The GNO Month and the Weekend Transport

This month has been a month of fun Friday's. A family member and friend have planned out the past three Friday nights and had a blast. We saw "RENT" at the beautiful Waterbury Palace Theatre. Then the next week to a charity fashion show. Miss Connecticut, Heidi Voigt was there and can I tell you she is a lovely lady, country singer, and all around fun person. This past Friday was a wine tasting for the benefit of the New Milford Mammography Program. Just a great way to bring in summer. The yard is looking great and Spring is definitely here with the return of my allergies. Funny how I didn't really have a issue with them in Georgia of all places.

Back to work today. I am trying desperately to fight the Spring Fever and go for a long walk with the puppies. They deserve it as I abandoned them yesterday to do a transport for the American Brittany Rescue. Attached are some pictures of the puppies that are now in foster care with the organization. I have to say Miss Tansy is a doll! (Pictured above ) This is Shasta below. ..

http://www.americanbrittanyrescue.org/

In Memory of the First Amendment

I am drawn to re-write the lyrics to the Don McLean song "American Pie". Yesterday, the first amendment died. As I type this on Friday the 13th, the date sticks in my head. Finding out that the "right" thing to do is fire a man with a long term career over a fire storm on a slow news day. Yes, he had an error in judgement and said the wrong thing that was awful, nasty, and hurtful. Sexism and Racism should not have a place in society. However, until we reach that utopian society, I am afraid a lot worse is said daily.

When it is uttered, we would hope that the person in error would conduct themselves the way Mr. Imus did. He has apologized. As a result, I see him as a man willing to admit his mistakes, own up to the responsibility and ask how to make it right. It seems that tries to use his fame and privilege of position to raise money for children... I am confused.

I am also grateful I don't have to explain this to my kids. I feel for any parent that is having to explain the entire situation to a child. Here is the Aesop solution to this Fable:

Sometimes doing the right thing frees you from the constraints of a morally corrupt system, but damages the communities ability to have the freedom it deserves.

Freedom of Speech and the Press is officially dead. Long live the freedom of consumerism and to be a coward.

So here is my attempt at the obituary:

The first amendment was conceived along with its' nine other amendments in September 1789 when the congress approved their adoption to the Constitution. Being born in 1791 after the ratification of the States, they have become the most quoted and recognized parts of the Constitution in the 216 years of existence.

Yesterday, the First Amendment finally succumbed to it injuries and illnesses from it life time. It is not clear how many of the rest of the Bill of Rights are still really in existence. Services will be a private matter and donations can be made the Imus Ranch in New Mexico.

http://usinfo.state.gov/usa/infousa/facts/funddocs/billeng.htm

Slippery slope ... free speech?

I written several other blog posts about the Imus situation. I have deleted them as I was concerned about the message that was next to my name. I think Imus made a mistake and said something that wasn't funny and hurtful. Just like Stern, Opie and Anthony and others do every day. Have I been offended by blond and degrading comments regarding female anatomy on these radio programs, absolutely. I find Howard Stern to be obnoxious. By the same point, I kind of like O & A. If they have a radio bit on I don't like, guess what! I change the channel.

Nothing in the statement was against the FCC regulations (to my knowledge). He used language that is commonly used in the community that is railing against him in music and common day vernacular.

Free speech is a right. He should only be fired if:

1) He violated the terms of his contract with CBS and MSNBC
2) His ratings drop and that is in accordance with his contract with his employers.

This is a bit different than arrangement most people have with their employers. He has a contract with his employer and most people work at the pleasure of their employer. (Right to Work States)

For example, if it is against your company's policy to use office equipment for personal use, the following are offense that would justify discharge:

• Sending personal emails
• Visiting web sites for non work related activity (are you reading this at work)
• Using the copy machine to photocopy filers for your personal training side business (Yup, this has happened)
• Making personal phone calls on company telephone lines

So, If Imus violated his contract. Dismissal may be appropriate. (oh btw, he will probably be paid the balance of his contract without working as with Opie and Anthony). Mr. Imus apologized and that should stand for something. He admitted he was wrong, tried to make amends for it, and probably has learned his lesson.

If you really think Don Imus should be fired, what have you said in jest (your mind) that could have been taken wrong, hurt co-workers and caused you to be dismissed?

US Constitution, Bill of Rights....

Amendment I

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances

Wednesday's Child is full of Woe....

Yesterday was one of those day's I should have either stayed in bed and pulled the covers over my head and said, " Today was not meant for me" or Seized the day and decided to have it be an anti technology day. Of course with the second choice, I probably would have sprained my ankle on mile 3 of a five mile hike or Seamus would have gotten away or the Quiznos Coyote would have decided I was lunch.

I will give you a quick sample of the three things that should have given me pause:

1) Woke up at 4 Am with my previous night's dinner causing upper GI pain. Honestly, this is an incredibly rare thing for me and usually with a pepperoni pizza not a quiche.

2) Finally got a call back from a client that said, not now check back in two months. Totally surprised me. Well, I shouldn't have been in retrospect at least it wasn't no and this does follow their buying habits that coincide with their fiscal year. (This was made better later in the day when I heard a former customer of theirs bashing the heck out of their customer service). Internal giggle.

3) Received a call from a wife of one of my husband's former racing buddies. They came to our wedding and complained the entire time they were there ... even to my Maid of Honour about the accommodations they chose! I had reserved them a suite in the nicest b &b in town not the ski motel they decided to stay in. I haven't talked to this woman since the wedding ... I think. However, we have been on each other's Christmas card list. Monday, I mailed to everyone on the Christmas card list a pre-printed change of address card. In the truest form of the "ME" and 1980's new money society, I obviously had sent this to her exclusively. Sorry babe... I thought twice about even bothering. She called to inform me that she and her husband were separated and had been for three years. She didn't know where he lived, he wasn't riding, he had other issues, and only cared that he made the mortgage payment and sent her money to live on. ( I believe their residence would be valued over the million dollar mark). Say it with me people " GOLD DIGGER" ... I nicely asked for her personally... seemed like the "lady" had been going through a rough time. By the end of the call, I simple said... " I can understand that you have been going through a tough time and hearing from your husband's friends is troubling. I will save you the grief and remove you from my address book and mailing list, best of luck to you and your dogs." I will be more than happy to testify to this conversation if they ever do get divorced. Quite frankly, handing her over 1/2 would make me not want to provide her my address either.

Let's just say the day when down hill from there...

Weekend in Review ..

This weekend we did a lot around the new homestead. One of the faucets in the master bedroom drips. Duchess thinks it is her personal water fountain. We think it is annoying at 2 AM. So off to Home Depot for the necessary supplies.. along with the required rakes, light bulbs, pansies, and a shelf for the laundry room to get the bleach and detergent out of the formal living room, and picture hangers.

We were standing in the bath room fixture aisle having DeJa Vu. I couldn't help thinking it might not be the last time buy them either. Remodeling that bathroom will be on the agenda at some point.

Question, if you were a restaurant today and on a Saturday night you had two tables occupied... would you continue to think not taking plastic was a good idea?

End result is a trip to Costco, Home Depot, car washed, ride in for JB, lots of stuff knocked off the to do list. Next weekend is Easter.. hop hop