lots of random things

[primroseburrows]

I can't FIND my cell phone, and I dunno about clever, but otherwise, yeah:

You Are From Mercury

You are talkative, clever, and knowledgeable - and it shows. You probably never leave home without your cell phone! You're witty, expressive, and aware of everything going on around you. You love learning, playing, and taking in all of what life has to offer. Be careful not to talk your friends' ears off, and temper your need to know everything.

What Planet Are You From?

Best. Answer. Ever. OMG:

Your Daddy Is Pedro Martinez

What You Call Him: Pa Why You Love Him: He gives good spankings

Who's Your Daddy?

Hehehehyep:

You Are a Liberal for Life

You've got a bleeding heart - and you're proud of it. For you, liberal means being compassionate, pro-government, and anti-business. You believe in equality for every person, and you consider yourself universally empathetic. Helping others is not just political for you ... it's very personal too.

What's Your Political Persuasion?

Toldya New England is just a lot like Canada:

Your Slanguage Profile

Canadian Slang: 75%

New England Slang: 75%

Aussie Slang: 50%

Victorian Slang: 50%

British Slang: 25%

Prison Slang: 25%

Southern Slang: 25%

What Slanguage Do You Speak?

Yay!

You Passed the US Citizenship Test

Congratulations - you got 8 out of 10 correct!

Could You Pass the US Citizenship Test?

Also, Howard Dean for Prime Minister.

Except we need him here, right where he is, so forget about it. besides, I have a tiny, tiny crush on Monsieur Dion, anyway

I can't really figure out why he was chosen, though. I mean, why an American? I guess it was because of his success a. with his grassroots internet campaigning (no, he didn't win, but he changed the face of political campaigning forever, and for the good, IMO, because it got the average you-and-me citizen to participate AND set him in a perfect spot to become DNC chairman), and/or b. as chairman of the Democratic National Committee, because obviously he did something right if the Democrats now control Congress. Yes, a lot of it was because the Republicans did almost everything wrong, but still. Howard's a great organizer, and that's what he did.

The fact that he was governor of a border state might have something to do with it, because he talks about that in his speech.

The video of Dr. Dean's speech is here. I'm such a Howard Dean fangirl that it isn't even funny. I don't always agree with everything, but his heart is always in the right place. Go him.

Yes, I am a dork. I thought we established that.

In other news, Little Mosque on the Prairie is very cute. It's done well, too, so I'll get to see more than just the eight episodes, hopefully.

Also wtf, Dubya?. Go. Away. Now.

Jesus on a Segway, even Republicans are opposing this horrible, terrible plan. "When mistakes have been made, the responsibility rests with me." Damn straight it does. If you really believe this, though, why are you saying "OMG, if we left, the middle east would fall apart"? Um, if that's true, YOU caused it by attacking Iraq in the first place, you utter, utter hypocrite. And now you're sending more kids off to a war that isn't ours. Channel Nixon much, Junior? I wish someone would channel Woodward and Bernstein and get you kicked out on your arse.

And there we go, with "Al Qaeda is still active in Iraq". Same old propaganda, and he's saying it to reinforce the whole (entirely fictional) Saddam-Sept.11 connection.Maybe Al Qaeda is active in Iraq, but I bet it wasn't nearly as active, if at all, before the U.S. decided to take down Saddam (there are plenty other dictators as bad or worse, but they weren't sitting on a bunch of oil). And, um. He's dropping Joe Lieberman's name as an example of bipartisanship? This would be funny if it weren't so incredibly pathetic.

"They have watched their comrades give their lives to insure our liberty." No they haven't, they've watched their comrades give their lives for a horrible mistake made by an idiot."

And oh. Tony Blair is backing Bush, but at least he's not sending more troops in.

I hadn't planned on ranting, honest. Dubya has that affect on me. :/

Comments

[ex-chose.livejournal.com]

*raises cup of coffee atcha*
I wonder how many people are going to believe the same old propaganda re: al qaeda in Irak. you know that despite the polls that show how dubya's popularity is going down the tubes, there WILL be people who still believe that type of crap. that's what's really sad.

[primroseburrows.livejournal.com]

I don't know what the polls say right now, but I know polls taken right around the start of the war revealed that a whole bunch of Americans thought that there were Iraqis on board the planes that collided with the WTC buildings.

I think that for the most part? People don't care. They're living their lives. I think that might be one of the saddest things about the US population.

[dorrie6.livejournal.com]

Speaking of Joe Lieberman. ARGH. Thanks, Connecticut voters. Thanks a lot.

[primroseburrows.livejournal.com]

Joe Lieberman: Dubya lite.

*gags*

[littlealex.livejournal.com]

Apparently we are backing Bush as well. Of course. Though, and this is terrible of me because I didn't already know, I was pleased to read that I get to vote against fucking Howard later this year! I really really hope that he doesn't get in - one thing I really like about the American system of government is that you get to kick people out after two terms. Howard has been in for TEN YEARS. I have no idea how it keeps happening.

(Also, I can't actually access the article but the title leads me to believe we are notfollowing Bush with more troops, which is only a good thing.)

Also, I failed the American history citizenship test woefully, only 6 out of 10 correct, haha! Though I always thought failing was less than 50%...

And I couldn't get the Slanguage quiz to work! I was really interested too!

[primroseburrows.livejournal.com]

How often do Australians hold elections? And do you guys have no-confidence votes and all that? That's something I wish we had, because I'd like to think that Bush'd be gone if we had something like that. God knows he's done enough unpopular things, and now that our Congress is blue again...*dreams* We have impeachment, yeah, but it's not the same thing and if it hasn't happened by now, it's not likely it will.

And hmm, the quiz link works fine for me. Try c/p instead of linking? http://www.blogthings.com/whatslanguagedoyouspeakquiz/

[littlealex.livejournal.com]

We have them as often as you guys do, every four yeras, but it's the year before yours is. And I just checked wiki to see if we have a vote of no confidence, how awful that I don't even know, but it's not like that's something that the people get to decide. However, if you're up for some reading on Australian political history, I've always found the Gough Whitlam/Malcolm Fraser/John Kerr incident pretty interesting (though I've only ever been recounted it by my father, who remembers vividly everyone's reactions to it).

It wasn't the link, but it seemed to time out halfway through and the page didn't finish loading! Very frustrating :(

[primroseburrows.livejournal.com]

I'm always up for reading on political history, I'm dorky like that. And looky here, U.S. involvement is suspected. Quelle Surprise!. We just can't stop ourselves from being the cops of the world, can we? Grr.

[littlealex.livejournal.com]

haha, I was skeptical about that part. Even the writer of it was skeptical. But I do really like the story. It's like the only time all those damned conventions that the parliamentary system is based on have ever been used. Or, in the case of the substituting of a new Senator, ignored. Really interesting! Yay political geekiness!

[primroseburrows.livejournal.com]

I geek, therefore I am.

I dunno about the validity of the US thing, it probably isn't true, but I wouldn't be surprised if it were. We sort of like to stick our nose in other people's (and peoples') business.

And hmm, I'm going to have to do more reading on the political system of Australia. Y'all have proportional representation, which is a concept I'm trying to figure out. We supposedly have first-past-the-post, but then there's the Electoral College when it comes to the President, so apparently it doesn't count there, and OMG, I am the biggest geek ever.

[littlealex.livejournal.com]

Preferential voting, for the win!

Actually I am a dork too and was up until 2AM the night I made the original comment reading about Australia's election process and government system. I knew the sort of basics, but I feel much more informed now. Wiki is the source of all (popular) knowledge!

[littlealex.livejournal.com]

Oops I lied! Every three years; I got confused slightly by what I voted for, haha. :( But, other cool things: preferential voting and mandatory voting! Ace!

[sistermagpie.livejournal.com]

I wish someone would channel Woodward and Bernstein and get you kicked out on your arse.

It seems like this has already happened over and over, that his administration has been revealed to be criminally underhanded. It's just for some reason it doesn't matter.

[primroseburrows.livejournal.com]

Maybe it's because it's a different world than it was in 1973 and people are just used to corruption everywhere? I don't think so, though, really, because there's been corruption in politics since forever.

[dragonflymuse.livejournal.com]

I enjoyed Little Mosque :) I hope it does well :)

As for Dubya... well, since I don't want the Fibbies jumping on me, I'll just say that I am reconsidering moving to work in the US. Too skeery!

[primroseburrows.livejournal.com]

You're thinking of moving to the US?

*takes your temperature*

[dragonflymuse.livejournal.com]

Yeah, sorta. I have a dear BFF who lives in Texas, and a recruiter who has been after me for YEARS to get my NCLEX. She services Texas and California. I was thinking about writing it this spring.

[primroseburrows.livejournal.com]

It might be a good idea to write the NCLEX, anyway, because hey, more licencing isn't a bad thing. I should pick your brain about taking boards for nursing in Canada. I've thought some about doing some travel nursing, and I think I can do international on my RI licence, but I'm not sure.. There's some info on the net, but it's so widespread, and I can't find a central place to look.

I've never been to Texas, but from what I've heard, the cultural attitude is pretty far removed from your average Canadian province. California? Maybe. Or you could come to RI, 'cause we're cool and everything. :)

[dragonflymuse.livejournal.com]

I've been to visit my friend a few times, and the area she lives doesn't seem too bad. California would be culturally better, but I've only been there once. If I do write the exam and go, it will depend on job and pay where I end up.

It's been a few years since I wrote my licensure exam in NS, but I didn't find it too tricky. I think it is alot more general than the NCLEX, looking at critical thinking rather than looking for the so-called 'right' answer: one study guide I have said the NCLEX exam has nothing to do with testing one's nursing knowledge, but with finding the 'right' answer for the question asked.

I'll get you any info I can on the NS exam :)

[primroseburrows.livejournal.com]

We were taught in nursing school that the multiple choice questions were looking for the "best right answer"; in other words, there was more than one that could be correct, but we were supposed to use critical thinking to come up with it. Or something. I never liked multiple choice, anyway, because it's too easy to a. mark the wrong answer by mistake, not because you didn't know the right one, or b. mark the right one by sheer luck, which isn't a reflection of how much you know. We used to refer to them as "multiple guess", which is pretty close to what they are.

Also, I was able to ace the labour and delivery section without even studying. I've done a lot of studying in other areas besides nursing about the subject, so I like to think it was because I'm ohso intelligent and not because the questions weren't hard enough. The hard part for me was checking the 'right' answer when it was against everything I believe in as a doula (when do you do the first ultrasound? Me: Only when medically necessary, duh. Real Answer: blablahblah weeks. Me: *checks Real Answer, 'cause mine's not even there). [/soapbox]

Do you have to be a resident of NS or Canada to write for a provincial board? Because I'd love to be able to write it if I could. It wouldn't help me get a better job here (Me: Uh, yes, I'm not only licenced in Rhode Island and, er, Nova Scotia. Interviewer: ...and this is helpful how?)

[dragonflymuse.livejournal.com]

Do you have to be a resident of NS or Canada to write for a provincial board?

Nope! There are probably some different fees you have to deal with, but there isn't a resident restriction: alot of nurses at my hospital are from other provinces, and while some take 'reciprocal' consideration (ie: the license from province 'a' can be basis enough for issuing a license in NS) other folks have had to write the exam.

If you google 'College of Registered Nurses of Nova Scotia' (CRNNS) you should be able to find the info there :)

[primroseburrows.livejournal.com]

Okay, so the website says I don't have to live in Nova Scotia to obtain a NS licence. It doesn't say I don't have to live in Canada, however. It doesn't say I do, either, but still. The form lists "province", not "state or province", so I dunno. I also think I'll have to get a Bachelor's degree before I can apply (I have an Associates, which I don't know if there's a reciprocal nursing degree in Canada). Which is not horrible, because right now I have no reason to get a NS licence except the OMG HOW COOL IS THAT factor, and the fact that if I ever wanted to apply for a work visa, it would look really good. I think I'll just email them. I printed all the forms out, anyway, because OMG.

[ruthless1.livejournal.com]

I want him to be impeached SO much. But then we would end up with Cheney and he scares me more than Bush. I can only comfort myself with the 26% approval rating which is an all time low. The whole responsibility thing was vomitous - yeah take responsibility because you didn't have to die for no reason.
*kicks something in frustration*
I do think that people don't respond to corruption as much as we did in the 70's. Back then, the corruption that was going on was well hidden til Nixon got caught. Now it's so out in the open that when attention is brought to it - everyone seems to ignore it. I noticed this right away when Bush came into office. I remember reading the paper and thinking to myself - why aren't people more outraged? And that was well before 9/11. I'll stop ranting in your LJ now. sigh.

[primroseburrows.livejournal.com]

That's the problem with corruption. It's like violence. It's everywhere in America, so we don't even notice it anymore.

[patchfire.livejournal.com]

Oh, where, oh where, has my Kelly gone, oh where oh where can she be...

:P

I found this website you'd like. And other things. Alas.

[primroseburrows.livejournal.com]

I am at work. :)

[patchfire.livejournal.com]

And you've been at work for a week? :P

My future son-in-law is looking for you.

[mr-t00by.livejournal.com]

Call me.

[primroseburrows.livejournal.com]

Future SIL is home, although he did not feed the cats. :/ I haven't worked every night, but my cell has been missing and today my internet went away for awhile.

I will be around tomorrow night unless there is nuclear war.

[patchfire.livejournal.com]

I guess we'd better tie up Dubya, then.

[primroseburrows.livejournal.com]

*does so*

I have to drive to the Great State of New Hampshuh, ayuh, then I'll be home.

[mr-t00by.livejournal.com]

Oh btw, I require transportation to NH tomorrow.

Thanks :-)

I also need to do some shopping, for winter stuff and such.

[newleaf31.livejournal.com]

Dubyuh is such an utter fuckup. He's warning Malaki that Iraq's "in danger of losing the support of the American people"? WTF? That happened, like, TWO YEARS AGO, IDIOT. Iraq might lose your fanatical support, because in 730-some days your ass is getting kicked out of office, but 90% of the American people have been speaking loud and clear for some time now.

And did you just loathe love how Dubyuh led off -- second sentence of the speech -- with 9/11? Just the same old shit. Oh, how I hate that man.

[primroseburrows.livejournal.com]

And then he's all, the Iraqis all want to get along...um, no they don't?

*has Vietnam flashback*

[newleaf31.livejournal.com]

RIGHT! Uh, fool, if the Iraqis wanted to get along, don't you think they would've figured out how to manage that in the course of several hundred years?

Also, hello, who ever suggested that Middle Eastern nations -- Iraq or anybody else -- wanted democracy in the first place? We see how well that's going for Israel, and that's a nation that's about 1/3 populated by expatriate Germans and Americans! And one of the basic premises of Islam is Sharia; Islamic law is unavoidably religious in character, and therefore has fundamental biases that conflict with democratic ideology. If anyone in the American government made even the slightest effort to understand Islamic beliefs and culture OR Middle Eastern history, we wouldn't be in this mess in the first place. /rant

[primroseburrows.livejournal.com]

If anyone in the American government made even the slightest effort to understand Islamic beliefs and culture OR Middle Eastern history, we wouldn't be in this mess in the first place.

If the American government made an effort to understand beliefs that aren't American, let alone a culture that's completely foreign to us, I might pass out from the shock. And that's the problem, too. We're a melting pot, and I'm not convinced that melting is the way to go. US culture is a muddy soup; everyone's expected to shed their culture and become part of the big one-pot nation, and if they don't, well, that's not our problem and we don't want to have to deal with it.

We don't celebrate diversity as a nation, we try to force different cultures into the American Model. We've been doing it since the beginning, and naturally we assume everyone wants to be like us. And, we think, why not? We're the Best Nation on Earth, after all. Um. I wonder if anyone's ever really thought about why they assume this. And how we can assume this without ever even bothering to look at other cultures/countries and say, hey, maybe they don't want to be just like us. Maybe their way of life is what's best for them, even if it isn't Democracy and Freedom Fries. Bleh. [/also rant]