Texsox

Resume Highlights Executive Director, South Texas Manufacturers Association Member Maquilla Association If we are talking steel, cars, logs, then yes, sea is still a viable option. If we are talking electronic devices, and other high dollar, lighter product, it is going air. There just is no justification when you can fill a plane and have it here tonight to wait 6-8 weeks. Via letter of credit, I can have my invoice paid and in my account while you're still wondering if the ship cleared that tropical storm.

QUOTE(kapkomet @ Feb 24, 2006 -> 01:26 PM) You're absolutely wrong on this. Based on my observations of 20 years in manufacturing, and setting up sourcing operations overseas, that is my opinion. I will agree, I am not 100% correct, neither am I 100% wrong. Some larger, bulkier stuff will go sea. But look at any shippping trends over the last 20-25 years and see the increases for air cargo. We are making things smaller and lighter, which ships easier by air. From a financial standpoint, do you want you invoice to start on March 1 via air or April 3 based on sea? Rarely have I seen billing terms that start FOB shipping point. It is almost always the clock starting once the customer has possession of the goods. Another example, shipping the record player by parents owned by air would have been inconceivable. Shipping my son's iPod makes sense. And getting back to the Panama canal, how does it effect is at all anymore?

QUOTE(NorthSideSox72 @ Feb 24, 2006 -> 01:23 PM) I personally don't think that federal OR state governments should have any place at all in marriage of any kind. This would take a major rewrite of our legal system. From one perspective, a marriage is a legal merger of two entities. They are in most cases now responsiible for and to each other. We would also have to rewrite laws regarding testifying against your spouse. We would have to rewrite a host of laws. Far better IMHO, is making this legal merger just that, a legal merger. Let the Churches handle a religious union, let the government handle the legal stuff.

QUOTE(southsider2k5 @ Feb 24, 2006 -> 01:12 PM) The ONLY reason I support those at all was because basically every country that is dumping steel in the US is doing it with government subsidies. Its one thing is someone can build a better widget, its quite another to have a trading partner putting our people out of work through no fault of their own. I was also pretty disgusted that Bush crapped out and gave in to the WTO on this issue. If he was going to put them in place, he needed to give them more than lip service. Of course there is always a balancing point. For example, North American manufacturers of electric motors, which use a lot of steel, were enjoying the lower prices, which made their motors competitive with off shore (Asian) products. By forcing those manufacturers to pay higher prices for their raw material, it forced them into a bad situation. It also effected white good manufacturers of washing machines, dish washers, etc.. So while the higher prices helped the few US steel manufacturers, it hurt every manufacturer that uses the steel. Now instead of the import being raw steel, it is more finished goods. I'm not stating an opinion which situation is better, just pointing out there is always a gain/deficit happening in these situations. QUOTE(YASNY @ Feb 24, 2006 -> 01:12 PM) Another interesting fact, unless I've been totally misinformed, is that China owns all land adjacent to both sides of the Panama Canal. The Panama Canal is mostly a cruise ship channel. The larger cargo ships can no longer fit through and it was never a great military option. Today the larger war ships cannot fit, and you would never want you ships in a confined space where they cannot manuever. As far as cargo, air freight is making ocean shipments almost a thing of the past. Companies do not want their products tied up in shipping the length of time it takes to ship via sea. The objective of modern manufacturing is get your raw material processed and to the customer as quickly as possible.

QUOTE(YASNY @ Feb 24, 2006 -> 12:47 PM) Don't we have ports where China is basically supplying the same services the UAE are supposed to provide? I believe I read that somewhere. If so, do you think the Chinese government has no input on policy? If so, why was there no groundswell of objection to that scenario. In my opinion, that is much more disturbing than the UAE in the same position. This is just some crap the media and Dems are grabbing onto to make the adminstration look bad.

I was just trying to be the puppet master and keep this forum a positive. I'm just so mellowed out by plenty of salt air, dolphins, pelicans. fish tacos, kayaking, and just hanging out that I don't want war anymore. Peace dudes

QUOTE(YASNY @ Feb 24, 2006 -> 12:10 PM) I've been a registered Democrat for 30 years. What's the problem? the arguing. I thought these were suppose to be flame free threads, to take some of the stress off the rest of filibuster. The one place where politics would be discussed with like minded, or at least similiarly minded people. No debates, no arguing, just a pleasant place. I'm supporting Gov. Perry in Texas, a GOP, and I voted for a GOP for Senator. I also voted in a majority of GOP primaries when I lived in Illinois. But I know I would be far left of everyone in the GOP forum, so I don't even visit. I don't have a clue what is being discussed. But hey, of you like the arguing, go for it.

I thought these threads were going to be a safety valve of sorts to allow both sides to vent without it erupting into flames. This is about the same as Sox fans being able to complain about the team to other fans but as soon as a Jay Mariotti says the same thing, we get all defensive. We take some of it overboard, but it is acceptable if it's all Sox fans, likewise it's all acceptable if it's just Dems or Reps. That's partisan politics.

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Feb 24, 2006 -> 11:11 AM) After the war was launched, yes. true, the re-election was a bigger statement than the first election. And with that 2% margin of victory, an obvious mandate

QUOTE(YASNY @ Feb 24, 2006 -> 11:42 AM) Flaxx told me the party was one of inclusion. So here I am. And I for one am really glad to have you. Like all Dems, you will find some of the party's positions not to your liking, but there will be some you will like. Feel free to pick and choose. It's the Dem way. And of course these threads were suppose to be flame free, so you'll leave the flame thrower in the garage

QUOTE(YASNY @ Feb 24, 2006 -> 11:36 AM) Did you watch? Or are you talking out your ass? Or did you just see an opporutnity to post one picture out of context to make Fox News look bad? YAS the Democrat, I like this. I guess you have finally seen the light Welcome aboard.

QUOTE(kapkomet @ Feb 24, 2006 -> 08:47 AM) That is a good point. The spectrum has shifted. I think most people are 'conservative', but not the 'conservative' that the righties of American loudmouth media would want you to think. The reason I say that is most Americans are 'content' with where they are in life and do not want society to radically change. Therefore, by that definition, they're 'conservative'. Good point, and it goes along with my statement that a truly nuetral press will look liberal to the conservatives and conservative to the liberals. The media isn't anymore left or right leaning that it ever was, it still strives for the center, but conservatives want a program that reflects their exact views, which are well off conservative.

QUOTE(YASNY @ Feb 24, 2006 -> 10:19 AM) As I said, leftwing websites.

QUOTE(YASNY @ Feb 24, 2006 -> 10:08 AM) As for the well supported points, they are usually supported with drivel from leftwing websites. You would think as biased as the media is, liberals could just go to any mainstream media site and there it is . . .

QUOTE(Soxy @ Feb 24, 2006 -> 09:48 AM) To be honest, for me it falls under the common sense bracket. Part of it is probably that I'm so close in age to the students-- Just a guess, it was a shy guy he was really wanting to ask you out came up with a lame reason to talk to you chickened out.

OMG! Is that a two button mouse on a Mac? I hope they aren't making this too complicated for Mac users. Add a scroll wheel and they may lose their entire customer base I kid, because I care™

QUOTE(kapkomet @ Feb 23, 2006 -> 02:49 PM) CIVIL WAR! BUSH DID IT! (*sigh*)... it's not to diminish what's going on, but hopefully this little ploy will fail ... No the US did it. We elected the war machine.

neither. Both are great songs, just not what I would call classic rock. Perhaps pop rock and folk rock.

This all goes back to the poor moral from Clinton gutting the military

QUOTE(NUKE_CLEVELAND @ Feb 22, 2006 -> 02:46 PM) How about the fact that they sold weapons to Saddam in violation of the arms embargo. Does that make them not trustworthy? Didn't we sell weapons somewhere also against an arms embargo? I guess we're not trustworthy either.

According to Paul Harvey, the average Iragi is 65,000 times more likely to be a victim of a violent crime now then when Saadam was in power. I didn't hear what source he was quoting, but I assume Paul checked it out. Not certain what conclusions we can draw from that. I'm certain however, that the average Iraqi is grateful we are there protecting them and making the world a better and safer place. They'll just have to tolerate living in a war zone for a little while longer.

QUOTE(EvilMonkey @ Feb 21, 2006 -> 10:55 PM) Tex, the NRA members give their money to the group voluntarily, not thru forced deductions like unions. Don't like what the NRA is doing with your dues? You can quit and never pay again. Don't like what the union is doing with your dues? Good luck trying to quit the union. While you could always quit your job, somehow that doesn't seem like a fair comparison. Then elect new Union leadership. Don't like the PR campaign the Union is running? Elect new representation. The fact of the matter, the lobbying efforts of the Unions are a prime benefit to their members, or at least it is an important part of the Unions' activities. Want to prevent off shore products from coming in? Elect those representitives that will be sympathetic to your cause. Want tougher workplace laws? Help get those people elected. This is where the Union can have their greatest impact. We are saying it's for political reasons, and that is correct. But isn't that a major reason why unions are still around? I'm not pro-Union, but I can see why a law preventing them being active politically is unfair. You know the executives and the companies are donating, why not the Union? And no one can tell me the GOP would be objecting if the money was flowing their way.

I'm feeling a swing to the Dem side of the aisle. I only wish the party would start swinging to the right, and meet some of the moderate Republicans. Hell, I'd like to have the party swing a little to the right to meet me again.

QUOTE(The Critic @ Feb 21, 2006 -> 12:27 PM) No, you don't get one anymore. If you go to Spring Break at YOUR age, you'll be taken for a creepy old dude or a narc, or both! That's why I lie about my age and say I'm 50. I am a cool grandpa, not some creepy middle age guy.