This kid is 13 – these are the people my kids are around every day and the stress and guilt of not being able to afford the $7,000 to $14,000 (times 3 kids) a year for private schools is killing me.  With the economy the way it is the number of parents able to send their kids to private school has dropped drastically.  And, why shouldn’t we have the best public education systems with the amount of taxes we have to pay?

A couple weeks ago my 12 year old and 14 year old came home from middle school with a letter explaining a fight between two girls in the cafeteria where pepper spray was used.  In the past month in Norfolk, pepper spray has been used 4 times to break up fights or subdue and unruly student.  I hate that my kids are growing up in this kind of environment.  I feel like I’m sending them off to the prison yard every day.  Security guards, police officers are a fixture at these schools.

I’ve watched so much news coverage and read a lot of news articles about the state of the Norfolk Public School system and I’ve got to say that I’m getting a little fed up with what is not being said – the political correctness – the fear of liability.  I’d like to see these schools take a Zero Tolerance stance.  Don’t just pepper spray these kids and send them on their way – expel them – send them to an alternate school and keep them away from my kids, who have never been in a fight, been given detention, suspended or expelled – shoot, I’ve never even received a phone call about bad behavior.  Quit coddling these kids.   One strike and you’re out.

Check this article out – very enlightening – (and if you are moving to Norfolk, VA – I’d think twice – their public school system is terrifying)

From the Va Pilot – Steven Vegh

“The school division’s policy allowing security guards to use pepper spray in student fights contradicts recommendations from the state’s authority on school safety, which strongly discourages the practice.

“Do not use ‘force devices’ in interventions – weapons, hand cuffs, mace,” states the Virginia Center for School Safety’s training curriculum for school security officers. The center, which is part of the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services, helps set guidelines and provides training on how school divisions should handle school safety, said Donna P. Michaelis, the department’s public safety training manager.

Though it discourages pepper-spray use, the agency also gives divisions the discretion to decide which equipment their security personnel may carry. Norfolk approved pepper spray for its school security officers, or SSOs, in 1997 and reaffirmed that policy in 2004.

Still, the center states: “Caution to the SSO and school district: The use of ‘force devices’ is likely to incur major liability for the individuals using them and the school districts authorizing their use.”   (READ MORE)

Although I HATE the idea that there is even a need for Police Officers, Security Guards and pepper spray – I know it’s necessary.  But it scares me that the proper training and use of force is not being enforced.  I want my kids protected, but what happens when they get caught in the middle?

I’d also love to see some research on how this atmosphere is affecting the teen suicide rate and I have to wonder how the constant threat of violence and the feeling of intimidation “non-violent” students get from Security Guards (face it a 12 year old who has never been in trouble but gets “wanded” on a regular basis by big burly security guards has to have an adverse affect)  is having on student performance.  I know I wouldn’t be able to perform at my highest potential if I had to worry about being robbed, beat up or maced because I was sitting near someone who got in a fight, everyday.

I know the economy is no laughing matter these days, but I try to get my laughs anywhere I can and when my husband forwarded this email to me I was cracking up.  It made the fact that he has to close his office up because we had to pay dental bills for our daughter instead of the insurance a little easier.  It made the fact that after 15 years of him working as a contractor and finally deciding to work directly for a company so he can take advantage of the benefits only to find out that $1800.00 a month for health insurance is NOT a benefit to anyone but the insurance companies a little easier.  At least we know we are not alone -

The economy is so bad that…

I got a pre-declined credit card in the mail.

African television stations are now showing ‘Sponsor an American Child’ commercials!

Wives are having sex with their husbands because they can’t afford batteries.

I ordered a burger at McDonald’s and the kid behind the counter asked, “Can you afford fries with that?”

CEO’s are now playing miniature golf.

Exxon-Mobil laid off 25 Congressmen.

My ATM gave me an IOU!

A stripper was killed when her audience showered her with rolls of pennies while she danced.

I saw a Mormon polygamist with only one wife.

If the bank returns your check marked “Insufficient Funds,” you call them and ask if they meant you or them.

McDonald’s is selling the 1/4 ouncer.

Angelina Jolie adopted a child from America .

Parents in Beverly Hills fired their nannies and learned their children’s names.

My cousin had an exorcism but couldn’t afford to pay for it, and they re-possessed her!

A truckload of Americans was caught sneaking into Mexico .

Motel Six won’t leave the light on anymore.

A picture is now only worth 200 words.

They renamed Wall Street ” Wal-Mart Street .”

When Bill and Hillary travel together, they now have to share a room.

The Treasure Island casino in Las Vegas is now managed by Somali pirates.

Congress says they are looking into this Bernard Madoff scandal.  Oh Great! The guy who made $50 Billion disappear is being investigated by the people who made $1.5 Trillion disappear!

And, finally… I was so depressed last night thinking about the economy, wars, jobs, my savings, Social Security, retirement funds, etc., I called the Suicide Hotline. I got a call center in Pakistan , and when I told them I was suicidal, they got all excited, and asked if I could drive a truck.

Last month, a survey was conducted by the U.N. worldwide. The only question asked was: “Would you please give your honest opinion about solutions to the food shortage in the rest of the world?”

The survey was a HUGE failure.

• In Africa they did not know what “food” meant.
• In Western Europe they did not know what “shortage” meant.
• In Eastern Europe they did not know what “opinion” meant.
• In the Middle East they did not know what “solution” meant.
• In South America they did not know what “please” meant.
• In Asia they did not know what “honest” meant.
• And in the USA they did not know what “the rest of the world” meant!!!!

Read more at (freerepublic.com)

Nor'easter at the beginning of this School Year - All I know is I had to get my kid to the bus stop (which was underwater)

The beginning of the Christmas Snow

It's so Freakin hot - I want an air conditioned garage!!!

Kayacking through the streets of Norfolk

Speaking of F****d-Up Can we talk about the prices in the grocery store? $15.00 (usually 7.99) for a regular size package of Maxwell House Coffee? Are you kidding me. $10 (ususally 5.99) for a small block of Havarti Cheese? Store brand spaghetti noodles went up a freakin $.19. Is this because of the crap going on in the Middle East? Do people use this as an excuse to drive prices sky high? From what I hear and read this can be only the beginning, and just when we were starting to climb out of the recession hole -

NEW YORK (WABC) – From the driver filling-up his truck to the young mother buying groceries, the unrest in North Africa and the Middle East is hitting-home.

“I have two daughters and I am worried about their future,” Anna Ferero said.

Larry Roberts has a wife and two children.

“Three fifty-five is too much already,” he said. “You’re looking at probably five dollars a gallon gas.”

Experts say the rising price of gasoline is only the beginning because it raises the cost of just about everything else.

Higher fuel prices will make air travel and home heating oil more expensive. It will cost more to produce and transport food, so grocery prices will go-up.

“I know that half these groceries came by truck. That’s the impact, right there,” Queens resident Mike Kane said.

Forced to spend more money for the basics, people will have less money left-over to spend on other things, which will hurt the economy.

“They may not go out to eat as much,” Michael Ozanian of Forbes Magazine said. “We already have a lot of uncertainty in the economy.”

Experts say a key question is whether the unrest will continue to spread, but even if it doesn’t the region could remain unstable for years to come.

“That could have a domino-effect on the economy,” Ozanian said.

SOOOO, what is our Government doing to help the situation?

Couldn't FInd A Picture With the President, Senate and Congress sitting around with their thumbs up their ass so this will have to do.

AND Not to beat a dead (greedy, money hoarding horse) but did you know: (article from the Independent Perspective)

Most Senators’ Net Worth At 7 Figures Or Higher!

Of the people, by the people, and for the people right? How many millionaires do you know? The majority of the people in this country are middle class, and lower middle class working folks who generally go paycheck to paycheck. These are the people who are the backbone of this nation, the taxpayers, the consumers. These people ARE the economy. I count myself among these people, and let me tell you – without US their would be no millionaire Senators!

According to a recent independant analysis of Senate financial disclosure forms filed in 2010, more than half of the members, 54 lawmakers, reported a minimum net worth of more than $1 million. Another four Senators fell short of that mark by less than $100,000. So basically 60% of the Senators representing us are millionaires. Pay attention to the net worth statement. This means that if you take all assets they have, cash, homes, cars, anything of value, then subtract whatever debt they have, they are still worth a million dollars. How much are you worth?

Now I’m not trying to bash millionaires by any means, in fact I think we need more of them. I myself hope to be one. But or “representatives” should be representative of us. Do you think someone with a net worth of more than $1 million can relate to the guy who works 40 -50 hours a week, making 40k or 50k a year, and struggles to pay his mortgage and electric bill? What about the people who make less? They can’t, and that’s the problem.

Slowly but surely, we have evolved (or is it devolved) into a country made up of “us and them”. We are the uniformed masses who don’t know what s best for us, and they are the political elite who live in their own exclusive reality.

How do we fix this? That’s another story for another day. But in the meantime read the full story on RollCall.com Senate Procures Influx of Millionaires

I have this $40 Gift card from a local spa my brother gave me for Christmas. He’s so sweet and must have remembered that I went there every two weeks for about 1o years to get my nails done – 13 YEARS AGO!!!! (I cut my nails when I poked my oldest, then about 3 months in the eye). I know, it’s the thought that counts – but what do I do with this card? You can’t get a service at this place for $40. God I hate gift cards. If you don’t want to go out shopping for a gift because you hate shopping, are too busy or procrastinate and end up at the mall on Christmas Eve as the doors are being locked, JUST GIVE CASH!!

This Christmas season, between me and the kids we received 10 gift cards. While I appreciate the thought that must go into the purchasing of a gift card (that’s sarcasm if you didn’t get it), I think I would much rather receive a pile of dog poo from poopsenders.com than a gift card – it wouldn’t cost me anything. Out of the ten cards received, 2 Gamestop, 2 Amazon, a Dillards card, 2 McDonalds, 2 Toys R Us and one Changes Spa, there is not one that can really be used without me having to dole out extra cash. Face it, if I go into a store with a $50 gift card I usually end up getting something that costs OVER $50 – can’t leave any extra money on that card. you want to know why? Because whatever isn’t spent on your gift card, and if you don’t use it at all, can be taken by your state government. Did you know that? It varies by state but if you have gift cards gathering dust in your wallet and you don’t use them by a certain time your state government gets the money, like I don’t already give them enough money in taxes. They are supposed to find the gift card owners and return the money to them but, because an awful lot are purchased with cash there is no way to trace the owners so they get to keep it, just lovely.

“Some states faced with sinking tax collections and rising debt are going after unused gift cards that bolster their revenue.

South Carolina is considering legislation that would give the state the right to collect unclaimed gift-card credit. A similar measure in Texas to allow the collection of unused credit even from cards that have no expiration date passed that state’s House this spring and stalled in the Senate. Texas already collects unused gift cards with expiration dates.

Since the recession began, states have been aggressively tapping so-called abandoned property — anything from gift cards to dormant bank accounts and safety-deposit boxes. About half the states collect unused gift cards after a period of two to five years. . . . . . .

Each year Americans spend about $65 billion in gift cards — excluding bank-issued prepaid cards — but don’t redeem $6.8 billion, according to research by TowerGroup, a financial-consulting firm.

What happens to the unused amounts varies by state and company, but they often revert to retailers as income. States that collect abandoned gift cards require retailers and third-party gift-card processors to update a database keeping track of when a card is issued and when it is used.

The National Retail Federation said retailers have opposed efforts to extend states’ reach into unredeemed gift cards.

“We’ve never understood why the state considers this money abandoned property,” said Jim McGregor, director of government affairs at the Maine Merchants Association, a retail businesses advocate. Maine collects unused gift cards after two years.

Retailers are also unhappy about states’ attempts to go after gift cards that have no expiration date. (Read more at The Wall Street Journal)“

What I don’t get is why you can’t go into whatever store the gift card is for an exchange it for cash. It’s a product. When it’s purchased, the purchaser walked into the store and paid for it just like you’d pay for a shirt or a bottle of perfume – which, by the way you can return FOR CASH! The whole gift card scene just reeks of scam and greediness to me.

What Does your state do with unused gift cards? By StateFederal Statute/State Statute

All I know is that kids can turn sane, brilliant adults into irrational, psychotic lunatics and I have proof.  Check this out:

DANGER:  Having kids can turn you into a MORON!

From The Huffington Post

The 9 Most Ridiculous Reasons Kids Have Been Arrested

Kids act out. They throw tantrums, have food fights, and occasionally, they open their Christmas presents a little early. Usually this type of behavior is met with a stern word from parents, detention, or even some Bart Simpson-esque chalkboard writing. But this was not the case for these kids, who were handcuffed and hauled away before they could say “It wasn’t me.” Check out the hardcore punishments incurred when kids drop cake on the floor, doodle on a desk, and yes, pass gas.

1 – 12 Year-Old Arrested For Opening Christmas Present Early  – A 12-year-old South Carolina boy was arrested after his mother phoned police to say he had opened one of his Christmas presents early. Police arrived and actually charged the boy with petty larceny for opening an $85 Game Boy against his family’s wishes. What a Christmas! We’re wondering if he at least got to keep the game boy?

2 -12-Year-Old Arrested For Doodling On Desk  – 12-year-old Queens resident Alexa Gonzalez was taken away in handcuffs after writing “Lex was here. 2/1/10″ and “I love my friends Abby and Faith” on her desk. The best part: She used an erasable marker. Even better: she also drew a smiley face.

3 – 15-Year-Olds Threatened With Charges For Semi-Nude Self-Portraits – Marissa Miller of Pennsylvania was shocked when investigators said she might be facing child pornography charges after a “provocative” photo of her and a friend (from the waist-up, wearing bras) was found on someone else’s cell phone. The girls were forced to take a 10-hour class about pornography or be faced with charges of sexual abuse of a minor (themselves?), which would include registering as sex offenders.

4 -  13-Year-Old Arrested For Farting -A 13 year old boy was arrested in Florida after passing gas in the classroom and turning off his classmate’s computers. He was charged with “Disruption of school function.” Haven’t these people ever heard of detention?

5 -  Chicago Middle Schoolers Arrested For Food Fight- Dozens of 11 to 15-year-olds were arrested in Chicago because of a food fight that broke out in the school cafeteria. Reports say “Someone tossed a piece of food, someone else threw an orange, someone yelled ‘Food fight!,’ and chaos ensued.” The students were held at the police station for over 5 hours before parents were notified. What we want to know is if 5 hours was long enough for the police to get the initial food-thrower to break.

6  – 10-Year-Old Arrested For Bringing Steak, Steak Knife To School – A  10-year-old Florida girl was arrested for bringing a steak knife to school. The girl used the knife to cut a steak that she had brought for lunch and did not use it in any other way, nor did she show it off. The principal suspended her for 10 days and she faces a felony charge for possession of a weapon on school property. If she had known better she would have just torn the steak apart with her hands and teeth, but we guess she had to be “cool.”

7  – 14-Year-Old Arrested For Texting In Class – Math class can be boring, so a 14-year-old Wisconsin girl thought she’d pass the time by texting. When asked to stop, she continued until security officers came and arrested her under the charge of disorderly conduct. The best part? When officers asked for the phone they had pleasure of removing it from her “buttocks area.”

8  – Autistic Girl Arrested For Wearing Cow Costume – This 8-year-old girl with Asperger’s Syndrome was arrested for battery after being told she couldn’t wear her cow-themed sweatshirt to an elementary school holiday party. She fought back teachers who forcefully restrained her and was taken away in handcuffs, asking “What are batteries?”

9  – Girl Arrested For Dropping Cake On Floor- As if they had never seen a cafeteria line before, California school security guards restrained and arrested a 16-year-old girl after she dropped a piece of cake on the floor while in line at the cafeteria. Apparently she refused to clean it up so naturally, they broke her arm. We’d hate to see what these guards would do in a food fight.

Read more from the Huffington Post

While watching the destruction in Haiti I can’t help but feel extreme sadness for everyone living in that area.  To help out, visit The Red Cross (make sure you don’t donate to just anyone!)

At the same time, I can’t help but question the hypocrisy of certain Governments who are jumping at the chance to send support, both financially and physically to this area destroyed by an extreme act of nature.  Why aren’t you showing the same level of care and support for the million civilians who have lost their lives since the invasion of Iraq in 2003.  Is it different when the destruction is caused by man?  In one corner of the world we’re running off to help those in need while in the other corner of the world we are the cause of those in need.  Why have I never turned the TV on and seen these numbers reported on the news?  Why are so many people being killed.  Can you imagine if over a million people were killed in the US or England because of something another country did?  Instead of pouring millions of dollars down the drain through incompetent financial industries, you should be sending it to the families in Iraq and Afghanistan in an attempt to begin making up to the them the complete destruction of their families and lives.

A study, published in prestigious medical journal The Lancet, estimated that over 600,000 Iraqis had been killed as a result of the invasion as of July 2006. Iraqis have continued to be killed since then.  The estimate that over a million Iraqis have died received independent confirmation from a prestigious British polling agency in September 2007. Opinion Research Business estimated that 1.2 million Iraqis have been killed violently since the US-led invasion.

Add widget to your site here.

From UMMAH Forum

Most recent update: September 11, 2009.

About 251 times as many people have been killed in Afghanistan and Iraq than in the ghastly attacks of September 11, 2001. More than 108 times as many people have been killed in these wars and occupations than in all terrorist attacks in the world from 1993-2004. The 2004 report showed terrorism at an all-time high, and after numerous experts suggested that the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq were fueling the increase, subsequent reports have remained classified.

Sources and methodology Notes about varying casualty counts cited elsewhere

# Casualties in Afghanistan:
Afghan troops killed [1] 11,152 Afghan troops seriously injured [2] 33,456
Afghan civilians killed [3] 7,589 Afghan civilians seriously injured [4] 13,660
U.S. troops killed [5] 746 U.S. troops seriously injured [6] 2,238
Other coalition troops killed [7] 551 Other coalition troops seriously injured [8] 1,653
Contractors killed [9] 75 Contractors seriously injured [10] 2,428
Journalists killed [11] 6 Journalists seriously injured [12] unknown
Total killed in Afghanistan: 20,119 Total injured in Afghanistan: 53,435

# Casualties in Iraq:
Iraqi troops killed [13] 30,000 Iraqi troops seriously injured [14] 90,000
Iraqi civilians killed [15] 697,523 Iraqi civilians seriously injured [16] 1,255,541
U.S. troops killed [17] 4,343 U.S. troops seriously injured [18] 31,156
Other coalition troops killed [19] 318 Other coalition troops seriously injured [20] 10,821
Contractors killed [21] 933 Contractors seriously injured [22] 10,569
Journalists killed [23] 163 Journalists seriously injured [24] unknown
Total killed in Iraq: 733,280 Total injured in Iraq: 1,398,087[/B]

# Sources and methodology:

U.S. and coalition authorities rarely provide any public estimates of Afghan or Iraqi troop or civilian casualties or injuries. In this absence of official data, we present the latest and lowest credible estimates we’ve found. Where a range is estimated (for example, 2,500-4,000), the lower figure is always cited.

[1] Afghan troops killed: Based on estimate and tracking by Mark Herold, Ph.D at the University of New Hampshire, as detailed at his website. For casualties since Dr. Herold’s last update in July 2004, we’ve made a crude guess based on the average of 45 monthly deaths Dr. Herold recorded among Afghan military during 2004′s first seven months. Dr. Herold’s count is 8,587, and our extrapolation adds another 2,565 deaths, from the end of Dr. Herold’s tally through the end of April 2009.

[2] Afghan troops seriously injured: Posted number reflects our estimate, using a conservative, historically-based ratio of 3:1 (serious injuries to fatalities) for troops during wartime.

[3] Afghan civilians killed: Based on estimate and tracking by Dr. Herold, as detailed at his website. For casualties since Dr. Herold’s last update in July 2004, we’ve made a crude guess based on the average of 72 monthly deaths Dr. Herold recorded among Afghan civilians (with deaths among Taliban and Taliban affiliates included in Afghan civilian casualties) during 2004′s first seven months. Dr. Herold’s count is 3,485, and our extrapolation adds another 4,104 deaths, from the end of Dr. Herold’s tally through the end of April 2009.

[4] Afghan civilians seriously injured: Posted number reflects our estimate, using a conservative, historically-based ratio of 1.8:1 (serious injuries to fatalities) for civilians during wartime.

[5] U.S. troops killed in Afghanistan: US military deaths in Afghanistan are announced by US Department of Defense and CENTCOM, and tallied at Wikipedia, which notes that “the American figure is for deaths ‘In and Around Afghanistan’ which, as defined by the U.S. Department of Defense, includes some deaths in Pakistan and Uzbekistan, the death of a DoD civilian employee, and the deaths of four CIA operatives.”

[6] U.S. troops seriously injured in Afghanistan: To the best of our knowledge, this data is not publicly tracked (if you know a reliable source for this information, please let us know). Posted number reflects our estimate, using a conservative, historically-based ratio of 3:1 (serious injuries to fatalities) for troops.

[7] Other coalition troops killed in Afghanistan: Coalition military deaths in Afghanistan are announced by US Department of Defense and CENTCOM, and tallied at Wikipedia.

[8] Other coalition troops seriously injured in Afghanistan: To the best of our knowledge, this data is not publicly tracked (if you know a reliable source for this information, please let us know). Posted number reflects our estimate, using a conservative, historically-based ratio of 3:1 (serious injuries to fatalities) for troops.

[9] Contractors killed in Afghanistan: Based on this July 2007 Reuters article, which cites US Department of Labor statistics obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request. The article reports that 75 private contractors had been killed in Afghanistan from the beginning of hostilities in 2001 through July 2007.

[10] Contractors seriously injured in Afghanistan: Based on the same article, 2,428 private contractors had been seriously wounded in Afghanistan from the beginning of hostilities in 2001 through July 2007.

[11] Journalists killed in Afghanistan: Based on numbers tracked by Wikipedia.

[12] Journalists seriously injured in Afghanistan: To the best of our knowledge, this data is not publicly tracked (if you know a reliable source for this information, please let us know).

[13] Iraqi troops killed: Based on an estimate of 30,000 deaths, offered by US Gen. Tommy Franks, cited by the Washington Post on Oct. 23, 2003. No estimate has been made publicly since that time.

[14] Iraqi troops seriously injured: Posted number reflects our estimate, using a conservative, historically-based ratio of 3:1 (serious injuries to fatalities) for troops during wartime.

[15] Iraqi civilians killed: Based on this study [pdf], published in the British medical journal The Lancet in October 2006. The study concluded that at least 392,979 Iraqi civilians had been killed in the occupation, in addition to deaths expected from Iraq’s normal death rate, through July 2006. The study’s mid-point estimate was 654,965, and its high estimate was 942,636. U.S. authorities, including President Bush himself, have loudly complained that the study is based on “flawed methodology” and “pretty well discredited,” but as often happens when Bush speaks, that’s simply untrue. The study was conducted by Johns Hopkins University, and used standard, widely accepted, peer-reviewed scientific methodology. Explained very briefly, Iraqi respondants in numerous randomly selected locations were asked about recent deaths in their households, and family members were able to show a death certificate to document 80% of the deaths they described. Results from these interviews were extrapolated nationwide, the same way political opinion polls extrapolate a few hundred interviews to reflect nationwide opinions. It’s the same method used by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control to estimate deaths from disease outbreak anywhere in the world, the same method routinely trusted by the U.S. and U.K. when counting deaths from warfare, civil unrest, or other situations anywhere in the world. From the study’s lowest estimate of 392,979 deaths occurring over the first 40 months of occupation, we have extended this rate of civilian deaths (9,824 deaths per month) over subsequent months of the occupation since the study was published.

[16] Iraqi civilians seriously injured: Posted number reflects our estimate, using a conservative, historically-based ratio of 1.8:1 (serious injuries to fatalities) for civilians during wartime.

[17] U.S. troops killed in Iraq: Based on numbers announced by US Department of Defense and CENTCOM, and tracked by the good folks at Iraq Coalition Casualty Count.

[18] U.S. troops seriously injured in Iraq: Based on numbers announced by US Department of Defense and CENTCOM, and tracked by the good folks at Iraq Coalition Casualty Count. (According to this article by Salon reporter Mark Benjamin, an additional 25,289 service members had been evacuated from Iraq and Afghanistan for injuries or illnesses, but not included in the official numbers and not included in the numbers presented on this page.)

[19] Other coalition troops killed in Iraq: Based on numbers announced by US Department of Defense and CENTCOM, and tracked by the good folks at Iraq Coalition Casualty Count.

[20] Other coalition troops seriously injured in Iraq: To the best of our knowledge, this data is not publicly tracked (if you know a reliable source for this information, please let us know). Posted number reflects our estimate, assuming the same injury to death ratio suffered by American troops in the same battlefield.

[21] Contractors killed in Iraq: Based on this July 2007 Reuters article, which cites US Department of Labor statistics obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request. The article reports that 933 private contractors had been killed in Iraq from the beginning of hostilities in 2001 through July 2007.

[22] Contractors seriously injured in Iraq: Based on the same article, 10,569 private contractors had been seriously wounded in Iraq from the beginning of hostilities in 2001 through July 2007.

[23] Journalists killed in Iraq: Deaths tracked by Iraq Coalition Casualty Count.

From The Virginian Pilot, By Matthew Bowers,  Michelle Washington

Pamela Brown, well-known for hula hooping almost every day on a grassy Granby Street median near Wards Corner, can talk about the 1977 car crash that injured her brain like it just happened.

But after her release from jail Tuesday, the 49-year-old woman said she was at a loss to recall her arrest Saturday morning by city police.

Police say what started as a noise complaint led them to Brown and that she was shocked repeatedly with a Taser. She spent the weekend in jail on charges of assaulting a police officer, resisting arrest and excessive noise before her release Tuesday on a $5,000 recognizance bond.

No police report was available Tuesday, and no further details were released.

Brown was 17 years old and six days from graduating from Deep Creek High School in Chesapeake when she was in the car crash in 1977. She spent weeks in a coma, and she had to relearn how to walk and speak.

She has struggled to establish an independent life since the injury, said her social worker, Marylin Copeland, who came to court with Brown. Brown has short-term memory loss and seizures.

She lives in the Cromwell House apartments for senior citizens and people with disabilities. Nearly every day, Brown hangs a radio in a plastic bag from a road sign on nearby Granby Street and hula hoops to “golden oldies.”

She used to hula hoop closer to her apartment, but her radio woke residents. She was charged last year with disturbing the peace, but the charge was withdrawn in Circuit Court after she appealed her conviction in District Court.

After her release Tuesday afternoon, Brown said she didn’t remember anything about Saturday’s arrest. Jail staff returned Brown’s possessions, including a medic-alert necklace reading: “Seizure disorder, metal rod in lower LT leg & pin LT shoulder, allergic to penicillin, aspirin.”

She’s due back in court on Nov. 3.

Brown’s lawyer is Howard Copeland, who is married to her social worker. The Copelands said Tuesday that they talked with police who patrol near Wards Corner after last year’s incident to warn them about Brown’s brain injury and the conduct it might cause.

“When she’s confronted, she has a negative reaction,” Marylin Copeland said. The injury makes Brown prone to passive seizures, during which she doesn’t react to her environment, Brown said.

“This is something most people don’t understand – especially cops,” Brown said.

It also makes her impulsive, Copeland said. Still, Brown doesn’t believe she assaulted police officers, given her physical limitations.

“No way,” Brown said. “And I was brought up by my parents to respect and obey police officers.”

She also said that if neighbors objected to her music, she would exercise farther away. Meanwhile, she was headed home.

“I’ll be glad to sleep in my own bed and not have to hear all that noise,” Brown said of the jail. “These ears can hear roaches running.”

I had forgotten all about this story until yesterday when I read that the Hula Hoop Lady settled with the City of Norfolk for $65,000 – they got off easy.

I got a letter from my sons school last week informing me that he needed to get a shot before heading into 6th grade.  There goes another $160.  Why?  Because I don’t have ANY health insurance.  You think that’s stupid?  I have 3 kids they could get sick or hurt at any time and then where would I be?  I think it’s pathetic.  Pathetic because there is no way I could afford the $800 a month it would cost me for health insurance.  Of course, I make to much money to get any help from the government.  My husband and I make pretty good money.  We own both our cars and our condo.  The only credit card we use is American Express (which gets paid off every month).  But, we also pay child support for one child from a previous marriage, $600 a month  and we pay my mother-in-laws rent, $465 a month – because she’s a pain in the ass.  Now I understand why there are so many people who stay on government aid.  You can bust your ass and make a good amount of money and STILL not have enough to meet the basic needs of a family.    I should divorce my husband and sign up for medicaid.   When will this country ever get it’s act together?!  Every rich corporate guy is up every other rich corporate guys ass – sending this country into the worst recession ever.  What’s next?  The only way these idiots are going to continue making money is to continue sucking it from the guys who don’t have any.  I guess then we’ll have to go back to indentured servents and slavery.  I have this teeny, tiny, sliver of a glimmer that Obama can bring about some positive changes.  PLEASE don’t let me down!

As I stare out my window at the church down the street and the staggering line of hungry homeless that gather their Sunday after Sunday I have to wonder, what the hell is wrong with our Government?  Time after time they dump millions of dollars on corporate assholes who turn around and spend it on 50 million dollar jets and thousands on the “hos” down the street while our economy gets worse and worse and the number of homeless is growing st a scary rate.

Here is the latest  of corporate misdeeds to be uncovered:

“Stimulus Package? Manhattan Madam Claims Wall Street Fat Cats Charged Girls on Corp Credit Cards“

“Some of these guys, I was invoicing on corporate credit cards. I was writing up monthly bills for computer consulting, construction expenses, all of these things, I was invoicing them monthly so they could get it by their accountants.”

OK, so I think everyone just assumes that these CEOs and corporate muckety mucks already abuse the money that has been given to them in order to help them get their companies back in working order so that  American Economy and people will slowly recover from this terriblce recession.  But OMG, they are so freaking blatant in their squandering of our tax dollars.  I think we need to come up with a whole new form of punishment for these self-centered, egomaniac, god-complex, spenders of our hard earned money for their pleasure, ASSWIPES.