What Obama Gets You

Well, folks, here's another reason for your so-called gun control. Some lunatic burst into some building and shot some guy. That building just happened to be the Arkansas Democratic Headquarters. And, that guy just happened to be Bill Gwatney, the Arkansas Democratic Party Chairman, not to mention a superdelegate. Apparently, Gwatney was going to back Hillary (Bill) Clinton before he/she/it dropped out of the race. So, I guess this lunatic decided he couldn't take Osama Yo Mama, and he was pissed this guy starting backing Barry, so he flipped his fucking lid. Might I remind you, no legal gun toter would vote for Hillary (or Barry), so we know this guy wasn't legit. Tote on my friends, tote on.

Boob Punches Gun Owner in Face

Gun owners take another blow to the chin. A judge ruled that guns were not allowed in the Atlanta Airport while the challenge to this ban is pending in court. Apparently,

U.S. District Judge Marvin Shoob expressed concern that allowing guns at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport could cause significant economic damage and could be a "serious threat to public safety and welfare."

Again, I ask you, how is this even considered as a fact? How is it that law abiding citizens who have obtained a legal concealed carry permit through all necessary legal means can possibly be considered damaging economically and a "serious threat to public safety and welfare"? This is truly a low blow to those who "pack heat", as this article so tactfully puts it. People who are truly a "serious threat to public safety and welfare" are going to carry a gun in and mow people down regardless of any laws or regulations. Why is it so hard to understand? It makes no sense to legally obtain weapons and permits for carrying those weapons if you are planning a massive attack. It just doesn't. I think Judge Shoob is a big fat boob.

Some Infringement on Constitutional Rights is OK

Apparently, there is a city in Arkansas that just can't get its shit together, so they have instituted a 24 hour curfew. I don't exactly know what that entails, but it sounds kind of stupid to begin with. You can't leave your house? Hmm...sounds fishy to me. But, what's gotten this to be news worthy, really, is the question of whether or not it is unconstitutional for the Police to stop people for violating this rule. Obviously, if there is a curfew, and you are out during the curfew, the Police can stop you. But a 24 hours curfew, well, how do you not violate that? I mean, don't these people work? Don't they go to the grocery store? Church? WalMart? I mean, it is Arkansas! How can they go a day without WalMart?! What's funny to me about all this is this quote from a resident (the Mayor):

"Now if somebody wants to sue us, they have an option to sue, but I'm fairly certain that a judge will see it the way the way the citizens see it here," Mayor James Valley said. "The citizens deserve peace, that some infringement on constitutional rights is OK and we have not violated anything as far as the Constitution."*

Now, let me get this straight. "Some infringement on Constitutional rights is OK". Um, no, it really isn't. You let them get away with one thing, and the next thing you know, the Bill of Rights is out the window. But, what makes this even better is that he immediately says,"We have not violated anything as far as the Constitution". He's right, the "citizens deserve peace", but military rule just isn't the answer (unless you're Iraq, apparently). If they have a high crime rate, they need to put their effort into catching those who are responsible and leave the good citizens alone. And, no, violating the rights of the accused isn't excusable either. If you're guilty, innocent, or accused, you still have rights. Even if the right is to remain silent. What's most sad to me about this situation, is that the City Council voted unanimously for this 24 hour curfew.

*Emphasis added to quotation.

I Always Feel Like Somebody's Watching Me

I found this super interesting website. It allows you to see if there are crazies near you. (Jen, check out that house by you.)

Here are a few offenders' offenses near my house (and might I add, this is just to name a few...all within a half mile):

• BURGLARY THEFT BY DECEPTION
• POSS OF MARIJUANA & TRAF COCAINE 401+ GM
• ROBBERY
• CRUELTY TO CHILDREN
• POSS METHAMPHETAMINE
• POSS FIREARM CONVCT FELON & FORGERY 1ST DEGREE & POSS METHAMPHETAMINE & OBSTR OF LAW ENF OFFICER

Um, I'm sort of afraid now. I do think it is funny that they show traffic offenses, though. Some lady got an 80 in a 70, and it's on there. Full name and everything. LOL

*Ones with "&" are multiple offenses from the same person.

Crooked Smile Update #4

Last night, I cried myself to sleep. And, Travis held me, and Pepe laid his head on my hip, and I cried myself to sleep.

St. Mary's has decided that my grandfather is not strong enough to do the intense rehabilitation program that they offer. It is three grueling hours of work everyday, and he just isn't ready for it right now. They have requested that he be transferred to a temporary care facility (short-term nursing home) where he can rest, recuperate, and get daily speech, physical, and occupational therapy suited to his energy level. He goes to a nursing home Wednesday. The visitation hours will only be 10AM to 8:30PM (due to Homeland Security laws, or so I'm told). So, it will greatly hinder my being able to see him Friday nights when I make it there after work and Saturday mornings when I get up early to come back. He will stay there for up to 20 days. At that time, he will be sent back to St. Mary's for their rigorous rehab; or, if he is not strong enough, they will send him home. The latter is a death sentence, if you ask me.

Which, I guess, is how I got to crying myself to sleep. My Mom's Dad died in 2000. He got very sick after having flu-like symptoms for several months. They admitted him to a hospital in Athens, and moved him shortly thereafter to Emory Hospital in Atlanta. They thought it was everything from Tuberculosis to cancer, but they never reached a diagnosis. On the day he died, I called around lunch. I didn't get an answer. I meant to call back, but I forgot. He was given a blood transfusion that afternoon (one of his symptoms was that his red blood cells were greatly depleted), and it killed him. I can't say whether it was medical malpractice or if the stress just did him in. There was no autopsy, and we do not know, to this day, the cause of death or the illness from which he suffered. What I do know, though, is that he died before I ever got to call him back. I forgot to call him back. I forgot about my own grandfather. And, it haunts me. Everyday. It makes me miserable to think that I let him die like that--not knowing that I loved him and I missed him and that I still love him now and I miss him so so so much. I feel very guilty. I feel ashamed. I feel like I have to do this right this time around. I can't let my Pawpaw Tommy die without knowing how much he means to me.

So, I'll make another trip home this weekend. Somehow. Even though I have a party to put on for Travis. Even though I am exhausted and barely functioning. Even though I will hardly get to see him and gas is still an arm and a leg. Because I just can't let this happen again. My dad says I should get on with my normal life, and I should not feel guilty about what happened to my other grandfather or not coming home this weekend. But, I can't. Travis and I haven't been scuba diving once this summer. And I can't even fathom going now. I'll feel so guilty the entire time because I'll be out having fun, and he'll be lying in a bed half-paralyzed, unable to talk or eat.