As elections in the U.S. again approach, there are many unanswered questions. However, something made very clear over the past two years and counting is the GOP’s firm stand on their goal of focusing to make President Obama a one term President.

Now the Republican Party is trying to get their people to back, endorse and in many cases just accept Mitt Romney as their potential Nominee. What is difficult about this concept has nothing to do with Romney himself. The fact is, the GOP has shown such a disdain for President Obama and over these months of primaries, it’s proven they would stand behind anybody who was a registered Republican. What does that say about their leadership or ideas for our Country? Who are they putting first?

Over these past few years in Congress, their focus was to prolong things, cause confusion and uncertainty and make sure nothing positive happened under President Obama’s watch. What about the American people? Time has been clicking by for everyone.

This has left little tolerance amongst most Americans and has not only caused more division between the parties but it has also cost more tax payer dollars, our credit rating to be dropped and more importantly is a horrible reflection on the U.S. both at home and abroad as well as to our youth. This period of time will go down in history. What does that say about us, our government and how we allow our government to run?

The question is why is this able to continuously happen? This is not unseen or discovered years later. This is going on in front of our eyes with live T.V. cameras capturing it, recording live interviews with blunt statements going back and forth.

It is said that “all politicians lie” or “that is how things happen in Washington” but who works for who? Who does the voting?

As a voter in this age of 24 hour news cycles, Internet and the capability to gather information from a variety of sources at any given time, it puts more information in the hands of the voter.

A person can watch or read an entire speech instead of a portion that may have been forwarded via email or shared on the local news station, Twitter, Facebook, Cable News Network, etc.

By visiting different media sources, it enables the viewer, the voter, to gather a better understanding of the candidates (on both sides) instead of being fed chosen outtakes which could potentially be taking the segment out of context, misinterpreting the message.

As we go into these campaigns leading up to the November elections, it is clear attack ads will start showing up everywhere. Emails will be sent out using statements that appear in these ads. Overnight, “facts” are born from attack ads. This is not new but it is easier to spread in a variety of ways, instantaneously.

All voters need to take a clear look at our country and the candidates running. Voting should not be viewed as some political weapon by a voter or the candidates. This is not a game about which side can win. This is about everyone and it does come down to each vote. Those freedoms that have made America so strong should not be able to bring division to America.

What is done in Washington should be for the good of America and its people, first and foremost. It is not about votes, sponsors or election cycles.

What goes on in Washington should be an example of what makes America stronger, a place of pride and honor, and the respect of those elected to uphold those values always.

Rats and Bullies Documentary

Would you send your child off to be terrorized everyday at a local prison? Would you let them play with loaded weapons over at their friend’s house? Would you allow them to walk around with something in their pocket that could lead to their death or the death of someone around them?

Up front, most anyone would answer, “No” to all of the above questions. A person with the responsibility of caring for a child would typically have this child’s best interest in mind. They would protect them to the best of their ability, right?

The question is, as parents, community leaders, teachers, administrators and across our nation, are we doing what needs to be done to protect our children, our young people and our future?

Everyday children are going to school across our country and being terrorized by other children and this is absolutely not getting the attention it needs and deserves. Some schools are stepping up, and not only admitting there is a problem but are bringing the students together, opening communications, and learning different ways to treat this epidemic by starting with one of the most important steps, speaking up.

This is more than a “bullying” issue going on. This is something involving all age groups in schools, work places, homes, malls, online, cell phones, etc. This leaves no safe zone, no escape for those constantly being tormented. The threats become relentless. The torture and harassment is leaving our children feeling hopeless and alone.

This is not something that will go away with a few schools taking charge, a petition getting signed or a TV special hoping to speak to anyone who will listen. It will take everyone stepping up getting involved by talking to children and letting them know that being different is okay. It is also means living by example and explaining to a child that talking down to others is never okay.

Often it takes a tragic story to get the attention of national news media or action from lawmakers. In the past it has taken horrific tragedies to have schools look at what could have been done to avoid an event that has already taken place. Losing any child to constant tormenting from others is preventable and each life lost is in part the responsibility of everyone that turned a blind eye or did not do everything possible to protect our most valuable resources, every child. Many children fear going to school each day.

Understand if a child has access to a computer or the Internet via a cell phone, game system (PS2, PS3) many available MP3 devices (which have Internet access), or by simply going to a friend’s house, they are possibly being or taking part in bullying actions. The possibility is there. More than ever, the need for communication and knowledge about online activity as well as personal and online friendships is now more important than ever.

While attending school, children rely on their teachers and the school staff to protect them and parents expect the school to not only be responsible and accountable for this but also rely on this protection as well.

With the diversity of students in our schools as well as the overall social changes within our nation, it is absolutely crucial that our nation’s schools have a plan in place for many situations that can arise during a typical school day or any time of crisis.

Bully free zones should be everywhere!

Dealing with student harassment and ongoing bullying is something the school needs to have the support of parents, the community, local government and laws need to be in place to protect students in need of support but also giving teachers the ability to lend a hand to students in need.

While the legislation process and politics are playing out on the news, parents are talking about this at home. The debates (and their language) are making their way into our schools through our young children who become more confused. Slander and hate that is expressed at school is not something a person is born with. Hate is not a birth trait.

Bullying, and terrorizing of another is an action that the bullying student should be held responsible for. This is something the bully should receive mandatory counseling for.

Too many children are killing themselves! These losses are as tragic as a loss by any other tragedy or disease to those left behind. Most often, these suicides could have been prevented and signs are either noticed too late or had not been taken seriously in the time leading up to the time of death.

Even though there’s typically evidence leading back to the cause of their suicide, the ongoing threats and harassments, most often nothing is legally done. This can be changed if enough people will stand up and demand change.

This is made very evident in a ground breaking, Award Winning documentary “Rats and Bullies” directed by Cassidy McMillan.

Originally, the story of 14 year old Dawn-Marie Wesley was shared on the Oprah Winfrey Show. This young girl took her own life in her family home after having been continuously bullied and threatened. Like too many before her, it reached a point she felt she couldn’t take anymore.

After being shown in schools, feedback from students shows that “Rats and Bullies” validates how many students are feeling with the difficulties of being ridiculed and intimidated. There is also an eye opening part to many watching this film that although the one committing suicide appears to be ending their life, those left behind are beginning a nightmare of living without their loved one, asking questions about what they could have done differently or if it was their fault. This film brings up a lot of points to open communication within schools and communities as well as at home.

The Producer and Director of the film Cassidy McMillan hoped by making “Rats and Bullies” would help prevent any future loss of life. To this point, the significance of response in showings at schools and festivals definitely reveal not only a need for a significant increase in discussions but also an awareness that these situations are not as isolated as many believe them to be.

Cassidy McMillan

McMillan has been receiving emails from students saying they have changed their mind on a planned suicide, how her film has greatly affected them and has validated how they felt. She is very pleased by this outcome.

What can we do to help in the effort to eradicate bullying in our culture?

Everyone must speak out against any form of bullying. It is never okay to torment anyone, ridicule or harass either in person, via email or text. If you are a witness to bullying – Report it. Speak to an adult. If you are being the bully – STOP! Ask for help.

As a community we need to demand that our Senators and Representatives create laws that will protect victims and hold our schools fully accountable for the bullying happening while our children are in school.

Every child should feel safe heading to and from school and be focused on learning not worried about being bullied or having their life threatened. Every child should feel comfortable going to the school administrators to report a problem.

Too often, when a person isn’t directly involved with a given situation they don’t see the need to help fix a problem. I ask Cassidy McMillan why it will take everyone to fix this problem. She said, “When someone dies, we all lose someone.”

We discussed this a bit and the point is we would never know who that person would become, who they could have grown up to become. Could they have grown up to cure cancer? Could they have become president? We will never know.

Having a child with cancer and with the news of Steve Jobs just passing, that puts things into a perspective that many people can and should be able to understand. What if someone like Steve Jobs had not been around to accomplish all he did? None of us would be here if our parents weren’t around to have us.

Everyone should have the opportunity to grow up in a safe environment and this issue, unlike some diseases or natural disasters, is something that is within our grasp and ability to prevent. Let’s put an end to this terror many of our children have to face each and every day.

**To find out more about “Rats and Bullies” and where you can view this Award Winning Documentary, please visit http://ratsandbullies.com

**Visit the Facebook Page for “Rats and Bullies”.

"Rats and Bullies" Awards

Vigil held in rememberance of September 11th

How has our Nation changed since the attacks on September 11th, 2001? Did Osama Bin Laden’s death bring any closure for us?

I had often wondered how our Country would react when Osama Bin Laden was captured or killed and that day finally came.

Now the 10 year mark, or anniversary, of the attack on our Nation is just days away. This tragedy is often talked about and looked at on a large scale as something that happened to our Nation, as one, and in a way it did. Many parts of our national security have been changed.

However, the effects that linger on in our Nation are something that can be looked at individually. Life, for many has taken on new meaning. The individual security we once had, as well as a great deal of conveniences, has been changed. What was once thought to be a simple weekend get-a-way or business trip isn’t the same anymore.

Those passengers aboard United Flight #93 did not hand over their boarding pass knowing they would be called upon to make a decision to save countless lives and go down in history as heroes to so many. Was it a decision or did they just carry out a selfless act as they would have in any situation put in front of them any other day of their life?

At Ground Zero that day, the first responders grabbed their gear and set out to save lives as tragedy continued to unfold around them and around our Nation, yet none of us really knew just how horrific these moments would turn out to be even as they happened in front of our eyes. Like I said, this was unimaginable to us, at the time.

Alongside those first responders at Ground Zero were many everyday men and woman, now referred to as heroes, helping each other and doing whatever they could to assist the city’s firefighters, police and other rescue workers, offering a hug or an arm to someone who was too weak to walk or plenty of people who were consumed by dust. Were they trained to do this? How could they have known they would be needed in this situation? But, they helped in any way they could. That makes them heroes, to me.

On September 11th, 2001, something we never imagined could happen to our Country, the United States of America, did. As one plane after another flew into incredible buildings taking them down and thousands of lives with them, our lives were forever changed.

However, the response across America, overwhelming and almost instantly was brotherhood, heroism, united efforts, strangers reaching out to strangers, and people offering one another peace in a time of grief and utter devastation. In a time of chaos, when people could have been at their worst, the united response was to rise up and come out giving comfort and show that together we can get through anything.

America is a land of opportunity, a land of ideas and solution, heroes and honor. All of this goes together when we all come together, to stand strong, united.

On this September 11th, let’s keep our unity strong so America can flourish, strengthen and together, move forward.

Below is a song/video Tribute “America Stand Strong” – Tribute to 9/11 which you can use this link if the video area doesn’t appear. Please feel free to share your comments on the tribute or how 9/11 affected you, where you were on that day or how you live life differently now.

The song, “America Stand Strong”, was written and composed on September 12, 2001 by Myron Solomon.


Myron is a U.S. Army Veteran who now serves with the Department of Homeland Security

Past article on September 11th attacks written in 2010

“Looking back and moving forward on 9/11″

"Carry a Paintbrush"

If you, or someone you know, is seeking a job or thinking about making a career change, would it help to have an inside look, or some type of a “secret weapon”, before you make this step? Of course!

In today’s economy, and this very competitive job market, having a working strategy to acquire the right job or career is as important as having the correct location or the right time of a job interview.

Best-selling Author and Career Expert, Susanne Goldstein has written a book which is not the typical, “how-to-get-a-job” or another “self-help” book. Goldstein’s book is written in a format that is not only easy to read but also has very practical life-experiences, solid techniques, and exercises that don’t just allow the reader to get on the path to a career but shows the reader how to find the career they are meant to be in and actually land the job.

“Carry a Paintbrush” is a must read for anyone of any age, whether you are just starting out into the workforce, changing careers or contemplating a complete “career makeover”.

Goldstein brings up very valuable points in the book which can help prevent job seeking mistakes and help create a much more pleasant career finding and life changing experience. Personally, I think “Carry a Paintbrush” should be a part of any High School Curriculum. It teaches lessons that are very valuable and would have been extremely helpful to learn much earlier on.

When a person first sets out to get their first job or they are laid off from their current job, what is the first thing they do? What should they do? What is the first thing you think of?

Many people search job listings to find where jobs are available, make those phone calls or contacts via email, send resumes and hope the feedback is returned for a possible interview and then hope they met the criteria or the expectations of the person or the company doing the hiring.

As Goldstein points out in her book, there is a solution to finding the right career for each person or even a job that may be temporary but heading towards their career. She highlights this using a demonstration, “The Sweet Spot”, which looks at a person’s passions, interests and skills. Goldstein points out, “The trick to discovering that sweet spot is to get really clear about what makes you passionate, what topics never cease to hold your interest, and what kinds of skills you possess.”

"The Sweet Spot" Diagram

The question would then be, “Okay, so how do I line up what I know I want to do with an available job?”

Since so many people are looking for jobs and companies know this, not every company list each job when a position becomes available.

When you feel you know what industry you will fit into and feel you have the necessary skills required, the next step would be to find a way to get the job. You’re asking, “Where is this job?” You may know about this job by knowing someone in this profession or in the company you’d like to work for but if you don’t have that, then you need to find an “In” person. How do you do this? You start by looking through who you already know and head to chapter 11 in “Carry a Paintbrush”. This is a great tool not only for job hunting but so many things!

As today’s world has changed so dramatically in the way of communication and Social Media, the ability to meet people is endless, therefore opening our possibilities beyond the classifieds or an online job listing websites.

Using Social Media to meet people within our same industry, desired industry or even our current workplace are tools that we can use to further our career, learn more about our potential to grow within our current workplace or if it is time to move on.

With the ability to learn about a company, their objective, the leadership and financial outlook gives us a broader view of what we can possibly offer a company or potentially if our future with a company may be solid or short-lived.

The idea of taking a leap out into a new career or even trying to move up within your current company can be extremely overwhelming but if you are seeking a position that fits you, have done everything you should to prepare for the move into another career or a step up, then you are already ahead of most others that may be seeking the same position.

Once we can acknowledge we are in more control of our career choices than we often give credit to and we have the right tools, we can have more ability to not only have a job or career, but something that is more rewarding.

To get started, I highly recommend you purchase Susanne’s book, “Carry a Paintbrush” and get started painting your own career.

Visit carryapaintbrush.com to read more about the book and how to be the artistic director of your own career!

Susanne Goldstein - The Career Artist

As Washington continues its debate of who will “win” in something that is not a game at all, many Americans are growing more exhausted of the way this is not only getting hashed out on Capital Hill, but also how it seems to be leading up to yet another campaign period with more promises, pointing fingers, no accountability and the American people being left in the dark. And, the same question has still gone unanswered, where are the jobs?

Does the average politician have any idea what is really going on in our country? Have they totally lost touch with what they have actually been elected to do? When is the last time they have stepped back from their debates and political rivalry to really focus on what is going on in the average American household (not statistics or numbers they are handed) and take that into account?

In an AOL article entitled, “If the stock market is so up, why are the jobs so down?”, by Amazon best-selling Author and Career expert, Susanne Goldstein writes about what is occurring within the American workforce, job market, Wall Street and Washington DC. Goldstein points out how this is affecting all who are seeking not only jobs, but careers and a stable future.

During my interview with Goldstein, we discussed this must-read article which is chalk full of information for those who have an established career and for those who are looking for a job. She makes it very clear that during these last few years is necessary to always be prepared for things to change. The best way to know what is going on is to stay informed, always be willing to learn. Look at each day as a new chance to learn something that will most likely benefit you in the future if not now.

Goldstein points out in her article that the Dow Jones has grown nearly 200% while the economy has continued to flounder around since March 6, 2009. With job growth nowhere in sight she says, “Americans feel like they are watching the fat cats of Wall Street cash in once again.”

With the news on a 24/7 cycle, it can get to the point that a person only hears either one side of what is going on or an overwhelming amount of bad news. This can convince anyone “their situation” is so bad there is no possible way for something as simple as securing a new job or setting out on a new career path. However, finding a job and “painting the door” to your career is the answer to each person’s life and the American economy.

When it comes to the economy and the jobless rate, Goldstein points out the importance of taking the lead in making changes, with the way you approach a job search or even a promotion in a current job. Are you at the right place to make the most out of your skills, education, passions and strengths? If you aren’t making the money or getting the promotion you feel you are entitle to, it may be time to access your job with your qualifications. Also, “if you are miserable at your job and have qualifications for another career, it is possible you could find further growth some place else. The fact is, the person most connected to your needs is you and the person most concerned for your needs is you.”

It’s interesting, if you watch the news, you will often hear nearly everyone who has run and/or will run for an elected office say, “What the American people want” or “What the American people need”. These statements have basically turned into campaign slogans more than actual words of concern.

Discussing what is going on in Washington today with Susanne Goldstein, I asked her opinion on why politicians seem to be so out of touch with their constituents and are not even listening to what the American people seem to be openly voicing? She feels that the politicians in Washington aren’t as “localized” as they were and as “tuned in to” what may necessarily be going on in their districts. “Many politicians will say one thing during the campaign, possibly even mean it but when they get to Washington, things change”. The main reason for this change is due to the way the system works in Washington.

The voters have their say for who goes to Washington but is the voter making a decision on who they want to represent them in Washington or what political Party they want to go to Washington?

As the overall economy has changed in America, many Americans have also changed. Businesses want to get the same amount of business done using fewer employees for less pay and fewer benefits. Many Americans want to get more done, in less time and for less money. One side says it is being tight fisted because the economy is forcing it to do so but, at the same time, is it just holding onto the money, not wanting to pay for the services rendered or for something that rightfully cost money? Is this coming down to overall greed?

The problem focusing on quicker returns with lesser investments, of either capital or time, has led to the overall loss of innovation in America. The less time and commitment an employee, business owner or investor puts into a company or into our markets, the less they feel they have to ultimately gain or lose.

Throughout history, our continued desire for innovation has led us to focus and invest in higher education and research. This has led America into areas we would have never realized had we not had the ability to grow and learn. This desire came from people wanting to go beyond what some felt were only dreams but others realized were possibilities. The ability to dream and achieve cannot be stomped out because of low points in our economy or the feeling of inability to rise above a lack of finding a job or career.

I will close with this line from Susanne Goldstein’s article and her best-selling book, “Carry A Paintbrush”. It is talking about Darwin’s quote “survival of the most adaptable.”

Quote: “Until you are ready to take charge of, and own, your career, you won’t have one.”

You can find out more information about Susanne Goldstein at: http://carryapaintbrush.com

Her Best-selling book “Carry A Paintbursh” is available on Amazon (Kindle version too!)

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