My fourth interview is with a gal named Susie Kleiner from Chicago. She quips thusly:

Yourself

1. Introduce yourself — your name (or nom de plume), where you hail from, what you do during the day, and what you do at night. Plug yourself — do you have a blog, a Facebook, a MySpace, a website, a software project…tell us where to find more information about you!

Susie Kleiner here, from the Chicago Midwest Area, where the snow flies and the days are more often grey than they are sunny during the winter months. During the day, I work as an internet marketing specialist mostly from home. I have been told I am a jack of all trades, from cosmetologist, self taught artist, learning more each day about web design and blogging. I have been married for 20 years, have one son and am enjoying working from home keeping tabs on all the household activity!

My business partner and I just launched Manage My Trade Shows for Tradetec Skyline Chicago and have a few projects in the hopper including Live Chicago Music, where we hope to get a collection of up and coming bands to participate in Chicago’s Music Scene. I try to post at least three times a week on my Sketching site as well, and incorporate my drawings into my stories at Pencil Sketch Drawing Art.  This was my first self-hosted blog and being a self-taught artist, it’s been fun getting the exposure. I have also put into place a Guitar Equipment Reviews site,  for musicians to rate their equipment. I have accounts at many of the social sites, StumbleUpon and Twitter.

Politics

3. 2009 should be an interesting year for politics. A new president, a new Congress, and some huge problems to solve. Tell us what you think the (A) best thing that will be accomplished in the world of politics will be and (B) the worst thing that will happen in politics.

I shamelessly say that I don’t know a lot about politics, my sister was a Village President for quite a long time, and the issues that come are quite scary and often times way to scandalous for me to wrap my head around. I am hopeful that the coming year will bring some reprieve to the smaller guy, and the blue collar workers will be more appreciated for their hard work, and the rich won’t keep padding their pockets.

I think more and more dirty politicians will start rolling over on each other, and the focus of what is really necessary will be lost in the scandals.

4. A good leader is often known for the company you keep. If you were president, you’d have to pick your own cabinet. Give us a rundown of 4 people in your life that you would make as your cabinet, how they are related to you, what position they would hold, and why. (They must be real people — friends, family, coworkers…) For non-Americans, the question still stands, but you can phrase that as “adviser”.

The Secretary of War would definitely have to go to my husband; he is no-frills, bare bones, John Wayne type. Get in, get the job done, and get out, his favorite saying these days is, “Put your big boy pants on.”   He is un-politically correct and I think alleviating all the BS and cutting through the red tape would help;  we have laws and rules for reasons and having someone that will not tolerate BS and has a strong personality is what is needed in this position. A tell-it-as-it-is, no sugar coating it.

The Secretary of Treasury would have to go to my long time friend Lenni – she has worked as a Village Clerk for a long time, she is a certified CPA and is a stickler for accuracy and does things by the book. Her knowledge of politics never ceases to amaze me; she enjoys reading biographies on our past leaders, trying to understand the thought process of those that have run our country before us.

The Secretary of State would be Joseph Standing Bear Schranz, an Ojibwa Native American who has done many great things, spoken in front of many people and has a calming rationalization process. I met Joe many years back during a subdivision development in our area, where remains of Native American’s were found dating back to the 1600’s and have worked with him as a volunteer for his organization. He has been president of their The Midwest Soarring Foundation for many years, and he has outstanding communication skills and a compassion for people of all cultures.

The Attorney General was the toughest position for me to figure out who to have put in place, someone that knows the rights and wrongs, again, I think I would have to choose my husband, he is strong and fair. He believes you should get what you deserve, he believes that people should follow the rules, and if you don’t you should pay the price for not doing so. We have too many laws on our books that people find loopholes for, we have too many people not facing the music. He is brutally honest and tells it like it is. We’d have a lot less chaos if people just took responsibility. He has always been one that makes people take a look at themselves.

Religion

5. Sometimes the traditions, dogma, and rites of religion help us and sometimes they hurt us.   Give an example of each kind — a religious tradition or ritual that helps people and one that hurts (or hinders). You may pick your own religion or a different one as you like.

I was raised Catholic, but unable to marry in the Catholic Church because my husband would not convert from his Lutheran upbringing. I believe the separation of religious beliefs hurts us all. The base of all religions is that there is a higher power, whether you call it God, Jesus, The Great Spirit or Allah, it’s that we have someone to answer to when our journey here is over. I have studied the Native American culture and believe their rituals of celebration and honor for the Great Spirit is what creates a solid foundation for families and culture. Native American’s honor elders, before, during and after their Pow-Wow’s and the energy is absolutely astounding, creating respect and creating a sense of unity.

6. Some people think that God (if he/she/it exists) must have a sense of humor. Given this, what sitcom would God most likely sit down in the cosmic easy chair and giggle at and why? You can pick current or past shows.

The Beverly Hillbillies, because here is a group of people that continue to be themselves, no pretense, no getting wrapped up in the hoity-toity world of money. They have it, and remain who they are. They are so far from money being the root of all evil, and they continue to stand by what they believe in, albeit crazy and goofy; I think he’d find it refreshing to see.

Philosophy

7. Some people think that if we can make a robot sophisticated enough, it will behave exactly like a human would in all situations and therefore be essentially indistinguishable from a flesh-and-blood human. If this becomes possible, do you think we should treat these robots with the same rights afforded humans? If not, why not?

If we as a society would create these robots of sophistication, we should give them the opportunity to thrive along side us as well. If not, wouldn’t that be similar to slavery?

8. Is beauty truly in the eye of the beholder, subject only to what a particular viewer thinks, or are some things universally beautiful because of certain properties? If so, what properties distinguish “universal” beauty?

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder when it comes to physical attraction; it’s what makes up our unique DNA. We are all attracted to something for a reason; there are things that are “universally beautiful” given to us by that what created us; gorgeous sunsets or simple flowers would be considered universally beautiful. I think it stems from moments in time that we have good feelings and pleasant memories.

General

9. Name a Disney cartoon character that you would like to get intimate with and where…and what would you wear when you met?

I would have to say that would be Tramp from Lady and the Tramp – appropriately fitting name for the question, wouldn’t ya say! A carefree spirit and charm that comes from living each day as his last, knowing the importance of living in the now.

I’d have to wear a choker necklace with Diamonds.

10. Pick a feature of your particular gender (physical, emotional, psychological, etc) and tell us why that’s the best feature of all. Pick the worst feature and say why you think that’s the worst.

The capability of a mother, the nurturing and compassion for a child that puts that child’s safety and well being before your own, without hesitation.

Pettiness is one of the worst features I have run across in woman.   I have no tolerance for picking apart others, either for their accomplishments or short comings;  instead of learning from or being inspired by, the claws come out and it’s just not pretty.

11. Give us a random quote or saying to finish off your interview.

“Delve into your dreams and desires and come out holding your destiny.” – sdk2008

The End

Thanks, Susie, for that great interview — so good to get to know you.

Readers, comment a bit on Susie and her thoughts and hey, if you feel like being exposed to the world, let me know and I’ll get you interviewed!

Posted: on Thursday, January 8th, 2009 at 12:48.
Filed under: Interviews.
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