How do I explain this kind of hatred to my children?

Yesterday morning, a nazi-loving, white-supremacist went into the Holocaust museum in Washington, DC and started shooting, killing a security guard.

This man had a website spewing hatred and anti-Semitism that horrified me. According to his (self-written) bio, he is a WW2 vet, a member of Mensa (not sure if I believe that one), and blames his years of imprisonment on "a Negro jury, Jew/Negro attorneys, and sentenced to prison for eleven years by a Jew judge. A Jew/Negro/White Court of Appeals denied his appeal."

Well, good for that there Jew/Negro/White Court of Appeals.

How on earth do I explain to my kids that there are still people like this in the world? He claims:
"There was no JEW "HOLOCAUST." There was a German Holocaust."
I’m sure the rest of the European Jews and their families appreciate that. Truly.

"History shows us that JEWS are compulsive LIARS. It is a genetic characteristic that all JEWS share. All JEWS know the "HOLOCAUST" is a lie - because they understand one another. Therefore all JEWS must be held accountable."

As a Jew, and as a human being (but most importantly to me, as a Jew), attempting to teach my children about their heritage and where they fit into the world at large is important. Teaching them about history is important. WW2 and the Holocaust is a big part of the religious school curriculum as children get older. The kids visit the Simon Wiesenthal Center and the LA Museum of Tolerance as part of the 7th grade curriculum. Jeff has been to the DC Holocaust memorial. It’s a brutal place. But an important one. One that teaches us about intolerance, and cowardice, and bravery. One that teaches us that if we allow people like Von Brunn to go unchecked and allow him to spew his hatred unchecked, we could have another Holocaust on our hands at any time.

The fact that there are still a large number of people out there that deny the existence of the Holocaust and believe that Hitler was in the right are terrifying to me. The fact that my children know some of them is even more terrifying. How do I teach them to stand up for themselves and their heritage when they are at an age where the inclination is to "go with the flow"? Not make waves. Fit in.

It’s so hard to speak up for what’s right when you are in your teens. It’s what separates leaders from followers. But try explaining that to a kid who just wants to be popular. Who wants to have a group to go to the movies with on Saturday night. We live in a town where the Jewish population is next to zero. Where when I complained about the lack of Hanukkah wrapping paper one year at the local drug store, I was told, "We don’t get too many of 'your kind' here." It’s hard to combat that kind of thinking. Especially when you are young. What do I tell my kids when they can see this kind of hatred spewed forth on the web? I can’t protect them from everything anymore like I could when they were little. It’s a parent’s worst nightmare.

As a Jew, I’m terrified that there could be another attempt to exterminate Jews. Intellectually, I know that this is already going on in other parts of the world, against other cultures. Darfur, Rwanda, Sudan... the list is endless, and unfortunately everyone turns a blind eye to it unless they are personally affected.

My heart breaks for the little boy who lost his father yesterday. And although I hate to say it because I really don’t like to wish death on anyone, I wish the outcome had been the other way around.

The fact that this web site, and other hate-filled sites that advocate hate and illegal hate crimes are allowed to thrive on the internet while people are being asked to put away their books because the covers are offensive is, frankly, completely disgusting to me. Others are worried about pronography. And while I agree that this is a concern, I’m more worried about propaganda and hatred. People, take a big gulp of STFU and learn what’s really important, for fuck’s sake.

Yes, We Can!

Today, I am filled with hope. And I am scared. And I am proud. I never truly thought that I would see in my lifetime the election of a black president. And in an hour and a half, Barack Obama will be the President of the United States.

I am filled with hope for the future. He is not the decider. He is not the divider. He is the uniter. He has the audacity to hope that together this country, this world can work together to fix our problems.

I am filled with joy that my children witness this event early in their lives, and it gives them the realization that, truly, anything is possible - they can be anything they want to be, if they set their minds to it, and work hard enough. I don't think they truly grasp the history they are witnessing. I thought about keeping them home from school today and watching the day's events with them, but I didn't think they would appreciate the enormity of the day.

I am scared. Scared that the immediate gratification society we live in will not grant an Obama administration the time necessary to work through these huge issues facing our country and our world. We didn't get into this situation overnight, and it won't be fixed overnight. But I'm terrified that our country will lose faith if the changes aren't immediate. Because they won't be.

But today, mostly I'm filled with awe. And excitement. I had the audacity to hope. I will be watching the inauguration on TVs provided by my company. They feel it's important. I hope that every four years, this country is filled with the same hope and joy that I feel in the air today. Yes, we can. If we only have the audacity to hope. To dream. To believe. To work. Damn hard.

How Far Do You Go?

How far into a book that just isn't sucking you in do you read before you give up? The reason I'm asking is because I'm reading Nora Roberts Tribute and I am on page 53 and so far it isn't very enthralling. It's backstory and construction and I am, in a way, bored. Usually by this point--well, page 50--I just put the book aside and either declare it a DNF or hold off to try it again later. BUT- as it's La Nora, I'll hold off until later as I have the book from the library for 14 days. I want some interaction between the characters and that's only happening here and there in the first three chapters. Honestly, so far I'm very disappointed. Sadness! :-(

So, my question to you is, how far do you read a book before you give up? Do you go back to it later? Or do you just declare it a DNF? Or do you do as I used to and struggle through the entire book? (I gave that up as there isn't enough time to read all the good books out there so I refuse to struggle through one that isn't working for me.)

My Dilemma--Need Opinions

I want so very much to like all these paranormals coming out and so I try them... even purchase the ones the library doesn't get--well, except the JR Ward because I don't care for those. The problem is, I don't like them very much.

I think part of the reason is that some of the books have so much world building in the first one-third of the book that it drags and then I end up giving up. Other times there are just things that happen that I can't believe--even in paranormal. I started one (not naming title) that came out recently and got as far as chapter two, I believe. I set it aside because I really had a problem with the fact that in chapter one she's hurt then in chapter two she's having sex, and not gentle sex either. My thought is, even if she's only part human, does she heal that quickly that she's not in pain? I mean she's got stitches for Pete's sake.

So my question to you is... how do you suspend your belief system to continue on even after you just know stuff like that absolutely positive cannot happen--were, vamp, demon, slayer, or any other paranormal being? Do you overlook things? Ignore them? Or do you just accept that it is the way it is in a paranormal romance?

Love em or leave em? That is the question

So I was leaving a comment on Rowena's review of After the Kiss by Suzanne Enoch, and it made me think of how much I absolutely loved her older historicals. If you've ever read my review of England's Perfect Hero, you know that it's on my list of all time favorite books, and it's a comfort re-read for me as well.

Having said that, I wasn't as thrilled with her Griffin siblings series. I didn't dislike it, it just wasn't as great as her previous work. And I liked the first Sam and Rick contenp, but the rest have kind of left me cold.

Wena's review of After the Kiss was great, and she really loved it. I'm waiting and hoping that SE can recapture that special something that made me adore books like her Lessons in Love series.

How about you? Are there any authors that you still like, but just don't love anymore, and you're waiting for them to recapture that 'spark'? Yet, you can't stop buying them, cause you keep thinking, maybe this is the one?

Opinions Wanted!

If you've read Laura Lee Guhrke or Stacey Kayne, which book from each of these authors would you recommend reading? I've not read books from either of these authors and with the "buzz" about them, I'm curious to give them a try.

ALL opinions welcome. Feel free to post in comments or on the left in the "chat" box.

THANKS!

New Digs!

What do you think of the new design? Like it? Love it? Hate it? Despise it? Anywhere in between? I'd love to hear what you think. :-)

Question For You All... Authors And Readers

Okay, you enter a contest on a blog. You wait to find out the winner and bingo! You see that you've won. You're excited, and you email the author just as they requested giving them your snail mail address, they email you back letting you know they received it and they'll be getting your prize (s) in the mail to you.

Here's my question... How long is a reasonable amount of time to wait for a prize to arrive? A week? Two weeks? A month? Two months? Should you just be grateful you won a prize and not even consider time a factor?

I'm curious to see what you all have to say. Feel free to post anonymously if you want, or even email me off- blog at annejg24 @ gmail.com

Thanks for your opinions!

Good Stuff Folks...

Okay, I don't watch the news because I hate what's happening out there and the economy scares me. BUT, every single week I watch Real Time With Bill Maher and every week he never fails to entertain me. The best is at the end of the show when he goes through his New Rules. This week was particularly entertaining and just made me grin and laugh because I share his philosophy. If you think the world is fucked up, the race for the presidency is overly dramatic, and that our current president is a dumbass, then watch and be entertained. :-)

It's Official...

The stomach flu has found me.

Whilst I'm dying, I'll ask a question of you all. Say you have a 16 yr old son who has a friend who has been doing some bad things like lying to his mother and saying he's sleeping at a friend's house when instead he goes with another friend (a troubled friend BAD) to a larger city 60 miles a way and gets drunk and parties and hooks up with his girlfriend and has sex. This past weekend he got in a fight while he was there, his friend may or may not have been stabbed. Yeah, so not good.

Now, while you are a neutral party and learned all this through your son's phone call and your son, would you feel compelled to tell the mother? Or would you leave it alone? Honestly, I don't know she'd give a rat's ass if I told her anyway. But, just... what would you do?

Okay, now I'm off to die in peace. Gah...

Oh, BTW, found this here...


Created by OnePlusYou

Imagine that.

More Polls Added...

Please go forth and vote. I appreciate your input!

Polls...

No, not political, thank God. But readerly. On the blog, on the right, I have (and there'll probably be more) polls pertaining to reading and genres and the like. If you could take the time to vote, I'd be most appreciative. I'm going to use this information in a post I'll be doing at Riding With The Top Down.

I appreciate your input! Thanks!

American Idol... Top 12

So, this week was interesting. There is so much natural talent this season... it's freaking awesome.

Sayesha- Well, it was okay. Just okay. She needs to dare to be different if she wants to hang around a while longer.

Chikezie- Holy smokes! Anyone else shocked and pleasantly surprised? He was awesome!

Ramiele- Her voice is awesome, but like Sayesha, she's got to turn it up or she's gonna be gone soon and that's a shame because if she were just to let herself go, she'd be up in the top 5.

Jason Castro- Eh. He needed a different song. Just okay.


Carly- The woman rocked it up! Right song, right on cue, fabulous.

David Cook- Dude! Best of the night by far. He impressed the hell out of me! Loved it!

Michael Johns- Oh man, does anyone else think he's hot? I felt it. Very nice.

Amanda- I make no bones about the fact that I don't like her, but this week? Holy freaking crap she was awesome! Loved it! Loved it!

Brooke- Sigh... while I don't normally like her, I must admit that I thought she did a great job this week. She's just too toned down for me... but she did a hellagood job.







David Hernandez- What the hell, man? Is this freaking Broadway? Are we trying to re-enact the hideousness that was Taylor Hicks? *shudder*. He freaked me out and he sucked. Bottom 2 all the way.

Kristy- GAH! Horrifying! Nuff said. Me thinks she's leaving.

David Archuleta - Dude! You forgot the words to a Beatles song! What the hell man? I knew them and I'm not a Beatles fan! Totally not his best, actually his worst, but all the little girlies will vote enough to keep him in.

Thoughts? Agree? Disagree?

Cliffhangers... Like Em, Love Em, Or Hate Em???

Seems like a pretty fitting question since a lot of people mentioned that Blood Brothers by Nora Roberts is a kind of cliffhanger... and now I see this book from Joan Johnston, the next book in the Bitter Creek series... the one I've been waiting for is out and then I read the review on Amazon that says A Strangers Game has a subplot that "provides a cliffhanger that sets up the author's next nailbiter." (as found here)

Book Description
From New York Times bestselling author Joan Johnston comes a dazzling new Bitter Creek novel that features all of the passion and intrigue in Texas high society that her readers know and love, mixed with an explosive, spine-tingling tale of murder, wrongful imprisonment, and a woman who counts no cost too high to see a killer brought to justice.

FBI Special Agent Breed Grayhawk has the hottest sex in his life with a stranger who calls herself Grace Smith, only to discover early the next morning that her real name is Merle Raye Finkel -- and she's a convicted double murderer who broke her parole a year ago and disappeared. Now she's his prime suspect in a terrorist threat against the U.S. president.

Grace Caldwell is determined to find the killer who framed her for the murder of her father and stepmother -- and make him pay. She burgles the home of her #1 suspect and nets a surprising haul: a hot-pink, silk-covered diary -- the record of a sex-addicted wife's adventures -- which suggests that Grace's #1 suspect isa serial killer. But her theft has been caught on tape, and the man she's been chasing becomes the hunter...with Grace as his prey.

With just five days until the president arrives in Austin, Texas, the last thing the FBI needs is a serial killer on the prowl...and a terrorist suspect who will stop at nothing to clear her name. The clock is ticking down, and Agent Grayhawk is racing time to discover the truth about his dangerous lover.

So, I'm not sure how I feel about cliffhangers, especially since we generally have to wait quite a while for the next book. I think it'd be different if we only had to wait one to three months or so, but the usual six is just too much. I have to go back and reread the first one to remember what happened and then read the second... which is why I haven't read Blood Brothers yet. I know... huge GASP... but I'll read it probably in October or November as the third in that trilogy comes out in December.

So, how do you feel about cliffhangers? How long do you think is too long to wait for the next book in the series?

Plagiarism?

So(I notice I start a lot of posts with this word), since everyone is blowing this whole plagiarism up to the size of the Goodyear blimp, I'm going to ask a question, and feel free to throw rotten tomatoes- or stones- if you wish to.

When I wrote my book, I had to do some research on the state of Wyoming. I needed information on trees, wildlife, and I used a map. NOW, since I used said map and I copied the names of cities, towns, or villages and used them in my book, that is a form of plagiarism, is it not since I didn't credit the map maker or websites?

It was all getting rather nit-picky over at DA and SB so I figure I better double check to see if I'm also guilty of plagiarism.

What say ye?

AAR's Top 100 - what do you think?

Yay! It's out. And I'm happy to say I've read so many of the books that made the top 100, and loved lots of them. And Lord of Scoundrels was #1. Again. Oh yeah. (Thank the lord it got a new cover!)





I always love the mini-polls, too. And the Best/Worst of the year. This year's best categories were owned by Devil in Winter and Lord Perfect. Woohoo!!! I couldn't agree more.


And Elizabeth Hoyt walked away with Best New Author. Congrats to her. And well deserved. Her Prince trilogy was fabulous! And The Raven Prince (my favorite of the three) won several awards as well.

Poor Julia Quinn - On the Way to the Wedding got Worst Read and Most Disappointing Read, and she got a Dishonorable Mention for Author You Gave Up On. I still love you, JQ!


So many of the Judith McNaughts I've read these last few months made the top 100. I agree with those also!

How about you? What do you think of the list this year?

No Hugging? Absurd.

Source (MSNBC)

Does anyone else find this absurd? I'm thinking they're taking things just a little to far.

Schools jumping on the hug ban-wagon
Most forms of physical contact now barred from nation’s halls of learning

By Mike Celizic
TODAYShow.com contributor
Updated: 9:02 a.m. CT Oct 2, 2007
Cupcakes are out, and in an increasing number of schools, so are carbonated soft drinks. And over the past year, some schools even started banning tag on the playground.

Just when you think there’s nothing that gives you warm and fuzzy memories about your own childhood left to ban, schools are coming up with a new one.

Hugs.

“Would you want your children to be hugging or kissing at school without your knowledge?” asks David Hadley, the principal of Fossil Hills Middle School in the north Texas town of Keller.

“That’s the issue.”

Hadley’s school is one of a growing number that has banned not just hugging but all other PDAs — Public Displays of Affection — including holding hands.

One student at the school, eighth-grader Ashley Highberger, told NBC News that after she was reprimanded for holding hands with a fellow student, she started a petition to overturn the no-PDA policy.

She’s got 300 signatures, she said, but the policy remains.

It’s not just Texas. At the Percy Julian Middle School in Oak Park, Ill., hugging hasn’t been banned outright, but teachers and administrators have banned what they call “extreme hugging” in hallways.

Dr. Victoria Sharts, the school’s principal, says that’s when groups of students — usually girls — elaborately exchange hugs every time they see each other during breaks between classes. The practice clogs hallways and can make kids late for class, she said.

“They can hug their friends as long as it’s not in the hallways,” she told NBC. “We know there are times when it’s necessary, and we want to support one another.”

But with sexual harassment a hot-button issue, some districts ban all physical contact, hugs included.

In Fairfax County, Va., Kilmer Middle School has banned not just hugging, but all physical contact — including high fives.

One student who put his arm around his girlfriend’s shoulder was issued a warning and threatened with detention if it happened again.

At Kilmer, administrators said the ban was enacted because while most touching may be welcome, some touching isn’t.

“You get into shades of gray,” Kilmer Principal Deborah Hernandez told the Associated Press earlier this year. “The kids say, ‘If he can high-five, then I can do this.’” It’s not just in America, either. Last year, a school for children 11-18 in Great Britain told students to stop hugging so much.

“Hugging was happening extensively and becoming the norm. We were worried it might become inappropriate. So we nipped it in the bud,” headmaster Steven Kenning told “The Times” [of London].

As with everything related to school, some parents like it and some don’t.

“It’s a highly hormonal age, so for me, I’d rather she didn’t go around hugging,” Antonia Fernandez, a parent, told NBC.

Another parent, Lawrin Riles, thought banning hugs was going too far.

“You're not going to have everybody late just because they took a minute to hug another kid for their birthday or because they won the game over the weekend,” Riles said.

This whole thing to me is ridiculous. I could see if there were kids sucking face and groping one another, yes, but a hug? Give me a break. The kids can't bring cupcakes or sweets for birthday treats, they're removing chocolate milk and all milk besides skim (gross), and now this. What's next? They just need to leave well enough alone. Are they trying to remove all kindness in the schools? To me, a hug is better than a punch in the face. I guess I just don't understand what the purpose of this is. *shaking head*

Vote: Should Schools Ban Hugs?

Come On People!

I KNOW there are more of you out there who read Historicals set in Scotland. Tall Scotsmen with the sexy brogue... "Aye, lass, I come to stake my claim!" Medievals! I KNOW you all have some in mind. Come on... share the wealth.

Has anyone read Madeline Hunter? Is her stuff good?

Here We Go Again...

Some people just have no common sense, tact, or couth. Honestly. What are they thinking?
Are they trying to find ways to get people to stop reading EC books? I'm not sure, but with all the controversial blogging surrounding Jaid Black and Ellora's Cave lately, you'd think they'd try to step it up and show people that they have some class, but instead they do this (racism and stereotypes, tasteless humor), this (suggestion of contract killing, oh yeah, real classy there, snort), and this(first off, hate the word; second, ewww).

Serious WTF moments here. *shaking head in disbelief and disgust*

UPDATE: They took down the racist/stereotypical post AND they deleted my comments on their blog. Then they enacted a flaming policy and are now moderating comments. Apparently my comments must have been deemed flame-worthy or a personal attack on someone. *shrug* Could be because I formed a new category while there... The Head-Up-Ass category. *another shrug* It seemed fitting.

Inquiring Minds Want To Know... *REPOST With Addendum*

Well, just me, and I wasn't going to say anything/blog about it, but I have to know. When I was at the Lori Foster Get Together, the majority of the authors were super friendly, always smiling, and saying "hi" even though they didn't know me from Adam. Then there were troublemakers like Lauren. Oye, is she naughty. *G* (Hugs, Lauren)

Anyway, what about the other(s) author(s) who weren't smiling and weren't friendly? What about the author(s) who snubbed their fans for no apparent reason? (Yes, I was snubbed and I was not pleased. And yes, I was heard. Said author(s) looked at me, then immediately looked away without stopping or saying a simple "hi". WTF?)

Now, as you all know I'm an aspiring author, and as such I can't even fathom behaving this way. If I were published(still crossing fingers and praying) and a fan came up to me and said, "hi", I'd be thrilled! I'd say, "Hi, how are you doing?" then let the conversation flow from there. I certainly wouldn't continue walking on as if I didn't hear the person. That's what I don't get. The "why" of it all. Why was I snubbed when said author(s) didn't even know who I was? My name tag was visible, yes, but it was white and had pink writing on it. It wasn't that easy to read, especially from far away.

My question is, why would an author do this? It's definitely one way to lose his/her fan(s) because I can tell you that it will be a cold day in HELL before I buy from said author(s) again. It may not be much in the way of earnings for the author(s), but it's a matter of principle to me. Treat me like I'm dirt and ignore me, and I will no longer support your career, no matter how much I like your books. And, I can hold a grudge for a long damn time.

ADDENDUM: I wrote this article not naming names for a reason, and that does not make me a coward. It just means I want to avoid controversy. I will not name the author and it is my right to do so. This is my blog. If anyone misconstrued the meaning of the above post to mean anything negative against the Lori, Dianne, or the event, I apologize. That is not what the post was about. It was about the snubbing, the time and place should have not been a factor. Again, my apologies to those who misunderstood.

This incident in no way, shape, or form is a reflection on the absolute fun I had at the Lori Foster event, and it also is no reflection on Lori Foster or Dianne Castell. They were gracious and fun and, as always, wonderful. They always go above and beyond to make sure everyone has a good time.

Final totals for the event are as follows:

• To the YWCA (battered women's shelter): $4000 Beyond awesome!
  
• To the AAF (Animal Adoption Foundation) : $500 (that's raffles from a special basket, etc) Excellent way to help the fur babies!
  
• For the Troops: $225 in cash for shipping + lots of stuff to go in the boxes! I am sure that the troops appreciate each and every donation more than any of us realize.
  

The get together will take place next year June 6-8.