Where is the JUSTICE?

A 9 month old baby was killed by his father, and then the father killed himself. The mother filed for a restraining order against the father of the baby. Judge Robert Lemkau denied Katie Tagle (mother of the baby) the restraining order - after she told the judge that the father was threatening to kill her son - and this judge called Katie a liar. 10 days after Judge Lemkau denied the restraining order, the baby's father took him for a custody visit, shot and killed 9 month old baby Wyatt, and turned the gun on himself.

http://www.vvdailypress.com/news/apologizes-17688-comments-judge.html

So, yesterday (as you can see in the article above), Judge Robert Lemkau issues a two-minute apology.

Katie Tagle will never see her baby boy again. Judge Lemkau put this child in harms way because he denied the restraining order. He claims he "couldn't foresee this happening." I understand we don't have crystal balls to see the future, but why did he ever deny the restraining order in the first place? If a mother approaches a judge concerned her baby is going to be murdered, shouldn't that be taken seriously? Well, no; instead she is called a liar. Would a mother really lie about threats of her infant son going to be murdered?

I think this judge needs to be held accountable for his actions. As a former preschool teacher, if I put a child at risk, you know very well I would have serious consequences for putting that child in harms way. I would have been fired. As a mother, if I purposely put my children in harms way, there will be major consequences; my children could be taken away, CPS visits, jail time, the list is huge.

This Judge Lemkau put little Wyatt in harms way. Now why should he continue to be a judge? He made a bad ruling, and he should face some sort of repercussions for that. Why does this man get to hold people's fates in his hands anymore, when he has obviously proved he can't handle making good decisions of people's lives? Shouldn't he be demoted? Shouldn't he be fired? Instead, he gets off the hook with a 2 minute apology to the mother, and he's done.

Where is the justice in THAT?

In remembrance of HUM-319... ;)

{Prologue}

September 23

Classes start in one day, and here I am on the fence about whether to attend CSUSB. The reality of commuting from the High Desert to San Bernardino has set in, and it seems completely unrealistic. I breathed a sigh of relief that my only classes this fall term are online classes, but I’m reconsidering how am I going to manage this commute come Winter 2010? What if it snows again and they close the pass? I won’t be able to attend my classes. Do I really want to drive an hour 3-5 days a week? There has to be some other option… right?

I flop down in front of the computer with a heavy sigh, and start clicking around to look at some other local colleges. Chapman University: no English program, University of La Verne: no English program, University of Phoenix: no English program; this is beginning to look like a lost cause. But wait, how about National University? AH HA! An English program! A few minutes of snooping around, and before I know it I’m on the phone with an advisor deciding online only is the way to go and forget the hour commute. Oh, but wait, I’m already registered for 2 classes online at CSUSB. What a conundrum: do I take those two classes? Or do I withdrawal at the last minute and start at NU for November? Withdrawing last minute seems like such a hassle. I guess I’ll take that Linguistics class and Humanities class… the Myth, Metaphor, and Symbol class sounds interesting, especially as an English major. Perhaps it will be an adventure. [Kid you not, I actually said this, and I hadn’t opened Campbell’s book yet.]

{Departure}

September 24

Here we go. You can do this. You’re pumped, you’re psyched. It’s only been just over 2 years since you were at SDSU. No big deal. Plus, National University is now right around the corner, just get through this semester. Type: blackboard.csusb.edu, hit the numbers 003573348. Click “Log In”… and cross the threshold to see:

“WELCOME TO ONLINE LEARNING!!!!”

Whoa, this guy seems enthusiastic about online learning.

After reading the introduction, I’m tingly in excitement. This class actually seems like –gasp– fun! I’m sure things will go swimmingly. The kids will be perfect, healthy angels and we’ll never have any sort of dilemma.

{Initiation}

October 12-19

I’m constantly clicking “View Grades,” fidgeting around in my chair every time my eyes still catch that “-“ for no grade posted yet. Ugh.

Click again, click again, click again. Click one more time, and look! Grades! I’m afraid to look now. Quick, look away! Reflect for a moment.

I start fixating on a spot on the wall, while my mind wanders off about my writing experience in college: I put a lot of thought into the think piece, but also felt my nerves go after I submitted it, since it wasn’t your “average” paper. Would the professor like the story-telling paper? Or was he just looking for a standard boring response? To top it off, I’m anal about writing papers.

Finally, I regain the courage to check the grade. 36/40. Sweet! Passing!

Wait. What about those other 4 points? What prevented me from getting those other 4 points?

[See, told you I was anal.]

I gain the courage to email Dr. J, even though I’m reluctant because I don’t want to look like one of those students. You know the ones I’m talking about: you sit in class with them; they drive you bonkers with a 1,000 questions that aren’t pertinent to the class, or they complain about how they got only a 99% on the last test, and not 100%. My eyebrow lifts and I let out a little groan, beginning to question if I’m going to be an annoying student now. Nevertheless, I can’t get past knowing what may have prevented me from the “perfect grade,” so I send the email.

Pep talk response back: I actually do write well (whew), and perhaps I shouldn’t fixate on that “perfect grade…”

Good enough for me. Mental conversation: Okay Marlana, quit acting paranoid over the perfect grade, continue to be yourself and do what you do. Stop stressing. Onward!

November 2-9

My 2 year old is sick. Fever, terrible cough, and flat out miserable. I find him lying on the couch with those rosy cheeks against pale skin. My 1 year old is gnawing on his fingers, like a dog gnaws on a piece of meat, and he cries with every chew of the finger. I call the doctor’s office, and of course they say to bring him in right away. Elijah has had asthma since he was 3 months old, and had whooping cough when he was 2 months old. Needless to say, his lungs aren’t fantastic, and any time they hear he has an unusual cough, it’s “Bring him in ASAP.”

Elijah and I arrive at the doctor’s office. Sign in, and we’re quickly shuffled to the “Sick Baby” room, surrounded by coughing and sneezing kids, with very exhausted looking parents. I take my place among the Sleep Deprived, let my head fall back against the wall, and wait. And wait some more, and wait some more. Luckily, Elijah has found himself amused; thank God for hot wheels cars and Finding Nemo on the doctor’s office TV. After 45 minutes of waiting, I pull out Campbell’s book and attempt to read through the last few pages of the assigned reading.

And we wait, and we wait, and we wait.

2 hours later, we’re called back to the patient room.

Another 2.5 hours pass, as well as a breathing treatment, and a referral to the x-ray office to check for pneumonia, and we leave the doctor’s office. 4.5 hours at the doctor’s office is a new record for us.

X-Ray comes back negative for pneumonia, but he has bronchitis. Keep up his breathing treatments to keep his asthma in check, get a new prescription, and keep him loaded up on Tylenol and Motrin.

The rest of the week consists of a teething baby who has no desire to sleep, and his constant wailing is his way of reminding us: “Mom and Dad, I am MISERABLE, and I’m bringing all of you down with me!” Elijah continues to cough and stays home from preschool (which he only goes to for half days, twice a week, so that time is precious to me to get work done!)

By the weekend, I’m sitting in the kitchen, my forehead pressed to the table, and beginning to wonder: Am I crazy for taking two classes? How on earth am I going to get by after a week like this? Maybe school right now was a bad idea…

Life Ring to the rescue, and I accept that life happens, with or without kids college life isn’t always going to be easy, and as long as I don’t throw in the towel, somehow I’ll make it through – and I remind myself once again not to stress about getting a perfect grade on everything. An announcement reminds me: Be who you is, because if you ain’t who you is, you is who you ain’t. This is my life and I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Sick kids can throw a curve ball into the mix of college work, but there were just as many times I was overwhelmed in college without kids. As long as I continue what being me and just pushing through, everything will work itself out.

{The Return}

Monday, December 07, 2009

Once again, I’m sitting at my kitchen table, no longer plain white like the beginning of the semester when I was “talking to my niece.” Now my laptop sits on a red brocade tablecloth, surrounded by tea light candles and glowing red poinsettias. The warm summer sun that heats up the skin has passed, gone through the crisp fall breeze, and now the bitter winter weather quickly approaches. There is talk of snow for us in the High Desert – which means they’d close the Cajon Pass until the snow passes. It only serves as a reminder why I’m transferring to National University instead of battling against Old Man Winter and a daily commute to San Bernardino.

I’ve gone through quite a few trials, have learned a bit about myself, and gained the confidence to handle fast paced online courses. “Be who you is…” became a motto for myself, not only for this class, but also in all of my life, in particular my “writing life.” Many years ago, when I was 17 years old, I met Michael Blake – the author of Dances with Wolves. I told him I was an aspiring writing (of course, being young, I was much more “gung ho” back then), and asked what advice he had for me. Mr. Blake told me “Keep writing. You’ll meet countless publishers who will reject you, but keep writing what you want to write and you’ll achieve your goals.” Looking back, the quote “Be who you is…” relates quite nicely with my goals to writing. I found that if I write what I want to write and if I quit focuses on perfection for papers and quizzes, I not only achieved good grades, I was proud of my achievements. I turn out products that said “This is me.” It fascinates me that every story I read now seems to follow the monomyth, and I’m grateful I’ve had the experience of this class because I know as a person who loves to write, the knowledge I’ve gained here is indispensable.

I see the world differently now. I never realized how everyone is living through their own life’s adventure, including me. If we pass our trials, instead of giving up half way through, we may return with our “boon” or find ourselves changed in some way. If we take Siduri’s advice of “Love life while we have it,” the adventure we travel on may be just a tad easier, as we learn to value what we have. I have a newfound appreciation for those hardships I come across; it puts me one step closer to becoming a hero in my own life.

For now, I’m quickly approaching the threshold once again. I’d rather pause here, and not cross back over. It has been so refreshing to find like-minded people and a like-minded professor; people who make the class fun. I know I’ll be returning back to the world where most people “just don’t get it.” I’m sure I’ll come across a situation with my acquaintances again, attempting to bring up a story I’ve read, or an experience I’ve had, and receive some blank stares. Actually, I’m very sad to see this class end, or to see this adventure come to a close and know that, as with most classes, you take the experiences you’ve had, store them in the memory bank, and know that you’ll probably never speak to these people again (whether you like it or not), but such is the adventure of the hero. I must return to my world, a changed person, to share what I have learned. At least I will hold my head high, and cherish the wonderful time I had with the class. That being said, I bring this reflection to a close, a chicken is calling my name…

[December 7, 2009 - The last "Think Piece"]

My last post --

-- was my 200th post! Whoohoo! I feel so accomplished. ;)

5 Years

500 dollars. What a scam!

You know, that money could go to a much better cause. Do you know how many animals’ lives you could save with that sort of funds? Better yet, do you know how many cute clothes I could find at the mall?

Textbooks – a student’s worst nightmare. As if tuition isn’t bad enough, the education market has to add a beautiful new picture to the cover of some lame book every year, just to make us have to pay $100 for a new one. Like I care what is on the cover, or who the new introduction is from. If the choice was left to us, we’d probably be reading textbooks from 1985. How much could really have changed in the last 20 years? Really!

And so commences my usual day as a junior in college. Spring term started yesterday for San Diego State and today is the glorious day that the bookstore makes hundreds of dollars off my already empty wallet. With a heavy sigh, I pick myself up from my light blue swiveling computer chair, stroll across the tacky blue-gray carpet that only a school dorm could possibly consider using, and make my way towards the door. I’ve yet to figure out why, but the handle makes a loud click every time I push it down. Its like, “Hello world, I’m leaving my room now! Just wanted to make sure everyone knows I’m going somewhere!” I heave open the brown door and permit my feet to take their sweet time walking down the hall.

The wall isn’t much better than the carpet. It’s some sort of off tan color with a reptile skin texture. The worst part is if you speak louder than a library voice, or are late for class and try to run down the hall, the rest of your floor knows exactly what you are doing due to the loud echo from these drab walls. I stop just before the center of the floor, turn to the left and tap on one of the doors. Brenda opens her door, purse already slung on her shoulder.

“Let’s go make our wallets cry,” I say.

To the elevator we go, my finger lightly striking the number 1. With a slight jolt of the enclosure, my adventure begins.

(to be continued...)

Dear Writers Block -

Dear Writer's Block –

It’s not you, it’s me.

You’ve been great company, don’t get me wrong. I appreciate your visit! Writer's Block, you have always been there to support me, especially when I need an excuse. You are so kind to remind me that sleep is the practical thing to do, laundry should be folded, or that there is a new episode of Project Runway on the DVR. I love that you remind me of all the other things I should do. What a kind guest you are, to help me with my daily activities!

The problem, Writer's Block, is I need my space. Sometimes guests overstay their welcome. But you! No, no, you NEVER overstay your welcome. Of course not! I don’t mind that you are the type of guest that scatters everything around my home and persistently reminding me that you are around. I simply need some time to myself, some time to grow as an individual. People need their space, you know.

And well, I’m sorry Writer's Block, but you have a tendency to be the jealous type. When pen and paper come close to me, you are quick to flash a glaring eye at them, and they scurry away like squirrels in the park. Or if my fingers and the keyboard decide to casually mingle and strike up a conversation, you cut between them and drag my hands away!

Don’t worry, that’s not a big deal. I promise. It just never seems to work out when you and I get together. I become so absorbed by you, that you interfere with my goals. I think it is time for you to visit someone else. I’ve reminded you of some great qualities you have, it’s time to share those gifts with some other lucky individual. You make a great companion, and you’ll make some other writer very happy! Don’t doubt yourself, Writer's Block; I’m sure there are plenty of others who see the same good in you that I do.

No tears will be shed, as I’m sure we’ll meet again. I know how much you love to come by unexpectedly! For now, we just need to go our separate ways.

It’s not you, it’s me.

Until we meet again,
MLH Weber

In response...

In response to this article commentary: http://www.760kfmb.com/Global/story.asp?S=11901737&Call=Email&Format=HTML
(I couldn't fit all I really wanted to say in the small 1,000 character space they give you to respond, so I choose to blog my entire response here)

I do agree that children need to learn to handle some name calling and teasing as a sort of "rite of passage." Children and teenagers need a very strong support system to help them cope with the trials of growing up, especially in the world we live in today. However, bullying is different now.

What I think is happening, is that bullying isn't the same as most people remember. I'm a child of the 80s, in my mid-twenties now, and I feel I'm caught between generations. My peers were on the verge of this technological boom, this explosion in social networking sites. With the use of technology, bullying has been taken from something one has to deal with at school, to nonstop harassment with text messages, myspace, facebook, etc. Unless a teenager turns him/herself into a complete recluse, there is almost no way to escape the torment of their peers.

Most people think of bullying as it was "back then." Kids would make fun of someone because your shoes were hand me downs, someone had freckles, and so on. But this generation of teenagers are now growing up completely absorbed in a violent, sex filled, media driven world, and with that bullying has changed as well. I believe they see much more violence and sex than we could ever imagine. When PG-13 movies are allowed to show 50 murders (think "Vantage Point"), but are rated "PG-13" because "no blood is shown during the murder," or if you flip to MTV for five minutes and see how acceptable borderline nudity and sex in general is, it brings them to a completely different playing field than the generation before did. The kids and teenagers now try to emulate what they see filled around them, to the point of destruction of other's. Their conscious of what is right and wrong is completely off base, and to an extreme most have never seen.

With that said, the WAY these children and teenagers bully their peers now is very, very different. It's much more extreme than most could ever imagine, because most didn't grow up in the world they live in now. Children and teens "gang up" on the bullied child so that EVERYONE turns on them. They become the outcast of the school with no peers to turn to for support. Kids aren't just made fun of, through these social sites and texting their told extreme things, nonstop, all day long like "You should just go die." They live in a world that violent deaths are "no big deal," and telling someone to go kill themselves is, in their minds, "acceptable behavior." Plus, these social networking sites allow kids to hide behind the computer screen and send even more cruel messages, without anyone to judge them. I'm not anti-facebook or anti-myspace, but some parents need to take much more control over if/when/and how these sites are used, especially the parents of the kids doing the bullying.

I think that even with supportive parents, children and teens can be driven into such a deep depression because the torment isn't contained to the school yard, where a child has the chance to escape the bullying when they leave school. With all these means to technology, and without much parental oversight with computer usage, children and teens can become trapped in the world of bullying. People are so quick to ask, "Where were the parents of this poor child who killed him/herself?" But where are the parents of the children who are doing the bullying?

A girl feeling the need to kill herself at 15 years old over her peers tormenting her is terrible. If some sort of anti-bullying bill is passed to help a child or teen escape the torment of the modern bullying, if it helps save a teen's life and his/her parents, and also holds other parents accountable for their children's tormenting actions, I don't see the harm.

'Twas the Night Before Christmas - Stampers Style :)

Thanks Lynn for sharing this with me! Now I have to share it with everyone else! :)

Twas the Night Before Christmas-A Rubber Stamper's Version

Twas the week before Christmas and all through the den, were scattered my ink pads, my stamps and my pens.

The cards I had hoped to send off in the mail, were still on the table and my hand felt quite frail.

I'd stamped through the evening in hopes I would find, I'd finished my cards...but I was still far behind.

When out in my driveway, there arose such a clatter that I sprang from my chair as embossing powder splattered.

The moon on the breast of the new fallen snow, made me wish that my white ink was not running low.

When what to my tired, bloodshot eyes should appear but a red SUV and my stamp friends so dear.

Susie, Dianne, Carol, Rita and Jill, all from the car in the driveway did spill.

With a handful of treats they knocked at the door, then dashed up my stairway to the second floor.

They surrounded my table with laughter and glee and stamped up those cards as fast as could be.

Embossing guns warmed, and powder was spread, as I felt pass beyond me my feeling of dread.

As they finished each card with a gentle, "Its Done", their smiles told me they were having fun.

The cards were all stacked, with their envelopes too, and it dawned on me that my chore was now through.

They left as they'd come in the blink of an eye, and I just murmured "Thank You" as the group hurried by.

And I heard them exclaim as they drove out of sight, The best kind of Christmas is where Stampers Unite!

NEW cards!

Enjoy! I've been busy this weekend!!

This one was actually from a couple weeks ago for my wonderful hubby's birthday! He loved the card :D



And BRING ON the Christmas cards -



(I actually meant to sponge the edge of the white oval of this card.. but forgot! Oops! Next one!)



















Merry Christmas!

Holidays in Hand... prompts

I'm taking Jessica Sprague's Holidays in Hand class. Day 2's assignment is to create something to hold our prompts... and here is what I came up with. :)

(Oh, and I still need to post Day 1's assignment. It's done in the "old fashioned" way in a journal!)



I just love the "snow" on my ledge... ;)


The back... still using chipboard to hold it up, I just covered it with some vanilla-cream colored cardstock.

Open House invite

Just had to share!