The changes in the brain now so obvious in football players and those in other contact

sports are now seen as actual brain injuries similar to PTSD, as the brain is visibly shaken within and against the skull.
Think of the many functions each area of the brain performs, and the interconnectivity of the cells working together.

Also remember that the cerebral cortex which controls executive functions- judgment, decision-making, etc.- is not fully developed until the early-to mid 20's, yet other parts of the brain and the body are developed enough to want to take on fully-adult functions, such as reproduction, emoting, and physicality.

I'm grateful my children chose non-contact sports such as swimming, running, and tennis, even before we knew of the dangers inherent in contact sports. Blind luck.

I've frequently said that we're still in the Dark Ages re understanding

of the mind.

Such great progress has been made medically re the human body in the last 50-60 years, but we know so little of the nuances of the human brain.
This has been brought home to me even more directly since a family member suffered a stroke, resulting in aphasia, but obviously affecting other areas, sometimes more, sometimes less. Includes some executive functions, such as decision making, making choices, and struggles that aren't even apparent to the observer, but are taking place unseen, causing unknown or unobserved stress to the individual.

That sounds really scarey. Glad it turned out well. nt

The poll on my phone limited my answers by virtue of having me push numbers on the phone

to indicate agreement to their set answers.
It was not conducted by a live person, but a recorded questioner.
It purported to be a "public opinion poll".
I considered the first few questions were to put me at ease with the poll.
There was no alternative to what was (for me at least) the final question - For whom would I vote in the Republican primary?

The example you cite is certainly a type of push poll, but not the only one.
Whoever commissioned the poll or whoever wrote the wording was looking for certain responses, not conducting an honest survey of public opinion. That qualifies as a push poll.

Push Poll this evening- turned out to be Republican.

Are you a registered voter (Yes)
Do you intend to vote in the primary eection (Yes).
What political party do you belong to (Democratic).
Did you vote for Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump? (Hillary Clinton)
Thinking of Sherrod Brown: Very favorable, somewhat favorable, not very favorable, not at all favorable? (Very Favorable)
(Sen. Brown's first name was mispronounced: SherRod - accent on second syllable - a giveaway that the person was not familiar with Sen. Brown).
Have I ever heard of Melissa????? (No)
Have I ever heard of (another name)? (No)
Have I ever heard of Jim Renacci? (Yes)
In the Republican primary, which would I vote for - Melissa, (another name), or Jim Renacci?
I remained silent, as I could not answer the question, inasmuch as I'm not voting in the Republican primary.
The last question was repeated, again I could not, did not answer, and the call was terminated.

This was a recorded poll, with answers by pushing buttons on the phone.

That OP heading should be on billboards all over her state. nt

Thanks for my hearts, as well. This is one of the fun things I look forward to

on DU each year, as well as a reminder to donate.
Another benefit of valentine hearts- no ads to junk up the screen!

Fasting is for those between 14 and 59 years, assuming good health.

I am long past 59 and would enjoy a good seafood dish more than a steak any day.
So bring it on.

I personally believe the abstaining from meat rule is rather archaic, given the availability in the modern world of delicious meat substitutes. However, I do voluntarily abstain from meat on Fridays in Lent- when I remember.

In the (seemingly) distant past, when every Friday was a day of meat abstinence, it was far easier to remember to abstain, as long as one remembered what day of the week it was.

Edited to add: I personally believe that doing positive good is more worthy than abstaining or fasting, and I believe Pope Francis agrees, though I'm sure he does all of the above.

Michelle and Barack are young enough that there may be other,

better, portraits done of them, in a not-so-stylized form.

Please consider your husband, obviously a good guy, and do what is best for him and for you,

so that you will not have regrets should anything go wrong for him while he assists your parents so long and so often.
Husband is your first priority.
Things are going to go bad for your parents inevitably, likely sooner rather than later.
It's not right that hubby's in-laws are determining the direction of these years that are so valuable to him.

Hope all went well when you brought them to see the house.
Probably your Dad nixed it. For your sake, I hope not, but, from what you describe, I believe he did.

Best wishes in your endeavors.