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Messages - Wilbur
1
« on: April 10, 2018, 10:44:38 AM »
Well I've been getting my a** kicked the past couple of months. Family stuff, work stuff and more family stuff. My Mom is in assisted living and my sister and i are trying to sell a couple of houselots from her property. But the Town is claiming we need to improve the road it's on as they are claiming it's a "subdivision" (the road has been in place since the late 40' early 50's). Tonight is the first big step with a Public Hearing. I have an 8 page letter with back up exhibits etc. Been working around the clock on it. My sister (who's the real RE expert) is in Italy so the time difference has been a pain- I'm emailing her drafts at 2 AM my time so she can edit etc, then I'm up early to get next drafts done. Total PITA. But if we're successful it will save our Mom a substantial amt of money so worth it. But I would like some time back. Yeesh.
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« on: March 14, 2018, 02:47:50 PM »
it covers his career from start to finish. haha.
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« on: March 14, 2018, 02:44:34 PM »
JR I didn't realize that.....I knew the headlights/grille etc were different. But didn't catch some of the other differences in the sheet metal. Been asleep at the wheel I guess....
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« on: March 10, 2018, 09:39:14 PM »
Ditto the blizzard scat recipe question...
Stlaser if you have difficulties pm me, my son works for Verizon in cell sales
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« on: March 10, 2018, 01:35:05 PM »
I had resisted seeing this for a long time but watched it last night. Overall pretty decent. Obviously Oliver Stone puts his "spin" on it, but I learned a fair amount about Snowden himself which i didn't know. I did read a bunch of "fact check" stuff after which it clarified some of Stone's slanting.
But what I found really enlightening/disturbing (which we knew but this brought it home really powerfully now but I'm sure this wasn't Stone's intention) was all the clips they inserted showing Obama claiming to be for openness and transparency. Then his claims to shut down the spying after the Snowden info came out. Of course we know that was utter BS and he used it all to spy on the Trump campaign. So it was disturbing from that perspective and I again came away thinking thank God Trump won the election or we never would have known the extent of their deceit. Anyway, curious what your guys take is on this if you've seen it. If you haven't I think it's worth a look.
7
« on: March 09, 2018, 10:28:23 PM »
I do wonder what exactly he will be putting in that library for all the same reasons tgat article references. And now that Trump is undoing virtually everything he did while potus it will be a big empty hall as far as I can tell.
Never saw that picture before Koot....sheesh
8
« on: March 04, 2018, 04:50:54 AM »
Sorry to see this, prayers for all dealing with this.
9
« on: March 03, 2018, 02:30:44 PM »
I am with you guys....either way it gets the other side to the table. I think this is purely a move to start discussions so he plants the first flag in the ground where it scares the crap out of the other side. Then they negotiate something that is "fair" and everyone is happy. We're happy as it's much better for the USA, they're "happy" because it wasn't where he planted the first flag. But I like it, start with the most extreme position and negotiate down. You can't go the other way.
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« on: March 03, 2018, 02:26:14 PM »
SMDH
Friggin' idiots.....
11
« on: March 03, 2018, 02:24:50 PM »
Dang that will be nice when it's done. Congrats!! Really great forethought in this. So when it's done I think ya need a RMTS "break in" get together. I'll bring some pig and bourbon!
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« on: March 01, 2018, 04:07:28 PM »
LMAO!!!! Oh MAN! That's some scary.....stuff right there. I had chills.
13
« on: March 01, 2018, 11:40:43 AM »
This will be a long post and I am sorry for that. But I welcome any ideas you guys have and want to include everything that was discussed. So here is what our town meeting covered this week. Overall as I said I thought it was good but most of you have far more tactical knowledge than I ever will so comment freely! I have a good relationship with the schools and our police chief so welcome thoughts, advice, etc. good and bad. My overall premise is that mental health is the issue facing these kids that commit these acts and that while we need society to work on finding a solution to these problems, to only do that means keeping kids at risk while society tries to figure out what's going on, and that is unacceptable. I know for me, I want armed security of a variety of types all over the school, I want a police presence, I want armed guards and I want armed teachers. I also want teachers trained in 1st responder roles to know how to stop bleeding etc. I want "go kits" (for lack of a better term) in every room with the necessary supplies to get through a lock down situation, and also 1st aid stuff (anti-clot etc.). Now is this overkill in a small town of 9,000 people? Sure, the odds are the next kid to die in town will be from a DUI or texting accident rather than a shooter, but as HC posted so well the other day, we have sprinklers in the schools and public buildings not to prevent fires, but to prevent deaths from fires (HC- I have to admit I have stolen your example many times in the past couple of weeks- I think it totally embodies what we all want to see in place). By way of background and to "set the stage", in our town we have K-12 on 1 large campus. There are 4 "schools", K-2,3-5,6-8 grades are three "schools" but are all connected by hallways which are locked most of the time so HS kids cant go into the K-2 etc. (but I am sure there are some doors that are open I'm just not that familiar with that part). The HS is a stand alone school but has walkways to the Middle School which obviously then connects to the others. Kids go back and forth between the HS and Middle school daily as all music events are in the Middle School while some Middle Schoolers come to the HS for certain things. The main entrances to the schools all use a video monitor system and only buzzed in access once school starts. Teachers have a responsibility to monitor the halls when not in class and anyone seen in the halls who doesn't have a "visitor" badge (which everyone gets from the office upon checking in) is walked to the office by the teacher, not just told to go to the office. Also as background our town is a rural town (for MA) but covers 35 square miles and has 9,000 people. There is 1 "highway" that runs through town N-S with almost all the businesses located on that highway or just off it. The school is approximately in the center of town (which I will touch on later as one of my concerns with response times). So the meeting started with a presentation by the Police Chief who is a good guy, typical small town chief, but a pretty aware guy, not a Barney Fife by any stretch. His kids are at the schools. He laid out the basics, the challenges of protecting a sprawling campus and the fact that they can't protect against every situation. He said they have had plans in place since about 1998 (he's been in town iirc 14 years and been chief for 5 or 6?). He said the plans undergo at least an annual review and any time there is an event (like FL) they use reports that come out and stack them against the plan they have in place to look for changes or tweaks they should make. But he said the challenge is to maintain a safe place, but not make the school a prison, which I get. He also reiterated the point that they could put all the resources toward preventing 1 thing (school shooter with a gun) but if the "event" is something different they may find that the plan in place doesn't address that particular issue, so while you prepare for certain things its important to realize that you won't have a plan for every last scenario that can occur. They hired a consultant 7 or 8 years ago who went through the school from a bunch of different perspectives and at all different times trying to find holes in security (climbing onto the roof at night to plant things or try to find open hatches doors, etc.), He said the consultant's report came back with 2 terabytes of info on good, bad, suggestions etc. (these he said specifically he would not be sharing in public but if anyone had questions to come talk to him- which I totally appreciated). He then turned the presentation over the (now former) SRO (School Resource Officer- a full time cop who's sole responsibility is the school). She is back to being a patrol cop as they just hired a new SRO who is a former Marine with two tours in his background (brings me confidence). The SRO is on school grounds from 7-3 (so just before school starts to after the last bus leaves). The SRO works with all the admin- principals, guidance, etc. on anything relating to the kids and discipline, etc. There is a Monday AM meeting every week with all the principals, guidance and the SRO. The SRO reviews all police activity every week (if not more) so is aware of every police call in town (again, small town so probably takes 10 minutes to read all the calls ha!). They are looking for anything that may have an impact to any of the kids in school- it might be the kid themself getting in trouble, but also might be a brother or sister getting in trouble, or a parent having difficulty, anything that might affect the kid the SRO is aware of and brings it up in the meeting so the admin & guidance are aware and pay some extra attention to the child to look for any impacts to them. Fortunately IMO this is one of the benefits of a small town where that type of communication across all lines and all aspects of the town is possible. She said they use the ALICE training program with the schools and all teachers. She said she likes ALICE due to its flexibility where one class may be in lockdown but another class right next to them may need to evacuate. She said the goal is to teach every teacher how to respond to whatever is going on and make the right decision for their class at that point and that those responses may differ for one school versus the other or even, as she said, classes right next to each other. She highlighted the challenges that the school faces in terms of its design and construction. And this sort of went back to the desire to have a school, not a prison, but with that it brings challenges, so in one school (K) every room has a door to the outside whereas the other schools don't. The new HS has a large window in every classroom right next to the door (again, a challenge). But trying to find that balance of a school versus a prison is not easy. They talked about what drills they run with the kids and how to teach different age kids what is and is not appropriate. She said its easier with HS kids as they are aware. But she said when talking to kindergarten kids and explaining they have to listen to the teacher and if the teacher says to run from danger how to do that. She said the kids are taught that "running from danger" is taught a little differently in that they are taught to run zig-zag so "danger doesn't get them" (I have to say this kind of choked me up- I'm REALLY glad little kids are being taught this and being done in an age appropriate way, but what a crappy thing to have to explain to 5 year olds. sheesh). After she finished the Superintendent discussed the mental health items that the administrators and guidance discuss and go over. He discussed the Monday AM meeting that I referred to earlier and looking for anything that may have an impact on a kid. He talked about the importance of having a variety of activities for kids (athletics, band, theater, music, clubs etc etc) so that kids "stay connected". He said the dangers often occur when kids start to feel alienated or ostracized and are alone. He described how any time a kid is eating by themself at lunch the teachers and guidance try to see what's going on and how to help. The schools have tried to have a decent anti-bullying program and by and large I think its positive. I know from my own kids that its not as good as they think it is but its better than not having it and I think they are working on it which is good. He said he decided to not have a principal in the K-2 school and instead hired two guidance counselors to try to identify any issues kids are having early on. He is a typical school superintendent who rose through the ranks from teacher and while his heart is totally in the right place about educating kids he is very much a liberal with all that means (especially here in MA) but I am pleased that he recognizes the importance of school safety and the need to have the police plans as part of the protections the school needs. I just worry that he would poo-poo something due to his liberal bent. But its obvious he listens to the police and they have a good relationship. The presentation part was ended and it was opened up for questions. One of the first was from a long time resident (graduated from the school, all 4 of his kids graduated from there and has 3 grandkids there now) who asked (obviously in response to FL) what the rule was about engagement should a shooter be at the school. It was interesting, the chief had spoken the entire time in a pretty easy going manner, somewhat self-deprecating, in a sort of folksy way which is his manner. But on this question I heard a very distinct change in his tone. He said that there is one rule that every officer on his force has when it comes to an active shooter and that is immediately, before anything else, engage and eliminate the shooter. He said every cop in town (including him) has an AR in the car, a ballistic (not reg Kevlar vest) vest in the trunk and a go bag with extra ammo. He said every single cop in town knows that in this event their job is to get to the school immediately and eliminate the threat. (This last part is one of the concerns I have which I will touch on in a minute). A question was asked about video surveillance and communication with the police station. Every one of the schools has a pushbutton "push to talk" communication to the police station that is on all the time. Currently the school system video cameras are not monitored full time at the police station (everyone in the school admin staff has the ability to see any camera any time on their computers) but the police have the ability to switch it on and "see" the feed any time they want. (We are in the process of building a new police station and he said that might change but he needs to discuss with the school committee and the schools about full time monitoring of the feed before putting it in place). So here are the concerns I have- 1. The Town is too large for only 1 person on the school grounds. Lots of parts of town are 10-14 minutes from the school. With the 3-5 minute timeframe identified by the chief, that is too long. So we need more presence on the grounds itself. 2. The "school" in its entirety is just too large for 1 SRO. I think we need 1 at every school but even better would be 2 at each school. But at the same time, fiscally, I realize this is not likely. So I do think exploring options such as arming teachers makes a ton of sense. This has been a hotly debated topic in town but most of the "anti's" on the subject are your typical liberals who think we need to ban guns all together anyway (as if that some how would help anything?!!!). But fortunately this town happens to be #5 in the state in terms of LTC permits- this tells me two things, one that a ton of the town recognizes the need to be armed, and the police chief sees it as a right as well (Ive talked with him a lot about this and hes funny on this as compared to a lot in MA....he said "Will, those people (against LTC etc) haven't read the Constitution, its everyone's RIGHT! This isn't my decision." So I at least know there is a lot of support for an armed presence and most believe teachers should be part of that. I have read recently about the FASTER program (in Ohio and CO) that trains teachers both in armed training but also medical/1st aid training to help treat wounded (I don't even want to think about FL and the "cost" of the Sheriffs staying outside and then not letting paramedics in....) and I like that approach (I know ALICE also has something similar in the Raider portion of their program). 3. Within the school I would like to see specific things done to protect classrooms. I saw this the other day and thought this could be a positive step: http://dominatesafety.com/ But we also (at least in the HS) have large windows next to every door. I am thinking a metal "storm shutter" could be in place that can be closed securely to cover the window. It could be painted on the inside with white marker paint so as to be a bulletin board when "open". But could be closed as necessary. Anyway.....I'll shut up. This has been too long a post, so I am sorry. But I do welcome any ideas anyone has about what they have seen in their town, or what they see here that deserves another look. Thanks! :)
14
« on: March 01, 2018, 07:51:53 AM »
^^This^^ very nice!! Good for you!
15
« on: February 28, 2018, 08:12:42 PM »
So Shawn's post on dealing with a jerk kid I referenced a town meeting I went to last night in my town where the Police, the school administrators, the fire chief discussed what plans they have on place for protection of the kids. I will go through later and list what our town does in a series of steps (It's reasonably thorough albeit light on armed protection), but I'm on my phone and it would be a pita to try to post the whole thing with my thumbs.
I'm curious what folks are seeing in their towns. I have a good relationship with our chief and he's always open to hearing ideas so love to see what you guys are that is working (or not!) and why?
16
« on: February 28, 2018, 08:03:23 PM »
Yeah times have changed. When my wife was in middle school a kid was harassing her. My FIL went and complained to the principal, the principal said he would handle it. He got two 6th graders to beat the crap out of the kid. Haha. I try to imagine that today.
I think a message to the Dad is warranted and the school system. For all we know the Dad travels, is never home, is a druggie now, who the heck knows. But clearly the kid isn't getting the "guidance" he needs....and the school needs to be aware of it. I'm not a fan of "turning it over" to the school by any stretch, but making them aware of it is impprtant, maybe if the parents wont help then someone in the schools will. I was at a town meeting last night on achool protections and while I will be having further conversations with the Police chief about more armed protection (as I know a number of my friends will be), I was pretty amazed at the amount of coordinated "mental health" attention they are putting forward. (In our school system the SRO (cop) reviews all police reports in town (granted a small town), they look for issues with kids in the school but also the parents, relatives, etc. Then that information is shared at the Monday AM meeting so all the principals and guidance counselors know. Then the teacher is told. And all work to keep an idea on the kid to see if there are any behavior changes that anyone notices. And make no mistake- I dont think it's all effective, but as they say, if it helps 1 kid or stops 1 nad event then it was worth it.
17
« on: February 24, 2018, 01:20:43 PM »
![likebutton :likebutton:](http://real-man-truckworks-and-survival.com/Smileys/default/likebutton.png) Sadly our pols ignore that on a daily basis and have for years. SMH
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« on: February 22, 2018, 08:35:40 AM »
Definitely prayers being sent. Sorry to hear this.
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« on: February 21, 2018, 04:14:27 PM »
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« on: February 21, 2018, 08:48:12 AM »
Great essay/post! Really well said! School board will probably reprimand and fire her
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Well, aren’t we just full of sunshine & lolly pops this morning..... ![tongue :tongue:](http://real-man-truckworks-and-survival.com/Smileys/default/tongue.gif)
^^ HAHAHA
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« on: February 18, 2018, 11:22:27 AM »
Don thank you for sharing that story about the roses. When I have doubts during difficulties, which sad to say I have more than I should, it's stories like this that always humble and re-center me.
Continued prayers for Duane and his family.
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« on: February 17, 2018, 12:07:23 AM »
Oh man such awful news. So sorry to hear this. I am sure as bad as it is to lose so much it must be frightening for everyone too. Prayers said for this family tonight.
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« on: February 15, 2018, 12:24:09 AM »
Anyone note the cost of a 2018 Suburban 2500 HD???...$80K for an LS!!!!!!
What's worse is I don't think it's a 2500....i think all they make now are 1500.....which sucks for sure. No idea why they don't do a 2500 with a Duramax as some have said. It would sell like heck.
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« on: February 15, 2018, 12:09:26 AM »
So awful. I don't get why all schools don't have armed guards/cops at them. So sad.
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« on: February 14, 2018, 06:08:27 PM »
Success! CEE-ment pond holds water!
FIFY!
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« on: February 14, 2018, 09:56:35 AM »
Thanks for posting this HC. I always hate it when I see someone with a flagpole without a light or a tattered flag.
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« on: February 14, 2018, 09:52:50 AM »
Good safety tips there HC....Going to give this to my kids!
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« on: February 12, 2018, 05:42:50 PM »
Glad that worked out for you Don. Knee stuff is no fun (mucho bad experience here), glad the recovery is going well.
30
« on: February 12, 2018, 08:51:50 AM »
Good luck but i think youre smart to plan it all out before you start pulling any wire. Do you have a friend you can send them to for a check to make sure you haven't missed anything?
I don't get what some places do so diagrams can be key. My FIL had tripped a GFCI on an outside outlet in his mfd house. None of the outside outlets had the reset. Fortunately the paperwork provided to him included a full wiring diagram, the reset was in a wall outlet in the MBR....um what? Thank God for the diagram, but no rhyme or reason to my way of thinking. Course I'm no electrician.....and I don't play one on TV. Ha
31
« on: February 11, 2018, 10:35:54 PM »
Had to pave the way for ya Ken! ;)
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« on: February 11, 2018, 11:49:50 AM »
For the color, you have to do some planning. First find the color you really want (but don't tell her). Then start looking at camo designs.....leave brochures around with pictures. Then say you made your decision and tell her that as this is a bug out place you want to keep everything hush hush and quiet so you then show her the camo design so that it won't easily be seen from the air. After she calms down say "well we could do this color....." (the one you wanted to begin with). She'll be do happy you're not going with a camo design she'll say yes.
Lemme know how that works out. Haha.
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« on: February 11, 2018, 11:37:28 AM »
Good thing Mexico's strict gun laws are working so well. The place is nirvana.....yeesh
34
« on: February 09, 2018, 09:28:04 PM »
Damn that's unreal. Very cool. My Dad was involved in a lot if power lines in NE. He said they always hired Indians (feather not dot) to run the wires. Said they were better at the heights. Dunno if thats still the case.
35
« on: February 09, 2018, 09:23:06 PM »
So someone cared about the "net " cost not the BS that "illegals pay some taxes so we should invite them" nonsense. God I get sick of hearing that. Sadly times he changed in CO.....and elsewhere!
36
« on: February 07, 2018, 05:32:04 PM »
That will be really nice when its done!
37
« on: February 07, 2018, 11:07:27 AM »
What about a wood boiler for the hot tub? How often will you be at the site? Not like you have to heat it all the time anyway right? I don't know how fast it would come up to temp but that might be doable.
Please looks really great Charles!
38
« on: February 06, 2018, 09:14:19 PM »
Yeah, some cro-magnon alien in another world will see that thing land and start worshiping it......
Could be a mocie.....The Aliens Must Be Crazy maybe? Really really awesome. I love this for so many reasons....obviously the kicking butt with new tech etc, but also it just shows what motivated ppl can do and prove that the govt is not the "be all and end all" for a lot. I loved what NASA accomplished but every day you guys are taking some of the shine off that rose. Hopefully some other Americans are paying attention. Very cool! Love it!!
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« on: February 06, 2018, 09:58:48 AM »
Agreed. I was hoping for that as well. Can't imagine what it would be like to be in his shoes.
THIS^^^^ SMH
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« on: February 05, 2018, 11:45:57 PM »
I'm guessing prison guards aren't so quick to respond. He'll get his, and it won't be pretty. But it will be deserving.
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« on: February 05, 2018, 08:19:07 PM »
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« on: February 03, 2018, 01:23:00 PM »
Looks good! I'm sure it will produce a lot for you. I agree with testing the soil but it might make sense to wait to see how the soil breaks down and then see what nutrients are lacking.
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« on: February 03, 2018, 10:51:23 AM »
Grand canyon is such an amazing place. Very humbling.
Well we're getting some of that balmy Midwest weather....6 degrees overnight. 10 now. Perfect for pulled pork for tomorrow's game. Ha. No sipping sweet tea in the shade today though.
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« on: February 03, 2018, 10:49:14 AM »
That thing needs wheelie bars! Ha!
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« on: January 31, 2018, 10:54:26 PM »
One of the best SOTU speeches I've ever heard. Just awesome!!
46
« on: January 31, 2018, 12:14:28 PM »
He’s also painting the Libs into a corner - counter their absurd NO RESTRICTIONS demand with down the middle compromise AND include more schemers in the deal and watch them self destruct trying to make people believe it’s a bad deal......
More and more I agree with this cuda. Having seen how the Dems came away from the "shutdown" with egg on their faces for putting illegals over the troops and citizens I think he decided to really go for it. Schumer had wanted 800K, Trump raised it to 1.8MM and now Schumer says no? Unreal. But if he holds firm on the wall, ending chain migration and the visa lottery PLUS has the 12 year path to citizenship and people who break the law get tossed, it could work very well. And Democrats will have a hard time painting 1.8MM as "bad", they will continue to look stupid. I thought he described it well during the SOTU speech last night- that in a negotiation both sides have to give up something to get the deal done. And with Pelosi et al sitting on their hands and scowling at everything I think that bodes well for Trump because he seemed reasonable by offering even more than what the Dems asked for in the first place. And lets face it, all the things Trump wants (the wall, chain migration ending and ending the visa lottery) American citizens want. IIRC the last poll of Americans (not just Republicans) was something like 80% for those things. Newt predicted the Dems will break into two groups- the crazy progressive left group and the "old style" fiscal conservative Democrats. I think there he may be right. The more the left runs people like Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren up the flag pole the more "Independents" will vote Republican, especially given the successes Trump has had. I thought it was pretty amazing all the things he listed off last night. Just a crazy amount of positives. That it all occurred within a year is just unreal. Judges, the economy, companies hiring and bringing $ back to the US, ISIS getting hammered, all in 1 year? Crazy.
47
« on: January 29, 2018, 10:52:45 PM »
So I was sputtering when I saw that Trump had put "amnesty" on the table. But after I calmed down a bit I wondered if maybe Trump was painting the Democrats into a corner much like he did on the shutdown. Let's face it, these guys are politicians and he's been navigating the NY Real Estate market with all the people there is a lot tougher in my mind. So then after seeing the Democrats still screaming racism and thinking they just look like utter fools for complaining about what they wanted I started wondering if Trump was ahead of them again. And then I saw this article on the whole thing: http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2018/01/trumps_goyuuuuge_intheirface_daca_deal.htmlI feel a bit better. Not completely convinced yet but I can see this working to some degree. And if he ends chain migration and the visa lottery system that could be a good thing. And I wasn't aware of what the 12 year path meant but if that comes with "hey, you're out" for any f-ups, I like that idea. And over 12 years it seems to me it will weed out the dirtbag's. What's your take on this.
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« on: January 27, 2018, 01:14:29 PM »
How many virgins do pigs get in heaven? I think you should ask CAIR for the answer. Hahaha
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« on: January 24, 2018, 11:12:55 AM »
Pretty amazing how someone as inept and stupid as the MSM makes Trump out to be can accomplish all this in 1 short year. I asked a liberal friend the other day if Trump is as stupid as you say he is, what does that say about Chuck Schumer and the Dems that he beat them like a rented mule on the government shut down? haha. I love it!
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« on: January 24, 2018, 11:09:21 AM »
I'm sorry that all those bad things happened but I will say that a boat engine suddenly stopping and a bilge pump not working and getting swamped can have pretty disastrous consequences depending on the where and when it occurs. While I am sure the last thing you want to think about is that you were "blessed" by kissing a big fancy yacht when the engine failed, compared to having that happen in the big seas that were out there and drifting in front of a big ship or onto some wave battered rocks, that may have been a blessing.
Hope you find a solution that works!
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