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On October 21, Republican lawmakers in Georgia held a four-hour closed-door caucus. The topic: Obama's secret mind control plot, and his culpability in pushing a United Nations resolution designed to force Americans out of the suburbs and into the inner cities. The ultimate goal being for the government to take back everyone's land and herd the populace into a network of urban death camps.

Yep, it's all over the news that 13 states (at last tally, more are being added hourly it seems) have filed for secession. Now, to be honest, it's 13 individuals have filed petitions for secession. The state governors are quick to point out they have no urge to secede. Even more alarming is that enough people feel this is the answer that petitions are getting signatures.

But really, I'm not alarmed at all. It all comes down to basic bullying tactics. A group of people, less than half the country's population if the election results are believed, think they can get their own way by bullying the majority. It's a common tactic used by those small-minded, uneducated and ignorant types that sometimes works in middle school but rarely gets you anywhere as an adult. It's tantamount to whining until you get your own way, then threatening when that doesn't work.

The real irony here is that these same people screaming for secession are the same ones collecting social security, welfare, food stamps, Medicare and Medicaid, and federal student loan funds while screaming against handouts. The numbers show that the “blue” states and counties pay more into government handout programs than they take, while “red” states and counties accept more federal and state handouts than they pay in tax-wise. If these states were to secede, those that rallied for it would find themselves penniless, starving and homeless with no hope for any medical care.

Want some more irony? Many of those I have spoken to that think secession is a good idea also consider them the most loyal and patriotic of American citizens. Huh, how does that work? If you're patriotic why the hell would you want to divide your nation? Seriously people, common sense is a dying commodity.

Grow up. You didn't get who you wanted to be the representative of the US. It sucks, we've all been there and we all know how it feels. But you can still act like an adult, be kind to others and be an upstanding citizen and good person. Or, you can be a sore loser, a whiny, petulant child and bad American. The choice is yours.

It doesn't take much snow for our first snow to result in excitement with the little ones. I've learned from long experience that the first snowy day results in a complete lack of concentration, and who can blame the kids? As homeschooler, I usually declare that first substantial snow an official snow day and let the kids build snowmen, tunnels and forts, then welcome them indoors with cider and cocoa.

During my early education days I also suspended business as usually for my little pupils. If the snow was too wet for extended outdoor play, I pulled out our snow fight tub. It was filled with large “snow balls” made from yarn pom-poms. We'd build forts with our cardboard blocks and have a fun, safe battle.

If we could get outside, I'd fill spray bottles with food coloring and water. The only think more fun than making a snowman was coloring him in with the food color spray. The kids loved to watch the designs form when they sprayed the snow.

I always supplied warm treats on those cold days. We also would spend some time on out of the ordinary arts and crafts, including the old standby of making paper snowflakes or cottonball snowmen. Baby food jar snow globes are also popular. Making the day special helped the kids focus their excitement and helped me manage a classroom of highly strung littles.

To me, the first snow of the year is a holiday to celebrate with the littles. Put together a tub of special activities so you have it ready to pull out when the cold stuff begins falling!

I get the impression from politics and the media that opponents of relaxed immigration laws seem to demonize the illegals. They steal our jobs. They break the law. They mooch off our government services. They are the enemy.

I think they are misunderstood. They are left out of the equation. Sure, many people are waiting to immigrate legally, people who filled out all the forms and paid the fees. It’s not fair to just pardon all the illegals when immigrants legally jumping through all the hoops will be skipped.

This argument also ignores conditions endured by illegal immigrants. Are they crooked folks who don’t want to the pay the fee? Or are they too lazy to fill out the forms? Maybe they prefer being illegal, so they can get their greasy hands on the benefits of the good ol’ USA, while not contributing with taxes.

Ricardo Arjona is Guatemalan, the band Intocable is Mexican. A rough translation of these lyrics are in the video’s description.

I’ve met lots of Mexicans and Guatemalans who were illegal in the U.S. They went for the job. They worked hard and sent most of the money home. Out of fear of being caught, they never ever took government services. The story in “Mojado” is dead on.

In short, they were nice people who made a bold move to improve their life or, most often, the lives of their families in communities so disadvantaged that there is nothing that even comes close north of the Rio Grande.

They are also very interesting to sit next to on a long distance bus ride.