Current Events

[browneyes]

A Texan (specifically, an Aggie) came up with the drilling plan to rescue the Chileans.

On another topic, Ft. Worth City Councilman, Joel Burns, has the most moving "It Gets Better" video. Crying is hardly optional.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ax96cghO ... r_embedded

[llaura]

.....very moving. I'm glad to have a man like Joel in my home town.

[browneyes]

Sounds like there's a love triangle in the Chilean miners' story.
http://abcnews.go.com/International/chi ... d=11869775

[lookingout86]

Ft. Worth City Councilman, Joel Burns, has the most moving "It Gets Better" video. Crying is hardly optional.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ax96cghO ... r_embedded

Oh man, it's a good thing I had a box of tissues right next to me! What an amazing man.

[browneyes]

Like all current political races, Texas has its own "roll your eyes" story. Dr. Andy Barron is running on the platform that "Yes We Can Through Christ". He also claims that if he doesn't get elected as Texas governor, it wasn't God's will.

Well, he hasn't been invited to the Texas governor debates that will be happening October 19th. I see this as a definite sign that this is not God's will. His supporters, however, feel this is completely unfair. Take a hint, people! Even God believes in the separation of church and state.

<rant>Andy Barron runs a business that only the elite in my small town could afford. How can he relate to my blue collar family?</rant>

[llaura]

I had the most interesting conversation with the 2 OR Nurse Managers last Friday - about the recent teenage suicides and bullying and cyber-bullying. I know them both very well, have worked with one of them for 25 years - they pretty much know everything about me and have always been totally accepting. During our discussion, it became apparent that their real feelings are that being gay is a sin and immoral and God doesn't like it one bit - but we would never be mean to anyone about it. It was very eye-opening for me.

[zipthistle]

I had the most interesting conversation with the 2 OR Nurse Managers last Friday - about the recent teenage suicides and bullying and cyber-bullying. I know them both very well, have worked with one of them for 25 years - they pretty much know everything about me and have always been totally accepting. During our discussion, it became apparent that their real feelings are that being gay is a sin and immoral and God doesn't like it one bit - but we would never be mean to anyone about it. It was very eye-opening for me.

Ugh. I don't know how to feel about people that think this way.

[Stephanie]

Two students were shot last night on my campus. Their injuries were reported as non-life threatening. There was also someone who got run over and killed by a car, but that hasn't been confirmed yet. I didn't know these people and thank god I wasn't in Winona last night. I wasn't aware that our homecomings were so dangerous

[lookingout86]

^^^ I'm glad you weren't there, too!

[Stephanie]

Anyone find it ironic that the whole "to prosecute or not to prosecute" WikiLeaks is occurring on Cyber Monday?

[ShadowOnTheWall88]

How about that Ted Williams story?

[mele]

It was a good story at first but I'm very afraid for him. The press is exploiting both him and his family. It's getting creepy and disgusting. I was just worried about him yesterday but then I saw him "reunited" with his mother on the Today show, along with another inappropriate interview and I started to feel quite disturbed. And then I read this article:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/0 ... 05681.html

People have such short attention spans and turn on people so quickly. I hope hope hope I am wrong, but I do not think this will end well at all.

(And, just so you know, Feline Aids is the #1 killer of domestic cats.)

[faye]

It was a good story at first but I'm very afraid for him. The press is exploiting both him and his family. It's getting creepy and disgusting. I was just worried about him yesterday but then I saw him "reunited" with his mother on the Today show, along with another inappropriate interview and I started to feel quite disturbed. And then I read this article:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/0 ... 05681.html

People have such short attention spans and turn on people so quickly. I hope hope hope I am wrong, but I do not think this will end well at all.

(And, just so you know, Feline Aids is the #1 killer of domestic cats.)

I was thinking the same thing last night while watching this on the news. As always, the media will make this man's life a nightmare! I hope not too. Maybe something else will come along that the media will go ape shit over and leave him and his Mom alone!!

[ShadowOnTheWall88]

I know that it's hard to think about the drastic life change he would have in just a few days. I just think it's a great story on a human level of it never being too late to change for yourself and your family regardless of your past. I do agree, and I even read somewhere that their reunion was actually delayed by networks arguing over who would film/broadcast it. That's ridiculous! I would never let any network step in the way of that. Anyways, I just think the fact that he is not letting it get to his head, and he plans on choosing one job with one salary, and seeing a therapist offered by The Today Show shows that he's not a person who's molded to the demands of others.

[Stephanie]

Borders Bookstores have filed for bankruptcy and are closing stores around the country. Three of the Borders have already closed in my beloved Milwaukee. As much as I don't like these chain bookstores that steal the competition away from local, independent sellers, it's important for there to be actual stores with actual books in them. I blame all this on Kindle and eBooks

[lookingout86]

^^^Doesn't Brandi do in-store performances at Borders? They can't close them! I also agree about the need for actual books. I don't foresee a Kindle in my future until it becomes absolutely necessary.

[Renegade_Pilgrim]

I have a Nook, and while I am still getting used to the idea, I am not 100% sold on it. I like it, but the books aren't any cheaper than if I bought the real thing and I like the fact that if I don't need a book any longer, I can go to Powell's and sell it to them and get an instore credit for more purchases. I'm still trying to figure out if I am going to keep it or not.

Bookstores and music stores are closing at an alarming rate. The way we read and listen to music is changing. It's kind of sad.

[Stephanie]

Chely Wright got engaged to her girlfriend Lauren Blitzer.

http://www.usmagazine.com/healthylifestyle/news/chely-wright-gets-engaged-to-girlfriend-lauren-blitzer-201164

[lookingout86]

Chely Wright got engaged to her girlfriend Lauren Blitzer.

http://www.usmagazine.com/healthylifestyle/news/chely-wright-gets-engaged-to-girlfriend-lauren-blitzer-201164

YAY!!!

I'm so happy for her.

[Stephanie]

248 dead from tornadoes down south. That is not news I wanted to wake up to this morning.

[lookingout86]

248 dead from tornadoes down south. That is not news I wanted to wake up to this morning.

I couldn't believe the death toll was that high. Hard to believe, and very sad.

[Stephanie]

Wow, just what this country needs: another law. It's funny, I thought that's why law schools exist

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110519/ap_on_re_us/us_no_more_gobbledygook

[lookingout86]

^^^This is my favorite part:

The government will still be allowed to write nonsensically to itself.

Guess I'm still screwed at MY job.

[Stephanie]

^^^This is my favorite part:

The government will still be allowed to write nonsensically to itself.

Guess I'm still screwed at MY job.

The perks of working for the government

[evolvingdodo]

Next Sunday there's going to be the most important referendum in Italy. The main questions will concern legal impediment (basically, Berlusconi will be officially allowed to do what he already freely does)and allowing nuclear plants in our territory (buying a fourth-hand disused plants from France).
I'm usually quite openminded when it comes to polical issues, but considering the behavior, conduct and trustworthiness of Italian politicians I must say I am scared to death about this referendum. The question will not be whether to ALLOW these things, but to NOT allow them instead. If less then 50% of the population votes, any outcome will not be considered. So more than 50% must vote, and the majority must vote against these issues, or legal impediment and nuclear will be allowed. This is pretty funny, considering that a referendum against nuclear had already been made and won years ago. Plus, the government is inviting those who don't want the referendum to have success to not go to vote instead of voting "no", which should be what in a normal democracy happens.
Being for or against these things is not my point. It's the discrediting of the constitution and civil values operated by politicians, and the carelessness of the people that are disheartening me. On Monday I'll change my mind about this, or I'll finally decide to leave this beautiful, stupid country.