I was the newest arrival in the Hamptons. By all appearances, I'm a friendly and sophisticated "girl next door," but with a dark family history, I'm anything but what I seem. Seventeen years ago, my father was framed for a crime by neighbors he trusted, and sentenced to life. I never saw my father again, and spent my…

I literally just posted that Harry Potter question on FB two days ago. That happened. YOU ARE IN MY BRAIN. This is my status from two days ago, copy/pasted:

I would urge all the people who feel rage to consider using that anger to try to make some difference in kids' life. I've worked on enough custody cases to tell you that this level of abuse is not uncommon. If you have the resources to do specialized foster care, consider it. If not, work at volunteer at Boys and…

I agree! I am a person with dwarfism and I've done some pretty kick-ass things with my life. (And plan on doing more.). Being called inspirational can backfire, because when you CAN'T do something, in can increase your frustration and sense of failure. At least for me. I'm one hell of a swimmer and can out-hike most…

I have been a Jezebel lurker for years (since the very beginning), and I have seen its decline. One thing that pisses me off is that no one writing for Jez EVER acknowledges when commenters are right. The whole Lena Dunham thing? We ALL thought that was fucking ridiculous. The rape photos incident? That was…

Just because your sexuality is fluid doesn't mean everyone's is. If a person self-identifies as a lesbian, no one should assume that there is a chance she's available to men, simply because sometimes people have fluid sexuality. As a lesbian who is has my sexuality constantly questioned, ignored, and disrespected, I…

Yes, and the current vaccination schedule takes into account the development of babies' immune systems.

Dude, this wasn't just a one-time thing. This happens ALL THE TIME. Everywhere. This existed before there was such a thing as dating apps, or the internet. Men always, always, always assume that if you say lesbian, that really you're just waiting around for the right guy. That their magical dick will convert you. That…

"Maybe he didn't notice or hoped she meant bi?" I'm sorry, but why is it acceptable for him to go against her STATED wishes simply because he "hopes" that he's that one specialest snowflake who can get his dick in her.

You just ask them how THEY could give up the dick if it's THAT good. :)

Seriously? If it says lesbian it doesn't mean "maybe bi." It's so disrespectful to assume she checked the wrong box, doesn't know where she's at...thinks if he likes her enough she'll be straight. That's just extremely insulting.

Oh, lord. Please do not get a graduate degree in Neuroscience if you say (with no irony) that you don't know for certain that vaccines don't cause autism. The psychological community knows it, autism researchers know it, and have repeatedly begged people to stop thinking this, as it directs useful research funding…

Reading your and fluterestes chain is frustrating. Neither of your degrees qualifies you as an authority on vaccinations. Even my MD doesn't, since I'm not a pediatrician. I do happen to agree with ellie101, though, on all points. The main point, I think, should be: why does a segment of the population presume to…

What specific coursework did you complete in neuroscience? My undergraduate degree was spent studying molecular neuroscience, so I'm somewhat confused as to how you came away with this information that no one I took coursework from mentioned. Also, if you had any experience with pharmacology and toxicology, you'd…

Respectfully, your view that we should let kids' immune systems "develop a little" is not supported by the evidence.

"Parents need to look out for their kids before anyone else's"

I plan on my kids getting it (mini-cupcake #1 due sometime in the next 2-6 weeks). Not so much because chicken pox is a horrible illness for most kids (got it myself about 3 years before the vaccine was available), but because I want to contribute to herd immunity for kiddos that are too young or cannot get the…

So, I have always, secretly and shamefully, um, leaked a little bit of urine . Not like I lose control before I can make it to the bathroom, and not like it comes out when I sneeze, but just that a little bit leaks out throughout the day, seemingly at random (I have always thought that I don't empty my bladder all the…

Is this corrected for UK usage of public school? Generally they use them the reverse of how the US uses them.

Polar bears need all the help they can get