DISABLED---ENABLED

The Check Is In The Mail

As the nation watched, the US Congress moved all too slowly to extend the unemployment benefits until November and grant retroactive monies due, a godsend to some two and a half million Americans who had reached one stage, or 'tier' of their benefits, and were dependent on Congress to move to disburse further funds.

Of course, in counter-point,  there are a minimum of one million folks who have completely exhausted their unemployment insurance funds, and will not benefit in any way by this recent Congressional action.  These people quite simply have little or no recourse.

Known as the 99er's, please find information here

Yet, the Republicans obfuscate the issue. Particularly the Senate Republicans. They demanded an extra thirty hours, allowable by law, to discuss 'procedural issues' instead of simply moving with an up or down vote. Yes, it is only thirty hours. Another yawning, boring thirty hours for these 'representatives' who choose to hold hostage many families---working families with children to feed---another thirty hours.

This is a disturbing fact. Until the electronic fund transfer process occurs within the ACH banking system, no money is moved.  And in this instance, most recipients will still have to wait ten days for 'normal' processing.

For a family who have been waiting for these insurance funds, and rely on them for daily sustenance, they now must wait the additional thirty hours to actually have the funds in their hands. For some, this will mean going without food or medicine for more than a full extra day. One wonders if these Republican leaders might be willing to take the place of one of their constituents who fits into this nightmare scenario?

Or is it like Dick Cheney used to reply, 'So What?'

Perhaps Senator Kyl is correct---it is a dis-incentive to continue to pay these lazy bums---after all, what average American can't live comfortably with a one-third pay cut?

Or maybe Senator Hatch had it right---most of the families waiting for their checks are only going to buy drugs in any case. Yes, that's the ticket---forget the rent or food or medicine. Just wipe out the whole check on 'drugs.' To paraphrase Keith Olbermann, 'That man is an idiot!'

And so is any governmental institution which treats its citizens with no respect or concern.

ADOPTION MADNESS

As if life as a child isn't difficult enough, especially an orphaned and obviously unwanted one, the recent story of the Hansen family and their rather startling behavior of transporting by plane their adopted Russian son back to the homeland strikes at the heart of what is out of balance with our international adoption program.

The Hansen's couldn't parent the boy any longer ostensibly because of 'psychotic' episodes, including threats to burn the house down, complete with drawings of the house in flames, with the family inside.

One's first thought might be, 'that kid is crazy---he needs to be in a children's psychiatric hospital.' or alternately, 'that kid is mad as hell, and didn't appreciate or understand his being ripped from his culture and plopped down in Tennessee, where it would be surprising to find a handful of people in the entire state who understood the Russian language.'

Was the boy fluent in English? Was he given information about what it might mean to live in an entirely different culture? Do the Hansen's speak Russian and have a deep understanding of Russian culture?

The entire adoption process needs a serious second look. Most particularly, the international adoption program.

Could anyone reasonably expect that six year old boy to behave 'properly' and not act out seriously given the mind numbing combination of experiences and events he faced? Think about it. He is an orphan, and he is not a baby. He was raised through his formative years in Russia, in Russian society, learning Russian behavior.

What if an orphan in Tennessee, at roughly the same age, was plucked up and deposited in the middle of Russia? Just reverse the circumstances. Does anyone have any issues understanding how traumatic that would be for any six year old?

What in the hell were the Hansen's thinking?

Are there no children in Tennessee who need a loving home? The logic is truly convoluted, and the Russian government is absolutely correct by suspending the program. Hopefully, they will cancel it altogether.

But, of course, the child-handling experts have sallied forth with their own opinions.

International adoption expert Joyce Sterkel of the Ranch For Kids Project, which helps "at risk" adopted kids, predominantly from Russia, said that she was not surprised that some parents are sympathetic to Torry Hansen's situation.

"I would say overwhelmingly, anyone who has parented a post-institutionalized child with difficulties is very sympathetic with this mother, even though they may not agree with the manner by which she handled it," Sterkel said.

Well, if this is true, by what standard do they proceed? Are there simply no answers in Russia?

Sterkel said while many expect "love heals," that a child's genetic foundation, including inter-uterine exposure to alcohol during a mother's pregnancy, cannot be loved away.

"It's a problem everywhere [that] pregnant women drink, and certainly in Russia that's the case. That can cause permanent organic brain damage."

Ms. Sterkel's sweeping generalization certainly puts the matter in perspective. How many pregnant Russian women drink vodka? How does she obtain any legitimate statistics in this regard?

Debbie Robinson, executive director of Miriam's Promise adoption agency in Nashville, told CBS News, "This child could've been placed with a qualified, licensed agency for placement services so that . . . somebody like us, or Catholic charities, could've found a family."

Unfortunately, this is the kind of arrogance which promulgates the terrible issues of emotional upheaval in the adoption process. Why do otherwise educated people insist they can heal a problem, when they simply cannot, by any measure?

And further study of Catholic institutions and responsible behavior leaves much to the imagination. Unfortunately, the stench of a huge scandal is carried by association.

Sterkel said that adoptive parents who find themselves in a situation with a violent child often have few options.

"Saying the woman can go back to the adoption agency and turn the child over to them - no adoption agency will take a 7-year-old child with these problems," Sterkel said. "Social services probably will not help you. They will not take the child into foster care. You have the child, and once you've totally exhausted all your financial resources, then perhaps you can get some help. But as long as you have any financial resources, you won't get any help, you'll have to pay for it.

"I've seen parents spend tens of thousands of dollars on psychiatric facilities, elaborate treatments, medications, and all of it failed," she said.

Well, there you have it. It all failed. Case closed.

SOTOMAYOR'S DILEMMA

Yes, the blog is varied thematically, and suffers decidedly from a lack of SEO.  I suppose I don' t really care, as I liken the thinking and writing process to driving a race car----not being mechanically inclined, and expecting fully that all which is technical remain in its sphere, allowing for maximum creativity during the drive. A political musing:  Senator Jeff Sessions' predilections typically are predictable---staid and steadfast on course to keep the ship of justice righted through his notion of conservatism, and careful inquiry. His latest machinations, a strangely poignant statement asserting that if Supreme court judges were to possess empathy, (and possibly judiciously apply this in the formulation of a decision) by default, they must possess (and presumably promulgate) prejudice. Upon examination, it appears specious to suggest that one human trait must be counter-balanced by another. For example, Senator Sessions might well love Senator Kennedy (or not), therefore he must hate, say, Senator Franken.  Silly on its face. This is one example of the balance needed by those who cannot abide evolution of thought and processes. And without equivocation, must be regarded as a 'lesser' human trait, much like the need to wage war. So, not for the reasons which empathy might simply speak well for the character of the individual---but rather, it appears some learned persons, and perhaps our society's intellectual framework demands some sort of 'balance.' This is small-minded, and asks for a form of safety net, from which traditional thinking is protected from innovative thinking. Is it not practical to believe that innovation, (both in thought and action) propagates a world of best practices. Innovation seeks more---it seeks depth which enhances knowledge itself. On it face, it is reasonable to argue that an individual of the experience and quality of Judge Sotomayor could very possible possess certain qualities of empathy, yet remain fundamentally opposed to prejudice. Comments made by the good Judge regarding her belief that a 'wise latina women.......would come to a better decision than a white man..' quite true, from the context which it was framed. But in fact, the vilification process continues. However, a white judge, submersed in a legal argument involving tenants and idiosyncrasies of white culture, partially exclusionary, would 'come to a better decision than a latina woman.' Difficult to argue with, if the notion of deep personal experience positions one to use the full force of all information, when dimensions of a problem are endemic to those who 'live in that moment' as opposed to a personally more distant view from the intellect or rooted in academia rather than the essence of any issue. Is not the law a breathing entity? Must those who function as the final arbitrators of law wear the blindfold so oddly revered through the notion that 'justice is blind?' Blindness, while appreciated for its relationship to fulfillment of a non-prejudicial event, is only one human sense. Could not other senses of humanity act as just a powerful prejudice? What if tonal quality of a human voice were judged as a primary reason to rule against an otherwise just measure, a measure then lost for consideration due to the nature of its communication to others----a whiny voice, perhaps reminiscent of a grating sound akin to a Tiny Tim song. Similarly, computer generated voices are generally regarded as an objectionable method of communication by many humans----thus, the message, no matter its significance, perhaps its vital importance is lost amidst the cries of foul from those wishing, perhaps, for more empathy. One cannot wring empathy from a machine.Yet one can hope for revelatory events, as when governmental officials awaken to the fact that experience is not bias, it is the stuff of reality. It is the water in the glass. END John Woodworth is a freelance writer and long time advocate for the disadvantaged.  His interests include political discourse, and writing for the purposes of thought. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Woodworth

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Yes, I realize it has been some time since I have posted, but that doesn't mean I haven't been embroiled in an array of work-at-home schemes. 

During this round of research, I entered the world of High Yield Investment Programs, which generally demand a higher risk of losing your money.  It was unbelievable  the number of obvious scammers, many of whom were able to convince  ordinary people  that they would enjoy great riches  through a number of 'investment' vehicles.'  It's likely that 90% of these type programs are set up for failure-----they will pay out for a while, then simply close up shop. 

The FBI, SEC and other government agencies are working overtime trying to curtail these criminals.  I am even helping out with some information I was able to get on one major scammer who extracted 20 million dollars from the unsuspecting. He still remains free.

For the record, I did alright generally (being conservative), and have ended up in the leveraged silver market.

Of course, the real picture here is that one can clearly walk away from many of these programs losing all your money---also,it just isn't for the faint of heart.  It is clear through the postings on related Forums that failure is way more common than success.  Too many sad stories.

Programs are here and paying one day, then gone the next. 

For that reason, I will not be recommending ANY of the 30 or so 'opportunities' I tested out.  Suffice it so say than unless your are willing to learn how to trade foreign currencies (and this is a complicated process) you should stay away from these circles altogether.

As far as Ken Evoy's SiteSell, Jim Daniels, and Joe Robson, (my recommended programs on the on the left)  they are all still alive, well, and moving forward to develop their programs to adapt to the times.  If you can see yourself with your own website, and are able to fully comprehend what niche marketing is, or be willing to develop a profitable affiliate marketing web presence, these are the guys to go with.  Without question.

Now, please do not fall for these business 'opportunities' which promise $5000 per week---they are a dime a dozen-----and will drain your pocketbook. (which is probably already fairly empty)  If you surf the Net at all, I am sure you have all seen things like the Reverse Tunnel, and other impossible dream scenarios.  Stay away. 

I am presently investigating the 'real', more work-a day- type jobs, the difference being that the companies involved pay you to stay home and answer customer service calls, become a 'virtual' assistant, and myriad other companies  offering hourly wages.

I have joined practically every newsletter which promotes these type programs, and am considering paying for a subscription to moneyfromhome.com, a reputable firm by some accounts.  I am still doing background research on them, and will report all success to you should I move forward.

So, I am very busy looking into all these programs----I am going to have to join several myself (if I can get hired), so I will have some first hand information for you to digest.

Good luck to everyone.  I will update this blog on a more regular basis in the future.