It's getting close to Halloween, so I hope this story doesn't scare you too much. But the Associated Press has discovered that this bad economy is making us ugly. That's right, ugly. Because of this downturn people just cannot afford to go to their friendly neighborhood plastic surgeon for those nips and tucks any more. So it is the AP's sad duty to inform us that "As economy sags, faces do too, cosmetic docs say." It's a horrible, horrible world that we now are cursed to live in if we can't afford our Botox and tummy tucks! Now, they are serious with this so quit your laughing this instant.
The economy isn't the only thing that's sagging -- so are faces, breasts and bellies as would-be cosmetic surgery patients increasingly opt against costly nips and tucks because of tough financial times.
You know, I was complaining to my Mommy yesterday that I didn't want my liposuction and she told me to do it anyway because kids in China could barely afford an eyelift these days. I know I should be grateful for what I have, though. Some people DO have it worse, ya know?
But, wait, you ask... what basis does the AP use to report this important "story"? They got it from someone named Anne Ecdotal, I think.
Anecdotal reports and a recent unscientific survey from an industry trade group suggest many cosmetic surgeons have been seeing a drop-off in costly operations, some by as much as 30 percent or more.
The AP then regales us on the gut wrenching story of one Diane Lawyer -- intrepid software company manager by day and apparent compulsive surgery addict by predilection -- who claims she "just can't justify" her plastic surgery regime any more.
Oh the humanities.
This poor, poor put upon woman has even had to start shopping at a "discount grocery store" because the world is so mean to her.
But a gem of an axiom, the apple of aphorisms, the most sensational of sayings was uttered by the AP's pal in Orlando, David Ritter. He presented us with some words to live by that we all must have forever at the tips of our tongues, words that we should pass down through the ages. Ben Franklin, you and Poor Richard can eat your hearts out with this one:
"I always say it's better to look good than to feel good, sometimes," Ritter said.
I am verklempt. No truer words were ever spoken by man nor beast.
I shake my fist angrily at this rotten Bush economy and thank the AP for these important, vital reports.
(Photo from the movie BRAZIL from timboucher.com)
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Its funny that you put that
October 11, 2008 - 07:37 ET by USA4freedomIts funny that you put that article over the picture of Linda Greenhouse.
That article would explain Nancy Pelosi.
Ronald Reagan, 1962: I did not leave the Democratic party, the party left me.
Insert: your name, 2008, and the Republican party.
And the MSM left patriotism ions ago ...
October 11, 2008 - 07:52 ET by wdhorningNeed I say more?
My thoughts exactly. "The
October 11, 2008 - 07:59 ET by ricklailMy thoughts exactly.
"The devil is a better theologian that any of us and is a devil still" A.W. Tozer
Don't joke, Warner, it's
October 11, 2008 - 07:43 ET by motherbeltDon't joke, Warner, it's not funny!!
I can't afford to get my acrylic nails anymore, and I'm reduced to trying to get my own nails to grow, and let me tell you, it's no easy task!! You haven't had to endure the agony of a broken nail! Everywhere I go, I imagine people looking askance at my nails, some longer than others, some uneven, and judging me!
Oh woe to me!!
I long ago gave up on my
October 11, 2008 - 07:45 ET by Warner Todd HustonI long ago gave up on my nails. But my lashes. Now THOSE I'm proud of!
MSM attacks Todd Palin's right to petition the government !!!!!!
October 11, 2008 - 07:59 ET by wdhorningBefore we get to Todd Palin, we need a little background to show the stark contrast between the evil MSM and its trampling on his rights with the troopergate story.
=========
Obama's character and issues make the MSM, including the AP, look like fools.
OBAMA'S CHARACTER:
- he was really born in Kenya and his mother did not meet residency requirements, so the Hawaiin birth certificate she obtained for him makes him illegal to become president under the Constitution, and he is in fact an illegal alien, because he (knowingly) never applied to be a naturalized citizen
- at an early age he was educated at a Muslim terrorist style school
- attended an ultra-liberal, "hate-America" college
- attended a "hate-America" church for 20 years
- political career started in the home of a man who bombed the Capitol & Pentagon, who he had worked closely with for 4 years
- tens of millions in charitable donations designated for educational programs were used by him to bribe politicians instead
- funneled tens of millions into ACORN, currently under investigation for voter fraud conspiracy in 11 states, with 4 convictions already
- close association with the convicted felon Rezko, who got Obama a "sweetheart" house deal
- gave a pep rally speech in Kenya for his Muslim cousin, who murdered about 500,000, raped and killed women and children, and even burned people alive in a church
- currently is receiving, illegally, millions from foreigh donations to his campaign for president
CURRENT POLITICAL ISSUES:
- per 75% of CEOS polled, he will destroy the economy far worse than the current problems just by raising business taxes
- per CNN, McCain's medical plan is a superior plan
- Obama was 100% wrong about the Iraqi surge working, proving him to be worthless as a Commander-in-Chief
- if Obama had been president instead of Bush, a couple of small targets in Afghanistan might have been hit after 9-11, and right now Saddam would be spining the 600 tons of yellowcake he had into 142 nuclear weapons, just as Iran is now doing, so Bush stopped WW III, but Obama would have let it happen
- tried to persuade Iraqis to get a delay on any US troop withdrawals, so if elected, he would get all the credit, not Pres Bush, contrary to his "get the troops out now" campaign
- voted for murdering babies, born alive, when abortion was botched
(to be continued)
Today, the MSM ignores all of this, sweeps it under the rug and otherwise rationalizes away Obama's radical upbringing and his "criminal" and communist style behavior. It ignores the fact that as president, he will destoy our economy and harm our national security. The MSM even ignores the 600 tons of yellowcake Saddam had. If that's not WMD, what is it, instant coffee?
Instead, the MSM makes a big deal just because Todd Palin exercised his Constitutional right to petition the government to fire a state trooper who was threatening them all. Of course we know the communist MSM would like to destroy the Constitution and imprison us all under a communist system, especially the AP.
And this has what to do with
October 11, 2008 - 08:37 ET by motherbeltAnd this has what to do with the economy and making us ugly?
Ugly includes MSM and AP's behavior
October 11, 2008 - 09:17 ET by wdhorningDense?
Think about it. Is the liberal, elitist, leftist, communist MSM spreading lies about the Palins and defending Obama dispicable character and ruinous plans for his presidency?
My description is that of an ugly MSM and an ugly AP. We, the people of the United States are "pretty", they are the ugly ones.
I cannot think of anything uglier than the MSM attacking Todd Palin for exercising his Constitutioal right to petition his government to fire someone he feels is threatening to his family, especially in light of this troopers past behavior, like alleged child abuse and drunkedness on the job. And you know if Todd Palin were not involved in any way, the MSM would be screaming that Sarah Palin did not do anything to get this trooper fired, making the claim she did not want to fire an inlaw or some such BS. In otherwords, the MSM is ugly and hypocritical.
Think awhile, maybe it will sink in.
Dense? Think awhile,
October 11, 2008 - 10:26 ET by motherbeltDense?
Think awhile, maybe it will sink in????
Do personal insults come under "ugly" as in your own definition of "ugly" treatment?
That's quite a segue from a discussion of "ugly" as in people not being able to afford beauty treatments, to "ugly" treatment of Todd Palin and troopergate, neither of which, by the way, are related to the bad economy.
You could have just said you wanted to post your thoughts even though it was OT, instead of attempting to justify it that way.
They were fine thoughts, of
October 11, 2008 - 10:31 ET by Warner Todd HustonThey were fine thoughts, of course. But totally off topic.
Yeah, and I would have
October 11, 2008 - 11:00 ET by motherbeltYeah, and I would have apologized for being a bit touchy earlier, but changed my mind, for obvious reason.
In my reply, I meant to add "That's what Open Threads are for."
PS Hey! Which thoughts? That I'm dense????? ;-)
Spelling it out for you then
October 11, 2008 - 13:13 ET by wdhorningOK, let me spell it out.
AP is entirely wrong, and they are dense too. They are wrong because the real issue is that "ugly" people caused the current financial crisis, and not who got "ugly" afterwards. And I believe the AP did this deliberately as a trick of "re-direction" to try to take people's minds off of the "ugly people" who caused the crisis, mainly Democrats like Franks and Dowd, and a few others.
And then some of Obama's "ugly" friends took big payouts so now taxpayers like you and I can be ripped off in a so called "rescue." Between the Democrats in Congress and Obama, these are the "ugly" people who have damaged the economy and will damage it even more if Obama is elected, so they can make room for communism to step in and enslave us all, you included!!!!
What do think the communists have been doing for the last 20-30 years but plotting this whole thing? And now for the real kicker, either some MSM are already communists, or if not, they are so blinded they cannot see "the handwriting on the wall." And this is especially true of the "Hanoi Jane Network". Guess which one that is?
So when I posted what I posted, it is entirely relevant to the topic, because it shows the AP up for what it really is, dense, it shows Obama up for what he really is, a communist and enemy of the USA, and it shows how the Democrats are your worst nightmare, save the few left with some degree of integrity. Even Bill Clinton blamed the Democrats in Congress for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac fiasco.
In otherwords, like many dense people, you could not see the "re-direction" trick the AP was pulling on the world, and see that the real issue is not who got "ugly" after the financial crisis, but who are the "ugly" people who made it happen in the first place. And since Obama's own plans for the future are relevant to the economy and his style of "ugliness", telling the truth is what my posting is all about, so that in this forum, we understand the real issues at hand.
Do you now understand?
Don't do me any favors.
October 11, 2008 - 17:37 ET by motherbeltDon't do me any favors. I'll muddle along just fine without your spelling anything out for me.
If you didn't understand the topic of this thread, I'll spell it out for you then.
WTH said:
Associated Press has discovered that this bad economy is making us
ugly. That's right, ugly. Because of this downturn people just cannot
afford to go to their friendly neighborhood plastic surgeon for those
nips and tucks any more.
That's what this thread was about, before you informed us what the REAL problem was.
Maybe you should inform the AP that they are dense too, because in saying The economy isn't the only thing that's sagging -- so are faces,
breasts and bellies as would-be cosmetic surgery patients increasingly
opt against costly nips and tucks because of tough financial times,
they are obviously missing the real story. I'm sure they'd be thrilled to have you enlighten them.
You should have quit a while ago. You are just making yourself look more pompous.
You just keep going on talking about what you want to talk about.
Should I quit? hmmmmm .....
October 11, 2008 - 17:42 ET by wdhorningI should quit posting? Oh, I see.
OK, I am quitting folks.
Seems that just as Todd Palin had no Constitutional right to file a complaint against a trooper he saw as a threat to public safety, 'motherbelt' feels I have no Constitutional right to free speech in this free speech domain.
Anyone think 'motherbelt' sounds a bit like a communist? Seems it runs in the "family" though, as the press has reported that Obama attempt in several states to stop ads that said bad things about him.
Well, I am an American, with certain rights, and within this forum's rules. So, no, I will not quit.
"Give me liberty, or give me death."
I see I have to explain
October 11, 2008 - 20:33 ET by motherbeltI see I have to explain again:
Did I say you have no right to post? No.
Did I say you have no right to free speech? Again, no.
I meant you should have given up the arguement. I thought of saying you should have quit while you were ahead, but you were never ahead. Thus the phraseology that confused you.
Free speech doesn't guarantee agreement; nor does it take away anyone else's right to comment on what you say.
If you don't like the topic of a thread, no one forces you to participate. If you want to choose your own subject all the time, why not start your own blog?
Simply right.
October 11, 2008 - 21:20 ET by wdhorningI am right, its that simple.
wdh... Only in your
October 11, 2008 - 21:23 ET by bigtimerwdh...
Only in your mind.
You look wrong to me.
...but heck...whadda' I know?
"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh
Egads! Soon we won't be
October 11, 2008 - 08:02 ET by JerryEgads! Soon we won't be able to tell Nancy Pelosi from Helen Thomas!!
When asked if he went to war with Iraq to derail the impeachment vote: “I don’t think any serious person would believe that any President would do such a thing." - President Clinton (Dec 1998).
Horrors, where di you get that Pelosi picture?
October 11, 2008 - 08:32 ET by 10ksnookerugh .... You should not be allowed to post in process Pelosi pictures.
Anne Ecdotal?
October 11, 2008 - 09:15 ET by BlondeAnd Diane Lawyer? LOL!
It's a cruel, cruel world when the economy prevents the old Nip/Tuck. What are Sean & Christian going to do?
I had a good laugh, thanks Warner....after the awful week, this was a good one for Saturday morning.
David Gregory, do you know which damn network you lie for? ~ Uncle Jimbo, @Blackfive
Obama feels their pain
October 11, 2008 - 09:41 ET by mizflame98Obama has predicted the economy crash when he talked about the high price of arugula at Whole Foods. What a financial Wizard. It's a vast right wing conspiracy I tell ya! People can't afford breast implants and organic granola. What is this world comming to?!
An armed society is a polite society. Manners are good when one may have to back up his acts with his life. Robert A. Heinlein
Woe is me!
October 11, 2008 - 10:00 ET by CobraMan"And some who invested in office upgrades are worried. Cosmetic specialist Dr. Jim Matas of Orlando, Fla., said he took out a $100,000 mortgage last year to plushly renovate his condo-office. He's been able to make the payments, but notes, "I still have that as an overhead cost that I didn't have" before the economy's big slide."
Oh, woe is me! The AP is blaming the "big slide" for this man's "overhead" expenses, yet he admits that he took out a $100,000 loan for a "plushy" renovation. Talk about biased reporting and taking quotes out of context! It's not the "big slide" that's causing that "overhead cost," it’s his "plushy" renovation. Who do you think you are fooling, AP?
Obama: My job is above my pay grade
You think the US economy is
October 11, 2008 - 10:33 ET by Jack BauerYou think the US economy is bad now?
Then in one alternate future, wait until a President Obama makes good on his fatuous promise to "end," not just "American" poverty -- but "world poverty."
It won't be so much how much of your income is taxed, but how much of your taxation is allowed back in income.
Not much!
delete
October 11, 2008 - 10:46 ET by motherbeltdelete
mb -- I swear I saw
October 11, 2008 - 10:51 ET by Jack Bauermb -- I swear I saw neither!
Did they steal my rather nifty line about how much taxation you'll be allowed to keep as income.
To help out maybe employers will pay emplyees income directly to the IRS, who will then PAYROLL the entire country with a weekly check?
UPDATE
Ha! You deleted the post, so folks will have no idea what I'm on about.
Yes I did, because I had
October 11, 2008 - 10:58 ET by motherbeltYes I did, because I had the timeline messed up.
I thought your comment came a few minutes before his, but it didn't. Didn't want to make it sound like I thought you stole from Tom, because I didn't.
I was impressed by the coincidence, because that thought hadn't occurred to me! I would say it's a real possibility, though. Makes sense.
This makes me recall the
October 11, 2008 - 13:11 ET by wiwfThis makes me recall the bird poop facials going for $300 in NYC only a few months ago.
The Rocky Mountain Collegian: Illustrating Idiocy
WTF?!?!?!
October 11, 2008 - 14:01 ET by mizflame98Why on earth would someone pay $300 for a bird poop facial when you can stand under a statue in Central Park and look up for free?
“Anybody gone into Whole Foods lately and see what they charge for arugula? I mean, they’re charging a lot of money for this stuff.”
B.H. Obama
I am arriving a little late
October 11, 2008 - 14:07 ET by sherylsimsI am arriving a little late on this thread, but wanted to say that I think I understand what wdhorning was trying to say about ugly people causing this mess. REAL beauty comes from within, and people who are not happy or ever content with what they have seem to be more focused on "external beauty". Of course while I agree with all the rest of the stuff he said about Obama, I doubt very many of the TRULY beautiful people here are concerned about whether or not we will be able to afford our next face lift or tummy tuck. Its ok with me if wd goes off topic as long as he isn't telling lies while he goes there.
thank, but I actually am on topic -- read on
October 11, 2008 - 17:33 ET by wdhorningThanks for your thoughts.
Just keep in mind that the AP is trying to stage an illusion that somehow now that this crisis has arrived, "ugly" behavior is now what we should be talking about, instead of talking about the "ugly" behavior by Dems and by Obama. IMHO, it is direct attempt to steer us away from where the fault lies, namely Dems and Obama.
So to steer things back in what I feel is the right direction, I posted what I have posted. Call it a counter-direction if you will. In otherwords, it is silly to discuss how people feel about the current crisis and more important to do something about it, because if the right steps are taken to correct the crisis, we will all feel better in the end.
And one of those correct steps to fix the economy is not to elect Obama. So I have made the case why he should not be elected, and at the same time tackled the issue of Todd Palin's absolute right to protect his family and his absolute Constitutional right to get involved and file his complaints with the government (ie., his petitions). And I needed to address the Palin issue, because that too could become a distraction from blaming Dems and Obama (future), especially since none of the Palin's did a thing wrong, but this just a biased, politically motivated report.
The AP is just plain dense, plainly unfair, plainly imbalanced (politically) and run, IMHO, by communists. I really do not consider them a legitimate press anymore.