Sunday, October 01, 2006

Mickey Finn no longer Marches!

It has been longer than I would have imagined since last posting anything (worth reading, that is) on my site. Summer has come and gone...can't account for a minute of it except I do recall that it was very hot and very dry!

Well, guess it's time to announce I've resigned from my position with the Alabama State Defense Force - effective September 10th. There wasn't any one thing which brought this action about, but rather, a combination of many thing which just didn't settle very well with me. The constant lying from the upper echelon (all the way to the top), the veritable sneakiness of those who constantly strive for (and achieve) promotions by avoiding chain of command and/or kissing butt(s), age and sex discrimination, professions of friendship from those who praised us to our faces but were constantly sticking knives into our backs, and sweeping under the rug the wrong-doings of those who used vulgarity, drinking where they shouldn't have been (much less in front of those of us who had respected and admired them), and in general, jealousy and lack of respect for those of us who strove diligently to improve and train ourselves to help our communities - not to make THEM look good!

This volunteer organization impressed me - when I first joined over 2 years ago - as being truly concerned with the well being of the local communities in which we serve during times of emergencies and disasters. Either I'm terribly naive, completely blind, and overly trusting - or - they played their games so well that it took me 2 years to wise up. Granted, I'm an old lady! But, I managed to pay my own way, kept up to the best of my ability (which was rather difficult after fracturing my pelvis), achieved all of the REQUIRED training, and nobody will ever convince me that I didn't do an excellent job - paper pushing is my forte!

One person, whom I came to like and admire a great deal, let everyone down with his juvenile and very un-called for actions at a highly visible mission. Another, who trys hard to make everyone believe he's so knowledgeable about the "military," didn't make it out of AIT. There's one member who refers to himself as "prior military" who received a Less Than Dishonorable Discharge from the military! There are current members who are felons! I don't believe I want them anywhere near me, my family, nor my friends during a disaster while wielding guns to protect WHOM?

So it goes. An honorable organization turned rotten by the few that just don't seem to have any concern about being honest and forthright and "doing the greatest good for the greatest number." What used to be a "We" organization has turned into a group of "Me" oriented individuals.

Enough pontificating! I've missed receiving the occasional messages from Mama Mouse, Milt, and Patty. Hope I hear from you soon.

Aloneness has overcome me today with an almighty force. Hopefully, Mickey Finn shall overcome!