The GUILD 12-21-2002 Final Stretch to Christmas

[Iowa Granny]

OMG! That's the only response I can think of for your MJ post.

[lodwick]

...I am racist because I am working with minorities, and since I don't judge people by the color of their skin, it makes me even more of a racist.

Huh? Does this phrase make any sense, on any level, to anyone?

I don't know how you continue to try and converse with those mental midgets out there; I really don't. ;-)

[Hillary's Lovely Legs]

I am done conversing with them. I am sick of people who think that it's traitorous to speak with people other than WASPS. Grrrrr.

[lodwick]

DaisyScarlett & Aquamarine's Christmas Music Thead is pleasant and has lots of wav files to play

[mountaineer]

Incredible. I would be dancing for joy if we brought more persons of African or Mexican descent into the GOP which, after all, is the party that respects and celebrates them as human beings and not just as helpless victims.

[lodwick]

I think I'm glad that jocko made himself go away.

[Endeavor]

I too want to know who the guy in the park is. Oh gawd, dick morris is on right now talking about how much trouble Frist will have because he's not a politician and because he's w's guy. Good Lord, the Founding Fathers didn't have a lot of political expertise and they seemed to find their way. I hate dick morris.

[mountaineer]

Morris greatly overestimates the value of his advice and analysis. Good golly, where would we be without pundits to explain everything to us?

[Endeavor]

No Kidding. He just raked Frist over the coals for not kissing up to Lott in his speech and for not taking any questions from the Press after his speech - said "This guy really has a lot to learn." Morris is a putz. I don't want him teaching Frist one darned thing.

[Aggie Mama]

Good evening everyone. Hope all is well and all of the shopping is done. It's been nuts over here.

I'm just about ready to pull my son out of school. His teacher had a conference with me and says my son has ADD and needs to be on Ritalin. I was really upset at first, but now I'm just MAD. Luckily, I have some really smart friends who used to be teachers that helped me to dissect what is going on. DS is about the smartest, most well-behaved child you can imagine, and quite honestly, I think he is bored with class. The teacher thinks he needs to be on meds b/c he is not getting his work done. This, of course, is the first we have heard of work not getting done. Needless to say, we already have an action plan, but it doesn't involve drugging my child b/c the teacher can't get my son in line.

I"m also hacked off at the school b/c apparently Fifth's Disease has been rampant, and no notes were sent home. I had to find this out from my doctor's office this morning after he was diagnosed. Fifth's can be dangerous to pregnant women, so I had to spend my afternoon getting bloodwork drawn to see what my status is. Keep me and the baby in your prayers please. I'm more pissed than stressed right now. I know no school is perfect, but the past week has been one strike after another against DS's school.

I talked to the doctor about the ADD (she's known DS since he was a baby), and she got very angry. She went on for a few minutes about how so many of the schools try and drug students that don't fit into the norm b/c it's easier than old-fashioned discipline. She said DS was way too young to even begin to think ADD and that he was probably just bored b/c he's so smart! =) Take that teacher. LOL.

Gotta go wrap some presents while everyone is out of the house.

[Endeavor]

AM - Sorry to hear of DS's troubles. My nephews go to private Christian school in Big D - they seem to all love it. I think it's Prestonwood Baptist but don't quote me. They have all grades through high school and lots of athletics, etc so the kids get everything you'd find in the public schools except a better education from a better perspective. You may want to look in to it. It's over in North Dallas. My brother and SIL and kids live in Coppell and so it's a bit of a drive for them, but they are all very happy w/the school. They've been in other private schools in Dallas and this one gets the best props from both the boys and their parents.

What's "Fifths?"

Hope you are feeling better - E

[lodwick]

Goodness - thoughts and prayers up. If your doc advises against drugging ds, please listen to her on this one. God bless and keep you guys safe.

[Endeavor]

B A R F
A L E R T

Hildebeaste's Klan

[mountaineer]

That teacher is full of (I'll be delicate) baloney to recommend a dangerous stimulant drug for a little boy.

(T)here is no objective test for ADD or ADHD. In fact, despite countless attempts, no one has ever demonstrated that either disorder exists. But harried teachers and counselors have learned to recommend an ADD diagnosis to parents in order to get their more rambunctious students on Ritalin, an easy way to quiet them down. U.S. Ritalin prescriptions have increased to 11.3 million in 1996, up nearly 400% just since 1990.

Many doctors and parents are increasingly alarmed about this trend. For starters, Ritalin is a chemical cousin of methamphetamine, and its pharmacological effects and addiction patterns are similar to cocaine's. And no study has ever demonstrated that taking Ritalin can cause any lasting behavioral or educational benefits in ADD patients. source

[lodwick]

Thanks for the great documentation there - good work.

[hoosiermama]

Thanks! Great Fudge information! Didn't know there was so much to know about candy. Merry Christmas!

[Hillary's Lovely Legs]

Presidential Christmas Message:

I send greetings to those celebrating Christmas.

During Christmas, we gather with family and friends to celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. As God's only Son, Jesus came to Earth and gave His life so that we may live. His actions and His words remind us that service to others is central to our lives and that sacrifice and unconditional love must guide us and inspire us to lead lives of compassion, mercy, and justice.

The true spirit of Christmas reflects a dedication to helping those in need, to giving hope to those in despair, and to spreading peace and understanding throughout the Earth. As we share love and enjoy the traditions of this holiday, we are also grateful for the men and women of our Armed Forces who are working to defend freedom, secure our homeland, and advance peace and safety around the world.

This Christmas, may we give thanks for the blessings God has granted to our Nation and in each of our lives. May the joy of the holidays renew our commitment to working together for a future of peace, opportunity, and hope.

Laura joins me in wishing you a Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year.

--GEORGE W. BUSH

[Aggie Mama]

We live in Houston, but thanks for the info! Here's some info on Fifth's disease.I won't know the results of my labwork until the 26th. I'll probably have an ultrasound at that time too. Jeeze I'm scared. =(. http://www.atlanta-mfm.com/clindisc/vol3no5.html

[Utah Girl]

Hmmm, I wonder if President Bush's message is Christian enough for those on FR who thought his Christmas card was not....

That is a lovely message from President and Mrs Bush. If I'm not around tomorrow, please have a Merry Christmas.

[BigWaveBetty]

Good Morning all!

I'll be in and out today, want to spruce up the house for tonight.

In case I don't see you, I hope you have a

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!