The Highlight Reel

It’s been a while since I’ve felt like writing as it seemed that everything I began sounded negative and not worth posting. However, a highlight reel of thoughts can ketchup on my life.

First, I cannot watch President Obama when anyone challenges his credibility because the smirky, arrogant, patronizing look on his face disrespects the person questioning him. He does the face at press conferences and incorporated the look during the campaign, but totally perfected it for the debates. A person does not “win” a debate by being derisive of the opponent; s/he wins it on the depth of the discussion. He has depth of knowledge that could be communicated forcefully and with a thoughtful face, but each time he commented, he did the smirky smug face, which, for me, eradicated any points toward the win column. Additionally, Obama has made public appearances on talk shows his primary campaign strategy, funded by gala Hollywood events that go for $25k a plate and are often hosted by prominent members of the gay community; hence, Obama’s reversal of his stance on same-sex marriage two weeks before Ryan Murphy’s (Glee) first pricey dinner party in his honor. I resent the hell out of the President using Air Force One as his personal cross-country taxi as he flies from one star-studded fundraising event and “late night” media event to another, all the while telling we, the people, that we have serious issues that need a serious commander-in-chief.

Frankly, the only person I find more offensive than President Obama is Whoopie Goldberg, whose racist rants and racial slurs against white people are inexcusable. I don’t know when “her people” came to this country, nor do I know where/when they were slaves, but I do know that my maternal grandparents came to this country at the turn of the last century with little more than their own determination to become Americans, to learn the language, to bear children who would speak English and be enriched through education and work experience and enjoy a better life than they would have had in their homelands. They were frugal, hardworking people who raised 3 children, 2 of whom served during World War II. My mother gave birth to 6 children, all of whom knew that priority #1 was a good education that would ensure a better life for them and their children. I never heard my parents threaten anyone to “look out” for the person occupying the White House as Goldberg did in 2008, when she dared “you white people” to “look out” because now there was a black man in the White House.

Next, the airlines have it wrong: mandate that all passenger luggage must be checked and transported in the cargo hold designed for that purpose, with the cost of that transport part of the price of the ticket, not a penalty fee. If there are passengers who absolutely must bring the contents of an over-sized backpack, a bulging roller board, and a temporary office in their briefcase, charge THEM to bring it on-board, creating traffic jams in the narrow passenger aisles as they cram all of that “luggage” into small, overhead bins. I am amazed at the volume of luggage passengers are allowed to bring onboard, and sometimes amused at what it takes to cram all those belongings into small bins designed for small items. I venture to guess that during an accident, such as a sudden downdraft that can pop the overhead bins open, more passengers are injured by the bulky, heavy passenger luggage stowed in the overhead bins than any other cause. Thus, if the airline personnel are not willing to monitor what’s being brought onboard and limit the size, as well as the weight of the items, they should require ALL luggage be checked.

Additionally, I am offended by the total sexualization of the media, such as the overt sexuality of the performances, as well as the costumes, on shows such as Dancing with the Stars, The Voice, X Factor, and Idol. These are all “talent” shows based on the participants’ ability to perform a skill with expertise that wins him/her the talent contest. Instead, we see Christina’s breasts barely covered by a series of garments designed to show off her private parts, especially when she r-e-a-l-l-y leans into the camera angle. Gilles Marini apparently won top votes not for his expertise as a dancer, but because his overtly sexual dance revved up Carrie Anne’s “babymaker,” causing her literally to fall off her chair in excitement. Contestants come to the preliminary rounds as “real” people, but compete in the performance rounds in stylized costumes that don’t reflect who they are and what they sing, but create a look that appeals sexually to audience members. On one of the make-over events on one of the daytime shows, a woman in a knee-length dress was accused of looking “old,” and the hostess suggested that she needs to “turn her sexy up” by wearing tighter, shorter, and more revealing outfits.

I cringe to think of the generations who are being raised with this mindset, both the young girls who have to meet this “sex” standard and the young males who are being urged into sexual relationships based on appearance, rather than on the content of a person’s character.

Finally, I am so glad that I have my new puppy, who is such a little love. She responds to her name, plays doggie toys with both me and the other dogs, and our potty training is going well. She has discovered her bark and joins the other dogs when they go to the fence to challenge anyone who comes onto their street. We did have a scare last week, when Cinnamon had her second in the series of puppy shots and reacted poorly to it, her eyes swelling shut and her tummy turning bright cherry red. We took her to the vet immediately, where she was given an injection of Benadryl, as well as an injection of steroids. No harm done, and she really slept well that night!