sgallan

No fake trees in this house. This because it is 70-80 out everyday, and it's very dry this time of the year (it is the desert). I don't get the actual tree until a week before Christmas. I do all the correct things to prepare it, and make darn sure the tree is still green and moist before I buy, and water regularly. The stuff that goes on the tree is eclectic stuff accumulated over the years, with some lights added on. And it has a train that goes around it. We do have the stockings up and many of the other nicknacks around as well. Usually I do a lot of lights on the house, but the house will be for sale so I am skipping that this year. FWIW, as a godless heathen I didn't really do Christmas - save the parties and gifts - until I had a child. But even though Christmas is secular in this house, it is has become a special and magical time for the kid.... as it was for me.

Well I don't know how it works in LDS circles, but I basically gave up on relationships and dating. I had no problems finding relationships but they were a mess. So I was no longer interested and then suddenly I had more than one wanting to date me at a time. All 10-15 years younger at that. Well I don't do the more than one at a time ting - it is rude- and wasn't all that interested. But one was so nice, and sweet, that I find myself a relationship, and seem to have picked up a couple of rowdy boys (2 and 3) in the bargain. I had mom and that family put them on a regular nap/bedtime/discipline schedule, and they seem to be settling down. Heck, I am in the process of relocating and she's even cool with that. Plus Reni loves her and likes the boys. Go figure how all this worked out. FWIW, I am technically still married, but the ex has fallen off the face of the earth (she's a drug addict), so getting the actual divorce has proven problematic. I guess that sort of thing would be more problematic in LDS circles.

There are too many things to list that make me happy. Today it is a cuddle with my girlfriend. Being there in a crisis and being able to joke about it afterwards. A job well done in getting ready to move. Watching my kitties play. Beating up teenagers on a wrestling mat. Having our defending State Champion hanging with me on a visit from college, knowing now that he is at a different level, it is me what got him there. Having my 63 pound daughter give that 291 pound kid a bloody lip (and him loving it). A beautiful sunset and sunrise (we have the best). Everyday has these moments, you just have to find them.

PC - True that it is also a conservative debate and not just versus a religious conservative one. But it has been my experience having been engaged in the political process for about 28 years now, that the religious conservative is also solidly on the opposite side of what I am debating. Plus, on this particular board, I think it is safe to say many of the political views have significant religious underpinnings. As far as the debate entotal I will say it is not 'just' a conservative religious paradigm' that often has this great nation, as also being a harsh one. It is just part of being a United States American in my view and is a tendency that went to far to the meaner aspects of our personna of late. It is the part of ourselves we often don't like to admit..... often with those offended by suggesting "love it or get out"..... which sort of defeats the purpose of a Democratic Republic.

Religion (not God, not true faith, but religion itself) is neutral. It can motivate the good to be even better, and the bad to be even worse. I'll be a bit balanced with religion in general..... I do let my kid go to church (on her own mind you) from time to time.... so I am not all that dogmatic. But if I have a preference it is she is not religious, or perhaps not Christian (Diest, Baha'i, or Buddhist would be better from my POV) Politically speaking religion as practiced as a political entity in this country, is hardly nuetral. With the debate (still) dominated by those on the conservative spectrum. The so-called moralists (who I do not consider all that moral due to debates such as this). Very often those who are the harshest about people in my situation, are also those who are proud card carrying Republicans of the religious right. If you want an example of what I am talking about, then the results of the poll on this thread, and the harshness of the attitudes - even when there is a real person attached to the situation - pretty much speaks for itself. maybe you ought to evaluate the balance you have between needs of yourself and your family and others. my advice would be to look for a better position that would allow you time home, yet provide healthcare, and worry about service to you and your daughter before others. The service to the others includes my daughter. It isn't possible to cut back on the one without cutting back on the other. I have the luck, and maybe the curse of being a single parent of an athletically gifted child. Who exactly is going to coach her? Take her, or arrange for her to go all of the country (and in a few years the world)? I will white knuckle it for awhile and hope for the best. Once I get this one raised...... then I don't care. I could die anytime after that and plan on going out with "my boots on" so to speak. One reason I consider this nation - for all of it's military strength and economic power - as being one of the more harsh nations in the industrialized world is for all of it's might and power, it is unable to take care of it's citizenry in something as essential and basic as our very lives. I consider the citizens of this nation in general every bit as harsh. I can easily see why the rest of the world think us as arrogant bullies.... we even treat our own citizens like this. FWIW...... perhaps with the change in the political climate there is going to be an easing of the harshness that is this nation. That it went on so long, and got so mean, is why I changed from a ticket splitter to voting Democrat across the board. In a very general way Republicans, and especially conservative Republicans, and even more especially religious conservatives, are fairly brutal and mean, to any except those who believe as they do. They don't really care all that much about what happens to the rest.

Is it a choice to be able to have time with your daughter and do your other service or is it the only work you can find? It is a choice - I could test for a full time teaching position, and/or could be a full time (junior) Professor if I chose. I can have my pick of retail management positions with my background as well. My child is more important than my professional aspirations. As are those kids. They are the innocents. Shame on a society that punishes people like myself.

If we are not going to help those who cannot help themselves then lets not help anyone and build walls around our country to keep out everyone who is not an American and we can take care of ourselves. If you want to go there.... I am well equipped. As is my kid. Black belt. Genuis IQ. National wrestler. She can win the Darwin wars. You'll have to excuse those who use this sort of ability to take over things though. Including those criminal types. Because they will thrive. It is the nature of the game. It is sort of like what is happening in Russia, as well as a good part of the third world. But if this is your model.... then I would be remiss if I didn't teach my progdiny to "win" in such a world. Though I would be sad it came to that.

And well gee..... my 20 hours a week of community service, my being an instructor to inmates (including visiting the prisons though it is not required), and my being the (tough) substitute teacher for this district, while trying to raise a gifted child as a single dad.... doing this with a MBA and the credentials to make a LOT more money...... as well as being a father figure for two exceptional needs children, doesn't count either. Yup..... I am better off dead in a dysfunctional health care system that doesn't care that people like me slip through the cracks. You guys rock. My little one has a lot of empathy (she used to talk to the retarded cerebal palsy child I subbed for everyday on the phone - and it made his day). Your cold hearted political views will surely win her over.

If the Democrats were in total control I would agree with you. I sure as heck don't want them in total control, because any party in total control gets power hungry, arrogant, and often corrupt. It is just the nature of power, and of politicians. Clinton and the Republican Congress thrived with split government. As did Reagan. When Carter and the Democrats were in control is was a disaster. Johnson (past civil rights) was a disaster. I would suggest the recent situation is the same. When they actually have to work together and address the legitimate issues of both sides, decent legislations tends to get passed.

You took the bait. Thanks for the illustration of why your party lost the recent election. Republicans, especially the conservative religious ones, are mean and don't really care about any save their own. PS - This is just what I was looking for. I plan on using this little back and forth as a lesson for my kid (homeschooled) tommorrow. It should help make my case against "religion". Thanks for your help.....

so I do not care about people cause I am not for FREE Healthcare.........LOL Well you obviously do not care about many people - like my daughter and I - that is enough for me. I will remember to never shed a tear about your trials and losses either. Because you obviously are pretty choosy about who you care about.

Okay - do you think it would have come out differently had he been up this year? Honestly? Nevada is red, but it isn't that red.

Wrong thread Ben!

sounds like you are hoping it will be better....you don't really know......and witht the govt involved it will be a mess......... But I would get to see a doctor (they know more than me about medicine - really). Now - if it is bad - I am just dead. My daughter gets a drug addict mom. You win a political argument. Congratualtions, you rock. Want some pictures of us to make it more real? Or would you really care if real people are involved because it is against your political dogma? Scott - Astonished on how brutally cold harded many religious people can be when it comes to politics.

Fair enough. The comparison just seemed odd is all.

I have seen the type of care you want and its horrible. Trust me.... it is better than no care at all..... and then dying because I couldn't afford to even get diagnosed with a heart problem, or cancer, or any of a number of things, until I was basically terminal. I get the occasional chest pains now. I researched it. It seems "okay". But I can't be sure unless I get it checked out for sure.... and I can't afford it. But hey, if it turns out bad I'll be sure to let my child know about this site and she can give you the "update". Guess I will just have to do it myself and not depend on or look to the government to do it for me. You'll no doubt be pleased if I were to die and my child would end up with a drug addict for a mom then.

Is a representative elected to represent his constituancy or as a Senator, his state, or is he elected to represent his party? When he is the leader of the Senate then the answer is both. If the electorate doesn't like this reality then they can vote him out. It's happened before. I do know that he does not represent the people of Nevada by his votes, he represents his party. Yet he was re-elected. I would suggest the majority of voters in Nevada are either comfortable with his role, or disagree with your assessment.

Do we really want the Govt in Health care.....thats a scary thought......wow!!!! When you have none, and are 46, an age where people die because they cannot get preventative maintenance medical care, and are also a single dad, you bet I want somebody interested in my health care. If it is "Govt"..... then so be it. At least somebody gives a crap even if they don't do it well. But what do you care..... I am just a casualty to a political idea, and my kid who could end up with a drug addicted mom as the primary parent, is just collateral damage. Right? Bring on a solution. And try to do it quickly in case something happens to me. Okay?

So you can't smoke but can watch naked dancers while you eat your food. I find it odd you find watching strippers as worse than smoking. I think I can safley document more people dying before their time by smoking, than by watching strippers. So when you say LOL..... what is it you find so funny?

The vote on the other thread suggest this board has a number of hardcore partisan Republican's. Given this, what is your take on Reid becoming the probable Senate majority leader? Is he a "false" member because he is a Democrat? And apostate perhaps? He will put forth a Democratic agenda afterall. And has always done so.

For the first time in my life I did vote a straight ticket (save one very local race). I was not happy with the war. I am not happy with a trickle down economics that doesn't trickle down very well to the middle class. I was not happy with the examples of one party in power becoming corrupt. I was not happy with the exploding deficit. And lastly (and more personnal) I am making middle class money and yet find myself without health insurance. So out with the Republicans. Now the next election I still hope for a Democratic Congress, but I want a Republican President (McCain perhaps). I just love split Government. It means that the stuff from the far left and the far right doesn't have a chance. And the legislation that really needs to get done, gets done with input from both sides because anything else doesn't have a chance of passing.

I concur with Soul Searcher.

i do know that individuals not of my standards have done studies to show that this kind of material is damaging to a culture and society. Whose studies? What were standard they used? Who did the studies? And so on. The reason I ask, and this is especially true now with the internet, is that anybody with any google knowledge at all can find a "study", or information, to use to buttress a certain cause..... no matter what that cause is. More legitimate questions, there are cultures who believe that women should be entirely covered except perhaps for their hands. What is you opinion on this? Why would your opinion be anymore valid than theirs, or mine, in a societal way? The reason I 'pick on' these things is so many seem to have a simplistic solution....... their solution. However their solution doesn't suit either me, nor those on the other side of the argument such as conservative Islam. Through the combination of community standards, the Bill of Rights, with courts as mediators. Exactly!

This is an attempt to put everyone on the same page, so that the real discussion can begin, instead of having everyone talk past each other. Honestly, it doesn't appear anybody here can accurately conceptualize a non-believer such as myself. Everybody wants to somehow put me into their belief paradigm instead of accepting mine for what it is. The way you worded your post seemed not only insulting, but ignorant. If believing in something unprovable and invisible is ignorant then I am guilty as charged. If being a believer were to give my daughter the same testy attitude as yours (and she is only five years younger than you), then I feel very comfortable in the way I have chosen to educate her.

If the majority wants it then they can have their choice also. I then can vote my concience by moving from a community that allows that type of material or behavior. Are you therefore saying it would be okay with you if the community you lived in forced the women in the community to wear Burka's? Are you also saying that majority rules in all cases without concern for the minorities? Do you understand the implications this could have for your very faith in many communities in the United States? i have formed my opinion based on the teachings of the church. to quote the "For Sreangth Of Youth" (bold added my me) I do not have an issue with your standards being guided by your faith. But I am not of your faith. Nor are most people. So how does society broker the differences?