Texsox

QUOTE(southsider2k5 @ Sep 27, 2007 -> 12:44 PM) You're right, why would we want to encourage compromise and moderation, when we can have extremism and gridlock! More pork? LMAO. Because watching these guys just doesn't inspire any confidence that it would change.

I wonder if centralist could envoke enough support to actually get elected in high enough numbers. I think a third party needs an almost cult like core and average doesn't necessarily do it, but it would be the best possible world. But then still, Balta's point that they would still need to join together to get anything done is the problem point. So it's a centralist third party needing the outer fringe to help. I still fear a pork fest of the highest calling.

From what I have seen, y'all are correct. Which is both a problem and a cure. Each local United Way is fairly autonomous and run by a volunteer board. Some of the volunteer boards are really hung up on accountability and direct service by UW, they tend to have larger staffs. Others push more back on the organizations to self police, those have fewer admin staff. I guess both have their place, I would guess Kap and I have about the same feeling on that. Fewer direct staff and more money to the charities themselves, perhaps at the expense of some oversight. BTW, most UW admin staff has a personal fund raising goal, in essense they raise their own salary. As far as the direct check off, you are right, you are probably better off donating directly. The way the check off works is it guarantees a certain amount will be donated to that agency, it is not in addition to. So if, for example, Comfort House was budgeted to receive $25,000 in UW funding and you pledge $500 and check off Comfort House, they will not necessarily receive $25,500. But they will receive a guarantee of $500. If enough people check off it makes a difference, but for the most part, the groups were already going to receive more than your check off. The check offs do help in deciding who gets funded, it is a popular vote when applied.

I would love to be the third party that everyone had to come to to get anything passed. Oh how the pork would fly. Far better to fix the existing parties than have a three way split of power where everything would take coalition building.

QUOTE(kapkomet @ Sep 27, 2007 -> 08:54 AM) I don't think many of us disagree with Ron Paul. But you just like to see yourself type, anyway. Then I have no idea who you are talking about? I thought it was the rino

QUOTE(Steve9347 @ Sep 26, 2007 -> 05:42 PM) Perhaps, I do know that I said that when I was certain the Bears would do the smart thing and downgrade him to #3. EDIT: i had the disclaimer "unless Griese gets injured" on there, which actually takes most of the finality of the statement out of there. anyway, does everyone here realize that Brian Griese has the 17th best career QB rating of all time? just a little number that doesnt mean much but it means something. HoF credentials.

QUOTE(kapkomet @ Sep 27, 2007 -> 06:48 AM) What happened to the Republican party, you know, the one that always says there's a place for everyone, until you disagree with them? I think you posted in the wrong thread. Isn't this about Ron Paul?

QUOTE(kapkomet @ Sep 27, 2007 -> 08:06 AM) I am as well. I think the government should be as small as possible, and stay out of our lives.

The troop question was poorly worded. I hope were there in 2013 rebuilding the country after *they* get *their* s*** together. I even see a military base or two. But I would not want field operations, moving neighborhood to neighborhood.

QUOTE(southsider2k5 @ Sep 27, 2007 -> 07:53 AM) You told me that a ton of automotive companies were located on the other side of the border. What is the difference between people on one side of the river and the other? The automotive plants here all make sub assemblies. Plastic molded, radios, seat belts, windshield wipers, electric motors, wiring harnesses, etc. The economic development agencies in the area have pushed hard for an auto plant but so far have come up empty. San Antonio is the closest, IIRC. Keeping all those robots and automated equipment going takes a higher degree of sophistication. Basically this labor market, until recently, has been agriculture based. Lots of field work, packing sheds, etc. The manufacturing was very low skilled, textiles for example, running a sewing machine. To sustain an auto plant you need tool and die workers, journeymen industrial maintenance workers, engineers, and a lot of them. Interestingly the University of Texas - Pan American and the University of Texas Brownsville graduates hundreds of qualified students yearly. (Same with bi-lingual teachers). Then we watch as they accept better paying jobs "up north" with nice sign on bonuses. Tough to keep the homemade talent at home. The Department of Labor, through a H1B grant, provided millions of dollars for training in Industrial Maintenance and Tool and Die through the So Tx Manufacturers Assoc and South Texas College. Basically a company could have any of their employees trained to Journeyman status for free. All they had to do is commit to a wage plan that increases as the students skilled increased. The wage was below what most companies were already paying. We still had a hard time getting students signed up. Companies feared after their employee was "credentialed" they would leave for better paying jobs elsewhere. It was so frustrating. The path that many companies take is moving old, antiquated manufacturing lines to Mexico or across here in the United States. These are more manual type processes that do not demand higher skilled workers. Those are not in operation at an auto plant. And whether they will admit it here or not, companies relocate here to reduce their direct labor costs. So there is pressure to keep salaries low. Probably more than you wanted to know.

QUOTE(kapkomet @ Sep 26, 2007 -> 10:41 PM) What is it in Webb Co.? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lowest-income...e_United_States 47 Webb $10,759 Interesting that South Dakota has so many. I assume, like here, it is all the agriculture jobs that are really seasonal. Also in Hidalgo we have most of out highest paying jobs across the river in Mexico, and most of our new investments are Mexican Nationals starting businesses here.

So blank check and as many body bags as it takes? I remember how communists were going to be marching in Mayberry if we let Vietnam fall. Sorry Kap, there needs to be a limit. Look at the scorched earth we'd be leaving behind, I believe that will be enough of a deterrent. When they get *their* s*** together, and can guarantee some safety, we'll be back to rebuild. We got rid of the evil dictator and wmd. Until then, keep killing each other. You wimpy conservatives think that our government has to solve everyone's problems. What the hell happened to personal responsibility.

Pass all your pulp to me. When I sold my house I knew I would miss that orange tree the most.

QUOTE(kapkomet @ Sep 26, 2007 -> 08:23 PM) Uh huh... and it is all starting to come back around full circle: the Democrats know, if we leave, that THEY have blood on their hands. That's why the meaningless amendments and empty threats. It's all about showing the kook fringes that they are "serious" with this, and they are not. http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?...H.DTL&tsp=1 My DemocratIC (feel better, Chet), you've been duped. Instead of playing this political power game, if everyone would decide to get on board, the troops would be home TWICE as fast because the dirtbag inusrgents over there would have nothing left to fight for if they know our resolve is not shaken. But apparently, that's too much to ask. The bottom line is, we're there, even if it is for the "wrong" reasons. So why do we have to play this political pandering bulls***? Let's come together, get something done, and get our people back home where they belong. I know part of it is the Democrats know they have to be "anti-war" to have a prayer at the White House, but I think you would find that if they were just straight with the American people and got something done over there, they would have just as good a chance... BUT WAIT, then Bush and the Republicans would get credit, and we CAN'T have THAT! What a f***ed up situation. One more thought: how much do you all want to bet that the "bring the troops home" s*** TOTALLY stops if a Democrat (Mrs. Bill Clinton) gets elected? Think about it. Is there any point where we have spent enough money, had enough soldiers killed? Will we ever need Troops in other ereas of the world? You make it seem like you would give Iraq a blank check and as many body bags as necessary.

QUOTE(southsider2k5 @ Sep 26, 2007 -> 03:23 PM) The county I live in actually falls in a list of the 200 poorest counties in the USA. The average wage is $27k. A job starting at $12 an hour would be a raise for lots of people here. The counties around me, for comparison Starr 3rd poorest $7,069 12th Willacy $9,421 22nd Hidalgo $9,899 Problem is the skill set necessary to effectively run an automobile plant is not here.

QUOTE(NorthSideSox72 @ Sep 26, 2007 -> 03:04 PM) How do you expect people to show anything but disdain for you, when you make posts like that? You think every priest and pastor are racist jerks looking for money? His post was over the top, but there are parallels. Pastors and Priests are selling something to get the cash register to ring. I believe homosexuals replaced communists as the boogie man of choice. A common "enemy" that needs to be overcome. There is a "follow me and go to heaven" follow them and go to hell component. Again, not defending the original post, I just looked past the hyperbole and saw a grain of truth in there. Their behavior could seem "racist" against other religions.

I'll miss his iconic look. Someone get him tickets down the third base line

QUOTE(Middle Buffalo @ Sep 26, 2007 -> 02:51 PM) I, however, will be rooting for another Bartman-like collapse because my parents failed in this area. I really wanted a last day of the season, bottom of the tenth, loss. But I just want to help them keep that lovable loser mantra.

QUOTE(southsider2k5 @ Sep 26, 2007 -> 02:35 PM) The Blackhawks have to be one of the potentially greatest deals left in professional sports. They have to be undervalued from a franchise standpoint, because they have been so incredibly underutilized as a business, its not even funny. An owner could probably double the franchise value in 5 years with a combination of smart moves, guts, and a little bit of luck. And unlike the NFL, MLB, and the NBA, there isn't enough of a coolness factor in being an NHL owner to attract wannabees. A serious bid probably would not have much competition. But it really just takes two guys with big egos or Scott Boras to raise the price beyond your scenario.

Would wearing a Sox jersey be almost troll like? If SS was the hall monitor, a kid wearing a Sox jersey would be *banned* before he crossed the threshold

It is rare that something is perfectly aligned with no evidence to the contrary. Two people can look at the same thing and come to two different conclusions. Things go from fuzzy to clear like twisting the rings on binoculars. And to be stuck with the first diagnose and response is wrong.

QUOTE(southsider2k5 @ Sep 26, 2007 -> 02:22 PM) Too bad Bill wasn't acting White enough. Then he would have been OK. So who exactly are the decency police and where is the manual of what is acceptable and what is not for sale at? Never mention a difference. Doesn't matter if you are black or white, never, ever, acknowledge there may be differences. Not in genetics, not in environment, not in speech, never ever. As a matter of fact we are all clear.

Let's rewrite the headlines Craig Stalling for Time Craig Premature in Withdrawl

I've been making presentations for them, encouraging donations via payroll donations. Someone asked how I could stand up four or five times a day and ask people for money. The looks on peoples faces when they see all the groups they are helping with their donations is priceless. This morning a Department head at the school I was visiting stood up and shared how several UW agencies helped her twenty years ago when she fled a domestic abuse situation. From emergency shelter, to food and clothing, UW agencies were there for her. All I had to do after that was tell them how to fill out the form.