So would I, but there is definitely a part of our society who believes health insurance and health care is something you work for and don't just get. That segment tends to get really angry about having to fund other people's "free stuff." These are also, generally, privileged people who have been very lucky and have had jobs, money, and health insurance.

These folks also tend to get very indignant when you say they've been "lucky"; they see themselves as having worked hard for everything they've gotten. They don't seem to see that even though they may have worked hard, the element of luck has been on their side, and many people work very very hard and never get good jobs/money/healthcare.

It's just realistically, most people can't afford insurance without an employer helping out.

Especially since, the sicker you are, the more money you must spend on your healthcare, and the more your private insurance costs.

what do you all think of saying the Pledge of Allegiance?

We said it every morning in elementary school. I seem to recall that a couple kids would stand but not say it, and no one gave them any shit over it. We used to sing after, too. I said it, but I stayed silent for the God part.

Oh, I almost forgot - YAY Perkins!!!

I vaguely remember saying the Pledge in elementary school, but not in middle or high school. I would have abstained in H.S. anyway,

Ha for hockey anthem crosspost. I do, in fact, know all the words to the Canadian national anthem too, but only in English. We don`t watch enough Montreal games to know the French one.

It will surprise no one, I am sure, that I know all the words to "O, Canada" in English and the first verse in French. Thank you, semi-pro hockey teams!!

(I will also note that the French version of "O, Canada" is more bloodthirsty than the English.)

Can someone come to my office real quick and punch Outlook in the face for me? I'd really like to be able to SEND A FUCKING EMAIL without it crashing. Thanks!

Can anyone tell me any other reason that a vice-presidential candidate's daughter would get on Dancing With the Stars if it isn't because she happened to get knocked up at age 17 during her mother's campaign?

I already work under the assumption that FOX is pushing for Palin 2012, but wow. That's pretty fucking blatant.

Dancing With the Stars doesn't need a reason. The frothy inanity of DWtS is above such petty concerns as what the "stars" are famous for.

Eta: I haven't watched it in a couple-three seasons, but Kurt Warner may get me back. That's just so bizarre.

Yay Perkins!

Yay msbelle!

Trudy, I'm right there with you. No word from NY yet, and I'm nervous. {{hugs to you}}

I admire all of you who were politically conscious enough to question saying the Pledge of Allegiance at such a young age. We said it every morning in elementary school, and I never gave it a second thought.

In eighth grade, our teacher had us say the Act of Contrition ("Oh my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I detest all my since because of Thy just punishment, etc...) before we left for the day, in case (in her words) we died on the bus on the way home, so that we wouldn't have mortal sins on our souls. I thought it was hilariously morbid and creepy, and I'm not actually sure it was entirely dogmatically sound, if you believe in all that jazz.

She's been in the news two or three times. Apparently that counts as "celebrity" now?

She's been in the news two or three times. Apparently that counts as "celebrity" now?

She was in the news for BEING A TEENAGE MOTHER!!

Hey society!! Want to decrease the number of teenage mothers? Allow birth control to be taught in public schools and STOP GLORIFYING TEENAGE PREGNANCY! (16 and Pregnant, I'm looking at you.)

I'm sorry - you'll have to leave a message. Aimee is under her desk looking for her rolled eyes.

We did that stand-and-say-the-pledge thing every morning in elementary school; I don't think it went on into jr. high but I'm not positive since I think I've blocked out most of those years.

But, I know many people who feel if you don't recite it then you're not a good American and you're not patriotic and all that vitriol

I always wonder if people like this have heard of this amazing thing called "lying." I've said the pledge many times; I've never meant it.