Marilee C.'s Comments

Simple Omelet for Holiday Brunch by Madame Donna C.

Dec 19, 2009 | recommended: 9 | comments: 33

Marilee C. Dec 21, 2009, 6:46pm EST

I like your kitchen policies. This looks so delicious. I think I'll make this for my own guests.

Health Insurance Costly by Richard Frisbie

Dec 15, 2009 | recommended: 1 | comments: 34

Marilee C. Dec 16, 2009, 5:32pm EST

I'm torn because the US so many amazing things to offer if you get sick or need routine preventative care. Doctors are terrified of being sued, so they run all kinds of tests to make sure they diagnose you correctly. Once the doctor covers her own back and pays her liability insurance, and pays all of the administrative costs, the bill is outrageous!

What doesn't help is that Americans are so much less healthy than people in other developed nations. Europeans eat better and live better than Americans (they consume higher quality stuff). Our lifestyle doesn't revolve around high quality food or anything else for that matter. We want lot of everything--cheap food, cheaply built McMansions, and furniture that isn't meant to last more than five years.

We have low standards and high levels of consumption. Eating garbage (not necessarily calorie intake vs what we burn) causes all sorts of health issues in our nation.

We are a nation that is content to eat and own trash. This is not good for our health care costs.

Then there are lifestyle choices that cost everyone tons of money--we pay tons of money for the hospitalization of meth and crack babies who are born prematurely. Those who pay taxes also get to subsidize the hospitalization of people who make other stupid choices. Who absorbs the cost of healthcare for people who can't pay their medical bills?

Everyone who needs healthcare.

In the end, we all get stuck with it.

Diversity and Human Shortcomings on Gather by Marilee C.

Dec 10, 2009 | recommended: 2 | comments: 25

in reply to a comment by Ava's Mom (formerly known as Robiyah)

Marilee C. Dec 12, 2009, 1:14am EST

I'm glad you found the article interesting, Ava. In my nearly three years here (this is my second account), I've seen people take all sorts of approaches. There is a lot of time & talent being wasted that could be directed to building a community with a reputation for producing incredible pieces.

Diversity and Human Shortcomings on Gather by Marilee C.

Dec 10, 2009 | recommended: 2 | comments: 25

in reply to a comment by Sheryl O.

Marilee C. Dec 11, 2009, 5:03pm EST

The stats are from Wikipedia. If you are interested, go to "Religion in the United Sates". You are right, atheism and agnosticism are on the rise.

I can't say I've seen the same trend everywhere. I think people gravitate to areas where they feel most comfortable.

I'm not sure what the direct impact is, but something else I've read about (& seen) is that birthrates are very high among the ultra-religious. You can find this trend amongst the ultra-Orthodox and in evangelical groups in America.

Not attending a church does not mean you aren't religious, though. My uncle prays in the mountains once per week where his ancestors used to hold ceremonies. I consider him to be pretty religious even though he won't go near a church unless there is a wedding or a funeral.

Yes, organized religion is becoming less appealing to younger people. Most find it dull and confining. Some, however, are sucked into the social aspects of it. The emergence of the "country-club-mega church" is an attempt to attract younger people to the pews on Sunday.

Winter Persecution by Marilee C.

Dec 7, 2009 | comments: 11

in reply to a comment by Aniko

Marilee C. Dec 11, 2009, 3:56pm EST

I've been doing a lot of reflecting about history ( particularly about the history of my own people). I have found that my own group has had streaks of self-preservation that have come back to haunt them.

The Mormons decided they would likely be wiped off the planet if they said anything else about slavery. This has come back to haunt them because they chose to completely disassociate themselves with those of African decent after the Missouri incident--Brigham Young in particular. He was one of those who traveled to Missouri. Young was a colonizer and leader who didn't want any more trouble than they were already dealing with at that time. I can see the tragedy in what he did and the wisdom. Both groups were spared additional persecution by not coming together.

I don't think it is right, but that is what happened. Being vastly outnumbered and being hunted down made them think twice before speaking out.

Now we have members of our group living in countries where they could be tortured if they were found to be sympathizers of certain groups.

It really should be alright to speak out in defense of the defenseless, but publicizing your beliefs in some places just isn't safe in this world. I wish that weren't the case.

(This is my first box of Merci's. They were a gift from some friends from India--Jim wrote a story about them and how they ended up living here in Utah--it's hysterical. At the same time, I feel for them. Anyhow, Jim got their permission to write the story with names changed. He needs to publish it if he hasn't already.)

Diversity and Human Shortcomings on Gather by Marilee C.

Dec 10, 2009 | recommended: 2 | comments: 25

in reply to a comment by La Lady Lisa Westerfield

Marilee C. Dec 11, 2009, 2:44pm EST

La Lady, I hope I haven't been the cause of ruining some really good writing. There is a difference between humor and meanness. Most of us can usually tell. You, John O., Travis, Ina, Charles T., & probably some others are really good at helping us laugh. That's how Charles became the God of Gather, after all.

We need your humor. I've never sensed anything in your writing that could be considered hurtful or offensive. Helping us laugh at the human condition and its absurdities is a good thing. You could be a writer for SNL.

Diversity and Human Shortcomings on Gather by Marilee C.

Dec 10, 2009 | recommended: 2 | comments: 25

in reply to a comment by Ishbel R.

Marilee C. Dec 11, 2009, 1:44pm EST

I wonder if the American way of interacting is different because we haven't witnessed the mass carnage and devastation in our own country that comes when one group elevates themselves above another--at least not since the Civil War. No one alive today was around then.

Diversity and Human Shortcomings on Gather by Marilee C.

Dec 10, 2009 | recommended: 2 | comments: 25

in reply to a comment by Nippy Katz (not his real name) Patriotic Troll of Gather Freedom

Marilee C. Dec 11, 2009, 1:37pm EST

So true, Nippy. I've eaten too many meals in too many homes of too many Mormons to know that we are a much more diverse group than people think. Our religion dictates that we need to be nice and call each other brother and sister, though. It's sometimes a struggle, and I have to do a lot of meditating so I can act & react in a way that won't make people think I hate them even though I don't agree with them.

It's crazy to think that anyone thinks that the other 1.7% group is anything but diverse when there are orthodox, conservative, and progressive members (& probably many more) within that 5.25 million.

It all goes back to the idea that we are individuals with our own ideas.

Bell Canyon: A Trail of Diamonds by Marilee C.

Jun 8, 2009 | comments: 28

in reply to a comment by Deborah M.

Marilee C. Dec 11, 2009, 1:15pm EST

Thank you, Deborah. I highly recommend this hike to anyone who visits the Salt Lake area--not this time of year, of course.

Diversity and Human Shortcomings on Gather by Marilee C.

Dec 10, 2009 | recommended: 2 | comments: 25

in reply to a comment by Mario A.

Marilee C. Dec 11, 2009, 1:08pm EST

It's nice to know you feel that way about who to friend. Religion, politics, economic status or whatever else shouldn't be determining factors when deciding who to friend and who not to friend. Unfortunately, not everyone agrees.

The intolerant can be found in every group or subgroup.

BTW, this is a new account. I closed my original account. I believe we used to be friends.

Diversity and Human Shortcomings on Gather by Marilee C.

Dec 10, 2009 | recommended: 2 | comments: 25

in reply to a comment by Aniko

Marilee C. Dec 11, 2009, 11:40am EST

Like many here on Gather, I contemplate "disappearing" every so often. This article is the result of fighting that urge.

Diversity and Human Shortcomings on Gather by Marilee C.

Dec 10, 2009 | recommended: 2 | comments: 25

in reply to a removed or deleted comment

Marilee C. Dec 11, 2009, 11:38am EST

Dave, it does seem that the 1.6% are disproportionately represented here. Many are very outspoken about their personal feelings--and yes, they are personal (as Ishbel R. points out below). Nothing is 100% right or wrong. The fact that we think we are living on this planet may be a complete illusion. We might all be pawns in a sorcerer's dream or nightmare in some far away universe. That's a fun thought.

I think those who arrived first are first are among the most gifted writers out there; however, landing here first doesn't mean the immigrant who came later have less to offer.

I've been here for three years come January. We found Gather by searching online for a place to publish Jim's stuff. At the time, I was unaware that there was a strong anti-religion sentiment, here, but noticed it not long after arriving.

I can't say that Tom Gerace was wrong for trying to attract a variety of people here. I see nothing wrong with variety and diversity.

Thank you, Dave for your comments. You are right on target about the TOS being inconsistently applied and that there is way too much hate speech and aggression. It saddens me that you have been attacked for trying to speak out against hate speech.

Diversity and Human Shortcomings on Gather by Marilee C.

Dec 10, 2009 | recommended: 2 | comments: 25

in reply to a comment by Aniko

Marilee C. Dec 11, 2009, 11:23am EST

Those were very interesting wiki pages. I learned something new. Thanks.

I have found that if I associate only with people who hold my views, I wouldn't have any friends. So the choice has always been, be alone in this world or learn to be respectful. I've also found that unless I want to be called a bitch, I need to be careful about how I treat people. (People should be aware that this word is usually used behind a person's back and not to their face, so you don't really know what is being said about you. Of course, for all I know that is my assigned label when I'm not around--you just don't know, but I'm trying to do what I can to make it less likely to be my label.)

I don't like being alone. I need people in my life who can be compassionate and sensitive to who I am even if we do not see eye to eye on every point. I want to be that kind of person for other people, too. Those may be lofty hopes, but I know it is possible. I have seen it here and there.

Again, thanks for your comments, Aniko. You present your thoughts well and with careful consideration. Your arguments on varying topics are also extremely well presented.

Diversity and Human Shortcomings on Gather by Marilee C.

Dec 10, 2009 | recommended: 2 | comments: 25

in reply to a comment by Ishbel R.

Marilee C. Dec 11, 2009, 11:07am EST

Religion and politics seem to be one of the most polarizing topics, but economic status is not far behind.

The fact is that a person can be liberal on a few issues, conservative on others, and completely indifferent still to others regardless of how much education they have, if they are believers in some religion, or what their economic status is.

You are doing a good thing when you don't lash out at those who are trying to assemble their thoughts online. We are all at different places.

Someone I am very close to once made the analogy that each of us is like a building being constructed. You shouldn't show up on someone else's building site and criticize them for being at a different phase and place than your building. Each building serves a different purpose and to torch someone's building isn't right because it doesn't follow your personal blueprints.

Tiger Woods' Twelve Days of Mistresses by La Lady Lisa Westerfield

Dec 10, 2009 | recommended: 2 | comments: 79

Marilee C. Dec 10, 2009, 11:41pm EST

Ha, ha. The barmaids were perfect. Their surgeons should have left their cards in their cleavage.

Diversity and Human Shortcomings on Gather by Marilee C.

Dec 10, 2009 | recommended: 2 | comments: 25

Marilee C. Dec 10, 2009, 7:09pm EST

I oversimplified by only mentioning the two most polarizing statistics. It can be assumed that half of us are to the left while the other half are to the right at varying points on one or both side. Additionally, our economic status and race add to our diversity.

We should only generalize when speaking generally--not to or about any one person. Be clear that your assumptions are based on statistics, but may not hold true for everyone.

Winter Persecution by Marilee C.

Dec 7, 2009 | comments: 11

in reply to a comment by sharon SugarMomma is a wise woman,

Marilee C. Dec 10, 2009, 2:46pm EST

..my religion, which is essentially hating me.

A Photo by Aniko

Dec 10, 2009 | comments: 26

Marilee C. Dec 10, 2009, 2:13pm EST

The Hungarian Sea. Is this known to be a windy place? Also, I like how the sea is framed in blue by the window or doorway.

Winter Persecution by Marilee C.

Dec 7, 2009 | comments: 11

in reply to a comment by sharon SugarMomma is a wise woman,

Marilee C. Dec 8, 2009, 12:56pm EST

I'm not really sure what your source for news is, but it is likely that you haven't read primary sources about what my church has said about gays and lesbians. Getting news second hand puts you at the mercy of the reporter or new outlet's opinions.

You can start by reading this: http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=148&sid=8624086

The official statements delivered by a church representative are recorded here:

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705343561/Text-from-LDS-church-on-SL-policy.html

No Mormon is against gays, civil union, or the rights and protections requested. They just don't want a union between people of the same gender to be called a marriage. They can form a union thouh and have their rights. Our former governor, Mr. Huntsman (now Obama's ambassador to China) as well as Mitt Romney AND our own Harry Reid are all Mormons who have expressed this same view. I don't think even Obama is for changing the definition of marriage even though he wants gays to have rights and protection under the law.

This report is from CNN (a very liberal pro-Obama media outlet):

"Barack Obama opposes same-sex marriage, but also opposes a constitutional ban. Says he would repeal the Defense of Marriage Act and voted against the Federal Marriage Amendment. As stated on the Obama campaign Web site, he supports full civil unions that "give same-sex couples equal legal rights and privileges as married couples, including the right to assist their loved ones in times of emergency as well as equal health insurance, employment benefits, and property and adoption rights."

Our president said the same thing my church has been saying for some time.

It is more convenient to attack Mormons than Obama, though. Mormons are viewed as right-wing nuts (even though Harry Reid is a Mormon--people miss that). Obama is seen as the thinking and caring President.

Really, the fact is, Sharon, you are looking to hate.

Winter Persecution by Marilee C.

Dec 7, 2009 | comments: 11

in reply to a comment by Ina ♥ Tagline Free Since September '09 ♥

Marilee C. Dec 8, 2009, 9:30am EST

You comments make a lot of sense. You've certainly had years of experience dealing with people with mental health issues.

There are a few moderated groups (Losing Your Religion or whatever that group is called comes to mind) where the threads are civil and insightful, but that seems to be a rarity around here. Thanks for you comments.

This reminds me of my dad who didn't come home from work to be stressed. He made a point to make home life a peaceful and enjoyable experience for the family. He didn't thrive on contention and meanness, so I never saw it. Some people seem to need this--their brains have been socialized and wired this way. They thrive on fighting.