Letters to the Editor
Penny Barrett Hornsby
Published Letters: 45 Editor's Choice: 3
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Balance
[Read the article: Marching into the mommy wars]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]I returned to the workforce after an eight year hiatus. To say it was difficult is a huge understatement. Not only are you competing with much younger applicants, you are dealing with the fact that much has changed on a technical level since your exit. My boys needed me. No question. Having gone through a divorce, it was my duty to be there to minimize the scar inflicted by me on my children.
I used my brain...constantly. In order to give my kids the well rounded exposure to the outside world, to be a contributing members of society that are able to engage with its inhabitants on an intelligent level, I had to constantly think outside the box and learn about things that I wanted to introduce to them. I honestly think that anything that one does not fully immerse oneself into has the intrinsic capability of turning into a mind numbingly boring and pointless venture.
I now have two high school, gulp, almost college aged boys that are all the better for my devotion to them, at the expense of a career. Funny thing is, I went back to work, starting as an admin asst in the Engineering Department of the city in which I live. I was immediately identified as someone that would be a great fit in a highly technical position, GIS, and I am now a GIS/Engineering Technician II. My boys are proud of my work, and how I have managed to move up in a relatively short time.
The beauty is, they were taught the skills they needed by someone with a vested interest in their success: their mother. AND they were given the opportunity to exercise those skills while still under the protective but removed oversight of their teacher. I am so glad that I decided to not only stay home with my boys, but also that I showed them how important a good work ethic is and that mom is a human being with societal value. Might seem like a gimme, but it is not. So many of the kids that have stay at home moms are under the impression that mom is at their beck and call, frankly, because the mom is over-invested.
As with all things, strike a balance.
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A different perspective
[Read the article: Hey, Obama boys: Back off already!]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Maybe I should be used to it, I don't know. Maybe it's just the addiction of our society to eternally put groups into categories in order to adjust its reactions, behaviors and responses accordingly. Regardless of the reason, I am beyond fed up with this ridiculous "crush" label placed on anyone who supports Obama. How completely predictable that this white patriarchal society would deem support of a black man as being fanciful, sexually related or star struck in its foundation. Based on the white man's insecurities, vast throngs of people are shoved into a category that couldn't be further from the truth. I'm sorry that your candidate doesn't inspire. I truly am. I don't dislike Clinton or McCain, I hate what they stand for. I hate the elite in this country that have put the needs of the corporate machine ahead of the people. I hate the political cronies that put big business ahead of the health and welfare of the constituents. I don't hold Obama above anything other than a man, for that is all that he is. But I have followed him for over 4 years and I have seen a consistency in his actions that I like. I don't worship him, I don't think he is the second coming. I don't care which church he goes to or what he does in the bedroom. The day we get an elected official without dirt on his hands or a skeleton in his closet is the day we get an aberration. We are all flawed. We all do stupid crap for which we are regretful. We all say ridiculous things when we are angry or indisposed. I don't want a perfect president. I want a president that can inspire. I want a president that can talk to people in words over one syllable. I want a president that GETS IT. Gets that people are petrified of getting sick, have no place to live, have no support system, that want to work but also want to be compensated appropriately, that want to live with pride and esteem. Obama does not have all the answers, but he's willing to learn. He's willing to talk to people. He's willing to get opinions of those who might know more. I want a new era. I want a new global reputation. I believe Obama can bring that.
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Clarity
[Read the article: Will the Democrats flop in Denver?]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]The two things that PA showed us are that 1)a "gimme" for Clinton gets seriously shaky when her opponent comes to town. He whittled her lead, in a state favored to go her way, down to single digits...and no, 9.2% does not get rounded UP, it gets rounded DOWN. And 2) that "operation chaos" driven by the esteemed Slush Limpjaw, has had a monumental effect on Clinton's numbers. If she is so popular, why is she so broke? Republicans are crossing over, voting for the candidate they think McCain can beat (and they all think that's Hilary) and then they will all switch back. They haven't come to their senses as we all may wish, they are bitter. Bitter and angry that they will not be in charge and all the money and effort that they spent the last 20 years accummulating is for naught.
In my opinion, the only excitement about November is just how badly we will beat them. I can't wait.