Dear Abby??

[Ree]

The update is already being discussed in another thread
I don't think we need 2 threads discussing the same thing.
I'm closing this one.

[Andara Bledin]

Actually, if you read the 4 letters after the smug commentary by Abby, the first two actually don't agree with her. The third one is kind of with her. The fourth one is completely "it goes with the territory, cope or get a different job," and I hope I never work with that guy.

Interestingly enough, of the five letters she printed, the first three are from women (all on Nicki's side, more or less) and the last two are from men (one calling for Nicki to be more aware and the other the "cope" guy).

The middle response is actually from Saydrah (#31 in this thread), so we got two responses out of five!

^-.-^

[technical.angel]

THEY'RE UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dearabby.com

Not only are they up, but Saydrah's letter made it in in a cut down and edited form.

See post 31 in this thread to see Saydrah's full letter.

[crazylegs]

I guess the laws on assault are very different here then, as I say a customer even touching someone here is technically assault, especially if unwanted, could also be classed as sexual harassment I guess

I'm in the UK.

I work with criminal law everyday.

Sexual Harrasement, if it were more than one occasion

Assault, incredibly hard to prove, technically could be but no conviction would ever be brought from someone touching someone elses arm the once.

[Supernautus]

I guess the laws on assault are very different here then, as I say a customer even touching someone here is technically assault, especially if unwanted, could also be classed as sexual harassment I guess

[crazylegs]

I don't know about the US, but for anyone working like that in the UK, being touched by a customer, in any way, without your permission, or it being a requirement, is classed as assault, never mind invasion of personal space

The definition of assault is suffering anlawful violence, a brushing of the arm probably wouldn't count as violence and would be very hard to prove, especially in court.

[Supernautus]

I don't know about the US, but for anyone working like that in the UK, being touched by a customer, in any way, without your permission, or it being a requirement, is classed as assault, never mind invasion of personal space

[Saydrah]

She's been a bitch since the REAL Dear Abby died and her vapid daughter took over. Dan Savage agrees- he owns the original Dear Abby's newsroom desk and types his column there, and greatly respected her. The daughter? Not so much.

And by the way, if the pregnant 16-year-old DIDN'T use birth control, who do you think didn't teach her about it and make it available to her? I think the parents' disappointment is very misplaced.

[powerboy]

Abby is being a bitch now days.

[Evil Queen]

It doesn't say; it just says "out west". That could be anywhere.

[Aethian]

I believe that is only in certain states. In Michigan 16 is the cut off for stat. rape. *sighs* Anyone remember where they from?

[Zyanya]

I'm starting to get really irked at Abby over her last few days like to the parents of the pregnant 16 year old. I had a friend commit suicide after her parents forced her to give up her child. I understand that it will be mucho tought for her but how can they know in 9 months time if she is mentally able or not to be a teenage Mom who makes it.

I do believe that at 16, the girl's permission is required to make her give up the baby.

[BookstoreEscapee]

Wow, how did I miss that one?! To be fair, the letter writer doesn't say whether the daughter was involved in the decision to give up the baby, or if she is indeed being forced to do so (though she does kinda give the impression that it is not her up to her).

It does bother me that Abby assumes that the girl and her partner didn't use birth control (though at least she acknowledges that there was indeed a guy involved in this as well). I know that teens tend to be less likely to use birth control but no birth control is 100% and the letter says nothing about that particular bit. They may have used something; we don't know.

[Evil Queen]

I read that one too. Really pissed me off. Abby is walking a fine line and she doesn't even see it.

[Aethian]

I'm starting to get really irked at Abby over her last few days like to the parents of the pregnant 16 year old. I had a friend commit suicide after her parents forced her to give up her child. I understand that it will be mucho tought for her but how can they know in 9 months time if she is mentally able or not to be a teenage Mom who makes it.