I didn't manage to get that Gap coupon. That day was so crazy with working 11 hours and I just couldn't get my shit together to do it.
When I told Josh about it he asked why I didn't get it while I was at work. Do most people carry their debit bank cards with them? I thought it was only for emergencies and always set out the money I'll need for the week and then have cash on me. Josh claims everybody carries around a credit card. I don't really understand how people know when to use cash, when to use their debit card and when to use a credit card. I don't want to turn into the people you read about on the news who owe $390,000 in credit card debt. So maybe I'll get the dress when it goes on sale.
Everyone is talking about the mosque being built at Ground Zero. It's annoying and even though I know this happened to tons of people, not just me, I still wish everyone would shut up about it. Firstly, it's not a mosque - it's a community center. Think of a JCC/Y. Secondly, it's not AT Ground Zero - it's like two blocks away. Thirdly, I think it's fine. In a way, more than fine. To build that there spits in the terrorists' faces, which I am all for.
Yesterday I worked until 7:30. The thought of making dinner was too much, so I got a slice of pizza and ate it on the way home.
17 comments:
I was just thinking of asking you about your opinion regarding the proposed building issue.
I didn't because I thought it'd be a sensitive issue. Well, it's good to read about this one. Thanks.
It's a good idea to carry a credit card around with you in case of emergency. As for debit cards, think of them like checks. You have to have the money in the bank to use it. So basically, it can be used as cash as long as it already exists.
It's good to have a healthy fear of using credit cards. You should actually use it once in a while to help build up your credit rating, but be sure to pay it off every month so you're not charged interest. You could even use it to buy everything as long as you pay it off at the end of the month. That's where people get into trouble, by charging more than they can pay off and getting charged interest.
How does building there spit in the faces of the terrorists? You mean because we have freedom of religion here in the U.S.?
Okay, it might be so that we would then feel we were doing the right thing for that reason, but the radical Islamists do not see it that way. They would see it as a triumph. They toppled our (financial) capital and are triumphantly building upon the ruins.
It's the same with trying to compromise with them. We feel that compromise shows good faith and is the right way to behave and we expect offers of compromise in return, but the Muslim societies that work on a culture of honor and humiliation view our offering compromises as weakness, as their humiliation of us and restoring their honor and that's why they do not respond by saying that if their enemy (us) can compromise they can too.
You'd think that when Muslim countries that want to obliterate Israel have an earthquake they'd be impressed that the Israeli teams offer to come help and this would gain respect for their enemy, but instead it makes them see their enemy not as rising above but as weak and unable to maintain an adversarial position and seems to fill them with more hate, it would humiliate them to accept such help and they refuse at the expense of humanitarian suffering.
At best, placing this mosque (community center, okay, but with a prayer area a main focus, and there are churches and synagogues too that also have activity centers and meeting rooms and ballrooms and the like) where proposed came about by chance and is merely insensitive and unwise.
But the information seems to be that various people and groups (and who are they, where are the donations coming from, who is this Imam aligned with) want to build it there purposely, the site was specifically chosen because of the proximity and not secured by chance, to show Islamic superiority (which doesn't go along with freedom of religion, churches and synagogues are not even allowed in many Muslim countries and many Islamic buildings are built to reflect the Muslim belief of superiority and lack of tolerance for non-Muslim beliefs) and this triumph would just bolster the horrible actions of the terrorists.
Thank you for opening up the discussion. Your feelings are your feelings and it is good to know you are fine with it emotionally. This isn't to argue that you should change your feelings. It is good to hear your opinion and would be great to know your response to this position.
Anon, but we're not IN an Islamic territory - we're in the United States, where we do things our way. Also, the vast majority of Muslims are NOT terrorists who will see the community center as us being humiliated. I think most Muslims who are here are assimilated enough to understand that we are standing by our "freedom of speech" thing.
The funniest part (in a sad way) is that people think that:
1. Obama is allowing this, as if he has anything to do with zoning regulations in ANY city, let alone one he doesn't and has never lived in, and
2. That this proves Obama is Muslim, which proves that ...
3. Obama is not American! Because apparently in the 60's or whenever he was born, Hawaii was a Muslim territory?
I'm surprised at how many people have trouble sorting out citizenship and nationality from religion.
Anon, but we're not IN an Islamic territory - we're in the United States, where we do things our way. Also, the vast majority of Muslims are NOT terrorists who will see the community center as us being humiliated. I think most Muslims who are here are assimilated enough to understand that we are standing by our "freedom of speech" thing.
Yes, this is all true. But how will the terrorist factions see it? Will they be emboldened by this to pull something again?
The funniest part (in a sad way) is that people think that:
1. Obama is allowing this, as if he has anything to do with zoning regulations in ANY city, let alone one he doesn't and has never lived in, and
2. That this proves Obama is Muslim, which proves that ...
3. Obama is not American! Because apparently in the 60's or whenever he was born, Hawaii was a Muslim territory?
I'm surprised at how many people have trouble sorting out citizenship and nationality from religion.
That is funny and sad. Maybe some people understand Obama is not "allowing" it but hope he can influence the outcome. You are right that opposition is better directed at those who have control over local zoning laws.
Interestingly, according to Muslim law, Obama is Muslim because his father was, just like Josh is Jewish because his mother is. Not that this means anything, about Obama's nationality or anything else, of course. Just a technicality that is often overlooked. Though maybe there are consequences if foreign, radical Muslims count him as one of their own.
Obama's historical family alignment with Islam perhaps naturally clouds his judgement a little.
There are a lot of questions about Rauf the Imam.
The "community center" is apparently set to open September 11 next year. How is that not a thumbing of the nose, a provocation?
Thank you, Sam, for being willing to discuss this. You make good points and have valuable perspectives.
The hasidic community does not consider Josh to be jewish, because he's not "jewish enough" like he's not either hasidic or orthodox. I don't even know if orthodox jews are jewy enough for them. Something like that. The point is, even if Obama was BORN as a Muslim because one of his family members was one, that doesn't make him a practicing muslim (which he's not).
Maybe I'm roman catholic because my mother was, but I'm totally shacked up with a boy and having premarital sex, would get an abortion if I woke up pregnant tomorrow, and go to church less than once a year (and feel no catholic guilt about it).
Honestly, I'd rather they didn't open on 9/11. But the world can't stop every single year on that date, it just can't. Should everyone who was born on that day celebrate their birthday on a different date for the rest of their lives? No. The MTV Video Music Awards are on the 12th, and I appreciate that.
I think though, they are waiting until 9/11 because Ramadan will have ended. Of course no reason they can't just push it back one more day to the 12th - that would be like, a good faith move on their part in my eyes.
The hasidic community does not consider Josh to be jewish, because he's not "jewish enough" like he's not either hasidic or orthodox. I don't even know if orthodox jews are jewy enough for them. Something like that. The point is, even if Obama was BORN as a Muslim because one of his family members was one, that doesn't make him a practicing muslim (which he's not).
Josh is not considered an observant Jew, that is true, but if his maternal line is Jewish, he is Jewish and is considered Jewish. Jewish law is that a person is born Jewish if his mother is Jewish. So those who consider Josh not "Jewish enough" are talking about his observance, not his status. He is looked at as a Jew who is not carrying out his obligations properly. The same with Obama, since Muslim law considers him to have been born a Muslim, it also considers him not able to no longer be a Muslim. Of course he is not a practicing Muslim. But according to Muslim law, he is a Muslim who is not practicing Islam.
Maybe I'm roman catholic because my mother was, but I'm totally shacked up with a boy and having premarital sex, would get an abortion if I woke up pregnant tomorrow, and go to church less than once a year (and feel no catholic guilt about it).
Catholic law is different. One doesn't become a Roman Catholic by virtue of birth but by joining the Church. One can also leave or be made to leave the Church.
Honestly, I'd rather they didn't open on 9/11. But the world can't stop every single year on that date, it just can't. Should everyone who was born on that day celebrate their birthday on a different date for the rest of their lives? No. The MTV Video Music Awards are on the 12th, and I appreciate that.
Birthdays are not chosen on purpose. The opening date of the mosque is planned.
I think though, they are waiting until 9/11 because Ramadan will have ended. Of course no reason they can't just push it back one more day to the 12th - that would be like, a good faith move on their part in my eyes.
So the question is, why are they purposely choosing that date? Seems like they want it to open on September 11 to make a triumphant point. If their intentions are benign, why not make the good faith move you describe, why choose that date in the first place?
I had exactly the same thoughts as Hazwani, and it was great to read your opinion.
The world would be so much better if more people thought the way you did, Sam.
Thank you for updating! We were worried.
Sorry you missed the coupon. If you were planning to get the dress at the regular price anyway, maybe you ought to get it now rather than waiting.
Yes, carry your debit card for emergencies. Emergencies don't only happen at home, right? You might need to use it, especially if it is also your ATM card. Why not keep it in your wallet for emergencies or situations like the coupon?
No, don't plan to use it, keep planning your week and doing what you do with the cash. Your system is good because, one, you plan and stick to your budget and know you are spending real money and don't spend without knowing where the money went, and, two, using cash keeps things more private.
But yes, people do carry around their debit and ATM cards and their credit cards.
You won't end up in debt using your debit card because it takes money from your account and isn't using extended credit. Think of it as another way to spend the money you set out for the week or the money you'd take out for a special purchase.
If you do use it, you then reconcile your accounts. If you had been planning to buy the dress from cash you had on hand and used your debit card for the coupon, you would then deposit the $25 cash back into the bank. If you were planning that when you went to buy the dress you would first take out the cash you'd need, then there would be nothing to reconcile.
How do you approach special purchases? You explain how you plan for your week but what is your procedure for special purchases?
Do you have a credit card? As a college student you can get one, and with your work income too.
You can carry it for emergencies. You can use it occasionally only to build up your credit and pay it right away. If you have to buy books for school or make some other big purchase but don't have the money yet, using a credit card buys you at least three weeks to pay for the purchase with no fees incurred.
There might be more protections if you buy with a credit card instead of a debit card. Credit cards offer more protections when you need to challenge a charge.
Using a credit card doesn't open up your checking account with all your funds to be stolen, rare but it happens, and fraudulent charges on a credit card don't actually use up money you already have and need in your checking account.
For some big purchases of material goods credit cards sometimes offer protections if they are stolen or ruined, or insurance when traveling.
But really, sticking to not using a credit card at all is probably best. Just use your debit card when making purchases where cash can't be used.
It might though be a good idea to have a credit card with a small credit line in case of emergency, to get one now while you can get one, and leave it at that. Hopefully you won't need it, but if you pretend you don't even have it there's no harm, you don't have to use it to build up your credit and can forget you even have it and can ignore any tempting offers the company sends to you.
There are situations you probably won't run into when a credit card is needed to have on file in advance of the payment and a hold is put on a certain amount. You wouldn't want to tie up your checking account funds with a hold, a deposit of sorts.
Those are some reasons, some examples of when to use a credit card, but really it is just a racket and usually not worth it, even for someone who really gets how it all works like you, you can encounter problems.
The people who get in trouble have mindsets that are really hard to understand. They get a $1000 credit line and for some reason think that means they are being given $1000. Obviously you are not stupid like that. Then some people understand but don't keep good track of what they are spending and run into trouble because they've run up a bill they can't cover.
So maybe that answers some of your questions.
The Ground Zero mosque is a tricky situation.
Building a monument to Muslim superiority where 3000 people were murdered in the name of Islam is simply inappropriate.
Your idealism is admirable but naive. You need to be asking what the consequences could be.
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/Mischief+Manhattan/3370303/story.html
Wow, Sam, you got more than you bargained for! I appreciated your perspective on the community center. I'd wondered what you thought.
It's SO hard to have a rational discussion around all that stuff. I like how you handled the dialogue.
As for cash/debit/credit: I use my debit card instead of cash. It's not that safe for me to have a credit card (I spend the money twice somehow), so I avoid it. I prefer being able to check my bank balance. You need a credit card for online ordering, but that's about it.
You might be interested in this article from Slate.
This is not the same as a JCC!
Did you know that Rauf blames your family for being victims of terrorism?
And that he declines to call Hamas, who are just as much terrorists as those who murdered your family, terrorists?
And that he calls for the destruction of Israel and the creation of a fully Muslim state in place of Israel?
I think you've got a really intelligent opinion about this. My seven-month-pregnant wife worked a couple blocks from the WTC on 9/11, and I completely agree with you. She does too.
One correction to one of your comments though: Obama did live in NYC for a while. He went to Columbia.
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