Thursday, January 22, 2009

A Little Kindness Goes A Long Way

A lot of people say this is a fast paced world. I don't think so. I think the people move to fast. It's amazing how people don't help others anymore. Just about 2 1/2 weeks ago when we were experiencing a bad snow storm, this woman was out with her child asking for a jump. I thought this was insane because she was holding the darn jumper cables in her hand. I got out to assist her and she was on her way. She even tried to pay me but I declined.

I know a person whose grandmother had a heart attack on the street and no one called the ambulance for at least 20 minutes. Unfortunately she passed away due to brain damage. The doctors say if she would have arrived sooner, more than likely, they would have been able to assist her.

Just today, my co-worker and I saw a guy passed out in the snow. We asked was he okay. He didn't answer, but he was visually drunk. This leads to the point that although there are people (I hate when people call other people bums and all that other crap) who make unwise choices, there are some people who genuinely require assistance. You NEVER know when you will be on the other end and need someone.

You could have a brand new car, that doesn't mean that it would breakdown or that you won't ever accidentally leave the lights on. All I'm saying is that you should really be careful of how you treat others. I know caution is a big concern, but if you can, try to do the right thing.

Sunday, January 11, 2009

"Not Guilty" By Reason of Insanity

I was online today just checking things out and I read something very disturbing. A man who was already incarcerated on murder charges poked out his own eye, and ATE IT!!! Not only is the incident disturbing, what is really disturbing is how our legal system ignore individuals who already need help.

A Texas death row inmate with a history of mental problems pulled out his only good eye, authorities said Friday. Andre Thomas, 25, was arrested for the fatal stabbings of his estranged wife, their young son and her 13-month-old daughter in March 2004. Their hearts also had been ripped out. He was convicted and condemned for the infant’s death.

Thomas, 25, was arrested for the fatal stabbings of his estranged wife, their young son and her 13-month-old daughter in March 2004. Their hearts also had been ripped out. He was convicted and condemned for the infant’s death.

The crime he committed was obviously jail worthy, but since he already had a history of mental illness, why was he in the penitentiary when he should have been in a mental hospital? Thomas was a death row inmate. I don't really agree with the death penalty, but if that was his demise then he probably should have been held at a mental hospital until his execution.

My problem is the "Not Guilty" By Reason of Insanity. I think its an oxymoron. He did it so he is guilty. I think it should be "Guilty" By Reason of Insanity. This way, in the event that someone receives this charge, they can be sent to an insane asylum, mental hospital, mental wing of the jail, etc. until they serve their sentence or are executed as in this case.

There have been several people who have been overlooked on this charge and have been placed in the general population wing of the jail putting other inmates in danger. True enough, if you are an inmate, you may have did something to be put in prison and I use the words may have very strongly because there are innocent people in jail. Inmates are already facing enough dangers from gangs and race wars in prison to have to worry about a psycho. I am not in anyway, shape, or form taking sides with convicts but I know I wouldn't want to be locked up with such individuals.

I watch the show "Lockup" on MSNBC. They visit different jails and show outsiders like us what jail life was really like. I saw an episode where a guy was in jail for killing his parents, and get this, eating their brains. Yes, you just read this correctly. I don't know about you, but I don't think this guy needed a cell mate, but the jail did. Well let's guess what he did to his cellmate. I'll give you a minute.....................................................................................................................(30 seconds remaining)................................................................................................................................Umm, he killed him. He was in jail for his parents murder, "Not Guilty" By Reason of Insanity. Why not change this to "Guilty" By Reason of Insanity and send people like him where they are supposed to go?

I know some people are reading this and saying "She's got a soft spot for criminals" but let me say that anyone is capable of going to jail. There was another guy on this show Lockup that killed an intruder who broke into his home. He was simply defending his house but in his state, it is illegal to kill an intruder, you're suppose to wait for the police. I think this guy did what most people would do if they were capable and if their life was in danger. Does he deserve to be in a cell with a person who ate his parents brains?

All I'm saying is lets get rid of "Not Guilty" By Reason of Insanity and make it "Guilty"!! Maybe this conviction will send people with obviosus issues to where they should be so they can't hurt themselves or others. What's Your Opinion????

Topic Story: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/6202701.html

Thursday, January 8, 2009

Sexual Harrassment: What Is It Really?

Hello All. I had a very interesting encounter with a co-worker the other day that made me feel uncomfortable. It's so weird because it was his second day at work and the first time he has ever saw me and he hit me on the behind with a Christmas Tree branch. He is apart of our janitorial staff and he was over taking down our holiday decorations.

Now, I know some people will say: SUE, SUE, SUE. I am not trying to get anyone in trouble, I am just merely trying to put someone in their place without them losing their job and without me losing my job because I know how to curse someone out really well.

Someone who I consider very wise once told me that sexual harrassment is basically sexual advances from someone that you don't like. I had to think about this because I have in the past (not anymore, it's a whole different story that I will post one day) dated two people I've worked with and they pretty much approached me the same way this guy did, well to be honest with you, this guy is very confrontal and in your face, so I will retract that statement.

I just want to know how other people see the situation. I know there are several things considered sexual harrassment, but here are just two for example:

1. Quid Pro Quo- Basically, if you sleep w/me, you can have a raise or promotion, etc. (I am definitely against this type of harrassment and I will SUE if this ever happened to me.

2. Overhearing Offensive Language/Conversation- Basically you can be eating in the cafeteria and if you happen to overhear some of your co-workers talking about their weekend dates even though the conversation was meant for just them, if you are offended, guess what? That's sexual harrassment!!!!! ( I can't say I totally agree with this)

I just had a reflection while typing this blog and I asked myself to be honest to myself, afterall sometimes the hardest person to tell the truth to is yourself. I don't want to be tapped on my butt at work even if I am dating you.

Question: Do you think the term sexual harrassment depends on whether you like the person or not? What's Your Opinion?

Friday, January 2, 2009

Resolutions and Why I Don't Make Them!!

Happy New Year's Everyone!! This is the time of the year that you start making promises that your probably won't keep. It's not that we're not capable of doing them or that we're not interested in doing what we said we was going to do, it just seems like when you tell people your resolutions, you become a bacteria under the microscope. Everything you do that may not be compliant to your resolution is pointed out to you. People will point out to you what you're eating, that there is a dish in the sink!!! Whatever they can.

Now, there are somethings that I want to change so I'll just try doing them instead of telling people and announcing it to the world. Last year (when '07 was changing to '08) I wanted to go to school and although I thought about it around New Years, I didn't make it a resolution, it was just a goal. I did enroll in school. I wasn't under the watchful eye of everyone asking me if I had registered and taken placement test, and etc..

I have a set of goals this year. From making sure I do well in school and work, as well as losing some weight. Have you noticed when you tell people you're on a diet, they watch you like a hawk. Well, when you tell yourself, hence the word "yourself" that you want to eat healthier and you do it, people kinda back off. They're comments are way less. They may ask you are you on a diet or something?? You can answer anyway you want!!

So for 2009, I just want to be a better person and set personal goals to achieve. I might not achieve them in '09 because some are so big that it will take a couple of years but at least I can get the ball rolling. The word "Resolution" seems to be tainted in some way because I don't know one person who has kept theirs. The word "Goal" is less invasive and tends to be completed more so than resolutions.

Whatever you do for 2009, I hope that everything you wish to accomplish happens for you whether you call it a Resolution or Goal.