Comments for you really don't want to know

Comment on We are the greatest country in the world. by jim

jim — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 00:37:42 +0000

The majority of my heated discussions happen when a left-leaning friend posts a link to a politically-charged story, with or without comment. Of course, this brings out their friends and/or family who lean more to the right. I comment, they comment, we engage each other in dialogue, and I try to take the high road while they often take the low. Now, clearly, my first mistake is in discussing this stuff with strangers on the internet. But this also happens amongst my own family members — we don’t all lean to the left. Which is fine, and we’re doing pretty well at being respectful of each other’s opinions…but it’s a hard balance to strike.

One thing I try not to get into, though, is a battle of statistics. Always a losing battle. As the saying goes, there are three kinds of lies — lies, damned lies, and statistics. I’d rather base a debate in logical assertions, and try to find cracks in the understanding of the thing. It’s the only way anyone has a chance of being heard.

Comment on We are the greatest country in the world. by Mat

Mat — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 23:16:19 +0000

Wow! This is incredible. I’ve just recently lowered myself to a Facebook debate with some young, Southern moron and you’re absolutely right: It’s spewing out words like “communism” while talking about how great this country was during the previous administration. Ugh, I feel sick thinking about it.

I’d like to go on about this for paragraphs, but sadly I think like you. This choir preaching crap is getting old, eh?

I’d say that maybe taking the government’s hand out of all things would be fun experiment that would prove just how useful it can be in the right places, but I don’t think cutting off our nose is such a good idea. Plus, I LIKE getting mail.

Comment on If your parents are not dead, TALK TO THEM NOW by Elaine Giamona

Elaine Giamona — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 19:19:13 +0000

Thank you so much for this great article. And the discussion about Betsy McCaughy… having worked for attorneys in a past life, I know the power and value of an advance healthcare directive (AHCD or Living Will). So many families end up in court over what to do… when the parent can no longer speak for himself or herself. And the doctor is powerless without a legally authorized decision.

Comment on The Whistling by Sean Thomas

Sean Thomas — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 20:41:02 +0000

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4176/is_20031128/ai_n14562279/

attn Matthew Green: you have buried the lede, my man

Comment on If your parents are not dead, TALK TO THEM NOW by jim

jim — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 01:47:11 +0000

You’re more than welcome, and if you need a swift kick in the ass, I’d happy to oblige! Seriously, it’s good to see even a handful of people posting responses…the fact that anyone reads it at all is a step in the right direction.

Comment on If your parents are not dead, TALK TO THEM NOW by Matt

Matt — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 15:06:36 +0000

Geez, thanks for giving this subject some life (I would never intend a pun this bad, so no pun intended goes without saying – or does it?). It’s something that most people think about, but going to bed and waking up so many times in a row has a way of luring people into a false sense of security. I know I’m guilty. I have a 2 1/2 year old, and I don’t have a will of any sort. Nancy and I talk about it every couple months, but then nothing happens. At one point we even vowed we’d do it by the end of 2008…umm…nope.

I can’t promise I’ll do it today, or even this month, but thank you for giving me a real perspective on this issue from someone I care about. It really will speed up the process (again, no pun).

Comment on How I got rooked into DirecTV by Kaytee Slagle

Kaytee Slagle — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 19:11:45 +0000

Wow…I just had the EXACT same thing happen to me two days ago. I talked to 5 different people and they too refused to transfer me to a supervisor. Please let me know if you hear anything back from the disputes department, I too will be writing them a letter. I only had my Direct TV cable for 7 days and was completely unsatisfied with it. Thank you for writing this blog….consolidated smarts and direct tv are liars.

Comment on How I got rooked into DirecTV by Ann V.

Ann V. — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 05:08:56 +0000

Blargle. I’m so sorry to hear about this. My version of this story is with Comcast, and the fact that our OnDemand hasn’t worked for 2 years. Anyhow, I’m actually commenting here to point you toward consumerist.com, in case you aren’t already twigged to it. Share your story over there, you may get more help and actual useful advice than you expect.

Comment on My Father’s Cousin by OTRgirl

OTRgirl — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 18:36:19 +0000

I know we talked a little about this. It’s good to hear ‘the rest of the story’. He sounds like such a warm, kind man. I’m so sorry.

Comment on Chromeless Web Apps on iPhone by jim

jim — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 23:57:21 +0000

Sorry for the late response: as far as I’ve seen, 3.0 still has the problem with links in chromeless web apps. But developers (like Shaun Inman and Dean Robinson) have done some fancy footwork to make lemonade. For instance, Fever° captures all external links in a “DiggBar-like” wrapper, to keep you in the chromeless web app, and at the top of the screen there’s a button to exit to MobileSafari. Again, it’s making lemons into lemonade, so it’ll be nice to have that problem disappear.