June 2024 – Site Title

When Murder Comes Calling

Wade Wilson’s jury voted in favor of the death penalty for the murders of Kristine Melton and Diane Ruiz on October 7, 2019. I am not talking about Marvel’s Deadpool character who is described as a wisecracking mutant mercenary. He is fun to hang out with but only in small doses. I am talking about Florida’s strangulation serial killer of the same name and hanging out with this character will silence you forever.

It took five years to bring justice to the case. His own father took the stand and testified that his son not only confessed to the murders but bragged about them. His exact words were, “I’m a killer – there are two people gone who are not coming back.” He further added that when he realized that his victim was still breathing, he ran her over with his car until she resembled spaghetti.

On October 7, 2019, a tattooless Wade Wilson, at least on his face met Kristine Melton 25 and her friend Stephanie Sailors at Buddah LIVE, a Fort Myers bar. They spent time together and later that night, Wilson strangled Melton as she slept. A short time later having killed one person, he was ready to kill again. The evil within him had awakened and he wanted to snuff out another life. He coaxed Diane Ruiz into his car and attacked her, beat and strangled her before pushing her out of the car and running over her repeatedly.

Melton was described as a cat lover and a great friend. Diane Ruiz was the mother of two sons, Brandon Cuellar 29 and Zane Romero, 19. She was described as “the heartbeat of the bar. She always had everybody’s back. She just had that personality that was really magnifying. She has this really loud laugh that you could hear it like a mile away.”

Perhaps that was what attracted Wilson to her or that she was readily available. Whatever it was that hearty raucous laugh came to a standstill later that night when evil in the form of Wade Wilson came calling. Was he remorseful? Not at all, he later told detectives at an interview, “I would do it again.”

The killer would later brag about the murders to the police, three days after the killings. He said his biggest concern after the murders was getting a burger and fries while one of his victims, Diane Ruiz lay silenced in a field, bugs eating her face.

Assistant State Attorney, Andreas Gardiner told the court, “This case was about killing for the sake of the killing. Strangulation is the epitome of life slipping through someone’s hands.” A different looking, Wade Wilson sat in court, his face emotionless, tattoos all over his face resembling Jared Leto’s, Joker character. There was a swastika tattoo on his face and one under his hair but it was that stone-cold look that caught everyone’s attention. He portrayed the killer image perfectly.

Defense attorney, Lee Hollander had his work cut out for him. All he could do was ask for mercy saying, “We are not claiming that he didn’t do it. I suspect the drugs. I’m not arguing insanity, I’m arguing the state is claiming premeditation. I’m arguing he’s whacked out of his mind for any of this.” That didn’t work.

Very little is known of this deadly character and his earlier years. What turned him into this remorseless killer? According to his biological father, both he and Wilson’s mother were teenagers when she became pregnant and Wade was placed for adoption after his birth. There was very little contact between him and his father during the growing up years. Is this a case of nature vs. nurture? “The main argument for nurture is that the environment is what makes us who we are.” It basically says that nurture is more dynamic and plays a more important role in one’s life. However, this debate is still ongoing. What makes a person so evil that taking a life is like eating burgers and fries that it makes you crave for more of the same?

Wilson will be housed in a cell measuring 6 x 9 x 9.5 feet in Florida’s death row at Union Correctional Institution until it is time to go meet his maker. He could choose Florida’s three-legged electric chair, “Old Sparky” or he could choose death by lethal injection when the time comes. If you ask me, both will be easy on the killer. His victims went through a worse fate. When murder came calling, two innocent lives were taken and that is the crux of the matter.

The Convicted Felon vs. The President

The battle of the Titans, it was not! To be brutally honest, it was two old men trying to prove who is the better candidate to hold the highest office in the land. One is currently holding office and the other, the convicted felon, wants the office back or rather the power and all it entails back in his clutches to do with as he pleases.

Who came out the winner? This was a hard one because the man who is known for throwing temper tantrums when he doesn’t get his way, walked on stage to do battle. He was poised, tanned (not orange this time), his hair tacked with some unseen material so that nothing was out of place and with the cat who had swallowed the cream smile plastered on his face, he opened his mouth and nothing had changed. The “all about me” attitude hadn’t changed and according to him, he was and is the only one who is capable of rescuing America from the terrorists, the only one who has the power to do something about border control and the only one America can depend on to make it the most powerful nation in the world. Sounds familiar? This is Trump over and over again. Make America Great Again means I will jump over hurdles and run hoops to be your one and only saviour!

Here’s the scary part. The man who applauded the Nazis as very fine people and the one who slept with a porn star, albeit he claims he didn’t but that is besides the point. Let’s not forget he is a convicted felon and the ONE who pushed and got the so-called “patroits” to storm the capitol, he was and is nothing more than a whole lot of hot air, not to mention a dangerous man when he is crossed. He is also the friend of dictators and a wanna be dictator himself. Trump is a liar, doesn’t get his facts right and he is known for misusing information to his advantage. If he gets control of the White House and uses it as his bully pulpit, Lord help us all.

Biden, on the other hand, was right when he said, “I’m looking at a convicted felon standing next to me.” Nothing more, nothing less. What’s a convicted felon doing vying for a chance at running the highest office in the land? The answer is clear and simple. There is nothing in the US Constitution to prevent a convicted felon from occupying the Oval Office if fairly elected. Time they changed that don’t you think? Moving on, Biden came on stage looking pale, unsteady on his feet and at times he seemed to lose his train of thought. His speech impediment made it seem more so. Nature is not kind as far as age is concerned, it slows your gait, you need time to think and standing on stage for over 1 1/2 hours is not easy either. In spite of all that, Biden did deliver some punches when it was necessary and it found its mark. He called Trump a liar, which he is. He called him an abuser of women and there is no doubt about that. He called him delusional, nothing further from the truth and a man of low integrity, well that is the honest truth.

The kid pretending to be a grown-up was easy to figure out. The vindictiveness was well-hidden but it was there hiding just beneath the surface. The cat has been let out of the bag a long time ago and his record as a vindictive and narcissistic individual has been proven. You don’t need a debate to show who is a better candidate. The record speaks for itself.

If I had to choose between a convicted felon and a man who stutters because he has a speech impediment, I know hands-down who I would choose. It’s not about how much hot air one can spew into the air and pull the wool over everyone’s eyes. It is about integrity, honesty and a clear-headed approach to issues which demand presidential acumen and not a private and personal vendetta. Words such as pale as death, disastrous, agonizing and much worse have been used to describe Biden’s debate performance but if you ask me that is nothing compared to the bully and the felon standing on stage pretending to be an outstanding citizen and one who is appropriate to take the helms of the highest office in the land. He is a walking nightmare and much much more!

My money is on Biden!

Mean People

Why are some people mean? What is it about them that makes them that way? By mean people, I mean those who love to kick you when you’re down, know your weaknesses and take advantage of them, take pleasure from your pain and say and do whatever is necessary to stop you from making your way out of the hole you’re in. Instead of giving you a helping hand, they would rather push you back in and walk away with a click of their heels, a clap of their hands and say, “Job well done!”

“There are some people who always seem angry and continuously look for conflict. Walk away; the battle they are fighting isn’t with you, it is with themselves.” Unknown

Are they born that way or is it something about them that makes them the way they are?

According to http://www.psychology.com, “Being mean is a product of insecure self-esteem. Research shows that being insulted makes people more likely to demean others. Freud argued that people cope with negative views of themselves by perceiving other people as having those same traits.”

At first glance, they seem ordinary enough even to the point of being nice but all that dissipates into thin air as time goes on and the relationship progresses. If it’s a friendship, you will see the mask slipping and whoever is hiding behind that mask steps out and you realize that you’ve made a big mistake. The mean streak within takes aim and nothing you do is ever right. Stomping on you is the name of the game and taking knocks at your self-esteem through harsh words or actions is their way of bringing you down to their level. One minute you can do nothing wrong and the next you’re dealing with an enemy. It’s not you, it’s them.

“The good thing about mean people is that you can walk away from them but they are stuck with themselves. I call that karma.” Unknown

Furthermore, their daily existence is dependent on bringing others down which in turn makes them feel better about themselves. You may sense that there is something wrong if there is constant conflict about the smallest of things. The way you act around others becomes a big issue and so does the way you smile, laugh and anything they can pick on they will. Making a mountain out of a molehill is a constant and when the storm passes, you’ll be left wondering and asking, “What just happened?” Nothing. It’s not you, it’s them.

Being mean is a choice and according to http://www.linkedin.com, “We are ALL human and don’t always get it right-no one is perfect and we all behave at less than our best at times. But for the most part, it is a premeditated and selective CHOICE on how we treat others.”

What triggers the meanness? I don’t think it is one particular thing. It could be envy, jealousy, wanting what they can’t have or a whole host of negative internal contributors. No one knows for sure but if you’ve had the unfortunate experience of coming in contact with one or more of these types of people, you know what I’m talking about. It is unpleasant to say the least and it will leave you questioning your own integrity and wondering if you somehow contributed to the unholy rage happening in front of you. It’s not you, it’s them.

Lao Tzu says, “Respond Intelligently even to Unintelligent Treatment.”

Ignore them, walk away, stop all contact, these are some of your options. Rudeness, screaming and shouting doesn’t help because it gives them the ammunition to fire back and that is precisely what they want, an avenue to get back at you. It is all about being mean so turn your back, shutting the door firmly behind you.

If all that doesn’t work, do this instead.

“Don’t let Negative and Toxic people rent space in your head. Raise the rent and kick them out.” Zig Ziglar

Nicely put Ziggy, the only problem is if you’re like me, I’ll be wondering if they’ve got a new place to go to!!!

Buddha says, “Be kind to unkind people. They need it the most.”

Whatever you choose to do, shut the door and move forward. You’ve got places to go and “nice people” to meet.

The Conviction

Photo by KATRIN BOLOVTSOVA on Pexels.com

Former president, Donald J. Trump received the verdict on Thursday. The 34-count-guilty verdict was handed down by a Manhattan jury and to say it landed and exploded like a bomb would be an understatement.

It was a historical moment because no other former president has ever been convicted of a crime before and if nothing else, Mr. Trump will go down in the annals of history as having achieved that notorious honor.

On Friday, the less than defeated former president had recouped and was back to ranting, his favorite pastime. He lashed out at Juan Merchan, the judge overseeing the case and likened him to a “devil” and called the prosecution’s star witness, Michael Cohen, a “sleaze bag.” Oh well, it’s like the pot calling the kettle black, if you know what I mean. He went on to say, “November 5 is the most important day in the history of the country,” and the election would deliver “the real verdict.”

If a cat has nine lives, this wounded and albeit rabid one has more and that is the scary part. He’s looking for revenge and regaining the White House as his bully pulpit to vent, rage and to use it to his advantage would be his ultimate goal. It’s not about the “people” folks, it’s about one vengeful person and come hell or high water he wants it, like a spoiled brat who wants it his way at any cost.

July 11th has been set as the sentencing date and it falls four days before Republicans gather in Milwaukee to officially nominate Trump at their national convention. It should have been a happy event but now it will take place under a cloud, a cloud of uncertainty. Trump was charged with 34 counts of falsification of business records in the first degree and under New York law, falsification of business records is a crime when the records are altered with an intend to defraud. Each count carries a maximum sentence of four years in prison and a $5,000 fine.

“How say you to the first count of the indictment, charging Donald J. Trump with the crime of falsifying business records in the first degree, guilty or not guilty?” the clerk asked.

“Guilty.” And so it went on as Trump closed his eyes, pursed his lips and shook his head. It took just about three minutes and Donald J. Trump, the former president, was now a felon.

However, it’s not over folks. Not until the fat lady sings or in this case, the former president decides it’s over. You can bet your bottom dollar that will never happen. The man or rather the child who never grew up is brewing up a storm and it will show when the time is right. For now, it will be interesting to watch as the newly crowned “felon” shows up at his next campaign rally surrounded by uncertainty except for one thing. He is now a felon.

The Hard Things

Most of us cringe at the thought of doing the hard things. Be it a break-up, walking away, losing a job and letting go of things that no longer serve us, it is an exceptionally hard thing to do. It is not something we look forward to because it means taking the bull by the horns and waging war on what seems to be an impossible task at first. Given time, patience, perseverance and a hard-headed look at what needs to be done to get to the other side, we find it is doable but not easy.

Easy is not what life is about. If anything, easy is not in its vocabulary. It seems at times that “living” is about going through the hard stuff. Sometimes one and sometimes a string of unsolvable and often times impossible situations but you and I know that it is those hard times and how you deal with it that brings out the strength in you. Sure, it would be easier if we didn’t have to deal with them but when has that stopped life from throwing it our way?

Where would we be without them? Probably having a great time without having to walk through the minefield of the hard stuff all equipped and designed to bring you down to your knees if you make a false move. There is no right or wrong way of going about it, it is trial and error and an undying resilience to take what is handed to you and to make it work for you. We’ve all made those false moves where we’ve crashed and burned and just when you think there is nothing left to do except to pick up the pieces and make the most of it, there is light at the end of the dark tunnel. There is that open door that beckons because as you know when one door closes, another one opens but it is human nature or at least it is mine to look past it and back at the one that has closed and is no longer available.

“Hard things are hard because there are no easy answers or recipes. They are hard because your emotions are at odds with your logic. They are hard because you don’t know the answer and you cannot ask for help without showing weakness.” Ben Horowitz

The hard stuff has kept me captive for longer than I want to admit. Truth is, I don’t do “HARD” well. Holding on is my nemesis, letting go of things that no longer serve me is harder still and moving on, well that is an impossible task at times. I hold on hoping that changes will come my way but it never does. Things happen for a reason, people are the way they are because they are wired that way and looking and hoping is not going to change things. However, whatever life throws your way, there is a lesson in there somewhere but it is hard to see when it first hits you. I think we fail miserably at times because we walk in circles, bang our heads on that closed door and refuse to move on until we are drained of energy and there is nothing else to do but to walk through that open door. Human nature at its best? I think so.

We are fully capable and have the strength within to meet the hard stuff head on and to tame it if necessary. It is the fear of the unknown in sync with the weakness within that works hand-in-hand to stop us in our tracks, makes us tremble where we stand as we whisper, I can’t. You and I have had our baptism by fire in one form or another, of this I am sure. The hard thing is just one more obstacle to overcome, nothing more, nothing less. We tend to make it more than what it is. Life is a never-ending circle of challenges in the form of “hard things” to overcome. It is mixed in with the good stuff but it is the hard stuff that brings forth the real you. Your strength, your power and most of all your ability to slay it where it stands takes courage, growth and an attitude of never giving up which will put the “hard stuff” in its place. Who knows if shown the door more often than not, it might decide to stay away. We can hope can’t we?

“I see your fear, and it’s big. I also see your courage, and it’s bigger. We can do hard things.” Glennon Doyle

Have an amazing day.