http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32545640

Breaking news from Texas. Mollie Olgin, 19, and Mary Chapa, 18, were found with gunshot wounds to the head. Olgin died from her wound, and Chapa is in stable, but serious condition.

First we saw the viral video of school bus monitor Karen Klein being bullied on the bus by middle school boys, and it rang a few bells with people.

Next we heard of generous donations pouring in to help give poor Karen Klein a vacation. The original goal was $5,000 – a respectable amount for a public school employee whose yearly salary is $15,000.

Then the donations poured in and the next day the total was a whopping $30,000! And the latest I hear put the final figure at $540,000!! Eleven times the original goal, and a cool half million dollars. I’m sure the poor bus monitor couldn’t have imagined such an outpouring of support that humiliating day on the bus.

The bullies have since apologized for their shocking behavior, and rightfully so. They should also have to do some kind of community service, but that’s just my opinion.

Now the conversation is turning to the plight of teachers and principals in this day of cyber bullying. And about time, too!

I’m very happy things worked out so well for Mrs. Klein. I wish her only good things in her future.

And I wish the same sort of successful outcome for all bullying victims – whether their torment becomes a viral video, or not.

I don’t know where this was filmed. I don’t know the ethnicity of the people on the train. I don’t know what they’re saying to each other.

But the message is clear:

Watch out American bullies. If it can happen there, it can happen here – AND go up on YouTube.

Praise for 

THE BOXER REBELLION:

“If you breathe, this book is for you! If you have children this book is an eye-opener to their everyday world! If you are a child in school, this book will show you that you are not alone!”

NOW AVAILABLE IN PRINT!

 

It’s June – the gayest month of the year! Pride events are already springing up across our great nation with rainbows flying proudly. Families are bringing picnics, musicians are performing in the open air. Booths, displays and giveaways give free information and entertainment to the LGBT community. Children have their faces painted, pretty beads and balloons are everywhere. People stroll in public parks and down public streets holding hands or even kissing. And nobody has to hide. There is no shame allowed. That’s why it’s called PRIDE, by the way.

I have always loved books that stir stuff up, either socially or solely within me. So today I thought I’d pass along two of my favorite American political shock waving titles – AND I found them for free on Amazon.com!

All you need is an Amazon account and an e-reader or app. If you don’t own a Kindle you can still read these two history changing novels by downloading a FREE Kindle app for other devices, such as PC’s, phones, pads, and others. See the link just to the right of this article. And yes, it really is free, and so are these books:

When I first read Upton Sinclair’s The Jungle I became increasingly supportive of federal regulations with regard to preparation and packaging of meats. Poor Sinclair said something like this once, “I aimed for their hearts but hit their stomachs.” Read this book before you eat your next can of spam.

I love Uncle Tom’s Cabin, not because of the story or the style of prose, although it’s a fun read, but because it started a war.  Harriet Beecher Stowe was a middle aged female author who was passionate about an issue, and through her dramatization captured the hearts and imaginations of not only her own country, but the world. President Lincoln said at the time that there would have been no Civil War without Uncle Tom’s Cabin, and he was right.  I’ve linked here to a free Kindle version for those who haven’t had the pleasure of reading this yet.