I know. I don't remember who said it, but the business of America is business. (Yeah, I know you're a Brit) Everybody has to balance social conscience with getting their own little part of their job done, and that's a whole lot easier to do if you just don't think about your own impact on your neighbors. And if you are close to the edge, if you are barely providing for your family, this kind of discussion IS for people from another planet. My family over-consumes because, well, I'm a US resident with six children. I do what I can to "reduce the footprint" but none of those children was an accident. If I can without breaking my word, I will watch the Olympics, even though China's human rights record is awful. My Quaker buddies, Brenda and Pat, lead a protest against the Iraq war every Friday afternoon in our small town, and get more than their share of vulgar gestures shown to them, and I just let them take the heat. And I have an obligation to preach my religion, and I am not going to do that on this forum. (You're welcome.)

The decision-makers at NBC have a legal obligation to their employees and their stockholders. I know that outweighs any consideration of the ethics of the situation. If voices are raised, if ethical consumers vote with their remotes, then those decision-makers can meet their legal obligation and coincidentally do an ethical thing.

Adults who deliberately choose to do something (legal) that they know is wrong. That's the beauty of being a human in a free society. You can do that. All I can do is stand over here on this forum, jumping up and down and waving my arms and screaming like a crazy woman. Cause I am also a human in a free society.

Although I don't agree with 95% of what you write, I must say, you are a great writer. Still planning to watch The Baby Borrowers.

Gail,
To clear things up, I didn't mean to imply that you used the term "sob stories". I believe SnglDad used that term in reference to your feelings about certain posts on these boards. Thank you for clearing up your views regarding the issues that bother you about certain posts here. Everyone's entitled to his/her opinion. When it comes to my children, I get very sensitive. I'm sure you can relate to that being a mom. I think, also, that I may have contradicted myself a bit when it comes to the various posts on this site dealing w/ children's challenges and your post on Baby Borrowers. I still feel strongly about what I said in regards to my son b/c it's a personal issue for me. I wld fight tooth and nail for him. As for a show like Baby Borrowers, I feel (not to sound selfish) like these parents are putting themselves in this predicament when it comes to their children, and they have to face the consequences. Why shld we have to pick up the pieces for them? I agree, it's not fair to these children what their being put through, and we don't have to like it. But all I'm saying is it's going to be really hard to convince a giant like NBC to not air their show, when so much $ is at stake. $ talks--that's the unfortunate reality of it all. I believe that what you're trying to accomplish is incredible, and I hope all your efforts pay off. It's a tough mountain to climb, but if anyone can do it, I believe you can. More power to ya, Gail!

You go Gail!!

That you disagree is like answering a poll. I would really be enlightened if you would provide philosophical argument, or anecdotal or statistical data that would contradict my opinions. I don't have to argue both sides, but somebody ought to take the opposing one. Look at my post on successful step family definition. Any modifications to offer? How about suggestions for making a stepfamily as well-functioning as possible. Or how about the original purpose of the discussion, successfully teaching children to make good decisions about sexual behavior. Any thoughts?