SoCalDem
SoCalDem's JournalLike a snowball speeding down a mountain
It gathers momentum as it heads downhill..
What we have is the "largest generation" aging steadily, and being more and more tentative and fearful as they age. How do I know this? I AM one of them. Boomers grew up believing that they (we) truly were going to succeed, and many of us did, but millions more just did okay...not great, but okay.
Boomers got jobs, had kids, bought houses & cars.... did all the things they/we were "expected" to do. They saw THEIR parents (for the most part) being able to retire after 25- 30 years at a job (career), and they expected that their turn would also come. We all learned, as children, to "take turns".
What they (we) did NOT see coming, was that their parents would be the LAST of a two-generation, pre/post-WWII experiment, and that things would be very different at the end of their own lives...and whatever they had planned for their own children would not be happening (for most of them).
None of this happened overnight, but time has a way of accumulating things, and when many/most of us were not paying close attention, the "rules of the game" were being changed. We morphed into a dog-eat-dog society, where grabbing & getting is valued more than caring & sharing. We are a society that worships wealth & acquisition, and that scorns failure to achieve them.
Most of society still clings to the belief that if they work hard, they too will succeed, but the tools to succeed are increasingly withheld from them.
Virtually zero interest on money saved, invisible (and incorrectly reported) inflation , multiple recessions, stagnant/decreasing wages, a diploma with a $40K+ debt attached, stripped-away home equity, crushed unions, dissolved/unfunded pensions, downsized/outsourced jobs (and healthcare along with them) ...all of these have been things we have had to deal with at the same time as the children of boomers struggle with their inability to afford college, find jobs, homes of their own, or even dare to fall in love & marry.
These younger ones are afraid & unable to grow up, and millions of them never left home or if they did, many have had to return. Often they are returning to homes of Boomer-parents who got the triple-whammy of having their grown up kids still with them, at the time in their lives that their own elderly parents are declining, and are with them as well..or are receiving financial help from them. This is happening to them as they lose their own jobs and health/wealth.
A robust family (early on) that could support them all on one full-time job and one part-time job (or no other job, if Mom stayed home with the kids) is now stretched to the max, with no relief in sight.
The pensions of old, were replaced by gambling on 401-ks which have spectacularly underperformed and the ubiquitous pink-slip at age 50-something.
Our economy has been regularly scrubbed (of wealth) by the ones at the tippy top of society because they have the tools and the know-how to repeatedly do it, and because they feel entitled to have it all..
We thought we would be okay.. Okay works for a while, but not forever. "Okay" is a beloved old car that you keep fixing, but sooner or later you have to just let it go, and get a newer one. Okay is what we have held to for far too many years, and now it's pouring rain, the old car won't start, and we are standing in the driveway, soaking wet, and wishing we had replaced that $#!&*^% piece of junk car a long time ago..
Soon there will be more "room" when the Boomers have passed on. Hopefully, that "room" will allow for truly National Healthcare for ALL, and with that, a society where people are free to quit a lousy job, and when people can start businesses because they do not have to get benefits from an employer. Maybe there will be a more bold and activist group that will emerge, ready to really shake things up, and start to take back from the takers-at-the-top.
I won't be here to see it happen, but I really hope it happens for our country.
How Do Court Reporters Keep Straight Faces?
My son sent me this from someone on his facebook..had to share....................................................................
......things people actually said in court, word for word, taken down and published by court reporters that had the torment of staying calm while the exchanges were taking place.
ATTORNEY: What was the first thing your husband said to you that morning?
WITNESS: He said, 'Where am I, Cathy?'
ATTORNEY: And why did that upset you?
WITNESS: My name is Susan!
_______________________________
ATTORNEY: What gear were you in at the moment of the impact?
WITNESS: Gucci sweats and Reeboks.
____________________________________________
ATTORNEY: Are you sexually active?
WITNESS: No, I just lie there.
____________________________________________
ATTORNEY: What is your date of birth?
WITNESS: July 18th.
ATTORNEY: What year?
WITNESS: Every year.
_____________________________________
ATTORNEY: How old is your son, the one living with you?
WITNESS: Thirty-eight or thirty-five, I can't remember which.
ATTORNEY: How long has he lived with you?
WITNESS: Forty-five years.
_________________________________
ATTORNEY: This myasthenia gravis, does it affect your memory at all?
WITNESS: Yes.
ATTORNEY: And in what ways does it affect your memory?
WITNESS: I forget..
ATTORNEY: You forget? Can you give us an example of something you forgot?
___________________________________________
ATTORNEY: Now doctor, isn't it true that when a person dies in his sleep, he doesn't know about it until the next morning?
WITNESS: Did you actually pass the bar exam?
____________________________________
ATTORNEY: The youngest son, the 20-year-old, how old is he?
WITNESS: He's 20, much like your IQ.
___________________________________________
ATTORNEY: Were you present when your picture was taken?
WITNESS: Are you shitting me?
_________________________________________
ATTORNEY: So the date of conception (of the baby) was August 8th?
WITNESS: Yes.
ATTORNEY: And what were you doing at that time?
WITNESS: Getting laid
____________________________________________
ATTORNEY: She had three children , right?
WITNESS: Yes.
ATTORNEY: How many were boys?
WITNESS: None.
ATTORNEY: Were there any girls?
WITNESS: Your Honor, I think I need a different attorney. Can I get a new attorney?
____________________________________________
ATTORNEY: How was your first marriage terminated?
WITNESS: By death..
ATTORNEY: And by whose death was it terminated?
WITNESS: Take a guess.
___________________________________________
ATTORNEY: Can you describe the individual?
WITNESS: He was about medium height and had a beard
ATTORNEY: Was this a male or a female?
WITNESS: Unless the Circus was in town I'm going with male.
_____________________________________
ATTORNEY: Is your appearance here this morning pursuant to a deposition notice which I sent to your attorney?
WITNESS: No, this is how I dress when I go to work.
______________________________________
ATTORNEY: Doctor , how many of your autopsies have you performed on dead people?
WITNESS: All of them. The live ones put up too much of a fight.
_________________________________________
ATTORNEY: ALL your responses MUST be oral, OK? What school did you go to?
WITNESS: Oral...
_________________________________________
ATTORNEY: Do you recall the time that you examined the body?
WITNESS: The autopsy started around 8:30 PM
ATTORNEY: And Mr. Denton was dead at the time?
WITNESS: If not, he was by the time I finished.
____________________________________________
ATTORNEY: Are you qualified to give a urine sample?
WITNESS: Are you qualified to ask that question?
______________________________________
And last:
ATTORNEY: Doctor, before you performed the autopsy, did you check for a pulse?
WITNESS: No.
ATTORNEY: Did you check for blood pressure?
WITNESS: No.
ATTORNEY: Did you check for breathing?
WITNESS: No..
ATTORNEY: So, then it is possible that the patient was alive when you began the autopsy?
WITNESS: No.
ATTORNEY: How can you be so sure, Doctor?
WITNESS: Because his brain was sitting on my desk in a jar.
ATTORNEY: I see, but could the patient have still been alive, nevertheless?
WITNESS: Yes, it is possible that he could have been alive and practicing law.
The utter randomness of the web.. "Ask Yahoo".. "Can someone give me a reason to live?"
http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20100114032421AAICf5kYou have to scroll down to the bottom, and there it is.. What a cruel & sad way for someone to reach out..
I was googling a term heard on Masterpiece Mystery, and at the very end, there was the question..
I thought it was an odd thing to ask Yahoo, so I clicked it..
*** I did "click abuse" in hopes someone can contact this poor young woman, and help her.. I am hoping it's a hoax..but fearing it might not be..
Can someone give me a reason to live...?
My baby is dying he is five months old. My ex shook him and gave him terminal brain injury. I want to take something and die please if there are any ideas for easy suicide. Im 20 my life is already over my son is everything.
4 hours ago
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Alinne Alinne
Best Answer - Chosen by Asker
Oh dear God, I know the anger, rage , and hurt, you must be going through. Your ex, must of had a lot of anger in him, which no doubt, provokes anger in you, that he took his anger out on that baby. HOW COULD HE!!!!!!! I assure you, he will pay for what he did. Stay in touch with your anger and pain, BUT AT THE SAMT TIME, be willing to let it go. You are now GOING THROUGH ONE of the BIGGEST Life CHANGES in YOUR LIFE, no DOUBT! You honestly need to go through it, suicide is not the answer. Accept all your feelings, but be willing to let them pass. No need to remain with them. I am so sorry for you. This might be an oppurtunity, to turn to something Higher, because this is WAY to MUCH for you to handle, all by yourself. This is also the time, your mind is going to try to make YOU feel guilty, do not block those thoughts, but just be aware of them, and let them come and go.
May God Bless you and help you through this.
3 hours ago
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Asker's Rating:
1 out of 5
Asker's Comment:
By the way people he will not live i would not have said that if there was any hope. Its not temporary insanity he is a good baby my ex is a murderer to have done this so harsh to kill him there was nothing temporary about it...
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This question about "Can someone give me … " was originally asked on Yahoo! Answers United States
Other Answers (5)
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Madilyn Madilyn
Hi delphia,
I know your ex is wrong, to have done what he did, but we need to forgive anyway. So many parents, have so much stress in their lives, that they just can not handle what is going on, and they shake their baby, not realizing what they are doing. They go tempoaraily insane, and then when its all over, they say, "Oh My God, what did I do". Unfortunately, things like this, happen all the time.
But here are some question, I would ask, about your baby?
What signs are there, that show that your baby has permanent brain damage?
Did the doctors say it is permanent?
Money should not be the issue here, they will still treat your baby, and think of cost later.
Some people die owing money to the doctors, but still treat the baby, regardless, once you take him in. I am surprized, that he is not being treated, right this very moment, regardless of money. Perhaps, you can take him, to another Hospital.
I am sorry for what you are going through. Just pray, so that you know, the next step, that needs to be taken.
Good luck
2 hours ago
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Mickey Mickey
1. God hasn't given up on you.
2. Sure this is definitely a hard time for you, and I won't lie, it won't be your last. But in life, you'll also have some really great times and memories that make everything worth it.
3. Your son has the possibility to survive. Pray about it.
just please don't give up. your life will take a turn for the better - just wait it out until that turn comes around.
3 hours ago
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Lillianna Lilliann...
That is a very tough thing to go through. You should go to a therapist and he or she wil definately be able to help you. I had to go and it heped me with my suicidal thoughts. It is a great tragedy togo through loss of a loved one, but you gotta get up and move on. Its like having a misscarriage. Youloose one but you can have another. You are worth living here and have a purpose. You can get a great job and start a family and meet a great guy. Life is full of obstacles, but that is what makes it interesting
4 hours ago
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Name Unknown Name Unknown
Reasons to live:
1) your son might make it
2) you might survive your suidcidal attempt and regret doing it
3) oppertunities might come later on
4) God has a plan for you
4 hours ago
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troubleeeeeeeeezzzz troublee...
Go for it
4 hours ago
Let's make a list: When you vote for a republican, you say okay to:...
I still keep hearing people make comments about "all politicians" and how "it doesn't really matter which party wins", and how "it's normal for republicans & democrats to take turns with the presidency & congress"..etc.
I always tell people that it DOES matter, because that ONE guy from Podunk, ANywhere, USA, COULD be the one vote that switches congress one way of the other, and legislation that flows from that switch could change YOUR life forever, or ruin you financially.
When you vote for a republican, you say okay to:...
rolling back regulation that keeps your food/air/water/soil/medicine/etc. safe..and in the areas of businesses, can mean life & death for you if you live near one
old white men (mostly) being in charge of women's reproductive rights/health care availability
old, angry white men (mostly) deciding which people are worthy of keeping voting rights
......
this is just a start..
please add to the list
How to start a boom in Detroit ...in 4 easy steps
For people with incomes less than 100K per year:
"buy down" their mortgages to the REAL value of their homes
set a new "hardship" interest rate on the loans to 2% (for 5 years..then increasing to 4% permanent rate)...only OWNER-OCCUPIED
offer people making 25-100K a year a FREE house to rehab @ 1% loan ..again. NO FLIPPERS
offer free commercial space for 3 years to entrepreneurs/artists to begin a business..along with 1% loans
create $15hr jobs to people to do the labor required to do the rehab work.
Eminent domain should allow most of these decrepit abandoned places to either be torn down or rehabbed.
None of these plans would be available to the multi-property owners or to the slumlord folks who let these places decay.
Only DEMAND can create business. You can open the best shop around, but if customers have NO MONEY to spend, you will fail.
Who IS George Zimmerman
a man with the mindset & community spirit of
a man with the earnestness & dedication to perceived duty , of:
a man with the impulse control of
a man with the moral code of
The problem is that NONE of the top 3 ever actually hurt anyone:
Gladys was just a pesky busybody
Barney had ONE bullet (when Andy wasn't taking it away from him), and his gun was unloaded and mostly for show. Barney took law enforcement waaaaay too seriously, but Andy was always there to calm him down
Yosemite Sam was just a rootin-tootin, cartoon buffoon, but was not that good of a shot (as I remember). He was mostly blustery & fast to act
Now Rhoda (the character) was another story..she was conniving, evil, and was very well apprized of her ability to talk her way out of trouble..killing was never anything she gave much thought to, especially when it was to her advantage.
A cop wannabee who washed out..was unwanted for the profession he wanted most in the world.. reduced to patrolling his little piece of the world, a la Gladys, Sam & Barney..having to call in the REAL cops (who apparently never arrived "in time".
His inner-Rhoda was bound to flare up...and might again
We know his type.. there are others out there like him.
We just never know when we will meet up with one of them...one who , like him, possesses ALL of the traits, and who is carrying a loaded gun..
It might be in Florida.. There are many like him, who had their antics/beliefs/missions re-confirmed by that jury of 6 women who just wanted to go home.
Meanwhile, in Tampa Bay :Cruz sentenced to 12 yrs prison in death of Walter 'J.J' Revear
http://www.tampabay.com/news/courts/criminal/cruz-sentenced-to-12-years-prison-in-death-of-walter-jj-revear/2110730TAMPA — A judge sentenced Jimmy Lee Cruz to 12 years in prison on Friday for the death of Walter "J.J." Revear, a frequent juvenile offender who dropped out of news reports until, at age 28, he was fatally shot outside a Nebraska Avenue bar in May 2011.
Cruz, 35, took a plea that finds him guilty of manslaughter. His prison sentence will be followed by 10 years of probation.
Authorities say Cruz shot Revear during a fight outside the Interstate Lounge. Cruz was initially charged with second-degree murder.
What Barbie Would Look Like If She Resembled an Actual Woman (PHOTOS)
http://www.takepart.com/article/2013/07/03/barbie-nickolay-lamm?cmpid=tp-ad-outbrain-generalArtist Nickolay Lamm re-creates an American icon using real-world measurements.
July 4, 2013
Andri Antoniades
Barbie never claimed to be a symbol of feminist solidarity, or even a symbol of reality. It’s already been proven that her oddly proportioned body couldn’t possibly be sustained by an actual human being—and yet her appearance remains an iconic symbol of femininity that millions of girls admire.
That may not change any time soon, but some artists are doing their best to demonstrate that realistic images can be just as desirable as ones based on pure fantasy. Artist Nickolay Lamm recently decided to give Barbie the ultimate makeover by changing her appearance into one that resembled an actual human being.
Using CDC measurements of the average American 19-year-old woman, Lamm redesigned and 3-D printed America’s most iconic doll. The new Barbie is noticeably shorter and wider than her earlier version, and even her feet have evolved from miniatures frozen in a high-heel position to a proportioned pair that can stand on flat ground.
....................snip....click link for the other pictures
Chanting & demonstrating are not effective anymore. Quietly and calmly
uniting minorities, and registering them to vote...**registering as REPUBLICANS (when necessary) can make a real difference.
No big fuss about it,...just a determined doggedness and then making sure those registered to vote, actually do go out and vote.. Vote OUT the republican bastards who have their boots on the necks of people they deem to be lesser-thans.
Concentrate on beating them at their own game.. Register more..get out the vote more.. get the IDs necessary for people who cannot afford it/have no transportation..
TURN out, and turn THEM out.
If you are not in charge, you don't get to change anything.
** republican controlled voter registrations folks NEVER fail to get ballots out to their own faithful, or to provide adequate polling stations, or erase their names from the voting lists
Since "following" has now been adjudicated to be OkeeDokee
perhaps Z should have people following him 24/7/365.. It's perfectly legal... His attorneys and the jury said so.. and if HE challenges the followers, they can just shoot him because they were standing their ground..
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