Have you heard?

There's a bit of an issue with the swine flu right now. You can't escape hearing about it. It's all over the TV, the radio, the internet and you hear people whispering about it where ever you go.
Our esteemed Vice President even spoke out. He managed to stick his foot in his mouth, but he spoke. Abbie was even yelled at by to ladies last night.
Why, you ask? She's a school age kid that happened to be out shopping with her mother. Melissa caught an earfull as well saying it was irresponsible to have a child out where she is touching things. Were they worred about Abbie being infected? No. They were worried about Abbie getting them sick. Abbie is perfectly healthy and has not so much as a sniffle. The problem is that a local elementary school was shut down because of a possible case of the swine flu. The ladies assumed since she was the right age and since Melissa actualy knew the name of the school that was shut down, that she must go to that school and is right now carrying the flu virus that will bring about the end of mankind.
It's time people just took a deep breath and calmed down. I've heard reports that it's bad strain and I've heard reports that it isn't. While this doesn't do much to inform the public, it does keep viewers glued to their TVs. That's what this is really about. Ratings.
The news people are playing to emotions and gettin gpeople worked up enough to start yelling at an 11 year old girl.
Here's my advice to avoid getting sick:
1. Follow simple, common sense guidelines. Wash your hands, stay home if you start to get ill. Keep your kids home if they are getting ill.
2. This one is really important. Above all else, whatever you do, do not under any circumstances yell at my kids because you haven't taken the time to educate yourself. That could prove more harmful that the flu virus.

Ed the Tuba Man

If you ever walk around Seattle you're likely to encounter at least one street performer.  I've heard a sax player, a percussionist and even a bagpiper.  There's a guitar player that I've seen on occasion downtown who also sells CDs.

One of the local favorites was Ed the Tub Man.  Notice I said 'was.'  Last October, Ed was attacked while he was walking to catch a bus in downtown Seattle.  5 teenage boys attacked and beat him to rob him of a few dollars.  A few days after the attack, Ed died from his injuries.

Three of the teens were captured and entered into a plea agreement with prosecutors.  Two remain at large.  The three that were arrested struck a plea agreement and were sentenced yesterday.  The longest sentence was just 72 weeks in juvenile detention.  They will receive credit for the 24 weeks they have already served.  Two of the boys had been in court earlier in the day to enter their pleas in an unrelated armed robbery case.  

Is this justice?  

The Tuba Man loved life and loved Seattle.  He shared his joy through music.  

The Tuba Man's brother was on the news saying he agreed with the sentencing.  He's a better, more forgiving man than I am.  

Diversity?

Let me start off by saying that I'm not a fan of beauty pageants. I don't watch them and couldn't name any pageant winners. Well, there's Vanessa Williams, but that's just because of thewhole Playboy thing back in the 80's.
The Miss USA contestant from California did the unthinkable. She gave an honest answer to a question. Why is that a problem? Because she gave an answer people didn't want to hear. You seen this story right? Perez Hilton asked Miss California her opinion of gay marriage. She didn't say anything mean, nor did she anything hateful at all. She just said that marriage is between a man and a woman. That answer cost her the crown.
Perez Hilton has gone on to skewer this lady on his blog calling her a b***h. Who is the hateful one?
It has been said that she should have given a safer answer and stayed on the fence rather than take an actual stand on the issue. Is that what we're about now? Staying safe? I mean, how dare this person have an opinion and share it. Who does she think she is?
Ironically, President Obama gave the nearly the same answer to the question when he was campaigning last year. It didn't cause any problems for him.
Haven't we been hearing about how we should embrace diversity? Apparently diversity just means that no matter the color of your skin, gender or ethnic background you are free to believe what is considered to be acceptable. God help you if you stray from the party line.
Good for Miss California! She was asked a question and she spoke we mind in a very diplomatic way. If Perez Hilton can't accept the answer to a question, he shouldn't ask it. In my opinion, he has shown himself to be a hateful little man who lacks integrity.
I don't know who won the pageant, and don't actually care. Like I said, it's not my thing. However, my hat is off to Miss California. She has my respect for speaking her mind and not playing it safe.
Let's try to remember, honesty is a good thing.