Louise is crazy funny. Don’t let her humor fool you. I love her honesty and cheeky humor.
Thank you for making me the woman I am….Gramps I love you
1917-2010
XO All my love
Throw Back Thursday *Touching depths of the heart sending love overflowing*
This Throw Back Thursday is a peek into my heart. For me a good love song is all about conviction of the words. Joe Cocker is one of a kind, he doesn’t sing well but I love his music. This particular Joe Cocker video touched me because of the tribute to Princess Diana.
Sit Back, relax and take the words in. XO Warrior
Sneak Peak from Twins Paola and Melinda World Tour
Twin P
Thank you for the loving words, I cried. Payback is comedy!!!!!!!!! This is the dance we are taking on our world tour! I can see now, The Sexy Twin Tour. :) XO Warrior
One huge step for mental health care and suicide prevention programs *WP WE DID IT*
CRITICAL UPDATE FROM NATIONAL ALLIANCE ON MENTAL ILLNESS (NAMI)
The Clay Hunt SAV Act Passed! Thank Your Members of Congress!
Thank you for your mental health advocacy! Thank you for contacting your Senators and Congressmen to make your voice heard. Thank you for your support of suicide prevention for our military and veterans community.
Your phone calls, emails and tweets helped to pass the Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans (SAV) Act unanimously through both the Senate and the House. The bill is now on its way to be signed by President Obama.
Among other things the Clay Hunt SAV Act requires an annual assessment of mental health care and suicide prevention programs at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and implements a pilot loan forgiveness program for psychiatrists that agree to serve in the VA.
Please pass the thanks along to your Senators and Congressmen.
Throw Back Thursday * Double Shot Bad Company With Paul Rogers*
I love Bad Company, another of my top fav bands. I can listen to Paul Rogers all day! Music was my escape from abuse. I have great memories, most not legal but quite fun. I associate music with times in my life and it holds true today. Time to take the shoes off, lean back in the chair, headphones on and let the music take you to a special place. XO Warrior
Stalking Awareness: Spotlight On Marianne Bezaire * Marianne is a true Survivor*
If you’ve been stalked, you understand why the hair on my neck went up reading Marianne Bezaire’s nightmare. Starting in my late 20’s I was stalked for six years. The trauma on my family gut wrenching, we lived paralyzed by fear. At the time women being stalked received similar attitudes from some law enforcement agencies as rape survivors.
1 in 6 women – and 1 in 19 men – have experienced stalking at some point during their lifetime
66% of female stalking victims are stalked by someone they know
46% of stalking victims fear not knowing what will happen next
29% of stalking victims fear the stalking will never stop
1 in 8 employed victims lose time from work as a result of their victimization
1 in 7 stalking victims move as a result of their victimization*
For survivor Marianne Bezaire, these aren’t just statistics – she experienced it all personally when an acquaintance became her rapist, and then her stalker.
Marianne was drugged and sexually assaulted at a friend’s party. When she woke up the next morning and drove herself home, her attacker followed her and discovered where she lived. This was the beginning of an awful ordeal that involved the stalker breaking into her home, blackmailing her with information he found while reading her personal journals, hacking into her computer and email, and more. Marianne says she lived in fear of what he would do next, and “one of the worst parts of the situation was dealing with how hard it was to get support.”
Those around her often minimized the danger Marianne faced, or blamed her for not protecting herself more effectively. “I felt very ashamed and responsible, but also helpless to make the stalking stop,” she says. Even when she was able to go to the police in her town, she says they were unhelpful, suggesting that she simply replace her computer or move to a new address. “I felt as though no one would understand how unsafe I was, or what I had to go through to make myself feel safe again.”
Marianne says that in the 10 years since her experience, the perception of stalking has changed significantly. “There’s more awareness now of how serious a crime it is to stalk someone,” says Marianne. Stalking, generally defined as “a course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to feel fear,” is a crime in all 50 states and Washington, DC, and January is recognized as National Stalking Awareness Month.
Marianne wants those with similar experiences to feel supported. “Please do not be hard on yourself. Stalkers often purposely try to confuse you and make you feel as though you are responsible for their behavior. Don’t let anyone talk you out of taking proper care of yourself.” To overcome the after-effects of being stalked, Marianne began seeing a therapist, and also started meditating and journaling. She advises others to try a healing physical activity, such as dance or yoga.
Marianne also recommends identifying resources you have available should you discover or suspect you’re being stalked. For instance, whom would you feel comfortable talking to? Do you know where your local police station is? How much of your personal information is shared on social media? “I can’t emphasize enough how important it is to be your own best advocate,” says Marianne.
Find more information about stalking here, and at the National Center for Victims of Crime’s Stalking Resource Center.
If you or someone you know has been affected by sexual violence, it’s not your fault. You are not alone. Help is available 24/7 through the National Sexual Assault Hotline: 800-656-HOPE and online.rainn.org.
*All statistics via The National Center for Victims of Crime.
Melinda
RAINN National Update *Silent No More, Make Your Voice Heard*
RAPE, ABUSE & INCEST NATIONAL NETWORK=RAINN
New Congress, New State Legislatures, Consistent Theme: Combating Sexual Assault
(January 28, 2015) — With the start of the 114th Congress and, across the nation, new state legislative sessions underway, federal and state policymakers are pledging to make sexual violence a major focus of their work.
“RAINN’s public policy team is currently working with hundreds of members of Congress and state legislators,” says Rebecca O’Connor, RAINN’s vice president for public policy.
“We expect to see a lot of action from our best allies in Congress to advance ongoing priorities and new legislation.”
O’Connor says there are three questions she’s been hearing frequently from legislators.
1. “How should schools handle sexual assault cases?”
What is the role and responsibility of a college or university in the fight against sexual violence? What standards should apply to investigations, and when and how should law enforcement be involved? How can we best protect students from these crimes and support those who are victimized? These are just some of the questions in a debate that a White House Initiative elevated to the national level last year. “We’re working closely with federal lawmakers to shape legislation that will be re-introduced this session and is sure to once again make front-page news,” says O’Connor.
2. “What can be done to end the backlog of rape kits?”
The secret is out: Untested rape kits are a national problem. While good progress has been made, there is still much work to be done to ensure sexual assault forensic exam kits are correctly processed so victims get answers and rapists are held accountable. Congress agrees, having renewed the nation’s largest anti-rape kit backlog initiative, the Debbie Smith Act, sustained funding for the program, and approved new spending fighting the backlog. “RAINN is closely monitoring the Justice Department’s implementation of the SAFER Act and new DNA initiatives,” says O’Connor. “In addition, RAINN, together with the National Center for Victims of Crime and Natasha’s Justice Project, is at the helm of the Rape Kit Action Project (RKAP), which last year advised lawmakers in 20+ states as they developed rape-kit laws. With RKAP support, seven states passed such laws last year and we expect to help many more do so this year.”
3. “How can professional sports leagues be part of the solution?”
The media has intensively covered how the NFL has dealt with domestic violence and sexual assault issues, and Congress has also been keeping tabs on these efforts. Last month, a Senate committee hearing featured testimony from representatives of the NHL, NBA, MLB, and their players’ unions regarding their efforts to respond to and prevent sexual and domestic violence. “Continued national dialogue – including new legislation – is likely in the year ahead. RAINN has held discussions with sports leaders as well as members of Congress about steps leagues can take to improve,” says O’Connor.
Other issues likely to be taken up by Congress and states this year include: legislation to improve the process of compensating victims of child pornography; bills to incentivize states to block rapists from asserting parental rights over children conceived through rape; and efforts to ensure that victims’ interests are prioritized and protected throughout implementation of the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA).
Stay informed about these and additional policy initiatives, and be sure to check out opportunities to act with RAINN.
Covenant House Keeps Homeless Kids Off The Streets
Help us get homeless kids off the streets.
Your action on Change showed sex trafficking victims that they are not alone. In fact, they have an important new ally.
Some experts estimate that every year, 100,000 children — many of whom are homeless — are forced into prostitution in the United States. They have lived through unspeakable pain, and have nowhere and no one else.
But they do have Covenant House… and now they have you.
At Covenant House, we provide vital shelter and lifesaving support to every kid who shows up on our doorstep. Working in 27 cities across 6 countries, we reach tens of thousands of kids in need every year by getting them off the streets and into the safety of our shelters.
How we reach homeless kids
Raising
community
awareness
Searching for
kids in the most
dangerous parts
of town
Creating change
at the local, state
& federal levels
Visiting schools
to promote
prevention
36,154 kids were saved last year.
Just like you, we believe that every kid deserves a safe place to live and the support and resources to build a future of love, hope and success — no matter who they are, where they’re from or what they’ve been through.
In the coming months, our kids are going to need your support. Whether it’s helping to get legislation passed or making sure we’re prepared for extreme weather and other emergency situations, you can protect vulnerable kids by ensuring they have a safe place to sleep… and people who believe in them and will always fight for them.
Please make sure you’re following us on social media to get all of our updates.
Together, we’ll give these kids the futures they deserve.
Thank you,
Kevin Ryan
President
Covenant House | 461 8th Ave. New York, NY 10001 | (800) 388-3888 | covenanthouse.org
We are a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization
DA Fred Bright Responds To 14 year Old Charged With Prostitution
Response from DA Fred Bright
April Childs
Watkinsville, GA
Jan 26, 2015 — Here is the response from DA Fred Bright concerning this case.
“We fully recognize that the 14-year-old child involved is a victim. Our office does not arrest individuals and was not consulted about the case initially. From the time we first received this file, we expected no active prosecution against her and our only goal has been to obtain counseling, treatment, care, and protection, which she is now receiving. On December 1, 2014, we, along with the child and her lawyer requested, and the Juvenile Court Judge agreed and signed an order to hold her case in abeyance. That order means that her case is automatically dismissed upon successful completion of treatment, counseling, and care. These services will hopefully rehabilitate her so that she can get the help she needs.
We have reviewed the matter and met with the law enforcement officers from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and Eatonton Police Department who conducted the investigation. The State is prosecuting the adult defendants for statutory rape and related charges when appropriate. The cases against the adult offenders are expected to be presented to the next Grand Jury in Putnam County scheduled for March, 2015 for indictment. We hope these prosecutions will protect her and other youth of our communities in the future.
Yesterday, I spoke to the Attorney General and his specialist in Human Trafficking, who will be helping us with this prosecution. They applauded our efforts and told me, “you’re doing all you can.” We look forward to working with them to bring justice to this case.”
While this is great news for this specific case, it has made me aware of the greater issues of the possibility of this happening in other parts of Georgia due to gaps in victim protections in the law, as well as media presentation of human trafficking cases. I will continue to educate and advocate in those areas so that Georgia can continue to improve its treatment of victims of child sexual exploitation. Thank you all so much for your support in this issue, and good luck to those of you facing similar issues in your own states.
Senate Approves VA Committee Clay Hunt Act *WP helped make this happen*
Senate VA Committee Approves Clay Hunt Act! Share Our Petition!
Anthony Pike with Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America
Jan 27, 2015 — Last week the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee unanimously approved the Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans (SAV) Act as its first legislative action of the 114th Congress. Now we’re headed to the full Senate and need your help.
Can you share the petition to your networks on Facebook and Twitter? We’ve made it easy — all you have to do is click the links below:
Share on Twitter: http://bit.ly/1JBA2sy
Share on Facebook: http://on.fb.me/1CGlbZw
Over 30 Senators are now sponsoring the Clay Hunt SAV Act! So please continue sharing our petition so that more sign on and the Senate brings this important bill to a vote as soon as possible.
Thank you for your support!
New NO MORE PSA Running During Super Bowl This Sunday
NO MORE
Friend,
It’s only been a couple days since we shared the exciting news that a new NO MORE PSA is running during the Super Bowl this Sunday, and there’s already been a huge positive response.
“How can I help?”
This is probably the question YOU’RE going to get while you’re watching the game on Sunday, so we thought we’d send along a few quick tips to help you speak up about these issues and provide you with ways you can help loved ones affected by domestic violence or sexual assault.
Tip #1. Start a conversation by telling your friends that 1 in 3 women and 1 in 7 men have experienced domestic violence, and 1 in 5 women and 1 in 16 men have experienced sexual assault at some point in their lifetime. This is a great way to get the point across that these issues are serious and that many people we love have been affected by domestic and sexual violence.
(If your friends want to read more about these statistics, you can point them here: Avon’s 2013 NO MORE Study.)
Tip #2. Speak up when you hear offensive comments that degrade women, men, or victims of abuse. Hey, it’s a Super Bowl party — there’s a good chance that someone is going to make some inappropriate remarks. The best thing you can do is speak up and tell them that you’re not comfortable with that kind of talk. Simply doing that can help your friends understand that it’s not cool for them or anyone to degrade a person.
Tip #3. If someone you know discloses that they are experiencing abuse now or have in the past, remember this could be the first time they’re telling someone. Reassure them that you believe them and that the abuse was not their fault. The most important thing you can do in this moment is listen and support them.
Most of all, make sure to be patient, non-judgmental, and respectful of their decisions. Ask them if they’d like to talk to a professional counselor, and offer to sit with them while they call a national or local hotline.
Tip #4. Make sure that your friends know whom to call to get help.
For immediate help, call 911
National Domestic Violence Hotline:
1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
National Sexual Assault Hotline:
1-800-656-HOPE (4673)
Teen Dating Violence Hotline:
1-866-331-9474 or text “loveis” to 22522
The Super Bowl is a time for us all to get together and have a good time. And, when our ad is on the air, your friends and family are going to have questions about it. Make sure you’re ready to speak up so everyone you care about knows how important these issues are to you and your community.
We can’t thank you enough for saying #NOMORE to domestic violence and sexual assault by helping spread the word on Sunday.
Talk to you soon,
The NO MORE Team
LIKE NO MORE
ON FACEBOOK
FOLLOW NO MORE
ON TWITTER
Taking my mind where it wants to go…..
Yosemite Park
Taking my mind to where it wants to go. XO Warrior
Throw Back Thrursday *Ain’t No Sunshine When She’s Gone*
Both beautiful versions. I have great memories of the original. I can’t get the picture of John Mayer singing out of my head. Oh, he plays a means blues guitar. Kick back, put your feet up and take in the relaxing tunes. XO Warrior
Throw Back Thrursday *Ain't No Sunshine When She's Gone*
Both beautiful versions. I have great memories of the original. I can’t get the picture of John Mayer singing out of my head. Oh, he plays a means blues guitar. Kick back, put your feet up and take in the relaxing tunes. XO Warrior
Mother leaves 8 year old at county hospital overnight
It’s interesting the events our mind suppresses or forgets. I have no problem or emotion talking about the physical and emotional abuse at the hands of my mother and step father. I have disassociated memories of sexual abuse by my father. I know it. My therapist and I have talked about it, she doesn’t push and knows if the door opens I’ll talk. What I will not do is force my mind and body to endure pain it’s not ready for. I have a good perspective on what I’ve survived and the methods our mind uses to deal with our deepest pain. I’m not sure if this particular memory was forgotten or suppressed. I had no emotion as my therapist was almost brought to tears.
I saw a story on the news about a 8-year-old girl tortured by her parents in some way. I don’t recall the circumstances. I always plan what I want to talk about but this day was different. I sat down and the memory of the little girl crossed my mind. I asked her if she had heard the story then adding my thoughts. I started to cry which I do easily for others in pain. As we talked about what type of parent would do that, a childhood memory flooded over me. The tears dried and it was if I was talking about someone else. When I was 8 years old I started having terrible side pains and daycare called my mother. She didn’t take off early and it was maybe 3 hours before she arrived. At that point I could barely walk and could not walk and breath. The supervisor thought I had an appendicitis attack and should get to the hospital right away. It was Halloween night and I didn’t want to miss out on the candy but pain was taking over my small body. My mother was angry for ruining things for my brother, nothing new about that. I guess we did not have insurance since the first hospital turned us away. We are talking early 1970’s. She drove to the county hospital and I waited on a bed until the people bleeding and dying received treatment. Halloween night is one of the busiest nights of the year with more shootings than normal. The emergency room was full and I was outside a mans curtain to wait my turn. During this time my mother left to take my brother to trick or treat. I didn’t realize until a nurse asked where she was. I said she talked to a nurse and went home. She was a big woman and I knew nobody gave her any shit. Asking why in the hell my mother would leave me there. My answer did not sit well with her, I knew a beating was in store for me. One thing to keep in mind is the county hospital is in the hood in one of the worst areas of Dallas. This is not a place an adult would feel comfortable let alone a child. I was on my side crying in pain and saw the man thru the curtain. He was an older man and he had what looked like wires coming out of several places on both arms. My eyes caught his, I ask does that hurt. He was a kind man saying not as bad as my pain did and then where was my mother. I told him how upset I was that my brother would not share his candy with me. He looked shocked my mother would leave me there. My mother eventually came back in the greatest of moods and was raising her voice at the big nurse. I was rooting for her to punch my mother if the mouth or grab her by the neck. I have no doubt it happened many times getting drunks under control.
The doctor didn’t think I needed surgery, just to stay overnight for observation. For a second I was glad until rolled to my room. The hospital was so overcrowded I hade to sleep in a baby bed. That is the last thing a kid (big girl) wants to hear. I cram myself in the bed and they pull the side up. It was so dark in there I thought I was alone until babies started crying. Which made it much worse for me. Not only did I have to sleep with my legs pulled up, babies are crying and my mother is home in her comfortable bed.
You would think at this point in the story I would feel some emotion but my mind switches back to the little girl. My mind turned a switch, my story was over, no big deal, that was my mother, that was my life. I couldn’t help but cry for the other girl. How can people do that to their children. As I’m talking to my therapist my story and pain never crosses my mind again. That was several years ago, it buried itself and popped back up last week.
XO Warrior
Very Inspiring Blogger Award From My Inspiration Alygeorges
Stop Prison Abuse *Investigate Florida Prison In Darren Rainey’s Death*
Change.org Petition
Please read the original petition. I wanted to cry and vomit reading how Darren was brutally murdered. How can two prison guards ignore Darren Rainey beg for his life? Original Petition http://wp.me/p45hs8-pw . The prison and two prison guards have not faced charges for the death of Darren Rainey.
Please support our new petition
Steven Wetstein
Miami, FL
Dec 5, 2014
Friends,
Thanks greatly for all your support to date. We are still working hard for a federal investigation of the Darren Rainey case.
Florida Department of Corrections Secretary Mike Crews resigned last month, under the pressure of the numerous cases of brutality toward prisoners that have come to light, starting with that of Darren Rainey.
Unfortunately, Crews’ number two, Timothy Cannon, who has spent 25 years in the DOC, has been appointed as interim DOC Secretary. Please support Stop Prison Abuse Now’s new petition, at https://www.change.org/p/richard-scott-appoint-independent-department-of-corrections-secretary?just_created=true, urging Governor Rick Scott to appoint a different permanent DOC Secretary, one who is independent of the system they must reform.
Richard Scott: Appoint Independent Department of Corrections Secretary
After a string of brutal inmate deaths–like that of Darren Rainey , who was locked into a scalding shower until he died–Florida…
Stop Prison Abuse *Investigate Florida Prison In Darren Rainey's Death*
Change.org Petition
Please read the original petition. I wanted to cry and vomit reading how Darren was brutally murdered. How can two prison guards ignore Darren Rainey beg for his life? Original Petition http://wp.me/p45hs8-pw . The prison and two prison guards have not faced charges for the death of Darren Rainey.
Please support our new petition
Steven Wetstein
Miami, FL
Dec 5, 2014
Friends,
Thanks greatly for all your support to date. We are still working hard for a federal investigation of the Darren Rainey case.
Florida Department of Corrections Secretary Mike Crews resigned last month, under the pressure of the numerous cases of brutality toward prisoners that have come to light, starting with that of Darren Rainey.
Unfortunately, Crews’ number two, Timothy Cannon, who has spent 25 years in the DOC, has been appointed as interim DOC Secretary. Please support Stop Prison Abuse Now’s new petition, at https://www.change.org/p/richard-scott-appoint-independent-department-of-corrections-secretary?just_created=true, urging Governor Rick Scott to appoint a different permanent DOC Secretary, one who is independent of the system they must reform.
Richard Scott: Appoint Independent Department of Corrections Secretary
After a string of brutal inmate deaths–like that of Darren Rainey , who was locked into a scalding shower until he died–Florida…
New PSA #StrongerThanStigma in partnership with Brandon Marshall’s Foundation
Start the conversation. Change the stigma.
We are incredibly excited to share our new PSA, #StrongerThanStigma, with you! Produced in partnership with Brandon Marshall’s foundation, Project 375, this campaign features four men who have each made mental health advocacy a part of his platform. These headliners are Brandon Marshall, NFL All-Pro wide receiver for the Chicago Bears; Michael Angelakos, lead singer of indietronica band Passion Pit; Wayne Brady, comedian and actor; and Ben Scrivens, NHL goalie for the Edmonton Oilers. Each shares his story, and encourages men to start the conversation and end the stigma.
For the past thirty years, the rate of suicide among men has been three to four times that of women. Traditionally, however, men have shied away from talking about their feelings because it is viewed as weak. In addition to a reluctance to seek help, men have higher levels of isolation, higher rates of drug and alcohol misuse, are at a greater risk for homelessness, display more externalized and destructive behaviors, and are more involved with the criminal justice system. Underlying many of these experiences are complex psychological problems, but we rarely empathize with their causes.
We want to erase stereotypes, create a new narrative by raising awareness of the mental health problems that men face, encourage dialogue, and promote help seeking behavior.
We hope that you will be a part of this significant opportunity to talk about the harmful and pervasive discrimination that surrounds mental illness. Please join our conversations on Facebook and Twitter, and visit our website to view and share #StrongerThanStigma, find resources, and help us end stigma.
Sincerely,
Pamela Harrington
Executive Director
Bring Change 2 Mind
1265 Battery Street, Fifth Floor, San Francisco, CA 94111
415.814.8846 | information@bringchange2mind.org
New PSA #StrongerThanStigma in partnership with Brandon Marshall's Foundation
Start the conversation. Change the stigma.
We are incredibly excited to share our new PSA, #StrongerThanStigma, with you! Produced in partnership with Brandon Marshall’s foundation, Project 375, this campaign features four men who have each made mental health advocacy a part of his platform. These headliners are Brandon Marshall, NFL All-Pro wide receiver for the Chicago Bears; Michael Angelakos, lead singer of indietronica band Passion Pit; Wayne Brady, comedian and actor; and Ben Scrivens, NHL goalie for the Edmonton Oilers. Each shares his story, and encourages men to start the conversation and end the stigma.
For the past thirty years, the rate of suicide among men has been three to four times that of women. Traditionally, however, men have shied away from talking about their feelings because it is viewed as weak. In addition to a reluctance to seek help, men have higher levels of isolation, higher rates of drug and alcohol misuse, are at a greater risk for homelessness, display more externalized and destructive behaviors, and are more involved with the criminal justice system. Underlying many of these experiences are complex psychological problems, but we rarely empathize with their causes.
We want to erase stereotypes, create a new narrative by raising awareness of the mental health problems that men face, encourage dialogue, and promote help seeking behavior.
We hope that you will be a part of this significant opportunity to talk about the harmful and pervasive discrimination that surrounds mental illness. Please join our conversations on Facebook and Twitter, and visit our website to view and share #StrongerThanStigma, find resources, and help us end stigma.
Sincerely,
Pamela Harrington
Executive Director
Bring Change 2 Mind
1265 Battery Street, Fifth Floor, San Francisco, CA 94111
415.814.8846 | information@bringchange2mind.org
14 year old prostitute needs help not prison *Please sign Change.org Petition*
Don’t Charge Victim Of Child Abuse
Petitioner April Childs Watkinsville, GA
Earlier this month, Georgia Police busted a prostitution ring involving 11 men and a 14-year-old girl. Not only do they plan to prosecute the child predators, but they have charged the 14-year-old victim with prostitution as well. Sixteen is the age of sexual consent in Georgia. District Attorney Fred Bright is charging a statutory rape victim with a crime she’s not legally old enough to commit. Help me tell him child prostitution victims need help, not prison.
My name is April Childs. I am a parent and Georgian, and I work as a forensic interviewer of children. My job entails interviewing victims of child abuse and sexual assault. I can take their testimony and transmit it to prosecutors so the victims don’t have to endure the stress and humiliation of taking the stand and seeing their accuser. I have worked with more than 500 children and helped them tell their story to officials so their abusers could be duly prosecuted. That’s why I was so shocked when I heard about Chief Kent Lawrence and District Attorney’s Bright’s plan to charge this young girl with prostitution, further victimizing her and punishing her for an act she couldn’t have legally consented to.
What the Ocmulgee Judicial Circuitplans to do with this young girl goes against any legal, therapeutic or even common sense protocol. The law–both federal and state–recognizes that children do not have the emotional capability to consent to sexual activity. As a vulnerable population, children should be protected from predatory adults, as well as helped to heal from traumas inflicted upon them. Charging a victim of statutory rape does exactly the opposite. It places blame on the victim which is counterproductive to the healing process.
Join me and tell DA Fred Bright to respect state law and human decency and refuse to prosecute the victim.
https://www.change.org/p/fred-bright-don-t-punish-a-victim-of-child-abuse
Throw Back Thursday * Smooth International Jam with Sting *
I’m a huge Sting fan. Hope you enjoy the selection this week. Happy Thursday.
XO Warrior
Get A Tissue Or Ten *Dedicated to Sharon At 4 Times and Counting*
There are people you meet in life who leave you in awe. The ability to push forward, awe to fight a disease trying to kill them not once but four times. Awe of their strength in the weakest moments to care for their children. Awe not give up, just throw in the towel, who would blame them. Awe with her dedication to educate, awe of the positive energy she exudes. I am in awe of my blogging sister Sharon from 4 Times and Counting, 4timesandcounting.wordpress.com . Please visit Sharon’s site, you’ll see a strong woman with unstoppable determination. Sharon is all the above a much more. Being a survivor does not define who she is or where she’s going. I’m so happy our paths crossed.
I clicked on the video by accident, God reminded me it was no accident. XO Warrior
Happy Birthday To The Best Mom…I Love You
My granny did everything to help with my emotional pain. She had one child by birth but she had two children. There is no question she was my mother. I talk a lot about my gramps, granny stood at his side keeping him in line. She was shy, her father died when she was nine years old, they lost everything and truly lived day-to-day. Granny went cross-eyed at three years old. I believe this made her self-conscious.
One cherished memory is the havoc we created while she was in a wheel chair. For unknown reasons she could not walk for around two years. She was so depressed it was heartbreaking to see her fade. Granny was so straight and never the life of party. I changed a small part of her timid nature. The best way to cheer her up was a trip to the mall. I had a Corvette and her wheel chair was worst than a boat anchor. Getting the chair in the back of Corvette was not an easy job but I made it look like piece of cake. We would go to the usual stores she liked to shop. To liven things up and really throw her off, I started acting like her wheel chair was a race car. I would make racing sounds and turn corners in the clothes racks real close. When we reached the main walk ways I would start pushing her really fast making fast car noises and jump on back. We would cruise, she would say “Melinda you’re going to hit someone”, with a little laugh. I helped take her mind off life for a short period. She is in my heart everyday.
Throw Back Thursday * Clapton Bends Strings To Love…….. *
SPEAK UP FOR EQUALITY IN MENTAL ILLNESS HEALTHCARE
CHANGE.ORG PETITION UPDATE
Fix Mental Healthcare
Theresa Kinley
Norcross, GA
Jan 6, 2015 — I would like to thank everyone who signed or commented on my petition to Cigna. Unfortunately, Cigna is quite accustomed to people complaining about the level of care they provide–or don’t provide–to their premium paying customers; they simply blocked the petition and signatures. The insurance companies’ behavior has finally received some attention from the media, specifically a 60 Minutes piece about Anthem denying care to the seriously mentally ill. I would like to build on that momentum by launching a website dedicated to the stories of those who, in addition to battling serious mental illness, must also battle their insurance companies to get treatment. To the insurers trying to cut costs these people don’t matter; we know they do matter. I would like to encourage anyone with a story to tell about the their experience in dealing with an insurance company while seeking treatment for a mental illness to visit http://fixmentalhealthcare.wordpress.com to submit your story.
Thank you again and God bless you all.
Fix Mental Health Care
Fix Mental Health Care
Mission Statement: With this website we are seeking to raise awareness of the harm the health insurers do to those…
273 Days Since 273 Young School Girls Kidnapped By BoKo Haram’s
Update on Change.org Petition
Boko Haram’s ‘deadliest massacre’: over 2000 children, women, elderly- all dead in Nigeria
Ify Elueze
Bonn, Germany
Jan 11, 2015 — In two days, it would be 273 days since 273 young secondary school girls were taken from the safety of their boarding school and families. It would also be one week since over 2000 children, women, men and elderly people were massacred in a town called Baga, in the north-eastern part of Nigeria (400km from Chibok where the girls were kidnapped in April); and two days since a 10 year old girl who was strapped with a bomb, blew up in a busy market, killing 20 people and leaving many others injured.
International reports have it that hundreds of bodies – too many to count – remain strewn in the bush in Nigeria from the extremist attack in Baga that Amnesty International described as the “deadliest massacre” in the history of Boko Haram. For over five days, Baga and 16 other nearby villages were pillaged and burnt to the ground by members of the Boko Haram sect.
The response of the Nigerian government to this issue has been poor as the country is preparing for political elections. In less than five weeks, it’s citizen would be voting for their next set of leaders. It would seem that there is a real war going on in Nigeria, but only the Nigerians aren’t fully aware of this fact. Too many innocent lives are being lost because actions that must be taken are not being implemented…these mounting issues are not being addressed as priority.
That is why we need to keep demanding that world leaders get involved, they must pressure and collaborate with the Nigerian government to strategize and undertake the necessary steps that would bring this persistent terror and bloodshed to an end!
We ask the government to take action! We ask the world to take action!
#TakeActionOnBokoHaram
#BringBackOurGirls
273 Days Since 273 Young School Girls Kidnapped By BoKo Haram's
Update on Change.org Petition
Boko Haram’s ‘deadliest massacre’: over 2000 children, women, elderly- all dead in Nigeria
Ify Elueze
Bonn, Germany
Jan 11, 2015 — In two days, it would be 273 days since 273 young secondary school girls were taken from the safety of their boarding school and families. It would also be one week since over 2000 children, women, men and elderly people were massacred in a town called Baga, in the north-eastern part of Nigeria (400km from Chibok where the girls were kidnapped in April); and two days since a 10 year old girl who was strapped with a bomb, blew up in a busy market, killing 20 people and leaving many others injured.
International reports have it that hundreds of bodies – too many to count – remain strewn in the bush in Nigeria from the extremist attack in Baga that Amnesty International described as the “deadliest massacre” in the history of Boko Haram. For over five days, Baga and 16 other nearby villages were pillaged and burnt to the ground by members of the Boko Haram sect.
The response of the Nigerian government to this issue has been poor as the country is preparing for political elections. In less than five weeks, it’s citizen would be voting for their next set of leaders. It would seem that there is a real war going on in Nigeria, but only the Nigerians aren’t fully aware of this fact. Too many innocent lives are being lost because actions that must be taken are not being implemented…these mounting issues are not being addressed as priority.
That is why we need to keep demanding that world leaders get involved, they must pressure and collaborate with the Nigerian government to strategize and undertake the necessary steps that would bring this persistent terror and bloodshed to an end!
We ask the government to take action! We ask the world to take action!
#TakeActionOnBokoHaram
#BringBackOurGirls
Tell Your Senators To Support Suicide Prevention For Our Military And Veterans
NAMI, National Alliance on Mental Illness Needs your help. Call your Senator and tell them to support the Clay Hunt SAV Act.
Tell Your Senators To Support Suicide Prevention For Our Nation’s Military and Veterans
In one of the first actions in the new Congress, the House passed HR 203, The Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans (SAV) Act. This legislation requires annual assessment of mental health care and suicide prevention programs at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and implements a pilot loan forgiveness program for psychiatrists that agree to serve in the VA. The bill passed unanimously – demonstrating the strong bipartisan support for addressing gaps in mental health and suicide prevention programs at the VA.
NAMI strongly supports the Clay Hunt SAV Act.
We are asking you to keep this momentum going by calling your Senators today. Tell them how important this bill is to the mental health care system for our country’s military and veterans.
Our nation’s military and veterans have protected us for decades; it’s time we help protect them. Contact your Senator today,
Take Action
Looking for the Light 