text:
My husband and I are married for 2yrs, together for 10yrs. we don't have kid yet. at first I moved in with him because I have problem with my parents and financially unable support myseft. I haven't loved him, just had a feeling for him. when I move in with him for a short time, he had depression, and was on medication. I was very sad and thinking of leaving him, but I can't b/c at this time he need me the most, and I can't turn my back on him since he help me from the beginning. Time went by, he recovered, and have a great job, still on medication with less dose. He worked at night and the job didn't require him stay in the company all the time, so he was home more offen and start went online to chat to girls. I was sad, mad and begging him not to do it. He promise not to chat, but the next day he did it again. I was sad, anger,and cried, so I went online to chat too. Sometime, I just put my name in the chat room, and sat there and cried. I talked to many people, but never keep intouch with them. Oneday, I talk to this guy, and I started liking him, later on, we exchange phone# and I was on the phone with him about 3 weeks then my husband find out. We fight for several months. Eventhought I had a strong felling for my lover, but I will not trade in my relationship for someone I never met in the real life. my husband forgave me. later on, I think I am the age should have a baby, so we decice to get married with family tradition (not married with the certificate). After married, he had to travel to another state for work. Live in a new place, his depression was worse. He could not handle the job any more, so he had to quit, and move back home. At home, he felt so down, so he drank and smoked alot. I advise him not to do that because smoking and drinking will affect the medication, but he said these help him to lift his mood up in a moment, and he stop exercise. I work also close to home too, so at lunch time, I went home for lunch and to see how he was doing. I saw him one hand with a beer, the other hand with the cegaret. I was so sad and forcetraighted. I didn't what to do, so I start networking with my old online lover (I shouldn't do this). time went by and developed my feeling to the point that I think I couldn't live without him. so I flu there to see him. When I was with him, my husband know. The disaster start from here. My husband asked my to come home, and promise to take care of the family, stop smoking and drinking. When I was home, he was verbally, emotionally abuse, and physicaly abuse sometimes. he took all the money that we had been save (six firgue)and my new car. I excepted it. because I am a person who cause the problem. With his emotinaly, and verbally abuse, I couldn't handle anymore. I moved out for almost a year now. but we still keep intouch. I went home to cook for him and be home at night to pray with him and go back to my place. We fight every other day and now is beter once a week. He work very hard to forgive me, but it seems too hard. He went to church, temple, meditating, anywhere he could to get help. He could do anything to keep the family. for me, with his emotional and verbally abuse before, I feel like I don't have feeling for him anymore, but I do care for him alot. just imagine the family will be fighting and live like hell or cold war, I just want to run away. it just broke my heart that I have to give up the relationship for 10yrs. I regreted that I cheated on him and I can't undo it. I was thinking to have a baby with him so the situation will get better. what do you think? what should I do now? please help! |
Follow-Up Postings:
What ever you do DON'T have a baby ! It is plain irresponsible to bring a child into this situation. A child needs loving, committed parents. How do you think your child would react to you and your husband fighting with each other ? You have to do what is best for you. What is the point of pursuing a marriage that is not working ? Maybe you have some cultural ties that are evoking feelings of guilt and uncertainty in you mind. Is this the case ? Have you thought of counselling ? |
No baby. A baby will only HURT a bad relationship; NOT bring you closer together. You both screwed up. Had he not started chatting, you wouldn't have done the same to give him a taste of his own medicine. Sorry, doubt he will ever forgive you for cheating. Do NOT have a BABY. |
I can not shout this loud enough...DO NOT HAVE A BABY!!!! It never helps...only makes matters worse and then you have brought an innocent child into this mess. DO NOT HAVE A BABY!!!!!!! |
NO BABY! NO BABY! NO BABY! You will be trapped with no other choices. The mistake you made does not warrant a life sentence of unhappiness. I have a feeling that bringing a baby into this will seal your life. You do not deserve an unhappy life, no matter what anyone says. I'd consider leaving the marriage, in fact. It will blow over in time and you deserve a chance at happiness. Don't bind yourself to this man. Warning signs abound. |
"...we decice to get married with family tradition (not married with the certificate)." Anybody know what she's talking about? And, of course she wants a baby. The lunacy never ends. |
I suppose I'm becoming the chronic doubter here, but this is another poster who joined on the day this thread started. A coincidence? Her writing looks to be purposely filled with gramatical errors and mispellings rather than with natural mistakes. There are things she writes where one would expect to find mistakes in the phrasing or the words she chooses, but instead the phrases are well written with very correct word usage. I think sadwife50 is writing a fiction novel with this thread. |
- Posted by finedreams (My Page) on Mon, Aug 3, 09 at 10:01
"he took all the money that we had been save (six firgue)and my new car." they had 6 figure savings. LOL yet she says she couldn't financially support herself. yet that how much they saved. doing what? Give me a break. |
Maybe just an english as second language person? I think it's strange there are so many people here throwing water on the people who come here for the very reason the forum was created. I know of some cultures where the OPs situation could be dead on. It's not unusual for people to join the day they ask for help. Google brings people here. I don't assume people sit around making up problems for attention. I could be wrong but... |
Whatever. Assuming she's legit, she's whacked and so is her boyfriend/husband. Considering having a baby with this miscreant "...so the situation will get better..." is totally nuts. |
Some of the best advice I ever got is simple: Whenever you find yourself in a hole, STOP DIGGING! Being in a poor marriage (or long term relationship) is being in a hole of sorts. Having a baby is DIGGING! |
Get out and find a guy who is worthy of having a child with you. It's not your only chance. You can be happy, just not with him. That said, what is with: "I suppose I'm becoming the chronic doubter here, but this is another poster who joined on the day this thread started. A coincidence?" Yes, it's a coincidence!!!!!! They want to remain anonymous. Why use your real name when you can hide? It's hard enough posting here, but post with your real name it gets exponentially harder. They're not spamming or trolling. They're hiding. |
Thank you Popi, roselvr, phoggie, and golddust, I will take your advise seriousely not to have baby. to asolo: Tradition wedding is we introduce both side of the family, and start to call the inlaw mom, and Dad. then we went to church or temple to do the ceramony and go to a restaurent to have a big party. to monablair: This is a real story, I defenately need help. I was crying when I wrote this post and just put down whatever in my mind. In addition, English is my second language and sorry for the missed spellings. To: rob333: Yes, give up, and move on. I've been thinking for a long time, but since I see my husband's suffer, and try to do anything to keep the family. it pulls me back to a stage of confused. Just yesterday, He called and yelled at me. Called me by name, you name it!!! and 5 mins later he called back and appologize because he was so mad, He didn't have any body to talk to, so he put everything on me. Do you think it is normal for him to do it? or He was on medication, that's why he acted so weid like that? do you think a person in his position will act the same? Do you think the married ever improve or it's going to be like this for life time ? |
If my husband called me *one* bad name I would run out the door. He does not respect you. Without respect, there is no hope, in my opinion. Love is a two way street. He is not emotionally stable. It will not get better because you can not change him. You are suffering and he is making you suffer. You can not make anyone else happy. He has to make himself happy. What would your parents say if you chose to leave him? Is this a big deal or not? If you are confused, this means you are questioning your marriage and you likely already know what you want to do. Feeling guilty is no reason to stay in an unhappy marriage. You will not feel guilty forever and you may even end up happy! You (we all) teach people how to treat you and your standards are in the sand with this man. Don't worry about your grammar or spelling. I have a hard time too and I am an english as first language person. There is no excuse here. LOL! |
One more thing. He helped you and you have helped him. You can not fix his depression. He has to. You are not responsible for his happiness. No one can make other people happy. You have long ago paid off your debt. Maybe it is time to turn the channel in your life and star in a new movie. |
OP, I apologize for accusing you of making this story up. It's just it's hard to believe that you're being abused in this manner and you're still wondering if you should stay and make a baby with this man. But I'll take your word that this is the real story. Since it is, I'm just going to keep my advice very brief. Get out while you still have some self-respect left. Get out before the verbal abuse becomes physical abuse. Get out of this marriage and don't look back. |
I can't even get close to whatever cultural thing is going on here. OP speaks like a 10-year-old describing an out-of-control monster to whom she's bound in some way. WTF? Get out of there!!!! Out, out, out!!!!!! Yo, OP. Grow up. Grow a brain. Are you writing from somewhere that allows no freedom at all? |
I was thinking again (this can get dangerous around here) and I'm wondering if you had the affair because you aren't happy, but maybe you are afraid to be on your own? You left your parents for him and now maybe you are *dependent on* him, verses *in love* with him. If this is the case, set him free to find someone who can really love him. What is your cultural background? I am asking, not because I judge but because my son spent lots of time out of this country, studying foreign language and you demonstrate some aspects of the culture he spent lots of time in. They were very good, family oriented people - filled with lot's of obligation, duty, customs and guilt. |
I want the cultural context RIGHT NOW! In the country I live in, (USA) what OP has described is sickness and slavery. If she's living someplace where some weird, restrictive rules apply, why is she posting here? |
She may have moved here from another country, asolo. If you moved to another country, you wouldn't immediately adopt that culture. You would be an American living in say, Italy. You wouldn't be Italian, living by their customs. Your identity would be American. It may not necessarily be sickness and slavery. And she may not have restrictive rules, maybe just familial baggage that she is processing, AS an American. The world is complicated. Some things other cultures believe can be better, some not so much. If you start blasting her culture, we're not going to be much of any help with her processing, KWIM? |
Well, duh, golddust! How can I "blast" her culture without knowing what it is? Obviously, you don't know either, so maybe refrain for a millisecond before launching and let OP respond (or not) so maybe we'll know what the deal is. Right now nobody does. |
Yes, but there is a way to invite and a way to incite. There is a way to be supportive and a way to throw out people who need help. Neither of us know. I'm trying to find out. You are throwing her under the bus. This forum bills itself as a support group. Just saying... |
"This forum bills itself as a support group." Says this where? Regardless, the behavior described doesn't need support. It needs correction; opposition; refutation. You're in favor of "supporting" what she's proposing? Fine. Do that. I will oppose you. I've "invited" her to NOT have a baby and to get the hell away from this zombie husband/boyfriend she's described. IMHO she's clearly already "under the bus". I have no idea what it may take to get her out of there. And you don't either. |
asola - wow, nasty attitude rearing it's ugly head. If you don't have anything to offer but criticism why do you bother? I've read other posts by you and they tend to have the same tone. Oh, I forgot, it sure is easy to sit at your computer hiding with anonymity and blast people. I wonder if you talk to people in person with same attitude as you convey on an anonymous message board. |
Well thank goodness she has decided the baby idea is not a good one. Sadwife - can you let us know what your background is, so we can all understand your marital obligations ? |
- Posted by finedreams (My Page) on Thu, Aug 6, 09 at 12:03
If OP's culture says that such marriage is wonderful, then she would not post here and ask us what to do. She posted because she knows it is pretty bad. I am familar with multiple cultures, i have never heard of cultures where husbands take 6 figure savings (hmm still wondering about that one), new car, physically abuse his wife, she has online lovers etc. does not sound like cultural difference to me. Sounds like messed up marriage or made up story. |
sadwife, what is your cultural background? And in what country are you located? Knowing these things would be helpful and perhaps allay suspicions about the credibility of your situation. |
Good morning from California. You are right asolo and I stand corrected. This isn't a support group at all. It is a shame it comes up on google so often. It's easy to address and even have a lively debate about lots of things, without attacking the person. I hope sadwife finds some other neighborhood to hang out in where her character is not under fire. Sadwife *said* she was an english as a second language person. Why would we not believe her? Just because it *sounds* like a made up story doesn't mean it is. Lots of threads on this forum has someone accusing the OP of making up a story. This confounds me. I was directed here from another forum. Maybe people with good marriages don't often think to look up marriage forums on google. That is a good thing, I suppose. I'd hate to depend on some of you to give me advice. Ick. |
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KINDERUSA Fundraiser
April 22, 2010 by TMO · Leave a Comment
By Susan Schwartz, MMNS
As the situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate under the boot of Israeli oppression, groups which provide direct aid to this beleaguered land become all the more worthy of support and endorsement. They shine a laser like beam on the suffering there and then provide outstanding aid. One such group is KINDERUSA (Kids in need of development, education and relief) which focuses primarily on the smallest victims of war and occupation — the children.
KINDERUSA held a banquet/fundraiser this past Saturday night in Garden Grove, Ca. Titled: "Operation Survival", the event filled the dining hall to capacity.
Two screens in the dining hall showed film clips from footage shot in Gaza. This presentation included horrific scenes of destruction caused by Israel's "Operation Cast Lead" as well as — at the other end of the spectrum — scenes of children enjoying the basic staples of childhood with the relief that KINDERUSA provided to them. In scenes that were particularly poignant, children in Gaza enjoyed summer camp activities, a staple in Western nation but not in this occupied territory until a KINDERUSA program was implemented.
Dr. Jess Ghannam, a member of KINDERUSA's Board of Directors, was the Master of Ceremonies. Dinner followed evening prayers.
Dr. Laila Al-Marayati, Chairwoman of KINDERUSA, was introduced by Dr. Ghannam. She told her audience that 81% of monies raised for KINDERUSA go directly to projects. Only 19% is used for various administrative expenses. In Gaza KINDERUSA partners with local organizations to optimize their efforts.
KINDERUSA aims not only to encourage local agriculture, for example, but to give families choices over their purchases. This concept she juxta positioned with the donation of food baskets which eliminates choice.
KINDERUSA, Dr. Al-Marayati continued, works in the West Bank, Lebanon, and now Pakistan as well as Gaza. Their work has been expanded to include children with diabetes and children who are educationally disadvantaged. Dr. Al Marayati, an obstetrician and gynecologist, spoke about one particular dark aspect of the many Israeli checkpoints, an aspect perhaps not familiar to the public. The Israelis make no allowances for pregnant women in labor, women who are on their way to a hospital to give birth. These checkpoint delays can and often do result in birth taking place outside of a hospital, an unhealthy and possibly fatal complication for mother and child. In addition, cancer sufferers must pass through these checkpoints to and from their chemotherapy visits. This is often discouraging, lessening the number of people who seek treatments because they do not want to endure the accompanying stress.
KINDERUSA was in Gaza during Operation Cast Lead.
John Ging, the Director of Operations of UNRWA in Gaza, was the keynote speaker. Mr. Ging arrived at LAX from abroad a few hours before his presentation. The recent volcano eruptions in Iceland and their attendant flight delays raised fears that he would not be able to make the trip. Dr. Laila Al-Marayati, in introducing him, commented on our dependence on God in such circumstances.
Dr. Ging spoke of the three aspects of Israeli control of Gaza. He said it is "illegal, inhuman, and insane."
Operation Cast Lead, he said, only exacerbated an already horrific situation. Israel imposed a blockade in 2007 after electoral victories by HAMAS. They declared Gaza a hostile entity.
Gazan water has to be treated in the home because of its intrinsic biological impurity.The sewage system does not work, and an unpleasant odor pervades the water even after treatment. The inhuman treatment of Palestinians is rooted in disrespect by the Israelis of international law. He traced the origin of this oppression to 1948 and the displacement of one million Palestinians. He called for the right of return, the right to compensation and the right to resettlement for Palestinians. The Palestinians must work with the problems and decide on the solutions. Since 1967 Israel has been an occupying power and has practiced, among other matters, collective punishment. The world has an obligation to protect the people who suffer under collective punishment.
What is insane, he asked? It is insane to subject people to the brutality that Gazans must endure and not comprehend that you are feeding radical and extreme elements. He encouraged his audience to travel to Palestine and see the truth of what he has said first hand.
He described the Palestinians he had worked with as extremely protective of their children and, despite their predicament, resilient, hopeful and positive.
Mr. Ging urged his audience to give generously.
"Mr. Ging is on scene. He certainly knows what he is talking about", said one young woman after hearing the presentation.
Dabke followed the event. Palestinian embroidery, contributed by the Palestine Children's Relief Fund ( PCRF) , was available for purchase.
For more information on KINDERUSA and/or to make a donation, please access them at: www.kinderusa.org.
AL-AWDA Convention
May 28, 2009 by TMO · Leave a Comment
By Susan Schwartz, MMNS
Palestinians comprise the largest refugee population in the world today. The Israelis drove out approximately 750,000 Palestinians from their homes in 1948. The legal basis for their right of return cannot be disputed. In their treatment of Palestinian refugees, the Israelis not only forced Palestinians to leave ancestral lands, but, through their treatment of them from 1948 until today, they have destroyed a culture.
In the 61st year of the Nakba (the catastrophe), AL-AWDA once again has brought national and international attention to this situation.
The seventh annual convention of AL-AWDA, the Palestinian Right of Return Coalition, was held in Garden Grove, Ca. this past weekend. This well attended, exciting and educational event, titled "Freedom for Palestine", began Friday evening with a meet and greet session enhanced by outstanding Arabic food.
After the convention opening and welcome, activists from solidarity organizations addressed the audience. These activists included, but were not limited to: John Parker, the West Coast Coordinator of the International Action Center; Richard Becker, a founder and current leader of the ANSWER Coalition, and Cindy Sheehan, a prominent anti-war activist and campaigner for human rights.
A showing of "Salt of the Sea" closed the evening's activities. This motion picture tells the story of a young Palestinian woman, born in the United States to Palestinian refugees. When she becomes aware that at the time of the Nakba the Israelis froze her grandfather's bank account in Jaffa, she travels to Palestine to reclaim what she believes is her due. As she sees the conditions of Palestinian existence and meets a young Palestinian man, she comes to realize that what needs to be reclaimed is far more than a bank account.
On Saturday forums were held throughout the day dealing with such timely issues as: "Palestinian Refugees – Background and Current Status" with Dr. Jesse Ghannam. Dr. Ghannam has established mental health clinics in Gaza and travels there frequently. The clinics and his participation in them are under the auspices of the Gaza Community Mental Health program. In the United States, Dr. Ghannam is a Clinical Professor of Psychiatry and Chief of Medical Psychology at the University of California San Francisco.
"Boycotts, Divestment and Sanctions" was conducted by Lubna Hamad of Adalah (The Coalition for Justice in the Middle East) New York of which she is co founder. Ms Hamad was a legal consultant for UNICEF in Jerusalem with a specialty of child protection.
George Galloway, British MP and international human rights advocate, conducted a forum on "Viva Palestina".
MP Galloway also addressed an evening session on "Growing our Global Movement – Freedom for Palestine" which session included fundraising.
Keynote addresses on Gaza in the aftermath of the Israeli attack and the situation in Jerusalem highlighted the luncheon session.
A parallel youth program was held.
The final session of the Convention, held on Sunday, dealt with reports, challenges and future plans.
The Sacramento chapter, which had at one time been part of the San Francisco chapter, reported growth and successful participation in anti war events, BDS and educational series. The Phoenix chapter also reported growth and public engagement.
A suggestion was made to encourage tourism to Palestine,specifically Jerusalem, as the Israeli government is trying to cripple East Jerusalem economically. Tourists should stay at Palestinian run hotels; eat at Palestinian run restaurants, and purchase from Palestinian run shops.
Further, a suggestion was made to coordinate AL-AWDA activity here with AL-AWDA groups in Europe where the movement is extremely active.
Still another suggestion, unanimously and enthusiastically accepted, was to send a small delegation to the Egyptian Consulate to express our dismay at Egypt's cooperation in making crossing into Gaza through Rafah difficult and erratic.
Booths on display at the AL-AWDA Convention included but were not limited to: Palestine Online Store; A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition; International Action Center; Free Gaza Movement, and Students for Justice in Palestine at the University of California in San Diego.
Host committee organizations of the AL-AWDA Convention included but were not limited to: Palestine Aid Society; Muslim Students Association at UCSD, Palomar College, and Mira Costa and the Muslim Students Union at UCR; Free Palestine Alliance, and Palestinian American Women Association.
AL-AWDA may be accessed at: www.al-awda.org.

subset: commoncrawl


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Female worgen preview
[Thanks to many tipsters!]
Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, News items, Lore, Cataclysm, Worgen
Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, News items, Lore, Cataclysm, Worgen
I may have to break my Horde-only rule for this one.
I ain't no furry and Twilight can DIAF.
Join us! You want a Werewolf - you know you do. ;-p Then switch to your main and kill any variation of "Jacob" you may run across. I'd fully support you in this.
I'm tempted to break my "alliance only" rule and make a DK just or the twilight ganking. I don't ever gank otherwise but there are some things that are plainly - WRONG. X3
I can't believe you're all arguing about HAIR. Look at the male forms. They get hair in Worgen form. Watch the video of the female walking. It has hair. Shaddap, and move on. You're getting hair.
MY issue is with the way the head is shaped. The males muzzles are too wide, and the females have this weird curve from their forehead down to the bridge of their muzzle. Makes them look like they have downs. I hope they fix em up before Cata!
I'd reply so that this gets more noticed, but I'd have to reply to so many threads... forget it.
Fox: http://z.about.com/d/esl/1/0/4/a/fox.jpg
Star Fox: http://www.smashbros.com/en_uk/characters/images/fox/fox.jpg
Cartoon female fox (Marian from Disney's Robin Hood):
Foxes are canids as are wolves. They are also not necessarily red. The Simien fox is also known as the Ethiopian Wolf. Close enough for a fantasy world.
To all those claiming it's more like a feline, your point seems to be that the muzzle appears short. Some dogs are closer to feline muzzles than even this. Seriously, show me a cat that looks close to this. Even a doe is closer than a feline.
Anyone who didn't think female worgen would wind up looking at least partially sexualized was seriously, SERIOUSLY deluding themselves, especially considering how the last pair of added races turned out (the draenei race especially, what with big, lumpy, awkward, top-heavy males juxtaposed with sleek, tiny, arched-backed, raw-sex-on-hooves women). For them to look like they do was only inevitable, and while the "ZOMG FURRIES!!!111!" knee-jerk reaction was also inevitable, it would be nice if we could actually look at this whole thing like reasonable people. Yes, they look very curvy and feminine just like your garden variety she-wolf furry, but I would think the rather ominous claws, snarling demeanor, and savage posture would put enough noteworthy distance between Blizzard's worgen and the stereotypical angsty, persecution complex-bearing, declawed, hypersexualized furry to allow us to judge this model fairly. There's only so much you can do with the concept of "female werewolf" to make it visually distinct from a male model and visually appealing to the mass consumer market without hitting on at least some similarities to furry depictions of anthropomorphic creatures, and I think Blizzard handled it very well here. Female worgen are menacing and animalistic without hiding the fact that there's a cursed human woman dwelling somewhere under that lupine guise, which was pretty much the entire point. Add to that Blizzard's lore behind the worgen and the atmosphere of their homeland, and it's pretty clear they're still veering very steeply toward a more classic bloodthirsty, barely-contained monster running amok in London's foggy streets than your average DeviantArt fare anyway, so no matter what the packaging looks like, the heart of it is still genuine (and absurdly awesome).
I'm no fan of furries either, but the whole "OMG KILL HATE!" reaction to them and anything that could possibly, remotely, conceivably, even indirectly relate to them in some vague form or fashion in any given hypothetical context is a fad that got old years ago. We had our little internet witch hunt, it's over, there are worse things out there than a sexual fetish for anthropomorphic characters and yet we barely bat an eye at any of that. And besides, furries have been in WoW for years playing tauren and roleplaying catgirl elves and playing shaman & druids solely to exploit their shapeshifting abilities for every ounce they're worth, so worgen are bringing NOTHING new to the game whatsoever. So what if some of these furry players create worgen toons? Live and let live, because the whole petty hostility about it is beyond stale.
As both a die-hard alliance-hating Horde, and a guy who had his last relationship break up because his girlfriend turned out to be a furry, and I wasn't cool with it, I am going to KOS every single Worgen I see flagged outside battleground, and focus down every single Worgen I see in a battleground or arena match.
Taurens are bad enough, hell I even went as far as to roll one as a prot warrior back before they nerfed the 5% health racial due to my love of min-maxing, but seeing as 90% of furries use some form of canine/fox/feline, (trust me on this one... I made sure to learn before I judged it, in hopes of saving the relationship,) this is crossing the line for me.
You'd think, reading these comments, that werewolves, shapeshifters, and anthro animals haven't featured in the heritage of dozens of human cultures around the world for the past four thousand years. You'd think it was some awful fad dreamed up in the past decade by a group of depraved, deviant basement-dwellers bent on corrupting society's morals through the internet.
Get over yourselves.
Worgen are not a subset or an offshoot of furrydom; furrydom is a subset or an offshoot of the greater human fascination with animals. Or, if you like: while all furries are werewolves, not all werewolves are furries. Does that make sense?
The method in which people vote comments up or down says alot about the people reading this topic and where their interests may lie, I must say. There is definitely 1 or 2 clear opinions and people are acting entirely upon those.
I am dissapoint. I really can't tell if the Blizz guys are horny or if they just want to reel in Horny players, in this case the furries.
The sexual dimorphism is incredible.
they are draenei with claws. They stand the same and hit the same, and even sit in similar fashions. le sigh.
Event | Date |
Love Is In the Air | 2/2 - 2/15 |
Blackrock Foundry Normal and Heroic open | 2/3 |
Darkmoon Faire | 2/8 - 2/15 |
Blackrock Foundry Mythic opens | 2/10 |
Lunar Festival | 2/16 - 3/2 |
Blackrock Foundry LFR wing 1 opens | 2/17 |
Blackrock Foundry LFR wing 2 opens | 2/24 |
Darkmoon Faire | 3/1 - 3/8 |
Blackrock Foundry LFR wing 3 opens | 3/10 |
Blackrock Foundry LFR wing 4 opens | 3/24 |
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text:
Bladder > Info and Advice > Practical Advice
Practical Advice
When you have been diagnosed with a bladder or bowel problem there will be many questions running through your mind. You may remember to ask your health professional the most obvious ones but in case you're left searching and more importantly worrying, we have included some useful information and handy tips on this page.
You might also like to see our FAQ's section which contains responses to common questions, answered by health professionals.
Approaching your GP
It is never too late to get help with your bladder problems. If you would like some advice on how to approach your GP regarding your bladder or bowel problem you may find our Advice Sheets helpful. They also include information on tests that your GP may recommend you have done. To download, please click here Bladder Advice Sheet or for bowel please click here Bowel Advice Sheet.
Care Quality Commission (CQC) How to complain
If you feel safety is at risk
Out and about
Below are some options for you to help you gain access to toilets whilst out and about.
B&BF Just Can't Wait Toilet Card - Helpling you to gain access to toilets. If you would like to find out more about our Just Can't Wait toilet card please visit our Resources section.
Radar Key - The National Key Scheme (NKS) offers disabled people independent access to locked public toilets around the country with the Radar key. Although these essentially are disabled toilets, you can still gain access to them if you have the key.
If you would like to find out more about the Radar key please visit the Radar website.
The Patients Association
The Patients Association's motto is 'Listening to Patients, Speaking up for Change'. This motto is the basis on which they build all their campaigns. Via the Helpline, they capture stories about Healthcare from over thousands of patients, family members and carers every year. They use this knowledge to campaign for real improvements to health and social care services across the UK. In addition, the Helpline provides valuable signposting and information for patients and supports them as they navigate through the Healthcare service.
They ensure that the opinions of patients are gathered on a wide variety of health and social care issues. Concerns that they hear form the basis of their campaigns which are targeted at various stakeholders such as parliamentarians, the media, civil servants, other charities and professional bodies.
They also have a range of booklets and guides for patients and have produced a number of research reports. To
To visit the website please click here Patients Association.
VAT reduced continence products
Customers you wish to purchase continence products from retail stores will probably find that the VAT has already been removed from the marked shelf price of products. The 0% VAT only applies to individuals who are purchasing 200 pieces or less for personal use. If you are buying continence products online, you may be asked to complete a VAT declaration form.
The following store's reflect the 0% VAT on the shelf price of continence products;
- Tesco
- Waitrose
- Boots
- Superdrug
- most small chemists
Welfare Benefits
Turn2us helps people in financial need gain access to welfare benefits, charitable grants and other financial help – online, by phone and face to face through partner organisations. If you have been denied welware benefits Turn2Us may be able to help you.
Personal Independence Payment
Last updated: 07/03/2014


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New Revised Standard (NRS) | New International Version (NIV) |
3 King Zedekiah sent Jehucal son of Shelemiah and the priest Zephaniah son of Maaseiah to the prophet Jeremiah saying, "Please pray for us to the Lord our God." | 3 King Zedekiah, however, sent Jehucal son of Shelemiah with the priest Zephaniah son of Maaseiah to Jeremiah the prophet with this message: "Please pray to the LORD our God for us." |
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. (New Revised Standard Bible Version Online) | Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide. (New International Version Bible Online) |


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Fans leaving a Julius Pittman & the Revival show want to know one thing: when and where's the next show! This horn-driven band delivers a timeless soul music revival that puts people on their feet, shaking and swinging and singing out loud. From smooth to smoking, the Revival will take you there!
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Reviewed Kuay Tiaw Pad Thai
Jun 9, 2013 in Food Network Community Toolbox on FoodNetwork.com
"I love making this recipe. I do not use the dried shrimp, or the radish. I omit the salt from the pad thai sauce. I use sweet potato noodles instead of rice, they do not need to be soaked before cooking. They come out clear, and absorb the sauce well. I cook the noodles ahead of time and put them in the fridge, and use them for the rest of th""


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Hi all- My Aji Pancas look great, but still have no flowers. Has anyone had any experience with them and had slow flower development? My Habaneros and Black Cobras have been blooming for a good 1-1/2 weeks now...and I thought I had blossoms coming on the Pancas....but it just turns out to be more leaves! |
Follow-Up Postings:
Par for the course, They are big, tall, late developing plants that need to be started very early in the season. It's a good thing you have that setup, it'll protect it from the first couple of frosts, and allow some pods to ripen (noticed your climate zone). I do see that new split off the main stalk, that may end up producing flowers, if not then i bet the next split will have flowers. Make sure you ease up on the nitrogen part of the ratio at this point (N.P.K.), otherwise they will just keep producing green growth. The pot size may hold that plant back from it's full huge potential, just consider 2013 an experimental year with it. It looks like a great candidate for overwintering btw. I'm growing Aji Yellow #2 this year, and the plant is very similar to the Aji Panca's i've grown in the past. One of them grew 3ft tall before producing it's first true split with flowers. They are potentially huge monstrous plants. |
- Posted by naturemitch 3/4 WI (My Page) on Mon, Jul 15, 13 at 19:21
Thanks so much sjetski! Thankfully I started them way back when. I have a couple in 3 gallon pots and 1 or 2 in 4.5 gallon pots. We had a cold, wet spring and they were not happy back then! The ones in the larger pots suffered the most, but bringing them into the greenhouse helped ALOT. I will certainly plan on overwintering a couple like you said. Yes, I have learned a number of things with certain varieties this year. Had no clue this variety grew this big and flowered this late. I sure hope for a few mature pods! |
- Posted by naturemitch 3/4 WI (My Page) on Mon, Jul 15, 13 at 19:22
Almost forgot....I use Foliage Pro, 9-3-6. Think this is OK for continued use? |
Foliage pro will be ok for a little while longer, but like i said before, it has high nitrogen so it will promote green growth more than anything else. From the sound of it, that's what you are trying to avoid. A good and inexpensive product, with the right NPK numbers, is Espoma Tomato-Tone. You can find it at most big box stores for under $10. It's a partial slow-release formula so you wouldn't want to fertilize a pepper plant every week with it. Tomato plants can take a bit more though. |
Here is a link that might be useful: Tomato-tone
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EPCIS - EPC Information Services Standard
This document is an EPCglobal normative specification that defines Version 1.1 of EPC Information Services (EPCIS). The goal of EPCIS is to enable disparate applications to leverage Electronic Product Code (EPC) data via EPC-related data sharing, both within and across enterprises. Ultimately, this sharing is aimed at enabling participants in the EPCglobal Network to gain a shared view of the disposition of EPC-bearing objects within a relevant business context.


text: Spring is upon us and what better way to celebrate this wonderful, warming season than a tasting tour of the Jo Daviess County and Galena Wineries? Jo Daviess County and Galena are home to some of the finest, award-winning wineries and vineyards in Illinois. Indulge your senses with a visit to one or all of the wineries on our list. Stop in for a » Click here to read more


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Service Professionals, Entrepreneurs & Service Businesses:
It's time to STOP struggling
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RefWorks 2.0!
RefWorks is a web-based citation and bibliography tool that is available to uWaterloo students, faculty, staff and alumni.
This guide will walk you through all of the basic functionalities RefWorks offers, as well as some new features and troubleshooting tips.
With RefWorks, you can:
- Organize and create a personal online database of references
- Format references for bibliographies and papers in a wide variety (over 3,000) styles (APA, MLA, Chicago, etc.)
- Import references to your RefWorks account from a variety of databases using the Direct Export feature offered by many databases, or using Import Filters included in your RefWorks account
- Incorporate RSS feeds and import data from those feeds directly into RefWorks
uWaterloo users require a group code to login when working off-campus. The group code is emailed to you when you sign up for your account. You can also find the group code here. Please note that you MUST be connected via proxy (i.e., "connect from home") in order to view this page showing the group code.
If you cannot access it, contact firstname.lastname@example.com.
Setting Up a Refworks Account
Visit http://refworks.scholarsportal.info and click "Sign up for an Individual Account."
If you are on-campus, RefWorks will detect that you are associated with uWaterloo. If you are off-campus, you will need to go through the proxy (i.e., "connect from home") in order to create an account.
Fill in the required fields and submit your information. You will be able to access your account right away, and should receive an e-mail confirmation with your username, password, and groupcode.
Save this email in case you forget your password!
RefMobile gives users immediate access to the most commonly used RefWorks functions, including searching their entire RefWorks databases, viewing references by folders, adding and removing references from folders, creating new folders, and adding comments to Notes fields. Users can also efficiently import new references to their RefWorks account using the new SmartAdd feature.
Log in here.
Subject Guide |
Links: Profile & Guides |
Upcoming RefWorks Seminars
Click here to enroll in upcoming RefWorks seminars, where you will get hands-on instruction for using RefWorks.
Overview of RefWorks 2.0
RefWorks created a guide to the new RefWorks 2.0 interface.
Paper Quick start guide PDF
RefWorks 2.0 Fundamental Tutorial video and PDFs
The administrators of this RefWorks Guide would like to thank the following for their contributions:
- Scholars Portal for developing original content and making it available to uWaterloo
- Jessica Ma for creating screen captures for import filters relevant to uWaterloo Refworks users
- Ben Robinson for editing and adding content
- Patrick Miller for updating and andding content


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Wet 'n' Wild • Wild Shine - Caribbean Frost 446B • Polishes
(61 reviews)
Average Rating. | 4.1 |
Would buy this product again. | 81% |
Ingredients |
DerangedFaith on 7/27/2010 1:19:00 AM more reviews by DerangedFaith
Age: 19-24 Skin: Very Dry, Fair Hair: Black Eyes: Brown
I bought a bottle of this before I went out of the country for a year and I forgot to take it with me. The whole time I was gone all I could do was pine over this nail polish. I've been home for two days and the first thing I did was paint my nails this colour. I love it as much as the first day I laid eyes on it.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
kmaness930 on 6/26/2010 9:02:00 PM more reviews by kmaness930
Age: 18 & Under Skin: Normal, Fair-Medium, Neutral Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Medium Eyes: Green
if you're into fun colors, this is a steal. I purchased this to paint the tips of my makeup brushes. one day out of boredom I painted my nails this color. It chipped within two days. It's worth the buy if you're into fun colors.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
rose196996 on 5/16/2010 11:57:00 PM more reviews by rose196996
Age: 18 & Under Skin: Oily, Fair-Medium Hair: Brunette Eyes: Blue
with any nail polish i think that their are pros and cons
pros- price 99 cents
the color is beautiful/amazing
with two coats, there is good color payoff
easy to take off with nail polish remover
cons- the brush
likes to chip a lot
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rara1154 on 4/18/2010 2:24:00 PM more reviews by rara1154
Age: 18 & Under Skin: Dry, Fair-Medium Hair: Blond, Straight, Fine Eyes: Brown
I love this color!!!! It goes on smooth.. and you only need 2 coats!!!
The down side to this is that it chips really easy. I have it on my nails right now but i put it on last sunday. and today is sunday so it has been 7 days but it lasted about... 3 days max
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
*TOP REVIEWER* Moodyone on 12/10/2009 3:21:00 AM more reviews by Moodyone
Age: 36-43 Skin: Combination Hair: Brown Eyes: Brown
I am wearing this color right now and I love it. I forgot all about this one. It was hiding out with my greens and blues, minding its own business. It applied fairly smoothly and dried quickly with my SH Quick Dry topcoat. It's been two days and I don't have any chips. Miracle for me! This was only a dollar and worth every penny. It's gorgeous.
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*TOP REVIEWER* fihe on 11/27/2009 6:59:00 AM more reviews by fihe
Age: 19-24 Skin: Acne-prone, Fair, Neutral Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Fine Eyes: Brown
well, I bought this because it was a really nice color and it's cheap. it's like a metallic mermaid green, although less complex than OPI for Sephora's Mermaid to Order. unfortunately, it chips so easily! I don't think I'd buy this again because I feel like I shouldn't HAVE to use base coat and top coat with nail polish unless I want it to last a long time, but they are a must with this product if you want it to last a day or even a few hours -_- I think I'll just spend the $9 for Mermaid to Order...
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*TOP REVIEWER* hamsley72 on 11/27/2009 4:04:00 AM more reviews by hamsley72
Age: 36-43 Skin: Combination, Fair Hair: Brunette Eyes: Blue
I bought this thinking it's sorta green blueish. I am looking for a color to use for the holidays. I'm not a fan of green on my nails. An I hate the pine green color on my nails so yeah this is what I was looking for. It looks great with a red I picked up in the 60 second rimmel nail polish. I like it so if your looking for a color that's a green but not a dark blah color this is what you want. It was .99 so you can't beat the price.
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hellokitty1121 on 11/14/2009 10:31:00 AM more reviews by hellokitty1121
Age: 19-24 Skin: Combination, Fair, Warm Hair: Red, Straight, Coarse Eyes: Hazel
I love this. The color is beautiful. Goes on easy and last long with little to no chip. It cost 99 cents which is a huge plus. One reviewer mentioned it got thick and gouped up in the bottle, that hasn't happened to me and I've had the polish for about 8 months. I would recommend this polish. I love all colors.
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poor_stargazer on 11/3/2009 2:37:00 AM more reviews by poor_stargazer
Age: 25-29 Skin: Combination, Olive Hair: Brunette Eyes: Hazel
Surprisingly, I like this. It's a pretty teal-ish color, almost chrome-like. The girls below who said it reminded them of mermaids, yep me too. Application is decent, though I hate WNW's brushes, but for $1 I guess I shouldn't complain. I only have to use two coats for satisfaction. I love to layer Pure Ice "Mint Dream" over this. Also, I've layered one of the Sally Hansen Opal's over it (the one with a golden sheen, can't remember the name) and it was beautiful. And as the reviewer below stated, it looks good with a matte top coat. So try it, for a dollar, why not? <3
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
*TOP REVIEWER* skandelouslala on 11/2/2009 9:34:00 AM more reviews by skandelouslala
Age: 25-29 Skin: Sensitive, Medium, Neutral Hair: Other, Wavy, Fine Eyes: Other
Beautiful shade... a frosty slightly chrome teal-ish green. Very beautiful and I found that I really like using this shade with Essie's Matte About You top coat. It looks great matte, which is more than I can for a lot of colors. It is unique enough and chrome enough to maintain some uniqueness mattified.
Top Rated Polishes
- 32 reviews
OPI Koala Bear-y
73 reviewsDior Dior Nail Glow
28 reviewsChina Glaze Ruby Pumps
384 reviews


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This is a test of the memory hole function.
This is only a test.
Our regularly scheduled programming will follow this test.
Repeat: This is only a test.
Testing memory hole function |
By: Disgusted in Euclid Thursday October 6, 2011 4:08 pm |
This is a test of the memory hole function.
This is only a test.
Our regularly scheduled programming will follow this test.
Repeat: This is only a test.
The Disease Called Being Poor in America |
By: Disgusted in Euclid Saturday September 3, 2011 1:09 pm |
Another powerful and timely essay by McCamy Taylor.
I felt compelled to re-post this at this time because I am sitting here, looking out the window, watching a family with several children being ousted from their home….the U-Haul is in front of their house as I write, and just by knowing these neighbors for a brief period, OG and I both know that this is not a move of choice.
Our thoughts and prayers are with our fellow Euclidians, as well as all of our fellow Americans on this hot September evening…..
So without further ado, once again I present McCamy Taylor and her essay entitled "The Disease Called Being Poor in America":
Since some of my readers want less drama and more facts, here are the facts. Class, open your books to chapter eight. Which book, you ask? The Social Determinants of Health edited by Wilkinson and Marmot. If you didn't bring your copy, you can share. Or open your laptops and go to Google eBooks. You can read most of the chapter online.
First, a point of clarification. While poverty is a disease that has many associated ills, today we are talking about something worse than poverty. The topic today is wealth disparity. What is worse for your health than being poor? Being poor in an affluent country.
Yes, yes, I know it sounds unlikely. What about trickle down economics? The poor folks in a rich nation will surely notice the good health of their more affluent neighbors and they will attempt to follow their model by joining a health club and eating lots of fresh fruits and vegetables. They will have fresh sea food at least three times a week and drink a glass of red wine with dinner. They will move away from polluted areas near petrochemical refineries and find themselves a nice little enclave far from the city, preferably gated, because then they won't have to worry about crime. When they feel their stress level rising, they will see a therapist. Or maybe they will try yoga or biofeedback. A trip to a spa can do wonderful things for the blood pressure. The poor will see that the rich have abandoned tobacco products and they will follow suit, because they want to be rich and successful, too.
That's the way it ought to be. But it ain't.
Let's consider one of the leading causes of death of young people, homicide. Turn to the graph on page 157. Notice how high homicide rates are in the states with the highest degree of wealth disparity and how low they are in places where money in distributed more equally. What's that? You say these statistics indicate that the poor are killing the rich in order to get their money? Nice thought, but the evidence does not bear it out. Turn the page.
When there is a huge gap between the haves and the have-nots, it is the have-nots that die at an increased rate. And they die of medical problems that are directly related to the stress, depression and self loathing that comes from being poor in a land of plenty. When everyone in your country is hungry, you feel the hunger pangs, but you do not blame yourself for being hungry. You know that there is a larger problem, one that your society needs to address. If you and your kids go to bed hungry while the guy down the road throws uneaten steak to his dog, you feel like a failure. You know that the rich guy's kids laugh at your kids for having torn up shoes. You know that in your town, you are called "Poor white trash" or "Welfare Queen" depending upon whether you are Black or white. When your kids ask for a computer so they can do their homework, your heart breaks a little inside even as you answer gruffly "We don't need that kind of silliness." And the children —those kids that you love enough to throw yourself in the path of a moving car in order to save them—-they look at you and think Mom is mad at me But you aren't angry at the children. You are angry at yourself. Because you haven't done enough for them.
When folks internalize their anger, they start looking for ways to ease the pain. Alcohol helps—temporarily. The same goes for drugs. Cigarettes can be your best friend if you feel friendless. And so what if you are cutting short your life by smoking? You are worthless. Worse than worthless. You are a drag on society, a parasite, an ugly blight that no one wants to see. When the anger gets to be too much to bear, you lash out at anyone who gets near—including your spouse and your kids. Eventually, all that stress leads to depression. You are tired all the time. You find it hard to get motivated. Yes, you could go back to school, but with what money? Yes, there are government grants, but they would probably just laugh at you. Those of you who have never seen the world through the deep grey tinted lenses of major depression can not understand how debilitating the disease is and how difficult it can be to pull yourself up by your own bootstraps when you can not even see your own bootstraps through the fog—
Yes, I know. I am getting emotional. Let's back away from our own country's ills and study a land on the other side of the ocean, Great Britain. Everyone remembers Margaret Thatcher, right?
That's on page 158. On page 159:
That's just Great Britain's crappy socialized medicine? Nice try. The same thing has happened in the United States, the land with the "best health care system on earth." Take out the assigned article from the New York Times
After 20 years, the lowest socioeconomic group lagged further behind the most affluent, Dr. Singh said, noting that "life expectancy was higher for the most affluent in 1980 than for the most deprived group in 2000."
The second article is even scarier. From 2008
Poor women in poor counties are actually living shorter lives than they did 20 years ago. The article blames smoking and obesity. Those who believe in Welfare Queens will tell you that these women have been eating too much steak and sitting in their Easy Boy recliners, watching too much cable television while squandering their SSI on cigarettes and booze and crack cocaine or meth. However, sloth and gluttony are not necessarily to blame. The poor tend to live in heavily polluted areas where it is impossible to go outdoors to exercise. They can not do what their more affluent neighbors do, i.e. join a health club. The poor have to make a limited food budget stretch, and the cheapest, most filling foods are high in fat. Women have an especially hard time quitting smoking, because of the stigma that is attached to being overweight. If they put on ten pounds when they try to quit, they feel worse about themselves, rather than better. And, of course, they lack health insurance, so there is no supportive health care practitioner—a nurse practitioner or a family physician—to coax them into making healthy lifestyle choices. Yes, they know what they are supposed to eat. But there is a big difference between knowing and doing when it comes to healthy living. Factors that encourage healthy lifestyles include a sense of self determination—"I y'am what I y'am"—a sense of being part of a community effort and the conviction that the lifestyle change will do some good. If your days are filled with regret and self loathing and despair, it is hard to imagine that anything you do can make a difference.
I can see from your frowns that you still do not understand. It is mighty hard to put yourself in the shoes of someone who has no shoes if you have never been forced to go barefoot yourself. So, I'm going to switch gears for a moment. Let's put aside the textbooks and the scientific studies and read some fiction that was not entirely fiction.
There was a brief time in America's history when the poor were not reviled. Their plight could not be ignored, because everyone was either poor or knew someone who was poor or both. And there was a government in Washington that did not try to dress up the numbers to make it appear that they were bringing prosperity. The federal government went out of its way to give the voiceless a voice. It hired photographers to record the faces of people who would never have been able to afford a family portrait. It showed that poverty and suffering have a human face—a face just like yours and mine, except etched with worry.
During that national disaster, that epidemic of poverty, John Steinbeck did more than quote statistics. He made it impossible for Americans to look away from the pain of being poor in a land of plenty. He did this by getting inside their heads, letting us live their hopes and their despairs. From the Grapes of Wrath—-Yes, I know it's not on your syllabus. So I'll read a passage to you aloud.
Tom said "Okie? What's that?"
"Well. Okie use ta' mean you was from Oklahoma. Now it means you're a dirty son-of-a-bitch. Okie means you'e scum. But I can't tell you nothin'. You got to go there."
You got to go there. You have to see it for yourself. Sadly, the press today is more interested in the sex lives of wealthy debutantes than in the day to day suffering of our country's poor. That's why I encourage nonprofessional writers (like me) to tell these stories. Because the first step to treating the disease is to acknowledge that it is real.
It's Midnight in America |
By: Disgusted in Euclid Wednesday August 31, 2011 6:18 am |
I ran across this powerful and most excellent essay whilst lurking elsewhere. I was so moved by this piece that I was compelled not only to grab a box of Kleenex, but to contact the author to obtain permission to post her essay here on FDL.
Ms. Taylor has most graciously granted her permission, so without further ado, I bring you "It's Midnight in America".
It's midnight in America. Joe can't sleep. He breathes OK when he is sitting up, but when he tries to lie down, fluid fills his lungs, choking him. Joe got laid off from his job, because his doctor said he could not stand on his feet all day. It was bad for his heart. His unemployment insurance just about covers his rent and food, but there is nothing left over for his heart medications. Three of them are generics. He gets them at Kroger for twelve dollars a month. The other two are still under patent, and they would cost him $250 a month, if he had $250 a month after his bills were paid. Each night, he struggles to breathe. Once he finally gets to sleep, he wakes up with chest pain. He used to use cheap nitroglycerine tablets, but there is a nationwide shortage of generics like nitroglycerine, and he can not afford the more expensive brand name versions. So he lies in bed, propped up on three pillows, staring at the ceiling, willing the pain to subside. Dawn is a long time coming.
It's midnight in America. For the third time this week, Janelle has gone to bed hungry. She planned ahead for her retirement. Social Security would bring in $1200 a month. The private pension from the factory where she worked forty-five years would add an additional $1000. Then, her employer declared bankruptcy and sold the firm to another company that kept the plant going but refused to honor pension agreements. The owner of her company was hired by the new firm. He has great benefits and a hefty salary. He eats steak at least three times a week. Janelle gets by on cereal and milk and occasional tins of cat food. Tonight, there was no food in the house. Nothing. She drank a couple of big glasses of water and went to bed early, but sleep eludes her. Around midnight, hunger drives her from her bed. She pulls on a robe and creeps out the front door. Tomorrow is garbage day. The neighbors' trashcans are on the street. She pulls open a lid and begins to rummage. There's a cold slice of pizza left in the box. The cheese is congealed and the crust rock hard. She wolfs it down. It tastes so good.
It's midnight in America. Justin's feet ache from walking miles, trying to find a tech job to replace the one that was moved to India. He still has internet service, though he has turned off the cable and the air conditioner and he only keeps the phone because he needs some way for potential employers to get in touch with him. His face looks ghostly in the light from his monitor. His brow wrinkles as he reads yet another tech ad that specifies "Must be currently employed." He recalls how competitors used to try to hire him away from his old firm. Maybe if he had taken one of them up on their offer, he would still have a job. But he stayed out of a sense of loyalty. It didn't seem right to leave the company that trained him in the lurch.
It is midnight in America. Brian is cleaning his gun. He has a constitutionally protected right to own a firearm, but he has no right to treatment for his bipolar disorder. Right now, he is in one of his down phases. The medications that would help him cost more than his family's total food bill each month, and to get those, he would have to see a psychiatrist and pay him $125 a visit. He has been down to the local MHMR, but they have a waiting list. When asked during the bright light of day if he was planning to hurt himself, he answered truthfully "No. I couldn't do that to my kids." But it is midnight now. The kids are asleep. He is alone with a bottle of whiskey and a handgun. The whiskey numbs the pain, briefly, and it is a lot cheaper than health care. He stares down the barrel of his gun. A bullet is even cheaper than whiskey, and it's a lot more permanent. He holds the gun to his head. His finger hesitates on the trigger. Will it hurt? Another swallow of whiskey bolsters his courage…
Dear Mr. President. I know you wanted to emulate Ronald Reagan. I know you were planning to run your own version of "Morning in America" as part of your re-election campaign.
But this isn't morning in America. This is one of the darkest hours our country has known in a long time. Yes, I know that the poor, the sick, the homeless, the unemployed, the desperate are hurting your re-election chances. I know that your supporters want us to all shut up or face something even worse next fall. But some of us won't make it to next fall. Some of us won't make it through the night.