13 hours ago, ToastJenkins said:

Respect is earned and must be re-earned constantly

Totally agree, so what has this country done to constantly earn my respect?

2 hours ago, EaglePhan1986 said:

More like those wanting a dictatorship and those wanting communism 

Manichaeism at its finest.

19 minutes ago, McMVP said:

I just got a Traeger Timberline and I’ve been wanting to try the reverse sear with it and the Weber Genesis I have right next to it for the final step.  That looks fantastic!

Oooo nice!  Fair warning I did screw up my first one so it's not fool proof. But since figuring it out it's now my go-to for any thick cut steak. 

13 hours ago, BigEFly said:

I am pretty much done discussing saluting the flag and standing for the anthem.  You do what you do, I do what I do.  

So let me share what I have done.  I talked with our mayor, who represents my community on the police commission and have a message to the other councilman on our commission to determine if we have a policy on physical restraint and use of force.  Both are researching it.  I have shared my thoughts on this with them and will with the Chief, if necessary. I will attend a Commission meeting and a Council meeting if necessary.   I have written to both my  state representative and state senator as well as Governor Wolf’s office to determine if the State Police have a policy and if so what it is.   I also shared my thoughts on what it would be.   I will hear from Mike and Kristin or their staff and probably get some response from Wolf’s office.  

I get all three’s newsletters plus my Congressional Representative’s and our Senators.  I follow and read pending bills of interest to me, let my legislators know what I think on them and also offer input on areas of interest to me.  I have met personally in the past with my state representative and senator.  I attend their town halls and virtual town halls. I would do the same with my Congressional Representative but he hides from his constituents.  I am viewed as a member of the community.

I support your right to protest or voice your position however you choose. But my folks taught me, if you aren’t part of the solution, you are part of the problem   I do not believe my country is always right but I will continue to try to make it better   I am proud of a lot of what we have done  

 

 

Totally agree. My folks taught me the same. For me saluting the flag that represents a country that no longer is in line with my values or its original intended values of freedom liberty and justice is part of the problem.

Not all if us can be social justice warriors some of have pressing responsibilities and do what we can in the lane we are in. My lane as of now is not saluting a flag, it dont do do it to change the world i do it so the world doesnt change me.

I commend you for your efforts in your community towards positive change i believe in the power of people doing positive moral things to bring forth positive moral change and support and encourage you in your efforts to continue to inspire positive social change!

 

20 mile bike ride this morning. Mowed and weed eated the yard when I got back. Leftover pizza for lunch in a few minutes. Then it's Yuengling and a nice Romeo v Julieta cigar on the deck time! Being done with excercise and chores by lunchtime is a benefit of being an early riser. 

I think Kap needs to be given an immediate starting job for the cowboys so we can end this once and for all by week 3

4 hours ago, greend said:

You really have trouble reading and comprehending a post? That said and I'm serious on this and hate to say it. But maybe you should sit down and make a list of things you don't like and things you do about America and if you feel the good things don't far outweigh the bad ones and you feel that the bad ones will never change. Then maybe you should think about relocating for your own happiness and well being. 

Now please this will be my last post on the matter for a while at least. We have debated this enough in here.

I love living here and fully realize that it's not perfect I believe that the country continues to grow in the right direction in some ways but maybe the wrong way in others.  But it's not finished and it will probably never be a utopia. Nothing on this earth will ever be a utopia. 

Thanks for the debate and I seriously hope the turmoil the country is going through is effective in making a positive change. 

if i leave this country who will be left to fix it😉

Ive lived in different countries ive weighed the benefits and cons of living in America compared to others.

On global happiness scales US ranks pretty low comparatively 

What US is great at though is imprisoning and jailing its own citizens. Number one in the world woohoo!!!😒 we are number one in military spending more than the next 10 countries combined spend on military. Were number 1 in bombs dropped on other countries, yipee!!! were number 1😒 were number 1 in firearms per citizen, i guess with all the bombs we drop on people and throw in jail we need guns😒 were number 1 in health care, which should be a positive but we get worse health outcomes than many countries that spend far less due to excess administrative waste😒 

We are also the richest country in the world yet 1 in 5 children in the US is food insecure 40 million people are uninsured or underinsured more and more people are becoming homeless as the middle class shrinks,80 percent of that wealth is controlled by 10% of the population i could go on and on, on the plus side,i can choose to not salute the flag without threat of death or imprisonment so thats nice.😉

Like i said ive got a list but i appreciate you looking out i really do. I have certain circumstances in my life that dont allow me to live in another country or i would have moved back to NZ along time ago.

22 minutes ago, greend said:

20 mile bike ride this morning. Mowed and weed eated the yard when I got back. Leftover pizza for lunch in a few minutes. Then it's Yuengling and a nice Romeo v Julieta cigar on the deck time! Being done with excercise and chores by lunchtime is a benefit of being an early riser. 

I need to get in that groove.  I did my cardio but yardwork is staring me in the face.  I was up at 7 but got sucked in to the usual nonsense of reading stories online and news.  I need to detox in the worst way to avoid the poison. 

In the grand scheme of things, regular Joe's like you and I have one voice and that's when we vote.  Our politicians, major brand companies, media outlets, athletes, celebrities and those who blindly follow the current trends will decide our immediate reality.   That's the honest to goodness sad truth.  

1 hour ago, bpac55 said:

It's ridiculous.  His teammates sure got to him and now he has the pedal to the metal to "make it right".  He shouldn't have to that's the problem but like you said, if not then he's a racist. 

There is no doubt there is racism in our country.  No one is denying that.  What's funny is the true racists (KKK and related groups) from what I have seen have been totally silent.  I haven't read one article or seen one news story talking about any alt-right groups out there causing trouble or voicing their anger towards blacks.  There was the original media claim that they were the ones looting but we know that's not true.   Disclaimer...I do not support ANY of these organizations, I'm just writing an observation relating to what's happening right now.

No, what I see out there are white people who aren't racist trying to speak for the black community, thus taking the voice away from the black man and putting the spotlight on whites.  Look how great we are!!! We are white and we love black people.  It's becoming all for show now.  I've watched countless videos of white people kissing, yes kissing the boots of black men asking for forgiveness.  Mass groups of white people kneeling before blacks.  At first I saw it as a small sign of respect.  A police officer laying down his weapons to walk arm in arm with his brothers.  Great message.  But that isn't what it is anymore.  Now it's turning all about the white people.

Now look at the following:

LEGO has pulled all of their police sets because they could be offensive.

This sends a bad message if you ask me.  What this is saying is ANY image of the police is racist.  All cops are racist.  The more we spread a message that all cops are racist the more hate that will brew for them.  The more hate people have towards police will cause a lack of respect.  That  lack of respect will then cause people to not listen or act out to police.  This will then cause the police to have to take further action which soon enough will turn in to another death.  And we are back to square one.

What LEGO should do is keep selling police kits, add black figurines to their police force (if they haven't already) and then donate all proceeds from their police sets to further officer training. Give kids something to aspire to be.  Make them want to be the change.  They are doing the opposite.  Police bad.

Should children no longer want to be a police officer when they grow up?  That's the message that's being sent out if you ask me.

 

We have to ask ourselves what is the end game?  What's the goal?  100% racism free United States?  Safer, no racist police?  Equality across the board?  Reparations?  I ask this because we are being told to listen.  I'm listening to a lot of the voices out there and none of the messages are the same.  

 

 

I think you are overreacting a bit.   

26 minutes ago, DawkinsOwnage03 said:

I think Kap needs to be given an immediate starting job for the cowboys so we can end this once and for all by week 3

whether intentional or not, your post brings up something I was thinking about last night.  The response to Goodell's statement was laced with comments about why Kap wasn't brought up, and now he HAS to get a QB job in the NFL?  Okay, how far is the league supposed to go with this?

Say Goodell bows to public pressure and behind closed doors canvasses a team to bring him in and sign him to a contract.  What happens if he's cut in training camp because he's not very good?  What happens if a team can't even come to terms on a deal because he wants starting QB money?  Will people finally realize that there are other reasons he's not a starting QB in the NFL anymore?

40 minutes ago, justrelax said:

Manichaeism at its finest.

I think he was reacting to the comment about the choice between a dictatorship and democracy with regards to Germany. There is some accuracy in the statement as the National Socialists and the Communists were heavily involved in the political scuffle of Germany in the 20s and 30s. 

2 minutes ago, BigEFly said:

I think you are overreacting a bit.   

What's the overreaction?  I'm just putting thoughts on paper per say trying to make sense of it.

The LEGO issue?  Maybe that might seem like an overreaction but here's how I look at it.  Let's compare Lego to Air Jordans.  Black people have died over fighting for a pair of Air Jordans.  Have they ever pulled the sneakers off the shelf?  NOPE.  Did those lives matter?  The only shoe Nike ever pulled off the shelf was the Air Max 1 with the Betsy Ross flag on the heel.  Why did they pull that shoe off the market?  You guessed it....racism.  

Jordan Brand is donating $100 million to different causes because of all of this and that's great but I would love to know what that money will actually be used for.  Why didn't they donate a single penny or make any statement when black lives are lost because of a shoe they sell?

 

 

42 minutes ago, Utebird said:

Totally agree. My folks taught me the same. For me saluting the flag that represents a country that no longer is in line with my values or its original intended values of freedom liberty and justice is part of the problem.

Not all if us can be social justice warriors some of have pressing responsibilities and do what we can in the lane we are in. My lane as of now is not saluting a flag, it dont do do it to change the world i do it so the world doesnt change me.

I commend you for your efforts in your community towards positive change i believe in the power of people doing positive moral things to bring forth positive moral change and support and encourage you in your efforts to continue to inspire positive social change!

 

I am not a social warrior but my wife and I both have a history of service to our community.   This country is never going to be 100% aligned with my values but it sure comes a lot closer than most of the alternatives and does afford us opportunities to make it better.  I believe that most people are good.

47 minutes ago, greend said:

20 mile bike ride this morning. Mowed and weed eated the yard when I got back. Leftover pizza for lunch in a few minutes. Then it's Yuengling and a nice Romeo v Julieta cigar on the deck time! Being done with excercise and chores by lunchtime is a benefit of being an early riser. 

Damn, put me to shame.  I weeded the gardens, buckets and planters.  I am staring at the lawn and using the excuse it needs to dry a bit more before I venture forth with the mower.

3 minutes ago, BigEFly said:

Damn, put me to shame.  I weeded the gardens, buckets and planters.  I am staring at the lawn and using the excuse it needs to dry a bit more before I venture forth with the mower.

Only thing that drives me is getting it done so I can goof off.🤣

34 minutes ago, Utebird said:

if i leave this country who will be left to fix it

But are you?  Each journey begins with a single step.   Worried about food distribution?  Volunteer at the local food bank or a local homeless shelter.   If you have kids, take them with you.   Education,  tutor or join the PTA.  Criminal justice and voters rights?  Join the ACLU and volunteer with them.  Try being a juvenile counselor or community mediator. Nothing better than a Habitat build.  Government spending?  Get involved in local government in volunteer positions.  Maybe run for a local office.   I can tell you more about zoning laws, wellhead protection, EDUs and sewage treatment, funding and guiding a local police department etc. than I had knowledge of before doing so.   I did all this while holding a sixty hour a week job that required a lot of travel and active involvement with my kids day to day lives while being a coach and scout leader and VP of our local regional recreation board.  We can all make time for just a little participation.  Take that step.  

23 minutes ago, greend said:

Only thing that drives me is getting it done so I can goof off.🤣

Only thing that drives me is getting it done before the heat of the day comes.  Summer is finally here, I can feel it by the humidity rising... the air is thick now.

 

I do chores outside before 10 or after 7 now.  I do go out and check on the veggies and pull some odd weeds here or there as I get stir crazy sitting inside.  But those are 5-10 minute intervals.  It also lets me not need to put on sunscreen constantly.  My delicate skin can't handle full midday sun... I am a delicate flower.  

You conclude that not doing certain things or doing certain things get you called a racist. I doubt that.   It is not all about white people.  It is about leveling the playing field by giving others a hand up and not judging others by race, creed, religion, gender, sexual, orientation Etc.  Some of your comments boarder at the level of being anti affirmative action because of perceived reverse discrimination.  I think that is an overreaction and seems a little fearful of a backlash.  

39 minutes ago, greend said:

Only thing that drives me is getting it done so I can goof off.🤣

I slept five hours a day from when I was in college while working full time until I retired.  I try to sleep eight hours now.  Managed seven last night.  But you are still working so i understand the value of the weekend time off for you.

Couverture or coverture laws.  Look it up.  At some point the women in our lives are going to want to discuss their impact on gender inequality. 

39 minutes ago, BigEFly said:

But are you?  Each journey begins with a single step.   Worried about food distribution?  Volunteer at the local food bank or a local homeless shelter.   If you have kids, take them with you.   Education,  tutor or join the PTA.  Criminal justice and voters rights?  Join the ACLU and volunteer with them.  Try being a juvenile counselor or community mediator. Nothing better than a Habitat build.  Government spending?  Get involved in local government in volunteer positions.  Maybe run for a local office.   I can tell you more about zoning laws, wellhead protection, EDUs and sewage treatment, funding and guiding a local police department etc. than I had knowledge of before doing so.   I did all this while holding a sixty hour a week job that required a lot of travel and active involvement with my kids day to day lives while being a coach and scout leader and VP of our local regional recreation board.  We can all make time for just a little participation.  Take that 

 Reading your posts throughout this discussion has made a strong positve impression on me. 

Your attitude, willingness to learn and your language is something the world needs more of. 

Thank you for sharing. Thank you for everything you have done to help improve. Most importantly(to me) thank you for inspiring me to do more. 

 

1 hour ago, BigEFly said:

I am not a social warrior but my wife and I both have a history of service to our community.   This country is never going to be 100% aligned with my values but it sure comes a lot closer than most of the alternatives and does afford us opportunities to make it better.  I believe that most people are good.

I agree, i believe every person has good in them. Somewhere along the line we lose it, some more than others, some much less, some never find what was lost some do, 

Currently my wife is really involved in the community and has a larger platform to do so than I,I have other responsibilities to my family to attend to and that is my current Lane.

And i agree we are afforded opportunities to inspire positive changes.

 

5 hours ago, HazletonEagle said:

Nope. That's not the video that shows it.  You're wrong. And also not helpful.  Nice ASSumption mr officer.

Huh?  Which is why I said link your video. Go ahead- I’m sure it’s no problem, right? If you’ve seen it it must be public so why not just post it as I said instead of ignoring everything and going personal and wrong. I made no assumption. I asked a question, told you the common wisdom on this, and asked you for a link. So where is your link?  
 

2- I’m not an officer as I explained

3- after everything you posted yesterday you’re going to start telling me I’m wrong and not helpful?  
 

4-  still waiting for that link....

 

I’ll also open it up to the board, with everything we’ve all been reading has ANYONE seen this video that @HazletonEagle claims "undeniably” show him resisting arrest?  I’d like to see a link. 

1 hour ago, BigEFly said:

But are you?  Each journey begins with a single step.   Worried about food distribution?  Volunteer at the local food bank or a local homeless shelter.   If you have kids, take them with you.   Education,  tutor or join the PTA.  Criminal justice and voters rights?  Join the ACLU and volunteer with them.  Try being a juvenile counselor or community mediator. Nothing better than a Habitat build.  Government spending?  Get involved in local government in volunteer positions.  Maybe run for a local office.   I can tell you more about zoning laws, wellhead protection, EDUs and sewage treatment, funding and guiding a local police department etc. than I had knowledge of before doing so.   I did all this while holding a sixty hour a week job that required a lot of travel and active involvement with my kids day to day lives while being a coach and scout leader and VP of our local regional recreation board.  We can all make time for just a little participation.  Take that step.  

Why do you assume i havent served in my community or done or do any of the things mentioned above?

Just because i dont salute the flag doesnt mean im just sitting around my house not saluting the flag.

Will the Eagles begin Training Camp on July 21st?  I was watching Wentz highlights from last season while listening on youtube to Bob Seeger, Cat Stevens and Joan Armatrading.  My go to at night when the wife goes to bed early on a Friday is Eric Lindros highlights with X and Pleasure Venom, The Stooges, etc.  As usual, watching successful Eagles plays got me pumped.  Early in the season, Alshon was pretty good in the red zone, and he can get open in tight spaces.  So, with my high still intact these are the players I'm excited to see in training camp:  Everyone!

Obviously all the new receivers and JJ

Edwards at LB

Adrian Killins  - his speed is eye opening.  He just runs away from guys.

Dillard, Mailata, Slay, Robey, S. Jones, Wallace, Hurts, Hargrave, Malik Jackson and Josh Sweat

I am ready