Lowdark

I have to admit that I was unaware of this "person" and am disgusted that such a creature was out there. Congradulations to those who pressured him/her off. From what I read this person is obviously a misogynist who would do the world good by getting hit by a bus.

The idea that an SP or MA can be seen as a homewrecker is morally and intellectually lazy. People (neither men nor and women) wander unless they feel they have a reason to. As Emily stated previously, no one forces people to see an SP or an MA. Why is the person in question even looking? Calling other people homewrekcers, whether they be members of the sex industry or someone a person winds up having an affair with, is just another way to remove responsibility for either the problem or the solution from oneself. If a man seeks out and enjoys both the physical and emotional company of a another woman, there is a reason he is looking and that's what's "wrecking" the "home."

This industry is, to a large extent, built around fantasy. Having said that, I would prefer the company of someone genuine, though I will never judge anyone looking for more of the fantasy. I have had the opportunity to meet some women in both person and through chat that I can discuss politics, religion, history, art, literature, movies, music and even the ins and outs of the escorting business with and that's how I prefer it. I prefer the actual individual, and while I have no delusions about myself, I would prefer genuine compliments and not falsehoods dressed as compliments (which I doubt most ladies on CERB are into). I prefer the real lady, not a poorly rounded out fantasy conceived in the shadowier parts of my imagination.

I donate to the United Way and Red Cross year round and certain charities at given times of year. The United Way disperses funds to a numbr of local charities. I find it the most effective system right now. Good Luck!

Congradulations Angela! All hail the Goddess.

Best of luck on your move Emily. Keep learning and keep growing.

Sincerest condolences on this. No one should be subject to this. I hope the individual was handled appropriately and got to spend some time in a cage to reflect on his selfish stupidity.

Happy Birthday to a woman of grace and beauty and whose heart is the size of a mountain. Hope you get spoiled.

Take care of yourself. You will be welcomed back with open arms and you have the wishes and prayers of everyone here. Take pride in your courage and we will see you when you are ready.

Happy Birthday! Hope it's a good one!

Well said Isabella. Technology is suppossed to be a tool, not a crutch. Although . . . didn't you tease me a little when you found out I went so long before breaking down and getting a cell phone lol

Very well said Kennidi. I think we all shed some tears that dark day, and today we remembered each one. I simply cannot fathom the loss and suffering of those who lost friends and family. I truly hope time can heal all wounds.

I was working downtown and didn't have access to a television until later that evening (and my only computer was too weak other than to let me view websites and chat rooms). I watched as U.S. marines began patrolling downtown streets and the scramble to close the Afghan Embassy. And a few hours later it was a ghost town. in the days that followed, a few faces became familiar, American travellers stranded and away from their families. A few days later when the government announced an official day of mourning and the lawn of Parliament Hill filled with Canadians offering their condalences and the crowd broke out into the Star Spangled Banner, I had a retired couple come in to escpae the heat. They had been touring Canada in their motorhome and stopped in ottawa that afternoon. The wife broke down into tears and thanked me as a Canadian for everything. I was speechless. I was never prouder of being a Canadian than in that moment while being heartbroken for this woman and her husband at the same time. 9/11 is the most defining moment in our generation. It has launched two wars both still being fought to this day (three if you count the War on Terror). It has changed virtually every facet of our daily lives for better or worse, from travel to freedom of speech and religion. It reminded us what true heroism and compassion and bravery were, as well as how fragile our lives are and what genuine evil still runs rampant in the world. It also taught us how connected our lives are to a world of stangers we will never meet. I hope everyone took today as an opportunity to offer a prayer to Whoever you worship for the lives lost that day, as well as those lost in the bloody days that were a result, whether they be a firefighter or police officer, a soldier or an aid worker or a civilian whose name you couldn't pronounce in a land we'll only ever see on the news caught in the unimagineable violence. And here's praying that through it all, we may have learned something.

I would never own these as I do feel that they make light of the people Bin Laden and Hussein murdered (not just Americans, but people the world over, including in their homelands). Having said that, I do defend their creators right to make them and people's right to buy them if they choose. Freedom is one of the fundamental ideals that our holds dear and freedom is something that both Bin Laden and Hussein (as well as Khadaffi) hated. There's a certain irony there.

Happy Birthday! Hope it was a good one.

Congradulations Mia. Looking forward to 500 more.

Congradulations Erin. Your posts are insightful and always thought provoking.

Congradulations! Keep 'em coming!

I'm finding myself using words and terms designed to get me out of trouble when my mouth works three steps ahead of my brain (which happens a lot). Did I say that out loud? It wasn't me. Oops. Have you been working out? Have I told you yet today how awesome you are? Sorry. Really sorry . . . . And as our Jewish friends like to say from time to time-Oy!

Only a handful of shows have affected pop culture so heavily, and like it or not, Star Trek is near the top of that list. Can't think of any shows on today (or in recent years) that will ever be able to accomplish the same.

Nathalie and Alex are exactly right; the uneducated stigma that surrounds the issue warps necessary (and correct) responses. Education isn't the entire solution, but it's the niggest part. The problem, I fear, is that ignorance will always outweigh enlightenment. Fear will always be more powerful than understanding. How many Americans bought the entire "death panel" myth that the opponents of health Care reform spread? How many still accept it (trust me, I've even argued with Canadians about it)? The roots of this probelm infect every major challenge we face, and those who meet these problems with tolerance and courage, as well as open minds, almost always form the minority.

I've made this point before, but the women I have met on CERB are generally more respectful and considerate than many women you may meet in a social environment (and deserving of all the respect and dignity in the world). I have had the privilege of meeting some very intelligent, caring and warm women and have made valuable friend friend or two as a result.

Happy Birthday! Enjoy!

I have a lot of difficulty accepting that if someone feels bad about the crime, that their regret should factor into the punishment. I'm sure many of the people serving time behind bars feel genuinely bad about what they did. Does that forgive them? Col. Williams seems to feel very upset about the crimes he committed, including murder. He even tried to committ sucide. Do we ease his punishment because of that? I also think we should be very careful about judging someone's loss on the basis of the responsibility we think they bear for part of the tragedy. Was it stupid for the Zolpis boy and the rest of them to be there? Without question. But does that mean that the loss is any less? A lot people seem to think so. Why? A few weeks ago, a thread on Amy Winehouse's death became very belliegerent. At the time, it was widely assumed that she died as a result of her addictions and it occurred the same weekend as the massacre of (mostly) children in Norway. The discussion quickly arose that people should feel more loss for the children. It then went further, that Winehouse's death was less important because it was believed she overdosed. Many members were justifiably outraged. Did Amy Winehouse know what she was doing when she shot up? Yes she did. Does that mean that her life was any less important or her death any less tragic? Of course not. But don't we run the risk of saying that here? That the life lost was less important because he was drunk? That he should have known better? And if that is what some people are saying, isn't that a double standard? And if we're assigning punishment based on responsibility, what of Jack Tobin's parents? This was a young man who had 18 previous offences spread across three provinces. Exactly what were his parents doing to curb this eventually lethal behaviour? Very little apparently. But is a young man's life only worth a year of punishment (because, let's be honest, that is all he will likely serve) because he should have known better? Going up to that roof was a dumb thing to do and Zolpis paid for it with his life. Is it right that Jack Tobin's stupidity costs him only a few years?