It was sad but not surprising to hear the news of Whitney Houston's death this weekend. Whether you like the type of music she sang, no doubt she was one of the most gifted singers we've ever had the pleasure of hearing. What was most disturbing to me in all the coverage is the comments her friends and some tv commentators made about how sad it was that Whitney could never make a comeback. As if the only importance of her life was how nice her voice sounded. It's that type of thinking that may have led to the depression she was suffering in recent years.
No, I'm not absolving her of her part in her vocal and personal decline. Of course she chose to take drugs. I have no doubt it was drugs that killed her singing. Unfortunately, with a gift such as hers, it would be hard to have to continue to live up to that level. However, there are many gifted singers who still have it after many years.
I have a feeling that many around Whitney Houston, wanted her to be the Whitney of 20 years ago, for their own selfish reasons. The truth probably is that she would never be able to sing again- and that would be ok. Why wasn't it ok to do something else? Why did she have to 'come back'? The people who are so heartbroken over her death don't realize that the thinking that 'she never had the chance to rise like a phoenix from the ashes' could very well be the reason she had such trouble. Everyone wanted her to be successful again. We like the happy ending where the boxer who's down for the count comes back for a thrilling knockout, but those things in life are very rare. You can create a different happy ending. Perhaps getting up off the mat and leaving the ring is the right choice. Moving on to something else, something that might make you uncomfortable, can be a good thing. You need positive, supportive people around you. You also have to want to make it happen.
I try to look for good in the bad things that happen. I probably think too much of stuff like this. Every day people are dying. Every day people are facing tough illnesses and uncertain futures. When you face your own mortality, you realize what's important. It's nice to think of others, but you have to think of yourself. Whitney Houston made people happy with her music, but she didn't seem to make herself happy. That is the tragedy in her death.
As a breast cancer survivor and fervent Komen supporter, I am extremely saddened by their recent decision to cut funding for breast cancer screening services at Planned Parenthood. There are a lot of people angry, but I can say that I am bitterly disappointed and sad. Sad because no matter where you stand on abortions, cutting the screening money to Planned Parenthood will not cut the numbers of abortions. It will only leave more low income women with one less way to get a breast exam. It will surely lead to more breast cancer.
You may not realize that one out of five women in the U.S. have been served at some point by Planned Parenthood. Only 3% of the monies they spend are on abortion. There are women who go to Planned Parenthood who are pro-life, but don't have the money and cannot afford cancer screenings. Planned Parenthood offers a sliding scale payment system depending on your income. Those who are most vulnerable are the ones being affected by this decision.
I have been an avid supporter of all things Komen. I've participated in the yearly race in Scranton and the Pink Elegance Fashion Show at the Radisson. Now I find myself in a quandry. Do I continue to support Komen and the good work they do elsewhere, or do I move my support to another avenue? I don't want to make a knee-jerk reaction, which it looks like Komen has done. One only needs to see their shifting reasoning to know what really happened here. If you have to change your story, then your story was weak to begin with.
Komen has every right to give money wherever they want. Because they depend on donations, those who support them have the right to demand honesty in return. Komen has earned so must trust over the years and now that trust has been shattered. Tell us you don't want to support Planned Parenthood because of all the flak you're getting from the pro life folks, but don't make something up because you don't have the courage to be honest .
I hope Komen does what is right. They need to go back to their mission. It's not about politics, it's about saving lives. If they reverse this recent decision, they may still be able to salvage what trust is left.
A New Year is here. For many it's a new start. We overeat, overindulge and just plain go to excess for the holidays and this is when we try to right the ship.
As I look at 2012, I see a year full of dissention. It's a Presidential Election year and this one promises to top all others on the ugly-meter. Before we get all wound up in the tug of war between the factions, I want to focus on the things that bring us together. How about being nice to one another? You can disagree without going full on crazy with someone, can't you?
The anonymity in the comments area of a news story, in an email or calling into a talk show brings out the dark side of some people. My name is Nancy Kman and I am not afraid to say what I believe in. However, if I didn't have to say who I was, and I didn't have to face the person I'm talking to, I might not be very polite. Just look at the monster you and I become behind the wheel of a car.
What I'm trying to say is that when you call us, email us, or comment about us, try to use a tone that you would if you were standing before us, or talking to us over dinner. I can't tell you how many times we've received very nasty email, but when one of us responds the emailer becomes more courteous, or apologizes for the tone.
I admit to getting passionate about the things I believe in, as I'm sure many of you are. That's why you listen to talk radio. But as my Dad always says "say what you mean, mean what you say, but don't say it mean."
This is a lesson I'm still learning. When I'm driving, and I'm cut off, I try not to take it personal. Perhaps the driver is going to see a sick family member, or just lost their job. It's hard to use that thinking when a caller calls you a name, or yells at you, or emails you personal insults that have nothing to do with the discussion. I'm trying though.
It may be an exercise in futility, but I'm hoping that in 2012, we'll be able to discuss the political issues during the heated campaign in a civil fashion. Sure, we'll have our ups and downs, but it's worth striving for. What makes us a great nation is our diverse people and our tolerance for those differences. Let's set an example because as history has shown, there will be a lot of people watching us and listening to us during this Presidential Election.
Every since I was a kid, I absolutely adored my Mom's Spritz cookies at Christmastime. We would sneak the dough and gobble it up while 'helping' her make the cookes every year. Now that I'm a Mom, I share this joy with my kids. My daughter Rachael loves to smother them in icing. I admit I make a few on the side that only I will decorate, trying to make them as perfect looking as possible.
One of the things that can make spritz cookies so challenging is the cookie 'press' you use. My mom had the 'twist' type. Where you turn the crank and press out the cookies. They don't make many of those anymore. I went through 3 different presses in the last 5 or so years. My first was an electric one that I tossed aside in disgust on the very first try. Then I got the trigger type that had plastic discs which broke after a few years use. I am in no way getting paid for an endorsement, but I went to Amazon online to research my replacement this year and found the BEST cookie press I have ever used. It worked perfect from the start, and the assortment of shapes had me giddy with delight. Here's a link to it if you're interested.
One of the other challenges of spritz cookies is the firmness of the dough. It's important to chill ahead of time because if it's too soft and warm you really lose any sharp shape or definition in the cookie design. I usually make mine a week ahead of time and freeze it. The day before I toss it in the fridge, then I take it out for about an hour at room temperature before you use it. If it's still too firm, you have to work it a little. If it gets warm again, toss it in the fridge for a few minutes to get it back in shape.
Another challenge is how long to bake. I always shave a few minutes off the recommended time, just to check on them. You don't want these to get brown at the bottom. On my stove, my cookies were done in 6 minutes. Make sure to get them out just as the bottom color is turning. It really makes a difference in the taste.
Use icing and/or sugar to decorate, then toss them in the freezer if you're doing them early. Make sure to wrap them properly. Then you just take out what you need as you need them. I take mine out to pack up tins for friends and family, they defrost in no time and stay as perfect as the day you baked them.
Here's the recipe. Enjoy! If you have any favorite holiday recipes you'd like to share, feel free to email me, nancy@wilknewsradio.com .
Cream Cheese Spritz Cookie Dough
1 cup sugar
1 cup softened butter
3 oz cream cheese
1 egg
1 tsp grated lemon peel
1 TB lemon juice
2 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp baking powder
Combine sugar, butter, cream cheese, egg, lemon peel and lemon juice and beat until smooth.
Mix in flour and baking soda until workable.
Cover and refrigerate at least 30 minutes prior to using.
Your first reaction is always the best course of action. Too often we talk ourselves out of doing the right thing. Many times, other people will talk us out as well. I don't know what happened in Mike McQueary's mind when he allegedly walked in on Jerry Sandusky raping a boy, but we all know it took too long for him to report it, never mind try to get help for the kid.
Psychologists call it 'group think'. It's defined as:
Groupthink is a psychological phenomenon that occurs within groups of people. It is the mode of thinking that happens when the desire for harmony in a decision-making group overrides a realistic appraisal of alternatives. Group members try to minimize conflict and reach a consensus decision without critical evaluation of alternative ideas or viewpoints.
I don't want to waste more time stating the obvious, all the players in this saga were more concerned with selfish motives, than the young people who couldn't defend themselves.
As for the people outraged at Paterno's firing, you are exhibiting the same thinking process that McQueary did. You are seeing something, and someone who you put on a pedestal, and you don't believe what you're hearing or seeing. It can't be this or that, there has to be a reasonable explanation. It's too difficult for you to accept the possibility that the man you thought cared so much about our kids, didn't care enough in the most horrible of circumstances.
For our legislators, get with it already and put some teeth in the law. Let's make it mandatory that all witnesses to child abuse MUST report the abuse to the authorities. Enough of the excuses. Time to put children first.
Former Luz. Co. Judge Michael Conahan was a different man in federal court than the man many people knew for many years he held public office.Conahan moved quickly up the ladder, District Magistrate, Judge, and then President Judge.People who worked at the courthouse said he was 'the boss'.A controlling man who pulled the strings, organizing the Kids for Cash scandal, but by no means, doing it alone.
He put pressure on probation officials to recommend incarceration for juveniles, which cost county residents a whole lot of money and destroyed people and families in ways we will never know.When County cutbacks were being made he lead the charge with Ciavarella for more personnel.They were exempt from the rules.
Things like that don't happen in isolation.I am confident that we have only heard about the tip of the iceberg.The corruption he has admitted to must have gone into areas we will never know.Other people know about it, and they stand silently by. Perhaps they have a hard time sleeping at night wondering what might come. I have a funny feeling the vast majority of players, and playing will not come to light.
Michael Conahan wants you to believe he was corrupt because of his father.Despite the fact that several people wrote letters praising his upbringing, Conahan threw his father under the bus. I did not know his dad.There are many people leading productive and honest lives today who did not have a good upbringing.Conahan's attorney says it doesn't excuse his client, but it does explain it.I don't think so.
I'm wondering if Conahan would have made such accusations if he knew it would only shave 2.5 years off his maximum sentence.I'm thinking he rolled the dice, hoping that it would have a bigger payoff.I would have had more respect for him if he would have taken full responsibility.Maybe his Dad was a money-hungry substance abuser who operated in gray areas, but I'm certain Michael Conahan knew what he was doing was wrong.He chose to be corrupt.Interesting that it was Conahan's attorney who detailed the alleged abuse, and not the former Judge himself.He let someone else do the dirty work once again.
The disclosure, and appearance of remorse, may have gotten him a much nicer place that he'll call home. The Judge recommends that the Bureau of Prisons consider a comfortable minimum security facility in Pensacola for Conahan. This is a place that Forbes magazine rated one of the cushiest as far as federal prisons go. The cinema, bocci and raquetball are all available. His wife can live nearby in her $643 K home. She'll continue to live the good life, far away from the condemnation NEPA has offered.
Ciavarella, in stark contrast, stares at the ceiling in a medium security prison hundreds of miles away in a much less tropical setting. If it weren't for his obstinance, and Conahan's arrogance, both would be looking at release in just a few years. We can at least be thankful that the very things that lead to their disgrace, also led to a much bigger prison term. Cheers to being who you really are. For once their actions actually helped the people of NEPA!
I think you owe Lou an apology. You have to be professional at all times, but yesterday, you seemed to have lost it. I like your station, but was embarrassed by how you spoke to Mr. Barletta. I realize you are the station manager, but you have to report to someone in Entercom and wonder what your immediate manager would think of that interview. I have listened to your station for years and don't agree with everything that is said, however, it's informative and your interview yesterday will make it less informative as many politicians will be reluctant to appear on your show and station from here on out. My favorite personality is Sue Henry and I know Sue would NEVER speak to any guest like you did. I think you upset more than me yesterday.
Ed-
I don't owe anyone an apology. I am a talk show host. We have opinions. I did not call Lou Barletta or invite him on the show. I did NOT know he had called until John Webster said so on the air. He called us. He is a politician. It's his job to talk to the people. He knows me and he knows that I personally like him, but he is on the wrong side on this issue. I have no qualms in telling him that. As for getting rid of callers-John handles the phone calls, not me. I do NOT hang up on anyone.
I have received a lot of email from listeners who thanked me for the interview with Barletta. A number told me they were Republicans who don't usually agree with me, but agree with me on this issue. I was hard on Kanjorski last year when he stopped doing town hall meetings. I took flak for that too. I take my job seriously and I do ruffle some feathers. My job is not to make everyone happy. I owe listeners more than softball questions and that's what I do. I understand that Barletta supporters may be unhappy with the way he sounded in that discussion, but if you're truthful with yourself you'll realize that you should be disappointed in him and not me.
I am sincere when I thank you for emailing me. I realize you took time out of your day to contact me and I appreciate it.
Tremor Envy by Nancy Kman,posted Aug 24 2011 11:27AM
Hi. My name is Nancy, and I have tremor envy. At 1:53pm on Tuesday August 24th I was in the car, enroute to an appointment with the veterinarian. I was driving on a road that was under construction and being sprayed with fresh oil. Having just purchased a new car under a week ago, my biggest concern was getting my car dirty. When I arrived at the vet's office, the dogs in the waiting room seemed a little wound up, but that's not unusual there.
Within a few minutes in the office, my phone rings. My son is home alone, and he says he heard noise in the house. He's afraid it's an intruder. Vet tech opens the door and it's my turn with kitty. Text arrives, friend tells me there's been an earthquake in Susquehanna County. I immediately think it's something to do with gas drilling. I call my husband, he needs to check on the kid. Can't get a call through. I'm wondering who are all the dummies jamming the line. Vet tells me kitty is doing good, she gets some fluids. I'm on phone again, calling and calling radio station. Why won't Lucas answer the phone? Who are all these dummies jamming the line?
Long story short, my son was okay, the earth did shake and I didn't feel a thing. Instead of relief, I'm kind of ticked off . I didn't feel anything. I find myself thinking back to the drive, was there anything unusual? I feel cheated. The earth moved and I didn't know it.
Maybe you were sleeping and the bed shook, or a picture fell off the wall. Perhaps you were told to run and ended up out on the street. If you tell your story, you may notice some of us look disinterested, or annoyed. It's hard to mask our disappointment. We suffer from tremor envy. You just don't understand.
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