Hyper Real

Actually if the person in question declines to self-identify it is a federal rule that the staff will identify for them.

Another tidbit from our lunatic world. My son applies for school and among all the forms we have these race/ethnicity identification forms. First ethnicity options: Hispanic/Latino: Yes or No. And that is it as if any other ethnicity does not count. Why does Hispanic has to be checked as a special category? And 'of course' all the forms are in Spanish as well. We live in an English speaking country but every single Federal, State or local government entity has forms in Spanish, no other languages. Then the race option: There are many options Apparently Indian, Middle Eastern, Russian or European are all considered white while Chinese, Japanese and Korean are all distinct categories. Then the form tells you if you have more than one race more circle the primary race. Huh? How much more insulting can it get? Both of my sons are bi-racial and certainly I find it an insult to suggest one race is primary. Now I am simply not going to fill in those forms.

If this a 503c organization then I suspect the salary of the pastor is already beyond reasonable according to the IRS rules. And my opinion $225,000 a year for a 2000 member congregation is beyond absurd.

What do you expect to teach as you say you are teaching a class on it? And for what purpose? There are many people who are actually in this condition, out of respect for those I cannot agree to entertain such kind of hypothetical conditions, not for some class or any other things. Other might disagree and find it an interesting exercise but I do not. I hope you understand my position here. .

After living in Asia for awhile it is painful to see how much less respect we have for the elderly in this country.

Groucho the incredible comedian: Oops, double posting, sorry folks!

Not correct as long as your earnings are below a certain amount then you do not have to pay any taxes on it. If you qualify you do not even have to file a tax return. http://www.efile.com...e-a-tax-return/ Depending on your family composition even if you earn more you often still pay no taxes. Some spiritual people actually do take a vow of poverty or a vow of leading a simple life instead of trying to amass as much wealth as possible. And yes they are awarded in that they are exempt from paying taxes. Edited to add: In fact your earnings in some cases may even give you a tax credit.

I did not know that, could you provide a reference?

Excuse but what are you talking about? I wrote: "I do not believe that has anything to do with Islam but instead is part of Middle Eastern culture" You answered: "only if you consider kosher being an "isreali" thing." That answer does not make any sense whatsoever.

I do not believe that has anything to do with Islam but instead is part of Middle Eastern culture.

Modern times also require understanding of cultural and national differences and actually I believe we can learn from others and improve. What ado you think are the largest dinner mistakes? Licking fingers, using elbows, constantly switching knife and fork for cutting and eating, blowing the nose, burping, talking while eating, smacking?

Proper food serving etiquette demands serving from the right.

Yes but when the parents never knew they won't even be able to teach their children. They are not to blame, it is similar with parents who are more or less illiterate, how can you expect your children to read if you hardly read as a parent. That's why I believe the lower classes should have access to professional help in this matter. Education and coaching should be available. Take a lower class orphan and place him in an upper class family I can guarantee he will learn manners, there is no guarantee he will behave as such but he will certainly know and understand it. By the way class an income does have a positive correlation but I have seem many with money with bad manners and I have seen poor with good manners. In my opinion while money dictates breeding shows and noblesse oblige!

You bring up a good point Atwater Vitki and that is that many lower class people often lack well mannered role models. What I believe we can do about it is education, education of the disadvantaged youth, during school and after school programs. Can we blame a youth for using expletives if they hear that all the time from their parents?

I do not consider using expletives part of being well mannered.

You think that will help the situation getting between between the two parties? I presume you love your neighbors?

Try to keep a dialogue and keep it nice. Any case has two sides (not saying you are wrong). Face it, he is your neighbor, he will also realize that, try to work it out with him, it may be tough but try not to give up. See it as a challenge! Here are some questions that may be relevant in trying to find a way: Are you living in a city, small town or rural? Is there a community? What are his social ties and what are yours? Are there common interests?

That is sad. Now first you need to undo that harm to get each other back at the table. Is there a close neighbor who has been there longer who might want to help the situation? Or perhaps a minister?

http://247wallst.com/2010/05/17/the-net-worth-of-the-american-presidents-washington-to-obama/2/ All inflation adjusted. Note that only 4 go much over the 100 million dollar limit: Washington: 525 million Jefferson: 212 million Roosevelt: 125 million Kennedy: 1 billion (family estate) Some are very close to 100 million while many others had only a few million.

Scared of the dark, in the middle of the night, It's what we cannot hear that gives us fright. It is not still because the foe is gone. It's still because he waits just out of sight. (no not me, but you can guess who )

And may I say that it certainly shows, we do not agree on many topics but I have never seen any incivility from you.

And many share your viewpoint. I used to have that viewpoint but no longer. I believe for a democracy to work citizens should be involved in the political system. I am not talking about congress or the house but local politics. Many cities are looking for people to join the city council or numerous committees, you can have your voice heard about public utilities or city planning, and of course the school system. And you can always contact your house representative or senator, in my experience they are very open to hear your ideas. I do not very much believe in activism, although I often sympathize with good causes. But to let your ideas and voice known I believe is key to a democracy.

I agree that parents are certainly a very important role model but I certainly do not see that limited to parents. An uncle, a teacher, and later in life, a union member, a student union president, a fellow board member, all those could be role models. A child who never seen his father in a suit, or a child who never saw his parents use a knife and fork properly, let alone the right hand to hold the soup spoon. A child who never learns the art of conversation, politeness and courtesy will, in my opinion, have a harder time fitting in later in life. It takes me less than a second to recognize a person in a suit who never learned how to be comfortable in a suit.

Good point, I believe many people do not realize that when your organization opts to become a section 501 entity there are restrictions it must adhere to. In the very unlikely event I would create a religious entity I would certainly not opt to become a section 501 entity.