CraigS

Kinda like we are staying out of enforcing immigration laws in THIS country. However, I do agree with you on "staying out of"....so you (you people) and your kids can fund the "needy" and maybe they can unload those buses full of ILLEGALS at YOUR home....I find that the sympathetic and compassionate are only so in political speech....   Alot of the very people you accuse, or say "you go" have done exactly that, ask how many Vets are in this forum that have given extra of themselves....on the other hand....ask how many of you "computer screen liberals" have donated extra tax money, or housed any of the poor little ILLEGAL children showing your TRUE compassion....YOU PEOPLE talk the talk, but will not walk it.   To be clear so you can understand....   I will stand by MY words as would ANY conservative -   I would surely STOP paying taxes that assist in welfare....will YOU pay more to assist it?   I would gladly drive the truck to dump the illegals back across the border...will YOU house them?

Perhaps that is what we need in this country. most things are way "over complicated" the tax code, immigration, justice system, welfare system...education....EPA...and much more, maybe it's that to much thinking is the problem....   There is a story, and I'll tell the short version....an 18 wheeler ran under a bridge (overpass)and his load was to high, it hit the overpass and was lodged, couldn't be pulled forward or backwards, with all the engineers, state officials, etc trying their best to figure out how to dismantle the truck, support the overpass in hopes of not causing more damage. Along come a 12yo boy and simply states...let the air out of the tires....leaving the powers to be scratching their heads.....

I just said the same thing in another thread, there are exception for sure, even good people rising above the fact they come from terrible families.   I have a friend that is one of the best people and an exceptional father, in spite of the fact both parents were drug abusers and alcoholics, his 2 brothers on the other hand didn't fall far from the tree.

My wife is a first grade teacher. For the most part, they know who will be contributors to society by that time, by the participation and care given by the parents of each student. Is it 100%, probably not, but I'd be a very wealthy person just betting on the odds.    Children are the most innocent and precious commodity of any institution, what they become will define our society, our family, etc. Sure, there are a lot of peer pressures that can turn a well raised child against their teachings, likewise turn a less fortunate to overcome. However, those are the exceptions.   As far as the "Education System", it is my opinion that if any child in any particular "system" can come away with a quality education, then they all can. If not it is NOT the fault of the system....not to mention. you get out of something what you put into it...no amount of money or legislation will FIX that...that's on the parents...starting with the value they put into their families success, and that is determined by the morals in which they instill............

Sounds like the link may be in PARENTING (or lack thereof) and the rooster may be just now coming home to roost....   ever hear the old saying any fool can make a baby, it takes a REAL man (person) to parent one....

All of this has been a great read. Interesting perspectives from BOTH sides. However, you are BOTH over complicating the whole matter. I often hear the statement don't treat the symptoms, cure the problem.   The only, and I  repeat, the ONLY problem this country has is the breakdown of family and moral values.   All else is a self fix when these two become priority....   oh, and I barely graduated HS (athlete, didn't have to do much) went to 3 different colleges (2 for baseball) before finally getting my associate degree. But none of that seemed to have any bearing on my financial or life success once I got my priorities in order and put FAITH and FAMILY at the top of my list....

Poverty, like so many other things that are blamed on others or "claimed" to be "born that way" is a learned trait. Not to say hard working people can't live in poverty. I'm saying choices in life have prevented them from reaching maximum potential to avoid such circumstances.   give a man a fish, feed for a day. Teach a man to fish, feed him for a lifetime. Even dogs appreciate learning and earning what they get.   [Hidden Content]

So they "gave" grades also you're telling...smh

Common Myths about racism exposed:   Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson and Rev Wright are here to help race relations All criticism about B. H. Obama is about racism Affirmative action "helped" minorities The Civil War was about slavery Any criticism about ILLEGAL ALIENS is about racism ONLY whites are privileged in America All Black Conservatives are Uncle Toms or GOP Puppets

Apparently even aTm had a quota to meet in "giving" degrees...must be that fairness stuff....

Yes, but not the "you people" you think it does in the big picture.   Think BISD, Chicago, Detroit..and of course the White House...very painful indeed!   The rise of the welfare state in the 1960s contributed greatly to the demise of the black family as a stable institution. The out-of-wedlock birth rate among African Americans today is 73%, three times higher than it was prior to the War on Poverty. Children raised in fatherless homes are far more likely to grow up poor and to eventually engage in criminal behavior, than their peers who are raised in two-parent homes. In 2010, blacks (approximately 13% of the U.S. population) accounted for 48.7% of all arrests for homicide, 31.8% of arrests for forcible rape, 33.5% of arrests for aggravated assault, and 55% of arrests for robbery. Also as of 2010, the black poverty rate was 27.4% (about 3 times higher than the white rate), meaning that 11.5 million blacks in the U.S. were living in poverty.     Chicago Public Schools prom slogan: ‘This Is Are Story’  The average teacher salary is $76,000...  The disparity is worse in Englewood, a neighborhood where 23.6 percent of residents are unemployed and the average per capita income is $12,255.   Something’s not adding up. Students can’t spell. They can’t do math. They aren’t graduating. And they’re not being set up to succeed in the real world. So why should CPS teachers be rewarded with raises? [Hidden Content]     I know, I know - Damn Whitey! Keep playing the victim, name calling and blaming others...It really seems to be working out for you....very short sighted and further destroys.

My point exactly! But somehow ALL whites get "blamed" whereas knowing "black" Africans were the ones who were selling their own people (blacks) into slavery, it is argued (and rightly so) that it wasn't "MY FAMILY" that actually sold slaves....again it seems to only work in one direction......because it WASN'T my family that bought and/or even used slavery...I'm second generation French of a migrant brick layer...

I'm glad these things are recognized. However, I have a few questions.   1) Why isn't ALL the efforts of this country put on fixing the broken family structure, rather than blaming others and/or rewarding it?    2) Then with what sounds like resentment from the black community about the suppression, torture, persecution, lynchings, etc from the white man in the USA, has it ever crossed your mind to HATE on your African Ancestors? The black slaves wouldn't have been in those situations had their fathers and grandfathers not sold them?    I will debate race with you any time any place? But to do so, I will require a discussion where the words, you, they, y'all, YOU PEOPLE can NOT be used. Speak only of the issues of our OWN race, where we are NOW, and what can be done by our OWN people to fix or at least better current relations..........so, I challenge you to invite me out for dinner and a beer...I'm buying!   ps...invite all your friends on this board to join us, I'd welcome them.

And the great AFRICANS were the last to sell to the GREAT USA! yet you take BOTH their names "African-American" and blame only ONE....smh   Which is the point of the right - selective tolerance, selective racism, selective anything from the left! and Take ZERO personal accountability.   Where is your hatred toward the BLACK Africans, your ancestors, who sold or traded your other ancestors to the GREAT USA!   But I guess we don't REALLY want to have an open HONEST discussion about race do we....you want to start in the middle and IGNORE the ENTIRE history of slavery and the suppression of blacks...started by the Africans themselves!   By that standard lets JUST blame those who buy and abuse drugs - not the Drug dealers!   And - to keep rambling - I personally would feel way more anger toward one of my own for selling me out (pun intended) than anything a stranger might do to me...

Apparently we don't all know the history of slavery though. In the beginning African slaves (blacks) were traded and sold by their own kings and tribal leaders, as were the whites. Once the European countries outlawed slavery (all slavery) the white's discontinued the act, whereas the African leaders simply found new buyers....but lets not take any of that into consideration. In fact, let's just blame the white man, and take on the "AFRICAN-American" title to honor the very people who sold your ancestors to the highest bidder....of course to do so, one have to take responsiblity for their own peoples actions. With that said, it is a typical liberal stance to blame only one part of the problem rather than it's entirety. Settle the mess in your own house before trying to clean others....just saying.

Well, I for one think that 100% of his WHITE side is completely incompetent, a liar, and will to some degree leave this great country worse off than when he took over....only 1% of his BLACK side is of the same....simple math...51% failure . so that makes me - tolerant, compassionate and understanding of the opposite race, however intolerant, lacks compassion and understanding of my own?    Whew, And YOU PEOPLE were starting to make me feel racist - 

Sorry, you are correct on the front of "throwing a lot out there" I should have kept it short and simple. But i did notice you didn't discard any of what I stated as "nonfactual".   Wrong on this front... Not in the closet at all, very frustrated with the pathetic direction in which our great nation is headed, which is being created by "YOU PEOPLE" - 

Nor are they stupid. The liberal base has got the conservatives by the short and curlies, and we allowed it. What they have figured out is, they can destroy anyone that disagrees with them by attaching the appropriate word (even if it isn't true, obtained illegally, etc)   Racist - anything of color (including illegal aliens) Sexist - any thing of opposite sex (including transgender, which is same sex...but anyway) Homophobic - anything gay Bigot - anything Muslim / Athiest (also used as catch all) Uncompassionate - anything against the "deserving" (lazy a$$ bums, etc)   These 5 words can destroy anyone. You can lose your job, be discarded from society and destroyed. With the help of the media, the liberals can attack and attach any of the above mentioned words and your life, as you know it, is over. It doesn't matter if what they claim of you is true or not. Damage control is almost impossible.   It doesn't matter if it's fact or if you said it 30 years ago....if they want you gone, you are gone...   Example 1 - Teacher fired for teaching that white people (actors) used to paint their faces black to represent blacks in movies and on stage performances (which is a fact)   Example 2: Paula Dean admitted herself she used the "supposed", (cause those people...use it all the time, without consequense) oh so terrible "N word" ....wait for it....30 years ago!   Example 3: Sterling destroyed by illegally obtained recordings IN HIS OWN HOME   It seems they don't JUST have the "race" card anymore....they are playing with a FULL deck!

[quote name="Toe Jam" post="1422057" timestamp="1375848920"] [quote author=Craig S link=topic=112920.msg1421706#msg1421706 date=1375793061] [quote author=Toe Jam link=topic=112920.msg1421107#msg1421107 date=1375571483] [quote author=AMc link=topic=112920.msg1419905#msg1419905 date=1374165739] Houston Power and Impact Gold coming to Beaumont is awesome for our girls! The ones it will benefit are our girls who have what it takes to make it to a big D1. It's sad to say, but once you get the right combination of hard work, talent, determination, and attitude on the players part, it DOES matter what name they have on that jersey. We know from experience. Parents have to be willing to turn your daughter's game over to the coach/manager/organization that's willing to push her beyond what she thought was her limits, then let things happen. If our local coaches don't live up to those organizations expectations and reputation, they won't be coaches for long. And that's a good thing. The local softball drama won't last long with those groups. Parents and kids will have to step up their game and rise to the level of success. Some of our local guys have done an amazing job getting our local players to the next level, but it's time to make things better. There will still be a place for some of these smaller organizations, but this opens up so many possibilities! My advice is to find out what your daughter's goal is, and give her every opportunity to reach it. It's not going to fall in her lap in softball. [/quote] Just a word of advice, don't get caught up in the "allure" of the D1 college title "prestige", a majority of players, guys and gals, have done it and regretted it (the ones who wanted to play at least).  There are a select few players that are going to be able to step into a D1 college as a freshman and do anything but set the bench.  A general consensus is playing at a good juco is better than setting the bench at a D1 with all that prestige around you! Oh, and the name on the jersey of the select team means squat if you don't have the talent.  Just being real! A product worth having, you have no trouble selling. [/quote] As you quote one of the BEST post I have read on here in a very long time, you follow it with one of the worst EVER! This post reads equal to the "Speed don't matter", says the parent of the 52 MPH pitcher. WOW, Note to general public, new parents/coaches....be careful where you get your advice (Just a word of advice), and don't believe everything you read on the internet.... [/quote] There are 286 NCAA DI programs, 264 NCAA DII, 392 NCAA DIII, 205 NAIA and 470 NJCAA softball programs in the United States. Each NCAA DI program can offer up to 12 scholarships per team, while DII programs have up to 7.2, NAIA programs have 10 scholarships and[b] fully funded NJCAA Softball teams have 24 scholarships per team.[/b] Not all softball scholarships are full rides and the majority of programs split up their scholarships in order to give money to as many good players as possible. The junior colleges give the most full rides and where do you think most of the D1 Colleges recruit from?  Travel and select ball teams or junior colleges?  Maybe the all knowing will have the answer to that one!  Oh, and lay off the sauce when posting, [b]cause your last one, made no sense![/b]A product worth having, you have no trouble selling. [/quote] It did to the one's that matter! And that product you have can't be sold if you arent in the RIGHT market place I don't care how good it is, and IF the right person isn't marketing it CORRECTLY....it doesn't get sold...no matter how good it is...so keep on believing what you want, and in the process, you single handedly will blow smoke up some parents back side preventing a kid somewhere from reaching their full potential, because you spew ALL THINGS ARE EQUAL....translation: try selling a Bentley at a used car lot in Fred Texas...let me know how that works out for you! [quote author=SEBLUE link=topic=112920.msg1422074#msg1422074 date=1375879961] [quote author=Toe Jam link=topic=112920.msg1422057#msg1422057 date=1375848920] The junior colleges give the most full rides and where do you think most of the D1 Colleges recruit from?  Travel and select ball teams or junior colleges?  Maybe the all knowing will have the answer to that one!  [/quote] I'm not the "all knowing", but the answer is select ball teams. [/quote] Next thing we will be hearing from Toe Jam is college coaches recruit at HS games...

[quote name="Toe Jam" post="1421107" timestamp="1375571483"] [quote author=AMc link=topic=112920.msg1419905#msg1419905 date=1374165739] Houston Power and Impact Gold coming to Beaumont is awesome for our girls! The ones it will benefit are our girls who have what it takes to make it to a big D1. It's sad to say, but once you get the right combination of hard work, talent, determination, and attitude on the players part, it DOES matter what name they have on that jersey. We know from experience. Parents have to be willing to turn your daughter's game over to the coach/manager/organization that's willing to push her beyond what she thought was her limits, then let things happen. If our local coaches don't live up to those organizations expectations and reputation, they won't be coaches for long. And that's a good thing. The local softball drama won't last long with those groups. Parents and kids will have to step up their game and rise to the level of success. Some of our local guys have done an amazing job getting our local players to the next level, but it's time to make things better. There will still be a place for some of these smaller organizations, but this opens up so many possibilities! My advice is to find out what your daughter's goal is, and give her every opportunity to reach it. It's not going to fall in her lap in softball. [/quote] Just a word of advice, don't get caught up in the "allure" of the D1 college title "prestige", a majority of players, guys and gals, have done it and regretted it (the ones who wanted to play at least).  There are a select few players that are going to be able to step into a D1 college as a freshman and do anything but set the bench.  A general consensus is playing at a good juco is better than setting the bench at a D1 with all that prestige around you! Oh, and the name on the jersey of the select team means squat if you don't have the talent.  Just being real! A product worth having, you have no trouble selling. [/quote] As you quote one of the BEST post I have read on here in a very long time, you follow it with one of the worst EVER! This post reads equal to the "Speed don't matter", says the parent of the 52 MPH pitcher. WOW, Note to general public, new parents/coaches....be careful where you get your advice (Just a word of advice), and don't believe everything you read on the internet....

[quote name="AMc" post="1419905" timestamp="1374165739"] Houston Power and Impact Gold coming to Beaumont is awesome for our girls! The ones it will benefit are our girls who have what it takes to make it to a big D1. It's sad to say, but once you get the right combination of hard work, talent, determination, and attitude on the players part, it DOES matter what name they have on that jersey. We know from experience. Parents have to be willing to turn your daughter's game over to the coach/manager/organization that's willing to push her beyond what she thought was her limits, then let things happen. If our local coaches don't live up to those organizations expectations and reputation, they won't be coaches for long. And that's a good thing. The local softball drama won't last long with those groups. Parents and kids will have to step up their game and rise to the level of success. Some of our local guys have done an amazing job getting our local players to the next level, but it's time to make things better. There will still be a place for some of these smaller organizations, but this opens up so many possibilities! My advice is to find out what your daughter's goal is, and give her every opportunity to reach it. It's not going to fall in her lap in softball. [/quote] One of the BEST post I've read on here in a LONG time. +1

[quote name="Toe Jam" post="1419470" timestamp="1374020599"] [quote author=trout link=topic=112920.msg1419430#msg1419430 date=1374013823] [quote author=Young Guns GOLD link=topic=112920.msg1419367#msg1419367 date=1374006068] got them added....thanks Not sure of your point...Be Smart? [/quote] Impact Gold does it because of name recognition. Every team is called Impact Gold from 8U to 18 Gold. That is what I was told. It seperates them (us)  from other teams that are called Impact. It sounds a little unusal to me also but it is what it is.  Everyone has reasons for what they do and you don't have to aggree with them just attempt to understand and move on. [/quote][quote author=MBB2 link=topic=112920.msg1419317#msg1419317 date=1374000330] I don't understand using the Gold name at younger levels.  Gold 12U, Gold 10U- matter of fact I saw a Gold 8U looking for players.  Did ASA add another level above Class A for those ages? [/quote] Very good point MBB2!  And a very poor attempt at an explanation trout.  The truth of the matter is that teams throw the "Gold" designation behind their team name in an attempt to attract players to a team that is no more gold than the fillings in my teeth.  You should have to be certified by ASA to signify your team as gold and only for the roster that qualified as gold.  The designation "Gold" now means nothing in the fast pitch softball world. [/quote] the word "Gold hasn't meant much in the softball world since 'the recruiting" binge started...qualifiers are being used for recruiting, teams don't care if they have a chance in heck to qualify as long as coaches are there. A few years back there was talk about adding other rounds to eliminate the imposters....kinda like a qualifier for the qualifiers....college coaches would only show up to the "actual" qualifier to save their time. with all that said....why do you even care what a team calls themselves....and on another note...if you think people all over this country coast to coast do not recognize the "Impact Gold" name....well, there isn't much that can be done for you....just sayin' and NO its not a very good point, in fact its a very poor attempt to disquise bashing the new "impact gold" organization....mediocrity hates excellence! Always has...always will....

[quote name="Buddy09" post="1417347" timestamp="1372641079"] Texas Bombers Gold HTX qualified for the ASA Gold Championship in Clearwater, Florida today.  This team has girls from the following high schools: Atascocita, Barbers Hill, Baytown Sterling, Channelview, Clear Springs, George Ranch, Huffman, and Lumberton. [/quote] Great job, good luck and enjoy Kimber, a great opportunity for a great kid! (oh...and Dad)

On another note: As it stands, GT Shockers are already the only team in the area to play in the Ronald McDonald and the Louisville Slugger showcases, which are the 2 best and largest recruiting tournaments in Texas AND are put on by Impact Gold (and made possible by seeking help from those before us...Verde, etc) They are also in the  Tx Elite showcases, the American Freedom showcase in Dallas amoung others, McNeese, ULL, Navarro. IF, they do merge with Impact Gold, the exposure for local players goes to a level that NO ONE in this area has even come close to...a simple phone call by Impact powers extends recruiting opportunities to the Rising Star (Fla), New Jersey, Fireworks (Aurora, Co) or Independence (Bolder, Co.) perhaps even Surf City (Cal) and PGF (Cal). With that said, IF this happens, this would not be for everyone, just like GTS was not for everyone....some want to practice 2 blocks down and go to Lamar PA....and that's fine....but learn from experience....it was a pissing contest when GT Shockers Gold was formed....and it seems history may repeat itself with some....

It would serve some well to admit the obvious. When I started GTS, I knew early on I could not accomplish the goals I wanted for my players alone. I immediately went to the more experienced and those with more experience. Verde, Trout, Trahan, Wiese as coaches and recruiting, Lemoine as former player, I even spoke to current players (at the time) for how and why we should do the things we do/did. I also spent many hours with Houston area coaches of organizations with years of success. I lost some of the best talent ive ever coached to Houston Power, Impact Gold, etc.....why? Because I told them....we...GT Shockers can NOT provide you with the recruiting opportunities that those organization can. some may consider me rude, arrogant, egotistical, etc...to each their own....but nothing stood or stands in the way of helping players reach their goal of playing at the next level....and not just that....but at the highest level of their talents....and if that means send kids to Houston....so be it....not about personal pride, rather the pride one has for the success of each and every player.... With that said....IF....GT Shockers do merge with Impact Gold in the name of extending opportunities for local players....at the cost of swallowing pride...or more likely not having any to begin with, when it comes to helping kids....good for them! for those who choose to continue to deny, or miss out on opportunities because of barriers, territories, or just plain pissing contest....so be it, but please....do not spread your denial to others costing them the opportunity. as some may know, i no longer have a dog in this hunt....but as Trout stated, numbers dont lie...GTS is the youngest organization yet the most players ever recruited in the area...i believe 37 in 5 Years....second....to NONE!