I'm glad the ultrasound went well! I must have missed the big announcement, so congratulations!!!

I have hemmed and hawed about posting this, but I think I'm going to. Hopefully you all won't misunderstand my intent; the article I am going to link is about a high school student utilizing the right of free speech, and that is what this post is about. The article posted in this high school's paper, however, is about raising kids in a single sex parental household. That subject is NOT my question. Here is the article. The short story is that a kid wrote an article explaining why he thinks two same sex parents should not be allowed to raise children (again, NOT the subject of my question, so please don't go there). Some parents with children in the school system, along with some groups/lawyers/such have raised some questions/accusations; the kid's article has been pulled, and the school has issued an apology. My trouble is this - at which point does someone earn the right to free speech? Is it for children, or kids who are nearly adult, or is it just for anyone over 18 with a voice? Since every time anyone opens their mouth with an opinion, someone else is likely going to get injured, where is the line drawn, and who gets to draw it? When is it okay to exercise the right to free speech? And when is it okay to shut it down, censor it, and otherwise erase it? In this particular case, I may or may not agree with the writer's opinion. But I do understand there are people (children, especially) who are affected by the opinion in the article. Looking at the big picture, I think a lot of voices should be quelled (because, let's face it - all to often, voicing an opinion in a "public" arena is more about the speaker than the subject itself, and more often than not should seriously be given more thought than it actually is), but I'm not all that into censorship, either. I'm curious about what you all think. And please, don't give your opinion about the subject of this kid's article - this post is about free speech and the when/who/where/how much/why of it.

I'm so sorry, Jennifer. :grouphug::grouphug::grouphug: The article named the streets near where she was found - was that an unsafe area? (I'm going back to read the thread now; you may have already answered my question. Just wanted to give you a hug first.)

:grouphug::grouphug::grouphug:

Bobby Deen has a new show called "Not My Mama's Meals". :lol: *That's* why I still like her. :lol:

If you are through reading John Green's new book "The Fault in Our Stars", which I will tell you moved me to tears more than once, here is a video tribute from a 15 year old Nerdfighter. Such a lovely, haunting voice this girl has, and a beautifully worded song. But DON'T watch it if you haven't finished the book. :)

Oops :blushing: Missed that. Thanks!

Good morning, Sharon :) What the heck is the answer??

But isn't that like using "about" like "approximately"? "Approximately five yellow chickens died today." At first, I really thought it was "percent". But then, upon further examination, I really feel like it is "earth".

Every movement in the sentence is a prepositional phrase: about 12% of the surface of the earth is covered in water and ice What is the only verb in the whole sentence? "Is", or rather, "is covered". What "is covered?" The "Earth". Final answer. :D Sharon? What gives? What's the answer?

I can't believe I read this whole thread before this answer was posted. What's going on? Earth Is Covered. Everything else is filler.

Dang. I always show up late to these things. The only thing that really bothers me about the whole thing (Paula's whole thing) is that, while most of us could see this health condition (at the very least) coming a long time ago, is not that she didn't tell anyone for three years (it's her personal business, after all), but rather that upon telling the world, she also announced that she is a spokesperson for a drug company that makes diabetes drugs. Hmmm. The decision not tell everyone, not to change her recipes was a calculated one, obviously. Knowing what the reaction would be when the word did get out, she took steps to protect her income by now "representing" a drug company to help "undo" the damage. On the one hand, it's smart. On the other hand, it's disappointing, to say the least. If I had a third hand, I might also suggest it's eye opening - those shows, those recipes...they are all big business, and that's great, but to consider eating a certain way just because someone so sweet and charming as the cook does, and she looks pretty and she seems very happy with her weight, without regard to health, well, it is just foolish.

:iagree: I was trying to come up with a way to say something like this, too, but it just kept sounding wrong. The thing is, I budget $300 per week (up by nearly $100 over the past 2 years). Yesterday, I spent $450. And that doesn't include any meat (which we get directly from the farmers, and we don't eat much of anyway). Now, if our income has stayed the same for the past few years (thankfully, I guess), and I need to add roughly $150 per week, times 4 weeks per month...that's an additional $600 per month. And that's just stupid. That's two new cars (or payments). That's a crummy part time job. I mean, how are people doing this right now with so many people out of work, struggling to make ends meet already, working 3 jobs, etc? Something's gotta give with this. There's something pretty wrong with a $2.50 cucumber.

:lol::lol::lol:

Yes! Smucker's Natural peanut butter went up nearly a whole dollar!

I did my weekly grocery shopping yesterday. I think I quite hate grocery shopping. I spent $150 more than usual (this includes soap and toilet paper, etc). When I got home, I looked at my receipts. Two red bell peppers cost nearly $5 (and they weren't even organic). A #3 bag of apples was $6. Five lemons was $5. One pound of butter was nearly $4. A 15 oz container of ricotta was just over $4. The rest was similar. I go to three different stores when I grocery shop so I can take advantage of sales - I really do pay attention. Is it similar where you are? Was there an overall increase by the powers that be and they forgot to ask me?? :tongue_smilie:

:iagree: I know some parents would disagree with me, but at 11 and 12 years old, I go with those kids to a park, or they don't go. Period. I may not sit right there, being that drag of a mom, but I will be there somewhere. I also agree with another poster who suggested getting to know the kids somehow - maybe by inviting them over for some pizza or game or something. For us, I need to know who my kids are hanging out with, or they don't get to hang out. I'm a stickler like that.

Methinks you might be a homeschooler. ;)

I took my (then 12, now 13 year olds :)) to see it. No uncomfortable moments. Have fun!

So sweet! Congratulations! It's a beautiful boy!:D

I make either chicken noodle soup, booyah, or chicken stew - whichever strikes me at the moment. First, I make the stock. Here is my Chicken Noodle Soup recipe, and here is my Chicken Stew recipe. Booyah is a little more involved, but better than either of the first two; here's that recipe (and what it is).

Oh, I wish they were coming here! So jealous! We saw Tory, Kari, and Grant a few years ago, and it was a blast!

Sorry - I ETA'd :o

Likely it is for real. Dig just a little deeper, and you'll likely find Monsanto (and drug companies) crouching and frothing. I wish I had answers, but I don't; they have every political and money wielding figure in their grasp, and judges seem to constantly be judging in their favor. That's a lot for a capitalist like me to say. But there it is (at least, in this capacity). And it's reprehensible. ETA - Upon reading the article again, I suggest not holding your breath quite yet. It seems to me to be a way to quell the voices - when I see winner after winner, I'll believe it. My aunt is suffering from an "undiagnosable" issue with her vocal cords following a spraying of local fields in August of last year (she's a "farmgirl" living in "farm country"), but can gain no insight from any of the numerous doctors she's visited. She's losing her voice, her vocal cords are severely swollen, her tongue is changing colors, but no one seems to have answer. Three people living within a mile of her are having the same issues, starting from the same time. Yet, no one seems to know what's wrong... I hope this article is accurate. Somehow, I doubt it's more than propaganda. Sorry.

You know, I think maybe that's where my big offense came from! :lol: I've been toiling about it since this afternoon, trying to figure out what bothered me about it, and feeling very strongly about it, but not quite being able to put my finger on it. Maybe that's exactly what it is (I have been less than tolerant lately - odd moods). Hmmm....