Carlene

This is the "Rants and Raves" forum, where you are invited to comment on anything and everything. Vent your spleen...but remember not to flame the members of LBT. A similar forum is the "Talk Lounge". Everything off topic (not about Lap Band or weight loss) should go in one of these two forums. You are welcome to join us, but if you prefer to avoid discussions (and sometimes arguments) about a whole host of stuff, you might want to skip R&R and TL.

Last night was Trunk or Treat at church. This is a photo of me and Dead Fred.

I am somewhat familiar with Parkinson's Disease. My mother had it for years and eventually died from complications of PD. It is a neurological disease. I don't understand the connection between your GI tract and Parkinson's. Could you elaborate on what your doctor told you regarding this, please? I am already concerned about PD, of course, although they tell me it is not genetic.

What??? That's interesting. I have seen people fly (not on SW) wearing some really outlandish clothing. Most recently a very pregnant woman with gauchos worn under her belly and a shirt barely covering it. Because my DH and I fly free, we are required to conform to a dress code. While not as stringent as in years past, it's still no denim (in first class), athletic shoes, sweatshirts, shorts, flip flops, etc (even in coach). We joke that you can always tell the non-revs because we are the best dressed people on the plane.

A brochure on the door of the Episcopal Chaplain's office at Stanford University reads, "What did Jesus say about homosexuality?" When the brochure is opened the inside is completely blank. Episcopal Chaplain Penelope Duckworth explains, "For we, as Christians, pay particular attention to the words of our savior. Jesus said nothing regarding homosexuality, and in his ministry spoke more about the sins of the spirit than the sins of the body...Our reading of the Bible in its entirety is one of a loving, forgiving and nurturing God who wants us to help create a world that accepts and empowers us all." (Letter to the Editor, by Rev. Penelope Duckworth, Elizabeth Cook and Cynthia Stotts Howard, the Stanford Daily March 1990).

Here is my take on it...

Won't happen. Pete's right. Most of Kinky's supporters are people who usually would not vote.

You would be surprised at how many moms I've seen who have a "crack problem". In Fort Worth they recently adopted a school dress code for TEACHERS. Who would ever have seen that coming?

Thank you all for your kind words. I'm grateful too that I have Lucy, my little Shih Tzu who has issues and is loved by no one but me. Like most Labs, Sarah loved all living creatures. Her greatest joy was pleasing humans. It's too bad that people don't care as much about people as that big yellow dog did.

I would like to make it through just one day without glimpsing anyone’s underwear except my own. And it's a simple thing to tell if your pants fit appropriately or not…if you can’t sit down without showing your undies, either your pants are too low, or your shirt is too short. Then you should adjust accordingly – please. I know some people think the rest of the world wants to see what kind of thong they're wearing, but most of us don’t. Really, we don’t. It’s called underwear for a reason, people. Now jump up and down a couple of times. If your pants fall down, they’re too big. Put on a belt, for crying out loud. Trust me, when you have to walk like a duck just to keep from losing your pants, it’s not cool…it’s weird.

I live in suburban Dallas/Ft Worth. My granddaughter goes to school in a primarily white district. They have a "no sag" dress code. And a "no midriff" one, as well. Skirts and shorts may not be more than 4 inches above the knee. Girls have to wear "appropriate undergarments". That means they can't come to school bra-less. I was amazed to learn that 14 year old girls had to be told to put on a bra.

I had to fill out some paperwork when my mom was in ICU....what they could do to prolong her life, and what they couldn't. It was awful. I felt like I was signing her death warrant.

You are so BAD, Kari.... Carol, I did not say your boobs were shaped like bananas! Not that there is anything wrong with banana boobs, just in case they are.

Carol... I think you are a lovely person, and I agree that being a Christian doesn't mean that you can't have fun - even shake your banana tits, if you want to. But you can't just say "it's true because the Bible says so" and not expect to get some feedback. My point was that if you take every passage literally, the Bible condemns all kinds of things - not just homosexuality. And if a gay relationship is wrong because the New Testament says it is, then it's equally wrong for a woman to cut her hair, or divorce her husband, or speak her mind. My church, by the way, agrees with you on the issue of homosexuality. I think they are wrong. I think gay people are gay just because they are, not because they chose to be part of a persecuted minority. How smart is that?

Oh, me too. But I'm not known for being quiet, proper, or modest. Pass the vino, please.

Someone already pointed that out. And Carole said you do not have to be boring to be a Christian. I agree...but the "proper conduct, modesty and self-control" thing has me a little confused.

Okay...let's talk about the New Testament. First of all, do you know its history? Many Protestants do not realize that the New Testament they cherish so was given to them by a Pope - the holy and wise Spaniard Pope St. Damasus, in the council of Rome. It is the same collection of books used in all Protestant Bibles today. So, how do you feel about divorce? The Old Testament permitted it, the NT does not (unless a woman commits adultery). The NT says a man who divorces his wife (or vice versa) and remarries commits adultery. Anyone in your congregation living in adultery? Do you cover your head when you pray? Cut your hair? The NT says "But any woman who prays or prophesies with her head unveiled brings shame upon her head, for it is one and the same thing as if she had had her head shaved. But it is shameful for a woman to have her hair cut off or her head shaved and she should wear a veil." Here's a nice little piece of news for those of us who like a little white Zen... "Stop drinking only Water, but have a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent illnesses." (cough...cough) Slavery is okay, according to the NT... "Slaves are to be under the control of their masters in all respects, giving them satisfaction, not talking back to them". Back to us women... "Similarly, too, women should adorn themselves with proper conduct, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hairstyles and gold ornaments, or pearls, or expensive clothes." (Please PM me for my address so you may send me all your gold ornaments, pearls, and expensive clothes.) "A woman must receive instruction silently and under complete control. I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man. She must be quiet." (yeah....when hell freezes over) And finally, from St. Paul... "Avoid foolish and ignorant debates, for you know that they breed quarrels. A slave of the Lord should not quarrel, but should be gentle with everyone, able to teach, tolerant, correcting opponents with kindness. It may be that God will grant them repentance that leads to knowledge of the truth and that they may return to their senses out of the devil's snare, where they are entrapped by him, for his will." This is just a very small sampling of the New Testament's teachings that you might not like/agree with. However, if you are going to embrace the NT, you have to embrace it ALL - otherwise you ARE "cherry picking".

I did not take offense at Sunta's post. I do not think it was mean-spirited, nor do I believe that religion is without humor. For those who never saw this old chestnut, here is a letter purportedly sent to Dr. Laura, after one of her famous gay-bashing broadcasts. And for those who aren't familiar with Dr. Laura, she is Jewish. Jews follow the Old Testament. Orthodox Jews follow it so closely that they are obliged to "keep kosher", meaning two sets of dishes, two sets of pots and pans, running the dishwasher (empty) between loads of dishes/utensils used for "dairy" and those reserved for meat, and a whole host of other very, very rigorous rules. These people are SERIOUS about following their "bible". I have a friend whose sister is Jewish. That's where I first read the Dr. Laura letter - courtesy of my friend's Jewish sister. Dear Dr. Laura, Thank you for doing so much to educate people regarding God's Law. I have learned a great deal from your show, and I try to share that knowledge with as many people as I can. When someone tries to defend the homosexual lifestyle, for example, I simply remind him that Leviticus 18:22 clearly states it to be an abomination. End of debate. I do need some advice from you, however, regarding some of the specific laws and how to best follow them. a) When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a pleasing odor for the Lord (Lev 1:9). The problem is my neighbors. They claim the odor is not pleasing to them. Should I smite them? I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in Exodus 21:7. In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair price for her? c) I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while she is in her period of menstrual uncleanliness (Lev 15:19-24). The problem is, how do I tell? I have tried asking, but most women take offense. d) Lev. 25:44 states that I may indeed possess slaves, both male and female, provided they are purchased from neighboring nations. A friend of mine claims that this applies to Mexicans, but not Canadians. Can you clarify? Why can't I own Canadians? e) I have a neighbor who insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2 clearly states he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself? f) A friend of mine feels that even though eating shellfish is an Abomination (Lev 11:10), it is a lesser abomination than homosexuality. I don't agree. Can you settle this? g) Lev 21:20 states that I may not approach the altar of God if I have a defect in my sight. I have to admit that I wear reading glasses. Does my vision have to be 20/20, or is there some wiggle room here? h) Most of my male friends get their hair trimmed, including the hair around their temples, even though this is expressly forbidden by Lev 19:27. How should they die? i) I know from Lev 11:6-8 that touching the skin of a dead pig makes me unclean, but may I still play football if I wear gloves? j) My uncle has a farm. He violates Lev 19:19 by planting two different crops in the same field, as does his wife by wearing garments made of two different kinds of thread (cotton/polyester blend). He also tends to curse and blaspheme a lot. Is it really necessary that we go to all the trouble of getting the whole town together to stone them? (Lev 24:10-16) Couldn't we just burn them to death at a private family affair like we do with people who sleep with their in-laws? (Lev. 20:14) I know you have studied these things extensively, so I am confident you can help. Thank you again for reminding us that God's word is eternal and unchanging. Your devoted disciple and adoring fan.

John... I understand. It's so hard to know what's "right" in a situation like this. I would visit my friend, take him books - whatever I could do privately to let him know that I still loved him. But I would stop short of doing anything that might impact a juror, reduce his sentence, or would make it appear that I was giving public support to this man. Certainly you could testify that he had a horrible childhood. So have countless other people, and they didn't molest children. His attorney, however, will try and make that evidence - your testimony - into an indictment of Eric's mother and spin the whole thing to try and shift the blame from him to her. That's just wrong. Even though she was nothing but trash, she didn't commit the crimes that Eric is charged with - he did. I hope you can find a way to show Eric that you still love him, but you HATE what he has done and will not raise a finger to lighten his load. This does NOT mean you are judging him. It means that you believe in our judicial system and want him to be judged by trial - not in the newspaper, not by his crappy childhood. I can tell this is eating you up, John. I pray that you will find peace with whatever decision you make.

Me, too Kari... My faith has sustained me thru so many times of sorrow and uncertainty. I truly do not know how anyone survives this life without it.

I have nothing against Strayhorn but I think you're right. I don't think she is electable and I fear that she will split the Democratic vote.

Thank you, Mandy...and I am sorry for Hobbes, too. I also love kitties, as did Sarah. She nursed several motherless kittens (and one orphaned squirrel). I had a long-haired Siamese named Sue Won who lived to be 17 years old. When her health began to fail, I could not bear to put her down. I held Susie in this world way longer than I should have. We did kitty ICU and IVs and she would be better for a while, then we'd bring her home and in a couple of weeks we would have to start all over. She was almost the million dollar kitty! But it was sooooooo hard on me....and on her. I was willing to let Sarah go sooner, rather than later, as long as she could go gently and without pain (or fear).

Sarah and DH about 4 years ago. He was about 265 in this photo - eventually got up to 288....now down to about 213.

Praise the Lord! There is intelligent life on earth after all.

My old friend Sarah died today. She had a huge tumor in her spleen - as big as a football. So we made the very, very painful decision to have her put down. My DH - God bless him - had to take me home after I almost passed out at the vet's office. But he went back and stayed with her to the end. We could have opted for a spleenectomy, an iffy procedure in a dog 14 years old, and then chemo therapy, provided the cancer had not spread. Sarah was not in pain at this time and it was important to me that her quality of life be respected. Best case scenario, the vet said, was probably 6 to 12 months. But the chemo has terrible side effects. It broke my heart, but how could I have done otherwise? I owed it to Sarah to write a better, happier last chapter to her life than that. Goodbye, Sarah - my beautiful yellow Lab and loyal friend.