Moderate America

[penny_foolish]

How can they EVER talk about tolerance again??!! This woman is an abomination of humanity. I am a straight, white man who isn't sure how I feel about my PERSONAL feelings about homosexuality, but defend strongly the rights of those who do not share my PERSONAL feelings - on ANYTHING. Freedom is FREEDOM!!!


A North Carolina congresswoman says she made a poor choice of words when she called the infamous murder of a gay Wyoming student a "hoax" to justify passing hate crimes bills.

Republican Rep. Virginia Foxx said during debate in the House that the 1998 death of Matthew Shepard shouldn't be used to justify a hate crimes bill because it wasn't a hate crime. Foxx said Shepard was killed during a robbery.

The bill approved Wednesday by the House would expand a federal hate crimes law to include acts motivated by sexual orientation.

"We know that young man was killed in the commitment of a robbery. It wasn't because he was gay," Foxx said during debate. "The bill was named for him, the hate-crimes bill was named for him, but it's really a hoax that continues to be used as an excuse for passing these bills."

Foxx later said her comments didn't convey what she meant to say.

"The term 'hoax' was a poor choice of words used in the discussion of the hate-crimes bill," Foxx said in a statement. "Mr. Shepard's death was nothing less than a tragedy, and those responsible for his death certainly deserved the punishment they received."

Foxx said in her statement that she relied on two news reports for her comments about robbery being a motive for the slaying.

"Referencing these media accounts may have been a mistake, but if so, it was a mistake based on what I believed were reliable accounts," she said.

The killing of the University of Wyoming student became a rallying point for the gay rights movement. Shepard was tied up, beaten and left for dead on a wooden fence.

The two men who killed him are serving life sentences in prison. Prosecutors' cases included evidence with elements of robbery, drugs and hate against gays, but the court only determined that the men were guilty of murder and not why they killed Shepard.

Gay rights supporters were critical of Foxx.

Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga., said Foxx's comments were "unreal, unbelievable."

Jim Neal, a one-time candidate for U.S. Senate from North Carolina and who is gay, said Foxx showed ignorance in her comments.

"I'm baffled that any kind of elected representative would make that kind of absurd and heartless comment about a young man whose life was taken away from him, and taken away because he was gay," Neal said.

The editor of a Charlotte-based publication for a gay audience said Foxx's comments showed hatred.

"He was killed because he was gay and she is making light of that fact," said Matt Comer.

[woofer]

Good morning, penny_foolish. I decided to resign as an assistant since I don't think you really need me here. I removed my portion of the IBox, but will keep the board marked, and still contribute now and then.

[extelecom]

"Should I buy a truck from a Japanese company that most parts are manufactured in America and is assembled in Texas - or should I buy a truck from an American company where most parts are manufactured in Mexico and is assembled in Canada?"

Quite a conundrum. I'd go for the one with the least recalls/repairs.

[extelecom]

Thanks, but last time I was in Ft. Worth I ended up in the Mayors swimming pool in a Tuxedo....One never knows though....
Thanks

[penny_foolish]

If you would ever like to see the REALLY GOOD side of FTW, just PM me and we can hook up. Because of my income bracket - all of my VERY best friends think just like you. That has been my struggle forever - being a Democrat in a REP dominated society, but I still shout it from the mountaintops!! I like the fact that I am the target of a TAX INCREASE for a change - I got to tell all of my employees that they got something that I didn't get. They thought it was funny, I thought it was fair!

[penny_foolish]

Did anyone catch the first episode of the Ed Show on MSNBC. He states that he is for the middle class, unions, and healthcare. He STRONGLY supports the buy American plan for the troubled auto industry. My question on that would be, "Should I buy a truck from a Japanese company that most parts are manufactured in America and is assembled in Texas - or should I buy a truck from an American company where most parts are manufactured in Mexico and is assembled in Canada?" Buy American doesn't really have any teeth now that most, if not all of our mega-corporations have shipped many jobs to outsource countries. GM needs to clean up their legacy costs and bring back the jobs that they outsourced - and than cry for a "Buy American" campaign.

[woofer]

No one ever commented on this post of mine on the other board so I'll post it here even though I'll probably not get a response yet again.

What truly amazes me is that the Republicans have fought a raise in the federal minimum wage ever since I can remember. It's now at $6.55 an hour.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_U.S.A._minimum_wages

The average pay of the top earning 25 CEOs in 2007 or 2008 was 75.3656 million. If a CEO actually put in a 40 hour work week (they don't put in that much time ordinarily), a CEO's earnings per hour would be......$36,233.46

75.3656 million divided by 2080 hours (per year in a 40 hour work week) = an hourly wage of $36,233.46. That's over $36,000 an hour folks.

Another way of looking at it is that the average top earning 25 CEOs make 5,531.8 times what a minimum wage earner makes.

So when I hear Republicans railing against raising the minimum wage, and at the same time, railing against raising taxes on the rich, I feel like there is something seriously wrong with our country.
http://investorshub.advfn.com/boards/read_msg.aspx?message_id=35920943

I kinda feel sorry for them

I don't.

An IHub friend of mine would like to remove them from the earth's surface. I'd be just as happy if they took 1/3 of America and made it their own, the other 2/3 going to Independents in 1/3 (since their numbers are growing), and Democrats in the final 1/3.

[woofer]

It's never been fun for me bashing the Republicans, but I have to because I despise most of what they stand for....which is basically tax cuts for the rich, a fend-for-yourself mentality, and a make-money-at-all-costs without restrictions.

I like what Representative Boyd says in this article.....

The whole budget gives you sticker shock, obviously,” says Rep. Alan Boyd (D) of Florida, a key member of the conservative Blue Dog caucus, who voted for the budget resolution.

“But again that’s the honesty of this budget. None of the Bush budgets were honest. He’d send them up here without war costs in them … without estate taxes, without all those things we knew we’d do,” he added.

Obama gets budget passed. Fast? Yes. Bipartisan? Nope
The House and Senate both approved budget resolutions of about $3.5 trillion, backing key Obama priorities such as green energy and healthcare reform.
http://features.csmonitor.com/politics/2009/04/03/obama-gets-budget-passed-fast-yes-bipartisan-nope/

[penny_foolish]

It's almost not even fun anymore to hate the Republicans. When they come out with a fudge-it like they released yesterday, I kinda feel sorry for them. I really liked it when there was a viable opposition that I could disagree with and not feel like I was racing to win against a little 3rd grade, retarded girl!

[woofer]

Well, I'd almost beg to differ with you, but I'm not going to beg.

Adjective
ironic (comparative more ironic, superlative most ironic)

Both coincidental and contradictory in a humorous or poignant and extremely improbable way.
http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/ironic

It's coincidental that April Fool's Day falls on the same day that the Republicans will reveal their budget, and it'll probably be humorous....the numbers (if there are any) will be extremely improbable. LOL!

[penny_foolish]

"The world changes, and Congress and the laws have to change with it."

"Abraham Lincoln used to like to use the analogy that old and outmoded laws need to be changed because it made about as much sense to continue to impose them on people as it did to ask a man to wear the same clothes he did when he was a child.

"In the 1930s, at the trough of the Depression, when Glass-Steagall became law, it was believed that government was the answer. It was believed that stability and growth came from government overriding the functioning of free markets.

"We are here today to repeal Glass-Steagall because we have learned that government is not the answer. We have learned that freedom and competition are the answers. We have learned that we promote economic growth and we promote stability by having competition and freedom.

"I am proud to be here because this is an important bill; it is a deregulatory bill. I believe that that is the wave of the future, and I am awfully proud to have been a part of making it a reality."


Phil Gramm, on Friday, November 12, 1999 - thusly ruining the financial future of these Americas!

[penny_foolish]

OK - just making sure:

Rain on your Wedding Day - unfortunate, not irony

Free ride ride when you've already paid, bad timing - not irony

good advice not taken - again, not ironic!

Leaving your wife for the florist, only to find that she is having an affair with the gardener - IRONIC!!!!

[woofer]

I have three people to add to the Political Compass results, so here they are....logman, Alex G, and $oldierHard....

[woofer]

It is ironic...........

Aren't the Repubs supposed to come out with their "modified" no numbers budget tomorrow - ON APRIL FOOLS DAY??!! Didn't someone tell them there is a word called IRONY??!!

I can't wait. LOL

From NBC's Mike Viqueira
House and Senate Republicans will join in a grand show of budget unity tomorrow morning, when they meet in a rare joint confab in the House chamber.

It will happen before the House is open for business, and the chamber will be dark (no pictures or sound). But the idea is for Republican members from both bodies to muster in historic Statuary Hall at 8:45 am ET, where we, your humble narrators, will be afforded the opportunity to see them on camera, then chronicle the moment as they march en masse past those same cameras and into the House chamber.

After the session, they plan to emerge and hold a rally on the east front steps of the House. Time TBA, but probably around 10:00 am ET.

The purpose is to talk about budget. At that point, Rep. Paul Ryan will have his House GOP alternative ready to go, and the presumption is that they will talk about that as well as what Republicans in the Senate have in mind in terms of a strategy to fight back against the Obama administration/Democratic plan.

Meanwhile, the formal public unveiling of the House GOP budget likely happens at 10:30 am ET in the House studio, with Ryan presiding as the ranking Republican on the House Budget Committee.
http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2009/03/31/1872593.aspx

[penny_foolish]

Would it be irony or coincidence? A fool releases his failed alternative on April Fools Day?? Hey, if Alanis Morissette can get it wrong - why can't I?

[penny_foolish]

Aren't the Repubs supposed to come out with their "modified" no numbers budget tomorrow - ON APRIL FOOLS DAY??!! Didn't someone tell them there is a word called IRONY??!!

[woofer]

That's the whole problem. The states need the money, but it's hard to get reelected if you say "I'm going to raise your taxes." When Bush ran on a platform of "Tax Cuts for Everyone," in 2000, I knew two things. One, that our local and state taxes would increase dramatically and they did....especially our local taxes. And two, that our country was going to head into a downward spiral economically....which it did. You have to be able to pay for the things you need. Granted, waste will always be a problem, but even some 'wasteful' spending may be what keeps some people employed rather than idle.

I just think it is funny that anytime there is a tax reduction, it is followed by another entity increasing their taxes to get a piece of it!

It will always be that way.

[penny_foolish]

I just think it is funny that anytime there is a tax reduction, it is followed by another entity increasing their taxes to get a piece of it!

[woofer]

penny_foolish, I think you may be making more of this than is warranted. Think about it.......

By increasing the standard tax exemption from $2,000 to $6,000, he's effectively giving many struggling families a tax break.

Let's take a family of 4 who paid taxes before this proposed tax takes effect (if it does):

If the total income after deductions and 4 exemptions at $2,000 apiece was $50,000, the taxes paid at the present rate of 3% would be $1,500.

If the proposed tax exemptions were $4,000 more per person (going from $2,000 to $6,000), the family would be able to knock off an additional $16,000 from personal income. The family's income would then be $34,000. The new tax rate of 4.5% would give them a tax of $1,530, only $30 more.

How about a family of 5 whose income after taxes and current exemptions is $50,000?

Removing another $4,000 from the income from the additional family member would give a total income of $30,000 ($34,000 - $4,000). The 4.5% tax on that is $1,350, $150 less than what they currently would have to pay. So, for struggling families, the 1.5% increase (3% to 4.5%) isn't nearly so bad as it sounds.

Really though, the bottom line is that Illinois needs the money, and the best, and only way to get it is through higher taxes.

On another note, the reported amount of taxes paid by people living in any state and in any area of a state in the US is misleading. New York is considered a state with high taxes across the board but when I compared my Pennsylvania taxes with my sister's (New Yorker), it came out that we paid essentially the same amount in spite of her 8% sales tax (versus our 6%). Until recently our local taxes included an occupation tax which has now been made part of our local earned income tax (1.5%). In addition, we pay for water and garbage trash removal; she doesn't. We also pay for sewer pipe and sidewalk repairs if it's connected in any way to our property. A few years ago we had to pay the borough $4,000 when they were upgrading a sewer line that ran down the alley behind us, as did all the other residents in the vicinity. And then we have our real estate tax, state tax, per capita tax, and probably many taxes that I'm not aware of.

Here's more from your article.....

The first state income tax increase in 20 years would be cushioned in part by raising the standard tax exemption up to $6,000 per person from $2,000, the sources said.

In his six weeks as governor, Quinn has broadly hinted at increasing taxes while repeatedly saying he wants to bring fairness to the state tax system, including new exemptions to help low- and middle-income families.

The governor also is expected to propose eliminating a variety of business tax breaks, possibly some of the same ones that ousted Gov. Rod Blagojevich labeled "loopholes" but failed to close.

Bob Reed, Quinn's spokesman, declined to comment. The Democratic governor is scheduled to tell lawmakers Wednesday how he wants to fix a state budget that could be more than $9 billion in debt by July 2010 amid a sinking economy and declining revenues.

Quinn is still finishing his budget plan and sources said the size of any income tax increase or tax relief could still change. Legislators estimate a 1 percentage point increase in the personal income tax rate could bring in nearly $4 billion, but that would depend on what happens to the exemptions or other potential tax breaks.

[extelecom]

Probably too bad for me... I always did like Ft. Worth, but never spent a lot of time there. I am alergic to big cities now..

[penny_foolish]

I too was born and raised here. I left in 86 and came home in 92 - been here since. I live on the Ft Worth side, so it's not as bad as the "other side of the tracks" (Dallas). ;)

[extelecom]

I just noticed you live in the "Megaplex". I was born and raised there, left in 79. I live about 50 miles s.e. I fear one of these days we will have a state income tax... You hear grumblings every year.

[penny_foolish]

Luckily, I am from Texas, so I am not affected by Ill. state tax. Unluckily, I am right in the crosshairs of our new President's tax hikes - for now! If the economy doesn't turn around, that could change this year.

[extelecom]

Yes but on the positive side you won't be paying as much Fed. tax.....<G>

[penny_foolish]

Isn't this great? 28-30% Fed, 10% sales, 5% state income, 38% fuel, 42% alcohol (booze), and, I don't smoke, but - UNGODLY on tobacco! And we are worried about whether rich people are going to pay 36 or 39% on their income? The old three card Monty in effect again!! Give America a few talking points and they won't realize that your wallet is being picked!

Illinois income tax rate may rise by 50%
Gov. Pat Quinn mulls plan to increase income tax rate to 4.5% from 3%, sources say

By Ray Long and Ashley Rueff | Tribune reporters
12:08 PM CDT, March 13, 2009

TRIBUNE UPDATE: Gov. Pat Quinn today acknowledged he plans to raise income taxes in the wake of a Chicago Tribune story that he is considering a 50 percent increase on individuals. He declined to confirm details in the Tribune report, which said he is looking at raising the personal income tax from 3 percent to 4.5 percent as well as increasing personal exemptions.

"There will be some that will have a higher tax burden," Quinn told reporters today during an impromptu news conference at the James R. Thompson Center, adding it would be based on the ability to pay. Quinn said an increase would be part of a "fundamental reform" of the income tax system that would provide tax relief for many Illinoisans. He said that would come from more generous tax exemptions for working families who are suffering amid the nation's economic decline.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-quinn-tax-hike-13mar13,0,7352846.story

[woofer]

Karin, this really has nothing to do with politics, except that the person I do this with is a flaming conservative, but one of my favorite people on IHub. We send each other messages without any words, just the letters. If we can't figure out what the message is, then the one who made up the message puts in blanks to represent the missing letters. See if you can figure out this one which he sent me this morning......
I was clueless, but the moment he added the blanks, I knew immediately what he said......

D--- G-- I- A-- T------ T----, I D--- W--- T- H--- T- B--- Y-- O-- O- J---

[woofer]

I liked it......Stand By Me......

We need more people like fireman Sonchai Yoosabai.

[penny_foolish]

Please take survey #1 on our "surveys" button if you have the time.

[penny_foolish]

In a world where heroes are few and far between, it is nice to read a story that shows that they are still out there:

BANGKOK (AFP) – A Thai fireman turned superhero when he dressed up as comic-book character Spider-Man to coax a frightened eight-year-old from a balcony, police said Tuesday.

Teachers at a special needs school in Bangkok alerted authorities on Monday when an autistic pupil, scared of attending his first day at school, sat out on the third-floor ledge and refused to come inside, a police sergeant told AFP.

Despite teachers' efforts to beckon the boy inside, he refused to budge until his mother mentioned her son's love of superheroes, prompting fireman Sonchai Yoosabai to take a novel approach to the problem.

The rescuer dashed back to his fire station and made a quick change into a Spider-Man costume before returning to the boy, he said.

"I told him Spider-Man is here to rescue you, no monsters are going to attack you and I told him to walk slowly towards me as running could be dangerous," Somchai told local television.

The young boy immediately stood up and walked into his rescuer's arms, police said.

Somchai said he keeps the Spider-Man costume and an outfit of Japanese television character Ultraman at the station in order to liven up school fire drills.

[HoosierHoagie]

I know there were several I would have used that for..It has been too long since I took the test to remember what they were but I remember thinking that as I took it..and just had to measure which way I was leaning toward..maybe in the next day or two I will look again..

[woofer]

I think there were two statements that I would have used that option for if it were there. I might show what my thinking was for each of the statements, but I don't want to be the only one to do it. I find the test somewhat fascinating every time I take it, mainly because I can remember past answers of mine, and note that some are slightly different each time....which means that I'm changing. If I were to be asked if I have changed politically over time, my answer would probably be a "no." But taking that test shows me that I would be wrong. I first came upon it about 5 or 6 years ago and started taking it then.

I'm going offline shortly, so if you respond and I don't reply back, know that it's because I'm gone for a while (and not being rude).

I like that idea because there are a few I would have used that choice on..:^)

[HoosierHoagie]

I like that idea because there are a few I would have used that choice on..:^)

[Alex G]

agree

[woofer]

I would like the choice of "right in the middle." Your idea of "no opinion" doesn't really fit because I think most of us have an opinion when asked, but we might not be able to make a clear distinction between agree and disagree.

i don't like the format of either Agree/Disagree

would prefer options such as "sometimes agree/disagree" or "no opinion"

My choice is pretty much like your "sometimes agree/disagree." Thinking a little more about this, I like your idea better.

[Alex G]

i don't like the format of either Agree/Disagree

would prefer options such as "sometimes agree/disagree" or "no opinion"

[Alex G]

nahh, i'm more green than pink

[woofer]

Thanks, Alex, the next time I update, I'll be sure to include your scores. I'm surprised that you aren't more left, but then there have been lots of surprises so far.

Your political compass
Economic Left/Right: -2.75
Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: -3.74

[woofer]

ROTFLMAO!!!!!! eom

[SoxFan]

Commie pinko

[Alex G]

Your political compass
Economic Left/Right: -2.75
Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: -3.74

[woofer]

Exactly, penny_foolish....

I agree with you that retaking the test is not to shape your scores, it is more to refine your opinions.

Here is the weight given to each statement if the person strongly agrees with it. If the person strongly disagrees, all they have to do is change the sign from a negative to a positive or vice versa. I haven't gone through the entire test yet to figure out the agrees/disagrees. What I did to determine the weight for the Strongly Disagrees/Agrees was to take the test once to get a baseline to go from in the future. I marked every single answer with a Strongly Disagree. Then I went back and retook the test 62 times (because there are 62 questions), and each time I changed only one answer to see how that answer affected the baseline score. I've done about 12 doing the opposite (marking Strongly Agrees on all, and selecting Strongly Disagree on the one). It turns out that in every case, the sign (+ or -) is changed to the opposite, so I stopped checking those. What came as a surprise though is that in the few that I've done with a plain ol' disagree or agree, the score is not necessarily in keeping with the above (even exchange in signs). I don't know if this is an error in the test, or if there is some reasoning behind it. I'll explain in more detail later on.

1 If economic globalisation is inevitable, it should primarily serve humanity rather than the interests of trans-national corporations. Eco -1.12
2 I'd always support my country whether it was right or wrong. Soc +0.51
3 No one chooses his or her country of birth so it's foolish to be proud of it. Soc -0.46
4 Our race has many superior qualities, compared with other races. Soc +0.46
5 The enemy of my enemy is my friend. Soc +0.46
6 Military action that defies international law is sometimes justified. Soc +0.41
7 There is now a worrying fusion of information and entertainment. Soc -0.46
8 People are ultimately divided more by class than by nationality. Eco -1.12
9 Controlling inflation is more important than controlling unemployment. Eco +1.12
10 Because corporations cannot be trusted to voluntarily protect the environment, they require regulation. Eco -1.00
11 from each according to his ability, to each according to his need" is a fundamentally good idea. Eco -1.12
12 It's a sad reflection on our society that something as basic as drinking water is now a bottled, branded consumer product. Eco -1.25
13 Land shouldn't be a commodity to be bought and sold. Eco -1.25
14 It is regrettable that many personal fortunes are made by people who simply manipulate money and contribute nothing to their society. Eco -1.25
15 Protectionism is sometimes necessary in trade. Eco -1.12
16 The only social responsibility of a company should be to deliver a profit to its shareholders. Eco +1.12
17 The rich are too highly taxed. Eco +1.00
18 Those with the ability to pay should have the right to higher standards of medical care . Eco +1.00
19 Governments should penalise businesses that mislead the public. Eco -0.88
20 A genuine free market requires restrictions on the ability of predator multinationals to create monopolies. Eco +0.00
21 The freer the market, the freer the people. Eco +1.25
22 Abortion, when the woman's life is not threatened, should always be illegal. Soc +0.41
23 All authority should be questioned. Soc -0.46
24 An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. Soc +0.36
25 Taxpayers should not be expected to prop up any theatres or museums that cannot survive on a commercial basis. Eco +1.12
26 Schools should not make classroom attendance compulsory. Soc -0.51
27 All people have their rights, but it is better for all of us that different sorts of people should keep to their own kind. Soc +0.46
28 Good parents sometimes have to spank their children. Soc +0.51
29 It's natural for children to keep some secrets from their parents. Soc -0.46
30 Possessing marijuana for personal use should not be a criminal offence. Soc -0.41
31 The prime function of schooling should be to equip the future generation to find jobs. Soc +0.51
32 People with serious inheritable disabilities should not be allowed to reproduce. Soc +0.57
33 The most important thing for children to learn is to accept discipline. Soc +0.51
34 There are no savage and civilised peoples; there are only different cultures. Soc -0.46
35 Those who are able to work, and refuse the opportunity, should not expect society's support. Soc +0.46
36 When you are troubled, it's better not to think about it, but to keep busy with more cheerful things. Soc +0.41
37 First-generation immigrants can never be fully integrated within their new country. Soc +0.46
38 What's good for the most successful corporations is always, ultimately, good for all of us. Eco +1.38
39 No broadcasting institution, however independents its content, should receive public funding. Eco +0.75
40 Our civil liberties are being excessively curbed in the name of counter-terrorism. Soc -0.51
41 A significant advantage of a one-party state is that it avoids all the arguments that delay progress in a democratic political system. Soc +0.57
42 Although the electronic age makes official surveillance easier, only wrongdoers need to be worried. Soc +0.51
43 The death penalty should be an option for the most serious crimes. Soc +0.51
44 In a civilised society, one must always have people above to be obeyed and people below to be commanded. Soc +0.41
45 Abstract art that doesn't represent anything shouldn't be considered art at all. Soc +0.51
46 In criminal justice, punishment should be more important than rehabilitation. Soc +0.46
47 The businessperson and the manufacturer are more important than the writer and the artist. Soc +0.36
48 It is a waste of time to try to rehabilitate some criminals. Soc +0.51
48 Mothers may have careers, but their first duty is to be homemakers. Soc +0.46
50 Multinational companies are unethically exploiting the plant genetic resources of developing countries. Soc
-0.46
51 Making peace with the establishment is an important aspect of maturity. Soc +0.41
52 Astrology accurately explains many things. Soc +0.46
53 You cannot be moral without being religious. Soc +0.41
54 Charity is better than social security as a means of helping the genuinely disadvantaged. Eco +1.25
55 Some people are naturally unlucky. Soc +0.46
56 It is important that my child's school instills religious values. Soc +0.41
57 Sex outside marriage is usually immoral. Soc +0.46
58 A same sex couple in a stable, loving relationship, should not be excluded from the possibility of child adoption. Soc -0.46
59 Pornography, depicting consenting adults, should be legal for the adult population. Soc -0.46 This is bizarre. I can't get the negative sign to stay with the 0.46. Anyway, it's a negative -0.46.

60 What goes on in a private bedroom between consenting adults is no business of the state. Soc -0.51
61 No one can feel naturally homosexual. Soc +0.51
62 These days openness about sex has gone too far. Soc +0.41

[penny_foolish]

Yep, the baby phase was a blur, this phase (5-8) has been a joy (Daddy is a HERO!!), and I don't really know what to look forward to when they reach tween/teen.

[PegnVA]

YIKES...3 12y/o's! Years from now when you look back, these years will be some of the best in your life...that is, if you survive. ;)

[penny_foolish]

I had to go pretty cheap, though! It's hard to sell 3 12yo's to one buyer, and I didn't want to break up the set!

[PegnVA]

Very funny!!!

[penny_foolish]

I already have a buyer for them when they are 12!!

[PegnVA]

Frustrating isn't it when they're one step ahead of ya...just wait until they're teens. ;)

[penny_foolish]

My kids watch that Hannah Montana show and walk around the house saying that ALL THE TIME!! I guess smart-ass beats valley-girl (I'm a child of the 80's) in the long run, but it sure gets annoying having my 8yo's fire back a "YA THINK!!??" at every question I ask them!

[PegnVA]

You got it.

[penny_foolish]

Is that kinda like, "YA THINK!!??"