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Not directing the below at you @Darrell, you just highlighted why this is a problem which was quote worthy. Not sure if you're inclined to agree with my solutions or not. Our country has avenues for a free market solution to incentivize these players. But they seem to be the last ones anyone wants money to flow down to. Coaches get bonuses for making bowl games, sometimes tiered by what kind of bowl. Kirby Smart got an extra $175k for his this year. You mentioned all the revenue coming in from tickets, sponsors, and I'll add networks and gambling apps. The bowls and networks can allocate some cash to pay for those on the roster at a given bowl game and some on top for winners to give the players something worth trying for. Right now players get some "gifts" that are really trinkets and shiny distractions. They make quick Christmas shopping for players from poor backgrounds who want to send something home to Mama and family, but it's not a lot when you realize how much money is out there. I all but reject the inevitable "scholarship, room, and board is their pay" argument since being in college is almost perfunctory as a checkbox at this point, but I get it. Here's something to consider, though....bowl season isn't part of the academic calendar. Match up their tuition to what's actually done during semesters and you've got everything but bowl season inside times classes are being run. Spring semester covers conditioning program and spring ball. Summer semester covers training camp. Fall semester covers the regular season. There is a financial solution to this. And especially with gambling money out there now, there are enough stakeholders who should want to make these non CFP bowl games watchable and betable events throug financial incentives to the athletes who actually perform in them.

Everything about Jeffery Epstein and how this has played out stinks like Billy Bats in the trunk. If, and I want to emphasize if we get names, the crazy side of me thinks they'll be released because they're expendable, or in some way ticked off certain people who are pulling a lever on a trap door with this. I'm fully believing there are enough names where mutually assured destruction between both parties and enough other titans of industry and government that we won't get anyone truly saucy name dropped here. Eric Weinstein gives a great solo talk about how his meeting Epstein once made him question just how this guy existed in the world he did. It's crazy to think he was some kind of investing nexus, but nobody in the financial world would quote him or hype his returns up. And it makes sense when you realize his investing job would make a great camouflage for someone who used his illicit ways to bribe people. He gets straight checks cut, or payments routed...that's easy to flag and use as evidence. He gets 2&20 for managing your portfolio, nobody bats an eye because that's normal for assets under management. He would snare someone, then coerce them into becoming a client.

Exactly. They're making business decisions. The risk/reward balance is skewed to the point where skipping the bowl games is the logical move. If CFB wants to fix that, they can fix how the players are rewarded for being in an eligible bowl game. And not for nothing, their teammates seem to always be supportive of when someone makes that decision. Same with the coaches, because they know a healthy player who goes to the league is a good recruitment story. Losing that player for a bowl game is worth it in their eyes. Also, just like their coaches.

I'm curious as anyone about how the round actually fired, but it's not hard for me to comprehend given the weapon was on the patient in the machine. These machines are given safety zones in hospitals and imaging centers for a reason. An MRI machine generates a magnetic pull that people without experience really don't comprehend. "The main magnetic field of a 1.5 T magnet is about 30,000 times the strength of the earth's magnetic field. The main magnetic field of a 3T system is 60,000 times the earth's magnet field." https://www.koppdevelopment.com/articels/MRI Safety at 3T VS 1-5T.pdf

SCOTUS generally likes to let lower courts work things out as mentioned. In this case, since it was decided by a three judge panel, I think they would wait until (if) the full appeals court gets the case and makes a ruling before deciding if they want it on their docket. The appeal for a full appeals court hearing has already been submitted. It's worth noting they didn't decide not to take the case, they decided to not stop the law from taking effect. So there's been no ruling from SCOTUS or precedence set on what the law has yet.

Hopefully it's just to say your farewells. She's stopped accepting new work so she can clear out all she has before the end of the year.

Almost four years after getting this solid recommendation, I'm sad to say the wonderful lady who runs this shop is retiring at the end of the month. Found out when picking up a jacket today she worked on for me. I think I had three jackets and as many shirts perfectly adjusted to make me look better than I should.

I agree with the statistics being to the point where not carrying is a perfectly valid frame of thought. I also agree with those who carry anyway because why not, just in case a pistol isn't that hard to carry and won't burden you all that much. The choice matters, but I don't think life can be enjoyed if you're constantly expecting the worst and looking out for it. Carrying a pistol and being ready to react is as far as I'm willing to let the tail wag the dog in my personal life on this.

May our needlessly interfering in conflicts across the globe follow him to the grave.

The phrase "turns into" implies a change in plans along the way. Most political organizations are set up with the grifting aspect being part of the business/operating model. Even sincere ones that want to impact policy make sure someone or a few someones are taken care of along the way.

When an organization becomes a self-licking ice cream cone, it's time to raze it to the ground and start over. The NRA's political clout ain't what it used to be, so this wouldn't be as impactful as some think. Before social media, the gun community needed them to carry the banner, but now, not so much. And it's a shame. This organization probably made shooting more accessible and safer than anyone could when that was the focus. The turn to politics because that's where the money was (maybe still is) diluted a lot of purpose and value. I'd love to see a deep dive into the expenditures by ProPublica...it would probably be worse than we think.

@Luckyforward, it would be good to hear your thoughts here.

Anyone gain something other than confirmation bias with the manifesto portions released?

Legend. Concur it would have been great to see it live.

I know I'm in the minority on this site, but I really don't have an issue with this law. If it's changed, I won't be upset or even care too much...but there are way more important things to give priority and political capital towards achieving.

I'm in the big boy club and have no issues. If you're feeling tight, you may need slightly bigger pants to account for an IWB carry. So, if you're a 42, get some pants in 44 and you'll be fine. As far as belts, check out this brand. https://www.daltechforce.com They make belts strong as you need them, and they look perfectly normal for everyday wear. I've been wearing their Rich Brown Stitched Bull Hide Leather Gun Belt for 6+ years for everything from grocery store trips and business meetings where I have to wear a coat and tucked in shirt.

Aside from knowing how to play a piano and guitar, being able to golf is one thing I wish I'd have picked up over life. I've tried, but I'm just hapless at it. I'd need retire in my 40s money to have the time and cost of lessons. But I enjoy watching it on TV, when others think it's boring as can be.

If you're ever at a steakhouse, scan the menu for lamb. They get fantastic cuts, and they're done really great. I have to think the kitchen realizes they just aren't slinging another the same steaks, and need to be more deliberate...not unlike those that serve venison where you can tell the difference. I was at a business event and found myself in Jean Georges Steakhouse at Aria in Las Vegas. Having the lamb chops with a smoked chill paste was an amazing meal. The chance to have subtle but fantastic differences in flavor profiles opens up with lamb.

For those who aren't familiar with TGO History...

This is probably on target...pun intended. I went in there a few times while moving in Murfreesboro for 3.5 years. It was a decent setup and I didn't have the staff issues others talked about, but I also came in and out with a purpose. I didn't buy much of anything I can remember. Outpost Armory however was rock solid on customer service. I took a friend there who was interested in guns, but still new to it all. She was so well taken care of by the patient and friendly staff she walked out with a Glock 19 and some accessories.

War, huh. Yeah! What is it good for? Absolutely noth...oh wait, yeah, I see it now.

Gents, I would hope we can discuss and share info about one of the most significant events in a generation without getting this thread locked...but at this rate we're heading for the crash. One of the Mods will check in on their lunch break, lament about how this is why we can't have nice things, and shut it down.

I'm expecting more American citizens in this count before it's final. Not only is it a beautiful time of year over there that makes tourism appealing, but I'm sure this number will count dual citizens who divide the year back and forth.

I'm gonna preface this with I hope for no mercy on the Jihadists who made their strikes against civilians in contravention of every standard of decency the civilized world holds. But this is a situation coming to a head. You can't pen up a generation into an open air prison and not expect something. The only thing shocking is the surprise and scope. Palestinians have no hope beyond a bleak existence, and that's been weaponized by external and internal extremists. When someone doesn't have a future, fighting or dying for one is an attractive enough option. The current Israeli government wanted nothing to do with a peaceful solution because it has wasn't good politically. Well, now they've lost their status quo and are being baited into an impossible position of having to prepetuiate as haunting a result as they received. This part will be indirect as war often is to civilians as opposed to how Hamas went direct...but the end result will be civilians with no hope in the crossfire. Even a military as well trained and well equipped as Israel has can't prevent the collateral damage coming while protecting their forces.