SodaHead - CharM's Answers & Comments

Saratosa County bans the hiring of smokers. Is this unfair?

2008-05-22T16:19:03Z

Saratosa County bans the hiring of smokers. Is this unfair?
(Health)

33 answers, +3 raves

CharM answered
No, this is unfair. Whatever happened to personal freedoms?
and said : I'm a huge anti-smoking advocate, but this is going too far. The only thing that should be considered in hiring is a person's qualifications for the job. I agree that a person's smoking shouldn't be allowed to impact the workplace. For example, I've worked in places where smokers seem to be able to take an unlimited number of "smoke-breaks" while non-smokers are limited to two breaks a day and lunch. That shouldn't be allowed. On the other hand, I've worked with other people who were so discreet about their smoking that I didn't know they were smokers for a long time. I do think there should be a way to make smokers take a larger financial responsibility for the health costs of their lifestyle choice (or reward non-smokers for lower health care costs). But smoking shouldn't be a factor in hiring or you'll end up passing up on a lot of qualified people.

Will you be voting for John McCain if your "Democrat of choice" doesn't get nominated?

2008-05-22T16:00:49Z

Will you be voting for John McCain if your "Democrat of choice" doesn't get nominated?
(Other)

212 answers, +7 raves

CharM answered
No. I am not voting for Hillary or Barack either way because I am voting for ________.
and said : Where is the, "I'm voting for either Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama, whichever is the Democrat nominee", choice?

Is John McCain telling us what we want to hear?

2008-05-20T00:12:45Z

Is John McCain telling us what we want to hear?
(Other)

33 answers, +5 raves

CharM answered
Yes. He is a big fat liar.
and said : I don't like the words, "big, fat liar" but throughout the primary, John McCain definitely took the positions he thought he needed to in order to appeal to the Republican base. There was a time when I admired his independence, but I believe he has sold his soul for polictical gain this time around.

HIV positive man gets 35 years in prison for spitting at police officer's eye. Do you think that's fair?

2008-05-16T19:01:58Z

HIV positive man gets 35 years in prison for spitting at police officer's eye. Do you think that's fair?
(United States)

174 answers, +24 raves

CharM answered
Yes. That's scary and attempted murder.

Are devastating storms like Hurricane Katrina and Myanmar Cyclone a sure sign of global warming?

2008-05-09T21:50:38Z

Are devastating storms like Hurricane Katrina and Myanmar Cyclone a sure sign of global warming?
(Environmental)

63 answers, +13 raves

CharM answered
I'm not sure if global warming is causing these storms or not...
and said : I don't know if the term global warming is the right one to use. I know that the climate is changing and we are seeing more chaotic weather all around the world. But Katrina would not have been so destructive if not for the disappearance of the wetlands that used to protect the Mississippi River Delta - which is not necessarily the result of global warming. For centuries, mankind has tried to reshape the world to its own designs with little thought to the consequences and we are now seeing the effects.

Do you agree with congress in banning use of DNA tests for insurance rates?

2008-05-08T20:52:04Z

Do you agree with congress in banning use of DNA tests for insurance rates?
(United States)

32 answers, +8 raves

CharM answered
Yes. Genetic bias legislation could help employers
and said : I don't think that employers should even be allowed to ask for a genetic test. Talk about invasion of privacy. And as far as health insurance, it just shows that a risk-based premium system is the wrong way to go about paying for health care. Those people who are most at risk for disease should have access to the preventitive health care they need, not shut out of the system because they are too risky to insure.

Two brothers modified their Toyota Prius to reach 100 MPG. Are you mad that automakers are not making cars with 100 mpg?

2008-05-03T18:31:40Z

Two brothers modified their Toyota Prius to reach 100 MPG. Are you mad that automakers are not making cars with 100 mpg?
(Autos)

48 answers, +5 raves

CharM answered
YES --- If 2 guys who are not professional auto engineers can modify a car to get over 100mpg, why aren't the car makers giving us 150mpg cars or at least with equal performance?
and said : Higher mileage cars, alternative fuels, environmentally safe ways to generate electricity... I am convinced the technology is actually attainable, but no one can figure out how to make as much money from it as our current system of fossil-fuel based energy. The solution isn't going to be cheap and it may have to look alot different from our current way of delivering energy, but I don't think that means it can't be done.

Should Planned Parenthood accept donations specifically for abortions of black babies?

2008-04-24T16:06:36Z

Should Planned Parenthood accept donations specifically for abortions of black babies?
(Other)

114 answers, +12 raves

CharM answered
Undecided
and said : I'm saying undecided, because I don't like the phrasing of the "Yes" choice. I actually don't like the tone of the whole question, but feel like Planned Parenthood needs some defending here. I agree that targeting abortions to minorities as a way to control their populations so that white supremacy can be maintained is reprehensible. I strongly disagree with the premise that Planned Parenthood is doing that. This video is a great example of how almost anything can be twisted to "prove" whatever a person wants. If we grant that the phone calls recorded on the video were not faked, then what we hear is an organization accepting a donation from a donor who wants to put conditions on his donation. Planned Parenthood provides abortion services to minorities and they have a donor who wants to limit the use of his funds to that particular service. They are simply saying that they can agree to that condition. This is a completely typical thing for non-profit organizations to do, whether or not they agree with a donor's reasons for his conditions. Perhaps it would have been morally superior for the Planned Parenthood representatives to slam the phone down in disgust when the donor stated his reasons for wanting to fund minority abortions, but maybe they were too polite -- or too shocked that someone would be that blatantly racist. Or maybe they simply can't afford to be morally superior when it comes to funding services that are needed by the community. I just find the way this question is phrased and the "evidence" presented to support it to be a completely unfair attack on an organization that is doing a very tough job of trying to keep legal reproductive choice accessible for all populations. The author almost makes it sound like Planned Parenthood is going out and pulling pregnant minority women in off the street and forcing them to have abortions. Yes, Planned Parenthood locates clinics in minority neighborhoods because those neighborhoods often have the least access to other sources of reproductive health care. Yes, Planned Parenthood clinics provide abortions, but they also provide access to birth control, sexually transmitted disease prevention and treatment, cervical cancer screening and perhaps most importantly, education about reproductive health and choice so that there can be fewer unplanned pregnancies and therefore less need for abortion.

What is the most important issue for you, going into the 2008 General Election?

2008-04-18T22:18:00Z

What is the most important issue for you, going into the 2008 General Election?
(United States)

102 answers, +13 raves

CharM answered
Undecided
and said : There needs to be an all of the above choice. The nation needs to address every one of these issues and there needs to be substantial change in the way business is done in Washington to do it.

iPhone faces new competition -- Samsung's 3G Instinct: Is Apple being outdone?

2008-04-09T02:06:24Z

iPhone faces new competition -- Samsung's 3G Instinct: Is Apple being outdone?
(Gadgets)

51 answers, +5 raves

CharM answered
Doesn't matter, I don't need either of them.
and said : Where I live, there isn't any mobile Internet service anyway. And even if there were, the monthly price for access would be way too much to be worthwhile.

What will you do with your tax rebate?

2008-03-31T00:45:20Z

What will you do with your tax rebate?
(United States)

32 answers, +7 raves

CharM answered
Save it.
and said : We owed more on this year's taxes than the rebate we'll be getting back. So the rebate is going right back into the savings account I have to raid to pay the taxes in the first place. Not very stimulating!

McCainBlogette.com is a popular blog by John McCain's daughter Meghan: Could children of candidates influence the election?

2008-03-29T14:43:16Z

McCainBlogette.com is a popular blog by John McCain's daughter Meghan: Could children of candidates influence the election?
(United States)

87 answers, +18 raves

CharM answered
Absolutely, especially when it comes to the youth vote.

Which 2008 Hybrid would you consider buying?

2008-03-27T15:15:57Z

Which 2008 Hybrid would you consider buying?
(Autos)

81 answers, +11 raves

CharM answered
Toyota Highlander Hybrid / MSRP: $33,700 / EPA-estimated mileage: 27/25
and said : We already own a Honda Civic Hybrid and we love it. We've been looking at the Toyota Highlander for a year or so because we need a bigger vehicle for our two dogs to ride in. Just haven't found the right deal yet.

Who is more qualified to be President? Laura Bush or Hillary Clinton?

2008-03-21T21:30:38Z

Who is more qualified to be President? Laura Bush or Hillary Clinton?
(Other)

98 answers, +3 raves

CharM answered
Former First Lady Hillary Clinton

Do you think it's important for Hillary Clinton's schedules to be released?

2008-03-19T18:37:20Z

Do you think it's important for Hillary Clinton's schedules to be released?
(Other)

63 answers, +10 raves

CharM answered
Yes. It will show her true experience as first lady.
and said : Hillary Clinton is relying at least in part on her experience as first lady in saying she is the most prepared candidate to be president. I don't see anything wrong in taking a look at what she actually did during that time so that we can judge whether it is or is not presidential preparation. I don't get to put my husband's job experience on my resume, so Clinton needs to be able to stand on what she actually did. People who might "judge her for not controlling her marriage" (I guess because she should have been home in the kitchen?) have already made up their minds about not supporting her anyway.

Federal Reserve Cuts Interest, Stocks Soar; Is U.S. headed to recession regardless?

2008-03-19T18:29:15Z

Federal Reserve Cuts Interest, Stocks Soar; Is U.S. headed to recession regardless?
(Economy)

92 answers, +15 raves

CharM answered
Yes. The stocks may rise briefly, but our economy is in the drain.
and said : Stock prices are only one measure of the health, or lack thereof, of the economy and the overall market is still down for the year. With energy and food prices rising, everyday people are still feeling the crunch. The economy is still in trouble.

Will a black president help America overcome racism?

2008-03-14T16:01:06Z

Will a black president help America overcome racism?
(Other)

875 answers, +48 raves

CharM answered
Not sure yet. America is capable of change, but what a racially divided society we live in.
and said : It would be a step in the right direction. Just as having a woman president would help overcome gender stereotypes. But just the fact that we are still talking about race and gender shows that we have a long way to go.

Do you get all your prescription drugs from one pharmacy?

2008-03-12T20:06:38Z

Do you get all your prescription drugs from one pharmacy?
(Health)

26 answers, +6 raves

CharM answered
Yes. I only trust....
and said : I get long-term prescriptions from a mail-order pharmacy specified by my insurance company. I get short-term prescriptions from a local pharmacy.

Should taxpayers pay for new Michigan & Florida primaries?

2008-03-12T16:05:33Z

Should taxpayers pay for new Michigan & Florida primaries?
(Other)

160 answers, +10 raves

CharM answered
No way. They already paid once! The DNC or candidates themselves should fund these primaries.
and said : Whoever was responsible for scheduling the primaries outside of the DNC's rules should have to pay for the new elections. Sounds like it was the state democratic committees, but I heard one report that claimed in Florida's case, it was the Republican administration that scheduled the primary and the democratic committee had no control. I don't know if that is true, but the taxpayers shouldn't have to pay for a new election if the party bosses got them into this mess.

101-year-old man runs 13 mile marathon and then stops for a beer and a cigarette. Is drinking and smoking the fountain of youth?

2008-03-09T19:57:30Z

101-year-old man runs 13 mile marathon and then stops for a beer and a cigarette. Is drinking and smoking the fountain of youth?
(Other)

75 answers, +8 raves

CharM answered
NO ------ Drinking and smoking kills you. It must be his genes.
and said : For every Buster Martin who beats the odds, you will find at least a hundred more people who died early because of drinking and smoking. I agree with the balance idea, and it doesn't sound like Buster is an alcoholic, but there just isn't anything balanced about smoking. He's been lucky.