More..

More violence in Kenya.  Here is a link to a Washington Post article I found this morning.  Kenyan's face a tough road ahead of them.  Get online, blog about and add links to your pages and spread the word.  Human rights are being violated all over Africa and around the world as we sit comfortably in the warmth of our houses.  The least we can do is spread the word and not let those who are giving their lives for what believe the recognition they deserve.  

State of the Union

Like many Americans I found myself watching the Presidents State of the Union address last night.  I was impressed on the speech that was prepared for him and all the big terms he used but probably doesn't understand.  I watched as the Republican party cheer him on as if he was a god.  I laughed several times as I watched the camera turn to Hilary and Barack as they looked like they wanted to strangle President Bush.  

Over all I was not very impressed with the content of the State of the Union by President Bush.  I felt it was a failed effort on his part as he has waited to long to talk about the real issues that plague our country each and every day.  I am not very hip on allowing our government to ease drop on our phones and feel like the "No Child Left Behind" bill really is a big joke.  I will agree continuing to raise our income tax is not the way to create more money for our government.  I think all sides would agree that we need to take a better look at programs that spend more money rather than help the American people.  Instead of offering tax breaks we really should go to a flat tax for income levels of all types.  Its not far that a person living in poverty and living hand to mouth should be expected to even pay tax when most rich people are living off the fruit of the poor mans labor.  Money equals power in politics and it is so hard to think that any politician is on our side.  Lets face it though, social security is a joke.  I would rather have that money to go directly into a personal account instead the fed's pockets.  

We need some serious change in our country and the only way to create change is to vote for the right person to do the job.  I can assure I will not vote a straight ticket this year.  I will make an informative decision based on fact rather than what everyone else  is doing.  I would advise you to do the same.  And that is The World According to Thad.

I Am Just a Jerk

Despite how I am portrayed on this site I am a really descent person.  I feel as some may believe me to not be understanding, caring, or empathetic.  If I didn't care about people I would not share my next thoughts on some of the things going on in the world

Searching the headlines on Google this morning I came across some articles on the growing crisis in Kenya.  Kenya with its magical landscape and known coffee origins its in  absolute turmoil.  I came across an incredible site that tells so much about the country and what is going on.  There is also a  site built for bloggers and webby's who live in Kenya to upload images, identify were conflict is taking place, and a general site to get the word out about what is really going on in Kenya from those who see it everyday.  I will add a few links to my page and to my website incase you want more information about what is going on there.  I would suggest to hold off on donations to any government agency claiming to deal with Kenya due to corruption surrounded by the Kenya government.  I am not saying that to sound cruel, but the truth is much of the countries turmoil has to do with corruption in their current government.  I would suggest to read and maybe contact Amnesty International for ways to help spread information and possible ways to contribute.   Keep blogging Kenya, we are reading and spreading the word.

Peace.

They called it a Winter Storm

Its cold, wet, and gray outside today.  I think most people living up north during the winter call this a normal day.  In the south, we call it a winter storm.  I have to laugh as I type those words because it truly was just a mere dusting of a snowy mixture yesterday.  The day before the wintery mix came down on us the shelves of the stores were ravaged by shoppers in a effort not to return back out the next day.  One of my friends called me late Wednesday night asking if she could get a gallon of milk from my store(Starbucks baby) because the grocery stores were completely out of milk.  When I say completely out I mean everything such as: whole milk, 2% milk, 1% milk, soy milk, nonfat milk, half and half, heavy cream etc.  Now who the hell needs half and half(I do realize people need half and half for their coffee) for their cereal or heavy cream?! What have we come to world?  We are so unprepared for lifes little adventures.  Its true is it not?  We work so damn hard and have so little time to keep our pantries stocked with everyday items.   And just think about it, another winter storm is on the way for Saturday. More to come on this subject next time.

Oh Jesse

Last night I had the joy (more like there was nothing else on TV) of coming across a documentary on Jesse Helms.  So, I decided to watch the program.  After viewing the program I was not very amused by our former NC senator and his conservative mindset.   Most of us who grew up in North Carolina and who are my age range can probably remember his name and the fact he was a hardcore conservative.  The only memories of Jesse I have were the ones left in my mind by the conversations with my grandparents.  

My grandmother would have hit me with a belt if she heard what I am about to say about Jesse.  He was a racist, arrogant, and down right southern bred red neck who stayed in office entirely to long.  Anyone my parents or grandparents age would remember him as vice president and commentator of WRAL-TV in Raleigh, NC before becoming senator in 1973.  Over the years he made himself very clear that he was a white man who supported segregation and on several occasions called Martin Luther King Jr. a "communist".  I didn't mention the fact that his racist baptist minister friend Jerry Falwell was one of his biggest advocates.  I hate to tell all the Liberty students that their former President and Pastor of Liberty University was a racist son of a bitch(students probably already knew the fact Jerry was racist).  I hope Jerry had fun explaining to God why he couldn't "love one another".  I am completely appalled that a pronounced Christian minister would ever ally themselves with someone like Jesse Helms.  Thank you Jesus for Catholics and Presbyterians to balance the status quo.   Once upon a time before I really knew what the term conservative really meant I used to call myself one.  Thank God I don't consider myself a conservative anymore.

Times have changed since the days of Jesse Helms.  You can still see his influence today with our current senators Elizabeth Dole and Richard Burr.  Unfortunately, with two republican senators in office and a democratic governor in office in NC I don't see how anyone's political agenda's get met.  I guess its good to have both parties(or more non labeled parties).  There are still reminders of the old south everywhere you go.  Some southerners forgot the civil war was over in 1865 so why the hell are we still talking about it today.   One day I hope we can say goodbye to the unpleasant memories of the old south and move forward to a more productive way of thinking and that is The World According to Thad.

Happy F#$$%% New Year

Happy New Year's to all of you.  I have not blogged in a very long time.  I honestly have been so busy getting through an extremely busy 3 months of work.  Starbucks is still going well for me.  I hope the new year will be challenges in the work place to help grow the store and my position with the company.  Beth is taking the semester off from HPU.  She has landed a subsitute teacher position at a pre school close to home.  She is now waiting patiently(not really) to hear from the HPU School of Education on her acceptance into their program.   Christian is growing like a weed and is shaping up to be a very handsome young boy.  He has enjoyed being out of school the past two weeks and has to go back this coming Thursday.   

I honestly haven't made to many new years resolutions.  I feel healthy, I feel loved, and I have surrounded myself with positive energy and I really feel blessed.  One of the highlights of our year was buying our home.  The mortgage payment sucks, but we love the house.  Everyday I wake up and just look around the house I am amazed that it belongs to us.  We have cool neighbors and it is so quiet at night.  

So to sum it all up, bring on 2008.  Peace