Christine_Devine's Blog

 I'M OFTEN ASKED... "WHAT'S YOUR DAY LIKE?    SO... HERE IT IS ON T-DAY 2008.  A DAY IN THE LIFE:

FIRST OFF... HOPING YOURS WAS A GOOD ONE.  MINE STILL IN
PROGRESS.(10:30PM)   I'LL BE HEADING HOME FOR THAT FINAL PIECE OF PIE.   HEADING HOME AFTER WORK.  (NEWS HAS NO HOLIDAY)   I OPTED TO WORK AS.... 1.  A *DAY* OF GORGING ISN'T MY THING  2.  MY CO-ANCHOR HAS A LARGE FAMILY, SO BETTER HE HAVE THE DAY OFF THAN I  3.  WHEN WE WORK A HOLIDAY WE GET AN EXTRA VACATION DAY... WHICH I HAVE ALREADY BOOKED FOR JANUARY!!!  AS WE SIT HERE ON SET, THERE'S TALK OF TURKEY AND STUFFING.  STORE BOUGHT VS. HOME COOKED.   TURKEY BAKED IN A BAG, OR NO BAG.  WEATHER CASTER MARIA QUIBAN SLATHERS HERS WITH SOY SAUCE, FLOOR MANAGER BOB USES BARBECUE SAUCE.

TURKEY... HHHMMMM... *SOUNDS* TASTY.  WOULDN'T KNOW.  BY THE TIME I'D ARRIVED(6PM) FOR THE STATION POTLUCK THE TURKEY WAS GONE.  PLENTY OF ROLLS, WRITER STEPHANIE'S YAMS AND CRANBERRY SAUCE.   EDITOR CHERYL HAD ENOUGH PIES TO CARRY OVER TO THE CHRISTMAS POTLUCK.   MY BROCCOLI CASSEROLE WILL GO UN-EATEN AS, LIKE ANY GOOD THANKSGIVING, THERE WAS TOO MUCH FOOD.  I FILLED UP ON STUFFING AND POTATOES AND YAMS AND EGGNOG. (NOT TO WORRY.  I'D POPPED INTO WHOLE FOODS TODAY AND PICKED UP A FEW SLICES OF TURKEY FOR WEEKEND LEFTOVERS.)

MY MORNING STARTED OUT WITH TV... A CHECK OF THE MORNING'S NEWS... AND THEN THE MACY'S DAY PARADE AND A FLIP OF THE NEWSPAPER IN SEARCH OF BLACK FRIDAY SALES.   MY GUY IS CONVINCED HE'LL SNAP UP HIS FIRST H-D TV... I'M CONVINCED HE WON'T AS WE SAW PEOPLE CAMPING OUTSIDE OF BEST BUY AT 11AM THANKSGIVING MORNING... A WHOLE DAY EARLY.  THE MORNING ALSO MEANT PHONE CALLS TO FAMILY... GIFTS THIS X-MAS??? OR NO GIFTS(DUE TO THE ECONOMY)??  WE TALKED FEARS OF THE ANNUAL FAMILY FIGHT OVER THE X-MAS HOLIDAY.  WELL, ITS NOT REALLY A FIGHT... JUST THE VOLATILE COMBINATION OF ME, MOM AND SIS IN THE SAME ROOM.  THE URGE TO RESORT TO CHILDHOOD BEHAVIOR IS CONSTANTLY KNOCKING AT MY DOOR.

WITH THANKSGIViNG ABOUT OVER, I'M PREPARING TO PACK AWAY THE CERAMIC PUMPKINS MOM MADE YEARS AGO.  I ALREADY PUT OF A WREATH MADE BY A FRIEND.  AND I LOVE MY FIREPLACE STOCKINGS... WHO KNEW THEY CAME FROM "ROSS DRESS FOR LESS"!!!  THEY'RE FABULOUS!   ON BREAK AT WORK WE REHEARSED CHRISTMAS CAROLS AND REALIZED NONE OF US KNEW THE WORDS TO "THE 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS."  WE GOT THE "A PARTRIDGE IN A PEAR TREE" LINE... AND "FIVE GOLDEN RINGS!!!"   THE REST WAS A HODGE PODGE OF MIS-MATCHED LINES... AND HYSTERICAL LAUGHTER.

SO, ON THAT NOTE... I WRAP UP THIS BLOG.  I'M FILLING IN ON OUR SISTER STATION CHANNEL 13 NEWS AT 11PM.    HOPING YOU TOO WERE SURROUNDED BY FRIENDS OR FAMILY, GOOD FOOD, AND LAUGHTER.   FOR ALL OF THAT... I FEEL THANKFUL ON THIS T-DAY 2008.. AND WOULD LOVE TO HEAR A T-DAY ANECDOTE.   

THIS WAS A TOUGH DAY FOR A LOT OF FOLKS.  PARTS OF INDIA ARE UNDER SIEGE.  FIRE SURVIVORS ARE STILL PICKING UP THE PIECES.   TRAGIC DROWNINGS AT PT. MUGU.     THESE TOPICS TOO WERE A PART OF MY DAY... AS, AGAIN, THERE IS NO HOLIDAY IN NEWS.  SEE YOU TOMORROW AT 10!          

MOST OF US  ARE  GEARING UP FOR THANKSGIVING.   WITH T-DAY LESS THAN A WEEK AWAY  WE'RE PLANNING OUR GROCERY SHOPPING, PULLING OUT THE OLD FAMILY RECIPES... AND EVEN STARTING TO THINK CHRISTMAS.

AND ON THAT NOTE... FOX 11 THOUGHT THIS THE PERFECT TIME TO DO SOMETHING FOR THOSE PICKING UP THE PIECES AFTER LAST WEEK'S FIRESTORM.   AND A GROCERY STORE THE PERFECT PLACE TO DO IT.

THE SHEER NUMBER IS STAGGERING.   ALMOST 500 HOMES LOST IN THE SYLMAR FIRE.   SEEMS MANY OF US AT FOX NEW SOMEONE TOUCHED.   SPORTSCASTER RICK GARCIA TALK OF THE DISTANT RELATIVE WHO LOST HIS MOBILE HOME.
OUR PRODUCER HEIDI SAID THE HOME OF HER DAUGHTER'S TEACHER BURNED DOWN.   I WAS WATCHING THE NEWS AND WAS STUNNED TO SEE A MAN I KNEW PICKING THROUGH THE ASHES OF HIS HOME IN YORBA LINDA.  WE'RE TO WORK TOGETHER IN TWO WEEKS.   EACH YEAR HE HOSTS A HUGE XMAS PARTY FOR KIDS IN FOSTER CARE.  IN THE NEWS REPORT HE SAID HE HAD JUST THREE MINUTES TO FLEE THE FIRE.  189 HOMES LOST IN YORBA LINDA, BREA, CORONA.

SO, IF YOU CAN HELP... SEND MONEY.  MONEY IS WHAT'S NEEDED WRITE NOW.  VOUCHERS FOR FOOD AND CLOTHING WILL BE GIVEN TO FIRE VICTIMS.

SEND CHECKS TO:
SALVATION ARMY
900 WEST JAMES M. WOODS BLVD.
LOS ANGELES, 90015
PLEASE MARK CHECKS FOR : FOX FIRE RELIEF

    BETTER YET... IF YOU LIVE NEAR GRANADA HILLS OR YORBA LINDA... THIS MONDAY WE ARE TEAMING WITH THE SALVATION ARMY COLLECTING DONATIONS... ALL DAY AT THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS.
     IN GRANADA HILLS AT THE ALBERTSON'S ON SAN FERNANDO MISSION BOULEVARD.
     ALSO THE ALBERTSON'S ON YORBA LINDA BOULEVARD IN YORBA LINDA.
    AND GALPIN HONDA ON LAUREL CANYON BOULEVARD IN MISSION HILLS.
    TO FIND OUT MORE YOU CAN GO TO MYFOX LA DOT COM.

REBUILDING TAKES TIME.  EVEN FOR THE WEALTHY AND INSURED.   I KNOW FIVE PEOPLE WHO'S HOMES HAVE BURNED DOWN IN MY LIFETIME.  JUST LAST YEAR MY DEAR FRIEND LILLY LOST EVERYTHING.   WE THREW A SHOWER FOR HER TO ENCOURAGE HER TO START PUTTING LIFE BACK TOGETHER.  ON HER WISH LIST WERE THE SIMPLEST OF THINGS.   LIKE COOKING UTENSILS.  CARLOS GAVE HER A FLASHLIGHT.   I GOT HER NEW DOOR MATS.  SOMEONE ELSE, A NEW SHOWER CURTAIN.  THEY WERE SIMPLE THINGS WE TAKE FOR GRANTED.

ON MONDAY WE REMEMBER THOSE SUFFERING GREATLY.   AFTERALL, IT IS THANKSGIVING... AND X-MAS IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER.

It is election-eve!!! And I am SO excited. Like a kid at Christmas waiting for the gift of a new president.(no, that was not a Bush-bashing comment) Anyway, we have two good men wanting to run the most powerful nation on the planet. Two good men who want to serve our country. Two good men who want to serve YOU! Or perhaps, one is Scrooge depending on your views of their policies????

Christmas day, election-wise comes tomorrow. I'll wake up early, and a little groggy(as I do work 'till midnight). I'll lazily walk out to the kitchen, excited about opening gifts... er... voting. My eyes will open wide as I look at the beautiful tree... or in this case, the tree at MY polling place... which is the neighbor next door. Really. Next door. My fellow family members... voters... will pop in throughout the day. They'll share a laugh with relatives... election workers. Arrive in hand with a gift for the host... their voter information pamphlet to speed things along. It will be a large family dinner... voter turnout expected to be about 80 percent ! Will there be enough food??? - voting rights advocates Sunday demanded that the Los Angeles County Registrar print and rush enough ballots.

By 8pm, Christmas... I mean election day... will have come and gone. Some will be pleased with the present America receives. Some will want to return... although they'll have to wait four years for that. At this hour... I still must rush out and get a few more gifts.... or rather, decide how I'm going to vote on some of the props. Animal rights activists have asked for a yes vote on prop 2. However, I spent some time looking at the opinion pages of newspapers across the state, and several said vote no on this issue largely affecting the egg industry. FYI, driving through Manhattan Beach on Saturday I saw Prop 8 supporters out in full force pushing the passing of the marriage protection act. Will the bond measures pass in this tough economy? Are the alternative energy props good for California? Who doesn't want to fight crime, get drug addicts rehab, support victim's rights? But are they worth the costs?

Should Christmas... I mean elections... be this confusing? I have one very well educated friend who largely votes NO on every prop to send a message he thinks this system is absurd. Saturday night at dinner, I was thrilled to chat with a 25 year old waitress who was extremely well versed on the props... she admitted she was a political science major. A dear friend is voting for the first time and we've had a ball chatting elections... or rather... he's allowed me to practice for Fox 11's extensive coverage. We'll be live on the web from 5pm-10pm. Then of Fox 11 from 10 -12pm.

So... decision time is now. You must select that perfect present for mom or dad(which candidate has the best health care plan)... or for brother who might be military... or sister who's about to lose her home. Santa's comin' through the chimney soon. If ya want the perfect present on your wish list... ya better get out and vote!!!!!! What's on your voter wishlist?

Girl power in action!  Actually, they were women.. and a few good men!
I'm talking about the Women's Conference held last week in Long Beach.   The one hosted by Cal First Lady, Maria Shriver.  Did you see the clips on the news?

It is a non-partisan gathering of women created 23 years ago for small business owners.  Shriver's popularity grew it to 14-THOUSAND this year.  And it was live on the web.

If you want to be inspired, empowered, involved... check it out.  www.californiawomen.org

There were women... and men from all walks.  Governor Schwarznegger, Warren Buffet, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, CNN's Christian Amanpour, Anchor Deborah Norville, Supermodel Heidi Klum, Bono, Tennis great Billie Jean King and so many names you may or may not know.

Why care?  Because during this time of political and economic uncertainty we need leaders.  We need to know there are people fighting for something.   These panelists shared their success and their trials.
Condi Rice still ponders how a black girl from the south took up Russian studies
Heidi Klum revealed she had to BEG her agents to send her on a Sports Illustrated audition
Warren Buffet insists we stay in stocks.
Governor Schwarzenegger says his business mind grew as a 10 year old in Austria where he sold ice cream as a kid
Maria Shriver promised to let go of being angry over losing her network job when her husband took political office.

This was also a family affair. Bobby Shriver, Maria's brother.  A Santa Monica city councilman... but there as co-founder of the Red campaign, designed to help empower people in Africa through business. You've seen the "Red" shirts at GAP?



Maria's daughter modeling a shirt from her We Empower program.

I went to learn and grow.  I wasn't alone.  Ran into a Wednesday's Child mom, who'd adopted one of our little boys... and then his sister. 


 Mattel's booth.  Some sales benefit  Mattel Children's Hospital.

 My friends at Interval House domestic violence shelter were honored. 


booth for Interval House Domestic Violence Shelter

Saw a celebrity's wife listening intently, and met a cool probation officer who brought her daughter.


Bra fittings at one booth.   A popular spot!

The theme was "Be Who You Are."   Maria Shriver admitted... to be the person you want to be...can take a long time.  Amen to that!

Girl power in action!  Actually, they were women.. and a few good men!
I'm talking about the Women's Conference held last week in Long Beach.   The one hosted by Cal First Lady, Maria Shriver.  Did you see the clips on the news?

It is a non-partisan gathering of women created 23 years ago for small business owners.  Shriver's popularity grew it to 14-THOUSAND this year.  And it was live on the web.

If you want to be inspired, empowered, involved... check it out.  www.californiawomen.org

There were women... and men from all walks.  Governor Schwarznegger, Warren Buffet, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, CNN's Christian Amanpour, Anchor Deborah Norville, Supermodel Heidi Klum, Bono, Tennis great Billie Jean King and so many names you may or may not know.

Why care?  Because during this time of political and economic uncertainty we need leaders.  We need to know there are people fighting for something.   These panelists shared their success and their trials.
Condi Rice still ponders how a black girl from the south took up Russian studies
Heidi Klum revealed she had to BEG her agents to send her on a Sports Illustrated audition
Warren Buffet insists we stay in stocks.
Governor Schwarzenegger says his business mind grew as a 10 year old in Austria where he sold ice cream as a kid
Maria Shriver promised to let go of being angry over losing her network job when her husband took political office.

(pic)   Bobby Shriver, Maria's brother.  A co-founder of the Red campaign, designed to help empower people in Africa.

I went to learn and grow.  I wasn't alone.  Ran into a Wednesday's Child mom, who'd adopted one of our little boys... and then his sister. 

(pic) Mattel's booth.  Some sales benefit  Mattel Children's Hospital.

 My friends at Interval House domestic violence shelter were honored. 

(pic)  booth for Interval House Domestic Violence Shelter

Saw a celebrity's wife listening intently, and met a cool probation officer who brought her daughter.

(pic)  Bra fittings at one booth.   A popular spot!

The theme was "Be Who You Are."   Maria Shriver admitted... to be the person you want to be...can take a long time.  Amen to that!

It's been said... that "laughter is the best medicine."

And this week... we got a double-dose in the presidential election. Did you see it???? You must!! John McCain and Barack Obama went toe-to-toe... or rather joke-to-joke... at a charity fundraiser. Obama laughed at McCain's funnies. And McCain laughed at Obama's. And Hillary Clinton... laughed at McCain's about Obama. (McCain's joke was along these lines... "I have a feeling there is someone here supporting ME. (pause... dead air... wonderment???) Hillary Clinton, nice to see you tonight." DEAD-ON! Funny as heck! The room roared... and so did those of us in the Fox 11 newsroom.

An Obama funny... "As you know my father is from Kenya...Obama is Swahili for... THAT one!" Of course, you have to know the political news, or have seen the debates, to know the reference to "THAT one!" Otherwise... not so funny.

In this election... in my book... McCain won the race for comedic timing, humor, delivery and audience reaction. Who knew he was so funny!! Obama, always smooth... was a little off. Kinda reminded me of those Comedy Central roasts. They always bring up a family member... wife, ex-girlfriend, ex-husband. They deliver scripted jokes... and are a little short of hitting a home run. Gives me new appreciation for the accomplished comic. But hey, "A" for effort. "A-plus" for helping America laugh a little during these times of economic stress. "A-plus" for
poking a little fun at comments or issues that may have offended one candidate's supporters or another's. Obama joked... "whoever gave me my middle name... must have never guessed I'd run for President." Hussein. His middle name is Hussein! (that one was actually funny, with the perfect comedic timing)

http://hotbreakingnews.wordpress.com/tag/al-smith-dinne
r-full-video
www.youtube.com/watch?v=AljrFHhSF28&feature=user
www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ql1RLDVWzY

So, this begs the question... when one is laughing at one-self... does that make the medicine go down any easier?
Republican V-P candidate Sarah Palin is scheduled to appear on Saturday Night Live this Saturday. Tina Fey look out. This is the woman "who can see Russia from her house." Few of us can say that. Fey plays Palin pretty perfectly. So, we may be asking... "will the real Sarah Palin please stand-up."

It can't be easy being in the spotlight... where every word is analyzed... every faux pas maximized... every mistake immortalized... on YouTube. I know, I know... these candidates auditioned for the role. Still!

I leave you on this Friday night with a bit of levity. Sorry, I haven't blogged in a few weeks. The weight of the financial crisis left me with more questions than answers. Plus some of the news ladies www.thegoodnewsfoundation.org/ held a big 500 person luncheon to honor those making "good news." So, I was slammed with that.

Back to business on Monday. Election day is two-and-a-half weeks away.
And that's NO joke!

MY PRAYERS TO THE FAMILIES OF LOVED ONES WHO DIED IN THE CHATSWORTH TRAIN CRASH.  (pause... sigh)  SEEMS SUCH A SIMPLE, OBVIOUS THING TO SAY.   BUT AS I PONDER FRIDAY’S TRAGEDY I FEEL MORE AT A LOSS FOR WORDS.  IT IS SATURDAY MORNING.  6:30 A.M.   I COULDN’T SLEEP, DESPITE GETTING HOME FROM WORK AT  12:30 A.M.  THE WEIGHT OF THE DAYS NEWS HAS FINALLY HIT ME AS A HUMAN.   WHEN YOU COVER BREAKING NEWS AND ARE ON THE AIR FOR HOURS YOU BECOME ALMOST LIKE A MACHINE.  YOU DO YOUR JOB.   THIS MORNING... MY WEEKEND... TEARS WELL UP IN MY EYES.  I TAKE THE WORK HAT OFF... AND BECOME THAT VIEWER WHO WATCHED A TRAGEDY UNFOLD ON TV.  I CRY FOR THOSE WHO DIED(17 AS OF THIS WRITING)... FOR THE FAMILY MEMBER WHO’S SADNESS MUST CONSUME THEM AT THIS HOUR... FOR THE FIREFIGHTERS WHO WORKED SO HARD PRYING APART METAL TO SEARCH HOURS FOR PEOPLE TRAPPED IN WRECKAGE.   I CRY FOR THE NEIGHBORS WHO CAME TO THE SCENE AND WILL SURELY BE HAUNTED BY THE WRECKAGE AND THE SHOCK OF WHAT ONE REPORTER CALLED “THE WALKING WOUNDED.”  AND FOR THOSE FOLKS WHO SURVIVED, BUT WILL LIVE WITH THE HORROR OF IT ALL IN THEIR MINDS.

ON THAT DAY,  A METROLINK TRAIN AND UNION PACIFIC FREIGHT TRAIN COLLIDED.  I WRITE THAT LINE AS IF YOU HADN’T ALREADY HEARD.   IT WAS A CURIOUS MOMENT FOR ME WHEN A COLLEAGUE SAID AT 9PM LAST NIGHT THAT HER HUSBAND HAD BEEN AT WORK ALL DAY... AND HADN’T HEARD.   WHEN ONE IS IMMERSED IN LIVE NEWS COVERAGE YOU FORGET THE REST OF THE WORLD MAY BE GOING ABOUT THEIR BUSINESS AND TUNING IN AT THEIR LEISURE.    MY FIANCE’ WAS OUT OF TOWN... AND SAID HE’D HEARD “50” PEOPLE HAD DIED.(NO ONE HAD FLOATED THAT FIGURE AT THE TIME).  RUMORS.    HE SAID IT WAS HARD TO GET TV COVERAGE AS THE CABLE NEWS CHANNELS WERE ALL FOCUSED ON HURRICANE IKE.  REFLECTING... I FORGET THAT THERE COULD BE GREATER NEWS, GREATER CONCERN, GREATER TRAGEDY AT STAKE.  WHEN YOU’RE REPORTING LIVE, THE ISSUE AT HAND IS ALL CONSUMING.

AND THEN THERE’S THE QUESTING OF ONE’S OWN MORTALITY.  A FOX 11 WRITER WALKING WITH ME IN THE  NEWSROOM SAID... “I’VE TAKEN THE METROLINK!”   THERE’S THAT FEELING OF... “WHAT IF THAT WAS ME?!”   AND HAVEN’T MANY OF US TAKEN THE TRAIN?   MY TRAIN STORY IS THAT OF A TRIP TO SAN DIEGO.  THE TRAIN... LIKE THE ONE THAT CRASHED... WAS A DOUBLE-DECKER.  I LOVED SITTING UP TOP.   I SOAKED IN THE VIEW.   ENJOYED THE TIME OF REST.   AND MARVELED AT THE WORK OF MAN IN MAKING SUCH A HIGH-POWERED BEAST THAT COULD CARRY ME TO SEE FAMILY.  WE BY-PASSED CARS ON THE ROAD... A TREAT WHEN YOU LIVE IN TRAFFIC-FILLED L.A.    I WAS EXCITED.   I THINK OF THE PASSENGERS ON THAT METROLINK.  WERE THEY EXCITED?  IT WAS THEIR FRIDAY.  WERE THEY OFF TO SEE FAMILY?  RETURN HOME?   SKIP THE TRAFFIC?  ENJOY THE RIDE?

THIS IS THE FIRST I’D BEEN INSPIRED TO WRITE SINCE MY POSTING ON THE PALIN SELECTION.  BLOGGING FOR ME IS HARD BECAUSE I MUST FEEL A VOICE INSIDE.  PERHAPS I FELT OVERWHELMED BY THE ELECTION COVERAGE AND DIDN’T FEEL I COULD ADD ANYTHING AT THE MOMENT.

THIS BLOG IS OF A DEEPLY PERSONAL NATURE... FOR IT BRINGS BACK MEMORIES WHEN MY OWN LOVED ONE DIDN’T RETURN HOME ONE DAY. (YOU MAY CONTINUE TO READ IF YOU LIKE.   IF NOT, THAT’S OKAY.  CALL THIS A LITTLE PURGING OF ONE’S OWN PAIN AND LOSS BROUGHT BACK TO LIFE BY THIS TRAIN TRAGEDY. YOU NEED NOT COMMENT IF YOU LIKE.)   

ANYWAY... IT WAS LESS THAN TEN YEARS AGO.(ITS ACTUALLY LESS PAINFUL TO NOT REMEMBER THE EXACT YEAR)  IT WAS, HOWEVER,  A LATE SATURDAY AFTERNOON.  ODDLY, I JUST HAPPENED TO BE AT HOME DOING NOTHING.   I’M NOT SURE WHAT ONE IS SUPPOSED TO BE DOING WHEN THEY LOSE A LOVED ONE... BUT FOR ME... DOING NOTHING ISN’T REALLY IN MY VOCABULARY.  IT WAS HOWEVER PERFECTLY PLANNED.  FOR IT ALLOWED ME TO FLY BACK TO ARIZONA AS SOON AS I COULD PULL MYSELF TOGETHER.  THAT TOOK A MINUTE AND I’D ALREADY MISSED ONE FLIGHT.   

THE NEWS CAME IN A PHONE CALL.  IT WAS MY MOTHER.  SHE WAS STERN AND SHORT.  SHE SAID “YOUR FATHER DIDN’T MAKE IT.”   I SAID “WHAT DO YOU MEAN, HE DIDN’T MAKE IT.”  “HE DIED???”  I SAID, ALMOST JOKINGLY.   “YES” SHE SAID.  JUST “YES.”  REALLY?  JUST “YES.”   MY KNESS BUCKLED. AND I FELL TO THE FLOOR IN A SCREAM. “OH NO.”  (AS I LOOK BACK I FIND IT CURIOUS AS TO HOW ONE’S BODY... JUST REACTS.  MY KNEES... JUST BUCKLED.)

DAD HAD GONE ON A TRAINING SCUBA DIVE.  HE WAS THRILLED TO HAVE TAKEN UP THIS SPORT.  AND I WAS THRILLED FOR HIM.  AFTER A LIFETIME OF AID WORK AND EDUCATION, TAKING IN FOSTER CHILDREN AS WELL... I FELT DAD DESERVED SOME FUN.   BUT JUST LIKE DAD, THIS WORK WAS OF SERVICE.  HIS TEAM WAS CLEANING UP THE BOTTOM OF A LAKE.  PICKING UP CANS AND DEBRIS AND TRASH.  IT WAS A HIGH-ALTITUDE DIVE, TRAINING FOR A TRIP TO JAMAICA.  THERE WAS CARBON MONOXIDE IN DAD’S TANK.   ON HIS THIRD DIVE... THE POISON TOOK OVER.  WE’RE TOLD DAD JUST WENT UNCONSCIOUS AND SLIPPED AWAY.  THE LAKE WAS SO MURKY HIS BODY WASN’T FOUND FOR TWO HOURS.   MOM SAID... WHEN A SHERIFF’S CAR PULLED UP AT THE FRONT DOOR...  SHE KNEW.

IT TOOK HOURS... HOURS... TO GET HOME AS MY PARENTS LIVE IN A SMALL TOWN.   I REMEMBER BAWLING IN THE AIRPORT AS MY SISTER AND I CONNECTED IN PHOENIX.  MOM PICKED US UP IN TUCSON.  SHE WAS STOIC... IN DENIAL.  NO TEARS.  “ITS ALRIGHT” SHE SAID WITH A STRAIGHT FACE.  “ITS ALRIGHT???”  TO THIS DAY IT AMAZES ME HOW PEOPLE REACT SO DIFFERENTLY TO DEATH.  MY FOSTER BROTHERS WERE AT HER SIDE.

THAT WAS THE DAY MY FAMILY’S LIFE CAME TO A HALT.   MY BROTHERS HAD BEEN IN A WEDDING.  MY FOSTER-SISTER SAID ONE WAS SO DISTRAUGHT HE GOT DRUNK(FYI, HE DOESN’T DRINK)  BUT DAD WAS ALSO HIS BEST FRIEND AND GOLF PARTNER.   I WAS PLANNING A WEDDING SHOWER AND HAD TO CANCEL THAT.   MOM WAS THREE MONTHS AWAY FROM RETIREMENT.  NOW WHAT?  SHE AND DAD HAD VISIONS OF RE-JOINING THE PEACE CORP AND GOING TO AFRICA WHERE DAD WORKED BEFORE.  NOW WHAT?

I’LL NEVER FORGET... WE FINALLY ARRIVED HOME (TO THE TOWN SO TINY THAT THE ARRIVAL OF A TARGET STORE WAS BIG NEWS)... THE DINNER TABLE HAD BEEN SET.  I STARED AT THE EMPTY PLATES.   DAD NEVER CAME HOME.   AN INTERESTING NOTE... THE CLOCK HAD STOPPED.   OUR LIVES WERE CHANGED FOREVER.

THIS HAS LITTLE TO DO WITH THE METROLINK CRASH... BUT IS ONE PERSON’S PERSPECTIVE AND EMPATHY FOR THOSE WHO LOST LOVED ONES ON FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 12TH.   

THE ANNIVERSARY OF MY FATHER’S DEATH IS TWO WEEKS AWAY.

MY PRAYERS TO THE FAMILIES WHO LOST LOVED ONES IN THE METROLINK TRAIN CRASH.

(THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME THE TIME TO SHARE/PURGE/REFLECT/REMEMBER.   MAY WE ALL GIVE OUR LOVED ONES AN EXTRA HUG THIS MORNING. )

MUCH LOVE TO YOU ALL.

CHRISTINE

McCain/Palin.  Palin... who?

"I have no idea who HE is?"

That was how I started LAST WEEK’s blog!!   It was a young viewer’s response to the name “Joe Biden” when Barack Obama announced Biden as his choice for Veep.

I’m guessing that barely-out-of-high-school woman will be DUMBFOUNDED this week. (and perhaps the bulk of America!)   For John McCain’s choice is not a 30-year political veteran like Biden.  Not a name in the news OFTEN this past year because of his own presidential run.  But a LITTLE-KNOWN name... with less than two years in statewide political office... from a state that gets little attention.(unless you’re planning a cruise or wanting to drill for oil)  Alaska has only THREE electoral votes!!!    

Sarah Palin.  Governor of Alaska.   SARAH PALIN!   Let me say it louder.  For she was not even in the top few names mentioned LAST NIGHT.(although her name was floated in the past.  And a fan favorite of one blogger: palinforvp.blogspot.com/)  

WOW!  Does this not ENERGIZE the race!!!

There were rumblings that McCain had a trick up his sleeve last night. www.johnmccain.com  Huckabee was ruled out after reports he texted or emailed someone to say it wasn’t him.  Mitt Romney was reportedly seen leaving his home with an overnight bag.  Hhhhmmm... wonder where he was headed?  Was he in on it? No Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty?  What happened?   Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge flew to Dayton, Ohio last night.  Wasted trip?   Or media trick??!!!

Reports are now... Palin was flown to a NEARBY airport.  Tricky, tricky John McCain.  Very clever!   Time Magazine... you’ve done 8 cover stories on Obama... in sensing you owe McCain/Palin one.

-So who is Sarah Palin???   

Here’s the Alaska website gov.state.ak.us

Here’s Wikipedia (although this site bugs me as ANYONE can enter info... and its not always accurate.)  However, here it is:   (and to those who want to make fun of Palin for being in a beauty contest... let it go.  She won money for a college scholarship.  Brains and beauty.  Nothing wrong with it.  Policy?  Experience?  Different issues, and your choice).

Sarah Louise Heath Palin (born in 1964) 

Born in Idaho and raised in Alaska, Palin played point guard on her high school's basketball team. She was the 1984 runner-up in the Miss Alaska pageant, receiving a scholarship that allowed her to attend the University of Idaho, where she received a degree in journalism. After working as a sports reporter at an Anchorage television station, Palin served two terms on the Wasilla, Alaska, City Council from 1992 to 1996, was elected mayor of Wasilla (population 5,470 in 2000) in 1996, and ran unsuccessfully for Lieutenant Governor in 2002. She was elected Governor of Alaska in 2006 by first defeating an incumbent governor in the Republican primary, then a former Democratic Alaskan governor.    ######

Palin was presented to the public this morning.   McCain says he was looking for someone to “help him change Washington.”   Is Palin the one?  A good counter to Obama?  Like him,  she comes from a middle class upbringing(is a union member, parents were teachers.   Counters John McCain’s 7 houses problem)   Is  a mother of five, a baby with downs syndrome.(family values like Obama/Biden.  Married 20 years to her high school sweetheart.  Gorgeous couple!  Husband is a commerical fisherman, and world champion snow machine racer.).  One son in the military.(Republicans will appreciate that)    You can thank Hillary Clinton for paving the way and proving a woman can get votes in a Presidential campaign... although Palin’s not the first woman to get the nod for VP(Democrat Geraldine Ferraro).  She invited the women of America to "join her in shattering the glass ceiling."  She calls for energy independence.  Championed ethics reforms.   Has executive experience.  Challenged her own party.  High approval rating in Alaska. Says she was a hockey mom who never planned on politics.  Hhhhmmmm.... does it now confirm that youth and minimal political experience is okay?(Obama is 47.  Palin is 44)  Where do you go with that argument?   Imagine a V.P. debate Biden/Palin?  

 

Next week is the Republican National Convention.  John McCain, you got our attention..

and happy birthday!

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"I HAVE NO IDEA WHO HE IS?"

Talking about Joe Biden.  And that was one young woman's response when asked about Barack Obama's JUST ANNOUNCED choice for Vice President.( according to Associated Press, also reported by Fox News Channel etc.)

Clearly she has not been following American politics... for Biden was among the handful of names in the pool.   The nation was to learn TOMORROW(Saturday) the name of Obama's running mate.  Someone leaked the info tonight as we were about to go on the air for the 10pm news.   So much for all those standing by waiting to hear by text!!

"What do you think of the choice????"   That was the buzz on set and in the newsroom.  That's the question in tonight's blog.   What do YOU think of the choice?   And if you're John McCain whom do you now pick for your running mate?

To answer the Fox 11 News viewer who made the statement:  "I don't even know who he is?!" ... Here's Senator Biden's website: biden.senate.gov.   The front page says "Meet Joe Biden."   (Should a 65 year old veteran politician with 30 years in the senate need a front page that says "MEET so-and-so??)  Apparently so.   In a possible defense of the viewer.  We guess she is young, maybe in her early 20's... shall we assume she is engrossed in college, or work or a life that has politics on the backburner?  Or could we all use a lesson in Biden 101?

With that in mind.  Expect the next few months to be full of education on why Obama selected Biden, what they offer as team, and why Americans should vote for them.   As of tonight, Obama's site, barackobama.com, had no mention of the veep choice.   Stay tuned!   

P.S.  With the Democratic convention getting underway, see my colleague John Schwada's blog and live reports.

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8/08/08

The Chinese call this day "lucky."  I would bet John Edwards would beg to differ.  While lots of folks rushed to marry on this special day... it was a marriage scandal that topped the news... and talk radio... and most everyone I encountered this evening.

In case you didn't watch news today, listen to radio, or live in a cave... here's the story in a nutshell according to Associated Press:

"Former presidential candidate John Edwards, who won nationwide praise and sympathy as he campaigned side by side with his cancer-stricken wife, Elizabeth, ADMITTED in shame Friday he had had an affair with a woman who produced videos as he
prepared to launch his campaign. " 

Driving to work... talk radio's Larry Elder was debating whether the Edward's affair was newsworthy.  One caller complained there were more important issues on the planet.  Thoughts?  Elder says it matters because Edwards may... was... in line for a possible political position should Obama win the presidency.   Elder said past questions on whether McCain had an affair were valid too.   Think the French would agree?

Water cooler gossip is sure to be hot and heavy on this one... (unless of course people aren't at the work water cooler and actually enjoying their weekend)

I know, I know this topic is too easy and I'm sure everyone has an opinion.   So, go for it.

I echo Hillary Clinton's prayers for the family. Kind of ironic knowing Edwards was so critical of Bill Clinton's affair.(Df... I'm sure you can find YouTube video on this one)

Heading home tonight... reporter Ed Laskos who covered the story sadly said... "there are no winners on this one."

 On that note, I'm going home... and watching the Olympics!

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Blogging 101

You might say I just completed a course which could easily be titled "Blogging 101." It was an hour-and-a-half long session at a convention for journalists and student hopefuls... and apparently... bloggers we're not!(at least those of us at the seminar... which is probably why we were at the seminar-Unity 2008)

When asked for a show of hands of how many currently blog there was a small percentage of the room. When asked how many have been blogging for more than two years about 10 people's palms went up in the air. TEN people in a room of about 200. The speaker(from a national news magazine) who posed the question had been blogging for just seven years.

According to the Columbia Journalism Review: "In 1999 there were dozens of blogs. Now there are millions. " http://cjrarchives.org/issues/2003/5/blog-jensen.asp>.

Point being: blogging is a relatively new sport. And if it were football... I'd be in Pop Warner. Baseball... the minor leagues. I still find this to be new territory... and like a babe in the woods I'm still tip-toeing around as I find my place.(see my colleague John Schwada's blog. He's so good it has been picked up nationally!) I point out my trepidations only because I'm determined to master this blog thing... and ask forgiveness for past web errors.(I wrote just a few lines once and you web viewers let me know I had committed a web wrong. "Write when you have something to say" wrote one responder)

So as I find my way in this web world... the question now is... "who am I?" As a reporter I'm used to interviewing a subject and reporting THEIR story. My style is not a Bill O'Reilly expressing my own thoughts and opinions... nor did I think as a journalist I should(my colleague Bob Tarlau just did a blog on the independent presidential candidates. It seemed to be opinion free and a great look at a specific topic). If YOU have a favorite blogger send me their link. Interested in reading the best blogs? Check out the webblog awards http://2008.bloggies.com/ LA's Perez Hilton was nominated several times. http://www.perezhilton.com/ Personally, I don't have much interest in celeb news or gossip, so this isn't a site I'd visit. Speaking of lighter topics. My colleague Susan Hirasuna just did a blog on music and sending her child to his first concert. While it is not a hard hitting topic I felt the fun urge to respond with my own first concert story. (It was to see Kool and the Gang... am I dating myself???) My passion is my work with Wednesday's Child and finding homes for children in foster care. But, you all probably don't want to hear about that every week.(My colleague Tony Valdez has a great segment called "LA's Most Wanted"... but is currently blogging about The Nightstalker case) In the future my blogs will be a combination of current events, LA happenings, newsmaker interviews and a little personal fluff.(can't wait to write on my new puppy! and get some puppy training tips!)



Blogging 101 was the perfect class for me. I learned tips and tools of the trade. One speaker said he's on the internet EVERY DAY, ALL DAY. But then again, his blog is to make money. It is his job. If blogging were the military... you'd have to say I've been drafted. DRAFTED??? Yes, drafted. Reason: unlike those who chose to blog I am among those who are joining the blog world thanks to a mandate/request by my company. Fox is among the smart companies not wanting to miss the blogging boat.(A panelist from Bravo TV said its celebs are under contract to blog weekly http://www.bravotv.com) The internet is the current and future and blogging is a whole new way to brand one self, generate advertising dollars and reach out to a whole new audience. And why not. Blogging is big business.(check out the Blog Herald and read about one of the largest blog sales... a deal worth 25 million dollars! http://www.blogherald.com) Then, according to the seminar, are those who blog to share a passion or viewpoint but who's advertising earnings can be compared to middleclass America or most likely the working poor. And finally, there are those who blog... and only mom reads it.

Which gets to my next question. Who is reading my blog... and WHY?(I know my mom has read it at least once) Seems Fox 11 has a few regulars... I mean really regular... I see you respond to most all of us. Samo, Mystere, Dasvics, DfDeportation, Craftyguy. Are you all on the internet ALL THE TIME? Df... you had about FIVE entries in Bob Tarlau's last blog. Seriously... how do find the time? Just curious.

With my new internet education I learned one must stay on top of their blog. So I promise to respond more rapidly... or at least once a week. Now, to the responses... one panelist said "bloggers are not bullies... they're geeks." HER WORDS, not mine!!! Frankly, I'd love to be a geek named Bill Gates!!  Still, I must admit I'm still building the thick skin panelists say you need. Sometimes you/we bloggers/bullies/geeks can be hard, cruel, blunt... or completely honest. I'm told you will "fact check" us to death. For that I thank you. But back to the thick skin... even my mom was rattled by one responders harsh words. She resisted the urge to respond. I made an appointment for web-therapy. Hey! That's an idea... a psychologist geared to handle what I call "web-trauma." A web-ologist. Or as a panelist said... just don't respond.

With that... I end "Blogging 101" and return to work on our nightly newscast... (something I'm much more comfortable with) See you 10pm... or on the internet.

CD

WHAT THE HECK IS DIGITAL CONVERSION?????

That was my question when the issue first popped up.  And, why do I care?

I've since  learned because I have cable... my college television would indeed still work.  Yes!  I still have my television from college!!!!   It fits perfectly in the kitchen.  And why throw away a perfectly good TV!(Yes, I'm accused of being a pack-rat!)

So, I started thinking... who would this affect?  hhmmm.   Ah!  Grandma.  My grandmother still had a TV with an antenna.  Grandma would need to know about digital conversion.   As will the 20% of American households still using rabbit ears.  In LA alone, that's one million people.  A million Angelenos use the standard old fashion style of TV... no satellite, fiber or cable.  INCLUDING one of our Fox 11 news writers, Richard!

So.... know anyone like grandma or Richard?  If so, tell them they need a DTV converter box... or a new TV.   By February, 2009.   The federal government is offering a discount... a 40-dollar coupon.  Log onto D-T-V-2009-DOT-GOV to get it or call 888-DTV-2009.

Are you really bored... or curious... you can check out our website and read all about the digital switchover. 

Analog TV goes BLACK  in February 2009.  No DTV converter box, no cable/fiber/satellite... NO TV PERIOD.  (Come to think of it... some may say that's not a bad thing.   I can't tell you how many times, as we kids sat glued to the tube, my mom screamed "I'm gonna throw that @#&* thing out!!!! )

No doubt... America has lost a news great.
Tim Russert... national journalist, host, accomplished author, seasoned political expert, lawyer, loving husband, father, devoted son... and the most moving to me... a Buffalo, New York native.   As a fellow Buffalo native, Tim Russert  had a special place in my heart.  

While I never knew him... Tim seemed among Buffalo's best.  Frankly... I don't hear many bragging about Buffalo... and when he would it brought a pang of nostalgia.   My mom moved us to Arizona when I was two years old but visiting grandma and grandpa in Buffalo was the highlight of my ENTIRE life.   Tim's love for the Buffalo Bills matched my grandmother's.  Both were DIE-HARD fans.  Grandma never missed a game and could talk football with the best.   And as a little girl in Arizona, I'd posted Buffalo Bills banners on my bedroom wall.  I loved my Buffalo Bills t-shirt... even though snowy Buffalo was a complete contrast to the scorching Arizona desert.  I felt special, unique.   When Russert would talk about Buffalo I would feel close to home.   My grandparents lived in a farming community outside of Buffalo.  To this day there is still a volunteer fire department.   A street is named after the family(Seufert).. it's just to the left of the long-time hot dog stand in the town of North Boston that only opened for the summer.   Russert's love and care for his dad represented the love I had for my grandparents.  His talk of family was my fantasy of Buffalo.

With Russert's sudden, stunning passing... my prayers go out to his wife, son and father.   Father's Day will take on new meaning for this family.   May time heal the heartbreak and loss and replace it with fond memories and a lasting legacy.   I lost my own father in a sudden, stunning way... an accident.   While Tim had authored books on his family and father... I had once written my father a letter thanking him for a good life.(he had married my mother, and adopted me when I was 2 or 3).    On this Father's Day, I encourage you all to take a moment to say thank you to a father or father-like figure who's shaped your life.  Tim Russert's sudden passing is a reminder that we won't always have that chance.

Sunday mornings without Tim Russert won't be the same.  I channel flip the news shows Sunday morning.  Always making sure I saw some of "Meet the Press."   Tim... thank you for being a great role model as a journalist, father, husband and son...  and of course, hometown hero.  GO BILLS!

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GLAMPING????

Ok, I get it. All the comforts of home... yet at a campground. Glamping. (see news story by Suzanne Marquez) It's the hot new thing in summer fun. Glamping at El Capitan Canyon. www.ElCapitanCanyon.com

No more lumpy, bumpy nights of slumber in a sleeping bag.
No more cooking on the Coleman camp grill.
No more pitching a tent, pounding in those stakes by hand.

Glamping is the way to go if camping ain't your thing... yet you love waking up in the great outdoors... you love a hike in the hills... you love getting out of the big city.

With Glamping... your tent is replaced by a cedar cabin, or a safari tent with wooden risers.
That cold shower at the public restroom is bumped by a jacuzzi tub.
Why read by flashlight at night when you can relax instead with an in-cabin massage?
Who needs mosquitoes and that fabulous bug repelant "Avon Skin So Soft" ... when bug screens are available.
Why stuff yourself in a sleeping bag when you can spread out on a king size bed.
No need to shiver in a flannel shirt. Just turn on the heater.
Not up for doing dinner for the fam... call in for delivery.

Camping. No, it's GLAMPING!

It's upscale... and costs about the same as a hotel. Location... between Santa Barbara and Santa Ynez Wine Country. AND, it's booked up to a year in advance.

SIGN ME UP!!!! I haven't camped since childhood and swore I never would again. I was haunted by memories of the family summer camping vacations... of stepping on a dead snake in the middle of the night running to the bathroom as a little kid... mom's cooking off the Coleman grill... the whole family in one tent... LOOOONGGG boring rides to get to canyon locations... bugs and bad bathrooms... lumpy, bumpy, dirt beds hardly disguised by sleeping bag. I swore, I'd never camp again!

Yet, when I saw Suzanne's story on Glamping... a flood of fond memories came rushing in.
Smores by the fireplace(I liked my marshmallows burnt). Early to bed, early to rise. The comforting, crisp clean air. The new friends... for the weekend. The beautiful scenery(we camped all over the west. Zion, Bryce, Grand Canyon) Ok, the rides weren't so bad... singing along with my little sister and playing stupid kid games. Watching dad, admiringly, as he put up the tent for the family. Mom cutting watermelon and yelling at me to stop being silly. The light of the fire as it crackled in the dark night. We'd snuggle up, wrapped in blankets. Quality family time.

As I look back... I think now, camping was alright. My dad has since passed away. I only see my mom maybe four times a year. My sister is busy with her own child and husband. And I'm engrossed in L.A. life. Events, friends, working out... work.

Ah, how I now long for those days of camping. Thanks Suzanne, for you triggered this flood of fond memories buried so deep. I'm actually going on vacation soon. To a hotel. Maybe next time it will be camping... or should I break in slowly with Glamping?

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There they stood. A group of Marines, in uniform. I immediately felt a sense of pride... and emotion. They looked handsome, clean cut. Polished and refined.

Yet, when I arrived they also looked out of place, slightly uncomfortable. They stood off to one side. A red-carpet was to their right. It was bright, well lit... screamed Hollywood. Cameras flashed. A blond woman in fancy dress was being interviewed. The Marines stood to the side... in the shadow of the dark night.

It was a jarring contrast, yet a beautiful sight at the same time. Two vastly different worlds coming together. One... the world of military men and women. The young Color Guard. And the Marines who've seen combat. Marines wounded to the point you can't help but stare. You can't help but cry inside. The second... the wealthy world of Bel Air, Beverly Hills and Hollywood. A rock star's gorgeous girlfriend. Donald Trump's sexy ex. An agent. And an actor from Star Wars. And there were doctors. Plastic surgeons. Men and women who'd come together to try and make wounded Marines whole again.

The event: a fundraiser at the hip and trendy Vibrato Grill and Jazz on Beverly Glen for a new-ish organization called "Iraq Star!" And at this event three wounded Marines were indeed rock stars! Their arena... the war in Iraq. Their audience... Americans not wanting to forget our war wounded.



"Iraq Star" was started by the AMAZING Maggie Lockridge, a nurse who spent a career in plastic surgery. She has pulled together plastic surgeons across the country to perform surgery on our wounded military men and women... and their stories our heartbreaking! www.IraqStar.org

They profiled a Marine, who's face still showed the disfigurement of a jaw being blown apart. Yet, he looked beautiful in his military uniform adorned with MANY medals. He seemed timid, perhaps overwhelmed by the contrast of a party scene for such a sensitive topic. His gal clutched his arm tightly and all eyes were politely on them. His war wound had destroyed his jaw, his tongue welded to the bottom of his face. He returned to the United States unable to eat. He was fed through a tube. His mother said his speech was such that when he'd try to make a phone call people would hang up on him.

"Iraq Star" to the rescue. To make a long story short... a tongue surgeon was EVENTUALLY found in another state. The Marine underwent three days of RISKY surgery and a long recovery. (The tongue is apparently a difficult organ to work on.)

Did the surgery work? You'll love his report of recovery. The Marine wrote "Iraq Star" with this: "I ate turkey for Thanksgiving." We ERUPTED in cheer!!!!!!!

Imagine... something as simple as eating a meal. Don't we take that for granted? A second Marine profiled was out of uniform... yet you knew he was one of them. His face wore the scars of terrible injury. There were lines much like a baseball... as if his gentle face had been roughly pieced back together. Their were the scars left by burns. One hand was clearly crippled. The other outfitted with a metal hook of sorts in which he was able to grasp a glass of soda. His gal too clutched him closely. I wondered what life was like before. Did he play high school football? Does he now have a job? What must it feel like for people to stare?

Fox 11 interviewed this Marine. And I was intrigued by how calmly and confidently he spoke. He thanked "Iraq Star" for a surgery that gave him a new nose. He said something along the lines of it helping his children no longer being fearful of his disfigured face. Imagine the daddy they remembered no longer looking like daddy? His confident speech seemed to make the scars go away. And I felt proud of him.

We can expect to see more war wounded on the streets of America. When you see a young man in his 20's or 30's with injuries you might question in your mind if they were wounded in the war. Will we have another generation of forgotten vets? Not if groups like Iraq Star have a say. Iraq Star says 24,000 men and women have returned home wounded. 144 doctors have enlisted across the nation to join Iraq Star's efforts.

This is not about being for or against the war. It's about standing up for those who stood up for our country long before the war even started. It's about standing up for those who stood up for the rest of us here at home. It is a long journey... remembering the war wounded.


Marla Maples and Marines
---------------------------
A footnote:
The fabulous folk at the Didi Hirsch Mental Health Center are focusing the wounds inside. At their "Erasing the Stigma" luncheon the focus too was our military men and women.  www.didihirsch.org


Emcee-Christine Devine, Kita Curry-President/CEO Didi Hirsch Mental Health Center

The journalists who uncovered disturbing conditions at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center were honored. Thomas Whiteside(a veteran) accepted. His daughter, Lt. Elizabeth Whiteside, was at the hospital after a psychiatric break in Iraq and attempted suicide. She tried a second time while being treated at Walter Reed Army Medical Center as she waited for a decision as to whether she would be court-martialed for her first suicide attempt. www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/01/
30/AR2008013003106.html?hpid=topnews


Mr. Whiteside shows me a photo of his daughter as a little girl. His smiles masks the many tears that have flowed.

A Vietnam Vet, author Chuck Dean, spoke of tough times upon returning to America. He even called himself that "crazy" vet society can shun. He urged family members to support their war veterans. To understand when they want to sit a restaurant where they can see the exits. To understand if they want to sleep on the couch, more resembling their military cot. To understand mood swings and anger. Their goal, to erase the stigma. To encourage military men and women to seek mental health care and therapy. To encourage funding for such efforts and laws that understand.  
 www.amazon.com/s?ie=UTF8&search-type=ss&index=books&f
ield-author=Chuck%20Dean&page=1

As an American, these issues deeply concern me. And they concern me on a personal front.  I'm a bridesmaid in a wedding this summer. The groom is a U.S. Marine. A reservist. He's being sent back to the middle east, his 2nd tour, later this year.