Comments on: A little respect (just a little bit) http://benbalbo.com/2007/09/27/a-little-respect-just-a-little-bit/ Programmer, Property Tycoon, Media Mogul Fri, 21 Nov 2008 12:23:16 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 By: Bletch http://benbalbo.com/2007/09/27/a-little-respect-just-a-little-bit/#comment-13368 Bletch Tue, 09 Oct 2007 21:31:02 +0000 http://benbalbo.com/2007/09/27/a-little-respect-just-a-little-bit/#comment-13368 I've gotten all the arguments on why I don't want kids and there are three that are my pet peeves. 1) GOD. I do not believe in god, so if that is the only reason you are having kids, read the bible and get ready to follow ALL the rules, including the one about selling your daughter to slavery. 2) You'll change your mind. Why is it people think my convictions are so wishy washy? If you are steadfast in your belief and know there is nothing I can say to change you-why would my beliefs not be the same way? And my personal f'ing favorite: 3) Who will care for you when you get older? Try this. Go into a nursing home and look at all the elderly people. Many will be depressed, many will be lonely, and almost all of them have kids. Ask a nurse (I know a few, it is a depressing job sometimes but important) at the nursing home how often people get visited. I'll let you know right now. ALMOST NEVER. So who cares for you when you get older? Probably the state, same as us with no kids. If I seem bitter it's because I'm sick of being called wrong or abnormal or selfish. For me children are a choice. How many people do you know planned for their first child? I mean really planned and were ready emotionally and financially. I'll bet you know A LOT more people that never planned that first kid. So, if it is so natural and wonderful, why is so often an accident? I’ve gotten all the arguments on why I don’t want kids and there are three that are my pet peeves.
1) GOD. I do not believe in god, so if that is the only reason you are having kids, read the bible and get ready to follow ALL the rules, including the one about selling your daughter to slavery. 2) You’ll change your mind. Why is it people think my convictions are so wishy washy? If you are steadfast in your belief and know there is nothing I can say to change you-why would my beliefs not be the same way? And my personal f’ing favorite:
3) Who will care for you when you get older? Try this. Go into a nursing home and look at all the elderly people. Many will be depressed, many will be lonely, and almost all of them have kids. Ask a nurse (I know a few, it is a depressing job sometimes but important) at the nursing home how often people get visited. I’ll let you know right now. ALMOST NEVER. So who cares for you when you get older? Probably the state, same as us with no kids.
If I seem bitter it’s because I’m sick of being called wrong or abnormal or selfish. For me children are a choice. How many people do you know planned for their first child? I mean really planned and were ready emotionally and financially. I’ll bet you know A LOT more people that never planned that first kid. So, if it is so natural and wonderful, why is so often an accident?

]]> By: Ben Balbo http://benbalbo.com/2007/09/27/a-little-respect-just-a-little-bit/#comment-13304 Ben Balbo Tue, 09 Oct 2007 00:59:32 +0000 http://benbalbo.com/2007/09/27/a-little-respect-just-a-little-bit/#comment-13304 Hey sis! I don't throw pies on facebook because I'm scared they'll end up clogging up the servers' CPU pipelines or causing a kernel panic! Hey sis! I don’t throw pies on facebook because I’m scared they’ll end up clogging up the servers’ CPU pipelines or causing a kernel panic!

]]> By: Vix http://benbalbo.com/2007/09/27/a-little-respect-just-a-little-bit/#comment-13299 Vix Mon, 08 Oct 2007 22:05:15 +0000 http://benbalbo.com/2007/09/27/a-little-respect-just-a-little-bit/#comment-13299 Hey dude! It's cuz nobody knows how to reply to posts about JTAG, GNU, Linux and encryption keys, whatever they may be :) I like it when I can read your blog!! Now, get back to facebook and throw me a pie! Hey dude! It’s cuz nobody knows how to reply to posts about JTAG, GNU, Linux and encryption keys, whatever they may be :)

I like it when I can read your blog!! Now, get back to facebook and throw me a pie!

]]> By: Wendy http://benbalbo.com/2007/09/27/a-little-respect-just-a-little-bit/#comment-12830 Wendy Wed, 03 Oct 2007 15:29:31 +0000 http://benbalbo.com/2007/09/27/a-little-respect-just-a-little-bit/#comment-12830 Nah, not at all. I'm amazed how many responses you got to it mind. Nothing like a nice heated debate! :) Nah, not at all. I’m amazed how many responses you got to it mind. Nothing like a nice heated debate!
:)

]]> By: Ben Balbo http://benbalbo.com/2007/09/27/a-little-respect-just-a-little-bit/#comment-12711 Ben Balbo Tue, 02 Oct 2007 09:51:51 +0000 http://benbalbo.com/2007/09/27/a-little-respect-just-a-little-bit/#comment-12711 Thanks for dropping by and adding to the discussion Wendy :-) You'll probably have seen in my first post that I think that medical advances are part of the problem (in my opinion) - but I hope you also read that by my standards I'd not be around today, so I hope you don't take it personally. Thanks for dropping by and adding to the discussion Wendy :-)

You’ll probably have seen in my first post that I think that medical advances are part of the problem (in my opinion) - but I hope you also read that by my standards I’d not be around today, so I hope you don’t take it personally.

]]> By: Wendy http://benbalbo.com/2007/09/27/a-little-respect-just-a-little-bit/#comment-12710 Wendy Tue, 02 Oct 2007 09:44:04 +0000 http://benbalbo.com/2007/09/27/a-little-respect-just-a-little-bit/#comment-12710 Ben, I don't blame you for not wanting to have kids, it is Sandrine and your decision as a couple and other people should just accept that fact. All my life I've wanted kids and felt there was a void or at least would be if I didn't have them. Now I do, I'm happy but I do realise how hard it is and I can imagine if you have a life that you feel is complete why squash kids in to the equation- if it ain't broke..... But on the flip side I will say I think medical technology has been an absolute blessing and we should see it in that sense. When Lucy was born she had an unknown infection the doctors even suggested meningitis, as you can imagine Ritch and I were distraught. She was taken immediately to Special Baby care Unit and given the treatment she needed and today she is a fine heallthy, stroppy 2 year old who is refusing to be potty trained but at least we have her with us. Anyhoo that's my little contribution, sorry I didn't comment on it earlier only saw it today :) Ben,
I don’t blame you for not wanting to have kids, it is Sandrine and your decision as a couple and other people should just accept that fact. All my life I’ve wanted kids and felt there was a void or at least would be if I didn’t have them. Now I do, I’m happy but I do realise how hard it is and I can imagine if you have a life that you feel is complete why squash kids in to the equation- if it ain’t broke…..

But on the flip side I will say I think medical technology has been an absolute blessing and we should see it in that sense. When Lucy was born she had an unknown infection the doctors even suggested meningitis, as you can imagine Ritch and I were distraught. She was taken immediately to Special Baby care Unit and given the treatment she needed and today she is a fine heallthy, stroppy 2 year old who is refusing to be potty trained but at least we have her with us.

Anyhoo that’s my little contribution, sorry I didn’t comment on it earlier only saw it today :)

]]>