Tax Refund Challenge

After speaking to a number of people in my circle, it seems to me as though for the first time ever, or that I can remember, Georgia residents are experiencing an influx of tax challenges this year. For many it has been over 3 weeks since they filed their state return but are yet to receive their refunds. Some have received “verification” emails where they are being asked to take a survey to confirm some of the information that was reported on their returns and/or prove their identity. Yet there are others who are being told that despite a clearly noted “refund” on their GA 500 form, they are being told that they “balanced out” and will not be receiving a refund. Still there are others who are being told that the amount they declared as income is not correct even though it matches up with what was reported on their W2’s and they too will not be receiving a refund.  And yet still there are others, like myself, who were unemployed but opted to take taxes out of their unemployment benefits, who are now being told that the GA tax office has no record to support that taxes were actually taken out of their benefits.

As I listen to the stories unfold, it became clear that the state is trying to find ways/reasons not to pay out refunds. When I visited their website to see “where’s my refund”, I was prompted to enter my social security number and the total amount of refund I was expected along with the tax year. Within seconds a message popped up prompting me to call their toll free number to speak with an agent. So I called because I really wanted to know why for the first time in 17 years my state tax refund was not direct deposited into my account. What made it even more puzzling was the fact that despite being filed at the same time, my federal return was already deposited without delay. At the onset of the call there was a warning/disclaimer stating, “due to the January congressional tax law changes, processing dates may be delayed. Please add an additional 2 weeks to the processing time.” Sounds innocent enough and it’s only been three weeks but I was curious about the message prompting me to call to speak with an agent. I figured it had to be more to it because if it was just a routine delay it would say so, right? I should be so lucky.

After what seemed like forever and a day an agent came on the line. I started off by telling him the reason for my call only to have him interrupt me to ask for my social security number. You would think I had learned my lesson by now – to hold off sharing until asked. Anyway, I gave him my social and a few minutes later he told me that based on their records, I was not due a refund because I “broke even.” I asked him what that meant and he said based on my income I was not entitled to a refund to which I challenged his statement by offering that I had not worked all of last year and had no real income to speak of, and that my only income was from my unemployment benefits. In an effort not to be undone I pointed out that I had already received my federal refund for the taxes that were taken out thereof. He then asked if he can put me on hold while he investigated the issue. He then came back with “we have no record showing that taxes were actually taken out of your benefits”. He further went on to say, after I protested of course that I had used my DOL-1099 to complete my return, that if I faxed them a copy of my DOL-1099 showing where state taxes were deducted from my unemployment benefit, a supervisor will review it and make a determination as to whether or not to issue a refund. Needless-to-say I faxed the information over as quickly as humanly possible. So now I wait, but I must admit that I have a lot of questions about the whole “tax” process.

For starts, what is the purpose of having employers or others submit duplicated W2’s or 1099 to the IRS? I thought it was so that they could use them to verify information submitted by tax payers on their tax returns. Then there is the issue of filing electronically. I thought that a copy of your federal return, along with all supporting documents, was submitted with your state return. So why then would the agent claim that they did not get supporting documents showing state taxes were withheld from my unemployment benefits with my return? Here’s my difficulty with believing the agent’s statement. I've filed both my federal and state returns electronically for more than 10 years and never had any issues, including no delay in receiving my refund. What makes this year different? I’m I to believe that the state has stricter guidelines than the feds? I don’t think so.

In searching for answers to my questions I discovered some surprising facts which lead to more questions. With all the recent cutbacks and furloughs plaguing the state, coupled with all the tax law changes which created a backlog of unprocessed returns, it seems the state’s department of revenue is ripe for the picking. Apparently they are hiring anybody these days to process tax returns. One friend shared with me that she knows of someone who is working for the state’s department of revenue processing claims who by all accounts couldn't even pass her math class - wow. Makes you wonder. And what about the Department of Labor and other reporting agencies – are they submitting tax withholding information to the IRS and state department of revenue and if they are doing so, is the IRS/state’s department of revenue practicing due diligence in cross referencing returns with what is being reported?  It seems to me like someone is not doing their job.

Can’t help but wonder if the supposedly “delay” in processing claims and the subsequent refusal to pay out tax refunds are not all a ploy or an attempt to redirect funds someplace else? Thinking of that person who was told her declared income was inaccurate, how does the state plan on proving that the amount is inaccurate if she challenges them, which I hope she does? Especially since the Federal government has already issued her a refund based on the very information the state has chosen to challenge. Like that person, my federal refund was issued without delay. Again, should I then deem that the state has tighter guidelines or evaluation process than the Feds? I think not.

This may very well be the best executed racket by a government agency yet. At a time where people are relying heavily on their refunds to make ends meet, the state’s department of revenue is playing “hide and go seek” with their money. If you live in Georgia and have yet to file or receive your state refund, I urge you; no I employ you to start looking into it. Check on the status of your refund. Ask questions and if you are being told that despite line 24 and line 36 on your GA Form 500 indicating that you are due a refund, that you won’t be getting one, challenge it. Be prepared to prove you are entitled to your refund, i.e., have copies of your W2, check stubs, DOL-1099, other 1099’s, etc. 

This may all very well boil down to the state just taking extra precautionary steps to curtail a rash of fraudulent activities implemented by a small few, but it’s over kill for the rest of the masses. It seems almost unbelievable that it can come down to your having to prove you are who you said you are and are in fact entitled to your refund, but it has. Just goes to show the times we are living in.  I’m just saying – I got issues. What about you?)i(



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Random Acts of Kindness: You Should Try It Sometime

It never fails – whenever someone hears that I have not worked in almost two years their very first question is “How do you survive/live?” To which I say, “God provides for me.” It may seem a bit cliché but it is the truth. I can’t really explain the “how”, beside “the grace of God”, for the fact that I live every day without need or want. But if I was to venture out and try I can only trace it back to the fact that I have engaged in random acts of kindness for as long as I can remember. Even when I was not very “spiritual” I frequently did things for people, strangers even, with no expectations of a return. For instance my earliest memory of doing random acts of kindness was when I was a little girl and I would share the week’s groceries with the neighborhood kids. My mom did not like that very much. Then as I got older and moved out on my own I remember standing in  line at Pueblo – the local grocery store on the island – and the person in front of me was short and she asked the cashier to take some things off her bill in an effort to bring the amount down. Without even thinking I told the cashier I got the difference just as I pulled out my wallet to cover the difference. That scenario would play out many times over during my pre-spirituality life and far beyond.

Then after I gave my life over to the will of God I noticed that He would wake me up in the middle of the night by bringing someone to my mind’s eye along with a specific amount I was to bless them with. The amount ranged anywhere from $150 - $1,000. I remember the first time that happened I thought, “You must be kidding me, $300? I haven’t even paid my mortgage yet”, but reluctantly I would follow through and I would get confirmation that I was on the right track when the person I gave the money to would ask me how I knew that was exactly how much they needed. 

After a few more times of those type experiences I learned to not question God or the rationale of it anymore, but instead to trust Him completely and just obey. Truth is, I am a very giving person who has given away my last dollar without thinking twice about it. Not sure where I got that trait from but it is one that I happily embrace. However, what I didn't realize at the time was, even way back then my simple actions of obedience were me planting seeds that the universe would one day return back to me. It’s my season to now reap all the seeds I have sown over the years.

Yes, all those times I held up traffic at the intersection so I could reach out the window and hand the guy with the “homeless” sign at the side of the road a few dollars, or those times I walked up to a complete stranger and gave them a few dollars without them asking, are seeds I planted. Even today I was on the Marta train heading home from the Underground when a young girl entered the train. I don’t know what it was about her that caught my attention, especially since I was deep in meditation when I noticed her. My first thought was to give her a few dollars. I can only sum it up as God at work again. At first I thought maybe it was me and my humanitarian desire to save the world so I hesitated about approaching her. 
Then I said to myself, if she gets off the train at my stop then I’ll give it to her. However as I got ready to get off the train it did not appear that the young lady would be getting off. Without thinking I found myself opening my wallet and as I passed her I handed her the wadded up bills. She smiled at me surprisingly as I made my way off the train. As I turned towards the steps leading away from the train platform I heard someone behind me calling out to me. As I turned I discovered it was an older lady who was calling after me. When she reached my side she asked me why I gave her daughter money. I told her the truth, I didn't know. All I know is I had an unction to do so, which could only be the Holy Spirit. 

She hugged me as she thanked me for my kindness. As I walked away I couldn't help feeling like once again I was obedient and as a result, I will no doubt be rewarded in some shape or form. I recall my Bishop saying that if the money you have is not enough to pay a bill then it’s a seed and you should not eat your seeds. We all know about tithing and bringing your tithes and offering to the church. But I believe you can also sow seeds into individual people’s life and get a return.

Sure there are those who may judge me and at times try to undermine my lifestyle/beliefs. However, they can say what they want about me but one thing is sure; the evidence of God’s goodness in my life is irrefutable. I'm not telling you what I've read some place or what I've heard. I'm telling you what I know. This is my life. Even with no formal monthly income, God never ceases to amaze me as He continues to provide for all my needs. I owe for nothing except the house I live in and I am expecting that too to be taken care of shortly. Not only does He regulates my financial needs, but He regulates my health as well: 2007 I survived a stroke and was able to pull myself out of bed four days after it happened; 2008 I survived exploratory heart surgery where it was discovered I have a congenital heart defect and was told I would not live past 45, yet here I am; 2009 survived gall bladder eruption, didn't know it could do that; 2011 diagnosed with brain tumor; 2012 brain tumor shrank to size of a peas. He also regulates my utilities to the point that the utility company has changed both my electrical and water meters twice in an attempt to uncover the underlying cause for my low usage. It also challenges human explanation as to why, regardless of the situation I am faced with, the outcome continues to defy policies, rules, regulations, and laws as they all seem to work out in my favor. 

Simply put, I feel and live like a millionaire. I have no worries because God provides for me.  Random acts of kindness – yes there is no way to gauge the return or when it will come about, but just know that it will come and at the most unexpected time and from the most unexpected sources. If you can use a miracle in your life then start practicing random acts of kindness. It can literally change your life. I’m just saying – I got issues. What about you?)i(

Footnote 3/25/13: Random acts of kindness is not limited to just monetary or time constraints. It also includes doing the right thing. Like yesterday when I visited the local Walmart and noticed as I was leaving the store that the Red-box Kiosk showed a "return error". Apparently the person returning the movie did not stick around long enough to ensure that the disk was returned successfully before moving on. I pressed the button and the movie disk came out. It was Twilight Saga Breaking Dawn Part II - would make a great addition to anyone's collection. I opened the disk cover, re-positioned the disk so that the label was facing out, and re-inserted it back into the Kiosk. As I walked to my car, I couldn't help but think about how that person will never know how much money I just saved them. )i(

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Listening vs Hearing

Never thought I would hear myself say this, but one of the greatest qualities a person can possess is the art of listening. When I was growing up, and even into my adult life, my mother always made a big stink about me not listening to her. I didn't get it then and I was very confused when she would say, “you not listening.” She would go on to say that my not listening could cost me my life one day.  I would just think, to myself of course, “I don’t know what she talking about because I hear her just fine.” Besides, how she know I was not listening, especially since I was looking directly at her? Guess it was because I didn't always do what she asked me to do or because she had to tell me the same things over and over again.  Thinking back, I actually thought hearing and listening were one of the same. It took some doing but I finally understood what she was trying to teach me. Hearing is just that, the ability to hear sounds and words/audible waves, but listening involved hearing, understanding what you heard, coupled with the ability to retain and utilize it. By so doing you are able to make decisions based on what you have heard. Sounds simple enough, right? But for many, myself included, it takes work to be able to master that small feat. 

For the mass majority listening is an art form for which they have yet to master. Think about it – when you are engaged in conversation with someone how many times do you have to repeat yourself before they get what you are trying to share with them? Or how many times do you find yourself having to recount the same things to someone days, weeks, or even months after you had that initial conversation? I bet you too have trouble recalling half the conversations you engaged in or the details of the conversation if prompted. That is because for most of us, we are too busy trying to analyze why they are saying what they said, personalizing it and/or formulating a response.   The truth is unless it is your story or your issue you really don’t feel the need to retain anything other people tell you. 

That is unless you have a vested interest or think it makes for great gossip. As I think about it, there have been times when I would call an office/business and the very first thing I do is introduce myself, yet it never fails that the person on the other line will ask me my name again. Sometimes to be efficient, I would even go as far as to share the reason for my call in the beginning in an attempt to speed up the process, but as sure as I am of my name they will ask me the nature of my call, again. I used to get so frustrated when that happens, but now I just chop it up for what it is – they were not listening.

Just today I called a local agency in an attempt to get information on the status of my case. I figured in the interest of time I would give the lady who answered the phone a brief rundown of my situation so she can tell me what the status was.  She cut me off midway to ask for my social security number to which I happily gave it.  After that frustration set in as she proceeded to ask me questions which had she been listening she would have realized that I had already shared the answers at the beginning of my call.  So much for trying to manage my frustration by calling it what it is.  Turns out it does not get any less frustrating knowing that the person you are talking to is just not listening. I would venture to say it is even more frustrating. The thing is I don’t think it is so much that she didn't listen to me per se in the beginning, but rather that she probably has her own little routine which included pulling up my records on her computer and don’t know how to multi-task. That’s all well and good, however it would have been nice if she had just asked me to hold on while she did what she needed to get to where she needed to get to. No I take that back, she really was not listening.

There are actually a lot of other reasons why people may not retain the information they hear but the most plausible one is their failure to listen. My all-time favorite is those people who call trying to get me to donate to their cause. You know the ones, Paternity of Police Officers, the fire department, or some other charity. They always have a knack for calling at the most inopportune times, i.e., when I’m just stepping in/out the shower, getting ready to leave the house, or when I’m watching my favorite TV show. I tell them right off the back that I’m not interested but they continue like I didn't say anything, almost like they are a recording. Then I get a little more forceful and I share my mother’s words with them, “you are not listening” just before I repeat my situation to them again, which at times may include unemployment status. 

Then they say something like, “I understand what you are saying. A lot of people are affected by the economy that’s why we offer an opportunity to donate on a smaller level.” This is where I usually lose it and I have to tell them about themselves.  It usually starts with my telling them. "I know you are reading a script but you need to listen to what I am saying" and ends with one of us hanging up. More times than not they are the ones doing the hanging up.

If someone feels the need to engage you in conversation the least you can do is pay attention, listen to what they have to say, and respond appropriately. If the phone rings and you know you are not in a position to really listen to the caller then let it go to voice-mail, then you can call them back when you have the time to really listen to what they have to say.  Nobody wants to feel like they are wasting their breath.  You do yourself, and others, a great injustice if you don’t take time to listen, which may be evident by your need to constantly ask them to repeat what they said. It took me a while to get what my mother was trying to teach me oh so long ago about the importance of listening, but I got it now. Old folks used to say, “Who don’t hear/listen will feel.” Meaning if you don’t listen to counsel from your parents, you are bound to learn from experience which may have far reaching consequences.  It also means that if you keep messing up you will no doubt get an ass whooping. Get enough ass whippings and you will eventually get what they are trying to teach you if for no other reason but to avoid getting your ass whooped. 

One of the things my mother shared with me when I was growing up that really stuck is the ability to take away something positive from even negative comments/criticisms - by turning them into lessons learned. When she was a little girl growing up in Antigua, they were very poor. One day she was wearing this real nice dress, don't know where or how she came by it and that's not important. What is important is that someone paid her a complement by saying her dress was very pretty, to which her neighbor responded, and I'm paraphrasing here, "Don't worry, that too soon going to be in bedding." What the neighbor was saying/implying is that my mom/family did not take care of things. So it was only a matter of time before her dress would end up as mattress stuffing or discarded. My mom said that comment stayed with her way into her adult life and instead of getting mad or offended, she took the wisdom out of it and applied it to her life to the point where she always took care of anything she owned to ensure it last a long time.  I never really made the connection until now, but I now realize that, without even knowing why, I too inherited/adopted my mom's view on preserving my possessions no matter what it was. I recall hearing my mom saying several times during my childhood that if you take care of the things you have you won't go broke replacing them. To that end I have things that are over 30 years old and they still are in pristine condition.  My mom is full of lots of wise sayings, many of which I have taken heed and incorporated into my life. I've found that experience is the mother of all teachings. However, not listening/learning from those experiences is why some people end up with regrets, i.e., the wrong choice in a spouse, get speeding tickets, lost relationships, or even lose court cases. Fortunately for me, I finally got the art of listening down to a science and practice it every day. My life is so much easier because of it. My ability to hear, comprehend, and utilize the information to implement good life changing decisions is priceless. My mother should be so proud. Now if other people would just get it, my life would be even better. I’m just saying – I got issues. What about you?)i(

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What Happened to the ‘Service’ in “Customer Service”

Picture this: you drive up to the “drive thru” at your local Wendy’s on your way home from work. All you need is a little snack to tie you over till you make it home. The attendant asks you over the intercom if she can help you and you proceed to give her your order which includes an order of small fries. You pull up to the window and discover that the attendant mistakenly put you down for a small sprite instead of small fries. No biggie, it happens right? You simply point out her mistake and asked if she could make the correction. Without warning you are greeted with her bad attitude as she raises her voice at you and insists that you had requested a small sprite not fries. So after the 15-second shock subsides, you calmly respond, “I didn't ask for a sprite, I asked for small fries.” She then tells you, as she cranes her neck like she is about to have a seizure, that it will take about five minutes before the fries would be ready. Knowing you don’t want to spend another minute waiting for some fries you request a refund to which the attendant informs you that it will take three days for the funds to be credited back to your card as she turns her back on you. But not before you overhear her telling someone inside, “Them people need to learn how to talk. Ain't my fault if they can’t talk properly.”  When she comes back to the window you ask why it is going to take so long for you to get your refund and are told that she does not know, "that’s just the way it is". So you ask to speak to her supervisor, who it turns out, is no more friendly or informative than the attendant. By the time you drive off you wish to yourself that you had not made that stop especially since it left you feeling like your blood pressure has been elevated and your semi-good mood is anything but good.

The scenario above was relayed to me by a family member who is fed up with the service she receives from public venues across the city. Unfortunately she is not the only one, she was just resonating the complaints I am hearing all too often lately. From bad customer service at drive thru windows at fast food restaurants to grumpy/unfriendly  receptionists at the doctor’s office it seems like nobody is providing good customer service anymore. I know the state of the economy has affected all of us in some way and to various degrees. I also understand that things are rough all over, but is that a viable excuse to treat people - for lack of a better word – “mean”? What I've found is that there are a lot of people who lost their jobs in their preferred field and are now doing mundane work – jobs that are not their first choice – in order to keep a roof over their heads and food on the table. As a result they may not be feeling the whole “customer service” thing. The thing is, when some people are depressed or going through some things, the last thing they want to be is cordial or social. Think about it, when you are not at your best, you tend to become irritable and agitated much more easily than when you are feeling at full form.  While that is no excuse for being rude or for providing substandard service, it at least sheds some light on what is quickly becoming an epidemic across the city.

While I sympathize with their dilemma and understand that the job they are doing is not their first choice, it is never okay to not do a good job. Regardless of what it is they do, they should take pride in the fact that it is an honest day’s work and oh yeah, they are getting paid to do it. People expect and deserve to be treated with some level of respect when they go into an establishment, not only because their business supports and funds the employee’s pay check, but because they chose to patronize that particular establishment. Truth is people have choices and the more they get alienated and treated badly the less likely that they will continue to patronize a place that does not offer good customer service. 

What workers need to understand, and management too, is that they hold the power to make the customer’s experience the best ever. A smile and some consideration goes a long way to smooth out any issues that may arise when dealing with a customer. Offering to help and finding ways to ease the situation can also go a long way to ensuring the customer walks away feeling satisfied. So if it turns out that she ordered fries instead of a sprite, then just apologize for the mix up and make the correction. Whatever opinion may be generated about the customer should never be verbalized and surely not within earshot. The issue with most people is that they never learned how to cope with their personal problems and as a result they bring their unresolved issues to the work place where it undoubtedly affects their judgment and spills over onto their work. 

As a result the simplest thing will set them off, especially if they are dealing with an influx of customers throughout the day with no time to compose themselves in between customers. The chances of them transferring one customer issue onto another customer is very likely and at times unavoidable if they have not learned how to control their emotions.   A lot of customer service issues can just as easily be avoided, if people would remember to treat each other with dignity and respect. The prosperity of that establishment depends on it.  I’m just saying – I got issues. What about you?)i(



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Just Do the Right Thing – Why Don’t You

One of my favorite past time these days is watching judge shows on TV. It seems like everybody is suing somebody for something. So there is a wide array of cases that keep me glued to the TV.  From Judge Mathis to Judge Judy, I am kept entertained by what I like to call the “foolishness of human judgment.”  As entertaining as these shows are, there are some judges I prefer more so than others. For instance I really like Judge Judy because she is a “no nonsenses” kind of judge who won’t allow the participants to turn her courtroom into a three-ring circus. Unlike Judge Judy, Judge Joe Brown seems to have difficulty maintaining control over his courtroom and the participants are allowed to rant and rave until he has had enough before he says something. Must be the ratings/audience which allows him to tolerate that behavior, or maybe it must be what the network has been made to believe. Then there is Judge Greg Mathis who is beginning to rub off on me – a little. At first I didn't really care for his show because he came off as a bit snobbish and appeared to be wearing his accomplishment of “beating the streets” on his sleeve. These days he has kind of mellowed out some but he too allows his participants to rant and rave with each other until he has had enough before taking back control by pulling the “judge” card. He uses sly remarks to unsettle the participants, but it’s all in fun, I guess. There’s a couple more judge shows out there that I enjoy watching, i.e., The People’s Court, Judge Alex, America’s Court with Judge Ross, and Judge Christina, just to name a few.

No matter who the judge is though, one thing is consistent – the participants and what bring them into the courtroom. It never fails to amaze me the things that people are suing for or, for that matter, the lengths to which they will go to prove their case or the lack thereof. A lot of the cases are trivial if not downright frivolous and should not have even seen the inside of a courtroom.  From damages to personal property to unpaid loans, the list is endless and who they are suing is not limited either. There are cases where mothers are suing one or more of their children, children who are suing their parents or grandparents, friends who are suing friends, and even sisters or brothers who are suing each other or they are suing a friend of their sisters or brothers.  It can all be quite confusing at times especially if I missed a part because I got up to go get a drink or something to snack on while the drama unfolds. I don’t stress it though because I know it will eventually make it to the rerun list and will no doubt get aired again. But if it’s a really good one I tend not to budge until the commercial comes on. Most times than not I already know how it will end. I can’t help but think that it has more to do with the participants seeking their “15-minutes of fame” more so than it has to do with what the suit is about. I say that because most of the cases have no merit and could have easily been resolved if only the person in the wrong (defendant) had just done the right thing. But it also has a lot to do with TV/network seeking to increase their ratings.

So just how much are people willing to share for the opportunity to have their faces plastered across hundreds of TV screens all over the country? Everything – turns out nothing is off limit. As I mentioned before, there are literally lots of things that people are suing for and they are willing to expose themselves to do it. Like the lady who was being sued by her mother for a loan she made to her but somehow she feels that her molestation as a child, her feeling abandoned, and neglected by her mother are all viable defenses for not paying back the loan. Then there is the woman who is suing her boyfriend for loans she made to him during the course of their relationship which started a week after she met him and two weeks after she moved him in. Somehow she feels the need to share that he is a cheat, a liar, and that he never loved her but only used her.  

Yet she is shocked when the judge determines that the “loans” were actually “gifts” and comes to the conclusion, based on the woman's testimony, that she is only claiming they were loans after she found out he was cheating. By the way, this is one of the more popular scenarios amongst all the cases. Personally I don’t know why women put themselves in these type situations. 

First off, women have no business loaning men money especially a man she just met. If he is not financially stable when you met him chances are he won’t be anytime soon. In my opinion there are some basic requirements for single men who may think they are ready for a relationship. If you don’t have the means to take care of a woman or have nothing to offer her besides what you have swinging between your legs then you have no business pursuing a woman. Worst case scenario she is going to need soap to wash your smell off her if you do get the chance to lay with her. They say “charity begins at home”. Well in my book, charity only begins when you have racked up some relationship points, meaning you've been in the relationship for a while. So if you should suddenly find yourself unemployed, or financially strapped then I will have your back. But I digress, lol.

Fact is the desire to be made whole should be the driving force behind the cases that end up in a courtroom or be featured on a judge show. However basic human integrity should be the driving force behind doing the right thing. If more people practiced integrity we would see a drastic reduction in the number of cases that make it into a courtroom. 

If you borrow money from someone, regardless of the relationship or what you think dissolves the debt, unless the person making the loan to you decides to absolve you from paying it back, you should pay it back. Secondly, if you borrow a big ticket item, like let’s say someone’s car. If you smash it, break it, or otherwise damage it, then you are responsible for fixing it. It’s that simple. The notion that it is or was an “accident” does not mitigate or absolve you of the responsibility to make that person whole. All an “accident” does is modify your action/behavior as being “unintentional” i.e., that you did not mean to do it on purpose, otherwise it would be considered “premeditated” and you would be in whole lot more trouble and subjected to be fined punitive damages.

Finally, a lot of things people try to make a factor of the case have nothing to do with the issues before the court. What you ate for breakfast, who you slept with, dated, or are related to has no bearing on the case. Just present the facts, the whole facts, and nothing but the facts as it relates to the case. Not only will you save yourself a whole lot of embarrassment, you might just win your case.  I’m just saying – I got issues. What about you?)i(








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Nature’s Fury - No Joking Matter

We are living in very precarious times where anything can happen, the likes of which I have never seen. No longer can I take it for granted that some things are just “sayings” or “Old wives tales” and have no bearing on actual events or are impossible to occur.  Remember when you used to say things like, “May God/lightning strike me down if I am lying” or “I was so embraced I wish the ground would open up and swallow me”?  Can’t really say that stuff anymore without crossing your fingers, right? Just last week it was reported that a large sinkhole opened up under a house in Florida and swallowed up a guy who was asleep in his bed. According to news sources, “Rescue workers had given up the search for Jeff Bush, a 37-year-old landscaper, on Saturday. He was presumed dead after disappearing into the hole, which opened up under his bedroom Thursday night. Sinkholes are common in Florida due to the state's geology and they are virtually impossible to predict.” My thoughts and prayers go out to Jeff Bush’s family.

I’m not an avid follower of the news, but this is the first time I have ever heard of such an incident. I don’t dispute that sinkholes are common, but I wonder about how many people have been pulled in as a result. It seems to me that the possibility of people being hit by lighting is much more common than of those being swallowed up by sinkholes. I mean ever since I've moved to Georgia, I have heard a few stories about people being hit by lightning, but nothing about sinkholes. You don’t hear much about people being hit by lighting on my island mostly because we are taught very early in life that you don’t stand under a tree when it is raining. Nor have we ever had any incidents of sinkholes. 
The worst natural disaster I can remember was Hurricane Hugo back in September 1989 on St. Croix. I remember it like it was just yesterday. I spent the night holding a sheet over a broken window as my then 7-year old daughter slept in her bed. The hurricane itself would claim 6 lives, but there were reports of other deaths that occurred as a result of the aftermath of the storm as it took months for things to return to any type of normalcy, i.e., restoration of electricity, running water, etc.

So after hearing about this sinkhole incident in Florida I got a little curious and decided to look into what natural disasters have occurred so far this year that could account for sinkholes. Imagine my surprise to learn that there has been quite a bit that has happened across the globe so far. From earthquakes in January which was felt by people in Mindanao, Philippines, Madagascar, Northern Italy, Western Iran, San Juan Islands Region, Washington, Eastern Texas, and Offshore Oregon; and on March 5th & 6^th felt by people in Offshore Guerrero, Mexico, Oklahoma, Spain and Romania; 
to heavy rains which contributes to ongoing river flooding, i.e., Afghanistan (Amu Darya), Australia (Darling), Bolivia (Madre de Dios), Brazil (Tocantins), Chad (N Djamena), China (Mekong and Huang He), Democratic Republic of the Congo (Ubangi), Dominican Republic, Honduras, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq (Shatt al Arab and Tigris), Kenya (Tana), Philippines, Sudan (Blue Nile, White Nile), Syria (Euphrates), Tanzania. Continued heavy rains are also responsible for the increase in land/mudslides which has claimed hundreds of lives. This list is only a limited representation of the events that has transpired since the onset of this year.

So it turns out sinkholes are a lot more common than I thought and I'm convinced more now than before that there is a direct correlation between them and the weather. I don’t know for sure what is responsible for the change in the weather or the increase in natural disasters, but I suspect it has a lot to do with changes in the earth’s environment, which occur every time we send a shuttle into space.  Whatever the reasons for the changes, the effects are far reaching and warrants closer investigation. I’m just saying – I got issues. What about you?)i(


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 The views and opinions shared here are by the Author and are the property of Todos Escribe.