Texsox

I use to sit here thinking how will they pay for all this? Now I'm thinking 50% tax cuts to cover all these costs I'm interested in how the $10,000 tax credit for college would work.

Did he just say expand nuclear power and open more areas to drilling? Wow.

QUOTE (CrimsonWeltall @ Jan 27, 2010 -> 05:44 PM) Wouldn't the alternative be a $300 netbook and not a $1500-2000 Macbook? That's what I am thinking. I want something small and light that I could check email and do some light word processing.

I was interested. I see a lot of potential. Eventually I would like to have everything merged. Cell phone Netbook Money Keys Credit Cards ID cards MP3 Player Toll Pass Company ID Carry one device and it does everything. I'm the old guy and remember carrying an address book, calendar, to do lists, etc. Then a phone and PDA. I'm liking where this is going, the form factor will be the final determination. Eventually I see some foldable screen, ultra thin, like paper. 1/8 size it is a phone. 1/4 size a DPA. Full size a laptop computer with virtual keyboard.

My ex-wife is an x-ray tech. I've been around sailors and truckers that swear less. I won't even begin to discuss the nicknames for patients . . .

QUOTE (BigSqwert @ Jan 26, 2010 -> 09:55 PM) I'm sure they'll be able to explain all of your options and what is best for you in 30 seconds. You would really take medical advice from someone other than a Doctor? Do you really want the Tebows to tell you all the medical options? This is a human interest piece, not a college course. When an athlete does an anti-drug (steroid) ad, do we criticize because of the lack of medical information in the 30 second ad?

QUOTE (FlaSoxxJim @ Jan 26, 2010 -> 09:44 PM) Yes, I was generalizing my comments in reference to ignoring doctors' (pl) orders. And yes, I understand the value of second opinions, multiple viewpoints, and the ultimate responsibility of the patient to make informed decisions regarding their care and treatment. But the message I anticipate coming from the Tebow story focused through a Focus on Family prism is that NO medical opinion matters (be it one doctor or a consensus of hundreds) if that opinion proffers abortion as the safest course of action. That is a dangerous and irresponsible message. I agree that there could be a dangerous and irresponsible message, just like any other ad. It seems most are anticpating the worse. I still disagree that every discussion has to be to the level of a New England Journal of Medicine article. People Magazine cover stories like this all the time. Lifetime Movies. Songs. This is just one more pop culture reference. No different than complaining that the Bud Lite commercial doesn't discuss every way that alcohol is dangerous. They are encouraging people to drink, even those that have been warned by their Doctor. My last surgery could have been accomplished via a "keyhole" or a 4" cut. When someone told me theirs went fine with the 4" cut, that they didn't think there was a lot of extra pain or a longer recovery, that was valuable information. That was not irresponsible because they didn't talk about all the other factors that come into play.

QUOTE (FlaSoxxJim @ Jan 26, 2010 -> 07:38 PM) I'm going to take myself out of my self-imposed Filibuster semi-exile to chime in, and I think the major problem i have with this pending ad is one that has not been fully enunciated here. I'm pro-choice but I don't have an inherent issue with a non-combative pro-life ad being aired during the Super Bowl or anywhere else. Of course, an ad produced by the hate-fueling Focus on the Family is going to be combative and divisive by definition, so we're already removed from that possibility here. But. . . an ad that spotlights a woman who wrestled with thoughts of terminating a typical pregnancy but didn't, who ends up with a healthy and happy and loved child and is so thankful for the decision she made. . . I don't find that objectionable in and of itself. In contrast, the Tebow situation is NOT that case at all. Here a mother was given the best medical advice her doctors thought they could give her when they suggested she should terminate the pregnancy for health reasons. Here, the decision to abort would not have been borne out of "convenience" but out of medical safety reasons. This mother willfully chose to ignore the doctors' advice and thankfully for her and her son the outcome was positive. But putting this story out there sends absolutely the wrong message that doctors sdvice and warnings mean nothing and to go ahead and carry the pregnancy to term no matter the cost to mother or baby. Things will not work out so well for high-risk pregnancies, and Focus on the Family is broadcasting the message that that's OK. I don't agree that it is, and I think it's disrespectful to the medical professionals who have the best interests of their patients at heart. It's also irresponsible and morally repugnant (to me) that this "Choose Life No Matter What!" message (even if you die in childbirth and leave a father and 5 kids behind, or even if your kid is born with severe congenital defects) is something CBS and the NFL have no problem with. I agree with much that you posted, especially the Focus on the Family angle. I am not a fan at all and that is the most problematic part of all this. But you said Doctors and from what I read it was one Doctor. Sometimes you get different diagnosis and different ideas on acceptable risks. I've had a few operations and skipped two. One Doctor wanted to operate, another suggested a longer, but less evasive recovery program. Was I disrespectful to the medical professionals who have my best interest at heart? It was their opinion, and I have learned Doctors are giving their best opinion, it isn't always correct. Plus, sometimes it is odds. There are so many potential problems in any pregnancy. How many patients over 35 ignore conventional wisdom and conceive anyways?

QUOTE (SoxAce @ Jan 26, 2010 -> 03:29 PM) Never had a problem with him when he was here. In fact.. at times we used to agree on alot of subjects. Dunno if it's age (the whole caps wearing backwards, get off my lawn approach he's doing is sad) or just anger, but he's changed from his style of posting over the years. I was basically the last mod defending him and he bite that hand. He wasn't even smart enough to realize who supported his free wheeling posts and who would be offended.

Thanks for the mention. What is amazing to me is he can speak so intelligently about baseball while drunk. There is no way an adult can consistently act so immature without alcohol being involved. I also find it interesting that he obsessed with me teaching middle school. Perhaps that is why I recognize his taunts and threats, they are basically the same ones that the children toss out. I almost feel guilty, it's like tapping on the glass of the monkey cage to watch him get pissed off and write a 2,000 word post.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Jan 26, 2010 -> 04:05 PM) lol. Don't ruin the football game for a debate like abortion... who wants ads at a party anyways? Turn down the jams, I want to hear that All-State commercial!

QUOTE (BigSqwert @ Jan 26, 2010 -> 04:00 PM) You're right Tex. This is a wonderful opportunity for family members and friends to start talking about this issue. Who cares if households across the country get into major arguments. Sure it's a topic that can ignite very heated debates as evidenced in this thread but I couldn't think of a better opportunity to alienate yourself than at a Super Bowl party. better than the fights over who was suppose to bring the chips. And I will be the 10,342,839 person the say the Super Bowl is a terrible place to air the ad. But it is easily the greatest place to have people talk about it. The liberal media is taking an opportunity to champion one of their liberal ideas . . . It also seems odd to me that some women's groups do not support the right to choose. They only seem to rally around one choice.

And don't drink before hand. I watched more guys bomb because of being bombed. The crowd will become a feeding frenzy kicking your ass.

Another thought, I hope this urges women to get a second opinion when they are in these situations. Whether it is a Doctor that would encourage carrying the child or one who advocates for terminating the pregnancy, two different Doctors may give comflicting opinions, or they both may line up. Just because the first Doctor believes the risk is moderate, doesn't mean the next one might think it is severe, or mild.

QUOTE (iamshack @ Jan 26, 2010 -> 07:20 AM) This isn't telling someone to fill out their bucket list because they are ill. This is rubbing a gamble in the face of an incredibly complex issue. I'm just not seeing this as you are, Tex. Let's also remember that all preganacies carry risks. I honestly do not know where she falls on the scale. And as you mention, all cases are different. Someone with diabetes faces certain risks when she is pregnant. Are they acceptable risks? Couples with certain genetic predispositions also face unique challenges. Maybe this ad gets some of them to talk with their Doctor about becoming pregnant. But I know the times I faced medical decisions I appreciated any feedback. From a general answer to the question "how did it go for you" in a waiting room, to longer, more involved discussions. As far as my example, you easily dismiss it as fill out a bucket list. I believe many people will dismiss her messae just as easily. They will realize that her situation is not the same as anyone else. This isn't rubbing the gamble in their face, life has already done that. It is exposing them to someone who has been there.

I think the biggest difference we have is in how you look at the message. You are thinknig heavy duty medical, I am thinking it is more like this Tim McGraw song Now you could say how insulting. Someone was just told they have three months live and this stupid f*** tells them to go sky diving and bull riding?! That's irresponsible. They should be seeking second opinions, researching alternative strategies, etc. I'm thinking it's a nice uplifting message of hope. We'll see what the commercial looks like.

QUOTE (SouthsideDon48 @ Jan 26, 2010 -> 02:12 AM) : Actually, I'm thinking of going alone when I try an open mic night, cause if I embarrass myself so bad, then at least I won't be embarrassed to face my family or friends, or have their pity. :-p And they have probably heard most of your stuff. I found there is some interesting growth in life when you scare the crap out of yourself and live to tell about it. And btw, a small crowd is much worse than a big one. Laughter is contagious. 200 people in the room and you can get a couple started. 16, and they may all sit there stone faced.

QUOTE (iamshack @ Jan 25, 2010 -> 09:45 PM) To all the people grappling with the decision themselves? To anyone who has gone through it in the past? To anyone who realizes the gravity of the issue and how ridiclous it is to make it seem so cut and dry, like the Tebow's are apparently doing? I am trying to see the point where someone going through it would be insulted by hearing about someone else that went through it. Listen in at a hospital waiting room, the conversations are often brief, not filled with medical advice. People want to hear about others facing similar choices. Again, we are both making assumptions about their message. I probably would agree with your take if I accepted the commercial as you believe it will be done.

I can't believe we have gotten to the point where people will try to ride our coattails. Mentioning soxtalk so people pay attention to them. It is a big internet, with many places to talk baseball, yet he seems obsessed with this place. Kind of cool, and sad.

Thank you. I was crying a bit, then lmao hey it's only January . . .

QUOTE (FlaSoxxJim @ Jan 25, 2010 -> 01:56 PM) Everything Prior to Chicago X is damn solid, and all of the Terry Kath-era stuff is essential. Radio may have played some of it to death, and Peter Cetera and his ego killed the group's individuality eventually, but they were once an awesome band. IIRC there is even a couple of songs after that which are pretty decent. But the consistent quality just isn't there. Plus their discography is littered with greatest hits this and that.

25 years ago. I also did a little college time with an improv group. Do it. Scare the s*** out of yourself. Bomb. Kill. Kill again. Have a few buddies heckle you. In fact, if the old guy can give a little advice. Always try it. Never be afraid to at least try. Your only regrets later will be the things you did not do.

QUOTE (iamshack @ Jan 25, 2010 -> 09:35 PM) I just find it incredibly offensive and disrespectful. I don't think it will have a big impact at all. I guess that is where I am confused. Offensive and disrespectful to who?

QUOTE (iamshack @ Jan 25, 2010 -> 09:04 PM) Tex, obviously none of us have seen the commercial. But do you not see the implication here? By stating that her doctor advised her not to take her pregnancy to term, and that she did anyways, and she had the child who grew up to be Tim Tebow....I mean, you don't get what they are saying there? I do get it and you realize that People Magazine and the New England Journal would have far different articles? That there is news of celebrity diets, surgeries, etc all the time which do not get pamphlets, journal articles, etc. It's a human interest piece. When celebrities talk about their new diet, they don't spend two hours discussing the health implications for diabetics, people with suppressed immunity, etc. I believe since this is such an important topic, that potentially has fatal implication, people will be guided more by their Doctors and family than some QB's mom. In fact, I'm surprised you are thinking this will have such a huge impact. If that were truly the case, smoking and drugs would be gone from society with all the celebrity anti-drug and anti-smoking campaigns. If they don't listen to a celbrity say stop this or you will die,why will they listen to her?

QUOTE (iamshack @ Jan 25, 2010 -> 08:48 PM) The vast majority of them. I'm not sure you could produce a more complex issue than the one the Tebow's are attempting to share with us in 30 seconds. Vast majority? Car ads, are they enough to have you buy a car? All the Pharma ads? Stay in school? Really 30 seconds is enough to discuss financial aid, job outlooks, Colleges versus Universities? Trade Schools versus Academic. I can hardly think of one issue that could be fully, to the level you are thinking, be explained in thirty seconds.