This is why I don't watch the news

Watching the news, any news, for more than a couple of minutes is nearly impossible for me. The stories on the news are either ludicrous, horrific, or feature mind-numbingly evil antagonists. And sometimes, those stories infuriate me.

The local news can be awful, but often equates a soap-opera news option—overly dramatic broadcasters, all blonde hair, raised eyebrows and deadpan delivery, covering fires in abandoned buildings, bearded men who are arrested for not placing reflective triangles on their buggies... Sometimes the stories are tragic, and sometimes it's just a slow news day.

The world news? That's usually too disturbing to watch for long. We've become immune to violence and death from over-exposure. How many people were killed in the bombing? Was that a dead body I just saw covered in rubble? There was another natural disaster? What was it this time? Oh.

Let's take a look at what's going on now. Okay, there was a large-scale exotic animal massacre in Ohio because some loon of a guy who had amassed all these amazing creatures decided to 1) release them and 2) kill himself. Huh?! What in the world? Why did he collect them all, and then why did he free them and take his own life? Did he think this was some sort of statement? Did he honestly believe the animals would roam freely and not come to harm? How did he even get them? Was it legal? Apparently there were complaints for years about this goofball, yet he continued to acquire (both animals and bizarre personal traits, I'm guessing) and here we are today with a boatload of animal corpses in Ohio.

It gets better. In Philadelphia, authorities uncovered a dungeon of suffering for mentally challenged adults and an assortment of youth who receive government assistance of some sort. A sick little trio of friends decided, apparently, this was an easy way to make some money. How in the world this seemed like a defensible idea to anyone, I will never know. I can't even go there. I am ill just considering the conditions and suffering that these people were held in.

Now, those are stories that turn our stomachs, as they should. I don't want to know about them, but I probably should be at least informed so I keep abreast of what people are capable of doing. I can't begin to understand, but I should be aware and be reminded: This is a really messed up place with some seriously twisted people in it.

But then there are stories that enrage me, too. Like the whole Occupy Wall Street nonsense. What are these people against, exactly? Joblessness? If they had jobs, they likely wouldn't be able to participate in this lovely demonstration for very long. So maybe that's the beef? Or is it that big, bad corporations weren't held accountable for money loss? Were they hoping for college loans to be forgotten and that didn't happen? Have they come to the depressing realization that they can't drive new, fast cars on their current budgets? Do these folks even know why they're there? Are they angry that their cell phones are out of battery power? That their designer duds got dirty and/or no longer match? What, really, is the main complaint?

I can't stand to watch much of it, these people camped out in the very spaces that corporations provide for them, the displeased crowds who all manage to have what they really value (technology, name brands, nice camping gear) but bemoan the lack of money and opportunity. I hate to burst everyone's bubble, but here's the truth: many lives begin with (and sometimes continue with) un-fantastic, uninspiring, unrewarding work. Many of us started there, and frankly, more than a few have remained there. I can tell you why the middle class is shrinking; it's because the middle class tries very hard to have a lot of the same baubles that the upper class enjoys. We here in middle world have a very serious case of misguided, confused priorities. I want to live in a country that appreciates hard work, the basics, and has values. I don't really care to join with a band of creative hippy types who are whining about the lack of handouts.

Stop looking for handouts. Stop kvetching about who got them. Contact the president who's exacerbating the situation, your local and state representatives (do you even know who they are? did you vote?) and share your frustrations with them, and then go to work somewhere. Drive a small used car, live in a smaller house or apartment, shop where I shop, and most of all, Shush. Vociferously occupying a space that lies in the shadow of the very corporations that fund your hobbies, hand-helds, and highfalutin pursuits is hypocritical. If we look back at the history of this country, our success has been the result of individuals who competed to make money and make things better, and who worked hard. Sometimes, success has rested on the ability of many to do without, to sacrifice willingly. Nobody got rich by spreading the wealth, which actually means taking someone else's wealth. Which that wealthy person likely worked to attain. It's not the government's job to provide for us. The government owes us nothing but rights, freedoms, and protection from crazy people.

All right. I'm stepping off the soapbox now. I'm getting fired up just thinking about all this, weird people, cruel people, uninformed spoiled people, etc. I don't want to live in a bubble, but I also don't want to immerse myself in a boiling cauldron of information that fills me with helpless fury.

So, I'll keep the television off, and limit my time online. If I want to maintain a healthy balance in my mind and heart, I need to restrict my exposure. I want to feel genuine love for my fellow man, but golly, they can be an unlovable bunch.

America, America

Hey, All you nice people! All two or three of you who actually read this!

I want to wish you a delightful Independence Day. If you are American, then hopefully you'll recognize this adorable little Lego scene. I must give credit to Carl's Jr. (a restaurant chain that apparently is not popular where I am? since I never heard of them?) but they did the honors. In homage to the many Legos littering my world, courtesy of my sweet boy, I'll allow our favorite building blocks to depict one of America's finest moments.

There were many. There are many still to come. I hope you'll take some time to ponder some of those moments that shaped our country in the next 48 hours. I also hope that if you are American, you'll proudly display a flag on or near your residence.

If you want to feel concern for America's future, as I do, perhaps you'll watch this:


If Blogger is being stupid and the link is not showing up, then copy/paste this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=gQD9IaGoLWk

The vid is courtesy of my sis. Thanks, sis!

Be true to the red, white, and blue

Go American!

In light of Independence Day's nearness, I set aside a couple of other topics to address a more important and timely one: giving kudos to American companies that perform admirably with consistency.

I've limited my few suggestions to American-owned, American-based companies selling tangible items of high quality; I've also found through experience that the help desk representatives for said companies speak English as their primary language—always a nice touch.

The list is not quite as long as I'd hoped it would be. (Perhaps you can help me expand it? I know there are more!)

Here, in no particular order, are some of my faves:

Okabashi and oka b Shoes
If you've seen me, then you've seen these shoes. I wear them almost exclusively in spring and summer. They are plastic, which sounds gross and weird, but they are ergonomically designed for comfort and they are dishwasher-washable. I highly recommend them, especially to people with any foot issues. Best of all? Made in the good ol' US of A, in Georgia. You can even send them back when they become too worn so they can be melted down and incorporated into new footwear. How's that for reduce and reuse, eh?!

Lands End
This company has delivered every time I've ordered. They offer lots of cute, comfortable, classically styled clothing, shoes, coats, bags, outdoor gear, etc. Their kids' stuff is excellent. Their sizing is accurate. Their return process is simple and reasonable. And telephone help is top-notch. I know that much of what they sell is not made in the United States... but that's the only beef I have with them.

Burt's Bees Skincare
These guys make lots of really nice, harmless products for even overly sensitive types like me. Their creams are great, balms are better, and their stuff seems to last a reasonable length of time so the prices, albeit high, aren't ridiculous. I've never had a reaction to anything they've made, and I can't say that about plenty of other, more over-priced skincare companies.

All-Clad Cookware
I love my All-Clad. I wouldn't trade it. Even before Emeril embraced the brand, my family became well-versed in its superiority thanks to a handy "connection" via my sister's in-laws. Treated right, it will last a lifetime. It's heavy, it's professional quality, it cooks and bakes food beautifully, and it was dreamed up and continues to be created within 40 minutes of my home. What more could I ask for?

Celestial Seasonings Tea
Celestial Seasonings have so many great tea varieties, and their packaging is beautifully, intelligently decorated to boot. They offer frequent coupons, even going so far as to occasionally hide coupons in their boxes of product, and they make a point of explaining their business practices: to conserve paper and packaging, as well as to trade for and buy tea-related items for fair prices and from legal, above-board sellers who take steps to leave no footprint.

Penzeys Spices
A former colleague turned me on to Penzeys when I got married, and I never looked back. If you love creating magic in the kitchen, then you must become a Penzeys convert. The company opened a store here in the 'Burgh a few years back, then happily moved it even closer to my home; if you want a fragrant, fabulous field trip, let me know. Their mail order service, which was their backbone for years, is superb; carefully packaged orders, extras like nutmeg and bay leaves tucked in around the scrumptious-smelling jars... a class act. They even have their own magazine, and I do a happy little dance on the days when their newest catalog arrives—usually with a coupon for a free item on the front cover.

There are others I could mention, but I'm not as familiar with them; these companies I've mentioned above are regulars in my home, and I feel confident about recommending them.

I urge you to shop American when you can, and especially to reward American companies with word-of-mouth advertising and additional business when they've exceeded your expectations. And, I ask that you share positive or other feedback on these or other American companies here for edification of any other visitors. Let me know about any great companies I missed, please! Thanks!

And Happy 4th, America! Maybe it's not too late to save our country from the idealistic, frothing libs!