Y2HH

QUOTE (MexSoxFan#1 @ Mar 27, 2012 -> 02:49 PM) I'm hispanic just like Zimmerman so I don't see how I'm racially biased...I see this as a simple case of some nut who's biggest fantasy was to be a cop so he goes around pretending to be one, sees a "suspicious looking person" (young black kid in a hoodie) and started a confrontation against NW protocal. The kid ends up dead and this asshole can get off because of a stupid law. Not complicated at all. I'm glad you finally responded, because now I can make my point. Sorry, but that racial charge was me jumping to conclusions...and before I wrote what I wrote, I guessed you were Hispanic due to your avatar, which I assume is your daughters face. Point is, jumping to conclusions with little to no evidence, other than circumstantial (which is all you're going on), which is what most of you are doing, is bad...for the reason you helped me highlight.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Mar 27, 2012 -> 02:52 PM) it won't. We're not that lucky. This will lead to a whole lot more people being uninsured and a whole lot angrier of a crowd trying to defend their health care when they're the only ones left who have it. Don't worry Balta, I'll get you covered.

QUOTE (StrangeSox @ Mar 27, 2012 -> 02:46 PM) If this leads to our really, really dumb for-profit insurance system imploding and being replaced by socialized coverage, I'm down. You realize that the government can't even afford medicare/medicaid right now, but you think they'll magically be able to afford socialized coverage? LOLz. Be ready for income tax rates upwards of 50%, not to mention various other taxes, fees, and fines...which of course, you aren't EVER getting through congress at this point. Our entire tax system, from the local all the way to national, would need massive reform for that to EVER happen. TL;DR, even if our system implodes...not happening. They'd sooner revert back to what it was before you ever see that kind of overall systemic reform happen.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Mar 27, 2012 -> 02:46 PM) And if that's the case (and I think it is), then I conclude that the concealed carry laws also have to be thrown in with things that should face reform. It's pretty obvious that everyone here, at least I think everyone here, disagrees with the vagueness of the law in question...and it's complicating the matter. But the fact is, the law exists...but that's also why they let trained police, lawyers and judges make the decisions on this sort of thing...unfortunately, i think even they are handcuffed when it comes to this because of the law as it's written.

QUOTE (Reddy @ Mar 27, 2012 -> 02:31 PM) why am i an idiot. you're a genius. Well, to be reasonable, the bench makes it easier and allows you to go further than the ground will, but you can still perform the move, even if not as well as with a bench.

QUOTE (StrangeSox @ Mar 27, 2012 -> 02:41 PM) I was unclear, sorry. I was not referring to the legality but to what actually happened, call it moral responsibility maybe. Trayvon Martin would be alive today but for Zimmerman's rash actions. There really is no doubt about this. I wouldn't argue that, either. Do I think Zimmerman's actions led to the Martin's death? Yes. What am I basing this on? Nothing more than the story I've heard repeated by the media and a personal attempt to put what vague details we have, such as the 911 call, together in a logical fashion. All of that requires quite a few assumptions on my part. So I have to ask, is that enough to convict someone of murder? Unfortunately, I'm going to have to say no, it's not.

QUOTE (MexSoxFan#1 @ Mar 27, 2012 -> 02:38 PM) Common sense...the dispatcher told him to not pursue and he ignored that order, Zimmerman obviously started the confrontation. Dispatchers have no authority to issue orders.

QUOTE (MexSoxFan#1 @ Mar 27, 2012 -> 02:35 PM) Let's just ignore the fact Zimmerman got out of his car on his own, he wasn't pulled out or has he tried to claim that? Zimmerman initiated a confrontation and he got one, if you are being stalked by some nut who isn't a cop, you aren't going to defend yourself when cornered? The kid DID NOTHING WRONG but be a black kid with a hoodie. This case is a simple case of cold blooded murder complicated by a stupid vauge law. You should invent a jump to conclusions mat. It's obvious you want Zimmerman to be guilty, unfortunately, that's not how the law works. You also reek of racial bias, by the way.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Mar 27, 2012 -> 02:33 PM) And I think I've been pretty consistent here in saying the law is the problem, and this guy is almost certain to walk scot-free unless some audio guy can prove he used a racial slur or some other video evidence emerges. You have been, and I agree. Without more beyond a reasonable doubt evidence, he's going to walk...and it doesn't look like any exists at the moment. In the end, he might get "charged" so the national attention goes away...but I don't see a conviction happening in court. Due to the media taint on this, it wouldn't be a jury trial at this point...and I don't see any judge making a conviction on this due to the law and the total lack of solid evidence.

QUOTE (StrangeSox @ Mar 27, 2012 -> 02:29 PM) Sure we do. Zimmerman followed him around the neighborhood and chased him on foot. He doesn't do that, no one is dead. I know you don't like it, because it's grey area...but that's not initiating. I know you really really really want it to be...but it's not. If it was that cut and dried, he'd have been f***ing charged by now with the national attention on this...it's obvious a touch more complicated than you want it to be.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Mar 27, 2012 -> 02:28 PM) It shouldn't matter. Based on the law that exists and is in effect...it matters very much. Look, we all hate the law, but it's still the law. And that's that. You can't just choose to ignore it because you disagree with it. I vehemently disagree with laws that say I cannot walk into a Lamborghini dealership and drive out with a Countach model for free...but they exist...so I don't ignore them.

QUOTE (MexSoxFan#1 @ Mar 27, 2012 -> 02:25 PM) The way I look at it, if some wanna be cop jackass can stalk an unarmed kid, get in a fight and shoot him dead and turn around and cover himself with a law, then that is one flawed ass law. I don't know how he can claim self defense if he initiated the confrontation when the kid wasn't threatening no one or anyone's property...makes zero sense. Nobody knows who initiated the confrontation, that's the problem. People are assuming Zimmerman did. They don't actually know that, though.

QUOTE (Soxbadger @ Mar 27, 2012 -> 02:05 PM) Im not too worried about insurance companies, they are very good at making money. No, they're actually not. But because taking peoples word for it often results in repeating false information, here are some actual numbers from publicly traded for profit insurance companies. Last Quarter, 2011 Humana : Net profit margin 2.20%, 3.85% Aetna: Net profit margin 4.35%, 5.88% Universal American: Net profit margin -3.52%, 0.01% Wellpoint: Net profit margin 2.19%, 4.36% UnitedHealth: Net profit margin 4.85% 5.05% AmeriGroup: Net profit margin 1.99% 3.10% HealthNet: Net profit margin 2.14% 0.61% As you can see...profit margins in the health insurance industry are actually quite low and always have been. The BIGGEST companies may hit 5% on a VERY good year. They often hit 2-3%. Now, for kicks, let's compare it to big pharma: Pfizer: Net profit margin 8.92% 12.96% Merck: Net profit margin 12.55% 13.30% Eli Lilly: Net profit margin 14.19% 17.90% Bristol Myers: Net profit margin 22.57% 24.76% Glaxo Smith: Net profit margin 18.40% 19.93% Roche: Net profit margin 20.54% 22.44% Pharma makes, on average, 2-4+ TIMES the profit margins that insurance companies make.

QUOTE (StrangeSox @ Mar 27, 2012 -> 02:01 PM) Ok this post is worse than tex's Son of a b**** to your face for making me defend Tex, but all he was doing was posing questions about an uncertain circumstance...his post wasn't bad just because he asking questions you don't want asked. Tex's questions are completely valid due to the complete lack of factual evidence in this case...not to mention the over reaching law that's standing before Zimmerman's arrest, whether you, I, or anyone else agrees with the poorly worded law or not...it's a law, and the police CANNOT just supersede it because "they feel like it".

QUOTE (Soxbadger @ Mar 27, 2012 -> 01:59 PM) Y2hh, Batman doesnt use a gun and doesnt kill, had Zimmerman used a batman utility belt, you sure as hell better believe Id be defending him! Batman doesn't kill? Have you watched a Batman movie lately?

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Mar 27, 2012 -> 01:58 PM) The batman will have to answer for his crimes, but to us, not to this madman.

None of you would have a problem with this vigilante justice if it was Batman. Hypocrites.

QUOTE (Tex @ Mar 27, 2012 -> 01:13 PM) Wow, this is interesting. So now a neighborhood watch should hide and call the police? That's exactly what the voters in Florida were sick of when they passed this law. They gave potential crime VICTIMS the opportunity to go do something about it! Yeah, it hasn't really worked out. Are we really going to accept as fact the testimony of Martin's girlfriend? Would we Zimmerman's? I don't see how Zimmerman gets a fair trial. When did Tex get zapped by the conservative converter ray gun? Heh.

QUOTE (Soxbadger @ Mar 27, 2012 -> 01:26 PM) Or you just change the insurance policies, ie you have a $10k deductible for anything in the first month of treatment. This is what I meant by other caviots...these types of things could work to deter people from trying to cheat the system...which they would do.

Now, I do have a fix for this controversial issue, without the mandate. You have open enrollment periods once a year, but you make them long enough and loud enough that people KNOW it's open enrollment time. There are exceptions to these rules, such as marriage, having a child, etc...where those persons can be added to your insurance outside of that window. HOWEVER, if you don't enroll during that enrollment period, you have to wait until next open enrollment and hope you don't get hurt/sick. Of course, there would be other caviots to this rule, but it would fix the "wait until you're hurt/sick and then buy insurance" gimmick.

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Mar 27, 2012 -> 01:05 PM) Sort of. Requirements like no pre-existing conditions and no lifetime limits can stand just fine. Before I begin, do I think those changes were good...yes, very much so. Now...that said, here is the problem they introduced. The system, as it is, will fall apart without the mandate because why would you pay for insurance you don't need? It would take people a while to catch on to this, but eventually they would. Since, under law, they cannot deny coverage due to pre-existing conditions...there is no need to buy insurance until you're on the way to the doctor/hospital. And it takes just minutes to sign up these days. System failure. It's the very reason they put the mandate / fine in there in the first place, to make sure the Insurance companies are covered from this type of behavior. That's the crux of the pre-existing conditions issue and a large reason why it existed in the first place. That said, they openly and outwardly abused that pre-existing clause by just denying people that could be high risk, even when they shouldn't have...that wasn't the original intent of the rule, but of course, that's what it became...sadly.

QUOTE (Athomeboy_2000 @ Mar 27, 2012 -> 11:28 AM) Observers say Court looks likely to strike down Health Care Reform after today's hearing That's not good, because the whole law won't work without the mandate.

QUOTE (StrangeSox @ Mar 27, 2012 -> 11:03 AM) No, because the human brain is full of imperfections and very much prone to false reasoning. It's sometimes right on the money, too.

QUOTE (Steve9347 @ Mar 27, 2012 -> 10:38 AM) Yeah, I mean, to be honest... I live in Lombard, IL. It's like the safest suburb ever. When I see some white kids walking down the street, part of me still figures I'll get something hurled in my direciton, because I was an asshole teenager not so long ago. Kids suck. I live in the City of Chicago, but in a pretty good area...but I agree with this nonetheless. I honestly don't care about the color of the person/people walking in my direction so much as I'm judging (or prejudging as it were) them on a number of other factors, such as how loud they're being, how they're dressed, how they're acting, etc... And I do that...but it's not about being racist...to me it's about being aware.

QUOTE (Reddy @ Mar 27, 2012 -> 10:35 AM) completely agree on Plyo. P90X hit's my arms and back pretty well - chest I agree though. I miss doing chest flys - that's what really get my pecs sore. some day i hope to buy an adjustable bench so i can just add those in to the chest workout. You really don't need a bench to do flys, you can do them laying on the ground if you have some dumbbells.