2nd shot at amnesty bill killed

And thank goodness for that. The bill, no matter what amendments were added, was still horrible legislation, which at best would have no effect (completely unenforceable and therefore ignored) and at worst, would reward illegal behavior; the added legalized foreign nationals completely overwhelming the already strained capacity of the FBI, DHS, etc., to process applications & background checks (I mean, come on, they already have backlogs in the hundreds of thousands and can’t seem to keep track of the files they’re currently processing); not to mention social and healthcare services (because with legalization comes greater access to welfare, food stamps, medicaid, etc., and the need to process even greater volumes of applicants than before).

No, the bill wasn’t “reform,” no, it wasn’t an “overhaul” and no, it wouldn’t have improved any immigration issues; it is just a misbegotten, voluminous mess and ultimately, a huge waste of taxpayers’ money. Illegals aren’t following the law anyway (either rushing the border or overstaying their visas), so what makes these yahoos think they would fall cooperatively in line and observe all the convoluted rules according to this proposed law (going back to their country, renewing guest-worker visas, etc.)? We have immigration laws on the books already, but what we’ve (the U.S.) shown them (the illegals), is that we’re willing to disregard our laws or unevenly apply them. To a person coming from somewhere like Mexico, wherein there are plenty of unenforced laws (rule of law is notional at best) and almost anything can be bought, maneuvered or extorted, this country and our governance thereof may only seem to be a better functioning variety of their native environment. And they have and will act accordingly.

Furthermore, because historically (read: after 1986 amnesty), such laws didn’t result in secure borders; because millions of tax dollars have been wasted on non-functioning systems (software, for instance) to track deportees, dangerous illegal alien criminals, or just visa over-stayers; and because even if the systems do work, they aren’t used consistently by agencies or available to and shared throughout law enforcement and intelligence agencies [read Michelle Malkin’s book Invasion for details about these fiascos], there is little hope that such a complicated, impractical scheme such as this bill would resolve anything at all. As it could make things a whole lot worse, I’m hoping this monster won’t be re-animated.

Read the WaPo article on its recent demise here.

States take on immigration

Today in WaPo There was an article about how several states are stepping up to the plate and putting forth bills that target illegal immigration in ways that could be effective in discouraging the continued presence of these scofflaws in their states. Clearly, many constituents are frustrated with the lack of meaningful action by federal government to stop the flood of illegal immigration, and their state-level representatives are actually doing something about that frustration. These bills include limits on illegals’ access to government services, ability to hold jobs and to acquire driver’s licenses, as well as enabling law enforcement to inquire about a person’s legal status and detain those who are here illegally. I think this is a very positive trend and if passed, these bills may indeed create a hostile environment for illegal immigrants in the respective states. There’s more than one way to skin this cat and it’s nice to see state lawmakers taking ownership of their own state’s situation. Read the whole article here.

Movie Review: Pan's Labyrinth

Pan’s Labyrinth involves a fairy tale, but make no mistake about it – this is not a kid’s story. The protagonist, a young girl named Ofelia creates this fairy tale world to buffer herself from the very traumatic and violent real world around her. Her pregnant mother is married to a sadistic captain in the Spanish army in 1944 fascist Spain. The captain insists that his wife join him at the front of current fighting against the communist rebellion even though she’s dangerously close to giving birth. As Ofelia’s real existence becomes more lonely, isolated and precarious, she delves deeper into the realm of the fantastic, wherein she attempts to prove herself as worthy to become Princess of that realm.

I would highly recommend this film. Even with subtitles (the movie is in Spanish), the movie draws you into the dark real and mystical action. Really good characters all around: the winsome and brave Ofelia, the brutal captain Vidal, the kindly Mercedes, the wise, old Pan and the creepy guy with eyes in his hands. The violence is shocking, but not gratuitous. And I found it interesting, even with my limited Spanish, to contrast what was actually being said with the subtitle translation.

5 things to say

I had an interesting interpersonal encounter today while walking back from Corner Bakery (lunch). And by interesting, I mean “revolting.” A young black woman (I suspect teenage or early twenties) stopped me and after buttering me up (yes, I know this is a good outfit –I picked it out, didn’t I?), asked me for money for food, because: I’m homeless AND pregnant.

Ok, I’m irritated that anyone would come up to me, a stranger, and demand money. Like, don’t I pay enough taxes to take care of the problem and preclude such encounters? Aren’t I gouged in taxes because I DON’T have children? They have it backwards: I should be paid for NOT having children. But I digress.

I’m not quick in these situations; I never have a snappy come-back until later. Then it’s not so snappy. After all, I may have only 4 brain cells playing bumpercar upstairs, but this was obviously 3 more than the lonely one floating in the dark that this chick was entertaining. Very lonely and understimulated.

Rambling aside, I belatedly thought of a few things to say. Here goes:

1. So where’s the sperm-donor? Why not hit him up for cash? Oh, I know, because he’s out impregnating other stupid girls. So he can brag about all his progeny without actually supporting them.

2. Give me one good reason why I should care what happens to you or your bastard child? And don’t say, “because we need a larger underclass.”

3. What kind of moron throws contraceptive caution to the wind when already homeless? Oh, wait a minute, I’ve answered my own question.

4. Sorry, those funds are earmarked for my new Jimmy Choo’s.

5. Alternately: Sorry, those funds are earmarked for my new boobs.

Ok, I think that’s enough for now. My poor little neurons are tuckered out. If I come up with other zingers, I’ll let you know. And remember boys and girls, responsibility you have to work at, but stupidity is easy and free.

This morning...

...I woke up at 4am and couldn't get back to sleep. Finally, after trying for about an hour and a half, I decided enough already. Better to get up and do something productive rather than lie in bed wide-awake and achieve nothing more than irritability. So, what was that productive activity at 5:30 in the morning, you ask? Well, I threw on clothes and went running in the neighborhood - and then went to the gym to do a weights workout. I know, this doesn't seem possible as it usually takes an act of God to get me going in the morning, but today it all fell into place.

Let me just say that running at that hour of the morning was the most beautiful experience I've had in awhile. It's quiet, calm and fresh, no humidity and the temperature perfect(70s?). The lawns are neatly mowed and green. There are just a few motorists out so it's safe. I ran down streets that I hadn't before and checked out the new houses being built. Oh, if I could rouse myself every morning to do this, I'd be a happy camper.

Now, however, I just want to curl up and go back to sleep.

On manners

I've noticed - and have commented tangentially on - people's manners when it comes to social events at people's homes. You've heard my rants on the issues with Book Club and such. Well, pretty recently DH Jeff came up with the idea/concept of having a monthly "Sunday Dinner" like those dinners with family growing up. It was [originally] a chance for Jeff to stretch his culinary skills (as he is the primary cook in our household) and, of course, another excuse for us to be social.

It has been very successful, I think. This last Sunday I took the helm on cooking & was pleasantly surprised (?) how well everything came out. [Sidebar: part of my motivation was a little healthy competition for Jeff and part of it was not wanting to be pidgeon-holed as the booze-hound-in-chief. I am what I am, but who wants that as an epitaph? Also, no one notices all the hard work that went into making the place clean - they just notice when it's not clean] Also, that we attracted a good group and everyone seemed to be having a good time. So far, so good.

But: there were two people we invited who said they would come, who inexplicably didn't show up. There were no phone calls or emails saying they couldn't come, at the last minute. These were two who had done the same thing in the past. You know, at this age - and both parties are around my age - I don't think I should have to remind you to have manners, and yet...it seems beyond some people to exercise a little courtesy.

In the past - and I've mentioned this before - I used to be that way. I'd never give a solid response - just "maybe" and then if if I said yes, sometimes not show up. And then at some point I had an "Aha! Moment": these people don't have to invite me AT ALL and here I am treating them and their hospitality so casually, so dismissively. NOT ANY MORE. Now I'm usually the first to RSVP. No, you won't have to wait for me. I appreciate that you bothered to invite me to your whatever and understand that puting on even a small gathering involves time, effort, planning and yes, money. If I have no scheduling conflicts, I'll (now we'll) be there & will bring some token offering (wine, mostly).

Evidently, some folks can't grasp this concept...and are probably miffed when I bring it to their attention. Well, it's not all about you - do you get that?

Enough, already. I want to thank all of those who do have manners, who do bother, and show how they value our hospitality and friendship - it's most certainly not lost on me!

In memoriam

Yesterday, one of my uncles died after being on the healthwise decline for awhile. After talking with my mom, I understand he died peacefully, thank goodness.

Just wanted to post a little tribute to my Uncle Moses:

Although I didn’t know you well, I can say that you were a kind and giving person, a man who served your country well, a patriot, a real character and a heck of a good story-teller (that last part is high praise from me!).

May your afterlife be as interesting yet easier-going than your life here had been.

Cheers!

Venting

[UPDATE]: Coordinator emailed me about the whole thing and all is well. Evidently, the late night wasn't alright with members, so the 9pm cut-off this week was an attempt to reign things in. Promised to review my piece the next critique. Call me fickle, but now I'm not sure I want the piece reviewed or want to continue with the story line at all. As much as I've been enjoying the group, I've also been addressing it like school - as in assignments. As in pressure. I need to just back off and take it easy. Especially with everything else going on. We'll see.

Ok, I know I should be “bigger person” or more of a grown-up about this, but tough, I’m not and I need to vent. Last evening at writing group we were critiquing works and my submission was supposed to be last because chronologically, I had submitted it last of the entries. No problem, that system is fair. After all the others had been addressed thoroughly, and I had given what I hoped were encouraging-yet-helpful comments and waited patiently for my turn, however, we “ran out of time” at 9pm. Which essentially means that my piece (a first chapter of a proposed novel) won’t be considered at all, even at a later time unless I press the issue at the next critiquing session. So, basically, it would just drop off the radar.

Now, last week, the meeting was going strong at 9:30-ish when DH Jeff & I left. But evidently, that was ok.

I tried to be an adult about it last night, at least until we left the meeting. Sure, folks can email me with comments. No problem. Now, one nice gal had actually written comments for me. I appreciated that. But no one else bothered.

But after we cleared the building, I expressed my really pissy mood. DH Jeff found it hard to relate because his story had been reviewed, thoroughly. But, he rightly suggested that next time I specifically ask to go first. Yes, good idea and so is submitting early so I’m first on the list. Yep, I’ll work on that. Doesn’t really help my mood now.

Let’s have some context for this situation:
- After an exceedingly tedious day at work, I was looking forward to the meeting & feedback
- I managed to review all the submitted works and gave the authors my notes, which clearly was a waste of effort on my part
- I had not exercised all week and in light of the lack of satisfaction with the meeting, my time would have been better spent at the gym. At the very least, I could have gotten some endorphins out the deal.
- To add insult to injury, it was thundershowering when we headed home and – our apartment lost power!

What a brilliant evening. The only high point was dinner out: a very good Japanese Rockfish and grilled asparagus dish. And the waiter was nice. And I didn’t have to clean up afterwards.

OK, rant over.

Yippee!!!

The stupid and anti-American amnesty bill fell apart! Read about it here. Evidently, some of our senators actually represented the will of their constituents.

Book Review: Death's Acre

Death’s Acre by Bill Bass and Jon Jefferson is the real-life story of how Dr. Bass started the Anthropological Research Facility at the University of Tennessee, otherwise known as the Body Farm. At the Body Farm, they do experiments to study human decomposition in all its aspects: entomologically, how it’s affected by temperature, weather conditions, clothing, location (such as in a car, in a structure, etc.), and just about anything one can think of.

Although the subject matter of the Body Farm has a high “Eww Factor,” the book is very accessible (even to those who don’t find this stuff as fascinating as I do) due to Dr. Bass’s way of describing his stops along the way, his motivations and his influences (both personal & professional) which led him to develop this research facility (which I believe is the only one of its kind in the world). After reading the book, one understands the importance of such research in crime-solving and even crime prevention. Plus, the real-life forensics stuff is just neat. Dr. Bass tells his story with humor, humility and a sense of mission. That’s refreshing no matter what the subject matter.

Book Review: Beauty Junkies

Beauty Junkies, by Alex Kuczynski, gives us the history of plastic and cosmetic surgery, the charlatans, the risks, the popularity especially in the U.S. and its ridiculous extremes. The story is told deftly, with humor and a sense of veritas: the author herself had undergone several procedures, including one that had the unintended effect of swelling her mouth to grotesque proportions (a severe response and fortunately for her, a temporary one). This last experience compelled her to wean herself from her growing obsession with cosmetic surgery and procedures.

I’ve never been a fan of purely cosmetic surgery or injections. If it’s not broken, no need to operate on it or stick a needle in it (yeh, yeh, I’m for tattoos, but big difference between a little ink and a dangerous toxin). The thought of having foreign objects stuffed under my skin, especially since they can burst, harden, leak and migrate – just to fill someone’s aesthetic profile – pretty much disgusts me. Ditto, shots in the forehead or other places on the face, forceable Hoovering of fat from one’s rear-end, and the cutting and stretching of facial skin. I find it disturbing and ridiculous that younger and younger women are opting for procedures. I mean, it’s positively asshatted of parents to give their daughter a gift of new boobs for graduation.

Now, although this trend of surgical change doesn’t only apply to females, it’s with the females that it is most prevalent and to me, most offensive: to change oneself into the porn star mold (i.e., sexual object), to reduce one’s features so the result is a person indistinguishable form scores of other blandly appealing “beauties” (i.e., loss of that which makes us unique) or to chase youth as if it were the only thing worth having. We’ve come so far as women, only to reduce our efforts - by drastic and dangerous means - to, well, attracting men.

It’s sad that the inner selves of these people – intellect, creativity, personality, achievement – is so neglected and disparaged – in order to maintain a superficial and ultimately impermanent illusion. Ms. Kuczynski, in fact, discusses a woman for whom her appearance – and all the supporting procedures – is ALL she does with her time and money. This book is a cautionary tale, and an honest and entertaining – if disheartening – read.

I woke up on the wrong side of the bed...

...well, actually I fell asleep in the living room floor after a late dinner last night and woke up at 4 this morning. Then when trying to sleep IN OUR COMFORTABLE BED, my stupid mind was racing along, making that difficult. I did doze off, only to have to wake up 3 hours later. I was not a happy camper. Actually I was UNPLEASANT. Not Jeff's fault, but he did have to deal with it.

To add insult to injury, that little goo on my lower abdomen that I was finally getting rid of - was back with a vengeance thanks to too much sangria as of late, and having pizza TWICE in one week (can't have just two slices!), and not having worked out AT ALL this week. You know, I may be 41, but my body hasn't been thru the ravages of pregnancy or childbirth, or any other major thing, so what the hell's my problem? Oh, I've answered my own question.

Then, I go to work and have a series of irritations that made me want to just go home and cry. or sleep. both at the same time?

And, I'm just feeling a bit overwhelmed about all the stuff we're trying to do: reading, writing, socializing, hosting, etc. It's been good and fun, but kinda crazy.

Not to mention, that heinous amnesty bill is probably going to pass. See the reader comment on my Thomas Sowell post below for the myriad reasons why this is stupid, unworkable, damaging, and the best part: punishes AmCits while rewarding the invaders overrunning the country. Watch our futures end. It would be less disingenuous for "our leaders" to say: we're selling out America; aiding the collapse of the healthcare and other systems; don't give a damn about assimilation or having one language; don't care about patriotism or even if the US survives as a nation. Heck, let's just give it away to whichever squatter happens to find his way into the country by whatever means. So, just suck it up, folks.

Anyhoo, tomorrow will be another day...the bill will still suck, the leadership still missing in action, but my attitude may indeed be better.

On feminism

The other evening we had some guests for dinner and the topic of feminism came up. I made a face showing my distain. After the fact, I realized that my DH Jeff knew exactly in what context and from what attitude my distain came...because he's been around me awhile and he knows me. But others may be a little confused about my expression.

When "feminism" meant (if, indeed, it ever did) universal suffrage, full participation in one's country governance and political life (including holding office), equal pay for equal work, equal protection under the law, etc, then I say, "Go team!" But because it's become synonymous with "abortionista," (that is, the attitude that abortion rights are essential to women's power, an unalienable right, essential to women's health - I mean give me a break), with perpetual victimhood (the patriarchy! the patriarchy!), equal quantities of men-bashing, the NOW folks, etc - well, that's when I make the face. Come on, grow up.

OK, gotta go. I'm trying to get my thoughts out there...