What would you ask in an opinion poll?

How about an opinion poll on how many people feel a bit disgruntled about another opinion poll on this site that had over 60% of those polling responding in favor of discussing religion either unfettered or with some restrictions and yet having the minority opinion favored and outlawing any mention of the subject. It seems like a waste of time casting votes.

It’s kinda like the high school principal vetoing the resolutions past by the student council on school issues because they aren’t compatible with some staid decorum mandated by the administration.

How about a poll about health care since the Higham case was just decided? Something like: Do you think Idaho should place a cap on jury awards in medical cases? Yes, No, etc. Someone who knows the terminology better could help word it. Would also make a great article for debate.

Also, how about a simple poll one week about “Where are you reading this poll from?” Idaho Falls, outside IF but in Bonn County, any other counties in Idaho, outside Idaho, or outside the continental US. Something along those lines to give you a snapshot of readers in one week.

The logic Joe used even when the majority wanted open bashing of religion (thats what it always turns into) is very sound and reasoned. He knows he could make a few happy, but he also knows it would drive many more away. He is doing he right thing.

Some want and need a venue to vent their frustrations and dislike for anothers faith, this isnt it.

It’s astonishing that Ken Pedersen, one of Brock Higham’s lawyers, admitted openly in court that he “can’t prove with tangible evidence” that a medication mix-up occurred, yet the jury still decided against EIRMC.

It’s very unfortunate and tragic, what happened to Brock Higham. But I haven’t heard any convincing argument that EIRMC is guilty of any wrongdoing or negligence.

I generally tend to believe that where there’s smoke, there’s fire, but I don’t feel this case is justly resolved.

there you go, that’s what i need to make a poll.

anyone think that poll question and response choices are fair, or would you word them differently? i think they’re fine at first glance, i’m just asking.

any other poll questions/responses on other topics?

Under the EIRMC poll, maybe a “most of the time” category? “Somewhat” to me conjures up only a 50/50 trust level. A choice above somewhat means to me there is a 75-80% trust level. (to me anyway) I usually prefer polls with 5 choices myself.

Interesting thougths, Slim Pickens. I sure hope you know more about this case than is available.

Being a veteran of 3 wrists surgeries, I know patients are sent home afterwards. Here are some of my questions, since you appear to have extra knowlege of what did or didn’t happen.

1. What was this gentlemen’s neuro status prior to surgery?
2. Family history of neurological problems?
3. Who was the surgeon? I find it extremely interesting the surgeon wasn’t named.
4. Who was the Anesthesiologist or CRNA who administered anesthesia?
5. What does it mean that this patient was in too much pain to go home?
6. How do you explain the Narcan result?

Those will do for starter questions. As you answer those, I’ll have more.

There is nothing that’s been released that show’s damage by EIRMC, from my POV. But, I’d like to read the entire transcript myself.

Anyone know how I can get it? It has to be a matter off public record.

Thanks.

Maybe

Do you support a Metro police force?

Which healthcare provider do you mostly use? (EIRMC, Mt. View, doc-in-a-box, family doctor)

others?

Totally disagree. Can’t ask about a department and the time of day in the same question. And, it’s a biased poll asking about one hospital.

Which hospital will you ask about next week, Joe. Mountain View? Do we trust them 100%, not at all based on the time of day? Why not ask based on the procedure?

COMPARED TO WHAT? DO I trust EIRMC compared to Duke? Or other area hospitals?

Do I trust Bingham Memorial to have on-site helicopter service?

This is flawed. And if anyone from EIRMC saw this I would understand why they woulc get ticked off. It’s like asking about a specific restaurant. Would you say, “Do you like the food at restaurant XXXX 100% based on the server and the hour of the day?

What if you are one of those that hates having kids around? Then answer will be low, if it is a family friendly restaurant. Yet, if you are parents that have to take your kids to dinner with you, you might find it to be one of the more enjoyable places.

Idaho Falls Magazine does their polls every year. But, they let the readers chose the answer. They let the readers create the answers. It’s not like there are unlimited choices for hospitals - if Joe listed 5 and people could vote for which one the trusted the most, that would be unbiased. However, that isn’t what he did and consequently slanted the results. That may be his personal view, but not a poll question.

Another thing is you seem to lack an understanding of the controversial and tumultuous relationship EIRMC has with our community.

I challenge you to ask your work colleagues (unless you work at EIRMC already) if they have or know of someone who has one of those “horrible EIRMC” stories. I bet over half of the people you ask knows just such a story.

I don’t know if EIRMC has improved over the years. I read and hear things, but I am fortunately healthy and don’t have to visit EIRMC.

The point of all this is to discuss, not smear.

Compared to what? What kind of question is that? That’s like trying to challenge “do you trust cops” by saying compared to what, it doesn’t matter because it’s the major hospital we have.

I think you comparing EIRMC to a simple restaurant is part of the problem, not the solution.

Finally, again you may be new here but this is not the only poll we will ever run until the end of time. They change weekly. We can ask other questions relating to other hospitals, etc. Don’t blow a gasket over one week’s poll when you couldn’t even think of a topic when asked.

What would you ask in next week’s poll?

Good points.

The difference I see between EIRMC and some restaurant is the huge local anger against EIRMC. To ask things about Jakers or the Sandpiper, people would say “huh?” But EIRMC has a long history of angering people around here, and there is a lot of hostility toward it.

And that’s the limiting thing with polls versus starting articles. Articles are great because I can just start the topic with the few things I know and read amazing things from people who know much more about it, and we all seem to learn from each other.

With polls, I need all that information when formulating the questions, and I know some of them haven’t been perfect, but it’s just trying to do the best job possible.

Some topics I’ve wanted to poll I have not because I could not find the right response choices.

Which is why this discussion thread could be so great, if people suggested those response items.

Questions are easy. Appropriate and balanced response choices are not.

And see on the other hand, asking about childbirth and spine surgery in the same question I don’t think really go together. Pick one or the other and you alienate many people not involved in that.

Ahhh tough, but we’ll keep discussing and figure out better ways, ehhh?

I thought this post was suppossed to be about “Polls”? It’s turned into a EIRMC/Healthcare post. Don’t we have an EIRMC post where these questions and opinions should be posted? Perhaps Joe can transfer them over there and we can stick to the topic at hand?

How about this poll:

Do you think our community needs:
OR…What do you think our community needs more:

1. Convention Center - to bring more musical acts to town. Also arts & theatre, ice skating shows such as Disney on Ice, Monster truck shows, Rodeo’s, etc.

2. Outdoor arena - some of the activities described above, but seems it would be confined to Summer months

3. Improve, update and upgrade the Sandy Downs area.

4. New amusement park, and/or water park. including minarture golf, go-cart track, etc.

Excellent idea CR67. I’d like to focus on all aspects of living. But, that’s just me. However, you and I do seem to think similar about a number of issues.

I do think the number of different types of communities, the different amounts in population, and ethnic/racial concerns create all sorts of different specific issues for an area.

For example, I don’t know how often locals worry about Cubans coming over at night to U.S. Soil the same way FL residents do. Likewise, I don’t think Miami/Dade/Ft. Lauderdale etc. residents actually worry about what bugs might infest local potato crops.

I hope those who have lived in different states, like you and I, and have seen effective solutions to some of the issues raised here, will talk about what they saw other states do.

i think the favorite new source poll would be good to run again. that was a long time ago and all the big outlets have changed their websites and formats since then.

maybe also ask how people get their new, from the newscast or from the websites.

me (post #20)

I do undertand what you are asking and do believe that asking about a specific type of care then listing the facilities as a choice would be the way to go. However, the rest of your remarks interest me more.

I’m not sure I can agree with you about Bingham’s recruiting being so successful (almost all leave after their 2 years and many on J-1s), but I won’t deny Bingham has improved. However, I think that is directly due to a facility that is 25 miles south of Blackfoot and the absolute chaos currently happening at Portneuf. Rumor has it that many Poky doctors are opting to operate or admit at Bingham Memorial than Portneuf, all things considered.

Clearly, you are reading the blogs from the ISJ that have now morphed into the Yahoo site. I was tipped off that something I’d written in another thread on IFz.Com had been used not too long ago as a point in one blogger’s post. Perhaps that was you? I don’t know and it’s fine if it was. It doesn’t matter because my information was accurate - which was basically the point. Plus, I did not use names or specifics that could hurt employees.

I do know that if what the bloggers are saying is true, and posts have been removed by the ISJ staff at the request of Portneuf Administration or a particular surgeon, then the ISJ has a major ethics problem.

Here is what I don’t know: In reading the Ethics section of the PR several times, we are told if we don’t believe the paper is ethical and we report it to the highest level we can locally with no resolution, then that information should be taken to another Idaho (or regional) newspaper to investigate. Do you think those who are making the claim that posts were deleted on purpose, by an ISJ Editor, would want to contact the PR about this and ask them to investigate? It appears to be a waste of time to contact ISJ Editors, if what I’ve read is correct.

Ironically, someone who is a prolific poster in the Post Register and Pocatelloshops blogs, allegedly had his post removed too. For all I know you may be the author of those words. It doesn’t really matter to me, except if this is occurring, I’m concerned that an outside source should investigate so a dialogue can occur without, allegedly, a hospital administration so cozy with the local newspaper that posts unfavorable to the hospital are removed from the website, from a mere phone call.

While I truly admire Joe being open-minded enough via other threads here to hear about positive changes ERIMC has made along with its national recongnition, I’m not sure the average Bonneville or upper valley county resident realizes what a crisis is occuring at Portneuf. In some ways it isn’t our concern, yet it has to be as it isn’t just about patient satisfaction. And the more services cut at Portneuf, the more EIRMC has to pick up the need for those services.

Joe has spoken of an earlier time when many in the public had negative view of EIRMC. While some of those views may have been true at one time, EIRMC has worked extremely hard to change many things. More and more people are returning to that facility and have been pleasantly surprised at the differences of what use to be and what is now.

However, from what I’ve read in the ISJ blogs, the really awful thing is the EMPLOYEES at Portneuf have had hours cut, are fearful of loosing their jobs if they speak too loudly about their view of health care at Portneuf and current options for ownership. I see that as a much more severe situation, not some members of the community distrusting a hospital. When employees are worried about care provided (or not), plus services cut, I see that as far moe severe.

Also, allegedly, some not so good things happened recently with a Portneuf surgeon threatening employees with their jobs (which I don’t believe he can do). And, if I understand this particular story correctly, which has many, many witnesses, a surgeon had to be “escorted” from the east hospital campus. I really do worry about employee morale and have safe patients really are or aren’t.

I feel badly for the employees who have families and need their jobs to meet their financial obligations. I’m also very confused about care in most units at Portneuf and why the census is so low, at times, nurses are sent home or to other areas in the hospital to work.

My goal is not to rehash what people are writing in Pocatello about their local hospital and healthcare. My point is saying there may have been perceptions about EIRMC from former patients that perhaps needed new information about the positive changes. But, I’ve not read about employees feeling threatened with their jobs and loss of hours, at EIRMC, by making a statement about EIRMC’s care. Actually, I think the opposite is more acurate.

I think EIRMC employees in particular have been cautioned to use restraint in naming examples of well-insured patients seen in EIRMC’s E.R., by an on-call specialist who could do their surgery the next day at Mtn. View instead of immediately or the next day at EIRMC. Also, I believe EIRMC employees have been cautioned not to discuss the patients who had to be transferred to EIRMC when Mtn. View couldn’t care for their medical needs.

Never, have I felt that employees from EIRMC were fearful of loosing their jobs (after big changes were made a while back) mentioningthe quality of patient care at EIRMC. Yet, it appears that some Portneuf employees are very nervous about their jobs when try to alert the public about their view of the decling quality of medical care at Portneuf. Nonetheless, some feel they owe the public that information and have tried their best to educate. My hat is off to those who have riske much to benefit future patients.

So in Idaho Falls an issue of former patients relying on former experiences and stories they’ve heard may determine which facility they use for some healthcare services. Meanwhile, 50 miles down the road, it appears that everything from possible employee harrassment, to a surgical team which can no longer work together for whatever reasons, to inadequate staffing due to low census is creating a crisis for healthcare in Bannock County. And those trying to write about it in blogs, state posts that are not favorable for Portneuf have been removed from the ISJ.

The Pocatello situation makes me appreciate Idaho Fallz.Com and EIRMC even more than I previously did. What I don’t understand is why a for profit hospital is such a bad thing?

As some mention in their blogs, the tax payers in Bannock County are now committed to paying $50 Million for construction and maybe another $200 Million and have never even had a chance to vote upon those plans. Tax payers in Bonneville County don’t have to worry about supporting a county hospital as a full service hospital.

From other places I’ve lived, I know the ownership of hospitals by counties is burdening those tax payers and most are only too happy to sell to any hospital chain willing to buy the facility, if given the chance. But, as was also posted in the ISJ blogs, the bond rating of Portneuf was Negative, (I may be wrong, but I thought it was bond) so not many national or regional companies may be interested in that facility.

My take home message is I’m certainly glad HCA decided to invest in Bonneville County and that those on the Advisory Board for the Consolidated Hospitals (Riverview and Parkview) didn’t vote for a large Bonneville County owned hospital as the solution to the limitations each facility had. Instead, the Consolidated Hospitals Board decided one hospital was the best answer and decided which major national chain would invest the most to benefit local residents.

Hi Okay4now, I have some info regarding your recent post; the blog threads did suddenly just disappear; several referred to the salaries made by several of the docs, including the cardiac surgeon….and also included some behavior issues associated with that doc, as well as a threat he had made to some of the nurses who had attended the infamous “beautification” meeting; keep in mind, this doc stormed out of chambers at a commissioner’s meeting (this was reported by KPVI, I think…) If you look at this blog thread, you will see that Ian Fennel, the Editor of the ISJ, admitted that he had, in fact, deleted certain posts at the request of the administration of PMC:

http://www.pocatelloshops.com/blogs/Journal_Opinion.php?id=2967#cmt

(Keep reading to the May 26, comments..) Many were outraged at this (as you aptly termed) “coziness” and disappeared from the discussions….

That kind of censorship is hard to stomach, yet the really scary thing, is, even with Ian Fennel’s acknowledgment that it had been done (mind you, no names were used and apparently, nothing contained in the blog comments was untrue…) several of the more rabid pro-PMC posters went out of their way to call several others conspiracy theorists!!!

For some of you earlier positing the “damage caps” question, remember that a damage cap does exist in Idaho pursuant to its Tort Reform legislation of ….1998, I think? I can look it up; anyway, important to keep in mind that a “damage cap” in this context applies ONLY to “non economic” damages (ie, “Pain and Suffering”) and does not apply to other types, such as economic (or receiptable, specific items such as medical bills and future care, future wage loss, etc.) or punitive damages (used to “punish” the wrongdoer). Just FYI…..

I heard some people were not too happy with the last couple weeks polls (asking which democrat or republican was most embarrassing to their respective parties), though this last one had a really high participation level.

Any ideas then for a new poll question and choices?

Maybe a ‘what will you do on the fourth of july’ poll?

I have an updated poll script that I think allows multiple choices, so I wouldn’t have to write them out several times like last year.

What are the major 4th activities this year?

Parade
Fireworks
Liberty Festival on the falls?
Settlers Festival in the park?
Shooting off own fireworks?
Family BBQ?
Boating/Jetskiing?

Others?

It’s a good idea, and I’ve thought of it and had it suggested many times, but it always comes down to who’s going to look up and type out all the restaurant names in a comment for me to copy and paste into a poll?

How many restaurants does Idaho Falls have? Probably a hundred or so?

How about a favorite restaurant genre? Comment with the names of all restaurants in a specific category and we can run that for a poll.

When you get the polls up & running again, how about a poll about whether or not to impeach Bush, Cheney, and/or Gonzales?

There’s been lots of talk about it, especially since the Libby commutation.

I guess we have our first vote then.

I know those PR inspection reports definately influence where I eat.

After today’s Post Register release about Larry suing the city for $500K for his (poor baby) emotional distress over his doggie incident, I’d vote to replace him with anyone at this point.

Maybe the other choices could be: Mickey Mouse, Al Gore III, Paris Hilton, Shep Smith, or Geraldo. Anoyne would be better than him. Am I the only one who sees the insanity of a city councilman suing the city (and taxpayers) he represents for a huge amount of money? Frivolous no doubt.

Bye bye next election, wimp.

Anything you would like to see asked in next week’s opinion poll?

Good question, how would you phrase the question and answers though?

I’d like to know if people would be in favor of video cams (or whatever they are called) on 17th Street to catch speeders, aggressive drivers, people who run stoplights or stopsigns, and any other hazard.

The wording would be perfect “Guest” for the RCW question.

Okeydokey, any other poll ideas for next week, running Sunday to Sunday.

I don’t think a “do you think Senator Larry Craig should resign” would be that great, because all the major media have already been running those polls and we know the answers already. Unless you have a different question related to it that has not been polled.

Otherwise, any other topics you want polled? Development, shopping, eateries, media, confidence in something, demographic checks?

Question suggestions are great, and proposed answers are greater, thanks.

Good topic idea, NufSaid. You idea also gave me a chance to try the multiple choice options recently added. I think this week’s poll will get some good participation.

What are your ideas for next week’s poll, or a poll of the week idea for some time in the future (such as week of/before/after a holiday?)

I’d also be interested in seeing how folks at IFz rate the Post Register and IF Magazine. Similar to the poll last week on RCW.

You know what I think would be great? If we all got together one of these Wednesdays at the “Alive After Five” event so all the regular posters here could meet and introduce themselves.

Joe….you’ve gotta be kidding me! Too shy? C’mon now!

Any other ideas for new polls of the week?

Sorry, I was looking over the other suggestions and they got muddled in my mind. I’ll explain why.

comment 57 suggested: I’d also be interested in seeing how folks at IFz rate the Post Register and IF Magazine. Similar to the poll last week on RCW.

I’m not sure that RCW poll was that great. Did anyone else think it was informative? Immediately after launching it, I could see it was mostly a way to bag on the RCW. I’m afraid it would be the same for a similar poll on the PR and the IF Mag. If you disagree, say so and why and we still can do those similar polls. Perhaps it was in the wording of the responses?

Comment 58: asking about how long folks have lived here and of those how often they have traveled out of Idaho - oh wait i just saw the lived here was one suggestion and the travel was another, oops. Ok so the other was the “how many times did you leave IF in last 12 months” and of those “how many times did you leave idaho also?”

We did the how long lived in IF poll awhile back, but it was probably long enough we could do it again, especially with the different visitors each month.

The polls can be a little more complicated now with multiple choices, but not so smart with asking a secondary question in response to a first question. Would this information sought still work in two polls? As in one week ask how many times left IF in last year, then next week ask how many times left Idaho?

Okeydokey, anyone rather see them go?

Although I haven’t always liked a particular weekly poll, I’ve always enjoyed them, and I would hate to see them go.
I like Ok4now’s idea of a poll regarding how many people were born and raised in Idaho, how many people moved here in the last year, decade, etc.
This could definately be made up into 2 or 3 seperate polls. One regarding how many people were born and raised in Idaho, how long have you lived here, if you’re from somewhere else how long have you lived here, etc.
Two, how often do you travel outside of Idaho? Was it one state over or multiple states? Was it for business or pleasure?

Keep the polls, just make them more interesting. They don’t all have to be serious or about important issues either. How about what is your favorite style of pizza….thin or deep dish? Favorite pizza place, Pizza Hut, Papa Murphy’s, Dominos etc. Favorite cola, Pepsi or Coke?
Favorite campground in SE Idaho?
Favorite place for winter sports, snowboarding, skiing, snowmobiling, etc.

I say keep the polls!

Good idea, have to make a list.

I’ve spent the past few weeks working through all the suggestions in order, and am about out of ideas (excepting the winter sports one). Any more ideas for upcoming weekly opinion polls?

Thanks in advance for your suggestions!

That’s right you did, and I remember thinking it was one of those that would be awesome if preceded by a little article/discussion on the subject.

Anyone know anything about that subject that thinks they can start an article? (3 paragraphs to publish baby!) If nobody starts one in the next few days I’ll look into doing it later this week.

We started this Idaho Business Complaints discussion last February, and it seems the most appropriate for what you are asking.

http://idahofallz.com/2007/02/05/idaho-business-complaints/

It would probably be helpful to read the comments there, especially the first one reiterating that comments are owned by the commenters, so say what you want if you feel you can back it up with your experience. (i.e. don’t say a business is full of child molesters if you cannot back it up cuz they can chase you for that). Otherwise, if you have a legitimate business complaint that is a good spot for it.

I appreciate the poll suggestions, and you can tell I’ve been using them. What would you like asked in new polls?

Um….what about Ron Paul? I’m just saying, with all the discussion about him lately he should possibly be one of the choices. Also maybe undecided or none of the above. That’s a great poll topic though.

Ginger or Marianne (or Mrs. Howell?)

Professor or Gilligan?

and why?????

THAT would also make a great poll……tee hee.

Okeydokey, more ideas for weekly polls? Questions are great, suggested responses are better!

We’ve already had an events or convention center poll.

What I’d like to see is a poll about New Years Resolutions and if people make them.
Answers to include but not limited to:
1. Yes
2. No
3. Yes, but I usually break them within a couple of months
4. Why bother?
5. Never

A second part to the question could be: If you do make New Years resolutions, what are the top resolutions being made?
1. to loose weight
2. to stop smoking
3. to excercise more
4. to be more successful
5. to spend more time with family

This isn’t so much a suggestion for a poll, but a suggestion for someone to start a post regarding fuel prices in and around Idaho Falls. Actually I can’t believe we don’t have a post written on this topic already, with the price of fuel over the past couple years.
The idea is to have a post where people periodically post their findings in regards to which gas stations around town have the best fuel prices. Last week I paid 2.84 at the new Fred Meyers gas station off of Northgate. Not only is their fuel the cheapest in town, I think it’s also the cleanest. Being that they just opened up this gas station, you’re pretty much gauranteed to get the cleanest gas in town since they have brand new tanks in the ground.

One place I refuse to buy fuel is Maverick. They usually have pretty decent prices, however, I’ve bought watered down or dirty fuel from them on a couple different occasions from two different stations. One on the corner of Yellowstone & Sunnyside, and the other 1st & Holmes. On both occasions after filling up, my vehicle ran extremely poor, sputtered and hesitated and had a huge loss in power until I ran all the fuel out and refilled at a different station. I even dumped in fuel cleaner & octane boost to try and correct the problem, but nothing helped until I ran it empty and filled back up with a better & more reliable fuel. Ever since then I refuse to take my vehicles to Maverick for fuel.
I think if we can post our findings (if their lower than what’s posted) each time we fill up, that would be a great service to the community. We all know what a big chunk of change it takes to fill up our vehicles each week in this day and age.

So there’s an idea for a post.

Thanks for the info Idaho Native!

Cool, I think we did the first a long time ago, but it has been a long time so it might be good again. The second is definitely unique and appropriate for this time of year.

We’re always taking opinion poll suggestions here if others have more ideas too.

Sounds like a good poll. I’m listening to Pandora.com right now. I have a few friends who listen to their XM and Sirius accounts online.

Good point Joe. I guess its the same type of thought process regarding the local webpages I spoke about in the chatbox earlier. Most folks around here just aren’t “tech savvy” enough or want to bother with change.
The thing is, they just don’t realize how easy it is these days. Oh well, I’m sure they’ll come around eventually. It’s takes longer for progress to take hold in some places than it does others.

How aware are you as to what is going on in the world?

1. I’m very aware! Nothing escapes my intense scrutiny.
2. I’m generally aware of local and world news events.
3. I’m only concerned with what’s going on in my life.
4. Huh? Where am I? How long have I been in this coma?

I think it is a great idea.

Joe, I think it’s time for a new poll.

Since I just purchased my airline tickets today to go visit family for Thanksgiving, I thought this may be a good poll topic.
What do you think Joe? Please feel free to re-word it or adjust as you deem necessary.

Poll Question: What are your travel plans for this holiday season?

1. about the same as last year, visiting family locally.
2. about the same as last year, travelling out of state to visit family.
3. family is out of state, can’t afford to travel this year.
4. not travelling this year, spending the holidays at home with spouse and children.

Thanks!

I agree Kari. I think that would make a good poll.

Are you saying that the rest of the country can discuss these issues in various print formats and blogs but it’s off limits on this “progressive” site? Do the Mormons have that much control over this little slice of Americana? Shame!

Good to have you back reader. And you’re absolutely right regarding the religious discussion. As hard as people tried, they couldnt abide by the rules when it came to this topic.

Here’s one for the opinion poll, or maybe even an article.

Do you think that the media and it’s constant doom-mongering is the main reason that spending is down and retailers are wary?

Do you think that if the media painted a better picture that more people may be more inclined to spend a bit more and the economy would fix itself?

Just curious…

Oh baby, the Professor all the way! Brainy and hot in a slightly geeky way! But CR, you left out the Skipper as a choice…

I left the Skipper out on purpose; he is abusive in his relationships (he was always hitting Gilligan and, more disturbingly, calling him “Little Buddy”)

Me, I would go right for Mr. Howell….but can someone please explain why the millionaire was on the broken down “three hour cruise” run by Skipper in the first place? Couldn’t he have chartered, or even bought, a better boat??

And while we are at it, how is it that the Professor can build a radio out of a pineapple but he can’t fix a hole in a boat???

ummmm…..not so much. She must be 86 by now?

good point, reader; and I wonder what the current tv watchers would say about the whole “Jack Tripper pretending to be gay by walking swishy and lisping” plot……

Ethyl brought up a good poll topic today in the chatbox. How about some “Christmas related” polls for the holiday season? C’mon Joe….where ya at? We’re all dying for a new poll. If you’d like to give me the key to that department, I’d be glad to take it over for you and change out the old polls for new one each week.

(and don’t forget the one I suggested in comment 101. it’ll be too late to post in a couple of weeks, so try to get it up soon)
Thanks!

I don’t think anyone is financially better off. Even Bill Gates lost billions of dollars due to the recent economic downturn.

On that same note, should companies whose products have been proven not to work, and sued for that ineffectiveness (a certain “male enhancement” drug comes to mind) still be allowed to sell that product?