Category: News

Christopher Jordan Dorner, born June 4, 1979: died February 12, 2013. Leaving behind only his mother to mourn his death and to wonder why her son to this path of destruction and chaos bringing misery, pain and confusion to the families of the fallen law enforcement officers and the people he elected to punished as he claimed thru his “Facebook” Manifesto. Was his cry for help, beforehand was ignored? Did he need to feel shame for failure to be by his own standards a good cop, a good soldier, a good human being, a good husband or companion to anyone without the humiliation of having his failures posted on-line by him or others?

When I first heard about this drama, I really though it was a promo for an on coming movie. I even asked my husband, he assured me it was not.

Incident like this should never had happen. I believe the failure lies in the Police Department and the military for not evaluating correctly Mr. Dorner’s mental state and allowing him to be out in the Population.

After a week of media attention, thousands of tweets, and all of giving our valuable time to voice our opinions. All I can say is this.

What’s worth it? Did we learned anything? Or it was just another excuse to forget our troubles and become, judge, trial and jury?

We will never know. My condolences to the families of the fallen and to Mr. Dorner’s Mom because she has to deal with this tragedy.

Cristina Roskoff-Harris

Editor-in-chief

http://www.tampabay.com/news/nation/how-do-gun-rights-backers-view-gun-control-after-newtown/1270773

The NRA does not understand our concerns as parents. They are stuck, yes stuck, on their backward believes in the right to gun ownership.

Okay, yes, you do have a right to own a gun, you do have a right to display them at your home and you do have a right to engaged yourself in sporting events, shows, hunting and whatever else citizens that own guns do. What you do not have a right is to take this issue lightly and endanger the life of millions of children around the country with your self-center ideas.

I recently read an article and twitter it, where the NRA and Apple approved and are currently displaying a game app that children as young as four years old can use where they are show how to shoot a gun. Is this right? Is this acceptable?

Mine you, the Apple Company and the NRA both stated that the application does give education words explaining that gun should be use cautiously and it’s not a toy. Is that all, they can say and informed.

I am a parent, I have never been more scare in my life as I am now, with these horrible events on violence and weapon display and the indifference for human life. I fear for my spouse and my children each moment of the day as they venture out to engaged in their daily activities as righteous citizens.

Having to purchase a bullet proof backpack or even a vest for my child is not an answer. I don’t  know about you, but I better myself educationally and financially so that I would not be exposed to these scenarios. How many more life have to parished in order for the NRA to finally get the meaning, this is more than serious, our society is in peril, our country is becoming the “Wild, Wild West.”

I am grateful and thankful that Gov. Cuomo, from the state of New York, has agreed and is mandating stronger, aggressive new laws on gun control and ownership. I am grateful that President Obama has made this issue, his #1 priority in this battle.

What I am not grateful is how the NRA, has lash out with ads on television using President Obama’s children as target for inconsistency and just low down nonsense. Is the NRA doesn’t care about our children, their children. Well the reality is, we do!

We do need these new laws implemented, we need to end these senseless killing. We need to protect our youth. If the current society doesn’t have the common sense to know what is right and what is wrong, what is acceptable and what is not, and most of all, the value of human life then we are heading to a path of doom.

I have faith this will be resolved and I do have faith these horrible incident won’t happened again. I have to believe in it. If I don’t, then I can’t sleep at night and instead of preparing for my child communion, sweet sixteen, school graduations, wedding and my 1st grandchild, I will be preparing an eulogy for their funeral.

Whats your opinion? We would like to know.

Cristina Roskoff-Harris

Editor-in-chief

 

New Year resolutions were set in motion months ago, January 1st was the starting point, and sadly, it was also the end to those well thought resolutions.

Yes, we all promised, to save money, loose some weight, go to the gym, eat healthy, drink less and a course ” stop smoking.”

For those who cannot stop, or are trying very hard, the new trend are the electronic cigarettes. Now these cute, marvelous, gadget, that promise to be better or close enough to the real thing, are popping up everywhere.

Billboards, TV Commercial and the Internet are boosting knowledge and sales. The price on these cigarettes ranges about the same or less than a regular pack of smoke. The initial cost will set you back if you go with the rechargeable type. Here are the pros and cons:

Pros: No more tar, (yellow teeth).
           No smelly or burned clothes.
           No second hand smoke.
           No guilt!!!
           Able to smoke every where.

These electronic cigarettes come in different flavors from the standard regular tobacco to menthol, java flavor to all the fruity flavors as well. The nicotine amount ranges from 0% to as high as 4.5%. Finding your favorite is your new goal.

Cons: Initial cost can be high, if you are buying the rechargeable kits.
            The taste requires, getting use to it. Some are just awful. They taste like wet cardboard.
            Disposable kind are running about the same or more on cost.
            The promise of lasting about the same or equivalent to a full pack of cigarettes is NOT TRUE!
             They do not take the craving or the edge off.

Some patron swear they are great, others like myself are still trying to find “The One.”
I have come close to the one I like best, but the expense would cost me more than my old reliable.

I guess the key would be to stop all together which is my goal. So my personal search continues on.
For my new year resolution is going all electronic even on the occasional smoke (husband not ready yet).

“Keeping my promise, this article was totally produced thru my android phone. Please excuse any typo.”

Cristina Roskoff-Harris
Editor-in-chief           

The world did not end as the Maya’s calendar predicted, but it sure felt like it during the last 4 years we have been dealing with this recession. Financial difficulties have hit every home in America, one way or another. The American dream has been rattle if not shatter with this financial Crisis. Now, in the days to come, we have to deal with the uncertain of a “Fiscal Cliff”. We lost the classification of Middle Class  and Upper Middle Class  for the average folks, like you and me.

The new trend is Poor, Rich and Filthy Rich. Instead of finding relief, compassion, brotherly love, and togetherness, we are now more apart, racism is high, compassion is non-existence and the love of humanity is gone, hope is a foreign word.

Violence has been at an all time high this past year, Domestic Violence, Random Killings, Senseless Killings and the safety of our children has been put to the test. Gun Control is not an issue is a reality. We need better laws on Gun, and the so call rational people who uses them.

Mental health is a not a new trend, is a fact. Depression, Anger and Mental stability needs to be evaluated, respect and treated before it become a catastrophe.

Mother Nature has also contributed to the chaos and she continued to deliver a wallowing punch as thousands are left homeless thru floods, earthquakes, tsunami, arctic weather conditions and so on.

On a brighter note, good things have come our way, jobs are starting to exist, real estate market is starting to see a positive rise, healthcare is now available for many, stock market is stabilizing, price of oil is also stabilizing, and we are all coming together and working on our differences.

2012 will be in the history book as one of the worst years in history, but it doesn’t has to be, if we let it. As American, human being, God’s people we all have a say, free will and the advantage of freedom and liberty to overcome these great obstacles.

From the staff and myself here at The Poor American Blog, we wish you a happy and prosperous new year, God Bless.

Cristina Roskoff-Harris

Editor-in-chief

As a parent of four incredible children, it makes me wonder at this point, if I was blessed on my first three children who use and survived the public school system with out a scratch. I still remember, getting them ready for school. Making sure, they eat their breakfasts, where dressed properly for the day, had their homework assignments ready and packed away in their book bags, brown paper lunches were ready as well and most important, they weren’t taking their favorite toy to school that day. Sometimes I was able to drive them to school if my busy schedule allowed me and sometimes I would have to use the school bus systems for their means of transportation to school. Always, always saying a silent prayer to God to please have my children safe and out of harms-way.

Now, two are in college, one who is handicapped, is always by my side, and my beautiful 3-year-old is getting ready to venture out into the system.  After this horrible and sad event that has happened in Connecticut, the senseless massacre of 20 young children and six adults from Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown last Friday, I am questioning the safety of the Public School Systems and looking very serious to the idea of home schooling my youngest child.

Is home schooling the best alternative?

I have spoken to many parents that stated their children are better off being home school. Their children learn more, they are challenge more academic wise. The children do not miss any fun activities or field trips and the parents are more involved in their education.

I have to admit that sound very appealing, I can understand my child would  be more “safe” with me, than anybody. But what about my child social skills and communication and even her interactions with other kids. Would I be secluding her because I love her or would I be doing her a favor by staying at my side?

So many questions to answer, and who has the right answers to any of them. It is my right as a parent to decide what is best for my child and to provided her with the best I can afford and give. In reference to cost, home schooling is free. The School Board System does supply you with all the necessary items you need for your child.  You can join other parents that are doing the same and have meetings with them once a week and share ideas and frustrations with them. You can even organized children activities in your home with other parents and their children, so that your child can socialized and not feel left out and alienated.

Yes, you would be giving up your free time and even your job and that second needed income that your family need in these hard time. Weighting the value of  feeling in control and knowing your child is safe vs, the feeling of pure agony and terror of not knowing minute by minute if your child life is in peril can be pure hell.

My question to you as a parent is, Are you ready to take action and insure your child is safe not only with you, but anywhere else you send him or her? What are your thoughts?

 

Cristina Roskoff-Harris

Editor-In-Chief

 

Editors Notes: From my loving staff and myself here at “The Poor American” blog, we  are very sadden by this event.  Our prayers goes to all the families that lost their children in this horrific event and for the families of the teachers and school employees as well.