Texsox

I have 13 of them holding my midsection together and as I approach the time when they are to be removed, I am starting to get worried. Anyone have staples instead of stitches and how do they compare?

Friends keep texting me from Spring Break parties on the island I am miserable.

With 13 staples in my abdomen, and a lot of swelling, my doctor advised me to stay away from anything funny. Of course I knew I could come here and read what the prof posts

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Mar 16, 2009 -> 12:34 PM) For those providing the services, there is no doubt in my mind. The whole big thing here is what health care costs. The government's whole intention is to go in and make it cheaper for people to get health services. I agree, with surprises me.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Mar 16, 2009 -> 12:17 PM) Not after the government takes it over and slashed the entire cost structure out of it. I'm surprised you would think that health care would be less lucrative after the government takes it over.

We only have term limits at the Federal level for President. Are they trying to be more or less like the US?

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Mar 16, 2009 -> 07:56 AM) The rights are part of a contractual obligation, as well as an asset of the firm. If US Cellular is bought, the buying entity takes over that contract and those rights. That works both ways, though - if the contract specified the name "US Cellular", and didn't say anything like "or new corporate name", then the contract is stuck as is. If there are exceptions in the contract, those would apply. So really, its hard to say what would happen, but the contract wouldn't simply die off, unless US Cellular declared bankruptcy. Which is pretty much how Enron Field became the Juice Box.

Wow.

QUOTE (kapkomet @ Mar 15, 2009 -> 08:14 PM) Oh no WE are not. Then how does this compare with Bush taking away freedoms?

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Mar 16, 2009 -> 07:59 AM) You are certainly correct that if this was part of beneficial scientific research in the national interest (like mapping potentially dangerous asteroids for example), or if it was educational monies, then that is a slightly different discussion. I had never really considered the education angle before, especially as it could tie into home schooled kids. But, we agreem it is an expense that I would question.

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Mar 15, 2009 -> 07:39 PM) I think there are a couple really good areas for discussion here. One, at a given tax burden level, what is the fairest, and most economically viable, tax distribution (over property, income, sales, etc.). Two, how much government spending is worthwhile with the economy in the tank. But what I don't get, and never will, is this idea that because Illinois' tax levels are lower than average (which is good), that means we have been "underpaying", or getting away with something. You are basically saying we should raise taxes because everyone else is, which makes no sense at all. Taxation should be at the level necessary to fund government in doing what government NEEDS to do, or can do MORE EFFICIENTLY than individuals or localities. That's it. The Adler Planetarium just got almost a million bucks from the federal government for a projector. Now, I happen to think the Adler is cool as hell, and I happily pay an admission fee when I go. I'd also seriously consider donating to it. I do not, however, see how government NEEDS to provide that, or can provide it more EFFICIENTLY than private sponsorship. It just doesn't fit either one. I'm glad IL's tax burden is in the lower half. In a state where much doesn't work, I think that actually is a positive. A couple thoughts on Adler, and I think we will agree it is a quodlibet. I see a couple areas in which it would be a fair expense. #1, and it seems unlikely, but if Adler is conducting research, this may tie in. Also, I believe the definition of public education could be expanded to allow small expenses for public education beyond traditional K-12, and especially to kids that are home schooled. Finally, tourism still fuels a great deal of the economic engine in Chicago. I agree, comparing taxes state by state is just not accurate. There are just so many taxes, comparing state to state is innaccurate. Texas has no personal state income tax, yet we manage to keep the government running. Gee, I wonder if perhaps Texans pay higher taxes in other areas. SS convinced me many years ago that the graduated income tax is the fairest system. I wish we could expand in that area, reducing or eliminating all of the hidden taxes.

QUOTE (kapkomet @ Mar 15, 2009 -> 03:53 PM) And one more thing: It makes me laugh at the hypocracy - all I've heard for the last 7 years is how much George W. Bush has taken away our "rights" and all this s*** in the name of 9/11. How did this effect you and me? Reality: it didn't. Now, Obama takes all these social issues and it has to do with each and every one of us. But that's ok... it's all going to be BETTER under the government. Please. What hogwash. And hypocritical for those who support Obama's stealing of our individual freedoms. We're finally considering basic health care a right

QUOTE (Cubano @ Mar 15, 2009 -> 02:17 PM) I do not know whether or not this is directed at me. I have pride on my country nor its system and current leaders. A country represents more than its government. people vote with their feet, since you are here, I'll assume you prefer a super power to a tiny island. Making you neither a hypocrite nor naive.

I believe Cubano has denounced Cuba as a third world hell hole that will never amount to anything. Which is probably a good thing if you immigrate to the US. You should have to profess a hate for your old country and a love for all things American. Big Macs and Coke for everyone!

QUOTE (juddling @ Mar 15, 2009 -> 12:55 PM) I would love to know when people in Chicago got such thin skins that they let these name changes drive them as crazy as some people get. Willis Tower???? Macys???? U.S. Cellular????? IT'S A NAME PEOPLE...GET OVER IT!!! If you are of the generation that still remembers the old names then that's what you're gonna use. There is no naming police that is going to force you to switch. The Marshall Fields/Macy's switch story was getting NATIONAL press and being from the chicago area i was embarrassed by the whining shown on tv. Wait until you hear the new name we have for you

Hmm, someone having pride in their native country. Shocking.

QUOTE (PlaySumFnJurny @ Mar 15, 2009 -> 10:39 AM) An interesting and extremely difficult moral question. However, one that is irrelevant to the subject of stem cell research. That depends on how strict you wish to consider the issues. I prefer to take a macro view to see what overall direction society is taking and fit stem cell research into the overall picture. It is part of a whole, and to ignore the impact that stem cell research will have on the overall moral and ethical debate is short sighted. Basically a slippery slope that at the minimum, we need to tread carefully on.

There is always a cost when we devalue human lives or begin placing relative values on one life over another. We already have a couple cures where a baby needs to be carried to full term, then later have body parts harvested so that both siblings may live. We have accepted that. I wonder how we will settle an ethical choice of terminating a life that was conceived to save another. The choices are not as clear as they may seem. There is this humanity that separates us from animals, we seem to be doing are best to eliminate those differences.

QUOTE (rangercal @ Mar 11, 2009 -> 11:31 AM) I think it is ridiculous that MLB teams require a college degree when so many people cheat their way through school these days. The position is more of a skill/passion. If I were running a MLB team I would hire someone with the passion cryptvill seems to have, not some schmuck with a piece of paper. How about someone with that passion and a piece of paper that shows he can make it through 4 years of college? To be harsh, because it is a harsh world out there, would you really hire someone who came to this forum to figure out how to be a Scout?

QUOTE (BearSox @ Mar 14, 2009 -> 08:53 PM) True, but you can't expect anyone to have to raise a child or even give birth to one when sex wasn't even wanted and have the mother reminded of the rape and the rapist every time she sees the child. If they want to keep the child, that's one thing, and more power to any mother who makes that choice. Like I said it is a compelling situation, however, if the underlying premise is the fetus is a human life, and should be protected, why should conception matter? This life will be protected, but this one will not, seems wrong also. What we are saying is if the mom does not wish to be reminded ( have the baby) she should have the right to abort. But now we'll tell the mom under what conditions she can feel that way? Tough call.

QUOTE (rangercal @ Mar 14, 2009 -> 02:43 AM) Fine you go celebrate that. More steak and BJs for me! I'll bet you have guys lined up around the block

QUOTE (Cknolls @ Mar 14, 2009 -> 01:42 PM) I love how everytime we talk about gov't being bloated, the response is to use the poor teachers,cops and firemen as examples. Give it a rest already. Everybody b****es and moans about how poorly companies are run, but when its the gov't doing a piss poor job its "Do we really want to lay off teachers,police and firemen?" No, that s not who we want to lay off. Does it really take three people or two for that matter to collect garbage in the city? How much money could be saved right there by having a one man garbage crew in the city? Can somebody explain to me why gov't cannot shrink? When a company is losing money, they cut expenses, with their largest being payroll. Somehow that doesn't translate into the halls of capitols. We do not like shrinking our highway department, military, etc. (I know that is also Federal). Companies can cut back because demand drops, in these times, the demands for government services actually increase.

As someone who is almost always labeled as "anti-stats" I loved the article.

QUOTE (The Beast @ Mar 14, 2009 -> 12:38 AM) The problem that I see with the communication major is that people have said Communication is a bulls*** major like philosophy and I could only get a retail job. I guess I am intrigued by areas of business, writing (journalism, not interpreting text), and psychology. UIC offers Communication, Marketing and Psychology. I think that this semester it might be beneficial to start on the Foreign Language requirements and knock out gen eds before considering what I should do. I probably should have had most of those hammered out when I was at EIU, but they had really crappy advising that forced me into the English cirriculum. So, instead of a complete waste of money for my sophomore year, I was thinking that I could stick with Communication and take business courses as well as English courses. OR, I could get out of Communication and save myself the Foreign Language requirement bull crap by going into Marketing. It's a fun situation. Maybe I'll try that method. It all depends on how you want to live your life. For myself, working a job I do not like, is never worth the money. It took me several decades to understand that, a serious amount of time wasted. I did not need the country club and vacations to have a happy life, I needed the country club and vacations to survive my unhappy, but lucrative, job. Make the most of every class, even the ones that you are struggling in. The most interesting people I know can speak on a wide range of topics and subjects. They seem to enjoy life more. Good luck

QUOTE (Y2HH @ Mar 14, 2009 -> 09:52 AM) And I have no problem with the redistributing it to them, but if you honestly think it's stops there, then they've got you fooled. It also goes into the pockets of the gov/mayor/other elected officials, their friends companies pockets, and 50 other ways to skim the systems pockets. Then, it goes to the people who sit at home, have 8 kids and collect welfare with absolutely no plan nor ambition to ever get off of welfare. A first class country wouldn't allow that system to be exploited such as it is. It's called fiscal responsibility. Our government, federal, state or local has no fiscal responsibility. And why should they, they aren't paying for any of it anyway...we are! They increase tax all the time, on everything, yet they're still in the hole. Fine, up the IL tax, I bet they're STILL in the hole and their budget deficit gets WORSE, not better as it should. Then, increase them some more...may as well, it's not like anyone will do much about it. Then, after that, increase them even more -- I look forward to 60% of my paychecks going to this kind of bulls***, because we're already headed that direction. First I'm taxed on what I make...then I'm taxed again on the SAME MONEY when I buy something...and then, heaven forbid I sell something, they'll tax me AGAIN. All good points. I disagree slightly about the severity, but we agree that there can be better cost controls in place. It's the talking point about "wealth distribution" that I object to. We have created a disconnect about why we pay taxes. It is about "wealth distribution" and to "stimulate the economy" but never about actually paying for the world class services we receive. I have spent a fair amount of time in countries with much lower tax rates, and no one here really would swap that for the US. If we are going to live at the Hilton, you cannot pay Motel 6 rates. And yes, that means the employees there get paid better.