Cranky Jennie ;-p

One of my dogs, Shea, has been missing for over 36 hours. It’s the not knowing that is getting to me. G and I have looked virtually everywhere within a mile radius of our home. My dogs have gotten out before, but they always come home. Until now

My dogs are part of my family. They are my babies. They are my companions. They each have a unique personality and I find it endless fascinating to watch them interact with each other.

G and I got Shea, along with his sister Riley, as our first anniversary gift to each other. This year, they turned 10. Amber joined the mix a few years ago and then I impulsively bought Crystal. Shea, Riley and Amber are all Chows. Crystal is the psycho puppy — she’s a Husky. I love my babies.

In our search for Shea, G and I split up and each visited the county animal shelter. I had never been to a shelter before. It was an absolutely heart-wrenching, painful experience. There were big dogs, small dogs, puppies and seniors. Some were napping, some were barking and some were whining. They all had one thing in common: they came to their gate and begged to be loved. Oh, they broke my heart.

There was a mother with her ten puppies. There were the six puppies all sleeping on top of each other. There were three smaller dogs with one so desperate for attention that she jumped in front of the others and pushed them out of the way. All the while, I searched in vain for Shea.

As I looked at those pitiful, sweet faces and dreamed of taking them all home, I couldn’t get over how many of them there were. We’ve all heard the stories of homeowners who abandoned their pets along with their homes. I just don’t get how anyone can do that. I guess desperate measures for desperate times. It’s not something I could even fathom doing.

My dogs, like I said, are an integral part of my family. And right now, my family is fractured. I just want to know. If Shea was bitten by a rattlesnake or met up with a hungry coyote, I just want to know. If someone has him, I hope they see our signs and call us so we can have him back.

In the meanwhile, I’m trying to keep my hope up while I dry the tears that just keep flowing. I know that the next time I get a new dog, the first place I will go is the shelter because there are just so many there longing for a home.

Today, I received an alarming email from a girlfriend. The email informed me that Jose Serrano, a U.S. Representative from N.Y. has proposed a bill that would repeal the 22nd Amendment. So, what is the 22nd Amendment?

The 22nd Amendment sets term limits for our president.

I decided to do some research to see if this was some kind of fallacy. I conducted my research through a program called Thomas, which is run through the Library of Congress. Sure enough, there was the bill. It is labeled House Resolution 5.

Here is the link I received via email:

http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=hj111-5

Here is the link through Thomas:

http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery

If that doesn’t work, just search for bills sponsored by Rep. Serrano.

I decided to do some research concerning this Constitutional Amendment. I knew that it had to be ratified some time after Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s presidency. In fact, it was ratified in 1951. FDR’s presidency was unique in that his third and fourth elections were during World War II and the need for consistency trumped the belief for term limits.

Term limits were actually first considered by George Washington. He believed it was important to have the leadership change hands. He was asked to run for a third term, but decided it was best for the country to leave the office (see this link: http://www.usconstitution.net/constamnotes.html#Am22 ).

As a resident of Arizona, I would never have EVER come across this bill if not for my friend’s email. I’m surprised the extreme right contingent hasn’t caught on to this yet. I’m sure they will at some point and will react with appropriate amazement.

It seems as though the current political party in office, and in control of Congress, is trying to sneak this in under the radar. It seems that they want to deify President Obama by giving him the opportunity to run for POTUS as often as possible. Isn’t that kind of like allowing a dictator stay in power?

I’m not saying President Obama is a bad president. I’m at neutral where he’s concerned right now. There are things I agree with (equal pay for women) and things I don’t agree with (bailouts, bailouts, and more bailouts). I just think that if you follow the line of thought of our Forefathers, term limits just make sense.

We, as a nation, are drawing further and further away from the kind of government Washington, Adams, Jefferson and company intended. They wanted small government with representatives who voted based on the needs and wants of the masses. They wanted the government to be of the people, not just a few elected officials who are ruled by special interest groups and lobbyists.

I feel like this is one more attempt by an elected official to abuse a system that has become increasingly foreign to the Common Man.

This is my lame attempt to draw attention to an issue that should be splashed all over the news. If the media would stop telling everyone not to panic while they shove the Swine Flu down our throats, they might have an opportunity to look at what is going on in our elected government.

I’m sure this will alert me to those Fusion Groups who think I am a dissenter and therefore a terrorist. So be it.

Over the last few days, I volunteered to help out at my childrens’ school’s Field Day.

Field Day is always fun for the kids. It gives them an opportunity to let loose and “let down their hair” for a few hours. It shakes up the daily routine when teachers and students need it (my girls are quickly nearing the end of their school year - May 23rd).

One of my favorite things to do is people watch. S is in first grade. Her class has a 2:1 ratio of girls to boys, so drama is always on the front burner. If you’ve read my blog before, you know that I believe the girls can be bitchy, catty and downright mean. Gotta love us!

Actually, I think the drama amongst the girls in her class is a bonus. The girls are learning how to socially navigate. They are learning how to accept the problem, figure it out, and find a solution.

Do you remember spending your afternoons outside, playing with the other kids on your street or in your neighborhood? We learned the rules of the street that way. We learned to navigate the social fabric of personal relationships this way. Our parents were not constantly there to choose a side, negotiate or make everything better. And we were better for it.

In today’s world, technology rules a large part, if not the majority, of our lives. When we’re not on our cell phones, we’re watching t.v., going to movies, playing video games, surfing the Internet or checking email. Interpersonal communication skills have broken down with our reliance on technology.

It’s not just adults. Look at tweens and teenagers. It seems like they spend more time texting each other than anything else. Do they even call each other anymore??!!!!

So, back to Field Day. Today, I watched R’s class. The first telling sign was her teacher’s “No Whining” pin. THAT’S WHERE SHE LEARNED THAT BEHAVIOR!!! I was wondering where the pouty, temper tantrum throwing behavior came from. Aren’t third graders a little old for this? A few times, a kid would come up to us (the teacher and I) and complain about how so and so took his space in line or someone else was bothering him. Come ON!

Shouldn’t these kids know how to deal with this kind of petty thing? They would, if they spent time out on their neighborhood streets with a large group of other kids. I find the whole thing utterly depressing.

I wonder if the lack of children playing in the street after school is a local issue or if it is more widespread. I do think that part of the issue is that kids are over-scheduled in a lot of ways. Mine are involved in swim, softball and piano — and that’s just for the spring. I actually look forward to the end of these activities, so they can just spend the afternoon running around, riding bikes and playing with the basketball hoop we’re not supposed to have (according to my HOA).

Anyway, I think it’s a terrible tragedy that children are missing out on great games of kick-the-can, stick ball, running bases, etc. I do try to inspire my girls to run outside and play. Now, if there were only some other kids in the neighborhood to play with. One thing at a time!

I’ve heard some amazing things this week and it’s only Tuesday!

There are two celebrities I’d like to discuss on this blog:  Perez Hilton and Janeane Garofalo.

Perez Hilton was a “celebrity” judge at the Miss U.S.A. pageant.  He asked the question that proved to be the downfall of Miss California.  Basically, the question asked focused on gay marriage and whether or not Miss California supported the idea.  Carrie Prejean’s response, while not earth-shattering, was honest.  The problem is, her answer was not politically correct, ESPECIALLY in California where people are still fighting about Prop. 8.

Perez Hilton’s choice was to reportedly give Miss Prejean a zero for her response, which ultimately cost her the crown.  She was penalized for telling the truth, for answering the question, and for ignoring the judges’ obvious bias.

It seems to me that if you’re a Conservative, you are putting yourself in the line of fire.

Which brings me to Janeane Garofalo.  UGH.  Can I say that again?  UGH!  Since when are celebrities experts?  Since when are they given carte blanche when it comes to discussing issues?  Shouldn’t there be some level of education (real life AND scholarly) before they can spew their b.s.?

So, onto the Garofalo mess. Ms. Garofalo was a guest on Keith Olbermann’s show. The discussion focused on the recent Tea Parties (see my previous post). Here is Garofalo’s response:

“Let’s be very honest about what this is about,” she said. “It’s not about bashing Democrats, it’s not about taxes, they have no idea what the Boston tea party was about, they don’t know their history at all. This is about hating a black man in the White House. This is racism straight up. That is nothing but a bunch of teabagging rednecks.”

I found that quote and the actual video from this link:
http://features.csmonitor.com/politics/2009/04/17/janeane-garafalo-says-tea-parties-were-for-rednecks/

First, I’d like to say, I’m PROUD to be a redneck (if she’s right about those who attended and/or supported the Tea Parties).

Second, she’s a moron. Why is she a moron? Because she hasn’t been listening to those who organized the Tea Parties. They are screaming about our overspending, heavy-handed government.

Third, while some people may not like having a black president, isn’t it a bit narrow-minded to lump and entire (LARGE) group of people who don’t agree with your politics as racist? Give Me A BREAK!

I think Janeane and Perez should have lunch together. They can discuss how hypocritical they are. Perez crucified a girl because her opinions differed from his. Janeane crucified an entire group of people who peacefully organized and protested against something with which they disagreed. Maybe someone can discuss the merits of the First Amendment with them.

Is that the next right we give up in the name of National Security (especially under Janet Napolitano)? Tell these celebrities to just SHUT UP! Meet me in the real world and I’ll share some “common man” knowledge with them.

I’m disgusted!