I don't post as much as I used to, but often bypass a thread if it doesn't interest me, or if I'm pretty sure the OP is not going to like what I think of their project. I do, however, sometimes feel obligated to post if I see a poster getting a lot of responses that are giving them "bad advice", taking into account that the quality of a design is subjective up to a point. When neither the poster nor the responder have a clue, it makes me cringe. Think of all of the lurkers who may be reading threads where posters are congratulating each other on really ugly landscaping. I feel that if someone doesn't step up and try to steer the OP in the right direction, the quality of the forum will be affected. If this was a technical forum, like computers or cars or something, no one would be offended if one of the pros or more experienced members corrected someone and kept them from losing their hard drive or blowing up their engine. No one would be offended if asked to supply the make/model and year of their car, or which OS their computer uses. The problem is that bringing someone up to speed on landscape design is not nearly as easy as explaining how to change your oil or water pump or clean up a hard drive. This is why it is so important for the poster to do some homework and at least learn which questions they need to ask. And why I often direct them to the newbie forum or suggest they get some books from the library and start over.

Here is my concern with "Jessica's Law". See story below. (Another point that was brought up in another article was that, if the released offenders end up homeless, they'll have nowhere to recharge the batteries for their GPS systems....) Otherwise, I agree, everyone! PJ, I like your stance on it, defensive rather than offensive. Many folks are so worried about watching these guys that they don't pay attention to what's happening in their own home. Brenda California's Future? Iowa Facing Tough "Jessica's Law" Fallout As Californians prepare to vote on tough new state sex offender laws, another state is finding out that enforcing tighter restrictions on where released sex offenders can go come with disturbing problems of their own. California's Jessica's Law, named after 9-year-old Florida murder victim Jessica Lunsford, was certified to appear on November's general election ballot back in April. The measure increases penalties for violent sex offenders and child molesters, prohibiting registered sex offenders from living within 2,000 feet of schools or parks while requiring GPS monitoring for life. According to advocates, the measure would eventually force many released sex offenders out of urban centers into more rural areas away from most children. However, angry lawmakers and country residents of Iowa argue a similar law is having a disturbing effect there, transforming rural areas into a dumping ground for convicted criminals. "For us personally, it's pretty much been a nightmare," said Don Zeller, sheriff over the nearly 200,000 residents of eastern Iowa's Linn County. Last year, Iowa enacted some of the toughest sexual predator laws in the nation, including barring sex offenders from living within 2,000 feet of schools or day care centers. Since then, Zeller said many released prisoners can't find housing that meets the criteria. With few legal places to stay, Zeller said many sex offenders end up living outside city limits and stop registering. "We went from knowing about where 90 percent of the people were, to now, we're lucky if we know were 50, 55 percent of the people were," Zeller said. "I think it's created a situation that does make it worse." On the outskirts of Cedar Rapids, Linn County's largest city, the unassuming Ced-Rel Hotel is home to 21 registered sex offenders, making nearby residents extremely concerned. "I don't have a sense of peace. I don't leave my kids home alone anymore," said Michele Costigan, who lives just yards away from the hotel. "I don't feel that's fair to those of us who live in the country. (The law) should protect all of us in the state of Iowa, not just the people who are living in towns or cities." In May, Zeller and other Iowa law enforcement officials and prosecutors went before Iowa legislators, asking them to repeal residency requirements. However, Iowa Association of County Attorneys spokesman Corwin Ritchie said asking lawmakers to appear soft on crime, especially in an election year, is an uphill battle. "We've been hammering on legislators to say, think about it, do what's right, please don't think of politics," Ritchie said. Some legislators, including the law's author, state senator Jerry Behn, said they understand the concerns of rural residents. Behn said he thinks the fallout of the residency ban shows it may not have been the best answer to the problem. "I don't blame them. I'd be scared to death too," Behn said. "I was never married to the 2000 foot distance. It was an arbitrary figure. I welcome comments from law enforcement on how to make it better." With a law meant to fix the problem of sexually violent predators facing increasing debate, Behn said California needs to consider Iowa's example carefully before voting Jessica's Law into place. "Perhaps that (2000 foot) distance is too far, perhaps it's not as manageable as we'd hoped it would be," Behn said.

"They made an effort to wish me something" Amen, Sistah! I'm grateful for any & all good wishes! not exactly the same thing, but sort of the same thing: Many years ago, a Dallas City Councilman named Max Goldblatt spoke to the Unitarian Fellowship I attended. He said he grew up in Odessa during the oil boom. The Goldblatts were the only Jewish family in town. His mother dressed him up on Sundays, "in my kneepants & my 'beanie'", & sent him off to the Baptist church. He whined & complained & said that he was different & they were different & they wouldn't teach him about being a Jew & he didn't wanna go. & his mother kissed him on the cheek & sent him out the front door, saying, "They will not teach you anything bad." He said they welcomed him & treated him like any of their own children. don't know what they taught him, but he grew up to be a bright light in Dallas politics for many years. That must have been 25 years ago, & I still remember his message often.

Happy belated birthday, Dotmom. You did the right thing. I think I'd feel the same way -- I'm not so much a believer in karma anymore, seeing people never get what they deserve (and I don't care if that happens in heaven or hell--I'm sure not going to get the satisfaction of witnessing it!). And I don't always feel liking putting on a smiley-smiley face when something's annoying me. "Polite but cool" is a good way to deal with her. Are the majority of neighbors very social with each other? I think that if I were living there, I'd try to change this type of birthday gathering. Birthday cake/coffee meets for one person at a time will usually inadvertently leave someone out -- maybe somebody hasn't vocalized when his/her birthday is. At the senior center where my mom spent a lot of time, they had a monthly birthday party for every birthday baby for that month. Sometimes group parties are more equitable. For every "celebrated" birthday boy or girl, there's someone else who might be feeling left out. I wouldn't have liked that afterthought feeling, either. (Esp since I'd think that every other neighbor was already told that it was for the other woman -- it'd be very uncomfortable to be the person they say "Oh, it's Julie's birthday, too, by the way!" about.