KRISTEN'S PEOPLE

Yes, I have been tempted to write about my own outrage at everything that is going on socially, economically, politically. But what it comes down finally, is that we are finally motivated-right or wrong. In a lot of cases we are angry at the wrong people or entities, but we feel helpless and are fighting for some sort of control. Enough said. Which brings me to the life-affirming issues and the cycles that we engage in and embrace.

Every year around our house it is not Spring until Kristen's people appear. These are those wooden figures that you see around people's homes that range from chickens, to slinking cats, bent-over ladies showing more than they should, etc. Ours came from Great-Grandpa to Kristen. The dutch boy and girl who Kristen would always place facing each other, though her father would toy with her observation skills by posing them in odd positions. She would always put them back where they belonged-face to face looking lovingly into each other's eyes. She's a romantic.

There's also the rabbit with the hoe whom old Farmer McGregor would have appreciated. A bunny who toils rather than steals. My Dad picked up a bb gun we kept by the patio door one day (to pop ground moles-LOL) and starting taking shots at Kristen's people. He remarked that he thought that was so accommodating that we supplied targets! NOOOOO. Ah well Kristen's people survived the onslaught. I put balloons out for him to shoot. (Note to self: bb guns are not that freakin' accurate).

Every Spring they come out and every Fall they go back into their dark little space in the shed. As inevitable as daylight, as comforting as a Mother's hand. Seasons progress regardless of the human turmoil that persists.

However this year Kristen, who has long since moved away and is busily creating her own family, her own cycles and traditions, found a little gift planted at her house while she and her husband were away. A whole new set of Kristen's people waiting amidst the bushes and flowers in her little garden spot. A hunting cat, red birds and of course, two little wooden people looking lovingly into each other's eyes. May they herald Spring at my beloved daughter's house as they always have at ours.

GRADUATED OPINIONS

The State Journal asked, as usual this time of year, what advice the community panel had for the 2010 graduates. Mine hasn't changed much over the past couple of years.

"Today you feel that you've climbed that mountain, but it's just a foothill to the rest of your life. Laugh more than you cry. Love your family because they are with you-good, bad and ugly and part of you no matter what. Point out when the emperor has no clothes even if you are the only one with the courage to say it. And, finally, if you don't own the business, you don't get to make the rules!"

As a safety professional and human resources director for many years, I have the most issues with the last one -LOL.

WHO DO YOU TRUST?

When asked by the LSJ which side I had more confidence in the legislature or insurance companies in setting car insurance rates, my response probably echoed most peoples'.

Frankly, I do not believe either "authority" at this point. Both sides are presenting noisy rhetoric and finger-pointing with little or no explanation. If bad credit scores make people crash their cars in sheer despair, let's hear the proof! Or does it make sense to arbitrarily (the legislature) cut rates wherever and for whomever with no rationale?

The insurance industry should be able to demonstrate statistical information proving who has a higher rate of claims and the legislature should quite playing to popular sentiment and weigh the facts. Maybe they could sit down, shut up and "listen" to each other?

COLOR ME BLUE

Latest rant. Why is such a big deal being made out of idiotic remarks made a couple of years ago? The President has accepted the apology and moved on. We need to do the same. How can he be the president of us all when certain interest groups continually want him to make "issues" out of everything. We have fought these wars before- racism, sexism, orientation. We are all human beings, each with our own talents, failures and humanity. Get over it already.

As a woman who broke several barriers in the course of my non-traditional career over the years, I understand what it's like to be different. If I carried a chip on my shoulder and rallied for "my rights" every day and on every issue I dare say I would have not been able to accomplish half of what I had done. Sometimes you just have to ignore the subtle insults and prove you can do the job. But making me stop to insist on my "rights" doesn't work people!

Eventually we all have to get along with each other and accept what each of us brings to the table. Do we have built-in bias' and fears? Of course. But the sooner we get over it, the stronger we will be.

TERROR SCENES

LSJ question this week was what were our thoughts about protecting the public against terrorist threats like the one in Detroit at Christmas. Serious stuff and opinion, but my answer did make me laugh.


Upon asking for input from my peers the best suggestion was landing everyone on an island and bringing them in on metal-detecting boats and buses. Also prohibit all carry-ons! That one seems obvious. Otherwise let's use a little common sense on the profiling. In most terrorist events, the perpetrator looks pretty much the same. Stop harassing the middle-aged professionally dressed female business traveler. Oh,and one more thought. We might quit advertising every detail of the security measures being used!

LSJ OPINIONS

Thought I would post a couple of recent opinions that did not make the Sunday edition. They are always online for LSJ, but hard to find. Difficult to express all the thoughts or issues in 75 words or less, but therein lies the challenge!


For the question on what I would like to see in the State budget:

"The State needs to get creative when it comes to the regulations and tax structures that are crippling small and mid-size companies. They are the ones struggling to survive yet employ 1,000's of people. They do not have the clout to demand concessions yet they will bring this state back if we just support their efforts. Some assistance or alternatives to allow smaller companies to cover health care costs would also be a major step forward."

On the question of what I would like to see in the next Governor:

"First there should be a limit on election spending. No buying of elections. The next governor should be compassionate to the needs of the people yet strong enough to make the tough decisions regardless of who it upsets. However no governor can succeed or focus on more important issues when they are constantly wrangling with a self-serving partisan legislature. "Politics as usual" has been a devastating win/lose game with Michigan taxpayers ending up the losers. Get over yourselves!"

ONE SMALL LIGHT

One must admit there are extremists on both ends of the world view spectrum which really do not define who most of us are and what we believe. As we grow a little older and hopefully wiser, we find our ideals encompass both liberal and conservative viewpoints. We believe what we believe based on our experiences, our families, our friends and most of us try to do the right thing.

But I have to admit if it wasn't for those annoying, saber rattling, hysterical opposite views being expressed,the world would be a scarier place. Debate and protest prevent one group from taking over completely and I thank whoever, that we can still do so in this country.

I ask you, if the crackpot liberals did not keep fighting for what they believe is right the wealthy, the bankers and wall street would force us to take whatever they deem fit and personal freedom would be a thing of the past. And if the wild-eyed conservatives did not continually fight to preserve their world view we would probably descend into chaos.

So I raise a glass to both sides of the everlasting debate as I contemplate the wisdom of my 57 or is it 58 years on this planet. ROCK ON!