I say yes, you say no, OR People are Strange

bluedahlia

Barbara, if you're fat, I'm a blimp!  Miss skinny minny!

Anonymous

Sandy and Lewing, I understand the anger that so many young and old and in between are feeling about the state of the economy, but protests generally call for specific actions to remedy the situation being protested. 

Can any of you who support the OWS movement please express what it is that they want done?

Do they want an end to the war?  Which one(s)?

Do they want someone or a group of people jailed?  Who?

Do they want specific changes made?  What changes?

Unless and until they have a somewhat more cohesive message, they are just throwing a temper tantrum.  That is not generally a constructive way to achieve change.

bluedahlia

Patmom, have you ever heard of the phrase "We're as mad as hell, and aren't gonna take it anymore"?

Those demonstrations are happening all over the world, not only in the U.S.  Change will surely follow.  History shows us that.

Mark my words and hang on to your hat!

208sandy

It must be Friday.

Enjoyful

Buenos dias mi amigas!  Arrived in Bogota last night and had a lively Spanish conversation with my driver.  I don't speak much Spanish, but he taught me a lot in 30 minutes.  We both had a good laugh at my sorry-ass attempts.

Hey Biscuit!  Nice to see you pop in!  Come visit more often.  :-)

I believe, though please correct me if I'm wrong, that past presidents (Carter, Reagan, etc.) relied solely on public funds to run their presidential campaigns.  Perhaps we should go back to that system.  We can't have a government for the people if the corporations are buying politicians. 

bluedahlia

Full moon?

Anonymous

Tee, hee - I get such a good giggle out of seeing who keeps reading this thread, even posting something, while spending so much timre, energy ( who said blithering, oh, I love that one, blithering) negatively about the people who often post here...thanks to BCO for having an ignore button.  Makes life so much more pleasant.  Easy to understand why someone would want to read/post at BCO - but wonder why on this thread??????

Blue, wasn't that a great movie? Happy Friday everyone, well, almost everyone...

BLUE - how's your back???

Enjoyful

OMG Barbara you stop that fat talk this minute!  My tiny little mother is 5' and weighs 120 and she's definitely not fat.  Five pounds more isn't going to make you fat either!

Here's what I'm mad as hell about - when there are x number of jobs available but the number of unemployed is 4x, but those who could do something about it blame the unemployed.  Really, people?  You want four people to share one low-paying minimum wage job?  More and more large employers are hiring part-timers to avoid paying for health insurance.  What are these part-timers (frequently the only jobs they can get) supposed to do for health insurance?  Pay $800/month for health insurance on a part-time minimum wage salary?  I've been fortunate my whole life and have never had a problem getting a job, but that doesn't mean that I'm blind to the misfortunes of others.  Like Sandy says, we need some compassion here, people.

208sandy

Enjoyful - Good to hear that you're on your journey and already learning so much Spanish, now we'll want a full report on weather, food, people, shopping everything - Susieq spoiled us with her reporting on her trip.  How is your Mom doing - has she been "lost" yet?

lassie11

Oh Barb -  125 pounds is no where near fat unless you are about one foot tall! Those of us who really are fat would love love love to be 125 pounds. You are just the wrong size for what must be some quite snug fitting dresses.

Anonymous

Oh, Blue, thanks for posting that video.  I was living in London during BandAid, and remember getting the first UK recording of the group Bob Geldof put together - fighting ( demonstrating!) with many to force the government to stop charging VAT on the record (a 45rpm single) so ALL ALL ALL ALL the money could go to Band Aid.   More copies sold than any record, ever.  They were even in the windows of little Butcher shops in each village & town in the UK.  Then, a few years later, working with them all on Sport Aid. 

Such a hopeful time.  Watching the link you posted, watching & listening to MJ, who wrote the song for the USA group - made me cry.

Thank you all  for keeping this thread as safe, open, and comforting a place as it is. So good to be supported and informed ( would never have thought of watching that video, let along how to find it!) as it is.  Happy Today.  May we all be able to do something, a little something, today, to really make it a better world for all.  

bluedahlia

compassion
[kuhm-pash-uhn]  
noun
1. a feeling of deep sympathy and sorrow for another who is stricken by misfortune, accompanied by a strong desire to alleviate the suffering.

bluedahlia

Sunflowers, I'm glad to have made your day!  I'm a tree hugger!

Anonymous

Well, Blue, when I get to the next NOTL, I hope you are a people hugger too

eta - great word to define - also just plan ole EMPATHY.

Enjoyful

The weather is cool and rainy, though the sun's trying to peek out now.  I've only met one native so far, but he was sweet and funny and willing to assist with my Spanish.  We'll venture out later today so I can report more on food, scenery, etc.  

Mom is chilly and wrapped in so many socks and sweaters that you can only see her eyes and the top of her head.  I bet she weighs more than 125 now!  Ha!

bluedahlia

E, Lots of pics please!  ENJOY!

Enjoyful

Just took a bunch from the balcony.  I'll post them as soon as I can figure out how to do so!

Anonymous

"Those demonstrations are happening all over the world, not only in the U.S. Change will surely follow. History shows us that."

Change can make things better or it can make things worse as we have seen over the last few years.  What changes are these protesters looking to institute?  How can anyone claim to support a call for changes when they don't know what changes are being asked for? 

It can be like a woman with only a small spot of DCIS being given chemo.  The treatment does more damage than the disease.  Measured responses appropriate to the problem are far more effective. 

bluedahlia

Nope.  We've been zombified long enough.

rosemary-b

I will not talk about sites that tell me to go back where I came from. I will not talk about sites that ask me to go back where I came from. I will not talk about sites that ask me to go back where I came from...

No no no...

Bren-2007

Morning Friends!

LindaS ... Happy happy birthday to you!  I hope you're having a lovely day!

Blue .. good to see you up and about this morning.

Enjoyful .. I'm so happy to hear from you all the way south in Bogota.  Your mom sounds so cute!

Barbara .. I understand about that last five pounds.  You just want your cruise clothes to fit .. makes perfect sense to me.  But you aren't fat buddy .. just need an adjustment in your clothes.  You're little, about the same size as my mom.

Well .. it's only noon and I'm already worn out.  I've been blowing and raking leaves and acorns for the last two hours.  My back and shoulder are killing me.  And this is just the start of leaf season for me.  The big trees still have most of their leaves.

When I bought this house five years ago I thought it was so beautiful surrounded by these gorgeous trees.  I was so impressed with all the apples, pears, walnuts, chestnuts and the big oak out back.  What did I know, I'm from southern California where the trees don't lose their leaves.  All I could think of was chestnuts roasting on an open fire.  I'm an idiot.

Hope everyone is enjoying their day.  It does appear to be a Friday .. can't say if it's a full moon or not.

hugs,

Bren 

rosemary-b

It is a beautiful day. The rain finally stopped. My son and daughter-in-law are here with Miss Daisy,people on the left are taking a stand, the flowergirl dress looks wonderful,people on the right are mad because it is not their turn in the spotlight, my house is extraclean, except for the kitchen, lindasa had a great trip enjoyful is having one, we are seeing people we haven't seen in a long ime, I just got my hair done.

Sorry for the rambling. I'll do anything to keep my mind off the bone scan on Wednesday. I guess I'll just repeat I have no symptoms like a mantra. Then I wait a week and see the onc. Absolutely asking for drugs this time to keep me calm. before next time.

RetiredLibby

And my wound is getting better.  PS is delighted with its progress, Cancun in two weeks is a "go," and I need a haircut again.  AND I fought off a very nasty cold, which DH now has.  It is a beautiful, crisp, sunshiny day.  And I'm hungry.

I'll sit right next to you and ramble, Rosemary!

L

3monstmama

here's hoping that the misbehavior and post-eatting of the BC.org board is not representative of the negative turn for my day....

Good morning.  Take Two.

Happy Birthday Linda S.

Hurrah to Lewing for attending the protests.  Thats neat.  Wish I could but this darned work thing. . .

Someone mentioned prosecution and banks....it may be true that the ringleaders won't be prosecuted under the current Administration (I have no way of knowing)  BUT the activities that lead to the financial crisis began or were ongoing during the prior Republican adminstration so I lack the least bit of confidence that a Republican administration would do any better at prosecuting anyone.  Banks and Big Corporations are no fools--they butter their bread on bothsides so it lands butter up anyway it goes.  And given recent court decisions on Big Corporations and political donations, that won't be changing.

The fools are us for thinking we are doing great with our dividends on our bank stocks all of which are dervived from the fees imposed on us.  I wonder how many people who hold stock in the banks have done the math to see how the fees they have paid in a year compare to the dividends?  Even if you personally paid less fees, what happens when you add in the fees paid by your family?   hmmm.  Then again, how many of us who initially ranted about the new fees to take your own money out of the bank with a debit card have gone and closed our accounts and moved to a smaller institution?

Anyone else remember the scene in "Animal Farm" where the animals are being led to the slaughter by the pigs and don't even realize it?

Barbara please be quiet about weighing 125  --I haven't weighed that since some time after high school and I will NOT tell you how long ago that was!!  Have a great cruise!

rosemary-b

I weighed 125 when I got married forty years ago. Barbara you are the perfect size. It is your dresses that have a problem.

3monstmama

barbara what rosemary-b said......

in my house I am sure that smaller items of clothing have been shrunk  probably on purpose. . . .

can you blame your spouse? MIL?  evil neighbor? cat?

bluedahlia

I weighed 114 lbs last year this time.........but not anymore!  hehehehehehehe!

Tunnel vision is such a terrible syndrome to overcome.  So many people suffer with this malady.   They like to stereotype based on their own life experiences.  Just put everyone in neat little packages and blame them for the woes of the world (or their life).  Not all of us are hippies looking for handouts.  Some of us are successful hippies who have made it and not at the expense of others!

We actually do know the definition of compassion and realize that with the Internet now, all the world is really one.  The finances of one country have an effect on every other country.  Hard concept for anyone thinking me, me, me, mine, mine, mine!

RetiredLibby

3m, it is calories.  Calories are evil little pests that live in your closet and sew clothes smaller overnight.  I'm checking Amazon right now to see if they have Calorie-kill.  I need some Zombie-pruf, too. 

bluedahlia

I like that explanatiom HP.  Does calorie-kill come in spray form?

RetiredLibby

Oh yes, Blue.  It has to be in spray form so you can spray it on your clothes.  It also comes in little plastic tubs so you can put it on the floor by your shoes.