Texsox

QUOTE (Alpha Dog @ Nov 8, 2008 -> 08:08 AM) If he gets to appoint any Supremes, he can certainly start down that road. Besides, he doesn't have to wait for that. BTAF has the power to institute regulation that don't need to go thru congress regarding firearms manufacturing and distribution, so a few well placed individuals there can find a way to curtail a majority of the 'scary' firearms thru regulation, resulting in a defacto ban on certain styles of guns without having to try and pass any laws. Exactly! Obama will make more changes, more seismic shifts in America than any other President in history. And unlike Bush with his faith based initiatives, unlike Clinton with health care, Obama alone has the power to make change. His stuff will happen. His stuff is inevitable. So just accept the change, we are powerless to fight. Everything in America will change.

QUOTE (Alpha Dog @ Nov 8, 2008 -> 07:53 AM) Apparently they are now removing the word 'require' from the website and using more friendly terms like 'encourage'. That's OK we can still make him look bad. All McCain supporters need to start yelling FLIP FLOPPER! FLIP FLOPPER! FLIP FLOPPER! FLIP FLOPPER! He can't stick to a plan for 2 days without bending to the wind! Must have been some negative poll data. I also heard we all better join the NRA because he's going to take away our guns his first week. Evidently he has eliminated Congress and the Courts as well.

QUOTE (DrunkBomber @ Nov 7, 2008 -> 05:50 PM) So basically, this is a plan to make students required to do the same punishment handed down to criminals? Sounds good to me, Im done with school. Won't happen. People won't get off their butts. They expect the government to just hand them everything. You'll be able to stay in school and get them sweet government checks. And criminals generally do not help in classrooms, coach sports in youth leagues, and other avenues for service to their communities. Just ask Fraternity members who do community service as part of their commitment to their frat. But, hey if it makes you feel like a criminal, just sit there and laugh at the do gooders and enjoy that handout.

QUOTE (GarlandFan20 @ Nov 7, 2008 -> 05:32 PM) I believe that's a Threadless.com shirt. I love Threadless, they have a lot of creative/witty designs. http://www.typetees.com/product/921/Video_...two_extra_lives That one is better. This one was plain text on a white Y. Now put it on a guy who probably never had a date and realizes he may never have a date.

QUOTE (GarlandFan20 @ Nov 7, 2008 -> 05:32 PM) I believe that's a Threadless.com shirt. I love Threadless, they have a lot of creative/witty designs. http://www.typetees.com/product/921/Video_...two_extra_lives That one is better. This one was plain text on a white Y. Now put it on a guy who probably never had a date and realizes he may never have a date.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Nov 7, 2008 -> 06:56 PM) But the issue is, Lieberman got ALL of those things from the Dems in 06, despite losing in the Dem primary. Only a handful of Dems avoided endorsing him, he got plenty of fundraising help including other people from the party making appearances for him, he still wound up with his (useless, Bush-covering) committee chair, and so on. I was thinking a true (I) coming from out of no where.

QUOTE (Texsox @ Nov 7, 2008 -> 05:26 PM) We're going to disagree. You want to take away someone's tax break because you don't agree with them. Well I don't always agree with the ACLU, AARP, NRA, Sierra Club, but they all get involved in trying to promote the changes they want to see. Taking away their tax exempt status is a nice way to raise taxes on people who get involved in our communities, and that is just wrong. It's the old, I don't agree with what you say, but I will defend your right to say it. I don't know why around here you have to be a f***ing athiest to get involved in government. These are Americans also. Deal with it. We all have our agendas, we all want change, and this is just part of the process. What you are suggesting is if someone dares take on the government the government is going to punish them by taking away their tax status. So if the Sierra CLub dares try to stop development in a National Forest, take away their tax exempt status. If the AARP takes on teh government over Social Security or Meicare, take away their tax exempt status. Sorry, that is wrong and I'm shocked you would evenb suggest it. I typed this as I was rushing out the door. I just reread it and come off as a jerk. Sorry Rex for the tone of my post.

QUOTE (Rex Kicka** @ Nov 7, 2008 -> 03:54 PM) It's easy to be an I. It's hard to be an opportunist when all your bets don't pay off. He's a schill for whoever will possibly get him his next advantage. Lose an election? Refile as an independent. But then cut a deal with his caucus so he doesn't lose seniority and still wins the election. He embraces nothing but what's good for him. And what's good for him is the back bench in the Senate. It's hard to get elected, it's hard to introduce any legislation, you have to decide to caucus with one of the other. No national committee to help. No fund raising doors opening up for you because of the D or R. No extra campaign help with out the D or R. It's called a two party system for a reason. I can't see how it is easier.

QUOTE (Rex Kicka** @ Nov 7, 2008 -> 04:51 PM) Given how hard the LDS got involved with this campaign, they should lose their nonprofit church status. We're going to disagree. You want to take away someone's tax break because you don't agree with them. Well I don't always agree with the ACLU, AARP, NRA, Sierra Club, but they all get involved in trying to promote the changes they want to see. Taking away their tax exempt status is a nice way to raise taxes on people who get involved in our communities, and that is just wrong. It's the old, I don't agree with what you say, but I will defend your right to say it. I don't know why around here you have to be a f***ing athiest to get involved in government. These are Americans also. Deal with it. We all have our agendas, we all want change, and this is just part of the process. What you are suggesting is if someone dares take on the government the government is going to punish them by taking away their tax status. So if the Sierra CLub dares try to stop development in a National Forest, take away their tax exempt status. If the AARP takes on teh government over Social Security or Meicare, take away their tax exempt status. Sorry, that is wrong and I'm shocked you would evenb suggest it.

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Nov 7, 2008 -> 02:49 PM) Last week (I don't recall this), I had told my mother that I REALLY wanted this t-shirt I saw. At the time, I was in a phase where I was really into military stuff, and I just thought this was the coolest shirt ever. It was worn by a woman with... large breasts. Wondering how these are connected? The shirt had two tanks on it, guns a blazin', one on each boob, and said "Tanks for the Mammaries". I had no idea. But my mother still laughs about it to this day. fixed kudos for using three different euphemisms for hooters. Shall we start a list

QUOTE (Controlled Chaos @ Nov 7, 2008 -> 02:26 PM) Alaska hot springs here I come. You haven't ahem "customized" the cut out, have you?

QUOTE (Swingandalongonetoleft @ Nov 3, 2008 -> 03:02 AM) Point taken, but let's take a stroll into baseball's glorious past shall we...? Look through out all of society. Sports, entertainment, real estate, teachers, politicians, sales reps, accountants, assembly line workers. All sad.

Anyone have a crack repaired in their windshield? My insurance company repairs chips at no cost to me so I had it done. Now I'm not certain if they did a good or horsefeather job. I can still see some of the line, but the chip is gone. Since it didn't cost me anything, they even came to my house and did it, I'm not going to complain. So now my sweet Pacer is looking new again. Cuz, man they don't make them like this anymore.

QUOTE (LosMediasBlancas @ Nov 7, 2008 -> 02:24 PM) I'd say Hillary and Palin's nominations blow that theory to s***. Didn't you sell all the 'Palin in 2012' signs? Sure they didn't make it to the presidency, but do you see a homosexual even making the ticket? It won't happen for quite a while and that generation will look back on us and laugh. Kind of how we look back and think 'Can you believe there was a time when women and blacks were not allowed to vote??!!' People evolve, most just aren't there yet. Hey, we don't allow homosexuals to vote do we??!! This became so absurd I can't take it seriously.

It has to be hard to be an I

QUOTE (Alpha Dog @ Nov 7, 2008 -> 02:20 PM) Then you run into the problem of what community service is acceptable for the grants? As a Republican, I in no way, shape or form think that ACORN is a program worthy of government money, especially since they are such a biased organization for Democrats. However, I can see them as being listed as an appropriate program to satisfy the requirements. I know there is an organization out there similat to ACORN that supposedly works to register Republicans, and it would be wrong for them as well to be used for this. So when they are set up outside a store, how do they know who is a Dem and who is a Rep? I am wondering what is being indoctrinated here. Perhaps that in order to live in this country there is a price to pay in time, talent, and treasure. That you can't just take, take, take and it's not just me, me, me. That the government isn't just going to give you something without you putting a little of yourself into it. Yep, I can see why a conservative would be against that. They always do like that make the government give me stuff for doing nothing. I'm really surprised you are against this. I guess there is some liberal in you after all.

QUOTE (Alpha Dog @ Nov 7, 2008 -> 02:17 PM) The slippery slope thing is the WHOLE point. What is to prevent this from becoming an all-encompassing program with citizens of all ages having to do 'service' work? Seems right now that there are a whole bunch of people in here that have no problem with the government telling them that their kids have to spend 100 hours or so doing something that they probably dont want to do. So, willing to give away your freedom for this? Where is your line that can't be crossed? Will you all feel that way when it evolves into adults having to do service work in order to get a tax refund? You don't HAVE to do the work, but if you want a refund, well, then you know what your 'choice' will be. And it is not far fetched to think it couldn't happen. Have you ever known a government program to STOP growing? Whoever administers this will find some way to expand their power and scope, and none of the possibilities are good. Wait, we work instead of paying taxes to have someone else do the work? Interesting proposal. You save the government $X and you get to keep some/all of it. Kind of like user fees in reverse. Make the people who take the most, pay the most. Those that take less, by contributing, pay less.

QUOTE (Alpha Dog @ Nov 7, 2008 -> 02:10 PM) Whoa Tex. No where did I say or suggest that volunteering was bad. Perhaps you missed it in the very forst post that myself, wife and oldest son all volunteer. Forcing someone to volunteer is wrong. Making it a condition to graduate is wrong. It did seem out of character for you.

I am kind of sad to see Old Joe acting this way. I can't say he doesn't deserve the treatment he is receiving. But I find no joy in watching it happen. In a small way he represents someone like we've talked about here. A true centralist who embraces planks from both platforms.

I just saw this one today. On a rather large, looks like he lives in his parents basement and never had a date Video Games Ruined My Life Fortunately, I Have Two Extra Lives!

QUOTE (BearSox @ Nov 7, 2008 -> 10:32 AM) If a gay is ever elected as president of the united states, I'm moving. Fortunately there are a couple countries that share your attitude. Iraq for one. You will have to avoid all of North America, all of South America, and most of Europe. But with all the aid we'll be pumping into Iraq, it should be a very nice place to live. You may also consider Iran, they have no gays either. Enjoy

QUOTE (BearSox @ Nov 7, 2008 -> 11:07 AM) So, by your point of view, would it be okay for a brother and sister to have children, even though their kids would very much likely be deformed? The point is that this is about legal rights and benefits, not about sex. If the sole purpose is for those benefits it shouldn't matter who is linked with who. It isn't a license to have sex, it's just a legal contract for who your employer will be obligated to cover for insurance, who will not have to testify in a trail against the other, etc, etc. Equality in laws.Why should a brother and sister have to pay higher single tax rates than a man and a woman who the government recognizes as joined together? If anything, it will increase the coupled rates in this country. Why would anyone want to stay single? Link up with someone, then get divorced if you find someone you want to live with forever and all that. The dumped legal partner would then link with someone else. And hopefully, in an issue close to my heart, it should end the entire "are they really a couple" when it comes to immigration. The government stepping in and voiding marriages should be wrong. If someone wants to form a union and it results in someone gaining citizenship, so be it. Those inquisitions should end.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Nov 7, 2008 -> 11:51 AM) There is actually a really valid point in here, and it goes back to all of the college students who are saying that they are "too busy". Its a life choice. For people who have to have the money, it is a choice of going to college or not. At that point, you most likely make the life choice to give up something that you think is ultra-important right now, such as a social life, sport, club etc. Guess what, that prepares you well for the real world where you make those very same types of choices during your life. Look no further than having kids. I don't have to tell anyone on here about how much you sacrifice of yourself after you have kids. Its a good thing to have that life lesson earlier, rather than later in life.

QUOTE (lostfan @ Nov 7, 2008 -> 11:37 AM) I got you Tex, you're right, I just thought I was arguing against something else at first. I guessed that. But racism is such a charged topic that I wanted to clarify. The fact that it is so charged, is exactly why their could be this kind of effect. And we really do not know if A. People were accurate in their responses or B. Pollsters accurately factored in for a Bradley Effect. I'm am hoping that it is A and believe it probably is.

I just did a quick check of my records for two small counties in South Texas, we have over 4,000 adult volunteers. Based on job codes and the sizes of units, at least 2,500 to 3,000 give 100 or more hours per year. Many, many will give one full week, 24/7, with their units at a summer camp. That's at least 150 hours right there. Then add weekly meetings, another 100+ hours. One weekend campout per month, another 48 - 36 hours per month. So basically I know of close to a thousand parents who will give in excess of 500 hours per year.