Texsox

QUOTE(sox4lifeinPA @ Nov 16, 2006 -> 01:05 PM) First of all, I would like to recognize your acheivements here at soxtalk, but we must look to the future, Tex. I believe experience is a good thing, but at some point you lose touch with your constituents. So I ask again, what are your plans for soxtalk in the future? Secondly, this is your second personal attack on me. Is this something we can expect from you during your campaign or if you were elected? I believe that on-line forums are an excellent vehicle for keeping in touch with my constituents. I would continue to explore these threads as I have consistently and continuously for the past several years. That wasn't a personal attack, that was the evilmisquoter

QUOTE(Soxy @ Nov 16, 2006 -> 12:39 PM) With recent standardized test scores showing that students in urban areas are out performed by their peers and the opinion that US students are falling behind in science, what do you think the role of federal government should be in support of strengthening our country's (obvious) floundering in teaching science? Do you support increasing funding to national organizations (Like the National Science Foundation and the National Instutute of Health) or do you believe this is a state's issue? If it is a state's issue, how would you recommend they address this issue? I would prefer to discuss this issue with my nominee for Secretary of Education, but since that is you, I am on my own. I followed the link and there is little in the way of empirical data to comment on. What is noteworthy is the school districts in the study volunteered to be tested, and compared to national averages. I would need to see much more of the methodology before commenting. We don't know how far below the national average, .5%? 20%? that needs to be known before any actions should be discussed. We also need to learn more about those school districts; what are the student-teacher ratios? How do their wages and overall expenses compare to the national average? How do their facilities compare? Were the test culturally and language neutral? Commenting on state versus federal issues in education, we should realize that with consolidations in the text book industry and two big states, Texas and California, enacting content laws for text books, we are rapidly developing national standards with those states pushing their agenda. I believe the gross inequities in funding schools must be addressed. Property taxes insure that the poorest residents, those that a quality education would benefit the most, will receive the lowest funding. The states need to develop more equitable funding plans. I support more public-private projects to augment science and technology education. A shining example for this is McAllen High School in Texas offers over 60 certificate programs to their students. Many of these are in the technology areas and have been co-developed with Cisco, Microsoft, and other tech leaders. These programs need to be expanded. I can think of no subject that is more vital to our economic health than science and technology education.

QUOTE(southsider2k5 @ Nov 16, 2006 -> 12:31 PM) Excellent. I don't think anyone will be able to accuse of working together in our bias's and agenda's

QUOTE(evilmisquoter @ Nov 16, 2006 -> 12:26 PM) Tex, With all of the political discussion, I'd like to know if you will continue making soxtalk.com a more exciting and engaging place? thanks in advance. fixed and answered. A couple of honors from the great posters here. Soxtalk 2005 Hall of Fame Soxtalk 2004 Thread Starter of the Year

What were the differences between the winning campaigns you worked on and the losing?

QUOTE(Jenksismyb**** @ Nov 16, 2006 -> 12:06 PM) What are they arguing on appeal? It's been at least 9 years....surely he's paid something. I remember hearing that he was broke after the trial, so if he hasn't paid the 33 million, or whatever they're eventually owed, any proceeds he gets from this would need to be spent on his debt to them. They could get a court order to freeze those proceeds before he can spend them too. According to all the current news reports, he hasn't paid a dime. posted minutes ago

In your platform you mentioned increased spending for social security, are you proposing adding benefits or increasing the existings ones, and how will those be funded?

QUOTE(Jenksismyb**** @ Nov 16, 2006 -> 11:02 AM) I hope that because of the civil damages he has to pay that all of the proceeds of the book and of his television appearance go to the family of the people he killed. They have been back and forth in courts for years. So far OJ has failed to pay any of the $33 million.

QUOTE(NorthSideSox72 @ Nov 16, 2006 -> 10:56 AM) I honestly don't know what the current level is, so that is difficult for me to say. I'll have to get back to you on that one. Here is where any level of funding becomes interesting. Let's say that government funding resulted in a cure. How should the technology be handled? Sold to highest bidder (repays tax payers), or given for free with a promise of lower medicine prices (great for patients). Isn't any government funding directly competing with private industry? An AIDS cure or vaccine would be worth billions, isn't that enough incentive for private industry to work on AIDS and perhaps government funding should be reserved for less profitable cures?

QUOTE(NorthSideSox72 @ Nov 16, 2006 -> 10:48 AM) Two, and this is indeed a federal issue because its a national health issue, we need to make sure our science and research funding has an emphasis on practical application. Searching for vaccines, treatments or even cures for these diseases should be one of the key drives of the scientific community. What is the appropraite level of federal funding in this area? To keep it simple, more, less, or the same as currently?

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Nov 16, 2006 -> 10:48 AM) Use what with the who now? A drug czar that totally uses, that's a concept.

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Nov 16, 2006 -> 10:44 AM) Duuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuude.... Ahh, the I'll use them so nobody else has to strategy . . .

QUOTE(NorthSideSox72 @ Nov 16, 2006 -> 10:40 AM) I'd be pretty surprised if Balta doesn't run. And a little disappointed. And I'd really like to see Nuke show up as well. Nuke's in the middle of a big training project, I think he's going to be away for at least another week or two. IIRC it was a four or five week deployment.

QUOTE(southsider2k5 @ Nov 16, 2006 -> 10:29 AM) I couldn't help but notice that many of your opponents are your potential nominees for your cabinet... At this stage of the campaign, one could almost view this as a conflict of interest, or worse yet, effectively a bribe to try to weaken the field by attracting them to your side with the promise of an office. How do you feel about that? I did not intend it to be considered a bribe, just a reflection on the types of individuals I would nominate. Each of these individuals have expressed views that closely reflect my values in those specific areas. Not direct matches, but close. (Well maybe not Heads, but we don't have any farmers here). I believe in getting the best person for the job, regardless of politics. I also expect, by selecting people of high moral, ethics, and purpose, that these positions are not the pinnacles of their ambition. The fact that they choose to aim even higher tells me I have chosen wisely. I have a great deal of respect for the other candidates in this race. I have respectfully agreed and disagreed with each candidate on a wide range of issues. However, I have a greater respect for our system and know that our great nation is best served when we have quality choices. That healthy debate advances us forward quicker than political deals. QUOTE(sox4lifeinPA @ Nov 16, 2006 -> 10:37 AM) I see there's a VP spot open I also need a "Drug Czar".

QUOTE(NorthSideSox72 @ Nov 16, 2006 -> 10:17 AM) I wasn't forgetting you. BIA isn't a cabinet position. I was also thinking head of the FBI.

What has been your most significant accomplishment to date?

QUOTE(NorthSideSox72 @ Nov 16, 2006 -> 10:12 AM) Throwing money at the problem won't fix it - the BIA would eat most of it up anyway. Allowing more casinos or other loosening of laws ultimately helps only a few. Welfare and half-hearted attempts at medical care do not make their lives what they should be. At this point, the best thing the government can do for the American Indians is to release them from bondage. Take 3 years' worth of BIA budget, split it down by capita, and hand the money to the tribal authorities in place directly. For those reservations too small for tribal authorities, issue checks to the individuals. Recognize the existing land plots within the federal reserves as regular land to the state, belonging to the residents (if no plots exist, the tribal authority can work with mediators to split up the land). Negotiate with the states and localities as to jurisdictional concerns, and assure that any existing protections under the law are recognized by those governments (no regression in protection under law), and give then another 2 years' forward of the BIA budget to handle the influx against services and provide links to employment. For larger reservations, the tribal authorities may actually convert to counties or municipalities themselves. And from there, pull the federal government out of their matters entirely. There may need to be a small commission of lawyers and mediators at the federal level for a few years, to ensure the states and localities are not doing anything they shouldn't. But otherwise, you can pretty much just kill off the BIA, and unwind the other federal agencies from the reservation system (the abomination of the Dawes Act). After 5 years, the American Indians will be recognized and protected as citizens of the United States in every sense of the word. And as a nice side benefit, the government will save a lot of money. Will this result in some rough spots during the transition? Absolutely. But in the long run, they will be decidedly better off than they are now. Please compare two groups that were basically screwed over when white Europeans immigrated, the Blacks and Native Americans, where they started from and where they are today. Any lessons we can learn?

QUOTE(Soxy @ Nov 16, 2006 -> 10:01 AM) With recent standardized test scores showing that students in urban areas are out performed by their peers and the opinion that US students are falling behind in science, what do you think the role of federal government should be in support of strengthening our country's (obvious) floundering in teaching science? Do you support increasing funding to national organizations (Like the National Science Foundation and the National Instutute of Health) or do you believe this is a state's issue? If it is a state's issue, how would you recommend they address this issue? BTW, Soxy would be my nomination for Secretary of Education.

Once upon a SL&M poll, it was decided that the best way to know someone is to know who they hang around with. If elected, here is a partial list of my nominations for cabinet positions. Secretary of State -- LowerCaseRepublican Secretary of Treasury -- Southsider2k5 Secretary of Defense -- NukeCleveland Secretary of Interior -- FlaSoxxJim Secretary of Commerce -- Kapkomet Secretary of Housing -- RexKickAss Secretary of Education -- Soxy Attorney General -- Evil Monkey Secretary of Agriculture - Heads (he's in Iowa, what else is there) Secretary of Energy -- QueenPrawn Homeland Security -- Steff Chief of Staff - YASNY

QUOTE(Rex Kicka** @ Nov 16, 2006 -> 09:51 AM) Thanks! I do what I can. You've said that these bans on gay marriage threaten all marriages, shouldn't it be open to the voters to decide of they want to threaten all marriages?

You've expressed that the US should do more for the Native Americans. What exactly would you do and who would pay for it?

Welcome to the fray. I was hoping a radical liberal would choose to run and balance out the radical conservative PA.

QUOTE(NorthSideSox72 @ Nov 15, 2006 -> 08:24 PM) If you think I'm endorsing PA, you're on crack. I just threw my hat in the ring. Nice when the election judge is also a candidate. I guess yuo can take the boy out of Chicago . . . I am glas you are running, you will make a good Veep also. QUOTE(southsider2k5 @ Nov 16, 2006 -> 07:53 AM) I would like to take a second to announce that I will not be seeking any office during this Soxtalk Election cycle. My simultaneous roles as both father/husband, head of the Bilderbergs, and Dictator for Life at Soxtalk.com do not allow me the time to seek the office of the Presidency at this time. I will however be studying the election closely and do plan to offer an endorsement as long there are worthy canditates. Thank you and good luck, and may God bless Soxtalk. Ah, the kingmaker If we made this like the electoral college we could have each poster have as many votes as they have posts. Watch how fast I'd dive to the right

Sex Quiz time

QUOTE(southsider2k5 @ Nov 16, 2006 -> 07:26 AM) Hey Alex, what are your banks you recommend, and those to avoid, from an "insiders" prospective? I am shopping for a new place, well because NATIONAL CITY IS THE WORST BANK EVER! You need to link that National City is the worst bank ever to their web site.