foxbat

I wouldn't necessarily lump all of those together. Trump never really pushed the wall until the very end of his first two years and, even then it was more because of mid-terms or reaction to mid-terms. Similarly, with healthcare, there wasn't really a plan with healthcare. Obama had been working on it throughout the first two years, but took too much of a traditional approach to doing it. Frankly, IMO Obama should have been the "dictator" that the GOP claimed he was and said screw it/do it. He tried to do it rationally early on with commissions/panels and that just got tangled up in mess after mess. Eventually, after losing the House, he was pretty much screwed at that point on this ... especially when the option necessary to make it work was turn them all lose, turn them over to foreign holding, or transfer them to mainland prisons. The last of those was killed off by Congress, the middle one was heavily impeded by Congress, including Democrats worried about attachments that had been added to the bills, and the first was never a real option. While not complete, the New Yorker had a really nice, fairly comprehensive piece on the slip-ups and issues at play: https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2016/08/01/why-obama-has-failed-to-close-guantanamo. The Guardian also had a pretty good article on the missteps that Obama had that allowed folks who wanted to keep Gitmo open to be able to pushback and thwart the efforts to close it: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/feb/24/obama-guantanamo-bay-closure-republicans.

Obama signed the executive order to start the shutdown, which was supposed to happen within a year of the executive order, but it never officially ended up being closed down. Even when Obama left office, despite plenty of activity trying to transfer detainees out of Gitmo so that it could be effectively closed down, he still had 41 prisoners that were passed on to Trump who is dead-set against closing the facility. The biggest issue that stood in the way of closing Gitmo was Congressional action that forbid Gitmo detainees from being transferred to mainland prisons. https://www.cnn.com/2017/01/19/politics/obama-final-guantanamo-bay-transfer/index.html

Oh, he's learned already. What he's learned is that whatever he says is truth to roughly 35% of the electorate regardless of the science, facts, or direct visual evidence. Now all he has to do is get them to scream loud enough and offer up a Supreme Court nominee and he's pretty close. The bigger question, and probably more important is, "Will we ever learn?" BTW, while the meme accurately calls out the idea that Trump is lying on both fronts, and in a bigly way, the numbers at the bottom are clearly "played with" for additional effect. The EPFD stated that the arena where Trump held his rally has a capacity of 6,500. They guesstimated, with folks outside watching on screens, that the number might around 10,000 total although they specifically stated that they didn't count the people outside. MSNBC said that the total outside may have been as much as 10,000 - 12,000. NBC and other news sources put O'Rourke's rally at around 7,000 - 8,000; however, Bloomberg reported, based on an EPFD estimate, that O'Rourke's rally drew between 10,000 - 15,000 ... most likely thus the 12,500 number. https://www.politico.com/story/2019/02/12/trump-el-paso-rally-crowd-1164730 https://www.newsweek.com/beto-vs-trump-who-had-bigger-crowd-el-paso-1327514

The road or Katie? Lord, I apologize for that.

So now that a year has come and go, folks are getting a chance to see the implications of the tax cuts. It's looking like, from the individual taxpayer side, it's not turning out like it was expected. https://finance.yahoo.com/news/trumps-tax-scam-some-taxpayers-get-unwelcome-surprise-after-filing-returns-201206749.html?.tsrc=bell-brknews While refunds aren't the whole issue and can be changed by several issues, here's some general observations as I delve into the tedious task of working on my annual taxes. These are specific to my situation ... your mileage may vary: Exemptions are gone. Caused some $28,000+ to disappear from consideration in lowering the taxable income. Yes, standard deduction went up, but only $12,000, so the net impact was more than $16,000+ to the negative ... not including the fact that I always had enough to itemize, so the impact ends up being more. Taxable income is up considerably this year despite making less total income. No changes in any lifestyle issues, etc., with the exception of one more kid in college, outside of the tax cut legislation. Increased tax credits for kids, but not anywhere close to make up for the removal of exemptions. Initial taxes, before deductions/credits was higher than last year despite making less total income. Refund this year will be, in absolute terms, substantially lower despite having an additional kid in college which should have had both the absolute and relative refund increase. Bottom line, at least for me, is I'm not seeing the direct positive impact that was promised and, in fact, are experiencing a negative hit. What I have noticed, in both my own and other anecdotal stories is that, at best, what most folks are seeing is that the paycheck increases that many folks saw was mainly a shifting of part of their year-end liability showing up in their paychecks. In other words, someone who would usually get back $2,400 in a tax refund, may well have seen a $100/month increase in take-home pay, but their refund is likely to end up being $1,200 or less. In other words, they didn't actually get a tax cut; just a tax shuffle. Just curious as to others' experiences.

Look's like it's not just Melania who likes to borrow from former First Ladies ...

You might try the free account first and see if you can still get access to this specific database before plunking down the cash on it. You can always upgrade the account at anytime without losing any data that you've put in prior to upgrading.

Actually, that's more specific to Black Virginians. A related poll shows Virginians split 47-47 with Democrats at 40% to resign and 57% not to resign and Republicans at 56% to resign with 42% not to resign. I would not consider 57% as indicative that the party forgives its own given that, if you ask about other issues facing Democrats, the numbers end up in the 70s, 80s, and maybe even 90s. For example, only 30% of Democrats approved of Trump's SOTU ... which is only 10% difference than those that think that Northam should resign. In another words, 10% more Virginia Democrats think Northam should resign than Democrats who liked Trump's SOTU speech. In related news, that of Virginia Lt. Gov Fairfax, that issue of forgiveness doesn't seem to have foundation as Democrats both inside and outside the state are pushing for Fairfax to resign. https://www.cnn.com/2019/02/08/politics/dems-justin-fairfax-resign/index.html FTA: But now that a second woman, Meredith Watson, has accused the Virginia lieutenant governor of rape, prominent Virginia and national Democrats are not holding back and are roundly calling on the 39-year old African-American politician to resign. He lost a major bloc of support Friday night when the Democratic members of the Virginia House of Delegates and state Senate issued a joint statement calling on him to step down. "Due to the serious nature of these allegations, we believe Lieutenant Governor Fairfax can no longer fulfill his duties to the Commonwealth," the statement read. "He need to addess this as a private citizen. The time has come for him to step down." And in another major moment about an hour later, the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus wrote that its members "believe it is best for Lt. Governor Fairfax to step down from his position." "While we believe that anyone accused of such a grievous and harmful act must receive the due process prescribed by the Constitution, we can't see it in the best interest of the Commonwealth of Virginia for the Lieutenant Governor to remain in his role," the group added. Late Friday night, both of Virginia's powerful Democratic US senators -- Tim Kaine and Mark Warner -- called on Fairfax to resign in separate statements. ... National Democrats also had held off calling for Fairfax to step down after Tyson's allegations. But, like their Virginia counterparts, they have now called on him to leave office. Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey had described Tyson's allegations as "deeply disturbing" and said they "should be thoroughly investigated." But he did not call for Fairfax to step down. After Watson stepped forward, however, Booker ratcheted up his call. "The multiple detailed allegations against the Lt. Gov. of Virginia are deeply troubling," he tweeted. "They are serious, credible, and corroborated by others. It is no longer appropriate for him to serve. He should resign." Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand of New York, after calling for an investigation into Tyson's allegations, said the accusation by Watson was "sickening and horrendous" and should end Fairfax's time as lieutenant governor. "I believe Meredith Watson and Dr. Tyson, and it was extremely brave for them to come forward," she said. "Mr. Fairfax should resign and no longer serve the Commonwealth of Virginia." Sen. Elizabeth Warren, a Massachusetts Democrat, echoed her colleagues' calls. "These credible and troubling allegations from Dr. Vanessa Tyson and Meredith Watson make it clear that Lt. Gov Fairfax should resign. My heart goes out to these brave women and their families," Warren said on Twitter. Former Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper, a prospective 2020 Democratic presidential candidate, also joined the calls for Fairfax to step down. "The Governor feels Lt Governor Fairfax should resign. These allegations are deeply disturbing," said his spokeswoman, Lauren Hitt. Democratic presidential candidate Julian Castro said Fairfax should resign, and reiterated that Gov. Ralph Northam also must go. He tweeted, "Last Friday I called on Gov. Northam to resign immediately. Two days ago I stated that I believe the claim regarding Lt. Governor Fairfax. Tonight, I call on both of them to step aside and allow the great state of Virginia to heal and move forward." California Sen. Kamala Harris joined the call for Fairfax to resign. The Democratic presidential candidate said on Twitter, "The allegations by Dr. Vanessa Tyson and Meredith Watson are corroborated, painful stories of sexual assault and rape. It's clear Virginia Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax should resign his office." Sen. Bernie Sanders, a Vermont independent and a likely Democratic presidential candidate, also urged Fairfax to step down. He tweeted, "I agree with the joint statement from the Virginia House and Senate Democrats. Very serious and credible allegations have been made by two women against Lieutenant Governor Fairfax. He needs to resign."

So Indy Lutheran is out? And Attica? And 2013 state champ Tri-Central? And 2018 runner-up North Vermillion? Phew ... good thing that 2018 state champ and three-time state champ, Pioneer, and seven-time state champ, LCC, have those extra 8 and 7 kids, respectively, hanging around the halls to keep them from having to throw in the towel.

If you have an Ancestry.com account, you can often get access to ship rolls in some wars. Take a look at the following link. https://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=1143

It's not a question of fear ... it's a question of not caring.

Appears to be a hoax enabled by one of Howe's favorite, believable "media sources" Mark Dice and furthered by several others. https://hoax-alert.leadstories.com/3470170-green-new-deal-urine.html For those interested in the details of the actual Green New Deal: https://cleantechnica.com/2019/02/08/heres-the-full-text-of-congress-green-new-deal-resolution-introduced-by-rep-alexandra-ocasio-cortez/?fbclid=IwAR0RXSJZf37BKsu6BHg53lqAuwDs_bdXRugzDrSzsQI9OFJPnE3MuE37Fjk

I don't think there has been serious consideration to abandoning TA's desire to keep it a free site outside of a couple of personalities. There is an annual drive for donations and, to my knowledge, it raises enough or close to enough to never make the serious thought of a pay site enter into the admins' minds. Agreed. You can sometimes see the ebb start as soon as some teams are eliminated from the post-season tourney and many mothball their accounts on Saturday night of the finals; especially if they didn't have a dog in the fight. This is actually the second year that I think I remained active through to this point after the finals, but in the past, when football season was over, my time on GID fell off until usually August of the next season. I spent the better part of at least six years on GID as a seasonal participant that then mothballed the account for about seven months a year.

Ditto ... I've often heard folks quote something from GID and share it with folks in the stands. Those comments range from stats, to general info about teams/players, to direct quotes from GID posters going after each other. It certainly contributes to the bigger community beyond the online community.

My interpretation was that @gonzoron's post had little to do with the 11 year old boy and much more to do with less-than-presidential actions by the President.

Not illegal ... just immoral. 😁

And some days it looks like more than that. Think I found out what I might be doing in retirement.

Not even Thin Mints in the freezer?

Vacillating ...

Another small act of kindness between generations ... this one from older to younger: https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/dad-says-man-bonded-toddler-airport-showed-kindness-compassion-001127653.html FTA: On Saturday, Kevin Armentrout, a public speaker in Las Vegas, wrote a Facebook post about a traveler named Joseph Wright, a field sales manager at Samsung in Oklahoma, who took joy in entertaining his 16-month-old daughter, Carter Jean, at the airport. “Last night, while waiting to board our plane, [Carter Jean] was being her usual inquisitive self wanting to meet and say ‘hi’ to everyone she could, until she walked up on this man,” Armentrout wrote. “He reached out and asked if she wanted to sit with him. He pulled out his tablet and showed her how to draw with it, they watched cartoons together, and she offered him snacks. This wasn’t a short little exchange, this was 45 minutes. Watching them in that moment, I couldn’t help but think, different genders, different races, different generations, and the best of friends. This is the world I want for her.”

Or more insidiously getting you to pay for their cookie skimming ... getting high on their own supply and getting other addicts to foot the bill.

Opportunities for small acts of kindness present themselves every day ... just have to keep an eye out for them: https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/police-officer-films-three-young-men-helping-elderly-woman-street-grandmother-122702539.html FTA: Officer Kenesha Carnegie of the Levy County Sheriff’s Office in Bronson, Fla., was in Williston on Monday when she saw the friends helping Rose Griest, 89, get into her car, which her 100-year-old husband, David, had parked at a gas station. The couple of 20 years stopped to use the restroom on their way home from Perry to Orlando, where Rose had a medical appointment.