I value my sanity. So I avoid Ikea on wet weekends. I never visit
Lorne during schoolies and I'd rather stick a fork in my eye than sing
carols by candlelight with Ray Martin. As much as possible I try to
steer clear of places where large groups of children might congregate.
I respect a child's right to shriek, whine and throw demonic tantrums
- it's just not my soundtrack of choice. So I don't stray into their
territory and, until recently, they kept out of mine.
But all that's changing. For those of us who like our downtime child-
free the options are becoming increasingly limited. No longer can we
go to the pub after work and expect our beer to be served in an
environment free from runny noses, smelly nappies and squealing
preschoolers. Last week, in a bar with friends, our plans for a quiet
drink were scuppered by a baby that wailed so loudly it not only
drowned out the background music but made it impossible to hold a
conversation.
Again, on Friday evening, I was nearly bowled over by a group of five-
year-olds who seemed to think my local was their playground,
clambering on the bar as they compared the contents of their nasal
cavities, while their proud parents watched on..........
(snip)
61 comments follow.
Lenona.
Holy crap. There was even some breeder saying that 13-year-olds should be
tolerated at the gym because "mummy and daddy paid". Umm, ok, at my gym you
can't become a member unless you're at least 18, you can only be a guest.
Seriously, a 13-year-old guest? Yes, I was regularly working out many hours
a day as a teenager, but I was a professional ballet dancer by then. The
company had its own space for all of the "baby ballerinas" to work out in.
In retrospect, I was a hell of a lot more serious about my workouts back
then than I am now in my mid-50s. Still, it's not like I run around or talk
to anyone besides the desk person and my DH while he's on the next
eliptiziwer.
You turn up your collar and slink into the portal of the
dingy XXX-rated video joint, past the hulking, tattooed
chuckers-out and back to a hidden doorway. You knock and
whisper to the person who opens the peephole, "Joe sent me."
The door opens slightly and the doorkeeper urges you to
"Come in, quick."
You arrive in a large, clean, well-lighted room filled with
easy chairs and couches. A coffee bar dominates one end of
the room and floor-to-ceiling bookshelves fill the other.
You've just arrived in an illegal childfree coffeehouse.
--
-- Marten Kemp (Fix ISP to reply)
You can't help being ignorant 'cause there's always
something you don't know; what you can't be is stupid.
Change that to brew pup and I think I've found my retirement career!
Tom C
Martin:
Dig it. VERY well written.
--Bob
Aleks:
Oh, I'm ready to bail for Europe at the drop of a hat, particularly
over the so-called health reform bill. If I get a long term illness,
I'm moving to Sweden, goodbye America, nice to know ya, blah blah. I
was once willing to die for this country, but not anymore.
--Bob
Well, isn't that special.
> Oh, I'm ready to bail for Europe at the drop of a hat, particularly
> over the so-called health reform bill.
Take your illegal immigrants with you. you douche, your demanding
that the usa take in all the illegals who want to come here and breed
welfare rats, and you feel that you can bail out because things are
getting worse . .. . well, Booby, thing is, those nations don't want
you. And so since you feel that America is fucked up, well, I can see
why you're in favor of cholo illegals destroying the nation you want
to run from.
And that is why you should kill yourself.
> If I get a long term illness,
> I'm moving to Sweden, goodbye America, nice to know ya, blah blah.
Cepting they won't let you in, let alone treat you.
> I
> was once willing to die for this country, but not anymore.
>
> --Bob- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -
Liz:
I already have a home (not that I own) in Austria, and I'm meeting
someone from Bulgaria next week. He's a banker, a currency trader for
Morgan Stanley and he lives in Moscow. I'll need to fly to Sofia next
month. I really don't need the United States anymore. George Bush
and the Republican party already proved that to me. :-)
I'm pretty much done with the USA. You get your people on with
single payer and I might re-consider. I don't give a damn about
America anymore. You're just another country in the world market.
--Bob
--Bob
Boy, are YOU ever churlish! Loosen up.
--Bob
Funny you should mention that; I'm considering the same thing. I have
health insurance through my job (although the co-pays have gone up so
high that I can't afford half my meds, nor visits to specialists nor
my allergy shots). It's my kid brother who worries me: he has no
health insurance through his work, and has three major physical
conditions that insurance companies like to exclude as "preexisting
conditions." We recently attempted to buy him a health insurance
policy: several companies quoted us prices around $1200/month. (He's
a carpenter who makes $16.50/hr. You do the math.)
Three of our four grandparents came to the U.S. from Sweden early in
the 20th century. I have been toying with the idea of contacting the
Swedish government and asking if we can be repatriated to our
grandparents' country, since the U.S. isn't the least interested in
providing Kid Brother with anything like "affordable" (never mind
adequate) health care.
If only Sweden had a district where the weather was similar to that of
the Sonoran desert. <Sigh>
Brenda Nelson, A.A.#34
skyeyes nine at cox dot net
Sweden is getting a lot less permissive when it comes to the welfare
state and isn't as interested in letting outsiders in. the
breederscum and their welfare thugs pretty much burned that down.
> > Oh, I'm ready to bail for Europe at the drop of a hat, particularly
> > over the so-called health reform bill. =A0 If I get a long term illness,
> > I'm moving to Sweden, goodbye America, nice to know ya, blah blah. =A0I
> > was once willing to die for this country, but not anymore.
> Funny you should mention that; I'm considering the same thing. I have
> health insurance through my job (although the co-pays have gone up so
> high that I can't afford half my meds, nor visits to specialists nor
> my allergy shots). It's my kid brother who worries me: he has no
> health insurance through his work, and has three major physical
> conditions that insurance companies like to exclude as "preexisting
> conditions." We recently attempted to buy him a health insurance
> policy: several companies quoted us prices around $1200/month. (He's
> a carpenter who makes $16.50/hr. You do the math.)
>
> Three of our four grandparents came to the U.S. from Sweden early in
> the 20th century. I have been toying with the idea of contacting the
> Swedish government and asking if we can be repatriated to our
> grandparents' country, since the U.S. isn't the least interested in
> providing Kid Brother with anything like "affordable" (never mind
> adequate) health care.
One thing that prospective immigrants are likely to be asked is
whether they have medical issues that might cause them to become
a burden on the new country's public health system.
--
Get Credit Where Credit Is Due
http://www.cardreport.com/
Credit Tools, Reference, and Forum
I haven't had insurance for years. Simply can't afford it. Of course, it's
not as if I ever saw a doctor for a non-emergency anyway, even when I was
insured. I figure the best way to stay healthy is to eat low-carb, exercise
at least 45 minutes EVERY day, and avoid doctors at all costs. I do get my
teeth cleaned 3 times a year, though, because I inherited the soft,
plaque-prone Irish teeth from my mom.
Why on earth the US doesn't have single payer, totally free (funded by
taxes) like every other civilized country is beyond me. Want a "cadillac"
plan? Then buy private insurance instead of using the National Health. I'd
just like to know that if I had a heart attack I could go to the doctor.
That, however, will never happen. I've already accepted that if anything
happens to me except for a car accident (car insurance would pay) I will
have to treat it myself and if I can't then I'm dead. I simply can't afford
a huge bill. I'd rather be dead than homeless, which I would be after they
come for my house when I can't pay my bill.
Brenda:
I have no idea about Sweden's laws, but I'd be happy to put you in
touch with a friend in Sweden who might be of help. He's not
government, but he just retired as an executive from SAS Scandinavian
Airlines, so he knows all about international visas and all that
stuff.
Here's the deal: Britain and several other countries have had this
immigration law for decades about re-patriation.
(for Britain) If your grandparent came from UK to a Commonwealth
country, you may have rights to re-patriate in England. This law
mainly exists for refugees from Africa, India/Pakistan/Bangladesh, the
former Rhodesia (Zimbabwe) and the West Indies, but if you are
Canadian or Aus. or NZ, it might be worth checking it out.
I'm screwed, because my Scottish grandfather became an American
citizen and was proud of it. But if your family didn't, you may have
some rights under the British Commonwealth. France has similar laws
about Algerians and Holland has similar laws about Indonesians.
It's probably a Fat Chance, but you never know.
Don't let my remarks disappoint you or set you back.
--Bob
Sweden will still accept other nationals if they are willing to pay
their nominal fees. It's still WAY cheaper than the US.
Example: An American friend broke her arm in Europe last year.
Hospital cost: $300 dollars. Her daughter broke her arm playing
athletics in the US this summer, a similar injury. Hospital cost:
$8,000 dollars.
Europe is still way cheaper than the US. True, American scum are
abusing Europe's health care system, and they should be paying full
fare. But even Canada is better than the US, which is a rip-off.
--Bob
That was the only question about immigrants in the 19th and early 20th
century: did they have a contractable illness, like tuberculosis? If
they did, they were rejected summarily and left to die on the ships
they came in on.
I think that all medical issues should be disclosed by prospective
immigrants, but we don't reject people (even those who are HIV
positive). If all else is in order, they are processed like anyone
else.
And then at the other extreme, you've got idiots like Glenn Beck and
Lou Dobbs claiming that Mexicans brought 7,000 cases of leprosy to the
US, which was a total lie. And they never admitted it.
If Republicans will stop telling lies about Democrats, we'll stop
telling the truth about them.
--Bob
h
What a beautiful post.
I can't afford health insurance, so if I get sick, I lose my house. I
have my plan for suicide already. Thank you God bless America.
--Bob
> If only Sweden had a district where the weather was similar to that of
> the Sonoran desert. <Sigh>
>
Brenda:
Spain does. And Greece has the islands. Why care about the health
care issues of Amerika?
I'd rather be on Santorini any day.
Actually, my European paradise is the island of Corfu (Kerkyra).
Damn, I shouldn't have mentioned it! Now EVERYONE will want to go
there.
--Bob
> I have my plan for suicide already.
Will you share?
They actually expect ANYONE to admit it?
And one that's becoming part of the Third World.
I hear you. I have medical insurance through my job, but this year
the co-pays increased to the point that I can't afford a hospital
stay. I was recently very ill (pneumonia), and my doc wanted to put
me in the hospital. I had to nix it, because three or four days in a
hospital would have cost me close to $10,000 out-of-pocket *after* the
insurance paid it's pittance.
Hmmm...yes, would you please put me in touch with him? My email addy
is in my sig; just change the word "nine" to a digit and run it all
together properly.
<Some snippage>
None of my grandparents were Brits. Three of them came here from
Sweden (we do, in fact, still have relatives on my dad's side who live
in Sweden).
> It's probably a Fat Chance, but you never know.
>
> Don't let my remarks disappoint you or set you back.
Well, all they can do is say "no," right? In which case, we're still
in the same position we're in now.
Thanks!
Well, we don't have any Spanish or Greek relatives. I didn't figure
those countries would let us in as readily as Sweden.
I know *nothing* about the Spanish healthcare system, but I lived in
Greece for nearly 3 years, and I know theirs. I'd rather go to
Sweden, climate be damned.
> I'd rather be on Santorini any day.
Yes, the Greek islands are beautiful, but living in Greece has its
downside.
> Actually, my European paradise is the island of Corfu (Kerkyra).
Oooooooh, I <heart> Kerkyra! The best of Italy and the best of
Greece, all on one island. Spent many happy days there.
However, Kerkyra is *very* different from the other Greek islands,
because of the strong Italian influence. Life is considerably harder
on some of the Cycladic islands. There's that whole issue of drinking
water, for one thing.
> Damn, I shouldn't have mentioned it! Now EVERYONE will want to go
> there.
Only for a visit. Trust me: living in Greece is *not* like living in
a northern European country. It takes...what's the word I
want...*grit*. Determination. Fortitude. It's not all baklava and
cherry jam there.
That said, if it were just me, I *would* go back. My Social Security
and pension from the State of Arizona would go a long way there. But
it would not be a good choice for my brother, who may end up in a
wheelchair within the next couple of years. They make almost no
arrangements for handicapped people in Greece.
Brenda
Oh, go fuck yourself, Booby. Your insistance that America let in any
cholo breeder and then run away, well, it just proves Pete was too
kind in his assessment of you.
Just kill yourself now, Booby.
> First time I hear that.
When somebody reacts that way to something I say (especially in a
disbelieving manner) it typically means that they haven't done
their homework.
> Do you have a respectable (!= Faux news at al)
> point of reference for this?
http://www.beehive.govt.nz/node/18795
Quote:
------------------------------------------
�In addition, the new policy will require all people coming to
New Zealand for 12 months or more, to undergo a full medical
examination.
�The medical examination will test for a range of ill health and
disability indicators, but has been expanded to include screening
for HIV, Hepatitis B and significant kidney disease. It also
allows for an assessment of likely costs to special education.�
�The review has clearly identified the need to improve protection
for the public against a highly contagious disease like TB. There
were also issues related to people entering New Zealand while
potentially needing treatment for such conditions as kidney
failure or HIV/AIDS. The changes seek to off-set these risks.
------------------------------------------
The article mentions repeatedly the economic motivations. They
don't want people who are likely to use up a large amount of
taxpayor-funded medical care.
Waiver applications are only available to certain applicants, and
are apparently more lenient with refugees. And, no, somebody
from a wealthy, developed country isn't going to be considered
for refugee status.
There are at least a couple of cases mentioned in other online
articles about the NZIS rejecting applicants due to obesity.
They were spouses of other, qualified applicants.
Rather than sitting around speculating and fantasising about
moving for another country, people might try actually doing their
homework. Google for the immigration authoriTAH of whatever
country you find interesting. And then check out their official
requirements. Developed countries with socialist medical systems
will ALWAYS have medical screening based on potential cost.
So, in short... No, you cannot just go to some foreign country
and say, "I heard you guys have great welfare, plus tax-funded
medical care for my pre-existing, expensive conditions, and I'm
here to get the free stuff."
Oh good grief, did Java Jerk show up here now? NOOOOOO!!!!
Steve Daniels:
Of course. Automobile anti-freeze. Your body at first thinks it's
ethylene glycol, which is a molecule analogous to ethyl alcohol, so
welcome. It's toxic in certain amounts, but it is metabolizable.
The liver then realizes it's propylene glycol, and it shuts down. No
pain no gain.
I knew a guy when I worked in real estate some years ago, who had shot
himself in the face. He lost his jaw and his eyesight, and became the
kind of human you avoid your eyes to look at, but he survived. He also
became a royal pain in the ass when I tried to find roommate housing
for him.
So much for being a real estate broker. I instead became a social
worker.
Memo to self: choose something cheap, available, and not too messy.
And be sure to do it away from your home. My house is already haunted
by the suicide of the previous owner. I don't want my neighbors to go
through this horror again, and it's unfair to them.
If I don't succeed in making an income this year, my funds and
unemployment will run out around July. My home and everything that's
important to me will be lost. I am NOT going to be living in my
car! Everyone should be making plans about our demise, even if not
self-inflicted.
--Bob
Brenda:
You will hear from me today.
--Bob
> If I don't succeed in making an income this year, my funds and
> unemployment will run out around July.
Enjoy the streets.
> My home and everything that's
> important to me will be lost.
You got it coming, fuckstain. Ask an illegal for some help, eh?
> I am NOT going to be living in my
> car! Everyone should be making plans about our demise, even if not
> self-inflicted.
Make your death as agonizing as possible.
>
> --Bob
Karma's a bitch, eh? You should have been better to your friends.
> �My home and everything that's
> important to me will be lost. �
Karma's a bitch, eh? You should have been better to your friends.
> I am NOT going to be living in my
> car! � Everyone should be making plans about our demise, even if not
> self-inflicted.
You mean, all I have to do is wait? BITCHIN!...Pete, has no truck with
traitors
LOL! Take another toke, Liz. I've got this Humboldt weed which will
knock your socks off. Or alternatively, a really killer Russian
River pinot noir.
--Bob
PETE:
Chill out. I never hounded you when you had some hard times. I never
gloated when, between jobs, you had to sleep on the floor of an empty
apartment. I offered to adopt a cat when the need arose.
I always stood beside you. We all go through these nightmares. It's
part of being HUMAN.
I never betrayed you nor anybody, GET THAT STRAIGHT.
If you continue to believe that I betrayed you or this group, go on.
Let the record decide, and let the fact that I have captured some of
the best ASCF friends now on Facebook, who according to your opinion,
should have ditched me for being a "traitor".
I'm too old for this shit.
Play out your animosities. This is sounding like a 1950s jukebox with
a stuck record. The lights are still on, but the sound is two bars
and 'click', on and on and on...
Merry Christmas.
--Bob
> PETE:
>
> Chill out. I never hounded you when you had some hard times. I never
> gloated when, between jobs, you had to sleep on the floor of an empty
> apartment. I offered to adopt a cat when the need arose.
"Well, then, let me step to the plate and proudly announce that I am one
of your e-mail correspondents.
If this annoys any of the regulars in asc who know me, well, that's too
bad.
The rules of any newsgroup are not to feed the trolls, so I have
prudently and deliberately taken the back-door route--NOT because I'm
trying to be sneaky, but because of the problems we've had in the past
(and present) with malicious trolls.
I'll happily share what I've written to you privately with anyone in this
group. I'm proud of my correspondence with you, and I think your replies
to me were extremely eloquent. "
You sold the whole NG out. You gave the troll personal information.
> I always stood beside you. We all go through these nightmares. It's
> part of being HUMAN.
>
> I never betrayed you nor anybody, GET THAT STRAIGHT.
"Well, then, let me step to the plate and proudly announce that I am one
of your e-mail correspondents.
If this annoys any of the regulars in asc who know me, well, that's too
bad.
The rules of any newsgroup are not to feed the trolls, so I have
prudently and deliberately taken the back-door route--NOT because I'm
trying to be sneaky, but because of the problems we've had in the past
(and present) with malicious trolls.
I'll happily share what I've written to you privately with anyone in this
group. I'm proud of my correspondence with you, and I think your replies
to me were extremely eloquent. "
> If you continue to believe that I betrayed you or this group, go on.
> Let the record decide, and let the fact that I have captured some of
> the best ASCF friends now on Facebook, who according to your opinion,
> should have ditched me for being a "traitor".
"Well, then, let me step to the plate and proudly announce that I am one
of your e-mail correspondents.
If this annoys any of the regulars in asc who know me, well, that's too
bad.
The rules of any newsgroup are not to feed the trolls, so I have
prudently and deliberately taken the back-door route--NOT because I'm
trying to be sneaky, but because of the problems we've had in the past
(and present) with malicious trolls.
I'll happily share what I've written to you privately with anyone in this
group. I'm proud of my correspondence with you, and I think your replies
to me were extremely eloquent. "
> I'm too old for this shit.
Apparently not too old to lie about yourself.
> Play out your animosities. This is sounding like a 1950s jukebox with
> a stuck record. The lights are still on, but the sound is two bars
> and 'click', on and on and on...
"Well, then, let me step to the plate and proudly announce that I am one
of your e-mail correspondents.
If this annoys any of the regulars in asc who know me, well, that's too
bad.
The rules of any newsgroup are not to feed the trolls, so I have
prudently and deliberately taken the back-door route--NOT because I'm
trying to be sneaky, but because of the problems we've had in the past
(and present) with malicious trolls.
I'll happily share what I've written to you privately with anyone in this
group. I'm proud of my correspondence with you, and I think your replies
to me were extremely eloquent. "
I hope your funemployment runs out and you do, indeed off yourself. Nena
deserves so much better than you...Pete
Just kill yourself, Booby. Do it live online.
<Obama's exit strategy has nothing on mine>
> > Will you share?
>
> Steve Daniels:
>
> Of course. Automobile anti-freeze. Your body at first thinks it's
> ethylene glycol, which is a molecule analogous to ethyl alcohol, so
> welcome. It's toxic in certain amounts, but it is metabolizable.
>
> The liver then realizes it's propylene glycol, and it shuts down. No
> pain no gain.
Won't that hurt?
I think I'd rather suck off a shotgun.
As I understand it, anti-freeze is one of those suicide methods
that looks easy... And then, they spend the next couple of days
desperately wishing that they had chosen some other method.
Even guns aren't foolproof, either. Sometimes, they move
slightly, while pulling the trigger, and survive, sans half of
their face.
Java Jerk is a waste of time. Just killfile it and move along.
(Re: medical clearances needed to immigrate)
> On Fri, 18 Dec 2009 16:43:22 -0800, Coffee's For Closers wrote:
> >In article <ulsmi55k1v2epjvro...@4ax.com>,
> >XaXlX...@lessmann-consulting.com says...
> >> First time I hear that.
> >When somebody reacts that way to something I say (especially in a
> >disbelieving manner) it typically means that they haven't done
> >their homework.
> Or they have and haven't found, you arrogant prick.
>
> In this case it was me thinking you were talking about Sweden, while you
> were talking about NZ.
So... What did the immigration authoriTAH in Sweden say when you
asked them about their health/medical screening requirements?
Did they tell you that they would be happy to accept an immigrant
from a developed country (NON-refugee) with pre-existing,
expensive health problems? Coming for the purpose of bludging
off of a socialist medical system to which s/he hasn't
contributed?
Or... Have you actually taken the time to ask the Swedish
immigration authoriTAH anything? As opposed to just sitting
around speculating and fantasising?