The march yesterday was great. We walked three miles from Garden Pier on New Jersey Avenue to Boardwalk Hall (the old Convention Hall) where we held a short rally. There, we lined up to read the names of the 53 people from New Jersey killed in Iraq. I read the name of John S. Spahr, 43, of Cherry Hill. He was old compared to so many of them, mostly in their early twenties--and there were some who died at 19. We then walked back the same route. We carried signs and banners, plus a large American flag. (Who said "Dissent is the highest form of patriotism."? I don't know myself, but will google it.) On the way there and back, we shouted pro-peace slogans, such as "What do we want? Peace! When do we want it? Now!" A number of onlookers made the peace sign or otherwise showed support; I saw two actually fall in and join us. It was a beautiful day, very cold, but bright with sunshine. After, Leslie and I went to Downbeach Deli for a late lunch/early dinner. Along with Dennis, we'll be participating in the twice-monthly peace vigils in Absecon as soon as they resume.
Now I want to address the continuing discussion of "What questions are legal?" rather than relegate it to comments. I can understand Dee's idea that an employer has the right to know what sex an interviewee is, but in most cases, Pat is correct in asking, "What difference does it make?" Unless there's some reason for requiring a certain sex (if the job is for a go-go dancer, maybe), it isn't usually relevant to a job. However, that "Miss, Mrs., or Ms." question didn't concern gender (it wouldn't be asked of a man), it actually has to do with marital status. Whether you're married or not is no business of the prospective employer. Dee also wrote she thinks employers should be able to ask any question relevant to the job and that's exactly the point. If you examine the list, you'll see that the illegal ones really aren't relevant to whether the interviewee is qualified to do the job. Pat brought up the "what year did you graduate?" thing and yes, it's puzzling to me, too, why that would be legal, as it seems to indicate age. However, I researched it and it is allowable. Actually, the "relatives who work here" and for competitors is legit to 1. avoid nepotism (this is a subject interesting to me because I wrote the nepotism policy for Rider) so applicants aren't hired to work under relatives. The "competitors" one is to avoid leaking secrets and conflict of interests. As for getting fired if you lie about when you graduated high school, theoretically, I guess that could happen if the application (as most do) says any falsification could lead to dismissal. Other things being equal, it seems highly unlikely that would happen, but yes, that's the one question that gives me pause (oh, I love using phrases like that!), Once you're hired, though, all bets are off: The employer needs to have your age and, often, marital status and and other information for legal and benefits reasons.
"Anonymous"--whom I know better as daughter Ellen, in Ventura--was closest in correct answers, although she also tabbed the high school one as illegal.
Anyway, let's move on. How about somebody else coming up with a quiz in your field of expertise or special interest?