Who would have thought that the thirteenth birthday would leave me feeling so emotional and so unsure of the future. It has me scared for a million reasons but the most prominent one is she's growing up, she likes boys more then ever and boys like her. I like that it's a "normal" thing (God knows I crave normal" but I get lost in the shit of it all, the what if's of it all. But my God she's smart, she's kind, she's wonderful and beautiful. I'll push back these what if's and live in this glorious moment of turning 13! I have a teenager!!
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I just got home not to long ago, a team of us went out to place the signs at each polling place in Lackawanna County. I was lucky enough to make it home in time to put the girls to bed. We have made it our nightly routine to add election day in our prayers, to thank God for the Talerico Family and to watch over all of us on team Gene. Lexi never lets me forget about prayers, I love that about her. She says a part and I say a part, it's a ritual that I will miss one day when they are grown and gone but tonight it was different. I got lost in my part of the prayer as I kept adding the people I have grown to know over this election season. These people have given there time, talent and treasure because they believe in Gene and they believe in what he stands for.
When you see those words that run across these photos you may just see words but for me and many others these are the characteristics that set him apart from the rest, this is his way of life, he knows no other way to be. I know if your reading this and you personally don't know him you might be thinking "come on lady, put down the kool aid." But I swear to you it's the truth, I swear to you if your child, a loved one, hell anyone you know is a victim of a crime this is the man you are going to want on your side, the man that will crouch down and get eye level with your son or daughter, the man that will answer your calls day or night while he is working on your case and after your case he will still be there.
Over the past week I have read some pretty nasty things on social media, been mailed more fliers that I have returned to sender and seen commercials that make me sad and sick at the same time, some flat out lies that have made my blood boil, half truths that have been spun just perfectly so that you would have to literally dig for a week to uncover the truth. Lets be honest here tho, a friend tells you something they read on social media and they tell it to you like it's the gospel but because it's your friend and you believe what they have to say not knowing the source and maybe you repeat it and on and on it grows. Or maybe you saw a new banner ad on Facebook that gives some crazy new statistic literally days from the election only because it gives no time for the opposition to respond and guess what folks, that's the reason your seeing it now. It's a half truth dressed so pretty you might fall for it and repeat it to your friends. I'm asking you tho to please look into these half truths, these flat out lies.
The video above is one of my favorite video's that has come out of this election. It's some of my favorite people sharing with you the worst moment in their life. These people have opened themselves up to anyone who has an opinion without having any facts. They are braver then most people will ever understand. They are my family, brought together by the thread that is Gene Talerico.
Tomorrow I ask you all to cast your vote for Gene Talerico for Lackawanna County District Attorney. If you are a Democrat and wish to write him in you can do so but please use his full name Eugene M. Talerico Jr. #teamgene #truthis Today was suppose to be the day we marched on the District Attorney's office for Shane Scanlon's nasty mail-piece that has made it's way around Lackawanna County. (if you don't know about it see my last post) If you where to be part of it then you already know it was postponed however if you weren't a part of the march maybe you don't know about it at all. Well it was cancelled for a few reasons but only one of those reasons matter.
As outraged as I still am by that flier I am fearful that people would view this display as some sort of publicity stunt aimed at getting Gene votes so it is postponed till after the primary. I will contact all of you after May 16th to see if you still would like to take a stand and let Shane Scanlon know he does not speak for us. #ShameOnShane #truthis #teamgene If we are friends on Facebook then you already know about the nasty, tasteless flier that was circulated by appointed District Attorney Shane Scanlon but if by chance your reading this and have no idea what i'm talking about here it is: Today my family as well as several other families were re-victimized by Lackawanna County's appointed District Attorney Shane Scanlon. If his intent was to cause harm he hit it out of the park with his last mailing. To say that Gene Talerico exploits his victims, seeks glory and quits on them might have been your biggest mistake to date Mr. Scanlon. You see as victims our voices were taken once upon a time but Gene helped us regain our voice and we are no longer victims, we are survivors. We are the toughest group of individuals you will ever face Mr. Scanlon and face us you will. You single handedly created a storm but not the one you expected. Friends, below is our families journey from darkness to light in pictures. These pictures show the man Gene is and always will be. A man of integrity, a man with a heart that seeks justice for ALL victims, a man that was devastated in 2009 but found HOPE witnessing a miracle and had to stick around to make sure all would be okay for her, a man who is the change we need in this world. #sticksinabundle #shameonshane #teamgene Gene's wife Laura Talerico took to Facebook as well to explain the photo of Gene used on Shane Scanlon's postcard. Here are Laura's words as well as the original photographs: My husband Gene was one of the founding board members of the Children’s Advocacy Center of Lackawanna County since its inception in 1999. Our family has supported their annual Moonlight Walk Run each year and in 2015 Gene ran the 5K and raised over $500.00 for the center. The CAC benefits children who are victims of physical and sexual abuse and neglect and we are honored to know the people who give of themselves day after day and give hope to all children. I understand that when photos are posted to social media you run the risk of someone copying them and using them for their own purposes, I am far from naïve. However, I could never have anticipated someone taking the time to scroll through 2 years of photos on facebook to find a picture they believed to be embarrassing to be used in a political mail piece filled with untruths. While they believed the photo they chose was embarrassing, we find it represents a proud moment in supporting a good cause that we all believe in. #TeamGene17 Within a few hours my news-feed was clogged with rally cries from survivors and friends who support Gene Talerico for District Attorney You see Mr. Scanlon the bond we survivors share is an unbreakable one, no matter the time of day or our schedules we always have each others backs. Maybe you don't know this because you have no real connection with any "victims" to date. When I think of the connection I have now with all of these amazing people I think of the Kenyan Proverb "Sticks in a bundle are unbreakable." Us survivors are the sticks and Gene is the thread that holds us all together.
If reading this blog leaves you wanting to know more about Gene Talerico please visit his website talericoforda.com If you find Shane Scanlon's flier inappropriate and offensive here is what I am asking you to do: 1. Please print return to sender on the postcard (see my example in beginning of post), if you feel like leaving a note I encourage you to do so. 2. Call the Lackawanna County District Attorneys Office and let them know this is not how survivors should be treated at (570) 963-6717 3. Call Shane Scanlon's headquarters at 802-DA-SHANE / 802-327-4263 and let your voices be heard. 4. Join me and other survivors/supporters as we walk to the Lackawanna County District Attorney's office in a peaceful protest to let Shane Scanlon know his job is to represent the victims of heinous crimes NOT re-victimize us. (If you are interested in joining us please visit the contact us page and leave me your email address and I will forward the details on to you) |