DeadPoolX

I think I'm just tired of the media. It's "murder" here and "rape" there... it's actually quite depressing. If you believe the media, people are dropping dead at the same rate they do in Team Fortress 2.

I actually think health insurance companies do care about patients to some degree. However, profits are really their main motivation.

So long as the system marks down who has HIV. I'm not against allowing HIV infected individuals into the country, but there needs to be some sort of record.

Election reform?

I know the US is on a much bigger scale but it should not just be a rich man's hobby.

I wouldn't be against it, but how would it be implemented? That's the real problem.

I don't get what purpose is served by singling out Obama for contrived photo opportunities when it is part and parcel of political business. Its certainly the sort of thing that everyone expects politicians to do.

Apparently previous presidents were more "sincere" than Obama.

I don't know if this was directed at me, but I don't believe previous presidents were any more sincere than Obama. Politicians lie. That's what they do.

I don't condone silencing a certain media because it leans left or right, but along the lines of what MC said listen to both & the truth is somewhere in between.

I totally understand why Fox news exists. Clearly prior to them, conservative opinions and voices were not heard.

I find it very hard to believe that Fox News accurately represents "conservative opinion". If that were the case - it's very thin material, to say the least.

I used to watch Fox News because it was entertaining. It still is, but I rarely follow the news nowadays. Whenever I want to know something, I look it up online.

Right now I'm unemployed and when I have been within the last year, I've been underemployed. In fact, I often get turned down because I'm "overqualified." That's a real pisser in of itself when you're punished for having a university-level education.

I don't think your manager was threatening you. She was making a valid complaint. If someone is missing work and that absence interferes with another person's duties, that quickly becomes a real problem.

Having said that, you have a baby and babies require a lot of attention and time. Missing a few days over the course of a month-and-a-half isn't that bad. If you and your manager are willing to be flexible about your work hours, that might be a good solution. You'd still get your work done, but be able to take care of your child.

Another option is to forgo payment for whatever time you miss UNLESS that time is scheduled, such as a vacation. I don't particularly like this option (and I doubt you do as well), but it might help if your manager isn't willing to bend a little.

As some others have already said, there's no foolproof way to prevent visa fraud. You might be able to cut it down my a small amount, but if someone is really determined to enter the U.S., they'll find a way.

All this would do is hurt those who wish to immigrate legally. The fees are already high for many people and keeping couples apart simply for the "possible prevention" of fraud is counterproductive. The U.S. should WANT legal immigrates. With the huge stink about illegals coming into the country, keeping people from doing it the legal way will only serve to increase the illegal entries.

Moving to Victoria would actually make visiting my wife's family a LOT easier. As it is right now, the ferry ride takes about an "hour-and-a-half" to get there from Horseshoe Bay. My wife's sister and her family live in Victoria and I think my inlaws are planning to move to Comox. They're on Gabriola Island right now, which is even more of a hassle.

I am not sure that the political process needs either of these guys Be that as it may, just being rich should not be the only credential required to run for office, in my opinion.

Obviously this only pertains to certain areas. There are governors and mayors of small states/cities that don't require the same financial investments.

Of course it SHOULDN'T, but that's hardly realistic. Waging a political campaign costs a ton of money. It always has, even though we're fed BS about how "anyone can become president." Sure... anyone with the necessary finances.

Whether Bush did or didn't is moot. The real issue is whether or not Obama used dead people for a photo op....I say yes and this further demonstrates that this guy's merely an empty suit!

Anyone see him saluting in unison with the Honor Guard? A disgusting contrived display for the cameras!

You act as though this is something other than business as usual in politics.

The photo-op may be contrived, but your outrage about it certainly is.

I have to agree. Politicians aren't exactly known for their strong moral compass (unless it's for good publicity).

I'd strongly suggest this piece of headgear:

We need more preventative health care measures. Like this:

Looks that villain from HEROES.

Sylar? His power is derived from his unibrow. The less of one he has, the weaker he becomes. Look at the different seasons and you'll see what I'm getting at here.

The first computer I ever had was an "Apple II" and a green monochrome CRT monitor (which was more plastic than screen). Playing King's Quest was really difficult since it was hard to distinguish the land from the water.

I'd say most of the results depend on HOW the question was phrased.

Here's something I do like about Vancouver and the outlying areas: it's a lot easier to find your way around and it's much faster than driving in Houston. I really like Houston, but the streets are completely screwed up. There's one street that changes its name THREE TIMES and then later reverts to its FIRST NAME!

Just don't drive anytime during or near rush hour.

I found that out a while ago. HWY 1 can get crazy.

My New Years resolution shall be 1680x1050.

As an asthmatic, I've always gotten the seasonal flu shot. This year I got both the seasonal and the H1N1 (I was able to get it as a caregiver of a child under 6 months old). Even if the swine flu in most cases is not so bad, I'd rather not have it - it's hard enough caring for a newborn as it is.

H1N1 + asthma = worse than seasonal flu.

This is like the case of breast cancer in African Americans. White women are diagnosed more per capita, yet die less since African American women have less access to adequate health care on a statistical level.

H1N1 is no trivial virus, and when it kills, it makes the regular influenza virus pathology seem like a common cold.

Yeah, my dad has been strongly urging me (I have asthma) to get both vaccines and even my wife. She doesn't want to get either shots -- and that's her choice -- but I'd feel better if she did.

Here's something I do like about Vancouver and the outlying areas: it's a lot easier to find your way around and it's much faster than driving in Houston. I really like Houston, but the streets are completely screwed up. There's one street that changes its name THREE TIMES and then later reverts to its FIRST NAME!

I'm like Trailmix. If I don't like the price, I refuse to buy the item. In some situations I'll try to negotiate a better price, though, if I really want the item.

I don't know why Americans think they're getting a better deal on things, though. Some things may be cheaper at first glance, but then there are the hidden costs which makes things even more expensive. Take, for instance, the cost of buying a house. In Canada you hire a broker, they find the best mortgage for you, and then you go and buy your house. In the US it's a giant mess. I can't even begin to list the numerous problems you have with securing a mortgage. Then, the thing that really irked me to no end, was the extremely high cost of closing the sale. Thousands upon thousands of dollars for closing costs?? #######?!!!!!1

Anyway.... I guess that was my vent.

I've never bought a house (only rented), so I don't know what the costs are in the U.S. I can't imagine it's easy or fun. My wife and I watch House Hunters and Property Virgins a lot on HGTV. Some of the shows are entertaining and some of the info is also good.

I think PV first started in Canada (there's a buttload of shows in Toronto or around that area), but they've recently expanded into the U.S. Most of the time the show deals with the northern states (Washington, Oregon, New York, etc) although it sometimes ventures south. I've seen episodes that take place in Florida, Alabama, California, Georgia, Texas and so on.

I really don't get the whole "conspiracy/scare" stuff that's going on about the H1N1 vaccine or even the regular flu shot. If it weren't for vaccinations, conditions like polio and smallpox would still be a real threat.

If you want some neat pumpkin designs, try Pumpkin Glow. I really like the M1 Abrams Tank (PDF) pattern, but my wife doesn't.

There are four hotels within close walking distance:

• Vancouver Marriott Pinnacle Downtown Hotel
• Renaissance Vancouver Hotel Harbourside
• Loden Vancouver Hotel
• Hyatt Regency Vancouver

Those hotels are listed in order of closest to furthest from 1095 West Pender Street. I don't know how expensive any of the rooms are, but if you have AAA or CAA membership, you can usually get a somewhat lower price. You could also choose a non-refundable reservation as those generally cost a lot less, too.