Free speech be damned --- Curt Schilling fired

[Greg Ambrosius]

listen - the 'country' as we knew it, is done. doesn't matter who is president. just rearranging deck chairs on the titanic.

***medical industry is robbing all of us blind
***colleges are ensuring our youth are financial slaves
***pensions will NEVER pay out what they promise (if lucky, maybe 50%). once this one hits widespread, it's nItE NiTe time
***19 TRILLION in debt (not even counting unfunded liabilities)

depression much worse than the first depression is on the horizon. just debating WHEN it will hit, not IF. fuck'n done.

not much you can do, other than stay out of debt. even then, no guarentees

I don't think I've ever posted about politics before, but I can't let this thread go untouched. I'm soooooooo tired of this political campaign trashing our country and hearing folks like Mark say that our country is doomed. Every country in the world wishes they were as bad off as the United States. WE AREN'T DOOMED FOLKS.

Maybe some of you are too young to remember our past. Like the 1960s when our parents thought us young whippersnappers were just rebelious. Bottom line is that we couldn't trust our government and the youngsters were proven right. The country looked to be going up in flames in the 1960s, especially in 1968 when we had civil rights leaders assassinated, presidential candidates assassinated, and political conventions turned into WWE matches. You think the country was better off then? No way.

How about the 1970s when we really couldn't trust the government, even forcing our President to be impeached. Or failing to rescue our hostages. Or seeing our economy going up in flames, to the point where the interest rate was 21%. Serial murderers were all the rage in the 1970s, along with our first terrorist attacks. Check out the video of the Bronx or New York City in the 1970s. You think our country was better off then? No way.

You could go on and on like this with each following decade. Hell, when I bought my first place in 1985 the interest rate was DOWN to 14 1/2 percent. Today it's like 3 1/4 percent. The U.S. was being passed by Japan in technology, auto and other areas. Again, you can go on and on and on. As for the national debt -- which is a MAJOR concern and something that won't be cured as long as we have spineless politicians whose number one job is to get re-elected -- there's been debt every year since the Revolutionary War. Debt isn't good and adding so much debt that the interest rate becomes as big of an expense as Social Security is bad. But again, until we demand a balanced budget how can we possibly start cutting down on the debt? Every year just adds to it no matter which party is in office.

Again, I'm not here to debate the direction of our country because I do think this presidential race should be scary for all Americans. Is this REALLY the best we have to offer as presidential candidates? Really? The Republicans had 8 years to come up with a plan and this was it? Wow, this is such a terrible reflection on all of us. Like, the Baby Boomers really couldn't have produced anyone better than what we have now? Shameful.

Our country can do better. I agree Mark, I'm looking at my latest medical bills from three kids going to get blood tests and I kid you not, it was $2,400. This was blood tests and an office visit with a Thyroid specialist, but really? $2,400? And I have a second child getting ready for college and those two tuition costs will double what I paid for my house. It all sucks, but we aren't doomed. Maybe this two-party system implodes this year. Maybe citizens call for changes in unlimited terms. There appears to be some simple solutions that can definitely improve this stupid political system, which fixes things. A balanced federal budget like the states work under would be a good first step.

We're the envy of the free world. What we need is for citizens to say ENOUGH to the stupidity of our political system. We don't need a politician to make America great again. We need stronger families, better education, better faith, better policies. Americans can make all of that happen by demanding for it.

I sure hope a miracle happens before November, though. I can't stand to watch anymore of this.

Carry on.

[Greg Ambrosius]

As for Curt Schilling, if what he really wants to be is an active Conservative, well, now he has all the time in the world to Tweet what he wants. I mean, after being suspended by ESPN for a month for previously going out on a limb with a Tweet, didn't he think the next punishment would be even worse? I'm not saying what he did was right or wrong, but at the end of the day choose your fights. He chose to be actively political and ESPN chose not to employ him.

We all make these choices every day. I could be let go tomorrow for doing some of the same things. You could be too. We all make decisions and for those who are the public face of corporations they have to be smart when making these choices. He knew what he was doing.

Something tells me he will find a different platform to be on TV and do this job again. If not, well, now he can Tweet anything he wants. That's apparently what he wanted.

[Yah Mule]

Great post, Greg. This country definitely isn't doomed. Millennials, who take a lot of undeserved crap, are overwhelmingly on the right side of most issues. Now we just need to convince them to vote. It's really tough to get young people to line up for anything unless there's a new phone in it for them at the end.

[Gekko]

Wish I shared your optimism Greg; however if I'm reading the tea leaves correctly, bankrupt is bankrupt. What's gonna happen when the majority of people lose their pensions (or a large % of them)? By the way, this is already happening in municipalities/cities around the country. Or when the stock market takes another nosedive, this time permanently?

This economy is a facade. It's like selling a house, looks nice from the outside; however the floors/walls are all termite infested and ready to collapse. The published unemployment number is fraudulent. The published inflation rate is fraudulent. All to keep our confidence level high. We are the sheep.

No politician will do the right thing (stop spending) and open the medical industry up to competition and open pricing. The upcoming depression will be a forced collapse (the worst kind). The tsunami is on the way. Unfortunately, just debating when it will get here.

[Gekko]

We need stronger families, better education, better faith, better policies. Americans can make all of that happen by demanding for it.

This is the "old" america I talked about. That train has left the station and has been replaced with a train that offers free train rides to everyone (thanks Bernie) and refers to everyone as only a human being, gender is no longer mentioned as it might offend someone.

[Bjs2025]

Great post, Greg. This country definitely isn't doomed. Millennials, who take a lot of undeserved crap, are overwhelmingly on the right side of most issues. Now we just need to convince them to vote. It's really tough to get young people to line up for anything unless there's a new phone in it for them at the end.

I hear you. I am a millennial here in central PA and we had OVEREHELMING support for Bernie Sanders in our county. I have never seen so many young people in our community get out and vote. But, didn't quite work out the way we wanted. Either way, I think the Candidate that the party wanted would just be decided at the DNC by super delegates.

[TOXIC ASSETS]

listen - the 'country' as we knew it, is done. doesn't matter who is president. just rearranging deck chairs on the titanic.

***medical industry is robbing all of us blind
***colleges are ensuring our youth are financial slaves
***pensions will NEVER pay out what they promise (if lucky, maybe 50%). once this one hits widespread, it's nItE NiTe time
***19 TRILLION in debt (not even counting unfunded liabilities)

depression much worse than the first depression is on the horizon. just debating WHEN it will hit, not IF. fuck'n done.

not much you can do, other than stay out of debt. even then, no guarentees

Good posting!

Not sure I'm ready to buy a bunker somewhere, with guns & canned goods, but the borrowing against future generations and the spending is completely out ofcontrol and there is no leadership in DC, unless perhaps if Trump gets in, to stop the madness. Medical costs are out of control, Obamacare failed (as anyone with an IQ above their shoe size, or completed at least grade 6 could have told you.). Now you've got Bernie promising free college for all. What could possibly go wrong with that. Agree with you on debt Mark. Live below your means.

[Driver Love]

listen - the 'country' as we knew it, is done. doesn't matter who is president. just rearranging deck chairs on the titanic.

***medical industry is robbing all of us blind
***colleges are ensuring our youth are financial slaves
***pensions will NEVER pay out what they promise (if lucky, maybe 50%). once this one hits widespread, it's nItE NiTe time
***19 TRILLION in debt (not even counting unfunded liabilities)

depression much worse than the first depression is on the horizon. just debating WHEN it will hit, not IF. fuck'n done.

not much you can do, other than stay out of debt. even then, no guarentees

I don't think I've ever posted about politics before, but I can't let this thread go untouched. I'm soooooooo tired of this political campaign trashing our country and hearing folks like Mark say that our country is doomed. Every country in the world wishes they were as bad off as the United States. WE AREN'T DOOMED FOLKS.

Maybe some of you are too young to remember our past. Like the 1960s when our parents thought us young whippersnappers were just rebelious. Bottom line is that we couldn't trust our government and the youngsters were proven right. The country looked to be going up in flames in the 1960s, especially in 1968 when we had civil rights leaders assassinated, presidential candidates assassinated, and political conventions turned into WWE matches. You think the country was better off then? No way.

How about the 1970s when we really couldn't trust the government, even forcing our President to be impeached. Or failing to rescue our hostages. Or seeing our economy going up in flames, to the point where the interest rate was 21%. Serial murderers were all the rage in the 1970s, along with our first terrorist attacks. Check out the video of the Bronx or New York City in the 1970s. You think our country was better off then? No way.

You could go on and on like this with each following decade. Hell, when I bought my first place in 1985 the interest rate was DOWN to 14 1/2 percent. Today it's like 3 1/4 percent. The U.S. was being passed by Japan in technology, auto and other areas. Again, you can go on and on and on. As for the national debt -- which is a MAJOR concern and something that won't be cured as long as we have spineless politicians whose number one job is to get re-elected -- there's been debt every year since the Revolutionary War. Debt isn't good and adding so much debt that the interest rate becomes as big of an expense as Social Security is bad. But again, until we demand a balanced budget how can we possibly start cutting down on the debt? Every year just adds to it no matter which party is in office.

Again, I'm not here to debate the direction of our country because I do think this presidential race should be scary for all Americans. Is this REALLY the best we have to offer as presidential candidates? Really? The Republicans had 8 years to come up with a plan and this was it? Wow, this is such a terrible reflection on all of us. Like, the Baby Boomers really couldn't have produced anyone better than what we have now? Shameful.

Our country can do better. I agree Mark, I'm looking at my latest medical bills from three kids going to get blood tests and I kid you not, it was $2,400. This was blood tests and an office visit with a Thyroid specialist, but really? $2,400? And I have a second child getting ready for college and those two tuition costs will double what I paid for my house. It all sucks, but we aren't doomed. Maybe this two-party system implodes this year. Maybe citizens call for changes in unlimited terms. There appears to be some simple solutions that can definitely improve this stupid political system, which fixes things. A balanced federal budget like the states work under would be a good first step.

We're the envy of the free world. What we need is for citizens to say ENOUGH to the stupidity of our political system. We don't need a politician to make America great again. We need stronger families, better education, better faith, better policies. Americans can make all of that happen by demanding for it.

I sure hope a miracle happens before November, though. I can't stand to watch anymore of this.

Carry on.

I have to admit this post brightened my day some. It did give some perspective. We have this notion that things were always better in the past (it comes up in sport often when we try to compare stars or the style of play from different eras). For those who were not there in the 60's, 70's and 80's many don't understand that at times our nation seemed to be in a bad place too. While Greg makes some great points and offers perspective that certainly offered some peace of mind I will say this. When I talk about our nation spiraling downward or headed down a dark dangerous path I am talking mostly about socially and culturally. Not so much about tax rates or health costs (as a recent cancer patient I could tell horror stories about my bills) or debt (though those issues obviously concern me always too). I just feel we are losing a sense of civility and humanity in this country. In this constant effort to appease everyone's every whim, need or desire, we are losing a sense of limits, expectations on behavior, respect for our fellow man, etc. It seems anything goes. If you dare question anything you are attacked for it and that silences speech. I see how the internet age, social media age and hand held device age have profoundly changed our culture and the world our young people are developing themselves in and our leadership and governing rules of society are always well behind the innovations that can so profoundly impact things. Think about how cell phones/texting and driving has destroyed families in this country. We just weren't ready for it. This transgender thing is just one example of many that can be brought up and back to the original point of the topic, though I have never been a Schilling fan I think he makes a fair point and in a free society he should be allowed to express it without a major organization firing a guy and stating "we are getting rid of this guy because WE are "tolerant" and "inclusive" even though we are too stupid to see our very actions here prove we are not "tolerant" or "inclusive" of the view of Schilling or anyone else who might be uncomfortable with a man in a dress and wig using bathrooms and changing rooms with our adolescent daughters." Now if behind the scenes he was told not to make public political statements or he could lose his job that is different and that should have been the statement from ESPN. Not the "we are tolerant and inclusive" lie. I see standards getting lowers in terms of how we treat each other, how people drive, the kind of customer service we get (NFBC a beacon bucking this trend), etc. So while Greg makes some great points about that sense that things weren't always better in the past, there are areas where I think America is headed downward culturally and socially. This is not to say we were perfect socially or culturally in the past so I do want to mention that too.

[BK METS]

Very good post driver. Bottom line is, this country is definitely different than when we were kids. Some things have improved, some have gotten worse. My biggest issue with today's America is, we have gone from "Land of the Free and home of the Brave" to "Land of the randomly censored and home of the easily offended."

[Donacion]

Had to post this one of my favorites

The children now love luxury. They have bad manners, contempt for authority; they show disrespect for elders and love chatter in place of exercise.

Socrates

[Yah Mule]

Very good post driver. Bottom line is, this country is definitely different than when we were kids. Some things have improved, some have gotten worse. My biggest issue with today's America is, we have gone from "Land of the Free and home of the Brave" to "Land of the randomly censored and home of the easily offended."

People have always been easily offended. Just a different herd of sacred cows nowadays. Our generation and the one before us can evolve with the times or spend our final days wailing from the tar pits.

[Yah Mule]

People have fond memories of the past not because it was so great, but because it's great to be young. That's what people are really romanticizing when they get nostalgic.

[Atlas]

listen - the 'country' as we knew it, is done. doesn't matter who is president. just rearranging deck chairs on the titanic.

***medical industry is robbing all of us blind
***colleges are ensuring our youth are financial slaves
***pensions will NEVER pay out what they promise (if lucky, maybe 50%). once this one hits widespread, it's nItE NiTe time
***19 TRILLION in debt (not even counting unfunded liabilities)

depression much worse than the first depression is on the horizon. just debating WHEN it will hit, not IF. fuck'n done.

not much you can do, other than stay out of debt. even then, no guarentees

Just a clarification...as I see it...

The "medical industry" is a broad stroke.
More specifically, as a health care provider, I would look to the health insurance industry-- which seems intent on making obscene profits--and big pharma, who makes profits on us being in poor health and has no motivation to see us make better strides to prevent or avoid illnesses.

If we avoid cigarettes and other cancer causing agents, or eat and exercise to avoid heart disease or diabetes..they make no money.

The small medical professional is struggling to keep up with the general work population. There is no longer incentive for our brightest minds to enter the medical field. Our healthcare quality is going to hell in a hand bag and the next generation will see worse.

So the "medical field"..and I interpret that as directed at the family GP, hospital surgeon, or small town specialist, is not robbing us blind. Quiet the contrary. They (we) have been taking huge hits to the point that professionals are closing their doors. I have colleagues forced out of their chosen profession after a lifetime of service. A lot have transitioned into teaching, because, believe it or not, its the only way to pay their bills.
Sad.

[Gekko]

The only thing Joe Consumer knows is that when he takes his kid to the dentist for a checkup/cleaning and it costs over $150, there is a problem. Or Greg's story about blood tests costing $2,000+.

Why don't medical providers list their services along with their pricing? This goes for doctor's, hospitals, etc. they get away with it because politicians let them. Imagine signing a contract to buy a house AND THEN finding out how much it costs!! Outright bullshit. Ridiculous

How about people on obamacare? Get to keep your dr and your plan? How are your insurance premiums doing? How about that deductible you have to pay EVERY year. LOL

Everything is in place to bankrupt 99% of the population, beginning with health care costs and then pensions going poof. Over time, all of your money/equity will be extracted from you. Get ready for a "right to breathe" tax

[Greg Ambrosius]

Everything is in place to bankrupt 99% of the population, beginning with health care costs and then pensions going poof. Over time, all of your money/equity will be extracted from you. Get ready for a "right to breathe" tax

Just when I thought you were a glass half empty guy and I was a glass half full guy, I find out you are a 99% glass empty guy! I'm sure glad that I'm not as pessimistic on these things as you are. It's gotta be a hard way to live.

The world's largest economy isn't going bankrupt tomorrow or likely in our lifetimes. Now as a government employee, yeah, I'd be worried about the pensions too. Some of those were set up to help those in charge at the time with no care on what they cost taxpayers through the duration of the pensions. But the end of our economy is not at hand.

Lots of work to do, but far from doomsday. Take your mind off these things by winning some fantasy baseball leagues. It will extend your life span.

[Roger Dorn]

yeah, because the "left" hates veterans.

+1

[Roger Dorn]

The only thing Joe Consumer knows is that when he takes his kid to the dentist for a checkup/cleaning and it costs over $150, there is a problem.

Problem, how?

[NorCalAtlFan]

People have fond memories of the past not because it was so great, but because it's great to be young. That's what people are really romanticizing when they get nostalgic.

exactly. a lot of "get off my lawn!" mentality.

i'm just glad Hillary will be able to continue keeping the train on the track

i mean, errr, get rid of all politicians except the ones that share my exact self interests/beliefs

[NorCalAtlFan]

The only thing Joe Consumer knows is that when he takes his kid to the dentist for a checkup/cleaning and it costs over $150, there is a problem.

Problem, how?

right! $150 for a cleaning? damn, i'm moving to PA! i mean, wait, i hate the east coast. hmmm, i guess i'll pay my CA rates.

[Roger Dorn]

People have fond memories of the past not because it was so great, but because it's great to be young. That's what people are really romanticizing when they get nostalgic.

Best post of the lot...life has always been tough, Its not just you and your generation. We're miles ahead of where our grandparents were. Being about to talk about social issues freely, gasp..over the interwebs, is a luxury our farmer ancestors would kill for. Let alone on a board dedicated to a trivial hobby.

[Gekko]

The only thing Joe Consumer knows is that when he takes his kid to the dentist for a checkup/cleaning and it costs over $150, there is a problem.

Problem, how?

right! $150 for a cleaning? damn, i'm moving to PA! i mean, wait, i hate the east coast. hmmm, i guess i'll pay my CA rates.

It sounds like where u guys live, you're getting "extracted" at a quicker rate.

And $35 for a 1 minute fluoride treatment where it brushed on the teeth

[Gekko]

Greg - I try not to think about it too much. This thread brought it out of me.

I'll leave you with this...
1. I've been telling my teenager that there is no good reason whatsoever to get a credit card. Ya, I know, "build your credit". F that shit.
2. Go to college only if you can get a quality education AND graduate with no school loans. This requires my kid to actually work at a job.
3. Don't trust the government (or most people FWIW)

Bought into all of them and i couldn't be more proud

[Gekko]

LOL. Forgot to mention. Dentist highly recommended bite wings X-rays to help them see if there were any cavities between my youngest kids teeth. My thought, do your damn job. Don't submit my kid to additional radiation AND have us pay for it (triple digits per X-ray) because you'd like to take the easy way out. When I told him we are going to "pass" on the X-rays, he looked at me like a deer in headlights. Like he never heard no before from a patient. He said they'd mark it down in the chart for next time. No chance fucker!

[Atlas]

. Don't submit my kid to additional radiation AND have us pay for it (triple digits per X-ray) because you'd like to take the easy way out. When I told him we are going to "pass" on the X-rays, he looked at me like a deer in headlights. Like he never heard no before from a patient. He said they'd mark it down in the chart for next time. No chance fucker!

Mother brings 12 year old dancer/daughter in my office for low back pain. After a week I recommend x-rays. Mother takes the same approach you did. Left my office. Got talked into it by another professional. Guess what? Fractured spine.

[Gekko]

. Don't submit my kid to additional radiation AND have us pay for it (triple digits per X-ray) because you'd like to take the easy way out. When I told him we are going to "pass" on the X-rays, he looked at me like a deer in headlights. Like he never heard no before from a patient. He said they'd mark it down in the chart for next time. No chance fucker!

Mother brings 12 year old dancer/daughter in my office for low back pain. After a week I recommend x-rays. Mother takes the same approach you did. Left my office. Got talked into it by another professional. Guess what? Fractured spine.

BIG difference, My kid was not complaining of any pain.