Crack vs. Cocaine Powder is a Black and White Issue?

Ok, so I know it has been a while since my last blog.  You ever have so much going on you don't know what to write about?  Well that is me.  

Here is something that really got under my skin this week though.  

There seems to be this disparity between the sentences if you are caught with crack or cocaine powder.  This is claimed to be unfair to the black population. 

"Advocates for changing the law point to crime statistics that show crack is more of an urban and minority drug while cocaine powder is used more often by the affluent, and that harsher penalties for crack cocaine unfairly punish blacks.

"This unjust policy is based on little more than politics and urban myths, yet it's been allowed to stand for over 20 years, devastating African-American communities in the process," said Caroline Fredrickson, director of the ACLU's legislative office in Washington."    http://cbs5.com/national/crack.cocaine.drugs.2.283274.html

It takes 500 grams of cocaine powder to get the same sentence you would for getting caught with 5 grams of crack.  So the answer according to the government?  Lower the sentence.  My question is.... why not raise the other?  Let's "fairly punish" the whites... oops, I mean the affluent.  (Yes I am fully aware that there are affluent blacks, I am just going on the assumption of the article for effect.)  I am completely for that!  Increase the the sentence for having cocaine powder in your possession.

I mean, is it devastating these communities because the drug dealers and users are behind bars?  I am not sure how it is devastating to have a punishment for a crime.  

Any thoughts?

"Hey Ms. Bell, Is that the Jonas Brothers?"

I play music a lot in my PE class.  I find that the kids run better and play better with music.  It is mostly music that I like since I have to hear it all day.  The kids like it too for the most part.  I try to get new things in my play list.  The kids like some of the old stuff.  Queen, for example.  I play We Will Rock You and the whole class is energized.  I even play the disco version of Beethoven's 5th.  There is some good 80s music that the kids have heard.  They'll say that their parents play that song and the kids usually know the words.  Yesterday I was playing my favorite song by my favorite band.  I Want You to Want Me by Cheap Trick.  The song had just started and this kid said, "Hey Ms. Bell, is that the Jonas Brothers!!?"  Ummmm, excuse me?  Is nothing sacred anymore?  How can anyone mistake Cheap Trick for the Jonas Brothers?  Perhaps it was all the fans screaming at the beginning  of the song.   Perhaps it was the fact that the kid was in 3rd grade.  I am refusing to put the Jonas Brothers in my playlist though.  I have nothing against them but I am not paying for it.  

In other news, my hot water heater busted last night.  I am sitting at home right now watching 3 men trade out water heaters.  I was up every hour on the hour bailing the water that was still in it that was slowly leaking out.  At least I get the day off of work and I'm not sick.  I am also happy it didn't happen this time next week.  I will be out of town and I wouldn't have caught it right when it happened.  It also happened right before I went to bed, I can't imagine waking up to the mess that would have been there to greet me this morning!

Soccer news.... Our 1st undefeated season!  We wrapped up 1st place 2 weeks ago, but it was nice to go undefeated.  It was a close call.  The other team tied the game with 21 seconds to go.  We scored to go up one with 2.6 seconds to go.  We didn't have any subs at all and they had 6 extra players.  We would have creamed them if we had our whole team there.  Who would have ever thought I'd be on a soccer team in the first place, much less a good one?  Me, the one who loathed soccer!  

Here goes the NAACP

"NAACP takes aim at PostBuzz users have been all over the New York Post chimp-cartoon story, and this weekend was no exception. On Saturday, the NAACP called for a boycott of the paper over a cartoon it published depicting a slain chimp as the author of the stimulus bill. Some have interpreted the cartoon as a racially tinged and violent slap at President Obama. The paper says it merely critiques the stimulus by satirically linking it to the recent mauling of a woman by a 200-pound chimpanzee. The Post did offer, however, an apology, which critics have called tepid. In addition to urging the boycott, the NAACP called for Post editor Col Allan and cartoonist Sean Delonas to be fired."

Ok, I don't think I feel this way just because I am white, but I did almost get in an argument at work about this.  Political cartoons are usually offensive if taken in a certain light.  I fear that it is going to end up being that anything said against Obama is going to be made out to be a racist comment.  (On a side note, I think it is hilarious that the term "colored people" is still used in their organization's name but if I called one of them colored I'd be shot, or worse, sued.)  Why can't we just all be people?  

I have a question though.  I just got an extra $30 on my check due to this tax cut.  Thanks by the way, I'll try not to spend it all in one place.  But my question is how is the government going to spend more money than EVER and cut taxes?  I am not an economist by ANY stretch of the imagination, but it doesn't make sense.  Can someone please explain this to me?

I love this comic strip!

Pearls Before Swine has to be the best comic strip in the world!  I laughed at this one and thought I'd share.  

I just took the 2nd of 2 tests needed to get my physical education certification here in Texas.  I passed the 1st test, which was the PE test.  I needed a 240 and I scored a 278.  Today's test I am not so sure about.  Have you ever taken one of those tests that there is more than one answer?  You have to hope you picked the one they think is the best answer.  Not only was the test pretty much all like that, they were having problems loading my kind of test.  I finally got on a little after 1:00, it was scheduled for 12:00.  Then I got to question 8 and it froze and gave me an error message.  I waited another 45 minutes and they finally got the test running again.  Oh well, its over and I just pray that I passed.  

Random Blog

When I don't have a lot to talk about I do a random blog.  There is a spot on the profile that asks random questions.  That's usually where I get these from.  There is no way I could think them up myself!

Why does the taste of pennies remind you of losing a tooth?

First of all, who goes around tasting pennies?  Money is one of the dirtiest things ever!  EWWW!  That being said, I have tasted a penny, and it's true, it does remind you of losing a tooth.  It doesn't taste like blood though.  I give up.  Anybody got an answer?

Soon I will post the crochet hook case I designed.  Just making some adjustments.  

Stirring up more controversy!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/hampshire/7832647.stm

You'll have to cut and paste it to read it.

A friend of mine posted this article on Facebook. I made the comment below.

Ok, here is where I differ from a lot of people. I know this was in England, but let's say it was here. Is it illegal? No. A Christian could pay for advertising on the bus as well. If they denied a Christian advertisement, then I would have an issue. There are the " -God" messages on billboards all across America. I am sure those offend someone. As much as I believe in Jesus and that He is the Son of God, and as much as I want everyone else to agree with me, that is not the world we live in. It wasn't the world Jesus lived in either. Want to talk about a billboard that there is no God, how about putting Him up on a cross for everyone to see Him dead. Christians get all riled up but denying the right to advertise like that could end up hurting more than helping. It doesn't make sense to JUST allow Christian advertising. What if it was advertising a mosque, or a temple? Would we be as offended? 

Not in that comment because there wasn't room...

We have to be careful what we ask for. If we ask for someone else's rights to be taken away, we are asking for our own to be taken away. I am not suggesting we sit silently and just ignore it. We should be out there spreading the Good News, being lights in people's lives, meeting their needs, living as Jesus would have us live. Jesus didn't sue the people for slander. He didn't try to take their rights to speak against Him away. He just affected people in a way that they could not deny his existence. As did his followers. God can provide open doors that we could never imagine from a seemingly horrible ad campaign like that. Are we looking for them, or looking for a way to shut them?

I think Christians get so offended at things like this because it is an eternal life and death matter. But shutting them up will never happen first of all, and I am not sure it is the most effective thing to do anyway. 

Some may think I have a double standard having read a previous blog about some political issues. But things that affect those that cannot fend for themselves I see as a different matter entirely. You may disagree with me, but... well, you have that right :).

By the way, I think it is great that the bus driver refused to drive the bus. He stood up for what he believes in. He has the right to do that. Just like they have the right to advertise what they believe.

Super Bowl Cupcakes

5 days till I have internet at home!  Maybe I'll blog more then.  

I made some cupcakes for a Super Bowl party last night.  I didn't like the way the game turned out, but I did like the way my cupcakes turned out :).

I can't get my picture rotated....errrrr...  You get the idea though.

New Addiction

Thanks Ellyn..... I mean that and I don't mean that!  I have been introduced to Facebook.  I have found tons of old friends, but I can't keep up!  I have missed so much and I'm kicking myself for not staying in touch better.

In other news....

I finished a quilt top this weekend.  Just the top is done.  I haven't quilted it or anything yet.  

New Addition

I loved my Mazda. I really did. I was actually kinda sad when I decided to trade it in. It had almost 90,000 miles on it and it never caused me any major problems. It was fun to drive and would fit anywhere. But.... it isn't a truck. I found a great truck when I went home for Christmas break. It is a 2004, like my car, but with less than 27,000 miles on it. It is a 5-speed so it is still fun to drive, but it doesn't fit just anywhere. But hey, this is Texas. It was built for trucks.

It is finished!!!

Well, I have finished my first quilt that someone has paid for! It is also the largest quilt I have done so far, a twin size. I hated parting with it actually.

Can you?

I get some crazy questions as a teacher. I can't always remember them. Yesterday I got one that I don't think I will forget for a while. It came from one of my 7th graders, a boy, either 12 or 13 years old (That will help the question out a little bit.) "Mrs. Bell, can you fart, pee, and burp at the same time?" Yes, you read that correctly. Now some would be offended at such a question. I, however, am not. I consider it a compliment that he would even ask. It means my students feel comfortable enough to ask me anything. It does make me wonder what is really going on in a middle school boy's head on a regular basis. When they look deep in thought are they contemplating a math problem or how something works... or are they wondering about the age old questions concerning bodily functions?

For those of you wondering my answer (if you weren't then don't read), I told him that I didn't know but I would try. I can burp on command, but the other two I can't do on command. So if I am ever in the situation where the first 2 are occurring, I'll try to burp. This, of course, made me the coolest teacher here.... hands down!

So.... can you?

It's over

Well, I might as well blog about it, Jeremy and I are done. FOR-EV-ER. I feel very safe in saying that. Last night was miserable. Today is better, except there is no good immediate cure for puffy eyes. I am sure I will see him, we are on the same soccer team and I am NOT quitting it because of him. If he quits, fine, but I doubt he will.

I realized that a lot of the people I know here are through him. I am very grateful to all my friends up in Fairfax that I talked to last night. I wish I could just move you down here!

I promise not to be all depressed for too long :). I have a lot of opportunities now that I felt guilty doing before. It'll be different but it'll be good.

That's the news with me right now. Not very happy news but the news.

And that is why I don't talk politics....

I love talking politics, but I am so passionate about it is usually best for me not to speak on it. I see it so black and white (and no I am not talking about race.) I will tell you I truely don't understand people that don't see it the way I do, and that makes for tension. I guess I had rather go through life thinking the people I know surely think the way I do. My friend Shayna and I used to get so passionate when we'd talk politics that we would have to stop just so we'd stay friends! If someone brought it up in our company we'd just smile and suggest we talk about something else.

Anyway, let's go on with the superficial life of Suzanne. Maybe it won't cause such tension.

Twilight is coming out this week. If you don't know what it is you are living in a cave. Now, I admit, the first time Ellyn and Chelsea told me I had to read this book I laughed at them.
"You have to read this book! It is so good."
"What's it about?"
"Ummmm, vampires, werewolves and teenage love."
"NO THANKS!"
"Just read the first chapter."
Well, I did and it consumed me. Literally. I don't like to read but Stephanie Meyer is such a great author you get consumed with the characters. I had to keep reminding myself that these are not real people. I thought about the characters when I wasn't reading the book. It didn't take long to read because I read it every second I got.... even at red lights! I prayed to get stopped by a red light! Most of the girls at the middle school I taught at were reading it and we just couldn't stop talking about it. Now when I tell other people they should read the book they ask me what it's about. "Ummmmmm, vampires, werewolves and teenage love.... but it really is a great book!" There are 4 books in the series and I have read the 1st two. I want to read the next one but I just can't find the time because I know it will consume me as the first two did. So, this movie.... from what I can tell from the previews it is how I imagined it which is a good sign. I want to go to the midnight showing this Thursday but I am not in the mood to fight all the screaming teenagers. I guess they'll be there all weekend though. Jeremy said he won't go see it, that he has to draw the line somewhere. I guess vampires, werewolves and teenage romance are a bit much for him. It is understandable. I will go see it though. I'll do a review when I do.

I didn't have a soccer game this week but I do this Sunday. I never thought I'd be excited to play soccer. Last game was out of control. One of our players got a red card that was totally unmerited. He refs games at this arena and the ref of our game doesn't like him. Actually no one likes the ref that we had. Other refs don't want to work with him. He is a terrible ref too. So he look it out on our player that has refused to ref with him in the past. He gave 2 blue cards to the other team. That sits them in the penalty box for 5 minutes. They were beyond physical. Our team is physical, they were borderline violent and dirty. They are in the league above us (it was a cross-over game) and we were controlling the game and ended up winning. It wasn't fun though. I never wanted a game to be over so bad, and we were winning! Usually games go slow when you're the team getting slaughtered.

Well, I have babbled enough I guess. I hope to have a new quilt for you soon!

Back on line!

Well for some reason blogs are no longer blocked.

I am feeling a little bit better. I am still coughing. I hate being sick. From now on I am going to self-medicate. It took 4 hours to get in and out of the Care Now place. Plus they consider themselves specialists and not generalists so it cost $35 for a co-pay instead of $25. How is a walk-in clinic considered a specialist? I have to find a doctor!

Now onto politics. I am so tired of hearing about Obama. I am terrified of the fact that he is going to be the president. First of all, I am not sure how he is going to be with all the questions surrounding him. Things like the fact he can't produce a birth certificate to prove he was born in the US. There is a lawsuit about this. They are looking into his campaign funds because they suspect some of the funds are from terrorist organizations. No one seems to be very concerned about it though. That bothers me. The race issue bothers me too. I am tired of hearing that he's black. First of all he's biracial. His mom is white. And race is no reason to vote for someone. I can't believe all of these black churches that are celebrating his election when so much of what he stands for goes against God and Christian values. That tells me they voted for him because of his color. That tells me that there are a lot of people in America that are stupid. Yes, I said stupid. If we want to get past race issues in then stop making a big deal about it. Consider him a person and that's it. I am not saying it isn't worth mentioning, it just isn't worth harping on. American's should be ashamed of putting someone into office just to make history. There are more important things at stake.

Additional note: I looked and it seems that he did produce a birth certificate. Not sure why I keep hearing he hasn't.

GOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLL

This is a little bit if outdated news since it happened 2 Sundays ago, but I scored my first goal!  My team won!  I played really well this past Sunday as well.  

I am out sick today.  So why am I at Panera Bread on the internet?  Well, I had to send in my sub plans.  I feel better but I have a horrible cough.  Dr. said it is bronchitis and has me on a cough syrup that has codeine in it.  (No I haven't taken it this morning yet, so I am okay to drive.)  

Speaking of driving.....what is everyone paying for gas?  I passed 3 stations this morning that have it for $1.99.  Yes!  $1.99.  I never thought I'd see it that low again.  Buying gas is a bit like playing the stock market, except you don't sell.  You want to buy low.  You can get it and an hour later it could go down again, then you kick yourself for not waiting.  OR you could wait because the price is falling and then it suddenly goes back up.  Then you panic and you and everyone else is lining up to fill up.

I made some cupcakes for Halloween.  I will NEVER make the werewolves again.  Such a pain in the rear!  The mummies were so easy though.  The picture is a little blurry but you get the idea.  Sorry it's sideways too.

Well, I think that is the big part of the news with me.  Oh, glad to see people still check in and read.  I love when y'all make comments.

BLOCKED!!!

Since my last post my school has blocked blog sites so I have to go to the library to blog.  Anyone have some extra $ so I can have internet at home?  

I have to type quick, my computer is down to 30% and I left my charger at work.  

So, what has been going on...  Well, work.  Yuck!

And I have made a quilt!  Here is the picture.

I also finished that sock monkey throw.  A lady at work liked it so much that she want me to make her daughter a twin sized one.

Still playing indoor soccer, still dating Jeremy.....  I will try to get over here more often.  I'll post more soon.

Is it June Yet????

Really.  I am ready for June to be here.  I am worn out mentally.  I work from 7:00 - 4:30 and usually I am working on something during my lunch too.  they expect us to do everything with nothing.  For instance... the Drama Club is supposed to put on a play but the administration won't give them money for costumes or props. We are suppose to have a Fall Festival with ZERO budget, oh but the administration is donating prizes to the cause.  Gee, thanks.  We are to spend an extra hour and a half with kids without being paid a penny extra.  I had dinner with the district superintendent and he said to pay us would be unfair for the teachers that didn't have clubs but still had to stay for the time.  Huh?  Let's see, they get to do their planning, surf the web, whatever they want and I have to be a productive babysitter.  It is like having 5 extra classes!  Can you tell I am not happy?  June... just get me to June.

Here is a fun little picture in honor of election season.

That's Coach Bell to you....

I really need to learn to say no more often.  I had gotten really good at it but I seem to have fallen off the wagon.  I am over the volleyball club 2 days after school but somehow I am now over the journalism club the other 3 days.  That club includes the yearbook and newspaper.  What?  How did that happen?  I'm still not real sure.  

I am so exhausted when I get home it is silly!  I did manage to crank out a baby hat and scarf.  I think the colors are cool, not really baby colors, but I like that.

Am I the only one?

Obama Bi NLA din

Surely I am not the only one that has noticed this. I can't believe I haven't seen a bumper sticker or something.

It is week 3 of school and I still don't have any equipment. I am not sure it is even ordered yet! I just need to make it through the school year.

We lost our soccer game last night. We are 1 and 4. Oh well, it's fun. I guess that's what matters most.

I have finished another crocheted blanket. It is now proudly displayed on my couch :) Here is a picture of it.

Well I guess that's all for now.

The Media is Speechless...

For now anyway.  I only see one tiny article on McCain's choice, Sarah Palin, as a running mate.  I actually think he caught them (the media) completely off guard.  I am interested to see how they approach this.  I would say I want to research her more, but honestly, I am so against Obama becoming our next President that I almost couldn't care less.  The only thing they have dug up on her so far is that she refused to fire her brother-in-law who is a State Trooper in Alaska.  No mention of why she should have fired him.  I am sure we'll hear an absolute great and twisted story of some horrendous thing he did... with only the facts they want us to hear.  Like I said, I am really interested on how the media handles this!

Update:  It's been 5 minutes and they have already changed the story!  But I can't figure it out.  Is this a bad thing?  Do they mean hire or fire? BIG DIFFERENCE!

"More recently, she has come under the scrutiny of an investigation by the Republican-controlled legislature into the possibility that she ordered the dismissal of Alaska's public safety commissioner because he would not fire her former brother-in-law as a state trooper."  Associated Press

NO JOKE.... I just posted and clicked on the article again and they have removed that paragraph completely.