yuna628

I've seen people try to make comparisons to PBS/NPR. BBC is fine as a media organization, and it does a lot more than just air news. Any news organization in the UK, not just the BBC seems closely entwined in government. You can't publish anything about the Crown or government (even if embarrassing info) without their knowledge and approval in some way... the way I understand it? Honestly Boiler, I think currently if we did have a national broadcaster doing what you suggest in that scenario, that some people wouldn't have a problem with it, particularly if it fit within a certain political party goal (that can go either way). There is never just such a thing as a rich benign philanthropist. A person with money and power is in general always looking to promote their own self-interests and generate more wealth and power. This is one reason why newspapers are dying, large media organizations are struggling, and good writers are being pushed out. Citizen journalism does a good job most of the time, but can be extremely error prone and not bound by any sort of ethics and eventually even when those get a larger following online - end up falling into the trap of promoting their self-interests.

All of the minds on SCOTUS are in general particularly decent in their rulings and always interesting in their thoughts, even if some of those thoughts may be a bit out there (looking at Alito)it's nice to see how they may arrive at an argument's ruling. If a court ruled the same way all the time and had no unique thoughts then it would be quite the kangaroo court now wouldn't it? Just because someone approaches a subject or has different feelings on a subject than you do does not make them incompetent to be on the bench. Bright legal minds don't just reside in one political spectrum. I've been reading court decisions since I was very young and each justice, present and past, have their own strengths and weaknesses as it should be. I would say that age can be a significant factor though to always consider. Both sides have considered court packing - and as with anything I often caution what happens when the shoe is on the other foot? Court packing is based out of the desire to see the judiciary rule a certain way by default, and not checks and balances. But the executive being held to abide by the judiciary is another check and balance. This thread posits, disturbingly, to the contrary a dangerous and slippery slope.

So I don't know if this is just a local SSA office thing, but here you can't actually go in without making a physical appointment since COVID (same as with the DMV), at least when we did it back in 2023. Every single time we needed to update a record we went in. It used to be walk-ins (but you were crazy to do it unless it was on a Wed), but I have to tell ya the old office was a hole in the wall mess. Eventually they changed it to a big new building and when we arrived there were 20 windows, but literally only ONE employee and then a security guard. It seemed hilarious that an appointment was needed because there was no one there that needed help. Took all of 5 minutes. I have heard about some kind of directive that has been mentioned in the thread. An article or two and also from some lawyers mentioning it online, but I don't think anything officially yet? Still, I was such a stickler about making sure stuff got done in-person and not waiting around, going into the SSA is a good idea to update whatever is needed. The employee took a scan of the certificate as well.

I freely traveled through three states today unimpeded so I think people are okay?

I've had a hard time finding a Japanese place that is cooking actual authentic food too. Next state over there is basically the Walmart for Asian food called Hung Vuong. Whatever you want you can find there and some of the produce is better than I can find in the regular grocery store.

It's hard to find a good Chinese place these days. There were a few in Baltimore that had legendary status. On our travels back to the UK (imo also difficult to find good Chinese food there too) I had heard rumors of this place in a small market stand that sold real Chrysanthemum tea and bao. The food was so good I nearly cried.. all run by a little grandma and her family. She made everything by hand with love.

Update your status with SSA and I'd also update your status with the DMV if possible.

But how does one prove ulterior motives? We know it happens, but how can you prove it? It seems the courts say you cannot prove such intent without some kind of direct evidence. Suspicion is not proof.

I'm not a matchmaker TB, but you could find one of those if you were interested. Unfortunately there is usually a larger pool of UK men seeking American women but with persistence you might find a British single in your area. Not really sure what dating site you're using but it seems to have a high population of scammers, and that seems like an unsafe amount of risk you've got going on.

It's not that I'd like to see less government necessarily, but I'd prefer that government be in it's proper place working to make things better for all and the general welfare as described in Article I. Whether the federal government have language and civic learning programs or states do (since immigration is a federal domain I'd tend to think it should be federal unless you'd like to go very libertarian and go state domain), I don't care exactly, but I think there's a purpose and place for it that would be very useful. Even the Chinese have English learning programs that start in school at an early age. But there are many countries that offer language learning as part of requirements and assist immigrants to do so. Unfortunately I've seen the denigration of immigrants that can't speak English or don't have as strong English skills as others too many times.

Haven't seen any much change to egg prices. They were still $8-10 depending on size last week and some stores had no stock at all.

TB... I dunno, maybe take it as a sign that whatever site you're using or prospect dating pool you're going for is not the one for you? Maybe get yourself a British lady. 😉

From a libertarian point of view, if you aren't promoting legal immigration then you are promoting illegal immigration by default. I've always thought that a government that has programs to help those learn English is another way of ensuring immigrants integrate and are successful. Other countries do certainly ensure their population know other languages from an early age. In your case your wife was already proficient, but not everyone will have that to rely upon. One of my great-grandmothers could speak four languages, another only spoke Germany/PA Dutch and relied upon my grandfather for translation. My husband often sees how many immigrants are coming for ESL classes at the college, but that relies upon immigrants that already have some kind of support system with family and the financial means. There are many immigrants that won't have that resource. We often complain that our own kids can't read, write, or speak properly... and I often hear English speaking persons talk down to immigrants whose grasp of English isn't the best or limited (on both sides of the pond) I think English speaking assistance is one thing that the government could help with that is worthwhile. At the very least I think we could find ways to encourage it that are productive.

Oh... Not sure we're electing our best here. https://www.fox9.com/news/minnesota-senator-justin-eichorn-arrest

My husband's accent is such that a lot of people confuse him for being Scottish. They say it is thick but I have always understood him compared to some members of his family I cannot understand at all. He's tried very hard to flatten it so coworkers can understand him better, but he's so amused by people confusing certain words.

Apparently, you actually can't get out of it in this town. You can postpone it or delay it but you have to then show up at a new time and place. Like one time I called up and told them that I was responsible for caring for my parents and that I live out in the middle of nowhere and didn't have transportation. The woman got all snarky and told me to hire a cab or walk. When I showed up at the courthouse I remember one person that was in a wheelchair, neckbrace, and a leg cast and still couldn't get out of it!

I said the other week to my husband - "hey I wonder if they'll hit me up for jury duty again this year" (at this point it's nearly yearly which isn't supposed to happen but whatever..) and what arrives in the mail - his very first jury duty. He is weirdly excited lol. I've tried to explain it to him as best I can. I cannot wait for the judge to be confused at the accent. 😄

Overall there is evidence that young people are becoming more conservative in their choices - from reduced drinking numbers to being selective and reserved or dysfunctional regarding sex and it is not limited necessarily to those people who were raised this way for religious reasons. People are choosing to lead single lives for factors that usually fall under economic reasons. Some may be too choosy or unrealistic about picking a desired partner, but to me the glaring issue is if you haven't got the stability to raise a child you shouldn't be having one. You also have couples needing to move back with their parents to care for them because their parents aren't financially stable either, leaving no time for having kids. I'm sure there are also some people who have no desire to raise kids because they are very self-focused on living a certain lifestyle.

Hepatitis B is a multi-dose vaccine that usually needs to be separated by some months. I'd suggest finishing your course if it is not complete. Typically what you need is for your vaccines to be recertified by the physician. The problem is most physicians know how much $'s they can make and will want to redo everything. The trick is finding one that can help. In my husband's instance, his DS3025 was actually complete - the USCIS was either just lazy, lost the paperwork, or the officer was a newbie (we couldn't figure out which). In either case it required us to find a physician that could just recertify on the I-693. Eventually we found one that was actually recommended on this forum (there used to be a list) but they were nearly a three hour drive away. Still it cost us about $80 and literally 15 minutes. It is doable, but you will need to search around if you're willing. Either way make sure you bring any proof you have of receiving your new vaccines to the appointment.

No, doesn't sound like a bad thing to me. A nation of immigrants as it always has been. You can make a lot of arguments about the falling birth rate, but the truth is unless couples are having comfortable and stable lives in most aspects, babies aren't going to happen. I don't see that improving any time soon.

I don't assume anything. Mostly I let people get on with their business and their personal choices to wear one or not and people seem to reciprocate. Stateside I've found most people are okay, a few people that make a snide comment in the course of five years, and one person that tried to run me over and then said some pretty hostile things to my husband. In the UK though, I felt physically unsafe and was actually spat on! Everyone I've talked to in both countries wear a mask for the same reasons I do. We'd just like to go about our business, safely, because we still see people endlessly coughing up a lung and wheezing in the grocery store and we're still getting employees being pressured to come into work with high fevers and coughs while dealing with sick and elderly public. In medical settings we've always seen times when masking was needed. It's a shame people never tended to think about it in other situations, but it's been helpful for me and my family. My health would have been a lot better if people had thought of it in the past, but I'm unwilling to now compromise against a disease that causes long-lasting multi-system damage - especially being high risk. People have always worked while sick and that is how I spent a good majority of childhood being sick from what was carelessly brought home to me. When I wheeled my dad into his appointment the other week, another patient asked if she should mask. We said we didn't mind and it was her choice. She said she had been infected six times and now has a myriad of issues related to those infections. It's a shame she hasn't figured out a way to reduce being infected.

For people that work with the public that are constantly coming in sick and not wearing masks and need care, and with employees that also show up to work sick - how should other employees that are immunocompromised and care for immunocompromised individuals in their homes take precautions? There is a reason why my family masks whether it be at work or elsewhere, and this has kept us safe. I know what has happened to those of my family that haven't taken precautions, and none of it is good. I know that you don't mean harm by finding it amusing, but it is a personal choice and I don't think we should be mocking that. I can't get people to care about the health of those I love, so we have to do what we have to do. I was just in a hospital facility with my dad yesterday - all masked and thankfully the employees were too, and I tend to put my mask on early as I'm leaving the house to ensure a good sealed fit and so that I don't forget it... so yes sometimes it's on in the car. 😉

For us we planned everything in the year or so before he arrived, something I don't recommend doing for most people. Vendors I chose knew our situation and were willing to be okay with that - we put in nothing concrete until visa was in hand. Most states do have venues which can provide elopement ceremonies or small style weddings that can give you an experience without the hassle. I wanted a great deal of control over factors of our wedding instead of handing it off to family members that would likely run things into the ground, but usually it's important to delegate if you can. Don't be afraid to discuss options with venues and vendors, many are understanding. They want the money afterall. I used many websites like theknot and weddingwire to search for vendors that I needed. Still there were problems: 1) I had my wedding dress long ago and the hardworking ladies in the back got it looking great in time. The problem was everyone else's outfits had to be ordered. The company claimed they had ordered months ago, but when time came to collect the orders went missing. My MoH's gown ended up having to be the last one on the rack that had damage, but the ladies got it fixed in time. 2) Our venue of choice had acknowledged the difficulty in knowing an actual date but worked out a generalized plan that we finalized. I didn't have as much cash for a lavish wedding, but I felt annoyed at times when I was treated as if our wedding was not as important as the rest. The owner was very difficult dealing with at times, and at some point when it came time to sign the contract with a concrete date they went awol. For a good week I was frantic in trying to find potential new venues at short notice. Thankfully they did eventually get in touch and the venue looked just the way we wanted, but by the end of it we were all pretty upset. I'm aware of other couples that had the same experience. 3) We had the majority of his family flying in from overseas so that took planning between 15 people or so. The hardest part was booking a hotel which was apparently problematic because of the Pope (no idea but that was the excuse for the severely full hotels and high prices). 4) The day of we had one party member that really caused some problems. I ended up being shoved in a big closet at the last minute and my photographer and bridesmaid got me dressed to get me away from the situation. I hadn't a clue what I even looked like! 5) The stress was often severe. My husband took care of a lot of things on his side of the pond but there was only so much he could do. By the time he got here and was able to help more he really saw how much of a toll it had taken. There were a few times we wanted to just go elope because of the stress! And I should say there is no shame in that either. People often want the big celebration, but when you think of the money and time, I don't know if we would have done it again. We did get the special day we wanted, even if it wasn't 100% exactly as we had originally wanted. My last piece of advice is everyone always makes a big deal about the dress, but pay attention to what is going on your feet. I had originally wanted combats a friend had painted which my family threw a fit about, and pushed me to get heels which then the bridal company lost. They offered backups. Well they were the absolute worst things - bloody blisters, dye that ran straight off... get what is comfortable for your feet the rest of the noise can shut up about it! My point is a small or medium sized wedding is doable depending on several factors and how much help you have, even at short notice. But I certainly wouldn't recommend it. Most people do a courthouse ceremony.. I've been to one of those and it wasn't for us, but it absolutely works in a pinch.

Yep, that's the same thing he had to do with ours the pulley and the rollers.. He's also replaced belts, a timing mechanism, and most recently some kind of circuit switch? He said the only thing that would be left is the main board. Most parts are cheap enough to replace instead of buying a new unit.

Our nightmare with Samsung was with a washer and dryer. The washer would become 'stuck' washing and refuse to drain or release the clothes trapped inside and the dryer would not dry the clothes. It took months dealing with it, but the gist was Samsung had no repair people that could come out because we are ''too far away'', that was despite arranging appointments for a person to come out. So even though you have a warranty to repair you will never actually get it repaired or replaced. I hear many of the repair people are actually DirectTV contractors that have no experience anyway. We ended up explaining the situation to the big box store we bought it from, and they were aware of the situation, so they gave us whatever replacement units of our choice we wanted so long as we didn't get Electrolux because they suffer from the same issue. Whirlpool has served us well as these years (though our replacement Whirlpool washer did kick the bucket eventually). Now, to be fair the dryer has died many times over these years past the warranty, but my husband has replaced almost all parts and can get it running within some days. I'm told if you want something to last Speedqueen is supposed to be good. But no I'd never get a Samsung. Phones yes, appliances no. He also hated having to deal with them when needing to replace TVs.