Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Jennifer Livingston Is Perfect!

A recent dust up happened in LaCrosse, WI. A viewer emailed a local CBS affiliate, and told the anchor that she is obese:


Hi Jennifer,

It's unusual that I see your morning show, but I did so for a very short time today. I was surprised indeed to witness that your physical condition hasn't improved for many years. Surely you don't consider yourself a suitable example for this community's young people, girls in particular. Obesity is one of the worst choices a person can make and one of the most dangerous habits to maintain. I leave you this note hoping that you'll reconsider your responsibility as a local public personality to present and promote a healthy lifestyle.
 After an incredible outpouring of support, then Ms. Livingston took to the airwaves herself, to confront this ridiculous person.








As the father of a daughter, I commend Jennifer Livingston! Thank you for bringing this email to the public and thank you for standing up to the bully! We appreciate it! I say Jennifer, just like everyone else, you do NOT need to conform to sick people in society's views, of what your appearance should be. You are perfect in your own way!

47 comments:

  1. To further exemplify the classiness of the response, the email author, a local attorney, apparently signed his actual name. I doubt I would have refrained from naming him, knowing the public shaming of him would be significant.

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  2. I agree i think everyone should know who to thank for that email!

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  3. Ah yes the name has been provided. There was a later broadcast that had a new response ,because of it going viral, in which it reflected the name of Kenneth Krause.

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  4. Here's how he describes himself on his Yahoo profile:

    "Biography: Kenneth W. Krause lives in Wisconsin, along the Mississippi River.
    He is a former prosecutor and criminal defense attorney with degrees in law,
    history, literature, and fine art. Books editor for Secular Nation, Kenneth has
    recently contributed as well to Free Inquiry, Skeptic, The Humanist, and
    Freethought Today."

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  5. He is a great man, just ask him!

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  6. First off, the person writing the letter can by no means be called a bully. Secondly, that woman is enormous. She is certainly obese, possibly morbidly obese.

    The amount of fat-ass American's is
    the #1 contributing factor to the this country's health care spending crisis. Now, I'm not saying that their aren't other forces at play here (Big Agribusiness, Big Pharma), but to sit around and congratulate this woman on being fat and not acknowledging that the extreme majority of obese people are 100% self inflicted with no disease that leads to it is wrong and ignores the larger problem.

    Things like this gives progressives a bad name.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Danimal is a four-eyed freak like Kenneth.

      No, wait, Danimal is a kids yogurt brand that smells like Tonnettes

      I think I'm just going to make myself fat today because I like to self inflict myself like that.

      I'm going to self-inflict myself with some fearful hate, too.

      Delete
  7. Yes, the truth hurts, but what was it that made this "observation" rise to the label of "bully"? We pay doctors big money to let us know our serious medical issues, and the news media has been bombarding us with the statistics on a regular basis FOR YEARS! Yet the message seems to fall on deaf ears. You admitt you're fat, even "obese by a doctors chart". What other measure is there? Guess you have a circle of friends who would never use the word obese to your face, and don't even say fat much, your just a bit over weight. Good for you, you have a support group. That doesn't mean all those outside your support group are bullies! Is the new standard for a bully - anytime someone points out one of our faults. Fact is he got personal calling you fat or obese (which you admit you are) yet you still could not resist getting personal back by calling him a bully. While I admire anyone who stands up for themselves it is deminished when the name calling is fired back. Fact is there is evidence for all to see,and you admit you are fat. However, do you have any evidence that HE is a bully or is that just your opinion and the opinion of your loved ones and your support group(other overweight,fat, and obese people?)You have three daughters who need to know about bullying and I have no doubt you have that covered. Now I hope you attack your serious medical condition with the same zeal and energy with which you counterattack those who say things you don't like to hear. Fact is if your three daughters ever get as big as you they will have a host of medical issues (and a statistically shorter life). Far more threatening to a good, and happy life than any bully could ever be. And by the way, you can leave you bully trauma behind with lots of other baggage after councelling, your medical issues will stay with for life if you don't(have the time to)lose the weight.So you see, it's really not bullying, just good advise for a better life!Your welcome.

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    Replies
    1. No, if it was "advice," it would have been an invitation to go biking or hiking as fitness support buddies.

      Pointing at problems without real solutions is something for the Republicans.

      Delete
  8. Furthermore, if that rather eloquent letter is bullying, everything on this blog is bullying. Certainly the father of Darlene Wink would find that Mr. Simpson and Capper are just big ol' meanies for "bullying" his daughter.

    Bottom line is she is a public figure and therefore completely fair game for criticism, same as any other public figure. Criticism is not bullying.

    When there is a rather large amount bullying in this country in the news, due mainly to the incapability from it thanks to social media, it is a disgrace to attempt to label this as the same.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Pardon me. That should read "inescapability."

      Delete
    2. Actions under attack would not be bullying.

      Had the topic been limited to Wink having a bad hair cut like Danimal does, then that would simplistic bullying.

      Delete
  9. "inescapability"? Try again.



    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Because good spelling and no typos are the theme of this blog? If you cannot comment on the substance, you may wish to consider refraining from commenting.

      Otherwise, you may be guilty of bullying me for my poor spelling.

      Delete
    2. Nevermind, I was accurate. Your bad, Gareth. http://www.thefreedictionary.com/inescapability

      Delete
  10. There sure are a lot of divides in this great country, economical- rich vs. poor, political- republicans vs. democrates,(tired of this Obamanation yet) hard working, income tax paying, contributing members of society vs. those with their hand out, and lets not even get started on religions. And obviously one (which I believe has always been there)between those who can't seem to eat right and get enough exercise vs. those who do and are therefore in good shape. You know, the ones you and everyone else looks for when we go to the beach, and when you finally spot one your veiw is then blocked by, you guessed it, several disgusting fat bodies. Don't try to deny it, women watch for men in good shape too! So which group do you imagine lives longer, happier lives? Which group is more likely to succeed in life? Which group would you rather party with? Do you think the gov. of N.J. would be more effective if he lost 200 lbs. He would at least have more energy wouldn't he, and his car would suddenly get better gas mileage too! Guess what, apparently you're all bullies!!! Well that's OK cause I'd rather be called a bully and live a longer, happier life. I just wish the other group would stop making my health insurance rates go through the roof!

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  11. Some of the most dangerous people in this great nation are the ones who try to deminish or limit the free speech of others. In that light it may well be that Jennifer is bullying and trampling on the attorneys view of things and the way he chooses to express his feelings.The way the attorney is being labled and ganged up upon reminds me of a linch mob. You may not like what is said of you but that person has a right to say it,even if it is just his opinion!(unless it defames you) In this case it is an undeniable fact. Also reminds me of the cathalic church throwing scientists in the dungeon for saying the earth was round not flat.

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  12. Danimal-

    It seems you don't know how to use an online dictionary. When presented with your word "inescapability" the Free Dictionary redirects the user to the word "inescapable".

    It's telling you that "inescapable" is the proper word to use, not that it's the definition of "inescapability".

    Merriam-Webster does not recognize "inescapability" as a word either:
    --------------------------------
    http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inescapability

    inescapability

    The word you've entered isn't in the dictionary.
    --------------------------------

    I was right and you were wrong. I hope this has been helpful. Have a nice day.


    ReplyDelete
  13. The jackass who sent the letter in to the television station was expressing an aesthetic and sexist prejudice against "overweight" women, rather than making a rational argument based on any sort of factual evidence. His purpose was to demean the recipient of the letter. This is the essence of bullying.

    Many studies in recent years have shown that being overweight actually increases your lifespan. This is one of many stories you will find if you do a Google search under "overweight lifespan":

    http://now.msn.com/dont-envy-skinny-pals-you-may-live-longer-if-youre-fat

    "While NYC's mayor has been busy banning ginormous sodas from the Big Apple, researchers have been gathering data that indicates being overweight or mildly obese isn't associated with an increased risk for premature death. In fact, the study cited in the July/August issue of The Journal of American Board of Family Medicine, which followed the health of 50,994 participants categorized by body mass index over six years, says that even the morbidly obese seemed to escape an early demise -- if you discount the folks with diabetes and hypertension. The group that should most fear the reaper? The underweight. Bloomberg, you got nuthin''.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. @Gareth,
      As a nurse, I really need to respond to your false claim that the cited MSN article somehow supports the idea that being obese may increase your lifespan.
      The article quite clearly has a MAJOR qualifier:

      "if you discount the folks with diabetes and hypertension"

      Get real Gareth, hypertension and diabetes are dreadfully common amongst the obese. Ask any honest nurse or physician.

      Perhaps you have some need to believe that there is no cost for obesity. We are all certainly free to play our own mind games and apply them appease our own mental health needs, but please do not broadcast your misleading editing of the MSN article to mislead others! Obesity puts an enormous strain on bodies. It doesn't need to kill to take a horrid toll as one ages. Spend any time in healthcare and you will see how it saps energy, complicates diseases and healing, with time steals independence from our elderly. Obesity undeniably raises the incidence of many types of cancers(including the two biggies of colon and breast!), cardiac disease, joint disease, liver disease, kidney disease, dementia, and most obviously, type II diabetes. Don't ever underestimate the problems that diabetes causes for many.
      I don't condone the message sent to Ms. Livingston that began this blog. It was deeply judgemental and unhelpful. Unfortunately, your message is misleading, and thus equally unhelpful.
      Jennifer W., RN

      Delete
    2. jennifer livingston is NOT obese

      Delete
  14. I liked what you said previously, something like "if you cannot comment on the substance" yada, yada. Now you're giving spelling lessons. Lets get back on track. Gotta wonder if reps in congress and senate are so easily diverted from the subject, oh yea that's why nothings getting accomplished there.

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  15. I think you meant "Catholic Church" rather than "cathalic church".

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  16. If you discount the ones with diabetes and hypertension what percentage is left? Knowing the beyond normal weight contributes to these medical issues and or can bring them on sooner in a persons life makes your comment seem irresponsible. If you can't jump up and run outside when the house when it's on fire, or jump out of the path of a dump truck speeding toward you, good luck with that longer life. You didn't say how many daily perscriptions one that size must take to avoid the grim reaper??? But of coarse a study of 50,000 over 6 extreamly long years must make it scientific fact that none can dispute. How much weight should I gain? I'm presently 6' 2" 187 lbs. I'll be adding lots of cheese cake, ice cream and donuts to my diet, Thanks How much do you weigh??

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  17. Thanks for the spelling correction Garth. I meant to add a poor spelling disclaimer. So glad you got my back. Now, Do you have any stimulating commentary or opinions or are you just a spelling bully?

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  18. I have been holding off commenting because i didnt think you guys were serious at first or jus being right wing trolls(which im sure you are) but are you serious.

    Its not like jennifer is huge, she is slightly over weight. Being overweight while a risk factor is hardly the single biggest factor in health care costs, ask Dollar bill mcguire. You do not know anything about jennifer. Have you been to a local race? if so you would see that all sizes and shapes participate and you can be very healthy at any size and shape.

    Please let me know your dietitician and health care credentials you bring to the blog with your passing judgement on Jennifer. Also let me know what she does in her day to day lifestyle that is healthy and not healthy so we can all make an informed judgement, not just be an overbearing prick.

    Thanks!

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  19. "run outside when the house is on fire" got it that time, right. Isn't it fasinating that these typos generate as much response as the supposedly serious topics? Does the whole country suffer from ADD? I approve this message but can't garuontea all words are spelled correctly.

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  20. No Jeff, you are being a prick by not acknowledging legitimate criticism of your post that you likely reported from Upworthy. Also, are you blind? That woman is enormous. Furthermore, for a blog that normally acknowledges the myriad issues with our government, you seem willfully ignorant that most diet information presented by the USDA and registered dieticians is grossly inaccurate and based on primarily junk science. Look at how in bed with Monsanto that organization is for one example. Clearly we've struck a personal tone for you to be name calling us as right wing trolls, so I apologize if you are offended. However, this does not make my critiques less accurate nor myself any less of a progressive. As to your challenge as to her lifestyle, I need cite only the laws of physics: matter cannot be created not destroyed. Even if she is in the extreme minority and has some form of metabolic condition that predisposes her to weight gain, she had to consume significant excess calories in order to amass such large stores of adipose tissue over long period of time.

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    Replies
    1. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

      Delete
    2. Um, yeah. You crossed the line with that comment.

      Delete
  21. Jeff you sound well read on the subject, but now I must ask, Are you serious? Slightly overwweight???? Look, I'm not attacking any one individual here so get out of your gotta protect jennifer mode. This IS a medical issue the whole country needs to get behind and find a solution to. By the way, you have me at a disadvantage... I already pointed out I'm 6'2" 187 lbs. How much do you weigh? What I didn't say was my age, I'll be 60 my next birthday and on no medications what so ever. Haven't seen a doctor for 4 years and feel great. How would I feel if I had to lug around an extra 100 lbs. every day? You must know most any Dr. will tell you your heart must work harder at 100 ibs. overweight. I have no deitician, don't need one and that's more money in my pocket and for inheretence to my THREE daughters. Finally when you resort to name calling as you have, ie...sick people in society, and overbearing prick (which I hope you will stop being with said name-calling) you must realize you lose much credibility and therefore I don't guess I need to ask if YOU are a Dr. What % of the country is overweight? About the same percentage that is in DENIAL!

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  22. Criticize my post anytime you want, but your NOT criticizing me or my post your passing judgement on someone using information which you do not even have! whoop de doo that you are 6 ' 2" i dont give a shit.

    I am glad that you do not see a Doctor, nor talk to a dietitition that you just play one on the internet.

    Thank you for admitting that you have no basis nor knowledge upon which to judge except that you are not overweight personally. It is exactly as I suspected.

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  23. Jeff, you 're starting to sound like a street thug, but a very sensitive street thug. Still haven't shared your weight with us I noticed.I worked as an EMT/firefighter for orange co. fire department for 32 years, now retired. More than my share of 400 lb. plus individuals who had to be carried down stairs from the third, fourth, floors cause they wouldn't fit in the elevator never once calling them a name or obscenity. My wish is that you too may someday not be overweight as I wish for the rest of the nations overweight taxing or medical system and making health insurance nearly unaffordable for even the middle class.

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  24. Jeff, not playing a dietician on the internet. If I was I'd say "EAT less calories than you burn daily" It seems a LARGE % of the nation can't wrap their minds around that concept. Hope you can, good luck.

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  25. I'm not overweight, but I am curvacious. I own up to that. I'm not a twig, and I don't want to be one. Everyone is wonderful in their own way. Like she said, we shouldn't be defining ourselves by the way others see us.

    I was teased my entire childhood in school by bullies who picked on me from everything from my appearance, to my disabled dad. Jennifer is a beautiful woman and an inspiration to people like myself who are still effected by low self esteem caused by childhood bullies. While the writer of the letter has free speech to say what he wants, Jennifer also has the right to react and have her say. I can't believe that we have people who think that bullying is some sort of free speech matter. It isn't. People can be dicks if they want to, but don't get all hurt when people react to your dickishness.

    We live in a nation that preaches gluttony is a freedom. Obesity is a problem that is largely hereditary. Republicans are the first in line to tell Jennifer that she's obese and gross and adding to our nation's health care costs. And on the same breath, they mock people like Michelle Obama, who is trying to promote a more healthy and active lifestyle for kids and adults. I believe they say she is "indoctrinating" our kids. If we try to do something as a nation, the GOP is the first in line to complain about the government promoting healthy eating and preach that eating wild portions and feasting on fast food is FREEDOM. Unbelievable.

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    Replies
    1. @Meg
      Your appeal against bullying is great. Thank you.
      I must question your statement that "Obesity is a problem that is largely hereditary." Please, lets not mislead. One need only look at school and crowd photos from the 1950's, 1960's and 70s to see otherwise.
      The primary cause of obesity is lower activity levels paired with pure overeating. We are cheating ourselves if we deny the fact that we can indeed control our own destinies.
      I applaud Jennifer's courage to confront bullying and your support of her. That said, I still can't in good conscience not call out the denial your claim supports by "largely" blaming obesity on genes. It just isn't so for the large majority of us.

      Delete
  26. Bullying is definately not a free speech matter, I agree. What is being said here is that criticism does not rise to the definition of bullying. I've never blogged before but hearing someone speak their mind and then get labeled a bully for it got me steamed.I think the first lady's efforts are beyond admirable and I commend her work with our children to eat a healthy diet. If they listen to Michelle who is saying exactly the same advise passed on by doctors and school teachers for at least the last 50-60 years, then great. Someone calling another fat, and another person calling someone a bully is just that - name calling, like two kids calling each other names in the school yard or after getting off the school bus, you give it to much weight. Boys get bullied too and it's far more than words... shoved,slapped, punched, kicked, poked with a stick... as a boy I wish it had been just words. Of coarse name calling too, I wore glasses and was skinny, yea I was four eyes. Didn't try to get them to call me "visually challenged slim guy". Notice some social groups like to label people haters, or bullies, is that your group? They sure do a lot of name calling with no redeaming advise attached. I agree Meg we shouldn't define ourselves by the way others see us OR by how much we like or don't like what WE see in the mirror. Vanity does not build self confidence, only your accomplishments in life and the content of your character can do that.A good role model helps too.

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  27. My, my. Look at all the pseudointellectual concern trolling going on her.

    First of all, for those of you criticizing Ms. Livingston, and Jeff, you really have nothing to say. You don't know if her appearance comes from simply overeating and/or not getting enough exercise. She may have a thyroid condition. She may have a metabolism issue. She might be taking one of the medications that causes a person to gain weight. And yes, recent studies have shown that obesity can be genetic.

    Regardless of the reason for her size, it is simply boorish to make a comment about her weight, even amongst oneselves. To send a missive such as the one Mr. Krause sent is not only needless, it is indeed bullying. He did not send it out of concern. He sent it out of mean-spiritedness and meant to hurt Ms. Livingston.

    The fact that "john" and "danimal" had to keep trying to turn the topic on other commenters and issue ad hominem attacks only goes to show that they knew they were in the wrong, but did not have the fortitude to admit it.

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  28. Everyone has something to say, and just cause you don't like what's said doesn't deminish it or make it less valid. Yes there may be lots of reasons she's obese. Are you saying that if you consider those issues obese is no longer a fair observation? Stop making excuses for yourselves. I'll go to sensitivity councelling if you and Jennifer go to the gym and reach a normal weight. An observation is not bullying. I have no doubt that Jennifer is a great person with a lot going for her,otherwise she wouldn't have that job. Doesn't change anyone's observation of her size even if you have convinced most people to just look the other way and/or say nothing. Did the attorney say something that hurt? Yes. Did he say it to intentionally hurt? Not so sure on that one. If he had called it in on a live show and it was therefore broadcasted and he knew it was, Then yes, definately intentional. This was an invitation to see the worth of improving one's self and the influence that it could have on others as she lost the weight in front of her viewers, and he did offer to help her shed the pounds. It could accually do more to help overweight children than the admirable attemps by the first lady to spread the message that has been out there for decades. I hope she will decide that helping kids in this way far outweighs her hurt feelings. Lets do this and I'll let you teach me to be more sensitive and compassionate. Deal?

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    Replies
    1. Are you saying that if you consider those issues obese is no longer a fair observation?

      Well, yes. You don't know what might have caused her issue, so saying anything is rude and boorish. Would you go to an oncology ward and insult the patients there for losing too much weight? Of course not! Or at least I hope not. This is no different.

      Delete
  29. Clearly as you see it there is no difference. If everyone shared your views your blog page would be a waste of time wouldn't it? There would be no need to share different points of view... there would be none. Is that a FREE society, every body thinking alike, no new views to share, no new ideas, no thinking outside the box. Aren't we trampling free speech rights when we tell someone what words they can't or shouldn't use to discribe someone, something, ANYTHING. Are you going to meet our soldiers when they arrive back in the USA and present them with a list of words no longer allowed to be used in this country? Of course not! Or at least I hope not. They are working hard and risking their lives on the front lines. After 2 or 3 tours of duty you'd be hard pressed to find a fat one among them! If you did find a "full-figured" soldier odds are it would be an officer. You know, someone who sits at a desk in an a/c office, in front of a computer all day telling people what to do. That's an idea, join the military to lose weight! Won't work... they actually reject people for being too curvaciuos,pleasingly plump,full of personality,big boned, vivasious,or full figured. Bottom line- Guess your being parental and telling people to keep their mouth shut if they can't say something nice. I must have missed that in the free speech doctrine, but wouldn't it be a warm and fuzzy world for us to live in!

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    1. Actually, you're mistaking the Right of Free Speech with being an ass. You can say whatever you want, but you can't always say it the way you want to. It's called tact, politeness, intelligence, rational behavior, etc.

      Delete
  30. And calling someone an ass displays so much intelligence,politeness,tact AND rational behavior. I can tell you're a member of the "polite police" squad. Sure was easy to drag you down here off your pedistal. Welcome to the REAL world. By the way, my mother is fat, my girlfriend is fat, my neighbor friend accross the street is fat, and being retired I'll probably join the ranks soon myself and will admit it when there. So I don't really have a problem with fat or the people who have convinced themselves it's just fine to be that way. Sure was stimulating tho wasn't it, sharing our views sooooo tactfully. So if a person is willing to admit they are fat why would they be telling others they can't use the word? That's my real issue. Watch out, the "nice police" are coming! Guess the networks will have to cancell "Atlanta Houswifes" and all other simular shows that create so much drama and (what a surprise) unbridaled NAME CALLING! I'm all for that.

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    1. Except that I didn't call you any names. In fact, I removed that comment that did. So your idea of enlightenment is lying?

      Delete
  31. Saying I am "mistaking the right of free speech with being an ass" is NOT? calling ME an ass???? Then you admit you did but removed it. So when YOU remove something it's like it never happened? Or at least you can claim it never happened, but you goofed by admitting you "removed that comment that did". And then EVEN try to say I'm lying!!!(this is where you are calling me a lier, daaaa) You're not above 5,000 feet are you? Cause you seem very confused. Good thing you're a double supporter cause you may be running off other potential supporters.

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    1. Saying I am "mistaking the right of free speech with being an ass" is NOT? calling ME an ass????

      Actually, no it's not. If you take it that way, the responsibility is on you. And it's one I'm sure that you'll gladly accept since that is what you've been touting for two days now.

      And when you accuse someone of doing something they didn't do, that is lying. Again, accept some of that personal responsibility you've been touting.

      Delete