My advocacy is showing again

This post needs to be started off with a trigger warning - tw for short. That's how we used to abbreviate the term when it started in my chat rooms years ago. I still use it. This post is a rant about something that came up in a Facebook group lately. My opinion to a question about teen sexual assault survivors is strong and partially unrestrained. Those who may not be in a safe place may wish to leave, and I understand that. To those who chose to remain, don't say that I didn't warn you.

TW - Scroll down for the rest of the post.

The question about teen sexual assault survivors who were virgins at the time of the assault is this... "When I was 15 years old I was raped. Am I still considered to be a virgin in the sight of God?"

Don't ask that in a group I'm in if you don't want my response. Respond I did. Many of us stated our belief that God views virgins as having an unchanged status. Deuteronomy tells us that victims of sexual assault have done nothing wrong. Nothing.

It was heartening to see that many people in the group were supportive of victims. Of those who responded only one held out. He said that he could see where I was coming from, but that he believes that victims do not remain virgins. My blood pressure raised as we exchanged more messages. He attempted to settle down the conversation by tossing out a suggestion. Maybe we should agree to disagree? I told him no.

Why no? The answer that is below is the cause of the trigger warning. Polite conversation about teen victims of sexual assault was over. I was pissed and here is the result.

TW------------------------------------------

     Facebook membername: This is why I choose not to agree to disagree about victims of sexual assault and why I never will.

     I have been in the trenches where evil lives and wiped the tears away of a teenager while her father and brothers stood outside the exam room waiting for word on their baby girl/ little sister. I have looked into the grief stricken face of a mother faced with reconciling her own victimization from years ago, while watching her own daughter endure a similar exam in a cold hospital room. I have seen a grown man cry as he opened up about how being victimized derailed his entire life.

     No, I will not agree to disagree because it means being okay with a world that allows soldiers access to a teenage girl during a war that she had no say in - while her powerless mother crumpled to the floor. 

     I will not agree to disagree because it means giving in to a world where pain is real and the boogeyman lives in the closet, but down the hall or next door. Most of all, I will not agree do disagree because it goes against what I feel and believe as a woman and as a Christian. 

     I refuse to equate violence with horrific aggression. A woman doesn't lose her virginity by being forced to endure a horrific act. She loses her virginity when she freely gives herself to someone she knows and cares about, to someone who makes her happy, who loves her in return and treats her like the princess that she is - the princess that God created her to be. A male victim loses his virginity when he is with someone he loves the first time time too. Not when he is raped.

     The question put to us had neither a female or male gender to it. To view this question in terms of penis/vagina contact fails to allow for the many men who are raped. It also doesn't count women who are forced by other women or men who are forced by women or the many ways a person can be raped with something other than a penis. 

     The question seems simple. Getting to the answer is complex. But, the answer itself is no, a victim does not lose virginity until she or he freely gives without coercion, violence or in anything other than love (or at least out of personal desire). 

Do I believe that a person loses virginity through violence? No! In the Old Testament, He tells us that if a man rapes a woman that he is to be put to death, not her. That nothing is to happen to her for she has done nothing wrong. God knows and judges the heart of each person more than we do.and I believe that he views victims of sexual assault as being innocent. The passage in Deuteronomy instructs us, even as his voice whispers to us. 
 
   Please believe me when I say that I respect you and wish that I could agree to disagree. Life would be simpler that way. But I can't, and I hope you can understand. If not, I'm sorry. Many other people do.

Together we Stand

I realize that's some friends of mine are jubilant today and other friends of mine are in mourning. Let me challenge you to remember that no president is all good or all bad.

All presidents have made decisions that have been good for the country and all presidents have made decisions that have been bad for the country. The thing is that by and large the people of the United States have survived and weathered all storms.

We are a resilient and strong people in any era. For the most part we are kind, giving, and compassionate toward one another. The leadership going in needs our compassion and support whether we like the leader or not. The United States is all of us not just one of us. Together we stand.

Sanofi recalls Epinephrine Injector. Take action now.

I've been there and it's terrifying. Owners of epinephrine injectors need to check your pens at this website now. Thank goodness a friend sent me a Facebook message about Sanofi epinephrine Injector recall. This pen is used to safe the life of someone who is having an acute emergency reaction. You may have heard of someone having a special shot in case of bee stings? The epinephrine injector is that medication.

Her Facebook message to me is the first that I have heard about the recall. You can read the information about the Sanofi epinepherine injector recall online. This is terrifying news for anyone who may need this shot. I speak from experience.

I got caught up in an epinephrine pen recall in 1998. As with this recall, there potentially isn't/wasn't enough medication. Thank goodness that word spreads online now. I didn't hear about the problem until it was too late.


Nothing much happened when I got into onions once and had to use a recalled pen. Hubby had to call EMS. They came, took one glance, and injected me with  epinephrine from their stock. I improved quickly, but still required a hospital stay. We checked the pen after EMS told us about the recall. Sure enough, that epi pen had been recalled.

Read the Sanofi website to learn what to do with your epinephrine injector. Take it from someone who has been there. Don't gamble with your life or that of a loved one. Check out the website now.

Heck yeah #‎istandwithahmed‬

Back in the day, kids who had projects that exhibited brain power were praised. It stinks that the times have changed so badly. My usual claim to fame was the spelling bee. My family supported it because it was fairly easy and cheap. (Plus, Mother had been a spelling whiz back in her day, so that was on my side.) However, my grandfather worked on all kinds of two-way radios and had all the coolest tech devices known to man - for that day and age anyway.

In fourth or fifth grade he and I made a rudimentary electronic gizmo as a science project. My teacher was the incomparable Mrs. Koehler. The electronic plan was simple. Create a circuit board by screwing in an array of small bolts onto a wooden board. Wire in a tiny light bulb and run some wires to a few of the bolts - but not all of them. Double secure everything in the back with electrical tape so nothing comes loose when jostled. Stuff all this into a simple wood frame box and secure the back of the box closed with tiny hinges.

Then, take two metal alligator clasps and attach them to each end of a single wire. Clamp one end of the wire to a random bolt and put the other clasp onto a second bolt.

The concept is similar to jumping off a car battery. If you got the connection right, the circuit was completed and the light bulb would work. No connection. No light. Easy peasy.

For once in my life, it was carried to school a day before projects were due. I never had the best track record with school stuff. You can imagine the surprised look that Mrs. Koehler gave me for arriving with the project a day before it was due. She didn't expect it to show up, and she didn't know that my project was electronic. Come to think of it, I'm not sure Ahmed's teachers knew that his project was coming either. 

Good thing that my story happened back when middle school was still called junior high.

Good luck Ahmed! A lot of us are looking forward to following your NASA career.

‪

My dog was attacked by an off leash dog

Owners, leash your dog so no one gets hurt. Our precious dog, Tomlin, was attacked by a larger one  on our last road trip. We stopped at a dam outside of Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada to give him a break from the car. Everything was peaceful until the dog with the stupid owner arrived.

Our dog was properly harnessed, leashed and under our control. We had been walking around a few minutes before Stupid Dog Owner pulled in with his husky a way behind us and the two started walking. Hubby, Tomlin and I headed for the van when we saw the duo. The other dog reached us before we got there, sniffed Tomlin and dived in for his neck.

In the minute it took us to get Tomlin inside, Stupid Dog Owner was loaded up and flying out of the parking lot - gravel flying.The entire incident would have been prevented if Stupid Dog Owner had used a leash.

Leashes and harnesses aren't expensive. You can pick them up in a pet shop, Tractor Supply or even from Amazon. What's a few bucks compared with the life of an animal? Both dogs could have ended up seeing a vet (or worse) because one owner made a bad decision.

Here's the thing. You can't blame a dog for being a dog. Our pets are animals. They will think and react as animals no matter how much we love them. Leashing dogs is a way of giving back some of the love that they give us. It protects both animals and humans.

Failing to use a leash robbed him of the joy of pet ownership. Stupid Dog Owner and his beautiful dog lost a lot that day. Failing to leash his animal cost him the enjoyment that comes from responsible pet ownership. Now, every time they go out Stupid Pet Owner will probably be looking over his shoulder. I pray that this owner has learned to do better.

We tried getting the plate number as he roared off but only got a partial look. The RCMP officer in Whitehorse was sympathetic as he explained that little could be done without a full plate number. I knew that, but felt better for filing the report. Do yourself and your dog a favor. If you don't have a leash, get one soon.

New news about a learning disability or two

Most of you know that I've returned to school after a 25 year absence. My struggles have led me to get some educational testing done. The results have revealed no one, but two learning disabilities. One was made worse by the head injury sustained in 1995. The other was probably caused by it. That this should be discovered after so many years is a very, very bitter pill to swallow.

Flowers on Lewis and Clark Trail

All classes are going well except for math. Algebra has never been my strong point. Many years were spent beating my head against the wall trying to learn the meaning behind PEMDAS. FOIL wasn't so much an acronym as it is something that leftovers are stored in.

My problem with math is much worse than in years past. Letters are getting jumbled up like never before. Columns blend together and the difference between positive and negative are blurring. It took me about an hour and a half to work 15 problems on my math exam last time and I still failed it. Where I struggled before, I now find it nearly impossible. College accommodations may be my only hope of passing.

Everything takes much more time now and things get mixed up easier. We've laughed for years at my ability to get lost in a building or going to work. I've told the kids to put the clothes in the dishwasher on several occassions. That's okay though. They can always put the dishes in the washing machine later.

The most bitter pill to swallow is the reason for the head injury. If you've read my blog, then you know that I was beaten and sexually assaulted in 1995. The educational testing indicates that the head injury is the reason for several of my difficulties today.

I'm putting this in the context of one more thing to add to the list. Foot drop, my back and other health challenges are just as important as dealing with the learning disabilities caused by the head injury. Don't get me wrong. I'm mad as hell over the injury. However, unlike rabidly high blood pressure or a severe asthma attack, the head injury probably won't kill me.

I have a life to live and plan to live it. If college can happen in spite of foot drop, or after my financial aid appeal was denied, then it can happen despite a learning disability or two. Math and a few other things may be more of a challenge now. The diagnosis only clarify what we already suspected. They don't change who I am and I'm trying not to let it hurt my outlook for the short term.

I feel that if my foot could relearn how to walk last year, then one year, I may learn to fly. You never know what the future holds. Learning disabilities, health challenges or not, faith is for believing and life is for living. Why do anything else?

Exiting early from a military concert is disrespectful and rude

The Army Field Band and Soldier's Chorus performed in the small town where I live. The high school gym doesn't have the best acoustics but the concert was excellent. Patriotic tunes and ragtime hits stole the show. The performers did their country proud. An encore of the Star Spangled Banner was performed that would have made John Phillips Sousa proud. However, I don't think that he would have been as proud of the audience.

I was saddened to see people leave during the encore. Exiting early from a military concert is disrespectful and rude. Except for the family with a crying child, there was no reason that all audience members couldn't have waited the few extra minutes that it took for the concert to end. It only took a few minutes to leave the high school parking lot after the concert.

Leaving early wasn't simply wrong, but those who left missed a real treat.

Goodbye Yahoo Contributor Network; Hello, new world of internet writing

The Yahoo Contributor days are officially over. Profile pages now redirect to the main Yahoo search page as does the main url for Voices. Work created by what the company said was 600,000 writers has now been removed. What was there only a little while ago is now gone.

They warned us that the end of the Yahoo Contributor Network was coming. We had some time to get ready. Still, the deletion comes across like a kick in the gut. The loss is tangible.

I'm not talking about the loss of content from the internet airwaves but the loss of a home. For many writers, the Yahoo Contributor Network was a starter home in the world of content sites.

The company, and it's predecessor known as Associated Content, launched careers and spring boarded others. Without the platform some people might never have taken their first tentative steps into the writing world.

Now, in the click of a button, all of that is gone.

I heard it said once that endings are beginnings turned inside out. Even as we mourn the loss of the Yahoo Contributor Network, writers are already hard at work. New careers will emerge from the ashes. Writers are becoming editors. Bloggers are intensifying their efforts. Most (if not all) will sharpen our quills and fine tune our writing focus.

Here's to a new world of online writing! Keep following this and my other blog. The best, as they say, is yet to come.

Church versus strippers: Hate is winning

We are hearing lots about an Ohio story about a church versus strippers. As a Christian, I feel a duty to live my life the best that I can to strippers, churchgoers and everyone else. My belief is that the Bible is the inherent word of God and that Jesus taught us how to live by word and deed.

What does this mean to me when it comes to a church versus strippers? Not everyone will appreciate my views and not everyone has to.

In the end, I am responsible for own thoughts and opinions as a Christian. Let me note that this is purely my point of view and do not represent any denomination. Open discussion is welcome in the comments section. Hatred is not.

Here are some examples that I found:

Blog work never ends

What has to be the world's largest search engine just tweaked how they do things. I can't blame them for trying to deliver a better search experience. However, it means a great deal of time will now go into revamping my blogs.

National Bison Range, Montana

Blog articles that are in the pipeline will have to wait a few more days. I'm not sure yet how much Gayle Crabtree . com will be effected (if at all). I'm going to let things sit for a few days.

In the meantime, why not head over to www.youvebeenreviewed.net and read about our mission trip experiences. Montana is an amazing state. Despite problems getting the kids to behave, our team got some work done and had a good time.

You'll see what I mean when you read the article. Type "Montana" into the search box in the upper left hand corner of You've Been Reviewed. That should bring the articles up. You may want to sign up to receive them by email. I'll be posting more in a few days - when the internet fallout settles.

Nigerian schoolgirls deserve better #BringBackOurGirls

Rant warning. Unless you've been hiding under a rock, then you've heard about the Nigerian schoolgirls who were stolen. From their school. In the dead of night. By men who at first said they were there to rescue them from nearby fighting.

If you've not read about the Nigerian teenage girls that were stolen, then you can read about it on Yahoo! News. Then, you can read about how the leader of the terrorist group plans to sell the girls. Go ahead. Don't worry. I'll wait.

As many as 276 girls are missing. These girls aren't numbers. Each one has a name, a family, people who love them. People who may never see them again.

Their names are listed below.

Blog is back to usual after domain snafu

We are up and running again! My blog is back to usual after a domain snafu took it down for about a week. It was an arduous process but we made it.

The problem was in the auto-renewal of my www.gaylecrabtree.com domain. It was supposed to renew automatically on October 15 but didn't. Older blogs have to be transferred to a new system and I didn't get the memo.

Rocks: Glacier National Park

Fixing the problem took about a week and a marathon conversation with support. I finally was able to speak with a live person who could walk me through the process.

A new account was created on the new system, everything was re-entered. Payments aren't processed by Google Wallet anymore so that brought on more challenges.

My domain is renewed for another year. Information on the Sunday service will go up later this week and life is good again .

Note to bloggers: If your blog is older and hosted on Blogger, then you may want to check the settings. My blog is four years old and is the primary depository for my sermons, posts about homelessness, rants and life as I live. Losing all of that would have made me very sad and a little angry at the powers that run internet-and.

Having the domain renewed is a blessing. It's nice to be able to get back to work.

Psst!
In case you're looking for it, my previous post was about our Church prayer service. It was based on Psalm 106. This was a first for one of my churches and it went very well.

Service dog etiquette breach

My daughter and I were at a meeting when there was a service dog etiquette breach. As per his pattern, our service dog was quietly laying on the floor in front of us. Before the meeting began, a few friends stopped by to pet him and say hello. This was okay because he knew them and because the meeting hadn't started yet. When my daughter gave the command, he quietly laid down in front of her.

 About 30 minutes into the meeting a woman got up, went to the water cooler and placed a cup water in front of our dog. He lapped at it and laid down. Then, he got up, looked around and began to act restless. His concentration was completely broken. The woman continued to give me the evil eye even after my daughter and dog left the meeting. (A gaze which I returned in kind.)

What she didn't realize (or care about) is he was taken out and offered water during every break. As a trained service dog, this pattern is part of his training. It is what he has come to expect and understand. He doesn't expect a stranger to suddenly stick a hand in front of his face for any reason.

The lady was rude in her assumption that we are bad "doggie parents". We can assume that she was motivated by compassion. However; the service dog etiquette breach has had predictable ramifications. What took months of training was broken in a minute. He is now looking for attention from strangers. Had the woman asked, we would have explained. Now, all we can do is get back to work.

By the way, in case he was thirsty, my daughter gave him more water when she took him outside. He didn't drink a single drop. Go figure.

Cold hearted supervisor punishes paramedic for keeping elderly man warm

File this in your "the world is going crazy file". A Detroit paramedic says that he's being punished for giving a blanket to a cold man. Apparently the paramedic failed to ask permission before giving away alleged government property of a donated blanket. I know. I had to read the news article twice before my brain could digest it.

Paramedics are trained to save lives. They can never be paid enough for the job that they do. EMS employees do it because they have compassion. Their training and instinct is to help people. In this case, the crippled elderly man was rescued from his burning home, on a cold Detroit night while wearing nothing but his underwear.

The paramedic who is being punished acted out of compassion and concern. The cold man was able to be warm. There was one less patient to take to the ER because of hypothermia and the paramedic who gave the man a blanket is almost a hero. Well, more or less. In reality, he says that he is being brought up on EMS departmental charges.

I think that the Detroit EMS supervisor needs to get a life. I can see no reason to for his alleged reasoning. Can you? Punishing EMS workers for doing what they are trained to do is ludicrous. The paramedic who gave away the blanket may have prevented the cold from making the man sick or worse.

The supervisor says that they can't have their staff giving away government property. If the paramedic was giving away high dollar medications, then I would say he's right. But, to punish a paramedic from giving away a blanket is just wrong.

Hopefully, the supervisor will change his mind. We never know what happens in our future. Had he had been in the elderly man's shoes, he would probably have wanted some way to stay warm. If it ever does happen to him, I hope that someone like the paramedic who is being punished has a blanket to give away. I know that I would be grateful. What do you think?

Rep Todd Akin announces the Smart Uterus anti-pregnancy device

For days now, I have been composing my thoughts on how to respond to the remarks by Rep. Todd Akin, R-Mo about pregnancy after rape and his anti-abortion stance. Before writing this article, I hoped to simmer down so my red hot anger wouldn't cause me to write something regrettable. So far, no good.

My mind is still trying to figure out how an elected official can be so idiotic. The basis for Rep. Todd Akin lunacy is seemingly based on research by Dr. Fred Mecklenburg. (You don't even want to know where some of this doctor's "research" based on.) The whole idea that rape can't cause pregnancy is ludicrous and should be stuffed in a, well... never mind.. 

In the supposed brain of Rep. Todd Akin, women seem to have been gifted with a recent upgrade. Yes, ladies, we have apparently been endowed with the "Smart Uterus". According to Dr. Fred Mecklenburg and Rep. Todd Akin, the Smart Uterus comes complete with a special sperm stopping sensor that activates anytime a legitimate (whatever that is) rape occurs.

Yes, ladies. That's one less thing that we have to worry about. However; it doesn't look likes Santa Claus will have this under the tree this holiday season. Early tests are indicating that there some flaws in the Smart Uterus operating system.

An alleged software upgrade known as Stop Rape 2.0 may help. This involves intense education, prevention and awareness courses to prevent all sexual assaults. This is said to be the cure for preventing rape related pregnancy but is still in development. Currently, the Smart Uterus failure rate results in approximately 32,101 rape related pregnancies annually. Most people contend that any failure rate in Stop Rape is too high.

Meanwhile, advocates across the country continue to push for a cure. They are working on another software upgrade called Respect 3.0. These programs will be designed to operate on Common Sense platform 1.0. (Note: There is a rumor that hackers will be releasing a special program for politicians known as 11.6.12. Expectations are that this will spread quickly among the political ranks).

These all sound good but Rep. Todd Akin (who may be the recipient of 11.6.12) seems to be looking at the rape related pregnancy issue as more of a complication than a rape prevention issue. Currently, the only options for women who experience a rape related pregnancy are morning after pills or abortion. Neither choice is optimal. For now, at least they are choices.

However; if Rep. Todd Akin has his way, those options will be off the table. Women who experience rape related pregnancy or life threatening health related issues will have to suffer. Hopefully, Common Sense platform 1.0 or virus 11.6.12 will be unleashed before more damage can occur. Only time will tell.

In the meantime, if someone you know is dealing with a sexual assault issue help is available. The Rape Abuse Incest National Network (RAINN) operates a 24/7/365 toll free hotline. The number is 800-656-HOPE. It is the best place for sexual assault victims to receive support until Respect 3.0 and Stop Rape 2.0 are fully operational.

With elected officials like Rep. Todd Akin, the RAINN hotline is be our best defense until 11.6.12 is unleashed.

Victims voices sometimes lost in death row cases

Death row and the death penalty are making headlines The execution of Troy Davis in Georgia is bringing the matter in front of Americans once again. Among the many people who are debating right from wrong there is one group of voices that are being drowned out. The voices of the victims are being drowned out.

I'm not going to debate if rapists should receive a death row sentence. My feelings on that have been made perfectly clear in other blog posts. Instead, this article is about the victims of crime and what they go through.

Crime victims are allowed to deliver a victim impact statement to the court. These can help the court understand the impact of what was done to them. Death row is a hard place for anyone to put another person. Those who understand this reality best are the victims of crime.

Other than in court (and sometimes not even then) we hear the loudest is the view point of the perpetrator's family. Whether they realize it or not they too are victims of crime. I can understand why they protest the death penalty. It has to be hard to have a family member who is on death row. However, it can be just as hard to be a victim of crime.

To me, it's a shame that media doesn't report more on this. The voices of the victims should be louder. But unfortunately, the media doesn't pick up on that sometimes. All too often their thoughts on death row only get a mention and often not even that.

Crime victims live in a death row all their own. They become afraid to leave home, go outside or live. The smallest tasks become overwhelming. It can take lots of support and years for a victim to feel fully recovered. For some rape victims it will take a lifetime to overcome what happened to them.

So should rapists who perpetrate especially aggravated rape be on death row? If the defendant is found guilty and that's what the victim wants, why not? Leave your thoughts in the comments section below.

Therapy dog helps 15 year old rape victim put rapist behind bars

If a therapy dog helps a 15 year old rape victim testify isn't that a good thing? Kids are taught that bad guys go away. They're taught good-touch-bad-touch and they're told to tell. Then, they're told to keep telling until an adult finally listens.

In a child's world kids are taught that monsters aren't real. Children who fall have their boo-boos kissed away and are given something soft to comfort them. They're told that police, teachers and parents are the good guys and that people who rape kids are the bad guys. Kids learn that they have the right to be comforted and that no one has the right to hurt them.

That's the way it works in an ideal world. The problem is that we don't live in an ideal world. Some kids find out that monsters are real. They learn fast that they may not be comforted and they grow up scared. Worst of all they find out that a 15 year old can be a rape victim.

So, if a cute fluffy dog gives a 15 year old rape victim courage to testify what problem could there be? The idea seems innocent enough.

The objection comes from a defense attorney who says that he can't cross examine a dog. He claims that the jury that found his client guilty could have been unduly influenced by a cute dog that gave a 15 year old rape victim the courage to testify against his client.

The last time I checked juries are adults. Adults are old enough to discern the truth and base their decisions on it. They're smart enough to base decisions on facts, not fur.
 
Personally, I'd like to shake the paw of any  therapy dog that helps a 15 year old rape victim testify. Attorneys sit next to their client in the courtroom. The article linked below indicated that the defendant had two attorneys at his side. Essentially, the defendant had four legs by his side. That must have brought him comfort or encouragement as the proceedings went on.

Rape victims aren't comforted when they testify. Yet all victims, teens and children included, have to tell their story to a courtroom full of adults. Children and teens can only hope that adults will believe them. When this 15 year old rape victim spoke, 12 people listened and chose to put the bad guy away. That's the way the world is supposed to work.

When I read Dog Helps Rape Victim 15 Testify on the NY Times it made me want to say 'Good job, Rosie!

Most of all, it made me want to say the same thing to the courageous 15 year old who testified and to the 12 who believed her. To them I say, good job.

Repulsive Fluid Salon ads seems to promote domestic violence

This Fluid Salon ad appears to promote domestic violence. At least that's what came to my mind when I first saw it. Kudos to Copyranter for bringing this to the world's attention.

Everyone once in awhile an ad or video comes along that leaves me speechless. When I see something that appears to be completely stupid I want to pick up the phone and ask "What were you thinking?" With this Fluid Salon ad that seems to promote domestic violence I can't decide if I want to throw up or yell at someone first.

In the advertisement a well dressed woman with perfect hair is sitting on a couch. What appears to be a fur is draped across her shoulders. The man behind her looks like the cat that ate canary. It could be a picture of two people who are ready for a night out on the town.

One small detail is amiss in the Fluid Salon ad. It's not her hair or her outfit. It's the black eye that the woman is wearing. To many, showing any photo of a battered woman who is not seeking help is promoting domestic violence. Who would want that kind of advertising for their business?

The salon owner said she went with the ad to get people talking about her salon. She has her wish. People are talking about her salon. I just don't hear anyone saying anything good about it. To think that the owner is unapologetic seems to add insult to injury.

There are six ads in the series. One is of a woman who appears to be homeless. She is sitting outdoors on a dirty mattress and smoking a cigarette. The photo reminds me of a sex worker caught in a human trafficking ring. I think both are completely repulsive.

The only potential silver lining in this cloud is that now the owner of the salon will now donate to a domestic violence program. All that customers need to do is mention the Fluid Salon ad. Of course, some 'customers' will no doubt want to skip the salon in favor of directly donating to their local domestic violence agency.

A post from the creative consultant who created the campaign appears on the Fluid Salon blog. She writes that she is 'excited' about the controversy created by her work and says she never meant to cause any harm. Then she spends the next several paragraphs justifying herself and her work.

Her mother, a domestic violence survivor and former shelter director, chimes in at the end of the blog post. You can read the article here.

After reading the article, and seeing the advertising photos for Fluid Salon that seem to promote domestic violence, I just have to ask one question. Really, what were you thinking?????


View the photos here http://adland.tv/ooh/fluid-salon-look-good-no-matter-how-often-he-beats-you-what

Pat Summitt should step down when she is good and ready

Pat Summitt should step down when she's good and ready and not one moment sooner. That's my opinion and I'm sticking to it.

As an East Tennessean who grew up applauding the achievements of Pat Summitt, I feel the need to speak out about the article Pat Summitt Shouldn't Continue Coaching. The writer is none other than Dan Bernstein -
CBSChicago.com Senior Columnist.

UT Lady Vols coach Pat Summitt recently revealed that she has been diagnosed with early onset dementia. Dan Bernstein writes that she should retire immediately. As a woman and an East Tennessean I feel that she should step down when is good and ready and not one minute sooner.

Her symptoms led her to search for answers that were found at Mayo Clinic a few months ago. She talked with her doctors, family and the folks at the University of Tennessee. With their support Pat Summitt chose to make a public announcement about her diagnosis. Her medical condition rocked Knoxville and has reverberated around the country. But, she isn't ready for the rocking chair just yet and I say good for her!

In reference to the above article, I'm shocked and deeply saddened that Mr. Bernstein wrote with such conviction about a woman he admittedly knows very little about. He calls for Pat Summitt to step down immediately.

In so doing, he denies her the ability to make her own decisions and questions the athletic director of the University of Tennessee. Then, he seems to question the support of her doctors and the ability of the students she works with to decide for themselves.

Frankly, I don't know much about her either. My knowledge is limited to hearing about her career and being inspired by it. It comes from hearing people credit her for pushing women's basketball into the forefront of college athletics around the globe. What was once seen as a second string sport is now a major force on both the college and professional level. I've heard many say that Pat Summitt deserves much of the credit.

I've also heard about her tireless efforts on behalf of the less fortunate. The generosity that she has shown to the community is legendary. Almost every nonprofit in the area has received signed basketballs or other items that were used for fundraising. Many nonprofits call her hero for speaking at dinners or otherwise raising funds.

Pat Summitt is gutsy, smart and seems to be able to bring out the best in people.  To be successful in any field you have to know when to push and when to back down. In short, you have to know your abilities and your limits.

Women like this don't come around every day and when they do, the women deserve to be given the respect they command. When something goes wrong (as it inevitably will) they don't deserve to be kicked to the curb and sidelined.

Early onset dementia is a terrible disease. Thousands of people around the country are afflicted. Most will never speak up about the disease and will hide their symptoms until the very end.

By speaking out, Pat Summitt has shown courage and has given hope to the many who will suffer from dementia. With the support of those around her, Pat Summitt has chosen to face her disease head on when she could have simply remained quiet. It is another action for which she is considered a role model for others to follow.

Sorry, Mr.Bernstein. I believe that Pat Summitt, her doctors, athletic director and students have the ability and the right to decide for themselves. No one knows how long her abilities and memories could be valuable to the team and that decision isn't ours to make.

She is surrounded by the best people in the business on several levels. If they feel that Pat Summitt shouldn't step down until she's good and ready then that's good enough for this UT Lady Vols fan. Hopefully it should be enough for everyone else too.

More information can be found on:
WBIR Facebook page
Wear Orange to Support Pat Summitt
Go Vols Extra - Pat Summitt

(Note: This opinion article was edited at 5:39 pm on 8/26/2011 to correct typographical errors. Sorry about that folks.)

I'm enjoying our Netflix account in part because we can rent movies and documentaries that don't necessarily make the current top ten list. This is how we came to watch the film an Inconvenient Truth. In it, Al Gore outlines his argument about the global warming reality. His arguments are convincing and back up with data and charts. It is an impressive presentation but not one that I needed.

Glacier National Park July 2009

When we lived in North Carolina we felt the impact of global warning. Thanks to drought, the water supply for the town next to ours dried up. The citizens there could only do laundry on certain days of the week. Some had to go to the store to buy water or get some from friends.

Fortunately, these measures didn't last forever. My concern is that one day they will be in place forever because of global warming. Only, it won't just be a small town in North Carolina but across the country and across the world.

In 2009 my daughter and I traveled to Alaska by car. Citizens of Alaska told us about global warming is effecting their environment. Climate change is everywhere there. The thing was, we couldn't see it. Unless you live in a place you can't grasp the changes. You can only hear the stories.

Glacier National Park entrance sign 2009

On the way back we stopped at Glacier National Park. We heard more stories there. The staff at the National Park told us that the glaciers are disappearing. They are already doing PR for when that day comes. The area was forged because of glaciers. When they disappear in a few years the park will still be named Glacier National Park in memory of the way it was formed.

Standing there made me sad. I and my daughter were standing there looking at something that her children may never be able to see. It made me feel as though we are robbing them of part of their future.

Glacier National Park 2009

I don't have grandchildren yet. Maybe one day I will be able to see them and stand with them in front of a glacier.

Global warming effects all of us. The global climate change will certainly impact the next generation. I can remember several times in my childhood when it snowed for Christmas. My children can only remember a couple. 

Hubby's job has an annual conference that he's required to attend and I usually go with him. It's been held in the same place in the mountains, on the exact same weekend for generations.

Our first year to attend this conference was in 1995. It was so cool then that we hit the Wal-Mart to buy jackets. This year, air conditioning had to be installed in the 100 year old auditorium.

I didn't need to watch an Inconvenient Truth to know that the earth is in trouble.

But, I did need to go to the website climatecrisis.net for more ideas on how my household can make a difference. It turns out that we're doing pretty good. The website also gave me ideas on how my family can work harder to combat the global warming.

We're going to put some changes in places in the near future. We're only one family but every thing we can do will help lessen the problems of global warming.  My grandkids deserve to see those glaciers. Don't yours?