Melinda
Melinda's JournalI'm from Newtown, and I have something to say to the world:
I don't care about karma, that's why I made this throwaway.
I was raised in newtown from aged 8 until my graduation from N.H.S. I walked the hallways of Sandy Hook Elementary school and have nothing but positive memories of the place. I remember Mrs. Chard in the library, always smiling and never having a bad thing to say about us. I remember when, in 4th grade, the teachers decided to let us have a bit of fun during lunch and they brought in a karaoke machine for anyone to use. I remember seeing the same sign you've seen on tv every morning before I entered a school full of love, happiness and innocence. Like you, I always considered my hometown a bit special, a bit above the violence and carelessness of the world; a safe haven for my development into the young man I am today.
I was torn apart, as was the rest of the world, when I awoke Friday morning to the news. My best friends mother was freaking out, I knew I had to be with them, and I stayed with them all day.Bit by bit our neighbors and friends chimed in, letting us know their children were safe. Some stayed quiet, and we knew why.
We all gathered, at Saint Rose to mourn the death of children so young, and the teachers who saved them. If you can imagine what it's like mourning the death of the little neighbor you used to babysit, or the kids you watched hop up on the bus every morning, you can understand that it's a solitary moment. As a community we gathered, forgoing the feuds (and trust me, we're human, we aren't perfect to one another at all times in this town, just like in yours) all the bitterness and anger, and we came together in love.
You can comprehend my anger at hearing cameras go off as I watched my best friends father break down. You can relate you wanting some alone time to be able to talk about how to get over this as a community without the intrusion of public opinion, reporters, and all the like. To the reporters hoping to get a Pulitzer prize for their efforts yesterday I ask: Is your soul worth it?
Read full post and thread here
To be clear - these are not my words, nor my experience. I am bringing them to DU from another site. I thought DU might like to read the heartbreaking perspective of one of Newton, CT young residents, as well as survivors of the VA Tech and Aurora killings. The thread is HUGE, but full of wisdom and insight and other things worth learning or even considering. There is much information there from friends of the Lanza family, especially friends of Ryan Lanza's. There is a link to an on-point video made by someone named Charlie Booker after a similar massacre in Germany back in 2009; the admonishment by a Psychiatrist is brilliant:
Might we could all take a step back, and reflect.
Good morning DU!!! Are you FEELING GOOD?
Akin is toast!! (my personal fav!!!)
The grown-ups remain in charge (yeah Obama!)
SCOTUS is safe!!
Healthcare remains intact!! (and looks like the PO may still be in play!)
Democrats still control the Senate!!
And Michele can cancel the movers!!
Please, Duers, lets make music today! Please add your musical choice(s) and show why YOU are 'feeling good' this morning!
For your enjoyment:
ALLAN LOSES AGAIN!!! Later dayz Macaca man!!!!!!!!!
Confirmed installation of uncertified last minute election tabulation reporting software in Ohio
The Free Press confirms installation, secret justification of uncertified last minute election tabulation reporting software in Ohio
by Gerry Bello and Bob Fitrakis
November 2, 2012
The Free Press has obtained internal memos from the senior staff of the Ohio Secretary of State's office confirming the installation of untested and uncertified election tabulation software. Yesterday, the Free Press reported that "experimental" software patches were installed on ES&S voting machines in 39 Ohio counties. (see Will "experimental" software patches affect the Ohio vote?).
Election Counsel Brandi Laser Seske circulated a memo dated November 1st renewing the already shaky justification for installing software made by Election Systems and Solutions on vote tabulation equipment used in 39 Ohio counties. The letter to Ohio Secretary of State personnel Matt Masterson, Danielle Sellars, Myra Hawkins, Betsy Schuster, and Ohio's Director of Elections Matthew Damschroder, clarified the dubious justification for not complying with the legal requirements for the examination of all election related equipment.
Seske begins by explaining what she purports to be the purpose of the software patch: "Its function is to aid in the reporting of results that are already uploaded into the county's system. The software formats results that have already been uploaded by the county into a format that can be read by the Secretary of State's election night reporting system."
According to the contract between the Ohio Secretary of State's office and ES&S, this last minute "experimental" software update will supposedly transmit custom election night reports to the Secretary of State's office from the county boards of elections, bypassing the normal election night reporting methods.
FreePress.org
Because, this is the PERFECT TIME to EXPERIMENT on the machines that count the votes!!!!
Hi! I’m a rapist. I’m one of those men who likes to force myself on women without their consent.....
***Disclaimer*** While this is correctly deemed "satire", this open letter to conservatives may very likely 'trigger' deep emotional responses in women who have been raped, women who have become pregnant as a result of rape, and women who have given birth and raised the child born of the rape.
Women like me. I hope at some point to be able to put my life experiences into words, the incest at the hands of my grandfather, the several molestations and near molestations as a child, the first time I was raped at age 14, the suicide attempt immediately thereafter, the last time I was raped at age 17, and the subsequent pregnancy from this rape. The emotional damage I incurred over the first 18 years of my life lasts to this day.
Triggers.
Todd Akin triggered an emotional breakdown several months ago. And damn near every day I read something else proposed by the GOP that triggers me back yet again... I want to write of this, but I am terrified at the same time. I kept my baby and he is now a man who looks just like my rapist. I am 58 years old, but the trauma of these experiences have left me as broken and scared. The scars will never heal.
I don't know why I just shared this, but I am going to post it and deal with the pain as it comes.
The reason for this post:
October 25, 2012 By John Scalzi
WARNING: this post is going to be oh-so-very-triggery for victims of rape and sexual assault. I am not kidding.
Dear certain conservative politicians:
Hi! I’m a rapist. I’m one of those men who likes to force myself on women without their consent or desire and then batter them sexually. The details of how I do this are not particularly important at the moment — although I love when you try to make distinctions about “forcible rape” or “legitimate rape” because that gives me all sorts of wiggle room — but I will tell you one of the details about why I do it: I like to control women and, also and independently, I like to remind them how little control they have. There’s just something about making the point to a woman that her consent and her control of her own body is not relevant against the need for a man to possess that body and control it that just plain gets me off. A guy’s got needs, you know? And my need is for control. Sweet, sweet control.
So I want to take time out of my schedule to thank you for supporting my right to control a woman’s life, not just when I’m raping her, but for all the rest of her life as well.
Ah, I see by your surprised face that you at the very least claim to have no idea what I’m talking about. Well, here’s the thing. Every time you say “I oppose a woman’s right to abortion, even in cases of rape,” what you’re also saying is “I believe that a man who rapes a woman has more of a right to control a woman’s body and life than that woman does.”
Oh, look. That surprised face again. All right, then. On the chance that you’re not giving me that surprised face just for the sake of public appearances, let me explain it to you, because it’s important for me that you know just how much I appreciate everything you’re doing for me.
So, let’s say I’ve raped a woman, as I do, because it’s my thing. I’ve had my fun, reminding that woman where she stands on the whole “being able to control things about her life” thing. But wait! There’s more. Since I didn’t use a condom (maybe I’m confident I can get other people to believe it was consensual, you see, or maybe I just like it that way), one thing has led to another and I’ve gotten this woman pregnant.
Full text of open letter
**Satire Alert** BARACK OBAMA: PURE EVIL
*disclaimer: I am sharing a 2 min SATIRICAL political ad that may well have been created by The Rude Pundit's evil, pure evil, DEMOCRAT voting twin. Satire, funny stuff, NSFW 'cause the language is, well - rude punditry. Oh, don't let small children near the screen when viewing. Enjoy. 
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="
Independent Contractor my ass... Guy arrested in VA for tossing ballots is employed by GOP!!
Look at his RESUME!!I am not joking!!! LOOK at this mother fletcher!!!!!!!!
Someone post the image, please? TTTIA!!
When Morals & Politics Cross, Conservatives Ignore Their Bible & Go In For the Kill…
From FreakoutNation
When Morals & Politics Cross, Conservatives Ignore Their Bible & Go In For the Kill On a Religious Charity
By now we've all heard the story of how Paul Ryan and company “ramrodded” their way into a soup kitchen in Youngstown, Ohio this past Saturday, only to pose for a photo-op by washing pans that had been specifically requested by a Ryan campaign staff member after almost all the staff and patrons had left. The entire event was described by Juanita Sherba, St. Vincent’s Saturday coordinator for the dining hall. “It was the phoniest piece of baloney I've ever been associated with.” Ms. Sherba said to the local reporters for Vindy.com. “In hindsight, I would have never let him in the door.”
But that’s only part of the story…
The soup kitchen is operated by the Mahoning County’s St. Vincent de Paul Society. Located on Front Street in downtown Youngstown, deep in the heart of the “Rust Belt”, it is an area that was devastated when the steel industry began to vacate 35 years ago last month. The area has never fully recovered from the loss and the soup kitchen is still badly needed to this day.
-snip-
Not only were there calls on Facebook threatening his position and the donations to the charity, according to The Huffington Post in a phone interview with Antel, hundreds of phone calls flooded their office, most of them anonymous. The effect of monetary losses have been big. “It appears to be a substantial amount,” Antal said. “You can rest assured there has been a substantial backlash.” He goes on to say doesn’t understand why donors would take out their frustration over the incident on those who can’t afford to pay for their own meals. “I’m a volunteer,’ he told HuffPo. “I receive zero compensation. Withholding donations is only going to hurt the over 100,000 we serve annually.”
Read entire article
There is substantially more in the article - examples of hatred and hypocrisy, as well as several ways to donate to this kitchen. You know, the right-wing almost never surprises me, and then I read stuff like this.
Off to donate what I can.
Polls, Polls!! Who has the polls??!!?? Get your polls here!!!
MSNBCCurrently:
Obama - 90.04%
rMoney - 9.96%
Please post your polls here!! Thanks!!
PS: President Obama kicks ass!!!
Profile Information
Name: MelindaGender: Female
Hometown: Central California
Member since: 2002
Number of posts: 5,465
