StumpyJoe

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    Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Hapiness. This would include fine cigars and wonderful libations that both stir and calm the soul.

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  1. Big fan of Spinal Tap... http://www.spinaltapfan.com/atozed/TAP00091.HTM
  2. I had a crappy boss for 3 1/2 years. The result...I outlasted him and am a lot happier now. I also have had a second crown put in because I was grinding my teeth so bad I cracked two teeth. Listen to the Prez. He speaks wisdom.
  3. I would advocate that you put them in your humidor. There are "European style" small cigars of cigarillo style that do not require a humidifier...but I think they are the exception and not the rule. These type of cigars would include "Toscanos" which are related to the cigars that Eastwood smoked in his "Man with no name" trilogy. There are a few other brands but my memory fails me...with that said, no Cuban cigars falls into this category.
  4. To your last question, unfortunately there is not a non-lethal device that always works. The police for years have stopped using the term non-lethal...the term used now is less-lethal. One example for this is a person can have an allergic reaction to OC spray and die from it and there's no way for the officer to know about this beforehand. On the other side OC spray has negligible effect on other people. Tasers can be effective, but 50,000 volts hurts a lot. And some uses of the device has resulted with Medical Examiner's ruling that the use of the device was a contributing factor of death...the high level of narcotics in the assailants system is included but it's the taser part that grabs the headlines. Even a stun bag can kill...they are not ballistic ally sound and if they strike an eye or throat could cause death. The long a short of it is a physical confrontation between two parties is shocking, violent, hurtful, hard to watch, worse to experience,and sometimes leaves us with unintended consequences.
  5. Dog whistle tactics...really? Might I recommend more honey and less vinegar? As to your favorites: 1. Sad but true. 2. Again, sad but true. 3. Especially during Oscar season. 4. Again, true. 5. Anecdotal. But there may also something to be learned from that. I'm not going to address your last paragraph and left it out of the quote I captured. I do not enjoy any of the above answers that I have listed as true. However, labeling them as "diversionary tactics" only does one thing...and that is looking away from the truth. If we are honest with ourselves and each other and want for all of us to turn this around, let us not turn away from the painful facts as they are. If we do they will continue. We cannot construct a solution unless we see the problems clearly. God Bless.
  6. Hi JoeyPots, Yes it is interesting where people have bias. Both sides read what they wanted out of the good Doctor's study. One side looked at the fact that police officers were less likely to shoot black assailants than other races including whites. The other side grabbed onto the fact that outside of lethal force, force was applied more often on blacks. And I appreciate what you say about everyone wanting to advance their side of the story. Also, Iisee that you agree with me that Prager U is not an accredited school...of course that's both of us recognizing the facts as they are. I think the acrimony is stirred how people look at the good Doctor's study as a confirmation of their beliefs rather than keeping an open mind to the results of the study. Reading the article it seems the Doctor himself was surprised at his findings of less police lethal force being applied to blacks than other races. I am impressed how he followed the data although it did not confirm his preconceived opinion. I did find the statistic as provided by his study of 10,000 incidents in NYC showed (and this is from memory so excuse me if the numbers are off) that the use of pepper spray/baton was 25% more against blacks than whites. At the same time the actual numbers out of the 10,000 incidents showed that use of force against 5 blacks and 4 whites. Interesting reading. Out of 10,000 incidents I would say that particular use of force is amazingly low...for both races. I am amazed at your description of a "biased" headline describing of Prager U's origin and objectives. I like you. You have a big heart. "I" would admit that the description on the whole is accurate. Your caution and discretion is greatly appreciated. Thank you. Prager U videos are kept to roughly 5 minutes. They cannot encapsulate every part of a single study. If they did the 5 minute video would be 2 hours. The video did focus primarily on whether or not the police exhibited a bias in the use of lethal force. They are also on a budget, as you described, and take donations. I followed through on your invitation and read the NYT article. It's good reading. I would encourage others to do the same. I thank you for your reply to my post and your courtesy as a fellow BOTL.
  7. This exchange between Piggy and DrukenMonkey...this is the example we all should hold to on the forum. An exchange of ideas and viewpoints without name calling , derision, or insult. I'm getting a little misty...
  8. I hope you and everyone else on the forum is enjoying the Labor Day weekend...even if you don't reside in the US...you deserve a break. Let's jump back into it. "I certainly can doubt the analysis from Prager U, which is not a well recognized or accredited "university". I've never heard of that institution, what facts are their analysis based upon...is Prager pushing an agenda." 1. I did not say "you could not doubt the analysis from Prager U"...I pointed out in your earlier post that you associated Prager U to Phoenix and Trump, this was not true and was a form of guilt by association. It's clear you do not hold either Phoenix or Trump in high regard and by associating both with Prager U was an attempt to discredit it by equating them with each other. 2. You are correct, Prager U is not an accredited University. The 5 minute course I linked did not earn anyone any college credit. Sorry to everyone that figured there was one less elective class you had to take by watching a 5 minute video. The "about" page on the website outlines what they are about and that they are not an accredited University. At the same time...I don't believe Universities are the sole source of information, facts, opinions, or wisdom. I am not surprised that you had never heard of the institution, most people haven't heard of them either...that's why I linked the video. I appreciate that to have a good discussion requires hearing different sides of an argument. I can attest that I have heard the arguments from the Black Lives Matters movement...it is perhaps the largest media talking point at their moment; dare I say more than the upcoming presidential election. The linked video was an attempt to bring up a different perspective...perhaps one not heard by as many as have heard the BLM arguments. 3. The facts as discussed in the video link quote their facts and sources in the video itself. Is Prager pushing an agenda? Yes. However, I would caution that all organizations have agendas...the NAACP has their agenda in their name. Dennis Prager has a radio talk show. In the last 2-3 years he helped create a website "Prager U" which has 5 minute "courses" on a great many different topics. I found his perspectives interesting and arguments intriguing...to the point that many times he made me think a second time (that's an allusion to his first book). The other pleasant thing about his radio program, and Prager U as well, is that all manner of topics are covered...if it was just politics I would bore quickly. To all Brothers and Sisters of the Leaf I would recommend you give his show, or Prager U for that matter, a shot. "Assuming the facts are true, it does not explain what I've seen with my own eyes. Over the past several years I've seen children of color shot by police, body slammed to the ground by police at local swimming pools and even at their schools, men obviously subdued and shot in the back. I for one have not seen this happen to white children. This issue is not about black on black crime, it's police use of excessive force against blacks." 1. If I had any suspicion that the facts supplied in the video were false I would not have linked it. That is my promise to you. 2. That is true, it cannot explain what you've seen with your own eyes because you cannot be in all places at all times. That's why statistics can be useful, because it can grant us a more complete understanding of an issue rather than isolated incidents; a small sample group can cause a conclusion that a large field of testing would refute. 3. I am assuming that what you have seen over the past several years include a great number of incidents as covered by the media and not necessarily what you have been an eye witness to. I have seen the same. The media continues to cover these stories at an alarming rate. However, as I indicated in item #2, the media is selecting a small sample group of stories which must contain certain parameters for a story to be run. There are currently 485 homicides in Chicago. Most of the victims are black...and unfortunately most of the suspects in those homicides are black as well. To date there have been 6 officer involved shootings which resulted in the suspect being killed. Look at the numbers...485 and 6. And I am not doubting you have not seen this happen to white children...the media doesn't run those stories. Just like them glossing over the 485 victims of Homicide in Chicago. 4. Then this is my misunderstanding and I apologize. I thought the issue was about BLM...to stop the senseless killing of young black men. You state that the issue is excessive force by police against blacks. 485 and 6. The greatest excessive force against black men in the US is perpetrated by black men. That is what BLM means to me. Perhaps BLM should change its name to End Police Excessive Force Against Blacks...that would be a more accurate description of the organization. But if that is the main goal of the organization, then also come to the understanding that the natural result will be that the real cause of why so many young black men are being murdered is not being addressed...and will go on being unaddressed and not fixed...resulting in untold more homicides. If we stopped the 6...we are still left with the 485. Lastly, the pension issue. 1. If you want to tell a police/firefighter candidate that they will have to run into a burning building, run towards gunshots, attempt CPR on an infant only to have that infant die in their arms, to work Homicide crime scenes which involve morbidly decomposing bodies for 5-19 hours at a time, to make notifications to family members that their son lost control of their vehicle and died while trapped and the car went up in flames, attend countless autopsies, hand out moving violations tickets which are proven to make traffic safer for everyone (because everyone is so pleasant when they get a ticket)...and that they can expect to do all this with a 401k and retire at 62...consider what level of candidate you will have apply. And when you call 911...do you want a 60 year old cop/firefighter to show up at your door? 2. Would you apply for the above job for anything less than a pension? Police and Fire do a job that the vast majority of us don't want to do...we want someone else to handle the problem...we don't want the risks that come with the job...whatever the reason...but I would caution that you do not equate Police and Fire as a regular job. They are not. The solace of Police and Fire is that there will be a pension at the end of #1. And if they die, because there is the risk of death or serious injury, that their families will be taken care of financially in their absence. 3. Everyone knows there is a lot of waste in government...let's not lump police and fire into it at the beginning. I am still amazed that politicians who are "fighting for you" in wiping out Police/Fire pensions are the heroes. What they are promising citizens is this... A. We are going to defraud police/fire, we had them do a dangerous thankless job and then we're not going to pay them what was promised. B. Once this were to happen, who in they're right mind would become a police officer/fire fighter in the future? So the promise is the politicians are going to deliver horrible emergency services in the future. C. And after we make all the monetary savings...we will forever be responsible with the public funds (your tax dollars). All these points I have brought up are not to "win" an argument. I don't like having arguments with friends. I do like having open dialogs where we can both express ourselves and convey our beliefs and feelings to one another...isn't that what friendship is about? With that said, please do not look at my points as challenges, rather a conversation. May God Bless you, your family, the United States of America, and all our Brothers and Sisters of the Leaf. Now fire one up!!! Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
  9. You say that you appreciate my post and the five minute video, but then immediately state that it is "only indicative of the largest issue, the effects of the subjugation of a people and the remnants of racial discrimination." Did you watch the video with an open mind? It doesn't appear so. Statistically police officers have a greater chance to die by the hands of a black assailant than killing a black assailant. Statistically young black men are killed in far greater numbers by young black men than police. These are not opinions or anecdotes. Making police the enemy does not fix the problem. If you want less black deaths identify the greatest risk to black lives. I for one would like to see less deaths of young black men...the largest cause...other young black men. Why is the biggest danger to young black men other black men?!?!? I have no idea. Let's find out why and address this as it would afford the most black lives saved. You denegrate Prager University as "a bootleg university of Phoenix, might as well be trump university..." This is patently false. It is an attempt to impeach the witness by falsifying its credentials. Prager University has no connection to either Phoenix or Trump. Your allusion is callous. I can understand your disagreement, but that is not a license to sully or slander an organization you disagree with. "If you want to support making firefighters and police millionaires that's your prerogative." I have yet to meet a single millionaire policeman or firefighter. Politicians are another matter. "We did find a later article from September 2015 in Fortune that estimated Hillary Clinton's net worth at about $30 million. In October 2015, Forbes wrote, "After layering years of disclosures on top of annual tax returns, Forbes estimates their combined net worth at $45 million."Aug 7, 2016" "Politicians who attempt to curb the spending on such pensions are met with severe backlash and several courts have recently found their efforts to do so are illegal. " The reason for this is the courts recognize that politicians entered into a contract with emergency services which both parties agreed to. When the politicians decide they changed they're mind the courts remind the politicians that they entered into a binding contract. If I have a contractor put a new roof on my house for an agreed $x dollars and upon completion of the work I tell them that I will pay them $x - $x dollars the court calls that breach of contract. Politicians lie. They lie to our face and smile. In this instance the courts have called them on it. "Re the socks, I think Kap did in fact limit his criticism to the bad cops." How?!?!? Did his socks have script stating "this is only directed at bad cops." If it did I missed that. Did he clarify the statement of his socks (which he purchased and wore) by saying his particular choice of socks were directed at bad cops?!?!? I consider him a man first...not an African-American. I don't see color. I look at people through the prism of a great Christan Leader...Martin Luther King Jr. "Not by the color of their skin but by the content of their character." I refuse to put words in the QBs mouth. He has ample opportunity to clarify his choice in socks and his actions during the national anthem. If he chooses to denigrate the police...then he should be recognized as holding such beliefs. He is not a child. As an adult he has made a choice. If there is backlash then he will stand firm if he believes his cause to be strong...or he may do one of the hardest things for a person to do...ask himself if he is wrong. "Lastly, as an African American, I and several of my black friends and family members have had to deal with unwarranted racial profiling, stops and detentions with no reasonable suspicion let alone probable cause." If this is in fact true I am sorry. I know of a white couple that were pulled out of their car at gunpoint (including handguns and shotguns) by police officers. They were absolutely horrified at the time...as would be anybody. Afterward they were informed that they were driving a green Honda which matching the description of a vehicle fleeing the area of a serious crime. Wrong place wrong time. The police apologized and let them on their way to the party they were headed to...with an interesting story. Racist?!? No, they didn't match the racial make up of the possible suspects. However, at night it's hard to see into a car and match that up. And cops also know that "Hispanic" may be Caucasian with different lighting. Do I think policemen are perfect? No. But I also haven't met anyone that I've seen walk on water. That is a tough standard to meet. What I am saying in a long way around is black lives matter. Just like everybody else's lives. But let's look at black lives matters as identifying a particular issue. What is the greatest danger to a young black man's life? Let's start there so that we can save the most lives of young black men as soon as possible.
  10. I'm sure the fine folks at the FDA are fearful of the negative health impacts on soldiers in combat zones...hey, wait a minute!
  11. Interesting reading. I was wondering about a few of your points. 1. Police pensions bankrupting state budgets warranting the term PIG. If politicians were responsible with public funds (our tax dollars) then perhaps we wouldn't be experiencing such economic issues. In California, we are building a high speed train system...its starting in Bakersfield (the Govener's legacy project). If police pensions alone were responsible then I see your point. San Jose politicians said there was a need to build a new city hall (the mayor's legacy) which cost $750 million. He has his name on a plaque and we're stuck with the bill. I agree that pensions cost a lot of money...I agree a solution should be found. How bout this, if you work in the government in an air conditioned office you don't get a pension. If you run into a burning building or into harms way and are required to wear a bullet resistant vest as part of your employment you do...otherwise how do you encourage someone to do such a dangerous profession? In my community if you are a two term city council person you get a pension...8 years and bam!!! Every police officer I've spoken to recognizes there is a need to reform to the system...because when they retire they want their pension check to show up and not get an IOU. 2. The socks. He's painting with a broad brush. Bad cops laugh at the socks, good cops are insulted. It would seem to me that if he wanted to promote change he would speak against bad cops and praise the good ones. 3. Cops boycotting is BS. You are correct...and that is illegal. No blue flu. However, police are not required to provide security for a football game. NFL teams contract police officers for security because they are more effective than security guards...but it is not a requirement. If I find out that an employer has an employee that insults me...I can make the choice of not contracting with that company. If anyone has five minutes to spare, you may want to take the time to watch the below linked video from Prager University. Here's hoping for clarity on the subject and working together for solutions that have positive results.
  12. Oh, and about the freedom of speech issue. I appreciate his use of it...not that I appreciate what he has to say. But as the old adage goes...better to keep your mouth shut than to open it and remove all doubt. He HAS removed all doubt.
  13. He is a joke. Although he is becoming a more clever joke. The 49ers as a team had a lot more faith in him in the past. I took a tour of the stadium just after it opened and in a place of prominence in a "club" section of the stadium were three photos. One of him, one of Montana, and one of Young. I was not the one that raised the question but it was raised..."why is he on that wall?" The reply by the tour guide was "because he is one of three QBs to take the team to the Super Bowl." There was grumbling..."the other two won their bowl games...maybe he should be on that wall when he wins one too." The tour guide intimated that that was THE biggest and most repeated complaint he heard about the entire stadium since the tours had begun. This was a year or two ago. it is no secret that 49er fans have no faith in him as a starting QB. He made a stink about Coach Harbaugh and got him out of the organization...as if Harbaugh was holding him back. Now he can't even get close to a bowl game. It is no secret that he doesn't want to play for the 9ers as he's tried to get other teams to pick him up...and they haven't. i imagine this may be a more nuanced approach to get the 49ers to let him go. Even if they did, where is he going? The Canadian league??? I don't think another NFL team would want him...and especially not as a starter. And him making this stink isn't making him any more attractive to other teams. Lastly, when someone can't get the job done and makes a stink over something else...that's called a red herring. It clearly smells like bad fish.

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