Carlene

That conjures up quite a mental image,TOM. Kind of like the admonition (incentive?) to keep one's penis clean. I think a boy (or man) is allowed to wash it as fast as he wants to, don't you?

Karen... We have much in common, you and I. My son voluntarily deployed (twice) to Iraq in a civilian support capacity, and my daughter-in-law (his wife) returned from Afghanistan just a couple of months ago. My boy was primarily at Anaconda and Al Asad, although he was moved around for short periods to other bases. He works for KBR. Does your son work for them too? The civilians Kelly and Becca came in contact with were mostly people who were on the US payroll, and they, of course, are very pro-American. The soldiers, according to my son, are increasingly less supportive of the Bush administration. He noticed a distinct difference in attitude/morale between his first tour and his second - the guys/girls in uniform are much less "gung ho" now. Two of the things I am most bitter about in Bush's term (aside from the war in Iraq) is the decision to end open enrollment for veterans benefits and the Medicare Part D fiasco. Do you have any thoughts to share, from a conservative point of view, on these issues? Like TOM, I enjoy spirited, civilized debate and appreciate your ability to exchange ideas without resorting to character assignation. :clap2:

The Wall Street Journal is owned by Dow Jones, perhaps the most conservative, pro-Republican corporation in America. The company is publicly traded but privately controlled and is led by the Bancroft family. PS....My oldest son works for WSJ.

I understand that happens a LOT. Men have a brain and a penis, but only enough blood to operate one at a time.

Because it doesn't hurt you, or your family. It doesn't jeopardize your job, or raise your taxes. In the state of Texas, hunting is legal and considered a legitimate sport. I don't like blood sports. I am disgusted by the sight of a dead deer strapped across the hood of a mud-splattered Jeep, each and every time I see one. But not everyone agrees with me. A lot of people don't, in fact. So "sportsmen" are allowed to kill deer, whether I like it or not, and gay people should be permitted to marry, even if it offends the delicate sensitivities of people like you - becasue their rights are just as important as yours or mine.

Welcome! My husband and I are a banded duo, too. My surgery was 1/29/04 and his was two weeks later. We are doing great!

I am a Democrat, and therefore politically liberal. I am in favor of individual freedom, equal rights, social justice, and environmental responsibility. I support gay marriage, although my Christian church does not. There are many other individual issues on which I hold a generally liberal position, although I do not necessarily support every plank in the Democratic platform (abortion on demand being one of them). I would love to write a whole thesis on the evils of conservative government, but my DH and I are departing in about 20 minutes for a little road trip. We heard a rumor that the casinos in Shreveport are having trouble meeting their payroll, so being good neighbors (we live in Texas) and good Democrats, we decided to drive over and make a contribution.

Lots of Liberals are conservative in their religious beliefs. Myself, for one.

What a rotten thing to say about Liberals...... LOL.

Either I don't understand what you are trying to say, or you don't understand what an oxymoron is. Do you mean that being gay is contrary to the Bible?

Check out my favorite white guy.... http://www.comedycentral.com/motherload/?lnk=v&ml_video=60627

I have to admit, I had never seen it. DH was watching it on the "Movie Classics" channel a week or two ago and I saw part of it. Never was a big Brando fan.

Do you mean "old"????

One Eyed Jacks

They say she was modeled on Veronica Lake.

Gotta love those strong-willed women.

And another... "Look, you shoot off a guy's head with his pants down, believe me, Texas is not the place you want to get caught."

"A census taker once tried to test me. I ate his liver with some fava beans and a nice Chianti."

Exactly which group is it you have a problem with?

Where do you live, Laura? There is Decatur, GA and Decatur, TX. Probably others, too. Not all doctors require a pre-op diet....mine didn't. I don't know what his policy on smoking is. Just from reading Bandster posts for the last 3 years, I would say it's about 50/50 on both issues - the diet and the no smoking thing.

All I can say is he makes even ugly women look good by comparison.

No, it's just you. Most of us are hetrosexual Christians. Some are Liberals....some are not. There are a few Atheists and a smattering of gay folks. Some of them are Conservatives....some are not.

Well.....if you have to cheat, eat something - don't smoke because they might check.

I didn't have to do a pre-op diet. I can imagine how tough it must be. Will the doc give you an appetite suppressant? It wouldn't hurt to ask. Throw yourself on his mercy.

Find out when you go to the consultation and maybe pick another doc if this one makes you quit? That's the only suggestion I have. Whatever you do, though, be honest with him because they ALL do pre-op blood work and some really do check for nicotine. My PCP is so anti-smoking, he won't give samples of meds to smokers. He has this sign up in his office that says if you can afford cigarettes, you can afford to pay for your meds. Sensitive, huh?