(07-16-2013 01:11 PM)USAFMEDIC Wrote:  

(07-16-2013 01:06 PM)blunderbuss Wrote:  

(07-16-2013 07:54 AM)Knightsweat Wrote:  

(07-16-2013 07:39 AM)TerryD Wrote:  

(07-15-2013 05:48 PM)Dr. Isaly von Yinzer Wrote:  Agreed entirely. I have given this particular issue a lot of thought and still can't figure out how any reasonable person can describe themselves flatly as a "conservative" or a "liberal"? Honestly, that makes no sense to me at all. Rather, I think everything is situationally dependent.

In that way, politics is kinda like football. I don't think anyone can ever say, "I play go-for-broke football on every down" or "I never take any chances and play everything close to the vest." How one plays or which chances one chooses to take, or not to take, depends on a lot of factors including score, time, opponent, feel, statistical factors, and about 10,000 other things. That's just how politics is too. Sometimes, you have to take a harder line on things than you do at other times. Also, sometimes you have to admit that how you felt about an issue or series of issues was wrong and needed to change. That's just part of being an intelligent person in a complex world.

I think any thoughtful person - whether they be a politician, a coach, or just a regular citizen with an interest in sports or politics - understands that neither approach is ever always right or always wrong. The key is - as always - trying to strike a balance.

Also, I don't think either political philosophy exactly has a monopoly on intelligence or reasonableness. I think, in most cases, they are each severely lacking on both fronts.

Time for my cynical political rant:


I have been a lobbyist in the past and have seen the political process from the inside and up close.

It is my opinion that both major parties are really two sides to the same coin.

Two wings of the same entity, serving the same masters and pursuing similar goals...cash and votes.

They are only interested in campaign contributions, votes and whatever else they can con from Joe Public by creating "issues" between the two "different" sides/parties.

I don't think that either side of the aisle really "believes" in anything other than self interest.....votes, contributions and perks.

It is like the old saying "One lawyer in town, he starves. Two lawyers in town, they both get rich."

The two parties have to create "issues", "controversy" and "news" to fire up the party faithful on Fox and MSNBC so the money trough keeps flowing.

Anyone who truly "believes" in any politician and thinks that they actually care about anything outside of themselves, especially the greater good of the Republic, has bought a bill of goods, in my humble opinion.

Cynical? Yes
Accurate? Absolutely

Yup, I'd say that hit the nail squarely on it's head.

Spot on Terry D.

In other words, like I always say, no matter who wins, we lose...

(07-16-2013 12:59 PM)NJRedMan Wrote:  

(07-15-2013 08:03 PM)OrangeCrush22 Wrote:  

(07-15-2013 07:55 PM)Caltex2 Wrote:  Why are you leaving Sportsnation (I used to be there too and left when they changed the board format in 2011)?

ESPN is shutting down all of their forums on the 17th. The recent influx of new posters are mostly from there.

Not shutting down, just forcing people to connect their ramblings to their Facebook accounts so the anonymous now have to put their face to their usually racist/misogynist/close minded/insulting/off base posts. Many don't want to do that.

If I was on those boards, I wouldn't want all those posts on Facebook either, and it has nothing to do with what I'm posting. I just don't think Facebook is the best place for it.

(07-16-2013 12:59 PM)NJRedMan Wrote:  

(07-15-2013 08:03 PM)OrangeCrush22 Wrote:  

(07-15-2013 07:55 PM)Caltex2 Wrote:  Why are you leaving Sportsnation (I used to be there too and left when they changed the board format in 2011)?

ESPN is shutting down all of their forums on the 17th. The recent influx of new posters are mostly from there.

Not shutting down, just forcing people to connect their ramblings to their Facebook accounts so the anonymous now have to put their face to their usually racist/misogynist/close minded/insulting/off base posts. Many don't want to do that.

There's some things (but not in that vain) that I said over the years that I wouldn't want associated with my name either so I'd leave too. Granted, LOL, the internet is hardly private, except among average people.

Welcome to your new home Bevo.

(07-15-2013 01:47 PM)john01992 Wrote:  

(07-15-2013 01:27 PM)blunderbuss Wrote:  

(07-15-2013 01:17 PM)john01992 Wrote:  this place is more active than hoop, with much better mods

my only complaint is a lack of pac12 posters, & not enough liberals

and what's that got to do with anything?

i like a good politic forum, but its over the top conservative. probably scares away most liberals cuz a dem just cant win on that board

im not talking about the sports part of the forum

It's not about winning man. Without liberals in there the debate would be boring. You make good points.

(07-15-2013 06:38 PM)jrj84105 Wrote:  

(07-15-2013 01:17 PM)john01992 Wrote:  this place is more active than hoop, with much better mods

my only complaint is a lack of pac12 posters, & not enough liberals

There is definitely an "East Coast" bias due to the underrepresentation of Big12 and PAC fans. A pertinent example is that UT is about 90% certain to be an independent with an ACC scheduling arrangement when the GoR expires based on a survey of realignment scenarios posted here.

I don't think Big XII fans really consider themselves in the west.

There is a Big XII forum in the inactive area. If we get some folks to start posting there, perhaps we can move it to the active area...

(07-16-2013 08:45 PM)bitcruncher Wrote:  There is a Big XII forum in the inactive area. If we get some folks to start posting there, perhaps we can move it to the active area...

I'll start throwing some posts in there.

I've come to appreciate the lack of memes and lame one liners here as opposed to Hoopla.

(07-16-2013 10:46 PM)psualltheway5 Wrote:  I've come to appreciate the lack of memes and lame one liners here as opposed to Hoopla.

This place is awesome. Exactly how it should be.

(07-15-2013 05:48 PM)Dr. Isaly von Yinzer Wrote:  

(07-15-2013 01:55 PM)Knightsweat Wrote:  

(07-15-2013 01:47 PM)john01992 Wrote:  

(07-15-2013 01:27 PM)blunderbuss Wrote:  

(07-15-2013 01:17 PM)john01992 Wrote:  this place is more active than hoop, with much better mods

my only complaint is a lack of pac12 posters, & not enough liberals

and what's that got to do with anything?

i like a good politic forum, but its over the top conservative. probably scares away most liberals cuz a dem just cant win on that board

im not talking about the sports part of the forum

I am a moderate Republican and I can talk with any liberal, provided they don't fly off the handle the first I disagree with their politics. I've found many liberals to be just as annoying with their leftist ideals, as the religious kooks who occupy the religious right. Moderation is what our country needs. Wake me up when that happens. Oh, and my real name is Rumplestilskin. LOL

Agreed entirely. I have given this particular issue a lot of thought and still can't figure out how any reasonable person can describe themselves flatly as a "conservative" or a "liberal"? Honestly, that makes no sense to me at all. Rather, I think everything is situationally dependent.

In that way, politics is kinda like football. I don't think anyone can ever say, "I play go-for-broke football on every down" or "I never take any chances and play everything close to the vest." How one plays or which chances one chooses to take, or not to take, depends on a lot of factors including score, time, opponent, feel, statistical factors, and about 10,000 other things. That's just how politics is too. Sometimes, you have to take a harder line on things than you do at other times. Also, sometimes you have to admit that how you felt about an issue or series of issues was wrong and needed to change. That's just part of being an intelligent person in a complex world.

I think any thoughtful person - whether they be a politician, a coach, or just a regular citizen with an interest in sports or politics - understands that neither approach is ever always right or always wrong. The key is - as always - trying to strike a balance.

Also, I don't think either political philosophy exactly has a monopoly on intelligence or reasonableness. I think, in most cases, they are each severely lacking on both fronts.

...and I don't think that you've ever played NFL Blitz, because I have four words for you: "Da Bomb" and "Suicide Blitz"

(07-16-2013 10:46 PM)psualltheway5 Wrote:  I've come to appreciate the lack of memes and lame one liners here as opposed to Hoopla.

Give me time, I'll make it just like old times in a no time.

(07-17-2013 06:35 PM)Caltex2 Wrote:  

(07-16-2013 10:46 PM)psualltheway5 Wrote:  I've come to appreciate the lack of memes and lame one liners here as opposed to Hoopla.

Give me time, I'll make it just like old times in a no time.

(07-17-2013 06:54 PM)PirateTreasureNC Wrote:  

(07-17-2013 06:35 PM)Caltex2 Wrote:  

(07-16-2013 10:46 PM)psualltheway5 Wrote:  I've come to appreciate the lack of memes and lame one liners here as opposed to Hoopla.

Give me time, I'll make it just like old times in a no time.

Holy chit LMAO^

(07-17-2013 07:17 PM)WPDAWG08 Wrote:  Holy chit LMAO^

Caltex and I are special breed on scarcasm.

I think many of us came here because it's serious and not full of little kids seeing who can be the cutest with stupid snark and silly memes.

(07-17-2013 07:46 PM)oklalittledixie Wrote:  I think many of us came here because it's serious and not full of little kids seeing who can be the cutest with stupid snark and silly memes.

Here it tends to light up the seriousness. But I agree that if the sarcasm was too constant then...

(07-17-2013 10:27 PM)PirateTreasureNC Wrote:  

(07-17-2013 07:46 PM)oklalittledixie Wrote:  I think many of us came here because it's serious and not full of little kids seeing who can be the cutest with stupid snark and silly memes.

Here it tends to light up the seriousness. But I agree that if the sarcasm was too constant then...

It not like sports poopla. That's why we are here. I don't like conversing with people who can only communicate through pictures and flash images. It's like trying to have a conversation with bratty 9 year olds screaming in the background. I'll get plenty of that when I have kids.

There's nothing wrong with a meme here or there. There's something wrong when a Hoopla poster attempts to insult you using a meme, then gets his inner circle to e-bully you until a mod just bans you for nothing.

(07-16-2013 08:28 PM)oklalittledixie Wrote:  

(07-15-2013 06:38 PM)jrj84105 Wrote:  

(07-15-2013 01:17 PM)john01992 Wrote:  this place is more active than hoop, with much better mods

my only complaint is a lack of pac12 posters, & not enough liberals

There is definitely an "East Coast" bias due to the underrepresentation of Big12 and PAC fans. A pertinent example is that UT is about 90% certain to be an independent with an ACC scheduling arrangement when the GoR expires based on a survey of realignment scenarios posted here.

I don't think Big XII fans really consider themselves in the west.

Bingo