Even though they're late, I liked this week's Saturday Scruples, so here they are!

1. You dream that friends die in a plane crash. The next day they announce a trip to Greece. Do you mention your dream? Yes, I probably would. I think I did this once when my brother was going on a trip. Needless to say, it turned out to be just a dream.

2. Your spouse offers to let you have an affair if s/he can. Do you accept the offer? No way. I think this opens up a can of worms that will cause nothing but trouble.

3. You're a collage teacher. one of your students plagiarized an essay and should fail the course. She's from a disadvantaged minority. Do you make an exception? No, cheating is cheating. No exceptions.

.: 136 words at 05:54 PM in Saturday Scruples, ";print substr($entry_cats, 0, -2); ?> :: Link :: Pings (0) :: All the Voices Say... (1) :.

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Time for this week's Saturday Scruples!

1. You've agreed to sublet your apartment to someone. Someone else offers you an extra 50% a month to give it to her. Do you? Depends how far along we were in the process. If we'd just talked once or twice and nothing had been signed yet, probably. If we were just about completely done on the deal, no.

2. Your boss congratulates you for a brilliant suggestion and hints at a promotion. A subordinate gave you the idea. Do you mention this to the boss? If someone else gave me the idea, no way would I take the credit. If it was something where they gave an idea and I expounded upon it for my suggestion, then I probably wouldn't.

3. You're a college basketball star with high grades. An infertile couple offers you $4000 to donate semen/an egg. Do you agree to do it? No. I don't want kids, so the last thing I want is for someone to come track me down years later.

.: 174 words at 09:34 PM in Saturday Scruples, ";print substr($entry_cats, 0, -2); ?> :: Link :: Pings (0) :: All the Voices Say... (0) :.

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Time for Phoxxe's Saturday Scruples!

The couple in the next apartment is brawling. Later, you speak to the woman who has minor bruises. She asks you not to call the police. Do you call them? Yes. At the very least, it will start a paper trail showing his behavior. Maybe by talking to someone, she might see that she should leave too.

A member of the school board is convicted of shoplifting. She is a competent official. As a parent, do you support demands for her resignation? Probably not.

You're shaken up in an auto accident. Your lawyer can get a large settlement if you exaggerate your aches and pains. Do you? Man, that is tough. On one hand I would love to because I could use the money. On the other hand, it's insurance fraud. I would probably exaggerate some, but not to a major degree.

.: 148 words at 12:58 AM in Saturday Scruples, ";print substr($entry_cats, 0, -2); ?> :: Link :: Pings (0) :: All the Voices Say... (1) :.

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Time for Phoxxe's Saturday Scruples!

1. You're an M.D. A patient asks you for a sick note. She took time off work to visit a daughter who just had a baby. Do you provide the note? Unless we were good friends, no. On the other hand, though, if the people in her office were real assholes about it and she could lose her job, then yes.

2. In a supermarket, you send dozens of packages tumbling into the aisle. No one sees you. Do you tip toe away? No, I would probably pick them up.

3. A colleague is out of her office. You notice her paycheck stub on her desk. Do you glance at it? It would be hard not to, but I probably wouldn't. Well, unless all I had to do was look over there and not move anything. Then I just might.

.: 146 words at 05:04 PM in Saturday Scruples, ";print substr($entry_cats, 0, -2); ?> :: Link :: Pings (0) :: All the Voices Say... (0) :.

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Time for Phoxxe's Saturday Scruples!

1. Your boss demands to know what a co-worker is saying behind her back. It's not flattering. Do you say? Probably not. I would maybe give a vague reference, but directly tell, no. I would tell her to address it with the co-worker. Unless, of course, she's massively vindictive. Then I might tell.

2. You pick up a lottery ticket for yourself and a friend. Your friend's number is drawn before you can deliver her ticket. Do you switch tickets? I don't know if there is anyway of knowing who's ticket is who's, and in most of the cases like that, I would just treat it like it was a pool and split it.

3. You've been pounding the pavement looking for work. A company where workers are on strike offers you a job. Do you take it? Depends on why they're striking. If it's because the company is completely evil, I don't think I'd want to work there anyway. If it's a stupid reason *cough* baseball *cough*, I would probably take the job.

.: 180 words at 04:20 PM in Saturday Scruples, ";print substr($entry_cats, 0, -2); ?> :: Link :: Pings (0) :: All the Voices Say... (0) :.

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Time for Phoxxe's Saturday Scruples!

1. In a "must win football game, your coach tells you to target the rival quarterback's recent knee injury. Do you obey? No way. A game is not worth possibly injuring someone for life.

2. Your cool new look gets you nowhere because your best friend looks like trailer trash. Do you avoid being seen with him/her? No, but if we were going somewhere really fancy, I might suggest that they dress a little nicer.

3. When a young waitress leans forward to wipe tables, you have a magnificent view not meant for you. Do you keep looking? I must admit, I probably would. Terrible, I know.

.: 113 words at 12:41 AM in Saturday Scruples, ";print substr($entry_cats, 0, -2); ?> :: Link :: Pings (0) :: All the Voices Say... (0) :.

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Time for Phoxxe's Saturday Scruples!

1. You manage a TV station. Your female news anchor doesn't look the way she did 15 years ago. The ratings are falling. Do you replace her? Hmmm. I would love to say no, but since I'm in business to get better ratings, I guess I would have to. I wouldn't fire her, though, and I would try and find her another position or slot that she would be happy with.

2. You're traveling in Uzbeckistan when you're invited to a feast by shepherds. You're given the sheep's eyeball, the greatest delicacy. To refuse it is the greatest insult. Everyone's watching. Do you gulp it down? Blah! I would try it, though, since I would hate to insult anyone. Maybe they'd have pity on me when I threw up. :-)

3. After months, the charge for your new TV doesn't show up on your credit card statement. Do you report the oversight? Nope. I sure wouldn't.

.: 162 words at 05:00 PM in Saturday Scruples, ";print substr($entry_cats, 0, -2); ?> :: Link :: Pings (1) :: All the Voices Say... (1) :.

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Time for Phoxxe's Saturday Scruples!

1. Your son's Fifth Grade teacher is proud to be gay. He espouses gay family values in class. Do you protest to the principal? I suppose it depends on what you mean my espousing family values in class. I wouldn't want my child to have family values of any kind taught to him at school, be it religious, sexual, or anything else at this age - that's my job to do. I would probably not protest, though, unless I felt it was extremely over the line.

2. As a joke, a co-worker sends anonymous love letters to another co-worker who takes them seriously. Everyone is enjoying the prank. Do you expose it? Yes, I would. That's a terrible thing to do to someone and I would feel so guilty if I knew about it and let it continue.

3. Due to a mix-up the tax department fines you $500 for tax evasion. You're completely innocent but it'll cost $5000 to fight in court. Do you fight on principle? I guess it depends on if any repercussions will happen because of this. Does it go on my record and I have to disclose it on any kind of application, for instance. If not, I would probably just pay it.

.: 214 words at 07:54 PM in Saturday Scruples, ";print substr($entry_cats, 0, -2); ?> :: Link :: :: All the Voices Say... (0) :.

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Time for Phoxxe's Saturday Scruples!

1. A disgruntled worker is brandishing an automatic weapon. You're near a door. If you try to warn others you may not escape. Do you save yourself? That's a tough one. If I ran back inside, probably none of us would be able to get out, so the best thing would be to get out and try and get some help. There's nothing I could do to help someone if I was dead.

2. You're buying a house from a sweet old lady. Her price is well below market value. Do you tell her? Probably not. I may mention it, though, since if it's that low, there may be some kind of flaw or problem that she's not disclosing. Just to warn her so she could increase her price though, no.

3. Your five-year-old is angry and kicks you in the shins. Do you administer a sound spanking? Probably. That seems like it would deserve it in my opinion.

.: 165 words at 04:57 PM in Saturday Scruples, ";print substr($entry_cats, 0, -2); ?> :: Link :: :: All the Voices Say... (0) :.

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Time for Phoxxe's Saturday Scruples!

1. Your six-year-old son likes to play with BarbieŽ dolls. Do you discourage him? No. I played with cars and other "boy" toys when I was a kind and I turned out fine.

2. When you make a big sale, your boss surprises you you with a warm, lingering hug. Do you tell your boss you're not comfortable with this? Probably not. I've had bosses that do this in the past, but if it bothered me that much I would.

3. You invent a new kitchen aid. You can make four times more if you manufacture it in Asia where workers are paid a survival wage. Do you? Tough question. I'd like to say no, but I guess it depends on a few factors. Do I need the extra money or stock or do I otherwise go under? If it's just extra money, no.

.: 150 words at 03:47 AM in Saturday Scruples, ";print substr($entry_cats, 0, -2); ?> :: Link :: :: All the Voices Say... (0) :.

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Time for Phoxxe's Saturday Scruples!

1. A land settlement gives First nation people thousands of square miles and millions of dollars. Someone has a petition opposing any giveaway. Do you sign it? Probably not. Restitutions are not necessarily a bad thing. I guess it would depend on the terms of the settlement.

2. At the beginning of a job interview the owner remarks: "You're the first white face I've seen all day." Later when you're offered the job, do you take it? I would take the job if I was incredibly broke, out of work, and needed the money, but I would be looking for another one while I worked there. If I wasn't broke and out of work, I wouldn't take it and I would probably report the guy. I could never work for someone who's a racist.

3. You find a crisp $20 folded on the floor of a small store. Two other customers are in the store. Do you pocket the bill? Probably. No idea how long it's been there and if those two people even dropped it. If one of them started looking around for something, though, I would see if it was the money and give it to them if it was.

.: 208 words at 07:36 PM in Saturday Scruples, ";print substr($entry_cats, 0, -2); ?> :: Link :: :: All the Voices Say... (0) :.

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Time for Phoxxe's Saturday Scruples!

1. You're starting a new restaurant. Video Lottery Terminals (VLT's) would bring in needed cash. Do you install them? I guess it would depend. Would they clash too much with the type of restaurant I was trying to make? VLTs don't exactly go with a classy restaurant. If not, I guess I might, though they would be illegal in Texas. ;-)

2. You're a personal trainer. You start an affair with a client who thinks the workouts now should be free. Do you insist on payment? If I really liked the person and wanted to continue the relationship and this was going to be a major point of contention, no. Otherwise, I probably would.

3. Your spouse would be upset if she knew you forgot the asthma kit when you took baby to the park. Do you lie to avoid a fight? Yes, if she doesn't know and nothing bad happened, why bring it up?

.: 161 words at 06:36 PM in Saturday Scruples, ";print substr($entry_cats, 0, -2); ?> :: Link :: :: All the Voices Say... (0) :.

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Here's a late edition of Phoxxe's Saturday Scruples!

1. You phone a friend at 2 a.m. but accidentally dial another friend. When his indignant voice answers, do you hang up? No, because most of mine friends have caller ID and lots of them would be up anyway. If I woke them up, I would apologize and get off the phone as quickly as possible.

2. You're about to buy a newspaper when you notice the vending box is open. Do you pay for the paper? Not if I noticed before I paid.

3. A new business opportunity could make you rich. Do you try to involve family members and in-laws? It depends on how much risk is involved and if I thought it wouldn't strain our relationship too badly if it didn't.

.: 133 words at 02:03 AM in Saturday Scruples, ";print substr($entry_cats, 0, -2); ?> :: Link :: :: All the Voices Say... (0) :.

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Time for Phoxxe's Saturday Scruples!

1. While a house guest, you accidentally smash a clay bust of your host. It could have fallen by itself. Do you keep silent? Probably. I would be so embarrassed and feel so bad, I most likely wouldn't tell.

2. Your elderly mother-in-law doesn't like nursing homes but can't live alone. Do you invite her to live with you? Honestly, more than likely not. I would like to, but I think I am too selfish.

3. A 12 year-old girl has cancer. Her father refuses to allow chemotherapy. Instead, he believes in alternative medicine. Should the child be removed from his custody? This is a very good question. I think that it should be consided neglect and the child removed if the chemo has a good chance of saving her life. If the odds aren't very good, then no.

.: 145 words at 02:28 PM in Saturday Scruples, ";print substr($entry_cats, 0, -2); ?> :: Link :: :: All the Voices Say... (0) :.

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Time for Phoxxe's Saturday Scruples!

1. You want to quit a job without notice but you need a good reference from your employer. Do you invent a family health emergency? Honestly, I can never see myself doing this. I would just put in notice and tough out the two weeks.

2. In a parking lot, you accidentally dent someone's car door, do you leave a note taking responsibility? When I was sixteen I did this once and left. I guess it depends on how big the dent is. If you can't even see it, probably not. If it's a little more major, probably, but who can say for sure.

3. You're a homeowner. A group home for mentally challenged adults is planned for next door. Do you sign a petition to stop it? No. I don't think there's any need to stop something like that.

.: 146 words at 06:42 PM in Saturday Scruples, ";print substr($entry_cats, 0, -2); ?> :: Link :: :: All the Voices Say... (1) :.

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I didn't realize it but, Phoxxe took over Marsha's Saturday Scruples. So, once again, it's Saturday Scruples time at The Neurotic Fishbowl!

1. At a video store, someone is about to rent a movie you've seen. I'ts really bad. Do you say something? Yes, I do. It can't hurt them to know that it's a bad movie and they can still rent it, so a little extra knowledge can't be a bad thing.

2. Your former lover becomes famous. A tabloid offers you $50,000 for nude pictures and a "tell all." Do you sell? Since my ex was evil and left me with a ton of bills, you bet I would!

3. You decide not to hire someone because he's wearing a nose ring. When he asks why he didn't make it, do you give the real reason? Hmmm. I don't think I wouldn't hire someone because of a nose ring, but I guess I would tell them so that if they applied somewhere else they might think about removing it.

.: 171 words at 09:20 PM in Saturday Scruples, ";print substr($entry_cats, 0, -2); ?> :: Link :: :: All the Voices Say... (1) :.

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Here's the last edition of Marsha's Saturday Scruples.

1. you are filling out your income tax form. do you declare every cent you are supposed to declare? Nope. (I hope no IRS auditors are reading this!) I game girled for a couple of weeks at an underground poker game (served people food and drinks for tips) and I never declared that money.

2. you find an expensive pen in a public lounge. do you keep it? If no one is looking for it and it doesn't have a name on it, yep.

3. a grisly murder in your area causes an outcry and a referendum on capital punishment. do you vote to restore the death penalty? We already have capital punishment (this is Texas, after all) and personally I am for the death penalty. I would vote yes if we didn't have it.

.: 144 words at 11:01 PM in Saturday Scruples, ";print substr($entry_cats, 0, -2); ?> :: Link :: :: All the Voices Say... (0) :.

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Time for Marsha's Saturday Scruples!

1. as a famous athlete, you are offered $100 000 to endorse a product you wouldn't use. do you endorse it? Definitely, unless it's something that I am morally against like maybe cigarettes.

2. a friend who is a strict vegetarian is coming for dinner. you're feeling proud of your bean stew until you remember that you used a beef stock. do you keep quiet and serve the dish? No, I would tell them. Everyone else can eat it and let me know how fabulous it is. Of course I can't make anything more complex than Pop-Tarts, so this will never happen. :-)

3. on an airplane, an old man asks if you will change seats with his wife so they can sit together. you came early to get a window and don't like his wife's location. do you move? Probably. It would be nice to stay in the seat I want, but if I had to sit apart from Steven I would hope I could talk someone into trading seats with me, so I would do it for others. Unless it was near an obnoxious child. Then no way in hell.

.: 198 words at 05:12 AM in Saturday Scruples, ";print substr($entry_cats, 0, -2); ?> :: Link :: :: All the Voices Say... (2) :.

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Time for Marsha's Saturday Scruples (on time for once)!

1. a close friend will be interviewed for a job with your employer. he asks you for a list of the questions in advance. do you supply it? Unless I think working with them (for some reason) would be bad for our relationship and if I could get the questions, definitely.

2. you work for an optical store. jimmy has broken his glasses and his parents are agonizing over the price of replacements. a competitor is selling identical glasses for half-price. do you send jimmy's parents there? Yes, yes, yes. I would try and get the boss to match the price first, though.

3. you are a reporter. the family of a murder victim has refused your requests for picture and interview. your editor demands that you keep calling them. do you? No. That's terrible. If I worked for someone who was like that, I would have to find another job.

.: 160 words at 01:20 PM in Saturday Scruples, ";print substr($entry_cats, 0, -2); ?> :: Link :: :: All the Voices Say... (0) :.

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Continuing my habit of posting late on the weekend, here's Marsha's Saturday Scruples.

1. the only available spot in the parking lot is reserved for the handicapped. you are in a hurry and won't be very long. do you park there? No. Never. I never park in handicap spaces. Once, Steven and I had to run to the office we both worked at really late at night and I got on him for parking in the handicap space even though it was midnight and we were the only people there.

2. you have been attending classes all year. an acquaintance, who rarely shows up, asks to photocopy your notes. do you consent? Well, I was always the person that did this in college, so I would. I never went to class, so I would help someone out since others did it for me.

3. you have a struggling young company. you have to choose between two equal candidates for a job, a man and a woman. The woman will work for $2000 per year less than the man. do you hire her for that reason? If she's got on her resume or told me that she would work for less, I would say yes. Hopefully, we could stop struggling and then I would up her salary.

.: 217 words at 10:35 PM in Saturday Scruples, ";print substr($entry_cats, 0, -2); ?> :: Link :: :: All the Voices Say... (0) :.

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Better late than never, right? So here's Marsha's Saturday Scruples.

1. you reserve seats at a local theatre by phone (without paying). a few hours before curtain, you decide not to go. do you bother to cancel? Sure. It only takes a second to call. Seems rude not to.

2. by mistake, a large department store has failed to bill your account for a vcr. do you notify the store? Probably not. I am totally evil about this kind of thing and got a Tivo for free under similar circumstances. I may go to hell for it, but at least I can watch TV my way!

3. a close friend asks you to hide an illegal drug. do you agree? Maybe pot, but otherwise no. If they want to use it, they can hide it themselves.

.: 137 words at 12:12 AM in Saturday Scruples, ";print substr($entry_cats, 0, -2); ?> :: Link :: :: All the Voices Say... (0) :.

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Today I'm doing my first of Marsha's Saturday Scruples.

1. california grape pickers are on strike and organizing a boycott. the store only has california grapes and you want some. do you buy them? Probably. If I was really aware of what the strike was about and thought there was a genuine problem, I wouldn't.

2. a co-worker at a large company is stealing from petty cash. do you warn him to stop? Yes, definitely.

3. you are a policeman. a young punk is running away after robbing a store. your warning shot is ignored. do you shoot to wound knowing you might kill him? Only if he had a weapon or I was worried he was going to hurt someone.

.: 121 words at 11:17 PM in Saturday Scruples, ";print substr($entry_cats, 0, -2); ?> :: Link :: :: All the Voices Say... (0) :.

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