anonemouse

After thinking on this issue for a while, I think that Sunta has a very good point. If we say that some companies can refuse to serve customers based on their sexual orientation, where would it end? They could refuse to serve blacks, or hispanics, women, or fat people. I think that companies can focus their services towards any demographic they want to, but they shouldn't be allowed to completely refuse to serve people of other demographics.

Seriously, I think I'm a cheese addict. I've been looking at all the different cheeses on the gourmet foods section of Amazon and thinking about how many of them I'd like to try. All the different cheddars and Italian cheeses and English cheeses and Irish cheeses and South American cheeses. Yum. It's probably a good thing that my local grocery store doesn't carry any of the really good cheeses. Just Kraft and other mass-produced crap.

I need to start going to a tanning salon. Any ideas of how to start out? I don't even know if I'll need to use lotions or oils or anything. I've never been to one before. My brother is getting married later this month and has told me that I better have a tan for the pictures. I'd use a tanning spray, but unfortunately all the ones that I've tried turn orange on me.

I agree in general principle, except when the business is providing a service that is otherwise unavailable. Obviously, that isn't the case here. If E-Harmony was the only online dating service out there, I would feel differently.

What are Chik-fil-a's politics like? I know that it's a Christian company, since none of them are open on Sunday, so I am taking a leap and assuming that the rest of their politics are similar. Sort of like Curves', maybe?

That's what I want to know, too! Apparently, if you believe in a woman's right to choice, you have no right to talk about children at all!

You stated that wonderfully, Denise. And you know what? The "d" in my username stands for my middle name, which is Denise. It's nice to meet another Denise, since the name isn't exactly a dime a dozen! I try to be understanding and rational here in RnR, but I'll admit that there are a few topics that really get me going. I can usually keep a cool head, but occasionally (usually when I feel especially insulted or am just completely frustrated with either the argument or real life), I let my Scotch/Irish nature get the best of me. I come from a family with some extremely bad tempers. We're usually slow to anger, but once we do, watch out!

I'm feeling much better now. The abcess is almost completely gone and I am just finishing up the antibiotics. What really gets me, though, is that I didn't realize just how much it really hurt until it didn't hurt anymore. Before I went to the doctor, I was literally unable to do anything without pain. Whenever I stood up, I always had to stop and stand still for a minute or so, just to let the pain pass. Walking, especially in the morning, was super painful. There were a few times that I was just crying because it hurt so much. I seriously considered going to the emergency room for it. I couldn't sleep because of it, because no matter what position I was in, there was some sort of pressure being put on it. I couldn't lay on my back because the blanket would settle and put pressure on it. I couldn't lay on my side because my legs would put pressure on it. I obviously couldn't lay on my stomach. I eventually just had to choose which position hurt the least and then try not to move. Heck, even when I was just sitting down, I couldn't even lean forward slightly without putting pressure on it. I can't get over the size of it, either. When I went to the doctor, I knew it was big, but I didn't know it was that big. Two and half inches.

I did not say they were animals, did I? Although, we are, biologically. Anyway, I was using the situation I described to illustrate my viewpoint about abortion. Non-viable fetal animals or fetal humans, it doesn't matter. They aren't living, breathing individuals. Once they're born (or once they reach the point of reliable viability), the matter changes.

Thank you for this well-thought response. To me, you are one of the good ones. A lot of people don't realize that many women who choose to have abortions are in between a rock and a hard place, whether those are of their own making or not, whether they are exagerrated in the mind of the woman or not. Many people say, "Just give the baby up for adoption." In some cases, that works. In others, it doesn't. Would the crack baby of a drug-addicted prostitute have a chance in hell of being adopted? Probably not. In an ideal case, adoption would solve everything. Unfortunately, this world isn't ideal. It's not black and white. Many of these women choose what they feel is the best option for them. It may not be the option that other people would choose, but we don't live their lives, do we?

Neicyrenee, I just wanted to say how much I appreciate your cool-headed approach to this. You are completely respectful of other people and their opinions, and it truly is refreshing. Like other people have said, honey draws more flies than vinegar. Your approach to this is much more likely to draw converts than some of the other styles in evidence. People aren't attracted to the ideas of people who call them murderers. That's a cold, hard fact. You have respect for our position, and I can honestly say that I respect your position also, if for no other reason than the fact that you are polite and respectful of the people around you (and not calling them murderers or saying that their opinion is a "stain on them").

I think Porkchop would be surprised that the demographic that is currently experiencing the highest HIV infection rate are straight, married African-American women.

ckbw, I'm also originally from Crossville! We may know each other!

That's a really nice way to put it, Carlene. I probably wouldn't have been so nice and modest in my word choice. In fact, I came up with a comment last night while I was trying to go to sleep, but I'm biting my tongue because it isn't the nicest wording in the world. And I am going to speak up with Mark here. I understand that he's not talking about abortion in general, but just this one, single poll. People were asked to choose between thre choices: pro-life, pro-choice, and pro-choice in certain extreme circumstances. To me, he's right. To me, the people that chose "pro-life" don't think that there are ANY circumstances where a woman should be allowed to have an abortion. Not rape, not the bad health of the mother, not the bad health of the fetus. They think that the survival of the fetus takes precedent over everything else. Otherwise, they would have chosen the option of "pro-choice in certain extreme circumstances."

She's already answered you.

Well, they'd be wrong. Christianity is your religion. Evangelical Christianity is your denomination. Just like Islam and Hindu are religions. There are different sects (denominations, if you want to call them that) of those religions, but they are all classified as Hindu or Islam. A Christian is a Christian, regardless of which denomination said Christian belongs to. So, yeah, you and Carlene definitely don't belong to the same denomination. But you DO belong to the same religion.

You look like you're doing wonderfully! You've lost nearly 85 pounds!

Obviously, there are differences in dogma between the different denominations of Christianity, but they are all sects of Christianity. Therefore, they are the same religion.

Actually, you did imply it. By saying that you are not of the same religion as a Catholic, you are saying that either you are not a Christian or that a Catholic is not a Christian. And I'm pretty sure that you describe yourself as a Christian. You are not the same denomination as Nathanson, but you are a member of the same religion.

A Christian is a Christian is a Christian. A Catholic is a Christian. A Lutheran is a Christian. A Methodist is a Christian. An Anglican is a Christian. A Southern Baptist is a Christian. A Freewill Baptist is a Christian. (I could list all the different sects and denominations for you, but you get the point.) All Christians, all part of the same religion.

Actually, his religion IS yours. A Catholic is a Christian, too. Different denomination, same religion.

This time next month, I'll be banded. I can't believe it. After having so many delays, it just seems really weird that it is actually going to happen. :omg: I have to go to Memphis for my surgeon consult and a nutrition class in 10 days. I've been trying to think of questions to ask the surgeon, but I don't know what to ask! I feel like I've been so well-educated by this site, I don't have any unanswered questions.

I'm really hoping you don't understand how offensive that statement is. Otherwise, I'm incredibly disappointed in you. I thought you were a decent person to know and debate with.

I am SO sorry! I really don't know what to say, but just know that we are all supporting you here! Maybe we can help you get your mind off of the food.

Well, since I'm an Atheist, you probably would understand my stance on that. I think NATURE makes mistakes all the time. (Well, nature isn't sentient, so techically can't make mistakes, but you understand.) Fortunately, in some cases, those mistakes can be corrected by us.