gistfile1.js

function shouldValidate(input){
   var $input = $(input);
   return $input.data("startingValue") != "" || $input.is(".error");
}

function shouldValidate(input){
    var $input = $(input);
    var weStartedWithAValue = $input.data("startingValue") != "";
    var weWereAlreadyMarkedWithAnError = $input.is(".error");
    return weStartedWithAValue || weWereAlreadyMarkedWithAnError;
}