Friends Names Removed...

I wanted to add that after writing my post yesterday on my Blog, I learned today that 2 Wonderful Dear & Special Friends, Deb & Dave who live in Indiana (Republican State) had their names taken off the Voters Registration. Luckily they were able to put their names back on so they could vote.
Their concern: Is it possible because they are registered Democrats living in a Republican state that their names were "mistakenly taken off" or possibly "deliberately taken off" knowing that "most likely" they would vote Democratic-2 more votes for Obama-2 LESS votes for McNasty & Pitbull Palin......?
Had they not gone early to vote & went on the 4th of November-Election Day, would they have been able to have their names put back on the list or would it have been too late which would mean they could not cast their vote?
Makes you wonder, doesn't it?
Oh the Republican Desperate Tactics!!!!!!!!!!! The Fear of Losing is upon THEM!

Bigotry, Prejudice & Desperation...

I'm saddened by the news today that 2 Red Necks from Tennessee had planned on killing as many non-caucasins as possible including a plot to assassinate Obama after robbing a gun dealer. (see the actaul story below)

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Law enforcement arrested two men in Tennessee who had plans to rob a gun dealer to shoot Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama and "as many non-Caucasians" as possible, an official said on Monday.
An official from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said police found the men in the Jackson, Tennessee area with a number of guns, including a sawed-off shotgun, in their car.
"They wanted to go to a place where they could shoot as many non-Caucasian as they could," the official said, noting that the men first planned to rob a gun dealer. "They also had a plot to assassinate Sen. Obama."
Obama, who would be the first black U.S. president, is leading Republican John McCain in opinion polls ahead of the November 4 election.
(Reporting by Deborah Charles, Editing by Sandra Maler)

Again, this proves how "some people" choose NOT to ADVANCE in society. Hill Billy Red Neck Mentality is BULLSHIT possibly synonomous with REPUBLICANS. Move into the next century already!

Democracy or DeNOcracy???

Well, it gets better and better as time goes on.

We were watching the news last night during dinner and I couldn't believe what I was hearing. I learned that ELIGIBLE voters names were being removed from the ELIGIBILITY lists because of their names, and in most cases because they were minorities. That's right, in most minority areas, states, peoples names were being removed just "Coincidentally" less than 2 weeks before the election.
Is it possible that the "Republican Sore Losers" think that minorities will vote for Obama and he will "possibly win" and they will lose? I wonder! Do you think this is another way for the Republicans to STEEL THIS ELECTION as with Gore? I wonder! I'm beginning to think that I have NOTHING IN COMMON with Republicans after this election.
When interviewed, state representatives stated that "it was human error and their names would be put back to eligible status, but, they apologize that names won't be put back on in time for this election." duh
It was also stated that "the people will have the right to vote, but, their names will be put on temporarily hold status "provisional ballots" until the government can confirm that they are legal and are eligible to vote. The states will also decide if the votes will be counted. ummmm

Here's some facts:
Voters who have problems at the polls can cast "provisional" ballots. Election officials rule later whether those votes were properly cast and should be counted. But even that backup system varies greatly from state to state.
Perhaps the worst problems are in Florida, where a Gannett News Service analysis found more than 14,000 people whose voter registrations were disputed by the state because they didn't match other databases; about 75% are minorities. A federal district court ruled last month that the state couldn't deny registrations based on database matching.

This information above comes from USA Today newspaper. So I ask again, "Is this Democracy or DeNOcracy?" Oh the honesty of Conservatives.......! NASTY BASTARDS.....!

Absentee Ballot

Well, for those of you who have never seen an Absentee Ballot, here's mine. I sent a fax last week to the Board of Elections Supervisor of Lee County, Florida; requesting my Absentee Ballot, being that that is the location of our home now. I received it yesterday and brought it to school with me today to show my students what an American Absentee Ballot looks like.
Here's the best part of the experience for the students, but, Very Special for me.
Each student looked at it closely, located Barack Obama's name, touched it and ran their fingures over the name of Barack Obama; as though his name allowed them to touch Him personally. I didn't say anything at the time, I just observed each of their reactions when they read his name and touched it softly, through GREAT RESPECT & ADMIRATION for the man who "might be the next President of the Unitied States of America."
I told them that each of their touches on the ballot, "would allow each of them, a part-through my ballot, to have a part in the election process through my ballot." (symbolically of course)
The students, as "street wise" as some of them are, are knowledgeable and excited by the American Election and have been following it closely.
They were amazed of the process that is involved when filling out, placing it in an envelope or should I say envelope (s). Here's how it works.
First, you bubble in the candidate of your choice, Second, you place the ballot in an envelope marked SECRECY ENVELOPE, Third, you place the Secrecy Envelope containing your ballot in yet another envelope that will be mailed to The Supervisor of Elections; in my case it will be sent to Fort Myers, Florida. Forth, on the back of this envelope is a place where (after being sealed) you have to sign your name across the sealed flap and date it as well as Print your name on the top line. The next time it will be opened will be on Election Day and the vote recorded. I Hope! Remember, it's going to Florida and we know what happens in Florida Elections.......ugh!
The ballot & envelopes are here for you to see.
My students were excited by the fact that they could see and touch an Absentee Ballot first hand. I am also glad & proud that I allowed them to be somewhat "symbolically involved in an Historical Moment", that they were able to touch an Absentee Ballot that will be counted towards an Election; that will go down in American History for the First African American to become PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.


The students shared with other teachers today that, "Mr. R-------, had a "Real Absentee Ballot" and they were able to touch it and see that Barack Obama's name; an AFRICAN AMERICAN, is REALLY on the Ballot." Before I knew it, I had teachers knocking on the door asking if they could see it and touch it also. Well, I guess every person today that asked to see, touch and read his name, all feel a part of American History today. I didn't realize the sensitivity, the respect, as well as the reality of Barack Obama's name would have on students & teachers alike when they saw his name on the ballot. I didn't realize the Impact it would have on them.
At first, it started out as a classroom lesson. It was for the students to see the Absentee Ballot that I would use to cast my vote for the next President of the United States.
I learned alot today from my Students as well as my Collegues and Administrators. They saw "How far we've come from the Civil Rights Movement." The importance of the hard work, the hardships, the prejudices that existed, the hurdles the African Americans had to pass over & through to get to this point in history.
In reality for me, Prejudice will always exist for some people. Ignorance will continue to exist as well. People are FINALLY ACCEPTING to see people as people and observe their accomplishments and capabilities.
I'm not one to mix business with pleasure nor did I ever talk politics and religion openly until now.
I am an American; an American Indian and proud of it.
I live outside of my country BECAUSE of Politics of NOT ALLOWING ME TO CHOOSE MY LIFE PARTNER, WHO IS NOT AN AMERICAN, TO LIVE IN MY OWN COUNTRY AND BE HAPPY.

Just a Note: FOR ALL OF YOU CONSERVATIVES/REPUBLICANS, YOU'RE PART OF THE PROBLEM AS TO WHY PHIL & I CAN'T LIVE IN THE USA......THANK YOU "OPEN-MINDED AMERICANS."

I will be forever greatful that I have had such a wonderful experience to live on the island of St. Maarten/St. Martin, I will be forever greatful and thankful that I had this WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY to teach these kids, who have taught me so much about their life as well.
I will cast my vote with the "symbolic touch" of my students and collegues for an African American named Barack Obama on the 4th day of November 2008.
I can only hope that the American People can see past their noses, look to the future of America, and do the same. VOTE FOR OBAMA and LET THE WORLD RESPECT US ONCE MORE......

Ignorance, Stupidity or Loyalty...?

Today's post is "what it is", because I have things on my mind that I need to vent due to what is going on in our lives and how the "world will be affected" by the choices made in a few weeks. I say the world, because everybody will be affected by the outcome of America's Vote in November.

This is NOT to cause controversy or to turn people against me. It is MY OPINION and that is MY RIGHT! Before you "judge" what I have to say, remember that my father's ancestry is from Germany and my mom's family being American Indian started out in England. My roots are from Europe. As an American, I didn't forget my heritage, however, I did allow myself to be influenced my my fist hand knowledge of what it is like to be an American living outside the country listening, living and understanding what and how people view America and its people. I am an American, maybe more than people who "think" they are an American because of my ancestry being an American Indian.

I live outside of my country because "my country" WON'T ALLOW" my partner, who I chose, to live within my country because of laws. The people made those laws that basically say, "As an American, only an American can choose another American to have as a life long partner and he or she MUST be Straight!" So much for Democracy, Freedom of Choice.....

As I listen each day to our candidates, I find it embarrassing that there are people in American Politics that have little to no education in Politics. In Europe, Politicians go to school to get degrees in Politics because they know at an early age that they will pursue a career in politics; NOT based on popularity. It seems and appears that in America, if you know someone in politics that can possibly get you to be elected, then that's the person you choose, not based on their education in politics.

As I listen to Sarah Palin speak, I am embarrassed that the Vice Presidential Candidate uses such words as "gotcha", "betcha", "gonna", wink, wink.... I don't believe that "she" represents the majority of Americans. Do Americans really speak like this? I'm American and I certainly don't talk like that.

I am also embarrassed that Sarah Palin is proud to be holding a gun. There are photos of her standing over animals that she shot and killed and even displays a huge bear skin with head on the back of her sofa in her home.

What "WE Americans" still haven't realized or Don't Care to understand is that on December 15th, 1791 when the Bill of Rights were accepted into our Government, the people were still at war in an uncertain time. The second Amendment; the Right to Bear Arms was to protect the people and to allow them to protect themselves against enemy as well as the government. Are we still at war with each other that we need to protect ourselves and that gives us the right to hunt, hurt, kill animals as well as people? So much for the 21st Century! Then we wonder why the world looks at us as Bullys! Yes, Bullys! We have the reputation world-wide for being bullys and the Ugly Americans! How can we be proud of that reputation? Or, Maybe we don't care about our reputation and Enjoy the Negative Reputation.....?

Democracy There are several varieties of democracy, some of which provide better representation and more freedoms for their citizens than others. However, if any democracy is not carefully legislated to avoid an uneven distribution of political power with balances such as the separation of powers, then a branch of the system of rule is able to accumulate power in a way that is harmful to democracy itself. The "majority rule" is often described as a characteristic feature of democracy, but without responsible government it is possible for the rights of a minority to be abused by the "tyranny of the majority."

Stupidity (also called fatuity) is the property a person, action or belief instantiates by virtue of having or being indicative of low intelligence or poor learning abilities. Stupidity is distinct from irrationality because stupidity denotes an incapability or unwillingness to properly consider the relevant information. It is frequently used as a pejorative, and consequently has a negative connotation
Ignorance The condition of being uneducated, unaware, or uninformed
Loyalty comes most naturally amongst small groups or tribes where the prospect of the whole casting out the individual seems like the ultimate, unthinkable rejection. Loyalty to tribes evolved from the evolutionary tactic that there is a greater chance of survival and procreation if animals form packs/tribes.

Politics is the process by which groups of people make decisions. The term is generally applied to behavior within civil governments, but politics has been observed in all human group interactions, including corporate, academic, and religious institutions.
Politics consists of "social relations involving authority or power"[1] and refers to the regulation of a political unit,[2] and to the methods and tactics used to formulate and apply policy

Do we really follow the political party out of Loyalty even though we may NOT agree with the politics? Do we NOT listen to the candidates and wait for them to talk, discuss and tell US "what they are going to do to solve the problems as well as the crisis that we are in?" Is it good politics when the candidates feel necessary to "rip each other's reputation apart rather than tell us the solution to the problems?" Is it better as Americans to remain Ignorant and not educate ourselves on the issues at hand with the politicians?
When I hear Sarah Palin speak and say things such as; "gotcha", bethcha", "wanna", "gonna", wink, wink, Are we Stupid to allow a person such as her to be the Vice President of the United States and if McCain dies in Office; She will be the President of the United States?

I am NOT one for DIRTY POLITICS which is how the Republican Party is trying to get the votes to The White House. In all of the newscasts that I watch, not once have I heard McCain nor Palin talk about the ISSUES, SOLUTIONS, nor THEIR PLANS to get America going forward and positive for the future again. They DON'T say that the American People are hurting in this Economic Crisis. They DON'T say that there is a Recession on the Border of another Depression. Hundreds of Thousands of American People have Lost their jobs, their homes, their hope for a future. Where can they turn now for help? How do they and When do they rebuild their lives for themselves and their families? Banks and Businesses have gone Bankrupt, closed and will not open again. People are losing their pensions, investments, retirements, insurances, savings....Is this what American People deserve because of Bad Politicians not knowing how to provide a stable government for the people?

I will end this by saying this....Wake Up America and Vote Carefully. Think about what has happened based on 8 years of BAD GOVERNING. I know how I will vote, hoping for a change and hopefully to help Americans again. Americans had a chance to change this 4 years ago and maybe we wouldn't be in this situation now. But, if America votes the same way again, then the Reality of more Turmoil will show itself once more.

A Reality Check is in the Making! Now and the Future of America!

Where was I for 5 days...?

Here I am again: Time Lapse..., much longer than I realized with writing on my Blog. So much has happened, so much is happening and I even had time to get off our little rock in the Caribbean for 5 wonderful, busy, hectic, but yet, relaxing days. If you were to look at these photos, you might think that I am in the Caribbean, or in St. Tropez. Before reading on, scan down, look at the photos and ask yourself, where was Bill for 5 days?

What a beautiful place! What a beautiful location! And, What wonderful, friendly, warm, kind, and gracious people! I was in Florida. Yes, the good ole USA. The beaches of Ft. Myers, Sanibel Island and surrounding beaches are absolutely beautiful!

I went to Fort Myers, Florida. Believe it or not, it was my first time visiting this beautiful city and surrounding areas. You might be asking, "why would he travel to Ft. Myers?"

Phil and I are buying a vacation home in a small community out side of Ft. Myers called Lehigh Acres. It's a small community that is up and coming and can be considered"exclusive" by some. It's a small, quiet, community. Close to Naples Florida and Cape Coral Florida.

Phil and I decided that it was time to "consider" buying another home in the states. The economy and housing market is up for grabs for everybody. Houses are more than half of their value right now and you could "almost" consider buying 2 for 1 with the prices.

Here's how it happened....Phil & I started searching the internet looking at random areas throughout Florida. Remember, Forida is one of seven states where there are no income taxes. Having had a home, yes, "HAD" is the key word here, we decided to liquidate the house in upstate New York.

I still genereate an income in the states being a Mohegan Indian and having the Mohegan Sun Resort and Casino as my income source of revenue; the house in New York consituted me to pay taxes to NY State.

In Florida, I don't have to pay income tax any longer. And, trust me, I pay "BIG" taxes in New York for having had a home located there.

So, like I said, we started searching the web for a home. North Florida, Central Florida, East Florida, South Florida and thennnnnnnn, Western Florida at Fort Myers and surrounding areas.

It is like being in the Caribbean without being in the Caribbean. The people are not stressed, polite, calm, easy going, extra friendly and most of all, helpful.

Prior to leaving St. Martin, we found a home, on a 1/2 acres, built in pool, concrete and not bad at all. I had been in contact with the broker/agent for almost 2 1/2 weeks getting information, photos, blueprints, price negotiations....blah blah blah. I finally told him that the house was "sold", prior to leaving and said, "I'll be there on the 28th of April and we'll close the deal".

I arrived on Monday, with a meeting planned at the house for Tuesday morning at 11am.

He finally arrives. I had already arrived 2 hours earlier, taking about 100 photos, walked around the neighborhood, talk to the "future neighbors". He arrives: all smiles, keys in hand, and as he's opening the door, he tells me "there's been a sudden change in events". Me: "oh really, what kind of change of events?" Him: I found out that this house has been in contract since last Thursday". Me: (to myself: "Fucking Asshole!), I now enter the house and in his brief case, he takes out about 40 printed copies of "other homes and lays them on the kitchen counter and says, I might be interested in looking at....." Me: "I've been in touch with you for almost 3 weeks, negotiating, having you draw blueprints, take photos, tell you outright that the house is sold, I get on a plane with the intention of buying THIS HOUSE, and you have the BALLs to tell me that this house is in contract?" Me to myself: ("Fucking Asshole!") I told him I was not interested in doing business with him and that he was "DISMISSED" I thought he was going to die first, then I thought he was going to cry, and then I thought he was going to Die again.....you get the picture. ("Fucking Asshole!")

I called the listing agent and made an appointment to see her. Same nonscense!

Meanwhile remember, I went to buy THIS house and now had 3 days left in Florida to do WHAT? I have the sun in St. Martin. ugh, fuck, ugh, shit, Fucking Asshole!!!!!! NOW, the call that I didn't think I would have to make. How I dreaded making this call. How do I tell Phil that we weren't going to buy that house? I call Phil and tell him the story.....HIS RESPONSE: "Fucking Asshole!" (not to himself) I won't elaborate, but it was worse than this. However, his response sounds much better with the French accent! lol

I started searching the web at the hotel room for hours and hours into the night. I go to sleep and at 4am Wednesday morning, I start searching and leaving messages for other agents to: "Call me, Be Serious, My time was LIMITED, I came to buy a house, DON'T WASTE My Time, I was leaving in 3 days and I Will leave with a house SOLD."

At 7:30am, a ReMax agent called me and told me that I could go and see him and he would make sure that the his Entire Day would be spent showing me houses. His name: Brian Goss of ReMax Edge in Lehigh, Florida. (239-470-9504 cell) You want to buy a house, call Brian.

Brian is/was the Best! He reserved his entire day showing me houses from one extreme to the other, one price range to the other, homes with views, homes without views, big, little, cute, fancy, PRETENSIOUS, which he learned very quickly was not the way to go with me, on the water, on ponds, on canals, "Simple Brian, nice, but, we like simple."

Well, after about 35-40 houses, we found a few that I liked, but, I couldn't make a descision without e-mailing the photos to Phil so he could help to decide which one?....1 hour, 2 hours, almost three hours later, we decided on THE ONE!

Believe it or not, I thought that THIS house would be the one that Phil wouldn't choose. I thought there was too much tile, too much glass, a screened in built in pool 34x18, smaller yard, 3 bedrooms, livingroom, dining room, kitchen, Florida Room overlooking the built in pool, 2 bathrooms, 2 car garage..... I thought it was too fancy. blah blah blah.

I called Brian back at 5:30pm that night and told him the house was sold and I would see him at 9am the next morning with a check in hand. He asked if Phil was alright with the descision and I told him that we made the descision together based on the pictures I had taken and e-mailed. I met with him and asked if I could have the keys to go back, take more pictures and measurements. No Problem! However, here's the best part. I didn't know where the house was located. (duh duh duh) I had to ask directions. How does a person buy a house and have to ask directions to get back to it? We had looked at so many houses, crisscrossed so many roads and avenues, that I honestly didn't even know where the house was located. lol lol lol lol

(now who's the fucking asshole? lol lol lol lol) Like I always say, "it's not easy being me!"

The end result is this: I arrive back in St. Martin on the 2nd of May. Productive Trip. I open my e-mail 3 days later and GUESS WHAT.........? The original house that Phil and I wanted to buy went back on the market.........................! Can you imagine? Both, the original agent that I had Dismissed and the listing agent had the balls to e-mail me to tell me the house went back on the market and asked me if I was still interested in the house because the other deal fell threw on the house.

I haven't responded and I don't think I will. Not even for courtesies sake! Phil and I are happy with our descision and hope to take a few weeks in July TOGETHER to go shopping for the house and do all the fun stuff that goes along with buying a new home! Caramel & Piccola will love the place as well as the pool.

What Have I Been Doing....?

It's been a while that I've even looked at my Blog, never mind even think about writing. It's True, "timing is everything".

For the past month, yes a month has passed already, I've been taking care of myself ALOT! I've been busy at work teaching and with the "new title" of "Director of English", I guess you could say, I have my time laid out for me at work. I've been putting book orders in for the next school year, working with my director for budgeting costs for next year. I've been asking for donations from businesses for picnic tables for the school and just had a generous offer from ACE MegaCenter in Cole Bay to give the school 6 picnic tables for the kids. Now, they will have proper place to sit outside and talk, eat or relax. These kids are/were sitting on cement blocks and trash cans. Next, I will be looking for donations for 20 computers with printers for research for the kids. That will be difficult!

BUT, I still find time for myself. Phil's rarely home and when he is, we eat a late lunch and then he's off to sleep until he has to leave for work at 6:30 to whenever! I still visit him at night at Captain Olie's for a few hours or we wouldn't see each other that much. The staff of workers are great as well.

I've lost almost 20 pounds with walking, exercise and doing away with the SWEEETS! lol Occasionally, I take a spoon of Phil's desert, whatever it might be and then I feel sick and realize that my body doesn't need the sugar anymore.

I've started my Intermediate or second course in French and received a diploma from the first session and I can honestly say, "I'm Proud of myself for studying French and continuing on to the next level". Speaking and Writing the language is becoming almost my first thoughts when I speak now or have to write something. A student asked me a few days ago what I wrote on the board because I didn't realize that I wrote the directions in French. ugh!

I've been walking from Oyster Pond to French Quarter and back "almost everyday". I feel Great and the clothes are fitting much looser also. lol I feel better and I don't even see the distance anymore. I listen to my Ipod and just keep walking.

And I've started growing Pineapples. Yes, Pineapples. Since I'm the one who's now maintaining most of the chores at the house; yard, animals and cooking due to Phil's work schedule; everytime I go shopping and have to throw the vegetables tops or bottoms as well as the fruits away, I started to think that maybe I can start growing them and not waste them.

Our good friend's Barbara and Dee, Barbara calls Dee "her gardener". Well, I guess Phil now has his own garderner also. Our yard is starting to look like a potted nursery.

I buy alot of Pineapples because they're healthy and natural sugars that give the energy a person needs when exercising as much as I am doing. I started researching on the internet about pineapple growing and found that they are one of the "most difficult plants to grow as well as a 2 year period to arrive at 1 fruit". It takes approximately 2 years to grow one pineapple, so you need to be patient. The tops need to be trimmed and cut a certain way to allow the roots to grow.

You can see the progress so far that I accomplished with my plants.

It takes about 3-4 weeks for the rooting to start in the glass of water. PATIENCE is the key when growing pineapples. Just when you're ready to give up, out pops a root at the bottom of the pineapple top and you think WOW!

Aside from the pineapples plants, I've attepted to grow leak and garlic as well as onions, but the cats have been attacking those plants and using the pots as their potty. Nice! I have to find another way to grow them and keep the cats away.

Everything is good here and as you can see, I'm busy doing things for me for a change! Stay tuned for more of my Saga in the Caribbean!