Exercise Your Right To Physical Fitness With Fearless 45

Ok, We are almost to the end of January 2011.  Many people went through the motions of making a New Year’s resolution to get more physically fit.  There are those individuals who decide to put themselves on a diet.  This may or may not work for you.  There are those who are educated enough to understand that the true way to physical fitness is by making a commitment to exercise on a regular basis, in combination with eating the right foods. The hardest part of that commitment, I think, is finding a way to keep yourself accountable.

One way of doing this is by making an announcement to your friends and family.  But, really, who doesn’t get discouraged by having people watch over their shoulders every minute of the day?  Still, having some way of being accountable is needed; otherwise human nature takes over and before you know it…weeks have gone by without any lifestyle changes to your level of exercise and physical fitness.  So what is a person to do who wants to become healthier but has trouble staying focused? To read the rest of this post: Write Where You Are

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Turn Down The Heat On President Obama!

       As a person living in the midwest, in one of the coldest, snowiest winters in the last 25 years…i have to say i was irritated when i read that since President Obama moved into the White House the thermostat has allegedly gone up.  For a man who made it part of his campaign to encourage Americans to sacrifice for the world environment and to take on a personal responsibility regarding climate changes; I am offended by an article that i read today that says the Oval office is like a tropical hot house, warm enough to grow orchids in.  Someone needs to hold this administration accountable in these types of areas…turn down the heat on President Obama.

       Across our nation right now, many Americans are without electric or typical normal heat sources because of an ice storm, that is going to take weeks to fix.  This is during some truly challenging temperatures as our country transitions between winter and spring.

       Part of the perception of the recent, more relaxed environment in the Oval office…meaning that visitors no longer have to wear suit jackets when they enter in like the former administration; is really more about personal comfort levels.  It isn’t mainly about being relaxed in that room as much as it is about it being warm; so that wearing a suit and tie would be really uncomfortable.  While I applaude the more informal feel to this Presidency…I have to say that even the White House staff and aides have commented on the temperature change; including his chief of staff, David Axelrod who  allegedly, made the statement about the orchids growing in there.

         The article I read said something to the effect that even though President Obama comes from Chicago…he was born in Hawaii, and he likes being warm.  Well, no fake…most of us don’t enjoy being colder than is comfortable…but , what about that personal sacrifice he was talking about before?  I dont want to bust his chops on this or any other issue just for the sake of it…but…this subject is a little close to home when my own family has to keep the furnace set on 58-60 degrees because of the necessity of the high cost of heating our home.

        Another, more important reason this is so maddening is that in my home state…there have been several people who have frozen to death.  A man by the name of Marvin E. Schur, 93 years old, froze to death recently in Bay City, Michigan because the electric company put a limiter on his electric service and his home power was shut off…effectively causing his heating source to stop working.  He died…come on…was that President Obama’s fault….no!  However, when i hear polyanna remarks justifying his higher temperature on the thermostat in the Oval office; it makes me angry to know that others are SUFFERING AND DYING when there are others who have so much and are wasteful with it.  It is not right.

        So please President Obama…you have so many other more important things on your plate…turn down the heat in the White House so that your actions match your words and your call for personal responsibility.   That way, those who would otherwise be inspired by you and your goals of helping our nation turn towards more green living and a more positive use of our energy sources can get on board without having to defend your conflict of words and actions!  Be an inspirational leader so that you can have a powerful impact on our country with responsibile energy use.

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It Is Better To Give Than Receive (As long as you are going to keep receiving bailout money)

     Ok, ready for some more, I can’t believe it…what were they thinking kind of blog post?  It is better to give than to receive (as long as you are going to KEEP receiving bailout money).  Outrageous news reports of an alledged 12 day trip to Vegas for the top employees for Wells Fargo & Company. 

     In the past years, this has been an alleged tradition of all expenses paid which included many different extravagant perks such as helicopter rides, private concerts, food and entertainment…etc.  While companies are made to look good to their employees by giving away so much; to the rest of us…the companies who do this kind of thing are making a mockery out of the purpose of the bailout money for those companies who have been failing to be financially responsible. 

        How can these corporations, banks and such that have been receiving bailout money from taxpayers still be so blind?  Can they not understand the depths of the resentment of the American people for this financial chaos that we have all been plunged into?  Surely, if these behaviors continue…they will go out of business and deservedly so. 

        The thing is…today’s news of the 12 day planned trip was defended by the company…until there was an uproar and they cancelled the trip.   If that is what it takes, to prevent further financial misuse of the bailout funds, negative peer pressure and pressure from the media, to change their behaviors; then, we are just going to have to be more vocal when we are made aware of an abuse of the American’s financial investment in their companies.

          Let the other industry leaders be forewarned…American tax payers are fed up with the mess that has been made.  I think those at the top of the companies that have received bailout money should be legally responsible for any misuse of those funds.  Let’s see some accountability here by our leaders!

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Goal…Can I do it?

        I have one main blogging goal…that is to hit 100,000 visitors by the end of July. That is when I will celebrate my 2 year anniversary of writting this blog. It would be a double celebration to hit the 100,000th visitor and celebrate my anniversary at the same time! Can I do it?  I don’t know; but, I sure am going to do my best to reach my goal.  Of course it is an interactive thing…I write and someone reads.    Hope you are along for the ride to help me celebrate when i make my goal. 

Late last year http://alphainventions.com/ helped bump up my visitors stats. “Meeting” my readers thru the comments is one of the best parts of blogging.  There are so many interesting people out there with wonderful things to say.

It is through the interaction that the joy comes. Finding things to interest both the writer and the reader.  In any case, I just wanted to make my intentions known…so that it sets a standard of accountability.   Are you with me?

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Godless Politics-In America?

        This election has electrified American’s like no other election in my memory.  People have strong reactions to the ups and downs on the daily news.  The media’s interpetation of what is happening minute- by- minute in the run for the Presidency of the United States is very slanted in it’s presentation.  It gives the impression that one doesn’t even need to vote…that it is already a done deal…IT IS NOT!  Everyone who is able must vote.  Everyone has a voice and must use it to choose who they wish to represent them in the leadership of their country.

          It has been called everything from a very prettified “Historic Election” to “A Mess”.  From the outset of this journey…it was touted as an election to take notice of, be a part of and yet; once the Democrats chose their candidate…and the Republicans chose theirs, the battle lines have been drawn.  The media has all but declared a win for Barack Obama.

           Each candidate has claimed that it is time for change.  Most Americans couldn’t agree more with that; however, the last few weeks have been increasing in ugliness.  Citizens are not happy with the direction our country has taken in the quality of life, nor in the image that has been projected of Americans around the world.  That has to be addressed.  Add into the chaos of the multi national financial systems collapse, and the housing market crisis, and throw into the mix health care & job losses; and you should have a clear platform for a political candidate to voice their position and their solutions.  It hasn’t happened yet.  The candidates are too afraid of voicing their true position on the issues in fear of alienating some section of voters…so we are left to our own impressions of where the candidates stand.

          Part of the fear and anxiety in this country has been the lack of information needed to make an informed decision.  Questions have been raised about personal integrity, honesty and positions of faith.  Candidates can say what they want about the image that they try to project…however, actions speak louder than all of the words written for them by their well-paid speech writers.  The truth of who a candidate really is will eventually come out.  I just hope that each will reveal themselves before the actual election.  We are in real trouble when the media and celebrity spokespersons are the go to sources of information.  We only learn what they want us to learn. 

           Hate and violence should never have a place in American politics.  Let the candidates show and declare their true value systems and positions on the issues.  There is a huge movement that has building over the last decade or so, against people of faith who try to vote their values and who hold their political leaders to some level of positive role modeling.  Why is that wrong? In my opinion, it isn’t.  Standards of behavior should be based on an acceptable level to the people that the candidates represent.

           We have, over the years, removed God from our schools, we have demanded seperation of church and state, and some talk of taking that even farther by removing the “Under God” from our pledge of allegience.  There is even an organization dedicated to supporting non-believers in God or atheists in their candidacy; it is called, Godless Americans Political Action Committee.  They have a right to form their committee just as others have a right to question a candidate about their alliance to such an organization and how it will affect their position should they be election to a position of power.  Plain and simple; let the truth be known if you are associated with such an organization and let the voter’s decide whether you merit a vote or not; don’t hide your involvement and don’t lie to the people who you would represent if elected.

            Really, if you are a Christian…this election is about staking your claim for your personal beliefs and value systems.  Don’t vote in this election based just on your economic situation; or, on falling for the one liner…”we want change”….because…if you don’t vote your Christian values then you and the rest of the citizens of the United States are on a slippery slope.  Quality of life is in question as it is with all of the challenges to traditional religious views such as one man one woman marriages and standing up for family values.  If we allow our leadership to rest in the hands of people who don’t consider themselves accountable to a higher power or authority under God, then we really are in trouble as a nation.

            I don’t think that America is ready, willing or able to endorse Godlessness in our Political leaders; do you?

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Spending Twenty Three Hours A Day With Yourself-Kwame Kilpatrick

      Spending twenty three hours a day with yourself, in jail…would lead most people to do some real introspective deep thinking about the reasons you find yourself sitting behind bars.  Especially for a person who had been living the high life as Mayor of Detroit; it is a big lifestyle adjustment.  Kwame Kilpatrick will have just such an opportunity to do some of that self examination.  Yesterday, Mr. Kilpatrick began to serve a 120 day sentence for a variety of offenses.  He lied to the court about a sexual relationship with his Chief of Staff, Christine Beatty, he lied about text messages to the court which confirmed the affair and he also got into a scuffle with officers trying to serve a subpoena.  There were several offenses that the mayor had been accused of.

       At least two of those offenses ended with him pleading guilty to obstruction of jutice & no contest to felonious assault.  He lied to the court…effectively tying the hands of the legal system, for most of the summer, by using his legal team to fight his removal from office.  Michigan’s Governor Granholm had to hold a hearing to forcibly remove him.  After that hearing he was heard to say, “You done set me up for a comeback”.  This arrogance and defiance moved the judge to sentence him to the full 120 day sentence; typically, a person who exhibits good behavior can shave approximately 20 days off of their sentence, not in Kilpatrick’s case.  The judge was clearly put out by the demeanor of the former mayor throughout this whole process.

        The thing is…if someone has been publically shamed by their private and professional behavior; and then, goes on to be legally chastized and still continues to mock and make light of the situation…you have to wonder if they have learned anything at all about how to conduct themselves appropriately.  Will spending this punnitive time in jail help Mr. Kilpatrick to re-evaluate the direction of his life? 

        The things that he has sacrificed by conducting his affair(s) and lying to the authorities and the court, thereby, possibly harming his relationship with his wife and children, having to give up his law license, as well as his freedom; should be counted as natural consequences for living outside the bounds of legal and moral responsibilities to those to whom he was supposed to be accountable to.  And yet, from reading accounts of yesterdays events…it sounds as though Mr. Kilpatrick mocked the prosecutors by saying things like, “I love you man” and asking them “How you doing?  Can’t even smile”?  This doesn’t bode well for learning from his mistakes. 

          Some people would say that his demeanor is encouraged by his supporters; such as those who observed the former mayor being led from the court room, who shouted encouragement to him such as “Be Strong, We got your back, We love you mayor”.  Will he have a political future when he is free to pursue such goals  Where is the accountability?

          After serving the 120 day sentence, Mr. Kilpatrick will also be on probation for 5 years, give up his law license, and repay the city of Detroit $1 million dollars.

         So I say, if you are going to spend 23 hours a day with someone…it might as well be someone you like alot.  Only 119 days to go, Mr. Kilpatrick.  The people that i truly feel sorry for is his wife and children.  I am sure they are suffering more than he is.  They have had to move out of their home, they have lost a large part of their financial support, and, they have to endure the publicity for their husband and father’s actions for a long time to come.  Should he be allowed to run for public office ever again with this legal black mark on his record?

        

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Special Needs Groups Boycott Ben Stiller Movie-Tropic Thunder

        Ben Stiller, the talented and funny actor has a new movie coming out; it is called Tropic Thunder.  It is a movie he was instrumental in producing, by doing the writing and directing, among other things.  There is a boycott brewing by special needs advocacy groups because of a movie within the movie.  The movie is supposed to be a mocking satire of actors who will take any movie no matter how over the top or bizarre to make a name for themselves as an actor, without regard for the subject matter. 

         Is this something that is supposed to be funny?  The lower our standards of conduct go…the funnier it is supposed to be…is that the concept?  Instead of getting kudos by the industry for a financial success…there should be a call to accountability; demanded by the American public for standards of decency.  Controvery about the subject matter should not just be just a tool used by public relations departments to garner curiosity that translates to box office rewards; that is my opinion. 

         One of the movies within the movie called, Simple Jack, allegedly mocks and makes fun of people with disabilities.   Meetings with advocacy group leaders were held with Stacey Snider who is a chief executive at Dreamworks…the company that released the film to try to address the concerns about the movie.  The studio has refused to make changes to the movie.  Shame on them!  Their attempts at humor just aren’t funny when the laughs are at the expense of a population of people born with disabilities.  Where is the respect? 

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Federal Government Hunts Down Deadbeat Parents- And Charges Fee to Custodial Parents

     This is a controversial issue.  I heard that starting in September (at least here in Michigan); custodial parents will be charged a yearly, one time fee of $25.  This is in relation to parents of children who have been receiving child support.  This fee is being charged as a matter of federal law to help offset the amount of money the government has to spend finding deadbeat parents who skip out on supporting their children.  At least that is the way that i understood the news report.

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Internet Prank Causes Death

       The power of words has never been illustrated in such an alarming way, until recently.  Today on Good Morning America Ashley Grills, aged nineteen, talked about her part in an internet prank on a social networking site that allegedly incited a thirteen year old young lady, Megan Meier, to commit suicide.

       The horribly cruel prank was allegedly played upon Megan as a way to find out if Megan was talking behind another young lady’s back.  Ashley says that the other young lady, unnamed at this point, was an off again, on again friend of Megans.  The friendship turned sour and the young lady and Ashley wanted to see if Megan was talking badly about her. 

        Ashley alledges that the young lady’s mother, Lori Drew, also was involved in the prank.  What they did was to create a profile of a young man, named Josh, who would initiate an online romance with Megan on the social networking site.  It is important to remember that people can “pretend” to be anything they want online; you can’t read the body language of someone online.

         Megan and “Josh” started up an online relationship.  Back and forth it went…creating interest in one another until; Ashley says she felt badly about the prank.  So, she started saying mean things…and, so did others on the social networking site.  Ashley says that she wanted to end the “online relationship” and told Megan that the world would be a better place without her in it.

          In Megan’s house there was a horrible outcome.  Megan’s mother was aware of Megan’s upset.   They talked but, Megan stormed off and went to her room.  Twenty minutes or so later, Megan’s mother opened the bedroom door to find that Megan had hung herself in her closet in despair over the online words and actions.

          Ashley says that the other young lady’s mother, Lori Drew, was involved in writing some of the verbal interactions with Megan.  The news reports state that Ashley has been given immunity to testify against the other young lady’s mother, Lori Drew, in court.  She says that the mother was aware of the whole process and involved.  For the record,  i have read statements that the mother, Lori Drew, denies any involvement.

           The fact remains that the very young Megan is dead.  Her family is devastated.  Their lives will never be the same.  Their child was vulnerable and was destroyed.  

            Ashley says that she is taking responsibility for her actions.  I don’t know what that means other than admitting her involvement.  I would  imagine it would be hard to live with the knowledge that her actions directly influenced Megan Meiers to hang herself. 

             It would be a very valuable tool, if indeed Ashley is sincere in her regrets, if she was to start some kind of community service going into schools and educating young people about the dangers of online harassment.  The old saying, sticks and stones may break your bones; but, words will never hurt me, is not true.  Words have power to influence others…both in good ways and in bad ways!  We must communicate the dangers in harassing others.

        There may be legal repercussions in the future for the participants of this prank.  Whether they can prove the mother’s involvement is not clear at this time.  However, it doesn’t change the fact that this whole situation has had long lasting consequences for all of those involved; It is sadness personified.

          The next time that you are on a website where comments can be made…it is wise to remember that there is still a standard of accountability to be upheld.  Our words and actions have impact on others…why not make that impact a positive influence on others?  Look here, http://theimpactfactor.net?id=35 and see if you can impact others positively in your personal life, business life, or spiritual life! http://theimpactfactor.net?id=35.  

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Sad Goodbyes

      Sad goodbyes are never easy.  Tonight, our youth group will be saying goodbye to one of it’s members.  This will change the whole dynamics of the group as the person leaving is connected, in many ways, to a majority of the members of the group.

       There is a friendship component, a romantic component, a mentoring component, a sibling component as well as a spiritual component that will suffer the loss.

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