The foregoing is a comment I posted at the Salt Lake Tribune site. I wrote it with the hope that Utah's judicial system will broaden the rights of unmarried fathers in adoption cases. I don't think it is right to deprive a man of the right to raise his child simply because he is not married. I wish the best of luck to Ramsey Shaud in his fight to gain custody of his little daughter.
There are many types of families in the United States today. I hope Utah's judges are smart enough to realize that one type of family is not necessarily better than the others.
There is the traditional family in which a heterosexual father and a heterosexual mother are married to each other.
But there are also single parents, divorced parents, and widowed parents raising children. There are also heterosexual couples who live together (but aren't married) having babies. There are blended families in which stepparents are raising children.
There are also grandparents raising their grandchildren. Sometimes aunts and uncles raise their nieces and nephews.
Foster parents and adoptive parents raise children too.
There are lesbian couples raising children together. (I've read that the statistics show that lesbian couples are good parents.) There are also gay men who are fathers.
You aren't going to like this, but there are polygamous families too.
There really isn't a "right" way to be a parent any more. Families are like individuals -- everybody is different.
One type of family isn't necessarily better than the others. It doesn't matter if the parents are married or not. What matters is that the parents love and care for their children. What matters is that the children aren't being abused or neglected.
Monday, December 26, 2011
Saturday, December 17, 2011
The Legend of the Barefoot Bandit Comes to an End
On December 16, 2011, the swashbuckling adventures of Colton Harris-Moore -- Washington's beloved "Barefoot Bandit" -- officially came to an end in Coupeville when Island County Judge Vickie Churchill sentenced him to more than seven years in prison.
Twenty year old Colton pleaded guilty to 16 felonies in Island County and 17 felonies in San Juan County. Having already pleaded guilty to federal charges in Seattle, he will be sentenced in federal court next year. Fox recently bought the movie rights to his story, but Colton will use all the proceeds to pay restitution to his victims.
According to the Associated Press, Colton became a cult hero during a two year crime spree in which he eluded police by stealing boats, planes, guns and cars. He earned the moniker "the Barefoot Bandit" because he often left bare footprints when he fled from his crimes. He burglarized homes and businesses in eight states, Canada and the Bahamas. Colton taught himself to fly by reading manuals and watching online videos. He was arrested in July 2010 after he stole a plane in Indiana, flew it to the Bahamas and crashed it into a swamp.
Before the sentencing, Colton wrote a six page letter to Judge Churchill in which he took full responsibility for his actions. He stated that he "wouldn't wish his childhood on his darkest enemies."
Colton was raised in a debilitated mobile home in Camano Island, Washington by an abusive, alcoholic mother and her convict boyfriends. He has stated that his first memory is of his mother telling him that she wished he was stillborn. Colton has also stated that he first broke into a neighbor's home for food when he was 13 because he was so hungry. His attorney claims that his mother often failed to provide food for him and spent the bulk of her income on alcohol and cigarettes.
According to the Everett Herald, a CPS worker described Colton's childhood home as putrid, filled with dirty clothes, papers and food covered in mold and mildew. Ironically, CPS cut short their investigations due to his mother's lack of cooperation. Is anyone really surprised that CPS let this poor child slip through the cracks?
According to the Los Angeles Times, Colton's mother, Pam Kohler, is angry because defense attorneys have been telling lies about her. "John Henry Browne has to blame all of Colt's problems onto something, so he evidently chose me," Ms. Kohler told KIRO radio in Seattle. "I'm going to destroy him when this is over."
I thought that Ms. Kohler's statement was rather odd because it suggests that she is more concerned about her reputation than her son's welfare. She doesn't seem to realize that her threats only make her look worse. I'm a mother myself. If one of my children was being charged with a multitude of crimes as Colton was, I'd be happy and grateful that my child had a good defense attorney. I certainly would not be threatening to destroy those who were trying to help my child. Good mothers put their children's needs before their own.
I'm not a fan of Pam Kohler, but I can't help but wonder why Colton's teachers, neighbors, and the community of Camano Island did not do more to help this hungry, neglected boy. The moral of the Barefoot Bandit's legend is quite simple. If we don't want hungry children to break into our homes and steal our food, we should be willing to help the less fortunate.
Twenty year old Colton pleaded guilty to 16 felonies in Island County and 17 felonies in San Juan County. Having already pleaded guilty to federal charges in Seattle, he will be sentenced in federal court next year. Fox recently bought the movie rights to his story, but Colton will use all the proceeds to pay restitution to his victims.
According to the Associated Press, Colton became a cult hero during a two year crime spree in which he eluded police by stealing boats, planes, guns and cars. He earned the moniker "the Barefoot Bandit" because he often left bare footprints when he fled from his crimes. He burglarized homes and businesses in eight states, Canada and the Bahamas. Colton taught himself to fly by reading manuals and watching online videos. He was arrested in July 2010 after he stole a plane in Indiana, flew it to the Bahamas and crashed it into a swamp.
Before the sentencing, Colton wrote a six page letter to Judge Churchill in which he took full responsibility for his actions. He stated that he "wouldn't wish his childhood on his darkest enemies."
Colton was raised in a debilitated mobile home in Camano Island, Washington by an abusive, alcoholic mother and her convict boyfriends. He has stated that his first memory is of his mother telling him that she wished he was stillborn. Colton has also stated that he first broke into a neighbor's home for food when he was 13 because he was so hungry. His attorney claims that his mother often failed to provide food for him and spent the bulk of her income on alcohol and cigarettes.
According to the Everett Herald, a CPS worker described Colton's childhood home as putrid, filled with dirty clothes, papers and food covered in mold and mildew. Ironically, CPS cut short their investigations due to his mother's lack of cooperation. Is anyone really surprised that CPS let this poor child slip through the cracks?
According to the Los Angeles Times, Colton's mother, Pam Kohler, is angry because defense attorneys have been telling lies about her. "John Henry Browne has to blame all of Colt's problems onto something, so he evidently chose me," Ms. Kohler told KIRO radio in Seattle. "I'm going to destroy him when this is over."
I thought that Ms. Kohler's statement was rather odd because it suggests that she is more concerned about her reputation than her son's welfare. She doesn't seem to realize that her threats only make her look worse. I'm a mother myself. If one of my children was being charged with a multitude of crimes as Colton was, I'd be happy and grateful that my child had a good defense attorney. I certainly would not be threatening to destroy those who were trying to help my child. Good mothers put their children's needs before their own.
I'm not a fan of Pam Kohler, but I can't help but wonder why Colton's teachers, neighbors, and the community of Camano Island did not do more to help this hungry, neglected boy. The moral of the Barefoot Bandit's legend is quite simple. If we don't want hungry children to break into our homes and steal our food, we should be willing to help the less fortunate.
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Happy Birthday, Alyson!
Happy 9th birthday to my sweet granddaughter, Alyson.
This photo of Alyson and Korinna was taken at Tacoma's Festival of the Nativity on December 3, 2011. The girls sang at the festival as part of the Children's Christmas Choir.
This photo of Alyson and Korinna was taken at Tacoma's Festival of the Nativity on December 3, 2011. The girls sang at the festival as part of the Children's Christmas Choir.
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Tacoma's Festival of the Nativity
As some of you may know, I'm a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I'm not trying to convert anyone, but I would like to show how the Tacoma Stake keeps Christ in Christmas every year.
They were hoping for one thousand, but the last count revealed 962. That's right. On December 3, 2011, nine hundred and sixty-two Nativities were displayed at the fourth annual Festival of the Nativity at the Tacoma Stake Center in Tacoma, Washington. You don't have to be a Mormon to attend or participate in the festival. Anyone who had a Nativity that he or she wanted to display was invited to bring his/her set to the church several days in advance.
The Nativities came from all parts of the world, including Mexico, Peru, Argentina, Italy and the Philippines. Miniature replicas of Celtic stone carvings represented Ireland. A crystal set came from the Czech Republic.
The Children's Christmas Choir sang Christmas caroles. After the performance, church leaders put on a scavenger hunt in which the children had to answer questions about individual Nativities among the hundreds that filled the church. Can you identify who played Baby Jesus in the Nativity featuring Charlie Brown and Peanuts?
There were many hand-crafted Nativities. Tiny Nativity figures were carved into a small gourd. A set was made from wooden spoons. Another was made of marshmallows. One lady from the church made a quilt adorned with the holy family and the animals in the manger.
There was also a live Nativity scene.
Toward the end of the festival, families were invited to dress up as the characters from the Nativity. A photographer took photos of them in a manger scene. Here's a photo of my daughter, Kate, portraying the Virgin Mary. My youngest daughter, Korinna, and my granddaughter, Alyson, dressed up as angels.
Happy holidays to all!
P.S. Woodstock played Baby Jesus in the Peanuts Nativity.
They were hoping for one thousand, but the last count revealed 962. That's right. On December 3, 2011, nine hundred and sixty-two Nativities were displayed at the fourth annual Festival of the Nativity at the Tacoma Stake Center in Tacoma, Washington. You don't have to be a Mormon to attend or participate in the festival. Anyone who had a Nativity that he or she wanted to display was invited to bring his/her set to the church several days in advance.
The Nativities came from all parts of the world, including Mexico, Peru, Argentina, Italy and the Philippines. Miniature replicas of Celtic stone carvings represented Ireland. A crystal set came from the Czech Republic.
The Children's Christmas Choir sang Christmas caroles. After the performance, church leaders put on a scavenger hunt in which the children had to answer questions about individual Nativities among the hundreds that filled the church. Can you identify who played Baby Jesus in the Nativity featuring Charlie Brown and Peanuts?
There were many hand-crafted Nativities. Tiny Nativity figures were carved into a small gourd. A set was made from wooden spoons. Another was made of marshmallows. One lady from the church made a quilt adorned with the holy family and the animals in the manger.
There was also a live Nativity scene.
Toward the end of the festival, families were invited to dress up as the characters from the Nativity. A photographer took photos of them in a manger scene. Here's a photo of my daughter, Kate, portraying the Virgin Mary. My youngest daughter, Korinna, and my granddaughter, Alyson, dressed up as angels.
Happy holidays to all!
P.S. Woodstock played Baby Jesus in the Peanuts Nativity.
Friday, December 2, 2011
Snoqualmie Falls -- The Beauty of Washington
One of my co-workers told me that she once moved to California, but she couldn't wait to move back to Washington because she missed Mount Ranier, the towering pine trees, and the Puget Sound. The Pacific Northwest is God's country.
Snoqualmie Falls is one of the most beautiful sites in Washington. Located on the Snoqualmie River between Snoqualmie and Falls City, this massive waterfall spills 268 feet over granite rocks. That is more than one hundred feet higher than Niagara Falls.
These photographs of the falls were taken on Saturday, November 26, 2011 between 5:30 and 6 p.m.
The Snoqualmie tribe has lived in western Washington for centuries. The falls were one of their traditional burial sites. The Snoqualmie believed that the First Woman and First Man were created at the falls by Moon the Transformer. They also believed that the mists rising from the base of the falls carried prayers to the Creator. The mists connected Heaven and Earth.
In 1992, Snoqualmie Falls was first nominated for the National Register of Historic Places because of its link to the spiritual beliefs of the Snoqualmie tribe. At that time, the property owners (Puget Sound Energy) objected to the listing. However, the owners eventually rescinded their objection. On September 2, 2009, the falls were listed in the National Register.
Snoqualmie Falls is the site of two hydroelectric power plants owned by Puget Sound Energy. The first power plant was built in 1898 and was the world's first completely underground power plant. It operates at the base of the falls. The second power plant was built in 1910 and is located slightly downstream of the falls. Approximately one per cent of Puget Sound Energy's electricity is generated by these power plants. That is enough energy to service about 16,000 homes.
There is a two mile park with an observation deck, a gift shop and an expresso stand at the falls. The hiking trail is closed until 2013, but hopefully we will be able to take you there after the trail reopens.
Note: Some of the historical information is from Wikipedia and/or from signs at the park's observation deck.
Snoqualmie Falls is one of the most beautiful sites in Washington. Located on the Snoqualmie River between Snoqualmie and Falls City, this massive waterfall spills 268 feet over granite rocks. That is more than one hundred feet higher than Niagara Falls.
These photographs of the falls were taken on Saturday, November 26, 2011 between 5:30 and 6 p.m.
The Snoqualmie tribe has lived in western Washington for centuries. The falls were one of their traditional burial sites. The Snoqualmie believed that the First Woman and First Man were created at the falls by Moon the Transformer. They also believed that the mists rising from the base of the falls carried prayers to the Creator. The mists connected Heaven and Earth.
In 1992, Snoqualmie Falls was first nominated for the National Register of Historic Places because of its link to the spiritual beliefs of the Snoqualmie tribe. At that time, the property owners (Puget Sound Energy) objected to the listing. However, the owners eventually rescinded their objection. On September 2, 2009, the falls were listed in the National Register.
Snoqualmie Falls is the site of two hydroelectric power plants owned by Puget Sound Energy. The first power plant was built in 1898 and was the world's first completely underground power plant. It operates at the base of the falls. The second power plant was built in 1910 and is located slightly downstream of the falls. Approximately one per cent of Puget Sound Energy's electricity is generated by these power plants. That is enough energy to service about 16,000 homes.
There is a two mile park with an observation deck, a gift shop and an expresso stand at the falls. The hiking trail is closed until 2013, but hopefully we will be able to take you there after the trail reopens.
Note: Some of the historical information is from Wikipedia and/or from signs at the park's observation deck.
Thursday, December 1, 2011
All Aboard the Santa Train
Guests can shop in the museum's gift shop, view historic train cars and explore a small town seeping with railroad history. I recommend visiting the Candy Factory, a candy store and soda fountain that makes its own salt water taffy, nut brittles and fudge. Ninety minutes after arrival, passengers board for the return trip to North Bend.
The Northwest Railroad Museum tells a fascinating tale of the rivalry between old Seattle and Tacoma. In 1870, the Northwest Pacific Railroad began building a route from Minnesota to the Pacific Coast. Seattle's residents were outraged in 1873 when the railroad announced that the route was complete and ended in Tacoma. Seattle and King County had been completely left out!
Determined to build their own transcontinental route, Seattle's citizens created the Seattle, Lake Shore and Eastern Railroad. The North Bend Depot was built in the Upper Snoqualmie Valley in 1890. Shortly thereafter, the SLS & E Railroad ran out of money and construction of its route ended. In 1901, the Northwest Pacific Railroad bought the failing SLS & E Railroad. By that time, Seattle was included in Northwest Pacific's route.
A Washington tradition since 1969, the Santa Train only runs 8 days each year. Tickets cost $20.00 per person and may be purchased at www.trainmuseum.org or by telephoning (425)888-2206. You can buy tickets in person at the Snoqualmie Depot, 38625 SE King Street, Snoqualmie, WA. Buy your tickets in advance because the Santa Train sells out every year.
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Happy Thanksgiving to All!
Happy Turkey Day!
Tom turkeys are so beautiful. It's a shame the turkey is not our national bird. The tom and hen in this photo were raised locally in Steilacoom, Washington. The photo was taken at Steilacoom's Apple Squeeze last October.
Happy 15th birthday to my beautiful daughter, Kate!
Tom turkeys are so beautiful. It's a shame the turkey is not our national bird. The tom and hen in this photo were raised locally in Steilacoom, Washington. The photo was taken at Steilacoom's Apple Squeeze last October.
Happy 15th birthday to my beautiful daughter, Kate!
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Rest in Peace, Alice
I never went to any of my high school reunions. In 1979, I packed my bags, moved out of Long Beach and vowed that I'd never go back. Very rarely do I visit California. My home state no longer feels like home.
Recently, I was invited to my high school reunion's facebook page. When I dropped in to see the old gang, I was saddened to learn that my friend, Alice, had passed away.
I was more surprised when someone told me that Alice had commit suicide about 25 years ago. Throughout the years, I always imagined her growing old gracefully. It never occurred to me that she might be dead.
Alice was a beautiful, young woman who looked remarkably like the 1930's screen siren, Jean Harlow. She was feminine and sexy. Alice loved motorcycles, fast cars and beer. She liked to go to night clubs. She preferred disco music to rock-n-roll because she liked to dance. Donna Summers was her favorite artist.
Alice was not her real name, but I choose to call her that for two reasons: (1) to protect her family's privacy; and (2) because she reminds me of the song, "All the Young Girls Love Alice," from Elton John's album, "Good-bye Yellow Brick Road." You may have guessed from the song title that Alice was a gay teen. Technically, she was bisexual. When I knew her, she identified herself as a lesbian.
I was a naive teenager when I met Alice. I didn't have a clear understanding of what being "gay" meant. I thought anti-gay words such as "faggot," "queer", "lesbo," etc. were merely dirty words that people called each other when they were angry. I didn't believe that homosexuals actually existed. Even after I met Alice's girl friends, I thought she would eventually become straight if she met the right man.
You may be wondering if Alice and I were lovers. No, we were not. We were platonic friends. Alice was attracted to masculine bull dykes. I am not and have never been a bull dyke.
Our society was much more homophobic in the 1970's and 1980's than it is today. In the late 1970's, Anita Bryant and the Southern Baptist Convention were on an anti-gay crusade to protect children from homosexuality. My mother was one of the many people who believed that homosexuality was caused by gay men molesting boys. She did not want gays in our house. After another friend told her that Alice was a lesbian, Mom forbid me to have anything more to do with her.(But Alice and I had a tendency to get into trouble when we were together.)
Many of the young people I knew were against Anita Bryant's crusade. We believed that Anita and the Southern Baptists were preaching hate. We refused to buy or drink orange juice because Anita was the spokesperson for Florida orange juice. We considered it a victory when Florida orange juice dropped their contract with Anita.
However, I was acquainted with several boys who liked to go to the local gay bar so they could rob and beat up gay men in the bar's restroom. I wasn't surprised when I heard that someone had burned down the local drag queen's home.
Did Alice's death have anything to do with her sexual orientation? I don't know if she was in a relationship with a man or a woman when she died. She may have been single. Knowing the hatred and violence that gays and lesbians faced, I think it is safe to assume that Alice's sexual preference may have influenced her decision to end her life.
There are other factors to consider. Alice did not do drugs, but she had a tendency to be self-destructive. One night, we were driving home from a party when we got into a minor argument. In anger, she slammed on the car's brakes. We almost got run over by an 18 wheeler. If the truck hadn't swerved to avoid colliding with us, everyone in the car would have killed.
On another occasion, she took me to her boyfriend's apartment. I no longer remember why she got upset, but she balled up her fist and slammed it through a glass shower door. The shower door was open, and she bragged that she put her fist through two panes of glass. She bled so much that her boyfriend and I had to take her to the emergency room.
Alice often told me that she did not believe in heaven or hell. She believed that life on earth was hell. She sometimes said, "If you don't believe God makes mistakes, look at me." Perhaps she was a tortured soul who thought that committing suicide would end her pain.
Learning about Alice's death reminded me of how important it is to accept and love people for who they are. Michael 7: 1-3 states "Judge not lest ye be judged." I believe that what consenting adults do in the privacy of their own bedroom is between God and them. It isn't anyone else's business. Homosexuality may be a sin, but if I mistreat a person because he or she is gay, the sin becomes mine.
Perhaps if people had been kinder to and more tolerant of those were different from them, Alice might be alive today.
Recently, I was invited to my high school reunion's facebook page. When I dropped in to see the old gang, I was saddened to learn that my friend, Alice, had passed away.
I was more surprised when someone told me that Alice had commit suicide about 25 years ago. Throughout the years, I always imagined her growing old gracefully. It never occurred to me that she might be dead.
Alice was a beautiful, young woman who looked remarkably like the 1930's screen siren, Jean Harlow. She was feminine and sexy. Alice loved motorcycles, fast cars and beer. She liked to go to night clubs. She preferred disco music to rock-n-roll because she liked to dance. Donna Summers was her favorite artist.
Alice was not her real name, but I choose to call her that for two reasons: (1) to protect her family's privacy; and (2) because she reminds me of the song, "All the Young Girls Love Alice," from Elton John's album, "Good-bye Yellow Brick Road." You may have guessed from the song title that Alice was a gay teen. Technically, she was bisexual. When I knew her, she identified herself as a lesbian.
I was a naive teenager when I met Alice. I didn't have a clear understanding of what being "gay" meant. I thought anti-gay words such as "faggot," "queer", "lesbo," etc. were merely dirty words that people called each other when they were angry. I didn't believe that homosexuals actually existed. Even after I met Alice's girl friends, I thought she would eventually become straight if she met the right man.
You may be wondering if Alice and I were lovers. No, we were not. We were platonic friends. Alice was attracted to masculine bull dykes. I am not and have never been a bull dyke.
Our society was much more homophobic in the 1970's and 1980's than it is today. In the late 1970's, Anita Bryant and the Southern Baptist Convention were on an anti-gay crusade to protect children from homosexuality. My mother was one of the many people who believed that homosexuality was caused by gay men molesting boys. She did not want gays in our house. After another friend told her that Alice was a lesbian, Mom forbid me to have anything more to do with her.(But Alice and I had a tendency to get into trouble when we were together.)
Many of the young people I knew were against Anita Bryant's crusade. We believed that Anita and the Southern Baptists were preaching hate. We refused to buy or drink orange juice because Anita was the spokesperson for Florida orange juice. We considered it a victory when Florida orange juice dropped their contract with Anita.
However, I was acquainted with several boys who liked to go to the local gay bar so they could rob and beat up gay men in the bar's restroom. I wasn't surprised when I heard that someone had burned down the local drag queen's home.
Did Alice's death have anything to do with her sexual orientation? I don't know if she was in a relationship with a man or a woman when she died. She may have been single. Knowing the hatred and violence that gays and lesbians faced, I think it is safe to assume that Alice's sexual preference may have influenced her decision to end her life.
There are other factors to consider. Alice did not do drugs, but she had a tendency to be self-destructive. One night, we were driving home from a party when we got into a minor argument. In anger, she slammed on the car's brakes. We almost got run over by an 18 wheeler. If the truck hadn't swerved to avoid colliding with us, everyone in the car would have killed.
On another occasion, she took me to her boyfriend's apartment. I no longer remember why she got upset, but she balled up her fist and slammed it through a glass shower door. The shower door was open, and she bragged that she put her fist through two panes of glass. She bled so much that her boyfriend and I had to take her to the emergency room.
Alice often told me that she did not believe in heaven or hell. She believed that life on earth was hell. She sometimes said, "If you don't believe God makes mistakes, look at me." Perhaps she was a tortured soul who thought that committing suicide would end her pain.
Learning about Alice's death reminded me of how important it is to accept and love people for who they are. Michael 7: 1-3 states "Judge not lest ye be judged." I believe that what consenting adults do in the privacy of their own bedroom is between God and them. It isn't anyone else's business. Homosexuality may be a sin, but if I mistreat a person because he or she is gay, the sin becomes mine.
Perhaps if people had been kinder to and more tolerant of those were different from them, Alice might be alive today.
Monday, November 14, 2011
With Friends Like These...
I've only had my own blog for a short period of time, but I was a regular commentator on Bill Medvecky's Free the FLDS children blog for several years. I've learned from experience that bloggers and commentators have followers. They also have enemies. Sometimes they have more enemies than followers.
I recently wrote two articles for this blog about a serial killer named Francis Hernandez. I wrote these articles for several reasons. First, I wanted to write about something serious. (You know, Cupcake really does have a brain.) Secondly, I wanted to prove that I could write an article that is pro law enforcement if I want to. Thirdly, I was briefly acquainted with Fran Hernandez when I was a teenager. When I think about him, I'm grateful that I'm alive. (Hey, I survived.) Finally, I thought people from my home town would enjoy reading it.
Like most writers, I want to be read. I was happy because some people actually took the time to read my blog. A few people praised those articles. (It's been hard leaving Bill's blog and starting my own. Thank you for your support. I love you all.)
But not everyone felt that way. One person said that Francis Hernandez was a coward who wasn't worth remembering. I disagree. My experience with Fran taught me that is is possible to look at pure evil in the face but not realize it.
Some people only wanted to remember happy times. Others were afraid that I might bring up things in their past -- things that they don't want other people to know.
So I'm going to cut to the chase. I have no desire to post anyone's drunkalog on my blog. The first article was based on my memories of Fran. You might remember it differently than I do. That doesn't mean I'm not telling the truth. I might give out my blog's address and ask people to read my work, but Fran Hernandez was the only person I wanted to embarrass when I wrote those articles.
I am NOT the type of person who would tell a friend's child something that I thought might embarrass or humiliate the parent. I'm a mother myself. I wouldn't like it if someone did that to me. So why would I want to do that to you?
If you are racked with guilt because of the way you used to live, go to a counselor. Do not project it onto me.
It will take a lot more than a few former friends to make me quit writing about what I want to write.
I recently wrote two articles for this blog about a serial killer named Francis Hernandez. I wrote these articles for several reasons. First, I wanted to write about something serious. (You know, Cupcake really does have a brain.) Secondly, I wanted to prove that I could write an article that is pro law enforcement if I want to. Thirdly, I was briefly acquainted with Fran Hernandez when I was a teenager. When I think about him, I'm grateful that I'm alive. (Hey, I survived.) Finally, I thought people from my home town would enjoy reading it.
Like most writers, I want to be read. I was happy because some people actually took the time to read my blog. A few people praised those articles. (It's been hard leaving Bill's blog and starting my own. Thank you for your support. I love you all.)
But not everyone felt that way. One person said that Francis Hernandez was a coward who wasn't worth remembering. I disagree. My experience with Fran taught me that is is possible to look at pure evil in the face but not realize it.
Some people only wanted to remember happy times. Others were afraid that I might bring up things in their past -- things that they don't want other people to know.
So I'm going to cut to the chase. I have no desire to post anyone's drunkalog on my blog. The first article was based on my memories of Fran. You might remember it differently than I do. That doesn't mean I'm not telling the truth. I might give out my blog's address and ask people to read my work, but Fran Hernandez was the only person I wanted to embarrass when I wrote those articles.
I am NOT the type of person who would tell a friend's child something that I thought might embarrass or humiliate the parent. I'm a mother myself. I wouldn't like it if someone did that to me. So why would I want to do that to you?
If you are racked with guilt because of the way you used to live, go to a counselor. Do not project it onto me.
It will take a lot more than a few former friends to make me quit writing about what I want to write.
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Should Francis Hernandez's Death Sentence Have Been Commuted?
When Francis Gerard Hernandez was convicted of committing two murders in 1981, he was sentenced to death. Because he was only 18 years old when he committed his crimes, he was the youngest person on California's death penalty for a long period of time. He filed an appeal, claiming that the judge failed to consider that he was an alcoholic and under the influence of alcohol and marijuana when he committed the murders. He also claimed that there were not enough Hispanics on the jury pool. (According to the Los Angeles Times, only six of the 128 people in the jury pool had Hispanic surnames.) In 1988, the appeals court upheld his death sentence.
In September 2011, another appeals court ruled in Fran's favor. His death sentence was commuted to life in prison. This was rather surprising because Fran had served almost 30 years on California's death row.
When sentencing Francis Hernandez, should the judge have taken Fran's alcoholism and drug abuse into consideration? I don't think so. If the judge should have done so, defense attorneys could argue that judges should take those factors into consideration when sentencing drunk drivers charged with vehicular manslaughter. We have to draw the line somewhere. Being higher than a kite is not a valid excuse for two savage murders.
If more Hispanics had been on the jury, would they have felt sympathy toward Fran and given him a shorter sentence? No necessarily. Francis Hernandez was not persecuted because of his race or ethnic origin. Most of the Hispanics I know are Roman Catholics. The Roman Catholic Church is opposed to the culture of death. I see no reason to believe that Hispanics would have pitied a punk who raped, tortured and murdered two innocent young women.
While I disagree with the 2011 appeals courts' ruling, I feel that the judge should have considered whether Fran was abused as a child. His mother suffered from mental illness. I spoke to several people who knew Fran when he was a boy. All of them said that his stepfather did not treat him well. Violence begets violence. Abuse begets abuse.
Frankly, I'm not sure that any of the above factors really mattered when the appeals court commuted his death sentence. California can no longer afford the death penalty. I've read that the death penalty costs millions of dollars each year, yet few people are ever executed in California. The appeals court may have decided that Francis Hernandez simply isn't worth the enormous expense of executing him.
Many years ago, I worked in the California Rehabilitation Center's infirmary. My duties included supervising two inmate xray technologists who had been convicted of gang-related murders. One told me that inmates absolutely hated Sharon Tate's family because the Tates went to every parole hearing, demanding that Charles Manson and his girls be kept in prison. Not only did the Tates convince the parole board to keep the Manson family in prison, they dimmed other convicted killers' hope of being paroled.
As long as he lives, Francis Hernandez will be a threat to other women and children. If we don't want him to be released from prison, we should remember Edna Bristol and Kathy Ryan. If the parole board conducts a hearing to determine if Fran should be released, family members should appear on his victims' behalf. Residents of Long Beach should write letters to the board, asking the board to remember what Fran did to Edna and Kathy. Be proactive. California certainly cannot afford to let a convicted serial killer go free.
In September 2011, another appeals court ruled in Fran's favor. His death sentence was commuted to life in prison. This was rather surprising because Fran had served almost 30 years on California's death row.
When sentencing Francis Hernandez, should the judge have taken Fran's alcoholism and drug abuse into consideration? I don't think so. If the judge should have done so, defense attorneys could argue that judges should take those factors into consideration when sentencing drunk drivers charged with vehicular manslaughter. We have to draw the line somewhere. Being higher than a kite is not a valid excuse for two savage murders.
If more Hispanics had been on the jury, would they have felt sympathy toward Fran and given him a shorter sentence? No necessarily. Francis Hernandez was not persecuted because of his race or ethnic origin. Most of the Hispanics I know are Roman Catholics. The Roman Catholic Church is opposed to the culture of death. I see no reason to believe that Hispanics would have pitied a punk who raped, tortured and murdered two innocent young women.
While I disagree with the 2011 appeals courts' ruling, I feel that the judge should have considered whether Fran was abused as a child. His mother suffered from mental illness. I spoke to several people who knew Fran when he was a boy. All of them said that his stepfather did not treat him well. Violence begets violence. Abuse begets abuse.
Frankly, I'm not sure that any of the above factors really mattered when the appeals court commuted his death sentence. California can no longer afford the death penalty. I've read that the death penalty costs millions of dollars each year, yet few people are ever executed in California. The appeals court may have decided that Francis Hernandez simply isn't worth the enormous expense of executing him.
Many years ago, I worked in the California Rehabilitation Center's infirmary. My duties included supervising two inmate xray technologists who had been convicted of gang-related murders. One told me that inmates absolutely hated Sharon Tate's family because the Tates went to every parole hearing, demanding that Charles Manson and his girls be kept in prison. Not only did the Tates convince the parole board to keep the Manson family in prison, they dimmed other convicted killers' hope of being paroled.
As long as he lives, Francis Hernandez will be a threat to other women and children. If we don't want him to be released from prison, we should remember Edna Bristol and Kathy Ryan. If the parole board conducts a hearing to determine if Fran should be released, family members should appear on his victims' behalf. Residents of Long Beach should write letters to the board, asking the board to remember what Fran did to Edna and Kathy. Be proactive. California certainly cannot afford to let a convicted serial killer go free.
Friday, November 4, 2011
Why Did Francis Hernandez Kill His Friends?
How many people can say that one of their high school friends became a serial killer? Those who attended Millikan High School in Long Beach, California in the late seventies and early eighties can. I am one of those people.
Around the time I graduated from high school in 1977, my friend, Lori, introduced me to a 15 year old punk named Francis Gerard Hernandez. We called him "Fran." He lived on Petaluma Street behind the Four Square Church.
I liked Fran. I thought he was a cool guy who had a good sense of humor. I'm not sure if Fran was attending school when I met him. If he didn't, it wouldn't have bothered me. I knew a few other teenage boys who did not go to school. What I remember most about Fran was his long, dark hair.
Lori and I went partying with Fran several times. We went to El Dorado Park in the new car that Lori's parents bought for her as a graduation gift. I remember driving through the park, listening to the radio, talking and laughing with Fran and Lori. Basically, we did what teenagers normally do.
When Lori and I were with Fran, he did not make any sexual advances toward either of us. I saw nothing that indicated that Fran might have a tendency to be violent. He certainly did not behave as if he hated women. Nor did I see anything that would cause me to feel fearful or distrustful of him. To me, Fran was just another kid who hung out at the park.
But I would like to be honest. Fran did a lot of drugs. Not just alcohol and marijuana. I heard he did hard drugs, such as Angel Dust and LSD. My definition of a "cool guy" must have been slightly skewed.
Several years later, my parents and I moved to California's High Desert. In January 1981, I was watching the news when something a newscaster said grabbed my attention. A young woman named Edna Bristol had been raped, tortured and strangled. Then her body was dumped at John Marshall Junior High, a school I attended when I was a girl.
Five days later, the body of a 16 year old girl named Kathy Ryan was dumped at Millikan High School. Millikan was the high school I attended. Like Edna, Kathy had been raped, brutalized and strangled. I did not know either of the victims. What was done to those unfortunate girls -- both before and after their deaths -- was unspeakable.
Shortly thereafter, Lori telephoned me. She told me that Fran had been arrested for the murders. I didn't know who she meant when she said Fran. At that time, I was acquainted with a woman named Fran in the desert. Lori reminded me of El Dorado Park. Memories of the young, dark-haired punk flooded my mind.
At first, I believed that Fran snapped after smoking Angel Dust or dropping acid. Angel Dust was prevalent in southern California in the late seventies. I was acquainted with some young men who went to a party and smoked what they thought was marijuana. The joint they smoked was laced with Angel Dust. They freaked out and ended up in a hospital's emergency room. I also read information put out by law enforcement about Angel Dust. At one time the drug was an animal tranquilizer, but vets stopped using it because it was too unpredictable. A person could use Angel Dust regularly for an extended period of time without having any problems. Suddenly and without warning, that person could have a bad reaction to the drug. For those reasons, I did not use Angel Dust.
I'm sure that most of you have heard about Art Linkletter's daughter and LSD. Do you wonder why I thought hard drugs may have contributed to the murders?
My theory that Francis killed Edna and Kathy while on a bad acid trip soon fell apart. He may have been higher than a kite when he killed Edna, but he enjoyed raping, torturing and killing her so much that he decided to make Kathy his second victim five days later. That was too logical and well-planned for a person having a bad reaction to drugs.
Years later, when appealing his death sentence, Fran's attorney argued that the court did not consider that he was an alcoholic and under the alcohol and marijuana when he committed the murders. (There was no mention of history of using hard drugs.) I've known many alcoholics. To my knowledge, none of the other alcoholics I've known has murdered anyone. Obviously, Francis Hernandez's case involves more than alcoholism or drug addiction.
I read on the internet that Fran's mother had a nervous breakdown and was prone to bizarre behavior. Perhaps he directed the rage and hatred he felt toward his mother at Edna and Kathy. Schizophrenia tends to run in families. Those who knew him have suggested that he was always odd. Fran was obviously out of his mind when he set out on his killing spree.
I don't know if it is true or not, but I remember reading in the newspaper that Fran's stepfather abused him. Violence begets violence. If he was abused as a child, would that have caused him to experience sadistic sexual fantasies?
Are some people just born evil?
I have often wondered why Fran killed Edna and Kathy, but he did not kill Lori or me. Some of my female friends also hung out with Fran. Why didn't he rape or kill them? I already know the answer. Fran was only 15 years old when I met him. He may have been already experiencing dark, violent sexual fantasies. But he had not yet acquired the old, dark green van that he turned into a portable torture chamber by gerry-rigging it so that the only way a person could get out was via the driver's door.
Some serial killers murder strangers. When apprehended by law enforcement, they cannot provide information that would identify their victims. Others kill prostitutes, topless dancers, the homeless or other people they think will not be missed.
Francis Hernandez did not target strangers. He knew both of his victims. He was able to catch Edna and Kathy off guard because they considered him to be a friend. He would have killed more friends too because he said at court that he was "just getting started" when he was arrested.
I was a young and naive woman in 1981. While I believed that it was morally wrong to murder anyone, I could not imagine why anyone would want to kill his friends. You were supposed to love your friends and be good to them. You weren't supposed to do anything that might harm your friends. I lost part of my innocence when I learned of Fran's crimes. By murdering Edna and Kathy, Fran ultimately betrayed all of his friends.
Around the time I graduated from high school in 1977, my friend, Lori, introduced me to a 15 year old punk named Francis Gerard Hernandez. We called him "Fran." He lived on Petaluma Street behind the Four Square Church.
I liked Fran. I thought he was a cool guy who had a good sense of humor. I'm not sure if Fran was attending school when I met him. If he didn't, it wouldn't have bothered me. I knew a few other teenage boys who did not go to school. What I remember most about Fran was his long, dark hair.
Lori and I went partying with Fran several times. We went to El Dorado Park in the new car that Lori's parents bought for her as a graduation gift. I remember driving through the park, listening to the radio, talking and laughing with Fran and Lori. Basically, we did what teenagers normally do.
When Lori and I were with Fran, he did not make any sexual advances toward either of us. I saw nothing that indicated that Fran might have a tendency to be violent. He certainly did not behave as if he hated women. Nor did I see anything that would cause me to feel fearful or distrustful of him. To me, Fran was just another kid who hung out at the park.
But I would like to be honest. Fran did a lot of drugs. Not just alcohol and marijuana. I heard he did hard drugs, such as Angel Dust and LSD. My definition of a "cool guy" must have been slightly skewed.
Several years later, my parents and I moved to California's High Desert. In January 1981, I was watching the news when something a newscaster said grabbed my attention. A young woman named Edna Bristol had been raped, tortured and strangled. Then her body was dumped at John Marshall Junior High, a school I attended when I was a girl.
Five days later, the body of a 16 year old girl named Kathy Ryan was dumped at Millikan High School. Millikan was the high school I attended. Like Edna, Kathy had been raped, brutalized and strangled. I did not know either of the victims. What was done to those unfortunate girls -- both before and after their deaths -- was unspeakable.
Shortly thereafter, Lori telephoned me. She told me that Fran had been arrested for the murders. I didn't know who she meant when she said Fran. At that time, I was acquainted with a woman named Fran in the desert. Lori reminded me of El Dorado Park. Memories of the young, dark-haired punk flooded my mind.
At first, I believed that Fran snapped after smoking Angel Dust or dropping acid. Angel Dust was prevalent in southern California in the late seventies. I was acquainted with some young men who went to a party and smoked what they thought was marijuana. The joint they smoked was laced with Angel Dust. They freaked out and ended up in a hospital's emergency room. I also read information put out by law enforcement about Angel Dust. At one time the drug was an animal tranquilizer, but vets stopped using it because it was too unpredictable. A person could use Angel Dust regularly for an extended period of time without having any problems. Suddenly and without warning, that person could have a bad reaction to the drug. For those reasons, I did not use Angel Dust.
I'm sure that most of you have heard about Art Linkletter's daughter and LSD. Do you wonder why I thought hard drugs may have contributed to the murders?
My theory that Francis killed Edna and Kathy while on a bad acid trip soon fell apart. He may have been higher than a kite when he killed Edna, but he enjoyed raping, torturing and killing her so much that he decided to make Kathy his second victim five days later. That was too logical and well-planned for a person having a bad reaction to drugs.
Years later, when appealing his death sentence, Fran's attorney argued that the court did not consider that he was an alcoholic and under the alcohol and marijuana when he committed the murders. (There was no mention of history of using hard drugs.) I've known many alcoholics. To my knowledge, none of the other alcoholics I've known has murdered anyone. Obviously, Francis Hernandez's case involves more than alcoholism or drug addiction.
I read on the internet that Fran's mother had a nervous breakdown and was prone to bizarre behavior. Perhaps he directed the rage and hatred he felt toward his mother at Edna and Kathy. Schizophrenia tends to run in families. Those who knew him have suggested that he was always odd. Fran was obviously out of his mind when he set out on his killing spree.
I don't know if it is true or not, but I remember reading in the newspaper that Fran's stepfather abused him. Violence begets violence. If he was abused as a child, would that have caused him to experience sadistic sexual fantasies?
Are some people just born evil?
I have often wondered why Fran killed Edna and Kathy, but he did not kill Lori or me. Some of my female friends also hung out with Fran. Why didn't he rape or kill them? I already know the answer. Fran was only 15 years old when I met him. He may have been already experiencing dark, violent sexual fantasies. But he had not yet acquired the old, dark green van that he turned into a portable torture chamber by gerry-rigging it so that the only way a person could get out was via the driver's door.
Some serial killers murder strangers. When apprehended by law enforcement, they cannot provide information that would identify their victims. Others kill prostitutes, topless dancers, the homeless or other people they think will not be missed.
Francis Hernandez did not target strangers. He knew both of his victims. He was able to catch Edna and Kathy off guard because they considered him to be a friend. He would have killed more friends too because he said at court that he was "just getting started" when he was arrested.
I was a young and naive woman in 1981. While I believed that it was morally wrong to murder anyone, I could not imagine why anyone would want to kill his friends. You were supposed to love your friends and be good to them. You weren't supposed to do anything that might harm your friends. I lost part of my innocence when I learned of Fran's crimes. By murdering Edna and Kathy, Fran ultimately betrayed all of his friends.
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Free Concert at the Emerald Queen
The Spinners will be performing at the Emerald Queen Casino on New Year's Eve 2011. The concert will be free, but admission will be on a first come -- first serve basis. The show will start at 8 p.m., but come early because if too many people come, you might get turned away. All guests must be over 21. For further information, contact www.EmeraldQueen.com.
Owned by the Puyallup tribe, the Emerald Queen Casino brings top entertainment to the Pacific Northwest.
Owned by the Puyallup tribe, the Emerald Queen Casino brings top entertainment to the Pacific Northwest.
Sunday, October 23, 2011
A Night of Soul and Funk
On Saturday, October 22, 2011, the legendary Commodores performed at the Emerald Queen Casino. Enormously popular in the 1970's and 1980's, the Commodores are an American soul/funk band that branched into disco. Lionel Richie is long gone, but his former band performed so well that his absense was barely noticeable.
The show opened with the rhythm of a human heart to demonstrate how excited and happy a person becomes when listening to the Commodores' music. Their sultry rendition of "Too Hot ta Trot" grabbed the audience's attention. This was followed by the soothing ballad entitled "Easy." The upbeat "You Bring Me Up when I'm Down" showcased the band's ability to dance as well as sing and play.
As the show progressed, the band played their greatest hits, including "Sail On" and "Three Times a Lady." In 1985, the Commodores received a grammy for "Nightshift," their moving tribute to Marvin Gaye and Jackie Wilson. I enjoyed hearing the original version of "Nightshift," but I've read that they recently remade this song as a tribute to Michael Jackson. This is fitting because the Commodores first caught the public's eye when they performed as the opening act for the Jackson Five in 1971. Unfortunately, the band did not play the remake.
The entire audience rose and danced to the Commodores' finale, an energetic version of "She's a Brick House."
Owned by the Puyallup tribe, the Emerald Queen Casino is located in Fife, Washington. The casino is famous for bringing world-class entertainment to the Pacific Northwest.
The show opened with the rhythm of a human heart to demonstrate how excited and happy a person becomes when listening to the Commodores' music. Their sultry rendition of "Too Hot ta Trot" grabbed the audience's attention. This was followed by the soothing ballad entitled "Easy." The upbeat "You Bring Me Up when I'm Down" showcased the band's ability to dance as well as sing and play.
As the show progressed, the band played their greatest hits, including "Sail On" and "Three Times a Lady." In 1985, the Commodores received a grammy for "Nightshift," their moving tribute to Marvin Gaye and Jackie Wilson. I enjoyed hearing the original version of "Nightshift," but I've read that they recently remade this song as a tribute to Michael Jackson. This is fitting because the Commodores first caught the public's eye when they performed as the opening act for the Jackson Five in 1971. Unfortunately, the band did not play the remake.
The entire audience rose and danced to the Commodores' finale, an energetic version of "She's a Brick House."
Owned by the Puyallup tribe, the Emerald Queen Casino is located in Fife, Washington. The casino is famous for bringing world-class entertainment to the Pacific Northwest.
Monday, October 3, 2011
How to Make Old-Fashioned Apple Cider
On Sunday, October 2, 2011, the Steilacoom Historical Museum hosted its annual fall festival, the Apple Squeeze.The city's main streets were closed to accommodate the crowds who come to make apple cider using twelve antique apple presses. Crates and crates of apples were purchased for this event. The Apple Squeeze has become so popular that, for the last few years, the organizers have run out of apples.
My daughters and I paid $6.75 to make one gallon of apple cider ourselves. We were assigned to Apple Press C. This antique press was built in the 1890's in Portland, Oregon. It once belonged to a Steilacoom resident known as Grandma Teevin. The press has been passed from one generation of the Teevin family to the next. Grandma Teevin's children participated in the early Apple Squeezes. Her grandsonshave been helping people make cider at the Apple Squeeze for 38 years. Twenty years ago, the Teevin family paid to replace the old press's wood to keep it in good condition.
Someone donated an old apple press to the Boy Scout Troop for Steilacoom and Dupont. For 11 years, Boy Scout Troop #71 has been making cider at the Apple Squeeze for those who can't make their own.
It is best to combine several varieties of apples when producing cider. Some apples are sweet. Others are not.The flavor and color of cider depends upon the varieties of apples used. Combine several varieties to get a blended taste. The four types of apples used at the Apple Squeeze are Granny Smith, Yellow Delicious, Red Delicious and Fuji. After pressing about 20 apples, use a bag to separate the cider from the pulp. Pour the cider into a container, such as a milk carton. To prevent it from fermenting, loosen the cap when you get home. Store the cider in the refrigerator because it is not pasteurized, but it tastes so much better than the juice you buy in stores.
Steilacoom's first Apple Squeeze was held in 1971 when several residents who owned apple presses decided to get together to make cider. The Apple Squeeze became an organized event circa 1973. In the early days, people brought apples grown in their yards to be pressed. About ten years ago, the health department advised the event's organizers to purchase apples from stores. That way, the health department could trace where the apples came from if people became sick. Because the Apple Squeeze is an outdoor event, the health department requires that the presses be kept under canopies so that birds can't poop on the equipment.
At the fall festival, vendors sold everything from jewelry to candles to apple fritters. Coffee, hot cider and apple pie a la mode were served in Steilacoom Town Hall. Children enjoyed pony rides and the antiques in the Wagon Shop. The petting zoo featured turkeys, llamas, a horse and a seven day old dairy calf.
Saturday, October 1, 2011
An Evening in Morocco
Last Saturday, after we visited the Nirvana exhibit at the Experience Music Project, Kate persuaded me to take a walk with her around the Seattle's city center. Bored with our usual pit stops, she wanted to explore the quaint coffee shops and exotic eateries in Belltown. A few blocks away from the Space Needle, we discovered one of Seattle's best kept secrets -- the Marrakesh Moroccan Restaurant.
Located at 2334 Second Avenue in Seattle, the Marrakesh Moroccan Restaurant gives visitors an opportunity to enjoy a traditional Moroccan feast without spending thousands of dollars to fly to northwest Africa. The maitre de wears a red fez to greet guests at the door. To create the illusion that you are sitting under a tent, a cloth canopy is suspended from the restaurant's ceiling. Brightly colored rugs stretch across the floor. Guests sit at low tables on floor cushions. A server dressed in a long, flowing gown uses a silver urn to wash your hands.
The restaurant offers a delicious five course meal for $18.50 per person. Guests drink lentil soup from their cups and use broken bread from a basket to eat a tomato-zucchini salad. B'stilla Royale, a pastry made of phyllo dough, chicken and almonds, is served next. Guests choose their main courses from a number of authentic Moroccan dishes. I chose Tagine of Lamb M'Rouzia, a sweet entree in which onions and raisins are simmered in a light honey sauce. Kate chose CousCous Marrakesh --steamed semolina grains topped with lamb and seven vegetables. Coconut custard and mint tea complete the meal.
Although Kate and I thought the food was superb, we didn't think her younger sister would eat anything on the menu. Children can be finicky eaters. They might not like the foreign flavor or vegetables.
We thoroughly enjoyed the belly dancer's lively performance, especially when she encouraged guests to try it. Kate liked dancing with her so much that she wants to take a class in belly dancing.
Open daily from 5 to 10 p.m., the Marrakesh Moroccan Restaurant has been in business since 1989. A belly dancer performs Wednesday through Sunday evenings. There is also a second restaurant located at 1201 NW 21st Avenue in Portland, Oregon.
Located at 2334 Second Avenue in Seattle, the Marrakesh Moroccan Restaurant gives visitors an opportunity to enjoy a traditional Moroccan feast without spending thousands of dollars to fly to northwest Africa. The maitre de wears a red fez to greet guests at the door. To create the illusion that you are sitting under a tent, a cloth canopy is suspended from the restaurant's ceiling. Brightly colored rugs stretch across the floor. Guests sit at low tables on floor cushions. A server dressed in a long, flowing gown uses a silver urn to wash your hands.
The restaurant offers a delicious five course meal for $18.50 per person. Guests drink lentil soup from their cups and use broken bread from a basket to eat a tomato-zucchini salad. B'stilla Royale, a pastry made of phyllo dough, chicken and almonds, is served next. Guests choose their main courses from a number of authentic Moroccan dishes. I chose Tagine of Lamb M'Rouzia, a sweet entree in which onions and raisins are simmered in a light honey sauce. Kate chose CousCous Marrakesh --steamed semolina grains topped with lamb and seven vegetables. Coconut custard and mint tea complete the meal.
Although Kate and I thought the food was superb, we didn't think her younger sister would eat anything on the menu. Children can be finicky eaters. They might not like the foreign flavor or vegetables.
We thoroughly enjoyed the belly dancer's lively performance, especially when she encouraged guests to try it. Kate liked dancing with her so much that she wants to take a class in belly dancing.
Open daily from 5 to 10 p.m., the Marrakesh Moroccan Restaurant has been in business since 1989. A belly dancer performs Wednesday through Sunday evenings. There is also a second restaurant located at 1201 NW 21st Avenue in Portland, Oregon.
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Happy 20th Anniversary to Nirvana's Nevermind
On Saturday, September 24, 2011, Seattle's Experience Music Project (EMP) celebrated the 20th anniversary of the release of Nirvana's top-selling album, Nevermind. Featuring the popular single, "Smells Like Teen Spirit," Nirvana's second album knocked Michael Jackson off the top of the billboard charts in 1991.
The EMP is currently featuring an exhibit entitled Nirvana: Bringing Punk to the Masses. Several of Kurt Cobain's guitars as well Krist Novoselic's bass and Dave Grohl's drums are on display. This large collection of Nirvana memorabilia includes demos of Kurt's first songs that were made with his aunt's eight track player. Visitors can see art work that Kurt created during his senior year at Aberdeen High School. The exhibit includes stage prop mannequins known as the "In Utero Angels" from the tour promoting Nirvana's third and final album, In Utero.
Grunge rock is a form of alternative rock that became popular in Washington State in the mid eighties. Known as the "Seattle sound," grunge rock is characterized by distorted electric guitars and angst-filled lyrics. The release of Nirvana's Nevermind album and Pearl Jam's Ten album helped grunge rock attract a mainstream audience in the early nineties. The exhibit at the EMP features the music of other grunge rockers that Nirvana knew and liked. Visitors can listen to Pearl Jam, Mia Zapata and the Gits, Bikini Kill, Alice in Chains, and more.
On Nevermind's 20th anniversary, a video of Nirvana performing at the Paramount Theatre was shown in the EMP's Sky Church.
The EMP is currently featuring an exhibit entitled Nirvana: Bringing Punk to the Masses. Several of Kurt Cobain's guitars as well Krist Novoselic's bass and Dave Grohl's drums are on display. This large collection of Nirvana memorabilia includes demos of Kurt's first songs that were made with his aunt's eight track player. Visitors can see art work that Kurt created during his senior year at Aberdeen High School. The exhibit includes stage prop mannequins known as the "In Utero Angels" from the tour promoting Nirvana's third and final album, In Utero.
Grunge rock is a form of alternative rock that became popular in Washington State in the mid eighties. Known as the "Seattle sound," grunge rock is characterized by distorted electric guitars and angst-filled lyrics. The release of Nirvana's Nevermind album and Pearl Jam's Ten album helped grunge rock attract a mainstream audience in the early nineties. The exhibit at the EMP features the music of other grunge rockers that Nirvana knew and liked. Visitors can listen to Pearl Jam, Mia Zapata and the Gits, Bikini Kill, Alice in Chains, and more.
On Nevermind's 20th anniversary, a video of Nirvana performing at the Paramount Theatre was shown in the EMP's Sky Church.
The sculpture above can be seen at the EMP. It was made of 700
guitars to symbolize the roots and branches of American pop music.
Sunday, September 11, 2011
A Day of Remembrance
Today is Sunday, September 11th, 2011. It is the tenth anniversary of the bombings of the Pentagon and the World Trade Center.
On this day, I am remembering the innocent men, women and children who lost their lives because of religious fanaticism.
In June 2003, my daughter and I traveled to New York City. We visited the site where the World Trade Center once stood. To my surprise, it looked like an ordinary construction site. I didn't realize that we were there until I noticed the flowers, sympathy cards and other greetings that other visitors left. This simple memorial site was fitting because the men and women who died there were ordinary citizens who hadn't done anything wrong. They had merely gone to work.
Today I am remembering the firefighters who bravely entered the blazing towers and tried to put out the fires. How heartsick I felt when I saw the buildings collapse on national television! Later, someone modestly said that those brave men were only doing their jobs. That's because firefighters risk their lives every day to protect us from fire and its destruction.
Let's remember the police officers, the paramedics and the good Samaritans who risked their lives to help the victims.
Let's remember the doctors, nurses, grief counselors, social workers and others who worked tirelessly to help the victims and their families.
I have often said that if I had been one of the victims, I would not want to know what was happening. I would prefer to die quickly, without living the last few minutes of my life in absolute terror. My husband disagrees. He says that he would prefer to know what was taking place around him. But my husband is a trained warrior, having retired after 21 years in the U.S. Army. I'm quite certain that if he had been aboard one of the hijacked airliners, he would have attempted to retake it, like the heroes who died in Pennsylvania on Flight 93.
Today is a day to remember our heroes. When we Americans pull together and work for the common good, nothing and no one can defeat us.
On this day, I am remembering the innocent men, women and children who lost their lives because of religious fanaticism.
In June 2003, my daughter and I traveled to New York City. We visited the site where the World Trade Center once stood. To my surprise, it looked like an ordinary construction site. I didn't realize that we were there until I noticed the flowers, sympathy cards and other greetings that other visitors left. This simple memorial site was fitting because the men and women who died there were ordinary citizens who hadn't done anything wrong. They had merely gone to work.
Today I am remembering the firefighters who bravely entered the blazing towers and tried to put out the fires. How heartsick I felt when I saw the buildings collapse on national television! Later, someone modestly said that those brave men were only doing their jobs. That's because firefighters risk their lives every day to protect us from fire and its destruction.
Let's remember the police officers, the paramedics and the good Samaritans who risked their lives to help the victims.
Let's remember the doctors, nurses, grief counselors, social workers and others who worked tirelessly to help the victims and their families.
I have often said that if I had been one of the victims, I would not want to know what was happening. I would prefer to die quickly, without living the last few minutes of my life in absolute terror. My husband disagrees. He says that he would prefer to know what was taking place around him. But my husband is a trained warrior, having retired after 21 years in the U.S. Army. I'm quite certain that if he had been aboard one of the hijacked airliners, he would have attempted to retake it, like the heroes who died in Pennsylvania on Flight 93.
Today is a day to remember our heroes. When we Americans pull together and work for the common good, nothing and no one can defeat us.
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Hike Safely in Bear Country
A grizzly bear that killed a Michigan hiker in Yellowstone National Park will most likely be put to death. Wildlife rangers have set traps and plan to kill the bear if DNA taken from hair samples proves that it was the one that mauled the hiker.
According to the Jackson Hole News & Guide, the body of John Wallace, 59, was discovered on August 26, 2011 along the Mary Mountain Trail. Located in a remote area, this trail is known for its large population of grizzlies. The trail is closed from March to June to allow bears to eat the carcasses of bison that died over the winter without being disturbed by humans.
An autopsy has confirmed that Wallace died of injuries consistent of a bear attack. He was not carrying bear spray. Nothing indicates that bear cubs were in the area when Wallace was attacked.
This was the second time a bear has attacked and killed a man in the national park this summer. On July 7, 2011, Brian Matayoshi of California was killed on Yellowstone's Watipi Trail after he and his wife, Marylynn, surprised a grizzly sow and her two cubs. The Watipi Trail is located about eight miles from the Mary Mountain Trail. Like Wallace, the Matayoshis were not carrying bear spray. Wildlife rangers ruled that the mother bear should not be put to death because it was defending its cubs.
I'm amazed that a female bear is called a "sow." When I hear the word "sow," I think of a pig or a hog. Not a bear!
I don't claim to be an expert about bears. Or about hiking or camping for that matter. But the Pacific Northwest is bear country. My family and I spent a week at Yellowstone National Park last June. This is what I learned there.
Before entering the national park, I recommend visiting the Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center in West Yellowstone. (The locals simply refer to this small town as "West.") This museum offers educational exhibits about the wildlife found in Montana, Idaho and Wyoming. Because bears normally avoid contact with humans, the only bears that I saw during our week at Yellowstone were the animals at the Discovery Center. Other visitors told me they saw bears in Grand Tetons National Park, but not at Yellowstone.
At the Discovery Center, we watched a grizzly uproot the pine trees in its enclosure. After the staff removed the bears from the enclosure, children were permitted inside the enclosure to set out food for the grizzlies. This was a wonderful learning opportunity.
The Discovery Center also offers tips on how to hike and camp safely in bear country. The staff puts on daily demonstrations on the proper use of bear spray. Bear spray contains a chemical found in hot peppers, which makes the solution irritating to the nose, eyes, mouth and lungs. The solution can temporarily disable a bear, but it does not cause permanent damage. Do not spray it on backpacks, clothing or other items because it does not work like a bug repellent. Use it like Mace. Bear spray costs forty to fifty dollars per can, but it is well worth the price. If you are threatened by a bear, a can of this pepper spray could save your life. Work with the wind and spray the solution into an attacking bear's face until the animal retreats.
When hiking in the national park, stay on the park's trails. Hike in groups of three or more. Be aware of paw prints and scat (bear droppings.) Hikers should whistle, hum or make noise to let the animals know they are in the area. The last thing you want to do want to do is startle a grizzly. Carry bear spray.
If a bear crosses your path, walk away slowly in the opposite direction. Don't take a photo of the animal or try to get a better view. Don't turn your back on the bear. Watch the bear until you can no longer see it and it can no longer see you.
Do not run from a threatening bear. Grizzlies can run up to 35 miles per hour. A bear can be on you in seconds.
One of the best defenses in a bear attack is to stop, drop and play dead. Sometimes a bear will walk away if it thinks the threat has been eliminated. Remain motionless until the bear is gone. If it sees or hears you move, it may attack again.
Very rarely, a black bear may think of a human as food. If a bear continues to bite you long after you have stopped, dropped and played dead, assume that it wants to eat you. Fight for your life!
The Bozeman Daily Chronicle reports that Kevin and Julie Boyer survived a bear attack while hiking in Yellowstone's Hayden Valley on July 2, 2011. The Montana couple ventured off the park's trail when they were attacked by a grizzly sow defending its cub. Fortunately, the Boyers were carrying bear spray.
They attribute their survivial to bear spray.
According to the Jackson Hole News & Guide, the body of John Wallace, 59, was discovered on August 26, 2011 along the Mary Mountain Trail. Located in a remote area, this trail is known for its large population of grizzlies. The trail is closed from March to June to allow bears to eat the carcasses of bison that died over the winter without being disturbed by humans.
An autopsy has confirmed that Wallace died of injuries consistent of a bear attack. He was not carrying bear spray. Nothing indicates that bear cubs were in the area when Wallace was attacked.
This was the second time a bear has attacked and killed a man in the national park this summer. On July 7, 2011, Brian Matayoshi of California was killed on Yellowstone's Watipi Trail after he and his wife, Marylynn, surprised a grizzly sow and her two cubs. The Watipi Trail is located about eight miles from the Mary Mountain Trail. Like Wallace, the Matayoshis were not carrying bear spray. Wildlife rangers ruled that the mother bear should not be put to death because it was defending its cubs.
I'm amazed that a female bear is called a "sow." When I hear the word "sow," I think of a pig or a hog. Not a bear!
I don't claim to be an expert about bears. Or about hiking or camping for that matter. But the Pacific Northwest is bear country. My family and I spent a week at Yellowstone National Park last June. This is what I learned there.
Before entering the national park, I recommend visiting the Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center in West Yellowstone. (The locals simply refer to this small town as "West.") This museum offers educational exhibits about the wildlife found in Montana, Idaho and Wyoming. Because bears normally avoid contact with humans, the only bears that I saw during our week at Yellowstone were the animals at the Discovery Center. Other visitors told me they saw bears in Grand Tetons National Park, but not at Yellowstone.
At the Discovery Center, we watched a grizzly uproot the pine trees in its enclosure. After the staff removed the bears from the enclosure, children were permitted inside the enclosure to set out food for the grizzlies. This was a wonderful learning opportunity.
The Discovery Center also offers tips on how to hike and camp safely in bear country. The staff puts on daily demonstrations on the proper use of bear spray. Bear spray contains a chemical found in hot peppers, which makes the solution irritating to the nose, eyes, mouth and lungs. The solution can temporarily disable a bear, but it does not cause permanent damage. Do not spray it on backpacks, clothing or other items because it does not work like a bug repellent. Use it like Mace. Bear spray costs forty to fifty dollars per can, but it is well worth the price. If you are threatened by a bear, a can of this pepper spray could save your life. Work with the wind and spray the solution into an attacking bear's face until the animal retreats.
When hiking in the national park, stay on the park's trails. Hike in groups of three or more. Be aware of paw prints and scat (bear droppings.) Hikers should whistle, hum or make noise to let the animals know they are in the area. The last thing you want to do want to do is startle a grizzly. Carry bear spray.
If a bear crosses your path, walk away slowly in the opposite direction. Don't take a photo of the animal or try to get a better view. Don't turn your back on the bear. Watch the bear until you can no longer see it and it can no longer see you.
Do not run from a threatening bear. Grizzlies can run up to 35 miles per hour. A bear can be on you in seconds.
One of the best defenses in a bear attack is to stop, drop and play dead. Sometimes a bear will walk away if it thinks the threat has been eliminated. Remain motionless until the bear is gone. If it sees or hears you move, it may attack again.
Very rarely, a black bear may think of a human as food. If a bear continues to bite you long after you have stopped, dropped and played dead, assume that it wants to eat you. Fight for your life!
The Bozeman Daily Chronicle reports that Kevin and Julie Boyer survived a bear attack while hiking in Yellowstone's Hayden Valley on July 2, 2011. The Montana couple ventured off the park's trail when they were attacked by a grizzly sow defending its cub. Fortunately, the Boyers were carrying bear spray.
They attribute their survivial to bear spray.
Monday, August 29, 2011
Donald Rumsfeld and the Ranger's Widow
The Tacoma News Tribune reports that former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld has been on a tour to promote his memoir, "Known and Unknown." On Friday, August 26, 2011, two people were expelled from his book signing at the Joint Base Lewis-McCord PX.
Five to six security officers and military police officers led Ashley Joppa-Hageman, the widow of an Army Ranger who committed suicide at age 25, out of the book signing by the arm. Jorge Gonzalez, the executive director of the anti-war group known as "Coffee Strong," was also removed from the book signing.
According to the Tacoma News Tribune, Ms. Joppa-Hageman approached Ms. Rumsfeld with a program for her late husband's funeral. She told Mr. Rumsfeld that her husband had joined the army because he believed Mr. Rumsfeld's lies about fighting for justice for September 11th and about Saddam Hussein's regime having weapons of mass destruction.
Ms. Joppa-Hageman complained about her husband's frequent deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. When she voiced her belief that her husband took his own life rather than go on another deployment to Afghanistan, Mr. Rumself replied "callously" that he had heard about it.
Shortly thereafter, Ms. Joppa-Hageman and Mr. Gonzalez were escorted out of the book signing and told not to come back. A spokesman for Joint Base Lewis McCord stated that Ms. Joppa-Hageman and Mr. Gonzalez were "causing a minor disturbance."
Should we have expected Mr. Rumseld to be "callous" to a grieving Ranger's widow?
According to the Washington Post, soldiers at Camp Buehring, Kuwait voiced their complaints about the lack of armor, the stop loss and other issues to Mr. Rumsfeld on December 8, 2004.
Donald Rumsfeld replied, "As you know, you go to war with the Army you have. They're not the Army you might want or wish to have at a later time."
This writer is a former military wife. My husband retired on December 31, 2009 after serving 21 years in the U.S. Army. I hope that complaining to the former Secretary of Defense will help heal Ms. Joppa-Hageman's broken heart. I thank Ms. Joppa-Hageman and Mr. Gonzales for speaking up for the soldiers, veterans and military families who suffered because of Donald Rumsfeld's actions. I'm sorry that the military police and security officers at Joint Base Lewis-McCord behaved in such a rude and an insensitive manner toward a fellow soldier's widow.
Five to six security officers and military police officers led Ashley Joppa-Hageman, the widow of an Army Ranger who committed suicide at age 25, out of the book signing by the arm. Jorge Gonzalez, the executive director of the anti-war group known as "Coffee Strong," was also removed from the book signing.
According to the Tacoma News Tribune, Ms. Joppa-Hageman approached Ms. Rumsfeld with a program for her late husband's funeral. She told Mr. Rumsfeld that her husband had joined the army because he believed Mr. Rumsfeld's lies about fighting for justice for September 11th and about Saddam Hussein's regime having weapons of mass destruction.
Ms. Joppa-Hageman complained about her husband's frequent deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. When she voiced her belief that her husband took his own life rather than go on another deployment to Afghanistan, Mr. Rumself replied "callously" that he had heard about it.
Shortly thereafter, Ms. Joppa-Hageman and Mr. Gonzalez were escorted out of the book signing and told not to come back. A spokesman for Joint Base Lewis McCord stated that Ms. Joppa-Hageman and Mr. Gonzalez were "causing a minor disturbance."
Should we have expected Mr. Rumseld to be "callous" to a grieving Ranger's widow?
According to the Washington Post, soldiers at Camp Buehring, Kuwait voiced their complaints about the lack of armor, the stop loss and other issues to Mr. Rumsfeld on December 8, 2004.
Donald Rumsfeld replied, "As you know, you go to war with the Army you have. They're not the Army you might want or wish to have at a later time."
This writer is a former military wife. My husband retired on December 31, 2009 after serving 21 years in the U.S. Army. I hope that complaining to the former Secretary of Defense will help heal Ms. Joppa-Hageman's broken heart. I thank Ms. Joppa-Hageman and Mr. Gonzales for speaking up for the soldiers, veterans and military families who suffered because of Donald Rumsfeld's actions. I'm sorry that the military police and security officers at Joint Base Lewis-McCord behaved in such a rude and an insensitive manner toward a fellow soldier's widow.
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Young Street Bridge or Kurt Cobain's Bridge?
On July 28, 2011, Aberdeen's City Council voted 10-1 against renaming the North Aberdeen Bridge after the late Kurt Cobain. Many residents were opposed to renaming the bridge after Kurt Cobain because he was addicted to drugs, committed suicide and often made derogatory comments about his hometown. Instead, a small park near the Wishkah River will be named "Kurt Cobain Memorial Landing."
An accomplished musician and songwriter, Kurt Cobain was the frontman for the grunge rock group, Nirvana. In the early 90's, 25 million copies of of Nirvana's albums were sold in the USA alone.
The council also voted not to make "Young Street Bridge" the official name of the North Aberdeen Bridge. For years, the bridge was called "Young Street Bridge" after Alexander Young, a pioneer who founded Aberdeen's first sawmill. The sawmill was important because the economy of the Pacific Northwest depended heavily on the lumber industry in the 19th and 20th centuries.
It is easy to understand why Aberdeen's city council voted not to rename the bridge after either man. Other cities have had problems when streets, bridges and other landmarks are named after heroes.When my husband was stationed at Fort Benning in the mid 90's, a problem occurred in Columbus, Georgia. Columbus' city council had voted to change the name of Thomas Jefferson Boulevard to Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard. After the street signs had been changed, the council decided that they were wrong. It isn't proper to honor one hero by disrespecting another. The council then voted to change all "Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard" back to "Thomas Jefferson Boulevard."
Many residents of Aberdeen believe that their city has already done enough to honor Kurt Cobain. The city's welcome sign includes the phrase, "Come as You Are," from Nirvana's Nevermind Album. A statue of an electric guitar was unveiled in a small park last April. A sign about Kurt Cobain stands in the same park.
Yet people come from all over the world to see the bridge Kurt mentioned in his song, "Something in the Way." Tourists bring revenue. If Kurt Cobain made made negative comments about Aberdeen, he is still helping his hometown's economy by bringing in tourist dollars.
Would naming the bridge after Kurt Cobain suggest to children that drug addiction is acceptable? Would naming a bridge after a person who committed suicide encourage others to commit suicide? Some people seem to think so. But they seem to lack compassion and to be rather judgmental. Alcoholism and drug addiction are diseases like cancer. Depression is also an illness. Would they have refused to name the bridge after Kurt Cobain if he had died of cancer?
This Washingtonian prefers to remember Kurt for his musical genious rather than dwell his mistakes. Dutch artist Vincent Van Gogh suffered from mental illness, abused absinthe and committed suicide at age 37. If we focus on Van Gogh's illness and shortcomings, we might miss the beauty of his masterpiece, "Starry Night on the Rhone."
An accomplished musician and songwriter, Kurt Cobain was the frontman for the grunge rock group, Nirvana. In the early 90's, 25 million copies of of Nirvana's albums were sold in the USA alone.
The council also voted not to make "Young Street Bridge" the official name of the North Aberdeen Bridge. For years, the bridge was called "Young Street Bridge" after Alexander Young, a pioneer who founded Aberdeen's first sawmill. The sawmill was important because the economy of the Pacific Northwest depended heavily on the lumber industry in the 19th and 20th centuries.
It is easy to understand why Aberdeen's city council voted not to rename the bridge after either man. Other cities have had problems when streets, bridges and other landmarks are named after heroes.When my husband was stationed at Fort Benning in the mid 90's, a problem occurred in Columbus, Georgia. Columbus' city council had voted to change the name of Thomas Jefferson Boulevard to Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard. After the street signs had been changed, the council decided that they were wrong. It isn't proper to honor one hero by disrespecting another. The council then voted to change all "Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard" back to "Thomas Jefferson Boulevard."
Many residents of Aberdeen believe that their city has already done enough to honor Kurt Cobain. The city's welcome sign includes the phrase, "Come as You Are," from Nirvana's Nevermind Album. A statue of an electric guitar was unveiled in a small park last April. A sign about Kurt Cobain stands in the same park.
Yet people come from all over the world to see the bridge Kurt mentioned in his song, "Something in the Way." Tourists bring revenue. If Kurt Cobain made made negative comments about Aberdeen, he is still helping his hometown's economy by bringing in tourist dollars.
Would naming the bridge after Kurt Cobain suggest to children that drug addiction is acceptable? Would naming a bridge after a person who committed suicide encourage others to commit suicide? Some people seem to think so. But they seem to lack compassion and to be rather judgmental. Alcoholism and drug addiction are diseases like cancer. Depression is also an illness. Would they have refused to name the bridge after Kurt Cobain if he had died of cancer?
This Washingtonian prefers to remember Kurt for his musical genious rather than dwell his mistakes. Dutch artist Vincent Van Gogh suffered from mental illness, abused absinthe and committed suicide at age 37. If we focus on Van Gogh's illness and shortcomings, we might miss the beauty of his masterpiece, "Starry Night on the Rhone."
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
From the Muddy Banks of the Wishkah
Eighty three degrees and without a raindrop in the sky! Washington's warm weather was so inviting that I couldn't resist taking my children on a trip to the beach.
After crowding into my Jimmy, the kids and I took Interstate 5 south, the 101 west and then Route 8 toward the beach cities. As we entered the small town on the Olympic Peninsula where grunge rock's icon Kurt Cobain grew up, we passed a sign which stated, "Welcome to Aberdeen -- Come as You Are." We were enjoying lunch at a Subway sandwich shop near WalMart when I remembered reading that Nirvana's fans had erected a statue to honor Kurt on the seventeeth anniversary of his death.
I had to see the statue and pay my respects to Kurt. More importantly, my teenage daughter, Kate, had to!
We asked some locals for directions. They told us that Kurt's statue was located near a bridge by the cemetery. We drove across what appeared to be an ordinary overpass before we realized that it was the Young Street Bridge. Turning around, we crossed the winding river and entered a quiet neighborhood of older houses with colorful wooden siding. I parked the truck.
At the entrance of the KC Waterfront Park stood a lifesize, concrete statue shaped to resemble a guitar that Nirvana's frontman once commissioned from Fender.
Kurt Cobain lived two blocks away from the Young Street Bridge when he was a boy. The bridge became one of his favorite places to hang out. He claimed that he lived under the overpass for several days when he was 15. This experience inspired him to write his popular song, "Something in the Way."
Someone painted the words "In Memoriam: From the Muddy Banks of the Wishkah" on the bridge's concrete support beam. Brightly-colored graffiti was spray-painted under the bridge. My kids were delighted by the rumble they heard when a motor vehicle drove across the overpass.
People come from all parts of the world to pay tribute to Kurt Cobain. The small park near the Young Street Bridge is the only memorial for Kurt because his body was cremated. One third of his ashes were sprinkled into the Wishkah. A sign erected on the grassy knoll stated that Kurt's spirit flows with the river under the bridge twice daily.
After crowding into my Jimmy, the kids and I took Interstate 5 south, the 101 west and then Route 8 toward the beach cities. As we entered the small town on the Olympic Peninsula where grunge rock's icon Kurt Cobain grew up, we passed a sign which stated, "Welcome to Aberdeen -- Come as You Are." We were enjoying lunch at a Subway sandwich shop near WalMart when I remembered reading that Nirvana's fans had erected a statue to honor Kurt on the seventeeth anniversary of his death.
I had to see the statue and pay my respects to Kurt. More importantly, my teenage daughter, Kate, had to!
We asked some locals for directions. They told us that Kurt's statue was located near a bridge by the cemetery. We drove across what appeared to be an ordinary overpass before we realized that it was the Young Street Bridge. Turning around, we crossed the winding river and entered a quiet neighborhood of older houses with colorful wooden siding. I parked the truck.
At the entrance of the KC Waterfront Park stood a lifesize, concrete statue shaped to resemble a guitar that Nirvana's frontman once commissioned from Fender.
Kurt Cobain lived two blocks away from the Young Street Bridge when he was a boy. The bridge became one of his favorite places to hang out. He claimed that he lived under the overpass for several days when he was 15. This experience inspired him to write his popular song, "Something in the Way."
Someone painted the words "In Memoriam: From the Muddy Banks of the Wishkah" on the bridge's concrete support beam. Brightly-colored graffiti was spray-painted under the bridge. My kids were delighted by the rumble they heard when a motor vehicle drove across the overpass.
People come from all parts of the world to pay tribute to Kurt Cobain. The small park near the Young Street Bridge is the only memorial for Kurt because his body was cremated. One third of his ashes were sprinkled into the Wishkah. A sign erected on the grassy knoll stated that Kurt's spirit flows with the river under the bridge twice daily.
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Stuart Greenberg -- A Lesson on Morality
Just how honest and moral are the psychologists and social workers who are appointed by the courts to serve as custody evaluators?
On June 25, 2011, the Seattle Times ran a special report entitled "The Twisted Ethics of an Expert Witness." This report deals with the life and death of Stuart Greenberg, who served as an expert witness in the field of forensic psychology for the Washington courts.
Stuart Greenberg had a Ph.D from the University of Southern California. He came to Seattle in 1979 when he was hired by the University of Washington to replace a psychology professor who had resigned. He earned a relatively modest salary as a teacher. After teaching for two years, he resigned and moved into private practice.
Greenberg accepted positions as a child custody investigator, expert evaluator, arbiter, mediator and guardian ad litem. As a custody evaluator, he interviewed the parties involved in child custody battles and made recommendations to the court about which parent should have custody of a child. The courts usually followed his recommendations. His career flourished. This was partly because he was charismatic when testifying on the stand.
In classrooms, at continuing education conferences and conventons across the country, Greenberg taught others how to be custody evaluators. One colleague later commented that his conferences were "the best he had ever attended." Another stated that he still uses Greenberg's forms for certain evaluations. Greenberg was the author of the national certification exam for his profession. Admired and respected by his peers, Greenberg was elected to be president of the American Board of Forensic Psychology in 2002-2003.
But a hidden camera brought his career came to an abrupt end.
In June 2007, Greenberg purchased a device that looked and sounded like an air purifier, but contained a hidden camera. He installed the hidden camera in his office's bathroom so that he could watch employees and clients use the toilet.
It's easy to understand why his employees became suspicious. An "air purifier" was in use, but the bathroom still stunk. According to the Seattle Times, a female psychologist devised a test. On July 3, 2007, she placed an aerosol can in front of the camera to obstruct the view. Within 30 minutes, Greenberg entered the bathroom and closed the door. Caught on videotape, he adjusted the lens, stared into the camera, smiled and masturbated. After the videotape was found in Greenberg's VCR, the woman who had been filmed was alerted. Greenberg was arrested by the police that afternoon.
The man was a voyeur. For purely selfish reasons, he disrespected his employees and clients by invading their privacy. To get a thrill, he filmed them while they were partially undressed and using the toilet. How long was Greenberg behaving in this sick and disgusting manner before he got caught?
Did he abuse anyone else?
A pervert should never have been allowed to make recommendations to the court about which parent should have custody of a child. Nor should he have been allowed to testify as an expert witness in sexual abuse cases. Because he was an abuser himself, his views might be slanted in favor of another abuser. This put innocent children at risk. A pervert should not have been allowed to work as a psychologist because he could have easily taken advantage of vulnerable clients. He did take advantage of vulnerable clients.
We must enforce laws which prohibit perverts from taking advantage of unsuspecting people. I am grateful to the woman who reported Greenberg to the police because she protected his clients and employees from further abuse.
Three weeks after his arrest, Stuart Greenberg committed suicide.
According to the Seattle Times, the Washington courts spent three years studying through the damage that Greenberg left behind. I believe that this was the right thing to do. Because the courts relied on Greenberg's recommendations to make rulings, the courts have the responsibility of making sure that innocent children were not harmed by these rulings. If Greenberg's recommendations were tainted, the courts should make sure that no parent was wrongfully deprived of custody of or visitation rights to a child. The courts should take steps to correct any damage.
The Seattle Times went through the trouble of unsealing court records and disciplinary actions against Greenberg. These records suggest that Greenberg was not as fair and impartial as he should have been. Why didn't Washington's Examining Board of Psychology realize that something was amiss before the incident involving the hidden camera?
I will close with a quotation made by historian and moralist Lord Acton in 1887: "Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men."
On June 25, 2011, the Seattle Times ran a special report entitled "The Twisted Ethics of an Expert Witness." This report deals with the life and death of Stuart Greenberg, who served as an expert witness in the field of forensic psychology for the Washington courts.
Stuart Greenberg had a Ph.D from the University of Southern California. He came to Seattle in 1979 when he was hired by the University of Washington to replace a psychology professor who had resigned. He earned a relatively modest salary as a teacher. After teaching for two years, he resigned and moved into private practice.
Greenberg accepted positions as a child custody investigator, expert evaluator, arbiter, mediator and guardian ad litem. As a custody evaluator, he interviewed the parties involved in child custody battles and made recommendations to the court about which parent should have custody of a child. The courts usually followed his recommendations. His career flourished. This was partly because he was charismatic when testifying on the stand.
In classrooms, at continuing education conferences and conventons across the country, Greenberg taught others how to be custody evaluators. One colleague later commented that his conferences were "the best he had ever attended." Another stated that he still uses Greenberg's forms for certain evaluations. Greenberg was the author of the national certification exam for his profession. Admired and respected by his peers, Greenberg was elected to be president of the American Board of Forensic Psychology in 2002-2003.
But a hidden camera brought his career came to an abrupt end.
In June 2007, Greenberg purchased a device that looked and sounded like an air purifier, but contained a hidden camera. He installed the hidden camera in his office's bathroom so that he could watch employees and clients use the toilet.
It's easy to understand why his employees became suspicious. An "air purifier" was in use, but the bathroom still stunk. According to the Seattle Times, a female psychologist devised a test. On July 3, 2007, she placed an aerosol can in front of the camera to obstruct the view. Within 30 minutes, Greenberg entered the bathroom and closed the door. Caught on videotape, he adjusted the lens, stared into the camera, smiled and masturbated. After the videotape was found in Greenberg's VCR, the woman who had been filmed was alerted. Greenberg was arrested by the police that afternoon.
The man was a voyeur. For purely selfish reasons, he disrespected his employees and clients by invading their privacy. To get a thrill, he filmed them while they were partially undressed and using the toilet. How long was Greenberg behaving in this sick and disgusting manner before he got caught?
Did he abuse anyone else?
A pervert should never have been allowed to make recommendations to the court about which parent should have custody of a child. Nor should he have been allowed to testify as an expert witness in sexual abuse cases. Because he was an abuser himself, his views might be slanted in favor of another abuser. This put innocent children at risk. A pervert should not have been allowed to work as a psychologist because he could have easily taken advantage of vulnerable clients. He did take advantage of vulnerable clients.
We must enforce laws which prohibit perverts from taking advantage of unsuspecting people. I am grateful to the woman who reported Greenberg to the police because she protected his clients and employees from further abuse.
Three weeks after his arrest, Stuart Greenberg committed suicide.
According to the Seattle Times, the Washington courts spent three years studying through the damage that Greenberg left behind. I believe that this was the right thing to do. Because the courts relied on Greenberg's recommendations to make rulings, the courts have the responsibility of making sure that innocent children were not harmed by these rulings. If Greenberg's recommendations were tainted, the courts should make sure that no parent was wrongfully deprived of custody of or visitation rights to a child. The courts should take steps to correct any damage.
The Seattle Times went through the trouble of unsealing court records and disciplinary actions against Greenberg. These records suggest that Greenberg was not as fair and impartial as he should have been. Why didn't Washington's Examining Board of Psychology realize that something was amiss before the incident involving the hidden camera?
I will close with a quotation made by historian and moralist Lord Acton in 1887: "Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men."
Sunday, August 7, 2011
No Comment
Yesterday I mentioned that there are certain people I do not want to post comments here. Rebeckah/Rianya is one of them. OftenLate/Huesos is another one of them.
This is my blog. I reserve the right to choose who may and may not post comments here.
This is my blog. I reserve the right to choose who may and may not post comments here.
Saturday, August 6, 2011
The Vulture and California Jim
I have a friend who calls himself the Vulture. He is a Christian Libertarian. Sometimes he writes about Warren Jeffs and the raid of the Yearning for Zion Ranch, but his blog is mostly about politics.
The Vulture took the unpopular position that it is better to let Warren Jeffs go free than to compromise our Fourth Amendment rights regarding search and seizure laws. This did not set well with the folks at the Texas FLDS website who despise polygamy. The Vulture annoyed an antipolygamy activist who calls himself California Jim. California Jim just happens to be a friend of TexasBluesMan, whose lawsuit against Modern Pharisee, Bill Medvecky and others was recently dismisssed for lack of prosecution.
A few weeks ago, California Jim started posting comments on the Vulture's blog. At first, I thought Jim was lonely and wanted to socialize with us. I'm open-minded. I'm willing to socialize with an antipolygamy activist if he's polite and civil to me. But California Jim's comments were full of antipolygamy rhetoric and were aimed at discrediting the Vulture. Jim couldn't resist defending his old buddy, TexasBluesMan.
I asked the Vulture why he permitted Jimmy and other like-minded people to post comments on his blog. The Vulture explained to me that the folks at Texas FLDS website delete comments posted by people who don't share their views. They also delete comments posted by people they dislike. He said they had accused him of deleting comments on his blog, just as they delete comments on their site. The Vulture has higher principles. He allows California Jim to post comments on his blog to prove that Jim's pals at the Texas FLDS website are wrong.
At first, California Jim's arguments seemed to liven up the Vulture's blog. I'll be the first to admit that bickering with him was fun. After awhile, it got boring. California Jim seemed to take over the Vulture's blog. His comments dominated the conversation. They didn't seem to be on topic with the articles the Vulture had written. While I admire the Vulture for sticking to his principles, I feel that California Jim is taking advantage of the Vulture and using the Vulture's blog to promote his own antipolygamy agenda.
I read the Vulture's blog because I want to read what the Vulture has to say. If I want to read what California Jim has to say, I'd go to the Texas FLDS website.
When people with different opinions can discuss a subject in a civil manner, the conversation can be interesting. People with different opinions can learn from each other. Sometimes a thought-provoking debate can be fun and entertaining. But personal attacks should be avoided. Arguing is counterproductive if the parties involved become rude and hostile to each other.
So I can't promise that I won't delete a comment posted by someone who disagrees with me. I won't allow an opponent to dominate the converastion because this is my blog. I'll be honest. There are certain people I do not want to comment on my blog. If you don't like me, feel free to start your own blog.
I can promise that I will try to be polite and courteous to my readers. I will also try to be civil to anyone who posts a comment. I will not make a blog entry if I'm angry. Keep thinking happy, positive thoughts!
The Vulture took the unpopular position that it is better to let Warren Jeffs go free than to compromise our Fourth Amendment rights regarding search and seizure laws. This did not set well with the folks at the Texas FLDS website who despise polygamy. The Vulture annoyed an antipolygamy activist who calls himself California Jim. California Jim just happens to be a friend of TexasBluesMan, whose lawsuit against Modern Pharisee, Bill Medvecky and others was recently dismisssed for lack of prosecution.
A few weeks ago, California Jim started posting comments on the Vulture's blog. At first, I thought Jim was lonely and wanted to socialize with us. I'm open-minded. I'm willing to socialize with an antipolygamy activist if he's polite and civil to me. But California Jim's comments were full of antipolygamy rhetoric and were aimed at discrediting the Vulture. Jim couldn't resist defending his old buddy, TexasBluesMan.
I asked the Vulture why he permitted Jimmy and other like-minded people to post comments on his blog. The Vulture explained to me that the folks at Texas FLDS website delete comments posted by people who don't share their views. They also delete comments posted by people they dislike. He said they had accused him of deleting comments on his blog, just as they delete comments on their site. The Vulture has higher principles. He allows California Jim to post comments on his blog to prove that Jim's pals at the Texas FLDS website are wrong.
At first, California Jim's arguments seemed to liven up the Vulture's blog. I'll be the first to admit that bickering with him was fun. After awhile, it got boring. California Jim seemed to take over the Vulture's blog. His comments dominated the conversation. They didn't seem to be on topic with the articles the Vulture had written. While I admire the Vulture for sticking to his principles, I feel that California Jim is taking advantage of the Vulture and using the Vulture's blog to promote his own antipolygamy agenda.
I read the Vulture's blog because I want to read what the Vulture has to say. If I want to read what California Jim has to say, I'd go to the Texas FLDS website.
When people with different opinions can discuss a subject in a civil manner, the conversation can be interesting. People with different opinions can learn from each other. Sometimes a thought-provoking debate can be fun and entertaining. But personal attacks should be avoided. Arguing is counterproductive if the parties involved become rude and hostile to each other.
So I can't promise that I won't delete a comment posted by someone who disagrees with me. I won't allow an opponent to dominate the converastion because this is my blog. I'll be honest. There are certain people I do not want to comment on my blog. If you don't like me, feel free to start your own blog.
I can promise that I will try to be polite and courteous to my readers. I will also try to be civil to anyone who posts a comment. I will not make a blog entry if I'm angry. Keep thinking happy, positive thoughts!
Welcome
Dear Friends:
I decided to start my own blog because I want to share my thoughts and feelings. I'll call my blog "Pearls" with the hope that every entry will be a pearl of wisdom I can share with my readers. Maybe... just maybe... I learned something during the half century I've been on this planet.
I have several friends who blog. I like to think I've learned from their experiences. I'll share a little bit about what I've learned from them to help readers understand the rules I'd like to follow.
Modern Pharisee is a friend of mine. Modern Pharisee told me that, some time ago, a person using the screen name "TexasBluesMan" copied a photo of his stepdaughter on her My Space account and posted it at the TexasFLDS website. Then the people who frequent the TexasFLDS website posted derogatory comments about her.
I'm sure you'll agree that TexasBluesMan's behavior was rather childish and cruel. Modern Pharisee's stepdaughter was a college student. She had absolutely nothing to do with the FLDS. What right did the folks at the TexasFLDS site have to try to humiliate or embarass her? TexasBluesMan and his followers attacked an innocent young woman simply because her stepfather had a blog in which he expressed an opinion that differed from theirs. It was a despicable thing to do.
Modern Pharisee flew into a rage when he saw what TexasBluesMan had done. I don't blame him. I would have been outraged if someone tried to hurt my children like that too. Modern Pharisee and several of his friends used TexasBluesMan's IP address to identify him. When they identified him, they also learned his place of employment. Modern Pharisee made a few phone calls to TexasBluesMan's superiors and told them what TBM had done.
My friend, Bill Medvecky, also wrote a letter of complaint to the employer.
To make a long story short, the person whom Modern Pharisee identified as TexasBluesMan got fired.
The person whom Modern Pharisee identified as TexasBluesMan got angry. After all, he lost his job. He hired an attorney named Natalie Malonis to file a lawsuit against Modern Pharisee and those who helped to out him. Seeking monetary damages, they claimed that Modern Pharisee had incorrectly identified him as TexasBluesMan. He and Ms.Malonis obtained a restraining order to bar Modern Pharisee and several other bloggers from writing about him.
A few months later, a judge in Texas dismissed the lawsuit for lack of prosescution. I was thrilled for Modern Pharisee and his stepdaughter.
The moral of the story is to be kind. I don't want to get into a nasty dispute with anyone. If you disagree with me, let's try to be civil toward each other. Don't attack my children, and I won't attack yours. I won't out you if you don't out me. Let's be kind.
I decided to start my own blog because I want to share my thoughts and feelings. I'll call my blog "Pearls" with the hope that every entry will be a pearl of wisdom I can share with my readers. Maybe... just maybe... I learned something during the half century I've been on this planet.
I have several friends who blog. I like to think I've learned from their experiences. I'll share a little bit about what I've learned from them to help readers understand the rules I'd like to follow.
Modern Pharisee is a friend of mine. Modern Pharisee told me that, some time ago, a person using the screen name "TexasBluesMan" copied a photo of his stepdaughter on her My Space account and posted it at the TexasFLDS website. Then the people who frequent the TexasFLDS website posted derogatory comments about her.
I'm sure you'll agree that TexasBluesMan's behavior was rather childish and cruel. Modern Pharisee's stepdaughter was a college student. She had absolutely nothing to do with the FLDS. What right did the folks at the TexasFLDS site have to try to humiliate or embarass her? TexasBluesMan and his followers attacked an innocent young woman simply because her stepfather had a blog in which he expressed an opinion that differed from theirs. It was a despicable thing to do.
Modern Pharisee flew into a rage when he saw what TexasBluesMan had done. I don't blame him. I would have been outraged if someone tried to hurt my children like that too. Modern Pharisee and several of his friends used TexasBluesMan's IP address to identify him. When they identified him, they also learned his place of employment. Modern Pharisee made a few phone calls to TexasBluesMan's superiors and told them what TBM had done.
My friend, Bill Medvecky, also wrote a letter of complaint to the employer.
To make a long story short, the person whom Modern Pharisee identified as TexasBluesMan got fired.
The person whom Modern Pharisee identified as TexasBluesMan got angry. After all, he lost his job. He hired an attorney named Natalie Malonis to file a lawsuit against Modern Pharisee and those who helped to out him. Seeking monetary damages, they claimed that Modern Pharisee had incorrectly identified him as TexasBluesMan. He and Ms.Malonis obtained a restraining order to bar Modern Pharisee and several other bloggers from writing about him.
A few months later, a judge in Texas dismissed the lawsuit for lack of prosescution. I was thrilled for Modern Pharisee and his stepdaughter.
The moral of the story is to be kind. I don't want to get into a nasty dispute with anyone. If you disagree with me, let's try to be civil toward each other. Don't attack my children, and I won't attack yours. I won't out you if you don't out me. Let's be kind.
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