In case you haven't heard

Right Network launches in Summer 2010



Update: Another vid. I do so like the Colonel.

Nasty little things called Trolls

Several years ago I was an admin for an online discussion board for parents. There were a variety of users, such as pregnant moms restricted to bed rest with only a laptop as a social life line, women who were having little to no success in trying to conceive a child, and parents of children with special needs and/or illnesses. To be sure, if you have ever been in any of these women’s shoes, you would recognize the value of such an online community in providing such a priceless resource for information, comfort, and fellowship.

From time to time, I’d have to drop everything and track IP addresses/block user access as someone was trolling. An anonymous user would flame, provoke, or deliberately give false or derogatory information- just to stir the pot. Repulsive, isn’t it? To prey upon some these very real women, with very legitimate concerns, just to get a rise or mock or insult?

It was obvious that some trollers were there simply to promote their own egos. Someone wasn’t getting enough love in their off-line lives. However, some trollers seemed to 'live to hate' by infiltrating, acting as “one of us”, and then bringing out the dagger through character assassination, rumors, and double-speak. I’m sure Satan himself is flattered with the imitation.

Wikipedia’s definition of Troll, quoting an excerpt from Judith Donath:

Trolling is a game about identity deception, albeit one that is played without the consent of most of the players. The troll attempts to pass as a legitimate participant, sharing the group's common interests and concerns; the newsgroups members, if they are cognizant of trolls and other identity deceptions, attempt to both distinguish real from trolling postings, and upon judging a poster a troll, make the offending poster leave the group. Their success at the former depends on how well they — and the troll — understand identity cues; their success at the latter depends on whether the troll's enjoyment is sufficiently diminished or outweighed by the costs imposed by the group.

Trolls can be costly in several ways. A troll can disrupt the discussion on a newsgroup, disseminate bad advice, and damage the feeling of trust in the newsgroup community. Furthermore, in a group that has become sensitized to trolling — where the rate of deception is high — many honestly naïve questions may be quickly rejected as trollings. This can be quite off-putting to the new user who upon venturing a first posting is immediately bombarded with angry accusations. Even if the accusation is unfounded, being branded a troll is quite damaging to one's online reputation.

For those of you with experience using online communities, this explanation is totally on the money.

I ask you, how is trolling online any different than trolling…say…the Tea Party Protests?

Jason Levin, is spearheading the infiltration effort to "act on behalf of the Tea Party in ways which exaggerate their least appealing qualities" and "damage the public's opinion of them."

Is it not repugnant enough (or perhaps deranged/psychotic/pathological) to, not only deliberately disguise one’s self as someone they are not, but to then infiltrate themselves into a legitimate group for the purpose of destruction?  I can almost comprehend the method, if coming from a psychopath.  But this Jason dude is a middle school teacher! (Oregon, home-school your kids NOW!)

It was delightfully gratifying seeing images of Tea Party protestors carrying signs that reveal these creatures for who they are. Signs read “Infiltrator- This person is NOT with us”, and “We’re not with STUPID” (arrow pointing to real live troll).  Ironically, I’m kind of glad these trolls are out there, as they’re doing the self-reporting that the media is not. So....

My utmost gratitude to the “Crash the Tea Party” Troll movement.  Your unintended consequences makes the point much better than I ever could.

Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition!

"10" has recently been introduced to the world of AirSoft gaming, which are like BB guns, only safer.  He scoots in from school, goes through the cycle of homework and chores, suits up in his version of Kevlar (a long-sleeved Under Armour shirt), and heads down to the neighbor's as fast as his little "10" legs will carry him.  There's a scheduled mission, after all.

As if taken directly from the script of 24, thanks to "10" and his three pint-sized partners, tens of thousands of American lives have been saved and our world is secure after only two hours on the battlefield.  Rinse. Repeat.

It's the same scenario every day as my little troop returns home from combat- exhausted, filthy, ravenous.  No matter where I am in the house or what chore I'm doing, "10" will follow me from room to room giving me the details of his heroics, complete with head-spinning detail and sound effects (where do they learn these sounds and why is it that only the male species can make them?). 

"Man down! Man down!" is one of his favorite lines.  As is "Enemy Fire!" and "I've got your back!".

I've got your back.

"15" wants to be a pilot when he grows up (some more). Thus far he has his college career semi-planned and is still exploring his military options to see which path is the right fit for him. He's also loaded up his AP Math's and Science's for the remaining two years of high school.  So far so good, with the exception that he still doesn't think History is as important as Physics.  I'm still working on that one. "15"s loyalty to his friends is immeasurable.  Any troop would be lucky to have "15" supporting him.  He can say with full commitment and conviction:

I've got your back. 

Which brings me to my (not-so-little-anymore) cousin, Greg, who will shipping out (again) with the US Navy to the UAE, leaving this coming Monday for an 8-month tour.  I can't shake images of him holding on to his Teddy Ruxpin Bear, much less trying to imagine this sweet, calm, and loving family man holding on to a machine gun.  But alas, he is 'all that', and I am left with no doubt that this old soul in a young man's frame has my back.

We will pray for your safety daily, Greg-er-dee.  Remember that every action you take, and the integrity in which you carry out your duties, is befallen upon the eyes of those growing up behind you. As is the integrity of the US Electorate in representing its defenders.

I will take advantage of your absence by reasserting my status in the family as the favorite niece/nephew, but have no fear.  You'll earn that title back when you return, especially if you lay on thick the details of your heroics, complete with sound effects.  For the love of God, if you throw in an "uphill, through 10 feet of snow, bare-footed" clause, I will puke on your boots.

Ribbing aside, you are every parent's dream and you make us proud.  We love you dearly.

Racism Getting Under My Skin

I’m thinking about one of my closest grade-school friends today. She and I sat next to each other in homeroom for 6 years, were on the cheerleading squad together for too many years to count, and played softball together. Well, softball for not as long. Once I reached high school I realized I wasn’t very good at it and figured embarrassing myself, even in front of the one spectator that usually showed up, wasn’t good for my ego. One of my favorite memories together was our trip to Myrtle Beach upon high school graduation. I endured a very long car ride with her incessant bragging about how much better in a bathing suit she looked than me. It’s true, 5’7 legs do look a lot better than 5’3 legs, but my feet were smaller and cuter, so that made up for it. So there.

Alas, my friend is black. Race wasn’t an issue for us growing up, unless we divulge how I made fun of her little pink curlers that she had to wear to bed, or that hideous all-80’s mushroom hairstyle that she wore. I would also divulge how, when sporting our winter cheerleading skirts, she would advise me to run, not walk, to the nearest tanning salon as my blinding white legs were putting her eyes out. Ugh, sooo dramatic. We won’t talk about the many times she’d just shamefully shake her head at me whenever I tried out one of the latest dance steps in front of her. Ok, she one-upped me there. This white girl could never dance, but I could at least sing better. So there…again.

One of many things we both saw equally well was that there weren’t enough hours in the day to listen to New Edition and ooh-la-la over those 4 sexy baby-faces. If you were a female in high school in mid-late 80s and followed them through to BBD, you’re totally feeling me right now.

Shortly after high school I moved to Orlando from NC, she moved to Atlanta, and as typical of long-distance high school pals, our paths haven’t crossed since other than Facebook and emails. I did make other friends who, just like “C”, reminded me I couldn’t dance (courtesy of my black friends), nor could I cook (courtesy of my Hispanic friends), nor could I speak correctly (courtesy of my Indian friends…ok…to even my white buddies that weren’t originally from the South). Heck, I couldn’t even drink rum the right way (courtesy of my Caribbean buddies). Seriously, at the end of the day, does it really matter how you drink your rum (assuming you’re not hanging over a toilet)?

My oldest son’s one and only serious girlfriend: Hispanic. My middle son’s 2 best friends in the whole wide world: Hispanic and Black. My youngest son’s best friends are of a mixed race as they exist in the form of Pokemon. Should I be concerned?  Racial barriers are non-existent to my children. I take that back. Race, itself, is very evident to them, such that the issue is so over-the-top supersensitive, they crack jokes about it.  For example, "A" will say his mom's new car is black.  "K" will call him a racist and laugh.  "B" will say he likes red jellybeans better; "R" will call him a racist and laugh.  Sad, that it's gotten this ridiculous, isn't it?

I hate even having to point this out because it almost sounds like we're living per a quota of some sort.  Some would say that just because one has black or hispanic or asian friends, that one would still not appreciate the plights of these minorities.  Well, a. I am a woman so I am some sort of minority myself, and b. I wasn't exactly at Golgotha either but totally appreciate the whole Jesus sacrifice thing and try to live my life by it.

I’m tired of the predictable cries of racism to anyone who opposes the liberal agenda. I’m tired of aging baby-boomers’ attempts to extend their racial insecurities to my generation and that of my children. I’m tired of being told by the elitist left that I couldn’t possibly be offended by government ownership of the auto industry, healthcare industry and financial industry; that my issue with Obama is that he is black. They simply can’t grasp that it’s the message, not the messenger, that’s being opposed. Um...hello...Pelosi and Reid aren't exactly black liberals and I oppose them for the very same reason.  It’s so ironic that the generation before me was so gung-ho on ‘content of character’, yet these are the very people who won’t let go of ‘color of skin’.

I had the pleasure of attending a Town Hall this past Friday night for District 24. Our House Rep, Suzanne Kosmas, was a no-show. She declined before knowing the date and location. Speaking to us was Frantz Kebreau, who expressed our unity as Americans, not (insert race here) Americans. He is the President of the NAACPC , or, National Association for the Advancement of Conservative People of ALL Colors. Lloyd Marcus (Tea Party Express) is CEO.

The association’s Facebook page states:

The concept of a colorblind society is built upon the teachings of our greatest thinkers in society. As Thomas Jefferson once articulated, “We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal…” Here at NAACPC we live our lives by those words. We believe that race is an institution designed to keep like minded citizens apart and separate. The institution of race has given us racism, social and political segregation and numerous barriers both physically and psychologically. The NAACPC stands strong behind the belief that there are no differences in people relative to skin color and in that respect, we ask all of our members to accept 3 oaths prior to joining our cause;

1. I pledge to judge people by the content of their character and not the color of their skin.

2. I pledge to expect the same results from individuals based on merit and achievements.

3. I pledge to teach those younger than me that there are no differences in people relative to the color of their skin.

There's my "race".  The American one.

Priority on Jobs

Last week I attended a parent meeting at our local high school to discuss fundraising for the installation of a new Astroturf game field. I have 2 children in marching band and 1 that plays Pop Warner football on the field; therefore I have a personal obligation to assist in this venture.

It’s true. The football field is in shambles. Our children are at risk of injury due to potholes and excessive flooding, and games are sometimes diverted to alternate locations. This is unfortunate because the loss of ticket and concession sales deeply impact our ability to fund our extracurricular activities. Cue the price tag.

Total funds to be raised: $600,000.00. Time frame: 4 weeks.

Total sales required per student: $500.00 Total for my family @ 3 boys: $1500.00

OUCH!

Here’s the thing. I have no doubt in my mind that it makes good economic sense to get this done. The warranty life of the new field and the maintenance afterwards is mere pennies compared to the current annual upkeep and re-sod costs. We won’t have to cancel or move games, and most importantly, our kids won’t be breaking ankles!

These guys running around dodging potholes- not a good combination.

There’s one teeeeeny little problem. The citizens of our community aren’t giving up their cash, regardless of the cause. That’s saying something, given that our city’s median household income is well above the national and state average and its citizens always donate to the kids. ALWAYS. Being a school fundraising chair for several years, I know that the people of our community have deep pockets. I also know that our collections have reduced dramatically over the past year.

To be sure, our housing values have dropped well below the national average, our businesses are now more vacant than filled, construction has come to a dead halt, and unemployment has jumped from a stellar low of only 2.3% pre-recession to an alarming 9.1% current. People are hurting. People are nervous. People are saving instead of spending so they can at least be sure they have a roof over their head and food to eat.

The stance of our school and athletic booster organization: “We realize these are bad economic times, but we really need this, so let’s make it happen.”

Do you realize it? Really?

I can’t blame them, as I said, we really do need to make this happen for our kids. Just maybe not right.this.very.minute. The citizens of our community need to recover their losses before adding on additional burdens. Our failure to recognize this is not only arrogant; it’s almost…cruel.

Which brings me to health care. It’s difficult to concentrate on whether or not you have health insurance (4 years from now, no less) when you don’t know if you’ll even have a job to go to tomorrow, or if that interview will be lined up this week, or if the mortgage company is going to kick you out on your can at the end of the month. Health reform is a worthy ambition and commands our mutual concern. But let’s get real. The general public can plainly see we’re broke. What’s more, they see the failures of Medicare and Social Security coming to a head in what couldn’t be more perfect timing to prove a point. Let’s recover our employment situation first, followed by Medicare and Social Security, and then we'll see what's left to discuss of a health care agenda that will add even more additional burdens to American families and businesses.

I thought this Obama quote was quite appropriate:

"They're still puzzled why is it that people are mad at the banks," Obama said. "Well, let's see. You guys are drawing down $10, $20 million bonuses after America went through the worst economic year that it's gone through in decades, and you guys caused the problem."

Substitute "government" for "banks" and "trillion"  for "million" and even the President should be able to understand my point, right?

Saturday Showcase

My husband is awesome.  No he hasn't done anything special lately to deserve that statement, and no, I don't have an agenda.  Like a man who loves a woman not only because she's willing to cook, but she cooks well, I love this man because, not only can he fix things, but he does them better (in most cases) than a pro ever would.  His mind is like a machine in that he can break things down, understand the mechanics, come up with a plan, and then fix it, correctly. Awe-inspiring, really. OK, well, there was that time that.....

Me, on the other hand, I'm more of a big picture kind of gal who can't be bothered with the details.  I do a brilliant job at coming up with ideas for him to solve, of which I'm very excited to bring to the table, and he either joins in my excitement, or gives me a look of utter disgust. Most of the time it's disgust, which is why I call him Mr. Pisser. Not that I have anything to do with it. Nope.

Which brings me to how we brought home a dog. 

I'd wanted a dog for a year and, throughout the course of that year, Mr. Pisser gave oft reminders of how difficult it would be to raise a dog.  "There's going to be poop all over the place".  "It's going to cost us a fortune".  "You'll love it the first month and then you'll be over it".  "What if it's an evil dog?"  "There will be hair all the place".  You know, the typical buzz-kill comments from people who just can't deal with dogs.

I didn't press the issue, as I've long-learned that would be counter-productive with Mr. Pisser.  But I would occassionally, sweetly remind him that I really needed a dog.

My husband had never owned a new car until just before his 40th birthday.  He stood on principle due to the fact that cars lose as much value as they do the second they're driven off the lot, but then Ford changed everything for the better with the F150, and he really needed that truck.  So I agreed that he should have that truck, on one condition.  He gets the truck (along with its new monthly invoice); I get a dog.

So I got a dog. My Dog. Contrary to all the negative mechanical problems that Mr. Pisser pointed out, he hasn't had to "fix" a thing.  It took a while for Mr. Pisser to come around.  For example, at bedtime My Dog would come up on the bed for a few snuggles, and then Mr. Pisser would quickly direct him to his crate, sometimes a little too eagerly for my taste.  But because he's My Dog, which makes him cool, he would listen to Mr. Pisser and go straight to bed.  My Dog would pick himself up, walk to his crate, curl up in a ball, and stay there all night with the door still wide open.  Over time, My Dog was permitted to stay in the bed longer and longer, curling up by his Daddy, being well-pampered and comforted, looking as if he were of Mr. Pisser's own flesh and blood. 

Some people say you can judge a man by how he treats his mother.  I say you can also judge him by how he treats His Dog.  And it is, indeed, His Dog, too.

Meet Tango:

The reality of repealing Obamacare

You’ve got me, Robert Gibbs. I really do want babies to go without health insurance, and families to have to choose between rent and health insurance premiums, and cancer patients to go without treatment and die. What on earth gave me away?

This was the message from our Press Secretary during a White House briefing, the day after Congress passed health reform, in response to attempts to repeal it.

Turning off my TV, I proceed as usual with my daily check-in on Facebook, because that's what ordinary, non-political class, working moms like me- the general populace- do. There it is again in the status updates:

"So thankful millions of Americans won’t have to die over health care now"

"Millions of Americans won’t have to choose between treatment and death"

"So many more children will live now because they’ll have access to health care"

I try to show restraint with political commentary on my Facebook account as that's my fun place, but the impulse was too great not to reply to one status that read:

“35 million Americans won’t die today”.

Just think! If we only spent a few $ trillion more, then 0 Americans might not die today! As an added bonus, a few $ trillion more might entice Democrats to reveal our actual expiration dates, so we can budget accordingly, you know.

In all seriousness, these sentiments give a whole new meaning to the adage of taking candy from a baby and predicates a big PR problem towards any attempts to ‘Repeal the Bill’.

Reciting all the quotes in the world on liberty and freedom and the guiding principles in the success of America will not sway these sentiments. If the average American who supports Obamacare already appreciated the merits and effects of liberty and freedom, we wouldn’t have Obamacare today. While attempts to repeal the legislation, or de-fund it, or any other moves made by the oppositional Congress are grand gestures, I believe these strategies will be none other than a one-way ticket out of office.

We can shout from the rooftops that the authors of Obamacare are in bed with the very people they love to hate- big Pharma and the insurance companies.  But we have learned that principles are situational. Seriously, if a leading representative can give up his own amendment on federally-funded abortions in exchange for funding for airports, we’re on our own, folks. Call me a cynic.

Just as democrats opposed the war in Iraq, efforts to de-fund the war were wasted moments. It would have been (and was for many) political suicide not to support the troops or to finish what we started. With that in mind, one can see the headlines now:

“Right-of-center policies will cause an epidemic in babies”

“Granny should turn down the electricity if she really needs her meds, so says the GOP”

 “Teabaggers tell terminal cancer patients to suck it up; there’s no hope, they’re dying anyway”

Why are you laughing? You don’t think for a minute that the media will show any professional integrity, do you?

Further exacerbating the situation, our reps in Congress either believe that most Americans are centrist enough to know better than this and won’t justify it with the time of day. Lessons have not been learned from the Presidency of GWB. If you tell a lie often enough, it becomes the truth.  If you don't believe me, just look at all those hearts and minds on Facebook.

Amid my despair, I came across the suggestion by Megan McArdle over at The Atlantic to project predictions of the success of Obamacare so we can measure its effectiveness. 

Ms. McArdle writes:

If this helps families stave off financial ruin, we should see a meaningful and sustained reduction in the number of bankruptcies. If it improves health, that should show up in life expectancy. If it doesn't, then the bill doesn't do what you said you expected it to do. That's valuable information! Not so much about you, as about health care bills.

If you don't think that any of the effects of this bill will be large enough to measure and hopefully, large enough to justify the price tag of this bill, then I have to ask two questions:

1) Why the hell are we spending $200 billion a year, plus the mandated spending by individuals and employers on premiums, plus the new money the states will have to spend on Medicaid?

2) Why on earth did you bring up all these apparently irrelevant statistics?

I'm all for accountability for beliefs. That's how you make your beliefs better. That's why I want to see all the people who threw around all sorts of theatrical arguments commit to what they are actually reasonably willing to predict will happen. Then explain why the outcomes that they are actually confident enough to predict justify spending about $2000 for every household in the country.

Benchmarks, target dates, withdrawal plan. Initiating, by law, accountability measures is simply the least we can do, and probably the only effective thing we can do, in my opinion, now that Obamacare is here.