Inside Amazon's warehouse: Lehigh Valley workers tell of brutal heat, dizzying pace at online retailer. For me, reading this story was like reading a modern-day portion of Upton Sinclair's "The Jungle". I think the entire situation just incapsulates every single thing that has gone wrong with the US economy: want, want it cheaply, want it now, d@mn the consequences. Welcome to the human cost of the (new, not so industrial) revolution. Blech. asta (and no, I don't think this is a "it's all the fault of those RICH people" issue. I think this is a "it's all the fault of most EVERYONE" issue -- a society that doesn't stop to think where or how they get their STUFF as long as they get it fast and get it cheaply)

I go along with Switzerland: there aren't only ten oranges. And they don't only exist at the top of the tree. (even if they did - that's what climbing, ladders and changes of seasons are for - to bring some of them closer to the ground) Every orange has seeds. (stay with me) It only takes one seed to grow a whole new tree - and there are many seeds in one orange. It takes hard work, time, and patience to grow orange trees. There is no quick way to do it. When you have started your grove with one seed from one orange when times were bleak and everyone around you said it was never going to ever get better... but now it is decades later and you're told you are supposed to give up a substantial piece of your grove because... There are only ten oranges, and they should be shared equally, don't you know. Economies rise and fall. Those who survive plant seeds in the troughs which grow in the cr@p and blossom on the hills. And then they pray that others don't take it away from them in the name of "fairness". So, no, this economist says we aren't getting out of this anytime soon. And we won't be going back to "what was". There is a structural realignment of the economy occurring. And a cultural one as well. As Audrey says "not until after the empire completes its decline and fall". Sometimes (most of the time), one must hit rock bottom before one realizes it is time to pick oneself back up. asta

The humongous font wasn't necessary. I said: For. As in, what diagnosis I have that I would need a service animal for. I didn't realize that wasn't clear. asta

I was wondering about that. I hear it, and I read it on the internet, and I saw one woman that made me go "huh?" (sm dog, in big shoulder satchel), but later on, a medical person "in the know" told me she was actually a diabetic, and the dog sensed her sugar levels. I've actually heard of those animals, so... so much for judgement, eh? a

Have you thought to ask the advisor if they have an advisory board that talks about CCD, baptisms, 1st communion, etc. and if it allows non-board members to attend and/or is looking for input? Sometimes, parishes are begging for someone to come in and simply say "you know, this stuff is so out of date, it is really turning people off - if we offered a more up to date program, I bet we could really bring 'em in". In addition to that, you could add in your bit about - "hey, wouldn't it be great if we had the main program for 1st kids and a refresher for subsequent kids?" My most recent priest just had to go toe to toe with his administration to get our CCD program revamped. He wanted it switched to the "Faith and Life" series (the kid program which leads to the teen Didache series). The admin guy, who isn't even Catholic, was completely stuck on a horrible, outdated program that both the kids and the parents hated. The parish was losing folks in droves. It wasn't even like he was asking for something "new" - it was the "required time" to buy new curricula! Look at it as a case of "you never know what you can get until you ask". asta ETA: These are the kind of things I'm talking about: Your Baby's Baptism A Child's First Communion A Biblical Walk Through the Mass This is the new liturgy and has both a parent and student pak Does the Church Still Teach That? (this one is actually long - but it looked interesting :p )

Something not really part of the discussion, but I remembered while in the shower ( :blush: ) -- if I hadn't been blessed (for lack of better terminology) that my OWN dog could detect seizures (she figured it out LONG before the doctors did) -- you know what my other option was? To get on a waiting list for a "helper" dog that a company "hoped would, SOMEDAY be able to detect seizures just by spending a lot of time with me and getting in tune with me". Yes - that is really the method used. Epilepsy wards in hospitals 'kill' for dogs like mine. It is one way they root out subclinical seizures that they 'know' are happening but that they can't find on standard tests. Like those cancer dogs you've read about. Assistance animal fakers really bother me. But if I had *had* to go through one of those agencies? I would have been screwed. My dog was already FIVE - none of them would take her for their "specialized training" (believe me - I called ALL over the US). I ended up taking her to a highly regarded, specialized trainer who trained her one on one, all day for over a month, and then trained us together for weeks. It is 5 years later, and she is still trained off leash - no treats involved - and other than being old, a bit obstinate and not too fond of massive crowds (cataracts), she is still as sharp as a tack. a

There is no national certification in the US for service animals, and this is not the fault of those of us who have them. We are stuck between a rock and a hard place. I spent an inordinate sum of money to have my dog, who is able to detect seizures by sheer genetics, trained to be my service animal. She can detect my seizures, your seizures - she isn't particular -- like I said, it's a genetic gift. She can lead me home after a seizure even if I am in a complete fugue. She will pull me to the ground to prevent me from falling prior to a seizure. She will lay across my body and prevent anyone but uniformed personnel from touching me. And when I'm not in a "bad" period? You'd just think she was the most well trained family dog you ever saw -- wearing a vest. That said -- by the ADAs rules, yes, you CAN ask if she is a service dog. What you CAN'T ask is what she is a service dog FOR. Finally, the biggest key is this: Q: What is a service animal? A: The ADA defines a service animal as any guide dog, signal dog, or other animal individually trained to provide assistance to an individual with a disability. If they meet this definition, animals are considered service animals under the ADA regardless of whether they have been licensed or certified by a state or local government. An animal is not a service animal if they are not TRAINED. Service animals do not jump up on people. They don't bark at people. They don't pee in stores. They sure as sh!t don't sit on tables. They are trained to do a job and otherwise remain all but invisible (or, in Asta's case - horribly cute). Service animals don't have to be leashed to not run into traffic / eat someone else's food / do something stupid. Where I currently live? She is not even considered a service dog. Why? Because the country only recognizes seeing eye dogs. Period. They don't even recognize dogs for the deaf. It is a dog friendly place, and I can take her many places - even restaurants, but certainly not groceries, movies, etc. I have had to curtail my activities due to this. I understand people getting upset over this issue, and that table thing was disgusting, but try and remember that the majority of disabilities are invisible. You will be seeing more and more service dogs in the coming years with war veterans as the VA has found them to be invaluable for brain injuries and PTSD. It is going to take a systemic shift in the population's attitude towards 'hidden' disabilities. I would guess, however, that as these other folk enter into society with 'real' disabilities, and carrying designer dogs in purses goes out of style, one won't be having as many problems with Fifi in Walmart. a P.s. Many people "get around" the ADA question with me by asking "oh - are you training her to be a service dog?" And then the inevitable "what is her specialty?" I don't have to answer, but I always do. I think I refused once, when the guy was being a jerk.

Try to remember he was singing essentially into not even Garage Band. One guy was obviously singing into recording equipment. The mic Marc has is the same kind kid has for his bagpipes - it is good - it's designed to pick up a wider range than the standard computer mic - but it's not professional. If you want to see how well he can really sing, go to his band's webpage. a

By and large it is the isms that get to me. I am not Belgian oe Enlish or Scottish or Irish American. I am just American. Where I live, "black" people are just as likely to be from Cuba, somewhere in the Carribean, or Puerto Rico as they would be from somewhere in Africa. If they have established residency here, they claim HERE as their nationality and, if asked, say 'well, I was born in _____ ." There is no hyphenation. It is as if we have extended this idea - this sense of "isms" to large portons of our culture - and there will always be someone who is offended in any given situation. I have no idea what the solution is. Perhaps this awful period that the world is going through (it truly is reverberating worldwide) will bring about some change as to what is truly important in life (family, shelter, food, work) bs needless bickering. a

Two things here -- One, a bunch of women deciding what size another woman is based on her appearance kind of validates American Apparel's point. Which is sad. Two, clothes, weight, size - they are all relative. A bird boned, short individual may, "at their fighting weight" wear a size 6, but, at a ranch dressing, cherry pie weight, indeed be a size 12. Another individual may have a sturdier frame, distribute their weight differently, look slim at a size 12 but deathly ill at a size 6. What is more important is being healthy and loving oneself. asta

Yes, it is quite a jump. The best thing to do is to find a uni in the states that has a cooperation agreement with a UK school for a program. I don't know the particulars (my sister used to do this for a living), but there is some mumbo jumbo magic wherein the student enrolls in the US uni, pays their tuition and fees there, and then goes and attends classes abroad. It is like the standard "study abroad" that everyone knows about only more involved, as it isn't just a semester, it's a whole program. Oh - and it is more expensive (obviously) than simply paying for stateside tuition because of added "fees". In that way, the student is eligible for US federal student loans. Unless they don't do such things any longer - she worked in this a good 15 years ago... a

Did you see the story about the woman (Nancy Upton) who won the American Apparel "plus size" modeling contest (I think it was online judging - not by the company)? She's a size 12. T.W.E.L.V.E. In what alternative universe did size 12 become "plus size"? The absolute best thing? She entered as a joke because she thought the company objectified women (and you can tell by her pictures that she was being sarcastic). When she won, AA didn't know what to do - they didn't want her! Even though she's beautiful, she obviously thinks they suck. Now they are in "discussions". Ha! a

Ok - I'm glad I'm not the only one. I had a fear that this post was going to be met with crickets... :lol: a

There is an incredibly funny blog called Doctor Grumpy in the House written by a neurologist with two little kids. He periodically goes completely off topic and writes stuff like this: I laughed and laughed until I realized that I usually feel the way he does when I read the accelerated board. :001_huh: asta

Um... the strength to become a bully? How very sad that she feels compelled to attack an entire population of people whose actions have no bearing upon her. asta

Laura's list is great. If your dd wants to look beyond it, I think the easiest way to go about it is to narrow down which geographic areas she is willing to live in first (eg: Britain, Scotland, Ireland), and then further narrow down which areas within them she would be willing to live (for instance - some people don't want to go to any of the Unis by London because the cost of living is horrendous, some unis don't have student housing, etc.). After that, simply look at who is offering what. The program she is looking at is quite common, so she should have many options. As Laura says, the Unis have pages on their sites directed to foreign students. The counselors are quite accustomed to having them and know all about the American system, SATs, ACTs, Bachelor degrees, different US unis, etc. If you call them, they can answer pretty much any question you have. a

And then.... and then.... I see the tiny earbud hanging out the side of his head that is turned away from me and I'm forced to say "what are you listening to?" Um, the Doors? Let me sleep all night in your, soul kitchen.... :lol::lol: a

No kidding! I have a C forefoot and a AAA heel. Shoes don't fit in general, but heels - urg. I constantly feel like I am walking either on my toes or the ball of my foot. I know I can put those little pads in the back to make the heel stay put, but nothing helps the whole "kill the ball of the foot" thing. My hubby would be SO happy if I wasn't wandering around in crunchy granola shoes all of the time... a

There are two 'groups' in our area. One is a jumper group. The other dresses more or less like you. Maybe she'd only seen a jumper group. Jumper group. That sounds suicidal. I should go to bed. a

Sorry - typing on my phone. The family's point was that it wouldn't have been difficult to discover who 'our' Abu was w/o sending in the Feds.

The older brother of one of Switzerland's best buds the last place we lived Was named "Abu". Ok- now how many MILLIONS of people in the world are named Abu?? It means 'brother' for crimmeny's sake. So Abu goes to pay his cell phone bill one day (at the store - he's a teenager and doesn't have a bank account), and everyone starts acting really hinky and telling him he has to wait. Then the FBI shows up. Apparently, there is some notorious terrorist named Abu _____ that they were looking for, and they 'had a tip' that someone with that name had a cell account. His family didn't mind that the FBI was looking for a terrorist, but they did point out to the agents that the next time they were looking for a middle aged middle eastern man, they probably shouldn't bring the farm for a 16 year old southern black kid.

I predict this thread is going to be long, heated, and locked. a

Profanity? Well, like another poster wrote, I guess one must put everything in context. My grandfather swore up a storm. Drank too. He was also one of kindest, most devout Catholics I've ever met. He spent the great depression surviving on the piece of bread with pig's lard spread on it his mother was able to give him in the morning and the kindness of street vendors who would periodically give him a piece of fruit as he sold newspapers on street corners. When someone discarded a paper, he would carefully smooth it out and refold it to resell it. I would have been swearing my @ss off too. A

The Peter quote is just so applicable to every single religion thread this board has ever had. I couldn't resist it. I felt it necessary to define who the CH was in my posts. I'm a big Prisoner fan. My curricula doesn't make sense to me; it certainly wouldn't make sense to anyone else - why bother writing it down? :auto:

That's GIRLY oxford - not Gorky. I hate typing on a phone.