RB

I wonder what would qualify as a "happily married couple" would be in your opinion. The word "marriage" alone connotes false expectations, that people are blissful and happy. Sorry, to let you know also that LOVE is the obsessive delusion that is cured by marriage. Look, I mean if you say to someone "I am married" the imagery carried of being married amounts to: promises, morals, rights of partners, legal agreements, obligation to one person, children, customs, duties, limits, off-limits, hands-off, curtailed conversations, invisible boundaries, questions, are you happy?, pause, and disillusion. What I mean is since greater than 1/2 of those who marry is divorcing it tells me that marriage is not a happy state but indeed a stressful life that is emotionally charged. Happiness is a proverbial good fortune, and in marriage it is illusive. Folks that are independent and mature and entering into marriage tend to have more lasting relationship, and the noticeable trend is that that maturity age is somewhere in the thirties to start. Both of the partners have a career and are financially secure. Means when the women are less attractive and appealing to the eye and the males ditch them, they can cope with the related child care burdens. It also now occurred to me that (whereas money is the prime motivator to keep women engaged in even a loveless relation) perhaps the female abundance of money might not be enough to keep the males secure in the marriage and now I can pointly borrow the phase from the above post "Men are dullards" and reinforce the shallowness of their thinking. I attribute the failure to marriage to a reason that people are not prepared to invest their energies, money and time into understanding each other. I mean look at how much time is spent making arrangements for the wedding day, the big preparation, the finance involve, the public announcement, the anticipation, a wonder and this event is only one day. People deciding to get married should allot the same amounts of energy they put into the big preparation of the celebration of that ONE big day, ONE big night, but also have it translate into their entire lifetime. How about celebration all your life, contented with the little you have and simply feeling free, that is happiness in my mind.

well we should take note that a man's salary will keep increasing after the divorce. however the woman's household income (especially since some of you believe it is the woman's choice to be maids of the house) is decreased by 50% and their poverty rates rises from 16% to 43% after the divorce. but i agree that the court system is bias towards men. it empowers women to fight for support payments, and other material wealth including not paying support payments herself. and it presumes that men main concern in custody is to save their wealth and custody is more about money for men. but also i wanted to point out that men are culturalize to have the women take care of the children. even when the custody is given to the mother, men seem only to have a relation with the child oppose to nurturing i have simple logic with this divorce issue for women, if you could not financially support a child by yourself (even when you blinded by love married to the a fairytale) - you are not ready for children. next i say to women you should never be dependent on men for finances otherwise you know you are not doing well. men should exist only to entertain us women.

In defence of women: On earning Women usually forgo their potential earning power to be a stay at home mom. In the meantime their spouses enabled by their women, continue a climb to status and increase their earning power. This is called sacrifice from women, the romantic souls they are, to make these brave decisions to support their mates in hopes that their happy endings is real. The other point is cheeky because it sounds like some women do marry for a particular lifestyle, and after the divorce, and now with additions as kids it is expected that reasonable lifestyle is maintained because the expectation was that the lady will glow in "future" wealth. But, it is real. Next there is at least a 5 year difference in ages between the spouses, and the males being the older of the two use this advantage to keep women in a subordinate position. I believe there is much less freedom to continue probably with education to stay up-to-date with employable skills. end Next Issue Fathers with custody are much better off financially than the poverty stricken mother with custody. Over 40% of custodial mothers in poverty. Single mothers who have never married did not sacrifice to make a male live better off for 20 years and hence do not go through the pains of separation, feelings of failing and loss. Next I don't know why women idealise the males that much only ruin their lives in the end. They are to be blame, because women can certainly control their own destiny...financially. They need to operate independent of men, and have a career, and education, something to fall back if 50% of marriages are going to end in a divorce. Beats me why they have to fight for an extra 50$ per month - I guess misery do love company. Because of this reason I am incline to say men are punished many times (it is tragic) over in the custody battles and support payments.

In this instance is means that a majority of fathers are affected and will affect their lives financially no? Divorce dads are losers

What is this These are our boosts: - Toronto is the largest city in Canada - Financial capital of Canada - Toronto's economy is 8th in the world with a GDP comparable to other global metropolises - we have CN tower, tallest free standing building in the world, a modern wonder - we have Niagara Falls - we have Yonge Street longest street in the world - we have little Italy, little India, little Portugal, 3 Chinatowns, Greek town - we have Church Street - gay parade - largest university in Canada found in UofT - Frederick Banting - 1923 Nobel Prize in Medicine - John Charles Polanyi - 1986 Nobel Prize in Chemistry - Glenn Gould - pianist - we have the best hospital in the world - Sick Kids - we are the entertainment district, and fashion leaders for Canada - be gracious, we expect you to leave us 15% gratitude - NO Smoking - Toronto is a meeting place for all Ok that's it plus I live here!!

I guess you are addressing myself? (esp. women) I think there is a compromise with the professional and personal lives and striking the right balance to make it work is challenging. What I mean is there is always trade offs and cost burden of what you obviously or implicitly intend to give up in order to get some bits of benefits. So, in general most professional women their personal lives "suck". It’s a very funny thing about life; if you refuse to accept anything but the best, you very often get it (William Somerset )

I can only agree with Rue. Society nor the government owes no person their individual peace of mind and happiness. You really need to get a job to get out of your despair and live a comfortable, and dependant free life. So if you are in Toronto you can pm me and I will support you in finding even a general opportunity until you can get yourself together and find better opportunities (by yourself) that suit your skills, competencies and abilities. The offer expires by the end of July as I am going to be too busy with work and school. There are lots of good folks around here, if you have a direction, you ask the right questions, you get to make those small steps that results in big changes for you.

we spend more than millions of tax dollars looking after other third world nations - you'd prefer we put Canadians to face the danger line, and probably killed while we feed, cloth and house others?

this emergency contraception had doubled since a prescription is no longer necessary - certainly welcome, with a 95% effective rate of prevention of unwanted pregnancy I think it forces people take responsibility for their wanton behaviours

This is of course BS. Women would like to enter into politics by the numbers. There is something standing in their way and is called the boys club. Women don't bother with the equal chance theory because their chances are slim and the equal has a favorite side. The merit - even when you put the man and woman to equivalent jobs and the women is more qualified, and performance is more they are not rewarded as handsomely as the men. I mean why do you think women are on the list of disadvantage groups, hint its not because they aren't capable

It is of course a sad experience for all those immigrants who show up for a better life in Canada. And I do believe even living as the "underclass" is a better life than where they came from. First, they don't strive for a better like learn the culture and integrate, but also they can access the social safety nets, while they remain connected to their roots. That is part of their first demise. Next there is the effect of this reluctance of the immigrant not wanting to be "Canadian" and for jobs I am sorry to say that the employer hiring purpose support a social good, rather than productivity. the poverty rate for immigrants is 52.1 per cent, while that of people born in Canada remained unchanged at around 20 per cent according to the report I mean why not encourage population grow in Canada

I agree that more women should access the parliament and in high numbers, women out number men:women ratio at 45:55 and yet women barely exist as voices in politics. We cannot continue to allow men to make all decisions for woman, something is not right we are the majority of the population.

well, its just irrational to be provoked to an extent of resorting to violence about silliness really, and especially when used in a pejorative sense. Zidane did not apologise for the headbutt attack revenge, and is probably convinced his action is justified, but is sorry that children had to watch this experience. Notwithstanding, this Zidane chap also has a history of taunting other players. But what I wanted to follow-up with is that it is usually males trashing other males mother, sister, and grandmothers, that results in fights and most of the insults makes no sense because the truth is there is hardly any truth in the insult. So I find it ridiculously laughable when I hear of these insults I think perhaps males cannot relate to the female decency and their "honor" A reason being that males might benchmark the females based on their own promiscuous behaviour and it is natural therefore to defend their own immoral ways which they internalise as honor for women. so now that's a very big burden to preserve for all men Look, females trashing females mothers, sisters, etc. are not taken seriously, and does not result in headbutt fights. Why? because they don't have a manhood to protect.

I can never understand why men take offense and are easily provoked on expletives of one’s mother. Can someone explain this? furbo? Is it to do with being “shamed” or is it that the language is much coarser than they realize and that they feel obligated to retaliate Men do stupid things in the name of honor and dignity to protect their mother, sisters etc. and are incapable of logical thinking

The best game I watched and not even the teams I was rooting for: Italy v Germany For Zidane to lose his cool something harsh must have been said. Zidane behaviour is intolerable and inexcusable and is not one of a captain. But, I understand some words in the nature of terrorist was used. Well, I don't believe you can fight the current culture of dislike for certain assigned groups. Whether they are good or bad, they fit within an invisible boundary. I mean with so much tensions of terrorist (alludes to Muslims currently) and terrorism (meaning destruction) good people wanting to be separated from the same is proving to be very difficult, never mind you are a soccer star. You see the underlying subtle hostility in the interplay, even if it is a casual comment, people are singled out as targets is surreal. He is of Algerian decent.

Yep I can see that. So, I won't miss the game Sunday and will pick France to win. I was watching a news report the other day, what I didn't realise is that the how BIG this football is ... really a fever and has worldwide cheers, just pick a team. It is great to see nations all over bond in a common sport.

Well, of course I do have thoughts on this issue. Ordinarily, and at first glance as a women this disappearance of the periods is breaking new grounds for women indeed. Hopefully, the PMS symptoms goes, the headache excuses goes, expense of feminine hygiene products goes, curtailed the unwanted pregnancies and the business of wanting more sex for the ladies is received well. But, I would like really readdress this issue in a different context as I was reading the article and my other initial reaction: 1) The period would bridge the gap between the younger women and older women. I mean the article points out older women look forward to not having a period but I believe that if all women were not having periods then it would place the ages in adjacent groups. This would mean new possibilities for all women. For example, older women would now cast their eyes upon younger mates. 2) The issue of continually transformation of the female while the male remain of less scrutiny. I mean over the years we acquired the women's lib and lots of freedoms, and have undergone several decades of changes while men it seems continue to own just one pair of sneakers and suit - I mean men have remain the same since....history. 3) Perhaps women are making dumb choice for themselves by channelling their energies towards independence. I mean for women, males can never be counted upon for commitments, or support but at the same time the lack of period could provide some appeal to pressure men for the same commitment. I am thinking to take the household duties notion away and replace it with sex everyday. What I mean is that if independent is a seen as a threat then women can mitigate being constantly beautiful for men all year around. The period still remain tabooed as "unclean" no? 4) Women have always had this quest for intimacy with the males, so I suspect the lack of period might contribute to some resolve but also add to the male fantasy. I mean the males now would have to be "stepped up" because there would be increase expectations from the female. Yes? Well, it is all thought provoking.

Provided by: Canadian Press Written by: ELIANNA LEV VANCOUVER (CP) - Life without monthly periods has always been one of the few things women look forward to as they grow old - but thanks to a new birth control pill, Canadian women of all ages may soon be able to stop menstruating. Obstetricians, gynecologists and researchers gathered in Vancouver on Saturday to hear discussion about Anya, an oral contraceptive being manufactured by pharmaceutical giant Wyeth. The pill is taken continually and without the seven-day gap other birth control pills leave for menstruation. And while it has yet to be approved by Health Canada, demand for the pill could be high judging by the results of recent informal surveys. Four out of five women who took part in a poll while visiting the Museum of Menstruation in Maryland said if they could choose to stop having monthly periods, they would. more......

Amero is not a desirable name sounds Spanish, but merging of the currency of US and Canada would actually grow the Canadian economy. Alternative is to invest and grow your military. Look everyone is selling the same thing now and in simple terms all we want is market share and to steer our interest. Both economies are already homogeneous, and once merge, productivity will increase, trade will result and income will keep rising. That's how we can manage to maintain a high standard of living Even though our dollar is currently high, Canada's economic policy is still constrain by the more powerful US control and Euro influence and if we continue to stand alone we will be dominated and treated as smaller circular economies. Contrary, the Euro is very powerful now with a huge trading bloc, I mean the countries that was absorbed were more or less historically and culturally linked. There are going to be able to hold their own with the steady rise of the Asian markets while decimating the poorer countries. My thinking is you choose reality to become competitive and a player as following suite with Euro or accept that you will have a lower standard of living I mean looking at the numbers below if you add Canada and US, it is higher than the European Union. The European Union and a US Canada Union controls half the world economy. yes? Rank Country GDP — World economy 44,433,002 — European Union 13,446,050 1 United States 12,485,725 2 Japan 4,571,314 3 Germany 2,797,343 4 People's Republic of China 1 2,224,811 5 United Kingdom 2,201,473 6 France 2,105,864 7 Italy 1,766,160 8 Canada 1,130,208 9 Spain 1,126,565 10 South Korea 793,070 11 Brazil 792,683 12 India 775,410 13 Mexico 768,437 14 Russia 766,180 15 Australia 707,992 16 Netherlands 625,271 17 Belgium 372,091 18 Switzerland 367,513 19 Turkey 362,461 20 Sweden 358,819 21 Republic of China 346,141 22 Saudi Arabia 307,770 23 Austria 307,036 24 Poland 300,533 25 Norway 296,017 26 Indonesia 276,004 27 Denmark 259,746 28 South Africa 239,144 29 Greece 222,878 30 Republic of Ireland 199,722 31 Iran 196,409 32 Finland 193,491 33 Portugal 183,436 34 Argentina 181,662 35 Hong Kong, PRC 177,723 36 Thailand 168,774 37 United Arab Emirates 133,768 38 Venezuela 132,848 39 Malaysia 130,796 40 Czech Republic 123,603

gosh, those flags are irritating, its overdone, how many flags should we allow per car?

No kidding!! this is some streak of luck for all my teams and thank goodness i am not into betting yet but I will watch reluctantly Italy v. Germany tomorrow - what can I can say except that I really love my sports

how disappointing!! and sorrowful I have no teams to root for now I have stopped watching football

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yep, I saw that on the news about 5pm, anyway I am going to look forward for the England:Brazil game

As for the Cup, you gotta like Germany. Brazil hasn't looked good, but could take it up a notch. Argentina has looked strong as well. England, as usual, is primed for a fall. nope, looks like germany is going to lose @ 58 mins germany:argentina 0:1