I don't really get how we measure the value of someone's life in this country, because it really seems to be a sliding scale to me. If a drug was associated with 32 deaths I don't think we'd ban it or take it off the market.

On the other hand, I can see how the gruesome death of an infant would be shocking enough to seem to merit some response.

The difference is, the drop sides are NOT a necessity to the structure of a crib. I don't know what the rule is on drug safety, but it would probably depend on how badly the drug is needed and how many people are going to be taking it.

So the risk would be calculated by how many cribs would be sold and used--and then passed on.

Drop sides are convenient, yeah, but are not vital enough to risk a child's life.

Oh, I don't know. This one was kind of fun:

GREAT. First BIG GOVERNMENT is FORCING us to buy health insurance, and now BIG GOVERNMENT is telling us what kind of CRIBS we can put our own children in?

Welcome to the United COMMUNIST States of America, comrade! All Hail our MARXIST COMMUNIST KENYAN King Obama!!!!!!

Also the guy who is apparently seriously suggesting that instead of standards and regulations and shit, the government should just label eggs as more or less likely to carry salmonella, and then consumers could MAKE THEIR CHOICE.

So the risk would be calculated by how many cribs would be sold and used--and then passed on.

I'm not very good at conceptualizing math, but is the calculation based on the number of units sold? So 32 deaths out of X number of drop side cribs sold/used?

Feh. I can't wrap my brain around how one calculates risk with any accuracy. Which is why your DH and billytea are the actuaries, not me.

Welcome to the United COMMUNIST States of America, comrade! All Hail our MARXIST COMMUNIST KENYAN King Obama!!!!!!

You know those communists. Always forcing people to buy stuff.

If I want to put my kid in a crate made out of razor wire, I won't let the COMMUNIST government stop me, that's for DAMN SURE.

I'd guess that most public proposals are happening after the couple in question has had several "we should get married someday" conversations to the point where the actual asking is a formality, in which case peer pressure doesn't apply.

I'd hope, that in 2010, ANY proposal happens after the couple in question has had several "we should get married someday" conversations to the point where the actual asking is a formality, in which case peer pressure doesn't apply.

I certainly wouldn't want a public proposal. But I'm sure there are ladies out there, possibly with some narcissism in 'em, who wouldn't mind.

MeOW!

I've seen couples get enaged at Bouncing Souls shows, baseball games, those airplane banners down the shore... generally big fat fans who've been doing these things together and really love it. It's a pretty wonderful celebration.

If my beloved hit me with one of those airplane banners down the shore while we were there with our friends and family having a great weekend in the sun that would be AMAZING... because I love not much more than being down the shore with my friends and family.

Heh. I think half my family has gotten engaged down the shore in one way or another.

ok, errands run. mac is home with a playdate and I need to use this time effectively. I seem unable to do that without writing things out.

Things that needs doing:

dishes - half done
put away Christmas storage boxes - half done
set up printer
so I can...print out forms for insurance claims
and print out annual report
but first....write annual report
knit on mom's gift
move file cabinet from front room to back
wrap presents
take pics of things to list on ebay and craigslist
so I can...list things on ebay and craigslist
enter receipts into mint

there is probably more.

I kind of like this idea as an alternative to drop-side cribs [link] , especially since I know from babysitting experience that I have trouble putting a small baby into a regular crib, even one that does have a drop side, without hurting my shoulder, but I'm puzzled about why they have that top rail over the doors. The woman in the picture on that site looks like she'll have to go through a bunch of contortions to duck under the rail to get out of that position, and the little girl in the next picture could pretty easily hit her head on it.

WHY WILL NO ONE HELP ME TODAY?

ok, I am going to clear the shelves and put out more decorations.