Texsox

I'm trying to do three things at once. I need to proofread before posting.

I'm fully prepared to stick my head in the sand until 2017. With the trends in politics, I see this as the ugliest election ever. I hope I am wrong.

I keep receiving "special invitations" based on my superior GPS for honor societies, Whos Who, etc. It's grad school. Grades are A, B or Fail. How can you not maintain a 3.75 or above?

QUOTE (DukeNukeEm @ Nov 14, 2013 -> 12:08 PM) So Obama is gonna let people keep their plans for a year. Those evil tyrannical plans this bill supposedly killed. Its ridiculous how much of a mess this thing is and how desperately hes trying to force us into liking it. What solution would you have prefered? I like the requirement that the insurer explain why the plan is deficient.

Having been on a bus route advisory committee there are a couple interesting factors at work in planning bus routes and they all revolve around time = money. More stops require more buses or having the first kids picked up ten, fifteen, or more minutes earlier. This costing more in drive salaries, more time (not miles) on the engines, increased fuel costs. We use the same buses for three runs each morning and evening. Middle School, followed by Elementary, then High School. Even that was planned out. H.S. kids didn't usually need their parents (who may be working) to get them to school, so they went last. We had more working middle school parents than anything else. So it worked for them to drop the kids off, or get them on the bus early. We also had early day programs at the Elementary for parents who could drop them off. I also wondered about safety. Isn't there also something for having more kids at one stop instead of dividing them up to the point where only two or three kids are at each stop. It really was an interesting process

QUOTE (Jenksismyb**** @ Nov 13, 2013 -> 10:26 AM) It's all relatively small i'm sure, but if you're increasing the cost by a dollar it's still too much. At the end of the day you should be able to shop around for a policy that fits your needs. If you want to gamble that you'll never get sick and don't need to pay for that coverage, hey that's your gamble and you'll be stuck with the consequences of it. It's not societies role to ensure that you won't make stupid decisions. Should the consequences be that you do not receive treatment if you are in an automobile accident and can't come up with the cash? How about receiving treatment for cancer? Should hospitals be allowed to turn you away and have you die? That has been the problem. As a society we have been unwilling to allow people to truly feel the consequences of their decision. It's easy to say they should have to pay the consequences, but the consequence is usually you receive treatment and the hospital sends you a bill that you may or may not pay.

QUOTE (Jenksismyb**** @ Nov 13, 2013 -> 08:51 AM) I understand that health insurance can't be an ala carte menu. But you should have options. A single kid in college has no need for pregnancy care. He's not married, if he knocked some chick up she's not getting that coverage, so it's an absolute waste of money that he is FORCED to pay. It's akin to forcing people to buy a car insurance policy covering semi-repairs when you drive a sedan. Edit: and the bolded isn't totally true. If you develop a health issue you're going to buy a more comprehensive insurance plan as time goes by. If you have a family you're going to buy a more comprehensive insurance plan. If you're a single 25 year old male who will most likely never see a doctor except for once a year, you shouldn't be forced to buy an insurance plan that covers medical care you will never, ever use. You should have the option of buying a catastrophic plan just in case you're involved in an unlikely accident. How much of a premium do you believe is for items like you mention versus things like major medical if you get in a car accident (more likely for a young male than an older woman?) How many different items do you want to check off that could or could not happen? And finally, when calculating premiums, do you think that there is a possibility that insurers are thinking that hey, that woman can't get testicular cancer so we'll weigh that risk as very low and are not charging much for it?

I am looking forward to the debates. Should be a great book to keep them interested leading up to the Christmas (I'm in Texas, we can call it Christmas) break.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Nov 11, 2013 -> 01:10 PM) This is about the most incorrect description of the period in United States history from 2001 to 2009 I can possibly imagine. I agree. The president is just one part of history.

And most president have terms like Bush, Bush, Carter, Ford, and Obama. Nothing extraordinary, either bad or good. This nation is like a huge freight train lumbering down the tracks. A single president usually can't detour it too much. Obama is trying with health overhaul. We'll see.

I just noticed my school library has a class set and decided to teach it next. Has anyone read it? What did you think? I am looking for some expository text and a book that talks about kid's rights and the court cases that brought those rights seems like a solid pick.

I've always felt, and have mentioned before, that a big part of being a successful president is cheerleader in chief. Reagan owed some of his success to the times he entered. The scandal of Nixon, the WIN! economic policy of Ford, and the too timid Carter led to a bigger than life cowboy riding in on a horse to give America its swagger back. Clinton came rocking out of the gate after granddad one and two. Bush was electrifying after 9/11. The bull horn moment was magical and he proved to be a very strong leader during those times. He lost his way towards the end of that term and never really gained it back. Obama was swept in and gave a large segment of this country optimism. The "anyone could grow up to be president" promise was realize. That's gone, replaced with the realities of politics.

That is solid analysis.

Embrace the Dunn. He's ours until the end. No one wants him.

After listening to too much analysis of the locker room culture in football I am nauseated. To be a good team mate and a football player, you have to accept humiliation from your "brothers" and in turn have their back. To play a game. I even heard a player claim in was like being a soldier. What a self absorbed f*** to think playing a game is the same as being a soldier and actually having people will real weapons trying to really kill you. It's a game. A tough, physical, damage your brains for the rest of your life, game, but still a game. No wonder some of these guys get into so much trouble in the real world. The more they try to justify it, the more they sound like spoiled jackasses who haven't grown up. It's simple, in every other job, pull that crap and you are fired. Yet, big tough football players have to be allowed to make racist attacks?!

QUOTE (Cknolls @ Nov 8, 2013 -> 04:42 PM) That what he tells us. New and improved and better and stuff. Not some some prehistoric policy. He keeps telling us what is good for us. He should put his two kids in the exchange. That would be awesome. Expanding the program to allow people who are already covered would make the ACA about 75% bigger than it already is. I'm surprised you are calling for such a large increase.

I find it interesting how much people believe the President should be personally involved in. What level of involvement should the President have had in designing and writing the code for the website? Did he personally look over the code and approve it?

QUOTE (Soxbadger @ Nov 8, 2013 -> 11:46 AM) I dont know if Jay Z will do anything. Quite frankly I think hell get bored of it pretty fast and sell it to another agency. That has been his historical model. Make brand, sell it for a lot of money. I see no reason why this wouldnt be similar. Boras couldnt start a record label because he has no access in that industry. Jay Z was able to because he was putting his own records out on the label. Boras has no talent to do that. And Im not predicting Jay Z will beat Boras. I just found the Dr Suess Jay Z thing insulting and I wanted to go to bat for Jay Z. Boras would have access to artists the same as Jay-Z has access to baseball players. Now I agree Boras would have a big challenge to be successful, but if he hired the right people, and we agree both industries take similar talents to be successful, then why not? The biggest difference I see between the two is a record company has artists that they promote in the world. A baseball player has a team and their marketing. A record company has a product to manufacturer. Can a player sell his own t-shirts or does the league and team control that? And wasn't Jay-Z's experience being the "team" and not the player in negotiations? Who did he represent artists to? His own label?

QUOTE (Soxbadger @ Nov 8, 2013 -> 11:33 AM) I dont know if Jay Z will be a better agent. That is fortune telling. What I believe is that Jay Z has the capability to run just as good of an agency as Boras. I don't think anyone would argue with that statement. I know I wouldn't. And I would even argue that for you, Jay-Z is the better agent. But picking someone new to the business to overtake the #2 spot, and make it seem as if he won't have any problems, is kind of absurd. If you believe the record industry and baseball where that similar, shouldn't you agree that Boras could start a successful record label?

QUOTE (Soxbadger @ Nov 8, 2013 -> 11:20 AM) Roc A Fella was bought by Def Jam Records. As part of the deal Jay Z became CEO of Def Jam. If you want an agent who uses old school hard sell tricks to try and get you more money, sure go with Boras. But I believe that those guys dont get the most money for their clients. Just because he got A-Rod $250mil, doesnt mean he couldnt have gotten him $300 mil. And that is the part I will never convince you of. I dont like people who negotiate like Boras. I think they leave money on the table. And thats why Id never sign with Boras. He could never convince me to sit out an entire year to try and get an extra mil. I think its not a good long term decision and I think many times Boras lets his own ego get in the way of whats best for his client. So this really isnt about Jay Z at all. I wouldnt pick Boras unless I wasnt a very good player and I thought he would be able to get me a lot of money when I wasnt worth very much. But If I was a MVP/All-Star there would be no way in hell Id associate with Boras. But that isnt for everyone. That doesn't make Jay-Z a better agent.

BTW, this was fun. It reminds me of the days when I worked at home and we did this every weekday. Now, I have a poetry conference to get ready for.

QUOTE (iamshack @ Nov 8, 2013 -> 11:12 AM) Your points are valid, Tex...I think there is room for both agencies...but give it a month or so, and Jay-Z will have one of the biggest contracts ever, too. A lot will depend also on the people he hires. You have to admit the world of Rock-A-Fella is different than calling on Rick Hahn, Kenny, and Jr.

QUOTE (iamshack @ Nov 8, 2013 -> 11:00 AM) I'm talking about endorsements, not player contracts. The corporate world looks to people like Jay-Z as "the pulse" of the African American community, and the youth demographic. They realize there is a lot of money to be made there. That's where his influence will bring money for the clients of his agency. So help me with this. So if Jay-Z is paid to represent someone, a company will overlook their own marketing, their own research, their own advertising agency, and go with what Jay-Z says? That is going to save corporations hundreds of millions of dollars in market research and put a lot of firms out of business. The dude is amazing and I had no clue. He walks into All-Sport and tells them that putting Alexei Ramirez in their adds will deliver the youth market and BAM! it happens. Come one. Really? Will he also help clients that aren't part of '"the pulse' of the African American community, and the youth demographic"? Or will his client base be limited? I think he helps once the company decides they are going to go with a celebrity endorsement.

Speaking of business success. Boras created the second most valuable sports agency in the world, according to Forbes Magazine. I couldn't find a list that Roc-A-Feller was on. Which you consider a bigger accomplishment is of course, a personal opinion. Clearly, if you are going to pick an agent by facebook likes, the choice is clear. If you want the guy that Obama goes to for help with the black community, there is one choice. If you need a cultural icon, you now have that choice. If you want an agent more popular than you, grab him. If you want what I believe will be solid representation, and one of the best role models for leveraging individual talent into a brand, Jay-Z will be a good choice. If you want a guy that has been involved in the biggest contracts ever. (and that isn't for everyone!) I know who I would sign with.

QUOTE (Soxbadger @ Nov 8, 2013 -> 10:30 AM) Hes not really good at partying or doing drugs. Hes kind of straight edge. Im pretty sure hes bad at sports. And I bet Boras can write a better agreement. I mean lets be honest here. Boras used his friends with talent to get into the agent game. His first clients were ex-teammates and those 2 guys are now on his staff. Actually kind of similar to what Jay is doing. Yet Jay is a clueless rapper? Seriously, What the f***?! Where did I ever say he was a clueless rapper? How many times do I have to say he's a successful businessman and players would do well to emulate him? How many times do I have to say he will be successful? One area, endorsements, I don't see it being a slam dunk for him. Anything short of Jay-Z is the greatest and will crush all competition gets attacked.