BJean

Susan, you look absolutely fabulous!! Great job, girlfriend! :biggrin:

Cleo's: "So, what are the solutions to this mosque issue? I've offered one. But it was ridiculed. I don't see any other solutions offered." I guess I missed something but I only saw one person who posted something negative (ridicule) about your suggestion. I was certainly supportive and still think it was a great idea. Americans are knee-jerk reactors to emotional news. Myself included. When they (we) get all the facts and filter out the lies and misrepresentations, we can get on board with ways to actually fix a problem instead of just bombing or setting fire to something. But what we need is leadership. We need someone sane to help educated us and to help us sort things out. We don't want to be bigots or biased against an entire religion or group of people. Most of us know that it is ignorant as hell to discriminate against a group of people for the actions of a few. But let's face it - 9/11 is an unusual situation as are our relations with the middle east. People are still reeling from that horrible day. And people in Oklahoma are still reeling from the bombing of the Federal Building there. If we are totally honest, we will admit that we have more to fear from people like Timothy McVeigh (one of our own countrymen) than we do from Muslim terrorists. It isn't every day that one of our own bomb a building or hold people hostage at gunpoint, but it happens all too frequently. No one nation or religion or group of people has a monopoly on nut jobs. And we need to remember this when we think it's right to run people out of town on a rail.

What a welcome problem, Jolanda!

Hey, me too: tuna with dill pickle relish is, all of a sudden, really good. I've never eaten tuna much. I can eat avocados and guacomole. I find myself ordering Pasta dishes and I never used to eat pasta. I felt too guilty. But now I eat such a small amount of it I don't feel guilty at all. I eat a few bites of the chicken or shrimp that comes with the pasta and a couple of bites of pasta and I'm done. The rest of the dish comes home with me. The servers ask me if I didn't like it because my plate looks almost untouched. Whoo hoo! That's a great feeling. And I usually get at least a couple more meals out of it. I can't enjoy ice cream anymore or other milk products except cottage cheese and yogurt. This is a good thing because ice cream used to be my downfall. But it is very strange to not be able to enjoy ice cream for the first time in my life. I also tried to eat a small piece of my mother's recipe chocolate cake. Two little bites and that was way too much and I was uncomfortable and sorry I tried it. I love that feeling. It's my best friend! Oh yeah, I can't drink coffee or tea and only a couple of sips of any alcoholic beverage. Can you drink coffee and tea? What about wine? Isn't it strange how some people can't eat things like avocado and others can?

I've been going through exactly the same thing. And I'm a female. The disappearing butt has been weird. I used to be able to set a table on my protruding behind. Now it is just nearly flat compared to the way it was. I've always had a bubble butt though. Some of the clothes that I bought a month or so ago are already baggy. And you're right, they just don't look good. And the brands that I'm used to wearing have a bigger cut in the thighs and bottom. And even in a smaller size I don't fill them out. Very strange feeling. I was about to think that I look great though but then I took a mirror and checked myself out from behind and egad, I do still have a big butt. I musta been one huge mama. You didn't catch me checking myself out when I weighed 220 lbs! I had no idea that it would be so odd adjusting to the new sizes. My first clue to getting smaller was when I woke up one morning and I was lying on my back in bed and my stomach was concave instead of convex and I also felt my hip bones. I didn't realize that I hadn't felt them in such a long time. I just sorta ran my hands over my new bod and was shocked. It seemed like it happened overnight. I can't imagine what it will feel like if I get to the same place that many sleeve people have - 5, 10 or even 20 lbs under goal. That must be very strange. You must feel really skinny at that point.

They make these Texas scroundrels look positively philanthropic. Well, not really. These Texans have always been inspiration to them for what they get away with here. There are some serious names of wealthy bad guys that I could mention from the Reagan and Bush years, who hailed from Texas. It got so bad that some of them finally served some time, I think.

I wonder if stomach acid is the culprit? Have you tried a little Mylanta - just half a teaspoonful helped me when I felt like curling up in a ball because my stomach hurt and I thought it was because I was hungry.

You don't have to tell. You really don't. You can tell them what you are doing to lose the weight but you don't have to mention the surgery. It is surprising how some people feel that surgery is the easy way to lose lbs. They obviously have no clue. And who needs that kind of dialogue in their lives? As they notice that you're not eating the birthday cake, they'll understand that you have a commitment to lose weight and get healthy and they will respect you more if they have no idea about the surgery. That's just the nature of people. On the other hand, it sounds to me like you are thinking seriously about telling them. It's a personal choice we all make. I didn't want to tell anyone because of all my past diet failures. Everyone seems to have an opinion when you're dieting and when you gain, they still have an opinion or at least that look that tells you that they're thinking critical thoughts. But if that sort of thing doesn't bother you and you are normally an open book, tell them. No matter what they say or think, they can only make you feel bad and defensive if you let them.

Well yeah, your stomach can't get up in your throat when you drop from the peak like it used to because it's too little. LOL Seriously it all depends on you. If you still have some sore spots, or if you have trouble with throwing up, then maybe you should wait for the big drop rides for a while. But if you're feeling great, why shouldn't you at least try one?

Great post Cleo's. sagreenia, that's a pretty graphic post. Probably not going to win too many voters with that. But I dunno, if someone is right wing enough to vote Republican in the upcoming elections, they're okay with strong, rather revolting language because that's what they're voting for.

If you're getting this information from the polls, don't give up yet. So many of the polls are biased and the questions they ask are posed in such a way as to illicit the answers that support their bias. Of course you know this, so I'm probably off base here since you know a lot more about the political climate than I do. However the decision of Democrats to concede that there will be big losses in November could also be a ploy on the part of the progressives to jolt Americans who are in support of the current administration to get out and vote. It is easy for us to not show up at the polls if we are happy with the way things are going. We don't feel the threat. But you can be sure that the people who are unhappy will definitely go to the polls, in large numbers. I'm impressed that someone is finally organizing a rally in support of the actions that have been taken by the Democrats to do the things that they promised. I wish I could brag on the Congress as a whole, but we all know that the business that has been taken care of is in spite of the Republicans inactivity, not WITH Republicans working to fix America.

The REST of the story, eh? Man. The thing I am not understanding is why the other networks and broadcasters don't do their research before they line up with stories debating the pros and cons of issues like this! This is a non-issue if Cleo's post above is correct. And the major networks should have used their air time exposing Murdoch and Al-Waleed instead of going for the bait. With that kind of financial backing they can do whatever they want in NYC. This is not a story about a little Muslim community wanting to build a building or expand a building, is it? It's a much larger political/financial deal. And when I first learned that Rupert Murdoch was involved I should have shut up. I do get very weary of the progressives and Democrats and fair-minded broadcasts pandering to this kind of story and expanding the debate to make it exactly what the Murdoch team wanted it to be. Color me red-faced and guilty.

That certainly sounds like a reasonable assumption. And if expanding to add stories to an already open mosque is the true scenario, then it has not only been blown way out of proportion, but the whole thing is exactly what you indicated, right wing irrational, misrepresented data and probably a pack of lies (my characterization.)

AMEN, Cleo's!!!!!!! I'm happy to quote you on this. It can't be said too often! Republicans have been trying to dismantle Social Security as we know it and public schools for 30 years! And they've worked long and hard to keep us from having a decent health care system for all. Just think what would have happened if Wall Street was in charge of our Social Security dollars in the past 8 to 10 years. Like things aren't bad enough right now for people reaching retirement age! Many of us had IRAs and other accounts that were invested in Wall Street and lost our shirts. If we didn't have Social Security to fall back on, you'd be seeing aging people living on the streets in spite of the fact that they held good jobs and worked really hard all of their lives. Not that Social Security will totally keep us flush, but it might keep people from bread lines and sleeping in cardboard boxes. I sent my kids to private schools quite a few years but I always supported the public school system. Always. I believe in it and I believe that if people want to send their kids to private schools, they can pay extra to do that. And we as a nation should be ashamed that we don't have a universal health care system for our citizens. It's obscene that corporations and individuals are making huge profits from people being ill. They are motivated to keep Americans sick and taking every new medication they can come up with. It's a sad, sad situation.

Well now you're talking... a free health clinic. That's a great idea! I'd certainly donate $5 for that. But no attempt to answer my question? Why are the Muslims so intent on building a mosque so close to the World Trade Center rubble? Do you think that it is just coincidental that the location is in such close proximity to ground zero?

Tort reform is a non-issue in fixing the incredibly horrible health care system that we now have. It is something the Republicans have used to divert attention away from the real issues that cause Americans to keep from getting a decent health care system because they stand to gain from taking away patient's right to redress against doctors who do not practice good medicine and who kill or maim their patients. Malpractice isn't about doctors who are good doctors or medical personnel who are doing their jobs honestly and to the best of their ability. It's about doctors who are harming patients because they are grossly negligent and not performing their jobs in a reasonably safe manner.

Let me ask a question. Why do the Muslims want to build a church or recreation center for themselves there? Why there? Why so close to ground zero? Why is it so important to them? Why has this become such a defining issue for them? Do you think it is because they are wanting to demonstrate to U.S. citizens and the world that they are proud to be a part of this country which is so hated by Islamic extremists? You think they want to erect a center or church in the United States at that site so that they can show respect for this country and the diversity and understanding and freedom that it stands for? Do you think that is what motivates them? Do you think they just want to become good Americans, with love and tolerance for every individual's beliefs, whether Jew, Christian, atheist, or individuals who don't believe in anything at all? Do you think there's a chance they are somehow paying tribute to this great country by building a mosque near ground zero? Really? When it is ever time for America to represent itself? What in the world about OUR identity? Do we even have one? Or are we just a blob of humanity with no real identity of our own? Sure being a melting pot is a good thing. Respect for others is fantastic. Freedom is what the United States is all about - freedom for all! But what about those of us who would like to enjoy freedom from the reminders of the hate and mudererous activity of 9/11 on that site - committed by Muslim terrorists? Are we not due some respect and freedom to enjoy life in our own city without feeling conquered yet again by having a constant reminder of the horrors of 9/11 with a building on that site built by a religion whose fundamentalist extremist faction did the deed and vows to continue to do us harm? I believe in freedom for all. I believe in this country. I hate discrimination. I do not hate the Muslim religion. I do not hate Muslims. But I have to ask, why build a mosque there? Why right there? Why is that location so important to them? And why is it so unreasonable of us to want them to build it somewhere else, somewhere AWAY from the site of the former World Trade Center?

Cleo'Mom: "Also, al-qaeda jihadists are not building the mosque and that's who attacked us on 9/11." How do you know that, without any doubt?

The fact that this is such an emotionally charged issue is one reason I jumped on the ban-the-mosque bandwagon. But the fact is that if I know that bad guy, Rupert Murdoch, has spearheaded the outrage, then I have to take a step back! He's the money behind the misrepresentations and lies that spew forth on the Fox network, better known as Faux News. And not just the Fox network, newspapers and magazine publications as well. And he certainly isn't the ONLY money or machine behind all of the anti-progressive, anti-democratic movement. He's a big part of it though. So I don't trust anything that uses him as a source of material, or money to distribute his material. I do believe (without being very informed at all) that it is in poor taste to build a mosque in the neighborhood of the World Trade Center. Didn't someone say there's already one 4 blocks away? How many mosques are needed in Manhattan? I think Bloomberg (again, I'm merely guessing) is trying to be a big man and a kind man and a true blue Statue of Liberty thinking American by welcoming such a proposal. And that would be admirable if the wounds had healed and peace between our nations had been achieved. But that is just not the case. We know that Islam and muslim terrorists are just as prevalent and out to do harm today as they were on 9/11. We are a kinder, gentler nation, but there needs to be some kind of kinder, gentler feelings that are afforded those of us who were so seriously affected by the terrorists who flew those planes into our towers. And that is not to say that I am discriminating against all Muslems. That would be flat out ignorant. But in the context of 9/11 and all that is happening world wide with our military, it would not be an act that would go toward healing our nation and our relations with the middle eastern world. In fact, it could make Americans even more bitter and resentful and could backfire big time. And as for Pearl Harbor, a Japanese tea garden would be fine there NOW that we've healed our relationship with Japan and so many years have passed - and we WON that WAR. But this is not the case with 9/11, Muslim terrorists, Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan or the middle east in general. We welcome Muslim refugees. We welcome those of middle eastern descent who wish to immigrate to the U.S. and join us in the fight against global terrorism and who want to become Americans and have a better life. But we must also be sensitive to our own people and the grief and stress that we still feel today because of those terrorist acts on 9/11.

Well see, I'm getting educated about this topic. That's why I come here. I had only heard the fire that erupted about building a mosque where the World Trade Center was. Now that I've heard that Rupert Murdoch is behind it (it's nearly always his big money machine that causes fear and hate in America over political non-issues) and come to find out it isn't even on the site of the WTC, I'm calming down on the issue. Do you all know who Rupert Murdoch is? Are you aware of his background and everything he owns in the U.S.? Good thing we have Cleo'sMom here to bring the real story to light. And Cleo's you could have also listed the Kerry persecution that wrecked his campaign for president that was backed by the same kind of right wing extremism and money. I should have known what was going on but I frankly do not watch a lot of Faux news broadcasts or even the other ones. So I usually only get bits and pieces of the story. When I am confused on an issue or dismayed by something I've read or heard, I usually check it out for myself. This time I didn't. And I'm really glad that this topic came up on this thread and I had an opportunity to learn more.

Uh I think you should have directed your comments to me, not loserbob. But I think he may share my opinion on the topic. Sorry, I'll never be a big enough person to think that erecting a mosque where the World Trade Center was is the right thing to do. The World Trade Center represented the very important U.S. domination in economics throughout the world. We shouldn't think small about this - it isn't just about New York or even the people who died. It's a really big thing to a lot of people in other countries. That's why they flew hijacked airplanes into them - it wasn't just because they were tall buildings with Americans in them.

Hey I totally hear you. I haven't been completely thrilled with some of the things this congress and president have done, but they have moved us in the right direction for the most part. I would like for them to do much, much more and stop all this compromise which only makes for getting a lukewarm resolution to things. And the housing market just keeps failing big time, which is killing us. They bailed out the banks and the banks were supposed to be making loans but they aren't. Until things loosen up there and they unclench their tight little fists from around all the money, we aren't going to realize improvement in the economy. People are personally hurting and that's why they'll be voting Repubican. Unfortunately getting more Republicans in control is not the answer - we know that things can sure be worse. But Dems have got to do a better job of educating the voters about what they're planning to do and what they've already done.

sagreenia, I didn't read your post until after I wrote mine, above. I didn't mean anything I said as a slam toward conservatives - especially those who are now Independants. In fact, I respect someone like you who has real experience and intelligence about this whole mess. I also believe that many Americans know what you're saying is true but we are controlled by the extremely wealthy who control congress. But their P.R. campaigns are falling on deaf ears these days. We know what is going on because we live it everyday. They don't.

What many middle class Americans who have conservative values just don't seem to understand is that the very wealthy have control of their party and the middle class is simply a means to an end for them - the end being a means to increase their wealth, not middle class Americans' lot in life. If the very wealthy cared one whit about middle class Americans they would put them to work. That's what the Republicans have promised Americans for years and that's what they sell as a pledge when they run for office: "Vote for us. If you ensure that we control the wealth, we will take care of you... we won't make you pay more taxes and we won't take away your guns and we will value your Christian beliefs and get abortion banned." Guess what? They seriously could have done all that but not only did they not do it, they did just the opposite. So why anyone listens to them anymore and even worse, that anyone actually believes the rethoric, is a real mystery. And the Republicans who are smart enough to see through it are now claiming they are Independants. And who can blame them? Too bad it doesn't help anything for them to vote that way in the elections.

It is completely unbelievable to me that Bloomberg or anybody else would consider building a mosque at or near ground zero. That's like building a Japanese tea garden at Pearl Harbor. It's just frickin' inappropriate. Unbelievable! Simply unbelievable. I know it would appear that we are the better people because we wouldn't allow a few terrorists to cause us to discriminate against an entire religion. But for pete's sake, think of what the Koran says, what the extremist Muslims believe that they are expected to do in the name of religion. Are we stupid or have we gone nuts in our effort to convince ourselves that we are nice, forgiving people? The terrorists will have not only won on 9/11 by reducing an important part of our country to rubble, but they will resurrect a monument to that day in the name of their religion for all the world to see as long as that mosque is standing. We are complete saps if we give into that kind of political and religious pressure. And it would sufficiently depress me to the point that I'm not so sure that being an American would make me proud anymore.