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Category Archives: Holidays
SORRY: The Hardest, And Perhaps Most Powerful, Word
One of my favorite children's books for Yom Kippur is Jacqueline Jules' The Hardest Word: A Yom Kippur Story. It's about the Ziz, an enormous bird with dark red wings and a purple forehead. The Ziz's giant wings are always knocking things over. One day, after the Ziz mistakenly knocks over a big tree with his wings and the tree then knocks over another tree, which smashes a children's vegetable garden, the Ziz goes to God and asks God how he can make things better.
God instructs the Ziz to search the earth and bring back "the hardest word." The Ziz stretches out his big red wings and goes off to search, coming back to God over one hundred times with a variety of words. Each time God sends the Ziz back out, insisting that there is still a harder word.
Finally, the Ziz, discouraged, flies back for one last discussion with God:
"What word did you bring this time?" asks God.
"No word," the Ziz says quietly.
"No word?" God asks.
"No," the Ziz says sadly. "I've come to say I'm sorry. I can't find the hardest word."
"You can't?" God asks.
"No," Ziz shakes his head. "I'm sorry."
"You're sorry?" God asks.
"Yes." Ziz nods his big purple head. "I'm sorry."
"Good job!" God says. "You found the hardest word."
"I did?" wonders the Ziz. At this point, the Ziz is very confused.
"Yes," God says. "The hardest word is Sorry. While the other words you brought were hard, Sorry is the hardest."
I love the story of the Ziz because it draws our attention to a universal aspect of human nature: the difficulty of apologizing. Elton John pointed out this fundamental truth years ago with the title to his song "Sorry Seems to be the Hardest Word." And if you're like me and you're old enough to remember the TV show Happy Days, you may recall how Fonzie, the cool guy who all the guys wanted to be like and all the girls wanted to date, struggled whenever he had to even admit that he was wrong, let alone apologize. In one episode, when Mrs. Cunningham, a woman Fonzie greatly respects who's like a surrogate mother to him, tells him that he has to be an adult and apologize to a guy named Roger, Fonzie finally says: "Alright look, I went a little nutso, alright. So the whole thing was my fuhvv-vu-vu…and I'm really suzz-zzz-zzz. Alright?"
Apologizing was SO HARD for Fonzie that he couldn't even pronounce the word "sorry." I, for one, can relate. And I know that I'm not alone. Mental health professionals have pointed out that many people view apologizing as a sign of weakness. The perception is that the person who apologizes is the "loser," whereas the person who receives the apology is the "winner." Apologizing can make us feel vulnerable—like we're losing power, or even control. Like Fonzie, most of us don't like the feeling of not being in control—too often we let our pride get in the way and prevent us from apologizing.
But in reality, apologizing isn't a sign of weakness, it's a sign of strength. It takes strength to exhibit the moral character necessary to offer an apology, thereby admitting that you've hurt someone or done something wrong.
And think about it: Have you ever regretted apologizing to someone? If you're like me, then you probably haven't, or at least not often. For most of us, the time leading up to offering an apology is stressful, but once we've gotten over the hump of saying "I'm sorry," it's usually a big relief. In the best of situations, an apology is accepted. But even when an apology isn't accepted, when it's offered sincerely, we at least have the consolation of knowing that we've tried to make things better.
On the other hand, have you ever regretted NOT apologizing to someone? For most of us, the answer to this question is "yes." Surely, if we take the time to think about it, we can all point to times when we didn't say "I'm sorry," even though we now wish we had.
The Jewish New Year is an ideal time to reflect on the year that has just passed and think about those people to whom we owe apologies. Jewish tradition urges us to recount the people we've wronged in the past year and to apologize and ask for forgiveness before Yom Kippur. "Sorry" may be the hardest word, but it also has the potential to be one of the most powerful words—a word of restoration, a word of healing and a word of starting over.
I can think of several people I want to apologize to before Yom Kippur for things I've done in the past year: my husband; my children; some friends and colleagues. I know that apologizing won't be easy, but I also know that it's worth it, and that the year ahead will be better because of it.
What about you? Have you ever regretted apologizing? Have you ever regretted NOT apologizing? Do you plan to apologize to anyone in preparation for Yom Kippur?
Making It Count
I am a counter and a list maker. I use the calendar on my phone/computer and I have a paper calendar. I create a to-do list each week and sometimes add things I have already accomplished for the simple pleasure of being able to cross it out. I have a countdown app on my phone that provides me with the exact amount of time, down to the second, until an upcoming event. I am fascinated by the fact that time never changes and yet five more minutes until recess or your lunch break feels interminable while five more minutes with someone you love is never enough.
We all mark time in our lives in different ways: Facebook reminds us of birthdays, there are myriad apps to download and calendars in every size and color if you'd rather a physical book. If we take a step back from our ever present and much appreciated technology, we are reminded of the passage of time with every sun rise and set, with the changing of seasons, the warm fresh spring air following a difficult winter, even the beautiful and mysterious patterns of the stars in the vast inky blue on a clear night.
And so we all count, individually and collectively, slowly moving along with time, whether we like it or not.
Naturally, Judaism spends a lot of time contemplating and marking the passage of time as well, especially this time of year. On Passover we celebrate freedom, the bonds of cruel slavery broken as the Israelites follow Moses and Miriam out of Egypt and toward the Promised Land. We know the story, we've heard it, perhaps have even seen the animated version (I highly recommend The Prince of Egypt). Passover is both the culmination of this tale of slavery and the beginning of a new era of freedom and peoplehood.
So it only seems natural that Judaism would begin a count, called the "omer," beginning on the second day of Passover and counting the 49 days leading up to the holiday of Shavuot, which celebrates the moment on Mt. Sinai when Moses received the Torah, the story of the Jewish people and the laws, values and ethics by which to live. Each day Jews around the world say a blessing for this count as we move ever closer to the next defining moment in our collective life as a community.
Whether you vigilantly count the omer each day or you have never heard of this before, it is an interesting concept. While we often assume that the biggest moments in our lives deserve that special mark on our calendar, a card and maybe flowers, the counting of the omer suggests that remembering the journey, taking that brief moment for a simple blessing, a moment of perspective, also counts (please, pardon the pun).
These in-between moments aren't always splashy or exciting; no one is parting a sea or forming a nation every day. Just like the Israelites wandering through the desert, we complain, we bemoan our busy schedules, worry about what's to come, wonder if we made the right choices. And this lovely April, all of that pent up energy collected during a particularly vicious winter has been released and we are all running around, making up for lost time, attending that that spring dance recital or those little league baseball games, maybe soon a weekend visit to your favorite beach. And just as those dark, dreary, snowy winter weeks moved at a snail's pace, these lovely spring days seem to be flying by. And how often are we simply going through the motions, waiting for that next big event, cruising on autopilot?
So perhaps this year, amidst the craziness, on those average, nothing-special days, find a single moment and simply notice it, make it count. Give yourself a rest from the worry, from the anticipation or excitement of what's next. It is the joy we find for ourselves in the most mundane of moments or the peace we create in a single deep breath that allow us to embrace, prepare for and celebrate the most life-changing events that we put on calendars and count down with apps. The tick of time will always be constant, but we can choose how we spend it, even if only for one brief tock. So this year I'm going to count the omer and try my best to make it count as well.
Falling in Love…with Family
My friend's daughter is dating someone from a different faith and her grandparents are upset. The daughter called me and asked for advice. We talked about how people often participate in religion because of guilt or shame. For today's society, guilt or pressure from families no longer works. In America, where everything is marketed so that you "need it now," my philosophy is to make sure that the Jewish family is as welcoming, interesting, educational and inviting as possible. The family should be welcoming, not just because the new boyfriend or girlfriend is at the table, but for everyone. If a person has miserable memories associated with the family, they are not going to be inclined to practice Judaism when it is their turn.
If there is a new (or potential) family member at the table, make sure that the newcomer is having a positive and enjoyable experience. The family's goal with any guest should be to put on their best version of themselves. In short, every parent's goal should be to make the new family member fall in love with the family—its rituals, customs and craziness! Grandparents can tell stories of how important Judaism is to them and why they love it. Keep it positive, appreciative and most important, non-judgmental.
Maybe new family members will understand why the Jewish family has worked hard for so many years to maintain the beauty of Judaism. Maybe it's the silliness. Maybe the bonding or the joy of special foods. No matter what, make it pleasant. Make it a wonderful memory. And if it gets awkward, just smile and plan to laugh about it the next day. We all have at least one annoying relative—just smile because they aren't going to change just because you wish they would.
Talk to your parents and grandparents and tell them to show off a bit. Tell them to keep all interaction inviting. Tell them that you love them and you have so many positive family memories. Tell them you want your new (potential) family member to have these great memories too. For instance: "Grammy and Pops, I love you. I hope that he falls in love with you too. It will be easy since you are so loveable! And please get to know him. Ask him questions so you can learn how wonderful he is." A positive tone with a little flattery should go a long way toward new wonderful memories.
Good luck and keep us posted! We want to hear about your family experiences, questions and advice.
The Real Menshes on Benches
I met two menshes on benches the Friday of Thanksgiving. You may now have the image of the Mensch on the Bench Hanukkah toy, but unlike this stuffed elf counterpart, these were true mensches.
One of the rules for this toy is that a "true mensch is one who puts smiles on other peoples' faces." The word mensch is Yiddish for human being. It means to be a true human; to live up to the depths of kindness, generosity, integrity and love that a human can muster. The two mensches I met put a smile on my face for sure.
My parents moved to Philadelphia over the summer from Boston to be near my youngest brother and his family. They joined Congregation Rodef Shalom which is near where they live. They joined because they had heard the synagogue was an architectural gem, which it is, that the clergy are accessible and warm, that the preaching and teaching is intellectually stimulating and that the worship is full of music and joy. As soon as they joined, another synagogue family called them and invited them out to dinner (which my parents were thrilled about since they don't have any friends there yet). The synagogue staff greeted my parents at the door for several weeks after they moved to welcome them in and make sure they were getting acclimated. My parents were immediately swept off their feet with the ruach—the spirit—of the service. They kept telling me what a wonderful community this is. They love that each week there is a Shehecheyanu prayer sung after those in attendance share the good news that is happening in their lives.
My family and I were visiting for Thanksgiving and my parents were so excited and proud to take us to their new temple. Well, my 5 and 7-year-old are not well behaved in synagogue. You might be surprised considering my husband is a pulpit rabbi and they go to synagogue a lot. My children are high energy, antsy, loud and boisterous. They get thirsty and have to pee a lot during services which requires them to go in and out of the sanctuary. They whine. They get hungry. No matter how many little activities and small snacks I bring, we have not fully mastered the art of sitting respectfully in synagogue with a "calm body" as we like to say.
On this Friday night, they were exhausted which mellowed them a little. But, my youngest ate through the whole hour long service (I so appreciated that the service was one hour including a Torah reading and short sermon). This synagogue has a quiet room where you can hear the service but people can't hear us. However, we braved the actual sanctuary because my parents wanted the kids to try to fully participate. Wouldn't you know, they did (sort of). When the time came to share a Shehecheyanu moment, my 5-year-old raised his hand for the microphone and said, "I am visiting my grandma and papa" which just made my parents kvell (swell with pride) and everyone in the community ooh and ahh with his cuteness.
During the Lecha Dodi prayer, they form a dancing chain and my children joined right in! The Rabbi made sure to welcome us specifically at the start of the service as well and he called my children up for the honor of helping to undress the Torah. Actively participating definitely helps one stay engaged, no matter how old you are. But, my kids were not perfect during that hour by any stretch of the imagination. There was a trail of popcorn under our seats to prove it.
After the service the two women sitting right behind us (on actual pews/benches) said, "Your children were such a delight. We loved their energy. We loved their dancing. They are so beautiful. What a joy to have you visiting." They didn't say, "Next time, you could try the Quiet Room." Their response made me smile. It warmed my heart. It took a load off. I had been wondering how annoyed they would be sitting right behind us. It made me want to come back again. I told you I met two menshes on benches! They embodied what it means to be gracious, welcoming and empathetic.
Sukkot Reminds Us to Treat All Visitors as Honored Guests
This blog post was reprinted with permission from j., the Jewish news weekly of Northern California.
I recently visited a San Francisco synagogue for the first time. I rang the bell and a teenage girl came to let me in. She wasn't working there; she was just doing her homework. She welcomed me with a warm smile and asked if she could help me. We chatted about her schoolwork and life at the synagogue, and then the rabbi came running out to meet me. He was in the middle of Bar Mitzvah lessons and apologized for his delay in welcoming me. He didn't know I was a rabbi or what I was doing there; it appeared that this is how he welcomed anyone walking in the door. I explained that I was fine—just a bit early for a meeting. The night went on in this fashion. I have to admit that I was a bit flabbergasted. I had to wonder, why shouldn't every encounter be this way?
What came to my mind that night is that this synagogue clearly practices and teaches what some have recently been calling audacious or radical hospitality. They went out of their way to make sure I was treated like an honored guest. This spirit of embrace is ingrained in their culture to the extent that even a teenager is among the initiated! We all know people who seem to go far above and beyond what might be considered polite or inclusive. And we know how encountering such an individual has the power to change our outlook. Those of us who work for Jewish organizations struggle to figure out how our institutions can reflect this value. We may have the best programs, the most beautiful services, the best school. But at the end of the day, what supersedes everything else is whether or not people feel in each and every personal encounter that they matter.
Sukkot is the Jewish season for nurturing this quality of openness in ourselves and our institutions. We move out of our homes into huts, and we invite people to join us in these temporary, yet holy spaces. The holiday goes by many names: the Feast of Booths, the Festival of Ingathering, and He-Chag (the holiday). But if we stress the injunction to welcome those in need into our sukkahs, we could also name it the Festival of Hospitality.
In a few weeks, we will read in the Torah about Abraham and Sarah in another kind of shelter, their tent in Mamre [Gen.18]. Three strangers passed through, and amidst a culture in which a stranger could be a major threat, they invited them in. They rushed to greet them, washed their feet, and fed them. The strangers turned out to be angels telling Sarah of her pregnancy. But the beauty of the story is that Sarah and Abraham had no idea that their visitors were divine guests. This is how they treated everyone they met. A midrash on the apocryphal book of Jubilees makes this connection between the holiday of Sukkot and Abraham and Sarah's hospitality clear. It tells us that part of their preparations for their holy guests was, in fact, building the first sukkah to shelter them.
What would the world look like if we treated everyone we encountered as worthy of our attention? What would our Jewish communities look like if every person who walked through a door were greeted like Abraham and Sarah's guests? What would the world look like if we treated even people we don't know across the globe with that degree of humanity?
Sukkot is the holiday of the open tent. It seems it should be the most accessible holiday, but unfortunately it is also one of the harder holidays to celebrate. Not everyone has the space or strength to build a sukkah. If you are fortunate enough to have one, imitate Abraham and Sarah during the remaining days of the holiday and welcome someone who has never been to a sukkah or doesn't think he knows enough about Judaism to partake. There is a kabbalistic custom to invite ushpizin, ancestral, transcendent guests, into the sukkah. But even more important is filling your sukkah with real, flesh-and-blood visitors. This Sukkot, may we go above and beyond to make people feel like the divine guests that they are—when they enter our institutions, our work, our homes and our tents.
Creating Positive Community Memories
This year on Rosh Hashanah, our synagogue tried something new. All of the kids were invited onto the bima to witness the blowing of the shofar. It was amazing to watch the kids' faces while the shofar sounded. My daughter even jumped back a little at the sound initially. It was a sight to behold on many levels. First, I loved seeing all of the kids at the synagogue. Most of them were in awe of the Torahs, the Rabbi and the shofar. Second, when I spoke to my son later, he said he never realized that there were that many people at the synagogue. He seemed impressed that there were that many people observing the holidays. Since he attends a school with very few Jewish kids, he felt excited that "he wasn't the only one" observing the holiday. Third, the Rabbi said that the twisting shape of the shofar is like life – there are ups and downs, twists and turns that keep going on a unique journey. Again, watching the kids comprehend this concept was gratifying.
I know that for a long time, synagogues would keep the kids in a different area of the building during services so they didn't disrupt the adults and the prayers (I suspect the parents liked having a "break" from the kids, too). Some congregations create a group that prays and another group that discusses. There may be another group for the teenagers and another group for the toddlers. Unfortunately, some kids grow up thinking that synagogue is just for kids. I think that this is all fine and good but at some point, we should all be together.
I learn so much from the whole community: from my kids, from my friend's 92- year-old-grandmother, and from the pleasant gentleman two rows back with a great smile. Our kids should see what their future looks like and we should look back on our childhood with wonderful memories. The good memories are what keep us going so we can manage the twists and turns of life.
Many people are part of the community of their neighborhood, preschool, elementary school, gym or office. I find that these communities are wonderful but fleeting; the people move, the kids grow up, the gym down the street offers a better deal or people get new jobs. The Jewish community is a little different on the holidays. No one has to send out an invitation, but lots of people show up to celebrate the holiday. We see families grow up and evolve. A hug from an old friend is commonplace. We may hear a tune that reminds us of a relative or humorous incident from childhood.
I know that many communities have a Jewish Community Center (JCC) which is a great place to find community. While I am not a member of a JCC, I find that my Jewish community IS my center. It is the most consistent presence in my life besides family. I don't love everyone there but I enjoy a little something of everyone, young and old. Best of all, we all are collecting and reliving some very positive memories.
Our New Year's Apple Picking Event
One of my favorite things about living in the Northeastern United States is apple picking. Relating to the Rosh Hashanah tradition of eating apples and honey, an apple picking event is a wonderful opportunity to build community.
In mid-September, InterfaithFamily/Philadelphia co-sponsored an apple picking event on a Sunday morning in Chester County with jkidphilly. It was a beautiful day and the orchard (Highland Orchards) was a wonderful spot. I was fortunate enough to be working with Robyn Cohen from jkidphilly and we assisted the kids in making a fun craft.
Did you know that with a small plastic horn blower and a paper plate, kids can make their own shofar? The kids decorated the paper plates with apple stickers and crayons and behold, the shofars were fabulous. The kids could make some noise with their new shofars and it didn't bother anyone! And if they got a little "energetic" there was a playground right next to our picnic tables for them to let off a little joyous energy.
The parents and kids were able to mingle and learn a little about the holiday of Rosh Hashanah. I particularly love the comparison of a shofar to an alarm clock—waking us up from our daily activities and alerting us to the new possibilities of the fall, a New Year and renewed spirit. There is something special about the fall sunshine on an orchard that warms the soul. Apples are so sweet and the kids love being involved in harvesting the fruits of their labor. There were over 25 families who attended the pre-Rosh Hashanah apple picking in Chester County. If you are interested in attending similar events, please email email@example.com and let us know. We look forward to hearing from you!
Making Shavuot Meaningful
On Shavuot, Jews celebrate Matan Torah, the Giving of the Torah. If you didn't grow up Jewish, or even if you did, you may not know much about Shavuot. Although Shavuot is one of the Shelosh Regalim (the three Pilgrimage Festivals), equal in importance to Passover and Sukkot, it's less commonly celebrated than the other two holidays. Maybe this is because Shavuot doesn't have a well-known home component, like the Passover Seder (celebrated by more Jews than almost any other Jewish ritual) or the sukkot (huts) some Jews build outside of their homes on Sukkot. Maybe it's because Shavuot comes at the end of the school year, so even if you have kids in a Jewish preschool, religious school or day school, there's not as much time available in the curriculum to focus on Shavuot. Whatever the reason, I for one would love to see a change, and for more people to learn about Shavuot, and celebrate the holiday in meaningful ways.
In that spirit, as Shavuot approaches, I have seven suggestions for how to make the holiday more meaningful. Why seven? Because Shavuot marks the fiftieth day after the start of the counting of the Omer. (We begin counting the Omer, which links Passover to Shavuot, on the second night of Passover.) Shavuot (which means "weeks" in Hebrew) marks the completion of counting seven weeks of seven days.
1. Read the Book of Ruth. Traditionally, the Biblical Book of Ruth is read in synagogues on Shavuot. Ruth's story is read on this holiday for several reasons:
a. The Book of Ruth describes the harvest season and Shavuot is also known as Hag HaKatsir, the Harvest Festival.
b. On Shavuot, when Jews celebrate God's giving—and the Jewish people's accepting—the Torah, we read of Ruth's willingly entering into the Jewish faith and thus, according to Jewish understanding, a life of Torah.
c. The end of the Book of Ruth describes the lineage of King David, who is Ruth's great-grandson. According to Jewish tradition, King David was born and died on Shavuot.
Even if you don't go to services on Shavuot, you can read and discuss the story of Ruth with family members or friends. Ruth is often celebrated as the first Jew by Choice, but as I argue in my recent blog, I think she really should be celebrated as a woman in an interfaith marriage who helps to ensure the Jewish future.
2. Study the Ten Commandments. The Ten Commandments are traditionally read from the Torah at Shavuot services. Take time to read the Ten Commandments and learn about them. If you have younger kids, your family can decide what Ten Commandments/Rules should be followed in your home. Older kids and adults can discuss how they feel about posting the Ten Commandments in public places such as court houses. Click here to read the position the Anti-Defamation League took on this issue in 2005.
For fun, check out Godcast's Ten Commandments song or bake a Ten Commandments Challah.
3. Attend a Tikkun Leil Shavuot. There's a wonderful custom of staying up all (or part of) the first night of Shavuot to study Torah. One of my personal favorite Shavuot experiences was when I was living in Jerusalem and I spent all night learning at a Tikkun Leil Shavuot and then at sunrise walked with the rest of the people attending the Tikkun to the Kotel for the morning service.
Look online to see if a synagogue or other Jewish organization near you is having a Tikkun. Or host your own Tikkun and invite friends over to study Torah.
4. Make (and eat!) Dairy Foods. It's customary to eat dairy foods like cheesecake and cheese-filled blintzes on Shavuot. Some say that this is because the Bible compares Torah to "honey and milk…under your tongue" (Song of Songs 4:11). Another explanation is that when the Israelites received the Torah and learned for the first time the laws for keeping kosher, they didn't have time right away to prepare kosher meat. In order not to eat meat that wasn't kosher, they ate dairy. And so, on Shavuot, when the Giving of the Torah is celebrated, many Jews eat dairy in commemoration of how the Israelites ate when they first received the Torah.
In keeping with the tradition of eating dairy on Shavuot, after dinner on Shavuot I like to put out different flavors of ice cream and bowls with all kinds of toppings for everyone in my family to make their own ice cream sundae. My kids love doing this—and so do I!
5. Bake a Special Challah. Even those familiar with the braided challot for Shabbat and the round challot traditionally eaten on Rosh Hashanah may not be aware of the tradition of having specially shaped challot for Shavuot. This Shavuot, bake a challah in the shape of the Ten Commandments, as mentioned above, or in the shape of a Heavenly Ladder, a Torah or Mount Sinai (where God gave the Torah to Moses). To learn how to make these challot click here.
6. If You Have Young Children, Read Books Related to Shavuot: Check out PJ Library for a list of Shavuot books.
7. Attend a Shavuot Service. In Israel and most Reform and Reconstructionist congregations outside of Israel, Shavuot is observed for one day. In Orthodox and most Conservative congregations outside of Israel, Shavuot is observed for two days. In many congregations, Confirmation (a group ceremony, generally at the end of tenth grade, celebrating the completion of a religious curriculum) is celebrated on Shavuot. Not only is Shavuot near the end of the school year, but the association of Shavuot with the Giving of Torah is thematically connected to the study of Torah acknowledged at Confirmation as well as the idea of students committing themselves to a life of Torah. You can look at the websites of local synagogues to find out when their Shavuot services are being held.
Chag Sameach! Have a happy holiday!
RE-READING RUTH: Not "Ruth and Her Conversion" but "Ruth and her Interfaith Marriage"
A version of this blog post was reprinted in the Philadelphia Jewish Exponent and can be read here.
"Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you lodge, I will lodge; your people shall be my people, and your God my God." (Ruth 1:16)
These words, spoken by the young widow Ruth to her mother-in-law Naomi, are among the most well known and most powerful words in the Bible. They express Ruth's commitment to Naomi—and to Naomi's people and Naomi's God. With this declaration, Ruth the Moabite cast her lot with the lot of the Jewish people, and she recognized the God of Israel as her God.
Often Ruth is spoken of as the first convert to Judaism. Of course Ruth's "conversion" wasn't like the conversions of today. Ruth didn't attend an Introduction to Judaism class (I can't imagine that any such classes were offered in Moab!); she didn't appear before a Beit Din (a rabbinic court); and she didn't immerse herself in the mikveh (ritual bath). And in fact, throughout the Book of Ruth, even after Ruth makes her declaration of commitment to Naomi, the people of Israel and the God of Israel, Ruth is constantly referred to as "the Moabite," reminding us, the readers, that Ruth was still seen as an "outsider."
Even if we are to accept that Ruth converted to Judaism (at a time long before conversion as we now know it), the timing of Ruth's "conversion" is noteworthy. Having lost her husband and two sons, Machlon (Ruth's husband) and Chilion (who was married to another Moabite woman, Orpah), while living in Moab, Naomi was preparing to head back to Israel. She told her daughters-in-law to return to their Moabite families, and Orpah followed her instructions. Ruth, however, clung to Naomi, and when Naomi told her to "return to her people and her gods" as Orpah had done, Ruth responded: "Do not urge me to leave you, to turn back and not follow you. For wherever you go…."
By the time Ruth made her famous declaration to Naomi, Ruth's Israelite husband was already deceased. This was after Ruth's marriage, not before it. This means that Ruth's marriage to Machlon, which lasted about ten years, was an interfaith marriage! I can only imagine that Ruth's great love for Naomi was based on the fact that throughout the period of the marriage and beyond Naomi accepted Ruth for who she was—making Ruth feel valued and loved.
So often today I hear a Jewish mother lament when her son marries a woman who isn't Jewish: "She's a lovely girl. If ONLY she were Jewish…" I can only imagine how this must make the daughter-in-law feel: that she's not quite good enough, that she's second class. That's not how Naomi treated Ruth. While the text may go out of its way to call her "Ruth the Moabite," to Naomi she was simply "Ruth": beloved daughter-in-law. And what a remarkable mother-in-law Naomi must have been for Ruth to want to leave her own land and her own people to return to Naomi's homeland with her after Machlon had died.
Just imagine what it would be like today if Jewish parents—and the Jewish community as a whole—could be as non-judgmental and accepting of their children's interfaith marriages as Naomi must have been of Machlon's marriage to Ruth. Surely some of the children-in-law, like Ruth, would fall in love with their extended Jewish family and the Jewish people and religion, and choose after a period of time to become Jewish. We see this happen all of the time: Someone who's had a Jewish partner for a number of years converting after truly knowing what it means to be Jewish. (As a rabbi, I would much prefer that someone wait to convert until they're sure that it's right for them, rather than converting to appease a prospective in-law or just make things "easier" when getting married. A conversion just to make someone else happy seems to me to be "empty" and insincere.)
Of course even if parents-in-law and the Jewish community are non-judgmental and accepting of interfaith marriages, not every partner in an interfaith marriage who didn't grow up Jewish is going to convert. Some people won't convert because they still practice another religion, and others will decide—for a variety of reasons—that conversion to Judaism isn't for them. And that's OK too! Our community needs to honor those who've chosen to marry Jews, but who haven't chosen Judaism for themselves—just as Naomi showed Ruth respect throughout the time that she was married to Machlon. As Naomi realized throughout the marriage, it wasn't her place to tell her daughter-in-law how to live her life or what choices she should make. Naomi loved Ruth for who she WAS—not for what she WANTED Ruth to be.
At the end of the Book of Ruth, Ruth gives birth to Obed, who is the father of Jesse, who is the father of David. Ruth "the Moabite" who was in an interfaith marriage to Machlon is the great-grandmother of David—not only a great King of Israel, but the progenitor of the Messiah.
Soon it will be Shavuot. It's customary to read the Book of Ruth on Shavuot, the holiday when we celebrate Matan Torah, the Giving of the Torah. It's quite appropriate to read the story of a woman who demonstrated her loyalty to Judaism on the holiday on which we celebrate the giving of the Torah to the Jewish people. As Shavuot approaches, I will celebrate Ruth, who wasn't raised Jewish, from our Jewish past. And I will also celebrate all of those people in our Jewish present who weren't raised Jewish: those who've chosen to convert to Judaism as well as those who've chosen to join their lives to the Jewish community in less formal ways (by marrying Jews, by raising Jewish children and by participating in the life of the Jewish community). All of them, like Ruth before them, help us to ensure the Jewish future.
Special Diets + Passover = Stress
Following a special diet can be a challenge. Most of us have followed a diet in the past to lose weight, or for humanitarian or health reasons. Some of us are on one right now. In my own small circle of family, friends and colleagues, almost all of the major diet categories are covered. We have gluten free, low fat, dairy free, sugar free, vegan, vegetarian, Kosher, high protein and low carb. Passover is coming and my diet-centered world is about to short circuit. What kind of meals can I make if I have to eliminate gluten, fat, dairy, sugar, eggs, meat and all of the items that are not consumed during Passover from the list of acceptable ingredients?
There can be some confusion about how to make our choices about what to eat during Passover. Tradition plays a strong role for religious Jews and can influence the decisions we make in our modern interpretation of our holiday observance. Jews from Eastern Europe (Ashkenazim) refrain from eating Kitnyot (KIT-NEE-OT) during the eight days of Passover. Kitnyot are grains and legumes such as, rice, corn, beans, soy, peanuts, string beans, peas, lentils, mustard, seeds (sesame, poppy, sunflower, etc.), and their derivatives which can be found in corn starch, corn syrup and soy sauce. Jews from other lands (Sephardim) do eat Kitnyot during Passover. Why is there a distinction?
The Torah tells us not to eat leaven (also called Chametz) during the holiday of Passover. Chametz consists of "five grains" from wheat, spelt, barley, oats and rye. In ancient times, a strict observance of this commandment caused the Jews in lands where these grains were grown to be extra careful. All grains were stored in the same type of sack and could be easily mixed up or misidentified. The only way to be sure of not eating the five grains was to avoid any foods that could possibly have a similar appearance. Sephardim did not have this tradition because the five grains were not grown in their lands.
A little research on the Internet results in some obscure and interesting items to avoid during Passover. Who would have known that organic lipstick may contain wheat or oat flour? We must also avoid eating anything that contains vinegar like ketchup, mayonnaise, and pickles, anything with glucose or dextrose, such as sugar alternatives, and decaf coffee and tea, which are processed using an additive called Maltodextrin, which is made from starch. Whisky and beer are also prohibited because they contain wheat or barley.
There are some very good menu and recipe suggestions available if one is willing to dig around a bit on the web. Daniella Silver has a list of Healthy Gluten/Dairy Free Vegetarian Passover Recipes that look very yummy. I am definitely going to try the Garlic Sweet Potato Rice and the Triple Chocolate Hamentaschen. My favorite site is from Shana Lebowitz called 34 Healthy Passover Recipes and it is full of interesting Passover relevant twists on regular dishes. Try her Grain-Free Banana Bread (it does include eggs) or the Bitter Herbs Salad that she found in a 2012 New York Times post.
It is a highly personal decision to change our diet for eight days. Whether or not you give up just bread, bread-like foods, or choose to follow all of the ancient traditions is up to you. Please share your favorite healthy Passover recipe with our readers so that we all have more food options to consider as we decide what our own unique celebration will entail.
Chag sameach (Happy holiday)!


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Chapter 14: Nest and Chapter 15: Cloud Cat Summary
All night the ship fills and in the morning is floating again. Baz bursts into the room and tells him that Kate is missing. The captain is clearly annoyed as he instructs Matt and Baz to find Kate and return her to the ship. When they get to the bluff where they last saw the cloud cat, Baz notices that Kate has been blazing trees in order to find her way back. They begin calling out her name, and she answers from the top of a tree nearby. She refuses to leave until she gets the pictures she came for and points out the cloud cat's nest she discovered. Similar to the nests that squirrels build for winter, the cloud cat had instinctively created an all weather shelter. Bruce wants to see what they are looking at, but before he can put the spyglass up to his eye, the cloud arrives, landing in a nearby tree. Kate tries to grab her camera, but she disappears into the nest before Kate can get a decent shot. Bruce is stunned, staring at the direction the cloud cat went with his mouth open. They tell Bruce the rest and he begins to get carried away with the whole idea, telling Kate his father funds research of that kind, and has a keen interest in oddities such as this one. The phrase, and his overall attitude bother Matt, and he hopes that Kate will object at some point, but she doesn't - instead becoming carried away by the thought that the discovery will make her famous. Matt becomes agitated at the fact that they are disobeying a direct order, but Kate begs him to give her just a little time, promising him she has an idea to speed things up. On her way out, she had stolen a fish from the bunch caught by the cook, and plans to use it to lure the cloud cat out. She promises to be ready to go in half and hour, and Matt reluctantly agrees.
The fish smells so bad that Bruce does as well, after handling it. Finally, she ventures down, and they see her in all her glory for the first time. It is immediately obvious that she isn't meant for walking, as she nervously approaches the fish. When she reaches it, she opens her mouth and all thoughts that she is a shy cat vanish at the sight of her teeth. When it finishes, and looks up, Kate takes a photograph, but the click gives them away. Bruce loses his nerve, turns and runs. Seeing Bruce as prey, the cloud cat gives chase. Matt remembers Molloy writing that the sight of his spyglass seemed to frighten them, so he grabs the one from Kate and gives chase. Distracting the Cloud Cat, Matt tells Bruce to run, noticing his already injured leg. Bruce manages to get away, and Matt and Kate back up, leaving the camera behind despite Kate's initial objections. It leaps up into the trees and Matt knows they have just moments. Grabbing her hand, they race for what appears to be a field, hoping it won't follow once the trees thin.
Chapter 14: Nest and Chapter 15: Cloud Cat Analysis
In the morning, Baz bursts into the room and is clearly relieved to see Matt standing there. He tells her that during the night, Kate drugged her chaperone and somehow managed to get out and is now missing. Matt knew she would likely head to the area she believed the cloud cat nested in and worries about her atrocious sense of direction until he discovers his compass missing and realizes that she has had it since their time in the cave, and he hadn't even noticed. On the way, Baz tells Matt how lucky he is to know what he wants to do with his life, and to love it so much. Matt doesn't understand, knowing that Baz is wealthy, and Baz explains the expectations his family has for him and his inability to live up to them. He apologizes for taking Matt's place as sailmaker, and tells Matt that if he could, he would transfer ships, but the bargain he made with his father was that he would serve two years on board the Aurora and quitting would be defeat. They finally find Kate in a tree where she has perched herself to wait for the return of the cloud cat. She is sitting where she has full view of the nest she'd found, and while they argue about the captains orders to return immediately, the arguments are mute when the cloud cat returns, going into her nest in front of a stunned silent Bruce. Bruce tells Kate that his father would be interested in this find, and would likely fund an expedition to return. His excitement is obvious, and Matt feels himself being edged out by Lunardi again, and the idea makes him angry. He accuses them of being insensitive to the fact that by disobeying the captains orders, they will only stand to cost him, not themselves. As people of money, their wealth insulated them from having to worry about their jobs, unlike Matt who would be in deep trouble if his job were to end. He threatens to carry Kate back to the ship, but Bruce sides with Kate, taking Matt's leverage away. He finally agrees to give Kate half an hour to try to lure it out into the open where she can get a good shot of it.
Matt worries about Kate's assumption that the cloud cat is benign in nature. When it comes into the clearing, and lands on the ground, Matt senses how wrong the ground is for it, and understands its discomfort. All his pity vanishes when she opens her mouth and reveals her teeth. Bruce is shaking and Kate is pale as all three of them realize how largely they underestimated the cloud cat and her nature. Only twelve feet away from them, they are all truly afraid. Bruce makes the mistake of running, giving the cloud cat something to chase. It runs him down, and has him pinned when Matt gives chase and distracts it. When the cloud cat's attention is diverted, Matt tells Bruce to run. Now, it turns it's attentions to Matt and Kate. They are forced to leave the camera behind and flee, hoping to reach a clearing before it overtakes them from above.
This section contains 1,089 words
(approx. 3 pages at 400 words per page)

subset: commoncrawl


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Group Exercise Instructor Certification
Welcome! I often get emailed questions about the Group Exercise Instructor Certification Practicals and Written Test. Here are some answers to those emails…
"How long did you study prior to taking the 8 hr day course? Is it something that takes months, or just a few weeks?"
I was really bad and crammed then night before. I only suggest this if you are familiar with anatomy, biological processes, and functional moves to begin with. I don't know your background, so I'm not sure what is right for you. If you are the average person 5 wks will definitely be enough to study the material as long as you don't try to multitask during study time. This test is no joke, and if you don't know your stuff, you will fail. I don't mean to scare you, but that is the reality. I've had 50% of my friends fail the first time they took it because they sort of studied half ass.
On the other hand, I don't think it is enough to freak out about. If you are not familiar with any topics above, a month of off and on studying should suffice. It isn't difficult material (it is all relative though).
"I only have 3 weeks to prepare for it. I wanted to get an idea of what the written exam is like. The book has a lot of information about exercise science and the energy system and all of that. Do I need to really know all that in depth? I registered for the course thinking the exam would be more general related to the group ex class but from the book it seems otherwise. Do you think I should postpone the workshop to a later day?"
I don't know what your background is regarding anatomy and physiology so it is hard to say whether you should postpone it or not. The exam does cover the energy cycles and muscle anatomy including joint movements. Personally, I believe 3 weeks is long enough to study, but if you don't think you can grasp these subjects in 3 weeks, it would be best to postpone the exam. I've had friends who underestimated the exam and failed.
"Any tips for the written exam are appreciated too. I am studying from the study guide mostly… is that what you did?"
I read the important parts of the book as well as utilizing the study guide.
"Hi, will we be allowed any notes in the written exam part?"
Wouldn't that be nice? Unfortunately, NO! Fortunately for you though, during the course of the workshop before you take the test, they go over a lot of material that will be on the test WITH answers. Good luck, and study hard. 😉
"Do you have to do strength and flexibility demos for each muscle group or do you get to pick one or are assigned one?"
"Can you please tell me which moves did you use for that part of the exam?"
You have to do 2 strength exercises and 1 flexibility move for each muscle group.
No, I can't tell you which moves I did for this part b/c quite frankly, I can't remember. Plus, I can't do everything for you. Sorry.
Before the practical, they go through all of the acceptable exercises and flexibility moves that are acceptable for like an hour. They pretty much get drilled in your head. Plus, you are doing them with everyone else. If you get lost, look around and do what someone else is doing!
"Was the cardio exam in groups too?"
Yes, it was and you also go over acceptable moves for about an hour before you are actually tested.
When we are told to do 2 strength moves and one flexibility move for each grouping, I know the study guide says that we can do strength moves involving free weights. Are we given free weights? Or are we supposed to just pretend we have weights in our hands when we do the moves?
You have to "mime" the moves. You are NOT given free weights. You are over-thinking this! It is a lot easier than you think it will be to pass that practical!
"I'm very nervous about getting up in front of a whole group and doing all that stuff. I get nervous and all info goes out of my head!"
You will be fine!!! I was really nervous, and so was mostly everyone in the class. You are all in the same boat. Trust me, if a former band geek with no rhythm can pass this, so can you!!
Here are my posts from my group fitness instructor certification and indoor cycling workshop so you can get an idea of how each day goes!
Email me at geekturnedathlete @ gmail dot com if you have any more questions besides these. 😉 Study hard and breathe. You WILL do just FINE!


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Posted by Ben Lee in Thoughts | 7 Comments
Metro (WP7) inspired PowerPoint template
For two of the community Lync talks (NxtGenUG & NEBytes) I'd given recently I made myself a Metro inspired PowerPoint template. I thought it might be of interest to a few other people so you can download it here for use in your own presentations…
Some of the slide types I've included:
Title slide:
Section header:
WP7 style "swipe comparison":
Section change – accent colour:
WP7 "tile" content display:
There is a default animation for the items on the page & for transitions between slides that act in a "metro ish" way – using the default available movements… The section header slides also animate kind of like a "live tile" flipping over but it's far from perfect (you need to use a bit of imagination). The black background can be a bit fun bit with a little bit of the "background removal" tool you can get diagrams or pictures to look pretty good:
If you download it and end up using the template I'd love to here what you did with it & suggestions for improvements are always welcome.
Exactly the thing i was looking for, i will update a video on the web, with credit for this template of course.
Thanks and Regards
thakns a lot
thanks very much!
This is just perfect. You did an amazing job. Welldone!
Excellent, thank you.
Thank you so much! You're such an artist!
Thanks a lot Ben for sharing this template with us!
- Metro Style PowerPoint Templates « blog.lookitskris - [...] template from bibble-it is inspired by Windows Phone but it has some really nice controls (can you call them…
- Tiendas de plantillas powerpoint estilo Metro | El rincón de JMACOE - [...] plantilla de bibble-it está inspirado en Windows Phone, pero tiene algunos controles muy bonitos (¿puedes llamarlos en [...]


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Timothy A. Khol
Timothy A. Khol, 70, of Kent, passed this life to be with our Heavenly Father on Monday, February 24, 2014. He was born May 4, 1943 in Cleveland, son of the late Emil and Esther (Knott) Khol. He earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Baldwin-Wallace College as well as Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy Degrees from Ohio University.
Dr. Khol worked as a clinical psychologist in Portage County from 1973 until his retirement in 2012, initially serving three years at a local mental health center in Ravenna prior to the establishment of Coleman Professional Services. He was owner of Portage Psychological Associates in Ravenna for 20 years before merging practices with the Gary Robinson & Associates, LLC psychological practice in Kent in 1996. He served as Chair of several committees for the Executive Committee of the Ohio Psychological Association during the 1980'S. Dr. Khol served as a member of the Medical Staff of Robinson Memorial Hospital for 25 years. His personal interests included travel, photography, book collecting, and scootering.
Dr. Khol is survived by his devoted wife, Jill (Schmidt) whom he married in 1985 and who was his patient and tireless caregiver as he battled cancer in recent years. He is also survived by his daughter Adrienne (Rob) Hammill of Cincinnati; sons Matthew of Akron and Justin (fiance Brittany O'Brien ) of Kent; sister Linda (Lee) Swanson of Kansas; brothers Mark (Anne) of Michigan and Richard (Carol) of Kansas; grandchildren Joseph and Rebecca Hammill; many beloved nieces and nephews; dear friend, Martha Archer; and his cat, Koka. The family gives special thanks to his doctors at the Ohio State University James Cancer Hospital, and the staffs of Robinson Memorial Visiting Nurses and Hospice and Tucson Medical Center Hospice, for their excellent care.
Dr. Khol was a member of the Kent United Church of Christ. Calling hours will be held 2-4 and 6-8 PM Wednesday, March 5th at Bissler & Sons Funeral Home in Kent. Funeral services will be held 11:00 AM Thursday, March 6th at Kent United Church of Christ with Rev. Heather C. Wicks and Rev. David Pattee officiating. Private burial will be held at Standing Rock Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Kent United Church of Christ, Circle of Caring Program, 1400 E. Main Street, Kent, OH 44240.


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This is a disambiguation page.
It points to other pages that have similar names. If you followed a link here, please fix it to point to one of the pages listed below.
The name Polly occurs several times in the Doctor Who universe and the pertinent real world. They are listed below in alphabetical order by surname. If no surname is available, alphabetization occurs by the disambiguation term — that is, the bit between the parentheses in a title like Waitress (Random Shoes).
In-universe Edit
As only name Edit
As first name Edit
- Polly Wright, the companion to the first and second incarnations of the Doctor.
As nickname Edit
As name of object, publication or other in-universe item Edit
Behind the scenes Edit
Actors Edit
As first name Edit
- Polly James, who played Jane Hampden in TV: The Awakening.
Production Edit
- Polly the Glot, a Sixth Doctor comic strip published in Doctor Who Magazine
- Polly Mattson, a Torchwood Assistant director


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They say that a man's home is his castle, but they don't mention how a good recliner is his throne. And every man's home has to have a throne. You can have your very own throne by getting the Berkline Leather Rocker Recliner Chair. It may not be the iron throne (ala Game of Thrones), but you'll be glad to have one in your living room or family room. You can just sit there and work on a laptop, read a good book, or watch tv in the comfort of this recliner. You'll be so comfortable that you'll probably find yourself dozing off in it, so don't be surprised if taking a quick power nap on here is quite easy to do. The soft leather is conducive for the ultimate relaxation.
|Chillax at home in the comfort of the Berkline Leather Rocker Recliner
Here are the specs:
Berkline Leather Rocker Recliner Chair Product InfoCostco Item#: 911354
Costco Price: $499.99
Found at: Costco in Foster City, CA (1001 Metro Center Blvd.)
(price and availability may vary per Costco location)
|Berkline Leather Rocker Recliner Chair: stylish and comfortable
|Berkline Leather Rocker Recliner: the perfect chair for any home
|Deal for the Berkline Leather Rocker Recliner at Costco
This recliner features top grain leather on all seating surfaces with skillfully matched leather splits on outside back and arms. With the plush padded arms and supportive bustle back design all beautifully adorned with stylish jumbo stitch details, the rich contemporary look of this upholstery collection fits comfortably into the decor of any living room environment.
Key Features:
- Top Grain Leather On All
- Seating Surfaces
- Manual Recline
- 100% metal seat box for strength and durability
- Multi position reclining mechanism allows for personalized comfort
- Seat cushion is constructed of fiber wrapped foam for a luxurious seating experience
- Pad over chaise construction allows for total leg support when reclining
- Ultra plush pillow top arms for added support
- 40.75"W x 40.25"D x 41.75"H


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REVIEW SNAPSHOT®by PowerReviews
Reviewed by 1 customer
Best Uses
Comments about Pro Elite Backpack with ClikStand (Gray):
Haven't actually used it much. Should have read the specs more carefully. I was looking for more of a day pack, and ended up with something for more extensive shoots. Still going to keep it though, because it has a lot of great features, and I needed a larger bag anyway. Build quality seems rugged, although I'm a bit skeptical about the durabillity of the stand/frame. The bag has a lot of great features, but the materials and design of the bag make it somewhat bulky and heavy, so I'm not sure how great this bag would be on any extended treks.


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This is the second Swamp Pop volume in the excellent By The Bayou series.Here you'll discover 28 swamp rockin' rarities from Louisiana - all tracks are either previously unissued on ultra-rare.Featured artists include Johnny Jano, Gene Dunlap, Warren Storm, Dale Houston, Buck Rogers, Johnny Preston, Wiley Jeffers, Jay Richards and many others.Accompanying booklet includes detailed liner-notes.
Raucous Records is the longest establisted 1950s Rock 'n' Roll, Rockabilly and Psychobilly CD, DVD and vinyl specialist on the internet.A world of Rockabilly, Psychobilly, Surf, Swing and 1950s Rock 'n' Roll delivered to your door.
© Raucous Records 2017 All Rights Reserved


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- 20% Larger than the Clarion Fighting Belt
- 80-lb to Unlimited Tackle
- Closed Cell EVA foam back pad
- Molded glass filled nylon gimbal pocket
- Adjustable Stainless Steel gimbal pin
Warning: This product can expose you to chemicals including Diisononyl Phthalate, which are known to the State of California to cause cancer. For more information visit www.p65warnings.ca.gov
- Description
- 10% Pledge
The Vallarta fighting belt supports a 20% larger pad and plate than the Clarion Fighting Belt. This is the ideal belt for fighting king-size game fish like monster blue marlin, black marlin, and giant tunas. With extra contouring of the super-thick closed EVA foam back pad that maximizes both comfort and leverage when the belt is positioned relatively low across the thighs. The load is distributed evenly for maximum pull and although heavy duty, it is still lightweight with an anodized gold stamped aluminum front plate. Glass filled nylon gimbal pocket that is engineered to quickly guide rod butts into an optimum fish-fighting position. The gimbal pocket's stainless steel pin is adjustable for horizontal or vertical orientation.
|Vallarta Fighting Belt
Every year since 1973 - AFTCO and the Shedd family have contributed more than 10% of company profits to help protect our resources and ensure a sustainable fishery for future generations.Learn More


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Among all luxury real estate along the Southern California coast, Newport Beach real estate, Laguna Beach, Newport Coast, and Corona del Mar is held in the highest regard. Newport Beach is central to the Orange County coastline featuring eye-catching breakwaters, multiple piers as well as beautiful Balboa Island and the Balboa Peninsula. Laguna Beach lies just south of Newport Beach and is renowned for its exclusive real estate overlooking the ocean on cliffs and hills. Newport Coast realty is the master-planned community located in the south of Newport Beach. Corona del Mar is another affluent beach city neighboring Newport Beach. Our esteemed team of real estate agents at HÔM Sotheby's International Realty proudly represent Newport Beach real estate, Southern California, and beyond.
Live in the lap of luxury. This renovated 6 bedroom, 7 bath modern estate is the epitome of Palm Springs Luxury living providing comfort and privacy with en-suite baths and private outdoor spaces! The massive living space features vaulted ceilings, marble terrazzo floors, built-in banquettes that can seat up to 18 for dinner or host cocktails for 50 and opens to a modern chef's kitchen with Carrara marble counters. The nearly half acre lot is the ultimate lifestyle of desert resort living with new pool with lap lane, spa for 12, putting green, Carrara marble outdoor kitchen and endless entertaining options on multiple levels, outdoor heating and unobstructed sweeping mountain views seemingly close enough to touch. Efficiencies include owned 19KW of new solar power! As a very successful vacation rental, this turnkey estate provides everything you need to create cash flow or move right in and start enjoying your new lifestyle!


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Types of Medical Treatment
You should consult with your doctor or practitioner to determine if you are diagnosed with PCOS. Because there is no cure for PCOS, medical management and lifestyle modification are the best ways to treat the syndrome. It is a very good idea to keep up with your doctor's monitoring protocols. Medical treatment should be based on your symptoms and goals. Treatment can depend on whether a woman is considering pregnancy, is menopausal, or does not want to conceive.
Some of the treatments you may receive:
Birth control pills:
- Regulates or controls menstrual cycles
- Reduces male hormone levels
- Can help clear up acne
- Some doctors may recommend these to help with ovulation and future conception
Metformin (Glucophase)
This medication has been found to help PCOS symptoms. Metformin has shown to affect the way insulin is controlled in blood glucose (sugar) and has shown to lower testosterone levels. Other signs and symptoms such as abnormal hair growth and weight gain have lessened or disappeared with the use of Metformin, and it can assist in ovulation after a few months. Metformin is used for Type 2 diabetes but can be useful to women with PCOS because many have insulin resistance. This mediation improves the cells response to insulin and helps move glucose into the cell, which allows your body to make less insulin.
Lack of ovulation is usually found with women suffering from PCOS. Studies have shown that 70% of women diagnosed with PCOS have infertility.
Fertility Treatments:
- Ovulation cycles
- Inseminations
- In Vitro Fertilization or IVF
Fertility Medications:
- Clomiphene also known as Clomid- an oral medication which is typically a first choice to stimulate ovulation. This medication is determined by your practitioner and dosage and treatment protocols may vary depending on your doctor.
- Letrozole- an oral medication that works like Clomid and may also be a first choice to stimulate ovulation. This medication should also be determined by your practitioner and dosage and treatment protocols may vary.
- Gonadotropins- this is given in a shot form and used to stimulate the ovary to produce several follicles. Again, this medication is determined by your doctor and dosage and treatment protocols may vary depending on your doctor.
Surgery or Procedures:
- Ovarian Drilling - This is when a doctor makes a very small cut above or below the navel and inserts a small tool (telescope) into the abdomen, also known as a laparoscopy. Then the doctor punctures the ovary with a small needle carrying an electric current to destroy a small portion of the ovary. This surgical procedure may lower male hormone levels and help with ovulation, but it also carries a risk of developing scar tissue on the ovary and the benefits may only last a few months. Both the risks and the benefits of ovarian drilling should be discussed with your doctor to determine if it is the right treatment for you.
- Oophorectomy – Your ovaries contain eggs that produce hormones to control your menstrual cycle. An oophorectomy is a surgical procedure where one or both ovaries are removed. It is called a bilateral Oophorectomy when both ovaries are removed. This surgery is typically performed with other procedures such as a hysterectomy. Your doctor can determine if it is the right treatment for your case.
- Hysterectomy- During a hysterectomy, a doctor removes a woman's uterus and cervix. Your doctor may chose to remove the uterus only, which is called a partial hysterectomy. This procedure should be discussed and determined by your doctor
- Cyst Aspiration
Medications for increased hair growth or extra male hormone:
- Vanique- a cream that helps reduce facial hair. This medication's risks, dosage and side effects should be discussed with your doctor or practitioner.
- Aldactone- blocks androgens, or male hormones. This medication's risks, dosage and side effects should be discussed with your doctor or practitioner.
Lifestyle Modifications:
- Getting educated with nutrition- finding someone that specializes in PCOS or Diabetes
- Learning about nutrition labels
- Glycemic Index (GI and Glycemic Load (GL)) – learning the GI and GL
- Modifying your diet
- Eating and learning about well balanced meals
- Exercise- both cardiovascular and weight training
- Meditation for Anxiety, Breathing, Depression and Stress
- Non Smoking
Weight Loss:
- Medically supervised weight loss programs- General medical studies indicate that lowering weight can lower disease risk factors.
- Bariatric surgery- In some cases this surgical procedure may help women suffering and considered Obese. Check with your health care professional to see if this is right for you.
Other Treatments:
- Laser hair removal
- Hormonal treatments
- Alternative methods
- Vitamins and Minerals


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The terminology essential functions of the job has been around since the Americans with Disabilities Act became law in 1993. However, the significance of making sure that you have current job descriptions for each position that lists the essential duties, physical, and mental requirements greatly increased with the recent amendments to the ADA. Also, technology advances have resulted in a faster pace of job change over the last several years. Employment law attorneys continue to stress that job descriptions that identify the essential functions of the job are the first line of defense when employers are trying to defend undue hardship decisions on inability to make accommodation, and terminations for inability of employees to do the job.
At the recent CAI/Ogletree Employment and Labor Law Update, Attorney Gretchen Ewalt recommended that employers use the employee performance review time to go over the job description with the employee annually and determine if changes need to be made to accurately reflect the current job responsibilities. Another recommendation in light of recent case law is to document in the job description if the job requires the employee to be present at the worksite and to document the reasons why. It may sound ridiculous---of course attendance at work is required. However, with requests for accommodation to work from home, it is important to document when actual presence at work is required as in the EEOC vs. Ford Motor Company. The employee, a resale buyer, requested to work from home as an accommodation, but the employee's lack of availability for impromptu meetings on important issues was an undue hardship for the employer. The court sided with the employer and noted in their decision, in most jobs, especially those involving teamwork and a high level of interaction, the employer will require regular and predictable on-site attendance from all employees. To read the full court decision, see http://www.ca6.uscourts.gov/opinions.pdf/15a0066p-06.pdf.
Obviously with the advance of technology, working from home may be a reasonable accommodation for some jobs. However, for those jobs that require person-to-person contact on the job, it is important to document.
How long has it been since you actually reviewed job descriptions with incumbents to determine that they are still valid?
Considerations in determining essential functions include:
Other kinds of evidence that EEOC will consider include:
Call me if I can help you evaluate your format and plan. We can also help you write or revise your job descriptions. Contact Molly Hegeman at (919) 878-9222.


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Ohh yeah, one more thing. On the other hand, another thing that pisses me off is this.... If you are "In the lineup" and you are sitting over on the shoulder... Then I take off on a wave from the first position... Then after I surf past you, you only paddle over like 2 feet closer to the lineup, leaving a 15yard gap between you and the next guy in the lineup... Every now and again, I see tourist surfers that arent kooks that do that... They are just intimidated enough to stay out of the lineup, but they linger on the edge out of position.... I have to paddle back around these guys... I mean, commit to the lineup, take off deep like everyone else does, or get the fu** away from the lineup and surf the beginner peak to the North....
Last time i was in OC MD i was reminded of that lesson. I think it was Vince B (He was riding a plus one at the time and ripping, about 4 years ago. I think I saw a malibu sticker too) who was out surfing at 48th st, and when he took off, I would paddle over towards the jetty where he was taking off from.... Then he would come back out after a wave, and end up paddling like 15 yards past me to the north of the Jetty and sitting Mad deep. Its funny cause I was visiting and I had the same board as him. A plus one. I was out alone for line 20 minutes, and then he came out with someone else and kinda stink eyed me. It only took about 2 times for him to paddle back past me, then the next wave he took, I paddled 15 yards deep past the jetty, so You are basically taking off like 10 feet too deep, and for the rest of the afternoon we traded waves... And because they started letting me take off in the first position, I got sick waves that day and we all ended up talking and having fun. But until I committed and actually sat on the peak, they didn't respect me... Once I got a few nice waves and paddled as deep as he was, there were like 4 of us trading waves for hours.... But its something that is kinda hard when you arent at your home break... You have to be careful not to piss to locals off, but not to let them run you off either... If you can surf, you gotta stand you ground regarldess of where you are.
Results 21 to 30 of 32
Thread: SUP Kooks
Jun 8, 2010, 05:19 AM #21
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Last edited by zach619; Jun 8, 2010 at 05:26 AM.
Jun 8, 2010, 01:24 PM #25Senior Member
unfortunately that's all people do at the beach i surf at. Somebody would just catch a wave, id paddle over to their spot about 3-4ft from the pipe and then they'll squeeze right between me and the pipe. nobody at monmouth beach knows how a line up works
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Jun 8, 2010, 07:14 PM #27Junior Member
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[QUOTE=Shakagrom;65533]I completely agree with your whole bit about respect, but I just need to respond to
the above statement. "Where were all these 'stand up kooks' when I was charging Bill?... Where were all these 'stand up kooks' in January and February when the water was 42 degrees?"
To tell you the truth, those "stand up kooks" who everyone loves to bash were probably tearing **** up on a shortboard during Bill and in January and February in 42 degree water! What everyone doesn't realize is that most SUPers are just surfers looking to experiment and ride every type of board out there. These unfairly labeled "kooks" are good surfers all around. I'm telling you man, the three or four standups who surf my break are such studs on a shortboard that I can't even let you get away with that statement.
Nah Man, I give props to anyone who charges hurricanes; I was out at Assateague on my stand up for Bill and then TS Danny and had a blast. No other stand up cats out there though that I saw. I really don't care what you ride, as long as you show some respect. If you're out there and show absolutly no respect after someone has told you that you've done wrong, words should be said. I do think that stand up paddlers need to realize that their paddle is a huge advantage so if a prone surfer is going for a wave, the stand up cat should back off it.
Jun 8, 2010, 07:21 PM #28
I saw a ton of SUP'ers for Bill. None of them made it out to the lineup though.
I agree that SUP'ers are surfers just experimenting. I mean only an extreme kook would start off as a SUP'er. My problem is when they sit way out and the only way to catch anything with them around is to snake them. I prefer not to snake, but in their case I don't care.


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Things are getting a little heated in Virginia. Since the on-air murder of a pair of journalists, there has been a renewed call for gun control from the usual suspects, especially Everytown for Gun Safety (the gun control advocacy organization founded and funded by Michael Bloomberg). They've been joined in this campaign by Andy Parker, the father of one of the murdered journalists who has been demanding that "something needs to be done" and doing so under Everytown's banner. Last week he stepped way over the line, demanding that one Virginia legislator vote in favor of gun control, and I quote, "LEST I BEAT YOUR LITTLE ASS WITH MY BARE HANDS." This did not go well . . .
From Roanoke.com:
The comment, one of more than a dozen Parker posted to Stanley's page within roughly 30 minutes, accused Stanley of failing to offer condolences after the shooting and concluded: "WHEN YOU SEE ME AGAIN, YOU BEST WALK THE OTHER WAY LEST I BEAT YOUR LITTLE ASS WITH MY BARE HANDS."
"Taken together, it is without a doubt that he means to do me physical harm," Stanley said.
Parker, who lives in Henry County and is a constituent of Stanley's, apologized Thursday in a statement issued through Everytown for Gun Safety, the gun-control advocacy group he has worked with to produce television ads in several key Virginia Senate races.
On Wednesday, Stanley contacted police and obtained an application for a concealed-carry permit after Andy Parker sent him a Facebook message that said: "I'm going to be your worst nightmare you little bastard."
I can't begin to understand what Mr. Parker is going through emotionally, but I can understand what's getting him so upset. He has hitched his wagon to the gun control agenda and decided that all of his efforts and suffering will be worth it if he can get the laws changed and make a difference for someone else in the future. The problem is that he can't understand that the laws he's advocating for would do absolutely nothing to stop the "gun violence" in Virginia.
Rather than listening to reason and talking logically he's let his emotions blind him to the political and logical realities of the situation, and now that he's being forced to face that in the form of complete failure to get anything passed he's resorting to threats of physical violence to try and make something happen.
It's a pretty sad situation all around, but the worst thing in my opinion is Michael Bloomberg's exploitation of this parent's pain and suffering to push his political agenda. It seems like Bloomberg promised Mr. Parker that something would change if he joined the campaign, but there has been nothing but the usual failure that Everytown for Gun Safety has come to know time and again.
85 Responses to Everytown for Gun Safety Spokesman Threatens to Physically Assault Pro-Gun Politician
Our "dear" governor responded by telling the legislator threated to "man up". I feel that we here in Virginia have the worst governor south of the Mason-Dixon line.
Well, shocking isnt?
These leftist want to start a war, fine, we will finish it.
Communicating a credible threat of violence via electronic means is a felony in most states, I'd press charges.
A conditional threat doesn't count. This was a conditional threat–do this or I'll harm you vs. I'm gonna do you harm.
So what is the correct legal term for it, extortion? I'm sure it still is illegal to say what he did; to threaten physical harm if you do not do what he told you to do.
I am not a lawyer but I am a Virginia resident and a plain reading of the Virginia Code and at least one criminal defense lawyer in Virginia might disagree with your assessment of whether Mr Parker crossed the legal line. My guess is Bloomberg's lawyers urged him to make an apology post haste based on my reading of the law.
and a criminal defense lawyer's web site.
http://www.vacriminaldefenselawyer.com/threats/ –
"Virginia Threatening to Harm Laws
Issuing threats of violence is a Felony under Virginia law."
"Many people are not aware that threatening to harm, injure, or kill someone is actually a serious felony charge."
"How is an Illegal Threat Defined Under the Law?
A threat must be communicated in writing, including electronically via email for it to be a crime. The charge must include a threat to kill or do bodily injury to a person or a member of that person's family. The threat must also put that person in "reasonable" apprehension."
"What is the Penalty for Issuing Threats of Violence?
Issuing a threat of harm is a Class 6 felony under Virginia criminal laws, which carries with it a penalty of 1-5 years in prison."
"If that threat is terroristic in nature, with the intent to commit terrorism, it is a Class 5 felony, which has penalties of 1-10 years in prison if you are found guilty."
From the same lawyer's site one suggestion to defend Mr. Parker did not sound very promising:
"One of the best defenses would be around it's reasonableness. Did the person have a realistic fear of injury from the threat? We can argue that it was not serious or was a joke.
I would have gone to his house and said " ok here i am, man up or shut up!" Probably would have had a camera to record the entire exchange. Some of these yahoos (or Wahoos) need to be called out for their "Big Boy" talk.
But gun violence in VA? In my neck of the woods, I'd be more afraid of the deer than any person with a gun. And I'm only a hop and skip away from DC. Don't get me started on Maryland though…
Virginia's murder rate is 3/4 of the national average and Northern Virginia had a 2014 murder rate that is lower than Toronto's despite a heavy MS-13 presence. Virginia proves there is no correlation between gun laws and violent crime.
McAuliffe may not be the worst in the South, but he is the worst we've had in a while, and that includes a long line of Democrats.
Nick, please post the follow-up with the "man up" comment. I sent it to the main email (probably one of many) without whining about "if someone said this to a Democrat blah blah…" But seriously, if someone said that to a threatened Democrat…
Correct, you have the 2nd worst governor, just missed being first. Andrew Cuomo of NY is the worst.
New York is above the Mason-Dixon Line. Our Governor wins the south.
Virginia Governor McAuliffe? The guy who's spent a career being the Clintons' neutered little lapdog? Telling someone else to man up? Oh that's rich!
Virginia isn't may issue, is it? I'd tell the Governor, and his armed Virginia State Trooper personal security detail, F U and the high horse he rode in on.
Virginia is a shall issue state. If you want to open carry, you don't need a permit of any kind. Virginia never saw a need to pass a law forbidding it. I took an online course, filled out the paperwork , gave them $50 and my permit arrived in the mail in exactly 2 weeks.
One of the aspects of maturity is being able to control your impulses, or at least count to ten (or perhaps 10,000). Parker remains a citizen, like the rest of us. He is not above the law. Threats are unbecoming and are likely not what his daughter would have wanted.
As a side note, too many gun control zealots jump quickly to threats of violence. They should learn to take it easy. Perhaps they need some Tai Chi or a trip to the range.
I know that shooting trips always help balance all of my chemicals. Really people should try it and see how beneficial it is. Even carrying a gun daily makes me very calm. It's like having 4 wheel drive on a dirt road. It looks alright where you are but just arund the corner you might hit some serious muck and need to drop it on 4-low.
Chris Kyle
Ah yes, 1 range invitation out of 100,000 results in murder, therefore inviting anyone else to the range will have the same results.
Just saying, Kyle thought taking a disturbed person to the range would be soothing for that individual. Before taking this Parker creature shooting, just consider….
This Parker fellow does seem off his rocker. Those web posts do sound to me like someone very angry and likely drunk. That's not a good combination.
I wouldn't invite him to the range, myself. I wouldn't even sit and have a beer with him. I'm not even sure I would approve his application to carry concealed, not with recent threats out there, especially against a lawmaker.
There's something off about Parker. I honestly don't think he's right in the head, not in an, "Oooh, he's kooky!" way, but in a real-deal mental disorder way. I don't think he's grieving anymore, if he ever did to begin with. He jumped on the anti-gun warpath with the quickness and flies off the handle way too easily. Something's imbalanced.
I think he ran unsuccessfully as a Democrat candidate for some state office or other. You can start from there…
He most definitely is grieving, Benny. Saying he's mental disrespect his grief of losing his daughter.
I remember watching his reactions to his daughter's murder in an impromptu press conference shortly after the incident. He said at least twice that he may just buy a gun to protect himself. Frankly, i remember thinking, "if I were an FFL, I wouldn't sell anything to him until a years after the incident, if then. He's far too emotional to own a gun at this point because he dancing on a deadly edge." Now, with this report, my suspicions were correct.
Saying he's mental disrespect his grief of losing his daughter.
Bullsh!t. The guy is certifiably nucking futs.
When he threatened physical violence against somone who never did him any harm, he lost what was left of my sympathy.
The guy is in for one helluva ride. He's suffering from depression. Who knows what was going on before this happened, but a traumatic event in someones life, be it a death, loss of job, financial problems or what have you, can be a catalyst for the onset of situational depression.
Andy Parkers problems have just begun. He better get himself to a shrink and learn some effective tools for dealing with and addressing the manifest psychological problems he's having. They aren't going away anytime soon and being in bed with Bloombag is going to hurt him, not help.
Again, I'm sincerely sorry for your loss. But the guy who did it is dead. You need to chat with a professional to work through some of this.
His anger is going to cause him to crash and burn.
I've commented and observed the same. I know of no father who after loosing their daughter would respond as he has. There is a good possibility the Bloomberg group intervened so immediately after the murder it has altered his behavior and response. A good psychiatrist could put a name to this.
So could a bad one.
Or a person who plays one on TV.
A man threatens violence in response to violence upon a family member. I've held from the beginning the anti-gun group is using this man and playing him like a fish. At one point in the future someone may get to him or he may figure it out and switch sides. Then again he is also the type who ends with suicide or ends up murdering a bunch of people in a crazed rage.
So with this threat, how do I become a politician? I would love for them to TRY to assault me. As I am ALWAYS armed. 🙂
Absent a gun, the murderer of Parker's daughter and her camera man could just as easily have used a knife or a hammer. I suspect he has always been in the gun control camp. He is using his moral standing as the father of a murder victim to promote that agenda and is taking advantage of public sympathy to get away with outrageous statements. Should I have the misfortune to be in his position, I would be calling anti-gun politicians self righteous cowards who hide behind armed security while leaving their constituents helpless against violent criminals.
Yes, yes he has. This is not his first dance.
Hmm, not only did he not change the politicians mind, he caused him to apply for his CHL?
I hope Moms Demand Attention and little mikey keep him on staff.
The more Everytown fails, the better. I also get a sick, twisted pleasure over Everytown's negative publicity (It's like an ex-wife dying of a heart attack after vowing to take your kids away).
This one takes its place next to honoring the Boston bomber as a "victim" of gun violence. They've managed to make a very convincing case for CCW permits in their efforts to promote gun control.
Don't be fooled. They have no interest in gun safety. They would confiscate every gun tomorrow if they could.
Hey Andy: I'm your huckleberry….
Hey wait a second, I want to be his huckleberry!
You're a real pal. Thanks! 🙂
He may be allergic…
And the anti-civil-rights crowd wonders why we want to protect ourselves??
It's because anybody that aligns themselves with a group that advocates passively submitting to a rape is a F***KING WACKO!
I live less than 100 miles from where the murders were committed. This character and our governor were spouting more gun control on the day of the murders. He's a failed Democrat politician seeking publicity so he can run for elected office again. Gun control is a convenient way for him to get publicity and get support from the gun grabbers.
It sounds like Parker successfully convinced his representative to get #onemoregun.
"I can't begin to understand what Mr. Parker is going through emotionally"
Starts like 'construction,' and rhymes with 'transportation.' Getting angry won't help him pass it, either.
Andy Parker got stroked by the Bloombag machine and in doing so, allowed his personal agony and passion to cloud and obscure his judgment.
You would think he would recognize at some level how his emotions are being manipulated and that he needs to step back from it all.
It is horrible.
The infuriating part is that if he were on our side, he'd be in a cell by now. Threats of violence, especially when directed and repeated are a felony,
Where can I get a Glock that doesn't eject spent shell casings and hits the target even when it's pointed elsewhere, like this "murderer" had?
Don't be fooled by the slow frame rate of a cell phone video camera. I saw that vid too, and it was nonsense.
Yes, we get it, everything is a conspiracy. Despite the fact that this situation would fit NO ONE's narrative to produce. Still much more sense to believe that it's a massive conspiracy involving two deaths, a wounded bystander and dozens of police\emts\investigators, any one of which could blow the whole thing open.
Everytown's man isn't the only nutty one in the world!
A Glock revolver, I bet.
Another sickening aspect is the way the Washington Roast….er Post "objectively" covered this story. The specifically left out that psycho Papa Parker made the "beat you with bare hands" comment. They just reported the "worst nightmare" part so to make it appear the legislator was overreacting. More mainstream media lying by omission. But they're objective and trustworthy. Horse$#!t.
I'm really beginning to develop a deep hatred of most of the media.
Can't this lunatic be charged with something??? Making "terroristic threats" perhaps? Didn't parker get the memo it was a crazed black homosexual and not the NRA who killed his kid? This psycho lost my sympathy the day he danced in his murdered daughters blood…
I totally agree. If he messes with my right to defend myself, he loses ALL sympathy from me. Who is more evil, the criminal who attacks you, or the person who would render you defenseless against such an attacker?
Get a life ! It is, like, totally unfair that you can effectively manage to defend yourself with a gun. So you won the lottery of life. What about all those poor, defenseless people who are marginalized because guns are, like, really scary? Why should you be able to do something they cannot? Don't you see how you use the privilege of your happy circumstance to make others feel like lesser persons because loud noised and painful situations are too difficult to bear?
What a heartless so-and-so.
You left out he was a Democrat.
I think Nick is being pretty charitable with this guy. And an apology "issued through Everytown for Gun Safety"? Is he not enough of his own man to issue his own apology?
I think it's called "distancing."
Or perhaps "disavowal." This gent just became more of a liability than an asset, I'd guess.
Well there you go and have it again The anti gunners being violent again and extreme. What a bunch of bullcrap It's for the children but it's okay to just go up to somebody you have never met before and try to pound their face in I've got three words for you sir bring it on.
That's the problem with lefties, all emotion and zero brains.
Author of the article has it wrong. This guy was pro disarmament before his daughter was shot. He is simply using her unfortunate death to further an agenda he already had. He's a despicable opportunist
I totally agree. There is not exploitation here, rather a willing participation with Bloomberg to further his own pre-existing agenda.
Another despicable blood dancer.
If you allow men to use you for your own purposes, they will use you for theirs. ~ Aesop
That says it all right there.
Poor Andy. Andy Parker was a nobody before and even after his daughter is slaughtered on live TV for the nations viewing pleasure, he's still a nobody, even with money bags Bloombag & company trying its best to further a lost cause, Andy Parker remains an unhappy nobody and nothing more but a puppet on a string.
Yep. Just what I was thinking about Andy Parker. A true specimen of what Saul Alinsky called a "useful idiot:"…Parker might be a "useful crazy idiot" and dangerous to boot.
Consider the following scenario:
A thug demands that an individual do something which the individual does not want to do and the individual says "no". Thug then escalates and threatens to violently assault the individual if the individual fails to acquiesce.
If that "thug" is a drug addict demanding your wallet, that "thug" is a criminal. If that "thug" is a gun-grabber demanding that a politician criminalize firearm ownership, that "thug" is a champion for the advancement of society.
Mr. Parker is yet another example of the hysteria and hypocrisy of Progressives.
"The problem is that he can't understand that the laws he's advocating for would do absolutely nothing to stop the "gun violence" in Virginia."
Like most anti-gunners, he knows full well it makes no difference. He just wants to hurt the people he blames any way he can.
If his threats are made into credible threats by meeting up with the people he threatened, they're perfectly within their rights to send him to meet his daughter.
Sad. Ugly. True.
He blames the very same people that have been trying to prevent what happened. He's wrong and his daughers' blood is on his own hands. He very likely knows it. He's trying to bury it in rage against the very people he's always rejected, now that he's found out the hard way that they were right and he was wrong. Rage against himself for being such a fool. Inability to swallow that horrible pill…
It's hard to hug someone who won't stop swinging a blade at you…
Read some of the Facebook posts, Andy Parker is simply not right in the head, and I wouldn't be in the least bit surprised if he goes on a killing spree.
His behavior has already entered into stalking territory.
If he does he'll try to make sure he does it with the most blackest rifle ever with C-mags and NRA stickers on everything.
I hope there is some law in place that due to his current mental condition, it puts a hold on his gun possession rights. I mean, that would stop it right?
That's what Andy wants, something, anything, because that would help stop these horrible shootings from happening!! So let's have law that says when someone like Andy Parker starts acting like a nutter butter after a tragic life changing event, we can legally have their gun rights removed.
That's something Mr. Parker! You would have to run them over with your car, beat them with a bat, stab them, throw gas on them and light them on fire, use your bare hands as you said or dozens of other ways, you just can't have a gun. Sorry pal, you're a nut case. No gun for you.
Hi Xanthro!
I read those as you suggested. I agree there's something wrong with him.
Parker is sort of typical of the gun control freaks. I think he was probably unbalanced before the shooting incident. The gun control freaks do not usually have the balls to directly assault their targets which is why they are always pushing the government to do it for them.
Bears repeating: Gun grabbers have their own power fantasies, but they picture themselves as Michael Corleone instead of Rambo. Ignore their tough talk; they'd never dirty their soft, lotiony hands with any nasty weapons, goodness no. But, they certainly seem to love the idea of smugly hanging back a nice, safe distance away while jackbooted thugs go out and do their dirty work for them, don't they?
These people threaten to murder and beat us, and then wonder why we want to own guns…
If this creepy father was going to vent his insane rage at a group, why pick an inanimate object over say, gay black escort newsreaders? One group contained the killer of his daughter, the other group contains inanimate objects.
Oh look, someone who's anti-gun is bullying someone else for merely disagreeing with him. And that person who's being bullied is getting a CWL.
Andy Parker is a hypocrite, and an idiot. Seriously, if you want people to not have guns, why are you putting them in a position to make them feel like they need one to protect themselves from the likes of you?
Personally, I think he needs to keep talking. The more imbalanced the better.
This is a threat too do bodily harm, where's the cry out from this verbal threat! I may be old but tell this MF to Come and get it, any way he wants, Bare hands, Knives, guns, Machetes and slingshots or what ever!
tsk, tsk, tsk. have you no shame sir? have you no feelings? anybody who hates guns has the right to whatever oral outburst is necessary to vent their rage, and salve their emotions. the words don't mean anything, and whatever he says is just fine until he "gets it all out". he does not have a gun, so he can't hurt anyone. but you people with guns hurt his daughter with a gun and you should just take his anguished grief like a man.
oh yeah, and turn-in those awful killing machines you love so dearly.
I'd be terrified of that guy. Lol.
Yeah who's a terrorist organization NOW? Not saying it never happened, but you don't exactly see the NRA hiring people and having them physically attack politicians. Isn't that a CAPITAL CRIME after 9/11?? I serious read something about that once…
Looks like anti-2nd Amendment shill, Andy Parker, has a set of titties in the photo above, once convicted for the threat we should ALL hammer him with messages saying "thanks for the mammaries". I wonder if Andy swings both ways, they say the theater "casting couch" is as bad as Hollywood's and he WAS "on Broadway" at one time.
I'm surprised I haven't seen anyone really hit on this: Guys like this lack self control. They know if they had a gun, they'd probably fly off the chain at some point. They don't have the ability to see that this is a personal issue and not everyone is so irresponsible/on edge/etc. So nobody should have a gun because everyone is that close to losing it. I really think that's the baseline rationale behind it.
Isn't this paragon of anti-gun sensibility displaying the same sort of behavior the left claims was overlooked with all the mass shootings in the last 20yrs? Why are none of his friends and supporters not urging him to seek professional help?