Do You Know Your Facebook Etiquette?

I have come to the realization that many participants of Facebook do not practice proper etiquette? Comments were ranging from the pleasant to the downright nasty! A person’s comments have evolved from combative, argumentative, insulting, aggressive, belligerent, and the list is endless. The culprits can be family or wonderful friends or colleagues from work. We must be mindful of the other person; it will save you from awkward moments. I came across some rules that may be helpful to you all.

1. Think before you post. 

This one is the biggest offender, having an opinion is okay, but think before you write. I have seen instances, where emotion guides the person and not rational. It will save you grief in the long run.

2. Protect your online reputation.

If you are taking photos that you would not show your momma, then you wouldn’t want to display them on social media. Nowadays even your boss or a company representative may go exploring for your name and find photos, videos or comments that may not be in your favor.

3. Respect other people.

Think before you tag or comment; it may make that person uncomfortable. Best practice is to send the person a private message. Gossiping about a friend on your Facebook wall is a no-no!

4.Unfriend with caution.

I have been on the receiving end of being unfriended; it does not feel great. Trust me the person will eventually find out that you unfriended them.

5.Socialize when sober.

Have a leveled head when on social media and if you are a bit inebriated then it would not be wise to write a comment that you will later regret.

 6. Cover your tracks.

The worst thing is to be lied to and finding out on social media. The person made up an excuse for not accepting your invitation, and you see the proof of photos of the occasion. So keep it real!

7. Status change with certainty.

How many times have you seen a friends status changed? They are in a relationship, not in a relationship or no longer married. Make sure you are confident before posting a change in your life status.

8. Save the bad stuff.

Hearing about someone dying or getting married or engaged from family should not be announced on social media. Give them a call or send a private message. They will greatly appreciate it.

9. Keep it confidential. Never put messages on someone’s wall, especially if it is something that you would not want anyone else to read.

10. Know your friends well.

Sometimes you may get a friend request and have met the person through a friend, and you don’t know them well.  Don’t accept a friend request from strangers, and it would be too bizarre. Food for thought!

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jo-bryant/10-facebook-etiquette-rul_b_9425740.html

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Stories of my Father: My Grandparents

“Individually, every grain of sand brushing against my hands represents a story, an experience, and a block for me to build upon for the next generation.”
― Raquel Cepeda, Bird of Paradise: How I Became Latina

When I listen to music, I find myself reminiscing of the stories my father told, about his family. The type of father he had and with each story, you could hear how much my dad adored him. There was always this never-ending bond that came through his voice with every gesture and word spoken.My grandfather had died before I was born. As a kid I wanted to know more about him so, I would be mesmerized holding on to every word.

On this day my father spoke of his parents, my grandparents and the type of relationship they had. I could see the love in his eyes as he talked about them, although he never told us what kind of wedding they had, or how long their courtship was, I always had that curiosity. It was very much a mystery! I visualized it to be spectacular I was just a kid, but my imagination ran wild. In case you have not guessed it by now, I was kind of impressionable!

 I imagined their wedding to be beautiful surrounded by their loved ones in attendance. The day was sunny and bright, and flowers were placed to adorn every inch of the home where the ceremony was to take place. Her dress was a vision of loveliness, ivory in color with embedded delicate lace over satin and the dress flowed gracefully with her every step.Her light golden brown hair worn up in a twist with a french braid that wrapped around the crown of her head, embellished in baby’s breath. She wore pearl drop earrings with a matching necklace of small delicate beads.My grandmother was fair in complexion, so I imagined that she used a little blush and lipstick which made her lips a soft shade of pink. She wore her engagement bracelets and fashioned them with such happiness as she walked down the aisle holding a beautiful bouquet of white roses in anticipation of taking her vows. My grandfather stood with pride as she walked towards him in his beige suit with a single white rose in his lapel to be in harmony with his bride.That is how I envisioned it in my mind, a mere fantasy of what may have been. 

They lived in a home with servants and a nanny to care for the children. My father described that they lived modestly, but in a child’s mind, I envisioned them living well. 

Dear Voter: Avoid the Negative!

 

There is a dark cloud swaying over us, and it is full of negative crap! Everywhere I go, there is this continuum of negativity in most of the campaigns. What has happened to us?  This great need to insult, name call and make accusations coming from both sides of the aisle. It has gotten to the point where I have stopped listening, reading media, and frankly, I am fed up with those that are drawn to read about it with an uncontrollable need to chime in. Where do you draw the line until you decide to stop? There is this vacuum, and we are drawn to it like a magnet to metal.

This morning I came across a candidate’s letter on Facebook addressed to his opponent stressing to keep his family out of the negative comments. You know what? He is right! Why should all involved be made a target of negative political ads and campaigns? The family of candidates should not be used in negative mudslinging from the opposition. I commend the candidate for voicing concerns about his political race. There was another instance with another candidate where a mail-out was sent. It showed the platform and off to the side was a stated negativity about the candidates opponent. Why? Not necessary!

For those candidates that believe going negative will pay off? I don’t think so! Food for thought.

Yours Truly,

A Fellow Voter

Dear Voter

 

A vote is like a rifle; its usefulness depends upon the character of the user.~Theodore Roosevelt

I am writing to appeal to your good sense and to urge you to be aware of what is going on within this election cycle, ranging from the presidential all the way to the local. Whether you choose Trump or Hillary, you must cut through all of the rhetoric, negative press and measure wisely! The local candidates have their fair share of bad press, as well. It is unbelievable to see candidates signs stepped on, and signs bent on the ground. Absolutely, childish!

What I do not like is when candidates from the same party back bite each other to no end thinking that it will earn them votes. It is a complete turn-off! We are constituents to future candidates and responsible voters, first and foremost.

Candidates! I do not buy into the smokescreen of negative talk and accusations.

My fellow voters follow the same rule! What is most impressive is listening to a candidate that will state what they plan to do once they are elected;

1. Must have a stable platform- a definite game changer.
2. A solid footing on the issues is what makes sense!

I am not a predictor of how the primaries or general elections will turn out, but I certainly want to see the right candidates elected into the right seat. 

Yours Truly,

A Fellow Voter

http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/vote_2.html

Beware: No Factual Backing!

 

Seek truth from facts~ Deng Xiaoping

There has been a lot of mud-slinging and little platform to work. You see many commercials and endorsements.  I thought it was always a given that you do not endorse candidates until after a primary election. I guess I am old school.

I came across an article today where it made allegations against the Osceola Continuum Coalition. They are new, innovative, and many find it hard to understand, and heavens forbid,  it requires people to think outside the box. The article in question references marketing materials and “illegal electioneering” efforts allegedly done by the Continuum Coalition. It goes as far as to mention the candidates/ elected officials. It displays a recording done by a volunteer letting voters know that candidates will be going door to door in their neighborhoods. Multiple allegations with no factual backing and it disgust me to see writers throw words on a page to see where the letters will fall and on whom.

The Truth:

1. The Continuum Coalition is a voluntary group.
2. Each campaign expenditure, any marketing tools are paid by each candidate separate and apart.
3. The recording in the article was not an automated robocall. The volunteer made the call manually using a cell phone.

The comments that were made were not based on truth, but it is an attempt to discredit the candidates/ elected officials mentioned in the article. Wake up people! I can not stress this enough, consider the source. Food for thought.

http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/facts_8.html

 

A True Snapshot

 

The difference between a democracy and a dictatorship is that in a democracy you vote first and take orders later; in a dictatorship you don’t have to waste your time voting.~Charles Burkowski

A mock election event simulates an actual election. The idea is basically to capture a real snapshot of how a candidate will do. The candidate will have an idea of where they stand and possibly project the outcome of the future election. I did not get the experience this past Sunday. A mock election staged at the Kissimmee Lakefront in Florida. I was not going to write about this, but I felt a need to express it and educate those about a mock election.

Let us begin with the mock ballot. It must include all candidates regardless whether they paid for an event booth or not. Make sure all of the candidates represented and listed under the correct seat they are running for. The ballot must include all candidate names in alphabetical order. The outcome will not be accurate if all candidates are not captured on the ballot.

Upon checking in, a citizen must be given the privacy to fill out their ballot. Then the citizen must fold the ballot and drop it in the box before exiting.

On a positive note: The candidates were given the opportunity to participate, interact with future constituents. It was a great way for candidates to gain exposure to the public. Candidates that were present got to introduce themselves, state the seat they are aspiring for and speak about their platforms. There was plenty of photo and video opportunity for the candidates that were at the event.

I welcome your feedback.

 

Humans! What are we doing to each other?

“We are only as strong as we are united, as weak as we are divided.”
― J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Distraught, conflicted, I don’t know how else to describe what I am feeling. The world, as I know, it is dark and full of hate. Humans! What are we doing to each other? It has to stop, how many more will die before it is too late? We are at war with each other, retaliation is not the answer, and the hate will not resolve.

Senseless murders, random killings, if it continues–our world will eventually perish. Two days, two killings of individuals that were law-abiding citizens. I know on that final day, the last thing on their mind was, ” today is my last day on this earth.” Doubtful!

There are riots! The backlash from these officers taking lives. For those that are not familiar with what happened to Alton Sterling and Philando Castile.

Alton Sterling made his living selling CDs outside of a convenience store in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He did this for years and had the permission of the grocery store owner. Mr. Sterling was a 37-year-old African-American male. He purchased a firearm because a homeless person threatened him. The police responded to a 911 on that final day,  a man saying that Mr. Sterling threatened him and was armed. Upon arriving on the scene, the police went after him, tackled him to the ground, and while pinned, they fired shots into his chest. They claimed that Mr. Sterling was resisting. He did not have a chance; he was defenseless and nowhere to turn. Witnesses took the video of that shooting.

Philando Castile, a man out with his girlfriend child and stopped by Minnesota police for having a busted tail light. The officer asks for his license and registration. Mr.Castile does the right thing by informing the police that he has a firearm and a permit to carry. The officer draws his weapon and fires shots into Mr. Castile. While this is happening, his girlfriend video records the incident from her phone. Upon viewing the horrific video, you will see Mr. Castile covered in blood, and the video will show the officer with his weapon still drawn. The girlfriend is made to get out of the car, is ordered to the ground and handcuffed. Let us not forget their little girl who witnessed this. She will never be the same, and she will never look upon law enforcement as safe.

Both videos are very graphic and very disturbing. I encourage you to view these videos as it will show weak action and improper procedures by police.

New Video to the Alton Sterling shooting

Philando Castilo Livestream Video

If you are like me, you want the senseless killings, profiling, and targeting to stop. I don’t want to live in a  war zone where you have to take cover. We are all human, with blood running through our veins. Can we focus on having a chance to live our days in peace on earth?

Choose the Right Candidate

Have a vision? Make the right decision! Vote! ~The Fresh Quotes

The right candidate will represent all people, not the chosen few. Wake up to the reality of what is going on. Focus on a real hard-working candidate who will roll up their sleeves to fight for all of us. Stay away from the candidate that will quickly discredit the opposition instead of investing on a secure platform for change.

There are seven ways you can benefit and assist in choosing the right candidate.

1. Decide what you are looking for in a candidate.

Candidates have selected two ways: By the position, they take on the issues and for their leadership qualities and experience they would bring to the office. Both are equally important, but you must decide what issues you care about and the qualities you want in a leader. Think about the issues in your community and at the national level.

When you consider leadership qualities, think about the characteristics you want in a capable leader. Do they possess intelligence, honesty, and ability to communicate?

2.  Find out about the candidates.

There are many resources to tap into;  Smart Voter, Supervisor of Elections, Online Media and the local newspaper where you live.

3. Get familiar with the candidates.

Gather as many materials on each candidate and learn about them and their platform.

• Campaign literature, including Web sites
• nonpartisan online voter information Web sites like Smart Voter
• direct mail letters
• press reports ( newspapers, television, and radio)
• radio and television ads
• candidates speeches
• candidate debates

In the local races checking for interviews with the candidates can be helpful. For incumbents look into their voting record on the issues that you have listed as important. The candidates’ issues will become apparent to the voter.

4. Evaluate candidates’ stand on the issues.

Keep a record as you gather information on each candidate. Does the material give you an overall impression of the candidates? What practical conclusion can you draw about the candidates’ stand on the issues?

5. Learn about the candidates’ leadership abilities.

Keeping the following in mind is important.

• Look at the candidates’ background and their experience. How well prepared are they for the job?
• Observe the candidates’ campaigns. Do they accept speaking engagements before different groups even those groups that might not be sympathetic? Do they accept invitations to debate? Do the campaigns emphasize media events where the candidates’ can be seen but not heard?

6. Learn how other people view the candidate.

• Seek the opinion of others in your community who keep track of political campaigns
• Learn about endorsements
• Look into campaign contributions
• Opinion polls

7. Time to make a decision.

Go over the materials that you have gathered about the candidate. Create a report card and make a comparison on all of the candidates. Ask yourself these finals questions:

• Which candidate’s view on the issues do you agree with the most?
• Who ran the fairest campaign?
• Which candidate demonstrated the most knowledge on the issues?
• Which candidate has the leadership qualities?

It is important to prepare and see through the distortion techniques. You have some candidates’ that will do all that they can to make themselves out to be the best candidate for the job. The best way is to familiarize yourself with the most common distortion techniques to separate the good from the bad:

• Name calling/ Appeals to prejudice
• Rumor mongering
• Guilt by association
• Catchwords
• Passing the blame
• Promising the sky
• Evading the issues

For more information, please visit website:

Smart Voter

 

Political Angst

 

“The first duty of a man is to think for himself” ~Jose Marti

Political Angst is weighing heavily on my mind. You see candidates here and candidates there and lots of them everywhere! There is one race among many that I worry about, the presidential for starters. Everywhere you look, there are commercials, posters and bumper stickers showing support for the favored candidate but what I truly see is the eye-catching phrases, commercials chock full of insults, locked and loaded for mud-slinging. Let us not forget the infamous broadcast full of rhetoric. I ask, as your potential constituent: What are you going to do for me?

It is the same at the local level, case and point:  A candidate is running for reelection, and is also an elected official and doing a great job. Entering into the race is the opposing candidate, but wait! He has jumped from another race to run against the elected official. What is the reason? It is a red flag! Any candidate that jumps into a race close to the primary election shows instability, a wishy-washy mess, especially if the candidate had a past track record for jumping political races and was a former elected official. Shame on you! The same goes for candidates changing party affiliation as a strategy and thinking that they stand a better chance of winning an election.Yes, people change party affiliations all the time, but let it be for the right reasons not as a game plan.

Don’t get me wrong; there are strong, viable candidates out there that are ready to work for you!

My advice? Do your homework! Be careful who you vote for to represent you.

Food for thought.