Why Vote

OK I know this is unwanted information. However, remember not voting is still a vote. It can effect an election. If you don't care about what is happening to our economy,if you are not worried about health care( it is so expensive that your place of employment might not give you insurance) if you don't care about Iraq and the possibility of going to war with Iran or Russia, well then don't complain if any of these issues suddenly effect you. I know it is overwhelming and it is hard to know which side to believe, but there is plenty of information on the Internet. Here are some web sites

pewresearch.org drudgereport.com thepage.time.com politico.com realclearpolitics.com

The bottom line is it is a privilege to be able to vote. I also want to add that if you have children you are a role model for them. Don't you want them to grow up to be good citizens?

THE CRITICAL CRITIC

OK I snuck off to see "The Women" and well sorry to say it was not very good.I really wanted to like it. But the cast did not have any chemistry. They did not seem like real friends. Also I am way old enough to remember the original which was very good. This is not the same story. On the other hand we DVR'd " Bridge to Terabithia" and I really liked it. The acting was much better and the story made sense. Yes I cried but this is a charming movie. I would give " The Women" about a 4 on a scale of 1 to 10 and "Bridge" a 8.



So today I go to my class on red states versus blue states. A note to my Grandchildren. Please get informed, please register to vote, please VOTE. Of course I want you to vote for Obama, but more than anything I want you to vote. This is your country, your future, your duty.And that is the end of the lecture. Sometimes I can't help it, it just comes out.Well while I am at it, Susie and Abby and Katie clean your apartment or room. Ya know it is all about respect.Lazy does not run in our family.

Victim's Advocate

I think it is time to talk about what I do about twice a week. As you all know I am a volunteer Victims Advocate, what you don't know is what I do. Well when someone, either man or women wants a temporary restraining order against some one they come to our office, they go through intake and someone determines if they have a good case.They are then required to come the following day and go through a workshop, which I do. It is part PowerPoint presentation to help them fill out the forms correctly and partly help in making sure that their declaration (what happened) is fully descriptive. Not enough to say he/she yelled at me and called me names, but be explicit. At some point someone from the Coalition Against Family Violence comes in and makes a short presentation. They are attorneys and offer free legal help via phone as well as shelter. As you might imagine people are very emotional. Every single workshop I have done has at least one man seeking aT.R.O against his wife/partner. We have also had mother's vrs daughters, sister against brothers and I am sure the list goes on.

The following day I go to court with everyone from the workshop. I can't speak but I offer support and even stand or sit with them in front of the judge. Today two of my five people did not get their restraining orders. Of course this upsets me and them too. The workshop takes about four hours and court can be 30 minutes or two hours, depending on the judge. This is the most rewarding thing I have ever done. I got two big hugs today and one lady(older) said she could not have done it without our help. It is a great, free service.Amazing that so much is offered for free.
When they come back for their permanent restraining order, we help them again. By the way a restraing order says stay 100 yards(football field) away, no text messaging or calling and turn all, guns into the police department. If someone breaks it they can be arrested. It is especially hard for women with children. Sometimes they want the fathers to see their kids, sometimes not.I do a workshop tomorrow, my third day this week.Wonder what it will bring.

GOOD BYE TO MATTHEW