Texsox

I agree with most of your post, but is it possible for someone to not give Israel 100% and not be antisemitic? It seems that somehow there are two groups of people, those that agree with Israel 100% and will give them everything, and antisemitic. As soon as someone thinks that Israel is wrong, they get branded. Perhaps that is one small problem that needs to be resolved before progress can be made in that corner of the world? Of course, the problems are so huge, I don't think any of us will be alive to see a true and lasting peace.

Of course you are correct, and I am usually a big advocate of our system, but this is the second time in my lifetime was are stuck in a war that we seemingly are at a stalemate. I blame some of this on the lack of cooperation between the three groups.

I like his expanded NATO plan.

While the explaination is simple, there are huge budget implications. Side bar, who should be fighting this or any war? The White House, Congress, or the Pentagon? We seem to have all three, which if they were all pulling in the same direction would be unbeatable, but it seems as if we have three different directions.

QUOTE(NorthSideSox72 @ Sep 21, 2007 -> 11:36 AM) Update: Fired. Interesting note in the article is the last sentence in it. I hadn't noticed this before - the cop apparently had a camera in his squad already, but had it turned off during the encounter. That would be enough for me to push my decision over that line. So, good result. The turned off camera was a red flag to me as well. It looks like a citizen-vigilante has a well deserved scalp for his mantle. QUOTE(Rex Kicka** @ Sep 21, 2007 -> 11:55 AM) I saw this and was hoping Sting got arrested somehow. That was funny, but don't stand so close to me . . .

BTW, there seems to be some disagreement among tax experts about the IRS coming a calling. While it appears there is provisions in the IRS code to tax the ball, there is also evidence that the tax man doesn't come a calling until you sell it. Because the ball isn't exactly a liquid asset, they may wait. Let's also remember there was as split involved with this call. The guy that caught it had agreed to split any proceeds with the guy who went with him. Perhaps the second guy is pushing for a sale? The IRS refuses, as matter of policy, to comment on a specific citizens tax situation or to engage in hypotheticals. I'm thinking Urban Legend.

QUOTE(NorthSideSox72 @ Sep 21, 2007 -> 10:03 AM) I do know that there is an exemption for gift money, which says up to something like $10,000 in value can be given as a gift without being taxed. Here is a possible go-around - sell it to a family member for $1, then keep it in the house. You have now established the value at $1. Which brings up problem number one with this tax scheme - how do you establish value for tax purposes? IIRC the IRS can establish a fair market value, just like your home for real estate taxes. Here in Texas they will use "blue book" value to establish the tax on a car that is sold between family members. Now I wonder if there would be capital gains on that baseball if the original price was $X and it sold for $5X? Clearly this ball was valued over any exemption mark. It just sucks that the guy could not keep ownership and, for example, loan the ball to Cooperstown or Balco to put on display.

QUOTE(NorthSideSox72 @ Sep 21, 2007 -> 10:35 AM) Thanks for the link. That is very interesting. So its definitely a public school, and supposedly it will be emphasizing Muslim curricula? No way that should be funded by taxpayer dollars. If they want to go have that school that is fine, but you cannot choose a specific religion to emphasize or put in a pole position like that if its public. I am not OK with that. Aren't conservatives in favor of school choice (vouchers)? I guess when the voucher is used at the local Protestant School it's ok. And I believe being ignorant of Jihad is a mistake. I would hope that everyone is taught about Jihad since it is shaping events around the world. How does one teach current events and ignore the concept of Jihad? NSS said it better in his first post. I'll shut up. This crap isn't worth defending.

We demand partisanship from our elected leaders. It's like sports. If it's "our team" we defend them and try to get the other side. So they band together in support of the party. The officials also need the party backing (money, experts) to get elected.

I'm puzzled by the not enough troops. Haven't we run out of Troops as it is?

QUOTE(BigSqwert @ Sep 21, 2007 -> 08:48 AM) Why the defeatist attitude? We wanted to put a man on the moon and we did. Now we can't match the ingenuity of Iceland? And I think we have more resources . . .

I just watched a Discovery Channel show on this. A big factor was all the volcanoes that are in the country. But they are a great example of what can be done.

QUOTE(DrunkBomber @ Sep 20, 2007 -> 06:04 PM) How long until Chris Hansen came out of the kitchen and told you that you were on To Catch A Predator?

I'm uneasy about State Department employees being protected by a private security firm. In fact the whole private security firm thing leaves me worried.

QUOTE(mr_genius @ Sep 20, 2007 -> 05:39 PM) Oh, duck the question, typical racism technique. for shame

QUOTE(mr_genius @ Sep 20, 2007 -> 05:21 PM) you're a racist. racist racist racist. see, you just accuse others of being racist to cover up your deep hatred for black people. it's very obvious, texsox. you are from texas (most racist state) and use the racist term 'texas' (tex is short for texas) in your sign on name. don't try to defend yourself, you are guilty of hate. guilty, my racist friend, guilty. I did? Where did I accuse anyone of being a racist? And Texas as the most racist state

Guide to meeting someone from soxtalk* raise your foot slowly up and down, moving it closer to the other person . . . *not recommended if you are a Republican Senator

BTW, I just noticed I made up a new word. illigrants. I like it.

QUOTE(kapkomet @ Sep 20, 2007 -> 04:29 PM) So what? Earlier you said it was bulls*** that throughout history, wars were fought by illigrants and the less advantaged.

QUOTE(kapkomet @ Sep 20, 2007 -> 04:16 PM) If people were in those areas that wanted to sign up, they aren't going to turn them away because they're "too rich". GMAFB. No, they wouldn't. But if you are looking to sign up kids, where would you spend your time?

QUOTE(Kid Gleason @ Sep 20, 2007 -> 11:39 AM) Wow, how incredibly stupid and greedy or our government. So, if you get it and actually plan on keeping it, you're f'ed? This doesn't happen on every single foul ball caught, so it shouldn't apply here either. It wouldn't because that foul ball wasn't worth $$$$$. How often does this happen? Parents giving their children big gifts. Lottery prizes. Game shows. Flea Market finds.

Lol, looking at my phone book I have screen names followed by real names.

QUOTE(kapkomet @ Sep 20, 2007 -> 02:17 PM) Bulls***. And that's where I'll stop with this post. BTW, SS first posted that. Do you think the military is recruiting in Beverly Hills? Winnetka?

QUOTE(Kid Gleason @ Sep 20, 2007 -> 01:45 PM) How do you post it so that the video shows up here and you don't need to follow the link? Man...I wish I was older in the 70's. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lGe-OT5DkTg Check how the How Does This Work forum. OMG LMAO, I was just starting to drink in 1977 and now I know why.

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Sep 20, 2007 -> 01:06 PM) Does the U.S. have a policy about negotiating with Sith lords? Nice.