[Pat]

I have two (one, almost) daughters, ages 12 and 14. I make sure I know their friends and their families. I do things with my kids that they enjoy, and talk with them about everything. I spend time with them and their friends. I don't allow them to be alone with boys yet, not because I don't trust them, but because I don't think they have the experience to handle certain situations. Rules are important. I like my kids as people, but I'm their mother first; that's my job. You can't force people to be good parents, but you can stress education in schools, and fine deadbeat parents when their kids are out after curfew running the streets. Young teenagers really need adult supervision until they are able to deal with their changing emotions and sexuality. It's not an easy time. Unfortunately, some teenagers who got pregnant are the same parents who don't make an effort to be parents to their kids.

User Detail :  

Name : Pat, Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : White/Caucasian, Religion : Buddhist, Age : 41, City : phoenix, State : AZ Country : United States, Occupation : professional, Education level : Over 4 Years of College, Social class : Upper middle class, 

[Pat]

We are the largest military force in the world, but the United States rarely acts unilaterally. It acts on treaties and responds to the interests of allies and often the United Nations. We share common ideals and interests with our allies, and signed treaties after World War II to prevent anything like that from happening again. Our country is often perceived as acting independently when in fact our actions are based on treaty agreements or are at the behest of the UN.

I wish we had peace in this world. I wish differences could always be solved diplomatically. I don't think this will happen though, because there will always be people who have no respect for others, place no value on life or human dignity and who are ruthless in amassing wealth and power. The United States doesn't usually act unless acts of agression spill beyond a country's border or unless it has a treaty obligating it to do so. I don't like the fact that my country is often the world 'cop.' It costs us money and lives, but what other country has the money or military strength? We are a huge country blessed with abundant resources, and since we are all immigrants, we have strong ties in many parts of the world. Our government is not perfect, but it and the American people want to be good neighbors and do care what the world thinks.

User Detail :  

Name : Pat, Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : White/Caucasian, Religion : Buddhist, Age : 41, City : phoenix, State : AZ Country : United States, Occupation : professional, Education level : Over 4 Years of College, Social class : Upper middle class, 

[Pat]

I don't believe in your god or allah, or (name any popular version). I believe there were great spiritual teachers, but that they were men. I believe that there is a creative force, I just don't believe in man's personification of that force. I'm a buddhist and there are lot's of deity variations in buddhism, but they are considered aspects (visualizations of qualities) of the divine, or teachers, not 'god' in the sense you mean. I don't think we are evolved enough or smart enough to even come close to understanding the cosmos. I also don't believe god stepped out of the heavens to deliver messages, or that one group was given the patent on truth. While the scriptures (of any faith) may have been the result of spiritual inspiration, I feel it is only relevent for that individual, or as a teaching tool. I don't think it is meant to be taken literally or that there is any 'one' answer. I think gaining spiritual insight and growth is a process that requires individual effort, not blind faith.

User Detail :  

Name : Pat, Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : White/Caucasian, Religion : Buddhist, Age : 41, City : phoenix, State : AZ Country : United States, Occupation : professional, Education level : Over 4 Years of College, Social class : Upper middle class, 

[Pat]

Here, two links to lot's of buddist sites. http://www.dharmaring.org/ http://i.webring.com/hub?ring=buddhism&id=118&hub I highly recommend 'awakening the buddha within', well written and humorous, it's geared to an American audience. Buddhism is about awakening your higher potential, although there are sciptures, they are not 'laws' but educational, although there are some common beliefs, buddhism is non demominational, and is non-theist.

User Detail :  

Name : Pat, Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : White/Caucasian, Religion : Buddhist, Age : 41, City : phoenix, State : AZ Country : United States, Occupation : professional, Education level : Over 4 Years of College, Social class : Upper middle class, 

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