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all of the radio comments were great so far, but I think it is important for people to remember that no matter what "statistics" say is the most important or likely scenariio, ALL of the education is important.  My sister and I were sexually abused by my dad's best friend (the husband of  my mom's best friend and parent to my best friend).  Also, I was approached by a stranger at the park who exposed himself to me.

It is important to educate BOTH parents and kids, and I think the most important thing to teach kids is to trust themselves--their intuition--and if anyone asks them to do something (to themselves or someone else) that makes them uncomfortable, they should not do it, AND they should tell someone.   AS a kid, I saw that the other adults didn't say anything when the abuser did something marginally innappropriate eventhough, for me, it felt very uncomfortable.  I learned to not trust myself.  Also, he had a keen eye for opportunities to take it to the next level when we were alone.  THat is when my own intuition would have helped.

For me, I taught my daughter from age 4 or 5 to not participate in anything that she's not comfortable with.  I included games at school or other things as well.  We used to play a team relay in an after school program where we had to run to the other end of a room, grab something from a bag and eat it. Sometimes it would be something gross like baby food.  I dont like these games because it teaches kids to do something to themselves that they don't want to do because other people are depending on them.  this is why I don't like the show FEAR FACTOR.  It's about doing something you don't want to--something to your body-- because other people want you to do it.

Trusting yourself when someone makes you fell uncomfortable is the MOST important thing.

posted 3 years ago
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Also, the comment about pesticides meaning that farmers have to till the land less is short sided.  They spoke about carbon emissions.  just think about an acre on your own land of vegetables.  What do you think it healthier if you will be the one eating the vegetables---spraying them with pesticide (which goes into the product, into the ground and into the ground water--and probably your well), or getting out there with a hoe to scrape away weeds?  the choice is clear.  Don't be fooled by scientific studies! They can say almost anything--especially if you don't read the whole text.  Use your logic.  Everyone will be talking about carbon emissions now because it's popular--just like they talked about world starvation in the 60's and how chemicals would help feed the world.  The message of the chemical industry has not changed---USE MORE!  Their tactics will change with whatever they can fool you with.  Don't be dumb.

posted 3 years, 1 month ago
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I'm bothered that we're not talking more about health.  Agriculture is about more than just economics.  Remember whenever you say "Roundup Ready" or now the even more scary "Agent Orange ready" that means that these are the pesticides that will be heavily sprayed on the crops.  Making them ready for these pesticides means you can use more and use them liberally.

But another questions bothers me.  I am a doctor (who also happens to have a bachelors in sustainable agriculture).  I cannot tell you how many patients come up sensitive to beet sugar and corn sugar (they are not sensitive to cane sugar or other sugars for the most part).  Is this because these two crops are now two of the most highly GMO crops in America?  Also I can't tell you how many people have told me that they are senstive to certain food like milk products or wheat in America, but if they travel to Europe or Ireland, they can eat those foods there without any problem.  There is something very wrong with the food in America and GMO is, I'm sure, part of the problem.

posted 3 years, 1 month ago
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By the way, I have called a crisis line and had patients call a crisis line before and they are practically useless.

posted 3 years, 1 month ago
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A person has to agree to receiving mental health care.  You cannot force someone to get it unless A) they said they are suicidal B) they said they are hearing voices C) they committed a crime.  These rules are due to past abuses where husbands committed their wives without much cause to mental institutions and people who were otherwise able to be on the outside world were kept locked up for years.

To expect police to be in charge of making sure people get mental help is ridiculous.  This should be the responsibility of government sponsored health care and the individual.  The police are not trained as psychiatrists and if they start bringing people to institutions, there will be another uproar.  Why do we blame the police for everything?  They are in charge of protecting the innocent.  If that means shooting a mentally ill dangerous man who refuses to get mental health care, than that's what it means.  Once a molester always a molester.  A friend of mine was jogging on a nearby trail in POrtland and was forced at knife point by a mentally ill homeless man into the bushes.  Luckily my friend got away.  It really bothers me that these mentally ill people choose parks to live or hang out it.  That is where my children plaly and where I like to run by myself.  These should be safe places--not hangouts for people who choose to live outdoors, do drugs, or are otherwise mentally ill.  I'm sure that man is in a better place right now--what was his quality of life like anyway? being out in the cold, mentally ill, knowing that he committed a crime for which he never paid but his victim is likely still paying?  Why are we so afraid of death?  For me, it is not the worst penalty for a child abuser

posted 3 years, 1 month ago
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I don't know why we keep talking about race..."culturally appropriate grief/depression counseling..."  ?/????   Why aren't we talking about how this guy had a police record?  he was a drug dealer (former), had been in jail, had a restraining order against him, and was sending texts like "I'm not kidding, I'm going to get my gun".   A family member had called the police in because she was scared..not only for the man's life but for the lives of family members who were around him.   If you have classified yourself as a "bad guy" because you have a police record and you are currently threatening people, you should not be treated the same as a victim who needs police assistance.  This was not a "good guy" who was shot by the police.  It was a very irresponsible self absorbed guy.  So he was depressed because of a family member's death.  How many people die everyday? Do all their family member's threaten others with guns?

Come on, this has been totally blown out of proportion.  Your reputation precedes you and this guy was totally responsible for the way police viewed him as a dangerous threat.

posted 3 years, 3 months ago
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thank you!!!! I've lived in places with great bike paths, lots of organic agriculture, mountains, beaches, etc.  I wouldn't say that Oregon has the best of any one particular thing, but it's nice that alot of good things are all in one place...or not too far of a drive.

posted 3 years, 8 months ago
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It's funny that Oregonians don't want more people to move here because the unemployment numbers might rise. Who is Oregon enticing? Let's see:  one of the biggest "industries" in Oregon is college.  With 5 large universities in Portland alone (University of Oregon, Oregon State, NCNM, OHSU, and Lewis and Clark), people are bound to move here to go to school.  Who goes to school? unemployed  young people.  Who pays less taxes...renters or home owners? renters--the same people who may be unemployed.  The way to get more taxes from people who are not well employed or who are visiting is through a SALES TAX.  Yet Oregonians remain SSOOOOOOOO proud that there is no sales tax in Oregon.  Who is more likely to smoke pot?  Unemployed young people.  yet the politics of Oregon voters continuous to favor medical marijuana and be soft on pot smokers/dealers.  Where are ski lift tickets the cheapest? Oregon (certainly cheaper than California and Colorado!)  Who does that attract?  Marginally employed young people.

It's just ridiculous that Oregonians say that they don't want people to move here to increase the unemployment roles, yet who is Oregon seducing?  Young people who want to bum around, go to school (maybe), smoke some pot, be involved in a subculture that devalues money by devaluing lifestyles where people who actually have good jobs, pay taxes, and own property or businesses could be enticed to produce here.  thank goodness some "cool enough" people (those who have bike shops or brewpubs) keep this city going by making money on the subculture that despises money and conservative voters.

posted 3 years, 8 months ago
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