Not a Happy Mothers Day; and, No Happy Birthday, either!

Today is Mother's Day here in the United States of America.

Mother's Day in the United States has become so commercialized and no longer really meets its original established intention as a holiday.

In fact, read this excerpt of an article that I found:

The American incarnation of Mother’s Day was created by Anna Jarvis in 1908 and became an official U.S. holiday in 1914. Jarvis would later denounce the holiday’s commercialization and spent the latter part of her life trying to remove it from the calendar.

You may read that entire article from History.com by clicking onto the embedded link as follows:
Mother's Day

My mother, Pearl Hansen (nee Perel Lerman), died in 1984. Since that time (and even before her death) not one single day has ever gone by that I have not thought of my mother; and I am now 65 years old.

That being said, for the life of me, I cannot understand why so many people write "Happy Mother's Day" in regards to their own deceased mother on internet social media networks, such as Facebook. To me, that is just plain sick, if not totally stupid. The decedent is dead! DEAD - did you read that! DEAD - do you hear me? How the hell can the dead mother have a happy day??? DUH!!!!

I HATE WHEN PEOPLE WISH A HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO THEIR DEAD MOTHER!!!

And, by the way, that same line of reasoning of mine is applicable in wishing a dead father a Happy Father's Day OR a dead mother OR a dead anyone else, for that matter, a happy birthday. DUMB! JUST PLAIN DUMB!

But, this is all just my own personal opinion, and many people not only disagree with me, they also are offended by my expression of my opinion on this topic of wishing dead people a happy day for any occasion.

2013 Budget Sequestration: The Fault Of Congress, not President Barack Obama.

Many ill-informed people believe that POTUS (the President of the United States, Barack Obama) is responsible for the current sequester and the fact that the United States has been operating without an annual budget since 2009. Much of the misinformation that the general public and naive political pundits who consequently place the blame at the feet of President Barack Obama have about the federal budget process comes not only from a poor knowledge and education of our government but also from a manipulating and deceitful Republican Party leadership and from irresponsible members of the Tea Party movement.

The “power of the purse” is a function of the United States Congress as designated by the Constitution of the United States of America.

By law, the President is required to send a budget request, which is technically only just a proposal, to Congress no sooner than the first Monday in January and no later than the first Monday in February. However, it is the United States Congress consisting of the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate that is required by law to pass an annual budget and to submit that budget to the President for signature. Note that the federal fiscal year does not begin until October 1.

So, people, if you are going to cast stones, point fingers, and place blame for the budget sequestration in 2013, at least do it honestly in an informed manner. The fault for this continuing fiscal dilemma lies with the Congress of the United States and not with our President, Barack Obama.

ref:
Bill of Rights Institute: The Federal Budget and the Constitution
Wikipedia: United States federal budget
National Priorities Project: FEDERAL BUDGET 101, Federal Budget Process
House of Representatives, Committee On The Budget: The Budget

Am I really a washed-up has-been???

A one time, when I was in my prime, I was a "somebody" but then I fell out of grace with some people; and I became a "nobody." It was quite a transition for me to go from being a someone to being a no one. But really, is it necessary to call names? (That's a rhetorical statement.)

I wonder how many people have used the the phrase "washed up" or the phrase "has been" or any other number of similar phrases. Heck, I know of a few people who have used the phrase "washed-up has-been" in making reference to me.

Curiosity got the better of me concerning that type of phraseology in making reference to people, so I did my usual thing and turned to the wide wonderful world of the web on the internet.

I came across one definition of washed up that goes like this:
"The definition of washed up is someone or something whose time has come and gone; someone who was popular or who had a good career but who now doesn't and has little to offer."

The term "has-been" as defined in The Free Dictionary By Farlex is "One that is no longer famous, popular, successful, or useful." or "a person or thing that is no longer popular, successful, effective, etc."

Even, the Urban Dictionary has definitions of hasbeen!!!

Actually, a few years back, I had written a little bit about this before on my other blog, Roland's Ramblings, that you can read by clicking over to Has-Been.

Incidentally, did you know that Has Been is the second musical album of William Shatner?

Click this-a-way to see the phrase washed-up has-been used in a sentence

In doing my internet research on this topic, I came across the blog Washed Up Celebrities that you may read if you click upon the embedded link that I placed within the blog title.

Would you believe that there is even a Julie Chen Is A Washed Up Has Been Facebook page? DUH!!!

I found some other interesting reading that starts out with:

See what happens when a washed-up has-been "star" gets old and decrepit?
As in Pat Boone, of course.
Pat Boone is a longtime birther and Obama-hater, so it's no surprise he would keep up the Obama-hate.

You may read that entire piece by clicking here.

Let me conclude with this:
What's it like being a washed up has been? Why don't you tell me?

Easter. The Last Supper. Jesus was a Jew. Passover. Seder.

Wow! There are so many people who think today is Easter. Boy, are they ever WRONG!!!!

The correct date for Easter this year is May 5, 2013.

I am amazed at how many people think that their belief is the only correct belief, perhaps you may be one of them. On the other hand, others may think their belief is correct and yours is wrong.

Have you ever heard of Computus?
Here, take a look at Computus for the calculation of the 2013 Orthodox Easter.

Oh, you mean to tell me that you think today, March 31, 2013 is the real date for Easter??!!!! Maybe, you should read:
A Tale of Two Easters, Why one faith and two celebrations? by Borgna Brunner.

Jews do not observe Easter. Jews observe Passover. Jews do not have Easter Sunday dinner, Jews have Passover Seder.

Jesus was born a Jew. Jesus lived his life a Jew. Jesus died a Jew.

Some folks assert that there is a connection between Jesus' Last Supper and the Passover Seder.

But, was the Last Supper really the Passover Seder? Well, click and read each of the following and then decide the answer to that question for yourself:

Jonathan Klawans, Was Jesus’ Last Supper a Seder?, Traditional Views of Jesus’ Last Supper as a Passover Meal, Bible History Daily, 10/18/2012.
Rev. Wil Gafney, Ph.D., Was the Last Supper a Passover Seder?, The Blog, Huffington Post, Posted: 04/ 5/2012.
Michael David Lukas, Jesus' Final Passover, Was the Last Supper really a Seder?, Slate, Updated Monday, March 29, 2010.
Michael J. Cook, Was Jesus' Last Supper a Passover Seder?, Reform Judaism online. Spring 2013.

Xenophobia Thrives! Steve Zuber, Washington Local Schools Board of Education Member, Xenophobe.

For a better understanding of the thrust and intent of this Roland Hansen Commentary, please click onto the following embedded links and read the contents therein:
Xenophobia
World religions, Islam: The second largest world religion...and growing.
Mr. Steve Zuber, Board Member
Washington school board elects officers, Toledo Blade webpage, HOME → NEWS→ EDUCATION, Published: 1/18/2012
Washington Local Schools Board Brochure 3_10
Website of Washington Local Schools

Back on February 28, 2013, Steve Zuber, Washington Local Schools Board of Education Member, posted a meme on his Facebook page that he shared with the public; it was a No Lapdog Media's photo.

In the picture, a Black person attired in stereotypical Arab Muslim clothing is shown holding a sign stating,

"ISLAM WILL DOMINATE THE WORLD, FREEDOM CAN GO TO HELL."
On the photo itself above the sign carrying person is the statement,
"They Tell Us Their Plans..."
and then below the person with the sign
"So Why Do Governments Still Say They Are Peaceful?
www.infideltaskforce.com"

Well, here, take a look at that same photo meme that Steve Zuber had posted on Facebook for yourself:



and beneath it all on Steve Zuber's Facebook wall was the comment: "They have a plan. It's in the Koran."

Over the next 5 hours, the following comments were posted on that Facebook message Steve Zuber had published on that Thursday of February 28, 2013:

Roland Louis Hansen:
Just as Christianity has many denominations, so does Islam. Why is it acceptable for Christianity to want to dominate the world but not any other religion? Maybe, it would be better if Judaism was the dominant world religion.

Steve Zuber:
I don't think I've ever seen anyone who is out to dominate the world for Christianity (if they really are, and that's a personal opinion) walk around with a sign like this.... Who attacked us on 9-11 and who has been right in the midst of so many violent bombings, etc??? Case closed!

Roland Louis Hansen:
Crusades, Spanish Inquisition, America's White Southern Christian slave owners, American Tea Party. The list goes on. Terrorists were responsible for 911; not the entire Nation of Islam. Who was responsible for the Holocaust? or the Oklahoma City bombing? or bombing of abortion clinics? or the Jonesville mass suicide? or the Sandy Hook shooting murder spree? or the mass shooting and killings that occurred inside of a Century movie theater in Aurora, Colorado? or the shootings and mass murder in Tuscon, Arizona in the Gabby Giffords assassination attempt -- It sure wasn't Islam. Xenophobia of any religion or nationality is just plain wrong, Steve! What would Jesus say? I am shocked and surprised that you, an elected official on a public board of education, would spread mistruth, fear, and hatred!

Steve Zuber:
being on the boe has nothing to do with my own personal opinion....... in fact I would venture to guess that most people feel the same way I do. I know that 343 brothers in the fire service were killed for no other reason other than hate and nothing you will ever say will change my opinion. And I don't really think that I'm spreading mistruth, fear and hatred! You just gave your opinion and there are a lot of people that will disagree with you, and if they do with me......so be it!

Tom Miller:
Steve, It looks like you and I are on the same page?

Steve Zuber:
Tom, we always were my friend. Call it like it is....... not into this ridiculous political correctness....as it's gone way to far. People are afraid to even say anything for fear of 'offending' someone. That's life and that's the way its always been..... get over it and leave me alone if you don't like it..... I'm not into anyone's face for what they feel or believe........ learned long ago that you can please some of the people some of the time, but not all of the people all of the time.

Ken Klingbeil:
I stand with you Steve,this guy is full of it.

Beverly Morse:
have no use for those people or their beliefs! Peaceful my Ass! They are barberic! Tehy (sic) treat woman like dirt!
(Deleted within 15 minutes of it being posting)

Beverly Morse:
That sign doesn't even deserve any comments!!! Pathetic!

REF:
If you have a Facebook account and if you log in, you can view it all for yourself as long as it remains posted and doesn't get deleted. Just copy and paste the following URLs in your browser, after you have logged into your Facebook account:
https://www.facebook.com/steve.zuber.3/posts/228558710602540?comment_id=742653
https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/s720x720/550009_510185079024608_235121567_n.jpg

Oh, by the way, you might be interested in the website of Infidel Task Force that had been referenced on the photo meme that Steve Zuber placed on his Facebook wall.  I cannot help but wonder what type of people actually go for that kind of stuff.

Incidentally, controversy is not new to Steve Zuber or Washington Local Schools as may be read in The Blade article, OSHAA INVESTIGATION, Officials defend Whitmer transfers and the follow up article, OHSAA says Whitmer will pay $50,000 to state, forfeit football, basketball wins in eligibility case.

Does an elected official have the right to have a "personal opinion" without public repercussion, without being accountable and responsive to the public, when that opinion is posted publicly on the internet?

Should a person who is an elected member of a public board of education, an authority figure in the education of our children, be spewing forth negative thoughts, verbally or in writing that our children can see, read, or hear, on a group of people or on an entire religion?

Should that elected official be held responsible for his or her public words and actions?

Is Steve Zuber a xenophobe?

Roland Louis Hansen asks: Who am I?

Can you answer the question:

Who is Roland Louis Hansen?

For a hint, just click onto this embedded link.

Energize Yourself. Energize Your Spirit.

Are you tired of the same old dull, pale, boring life???

In writing that, I am actually thinking of that of which I just read - and that is this:

Have you ever notice that your life has become bland? Colorless? Drab?

That is just the beginning of an interesting blog entry by Nina Amir of Pure Spirit Creations. I highly recommend you click on over to read Is Your Life Colorful or Colorless? posted on the wonderful blog As the Spirit Moves Me.

Hypocrite Republican Governors Jan Brewer, John Kasich, and Rick Scott Advocate Obamacare

Remember last year when the Republican Governors boo-hooed, decried, bemoaned, and vociferously proclaimed they would oppose all attempts to implement the Affordable Care Act, aka Obamacare.

WELL --- So much for all their big talk!!!

More and more, members of the GOP and more specifically the Republican Governors, who are not much more than loud-mouthed, stinking, lying, two-faced, hypocritical, political opportunists, have become advocates for expanding Medicaid in their states. Their present day words and actions are diametrically opposed to that of their vehement opposition of a year ago.

You know what? The heck with all my crapola about this stuff. You can read the articles contained in each of the following embedded links for yourself. After you have done so, then you let me know what you think about it all.

GOP governors stand ground against ObamaCare despite ruling

Conservative Governors Remain Opposed to Obamacare's Medicaid Expansion
15 Governors express opposition to participating in the Medicaid expansion under Obamacare. 7 Governors vow to reject participation outright.

Jan Brewer, Arizona Governor, Rejects Obamacare Health Insurance Exchange

Medicaid Expansion Is Delicate Maneuver for Arizona’s Republican Governor

Gov. Jan Brewer faces fight to expand Medicaid in Arizona

Kasich Joins Five GOP Governors that have Surrendered to Obamacare

ObamaCare's 'Baby Elephant'
John Kasich says Valerie Jarrett promised, and other Medicaid tales.

Florida governor backs Medicaid expansion under ‘ObamaCare’

Come on! Did you really, really read all that?
If you did, then tell me: Did I or did I not write the truth about these yo-yo, double-speak, backstabbing, jabberjaw Republican Politicians???

Fort McDowell Casino - Unethical, Irresponsible?

If you recall (or even if you do not), awhile back on August 17, 2012, I scribed the Roland Hansen Commentary Hollywood Casino Toledo Is Irresponsible! You may wish to click onto the embedded link in the preceding sentence in order to read that piece.

Well, in another instance of what I consider irresponsible behavior and perhaps even unethical behavior by a casino, I draw your attention to Fort McDowell Casino in the metroploitan area of Phoenix, Arizona.

Rather than re-phrasing and re-writing much of what my wife, Judy, and I have already written on Facebook, I am just going to copy and paste what we have already written about it all along with the comments of others on Facebook.

First off, here is what has been written on Judy's Facebook wall throughout the day of February 4, 2013:

Judy Rosenberg Hansen:
I just posted this on The Fort FB page, but they will most likely delete it, they don't like negative comments, TOO BAD, here it is! Super Bowl $$$ drawing every quarter!
One unhappy lady got her name drawn but didn't get the money because she didn't have a picture ID with her! It was in the hotel room and they wouldn't give her time to go and get it! She was know by Casino Boss but even that didn't help her! WTH is wrong with this, everything!!!! Shame on The Fort!!!!
Roland Louis Hansen:
Hey, Judy! The Fort took your comment off their Facebook page already.
Roland Louis Hansen:
Incidentally, The Fort also put a few photos on their Facebook wall of people in the food line and at the slot machines. I wrote under one of those photos, "I wonder if the people in the photos have given permission to The Fort to have their pictures made public." That also was removed by The Fort within minutes.
Judy Rosenberg Hansen:
I knew they would do that!
Roland Louis Hansen:
I just wrote another comment under the same photo on the Facebook wall of The Fort.
It reads: "Why has my comment under this photo been removed??? All I did was to write "I wonder if the people in the photos have given permission to The Fort to have their pictures made public." Apparently, the Fort practices censorship of comments with which they disagree. My wife and and have been regulars at The Fort for many years. That is not good public relations. If The Fort fears negative publicity, it needs to respond constructively not with ignoring legitimate criticism and removing legitimate comments. If this censorship continues, we will consider the possibility of no longer going to The Fort; and we may even write about this censorship on our blogs. Oh heck, we may even bring it to the attention of the mass media of television, radio, newspapers."
I will go back to see how long that one stays there.
Judy Rosenberg Hansen:
Oh No, they just tagged my Club card, Darn! No more Fort McDowell for me!!!!!
Roland Louis Hansen:
Well, The Fort Facebook people have already removed my comment and have removed my ability to make comments on their wall.
Nara Goldman Dedrick:
that is terrible that they did that
Judy Rosenberg Hansen:
I can't comment either! Just wait until they see what and where I post it next!
Roland Louis Hansen:
I just wrote something on the wall of 3TV Phoenix. It is as follows:
I wonder if 3TV Phoenix will allow this comment of mine on their Facebook wall. I wonder if 3TV Phoenix will consider the possibility of an investigative report on the use (or misuse) of Facebook by businesses who manipulate and censor the stories on Facebook pages. So, here is my story:
My wife wrote a comment on the Facebook wall of Fort McDowell Casino that was removed by whoever manages the Facebook page of Fort McDowell Casino. I had written on my wife's FB wall this comment: "Incidentally, The Fort also put a few photos on their Facebook wall of people in the food line and at the slot machines. I wrote under one of those photos, "I wonder if the people in the photos have given permission to The Fort to have their pictures made public." That also was removed by The Fort within minutes. I then wrote on the Facebook wall of Fort McDowell, ""Why has my comment under this photo been removed??? All I did was to write "I wonder if the people in the photos have given permission to The Fort to have their pictures made public." Apparently, the Fort practices censorship of comments with which they disagree. My wife and and have been regulars at The Fort for many years. That is not good public relations. If The Fort fears negative publicity, it needs to respond constructively not with ignoring legitimate criticism and removing legitimate comments. If this censorship continues, we will consider the possibility of no longer going to The Fort; and we may even write about this censorship on our blogs. Oh heck, we may even bring it to the attention of the mass media of television, radio, newspapers." That comment was also removed and my ability to make further comments has been blocked.
Dianna-Sis L Kamper:
Wow that's crazy. She should have gotten her prize fair and square. Maybe it's time someone stands up to them, but boy did they mess with the wrong ones
Nara Goldman Dedrick:
can't believe that. They are obviously afraid of something
Alyce Segall:
i would boycott the fort since there are so many other casinos to visit

And here is an exchange that appears on the Facebook page of 3TV Phoenix (beginning on the morning of February 4, 2013 through the morning of February 6, 2013 and up until the writing of this Roland Hansen Commentary in the mid-afternoon):

Roland Louis Hansen:
I wonder if 3TV Phoenix will allow this comment of mine on their Facebook wall. I wonder if 3TV Phoenix will consider the possibility of an investigative report on the use (or misuse) of Facebook by businesses who manipulate and censor the stories on Facebook pages. So, here is my story:
My wife wrote a comment on the Facebook wall of Fort McDowell Casino that was removed by whoever manages the Facebook page of Fort McDowell Casino. I had written on my wife's FB wall this comment: "Incidentally, The Fort also put a few photos on their Facebook wall of people in the food line and at the slot machines. I wrote under one of those photos, "I wonder if the people in the photos have given permission to The Fort to have their pictures made public." That also was removed by The Fort within minutes. I then wrote on the Facebook wall of Fort McDowell, "Why has my comment under this photo been removed??? All I did was to write 'I wonder if the people in the photos have given permission to The Fort to have their pictures made public.' Apparently, the Fort practices censorship of comments with which they disagree. My wife and and have been regulars at The Fort for many years. That is not good public relations. If The Fort fears negative publicity, it needs to respond constructively not with ignoring legitimate criticism and removing legitimate comments. If this censorship continues, we will consider the possibility of no longer going to The Fort; and we may even write about this censorship on our blogs. Oh heck, we may even bring it to the attention of the mass media of television, radio, newspapers." That comment was also removed and my ability to make further comments has been blocked.
Thomas Smythe:
It's their page, they have the right to remove whatever they darn well please. If you don't like it, you don't have to post there. And if you keep trying to post things that they don't want you to, they have the right to block you. Just like they apparently did.
Next time, don't turn such a simple thing into such a crusade. Oh, and threaten to not return all you want....financially, your absence won't even TOUCH the casino's income.
Roland Louis Hansen:
To Thomas Smythe: Thank you for your kind comments. You seem to have considered all the factors involved prior to reaching your well thought out conclusions. Yep, I am sure everyone wishes to have their photos on Facebook without necessarily having given permission to do so. And, I suppose you are also correct, Thomas Smythe, in your perspective that ignoring and/or censoring the expression of customer concerns are good, sound, positive, public relations business practices. And, of course, Thomas, you must be correct that people should just keep silent rather than voicing concerns about possible injustices or mistreatment. Your approach reminds me of the following quotation that has been attributed to Martin Niemoeller: “First they came for the Communists, but I was not a Communist so I did not speak out. Then they came for the Socialists and the Trade Unionists, but I was neither, so I did not speak out. Then they came for the Jews, but I was not a Jew so I did not speak out. And when they came for me, there was no one left to speak out for me.”
Tom Nowel:
Write a letter to the editor of the Republic and find another casino.
Hal HalYes Yaffe:
Your comments could have been answered rather than edited or removed. This is a fair question. However, i think you "allow" the casino rights to your pictures simply by being on their property. Do they have a stated policy at their location?
Thomas Smythe:
Honey, I don't need your quotes, I'm quite aware of that one; and it doesn't even come close to applying in this instance. You sure do a good job of making yourself sound repressed, though! You really should be a speechwriter; some of these politicians could use such skill. Because just like with the politicians, you just made a whole lot of nothing at least SOUND like something.
You didn't "out" them for doing something wrong; I guarantee you'll find wording in the small print of the forms that you filled out for those silly little gambler's cards that says they have the right to use your image. What more likely happened was you didn't enter the comment correctly, then went on some crusade when you didn't find it later, thinking that they deleted it. And when you made a spectacle of yourself, they got rid of the problem. Either way, you went nuts about it trying to take them to task; so much so that when they had enough of you and banned you, you ran out to a news page and not only wrote a novel about it, but threatened to write some silly little blog about it. And even if they DID delete your original comment, it's not like they were covering up some huge conspiracy. They could have simply been erasing nit-picking that they felt was not conducive to the enjoyment of other customers....which, again, is their right. It's THEIR timeline, you have your OWN for a reason. Grow up and get over it already.
Roland Louis Hansen:
Aw, gee, Thomas Smythe, again I thank you for your perspective. I simply disagree with your blind devotion to and adamant defense of Fort McDowell and its questionable practices in the area of business ethics and public relations. On the other hand, I believe the public has a right to know and I would be remiss if I did not share the information about Fort McDowell and any other businesses that employ questionable business practices; the phrase "caveat emptor" may be apropos with the full and complete disclosure of such businesses.
Roland Louis Hansen:
Thank you, Hal HalYes Yaffe. Your perspective that the spokesperson for Fort McDowell Casino could have answered my concern rather than delete my comments on their Facebook page is reflective of my thoughts on the matter. I do not know whether or not Fort McDowell Casino has a stated policy posted at their premises on their use of photos of customers without the customers written consent; I have never noticed such a posted policy if one does exist. None-the-less, it seems to me that the administrator of the Fort McDowell Casino Facebook page could have provided a reply to my expressed concern rather than deleting it.

So, there you have it. First, it was Hollywood Casino Toledo; and now, it is Fort McDowell Casino.

I guess the casino business just does not have any business scruples or morals. We all know the odds are in favor of the house and that the casinos make millions upon millions of dollars in profits. So, why, oh why, do the casinos need to stoop to immoral, unethical, irresponsible, unscrupulous business practices??!!!!

But, that is just my opinion.

What are your thoughts on this?

National Rifle Association: The NRA is Full of Idiots

The NRA (National Rifle Association) wants to put guns in schools. I kid you not. Dumbass NRA executive vice president Wayne LaPierre gave the speech proposing the lamest excuse of an idea for putting our children within in the scope of gun sights.

Here, listen to the idiot President of National Rifle Association David Keene introduction and the speech given by the other crazy idiot Wayne LaPierre for yourself:



As reported in the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin, NRA President David Keene has been quoted as stating, "The real question that needs to be addressed is not what we do about guns, but what we do to make our schools safer."

Prior to President Barack Obama unveiling sweeping proposed measures to help reduce gun violence in America, the National Rifle Association went on the offensive. See and hear for yourself by clicking to NRA Unleashes The Hounds As Gun Control Fight Gets Real brought to you by Talking Points Memo (TPM).

Then, after President Barack Obama made his announcement of proposed measures to help prevent gun violence, the National Rifle Association accused the President of "attacking firearms and ignoring children." Click over to read the Christina Wilkie Huffington Post article along with its embedded videos, NRA Slams Obama Gun Control Proposal.

Now I respectfully request that you click on over to read Judy Hansen Commentary, The Lives They Lived..............