Stephanie’s Blog » 2009

Cultural Warriors. Are you one?

August 28th, 2009 by stephanie

Ok. So it goes without saying, when I blog about political issues, y’all really get to clickin’. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to notice the jump in traffic, from you all, when I share information that relates to our country.

With that, I came across a clip of a Marine, a veteran, that attended one of the now infamous, town hall meetings that are occurring across our land.

Now, I have to tell you, I had the amazing privilege of briefly traveling with a very famous Marine a few years back. At the time, I was in a job that allowed me the opportunity to assist a few days during one of Col. Oliver North’s book tours. There I was. Completely star struck. (I had watched every day during the Contra hearings). And now, here he was. In the flesh. And the man did not disappoint. He was a gentleman. I will admit, he had no qualms at all about chewing out any of the men on our travel team, but when it came to me, a lady, it was a different story. I got the red carpet. I will never forget that. Or him.

And too, years back, I dated a Marine. I even got to attend a Marine Corp Ball. (That is a pretty big deal by the way!) I was raised in the San Diego area, so a military beau wasn’t too uncommon. I will have to say, he was truly loyal and noble. At least, while he dated me. And I am grateful.

But back to this new Marine that I have not met, all I can say is this, once a Marine, always a Marine. And I can assure you, there is something about those Leathernecks. They do not disappoint.

Enjoy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xvFaJ8QC9U

Semper Fi, as they say.
Stephanie

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BURNED BRIDGES AND YELLOW BELLIES

August 25th, 2009 by stephanie

Have you ever watched someone throw a tantrum? Most of us have at one point or another. Better yet, can you remember the last time you may have been on the receiving end of someone with a temper? Those moments, along with the people who inflict them, wreak havoc. The person who loses their cool usually causes destruction to those in their path, before they storm off supposedly never to be seen or heard from again. But ironically, without fail, they come back. After repeatedly watching them act out then take their marbles and go home, you’d think they’d finally make good on their promise and stay away. But no. They usually return just like the tide.

The amazing thing to me, is the “how” they return. Out of the blue, they reappear. Usually unannounced. All happy and ready to start fresh. As if nothing ever happened. And you and I are supposed to play along. Smile. Make nice. One thought here: Elephant in the room!
Strange.

I always wonder what goes on in the minds of these people. I don’t think it even dawns on them that they have hurt anyone in their radius or diameter for that matter. And to be honest, I don’t think they really care. Or, at least, I don’t think they can. You can’t act like that and care about anyone other than yourself. Not when you throw a tantrum and attack anything and everything in the room. Worse yet, they truly rationalize their behavior. I guess they want you and I to just “accept” that they are passionate, emotional people. It’s all good– in their minds.

I recently had the experience where someone that I thought was gone, truly long gone – came back. This person had not been mean to me personally as much as they had been to others. As soon as they saw me however it was all hugs and howdies. I have to be honest. I froze up. Right then and there I had a decision to make. Give the cold shoulder, wander to the other end of the room, or simply be polite. I am ashamed to admit, I actually chose a bit of each option.

Now, don’t get me wrong. I can be very passionate myself. So much so that it has been known to get the best of me. And sometimes I get embarrassed. I unleash my thoughts or feelings on an issue and I completely forget that soft, sensitive souls within earshot just do not want to hear my rant and prefer not to be a a captive listener at the bottom of my soap box.

I am working on this. But I do believe it’s a bit different from those who don’t mind saying hurtful things with the intention of doing damage.

So what exactly are we to do with those who, after the storm has blown over and you have forgotten all about them, drag back in like the dog? I guess the best response might be this–no response at all.
They will continue to be who they are. They don’t necessarily see the need or a reason to change. Therefore, it is not our job (nor are we truly able) to “fix” them or the problems that come with them.

In addition? They’re not usually as tough as they seem to be or as they want you to think they are. Many times, they are simply bullies. Cowards if you will.

Ironically, a friend of mine admitted to me that she has been known to throw tantrums. She confided in me that the times she has “acted out” in life were the times she didn’t really know how to properly act during a crisis. Her ugly behavior was her way of trying to get people’s attention. To let them know that she was deeply hurting and needed help. Very understandable. I can appreciate that. But it doesn’t make it the best plan of action. Either for the person throwing the fire or for those left to brush off the ashes.

What are the people in the room supposed to do when someone loses control? The best thing to do is simply smile and go about your business. And perhaps a bit of healthy distance wouldn’t hurt. These folks will continue to burn bridges. You might as well stand back and watch the smoke from afar. Remember, where there’s smoke, there’s fire. And no one likes to get burned.

Just my thoughts.
S.

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August 22nd, 2009 by stephanie

Get your facts first, then you can distort them as you please.
- Mark Twain

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August 22nd, 2009 by stephanie

I have suffered a great deal from writers who have quoted this or that sentence of mine either out of its context or in juxtaposition to some incongruous matter which quite distorted my meaning, or destroyed it altogether
– Alfred North Whitehead

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Healthcare Reform. What exactly is it all about?

August 22nd, 2009 by stephanie

Tort Reform. Healthcare Reform. After awhile, it’s all a jumbled mess and the pundits have our minds spinning.

Legal reform. Defensive medicine costs (doctors defending themselves and their practices – which you and I pay for!) that waste billions of dollars and do nothing for the patients. Health care reform that benefits trial attorneys or patients? It can all be a bit confusing. Then, I happened across a bit of info that helped me clear up an issue or two. I hope it helps you.

“Many states…have enacted caps on lawsuit awards against health care providers. Texas enacted caps and found that one county’s medical malpractice claims dropped 41 percent, and another study found a “55 percent decline” after reform measures were passed. [4] That’s one step in health care reform. Limiting lawyer contingency fees, as is done under the Federal Tort Claims Act, is another step. The State of Alaska pioneered the “loser pays” rule in the United States, which deters frivolous civil law suits by making the loser partially pay the winner’s legal bills. Preventing quack doctors from giving “expert” testimony in court against real doctors is another reform.

Texas Gov. Rick Perry noted that, after his state enacted tort reform measures, the number of doctors applying to practice medicine in Texas “skyrocketed by 57 percent” and that the tort reforms “brought critical specialties to underserved areas.” These are real reforms that actually improve access to health care. [5]

Dr. Weinstein’s research shows that around $200 billion per year could be saved with legal reform. That’s real savings. That’s money that could be used to build roads, schools, or hospitals.
If you want to save health care, let’s listen to our doctors. There should be no health care reform without legal reform. There can be no true health care reform without legal reform.”

I have to say, this was news to me…
S.

Source: http://www.facebook.com/notes.php?id=24718773587

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August 20th, 2009 by stephanie

Genius does what it must, and talent does what it can – EBulwer-Lytton

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August 20th, 2009 by stephanie

Talent is always conscious of its own abundance, and does not object to sharing.
- Alexander Solzhenitsyn

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IF YOU’RE STUCK w/ SAND, MAKE A SANDCASTLE

August 20th, 2009 by stephanie

It’s a story of a harem girl that rose through the ranks, displaced the favored woman, and one day became queen. Believe it or not, it’s not the story of Esther in Persia from the Bible. But it does take place in what was the Turkish Empire (Persia was included), and it was more than a thousand years after Esther’s rise to fame.

Actually, it’s the the tale of a European woman (Christianized) who was captured by the Turks, sold into slavery, and managed to not just land in, but rise through, the ranks of the royal harem. And she managed to arrive during the very height of the Ottoman Empire.

Now, my memory of ottoman history not being what it should, this was all news to me. When I happened upon the story of this amazing woman, I was intrigued. I had to know more. One thing was certain, the king at this time, Suleyman, was the longest reigning ruler of the Ottomans (1500s) and ironically was also the first Sultan ever to marry one his women. She talked him into it for sure. This gal had it down! But who was she?

Suleyman’s wife was known as Roxelana in Europe and Rossa in Istanbul. She was a Ukranian slave who was most likely captured in what was called the Caucasus and was taken to the slave market in Istanbul. There, she was purchased for the sultan’s harem. Suleyman’s harem, like that of most Ottoman rulers already boasted four “chief” concubines – one of which would bear the sultan’s heir. He also had about 300 other concubines. Like Roxelana, most women in a sultan’s harem were slaves that were given, purchased, or captured in war by the Ottomans. Ironicallly, almost all of them were what they referred to as “Christians”. (Fascinating as this was a muslim ruled era).

But back to Roxelana. Her name, said to have been derived from the word “Rus”, was what they called Ukrainians and Russians (Muscovites) during the 16th century. Slavic historians say her original home was in the town of Rohatyn, now western Ukraine, but was part of Poland in the 1500s.

Roxelana obviously joined the lower ranks of the harem, but she didn’t stay there long. She somehow earned the nickname Khourrem meaning “Laughing One”. They say it was due to her high spirits and storytelling abilities. But her talents brought her just the attention she needed. She soon became one of Suleyman’s favourites and even was seen with him on several public occasions. This special treatment did not sit well with the mother of the future king, Gulfem (her son Mustafa was considered to be the heir to the Ottoman throne).

As with most famous personalites, she ended her life to mixed reviews. But Roxelana was the woman that won the heart and the ear of the king. Venetian Baylo Andrea Giritti described her as “ …a woman of the utmost goodness, courage and wisdom’ despite the fact that she ‘thwarted some while rewarding others”.

Interesting where our talents can take us. When used to the greater good. Where are your talents and abilities leading you?

To the aid of the greater good? To the betterment of a cause? Only you know.
S.
Prov. 22:29 ¶
Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will stand before kings; He will not stand before obscure men.

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August 15th, 2009 by stephanie

Death is a challenge. It tells us not to waste time… It tells us to tell each other right now that we love each other. – Leo F. Buscaglia

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August 15th, 2009 by stephanie

Seeing death as the end of life is like seeing the horizon as the end of the ocean. – David Searls

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