Baculus

It's hard for me to believe this. Yesterday's vote was congresses 33rd vote to repeal the ACA. It's really difficult to believe that's not overkill by republicans trying to "exploit" the AFA's "unpopularity", given they haven't been able to pass a budget in 3 years or take care of other important work for the american people.

This is like the 3rd bridge in "operation market garden", This is too much; they are overplaying their hand.

Plus, tens of millions have been spent on these useless repeal attempts; so much for economic thrift.

I don't know for sure, but I think this is what they are referring to. I don't know any of these people so it could just be made up, but I do believe there are plenty of idiots on twitter and it's plausible.

https://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/524083_486588691367783_807937038_n.jpg

As it has been pointed out, considering Canada's health care system, the conservative "I'm moving to Canada!" tweets are a bit ridiculous. But that's what you get after months and months of hysteria whipping by the right wing media: people lose their minds (such as Sen. Pence comparing the SCOTUS decision to 9-11).

What's going to happen if Obama wins in Nov? Are conservatives going to declare "The end of America, Part III"?

Ok, so here's the theory behind it:

Supposedly the penalty for not offering insurance is less than the cost to the company of providing insurance. So, companies will choose to pay the penalty and not offer insurance to their employees.

There are tons of holes in this theory. For instance, that employees won't go to jobs that offer insurance. Or that people won't be able to buy insurance on the exchange even if this happens.

But, its the theory that the GOP likes to throw out there, so that's it.

That's pretty much what I surmised from conservatives' argument as well on this particular point, but it doesn't really seem to boot their position at all. It also shows why a single-payer system is preferable if the current employee-based one can be undermined whenever a business deems benefits to be expendable.

I'm wondering the same thing. I always thought companies offering insurance was an incentive to attract employees. Why would they get rid of it?

I am also trying to figure out the logic in this one (and several of my Facebook friends have made the same claim). It's as if some people are hoping this would happen, just out of spite.

Presumably, this is a talking point on some conservative TV or radio show, and their audience is just parroting what they hear.

---------- Post added June-28th-2012 at 08:17 PM ----------

... so 50% of Americans don't pay their taxes?

Apparently state and payroll taxes aren't, in fact, taxes, in their world.

Thank you, SCOTUS. This Obamacare ruling fires up the troops as America’s eyes are opened! Thank God.

This proves to be such an unsettling time in America as we undergo the fundamental transformation that Barack Obama promised he would do to us if elected. Obamacare was dealt in deception and confusion by flooding the public with an overwhelming amount of conflicting “rationale” via thousands of pages of unread legislative detail, which is the radical left’s M.O. Obama promised the American people this wasn’t a tax and that he’d never raise taxes on anyone making less than $250,000. We now see that this is the largest tax increase in history. It will slam every business owner and every one of the 50% of Americans who currently pay their taxes. The other 50% are being deceived if they think they’re going to get a free ride – because Medicaid is broke. Recipients of Obama’s “free health care” will have fewer choices and less accessibility. Trust me – this much more expensive health care WILL be rationed; to claim otherwise defies all economic and common sense.

We will not retreat on this. A newly elected legislative branch is key to defending our Republic and fundamentally restoring all that is good in America.

SCOTUS now rules this is a tax? Well, Congress has the ability to create taxes – and also has the ability to rescind them. Upon their return from the July recess, Congress should act immediately to repeal this terrible new tax on the American people, and indeed they must repeal all of Obamacare. This is the most brazen and sweeping new tax and government overreach imposed on us. We the People did not ask for this tax, we do not want this tax, and we can’t afford this tax. This is not an answer to America’s health care challenges.

It’s time, again, for patriotic Americans to rise up to protest this obvious infringement on our economic and personal freedom. November is just around the corner. Today, the Supreme Court issued their ruling on Obamacare. In November, We the People will issue ours.

- Sarah Palin

Palin represents the irrational absurdity of the Right.

---------- Post added June-28th-2012 at 07:44 PM ----------

The facts, and Romney's history in Massachusetts are only relevant to those paying attention. To those who accept spoon fed talking points, its easy to use this as a basis for positioning the election as a referendum on Americanism vs. Socialism. Easy as pie.

The ACA, which is framed within the free market, has nothing to do with socialism, and mashing together talking points does not create a convincing argument. I mean, after all, WHAT is "Americanism"?

I guess we're going to have to hear months more of empty, bumper-sticker sloganeering until the election, at the least.

The expected right wing hyperbolic reaction to this decision is astounding, but I do have a bit of schadenfreude watching their heads exploded. Heh.

To them, supposedly America has "ended" over health care reform. Apparently conservatives don't have much faith in this nation.

TBH, I don't think there really is a magic link that is going around.

I really didn't want to leave the house just to watch the game.

I hate Carroll County.

I still cannot find a valid link or a feed that doesn't freeze.

Stupid Ravens game.

Can someone send me a link?

O.K, I downloaded the Streamtorrent file (after Googling for the release candidate file -- the Google link has exceeded its bandwidth). I have not been able to figure out what to do with the provided link, so I am using the second link at the bottom of this page:

http://myp2p.eu/broadcast.php?matchid=48158∂=sports

Is there any better quality links available? Or at least one that is more consistent with its streaming?

I cannot stand living in Carroll County, where they show a golf event instead of the 'Skins.

That above link is not valid -- can someone post up a good, valid link? Or is that used in some program?

I didn't like Mazzagatti's stand up in that fight. Those shots to the back of the head were minimal and Mir was turning his head away from the strikes. It's not like Lesnar was going straight for the head. I think Lesnar could've finished Mir if it weren't for the early stand up.:2cents:

I was re-watching that fight the other night and became annoyed, again, when Mazzagatti stood them up. It reminded me of Tito's fight in UFC 13 when he was ground and pound, but good stood up, too.

Did not know that. Thanks. Just figured there was no ceiling because of the size difference between those two and a couple of other HW fights I've seen.

PRIDE didn't have a ceiling, as far as I know, which is why they had the "David vs. Goliath" fights.

And you can drink as much as you want also. Drinking increases the size of the liver and makes it vulnerable to more danger if hit. I'm not sure marijuana has any effect on the actual fight itself. Though the Nevada Commission will tell you it is a performance enhancer :doh:

I think it is just silly. Just like I think it is silly that atheletes in other sports are test for marijuana. It is really more about a set of morality rules as opposed to performance.

Yeah, Cuban gave an excellent response on his blog. I really haven't see any support for Shapiro's position, even among folks who rarely watch MMA.

I didn't see this posted, but this is a rather lame article by, surprise, surprise, Len Shapiro:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/03/18/AR2008031801221.html

Disgusting.

Watch out everyone, but don't hold your breath...

UFC Negotiating With Fedor For A One Fight Deal

http://www.mmafightline.com/news/2008/313/fedor_emelianenko_318666.shtml

Sources close to negotiations between the UFC and Fedor's management have informed MMAFightline.com that the two sides are currently discussing a possible one fight deal that would bring Fedor to the cage, presumably to face Randy Couture.

It is unknown whether Couture would end his lawsuit and come back to the UFC to face Fedor if the UFC were able to offer such a fight, but Couture has stated on numerous occasions that this is the only fight that makes sense at this stage of his career.

It should be noted that nothing is eminent at this point and negotiations are in the general discussion phase. If made, however, the deal would be unprecedented. The UFC is notorious for locking up fighters in long term deals and not allowing them to leave as champions. We'll have more on this story as it develops.

That would be so incredible. Wow.

It was a staged event, but the hit was real. I'm betting that Show agreed to take a shot or two for the sake of the spot. Pretty cool stuff.

And BTW, Mayweather could probably take Show in a fight. Endurance is key, and Mayweather has a lot of it. Plus he's a trained boxer.

Actually, Big Show was pissed; the punch to the nose was not planned at all (from what I read). You can tell he was a bit angry, and not in the "WWE, RAWR I AM ANGRY!" way.

That was real - things just went a bit too far, perhaps farther then expected. Mayweather, though, sure was a punk, though: threw a cheapshot then ran like hell with the rest of his cowardly posse.

Here's the video of Cro Cop's presser, he starts talking at the 6 minute mark:

http://www.sherdog.com/videos/videos.asp?v_id=1444

He says he's not leaving the UFC because he lost twice in a row. He says he doesn't like to fight in the cage, and he likes fighting in Japan because it's his second home.

He DOES go on to say, that one day he is "definitely going back to the UFC to show that it was just a bad period for [him]".

I am glad Crocop is returning. He has been one of my favorite fighters for a while, and I would have been bummed if he had retired.

Personally, I missed PRIDE. I miss their Grandprix events, their freak fights, some of their rules such as soccer kicks and knees to downed opponent, the ring, as well as the patience and intelligence demonstrated by the Japanese crowd. (No boos after a few seconds of grappling...).

It'd be good to see CC in some future Japanese events.

Great fights so far. AMAZING card!

BTW, can someone tell those ****ing rednecks to shut up and quit booing? Honestly, what the **** do they want?

Haymakers. And lots of them.

In the aftermath of last night's title fight, I can't help but wonder how Randy Couture is feeling today. In his stubborn efforts to wait for a fight with Fedor, he finds himself watching Minotauro acquiring the belt he fumbled. He was so bent on proving something to the world with Emilianenko when he could have stayed, fought Nog, and possibly retired with both the UFC and Pride belts. That would be something Fedor's never done and it would have been a fantastic way to retire, cementing Randy as at least a viable mention in the "best ever" discussions for all time. Now Nog rules the MMA HW world and the history books.

:whoknows:

Exactly. Fedor is great, but he has to prove he can be a HW champ outside of PRIDE FC. Add Randy and Fedor to the HW division, and you have possibly the possibly greatest collection of fighters outside the LHW division.

That throw was great! My friend and I jumped out our seats and started whooping and yelling! UFC 81 was a fun event; good fights.

A tribute to Bill Wallace and his commentary:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=JubPpUnjIDw&feature=related

The UFC has sure come a long way.

Watched a dvd from the early UFC days. There weren't any rules :laugh: . You could punch in the balls and almost everything else. Biting wasn't allowed, perhaps, but I watched a fight where a guy tapped out because he was getting wrecked in the balls over and over. :doh: :doh:

Well, the funny thing is that there *were* rules, but they kept saying "There are no rules!"

The funniest thing about UFC 1 was Bill Wallace, who was the main commentator, and who was really quite awful. I didn't think he knew a lick about fighting, martial arts, or anything, and must have normally did cooking shows or something.

Beep. Wrong. Apparently this guy is a black belt and was a big-time kickboxer during the 70's.

I had no idea. I just thought he was some dude they brought on as a (terrible) color guy. :whoknows:

as big as the UFC is, its embarrassing some fighters are getting 3k to fight with another 3k IF they win.

I wonder if something akin to the NFL, with the NFLPA, will be formed for MMA fighters. Eventually, like any sport, the fighters will need to be paid closer to their true value.