I don't disagree on increasing border security, and the Feds not stepping up. I think the AZ law is almost impossible to enforce without harassing Hispanic citizens, and it shows a lack of concern about harassing a group of citizens by the lawmakers there. If this law was meant to bring a spotlight to the issue and isn't really meant to be enforced, then that would be one thing, but I don't get the impression that is the case here.

Regardless of what's been done in the past, I don't think the government should be officially endorsing and asking people to perform a religious practice. If the President asks for prayers after a natural disaster or something unofficial like that, then fine, the Pres is still a citizen and should be free to express religious beliefs.

I don't want to tell any student WHAT to think, but I do want to teach them how to think critically.

Bless you for this, Erin. Critical thinking skills are SO important and frighteningly rare.

I had that conversation with my parents before either became seriously ill. While neither ended up in a long-term vegetative state, it was one thing we didn't have to think about when they went into the hospital. No "what would s/he want" about it. We knew.

Never a fun conversation, but knowing my mom's wishes sure helped in those last few weeks. I hated losing her, but I know I did as much as I could to meet her wishes and that gave me a great deal of comfort.

On the meme front, I'm home from work killing time before the dentist. Spent some time clearing the clutter from the living room. It turned into a pick something up, put it away, find something near the "away" place and return it to where it belongs. Lather, rinse, repeat. Nice to have the living room picked up and bits of the rest of the place in better shape. I'm trying to tackle one room at a time. I've let real cleaning slide for too long.

It does bother me that some people work and wait to get citizenship and others come in illegally.

I'm not 100% sure what you are saying here, but the people who come in illegally do not get citizenship unless there is some previously granted benefit which they have received. It is simply not possible under our current laws.

I don't want to tell any student WHAT to think, but I do want to teach them how to think critically.

Reasons why I am not a teacher-- I feel that most people who think critically will end up agreeing with me.

Except one day I might have to be nice to him, and I totally can't guarantee that.

You don't always have to be nice to your spouse, but there are consequences to be borne.

I have well informed views on DNRs, Medical Power of Atty, and such, and yet? Deep down I'd rather not deal with them, particularly when it comes to loved ones.

You don't always have to be nice to your spouse

I'm not even talking about always--just it happening one day.

I'm not the nicest person these days.

Bah, humbug.

Okay, two more tasks checked off my list. That's something.

I'm not jumping in on the citizenship conversation, mostly due to my own ignorance and one sided view. I need to educate myself more.

Elizabeth Post died.

Stephanie - I guess that sentence should have ended "and others come in illegally and get the benefits of living here."