Texsox

QUOTE(southsider2k5 @ Feb 22, 2007 -> 08:55 AM) I'm probably being idealistic when I say something like that, but I think the road to hell is paved with good intentions. There are unintended consequences when it comes to everything. I do understand the need that people have to help like minded groups, and I can't imagine taking that away from people. Now that being said, I do think that the good these groups do is undermined by these unintended consequences. Many organizations are settting themselves up as a "separate but equal" format, without even realizing they are doing it. In reality many studies have been done to indicate that while race, sex, etc type gaps still exsist, you chances in life are much more handicapped by being born poor, versus any other factor. Your young age socioeconomic status is the truest indicator of your future life. Why no NAAPP? Because it wouldn't get attention. I understand your point, and perhaps another way of looking at it is too much of a good thing can be bad. Like mentioned earlier, the KKK is a perfect example of going too far and there are examples of that in every community. Violence, hatred, supremacy, of any color is wrong. But moving away from that extreme is an arena where it is good. We probably draw that line in a different place. A big portion of God's Ministries around the world and throughout the past 2,000 plus years has been community specific. Los Angeles, San Antonio, etc. were settled first by missionaries working with the native populations. I believe their mission statement would have been very race specific. Most major companies now are marketing to the Spanish speaking population. It isn't racist if that unit has a mission statement that promotes their brand in that community. There is no NAAPP because the members can not pay for it. QUOTE(NorthSideSox72 @ Feb 22, 2007 -> 09:01 AM) I think eliminating racism is about focusing on people and what they bring to the table as individuals. If it happens to be that part of who Bob is comes from his Irish ancestry, so be it. Me putting him in the Irish category and making assumptions about him based on that helps no one. Better for me to focus on Bob for the complete package that is Bob. Does that make more sense? Yes, our differences are key, and I personally like having people around me from a variety of experiences and backgrounds. But I could care less of they are black, white, red, purple or rainbow-colored, because that doesn't define who they are. Their actions define them. If Bob joins a Church in an predominately Irish neighborhood whose members have joined together to help fellow Irish immigrants find work, educational opportunities, a positive social life, a connection with his Irish roots, and ask him in return to give back to that community, are they racist? How is that a bad thing?

QUOTE(southsider2k5 @ Feb 22, 2007 -> 08:46 AM) Damn, looking back I feel kinda bad. In two replies I just called your manhood into doubt, and insinuated your wife might whack you in your sleep. Hmm, with a run like that, maybe I should see if I can get a job working for the White Sox? He must be a free agent . . . BTW, Jim, did a student knit you that sweater?

QUOTE(NorthSideSox72 @ Feb 22, 2007 -> 08:41 AM) Those guidelines are not ministering to a community. They are trying to prop up a race of people, ultimately, at the expense of everyone else. There is a difference. The latter is not OK with me. A community, in this day and age, should not be a race. Now, let me add something. I do think churchs should be able to be whatever they want in the legal sense - including all black or all white. But I would never, ever attend a church with a set of principles like the one listed earlier, for white or for black. I find it closed-minded and offensive. Racism in insidious, in that even good intentions cause ill effects when these sorts of delineations occur. The only way to combat it is to make it irrelevant. Same with Native Americans, prisoners, newly immigrated, etc.? Sermons in Polish, Spanish, French, etc.? A community is about a lot of things, one is a shared struggle. Blacks have a much different experience living in America than whites. That experience, those struggles, bind them together into a community. That is a natural part of the human experience. Eliminating racism isn't about destroying what makes us unique, it's about accepting those differences. I know some great people who attend the McAllen Korean Presbyterian Church. They aren't racist, they want to join together with other Koreans who live in the area. They hold events that appeal to first generation Koreans. The services give them an opportunity to hear their native tongue. They put there efforts into helping that community. They can't do everything for everyone, but they can help a small group, and they choose to help Koreans. I can't believe anyone would think that is a bad thing. How does their mission statement harm anyone? Isn't a stronger black community, one that embraces all those ideals, good for America?

In the robotic vacuum thread . . . QUOTE(FlaSoxxJim @ Feb 21, 2007 -> 11:46 PM) I have a friend who has had one for a couple years and swears by it. Personally, I fear that if I got one, it would be the one unit in the bunch that achieved sentience and revolted to kill me in my sleep. QUOTE(southsider2k5 @ Feb 22, 2007 -> 07:10 AM) Nah, there is a better chance it would be your wife after living with you all of those years... Sleep well

QUOTE(NorthSideSox72 @ Feb 22, 2007 -> 08:18 AM) Bingo. Perfect. If you really want race to become a non-issue, then everyone has to do that. You can't be racist on things just because there is some good intention behind it. So Churches should not minister to a specific community? Let's use this example. Someone feels the calling to minister to Native Americans, to help their community. That is wrong? They have to help every community? Why not address the specific needs of that community?

QUOTE(southsider2k5 @ Feb 22, 2007 -> 08:12 AM) See I really believe the these things runs both ways. If you really want to breakdown barriers, you need to stop making distinctions for both good things and bad things. The more walls you put up, even with good intentions, the more you separate people. Hug a Cub fan. America is not a melting pot, it is a fruit salad. The whole is better for the individual parts. Different communities have different needs, I don't have a problem with ministering to those special needs. Just because there isn't signs and credos doesn't mean there are no "Whites Only" organizations.

QUOTE(Alpha Dog @ Feb 22, 2007 -> 07:46 AM) Probably because you can have a women's only congregation and not cause a national uproar. Try having a whites only congregation, or one dedicated to helping the 'white community'. And a Korean only, and a Polish only, and a Black only . . . You can have groups for breast cancer survivors, Catholic War Veterans, etc. I don't have a problem with Obama being a member of a Church that ministers to the Black Community. I'd have a problem if Edwards joined one. An interesting bit of information would be how his Church handles Communion. Is everyone welcome? As a Catholic, I am troubled that we restrict Communion to Catholics. I believe we should all be in Communion as a Christian Church, but I guess I won't be influencing the Vatican anytime soon. We've gone through a chapter in our history with Whites Only. We had water fountains, bathrooms, hotels, sections on buses. It isn't something I believe most Americans would be proud of. Heading back in that direction isn't something that should be viewed as positive.

Coaches get too much credit and too much blame. I am certain Lovie believes he should vault over 30 coaches to top dollar status, and perhaps he is right. That is a tough check to start writing.

I was just thinking this is a microcosm of soccer interest. One person off the charts rabid, and everyone else with a duh, who cares attitude. When mob riots are defended as part of the sport, my attitude is thank God the sport isn't more popular here, who needs fans rioting and killing each other?

I guess I also give him points for being a good character guy.

QUOTE(Alpha Dog @ Feb 22, 2007 -> 07:34 AM) IF it was an attempt? Ok, I guess I'll keep my day job. I thought the guy was a Socialist, so it would be poking fun at Socialists

QUOTE(Alpha Dog @ Feb 22, 2007 -> 07:32 AM) Tex, your scouts don't start off saying "A WHITE scout is Trustworthy, Loyal...", do they? As for preaching to your audience, I wouldn't expect Catholics to preach to Jews, or Muslims to preach to Mormans. But when race comes into it, it is always a double standard. If a church had those same credos with 'white' in them, they would be vilified across the country as the next version of the KKK. As for Bush'es religiosity, I agree that at least it seems genuine, where you can tell that others only see the inside of a church when they are stumping for votes. The challenges that face blacks in this country are different than for whites, Christianity has always ministered to specific audiences. I don't see that as any different as a group I respect: Promise Keepers’ mission is to ignite and unite men to become passionate followers of Jesus Christ through the effective communication of seven promises to God, their fellow men, family, church and the world. Promise Keepers’ vision is simply put in three words: “Men Transformed Worldwide.” Why just men?

QUOTE(SoxFan101 @ Feb 22, 2007 -> 03:26 AM) I dont think Santo deserves to get in, its the Hall of Fame not the Hall of pretty good. Based on some of the others, he does deserve it. Now, I also think there needs to be an inner circle that separates Cy Young and Babe Ruth from Jim Bunning and Al Kaline

QUOTE(southsider2k5 @ Feb 22, 2007 -> 07:17 AM) With a Dad who is a 20% disabled Vietnam vet, I can attest to the 3 year waiting list for knee replacement surgery, and other insane delays. I went through this with my Uncle. Near as I saw, the treatment was only slightly better then what public aid recipients would receive. I'm not certain where the treatment could fall. We could make it better than private insurance, but can't afford it. But it should be closer, and much better than Medicaid. IMHO. I'd much rather spend tax dollars on veterans.

QUOTE(southsider2k5 @ Feb 22, 2007 -> 07:16 AM) Don't make me send out the black helicopters Oh s*** I mean don't make me send out the black helicopters Don't make me sell crack in your neighborhoods

The guy obviously has some problems. First, being a Socialist, second, some anger management. BTW if this was an attempt at poking a little fun at Dems, they can be the same blood thirsty killers as Republicans when the cause is right. Kill them mother f***ers kill! Don't show us the body bags, just kill.

QUOTE(FlaSoxxJim @ Feb 21, 2007 -> 11:39 PM) Back in the day. . . Mmmm, you betcha I would have brung the Heater and announced my presence with Authoritaay. And a sweater in case the restaurant is cold Florida boy.

QUOTE(southsider2k5 @ Feb 22, 2007 -> 07:08 AM) Yes the US government is smart enough to pull of 9-11, bomb the OKC federal building, hide aliens, and make George W Bush the President, but they can't plant a couple of WMDs in Iraq for people to "find". Great point. Of course you are probably an FBI plant.

Whenever government run health care is debated, nay sayers point to the conditions in military hospitals as proof the government can not run a health system. So the issue has been around for a very long time. One reason our country has gotten stronger through the years is fixing things when the public* gets excited. This may very well be one of those times. *I can't type public without hearing Ron White

I wonder how many Americans that don't wear foil hats believe the government is killing citizens? And I can believe the McVeigh told Nichols he was "connected" and I can believe Nichols believed him. I would just be shocked if a guy lied to get something he wanted.

And my local Korean Presbyterian Church has a similar credo that involves strengthening the Korean community in the area. Churches minister to a specific audience and strive to improve that community and the lives of those members. My Church speaks of belief in one "Catholic and Apostolic Church". We try and improve the lives of Catholics, why a separate Catholic and non Catholic? My employer asks it's members to recite a Oath that begins A Scout is Trustworthy, Loyal, etc. Why just say Scout? You may feel it is wrong for a Church to minister to, and market to, a specific audience. I don't see a problem with that. If their Mission is to strenghten the Black community in their area, then God bless them and my prayers are with them along with all God's Ministries around the world. And, at least in my book, religion is one area I have zero criticism of Bush. I believe it is genuine and sincere, unlike many of the other candidates.

What would be a whole lot better in this situation is if people actually put some time and resources into helping Native Americans. The poverty rate, health profiles, education levels, etc. are abysmal on the reservations. In the end, this doesn't actually do anything for them.

QUOTE(southsider2k5 @ Feb 21, 2007 -> 08:54 AM) http://hillaryspot.nationalreview.com/post...TBhOWFmMzQ4Yzk= Wow, I am not certain who that panders to. Pick any player in the middle east and they are the biggest threat to world peace. No other region has the interest of the world like that region. Just ask the people of the Sudan.

QUOTE(kapkomet @ Feb 21, 2007 -> 04:13 PM) LMAO. Nothing like every "military man" that's a Democrat coming forward and saying "Iran's next!!!!".

QUOTE(kapkomet @ Feb 21, 2007 -> 03:58 PM) I think I'm going to vomit. Nothing like a military man not wanting to go kill somebody, it'll make anyone vomit.