Behind The Walls Of Vanderwilt
The Place I Love Most!
Saturday, February 8, 2020
Response to a Trump Supporter - 2/7/2020
Response to a Trump Supporter - 2/6/2020
Tuesday, July 16, 2019
Racist or not?
Monday, May 6, 2019
What’s Trump Hiding?
“When you have nothing to hide, you hide nothing!” There is substantial evidence as to why Mueller should testify in front of the Judiciary Committee and why his tax returns should be turned over by Mnuchin. If this President is “the most transparent President we’ve ever had” (his words, not mine), then what on earth is he trying to hide from the American People? There should be no reason to withhold this information unless he is. We all know Mueller disagreed with Barr’s summary of his 400+ page report. Therefore, there is more to all of this than this President wants us to know. In all honesty, I’ve not read the report in full but the excerpts I have read, it’s clear he obstructed justice and continues to do so with stunts like this.
I found this article, posted by Fox News, very interesting. It’s a statement , signed by 379 former Federal Prosecutors who feel Trump would have been indicated if he weren’t president.
Trump Would Have Been Indicted...
Monday, October 24, 2016
To put you in a good mood for the 1st day of Early Voting in TX
Hillary Clinton on Ellen after the 2nd debate (Parody)
And this is why Trump CAN NOT be President of the United States of America...
I've also seen some of the most outlandish responses when DJT supporters try and defend his insults, such as the only thing he's guilty of is that "he says mean things". It's much more than that and to defend his comments only adds to what's clearly wrong with this Country.
It's a simple choice for me! He's un-American and has no place in becoming the leader of our great Country.
Below is the link to The New York Times article, referencing all of DJT's insults:
281 People, Places and Things Donald J. Trump has insulted on Twitter
Friday, October 21, 2016
Debate Thoughts...
I agree with protecting the 2nd Amendment, but also think there must be stricter regulations to protect our people. Our Founding Fathers, in my opinion, had no idea that one day we'd have the ability to get our hands on assault rifles that could spray bullets killing hundreds of precious lives in a matter of minutes. I'm with her...
I agree with protecting Roe v Wade and protecting Women's Rights. It's especially important, not only for myself but for my Daughter and the daughters she may have one day. I'm with her...
I want to make sure the rights of the LGBTQ Community are protected. Our Country is proven to be better when we're inclusive as opposed to not. I'm with her...
I want stricter regulations to secure our borders. However, I don't agree with deporting undocumented immigrants. We, as a Country, are better than that. I'm with her...
I don't agree with the clear cyber attacks encouraged by Donald J. Trump. It's espionage! I'm with her...
I agree that when the middle class strives, we all strive. I agree with many top Economists of our Country who believe Clinton's plan to grow our Country is a much better plan. I'm with her...
I agree that experience matters, especially when it comes to upholding our Constitutional Rights and understanding policy. I'm with her...
I agree that America is already great and won't be fear mongered into thinking otherwise. I'm with her...
I believe a candidate running for the Presidency should release his tax returns. I come from the belief that "when you have nothing to hide, you hide nothing". I'm with her...
I don't believe anyone should be exempt from paying taxes. It's un-American and disgraceful. Just because the loophole may be there doesn't mean you knowingly take advantage of it. I'm with her...
I don't believe the election is rigged and can't believe the thought has even been raised. It's been proven to be undeniably false and quite frankly it's just unpatriotic to say it. I'm with her...
I'm standing with all 5 living Presidents who agree that Clinton is the best choice to be our next President. I'm with her...
I agree that Hillary is more versed when it comes to protecting us and keeping America safe. She's sat in the "war room". Her experience matters when it comes to this topic. I know, there's Benghazi... However, she sat for testimony for over 11 hours and was found to not be responsible for the 4 Americans we lost in Benghazi. I also know about the 33K emails, but in this case she was deemed careless, not criminal. I'm with her...
I agree with the Affordable Care Act. Does it need refinement? Yes. But should it be repealed? No! Our Country, our whole Country, deserves Healthcare. I'm with her...
I don't need to defend my stance as I've explained why I'm with her. I also don't need to bash Trump, it's just not necessary.
Lastly, I heard a wonderful quote today from a commentator before the debate, when he said "Clinton was for addition and multiplication, whereas Trump was for division and subtraction". I'll take addition and multiplication over division and subtraction anyday... I'm with her!
Friday, June 29, 2012
ObamaCare and who pays the penalty...
I'm so glad that they have brought more light to this discussion and I hope and pray that more people will understand that the majority of the American People will not be affected at all by the new law. In fact, only 4% will be affected by the new Health Care plan. Yes, that's it, 4 PERCENT! Most of the people I know are in the 96% that will not be affected one bit! I've been an advocate for the plan from the very beginning, but this article really clears some things up that I believe most of those opposed to plan don't really understand.
Here are 10 really good reasons why we need to look at this as a good thing, not a negative one.
No one said CHANGE came easy. In fact, it can even be a little uncomfortable at the beginning. However, I can think of so many things where change was not necessarily wanted at the time, but none the less necessary.... the Civil Rights Movement, the right to an Education and the right to be FREE. These changes have made such a positive impact in the lives we live today.
This is one of the many reasons we put President Obama into the Oval Office and I'm proud he not only got the law passed but I'm blessed to have been part of this CHANGE!
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
The day we lost Lori...
Labor Day weekend, 1992 I was heading back home that Monday from a trip to the beach with another friend of mine. All day I tried reaching my parents on the phone, but had no luck. I even tried calling my line but got no answer and my answering machine didn't pick up either... strange. I tried and tried but no one was answering their phone. I tried my grandparents phone, no answer. This now got me a little worried that something had happened to a family member because they always answered the phone and it seemed as if they never went anywhere. The closer I got to the house, the more I tried calling every number I could think of to get someone on the phone who knew what was happening with my family. About 15 minutes from the house, I decided to call Lori's house to see if maybe my parents were with her Mom and maybe the "beach" crowd had gotten together for a Labor Day Cookout. So, I'm calling Lori's house and my Mom answers the phone, strange. She sounded fine, but very limited in what she had to say to me. In fact, all I really remember her saying was can you please come by Lori's house before heading home. I was so relieved to hear my Mom's voice, but also agitated at the time I had spent trying to get in touch with her. I told her I was tired and needed to get laundry done so I would just meet them at the house. My Mom insisted that I come by Lori's house and then I knew something wasn't quite right. I asked my Mom what was going on and why she couldn't just tell me what she needed to over the phone. I was tired and cranky and just wanted some answers but my Mom was also loosing her patience with me, so I dropped it and just decided to swing by Lori's.
I got off on the exit and I clearly remember the song playing as I pulled up in Lori's gravel driveway. It was the song Please Don't Go by KWS. To this day, I can't stand that song. It takes me back to what seemed like the longest driveway in history where I saw lots of friends, and family and cars everywhere. I still don't think it registered that something was wrong. In fact, I just figured, it's labor day so everyone is here for a cookout. There were friends there that I had not seen since high school, so why I thought everything was copacetic was beyond me. My Dad met me in the driveway before I even had a chance to park the car and I could tell by his face that something was very wrong. It was the first time in my life that I had ever seen my Dad get teary eyed. He asked me to get out of the car and as he grabbed me tightly he said, "I can't believe I have to tell you this, but Lori is dead". I literally fell to the ground, screaming, crying, hitting my Dad in the chest as my Mom began to walk out of the house to help. I was uncontrollably screaming "WHAT HAPPENED, WHAT HAPPENED". At this point, I just figured it was an automobile accident, even though now I remember seeing her car sitting in the driveway, so that just couldn't be the case. I never in a million years thought I would hear what would come out of my Dad's mouth next... "Shelley, Lori was shot this afternoon. It was an accident, "K" was cleaning his gun when it accidentally went off". I didn't believe it then and I don't believe it now, nor do I ever think I will ever believe it was an accident. I don't know that it was intended to happen that day, but I do believe it also wasn't an accident either.
A few weeks before the gun went off on this dreadful Labor Day, "K" had "accidentally" shot himself in the same house with another gun. The bullet pierced through his hand and luckily no one in the house was hurt. Maybe I've been watching too much TV, but I believe this was all part of his plan. If he could show that one gun went off accidentally, then why couldn't another one do the same a few weeks later. There were also things that didn't jive with me in regards to the way "K" described to me what happened. Lori was sitting across the room from "K" at an angle that doesn't make sense how she could then be shot underneath her arm. If the bullet had hit the other side of her body, I might have bought it, but in my opinion, in order for her to have been shot from where she would have been sitting, "K" would have had to have been right by her side. "K" knew about guns, he knew the safety of guns and he knew not to clean his gun with a bullet in the chamber. In my opinion, Lori was really ending things with him that day, one thing lead to another, their argument got out of control and he shot her.
My Mom would later tell me that Lori had called me the morning of her death. Was she calling because she was in trouble, or was it just a call to say hello? I'll never know! I think back to the last time I saw Lori, in that same driveway where I got the awful news of her death. She yelled to me as I was walking to my car "I'll talk to you later this week". I remember the feeling I had as I turned to tell her to "Take Care", it was like that would be the last of our goodbyes. I think we all have those premonitions, but sometimes don't know exactly how to bring them to light or question why they occur in the first place. Could things have been different if I had been home that day and gotten her call? Would the circumstances have been the same or would she still be here today? Again, I'll never know.
RIP my friend. I think of you often and think of those you left behind. I know I speak for us all when I say, we miss you!
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Andrew Breitbart and FOX owe Shirley Sherrod an apology!
In Breitbart's original post http://http//biggovernment.com/abreitbart/2010/07/19/video-proof-the-naacp-awards-racism2010/ he refers to the Democratic Party's attempt to slander the Tea Party and makes the following statement in regard to the "Capitol Hill N Word incident", he says and I quote, "the incident was a manufactured lie". Really, well what on earth did you think the entry you were posting regarding Mrs. Sherrod was? It was completely manufactured, misleading and falsified report.
It was purposeful and it was malicious and it cost Mrs. Sherrod her job. Yes, I understand she's been offered another position, but this will forever be part of her legacy. It's tainted her for life.
So, my question is, what should happen to Breitbart and FOX News? Should there be consequences for their blatant disregard for full disclosure reporting?
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
A Family Who Lives On One Income
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Inhumane or Justified?
Here's a little background on the case... As a child, Gardner was the victim of poverty, abuse and neglect. In 1984 he was convicted of killing Melvyn Otterstorm at a bar in Salt Lake City, Utah. In 1985, while at a pretrial hearing in the murder of Otterstorm, he was slipped a gun and fatally shot attorney, Michael Burdell. In 1976, Utah restored the death penalty. In 2004, Utah changed their way of execution to lethal injection however, Gardner was one that was grandfathered in to die by firing squad.
So, what's your opinion? Is this way of execution inhumane or is it justified? Are you for or against capital punishment and if you're for it does it matter how you're put to death?
Part of Gardner's defense is that the jurors did not get to hear his recollections of his childhood and therefore they may have made a different decision. Should it matter what his childhood was? Isn't there a right and a wrong and shouldn't we as sane people know the difference?
THE GIRL CAN SING!!
Alice performs "At Last" on AGT
Alice performs "Midnight Train To Georgia"
Alice performs "What's Love Got To Do With It"
Decked for Jaywalking...
I look at the this video and don't know how I feel about it. I'm not going to say it's justified in any way as a police officer should have more restraint than to let a jaywalking incident escalate to this. However, once it did escalate, I'm at a loss for where I stand. I wish the video would have been shot a few minutes prior to see how the girls ended up at the police car in the first place. Did the police officer start using his authority to push the girls to a breaking point, or did the girls push the officer to his breaking point. We all know that you aren't supposed to resist arrest, or you will be faced with stronger force on the officers part. On top of that, this officer has 2 girls screaming, wailing and grabbing at him along with several bystanders screaming and hollering at him too.
What should have happened? How should this have been handled? If this were a male, would the reaction have been the same as what we feel for this young girl? Does it make a difference that both teenagers have criminal records already? Does that play any part in what could have happened prior to when we see the two girls at the police officers car? So may questions... it will be interesting to see how this plays out. Surprisingly, for once I can actually say I wont be judging either side until I hear all the details leading up to the video. What are your thoughts?
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
9 Year Old's PINK Mobile Dance Studio
Friday, June 4, 2010
"You Will Never Stand Taller Than When You Stoop To Help A Child" - Dr. Phil
After leaving the store, Dr. Phil's quote ("You'll Never Stand Taller Than When You Stoop To Help A Child") popped into my head. I'm all for lessons and correcting a child when they have done something wrong. However, do we always have to do it by standing tall over them and watching them cringe with fear as we yell at them? I looked at this poor kid and thought to myself, this mother will never earn the respect of her child unless she learns to respect them first. I'm not saying kids shouldn't be disciplined or corrected, but shouldn't their be a mutual level of respect between one another? Isn't that how they learn respect in the first place?
Monday, May 31, 2010
Friday, May 28, 2010
Remember what Memorial Day is all about, even if our leader doesn't.????
Let's break the statement down...
"Remember Memorial Day"... that's a given. We should all honor our fallen soldiers on Monday. How do we do that? Go to a parade, hang a flag in your yard, wear red-white & blue, have a cookout. Now I don't know what President Obama has planned on Monday, but I feel pretty confident that he will probably do one if not all of the things that make us as a nation patriotic. I think he'll even go a step further by visiting the Veteran's Memorial that day in DC. What will you be doing that day?
"Even if our leader doesn't".... WHAT? What does that even mean? What is the basis of that statement? Everyone knows I am an Obama supporter through and through, but even if this message was posted during Bush's term I would have the same reaction. Don't use Memorial Day to trash the current President and what he stands for. Obama, and even Bush for that matter, have more patriotism in their pinkie finger than I have in my whole body. They live and breath the United States of America and what it stands for and that's why they are where they are.
If you're going to make a statement like that, state your reasons for why you feel like that. In my opinion, there is nothing to support it! We must find a way to stop trashing a President that has been given so many obstacles. Why can't we support him in making this a better country instead of making statements like that, which only set us back!
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
The Experience Of Oprah's Live Your Best Life Weekend
It all started back in March, March 15th to be exact, when Oprah's Live Your Best Life tickets went on sale. Weeks before that I had a conversation with my Mom and asked her if she would be interested in going if I could actually get tickets. We both thought, "we probably wont get them, but if we do, it's meant to be". So, on March 15th and 12:00:01, when tickets went on sale I was online trying to get through. Five minutes later, I had two tickets and got all the lifeshop seminars of my choice (Dr. Oz, Nate Berkus and Peter Walsh). I couldn't believe it, in fact I sat there for the rest of the afternoon in shock that I had actually gotten through. I called Mom and I think she was as dumbfounded as I was. I really thought that tickets would have been gone or I would have lost computer connection and not been able to complete the transaction. But it was really meant to be.
Then the planning began; airline tickets, hotel, transportation, food... you name it, I was organizing everything. I didn't want Mom to lift a hand. So, I got our travel arrangements coordinated where I would leave from Houston and she would leave from Charlotte and we would both fly to NY and get there within an hour of each other. It worked out perfect. I also arranged for a car to pick us up at the airport and went ahead and made our dinner reservations. I knew the weekend would be full of Oprah events so I wanted everything laid out where we didn't have to make last minute decisions in an unfamiliar city.
Friday
The day finally came, May 7th and I had to get up so early as I had a 3 hour flight and wanted to be in NY before noon. Mom's flight was a little delayed so I had time to sit down, eat and make a few phone calls before walking over to my Mom's terminal. Mom finally arrived, the car was there to pick us up and we were whisked away to the Hotel just in time to freshen up before the Welcome Reception began.
We got to the Reception at Gotham Hall and it was beautiful, simply beautiful. You walked in to the reception hall with the music playing, champagne and hors d'oeuvres were being served and in the middle of the room was Loreal's Step And Repeat where photos were being taken of all attendees. The colors were beautiful, the flowers was gorgeous, the sight was breathtaking. Pictures don't even do it justice. The O' Team even went as far as placing bouquets of flowers in the men's urinals. Yes, there were men there, but the women sure outnumbered them.
I made reservations for Mom and I at Park Avenue Spring, which is a quaint little restaurant on 63rd and Park Avenue. It was really very pretty. Park Avenue Cafe changes their decor with the change of the season. Luckily, from the pictures I've seen, Spring was my favorite season! The food was delicious and the atmosphere was so lovely.
After dinner, Mom and I had all intentions of touring the Empire State Building, but from traveling and walking through New York during the day we were so very tired. So, we ended up heading back to the hotel so we could get a good nights rest for the next days events.
Saturday
We needed to be at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center at 8:00, so Mom and I got up early enough to walk down there from the hotel in hopes to get something to eat before the lifeshops began. The doors opened at 8:00, but the Opening Remarks were not until 9:30, so in my mind we had plenty of time. Do you know, when we got there the lines were unbelievably long. People must have gotten there at 6AM as the line wrapped around 5 city blocks, it was amazing. I've never seen anything like it. We walk in, and because of the heightened security due to the Times Square bombing attempt, we all had to walk through metal detectors and have our bags checked. So, this made the line seem to take even longer. We got in just in time for the Opening Remarks, but not in time to get something to eat. Oprah came out and started the day welcoming everyone and thanking them for showing their support. She didn't speak long, and there wasn't anything poignant said, but EMOTION TOOK OVER! I was so overwhelmed by the whole experience and couldn't believe I was sitting in the same room with a WOMAN that I so admire and look up to and I was sharing that experience with MY MOM on Mother's Day Weekend. I just lost it. The only thing that could have made it better was having Laura there. I so missed sharing that experience with her. It was such an emotional start to the day. After Oprah's welcome, she introduced Elizabeth Gilbert, author of EAT, PRAY, LOVE. I tell you, she was a hoot. I thought she was so funny and I really enjoyed her story. I've never read the book, but after hearing her speak I've downloaded the book on my Kindle and can't wait to see the movie when it comes out. After hearing Elizabeth Gilbert, Mom and I had to get to our lifeshops. We saw Dr. Oz, Nate Berkus and Peter Walsh. Because this was a celebration of O' The Oprah Magazine's 10th Anniversary, each lifeshop focused on 10 things to living your best life. I took away something from each one, maybe not all 10 but something and I've tried to incorporate them into my life.
After the lifeshops, Mom and I went back to the hotel in order to get ready for Oprah's Celebration at Radio City Music Hall. Luckily we were only 2 blocks from the Hall because we were already tired and our feet were a little sore as well. We walked in not knowing where the seats would be, and were blown away when the attendant walked us down 18 rows from center stage. Mom and I both looked at each other in amazement. So surprised and so excited.... we would actually get to see Ms. Winfrey up close, live and in color. Oprah spoke for and hour and a half and talked about where she came from, where she is now and where she's going. She talked about how important following your passion is. I can truly say that I've not learned to do that yet but I hope that one day I can find that inner voice that tells me it's OK to follow my passion. I've talked about this before, but my passion is to become a photographer. I love it, love catching life in motion. However, I don't do enough to support my passion. One day, I hope I can go there and have the nerve to break away from an office environment and follow my dream. I'm not there yet, and don't have that courage quite yet, but I pray that one day I will.
Once again, Mom and I had all intentions of going to the Empire State Building. Did we make it there? NO! We were now even more tired than the day before and had to be at Oprah's Charity Walk the next morning by 7AM.
Sunday
The days prior to Sunday had been beautiful. Sunny skies and really pleasant weather. We woke up Sunday to pretty skies as well but it was so very cold, in the 40's. As well as I had organized the weekend plans, I surely didn't do that when it came to my Sunday outfit. I had shorts and a t-shirt and did not bring a jacket at all. At 40 degrees, I would surely freeze. Luckily Mom brought 2 pairs of long workout pants, but I still didn't have a jacket. Fortunately, I brought a few pashminas and threw them over my arms just to try and stay warm. Because it was so early in the morning and it was Sunday, there were no stores opened when we left so I had to just suck it up and walk.
We arrived at the Intrepid Museum at 7 and got lined up for Oprah's LYBL Walk. Mom and I were walking for the organization, Share Our Strength®, which is dedicated to making sure no kid in America grows up hungry. The walk was to start at 7:30, but Oprah and few other celebrity walkers did not arrive until 8:30. We were cold, hungry and at that point getting a little frazzled. By the time the walk began we were so through with speeches and thank yous.....it was time to get this thing started. The walk began at the Intrepid and ended in Times Square. Once we arrived in Times Square and walked around to a few of the booths then it was time to head back to the hotel in order for the car to pick us up and take us back to the airport.
So, that was the weekend. I had such a nice time and so enjoyed the experience with my Mom. I hate that we didn't get to see more of NY but for me the experience was a chance of a lifetime!