buffycat

Good point American Woman. I have heard of this too amongst blacks - that many with very dark skin are discriminated against by those with lighter tones. I think it's a sad reflection of our whole society. I wonder how much the media has contributed to this.

Gee, sad to have your territory invaded? I mean, gosh it's usually you who does that so well Plus einstein, I wasn't commenting on the thread, I was commenting on your post in it. What is your fascination with skin colour anyway? You talk about it alot, who cares what colour someone's skin is - or for that matter their hair? Now, with respect to 'tanning' do you really think skin cancer is a joke? What about cataracts? WRT the topic of blondes - I think the whole fascination with them has far more to do with media hype and hollywood than really anything else. There is attractiveness and beauty in all colours and shapes, sizes and forms!

Oh yeah and those melanomas are really sexy... Not to mention the leather look later in life - yummy:o

I know I am coming in late to this thread, but I figured I'd post this article as betsy might have an interest in it. (I admit that this is one of the few times where she and I are in agreement wrt this particular vaccine) Deaths Associated with HPV Vaccine Start Rolling In, Over 3500 Adverse Affects Reported excerpt: TORONTO, September 20, 2007 (LifeSiteNews.com) - As Canada, in large part due to aggressive behind the scenes lobbying, rolls out the not-comprehensively-tested Merck HPV vaccine for girls as young as nine, a look at developments on the vaccine south of the border should cause Canadians serious concern. In the United States a similar lobby campaign by the same company launched the mass HPV vaccination of girls beginning in June last year. *snip* However the Canadian lobby effort by Merck's Canadian affiliate Merck Frosst Canada has been underway using powerful lobbyists with close connections to the politicians who have signed off on massive government funded vaccination programs. The Toronto Star recently reported that Merck Frosst Canada Ltd hired public relations giant Hill & Knowlton to push the immunization strategies using some well-connected lobbyists: Ken Boessenkool, a former senior policy adviser to Prime Minister Stephen Harper; Bob Lopinski, formerly with Premier Dalton McGuinty's office; and Jason Grier, former chief of staff to Health Minister George Smitherman. Harper's Conservative Government approved Merck's HPV vaccine Gardasil in July and later announced a $300 million program to give the vaccine to girls from ages 9-13. That of course is only the beginning of what Merck likely hopes will be a much larger vaccination of all potentially sexually active women in Canada who are not already HPV infected. In August, McGuinty's Ontario Liberals, on the advice of his Health Minister George Smitherman, announced that all Grade 8 girls will have free access to Gardasil. One of the major complaints by physicians is that the HPV vaccination program has been implemented before adequate testing has been completed. Long-term effects of the vaccine remain unknown. Many are asking why the seemingly reckless rush? At least one answer to that question comes from the fact that Merck currently is the sole provider of an HPV vaccine with its Gardasil product. A competing HPV vaccine, Glaxo Smith Kline's Cervarix, is set to hit the market in January 2008. As more children are vaccinated with Gardasil, fewer will be able to later receive the necessary repeat boosters of a competing, incompatible vaccine. Merck is in a race to capture as much of the market as it can, consuming many millions of taxpayer dollars. **** As usual with these pharmaceutical corporations - it's the $$$$ that is the motivating factor - NOT the health of it's consumers. If I had a daughter there is NO way I would allow her to get this untested, and seemingly ineffective and dangerous vaccine. No way.

Indeed he just did it to me in another thread!!! You are right!

Another informative post by M.Dancer... Ummm at the top of what? As far as I can see you have well over 4,400 posts - in about a year...I think it's you who is more concerned with quantities. How's the spinning going? edited to add: LMFAO!! OK! Dancer as of 4:03 you have posted 48 times here today!! I've been off work today and posted a whopping 18 times (probably a record for me!) Man are you ever full of it! :lol:

I imagine alot of engineers have been raped beaten and killed - seeing that the women in Iraq predominated the engineering classes in the unis they had before the US/UK destroyed everything. As for how many Iranian female engineers have raped, beaten or killed - you'd have to ask them - surely not as many as in Iraq. Heck the US even goes for underage (pre-engineer?!) in Iraq, as the case of 14 year old girl and her family. Plus I think it's kind of different when it's nationals doing it to other nationals (as in rape in the US by Americans - or rape in Iran by Iranians) than when it's an illegally occupying force doing it to the native population.

I like you!! I'd vote for Ron in a New York minute - if only I could!! He is blowing most of the others out of the water in the straw polls. I like his idea of NON interventionism - bring the troops home - take care of America - she needs help and love right now!! Thank you for your civil and kind answer moderateamerican!

Well, truth be told - all our leaders have the ability to do that, it's just that it might be easier for those in theocratic regimes! Personally, I have a hard time with all the rhetoric - from ALL sides. About the only 'politician' I can abide these days is Ron Paul - I wish Canada had an equivalent!! I really think he's the cat's meow!! Great Constitutionalist, Great American, and gosh - he actually answers questions!!! Curious as to your thoughts on him - I know you and I agree on the gun issue and I've seen a few of your posts where I have thought: RIGHT ON!!

Borg - things aren't a simple as you make them out to be. Sorry, but that is the truth. I think you need to read a little more and try and see BOTH sides of the fence. A good starting place is the link I provided above, though I'll link it again here: B'TSelem There are nasty folks on both sides of this tragedy - please try to educate yourself a little bit more about the situation. BTW the Palestinians have no hope in hell to drive the Israelis into the sea - and btw NO Arab ever said that - it was Ben-Gurion who said it - based on nothing. It's as bad as the 'wiped off the map' lie which is currently circulating wrt Iran's Ahmadinejad. What is occuring in Gaza is a humanitarian disaster, not to mention most likely illegal according to international law. It's called collective punishment and NO way whatsoever contributes to anything positive wrt this entire conflict.

Well, considering that Dr. Ahmadinejad is NOT a dictator (it is the supreme Ayatollah who is the 'dictator' or supreme ruler of Iran) you might want to reword what you are saying: One common thing in any speech I have ever heard by POLITICIANS is that they sell so much bullshit that I think they almost believe what they are saying. BTW did you read his whole speech? Heck at least he didn't need cue cards with the phonetic pronunciation on them like Bushie did!! edited to add link

WTF kind of post is this?? Oh nevermind - it's ScottSA!!!! To the others: B'TSelem

Uh Scott are you saying that the Israeli occupation of Palestinian lands is not illegal? You might want to check on that. But given your overwhelming amounts of falsehoods you spread like cream cheese on a bagel around here I am not surprised by your stupid comments. I used to be just as ignorant of these issues Scott, growing up in a full tilt Zionist household where Israel could never do wrong. I feared the Muslim just as you do now (yes YOU do fear them - hence the intense hatred). Then I began to ask questions, my own questions. I sought answers to what I found so difficult to rectify and since have learned a great deal. Maybe one day you will too - though I won't hold my breath - since at 48 years of age it should of happened already. Want to read a nice story? This is a piece about Sukkot - very moving: COMBAT IGNORANCE AND DWELL IN PEACE image Keep your hatred and vitriole to yourself. Argue merit, facts and not the bigottry you constantly espouse.

For those of you who actually like to read what people say instead of relying on bumper-sticker sound bites from the media shills here is a transcript of Ahmadinejad's UN address: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6107339 excerpt: Resolution of contemporary human crises lies in observing ethics and spirituality and the governance of righteous people of high competence and piety. Should respect for the rights of human beings become the predominant objective, then injustice, ill-temperament, aggression and war will fade away. Human beings are all God's creatures and are all endowed with dignity and respect. No one has superiority over others. No individual or states can arrogate to themselves special privileges, nor can they disregard the rights of others and, through influence and pressure, position themselves as the "international community". Citizens of Asia, Africa, Europe and America are all equal. Over 6 billion inhabitants of the earth are all equal and worthy of respect. Justice and protection of human dignity are the two pillars in maintaining sustainable peace, security and tranquility in the world. ****** You can read the whole thing at the link. He makes some very good points wrt the UN (in)Security Council and Iran's pursuit of nuclear power (NOT bombs). Keep in mind also that the IAEA has NOT found any kind of evidence that there is any attempt by Iran to make nuclear weapons - none. Iran further has now said it will allow all monitoring of its fuel cycle by the IAEA reps. Again, all in all a pretty good speech from a politician.

I think you are missing the point - I don't think either the Jew or Muslim should be afforded any kind of special treatment wrt food. You are correct - he could simply refuse it. The dude is a whiner - yeah I get that - BUT what I am refering to is the double standard itself. Kosher okay - Halal bad... Otherwise I think we agree.

Yeah I saw that one... good on Florida!! NO special meals for anyone - or special allowances for all. I'm personally on the side of NO allowances for anyone - these folk are in prison afterall.

I agree - but the thing is that allowances have been made in both cases - and the only cases where it's illiciting such a virulant and hateful response is wrt Halal - not Kosher. The double standard is appaulling.

jbg do you have a foot fetish?? (response to link) Oh and Kuzadd - it's not the same when Jews are asking for Kosher, or asking for Christmas decorations to be removed...!!

You can't resist being 'cute' with your rudeness can you - making up for the lack of something else I imagine... I said if it is a medical concern - read medical NOT mental - then fine certain cases can be dealt with - not the same as vanity Kimmy. I am quite sure you do! Ahhh your fascination for Sesame Street again huh? Watch alot of it when you were small? Still watch it Kimmy? I think it's pretty clear by what others have said - if they - the breasts - are severly abnormal then obviously that qualifies as a medical need - not vanity. Sheesh.... BTW who is your favorite sesame street character? Enquiring minds DO want to know....

I'd love to know why the difference in reactions to the serving of Kosher meals and the serving of Halal meals. As no one seemed to say anything when the suits and court cases come up wrt observing strict Jewish dietary laws. Seems to me that old double standard has raised it's ugly head again around here.... Mmmmmmm FEEL the hate..... :angry: edited to add: This kind of reminds me of the faith school funding divide - you either fund them all or none of them - in this case you either provide both Halal and Kosher - or you provide NONE. Pretty simple IMO.

Again nothing but nonsense from White Doors who will never admit that certain Israeli administrations have not been too nice (understatement). Of course Israel could wipe the Palestinians off the map - or into the 'sea' (sort of like what they are doing in Gaza currently) - but even Israel with her big brother the US couldn't survive that PR nightmare. As far as the occupied territories being bufferzones - excuse me but they ARE NOT Israel's lands - she is ILLEGALLY OCCUPYING THEM!! Learn some friggin' history to add to your version of reality White Doors. As far as fake countries go I think that Israel takes the cake - where would she be if she wasn't dependent on the US for over 3.5 billion $$ a year? Hmmm? She is albeit a reality - but she could have made it a far more peaceful reality and a far more just reality - for both Israeli Jews and Arabs (including Christians - who are practically non-existant since they've been so nicely ethnically cleansed - and Muslims (oh they aren't people according to you). Time to learn a little more history White Doors - may I suggest you read some Ilan Pappe, Raul Hillberg, or any other of the many brave Israeli historians who most likely know alot more than you do - or ever will. Or you could simply start by reading sites such as B'TSelem - oh but I suppose those Israelis who work for real peace with their Palestinian brothers and sisters are just self haters to you eh> Pffft...

Holy crap kimmy, do you always feel the need to be insulting? sheesh - grow up. Now, wrt someone whose condition is SO bad that she 'thinks' bigger tits will help her - NEWSFLASH - her problem ain't her boobs - and I for one have NO interest in paying for some whiner's self indulgence. If she wants bigger titties - let HER (or her partner) pay. There - simple enough for you? Apparantly Sesame Street is beyond ya! Oh and BACK at you with the rudeness - ya like it? Probably not - so refrain from doing it to others okay "kimmy"?

Bahahahahahah!! You want me to take you seriously and you don't even KNOW his name?!!! ROFLMFAO!!! :lol: Believe me Betsy (see I know names!!) I don't need Ahmadinejad to plant seeds of skepticism wrt our government leaders!!! Thanks for the laugh!!

Here's another good article about the situation in Gaza, this one is from the Guardian: Live behing the Wire And the world sits silently by...

The War on Gaza's Children excerpt: t is a violation of international law to collectively punish more than a million people for something they did not do. According to the Geneva Convention, to which it is a signatory, Israel actually has the obligation to ensure the well-being of the people on whom it has chosen to impose a military occupation for more than four decades. Instead, it has shrugged off the law. It has ignored the repeated demands of the U.N. Security Council. It has dismissed the International Court of Justice in the Hague. What John Dugard, the U.N.'s special rapporteur on human rights in the occupied territories, refers to as the "carefully managed" strangulation of Gaza -- in full view of an uncaring world -- is explicitly part of its strategy. "The idea," said Dov Weisglass, an Israeli government advisor, "is to put the Palestinians on a diet, but not make them die of hunger." *** Indeed - in fact the more of these poor children who die, the more 'hatred' towards all Israelis is fueled - and the worse it all becomes. What Israel is doing to the innocents in Gaza is a war crime, a crime against humanity and an outright disgrace to all those Israelis who do NOT adhere to the tough right wing stance of the Likud party.