MintHillSkinsFan

Makes me want to vomit.  New ownership, same stupid decisions.  Another Jerry Jones agent sent to wreak havoc and keep our team down from within.  Norv, Alvin Harper, Deion, Scott Turner, it never ends well bringing cowboy retreads into DC.  Prepare for several more years of mediocrity. 

Now I'm sure they'll add icing to the cake by drafting the head case qb from USC.  I'm just glad I'm not as emotionally invested in this team, or the NFL in general as I was when I was younger.  Sundays on the golf course are beautiful in the fall......

6 minutes ago, dfitzo53 said:

 

7 minutes ago, dfitzo53 said:

 

 

 

I'll give you one guess which side of the aisle makes that possible.

They all do.  The lobbyists spread it around without discrimination as to red or blue.

I appreciate all of you who have engaged my posts as well.  I've been a site member for a long time but don't post all that much.  I know I have opposing views to 90% of the posters here so I fully expected to be attacked, ridiculed, etc.... It was a breath of fresh air to have healthy conversations so again, thank you!  I have a little more hope for our country than I did this time yesterday!  😁

3 hours ago, Fergasun said:

Common sense solutions.    

 

Re: Immigration

Compreshensive immigration reform, amnesty for those who establish US residency or have US citizen children, allow DACA (back to 2021 and before). I have some idea on enforcement and mechanisms that rely on lawsuits against corporations that hire non-Americans which the GOP would never allow.  But private lawsuits to enforce abortion  is okay?

 

Re: Student loans / education costs

Have no idea how to fix long term moving forward. Trump floated some type of national university.  Part of this is related to rising costs for housing, etc. that drive up cost of living on campus. 

 

Bring back discharge of college loans in bankruptcy is one no brainer.

 

Re:Obamacare

If it broke the system further than maybe "for-profit health system" is the issue. We had a quality healthcare system years ago built on non-profit... wasn't that "great"?   .  Profit for health companies is too much (I swear some of them even had bought stadium naming rights).

 

Re: Small business and taxes

This is a ridiculous partisan talking point with no basis in reality.  If you can't pay taxes as a small business owner, or deal with regulation,  you have a business-plan problem -- not a tax problem. 

See, we do have common ground on most of these points.

Comprehensive immigration reform for sure.  I'm torn on DACA because they did come here illegally but with some framework around it, I think it's workable.  Definitely go after companies that hire illegals. 

Student loans - I agree with all you said and I have no idea how to fix it either.  I am fortunate that I had the foresight to sign my twins up for the Florida Prepaid program when they were two months old.  I paid around $250 a month for 18 years and they both have their tuition and two years of housing fully paid for.  I'm big on personal responsibility so this is one of the reasons I'm against student loan forgiveness.  In general, we are so self indulgent as a society that we don't plan for the future and want someone else to bail us out when we get in over our heads. 

Healthcare - Again I tend to agree.  The independent local family doctors office has all but ceased to exist.  They are all selling out to the conglomerates to leverage their power.  It's almost like de facto unions.

Small businesses - Here I still disagree.  One example off the top of my head is the self employment tax.  Why impose an additional 15% on top of a self employed individuals income tax?  I know I can file LLC, S-Corp, etc... but that has it's own tax structure as well.  Ridiculous $15+ minimum wages is another "soft tax".  It actually de-incentivizes hiring and puts the load back on the business owner.  Minimum wage was never meant to be a full time career wage.  For example, if I want to open a mom and pop coffee shop in a small town, I would want to hire local kids to work the counter.  It gives them something to constructive to do and puts a little money in their pocket.  If I have to pay $15 an hour, I can only hire one when I could have hired two at $8 an hour.  Or, I have to raise my prices which then runs the risk of running customers off. 

Not that there aren't plenty of poor business plans out there but the government doesn't make it any easier.

1 hour ago, Fergasun said:

@MintHillSkinsFan

Don't take this the wrong way, but I very strongly disagree with your opinion.  I don't think that 100% Democrats are awesome, because they are also flawed.  But the GOP party has gone crazy, especially embracing someone who clearly has no interest in government save his personal one, like Trump. 

 

You have got all the GOP calling for a 

war with Mexico and the leader giving speeches where he talks about the "largest mass deportation program in history" (within the last 2 weeks) and there's no racism. 

I am sorry, but the above is BS.  They want you to believe that if you give your life to the corporations, you will get to achieve the "American dream".  NEWSFLASH! Corporations may hire many American workers, but "ambition and work ethic"?  Please... the only trulty "original American dream" jobs left are within the government.  The same governments that the GOP love to cut and starve.  That offer jobs with base 40 hour salaried workweeks, overtime and health care.

 

But let's boil "original American dream" to something like healthy, homeowner with good education.  The GOP actively pushed for so many years against a modest health care reform.  They also pushed against studen loan forgiveness.  How does opposing those measures square with "they just want everyone to have a good life"?  Because they couldn't and can't stand corporations having to actually be regulated.  Do you remember the fit they threw about Obamacare?  Maybe you don't, I do. 

 

Don't even get me started it the expanded tax credits under Biden that drastically reduced poverty.  Why are these unpopular for Republicans?

It's not racism to want people to emigrate legally.  I have to have a passport to travel to any other country in the world and expect the same for anyone who comes to visit us.  If I want to move to any other country and become a citizen, I have to go through a process, and in many cases, prove what contributions I can make to their society.  That's not racist, it just makes sense.

Student loans:  Our higher ed system is broken and needs to be fixed.  At the end of the day, it doesn't cost $25K-$100K a year to provide an education at a public university, or even a private one for that matter.  But as far as loans go, it's a loan that you agreed to pay back.  Why should that be "forgiven"?  Nobody forgives my car loan or my mortgage?  When they address the education costs and predatory lending practices, then we can talk about "forgiving" some of those loans.

Obamacare: Oh, I remember.  I work in health insurance so I live it every day.  Obamacare took a broken system and broke it further.  Don't get me wrong, I feel good when I talk to someone and I am able to help them get health insurance for $0 or $50 or $100 a month and I am able to help a lot of folks that way.  What I don't like about it is that it is driving costs up for those that don't qualify for the subsidies.  It doesn't cost the hospital and doctor $30,000 to remove a benign tumor from a patient's neck yet here they are charging it.  That's a real life scenario of one of my clients.

Last but not least, Corporate America.  I don't know if that's necessarily the American Dream or not.  Maybe for some.  Mine is being able to run my own business without being taxed into oblivion.  It is virtually impossible for a small business to survive and thrive these days due to taxation and over-regulation so how do we encourage and help the little guy from that standpoint?

I think there's probably a lot of common sense solutions we could (mostly) agree on but it seems like extremists on both sides are tearing us further and further apart.

18 minutes ago, LadySkinsFan said:

 

The real question is: are you the one to decide what women should do with their bodies?  Is any one person the person who gets to decide? 

 

The correct answer is: No. No person or legislature gets to decide those questions.

I think that if I'm the father that I should have some say, especially if we are in a relationship.  That's a whole other conversation.

And again, at some point, whether that's 15 or 20 weeks or whatever that number is, it's not just about the woman's body, but also about that whole other body that's growing inside her. 

I don't expect to change your mind but I do appreciate and thank you for your insight and civil discourse. 

6 minutes ago, Fergasun said:

@MintHillSkinsFan

And what is objectionable about: Shiela Jackson Lee, Omar, Tlaib, and Maxine Waters?  People who represent minority districts in Congress.  Think about it....  these women of color just happen to randomly be really high in the "GOP bad people list"?  

And the same thing with the rampant, vehement hatred against Barrack Hussein Obama.  We just happen to always emphasize his middle name.  Nothing to do with racism... just pure political diagreements.

 

Do you 100% really believe it's not about racism? 

 

I will be honest. It took into my 30s to actually contemplate and think about.   "Huh... I think it actually is racism."  And once you see it, it's really hard to not see it.  And Donald Trump and all the fringe supportors he has... it's really hard to think it's not latent racism. 

I do not for one second believe that racism is gone.  There's plenty of it and it's reprehensible.  I just don't see the racism boogeyman behind every corner, every policy and every statement that people make.  And that was my original point that started this whole conversation, is that when that's the first place you go, that it waters down and makes it more difficult to recognize and root out the things that are truly racist.

And for the record, I don't like Obama because he always came off smug to me.  Kind of like Tom Brady. lol

13 minutes ago, The Evil Genius said:

I mean, if the GOP truly was for the average Joe, they'd be on board with simple things like the Dem Drug Price caps plan. Instead, the GOP is trying to repeal the existing one for insulin.

 

For ****ing insulin. 

I don't see how anyone on either side can still be on the side of big pharma.  It's absolutely ****ing criminal what they do.

23 minutes ago, LadySkinsFan said:

 

Because genetic anomalies of life of the fetus aren't discovered until after 20 weeks or later or the life of the woman is in danger if pregnancy continues, these are the reasons for no ban. If you read articles of women who's life is in danger because of these draconian bans on abortion, and trying to get the medical care they need, it's barbaric. Basically, women have to be in a septic condition before doctors even consider providing the medical care she needs. And young children who were raped will be forced to wreak their young bodies giving birth to their rapist's child?  And in 31 states, rapists have access to these children because of parental rights. 

 

No pregnancy is the same even multiple pregnancies with the same female. Each one can evolve into a life or death situation. The wonder is that perfect children are born every single time. Because we know that isn't true either. 

 

And some women decide that they never want children but they can't independently decide that they want their tubes tied. I tried that in the early 70s and my doctor told me no, that my future husband might want children. I told him I had no intentions to marry but that didn't make a difference. I knew right then that someone other than me essentially owned my fertility. I wasn't free. 

 

I've since had an abortion and had a child. Both my decisions. I've never married man or woman, and that's my decision too, and at 72 I'm unlikely to ever change my mind. 

I'm sorry, I should have clarified.  I absolutely do not agree with 100% abortion bans.  All the things you mentioned; rape, incest, life or death situations. Those should never, ever be included in any kind of ban and you're right, it is despicable and draconian to force those women to continue their pregnancy.  I'm a little more undecided on genetic defects such as downs, but I tend to lean more towards that child deserves to live.  I'm talking more about the everyday "surprise" pregnancy.  In those cases, I think at some point the mother has to decide and after a certain point that baby has developed enough that it is cruel to end its life. 

40 minutes ago, LadySkinsFan said:

 

The way radical right composed of orthodox Christian Nationalists have put female  rights on the table of their position to return females to ultimate subjugation along with:  abolishing bodily autonomy including birth control (see House Speaker Mike Johnson's view that all females should birth at least one child), voting rights, women out of management positions and back to the household. Basically, codifying females back into their subservient category of subhuman. 

 

They are saying this out loud now, like they've been saying it in private for decades. Start listening and it's out there.

The the hardcore right wing Christian faction is without a doubt extreme and many of their views are reprehensible.

But when you say things like subjugation and subservient category of subhuman, that sounds a bit extreme as well.

There are more women entrepeneurs and CEOs than ever before and that number continues to grow, as it should.  There is still plenty of work to be done for sure and I back it 100%.  I still have not seen or heard anyone speak of taking away womens voting rights but I will be sure to do more research on the subject.

I mentioned common ground on abortion.  You mentioned bodily autonomy which is a term I hear a lot.  Many(not all) of the recent proposals I've seen on abortion bans seem to be set at 15-16 weeks.  I'm interested in your opinion on this, is 3 1/2 months not enough time to decide if you are ready to be a parent?  If not, what would you say the appropriate timeframe is?  At that point, and with every day and week goes by, it's not just your bodily autonomy in the equation as there is literally another life growing inside you.  I'm not trying to be combative, I just truly want to know your view on this.  You're one of the long time respected members here so I value your insight. 🙂

11 hours ago, Jumbo said:

 

You did to an extent, my thanks, and I largely, though not totally, agree with your reply.

 

However, I'd still like some response to a significant part of the question I asked: how would you characterize the level of actual racism specifically in the GOP demographic as a whole at this time? 

 

Not baiting you at all or trying to deflect from the matter you were originally commenting on, it's of genuine interest to me.

It's a fair question.  In the halls of Congress I don't think it's anywhere in the same hemisphere as to what the left side of the aisle would have us believe.  Yes, there are the MTGs and Boeberts and a handful of others who are straight up bigots and awful human beings.  But for the most part, I think Republican lawmakers want everyone to have an equal opportunity to succeed.  They want everyone to be able to achieve the original American dream.  Work hard, raise a family, live a comfortable life, and have the ability to go as far as your ambition and work ethic will take you.  I certainly don't believe that the "system" is inherently racist and set up to keep women and minorities down.  We definitely have work to do on salary equality and things like that but there is more open opportunity now than there ever has been.  We just need to continue to make forward progress.

One more thing on that; for every MTG and Boebert, there is a Sheila Jackson, Maxine Waters, Tlaib, and Omar.  I have other thoughts on racism in the democratic party but you asked about the GOP.

Now the GOP base, I think there is significantly more there, especially at the lower end of the economic scale, and it's ignorance that's been handed down from generation to generation and shows no sign of letting up.  I wouldn't even know where to put a number on that faction as that's where the spotlight is so the perception is magnified.  10%, 20% of the overall base? I don't know.  Those people see their station in life as the fault of people that don't look like them, like in the South Park "took our jobs!" episodes.  They are perpetual victims whose station in life is always someone else's fault and not a reflection of their own actions.  Which ironically, in my view, fits better with the ideology of the democratic party.

Obviously there's way more nuance than can be discussed in an internet forum but that's my high level view.

5 minutes ago, Ball Security said:

@MintHillSkinsFan you mentioned that the Kentucky Governor should have been a slam dunk. I’m curious as to why you say that. Are you familiar with the Beshear family in Kentucky politics?

I admit I said it from the point of view of an outsider looking in at what appears to be a deep red state.  I am not familiar with the Beshear family; I will make a point of educating myself further.

6 minutes ago, Jumbo said:

 

Even valid issues of concern, right or left politically, certainly can be exaggerated or overstated. And debating whether they are or not is fair game of course.

 

I'm curious.

 

Are you most concerned about what you regard as the depth and breadth of actual, legitimate, racism within the gop at large or about people who call it out? 

 

Is there a problem as I've worded it, and if so how would you characterize it's level?

 

I'm certainly not naive enough to think that there is no racism left in our country.  And I will be the one to call it out when I see it.

So yeah, my concern is that "calling it out" every time someone disagrees with your point of view is the equivalent of the boy who cried wolf.  It minimizes the significance of the word and desensitizes us to those who see and call out racism when and where it truly exists.

My issue is with categorizing a whole group, or in this case a political party as racist/sexist/whatever just because they disagree with your views.  Especially when you then(not you personally) turn around and call African American candidates "Uncle Tim" or a "house n-word" or a mouthpiece for white supremacists, and the list goes on.  I mean, how racist is that?   I don't mean this to be a "good people on both sides" moment but there are plenty of bad ones on both sides.  

So circling back, my initial post was a comment on abortion being the number one issue over all else so I felt a drive by reply screaming racism was unnecessary.   I hope I was able to answer your question.

2 hours ago, LadySkinsFan said:

 

It's because 50% of the population is female, antiabortion message is really about control of female bodily autonomy by legislators (mostly old males), birth control abolition, revoking female voting rights, and more along those rights. Women aren't having it!

As someone who had fertility challenges, I'm not a fan of abortion but I feel there can be common ground. I'm not here for that debate though.  

What do you mean by repealing women's voting rights?  That's not something I've heard. Can you enlighten me on that?  I'm truly curious. Thank you.

3 hours ago, TradeTheBeal! said:

It’s almost as if decades of Fox talking points have scrambled their tiny, racist brains.

Only two replies to play the racist card.  Congratulations. 

3 hours ago, @DCGoldPants said:

Well, telling me eggs are $8 and I go to the store and they are less than half of that. Telling me gas is $5 and it's under $3 now. I have no memory in decades of the GOP leaving the economy in better shape than they inherit it. All they do is cut taxes mostly for those who need it least. Then with less money, they still spend into debt on things I don't see every day. The pothole doesn't get fixed by them. They don't innovate or develop for the future. 

 

What else do they promise? Tax cuts. 

Thank you for making a reasonable and well thought out reply.  I may not agree 100% but I can appreciate your point and perception.

I just don't understand how poor the republicans are at getting their message out and getting people to the polls.  Kentucky should have been a slam dunk.  I also find it hard to believe that abortion is the hill that everyone on both sides is willing to die on(no pun intended).  With the state of the economy, being drawn into two wars, and the mess at the border, the democrats have been very effective at making abortion the number one issue.  Or conversely, the republicans have been completely inept at making the other issues the priority. Totally mind boggling to me.

A gentle giant of a man that played a violent sport.  One of my favorite players back then and by all accounts an even better human being.  May he rest in eternal peace.

23 minutes ago, BatteredFanSyndrome said:

When folks just have to “throw it out there” they tend to get thrown out themselves.  
 

Then they’ll call it “w0kE CaNCeL CuLtUre”  due to their difference of opinion, rather than accept the fact that they chose to willfully break the rules because they can’t help themselves.

I'm genuinely curious as to what rule I actually broke other than having a different opinion from the mob?  Like Del Rio, I'm always willing to have a respectful conversation. 🙂

I'm just gonna throw it out there, what he said is valid and is also representative of the opinion of approximately half this country.  If RR doesn't agree with it, ok but who the F is he to fine Del Rio $100 much less $100k just because he doesn't agree and it doesn't fit the new "woke" image and narrative of the NFL.  Johnathan Allen had the right response.  Yes, we may have different opinions but as long as he comes to work every day and works to make this team better on the field then that's what matters.

If Del Rio has a shred of integrity, he will tell RR to shove his $100k up his ass and turn in his resignation. 

I'm sure I'll get flamed here but go for it.  I know differing opinions get shut down in a hurry in this forum but I'm good with that.

Love y'all, peace out, HTTR!

Good thing they made adjustments at halftime. The real defense showed up in the second half....

19 hours ago, Long n Left said:

You Mint Hill, NC? If so, I live in Dilworth.

Lived there when I first signed up with ES.  Been in TX 9 years now.

Tab Benoit and Sonny Landreth are a couple of my more modern favorites.

23 hours ago, AsburySkinsFan said:

Wow!

What events is she lifting in for her total weight?

Ethan just hit the 600lbs club this last fall; I think bench, squat, and deadlift.

Yes, bench, squat and deadlift.  She finished at 650.  260 squat, 120 bench and 270 deadlift.  She was going for 700 at regionals but that was a little too ambitious.  She was determined to go big or go home.

My sophomore daughter started powerlifting in December in the 132lb division.  She added 150lbs to her total between the first meet in January and regionals at the end of February and finished 11th in the region out of about 300 girls.  The goal for next year is to make it to state!

I saw Hell Yeah! and Sevendust on NYE two years ago and both were WAY heavier than on their albums!  White Chapel and All Shall Perish opening up for Hatebreed at House of Blues in Dallas may be the loudest show I've ever been to.

**** the Cowboys!  **** them all to death!!