CardinalBacker

Meh.... that's just the way the game is played. If you scream "racist" then the other person's opinion is invalidated, because someone so blinded by their own "racism" is obviously incapable of rational thought. Think about it. If I made a remark marginalizing someone and their opinion because they are just a "poor black man," then I have made the most overtly racist of all possible statements. On the other hand, we've been through the past two presidential campaigns where the conservative nominee was repeated criticized for being a "rich white man." The statements are identical, but one is acceptable and the other isn't. If a black person drops an n-bomb, it's not a problem. If a white person drops one, he or she should be fired from their job and shamed. Even if it happened back in the 1980s like with Paula Deen. The ridiculous hypocrisy and double standards have created a situation that has only made the plight of AAs in our country worse. There are 4 young men from WOS out on bail for what happened to that white kid from OF and it occurred because he (allegedly) used a slur that I'd bet my life savings each of the accused use on a daily basis. How's that for progressive thinking? What is even more sickening is that a lot of people believe that the beating was justified because he used that word. We've come a long ways but I feel we are headed off in a bad direction. When I was a kid in East Texas, I can remember black people being too deferential when dealing with my parents and grandparents. I deal with the public in a semi-authoritarian role at my job, and it's not uncommon for for rural black people older than myself to refer to me as Mr. Firstname. It's a throwback and I don't like the imagery it calls to. On the other hand, I'm much more likely to deal with the "angry black person" today. You know, the one who is beating up the cashier at McDonalds or fighting a cop.

Can I answer that based on their record?

And people wonder why the unemployment rate is so high among AAs. Add this school to the list of places you don't want to hire from. "This guy looks pretty solid. He's got his masters with a solid GPA. Wait... he went to ________? I'll bet he's one of those "somebody owes me 40 acres and mule" clowns. Who else can we bring in?" That conversation gets held every day.

I blame Herman and his stupid workouts.

For a job that pays nothing, "wink, wink."

But those new facilities DID boost test scores and reduce the dropout rate. Oh, wait.... that didn't happen.

I honestly don't know where you live.... but have you written a check to your local ISD "just because the kids deserve better?" They'll act surprised because nobody ever does that, but they WILL take your money, I promise. People who don't have insurance squawk about how everybody should have a right to healthcare regardless of their ability to pay. People who pay for their own coverage usually aren't so cavalier. I have a hard time saying that everybody deserves what I work so hard to attain. Homeowners, business owners, and people that own more than just the house that they live in write checks every year to their local tax assessor collector and tend to be a little more cautious when it comes to approving bond issues for schools and local government. People who aren't worried about property tax rates don't care about the cost of new facilities. I currently pay property taxes in three differnent school districts.... so yes, I do kinda care about taxing entities going crazy with new construction, just because "the kids deserve it" or "we can create new jobs out here by the airport" or "this EDC will help to lure new businesses to the area." I mean.... who really needs a natatorioum or a planetarium? Oh, wait... the kids deserve it.

People with no "skin in the game" like to talk about what people "deserve." I keep hearing how the kids at this school or that school "deserve" better facilities, turf, etc.... nothing is stopping any of you from scratching a personal check to the school of their choice to pay "your fair share" of what you feel the kiddos "deserve."

Yup. BC voted one down year before last. People in government subsidized housing don't care about increased property taxes. Port Arthur would vote to build a new high school to replace the new Memorial if it went up for a vote tomorrow.

I know people wouldn't like it, but it can actually soar. Just ask the people from South Park.

I've heard rumors of the same... The scary thing is that I heard that since there are so many problems with BISD and PAISD, the state would force a "Jefferson County School District" and have one body overseeing all of the school systems in Jefferson County as a single entity. That would be really, really big. But I don't see it ever happening.

This is the problem so often. When black and white choose up sides, reason gets tossed out the window. If you feel like "The Man" stuck it to your elected trustee, what better way to show "The Man" than to re-elect him or her? That's why the elected board will remain irrelevant and the Board of Managers will continue to control the District. When a white congressman gets caught with his (Anthony) Weiner out, he's done. Get convicted of a crime? As a white politician, your career is for all intents and purposes...done. If you're the black mayor of D.C. and you get caught on film smoking crack with a prostitute, it's not really a problem. If you are a fine black minister like Jesse Jackson or Al Sharpton, you can have illegitimate kids and owe millions in taxes.... and you will still enjoy the unequivocal support of the black community as a whole. Whatever happened to all of those old white televangelists that got caught with hookers? I'll give you a hint... don't bother looking for them on tv. Heck, you can be a school board trustee and lose (if not steal) millions of taxpayer dollars, get booted out of office by the state and the locals will still turn out to elect you to your old spot.

This.

I hope they enjoy blocking.

Do we scrimmage the Wildcats first this fall?

2nd Thessalonians 3:10 For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.

I agree.... Having Tyler helped, though. A.Thomas is a horse, but Tyler was special. I was at the district track meet and this nice lady from Silsbee was sitting next to me enthusiastically screaming "COME ON BC!!!!!!! LET'S GO BC!!!!!!!!!!!" Except she was actually just saying "C."

That's what I thought you'd say.

I agree. A few years ago there wasn't any real contact between teams other than the occassional chance meeting. With social media the kids have bulletin boards upon which to talk trash for months before a game. Since it's obviously going on and probably not about to stop, it'll be up to coaches, parents, and the kids themselves to learn how to act and then react to things that are said on social media. If you think about it, most of the big problems we've seen in our area this year have been started and usually aggravated on social media.

What are your thoughts, Santa?

Nah, it belongs to everybody... just like Obamacare did. My hope is that when there inevitably are problems with this new legislation, both sides can work together for the American people to make adjustments as needed. For seven years Obamacare was the golden calf that dems refused to admit had any shortcomings or changes needed.... despite rising premiums, crashing exchanges, closing hospitals and rising costs.

I agree. I don't want anybody to think I'm blowing a dog-whistle, but that system will require a lot of disciplined play... and the kids over there have kinda gotten as far as they have on talent as opposed to solid play. I think if Tyler hadn't taken his talents to Silsbee and had a monster season, Silsbee would have lost another game or more. People would have been gathering diesel and matches in Smoketown. If they manage to harness that talent and play disciplined football, look out.

I'm aware that it didn't start with President Obama. Unfortunately, that's what the free phones for those who can't buy their own have been labeled. The program did explode under Obamacare, though.

I'm like everybody else that hasn't read the bill. I haven't heard much about cost- saving measures in the new plan. That was one of my big gripes about Obamacare. Everybody feels like healthcare costs are too high in the US. Instead of tackling cost AND expanding coverage to those who didn't have it, Obamacare just made sure that EVERYBODY could receive care that costs way too much... the costs are just passed on to the ones who are already trying. Want to help the healthcare system? Reroute the money that goes towards paying for Obamaphones towards Medicaid. You'd find out quickly just exactly where poor people's priorities are. There would be riots in the streets.

As somebody who went to college and then spent YEARS in careers I didn't care for exclusively so that I could keep coverage on my family, I have a hard time supporting legislation that was crafted to benefit people who haven't made similar sacrifices, and is financed through cost increases that I have to soak up. Im not even the biggest fan of coverage for pre-existing conditions. How is it fair for some people to pay car insurance every month, but then the jerk who never bothers to buy insurance can run out and buy it AFTER he crashes into somebody? The real solution to the healthcare coverage crisis is to stop forcing medical providers to treat people who can't or won't pay. The system is flooded with people who don't have coverage and go straight to the ER for treatment (which costs a fortune over a DR visit). People know that the providers are obligated to treat them, yet the patient is under no similar obligation to pay. The system is rigged. Mix in runaway malpractice litigation and it's no wonder my family's coverage costs over a thousand per month, unless we actually need help... then it gets really expensive.