- 09:36 AM
- 11/05/24
another thought, if the State Dept. won't play nice, why doesn't the Nation just build their own Airport and make the State Dept. start trying to check passports as people leave the tribal land. If they are their own nation, nothing stopping them from having an international terminal.
posted by stalnakerz at 12:45 PM on July 14, 2010
Anyone notice that the article mentions the passports are low-tech partly handwritten twice.
Could this situation have been avoided by merely upgrading the passports to the new High Tech versions? I didn't see anything stating they wouldn't honor a high-tech version issued by the council.
posted by stalnakerz at 12:42 PM on July 14, 2010
The fact that the clubhouse of a baseball stadium is a restricted-access environment crawling with security guards means nothing.
How many banks "crawling with security" have been robbed and customers threatened/shot? How many attacks have occurred inside of police stations crawling with armed officers?
posted by stalnakerz at 10:55 AM on February 22, 2010
Citations, please?
posted by jmd82
Here's a link to a Harvard study completed in 2009.... Google search for "study shows gun control increases crime rate" for more.
http://www.theacru.org/blog/2007/05/harvard_study_gun_control_is_counterproductive/
posted by stalnakerz at 10:45 AM on February 22, 2010
I'm with thenewguy821 on this one. How many studies do there have to be showing more restrictive gun regulations increase the crime rate before the liberals get it?
Players may have never been attacked before, but that doesn't mean they won't be tomorrow now that the criminals know they have nice rich targets that can't be armed to/from the clubhouse. Who was it that said your best defense is a good offense? That definitely applies when you're dealing with the underbelly of society.
If you have the proper permits and are locking it up in your locker once you arrive at the workplace, then who cares? Let one nutcase break into the clubhouse and injure/kill someone and they'll be going nuts for even more controls instead of loosening and letting the criminals/nutcases know it won't be tolerated.
posted by stalnakerz at 03:58 PM on February 21, 2010
To be honest, I wish the score would have been 80-3 or more. Cowboys aren't exactly the classiest bunch themselves, but always the first to whine and cry when things don't go their way.
Had the score been reversed, Cowboy fans would be saying they were sending a message for the NFC champ game.
If this were college or below ball, then yeah, don't take the guys heart out of the game. But this is the big time and there's bonuses to be made. If the opponent can't handle it, maybe they should go sell some used cars or something.
posted by stalnakerz at 03:04 AM on January 18, 2010
sorry for duplicate posts, not sure why but IE hung on me and then posted the same comments twice. someone can delete this one if you have the time.
posted by stalnakerz at 10:25 AM on December 24, 2009
Interestingly, I'm actually with Drood on this one. Schumacher is as much of a sportsman as a mob boss is a businessman. And with Abu Dhabi not only ON the calendar, but CLOSING it! Someone in F1 must be pulling in some major kickback bucks.
Maybe this is the year of just watching Nascar and Indy, except for SPA of course.
posted by stalnakerz at 10:25 AM on December 24, 2009
Congrats to Ingram and Alabama. I think this win clears some of the travesty of Bear Bryant's stream of amazing players never winning the hardware.
posted by stalnakerz at 12:19 PM on December 13, 2009
So they imply it's potentially more dangerous wearing a helmet, but don't give any supporting data of how many injuries the helmet prevents
How would they get such data?
They used the data from Australian Rules for the control as those players do not use helmets and compared the number of head injuries those players experience per game vs. NFL. The NFL players with helmets on experienced 25% more head injuries than the AR players without helmets on. If you've ever watch AR football, you have to respect those guys, no pads or helmet and hitting/getting hit just as hard. If you've never watched one and think American FB is rough as it gets, try to find a game on TV this weekend. I can't figure out the points system, but the gameplay is fantastic.
I think the removal of the helmet would cut down on quarterbacks being blindsided (and hence the associated injuries) a lot since they wouldn't have the helmet blocking their peripheral (sp?) vision.
posted by stalnakerz at 03:35 PM on November 11, 2009
Agreed about Abu Dhabi, the emirate bought themselves a race just to say they had something some larger countries didn't. Unfortunately, if Mosley stays at the helm and can't get enough cars to fill the grid, we'll see more of these type tracks so he can at least try to pull a better profit while he's killing the sport.
On the tires, I'm not only surprised at the move, but intrigued as well. Bridgestone put a lot of time and money into developing "the right tire for the right track" and I'm not sure another company could come in and get good results without some good development time and with Bridgestone have an exclusive contract, I'd guess that the other players disbanded their F1 development projects. If that's the case, we'll either see some spectacular crashes, some interesting new records or some boring races the first year or two after they've pulled out, probably a good mix of the 3.
posted by stalnakerz at 02:25 AM on November 05, 2009
If they don't sign more teams and alienate the manu's, it may soon be Red Bull, Brawn, and Force India racing alone.
I do have to sort of disagree with Drood on one point though. The manu's aren't there just to whore their wares, they're there to win so they can whore their wares, but aren't at least 2 of the privateers there for the same thing?
posted by stalnakerz at 11:20 PM on November 04, 2009
I wonder if it would cost an NFL team to be associated with someone who is such a well-known and polarizing figure
Rcade, they'd probably double attendance just to see Rush's team lose a game. Sometimes the most polarizing personalities bring in big money. Just look at Rodman in the NBA. A lot of "conservatives" didn't like his opinions or looks, but they went in droves to watch him play.
posted by stalnakerz at 05:33 PM on October 06, 2009
First, I don't like investment groups owning teams. Second, I'm guessing the Limbaugh-owned Rams would never have a black quarterback.
posted by bperk at 03:11 PM on October 06
WTF? Why would you guess that? That comment in itself is about as racist as you can get. Who cares what color a player or person is other than the local race baiters? I'd prefer to judge the player and owner on their merits while holding the position. You don't see anyone saying they will or won't hire Vick because he's black, you hear them say they will because he can play or they won't because of what he did. I'm tired of this if a white owner fires a white player, nothing is ever said, if a white owner fires a black player, they're fired because they're black, not because they sucked at their job..... GET OVER IT.
As for Limbaugh, he can't be worse than any of the other owners. They're all either big fat cats or holding companies with big fat cats at the head.
posted by stalnakerz at 05:27 PM on October 06, 2009
Sounds like he's one of those that wants to hit it out of the park or nothing. With a good batting coach and some meditation, he could end up being as good as a Chipper Jones or better. He's 2 years younger than when Chipper made the list of 40+/20+ and overall stats are slightly lower, but not so much to drop him, just to give him extra practice and mentoring before the beginning of the next season. Let him calm down and find his groove and we could see something spectacular next year. Or I could be wrong and he breaks the strikeout record again next year with no HR and no SB....
posted by stalnakerz at 05:44 PM on September 24, 2009
Drood, You can have a home team advantage without shutting out opponents from testing on the tracks. Since the Luge and Bobsled courses are typically built or modified for that year's events, this would be like opening a new track for F1 or Nascar and not allowing anyone to test (I know F1's done it in the past, but it doesn't make it right). Considering the number of runs USA gave Canada in the 2002 games and the open access agreement between the two countries, this just sounds downright dirty, even if there is a valid reason why.
posted by stalnakerz at 05:04 PM on September 23, 2009
As the Olympics become more and more infested with "sponsors" who's primary goal is to promote products by their sponsored athletes winning gold, we're going to see the home teams try to give themselves an advantage over everyone else. How else are they going to support the Olympic teams that cost hundreds of thousands of dollars to maintain each year.
posted by stalnakerz at 10:58 AM on September 23, 2009
Here's a little more info for everyone to chew on. And here's the money quote (literally):
The contract between the NBA and its officials expired Sept. 1 and the sides have been trying to reach a new two-year deal. McMorris said they largely agree on salaries, but the union has balked at the league's attempt to change retirement benefits.
Besides the severance and pension disagreements, the officials are resisting a league development plan for young officials.
So they're not negotiating for a raise, they're trying to keep their pension. Those assholes!
They're also resisting a development plan for young officials... Nothing like the union trash that can't be fired (or get SEVERANCE when they are fired) not allowing new personnel to come in and try to actually do the work RIGHT..... Typical union speak for we want 100% retirement and X years severance for the losers in the group. And if you do your job well, you better believe a union boss will come tell you to slow down, you're making everyone look bad and we can't justify (pick one of the following: raises, overtime, extra vacation, bigger percentage of salary in pension) if you're doing a better job than everyone else... Unions have FAR outlived their use in American society. Let each negotiate based on his/her own merits and let the worthless panhandle with the rest of them.
posted by stalnakerz at 07:13 PM on September 21, 2009
I haven't see him fight so can't comment on his skill or lack of. However, as an UGA fan, I'm glad to see Herschel doing something and something athletic is even better. If he can make a long career out of it, I'd be surprised though considering his age.
posted by stalnakerz at 03:57 PM on September 21, 2009
How hard can the life of a ref be? Honestly, there are door to door salesman that are gone longer than refs are and making a lot less. Which would you rather be? There are police, fire fighters and emt's in a much more dangerous position making a lot less. Where would you rather be at 9:00 on a Friday night, reffing a game or on the streets?
200K a year and they want more? They don't have any athletic skills, no real talent to speak of and are already making 200K a year. If you want someone to make more money, call your congressman and tell him the military deserves a raise. They are gone for months or years at a time, on very little pay defending our freedoms. A NBA ref does very little for 200K a year and if the wife wants to whine about it, she should go buy her some fancy cheese and file divorce paperwork. I totally agree with Drood, while they may work for a few more than 2 hours a game, overall they bring nothing to the table other than being able to see, being able to speak the lingo of the game, knowledge of the game that anyone can get reading the rule book and a bit of luck to have gotten into such a cushy job.
I consider myself fortunate to be where I'm at right now, not making anywhere near even 100K a year, working long hours and getting called in the middle of the night most nights when a switch or router has problems. But I chose it and let my family know that I love what I do and will be around when possible and my family understands that it's better I love what I do and come home smiling rather than hate it and go out drinking after work.
If the ref's wife hates the life so much, then he should try getting a real job for a while and see what she thinks about living on 1/5 of what they're living on now.....
posted by stalnakerz at 03:45 PM on September 21, 2009
Leave it to the one guy that had acrobatic talent, charisma and the gift of gab to screw it up. I always liked Jeff in the ring, but wouldn't let my kids watch him due to his out of ring problems.
Just like I think should happen for any other professional athlete that gets caught like this, he should be banned from even doing minor school gym wrestling for life.
Maybe this will wake up some of his cohorts and they'll get some help and turn around a dying industry.
posted by stalnakerz at 07:28 PM on September 12, 2009
I've been going over my schedule for the past few years and it appears I've always missed Spa for one reason or another. Very glad I finally got to see it this year and am actually going to try to get tickets for next years race as I have to go to Germany to pick up my daughter around that time anyway.
I don't want to see Massa out of racing, just out of the red car. I think he's got some talent that teams can use, but as the principal drivers for the prancing horse, I'd much rather see Gio and Kimi. Maybe F-India will try to pick up Massa???
Really can't wait for next year, going to be VERY interesting with BMW totally out. Maybe my beloved Jaguar will decide to return soon now that Ford has divested them off....
posted by stalnakerz at 01:19 PM on September 04, 2009
Having been a Vick fan when he first started with the Falcons, I have to say now I wish he'd just go away and do used car commercials somewhere. The man got caught big time, relaxed sentence since he was a big name celeb (and don't tell me that if I got caught doing the same thing I wouldn't still be in jail facing another 15 to get out). Then when he's out, he goes back to being stupid.....pitiful excuse. Goodell should have just banned him for life the first time and we wouldn't have drama now. Maybe third time's the charm and next time we won't be hearing that name on a sports board anymore.
Oh and you actually have to drown animals for PETA to care. They don't give a crap about humans, just their precious little morsels..uhh animals.
posted by stalnakerz at 01:01 PM on September 04, 2009
Also, to be clear, this penalty is not two years, it's two transfer windows so Chelsea (appeals delays aside) would miss this coming January and next Summer." posted by billsaysthis at 01:38 PM on September 03
Sorry, fingers got ahead of the brain. Meant two windows, but considering summer window is over, it still means almost a year and a half of no new talnet. A couple of major injuries and we could see them drop like a rock next year. This may also affect their recruiting for after the penalty as players are going to be leary of going to a club that's been stagnant for that long. I'm sure they'll be able to throw money away to get some, but that doesn't guarantee talent will come in.
posted by stalnakerz at 08:26 AM on September 04, 2009
Sounds like another case of the class bully becoming a coach. Maybe this will make some of the other idiot coaches use their shriveled minds and think before they put kids into predicaments like this.
If you have a bunch of kids goofing off cause it's too friggin hot outside, you kill practice and take them in for playbook study.
posted by stalnakerz at 07:52 AM on September 04, 2009
I think the time between attempts allowed him to gain access. That and the fact he didn't advertise his attempt so there was very little spectator presence.
Gotta say, almost 1500 feet up with no equipment.....Boulders of STEEL!
posted by stalnakerz at 07:47 AM on September 04, 2009
After the performance he put in at Spa, everyone sorta knew this was going to happen, just not when. I'm thrilled for Gio, and hope that it becomes a permanent gig for him so he can push Massa out for good. Sorry the guy got injured, but I've never liked Massa anyway, always seemed to have a bad attitude, even after he won..
I'd hate to see Gio in the car until the end of the season then no one will take him since he jumped ship mid season just when F-India was starting to make progress.
On a side note, wasn't it great qualifying last weekend!? Spa is starting to become my favorite track very quickly now....
posted by stalnakerz at 06:01 AM on September 04, 2009
In the cutthroat world of European football, this used to be common practice. Nice to see they are cracking down on the big guys a bit, but 2 years of no new signings seems a bit steep.
I wonder if Chelsea has enough talent on their reserve team to make up for any lost players or major injuries during this time. Will be interesting to see if they can get past this and still remain a powerhouse.
posted by stalnakerz at 11:25 AM on September 03, 2009
Man or woman is determined by a simple chromosome. If she has female chromosomes, then she's a female and should not be punished by how her body produces various chemicals. If she has male chromosomes then she's a male and should not be allowed to compete with women. If for some reason she has both chromosomes, then she is a natural abnomally and should compete with the sex she has the majority of chromosomes for.
Other than that, there shouldn't be any tests she's required to take.
posted by stalnakerz at 04:13 PM on August 27, 2009
Toney-Couture Fight Pits Boxing vs. MMA
Unless Toney catches him with a lucky punch, I don't see Toney being able to stand up to any MMA fighter without takedown defense.
Boxers are used to a lot of referee involvement as well. MMA refs will let a tie up continue as long as one of the fighters appears to be advancing their position.