Should They Stay or Should They Go

What would Churchill Do?...

Immigration... seems like you can't go a day without hearing, or seeing the word these days. People are so passionate about it on both sides of the issue that it's almost becoming one of those taboo topics, like religion or politics that it's not polite to talk about because people get so heated. Well since I'm Greek which is code for (born without a filter) you had to know I would have to put my two cents in. WARNING: (This blog is not politically correct).  

It's everywhere from your local community to the talking heads on TV and most everyone understandably feels very strongly about it. I wonder though if it's far more simpler than anyone realizes. It really boils down to the law. Either we have a country with laws or we don't. We don't get to pick and choose which laws we are going to enforce... or do we? Sadly these days it seems to be the latter.  

Sounds like a line from a Trump speech does it? Dang right it does because he is right. Gasp... is Greek Girl a racist? No! HELLO (my dad immigrated to America from Greece before I was born with just $20 in his pocket) I'm the last person anyone could call a racist. It's really just about the law. Are we going to follow our laws or not? 

Yes America is the land of opportunity, we welcome the poor the tired, and we want to do whatever we can to help the least of these. The question is what about the poor and the tired who are here who are effected by the astronomical costs of illegal immigration? Think about it, what would happen to any random American who decided to go live in another country illegally. Lets just say Saudi Arabia for example... anyone who violates their immigration law is subject to deportation, fines and possible imprisonment. I'm willing to bet an American ICE holding facility is like club med compared to a Saudi Arabian jail cell.      

Forget Saudi Arabia, pick a country. Any country... be as simple as a Google search. It's all there. Australia for example has implemented one of the harshest border policies in the world. Characterized by three core points: turning or towing back boats of asylum seekers at sea; forcing asylum seekers to live in detention centers across the Pacific in Nauru and Papua New Guinea; and guaranteeing they will never be resettled in Australia. 

Compare that to America. Can anyone imagine American authorities doing anything like that? Of course not because that would be inhumane and the media's heads would literally explode at the slightest hint of anything like that. So instead we have people from God knows where who have come here to do God knows what, who have a virtual red carpet rolled out for them. Yes there are good, decent people who come here to find a better life like my dad. Even so, if they came illegally they broke the law, and on some level the point could be made how decent is that?  

Our country is full of sanctuary cities with oodles of assistance programs (in NYS we have SSI, WIC, Welfare to name a few) where people receive free housing, medical care, and spending money and in some cases free college (no I'm am not kidding). HELLO do we not right now at this very moment have boatloads (no pun intended) of indoctrinated college kids jumping up and down marching and demonstrating at universities all over the United States demanding free college, and that all student loan debt be eliminated? It's enough to make ones head spin. Here's an example that could cause a serious case of agida: right now at this very moment, there are residents of Islamic training camps in Hancock and Deposit, NY who are receiving SSI, WIC, and or welfare. All paid for by US tax dollars. 

Yet we had to have Obamacare so legal born American citizens could be forced to buy more expensive insurance with astronomical deductibles that cover less, things they don't want or need. Meanwhile we have illegal’s receiving all kinds of things that these programs when instituted were never intended to be used for what they are being used for today. Either by people who mean well turning a blind eye or by policy loopholes and or lack of enforcement. It's a serious problem... at the same time complicated and simple enough to be a sitcom episode. 

My dad went through the legal channel to become a citizen. It was hard, and he had setbacks like when he and my mom got divorced he had to start all over again, and go to the back of the line. He didn't complain, he didn't go to a government agency and the news and carry on about how hard it was. He got up every day and did whatever he had to do to provide for his family and meet the requirements to become a citizen legally. He washed dishes; he worked construction as a bridge painter. He worked his way up to owning his own restaurant and eventually even to own his own bridge painting company.

I remember a story about a time before I was born when he was painting bridges down in the south somewhere. He had another week until he would get paid, and it was hot summertime. He was hungry and thirsty, so he took his last ten cents to get a coke from a vending machine. You know the old fashioned bottles that have now come back into style. He put the ten cents in and waited. Nothing... so he hit the machine. Still nothing, it was hot and he was dying of thirst so he hit it again. Just before he turned to give up he kicked it, then all of the sudden cokes started coming out one by one. So he grabbed one of the empty plastic bottle holders that were lying on the ground. He filled several of them, and he thinks it must have emptied the machine. The beauty of it is that he lived on those cokes until he got paid again.    

Somehow somewhere in the days from that time to now there has been a shift, a shift from victors to victims. It seems were living in a day when some want to label an entire group of people as victims rather than enforcing the law and empowering people to utilize their strengths and talents and help them help themselves. Sadly in the midst of this problem as I mentioned above we have those who wish to do us harm and they are taking advantage of the gaping holes in US immigration policy. I fear what it will take for our leaders to wake up to the reality of what is actually happening.    

What do we do? We have to do something. One thing is for certain Lady Liberty is tired and America did not become a Great Nation by being a doormat. What happened in Paris is a horrible tragedy, it is happening all over the world, and it has been going on for years. No one person has the solution, but unless we want to see it happening here in America... Maybe that wall isn't such a bad idea after all.  

Blessings, Love & Music ~

Ava xo

www.avaaston.com

The Fourth Verse

Throughout history God has blessed America. It's time for America to bless God.

Yesterday was the 200th Anniversary of the writing of our National Anthem "The Star Spangled Banner". Many people these days don't give the lyrics a second thought. There are even some in the media who have totally misinterpreted the lyrics and feel that our National Anthem should be changed.

When I think about where our nation was 200 years ago, in the midst of a war, I am humbled by the words. Not many people remember or even know the true meaning behind the song. We are also in a war of sorts in our Nation today. There is a movement of people who want to take God out of everything and anywhere he might possibly be able to "offend" anyone. Yet they can not see that very act is causing so much chaos and confusion, thus weakening our Nation.

An event took place at churches all across the Nation last night called "Star Spangled Sunday" put on by the Family Research Council. It was a fantastic opportunity to learn the forgotten story about the Great Acts of Faith behind our National Anthem. Yes as much as some people want to wipe "Faith" from our founding and choose to misinterpret our founding documents, America was in fact founded on Christian principals. Our founders were deeply religious men who understood what happens when a Government can give you everything, it can also take away everything, including how you're allowed to worship. They were farmers, clergymen, ordinary men and women who did extraordinary things not in  their own strength, but with help from almighty God. They prayed and believed for divine intervention from the Lord which happened on many occasions. Stories of these miracles of course have been wiped from the history books. The Star Spangled Sunday event offered an eye opening look at the true story and meaning behind the lyrics to the beautiful song that is our National Anthem.

The event was a call to action to Christians across our nation to Stand Up for our religious freedom. A key point of the event was the Fourth Verse of the Anthem that isn't talked about much these days. Reading it knowing the true story of the situations that led the writing of the song, there is no doubt about the Faith of it's author or the meaning. Although not many in government today choose to utilize our Constitution, it is still incredibly unique and what has made America the beacon of hope for people across the globe for generations. People have risked life and limb including my own father to immigrate here. One little word though misinterpreted can make a big difference to people whose agenda it is to remove God and Christianity from society. They can use the misinterpretation as a weapon in a process of a very slow fade. Done over time to dumb down our society to the point where one day you look around and realize how far its gone and wonder how in heck the world did we ever get here. How did we ever let this happen to our nation? The founding documents say Freedom "Of" Religion. However the people who desire to remove Christianity from society twist it to say "From". Little word, big difference in it's meaning.

Our founders were not Muslims, they were Christians. Christians who fled a tyrannical government in England who risked everything to be free to worship God as Christians. They did not want to be forced to have a Government appointed church, Catholic or any other set denomination. Freedom "OF" means freedom to practice whatever denomination one chooses. Yes I know, many people choose to ignore God and want to be free to do whatever they want regardless of the consequences and so they twist a lot of things, including history. The problem is when we Christians turn the other cheek, remain silent and complacent, decades go by and all of a sudden we are living in a modern day war of sorts. Not that much different from the war of 1812 when Francis Scott Key wrote that beautiful song.

We are on the front lines of a war on Christianity. Government and organizations like the ACLU bend over backwards to make sure we do not offend homosexuals and Muslims. While at the same time will not lift a finger to respect the rights of Christians. In fact going out of their way to marginalize and prohibit Christians from exercising their Faith. So far as to even prohibit our Military men and women from sharing their Faith. Really? Think about that for a minute... America is where it is today because of the brave men and women who have stood in harms way in engagement after engagement throughout history; who have relied upon their Faith in God to deliver them. So here we are, government is standing for the rights of everyone except Christians. The question is what will "we" do?

As I watched the event last night so inspired by the passionate speakers, time after time chills ran down my spine as one after another they quoted lines from a song I wrote about this very issue. Ironically I wrote my song right around September 12th, 2009. The day after the very first March on DC, where Americans gathered to Stand Up and send a message to Barack Obama and his minions that "We The People" were not happy with his hope and change. During the War of 1812 the key miracles and God intervention leading to the writing of the song took place September 11th through the 14th.

As the daughter of a man who came to America with $20 in his pocket to live the American dream, I grew up with a reverence and appreciation for the incredible opportunity that is available here in America. Opportunity that does not exist anywhere else on the face of the earth. When I saw hope and change a la Barack Obama my heart was saddened. Sad that millions of people were hypnotized into a state by the media and entertainment figures and blindly led into letting others do their thinking for them. Allowing the government to speak for them and ultimately to speak for the rest of us. By instituting things like government run health care, and so many other actions that are diametrically opposed to the entire concept of our founding principals.

The question is what will we do... the following are some of the lyrics to my song:

"What's going on, I look around, and I don't recognize this place anymore. Foundations crumbling down, when only lies abound. We can not afford to sit back and ignore. 

"Time to Stand Up, Time to Speak Out, We've got to Fight to get it back... This Country's Our's and We're Taking it Back, We The People."

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jut7s68pnpg[/embed]

(Click to read entire lyrics here)

I wrote that song on a cocktail napkin while working my pay the bill job as a bartender at a catering event during Fashion Week in NYC. An environment full of ultra left leaning liberals who were all under the spell of Obama praising the hope and change. After five years have passed it is frightening to see how more eerily true the words become by the day.

The Star Spangled Sunday event was a call to action to Christian Americans to stand up and fight. How do we fight? No we're not all ultra wealthy, or media figures, or talking heads. What we are though is Christians. All of us, the moms, the dads, the firemen, the Pastors, the nurses, the military, ordinary people who do the things that make our country work, we must all stand united. We must start to pay attention like never before. We must support the things throughout pop culture that represent our values especially in film, and music. Because if we don't the mainstream media will continue to produce and promote entertainment that is denigrating our society. Then we must vote our values. The Family Research Council is on the cutting edge of a movement to ensure we have the tools to do just that. They announced two new initiatives to help Christians vote our values. To make an impact to stop this slow fade and fundamental transformation of America. Visit 123vote.com and ipledgesunday2014.com to get involved and learn how you can make a difference!

Remember, if we do not speak up someone else will speak for us. As we have already seen over the last five years, we will not like what they have to say.

Stand Up

Three words... Happy Greek Girl.

It's no secret that Greek Girl rolls to the right. So I'm sure you can imagine when I learned I was invited to an event where Senator Ted Cruz would be speaking I was excited to say the least. In fact I was so excited I almost spilled my hot cup of Dunkin's all over my lap as I was reading the email announcing the event. No it wasn't a "thrill up my leg" but I'll leave that to Chris Matthews for when he's watching Obama.

Thanks to some good friends who arrived a smidge early we were able to get a table in the front and what an evening. First I have to say how down to earth he was. No entourage, no handlers, just him and a small staff. I'm not sure many people know this but he is actually very funny. Not only was he giving a rousing passionate talk about the madness that has taken over our great nation, but the entire time he was doing it with a smile and making everyone laugh. If ever there were a person who embodies the phrase "The Happy Warrior" it is Senator Ted Cruz.

Not only was he gracious enough to be there, and to stay for a log time, but he also took question after question after question. As I sat there listening I have to say something was happening. No it wasn't a thrill up my leg, but I began to see something very special. I'm not sure if other people watching him on TV can see it. I've caught glimpses of it before watching on TV myself, but as I sat there it began to grow in my noggin from a whisper to a scream... this guy is so much like Reagan.

Right there in midst of all the chaos, confusion and madness that has taken over Washington there is someone there who is speaking the truth, understands and respects the constitution and founding documents, but also most importantly has the backbone to stand up for his convictions. As the world saw when he did the filibuster against Obamacare regardless if the left wing media demonized and labeled him a loon for doing so. Why?... because he gets it. He gets a fundamentally simple thing that almost all of Washington has either forgotten or has been ignoring for years. The United States is a Constitutional Republic, the Congress and Senate are elected officials who are elected to do what? To vote the "will of their constituents". Too many elected officials get elected and then it's almost as if they get sucked into some sort of vortex where they do not vote the will of the people who elected them, but rather vote down party lines or whomever is lining their pockets.

So as I sat there listening, I began to have hope again. There has been so much fighting and tearing down in politics for the last several years, I like many have wondered will America survive? In that event listening to him speak I saw hope that not all politicians are bad and not everyone is a slick talker just trying to win votes. There right in front of me was a man who spoke so honestly and passionately about common sense solutions and ideals. I began to see that there is really something very special about Ted Cruz, and if the people in this nation get a glimpse of what we all saw at that event last night, there may very well be another revolution coming. No it won't be a Reagan Revolution like we had in the 1980's, I think it will be bigger, much bigger.

Back then we didn't have the internet, (Thank you Al Gore) bloggers, alternative news, and there were only three news channels. Now we have cable news and a plethra of technology to get information out in the blink of an eye. When the people in this country see what we all saw it may not be a revolution that is coming, it may look more like a Tidal Wave.

By the way my husband ran out to put his suit jacket in the car that was parked on the street out front later in the evening. The Senator had just left with his staff, and they were standing in front of the venue on the street just waiting. My husband said "hi" and asked them if they needed a ride jokingly. They said "no were all set." Were they waiting for a town car, limo, a driver?... Nope they were waiting on a cab. Senator Ted Cruz with his staff of three hailed a cab and were all going together in a cab to their hotel. So when he talks about living within your means, and common sense principals know that he doesn't just talk the talk, he has the courage to stand up and walk the walk.

Blessings, Love & Music ~
Ava :D xo
www.avaaston.com

Tell It Like It Is

Brains, Beauty and moxy... a winning combination if you ask me.                (photo by Barry Morgenstein)

You know how sometimes when you see certain people they just make you think of something... or a word or thought pops into your mind? Well... last night my sweetie and I had the honor to be at a top secret event where we were able to hear Judge Jeanine Pirro speak. What popped into my noggin? The song "Tell It Like It Is" by Arron Neville.

I have watched her show on Fox News and knew a little bit about her history and distinguished career as a judge and District Attorney. I knew she was a no nonsense don't pee on my leg and tell me it's raining type of person. What I did not know or expect was for her to be so down to earth and funny.

We are good friends with the person who arranged for her to be at the event, so we were sitting near the front. Before she started speaking, she came over had plopped herself smack dab across from me, unbeknownst to me as I was too busy yapping my trap about my new purse (a recent TJ Maxx Score) with my friend. We were talking and I heard something to the effect of Great Bag, I love it. I looked up to see her sitting there just chatting it up and laughing with our host and the rest of the people at the table. It was neat to discover we were born and raised in the same neck of the woods, her Elmira NY, me Binghamton, NY. She was very friendly, down to earth and blunt. Which I love. Hello, I'm Greek remember.... we invented blunt. Gee maybe Judge Jeanie has some Greek in her family tree that she doesn't know about... ;o)

Anyway she proceeded to give a fantastic talk about all kinds of topics that are going on in the news today and I have to tell you when you see her talking all you can think is boy oh boy... Why can't we have her in Congress as Speaker of the House, Secretary of State or better yet... President? Since the current resident of the position always seems to be the last to know when anything happens, first to throw celebrity parties, and can even manage to find time to stay up date on the TV show "Mad Men". Maybe if we had a no nonsense woman who tells it like it is in the office we might actually be able to get something done in this country.

I mean just think of the money we would save having to constantly bring him up to speed on everything that's going on. You know, like the four Americans including our ambassador being killed in Benghazi, the IRS targeting Conservatives, and on and on. I mean think about it... It took three weeks for a Federal Investigation to begin for Benghazi, yet a Federal Investigation was launched in just a few days on Governor Chris Christie regarding a lane closure, better known as "Bridgegate". The media was going ballistic over a lane change; yet can't understand what all the fuss is about over Fast and Furious, Benghazi, IRS Targeting Conservatives, or the bugging of a journalist... Geesh, it must be that vast right wing conspiracy that Hillary pointed out at work again.

Her show is just fantastic. If you haven't watched I highly suggest doing so. She talks about the issues facing our nation and brings to light hypocrisy wherever she finds it. All while slicing and dicing propaganda with laser like precision with her no nonsense take no prisoners attitude. Personally I wish more of our elected officials were like her. No one seems to have any idea what is going on in this administration and the majority of the media sound most of the time like bumbeling preprogramed zombies spewing the same talking points that make absolutely no sense.

This country was founded for the people to escape from being controlled. It's so simple, so unique and yet is has become so convoluted. The thing I find most ironic is a segment of the people today who are so willing to hand back over control. I'm sure our founding fathers wouldn't mind Obama's "pen and telephone comment" either or the idea that governing in that way is OK... Yeah Right!

All I have to say is more Judge Jeanine and less malarky. We need people to tell it like it is, not paint things through rose colored glasses or a bunch of untruthful propaganda. If the people running our nation had half the moxy she has, terrorists might think twice about killing our ambassadors, or attacking innocent people at a marathon. However since there seems to be no consequences anymore, and everything has to be you know "fair"... I don't see that happening any time soon. Until people are ready and willing to turn off Dance Moms, Dancing With The Stars, American Idol and the rest of the gobbly goop that's dumming down society while the constitution is shredded by the day, that is. I mean it's great to escape the constant influx of negative information every now and again, but when more people know what #twerking is than what is wrong with the statement "I have a phone and I have a pen", then we might just wake up three years from now in the U.S.S.A while some of us along with Judge Jeanine are saying "hate to say it but I told you so".

Check her show out, if you want to know what's real. In my humble greek girl, recording artist, actor opinion... you won't be disappointed.

It was an honor to meet and listen to this amazing woman!

Blessings, Love & Music ~
Ava xo
www.avaaston.com

Good Riddance

Let the countdown begin!

Well I was just about to write this weeks blog about the things I most would like to see happen in 2014. Then I happened to be watching the news and heard that Saturday was the seventh annual "Good Riddance Day" in NYC.  Yeah you read it right, I was thinking the same thing, it is not a joke. For real, people actually gathered in NYC's Times Square to say goodbye to bad memories from 2013.  They even dumped actual memories into a giant shredder to destroy them once and for all.  

I gotta say, I wish I knew where this shredder were all these years and that this "day" actually existed cuz this Greek Girl has a few memories of her own she wishes she could put in the hopper and say "Sayonara" too.  Yeah, believe it or not, even I have things I wish I could erase from my brain.  So, in honor of this day I decided to make a hybrid blog.  Instead of just listing the Top-10 things I wish I could erase from my memories from 2013 I will be including a replacement option for 2014 to go along with those unwanted memories.

10. Boston Marathon Bombing.
2014 Replacement: How about - no bombing, anywhere.

9. Twerking, Wrecking Ball and well pretty much anything Miley Cyrus.
2014 Replacement: Congressional ban on Twerking and Miley Cyrus joins Bieber in retirement, wouldn't complain if Lady Gaga joined them as well.

8. GLAAD's crying foul over the Duck Dynasty "Tolerance" issue.
2014 Replacement: GLAAD is disbanded and embraces the fact that there are more Christians than they think, and the Word of God is more powerful than anything they can cry about.

7. Kim Kardashian and her selfies.  Do we really want to see her butt again in 2014?
2014 Replacement: People stop taking "Duck Lip" selfies, they are stupid.  No more selfies in the mirror where you can see the camera you are holding up.  No more celebrity nudie selfies - period.

6. Wolf of Wall Street.  My eyeballs are still burning and it's been almost a week since I saw that debacle of a half-rated porno.
2014 Replacement: How about a little Saving Mr. Banks and Mary Poppins for good measure to cleanse my noggin.  Or better yet, how about bringing back the NC-17 rating since Hollywood is a bit too obsessed with graphic nudity these days. (We actually don't "need" to see everything to get the point) Just sayin'.  

5. The time I took a bite out of that Twinkie and allowed myself to be caught on camera while doing so.  No I didn't have three of them either as my husband would like the rest of the world to think.
2014 Replacement: Low-fat Oreos.  Hey, if I am gonna splurge on sweets it should be good.  That Twinkie tasted like cardboard.  

4. Beyonce's Superbowl Halftime Show.  My eyeballs are still burning from that too.
2014 Replacement: Definitely not Bieber, Miley or Gaga.  I would rather have Barney or Mickey Mouse do it.  No matter what for the love of God, please let it be a real band or somebody who can actually sing. On key preferably, and who doesn't need the words to the Anthem written on their hand.  

3. The Obama Inauguration.  I am still in denial that he actually won... again.  Ask me, it was rigged.
2014 Replacement:  We dig up Reagan. In my world we would have Rush Limbaugh as President and Mark Levin as the VP.  Don't like it?  Too bad, it's my Top-10 list so GLAAD can kiss it.  

2. The millionth season of American Idol. Seriously... how many more sad sappy stories do we need from mediocre singers? Do we really need another "Idols Tour? Good gravy.
2014 Replacement: How about record labels actually doing their job and finding actual talent. There's plenty of it out there, just not all of it has orange hair, crack addicted parents, or missing a limb.   

1. The disastrous Obamacare implementation and rollout.
2014 Replacement: Obama Impeachment. Need I say more?

So there you have it.  As we move into the new year of 2014, I pray and hope for good things to come.  

Blessings, Love & Music ~
Ava xo
www.avaaston.com

Thank You Al Gore

Thank's Al. You're the best, no matter what people say.

So it's official (well sorta) that Al Gore the great and mighty inventor of the Internet has done it again.  What am I talking about? Well, in case you haven't been to the Northeast anytime recently it seems that, well based off the climate at least, that Al Gore has cured and fixed the Global Warming issue.  The problem is he did it just a little too much. Instead of balancing things out it seems he went slightly overboard.  Now instead of having a balance with all four seasons here in the Northeast we kind of have been having it all mucked up.  Goes in line with not having a balanced budget, so as a Democrat I guess in a way he's par for the course and since that's all Obama does is play golf it works for him.

Well since a little past this time last year we had the start to probably one of the most cold and miserable winters I can remember.  It went on and on and on so long I can't say I even remember having an actual spring. Then when it came to summer it was like we packed an entire summer's worth of heat into the month of July.  Then we skipped right into what is now and has been turning into an early and very wet autumn.  

Now, anyone who knows this Greek Girl knows I love Autumn more than any other season, but really?  With as many rainy days we had this summer and now this? Hey Al Gore, can you chill out or rather warm up on this whole global warming thing?  It's like you turned the thermostat to cold and broke the dang thing off.  For crying out loud, the only time I got to put my bathing suit on this year was for an audition.  Now that is bordering on sacrilegious considering I never put my toes in any hot sand once this year let alone go swimming!!!!  What's even more is I can count the number of iced Dunkin donut coffee's I have had on one hand.  Which as you know is just bizarre in itself since last year I had like 20 of them every week!

So for this weeks blog I want to focus on my favorite things about the fall since it's coming so early and well at this pace if I don't act now before long I will be buried up to my eyeballs in snow drifts.  God knows, if there is one thing this Greek Girl hates more than the current occupant of the White House is too much white stuff on the ground.  No matter how pretty it is, it is dang cold and me and cold just don't mix, no matter how much olive oil I get in my veins!

1. Pumpkins.  Not only did I name one of my dog's Punkin' but one of my favorite things in the whole world is punkin flavored anything: coffee, donuts, pie, cookies and punkin rolls!!  

2. Foliage.  If you have never been to the Northeast you have got to come in Autumn.  The magic of watching the trees turn color is one of the most amazing things that you never get sick of even after living here all your life.

3.  Hoodies (aka zip up sweatshirts).  Yes I do wear them almost every day of the year, but I do it all the more in the fall.  They are so much fun, cute and they keep me warm.  Besides I have like 2000 of them, I have to do something with them right?

4. Back to school.  You are too old for school and have no kids Greek Girl?  I know, but that means all the rug-rats that run rampant around town are back in school and I don't have to be bothered by them :) j/k I loooooove kids...  But no really, it just means Kohl's is running serious sales and clearance sales like mad.  So bring on the clearance rack please!!!

5. Running.  Not only is it the best feeling in the world when you go for a long run but when you have the crisp autumn air and the foliage to go with it, never mind doing it at magic hour in the fall, is just an amazing thing for me.  Besides, it is just one more reason I can wear my sneakers more.

So there you have it.  My favorite things about this time of year, that is unless Al Gore gets the bright idea and reverse things again and muck's things up more.  You know, if you ask me, maybe since he is so full of hot air trying to explain how he invented the internet that maybe that is what started the whole global warming thing anyway.  Oh well, one will never know.  Enjoy your punkin pie and have a blessed and safe Autumn.

Blessings, Love & Music~
Ava xo :)
www.avaaston.com

The Royal Fetus

Really?... Have we Nothing else to cover?

What?  Why would anyone care if I call the it that?  I mean there are people out there who think that a baby is not a miracle from God, but instead just a lump of cells, really just a blob so Greek Girl is just using the politically correct term after all.  Isn't it ironic though that the "Royal" baby is a baby even though it is not born yet.  Yet other babies who are not born yet can be referred to "fetuses" just a blob of cells that one can "get rid" of at any time if they are found to be inconvenient to the mother.

Seriously it's great that Will's and Kate are going to have a "baby".  What is not so great is the unhealthy fascination the world (fueled by the media) seems to have with it.  Really there are so many things going on in our world today, one would think that we have a lot more pressing issues to cover than the arrival of the newest British Royal.  So since the news outlets can't seem to find anything else to cover other than the Royal baby, I decided to come up with my own top ten list of things I want them to cover.  Not too much to ask is it?  I mean informing people about things going on in the world that effect their lives either now or in the future.  I mean isn't that what the "News" was created for in the first place?  Letting the masses know what was going on, so they can act accordingly to be prepared.

WARNING: I actually use that organ inside of my coconut, therefore I am interested in things other than  Beyonce, Gag Gag, Justin Bieber's latest brush with authorities, and the rest of the fluff and buff-ish topics the news likes to cover.  This is code for, this list will not be politically correct.

1.  The Constitution.  First and foremost maybe if the people who bring us the news would do a story about the founding document, maybe the sheeple might get a clue about the things happening that violate it.

2. Why are Muslims being appointed as Judges here in the United States?  Moreover why are there Muslim Brotherhood operatives working in the Administration?  I'm not kidding.  Six named people include: Arif Alikhan, assistant secretary of Homeland Security for policy development; Mohammed Elibiary, a member of the Homeland Security Advisory Council; Rashad Hussain, U.S. special envoy to the Organization of the Islamic Conference; Salam al-Marayati, co-founder of the Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC); Imam Mohamed Magid, president of the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA); and Eboo Patel, a member of President Obama's Advisory Council on Faith-Based Neighborhood Partnerships.  Houston this is a BIG Problem!

3. The real clear and present danger that Islam is to America.

4. The truth about the costs of Obamacare vs. the Propaganda.

5. Censorship of Christians.  More like the War on Christianity...  

6. Globalism, what the word means.  Then possibly the sheeple might get that it is bad for America and bad for Individualism, Freedom and Liberty.

7. The real driving force behind racism.  Not actual racism, but people using the Trayvon Martin tragedy to perpetuate and keep it going.  The truth about the billion dollar industry driven by Al Sharpton, BET and the like.

8. Why was gas $1.89 per gallon in January 2009 when Obama took office and now less than a year into his second term it's $3.94 per gallon?  It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that lack of business experience isn't a quality one would want in a President.  However thanks to the lapdog media we are stuck with this insanity for three more years.  God help us.

9. Common Core.  Don't know what that is?  Well you should, and you should be afraid, very afraid.  Unfortunately the media is not really talking about it, so do the research then get out there and start talking.  It's bad news bears people, BAD!

10. BENGHAZI.  The real story, what really happened.  If the media would actually do their job then the crazies in the administration who covered up this Terrorist Attack to win an election might be behind bars where they belong vs. running our country into the ground.

Well there you have it, the top ten things I want the news to cover.  If you're one of those people who wants to only hear about happy things, and not know what is really going on in the world, I'm sorry to burst your bliss bubble.  I too love pictures of my dogs, staying positive, and trying to not let the cares of the world effect me.  However I find this fascination with the Royal Baby ridiculous.  They are giving more coverage to the Royal baby than they did to the trial of Gosnell, a butcher who murdered babies for literally decades.  The things in my list are really happening as we speak.  If we are not aware of what is going on, then we might just wake up one day and not have the freedom to post pictures of our dogs, and do all the happy go lucky positive things that we want to.  It's called balance people - something that is seriously out of whack in our country lately.  Just sayin.

Blessings,
Ava :D
www.avaaston.com

Disqualified

Disqualified not for doping or cheating but because he praised God for all of maybe 5 seconds. What is wrong with this picture?

I am a Christian, there I said it. So does that mean I am disqualified? Does that mean I can't participate?  What if I pray in public, will I be put in jail?  What about if I accomplish something amazing like winning a race and out of pure emotional excitement accidentally raise my hand to the sky and thank God for being with me?  Will I be told I can't compete and I just lost the race that I just won?

Well, that's exactly what happened to a High School Track team in Texas.  After winning an extremely important race a kid celebrated by thanking God.  Can someone tell me how this makes any sense whatsoever?  Why is it that someone thinks it is appropriate to punish someone for doing this?  It's not like he committed a crime?  It's not like he cheated or murdered anyone.  No, he simply raised his hand and thanked God.  Meanwhile we have a trial of a barbaric butcher who literally killed babies born alive and hardly anyone in the media will cover it.  Yet some Einstein at a High School Track State-Meet Qualifier thinks it's a crime to raise your hand to God thanking him? Enough so that the entire team is disqualified.  Hmmm... could our priorities today be just a little askew anyone think?

What I don't understand is that every day we as Christians are being disqualified time and time again.  No matter what we do or where we go we are constantly being pushed down, shoved out and not allowed.  We are told our beliefs are wrong and we must somehow get along and agree with everyone.  We are to "Coexist".  Coexist?  What in the world does that mean anyway?  That is unless you're gay, muslim, or basically anything but a Christian.

It amazes me because we have a society and media that is determined to punish people for wanting to be positive role models, Godly individuals with integrity, decency, morality, obey the laws and help their fellow man.  Somehow that is wrong.  Somehow we are disqualified.  Meanwhile we celebrate and reward mediocrity.

Jason Collins an NBA Player not very well known for his basketball playing I might add comes out as being gay and is celebrated all over the media like a hero.  He even got a phone call from the Oval Office.  On the flip side, NFL Football player Tim Tebow is criticized by the media for being "too Christian" and they think he should just keep that to himself.  So let me get this straight: bedroom behavior is important to know about and something worthy of celebrating/broadcasting, but one's religion is not.  Oh wait, unless the religion is Islam that is.

Just this week I learned that President Obama made it so it will soon be illegal to promote or talk about Christianity in the military.  In his first year in his first term he canceled national day of prayer.  God has been removed from our schools, public buildings and anywhere else he might be able to offend anyone.  What they don't realize is that God is Good.  Goodness blots out evil and darkness.  We have evil and darkness all around us and it's growing faster by the second as we keep getting disqualified and we wonder why.

A man was fired from Home Depot a few years ago for having a "Christian" cross pin on his orange Depot apron.  Meanwhile a Muslim girl sued Abercrombie & Fitch for not letting her wear a "burka" while on the job.  Check me if I am wrong, but if she were truly practicing her "religion" she wouldn't even dare step foot in an Abercrombie & Fitch Store, let alone want to work there.

So, why is it we have to bend over to "appease" all the non-Christian groups and interests but "We Christians" are constantly told we have to look the other way, shut up and learn to "coexist".  Even with people who want to kill us for our beliefs.  (Hello read the Koran, it's in there.)  If you ask me, those "Coexist" stickers are targeted at only one group of people, "Christians".   Christians are the reason Muslims are killing Americans, Christians want to cling to their Guns and religion.  Christians don't support abortion or paying for it with tax payer money.  So why is it that Christians can't pray in school but the Pentagon and other government buildings allow prayer rooms for Muslims?  Hypocrisy much?...

It's high time people do a little reading up on how exactly this country was founded.  Because some people are a bit confused on the whole Freedom of Religion thing.  America was founded on the Freedom "of" Religion not Freedom "from" Religion.  The goal was to avoid a tyrannical government who would impose a "State Run Religion" on it's people.  It was to be free to practice whatever form of religion you wanted, ie: Catholic, Protestant, Methodist, or nothing.  What we have though is a whole bunch of people in the government who are twisting the founding documents, taking them completely out of context and are hell bent on turning the government into a God and the end all be all source "for the people".  I don't know about you, but I am sick of being disqualified.  I think we need to stop turning the other cheek and start standing up once and for all.

The scary thing is that I wrote this song three and a half years ago, yet it is becoming more and more fitting by the day.  You see the more we take God out of everything the less we are "One Nation, Under God, Indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for All." and the more we become: "One Nation Divided, Without God, with Fairness and handouts for only the politically correct."  Or those who are not disqualified.

Blessings, Love & Music ~
Ava xo
www.avaaston.com

Come To Cuba

Everybody's doing it, dontcha' know...

So I open up my Yahoo a few weeks ago and see a photo of her Highness and hubby yucking it up in Cuba.  I actually almost spit my hot cup of happiness a la Dunkins onto my laptop.  The photos looked as if they were doing a Cuba Tourism ad.  What’s wrong with that you might be thinking?  I mean we are talking about Beyonce and Jay-Z, everything they touch turns to gold.

They are good and upstanding people, a wife, a mother, pop stars, a clothing mogul, and they are besties with The Obama’s.  They should be able to go anywhere they want for their anniversary, right?

This is the message the mainstream media would like you to believe.  Honestly if I didn’t know better, I would begin to wonder if the screws in my noggin were coming lose.  Thankfully my parents raised me to use that thing in between my ears, and any American with even a half an ounce of intelligence no matter which way they lean politically knows what the problem with Cuba is.

Um, HELLO… there is this little thing called “The United States Embargo Against Cuba”.  Which has been in effect since October 1960, long before those two numbskulls were even thought of.  Honestly I don’t think they would know what to do with a brain if they had a place to put one.

Let’s see, you’re living your dream, worth a gazillion dollars (roughly $775 Million Dollars to be exact), have the ability to touch and influence so many people.  And what do you chose to do?  Visit a country that is run by a dictator where the people live in utter poverty.  So much so that they have risked their lives for decades trying to escape to America, crossing shark infested waters on barges for crying out loud! Just ask Marco Rubio, and these two think it’s a good idea to make it the destination for their Fifth Wedding Anniversary.  Anyone see the problem here?

Why is it that so many ultra wealthy entertainment celebrities think Socialism, Communism, and Marxism is so stinking cool?  Poor Sean Penn, he’s probably still in mourning over Hugo Chavez’s death.  The irony is these hypocrites seem to have no problem with Capitalism working to build their business or brand and be the catalyst that made them what they are today.  For anyone else though, that’s not acceptable.  We have to share the wealth.  Give me a break!

In all seriousness there are questions that need to be answered.  Who approved this trip?  Besides the Human Rights Violations, there’s a long list of why any American should and would know better NOT to travel to Cuba for a Vacation!

According to the U.S. Department of State: "Cuban Assets Control Regulations are enforced by the U.S. Treasury Department and affect all U.S. citizens and permanent residents wherever they are located, all people and organizations physically located in the United States, and all branches and subsidiaries of U.S. organizations throughout the world. Regulation does not limit travel of U.S. citizens to Cuba per se, but it makes it illegal for U.S. citizens to have transactions (spend money or receive gifts) in Cuba, under most circumstances. Since even paying unavoidable airfare ticket taxes into a Cuban airport would violate the transaction law, it is impossible for ordinary tourists to visit Cuba without breaking the monetary transaction rule.

The regulations require that persons subject to U.S. jurisdiction be licensed in order to engage in any travel-related transactions pursuant to travel to, from, and within Cuba. Transactions related solely to tourist travel are not licensable."

So tell me because enquiring minds want to know… How exactly did his and her highness get to Cuba… Osmosis?  Never mind get a “license” to travel to Cuba for Tourist purposes?  That is unless they have become students or religious missionaries, or one of the other exceptions that Obama opened up in 2011.  Could it be perhaps that their new bestie had someone in the Department of State wave the “Magic Obama Pen” and make it happen?

They are very good at “preaching” fairness.  Everyone must be held accountable to the same standards, blah blah, yada, yada...  Question is, do they walk the walk or just talk the talk?

I for one have never been a fan of Beyonce, or Jay-z.  Not only because of this latest public display with an episode of “we can do whatever we want” but because I am morally opposed to the themes and messages in their music.  Especially her latest Pepsi commercial, which is chock full of Satanic themes, as well as witchcraft/the occult.

It does bring to light though the equally important issue people are faced with.  Pop Culture is a big machine run primarily by the ultra left.  The majority of mainstream Film, TV, and Music figures today love and adore Obama.  Even Kelly Clarkson succumbed to pressure from her twitter followers backing down from her original support for Ron Paul and ended up supporting Obama.  I find it sad when people are afraid to “think” for themselves and let others do it for them.

The fact is, a large portion of Americans are uninformed voters.  They pay more attention to Pop Culture than they do to politics.  What they don’t realize is these pop icons are contributing to the disintegration of society.  They see their favorite movie, TV, or music star, Matt Lauer on “The Today Show” and all the others drooling over Obama in the media, and think he must not be that bad, then end up thinking Anyone who doesn’t is a nut job.

What am I saying?  What I’m saying is, it’s time to put your money where your mouth is.  Stop feeding the hand that bites you.  If you don’t like what you see happening in the country morally, socially and economically, then you can do something.  Stop buying products from these self-absorbed mind numb pop icons that support things that you oppose.  Start buying and supporting the work of people who are creating and promoting works via pop culture that do share your values.  Doing do will start to prop up those creating values based projects, and ultimately change the tide.

When people stop buying, listening to and watching the music, films, and TV shows starring those pop icons, then eventually their celebrity will dry up.  No one wants to hire a person who is not selling.  No it won’t happen overnight.  Why on earth would you want to buy products from people who are using their celebrity and fiancés to support things you are opposed to?  Just makes no sense.  It’s a giant machine with a lot of little working parts.  When little parts start to break down, eventually the entire machine will stop working and need to be fixed.

This is where we are today folks.  Our society is morally broken; the values being celebrated are in the toilet.  We have to make special rules and provisions for homosexuals and Muslims, yet at the same time we cannot say the word “God” or we will offend someone.  We had a half naked Beyonce dancing like a stripper on a pole flashing the illuminati sign at the Super bowl, and now we have His & Her Highness doing a publicity stunt practically doing a tourism ad for Cuba.  It’s time to Stop the insanity.

Blessings, Love & Music ~
Ava xo
www.avaaston.com 

The Taxman Cometh

One for You and 19 for me... Kind of sounds like someone we know, dontcha think?

What?... I can't be the only one who waited until the very last minute to do my taxes.  I know this may be a surprise since I don't really seem like the kind of person to put things off until the eleventh hour.  Miss workout every day, eat healthy, super organized...  Well what can I say, Greek Girl needs to get an Accountant Minion.

A What?... you heard me, an Accountant Minion.  Before I can do that though I need to sell a lot more CD's and iTunes downloads.  Oh yeah and book some more acting jobs.  No wonder I wait until the last minute to do my taxes.  So many different things to enter in and they make it so stinking complicated.  Remember... Greek is another word for "Thrifty" :D So I do my taxes the way any thrifty Greek Girl would - do them myself with H&R Block Premium Business.

See it all started when we decided to start an LLC for entertainment stuff.  Well little did I know that would lead to a big fat Muckery Sandwich.  In order to even do your personal taxes you need to do the LLC first to get a Schedule K form, to use when you do your personal taxes.  So after all kinds of searching and phone calls I found that H&R Block's Premium & Business has the Schedule K form that I needed... one small problem.  They don't make the H&R Block program for Mac, it's only available for PC.  So what do I do?  Borrow my moms PC laptop of course :D Only thing is mom lives three hours away, Good thing I have a good mom!  she met us half way to let me borrow it!

Kinda makes you appreciate that song from the Beatles "Taxman".  Now don't shoot me but I've never really been much of a Beatles fan.  I mean there are a few songs I like, and "Taxman" is one of them.  A very clever song I have to say.  Really, think about it:

"Taxman"

(1, 2, 3, 4 Hrmm! 1, 2.. 1, 2, 3, 4)

Let me tell you how it will be
There's one for you, nineteen for me
Cos I'm the taxman, yeah, I'm the taxman

Should five per cent appear too small
Be thankful I don't take it all
Cos I'm the taxman, 
yeah I'm the taxman

If you drive a car, I'll tax the street
If you try to sit, I'll tax your seat
If you get too cold I'll tax the heat
If you take a walk, I'll tax your feet

Taxman!
Cos I'm the taxman, yeah I'm the taxman

Don't ask me what I want it for (Aahh Mr. Wilson)
If you don't want to pay some more (Aahh Mr. Heath)
Cos I'm the taxman, yeah, I'm the taxman

Now my advice for those who die
Declare the pennies on your eyes
Cos I'm the taxman, yeah, I'm the taxman

And you're working for no one but me
Taxman!

So with all this work to get our taxes done "on time" and make sure we're all paying our "Fair Share"... Kinda makes you wonder huh?  Just think and this was written way back in the 1960's.  Imagine what the lyrics might be like if it were written today. ;D Hope everyone got the Taxman off their back for another year in time!

Blessings, Love & Music ~
Ava :D
www.avaaston.com