wildone

I am surprised, I have to admit, that more people didn't know I really thought he came out back in the 'It gets better' videos, but maybe I am just making that up . I wonder what will happen when it dawns on everyone the the #1 Daytime Talkshow, Ellen, is followed closely (can't confirm) with Anderson. Possibly Dr. Phil and maybe Dr. Oz and the View might be in there ahead of them. I do find it interesting that most likely two of the top five are gay hosts . As long as none of them go as 'radical' as Rosie did, they shouldn't see a ratings drop.

:music: Happy Birthday Canada :music: A big Happy Birthday to Canada on this 145th Birthday. This year seems to signify a few special events in our history and makes us look forward to the future. 200 years ago on June 18, 2012 The United States of America declared war on Great Britain and her North America colonies. This war proved significant to both the future Canada and the US. Debate remains on who won the war but a common idea is that both sides won. The US declared war due to the restrictions put on them by the British and it gave them true independence from the British still having some influence on the US. To Canadians, it gave the way for Upper and Lower Canada to become a country, not just a colony. Aboriginal, French, and English joined forces to participate in the war and was the unity that was needed to long last become a country. Canada was able to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II's diamond jubilee. Although support ebbs and wanes to the monarchy, it is still a historic year for her Majesty as well as her largest Commonwealth nation. Two years ago, Canada surprised the world and the frankly, ourselves, with our performance at the Winter Olympics in Vancouver. National unity and pride has never been higher and that feeling has not warn off as we prepare to compete with the rest of the world in London in less than a month. Even if we don't have the same success on the much larger scale, Summer opposed to Winter Olympics, Canada is more revved up than I remember in the past to watch what our athletes can achieve. There is many other things that makes Canada what it is and reasons to celebrate it's birthday. These are just my reflections on what I feel this year signifies. HAPPY BIRTHDAY CANADA

There is no category for you Kirsta

I know what you are saying Ashi but unfortunately it doesn't seem to work that way. When my Mom died, my Dad was totally reliant on his kids. We could have had him signed over his entire life and he wouldn't have noticed. Then again, nor did any of us kids. From hearing true life stories like this, even in heterosexual couples, not declaring you are married or common-law basically gives ALL rights to the deceased's family. He could have fought all he wanted to, but the State would always rule in favour of the family . I do believe people married in a state that it is legal to do so and then go back to their home state are not afforded any rights when a tragedy happens either. I don't want to make this political, so I shall not Promoting for change and equal personal rights is the most that this guy can do....right now.

Ah Ha!!! So the truth is revealed Sure, the air conditioning maybe is broken, so he isn't repairing it but off on a beach vacation Next he'll be telling us he avoids water like he does cliffhangers

Damn, my evil diabolical plan to take out your air conditioning and turn your place into a sweat shop forcing you to turn out chapters has disastrously failed Now seriously take your time CJ on posting, but not on the A/C repair. Also don't forget that family comes first and trumps our wanting of a new chapter If you like, I can pop in and pretend to be you and answer the posts in the forum . Just don't be surprised if somehow you finally admit that you use cliffhangers

hmmmm, hard to follow that Birthday Song Happy Birthday W_L I hope your birthday is full of fun and surprises!

I was talking about this with some people this morning and they have young children. Some interesting ideas came out that I thought I would share. Almost every parent said that they would never allow their child to be raised to do this. I'm sure all the of kids parents involved would and have said the same thing. The other point came up that their kids would be taught to respect adults for being just an adult. I found this statement to be a double edged sword. We expect kids to respect adults. On the other hand, we expect kids to report or tell on adults that they don't feel are acting correct. Then, when our kids tell us something, do we take the time to hear the other side of the story before taking their side. Taking their side usually involves a visit or a phone call to the 'offending' adult, done in front of their kids. Even if not done in front of their kids they usually found out Mommy or Daddy took care of 'that' person. So a mixed message is going to the kids, you are to respect adults but if you don't feel they deserve your respect than tell me and I will take care of it by not respecting the other adult myself. So if Mommy and Daddy don't respect the other adult, why should I? I know this is a simplistic example, but don't you think it holds some truth? Only once did my Dad take my side with a teacher when he actually physically picked me up off the floor and slammed me into the wall. This was in Grade 4 and Dad helped me after he discussed it with some of the other kids present and the principle had called him to inform of the incident and what the school was doing with the teacher. All the other times I was in trouble with an adult, Dad listened to me and then rightfully punished me for it, as was much deserved. I wonder, out loud , do we as adults respect our children more than any other adult around us?

James, i agree 100%. The way this story started out was with the line 'Amateur Porn Actor accused of Murder'. It then became 'Gay for Pay Porn Actor Accused...'. Now it is just Gay Porn Actor...' Let's face it, the media has made this as much about his sexuality as it has about the actual crime. Yes, he may have been gay, something that he denies. Sadly though the headline should just be 'Montreal man accused of Murder.' Sadly, this won't grab the attention of the public

Tim, I applaud your family members and yourself to have taken the path of being in education (I take it from your comment that you deal with the education system, but what exactly isn't important). I respect teachers and the education system for doing what they do with what money they have. Unfortunately to steer this towards a debate of if the education system is funded enough would steer this directly to the Soapbox. My point, still, is that this monitor was essentially attacked and of no fault of her own. Teachers have been educated and deal with these issues on a daily basis. How much training/education did Mrs. Klein receive to handle this unthinkable act? Sure, we could say that the system has failed her and the kids in this case. I do have to ask though what is the solution? If you and Cia and others want people to ride the school buses that are experts in conflict resolution and enforcement of school board policies and procedures, then you better get ready to open your wallet to pay higher taxes to fund these people. Personally, I think of the school bus monitor as like the parent/adult crossing guard. They are there for the safety of the children, but there is limits to what we can all expect them to do when things go wrong. Would you expect the crossing guard to drive/chase after and pursue someone who didn't stop in the crosswalk? They could make a citizens arrest and help with the prosecution of the law breaking driver? I still maintain that she was the victim here and that she shares no blame for the incident. It is the kids who are ultimately responsible. It is necessary to look at the system as well as the home environment to see where these kids failed, but it does not in one iota fall on Mrs. Klein.

http://www.cbc.ca/video/watch/News/World/ID=2248839759

From the Greece School District Board: I agree 100% with the final paragraph

I believe it is human nature to stand up for others before yourself. Let's be honest, if she took any of the suggestions that have been put out there, we would be watching a video with the calls to have her prosecuted for harassing the poor innocent children. Personally I feel she is on the bus as a deterrent, not as a enforcer. It is the same as going to any large sporting event and seeing older people as security. They are not there to take down the bad people, they are there as another set of eyes and hopefully make people think twice about doing something they shouldn't. Let's compare apples to apples. The other day a lady was sexually assaulted late at night walking home in a darkened area of a public pathway. People are saying she shouldn't have put herself in the position. I say that she had every right to be walking home and just because she is a woman is a reason she should be raped! This grandma, who technically could be your mom, my mom, anyone's mom shouldn't be subjected to this. How would your mom react? I feel considering the circumstances there wasn't a hell of a lot she could do. Sit there and take it, get in the occasional manner lesson, and then report it to the school. Funny though that the kids involved had it posted on the internet probably before she even got home.

Wow, what I take out of this is that the victim is to blame Correct me if I'm wrong in drawing this from your posts. Maybe read a bit more. How about the fact one kid told her that all of her family should commit suicide since they have to live with her...this after one of her sons she did lose to suicide. This sickened me, and made me feel for Mrs. Klein in a way that brought back emotions from my own experience of bullying. To say she should have fought back is a little naive IMHO. We are young and not afraid to assert ourselves. However, don't you feel a little bit uncomfortable when you see a group of young male teenagers in a group mentality? I do. I'm sure each of these kids are pretty good one on one, I'm not willing to throw out the baby with the bathwater here but I'm definitely for holding them accountable for their actions. BTW, it is over $300,000.00 now with the intent that she should be able to retire and not have to experience this BS again from kids who parents who will most likely defend the poor choices of their precious children.

For these mentioned reasons, I glad we have chat monitors like Benji, Krista, Patrick and Sam around. Also the fact that Eric and Renee pop in as well from the Global Moderator category with Joe, Cia, and Myr who visit often all helps keep our chat hopefully safe for all. The biggest thank you for this does definitely have to go to all the users who make GA Chat and GA what it is. Most issues are resolved by members themselves and it is great that this happens on it own. I'm sure all of us want to ensure our chat room is a welcoming and safe place for the young as well as the old (Me ).

This is scary for straight guys, but hilarious for me

One similar item that I did notice last summer and have been keeping my eye on is the 'need a penny, leave a penny' tray at checkouts. I began to notice that in rural areas that they contained more then pennies, some nickels, dimes, quarters, the occasional loonie or toonie ($1 or $2 dollar coins). Whereas in the city you only see pennies and very few if any at that. Sadly this age old give and take system will probably disappear as Canada stamped their last penny about a month ago. Don't know if city folk will be willing to leave a nickel for their neighbour

Well after 2 1/2 years I think I finally got it all straightened out CJ has often told us that the prologue is the key to the story, and indeed it is. Well done CJ. well done

Welcome back Eric Glad to see you back!!! Okay, you've nailed down Krista, what about the rest of us?

I like the Stampeder's chances. They managed to get a field goal in the dying seconds of the game last night to edge over the Eskimo's But there is the perennial favourites with the Alouettes having Cavillo back for another year. BC will be a different look with Bouno no longer on the sidelines but I definitely wouldn't count them out. The Blue Bomber...meh. Expecting bigger and better things out of the Tigercats and the Argonauts, but I'd take the TiCats on this one with Barrett in town know and out to prove he isn't too old. Hey, you didn't say what league of football

Watching the news tonight I came across this news story below. I couldn't help but thing that as the goat ages, what will happen to him Then I saw the article and thought, Wow, we can all keep CJ going for a long long long time I'm not sure how many human years convert to goat years, but if we choose 2 goat years to one human years, that puts him near the end of his life Not to mention the strain on his cloven hooves which must tiring from all the typing he does, he must have trouble getting around. So if the time comes, we can all help CJ continue on. After all the world will be a less of a happy place if we have to put down a lame goat http://watch.ctv.ca/news/top-picks/leg-up/#clip701564

Congratulations to the Los Angeles Kings!!!! To come in as the lowest seed and to take out the top team in the regular season in 5 games, then to move on and take out the #3 team in four only to go beat the 3 seeded team in the West in 5 to represent the West and beat the New Jersey Devils in six at home is simply amazing. Congrats to Darryl Sutter and all the Los Angeles players and their fans and the city!!! To see them win the cup for the very first time is definitely a wow moment. Also a mention to the New Jersey Devils. The only team to be able to squeak two games out of the Kings show what a classy and competitive organization that they are. Led by Martin Brodeur they definitely deserved to be there and represented their city well. Now most importantly, congratulations to this years winner of the GA NHL Playoff Pool.... TrevorTime Trevor now gets to have the title and the bragging rights of being the GA Playoff Pool champ until June of next year Honourable Mentions go out to Johnathan, Andy and Nate as well Please join me in congratulating Trevor!!

I hope you don't mind Bob, I'm posting your Birthday party picture in here

:music: Happy Birthday Bob :music: Here's hoping that your Birthday is spent among family and friends. Knowing that you popped in lets me know that both have been accomplished Enjoy your day!!

W_L and Graeme both bring up excellent points. The one thing I was thinking about is the simple fact that even today in society, gay relationships are keep somewhat secretive. Combine the fact that someone maybe hiding so far in the closet that they got married (enough with just that) to a woman and had kids, then things become really complicated. We preach to come out when it is your time to come out so how do we condemn those who feel they are backed in a corner and can't do anything in the open? Not to say that coming out is more or less traumatic for a single 21 y/o guy than a married 45 y/o guy with 3 kids but I would say the consequences are maybe more compounded. Personally me, no, I don't want to be a part of a relationship that I enable a cheater. Unfortunately reality shows me that maybe some empathy and understanding of those that do get in a cheating relationship may be in order from me instead of judgement. So how is that for sitting on the fence