BAGGAGE

Apprentice Man sat his last GCSE exam today and now has a summer’s freedom before returning to school in September. Sometimes the attraction of closing a door as we step through can be the enticement of liberty at the other side. On most occasions, however, our responsibilities follow us across the threshold and into the big blue yonder. Indeed rarely do we encounter a situation where we travel, no matter what distance, without some baggage about us. It’s different when you are still in your teens; July and August seem like an eternity to be filled with whatever you choose and there’s no need to act hostage to responsibility, guilt, sorrow or whatever emotions could fill that rucksack on your back. No wonder that in later years the innocence of childhood and adventures of adolescence hold certain nostalgia as we struggle with the weight of life’s experiences and all it throws at us.

Worried About The Effect Of Divorce On Your Kids?

The shift from a two-parent home to a one-parent home isn’t easy. You will question yourself, and the circumstances your children are thrown into. Will they grow up damaged in some way? It’s best to remember that no upbringing is perfect. Many children from unbroken homes grow up twisted. I believe that whether you grow up in a home with two parents or one, you will probably be a little screwed up anyway. People aren’t perfect, neither parents nor children. We can only try our best.

Ask yourself each day: Am I giving my children a safe, loving home with the things they need to be happy? Do I communicate with them every day, keeping up with their lives and changes? Do I show them love? If you can truthfully answer, “yes” to these questions then you are probably doing a good job as a parent.
The bottom line is that divorce is painful and you cannot completely protect your children from this pain. But you can lessen the risk of emotional damage and raise healthy, happy children even in the face of divorce.

Hillaryland

The Washington Post had a fascinating article on Hillary Clinton and her campaign. It seems that Senator Clinton has amassed a posse of intelligent women who surround her and are at the forefront of her campaign for the Presidency. The fact that she is the first female to run for president is in and of itself is history in the making. The fact that her inner team consists of all women with a smattering of male talent on the outskirts makes this race all the more dynamic. Whether you agree with her politics or not one must admire the fact that Hillary Clinton has bypassed the "old boys" network and brought in fresh new female talent to win this election.

As a woman I am in awe of the inner workings of a campaign which until now has been reserved for "gentlemen only." Hillary's inner circle is run as most women would run an organization, taking the time to get involved with each member, celebrating births and mourning deaths; lending a well place hand when one is in need.
A far cry from the corporate male mentality of non personalizing ones job and viewing employees as pawns, the Clinton inner circle could be a ladies night out but instead of discussing issues involving the local elementary school politics these women are discussing strategies involving world affairs.

The women of Hillaryland are "every woman." They represent all of us out there who for so long have been kept out of the male dominated political world of the Presidency. All of us in our sewing circles and prayer groups and Mommy and Me classes who have been made to feel that our views really don't count in the world of national politics should rejoice. We are 51% of the population and it is about time our voice is heard at the highest levels of our democracy.

At the present time Liberia, Chile' and Israel and Ireland have female presidents. Margaret Thathcher was Prime Minister of England for 11 years. East Germany, Switzerland the Phillipines,Malta, Haiti, Nicaragua,Bolivia, Iceland, Argentinia, Finland,Panama are among the nations who have had female heads of state. It is hard to beleive that in this melting pot society of ours that all of our Presidents to date have been white christian males. For the first time in history as viable candidates of a formal political party we have an African American in the mix and a Woman. This will be an exciting race to watch. Will Americans stay with the tried and true or will they elect someone who is more like the face of America today?

Whether you are for or against Hillary Clinton is irrelevant. The fact that she has smashed the glass ceiling of the office of the presidency by finally making it a equal opportunity position should make all of us who have estrogen flowing through our body burst with pride.

Hillaryland

The Washington Post had a fascinating article on Hillary Clinton and her campaign. It seems that Senator Clinton has amassed a posse of intelligent women who surround her and are at the forefront of her campaign for the Presidency. The fact that she is the first female to run for president is in and of itself is history in the making. The fact that her inner team consists of all women with a smattering of male talent on the outskirts makes this race all the more dynamic. Whether you agree with her politics or not one must admire the fact that Hillary Clinton has bypassed the "old boys" network and brought in fresh new female talent to win this election.

As a woman I am in awe of the inner workings of a campaign which until now has been reserved for "gentlemen only." Hillary's inner circle is run as most women would run an organization, taking the time to get involved with each member, celebrating births and mourning deaths; lending a well place hand when one is in need.
A far cry from the corporate male mentality of non personalizing ones job and viewing employees as pawns, the Clinton inner circle could be a ladies night out but instead of discussing issues involving the local elementary school politics these women are discussing strategies involving world affairs.

The women of Hillaryland are "every woman." They represent all of us out there who for so long have been kept out of the male dominated political world of the Presidency. All of us in our sewing circles and prayer groups and Mommy and Me classes who have been made to feel that our views really don't count in the world of national politics should rejoice. We are 51% of the population and it is about time our voice is heard at the highest levels of our democracy.

At the present time Liberia, Chile' and Israel and Ireland have female presidents. Margaret Thathcher was Prime Minister of England for 11 years. East Germany, Switzerland the Phillipines,Malta, Haiti, Nicaragua,Bolivia, Iceland, Argentinia, Finland,Panama are among the nations who have had female heads of state. It is hard to beleive that in this melting pot society of ours that all of our Presidents to date have been white christian males. For the first time in history as viable candidates of a formal political party we have an African American in the mix and a Woman. This will be an exciting race to watch. Will Americans stay with the tried and true or will they elect someone who is more like the face of America today?

Whether you are for or against Hillary Clinton is irrelevant. The fact that she has smashed the glass ceiling of the office of the presidency by finally making it a equal opportunity position should make all of us who have estrogen flowing through our body burst with pride.

LETTING GO - Chattels and Other Items

Last week the family and I went for a studio session in a local photographers and today went back to choose the prints we are having made up into pieces for the wall. “Family heirlooms,” the sales pitch describes them as.
It set me thinking. A decade ago, most of my cases would involve an argument over a division of the family photographs; fortunately the age of digital photography has made such disputes passé.
That said, frequently the stumbling block to settlement terms can still be an heirloom of sentimental rather than monetary value. It’s all about letting go and yet locked into a dispute with what seems like nothing else to hold onto, it can be very hard to do.
Once upon a time I remember a client arguing about a teapot passed to her by an elderly aunt of her husband’s. Both claimed ownership but eventually the husband gave in and my client retained it. I met her a few months later in the street and couldn’t help asking after the item. It transpired that she no longer had it.
“I let go,” she explained.
I assumed she meant in the metaphysical sense but then she elaborated: “Slipped straight through my fingers when I was moving it from the dresser,” she said. “Mind, I never did like it. I only wanted it because he did. After all it was only a ‘thing’!”

The "Duke" Disbarment

I have to admit I was glued to my satellite radio listening to the Prosecutorial misconduct case for Nifong this passed week. The alleged Duke Rape case was enough to make any mother of boys cringe and despair to think that "But for the Grace of God go I," in hoping that we raise our children with enough common sense and moral values that they would not get involved in a situation which could lead to these type of allegations. The fact of the matter exists however, that those boys could have been any of our sons and the fact that they were so doggedly pursued and essentially railroaded leaves us all a little uneasy with our common believe that the truth will always set us free. In this case it was some hidden DNA results that set them free. Hidden in fact so well that it took a team of lawyers quite a while to discover it amongst many many pages of requested discovery. As the mother of sons I am angry that a mere allegation by some woman whose morals and judgment can and should certainly be questioned can cause such destruction in the lives of some careless young men. I am also angered by the power the DA exerted in doggedly pursuing this case when evidence came in questioning the allegations made. Did the DA misuse his office? Of course he did.

That being said, I wonder still if disbarment of Nifong was the correct punishment for this crime. Being an attorney myself I truly feel for other lawyers who are brought before the grievance committee in an attempt to second guess their actions. Regardless of Nifong's zeal in prosecuting this case, did his actions warrant the I punishment he received which is basically stripping him of his ability to earn a living? This is the question with which I struggle. I am glad that he resigned his position of DA and in fact would have been in favor of throwing him out of the position physically had he not resigned on his own. I also don't think this man should be put in any other positions of power, like a judgeship. Perhaps therefore a public censure would have been more of an appropriate punishment. Taking away his ability to provide for his family seems to me an inappropriate way of expressing our displeasure of his actions.
Perhaps I am soft hearted, but disbarment in my mind should be reserved for those who have no moral compass, not for those who have merely lost their way.

The "Duke" Disbarment

I have to admit I was glued to my satellite radio listening to the Prosecutorial misconduct case for Nifong this passed week. The alleged Duke Rape case was enough to make any mother of boys cringe and despair to think that "But for the Grace of God go I," in hoping that we raise our children with enough common sense and moral values that they would not get involved in a situation which could lead to these type of allegations. The fact of the matter exists however, that those boys could have been any of our sons and the fact that they were so doggedly pursued and essentially railroaded leaves us all a little uneasy with our common believe that the truth will always set us free. In this case it was some hidden DNA results that set them free. Hidden in fact so well that it took a team of lawyers quite a while to discover it amongst many many pages of requested discovery. As the mother of sons I am angry that a mere allegation by some woman whose morals and judgment can and should certainly be questioned can cause such destruction in the lives of some careless young men. I am also angered by the power the DA exerted in doggedly pursuing this case when evidence came in questioning the allegations made. Did the DA misuse his office? Of course he did.

That being said, I wonder still if disbarment of Nifong was the correct punishment for this crime. Being an attorney myself I truly feel for other lawyers who are brought before the grievance committee in an attempt to second guess their actions. Regardless of Nifong's zeal in prosecuting this case, did his actions warrant the I punishment he received which is basically stripping him of his ability to earn a living? This is the question with which I struggle. I am glad that he resigned his position of DA and in fact would have been in favor of throwing him out of the position physically had he not resigned on his own. I also don't think this man should be put in any other positions of power, like a judgeship. Perhaps therefore a public censure would have been more of an appropriate punishment. Taking away his ability to provide for his family seems to me an inappropriate way of expressing our displeasure of his actions.
Perhaps I am soft hearted, but disbarment in my mind should be reserved for those who have no moral compass, not for those who have merely lost their way.