I was shocked as well... Until I realized that they would never have gotten much press by saying they agreed with Ms. Davis.

Compared to BJU that is practically progressive!

First, I think this thread has been very informative and civil so far. I would hate for it to decend into circular arguments and another round of "onward Christian bakers". Second, I think Kim Davis' position is not so much like military service, (which is a contract that cannot be walked away from), and more like the position of a school board member or city councilman/woman, who can always resign. She, or any elected official, does not have the right to refuse to do their job because they don't like the way the system works. She argued that she did have that right, her case was heard, she lost. The system did exactly as it is supposed to and she is sitting in a cell, not because of her religious beliefs, but because she stomped her foot like a tantruming toddler when things didn't go her way.

Happy Birthday, Cat!!! I do believe this calls for celebratory dark chocolate cupcakes and wine!

I am so glad to hear that, Susan! Truthfully the change in available materials is one of the most exciting things of the past decade in the homeschool world.

m This is historically true. We have centuries of arranged marriages, child brides, widows marrying brother-in-laws, shotgun weddings, etc. I don't actually give two shakes what the meaning has been. Meanings change Societies evolve Religious majorities become minorities But, fear not, we are governed by a document that protects the rights of the minority as well as the majority.

This cannot be repeated enough.

I can remember as a child my mom receiving these watch lists for organizations/companies that were promoting an "anti-christian" agenda. Maybe what needs to circulate is a watch list of "Christian leaders" whose ideas and theology should be avoided like the plague. Dougie-boy could be in the top ten.

Oh my stars! That is waaaaaay beyond "the customer is always right" and I hope that fool was arrested for assault. The customer is always right is for demanding a new drink with more ice, or returning a top that shrunk after the first washing, not justifying punching people, sheesh. ETA: even still, you can firmly assert what you expect as a customer without being an ass. I didn't mean to imply otherwise.

Every time I see that name my eye starts twitching. The culture of American conservative evangelical churches is not the cause for abuse, but creates an environment in which abuse can go unseen, unchecked, or even be affirmed.

Magic School Bus Rescue Bots Phineas and Ferb

Just to summarize, and make sure I haven't missed something- Kim Davis refused to issue ANY licenses, was offered the option of just allowing the clerks who were willing to issue, refused, was given the option of jail or allowing the other WILLING clerks to issue liscenses, and chose jail.

We lost our beagle/basset mix a few months ago to bone cancer. He was the best dog I have ever had in my entire life. I love our beagle/lab mix dearly, but when we get a pup again I will be looking for another beagle/basset mix. In fact, I have never met anyone with a beagle/basset mix who has not loved it.

This. The problem I am seeing with common core math is not the mathematical methods but the implementation of poorly written curriculum by teachers who do not understand the methods they are teaching with a side car of stupidity. If they teach four methods to solve a particular type of problem they require every student to be able to use all four methods. Forget that the entire point of presenting concepts in different ways is so students can learn the ONE that they can best wrap their brains around...s.t.u.p.i.d.i.t.y.

I curse freely with my therapist. He curses back. I am confident he does not curse with clients who would be offended. I probably didn't curse before we hit the 100th session. And I know he didn't curse before I did. All that said to say: 1) Texasmama is awesome!! 2) Cursing is sometimes acceptable or even needed in professional situations.

Voted other on both. If it is an actual gift, I graciously accept and either pass it on, use it, or (because I have some jacked up family dynamics) put it in my "emotional blackmail" box.* I don't consider preprinted address stickers from charities gifts. In my mind refreshments at the bank or trinkets from the local university aren't gifts either; they are a calculated business move. *I have a bankers box where I put items I do not want, but am not up to dealing with the fallout of getting rid of or returning.

In Dd's book basket now: Baby Mouse Squish Lunch Lady

The Far Side? Pearls Before Swine is awesome, but may be too adult. I have not read it with an adolescent's experience in mind.

Those are lovely. I am only a fan of snakes I am consuming so these are definitely the kind I appreciate!

Thanks! I wasn't sure if there was some other awesomeness I had missed. My ability to search since the forums switched to this format are next to nil.

So, after weeks away from the forums, (which I will get to the reasons for later), I have come back to a spork infestation. Could someone educate me or link the illuminating/incriminating threads? TIA!

Just seeing this today- (((Pamela)))

(((Hugs))) May God give the medical staff wisdom and compassion, and may you find peace in the middle of this crisis.

Women in my family routinely live into their 90's. Maternal family, paternal family, both have women living independently and capably until they are looking at most of their eighties in the rear view mirror.

Twenty was hard. Seriously, I wore black for a week! (Although, it was mostly a joke.) After that.....nothing has felt like a big deal. I make jokes about it and frequently forget how old I actually am. The truth is I have had grandparents and great grandparents who were mowing yards, driving, being able to care for themselves and thier homes into thier late 80's-mid 90's and grandparents and great grandparents who were in need of care by the time they were 50. Age really is just a number. We currently have to be careful about commenting on my age because Bug has been very sensitive about it since my grandfather died. Old = death in his mind right now so we have backed off the old jokes until this stage of grief has passed for him.