Bad Company

While I stand by my previous post, with some additional thoughts in the comments, I am not too proud to say that I do not like the company I am in:

Occupy Wall Street-inspired protesters are eyeing a new target -- Target. And dozens of other companies.
A campaign under the name "Occupy Black Friday" is trying to enlist supporters to boycott just about every major retailer, and quite a few mid-sized ones, the day after Thanksgiving. The protesters are casting a wide net, urging people to demonstrate against the top 100 publicly traded retail stores -- a list that includes everything from Wal-Mart to Target to Dick's Sporting Goods to Dollar Tree.
"The idea is simple, hit the corporations that corrupt and control American politics where it hurts, their profits," the group's Facebook page reads, describing Black Friday as the "one day where the mega-corporations blatantly dictate our actions."

I don't like that retailers have taken a Holiday and made it about commerce, but I don't have a problem with large companies making money, or employing people and growing local economies.  I just wish they would take the day off for Thanksgiving. The whole day. It just makes life more real. And for many people who cannot afford to not have a job, it will show them that company cares about them just a little.

The "Occupiers," (Side note: MBB and I are waiting for a scandal in that group so that we can have two ubiquitous terms come together: OccupyGate!) just want to make a mess off everything. Like the NBA lockout, who gets hurt? Not the players, not the owners, but the arena workers, security, concessions, parking and souvenir vendors. It's always the little guy who is going to hurt most, and is on the front line. These Occupiers are hypocrites, they are taking food donations, and monetary donations out of the hands and mouths of the truly needy to  perpetuate their anarchist goals. Plus, the convenience and price reductions that the big box stores provide are a boon to the "99%." Though many are torn by the way some stores treat their employees, it's a lot easier to boycott fur and blood diamonds than it is to boycott a place where you can buy two ski caps and two pairs of mittens for a cute little guy for under $4. (NOT ON SALE!) Essentially, like all things in life it's complicated.

So let's keep Thanksgiving as Thanksgiving, and come Friday morning let the frenzy begin, if nothing else, it will be a good feeling knowing some of the people in the store aren't there to grab that twenty dollar DVD player out of your hands. They'll just tsk at you when you do.

Then it will Occupy a nice place in your den.

Greed

The trend this Thanksgiving to have stores either open on Thanksgiving Day, late in the evening, or late at night on Thursday night is very troubling. First, a day that was a real holiday in this country, a day when people really got together with family and friends, has become, like so many American holidays, all about shopping. It's not just about making money, the consumers are at fault as well. Yes, our economy needs the jump start, but will these few extra hours on Thanksgiving Day really make a difference in the month long run-up to Christmas? And then the After-Christmas sales?   What legacy are we creating when the focus of every holiday is to get through the holiday (read: family) stuff and move on to the selfish acquisition of material goods.

Why is it selfish? What if  really need a cheap coat? Well, that cheap coat could wait a few hours, and it's selfish because people have to come in  to work in the stores, that need to be open, because....I'm still not sure.  I asked a few employees today in two different "Big Box Stores" whether they could take the day off if they wanted to. The woman in Target told me "No, they won't approve any vacation days for Thursday at midnight through Friday." The temp at Walmart told me they need to work from 6pm until 6 am (I think the store opens at 9pm) on Thanksgiving, but that you could take off if you want to, but there is no overtime pay. I didn't ask the woman in Target if she would get overtime.  She said "They make it so that your life outside of work is less and less important."

This made me so sad. Aside from the employees needing to be in the store for it to open, they also need to sleep at some point, so effectively their Thanksgiving will be dictated by their work schedule. Say they normally have dinner at six, finish around eight or nine? Now? They need to start earlier so they can get a few zzz's before they are up working all night.

Somethings need to be sacred in this country, and some things need to go beyond the almighty dollar, but as soon as one retailer skips the line, they all have to copy that for fear of being left in the financial dust.  It's great to get a deal, but the deals can start at 8 am on Friday, and let people who work these jobs have a life.

I find this extremely troubling.

T'is the Season to Feel Pressure

I hate this time of year. I hate Black Friday, and Pre-Black Friday, and Pre-Pre Black Friday. It's too much pressure. Who has the best deal, when do they have the best deal, how early do you need to get it, what? you'd rather sleep than get this deal? Quite frankly? Yes. (honestly I'd rather sleep than do most things, but that may just be a function of  being a mother of an 18 month old who thinks he's a rooster, and teenagers who think they are bats).

It's almost like sitting on an airplane, no matter how much or how little you paid someone will tell you about the amazing deal they got.  A wise man once told me that the joy of money is not needing to always get the best deal, and I've tried to really internalize that.

So bring on the $2 crockpots and 3 cent towels, innundate me with $10 winter coats and tights for mere pennies. I will be strong. I may check online, but I certainly will not brave the crowds and fight the mobs to get my hands on items I don't really need.

I'll let my brother do that for me.

Occupy Inbox

Apparently grass roots efforts can work.  A few e-mails went out from a few shuls suggesting that people call or e-mail the Supervisor about the BEAR! problem. I am totally assuming that many people emailed or called, because we received the following email today (It also came as a phone call) (phone numbers have been edited out):

Over the past week a large black bear has been sighted in the...  areas of the town. We advise residents to do the following:

1)    If you see the bear, call the...  Police Department  or .... Animal Control Officer  immediately.  

DO NOT APPROACH THE BEAR

2)    The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) regulates the removal of Black Bears from all venues in New York State. During normal business hours 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM call the Wildlife Regional Office or during off-duty hours 4:00 PM - 8:00 AM call 1-877-457-5680 to report a sighting and/or an emergency situation (after calling the local Police).

3)    DEC officials will inspect areas...  where bear sightings have occurred on Wednesday, November 16, 2011. Our Animal Control Officer will lead the inspection tour.

4)    The...  Police Department is increasing Police presence in the areas where sightings have occurred, in particular during night time hours.

  

5)    Reminder: Please take down all birdfeeders and cover your garbage cans. These are the two major attractions for black bears.

Sincerely Yours,

 Supervisor

I guess the BEARS didn't put enough in their envelope.

No Lions or Tigers

Living in a suburban community has its advantages. But, it also has disadvantages, the main one right now is wildlife. The fact that we are innundated with  deer, have had a few coyotes roaming around in the past two years, and now an abundance of bears, is not a surprise.  When building continues unchecked, and wooded areas are leveled to make room for baseball teams, it is not too shocking that the animals will need a place to go.

Unfortunately, I and my neighbors don't want them here. The police have said "You live in the country, get used to it." (I should add allegedly, since I did not hear the statement myself) I hear stories daily of people who saw the bears, and a drive through certain neighborhoods will reveal garbage strewn lawns courtesy of our new residents, Ursus americanus.

 So I sent our fearless leader the following e-mail:

While understanding the difficult economic climate the Town is facing, not ridding a very populous area of BEARS is not a good way to be fiscally responsible. In fact, in an area that is so full of people, and people with small children, it would be terribly tragic if the Town had to get involved after someone got hurt or dragged off.  The BEARS are here, and are emboldened. One was one a stoop on (Redacted) Road last night. ON THE STOOP! How much closer should we allow them to encroach before we realize that we and our families are in danger? PLEASE,PLEASE, PLEASE do something about this.

As much as I wanted to, I resisted the urge to add the following:

Building them apartments will neither alleviate the problem, nor garner you new votes, so please find another way to keep us safe.

I doubt he can.

Who Came Up With This?

There's a recent trend in Orthodox clothing that's making me crazy. It started a few years ago, when double-sleeved clothing became fashionable. For those not in the know, double sleeve is a short sleeve shirt made with long sleeves coming out of it, usually in a contrasting color. These shirts are sold all over, and are very popular at Old Navy, Gap and Carter's.

 

GREAT! Now there is Carte Blanche to put a "shell' under any shirt we can find. It doesn't matter how long or short the sleeve, if we just stick this long or three quartered sleeve spandex or cotton shirt under anything we wear, we can wear anything! Heck, we can even wear a flesh colored shell with a spaghetti strap tank top, because once we are putting shells under things we would never wear, why stop at short sleeves. In fact, why stop at shirts at all! Skirt or dress to short? Stick another skirt under it! Or a shell dress! Forget that, just put a pair of pants under a short denim skirt during the week, and BAM! You may look Muslim, but no one can say you aren't tzinyus. Plus you get the added benefit of everyone thinking you went to the gym. That is definitely a part of how THIS pants trend started, but I think it was a domino effect. Shirts under shirts, skirts under skirts, pants under skirts. Once you can tweak to be according to proper guidelines, it's all about the letter of the law.

Hey, here's an idea: If it's too short? DON'T WEAR IT!!!!

Shame on All Of You

How could any of the people at Penn State look this former coach in the eye, knowing what he was and what he did. They have the pain of all these children, and all the children those children went on to abuse, on their hands.  There are no heroes here, and all those people who claim the greatness of "molders of men" and other approbations given football coaches have learned that they are mere cogs in an institutionalized money machine. Apparently, these are men whose moral values are in no way at a level that affords them  the pedestal they are placed on.

I cannot comprehend how anyone knowing what they knew just continued to allow this man access to children. I really don't understand why it wasn't reported to the police as opposed to a superior at work. No  job is worth the moral cesspool you place yourself in by allowing a predator to continue his actions. Telling him not to bring children on campus, just means if you don't see it, it's not your problem.

Perhaps now this country will not only see how much lip service is given to the protection of children, but also how vaccuous the most "moral" and "respected" public figures turn out to be. I know they are human and have flaws, no one can be perfect, or act correctly all the time. even those who continually work on their character traits will slip every so often. But there are some things that just cannot be allowed, not for money, reputation or  even football.

 And for any organization or individual that covers up abuse, and allows a predator to continue to destroy lives-know that you are as culpable as the predator in the destruction of these souls.

Disgusting

Stay or Go

Unfortunately, for a few neighborhoods in town the blackout continues. When we got power back we had friends without power stay over. They got their power back, so we called other people without power, feeling it would be silly to let beds lie empty. Especially since the effected houses are not just dark, but freezing cold.

A bunch of people said no. They'd rather not pack up, they'd rather stick it out at home. I really love to be home. However, I cannot imagine  that the discomfort of living in someone else's house for a few days is more than the discomfort of living in a house whose high temperature is 52 degrees ( and according to one friend as low as 42!). Soup and other hot foods only take you so far. Do you get more points at the end if getting through it was difficult? If someone offers a place to stay that's warm and well lit it does not make you less tough or less hearty a soul if you go. Especially if you know early on that it's a least a three day proposition.  We know a lot of people who went out of town to relatives, that's much more of a commitment then going to someone who lives a few minutes from your powerless house. If you forget anything, you just go get it.

To each his own, I guess.