It’s no secret that I don’t sleep well – I can’t remember the last time I’ve slept more than four hours at a time. They say we dream every night, but I figure I just don’t have time for it since I don’t sleep long enough to dream. So, on those rare occasions when I do manage to remember a dream after waking up, it’s usually pretty hokey. Enter the sea monkeys.
Remember those ads from the 1970s when those print ads had these images of sea monkeys with faces? I was determined I was going to have a tankful of new best friends when I was a kid. We always had friends – the real human being friends – in and out of the house when we were kids, so it’s not like I was lonesome or anything, I just thought how cool it would be to turn the “powder” that they arrived as into real people. I could train them to not touch my stuff and I’d actually have some back up when my sister decided that what was hers was hers and what was mine was hers too. Fortunately, that little phase passed quickly, much to my mother’s relief, I’m sure. I’d finally convinced her to mail the little order form in and I guess my disappointment came quickly as I realized they were never going to grow faces or personalities.
I’m not sure what the dream was last night, all I know is I woke up with those ads in mind. I started plundering around looking for an old ad online and it took about two seconds to realize those sea monkey ads were tame compared to what some agencies actually printed during that and earlier eras Take a deep breath and then take a look-see:
This one’s for all the single women who can’t figure out why they’re not married – it’s your breath, don’t ya know? Apparently, there were 5 million women whose bad breath kept them from matrimonial bliss.
Yeah, not even sure about this one. Two birds, one stone, camouflaging odors…you do the math and if you figure it out, let me know.
Oh Lord….these next two ads need no commentary from me. But still – really? Isn’t this like…child endangerment or something?
The Love Rug. There are no words.
And soil from Dracula’s Castle. I see now I lived a very deprived childhood. Why didn’t my mother order this for me? I think it might have been less traumatic than those disappointing sea monkeys. I need to have a chat with her.
For two years, I’ve climbed my soap box and hollered from the rooftops that if the entire American financial sector wasn’t overhauled, it would crash hard. The massive hits our economy has taken simply cannot include a Band Aid and hope for a better day as the cure. It’s like getting flood damage in your home – just because your ceiling doesn’t get wet doesn’t mean it’s not ruined. It all has to be replaced, right?
Now, though, there’s an interesting new platform that just might shift the scales ever so slightly. This is one of those things that if it does well, it will soar to the heavens. If it fails, though, it’s going to crash hard.
Many people don’t know, but 80% of Americans don’t have access to the stock market for one reason or another. Usually, it’s just too intimidating. Most have no idea where to find the answers and there are those who feel the stock market is just too big a gamble. But – what if you could buy stock from a company via its Facebook Fan Page? That’s exactly what’s happening right now.
It’s really very interesting. Loyal3, the company that’s making this possible, is now allowing any business to sell its stocks to any of its Facebook fans under a new model, “Customer Stock Ownership Plan” or CSOP. And you don’t have to know all the frustrating ins and outs of stock trading. There are no fees to do this, either – which is good since broker fees can be as high as 60% of what’s being bought through a trader. All you have to do is find a company you want to invest in and with three clicks, you’re now a part owner of that company. You can invest as little as $10, too. Buy one share or a million shares. Actually, I wouldn’t suggest buying a million shares of anything off of Facebook, but I’m telling you, this could be the start of something quite impressive. Imagine the little entrepreneurs we could raise if we could get young folks to spend just five minutes of their time on Facebook looking for stocks to buy.
Loyal3′s CSOP is in its infancy and currently only has one company on board, but September promises to bring many new companies and all signs indicate this is a sure thing. Since I’m having to stay on top of this for a client, I’ll post anything new I come across, but in the meantime, go see for yourself – y’all know I’m all about due diligence when it comes to money. Visit the Loyal3 website here. And in the meantime, just because I’m not listed with the Dow doesn’t mean you can’t like my Facebook page. So go like it!
The school year for folks around here got underway this past week. Teachers and parents are teaming up to ensure the little ones receive a quality education. Or maybe they’re not.
Each year, I find myself wondering who makes the decisions when it comes to what teachers can and cannot do for their students. Seems like educators are finding their hands being tied on the most bizarre levels. I’d talked to my best friend today about how the first week of school went for her daughter. I suspected it was harder on my friend than it was her little girl – and I was right. She told me she’d spent some time helping her five year old loosen and tighten the big cap on her thermos because the teachers aren’t allowed to touch a student’s food or utensils. After I asked her to repeat it a few times – just to be sure I understood, I was speechless.
After I got off the phone with her, I spoke with another friend who also has little ones in another school zone who started school this week – one is in kindergarten and she also has a third grader. Turns out, these days, the first week of school is spent with educators and parents clashing over everything from which teacher is assigned to their little darlings to what time they eat lunch. One parent wants her little ball of sunshine put with another teacher while another parent is hell bent on keeping his own little gem out of a “stricter” teacher’s classroom. I don’t envy the teachers. Since when is being strict a bad thing – especially when it’s a child whose parents give in to their every whim – up to and including kaboozling Mom and Dad to march up to the school and demand a different teacher? And what happened to a parent saying ‘Get over it. You’re going to have a lifetime of “strict teacher” moments’?
Some of these parents have the whole community up in arms – and it’s just the first week! I always thought we
The Little Darlings
sent our kids to school to gain an education while growing into responsible adults who don’t demand changes on a whim, who act responsibly and who recognize that we don’t always get our way.
Now, far be it from me to parallel one dynamic with another – but have you heard about some of the changes in our social welfare programs? Aside from the regulations being relaxed for serial welfare recipients who find looking for a job entirely too traumatizing, there are now other changes that will only cement some folks into continuing what’s worked so well for years. – which is, well – nothing.
The traditional paper food stamps have been replaced with EBT cards and according to a new study, the monthly funnel of money added to these government credit cards is simply too tempting. In many states, these EBT cards can be used for anything – even withdrawing cash from an ATM. And make no mistake: that taxpayer money is being used for liquor, concert tickets and shopping sprees at some of the nation’s most prestigious department stores.
The study was conducted in Tennessee by a consumer watchdog group. It included a review of more than 150,000 transactions made via EBT cards. The study was focused between October and December 2011. The study found the majority of transactions were being used exactly as intended, but there were many that left the researchers boggled. Here are a few transactions “charged” to these government aid cards:
Tickets to tour Graceland in Memphis
A $500 shopping spree at the mall
A night out at a nightclub for $60
Waffle House visits by one card holder that totaled more than $100
$100 purchase at Dillards
As I mentioned, most welfare recipients may use their EBT benefits to withdraw cash from ATM machines. One EBT recipient made a withdrawal of $790 from an ATM at a Memphis liquor store. The state’s Department of Health and Human Services officials who oversee the program admit they cannot trace where the cash goes after it’s been withdrawn. These people are free to do with it as they wish with no accountability to anyone.
But maybe these people had parents who were willing to go to bat for them when they were in elementary school. Maybe they were allowed to swap strict teachers for those who were more lenient in the classroom.
You can see more of the report here: watchdog.org. You can see how the parents and teachers are clashing in just about any school across the country these days.
Ever have one of those weeks when you just know you’re the one with the answers, but no one’s listening? Yeah, me too. There’s so much – I don’t even know where to start.
First up – if you haven’t seen our president’s latest fundraising efforts, fair warning – it’s a doozy. Take a look -
That’s right – he wants all our birthday bling. And apparantly he’s willing to take on Bridezilla too because he’s more than happy to raid bridal showers across the nation. Here’s the kicker though – earlier this month, he’d made two stops in two days – one in Chicago and the other in Minneapolis. The trips were fundraising efforts for his campign. Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, who is also Obama’s former chief of staff, introduced him to close to four hundred people who gained entry by shelling over at least $2,500 per person. From there, he attended two more events where folks forked over $35,000 each to be in his presence. Yes – that figure is right – $35,000 and here’s the link. It’s estimated he brought in a whopping $5 million between Chicago and his quick layover in Minneapolis. And he wants my birthday present too? Not in this lifetime.
Now, in all fairness, by the time I saw the latest on his blog, I’d already had a bellyful of his antics this week. Take a look at a few of his tweets. It seems like every time he finds himself in front of a camera or in front his computer, he’s telling us what we need to do. I mean, seriously, Obama wants us to tell Congress this or that? Why? Congress isn’t listening to us (as in the American voter) no more than Obama’s listening to us.
So then, today, I’m plundering around Facebook and saw this picture that a friend had tagged. Those photos are tough to see. But the very next picture on my newsfeed is what had my blood boiling.
Am I the only one who gets the irony? Romney is as unplugged as Obama is. I am absolutely confident that if folks took that $5 Romney wants and gave it to the veteran to either reclaim his house or find another one, it would be money well-invested.
Moodys downgraded fifteen banks around the world yesterday – and the top five are based in the United States. Here’s where it gets good though. Immediately – as in within hours – the whining began. The banks were bellyaching that the passage of the Dodd-Frank reform is why they’re struggling. Uhm…if I remember correctly, it was the irresponsible actions, greed and non-compliance with the laws that were already in place that led to Dodd-Frank to start with. Had the accounting scandals, mortgage inconsistencies and downright illegal behaviors of some bank executives not been discovered, these folks would still be moving forward, playing by their own rules. They got caught, then got hit with the repercussions – and now they have the audacity to blame it on new regulations?
Alright – Eric Holder and the Fast & Furious scandal. This is just one more thing that’s had my interest all week. OK, so I know this isn’t even realistic – but it should be: charge Holder with manslaughter or accessory after the fact or something besides contempt. He – and the Obama Administration – are once again writing the rules as they go. And don’t even get me started on the Dream Act and Obama’s sudden announcement last week.
All of these current events – and it seems like the only folks who have no say in how any of it plays out are the American taxpayers. Yes, I know we go to the polls in November, but I’ve said it before – I would be surprised if there wasn’t a record set for low voter turnout. Frankly, I don’t think either of the candidates are capable of running this country.
Finally, and speaking of having no say in something – my son announced – on Facebook, no less – that he’s ready to start skydiving lessons. Just when my nerves settle down after he earns his diving certs, he announces he’s now ready for something even more dangerous. Where he got the idea that once he hit 21 he could play by his own rules is beyond me.
For the most part, the past few years have meant contracts with several financial-based clients who require my attention to be focused on Wall Street, Jamie Dimon and the rise and fall of the American credit card. While I’m no financial whiz, nothing gives me greater pleasure than knocking Jamie Dimon down a notch or two when his narcissistic declarations get in the way of the big picture. And his narcissism is what I hope ultimately brings him down – but that’s for another post.
The next week is my “calm before the storm”. April 15 is creeping up on us and there are several big reports everyone’s waiting on from the government. That, along with the upcoming presidential elections and the highly anticipated ruling from the Supreme Court on Obamacare, is sure to make this summer quite interesting. For now, though, or at least, for the next week, it’s all about catching up on Rolling Stone, Cosmo and all those episodes of the Brady Bunch I’ve been careful to not delete from the DVR. And don’t judge me.
I couldn’t wait to read Janet Reitman’s piece in Rolling Stone, “Confessions of an Ivy League Frat Boy: Inside Dartmouth’s Hazing Abuses“. This, of course, has to do with Andrew Lohse, a former Dartmouth frat boy who was also the editor of the student paper, The Dartmouth. He decided to open the doors to those secretive hazing episodes that has resulted in the deaths of several kids across the country. I’m always amazed that a group of college kids can keep the lid on their secret lives in the fraternity while the U.S. government can’t figure out how to keep Julian Assange quiet. Again, though, that’s for another post.
As Reitman tells the story, images of rather disgusting behaviors begin to surface. The things these kids are willing to do is disturbing and begs the question “Why?” I understand the obligatory answers: to belong, to be part of something greater, to be a “bro” – I get all of that; but seriously? As Lohse describes in his editorial, “I was a member of a fraternity that asked pledges, in order to become a brother, to swim in a kiddie pool of vomit, urine, fecal matter, semen and rotten food products; eat omelets made of vomit; chug cups of vinegar, which in one case caused a pledge to vomit blood; drink beer poured down fellow pledges’ ass cracks… among other abuses,” Who in God’s name would want to be a part of that brotherhood when the family you come from has the resources to send you to Dartmouth?
Here’s where I was able to link the incredulous story told by Reitman and Lohse. Earlier this week, the government released its own alarming report. In one of my recent posts for a client, here’s how I broke it down:
Did you know there is more than one trillion dollars owed in student loans? And did you know that figure continues to grow to the tune of almost $60 billion each month? It’s true. It’s also true that the delinquency rate is rapidly approaching the 30% mark. Of course, there are a lot of dynamics at play. The job market continues to struggle and college graduates are coming out of college with their degrees and no jobs to go into.
The icing on the cake is the realization that today’s college graduates are entering a job market where only 46% of the nation’s 18-24 year olds are employed. It hasn’t been this low since 1948, when the government began keeping up with the numbers. An ivy league degree isn’t really giving these young people an advantage. Unless you’re in New York or DC, or are willing to move out of the country, my guess is that noble Harvard or Dartmouth degree, while impressive, won’t amount to much, especially considering employers who see these educations on a resume will immediately dismiss the candidate because he knows his company can’t afford the applicant.
So, basically, we have a lot of frat boys who went to great lengths to “belong” to their brotherhood while gaining their ivy leave educations. Unfortunately, they’re going to struggle once those glory days are behind them and they realize that big bank or law firm that Daddy once ran is now in jeopardy. In hindsight, I wonder if it will occur to them that not only did all those vomit omelets do little more than place them in a so-called family that would allow that to happen, but that they’re also competing with people they never thought they would have to battle for a job. You know – the ones who took a bit more realistic approach to their futures and “settled” for a state university.
Today’s modern woman seems to be having a bit of an identity crisis. We want to rule the world, live life on our terms, and for some reason, we are willing to overlook the political detour the presidential candidates have taken on reproductive issues that affect us. While that’s complicated enough, now we seem to be more than a little peeved when we’re referred to as assets or given any other kind of compliment. It’s confusing as all get-out – and I’m a woman….and a Republican. Maybe it’s time for the fairer sex to take a step back, re-evaluate how we define “value” and take a deep breath. Maybe we’re getting too wrapped up in the details that we’re missing the big picture. Then again, that’s sort of what you expect when you combine politics with the human condition.
Many may recall the countless references in 2008 to Sarah Palin’s clothing style. The vice president hopeful was making the rounds, both determined and focused, even as the media went crazy with photos of her choices in shoes and her trim legs. While she voiced a small concern that the issues were getting lost in the focus on her physical appearance, for the most part, she graciously accepted any compliments that came her way and she embraced her femininity (even as she was shooting her guns, keeping up with her husband in fishing and proving she could carry her own in other traditional male roles).
Unfortunately, last week, another very successful and career-driven woman missed the compliment in her efforts to rebuke any reference to her being a “charming asset” to French presidential hopeful Francois Hollande.
Valerie Trierweiler works for Paris Match, a popular French magazine. She’s powerful, educated and worldly. Last week, the magazine’s cover included a lovely photo of her. All hell broke loose on Twitter as Trierweiler and the magazine’s editors slammed each other. She accused her employer of reducing her to a “trophy companion” and said she was angry that the magazine didn’t give her fair warning. The magazine agreed that it gave her no head’s up and said it had no obligation to tell the subjects of their covers they were about to hit newsstands – even if it’s their employees who are about to grace the cover.
The confusion comes in when one explores what Trierweiler values. She is quite successful in her career, has become a formidable partner for her Socialist presidential-hopeful and easily admits she likes doing laundry. Such a well-rounded woman should have a bit more tolerance towards such a glowing piece written and published by her employer. Instead, she takes offense to being called a “charming asset”. For the love of all that’s good and right, what is the problem?!
Meanwhile, back in the U.S., the Republican hopefuls, for some bizarre reason, have chosen to make women’s health part of their campaigns. Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for consistent efforts that can improve the lives of many, especially when it comes to their health. The problem is Santorum and Romney are all about ulterior motives. I absolutely agree that the costs of birth control methods should fall on those using them if their health insurance plans don’t cover it. But is this the way these ultra-conservatives want to move forward?
And what about all of those who are Republican and feel as though the current candidates are doing a huge disservice to the party? Why is such a limited topic even an election consideration? We’re not talking about the medical controversies that President Bush faced with stem cell research, nor are dealing with the massive restrictions President Reagan placed on various governmental programs such as AFDC. We’re talking about birth control. The dynamics have clashed in ways never before seen in our country. First, we had the push for Prop 26, or the “Personhood Amendment” that almost resulted in major problems for Mississippi. Then, in a very hokey manner, religion, healthcare and reproductive rights came together to redefine “a perfect storm”. They were targeted and ultimately, our candidates honed in on birth control. But why? It’s not even about preventing pregnancy anymore (if it ever even was), even though trying to discern what it IS about has proven difficult. Let’s face it, they’re falling woefully short in the eyes of many in their party. Do they really want to alienate the female Republicans? Because if they do, they’re well on their way. I’m not the only one who feels these two – Santorum and Romney – are patronizing, entitled and sorely misinformed.
Never before has being a woman been so complicated. What happened to grace, manners and compassion – those qualities that epitomize being a woman? Why is such a strong-willed woman ready to do battle with her employer for putting her in the spotlight and referring to her as a “charming asset” but who proudly says she enjoys doing laundry and other traditional female chores? Sometimes I think women get too wrapped up in the more aggressive role they feel they must adhere to and forget that being assertive works just fine, thank you very much.
It seems like so many of the major events in life happen in the middle of the night; or at least, that’s how it’s been for me. And it’s those major “change your life forever” events that hit after midnight. But that’s also when I can best stroll through my past, too. That’s probably because it gets so quiet around here at 2 a.m. and while I love the silence, it’s the sounds outside that drive me crazy and can have me tiptoeing around, looking out windows and waiting to see some dark shadow about to bust through the door – when in reality, it’s only an armadillo rooting through the leaves.
The TV serves its purpose, except for the fact I get too distracted, so I usually put it on one of the music channels so that it’s not completely silent in the house, but it’s music that’s playing (versus Miami CSI or Law & Order to distract me).
So, then, it stands to reason that I’m walking, in my mind, through houses I haven’t been in for years, hearing the waves off the beach and smelling the salt in the air. Before long, I can almost remember my mindset when I was 8 or 10 or 16 – depending on what song’s playing. It’s funny how we have these definitive ideas of how our life will be lived “once we grow up”. It never delivers; but if we’re lucky or blessed, it’s better.
Still, though, you know – even as an adult – that those ideas from all those years ago weren’t really far-fetched. They weren’t unrealistic or built on a weak foundation. It’s just…different. Things that are taken away are replaced with other things. The blind faith a teenager walks with is replaced with a certain reality that the adult gains. The “happily ever after” changes and redefines itself in the process into something you’re not familiar with, at least, until you live it. Still, though, even as you’re fitting yourself with these new realities and looking at life through these new eyes, the old never feels old or dated; it doesn’t lose its familiarity somehow. It’s not
1985, tie-dyed clothes, orange Formica and of course - the phone
really “replaced” at all, it’s just pushed back. Every now and then, you’re able to pull something from the past that fits well into the present. It’s rare that it’s a seamless fit, but it fits nonetheless.
So there you are, this person who would be a total stranger to the teenager version of yourself, listening to some song from the 70s or 80s and walking, in your mind, through the kitchen you grew up in. You know those orange formica countertops and handmade cabinets that your dad made for your mom. You see the cedar chest and the glasstop dining table. All these bittersweet memories come flooding back – and then the song ends and you take a look around at the home you’ve made for yourself and think never in a million years would you have dreamed this would be home. That teenager, who was so hellbent on some silly picket fence, hopefully, would be quite happy with what she ultimately decided as an adult.
I debated on whether to do this post, but there were some memorable deaths of more than a few remarkable people. Some could have been prevented, others lived very full, fruitful and long lives. Because death is part of the life cycle, I think this is an important part of saying goodbye to quite the unpredictable year. This list, of course, is not all-inclusive, but each stood out in my mind for different reasons.
Jani Lane
Those of us who grew up in the 80s know all too well those classic Warrant songs. Jani Lane was the larger than life lead singer of the band and wrote some of the most powerful ballads from that decade. His cause of death was listed as acute alcohol poisoning and the real tragedy is that he was only 47 when he died in August. See my all time favorite Warrant song below – never outgrew it and it’s still in my top 10 all time favorite songs.
Amy Winehouse
Although I’m not familiar with her music, her death, like Lane’s was especially hard to accept because she was so young and appeared to be winning the long battle with her addiction demons. Her death in July, just one month before Lane’s, was a blow to the collective music industry and those who adored her – and there were many. At her best, she was a larger than life beautiful young woman; after addiction had taken its toll, it really was quite disturbing to see. She was 27.
Steve Jobs
What can you say? Steve Jobs, founder of Apple, introduced the world to…well….each other. Next to Bill Gates, Jobs made more of a contribution to society than we will ever again see in our lifetimes. He too was young and had been battling pancreatic cancer when he passed away October 5.
Patrice O’Neal
This guy made me laugh with his many appearances on The Office and of course, his contribution to the Charlie Sheen Roast earlier this year. He was only 42 when he died from complications of diabetes less than one month ago on November 29.
Andy Rooney
Everyone’s favorite codger – Rooney was a staple on CBS’s 60 Minutes for what seemed like forever. He always reminded me of the proverbial grandfather: ill as bear, but a total pushover when it came to his grandkids. I don’t know if that’s how he was, of course, but it wouldn’t surprise me one bit. He is one of those who lived a full, amazing and contributory life. He was 92 when he passed on November 4.
Dan Wheldon
This was a huge loss to the racing family. Wheldon was one of those “rock stars of racing” and the crash that took his life still haunts those who witnessed it. He won the 2011 Indianapolis 500 race and just five months later, sustained “unsurvivable” injuries due to a car crash while practicing in Las Vegas on October 16. He was 33.
Nick Ashford
Remember Ashford & Simpson? He and his singing partner and wife Valerie Simpson wrote “Ain’t no Mountain High Enough” “Ain’t Nothin’ Like the Real Thing” and “Solid” (along with countless others). He was 70 when he passed away in New York on August 22. No doubt, he was Motown’s shining star, especially in the 60s, 70s and even into the 80s.
Annette Charles
Remember Cha Cha from Grease? This lovely woman was 63 when she died of cancer on August 3rd. The best scene from this amazing film was when she stole Danny from Sandy at the dance. I don’t think there was a 15 year old boy anywhere in the world who didn’t hope she’d show up at their dance to show ‘em how it’s done.
Sherwood Schwartz
Everyone knows this man’s name, even if they don’t recognize his face. He created some of the greatest television shows ever – Bewitched and Gilligan’s Island are just two of them. He was 94 when he passed away on July 12.
Mike Starr
I admit I wasn’t a fan of Alice in Chains, but Mike Starr’s appearance on Celebrity Rehab in 2009 had everyone hoping he’d come out the other side better for the experience. Unfortunately, it just didn’t happen. He was only 44 when he passed on March 8. He’d been arrested a month earlier on felony drug possession, though he presented a prescription a few days later for the oxymorphone pills he was carrying. If Michael Jackson’s physician was prosecuted for lending to his death, then Starr’s doctor that prescribed those powerful drugs to an addict should also be investigated.
Again, this is just a short list of the more than 140 deaths of those in the public spotlight, whether as celebrities, activists, journalists or trendsetters. Death is part of life, but you can’t help but wonder how many of these folks still had a lot of living to do in this realm before passing away?
So who were the folks who inspired us in 2011? The ones that breathed fresh air into a stale media, renewed our faith and refused to give up? Here’s a list of the top 5 way cool folks of 2011 – in no particular order:
Adele
How can you not love that attitude and the unapologetic honesty of this fireball? She’s one of those rare people who can tell it like it is, mince no words and still not insult anyone else. Oh – and then there’s that voice. I think I want to be Adele when I grow up. What’s that? You’ve never heard her music? Sure you have! But check out the video below and see for yourself why she is a must-have on any “way cool” list.
Kate Middleton
Ah, the newest addition to the royal family. When she married Prince William earlier this year, she was given the title Duchess of Cambridge. She’s elegant, humble and with not a single pretentious bone in her body. If there were, you can be sure the paparazzi would’ve reported it, shoved it down our throats and spewed harsh images to serve as proof that she was anything but a lovely addition to her husband’s family. Hopefully, she can find a way to insert a sense of humor into the queen. I know…I know…it just wouldn’t be proper for the Queen to cut loose – but wouldn’t it be fun?
Rep. Gabrielle Giffords
Sometimes the media simply gets it wrong. This was one of those times. Jared Loughner, a disturbed young man, felt it proper to show up at an Arizona town hall meeting Rep. Giffords was hosting on a cool Saturday morning in January. It’s what he did after he showed up that paralyzed the entire nation as the news came rolling in. He shot 19 people and killed 6. One of those shot and was reported dead was Rep. Giffords. She was shot in the head and despite the collective media’s reports that she didn’t survive, that’s exactly what she did: survive. Then, in this amazing renewal of faith, we watched her recovery. Today, she is thriving with a new appreciation for life. I’ve yet to see this woman display rage, or even anger, self-pity or the “woe is me” mentality we see with the likes of Lindsay Lohan and other “has been that never should’ve been” celebrities. Instead, she and her husband simply keep on keeping on with grace and humility.
Navy SEAL Team 6
An unexpected announcement that President Obama would be addressing the country on a Sunday night sent the rumors flying. Within an hour, he was standing in front of his podium and telling the world that an incredibly brave and elite group, the Navy SEAL Team 6, had killed Osama bin Laden in Abbottabad, Pakistan. It was an amazing moment for every American and the pride each of us felt for our military is immeasurable. No one knows their specific names, of course, but they’ll go down in history known as Navy SEAL Team 6.
J.R. Martinez
Martinez is also one of those brave souls who made the choice to go into the U.S. Army at a very young age. The Iraqi vet suffered devastating injuries that nearly cost him his life. Like Rep. Giffords, Martinez opted to pick up the pieces and reclaim his life. Since then, he has served as a powerful motivational speaker and on a whim, decided to try out for a role on All My Children, which he landed. More recently, Martinez took the mirror ball trophy on ABC’s Dancing With the Stars. Watching him week after week was something millions of Americans looked forward to as we each was reminded, courtesy of that dancing man, the true meaning of patriotism.
