught myself to kick my own nose.

And then....it happened. The day my dreams were crushed...

I was in grade 10. I waited in line for my cheerleading physical (this was back in the days when the doctor came to the school and performed physicals on-site and free of charge for anyone involved in a sport). When it was my turn, Dr. George (a gnarly old guy who scared the b-jesus out of me) said the words that changed my life. After taking a number of measurements, he said,

"You're 5'4" and that's all the taller you're going to get".

"What??? NO!!! That can't be! Measure again! How do you know I'm finished growing??? I could grow some more, right? Right? Right????"

Sadly, scary old Dr. George was correct. Well, for the most part. I did manage to put on another half inch over the next few years, but I was never to be the minimum 5 feet 6 inches required to be a Rockette. I was devastated.

Yeah - go ahead and laugh. It was pretty daggone real to me.

So, what's my rant? Just this...

Let your kids dream. If your kid says he/she wants to be a prima ballerina...an astronaut...a race car driver...or a brain surgeon...tell them they can do anything they want. As Nationwide says..."Life comes at you fast." If their dreams are silly - let them figure it out on their own. Soon enough they'll be going to college, talking about marriage, mortgages and children of their own. Maybe they'll go into the family business...but maybe...just maybe...they'll get to do what THEY love. Not everybody gets to do that, but those who are discouraged from their dreams seldom do.

Oh, and one more thing. If your daughter comes home and says she wants to be a Rockette...for God's sake - give the kid growth hormones!!!!

What do you want to be when you grow up?

Bad Idea

2006-12-14T21:30:00.000-05:00

Senator Bob Beers of Las Vegas wants to let school teachers carry guns. While school shootings are happening more and more, the occurances of law enforcement and correctional officers getting shot with their own weapons is even higher. If law enforecement can't even get it right - this is a bad idea.
Don't get me wrong...I'm pro-guns. I just don't want my daughter's teachers, half of whom don't know enough not to sleep with their own students, walking around the middle school with one. This is a really, really bad idea.

Making Nice

2006-12-14T19:06:00.000-05:00

Incoming Senate Majority Leader, Harry Reid, says absolutely nothing has changed as a result of Senator Johnson's brain surgery. Of course what he really means is, "we'll wheel him in on a stretcher to vote once a year if that's what it takes to keep the majority". Hey, it's been done before. I suspect the libs will have a completely different take on the definition of a persistent vegetative state pretty soon.

As much as I would like to see things swing to the right - I have no intention of being a hateful ass about it. OF COURSE I wish the senator and his family the very best, but I can't help noticing that I haven't seen anything nasty being blogged about this guy's illness coming from the right - even after the libs have repeatedly wished suffering, torment and even death on Republicans who have become ill.

Remember John Ashcroft's very painful pancreatitis back in 2004? Members of the Democratic Underground had these loving, well wishes for the former Attorney General:

"He has it coming. He is utterly sub-human evil. Suffer, bastard."

"The world would be better off without him."

"I hope he is in the most severe pain a human being can suffer, and after that, I hope he remains in constant pain with no hope of relief."

"Good...I hope it's slow, I hope it's painful, and I hope that he suffers greatly before he dies..."

And when conservative radio talk-show host, Laura Ingraham had breast cancer:

"I don't pray for Nazis or other Totalitarian Scum."

"I hope she goes into remission and f***ing chokes to death."

"She probably gave it to herself...all that hate, lies, anger."

So, let me be the first to say,

"Best Wishes to Senator Tim Johnson and his family."

Regardless of your political affiliation, having a sick/critical loved one is difficult and brain surgery is no easy recovery process.

Everybody gets a new title...

2006-12-12T19:53:00.000-05:00

While sitting in the doctor's office for 45 minutes today - waiting for my daughter to be seen for a sports physical for school - I found myself sitting in an exam room with only one magazine on the rack. The magazine happened to be the November 27 issue of People Magazine. Not something I would normally pick up and read and this issue even less since the cover story was that George Clooney had been selected as the 2006 Sexiest Man Alive. First, let me say.......PA-LEEEEZ! There are sexier men that I know in person - not to mention some of the McDreamy men walking around Hollywood now - and girls you know what I'm saying!!. George - dorky guy from the Rosanne show - Clooney? Nerd-handyman from The Facts of Life....that George Clooney? UGH! Clearly, those who voted forgot about the 80's and have never heard him open his mouth.

At any rate - I took one look at the cover and put the magazine back, opting instead to read the posters on the walls. After about 20 minutes of studying the digestive system - as interesting as that was, I became desperate and picked up the magazine. I flipped to the interview the publisher had with the newly crowned king of sexy, just to see what stupid thing was going to come out of his mouth next and.....there it was......

Q: Will you ever run for office?

A: No. I can get more done from where I am on issues than I could trying to make policy. I don't have to compromise on anything. I don't have to worry about alienating anyone. I can go in head first.

And you know what??? He's right. He is absolutely, positively right on with that answer. Anyone who may have thought that some of these celebrities don't know what they're doing when they lead the developmentally delayed followers of this country into whatever they choose - you're crazy. Clooney, at least, knows exactly what he's doing. He knows that the ridiculous number of Americans who can't think for themselves will listen to him as an actor a lot quicker than they'll listen to him as a politician. Why? Because he's sexy? (I beg to differ with that one) Because he played a smart guy once? (not really sure about that either). Really it's because people in this country are so disillusioned by celebrities that they can't pull their heads out of their butts long enough see the light.

I know I've ranted about this before - but reading it straight from the horse's mouth just confirmed what I already knew - not all celebs are just stupid blondes like Natalie Maines - some of them actually have an agenda. Scary.

Georgie may have been dubbed the Sexiest Man Alive - but I got a brand new title this week, too....

I love my employer. I really do. I work for one of the best companies in South Central Pennsylvania and I'm proud of what I do for a living. They have exhibited an enormous amount of confidence in me and have allowed me to steadily "climb the ladder" - never holding me back from the next challenge. Unfortunately, loving my job and displaying a willingness to take on any responsibility they've thrown my way has bought me the title of "Pathetic Loser Who Has To Travel Over The Holidays". As I pondered why on earth my boss was sending me to visit 3 states over the last 3 days of the year when there are so many other people - higher up on the food chain than I am - who would be better suited for this trip - a friend said, "because it's over new years!" DUH! Guess I totally missed that one when they asked me to do it.

So, I'll be in Michigan, Illinois and Wisconsin on the last three days of 2006. I'm really hoping my blogger buddies in Milwaukee will take pity on this lowly traveler and tell me where the New Years Eve party is (and then let me crash it) - otherwise, it's me...alone....in a hotel room....feeling sorry for myself...on New Years Eve...sniff, sniff....

A Moonbat Christmas

2006-12-10T21:37:00.000-05:00

I finally got around to the dreaded task of dragging out the Christmas stuff and decorating the house for the holidays. I dread it more and more each year and find myself doing less and less and wishing I didn't have to do it at all. I've managed to reduce the decorating to a very slim tree and the mantel. Nothing outside. Nothing in the windows. I fear I'm turning into my mother, who now puts up only a tiny tree in the corner of the dining room, which comes out of a box with all the decorations on it and then goes back into the box the same way.

I guess it's the disruption in what I consider "normalcy". You know - having to move furniture around to put the tree up - which means extra furniture in other parts of the house...a twinkling, shiny thing in the living room that you can always see out of the corner of your eye while watching television - no matter how far you turn your head. And then there's the idea of a tree inside the house. Trees belong outdoors...not in the living room. I'm not a complete scrooge. I just don't enjoy the holidays the way other people do and I'm always happy to see New Year's Day coming around the bend. It means things are headed back to "normal".

As a result of the wretched decorating extravaganza, it now looks as though Christmas threw up in my living room. I tried to distract myself from the task at hand as much as possible and from the thoughts that I was doing all this work - only to take it back down in a couple of weeks. I put on AC/DC and turned it up loud... but soon realized that I wasn't going to be able to tear my brain away from holiday stuff.

For instance, I have a number of obligatory gifts to purchase for bosses, colleagues, employees...I HATE obligatory gifts. I hate receiving them and I hate giving them. Here's the snuff.....I don't need any more junk!! I don't want any more candles, nick-nacks, handmade personalized Christmas tree decorations or boxes of chocolate. What's worse, many of the obligatory gifts I have to purchase are for liberals. Let's face it - they haven't exactly been in the "nice" list this year.

I set out to develop a list of possible gifts. There may be others out there who need help finding obligatory gifts for the libs in your life - so, after a great deal of deliberate thought, I've come up with the following gift ideas that should put a smile on the face of any moonbat you know.

# 1 Moonbat Holiday Gift:
Barbra Streisand's Newest CD - "Why I Hate The U.S.A."
This CD is chalk full of Barbra's greatest hits - including,
Global, Global, Global Warming
George Bush is a Racist
Katrina Was a Right Wing Conspiracy
My Friend Chavez
There's No Such Thing As Terrorists
All The Iraqis Need is Prozac
And many, many more...

#2 Moonbat Holiday Gift:
Mother Sheehan Rainbow Ringer Tee
A beautiful belly shirt featuring Cindy Sheehan pictured with her lover, Hillary Clinton, and the caption "Sleeping in a tent together until they all come home - or someone buys our books...which ever comes first".

#3 Moonbat Holiday Gift:
John Kerry Rice Crispy Treats
Is there anything better than the thought of chowing down on John Kerry's face?

#4 Moonbat Holiday Gift:
Cynthia McKinney Barking Doll
Touch her anywhere and she'll bark like a dog. May also be purchased with optional slapping, kicking and biting features.

#5 Moonbat Holiday Gift:
Toys for Illegals
That's right, folks...you can donate a toy for an illegal immigrant in the name of your favorite moonbat. Make sure that all those people who are already living off our tax dollars have a better Christmas than your own kids.

#6 Moonbat Holiday Gift:
Abortion Clinic Tour This is a great gift for those who have young daughters - preferably middle school age.

#7 Moonbat Holiday Gift:
Tickets to The View
What could be better than the solid advice they'll get from Rosie?

#8 Moonbat Holiday Gift:
A White Flag
Because everyone should fly the flag they pledge to from their front porch.

#9 Moonbat Holiday Gift:
Copy of The Iraq Study Group Report
They wrote it anyway.

#10 Moonbat Holiday Gift:
One Year Subscription to Jihad Today Magazine
Also available in Spanish for the illegals on your list.

#11 Moonbat Holiday Gift:
Michael Moore Commemorative Spoon
Extra large spoon - you, too, can be a big, fat, greasy pig.

#12 Moonbat Holiday Gift:
Gift Certificate for an HPV Vaccine
For an extra $500 you can couple this with a buy one/get one free abortion.

That's all I've got for now, but rest assured....PI Mom is on the lookout for more ideas to make your holiday easier.

"A Nation that kills its own children is a nation without hope." - Pope John Paul II

2006-12-08T21:14:00.000-05:00

52% of all abortions occur before the 9th week of pregnancy, 25% happen between the 9th & 10th week, 12% happen between the 11th and 12th week, 6% happen between the 13th & 15th week, 4% happen between the 16th & 20th week, and 1% of all abortions (16,450/yr.) happen after the 20th week of pregnancy.

With my best friend's permission - I am posting this beautiful photo of an exciting addition to "our" family. S/he (I think it's SHE) will be arriving in July...but yesterday, she was a mere 6 1/2 week fetus.

....look closely, you can see her little nose...her little hand...

48% of all abortions in this country are performed AFTER the age of this baby.

How can any reasonable-minded person see this photo and say it's not a baby. Makes me sad.

"It is a poverty to decide that a child must die so that you may live as you wish." - Mother Teresa

Does it get better than this?

2006-12-07T21:22:00.000-05:00

I'm sorry - I know it's not very ladylike - but this is hysterical...

Seems a woman on a plane had a little digestive problem that she couldn't....hold in...and instead of....oh, I don't know...use perfume or perhaps a charcoal filter - she thought it was a smart idea to light a match to cover the smell of her....you know....gastrointestinal problem.

Because it's always a good idea to LIGHT A MATCH ON A PLANE!!

A scene from "Porky's" comes to mind.

Statistic or Survivor - you decide...

2006-12-05T23:28:00.000-05:00

I'm about to say something that's going to make me unpopular...again...

The statistics are staggering.

75% of children/adolescents in chemical dependency hospitals are from single-parent families. (Center for Disease Control, Atlanta, GA)

1 out of 5 children have a learning, emotional, or behavioral problem due to the family system changing. (National Center for Health Statistics)

More than one half of all youths incarcerated for criminal acts lived in one-parent families when they were children. (Children's Defense Fund)

Nine million American children face risk factors that may hinder their ability to become healthy and productive adults. One in seven children deal with at least four of the risk factors, which include growing up in a single-parent household...The survey also indicated that children confronting several risk factors are more likely to experience problems with concentration, communication, and health. (1999 Kids Count Survey - Annie E. Casey Foundation)

63% of suicides are individuals from single parent families (FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin - Investigative Aid)

"Separation, divorce and unmarried parenthood seemed to be a high risk for children/adolescents in these families for the development of suicidal behavior". (Atilla Turgay, M.D.American Psychiatric Association's Scientific Meeting, May 1994)

75% of teenage pregnancies are adolescents from single parent homes (Children in need: Investment Strategies...Committee for Economic Development)

Staggering - and clear. Here's what I don't get...

Why?

I had the misfortune of being seated between two women the other night who were having this conversation about their 19 year old sons...

Woman 1: "Well, at least he's not using drugs anymore and he's starting to understand where all of his behavioral problems have come from".

Woman 2: "That's good. I think it definitely depends on what age they were traumatized".

Woman 1: "Yes! The age they were traumatized definitely makes a difference!"

***At this point, I'm thinking..."What the heck happened to these women's kids? Were they molested? Kidnapped? What on earth are they talking about?"

Apparently, Woman 1 noticed the confused look on my face and said, "Don't you agree?"

PI Mom: "What do you mean WHEN they were traumatized? What happened to your kids?"

Woman 1: "OH! We mean when the divorce happened! You know, when their dad left".

I was floored! I'm a single mother. I've been divorced for 11 years. I have always hated the tag, "broken home" because in my case, as in many, many cases - my home was broken when I was married. When I left - I fixed it. I committed to giving my children a happy, healthy, well-adjusted life and that meant I had to divorce their dad. I never once assumed that my kids were going to have behavioral, emotional or health problems simply because there was only one parent in their home. It's not always easy. It's not always fun. It IS, however, always, always, always worth the effort and whatever sacrifices are made. It is simply a decision that you make. I have great kids who don't consider themselves victims or measure their successes or failures based on a timeline that began when they were "traumatized". Why? Because it has NEVER occurred to me to use my divorce as a crutch or allow my kids to use it as an excuse to behave badly. It's never been an option.

Now, here's the thing girls (and boys). Divorce is difficult - it's really hard on kids, but tagging that moment in their life as the moment their lives were irrevocably traumatized is a cop out. Kids are as traumatized as we allow them to be by our divorces and it's our job as the parent who didn't walk out - or DID walk out to give your kids a better life - to commit to making our kid's lives as normal as possible in spite of the circumstances. And yes - I had just as difficult a divorce as anyone. My marriage, divorce and the aftermath was nothing short of the makings of a Lifetime TV movie. And contrary to Woman 1's suggestion to me that divorce is somehow different for girls and easier on daughters than on sons - my kids didn't turn out o.k. because they were girls. My kids turned out o.k. because I didn't...sell out. Yeah, I said it.

I wouldn't suggest that two-parent homes aren't the ideal. I'm not suggesting that it doesn't matter whether kids have both parents in their lives or that input from both parents isn't very, very valuable or even that some children aren't more "traumatized" than others by their parent's divorce. What I would suggest is that the reported statistics on behavioral problems, emotional problems, incarceration, chemical dependency and suicide are not just the result of children growing up in single-parent homes - they're the result of bad parenting. Yeah, I said it.

I know plenty of women and men who blame every single problem in their lives on their failed marriages/former spouses and if you want to cop out on taking responsibility for your own failures - knock yourself out. But let's be real. If your kids fall apart, misbehave, get pregnant, addicted to drugs, whatever....it's not because you got divorced. Not unless you use your divorce as a crutch to the degree that you cripple your children and their ability to take responsibility for their actions. You have a choice - you can either teach your kids to be victims - or teach them to rise above their circumstances. You can teach them to be statistics - or survivors. Make no mistake - it's entirely up to you.

I am so tired of seeing statistics like the ones above presented in a way that supposedly explains WHY kids act the way they do without giving credit where it is due. Whether your kids are growing up with a father or with a mother or with both - HOW they are raised, WHAT they are taught and WHO they are exposed to will influence the outcomes in their lives way more than whether or not both parents resided in the same household. It's time for single parents, both dads and moms to take responsibility for the upbringing they're providing for their children and it's time for our society to stop giving single parents excuses not to do right by their kids.

I'm not incapable of sympathizing with single moms. I AM one - but sympathy won't keep your kids out of rehab. If I could do...say...express ANYTHING to help empower single moms (or dads) - it would not be, "There, there! It's not your fault". It would be that you only get one chance to do the right thing with your kids. Don't sell them out. Quit feeling sorry for yourself. Quit waiting for your x-husband/wife to step up to the plate. Do...your...job. You'll never be sorry that your kids aren't part of the statistics.