Sardonyx Says: February 2010

Yes, I said it: A Forty Five Day Challenge

Each year people make New Year’s Resolutions that they fail to accomplish. I am following the example of Fabulous Black Women and subscribing to the forty-five day challenge. The challenge requires you to focus on one aspiration you want to attain, something you've wanted but haven't had the support, courage, or resources to achieve. Once you identify your task, develop a plan of action to bring your desire to fruition. Once you finalize your action plan post your forty-five day challenge on Facebook and Twitter. We are a community fully able to assist one another. I challenge you to make each day count to reach your goals and see what marvelous results we will have in the months to come. Where do you want to be in the next forty-five days?

My goal is to have my novel Last Chance Café in print and ready for distribution.

This is my truth. I am Sardonyx Jade.
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China: A New Sheriff in Town
By Larry Merritt (Guest Blogger)

Since the end of WWII, America has been involved in multiple conflicts throughout the world becoming the unofficial security force of democracy. Whether initiating or responding, the United States developed a reputation for imposing its ideologies upon allies and enemies alike. “Protecting democracy” has became the battle cry and tag line for US involvement. With the rise of the USSR as a Super Power and the spread of Communism in Eastern Europe and Asia, the United States chose to combat the influence of Communism at each and every turn, with the “good intentions” of gaining favor with sovereign nations. The idea of spreading democracy drove the United States to become involved in Eastern Asian conflicts; trying to prevent the spread of Communism. Because both countries had nuclear weapons, the main influence available was to provide protection and aid to countries in need, whether requested on not.

With the end of the Cold War and the collapse and dismantling of the Soviet Block, the United States of America became the world’s only Super Power, and began the unofficial position of World Police. In accepting the duty as world protector, the United States officially and unofficially became the bully of the playground, where every incident in the world required some form of US involvement. The shoot first, ask questions later mentality has garnered the United States a bad reputation in many parts of the world especially during the previous presidential administration. The current administration is dealing with decisions of the past administrations spending and military decisions that increased the national debt, spread our armed forces dangerously thin around the world, and alienated our allies. There was a time where the United States was a neutral country and did not get involved in external conflicts that were not a concern of the United States. Now, it seems as if the United States is involved in every external conflict, beyond its own borders, in some capacity. It is the nature of this country to be the self-imposed leader of democracy for the entire planet and yet; it has become an economical, political, and reputational Pandora’s box. The status as world’s only super power has filled the ego of this nation as the dominant speaker in the room, where we MUST be heard or else. It is this stance that has other countries leery of our intentions when it comes to negotiating treaties. So what has being the world’s last remaining Super Power done for the United States?

Being a Super Power has created a trillion dollar deficit.

The solution: Allow someone else to become an influential power and police the world. There is, however, a newcomer to power in the world. It has a vast army, deep pockets, and wants to be a superpower: China.

China maintains a military of 2.3 million troops, including an army, navy and air force. China spends approximately 70 billion on defense. In addition, China is a member of the United Nations and a member the Security Council, which also includes the United States. China is the 3rd largest economy in the world and 2nd largest country in the world. By the way, China is also a nuclear power.

China wants to play a significant part in world government. Therefore, it is proposed that China assumes the mantle of the World Police. The United States should withdraw all its overseas troops and allow China to replace them with their own military. That way the United States could focus on the recovery of its economic illness without the spending of billions for troops all over the world. The funds used for defense can be diverted to useful projects to improve the healthy of the country, i.e. education, social issues and infrastructure. Instead of spending billions on weapons and troops, funds could help America improve the education system, so that the next generation of Americans can continue the idea of American ingenuity. The funds could be used for social issues like health care and the improvement of the nation’s infrastructure (roads, bridges, electric grids, etc.). Allow China to go into countries and deal with conflicts. The United Nations is supposed to be the organization that protects the world from conflict between nations as a way to reduce the possibilities of war, but no one fears the United Nations; they fear the United States. Time has shown the conflicts that involve the United Nations; the United States is at the front of the charge leading the way. Let China be the war dogs of the United Nations and be the first into conflict. China has improved relations with other countries and is attempting to improve its stance on human right. China is increasingly becoming a force in the world.

The United States, as with the rest of the world, is going through an economic recession. Loss of jobs, decline in property values and the collapse of the mortgage industry, and the mishaps on Wall Street have created a maelstrom that has cause the country to rethink its position in the world. With two wars in progress, military spending is through the roof, while the United States infrastructure, educational systems, and social services taking spending cuts to keep the budgets balanced. The United States could save billions or even trillions of dollars that could be funneled into the reduction of the national debt or universal health care by. It is impossible for the Unites States to continually police the world while other nations only play supporting roles.

The United States is in a rebuilding mode. As the dominant power of the 20th century, the United States proved to be a capable police force, a dynasty if you will. There comes a time when all dynasties implode upon itself, i.e. Rome, Greece, Great Britain. Our focus should be on advancing ourselves in education, technology, social issues, and the economy. We were once the country every other country wanted to become, including communist countries. Now, our rank is among the lesser advanced countries of the world in all aspects except probably war.

How do you take a step back as a Dynasty? It seems to this writer that the status is all about ego. The United State will not accept being considered the number two country in the world. No one is excited to be second. It is human nature to want to lead and the ego and mantra of a country is about being the best. Right now the United States is an aging alpha male with a stronger contender quickly rising to challenge for control. It is time to pass the reigns over to the new power. Let China become the main force to be the first in, last out. The United States needs to check its ego and allow china to take our place. They may do a better job. Sometimes, you must take a step back to move forward. At this point you reboot, rebuild or retire.
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Upcoming Release from Sardonyx Jade Publishing
Pre-Order Your Copy Today

Last Chance Café a Novel:

Last Chance Café ISBN 978-0-9714594-5-8 © 2010: A struggling artist marries her soul mate only to learn that the most important love she will ever have is her own.

The adult fiction novel is a wonderful journey of self discovery and mastery; to come to the ultimate realization that there are no last chances in life. If you have the desire to do anything then it is your choice to make it happen.

*** “Sitting at her usual booth in the corner of the room where she could observe all, Alexis realized that there is no such thing as a missed opportunity. It’s never too late to create the longed for childhood, the career of your dreams or the lasting love that seems to only exist in the movies. “So long as there is breath in my lungs and thoughts in my brain I will design my destiny and so it will be” She thought to herself as she sipped her morning cup of coffee.***
***COMING SOON*** This is a work is not yet published.

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ORDER YOUR COPY TODAY:

Sharp Edges and Blunt Trauma: Valley Ice Center

Compression problems at my home ice rink left me need of a place to skate. After careful internet research and consideration I decided to venture to the Valley Ice Arena. Valley Ice has since become my home away from home rink. The ice is nice as are the people. Coffee Club is an excellent value offered Monday through Friday. I spent several days on practically private ice in preparation for the All Year Figure Skating Club Winter Recital. Visit Valley Ice Center when you are in the area and check them out on line.

2009 Winter Recital

Calendar of Figure Skating Events
Some dates tentative. Competition dates subject to sanction.

Date	Event	Location
February 12 - 28, 2010	2010 Winter Olympics	Vancouver, Canada
February 20-21,2010	Arizona Ice Classic	Chandler, Arizona
March 12-15, 2010	Pacific Coast Adult Sectional Championships	Paramount, CA
March 22-29, 2010	World Figure Skating Championships	Torino, Italy
March 25-28, 2010	Skate La Grande	San Diego, CA
April 8-11,2010	Fiesta Skate	Peoria, AZ
April 23-26,2010	La Jolla Open	La Jolla, CA
April 30-May 2 , 2010	Governing Council	Orange, County, CA
May 7-9,2010	South Bay Open	Harbor City,CA
May 15-16 ,2010	California Championships	Artesia, CA
May 22-23,2010	Tri -Valley Showcase	Valencia, CA
May 29-31,2010	Desert Ice Open	Las Vegas, NV
June 3-6,2010	All Year Club Competition	Culver City, CA
June 12-14,2010	LA Showcase	Burbank, CA
June 19-21-2010	Skating Club of SC Competition	El Segunda,CA
June 26-28-2010	So-Cal Inter-Club Championships	TBD
July 8-12,2010	Hidden Valley Open	Escondido, CA
July 16-19,2010	Los Angeles Open	Burbank, CA
July 22-26,2010	Cactus Classic	Scottsdale, AZ
July 31-August 2 ,2010	Lake Arrowhead Open	Blue Jay, CA
August 5-9,2010	Glacier Falls Open	Anaheim, CA
August 12-16 ,2010	Silver State Open	Las Vegas, NV
August 20-23 ,2010	Orange County Open	Aliso Viejo, CA
September 2-6,2010	Golden West Championships	Culver City, CA
September 10-13,2010	Rim of the World Open	Ontario, CA
September 18-20,2010	Pasadena Open	Pasadena, CA
September 25-27, 2010	West Coast Open	Valencia, CA
October 8-12, 2010	2011 Southwest Pacific Regional Championships	Burbank, CA
October 30, 2010	Arrowhead Open	Ontario, CA
November 9-13-2010	2011 Pacific Coast Sectional Championships	Culver City, CA
November 20-22-2010	Autumn Antics	Peoria, AZ