Posts by BeautifulGarbage

623

Name the song from a snippet of lyric

by Simon in

and no cheating by searching on the internet!.

a man my age is very young so i'm told.

why do i feel so old.

BeautifulGarbage

Once I rose above the noise and confusion/just to get a glimpse beyond the illusion

Wayward Son-Kansas

I was born in the backseat of a Greyhound bus,rollin' down Highway 41

Rambling Man-Allman Bros. Band

don't know about the other one.

7

Medical and moral dilemma. What would you decide?

by BeautifulGarbage in

a few of us last week were discussing the hmong in chat.

for those of you that don't know who the hmong are, they are an asian people that live(d) and farmed in the mountains of laos.

during the vietnam war, they were recruited by the cia to fight a secret war on behalf of the us in laos.

BeautifulGarbage

Well, I suppose I should post what DID happen in this particular case.

Before I do that, thanks for some interesting comments. Yes, the family was on public assistance. Willy_think made an interesting point about whether or not this would be an issue if the family had private insurance. It's not likely that the court system would encounter such a case because private insurance would probably mean that the parents would have jobs and be apart of the accepted culture. If such a family did refuse medical treatment, I'm thinking they would have to be accused of child neglect. Many times children go without necessary medical treatment in the US because the family does not have medical insurance, nor the funds to pay for such an operation out of their own pocket. To be able to have that type of treatment covered, and then the operation rejected by the parents, would cause a public outcry. I wonder if the court of public opinion would pressure child welfare officials to intervene in such a circumstance?

Hilary, as always, great comments. The comparison to female "circumcision" is a good one. That topic alone makes my blood boil in it's brutality. However, the practices are related in that they are both tribal and ancient. I would agree that what is considered to be "antisocial" behavior by the majority should not be allowed to be practiced, even if it would otherwise be protected as freedom of religion.

Ok, I will not hold you guys in suspense any longer.

After a couple of more months of legal wrangling the county withdrew its request for a court order forcing the parents to allow corrective surgery for their little boy. The chicken sacrifice was never seriously considered by the court. However, it provided much fodder for the local media.

Little information was given by the county child welfare officials. State confidentiality laws require them not publicly discuss any case that involves a minor. So, when my daughter was receiving chemotherapy at the same children's hospital that was also involved in the case, I asked the social worker that was assigned to my daughter why the matter was dropped.

He stated to me that because the family was so fearful of the consequences of what might happen to them if their sons foot was corrected, that the boy would be outcast. The county feared the boy would be severely neglected and because he was observed to be very bonded with his parents, they decided that correcting his deformed foot would not be worth the loss of family.

Either way, the boy takes it on the chin.

Andee

59

Homework: what do nations think about america?

by raven101 in

.

i would appreciate any input from residents of other nations for this homework assignment, as well as americans.. what do members of other nations really think about america, compared with what we percieve them as thinking?.

please help, assignment due tomorrow!.

BeautifulGarbage

This poor thread. Certainly got off topic, didn't it?

Anyway, just a brief comment. The pic on my profile is not me. It's Courtney Love, the rock star widow of Nirvana founder Kurt Cobain. I like her music and she is part of the inspiration of my username BeautifulGarbage.

I posted a pic of me and my daugher on this thread:

http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/forum/thread.asp?id=30753&page=3&site=3

NOW tell me I look like a teenager! LOL

Andee

70

Are you socially retarded? - For the newbies

by Billygoat in

don't let this title startle you.

i'm not starting a flame war.

this is something that i've thought a lot about since i have two dogs.

BeautifulGarbage

Lady Lee posted:

Poking her nose in

forgiving = forgetting

Nope not from me.
Forgiving requires 2 things -
the person who harmed me must acknowledge the reality of the hurt they caused me
the person who harmed me must apologize and stop doing it

Thanks for posting that. I agree.

Andee

7

Medical and moral dilemma. What would you decide?

by BeautifulGarbage in

a few of us last week were discussing the hmong in chat.

for those of you that don't know who the hmong are, they are an asian people that live(d) and farmed in the mountains of laos.

during the vietnam war, they were recruited by the cia to fight a secret war on behalf of the us in laos.

BeautifulGarbage

A few of us last week were discussing the Hmong in chat. For those of you that don't know who The Hmong are, they are an Asian people that live(d) and farmed in the mountains of Laos. During the Vietnam war, they were recruited by the CIA to fight a secret war on behalf of the US in Laos. When the US pulled out of Vietnam, the Hmong were sold down the river.

Here's a link that explains what happened in more detail:

http://www.jefflindsay.com/Hmong_tragedy.html

Because of their fighting on the side of the US, they have been targeted for extermination by the governments of Laos and Vietnam. Many fled to refugee camps in Thailand and eventually immigrated to the United States. Primarily settling in California and Minnesota. Because they knew little of western culture, they have struggled greatly to assimilate into US society. For instance they, especially the elderly, use Shamanism to cure sickness. And only recently has their language had a written alphabet.

It was also discussed that their culture was being taken away from them. Anyone that has lived close to a large Hmong population, like I did in Fresno, CA, usually has a "story" about Hmong customs that we here, in the US, find repulsive or bizarre.

For instance: I recall one Hmong man causing quite a stir in a Fresno neighborhood because when his wife was ill. He sacrificed a puppy on his front porch. This was suppose to help her get better. I'm trying to stay away from the details because I know this is quite a sensitive issue with some people on this board, but needless to say, the cries of the puppy were heard by the neighbors.

On the other hand, they do things that I quite admire. They have very close family relationships. Those that were born in Laos also have deep respect for the older (I am avoiding the word "elder") members in their community. They value their old people and will defer to their experience. However, this is getting lost as the Hmong born here, in the US, are growing up.

After having the discussion in chat, I recalled a court case of a little Hmong boy that was born with a club foot. It made headlines when it occurred in Fresno Ca in the early 1990s. It poses quite a moral dilemma and I thought I would pose that dilemma to the board. Please don't be influenced by what other posters may write. Just base your opinion on the information I offer.

A little boy has been born with a club foot. He's 3 years old. Surgery to begin to correct his malformed foot needs to begin ASAP. However, this boy is Hmong. His family is very suspicious of westernized medicine. To them, the boy has been born with this condition for a reason. That being, to atone for the sins of the family's ancestors. That's right, the little boy is made to suffer because of wrong doings by some dead relatives. Thus, to correct his foot would jeopardize the family's future. His parents are sincere in this belief.

Now, the local county child welfare department, and the local children's hospital, take the family to court to get a court order to begin corrective surgery on this little boys foot. Time is of the essence because the older the boy gets, the more difficult it will be, if not impossible, to fix his condition. However, would the ability to run and jump be worth the price of being outcast by his local community, and probably his family?

And so the legal wrangling goes back and forth. The family, along with their shaman, are adamant that the boy be left with his club foot. Of course, their is plenty of publicity about the case, and the public is dismayed that any parent would allow their child to grow up having to cope with such a disability, unnecessarily.

Looking as if they are going to "lose", the Hmong family and their Shaman offer a compromise. They will consent to the operation if their Shaman is allowed to sacrifice a live chicken in the courtroom while court is in session (Yes, I'm serious). This will allow the family to escape any repercussions that might befall them otherwise. The boy will have a normal foot, the family will be safe, and the county child welfare will get what they want. Of course, can you imagine watching THAT on court TV?

So, what would you do if you were the decision maker in this case? Fix his foot and have his family reject him? Or do you realize this condition is not life threatening and the love and support of his family is more important than being able to walk normally?

Then again, there is always the sacrificing of the chicken.

So, any opinions?

Andee

154

Very Important Question

by Imbue in

jw
friends

lol....no, it's not an important question but i was wondering if "syn" the poster is male or female?

hmm...i also suspect he/she isn't 20 years old as he/she has claimed.

so, what's the story syn?

BeautifulGarbage

JanH writes,

We're having a public lunching here, Naebs

Ok...here's my question:

Where's the damn food!!

Or...it's it Syn that's being served up?

Andee

Edited by - BeautifulGarbage on 24 June 2002 1:5:6

129

SUICIDE IN KH PARKING LOT

by Sabine in

last saturday, a former ministerial servant and pioneer committed suicide in the woodinville washington kingdom hall parking lot.

he was disfellowshipped several years ago, and according to the old sister that related the story to me today, he was depressed because no one would talk to him.

i don't know how i kept calm when she explained to me that "we couldn't talk to him...he was disfellowshipped.".

BeautifulGarbage

It's very rare for the media to report on a suidcide unless it's a celebrity.

Andee

154

Very Important Question

by Imbue in

jw
friends

lol....no, it's not an important question but i was wondering if "syn" the poster is male or female?

hmm...i also suspect he/she isn't 20 years old as he/she has claimed.

so, what's the story syn?

BeautifulGarbage

Ok...now Syns a guy. I kinda suspected it but I remember the thread where Syn stated he/she was a girl. I never had any meaningful exchange with Syn, so I don't feel betrayed. It's just gettin hard to keep it straight

However, I would like to respond to this statement:

This is just a message board after all.

On the surface, and to some, this may be true. Yet, there have been many friendships formed via this board and emotions have been invested. Love and concern is felt, and expressed. People share their experiences and support is offered. Yes, it's a message board. I certainly cannot deny that. It also so much more. The feelings here are real. No doubt flame wars would confirm that. Just be careful about what you take seriously.

Andee

59

Homework: what do nations think about america?

by raven101 in

.

i would appreciate any input from residents of other nations for this homework assignment, as well as americans.. what do members of other nations really think about america, compared with what we percieve them as thinking?.

please help, assignment due tomorrow!.

BeautifulGarbage

Mr. Bean,

I'm not a teenager, either . Not sure what your point was, but..ok.

David Duke was the Imperial Wizard of the Klu Klux Klan of America in the 1970s. An organization was founded on the hatred of Blacks and Jews. Imperial Wizard means he was the big cheese. Head racist if you will. At this point in time, I am not aware of him ever renouncing his association with them. He is best known, now, for his failed attempt to win the governors seat in the state of Louisiana. I think that it is perfectly reasonable for an individual, once aware of his past, to read his essays with a skeptical eye. Especially those that blame events that happened on Sept 11 on Israel. To say he has an agenda against Israel and Jews is an understatement.

I will not argue the "facts" of his essays. To be perfectly honest, I am not an expert in the area of the Israeli/Palistinian conflict. Yet, I do know that Bin Laden, himself, has said that the prime motivation for his terror against US citizens is our military presence on the soil of Saudi Arabia. Especially, the women. Infidels on Muslim holy land offends his Allah. However, being the extremist he is, he's not stupid. In an attempt to cultivate the support of more moderate Muslims, he mentions the situation with the Palestinians. Interesting that he doesn't even consider them "real" Muslims.

So you see, my point is that Mr. Duke, perhaps, does not tell the whole story. He may tout "facts" but possibly not all the "facts."

As far as comparing Mr. Dukes past to being a JW. That seems to be quite a stretch to me. And like I mentioned before, unlike most former JWs, he as not renounced or condemned the KKK publicly. I also find the name American-European Unity and Rights Organization just another thinly veiled title for "Just Another Group Bigots".

Andee

34

Surefire Ways To Know You're A Woman...

by WildTurkey in

you are a bitch.. when asked 'is something bothering you?

' reply 'no' then get pissed off when you are believed.. become attracted to someone because he is outgoing and loves parties, start dating him, and immediately expect him to stop this behavior... always take an hour longer than promised to prepare for the evening.. always hide very important events in very unimportant terms so you can have something to be pissed about when your boyfriend declines because he has pressing business, i.e.

you say 'it's no big deal, but i was wondering if you would like to visit my parents with me if you are not busy this weekend.

BeautifulGarbage

My sore point with the story ever since i was a wee pup , was that "Adam" (being older and knowing better) knew exactly what he was doing and mentioned it before hand ... he blamed it on EVE like a spoiled child and what's more God bought it. So then Evie recieves the worst punishment.

That little ditty always bothered me too. The women are suppose to be dumber and weaker, yet Adam, the fool he was, allowed himself to be manipulated by Eve to take a bite. If he was suppose to be so darn smart, why did he? And then, Eve has to take it on the chin for his behavior.

Sometimes, I'm amazed that anyone could take that silly book seriously.

Andee