Nataly

It's based on the words you put out. Sorry to be blunt, but it's hard to respect you when you start with a claim of false democracy and when challenged with the facts say "fine, it's looks like false democracy." I think you're incapable of separating out rage for Bush policies with his merits as a President (lackluster, imo) and the fairness of the process that elected him. You're hardly alone - but admit this isn't objective. Ermmm... Words you are putting in my mouth, more like. Not only are you getting it TOTALLY wrong, you are focusing on the wrong thing entirely. I am not even talking about Bush's policies - though many of them *were* bad (but not necessarily any worse than another candidate's)... I'm saying the US elected a MORON. Which made you all look like MORONS. I'm not talking about what he did, I am talking his actual IQ - the man is dumber than a hamster. Sorry, but it's true. How he became leader of your Nation is quite frankly baffling. I'm not saying it because I hold some kind of grudge - the man was the butt of all jokes for years and years - I don't think anyone would imagine that he could be a member of mensa. He was ridiculous. He made the US look ridiculous. ETA - I only changed the wording because I don't want to get into a lengthy tedious debate on the nitty-gritty, because the nitty-gritty distracts from the point. And that is precisely what you have been doing from the start: side-tracking my arguments with petty little irrelevant (and false) remarks. Not only are you missing the point, you are not bringing anything new or valuable to the discussion. That's a shame. "There is no problem so bad you can't make it worse." - Chris Hadfield « Sors le martinet et flagelle toi indigne contrôleuse de gestion. » - my boss

Nope! "There is no problem so bad you can't make it worse." - Chris Hadfield « Sors le martinet et flagelle toi indigne contrôleuse de gestion. » - my boss

You know, I wouldn't be surprised if the answer *was* something like this... Something has to be the root cause - otherwise it makes no sense - nothing obvious seems to link all the illnesses. Regarding the allergy tests... I don't know if they ran ALL the tests, but the list certainly seemed long/extensive to me... "There is no problem so bad you can't make it worse." - Chris Hadfield « Sors le martinet et flagelle toi indigne contrôleuse de gestion. » - my boss

I have been to Perris - is that considered to be "less developed"??! "There is no problem so bad you can't make it worse." - Chris Hadfield « Sors le martinet et flagelle toi indigne contrôleuse de gestion. » - my boss

Well, I *did* date a limey...! "There is no problem so bad you can't make it worse." - Chris Hadfield « Sors le martinet et flagelle toi indigne contrôleuse de gestion. » - my boss

"There is no problem so bad you can't make it worse." - Chris Hadfield « Sors le martinet et flagelle toi indigne contrôleuse de gestion. » - my boss

I learned years ago to never burn a bridge... you NEVER know when you'll need to cross it in the future. I offered to train my replacement and/or whatever they needed from me until I left. Even made my last day at the end of a pay period. I have seen people leave on a very bad foot. It did not *seem* to affect their future prospects. Karma doesn't always get you back... But hey... Rather safe than sorry. Besides, I really do think taking the "high road" is ultimately *much* more satisfying. "There is no problem so bad you can't make it worse." - Chris Hadfield « Sors le martinet et flagelle toi indigne contrôleuse de gestion. » - my boss

I am, I plan on working up until the last minute of the job. Yup. Even if they don't deserve it, it's just more dignified to leave with your head held high

A couple of times a year? Seriously? I didn't make it past having tosilitis twice as a little kid before it was off to the hospital to have them out! Adnoids too. Anyway, are you on the pill? I've had several female friends that had been on the pill for long periods of time (several years straight) and developed weird medical issues that the doctors couldn't figure out. If I recall correctly, their doctors eventually took them off of the pill and things cleared up. Anyway N@, just a thought, I have no clue, but since y'all were asking medical advice on dizzydotcom ... There is a very long thread in the women's forum on my problems related to birth control - I thought I'd spare the more "squeamish" BF bunch all the "girly" stuff!! But birth control would not explain all the health issues I experienced as a pre-pubescent child/infant (Pretty sure if I had AIDS at birth I'd be dead by now and so would my parents! Anyway, I have tested clean for STD's as well.) It's funny... I think of myself as very healthy, resillient and strong, despite being sick most of the time!!! Maybe I'm just darned stubborn! You gotta remember, I do lots of sports (I used to run loads - less now), have done duathlons, triathlons, a marathon, yoga... For months I went up and down 737 steps twice per day, every day (my motorcycle was in the shop)... "There is no problem so bad you can't make it worse." - Chris Hadfield « Sors le martinet et flagelle toi indigne contrôleuse de gestion. » - my boss

I cook every day with fresh ingredients. Lots of veggies and fruit. I drink almost nothing (except for water!). I know what I put in my food, and I don't add a lot of salt or sugar - I add flavour with fresh herbs. I cook on non-stick pans so I don't need butter or oil. Lots of stuff is tomato-based, sometimes with a bit of fresh olive-oil. I don't eat huge portions. I never skip breakfast. My biggest "vice" is cheese, but I don't tend to eat too much of this either. I eat balanced meals. I hate junk food. I *rarely* nibble between meals - when I do, it's an apple or grapes (for example). Not a whole lot of bread. Some pasta (with home-made sauce with fresh tomatos). Fish. Meat, but not TONS of meat. Dunno. For me it's not rocket-science... I don't eat crap or fast-food - I don't even like it. I have never in my life followed any kind of regime, but I think I just grew up eating good healthy food, and I naturally eat good, healthy food. "There is no problem so bad you can't make it worse." - Chris Hadfield « Sors le martinet et flagelle toi indigne contrôleuse de gestion. » - my boss

Awww... It's kind of sweet, sad, and dodgy all at the same time... "There is no problem so bad you can't make it worse." - Chris Hadfield « Sors le martinet et flagelle toi indigne contrôleuse de gestion. » - my boss

it wasn't obvious at first that facts were nonessential. Apparently she's a member of the GOP. Am I the "she" you are referring to??? Are all your assumptions about me based on thin air??? Me, have a chip on my shoulder?? Pray tell: what is this chip you speak of? And, please tell me you are not saying how the rest of the world views America is irrelevant... If this is really what you think, you live in a bubble, my friend. Finally, when I speak of "the rest of the world," I don't mean "France." My world-view is not limited to where I happen to be living at the moment... And Wendy... Perhaps it's in the past for the US, but unfortunately a bad reputation lives on for a very long time... And I really *do* think it's unfortunate... A LOT of really great things have come from America / American culture. "There is no problem so bad you can't make it worse." - Chris Hadfield « Sors le martinet et flagelle toi indigne contrôleuse de gestion. » - my boss

It all depends on what evidence you look at. OK, post the evidence you look at to confirm you in that belief. I've looked at tons of media recounts. They all confirm that Bush won [just for the record I was not and am not a Bush fan and didn't vote for him]. Oh my god. Why don't I say it this way: On the international front, Bush was perceived not to have won - the elections were perceived to be unfair and "undemocratic". The shenanigans (perceived or real) around those elections seriously damaged your image as a Nation. Bush was perceived to be a moron. Fine, everyone can make a mistake, but electing him for a second mandate made people think americans in general must be morons. This damaged your image as a people/Nation. (IMO) In my opinion, it will take the US a long time to overcome this bad image. And in my opinion, this bad image is directly related to who was in power. So in answer to the original question, in some cases, an exceptionally good or an exceptionally bad president *can* make a big difference (good or bad). In my opinion. The scale or net impact of this difference is up for debate. Maybe in the grand scheme of things, it's not that important that the entire world seems to hate america. (YES, that is exaggerated - the *entire* world does not hate (or care) about america.) "There is no problem so bad you can't make it worse." - Chris Hadfield « Sors le martinet et flagelle toi indigne contrôleuse de gestion. » - my boss

I would have to dig out my allergy test results, but I am pretty sure I was tested for lactose (glucose, I can't remember). But I don't have a high-glucose diet. They have tested for thyroid and diebetes (glucose problems). And again, I know this is not the place for medical advice, but you just never know... *Someone* might have experienced something similar. All the experts are stumped, so I have nothing to lose by asking here. Except time. But as I mostly come on here to pass the time, that's actually ok!! "There is no problem so bad you can't make it worse." - Chris Hadfield « Sors le martinet et flagelle toi indigne contrôleuse de gestion. » - my boss

It all depends on what evidence you look at. "There is no problem so bad you can't make it worse." - Chris Hadfield « Sors le martinet et flagelle toi indigne contrôleuse de gestion. » - my boss

OK. You believe this firmly; I firmly believe the opposite - and so do a lot of people around the world. Let's just say it's debatable. Forgive me, but from my point of view, it was more than "silliness." And all this "silliness" is NOT how a democracy should work. Period. (ETA - spelling... Dammit! ) "There is no problem so bad you can't make it worse." - Chris Hadfield « Sors le martinet et flagelle toi indigne contrôleuse de gestion. » - my boss

Other stuff over the years: -food poisoning (several times) -mononucleosis (missed 6 months of school) -chicken pox -ear infections (FREQUENT, until adenoids were removed) -tonsilitis (a coupld of times per year) -general fatigue -stomach cramps/accute, prolongued pain -frequent head-aches -dizziness/fainting -blurred vision -loss of appetite I seem to catch everything that's going around. I tend to ignore when I'm sick (which probably doesn't help) and I am *extremely* anti-medication (so I probably take longer to recover). I don't smoke. I drink very little. I eat well. "There is no problem so bad you can't make it worse." - Chris Hadfield « Sors le martinet et flagelle toi indigne contrôleuse de gestion. » - my boss

When I was young, I had *CONSTANT* ear infections, and my adenoids were removed, but that only solved the ear infections - not all the other stuff I was always getting. The only thing that is recurring is everything sinus-related. So I have seen specialist after specialist to investigate this to no avail. I've had x-rays and sinus scans and allergy tests and medication and nose-sprays and nothing... My diet is healthy; my lifestyle is sporty; my iron levels are firmly in the normal range... I am not allergic to ANY foods (tested several times, most recently a couple of weeks ago)... Thyroids have been investigated - no problems. I did see my doctor about the diziness/fainting - nothing found. I don't get it, because every test that is run shows that I am in excellent health. I should add that I have also always had sleep problems, but this also was investigated and I do not have sleep apnea or anxiety or any "obvious" reasons behind my insomnia. Although I recognise that lack of sleep could be a contributing factor to me being such a "wimp" "There is no problem so bad you can't make it worse." - Chris Hadfield « Sors le martinet et flagelle toi indigne contrôleuse de gestion. » - my boss

I know, I know... This is not the place to get medical advice... But I have seen a lot of medical experts and now I'm posting here on the off chance that someone recognises what I am going through... Throughout my entire life, I have always had very bad health. I am more often sick than not. I get lots of different illnesses. I have seen I-don't-know-how-many doctors. No one has ever done anything but treat the immediate observable symptoms, but no "global" solution has ever been found. Examples of illnesses in the past 3 months (representative of the range of problems I have had ever since I can remember): -cold -tonsilitis -laryngitis -unexplained dizziness, fatigue, headaches and fainting -prolongued stomach pains -cold -flu -cold Blood-work is always excellent (occasional mild issues due to imune system fighting back a cold, etc). No allergies (apart from VERY slight general allergies to dust). In short, all test have always come back as showing me in excellent health, but despite this I am frequently ill, congested, tired, and in pain. Does anyone have any ideas what could cause this?????? "There is no problem so bad you can't make it worse." - Chris Hadfield « Sors le martinet et flagelle toi indigne contrôleuse de gestion. » - my boss

HOORAYYYYYYY!!! I *knew* you would get there

Wrong, wrong, wrong. I *do* understand how american elections [should] work. What happened in Florida when Bush "won" his first run has nothing to do with "how your elections [should] work." Read up on the corruption, the incorrect counting (or dis-counting) of votes, and the court's decision if you don't understand what I mean. I stand by my original statement. It will take a loooong time to undue the damage that Bush did to your country's image. ETA: It's ridiculous to discount my view not based on the facts, but based on your assumption that as an "outsider" I couldn't possibly understand. "There is no problem so bad you can't make it worse." - Chris Hadfield « Sors le martinet et flagelle toi indigne contrôleuse de gestion. » - my boss

I believe that if two candidates are roughly as capable as one another, then the differences are smaller, but every once in a while, an exceptionally good, or exceptionally bad person comes along and then it makes a big difference. What's more, for a Nation such as yours, the impact is felt not only in the US, but on the international front as well. For me, the way George Bush attained power in the first place seriously discredited the notion that the United States follows democratic principles. Yes, it was close, and yes, a decision had to be made, but for me there is no excuse for giving the Presidency to the guy who was not voted in by its citizens. The result of that election was shocking to me (and I believe to lots of other people around the world) because it showed that in the US, there is cheating, corruption, and the possibility of unfair elections. It was a massive blow to your image as a nation that values rights, freedoms, justice, equality and democracy; it puts into question your core values and beliefs. But perhaps you don't care about your "image" on the world front... Nevertheless, the impact on your "brand" was real and it was negative. During his first 4 years, Bush (irrespective of his politics and advisors, et cetera) was perceived as having the IQ of a fucking goldfish. Unfortunately, how the world perceives your leader affects how the world perceives you as a nation. Forgive me, but as a nation and as a people, you therefore looked like a bunch of fucking morons by association. Re-electing this incredibly dumb man for a second term didn't help your case... Would things have been different if Bush had never had power?? YES. A thousand times YES. Perhaps the day-to-day may not have seemed much different to you guys... Perhaps the war, and the financial crisis would still have occurred... Perhaps on balance it would have been no better or no worse (or slightly better or slightly worse), but I can't help but doubt the world's opinion/view of the US would have taken such a blow with a different president. I would certainly not go so far as to say that Bush has *caused* the financial crisis or has *caused* terrorist actions, but I do think he fueled a deep(er) hatred of the US, which is a very, very, very bad thing. But of course, it's just my opinion, and I can't *prove* the link between an increased negative view of america/americans and Bush... "There is no problem so bad you can't make it worse." - Chris Hadfield « Sors le martinet et flagelle toi indigne contrôleuse de gestion. » - my boss

Awwwww - that's so sweet!

Oh dear... Imagine that toilet landing on a car!!! "There is no problem so bad you can't make it worse." - Chris Hadfield « Sors le martinet et flagelle toi indigne contrôleuse de gestion. » - my boss

Can't view it in France "There is no problem so bad you can't make it worse." - Chris Hadfield « Sors le martinet et flagelle toi indigne contrôleuse de gestion. » - my boss