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facilitatorn
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« Reply #47115 on: September 06, 2010, 11:39:14 AM » |
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Condolences Ex, and good on you for being there. There's no substitute for family.
Fwk, Les we need 20 fewer of the American Taliban (Repubs) in the legislature, rather than one more in the White house. Not sure the political judo necessary to make that happen can occur in the next two months, and Obama and his team have done a lot to blunt the political will that got him elected over the past two years. The kind liberal behavior has to be mainstream thinking in the country, before any political movement can enact it. I think the most realistic approach is a complete tear down of the right wing, if anything that we want to see is going to happen.
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Thank you Donnie, for bringing bball back to New York
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bodiddley
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« Reply #47116 on: September 06, 2010, 12:35:46 PM » |
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Hermenegildo Mbunga replaces Ante Tomic as my favorite name in the tournament.
Felizardo Ambrosio & Vladimir Jeronimo also receive honorable mention.
I'm also a big fan of the name Erazem Lorbek, but didn't see him and even lost track of where he's from. Apparently his brother is also on the ______ national team, but I don't know his given name.
Lorbek. Sounds eminently Seussian.
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« Last Edit: September 06, 2010, 12:38:41 PM by bodiddley »
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fwk00
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« Reply #47117 on: September 06, 2010, 01:41:36 PM » |
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falcilitatorn - The enemy is not the right wing per se.
The Democrats were thoroughly complicit in the Bush years as is evidenced by their behavior during the Obama years. The exact same policies that existed eight years ago are even more prevalent today. This is BECAUSE of Democrats not in spite of them.
We are dealing with a one party system and we need to accept it. Obama is no smarter than Palin when the policy is the same. To deny this is to be in denial. The last time Obama was inspiring was BEFORE he was in office. Since then he has less credibility than the village idiot. EVERYTHING he promised, hinted at, and claimed to be WAS A BIG FAT LIE. You cannot name a credible example of 'change' aside from happy face cosmetics.
I'm involved in education. He's nationalizing curriculum! Like China, the Soviet Union and other totalitarian states. Is that the change you think is good?
Oh, and jobs. Road repairs? Really. maybe we should train our students to drive steam shovels.
This guy can't get voted out of office soon enough. He's a disgrace and has tarnished the Democratic party for decades to come.
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exmachina
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« Reply #47118 on: September 06, 2010, 04:30:25 PM » |
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My report card for Obama as we close on the mid-terms is much more varied than I’ve been reading from most here. He was handed a huge mess that had four antecedents: the Vietnam War that stalled the chances for permanently reducing class disparities to a manageable level (LBJ); Reagan’s deregulation policies that gutted our energy initiatives and the financial system; the Bush response to 9/11 as a war on terror, war in Iraq, gutting of regulatory agencies and tax relief for the rich that blew our growing surplus. The fourth was a massive failure of economic policy that allowed the outsourcing of manufacturing jobs and technical capacity for which blame can be spread among all administrations and the business sector which catered to the short-term bottom line and competition for consumers.
The most painful part of this dubious legacy is that we know enough in virtually every area of society to develop policies that build on past performance and deliver long-term well-being. Given the pressure on Obama, I didn’t expect him to fix everything immediately, but I had high hopes that the most egregious failures would be challenged.
Here’s my report card:
1. The financial system should have been at the top of his agenda. There was public outrage, financial institutions were back on their heels. Swift action was undercut by the reliance on Geitner and his cronies. What we have is a weak set of controls that are better than nothing, but not nearly good enough to prevent the next bubble bursting when greed outweighs caution next time. C-
2. Federal agencies and the judicial system had been severely compromised by a concerted attempt by Bush/Cheney/Robe to destroy government’s role in protecting society. Playing footsy with the Republicans rather than going hard and straight with the Dem majority to push though appointments was a mistake. Nevertheless, the choices and staffing have mainly successful in re-establishing morale and oversight. B+
3. The Bush “victory” over Gore and the resulting impact on global energy and environmental policy may well go down as the pivotal event in the death of civilization as we know it. The opportunity to seize the initiative through a massive re-education agenda focused on job creation, technical and scientific innovation, and social incentives was wasted. This was an opportunity of biblical proportions, and for all the good work of the EPA and SEC in raising the bar, we’re in deep trouble. D
4. America was already sick of the war in Iraq. Obama’s strategic choice to pair a withdrawal with upping the commitment to Afghanistan was a short-term grandstand and long-term problem. Now we’re not only stuck in Afghanistan and stuck with Pakistan, but the collapse of national government in Iraq is well within probability. D
5. There are only three things wrong with Obamacare: First, that it was given precedence over financial reform and energy/environmental policy. Second, despite being a solid and effective approach to restructuring healthcare delivery and economics, the role of insurance companies remains out of scale and inappropriate. Third, that the greatest social policy success of the last few decades has been allowed to be turned to the Right wing headliner. A-
6. Over-all leadership is a conundrum. The guy is bright, well-read, thoughtful, funny, even charming. Does he have the capacity to seize the initiative? I think so. Will he? Highly questionable. His best marks come in foreign policy where the world remains substantially enamored. Given the previous administration, that’s worth at least a C.
Add it all up, and without weighting the items (maybe a bit extra for the death of civilization), the results are one A- (90), a B+ (88), a C (75), a C- (70), and two Ds (67), averaged out 457 divided by 6 = 76.
A “C” isn’t much, but it’s better than the F his predecessor earned, and the only person I’d trust to do a better job is a TV comedian named Jon Stewart.
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bodiddley
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« Reply #47119 on: September 06, 2010, 04:33:32 PM » |
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I thought Russia looked better on both ends with Mozgov in and their starting C Kaun out. Certainly was true in the 1st Q.
I didn't see the 3rd Q.
Mozgov 16 & 7 looked pretty good.
Although at times it was hard to tell, as they seemed to switch to a different camera angle half the time he was making a play (including Russia's penultimate possession, where Mozgov managed to snag an overthrown fast break pass and scored -- the jagged cut between cameras, just as he tipped the ball, leaving part of it up to the imagination).
Anyway, Mozgov has a pretty good FT stroke.
Though on 2 of 6 FT's, poor camera work made it hard to see his form.
He committed 2 unnecessary/silly backcourt fouls (1st & 4th Q), but at least those were errors of aggression. A little coaching and discipline can cure that.
His rebounding seems to need work.
Once instead of using his body he just pushed a smaller guy in the back of the head for a foul. He seems to rely on being big rather than getting position.
Vorontsevich was the hero for Russia.
Set the tone on both ends. Played hard. Was all over the court.
Very nice effort. Looking at the box, I didn't realize he scored so much or was so efficient. 18 & 11, only missed 1 FG (7-8). 2 steals.
Just out-worked and overpowered NZ.
6'9" and a solid 240. Just turned 23.
I don't recall him from any earlier game.
Looked like a prospect at least in one game against NZ.
Be interesting to see how he does against Gay, Granger, Iggy, etc.
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« Last Edit: September 06, 2010, 05:24:07 PM by bodiddley »
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nagel100
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« Reply #47120 on: September 06, 2010, 05:52:40 PM » |
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My report card for Obama as we close on the mid-terms is much more varied than I’ve been reading from most here. He was handed a huge mess that had four antecedents: the Vietnam War that stalled the chances for permanently reducing class disparities to a manageable level (LBJ); Reagan’s deregulation policies that gutted our energy initiatives and the financial system; the Bush response to 9/11 as a war on terror, war in Iraq, gutting of regulatory agencies and tax relief for the rich that blew our growing surplus. The fourth was a massive failure of economic policy that allowed the outsourcing of manufacturing jobs and technical capacity for which blame can be spread among all administrations and the business sector which catered to the short-term bottom line and competition for consumers.
The most painful part of this dubious legacy is that we know enough in virtually every area of society to develop policies that build on past performance and deliver long-term well-being. Given the pressure on Obama, I didn’t expect him to fix everything immediately, but I had high hopes that the most egregious failures would be challenged.
Here’s my report card:
1. The financial system should have been at the top of his agenda. There was public outrage, financial institutions were back on their heels. Swift action was undercut by the reliance on Geitner and his cronies. What we have is a weak set of controls that are better than nothing, but not nearly good enough to prevent the next bubble bursting when greed outweighs caution next time. C-
2. Federal agencies and the judicial system had been severely compromised by a concerted attempt by Bush/Cheney/Robe to destroy government’s role in protecting society. Playing footsy with the Republicans rather than going hard and straight with the Dem majority to push though appointments was a mistake. Nevertheless, the choices and staffing have mainly successful in re-establishing morale and oversight. B+
3. The Bush “victory” over Gore and the resulting impact on global energy and environmental policy may well go down as the pivotal event in the death of civilization as we know it. The opportunity to seize the initiative through a massive re-education agenda focused on job creation, technical and scientific innovation, and social incentives was wasted. This was an opportunity of biblical proportions, and for all the good work of the EPA and SEC in raising the bar, we’re in deep trouble. D
4. America was already sick of the war in Iraq. Obama’s strategic choice to pair a withdrawal with upping the commitment to Afghanistan was a short-term grandstand and long-term problem. Now we’re not only stuck in Afghanistan and stuck with Pakistan, but the collapse of national government in Iraq is well within probability. D
5. There are only three things wrong with Obamacare: First, that it was given precedence over financial reform and energy/environmental policy. Second, despite being a solid and effective approach to restructuring healthcare delivery and economics, the role of insurance companies remains out of scale and inappropriate. Third, that the greatest social policy success of the last few decades has been allowed to be turned to the Right wing headliner. A-
6. Over-all leadership is a conundrum. The guy is bright, well-read, thoughtful, funny, even charming. Does he have the capacity to seize the initiative? I think so. Will he? Highly questionable. His best marks come in foreign policy where the world remains substantially enamored. Given the previous administration, that’s worth at least a C.
Add it all up, and without weighting the items (maybe a bit extra for the death of civilization), the results are one A- (90), a B+ (88), a C (75), a C- (70), and two Ds (67), averaged out 457 divided by 6 = 76.
A “C” isn’t much, but it’s better than the F his predecessor earned, and the only person I’d trust to do a better job is a TV comedian named Jon Stewart.
W should not have a letter. just a number. Like the one they give you in jail. |
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jpdtez
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« Reply #47121 on: September 06, 2010, 06:30:44 PM » |
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nice job Flinter - send it to the NYT as an op-ed. As for all the haters and bashers - like any one person or any single party was ever going to make a purse out of the sow's ear this country and really the entire world has become...
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Pharoah
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« Reply #47122 on: September 06, 2010, 07:47:09 PM » |
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I thought Russia looked better on both ends with Mozgov in and their starting C Kaun out. Certainly was true in the 1st Q.
I didn't see the 3rd Q.
Mozgov 16 & 7 looked pretty good.
Although at times it was hard to tell, as they seemed to switch to a different camera angle half the time he was making a play (including Russia's penultimate possession, where Mozgov managed to snag an overthrown fast break pass and scored -- the jagged cut between cameras, just as he tipped the ball, leaving part of it up to the imagination).
Anyway, Mozgov has a pretty good FT stroke.
Though on 2 of 6 FT's, poor camera work made it hard to see his form.
He committed 2 unnecessary/silly backcourt fouls (1st & 4th Q), but at least those were errors of aggression. A little coaching and discipline can cure that.
His rebounding seems to need work.
Once instead of using his body he just pushed a smaller guy in the back of the head for a foul. He seems to rely on being big rather than getting position.
Mozgov runs the pick n roll so well for a guy his size and is incredibly fluid to boot. I’m guessing \that Mike D could really use this guy in his system…. Are there areas he to work on? Of course but i love his makeup (he doesn't stop working!) and I love his skillset/potential. I expect a lot of growing pains transitioning to the NBA, but this kid has the tools. |
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PrezIke
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« Reply #47123 on: September 06, 2010, 08:20:23 PM » |
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I just wanted to post the first user comment "highlight" from Frank Rich's latest piece, which I very much related to (perhaps for a multitude of factors, one of which may be age and one which is not having ever identified as a Republican). I have immense respect for many of our forum sages, yet being from a generation that hasn't really seen much in the way of real progress it is not so difficult to perhaps hold such cynical points of view, especially in light of mounds of evidence that point to constant decline. Flinter, I have yet to read all of your paper, but I will do my best to chime in when I do. Here's the link: http://community.nytimes.com/comments/www.nytimes.com/2010/09/05/opinion/05rich.html Doesn't quite seem that we can link to individual comments, so I'll just post the text: I am a 35 year old man who had an interesting set of perspective shifts from 2001-2002. I started 2001 a Republican; I ended 2002 a vocal anti- Bush anti-war Democrat. And now I'm not sure I even want to be an American anymore. I speak for many of my friends.
What changed from 2001-2002? A number of things: The blatant dishonesty and warmongering of the Bush administration over spy planes in China, the creepy giddiness of the administration over 9-11 and the rush to war, and the horribly wrong coverage of all of the above by our "liberal" media. One more fact: I lived in London from late September 2001 through the end of 2002. From there, I read reports about the IAEA and Scott Ritter, Hans Blix et al. over and over again saying there were no WMD in Iraq. When I got back to the US, it was like a fascist nightmare. Flags festooned everywhere, people literally calling you a traitor for opposing the war, etc.
Through all of this time -- from all of the disgusting crimes of the Bush years now through the Dems' despicable capitulation to corporations (Andrew Jackson's nightmare) -- I've wondered what I'm still doing in this country. I'm finishing an advanced degree at the University of Michigan and honestly I feel like leaving and never coming back. I'd like to live in a humane place where democracy still means something. I would miss the comfort of the familiar, friends and family, my sports teams...but little else. Our country is no longer a place I'm proud of. I could fight to make this place better, but that's a life's work, and honestly I'm not sure if this place isn't beyond repair. Regardless of my education, I think I speak for many my age and younger.
How bitterly ironic that so many people -- including our absolutely execrable media elite, save for a few of you at the Times and here and there -- actually thought we were such champions of democracy, beating the drums of invasion.
We no longer live in a functioning democracy. That is not the grim pronouncement of a dour hippie (not that there's anything wrong with that). That is a sober account of the state of America today, spelled out by a skilled guy with a future and a solid moral foundation, someone that should be encouraged by some credible accountable leadership to stay and help make this country better. Rahm Emanuel dropping F-bombs to liberals and the UAW, Larry Summers running economic policy and Harry Reid grabbing his ankles for the GOP: not change I can believe in. And no more dear to me is a country where multitudes descend on DC to listen to a Weimar Republic beer hall speech at the Lincoln Memorial, listen to a fork-tongued Jabba the Hut seething chaos over public airwaves on a daily basis, or vote for a lobotmized governor in Arizona or openly racist senator in Kentucky. Where a "liberal" president convenes secret meetings to dismantle the last shred of fairness in American society, Social Security.
Do I stay and do my tiny part to make it work? If I were an entrepreneur capitalist I might be tempted, but you know I'm actually like most people in this country: I just want meaningful work as part of a team that gives me a decent standard of living, something I'm far more likely to get in northern Europe, Australia, Singapore, Germany, or Canada than here. Utopia means "no place" -- but there are places are far more congruent with my secular moral values, with highly regulated free markets, robust public services, democratic freedoms and a sense of shared sacrifice.
What does motivate me to work for change here, whatever small part, is the danger of an even more arrant and errant USA in the world than what we have now.
But regardless, the fact that I'm a skilled young person very seriously questioning whether to give up my citizenship should concern some principled leader. Our misbegotten tragedy in Iraq is where it all started, but it's been all downhill from there. |
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fwk00
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« Reply #47125 on: September 06, 2010, 10:06:21 PM » |
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ex - he gets a big fat 'F' for education.
And, honestly, the health care bill is a festering pile of shit. We will live painfully to regret the opportunity to have made it right.
The financial thieves are filling their pockets as we write. A B+? Not in my book.
But different opinions are what they are.
But prezike's quote says it eloquently. This is not an administration to be proud of. And it believes that Bush is the metric for success.
Brutal.
Good read: http://www.hoover.org/publications/policy-review/article/5646
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« Last Edit: September 06, 2010, 10:10:18 PM by fwk00 »
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nagel100
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« Reply #47126 on: September 06, 2010, 10:12:40 PM » |
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conn great stuff and props to you for your current contributions. |
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nagel100
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« Reply #47127 on: September 06, 2010, 10:40:35 PM » |
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I usually stick to BB on this forum but a lot has been said that has great merit.I honestly can say I am happy to already have lived most of my life. I went from an Ozzie and Harriet reality in the 50"s as Ricky to an anti war vet in the Vietnam era to whatever the fuck i am now. ( still a radical left-winger at heart i guess)
War is evil. Greed fuels it and the entire political system is broken and has been for quite a while. Ike warned us about the military/industrial complex and he seems to be a prophet.
Kids today don't read and don't talk. they use technology which is moved into a phase that make me cringe. I am not proud to be an American and Camelot seems like a very long time ago. I still feel the murders of Jack/Bobby and Martin.
It's been downhill for such a long time. I think Bush is a criminal and while I like Obama he has disappointed me. I should have know better. The system will not allow the radical change we need.
After all , don"t we all need that 3 D TV? fuck it that 30 million live below the poverty line in the USA and the world is flaming out.
I will stay with the knicks. a true break from reality.
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nagel100
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« Reply #47128 on: September 07, 2010, 12:41:28 AM » |
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http://espn.go.com/extra/fiba/boxscore?gameId=300909056
TM vs USA next.
we know knick fans will be hoping to see a real prospect when we meet. So far so good but now it's the real deal.
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kidcarter8
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« Reply #47129 on: September 07, 2010, 01:20:16 AM » |
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I usually stick to BB on this forum but a lot has been said that has great merit.I honestly can say I am happy to already have lived most of my life. I went from an Ozzie and Harriet reality in the 50"s as Ricky to an anti war vet in the Vietnam era to whatever the fuck i am now. ( still a radical left-winger at heart i guess)
War is evil. Greed fuels it and the entire political system is broken and has been for quite a while. Ike warned us about the military/industrial complex and he seems to be a prophet.
Kids today don't read and don't talk. they use technology which is moved into a phase that make me cringe. I am not proud to be an American and Camelot seems like a very long time ago. I still feel the murders of Jack/Bobby and Martin.
It's been downhill for such a long time. I think Bush is a criminal and while I like Obama he has disappointed me. I should have know better. The system will not allow the radical change we need.
After all , don"t we all need that 3 D TV? fuck it that 30 million live below the poverty line in the USA and the world is flaming out.
I will stay with the knicks. a true break from reality.
You still think greed fueled the current conflict? The description of you is not radical left winger (wingnut) - but WHACKADOO! |
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Poll
