Friday Rant: Minimum Wage
By KeMari | August 31, 2007
For some of us, minimum wage is not a concern. Since it isn’t a concern and since it doesn’t affect our lives, we have a tendency to overlook the issue. But what about the people whose lives are affected by minimum wage? What about single mothers or fathers who are forced to take low-paying jobs to survive? What about the thousands upon thousands, if not millions, of high school dropouts attempting to make it in the work place? What about college graduates that, contrary to popular belief, do not graduate automatically making $50,000 a year?
The current U.S. Federal Minimum Wage level is $5.85. Yes, you read that right. The good news is that that rate is not the same in every state. The bad news is that that rate is not the same in every state. Some states have a minimum wage rate of just under $8.00. Others are at a shocking $2.65.
Logically, it would seem these amounts reflect the cost of living in each metro area within their respective states. However, let’s look at an example:
Tags: Minimum Wage, Friday Rant, Kemari Blue, Phattitudes | 15 Comments »
Tuesday Thoughts: Helen Keller
By KeMari | August 28, 2007
When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us - Helen Keller
Truer words have never been spoken. Or signed.
Helen Keller is a household name. She conjures up images of strength and determination, of courage and humanitarianism. Often times, her name brings inspiration for those who seek it. Other times, her name is used as the butt of a joke, by school-aged children and adults with the same mentality. Through it all, Helen Keller remains a tribute to overcoming difficulties and being strong in the face of adversity.
Tags: Tuesday Thoughts, Helen Keller, Quotes, Attitudes, Kemari Blue, Phattitudes | 22 Comments »
Friday Rant: Stark Shaving Mad
By Stephanie L. Breshears | August 24, 2007
The masochistic ritual of shaving hair from bodies is one that dates back many, many years. There is evidence that Neanderthals in the Stone Age found ways to shave their various furry areas, for one crazy reason or another. It’s not just men that have been doing it, but women too. The Egyptians, especially women, were known to make weird pastes and use copper razors to shave themselves. For whatever reason, shaving has continued to be a practiced experience by people everywhere, men and women alike.
However, advertising is a powerful thing, as we’ve seen. It can make us run out and buy the ugliest shoes or the worst tasting soft drinks, just because of the trendsetting hysteria advertising seems to give off. It is because of mass campaigning that the women of North America continue to pluck, tweeze, Nair, wax and shave any hair they find on their bodies. From the obvious legs, to armpits, bikini waxes, chins and mustaches, ears, nose and even eyebrows, because hey, you can draw those right back in after you shave or tweeze them off.
Tags: Friday Rant, Rants, Articles, Phattitudes | 31 Comments »
Happy Birthday Alegra
By KeMari | August 18, 2007
Phattitudes.com would like to extend a warm, fuzzy birthday wish to one of our very own contributing bloggers, Alegra, the Patron Saintess of Smooshed Jellybeans.
She’s taken to claiming she’s 40, much older than she really is, so people will say she looks great for her age. She’s an excellent writer, who’s won some contests, one of which will get her a chance to meet an editor in NYC. She’s talented, giving and we love her to itty, bitty pieces.
So happy birthday Alegra! We hope it’s a great one.
Feel free to stop by Alegra’s Phattitudes’ blog, SmooshedJellyBeans.com to leave her some love and warm birthday wishes. Be sure to tell her she’s gorgeous for a 40 year old!
Tags: Phattitudes | 4 Comments »
Friday Rant - State Assistance Catch-22s
By Courtni K. George | August 17, 2007
There is a fine line between acceptable behavior and unacceptable behavior, especially when you are in a position in life that is designed to assist those in need. As with anything else, there are abusers and rule breakers that end up making things harder for those who never break the rules; and in the long run end up ruining things for everyone.
I am specifically referring to state assistance and welfare.
Here’s my beef with the system:
Why is it that when you deal with the state in obtaining some sort of assistance, everything is blown out of proportion; and it is like pulling nails out of concrete to get any help or questions answered when needed?
My answer? Because it is easier for the state agency employees to assume that we are all dirt bags out to screw the system.
Tags: Catch-22, State Assistance, Friday Rant, Courtni K. George, Phattitudes | 38 Comments »
Friday Rant - To Catch A Predator
By KeMari and Courtni K. George | August 3, 2007
Last week, Courtni K. and I got to talking and we both expressed our anger and disgust over sex offenders, particularly repeat offenders who were convicted of a crime against children or minors.
As a mother, I am appalled at the lack of justice the victims get, and at the system for its carelessness at times in letting repeat offenders free. Does everyone deserve a second chance? I can’t say, but if someone has committed a crime once, been reprimanded and convicted, and then commits a crime again, is that not a pattern? Why are they allowed free again? Why does it take death for the justice system to really take notice of repeat offenders?
What sparked this conversation between Courtni and I was that the Courtni was watching the news at the time and there were stories upon stories of sex offenders who are repeat offenders that continuously get slaps on the wrist until eventually a child ends up hurt, or worse, dead. We got to talking and realized we needed to speak out and inform others, and hopefully encourage parents to be made aware of local sex offenders in their area.
Tags: Friday Rant, Life, Family, Kids, Kemari Blue, Courtni K. George, Phattitudes | 34 Comments »
For the Children
By Stephanie L. Breshears | July 23, 2007
It was written in UNICEF’s State of the World’s Children 2007 that: “Among the greatest threats to adolescent development are abuse, exploitation and violence, and the lack of vital knowledge about sexual and reproductive health, including HIV/AIDS.”
This is true in many countries across the world and sadly, this is also true in our country. It is easy for us to point fingers in other directions, to hold on to our righteous convictions, but these are issues that affect children even here in our own backyard.
Even in our own cities, children are sold for sex and drugs, children are beaten or verbally abused, or children are made to beg and work for their keep. Children are exposed to violence on TV, violence between their parents, and violence between other children.
Tags: Phattitudes | 6 Comments »
