Yellow Dog/Bleeding Heart

"Mom, I need a cell phone?" "Do you have a thriving medical practice I am unaware of?" "What are you talking about? No." "Well, I just wondered if you "needed" this cell phone because your patients were complaining they couldn't reach you." "Mom," eye roll, "Be serious." "I am being quite serious. You're thirteen. Why on earth do you "need" a cell phone?" "What if you need to get a hold of me?" "Considering that 50% of the time you are WITH ME, 25% of the time you are in school and the other 25% of the time you are asleep I don't foresee a problem." "But what if I am at a friend's and they don't have a phone?" "You have friends in third world countries?!" "Mom! You're not being fair!" "You're right. I'm sorry." "So you're gonna get me a cell phone?" "No, I'm sorry to have raised you ...

Words are worth exactly the thought and the sentiment put into them. I’m not sure if it is because I was an English Major or because etymology is my hobby or even because I think the art of rhetoric is fascinating. I am just not hung up on the individual words themselves. I generally say exactly what I mean and mean exactly what I say. It’s all about context. This is why Chris Rock can call Kanye West a " niggah " but George Bush can't. This is also why I have never had a problem with Little Dog using words which many (or most) consider to be inappropriate. He can say shit, damn, piss, and even fuck. I truly do not care. I do, however, care about words and phrases like: “Shut up!” or “Hate” or “Retarded.” I mean, words can hurt, and the damage can extend further than to just the person you are saying them to. Using certain words can perpetuate stereotypes; dissuade compassion and even waste energy. Have you ever though of the energy it takes to “hate?” Yup. Hate is a mig...

Dear Candidates, If part of your active campaigning involves strategically placing your yard signs every three feet along the median/embankment/easement etc... Please remember to collect said yard signs after the vote is over. Because, even if you won this time, I guarantee I will never ever give you my vote again, should you choose to run, if you leave that crap out there for someone else to clean up. Sincerely, A Tree Hugger Gads! These signs are everywhere! Huge groupings of them! I kind of want to start collecting them all and then dump them in the yards or office lobbies of said candidate. True annoyance here. Also, note to any protesters out there: Please make your cause (and any alternatives) clearly obvious. Otherwise, you are just out there illustrating an exercise in futility. I take protesting seriously. I think in this day and age it is a lost art. I also think it should be reclaimed as a viable means of opining. Too many people think they can sign and circulate an on-line...