United says "Screw You" to the Foreign Service

United's Senior Manager for Marketing, Customer Service and Business Systems responded to my letter to United CEO Smisek on March 7.  He said that United developed the waiver for the military "in recognition of the commitment made by members of our military and the family members (including the four-legged ones) who share in their sacrifice" and intends to limit this "special process" to military families only.  United has sent a standard customer relations response to individual e-mails saying that concerns would be conveyed to senior management for disposition.

This is the response we received from United in response to their change in pet shipping policy that will basically make it a nightmare to transport Honeydog from post to post.    While I'm super mad about that, what makes me most upset is the response from United. 

"in recognition of the commitment made by members of our military and the family members (including the four-legged ones) who share in their sacrifice" and intends to limit this "special process" to military families only. 

"In recognition of the commitment"??????  What the ^%$?  Now, I know we are NOT the military.  My brother is military, and the stress that he and his family endure, is something different...  I'm not saying we are the same as the military they are responsible for the physical safety of the United States.  However, the Foreign Service serves the people of the US, especially those overseas.  If you are overseas and get sick, are arrested, or are the victim of a crime, a Foreign Service officer (FSO) can be there to support you.  They will help you arrange payment at a hospital, visit you in prison (they will NOT be able to get you out, you are in a foreign country you must abide by that country's rules), or help you file a police report.  FSOs have arranged search parties for hikers, helicopters for sick babies, and given repatriation loans to down on their luck travelers to get them back home.
If you are in a country that goes to pot or has a natural disaster FSOs are there to help you finalize your documents and arrange evacuation travel to get you to someplace safe.  In the past year they have done this in Japan, Egypt, Libya, and Syria.  Most of those FSOs did not live in the places they were helping out, they left their families behind to help out those in need.  In the case of natural disasters FSOs help to keep Americans in foreign countries apprised of dangers, coordinate search and rescue efforts, and inform family members of the situation on the ground.
FSOs are charged with the job of promoting US trade and tourism.  When at all possible they try to facilitate travel and are always looking for new ways to make the visa process easier, faster, and safer (to protect the US at home).
FSOs and their families serve as living breathing representations of America.   In many places in the world what people know of America comes from movies and television and the few Americans they might meet.  Sometimes we are able to contradict the movies, and sometimes not (Can I tell you how many times I have been asked if all American women are like the ladies in Sex in the City?).
Embassies and Consulates are also targets.  If you are looking for a way to hurt America but can't afford the plane ticket what do you do?  You look to the Embassy.  From the local crazy person to more organized attempts US Embassies and Consulates are vigilant because we know we are targets and are vulnerable.
So United, don't talk to me about commitment.  I know very well what "commitment" means and for you to suggest that our contribution is not valuable is insulting. 

money matters

I'm getting a little tired of all these "money saving" tips that you get from mainstream media. They are so lame that they border on the rediculous sometimes. Do people really not know some of this stuff? For instance, one such tip said that if you brew your own coffee at home instead of going to starbucks everyday you will save hundreds of dollars a year. Who didn't know this? Seriously? A cup of coffee at starbucks costs at least $2, a bag of coffee at the grocery store costs $8. If you drink more than 4 cups you have saved money.
I have gotten to the point where I no longer read these so called money saving tips because they don't tell me anything I don't already know. I mean I already cook at home. I don't order wine when I go to restaraunts. I shop for clothes at season end clearances. Buy store brand food. I know how to use a budget. *SIGH* I guess I could start bathing the dog at home, but it is totally worth the $25 to have somebody else do it. I don't have to bathe her in my tub, or with a garden hose in 30 degree weather, I drop her off and three house later she is magically clean. That and custom purses from viv pickle are my two big frivolous expenses.
I didn't realize that my parents were teaching me to be frugal, I just thought it was the way everyone was raised. I didn't know that people were going to McDonald's everyday or buying things for their kids that they couldn't afford. And I never really felt deprived, I might have felt slighted or unfairly cheated, but I got over it. I think we have somehow forgotten that life is full of ups and downs and that kids need to experience these things in order to be able to be happy as adults. If you always sugar coat life how are they going to learn how to deal with bad times when they move out of your house. No matter what you do, you will not be able to protect your kids forever. They need to know that plants, animals, and people all die, and that death is a part of life, as is sadness, and sometimes pain. You will also not be able to get everything you want, sometimes no matter what you do there will be things you can't have.

Hair

So I've been all natural and free, hairwise, for about the two months. Not by choice. I've been trying to do something different with my hair. I don't want to put in a relaxer, dreadlocks, or braids, but then that leaves me fairly limited on what I can do. Cutting out those options and you eliminate most black salons. So I was going to try out this salon that my aunt recommended so I was willing to wait. BUT the first time I showed up they did not have my rescheduled appointment, this time I wisely called before I left and they didn't have the products for my hair AND they seemed surprised when I didn't want to come in, what pay $100 for something I didn't want? I thought it was a professional shop. I am SO glad they did not take my credit card because if they charged me today for canceling my appointment on short notice because they didn't have the products for my hair, I would be HIGHLY TICKED OFF! As it is I'm annoyed. What kind of place is this that regularly runs out of the products that they are selling?
Why can't I find a decent hair shop? You know I'm a middle class black woman, I don't live in the hood, why should I have to go there to get my hair done? Why do I have to suffer through missed appointments, or wait for three hours even when I have an appointment, we're not talking about doctors here, we're talking about hair stylists, and most of them are of just average quality. Why do we, middle class black women, put up with this? We have jobs, our time is valuable, where is the shop that caters to us?