Kids Brain Football injuries

       Yeah, I know these are just kids. They can't get hurt like the big guys. You should hear what I am listening to right now. Grown up professional players do not want their own kids playing football. One, I think it was Brett Farve has said, I don't remember my daughter ever playing soccer. Others don't remember so much and wonder how their brain has been damaged. There is a billion dollar settlement under way for brain injuries.
      It is being said now, it will take moms to do something about stopping kids from playing football. Men want and love the roughness and toughness of the game and think, hey they're boys, they need to play football. When they have brain damage will that same man be able to pay the bills, will he be able to sit and watch, take care of a son, now brain damaged because of football? It only takes one hit ! They only have one life.

Think about it. Save your sons, now.

Chaka Fattah & Foster Child

       Some years ago, I was allowed to take a foster child, a male to meet, and visit with rep. Chaka Fattah. Yes, I did see the headlines today on line and so it brought back the visit to his office. I wanted this little boy who is African American to see where his life could go, should he do right, take the education that is out there and maybe one day he too could be in politics. Here's what happened.
   We started off getting a fancy haircut with CF initials cut into his hairline, bought  nice slacks and dress shoes and a dress shirt. It was summertime and we just couldn't find a suit. This kid looked sharp and he was very shy when it came to speaking.
    Well we started off to Washington, excited to meet a representative. I explained what I thought that position was. Close to his office I get a call that the congressman is running late and could we arrive a little later. Sure that was fine. Traffic wasn't moving well anyway and I needed to learn where I was going and where to park.
     Finally, we go to the meeting and are greeted by his assistant, a very pretty woman, terrific personality and his whole office is very welcoming. My little guy who was twelve at the time, just smiled and nodded. This kid also loved football. Mr. Fattah had a football on a credenza that he received form a man in Philly who played on the team one year, think his name was Napolitano? That became a topic of interest between the congressman and the child who sat across from the desk of this well dressed man. Fattah's assistant sat to his right on a sofa taking notes.
    During some talk, the child was asked if he had siblings and yes, he had many,, also in foster care spread out all over . We talked about Education and Mr. Fattah promised the child he would give 100,000. out his his own pocket for his education, if he stayed in school and didn't get in any more trouble. He was asked his birthday, favorite color, football team and a few more questions. His assistant said she would send him a jersey for his birthday.
    Back to family. At that time the congressman called out a young lady who was working on a project that the congressman said was important to him, that siblings see each other more, as my child rarely saw his siblings. Then out comes the secretary with a few questions and mentioning a camera and how my little guys story would be front page for the topic that office was working on. STOP!
    I said nope, sorry. Since he is with children and youth that can't happen. Children who are in care and under the guardianship of C&Y cannot have picture taken in public and stories like they wanted, written up.
Well they all said they understood, asked if we wanted to go to lunch and told us where to go in the building. Heck, I thought at least we'd be treated to lunch, not one dime, coupon or reserved space.
    Aft re lunch we went back to the office and talked a little more but now it was about football, that football, how Fattah got it, all shook hands and said good-bye.
     Tome passes and the child had to leave my care but I stayed in touch with him and found out he never received anything from that office, not even a card for his birthday. I e mailed the secretary, told her how I felt, the promises made about ajersey, questions asked about his birthday and no wonder kids don't trust adults. This is a man he can look up to? These were people to respect? She promised she would send him something if I didn't say anything. I agreed. As a foster mom, life went on, more kids and one day I had a chance to visit that little guy and asked him if he ever got a jersey. No, he said, I got a pen and pad. Nice.
   I have to add, I am still thankful that kid did a meet up with Fattah, as chnaces are he won't see anything negative to dismiss anything positive. That kid no works a lot of hours, plays hard, works hard, so who knows where life will take him? Maybe a pro player, kind of what we have in congress now.

Ohio Rape Case

    Have you followed this case? Some will, probably more in Ohio. It will be those who are directly affected by this, all of the families. The town seems only to worry about the name they are getting instead of the victim. If they would only ask this of themselves and answer honestly, what if that was my daughter?

    This is my opinion. Many cases also convict the witness, the people who stood by, said nothing, did nothing, drunk or sober, they knew. In a very large case at Penn State and yes I know I'm talking miles apart here, but look who was fired for not doing enough, or turning their backs. Deservedly so,  especially when we're talking about children.
    So now again this is about children. Another form of bullying, assault, a demeaning action, brave football players, male species. What the hell is wrong with Sports when men or young men behave like this and feel they should get away with it by blaming the victim !!!!
   Sure she was drunk, so drunk she couldn't willingly participate. She was pulled apart!
     She was spread eagled by legs and arms while others watched! They did nothing. Why have they not been arrested too for depraved indifference????
   The town should come together in defense of the victim, and yes I know moms and dads don't want to believe their sons would do what they did. If any "thing" is to blame here, it's alcohol and no matter what, people need to pay for their crimes. This girl will live a long time with the shame of all of this and so must the perpertrators. If not, can you picture this? A bunch of big guys walking out of the court room, smiling, hugging, laughing and slapping one another on the back and saying to each other, hey man, we got off, that B----- almost got us.
Is that how you raised your son?

Joe Paterno-Why didn't they all do more? That Stain!

        We don't understand why Joe Paterno didn't do more and why all involved and yes I say as much as I don't like to say, involved because those who stand by and do little or not enough are involved. Like many I too loved Joe Paterno and what he stood for, as I did Penn State. This past week I'm not sure how I feel about him or the University. I do know yesterday when I put a shirt on, a Penn State shirt, suddenly I looked down with a feeling of being unsure. I said the hell with it. This is mine, paid for twice, once with my education and once at the Penn State store.
         It was an old short sleeve white with Blue lettering, filled with stains from years of wear. So I had two little kids visiting, finished dressing and went to my local market run by nice country people with those back country roads accents. As I picked up a pre-ordered roast, I heard a voice, looked to what he was doing as he asked to people behind the counter, does anyone want a piece of the paper, Penn State or the cartoons. I felt a shame and my face redden. Was that remark meant for me because I had that shirt on or was I being paranoid?
          Either way, the boys and I went home, put the roast away, sat and talked about what we were going to do when we went out for he day. Just as we were about to leave I said hold on guys, I have to change. I went in my room and grabbed any old top. When I came out the little guy asked, as he knew how much I loved Penn State, hey where's your Penn State shirt? With simple and plain honesty a little kid could understand I said, it filled with stains. I knew he thought I meant the spotted drips of time, but I didn't.
           Yesterday we went out, basketball, hiking, a playground, the library, and art museum and eating out of course and I talked to them more in depth about that stranger danger stuff. They said they knew it all, and I try to teach any kids who I may work with about this. I asked, what if you were in the bathroom at the movies and some man comes up and touches you? One said, I don't know. He's ten. The other at twelve said, I'll yell at him, you're not my father or mother. So was he telling me something else in that statement I have to report-indeed I will. I will write in into notes, and report it to about and at least four people. Or was he simply telling me It's only in appropriate if anyone other than a parent touches you anywhere, as in washing a kids face etc?
             I knew then both of these boys after talking to them have been very sheltered from and with words like molestation. Since they are visiting I felt at first it isn't my place to teach them, then I said the hell with it and told them. I educated them on these things this weekend that I'm sure some grown-ups will not like as these kids have been very spiritually educated and in that, have also been verbally protected and don't know how many predators are really out to harm such innocence.
      Today we are going out into crowds and I will be close, but what happens when they go to the bathroom. I am giving them whistles and have told them to yell fire and yell don't touch me like that, as loud as you can, and keep on yelling. Yes you may think if a kid yells fire it gives an opportunity for kidnapping-true-but hopefully while others are running out, I will be running in to grab two sets of hands.
     As far as Joe Paterno and the other's involved in it, brings me to the old adage, if you're not with me, you're against me. That stain doesn't wash away so easily. How long do you think it stays within the victims?