tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-113220902024-03-07T02:30:13.304-06:00Terry Ann OnlineTeresahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05492832896553871047noreply@blogger.comBlogger1596125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11322090.post-59856754228363554912023-07-07T16:30:00.142-05:002023-07-07T17:02:33.959-05:00Progressives Vote Against Their Economic Interests <div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span><span>In his 2004 book "What's the Matter with Kansas?”, Thomas Frank argued conservatives vote against their economic interests. In 2023, I would argue </span><span>progressive voters are doing what progressives have long claimed conservatives </span><span>are doing - voting against their economic interests. I have an interesting </span></span>news article and an informative video filled with data that both caught my attention and solidifies my point.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span>Young voters are a hallmark of the Democrat base. According to this <a href="https://time.com/6232272/generation-z-voters-midterm-elections/">Time</a> </span><a href="https://time.com/6232272/generation-z-voters-midterm-elections/">article</a><span>, Gen Z is a large reason why the red wave didn't occur in 2022. </span></span><span style="font-family: georgia;">Homeownership is a signifier of the American dream and economic </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">security. Guess where </span></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span>Gen Zers are able to buy homes? Red states. </span><span>The most popular metros for Gen Z homebuyers are Salt Lake City, </span><span>Oklahoma City and Birmingham, according to </span><a href="https://www.lendingtree.com/home/mortgage/the-most-popular-us-cities-for-gen-z-homebuyers-ranked/#LeastpopularmetrosforGenZhomebuyers">Lending Tree</a><span>.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">A question I think progressives should be asking themselves is why are red states seeing a net migration of minorities? What economic policies are red states enacting that are drawing people from all backgrounds? Texas has consistently topped the list for most Latino net migration, best opportunity markets, and producing the greatest number of new Latino homeowners, according to </span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://www.housingwire.com/articles/hispanic-homeownership-rate-rose-to-48-6-in-2022/#:~:text=Texas%20has%20consistently%20topped%20the,of%20nearly%20150%2C000%20Latino%20residents.">Housing Wire</a>. </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">Between 2020 and 2022, Texas saw a net gain of nearly 150,000 Latino residents. Something else that caught my eye this week is <a href="https://youtu.be/gzol-sDGDCQ">this video</a> detailing </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">the cities with the highest percentage of net migration of Black Americans and t</span><span style="font-family: georgia;">he vast majority (a couple of exceptions) of the cities listed are located in red states.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Progressives should be pondering if their economic policies help young people </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">and minorities.</span></span></div>Teresahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05492832896553871047noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11322090.post-90472381379017085172022-08-27T13:31:00.001-05:002022-08-27T13:36:06.528-05:00We Need to Stop Treating Secularism as a Neutral Value System<p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgHzEvWhKdi8RGIo9rOn5pdDzJD8GNBfkaRzVZ3B0DcCunja-f3Y5EZifj4HQlLg_L4JDxhjM9SDJS5rQtSfHrLY6UE6rGtf-gyyhfBdrfhmLyVHwZxY6xIaQcc51ljyOn_MdLuOw-Uv7kY8VT9drzli55zP_b7aQpduXjC2K1SJQXJ4WzfFQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgHzEvWhKdi8RGIo9rOn5pdDzJD8GNBfkaRzVZ3B0DcCunja-f3Y5EZifj4HQlLg_L4JDxhjM9SDJS5rQtSfHrLY6UE6rGtf-gyyhfBdrfhmLyVHwZxY6xIaQcc51ljyOn_MdLuOw-Uv7kY8VT9drzli55zP_b7aQpduXjC2K1SJQXJ4WzfFQ" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">There seems to be an underlying belief in American society that secularism is a neutral value system. Public displays of religiosity are taboo but promotion of all things irreligious are applauded. Being irreligious is just as much a value system as being religious.</span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> A truly neutral society wouldn't take sides between religion or the irreligious.</span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">A good example of this is in our school system. Prayer is forbidden but secular humanism is not a problem to teach students. It's a belief system just like Christianity, Judaism, Islam and any another religion but because our society views the irreligious as neutral, it's not an issue.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Another place where this is seen is in the abortion debate. Many pro-choicers seem to think they have the reasoned argument simply because they make specious secular arguments and pro-lifers sometimes use religious arguments (although they fail to recognize not every pro-lifer is religious). They think because they're secular it means they're "neutral", never mind their secularism has a belief system that isn't neutral.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Secularism isn't neutral. It's a value system. It's a system of ethics. Secularism has a set of beliefs. Its adherents can be zealous. Let's stop treating secularism as neutral.</span></p>Teresahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05492832896553871047noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11322090.post-59746887239105265322022-06-11T19:14:00.004-05:002022-06-11T19:32:05.031-05:00Oliva Rodrigo's Song 'Drivers License' is Anti-Environment<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Vehicles are wrecking our environment. A <span style="background-color: white; color: #202124;">typical passenger vehicle emits about </span><b style="background-color: white; color: #202124;">4.6 metric tons of carbon dioxide per year! </b><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124;">This is devastating. It is a blessing that people are driving less because of high gas prices. Gas prices have FINALLY reached <a href="https://www.npr.org/2022/06/11/1104364665/gas-prices-5-high-inflation">a national average of $5</a>. This is terrific. We must now learn to wean off oil to, uh, other stuff. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span face="Roboto, arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #202124;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPydRvIQsgrdlMYJjkQ3maTbTO7q9u3NjXwKYvgaZZLqYa9NTMCmd9o2vR6FKT8i56cA0UoCLqFbzRCqxNZFHTYtragzvWuVwZzA3UcY2gaYsUNzXVIH0wWiVm3gCWlRLzCaUYw3uNZKyELWJojlkoyG6sFduNmpbRuNZcPQd-f138ekQKJA/s1792/olivia%20rodirigo.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="828" data-original-width="1792" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPydRvIQsgrdlMYJjkQ3maTbTO7q9u3NjXwKYvgaZZLqYa9NTMCmd9o2vR6FKT8i56cA0UoCLqFbzRCqxNZFHTYtragzvWuVwZzA3UcY2gaYsUNzXVIH0wWiVm3gCWlRLzCaUYw3uNZKyELWJojlkoyG6sFduNmpbRuNZcPQd-f138ekQKJA/s320/olivia%20rodirigo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>This is why I'm horrified by Oliva Rodrigo's 2021 song and she must be canceled. Here are some of the disturbing lyrics with commentary:</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="ujudUb" jsname="U8S5sf" style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 12px;"><i><span jsname="YS01Ge">I got my driver's license last week</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">Just like we always talked about</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">'Cause you were so excited for me</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">To finally drive up to your house</span><b><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">But today I drove through the suburbs</span></b><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">Cryin' 'cause you weren't around</span></i></div><div class="ujudUb" jsname="U8S5sf" style="background-color: white; color: #202124; margin-bottom: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">She drove by the <b>SUBURBS</b>. OMG! They're so car-dependent. Why didn't she date a guy in a walkable city? She has bad taste in men.</span></div><div class="ujudUb" jsname="U8S5sf" style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 12px;"><i><span jsname="YS01Ge">Red lights, stop signs</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">I still see your face in the <b>white cars, front yards</b></span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">Can't drive past the places we used to go to</span></i></div><div class="ujudUb" jsname="U8S5sf" style="background-color: white; color: #202124; margin-bottom: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">And what's up with her always driving in her videos? How dare she! She needs a bike.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbuiPmGYXOzPyvuD6LqCb6u0s-hWfepTF_qRbENmuk-NUfABJssWcGb6yXZNjw6oFS5BCRQzZ8kTVKJooE2d_pG1HMrjN7OBE4MLjHDcYaTXNzfMkOhqpt4CImx2eRTMUDaisSIX3Db4TJs2hhyzpBTNxXVGJtTiMAWXKMFOwqjJCTrayCPQ/s1043/oliva%20driving.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="481" data-original-width="1043" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbuiPmGYXOzPyvuD6LqCb6u0s-hWfepTF_qRbENmuk-NUfABJssWcGb6yXZNjw6oFS5BCRQzZ8kTVKJooE2d_pG1HMrjN7OBE4MLjHDcYaTXNzfMkOhqpt4CImx2eRTMUDaisSIX3Db4TJs2hhyzpBTNxXVGJtTiMAWXKMFOwqjJCTrayCPQ/s320/oliva%20driving.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="ujudUb" jsname="U8S5sf" style="background-color: white; color: #202124; margin-bottom: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">"White cars, front yards" again the idealization of the suburban lifestyle with their cars and watered yards. We should NOT be encouraging driving. This is unacceptable from a pop star. Olivia Rodrigo must apologize for this. Do not buy her music anymore.</span></div>Teresahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05492832896553871047noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11322090.post-18649459094503644992022-06-10T12:45:00.001-05:002022-06-10T15:15:05.137-05:00Places to Visit in Alabama for Hikers and Explorers <p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">This autumn it will be two years since I've moved to Alabama from Texas. It's been fun exploring a state I had no previous experience with. I have discovered a very green state with some nice landscapes with mountains, waterfalls, covered bridges, caves, and beaches. I thought I would share some hiking spots and some other worthwhile places (including some places I intend to visit). Lawnstarter.com recently aggregated a list of the <a href="https://www.lawnstarter.com/blog/studies/best-cities-for-hiking/?fs=e&s=cl">best hiking cities</a> in the country, and Huntsville was the first Southeast city (outside of Florida) on it.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b>Hiking</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><a href="https://www.alapark.com/parks/cheaha-state-park">Cheaha State Park</a></b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqNnOlQ8imqWxi-O6gLPkkk1cFIVf7TwMuQK4IHiflSy_7qkgfv0DD2q93Hn2NLedblbo5DU4xz8GiGlzBAeGJispXqME2a6glX4Sz_-UjpDE4Srmvr7SchVpY3irvwmEwD1Sg6VjTcHCYvNeXNTfGc6U-O2Ewow0LmhQeUJe1EOL_NyK3Ng/s2048/cheaha%20state%20park.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqNnOlQ8imqWxi-O6gLPkkk1cFIVf7TwMuQK4IHiflSy_7qkgfv0DD2q93Hn2NLedblbo5DU4xz8GiGlzBAeGJispXqME2a6glX4Sz_-UjpDE4Srmvr7SchVpY3irvwmEwD1Sg6VjTcHCYvNeXNTfGc6U-O2Ewow0LmhQeUJe1EOL_NyK3Ng/s320/cheaha%20state%20park.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The highest elevation in Alabama and is part of the Appalachian mountain range</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/alabama/about-forest/districts/?cid=fsbdev3_002553"><b>Bankhead National Forest</b></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1bIotEud8xv7XVEhmuVbs6oyqAO3TAvuldK94sfxPDll52Ds0Zfn19TgLlnqxq8iqstzzxxODs75zY3dydeRGgXf3bPdmeGhfblsfESgy5TrGaKJ33pOFHSN7w5y2SYLWY9-LzXcFRfT-v-cNy0hfpJj92itkeD7tLeBnky8Z4IYHNe_Baw/s2048/bankhead.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1bIotEud8xv7XVEhmuVbs6oyqAO3TAvuldK94sfxPDll52Ds0Zfn19TgLlnqxq8iqstzzxxODs75zY3dydeRGgXf3bPdmeGhfblsfESgy5TrGaKJ33pOFHSN7w5y2SYLWY9-LzXcFRfT-v-cNy0hfpJj92itkeD7tLeBnky8Z4IYHNe_Baw/s320/bankhead.jpg" width="240" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Walls of Jericho</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; 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height: 0px; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg); width: 0px;"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="border-right: 8px solid transparent; border-top: 8px solid rgb(244, 244, 244); transform: translateY(16px); width: 0px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; transform: translateY(-4px); width: 16px;"></div> <div style="border-left: 8px solid transparent; border-top: 8px solid rgb(244, 244, 244); height: 0px; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px); width: 0px;"></div></div></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div></a><p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0px 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bx_HQHAnhLy/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Pete Schreiner (@schreinertrailphotography)</a></p></div></blockquote> <script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.alapark.com/parks/oak-mountain-state-park"><b>Oak Mountain State Park </b></a></span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7POWt-l29qKNlLcmspx2FSSP-iS3uMI_cjgxXoUMhvM0fEmkehIWIT8Ro_CJIsWCaCl8d5eAhRitSfHzD7aqn10QsNSFBZULxPcBaDAcz2Xm4EjRleHlZaZR9KnljoY5zdPjGjemkgyH7Az3oDyKilhujAXUKQiHpjCUZA9Jlz30etIQ78A/s2048/oak%20park%20state%20park.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7POWt-l29qKNlLcmspx2FSSP-iS3uMI_cjgxXoUMhvM0fEmkehIWIT8Ro_CJIsWCaCl8d5eAhRitSfHzD7aqn10QsNSFBZULxPcBaDAcz2Xm4EjRleHlZaZR9KnljoY5zdPjGjemkgyH7Az3oDyKilhujAXUKQiHpjCUZA9Jlz30etIQ78A/s320/oak%20park%20state%20park.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://redmountainpark.org/">Red Mountain Park</a></span></b><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm0XwTx5oTbheny3pOn5GDbLxjnDBh5CQ1UfLI-DfybdRIn-WLA7gx3Xlpq3p6Em04NRGEoZCtpnfaYVTBD8yhYMGyrc6BOc2ZB7kdSveOU7RyQdTnImEaLRjYZHUwOLd7VEp6pz49PMKVNz0UT_oMpKDjWp40ixLkK33QVrguV6P_sGftXQ/s2048/red%20mountain%20park.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm0XwTx5oTbheny3pOn5GDbLxjnDBh5CQ1UfLI-DfybdRIn-WLA7gx3Xlpq3p6Em04NRGEoZCtpnfaYVTBD8yhYMGyrc6BOc2ZB7kdSveOU7RyQdTnImEaLRjYZHUwOLd7VEp6pz49PMKVNz0UT_oMpKDjWp40ixLkK33QVrguV6P_sGftXQ/s320/red%20mountain%20park.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnZHs4QLvVCtuys914OE-m0n4oG_StL2cWrd8NVzDiUyq-vQR716E5z6Bv5_ZmTY_jwZwMzDQoE7r730AJqspthg82uFpL_VYom9lZevKPpH_-XVG-WhELYC11Wq4kuAAvLsddhX8SI9N2Ee9KRimdCUjYminlCpBk-UPD755eWueoH3LUCA/s2048/red%20mountain%20park%201.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnZHs4QLvVCtuys914OE-m0n4oG_StL2cWrd8NVzDiUyq-vQR716E5z6Bv5_ZmTY_jwZwMzDQoE7r730AJqspthg82uFpL_VYom9lZevKPpH_-XVG-WhELYC11Wq4kuAAvLsddhX8SI9N2Ee9KRimdCUjYminlCpBk-UPD755eWueoH3LUCA/s320/red%20mountain%20park%201.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">Ebenezer Swamp Trail</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5B-AisVhmdlghvurAq1A0VHi0Eg8TJnh0hEh7Lbu3HjeZ6hFcThTSp5NsUjI1azUEEu65fRihrIj35t2hnuelVOffKqxObW7EZXh3XABHVqBHyD2POuqaVb8l5qdr9G27TELmGZAYSwXSv9gByExfWSXULZULHPRo1Kt_Xxi0D7OrV__p9A/s2048/ebenezzer%20swamp.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5B-AisVhmdlghvurAq1A0VHi0Eg8TJnh0hEh7Lbu3HjeZ6hFcThTSp5NsUjI1azUEEu65fRihrIj35t2hnuelVOffKqxObW7EZXh3XABHVqBHyD2POuqaVb8l5qdr9G27TELmGZAYSwXSv9gByExfWSXULZULHPRo1Kt_Xxi0D7OrV__p9A/s320/ebenezzer%20swamp.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Waterfalls</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: left;"><b><a href="https://www.noccalulafallspark.com/">Noccalula Falls</a></b></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj09jSjJ1HegT6hGuShF31Co9RbuAJZkvEcKZCr2pzGGXvx8enx8ni0JJnminoes3RFy3QWURmabhjO8iKyQZPBvlsgOnN7rbaNvriyY3HrQU8Ezw_Tf9WG1tg__PxG4rl6KR3Cwyfi8cEbyDcqQj_c2F8B2tjE_IMhvQ-nFG4gjnQJ-9yGXQ/s2048/noccalula%20falls.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj09jSjJ1HegT6hGuShF31Co9RbuAJZkvEcKZCr2pzGGXvx8enx8ni0JJnminoes3RFy3QWURmabhjO8iKyQZPBvlsgOnN7rbaNvriyY3HrQU8Ezw_Tf9WG1tg__PxG4rl6KR3Cwyfi8cEbyDcqQj_c2F8B2tjE_IMhvQ-nFG4gjnQJ-9yGXQ/s320/noccalula%20falls.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.alapark.com/parks/desoto-state-park">DeSoto Falls</a></div><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;"><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CeG5RIjr-Fg/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-radius: 3px; border: 0px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5) 0px 0px 1px 0px, rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.15) 0px 1px 10px 0px; margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0px; width: calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding: 16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CeG5RIjr-Fg/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); line-height: 0; padding: 0px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; width: 100%;" target="_blank"> <div style="align-items: center; display: flex; flex-direction: row;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0px;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0px auto 12px; width: 50px;"><svg height="50px" version="1.1" viewbox="0 0 60 60" width="50px" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g fill-rule="evenodd" fill="none" stroke-width="1" stroke="none"><g fill="#000000" transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0px;"></div> <div style="align-items: center; display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px;"><div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px); width: 12.5px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12.5px; margin-left: 2px; margin-right: 14px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px); width: 12.5px;"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style="border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid rgb(244, 244, 244); border-top: 2px solid transparent; height: 0px; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg); width: 0px;"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="border-right: 8px solid transparent; border-top: 8px solid rgb(244, 244, 244); transform: translateY(16px); width: 0px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; transform: translateY(-4px); width: 16px;"></div> <div style="border-left: 8px solid transparent; border-top: 8px solid rgb(244, 244, 244); height: 0px; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px); width: 0px;"></div></div></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div></a><p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0px 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CeG5RIjr-Fg/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Steven Stiefel (@steven_stiefel)</a></p></div></blockquote> <script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><br /></span></div>Maradis Mills Falls</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dy70ne-Yxmn0Csa5_RrPFb-Nlr2Y13BhJT_FfqBcaHaW339iSdkDVifGTaNZ3Er3vrWc4mcby3c_Gw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Covered Bridges</b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">Kymulga Covered Bridge in Childersburg </span></div><div><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgnUzixjYxequAVYahETYBFGYmOz9zE8vOM0VmILtOOI6Ttd7Qwctw7-TFm_tmLU6N6gysolILEy_krfQYdVTfrw9nG1VI0kIVsal5_h3ovSw-SlzTUvjximeFFud3GodNdTY1TEvqxSbgkBr_5XWZ3U-uToJyx7Yt4IuvqGRc2B8jzlGgMg/s2048/childersburg%20covered%20bridge.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgnUzixjYxequAVYahETYBFGYmOz9zE8vOM0VmILtOOI6Ttd7Qwctw7-TFm_tmLU6N6gysolILEy_krfQYdVTfrw9nG1VI0kIVsal5_h3ovSw-SlzTUvjximeFFud3GodNdTY1TEvqxSbgkBr_5XWZ3U-uToJyx7Yt4IuvqGRc2B8jzlGgMg/s320/childersburg%20covered%20bridge.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /><b style="font-size: large;"><br /></b></span><p></p></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b style="font-size: large;"><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b style="font-size: large;"><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b style="font-size: large;"><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b style="font-size: large;"><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b style="font-size: large;"><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b style="font-size: large;"><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b style="font-size: large;"><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b style="font-size: large;"><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">Swann Bridge in Blount County</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0PZdEXR4SQYdodE-dULaRhT9_70u9IxIxnJjCEquXf80zLwb_JRx1Dm0RhLtcXr3MwP3Ivwsh-SZI9twtgKLohv8cVk1Lcrmh0FAIk9qRt9yTzXWFObadiC6rFDD-DXpD8nDWAvlSdN6MA4cj8v8ozhrOFSgdOYK-_YpNMqh-uoJHKADuTw/s2048/swann%20bridge.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0PZdEXR4SQYdodE-dULaRhT9_70u9IxIxnJjCEquXf80zLwb_JRx1Dm0RhLtcXr3MwP3Ivwsh-SZI9twtgKLohv8cVk1Lcrmh0FAIk9qRt9yTzXWFObadiC6rFDD-DXpD8nDWAvlSdN6MA4cj8v8ozhrOFSgdOYK-_YpNMqh-uoJHKADuTw/s320/swann%20bridge.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span><b>Beaches</b></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">I live a few hours from the coast so I will be honest haven't spent too much time there but I did enjoy some time <a href="https://www.alapark.com/parks/gulf-state-park">Gulf Shores State Park</a></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaIXB4sAvYOhX4xjoCjZnLOUUoDw0XAfDNW9obkoSFuqsJtv8iAJLEir7gHCTWjgVa7aRcL2LP4b2WL9ELv6gV3KY5L7hpzQMric4YkcLEqtCV7hcYcS6x0pqoPELNGQWw6FaVfYQQIjf0osRbVlY7tHvxSLd0jqy1ZfCm0dgb9t2q-yoIdg/s2048/gulf%20shores.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaIXB4sAvYOhX4xjoCjZnLOUUoDw0XAfDNW9obkoSFuqsJtv8iAJLEir7gHCTWjgVa7aRcL2LP4b2WL9ELv6gV3KY5L7hpzQMric4YkcLEqtCV7hcYcS6x0pqoPELNGQWw6FaVfYQQIjf0osRbVlY7tHvxSLd0jqy1ZfCm0dgb9t2q-yoIdg/s320/gulf%20shores.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span><b>Other Notable Places</b></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div>Stephen's Cave Gap</div><div><br /></div> <blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CLh1b0InlQO/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-radius: 3px; border: 0px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5) 0px 0px 1px 0px, rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.15) 0px 1px 10px 0px; margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0px; width: calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding: 16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CLh1b0InlQO/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); line-height: 0; padding: 0px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; width: 100%;" target="_blank"> <div style="align-items: center; display: flex; flex-direction: row;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0px;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0px auto 12px; width: 50px;"><svg height="50px" version="1.1" viewbox="0 0 60 60" width="50px" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g fill-rule="evenodd" fill="none" stroke-width="1" stroke="none"><g fill="#000000" transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0px;"></div> <div style="align-items: center; display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px;"><div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px); width: 12.5px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12.5px; margin-left: 2px; margin-right: 14px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px); width: 12.5px;"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style="border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid rgb(244, 244, 244); border-top: 2px solid transparent; height: 0px; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg); width: 0px;"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="border-right: 8px solid transparent; border-top: 8px solid rgb(244, 244, 244); transform: translateY(16px); width: 0px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; transform: translateY(-4px); width: 16px;"></div> <div style="border-left: 8px solid transparent; border-top: 8px solid rgb(244, 244, 244); height: 0px; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px); width: 0px;"></div></div></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div></a><p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0px 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CLh1b0InlQO/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">A post shared by amandalyn | elopement photog (@amandalynphotography)</a></p></div></blockquote> <script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br /></div>The charming town of <a href="https://wetumpkaal.gov/">Wetumpka</a> (Dubbed the "City of Natural Beauty" and featured on HGTV's Hometown Takeover) <div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig-YAtUrL8xEFq2qjWDWSNUSRVm3QV_3Z8BelJ58loijhxhtN4IBOF7BaYmy6wiqTRVeyxSsDQPkzqCRP7XgR-a0VeHj9a8VWxF3W27ikM-i0YOKYT29m0U85DnrawVCHxCFp1idLBXx6MXbcvVC-PlMFdE-9fILMfVABb7yC1hWJQ-5eCGg/s2048/wetumpka.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig-YAtUrL8xEFq2qjWDWSNUSRVm3QV_3Z8BelJ58loijhxhtN4IBOF7BaYmy6wiqTRVeyxSsDQPkzqCRP7XgR-a0VeHj9a8VWxF3W27ikM-i0YOKYT29m0U85DnrawVCHxCFp1idLBXx6MXbcvVC-PlMFdE-9fILMfVABb7yC1hWJQ-5eCGg/s320/wetumpka.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRtgmHsz1X-_cAgpiZich2fa79zKYxMDliI-0k9rA13DSmPvEuug5CG7ueN1L4nX8pslZmEZF1tcTnLWcj6ndDTdEx7edFQ9kRtzPfHNQTXFj6BcLxyu_0YBwhY_-8AaUwZTpPGQ7xPmMeBeed1Jl8YUdMIubM30zLPaNuWEcEt150SOBaJg/s2048/wetumpka%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRtgmHsz1X-_cAgpiZich2fa79zKYxMDliI-0k9rA13DSmPvEuug5CG7ueN1L4nX8pslZmEZF1tcTnLWcj6ndDTdEx7edFQ9kRtzPfHNQTXFj6BcLxyu_0YBwhY_-8AaUwZTpPGQ7xPmMeBeed1Jl8YUdMIubM30zLPaNuWEcEt150SOBaJg/s320/wetumpka%202.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Excited to explore more of this state!</div>Teresahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05492832896553871047noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11322090.post-67371778522502180692022-03-29T18:09:00.004-05:002022-03-29T18:11:06.032-05:00What #Vanlife Says About our Culture<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1HtbmXQkZ97tidUoXfh8pdJUNVV66LekVq9M7l1Hxq-g_m6MahDGVci8WqXb6jlodJftBiq9EMyqSCoCbYvHw2DgIvjWw7WRsf2N5HFRwJShUNH4Gml9-0S13xllJ8XkPtnAnMVyMLp9HXtTlr8EjQwFisA_gEdAdb5MnKJFS_6SZnj1bYg/s980/vanlife.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1HtbmXQkZ97tidUoXfh8pdJUNVV66LekVq9M7l1Hxq-g_m6MahDGVci8WqXb6jlodJftBiq9EMyqSCoCbYvHw2DgIvjWw7WRsf2N5HFRwJShUNH4Gml9-0S13xllJ8XkPtnAnMVyMLp9HXtTlr8EjQwFisA_gEdAdb5MnKJFS_6SZnj1bYg/w479-h319/vanlife.jpg" width="479" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">There is something appealing about being lost, isolated and disconnected. I have been watching a lot of #Vanlfe videos on YouTube. They have no daily agenda, get to travel where they want, experiences places where they don't know a single person. I can see how this can life can be enticing. No direction! You have no idea what tomorrow brings!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Unsurprisingly, #Vanlife became extremely popular during isolating times, the COVID pandemic. Even with all the amazing scenery, these #Vanlifers also seem to be the most unhappy, anxious people! They lament not having a stable community because of the constant moving around. Those "views" can't replace being grounded and community.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">This also makes me think of social media, which is supposed to connect us and help us build online "communities". It does the opposite. It provides a false sense of community that often leaves us isolated and disconnected.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I see a lost and directionless society. I see an unhappy society filled with anxiety and distrust. We were sold that being lost and directionless is a way to pave our own way. But we need meaning, purpose, and community. We need God. We need family, friends, and others. There's a reason why our ancestors went from directionless nomads to building communities/cities to settle down in. We all need roots.</span></p><p><br /></p>Teresahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05492832896553871047noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11322090.post-8297529735536846482022-02-22T17:53:00.006-06:002022-02-22T17:55:04.434-06:00Great Wedding Songs List (A Lot of 90s music)<p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">For some reason, I keep a running list of wedding songs. Here is my list (feel free to comment on a song you think should be added):</span></p><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Stuck on you - Meiko</span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Broken Road Selah</span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">10,000 hours Dan and Shay</span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Matt Stell - Prayed For You</span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Bruno Mars - Marry You</span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Ed Sheeran - Thinking Out Loud</span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Maren Morris - The Bones</span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">It’s About Us - Jeff Leblanc</span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I’m Gonna Be (500) - Proclaimers</span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Forever and Ever, Amen - Randy Travis</span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Mine - Taylor Swift</span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Kiss Me - Sixpence None the Richer</span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> I Swear - </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">John Michael Montgomery </span></span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I Can Love You Like That - </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">All 4 One </span></span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I Knew I Loved You - </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">Savage Garden</span></span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>Teresahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05492832896553871047noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11322090.post-21276845006777218042021-12-07T18:44:00.005-06:002021-12-23T16:49:03.281-06:00Songs I Will Forever Relate to the COVID Pandemic <p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">As we all know that music has a way of taking you back in time. Reminds you of what you were going through when you were listening to that song and how it spoke to you.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I have two songs that I believe will forever remind me of the pandemic. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">1) <b>Jeremy Camp - Keep Me in the Moment</b> - This video came out the week of the lockdowns. It is about time, slowing down, and appreciating loved ones. The lockdowns really did slow down everything. Made me realize how important relationships are!</span></p><p><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #030303; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>I’ve been thinking ‘bout time
And where does it go
How can I stop my life from passing me by I don’t know
I’ve been thinking ‘bout family and how it’s going so fast
Will I wake up one morning just wishing that I could go back
I’ve been thinking ‘bout lately maybe
I can make a change and let You change me
So, with all of my heart this is my prayer
Singing Oh Lord keep me in the moment
Help me live with my eyes wide open
‘Cause I don’t wanna miss what You have for me
Singing Oh Lord show me what matters
Throw away what I’m chasing after
‘Cause I don’t wanna miss what You have for me
Keep me in the moment
Keep me in the moment
Keep me in the moment
‘Cause I don’t wanna miss what You have for me
When I wake up in the morning
Lord, search my heart
Don’t let me stray, I just wanna stay where You are
All I got is one shot, one try
One go around in this beautiful life
Nothing is wasted when everything’s placed in Your hands
I’ve been thinking about heaven
And the promise You hold
So, it’s all eyes on You until the day
You call me home</i></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/xb1bx3hYfzg" width="431" youtube-src-id="xb1bx3hYfzg"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">2) The second song is <b>Movin' On by Jonathon McReynolds</b>. It's about moving on from failures. But in the video, someone is packing up their stuff and starting new. Millions of Americans moved during the pandemic. I, myself, moved. It really gave me hope that a new location can be a fresh start.</span></div><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-fKmTfYz6_4" width="414" youtube-src-id="-fKmTfYz6_4"></iframe></div><br />Teresahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05492832896553871047noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11322090.post-944522464834121812021-10-17T16:02:00.010-05:002021-10-17T16:08:03.383-05:00Closed on Sunday<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPQKmbztUDABsGbByJzPWpJPCOcVgYQaDx-fa7kw5Efkq-sEhyphenhyphenKMow76YT_qcVxVg5he2r80jxF8ld4u4Rz_uh9zYYLczkECB6LS0-MQ2AgX_Z3tg_fNAYt-8IPMA0GS4kxckq/s800/CFA_Outlined_Red_Script_Logo12_RGB.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="355" data-original-width="800" height="142" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPQKmbztUDABsGbByJzPWpJPCOcVgYQaDx-fa7kw5Efkq-sEhyphenhyphenKMow76YT_qcVxVg5he2r80jxF8ld4u4Rz_uh9zYYLczkECB6LS0-MQ2AgX_Z3tg_fNAYt-8IPMA0GS4kxckq/s320/CFA_Outlined_Red_Script_Logo12_RGB.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;">I'm a capitalist. I support business. That's why what I'm about to say might be</span><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span>confusing. The American family is in disrepair. American culture is on the decline. </span>We need stronger families. I think there is a small and Biblical thing we can do to strengthen families: Take back the Sabbath.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span>The Sabbath is for rest. A time for reflection. A time to spend with family before the </span><span>busy weeks begin. </span><span>We've let business and commerce take our Sabbath. I would </span><span>like to see way </span><span>more </span><span>businesses close on Sunday like Chick-fil-A. In fact, some </span><span>European countries </span><span>already do </span><a href="https://www.bavariannews.com/blog/2016/03/21/take-sunday-off-its-the-law/">this</a><span>.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span>While I support capitalism, I have always been wary of overconsumption </span><span>in </span>American society. The excess is concerning. Perhaps, taking back Sabbath would be a small step in getting priorities right.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span>The Sabbath should be a time of rest and reflection. A time to worship God. </span><span>Not a time for business. </span><span>I support business and commerce but I support </span><span>families </span>more. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/MKM90u7pf3U" width="320" youtube-src-id="MKM90u7pf3U"></iframe></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div></div></div>Teresahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05492832896553871047noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11322090.post-11237496404908892682021-07-30T16:13:00.000-05:002021-07-30T16:13:45.999-05:00Where are the High-Minded Discussions on the Left?<p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I listened to two great conversations this week.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">First, Glenn Loury, John McWhorter, and Jason Riley discuss Thomas Sowell's writing. Great intellectual conversation.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WH1ZJwaenOM" width="320" youtube-src-id="WH1ZJwaenOM"></iframe></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The second was Daily Wire Backstage, where the folks of Daily Wire pontificated on current events. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/EVTG6ozXmI4" width="320" youtube-src-id="EVTG6ozXmI4"></iframe></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Whatever you think of the politics of any of the individuals engaging in these discussions, it is hard to deny these are some pretty high-minded, intellectual conversations. No talking points. No superficiality.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I found myself wondering: Where are these types of discussions on the American Left? All the people featured in the above videos are right-leaning (some more so than others). I'm not trying name-call or anything. I know there are some serious intellectuals on the Left. I just don't see them in conversations like this. </span></p>Teresahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05492832896553871047noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11322090.post-21427259552198929302021-06-29T14:08:00.008-05:002021-06-29T16:46:37.146-05:00Who Killed Truth?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlqSVDiKvb7hwNes3DUMcUSUKmnqZicjpZl7zY2g90KiG1xoG_dmFacu_WX379kVmGoU2II3MCafE7lOFiy7CGpTQEMWSCadKPlQM4sWw9wxKu4uR0RE88aFYiUyVdgLy8UPNI/s1024/truth.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlqSVDiKvb7hwNes3DUMcUSUKmnqZicjpZl7zY2g90KiG1xoG_dmFacu_WX379kVmGoU2II3MCafE7lOFiy7CGpTQEMWSCadKPlQM4sWw9wxKu4uR0RE88aFYiUyVdgLy8UPNI/s320/truth.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I've been listening to a very interesting podcast called "<a href="https://www.pushkin.fm/show/the-last-archive/" target="_blank">The Last Archive</a>", hosted by historian Jill Lepore. To give some insight into the show here is a description from the website:</span></div><blockquote><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><em style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; border: none; box-sizing: inherit; letter-spacing: -0.27px; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; word-break: break-word;">The Last Archive</em><span style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: -0.27px;"> is a show about the history of truth, and the historical context for our current fake news, post-truth moment. It’s a show about how we know what we know, and why it seems, these days, as if we don’t know anything at all anymore.</span></span></div></blockquote><div><span style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: -0.27px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I find this a highly intriguing question. <b>Who killed truth? </b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Ms. Lepore concludes her second season with an episode titled, </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">"Epiphany." In this episode, her guest argues we don't know the truth because our "institutions of knowledge" such academia, media, and science have been under attack. She goes on to explain these institutions have been under attack for political gain. In her view, one political party benefits from this.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I would like to offer a different theory. Postmodernism, moral relativism, and our absolute distrust of any type of authority have killed the truth. Postmodernists argue truth as relative. When we all go by our own truth, there is no truth. This is the world postmodernism has built. We can no longer agree on simple truths because it is relative. We've built our own individualistic moral frameworks.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Another issue I see is an absolute distrust of authority. Let us face it Americans have issues with authority. Watch a few minutes of American media and I can't help but see a huge distrust of authority. Parents are portrayed as idiots. Teachers are shown as idiots. Religious leaders are portrayed as idiots and crooked. Law enforcement is shown as crooked. Politicians are crooked. I can go on. So how are we supposed to seek the truth when authority is under attack?</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I understand that people are flawed and some level of skepticism in authority is healthy and normal. But that's now what I'm seeing. This goes above and beyond that. Sometimes it is downright disrespectful to all forms of authority. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">If you really want to deep-dive into who killed truth, I would start there.</span></div>Teresahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05492832896553871047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11322090.post-23701238793754916132021-06-11T20:09:00.003-05:002021-06-11T20:12:01.179-05:00Texas Sun, Birmingham Rain<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxAbz6k93zLrphwxEV3KqVAOVqVS7_5SruRKmiE9BqnipiX7XU058FZb0Jg38OuTPA9rUxAtaQKn_HMQvNYJGJt1a4g4bDZC34CtejPgGX_WEemSSAG3wDnuW5mTU8o_G1v7aw/s2048/80660b2b6c2b0156861af5d808d1063d.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxAbz6k93zLrphwxEV3KqVAOVqVS7_5SruRKmiE9BqnipiX7XU058FZb0Jg38OuTPA9rUxAtaQKn_HMQvNYJGJt1a4g4bDZC34CtejPgGX_WEemSSAG3wDnuW5mTU8o_G1v7aw/w399-h299/80660b2b6c2b0156861af5d808d1063d.jpg" width="399" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Last fall I packed my bags for a better opportunity.<br />
Putting my failures behind me called for a change of scenery.<br />
But sometimes I miss the Texas sun when it rains in Birmingham.<br />
But I know growth cannot happen in infertile land.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span>Nine hundred miles of distance between where I am<br /></span><span>and </span>where
I used to be.<br />Friends are hard to come by when your disposition is meek.<br />Flaming sunsets replaced with steep winding roads.<br />Seeking all that will satisfy a wrestling soul.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Everything changes with time; nothing stays the same.<br />
Moving on and breathing new terrain.</span><o:p></o:p></p>Teresahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05492832896553871047noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11322090.post-20481668966336320802021-02-21T08:17:00.008-06:002021-02-21T08:36:16.739-06:00Why Millennials Like to Virtue Signal<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Millennials have grown up with the media surrounding them. <br />We grew up with 24/7 cable television (MTV first broadcasted the<br />year I was born) and computers were in our homes. If you didn't</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">want to shut down media, you didn't have to. All this media</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span>consumption has made us value the way things appear (hello, reality television). Media </span><span>consumption can distort our perspectives and views.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span>Generation X was the first generation to not be as </span><span>financially well</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span>off as their parents, and Millennials have </span><span>continued the trend. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">America has been an economic powerhouse for generations</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">but that dynamism seems to dwindle every year. The American family is in absolute disarray. Many Millennials and Gen Zers are forgoing marriage and family.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span>Previous </span><span>American generations actually fought wars and injustice. They </span><span>accomplished great things. Can you list any major American accomplishments </span><span>in the past 40 years that doesn't involve technology? I think </span><span>there is deep insecurity there.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">So now combine those two issues: A generation who grew</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span>with high media consumption and few accomplishments. Is </span><span>it</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span>any wonder they are looking for causes to fight about on </span><span>social media? No wonder many in my generation try to signal their moral superiority. They're living off the accomplishments of previous generations and seeking a way to prove themselves. Well, yeah we didn't build what other previous generations did but at least we're not racists, sexists, homophobic like them. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">I've often noticed the person that boasts the most in the room has accomplished the least. They want to prove themselves productive while actually doing little. That's many in my generation.</span></div>Teresahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05492832896553871047noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11322090.post-31879961997142612032020-08-31T20:49:00.006-05:002020-08-31T20:54:58.404-05:00The Year of Fear<p></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">In God, whose word I praise—in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?<br /><a href="https://www.blogger.com/#">Psalm 56:4</a> <br /><br />If any word can describe 2020 so far it is fear. This has</span><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span>been </span>a fearful year. Fear of a virus. Fear of the economic consequences of shutting down an economy for several months. Fear of saying the wrong thing on social media can get you canceled. Fear of the social unrest going on our streets. </span><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br />I don't know about you but I'm tired of all the fear. The Bible tells us, "Be strong, do not fear!" A life lived in fear is not much of a life. I don't want to live my life in a bubble. I don't want to live my life afraid I may say the wrong thing. <br /><br />I encourage us to evaluate the things that make us anxious and fearful and how we can deal with them. It might mean cutting down on social media. Getting on our knees to pray when we have those anxious thoughts. </span><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br />When the Bible talks about fear it usually contrasts it with courage. In a world living in fear, let's show others what courage looks like.</span></div></div></div>Teresahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05492832896553871047noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11322090.post-324364381566504572020-06-20T14:47:00.001-05:002020-06-20T14:57:39.566-05:00Only Trade-Offs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>T</i><i>here are no solutions, only trade-offs.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">- Thomas Sowell</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">America has been an economic power for a century. Generations of Americans have only known their country as being an economic giant. That soon <a href="https://fortune.com/2018/12/18/america-china-number-one/">will end</a>. A common saying from economist Thomas Sowell has been stuck in my head these past few days, "There are no solutions, only trade-offs." In order to become an economic giant, we had to trade-off something. What did we trade-off? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The answer hit me while I watched a movie that appropriately takes place in a region of the world ready to take America's place as the largest economy, <i>Crazy Rich Asians</i>. The movie is about a Chinese-American, Rachel Chu, meeting her boyfriend's extremely wealthy family in Singapore. Rachel wants to follow her passions. In one striking scene, Rachel is making dumplings with her boyfriend's large family and she mentions she didn't have a big family. Her boyfriend's mother bluntly (and in a judgemental manner) tells Rachel she put aside her career and ambitions to have a large family. (The irony is her boyfriend's mother is willing to put a wedge between her son and his future family so he can be a billionaire businessman.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">That was the trade-off we made: Our families. There is no doubt there has been a systemic dismantling of the American family. While American bank accounts were growing, families were falling apart. <span style="color: #222222;">About </span><a href="http://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/demo/tables/families/2018/cps-2018/tabc2-all.xls" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #00aaeb; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: color 0.15s ease-in-out 0s;">35% of American adolescents</a><span style="color: #222222;"> live without one of their parents, and </span><a href="http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/unmarried-childbearing.htm" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #00aaeb; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: color 0.15s ease-in-out 0s;">around 40%</a><span style="color: #222222;"> of American children are born outside of marriage. </span>I think many times we live in this utopian world where there are no trade-offs but in the real world, they exist. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I want America to continue to be economically prosperous but I want us to reflect on trade-offs. Family is not something you trade-off.</span></div>
Teresahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05492832896553871047noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11322090.post-83079895244049727702020-05-29T11:45:00.002-05:002020-06-20T14:47:22.775-05:00How the Public Relations Industry Created Cancel Culture & Annoying Karen<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijW-8-GG7JwSUYkxWmqZKrFxfAUH2R4DBXjlz1mb31XyqMuCYIDUt7lEkIUxTfQzwKKLREw0c9NNa2AWQ5BDTPJWWPXNFtNnLF7FdYb-gLdDULuAe76dlMwZLVGvSUC4MICQjj/s1600/BecomeAPublicRelationsSpecialist_1200x630-1505166583970.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="840" data-original-width="1600" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijW-8-GG7JwSUYkxWmqZKrFxfAUH2R4DBXjlz1mb31XyqMuCYIDUt7lEkIUxTfQzwKKLREw0c9NNa2AWQ5BDTPJWWPXNFtNnLF7FdYb-gLdDULuAe76dlMwZLVGvSUC4MICQjj/s320/BecomeAPublicRelationsSpecialist_1200x630-1505166583970.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The public relations industry needs reformation. In its current form, it is extremely dysfunctional and shallow. It is having a deleterious effect on our society. You don't like "cancel culture"? It can be traced to public relations. Tired of "<a href="https://www.latimes.com/opinion/story/2020-05-27/karen-meme-is-sexist-why-not-change-it-to-donald">Karens</a>" who want to speak with the manager? The public relations industry helped create her. It treats the public as unsophisticated and easily persuaded. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Too many times public relations (p.r.) values the <i>appearance</i> of doing something over actually doing something. Public relations professionals often recommend their clients apologize during a controversy; facts be damned. Someone is mad, so apologize. I remember one of my communication professors in undergrad telling us that it doesn't matter what we communicated, all that matters is <i>how</i> it was received. In other words, it doesn't matter if the receiver didn't interpret the message correctly. That's the general consensus in many communication/public relations texts.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">This is the SAME attitude of our current cancel culture. If a group of people are offended and want to "cancel" a business, celebrity, etc over some opinion, in this public relations paradigm fault lies on the canceled person, not on the easily offended. Nevermind that the offended people are upset over something really trivial or in context the offending incident wasn't as egregious. For example, recently the online mob was <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/jeffree-star-cremated-makeup-eyeshadow-palette-coronavirus-a9520911.html">demanding Jeffree Star's cancellation </a>because he named a makeup palette "Deceased" during a pandemic. It was so silly. The palette has NOTHING to do with the pandemic and had been in the works even before the virus but it is bad "public relations," I guess. You can never be contrite enough in the public relations world.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Another tenet of public relations is being proactive before any public backlash starts to rear its head. This means you respond immediately before a negative narrative forms. This type of thought might have been useful decades ago before social media but it is no longer feasible. Everyone has a platform now. You can't respond to everything. Being proactive in this environment might actually make you appear guilty of something.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Now on to this new "Karen" meme. P. R. has created an entitled public, where the loudest voices get appeased. The public is always right. <a href="https://www.latimes.com/opinion/story/2020-05-27/karen-meme-is-sexist-why-not-change-it-to-donald">According to LA Times</a>, a <span style="background-color: white;">Karen is someone who “demands the world exists according to her standards, with little or no regard for others, and she is willing to risk or demean others to achieve her ends.”</span> P.R. has taught us whining gets you what you want. That's why "Karen" wants to speak to your manager because appeasement is easier than actually having to deal with her. God forbid she leaves a negative comment on Yelp, that would be bad public relations.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">The Public Society of America defines p.r. as "a strategic communication process that builds mutually beneficial relationships between organizations and their publics.” It is oftentimes shallow and treats the public as unsophisticated. For example, if a company is accused of exploiting a group of people, the issue is dealt with at a very superficial level. The company will donate to some charity and viola p.r. crisis averted! It can also be argued it creates a mindset like "<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Security_theater">security theater</a>." The real issue isn't actually being dealt with by the those in charge but it makes the public feel better. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">P.R. needs reformation. Enough with the superficiality. The public is not dumb, they can handle the truth and honest conversations. We live in new times and new strategies need to be developed.</span></span><br />
<br />Teresahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05492832896553871047noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11322090.post-39871468502763905012020-04-27T13:55:00.000-05:002020-06-24T12:04:17.087-05:00Coronavirus Has Me Thinking About Feminism<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRiLo1AYeKTLCSS_I1fa6NmFeYvvngiVvlJx7zioHPOjXe1hLLILN8Bozh10R5Yk9pPcJEOAOUfcOMRVDohIyfQ4W4MJMelLy-FH1PV_Zj7nloIhYpCJV-3L5qumn04bDHcprz/s1600/9191rc7wpfL._SX450_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRiLo1AYeKTLCSS_I1fa6NmFeYvvngiVvlJx7zioHPOjXe1hLLILN8Bozh10R5Yk9pPcJEOAOUfcOMRVDohIyfQ4W4MJMelLy-FH1PV_Zj7nloIhYpCJV-3L5qumn04bDHcprz/s320/9191rc7wpfL._SX450_.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;">The coronavirus has me deeply thinking about feminism and the roles of women in our society. As </span>shelter-in-place orders continue, along with job losses and school closures have led to increased economic anxiety and increased demands on parents’ time. Surveys have consistently found that moms take the lead roles in <span style="border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-style: initial; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit;">managing family health</span> and that working moms are more likely than dads to stay home when kids are sick. The coronavirus has many modern women getting a glimpse of what it was like to <a href="https://theconversation.com/return-of-the-1950s-housewife-how-to-stop-coronavirus-lockdown-reinforcing-sexist-gender-roles-134851">be a 1950s housewife</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;">I've also been watching the show <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mrs._America_(miniseries)">Mrs. America on Hulu</a>. The program tells the story of the counter-feminist movement of the 1970s and mainly focuses on the conservative author, Phyliss Schlafly. The program paints feminists as heroes and conservative women as a bunch of hypocrites. No surprise there. However, it does bring up a lot of interesting discussions of the role of women in our society. In the program and in many Hollywood endeavors (I grew up desiring to be <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Working_Girl">Melanie Griffith in Working Woman</a>), women don't find their actualization until they find meaningful employment. Working women are satisfied with their lives, while housewives are desperate and unfulfilled, is often how it is portrayed by Hollywood. Aw, to be Carrie Bradshaw walking down New York City with expensive clothes and shoes with no kids or husband. That is life! Is it though? </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;">Or we tell women you can have everything! You can have the marriage, career, kids. True. But one thing Phyliss Schlafly points out in the show is that, yes, women can have those things but they may come in seasons. There will be a time when you are super-focused on the family. There will be a time when you're super-focused on a career. But that's not what ardent feminists want to hear. Women must be focused on their careers all the time! </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;">Society often tells young women marriage and motherhood can wait, focus on career goals. But isn't it also true a career can wait? Do employers stop employing women after 40? Do colleges not enroll 40-year-old women? People are living well into their 80s these days, it is totally feasible to start a career at 35 and work 30 or 40 years. So why is it that family has to wait for women?</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;">Men and women both have choices when it comes to family and career. I recognize no choice is easy. But I think it is good to have a realistic discussion about these things, not a Hollywood fantasy.</span></span>Teresahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05492832896553871047noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11322090.post-3990181369981796112020-03-18T11:39:00.002-05:002020-06-23T20:26:22.587-05:00Enough with this "Our Stories" Talk from Hollywood<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I'm he</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">aring more of this argument from Hollywood and the entertainment business in general that stories featuring Hispanics have to be told by Hispanics. First, the book <a href="https://www.vox.com/culture/2020/1/22/21075629/american-dirt-controversy-explained-jeanine-cummins-oprah-flatiron">American Dirt</a> received backlash because the woman who wrote it is white and it is a <i>fictional</i> tale of immigrants from Mexico. "Not her story to tell!" claim the critics. Nevermind, that it is an outlandish fictional tale, to begin with.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Today I read </span><a href="https://variety.com/2020/film/news/america-ferrera-superstore-ugly-betty-latina-1203519886/">an interview with America Ferrera in Variety</a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">, and she had a bunch of talk about "our stories" as well. She is quoted as stating "</span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So, as a producer, [I’m] bringing opportunity to the Latino community, and helping to build a pipeline for </span><b>our stories</b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> to be seen and to be celebrated and for </span><b>our talent</b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">.” It is so frustrating how Hollywood loves to claim their stories are "our stories," as if Latinos are a monolith. She goes on to praise an upcoming film, </span><i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In the Heigh</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">ts, </span></i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">that takes place in New York City. I'm a Latina from a small town in Texas, I can assure <i>In the Heights</i> is not my story. See my point? Not every Hispanic in America has the same experience so it comes off as paternalistic when they tell me they're telling "our stories." </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">I also want to discuss this current trend of people needing to see themselves reflected in media. I don't get it. I don't feel the need to see myself reflected in media. Most of the people in Hollywood are models and superficial, I'm never gonna relate to that, even if they hire more people of my ethnicity. Seeing a model looking Latina in movies or magazines isn't gonna change how I see myself. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">I don't need Hollywood to validate me, my experiences or opinions.</span></span></div>
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Teresahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05492832896553871047noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11322090.post-37013020947943028612020-03-18T09:14:00.001-05:002020-06-24T12:13:08.552-05:00Is the Democratic Party the Party of Intellectuals?<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I've heard more than one Democrat claim their party is intellectual and wonky and that's why they have difficulty communicating with your average voter. Kind of a critique hidden in a boast. But it had me thinking: Is this true? Is the Democratic Party the party of ideas and intellectuals? Hmmm.</span><br />
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The Left does have a stronghold in academia and Democrats do gather a <a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2018/11/education-gap-explains-american-politics/575113/">larger portion of the college-educated vote</a>. But does that make them wonky and intellectual? First, I don't believe that academia has the intellectual rigor it used to. Academic standards have greatly decreased. A college degree doesn't mean you've thought vigorously about policy issues. There is superficiality in academia and in all honestly, it can be found in many of our institutions. So it is hard for me to find this as s sufficient argument to claim the Democrats are the party of the intellectuals.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Now let's look at the Democratic leadership, are they more intelligent than their Republican counterpoints? I don't think so. Both parties speak in superficial talking points. I don't find offering more "free" stuff to the public as something that takes incredible talent or acumen. In fact, if anything it probably takes some acumen to explain to the taxpayer what would be deleterious of effects of new programs/spending. As I said I find both parties pretty superficial. I can't recall a speech by Bush, Obama or Trump that had any serious intellectual heft. They ALL think we are stupid.</span></span><br />
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Maybe the Left makes more reasonable arguments? I find this unpersuasive as well. When so many of their arguments can be summed up by; if you don't agree with me you're a racist, sexist, homophobic, etc. So many debates are shut down by Leftist by saying, "You have no say in the matter because you're not in a historically oppressed group." I don't find that compelling.</span><br />
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Another argument I hear is that conservatives tend to be more religious and that's anti-intellectual. I would like to refute that. Practicing religion is not only a spiritual endeavor but an intellectual one. Religions teach about ethics, justice, and existential questions. I don't know under what basis you can argue that a religious person has thought less about important issues than a secular person since they literally meet on a regular basis to cover an array of serious topics. While superficiality has leaked into American religion just it has in our politics and academia, I wouldn't automatically say it is devoid of intelligence.</span><br />
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Again, I find it hard to believe that the Democrats are just too dang smart for their own good. Not that intelligence is of huge value; I just wanted to reflect on this claim.</span>Teresahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05492832896553871047noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11322090.post-54355953216606755422019-07-29T20:45:00.001-05:002020-03-18T11:44:53.623-05:00What Your Eye Shadow Collection Should Look Like<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyd3p-dvYgPkxiwFmWw-eg6wtSeREDV_KfWRfDXSU9NNCYYHsd-yx6-hcgq_BKYEzXpTptlzdLarz75hVLgCZIUAW-ZzvnElNsicPIIsNtdb_KU-MjSzTtGfZvLDZhHsrBNng_/s1600/0607845011903.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="750" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyd3p-dvYgPkxiwFmWw-eg6wtSeREDV_KfWRfDXSU9NNCYYHsd-yx6-hcgq_BKYEzXpTptlzdLarz75hVLgCZIUAW-ZzvnElNsicPIIsNtdb_KU-MjSzTtGfZvLDZhHsrBNng_/s200/0607845011903.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The beauty business is booming! It seems like everyday a new cosmetics company is born. The YouTube beauty community is really lighting the fire to this cosmetic boom. So before another</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">beauty guru tell you should get this brand new eye shadow palette, I'm here to tell you probably already in your make up collection.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here is what your collection should like:</span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>The classic neutrals palette </b>- The neutral pallete is the like work<br />clothes of your make up collection. Simple and not fussy. Most of<br />us already this in our collection; so now companies are selling pallettes<br />that are mostly neutral but have one pop of color. Don't fall<br />for it! That one aqua eye shadow is not worth buy another neutral pallette.</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Side note: So many of the neutral palettes are warm-toned but if you're a<br />fair-lady with cool skin undertones, try a cool-toned neutral pallette!</span></li>
</ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Jewel-toned pallette</b> - If the neutral pallette is the work outfit, the<br />jewel-toned pallette is the fancy going-out dress. A fun blue or green eye<br />shadow is especially fun during the holidays!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Electric/Bright pallette</b> - Well, this one is only for the adventurous types.<br />Having some bright colors can be fun but they're not for everyone! If you<br />know you are never gonna use a bright yellow or coral color skip this or<br />at maybe just buy a single bright eye shadow to test the waters.</span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And that's all you need! Look at your collection and if you already have</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">this no need to buy the hot new thing. Hope this helps!</span></div>
Teresahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05492832896553871047noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11322090.post-80128656093800101042018-12-30T22:48:00.003-06:002020-07-03T17:10:19.612-05:00Cultural Depression and Populism<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I was listening to a podcast the other day and two intellectual</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">conservatives were discussing the return of populism in our current </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">political environment. Populism is a range of political approaches </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">that deliberately appeal to "the people," often juxtaposing this group </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">against a so-called "elite." (That definitely sounds familiar!)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The two conservatives were somewhat confounded why populism has made </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium;">a return during this economic environment since the last time </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium;">populism had any resonance in the United States was in an economic </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium;">depression. We're currently </span><b>NOT</b><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium;"> in an economic depression.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I have a theory of why populism has found its' footing again in America. </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium;">No, we are not in an </span><i>economic</i><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium;"> depression but perhaps we in a cultural </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium;">depression? The economic depression of the '30s was largely brought on</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium;"> because the public didn't trust any of the financial institutions.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Slowly but surely in the past 50 years, we have experienced a revolution </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">that has upended the American culture. Our families, neighborhoods, and </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">communities are forever changed. There is a lack of trust in our cultural </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">institutions.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I don't know how anyone can look at the <i>cultural</i> landscape of America </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">and have an upbeat outlook. The Sexual Revolution destroyed the </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">American family. No longer are children born to parents in a stable </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">marriage. Our drug culture sees thousands of people dying of drug </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">overdoses and absolutely decimating whole communities. Americans</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">aren't volunteering or attending church like previous generations.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: medium;">Therefore, they don't have that sense of community civic and religious </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium;">participation brings. Our art (music, movies, fine art) hardly has any </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium;">redeeming value. Academia is not preparing young minds for </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium;">real careers but some Utopian made-up world.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Maybe what we are experiencing is a cultural depression, not an economic </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium;">depression? America is a wealthy nation and has been for a while. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium;">What good is wealth if you're disconnected from your family and </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium;">community? The hard part of achieving the American Dream (finding a </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium;">well-paying job to support a family) used to be finding a well-paying </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium;">job but now it seems the </span><i>family</i><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium;"> part is going array.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Now back to populism. I think people see all this cultural decay and </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">blame the cultural "elites". American culture is falling apart and we want </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">to blame somebody instead of ourselves. We're asking for the government </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">to come in and take the place where family, community, faith used </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">to occupy and it's only leaving us more empty and........depressed.</span></span>Teresahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05492832896553871047noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11322090.post-25884582864572875142018-06-12T19:31:00.004-05:002020-06-24T12:16:22.777-05:00We Need More Steph and Ayesha Curry's<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif;">I wanna get married, like the Currys, Steph </span></span></b><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif;">and Ayesha shit</span> - Cardi B</span></b></blockquote>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNzQ2bRFBYNNDOJtgUrVWYvkFKlSSvuOXlQdkrsJnnwYAjf1rz33eLTMB73dTrbxlaeiK9Dt-IInGij-9PeSUZR9p3dHgA7c7h7oIap8UazdCjouvF3IwWU0kJ0JX5CmZ3Lw80/s1600/ayesha+and+steph+curry.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNzQ2bRFBYNNDOJtgUrVWYvkFKlSSvuOXlQdkrsJnnwYAjf1rz33eLTMB73dTrbxlaeiK9Dt-IInGij-9PeSUZR9p3dHgA7c7h7oIap8UazdCjouvF3IwWU0kJ0JX5CmZ3Lw80/s320/ayesha+and+steph+curry.jpg" width="320" /></a></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I really don't follow the NBA all too much. The NBA Finals have become an absolute snoozefest since the Golden State Warriors have dominated for a few years now. So maybe that's why when I tried watching the NBA Finals this year my mind wandered about and it wasn't about basketball.....but how much more Ayesha and Steph Curry's we need in Western society. Let me explain.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">No, I'm not saying we need more basketball players with wives that sell </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;">cookware. I'm saying we need better images of </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">yo</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">ung, healthy marriages. </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Marriage is on the decline and it is having harmful societal effects. Marriage </span><span style="font-size: large;">is a stabilizing force in a family structure. Research after research shows </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">children do better when mom and dad are in a healthy marriage. While marriage is on the decline across all ethnic backgrounds, it has especially seen a sharp decline in the black community. <a href="https://www.npr.org/2011/03/24/134827591/promoting-marriage-in-the-black-community">The Pew Research Center</a> <a href="https://www.npr.org/2011/03/24/134827591/promoting-marriage-in-the-black-community">reports that in 2008</a>, 72 percent of black women giving birth were unmarried.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">That's more than in any other ethnic group and almost double the amount </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">from 40 years ago. Let's face it young people are jaded on marriage with so </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">many growing up in broken homes. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">So many portrayals of marriage in the media are rather</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">negative. You know the image of the nagging wife and her good-for-nothing </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">husband. Steph and Ayesha Curry make marriage look fun! They joke around </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">and have fun playing with their young kids. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">They don't look bored! Not saying </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">that marriages don't have their challenges but media portrayals tend to focus </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">on the negative aspects of marriage.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">There is also this societal myth growing that if you marry before your </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">30 the marriage is doomed to fail! Steph and Ayesha Curry married in their </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">early twenties and no divorce is imminent. In fact, they're expecting their third </span></span><span style="font-size: large;">child. We tell our young people that their twenties are for having fun and </span><span style="font-size: large;">dating as many people as they want. That's a horrible message to send young </span><span style="font-size: large;">people if we want them to develop stable, healthy relationships.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I think we need to start promoting marriage and having good</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">images is a good start. For a multicultural nation having such</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">a prominent, young and black couple is such a refreshing image. </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">They're such a modern, young image of a dying institution.</span></span></div>
Teresahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05492832896553871047noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11322090.post-79143658256858931352016-10-29T10:10:00.002-05:002020-07-03T17:05:53.947-05:00Do Not Despair, GOP<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">If the polls are correct on November 8th the Republican party</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">will suffer its third consecutive loss in the race for the presidency.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Get ready for media think pieces on the death of the GOP on the </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">day after the election. They're being drafted as we speak. Not </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">so fast my liberal friends! I believe there is reason for hope </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">even in a crushing defeat. Yes, a loss will be devastating to the </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">party but not a fatal blow. I will use this post to explain why.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The main reason hope is not lost for the GOP is due to the fact </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">that Donald Trump is a historically bad candidate with awful </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">favorability numbers. A trouncing will not be a whole-scale </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">rejection of the Republican party but a horrible candidate. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">While I believe we're currently a center-left country, I don't </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">think we're as far left as the Democrat party. Donald Trump is </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">not fluent in policy and could not prosecute the case against </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">some extreme positions Democrats hold. For example, Hillary C</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">linton is not in the mainstream when it comes to late-term </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">abortions. A competent politician could have painted her as </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">an extremist on the issue.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Another reason not despair is Hillary Clinton is a bad politician </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">herself. She could have been defeated this election cycle but GOP </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">voters made a huge error in nominating Trump. I wouldn't count </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">on that happening again. Clinton's favorability numbers </span><i style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">almost </i><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">rival Trump's. Democrats really don't seem energized by her </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">and that could prove detrimental in her re-election bid.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I would like to take the time to remind readers we've seen this </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">before. None of this new. In the 1980s Democrats were three </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">crushing defeats at the ballot box and survived. Democrats </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">did some soul-searching and found a winning candidate in </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Bill Clinton. The GOP is likely to do the same. In fact, this </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">election reminds me of the 1988 election. Ronald Reagan </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">was loved by the conservative base of his party and was a </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">good communicator. Barack Obama is loved by the progressive </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">base of his party and is also an effective communicator. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">George H.W. Bush had to campaign following a pretty popular </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">president and was more establishment. Same can be said for Hillary </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Clinton. In 1988 Democrats nominated Michael Dukakis who fit </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">every conservative stereotype of liberals; weak on crime and </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">foreign policy. Donald Trump fits every stereotype of progressives</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">paint of Republicans. He's uninformed, racist and sexist. The</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">exact caricature Democrats want the public to have of the GOP.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">My last reason why I am not ready to call the GOP doomed</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">is that the GOP does have young talent. I said it last year</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">and I still believe it to be true the GOP had a good crop of</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">presidential candidates this year but for whatever reason were </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">ignored for the bombastic Donald Trump. I don't foresee this </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">happening again. This young crop of candidates now has four </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">more years to grow and build up their resumes and organization.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The GOP must take this time in the wilderness to reflect and</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">regather. Earlier in the post I mentioned how the Democrats</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">experienced similar losses in the 1980s and bounced back.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Although progressives were out of power politically during this </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">time period, they made great strides culturally. For example, </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">progressives were busy redefining family and gender roles. These </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">cultural gains helped Democrats politically. Democrats crush </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Republicans with single women, a demographic that has seen </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">a steady increase. So while the Republican party was trying </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">to take the mantle of "family values" for the past 30 years </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">the American family was falling apart and being redefined. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">The divorce rate skyrocketed during the Reagan years. The </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">cultural headwinds were against the GOP.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">If the GOP wants to make gains politically they must make</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">cultural gains. Conservatives must not cede culture to</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">progressives. While it may appear hopeless if GOP is handed</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">anther defeat, there is still reason for optimism.</span>Teresahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05492832896553871047noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11322090.post-81011496998631959622016-08-15T12:05:00.003-05:002016-08-15T12:38:24.556-05:00Who is to blame if Trump loses in November?With <a href="https://www.buzzfeed.com/rosiegray/in-key-states-the-trump-campaign-still-lags-badly?utm_term=.vqz8odAOK#.qepG28E0B">Donald Trump trailing Hillary Clinton</a> by a wide margin there<br />
already seems <a href="http://hotair.com/archives/2016/08/10/hannity-lets-face-it-these-nevertrump-people-will-own-every-one-of-hillarys-policies/">to be a discussion going</a> on who will be to blame if<br />
Trump loses the election. Obviously, I know this discussion is premature<br />
and speculative. But it wouldn't be online political commentary if<br />
it wasn't premature and speculative!<br />
<br />
I have decided to put my two cents into the ongoing discussion.<br />
Here are determining factors that contributed to a troubled Trump<br />
candidacy:<br />
<br />
1) <b>Trump himself. </b>He has been campaigning for over a year now<br />
and he doesn't want to learn and grow. He has no ability to stay<br />
focused and on message. Staying on message is crucial when<br />
running for office. He's frustratingly stubborn in his ways. This<br />
is where the majority of the blame lies.<br />
<br />
2) <b>The media. </b>The media gave Trump free reign of their airways<br />
during the primary. He was on cable news 24/7.<br />
Trump provided ratings and the media gave him a platform.<br />
It was hard for the other 16 candidates to get <i>any</i> coverage. This<br />
free media was way too much for the other candidates to overcome.<br />
It has been truly disgraceful how the media behaved during this<br />
election.<br />
<br />
3) <b>Immigration hardliners. </b>It appears when Trump's support<br />
really started coalescing was when he <a href="http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2015/06/16/trump_mexico_not_sending_us_their_best_criminals_drug_dealers_and_rapists_are_crossing_border.html">insulted Mexico by saying </a><br />
<a href="http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2015/06/16/trump_mexico_not_sending_us_their_best_criminals_drug_dealers_and_rapists_are_crossing_border.html">they're sending us their criminals and rapists</a>. I don't believe the<br />
GOP field was bereft of talent this year. But there was a portion<br />
of the Republican electorate that were insistent on having a nominee<br />
with bombastic rhetoric against immigration. Therefore, there were good<br />
candidates that were unacceptable to this vocal group. For example,<br />
Ted Cruz was anti-immigration reform but for the hardliners it<br />
wasn't sufficient enough. If Trump loses GOP voters will have<br />
to evaluate how much credence they give to this high pitched group.<br />
<br />
4) <b>Selfish candidates unwilling to accept reality. </b>During the primary,<br />
too many candidates stuck it out even when it was evident their candidacy<br />
would not amount to anything. This helped Trump divide and conquer.<br />
For example, Jeb Bush didn't leave until after South Carolina but it<br />
was evident his candidacy wasn't taking off months and months before.<br />
Even my preferred candidate Marco Rubio stuck it out a little longer<br />
than he should have. Perhaps the primary would have looked<br />
differently if some of these lower tier candidates would have gotten<br />
the message and left sooner. Trump supporters will argue some<br />
of that support would have gone to him. I don't buy it. I think there<br />
was a considerate amount anti-Trump sentiment but they weren't<br />
able to consolidate behind one candidate.<br />
<br />
Another aspect of this point is that way too many candidates ran during<br />
the primary. It was way too crowded. The GOP allowed too many<br />
candidates on the debate stage. No candidate was able to effectively attack<br />
Trump because of too many voices on the debate stage. Marco Rubio was<br />
able to launch a good attack against Trump during one of the debates<br />
when the field had narrowed but by then it was too late; Trump's<br />
lead was significant.<br />
<br />
5) <b>Anti-establishmentarians</b>. There was so much talk about anger towards<br />
the "establishment" during the primary. Frankly, I think it is wise to avoid<br />
listening to angry people. It got out of hand when Ted Cruz of all people<br />
got labeled "establishment". The word means nothing to me anymore.<br />
Establishment seemed to be code work for professional. Call me crazy<br />
but I want a professional in elected office. Someone who knows what<br />
they're talking about. It has taken an unfocused and undisciplined candidate<br />
like Donald Trump for me to appreciate a polished and disciplined<br />
candidate.<br />
<br />
6) <b>Celebrity culture</b>. The irony of the political party that is despised by<br />
Hollywood getting pulled into celebrity culture. Trump had name<br />
recognition and apparently that was enough for some primary voters.<br />
<br />
We will see how things turn out in November. But if we're looking for<br />
self-evaluation after the election this may be the place to start.Teresahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05492832896553871047noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11322090.post-5220295639233602392016-08-03T14:50:00.001-05:002016-08-03T14:50:14.422-05:00Politically HomelessI currently have no political home. I can't support Donald Trump. Don't<br />
<div>
trust him and he is lacking in character. He is so erratic I honestly can't<br />
determine where he stands politically. I can't support Hillary Clinton.</div>
<div>
I don't believe I agree with her on a single policy issue. I can't support</div>
<div>
Gary Johnson because he's pro-choice. I am pro-life and can't budge<br />
on that issue. Frankly, I think social issues are way more crucial than<br />
economic issues at this current moment. Libertarians are just way<br />
too socially liberal for me. Libertarians don't seem to grasp how<br />
social liberalism cannot exist with economic conservatism. Social<br />
ills are costly. Just ask our European friends who have tried it!<br />
<br />
It is disappointing this may be the first election I sit out in 10 years.<br />
It is disappointing that no major candidate aligns with my beliefs and<br />
principles. Hopefully, I will soon find a political home.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Teresahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05492832896553871047noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11322090.post-29540057422920907602016-03-22T17:17:00.001-05:002016-03-22T17:43:12.109-05:00Childlessness: A Theory About Young Adults and Depresssion<span style="font-family: inherit;">Today I developed a theory of why so many young adults are</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">experiencing depression and it ran through my head while I logged<br />onto my YouTube account. Let me explain. I logged into my<br />YouTube account and checked my subscriptions and there was<br />a video from a 20-something YouTuber explaining why she hadn't<br />been uploading and how she has having mental health issues.<br />This is becoming a frequent occurrence in my YouTube<br />subscription box and they are mostly done by 20 or 30-somethings.<br />Another thing that connects them is they're young and childless.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">This got me to thinking about our society at large. The birth rate for<br />young women has dramatically dropped in the past decade. To put<br />it simply: Less people are having babies. They're childless like these<br />depressed young women on YouTube.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">If there is anyone that should be happy you would think it<br />would be a wealthy young YouTuber? Right. They make good<br />money for meaningless work (which might also be contributing<br />to depression but I will save that for another blog). They're<br />young. No children. No responsibilities. Lots of free time.<br />That's what our society tells us we should strive for. But yet<br />they're completely miserable!<br /><br />As I've read the Bible I've noticed how it talks a lot of living a life</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">of service. Mark 10:45 says, "<span style="line-height: 24px; text-align: justify;">If anyone would be first, he must</span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">be last of all and servant of all.” But that's not what current American</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">society teaches. We want to be served and catered to! Parenting,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
however, is not about you but raising and taking care of someone</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
else and so many young adults are opting out of it or at least</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
waiting till later in life.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I also believe that serving others helps with depression. When</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
the focus is off oneself it's much easier to have a clear</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
perceptive on life. Serving and caring for others is a key to </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
long-lasting happiness. But we now have a young adult generation</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
who have forgone getting married and having children. And</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
what's the result? They're making videos on YouTube about </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
depressed they're.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Serve others and find meaning. Children have a wonderful way<br />
of bringing meaning to one's life. The first line in Pastor Rick</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Warren's book "Purpose Driven Life" is: It's not about you.<span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></div>
Teresahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05492832896553871047noreply@blogger.com