Free Republic

So it seems daughters school is stressing "service hours" (volunteer hours) as the only way to get into a decent college. Daughter has high grades in every class, has a full course load, band, two varsity sports and a couple of clubs. More then I ever did and I went to a respectable institution of higher learning! And... Gasp... May even have to get a job in a year or so when she wants that car she keeps talking about! But no! Not enough! Now the school demands, and backs it up with college admissions material, that kids must have...

They just pulled up and took the guy away that was living at the house next door while he worked on it for the new owners.

Governor Cuomo, I am sitting in an Applebee's in upstate NY trying to be respectful to the office you hold while at the same time feeling enraged at your gun grabbing, anti-second amendment laws. You see, just as you went way over board after Sandy Hook, I'm wondering do you care about what happened last night not to far from where I am sitting? My daughter is adopted from China. Why is this fact important ? My other daughter and husband had other things to do tonight so we decided to go to Applebee's to watch the SU/Georgetown game. We...

I never thought of Homeschooling as a viable alternative, but now I'm at my wits end with my daughter's HS. This was my HS in the late 80's and I thought it was great. I went to a good college and got good grades. But now their policies having to do with grading are all over the place, two specific subject teachers seem totally out of their element, and I asked and was even told by the Principal that there are certain things he would change, but he can't go against the union contract! My daughter missed a whole week...

I guess just looking for a little advice-- and reassurance that I'm doing the right thing. My daughter has an overall HS average in the 90's. A 74 showed up on her report card, in a subject I am quite familiar with. I was not happy with this grade, as I have actually taught this subject before and was available daily for extra help. I thought the responsible thing for me to do was to have my daughter approach the teacher, ask for help, go over her grades with her. I couldn't wait for this so I e-mailed the teacher...

Ok, I know all the downfalls of cosigning, but I'm willing to take the chance because it's such a good deal. I wouldn't want to make the payments but if it came to that I could. Relative has $40,000 down to purchase a house that is a great deal at $105,000. I've known the people that lived their for years, their upkeep of the house is immaculate. They need to move out of state quickly for a job, hence the low cost. Problem is relative has between a 575-606 credit score! This from "youthful indiscretions" over 5 years ago. This...

I am not an expert on gun types, although I have shot many and know the ones I have shot, so don't kill the messenger if I mess this thread up! My husband went to Dicks Sporting Goods and Herb Phillipson's in search of a Mossberg 702 or a Rueger 10 Flash 22, both 22 calibre's with 10 round clips and both stores were all out. He asked if there was a run on what my husband called "a gun he wished to buy for his daughter." Both store managers told him their corporate offices made them send all of...

Please say a Prayer for my mother. I don't think I've ever asked some one to pray for some one else before, but she's in a tough spot. If it is her time to go it will hurt terribly, but as Catholics and the fact that she is the most caring, loving person I have ever met, I know we will meet again in a better place. I'm also extremely upset with the hospital, and I don't want this to happen to others. On the day after Christmas, my mother was taken to the hospital and diagnosed with Pneumonia. They...

With all of the problems going on in the world, this is trivial, hence the vanity post. But an example of what's going on in our schools and who thinks they control our kids. My niece signed up for what should have been a simple, easy "A" grade HS class. Purely an elective, having nothing to do with requirements or career. Turns out the teacher is a real piece of work. He's intimidating and creepy. (My nieces words.) I asked if anything had happened to make her feel "creepy" and she just said she doesn't like the feeling she gets...

You know what? We lost the Presidency by 1% and the Senate by a little more. Allen West and Mia Love lost, but I'm not going to be part of the "blame Mitt" crowd that two days ago thought he was great. And if you couldn't vote for the "moderate Mormon" then pat yourself on the back-- you didn't vote for the loser. But you helped the communist thug to stay in charge and run wild. With that said, we need to stop blaming each other and separating our party and unite against the true villains-- a viscous, lying Chicago...

Libs are making a big deal that Romney lost the small locale 23-9. But on a closer look we also see the Republican Governor candidate lost 22-9, and Guinta, Republican for House lost 23-9, same as Romney. The most recent polls have the Governors race virtually tied and has Guinta UP by 7 state wide. So it looks like we're dealing with a tiny little liberal town. This at least will help me sleep better! It'd be great if Guinta and Romney were both up 7 in NH! I know Bush won this area before, but in such a small...

Did anyone just hear the guy on Greta? (She's still doing Fox coverage of the storm.) The guy road out the storm and told Greta "I'm on the Coast and I've got food, ice, water and my 2nd Amendment." I don't think anybody will be looting his house tonight!

For those DU lurkers reading this they'll probably squeal with delight at this thread, but is Nate Silver's record of political predictions really as great as is posted all over the Internet? I know he's with the NY slimes now, but he did predict the house going R in 2010, albeit only with 45 seats changing sides. (low prediction R) and 2008 he was really on, although that was much easier to call. It's killing me because I'm on pins and needles. I like to think with Gallup and Rasmussen actually in agreement Romney is up, but what am I...

Did anyone watch Greta tonight? Newt predicted Romney win with over 300 Electoral votes, GOP to take the Senate. Gingrich said R/R will win Wisconsin, Greta, from Wisconsin, educated at U of W says she's believed that sence Ryan was put on the ticket. (I watch her most nights,this is the first time I've heard her admit this.) Newt based his predictions on polls, talking to those on the ground, and his own years of experience. Also thinks Romney will more then likely take PA and Ohio.

I just caught the end of Soledad O'Brien's focus group. She said something like "I know your vote is private so you don't have to share it. But how many of you decided?" Just about everyone raised their hand. I bet she knew it was decided Romney! Who joins a focus group but doesn't want to share their vote??!!!

That is all.

Call me sexist, I could care less. Some women can be such airheads. Men have their own issues, so don't hit me with the "Women shouldn't Vote" stuff! Anyway, I am a women and could never understand why Romney was down by so many points with women. A group of women I know aren't all Sandra Fluke, pay for my contraception bimbos; but they were "on the fence". I'm talking about a rather large group of (usually) reasonable women. After the debate I made nearly twenty phone calls. All of the women I spoke with thought Romney did great. 16...

I just received a letter from Residential Capital, parent company of my mortgage company (GMACMortgage) that says for several months they have been persueing Chapter 11 bankruptcy. This letter said they were informing motgagees in case they "had a claim" and then just went on with a bunch of spin how everything is fine. Smart FRiends, is everything fine? I don't have any mortgage issues so I don't see how it can really effect me, maybe I'm just naive. Is this just old news I was unaware of? Yes, I know there's been a mortgage crisis but is Residential Capital...

I feel really bad for my niece. Last year, she made her school's competitive Varsity Volleyball team as a Freshman, plays club, and has already been looked at by college scouts. A sports scholarship would really help her family out. Here's the thing: she's stuck at this school and they've recently changed their "focus in sports" to one of where everybody gets to play. My niece was an excellent OH (outside hitter), but other kids want to play outside hitter, so she doesn't play that position much anymore. She's very tall and can play middle well, but that's not always...

I volunteer in a place where many of those "47 percenters" come in for various aid, services, etc. I'd say between 5 and 10 percent of those that show up really are in need, which can really get to me because the other 90% are a bunch of freeloaders. But it's that 10% that keeps me going back. We offer refreshments at this site, and it's amazing that the 10% in need can get up and pour their own juice or lemon aid, and say thank you, but the 90% want it hand delivered! Anyway, there is a whole segment...