Steve

OK, I'll try and make up for my rant with an interesting story. Flash, I think being a vet you may have some thoughts. http://uk.news.yahoo.com/the-ultimate-act-of-wartime-honesty--british-pow-was-freed-by-the-kaiser-to-see-his-dying-mother---but-came-back-to-prison-because-he--gave-the-germans-his-word--114710659.html#PopSEQv 'I give you my word I'll be back': Extraordinary chivalry of British PoW who returned to German prison after visiting dying mother because of promise he made the Kaiser

I'm a Zionist. I believe in the state of Israel. I completely understand and accept some of the machinations that came about to statehood. Not white washing it. America has its own history as well as how we displaced millions of Indians to get the 48 continental states, Alaska and Hawaii notwithstanding. However, what I don't like and think its borderline treasonous is having support of israel as a pre-requisite to become President. WTF? Its an AMERICAN election. Friends and foes change in the political-global landscape. 60 some odd years ago Germany and Japan were enemies. 25 years ago, Poland and a lot of the soviet bloc countries were enemies and are not only friends but part of the EU in some instances. America shouldn't beholden to a G*d damn country. Sh*t can change. Lets be frank. Its about AIPAC, Florida votes and the number of Americans Jews who frankly, put Israel above America at times. You're a god damn American first and foremost. My ancestors came from Africa. I have a soft spot for the place, but f*ck that, I'm an American first. Same with Italian Americans, Irish Americans, and all ther hyphenated Americans. You can't criticize Israel and there is a lot to be critical over without being some sort of anti-semite. Its bullsh*t. There are certain things you can't say regarding a wide variety of groups. Gays, Blacks, Women, etc. There are gray lines but what those groups have in common is that its domestic, internal, cultural sh*t. Its not about another country and putting that country's needs ahead of our own. F*CK THAT! Sorry, hate to put it any other way. If we f*ck up, our allies can tell us privately or whatever. When our allies/friends f*ck up, we should be able to let them know as well. Hate to say it in such a plain, street corner manner but it needs to be said. No matter what our internal issues here, as I said before, we are stuck with each other. Work it out. But this senstivity when it comes to Israel to the point where politicians are signing statements of support for another country (remember, Chuck Hagel wouldn't sign it). WTF?! Any eleted U.S. politician that signs any thing that basically puts another country over our own needs to get the f*ck out. Sorry. I don't care if its England or Canada. Our close friends, its about us. If we do our jobs right, be fair, be just internationaly, our friends have nothing to worry about. And the Americans in AIPAC and other groups who campaign on behalf of another country? GET THE F*CK OUT. Again, I'm saying this as a Zionist. Raised by parents in a church that preached about the state of Israel being God's will (I know...I know... that's another topic for another day). But I separate my religoius views from my duty to the nation. I didn't even know what anti-semitism was until I was bussed to a suburban school. I remember when a white classmate made a reference to another guy about his being Jewish. I am thinking (and saying to this guy), You're both white?! Where I come from there ain't no friggin' difference. It boggled my mind at the time. Stil does actually. Because I never heard of that stuff. Still don't care about a person's religion or lack of one. We've been around long enough to know you just know cool people to be around and not cool people. Religion, color, etc. is as important as your favorite color. Its a non issue. Okay, rant over. Sorry. Lost it for a minute.

http://shine.yahoo.com/healthy-living/father-thrown-universal-studios-over-t-shirt-171900772.html According to WPTV, a local news station in West Palm Beach, Fla., on Aug. 24, Christian Jarosz, his wife, Diana, their daughter, Sabrina, and her friend were stopped by security while they were headed to the Blue Man Group show inside the theme park. "They kicked me out because of my T-shirt," Christian told WPTV. More on Yahoo: Abercrombie Apologizes: Retailer Meets With Teens to Address Controversy The shirt in question: a navy blue T with the word "Police" and underneath, "Street Crime Unit." Christian is not a police officer, but his brother, a New York cop, had given him the shirt as a gift. Although Christian says he has previously worn the shirt to Disney World as well as to other theme parks, officers stopped him to say he could not wear the shirt in the park. The family asked to see the policy in writing and questioned the order. They also offered to have the security officers follow them to Billabong, a clothing store inside the park, so they could buy another T-shirt. However, more security officers showed up and told Christian not to bother buying another shirt because he needed to leave the park.

What has happened to the Republican party. At one time I would vote for a Republican, I was independent and if the Republican appealed to me I had no problem voting for them. Kemp, Dole, a bunch of Republicans were good people, with good ideas, etc. Where are the ideas? The ONLY thing the Republican party does with regards to ideas these days is oppose any idea from the Democrats. I don't agree with some or how the Dems solve or want to solve issues but the fact is they are taking on problems and issues that affect Americans, especially the middle class. 2/3 of personal bankruptcies are due to health expenses. That's an urgent issue in my book. Obamacare is far from perfect. It needs to be revised frankly but the point is that its an issue and I credit Obama for at least tackling it. The Republicans didn't bring up health care as an issue, they were dragged into making part of the national debate in elections. Where are their ideas other than health savings plans that do NOT address why the costs are high in the first place. A university education, even in government supported schools like state universities are becoming unaffordable to the middle class. Obama makes a proposal to tackle costs, student loans, etc. What do the Republicans do, only poke holes in the ideas. They do NOT even offer ideas about that anything any more. The other is their lack of wanting to compromise. Its impossible to conduct the business of governance without compromising. Don't over do it and compromise your morals or core beliefs but one must do so to get anything done. The senate was always a place where more sober individuals met of the two houses and worked together. Not any more. http://news.yahoo.com/grand-old-party-now-made-nihilists-cranks-050010652.html Once upon a time, in a galaxy far, far away, Republican Saxby Chambliss, Georgia's senior senator, was considered a steadfast conservative. The American Conservative Union has given him a lifetime score of 92, while the Club for Growth has scored him at 83. He earns an A from the National Rifle Association. But a couple of years ago, Chambliss embarked upon an exercise that would merely have cemented his stature as a powerbroker as recently as the administration of George W. Bush: He joined Sen. Mark Warner, a Virginia Democrat, to form a bipartisan group of senators working to come up with a deal to whittle down the deficit. In other words, he considered compromise with Democrats. In our current warped political universe, that was enough to earn Chambliss a potential challenger from the right, and he decided not to seek re-election. Chastened by Chambliss' experience, none of the Georgia Republicans running for his vacant seat wants to occupy the same ZIP code with the words "compromise" and "bipartisan." This is what the Grand Old Party has come to: It's now led by nihilists whose only politics are those of destruction and whose only values are those of zealots. There may be reasonable Republicans remaining in office, but they've been bullied into compliance and cowed into silence. If you don't believe that, listen to the growing drumbeat for the impeachment of President Obama -- despite the glaring lack of evidence that he has committed impeachable offenses. (Having the temerity to win a second term is not an impeachable crime.) While such talk was once restricted to the nutters -- men like U.S. Rep. Kerry Bentivolio, R-Mich., who has said the president's impeachment would "be a dream come true" -- it has leaked into the GOP's water supply. Witness the recent off-the-cuff remarks of Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., who, though a standard-bearer for the hard right, has been considered a thoughtful and rational man. At a recent meeting with constituents, Coburn declared that the president was coming "perilously close" to the standards for impeachment. Last month, at a tribute in his honor, the retiring Chambliss obliquely urged his party to come to its senses. He didn't explicitly mention the GOP's spiral into right-wing madness, but he did speak of the importance of his work with the Gang of Six, according to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "I don't mind crossing party lines. If Republicans had a patent on all the good ideas, we'd be in power forever. We don't have a patent on all those good ideas," he said. But his intended audience has taken another lesson from Chambliss' bipartisanship: If you even consider it, you will be labeled a RINO -- Republican In Name Only -- by the tea party activists who now wield enormous power in the Republican Party. Having chased Chambliss off, they have taken to hectoring Georgia's junior Republican senator, Johnny Isakson, for his failure to jump with enthusiasm to the idea of shutting down the government over Obamacare. Tea party types have also targeted longtime senator Lamar Alexander, Republican from Tennessee. In a letter urging Alexander to retire, they claimed that "our great nation can no longer afford compromise and bipartisanship, two traits for which you have become famous." In response, Alexander penned a remarkable op-ed in The Tennessean defending his record as a politician who has occasionally reached across the aisle. "I know that if you only have 45 votes and you need 60 senators to get something important done like balancing the budget and fixing the debt, then you have to work with other people -- that is, IF you really care about solving the problem, IF you really want to get a result, instead of just making a speech," he wrote. However, such time-honored traditions of governance have little effect on the white-hot rage of radicals who want to toss out any conservative who remembers the lessons of his middle-school civics classes. They have no respect for the basic give-and-take on which representative democracies thrive, no real interest in improving the nation's fortunes. So, no, Sen. Alexander, they don't care about solving problems.

Yeah, totally agree. One of the biggest things corporate America got the government to do is be considered a 'person'. An entity is a person legally in court in many cases. What the average America doesn't understand is that American companies aren't people, patriotic and think the same. They are there to make money. Corporations take the idealist, the small town factory owner who could make more money shipping the job off to Asia but retains its hometown workers as if companies on a larger scale (GM, etc.) care about America. They could give a f*ck. They have quarterly reports and that is all they care about and if shipping jobs to Asia or or where ever gets them their numbers so be it. I had my fill of corporate America. I learned a few things. Don't tell your employees the truth. HR told me the truth will get you sued in court. (true actually at times). Companies have their politics and golden boys/girls. Also, they have no soul. If we eliminated the OSHA and environmental laws tomorrow, I guarantee you there are chemical companies that would dump any and all kinds of carcinogens and poisons in the rivers if they legally could and say 'well, its legal' and they would ignore the deaths and defects. Guaranteed. Not all but a surprising number.

http://www.nbcnews.com/video/nbc-news/52875023/#52875023 Man leaves 7yo sleeping daughter in car to visit strip club.

This judge needs to be gone. http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/08/29/20249745-protesters-demand-judge-in-montana-teacher-student-sex-case-step-down?lite The rape was statutory on a 14 yo girl. Not forcible but a HS teacher worked on her emotionally and mentally over time she personally consented (but not legally being a minor). She committed suicide later, suggesting she was troubled. The guy is a classic pedo. He WILL do it again. He was close to 50 and she was 14 and a teacher. The judge gives him 30 days because the girl 'consented' and she was 'older than her chronological years' according to him. So the f*ck what? 14 is 14. MS and HS girls have crushes on their teachers all the time, that's normal. Acting on it by a teacher is criminal. If hat was my daughter or my friends daughter or relative daughter, the guy is getting his ass beat. Sorry, won't mince words. He is getting his ass beat. The sad fact is he will try again. That type of pedo can't help it and can may be control it with lots of counseling...maybe.

http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2013/08/28/at-50th-anniversary-of-march-no-gop-speakers/ Former President George W. Bush, who was invited but missed the event because he is still recovering from heart surgery, issued a statement calling on “every American to help hasten the day when Dr. King’s vision is made real in every community – when what truly matters is not the color of a person’s skin, but the content of their character.†House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R., Va.), who earlier this year retraced the 1965 march from Birmingham to Selma, Ala., called for Americans to “rededicate ourselves to ensuring equality for every American.†And South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott, the only black senator, described himself as “living my mother’s American Dream.†The Republican National Committee went a step further by organizing its own event at the Capitol Hill Club to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the civil rights landmark. A number of black conservatives attended the event, including former U.S. Rep. Allen West of Florida and T.W. Shannon, speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives. Former NAACP Chairman Julian Bond told MSNBC Wednesday that event organizers invited “a long list of Republicans to come,†but each declined. A spokesman for Speaker John Boehner acknowledged that Mr. Boehner was invited to speak but instead had marked the anniversary by speaking at a July event commemorating the march in the Rotunda of the Capitol, with other top lawmakers including Senate Majority Leader Sen. Harry Reid (D., Nev.). I read that right now, the last thing ANY Republican wants to be seen is in a picture next to Obama. MSNBC's Hardball mentioned it as well. Its been said it was the undoing of Crist of Florida. Jon Huntsman, former Presidential candidate was ruled out simply for accepting an ambassadorship to China in the first term. Even though he was very qualified for the job and we needed someone like him there. Tim Scott is a black Republican. With Colin Powell being the only exception I can think of (and he was never elected), every elected black Republican I can think of is far to the right, extremely far. This goes the same for women, latinos and all non white males. NOT saying its wrong or something is wrong with it but if you're a non white male republican, and especially so for ethnic or racial minorities, you need to be farther right than anyone else or you're suspect. haha...You don't have the luxury to be moderate. You can be a minority moderate in the Democratic party. There are many of them but not on the right. And the LAST thing any Black republican wants is being in a photo next to Obama. That's why I said, he didn't want to be there. Neither did Alan West, or anyone else. Look at Scott's politics http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Scott elected to the House in 2010, declined to join the Congressional Black Caucus.[50] In March 2011, Scott co-sponsored a welfare reform bill that would deny food stamps to families whose incomes were lowered to the point of eligibility because a family member was participating in a labor strike That person isn't upset about not being invited to speak on the same dais with Obama. Look at Jindal of Louisiana. Very conservative. Farther right than the leadership. Same with Cruz. Same with West in Florida who during the '08 campaign, kept referring to Obama using his middle name Hussein. So, on one hand IF Tim Scott wasn't invited, that could be seen as a slap but I think the real truth is he wouldn't have went anyway. I really don't think a moderate or even slightly right of center minority Republican would be successful in getting elected these days. Maybe...in a large urban center as a mayor but not in any statewide election, certainly in the south. They have to 'out-conservative' if I can make up a word, the opponent.

This is actually an honest question. Did Tim Scott want to be invited? I say that for a reason. My guess is he didn't want to.

I saw a news show that says the administration knows just that and its the primary reason for not getting more involved. Rigiht now we are supposedly letting the Saudis fund the rebels. But we are afraid of a post Syria with the people involved right now. John McCain is beating the war drums and he HAS to know that too. In hindsight we dodged a bullet that he wasn't elected. He would have had American troops on the ground in strength in pretty much every Arab Spring uprising. Anyway, the tricky part for us is how do we get rid of Assad without creating or allowing a much more radical government taking over?

Back when I was a kid, the cost of car insurance was so high in my area ($4,000 minimum with a perfect driving record and over 25, which doesn't sound like a lot but in a very depressed area, its pretty much a choice between car insurance a rent.). It was common to register your car elsewhere. My parents, extremely law abiding and honest, dad a baptist deacon, registered our car to an address in the suburbs. Many people drove unregistered, old cars. This scene was common. A commuter driving up N. Broad Street near my neighborhood would get into an accident with a local. The local would calmly collect his personal belongings out of the trunk and front compartment and simply leave the vehicle right there and take the bus or train home.

Anyway, CL proper is great for us but only a few days left in the transfer window and as it stands if we don't get the proper players (a striker and dcm especially), we're looking at 5th or worse.

Rooney dived. Its not a joke. No question whatsoever watching it on replay or even live. Pires' so called dive was far less clear cut but I'll concede it for a point. it happened at home, in the 28th minute. Anything can happen in football. We were down 1-0 at the time but if anyone can tell me that the Arsenal squad at that time was going to be held at home by Pompey from an early goal for the rest of the match is smoking crack. The bigger issue is this. All clubs have incidents of diving. The press do not report it. Man Utd players dive its rarely ever a subject for analysis in the press. Arsenal gets castigated. Pires, Eduardo. Rightfully pointed out in the press. A bit over the top but okay, as long diving is castigated in all instances. No one more than I would love to see simulation stamped out. However, with us, its droned on and on. Man Utd does it, no word. Not a peep because the British press have gladly lubed their own asses for Man Utd to stick it up there. Its the way it is. Man Utd gets a pass. The referees are the same. We lost a title because Ferguson told the press that referees let Arsenal get their way and in '03 before the game, Ferguson tells the press the same and calls Allardyce on the phone prior to the game (he did the same with former Arsenal but now turncoat O'Leary when he was at Leeds in '99), that is a fact. Fat ass Sam Allardyce's Bolton team kicked the living shit out of us. 2 or 3 players had to leave the game and they didn't get their first booking till the 85th minute. Wenger isn't liked (and its partially his own doing) and its okay to f*ck over a Wenger managed Arsenal team. Its just how it is. The Rooney dive wasn't barely mentioned, if at all. The kicking of Reyes was never acknowledged in the press. I wasn't around back in the '70s and '80s but I will say this. Arsenal are the only club I've ever witnessed not to be awed by the Old Trafford mystique. NO CLUB would dare go to Old Trafford and do what we did to RVN and the players on the pitch. It was wrong and we were rightly punished for it. But I loved that squad. They feared no one in England. Anyway, we're our own worse enemies these days.

http://www.phillytrib.com/newsarticles/item/6651-hate-groups-see-dramatic-increase.html When Barack Obama won the 2008 presidential election and became the first African-American president in the nation’s history, it set off a rise in the number of radical extremist and white supremacy groups in the nation, a trend that has been increasing and is expected to escalate even more with his re-election....According to Potok, the number of Patriot movement groups shot up from 149 in 2008 to 1,274 in 2011. “We don’t have the 2012 numbers yet, but I can say that these groups have been getting angrier and even angrier over Obama’s re-election,†Potok said. “The fury we’re seeing is a reflection of the radical right’s perception that they’re losing the battle. We could seal the borders tomorrow and not allow another immigrant into the country, and whites would still no longer be the majority. They perceive they’re losing, and their fury is rising. Basically, there are major changes in the country and some people can’t stand it. It’s a small percentage - and some of them might become violent.â€

HT, congrats!! I remember your first coming on here years ago. All the best!

HSTeach specifically since its your field but Flash and others please feel free to chime in. Obama spoke about lowering college costs. http://swampland.time.com/2013/08/22/obama-looks-to-shrink-college-tuition-bills/ The middle class is VITAL for any country to grow and succeed. A thriving middle class even moreso. That is disappearing in America. A quality college education is becoming unaffordable. I don't know the reasons. Is it merely just greed on the universities? Or is it like what's happening with GM and other huge companies in that there are legacy costs. These unis have a huge staff. Not talking professors, the people in the cafeteria, the administration. My school had 25,000 students and so you need a small army to run things. Michigan, Texas, Penn State have well over 50k or 60k students!! The workers get paid well, great benefits and never leave. So, they retire and that retirement pay eats at costs, is that it? Or is it mismanagement? I have no idea. I'm sure someone in academia has written about it. Someone in Congress needs to find it, dust it off and find out the reasons. One of other concerns is that American unis are now a security issue. WIth the need for money, they have expanded international admissions. Understandable. These are almost always the wealthy of foreign countries. However, China is sending an 'army' (pun intended) of students to American unis and they are primarily in the hard sciences, engineering, etc. Okay, what's the big deal? Not so much that (they are trying to catch up technologically) but Chinese front companies are making agreements with schools like MIT, Cal Tech, U of Chicago to fund research and get first rights or co-usage to discoveries, findings etc. Much of this are things that have military application. I've read that the Chinese' ability to now hit the western USA or will soon and their stealth technology was stolen or sold. Stealth technology was lightyears ahead of its time. If some of you older guys can recall, Carter spoke about it and we perfected under Reagan. Its 30 year old technology that neither the Russians or the Chinese could duplicate...until now. Just like how both of the aforementioned got nuke technology (partially stolen from us), the same is happening with stealth other technology. Basically our unis research areas should be more of a security issue. It is but not nearly as secure as it should be.

You guys are nuts...haha..really. Thank you but hell no! Two main issues, one is I have a 'past', Thailand amongst them (I would legalize prostitution in America for one Makes absolutely no sense we tell a woman she has control over her body to abort a baby but not make a profit off the pussy it came out of? Millions of athletes make a living based on their body, why can't a woman?) Second, I would be wayyy too honest and get assassinated over it. haha..really. The first thing I'd tell my campaign staff, don't expect jobs because you helped get me elected. Only the most qualified for every department, etc. I dont' care if they are a woman, gay, purple, wear women's underwear under their suit, if they are the best for the job, then so be it.

I like Moyes. Which is tough because I hate Man Utd. Mekong, I hate Tottenham more. Given a devils bargain choice of only those two winning the title, Man Utd without question. I've grown to hate Chelsea as well who are just a wee bit behind Tottenham and Man Utd in my enmity. As for Man Utd. First of all, through no fault of their own I would never have chosen them as my team. I like the underdog and Man Utd and Liverpool (as well as Crystal Palace from a Benny Hill joke) that I've ever heard of. I was >>this close<< to chosing Palace because I visited there in my uni years. Arsenal chose me as they say, your club chooses you. I knew nothing about them, saw them on TV in Tokyo as well as Pattaya, liked the name, knew nothing about them. Saw them lose a game but fought, Adams was the one pushing them to score and I chose them based on that. I was actually a little disappointed they were as big as they were when I found out. As I said, I like the underdogs and would have been perfectly happy if they were the same size as Palace in terms of fame. Anyway, the press has its head in Man Utds lap. That pisses me off. Ferguson pissed me off as well. Also, when Rooney dived to end our unbeaten run and it was a dive no question. The press said nothing. The best one paper said was a 'questionable' penalty. The long years of no penalty given at OT. The refs, other managers, the league coddles them. I didn't hate Tottenham as much and heard there fans were awful. It got personal with me and Tottenham from a fan that was in LA on holiday. We had a league cup semi against them. I went to the pub to watch it. Tourists often stayed at the hostel around the corner. Only myself and some African guy were wearing shirts and supporting Arsenal. There were several Tottenham guys there, most local expats I've seen from time to time. This one guy, was a loud prick. When our player finally scored, I punched the air. Reaction, no words, just like any normal fan and this guy starts In on me. Says something about me and Sol being gay. I said 'we just f*cked you out of a cup though so who is the gay?' he says its over the line. I tell him he made a comment first and to sit his ass down. He gets up. Thinking since he has a lot of scum fans there that he can do whatever. I am actually laughing. I told him "dude, this is LA, your biggest worry isn't wining the fight, your biggest worry is who I come back here with. Trust me on this. We do things differently here. This is NOT London.' I knew a few gangbanger types. I know where the hostel is. Connect the dots. The bartender goes over to him and whispers to him. The bartender, an Irish, guy knows me. The guy looks over and sits down quietly. lol...not a peep again. The bartender told him pretty much what the culture is in America. My main worry? Was that the guys I knew wouldn't go too far and kill someone. Really. Since then I've hated Tottenham more than Man Utd and before they were 2nd.

I've got absolutely zero respect for declining. Its a tradition. I'm sure there were members of championship teams who hated Nixon and Bush respectively but they went. Its not only a tradition but an honor. Obama is no Jefferson but really, how bad is he? He's an average president if you really look at it. Gay rights is about the only thing that sets him apart. The man is firmly establishment, which is no different than pretty much every modern president save Carter. What really is controversial about him? For that matter, Clinton and the elder Bush. Nixon, Reagan and Dubya were polarizing to some extent more than others. Reagan the least of the aforementioned.

http://news.yahoo.com/18-athletes-refused-visit-white-house-155100421.html If the president wants to see me, he knows where to find me" President Obama honored the 1972 Miami Dolphins this week, the only NFL team to complete an undefeated season (sorry, Patriots fans). However, three members of that team — Hall of Fame center Jim Langer, guard Bob Kuechenberg, and defensive tackle Manny Fernandez — declined the invite, citing political differences. Kuechenberg: "I just don't believe in this administration at all." Fernandez: "[M]y views are diametrically opposed to the president's." Langer: "I don't want to be in a room with those people and pretend I'm having a good time. I can't do that." Yet those three are hardly the first athletes to snub a sitting president's White House invite. And not everyone who has in the past spurned the commander-in-chief has done so for overtly political reasons. Here, 15 other athletes who were White House no-shows: Matt Birk The former Baltimore Ravens center won the Super Bowl earlier this year, but refused to meet President Obama because of the president's support for Planned Parenthood. "I am Catholic, I am active in the pro-life movement, and I just felt like I couldn't deal with that," Birk said. "I couldn't endorse that in any way." Tim Thomas In 2012, Thomas, a noted Tea Partier, posted a screed against the entire government on his Facebook page to explain his refusal to visit Washington with the rest of the 2011 Stanley Cup-winning Bruins. "I believe the Federal government has grown out of control, threatening the Rights, Liberties, and Property of the People," he wrote. "This was not about politics or party, as in my opinion both parties are responsible for the situation we are in as a country." James Harrison Harrison twice declined White House invites after winning the Super Bowl, spurning both Obama and former President George W. Bush — not because of their politics, but because he felt the whole idea of inviting championship teams was hollow. "This is how I feel — if you want to see the Pittsburgh Steelers, invite us when we don't win the Super Bowl," he said. "As far as I'm concerned, he [Obama] would've invited Arizona if they had won." Manny Ramirez Manny, being Manny, didn't show up to meet George W. Bush for no apparent reason other than that he just didn't feel like it. "I'm sorry [David Ortiz's] running mate, Manny Ramirez, isn't here,'' Bush said. "I guess his grandmother died again. Just kidding. Tell Manny I didn't mean it." Mark Chmura A member of the 1996 Super Bowl-winning Packers, Chmura skipped a trip to meet President Clinton, citing a previously scheduled golf tournament. After the Lewinsky scandal broke, however, he said, "I knew it all along" adding, "It doesn't really say much for society and the morals [Clinton] sets forth for our children." Tom Lehman An American golfer known to proudly flaunt his Christian faith, Lehman declined to meet President Clinton, instead referring to him as a "draft-dodging baby killer." Michael Jordan Yes, even Air Jordan has had a presidential no-show controversy. When Jordan opted not to meet President George H. W. Bush in 1991, a fuming Chicago Tribune story blared, "Snub By Jordan Undermines Team." Jordan later defended his decision, saying he wanted to spend time relaxing with his family back in North Carolina. "As you know, my schedules have been very hectic," he said. "You guys have seen me, I've been every which way, and because I choose to take my private three days somewhere no one can call me, it's my prerogative." Larry Bird Bird and others from the 1984 Celtics turned down the chance to visit President Reagan for unspecified reasons, with Bird later quipping, "If the president wants to see me, he knows where to find me." Albert Pujols, Tony LaRussa Pujols and LaRussa, who both took part in Glenn Beck's big Tea Party rally back in 2010, did not travel with the rest of the Cardinals to be congratulated by Obama in 2012. Neither cited politics to explain their no-shows, and both were already on their way out of St. Louis by then; LaRussa retired, and Pujols signed a mega-deal with the Los Angeles Angels. Pujols also missed a meeting with President Bush in 2005 while on a humanitarian mission in his native Dominican Republic. Ozzie Guillen The oddball (former) manager and friend of the late-Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez skipped a team meeting with President Bush after the White Sox won the 2005 World Series. He did, however, appear on Chavez's radio show after winning that title. Greg Biffle, Carl Edwards, Kevin Harvick, and Tony Stewart The handful of NASCAR standouts all turned down an invite from President Obama, citing "scheduling conflicts."

It wasn't so much Villa were good it was just that Arsenal aren't much cop these days. Villa will be mid table if theyre lucky. They are just not that good. Arsenal are a mess. As far as the league, are the bookies tapping Mourinho? If so, its a logical choice. Of the top 3 clubs, he's the most settled, he's been there, done that. Man City have the best squad top to bottom but Chelsea have a lot of quality as well. Tottenham is spending the Bale money that they don't have, about 120 mil quid so far but they are buying wisely. People accuse Wenger of not liking British players but AVB has released a lot of Brits (Huddlestone, Parker, etc.) and as far as I know has yet to buy a British player. Arsenal have Wilshire, Ramsey, Gibbs, Walcott who play regularly. This is one of the most wide open EPL seasons in a very long time. 3 clubs who can win it and Sperz in position to get top 4. Arsenal could go either way depending on who they buy but at this late stage it may be panic buys who won't help enough.

This is more common than we think. State highway cops have been extorting for a while. You either pay on the spot or go to jail. As far as back when I was in school some states like S. Carolina had a credit card scanner and a western union IN THE JAIL HOUSE. Back then it was an argument, albeit weak one it was difficult to collect fines (I never paid a Georgia speeding ticket on Califonria license from 15 years ago wonder if its still outstanding?) but in this electronic age its no longer an argument. You can get the money anywhere. The licenses are linked. If you are suspended in another state they know. So, getting money is not an issue anymore. Common thing for cops in the inner city to do is seize your personal items if they search your house and similar to the story, you either just give it to them or you have to spend so much money on lawyers the legal fees are either more than the worth or makes getting it back not worth it. You spend 5 to 10k to get back your flatscreen and jewelry. Its robbery. Pure and simple. I have said this years ago. The police function is no longer to serve and protect. their function is revenue generation first and foremost.

If Congress was fair, they would draft legislation to have an independent panel draw ALL congressional districts and let the chips fall where they may as long as they were drawn fairly.

I used to be staunchly against legalizing illegal immigration. I've changed my tune to a large extent. First, I must say that I think the southern border should be enforced and shame on the Dems for not going along so they can get politcal points. Its tantamount to treason. How can any person NOT be for controling its own borders? Its unpatriotic at best, close to treasonous if you're an elected official sworn to uphold the constitution and sworn to do what's best for America. I also have a problem with many of the latinos who come. Specifically Mexican Americans. Past immigrants came to America to be Americans. Its hypocritical to come to America and hate on America and claim parts of America belong to your country and be for some sort of 'reconquista' of American territory. The past is the past. Sh*t happens. My ancestors were enslaved. I can't change that. Reparations isn't gonna change that fact. Sh*t happens. I am not bitter about, lets move forward since all of us are 'stuck' here together. So, not saying forget the past but don't harbor it as a reason to hate. Other latinos are good on being American. Nothing wrong with having pride in your ancestoral country. Millions of Irish, Italian Americans, etc. who have been here for over a century have ancestoral pride but they are American first and foremost. I've described it to foreigners on international trips when asked in terms of soccer. Man Utd is your favorite team by far but you have a soft spot for Crystal Palace since your famly is from London. But if the two played you cheer for Man Utd. Anyway, that said. People say 'well, past immigrants (from Europe) came here legally and so everyone else should' True, very true but lets be truthful. They had no choice. There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that had Ireland, Italy, and other European immigrants been in Canada and/or Mexico they'd have streamed across the borders in droves. Latinos are no different and lets be real. Immigration is a latino issue. Even thogh there are thousands and thousands of Asians, Eurpoeans and non Latinos who came here on student visas or tourist visas and overstayed it purposely, immigration is seen as a 'Latino' issue. Americans simply don't see non Latino illegal immigrants in the same manner. Boston and NY still have hundreds if not thousands of illegal Irish immigrants. More than a few Russians in Brighton Beach, Brooklyn here illegally as well and many are part of the russian mafia but unfairly Latinos get the brunt of the hate. If you're here, law abiding, have your family here but came here illgally and then f*ck it stay. However, if there are anti-American things in your past, no, f*ck you, go back. Not saying you can't bitch and complain like the rest of us but all of us draw a line with being anti-American. So, that's my overall stance. If any of us were in central america we'd move heaven and earth to come (allthough frankly, I wouldn't these days).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=viaUqLst9SU