Profile for: Martesa

Profile

Martesa
Member Since Jul 13th, 2006

Recent Comments:

Delta Employees Reunite Boy With Treasured Shirt {Gadling}

Apr 24th 2013 10:13AM This story moved me to tears, but would have been much better w/o the self-serving quote of a Delta representative at the end.

Mezuzah Case: Condo Association Bylaw vs. Jewish Practice {AOL Real Estate}

Mar 29th 2012 9:37PM I must say, it really does my heart good to see all the support for Ms. Cadranel on this site. I hope she is aware of it -- maybe it will help her weather the storm a bit. The vast majority of the posts that I have read from Christians have been in support of her, and Jewish readers/posters have provided polite education to the few inappropriate (or less-than-appropriate)responses I have seen here. It also does my heart good to see the politeness of most of the responses. So many times, ignorance comes through the keyboard when someone is protected by the anonymity of the Internet, and much to my surprise, I haven't seen much of that here. The comments have been really nice to read.

Mezuzah Case: Condo Association Bylaw vs. Jewish Practice {AOL Real Estate}

Mar 29th 2012 9:21PM I am so sorry she is meant to feel unwelcome in her own home! I am Christian, but I do home health, and I used to work in a Jewish nursing home (it had 2 kitchens, 1 for kosher preparations for observant Jews and the other was not kosher). Even though I'm Christian, Roman Catholic to be exact, I actually found a lot of comfort and beauty in the presence of mezuzahs on each door frame, the presence of other religious artifacts, and the close observance of Jewish traditions (such as the kosher kitchen, as well as limits on activity on high holidays, the beauty of the in-house synagogue, the morning prayers of the men, etc.) I had a number of pts. who had been Holocaust survivors or who had escaped occupied Poland, etc., and hearing their stories moved me to tears at times. It's funny, it made me want to be a better Catholic. The artifacts and the close observance of religious traditions reminded me how much suffering had occurred, to some personally, to others historically, in order to be allowed to observe their religion, and I took mine for granted. Reading this article sickened me. This lovely lady should be able to have her tiny mezuzah without all of this hub-bub. It is not like hanging a cross or a wreath on a door for Easter -- that's decoration. For her, it's a requirement of her religion. This is clearly a case of discrimination. I hope that she wins her case (which she most likely will, if it comes to that) without losing her home -- in other words, without feeling ostracized by everyone. I hope it's just a few a--holes on the Condo Ass'n, and not her actual neighbors who are making an issue of this. She should feel comfortable in her home, and older adults often need to rely on their neighbors for mutual support and help. If it wouldn't be inappropriate or disrespecting of the mezuzah (I would ask her), I would put one on my doorframe in support of her.

Michelle Stayed Away From Buffets and Lost 70 Pounds {That's Fit}

Apr 2nd 2011 5:29PM Congratulations, Michelle!! You look healthy and wonderful!

Breast Milk Baby Doll Teaches Kids to Breast-Feed {ParentDish}

Mar 31st 2011 11:06PM Well said!

Breast Milk Baby Doll Teaches Kids to Breast-Feed {ParentDish}

Mar 30th 2011 3:19PM To Bob Hayynes, who said, "Sick liberals." That is just an ignorant, knee jerk response on your part, with no intelligent thought behind it. You couldn't verbalize an articulate response to this "toy," so you just automatically go to blaming it on the liberals? In fact, the guy fromt the toy company seems to be trying to appeal to the right wing conservative Christians by equating this toy with Mary feeding Jesus. Try actually thinking for a change. And those RW conservatives who brought on behalf of "God" as the plaintiff are just foolish -- of course that suit is not going to be taken seriously. Better a group of specialists in child development or a concerned parents' group be cited as the plaintiffsNow, having said that, I, as a "sick liberal," find this "toy" repulsive. It is not "beautiful" and teaching girls about breast-feeding the way God intended. Little girls don't need to know that yet! They'll learn about that when they actually have breasts and children. Certainly, little girls who are big sisters mimic Mom breast-feeding with their dolls, and that's fine. It's private, it's a chance for an age-appropriate conversation between mom and daughter. Having a little girl strap on a pair of fake breasts starts to sexualize them even earlier than they already are these days, and encourages them to start thinking about this behavior too young. Already young girls who hit puberty sometimes want their own baby to love them unconditionally -- I can see this feeding into that. And, strapping these things on and playing with breast-feeding in public (as girls will throw tantrums to take their favorite toy, so it won't necessarily stay at home) further calls attention to the girls as a sexual object for pedophiles. I hope the price of this keeps people from buying this (or common sense), and the company suffers a huge loss. Just thinking about this "toy" gives me the creeps!

Virgin Blue Admits Toddler Was Put in Overhead Bin {AOL Travel News}

Mar 6th 2011 2:11PM Give me a friggin' break! She's making her kid neurotic by sending him to all of these specialists! What a nut job!

Dina Lohan: I Knew About Lindsay's Drug Problems Early On {PopEater}

Feb 18th 2011 5:06PM She is so full of crap! She was using Lindsey to get into clubs when Lindsey was 19, claiming that the two were buddies, and when questioned about the many photos that popped up showing an underage Lindsey trashed, Dina repeatedly said that "what 19 year old doesn't drink," and "it's just part of being that age," and all sorts of crap. Other folks were expressing serious concern for her dtr., and she was making excuses and partying with the girl! Poor Lindsey is the product of two selfish and self-centered users who married and pro-created, and she's paying the price! Dina should shut the ef up and start being a mother rather than trying to get face time on TV. It's a shame that "using your child for your own selfish gains to the detriment of said child" can't fall under some sort of child abuse statute, as Dina should certainly be charged.

My Mom Needs a Double Lung Transplant to Survive {MyDaily}

Feb 17th 2011 10:45PM Please pass on to your mother that she is absolutely stunning, not "considering all that she's been through," but just in her own right. In this picture, she looks more like your sister than your mother. This is in many ways a very upbeat story -- dealing with adversity with humor can be a life-saver. There truly are so many physical benefits to laughing that will (and most likely have already) help your mom in the long run, including to help aerate her lungs and clear secretions. Also, laughing helps strengthen a number of muscles, but especially those for breathing, which has probably helped her up to this point, and have also helped prepare her for her upcoming surgery. Your description of seeing your mom so sick for the first time was honest and raw. It's hard to see our parents as less than invincible, and you captured that very well. Your list of costs, both hospital, as well as personal and work-related was very thorough, and I think very good to share. Most people don't think about those extraneous costs, such as rent+mortgage, time away from work, etc., and that is an important aspect of a chronic condition that most folks aren't aware of unless they live through it. I am a little disappointed that you didn't include the cost to another family. Your mother, God bless her, will be receiving an INCREDIBLE gift from someone she has never met, who made generous arrangements in case the unthinkable happens. There is a tremendous cost to the family on the other end of this equation, although it is often one that does help provide some peace and a sense of purpose behind their tragedy. Clearly, you can't dwell on it, otherwise the weight would be crushing, but a nod to the gift while listing the costs would have been nice -- the costs don't just weigh heavily on you, but there will be an incredible cost borne by others. Fortunately, that cost, while sad, is willing paid by donors and their families. I do pray that your mom gets her lungs soon, and that she doesn't have the complicatons you mentioned post-op. The drugs have gotten better, and many people don't have the side effects, or at least not as severe, and even manage their immunity well. Above all, keep laughing! It also boosts immunity! God bless you and your family for your wonderful senses of humor.