When Pigs Fly

I'm browsing through the various Facebook posts this morning and I start to notice a trend...people replacing actual expletives like "shit" or "damn" with "shyt" or "dayum".  That's when I started thinking...I know, me...thinking...who'd have thought?  I started to see parallels to real life in this behavior.  It's amazing to me how much time people spend trying to "clean up" their lives.  This "clean-up" is very much like the word "shyt".  Everyone knows that it's really "shit"...it means the same thing as "shit".  Why not just say shit?  Why is it acceptable for people to live their lives contrary to who they say they are...so long as they appear to be what they are supposed to be?

This was the question I asked myself back in my married days.  I kept asking myself why it was OK that all of my close god-fearing friends knew I was attracted to men but seemed to be fine with it as long as I played the part of a straight man.  As soon as I started keeping it real, they ran for the hills.  What is it about the truth that makes so many people squeamish?  Pretenses add no real value in life if nobody believes them.  Why be the idiot who is dressing up a pig in a bird costume and expecting it to fly South for the Winter?  Why not just be happy with what is clearly a pig?

Don't get me wrong.  I've been that person walking around with a "bird-pig" before.  I guess sometimes we feel like reality is just too harsh and so we feel the need to dress it down.  I'm just not sure what is to be gained by doing so.  I rarely do that anymore...oh, maybe on Facebook...sometimes.  Even then, I tend to keep it very real.  I'm sure some people on my friends list cringe at the things that I post at times!    The older I get, the less I feel like keeping up appearances with people.  I would sooner tell you it's none of your business than to make up some elaborate lie.  I'd rather just type the word "fuck" than waste an asterisk (i.e. f*ck).

The Bottom Line:

In this increasingly low-tolerance and politically correct world, sometimes shyt is just shit and a bird is really a pig.  Say what you mean, not what looks good on Facebook.

Verbose or Wordful?

As I ponder my own place in the wonderful market-place of words, I can't help but wonder how many different ways there are to say the same thing.  Someone I know jokingly described himself as "wordful", which made me laugh out loud.  It's funny to me, that's funny weird...not funny ha-ha, how so many people use all kinds of words to say the very same thing.  We use words for more than just relaying information.  We use words to prove points, convey emotions, to uplift, to condemn, to play games, to defend, and to attack.


Word are given even greater power when paired with sound or tone of voice.  Words are curious things.  Words were "created" to help us understand and communicate, yet I find that sometimes words do just the opposite.  Words can be too vague or general for us to understand the true meaning behind them.  Sometimes words just get in the way all together.  I find in many cases, when it comes to words, less truly is more.  I think maybe that's why I like music so much.  It's short on words for the most part and long on composition and complex simplicity...if there is such a thing.  :-)

The Bottom Line
The next time you find yourself bogged down in a war of words, just shut up and turn on some music.  It will make everything right as rain.

Oprah, Palin, & Mononucleosis

I just got done watching Sarah Palin on Oprah.  Listening to her gave me Mono!  Why won't Sarah Palin just answer a damn question directly?  I don't understand why this woman refuses to say YES or NO.  She had the perfect opportunity to undo or reduce her poor image with the opposition and she only made it worse. Maybe she just confirmed what the nay-sayers have said all along.

I won't deny, there is something appealing about Palin's personality.  Did she ever need to be in politics?  I'm thinking no.  Did she ever need to be on a Presidential ticket as the Vice Presidential candidate?  No...certainly not!  Is there a forum for her in the public eye?  I think so.  Those who know me well understand that last statement is a huge departure from how I've felt in the past.  I just wanted her to go away.  I do believe that she represents a good portion of the people in this country.  I don't believe she will ever be respected by those with opposing views until she stops playing cat and mouse with the media.  One day she's the cat and one day she's the mouse.  Until she learns to simply ANSWER THE QUESTION, she will not be taken seriously.  She spent an hour on what many would consider the world's most influential television show very nearly refusing to give direct answers and trying to be portrayed in an intelligent light.  All she really managed to do was make herself look even worse by not being up front with those watching.

I have an idea.  If Sarah Palin is going to make a career out of not answering questions directly or dancing around subjects, maybe she should stop going on TV for interviews.  She should stop wasting everyone's time.  She should go back to being a mom.  What's even more amusing is that there are still people trying to refute valid criticism of this Palin interview.  Someone told me told me today, "if you don't want to see Sarah Palin turn the channel...It's not rocket science".  To that I say, if Sarah Palin wishes to remain in the public eye and put herself in a public forum in an attempt to "tell her story", then she, along with everyone else, should be ready for those who will call bullshit when they see it.  It's THAT simple.

Bottom Line: Sarah Palin would have you believe that what you see is what you get...and all those other warm and endearing clichés.  The real truth is that what you see is what Sarah Palin wants you to see...nothing more.  So, to Sarah Palin I say this...  Show us something different.  Show us that you can answer questions directly.  Show us that you can "talk straight" with us, rather than acting like the politicians you moan about.  Stop pretending that you are just a "good ole girl" and own up to the fact that you are NO different than any other politician in the game today.  You are a person with a plan, an agenda, just like the rest of those in power and on their way to power.  You are not the brightest individual in that group either, so it's time you put up or shut up Maverick.

You betcha!

Hate This!

To All The Haters...

I know who is responsible for the recent hateful comments left on my blog and your ignorance will no longer be tolerated here. It's a shame that you don't have the courage or character to post your comments under anything other than "anonymous". Your comments have been removed and security measures are now in place to prevent your hateful rhetoric in the future. It's a shame that so many small-minded people still get to walk this earth each and every day spreading hate and intolerance to everyone they possibly can.

While I believe in free speech, I also believe in appropriate behavior. If you want to hate on me because I have a down moment and wish to question MY LIFE, then you are sadder than any post I could ever create. My blog represents my ideals and opinions. Like it or not, I am entitled to that. I will not accept hatred from those who wish to silence me because something I say may reflect poorly upon them. I will not be dissuaded from expressing my views. I will not be bullied by my ex-wife Sandra Renee Bullard, her husband Bart Bullard, or anyone else from their circle of religious bigots.

I will take my life's journey in my way. I will express what I feel I need to. If you don't like it, then I suggest you stop stalking my every word online. You can hate on me all you want, but I will not apologize for my life, my words, my choices, or my thoughts.


Hate This!


Stay Free!

Black Barbie B.S.

So I'm reading up on the black Barbie collection just released by Mattel. There are people actually complaining that the Barbie is not black enough! These same people are saying she needs to have more natural hair or braids. Are we kidding here? I can count on one hand how many black women I know who wear their hair naturally. Better yet, most of the black women I know wear damn wigs or weave!!! I think all these ultra Afrocentric people need to give it a rest. Barbie has NEVER...EVER...EVER...been about representing a natural beauty...EVER. She's never really been fat. She's never been ugly. Barbie is a TOY. Get over it. If Mattel were to make her look like a Pamela Anderson amputee, that's their business. When did we all get so politically correct? For all the haters of the new Black Barbie: If you don't like it, make your own damn doll!

If people are relying on dolls to teach self-respect and pride, there is something very wrong with that. Parents, let the little girls (or boys) play with the dolls they want and BE the example that you believe they should see. It's that simple.

For the record, I don't believe there is anything wrong with wigs, perms, tracks, weave, new growth, natural hair, or any other kind of hair. So get up out black Barbie's Kool-Aid and quit trippin'!

Sunspot - Perfect Imperfection

I call this collection Sunspot because the white image in the background is an actual photo of the Sun. In some of these photos you can see sunspots to the left(smaller) or the right(larger). The human form in these photos is mine. I found it intriguing that both the Sun and Humans have imperfections that are not a detriment and can actually be a thing of beauty. A sunspot, by definition, is an area on the surface of the Sun that has intense magnetic activity. These imperfections produce the following phenomena:

Areas of reduced temperature on the surface of the Sun, which I compare to Humans who exhibit grace under fire...

Beautiful and elegant light formations called Coronal Loops, which I compare to Human creativity...

Solar Flares, that release tremendous amounts of energy which have far reaching effects. I compare this to the Human Spirit, which can deliver someone out of the darkest places in life while forever changing future generations.

The moral of this photographic story is... Don't shy away from your imperfections. They can make you a thing of beauty if you let them. I hope you enjoy. See the photos below...

Time & Punishment

Do you ever have one of those moments where you start to wonder if perhaps you are being punished for something you've done? Having wondered that...ever have a hard time figuring out what the hell that might have been? I know I do.

In January 2010 it will have been 7 years since I left my ex-wife, an idea that we both agreed was best. Since then, I have struggled in every way imaginable. My ex-wife has struggled to let go of the past. My kids have struggled more than any of us. They struggle to understand why things are different now. They struggle with hearing two versions of how the world turns. They get the narrow-minded, bigoted version with their mother and step-dad. They get the "realist" version from me.

I won't pretend that my decision to come out as a gay man hasn't come at a high price. It was, however, less about being gay and more about being honest with myself and everyone else in my life. Fast forward to today... I can't help but wonder if I am paying too high a price for that decision. Am I being punished for trying to lead an honest life? Sometimes it seems like the criminals in this world are the only ones who really enjoy life. Should I have kept lying? I feel like the answer to this line of questioning is a big fat NO...but I feel like I've served my time. I've taken my punishment. When is it time for me to join the land of the living again?

They say Karma is a bitch. I'm starting to think she's a bitch with the memory of an elephant. I need Karma to give me a damn break. I am not asking to get away with anything. I'm not asking that the effects of my decisions be wiped away for all time. I am being very realistic here...after all, I am a Virgo. I just want to take this moment to appeal to Karma and let her know...

I don't want to be wealthy. I just want to be able to provide for myself and my kids and be OK.

I don't want the romance of the ages. I just want to meet someone who is honest, loving, faithful, and sexy...not Gilles Marini sexy...but cute. I don't think that's too much to ask...is it?

I don't want a McMansion. I just want a home or apartment with room enough for me and my children.

I don't want the chauffeur driven limo. I just want something dependable that won't embarrass me or my kids while we are driving around. :-)

At any rate, I don't believe I want too much. I don't believe I want more than I deserve. I just have this nagging feeling that Karma has other designs on what my sentence should be. I can only hope for a little credit for good behavior to help get me out of what can only be described as jail.

Nobel B.S.

It astonishes me that so many people have such an issue with President Obama winning the Nobel Peace Prize. I think some people are not familiar with the award's purpose and function. I also think there are others who are just angry that Obama is being recognized for any good deed and would find any reason to criticize the choice. It really irritates me that so many don't know anything about the award yet have so many things to say about who receives it. For more information on the history and purpose of the award please visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nobel_Peace_Prize or http://nobelprize.org/index.html

I believe there are good reasons why Obama has received this award. There are many things which he has put into motion to open dialogue between countries. Communication is paramount to any effort for peace. While our previous President closed many doors to communication while fostering an isolationist approach to war, President Obama has again opened those doors and begun a new era of open communication...even where it's not popular to do so. He's had to reverse so much of the damage done by former President Bush across the globe. He's done an incredible thing taking this country off the path of isolationism.

All things said, I believe people should take it upon themselves to get more background and information on the Nobel award before they chastise the committee or the recipient. The ignorant comments I've seen in a mere few hours has left me with a desire to continue to educate myself as much as possible.

For the record: Self-education is a highly undervalued resource.


Stay Free!

Stressed and Taking Prisoners

It occurs to me that there are some in this life who find themselves in a constant state of stress. The reasons could be singular or plural and could range from lack of a bowel movement to trying to take on way too many things in life. It really doesn't matter why. What does matter is that some people like to arrest others with their stress and send them strait to jail! Do not pass GO...do not collect $200.00. I am not sure I will ever fully understand some people's need to inflict their stress on others. I think it's time they all took a deep breath, a good shit, and prioritize. Stop making prisoners out of the people in life that know how to deal with their stress in a healthy way. Learn to cope outside the prison walls. You will live longer and I'm pretty sure everyone else in your life will breathe a collective sigh of relief.

Stay Free!

Liar Liar, Pants On Fire!

In this complicated world we live in sometimes the line between truth and fiction can be greatly blurred. Hell, sometimes people can take that line, dance on it, swing it around, and then bury it in their closet with the rest of their skeletons! Why is it that some people have this insatiable need to make their life into something it's not? Why must they create an imaginary world and expect you to live in it with them? I am all for creating your "own world", but only if it's REAL.

These same people then wonder, with genuine intensity, why others will not buy into their lies...their "knock-off coach bag", if you will. Society is becoming more and more artificial by the day. Is this a road we really want to travel down? Do we really want to live a lie more than we want to live the truth? I, above all, know that the truth is sometimes extremely ugly. Sometimes we are not honest with even ourselves because we don't like how the truth sounds when we say it out loud. I get that. However, I honestly believe the only way to live free is in the light. I do not believe in creating a false existence in which to live. There is no point.

Exhibit A: I offer you "JC"...

This is a man (pictured above) that I believed I would be with forever. I didn't realize that he was a con-artist and the Exalted Supreme Emperor of Falsehood. Ours was a story to be told. Little did I know that story would end up being a work of fiction. There were many dots(also known as red flags) when it came to "JC". It took me a while to connect those dots. Once I did, however, the story began to sour faster than 16 day old milk in an unplugged refrigerator. There were lies about so many things. I couldn't possibly go into all of them here...after all, this is a blog not a novel. My point really is that "JC" not only lied...but created a work of fiction that would rival any Oprah Book Club member...and for what? There is never any reason to lie (except for gift giving and surprise party scenarios). In the end, I dismissed "JC". Why? At the end of the day, I'd always have more questions than answers...because I'd never be able to trust him after the assortment of lies he offered up as reality.

Through this entire "JC" ordeal I learned a couple of things. My instincts are RAZOR SHARP. I knew something was off. I took the time to find the missing link, which happened to be in my nightstand just waiting to be found. I won't go into it here but let's just say in involved a flash-drive. My instincts led me to the truth, as they have time and again with everyone from friends to lovers. I will NOT doubt them again.

The second thing I learned is I want to continue to live my life in the truth. I want to surround myself with truth. The people I allow in my life should be people who value truth and believe in it as much as I do. Life is so very short. We are here for a mere moment and then we are gone. There is no time to live in a web of lies. I've been there before...see Granted, it took me years to realize that I was living my own lie. Once I saw it for what it was I made that change. I stepped into the light and have never looked back.

As I reflect on the hows, the whys, the ifs of my "JC" fiction, I realize everything happens for a reason and though that is one of the cliches I hate the most sometimes...it's the truest one I can think of. After going through all this drama and turning 33 in the process, I have no regrets for what I went through, or for the choices I made. I've learned a great deal about myself and that has more value than any other thing in this world.

Take from this story what you will. There are many valuable lessons within these experiences. As with all my works, I share this with you in the hopes that it will inspire and entertain you. If I can do this for even one person, it's worth it.

Stay Free!

David Ross Jackson

The Art of Rejection and Dentistry

What is rejection? At first glance this would appear to be an easily answered question. When one takes the time to really think about rejection though, one will find that the answer is not quite as simple as one might have thought.
I’ve found that rejection really has many facets. I should note that I choose the word “facets” for two reasons. First, there is the common definition… a facet being an angle or a side to something. Then I looked deeper and found that there is another meaning…one found in the world of Dentistry. I found this definition very intriguing. Facet: “Dentistry. A small, highly burnished (polished by friction) area, usually on the enamel surface of a tooth, produced by abrasion between opposing teeth in chewing.

Let’s start chewing…

What is rejection?

I feel rejection is the type of combo you wouldn’t find on a McDonald’s menu anywhere. There is the feeling or intention of the person rejecting, paired with the perception and understanding of the person being rejected. The act of being rejected is defined by the feeling of being rejected. In other words one doesn’t really exist without the other. If I don’t feel rejected then the simple fact is…I haven’t been.

What does Dentistry have to do with it?

Well if you look at it metaphorically, you can see that “opposing teeth” produce a highly polished side or “facet” to the tooth by way of friction! The two opposing people can in fact be “polished” or even perfected by rejection, which serves as “friction”.

I got all that from teeth?

Yes! I’ve recently been on both ends of what most would perceive as rejection. I was the person rejecting and then the person being rejected. I didn’t really enjoy being on either end of it to be quite honest. I don’t enjoy putting people through rejection and I don’t really care for being rejected either. If we start to look at rejection in a better light, we can see that it’s a very necessary part of developing character. It is painful but necessary. We can see that rejection really leads us to better and more appropriate opportunities. Rejection can teach us to look within for answers. Rejection polishes us and makes us brilliant and smooth around the edges. Whether it’s rejection from a job, person, family member, friend, or foe, see it as an opportunity to move in a better direction. See it as a way to find that perfect “place” in your life. There are of course those who will disagree with my way of thinking and maintain that rejection is useless and simply some people’s way of being hateful and hurtful. Really it’s all in how you look at it. You can choose to look at the glass as half full or half empty. The choice is always ours.

So, the next time you find yourself on the “wrong” end of rejection, take a moment to breathe and then remember that while the polishing process can be painful at times, it is needed to make us better.

Love at 500mph

I am 30,000 feet above the earth, traveling at an astonishing speed. All this speed has led me to ask the question… Is there ever a case where moving fast in a relationship is exactly what you should be doing? I used to think I had the answer to this question nailed to the ground with a mental gravity that not even the most technologically advanced aircraft could conquer. Then, my theory started to falter when I met “him”. Suddenly everything seemed contrary to everything I’d ever learned. Let me explain further.

After spending years dating everyone from parishioners to partiers I found myself most convinced that moving slowly was THE only way to move at all when it came to dating. I had fallen fast and hard for guys who were “serial daters” or men seeking to sustain their youth indefinitely. Then a few weeks ago I came across someone online that I was sure I should not be talking to. He seemed cocky and closed off to anything real. While he was very attractive, I could not get past what I perceived as misguided bravado. I wasn’t even sure why I was chatting with him. Against all my better judgment, we scheduled a time to hang out. That went over like a lead balloon. We tried again… that was like trying to fly that lead balloon while anchored to an aircraft carrier that was in the process of sinking. It all seemed like the worst of lost causes. We made contact again. This time, however, circumstances would only allow us to talk to each other over the phone. We had no way of trying to meet each other. We’d have to settle for talking. A funny thing happened during these conversations which lasted about 6 days. I fell in love. I know…absurd…impossible…stupid…naive… just outright foolish. That’s what I thought at first too.

As we continued to talk, it was apparent that we were both dying to express more than either of us wanted to admit. We “knew” this was too fast. Still, the fact remained; our feelings were growing stronger by the hour. Hours melted away into minutes as we talked about everything from past relationships to hopes for our future.

Now, as I travel at speeds somewhere around 500 miles per hour, I grow so excited to finally meet this man that I can barely contain my school-girl enthusiasm. Against all logic and sound principle I am making a choice to go with what I feel in my heart. I am taking a chance on love again and it feels remarkable. I had almost forgotten that at one time…long ago…I fell in love with a woman in this same manner and we were together for a long time. While that relationship did not last simply because biology would not allow it, the experience was a surreal space of love that I had long forgotten. It’s true. I could be racing toward disaster, but I could also be speeding toward the love of a lifetime. I’ve never felt like this about anyone I’ve never met. I know I am FAR from desperate. I have been focused on myself for quite some time. I’ve done everything a person is supposed to do in order to prepare themselves for love. Who’s to say that this is not exactly what is destined to happen for me? While I cannot say with any certainty that this will work, I sure plan on enjoying the flight.

Date Me?

I sit here stranded, albeit momentarily, on this American Airlines flight bound for Atlanta and I can’t help but let my mind wander into a philosophical place. I am wondering what dating these days has come to. It seems like the older I get the more I start to notice that some people have self-selected down to a smaller and smaller group…leaving nobody but themselves even worthy enough to date. I don’t know about you but I do not want to date myself. It is, however, more and more common for people to describe themselves in excruciating detail only to follow it up with “looking for the same”. Really?

Of course as a gay man, my dating experience is far different than that of a heterosexual man but I did used to be married and have dated a few women. I can say with certainty that the game is far different. Obviously what attracts a woman to a man is not how much alike they both are. Women have qualities that they want in a man and based purely on biology those things are usually somewhat opposite yet complimentary. In the gay culture it is a little trickier to say the least. A vast majority of men fall into one of two categories…they want someone just like themselves or they want someone who embodies everything they wish they were. This all makes for a great laugh but how does that make sense? So many gay men lament the fact that they are alone but using their “logic” all they’d really have to do is invite themselves out on a date to find the perfect man. While I think I am pretty darn great, save a few flaws, I do not want to date myself. I don’t want to date anyone that is exactly like me. Where is the challenge in that? Where is the fun in that?

All things said, I think it might be a good idea for some of us to trade in "date night" for, I don’t know, “counseling night”? The fact that so many want to date their physical and emotional twin is not only slightly hilarious but points to a real problem. Maybe it’s time we opened up our minds to other types of people. Maybe it’s time to work out those issues within us that dictate that we must have our own image constantly reflected back to us in order to be “happy”. Don’t get me wrong…I think having things in common is very necessary and very healthy for any relationship but where does it end?

So the next time you think about going on a date, take a long look in the mirror and ask yourself… Do I really want to date me?

Uniquely Grateful

I'm lying here in the dark listening to Angel by Amanda Perez. I can't help but wonder about divine providence. Does it exist? Do Angels really exist? Do I even believe in God? I know I used to...before life took a baseball bat to my soul. I recently had a "fight" with God. There was yelling. There were tears. It sounds like a bad break-up, I know. I suppose it was a break of some sort. At the center of my beef with God is that he doesn't seem to take care of those who need it. Beyond that, it seems that those who don't deserve great things always seem to have great things. Then I had a conversation with a friend tonight that would make me rethink my feud with the Almighty.

This past Saturday night I was to join my friend at his friend's bachelorette party. The plan was for me to meet him in Ft. Worth where everything was to take place. He was planning on riding with his girlfriends. I told him that I'd rather ride over there with him. He had his friends drop him off at his place and I was to drive us there. Closer to the time of the event I decided that I didn't feel like going. I really didn't have a reason for not wanting to go. I just really didn't want to all of the sudden. So my friend started calling after his friends to come get him. He never could get any of them to answer. He never made it to the party that night either. I felt badly for causing him to miss it.

Tonight I sent my friend a text to see how he was. He told me that his friends had never gotten back to him that night because they were involved in a terrible car accident. The car had been side-swiped while trying to exit the highway. The car flipped over the guard-rail and was struck twice more by other cars on the road. One of his friends was ejected from the car completely and later died from her injuries. The others managed to live but are severely injured and still being treated in a Dallas hospital.

My friend would have been among them in the car had we not made plans to ride together. Some might call it coincidence but I am pretty sure I know better. While I am not completely thrilled with how God always operates, I will always be uniquely grateful to Him for saving my friends life.

It's odd to me how God chooses to use certain people in the lives of others. Never discount your effect on someone's life. Never doubt that there is someone out there watching over you. You just never know what could have been. Something as simple as a decision to stay home can forever alter the course of a life. I do believe in divine providence. As cliche as it sounds, everything really does happen for a reason. I was lucky enough to see that plainly this time. Sometimes we just need a brilliant reminder that God does watch over us.


Stay Free!

Sen. Black - FIRE YOUR AIDE!

I will try to keep this short and sweet.


Scenario:

I send out a disparaging email about my company's CEO to other employees of my company, using company email and computers. I also do this on company time.

Result:

FIRED

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I can't say that I am shocked by the racist email that was sent out by legislative aide Sherri Goforth, but I am incensed by Senator Black's resolution. Stellar career or not, this Sherri Goforth should be fired. It's one thing to be Jane Doe having your right to free speech and opinion. It's something completely different when you, in essence, send out a racist email about your "CEO".

Senator Black further insults general intelligence by stating "It absolutely does not represent the beliefs or opinions of my office". Really? Doesn't this woman work in her office? Isn't the Senator choosing to look the other way when she should be decisively relieving this woman of her duties?

If Sherri Goforth cannot find a place of basic respect for the Office of the President of the United States then she shouldn't be working in a government office.

In my opinion, until Sen. Black takes definitive action and fires Sherri Goforth, she should have sent the email herself.


Stay Free!

What's Good for the Goose...

After reading about the 4 Uighurs from China who have been at the Guantanamo detention center for the last 7 years, I was left confused.


Here are some of the questions that I could not answer to save my life:

Why did the world’s most powerful government with nearly limitless resources only determine after SEVEN years that these four men were not a threat to the U.S. and innocent of any crime?

If we (the U.S.) put them in detention, why were we now trying to pawn them off on every other country but our own?

In the interest and spirit of "transparency", why are secret deals being brokered with tiny island governments to take in these former prisoners?

Why not make public our efforts to give these people a normal life again?

Doesn't the world need to see that we are capable of owning up to our mistakes and making things right?

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All I've heard about the closing of these types of detention centers is that we are closing them because they are wrong and a symbol of poor U.S. foreign policy and oppression. Now we are trying to piece their lives together secretly. Don't say it's for their safety. If that were the case we'd never know where they went. If the U.S. is footing the bill for their resettlement, I'd like to know the details. I'd like to know how my taxes are being spent for this. Don't get me wrong, I feel badly for those poor souls who have spent seven years locked away and labeled terrorists only to have the U.S. basically say "just kidding". We'd pay restitution for someone cleared by DNA evidence and released from prison after being wrongly convicted. I think it’s fair to help them. I believe it’s our responsibility.

I, for one, do not understand why we are placing them on tiny islands and not here in the U.S... If they are cleared of wrong-doing then what is the problem? In this country's vast Muslim population they could probably find some true anonymity. I don't see how they will ever have that being on an island with 500+ Muslims out of about 68,000 people.

This whole scenario leaves me with more questions than answers. I'd like real transparency. I want to know how we are making things right for these four and the others who have been cleared as well.

If these four people can be plucked from their countries, held without trials or charges, labeled enemy combatants or terrorists, then dropped on a remote island somewhere to fade into history; the same could happen to us.

Think about it for a minute...

Is that really so far fetched?

While the following quote was originally a reference to the sexes being treated equally, I think it has a deeper relevance for all…


“What's good for the goose is good for the gander”



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C.I.G.N.A. - Caring Is Generally Not Acceptable

Let me start by saying, that I have a job. I book travel for my client's executives. That said…please understand that I pay my premiums. I pay my deductibles. I play by the rules. Cigna, my insurance provider, does not.


Cigna proved to me today that they are NOT in the "business of caring". They ARE, however, in the business of making their policy holders micro-manage their health care to the point of lunacy. More directly, they are not in the business of caring at all. Let me explain...


On my current plan for prescriptions, I am to pay a yearly one-time deductible of $50 in addition to my RX co-pay. This was paid on my first prescription in January. Since then Cigna has tried to charge me my yearly deductible EVERY SINGLE MONTH. Here is how that goes... I call in the prescription. I drive over to pick it up. They tell me it cost some outrageous amount. It never fails that it's on a weekend or a holiday of some sort. The following business day I spend at least an hour on the phone, while at work mind you, to "resolve" the matter. Cigna has admitted to me on every occasion that it is a system issue that can be fixed. Every month since January, Cigna has promised me that this issue will be resolved and every month it's the same tired routine.


Then today there was Maura, Sherry, and Nicole...

All three are designated as Customer Relations Supervisors. Each and every one of these reps REFUSED to put another authorization for the correct co-pay amount on my account. They said it should not have been done in the past because it doesn't solve the issue and that they (would not) do it again. I explained to all of them that I could not afford the increased co-pay and wait on a reimbursement. I explained that Cigna already owes me $50 from a February over-charge which I have yet to see. I also explained that I could NOT miss taking the medication under any circumstances. I further explained that the medication was NOT an optional one. Their reply: "Well, that's all we can tell you. I'm sorry." Sorry they say… Sorry that I will get gravely ill if I don't have the medication? Sorry that Cigna is too stupid to have resolved this issue 5 months ago when I first brought it to their attention or in any of the following months? Sorry that because it's the Friday of a holiday weekend they could care less? Sorry that they every rep I've spoken to in the last 5 months didn't know how to actually do their job? Sorry that Cigna and its "caring" reps refused to assist me today? Sorry for what, I wonder.


It's clear to me after today that Cigna is not at all in the business of caring as they say. I am not basing my conclusion on one, two, or even three situations. I'm basing my conclusion on 5 months, 16 Cigna representatives, 4 Cigna Managers, 1 Cigna Site Director (who finally told Nicole to do her job and provide me with an override today), 3.5hrs in phone conversations all while on my job, 15 calls to CVS to make sure everything was correct, 2 emails to my company about the issue, 3 phone calls to my company about this, 0 actual solutions to this ongoing problem, and 1 Cigna Manager out of 4 that offered a sincere apology (last month). The numbers are in and it's not pretty.


Cigna 1 Consumer 0


Stay Free… if your healthcare company will let you!

Quityerbitchin

I've had it! I've absolutely had it! With what you ask? I’ve had it with all the people in this country who didn't vote for Obama that refuse to “get over it”. This is quickly becoming the United States of Bitter. I have the misfortune of being in close proximity to one of these people on a daily basis and I cannot hold my “pen” any longer. Maybe the bitter ones should get there head out of Fox News' ass long enough to come to terms with the fact that Obama is the President and that is NOT going to change anytime soon. The endless bitching and belly-aching about everything from the Stimulus Bill (which DEMs and REPs alike authored and passed into law) to Obama bowing to the King of Saudi Arabia is just counterproductive. I for one don't give a flying heap of dog doo if Obama were to lick the toes of a monarch. Granted, feet aren't exactly my "thing". That's why these naysayers can't do anything substantial for this country…they’d rather moan about insignificant mess than actually contribute.

I guess the reason I am so passionate is that I find it offensive that many who didn't vote for Obama now seem to think it's their right as Americans to not support the President. I'm not asking that everyone agree with each other but the time has come to put all the “sore loser” mentality aside and grow up. Bitching about every single thing, big or small, is not helping anyone. Quite frankly it’s not very "grown-up".

So the moral of this story is put your effort and support where your mouth is and Quit Yer Bitchin!

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