CULTURE OF VIOLENCE

It’s bad enough when adults harm each other but utterly despicable when an adult targets the vulnerable, which may be a child, at-risk adult, or animal. Absolute coward. They don’t have the chutzpah enough to settle their dispute verbally. They hide behind a gun or other means of destruction. Do we really want mass murder to become the norm?

I am so sick of hearing about men*, many of whom are young, that use guns to shoot other humans. Do they think that they will die in a blaze of glory? Sorry, but that is reserved for heroines-heroes who willingly sacrifice themselves to help others. All the perpetrator will be remembered for is their complete and profound spinelessness. Their dispute is buried by the chaos. (Note: *women are also violent, but do not harm or kill others as often as men.)

I was busy all day Friday, December 7th and didn’t hear about the Sandy Hook School tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut until the evening news. I was stunned and hurt. As a teacher, I was always protective of my students. I have a responsibility to help them. We never had safety instruction when I was teaching. The Minnesota communities of Red Lake and Rocori are still recovering from their school shootings. A mass casualty catastrophe occurred this summer at Accent Signage in Minneapolis, another heartbreaking statistic in our sadistic society. Why does it happen more in America than elsewhere?

Congress must permanently reinstate the assault weapons ban, conduct a buy and melt program for guns, legally require gun owners to lock their weapons and ammunition, and States should enact laws to strip the Second Amendment to the minimum. Culturally, we must demand that violence is never acceptable. Don’t glamorize the Culture of Violence. Bullying, harassment, assault, abuse, neglect, et cetera are all forms of violence. I never purchased any toys or books that celebrated brutality as gifts for the children in my life. I repeatedly told my nieces and nephews that if they used aggression, the courts would be the least of their worries.

Parents must take the responsibility to teach their children appropriate methods to work out stress, anxiety, fear and anger. All adults serve as role models. Be careful what you say and do, the young ones are watching and learning from you. Enroll in stress reduction classes, practice meditation, yoga or use regular exercise to reduce tension. Parents also need to connect the child to the community by volunteering on a regular basis. One-time events are nice but kids need to form relationships and care about others outside their family and friends circle. Youth need to know that every person in a community is connected in a web of inner-dependency.

There is a direct correlation between exposure to violence in entertainment and media and the rise in aggression. I have complained before how the news media has been twisted into reading the police reports instead of providing real journalism. I miss hearing/reading local stories. I don’t want a law enforcement blotter. Don’t they realize that they are feeding the Culture of Violence?

Mental illness makes a person more VULNERABLE to be a victim or to harm themselves. Even if a person has a SPMI (serious and persistent mental illness) diagnosis, it doesn’t mean that the mental illness caused them to be violent. Does a person with diabetes get blamed when their insulin level drops and they become angry before passing out? No! Why should a person with mental illness be blamed when their emotions surge? Stigma is a vicious circle, it causes people to deny their problems and not seek help. When they do need help, it must be available. There must be adequate funding to pay for mental health services instead of waiting for a crisis. An ounce of prevention is worth thousands of pounds of cure.

Visit www.nami.org for the facts.

Stay safe.
© 2012 Ima B. Musing

MOBBING MIDWAY & ON'S

Cash Mob St Paul MN (CMSPM) was featured in a St. Paul Pioneer Press article by Frederick Melo http://www.twincities.com/stpaul/ci_21356737/cash-mob-set-strike-university-avenue-businesses-wednesday (Section A, Page 4, Above the Fold!!) Utterly thrilled with the response of increasing our membership from 47 to 154 (when this article was posted). The more the merrier!

As a result of the media attention and the wonderful efforts of our members, we had great success for the CMSPM Event #2! First, we gathered at Midway Used and Rare Books, a quirky store filled with myriad tomes on almost every subject imaginable. Proprietors, Kathy & Tom Stransky, are offering a special discount for CMSPM members. You’ll receive a 10% discount when you state that you are a Cash Mob member through September 30th, 2012. Location is 1579 University Avenue West, 55104. Their website is www.midwaybook.com or phone at 651-644-7605.

Second, we consumed calories at On’s Kitchen Thai Cuisine. A terrific group gathered to share a meal and make new friends. Amnvani Khumchaya, nicknamed On, reported that her restaurant has been busy since the article was published. She and her family offer fast, friendly service and delicious food at 1613 University Avenue West, 55104. Their website is www.onskitchen.com or call 651-644-1444. If you weren’t able to attend, please patronize these businesses soon (within the next month).

Cash Mob St Paul MN (CMSPM) was formed because of my personal commitment to where I choose to reside (Twin Cities East Metro). Inspired by Cash Mob Minneapolis, I wanted to rally kindred spirits to assist East Metro entrepreneurs. No agenda, no hidden plans or political bent (that is relegated to my blog). Just plain and simple: civic duty. Spending money at a local merchant is more likely to have a positive impact on the community rather than having the profit sent to some faraway place.

To clarify the Pioneer Press article, my identity is “cloaked in secrecy” and I prefer to remain “anonymous” and use a pseudonym because I don’t seek the spotlight. I’m 100% real but a friend of mine had a bad experience with a stalker who threatened her because of what she wrote in her blog. She had to quit her blog and move to get rid of his obsessive attention. That is the only reason why I use a pseudonym. I’ve been there, done that with a stalker – not a favorable episode (via former boyfriend). I’d be honored if you’d Friend me on Facebook, follow me on Twitter, and regularly read my blog, however, no stalking please.

Remember, nifty gifts are at Something New in the Park, 2301 Como Avenue, Suite 101, St Paul 55108, www.somethingnewinthepark.wordpress.com or call 651-646-2423 for information. The shop features cool stuff made by nearly one hundred local artisans, talk about a positive impact on the area. Stop there on your way to or from the Minnesota State Fair! (CMSPM Event #1)

Please let us know if we should venture to another Green Line venue for September (CMSPM Event #3). Perhaps a Saturday morning or afternoon? Watch our page for details. Thanks! www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Cash-Mob-St-Paul-MN/297499490345966

Mob A Lot!
© 2012 Ima B. Musing

JOIN OUR MOB 4 GOOD

Announcing our second Cash Mob St Paul MN gathering!! Help support a local business by spending at least $20 cash at this event (okay to spend less). We are honored that the Central Corridor Construction Club is co-hosting this soiree. You can join their group on Facebook, too!

Cash Mob Event #2
Date: Wednesday, August 22nd
Time: 6pm (though you can join us later)
Location: TO BE ANNOUNCED a day or two before the event, please check back for details. Somewhere along the St. Paul end of the Green Line, light rail Central Corridor.

We are seeking nominations for our August event; business must be physically located on the Green Line - Central Corridor construction zone in St. Paul. Please post business name on our Facebook page www.facebook.com/Cash-Mob-St-Paul-MN before noon on Aug 5th. We'll then open a poll to vote for the place we go. (Sorry, no chain stores or franchises qualify.)

The cash mob rules are simple:
1. Spend $20 cash (more or less but cash does speed up the check out process),
2. Chat with three people that you don’t know but please bring along a friend or two, and
3. Enjoy yourself! We want this to be a fun experience for everyone.

On our Facebook (FB) page:
* Please RSVP with “Going” if you can make it; invite your FB Friends; SHARE THIS INVITATION WITH OTHERS via FB by posting on your personal page; and spread the word to non-FB folks.
* If you can’t attend, you can temporarily indicate a “Maybe” to invite your FB friends and then decline at a later date.
* Please decline before the event if you have to cancel.
* “Like” our FB community page at “Cash Mob St Paul MN” to receive notification of future events and invite your FB Friends to join us, too!

We welcome other methods of spreading the word, if you would like to co-host or advertise this event in another way, such as MeetUp. Please send a message via our FB page and keep us informed as to the numbers of people attending. The more the merrier!

Optional: Wear something green to the occasion to indicate that you are a member of the Cash Mob…just an idea, not a requirement.

Thank you ever so much!

PS If you can’t join us for this happening, please patronize the business another time and let them know that you heard about their entrepreneurial efforts from Cash Mob St Paul MN.

We are the Mob for Good!
© 2012 Ima B. Musing
www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Cash-Mob-St-Paul-MN/297499490345966