Peter Savodnik on Evan Gershkovich’s year in Russian prison. Eli Lake on campus lunacy. RIP Joe Lieberman, Richard Serra, and Daniel Kahneman. And much more.
As the mother of ten children, I claim authority over the babies-in-bars issue. Here is the ruling: if it's allowed by law in your state, go ahead and take your baby in the bar. Have a glass of wine, maybe two - because they don't give you much, have you noticed? - and then go home. If your baby starts crying, shrieking, spewing, or other disruptive behaviors, leave immediately.
In many countries, public spaces are much more accommodating to parents with children than in the U.S. We just got back from Spain where it was not uncommon to see little kids out at restaurants with their parents past 10pm. There were playgrounds on almost every city block in Madrid, where kids could play and parents could sit nearby and have a coffee or a drink. One of my favorite spots to grab a drink in the U.S. is a brewery in Door County WI - it's got a lovely outdoor play area where the kids can run around while the parents enjoy some "adult" conversation. I wish there were more places like that here.
The problem with trying to teach kids that "it isn't all about them" is that our society doesn't work that way any more. Wherever kids are, it *is* all about them, without exception. I went to a church dance event a few weeks ago. Mind you, this wasn't club bobbing-up-and-down dancing; it was serious partner dancing. But people were letting their kids run around loose on the dance floor, getting underfoot of the dancers. It was dangerous, both for the dancers and the kids. I didn't stay long.
The people who advocate babies or small children be allowed in adult venues obviously have never been on a plane with some brat kicking the back of your seat for hours on end.
I don't go to a bar to hear some baby scream at the top of their lungs. I go for a drink and quiet conversation with my friends.
You are right. When we flew with small children, I made sure my 2 boys had plenty to do and munch in their little backpacks. I didn't want their behavior to reflect on me or to embarrass me. When I fly now, it's like these parents didn't give a thought to bringing along something to keep their children busy and entertained. Call me crazy, but these people need lessons in parenting.
I refer to a bar with quiet refinement. A bar when you drink tea, you hold the teacup with your little finger extended and curled and speak with a faux British accent.
YES. why not a "childrens section" on planes. mothers can nurse freely..change diapers .. movies can be all kids..food can be pablum and hot dogs.. and the rst of us can relax. oh. and it needs a cabin of its own
Another thing I noticed was the lack of big bulky strollers there like so many Americans have. I think I maybe saw two double strollers the entire time we were there and I think those were both foreigners. Toddlers there must get used to walking everywhere from a young age rather than being shuttled around passively. I admit I am one of those parents who will still strap my preschooler into the stroller if we need to walk a long way because I don’t want to deal with the whining and slow pace. In Madrid she showed us she is fully capable of walking miles and miles and I realized we’ve been coddling her for our own “convenience.”
How many of you have been on a long overseas flight where a baby screams for hours? If you can't clear your ears when the air pressure changes, it is extremely painful and many babies can't clear their ears and scream because they are in pain.
The screaming is annoying to say the least but there is nothing the parent can do to alleviate the pain and stop the screaming. The only thing you can do as a passenger is take 5 or 6 shots of tequila and mellow out. Just joking.
Oh yes they can, they can take a bit of baby Dimetapp on the plane and give it to the child when all of their other preparations fail. If everything fails, the child probably has an ear or sinus problem so it is better to help them to sleep for the duration than make them cry for the duration.
Sucking and swallowing usually helps the baby clear their ears. But if they already have an ear infection brewing, the experience is likely to make it worse. I suspect a lot people who end up with screaming babies on a flight have not planned ahead (such as giving tylenol 20 minutes before takeoff, just in case).
Part of the reason I loved breastfeeding was that nursing is comforting for a child in a way that jamming a bottle or pacifier in their mouth can never be. Nursing always soothed my kids almost instantly unless there was something really wrong.
We have traveled a lot so far with our daughter and we never brought a stroller with us anywhere. I used my baby wearing carrier and she just got in and came along. I can be a nervous flyer and am also mostly responsible for the logistics of our travel so I didn't have time to worry about lugging a stroller. It made getting around European cities that much easier. It was because I didn't have a stroller that I made several tight connecting flights. I realize it's not for everyone but I possibly cried the day I realized that she was too big for it :(
I have a love hate relationship with our double stroller. It definitely came in handy at O’hare the other day after a 10 hour flight when we had to walk 30 min from our plane to passport control. Our exhausted kids were in no state to walk that far after the long, sleepless flight, and we were too bogged down with carry ons to carry them. At the same time … it’s definitely cumbersome. I loved baby carriers when they were smaller but they no longer fit in those.
Ah yes, people and their damn strollers. Another one of my soapbox issues. Personally, I wore my child most of the time when she was younger. Once she got over 18 months, we pretty much made her walk. If it was more walking than she could handle, we just didn’t do that activity.
In Ireland, last time I was there, 12-year-olds served drinks in their parents' pubs.
When I was a kid, my job was to replenish the ice-cube bucket and serve hors d'oeuvres (and be nearby but unobtrusive). These times were lessons in how to interact politely with people. And they happened every weekend.
Parenting is everything.
The young harpy who wanted her tampon NOW no doubt demanded and got other things from parents and teachers. They did her no favors. They did you and me no favors either.
Couldn’t agree more. I don’t think the solution to raising competent members of society is shielding kids from “adult places” - that seems to me a mentality of low expectations. I think kids should be more integrated in traditionally adult spaces (like they are in many other countries) - albeit with healthy boundaries. My kids understand that if they start screaming and making a scene in a restaurant we will leave.
At many a Sunday dinner with family in various restaurants sporting white tablecloths, my parents placed my toddler self on multiple telephone books, and I remained sitting quietly even as the grownups smoked themselves to death over their after-dinner coffees. Ah, the good old days of the 1950s.
It is syrupy. But the Guinness brewery is a sight to behold. My husband questioned how we were going to find it, but no worries, you just follow your nose. The original lease is for hundreds of years and encased in glass in the floor on the first floor. Then you get a lesson on brewing on each floor as you go up. The one on hops was very informative. A whole floor of hops. The building is shaped like a pint glass and the top floor is the pub with ceiling to ground windows, so a panoramic view of Dublin. We visited when the tall ship race finished on Dublin and the top floor was filled with the sailors in period uniforms. Ireland in general is like stepping back in history but this experience was doubly so.
The ice bucket, you mean? A bigger one would have been unsightly. Filling up the usual size was good training until I got old enough to mix cocktails for my elders.
Our favorite bar in Matthews, NC, has picnic tables outside and an affiliated pizza kitchen. There are often children there, especially in summer when it's light in the evening. Dogs, too.
Like with so many other things, Europe isn't America. With the number of "family friendly" bars (Applebee's,, Chili's etc.) there isn't any reason or excuse to take your rugrats to the corner pub. In general, we'd be a lot better off as a society if we showed a little more altruism; just because it's my "right" to do something doesn't mean go ahead and do it. Kids playing with each other outdoors while parents socialize - no problem. Kid crying in a stroller while parents attempt to relive their 20's - assholes.
How does it affect you if parents take their kids to your corner pub? I can see if they’re having tantrums and being annoying but if they’re just chilling at the table with their family what’s the big deal? Altruism indeed.
90% of kids won't just sit there like adults will and the 10% that will would be having their brains rotted by playing with their parents smartphone so they do sit still. Neither is the environment bar patrons want to be subjected to. As I said, go to someplace that caters to family's or drink at home like every other parent did until the everyone gets a trophy generation.
Interesting perspective. I think you’re going to continue being angry and disappointed though if you expect parents with young kids to exclusively eat at Applebees.
Chili's is an option for them too. But no, in WA, kids aren't allowed in bars/taverns so I'm good - I suppose there is one redeeming quality of this nutjob leftist state.
And to tell you the truth, in any other bar I've been at across the country, kids haven't been allowed either. I think a lot of the brouhaha is over the relaxed requirements for outdoor dining since the China Virus decimated all these small/local businesses.
That’s true about the later hours in Spain. But it wasn’t just that - it seemed children were more immersed in “adult” life there vs the reverse, which is how it is in the US — and I think it is to everyone’s benefit.
As the only child of older parents, I spent many hours quietly amusing myself while the grown-ups talked. I also learned a lot by listening.
But I was never, ever allowed to have the illusion that the world was all about me. I recognized from a young age that it was a grown-up world with occasional accommodations for kids.
Part of the problem for kids these days that we have arranged HUGE parts of the world exclusively around children. There are multiple TV channels that show nothing but children's programming. It's very, very easy for kids to develop the idea that being a kid is where it's at, and they should never stop.
Also, American kids today are so over scheduled they don’t even have an opportunity to be bored in a space that’s not designed to entertain them and then to figure out what to do with that boredom! I can’t fathom that boding well for them as adults.
An inability to deal with boredom definitely does not bode well for success in adult life. I didn't think so as a child, but boredom was a great gift to me. It spurred creativity like nothing else.
My parents took me everywhere, and granted I was an only, but the bottom line was the rules for appropriate behavior were set from the outset. I can only remember misbehaving in a public restaurant maybe once or twice, but otherwise I was happy to sit, eat, talk with my parents, and people watch. Restaurants were/are great for that.
The main point is parents set the tone and boundaries—their behavior/rules is what dictates what is and isn’t acceptable. If you have kids misbehaving it’s because of the parents. Granted it may be more difficult with more, but Ive seen parents with multiple kids who behaved well through a meal. It can be done.
On the point about babies, though, it's not really a question of rules or expectations. A baby is either quiescent - sleeping or just looking around - or raising some kind of ruckus. In the latter situation, you make every reasonable effort to remove the baby from the situation.
In some situations, like a doctor's waiting room, you're kind of stuck, but in a bar or other hospitality-industry venue, the only considerate thing to do is leave.
When my parents took me out to eat it would never occur to me to act out or act out in public in any way. I don't think it was due to any magical parenting skills I guess I just intuitively knew not to be a pain in the ass.
The problem is not about babies and where they can go, it's about entitled parents who refuse to take their disruptive child out.
In our church, there has never been nursery available during the sermon meeting. So people are accustomed to babies and children occasionally beginning to cry or fuss. But every parent also knows to pick up their child and take them out in the foyer, so the length of the disruption for everyone else is minimal. Everyone is sympathetic to the parent who takes the child out (they've usually been in that position). But if a parent, for some reason, delays doing do, the sympathy wans VERY quickly.
It's a parent's job to prevent their child from being a problem for other people. That is true regardless of where the parent has taken their child. Even in a McDonald's Playplace, a kid who screams, cries, hits, or bullies other children needs to be removed from the venue.
I took my children into bars at a young age to eat lunch now and then just so they would never think bars were a mystery or in any way cool. It worked. As adults, they couldn't care less about bars.
Same! I worked my 2nd job bartending as a single parent and would have to take them with me for a few hours on a Sunday, before the other parent could pick them up. They became very proficient at billiards and darts, yet no fan of bars when they came of age.
Birthing is not the hard part - especially for much of the mammal kingdom: It's keeping them alive and reasonably functional until independence, that strikes me as the difficult task.
I have six sons. Feed them, and give them lots of exercise. We used to have a little trampoline, the kind they sell for "cardio training," in the dining room. My oldest boy would sometimes get up at night and jump.
Cynthia, I applaud you for raising 10. America needs more large families. I'm the middle brat of seven, and as an adult I have a built-in support group and best friends for life. Wish I could have talked my hubs into more than two.
Along with "no lost limbs, no felony records," I think one of my achievements is that my adult children are, at best, really good friends, and at worst, friendly. When my husband and I are dead, they'll have one another.
I pity only children. When their parents are gone, they will have no one. But I dread the day I start losing siblings, and so sad for the last one to survive.
Dealing with the loss of my parents really brought my "only child" status home to me. Everything that needed to be done had to be done by me. Fortunately, I'm good at doing.
My folks took me with them. The bars had the best burgers and fries anywhere and always plused up the fries for the kids. Never hurt me and completely agree with you. Take your kids to destructive protests, have them walk in circles, but not anything else.
Anyone who starts "as a" fill in the identity, or "as the" implying they are the only one, probably should be somewhat disregarded or overlooked regarding their opinion. It is the reason why the University kids are acting the way they are. Only those who identify correctly are seen to be valid, as well as their opinions, which are the right ones from their perspective coincidently enough. Everyone else not condoning your perspective has not realized yet how wrong they are because all you have to do is keep reminding them "as a" or "as the" you have authority on the matter. It is also not illegal to ingest numerous illicit drugs in front of your child with some more lenient in other states than others. But I would not recommend it.
So we have "Tampongate" and a "Panera Human Rights Scandal" all rolled into a "Romper Room" episode at Vandy. (The Romper Room reference is pure Boomerism, eh?).
Anyway, try focusing on the cop who was being badgered in the videos. His patience was admirable, but I'm guessing he wishes he had a paddle for the misbehaving infants.
Just thinking out loud here, but Vandy isn't a low-rent university. A few of these kiddies are probably locked into student loans ... loans that should be barred from being forgiven.
I graduated from Vanderbilt in 1992 and later completed my graduate degree there. In all truthfulness, Vandy has always been committed to neutrality and dialogue. I am proud that administration didn't bow down to the idiotic students and actually had many arrested and suspended. Bravo. Chancellor Daniel Diermeier sent an email to all students, staff, and alumni in early January which included the following excerpt: "Unless required by law, Vanderbilt will not boycott or divest from companies for doing business in or with any specific nations, including Israel. Our position is deeply grounded in our long-standing commitment to institutional neutrality, which calls for the university and its leaders to refrain from taking public positions on controversial issues unless the issue directly affects the core mission and operation of the university. A university’s role is to encourage debates, not to settle them, and institutional neutrality is essential to fostering the maximum freedom of speech and open dialogue on which transformative education and pathbreaking research depend."
Hats off for this most appropriate statement on institutional neutrality and fostering intellectual debate! If only other universities remembered that that is also THEIR responsibility! I am beyond sick to death of the president (or is it Dear Leader) of my alma mater (Wellesley College) sending alumnae letters about what we should think or putting her political opinions in the monthly magazine. I should not be privy to her political views, as they are private. She should be neutrally supporting all students, faculty, and alumnae. I'm thrilled WC is facing a well-deserved lawsuit!
It's too bad this brain rot of throwing ideological tantrums has infested even Vanderbilt. I thought being more in the South, maybe the situation isn't as bad. At least your university president is standing firm which is good. I graduated same year as you but I've severed all ties with my alma mater. I just can't.
Me too. See my comment above. Fortunately, I think many of us are cutting ties in disgust. Hopefully soon Universities will have to start paying attention to us.
As a high school teacher (now retired) in Georgia, mostly seniors, I helped send several students to Vandy ... (via letters of recommendation, scholarship applications, etc.).
It's Peabody College of Education is one of the best in the country. And it had a reputation for having a fine J-school back then (I was a journalist in a prior life).
I agree. Chancellor Diermeier sent an excellent message to the students.
Love that email sent out by the Chancellor!!! I'm very familiar with Vandy - very heavily funded by Jewish donors. That is NOT a negative statement on my part, just truth.
I came to say exactly this!! Tampongate was retarded but the privileged white boys harassing the black cop for being a normal citizen doing his job and not playing along with their nonsense was outright racist and despicable. My God. Mature grown black man isn't serving little white overlords! The outrage! I swear every grown black adult should be insulted.
Megyn Kelly showed these shameful little brats yesterday. Watch at 1:37:56 mark:
In my honest opinion, the biggest threat we face as a society, by far, is the stupidity of our kids. All our actual physical and economic problems have relatively easy solutions. Global Warming isn't real, and closing the border is simply a matter of deciding to close the border. Actual environmental problems have technical solutions. War can be avoided by not granting a voice to the war lobby.
But childishness is a really hard problem to fix. What hope I have arises from the sense that many of these kids have to on some level realize they are emotional basket cases who should not be taken seriously by anyone, at least by their late twenties.
But IDK man. Sometimes I think I just need to get a cottage WAY back in the woods, and live in blissful ignorance as the consequences of pervasive stupidity and greed play out.
Let me just say this: if you are CAPABLE of voting for Joe Biden, now, you are part of that very large problem. Hate on Trump all you like, but he works hard and creates a lot of opportunity for a lot of other people.
Right on! If unchecked, people like this girl will destroy civilization with sheer stupidity. What remains will be Hobbesian. I guess then we start over.
When I arrived in US from the USSR 33 years ago, I came to uncomfortable conclusion that US is a country where most people cannot even understand what real hardship means. Now I understand how deep and profound this issue is. Cottage may not solve the problem, Russian revolution is a proof to that. The great empires fall from within. Just for the record: a rich heir, a draft dodger who sh!ts in a golden toilet, sleeps with porn stars while his wife is pregnant and sells the Bible that he never reads is not a solution, even if you believe that Biden is evil.
29 years for me but same conclusion. Sometimes I wish I was born earlier so I could've had more of my childhood in USSR. Some things about it were good - being able to go around unsupervised from a young age, a rigorous education system, a common culture. When everyone is poor, you don't worry about stupid shit so much. I was shocked by how narcissistic many American kids were even back then, though I didn't have the words for it.
I would not attribute good sides of USSR to the regime that was ruling it. Common culture was not as common as you think - you probably never traveled around the country. Math and science education was leftover from the before the revolution times, and I still cringe remembering all the time wasted in my History of the Communist Party or Political Economics classes. But American consumerism is killing this country, and I don't know what can change it. Not all the capitalist societies are like that, take Nordic countries, but they are small and ethnically more cohesive.
Not for much longer. They have been importing Muslim immigrants at a rapid pace, and are now finding out that the lack of a common culture is a serious problem.
I agree. It was a good place to be a kid, less good for adults.
I'm aware of those political classes, though I was too young to take them myself. From what I've seen, the main problem with them is that they taught you cynicism - but cynicism was needed in USSR anyway, so it was appropriate, even though not something anyone should emulate. On the other hand, American classes infantilize kids with their low expectations, which is not something really useful even here. Maybe that's why the outcome was different - from what I've seen, in USSR, no one was buying what was taught in the political classes, but here, many people are.
With common culture, I think the most important thing is to have *a* culture that brings people together - songs that you sing together, folk dances and folk tales, traditional food, stuff that no one owns but that belongs to everyone. Yes, people in the republics had their own traditions, and there wasn't as much cross-pollination as there probably should've been, but when I came to the US, I was struck by how there *wasn't* any culture like that, how instead it was material culture. Money to fill the emptiness.
Maybe it's why the Nordic countries are different, since they have a common culture. I don't know enough about them, or what to do about the situation here, either.
I completely understand your point. But beware that being a true thinker is a hard and lonely existence, regardless of which society you are living in. There are people here who you can connect with, but it is not that easily achieved. Not everybody is spending entire life chasing a buck.
However, if you look at the life in the USSR, a lot of it was quite ephemeral and shallow, and when the push came to shove, all the closeness disappeared - look at Russia now, 80% of it gave up all that common culture, turned into zombified slaves and went to kill their closest neighbors and relatives.
First of all, America projected that image of a shining city on a hill - it still does for me because I know it is a free country, although very much in trouble, and it breaks my heart. Obviously, looking from the inside you see more and better than from outside. To give you an example, which is going back to the original subject of the article. I always believed in what I thought was American principle that teenage kids should have summer jobs and pay 50% of the cost of their first car. My son's first car was purchased so he could commute to his summer job. Once summer job was over, the car was sold for the same $1200 I paid for it 2 months prior. All the money he earned went towards his college fees. I was shocked to find out that ALL of my American friends and acquaintances paid full amount and insurance for their kids' cars. Some are keeping their 30+ year old kids on their auto insurance, mobile phone plans etc., and paying for their lavish vacations, even when the kids have college degrees and decent jobs. Needless to say, none of their kids had summer jobs. I had the means to pay for his college, but I made it clear that it was his responsibility to work every summer and have a campus job. He did just that and nevertheless graduated cum laude from one of the most competitive engineering schools in the country. Why my friends' kids are always going to their parents for more money? Because they always want more than they can afford - that's my definition of consumerism that kills America. I feel very connected with the old American culture exemplified by Ben Franklin, but it seems to have gone extinct. I have enough money to afford upper middle class life style, but I live a minimalist life and give to charitable causes, but how many do the same?
You are speaking my language. I have been shopping for a little cottage for about the past 6 months. In Amish country. Where people know how to thrive with less.
I had that cottage far from people-for decades. It has been 9 years since I left it. Oh what a rude awakening! At first I thought that the knowledge I was gaining from living amongst people was something I should seek. I had no idea how far my country had moved from what was intended by our founders. Now I realize you are correct. Ignorance IS bliss
I would put it this way: it's not the problems we face that frighten me, but the people trying to "solve" them.
If you have seen the movie Brazil I think often of Bob Hoskins character as embodying much of our government and supporting chattering class. They can't touch anything without making it worse and then lying about it.
I read it's an allegory for global warming, which is climate change without its glasses on. I'll take your word for it, but wanted to double check you think it's worth the time.
It may have been intended that way but it is not per se about climate change. I tend to not support modern Hollywood because I vote with my pocketbook. So I was skeptical. But I liked it because it demonstrates how foolhardy government, the press, and the population is. If it was meant to elicit sympathy for climate change it missed the mark and instead exposed how ill-prepared we are to respond to any emergency.
Well said. I saw it and agree. I also thought that, as always, decisions are made for profits, not concern for other. Especially by government officials.
Don't Look Up is not the commentary on climate change its makers intended. Just reverse the sides and it would be accurate (example: in the real world it is "climate deniers" being taken away with hoods over their heads).
The stupidity is a result -- of the fact that the Greatest Generation came back and proceeded to spoil its children rotten. The rot has festered at least unto "Gen Z." (WTF does that mean? And who comes up with this codswallop?) (Self disclaimer: It Is Said that the Z-men of a certain age may be waking up. Dunno if it's true. And if it is, who will they marry?)
It's a pity that they did not foresee what spoiling their kids would lead to.
I feel very, very fortunate that my Greatest Gen parents were in their mid/late 40s before they adopted me. They had the opportunity to see where their peers went wrong, and they made a point of NOT spoiling me, despite the fact that I was an only child.
I'm no John Galt, but we do all kind of want to figure out where John Galt is, don't we? I've been hoping somebody else would do it. We'll see how it goes. If I stay out of jail for WrongThink, maybe that's my future.
I don’t cotton to the views of the Vanderbilt protesters, but I’m willing to absorb the greater lesson of TamponGate: a 5.6% acceptance rate doesn’t guarantee students who act like adults. Period.
Babies and children in bars:ABSOLUTELY NOT! As a former bartender, parent and wine lover, I can say 100% that bars are for adults. I do not want to see, hear, or have to acknowledge anybody’s kids. I don’t care how “well behaved” the kid is. It changes the atmosphere and dynamics of the place if there are kids around. Same for expensive restaurants, and high end salons. Side note: I feel the same way about your damn dog too!
As a kid from a Greek family whose every other uncle or sorta cousin owned bars and bar-restaurants, I can remember being seated at the far end of my uncle's long mahogany bar on Hudson Street in lower Manhattan, being given paper and a pencil (often my engineer Dad's mechanical pencil he carried everywhere), and copying those ubiquitous jockey and riding stables friezes that gazed down over liquor bottles and glasses in many a bar-restaurant.
A few of the regulars came over to say hi. My family checked on me once in a while. I didn't budge, and I mostly sat unnoticed. Good practice for life.
The problem with the pro-Hamas protestors is that after a short lifetime of being catered to, somewhere they feel they're not being noticed enough. Hence the absurd, destructive acting out.
Also a dog lover. I am not a fan of this modern "My pet is my family" thing where pet owners feel like they should be able to take their pets everywhere. There have been some battles with businesses trying to eject people with their animals...including things as big as a pony, and the owners fighting back about the animals being service animals or emotional support animals or 'family'.
You know what happens when kids are coddled? When they grow up to be first responders, they can’t handle the reality of their job. They “feel” like they shouldn’t have to do anything they don’t like. And when reality smacks them and they akshully are forced to work against their will, they want to pet an emotional support dog. My f.@king fire department is obtaining 3 EMOTIONAL SUPPORT DOGS for the guys and gals to pet when they feel sad.
And I’m called an asshole for stating that if you can’t handle your daily duties without petting a dog, you might oughtta find another job.
PSA - If your house is on fire or if you’re having a heart attack, the wimpy firefighters coming to your house may be too emotionally unstable to help you.
I have little doubt that there are in fact instances where Animals can help people get past trauma. Someone with shell shock who can calm down when petting their pooch. BUT, needing that animal to constantly be around for you to function? That is dependency. Its like a security blanket...that thing we teach kids to leave at home. If the place we wanna eat doesn't allow animals, go somewhere else or order your food to go.
Bravo! Exactly! And how is this fair to your co-workers who don't like dogs or are allergic? Yes, if you need an emotional support animal, you indeed might be in the wrong career!
No Dalmatians in my town. The best part is, we had a dog in the firehouse 20 years ago.
The story was just like an after school special, with kids finding an abused puppy, taking it to the firehouse so the firefighters could help out!! There was a write up in the local newspaper and even a TV news story about the “name the dog” contest.
When the smoke cleared, Phoenix the dog bit several firefighters and had to go live on a farm.
No, he wasn’t put down. He went to a real farm that a firefighter owned. But, none of the aftermath was in the news cause who wants to hear about reality anymore?
The reality was that Phoenix REALLY liked to hump pillows and would barf on the floor when the firefighters fed him greasy food from the table.
All it took was 1 person with a support dog to walk into a Home Depot and dog owners across the nation heard it like a dog whistle and now dogs are every where.
I think one of the issues here is what someone considers a "bar". When I think bar, I think "Place people come to drink". But I suspect that some people think Applebees or Outback is a bar, because it has a bar in it. The former, I agree should be adult only. The latter are obviously family places. They have kids menus for gosh sakes.
Regardless, I would not take it on myself to tell a patron to take their kids away. That is up to the business. If they are ok with kids, then that 'bar' is a place for kids. And If I don't like it, I will take my business elsewhere.
My dog is extremely well trained, obedient, and sits by my side as ordered wherever we take her. We only take her where dogs are allowed, and would never allow her to be anywhere but the floor. If you've got a problem with that, talk to management, or leave. Please never confront me. It will not end well for you.
Inconsiderate?? LOL. Well, we rarely take our dog with us, but when we do the last thing I need is some asshole (who doesn't care how well behaved my dog is) trying to kick me out of a facility with a stated dog friendly policy. That doesn't include management, they're in charge, though I doubt they'd back you up.
Dogs "make some people very nervous"? Sounds like those people should seek a policy change, or maybe see a shrink. Don't make your problem mine.
What is funny about having breakfast at a resort on vacation with your loved one and someone brings their dog in who takes a crap while you're eating an omelet? Yes that happened and no I'm not going to the manager nor am I returning. You people with your dogs...........
Yep, that's not cool. Should never happen. Irresponsible dog owner. You should have told the manager before you left. They won't change the policy without complaints.
Well I suppose if my dog was up in your face that could be a problem. I would think the number of venues prohibiting dogs would far outnumber the ones who allow them so maybe you could stick to those. Or since you're the most important person on the planet we could just have everyone else change their lives to accommodate your shortcomings.
Not whining. Just making it easier for everyone else to see what a douchebag you are. Your first post made it clear, I'm just helping you amplify it. Keep digging.
If restaurants and bars advertised as kid-free spaces, I would go. When I go out for a nice, probably expensive dinner, I don’t want some unattended crying whining kid at the table next to me.
Agree, according to an international flight attendee friend, the worst passengers are the demanding entitled parents who bring babies on board flights to Europe. I guess a baby in tow is the new Gucci bag.
I was on an intl flight recently, paid extra for comfort plus bulkhead seats. During boarding I and the three others in that row were asked, um, so politely by a flight attendant if any of us would give up our seat for a mom with a baby. We looked at each other and replied, Hell NO!
You definitely shouldn’t be asked to give up the seat you paid for. But this attitude that young kids shouldn’t come on international flights is bewildering to me. Kids have just as much of a right to travel places as you do. Being stuck next to a fussy baby on a long flight is no fun but that’s life - unless you can afford to charter your own plane I guess.
My view is that, unless it is necessary for a baby or small child to travel on an intl flight, parents should not drag them on vacations. It’s not fun for the kids to be subjected to the stresses of unfamiliar places and jet lag, people who might have saved for years to take a once in a lifetime trip get seated next to them on the plane, and the parents are just being selfish. When kids are small, take road trips to the beach. Kids are not the new Gucci bags for entitled millennials to flaunt on their trips to Paris.
The bullshit "service animal" (aka child substitute) dogs are a much bigger annoyance on planes. I would forsake my million-miler status on a major airline for one that clamped down on the service animal frauds. Most of the flights I'm on have more dogs than children.
Unfortunately, one of the many symptoms of our declining society is valuing dogs more than children.
Excellent points. As much as I love animals, my gorge rises whenever I hear people referring to their 'furbaby' and calling themselves its mom or dad. It's pathetic, and dishonors people who do the hard work of raising human children.
Here here!! And WHY must your dog come shopping at Nordstrom's? Or anywhere else! The dog has more rights than the person with allergies who's just trying to pick up a pair of sneakers!
All these coddled kids want to play victim without realizing how HARD and DIFFICULT it is to be an actual victim. Come on girl, do you think Hamas gave a sh*t about tampons for their hostages? Clearly you have NO idea what “basic human rights” even is when you claim that you are being denied a right for a tampon that no one is required to bring you at a sit-in that you volunteered for to protest FOR a group that literally kidnapped people, raped and murdered people. Are you for real? Or are you that narcissistic to think your imaginary “tampon right” trumps the right not to be harmed for an Israeli girl? Ugh! The stupidity of these people makes me SO. DARN. MAD. What level of stupid do you have to be before we all consider a person to be a serious threat to humanity?
It’s unbelievable. They’re protesting for Gazans who, according to them, are being genocided - and they’re calling 911 because they feel “unsafe” about their tampon.
Also, talk about a complete lack of solidarity. If they were really heartbroken for poor Gazans, who are unsafe because of war, you’d think that the students could… I don’t know… show a little better strength in solidarity for their sit-in by not worrying about such trivialities like a tampon? I’m sure a Gazan women hiding out in the middle of a war zone for months has complete sympathy for a Karen freaking out about her tampon after 21 hours. 🙄
Babies in bars … depends on the bar and the baby! Is it a pub where you can order some food with your drinks? Can your kids handle it without melting down and destroying the place? Then sure. A rowdy nighttime “bar” scene where it’s just drinks and drunk adults? Looking after little kids in that environment sounds like it’d suck more for the parents than anyone else.
Regarding restaurants. We have been taking our kids to fine restaurants (occasionally!) from day 1. We go early (5pm) and always throw some paper and coloring stuff in the bag. If the kids start to lose it we get the food to go and leave.
On a related note, I never understood why Authorities take "hunger strikes" so seriously. If the strikers want to not eat, let them. Eventually they will give up their silliness and munch a cheeseburger, or they won't and will die of starvation. Let them do either, who cares?
I've never understood it either. The fans of the strikers usually frame it as some kind of brave moral stance. To me, it looks like a toddler having a tantrum.
Anyone remember the name Paul Whelan? Didn’t think so. Five years in a Russian cell and apparently no one in this administration can lift a finger to get him out. Guess you need a major daily behind you or the right skin tone and pronouns to get someone’s attention.
I think the biggest issue was who the Russians got in return for that trade - I mean it was mind-boggling. A basketball player for a convicted terrorist who still remains a threat?
Ahh, but that hoopster is now an auteur! You, too, can pre-order Coming Home, her 320-page saga of 10 months as “the first American woman to endure a Russian penal colony.”
Stop it!!!!! I actually knew this was coming some point. It's the American way - do something stupid/illegal and be rewarded with a book deal! Her detainment was over the top but she had been working in that country for several years and she knew their stance on drugs (whether you agree with it or not). It's not one rule for you and another one for everyone else. Meanwhile Evan Gershowitz continues to have his hearings delayed.
Imagine a white male held in Russia illegally and this broke ass administration does nothing. Who would of thought? If only he was seven feet tall and could shot a basketball and hated America. Maybe a BLM or Antifa person? Oh wait, they only tread where others protect them. Your government no longer cares about you Evan and I apologize for this sad ass administration who only care about destroying the Constitution. These are your types of Liberal folks and their beliefs, they protect abortion, spending, and open borders. Plus hating those people who live normal lives and don't demand free shit. That is all that matters to them.
DeSantis discriminating against dead beats and thieves. Typical radical, right wing cis-gender white male.
Ronna, know nothing about her, but hell law suits against all of the "so called" news folks for hate speech and actually just using useful oxygen. Especially using oxygen! Plus NBC, dig deep to pay her off and you deserve it you sniveling, sad sack POS's.
Joe Lieberman, wish we had more like him.
Vanderbilt has now taken the lead from Harvard in the stupid, moronic, ignorant, mentally ill student body. They made a late push and pulled out all of the Tampons in order to nudge by Harvard.
If this is the most urgent issues for America Suzy, then rest easy. Nothing to see here about Slow Joe spending the credit card and the Mistress still stumbling along. But at least Joe has the experience of riding the train over the collapsed bridge. We have probably the most incompetent and sleaziest administration ever, weaponizing the DOJ as the prime example, but we need to know about stupid spoiled morons at Vanderbilt?
You saved me a lot of time of reading nonsense. And not again “things we are reading” behind gates. If you cannot afford reporting on anything important, please ignore it.
Now TB the black lesbian America hating basketball player was imprisoned in a brutal police state for LESS THAN A GRAM!!!! Which is against their law but allowances should be made. And while I am deeply concerned for Evan, if he was investigating the Wagner Group and trying to interview people at a tank facility maybe he too violated their law? American law does not follow American citizens into foreign lands.
Americans shouldn't go to foreign countries if they don't plan on following the law there. A reporter, in particular, should know better than to assume that the Pax Americana will protect them from consequences if they break another country's laws.
Regarding the college student who called 911 over removing her tampon: In a recent faculty meeting, our director conveyed the gist of a conference she attended on 'making international students feel at home' or something to that effect. It seemed that if the student does not feel at home, it's the instructor's fault. External locus of control.
Cut to 'I'm the sex I say I am, and if you don't see and acknowledge it, I will feel 'harmed.'' External locus of control, aggravated by malignant narcissism.
I felt compelled to speak up, but remained silent. This is extremely HARMFUL to the instructor. How on earth can we control how other people FEEL to such an overwhelming extent?
In any case, this young woman was raised to believe that the world is there to serve her. Someone's parents did an extremely bad job raising her. Worse, every institutional edict supports this line of thinking.
The greatest irony is that where I work, the dominant population is Chinese, who do NOT have an external locus of control (for the most part). They are generally far more grounded than whatever it is Americans are doing to infantilize their children.
When I read the headline, I thought for sure students were protesting not having a tampon machine in the men's room or should I write, "gender fluid" room.
As the mother of ten children, I claim authority over the babies-in-bars issue. Here is the ruling: if it's allowed by law in your state, go ahead and take your baby in the bar. Have a glass of wine, maybe two - because they don't give you much, have you noticed? - and then go home. If your baby starts crying, shrieking, spewing, or other disruptive behaviors, leave immediately.
In many countries, public spaces are much more accommodating to parents with children than in the U.S. We just got back from Spain where it was not uncommon to see little kids out at restaurants with their parents past 10pm. There were playgrounds on almost every city block in Madrid, where kids could play and parents could sit nearby and have a coffee or a drink. One of my favorite spots to grab a drink in the U.S. is a brewery in Door County WI - it's got a lovely outdoor play area where the kids can run around while the parents enjoy some "adult" conversation. I wish there were more places like that here.
Did you notice, also, that the kids in Europe were not as coddled and were much better behaved?
The problem with trying to teach kids that "it isn't all about them" is that our society doesn't work that way any more. Wherever kids are, it *is* all about them, without exception. I went to a church dance event a few weeks ago. Mind you, this wasn't club bobbing-up-and-down dancing; it was serious partner dancing. But people were letting their kids run around loose on the dance floor, getting underfoot of the dancers. It was dangerous, both for the dancers and the kids. I didn't stay long.
The people who advocate babies or small children be allowed in adult venues obviously have never been on a plane with some brat kicking the back of your seat for hours on end.
I don't go to a bar to hear some baby scream at the top of their lungs. I go for a drink and quiet conversation with my friends.
The problem is not the child. The problem is the parent who refuses to control the child.
You are right. When we flew with small children, I made sure my 2 boys had plenty to do and munch in their little backpacks. I didn't want their behavior to reflect on me or to embarrass me. When I fly now, it's like these parents didn't give a thought to bringing along something to keep their children busy and entertained. Call me crazy, but these people need lessons in parenting.
Quiet conversation at a bar? Do you mean the bar at the Four Seasons?
I refer to a bar with quiet refinement. A bar when you drink tea, you hold the teacup with your little finger extended and curled and speak with a faux British accent.
YES. why not a "childrens section" on planes. mothers can nurse freely..change diapers .. movies can be all kids..food can be pablum and hot dogs.. and the rst of us can relax. oh. and it needs a cabin of its own
Good idea but it will never happen.
On the tampon story. Do you know how you can tell when a female college protestor is in her period? She is only wearing one sock.
Do you know what the most common cause of death is among female college protestors is? Toxic sock syndrome.
I definitely noticed a difference.
Yes! Bringing up Bebe was one of my favorite parenting books all about the French way versus the American way.
Another thing I noticed was the lack of big bulky strollers there like so many Americans have. I think I maybe saw two double strollers the entire time we were there and I think those were both foreigners. Toddlers there must get used to walking everywhere from a young age rather than being shuttled around passively. I admit I am one of those parents who will still strap my preschooler into the stroller if we need to walk a long way because I don’t want to deal with the whining and slow pace. In Madrid she showed us she is fully capable of walking miles and miles and I realized we’ve been coddling her for our own “convenience.”
Yes we Americans love convenience even when we trade present ease for future woe.
Aaah, yes! There’s a whole article on parenting in your comment!!
You ever watched a parent trying to fold up one of them monster strollers? Didn't look so convenient to me :)
From Best of Cosby: Parents don't care about fair and square; they want peace and quiet.
How many of you have been on a long overseas flight where a baby screams for hours? If you can't clear your ears when the air pressure changes, it is extremely painful and many babies can't clear their ears and scream because they are in pain.
The screaming is annoying to say the least but there is nothing the parent can do to alleviate the pain and stop the screaming. The only thing you can do as a passenger is take 5 or 6 shots of tequila and mellow out. Just joking.
Oh yes they can, they can take a bit of baby Dimetapp on the plane and give it to the child when all of their other preparations fail. If everything fails, the child probably has an ear or sinus problem so it is better to help them to sleep for the duration than make them cry for the duration.
really. is that joke. or good advice
Sucking and swallowing usually helps the baby clear their ears. But if they already have an ear infection brewing, the experience is likely to make it worse. I suspect a lot people who end up with screaming babies on a flight have not planned ahead (such as giving tylenol 20 minutes before takeoff, just in case).
Part of the reason I loved breastfeeding was that nursing is comforting for a child in a way that jamming a bottle or pacifier in their mouth can never be. Nursing always soothed my kids almost instantly unless there was something really wrong.
We have traveled a lot so far with our daughter and we never brought a stroller with us anywhere. I used my baby wearing carrier and she just got in and came along. I can be a nervous flyer and am also mostly responsible for the logistics of our travel so I didn't have time to worry about lugging a stroller. It made getting around European cities that much easier. It was because I didn't have a stroller that I made several tight connecting flights. I realize it's not for everyone but I possibly cried the day I realized that she was too big for it :(
I have a love hate relationship with our double stroller. It definitely came in handy at O’hare the other day after a 10 hour flight when we had to walk 30 min from our plane to passport control. Our exhausted kids were in no state to walk that far after the long, sleepless flight, and we were too bogged down with carry ons to carry them. At the same time … it’s definitely cumbersome. I loved baby carriers when they were smaller but they no longer fit in those.
You are a Saint. Thank you.
Oh my. Getting those things on planes should not be allowed. Strollers. Not children.
Ah yes, people and their damn strollers. Another one of my soapbox issues. Personally, I wore my child most of the time when she was younger. Once she got over 18 months, we pretty much made her walk. If it was more walking than she could handle, we just didn’t do that activity.
In Ireland, last time I was there, 12-year-olds served drinks in their parents' pubs.
When I was a kid, my job was to replenish the ice-cube bucket and serve hors d'oeuvres (and be nearby but unobtrusive). These times were lessons in how to interact politely with people. And they happened every weekend.
Parenting is everything.
The young harpy who wanted her tampon NOW no doubt demanded and got other things from parents and teachers. They did her no favors. They did you and me no favors either.
Couldn’t agree more. I don’t think the solution to raising competent members of society is shielding kids from “adult places” - that seems to me a mentality of low expectations. I think kids should be more integrated in traditionally adult spaces (like they are in many other countries) - albeit with healthy boundaries. My kids understand that if they start screaming and making a scene in a restaurant we will leave.
Agree when children are older, say over age 6 or 7. Younger than that, no.
At many a Sunday dinner with family in various restaurants sporting white tablecloths, my parents placed my toddler self on multiple telephone books, and I remained sitting quietly even as the grownups smoked themselves to death over their after-dinner coffees. Ah, the good old days of the 1950s.
Ha ha. I must confess I do not care for beer. Even Guinness so when in Ireland I enjoyed cider along with all the wee children.
I like beer, but drinking a pint of Guinness is like eating a whole loaf of dense bread.
It is syrupy. But the Guinness brewery is a sight to behold. My husband questioned how we were going to find it, but no worries, you just follow your nose. The original lease is for hundreds of years and encased in glass in the floor on the first floor. Then you get a lesson on brewing on each floor as you go up. The one on hops was very informative. A whole floor of hops. The building is shaped like a pint glass and the top floor is the pub with ceiling to ground windows, so a panoramic view of Dublin. We visited when the tall ship race finished on Dublin and the top floor was filled with the sailors in period uniforms. Ireland in general is like stepping back in history but this experience was doubly so.
I've been to Dublin 3 times. I made time for a tour at the Brewery each time. Enjoyed each one!
Yes, it is a meal in itself. A great thing.
As the Irish like to remind us on every street sign, "Guinness is good for you." And indeed, it is.
why not just "supersize" it
The ice bucket, you mean? A bigger one would have been unsightly. Filling up the usual size was good training until I got old enough to mix cocktails for my elders.
Our favorite bar in Matthews, NC, has picnic tables outside and an affiliated pizza kitchen. There are often children there, especially in summer when it's light in the evening. Dogs, too.
Exactly the kind of place I know to avoid.
Perfectly fine. I think people should patronize the places they like.
Like with so many other things, Europe isn't America. With the number of "family friendly" bars (Applebee's,, Chili's etc.) there isn't any reason or excuse to take your rugrats to the corner pub. In general, we'd be a lot better off as a society if we showed a little more altruism; just because it's my "right" to do something doesn't mean go ahead and do it. Kids playing with each other outdoors while parents socialize - no problem. Kid crying in a stroller while parents attempt to relive their 20's - assholes.
How does it affect you if parents take their kids to your corner pub? I can see if they’re having tantrums and being annoying but if they’re just chilling at the table with their family what’s the big deal? Altruism indeed.
90% of kids won't just sit there like adults will and the 10% that will would be having their brains rotted by playing with their parents smartphone so they do sit still. Neither is the environment bar patrons want to be subjected to. As I said, go to someplace that caters to family's or drink at home like every other parent did until the everyone gets a trophy generation.
Interesting perspective. I think you’re going to continue being angry and disappointed though if you expect parents with young kids to exclusively eat at Applebees.
Chili's is an option for them too. But no, in WA, kids aren't allowed in bars/taverns so I'm good - I suppose there is one redeeming quality of this nutjob leftist state.
And to tell you the truth, in any other bar I've been at across the country, kids haven't been allowed either. I think a lot of the brouhaha is over the relaxed requirements for outdoor dining since the China Virus decimated all these small/local businesses.
But the restaurants in Spain don't even open until like 8! They have a much later dining culture.
Places with outdoor kids play areas (which are enclosed) are obvious and great places to bring kids.
That’s true about the later hours in Spain. But it wasn’t just that - it seemed children were more immersed in “adult” life there vs the reverse, which is how it is in the US — and I think it is to everyone’s benefit.
As the only child of older parents, I spent many hours quietly amusing myself while the grown-ups talked. I also learned a lot by listening.
But I was never, ever allowed to have the illusion that the world was all about me. I recognized from a young age that it was a grown-up world with occasional accommodations for kids.
Part of the problem for kids these days that we have arranged HUGE parts of the world exclusively around children. There are multiple TV channels that show nothing but children's programming. It's very, very easy for kids to develop the idea that being a kid is where it's at, and they should never stop.
I am a fellow only child and had a very similar experience !
Also, American kids today are so over scheduled they don’t even have an opportunity to be bored in a space that’s not designed to entertain them and then to figure out what to do with that boredom! I can’t fathom that boding well for them as adults.
An inability to deal with boredom definitely does not bode well for success in adult life. I didn't think so as a child, but boredom was a great gift to me. It spurred creativity like nothing else.
Love the idea of the outdoors areas where the kids can play!
Amen!
My parents took me everywhere, and granted I was an only, but the bottom line was the rules for appropriate behavior were set from the outset. I can only remember misbehaving in a public restaurant maybe once or twice, but otherwise I was happy to sit, eat, talk with my parents, and people watch. Restaurants were/are great for that.
The main point is parents set the tone and boundaries—their behavior/rules is what dictates what is and isn’t acceptable. If you have kids misbehaving it’s because of the parents. Granted it may be more difficult with more, but Ive seen parents with multiple kids who behaved well through a meal. It can be done.
I agree.
On the point about babies, though, it's not really a question of rules or expectations. A baby is either quiescent - sleeping or just looking around - or raising some kind of ruckus. In the latter situation, you make every reasonable effort to remove the baby from the situation.
In some situations, like a doctor's waiting room, you're kind of stuck, but in a bar or other hospitality-industry venue, the only considerate thing to do is leave.
When my parents took me out to eat it would never occur to me to act out or act out in public in any way. I don't think it was due to any magical parenting skills I guess I just intuitively knew not to be a pain in the ass.
The problem is not about babies and where they can go, it's about entitled parents who refuse to take their disruptive child out.
In our church, there has never been nursery available during the sermon meeting. So people are accustomed to babies and children occasionally beginning to cry or fuss. But every parent also knows to pick up their child and take them out in the foyer, so the length of the disruption for everyone else is minimal. Everyone is sympathetic to the parent who takes the child out (they've usually been in that position). But if a parent, for some reason, delays doing do, the sympathy wans VERY quickly.
It's a parent's job to prevent their child from being a problem for other people. That is true regardless of where the parent has taken their child. Even in a McDonald's Playplace, a kid who screams, cries, hits, or bullies other children needs to be removed from the venue.
And if only people would apply this philosophy to the dogs they insist on taking everywhere!
"The problem is not about babies and where they can go ..."
That was the question, though. It goes without saying that children causing a disturbance should be removed if possible.
It should go without saying, but too many parents now feel entitled to stay put wherever they are, regardless of the problems their kids are causing.
Some people ruin things for everyone.
I took my children into bars at a young age to eat lunch now and then just so they would never think bars were a mystery or in any way cool. It worked. As adults, they couldn't care less about bars.
Same! I worked my 2nd job bartending as a single parent and would have to take them with me for a few hours on a Sunday, before the other parent could pick them up. They became very proficient at billiards and darts, yet no fan of bars when they came of age.
Hats off to you, Cynthia!!
Thank you.
10???? oof. you been a busy girl.
Yes, that's true, but it's not that big a deal. Mammals have been giving birth for 65 million years, give or take a geologic era.
Birthing is not the hard part - especially for much of the mammal kingdom: It's keeping them alive and reasonably functional until independence, that strikes me as the difficult task.
Yeah, that can be exhausting.
I had two. If I'd had more, I might have started eating my young.
"Children: It's what's for dinner!"
Wishing for a big "Haha" buttton right now. :)
I would have had five if my body had cooperated. I made it to four.
The one's that survived and evolved, anyway.
Tautologically.
Ha, I love this comeback.
It's just true. Biological success or failure becomes obvious over the long term (in which, as the economist said, we are all dead).
Note also the apostrophe pollution.
I heard that in China they find a tree branch to hang from to help kiddy drop out.
Gravity can be a big help: ask a giraffe. In the Middle East, belly dancing can be involved.
Do you have a video of this belly dancing giraffe? 🦒
I need to know if the visual in my mind is accurate.
The HIPAA law prevents our sharing confidential medical details.
10! You're my hero! YOU should start a substack - I would read it. Especially if you have any good advice for raising boys for this Zoomer Mom :)
I have six sons. Feed them, and give them lots of exercise. We used to have a little trampoline, the kind they sell for "cardio training," in the dining room. My oldest boy would sometimes get up at night and jump.
Cynthia, I applaud you for raising 10. America needs more large families. I'm the middle brat of seven, and as an adult I have a built-in support group and best friends for life. Wish I could have talked my hubs into more than two.
Along with "no lost limbs, no felony records," I think one of my achievements is that my adult children are, at best, really good friends, and at worst, friendly. When my husband and I are dead, they'll have one another.
I pity only children. When their parents are gone, they will have no one. But I dread the day I start losing siblings, and so sad for the last one to survive.
Dealing with the loss of my parents really brought my "only child" status home to me. Everything that needed to be done had to be done by me. Fortunately, I'm good at doing.
Absolutely correct! But that requires common sense so doubtful it will work these days…
Common sense is beyond rare; it's nonexistent in the "progressive" practice.
That's the problem with so many situations.
My folks took me with them. The bars had the best burgers and fries anywhere and always plused up the fries for the kids. Never hurt me and completely agree with you. Take your kids to destructive protests, have them walk in circles, but not anything else.
Anyone who starts "as a" fill in the identity, or "as the" implying they are the only one, probably should be somewhat disregarded or overlooked regarding their opinion. It is the reason why the University kids are acting the way they are. Only those who identify correctly are seen to be valid, as well as their opinions, which are the right ones from their perspective coincidently enough. Everyone else not condoning your perspective has not realized yet how wrong they are because all you have to do is keep reminding them "as a" or "as the" you have authority on the matter. It is also not illegal to ingest numerous illicit drugs in front of your child with some more lenient in other states than others. But I would not recommend it.
"I understand why a lot of parents need a drink. But more than that, adults need adults-only spaces."
Nope. Not even close. The baby can "identify" as an adult.
If dudes with dicks can be incarcerated with chicks, then everything is allowable.
Thanks leftist assholes. Thanks.
Just said a little prayer (maybe Olly W. won’t come back from vacation), for the good of TFP.
So we have "Tampongate" and a "Panera Human Rights Scandal" all rolled into a "Romper Room" episode at Vandy. (The Romper Room reference is pure Boomerism, eh?).
Anyway, try focusing on the cop who was being badgered in the videos. His patience was admirable, but I'm guessing he wishes he had a paddle for the misbehaving infants.
Just thinking out loud here, but Vandy isn't a low-rent university. A few of these kiddies are probably locked into student loans ... loans that should be barred from being forgiven.
I graduated from Vanderbilt in 1992 and later completed my graduate degree there. In all truthfulness, Vandy has always been committed to neutrality and dialogue. I am proud that administration didn't bow down to the idiotic students and actually had many arrested and suspended. Bravo. Chancellor Daniel Diermeier sent an email to all students, staff, and alumni in early January which included the following excerpt: "Unless required by law, Vanderbilt will not boycott or divest from companies for doing business in or with any specific nations, including Israel. Our position is deeply grounded in our long-standing commitment to institutional neutrality, which calls for the university and its leaders to refrain from taking public positions on controversial issues unless the issue directly affects the core mission and operation of the university. A university’s role is to encourage debates, not to settle them, and institutional neutrality is essential to fostering the maximum freedom of speech and open dialogue on which transformative education and pathbreaking research depend."
Hats off for this most appropriate statement on institutional neutrality and fostering intellectual debate! If only other universities remembered that that is also THEIR responsibility! I am beyond sick to death of the president (or is it Dear Leader) of my alma mater (Wellesley College) sending alumnae letters about what we should think or putting her political opinions in the monthly magazine. I should not be privy to her political views, as they are private. She should be neutrally supporting all students, faculty, and alumnae. I'm thrilled WC is facing a well-deserved lawsuit!
It's too bad this brain rot of throwing ideological tantrums has infested even Vanderbilt. I thought being more in the South, maybe the situation isn't as bad. At least your university president is standing firm which is good. I graduated same year as you but I've severed all ties with my alma mater. I just can't.
Me too. See my comment above. Fortunately, I think many of us are cutting ties in disgust. Hopefully soon Universities will have to start paying attention to us.
Me too ... UCB late 70s
Used to be proud; now degrees, rather than on display are in a box -- for safekeeping NOT
An institution with a spine. Refreshing to see.
And I agree with Jim that campus police should be given paddles. And that "Romper Room" was peak kids TV.
As a high school teacher (now retired) in Georgia, mostly seniors, I helped send several students to Vandy ... (via letters of recommendation, scholarship applications, etc.).
It's Peabody College of Education is one of the best in the country. And it had a reputation for having a fine J-school back then (I was a journalist in a prior life).
I agree. Chancellor Diermeier sent an excellent message to the students.
Bravo for the Chancellor!
Love that email sent out by the Chancellor!!! I'm very familiar with Vandy - very heavily funded by Jewish donors. That is NOT a negative statement on my part, just truth.
I came to say exactly this!! Tampongate was retarded but the privileged white boys harassing the black cop for being a normal citizen doing his job and not playing along with their nonsense was outright racist and despicable. My God. Mature grown black man isn't serving little white overlords! The outrage! I swear every grown black adult should be insulted.
Megyn Kelly showed these shameful little brats yesterday. Watch at 1:37:56 mark:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpI_nd4jRCk
Love the loans idea!
Bring back Romper Room! "I see Jimmy, I see Cynthia and Bruce, I see Rachel and Sara..."
I'm an early Gen-Xer, and remember Romper Room very fondly.
Really? I thought of it as a series from the '60s, but I see that it was aired into the 90s.
Did you know Miss Jean just died a year ago?
Miss Jean died! But I also remember Miss Barbara.
Seems like I heard that. But she wasn't my Romper Room lady, because the show was franchised in our area (Utah, on KSL). We had Miss Julie.
Looks like they changed the show quite a bit in 1981, but I had long since outgrown it by then.
Appears so. It was a mainstay for me as a kid, along with Captain Kangaroo. Howdy Doody was a little before my time.
Geez. Those were the days where we had three networks, public broadcasting and one independent station. And the TVs had rabbit ears. Christ, I'm old.
In my honest opinion, the biggest threat we face as a society, by far, is the stupidity of our kids. All our actual physical and economic problems have relatively easy solutions. Global Warming isn't real, and closing the border is simply a matter of deciding to close the border. Actual environmental problems have technical solutions. War can be avoided by not granting a voice to the war lobby.
But childishness is a really hard problem to fix. What hope I have arises from the sense that many of these kids have to on some level realize they are emotional basket cases who should not be taken seriously by anyone, at least by their late twenties.
But IDK man. Sometimes I think I just need to get a cottage WAY back in the woods, and live in blissful ignorance as the consequences of pervasive stupidity and greed play out.
Let me just say this: if you are CAPABLE of voting for Joe Biden, now, you are part of that very large problem. Hate on Trump all you like, but he works hard and creates a lot of opportunity for a lot of other people.
The only thing that will change them is serious, prolonged hardship. History will deliver, it’s coming. Find that cottage now.
Right on! If unchecked, people like this girl will destroy civilization with sheer stupidity. What remains will be Hobbesian. I guess then we start over.
When I arrived in US from the USSR 33 years ago, I came to uncomfortable conclusion that US is a country where most people cannot even understand what real hardship means. Now I understand how deep and profound this issue is. Cottage may not solve the problem, Russian revolution is a proof to that. The great empires fall from within. Just for the record: a rich heir, a draft dodger who sh!ts in a golden toilet, sleeps with porn stars while his wife is pregnant and sells the Bible that he never reads is not a solution, even if you believe that Biden is evil.
29 years for me but same conclusion. Sometimes I wish I was born earlier so I could've had more of my childhood in USSR. Some things about it were good - being able to go around unsupervised from a young age, a rigorous education system, a common culture. When everyone is poor, you don't worry about stupid shit so much. I was shocked by how narcissistic many American kids were even back then, though I didn't have the words for it.
I would not attribute good sides of USSR to the regime that was ruling it. Common culture was not as common as you think - you probably never traveled around the country. Math and science education was leftover from the before the revolution times, and I still cringe remembering all the time wasted in my History of the Communist Party or Political Economics classes. But American consumerism is killing this country, and I don't know what can change it. Not all the capitalist societies are like that, take Nordic countries, but they are small and ethnically more cohesive.
Not for much longer. They have been importing Muslim immigrants at a rapid pace, and are now finding out that the lack of a common culture is a serious problem.
Check out what Denmark is doing. They are waking up.
I agree. It was a good place to be a kid, less good for adults.
I'm aware of those political classes, though I was too young to take them myself. From what I've seen, the main problem with them is that they taught you cynicism - but cynicism was needed in USSR anyway, so it was appropriate, even though not something anyone should emulate. On the other hand, American classes infantilize kids with their low expectations, which is not something really useful even here. Maybe that's why the outcome was different - from what I've seen, in USSR, no one was buying what was taught in the political classes, but here, many people are.
With common culture, I think the most important thing is to have *a* culture that brings people together - songs that you sing together, folk dances and folk tales, traditional food, stuff that no one owns but that belongs to everyone. Yes, people in the republics had their own traditions, and there wasn't as much cross-pollination as there probably should've been, but when I came to the US, I was struck by how there *wasn't* any culture like that, how instead it was material culture. Money to fill the emptiness.
Maybe it's why the Nordic countries are different, since they have a common culture. I don't know enough about them, or what to do about the situation here, either.
I completely understand your point. But beware that being a true thinker is a hard and lonely existence, regardless of which society you are living in. There are people here who you can connect with, but it is not that easily achieved. Not everybody is spending entire life chasing a buck.
However, if you look at the life in the USSR, a lot of it was quite ephemeral and shallow, and when the push came to shove, all the closeness disappeared - look at Russia now, 80% of it gave up all that common culture, turned into zombified slaves and went to kill their closest neighbors and relatives.
First of all, America projected that image of a shining city on a hill - it still does for me because I know it is a free country, although very much in trouble, and it breaks my heart. Obviously, looking from the inside you see more and better than from outside. To give you an example, which is going back to the original subject of the article. I always believed in what I thought was American principle that teenage kids should have summer jobs and pay 50% of the cost of their first car. My son's first car was purchased so he could commute to his summer job. Once summer job was over, the car was sold for the same $1200 I paid for it 2 months prior. All the money he earned went towards his college fees. I was shocked to find out that ALL of my American friends and acquaintances paid full amount and insurance for their kids' cars. Some are keeping their 30+ year old kids on their auto insurance, mobile phone plans etc., and paying for their lavish vacations, even when the kids have college degrees and decent jobs. Needless to say, none of their kids had summer jobs. I had the means to pay for his college, but I made it clear that it was his responsibility to work every summer and have a campus job. He did just that and nevertheless graduated cum laude from one of the most competitive engineering schools in the country. Why my friends' kids are always going to their parents for more money? Because they always want more than they can afford - that's my definition of consumerism that kills America. I feel very connected with the old American culture exemplified by Ben Franklin, but it seems to have gone extinct. I have enough money to afford upper middle class life style, but I live a minimalist life and give to charitable causes, but how many do the same?
You are speaking my language. I have been shopping for a little cottage for about the past 6 months. In Amish country. Where people know how to thrive with less.
"Hard times create strong men." Or thin out the weak ones.
I had that cottage far from people-for decades. It has been 9 years since I left it. Oh what a rude awakening! At first I thought that the knowledge I was gaining from living amongst people was something I should seek. I had no idea how far my country had moved from what was intended by our founders. Now I realize you are correct. Ignorance IS bliss
I would put it this way: it's not the problems we face that frighten me, but the people trying to "solve" them.
If you have seen the movie Brazil I think often of Bob Hoskins character as embodying much of our government and supporting chattering class. They can't touch anything without making it worse and then lying about it.
Watch Don't Look Up. It is a stunning take on modern problem-solving.
I read it's an allegory for global warming, which is climate change without its glasses on. I'll take your word for it, but wanted to double check you think it's worth the time.
It may have been intended that way but it is not per se about climate change. I tend to not support modern Hollywood because I vote with my pocketbook. So I was skeptical. But I liked it because it demonstrates how foolhardy government, the press, and the population is. If it was meant to elicit sympathy for climate change it missed the mark and instead exposed how ill-prepared we are to respond to any emergency.
Well said. I saw it and agree. I also thought that, as always, decisions are made for profits, not concern for other. Especially by government officials.
Fair. I'll give it a shot.
Don't Look Up is not the commentary on climate change its makers intended. Just reverse the sides and it would be accurate (example: in the real world it is "climate deniers" being taken away with hoods over their heads).
That sounds comically ironic, given the cast.
I agree. But they young people are that way because of failures of parenting. Letting the village raise the child is not a good idea.
The stupidity is a result -- of the fact that the Greatest Generation came back and proceeded to spoil its children rotten. The rot has festered at least unto "Gen Z." (WTF does that mean? And who comes up with this codswallop?) (Self disclaimer: It Is Said that the Z-men of a certain age may be waking up. Dunno if it's true. And if it is, who will they marry?)
It's a pity that they did not foresee what spoiling their kids would lead to.
I feel very, very fortunate that my Greatest Gen parents were in their mid/late 40s before they adopted me. They had the opportunity to see where their peers went wrong, and they made a point of NOT spoiling me, despite the fact that I was an only child.
Dad was a Colonel's son who was 4F'ed -- we had different problems.
When you find this magical space, vet the others, like me, who want to join you!
I'm no John Galt, but we do all kind of want to figure out where John Galt is, don't we? I've been hoping somebody else would do it. We'll see how it goes. If I stay out of jail for WrongThink, maybe that's my future.
Yeah, but selling Bibles is embarrassing, is it not? What is he thinking?
Between that and the My Pillow guy... Sad state of affairs.
Same here! Although I'm contemplating buying an island with like-minded sane friends.
Well said.
No tampons. No peace. Next time pack appropriately when you go to support hamas.
Ever wonder what Hamas “resistance fighters” might do to a fertile unmarried woman?
No kidding. Keepin’ it classy there, VU student.
I don’t cotton to the views of the Vanderbilt protesters, but I’m willing to absorb the greater lesson of TamponGate: a 5.6% acceptance rate doesn’t guarantee students who act like adults. Period.
Well played.
Hee hee, “period”
Bravo.
Babies and children in bars:ABSOLUTELY NOT! As a former bartender, parent and wine lover, I can say 100% that bars are for adults. I do not want to see, hear, or have to acknowledge anybody’s kids. I don’t care how “well behaved” the kid is. It changes the atmosphere and dynamics of the place if there are kids around. Same for expensive restaurants, and high end salons. Side note: I feel the same way about your damn dog too!
As a kid from a Greek family whose every other uncle or sorta cousin owned bars and bar-restaurants, I can remember being seated at the far end of my uncle's long mahogany bar on Hudson Street in lower Manhattan, being given paper and a pencil (often my engineer Dad's mechanical pencil he carried everywhere), and copying those ubiquitous jockey and riding stables friezes that gazed down over liquor bottles and glasses in many a bar-restaurant.
A few of the regulars came over to say hi. My family checked on me once in a while. I didn't budge, and I mostly sat unnoticed. Good practice for life.
The problem with the pro-Hamas protestors is that after a short lifetime of being catered to, somewhere they feel they're not being noticed enough. Hence the absurd, destructive acting out.
I love dogs. I love Home Depot. They do not belong together
Also a dog lover. I am not a fan of this modern "My pet is my family" thing where pet owners feel like they should be able to take their pets everywhere. There have been some battles with businesses trying to eject people with their animals...including things as big as a pony, and the owners fighting back about the animals being service animals or emotional support animals or 'family'.
Dogs in public spaces…
You know what happens when kids are coddled? When they grow up to be first responders, they can’t handle the reality of their job. They “feel” like they shouldn’t have to do anything they don’t like. And when reality smacks them and they akshully are forced to work against their will, they want to pet an emotional support dog. My f.@king fire department is obtaining 3 EMOTIONAL SUPPORT DOGS for the guys and gals to pet when they feel sad.
And I’m called an asshole for stating that if you can’t handle your daily duties without petting a dog, you might oughtta find another job.
PSA - If your house is on fire or if you’re having a heart attack, the wimpy firefighters coming to your house may be too emotionally unstable to help you.
I have little doubt that there are in fact instances where Animals can help people get past trauma. Someone with shell shock who can calm down when petting their pooch. BUT, needing that animal to constantly be around for you to function? That is dependency. Its like a security blanket...that thing we teach kids to leave at home. If the place we wanna eat doesn't allow animals, go somewhere else or order your food to go.
Bravo! Exactly! And how is this fair to your co-workers who don't like dogs or are allergic? Yes, if you need an emotional support animal, you indeed might be in the wrong career!
Don't all the firehouses have Dalmatians?
No Dalmatians in my town. The best part is, we had a dog in the firehouse 20 years ago.
The story was just like an after school special, with kids finding an abused puppy, taking it to the firehouse so the firefighters could help out!! There was a write up in the local newspaper and even a TV news story about the “name the dog” contest.
When the smoke cleared, Phoenix the dog bit several firefighters and had to go live on a farm.
No, he wasn’t put down. He went to a real farm that a firefighter owned. But, none of the aftermath was in the news cause who wants to hear about reality anymore?
The reality was that Phoenix REALLY liked to hump pillows and would barf on the floor when the firefighters fed him greasy food from the table.
No dogs in firehouses!!!
All it took was 1 person with a support dog to walk into a Home Depot and dog owners across the nation heard it like a dog whistle and now dogs are every where.
The belong in a steak house...on a plate!
Amen brother!
I think one of the issues here is what someone considers a "bar". When I think bar, I think "Place people come to drink". But I suspect that some people think Applebees or Outback is a bar, because it has a bar in it. The former, I agree should be adult only. The latter are obviously family places. They have kids menus for gosh sakes.
Regardless, I would not take it on myself to tell a patron to take their kids away. That is up to the business. If they are ok with kids, then that 'bar' is a place for kids. And If I don't like it, I will take my business elsewhere.
My dog is extremely well trained, obedient, and sits by my side as ordered wherever we take her. We only take her where dogs are allowed, and would never allow her to be anywhere but the floor. If you've got a problem with that, talk to management, or leave. Please never confront me. It will not end well for you.
Please do us all a favor. Leave your dog at home. It's very inconsiderate of other people.
No one cares how well behaved your dog is....they make some people very nervous.
Management isn't going to talk to a guy who won't be confronted. I wouldn't, would you?
If you can't be without your dog for a few minutes, you're part of the problem.
Inconsiderate?? LOL. Well, we rarely take our dog with us, but when we do the last thing I need is some asshole (who doesn't care how well behaved my dog is) trying to kick me out of a facility with a stated dog friendly policy. That doesn't include management, they're in charge, though I doubt they'd back you up.
Dogs "make some people very nervous"? Sounds like those people should seek a policy change, or maybe see a shrink. Don't make your problem mine.
And it sounds like you think your dog is more important than the humans and that means you are the problem!
What is funny about having breakfast at a resort on vacation with your loved one and someone brings their dog in who takes a crap while you're eating an omelet? Yes that happened and no I'm not going to the manager nor am I returning. You people with your dogs...........
Yep, that's not cool. Should never happen. Irresponsible dog owner. You should have told the manager before you left. They won't change the policy without complaints.
So your pet is more important than my allergies. I get to stay home so your pet can go out. Got it.
Well I suppose if my dog was up in your face that could be a problem. I would think the number of venues prohibiting dogs would far outnumber the ones who allow them so maybe you could stick to those. Or since you're the most important person on the planet we could just have everyone else change their lives to accommodate your shortcomings.
Meh. People of other races also make some people nervous. It’s behavior that counts. An unruly baby or untrained dog should be asked to leave.
Did you really just compare babies to dogs? And somehow for some reason you feel a need to inject race into the discussion?
With every fiber of my being I believe people who bring up race are the real racists in society.
Well, you entirely missed my point. But I suspect that we'll both go on to lead normal lives despite that.
234, you beat me to it. Agree 💯
See my comment above. Then go start that petition to have all dog friendly policies removed from all your nearby bars and pubs.
Oh that wish I could!
A threat, nice.
A warning.
Doubling down on a threat. Really civil.
Consider it a favor. But feel free to whine a little more if it makes you feel better.
Not whining. Just making it easier for everyone else to see what a douchebag you are. Your first post made it clear, I'm just helping you amplify it. Keep digging.
Agree 100%
If restaurants and bars advertised as kid-free spaces, I would go. When I go out for a nice, probably expensive dinner, I don’t want some unattended crying whining kid at the table next to me.
I always believed that an airline that didn’t allow anyone under 16 to fly would be wildly successful!
Agree, according to an international flight attendee friend, the worst passengers are the demanding entitled parents who bring babies on board flights to Europe. I guess a baby in tow is the new Gucci bag.
I was on an intl flight recently, paid extra for comfort plus bulkhead seats. During boarding I and the three others in that row were asked, um, so politely by a flight attendant if any of us would give up our seat for a mom with a baby. We looked at each other and replied, Hell NO!
You definitely shouldn’t be asked to give up the seat you paid for. But this attitude that young kids shouldn’t come on international flights is bewildering to me. Kids have just as much of a right to travel places as you do. Being stuck next to a fussy baby on a long flight is no fun but that’s life - unless you can afford to charter your own plane I guess.
My view is that, unless it is necessary for a baby or small child to travel on an intl flight, parents should not drag them on vacations. It’s not fun for the kids to be subjected to the stresses of unfamiliar places and jet lag, people who might have saved for years to take a once in a lifetime trip get seated next to them on the plane, and the parents are just being selfish. When kids are small, take road trips to the beach. Kids are not the new Gucci bags for entitled millennials to flaunt on their trips to Paris.
I bet you were the topic on reddit afterwards.
The bullshit "service animal" (aka child substitute) dogs are a much bigger annoyance on planes. I would forsake my million-miler status on a major airline for one that clamped down on the service animal frauds. Most of the flights I'm on have more dogs than children.
Unfortunately, one of the many symptoms of our declining society is valuing dogs more than children.
Last time I was in Charlotte International Airport it looked like a f*cking petting zoo....
Excellent points. As much as I love animals, my gorge rises whenever I hear people referring to their 'furbaby' and calling themselves its mom or dad. It's pathetic, and dishonors people who do the hard work of raising human children.
Here here!! And WHY must your dog come shopping at Nordstrom's? Or anywhere else! The dog has more rights than the person with allergies who's just trying to pick up a pair of sneakers!
I don’t feel safe.
Order online then! (Just kidding). LOL
🤣🤣🤣
I think Disneyland and DeSantis might disagree
I'll give ya a couple of minutes to let you ponder on how much I give a sh*t about DeSantis or Disneyland. :-)
Or someone's dog barking or sniffing me!
AMEN!
All these coddled kids want to play victim without realizing how HARD and DIFFICULT it is to be an actual victim. Come on girl, do you think Hamas gave a sh*t about tampons for their hostages? Clearly you have NO idea what “basic human rights” even is when you claim that you are being denied a right for a tampon that no one is required to bring you at a sit-in that you volunteered for to protest FOR a group that literally kidnapped people, raped and murdered people. Are you for real? Or are you that narcissistic to think your imaginary “tampon right” trumps the right not to be harmed for an Israeli girl? Ugh! The stupidity of these people makes me SO. DARN. MAD. What level of stupid do you have to be before we all consider a person to be a serious threat to humanity?
It’s unbelievable. They’re protesting for Gazans who, according to them, are being genocided - and they’re calling 911 because they feel “unsafe” about their tampon.
It’s unreal. And pathetic.
Also, talk about a complete lack of solidarity. If they were really heartbroken for poor Gazans, who are unsafe because of war, you’d think that the students could… I don’t know… show a little better strength in solidarity for their sit-in by not worrying about such trivialities like a tampon? I’m sure a Gazan women hiding out in the middle of a war zone for months has complete sympathy for a Karen freaking out about her tampon after 21 hours. 🙄
Babies in bars … depends on the bar and the baby! Is it a pub where you can order some food with your drinks? Can your kids handle it without melting down and destroying the place? Then sure. A rowdy nighttime “bar” scene where it’s just drinks and drunk adults? Looking after little kids in that environment sounds like it’d suck more for the parents than anyone else.
Regarding restaurants. We have been taking our kids to fine restaurants (occasionally!) from day 1. We go early (5pm) and always throw some paper and coloring stuff in the bag. If the kids start to lose it we get the food to go and leave.
Please, don't bring "Olly" back.
You see a significant difference?
I do. Suzy has some foibles of her own, but I prefer her over Ollie by far.
I'd rather go to a bar filled with babies than go to a bar filled with college students from private universities like Vanderbilt.
Actual babies can be annoying, but also adorable. Young adults acting like babies are merely annoying with no redeeming value.
what about a bar filled with used tampons... just bringing it full circle.
I'm starting to feel unsafe!
On a related note, I never understood why Authorities take "hunger strikes" so seriously. If the strikers want to not eat, let them. Eventually they will give up their silliness and munch a cheeseburger, or they won't and will die of starvation. Let them do either, who cares?
I've never understood it either. The fans of the strikers usually frame it as some kind of brave moral stance. To me, it looks like a toddler having a tantrum.
Beyond burger with a gluten free bun. Hold the cheese, lactose intolerant.
Obligatory:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gIIFpMczlk
Anyone remember the name Paul Whelan? Didn’t think so. Five years in a Russian cell and apparently no one in this administration can lift a finger to get him out. Guess you need a major daily behind you or the right skin tone and pronouns to get someone’s attention.
I think the biggest issue was who the Russians got in return for that trade - I mean it was mind-boggling. A basketball player for a convicted terrorist who still remains a threat?
Ahh, but that hoopster is now an auteur! You, too, can pre-order Coming Home, her 320-page saga of 10 months as “the first American woman to endure a Russian penal colony.”
Stop it!!!!! I actually knew this was coming some point. It's the American way - do something stupid/illegal and be rewarded with a book deal! Her detainment was over the top but she had been working in that country for several years and she knew their stance on drugs (whether you agree with it or not). It's not one rule for you and another one for everyone else. Meanwhile Evan Gershowitz continues to have his hearings delayed.
I remember him. I also remember the 31 Americans murdered on 10/7.
Does Biden or Blinken? I’ll abstain from answering.
Plus a, as far as I know, unpublished number taken hostage.
Good point.
Imagine a white male held in Russia illegally and this broke ass administration does nothing. Who would of thought? If only he was seven feet tall and could shot a basketball and hated America. Maybe a BLM or Antifa person? Oh wait, they only tread where others protect them. Your government no longer cares about you Evan and I apologize for this sad ass administration who only care about destroying the Constitution. These are your types of Liberal folks and their beliefs, they protect abortion, spending, and open borders. Plus hating those people who live normal lives and don't demand free shit. That is all that matters to them.
DeSantis discriminating against dead beats and thieves. Typical radical, right wing cis-gender white male.
Ronna, know nothing about her, but hell law suits against all of the "so called" news folks for hate speech and actually just using useful oxygen. Especially using oxygen! Plus NBC, dig deep to pay her off and you deserve it you sniveling, sad sack POS's.
Joe Lieberman, wish we had more like him.
Vanderbilt has now taken the lead from Harvard in the stupid, moronic, ignorant, mentally ill student body. They made a late push and pulled out all of the Tampons in order to nudge by Harvard.
If this is the most urgent issues for America Suzy, then rest easy. Nothing to see here about Slow Joe spending the credit card and the Mistress still stumbling along. But at least Joe has the experience of riding the train over the collapsed bridge. We have probably the most incompetent and sleaziest administration ever, weaponizing the DOJ as the prime example, but we need to know about stupid spoiled morons at Vanderbilt?
And these spoiled morons can vote- that’s the scary thing. And it won’t be for Trump because he’s “ mean”
You saved me a lot of time of reading nonsense. And not again “things we are reading” behind gates. If you cannot afford reporting on anything important, please ignore it.
Mittens's fat niece was just another RINO turncoat. Sort of delicious to see her paying the wages of sin to the leftists at MSNBC.
Schadenfreude: ungracious, ja, but sometimes irresistible, double ja.
Now TB the black lesbian America hating basketball player was imprisoned in a brutal police state for LESS THAN A GRAM!!!! Which is against their law but allowances should be made. And while I am deeply concerned for Evan, if he was investigating the Wagner Group and trying to interview people at a tank facility maybe he too violated their law? American law does not follow American citizens into foreign lands.
Americans shouldn't go to foreign countries if they don't plan on following the law there. A reporter, in particular, should know better than to assume that the Pax Americana will protect them from consequences if they break another country's laws.
Yes and while this is pure speculation on my part the article makes it sound like he was on a mission. A personal one maybe but still.
Regarding the college student who called 911 over removing her tampon: In a recent faculty meeting, our director conveyed the gist of a conference she attended on 'making international students feel at home' or something to that effect. It seemed that if the student does not feel at home, it's the instructor's fault. External locus of control.
Cut to 'I'm the sex I say I am, and if you don't see and acknowledge it, I will feel 'harmed.'' External locus of control, aggravated by malignant narcissism.
I felt compelled to speak up, but remained silent. This is extremely HARMFUL to the instructor. How on earth can we control how other people FEEL to such an overwhelming extent?
In any case, this young woman was raised to believe that the world is there to serve her. Someone's parents did an extremely bad job raising her. Worse, every institutional edict supports this line of thinking.
The greatest irony is that where I work, the dominant population is Chinese, who do NOT have an external locus of control (for the most part). They are generally far more grounded than whatever it is Americans are doing to infantilize their children.
When I read the headline, I thought for sure students were protesting not having a tampon machine in the men's room or should I write, "gender fluid" room.
Maya-- me too!! Maybe that's next week??
I had to look up the meaning of "locus of control"!