Yeah, I have to say, it seems like the problem here is mainly that the nurse could not keep her judgements to herself and that the son needed to knock. I mean, really? You don't knock when you walk into your dad's room? What kind of a dick are you? My husband's grandmother's home had signs that said, very specifically, to knock. It's just respectful. Probably if he had, the issues would have been much easier to navigate.

And, yes, that sounds simplistic, but if he's... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by Medieval Maven at 10:27 AM on June 11, 2008

saw this yesterday and thought it was cool then. I think the best thing is that she details all the various states . . . I know for some girls it's really freaky "downtown" and just being able to find out that yes, that business that you just saw there, that's normal, would be great.
posted to MetaFilter by Medieval Maven at 4:04 PM on June 5, 2008

Was that filly that got killed (put to sleep) at the Kentucky Derby an example of cruelty?

No. She had catastrophic fractures to both her front legs and as such had a zero percent chance of survival. Horses need at least three legs to have any chance, and that's even dodgy. Whatever happened to her before that, I don't know, but putting her to sleep was humane and correct. It would have also been humane and correct to put Barbaro down, but he had... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by Medieval Maven at 3:04 PM on May 23, 2008

ryanrs - cocks raised for fighting are raised chained to little teepees or wooden tentlike things. Where I used to live, there were lots of people with these birds in the front yard. They allow them to grow long, nasty spurs, and they train the roosters to tear the shit out of one another. Like dogs, a bird that is not mean enough will be destroyed or basically tortured until it is mean enough to fight. The birds are set upon one another, frequently in a pit, and they fight until one bird is... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by Medieval Maven at 3:26 PM on May 23, 2008

vorfeed, we are a culture of laws, and we have to decide, here in this place, what is and is not acceptable. If the Philippines wants to have legal cockfighting, and they think that's OK, fine, but I do not plan on giving them any money, for example, to carry that on. If you don't get to fight chickens or dogs, I'm pretty sure you're not going to die - but one of the dogs or chickens will, and it will be gruesome and disgusting. You get to be alive and deprived of entertainment, and the animals... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by Medieval Maven at 8:16 PM on May 23, 2008

vorfeed, my point about where I grew up is that I have first hand knowledge of these practices, and I do not know if you do. But I think that if you did, your crying about the low people on the, yes, organized crime because it is illegal, totem pole here in the US would be greatly decreased if you actually give a crap about the humane treatment of animals. If you have not witnessed this practice, as it is done in the US (because I have no knowledge of how it's done elsewhere), then you need to... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by Medieval Maven at 7:33 AM on May 24, 2008

so let me get this straight - the only way the supposed masses in this case have to make money is cock or dog fighting? I kind of doubt that. And by kind of, I mean, I really, really do doubt that. There are a lot of legitimate ways to make money that do not involve maiming or killing or ruining for any other conceivable purpose a dog or a rooster. The dog and the rooster have no choice; the humans do. Just because it's A way to make money does not mean it's the only way to make money.
posted to MetaFilter by Medieval Maven at 10:32 AM on May 24, 2008

Well, since a lot of students from low-income families are often working at least a part-time job to supplement income at home, if you pay them to go to school it might just allow them to get through school and still meet those obligations at home. If they are able to complete their education, these kids might even be able to break the cycle of poverty. If you listen to the story, they mention a couple cases like that - a kid who took his math teacher to his afterschool job to beg the manager to... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by Medieval Maven at 6:16 AM on April 22, 2008

In many families in the upper-middle class, there are already monetary and gift incentives for studying and grades.

Exactly. "If you do well in school, then you don't have to have a job to pay for the things you want, within reason." "For every A on your report card, we will give you $10." Let's not pretend that upper class families don't already pay their kids to do well in school. It's just not nice when someone pulls the... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by Medieval Maven at 8:01 AM on April 22, 2008

45moore45 has it right. Whatever you think of Obama we sure as shit don't need another four years of Republicans, and Nader won't win. QED. Maybe he could elevate the discussion by doing what he did well at one time - advocating for consumers, rather than this self-aggrandizing crap.
posted to MetaFilter by Medieval Maven at 8:19 AM on February 24, 2008

@Rykey - actually, I think the conservatives have such an unreasoning hatred of Hillary that her nom would get McCain in - people who hate her would be motivated to hold their collective noses and vote for McCain. Have you seen the "STOP HILLARY NOW!" billboards? If not you are lucky to live somewhere quite liberal. Barack on the other hand is at least a bit of an enigma, and ostensibly harder to attack. And, I don't know, people seem to like him, just a little.
posted to MetaFilter by Medieval Maven at 8:37 AM on February 24, 2008

@Rykey - you miss my point. People who do not like McCain (and who are already Republicans) are more likely to just stay home against Obama (unless of course they are OMG RACISTS which I think you are over-blowing), whereas against Clinton, they will come out and vote AGAINST HER which is the same this as FOR MCCAIN in this instance.
posted to MetaFilter by Medieval Maven at 10:06 AM on February 24, 2008

We need to help elect some right-wing christian fundamentalist facists who will rob this country blind while running it completely into the ground. No pain, no gain. No fear, no compromise. We've got to burn this country to save it.

All due respect, but you are out of your fucking mind. We have to live through this, and I am not planning on vainly trying to elect Ralph Nader, who could thankfully do no such fucking thing as you're talking about, as... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by Medieval Maven at 5:05 PM on February 24, 2008

Justinian FTW.
posted to MetaFilter by Medieval Maven at 7:25 PM on February 24, 2008

No, Nader was not honest. I'll repeat this for truth: he purposely campaigned in swing states. In states that made the difference between the current fuckwit in the Oval Office and the possibility of Gore. QED, he is an arrogant asshole, and pretending that it's about ballot access or being in the (wah, wah, wah) debates is complete and utter bullshit. Did you read this thread or just drop in here to defend Nadar from people armed with facts?
posted to MetaFilter by Medieval Maven at 5:36 PM on February 25, 2008

Butch is a hometown boy done good, jmd82. He is, unless I am totally mistaken, from Cartersville, Ga., which is of course just north of the good old ATL. I used to love Marv3 back in the late 90's, but his projects since have not been my favorite thing ever. Then again, he's an artist, and I don't expect him to turn out the same thing over and over again. I dont know that we will buy the record, but I'm thinking about it. No one deserves to lose everything like that in a fire . . .before 99x was... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by Medieval Maven at 3:45 PM on February 15, 2008

Really cool. Good deal for the feral kittehs, and good deal for the flower markets and whereever else that can use the rodent control . . . far better than rat poison, I would think.
posted to MetaFilter by Medieval Maven at 8:06 PM on December 28, 2007

My cat freaked out. It was funny.
posted to MetaFilter by Medieval Maven at 8:41 AM on December 15, 2007

Ha! Love it. Reminds me of the Davidson Generals. As to why Africa is popular with acapella groups . . . much like Walking in Memphis, if you have a super awesome tenor, it pretty much doesn't matter what they are singing so long as it shows off your voice, and people go bananas for that song.
posted to MetaFilter by Medieval Maven at 1:26 PM on December 12, 2007

Just because the theatre is in Canton doesn't mean it's always putting on shitty productions. Hell, we are dreadedly "ITP" and I think we still do a more than serviceable job, but there are still people who won't go anywhere but Shakespeare Tavern or Dad's Garage, and view all of us out in the relative hinterland with disdain.

Community theatre is what you make it, so I personally try to refrain from slagging on these guys.
posted to MetaFilter by Medieval Maven at 3:15 PM on December 11, 2007

On the contrary, seanyboy, the way society chooses to treat the least among us, including children and animals, is the measure of our humanity. I'm from the country - grew up there - and my dad is about as hillbilly as you can get - but he doesn't allow animals to breed unchecked because it's wrong.

So don't pull that country boy shit. You don't know what you're talking about.
posted to MetaFilter by Medieval Maven at 8:01 AM on December 9, 2007

Part of the point, though, is that people generally never see the consequences of their stupid behavior. I can't take in every cat I see at the PetSmart on the weekend, even though I would if I could. My two were rescues, and when they reach the end of their long, well-loved and protected lives, we will get two more from a shelter, because it's the only way to try to right the wrongs of people who just throw away what they do not want.

Society is responsible for the... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by Medieval Maven at 10:43 AM on December 9, 2007

That's fairly disingenuous. This is not a zero sum game where you can't really hate the fate of millions of domesticated animals and eat meat. I know that I am conscious of what a disaster factory farming generally is, and so I try to buy food that I know where it comes from. I buy Organic Valley rather than Horizon. Myself and a lot of other people put a lot of effort into putting our money where our mouths are, and there is nothing morally reprehensible in doing what you can and knowing that... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by Medieval Maven at 4:30 PM on December 9, 2007

I would imagine that Charlie has a scent that is just his - especially since he lives with a human and a cat - that the cat would know to be "ok, that's my friend" as opposed to the smell of a wild coyote.
posted to MetaFilter by Medieval Maven at 12:56 PM on December 1, 2007

it's really too bad, then darth_tedious, as it's an amazing, but yes, hard to watch, story.
posted to MetaFilter by Medieval Maven at 1:50 PM on November 23, 2007

That was pretty awesome. I love how you could tell he was losing patience, and then he popped back up with what sounded to me like "¡Callate!" - but since I was expecting it, he might have used a different construction.

I couldn't catch all of what Zapatero was saying, my Spanish has gone totally out the window, but it sounded something like "Your position is contrary to all logic." Surely someone better at this could tell us.
posted to MetaFilter by Medieval Maven at 6:12 PM on November 13, 2007

.

I saw Robert Goulet play King Arthur in a touring show of Camelot when I was 12 or 13 - it was awesome. I didn't learn until later on that he'd played Lancelot as well. He had such a stage presence - I was so lucky to get discarded season tickets seats that night. Thank you, sir, for one of my fondest memories.
posted to MetaFilter by Medieval Maven at 5:54 PM on October 30, 2007

.

I met him once, in 1998 or 1999. He was nice, if odd, and he wasn't exactly well then. Godspeed.
posted to MetaFilter by Medieval Maven at 6:38 PM on September 16, 2007

just wait about fifteen seconds - we're about to be hearing about how we're all so concerned for their health. I can't say I enjoy being even a little overweight, but you know? I've learned rather recently that I can't make my choices or my preferences be a referendum on anyone else's life. I choose to try to keep my weight down, but that doesn't mean that other people aren't happy at a heavier weight. It's like the fact that I don't want to have kids is NOT a referendum on... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by Medieval Maven at 9:58 AM on June 19, 2007

Ballsy . . . I hope I'd have the guts to do the same in her shoes.
posted to MetaFilter by Medieval Maven at 7:58 PM on June 15, 2007

Neat! Although Bea Arthur might have been awesome, I loved the film as it was and Ursula was such a centerpiece.
posted to MetaFilter by Medieval Maven at 6:39 PM on June 15, 2007

Well, apparently Warren Ellis thinks it's bullshit. And really, it is. If your "Abuse" area is only smart enough to read the word "incest" and then hit a delete key, then I think it's possible you need a better set of employees or a policy that is not, frankly, fucking stupid.
posted to MetaFilter by Medieval Maven at 7:46 PM on May 30, 2007

They have reinstated a lot of the journals.
posted to MetaFilter by Medieval Maven at 2:12 PM on May 31, 2007

I think it's easier to have a stable marriage when you already have money, or you have a reasonable assumption that you will have more money in the future (upwardly mobile professionals). It's also easier to be married when you have had the opportunity to develop more/better skills in this area by having more/better examples - eventually it's self-perpetuating. No one you know is married, your mom might have been but that ended badly, so on so forth. At least for middle class people, more of us... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by Medieval Maven at 9:40 AM on May 25, 2007

think what sociologists term SES (socioeconomic status) is relevant, perhaps in the context of self-perpetuating-ness . . . There are cultural attitudes that come along with status & education that affect perceptions on relationships, contraception, dating, marriage, familial support networks...

My own personal observation of poor people where I grew up confirms this. I have a buddy who does mental health care for the state of Tennessee in the area around... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by Medieval Maven at 10:04 AM on May 25, 2007

Not to derail the . . whatever is going on here -- but my question would really be about the NYT article's statement that vegan breastmilk may be deficient. Doctor in the house? Someone who has access to actual medical data? Because, all the vegan jokes aside, I think this is actually pretty fascinating.
posted to MetaFilter by Medieval Maven at 9:31 AM on May 21, 2007

"White trash" is, as far as I know, a term used in the South to differentiate between white people with money & power and those white people without money and power. Like, sharecroppers, say. Black people who were slaves, or later even in the employ of wealthier white people, could and did look down upon "white trash" and were, so far as I know, considered to be slightly above those whites in the pile of social standing near the bottom. Which partially explains why poor... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by Medieval Maven at 11:41 AM on May 19, 2007

I've always thought Jackie Robinson's story was incredibly inspiring. As a kid, I was lucky enough to have a monthly subscription to the Value Books - Jackie Robinson was assigned the Value of Courage. I'm pretty sure those are completely out of print, but there's a really great kids' book out right now called "Dad, Jackie, and Me." Things may not be as good now as they could be, but I love that MLB is doing the #42 comeback, and that Jackie Robinson continues to live in the cultural... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by Medieval Maven at 4:31 AM on April 10, 2007

My college did not have sororities, but rather "women's eating houses" and they were just as fucked up. I do not at all understand why people want to be in these things. I helped start a co-ed "eating house" and I was way more comfortable with a group of people who were deeper than a birdbath and also of either sex. Of course, our school had "self-selection," which meant that you put on a list 1-through-whatever the house that you wanted to join and then there was a... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by Medieval Maven at 9:07 PM on February 24, 2007

Yeah, it's a double. The Ben Bridges part anyway.
posted to MetaFilter by Medieval Maven at 9:01 AM on February 20, 2007

Arugh. Mispasted. THIS is the doubled post.
posted to MetaFilter by Medieval Maven at 9:02 AM on February 20, 2007

No kidding.

I swear to GOD I did the HTML myself the second time and it still rerouted to this page instead. It was a post a few days ago by grabbingsand.

I will now excuse myself to where all the Very Ashamed Mefites go. Wherever that is.
posted to MetaFilter by Medieval Maven at 9:08 AM on February 20, 2007

I think it has something to do with intent -- these guys intended to enter a chat room, find an underage person, solicit them for sex, and then follow through. Doesn't matter matter if you're talking to an Eliza-like bot or a 65 year old man.

Slightly on topic: I went to college with Del Harvey. But she didn't go by that name at that time.
posted to MetaFilter by Medieval Maven at 9:02 PM on February 10, 2007

"non-existent victims"? Give me a fucking break, man. These men enter chat rooms, show intent to solicit a minor for sexual acts, and then follow through on it. When P-J catches them, these guys are at what they believe to be the minor's residence (usually), and they are there with the intention of having sex with a minor.

I don't know, maybe having been a stupid prepubescent female I can identify a little better, but for crissakes, I... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by Medieval Maven at 9:38 PM on February 10, 2007

PJ was doing this before Dateline got involved. Do I agree with the public shaming portion of it? The airing of these guys on TV? I don't know. I don't know how different that is than including their names, faces, and google-mapped locations in state databases. I'm not so sure I see the fine line there. I would suppose, although I do not claim to know, that the footage is not shown until after these guys have been tried and convicted. I would imagine that showing it beforehand might make... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by Medieval Maven at 9:13 AM on February 11, 2007

I, for one, like Obama and I think that given the chance he could do a good job. But I'm not going to sit back and fling poo at whomever gets the nom because 4 more years of Republicans is too dismal to contemplate.

And I'm from the South. I would vote for him in a heartbeat.
posted to MetaFilter by Medieval Maven at 11:42 AM on February 10, 2007

Amen to that, Snyder.
posted to MetaFilter by Medieval Maven at 2:29 PM on February 10, 2007

I think making them put their money where their mouth is will work. Because right now they get to hide behind the "it's for the children" argument, except that they've gone and literally made it about whether or not people can have kids. When you strip away all of that "for the children" bullshit and make the ugly, twisted soul of a bigot visible, it's a little easier to get things set right for people who are being deprived of their rights.
posted to MetaFilter by Medieval Maven at 10:59 AM on February 4, 2007

hamfisted, the real reason I found out about this was that my friend works for the American publishing house that imports his books. They are going to continue importing his titles and so they will be available to American kids. I'm assuming that whatever Canadian house has his books will continue to do the same. It's just such a shame. His work was really amazing.
posted to MetaFilter by Medieval Maven at 8:45 AM on January 12, 2007

" . . . but so would amputating all of her limbs."

No, it wouldn't. These procedures specifically enable the family to continue to include her in family activities -- they're really specific about that -- and increase her comfort. Removing her limbs would not make her comfortable -- it would probably be very uncomfortable to suddenly not have one's legs -- nor would it increase her ability to interact with her family -- it would decrease it,... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by Medieval Maven at 7:10 PM on January 3, 2007