unicorn

I hope not, your orangeness! 😉

Well, if we're talking about this board, it's probably breaking the rules of this board, by attacking the person rather than the argument. In terms of legal statutes, blanket statements about a person's character might be defined as defamatory/slanderous. Attacking a person's arguments couldn't be labeled slanderous, but labeling a person might be. I suppose it's probably OK to say "I believe you're a fool," but not "you're a fool." Can you see the difference?

It's more than a semantical distinction. One can have differences of opinion, even major ones, without resorting to name calling. There are plenty of posters on this forum who I think often argue like fools, but I would never call them a fool (even if I think it likely they are). There is one person on the board whom I have no problem calling a liar, but that is a statement of fact, not an opinion. By definition, "A liar is a person who deliberately tells falsehoods or misleads others with the intention to deceive." When a poster willfully makes false statements with the intent to deceive, he's lying, by definition. This poster does it habitually (and has been proven to do so multiple times), so he simply is a liar by definition. Many people say stupid things, or certainly things I consider stupid. They make argue foolishly, but one has to know a lot about a person's life to brand someone a fool, which is a judgment call.

Not that I agree with everything that @Suckrates says, but it would be nice to be less personal and in-your-face. It's one thing to say "...you talk like a fool..." or "you're arguing like a fool," and another to accuse someone of being a fool. I think it's also part of the TOS.

Similarly, I would say to my Muslim friends "Have a blessed Ramadan!" and not "Have a happy Ramadan!". 😉

Maybe someone here can help translate the Japanese?

AI Overview: Blake Christian Hadder was born on February 19, 1994, with public records (InstantCheckmate and Ancestry.com) indicating he is currently 32 years old .He is originally from the Dayton, Ohio, area (CyberBackgroundChecks) and has also been associated with residences in Union and Englewood, Ohio (TruthFinder). I think he's an MMA fighter, former porn star.

Studies have looked into the question as to whether children adopted by LGBTQ parents differs from that of heterosexual parents. Results consistently show that children raised by LGBTQ parents do at least as well. Obviously, there are always outliers, but when this issue has been studied, the results are consistent. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10926750903313278 https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1300/J461v01n04_03 https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2014/07/07/children-of-same-sex-couples-are-happier-and-healthier-than-peers-research-shows/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Same-sex_adoption "A 2004 study concluded that the sexual orientation of parents did not predict better or poorer "adoptive family functioning, adopted child's behavior, and parent's perceptions of helpfulness from family support networks".[11] A 2010 study evaluated the outcomes of young adopted children who had been placed in one of 56 lesbian and gay households since infancy. The study found no significant associations between parental sexual orientation and child adjustment.[5] Research published in 2009 studied 1,384 children with either heterosexual or same-sex adoptive parents and concluded that problematic behavior in children was not dependent on whether they had same-sex or opposite sex parents. The study also found that "adoptive parents are likely to encounter similar challenges in terms of risk factors for child behavioral problems and mitigating factors of such behavior."[12] A 2016 study of adopted children of same-sex parents showed that they perceive themselves to be more accepting, understanding and compassionate than children of different-sex parents. The children in the study also indicated that they often avoid sharing that their parents are lesbian or gay, and that many experience bullying or teasing...".

https://people.com/son-of-norway-crown-princess-convicted-of-rape-11997856?campaign=18574434&did=24163048-20260615&hid=089247988732f9a900151e1f8c73f2c531df3c3a&lctg=089247988732f9a900151e1f8c73f2c531df3c3a&lr_input=3911d0b923e8d92c50f8b74007080afa59d66697825b8a1e414be8db883b8062 "The son of Norway's Crown Princess Mette-Marit has been sentenced to four years in prison after being found guilty of numerous offenses, including two counts of rape, according to multiple outlets, including BBC and The Guardian. Marius Borg Høiby, 29, has also been sentenced to a two-year restraining order against one of his victims. Oslo District Court announced the verdict on the morning of Monday, June 15, nearly three months after the conclusion of Høiby's six-week trial, per the outlets. The BBC reported that Høiby was not in court for the verdict but joined the session via video link...". He should have gotten an extra 3 years just for being so ugly. How can a 29 year-old be so ugly? He reminds me of Little Face from Dick Tracy. Talk about a 5-head. 🙄 Of course, why the 2 year restraining order against the victims if he'll be in prison for 4 years? Or are those added to the end of the sentence?

I'd be hard-pressed to imagine a more terrifying way to go. 😰 https://people.com/organ-donor-unknowingly-gave-rabies-to-two-recipients-11987300?campaign=18352652&did=23878438-20260530&hid=089247988732f9a900151e1f8c73f2c531df3c3a&lctg=089247988732f9a900151e1f8c73f2c531df3c3a&lr_input=3911d0b923e8d92c50f8b74007080afa59d66697825b8a1e414be8db883b8062 "Three people who received cornea grafts [and a kidney] after the death of an Idaho man were exposed to rabies infection. The recipients were given cornea grafts harvested after the death of James Martin, an Idaho father of three who died in December 2024 at age 59, Scripps News reported. At the time of his death, James' family believed that he was suffering from heart issues, but medical professionals now suspect that he was actually infected with rabies. Kim told the outlet that James had been scratched by a skunk while defending one of his kittens in the front yard of the family's home. It is believed that James contracted the silver-haired bat rabies strain after the skunk ate an infected bat carrying the virus. After James died, Kim honored his wish to donate his organs. She answered questions about James' health history and noted that he was recently scratched by a skunk, which was documented on the Donor Risk Assessment Interview (DRAI) questionnaire. The transplant process continued, and the organs were tested for HIV and hepatitis. It is uncommon to perform the complex rabies test because transmission through organ donation is rare. Between 1978 and 2024, there were only three documented cases of rabies transmission through organ donation, per the outlet...". That species of bat is found in all US states except Hawaii, and every Canadian province. The two most difficult issues here for me are: (1) no suspicion regarding the death of a 59 year-old weeks after being scratched by a skunk, and (2) why the docs didn't figure out the donor had rabies given that almost all rabies victims have a prominent and intense fear of water, a symptom not found in any other illness.

More of this Wyatt, and some others, at:

I'm finishing by Danube/Balkan trip soon. We visited Chisinau today and will visit Transnistria tomorrow. When I get back, maybe I can see about adding Wyatt's to the names/photos string. I have no recollection as to how many Wyatt's I have. It's not super-common a name, so hopefully a manageable number. https://www.gayguides.com/topic/78782-pick-a-name/

We're visiting Romania, passed by this bank, and my husband mused "Is that a blood bank?".

I don't understand how HIV antibody tests prevent transmission in.such a setting. In fact, the first few weeks after infection (before the antibodies appear) is when an HIV-infected person is the most contagious. If you engage in risky behavior (especially anal sex), you must practice universal precautions (preferably PrEP and condoms, or at least PEP, or at a very minimum a condom alone). HIV testing your partner won't help you. Those who have HIV and are under effective treatment will have HIV antibodies but be undetectable, and therefore not contagious.

CT's (unlike regular X-rays) expose patients who receive them with very significant doses of radiation. In fact, the radiation from one abdominal CT increases a patient's risk of developing cancer due to the radiation by 1 in 1000. (A combined Chest/Abdomen CT increases the risk to 1/500!). To receive annual CT's would involve very substantially increasing the risk that the screening itself leads to cancer! I suspect that what your doctor will say is that she just wanted to make sure the cyst (or perhaps mass) isn't getting bigger. However, that is not what the professional guidelines advise. It's also rather dangerous. Pancreatic cancers are among the most fast-growing cancers affecting humans, which is why the only hope of cure is to remove it before it grows. Chest CT scanning is recommended for smokers or former smokers--but it only reduces mortality from non small-cell lung cancers. The mortality from small-cell lung cancers (SCC), another human cancer which spreads with amazing speed, is not reduced by lung cancer screening. Once SCC starts growing, it's game over. If she won't do (or refer you for) endoscopic ultrasound (EUS), I'd get it done elsewhere.

Is pre and/or post-exposure prophylaxis not available in other countries? I can't understand why people contract HIV these days. Even in the case of rape, one can still take post-exposure prophylaxis. 🤔

Sorry, but her advice was incorrect. MRI's are effective at finding cysts, even very small ones, but an endoscopic ultrasound is needed to differentiate a cyst (common) from a solid lesion (such as cancer). If there is a solid lesion, an endoscopic biopsy is needed. https://www.google.com/search?q=What+is+the+best+method+to+screen+high-risk+individuals+for+pancreatic+cancer%3F&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&amc=1&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOdIBCjIyNzA3ajBqMzGoAgOwAgE&oq=What+is+the+best+method+to+screen+high-risk+individuals+for+pancreatic+cancer%3F&udm=50&aep=42&cud=0&qsubts=1779339881497&source=chrome.crn.rb&ccb=1&cs=0&hl=en-US&biw=1410&bih=754&mstk=AUtExfBntoG1KvRob7OdULLiRuCYtSLUAT3Ynw1OdAwK5FRHfYoRf6jUH530K6sjG3s2XIUfzMijS2RD-Wtsa6oh6R2upuMHQyHBcljn43FBHR4uCp8Wb4wjSi7ggfGM8DcJZjZxeOTToZB0IFMN4o1fxYdJJDy8V4VCiuuPVsgihr57izLS5npY4fCEZDE56I4NauIw2436nNIUpmeMDMSp0jNuUGr8kMENNEO5wBh_6e0dvNUhbCEEKaJQzYPnz-ZVJ64GgGytYuHTiVdXH49A-RWYst23GsSRDhM&csuir=1 Magnetic Resonance Cholangiopancreatography (MRCP/MRI): This noninvasive, radiation-free imaging method provides highly detailed views of the pancreatic tissue and bile ducts. It is highly sensitive at identifying cystic lesions (like IPMNs) that could transition into cancer. Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS): Performed under sedation, a gastroenterologist guides a thin, flexible scope down the esophagus into the stomach. An ultrasound probe at the tip allows for unmatched resolution of the pancreas from just millimeters away. EUS is exceptionally skilled at detecting small, solid masses as small as 5mm that an MRI might miss. [1, 2, 4, 5, 7] "Why EUS and MRI are Used Together MRI / MRCP: This non-invasive scan is highly accurate for mapping the pancreatic ducts and detecting fluid-filled cystic lesions. It serves as an excellent, painless baseline tool. Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS): This minimally invasive procedure involves passing a thin scope down the esophagus into the stomach. Because the stomach sits right next to the pancreas, EUS is exceptionally sensitive at detecting very small, solid tumors. Biopsy Capability: If a suspicious lesion or mass is found, an EUS allows the physician to perform an immediate fine-needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy for pathological confirmation, which an MRI cannot do. " IPMN's refer to pre-cancerous (potentially turn into cancers) cysts. So some cysts can turn cancerous, but only EUS (endoscopic ultrasound) can figure that out. MRI's show only the cyst.

There is no blood test (or any other recommended screening for the general population) for pancreatic cancer. If a cancer is present CA-125 (not 25), can help monitor treatment, but it is NOT a screening test for any kind of cancer (CA-125 can be elevated in multiple types of cancers). As I stated previously, the only ways to screen for pancreatic cancer (not even tested as effective, but probably makes sense) are invasive, endoscopic tests, and therefore only recommended for those at particularly high risk.

While the risk of stroke can be substantially reduced by avoiding nicotine, and controlling BP, cholesterol, and blood sugars, one that occurs at 27 is usually either due to an extremely avoidable use of cocaine and/or amphetamines, or to something completely unavoidable, such as a tear in one of the arteries to the brain, a ruptured aneurysm, and so on, which occur quickly and with no warning. Brain aneurysms are difficult to screen for, and currently recommended only for people with TWO first-degree relatives with ruptured aneurysms, and some rare conditions causing weak tissues such as Marfan's or Ehlers-Danlos (the "rubber skin" condition). You are right in stating that screening for pancreatic cancers is very difficult, as any screening for pancreatic cancer would involve invasive procedures (having the patient under anesthesia and putting tubes through the stomach into the duodenum/small intestine). Such screening is again only recommended for those with TWO first-degree relatives with pancreatic cancer (or 3 total relatives), and those with certain genetic mutations such as BRCA genes. Essentially, the vast majority of pancreatic cancer cases happen out of the blue and cannot be prevented. Man with a form of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome:

I do recall posting a similar string about synthetic men on a post a while back. Here's an example: https://spartanlover.com/products/511-male-sex-doll-lucian?variant=46010979254530&country=US&currency=USD&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&srsltid=AfmBOoq7u27r7LPxM8W36jIWBunRthjVXhaHQ5iKxcfwN-u8Eu96hWphyGs https://spartanlover.com/collections/male-sex-dolls

While staying physically active certainly helps, and I either walk at least 3 miles/5 km and/or swim 30 laps every day, eventually time catches up with anyone who lives long enough. My step-mother is in her mid 90s, and her accumulating orthopedic problems have also made her look for a place at Belmont Village (in her area), as it's becoming very difficult for her to get around and prepare meals. My oldest friend, who's now 106 (yes, she was born in 1919!) also needs help, although she remained fit even in her old age, windsurfing in the Potomac River near DC into her late 80s, and playing tennis into her early 90s. However, age catches up to everyone eventually, even if we follow our physicians' advice diligently (especially with respect to diet, exercise, etc.). My old friend was proud of winning windsurfing competitions in her 80s--although she was the only person in the octogenarian category! 😉 Quite a person with amazing stories to tell, including climbing over the Pyrenees Mountains to escape Nazi-occupied France in 1940, eventually making it to the Belgian embassy in Madrid, and later to the Congo, to wait out the war (she had both French and Belgian citizenship).

If I'd have to guess, I'd guess that those Americans who avail themselves of those services are somewhat comfortable in Spanish, though the facilities are bilingual. The cost of assisted care in the US exceeds $50,000 per year, so if you don't have that meager income, you'll be destitute quite quickly. Many people don't realize that after Mexico, the US is the country with the greatest number Spanish speakers. Certainly in Los Angeles, it seems to be a language one uses often (and when I was working in northern California, one I used every day at work). You are right Ajijic and San Miguel de Allende aren't the place to get advanced cancer treatments, etc., but those are available under Medicare in the US. What Ajijic and SMdA offer are assisted living for people who have memory problems, or are wheelchair bound and need assistance with transfers (i.e. bed to wheelchair), etc. My father suffered a stroke in his early 80s and would have been in deep trouble if his wife weren't physically capable of transferring him and cooking his meals. He did eventually lose most mobility, and ended needing extended care. My mother had memory problems and couldn't even tell time, much less cook a meal or take care of her basic needs. She had long-term care insurance and spent her last days at a pleasant assisted living facility. If I need only assistance with transfers and/or meals in my old age, I trust my husband would provide these for me. I've told him that if I lose my marbles, I have long-term care insurance, and he should get me a place at Belmont Village. https://www.belmontvillage.com/losangeles/ If I didn't have those options, Ajijic and SMdA would be good options I'd consider (and yes, I'm fluent in Spanish).