Women Under Pressure - Sotomayor and Palin

News in recent months highlights the pressure women are under when involved in politics, and how being in the spotlight can affect their personal and public life.

This past week I watched portions of the grueling questioning of Judge Sonia Sotomayor. I was very impressed with the way Judge Sotomayor conducted herself under extreme pressure.

The white male establishment did their best to undermine and derail Sotomayor's obvious march to become the first Latina and third woman on the Supreme Court.

It was interesting to watch as the older white men (OWM) struggled to find any nugget that they could grab onto (much like a dog grabs a bone or piece of meat and hangs on for dear life) in order to see how many ways they could ask the same question.

It appeared to me that some of those OWMs are afraid of the Judge, specifically replacing a man (Souter) with a woman. OMG, what will the world come to if there is another woman on the highest court in the land? And a Latina, at that!

What cracked me up was that they clung to a phrase uttered in 2001, and they worried that her ethnic background might somehow play a role in her decisions.

Well, what part does being an older white male play in their decisions?

No matter where one is in life, the longer they live the more their background, ethnicity, and gender is going to play a role in the decisions they make. Come on guys, you know that. Isn't that why you were so worried? Are you afraid she won't play by your rules?

Good! We need another voice on the Court. We need someone who might have a different view of life and the law than an OWM. We need change and we need it now.

Here's hoping that Judge Sotomayor's advancement to the Supreme Court goes as quickly, and more smoothly, as the hearings this week. Congratulations for a job well done.

As for Sarah Palin...

Many will not agree with her decision to step down as Governor of Alaska, or the way Sarah Palin quit mid-term, but there is a valid reason why she did what she did that most men will not understand.

First of all, the so-called joke by David Letterman was too horrendous for words. That the 62-year-old male (Letterman) never did get that joking about a 33-year-old baseball player (Rodriguez) having inappropriate sex with a teenager (whether Bristol or Willow) is sick and disgusting shows how out of touch Letterman is with decency and good taste.

His half-baked so-called apology proves he is clueless when it comes to the lack of appropriateness of sick sexual jokes about female teenagers.

Secondly, Palin said in her announcement about stepping down from the Governorship that adults had been making inappropriate remarks about her young son who has Downs Syndrome. Inexplicable!

No wonder the mother of five was tired of the spotlight! What kind of society do we live in where senior-citizen talk show hosts and other adults can blast a public figures family and think their behavior is funny or appropriate?

No wonder this mother of five who loves her family decided to leave the spotlight for a time.

Those of us who have a sensitivity for how loving mothers, teenagers, and those who are handicapped should be treated, understand Governor Palin's desire to step out of the public eye for a season and concentrate on her family.

The David Letterman's of this world should be ashamed of their behavior. Unfortunately, he still doesn't "get it" and probably never will.

What I Like About A-Rod

The sports world is all abuzz today about A-Rod's admission that he took steroids during his 2001-2003 stint with the Texas Rangers. By his own admission, he stopped taking the steroids in 2003 because he didn't like what they were doing to his body.

He also admitted that he was young, stupid, under enormous pressure to perform, and to perform at a high level every single day. As Rodriguez said. "It's my fault. I'm responsible for this. And I'm deeply sorry. I've done things the right way since 2004and I'm proud of that."

The Yankee's concur by saying, "We urged Alex to be completely open, honest and forthcoming in addressing his use of performance-enhancing drugs. We take him at his word that he was. Although we are disappointed in the mistake he spoke to today, we realize Alex — like all of us — is a human being not immune to fault. We speak often about the members of this organization being part of a family, and that is never more true than in times of adversity."

What I like about Alex Rodriguez:

1. He may have lied in the past, but he has now come forth with the truth. Unlike Barry Bonds and Roger Clements, A-Rod is laying it out and admitting his took steroids.

2. He admits he was young and stupid. He admits he was wrong. He apologizes to the public, the Yankees, and his fans.

3. Although he is still under tremendous pressure, since 2004 he has done things the right way. He turned his behavior around. That takes strength and courage.

For all those who are slamming him, how many can say they are perfect, they have never lied, they have never done a wrong thing to save their career or save face.

Remember, let him who casts the first stone be without sin. Those who are criticizing his behavior for something he did seven years ago when under intense pressure, need to take a look at what they have done with a whole lot less to lose than he had.

I am proud that A-Rod stepped forward, admitted his sin, apologized profusely for it, and acknowledged it hasn't happened again.

What the rest of us need to do is forgive him, and we need to move on. My respect for him has grown exponentially with his ability to man-up and admit his mistakes.

What do you think? How will this affect his future, especially his eligibility in the Baseball Hall of Fame?

Christian Bale Outburst - a Good Thing?

This morning an interesting article caught my attention. Probably most everyone has heard of, or even listened to, Christian Bale's recent profanity ladened outburst on his current movie set.

The article, Christian Bale is a Corporate Hero, on the ASUWebDevil site is an interesting and much more positive take than most other accounts. Writer Christopher Ogino notes corporations should strive for quality and excellence as Bale was attempting to do in the scene that went awry.

If banks had only loaned money to those who could pay it back, instead of making bad loans and then selling securities backed by those bad loans, how much better off the economy would be. If corporations were more concerned with quality than with making higher profits, their sales would reflect consumer confidence in their products.

Christian Bale was concerned with quality; with making a good movie instead of putting out the trash that too often fills movie theaters, or worse, goes straight to DVD. For that he should be praised.

Now if he could just learn a better way of expressing his opinion, his voice might reach those who really need to hear what he has to say. One can only hope that lessons can be learned in all areas as a result of this unfortunate incident.

Punxsutawney Phil Sees Shadow - Six More Weeks of Winter

According to Punxsutawney Phil, who saw his shadow this morning, we will experience six more weeks of winter. Phil was joined by thousands of fans in the early morning of Monday, February 2nd. Legend has it that if he did not see his shadow, spring would arrive early. Therefore, winter will not end as soon as we would have liked.

He was greeted by his fans at his home in Gobbler's Knob, northeast of Pittsburgh. For a look at his official website and to see numerous photos of his fans who gathered this morning, click on the title of this post or on this link.

No doubt Phil was also celebrating the last minute Super Bowl win by the Pittsburgh Steelers.

As an Arizona Cardinals fan, I would say neither Pittsburgh event was good news.

French Teens Encouraged to Read Daily News

In an innovative move, French President Nicolas Sarkozy will provide teenagers a free, yearlong subscription to any general news daily of their choice when they reach their 18th birthday. He noted that developing the habit of daily reading begins when people are young.

What a great way to encourage young people to keep up with the daily news.

He also is increasing ninefold, state support for all French news deliveries and doubling its annual print advertising outlay in a move to strengthen that countries print media.

These changes are to take place next month.

You can read the complete article at this link ==> The Associated Press.

The Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that."

-The Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.

How appropriate it is that we honor the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. the day before President-elect Barack Obama's inauguration as the first black president of the United States.

As wonderful as the milestone is, it is sad that it has taken us this long to reach this particular goal. Although we have a long ways to go to eradicate racial prejudice from this country, we have taken a very big step in that direction.

Somewhere, somehow, Dr. King is looking down upon us with a smile and a nod of understanding.

Top 10 Most Influential Women of 2008 According to Yahoo! Search Results

Do you know who is the most searched for female of 2008? Could it be anyone else?

Yahoo! search results for the top 10 most influential women of 2008 show some old favorites and a couple of new names. As most people surmised, Angelina Jolie topped the list as she has most of the year. Here is the list in order of the search results:

1. Angelina Jolie
2. Sarah Palin
3. Oprah Winfrey
4. Hillary Clinton
5. Gina Carano
6. Tina Fey
7. Michelle Obama
8. Katie Couric
9. Barbara Walters
10. Dara Torres

The article noted two of the women came very close to the two top jobs in America, and others broke barriers in their own disciplines. All of the women are making a mark in the world today.

Click here to read the rest of the article, especially for comments on each of the women's accomplishments.

What to do think of this list? Who would you leave off, or add on? Why?

Obama Getting High Marks for Transition Decisions

Off to a galloping start, Barack Obama is getting high marks for his transition pace and leadership qualities. Considering all the news reports, announcements, and decisions during the past couple of weeks, it seems as if he is already running the country. His visibility and activity level appears much greater than any president-elect in recent memory.

He is also receiving high praise for his cabinet choices according to a USA TODAY/Gallup poll. In general, most people are feeling confident with Obama as a leader and as someone who can lead us into the future. He has made wise, and sometimes surprising, cabinet choices, has taken an active interest and early role in current world affairs, and has garnered respect from both sides of the political line. Even Republicans have vocalized their support of his cabinet choices.

Although he is going into the presidency with major world and national problems, his let's-get-it-done attitude appears to bolster support from the grassroot Americans who are looking for a knight in shining armor to get this country back on it's feet. Although he has a lot on his shoulders, let's hope he can continue to lead the way into the future.


What do you think? Is he the man to lead this country back to greatness, or is he going to burn out before his time?

Recession? What Recession?

So-called experts have denied for some time what most of us already knew - we are in a recession. Yesterday it was announced that not only are we in a recession, but we have been for a year. Do the so-called experts really think Americans are that dense? The experts have told Americans for months that we were just experiencing an economic slow-down, only to now announce the recession is a year-old.

An interesting side-note from trend watchers is that as the economy heads downwards, there are a few areas that are on the rise. Apparently, one of the main indicators of a failing economy is the rise in sales of that old much-maligned favorite, SPAM. According to the New York Times, workers at Hormel Foods Corporation are racking up overtime hours as they work seven days a week to keep up with the demand.

Sales of other inexpensive foods that are on the rise include macaroni and cheese, Jello-O, Kool-Aid, pancake mixes and instant potatoes. So are vitamins and beer. What about the old college student favorite Ramon noodles?

Christmas dinner is going to take on a whole different look this year for many people.

Other upward trends include increase in military recruitment, shared living spaces, garage sale season expansion as people scramble for money, and people signing up for college classes to gain knowledge for possible career change or advancement. Another trend is that cigarette sales are up, despite the high cost of cigarettes these days. Sources say that the increase in cigarette sales is probably due to stress-related issues.

How has the recession affected your family? What are you doing to cut costs?

World AIDS Day 2008

The 1st of December, World AIDS Day, is the day when individuals and organizations from around the world come together to bring attention to the global AIDS epidemic.

This year is the 20th anniversary of World Aids Day. The theme this year is leadership, reminding leaders of their promise to do what they can to help eradicate AIDS. Many leaders over the years have made promises they have not kept.

Now is the time to remind world leaders that AIDS is a world wide problem, and needs world wide attention to find a cure; to stop the invasive disease that has taken so many from us over the years.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), "around the world, 33 million people are living with HIV with nearly 7,500 new infections occurring each day. An estimated 3 million people are now receiving antiretroviral treatment in low and middle-income countries.

In the United States, CDC estimates that about 1.1 million people are living with HIV. These numbers will most likely increase over time...As expected, as the number of people living with HIV grows, so does the opportunity for those with HIV to pass on the virus to others.

CDC currently estimates that approximately one in five persons living with HIV in the United States is unaware of his or her infection and may be unknowingly transmitting the virus to others. Since anyone can be at risk for HIV, CDC recommends that adults and adolescents between the ages of 13 and 64 years of age be routinely screened for HIV infection in healthcare settings. Pregnant women in the U.S. should be screened for HIV infection as part of their routine prenatal testing.

Individuals can:

Get tested for HIV. To find a testing site center near you, visit hivtest.org or, on your cell phone, text your zip code to Know IT (566948).

Participate in the Facing AIDS campaign. Take a picture of yourself wearing a red ribbon and add the photo to the "World AIDS Day 08" Flickr group*, your social network profiles, Twitter, blog, and/or Web site before December 1. Leave it up for at least a week.

Stand up against stigma, racism, and other forms of discrimination associated with HIV/AIDS.

Donate time and money to HIV/AIDS organizations.

Organizations are encouraged to:

Promote World AIDS Day in your organization. Useful materials are available at hivtest.org

Encourage employees to get involved in World AIDS Day.

Educate staff about HIV/AIDS.

Develop HIV/AIDS policies for the workplace."

AIDS is a worldwide problem that touches many millions of lives. Please encourage the leadership in your area of the world to keep promoting AIDS research, prevention, and testing.

Black Friday Shoppers - What Were They Thinking?

Yesterday I wrote about Black Friday shopping on Elder Care Cafe here on blogger. Today I read of two people killed in a shoot-out at a Toys-R-Us in Palm Dessert, CA, and a Wal-Mart worker trampled to death on Long Island, NY. Other shoppers were punched, injured, taken to the hospital, and those are just the stories we have heard.

What is this world coming to? There is a reason why I don't go shopping on one of the busiest, and most obnoxious, days of the year. Is it really that important to get a "bargain" that probably still be on sale, and maybe even at a lower cost, sometime before Christmas?

According to news reports, shoppers were scampering over the fallen worker and those who were trying to help, as they forced their way into the store and down the isles. Some shoppers ended up so frustrated with the whole scene, they left their carts in the isles and headed to the car.

Black Friday was so named as it was the day most stores were able to see a profit for the first time all year. Now, Black Friday has a whole other connotation.

I hope, next year, some kind of calm and sanity could prevail on this busiest shopping day of the year.

Do you buy into the Black Friday madness, or do you wisely stay home? What is your experience shopping on Black Friday?

Extreme Makeover, Lansing (MI) Edition

On Sunday, November 30, the Breslin Center at Michigan State University will rock with the cheers of those in the Lansing area who helped with the building of the Nickless family home a few months ago.

The owners of the Lansing-based Mayberry Homes, the company who oversaw the demolition and construction of the house, are inviting the whole community to the Breslin Center to watch Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. They are providing free parking and free admission.

Over 1,600 volunteers from around the area donated time and money to make a local family's dreams come true. The Nickless family lost their father earlier this year due to complications from Hepatitis C. He was a nurse at a local hospital and had contracted the disease from a patient.

The entire mid-Michigan community was enthralled by the week-long tearing down and rebuilding of the home. Bus loads of sightseers were allowed in for a daily look at the progress.

Now it is time to enjoy the televised results - as a community.

Need Milk? Thieves Got Milk!

According to today's Lansing State Journal, thieves apparantly made off with $688,000 worth of infant formula when they stole a trailer in Grandville, MI sometime over the weekend.

Someone either has a very large family, or the formula is going on the white (milk) market.

What do you think? Need milk?

In the Oops Department - Obama Version

Both candidates have had their Oops moments (Sarah Palin, anyone?), but now it's Obama's turn.

Apparently Barack Obama accidentally outed his 66-year-old aunt who was illegally living in the U.S. Despite an immigration judge denying her request for asylum from Kenya and who instructed her to leave the country four years ago, she has been living in public housing in Boston.

OOPS!

According to the Associated Press article, "Obama said Saturday he didn't know his aunt was living in the United States illegally and believes that laws covering the situation should be followed."

We have all done it at one time or another - but, most of us don't do our Oops! kind of things as publicly as the candidates.

What was your biggest Oops! moment? Care to share?

Movies in Michigan

Recent exciting news in Michigan is the 42-percent tax break recently passed for those who make movies in Michigan. Already, a number of Hollywood writers and producers are lining up at the door to take advantage of the tax break.

Michigan already has had a plethora of famous names in movies, TV, and music. Madonna, Kid Rock, Jeff Daniels, Oliver Stone, Timothy Busfield, just to name a very few, and this year we even had a Survivor from Pinckney and have an upcoming Extreme Makeover: Home Edition showing in early November. A number of movies have already been filmed here over the years.

One notable movie was Somewhere in Time with Christopher Reeve, Jane Seymour, and Christopher Plummer filmed at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island in 1980. I had the privilege of staying on the island a year or so after filming was completed, and I toured the Grand Hotel. The remodeled areas of the hotel, due to the film, were still in evidence.

An article in yesterdays Lansing State Journal on Moviemakers of Michigan highlights much of the available talent this state provides.

Of special note: Postmark Paradise was written by Williamston's Dan Slider (My hometown). Also, in 2002 Jeff Daniels filmed Super Sucker in Jackson, MI where I was living at the time. Much excitement ensued! Several women I know played extras in that movie.

I actually got to meet Jeff and his wife at the Purple Rose Theatre when my daughter was an intern at the theatre. Very nice guy!

Not only will the movie crowd bring much needed dollars to this struggling state, but also an excitement destined to lift the spirits of Michiganders everywhere.

So, are you excited about this news? Are you willing to play a part in a movie? Which actor or actress would you most like to meet?

Musicians Have Higher IQ's According to Study

According to a recent study at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, "professionally trained musicians have higher IQs and use their brain power more effectively than do their non-musical brethren."

Apparently, learning to use both hands independently while playing musical instruments developed the left and right side of the brain. Musical students scored higher on creative-thinking tests than did the same number of students taking a psychology course.

Wow! So that was what all those years of music lessons did for me. Hmmmmm! Thanks, Mom and Dad.

Did you study music as a child? What instrument did you play? Do you feel more creative because of those lessons?

Regional Personalities Defined by Researchers

According to an article in the Wall Street Journal, researchers have identified certain personality traits by state. The article and interactive map can be seen by clicking on the link above.

As far as Michigan is concerned, and you all know I am a greater supporter of my favorite state, we did not do too badly according to the scale.

The five categories on the map were ranked by highest prevalence in each state. The scale was 1-51 including the District of Columbia. For Michigan the rankings were:


Extroversion - 17

Agreeableness - 11

Conscientiousness - 21

Neuroticism - 26

Openness - 36

Apparently we Michiganders are very open, but we are in the middle of the pack as possible neurotics.

Read this interesting article and decide whether you agree with the researchers regarding your favorite state.

When is the Rise in Gas Prices a Good Thing?

With the rise in gas prices, more people are staying at home. This is proving to be good news for local businesses. As fuel prices rise, more people are shopping locally.

Also, those who live within walking distance are choosing to walk, getting needed exercise and saving money. Many people have opted for bikes with baskets to help carry their purchases.

So, my theory is:

Higher gas prices equal more exercise and increased local business.

That's a good thing, isn't it?

What do you think? How has the rise in gas prices affected your life?

Let Detroit's Healing Begin

During yesterday's news conference, Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick announced his resignation and pleaded guilty to the felony charges brought against him. Now it is off to jail for 120 days.

The swipes he took at Governor Jennifer Granholm and new interim mayor Kenneth Cockrel, Jr., reveals Kilpatrick does not understand the depth of the wrong he committed while in office. His monotonic race through what appeared to be required wording confirms his lack of understanding or willingness to admit his error in judgement while in office.

Detroit has certainly had its struggles through the years, and with the economic and social ills of the city as challenging as ever, those struggles will continue.

But, at least for now, Detroit can hope to regroup by electing a mayor with vision, honesty, and integrity, and begin the move forward - for the good of the city, the people, and the great state of Michigan.

What should the leaders now focus on? What are the hot topics they need to address? Will Detroit regroup and regain any of it's past history as a great city? What do you think?

Now I Am Really Ticked Off!

There is a reason why I do not watch late night talk shows. Their sick jokes about the unplanned pregnancy of a teenager brings the definition of tacky to an all new low.

When someone like Sarah Palin enters the national spotlight, making jokes about her ability to run the country or something directly related to the campaign is one thing.

But, when jokes are poured out onto a seventeen-year-old, that is reprehensible. Apparently the sleaze ball hosts have nothing better to contribute to the world of late-night entertainment than slamming teenagers.

Guys, you need to get a life. I do not care how much money you make, what your name is, how long you have been in the biz, attacking teenagers is just plain wrong.

What is your take on sleazy jokes? Where should talk show hosts draw the line? Or should they? Is everyone and everything fair game?