Musings from Mars

We've all heard that Obama & McCain are running but did you know there is a grass roots movement to start a write in campaign?  Check this out!

(If you want to start your own campaign check out:  http://www.news3online.com/spread.php and good luck!)

There is a movie that has recently been received called "Tropic Thunder" starring Ben Stiller which according to Mr. Stiller and Dreamworks (the company that produced it) is a satire of what's wrong with the movie industry.

The movie has several things in it that can cause one to question it's value for entertainment, but the one thing creating the most controversy right now is the depiction revolving around a film Ben Stiller's character played in prior to the one the character is currently making.  That previous film is called "Simple Jack."  "Simple Jack" is about a mentally/developmentally delayed individual.  At one point Dreamworks even had a website devoted to the "Simple Jack" film with it's tagline...."Once upon a time there was a little retard."  Once the disAbility community caught wind of it and protested it was pulled.  Ben Stiller and Dreamworks argue the disabled community misunderstood.  They weren't making fun of the disabled but of the lengths some actors will go to win an Oscar (think Forest Gump and Rain Man). 

However, they use the word retard at least 16 times including one time where Robert Downing Jr.'s character tells Ben Stiller's character about never going "Full Retard."  This has already spun off into t-shirts with the words "Never go Full Retard" on them.  Ben Stiller and Dreamworks say parents shouldn't be upset because the movie is rated R (meaning children under 17 shouldn't be seeing it and only intelligent adults who would understand the satire will see it).  Let me say this, those words hurt.  Those t-shirts will show up in schools where developmentally delayed students will see those words. 

Do words hurt?  I say Yes, they hurt.  Please join with me and ban the r-word from use.  If your friends say it when they mess up, mention words hurt, suggest an alternative.

We can overcome ignorance if we all work at it.

I read a blog today that had this video included in it:

I never really pondered it they way this video suggests we ponder that question.  Since listening/viewing this video I have to agree, the question isn't "Why does God allow bad things to happen?" but "How can God, in His Holiness and Righteousness, allow me to continue to live?" 

The answer is found in His Word.  He loved each of us enough that He was willing to allow His only begotten son, Jesus, to die on the cross for our sins.  How many of us love someone enough to die for their wrong doings?

Close your eyes.  Take a deep breath, and then type the first five things you think of when you think of summer.

1. Fireflies
2. Fireworks
3. Children laughing
4. Playing in the water
5. Strawberries & Watermelon

Today went rather smoothly.  I think I only raised my voice (in that "Do it now or else" tone) once!

I called today 'Teaching Tuesday' because I spent the day teaching the boys how to do the chores they are assigned daily (like making sure their dressers stay neat, vacuuming, room tidy, etc.).

Today Mitchell had Dinner Prep (he got to help make dinner, peel potatoes, open/start the green beans {had to redo those as he dropped them on the floor and rinsing them in a colander didn't take care of the debris, note to self, show Mitchell how to sweep the kitchen floor better}, he even did the marinade for the pork chops {lemon juice & lemon pepper seasoning}.  Nick had vacuuming {let's just say he needs more lessons}.  Zachary had the boys' bathroom.  I figure I'll still need to deep clean it every now and then, but at least it's getting done daily by one of the ones who use it!

I've gotten to the point where I've been leery of venturing out with all three boys alone.  Well, today I had a Mary Kay delivery to make and Jeff had to sleep so we ventured out.  I'm happy to say the boys were very well behaved.  As a thank you for their good behavior I treated them to lunch at Burger King.  After lunch we had to hit Walmart for milk.  I also ended up getting each of us a water gun.  Would love to have a pool since we seem to have gone from monsoon season to Hot, Hazy, Humid in one day, but the water guns will have to do.

When Jeff was leaving he smiled and said he was proud of us.  He told me I'd survived today relatively easily.  Let's say a little prayer that each day gets easier.

Oh, Nick could probably use some prayers -- he's got 2 demerits already and since the boys decided 3 was the cut off for allowance not being received, I'm afraid he's not going to make it without loads of prayers.  (I do count down from 5, 10 count between each number, before issuing the demerit so he has time to either ask for a re-do or to comply.)