oenophile

Group Condemns Chicken Choking Toy Tuesday, October 18, 2005 SYDNEY, Australia - A chicken toy that squawks and flaps its wings when strangled is "grossly irresponsible" and sends the wrong message to young children, a spokesman for a leading animal welfare group said Tuesday. The toy is manufactured by a Taiwanese company and is widely available in toy and electronics stores across Australia. It is marketed for children over 3. A product description on the Web site of Jaycar Electronics, a major Australian importer of toy, says: "Grab him by the neck and he will squawk and cluck like mad, flapping his wings and feet wildly as if he is really being choked." But Michael Beatty, a spokesman for the Queensland state branch of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals said the toy was "grossly irresponsible" and sent the wrong message to young children. "What's next? Burn a cat? Shoot a dog?" Beatty said. "Children of that age are likely to turn around and try the same thing on their pet bird or even the cat or dog. Then they're going to wonder why the animal fights back." Jaycar's Managing Director Gary Johnstone said he was "amused and mystified" by the RSPCA's response. "I would have thought they would have better things to do like saving real animals from cruelty," Johnstone said. "This is a toy that is used to relieve stress, it's meant to be a bit of a giggle." :o :o

That is funny Oakspear. :lol: A convenience store clerk once told me that people actually tried to get refunds for losing lottery tickets.

DEAD HEAD RELIGION POWER

Hi catcup, I hope the future diva performs a stirring rendition of happy birthday hitting the high c on mom.

I am surprised no one has mentioned the greatest country song of all time, Up Against the Wall Redneck Mother. UP AGAINST THE WALL REDNECK MOTHER (Ray Wylie Hubbard) Bobby Bare Jerry Jeff Walker First Take He was born in West Virginia, His wife's name's Betty Lou Thelma Liz And he's not responsible for what he's doing Cause his mother made him what he is. And it's up against the wall Redneck Mother, Mother, who has raised her son so well. He's thirty-four and drinking in a honky tonk. Just kicking hippies asses and raising hell. Sure does like his Falstaff beer, Likes to chase it down with that Wild Turkey liquor; Drives a fifty-seven GMC pickup truck; He's got a gun rack; "Goat ropers need love, too" sticker And it's up against the wall Redneck Mother, Mother, who has raised her son so well. He's thirty-four and drinking in a honky tonk. Just kicking hippies asses and raising hell. Well, M is for the mudflaps you give me for my pickup truck O is for the Oil I put on my hair T is for T-bird H is for Haggard E is for eggs, and R is for REDNECK. Up against the wall Redneck Mother, Mother, who has raised her son so well. He's thirty-four and drinking in a honky tonk. Kicking hippies asses and raising hell. He's up against the wall Redneck Mother, Mother, who has raised her son so well. He's thirty-four and drinking in a honky tonk. Just kicking hippies asses and raising hell. Artist Song Name Composer Composition Instrument Hold the music...this actually is the ultimate country western song. You Never Even Call Me By My Name Writer: Steve Goodman It was all I could do to keep from cryin' Sometimes it seemed so useless to remain But you don't have to call me darlin' darlin' You never even call me by my name. You don't have to call me Waylon Jennings And you don't have to call me Charley Pride And you don't have to call me Merle Haggard anymore Even though you're on my fighting side. And I'll hang around as long as you will let me And I never minded standin' in the rain But you don't have to call me darlin' darlin' You never even call me by my name. Spoken: Well, you know me and The Possum Eatin' Cowboys have been playin' this song for a long time out there on the road. It's a touchin' little Steve Goodman number 'bout trains and trucks and mamas and prison and gettin' drunk. So anyway, me and the boys got together and we asked Mr. David Allen Coe and a few of our other heroes if they wouldn't mind singin' with us on what has proven itself to be the perfect country western song. I was drunk the day my mama got out of prison And I went to pick her up in the rain But before I could get to the station in the pickup truck She got ran over by a damned old train. So I'll hang around as long as you will let me And I never minded standin' in the rain You don't have to call me darlin' darlin' You never even call me.... Well I wonder why you don't call me... Why don't you ever call me by my name. Reply to 'Re: I was drunk the day my mamma got out of prison'

I am surprised no one has mentioned the greatest country song of all time, Up Against the Wall Redneck Mother. UP AGAINST THE WALL REDNECK MOTHER (Ray Wylie Hubbard) Bobby Bare Jerry Jeff Walker First Take He was born in West Virginia, His wife's name's Betty Lou Thelma Liz And he's not responsible for what he's doing Cause his mother made him what he is. And it's up against the wall Redneck Mother, Mother, who has raised her son so well. He's thirty-four and drinking in a honky tonk. Just kicking hippies asses and raising hell. Sure does like his Falstaff beer, Likes to chase it down with that Wild Turkey liquor; Drives a fifty-seven GMC pickup truck; He's got a gun rack; "Goat ropers need love, too" sticker And it's up against the wall Redneck Mother, Mother, who has raised her son so well. He's thirty-four and drinking in a honky tonk. Just kicking hippies asses and raising hell. Well, M is for the mudflaps you give me for my pickup truck O is for the Oil I put on my hair T is for T-bird H is for Haggard E is for eggs, and R is for REDNECK. Up against the wall Redneck Mother, Mother, who has raised her son so well. He's thirty-four and drinking in a honky tonk. Kicking hippies asses and raising hell. He's up against the wall Redneck Mother, Mother, who has raised her son so well. He's thirty-four and drinking in a honky tonk. Just kicking hippies asses and raising hell. Artist Song Name Composer Composition Instrument

Effect is a result of something that happened. A hangover was the effect of Oenophile's overindulging his passion for pinot noir. Affect is causal action on the object. A good pinot noir affects Oenophile's mood in a sunny way. That's how I keep it straight in my beleaguered and much maligned grey matter.

Does anyone recall the line from Full Metal Jacket ...Ain't nothing but steers and queers in Texas and I don't see any horns on you.

You can find great help without incurring the expense of a first class shrink. There are a number of resources that you can pursue. If you happen to live near a university hospital or if driving to one on a monthly basis is an option, you will find that you can work with a psychologist or psychiatrist in training. They have done most of their academic work before they are allowed see patients and their work is closely monitored by a faculty member who is fully licensed to practice to ensure that your well being is not put at risk. Best of all, the cost is nominal. Another option is to see a limited licensed psychologist. They are less expensive than seeing a PhD. These are psychologists who have completed the masters in psychology. They have been trained and licensed to counsel patients in all but the most severe of mental disorders. I am seeing a limited licensed psychologist now and am quite pleased with her work. As with any psychologist who isn't a M.D., you will need to see a physician if you require meds. The prescribing physician will want to see you typically every three months to see how you are progressing with the meds. (The doc I see gives me enough samples to get me by until it's time to see him.) I have found that friends with whom I have established a mutual respect and trust are a very good source of help. Sometimes it's good to just get what you are feeling out in the open. That can be very eye opening to what your options are, often without your friend having to suggest anything. Other times you will be amazed how easily a lot of situations are resolved when someone who can be objective yet cares about your well-being gives their advice. I hope this helps. I believe getting help with emotional issues is a regular trip to the dentist, it prevents "plaque" from building up an ruining a great smile. Unfortunately, in our culture men are taught to be stoic and tough it out on our own. Such a warped view of masculinity often has devastating results in our lives and those of our loved ones.

I lived in Texas for ten years. What amazed me was how many I knew that had never been outside the state. I once met a man who had to be in his seventies living in Ft Worth who had never been outside of Texas. Heck, Oklahoma is only two hours away. I'm not convinced that Texans are any tougher than the average American. The toughest people I remember meeting are NYC construction workers.

I can do the most realistic pig squeal that you have ever heard. Maybe my ex was right. I just may be pig. Don't get any ideas though. I would make lousy bacon. R

Would it available if I (fill in the blank)? If you want to travel fast and far, you've gotta travel light. Anyone else hear this one...Paul (and therefore Victor Paul by default) is our example in the Grace Administration not Jesus!!! You owe your life to this Ministry.

So Pond, How long have you been out of twi? Or are you still in? R

I make a clear distinction between gossiping and private information between the sender and receiver in my post.

Try this on for a novel idea. Don't say anything about anyone that you don't have the kahunas to say to their face in PM or anywhere else for that matter. It's a good way avoid strife and other people finding your cutlery in their back. It is also a good, honest and decent way to live. If something gets back to the person who may have been maligned in private, then I say good. First of all, it gives the maligned person a chance to speak up for themselves. Second, for such a "confidence" to be broken exposes the backbiter for the coward that he/she is. I typically will turn these whispering complainers around when they come to me with their juicy tidbits on a common acquintance with a firm but gentle "WTF are you telling me this, why don't you take it up with them, you spineless squid." Granted, it doesn't win me many friends but WTF needs friends like that anyway. Now, if someone that you trusted with private information about yourself and they make that public information that is a wholly different situation. That person deserves to be tarred and feathered and banned from Greasespot for life.

Abigail writes... "This is one of the things I would like to understand about boys/men. Although women have their counter part too - its just more subtle and I often think, more cruel. Course it could just be that I think it is more cruel because I am female and have been on the receiving end of it - but never experienced it in the way boys do." I think men outgrow this cruel tendency. It is unfortunate that their victims barring therapeutic intervention do not outgrow the psychological damage that was inflicted upon them. However, women I don't think ever outgrow their cattiness toward other women that they choose to mark for thinly veiled insults and ostracism. Perhaps it is because physical torments and directness of insults perpetrated by boys become socially unacceptable as adult behavior. I don't believe the same social sanctions exit for the more subtle form of female on female cruelty.

"We once had a conversation months ago, about the difficulties of using a toilet. A round toilet bowl, means there is a 'question' of where a man puts is plumbing when he sits. Outside means you might leak onto the floor. Inside means you dangle up against the inside of the bowl, or down into the water-puddle." OK, either Galen is exaggerating or I fear I am woefully inadequate. That's another thing ladies. Most men brag about the size of their schlong, the bigger the better. I suppose the reason we engage in such penile olympics is that somewhere between our ears we are convinced that the bigger, the more desirable we are as lovers. As you probably have noticed men like to measure themselves against each other. I am convinced that is the basis of our fascination with sports. We are elated and validated when the team with which we identify ourselves wins and sometimes fall into despair or rage when they lose. It's part of our linear and spatial orientation of our psyche. The male ego is a very fragile thing and perhaps the most delicate part is our sexuality. The idea that you women might find us lacking relative to other men in the area of providing you with optimum sexual pleasure and performance is one of the most devastating of of possibilities. That females play a very powerful role in natural selection is easily confirmed when watching the mating rituals of animals shown on televised nature programs. Often you see males parading before females showing their capabilities whether it is display of physical dominance or the most eye catching plummage. The female selection, the narration tells us, is based upon their shopping list of qualities that they prefer to have passed on to their progeny. While we men admire and identify with the chosen, the idea that we might be the human equivalent of those males rejected by nature truly evokes angst within us. It is hard for us to talk about our perceived inadequacies because to do so we become vulnerable. Actually vulnerability is a sign of strength because becoming vulnerable requires courage to face ourselves as we really are. We are socialized not to show any vulnerability and to keep a stiff upper lip as well as other parts of our anatomy when called into service. Vulnerability, we believe attracts the sharks in our world like blood in the water. Our training in this area starts when we are quite young. I am sure you have heard parents give the familiar refrain to to their crying pre-schooler sons, "Big boys don't cry." Perhaps this exercise of observation and soul baring will give you insight into what goes on in our heads. As important as feeling loved is to you women so is feeling respected and admired by you is to us.

Hopeful, My prayers are with you. Robin

There is some disturbing news about Strattera. Studies have shown that it contributes to mood disorders which often are marked by violent episodes and suicidal tendencies especially in children. Thanks Abi for bringing this to my attention. Here's the article in Fortune. http://www.fortune.com/fortune/articles/0,...1112519,00.html

Happy Birthday, Sudo! Happy Birthday, Sudo!

Wayfernot, I know it wizzes you off when someone abuses your baby. It does me too. Maybe you could fix it on the cheap by getting one of those suction thingies and pull the dent out and use the matching touch up paint. R

What do you now believe about hell? Do you still believe that sheol and hades mean "gravedom" as they were explained in Are the Dead Alive Now?? Have you come to believe that it is a place of eternal torment? Do you believe that gehenna is a place of destruction of soul life or do you believe that the soul lives on but in torment by the "fire that never ceases."

Cheers to Paw and Bob! clink

I thought the Mayor of Asheville was a woman. Mickey was a rising star in TWI in NC from the time he first took PFAL. Toad Friend, In response to your question. 1973...Kinston 1974...Wilson

Thanks Dilva. You have just added your voice to my doctor's (surprise, surprise) about Omega 3's. I am taking 2000mg of Flax Seed Oil. I used to have salmon on Saturday night with a nice Pinot Noir but I have got out of the habit. I suppose it's time to get back in.