Solution to Bullying

Thirteen year old bullied by 7 teens.

Seven teens arrested for bullying teen in Philadelphia suburb; abuse is shown
in the following You Tube video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pg0ixG4XFlk

Not only are the actions in the video offensive, the comments from
viewers are laced with offensive language and some don’t even
know how to spell.

The whole point of freedom is that it applies to all in the United States of America--Not just the people you like. Everyone has a civic duty to be respectful to each other regardless of your age. The way you dress, the way you speak should show respect to yourself and to others. One should take pride in one’s family name and in one’s own actions. Somewhere along the last few generations, standards of decency have been discarded. Teens are frantically searching for their boundaries and are finding none. No wonder they are self destructing. How can you think outside the box if you don’t even know where it is?

Bullying is another example of how democracy only works when the majority of its people are honorable, civilized, law abiding citizens. Only one adult woman was brave enough or cared enough to confront a group of 7 teens aged 13 to 17 who were bullying a 13 year old teen. Congratulations and thank you to this yet unnamed woman. She is a hero and the backbone of America.

My guess is these teens don’t know how to behave as civilized citizens. And worse
yet, adults don’t expect them to behave as civilized citizens until they are old enough to get off of their parents' insurance coverage…now age 26. Then they wonder why their offspring do not behave properly when they become of age. This is worse than SAD. The other sad part is adults expect children to know this information without teaching them how to behave as civilized citizens. Teaching
manners is the job of parents. It should then be reinforced by examples seen
at school and any other public place adults and children are together. We are
all role models whether we like it or not.

I think their punishment should be one by one each teen should stand on a gym stage
and read this entire book, “A Year of Good Manners” by Margery Sinclair and Jan Polk, aloud over a microphone. All kids in detention should be sitting in the
audience and hearing this information over and over. They must each take a
turn and read the entire book aloud. The only way to get out of detention is
to take your turn in reading aloud and to pass a test covering the material in the
book: 365 common, every day courtesy tips and the reasons to use each one.
These tips apply equally to men, women, and children, all ages, colors, all socioeconomic levels, and all religious or political affiliations. It would also be nice for any student who wants to, to sit in the audience and watch the bullies speak.

The results will be these teens will gain information and experience in working with a microphone and speaking to a public audience (future job skills). Their diction will eventually improve just by doing/speaking and learning to pronounce the words without slurring or mumbling (another job skill learned). No gum while speaking (another social skill learned). They will learn how to recognize when someone is treating them with respect. They will learn how to show respect to others. They will develop a backbone, common sense, and good self esteem just by knowing this information.

All who hear this information will learn they, too, are a valuable person and how they can contribute to a better world. They will learn to base their self esteem on core values which will make them an honorable, trustworthy, civilized person regardless of their skin color, the amount of money they have or don’t have, or even on their looks. It is easy to hold yourself to a higher standard when you
know how. Someone will always have more money and “pretty” fades over time.
Honorable, civilized core values will last you a life time.

"A Year of Good Manners" by Margery Sinclair and Jan Polk, $27.95
will be the best investment you can make for your family and your
children. It is available on line at www.janpolk.com

Dr. Martin Luther King Day - Celebrate!

Dr. Martin Luther King represents Peace and Freedom.
When honorable people take action and work together as civilized
citizens, good things happen. It is important to know how to
show respect to self and each other and to expect the same in return.

We should all celebrate. We, as a civilized
nation, have come a long way. Without changing
our system and respect for the rule of law which
is designed to protect the honorable, civilized,
law abiding citizen, we have changed the unjust laws
of the past. Dr. King's life was taken from him yet
his legacy continues on.

Because of Dr. King and his Dream, we have now
elected our first man of color to the Presidency of the
United States of America under the exact same rules
used to elect all previous white presidents. All
people are equal when they embrace our common
bond of being honorable, hard working, civilized,
law abiding citizens.

Dreams are nothing without action. Each of us
is an integral part of civilized society.
Skin color, religion, political party and the amount
of money one has or does not have, should have no
bearing on our character, self esteem, and trustworthiness.

We each give ourselves permission on how we will behave...
for good or for bad. It is called personal responsibility.
You can blame your actions on someone else, but that is not
the case. You make the final decision to take the actions
that you do. You do have power.
It is easy to hold yourself to a higher standard when
you know how and why. Good Manners are powerful!

We highly recommend reading our life changing book
"A Year of Good Manners" by Margery Sinclair and Jan Polk.
We invite you to read 15 weeks of free tips at
www.ayearofgoodmanners.com. You will want to read all
365 tips and each reason why written by Margery Sinclair,
Milwaukee Etiquette Consultant/Coach/Author. These are the
first tools, not the only tools, one must embrace for a
peaceful, happy life. Purchase your copy ($27.95) on line at
www.janpolk.com Free shipping.
It will be one of the best investments you can make. Invest in
yourself and your family.

Arizona Congresswoman and Staff Members Shot on 1/8/11

On Saturday, January 8, 2011,
US Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and some of
her staff were shot while on duty at a public mall.
Some private citizens were shot as well. At least 10
people have been injured or killed. A 22 year old male
gunman was captured at the scene and remains in jail.
Our prayers are with those who have been injured or killed.

As civilized people, there can be no greater horror than
to be unsafe in our own country. There is never, ever,
a good enough reason to harm another person, verbally
or physically, just because you do not like someone’s
looks, policies, or whatever.

We enjoy the freedom to walk about freely in society; to
meet as large groups in public places; we
enjoy the freedom to feel safe in our own homes;
we enjoy freedom to eat out at safe restaurants and to
purchase safe food and safe drink at local stores and clubs.
We enjoy purchasing safe products that work as advertised.
We enjoy these freedoms because we can trust each
other. We enjoy these freedoms because the majority
of our people are honorable, hard working, civilized law
abiding citizens. These are the core values of our
society and the values that will keep us free.

How do we protect ourselves against terrorists and
crazy loons? The answer is to willingly hold ourselves
to a higher standard by adhering to our core values.
Honorable, hard working, civilized, law abiding people do not
lie, cheat or steal even when the opportunity
presents itself. We do not harm others unless in self-
defense. We are the eyes, ears, and brains of
American civilized society. We elect our government
officials from among ourselves. Each of us is expected to
be a standard bearer for our country and stand united
in the principles of respect, freedom and safety for all.
Each of us is expected to be vigilant and be aware when
something or someone is not right. We must be eye witnesses
and speak up before tragedy happens.

We are always there even when the government is
not. This tragic event could have been even more
horrendous if it were not for the brave, honorable,
civilized law abiding citizens who took charge during
this event and held the shooter to the ground until
the Police could get there. We The People are
who will keep our country the leader of the free
world.

Where ever you go, you should always find at
least one honorable, civilized, law abiding citizen
(you). We must willingly abide by our core
values and we must teach them to our children
so they too can stand united with us for the
freedom of all.

You can read 365 common, every day courtesy tips
written by Margery Sinclair and the reasons to use
them in our book "A Year of Good Manners" by
Margery Sinclair and Jan Polk, $27.95. Purchase
on line at www.janpolk.com

Peaceful transfer of Power takes place today in US House of Representatives

Today we can all be proud Americans.  Today power was peacefully

and willingly transferred from Speaker of the House, Democrat Nancy Pelosi

to Republican John Boehner.

Our country is alive and functioning.

Our constitution still works. Our core values are still in tact.

Civilized people can work together.

People do not have to “ like”  each other to behave as

honorable, civilized, law abiding people.

We all must work together for the good of all and we

must be respectful to each other when we do.

United We Stand - Divided We Fall

The American People have spoken.  We elect our officials from

among ourselves.  We cannot expect more of them than we expect

of ourselves.

Respect and Manners are the core values of honorable, civilized,

hard working, law abiding citizens.  These are the values that

will help America regain her status as the Leader of the Free

(civilized) World.   Honorable people will not lie, cheat, or

steal even when the opportunity presents itself.  We can depend

on each other.

We all have a civic duty to behave as honorable, civilized people.

It is a way to give something back to our country.

We cannot do this if we do not know how.  I highly recommend

reading “A Year of Good Manners” by Margery Sinclair and Jan Polk.

$27.95.  This 180 page book takes 3 hours to read but you will

use it for a lifetime.  Purchase on line at www.janpolk.com

“Good Manners are Powerful.” Jan Polk

“Good Manners  are Good Business”  Margery Sinclair

Happy New Year 2011!!!

The easiest New Year's resolution to keep is to give yourself permission to
hold yourself to a higher standard.  It is easy when you know how and
why.   Start with NO YELLING ....especially at children,  spouses, family,
friends and strangers. Try it...you will like it.....your family will love it.

Yelling is a sign to everyone you are out of control and they should
not pay attention to you....they win.  It is not pleasant for anyone.

Do yourself a favor and read our book
"A Year of Good Manners" by Margery Sinclair and Jan Polk  $27.95

Good manners make you feel relaxed and confident.  If you feel like
there something you need to know but don't know what it is, you will
find it in our book.

Securely purchase your copy online at www.janpolk.com

Treat yourself to a Happy New Year 2011!

"It Don't Cost Nuthin' To Be Nice." Coach Paul "Bear" Bryant

Following is a recent internet email floating around.  Who knows if all the facts are accurate; however, we do know that our common bond is everyone wants to be treated with respect.  We do know that the

power lies within each of us to give ourselves permission as to how we will behave in this life...

good or bad.  We do know that each of us has a civic duty to behave as honorable, civilized, law

abiding citizens respectful of self and each other.  All the freedoms we enjoy as citizens of the United States of America are based
upon the majority of our citizens respecting
 these core values.  The government cannot be everywhere, but We The People are everywhere and the government works

for us.

If anyone knows more about this story, please let us know.

"At a Touchdown Club meeting many years ago, Coach Paul "Bear" Bryant told the following story:

I had just been named the new head coach at Alabama and was off in my old car down in South Alabama recruiting a prospect who was supposed to have been a pretty good player, and I was having trouble finding the place.

Getting hungry, I spied an old cinderblock building with a small sign out front that simply said "Restaurant." I pull up, go in, and every head in the place turns to stare at me. Seems I'm the only white fella in the place. But the food smelled good, so I skip a table and go up to a cement bar and sit. A big ole man in a tee shirt and cap comes over and says, "What do you need?"

I told him I needed lunch and what did they have today?

He says, "You probably won't like it here. Today we're having chitlins, collard greens and black-eyed peas with cornbread. I'll bet you don't even know what chitlins are, do you?"(small intestines of hogs prepared as food in the deep South)

I looked him square in the eye and said, "I'm from Arkansas , and I've probably eaten a mile of them. Sounds like I'm in the right place."

They all smiled as he left to serve me up a big plate. When he comes back he says, "You ain't from around here then?"

I explain I'm the new football coach up in Tuscaloosa at the University and I'm here to find whatever that boy's name was, and he says, "Yeah I've heard of him, he's supposed to be pretty good." And he gives me directions to the school so I can meet him and his coach.

As I'm paying up to leave, I remember my manners and leave a tip, not too big to be flashy, but a good one, and he told me lunch was on him, but I told him for a lunch that good, I felt I should pay. The big man asked me if I had a photograph or something he could hang up to show I'd been there. I was so new that I didn't have any yet. It really wasn't that big a thing back then to be asked for, but I took a napkin and wrote his name and address on it and told him I'd get him one.

I met the kid I was looking for later that afternoon and I don't remember his name, but do remember I didn't think much of him when I met him.

I had wasted a day, or so I thought. When I got back to Tuscaloosa late that night, I took that napkin from my shirt pocket and put it under my keys so I wouldn't forget it. Back then I was excited that anybody would want a picture of me.  The next day we found a picture and I wrote on it, "Thanks for the best lunch I've ever had."

Now let's go a whole buncha years down the road. Now we have black players at Alabama and I'm back down in that part of the country scouting an offensive lineman we sure needed.  Y'all remember, (and I forget the name, but it's not important to the story), well anyway, he's got two friends going to Auburn and he tells me he's got his heart set on Auburn too, so I leave empty handed and go on to see some others while I'm down there.

Two days later, I'm in my office in Tuscaloosa and the phone rings and it's this kid who just turned me down, and he says, "Coach, do you still want me at Alabama ?"

And I said, "Yes I sure do." And he says OK, he'll come.

And I say, "Well son, what changed your mind?"

And he said, "When my grandpa found out that I had a chance to play for you and said no, he pitched a fit and told me I wasn't going nowhere but Alabama, and wasn't playing for nobody but you. He thinks a lot of you and has ever since y'all met."

Well, I didn't know his granddad from Adam's housecat so I asked him who his granddaddy was and he said, "You probably don't remember him, but you ate in his restaurant your first year at Alabama and you sent him a picture that he's had hung in that place ever since. That picture's his pride and joy and he still tells everybody about the day that Bear Bryant came in and had chitlins with him..."

"My grandpa said that when you left there, he never expected you to remember him or to send him that picture, but you kept your word to him and to Grandpa, that's everything. He said you could teach me more than football and I had to play for a man like you, so I guess I'm going to."

I was floored. But I learned that the lessons my mama taught me were always right. It don't cost nuthin' to be nice. It don't cost nuthin' to do the right thing most of the time, and it costs a lot to lose your good name by breaking your word to someone. 

When I went back to sign that boy, I looked up his Grandpa and he's still running that place, but it looks a lot better now. And he didn't have chitlins that day, but he had some ribs that would make Dreamland proud.  I made sure I posed for a lot of pictures; and don't think I didn't leave some new ones for him, too, along with a signed football.

I made it clear to all my assistants to keep this story and these lessons in mind when they're out on the road. If you remember anything else from me, remember this. It really doesn't cost anything to be nice, and the rewards can be unimaginable.

Coach Paul "Bear" Bryant          

*******************************************

Editor's Note: Coach Bryant was in the presence of those few gentlemen for only minutes, and he defined himself for life. Regardless of our profession, we do define ourselves by how we treat others, and how we behave in the presence of others, and most of the time, we have only minutes or seconds to leave a lasting impression. We can be rude, crude, arrogant, cantankerous, or we can be nice.

Nice is always a better choice.

********************************************

"I expect to pass through the world but once. Any good therefore that I can do, or any kindness I can show to any creature, let me do it now. Let me not defer it, for I shall not pass this way again."

********************************************end

It is easy to hold yourself to a higher standard when you know how.    You will enjoy reading our

book "A Year of Good Manners" by Margery Sinclair and Jan Polk.   $27.95

This birthday book features 365 common, every day courtesies written by Margery Sinclair and the reasons to use each one.  Jan Polk's GAFC "respect series" floral images are reminders to treat yourself

and others with respect.  Good manners make you feel confident and relaxed.  You will develop

common sense and a backbone by reading this information.

The book can be purchased on line at http://www.janpolk.com/

We invite you to read 15 weeks of free etiquette tips and see how they can help you change your
life.  Scroll to the bottom of the page when you get there.  http://www.ayearofgoodmanners.com/
You will want to read all 365 tips in our book.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays

These greetings are sent with heartfelt good wishes for all.

We wish you the happiest and merriest of holidays to you and yours.
In these economic hard times, money is not the only way to happiness.
We all want to be treated with respect.  The greatest gift you can
give to your family is a peaceful, safe, loving home where all members feel
appreciated and respected.  It has nothing to do with money.

If you are an honorable, civilized, law abiding citizen who is willing
to work hard and accept personal responsibility for your own actions,
you are what makes our country strong and united.  Together we will
get through the hard times.

Through the goodness of those who have more, there are safety nets
all around so that one may have a roof over your head and food to
eat and medical attention if you need it.   It is a two way street. 
Those who receive should give back something in return.  This
is what makes our country united.  We all work together.  Beware
of those who want to pit one group against another and divide our
country.  

One way to give back to your country is to be an honorable, civilized,
law abiding citizen.    Base your self-esteem on being a  healthy,
clean, honorable, law abiding  person and not on how much money
you have or do not have.

In these stressful times, if you cannot control your temper, remember
this:  You have given yourself permission to behave the way you
do, good or bad.......you can give yourself permission to control your
temper and not yell.  Practice. You do have control....use it.  Being
honorable and trustworthy is also a gift to your family, friends and
community.   It is the best present you can give to yourself, your family
and your friends.

Practice your A. B. C's.....Always be charming.  It has nothing to do
with money.

Good Manners are Powerful!  They make you feel relaxed and confident.
Margery Sinclair says "Good  Manners are Good Business"

In these economic hard times, who would you hire?  Someone who
respects themself and fellow citizens or someone who doesn't even
know how to get along with employees, customers or family members?


Read 365 common, everyday courtesies  and the reasons to use them
in our book "A Year of Good Manners" by Margery Sinclair and
Jan Polk.  $27.95.  It is easy to hold yourself to a higher standard when you know how.

Order on line at:   http://www.janpolk.com/
Read 15 weeks of free tips at:   http://www.ayearofgoodmanners.com/  (Scroll to the bottom of the page when you get there.)
Margery Sinclair's website:   http://www.margerysinclair.com/

Good manners are the great equalizer.  They apply to everyone, are free, and available to all.  They are
the opposite of being elitist, arbitrary, and artificial.  When society refuses to obey the practical rules of
etiquette that govern behavior, rudeness and thoughtlessness will prevail.