Human Trafficking - Make it Personal

Thank you My Colorado View for sharing about the importance of trafficking - As citizens we must act  - It is our Communities, our Future.

There has been a tremendous amount of conversation in the media about Human Trafficking. The release of the State Department’s 2014Trafficking in Person’s Report and the FBI’s summary of Operation Cross County success has brought this to light and has been in the media during the last two weeks. To many people’s disbelief plenty of conversations are happening about the trafficking that is taking place here in Colorado. Yes, in Colorado. Recent arrests have taken place in Colorado Springs, Grand Junction, Denver and Pueblo.

I often get the question about how I personally got involved in this issue. I give credit to my daughter Chelsea for enlightening me on the topic and revealing the horrors of trafficking after she attended a youth conference seven years ago. My first step was educating myself on the subject and then taking a stance that I had to do something, anything really. Shortly after my awakening to the issue, I began to meet like-minded concerned citizens and the Human Trafficking Task of Southern Colorado was formed and led by our fearless leader Betty Edwards.

What is Human Trafficking? You might see it referenced as Modern Day Slavery. That is true; some state the fact that there are more slaves today than were seized from Africa in four centuries of the trans-Atlantic slave trade. The US State Department states, “The United States government considers trafficking in persons to include all of the criminal conduct involved in forced labor and sex trafficking, essentially the conduct involved in reducing or holding someone in compelled service.”

What can you do today to make an impact?

Education: Become familiar with the facts about trafficking. I will warn you once you start pealing back the layers this is not a pretty subject, so prepare yourself. You will either be moved in one or two ways. Moved to take action or remain motionless in disbelief.

If you see something that looks suspicious the best thing you can do is report it. Give as much information as possible so law enforcement personnel and others can act upon it. Volunteers monitor the Colorado hotline 24/7. We often suggest that you keep the Colorado Network to End Human Trafficking (CoNEHT) at 1-866-455-5075 stored in your phone and if you travel have the National Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 available. The National Hotline also has a text option; text HELP or INFO to BeFree (233733). We often warn people not to put on their super woman capes and go in for the rescue, let the professionals take care of that. However, your eyes and ears in your community can make a difference. Use your intuition, if does not “look” right, it probably is not.

Be an ethical consumer and employer. Find out how your actions can contribute to or reduce the demand for human trafficking. There are wonderful businesses’ along the Front Range of Colorado that sell products made by survivors. Buy locally and support small businesses. This just makes good common sense and helps business entrepreneurs.

During the 2014 Legislation Season, Colorado House Bill 14-1273 was passed with cooperation and sponsorship from both sides of the aisle. Imagine that, successful bipartisan conversation. The new legislation allows Colorado to take a stronger stance on trafficking. The bill focused on adding relevant language for protecting victims, prevention and persecution.

Bottom line make it personal.

Iraq - My View

Thank you My Colorado View for posting my blog about my thoughts on Iraq.

The Iraq situation worsens by the day and I find myself watching the media almost as much as I did from 2003-2005. This time my approach is a little different.  Instead of just tuning in to the nightly news, I follow journalists on the ground via twitter and receive fragments of information throughout the day.  The number of deaths in Iraq in June 2014 are staggering–2,417 people.  That is the size of the population of Telluride or Buena Vista, Colorado.

The other day a coworker casually said, “I am sorry about Iraq.” I know deep down what he meant, but it struck me strangely.  The Fourth of July has taken on new meaning to me since 2009. I was leaving Kuwait to fly into Al Taqaddum, which was primarily a Marine Base in Western Iraq, and then onward to Ramadi. Home of the Wild West and where the Anbar Awakening took place.  Only later, would I learn about all of the countless battles that were fought many years earlier in Fallujah and Ramadi and the painful sacrifices made by Marines, Soldiers, Airmen, and Sailors.  I cannot even fathom how much brokenness that small piece of land holds and continues daily absorb.

My daughter was also in Army Basic Training. I had reached out to her Company Commander ahead of time via email letting him know that I would be pushing forward. He arranged for her to call me. Imagine me waiting in an airport in Ali Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait when one the newest Army Privates calls me on the 4^th of July. I remember it was a quick call but important to both of us. I was proud and she was relieved.

After nine months of living there I can say, I left part of my heart there.  I fell in love with the people and I came to respect the culture. I saw the hope in the eyes of Iraqi soldiers and the glimpse of promises in eyes of women and children. I walked away with the understanding that much like my desires; I want peace for my family, education, safety, and a future; they want the same. It might look different, but principally it is the same.

The steady decline of Iraq’s stability and security leaves me both sad and angry. Ultimately, it is the decision of the Iraqi people to decide its fate. But I am cheering for them, which equals nothing more than a silent cheer.

I am concerned for the future Iraqi women and children.  The status of women improves when their environments are stable and secure. When you are struggling to just feed your family and keep them safe, things like medical care and education become luxuries, not necessities. The rural women who take the brunt of the struggle are often neglected or abused.  The rural areas in the west were already filled with Syrian refugees and now the latest chaos within Iraq creates further confusion and steals hope from the most vulnerable people in the region.

What can I do?  I listen to some Arabic music and maybe make a cup of sweet Iraqi chai. I silently cheer, stay informed, educate others, and wait.

Chief of Army message regarding unacceptable behaviour

His words are clear.
His words are powerful.





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No Man's War: Irreverent Confessions of an Infantry Wife.

Can I Just say how much I loved this book?
I was never an Infantry Wife - but being around the military for 25+ years, I get this book. I guarantee you will relate to the references about drinking the kool aid, Longaberger Parties, deployment situations and military life. I do not yet know Angela Ricketts - but I am sure am proud of her for writing this book.

I am hoping I can get up to the Tatter Cover on July 29th to see her in person  Event - LoDo




From the Publisher

Raised as an Army brat, Angie Ricketts thought she knew what she was in for when she eloped with Jack—then an infantry lieutenant—on the eve of his deployment to Somalia. Since that time, Jack, now a colonel, has been deployed eight times, serving four tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. And Ricketts, has lived every one of those deployments intimately—distant enough to survive the years spent apart from her husband, but close enough to share a common purpose and a lifestyle they both love. With humor, candor, and a brazen attitude, Ricketts pulls back the curtain on a subculture many readers know, but few ever will experience. Counter to the dramatized snap shot seen on Lifetime’s Army Wives, Ricketts digs into the personalities and posturing that officers’ wives must survive daily—whether navigating a social event on post, suffering through a husband’s prolonged deployment or reacting to a close friend’s death in combat. At its core, No Man’s War is a story of sisterhood and survival.



Excerpt:
I’m a fresh start girl. Today is Day One. Today we start counting down the days, 455 to go. I walk into the bathroom and stare at his sink with his few ‘personal hygiene’ things neatly lined up. If I had to look at that tube of deodorant for fifteen months, pick it up to dust under it, I would surely lose my mind. No. My way is better. Fresh. I feel limp. Everything is gray. I decide to lie down before I start my ritual. The bed smells like him and it does not comfort me. I want that smell gone. It’s going to be fifteen months and I won’t be one of those women sleeping with some old t-shirt, clinging to his long faded scent. Part of my deployment ritual is to remove his daily things right away. It’s easier for me. I compartmentalize his crap, and I compartmentalize my emotions. That ugly faux leather recliner of his. I want this done before the kids return, so I drag it out to the garage. It does not come willingly; it fights me the whole way. It slams one of my toes, bringing a new round of tears and anger to my face. The chair refuses to comply, but I won’t let it stop me. Eventually it ends in the garage, pissed at me and defeated, but satisfied at having the last word by leaving a huge gouge in the new hardwood floors. That will be my one constant reminder of this day for the next fifteen months.

Guinness Commercial: Empty Chair

Cpl. Kyle Carpenter | Just Getting Started

Cpl. Kyle Carpenter | Just Getting Started

The Power of Music - Jack Leroy Tueller

Moab - I will be back

Must rant.

I have not posted anything in awhile.

I really had an amazing May and have had great opportunities the last few months and I have very little if any anything legitimately to complain about.

BUT last night I was so caught up in an event that I actually felt the hate coming on me.

Many good things...  Red Rocks Amphitheater is a great place to see a concert. A week ago, I received a call to go to a show wit h people that are near and dear to my heart. I said, yes. I have plenty of time on my hands (which is a whole separate issue) and I want to take in every bit of Colorado that I can. The stars and views from there are amazing.

I get there – easy drive, good parking, and amazing seats. I connect with the people I am meeting and the concert begins. We try to track down coffee as the night is chilly but nothing and no big worries for sure. I think a vendor should approach RR as an business opportunity.

But the people in front of me immediately began to irritate me.

They had a group of five. Two of them obviously in their early 20’s and their parents. The dad breaks out a plastic flask and shares with everyone. Ok, I got it. You snuck it in… Good for you.

 

But then breaks out his pipe and continues to spark shit up for the next 3 hours. Really, dad?  Sharing with his family. How honorable. By the end of the night I had the urge to push him as hard as possible could, but I restrained. I was seriously strategizing how I could hurt him.

 

Was he causing any real issues, no, but he just disgusted me to the point where I was completely furious. Have fun, be free, live life but get some class. Sure, you can call it recreational – but watching him  me sick to my stomach.  It made me hurt for the people that struggle with addictions and the people that watch it.

On my drive home at 1am- I kept thinking one week ago I was doing a GORUCK challenge and it was awesome with no sense of time but the drive from the concert Denver was agonizing! 

I know I  probably seem like I am talking in contradictions – I believe in Freedom. But I felt so flippin’ frustrated, I was out raged.  I better stick to live music in small venues!