Nightingale

Down 2 more pounds, started yoga classes. Also, getting a dog next week, which will not only be a welcome furry-friend, but will help keep me and the cat more active.

I'm taking American Government (POLS 100) and Social Problems (SOC 102). Yawn.

That seems like a really good program. If they had it here (and I was paying for insurance... it's a job benefit), I'd drop my insurance coverage down to cover major injuries/illnesses only, and pay my doctor directly for the other stuff. The more we can keep insurance companies out, the better.

Indy is trying to crawl on my keyboard.

My doctor suggested a butterbur supplement to help prevent migraines. It seems to be working for me, but it's giving me bizarre, horror-movie dreams.

Some people succeed because of their families... others succeed in spite of them. If you can't rely on them for a support network, work with your fellow students and create one. Do any other people in your EMT classes have kids? Maybe you could take turns watching each other's kids so you each have time to do your hours.

Gangsters have a tendency to not use holsters, which allows the trigger to snag and the gun to fire. Doesn't matter if it's a glock or not, if you're not using a holster to protect the trigger.

I don't think there's really a such thing as an "accident". When a car collides with something, somebody, somewhere, screwed up. That's usually negligence, not "accident".

When I went on a princess cruise, the drinks in the casino were free... we just went to the casino, played nickel slot machines, and got our drinks, then went out around the ship.

Unless you are breaking the law in the process, especially if the accident was the type that the law was designed to prevent (example: law: don't drive on the sidewalk. The law was put there to prevent motorists from mowing down pedestrians. Drive on the sidewalk and mow down a pedestrian, you're going to get more than just a ticket). I worked on a case where a guy made an illegal left turn (the below is public record). It's an infraction, not even a misdemeanor. However, he was charged with manslaughter, because he mowed down a motorcyclist and killed him. Because the "no left turn" sign was put there due to a blind corner, specifically to prevent an "I didn't see the guy!" type of accident, the prosecutor went after him for a strict penalty, because the sign was right in front of his face, and he ignored it and killed someone. He spent some time in jail.

Looks like she likes the water. Have you thought of getting her a recirculating water dish?

Credit counseling is NOT worse than bankruptcy, provided you've got a competent firm doing it. They can negotiate with your creditors and make it part of the agreement that they will not put a black mark on your credit. I used these guys a few years back, and they were fabulous, and it was the best decision I ever made financially. Saved me thousands of dollars, and no black marks on my credit. http://www.debtsynergy.com/html/about.html

I work in homeland security. I help fund programs that try to keep illegal weapons from coming over our borders, as most weapons in the hands of gang members in LA have come through that route rather than through gun shows or legitimate dealers.

Might want to repost this in Bonfire. =)

I'm so sorry for your loss.

Does the dog not have enough chew toys, or has he not been taught what he is and is not allowed to chew yet?

I don't think it's the gun culture that's a problem. I think it's the criminal gun culture that's a problem, and yes, I am involved in dealing with that problem in my every day job.

I don't think that encouraging people to be helpless against someone with a gun is encouraging the development of society. Encouraging the development of lots of unarmed potential victims, yes. Developing society, no.

The BIOLOGY of sex should be taught in school. Social agendas, on the other hand, should be left to the parents.

Some consider basic health and 'sex' education a public health issue, in addition to being an basic education issue. VR/Marg I agree. What I meant was that some people want sex-ed to reflect their values rather than just sticking to the science.

I'm sick of people wanting the government to parent for them. From sex ed to regulating the media, it's all done "for the children!" Whatever happened to being a parent, talking to your own kids about sex, and monitoring their tv and internet use?

This all boils down to being responsible. It is very simple If a teen can't go to their parents and say "Mom, dad, I'm pregnant, help!", the parents have already screwed up and lines of communication have completely broken down. Most kids, if they find themselves pregnant or with an STD, are going to run to mom and dad, hoping to be told what to do. They're scared and confused, and want mommy and daddy. If the kid genuinely feels that they can't go to mom or dad, I'd rather they go to a good clinic or hospital rather than some hack with a coat-hanger or get bad advice from their friends in the locker room. It's really a tough call. Ideally, I'd agree with you. Parents should have a say. However, a parent can make sure they have a say by talking to their child before it becomes an issue, letting the child know that they can come to the parent about absolutely anything, and then prove it by not over-reacting or going ballistic when the child does come to them voluntarily. Law or no law, kids with a good relationship with their parents will talk to them, and kids who don't trust their parents won't go to them and will explore other options.

Do you think the situation might have turned out better for the victim had they been able to fight back? Like street gang members do? No. I'm not saying the victim should start a gang war. Do you believe a victim should not fight back against their attacker?

Do you think the situation might have turned out better for the victim had they been able to fight back?

I completely agree, which is why nobody should be carrying a weapon that they have not trained with and are not competent to use. I see my guns the same way I see my martial arts: as a last-resort "gotta do something or I'm going to die" choice. Weapons and training provide you with options where you would otherwise have none, but there is a liability inherent in virtually every advantage, so it is up to the individual to choose which risks to live with and which ones to mitigate.