Password Please

I always tell my students to be careful what they post online. In today's global economy, it is not uncommon to walk into a job interview and be confronted with a question or two about a person's social media practice. Even when one thinks his or her site is set to private, many employers are able to view a prospective employee's information. Now employers want usernames and passwords to Facebook accounts during interviews. Interviewees are faced with the dilemma of divulging this information or risk not being hired. What does this mean? Is this legal? Some employers have gone so far as to even ask new hires to add them to their accounts. I feel that my work is my work and my play is my play. So long as I am legal and moral then everything is fine. I try to set the example in every aspect of my life. I do see this policy being widespread. The younger generation needs to take heed.

Girlfriend's Final Texting

After my daughter watched the movie "Seven Pounds," she became my driving conscience. This movie had such an impact on her, that even the threat of me putting her out of my car and onto the highway did not prevent her from warning me about the dangers of texting and driving. I feel that I am a relatively smart and responsible individual. Therefore, I try not to tell my children to do or not do things that I myself cannot follow. I admit, it irritated me to have my pre-teen constantly remind me that texting while driving was unsafe. However, a good parent knows that if he or she wants a child to do the right thing, then the parent is the first true model of that desired behavior.

When the city of Cincinnati passed the ordinance banning texting while driving, I began to take heed. Never mind the $150 fine. My daughter now had further ammo to aim at me whenever my text alert would sound and I instantly reached for my cellphone to respond. It took me throwing my phone in the back of the car to make me seriously stop texting and driving. Well, let's just say, it is down to a minimum.

I read this story about the girlfriend who, on her way to classes, decided to text what she did not know would be her final messages to her boyfriend. I am quite positive that this behavior was routine for her, but on this fateful day, tragedy struck, and what researchers have shown in statistics and other data became a reality for the boyfriend she left behind. Their final messages to each other were, “I love you too and I’ll try to make you happy," and “I would have liked to hear your beautiful voice before but…we’ll talk tonight before 6:00…good day at school bb and I kiss you all over :).” Then finally, his feeling that all was not well when she did not respond to "Is all well my heart?” and “I’m a little worried here.”

I do not want this to happen to me and definitely not while my loved ones are in a car with me. I cannot imagine a text or even email that important to lose my life or cause me to take the lives of others. I will try and be more responsible and my heart goes out to anyone who can connect to this article.

Texas Kids Found Living in Abandoned Bus

Texas Kids Found Living in Abandoned Bus:

ABCNEWS.COM - Texas kids, ages 11 and 5, have been living in the bus since 2009.

Donation Dilemma 

It took me almost 20 years to make the mature decision to check the box on the back of my driver's license and become an organ donor. It was never a matter of, "Oh, what if scientists find a way to bring people back from the dead and I need my organs back?" For me, I could not face the reality of my own mortality. In my teens and my twenties, I was building a life, raising children, maintaining a marriage, beginning my career; I had too many things to look forward to to consider becoming an organ donor.

As my children grew older and I became more aware of the need to have more people "check that box," my understanding of what I was actually doing became very clear. According to recent data, there remains a growing need for living donors in the African American community. The idea that there are millions of people waiting, living on prayers and faith, for a match from a donor, living or otherwise, garners my empathy and compassion.

Jill Denise,a lady in Cincinnati, Ohio, obviously has no qualms with becoming a donor. However, after reading of her story and her family's difficult situation, the question came to me, "If I had to choose, between son or daughter, mother or father, brother or sister, husband or child, how would I be able to choose?" What is the value of a life and how does one choose one loved over another?

The decision to become an organ donor is a personal and "grown up" decision to make. To have to choose which loved one is worthy of such a gift is a situation I hope to never face.

Powerball Granny

New Powerball Winner

I spoke with my oldest brother yesterday about Louise White, the grandmother from Rhode Island who last month won the third largest Powerball jackpot. First, we tried to find ways to be related to her (I think there is a slight family resemblance). Then we discussed what we would do with even a fraction of the winnings. Mrs. White chose to receive the lump sum of $210 million dollars, not bad for an 80 plus year old who is trying desperately to maintain her privacy.

They say money cannot buy happiness, but in today’s economy I think it would definitely buy peace of mind. For a person like Mrs. White, in here twilight years, her peace of mind also raises issues of inheritance tax increase, new relatives, no more anonymity, and other legal issues. Therefore, hiring lawyers and financial advisors is a must.

What would I do with that much money? Let’s just say that all the people who normally benefit from my goodwill will definitely feel like a million bucks. I do not think I care too much what the number is in front of the word, but boy, would I like to see the word MILLION in my life.