susannah

Hey, Honor killings are horrific, no doubt about it. In Regards to the war in Iraq, I think the instability will go on for years into decades to be honest. The US administration is kidding itself if they think they can wrap it all up in a nice little bow and skip on out of there anytime soon. As I have said, the western model of democracy is so alien to everything these people have ever known. Who is to say that the west has all the answers? I believe it is very important to show cultural respect and sensitivity, and to not assume that our culture and the English language should be the dominant culture as a matter of course. I must say I thought it ridiculous when a boycott was mooted towards the French just because they did not want to be involved in the war in Iraq. :myscared: Look I love the French and the Americans. My new neice or nephew will be born in NY in December. Diversity,sensitivity,respect that is all. Susannah

Hey, I will honor the troops in that they believed that they were doing a noble thing by trying to liberate the Iraqi people from a miserable existance under the now deceased dictator Hussein. That concept is to be commended no doubt. I can never see a time where the political situation in Iraq will be stable. Historically Iraq is a tribal/factional culture with a different dominant religion. I think it is unrealistic to expect to just sweep in and establish a western style democracy and expect it to be all peaches and cream. If Bush believes in this war so much let him lose his life. No mother should have to cry over the loss of her 19 or 20 year old child. They are babies just starting out in life. Susannah

Hey babygrl, Guys and their porn! Ask your father in law to get his own computer. Just like the sun will rise in the morning, guys will never stop looking at porn. You have given me a good giggle for the morning.:biggrin1: Susannah

You are right Chickie,exercise is very important. I do it about 5 times per week because that is about all I can manage having other health issues. I am losing the weight though with exercise, no doubt. I would advocate everybody to do the amount of exercise that they can manage to the best of their ability, taking into account age,health issues, etc etc. Susannah

Hi Cascavel, I just wanted to say that I think you are so brave to consider getting this done. I think there was a young lady who posted on this board once who weighed originally 500 pounds, and had lost 200 pounds I believe. Does anybody remember her name? She did a whole picture montage to show her transformation. Anyway, I wish you well and hope that banding will be the right choice for you. Susannah

Hey, Thanks for posting this Carlene. There are also Australian troops in Iraq although not in the same numbers as the US. All those beautiful young lives lost, and for what? Civilians are suffering in Iraq also. I am sorry but I can't support this war on any level. Susannah

Hi, I agree with Green on this. I find media outlets like the Fox News Channel try to bump up their ratings by blanket coverage of tragic events such as the whole Laci Peterson story. That is so crass and offensive to me. The Fox News Channel is appauling in general though I must say. It also has an Australian at the helm in Rupert Murdoch, although he is now an American citizen even though he is Australian born and raised. Fair and balanced? More like unfair and biased. Susannah

Hey, Sorry you are in that situation. I am very happy with my surgeon and I know that he cares very much about helping people struggling with obesity. He does get paid for his services, and imo he deserves to be well remunerated. Susannah

Hi Melissa, Wow!!!! You look amazing. Well done. You must feel so much happier and healthier too.:clap2: Susannah

Hey, I was banded in early February with the AP ( Small) band. This band has been available in Australia for quite a while. I have very little fill in my band, as I just don't seem to need it. Yay! No pb's or pain. Susannah

Hey Audrey, Yay!:biggrin1: I also have an AP( small) band. These bands have been available in Australia for a while. Susannah

Hey Babygrl, I have never like croissants, but I love cakes. Cakes are now a distant memory for me though now.:confused: Susannah

Oy! Today was the first day of winter in Australia.:confused: Very crisp and cold it was.:eek: The seasons are reversed in the southern hemisphere, making Chanukah/Christmas time summertime here. Susannah

Hey Babygrl, There is also the concept of "Would you rather exercise for one hour a day, or be dead 24 hours a day?" Very sobering, when you think of where severe morbid obesity could lead you.:confused: Susannah

Hey, I also find it amusing when some Australians and Americans go to France and get grumpy when the French want them to attempt to speak French in financial/shopping type transactions. They just expect that English should be the world's dominant language and that's that. I love the French because they are fabulous and feisty and they resist most attempts at having their culture taken over. Susannah

Hey, Life is kind of like that Babygrl. One topic can spill out into another. Cest La Vie. Ooops! That is not English. Sorry. Susannah

Hey, Points understood and taken. You make some valid points to be sure. How about taking the altruism you feel for your fellow "Legal citizens" and extending those same sentiments to immigrants instead of demanding that they speak English etc etc and marginalizing them? My grandparents could not speak English when they came to Australia but they learnt it in their own time, and if they so wanted to speak Hungarian at any time and in any place,they surely would. Susannah

Hey, I agree with Carlene in that infanticide/homicide occurs across the United States and the world. No need to stigmatise Texas or Texans for that matter. Evilah you have been giving Google a really good workout to come up with those stats and stats on Australia also. Stats are good but one should also talk from gut feelings/instinct and the heart when talking about a range of issues from Illegals to homicides also. Susannah

Hey, Look I probably personally wouldn't have an abortion, but I reserve my right to, and the right of other women to make that very personal and private choice. 396 ,Outside of your own relationship ,what other women/couples do is their business to be frank. Susannah

Hi Alex, I really feel the fear and pain in your words. This whole weight/obesity issue is such a burden for all of us here. We all can relate to what you are going through. I am sending positive vibes your way that all will be well with the insurance situation. I am also at a bit of a blue stage in my whole banding journey. I have lost a lot of weight already and that continues, but why am I feeling so depressed? Last Saturday I just sat on my couch and cried for most of the day. Could not stop crying all day. My hair has been falling out in clumps daily also with so sign of stopping. It is not easy at all.:confused: Susannah

Hey 396, A lot of your posts are peppered with Christian type sentiments that are aimed at making others feel sub human. Is there any particular need for this? Susannah

396, I can't speak for the other women on this board but I would not have a man dictating to me about my choices in this regard. At the end of the day it is a woman's body and her choice. Funny how some people who are recent converts to Christianity become the most vocal, intolerant zealots trying to ram their ideology down the throats of others. It is 2007. You may want to contemporize a little bit. I am sorry, but excerpts from the bible don't really have a whole lot of relevance in the lives of many in the modern world. Susannah

Hey Power, This is a very sensitive issue for women. Please don't reduce it to percentage points on a poll. Susannah

Hey, Being able to disagree is a what makes it fun Bubble. I like your feisty posts, even though I don't always agree with what you are saying. Susannah

Hey Carelene, To clarify, I support Physician assisted suicide, and euthanasia. I know that the whole concept is laden with possible ethical dilemmas,one being what to do in the case of a person who is not capable of making a decision for themself etc? Let me clarify it further. Where a person is of sound mind and able to make the decision for themself I would support it fully. Where a person is unable to make that decision or they have not made previous provisions for this particular scenario I may not deem that it was appropriate to proceed. Susannah