AJC.com > Opinion > Woman to Woman > Archives > 2009 > March > 06 > Entry
Should star athletes lose role-model status for smoking pot?
Shaunti Feldhahn, a right-leaning columnist, writes the commentary this week and Andrea Cornell Sarvady, a left-leaning columnist, responds.
Commentary
What a difference a decade makes. When star Olympic swimmer Gary Hall tested positive for pot in the late ’90s, he was suspended for three months and lost all his endorsement deals, including industry giant Speedo. This year, when Michael Phelps was caught taking a bong hit, he was suspended for three months… and kept most endorsements. Speedo said they did not “condone such behavior” but affirmed Phelps as a “valued member of the Speedo team and a great champion.” Prestigious Swiss watchmaker Omega declared that Phelps’ action involved his “private life and is, as far as Omega is concerned, a non-issue.” At this writing, only Kellogg has publicly dropped Phelps, saying what he did was “not consistent with the image of Kellogg.” But otherwise, the tone of those involved matches that of the International Olympic Committee, which said Phelps would “continue to act as a role model.”
But should such an athlete still be considered a role model — a positive influence for others to look up to? It is indeed worth lauding that Phelps handled his suspension with humility and explicitly apologized. In the Clintonian era of “I didn’t inhale,” it is refreshing to see him taking responsibility for his actions — so in that way he has done his part. But have those in authority done theirs?
By suspending him, the U.S. Olympic Committee has, and Kellogg has — but everyone else is sending a dangerous message by excusing him. Speedo’s statement is oxymoronic: its continued endorsement means they are indeed condoning his behavior. And Omega explicitly said taking drugs was no big deal! (Just for the record, today’s marijuana is worrisomely addictive and causes far more harm than a short-term high — for example, damaging the respiratory system significantly more than tobacco.)
When sponsors and the general public decry a star’s illegal actions but impose no consequences, the athlete has become a negative role model, not a positive one. Every watching child learns that rules are conditional: you can do something illegal, immoral or damaging and get away with it. As long, of course, as you are good at what you do. The overall lesson: being good at what you do matters more than being good.
Rebuttal
Olympian Michael Phelps has shown some poor judgment lately, not to mention lack of savvy concerning the 24/7 populist media. Yet if Phelps has truly devastated his followers, we’ve got much bigger problems on our hands than a stoned swimmer.
In the water, where one usually finds Phelps, he’s won 12 gold medals. Out of the water, he behaves, for the most part, like a typical young guy — if a typical young guy had millions of dollars and his choice of beauty pageant winners and starlets to date.
I was fairly convinced after Phelps’ drunken driving conviction in 2004 that no one viewed him as a perfect role model on dry land. Yet his amazing feat in Beijing (hardly assisted by the least performance-enhancing drug ever) served his country well. Thanks to Phelps, swim teams nationwide find themselves flooded with kids eager to learn a sport with life-long health benefits.
So the official uproar? A just-for-show circus. The U.S. Olympic Committee didn’t “do their part;” they gave their golden boy a meaningless snap of the goggles. He’ll be off probation in plenty of time for the world championships in July. And the Kellogg’s reaction? Please. Forget about mere pot smokers, Kellogg’s loves junkies — well, the junk-food kind — and were just hoping to avoid jokes linking their sugary products to marijuana-induced “munchies.” Sorry, that Saturday Night Live skit has already sailed.
Following his DUI in 2004 — involving substance-abuse behavior that actually kills other innocent lives, every day, Phelps was properly penalized and properly repentant, right? Otherwise, all those sponsors wouldn’t have been so eager to have him hawk their watches and cereal, despite actions far more dangerous to society than an ill-advised bong hit.
“He’s a fast swimmer,” Brent DeMartin explained back then, when asked why he was waiting outside a courthouse for Phelps’ autograph. There you have it, a 7-year-old clear on the concept that to want to swim like Phelps didn’t mean one wanted to drive like him, or smoke like him, or be like him in every way.
Of course, DeMartin may someday want to date like Phelps. After all, a kid has got to have a dream….
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Comments
By USinUK
March 6, 2009 9:34 AM | Link to this
“(hardly assisted by the least performance-enhancing drug ever)”
hahahahahahaha … thanks for the chuckle, Andi!
By Gale
March 6, 2009 9:38 AM | Link to this
“In the Clintonian era” What does Clinton or the Clinton years have to do with this? It is not as if Phelpps was beating his wife or running a dog fighting ring. He is a young man who was partying with friends. Swimmers wanting to emulate Phelps recognize the hard work that attends his sport. IF they want to BE like him, they certainly recognize it means hours of hard work.
By Gale
March 6, 2009 9:56 AM | Link to this
Good article, USinUK. I am a big fan of Annie Leibovitz’s work. I have heard of other similar situations. Even with careful wills, it is hard to avoid the inequality gays face upon a partner’s death.
By J-Tex
March 6, 2009 10:03 AM | Link to this
I think the real question is whether we should automatically give role-model status to someone just because they can swim fast or throw a ball well. Maybe someone should be more than just phenomenally gifted as an athlete before we start crowning them with role-model laurels.
I can see looking up to someone like Warrick Dunn, but for every Dunn there are 10 Michael Vicks.
Phelps accomplished something truly admirable and amazing when he made the Olympics his b*tch last summer, but let’s keep it in perspective.
I also hate to break it to Shaunti, but most companies today use their spokespeople because they sell products. Kellogs, among other things, makes cerea, a “family friendly” product. Its not surprising that they dropped Phelps, but Omega watches? Speedo? Not going to happen.
By USinUK
March 6, 2009 10:15 AM | Link to this
Gale -
I thought it’s another good “arrow in your quivver” when speaking about the legal inequalities of not recognizing gay marriage. Beyond the heart-strings of not being able to visit in the hospital as “family”, there’s the dollars-and-cents tax inequalities of inheritance.
one day, my friend, one day!!!
By American Woman
March 6, 2009 10:23 AM | Link to this
Shanti: “But should such an athlete still be considered a role model?”
Is there a committee that decides who qualifies and who doesn’t? Do the media (who make money by sensationalizing the details of the personal lives of others in lieu of reporting the actual news) have a standard for qualification? Does Rupert Murdoch send a memo down to his thousands of minions every month with an updated list of currently-acceptable role models, and those who’ve fallen from this arbitrarily-applied, media-fabricated grace?
I agree with Andrea: we’ve got much bigger problems on our hands than a stoned swimmer.
By Seth Meyers from SNL
March 6, 2009 10:26 AM | Link to this
On Thursday, Kelloggs announced it was dropping its Frosted Flakes endorsement with Michael Phelps saying his marijuana use is not consistent with the company’s image, which brings me to a segment I like to call “Really?!? with Seth.”
Really, Kelloggs? Marijuana is not consistent with your image? Because I thought it was totally consistent. You know every one of your mascots is a wild-eyed cartoon character with uncontrollable munchies. I mean, really. Toucan Sam; a frog named Diggum; Snap, Crackle and Pop. I knew some guys named Snap, Crackle and Pop, and they were drug dealers.
And you also have the Keebler Elves. A bunch of guys who live together in a treehouse and do nothing all day but think of new things to put cheese on. I mean Really! They’re stoners.
And also, I checked out your website. Did you know that you have a recipe for dessert nachos? And that you make cookie straws to drink the leftover milk out of the waffle cereal you also make?
Every one of your products sounds like a wish a genie granted at a Phish concert. I mean Really!
And U.S.A. Swimming. Really?!? You suspended Phelps for 3 months? Really, U.S.A. Swimming? Way to sacrifice! Now he won’t be able to compete with you in the highly anticipated not-the-Olympics swimming race.
And really, if you want someone to stop smoking weed, don’t give them three months off. That’s what you do if you want someone to finish Call of Duty. I mean really!
Oh, and parents — if your kid says “Michael Phelps smokes pot, why can’t I?” just say “You can. Right after you win 12 gold medals for your country.” Really.
And really, and this is the most important thing. Really. If you’re at a party and you see Michael Phelps smoking a bong and your first thought isn’t “Wow, I get to party with Michael Phelps” and instead you take a picture and sell it to a tabloid, you should take a long look in the mirror because you’re a DICK! I mean, Really!
By Gandalf, the White!
March 6, 2009 10:28 AM | Link to this
Send him to Arizona and have him keep out invaders for 3 months! Then he can be a real role model! Bet he can out swim them mexicans swimming across the Rio Grande and turn ‘em back!
By Gale
March 6, 2009 10:29 AM | Link to this
J-Tex, “phenomenally gifted” or just a real hard worker. You make a very good point. Some athletes are very gifted and have probably had parents who sacrificed to be sure they got the coaching their talent needed to excel. But how do we as average slugs who must badger ourselves to spend a half hour on a tredmill tell the difference? Myself, I think there is a lot of hard work involved and often those who work hard, play hard. That said, I wouldn’t place anyone under 35 in the rolemodel category. However, on the other side of that, young kids are at issue here too. Do they understand the hard work part or only see the glitz?
By Gandalf, the White!
March 6, 2009 10:31 AM | Link to this
Yeah like a stoned President? Let them eat cake, and only my people can cheat on thier taxes and not give to charity! Oh, I am nickin’ so let’s get all this socialism passed. Now there is a role model for ya! Barry “the stoner” Obama! HE was so stoned he married a pig!
By Gandalf, the White!
March 6, 2009 10:54 AM | Link to this
Soldier should be role models. Fireman should be role models. Policemen should be role models. Stay at home moms should be role models. Teachers (who don’t post on blogs when they are being paid by me to teach my children) should be role models. Astronauts and other Scientist should be role models. NOT PEOPLE WHO PLAY ALL DAY PROFESSIONALLY (that’s athletes for the terminally stupid in this crowd (eldest of 8th graders and Kimberly???))! Not politicians. Pot is bad because it makes you stupid and lazy. Nuff said. Stupid and lazy people need not reply.
By USinUK
March 6, 2009 11:37 AM | Link to this
I don’t think the problem is kids who idolize athletes vs. firemen vs. teachers, etc. I think the biggest question is WHY. Kids idolized Michael Jordan because he truly was amazing at his game - and, most of them knew that he was out practicing free-throws in the dark when he was a kid.
it’s the kids who idolize players because of the money they make - I think that’s where the problem lies - they’re just lookng at the paycheck they get “for playing all day” (as GtG says) without lookng at the YEARS of hard work and practice behind the $$$.
By The Other jack
March 6, 2009 11:49 AM | Link to this
USinUK
In Robyn Williams on Broadway, he does a whole segment on pot as a performance drug. It is a scream
Hope everyone is doing well. I pulled an all-nighter for this meeting and I am running on fumes. I plan to sleep all weekend.
By USinUK
March 6, 2009 11:58 AM | Link to this
TOJ —
goooooooooooooooooooooooooo TOJ!!! kick major meeting butt.
then crash.
did you look up the Phil Hartman clip??? didja didja didja?
the only thing pot ever enhanced for me was napping (not even potato chips!). which is why I did it maybe a handful of times, but never really got into it.
By The Other jack
March 6, 2009 12:12 PM | Link to this
USinUK
Oh, I am so mad. After staying up since the movie thing except for a couple of hours of caffeine saturated sleep, I finished what I was working on at about 11:45. Everything is in HD so I need to transfer the sample segments over to a DVD in standard definition. It normally takes 5 or 10 minutes for this new hot dang computer to render the lower res, but for some reason it is taking over an hour for the first segment which is only about 17 minutes long. I have 16 segments and this one isn’t the longest. I don’t think I am going to make the meeting.
I’m hoping he is open to a Saturday meeting, but this guy usually takes off on the weekend. This is very bad.
By USinUK
March 6, 2009 12:18 PM | Link to this
TOJ -
“I’m hoping he is open to a Saturday meeting, but this guy usually takes off on the weekend. This is very bad.”
deeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep breaths.
you have 2 options - ask him if he’d like to see the segments that have transferred with the remaining ones on Sat or Monday … or ask if he wants to do the lot of it together.
it’ll be okay. people understand that technology is not always our friend.
By The Other jack
March 6, 2009 12:24 PM | Link to this
USinUK
Nothing makes your feet stank like rocket fuel malt liquor. Funny
By Eleanor Rigby
March 6, 2009 12:27 PM | Link to this
Shaunti didn’t even answer the question. The question she answered is, “Should companies drop an athlete’s endorsement if he smokes pot and how much should an athlete be penalized?”
I agree with J-Tex and Gandalf the White. Athletes and other celebrities may be children’s “idol” but the real role models are the people in the child’s life.
By Frustrated
March 6, 2009 12:39 PM | Link to this
A bunch of guys who live together in a treehouse and do nothing all day but think of new things to put cheese on.
BWwwwwwahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!! I just spiddled on the computer screen.
HAHA!!
HA!
By The Other jack
March 6, 2009 12:39 PM | Link to this
USinUK
Man, this is a great client. He called, said to chill and we will do it on Monday. I wish I could post his business on here because he really has a great business and unlike most millionaires I know, he is a great guy.
I’m up now with nothing to do but watch that little blue line move slowly across the screen.
OK, So pick a fight or something. I’m tired and ready to defend Richard Nixon if necessary. I’ll probably doze off with my laptop on my lap.
By USinUK
March 6, 2009 12:44 PM | Link to this
Frustrated … where ya been?
(and talk about making an entrance after a week-long absence!)
By Hilarious
March 6, 2009 12:46 PM | Link to this
Isn’t Michael Phelps every parent’s nightmare?
As he indicates you can INDEED smoke weed and, gasp, still be not only a productive member of society, but even a champion. LMAO
By USinUK
March 6, 2009 12:49 PM | Link to this
TOJ -
“OK, So pick a fight or something. I’m tired and ready to defend Richard Nixon if necessary”
Astroturf! it’s evil I tells ya! and I think the Designated Hitter is just wrong!
The Grateful Dead … yeah, so they can improvise for a half-hour on 1 song - it’s easy to do when all your songs sound the same!!!
and chunky peanut butter kicks smooth peanut butter’s butt.
By The Other jack
March 6, 2009 12:53 PM | Link to this
AW
OK. I just saw a stat on FOX where the highest recipient of pork is Robert (KKK) Byrd of WV. But the second highest is the Republican Senator from Mississippi.
Also listed Georgia as in the bottom four of states to get the bucks.
I hate em all.
By The Other jack
March 6, 2009 1:00 PM | Link to this
USinUk
Had great tickets to see the dead about a year before fat a— died. What a crock. I have never seen a worse professional band in my life. I could walk into any dive in any small town in the South and pull a band out of there that would blow them away. Missed notes, out of tune guitars. The worst stage presence of anyone. They really just didn’t give a damn. They never said a word to the audience and every single one of them watched their fingers while they played. Bunch of over-hyped amateurs. They are what happens when you take music appreciation out of our schools.
No wonder the audience is the show. There is nothing worth watching on stage.
Not that i have an opinion or anything.
By Gale
March 6, 2009 1:26 PM | Link to this
Astroturf IS evil. It is the source of some nasty infections on players that defy anticeptics.
Missed you Frustrated. And where’s Sunshine. It’s been a month. The little sunbeam should be sleeping all night by now.
By Gandalf, the White!
March 6, 2009 2:11 PM | Link to this
Astroturf sucks donkey balls, it’s why we don’t have BO No Mo (for the Auburn contingent), the DH makes the American League a bunch of wussies and NO DH SHOULD EVER MAKE COOPERSFIELD, in fact a DH shouldn’t even be allowed to visit! No Grateful Dead song every sounds the same twice, but EXPAT! Chunky Peanut Butter? That sucks almost as much as the first President born in a hospital does! Mr. Habitat for people that don’t plan! God please take him home soon!
By USinUK
March 6, 2009 2:41 PM | Link to this
“Not that i have an opinion or anything.”
you know, someone once said of me, “USinUK has leeeeeettle bitty opinions … about EVERYTHING” … (and they were kidding about the leeeeeeettle bitty)
you’re cut from the same cloth, my friend!!
how’s the transferring going?
while I’ve never seen the dead, I’ve listened to their music … well, as much as I could stand. bland as wonderbread with mayo. I guess you NEEDED chemican assistance to enjoy their show.
Gale -
you’re right on the infections - I’ve also heard that astroturf takes off between 5-10 years of an athlete’s career due to the pounding their joints take on what is, essentially, concrete.
and I echo your call … SUNSHINE WHERE AAAAAARRRRREEEE YOOOUUUU???
GtG -
chunky PB - proof of a kind and loving god. yummmmmmmmm. can’t wait to get home in a few weeks and dig into a giant jar of Jiff Extra crunchy on toast!! yumyumyum
By AW
March 6, 2009 2:51 PM | Link to this
Creamy, please!! And yes turf sucks. They didn’t bother to consult the parents before tearing up the nice grass at the schools and putting in turf. They said it would save money, but how much did it cost? Geez. The shoes wear out twice as fast (although they do stay cleaner…) and whaddya know, here come the bills for physical therapy to rehab the stress injuries. Great.
By USinUK
March 6, 2009 2:58 PM | Link to this
ya’ll have a good weekend!! :-)
pasta del taco daisy fuentes!!
see ya monday, when we start it aaalllll over again.
By radiowxman
March 6, 2009 3:02 PM | Link to this
As I tell my son: Admire an athlete for what he does on the field, and that’s it. Unless you personally know someone, you never admire them from afar.
Having been forced to play on AstroTurf (thankfully only a couple away games), I can say it’s one of the most evil inventions ever. Just ask Ken Griffey, Jr. or Andre Dawson what they think of it.
By Bruno
March 6, 2009 4:05 PM | Link to this
Whoa—What’s with all the slams of the Dead today?? FYI, TOJ, Jerry lapsed into a diabetic coma in 1986, and was never the same musician afterward. If you want to hear some “real” Dead, you have to get a pre-1986 recording. I would recommend starting off with “Hundred Year Hall”, which was recorded in Germany in 1972. In order to truly appreciate their genius, you have to listen to some of their studio recordings, THEN hear a live version. As for stage presence, they don’t jump around and make fools of themselves like most bands, because they prefer to let the music speak for itself without a lot of unnecessary hype.
By Bruno
March 6, 2009 4:10 PM | Link to this
Well, it’s official, guys: I’m returning to work on Monday. My ego was stroked by the fact that I only responded to one advertisement, and was hired out of hundreds of applicants after just one interview. The guy is matching my base salary from the last job and throwing in collection bonuses as well. The biggest plus is the fact that it is a four-day workweek. I guess I’m glad I didn’t try to become a math teacher.
By Bruno
March 6, 2009 4:22 PM | Link to this
you know, someone once said of me, “USinUK has leeeeeettle bitty opinions … about EVERYTHING” … (and they were kidding about the leeeeeeettle bitty)
Typical Gemini profile, USinUK: A mile wide and a half-inch deep. ; > }
By The Other jack
March 6, 2009 4:30 PM | Link to this
USinUK
Have a good weekend. And I let you get away with the chunky bias today because I was tired. But I won’t forget. And neither will Bill O’Rielly. Chunks are the Devil’s playground (And it’s covered with TARTEN TURF, what good schools put on their fields to screw up ankles and knees.)
The rendering is going …
This is one of those days in Atlanta. About 70 degrees. Soft wind. Every window is open and the mosquitoes are still dormant. Heaven must be something like this.
Bruno
Garcia should have stayed in a coma. He would have been a better showman. I’m sorry, but there is no excuse for what I saw. Any bowling alley band was better. And yes, I heard plenty of their music before 1984. Two agreements with USinUK in a week but she is right. Just three chord drunk music. A lot of people like them. A lot of people like blood sausage, too. (Yes, USinUK, Groundhog Day)
Congrats on the job. You are a lucky man right now.
Have a del taco weekend and a buenos aires night.
By Bob
March 6, 2009 4:43 PM | Link to this
You need to use good sense in choosing ANY roll model. There are good and bad roll models in any profession. But yes, doing illegal drugs would to my mind eliminate anyone as someone to look up to.
By Bruno
March 6, 2009 4:43 PM | Link to this
In case anyone is sitting on the fence regarding buying stocks right now, my advice is to grow a set of cojones and take the plunge. I don’t know if the market has hit absolute rock-bottom yet, but there are some incredible bargains out there right now, such as GE. If anyone is into day-trading, Blockbuster (BBI) stock is bouncing up and down like a yo-yo, providing a lot of opportunity.
Traditionally, stock prices rise in the spring as people’s optimism rises, perhaps fueled by a tax refund. A year and a half ago, I advised anyone who would listen to sell, sell, sell. Now I’m saying buy, buy, buy. That’s what the wealthy people like Warren Buffet are doing.
By rjt
March 6, 2009 4:44 PM | Link to this
Shaunti - “the Clintonian Era”??? If you are bringing ex-President’s drug use into the mix, shouldn’t you also be using Bush as an example? Afterall, he is an untreated alcoholic with years of cocaine abuse prior to his later political life. You wrote, “Every watching child learns that rules are conditional: you can do something illegal, immoral or damaging and get away with it.” That applies to more than one person, athlete or not, blue or red. Not surprising though, your kind seem to use the cherry-picking with the Bible, too.
By Bruno
March 6, 2009 4:51 PM | Link to this
Congrats on the job. You are a lucky man right now.
Thanks, bro. Being unemployed is way overrated, IMO. Especially for a self-employed independent contractor who isn’t eligible for unemployment benefits.
Just three chord drunk music.
Sorry, TOJ, but Jerry was in a class by himself in terms of versatility and virtuosity. Certainly, he occasionally played a clunker note or two, but it was more than overshadowed by the expressiveness with which he played. And it’s no surprise the Phil Lesh has won the BAM award so many times that they’ve joked about renaming it the Phil Lesh Award.
By Lyrazel
March 8, 2009 9:50 AM | Link to this
Should star athletes loose role-model status for smoking pot?
What about the Dell dude? Lost his big sponsorship and he was not even an athlete, dude.
What about rock stars? Fab 4—Paul gets busted bringing an oz into Tokyo plays a free gig and goes home to be knighted! Dude!
Should parents make athletes hyped-by-endorsements-to-BUY-products into role models for their children?
Is Phelp’s turn at a bong worse than if an athlete lies to congress about his use of steroids? Worse than a minister demanding sex from the choir? Worse than sending swat teams into an old lady’s house and gunning her down? Worse than health inspectors ignoring violations of food safety resulting in 40 people dead?
What would of happened if Phelps was guzzling beer by the keg—and someone snapped a pix of him mouth open under the tap
nothing.
Dude this is so unfair.
By USinUK
March 9, 2009 9:18 AM | Link to this
one last thought on “role models” -
the fact is, it’s a ground-up decision, not a top-down one. Kelloggs, et al can hire whoever they want to be the face of their produce, but that doesn’t mean that kids will automatically want to “Be Like Mike”. Kids decide that for themselves.
I have a bigger problem with musicians who have a crappy attitute/treatment of wimmen (hellooooooo, Chris Brown) than I have with Phelps or the Olympic snowboarder smoking pot.
Brunoooooooooooooooo -
well done, you, on the new gig!! so, are you taking us all out to celebrate???
and, sorry, but the Dead suuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck (“I will survive. I will survive. I will surviiiiiiive. I will get by.” gah.)
me, I look forward to one day talking to The Big Dude and saying “you took Stevie Ray Vaughn and left us David Lee Roth???!!! you took Buddy Holly and left us with Pat Boone???!!! wtf was up with THAT?!?”
“That’s what the wealthy people like Warren Buffet are doing”
My favorite quote from WB - “When people are being bold, be scared. When people are being scared, be bold”. But, whatever you do, DO YOUR RESEARCH! DON’T just buy-buy-buy, that’s a load of Cramer crap. We’re going to start seeing a lot of defaults through the rest of the year - if you’re going to buy equities, make sure you do a load of reading FIRST - not just about the company but about the sector, as well.
TOJ -
“Two agreements with USinUK in a week but she is right. Just three chord drunk music. A lot of people like them. A lot of people like blood sausage, too. (Yes, USinUK, Groundhog Day)”
well played, sir!!
By Gandalf, the White!
March 9, 2009 9:18 AM | Link to this
THe DOGGIE serves homeless peoples with camera phones! http:// latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/2009/03/michelle-obama. html
By USinUK
March 9, 2009 10:07 AM | Link to this
so, GtG, what exactly is it that has your panties in a knot? that Mrs. Obama volunteered in a soup kitchen?? or that homeless people have cell phones?? (shock! horror!)
By AW
March 9, 2009 10:20 AM | Link to this
Good question, USinUK. If you’re in so deep you’re losing your home, I don’t think sacrificing your phone will make a difference. Just try getting a job if you don’t have a phone number where you can be reached if you’re selected from 600 applicants to come back for a second interview. G the deranged is just being hateful. Men who have good lovin from their women in the morning don’t feel the need to say hateful, pointless, ugly things about other women. I’m just sayin’. Poor G.
By Gale
March 9, 2009 10:30 AM | Link to this
From what I’ve read, one of the big problems the homeless face in getting back to work is the lack of an address and the lack of a reliable contact phone number. I’ve heard of the cell phones for the homeless program, though I have not read this specific article. I promise to read it. Personally, my cell phone would not save me from foreclosure. I use a prepaid phone and it costs me about $60 a year. Needless to say, I am not among the folks you see wandering the malls having conversations to the air via my blue tooth connection.
So, anyone else see Watchmen this weekend? I found it fun in a gory sort of way. I like comic based movies. The complexities of the original story were lost on me since I have not read it. I doubt any movie could do justice to what I have read about the story. Anyone who actually read the book have comments?
By Gandalf, the White!
March 9, 2009 10:31 AM | Link to this
Kimmie! STFU! Are you even married? You probably have a different lover man every night. PLEASE Stay under your stupid rock for the rest of the day, AS for MZ Obama! She is hateful, she is the one that lived her adult life without being proud of my country! She is homely the camera man is homeless, so they fit together well. I have not panties but go COMANDO, just passing along an intresting story about the ugly one! UGLY IS MORE THAN SKIN DEEP PEOPLE!
By Gandalf, the White!
March 9, 2009 10:34 AM | Link to this
“Loser” John Kerry is Dean Wormer! http :// www.bloomberg. com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=a.Ia1h9SiQmw
By USinUK
March 9, 2009 10:42 AM | Link to this
Gale -
“Personally, my cell phone would not save me from foreclosure. I use a prepaid phone and it costs me about $60 a year. Needless to say, I am not among the folks you see wandering the malls having conversations to the air via my blue tooth connection.”
hahaha … I’m right there with ya - about £50/year on a top-up card - no bills, no contracts! personally, I can’t stand talking on the phone and I only text if absolutely necessary.
AW -
“Just try getting a job if you don’t have a phone number where you can be reached if you’re selected from 600 applicants to come back for a second interview”
yep. and, you’re right - there are programs that provide phones to the homeless as well as battered women - phones that have been donated from other citizens.
By USinUK
March 9, 2009 10:48 AM | Link to this
GtG -
and your problem with Kerry’s bill is … what, exactly? he’s saying that banks that accept TARP funds shouldn’t be throwing huge company parties.
this is a bad thing to you???
By Gandalf, the White!
March 9, 2009 10:57 AM | Link to this
No, I just don’t like John Kerry, the coward who left Vietnam after 3 “wounds!” What a p***! No other man left theatre with 3 purple hearts, wonder why? Maybe because some men have honor? Not John Kerry. Nothing against the bill, I just hate that coward!
By Gandalf, the White!
March 9, 2009 10:57 AM | Link to this
No, I just don’t like John Kerry, the coward who left Vietnam after 3 “wounds!” What a p***! No other man left theatre with 3 purple hearts, wonder why? Maybe because some men have honor? Not John Kerry. Nothing against the bill, I just hate that coward!
By Gandalf, the White!
March 9, 2009 11:03 AM | Link to this
Did I say how much Kerry sucks! And what a liar he is? Or how much throwing your medals over the White House fence, when they aren’t even your medals upsets me? If not, I am sorry. John Kerry SUCKS DONKEY BALLS. There, that pretty much sums up how I feel. Oh, and aLGoRE is a dumb dumb knucklehead too. Global Warming, haha haha haha
By USinUK
March 9, 2009 11:06 AM | Link to this
wow. I wonder what you think about people who avoided it all together because they had a boil on their butt … (cough … Rush Limbaugh … cough)
By Gandalf, the White!
March 9, 2009 11:18 AM | Link to this
EXPAT: He’s not my Hero, WAR is the greatest endeavor any man can participate in, to cowardly leave the field of honor is inexcusable.
By The Other jack
March 9, 2009 11:38 AM | Link to this
USinUK
With all respect to Bruno, the Dead should have died with the rest of the bowling ally bands from the 70s.
I have to agree with Gandalf on Kerry. He was the King of Slime and I honestly think that he was a straw candidate. The dems didn’t want the Office in the middle of the Iraq war. Obama can be the kind and fair commander who pulls us out, after our oil supply has been secured. Kerry would not have been given that option. As I have said, there are very powerful people in Washington that don’t live on Penn. Ave.
Great weekend here. And crime is going away. Our neighborhood started fighting back and I guess the thugs don’t have the heart for it.
I interviewed a 90 year old woman who grew up here and got about an hour and a half of my hood’s history. Of course, word got out and the local nutjob that worked as a secretary for GPTV started talking about how “she and Jack” had been working on a documentary about the hood. And of course, since she worked at GPTV, she was making all the creative decisions. WTF? I had never said anytthing about making anything. This was just for the old woman’s 90th birthday that was coming up. It was a favor for her family.
So now I am the jerk that won’t contribute my time, camera, editing equipment, graphics, shooting time, graphics work and 100s of hours of editing so the nut job can direct her first video project. Shame on me. And after all, I always wanted to be the audio visual guy for a lunatic.
And AW is right. Sleeping alone does not a good morning make.
By USinUK
March 9, 2009 11:48 AM | Link to this
TOJ -
“Shame on me. And after all, I always wanted to be the audio visual guy for a lunatic”
everyone needs a dream. ;-)
sounds like someone is looking for a little job security - and isn’t afraid of whose toes she has to step on to get it.
save some spring for me!!! 2 weeks from today and I’ll be at Hartsfield (doors closing … next stop … Concourse A … Concourse A is your next stop). so, gird your loins!!! I need me some pollen, so what’s the status on azaleas and dogwoods?? what’s going on with the daffs and tulips?? I’ll be too early for the redbuds, but I’d still like to see some spring blooms, bygolly!!
By o_0
March 9, 2009 11:51 AM | Link to this
“UGLY IS MORE THAN SKIN DEEP PEOPLE!”
Truer and more ironic words have never been written.
By Gandalf, the White!
March 9, 2009 12:00 PM | Link to this
EXPAT: Tulips all over the yard, Azalea’s are starting to bud up, two weeks should see some color, Dogwoods aren’t blooming, but cherry trees are.. should be nice and polleny when you land
By The Other jack
March 9, 2009 12:01 PM | Link to this
USinUK
I took the new HD camera on a little filming trip around the hood yesterday. Flowers look amazing in HD. We have a lot of kids here and I would have loved to shoot down at the playground behind the church, but the parents would have gone nuts. That’s a shame because the standard rule is: Three things look great on film: Pretty women, Puppy dogs and kids.
Lots of blooms already and in two weeks, you will be in the middle of pollen season. You are missing the Zombie scene that some indy film maker is shooting on Saturday morning over in east Atlanta Villiage. My nephew and his new bride will be in town from Tennessee. She has never seen a tall building. I’m going to give the nickle tour and I would love to get them in as extras in the zombie scene.
Atlanta in the Spring. Your timing is perfect.
By USinUK
March 9, 2009 12:26 PM | Link to this
GtG -
“EXPAT: Tulips all over the yard, Azalea’s are starting to bud up, two weeks should see some color, Dogwoods aren’t blooming, but cherry trees are.. should be nice and polleny when you land”
that just made my day!!! what about the Bradford Pears? how are they?? Hopefully, the dogwoods will be out - I miss the gorgeous pink dogwoods from VA Highlands and Morningside …
TOJ -
“That’s a shame because the standard rule is: Three things look great on film: Pretty women, Puppy dogs and kids”
and cats. ;-)
“You are missing the Zombie scene that some indy film maker is shooting on Saturday morning over in east Atlanta Villiage.”
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! the Mister is a HUGE zombie fan (you don’t even want to know how many times he’s seen Dawn of the Dead, 28 days, 28 months, Night of the Living Dead, etc … ) - he’s going to be heartbroken that we’ve missed it. do you think they might still be around and about shooting in 2 weeks?? now, THAT would be worth surprising him with!!
By The Other jack
March 9, 2009 12:56 PM | Link to this
USinUK
I don’t think it will still be going on. This should be a blast. They are looking especially for people who ride scooters to fill out the zombie scooter squad.
I have to get ready for a the meeting that was moved from Friday so i’m going to pull another hit and run:
Stem Cell Research
I was a segment producer for a show that featured a company out of Florida that was called Cryogenic something. They freeze placental Stem Cells (from a mother’s afterbirth) and have used those cells very successfully to treat ailments in, not only the child, as it matured, but also anyone with specific genetic likenesses, like the mother, brother/sister, father, grandparents, etc.
This works really well because unlike embryonic stem cells, they don’t cause tumors. Research is showing that stem cells only work with genetic matches, like I mentioned above. Perhaps without the ban, research could have found some sort of “work-around” and made embryonic stem cells have all the promise that science has hoped for, but research has continued in other countries and the problem is still the main deterent to fulfilling that promise.
As much as I am pro-life, I’m not all that concerned with this, unless science starts making embryo farms. At that point, the brave new world turns into a Brave New Mengala World.
Not good.
You guys have a good day. I’ll be in a meeting. (Shoot me. Please shoot me. I hate meetings)
By USinUK
March 9, 2009 1:08 PM | Link to this
“They are looking especially for people who ride scooters to fill out the zombie scooter squad.”
hahaha … now I have an image in my head of zombies scootering around in formation like the Shriners …
do the zombies get to wear fezzes, too?
By Gandalf, the White!
March 9, 2009 1:19 PM | Link to this
BRADFORD PEARS STINK! We cut ours down, it was too big and kept breaking off. SO now with Barry in power and Nationalized Health Care just around the corner, soon Abortion will be available in every drug store, and once you hit retirement age, your care will be managed so you die young! Making more for those sucking on the Goverment teat…but wait, after they destroy the economy, they will all have jobs, but nothing gets made, just like Russia! That’s the ticket! YOU ARE ALL SHEEP! HE is EVIL!
By Gale
March 9, 2009 1:35 PM | Link to this
I agree with Gandalf on the bradford pears. They are only nice from a distance. I cut three in my back yard to slightly improve the overwhelming shade. They are messy too; not as bad as willow trees, but messy.
Interesting image, zombie shriners on parade. I still say Sean of the Dead is the best zombie movie, second place is Night of the Comet. Do horror campy and I love it.
By Gandalf, the White!
March 9, 2009 1:46 PM | Link to this
“Sean” is king of all zombie movies, if only it had Bruce Campbell…. (Who is SO cool in Burn Notice!)
By Gale
March 9, 2009 1:53 PM | Link to this
Bruce Campbell as Ash is an icon. I love Burn Notice. Why are there so few episodes of the really good series? “Shall we shoot them?”
By Archie
March 9, 2009 1:55 PM | Link to this
I don’t agree with Shanti and I am not sure about Andrea’s response although I agree with some of her ideas expressed in her rebuttal. I don’t believe athletes are role-models, I really don’t and it’s time I think we need to put that to rest whether we like it or not. Athletes are just people when strip the ribbons and the helmets away they’re just people and we all know people that do drugs and drink alcohol and we know young men that chase women and cheat on said women and have sex with multiple women. Let’s not be stupid as the reason athlete’s endorse products is to help sell that product and that’s the bottom line. Role-model status only matters if the athlete will cause the product sales to decline.
By The Other jack
March 9, 2009 2:00 PM | Link to this
Off to the meeting.
If anyone wants to be a zombie, meet at the Gravity Pub at 5:30 AM in East Atlanta Village on Saturday morning. I think some of the cooler restaurants in East Atlanta are giving zombie discounts to anyone in costume. If you ride a scooter, make sure to come. They need scooter zombies. Is this a great country or what?
I’m still not sure if I am going to make it, unless my nephew and his wife want to be in the movie.
USinUK, Sorry that you and the hubster will miss it.
Via Con Taco Bell
By Sunshine
March 9, 2009 2:02 PM | Link to this
Hello all! My favorite comment so far:
“Isn’t Michael Phelps every parent’s nightmare?”
“As he indicates you can INDEED smoke weed and, gasp, still be not only a productive member of society, but even a champion. LMAO” Haaaahahhahaha! Too true, what do you tell Jimmy about them apples?
Still catching up on all the post, but really? The shift seems to be a good thing in my opinion. Why should the sponsors continue with this feigned shock and surprise when all over the world people are realizing all the propaganda we have been told about the “evil weed” is not really true. We are talking yet again about a victimless crime! By smoking pot he infringes on no one but himself (this could be made even MORE victimless if he was allowed to put a little seed in a patch of dirt and grow a plant himself, like you can with millions of other plants in this country!) Yet again, I know these ladies have to come up with a new topic each week (they or someone else) but with all that is going on in the world we really are going to discuss the endorsement deals of a twenty something millionaire?
So how is everyone? We are doing well here! Finally getting a handle on things and getting a bit more sleep (and NO Gale, the little Sun-sprout is NOT sleeping through the night, I WISH! ;-) We are on a 2-4 hour feeding schedule, it brings a whole new meaning to “tough t**!”
By Gandalf, the White!
March 9, 2009 2:10 PM | Link to this
A freak that does nothing but swim, eat and sleep all day long isn’t that productive… that comment is just STUPID! I mean it is being made by a {Dum Bass!}
By American Woman
March 9, 2009 2:11 PM | Link to this
Suuuuuuunshiiiiiiiiiiine! HEYYYY!
By Gale
March 9, 2009 2:16 PM | Link to this
Hi Sunshine! It was just a small joke. I know, sleep deprived folks are a little short in the humor area. Growing like a weed? The first few months simply amaze me. I know they grow amazingly in the in vitro months. But once that growth is visable, it amazes me.
By Sunshine
March 9, 2009 2:32 PM | Link to this
Hi Gale, hope I didn’t come off as snappy! Yes the sleep deprivation is an adjustment to say the least! (Funny how it affects you, I heard a snip-it of “Simple Kind of Man” the other day and have had it in my head for DAYS, can…make…it…stop!) Yes the growth of the little guy is amazing and he really is a sweet, and dare I say, calm baby. Seems he got his Daddy’s personality ;-) Hopefully I will have more time to post, I am working from home now, but still back to work!
By Gale
March 9, 2009 2:52 PM | Link to this
Aquarians are laid back folks. I didn’t think you were snappy. I expected you to take it as I meant it, a joke.
By Gandalf, the White!
March 9, 2009 4:12 PM | Link to this
Sunshine, glad you problem finally became one of the living! Welcome to parenthood!
By Gandalf, the White!
March 9, 2009 4:15 PM | Link to this
Obama’s Heritage and Agenda I’ve read some comments below about Obama’s heritage. I’ll share what a friend told me about a black women’s research of his hertiage and she didn’t vote for him because of it. She found that he is mostly Arab and White and about 6% African. And here’s the kicker. It was Obama’s Arab ancestors who caught and sold Africans into slavery. Now if this is true, where do you think his loyalties lie? His first TV interview was Arab TV and was he really apologizing for America? Now his spending plan sends $900 million—or is it billion—to Gaza for infrastructure. Who controls Gaza? Hamas—oh yea the Muslin terrorist group! Obama was photographed reading The Post American World, which is supposedly a Muslim’s view. And Jesse Jackson was criticized for his comments about Obama’s loyalties. I’m thinking he may be on to something. We can’t afford to sit back and give Obama a chance. If we do, we won’t recognize this country—less freedom, less liberty, censorship, lower standard of living, socialism moving all the way to communism—and we’ll have Obama to thank for it “this change.” Keep up the great work, Sean. We desperately need someone to tell the American people the truth! Because we’ve got too many Americans who actually believe that the mainstream media tells the truth. They control the information, people, and they have been giving the American people only the information that supports their liberal agenda. That’s not journalism. It’s an injustice to the American people and it says that they think we’re a bunch of nitwits. I have a brain! Keep it coming, Sean!! I want the truth no matter where it leads.
By Hannity's But Boy
March 9, 2009 4:40 PM | Link to this
Gandalf, who do you think you are? It’s my job to quote Hannity to the stupid masses of sheeple! Like you all my loyalties are genetic. I’m loyal to the blue eyed white skinned conquerors, some of whom worshipped the Christian God, but many of whom worshipped conquering gods, or made up their own church when they wanted to get divorced. Killing in the name of God for my own race. So my loyalty is to no church or no God but to my genetic determiners, just like Barack HUSSEIN Obama. That’s why I hate him so much becaues his ancestors were not slaves like the good black decendents of my slave owning ancestors. I can be friends with those people, as long as they don’t look at my wife. Thats why I love Sean too. He tells me what I want to hear not what facts can be proven. Especially during those special mid morning meetings when he prepares for his radio show. He couldn’t do it withouth my “input”. Thats what he told me, so back off poser! I am Hannity’s butt boy. I am! Not you!
By Gale
March 10, 2009 8:47 AM | Link to this
Am I the only one who found contradictions in Obama’s statement about stem cell research? At one point he firmly stated the US will not support research leading to human cloning ‘because it is morally and ethically wrong’. Then later he said the US would make policy decisions based on science and not ideology. We cannot have it both ways.
By Gale
March 10, 2009 9:00 AM | Link to this
Here it is. I wanted to get Obama’s words. And we will ensure that our government never opens the door to the use of cloning for human reproduction. It is dangerous, profoundly wrong, and has no place in our society, or any society. then later: It’s about letting scientists like those who are here today do their jobs, free from manipulation or coercion, and listening to what they tell us, even when it’s inconvenient — especially when it’s inconvenient. It is about ensuring that scientific data is never distorted or concealed to serve a political agenda — and that we make scientific decisions based on facts, not ideology.
Human cloning falls into an inconvenient truth to my mind. Cloning does not create an adult human, leaping from a gestation chamber fully grown and programmed. We have seen from clones of other animals that they resemble their natural conterparts in every way.
By USinUK
March 10, 2009 9:02 AM | Link to this
Sunshine!!!
welcome back!!! glad to hear the little surfer dude is doing his thing, growing, eating, pooping and all the things babies do.
he’ll get around to sleeping more than a couple hours each night - but, right now, he’s got some serious growing and filling out to do! (just wait until he’s a little chubster - those roly-poly fat baby thighs, ya just want to give ‘em a squeeze … and blow raspberries on their fat little bellies)
glad to see you’re still in the land of the living - it’s been quiet here without you!!
By The Other jack
March 10, 2009 9:31 AM | Link to this
Gale
When did he say that stuff? You really can’t hold a Democrat to a campaign promise. At that point, the whole system breaks down.
By USinUK
March 10, 2009 9:37 AM | Link to this
TOJ -
“When did he say that stuff?”
yesterday when he signed the lifting of the ban on embryonic stem cell research
By Gandalf, the White!
March 10, 2009 9:40 AM | Link to this
Hannity’s butt boy: You sound hateful! Fact aren’t hateful, but you are! Go suck a donkey’s balls, you batsmokin’ dumbassi tribe member!
Gale: He is the Father of Lies; so lies flow off his forked tongue easily!
By The Other jack
March 10, 2009 9:40 AM | Link to this
Gandalf
We can’t afford to sit back and give Obama a chance.
Too late.
But good job on the post. But you might as well be talking about Clinton when he was in Arkansas. No one will believe you and you end up with posts like Hannity’s “but” boy blaming the world’s ills on the blond hair, blue eyed devils and blabbering incoherently about Christians killing in the name of God. The world of Islam is still actively fighting the crusades, but half wits like that POS thinks that Christians are out killing people in the name of Jesus.
Sorry AW. I slept alone last night.
By The Other jack
March 10, 2009 9:44 AM | Link to this
USinUK
No. the first stuff.
BTW. Great meeting. Landed eight more commercials and put the infomercial into their hands to make a bunch of decisions. Today I plan on walking the two miles to the bank. I was doing so well with losing weight and my Girl Scout cookies came.
Damn Girl Scouts.
By USinUK
March 10, 2009 9:46 AM | Link to this
“yesterday when he signed the lifting of the ban on embryonic stem cell research”
ooops. let me rephrase that … yesterday, when he signed the lifting of the embryonic stem cell research AS HE PROMISED HE WOULD DO WHEN HE CAMPAIGNED FOR PRESIDENT.
By Gandalf, the White!
March 10, 2009 9:54 AM | Link to this
TOJ, funny story about scoutin’ Worked in department with lot of “diversity” a few years back, and I was hawking Boy Scout Popcorn. Very OUT lizzie wouldn’t buy my sons corn because BSA doesn’t let queers or aethists in, so fine, two weeks later she is hawkin’ her niece’s GSA cookies! Of course I did buy, and told her I was for same sex marriage, as long as both chicks are hot. How low these radicals wear thier politcal banners is beyond me. Guess there is room for all kinds in this country, but DON’T YOU OPPOSE THIER VIEW! hehe Whateva, I made more in our department selling BSA popcorn than she did! Haha
By USinUK
March 10, 2009 10:02 AM | Link to this
TOJ -
if by “the first stuff” you mean Gale’s first post, her second post clarified what she was talking about. and, again, all that was said yesterday.
“Great meeting. Landed eight more commercials and put the infomercial into their hands to make a bunch of decisions. Today I plan on walking the two miles to the bank. I was doing so well with losing weight and my Girl Scout cookies came.”
woowoo!!! well done, you!!
thought of you last night - there’s a great show here called The Gadget Show - one of the presenters was showcasing HD 3D television cameras … amazing stuff … I don’t think it’ll truly take off for home use until developers figure out a way to show it without the need of special viewing glasses. but I could be wrong.
Girl Scout Cookies … (going into full Homer mode) … mmmm … Samosas … Do-Si-Dos … and the new flavors look outstanding (especially the lemon and the shortbread with chocolate) …
meanwhile, I’m jsut excited because my sister has been stockpiling Peeps for my visit … mmmmmmmm … Peeeeeeeeeeeeeps …
(my cooking tip for the day: Peeps make EXCELLENT s’mores!!)
By The Other jack
March 10, 2009 10:13 AM | Link to this
USinUk
That’s two. The other one was releasing our nations enemies or bringing them to the Atlanta Fed. Pen.
Gandalf
Scouting was a great thing for me. I was cleaning up the Appy Trail when Al Gore was living in his daddy’s Washington hotel suite. I am pretty open about most gay issues but I would no more send my son into the woods to spend the night with a gay scoutmaster as I would have sent my daughter into the woods to spend the night with a horn dog heterosexual man.
I have heard of Girl Scout hetero-male leaders, and some of them even lead troops on overnights without any adult women being there. I think that’s asking for trouble.
But damn, these coolies are so good. I have gained back three pounds and I was so close!!!!
By Lyrazel
March 10, 2009 10:16 AM | Link to this
Strange—there is already a lucrative (for brokers & sellers) market for organ parts; not very lucrative for donators—or recipients who have the $$$$$$$$$$$ to spend. Yes you can find a new kidney for about 40,000. This is the world as it is. Using cloning to create new physical parts, new organs, arms and legs is still future science but I believe I will see it reality at the end of my lifetime. Medical advancements have been phenomenal—and always advance 19-fold in economic hard times—why? I don’t know.
The problem with pot legalization is there must be established/practiced ways of regulation in place so that say: skunk is given a (hard liquor) equivalent rating and the home grown garden (wine) then the roadside (3.2 beer). That way when the cops pull you over for smoking a spiff while driving there can be some way of measuring the THC intoxication level…
Thin Mints are a diet killer TOJ……..but its them Pecan Sandies that make a man into Mall Santas…….
By USinUK
March 10, 2009 10:21 AM | Link to this
TOJ -
“That’s two. The other one was releasing our nations enemies or bringing them to the Atlanta Fed. Pen.”
and, other than the Brit that was cleared months ago, who has he released??? hmmmmmm???
By The Other jack
March 10, 2009 10:24 AM | Link to this
USinUK
I had to go get the boxes.
I’ve got Do-si-dos, thin Mints and the devil cookie:Tag-a-longs. All three boxes are already half gone. I had been so good. I make myself a cup of White Tea in the afternoon and i had actually stopped using honey. I had limited myself to a juice glass of Tropacana Pure Premium and I had been eating Shredded Wheat with skim milk.
Almost no carbs, and lots of salids with a chuck of Salmon thrown in. But when the little cutie brought those cookies to the door, well, you know what happened.
GIRL SCOUTS ARE THE DEVIL!!!!
Boy, i think AW is right. I need a date.
By The Other jack
March 10, 2009 10:30 AM | Link to this
Lyrazel
They are eeeeevil!!!! All of them.
I always thought that the levels of potency would be separated just like it is now. Skunk and designer brands would cost a lot more. Just old Mexican block would be the Miller High Life.
We really need to do this. It’s just a pain to cops and they know that people don’t beat up their wives when they are smoking pot, like they do with alcohol.
By USinUK
March 10, 2009 10:32 AM | Link to this
TOJ -
I totally agree with you - GS cookies are definitely the devil’s playthings. Tag-alongs - YUK - (creamy peanut butter - gag me). Do-Si-Dos … ohmygawd!!! … I don’t drink milk on its own, but I NEED a cold glass for dipping with Do-Si-Dos … Thin Mints were MADE for hot chocolate. Samosas? I could eat an entire box in one sitting.
I hear ya on the low-carb thing - I’m on a carb curfew (no carbs after 5), a hard-boiled egg for breakfast and I try to do a veggie-packed lunch. Plus, I do a half-hour on the rower 5 days/week. It’s all paying off … just sloooooowwwwwwlllllyyyyy … man, the weight doesn’t want to leave you after you turn 40.
Best thing you can do? get yourself a 1.5 liter water bottle and try to drink the whole thing during the day. most of the time your body will send signals that you’re hungry when, really, you’re just a bit dehydrated.
when do you start your commercial work??
By Gale
March 10, 2009 10:38 AM | Link to this
Thanks for clarifying, USinUK. A meeting called. Yes, it was the statement yesterday. As the closest comment was Lyrazel’s, I’ll address that. Human cloning is not the problem. Whether we treat the result as a human or a parts bin is the problem. If we did such a thing, that would be reprehensible. Hollywood has addressed this issue multiple times, always negatively. I maintain that since a clone needs to be raised to some level of maturity before an organ could be harvested, I find little to support the idea that we would farm humans for parts. The cost would discourage the practice for one thing. Consider that if we ever were stuck with a catostrophic pandemic, we may need to repopulate quickly. Would it be practical to use cloning, or would we just have to rely on whatever was left of humanity to repopulate slowly?
By USinUK
March 10, 2009 10:38 AM | Link to this
Gale -
to answer your earlier question - my take on it was that Obama was trying to “split the baby” (so to speak) -
it sounded like his clarifier of “for human reproduction” meant that cloning shouldn’t be used for reproductive purposes.
I could be wrong, but that’s how I read it.
By Gale
March 10, 2009 10:45 AM | Link to this
I read the statement as referring to reproduction as well, and that was why I found a contradiction. Is the decision based on science or “morality”?
By USinUK
March 10, 2009 10:48 AM | Link to this
Gale -
“Would it be practical to use cloning, or would we just have to rely on whatever was left of humanity to repopulate slowly?”
well, as you say, it would take just as long to repopulate via cloning or “the beast with 2 backs” method (you still need a uterus, even with a clone)
I’m not impartial in this - my sister was diagnosed with relapsing/remitting MS nearly 20 years ago. Now, she was lucky enough to immediately be put on Beta-seron so it hasn’t progressed too much. but, if a doctor said to me that they wanted all my eggs so that they could fertilize them to create stem cells which would cure my sister, I’d be on the doctor’s table so fast, his head would spin. heck, even if they said there would only be a chance for a cure, I’d still do it.
so, I’m not really the best person to ask about this.
By Gandalf, the White!
March 10, 2009 10:51 AM | Link to this
EXPAT: You know if you eat too much you’ll have to get a 2nd seat and seat belt extender to get back. Weekend should make you feel right at home 60’s with rain…..
By The Other jack
March 10, 2009 11:01 AM | Link to this
USinUK
I drink a lot of water but I can’t go crazy or I will live in the bathroom.
I have discovered a great way to make coffee. I don’t really like flavored coffees except for two flavors: Kona Macadamia or Southern Pecan. Both have a nice nutty taste. I also like Chocked Full of Nuts
Kroger stopped selling anything but really crappy, sickeningly sweet Hazelnut Cream crap or similar horrible tasting stuff. So I bought a pound of Folger’s Dark Roast and I had a small container of Huzelnut that my late girlfriend had left here. I put just a tiny bit of Hazelnut in with the Folgers and it is really good. Not quite Kona Macadamia, but really good.
I started editing the new commercials last night. (Until 5AM) We are using the already shot interviews with customers and i need to stage a small shoot in the next few days. It is almost all editing, which is just fine with me. These commercials are not exactly like the sailing expedition in the British Virgins that I am going on in August. Actually, that is still not confirmed.
I don’t care if they let all the Gitmo guys loose, as long as they keep them away from Atlanta. Atlanta is the Arab friendly Federal Pen. Isn’t that nice.
By Gale
March 10, 2009 11:02 AM | Link to this
Good point. As long as reproduction is dependant on a functioning uterus, we are stuck. Research in this avenue might, however, improve IVF methods. The natural method is often unsuccessful, thank goodness.
By USinUK
March 10, 2009 11:03 AM | Link to this
GtG -
“EXPAT: You know if you eat too much you’ll have to get a 2nd seat and seat belt extender to get back. Weekend should make you feel right at home 60’s with rain….”
tell me about it!! s’why I’m glad they don’t sell GS cookies here!! I’d make the plane tilt ;-)
I’m not there for another 13 days - GET THAT WEATHER SORTED!! I want days in the 70s … I want sunshine … I want warm spring breezes!!
By The Other jack
March 10, 2009 11:07 AM | Link to this
USinUK
If any close relative is about a have a baby, look into placental stem cells. I’m pretty sure that embryonic stem cells are proving that they don’t really work. They cause tumors. Placental stem cells have ben working very well for a few years now. There are also Spinal Chord stem cells. Embryonic is turning out to be the worst choice and that is from international research. Like I said, this is what I learned producing one segment in one TV show, so I mihht be wrong, but it would certainly be worth looking into.
By The Other jack
March 10, 2009 11:14 AM | Link to this
USinUK
This is from the International Stem Cell Institute:
Unique Multipotent Stem Cells have been discovered in the Placenta. (See CNN article) These cells offer a renewable source of replacement cells to treat a multitude of diseases, conditions, and disabilities including Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases, auto-immune disorders, stroke, burn recovery, heart disease, type 1 diabetes, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, lupus, muscular dystrophy, retinitis pigmentosa, kidney dysfunction, hepatitis C, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and many more.
By USinUK
March 10, 2009 11:16 AM | Link to this
TOJ -
“I’m pretty sure that embryonic stem cells are proving that they don’t really work. They cause tumors”
because of the 8-year ban in the US, no one really knows WHAT the promise of embryonic stem cells are. but, I’ve heard good things about cord blood stem cells - don’t think I’d like my spinal cord stem cells harvested, thankyewverymuch … OW!!!
speaking of scientific news … interesting story out of the UK over the weekend - they think they found the cause of diabetes - A VIRUS! can you believe it? evidently, some people are more susceptible to the virus than others, which is why not everyone contracts it. however, this does mean that a vaccine to prevent diabetes could be possible!
(and, as a small aside - for anyone who thinks that socialized medicine = no medical research, this should, hopefully, help show you that isn’t so)
By Gale
March 10, 2009 11:17 AM | Link to this
Placental stem cells are receiving favor in the scientific community from what I’ve read. My partner’s sister has that and the umbilical cord stored with some company that keeps them in deep freeze. There is promise for those who are related to the doner. For the rest of us, we can only benefit from more research in this area.
By USinUK
March 10, 2009 11:25 AM | Link to this
Gale -
btw - EXCELLENT call on Night of the Comet! I haven’t seen that since high school!!
and Bruce Campbell rocks - “THIS IS MY BOOM STICK!”
By Gandalf, the White!
March 10, 2009 11:34 AM | Link to this
HEY EXPAT! That’s my line! “THIS IS MY BOOMSTICK!” Do you get Burn Notice across the Pond? Check it out it’s free stream from the website.
By USinUK
March 10, 2009 11:38 AM | Link to this
GtG -
“Do you get Burn Notice across the Pond? Check it out it’s free stream from the website.”
I haven’t seen it - will have to look for it on the intertubes. what’s it about?
meanwhile, if BBC America shows Being Human, it’s FANTASTIC!! it’s a drama with funny moments - central characters are a werewolf, a vampire and a ghost. one of the most clever shows I’ve seen in ages.
By The Other jack
March 10, 2009 11:39 AM | Link to this
USinUK
Embryonic Stem Cell Research was never banned. What was banned was the collecting of stem cells from discarded embryos. There were 23 strains that were used but that was the limit to the research in the US.
However, there was no ban internationally and lots of research has been going on for years in Europe and Asia. Apparently, it is a locked down genetic key, just like organ transplants.
Gale
it was one of those placenta freezing companies that we did the segment on. They were in Florida. It isn’t just promise. It has been in use for several years. That’s why I don’t get the big deal about embryonic research. An Embryo produces a few dozen cells while there are billions of stem cells produced in the placenta. And those stem cells don’t cause tumors.
To me, it reeks of politics. I say to give all the research they want, but world wide, the focus is turning away from embryonic research.
And you don’t need to get pregnant to benefit. The placenta of a close blood relative will work for you. Again, this is from about four days of research, so I’m certainly not an authority. But USinUK’s sister could benefit greatly from anyone in her family that is having a baby.
By Gandalf, the White!
March 10, 2009 11:47 AM | Link to this
I can see Michelle now! “{aDAMNa} I got to give them gifts! HEY YOU FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MY ADULT LIFE DON’T EMBARASS ME! RUN DOWN TO THE GIFT SHOP AND GET SOMETHING, SHE HAS CHILDREN, HELL, I DON’T KNOW! FIND YOU, (aDAMNa) YOU!”
By USinUK
March 10, 2009 12:04 PM | Link to this
TOJ -
“But USinUK’s sister could benefit greatly from anyone in her family that is having a baby.”
… it would definitely be worth looking into when her daughter finds someone, settles down and starts making babies.
“What was banned was the collecting of stem cells from discarded embryos. There were 23 strains that were used but that was the limit to the research in the US.”
unfortunately, the 23 strains were actually only about 11, and even those were contaminated. either way, the funding ban definitely limited scientific research.
I really don’t care where the stem cells come from, placenta, embryo, my fuzzy white butt - I just want to make sure scientists have all avenues open to them for research.
By lovelyliz
March 10, 2009 12:06 PM | Link to this
The Ozzie & Harriet Show was fictional
Even my Mother has acknowledged that many of the heroes from her day had feet of clay. Back then it was controlled by big studio bosses, team owners/businessmen, etc. who kept the bad press at bay to protect their investment. Do some research!!!! Google the heroes from the good old days and you’ll find out that many of them were just as human then as they are today.
By lovelyliz
March 10, 2009 12:06 PM | Link to this
The Ozzie & Harriet Show was fictional
Even my Mother has acknowledged that many of the heroes from her day had feet of clay. Back then it was controlled by big studio bosses, team owners/businessmen, etc. who kept the bad press at bay to protect their investment. Do some research!!!! Google the heroes from the good old days and you’ll find out that many of them were just as human then as they are today.
By USinUK
March 10, 2009 12:09 PM | Link to this
man. talking about closing the barn door after the horse has bolted:
“We should review regulatory policies and accounting rules to ensure that they do not induce excessive” swings in the financial system and economy, the central bank chief said today in remarks prepared for an address to the Council on Foreign Relations in Washington.
Bernanke recommended that lawmakers and supervisors rethink everything from the amounts firms set aside against potential trading losses and deposit-insurance fees to protections for money-market funds. His remarks reflect a judgment that the U.S., just like emerging-market nations in the past, failed to properly manage a flood of capital over the past decade and a half.
Bernanke also reiterated his call for an agency to take on overarching responsibility for financial stability. While he didn’t specify which regulator should take that job, he noted that the Fed was first formed to address banking panics and said the initiative would “require” some role for the central bank.
http:// www.bloomberg.com/ apps/news?pid=20601068&sid=agtjbFBcR1Gw&refer=economy
REGULATION, GOPpers … get used to it!!
By Gandalf, the White!
March 10, 2009 12:25 PM | Link to this
EXPAT: BRUCE CAMPBELL STARS, NUFF SAID (Spy get’s burned in Miami, pretty cast, lots of boom booms).
By USinUK
March 10, 2009 12:36 PM | Link to this
GtG -
“EXPAT: BRUCE CAMPBELL STARS, NUFF SAID”
just read the synopsis of it - sounds good! I’ll have a look around to see if it’s going to air here.
have you seen the show Life ?? (I think it’s an NBC show) - stars the guy who played Maj Winters in Band of Brothers - he’s an LA detective that was falsely imprisoned for murdering his business partner and family. GREAT show (and I totally have the hots for the actor)
By lovelyliz
March 10, 2009 12:49 PM | Link to this
GREAT show (and I totally have the hots for the actor)
Ditto USinUK!!!!!!!!
A redheaded Brit what more could you ask for? Dare I assume Damien Lewis plays football? i know he has a thing for Liverpool, but that can be overlooked
By Lyrazel
March 10, 2009 12:55 PM | Link to this
I think you will see marketed clone organ parts in the next 20-30 years—if you look at technological advancements from 1900-2000 the world has jumped at a fevered pace—bigger changes occurred in medicine than walking on the moon. So its your great grandkids who will receive new “organically” grown clone kidneys—and there will be plenty of commercials —always the inevitable, Billy Mays will have his own line of Kidney, Heart & Lung Grow Kits—
“Ask your doctor before attempting surgery” disclaimer…
By The Other jack
March 10, 2009 12:59 PM | Link to this
USinUk
Just walked to the bank. I figure that and a transcontinental hike will allow me to finish the cookies.
i just talked to my political guy and he says that it all boils down to this: Embryonic stem cells is a result of abortions. Placental stem cells is a result of a live birth. That’s the political differences. His wife just had a baby and I didn’t know it, but they froze the placenta and the cord. He said it was a pretty common thing even though it is incredibly expensive.
He works for a major cable network and he says that we will start to hear a lot more about what is available. I’m with you. I don’t care where they come frome as long as they work.
As far as closing the barn door after the cows got out, i agree, but what is happening is that the new owner of the barn is borrowing cows from everybody and is putting them in the barn with the door still open.
I gotta go work or this little check I just got will result in my making about $3/hour if I let this work take very long to do.
By The Other jack
March 10, 2009 1:03 PM | Link to this
The Ozzie & Harriet Show was fictional?
Oh thanks a lot.
Next you will be telling me that Mary Ann was not a farm girl and Geni didn’t really live in a bottle.
By USinUK
March 10, 2009 1:03 PM | Link to this
lovelyliz -
“A redheaded Brit what more could you ask for? Dare I assume Damien Lewis plays football? i know he has a thing for Liverpool, but that can be overlooked”
and you should hear him when he doesn’t speak with an American accent! DREAMY!!! my-oh-my!!! IMDB him and look at the photos from his role in The Forsythe Saga. yumyumyum.
can you say “celebrity free pass”???
By USinUK
March 10, 2009 1:06 PM | Link to this
TOJ -
“Embryonic stem cells is a result of abortions. Placental stem cells is a result of a live birth. That’s the political differences.”
not necessarily - there are hundreds (if not thousands) of embryos that are destroyed on a monthly basis at IVF clinics all across the country.
good job on the walk - keep up the good work!!!
I’m heading home - everyone have a good evening!!
By Gale
March 10, 2009 1:08 PM | Link to this
USinUK, it is the first time in recent memory that the Fed chief has spoken and the DOW didn’t immediately dive for the celler.
By Gandalf, the White!
March 10, 2009 1:15 PM | Link to this
It’s as low as it can go!
By Lyrazel
March 10, 2009 1:29 PM | Link to this
TOJ—Maryann got busted for pot 2x. I believe Gilligan got busted once…
By Gale
March 10, 2009 2:13 PM | Link to this
Gandalf, I fear it is not as low as it can go. However, that it didn’t tank after he opened his mouth is encouraging.
By AW
March 10, 2009 2:24 PM | Link to this
Perhaps I’m weird or just silly, but when I have a science-related question, I usually go to my “science guy” — in my case, one of two relatives who are well-respected scientists with nearly eight decades of study and solid research under their belts. If I have an economics question, I also have an “economics guy,” a widely-respected doctorate of economics, and author of many books on the subject. Normally, I go to “politics guy” to ask about who’s running for office, and who is contributing $$$ to which campaigns, and which corporations and industry lobbyists are paying which legislators, etc. “Politics guy” is also useful at times for breaking down the REAL intent of a particular bill, and why it doesn’t seem that way on the face of it.
Is that weird? Should I be asking my hairdresser about global warming, or the chef at my favorite restaurant about the upcoming new generation of American hybrid cars? BTW, if I want to learn NOTHING and hear only things that confirm my existing opinions (educated or not), I’ll turn to one who’s PAID to disseminate what I already want to hear. (Satisfaction guaranteed. Net knowledge gain: a new catch phrase to fling.) But why would I want to do that? I don’t, so I guess I’m just weird.
By The Other jack
March 10, 2009 2:42 PM | Link to this
Lyrazel
**
TOJ—Maryann got busted for pot 2x. I believe Gilligan got busted once…**
STOP IT. STOP IT> la la la la la la la la la la. I can’t hear you. La la la la la la la
Actually, I think that is pretty cool. I would live to get high with Dawn Wells.
AW
I actually have a political guy that is the political corespondent for a major cable network He always knows a lot more inside stuff than I do.
But just to drive the point home, have you heard that if we spend billions and billions on Embryonic stem cell reasearch, things like this could happen:
Sister’s Stem Cells Help Baby Brother
LifebankUSA successfully released stem cells for an umbilical cord blood transplant in a 6-month-old boy with a type of acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) called acute monocytic leukemia (AMoL). The cord blood transplant was performed at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital in New York City. The stem cells used to treat this child came from his 2-year-old sister. LifebankUSA had banked her stem cells in March 2001, and they were a perfect match for her baby brother who has now been well for almost 4 years. LifebankUSA is thrilled about his recovery. We wish the little boy and his family the best of health.
This is a real story about what is already being done with placental stem cells. The only problem for you guys is that the baby lives when this method is used.
Obama wants research into buggy whips while the rest of the world is riding on mag-lev trains. It is nothing but an effort to secure his pro-choice base.
By Gandalf, the White!
March 10, 2009 2:54 PM | Link to this
Mary Ann Wasn’t a role model, she was a fantasy! And you didn’t know Gilligan was stoned? Duh!
By AW
March 10, 2009 2:55 PM | Link to this
TOJ, you cited a beautiful example of what modern medical research can do, and then you ABORTED you own point by saying, “The only problem for you guys is that the baby lives when this method is used.”
As a mother, and one who is in FAVOR of medical research that helps people (without possessing the arrogance to claim a wealth of scientific knowledge I don’t actually own), I find your conclusion offensive on multiple levels. What started out as a well-thought argument for pursuing placental cell research is now, for all practical purposes, in bloody little pieces on the tile floor. Nice job, TOJ. You’re good at this.
By Gandalf, the White!
March 10, 2009 2:58 PM | Link to this
AW, if your “experts” are (asshats) and follow the party line of the socialist agenda, then the opinion of your hair dresser is more valuable. Remember the liberal run the Uni’s here and abroad; those that can, do, those that can’t, teach!
By USinUK
March 10, 2009 3:09 PM | Link to this
TOJ -
dangitall … you’ve gone a whole week without a crock of crap until this:
“This is a real story about what is already being done with placental stem cells. The only problem for you guys is that the baby lives when this method is used.”
come on. that’s BS. and the pathetic thing is that you know it’s BS, but you still said it, anyway.
the point is that scientists have ALL avenues available to them for research. it may turn out that placental cells or cord cells or cells from my fuzzy white butt may be more effective than embryonic cells. but, until we research, we won’t know.
By AW
March 10, 2009 3:20 PM | Link to this
Gandalf, one of my experts is on PETA’s hit list for his highly-acclaimed research. For real. And no, they’re not party members and do not get their information from cable TV “news.” Another was a department head at a university that is NOT considered “liberal” at all, but does have academic standards that likely would have excluded your acceptance. Sorry to disappoint. Most of their answers to my questions are over my liberal-arts-degreed head, if that makes you feel any better. That’s why I don’t claim to know a bunch of sh— I don’t, or quote some pundit as if listening to a televised op-ed hour is the same thing as years of study, research, and actual knowledge.
Q: If you could get college credit hours for every hour of Sean you drank in, how many advanced degrees would you boast? Haha!
By The Other jack
March 10, 2009 3:33 PM | Link to this
USinUK
The research has been advancing in leaps and bounds in almost every country except the US. Where are the results? We have a method that has resulted in saving lives for almost ten years, but for some strange reason, Obama will not give a dime of funding for that method. Doesn’t that say something to you?
This is nothing but politics. It is about abortions. The pro-choice movement have embraced this crap for years, trying to find a positive aspect of abortions.
The world has moved on. You are in England. Do a little reading in the BBC and see where the research is heading. Look at CURRENT trends.
I am not the one that made the smartass remark about my political guy or claimed that my research was biased, but strangely enough, you said nothing to AW. This never changes.
I like you. i like talking to you. but I will continue to fight the never ending string of BS that is being vomited from the Main Stream and miirrored on here.
When I see you treat everyone the same, I will respect what you say about my posts.
By The Other jack
March 10, 2009 3:37 PM | Link to this
Aw
If my stating the obvious, after your smartass comment about my political guy is all that it takes for you to refuse to recognize the advancements of something other than what Obama tells you is good, then there is nothing I can do about that. Your own ignorance is hardly my problem.
So please, let’s spend a few billion on research that most of the world has already abandoned. After all, your child will be paying the taxes that are now being spent.
By Gale
March 10, 2009 3:45 PM | Link to this
TOJ, your comment is valid until this phrase ““The only problem for you guys…” Don’t be divisive and you will get farther. I think it is swell that research is going away from embryonic stem cells as long as it is productive. At one time physicians had to dig up bodies in order to study human bodies. Science moves on and now they don’t even have to cut a body open to get a good look inside.
By Gale
March 10, 2009 3:51 PM | Link to this
On another topic, I heard that the city of Atlanta spend over $8million on rebranding the city. Remember that “every day is opening day” thing? Apparently they killed the thing because it resulted in about.2% more convention business to the city. Essentially a waste of money. This at a time when the infrastructure is crumbling?
By USinUK
March 10, 2009 3:52 PM | Link to this
TOJ -
“This is nothing but politics. It is about abortions. The pro-choice movement have embraced this crap for years, trying to find a positive aspect of abortions.”
what a load of bollocks. as I stated earlier, they don’t get the stem cells from abortions, regardless of what your friend told you - the majority of them have been donated from IVF clinics.
“let’s spend a few billion on research that most of the world has already abandoned”
absolutely and categorically untrue. UK funds research into ALL types of stem cell research, including embryonic, with plans to double the funding. and, just so you know, they have found limitations with cord blood stem cells, if you are interested in reading a little more about it.
also, contrary to what you seem to think, embryonic stem cell research has been stymied in Europe (hellooooo Catholic Church).
so, no, there has NOT been as much embryonic cell research going on in Europe on over the last 8 years.
” am not the one that made the smartass remark about my political guy or claimed that my research was biased, but strangely enough, you said nothing to AW. This never changes”
no, you are the one who said we’re only about embryonic cell research because it involves destruction of an embryo.
By AW
March 10, 2009 3:56 PM | Link to this
TOJ, you’ve lost it. How is research “about abortions?” Are you trying to tell us that embryonic stem cell research is performed on aborted fetuses of traumatized women? That scientists are only doing it becaue they WANT women to abort pregnancies? WHA???? And I certainly do NOT refuse to recognize the potential value of placebo-cell, or any other kind of research simply becaue YOU ABORTED YOUR POINT (a pattern for you, huh?) with your hatefulness.
I wonder why you weren’t this outraged when our last President was ordering the invasion, occupation, and destruction of a country whose people did NOT attack us. You know, all those innocent little Iraqi children IN BLOODY LITTLE PIECES on the ground…. One wonders what really drives the “pro-life” movement when it’s so silent on living, breathing LITTLE BROWN CHILDREN in BLOODY LITTLE PIECES on the ground. But THIS president is so awful and evil because he supports research! Whatever. Have a lovely day anyway. Delusions are a wonderful thing.
By Gandalf, the White!
March 10, 2009 3:56 PM | Link to this
AW! I HATE SEAN! HE IS A CONSERVATIVE ASSHAT! hehe Funny you saw I posted something ONE OF HIS LISTENERS sent in and now I am a SEAN CLONE! HE drives me bonkers and RUSH too, well, Not The RUSH with Geddy Lee, but the other one. Anywhoo Bill Benett? Good show! Michael Medved? Good Show! Now quit putting me in the box! Go trade your V6 in for an nice Honda Insight.
By Gandalf, the White!
March 10, 2009 3:56 PM | Link to this
AW! I HATE SEAN! HE IS A CONSERVATIVE ASSHAT! hehe Funny you saw I posted something ONE OF HIS LISTENERS sent in and now I am a SEAN CLONE! HE drives me bonkers and RUSH too, well, Not The RUSH with Geddy Lee, but the other one. Anywhoo Bill Benett? Good show! Michael Medved? Good Show! Now quit putting me in the box! Go trade your V6 in for an nice Honda Insight.
By The Other jack
March 10, 2009 3:58 PM | Link to this
Gale
Like I told USinUK, be fair. I was completely civil, then look at AWs post
BTW, if I want to learn NOTHING and hear only things that confirm my existing opinions (educated or not), I’ll turn to one who’s PAID to disseminate what I already want to hear. (Satisfaction guaranteed. Net knowledge gain: a new catch phrase to fling.) But why would I want to do that? I don’t, so I guess I’m just weird.
And you might want to think about where a “political guy” that works for a cable news network might find a job here in Atlanta. And that particular cable network is as liberal as it gets.
I was attacked, as was my credibility. It was not toward you or USinUK, but this habit you guys have of jumping in at the first chance to defend one of your own, no matter how much of a butt head that person is acting got old quite a while ago.
You know me well enough to know that I will defend myself. If you have a problem with that, then you have the problem.
By USinUK
March 10, 2009 4:06 PM | Link to this
TOJ -
and, again, I’ll reiterate -
scientists do NOT get embryos from abortions - they get them from IVF clinics, so your whole “this is all about abortion” argument does NOT hold water.
WHY don’t they come from abortions - because the EMBRYO is the stage about 5 days after conception. Most abortions take place around the 2nd-4th MONTH after conception.
criminey, TOJ. seriously, read up on it in scientific journals - methinks your “political guy” has a bit of an agenda.
By Gale
March 10, 2009 4:07 PM | Link to this
You know, when I started this discussion about yesterday’s statement, I was really interested to know what people thought about human cloning. I had a feeling it would devolve into the pro-life/pro-choice argument. But I was hopeful.
By The Other jack
March 10, 2009 4:07 PM | Link to this
USinUK
what a load of bollocks. as I stated earlier, they don’t get the stem cells from abortions, regardless of what your friend told you - the majority of them have been donated from IVF clinics.
As I said, i produced a segment of a TV show that was targeted toward pregnant women. The embrios have to be distroyed in order to access the stem cells.
absolutely and categorically untrue. UK funds research into ALL types of stem cell research, including embryonic, with plans to double the funding. and, just so you know, they have found limitations with cord blood stem cells, if you are interested in reading a little more about it.
But oddly enough cord blood stem cells is not Placental Stem cells. But the bottom line is that this strain works. Embryonic has never worked. So do we keep pursuing something that has never worked or do we fund something that has worked wonderfully for years?
also, contrary to what you seem to think, embryonic stem cell research has been stymied in Europe (hellooooo Catholic Church).
It was stymied in 2006 when the EU gave the right of refusal to each country. Germany, among several others have pursued the research. And of course there is Asia.
so, no, there has NOT been as much embryonic cell research going on in Europe on over the last 8 years.
Not every counttry. Now how about that Asia thing?
no, you are the one who said we’re only about embryonic cell research because it involves destruction of an embryo.
As a response to who about what?
Try being fair just once. K?
By The Other jack
March 10, 2009 4:20 PM | Link to this
AW
Foe once, go read something. The embryo is destroyed. As i said before you launched into your tirade about my lack of credibility over the stem cell subject. This isn’t an abortion, but it is a pro-choice related issue. That is why pro-choice was for it. that is why pro-life is against it.
I don’t care except that this friggin’ politics is stopping funding for research in a science THAT WORKS!!!!! But all the White House and every liberal pundit in America is going to talk about is Embryonic Stem Cell Research, simply because this follows the mantra that Bush was sooooo friggin’ bad for the country. His policies advanced a science THAT WORKS. What is bad about that?
And BTW. If you think that Al Gore would have not sent troops to Iraq, you are an indoctrinated fool. Who ever was in the White House would have protected our energy source.
And how about those little Afghanistan Children that will be BLOWN TO BITS by the troops that Obama is sending? I guess that is OK. After all, we are protecting goats and sheep so what is a child’s life worth against that?
As far as my hatefulness, I am not the lunatic that is looking for a fight every day she comes here. You are. You picked a fight. I answered. Deal with it.
By USinUK
March 10, 2009 4:26 PM | Link to this
TOJ -
“As a response to who about what?”
I don’t give two hoots who to or about what - you made a completely BS argument that the only reason we’re for embryonic research is that we (YIPPEE!!!) get to destroy an embryo or promote abortion.
“As I said, i produced a segment of a TV show that was targeted toward pregnant women. The embrios have to be distroyed in order to access the stem cells.”
and, as I said, the embryos they get are from IVF clinics, not abortion clinics. READ a little.
“Embryonic has never worked. So do we keep pursuing something that has never worked or do we fund something that has worked wonderfully for years?”
again, categorically untrue. embryonic stem cells are still the best and most versatile for scientists to work with.
I’m going downstairs to dinner.
Your “political friend” has an agenda when he feeds you lies about abortion’s link to embryonic stem cells.
By AW
March 10, 2009 4:36 PM | Link to this
TOJ, I’m sorry if you think I was attacking you because I said I don’t ask science questions of my political guy or my hairdresser. I was pointing out a difference, and I don’t think asking if my method was silly was a personal attack on you. Do YOU think YOU’re silly? (BTW, which liberal hack over on CNN do you despise the most: Lou Dobbs or Nancy Grace? They’re so pink they’re practically commies, eh?)
And if YOU don’t seek information from people you already know will validate your existing beliefs, then how do you relate THAT comment to you?
In any case, I only expressed (a) being in favor of research, and (b) an admission that I don’t know everything there is to know about it. If you’re going to assert that you know so much, you have to expect people to ask questions, including asking you to validate your sources. Only in YOUR mind does that make us all baby killers, and YEAH, you pretty much DID say so, Mr. “I’m not the hater here.”
Why not take a few deep breaths, go outside, and see if your big ol ‘cat has a baby bird in BLOODY LITTLE PIECES on the ground?
By The Other jack
March 10, 2009 4:48 PM | Link to this
USinUK
don’t give two hoots who to or about what - you made a completely BS argument that the only reason we’re for embryonic research is that we (YIPPEE!!!) get to destroy an embryo or promote abortion.
I know you don’t care. That would require you to think beyond politics, and girl, with you that rarely happens. Where did I say “you” believe anything. If the foo sh1ts, wear it.
and, as I said, the embryos they get are from IVF clinics, not abortion clinics. READ a little.
When did I say where they were from? Do you really need to make stuff up to make a point?
again, categorically untrue. embryonic stem cells are still the best and most versatile for scientists to work with.
Please list a source. List anything that says that other than the Daily Koss or the Huffington Report. EMBRYONIC STEM CELLS DO NOT WORK!!! PERIOD. Maybe they will someday. Maybe after billions and billions are spent, there will be a breakthrough that will make them as viable as placental Stem cells. Won’t that be great. And then liberals and Obama can take all the credit for stem cell research.
Your “political friend” has an agenda when he feeds you lies about abortion’s link to embryonic stem
My political friend said that this was all about Obama solidifying his base. It is all about saying that Bush acrewed everything up when the only stem cell research that worked was a direct result of his policies.
STOP TWISTING WHAT I SAY.
Enjoy your dinner.
By USinUK
March 10, 2009 4:58 PM | Link to this
TOJ -
“I don’t care except that this friggin’ politics is stopping funding for research in a science THAT WORKS!!!!! But all the White House and every liberal pundit in America is going to talk about is Embryonic Stem Cell Research, simply because this follows the mantra that Bush was sooooo friggin’ bad for the country. His policies advanced a science THAT WORKS. What is bad about that?”
um. according to whom is funding for non-embryonic stem cell research stopping?? just because they are ADDING embryonic stem cell funding does NOT mean that they are ENDING funding for other stem cell research.
By USinUK
March 10, 2009 5:13 PM | Link to this
TOJ -
“I know you don’t care. That would require you to think beyond politics, and girl, with you that rarely happens. Where did I say “you” believe anything. If the foo sh1ts, wear it.”
considering YOU are the one making the political BS argument, you may want to rethink that accusation.
“Please list a source. List anything that says that other than the Daily Koss or the Huffington Report.”
1) I don’t read either. and 2) coming from the guy who quotes WND, that’s rich.
“Embryonic stem cells have perhaps the greatest therapeutic potential because they are able to differentiate into all derivatives of the main germ layers, including over 220 types of cells in the human adult body.”
The embryonic stem cells are usually derived from in vitro fertilisation, where the eggs have been fertilised in vitro (not in a woman’s body) and donated for research with donor consent. The embryos are generally utilised when they are approximately four or five days old and constitute a tiny ball of cells known as a blastocyst
http:// www.explorestemcells.co.uk/ EmbryonicStemCells.html
“When did I say where they were from? Do you really need to make stuff up to make a point?”
ahem: “Embryonic stem cells is a result of abortions.” (your 12:59 post)
“My political friend said that this was all about Obama solidifying his base. It is all about saying that Bush acrewed everything up when the only stem cell research that worked was a direct result of his policies.”
Obama made a campaign promise. he kept it. this opens up scientific research to be based on SCIENCE, not the Southern Baptist Convention. plain and simple.
and, the Buenos Aires tacos I made for dinner were fab. :-)
By USinUK
March 11, 2009 8:17 AM | Link to this
“Obama solidifying his base”
one more thought before I go grab some lunch …
support for embryonic stem cell research extends beyond his “base”:
“Gallup reports that, between 2002 and 2007, more and more people found embryonic stem cell research “morally acceptable,” while fewer found it “morally wrong.” The divergence went from 52/39 (in favor of embryonic research’s morality) to 64/30.”
snip
“A Time poll conducted by the SBRI research group in June of 2008 found that 73% support embryonic stem cell research. (One possible reason for SBRI’s higher number than Gallup’s, in addition to a year having elapsed, was that SBRI’s question script stressed that the research could help cure diseases and that the embryos in question are “discarded” from fertility clinics). SBRI polled 805 adults nationwide over a week; margin of error was +/- 3%.”
http:// politics.theatlantic.com/2009/03/ stemcellpollingsupporthassteadilygrown.php
so “stroking the base”???? not quite.
By Gale
March 11, 2009 8:42 AM | Link to this
I some want to argue that destroying embryos is the same as abortion, why do they not pin their complaints on the people that cause the embryos to be created at IVF clinics —knowing— they will not be using all of the embryos? There is an interesting BLOG on the topic in the washington post.
By Gale
March 11, 2009 8:43 AM | Link to this
That should have been “IF some” btw, not “I some”
By USinUK
March 11, 2009 9:52 AM | Link to this
PRINCETON, NJ — Americans’ job approval rating of Congress is up an additional 8 points this month, after a 12-point increase last month, and now stands at 39% — the most positive assessment of Congress since February 2005.
Americans who identify themselves as Democrats are mostly responsible for the improved ratings of Congress measured in the March 5-8 Gallup Poll. After showing a 25-point increase in their approval of Congress from January to February and a further 14-point increase in March, a majority of Democrats (57%) now approve of the job the Democratically-controlled Congress is doing. Independents also show improved ratings of Congress, but not nearly to the extent that Democrats do. Republicans’ evaluations of Congress have changed very little this year.
Even though Congress’ job approval rating is still low on an absolute basis, the recent ratings represent a quick turnaround from the historically low ratings of 2008. Last year, on average, only 19% of Americans approved of the job Congress was doing — one of the three lowest yearly congressional approval averages in Gallup records dating back to 1974, along with 1979 (19%) and 1992 (18%).
In January of this year, Congress’ job approval rating among remained low at 19%, before jumping to 31% in February after the change in presidential administrations from Republican George W. Bush to Democrat Barack Obama. But this month brings an even more positive evaluation of Congress, with 39% of Americans now approving.
The latest increase suggests the reason for the improved ratings of Congress in 2009 may go beyond simply the change from split control to one-party control of the federal government, to include an assessment of the work Congress has been doing with the new president on the economy and other issues.
Such an explanation seems plausible given that a majority of Democrats now approve of the job Congress is doing, and that the gap between Democratic and Republican approval of Congress is growing, as Congress passes and President Obama signs laws to deal with the economy and other issues that largely follow a Democratic philosophy of governing.
Even though the Democratic Party had majority control of both houses of Congress in 2007-2008, it was able to achieve little of its legislative agenda while Republican Bush remained in the White House. This lack of results may have soured Democrats’ opinions of Congress. During this time, rank-and-file Democrats’ approval ratings of Congress sank to as low as 11% in July 2008, after starting out near 40% shortly after the party took control of Congress in early 2007.
Now that the strengthened Democratic-controlled Congress is able to pass most of what it wants with little or no help from Republicans, and can count on the president to sign it into law, rank-and-file Democrats hold Congress in much greater esteem. The 57% approval rating for Congress among Democrats is the best the party has given the institution since March 2002, when Congress’ job approval scores were at historical highs in the aftermath of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
http:// www.gallup.com/poll/ 116530/Approval-Congress-Hits-Four-Year-High-Fueled-Dems.aspx
By The Other jack
March 11, 2009 9:59 AM | Link to this
I am usually pretty good at keeping up with my bank account. But lately, it always seemed that I was lower than I should have been.
I closely examined my account tonight and sure enough, there were two 12 dollar charges to a company in CT that was called shoppersdiscount&reward.com. Those charges had started in June of 08. So far they have taken out $240. Needless to say, I’m calling my bank in the morning to stop payment and try to recoup at least part of that money.
Those things usually are the result of ordering something off the internet and unknowingly hitting a button somewhere that had the charges hidden in a bunch of long explanations that nobody reads.
I looked at my statements from June and May and it didn’t make sense. I had ordered nothing from the internet during those months except flowers for my Mother from FTD. The flowers were beautiful and as always, they were delivered right on time. But I called them and asked them if they were associated with this company. The person immediately transferred me to a supervisor who explained that they were associated with that company and if I called them, I would have my money returned, i.e., keep quiet and we will give you the money back that we had stolen.
FTD? I can’t believe it. I love that company, but they lost a customer tonight. Why would they be associated with a company that has hundreds of complaints on every consumer site on the internet? So apprently, when dealing with FTD, you are doing it at your own risk. I wrote a bunch of emails complaining, but if they cared aboout their customers in the first place, they would never be associated with such a slimy organization.
Be careful, folks. When reputable companies like FTD can rip you off unless you read every single lline in their site, who can you trust?
Jack
By USinUK
March 11, 2009 10:06 AM | Link to this
TOJ -
“Be careful, folks. When reputable companies like FTD can rip you off unless you read every single lline in their site, who can you trust?”
aw, MAN! that’s unbelievable -
but it’s another example of why you should check your checking AND your credit card statements THOROUGHLY every month to make sure there haven’t been any sneaky transactions that you don’t recognize. Between identity theft and transactions of small amounts (that don’t sound off alarm bells), you can easily get bled dry if you don’t notice it in a timely manner.
well done, you, for tracking it down and getting your refund!
if I were you, I’d change my debit/credit card number so they can’t continue.
By USinUK
March 11, 2009 10:14 AM | Link to this
lovelyliz -
btw - if you like Damien Lewis, wait until you get a load of Rupert Penry-Jones. Evidently, he’s going to star in some new Jerry Bruckheimer TV show about amateur detectives. he’s not a ginger, he’s blonde, but PHWOAR! … he’s yummy (it’s the voice - he has a killer baritone voice) … here, they call him a bit of posh totty:
By Inmate 30349
March 11, 2009 10:14 AM | Link to this
Here is a better question, should Rush limbaugh loose his status as the voice of conservatism for posession of illegal medication and Dr. Shopping? I would be interested to hear your take on that,
By Gandalf, the White!
March 11, 2009 10:32 AM | Link to this
Inmate 30349! NO YOU ASSHAT! And they said my name was stupid! You are not only an asshat, but a charter member of the dumbassi tribe!
By Archie
March 11, 2009 10:37 AM | Link to this
I want to ask the ladies about something since someone mentioned Chris Brown. Do you believe everyone has the right to defend himself/herself? Do you believe that women should get a pass when they verbally insult a man?
I personally believe if you hit me I will hit you back, plain and simple and I also believe no one gets a pass to insult or hit someone but I want to know what the ladies think!! Also, I probably would exact some violence upon Mr. Brown had it been my daughter and I was around immediately thereafter but what do the ladies think about my two questions.
By Gale
March 11, 2009 10:38 AM | Link to this
Take on Rush: return question - Is Rush really the voice of conservatism, or only the voice of conservative wackos who don’t approve of anything they don’t personally subscribe too, usually something that makes them feel superior.
By The Other jack
March 11, 2009 10:43 AM | Link to this
USinUK
I called the rip off company this morning and the lady, without any sort of argument started going through the procedure of refunding my money. We were actually laughing. I don’t yell at people who answer phones for rip off companies. they aren’t making the money and they didn’t make the rules. But I told her, she sounded like a nice lady. She should get a better job.
I also called the little florist back home to tell them what FTD had done. He said that FTD takes 33% of the sale. About any florist is on the internet. Don’t go through FTD to order flowers. Go directly to a local flower shop in the town you are sending the flowers and tell them why you are avoiding FTD and they will usually give you a sizable discount.
I wrote the CT Attorney General’s office and the city of Shelton, CT to tell them about the company that was working in thier town. I also went to the top 20 florist in Atlanta on City Directory and posted what I posted here as a review.
You are right. Checking your account every month is important, but FTD? This sounds like something that would happen if you ordered porn.
By USinUK
March 11, 2009 10:46 AM | Link to this
Archie -
“Do you believe everyone has the right to defend himself/herself? Do you believe that women should get a pass when they verbally insult a man?”
what happened to Rihanna went WAAAYYYY beyond verbal insults.
he bit her, he punched her, he choked her until she nearly passed out.
do people have the right to defend themselves? of course they do - what CB did was not defending himself.
I’m glad you poked your head in today - I hear your esteemed governor wants to use the stimulus money to pay down SC debt rather than stimulate the economy. http:// www.forbes.com/ feeds/ap/2009/03/10/ap6150443.html
By USinUK
March 11, 2009 10:54 AM | Link to this
TOJ -
“FTD? This sounds like something that would happen if you ordered porn.”
haha … true … but that’s how they get away with it - 1) you would NEVER expect it of the company and 2) it’s such small amounts, it took you around a year to track it down.
“I wrote the CT Attorney General’s office and the city of Shelton, CT to tell them about the company that was working in thier town. I also went to the top 20 florist in Atlanta on City Directory and posted what I posted here as a review”
go get ‘em, TOJ!!!
By Archie
March 11, 2009 11:03 AM | Link to this
I’m glad you poked your head in today - I hear your esteemed governor wants to use the stimulus money to pay down SC debt rather than stimulate the economy. Yeah, you know I think this guy is an idiot and some of the people who voted for him think he is an idiot. I agree that what Chris Brown did was not defending himself and I think you can see that from my commments but do women get a pass to insult men? I ask that question because of some things that have been said to me. Anyway I am off to read that article on Forbes and II will be back.
By The Other jack
March 11, 2009 11:04 AM | Link to this
Rush: the voice of conservatism? Somebody has been buying into the BS. Rush is no more the voice of conservatism than Huffington is the voice of liberalism.
Why are you letting the media manipulate you like this? Keep your eye on the ball, Pal. Our country is flipping to socialism and the media tells you the most important story is Rush Limbaugh and you stumble right along, nodding your head. (Probably drooling)
Rush makes great points. He is very smart and he has good ideas, but he also has bad ideas. Rush is the voice of Rush, just like Huffington is the voice of Huffington. Wise up and stop letting the media manipulate you.
Archie
if a man can’t control his widdle emotions when a girl says bad things about him causing him to hit her, then that man is a emotional little boy that needs someone to cripple him.
I honestly can’t think of a single instance where it would have been necessary to hit a woman. Chris Brown is a coward and a punk and if it was my sister that he hit, he would not have survived it. Any sort of man does not hit a woman, especially a woman that he is in a relationship with. The only thing as bad as a coward like Chris Brown is the stupid girl that took him back. An incredibly talented, successful and beautiful woman like that taking back that f^cking thug? She is just an idiot, but that still doesn’t excuse what that coward did to her. Does she not have any relatives that are men?
My entire family would be on that coward like stink on sh^t.
By Gale
March 11, 2009 11:16 AM | Link to this
Archie, IMO, no, a woman does not get a pass on insulting or hitting a man. It is unacceptable behavior regardless of gender. Generally, the intelligent response to insult is to consider the source and hold your tongue. Response in kind diminishes one. Consider the source also is a good rule for physical attacks. Everyone has a right to defend themselves. Men know they are generally stronger than women and most men would not put their full strength into a punch if they did feel called upon to return a punch from a woman. I would guess that many men would never allow a woman’s punch to land unless he was surprised. Most women never learn how to fight.
By American Woman
March 11, 2009 11:20 AM | Link to this
Archie, you imply that you’ve been insulted. Have you ever been beaten by someone bigger and stronger than you? I’ve been both insulted and beaten, and can tell you with all certainty, that’s it’s not the same thing.
If a woman is rude or disrespectful to you, then hold your head up, turn your back, and walk away. Or, if there’s a personal or familial relationship, call her out on her rudeness. Resorting to violence of ANY sort only demonstrates that you have nothing meaningful to say and no confidence in the rightness of your position. Surely you’re better than that!
By USinUK
March 11, 2009 11:20 AM | Link to this
TOJ -
“An incredibly talented, successful and beautiful woman like that taking back that f^cking thug? She is just an idiot”
I think it’s more a product of her being 19 than being an idiot (although 19 and stupid do sorta go hand-in-hand). I can’t imagine the pressure she’s under - from his family, from the record company, from him, from “friends” - to put on a “happy face” and sweep this under the carpet. good thing she has friends like Jay-Z who said he’d be the snot out of CB. she needs more of those.
By USinUK
March 11, 2009 11:31 AM | Link to this
that should have been BEAT the snot out of CB … not be the snot.
By Lyrazel
March 11, 2009 11:38 AM | Link to this
TOJ—~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~NEVER USE A DEBIT CARD ON-LINE~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ big scams like yours are also done by credit report agencies (which monitor your ratings but do nothing) a tiny 12.00 charge monthly but there is NO PLACE to contact to end service(no webpage, no phone # no address: freecreditreport.com; one has to cancel the service in 30 days to stop it and you can’t get your bogus free credit report without checking it…there is also the credit card company credit monitoring service—they phone and say: we can keep tabs on your credit line—never once admitting they can do nothing but monitor and will not help when having issues—and always there is the snarky little box at the end of any internet site bill (who cares—ALL companies WANT to sell your data—uncheck it to not allow.) Recently I refused the service and the card kept calling back—we are donotcall, ya know—but some snarky bubba tried to coo his way with me saying he wanted to tape record my acceptance of this offer I had refused politely and well I gave him both guns and called the credit card threatening—and they apologized and said they wont call again. Now if I can get the Republican Party of GA from stop calling me in ME…:-)
Archie: I believe there is some model now involved in the woman-as-attacker role. Yes I feel women can and will assault. Ever been to public school? Spent many of my formative years terrorized by southern belles who had no problem using broom-handle bats. Statistics say there are more women in prison for committing assault & murder than for all other crimes. Many singers have been promoting sleazy sexual violence—be it licking whips while wearing BDSM garments or pretending to be pimps. Lust as well as violence has been a dominant theme of video & music & tv since the 80s. From my point—you don’t hit anyone hard enough to leave bruises & swelling—if R does not press charges against C—she is advocating his behavior is OK, it sends a message.
Rush—is nothing but an entertainer. He and Garrison Keillor are lovers! They rendezvous during PBS pledge breaks then call up stations to donate—but never send checks————-ooooo——
By Lyrazel
March 11, 2009 12:00 PM | Link to this
What’s REALLY funny is that Rush & Jon Stewart are the most listened to political pundit/entertainer/comedians indeed many voters use these shows as their source of news information—it amazes me we aint elected one of em yet—
By The Other jack
March 11, 2009 12:12 PM | Link to this
Gale
My little girl started taking marshall arts when she was six. i have some great video of her beating the crap out of boys that were bigger and stronger She was very small but flexible and could easily kick much higher and with much more accuracy.
I think I told this before, but my ex said that my daughter was setting with this guy in her living room that kept picking at her. She warned him several times and when she had had enough, she just put him down. She did some sort of deal with his hand and fingers and my ex said that he was practically in tears.
I’ve taken quite a bit of marshall arts and I wouldn’t mess with my daughter. I would not want to be the guy that thought he could hit her and get away with it. I have no doubt that she would break every bone in his body.
But the point is: Men don’t hit women.
She is like her mother: tiny and very feminine. I am so glad that she probably won’t ever have that problem.
USinUK
My daughter is now 20. I wish Chris Brown would take a swing at her. And Archie, I hope you are not advocating a man should be able to hit a woman because he didn’t like what she said I really hope that is not what you are saying.
By USinUK
March 11, 2009 12:18 PM | Link to this
TOJ -
“My daughter is now 20. I wish Chris Brown would take a swing at her. And Archie, I hope you are not advocating a man should be able to hit a woman because he didn’t like what she said I really hope that is not what you are saying.”
I have 2 nephews and a niece all around their early 20s … or, their “late teens”, as I call it. actually, they’re finally starting to get a grip and use the sense god gave ‘em, but MAN, it took a while.
as for what you said to Archie - CEREAL.
By Mara
March 11, 2009 12:33 PM | Link to this
TOJ - “marshall arts”? LOL!
Archie - I couldn’t have said it better than American Woman did in her 11:20 post. That said, in my opinion NOBODY has the right to hit. A woman beating on her boyfriend is just as dispicable as a guy slapping around his wife. Unfortunately, if the man calls to report his girlfriend’s abuse, he’s likely to be mocked by society, including his friends, for ‘being beat up by a woman’. It’s part and parcel of our historically misogynistic social structure.
By Gale
March 11, 2009 1:01 PM | Link to this
“marshall arts”? I got an image of Matt Dillon wearing white pjs and a black belt.
By USinUK
March 11, 2009 1:14 PM | Link to this
“I got an image of Matt Dillon wearing white pjs and a black belt”
or Art Garfunkel and Art Linkletter in white pjs and a black belt, sparring
By Lyrazel
March 11, 2009 1:23 PM | Link to this
~~sigh~~ I never noticed the misspelling. ya’all have all the fun with spelling~~
By The Other jack
March 11, 2009 1:45 PM | Link to this
Girls
I’m a piano player who has worked in bars since I was 14. Yes, marshall arts. The nice thing about knowing what to do is that you almost never need to use it. And marshall arts don’t mean that you can beat everybody up, in my case, it just means that i can protect myself from drunks … usually.
By Mara
March 11, 2009 2:00 PM | Link to this
“I got an image of Matt Dillon wearing white pjs and a black belt”
Me too!! (The James Arness “Matt Dillon” not the movie star Matt Dillon) and instead of the p.j.’s he had a paint set and easel…
By The Other jack
March 11, 2009 2:20 PM | Link to this
Girls
None of you really want to know what I see when I think about you guys. Believe me, Matt Dillon is a sex symbol compared to that.
By Gale
March 11, 2009 2:25 PM | Link to this
TOJ, we are giggling at the spelling, not that you know martial arts. And yes, we are having fun at your expense. No offense intended.
By The Other jack
March 11, 2009 2:38 PM | Link to this
That’s all i’m doing, Gale.
i think both you and USinUK are sweeties. I think in real life, we could be good friends. I know you both would love my kids, and my cooking.
By Archie
March 11, 2009 2:58 PM | Link to this
And Archie, I hope you are not advocating a man should be able to hit a woman because he didn’t like what she said I really hope that is not what you are saying. No, I asked a simple question and you read too much into it TOJ!! Come on dude. All of the ladies except American Woman responded just to the questions as asked. Thanks Lyrazel,Mara,USinUk, and others. But please just answer the question as asked. I was trying to see if someone were going to put a spin on things but Mara got it plain and clear. Mara and Gale answered the questions just as they were asked. Archie, IMO, no, a woman does not get a pass on insulting or hitting a man. It is unacceptable behavior regardless of gender. That’s what I was looking for.
By USinUK
March 11, 2009 3:14 PM | Link to this
TOJ -
“I’m a piano player who has worked in bars since I was 14. Yes, marshall arts”
no. I think that’s MARTINI arts.
Archie -
“Thanks Lyrazel,Mara,USinUk, and others. But please just answer the question as asked”
I thought I did … but, okay. I’ll step up to the plate again:
“do women get a pass to insult men?”
well, in a perfect world, we would aaaallllll treat each other with the respect we each deserve. but, since the world as we know it isn’t perfect, then, yes, people are going to insult each other sometimes - we even insult people we love.
no one should get a “pass” - if you say something that is hurtful, then you should apologize.
but that does NOT, however, give the insultee license to respond in a physical way.
By Archie
March 11, 2009 3:23 PM | Link to this
“but that does NOT, however, give the insultee license to respond in a physical way” That was never the question!!!!
By Gale
March 11, 2009 3:27 PM | Link to this
MARTINI arts.
perfect!
By lovelyliz
March 11, 2009 3:59 PM | Link to this
Inmate 30349
What about divorce #3?
And what would the normal implications be from the overly uptight, judgemental about everyone else’s behavior, crowd normally be about a 50+ year old man with no children?
I am just saying
By lovelyliz
March 11, 2009 4:02 PM | Link to this
USinUK-
He’s even yummier than he was in his Cold Comfort Farm days. Kind of Daniel Craig-ish
By American Woman
March 11, 2009 4:12 PM | Link to this
Sorry for misreading you, Archie, but I inferred that question from your wording. Some people are more sensitive to the topic than others. It kind of sounded like a question a man would ask before he reaches out and pops “his” woman. We all learn from experience. (Question: What do you tell a woman with two black eyes? Answer: Nothing. You already told her twice!) Just sayin’.
By Frustrated
March 11, 2009 4:51 PM | Link to this
Howdy Peoples!!!
Interesting topics here this week…
Archie, No, women should not get a pass at insulting…Vajayjay does not equal free pass to abuse whomever you please.
Did everyone soak up the wonderful weather while it was in town????
By Archie
March 11, 2009 5:01 PM | Link to this
*Sorry for misreading you, Archie, but I inferred that question from your wording. Some people are more sensitive to the topic than others.” I pretty much try to ask yes or no questions with the understanding that people will explain their answers further. When you infer you mess up. I do have a wife and daughter and if you read my responses they weren’t favorable towards Chris Brown. A longtime blogger like Mara understands me a most of the time as does Lyrazel and they usually answer questions honestly. Gale surprised me with her clarity. Anyway, American Woman good job.
By USinUK
March 12, 2009 8:25 AM | Link to this
Archie, darlin -
“That was never the question!!!!”
Look. I’m not trying to be beligerant about this … but, actually it WAS your question:
“I want to ask the ladies about something since someone mentioned Chris Brown. Do you believe everyone has the right to defend himself/herself? Do you believe that women should get a pass when they verbally insult a man?” (10:37) and “I agree that what Chris Brown did was not defending himself and I think you can see that from my commments but do women get a pass to insult men?” (11:03)
both times, the question was posed in relation to what happened with CB/Rihanna. So, yeah, most of us are going to ANSWER it in that vein, as well.
the yes/no answer you’re looking for: no. no one should get a “pass” for an insult - the person who made the insult should apologize.
but, if by “pass”, you mean that you should have a license to respond in kind or respond physically, then I think you should go back to the Good Book and read the part about turning the other cheek. that doesn’t mean you should continue socializing with this person - if you’re being abused, emotionally, verbally or physically, get out of the situation. but it does mean that, if you don’t want things to escalate, then don’t slang the person back … or kick the person (using brute force) out of your moving car.
By Gale
March 12, 2009 8:28 AM | Link to this
Archie, That I surprised you with clarity implies that I am often not clear. I will try to do better.
By The Other jack
March 12, 2009 8:37 AM | Link to this
Archie
The answer you were looking for? I didn’t know it was a test. I would have studied, but apparently I skipped class on the day of the lecture.
Let’s see:
A Yes, a woman should “get a pass, ie, she shouldn’t be assaulted by a thug of a boyfriend. Her boyfriend should go against what BET and MTV have been teaching the younger generation and walk away instead of beating the holy hell out of the person thst is supposed to be the most important person in his life.
B. No. She should not get a pass, and have the holy snot beat out of her by her thug of a boyfriend.
C Women should be seen and not heard
D. Because Chris Brown is part of the “thuggery is cool” establishment that is pushed by BET and MTV, he should never be questioned for doing what thugs and pimps do, which is beat the holy snot out of women. After all he is teaching young African American males the proper way to discipline their b1tches and hos.
Sorry, I’m sticking with A.
You seem to be somewhere between B and D.
To be perfectly honest, I think it is disgusting that the term ” given a pass” is even used. Perhaps this would be a great time for you, the professor, to clarify the term “given a pass”. What do you mean by the term “given a pass?” Does “given a pass” mean that she doesn’t end up in the hospital and her thuig of a boyfriend doesn’t get to brag to his homies about how he is a real pimp and as we all know, pimps do what pimps do.
Please Archie, like I said, I previously missed the lecture on the treatment of woman by pimps. And pimp is the ultimate 22 inch dub, thumpin’ bumpin’ Escalade gang sign given “sick” thing to be. Right?
Since I obviously failed the test, be the good professor and Harbrace me, dude. Explain the facts of Chris Brown life again. I guess I’m just letting that old fashion “be a man and not a pimp” thing that is sooooo outdated in today’s world be my guide. I am sooo out of touch.
So please professor. Explain EXACTLY what you mean by “given a pass”. And while you are at it, go ahead and explain the consequences for any b1tch or ho that is not given a pass by her mac-daddy pimp.
Yo?
By USinUK
March 12, 2009 8:39 AM | Link to this
lovelyliz -
“He’s even yummier than he was in his Cold Comfort Farm days. Kind of Daniel Craig-ish”
I forgot all about Cold Comfort Farm! it’s been ages …
if BBCAmerica plays “Whitechapel” or the remake of “The 39 Steps”, he stars in both of those, too … and can I just say - WOOF!!! (the stories were good too … but phwoar, he’s easy on the eyes)
By Gale
March 12, 2009 8:45 AM | Link to this
USinUK, Do you think Madoff has enough money to keep him alive for that potential 150 year prison term?
I listened to one of the victims on a radio interview, complianing that he had lost all his money and “the government has done nothing!” Other than bring criminal charges, what does he expect? As I understand it, Madoff will forfeit his possessions and is expected to be on the hook for repayment. Do you think the guy expects the government to make good his investment losses or am I reading too much into that? Investments are risky. If a good return elsewhere is in the 10-15% range, would a return of 40% ring alarm bells for you? I would seriously certainly want due diligence before sinking my life savings into it.
By USinUK
March 12, 2009 8:52 AM | Link to this
TOJ -
(…Putting on my best Phil Hartman voice…)
that post will make your feet stank! it was crizzappy!!
daaaaaaaaaaaaamn!
;-)
By USinUK
March 12, 2009 9:05 AM | Link to this
Gale -
“USinUK, Do you think Madoff has enough money to keep him alive for that potential 150 year prison term?”
haha … he is a Pillsbury Dough Boy of an old guy - there isn’t enough $$$ in the world to protect him (or anyone) in a prison shower. Frankly, I think the courts need to focus on the CRIMINAL part of the title, not what color their colar is. there shouldn’t BE “country club” prisons - the man has committed a crime and should be punished accordingly.
“I listened to one of the victims on a radio interview, complianing that he had lost all his money and “the government has done nothing!” Other than bring criminal charges, what does he expect?”
public flogging and/or the stocks???
“As I understand it, Madoff will forfeit his possessions and is expected to be on the hook for repayment. Do you think the guy expects the government to make good his investment losses or am I reading too much into that? Investments are risky. If a good return elsewhere is in the 10-15% range, would a return of 40% ring alarm bells for you? I would seriously certainly want due diligence before sinking my life savings into it.”
There was a great line from the movie “Protocol” (Goldie Hawn) - she said something like “If someone offers you a diamond mine for 10 cents, you’ll probably wind up with a diamond mine not worth a dime.” if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
however, in this case, it actually WAS theft - he never invested the money, so it’s not like he lost it on the market - the $$$ never made it that far. So, yeah, I think the victims should claw back as much money as they can from the guy.
By The Other jack
March 12, 2009 9:09 AM | Link to this
USinUk
The term “”given a pass” just p1sses me off. I thought the guy was a partner in a relationship, not the omnipotent ruler. When i read it yesterday, I couldn’t help but think of the section of Shindler’s List where Shindler was trying to convince the commandant of the labor camp to be the bigger man and bless the people that he wants to kill. So the next few scenes are him forgiving his servants, giving them a pass, that is until the little boy doesn’t clean his bathtub with lie so he blows his brains out.
This is the everyday language of BET and MTV and we wonder why people like chris brown thinks it’s OK to put his GF in the hospital the day before they go to the Emmys.
By USinUK
March 12, 2009 9:18 AM | Link to this
TOJ -
“This is the everyday language of BET and MTV and we wonder why people like chris brown thinks it’s OK to put his GF in the hospital the day before they go to the Emmys.”
I absolutely agree with you on this - I think the whole situation is a matter of reaping what rap/hip hop has sown for the last decade. More people like Jay-Z need to step up and condemn violence against women.
“The term “”given a pass” just p1sses me off.”
I’m trying to give Archie the benefit of the doubt and get to the bottom of what he’s asking. He seems to have some baggage (he said he’s been insulted in the past) - hell, we’ve ALL been insulted at one time or another. You deal with it - either by walking away or addressing the offensive behaviour by talking it through.
By USinUK
March 12, 2009 9:40 AM | Link to this
TOJ -
heeeyyyyy … now that I think about it … what are you doing here?? shouldn’t you be out in search of braaaaiiiinnnnsssss???
wasn’t today the zombie shoot with your nephew and niece-in-law??
(btw, since my husband is such a zombie-phile, a friend gave me a T-shirt that says “Zombie boyfriends love you for your brains, not your body”)
By The Other jack
March 12, 2009 10:42 AM | Link to this
USinUK
Zombie day is Saturday. I think I’m going to be more involved than I thought.
I haven’t heard from my nephew. I guess they are still coming down. I am spending the day trying to get the old Volvo to pass inspection. I needed a new catalytic converter yesterday and that wasn’t cheap. I knew it was going to need work so I have been driving the convertible and I had let the tags expire on the Volvo. I drove it one day to a gig and got pinched. My court day is next Tuesday so I need to have tags on it by then. it’s a stinking racket. this is two years in a row i have needed a Catalytic converter. And the old guy that runs the garage gave me the lecture about putting regular gas in a top of the line Volvo. “Don’t you even know what you art driving”. He made me cry (inside anyway).
He is right. it’s an old car, but a 960 was the top of the line back then.
I may be moving. I got an offer on this old barn and it is a very good offer. I keep wondering why? maybe this guy knows something about this place I don’t, like buried treasure or something.
By USinUK
March 12, 2009 11:22 AM | Link to this
TOJ -
“I may be moving. I got an offer on this old barn and it is a very good offer. I keep wondering why? maybe this guy knows something about this place I don’t, like buried treasure or something.”
see if anything has been filed with your county clerk - planning permission to change zoning or something like that - as you say, if he’s asking that much over the value, he just may know something you don’t.
or maybe he has an SO in the federal pen. ;-)
I’m still so bummed about the shoot - absolutely crushed that we’re missing it by a couple of weeks. but you and the kids have a GREAT time!! (BRAINS!!!)
By The Other jack
March 12, 2009 12:10 PM | Link to this
USinUK
The offer isn’t over value. It is only slightly under value, but in these days, I figured the offers would be half value. I have already picked out a little 30ish bungalow over toward the perimeter. An old man lived there until he died. It has no modern appliances, but he had it rewired and the AC was replaced two years ago and the electrical is modern and grounded which is essential for my computers.
Bad wall paper, carpet is rotted, but the floors are great looking wood that just needs sanding and finishing. It is located in a great place and the back yard is fenced in and much, much bigger than this one. My cairn terrier will think he is in big sky country. It has a nice deck in the back but almost no front porch. I’m a little concerned for the monster cat because the road in the front is busy, not like this quiet neighborhood.
The thing that I am pumped about is the garage. I will have a place to change oil, fix equipment, keep tools. And the old man had re-insulated the house over and over until his electric bills with the new AC was almost nothing. This place heats the entire hood in the winter and cools the houses around me in the summer. I just paid an electric and gas bills for Feb for almost $1,000 bucks.
This barn is twice as big but this barn is twice as big. I don’t need four bedrooms and a setting room, two and a half baths a second floor office with a zillion windows, and a huge mystery space on the second floor that would make at lest one more huge bedroom. I live in three rooms and it still costs a fortune to heat and cool. It is also getting the familiar “summer rotten house” smell. it’s just very, very old and it has been in nasty Atlanta weather and humidity for 130 years. I have replaced more rotten lumber and termite eaten wood than anyone should ever need to deal with. This is the money pit, except unlike the Tom Hanks movie, this is not a mansion worth restoring. It is a multi segmented, once apartment, no garage, air conditioning sucking, fire trap.
There are places in the basement that I have never been. You know how in the horror movie when the audience is screaming DON’T GO IN THERE!!! Well, I’m taking the advice. I’m not going in there. There’s c** roaches in the basement that could whip a dog. But the best thing is that I can take the money from this house which is almost paid for and pay cash, which really helps in the negotiations. No house payment, just Atlanta’s outrageous taxes.
I will find out this week, but i want to be out of here by April.
By USinUK
March 12, 2009 12:32 PM | Link to this
TOJ -
fingers crossed!! that sounds like it would be a fixer-upper, but at least it’s a just a cosmetic fixer-upper. Sort of a “Nip-Tuck” kind of bungalow, rather than an “Extreme Makeover” bungalow.
Go for it! the monster cat sounds like a smart one - he’ll figure it out. or he’ll take out a couple of cars and the drivers will learn to go around.
oh, and while I’m thinking of it - check out the middle cartoon - your conversation with either Gale or Mara a couple of weeks ago reminded me of this:
http://www. rhymeswithorange.com/ category/favorites/
By Gandalf, the White!
March 12, 2009 1:00 PM | Link to this
When I was younger some guy hit my baby sister. I was overseas at the time. Whem I came home on leave I tracked him down and broke his arm with a baseball bat, he was nice after that. Just saying…
By Gale
March 12, 2009 1:13 PM | Link to this
TOJ, It’s good to see the ajc censors c** roaches. They really are too nasty for polite conversation.
By Ben
March 12, 2009 1:21 PM | Link to this
Shaunti’s description of the dangers of marijuana reveals her extreme ignorance of the subject. Try smoking a little veruss smoking cigarettes, you will quickly see which ones affects your respiration more (hint, it’s the tobacco, by a lot). And addictive? It’s may be more potent then 30 years ago, but no one added any extra chemicals to suddenly make it addictive where it wasn’t before. Habitual, yes, but it was always habit forming. As far as the potency, it’s like beer versus grain alcohol. No one is stupid enough to drink the same volume of grain as they do of beer, but in Shaunti’s world, you would just drink the same amount of liquid no matter the proof or how drunk it got you. But most people stop when they are as drunk as they want to be, or as stoned. In Shaunti’s world of ignorance, people cannot control themselves. In the real world, they can.
Considering our last three Presidents all smoked weed, as well as a lot of business leaders, sports stars, and other famous folks, there’s every bit of evidence that smoking pot does NOT hurt people or keep them from succeeding in life. And at the same time, there’s NO evidence that it does hurt people or destroy lives.
Furthermor, if you drink alcohol in any form at all, but are against the legalization of pot, then you are a major hypocrite. Try driving on each, try socializing, try spending time with your family while drunk and while high. You’ll find alcohol is FAR more dangerous and likely to cause problems than pot. But folks like Shaunti don’t live in reality, they live3 in “all drugs are bad” land, except of course for the drugs that big businesses makes money off of. I bet Shaunti thinks drugging kids with ritalin and adderal is just fine, even though we know FAR less about the long term effects of those drugs than pot.
By Archie
March 12, 2009 2:42 PM | Link to this
Archie, That I surprised you with clarity implies that I am often not clear. I will try to do better. Gale, you’re just fine all the time. *I’m trying to give Archie the benefit of the doubt and get to the bottom of what he’s asking. He seems to have some baggage (he said he’s been insulted in the past)” I don’t have any baggage and those were simple straightforward questions and there’s nothing to get to the bottom of. Now as for TOJ we all know he can’t read and comprehend and he’s a racist. Mara,Gale,Lyrazel all answered the questions plain and simple and even American Woman admitted she was overly sensitive. I wanted the opinions of the ladies and they gave them so that’s pretty much it.
As for my governor, that idiot knows the legislators will go around him and get the stimulus money but it gets him national press when he comes up with something stupid. His own party members call him disingenuous. Heck, people at my job who are hard-core conservatives call him an idiot because they can see right thru him and in fact Mr. Sanford is becoming irrelevant to South Carolinians that really know what’s going on. Most of the general public does not understand state government so politicians can speak in generalities and get away with not divulging any facts but good reporters will place the facts before the public in an editorial or some other article and that’s what happened last Thursday. Stay tuned this guy Sanford will say something or do something else to get his name out there.
By The Other jack
March 12, 2009 2:50 PM | Link to this
Gale
Yes. After I posted it, I was horrified that I had slipped up and used that word. Maybe I should have said dick roaches.
Ben
Lots of good points. Tobacco tars are not nearly as degradable as weed tars so they stay in a person’s lings for years, causing the irritation that results in cancer. Weed is also a very good expectorant. If a person stops smoking weed for 30 days, no mater how much they had in their system, it will be gone except for hair follicle and finger nails. That’s why a drug test is only effective if the person has smoked in the past 30 days … or so I’ve been told.
By USinUK
March 12, 2009 3:26 PM | Link to this
Archie -
as for your gov - today’s headlines seem to indicate that he’s going to redirect the money that was targeted for education and public safety to pay off the debt.
good thing SC is at the top of the nation’s charts, huh.
I’ll be surprised if he doesn’t find a group of villagers outside the governor’s mansion armed with torches and pitchforks.
“I don’t have any baggage and those were simple straightforward questions and there’s nothing to get to the bottom of.”
hate to tell ya, but evidently there is, from what you’ve said in this week’s posts (“I ask that question because of some things that have been said to me.” and “I personally believe if you hit me I will hit you back, plain and simple and I also believe no one gets a pass to insult or hit someone”). and, as I said, considering the way the questions were framed (as a part of the CB/Rihanna issue), I think it’s absolutely right that Gale, AW, Mara and I pretty much ALL answered the way that we did.
By The Other jack
March 12, 2009 3:54 PM | Link to this
Archie
Still avoiding a discussion by hiding behind that racist crap. That’s fine, Pal. I’ve seen your attempt at reasonable discourse so it’s good that you now understand your own limitations.
You made yourself out to look like one of those punk cowards that have no problem hitting women. it’s always just a matter of a threshold of your own self control that needs to be reached. What’s the threshhold today?
Did she hit you? Sure, that’s enough. Just beat the hell out of the 105 lb woman. Yea. Defend yourself.
Well hell. She talked to you like you were a dog. BAMMM!!! That’s enough. Show that b1tch who is boss.
She’s talking back to you. You need to cripple that b1tch.
Or you could (as you say) give her a pass. Be the Omnipotent God and grant your forgiveness and not beat the hell out of her this time.
So what is your threshold, Archie? Are you going to defend yourself against the weaker sex by beating the hell out of her? It would make you feel like a big man.
My point is that a real man doesn’t have that threshold. It just doesn’t exist. It would no more be possible for a reall man to hit a girl friend or wife as it would be for him to drive his car over a child. it’s just something that you don’t do. It’s a matter of training that you should have received as a child.
I guess you and I were raised differently. Not a race thing. Just a luck thing. Sorry Pal.
By The Other jack
March 12, 2009 3:58 PM | Link to this
Archie
I wanted the opinions of the ladies
Sounds like you need to listen to the opinion of a man.
By Archie
March 12, 2009 4:37 PM | Link to this
USinUk, come on, you’re way too smart to drum up discussion over nothing. I don’t have any baggage. I have always asked questions of the ladies on the “Woman to Woman” blog and I could have asked those same questions without mentioning Chris Brown and Rihanna. I have always said I hit back in self-defense that’s not new. As for insults I get insulted by men and women. I think you read too much into things and as smart as you are I think you’re trying to stir the pot because for the most part it’s only been you and one other person blogging. In my opinion the blog has gone down ever since Renee,JBM,Lozen,Ken,Jack, and some others stopped posting. Even JokesOn doesn’t post much anymore so I know people try to pick a faux fight but really that’s not necessary. Ladies do you want men to side with you on all issues or do you want men to evaluate each issue individually? I expect to get bashed for asking that question but whatever.
By Mara
March 13, 2009 8:24 AM | Link to this
Archie, like the rest of the forum I took your question in context of the Brown-Rihanna situation. So, just to clarify, what exactly did you mean by “do women get a pass to insult men”? As unsettling as I find it, I’ve got to agree with TOJ that your wording implies that a woman who speaks her mind to a man (who just might find her opinion insulting) would ordinarily pay some sort of consequences if not for getting that ‘pass’.
So. What kind of ‘pass to insult’ are we talking about? And why would it be confined to women who insult men and not to men who insult women? After all, men insult women as often as women insult men…
By Gale
March 13, 2009 8:48 AM | Link to this
Very true, Mara, and I would say men insult women in general, if not specific women, often and with inpunity. Witness Hillary Clinton’s campaign. How many men will willingly participate in generalized insult to women in general? When women say insulting things about men -in general- it is far less caustic. However, I do not pay attention to celebrity news and though I am aware of the Brown-Rihanna situation, I really took the question at face value.
To respond to Archie’s latest question, I don’t expect anyone to side with me on any discussion. At times I hold opinions quite different from others here. I would hardly expect other women to side with me just because I am female. At the same time, I am likely to become angry with a man because of his opinion on a starkly female situation. For that reason, I try to withold comment when a topic centers on a completely male experience.
By JokesOn
March 15, 2009 11:14 AM | Link to this
Archie,
I get where you are coming from (although I too am going to, admittidly, read a greater premise into what you were asking) and that there are many different situations that people tend to accidently mix together.
The social standard is this (when framed in your question): A guy should not be one bit surprised to be slapped (even in public) for insulting a female. The guy should still simply walk away, but it annoying to be with someone who is actively TRYING to bait you. Does tht mean they get a “pass?” Yes - in the instance - although it is still wrong. Can she be judged on that behaviour? Yes - so in this greater scope she does not get a “pass.”
In the converse situation of a female hurling insults at a guy, the guys still needs to walk away. Having the weight of having to be the adult in either situation when dealing with anyone like this may be unfair, but way is the world. Just as there are things women have to deal with an an either/or situation.
Take care.
ps - been playing in large pool tournaments (bca) lately, 8 and 9 ball, and have bee rocking. I have a handful of players that will pay for table time just to get some pointers and lose a few bucks. Wish I was not too old to get into the professional circuit, but way it goes.