Before You Marry That Cop -

With all the cop bashing in the media – one continuing ‘excuse’ I hear is “Well, this is what they signed up for.” 
Sorry. Cops did NOT sign up for being made the villains by media because creating chaos is what they do best: The media turn a surface wound into an amputated limb when it fits their agenda; because if it bleeds, it leads!
Cops did NOT sign up for being found guilty within hours of taking action that may or may not be questionable, or having poop thrown at them or having their squad cars used as toilets.
Cops did not sign up for any of that. 
That being said - I've heard from many women who are married to cops and while they understood much of what the road ahead meant, they've admitted there were many surprises along the way. It's not that they are complaining, it's just that they are saying it's way more complicated than it appears.
 

Before you marry that cop…
What no one will tell you is that you will never sleep well again.
Day shift he gets up at 4:30 am. Night shift he arrives home at 7:00 am.
And God forbid a neighbor mows his lawn at 10:00 in the morning while he’s sleeping. When he’s off during his night-shift rotation, he can’t sleep at night and struggles to stay awake during the day.
His back will hurt because he carries at least twenty-pound of weight on his belt and sits uncomfortably in a car – climbing in, climbing out.
Advise your family to buy stock in Advil. He will eat it. Like candy.
You will want to complain about normal things: the dogs tracked dirt in the house, the dishwasher has a leak, your kids won’t do their chores.
The husband who’s been beaten by the job will hear you, but won’t really listen. Because he spends the majority of the time listening to other peoples’ problems. He’ll think, “You have no idea how lucky you have it.” If you’re really fortunate, he won’t say it, but that’s what he’ll think.
The husband who has been beaten by the job will become a ‘chopper’ – a person who chops down  everyone and everything. No situation or person is off limits. Becoming hard is part of the job. If they didn’t see the laughter in everything they wouldn't be able to handle anything.
Before you marry that cop…
Realize that your husband will be judged by the actions of his co-workers. Though cops are a protective arm of government, they are the part of government people see every day. They are easy to identify and they are easy targets for people who make a living breeding hate. You will not only have to worry about your husband’s safety, but if someone from his department makes a questionable decision, you will have to worry about the safety of yourself, your parents, and your children. This type of situation doesn’t happen often, but when and if it does, think about how you will handle it.
If you marry a cop and he is killed in the line of duty – will you be able to fight to keep his name from being tarnished and fight for justice like Maureen Faulkner has for over 25 years?
If you marry a cop, remember that you agreed to be part of the Blue Family – but also remember that you did not give your children that choice. They will be scrutinized, judged, and held to a higher standard. They will worry about his safety. Day shift. Night shift. They will worry when their parents fight about over-time versus family-time.
Before you marry a cop…realize that 90% of the time, it’s not only the media and professional protesters that beat down your husband, it’s also the Chief, the administration, and the city council – who are judged by the money they save so they save it by cutting back on cop salaries, benefits, radios, training and computers.
Before you marry a cop, consider my advice. It will seldom be easy, it is seldom nice. Before you say I do, don’t think once, think twice! - Anon
 

Honor Those Who Honor Freedom - Honor Flight Springfield Pa

Honor Flight The Movie (what an inspiration!)

Honor Flight Philly Website

Gretchen Carlson's Superiority Problem

A review of "Getting Real" by Gretchen Carlson.

First off, my apologies to Gretchen's parents,  Mr. and Mrs. Carlson - they seem like awesome parents and my take-away message from this book is the power of family. I, like Gretchen, consider myself an Independent voter, so please, before people jump on me for thinking I'm giving this book one star because of politics, this has nothing to do with politics. I adore Dana Perino and watch Red Eye and listen to Brian Kilmeade - this has nothing to do with politics but does have to do with people who live life as if they are striving to be significant or those that live life as if they are superior. After reading "Getting Real" Gretchen falls into the "I am Superior" category.
I started off loving Getting Real. The book opens with stories about Gretchen's family - her grandparents, her mother and father and how they met. Her small town family life growing up.
Then, we get into THE Violin.
Oh boy. This is where the book takes a nose dive.
Gretchen speaks about humility all through the book, yet it's ironic because she totally lacks humility.
There are so many contradictions in this book I don't know where to begin.
She reminds the reader often how she SACRIFICED her social life but she was an EXCEPTIONAL violinist. I'm not even sure if she is aware, but she often backhands and diminishes "common" people...while her friends were going to football games, she had talent that she had to nurture, implying they did not.
She spends the whole book reminding us how SMART she is and how women shouldn't be judged on looks - yet...she admits she lost 30 pounds because a boy didn't want to date her. There is a section in the book where she just gloats about being able to fit into her Miss America gown many years later. So, here she is, all through the book whining people don't see her as being smart and that people should stop concentrating on looks and beauty, yet she is ecstatic and brags that she was able to fit into her old Miss America gown that she wore to give a speech.
The Miss America Pageant is a great example of being dismissive and putting down other women and also, contradictions.  Gretchen went to college at Stanford and said she was thrilled because no one knew her. She loved the anonymity. She states, "I did everything in my power to remain anonymous." (Oh really?)  But then she tells a story of how, even though she was sick of the violin, she couldn't quite stop herself from trying out for a music teacher at the school. "When I finished, I looked up to find him staring at me dumbfounded. "Why have I not heard of you?"
So, she tried desperately to remain anonymous (for 2 whole weeks) but then she just couldn't resist showing off and making it well known who she was.
She tells the story of how a professor disliked her for NO REASON and gave her a C. She'd never got a C in her LIFE! She states she didn't think she deserved it, but then states perhaps she did...
Then we get to the Miss American pagent.
Her mom called her at Stanford to tell her the director announced he wants Ivy League contestants and people with talent. Gretchen goes on to say that she was just going to be herself - she wasn't going to be like the contestants who had gone before her - she would be natural. And then she goes on to tell us she quit Stanford and spent the months leading up to the pageant studying tapes of previous pageants, taking notes, going to coaches. She was advised she should play the fiddle. She dismisses "fiddle" players. GRETCHEN had been playing CLASSICAL music her whole life (except when she ditched it at Stanford) - that's a WHOLE different craft than fiddling (get that fiddlers, you aren't as great).
Gretchen constantly did mock interviews in preparation for the pageant. I admire her tenacity and dedication, but do NOT tell us that you were the first person to be "yourself" and "natural" when you spent months studying tapes, going to coaches, learning how to sit properly, changing the way you talk and use your arms...that is NOT being yourself.
Then Gretchen, who talks about the importance of morals and family values tells us (after she GLOATS about her wining the MAP - as the first SMART contestant (you hear that former winners...you were stupid, based on looks, Gretchen was the FIRST with REAL talent and intelligence) that after she won - she (all of 22 years old) dated a 45 year old man. Everyone was horrified. As they SHOULD BE. Here is a 'role model' of young women dating a man old enough to be her father. But Gretchen explained this as if it was no big deal because SHE WAS WORLDLY, because she had an exceptional life and was so talented, she knew better than every other 22 year old girl. And that, really, is the theme of the book. How much better and smarter she is than everyone else - there is no humility though she claims she is very humble. But here are some excerpts of the book, you tell me if these are humble statements: "I appreciated the benefits of being unique and exceptional." "get away from the burdens imposed by my talent" "I was used to getting perfect grades" "when I walked out on the stage the whole room gasped and applauded" "I was having experiences that my schoolmates in Minnesota could not grasp." "Everyone should be pitching stories LIKE GRETCHEN." Those are just few examples, there are many veiled 'I am superior" statements throughout.
After winning the MAP, she returns after a year, to Stanford and no one knows who she is,which she claims to 'love.' She takes a feminist class and though she wants to remain anonymous, she just...can't...help herself from writing a paper about her winning the MAP (Don't look at me, HEY, WHY AREN'T YOU LOOKING AT ME!!!) and though she got an A on the paper, she's obviously bothered by the fact her professor didn't acknowledge to the class how there was a feminist STAR in their midst.
There is one part in the book where she states that working hard and being smart was not enough, she had to use humility and compassion and talk about WE not I - then she goes on and talks about herself, using I almost 20 times in two paragraphs.
The most troubling part of the book is the fact she professes to be champion of women in the workplace and to stop harassment of women in the work place.
She talks about speaking up and speaking out. Yet, she does NOT do this herself. Talk about a total hypocrite.
After winning the MAP, she tried to get into TV. She gives two examples of powerful men who forced themselves on her. She does not give us the names of these men. She did not report them when it happened. So, all of this talk of 'going outside her comfort zone' and speaking up for women and equal treatment is disingenuous. Hogwash. If you aren't willing to stand up for yourself and allow men to intimidate you or put your career above the truth, nothing will ever change and you are NOT courageous. She tells of a story when a photographer came onto her - she almost didn't tell her boss - he had to drag it out of her. Hello? That is not courageous! She tells the story of how she was stalked (very scary - and here she has my empathy) - however - she almost didn't put the incident into the book because she was afraid he might come after her again. Then she found out he was dead - so she talked about it. Okay - if you WANT TO BRING ATTENTION to the stalking laws, you need to have the courage to speak up even if he was still alive. Look, I've got no problem if people are too intimidated to talk about it or decide they care more about safety and their peace of mind and go into hiding - but if you portray yourself as a warrior for women, then guess what, you need to live up to that and not simply SAY you are.
Gretchen wonders how many women were harassed (or worse) by the TV executives who harassed her. Hello? Yes, how many, Gretchen? You could have STOPPED that behavior but chose to remain silent because your career was more important. You are no champion of women.
And all the mentions of her "sacrificing" and killing herself working so hard - guess what...most women do that. It is NOT unique to you.
I have a feeling Gretchen is surrounded by people who are too intimated to tell her that she does indeed, lack humility, and her book "Getting Real" is a slap in the face of all those 'common' winners of the MAP, the "common" people of Anoka.
On a POSITIVE NOTE - (there are a few) - I read this in a day. It was compelling. This is a great testament to parents who encourage their children and give them a firm family foundation built on values. I'm not religious but I do admire those families that are and do believe that there is an unjust, unwarranted attack on Christians in this day and age. I do admire and fully appreciate one of the other themes of this book: Always Strive For A Goal. Always have a purpose. That is what life is about.
I'd suggest if Gretchen really wants to understand true humility (the line is very fine, I do understand that) - she read "I'll Drink To That" by Betty Halbreich. A woman born with a silver spoon in her mouth, who learns the true value of grace, hard work, and purpose.
Gretchen ends the book talking about all the volunteer work her and her family do; great, I applaud that. However, again, for all the times she talks about 'stepping outside her comfort zone' and being an 'outspoken' advocate for women - she could have made a REAL difference and possibly save(d) many women from being the sexual victims of some powerful TV executives - but she chose the easy way. When one of these men visited Fox Studios, what did Gretchen do? She quietly sat in her office, hiding out, and when he walked by, she shut the door. She hid. And let us not mistake her writing about these incidents as being courageous. It's like knowing who robbed your neighbors house, but refusing to tell the police.
If Gretchen wants to "Get Real" she needs to expose those who tried to take advantage of her so that the other victims have validation, to send the message to men (or women) that it will NOT be tolerated and we will not be intimated. Now THAT would be "Getting Real" - otherwise, this book is about "Getting Hoodwinked."

How The Greed Of GoFundMe Leads To Hateful Mob Mentality

Two very sad things happened yesterday which lead me to believe hate does breed hate - and people do not stop to think.

On 4/12 - there was a fundraiser held in Jamison to raise money for the care of the Tully children - which caused Eddie Tully (Chris's brother) to go off the deep end and Tweet, Facebook (on several different facebook pages) a very chilling rant against Kelli Tully - accusing her of causing Eddie Tully to commit suicide. Less  than 24 hours later, the rant has almost 500 likes. Most distressing are the people (who don't even know her) calling her horrible names. Many of these are students that Chris taught. No one can know what really happens between a married couple. And Eddie's social media attack will prove to the reasonable person that he does not have the best interest of his family, of Chris's children, at heart.
Eddie Tully alleges that Chris was 'abused' at the hands of his wife.
Chris has been described as a loving father. No one has disputed that. Would a loving father commit suicide to 'escape' the abuse of a wife, leaving his children in her care? The reasonable, thinking person would conclude that the type of father Chris was described as, would have fought to the end for his children if he felt there was abuse.

The Tully boys have lost their father - they are devastated. Now they have an Uncle who is bringing even more pain into their lives - and people who are commenting critically about their mother. These people claim to 'love Chris' - but if they truly did, they would not want to do anything to harm his children.

Links to Eddie's rant: https://www.facebook.com/eddietully/posts/10205179207578781
On his twitter: https://twitter.com/eddietully/status/587321245462618112 (screen shot at bottom of post)

"Still can't believe that this bitch can have the audacity to use the Christopher Tully name to raise money for herself when she resented his popularity so much that it made him have to be put on medication that eventually killed him. She hated the way people felt about him. Yes hated it!!!! Sorry I just can't keep quite anymore. Just can't. Oh and yes I'm all for his kids being taken care of, he left her plenty of money!!! And when my family offered to open a trust for them she flat out told us not to. Don't believe me? I'll let you hear it for yourself if you like to hear the messages!!! Again sorry been bitting my tongue too long. I think it's time the truth comes out. He couldnt fight for himself because of how she put him down. It's too late to bring him back but I can't live another day holding this in. This is not opinion....he left enough behind for his own words to be heard. If you have been confused about the tragedy that took place don't worry his voice will be heard!!! I owe that to him."

My observation: "He left her plenty of money!" - Who is Eddie to judge how much "money" is enough? What if the boys want to go to an expensive college? Does Eddie have children? Does he even know how much money it costs to raise one child let alone three?
"she resented his popularity so much that it made him have to be put on medication that eventually killed him" - Wow. That's a serious statement - pretty much calling her a murderer.
He offered to set up a trust fund and she refused. Hmmm, judging from Eddie's name calling and total disregard for his nephews, I'd have to say she made the right choice. I certainly wouldn't 'trust' him either.

A few comments:
Chuck Cifelli Wow .. what a fucking cunt !!! May she burn in hell !!!!!!!!!!! 


Dolores Francia Ed, she looked cold on the news. She was jealous of him maybe. But trying to cash in on a good mans memory...just sick. It's a good thing you told us. I am proud that u had the courage to come forward. She is not a good person.

Hey Dolores - You should be a forensic TV specialist. That you are able to judge that she is a cold jealous person from seeing her 10 seconds on the news - that is a rare talent. So, it's not okay for the mother of Chris's kids to raise money for them, but it's okay for Eddie to collect money?

Anna Kelly I couldn't feel more sad for u Eddie. I do know this...if this were me, I'd do exactly what u are doing. Truth be told. Chris can't rest in peace if people aren't made to understand he wasn't mentally ill he was abused. Don't u dare hold back. And to those who are negatively responding to ur post: please continue to comment. It gives those of us who don't know her personally a better insight of the family she comes from and somewhat explain why and how she ended up SO FUCKED UP. Love u Tully family and I'm thinking tonight will truly be the night that Chris will finally rest in peace. What a great big brother u are...

Hey Anna - thanks for clearing up that Chris wasn't mentally ill - he was abused. Abused enough to leave his children in the hands of the woman that allegedly is abusive? Would a 'great big brother' hurt his nephews so publicly?

Tiffany Hand Rittenhouse I new Chris in grade school and he was a great, happy, go lucky person, but I knew there was something more to this because you never heard from her on the news and most importantly she looked like she didn't give a shit in the picture they showed on the news with his sons. She is a total BITCH and yes KARMA will get her!!!!!!! Eddie Tully you have helped yourself and helped us understand how this really went down. Keep doing what you have to do. GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.

Hey Tiffany - You should go into business with Dolores. "Doesn't give a shit" - wow, that's so insightful for you to notice that. Also, it seems you are a Christian with your "God Bless" - I don't know that genuine Christians would call people they know nothing about a BITCH.

All these people (and far more) are passing judgement on a woman they don't know. It's a social media mob witch hunt. It's not only sad - it's frightening to watch the hate unfold.

Actions speak louder than words they say, and in this case, not only have Eddie Tully's actions but also his words have revealed his real character. At least, to anyone who is capable of thinking clearly.

This will be my last post regarding the Tully's. Eddie has shown his true colors. If he truly cared about his nephews, he would quietly work out the problems so as not to cause public humiliation to Chris Tully's boys. I admire Kelli's restraint and courage at not being drawn in to a public battle and hope she quietly continues to keep her head above the fray. The people that matter the most know the truth.

Back story:

On January 2015, Chris Tully went missing. Tully's friends and brother went into action a few days later - using social media to alert people. In a weird twist of fate, I was contacted by one of Chris's friends because I owned the domain name FINDTULLY (from trying to help find a lost dog named Tully - which did not turn out well. Tully the dog is no longer with us either).

Everything about the story of how Chris Tully went missing was confusing. For anyone who followed the story - they'll remember the many changes. He jumped out of a car at 6 in the morning. Then days later he it was his parents car. Then it was because he had mental illness. Then he was on medication. Then he wasn't on medication. Then Eddie (and many others) accused the police of not doing enough.

In private emails I was sent from his friend/former students - I was told there were family problems. He was known to party but didn't have a drinking/drug problem - and then other people contradicted that and said he didn't drink and wasn't having problems.

Publicly, it was listed that he lived in Warrington, Jamison, and Philadelpha.

Eddie Tully set up a GoFUNDme for his brother stating the money would go to help finding him and be rewarded to the person/people who helped to find him. Totally understandable.

Then a GoFundMe popped up for Kelli Tully - Chris's wife and the mother of his three children. The GoFUndME was set up by a friend of Kelli's and stated that none of the money from Eddie's GOFUNDme was going to be shared with the children.

It was odd that weeks after Chris Tully's body was found, Eddie still had a GoFundMe - the initial "goal" was 10,000. When it exceeded 10,000, he upped the goal to 15,000. And when it exceeded 15,000 Eddie upped it to 25,000. Eddie states on the gofundmewebsite: "The family will also put funds toward the cost funeral services and provide assistance to other family in need of assistance in dealing with a tragity such as this."  (that was taken directly from the website) http://www.gofundme.com/k0qapc

On 4/12/15 - Eddie contacted me and stated he has made donations (in February) to various organizations that helped look for Chris.

The Struggle is REAL - The Social Injustice of Being Single by Kate Bolick

The struggle is REAL people!! Forget the strike of blacks in Ferguson. Forget cake baking and religious freedoms. Forget that gay people are fighting for the right to marry.  Forget the gays that ISIS has thrown off buildings - forget the women being stoned to death by Muslims for 'adultery' because  Kate Bolick (who grew up vacationing on islands with CLAY tennis courts people!) has written about the REAL STRUGGLE today - the struggle to remain single in a world in which science (because SCIENCE) and sociology and tradition suggest men and women marry. So glad she brought this awareness to this extremely rampant social injustice: Spinsterhood.

From my Amazon Review:
If you grew up in a privileged elitist household where a routine summer vacation involved vacationing on islands off the North East coast - while your parents played tennis all day on clay courts - perhaps you will enjoy this.
This book is one big contradiction and a thinly veiled attempt by author Bolick to prove herself a far superior being than the average intellectual. Bolick opens the book by explaining that she was quite popular in highschool. Then when to college and that's when she was taken down a peg and lost her Queen Bee status - this feels like quite the stab at regaining that hold - unfortunately she does it by throwing old bosses and old boyfriends gleefully under the gold plated tires of her father's Bentley.
Bolick says EVERY woman is obsessed with "who to marry" and it starts when they are young children. Maybe in the crowd she grew up in, but my friends and I were "obsessed" with what our career path would be.
Bolick contradicts herself in almost every chapter - she seems to say she was raised to believe women could become anything and that we are strong and intelligent, yetttttt - she is not strong enough, perhaps more importantly, not courageous enough to stand up for "single-hood" and spends her time researching women who either said no to marriage or regretted marriage. Bolick is seeking validation - which ultimately undermines her narrative.
Though she states she worked 4 jobs at once, she also made several references to the fact her father has financed her whole life and will continue to do so - most women do not have such luxury of "finding themselves" leisurely knowing they have a huge net to catch them at anytime. And what, pray-tell, is Independent or Brave about that? I have a strong feeling that her four jobs at once story was more along the lines of Brian Williams.
Also - for someone who seems to be promoting the power of women, she had terse words to say regarding women she worked with in the publishing industry, as well as girlfriends of her ex's - no matter how hard she tries to hide it, it's obvious she is quite envious and/or resentful and this also undermines her "WOMEN ARE AWESOME" theory - because the only women who are awesome seem to be the ones she feels superior to.
She only dates men who come by wealth by way of family heritage, which gives the men she dates time to ready and write poetry, paint, discover themselves. It's quite hysterical and perhaps this is why she has so much trouble with men; she can't find any real men who understand that workboots aren't a fashion statement.
The end of the book is probably the most intellectually handicapped: Bolick tells us all about a pilgramge (she literally uses that word) to an island to "rough it" for TWO hours with her current elite boyfriend, (even though she doesn't NEED one) and her rich (but tres bohemian girlfriend) then ferry back to rich boyfriends island home (owned by his parents, of course) where they will eat lobster drenched in melted butter and share several bottles of wine - sitting on the porch and talking into the night.
If I rated a book based on pretentiousness - this would be 10 stars.

Rolling Stones Pedophile Problem - Sabrina Erdely

From The Daily Mail:

"Sabrina Erdely - employed writer at Rolling Stone Magazine says she isn't going anywhere despite the news that the UVA Rape Story was completely fabricated.
Erdely states her job is secure  because she hasdirt on founder Jann Wenner and his son Gus Wenner.  She has threatened to spill Jann Wenner's secrets to exwife Jane, which will cost Jann Wenner even more money but more importantly, might cost his children to choose their mother over Jann, and Jann suffers from extreme self adulation; it would crush him.

Erdely also confided to several close friends that many employees of Rolling Stone have carte blanche to do what they want because they have evidence connecting  Jann Wenner to the movie/documentary "An Open Secret" about the pedophile problem in Hollywood (which is why wife Jane left Jann who then took a gay lover).  It's not only a problem (using clout to lure teenage boys to bed)  in Hollywood, it's a problem throughout the entertainment industry. Rolling Stone knew going in that UVA story was false but even if it came out, it would take focus off the story that has been brewing about Jann Wenner's association and participation in these parties.

Erdely approached Wenner about doing a story Iasha Rivers, former volunteer for Al Sharpton's  National Action Network and Macy executive . Ms. Rivers is an stunningly beautiful young African American woman who accused Civil Rights attorney Sanford Rubenstein (a white man in his 70's and attorney for Eric Garner's family at time of accusation) of raping her following Al Sharpton's 70th birthday party.

Wenner is said to have laughed (though it's not clear if it was Jann or his son Gus who is said to be running things (into the ground) and admonished Erdely, "You don't bite the hand that feeds you." And stated that if she continued to pursue the Rivers article, she'd be ostracized."

My observation: it's ironic that the Left still continue to rally around Sabrina Erdely, however, she was warned that if she defends a black female by going after a white civil liberties lawyer - she will be vilified by the left.

Here's another recent article in the New York Post about Sanford Rubenstein and his 21 year old black girlfriend who states he wanted to see her raped by a gang of men. Wow.

A Liberal Wonders Why There Is No Mystery In Sex

Amore: An American Father's Roman Holiday by Roger Friedland.  This is a difficult book to review. I appreciated the scenery and experience that Friedland and his family had in Italy. Though at times, Friedland was heavy handed with description which bogged it down at almost 400 pages. I feel like

this book could have been a better read had it been cut by at least 100 pages.
I, too, share Friedland's concern when I turn on the TV, watch movies, listen to FM stations during school mornings and am constantly barraged by sexual jokes, innuendos, etc. I kept reading and reading hoping to discover where it had all gone wrong in America and what the "big" difference is when compared to Rome, Italy.
So, while I was compelled to keep reading (and found the characters of Rome quirky and interesting) - I was highly disappointed with Friedland's ironic reasoning.
He blames the lack of family values and the barrage of sex on feminism - yet he also blasts religion, George Bush while praising Democrats (his mother is a card carrying Communist) and Obama.
He praises Obama as a leader that the youth are longing for and looking to for guidance. I cant...even...while reading this book, reporter James Foley had just been beheaded by ISIS. Obama was on a 2 week vacation and took time out to do a five minute press conference then literally was on a golf course fist bumping his golf buddies less than 6 minutes after the speech - all while the Foley family were tearfully, tragically, giving a press conference regarding the brutal murder of their son. Obama jetted off to Las Vegas the day after 4 American's were slain in Benghazi. Obama spends more time appearing on talk shows and entertaining celebrities in the White House than he does actually leading. A leader? Hardly.
It is not feminism that has caused a moral decay in this country.
Let's start with the unraveling of families in the black community. This started with Lyndon B Johnson's plan to give welfare to poor - IF the father is the family was not present. The black family before the 60's was strong both in faith and in each other. Today, over 70% of black children are raised by single mothers.
I great up at the hand of a liberal mother. I can't begin to tell you the confusion and sense of entitlement it had on me. I grew up thinking that sex was a "right" and not an honor to be shared with someone very significant.
Though feminism is an important part of our history, it has been hijacked by politics and the entertainment industry. Who runs Hollywood? The left. Even "Glee" a "family" show promoted affairs (married teachers cheating - hey, it's okay!). And Grey's Anatomy is should be called Sex With Everyone Hospital.
In Rome - Friedland states that "Character is Fate" - that criminals aren't tolerated (rape is virtually non-existent compared to USA stats). In America, we not only lack Character, we have a political party that consistently cheats on their wives (Edwards, Wiener, Clinton, Spitzer, Kennedy) yet, this same political party screeches that women are powerful and men should respect them (but rarely do Democrat men walk their talk! Obama pays women 18% less than men, and of the 200+ times he's golfed (so far) how many have been with women? ONCE.)
Democrats advocate for criminals. They do not hold criminals accountable - and instead seek to lay blame on a "broken system" of some sort which they can fix if you donate!
Friedland states in America, men have to "depend on wives" and are isolated from men, which creates resentment. I highly agree. But look at who created that culture: Democrats.
Let men have their own golf courses! I thought it was a sad day indeed when Augusta accepted women. Is nothing sacred?
I loved going to bridal showers and baby showers where I could bond with women and gossip about men and talk about fashion and just be myself. Now, I dread (and often skip) the parties if they are "co-ed" - please. Now I have to be on my best behavior and frankly, it sucks.
on page 308 (galley copy) - Friedland states that Religion seeks to control lovemaking because it is the way to control the lives of others. Huh. Well, you could easily switch out the word "religion" to "Democrats" and point to abortion (anything that stops something from living is murder. That is a fact.) You could point out the hysteria over Sandra Fluke - who was smart enough to attend Georgetown University, but apparently, not smart enough to be able to figure out how to afford a pack of condoms at 1.99.
There is an incident where Hannah (his daughter) flips out because she is expected to cheat by her classmates. In Rome, cheating is the equivalent of socialism. Students believe the smart should share the answers with those who didn't study or aren't as gifted. Hannah flips out and believes "Reward is proportional to effort."
HAHAHA. How ironic. This made me furious! Because YES, reward is PROPORTIONAL to effort. At one time, it was the AMERICAN WAY until it was hijacked by the Democrats who preach "fair share!" Was not long ago that Michelle Obama called for American's to sacrifice. Huh. Well, I would think that the Obama's would somehow practice what they preach and not jet off to ski vacations, million dollars lavish vacations abroad, etc, when they (the Obama's) - urge Americans to sacrifice.
And yet, Friedland wonders why America is doomed?
It is Friedland and his political beliefs that have doomed our children. What he worries about, what he observes, are spot on. That he can't figure out how it happened and blames the far right and (ironically) feminism, is actually quite scary.
Excellent reads for Friedland (or anyone wondering where the decay of our youth took place) might want to read: Andrew Brietbart: Righteous Indignation, Blacklash by Deneen Borelli, or any book by Ben Carson.
David Mamet's book on how he woke up from his liberal nightmare is also a really fascinating and smart read: The Secret Knowledge: On the Dismantling of America.
I could go on and on and about my observances and disagreements to the points Friedland makes, but honestly, if his immersion in Rome didn't wake his mind to the importance of family, character, respect, values, morals, faith, and to realize that all those things are the very things Democrats sneer at and replace with self gratification at all cost, dependency on government not family and community, then I doubt a passionate review would make any sort of sense to him.
Well, when I began this review, I was unsure how many stars to rate this but now I can confidently give it 1...it was too long, it was an entertaining look at Italy, but nothing I haven't read (Frances Mayes and assorted other writers,  and the new fiction book Abroad by Katie Crouch - set in Italy based on Amanda Knox story, brilliant!) and had I journeyed many days with Friedland reading an overly long book only to discover his reasoning for the decay of love in the USA was frankly, illogical and ridiculous, was not worth the time I invested.
However, the one silver lining was this quote that I love, "Without stories you exist...but it is not life." And that was from a woman in Rome. Beautiful.