Racism is never acceptable. Period.

Enough with the hate and fear mongering.

If you, like me, spend a lot of time intermingling with people, you find you end up with a wide circle of acquaintances. Friends of friends and all that. You see them in passing and say "Hi" remembering how you met at this person's wine party or BBQ. You've met them shared a few pleasantries, but don't really know them? Do you really want to? Sometimes the answer is yes. For all accounts and purposes, they seem quite nice. With social media, six degrees of separation becomes very evident. It's pretty easy to find these people that you felt you had a small connection with, via Facebook, Google+ or whatever method you choose. Sleuthing is easy. One day you get that request. Seems harmless right? You accept. This is when you really start to find out what this person is all about. A few posts on social media and you can have a pretty clear picture of what you are dealing with. Sometimes you find that the picture painted reads like graffiti. Sometimes it reads like hate mail. Memes with racist content abound. Usually right next to a God posting. Whiskey Tango Foxtrot?!

If you have followed anything I've written before, you know I'm not a person that suffers fools gladly. (Yes, I see the irony of quoting scripture here based on my previous posts. It's literature too people.) You can be uneducated, but not stupid. Happens all the time. Brilliant people stuck in situations, with amazing talents. I'm seeing a lot more of what I thought were "educated" people, being down right stupid. You, personally, can't fix stupid. Stupid can be for life. It's a choice of far too many people.

I've had to take a look at who I'm friends/acquaintances with recently. The list has grown smaller. I'm seeing the quality in who you surround yourself with, as far as friends. I've taken to removing those posting hate for different religions. Those who judge by the color of your skin, and not the content of your character. I can not stand by quietly while differences are made to be reasons for fear and hate. Some difference are acceptable in relationships. Coke or Pepsi. Tacos or pizza. Chicken and waffles or pancakes. When it comes to the big stuff that reflects moral character, no contest. Bye Felicia.

I have gay friends. I have black friends, Native American, Indian, Hispanic and who knows how many different nationalities in the group! We all bleed the same.

Step up and stop the hate. Don't sit quietly and steam inside. That person speaking that hate is NOT your friend. Step up and walk away.

Donald Trump. He didn't start this, but he's added fuel to a smoldering fire in this nation. Don't let stupid become the new normal.

Go vote. VOTE. It's one way to stop the hate.

Houston, We Have A Problem.

I have many Gen Y friends and acquaintances. I've noticed a very startling fact in a lot of them, not all mind you, but a lot. Fact is they love to have all of the good stuff. They like to roll like the rich and famous, in name brand everything. High end SUVs, hand bags, sunglasses, jeans, and watches. You name it, they have it. They have made it a serious priority, at any cost. They want the house like their parents have right now. They are also bankrupting themselves to do it. Want it now? Charge it. What's scarier to me it what they are teaching their children by example.

Recently we were invited to one of these couple homes for a party for a little 2 year old. The house was, of course, decked out with all the best furnishings and amenities. Seriously, not jealous, but I know that even with our higher than average salaries I wouldn't be buying a house full from Ethan Allen. After seeing the house, the things this 2 year old had already received and the party decor, I felt the need to grab my gift and head out the door.  The child had already received a living room full of over the top gifts. The standard 2 year old gift was truly sub par for this 20 something family. Standard party games were so not going to happen, oh no, we had hired performers! FOR A 2 YEAR OLD! Come to find out there was a hired photographer to document the day. The same one had been used a week earlier to hold a "I'm 2" photo shoot complete with several changes of clothing and hair styles.

I weep for the future. This 2 year old is going to think that they deserve every thing on a silver platter, and you better get it for them right now. Imagine what happen when the teen years hit!

I left with a feeling of utter disgust. Next thing you will hear about is how it's so hard to raise this child with the tantrums and disobedience. Not going to surprise me in the slightest.

The Political Battle

I'm very careful not to go off all half cocked on issues that really have a tendency to be hot buttons for numerous people. I first write out what's triggering my open mouth, slack jaw reaction. After some time, I cool off a bit, go at the subject from a few different angles and then I sleep on it. The next day I can revisit what piece of the world revved my engine a bit to hard, edit my profanity as needed, and readdress the issue. (See years of therapy in play here.)

Today it wasn't just one issue, it was a few. I'm irritated by all the Obama bashing.

"A House divided against itself cannot stand." - Abraham Lincoln

Yes, it's originally a Bible verse, I'm not a religious person, as obvious in my prior rants, but it rings true of our country. We are currently at odds within our own boundaries. We have again turned brother against brother. I've watched, though the never blinking eye of social media, educated people, others less so, lambaste one another over what the others candidate did or did not do, what they wore or did not, what they commented on or what they chose not to comment on.

What people fail to address is that this is one man. One man, who no matter what anyone says, does not hold divine power over everything, either failing or being accomplished, in our country. Our Congress and Senate hold our government in check. If we are to look for the failings of our establishment we need to go to the root of the problem. If this tree is to bear fruit, a few branches will need to be trimmed for the health of the tree.

Look to your Senators and Congress men and women. How are they voting? What are they not voting on? Who are they looking out for? Are they trading their vote away? What is loading down the bills? We all know that they are so many things not even associated with bills that are slipped in under cover. The President alone can not cut funding to the military, cut health care, institute a plan without approval.

The color of his suit, how he saluted, where he was when "X" happened, his color or religion should have no bearing on the man's judgement or his determination. I grant the very few people would actually want to step into his shoes. The weight is heavy indeed. He carries it as best he can with the "tools" (Yes I meant that exactly like you think.) he is giving by us, the voting public.

So enough of the bashing. Agree to disagree. You do not have to hold the same ideal as another to be a friend, granted it makes it easier, but what's the fun in that.


Up next on the Rant - Twenty-somethings and living their lives in the open on social media or "Oh good lord! Did I really need to see that?"

Hang On To Your Rosary Beads Mom

Hi. I'm Rising Tide and I'm a recovering Catholic.There I said it. It's out. Now you know. 

I wasn't raised a total heathen, in fact it was quite the opposite. My dad was a dyed in the wool Catholic. My mom was a Presbyterian convert. I still remember when she was confirmed into the Catholic faith. What on earth possessed her! I digress. Every Sunday and Holy day I was dressed up and led off to church by the hand. I dreaded these days. In my youth it was little dresses, itchy tights and shoes that pinched. Oh how a dreaded church! Sitting in a hard pew for at least an hour being bored to death. "Listening" to a homily that was always to long and rambled terribly. May God have mercy on your soul if you didn't behave and had to be "taken out" to learn some manners. (Yes it means EXACTLY what you think it does.) You only got your hide tanned a couple times before you learned to sulk and follow the mass on cue in your sleep and backwards. Up until the last few years I could still follow along in my sleep. Ah things they are a changing. Well in the Mass format at least.

Wikipedia has this definition of Catholicism.

The doctrine, faith, practice, and organization of a Catholic church, esp. of the Roman Catholic Church.

Pretty vague huh? Over the years I've come to my own definition.

Catholicism. A secretive, male dominated, guilt oriented, organization filled with book upon book of rules and regulations to be followed so you MIGHT be allowed into heaven. 

Seems if you're divorced you're not getting in. Doesn't matter if he/she was an abusive, alcoholic, cheating arse. You signed on. You're in it for life. Deal with it.  If you're Gay you're not getting in either. Well maybe if you decide you aren't, but then there is the whole lying thing. Don't get me started on the gay priests, that's a whole other blog entry. (Not in a bad way, so keep your shorts on! I love the gay community.)

Oh I know I've heard it. "God is a merciful and loving God. The penitent man shall enter the kingdom of heaven." Well I sure hope the Pope, all those Arch Bishops, Bishops, Cardinals, Mon seigneurs, Priests (and any other ranking official I've forgotten) are on their knees promptly. 

Maybe I'm just to much of a free thinker, always have been. Abraham Lincoln was a free thinker. He made great strides for humanity. Granted he was advised to bury his thoughts on God by his aides. (Look it up. I'm not making this up folks. You can Google it.) I think I'm going to stick with good deeds and compassion for my fellow man. I can't judge you until I've walked a mile in your shoes or down your path in life. Organized religion is as flawed as the man who leads it.

In the end it comes down to this: Do the right thing. Cause no harm. Raise up your fellowman no matter what race, creed or religion.

Anyone seen my book on Buddhism?

And the winner is. *yawn*

I have to admit I stopped watching the award shows a long time ago. As much as I like movies and music they all seem quite pointless.

Seriously?! These people need awards to let them know that people like them? Really? I would think that the massive sales of  movie tickets and albums would be plenty for them to feel loved. Well that and their ever growing bank account.

Let's see here are some of the awards I can name off the top of my less than main stream head.

Emmy's
Oscar's
Tony's
Academy Awards
SAG Awards
BAFTA's
Grammy's
CMT's
VMA's
MTV's (a station that rarely even plays music anymore)
AMA's
ACA's (This ones new folks catch up!)
People's Choice Awards

That's just the household name ones! Most of these are not even voted on by the everyday joe!

So we have have mostly awards given to rich, and famous people by rich, and famous people. Huh?

With the acting awards at least the nominees show up dressed appropriately most of the time. You see amazing couture that is timeless, again MOST of the time.

Music awards it all about who can out freak the next guy. How about for one night we tame it down a notch and be respectful. Stand up against Communism, animal rights or whatever floats your boat another time. Grand standing is tasteless. You in the Red Riding Hood cape, I'm talkin to you.

And that what I think about that.

Christmas in paradise?

Bah! Humbug! Ok maybe that's a bit to strong, to quote The Waitresses. I deal with this every year. October rolls around, and I start hearing "only XX days until Christmas." That's the precise moment I turn into the Grinch or as my many shirts show, Oscar the Grouch. Could I please get into November before I start hearing about the ever Holy Christmas?!

Please don't get me wrong. Christmas is a wonderful time of year for a lot of people. I haven't been a fan of Christmas since about 1979. Yes I turned to the dark side at an early age. Lots of thing molded what I am today. My grandfather passed at Christmas that year but that isn't the only factor. Since this was my Dad's father it deeply impacted my dad. When most people were having a joyful Christmas we were having a funeral. Every year after that, a funk would settle over the house the closer we got to "D" day. All the joy just got sucked out of the season. It does not help that stores go so overboard pushing their biggest sales of the year. This year it was Michael's craft store with Christmas trees up BEFORE Halloween. Yeah I walked out and never came back.

After I left home, I tried to make Christmas more eventful with little success. I'd buy a tiny tree, decorate my crappy little apartments and wait to feel that inner happiness, that glow that comes with the season. Nope. Nothing. Don't get me wrong I love getting things for other people. I couldn't care less if I got anything in return.  It's not about getting something back.

Now I have my own children. I go through all the motions of a Happy Christmas. We go and cut our own tree. The kids get out the decorations and decorate the tree. I supervise. I have a millions boxes of decorations that go up. We shop together and I try not to swear at the crush of idiots I encounter. I smile at the joy they have. I still don't feel it. I figure at least they don't see that I'm missing it.

I find more joy in the every day things. A simple day with warm sun on my face and not a care to be found if even for an hour. I'm more of  a Jimmy Buffet kinda girl. There is more joy to be had everyday of the year than can be crammed into one crazy season. A warm breeze, soft sand, and sparkling water. That's how I want to spend Christmas. I don't want to see a pine tree within a 100 miles. As soon as my kids get old enough I'm going to make it happen.

Ah yes there it is! That happy warm feeling! Looking toward a future with a drink in hand and sand between my toes. Merry Christmas!

When did this become acceptable?

As I sat down this morning, once again I was assaulted by another "news piece" on Kim Kardashian. Why on earth is this woman, and her families exploitation, considered "news"?  I decided that maybe a little research was in order.

I'm not a "Reality" T.V. person. There is absolutely nothing real about anything on these programs. They are scripted just like everything else.

I'm not some voyeur that needs to see into lives of the rich and infamous. I don't need to own any piece of merchandise pedaled by these "celebrities" and never will.

So what made the Kardashians famous?  Answer: A Sex Tape.

Let me get this straight. SHE MADE A SEX TAPE. Porn stars all over the world make movies all the time and don't get the print time this woman got. Porn stars get shunned unless they mange to claw their way to the top (pardon the pun) and still don't see the press this woman gets.

We buy their products. We watch their shows. We feed the greedy animal of their lives our hard earned cash so we can feel like we have a part of a woman of low moral fiber. Kris Jenner is a nothing more than a high priced pimp. She objectifies her daughters and whores them out to the highest bidder. Sad.  I would never think this is ok. It is never acceptable to sell out your morals for money. I will never allow my daughter to purchase even one thing from ANYONE that shows this sort of disregard for themselves and others. The only thing the Kardashians love is your money and themselves.

That's all I'm going to say about that. I will now go back to avoiding everything Kardashian.