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TOL Our Town
- A tumblr site dedicated to the people and places that make up Oregon and Southwest Washington.
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Venessa's comments:
on Strategic Default
So the rest of us should pay for someone else's poor decisions? Should we do the same when someone loses money in the stock market?
A home is not a business.
posted 2 years, 2 months ago
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on Strategic Default
There was predatory lending. There truly are people that need help but I am continually disgusted by people who treated their homes like a piggy bank. I personally know people who have defaulted not because they couldn't pay but because they want a better deal and see it happening all around them.
I too am underwater and challenged by a large cut in income in my household but I'm not walking away from my house. Sure, I could save tons of money but my house is a HOME. It is a long term investment.
Read contracts. Understand what you are getting yourself in to before you sign. Know your risks. If you don't understand get an attorney. There is just as much blame to go to homeowners who had no business buying the properties they did. Does anyone really think they can afford a $300k home with only a $50k/yr salary?
posted 2 years, 2 months ago
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on Sealing the Cracks in Foster Care
You should look in to the Maple Star program. It is designed for higher needs children. They offer a lot of support.
posted 2 years, 2 months ago
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on Sealing the Cracks in Foster Care
I've seen several foster parents tell their foster children they cannot hang out or get to know their own kids. What kind of message does that send? It disgusts me.
posted 2 years, 2 months ago
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on Sealing the Cracks in Foster Care
I will also add teenage foster children are often the most neglected. No one wants to deal with them; especially when they are rebellious. They are the ones that go through the most homes the fastest. Their education is typically compromised due to multiple school changes. Many don't even get the tools they need to become productive members of society which means they will most likely be back in the system in some capacity once they age out.
One other problem is wanting to medicate every child because they have "behavioral problems." They are sometimes forced in to therapy as well. Therapy is a waste of money unless someone wants to be there.
posted 2 years, 2 months ago
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on Sealing the Cracks in Foster Care
I would say there are some good attorneys but my observation is the only contact they typically have is in court. Very few bother to visit the child or check in on them.
posted 2 years, 2 months ago
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on Sealing the Cracks in Foster Care
I am a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) and I have seen both good and bad. There are great case workers and there are the ones who just don't care because they are so overwhelmed with their case load. There are foster parents motivated only by more money even though the level of service for their child would not justify the increase. There are also foster parents who care a great deal about the kids in their homes but the system prevents them from providing effective parenting. Then there are the lack of homes. I know children who have been placed in more than 30+ homes and with each disruption there is a scramble to find a new placement. Cerrtifications are sometimes rushed as a result.
The system is broken. I can go on about many more issues I see all the time not related to this specific topic. We do are doing a disservice to these children.
posted 2 years, 2 months ago
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on Sealing the Cracks in Foster Care
You are spot on. There are definitely foster parents out there just for the money. I just don't know what the solution is to weed them out.
posted 2 years, 2 months ago
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on TOL Goes to the Zoo
I remember going to see the Packy with my girl scout troop when I was little. I used to love to go to the zoo. Now I don't go at all. It saddens me to see how bored and confined all of the animals look. Zoos are good for rehabilitation or helping with conservation but I don't support them caging animals purely for human entertainment. Trainers and employees probably do have the animal's best interests at heart but it doesn't make living conditions for them any better in a small confined space. Many of these animals are meant to roam, migrate, etc and it's not okay with me they are stuck in a cage.
By the way, the music at the zoo in the summertime is awful. It's loud, right next to the animals and it probably drives them nuts. I won't go to those events anymore either.
posted 2 years, 3 months ago
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on Complaining on FB
People have a right to their opinions and should be able to express them without retribution. However, in this day and age privacy no longer exists. Employers now search social media sites to get background information on people they are going to hire. There are consequences for putting your opinions out for everyone to see that can also be a detriment in the future. What you think is private isn't always the case.
posted 2 years, 3 months ago
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on The Slow Path to Adulthood
I came from an impovrished home where my mother kicked me out at 16. I finished HS with honors, paid my way through college, worked any job I could find and by the time I was 25 I owned a home and was very successful in my job. 8 years later I now work for myself and live a good life.
It takes hard work to succeed - something I think has been lost in the up and coming generation. I do see a sense of entitlement. Parent's give far too much to their children without requiring them to earn it. Kids need to take responsibility and the only way to learn is to get out in to the world and make your way. Life is not easy and there are many lessons to learn. Your parents won't be around forever.
posted 2 years, 4 months ago
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on Worthington Trial: The Verdict Is In
DianeLP -
So parents shouldn't be the gaurdian of their own children when it comes to medical attention? Isn't that kind of the point of being the parent, you make the decisions how to raise your child? Don't you think its better for you to decide what is best for your child, not your neighbors?
posted 3 years, 9 months ago
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on The State of Black Oregon
Can you clarify what the "white" america is on the west coast?
posted 3 years, 10 months ago
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on Worthington Trial: The Verdict Is In
"People need to be educated on preserving life regardless of their religious belief, especially if it involves a childs life, that also means keeping the child as healthy as possible. "
I completely disagree. This is a western value. Just because we have medical science does not mean we need to force people to use it. What about children with cancer that no longer want chemo and parents support that right? Parents have been taken to court over that. Ridiculous.
posted 3 years, 10 months ago
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on Worthington Trial: The Verdict Is In
MissMarnie
"We already have rules about how children are raised and the point is that if your choices hurt your child, you cannot hide behind your religion. "
There is a law that allows faith healing. These parents excercised that right. If you have a problem with it then try to get the law changed.
posted 3 years, 10 months ago
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on Worthington Trial: The Verdict Is In
Luke T.
So you think everyone should live because they can and medical science makes that possible?
posted 3 years, 10 months ago
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on Worthington Trial: The Verdict Is In
MissMarnie
Do you want other people who don't know you telling you how to raise your child and what faith they can or can't belong to? As a society we allow ANYONE to have children. We have a duty to protect children from abuse. This child would have died many years ago due to lack of medical knowledge. Why is everyone so scared of death and allowing nature to take its course?
posted 3 years, 10 months ago
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on Worthington Trial: The Verdict Is In
Exactly! Unfortunately many people have a habit of sticking their noses where it doesn't belong and then complain in the same breath that the government is too involved in our lives.
posted 3 years, 10 months ago
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on Worthington Trial: The Verdict Is In
I agree. Also, as no one has answered my question, I wonder what people really think. Just because we have advances in medicine does that mean we have to use it? We all die eventually and I don't think anyone should be forced to seek medical treatment if they don't want it, including those that have that idea based in faith.
I'm atheist as well if it really matters.
posted 3 years, 10 months ago
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on Worthington Trial: The Verdict Is In
Just because medical science is available does that mean we have to use it?
posted 3 years, 10 months ago
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