Dbeasy

Pierce’s six years have been pretty similar to the last six years of Augie, which was a drop off in the program’s historical performance. The program has slipped. It’s no secret I have never liked Pierce as the coach. Pierce has this year and next year to demonstrate improvement, or will likely be looking for another job imo.

In the movie Speed, made in 1994, Keanu Reeves references the Arizona Wildcats, saying, and I quote, “They are a good team.” The offensive coordinator of that team? Duane Akina. And now you know the rest of the story.

1. Jason Kidd as head coach was a bad decision. 2. Hearing Brunson say he wanted to stay but Dallas ghosted him during the season was disconcerting, for sure. 3. Wasting Luca is frustrating. 4. I highly questioned the Nico hire primarily because of his lack of experience as an NBA GM. 5. I never liked the long runs of Don and Donnie. 6. Disassembling the championship team immediately was puzzling. 7. The constant lack of focus on defense is frustrating. 8. The long term worthless or missing draft picks outside of two Euro stars is concerning. At some point you have to wonder if Cuban is nothing more than an internet bubble baby who lucked into a $2 billion exit on top of a fairly worthless business built with funny money, and once loaded simply used his incredible wealth and influence to make more money, like all billionaires can do pretty easily. I like Cuban but I don’t think he’s nearly as smart or effective as his wealth and reputation implies.

There’s your issue. Any young person who says yes sir no sir is either a Boy/Girl Scout or a deviant. The odds run 50-50.

I’m feeling better about my proclamation on surly during worthy’s freshman year that he would be the greatest WR in Texas history. He didn’t quite make it during his college career but I think he’s going to be extremely good in the NFL.

I’ve assumed the Spurs org has purposely not focused on winning this year because they have several draft picks. But at some point Wemby’s play is just too good. This OKC win is a strong, surprising one.

Stanky!

People are actually thinking Texas might make the sweet 16? While a spectacularly lucky set of circumstances makes anything possible, thinking that the sweet 16 is reasonably attainable at this point is laughably stupid.

The art museums there are really good, if you have a mild interest in that type of thing. Also tapas tapas tapas.

Al Franken - "I liked Ted Cruz more than my colleagues liked Ted Cruz...and I hate Ted Cruz."

You have no idea whatsoever what was in the legislation. You heard that on some program you watched or listen to that peddles propaganda, and you don’t even realize that. Crime is a problem everywhere and republicans have done nothing to address it of substance. So they are no better than Democrats. You really have not provided a good rationale for sticking with the party. I’m not saying you should abandon it. I’m saying you should be more open minded about candidates from the other party and other party policies.

These two issues (immigration, crime) are perfect examples of needing to separate reality from perception, polls, and rhetoric. 1. Immigration - this is an area where I definitely align with wanting better immigration control, but look at what just happened LAST WEEK. The bipartisan legislation was shot down by the Republican Party and Trump. If you really care about the issue, why in the world would you align yourself with Republicans. If anything, you could either be independent and vote for moderates on both sides, or just go Democrat because they've at least shown a willingness to do something. You are caught up in the Republican headlines that they are using to campaign, and not reality. With all of that said, if you had a totally Democrate controlled government, then there might be much more free flowing immigration, and hence why I'm independent and will vote for moderates from each party. I want immigration, but legal with people following rules that are rational. 2. Crime - there is no question some highly publicized decisions and situations have occured where Democrats have shown to be soft on crime, with things like high misdemeanor levels, soft sentences, etc. But Republicans aren't doing anything to solve crime. They talk about it, but leave slums crime ridden. So why align with that? Align with moderates who solve problems. Your posting of polls is just a reaffirmation that the propaganda is working. While there is some truth to the issues, the Republicans are not the saviors to these problems. We need to quit voting solely for parties, but for politicians who solve real problems.

In my response below, I'm addressing these topics from the perspective of someone who used to like some of the high level messaging of the Republican Party many years ago, but then realized that the world is changing drastically and that many of the messages put forth by the Republican Party have been disengenuous. In addition, I've also started sharply questioning the basic ideas we hear in the media, because they are driven by progaganda in many cases and not facts. So here we go: Packing the Supreme Court - several others have already pointed out that the only ones really doing it right now and trying to do it are Republicans. Yes, extreme parts of the left have discussed this. But being a staunch Republican doesn't fix this issue given what Republicans have been doing, so how can this make you feel better as a Republican? Eliminating the Senate - as several others have said, this is a viewpoint from extremists. So why are you fearful of these extremists and not extreme Republicans, or Republicans on the payroll of Russia, or Republicans who cater to white supremicists? We had a President and group of Republicans literally try to eliminate the Excecutive branch as a voting decision. Shouldn't your concern here cause you to distrust both parties and want to support people who have the right moral integrity and are moderate, regardless of party? Changing to Popular Vote - This is a decent topic for people to argue over. While on one hand you can make the argument that popular vote should be the rule, there is an equal counter-argument that preserving a minority population's (small state) ability to have control over how they live in the US is an important protected right. If this item is really that important to you, then this might be a decent reason to align right. Medicare For All - I agree that totally run government healthcare may not be the right answer. It comes down to the fact that companies have way more bargaining power than individuals. If we had Medicare for all, there might not be a sufficient governor on costs, like there is with competition. The winning strategy needs to be some sort of combination of multiple ideas that ensures competition but also efficiency. But how can you be Republican because of your opposition to this? The Republicans have offered NOTHING for a decade in terms of an idea. Hell, they even controlled both houses and the Presidency and DID NOTHING. Nothing doesn't deserve support or a vote. Get moderates from both parties. Wealth Tax - I probably differ from almost everyone on this topic in supporting some sort of wealth tax but not in the currently envisioned model of Elizabeth Warren. Why? Envision the middle ages when the wealthy had so much control of land, resources and wealth that the rest of the population was living as serfs. The wealth inequality changes we are now facing as a world are becoming so large, the risk of the 90-99% never being able to live a decent life is a real future threat. The amount of money in a small number of people's hands is stunning. So I don't understand why so many are against this idea given the impact on the 90-99%. And being a Republican for just this issue seems crazy. The billionaires don't need your help to make their lives awesome. Why align with them? Tax Increases for $1-2M couples - This is where your logic really runs aground. As Sydney and others have said, right now the Republicans are cutting taxes, but driving up massive deficits, but only wanting to cut spending in areas that hurt people making under $1M. The Republicans are protecting everyone OVER $1-2M. Again, why are you wanting to help the $50-100M aires and billionaires, but not yourself and the majority of the population? This is a classic example of listening to Republican party rhetoric but not understanding they are pulling money out of your back pocket while you salute the flag. Estate Taxes as is - While $25M is pretty high, dropping it to $6M is bullshit. But again, why align with Republicans? The right answer is probably $15-25M for now. But Republicans want to remove it completely for their ultra-rich donors who have Republicans on their payrolls. So why in the world support that? Can't we find a mix of Republican and Democrat moderates that set it at $15-20M? EV Conversion Mandates - There are some open issues here. But again, what in the world are Republicans doing to help this transition over the next 20 years? Nothing. They just are trying to advocate for the interests of their wealthy energy donors. So why are you aligning with people on the take from energy donors? Hydroelectric Dams - This is a nonsense red herring. Moderates on both sides of the aisle can make the right choices here. So in summary, some of your topics of concern are valid, but what I've realized over the last 10 years is that not only will the Republican party not address any of them, their major focus is on padding their own bank accounts from the wealthy, who are trying to use them to stay wealthy and get wealthier. Why align with that? I'd rather align with whoever is moderate to solve real problems for the 90-99%.

I’m as close as I’ve ever been to just declaring. But there are some things about the party, particularly the more extreme left part, that bothers me. I’ve discussed these in other threads, but most of the CR posters just don’t see the issues the same way. He ignored my post, which was an earnest attempt to hear something substantive from him. Instead he just continued with a bunch of snarky remarks that are worthless. He’s so useless, everyone should just put him on ignore. He’s a loser, as his favorite orange god would say.

This thread does have potential. As an independent, I’m desperate to understand why someone would vote Republican at this point given the extremity, obstructiveness, and incompetence that the Republican Party is currently demonstrating. However , I’m open to a real, substantive viewpoint. So why won’t you provide one? Your views may get shit on by the partisans on the left, but those of us who are moderate independents will give it an honest review. I think there are three of us on the entire site.

Maybe all of the arguing is over timing. I would think most people believe that Terry will end up fired, as many thought the day he was hired, but it will be at the end of year 2 or 3, not year 1. I seriously doubt he will be or should be fired after one year, unless he’s demonstrated to his bosses that he’s unfit to be the head coach in some way.

Boom

I have a whole chicken I want to smoke next week on the tea 590. Thoughts on getting crispy skin?

Stankey!

The stupidity of this post is mind bottling. Everyone on the planet realized Shaka needed to go, including Shaka himself. And Barnes wasn’t pushed out for on the court issues. The University had no choice but to let him go due to off court issues they’ve chosen to not publicize. It’s obvious you don’t have a clue what you’re talking about. You’re a real genius alright.

Stankey!

I rarely listen to lyrics. I have chronic lyracosis.

The game of golf may have been destroyed by the Saudi’s. They may have ruined an entire sport. I could see this leading to a major decline in sport popularity. Taken to the extreme, courses shut down. The number of casual players drop. Kids quit playing. An extreme view? Maybe.

From one of my favorite movies of all time, this scene is spectacular. Of course this one is awesome And of course this

This is a poster who needs to take his own user name.