Video: Toys for Tots mom complains about crappiness of presents
posted at 7:03 pm on December 24, 2006 by Allahpundit
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It’s the feelbad story of the year. Click the image to watch.
Can’t leave you hanging there on Christmas eve, so here’s something to balance it out.
So here Kelly and Allen were, three days before Christmas, loading the gifts into the cruiser and driving 28 miles to the Limerick home of Ed Candelmo, Christine’s father.
There, sitting at the dining room table with her arm in a blue cast, they found Courtney. Little Nolan, who remained at Maine Medical Center with head injuries until Tuesday, is now with his father in Bangor.
“First and foremost, we brought you some presents,” Kelly told Courtney with a broad smile.
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HA!
Gift Horse ==> Mouth.
That’s about the kind of, and quality of, what my ‘rich’ – EX gave FAMILY for Christmas.
Well, It’s the thought that counts.
(at least I keep tellin’ myself that, anyway)
LegendHasIt on December 24, 2006 at 7:17 PM
Now she’s going to buy gifts for her kids herself? Hmm, looks like she got the first part of the message. The rest might occur to her eventually.
JimC on December 24, 2006 at 7:36 PM
Sure, I’d feel better if people dependent on public assistance in Arizona got more and better gifts at Christmas, and I was delighted to see that there are some police departments in Maine that “go the extra mile” to make certain that a family that has suffered a terrible loss/tragedy has their Christmas gifts. But is that the definition of a “good” Christmas? Is it possible to have a “good” Christmas without plentiful or high quality gifts? Take a lesson from the Grinch. Even if the gifts are not there, Christmas comes anyway. I’d gleefully give up all the gifts that I’ve ever received on December 25th in exchange for real, demonstrable evidence that people had started to treat each other better on the other 364 days of the year. ‘Nuff said.
CyberCipher on December 24, 2006 at 7:38 PM
Wow. She’s returning the toys and going to buy her own. So, why didn’t she buy her own in the first place?
EF on December 24, 2006 at 7:39 PM
Her children deserve a mother for Christmas.
Wade on December 24, 2006 at 7:54 PM
Did her exhusband shoot himself?
StuLongIsland on December 24, 2006 at 7:56 PM
she said that she didn’t want to seem ungrateful, yeah right. seems like that to me
Starblazer on December 24, 2006 at 8:06 PM
AllahP thanks for the balance, after watchin the vid I was pissed. Then I read the about the police officers, through watery eyes.
infidel on December 24, 2006 at 8:11 PM
What is she whining about? I still get cheap crap like that at my Dad’s house. It’s like he’s been in limbo since the divorce, he gets my brother, sister, and I (all adults 24-31) a bunch of flashlights, keychain type crap, and like travel games that will often say “ages 8-10″ on the side, etc.
We usually kind of pick out something decent that we want with our Mom, but then we have to psych ourselves in to pretending we’re at all interested in the, basically, “toys” we get at my Mad’s.
So anyway, this lady needs to quit whining.
RightWinged on December 24, 2006 at 8:19 PM
So I guess beggars CAN be choosers?
The Monster on December 24, 2006 at 8:49 PM
So if she can afford to buy her own kids’ Christmas presents, she was abusing the Toys for Tots campaign. If I remember correctly, Toys for Tots gives toys to the truly needy, not truly cheap. I’m pretty sure she was depriving some actual poor kids of presents that they would have enjoyed. What a Grinch…
rmgraha on December 24, 2006 at 9:02 PM
Being a Marine Reservist…
You know what? Screw it. She can kiss my arse. So can the media for reporting this crap.
Mazztek on December 24, 2006 at 9:10 PM
The second story…people…read the link Allah left. Forget the b*tch up top…..
I needed a good cry for Christmas.That was all it took. Thank you Allah, for reminding us all that this is holiday is all about love. Real and everlasting love.
I have to go watch over some sleeping angels. And smooth their hair. And thank my Heavenly Father for some very real, very simple gifts.
Merry Christmas to all and to all, a good night.
seejanemom on December 24, 2006 at 9:48 PM
Y’all – as someone who used to be on welfare, I can’t express how hard it is to swallow your pride and accept help. So having done that, she ended up with the same type of crap she could have bought on her own. I’d feel disappointed too – and I give big props to ANY mother who refuses to let her 12 year daughter run around looking like a Britney or Paris clone. They said the criteria for Toys for Tots is that the gift should cost ten dollars. As was pointed out, those were dollar store items.
Laura on December 24, 2006 at 9:48 PM
She doesn’t want her daughter to look like a hooker. HMM Been spending at the crack house? In the immortal words of Dan Akroyd “Jane you ignorant slut!”
sonnyspats1 on December 24, 2006 at 10:23 PM
I do agree she should have stayed off the news – tacky… she complained to Toys for Tots who evidently agreed to replace the gifts with ones up to their normal standard. (All in all, this feels like rooting for the accused rapists at Duke. Sure, they’re innocent, but they’re still punks.)
Laura on December 24, 2006 at 10:50 PM
I just returned home from my brother’s house and decided to check some things before turning in. Boy, I shoulda just went to bed. As for the ungrateful woman, this is what you get when you feed the dependency. God I’m harsh, but be grateful for what you do have, not bitch about what you don’t. What a blown opportunity for this so-called mother to teach her kids a valuable life-lesson. Life is about ups and downs, joy and disappointment, good and bad. It’s about how you handle each situation. There’s nothing wrong with failure, the old saying it’s only failure if you fail to try. Well, she should have tried to buy the gifts herself to begin with. Now the lesson learned by the kids is to look to someone else first and then complain when it doesn’t meet with your expectations or standards. Looks like this woman is raising some more democrats…….
ritethinker on December 24, 2006 at 11:53 PM
I do hope Laura is kidding….in both posts….
ritethinker on December 25, 2006 at 12:00 AM
Is Boo Freakin Hoo one word or three?
F15Mech on December 25, 2006 at 12:04 AM
No, ritethinker, I’m not kidding. Did you watch the whole video? I don’t especially like that woman, but I can empathize with her. She humbled herself to ask for help for her kids for Christmas and got a slap in the face. That sucks.
She handled it in a crappy way, going on the news, but the fact is that this is not how Toys For Tots normally works or is intended to work. As they said in the video, gifts are expected to cost ten dollars, and I’m sure the reason for that is so that kids who aren’t going to get much else, get at least one nice gift. Unfortunately, in her case, the system failed. I don’t approve of how she handled it, but I certainly feel bad for her.
Laura on December 25, 2006 at 12:12 AM
No, ritethinker, I’m not kidding. Did you watch the whole video? I don’t especially like that woman, but I can empathize with her. She humbled herself to ask for help for her kids for Christmas and got a slap in the face. That’s unfortunate.
She handled it in a bad way, going on the news, but the fact is that this is not how Toys For Tots normally works or is intended to work. As they said in the video, gifts are expected to cost ten dollars, and I’m sure the reason for that is so that kids who aren’t going to get much else, get at least one nice gift. Unfortunately, in her case, the system failed. I don’t approve of how she handled it, but I certainly feel bad for her.
/if this double posts, sorry, evidently I had two words in there that set off the spam alarm
Laura on December 25, 2006 at 12:16 AM
And don’t overlook the idea that she might cut into the grocery budget to get those gifts for her kids. My own mother did exactly that. Looking back, there were plenty of nights after Christmas when we had a meal, and she just took some macaroni and cheese and said she wasn’t that hungry.
I’m not saying she’s Ms. Perfect but it does seem like y’all are being overly harsh, here.
Laura on December 25, 2006 at 12:20 AM
I did Laura 28,000 gifts only 2 complaints; She had used Toys for Tots in the past and was happy. Because of her “nightmare” with dollar store items she is now going to buy gifts herself.
Do you see any problem with that picture? I sure do.
F15Mech on December 25, 2006 at 12:30 AM
Does anyone have the number for “Porsches for Single Male Middle Class Thirtysomethings”? I’m tired of my Audi.
Blacklake on December 25, 2006 at 12:52 AM
How do we know that the Arizona TV station didn’t actually pay her something to appear in that little segment? Money would be a powerful incentive for someone in her position to go through with it. Money can get people to say and do a lot of things that they wouldn’t ordinarily do.
CyberCipher on December 25, 2006 at 1:09 AM
Wish I could say this surprises me. It’s just ridiculous to complain about something that has been given to you. It is possible to have a Merry Christmas without any gifts. Too bad this is the only way she sees for her children to have a “quality” Christmas.
Oh well, Merry Christmas to all on HotAir :)
wytammic on December 25, 2006 at 1:14 AM
F15, yes, I caught that statistic, and I wholeheartedly agree that she handled it badly, going on the news and badmouthing an organization that both does a lot of good, and had evidently offered to let her exchange the gifts. I don’t know much about this woman, obviously, and I’m feeling empathetic because in the past I have been dependent upon others and it’s lousy. It’s humiliating, and it can make you bitter. I do think the fact that she had used TfT only once before, and not recently, is telling. That tells me that she has been struggling with poverty for a while, that some years have been better than others, and that this is a bad year.
Do I see any problem with the fact that now she’s going to buy the gifts herself? Not necessarily – she might be doing the same thing my mother did more than once, that I mentioned at 12:20 AM; she might take it out of the food budget and go hungry for a while, in order to give her kids some presents at Christmas. We don’t know where she’s getting that money from, do we? So why do we assume the worst? She’s obviously not pampering herself; shabby clothes, needs a haircut, cheap jewelry.
wtammic, yes, it’s possible to have a Christmas without presents. I agree if a parent planned ahead, taught kids very carefully about commercialism, and made the kids understand in advance that that’s how it’s going to be, then yes, I can see how it could work. But when you’re a child, it’s a pretty tough sell if that learning process starts on Christmas morning with a few trinkets from the Dollar Store.
Cyber, they may have paid her, but I wonder how they heard of her in the first place. Also, I thought reputable newsies never paid for stories? (Wait, is “reputable newsies” an oxymoron?) ;-)
Obviously the reason we all like Toys for Tots is because they are well known for giving kids nice gifts, who would not otherwise receive them. Is there something inherently wrong with that goal, that this woman is wrong to wish it for her kids too? Her reaction was bad, but it’s ridiculous to slam her motives or the fact that she was disappointed. The whole reason this was news is because it’s NOT how TfT normally works.
Given the vitriol, maybe we should just say, “let them eat cake.” Or better yet, “Are there no prisons? Are there no workhouses?” I sort of doubt anyone here would really say that to this woman’s children, or to her in person. The truth is that based on that short video we don’t know enough about this woman to know if she’s an ungrateful b**** or a distraught and disappointed mother who, after humbling herself to ask for help, expects to be hungry in January anyway because her kids’ Christmas is more important to her than a full stomach. Since we don’t know, I choose to assume the best.
Laura on December 25, 2006 at 2:05 AM
F15, yes, I caught that statistic, and I wholeheartedly agree that she handled it badly, going on the news and badmouthing an organization that both does a lot of good, and had evidently offered to let her exchange the gifts. I don’t know much about this woman, obviously, and I’m feeling empathetic because in the past I have been dependent upon others and it’s lousy. It’s humiliating, and it can make you bitter. I do think the fact that she had used TfT only once before, and not recently, is telling. That tells me that she has been struggling with poverty for a while, that some years have been better than others, and that this is a bad year.
Do I see any problem with the fact that now she’s going to buy the gifts herself? Not necessarily – she might be doing the same thing my mother did more than once, that I mentioned at 12:20 AM; she might take it out of the food budget and go hungry for a while, in order to give her kids some presents at Christmas. We don’t know where she’s getting that money from, do we? So why do we assume the worst? She’s obviously not pampering herself; shabby clothes, needs a haircut, cheap jewelry.
wtammic, yes, it’s possible to have a Christmas without presents. I agree if a parent planned ahead, taught kids very carefully about commercialism, and made the kids understand in advance that that’s how it’s going to be, then yes, I can see how it could work. But when you’re a child, it’s a pretty tough sell if that learning process starts on Christmas morning with a few trinkets from the Dollar Store.
Cyber, they may have paid her, but I wonder how they heard of her in the first place. Also, I thought reputable newsies never paid for stories? (Wait, is “reputable newsies” an oxymoron?) ;-)
Obviously the reason we all like Toys for Tots is because they are well known for giving kids nice gifts, who would not otherwise receive them. Is there something inherently wrong with that goal, that this woman is wrong to wish it for her kids too? Her reaction was bad, but it’s ridiculous to slam her motives or the fact that she was disappointed. The whole reason this was news is because it’s NOT how TfT normally works.
Given the vitriol, maybe we should just say, “let them eat cake.” Or better yet, “Are there no prisons? Are there no workhouses?” I sort of doubt anyone here would really say that to this woman’s children, or to her in person. The truth is that based on that short video we don’t know enough about this woman to know whether she’s ungrateful or a distraught and disappointed mother who, after humbling herself to ask for help, expects to be hungry in January anyway because her kids’ Christmas is more important to her than a full stomach. Since we don’t know, I choose to assume the best.
Laura on December 25, 2006 at 2:05 AM
F15, yes, I caught that statistic, and I wholeheartedly agree that she handled it badly, going on the news and badmouthing an organization that both does a lot of good, and had evidently offered to let her exchange the gifts. I don’t know much about this woman, obviously, and I’m feeling empathetic because in the past I have been dependent upon others and it’s lousy. It’s humiliating, and it can make you bitter. I do think the fact that she had used TfT only once before, and not recently, is telling. That tells me that she has been struggling with poverty for a while, that some years have been better than others, and that this is a bad year.
Do I see any problem with the fact that now she’s going to buy the gifts herself? Not necessarily – she might be doing the same thing my mother did more than once, that I mentioned at 12:20 AM; she might take it out of the food budget and go hungry for a while, in order to give her kids some presents at Christmas. We don’t know where she’s getting that money from, do we? So why do we assume the worst? She’s obviously not pampering herself; shabby clothes, needs a haircut, cheap jewelry.
wtammic, yes, it’s possible to have a Christmas without presents. I agree if a parent planned ahead, taught kids very carefully about commercialism, and made the kids understand in advance that that’s how it’s going to be, then yes, I can see how it could work. But when you’re a child, it’s a pretty tough sell if that learning process starts on Christmas morning with a few trinkets from the Dollar Store.
Cyber, they may have paid her, but I wonder how they heard of her in the first place. Also, I thought reputable newsies never paid for stories? (Wait, is “reputable newsies” an oxymoron?) ;-)
Obviously the reason we all like Toys for Tots is because they are well known for giving kids nice gifts, who would not otherwise receive them. Is there something inherently wrong with that goal, that this woman is wrong to wish it for her kids too? Her reaction was bad, but it’s ridiculous to slam her motives or the fact that she was disappointed. The whole reason this was news is because it’s NOT how TfT normally works.
Given the vitriol, maybe we should just say, “let them eat cake.” Or better yet, “Are there no prisons? Are there no workhouses?” I sort of doubt anyone here would really say that to this woman’s children, or to her in person. The truth is that based on that short video we don’t know enough about this woman to know whether she’s ungrateful or a distraught and disappointed mother who, after humbling herself to ask for help, expects to be hungry in January anyway because her kids’ Christmas is more important to her than a full stomach. Since we don’t know, I choose to assume the best.
/for pity’s sake – what am I writing that’s sending these to the moderation queue? I’m not cursing.
Laura on December 25, 2006 at 2:07 AM
F15, yes, I caught that statistic, and I wholeheartedly agree that she handled it badly, going on the news and badmouthing an organization that both does a lot of good, and had evidently offered to let her exchange the gifts. I don’t know much about this woman, obviously, and I’m feeling empathetic because in the past I have been dependent upon others and it’s lousy. It’s humiliating, and it can make you bitter. I do think the fact that she had used TfT only once before, and not recently, is telling. That tells me that she has been struggling with poverty for a while, that some years have been better than others, and that this is a bad year.
Do I see any problem with the fact that now she’s going to buy the gifts herself? Not necessarily – she might be doing the same thing my mother did more than once, that I mentioned at 12:20 AM; she might take it out of the food budget and go hungry for a while, in order to give her kids some presents at Christmas. We don’t know where she’s getting that money from, do we? So why do we assume the worst? She’s obviously not pampering herself; shabby clothes, needs a haircut, cheap jewelry.
wtammic, yes, it’s possible to have a Christmas without presents. I agree if a parent planned ahead, taught kids very carefully about commercialism, and made the kids understand in advance that that’s how it’s going to be, then yes, I can see how it could work. But when you’re a child, it’s a pretty tough sell if that learning process starts on Christmas morning with a few trinkets from the Dollar Store.
Cyber, they may have paid her, but I wonder how they heard of her in the first place. Also, I thought reputable newsies never paid for stories? (Wait, is “reputable newsies” an oxymoron?) ;-)
Obviously the reason we all like Toys for Tots is because they are well known for giving kids nice gifts, who would not otherwise receive them. Is there something inherently wrong with that goal, that this woman is wrong to wish it for her kids too? Her reaction was bad, but it’s ridiculous to slam her motives or the fact that she was disappointed. The whole reason this was news is because it’s NOT how TfT normally works.
Given the vitriol, maybe we should just say, “let them eat cake.” Or better yet, “Are there no prisons? Are there no workhouses?” I sort of doubt anyone here would really say that to this woman’s children, or to her in person. The truth is that based on that short video we don’t know enough about this woman to know whether she’s ungrateful or a distraught and disappointed mother who, after humbling herself to ask for help, expects to be hungry in January anyway because her kids’ Christmas is more important to her than a full stomach. Since we don’t know, I choose to assume the best.
/for pity’s sake – what am I writing that’s sending these to the moderation queue? I’m not cursing.
Laura on December 25, 2006 at 2:08 AM
F15, yes, I caught that statistic, and I wholeheartedly agree that she handled it badly, going on the news and badmouthing an organization that both does a lot of good, and had evidently offered to let her exchange the gifts. I don’t know much about this woman, obviously, and I’m feeling empathetic because in the past I have been dependent upon others and it’s lousy. It’s humiliating, and it can make you bitter. I do think the fact that she had used TfT only once before, and not recently, is telling. That tells me that she has been struggling with poverty for a while, that some years have been better than others, and that this is a bad year.
Do I see any problem with the fact that now she’s going to buy the gifts herself? Not necessarily – she might be doing the same thing my mother did more than once, that I mentioned at 12:20 AM; she might take it out of the food budget and go hungry for a while, in order to give her kids some presents at Christmas. We don’t know where she’s getting that money from, do we? So why do we assume the worst? She’s obviously not pampering herself; shabby clothes, needs a haircut, cheap jewelry.
wtammic, yes, it’s possible to have a Christmas without presents. I agree if a parent planned ahead, taught kids very carefully about commercialism, and made the kids understand in advance that that’s how it’s going to be, then yes, I can see how it could work. But when you’re a child, it’s a pretty tough sell if that learning process starts on Christmas morning with a few trinkets from the Dollar Store.
Cyber, they may have paid her, but I wonder how they heard of her in the first place. Also, I thought reputable newsies never paid for stories? (Wait, is “reputable newsies” an oxymoron?) ;-)
Obviously the reason we all like Toys for Tots is because they are well known for giving kids nice gifts, who would not otherwise receive them. Is there something inherently wrong with that goal, that this woman is wrong to wish it for her kids too? Her reaction was bad, but it’s ridiculous to slam her motives or the fact that she was disappointed. The whole reason this was news is because it’s NOT how Toys for Tots normally works.
Given the vitriol, maybe we should just say, “let them eat cake.” Or better yet, “Are there no prisons? Are there no workhouses?” I sort of doubt anyone here would really say that to this woman’s children, or to her in person. The truth is that based on that short video we don’t know enough about this woman to know whether she’s ungrateful or a distraught and disappointed mother who, after humbling herself to ask for help, expects to be hungry in January anyway because her kids’ Christmas is more important to her than a full stomach. Since we don’t know, I choose to assume the best.
/for pity’s sake – what am I writing that’s sending these to the moderation queue? I’m not cursing.
Laura on December 25, 2006 at 2:08 AM
Fellow hotair readers and comment posters,
I wish I could have treated you all to Gulf Stream V passenger jets, a crew to maintain it and fly it for you, full lessons to take you to full ratings on all levels, including all instrument ratings, a home in Maui, Hawaii, and $100,000,000 tax exempt for your Christmas present.
Sadly, I do not have the means to do so.
Nevertheless, I am certain that you appreciate my good wishes, because it is the thought that counts, so, I did wish it for you.
Merry Christmas.
Happy New Year.
The ever thoughtful,
William
William2006 on December 25, 2006 at 2:11 AM
F15, yes, I caught that statistic, and I wholeheartedly agree that she handled it badly, going on the news and badmouthing an organization that both does a lot of good, and had evidently offered to let her exchange the gifts. I don’t know much about this woman, obviously, and I’m feeling empathetic because in the past I have been dependent upon others and it’s lousy. It’s humiliating, and it can make you bitter. I do think the fact that she had used TfT only once before, and not recently, is telling. That tells me that she has been struggling with poverty for a while, that some years have been better than others, and that this is a bad year.
Do I see any problem with the fact that now she’s going to buy the gifts herself? Not necessarily – she might be doing the same thing my mother did more than once, that I mentioned at 12:20 AM; she might take it out of the food budget and go hungry for a while, in order to give her kids some presents at Christmas. We don’t know where she’s getting that money from, do we? So why do we assume the worst? She’s obviously not pampering herself; shabby clothes, needs a haircut, cheap jewelry.
wtammic, yes, it’s possible to have a Christmas without presents. I agree if a parent planned ahead, taught kids very carefully about commercialism, and made the kids understand in advance that that’s how it’s going to be, then yes, I can see how it could work. But when you’re a child, it’s a pretty tough sell if that learning process starts on Christmas morning with a few trinkets from the Dollar Store.
Cyber, they may have paid her, but I wonder how they heard of her in the first place. Also, I thought reputable newsies never paid for stories? (Wait, is “reputable newsies” an oxymoron?) ;-)
Obviously the reason we all like Toys for Tots is because they are well known for giving kids nice gifts, who would not otherwise receive them. Is there something inherently wrong with that goal, that this woman is wrong to wish it for her kids too? Her reaction was bad, but it’s ridiculous to slam her motives or the fact that she was disappointed. The whole reason this was news is because it’s NOT how the program normally works.
Given the vitriol, maybe we should just say, “let them eat cake.” Or better yet, “Are there no prisons? Are there no workhouses?” I sort of doubt anyone here would really say that to this woman’s children, or to her in person. The truth is that based on that short video we don’t know enough about this woman to know whether she’s ungrateful or a distraught and disappointed mother who humbled herself to ask for help, but expects to be hungry in January anyway because her kids’ Christmas is more important to her than a full stomach. Since we don’t know, I choose to assume the best.
/for pity’s sake – what am I writing that’s sending these to the moderation queue? I’m not cursing. I took out every word that might be perceived as spam. I even tried to make it shorter. Last try… and merry Christmas!
Laura on December 25, 2006 at 2:11 AM
F15, yes, I caught that statistic, and I wholeheartedly agree that she handled it badly, going on the news and badmouthing an organization that both does a lot of good, and had evidently offered to let her exchange the gifts. I don’t know much about this woman, obviously, and I’m feeling empathetic because in the past I have been dependent upon others and it’s lousy. It’s humiliating, and it can make you bitter. I do think the fact that she had used Toys for Tots only once before, and not recently, is telling. That tells me that she has been struggling with poverty for a while, that some years have been better than others, and that this is a bad year.
Do I see any problem with the fact that now she’s going to buy the gifts herself? Not necessarily – she might be doing the same thing my mother did more than once, that I mentioned at 12:20 AM; she might take it out of the food budget and go hungry for a while, in order to give her kids some presents at Christmas. We don’t know where she’s getting that money from, do we? So why do we assume the worst? She’s obviously not pampering herself; shabby clothes, needs a haircut, cheap jewelry.
wtammic, yes, it’s possible to have a Christmas without presents. I agree if a parent planned ahead, taught kids very carefully about commercialism, and made the kids understand in advance that that’s how it’s going to be, then yes, I can see how it could work. But when you’re a child, it’s a pretty tough sell if that learning process starts on Christmas morning with a few trinkets from the Dollar Store.
Cyber, they may have paid her, but I wonder how they heard of her in the first place. Also, I thought reputable newsies never paid for stories? (Wait, is “reputable newsies” an oxymoron?) ;-)
Obviously the reason we all like Toys for Tots is because they are well known for giving kids nice gifts, who would not otherwise receive them. Is there something inherently wrong with that goal, that this woman is wrong to wish it for her kids too? Her reaction was bad, but it’s ridiculous to slam her motives or the fact that she was disappointed. The whole reason this was news is because it’s NOT how the program normally works.
Given the vitriol, maybe we should just say, “let them eat cake.” Or better yet, “Are there no prisons? Are there no workhouses?” I sort of doubt anyone here would really say that to this woman’s children, or to her in person. The truth is that based on that short video we don’t know enough about this woman to know whether she’s ungrateful or a distraught and disappointed mother who humbled herself to ask for help, but expects to be hungry in January anyway because her kids’ Christmas is more important to her than a full stomach. Since we don’t know, I choose to assume the best.
/for pity’s sake – what am I writing that’s sending these to the moderation queue? I’m not cursing. I took out every word that might be perceived as spam. I even tried to make it shorter. Last try… and merry Christmas!
Laura on December 25, 2006 at 2:12 AM
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Laura on December 25, 2006 at 2:12 AM
F15, yes, I caught that statistic, and I wholeheartedly agree that she handled it badly, going on the news and badmouthing an organization that both does a lot of good, and had evidently offered to let her exchange the gifts. I don’t know much about this woman, obviously, and I’m feeling empathetic because in the past I have been dependent upon others and it’s lousy. It’s humiliating, and it can make you bitter. I do think the fact that she had used Toys for Tots only once before, and not recently, is telling. That tells me that she has been struggling with poverty for a while, that some years have been better than others, and that this is a bad year.
Do I see any problem with the fact that now she’s going to buy the gifts herself? Not necessarily – she might be doing the same thing my mother did more than once, that I mentioned at 12:20 AM; she might take it out of the food budget and go hungry for a while, in order to give her kids some presents at Christmas. We don’t know where she’s getting that money from, do we? So why do we assume the worst? She’s obviously not pampering herself; shabby clothes, needs a haircut, cheap jewelry.
Laura on December 25, 2006 at 2:12 AM
wtammic, yes, it’s possible to have a Christmas without presents. I agree if a parent planned ahead, taught kids very carefully about commercialism, and made the kids understand in advance that that’s how it’s going to be, then yes, I can see how it could work. But when you’re a child, it’s a pretty tough sell if that learning process starts on Christmas morning with a few trinkets from the Dollar Store.
Laura on December 25, 2006 at 2:13 AM
wytammic, yes, it’s possible to have a Christmas without presents. I agree if a parent planned ahead, taught kids very carefully about commercialism, and made the kids understand in advance that that’s how it’s going to be, then yes, I can see how it could work. But when you’re a child, it’s a pretty tough sell if that learning process starts on Christmas morning with a few trinkets from the Dollar Store.
Laura on December 25, 2006 at 2:13 AM
Wyt – yes, it’s possible to have a Christmas without presents. I agree if a parent planned ahead, taught kids very carefully about commercialism, and made the kids understand in advance that that’s how it’s going to be, then yes, I can see how it could work. But when you’re a child, it’s a pretty tough sell if that learning process starts on Christmas morning with a few trinkets from the Dollar Store.
Laura on December 25, 2006 at 2:14 AM
Cyber, they may have paid her, but I wonder how they heard of her in the first place. Also, I thought reputable newsies never paid for stories? (Wait, is “reputable newsies” an oxymoron?) ;-)
Obviously the reason we all like Toys for Tots is because they are well known for giving kids nice gifts, who would not otherwise receive them. Is there something inherently wrong with that goal, that this woman is wrong to wish it for her kids too? Her reaction was bad, but it’s ridiculous to slam her motives or the fact that she was disappointed. The whole reason this was news is because it’s NOT how the program normally works.
Given the vitriol, maybe we should just say, “let them eat cake.” Or better yet, “Are there no prisons? Are there no workhouses?” I sort of doubt anyone here would really say that to this woman’s children, or to her in person. The truth is that based on that short video we don’t know enough about this woman to know whether she’s ungrateful or a distraught and disappointed mother who humbled herself to ask for help, but expects to be hungry in January anyway because her kids’ Christmas is more important to her than a full stomach. Since we don’t know, I choose to assume the best.
/for pity’s sake – what am I writing that’s sending these to the moderation queue? I’m not cursing. I took out every word that might be perceived as spam. I even tried to make it shorter, now I guess I’ll try it in pieces. Last try… and merry Christmas!
Laura on December 25, 2006 at 2:14 AM
She should teach the bad people at toys for tots a lesson and just go out and buy her own presents next year. That would show ‘em.
Kevin M on December 25, 2006 at 2:17 AM
Laura,
Here is why I assume the worst.
Without going thru the details of my life. I was a person that needed help at a point in my life.
It was humiliating and very humbling when I went thru it.
During that time I did not criticize any help. I was thankful for it.
If I did criticize the help I would not be humble or humiliated with it would I?
This chick is basically saying FU because her kids were not “GIVEN” the correct toys and wants new ones.
If she does not get “better” toys then she will “have to buy them for herself”.
I feel sorry for the kids.
Having a parent that thinks X-Mas is only about receiving and not giving says allot to me.
F15Mech on December 25, 2006 at 3:07 AM
F15, as I said earlier,
If I were her, I would feel as though I had humiliated myself for nothing. I’m right back where I started, only now it’s Christmas Eve. I would feel frustrated, hurt, angry, and desperate. Well, likely I’m reading way too much of my own past into this woman’s life – as I said at 2:14, we don’t know enough to guess her motives. Based on my own experience with the welfare system and being at the mercy of others, I’m choosing to believe better of her than that short clip might lead one to believe. In any event, it’s rather a waste of time to argue it, seeing as how we’ll never now more than we do right now, right?
Presents wrapped, food prepared, tank full of gasoline… we’ll be off to Nana’s house for a very merry Christmas. I hope that you all have a blessed and happy Christmas as well.
Laura on December 25, 2006 at 3:27 AM
jeez… I just scrolled up and several tries made it through moderation got through after all – usually they just seem to die there. I’m very sorry about all the extra posts.
Laura on December 25, 2006 at 3:35 AM
Merry Christmas to you Laura. I hope you/family have a blessed Christmas as well.
Merry Christmas to all of the Hot Air staff/posters.
F15Mech on December 25, 2006 at 3:40 AM
You know, I quit giving to these types of charities when I started finding out that basically it was done on the honor system and families I knew that made plenty of money were getting gifts. Not only that, but I was tired of seeing my druggy neighbors getting Christmas gifts for their kids so they could save a few dollars to buy another hit.
The final straw was when the neighborhood school bought them a portable basketball hoop and 2 weeks later it ended up being the property of the drug dealer down the street.
Tim Burton on December 25, 2006 at 4:40 AM
Jeezum crow, breathe into a paper bag or something.
Coronagold on December 25, 2006 at 7:42 AM
if you’ve worked for any sort of charity that takes in material things you might understand that people have a habbit of dumping their trash on these people.
If you wouldn’t use it don’t call it a gift. If you’re going to give, give something you would want or just keep it to yourself. No one wants your refuse.
One Angry Christian on December 25, 2006 at 9:35 AM
Laura,
I think you’re missing the whole point here. Toys for Tots is not an entitlement. This lady and her children have no stake in this enterprise other than the mother seeking them out for gifts for her kids. There is also this outdated notion of manners, yes, outdated I know, but it still should apply. The best thing this lady could have done was to scrap and claw her own way to buying gifts for her kids. There is also this novel idea, you know maybe there should be a Christmas sometimes for kids that doesn’t include material items. I was fortunate to always end up with some sort of material item, but there were a few times when it was slim pickens(not the actor). This presents a great opportunity to teach a life-lesson to your kids. The lesson is called “life”. You don’t always get what you want, in fact, most people most of the time don’t get what they want. When this happens, you don’t whine and you don’t lay claim to some entitlement. We spend so much time and effort in this country making sure kids are innoculated against everything. Then we wonder why they’re still living at home when they’re 30 years old. Or we wonder why they can’t balance a check book. We ask how could they not know how to operate a washer and dryer. You know hard knocks are disliked by everyone but just like the air we breathe it is as vital a part of life. This lady could have used her circumstances to motivate her kids educationally..like hey kids, buckle down in school so you’ll have a better chance of not being in these circumstances when you become adults. Let kids be kids, sometimes a scraped knee or black eye is necessary in the growth and development process. And for pete’s sake, one Christmas without a material item is not the end of the line for these kids. Toys for Tots exists for one reason; people with good hearts. So the items this lady received were cheesey and on the cheap, let’s get over ourselves here. With a few more dollars she could have made those items a bigger package and had the satisfaction that comes with making it on your own. Yes, I’m cold and heartless, but mankind survived Christmas before the existence of TFT so I know it can be done. Laura, I’m not bah-hum-bugging you I just have my opinion as well and wish people would show some common sense and manners when they are accepting help from others…………
This story reminds me of what happened in Florida a few years ago. I don’t remember the restaurant now, but this place opened it’s door with it’s employees on Thanksgiving day for the homeless. They prepared a Thanksgiving dinner, turkey and the fixings. The idiot who ran the homeless program then had the audacity to bitch and complain that the homeless were getting short-changed because they couldn’t order off the regular menu. Can you believe that? In the nation we now live in, I do. Of all the ungrateful things I’ve ever herad, this one took the proverbial cake. What an ass, a total jerk. But this is the mentality of so many now that is ruining the fabric of our society, one that used to teach and revere self-reliance mixed with good citizenship……..
ritethinker on December 25, 2006 at 9:58 AM
I understand and accept the focus on compassion, sympathy, and humbling oneself to go for the toys. I also understand and accept the issue regarding minimum toy standards.
However, what really grated on me was her comment that she would just go out and buy the toys for the kids.
That surfaces, what for many and myself, was the real issue! Was she an “appropriate” recipient for those toys in the first place? Did she meet recipient standards???
I would argue that she was probably a manipulative cheapskate looking for a free ride, whom was happy to clever her way into the MSM limelight hoping she could scam some people into sending her some bucks for her assumed plight. Unfortunately, MSM inadvertently failed to set up a “fund” for her but maybe one is underway as I write this.
One might also notice that this woman is not unattractive or weight-challenged, and seems quite capable of arguing her “points.” (she could hold her own on the View” …Which suggests a scammer to me and the MSM have shown that if it makes a good story they are happy to get used in return for being able to use.
rodgers on December 25, 2006 at 10:02 AM
I wonder how many people made sacrifices just to be able to donate a dollar store gift. A dollar store gift for a child is better than the child going without.
infidel on December 25, 2006 at 10:07 AM
The Marines assist in these gifts. They are not responsible for that woman or her kids. If anyone wants to try and “relate”, how about a hypothetical?
I can’t prove something like this ever happened, but it might make you think.
A family with a gross household income of 20 grand, and three kids, buys a few small trinkets for toys for tots, because they know that people out there are less fortunate than they are.
I say that because I still have family that make next to nothing that send me 10 dollars for Christmas. That’s a lot for them.
Whatever any family situation exists, as long as the Chistmas spirit prevails, that’s all that matters.
Shame on anyone who would fault the Marines or toys for tots.
Allah, the above posts were…. interesting… enough without 16 copies, could you trim them down to one of each?
Ringmaster on December 25, 2006 at 10:13 AM
I tend to agree with Laura on this one. My intial thought was a knee-jerk reaction; I felt she was not displaying gratitude. However (upon further review)junk is junk and the impoverished should not have to accept such when the premise of the program includes keeping your dignity. Although I have been blessed in life and have never had to experience poverty (barring of course my college years! heh heh) I can have empathy for the woman in which I too would feel indignant.
It’s like offering nourishment but serving “processed” food in a soup kitchen. It’s like donating a windbreaker instead of a wintercoat for those who need one for harsh weather. Sometimes, an empty gesture is just such.
I for one would never donate dollar store items for a Toys for Tots type program. It’s not like she was expecting brand-name and instead received generic. Toys for Tots offers an alternative for struggling families so they do not to have to shop at the “dollar store” for at least one day out of the year. One day. When I considered this, I realized she was not being ungrateful.
To me, a bleeding heart is satisfied with saying “It’s the thought that counts.” It’s also said by those who don’t give it much thought.
geckomon on December 25, 2006 at 10:15 AM
What was her purpose in calling up the media and complaining? What did she expect to accomplish and what was accomplished?
EF on December 25, 2006 at 10:33 AM
EF – Nothing. She was an ass for calling the media, in my opinion anyway.
Ringmaster and Everyone – I’m genuinely sorry for the multiple copies. I remember reading in a previous thread somewhere that the admins are being overwhelmed with spam and not really checking the moderation queue. I assumed that if my comment didn’t appear right away it never would, so I kept trying to fix whatever was marking it as spam. Obviously I was very, very wrong. I agree it’s annoying, and I’m sorry. (for the third time… ::sigh:: mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa)
Merry Christmas.
Laura on December 25, 2006 at 11:15 AM
It’s good to see Christmas brings out the best in people! This video is classic! How dare this woman’s kids get cheap FREE gifts!!! I needed a good laugh this morning!!
slapnuts on December 25, 2006 at 11:40 AM
Is “Dish-rag whore” two or three words?
x95b10 on December 25, 2006 at 12:10 PM
Oh, we just thought you were “deep into the eggnog,” so to speak. lol! Merry Christmas, Laura.
EF on December 25, 2006 at 12:27 PM
The reaction from Laura and geckomon is truly amazing. I know of a few kids who wanted their parents to take them to a Dollar Store so they could spend their allowance to give those less fortunate a gift for Christmas. Thanks for kicking those sweet children in the teeth who only wanted to help those less fortunate. That kind of sickness has got to have a name.
Capitalist Infidel on December 25, 2006 at 12:44 PM
Uncalled for Capitalist.
I was only pointing out how arrogant some can get when we assume that those we give charity to should automatically be grateful because we offered them better than they could do for themselves (for example in the many “She’s ungrateful” comments). Its arrogant and elitist. The thought that the dollar store item was given by a small child helping another kid is sweet but ancedotal. Don’t try to tug my strings with that kind of evidence. I have volunteered many times and have seen the best and worst of those who “give.”
Apparently so has One Angry Christian. I don’t base the comment I gave on assumptions or hearsay, but from experience.
Scraps from the King’s table or even his childrens table, no matter the intention, is undignified. If the program was “Stocking Stuffers for Tots” we would be having a different conversation. And I certainly would be leaning towards your viewpoint.
geckomon on December 25, 2006 at 12:58 PM
“I know of a few kids who wanted their parents to take them to a Dollar Store so they could spend their allowance to give those less fortunate a gift for Christmas. Thanks for kicking those sweet children in the teeth who only wanted to help those less fortunate. That kind of sickness has got to have a name.”
The word is Ingrate.
The Marine Corps delivers miracles every year with the Toys For Tots campaign. God love ‘em!
Lornkanaga on December 25, 2006 at 1:12 PM
You know? I can smell the cigarettes on this woman from the video alone.
I wonder how many quality gifts she could buy if she were to sacrifice her smoking habit.
I wonder how much she could add to the food budget if she were to sacrifice her smoking habit.
Too much to ask I guess.
Gregor on December 25, 2006 at 1:20 PM
I agree that you can’t condemn the poor women based on that one interview, but she nonetheless handled the interview badly.
Is there a contradiction there I’m not seeing?
In any event, I hope both her and her children have food and toys.
I agree with you completely, Laura, that my impression of her was not of a mother pampering herself, but rather of one leaving inexpensively and wanting to bring some joy and momentary wealth to her kids lives.
I also think that her poor attitude and her emotional outbursts might be holding her back from that goal more than anything Toys for Tots has not done.
Christoph on December 25, 2006 at 1:25 PM
Uncalled for Capitalist. You don’t know me or Laura and your fleeting insult to our character is presumptuous.
I was commenting on the arrogance of those who give to those unfortunate and then expect them to automatically be grateful. Your example of the “few kids” who give is sweet but ancedotal. At best tugging at my heart strings and we know where that leads to. Give me real evidence. I speak from years of volunteer work and have seen the best and worst of the “givers.”
Apparently so has One Angry Christian.
Let’s not forget Laura’s story as well.
The scraps from the Kings table or even his childrens table no matter the intention does not make for dignified charity. If the program was Stocking Gifts for Tots we would be having a different conversation where I would be inclined to agree with you.
However, like I stated:
For clarity sake, allow me to ammend that I don’t feel that the woman chose the right outlet to express herself, but the message needed to be told.
geckomon on December 25, 2006 at 1:33 PM
I have one observation that I don’t believe has been pointed out yet. If it has, I apologize for repeating it.
I just can’t help but picture a few ten year old children somewhere, sitting in the living room playing with their toys while their parents watch the news.
I imagine these two children a few weeks earlier being excited as they scan the aisles of the local 99 cent store, looking for a few gifts which they could then donate to toys for tots, because their mom had talked to them about how sweet it would be to help out some poor children who might not otherwise receive anything for Christmas.
And now I picture these children looking up at the television and noticing the exact gifts which they were so excited to buy a week earlier, as this woman is whining and complaining about how her children’s Christmas was ruined after receiving such thoughtless and cheap gifts.
I can feel the hurt in those children’s hearts. I can feel the pain in the parent’s hearts, as they see their own children start to cry after trying to do something kind for children they had never met.
Merry Christmas!
Gregor on December 25, 2006 at 1:38 PM
Uncalled for Capitalist. You don’t know me or Laura and your fleeting insult to our character is presumptuous.
I was commenting on the arrogance of those who give to those unfortunate and then expect them to automatically be grateful. Your example of the “few kids” who give is sweet but ancedotal. At best tugging at my heart strings and we know where that leads to. Give me real evidence. I speak from years of volunteer work and have seen the best and worst of the “givers.”
geckomon on December 25, 2006 at 1:40 PM
Apparently One Angry Christian has said experience.
geckomon on December 25, 2006 at 1:41 PM
Let’s not forget Laura’s story as well.
geckomon on December 25, 2006 at 1:42 PM
Let’s not forget Laura’s story as well.
The scraps from the Kings table or even his childrens table no matter the intention does not make for dignified charity. If the program was Stocking Gifts for Tots we would be having a different conversation where I would be inclined to agree with you.
However, like I stated:
For clarity sake, allow me to ammend that I don’t feel that the woman chose the right outlet to express herself, but the message needed to be told.
geckomon on December 25, 2006 at 1:43 PM
Let’s not forget Laura’s story as well.
The scraps from the Kings table or even his childrens table no matter the intention does not make for dignified charity. If the program was Dollar Gifts for Tots we would be having a different conversation where I would be inclined to agree with you.
However, like I stated:
For clarity sake, allow me to ammend that I don’t feel that the woman chose the right outlet to express herself, but the message needed to be told.
geckomon on December 25, 2006 at 1:45 PM
The scraps from the Kings table or even his childrens table, no matter the intention, does not make for dignified charity. If the program was Dollar Gifts for Tots we would be having a different conversation where I would be inclined to agree with you.
For clarity sake, allow me to ammend that I don’t feel that the woman chose the right outlet to express herself, but the message certainly needed to be told.
geckomon on December 25, 2006 at 1:48 PM
…. sorry for the multiple posts. How about a primer on what potentially could get “queued?”
Merry Christmas All!
geckomon on December 25, 2006 at 1:49 PM
I saw nothing wrong with the gifts this woman received. They were not “trash.” The only problem was that they were not age appropriate, which seems like it was an honest mistake. If these same gifts had been received by a 5 year old … they would have loved them.
I can say with confidence that if this had happened to my son … he would have laughed and given the gifts to his younger brother or his niece.
It doesn’t really matter if this woman “had a point” regarding the gifts. She has some serious personality issues which are most likely the cause of her financial troubles in the first place.
My boss ordered pizza for our entire office yesterday – to thank us for working on Christmas Eve. Not a single person complained that he didn’t order their favorite toppings.
Gregor on December 25, 2006 at 2:00 PM
Sometimes the examples just fall right into your hands. This is the sentiment I am refering to. Wow! Presumptuous maximus.
geckomon on December 25, 2006 at 2:11 PM
If I were this woman’s 12 year old daughter, I would have prefered to receive no gifts at all then have all my friends see that I am dependent on charity and that my mother is b*tching about it.
EF on December 25, 2006 at 2:17 PM
LOL! It’s not presumptuous at all. It’s on display for all to see. You don’t go on television and complain about your FREE Christmas gifts if you don’t have some sort of personality defect. Please! I don’t crappy the gift is.
Gregor on December 25, 2006 at 2:18 PM
I don’t (care) how crappy the gift is.
Gregor on December 25, 2006 at 3:08 PM
Laura, For heavens sake. . . treat yourself to a new
keyboard or mouse. The one your using stutters.
Texyank on December 25, 2006 at 5:07 PM
More than keyboard problems at that computer.
Wade on December 25, 2006 at 6:29 PM
Texyank, actually it is new; laser, even. Something kept causing my comments to get queued, and I kept modifying them to get past the queue. Same thing happened to geckomon. Go figure.
Wade, if all you’ve got is a personal attack… then you don’t have much. Have a merry Christmas.
Laura on December 25, 2006 at 7:32 PM
The lack of Christmas spirit displayed by the TfT Mom is only exceeded by the lack of such spirit displayed by most of the posters here, Laura excepted.
Labamigo on December 25, 2006 at 7:32 PM
You diagnosed her finacial problems from a news segment. You surmise a personality defect as if you have privledged knowledge of her situation. Screams of prejudicial presumptuous speech.
Why are you bent on making desparaging remarks about the woman? The price she paid for the “FREE” gifts is her current misfortune. Again, your comments keep feeding my statment of the lack of compassion and arrogance of us who have when we expect those who don’t to “better accept what we give” or face accusations of ingratitude.
Sure, she didn’t have to accept the gifts, but the assumption based on the “ten dollar minimum unwrapped” requirement led her to believe, perhaps, that this year she did not have to shop at the dollar store for Christmas gifts. (And that I gleaned from the facts stated only in the segment; not made up to fit my argument) She paid with her dignity.
Again, I have to stress, I do not believe that going to the media was her best choice of action, but it did get the debate going.
All in all, Gregor, I do wish you and your family the best this holiday season and the rest of the years to come.
geckomon on December 25, 2006 at 8:08 PM
I don’t believe that for one second
Capitalist Infidel on December 25, 2006 at 8:14 PM
So much for intellectual discourse. Another personal attack to distract the conversation. I’m not biting.
Have a Happy Holiday, Capitalist, and a fruitful New Year!
geckomon on December 25, 2006 at 8:26 PM
I have a lot more than that for some so stupid as to screw up this board like this, but it is Christmas so I will save it for another time.
Thanks for your service Marine. I have been involved in toys for tots since 1965 upon my return from ‘in country’. It is a great program and is for the kids and many kind and generous people freely contribute. I am sure you have seen the people who expect handouts and those who are grateful for a handup. This woman on the news is a real piece of work. All she need do is ask any Marine there for some help and she would have been helped. But she wants to bite the hand that feeds her…then so be it. The news station should be ashamed to air this when they had all of 2 complaints.
Wade on December 25, 2006 at 9:27 PM
—————————————————
Bery Bery interesting. Could it be that Laura and geckomom
are one. Naaaaaaaaaaaa !!!
Anyway… Hope EVERYONE had a Great Chrismas and looking
forward to Michelle’s New Years band with Bryan.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=on5n_Xe-SjA
Texyank on December 25, 2006 at 9:28 PM
Allahpundit, would you be so kind as to verify that geckomon and I are not one and the same?
Laura on December 25, 2006 at 9:32 PM
Bery Bery interesting. Could it be that Laura and geckomom
are one. Naaaaaaaaaaaa !!!
Texyank on December 25, 2006 at 9:28 PM
. . .in spirit, not person. And it’s geckomon, . . .man. Merry Christmas to you as well, Tex!
geckomon on December 25, 2006 at 9:42 PM
I was so upset by the sockpuppetry accusation – even if you were kidding, Texyank – that I forgot to say “please” both here, and in my email to Allah. Sorry about that, and AP, if you have a moment to spare, could you please verify our identities?
Laura on December 25, 2006 at 9:50 PM
All these “merry Christmas”’s from between gritted teeth are starting to make MY jaws hurt. Say what you MEAN to say and let the sarcasm rest tonight… geez.
Both sides have points…but either way it was tacky as hell to complain, and complain publicly about stuff that was given to you for free. Toys for Tots is there to do a good thing, and their record stands behind that fact.
tickleddragon on December 25, 2006 at 9:56 PM
… sigh. The funny quirk about this forum is the lack of demeanor indicators. All greetings and well wishes from me are well intended and said with open arms and not gritted teeth. I have the upmost confidence in the integrity of all the posters here on hotair.com and hope they have confidence in mine as well.
Ihope that puts to rest your . . . er unrest?
This is the part where I wish you the best as well. Cherish the greeting, its the season!
geckomon on December 25, 2006 at 10:17 PM
Wade, something from the dollar store is not a hand up. She could have had that without sacrificing her pride, and dollar store items are NOT what Toys for Tots normally gives out, which is the entire reason this was a story to begin with.
Neither my comments nor anyone else’s “screw up” this board, accidental duplicates notwithstanding. Your personal attack was uncalled for, especially because there are probably many other topics where we are in perfect agreement. I said repeatedly that Toys for Tots was a worthwhile organization and that this is not the norm, and I also said I disapproved of the fact that this woman went on the news with her complaints. That doesn’t, however, make her the devil, and the people who attacked her assumed a great deal that they have no way of knowing.
Laura on December 25, 2006 at 10:17 PM
I have a lot more than that for some so stupid as to screw up this board like this, but it is Christmas so I will save it for another time.
Wade on December 25, 2006 at 9:27 PM
Eloquent. Your credibility diminshes when you continually insult people. I feel like I’m at the DU board. Let’s not drop to the level that is sadly there, please.
geckomon on December 25, 2006 at 10:53 PM
—————————————————
That’s a 10-4 geckomon. I’m not blaming my mouse either.
That’s a joke Laura. A Great Evening to all on the
board. Good nite ! : )
Texyank on December 25, 2006 at 10:58 PM
Wow! I’m impressed. I’d almost think you for a socialist with that remark. Are you hoping to compete for next year’s “Word of the Year” award? Should we pass legislation outlawing “prejudicial presumptuous speech?”
After that … I’m intimidated to argue with such an obviously superior human being, so I’ll just run away and hide. Say hi to Constantine and Grebrook for me.
Gregor on December 26, 2006 at 1:48 AM
My father-in-law (now deceased) used to share his story of Christmas childhood, when he would receive only an apple and an orange. So, one year I bought and wrapped him just that (an apple and orange placed in a box). It was the best Christmas gift he had had since childhood I think, as it evoked such a laughter from him.
gary on December 26, 2006 at 4:12 AM
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