While I’m definitely not one to pass judgement due to situations I’ve been in in the past, I am definitely one who is willing to stand up for what is right.  Getting in an argument and hitting someone is one thing (not that it makes it right).  Brutalizing someone and threatening to kill them is something completely different and is an act that deserves to be punished to the fullest extent of the law.

As a parent my worst nightmare is the day that I find out someone has hurt my child in any way.  Although I know the day is inevitable, I just really pray that it never comes.  While I only have a son right now, I also have a mother, sister and 3 nieces.  I joke around about the subject alot but I am very protective of all of them because I know how men are being one myself.

If ever the day came and I heard that any of them had been brutalized the way that Rihanna reportedly has been, the earth population would probably decrease by one that day.  “I ain’t a killa but don’t push me.”  Domestic violence is a very serious problem in our society due to individuals not knowing how to channel their feelings without making rash decisions.  I know from experience that anyone is capable of it and all it takes is a split moment to snap, sometimes due to the simplest situation. What is necessary once it happens is for the individual to really what they are doing and stop, then begins a long process of recovery.

I don’t know Chris Brown or Rihanna personally, but I do know other people who have been in their situation, including close family members and myself.  I really do hope they both get the help they need to move past this situation and emerge stronger individuals.  However what will not help the situation is brushing it under the rug and acting like it never happened.  What will not help is not punishing the responsible party because of their status.  I believe if the powers that be stand up and do what is right, it may actually prevent more situations like this from happening because people will hopefully look at the outcome of this and think twice before they act.

As a former fan I also feel it is my responsibility to hold him liable for his actions as well.  For me this includes boycotting his music at least until this situation is over and he has served whatever level of punishment he receives.  This is a personal decision of mine, due to the situation’s personal relevance.  I’m not calling for anyone else to do anything about this situation other than what they feel is right.

While they only contain a small amount of mercury, about five milligrams, this can be a problem in the event that you ever break one of these bulbs.  Kristen’s father had a close friend that got mercury poisoning from cutting himself on the broken glass.  Below I am including the EPA’s recommended cleanup instructions in the event that you ever break one of these bulbs.  Here is also the link that I got this from. (Ohio EPA)

Here are U.S. EPA’s guidelines for cleaning up a broken CFL:

1. Open a window and leave the room (restrict access) for at least 15 minutes. If you have fans, place the fans in the windows and blow the air out of the room. Note: If the room has no windows, open all doors to the room and windows outside the room and use fans to move the air out of the room and to the open windows.
2. Remove all materials you can without using a vacuum cleaner.
   • Wear disposable rubber gloves, if available (do not use your bare hands).
   • Carefully scoop up the fragments and powder with stiff paper or cardboard.
   • Wipe the area clean with a damp paper towel or disposable wet wipe.
   • Sticky tape (such as duct tape) can be used to pick up small pieces and powder.
3. Place all cleanup materials in a plastic bag and seal it, and then place in a second sealed plastic bag.
   • If no other disposal or recycling options are available, private residents may dispose of the CFL in residential garbage. Be sure to seal the CFL in two plastic bags and put into the outside trash.
   • Wash your hands after disposing of the bags.
4. The first time you vacuum the area where the bulb was broken, remove the vacuum bag once done cleaning the area (or empty and wipe the canister) and put the bag and/or vacuum debris, as well as the cleaning materials, in two sealed plastic bags in the outdoor trash or protected outdoor location for normal disposal.

You are welcome to make your own judgement regarding these bulbs.  All I can say is if it takes this much work to cleanup after one breaks, I definitely wont be using them anymore.

I’ve also learned that you can dispose of these bulbs for free at any Home Depot location.

Here are a couple more links for more information:

http://epa.gov/mercury/spills/index.htm#fluorescent
http://www.maine.gov/dep/rwm/homeowner/cflreport.htm