Even if she had found a way to leave the house, she would have been out but Angry Dad here would have still been there... presumably with her child(ren). So she didn't get out of the house and instead fired a warning shot with the purpose and consequence of not hurting anyone.

Apologies! *puts foot in mouth* Do you have the different experiences from either country/continent?

Perhaps we're a little behind here in Europe, because the name-based discrimination is still definitely a problem here. But if you're saying that's less of a problem or no problem at all anymore in the US, I hope we'll follow you on that.

Boom! I hadn't even thought about it that way at all but you do make one hell of a point here. Wow.

Perhaps this goes beyond Americans? I'm sitting here in London shocked at my own ignorance in respect of Native Americans and seriously wonder if that's just me or applies to all Europeans. Considering my ancestors may have caused so much of the bad shit (=understatement) there is definitely some educating to be done…

Wow. So much to learn here. Thank you.

Angela Bassett is one of my favourite actresses on this planet. They could put her in every series or film I'll ever watch and I probably wouldn't ever tire of her.

Good! I hope it stays like that for the rest of his life, because as I've explained in this thread there's a cruel world out there that may not always let him show his fabulous personality when folks get hung up over his name.

...the warmth of hugs that Darwin craves and needs for his proper development...

So unless you're gay, you can't support equal marriage? Animal rights, anyone?

"No I'm not a racist (slept with two black girls this year)..."

All the J.K. Rowlings of this world could stop publishing books and I'd still not be a best-selling author... but perhaps Lynn Shepherd thinks she might. Personally I'd prefer to live by the assumption that I'd never be as good a writer, and I suggest Lynn Shepherd do the same; it doesn't have to stop any of us from…

I just posted another comment in reply to someone else linking to (part of) my birth name.

It's in the public domain ;) (most of my namesakes on there don't dislike their name but do admit to similar issues; unsurprisingly many of them run their own businesses) — imagine James Dyson being named Likilalikki Pikilagrrpho Little Jimmy Shimmy Dyson instead and growing up in a blue collar environment where…

Hello! You, like me, are commenting on Jezebel - we're all judgemental here!

I think it's wonderful that Britain has the legislation that allows you to legally change your name by deed poll at a cost that's within financial reach of most. Where I was born there is no such legislation; if you want to legally change your name you have to spend thousands of dollars on a legal procedure and…

It didn't bother me that people sniggered behind my back because of my name - yay confidence! - but it did bother me when folks who couldn't pronounce my name or found another reason to treat me disrespectfully because my parents were so desperate to give me a name that no one else had.

Dear prospective parents of the world,

If you enjoy the pain and discomfort of examination, then by all means raise your arms like that; if you prefer to feel no more pain and discomfort than strictly necessary, put your arms down.

I totally get your point but would it matter if she was found guilty in court of what she was arrested for, either/both from a legal or/and a moral standpoint? Would a guilty verdict make her 'fair game' in that respect, also for commercial use of her mug shot?