Poor, disfranchised felons: ACLU at it again

Oh, please, y'all, somebody get me a strong -- and I mean potent -- antiemetic because I am just about to totally barf out.

The American Civil Liberties Union is at it again. Check it out before you finish the rest of this blog post. It's absolutely amazing. Just incredible.

I'd love to see some names of the people in the elections offices that the ACLU people supposedly surveyed. Does such a list exist? And what are the "facts" based on that the ACLU has published in its report? Let's see 'em. Names. Dates. County office names. Let's see some backup!

I think it's safe to say that for every voter [convicted of a felony and who has not had his or her rights restored] who the ACLU believes was disfranchised in the last election, at least 10 other voters who WERE felons and who DID NOT have their rights restored voted in their places because of bureaucratic holdups at the state level. And those voters casted their ballots full-well KNOWING that their rights had not been restored. People who commit felonies are not as stupid as the ACLU would like to have you believe.

Here's my two cents. The only folks disfranchised around Florida are the law-abiding citizens who vote honestly and follow the laws. This is because honest folks’ votes are diluted by the dishonest ones who know they shouldn't be voting but do so anyway. And because of stupid red tape, prosecution is unlikely. So it's not going to end.

If you're a convicted felon and you want your rights back, then you get your can/buttocks/heinie in gear and call the Clemency Office and find out what you need to do. Then follow up on it! It may take some time, but you should've thought of this when you were committing your crime. You didn't think there'd be no consequences, did you? Consequences exist for everything we do, good or bad. Commit a crime, the consequences are not so pleasant. Live clean, keep your civil rights. It's as easy as that.

And when you finally get that piece of paper you've been praying for -- the document that shows your rights have been restored -- you must do a little more work ON YOUR OWN to become a productive member of society. The elections officials ain't able to beat your door down with an application to re-register you to vote, as they're busy conducting elections for law-adbiding citizens to participate in. Re-registering to vote is your own responsibility, just as if you want to apply for a new driver license: you gotta go to the driver license office or keep riding your bicycle all over town. It's YOUR duty. Who has ever heard of the driver license office coming to someone's house to renew a driver license because he or she got her rights back after a felony conviction? That just ain't gonna happen.

Plus, those driver license people will beat you up if you look at them the wrong way.

Seems the ACLU doesn't believe in consequences for criminal activity. If they had their way, you'd get your rights served back on a silver platter by the society you disfranchised with your criminal activity in the first place. If you don't know how to get your rights back, or if you're not sure if your rights have been restored, visit the Office of Executive Clemency at https://fpc.state.fl.us/Clemency.htm or call 1-800-435-8286. They're the experts who will put you on the right path and will answer all of your questions.

You can also do a search to see if your rights have been restored by clicking here.

It's not as difficult as the ACLU makes it out to be. As a matter of fact, it's probably much easier to pull off than the crime you committed that caused you to lose your rights in the first place. And if you're truly sorry for what you've done and are ready to be a productive member of society, get your butt in gear and make it happen!

You can do it! Redemption draweth nigh!

BFF, Miss T

American History Has Been Made - Our History - Not Just One Group's History

A blogger friend asked where I've been lately since I haven't written too much.



I've been working my elections job and also seeing my best friend/hubby off to that other side of the world where I don't want him to be but as an American Soldier, when duty calls, he has to go and I have to hug and kiss him and say, "Until we meet again, I love you and God be with you and I'll be waiting right here for you when you get back."



Working in elections is my career, and let me tell you that I'm satisfied with the outcome, regardless of how I voted. That’s because there won’t be any crybaby recounts that will take us away from the many other responsibilities that we must handle in the Elections Office between elections. Yep, it’s true – we actually work more than two days every other two years. What a shock, eh?



I'm satisfied because the election itself was won fair and square. Now, there were some law-breakin' shenanigans from them oak-tree seeds that were out yonder messin’ around registering Mickey Mouse and whoever the heckamous else. (I haven’t verified this on my own, so Google it or check it on Snopes.com.



I’ll say this, though, had them nutz fallen from another type of tree of a different party affiliation (or no party affiliation), all heckadoodlemous would've broken loose, and people would’ve gotten their BVDs into some huge ol' wads if the election didn't go the way they wanted.



Here's the deal, y'all. President-elect Obama will be MY president. He will be YOUR president. He will be [ALL OF] OUR president. He isn't president to just one group of people.



I will show President Obama as much respect as I have shown our other commanders in chief. We doof-doofs elected them all, didn't we? We put them in office with a voting system that may not be without its flaws, but I invite anyone to try to come up with something that is absolutely foolproof.



Know what? That’s impossible.



The smart-aces at Princeton University will tell you that. Bet they won't bother to test any machines this time, though. Why should they, especially since the machines were in such fine working condition and their candidate won? They'd say pleep on that!



It’s the integrity of the people managing the election process, security procedures, and concerned citizens keeping watch on the entire process that helps to keep elections as honest as they can possibly be. That doesn’t mean there isn’t corruption out there. But, hello, y'all, people trying to cheat in elections has been around ever since elections began. Do a Google search and educate yourself. Even if you're a politician.



But I honestly believe President-Elect Obama was elected in a fair election that was handled properly.



And you know what? It was done right last time, too (2004). And the time before that (2000).



It just seems that when certain parties don’t win, they can’t bow out gracefully and realize that the people have had their say. No, they want a recount or 10. And unless their demands are met, then "something stinks in (pick your favorite state or just say 'Denmark' or 'Ohio'" like everybody else -- but don't say Florida 'cause we ain't eligible for the "Something stinks in ..." designation any longer). These days in Florida we smell as sweet as Vanderbilt perfume.



President-Elect Obama is my president-elect. And my president-elect is a man of color. Or black. Or multiracial.



But just what-the-Fred-Flintstone does it matter? My skin is kind of peachy-colored and I'm an AMERICAN. My president-elect's skin is much darker than mine, but he's an AMERICAN, too. That's what matters most.



Barack Obama is the next president of the United States because We the PEOPLE gave him the most votes. We believed he was the best man for the job.



I will hail to the Chief come January. And I expect my fellow Americans to do exactly the same.



Those who don’t, well, I'm thinkin' that’s kind of sad. But it's their freedom and their right. People died for those same people to (enjoy?) that right. So go on ahead and celebrate whatever it is that you desire. No one will stop you from looking like a bleeping idiot.



But times, they have a'changed. And we all need to be a part of this great, historical event.



Be a patriot. Don't let my husband's and our other military members' service today around the world be in vain, or the service of your parents/grandparents/siblings/uncles/aunts in Desert Storm, Vietnam, Korea, World Wars I and II and various other conflicts be all for naught.



Color is beautiful. Stupid is ugly.



BFF,
Miss Trashahassee

Election Haiku Part One

Vote John and Sarah?

Or Obama and Biden?

I need me a beer

William J. Montford III Middle School

People really do get what's coming to them.

The folks at the Leon County School Board offices have named a school after the man who once ordered me in no uncertain terms to "Sit down and watch your mouth, young lady!" ... none other than William J. Montford III!

Well, now, y'all, I reckon Mr. Montford deserves it, having put up with the likes of Miss Trashahassee and her siblings and everything all them years ago.

Yep, I spent many a day in Mr. Montford's office in middle school, where he served as assistant principal when I was in sixth grade.

Incidentally, just to set the record straight, stuff that went down back then was never my fault. Every single incident was a setup by some girls who lived in the beautiful new homes in the Astoria Park neighborhood. I just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time and perhaps just looked guilty. And everyone else lied, I tell you. They lied!

Somehow I learned to stay out of Mr. Montford's office during the transition from middle to high school. And he was quite the outstanding top administrator - the high school principal - when I graduated.

I just wish it were he who placed the diploma in my hand as I nervously walked across the stage in Tully Gym on June 11, 1979, instead of some woman from the county School Board office whose name I never knew (and never will) and who never had one bit of an impact on my life whatsoever. Had Mr. Montford made that particular delivery that evening, it would have meant so much more and created a treasured memory, almost as if that symbolic piece of paper were being given to me by a member of my own family.

Congratulations, Mr. Montford. I'm very proud of you. You deserve the honor, and much more. And thank you for being part of my life in my youth and being a positive influence in my formative years, helping me to become the fine, upstanding woman in the community that I am today*.

BFF,

Miss Trashahassee

*When I'm wearing my full set of teefs, that is.

P.S. -- By the way, did you know I got away with this under your watch? Hahahaha!

Tallahassee's Lake Jackson memories reach beyond Florida borders

The Tallahassee Democrat reported recently that the area's current two-year dry spell may soon be over, which is good news for Lake Jackson.

It's sho'nuff good news for our community.

And it's good news for some folks who live slap-dang at the top of Georgia, too.

Here's how I know. Not too long ago I received an e-mail from Shannon Love, who lives in northern Georgia, just below the Tennessee line. There's no need for me to go into details since Shannon gave me permission to use his e-mail and some photographs he sent to me, so I'll let those speak for themselves.

I hope you enjoy Shannon's letter as much as I did. I'm sure you'll be inspired to slip in an extra prayer or two for rain when you say your prayers tonight. I know I will.

Hello, my name is Shannon Love and while trying to get some updated information on Lake Jackson today I found your site on Google.

I read an entry on your blog from about a year ago entitled "The New Legend of Lake Jackson" and I was almost in tears after reading that and the responses from your readers. My dad discovered Lake Jackson back in '69, the year I was born, after an unsuccessful trip to Eufala and a tradition was started.

With the exception of when it went dry back in the early eighties and the most recent draining he and his buddies made the eight hour drive down there twice a year every year (we live in northern Georgia just below Chattanooga).

I've heard so many stories about Red & Sam's and they never get old. I got to see the famed Red & Sam's myself back in the late '70s when Dad brought me along on my first trip to Jackson. In the mid to late '80s, when I started coming down there a little more often with Dad and the rest of the gang, we stayed in trailers at Sunset. I still remember Arlene and Maxine's smiling faces behind the bar.

After I graduated high school I was able to come down more often, sometimes without Dad but with my friends, guys my own age. I was hoping to carry on the tradition with a new generation of bass anglers but sadly she went dry and has never recovered.

I miss drifting shiners in Church's Cove and Midlake or fishing the pads in "Gator Hole."

My dad has several photo albums full of pictures from '69 all the way through their last trip down back in the late '90s. They bring back great memories of friends that are still with us and some who have moved on.

Back in '02 on our way to Panama City for vacation, I took a detour to Tallahassee to show my wife Lake Jackson even though it wasn't up to its former splendor.

My dad turns 71 this year and while he's still an avid fisherman up here and has tried other lakes in Florida but nothing would please me more than if she would recover and he and the surviving members of the old gang could fish her again.

Lake Jackson is Hallowed Ground that holds nearly 30 years worth of memories for Dad and his friends and several sweet memories for myself. It's one of the most beautiful places anywhere.

Thanks for reading, Shannon

Left: Shannon Love's dad at Red & Sam's

Left: Shannon Love with his Lake Jackson catch

Left: Shannon Love's dad and the crew that came down to fish Lake Jackson

Old People

My Ol' Man and I are on the finishing end of a major home-renovation project.

Thank goodness it's not a do-it-yourselfer. And praise be that the Ol' Man works in a city four hours away and isn't readily available to make decor choices, or our union could've ended up on the finishing end, too.

It's just that his vision of how things ought to look and mine differ.

A lot.

No need for details here. Anyone who's done this type of thing knows what I'm talking about. And those who haven't, well, you'll have to learn on your own.

Yesterday I e-mailed the Ol' Man a photo of some living room furniture for which I lusteth. Let me tell you, this gorgeous set belongs on the new cinnamon maple hardwood floor that I picked out.

It wouldn't look quite as good on the hardwood-look-on-vinyl floor covering he chose.

I wrote in the e-mail that I wanted that sofa, loveseat and chair for our 21st wedding anniversary (which was yesterday and for which he could not be home).

Sometimes you've gotta throw in a little guilt trip to get what you want, ladies.

The Ol' Man promptly e-mailed back. He wasn't impressed with my choice. "Isn't this old-people furniture?" he wrote.

With my reply I hoped to bring him back to the reality that we're the parents of a 20-year-old and a 15-year-old.

"We're old people," I wrote back. "Now get me my old-people furniture."

Haiku: Florida Legislature lets truckers keep Truck Nutz

Truckers keep Truck Nutz.

This fall we can choose to lose

the Elected Nutz.