8/11/18 - PGA Championship. Watching and I can't get enough Tiger Woods. When Woods hit the scene, it was amazing. But I then went into phase where all I could do was root against Tiger. Kind of that "everyone hates the Yankees" thing. His overwhelming success bred a desire to see him fail. Now, though, it's completely the opposite. All I want to do is see him win this tournament -- win another major. When Woods returned, he couldn't play in the WGC tourney this spring. Hadn't done enough to qualify. How ridiculous. Woods should have a lifetime pass to any tourney he wants to play in. I'm sure the tour players feel the same. He is the GREATEST golfer in the last 30 years. He's Nicklaus. He's Palmer. He made the tour what it is today. He's the most dominant player in any sport in recent memory. And I sure hope the guy can find a way to win another major. Can't wait to see him in they Ryder Cup.
@approxinfinity The media has made a point of focusing and all out assault on Trump during the election. The difference is, Trump fought back. Trump responded. Trump went straight to the people using Twitter. I don't endorse all of his statements, certainly not, but he bypassed the bias. In return, the CNN and MSNBC, and the major outlets, went bonkers. The took the indignant approach, and then chose to compromise their integrity further by making news editorials. The chicken and the egg thing is easy. Trump responded and attacked -- a different style, and the mainstream media couldn't handle it. Do leftists like you have no shame, no sense of logic? Well, no you don't. You are blinded by your hatred of Trump. And of course, you insult him as if he's an idiot. Another leftist approach -- any conservative is an idiot, a robot, blah, blah, blah.
Thank you for demonstrating exactly what I've been saying in my thread.
You seriously act as if the mainstream media was not Obama's lapdog for 8 years. What a joke.
@mayjay As much as the liberal press irritates me, there’s the First Amendment. All nice and shiny and wonderful. I can yell Obama’s a loon, Trump is crazy, I love Lenin, Reagan rules, the Clintons are corrupt, or bring back Jimmy Carter. And I’m not going to jail. What an unprecedented and amazing creation, the First Amendment. Respecting it in all quarters is the best path.
@Kcmatt7 I have another idea. Pay congressmen and senators $1 million a year. That way it would motivate many to run.
@Kcmatt7 Unfortunately, it is a swamp. Career politicians. Claire McCaskill, Pat Roberts. Amazing how these politicians get rich making less than $200,000 per year.
I cannot even imagine the mindset that leads to the conclusion that we should abolish the presidency. We have been and are the beacon of freedom in this world. Without this nation, its institutions, and the resolve that we have shown in world matters, the world would undoubtedly by one of chaos and totalitarianism. The president is still the leader of the free world and always will be. It is just laughable to hear folks compare our president to whatever alleged evils suits the author. Somehow, our freedoms are intact and democracy remains. Amazing. And the histrionics remain sad and comical. Further, those that flop around like a fish out of water, and convulse in irrationality, are simply exposing their true colors every time they do it. It's at least instructive.
8/9/18 Err on the side of free speech. I see that Adam Jones and the conspiracy theorists at Infowars have been banned by Facebook, YouTube, and other such media. Twitter, though, has resisted the ban. Really all of these companies have evidenced the typical liberal bias. Widely prevalent. Initially, of course, these are private companies. They can handle matters as they choose. But what is the best way for these companies to handle speech and content? Very simple. Be an American. When it comes to political speech, opinions, these companies should permit a very wide berth. Free speech makes you uncomfortable. And we can dislike it .. or hate it. Much like my opinion with the kneelers. I hate it. I don't respect the opinion. I don't respect those that engage in the conduct. But our country has many opinions. My only issue with wanting it stopped is the "when" -- because the employer has the right to dictate the work place. A simple an unassailable point. If the NFL and players agree to permit the kneeling, then I have choice to make based on the employer's assent. I may not like it, but if someone doesn't want to stand for the anthem as a spectator, or elsewhere, that's free speech. On social media, the thought police governing expression of opinions is now a significant threat to our dialogue as a nation. We should all fully resist the urge to support social media banning thought and expressions. We can draw the lines at matters that equate to crimes. But if Antifa wants to decry the white man, or InfoWars wants to speculate on 9/11 theories, let it be. If the speech is criminal, such as threats or communications in support of terrorism, for example, then that should be line. The same line that is present when you open your mouth. How can anyone in America, knowing the first amendment, support anything less? Here's how. They are the true fascists. It's easy to see. Easy to diagnose. Where do you stand?
Slipping ... down ... the ... rat hole.
8/9/18 - So now we are treated to the spectacle of a publically funded organization again attacking anything conservative. Planned Parenthood, with its public funding supporting its fraudulent organization, will buy advertising to attack Trumps nominee, Brett Kavenaugh. I cannot imagine a more sick pursuit than to make your life's work the slaughter of innocent human life based on convenience. Ah, the joy it must bring the soul. Perhaps the sickest organization in this country. Public funding of this twisted assembly of jovial murderers is the true abortion.
@mayjay @jaybate-1-0 Deal. See, we could solve all the NCAA issues. I’m good with guys coming back. Glad we got Vick back. Just not sure it’s in the best interests of CBB.
@Kcmatt7 Not necessarily. I've always had the opinion that having the alleged better players doesn't necessarily make CBB better. I think a Devonte Graham (a second tier NBA player) is much better for CBB than Andrew Wiggins. Same with a Perry Ellis. And many of the higher talent guys are drama queens. Generally, regarding the on court product, you're right I think. But I think there is a bigger benefit to shutting the door. Make it a clean break. You're either CBB or you are not. The grey area and the uncertainty hurt the college game. I think the NBA rule banning those under 19, or whatever it is, is atrocious. CBB is a pit stop for the Michael Porters, Ben Simmons, etc. And they should be able to take their talents and make millions right out of high school. I love CBB, and by consequence, detest the NBA for the damage it causes CBB. But CBB is more in control that we might think. They just have to have a spine, and understand that even if the top 20 players every year do something else, CBB will be just fine.
Unintended consequences will be the result. I love idea of punishing offenders more harshly, and punishing schools and coaches. Be harsh. But as I was typing, I see @Texas-Hawk-10's post, and that was my thought -- kids bounced out. But then again, schools may just hold spots open a bit at the higher levels, which might in turn, trickle down and help lesser programs.
Do you force out the last player on your roster when a stud returns? Could be even more ugly.
I just want the players to be able to go make a living any time they want to. Right out of high school. But once you choose to go, you're done. This is truly the way to protect CBB. Declare, you're done. The door shuts.
@Kcmatt7 Also, the MLB has no real cap and weak owners.
8/8/18 - A man who lived the fight. A man who has perspective. Jim Brown.
"I'm going to give you the real deal: I'm an American,” Brown said in an interview with ThePostGame. “I don't desecrate my flag and my national anthem. I'm not gonna do anything against the flag and national anthem. I'm going to work within those situations. But this is my country, and I'll work out the problems, but I'll do it in an intelligent manner."
Look at the attacks on Dak Prescott from the cowardly left after his statement. Standard issue for the leftists. No way that he can actually think for himself. Name calling, insults, the norm for the left.
Don't ever, for a moment, believe that the kneelers love and respect this country. The kneelers look at this country with disgust (as does much of the left). And it is why they are the enemy. Anyone that looks at this country with disgust is my enemy. Because without this country, I have nothing. Folks love this country. Folks would die for this country. Folks would kill for this country. Folks would defend this country to their last breath. And the kneelers can't comprehend why they are viewed with such contempt. Protest, complain, march on Washington. Have at it. But when you turn to insulting our country, don't expect those that love this country to simply turn the other cheek.
I'd like @BShark to return too. A summer sabbatical is cool. Good time for it. His opinions on @jaybate-1-0 were wildly misplaced, though, and he got a little hyper-focused on that. I know I have been hyper-focused on a topic (or two, or three) I should just let go of. I may be biased (an admission), but there is @jaybate-1-0, and then there is the rest of us. Breadth and depth. Been around the guy and his posts for many years, and I've seen a slew of posts from all corners, and he's best in my opinion. His opinions and posts do stretch a bit far afield at times (fields many of us didn't know existed), but that's the total package. Hopefully @BShark will return by CBB season, and return refreshed.
@mayjay Ok .. thanks for the response. Being a little skeptical here. But who filled out the financial documents? It wasn't the persons charged. They didn't represent anything under penalty of perjury (assuming those are executed that way). If the player did it, with the guardian, then they would be co-conspirators.
But more importantly, though, the federal indictment only references the violation of NCAA rules as the basis for the fraud. I do see your logic but it wasn't charged that way.
8/7/18 - Links below. ANTIFA thugs doing what ANTIFA thugs do. Black Lives Matter thugs interrupt a police officers wedding. And the leftist politicians endorse harassment as a preferred method of protest (and remember, when this stuff is done, the left is silent). The left has normalized harassment, in place of good old fashioned debate. You'll find the leftist thugs spitting, destroying property, and engaging in other vile conduct. It began during the campaign when it was the left that targeted and assaulted Trump supporters. Physical attacks. Vandalism. A group to be proud of there on the left. And as we know, the leftists believe that the rights under the Constitution only apply to them -- their m.o. is to shut down free speech, to attempt to intimidate, to pressure social media to silence the right. Those rational voices on the left are being drowned out. They don't speak up. They don't condemn. They are being pulled farther and farther down the rat hole. So when the left determines that anything goes, well, you can imagine the media coverage of Trump supporters confronted Cory Booker, or Kamala Harris, or Elizabeth (Pocahantas) Warren, or Maxine Waters at restaurants or at their homes. The last link is the best link.
The reality is that a return to civility is sorely needed. Good old fashioned debate and freedom of speech. Both talking and listening. Doesn't meant it will be pleasant or lacking in harsh words. But try mentioning it to leftist crew. They'll scream, spit, tell you to f-off, and try to shout you down.
https://www.cnn.com/2018/06/25/politics/maxine-waters-trump-officials/index.html ↗
https://www.cnn.com/2018/06/20/politics/kirstjen-nielsen-mexican-restaurant-protest/index.html ↗
http://thefederalist.com/2016/11/22/meet-intolerant-vulgarians-dirtbag-left/ ↗
@mayjay Back to the fraud issue. And I am talking the issue of a valid defense, not a dismissal or questioning whether charges should have been filed.
Talking through this a bit. I understand that if there was a conspiracy to violate the law. Makes sense. Whether the law was actually violated (meaning if there never ended up being a robbery or a murder) doesn't matter. We want to discourage such conspiracies.
But in the criminal example, the purpose of the conspiracy was an intent to commit a crime.
With this example, there was obviously no intent to commit a crime. The prosecutor assumes there was an intent to cause a rules violation.
Assuming that, it would seem a valid defense (making its way into a jury instruction somehow) would be that the government would have to show that that the payments complained of would create such a sanction so that the University would be defrauded of that benefit (i.e, the player losing eligibility).
Because without that penalty, there is no underlying fraud.
Again, I think this is different than the simple criminal case where you're planning to rob the bank. We know that's a crime. With this, a "rule", there is only a "crime" so to speak if the university actually gets defrauded.
A jury instruction might read that the "You must find the defendant guilty if you determine that the defendant conspired to engage in actions that would defraud the victim of its anticipated benefit."
A jury instruction might also read that, "Defendant shall be found not guilty if you believe the defendant's action would not result in the victim losing its anticipated benefit."
Something maybe to consider.
8/6/18 Will be interesting to hear the misguided anti-gun folks spin this. The same folks that want to disarm citizens on the fairy dust and hope that the thugs and criminals will do the same (or not caring one way or the other). "Left" and "Logic" can never be confused as partners. Now "Left" and "Feelings", that another thing. And "Dangerous" is always an appropriate moniker.
Edit - "Stupid" changed to "misguided."
@KUSTEVE I understand that thought process. If he was really loyal to UNC first, do you think he would have permitted KU to beat UNC in the 1991 Final Four, and to beat his mentor? I do understand your point though about recruiting and I agree that it is a good one. In fact, perhaps answering my own question here -- but I could see how he could be loyal to Dean, not compete with him vigorously in recruiting as you suggest, but still compete on the court and want to win/beat UNC.
I do, however, strongly question and disagree with the position that he mailed anything in re: the 2003 championship game. In fact, winning that game would have strongly lessened any backlash on leaving. I think he desperately wanted to win that game. But I do understand you point on the distraction thing. I don't think Roy created that though. UNC did.
@mayjay I think you are exactly right. Do you agree that if SDS is eligible, that would be a reasonable defense to the fraud claim ... as the fraud is premised on the action by the Adidas folks creating ineligibility (defrauding the school)?
8/5/18 - So we saw the story in the KC Star and on various news outlets a days ago. 15 people were shot in Kansas City over 3 days. This is nothing new. Look at every major inner city. Many in areas with the strictest gun laws in the country. Killing fields. To find these killing fields, simply look to the major cities on the last presidential election map, and then look for the deep blue middle. President Trump promised federal involvement in Chicago if it didn't improve. I'm still waiting. This is more than a political stunt. These are people's LIVES. Real and tangible. A little boy paralyzed at a gas station waiting with his father. A little girl shot through a window in her home. A young woman randomly shot while driving. THESE LIVES MATTER AND WE GLOSS OVER THEM EVERY DAY BECAUSE WE ARE USED TO INNER CITY VIOLENCE. It is the product of a depraved and morally bankrupt culture.
The KC story is interesting. I'm waiting for the KC pro sports athletes to join the effort to vilify, target, blame, and eradicate those that murder and maim. I'm waiting for athletes around the country, who have influence, to villify, target, blame, and eradicate those that murder and main. I'm waiting for athletes around the country to speak up and villify, target, blame and eradicate a cultural tolerance and enabling of this horrific behavior. Oh, wait, that would require many to blame what they have so readily embraced and glorified, right? They are cowards.
Or, we can laud the athletes for their contributions to schools, and clubs, and charities. All very worthy of praise. But all while missing the point. If the athletes believe their voice and actions mean something, why not target those that kill, rob, maim, and destroy on a nightly basis? We know why. That would require many to target what they have readily embraced and glorified. They are COWARDS.
@KUSTEVE It’s not that Roy is viewed as a “saint” as you mention. I don’t see anyone making that leap. I think many (most) KU fans view him with reverence.
And when you reference my issues with Self, big picture wise (in the way I’m suggesting you view Roy) I’ve never had any issues. My issues have been limited items — playing lower talent guys (Brady, Traylor, etc), limiting three point shooting (scheme), and some preparation issues.
The reality is, when you look at Roy’s entire body of work, UNC included, he may be the greatest coach (achievement wise)to have ever coached at KU.
@KUSTEVE I can’t change your mind. But Roy gave us a stellar 15 years. That’s a long time. And the only job he left for was his alma mater, after being lobbied by the mentor that got him his job at KU in the first place. We all are in great debt to coach Roy. How about some Roy love?
Name the road between AFH and the baseball field after Self. It’s now AFH Drive. So AFH would be at the corner of Naismith and Self. But we do need another NC from Self to cement that.
I’d go for statues of both Roy and Self.
8/3/18 The Kansas City Star runs another media hit job on a conservative, attacking Kris Kobach. But this is a much larger issue than Kobach. It's how it is done that is the problem. Let me illustrate the problem. The KC Star runs an editorial claiming that Kobach is "not fit to serve." An EDITORIAL. Editorials are just that. The opinion of the Editorial board. May not like it, but it's clearly opinion and clearly under the editorial section. However, the KC Star also runs a front page story attacking Kobach less than a week ahead of the primary - that corresponds to the publication of the editorial. The alleged "news" is moving in lockstep with the "editorial." That is the problem. The reason the news media is viewed as the "enemy" by conservatives is quite simple - The mainstream news media blatantly favors the democrats and the left, while claiming that they are objectively "reporting" the news. They make their opinion, the news. It is comical that folks attack Fox News. If Fox News leans right, then we must be clear ABC, NBC, CBS, CNN, MSNBC lean left. The overwhelming weight of the media leans very much left. But the left demeans folks that watch Fox as "drones" as we see above, or in other ways. Same way they'd refer to Rush Limbaugh, as if those folks are robots. It's a typical leftist tactic. The news reported on Trump is nearly 90% negative by many reports. Look, I know. The media has always been left leaning. But this gets me to an important point that I started above related to the KC Star -- the media is now couching its "opinion" as news. With the KC Star, one obvious area is immigration. The KC Star will run front page stories on immigrants, their sob stories, run front page photos, follow an immigration hearing of a professor here illegally. All because they favor open borders and open immigration. They refuse to run stories with front page placement, and proper headlines, on the other side of that story. They will place stories on the front page with headlines that are noted as "commentary" -- which is opinion, not news. Importantly, they phrase headlines to influence opinion -- to play up their view, or diminish the position they disagree with. Not to report news objectively. So they choose to run an attack piece on Kobach, who is obvious rigid on the immigration issue. During the court case related to Trump's immigration policy (which he won at the Supreme Court), the KC Star and the rest of the media refused to report on his most powerful arguments (that the statute/law was undeniably clear). They would bury the arguments deep in the story. This is propaganda couched in objectivity. This is why the media is the enemy to conservatives. Look where the "media" and it's member give money for campaigns. I personally favor a media that challenges those in authority. The problem is, when a liberal/leftist is the one in authority, the media shades its reporting, crafts its headlines, diminishes its aggressiveness. The mainstream media is the enemy of conservatives. The media nearly unanimously refuses to report on the violence of the left against conservatives. And at the height of its hypocrisy, the media continues to fawn over women who are "leftists" but attack women on the right. Women in power on the right are not admired by the media as they do on the left. They attack them. It is why the media is the enemy. The media is the enemy because the media controls information. Twitter, Facebook, YouTube,and other media target conservatives, limit opinion, and seize accounts, while permitting the leftist opinions a much wider range of freedom of expression. The only folks that deny the overwhelming bias and purposeful promulgation of propaganda by the mainstream media are folks that are blinded by they viewpoint (intentionally or otherwise).
8/1/18 - A march in Chicago against violence is scheduled in favor the poor and those victimized by rampant inner city violence. But where oh where are the black athletes that speak vehemently against the killing fields in our inner cities? Where are the black athletes challenging and demanding that young blacks stop the killing, maiming, robbing, and violent behavior in our inner cities? Where are the black athletes that actually demand personal responsibility among inner city blacks? Where are the black athletes that stand up for the victims of black inner city crime (ironically, the victims are mainly black)? Where are the black athletes demanding changes among their own race? Where are they? If the inner city black culture of violence doesn't change, nothing will change. The baloney you see above is that of an apologist. One that favors victimhood over personal responsibility and accountability. One that will use "black power" as his avatar, but in the same breath makes post after post demonstrating the weakness of those that kneel and insult our nation. Real "black power" is looking inward and demanding change -- personal responsibility. Not whining the whine of the perpetual victim. Just like the millions of blacks that aren't in this inner city culture of violence, and who don't buy the victim mentality -- the ones that achieve. The ones that seize opportunity. Where are these wonderful black athletes? Do they stand up for the nightly victims of black inner city violence? No. They cower just as the leftists do. Blame others. It's a convenient and pathetic exercise. They focus their efforts on a symptom of the inner city black culture, not the cause. I don't want cops killing innocent people. But a sure fire way to decrease that chance is to have less need for contact with the police (Odd how that works). You know, when you there are crime ridden sh--holes, the innocent residents need protection. Otherwise, they die. Remember that. Without the police, innocent inner city blacks die at even a greater rate.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-met-lake-shore-drive-shutdown-protest-20180723-story.html ↗
@Crimsonorblue22 I hope he does too .. because he'll need that coach in his pocket.
@mayjay Your clarification on "bias" is well placed. I'd use "bias" more broadly. In fact, I think the bias is based in large part on sound business decisions.
Companies pay for advertising. Why? Because in the final analysis, when their product is before the consumer it makes it more likely that the consumer will buy the product.
The irrelevant examples you gave, though, have nothing to do with basketball. ESPN providing free advertising to the east coast schools both purposefully (based on population centers and money) and because of availability and locale, certainly makes those schools more attractive to recruits. Recruits want to be on TV, want to be on Sportscenter, and want to be seen.
It is certainly a significant influence on the current power bases in CBB. East coast teams get valuable, free advertising.
I'd like to forget AZ in '97, that's for sure ...
I'm sorry, are we grouping people together by race to reach a conclusion? Suggesting that one race is better at something than another race?
Assuming that to be valid, which I do on both counts, that's a very valid point as it extended through the 80s. It makes great sense.
But now, over the last nearly 30 years? The promulgation of ESPN, and its regional bias, creates more media coverage for schools that are within the eastern time zone. Western schools are in the dark. They get very little coverage in an age where coverage is ever increasing. You see Duke, and stories on coach K, or on UK and stories on Cal's recruiting, that is influence. Kids see that.
The eastern schools are glamorized and featured much more prominently.
Back in the day, there weren't many games on TV. Now there are. And the games more people see are on while more people are awake (Eastern and Central time zones). There are more urban centers East of the Mississippi -- more black players -- the better players -- thus what we see today. It's a large part of it.
Now, with that, I don't think it impacts KU as much. We're only a time zone away. I think it has hammered the west coast much more. But we are still affected.
That said, we have top 5 rosters annually. Tough to blame anyone but ourselves for our tourney underachievement.
7/31/18 - Lebron James, a complete sham. He now attacks Trump, claiming Trump is using sports to divide the country. Of course, Trump did no such thing. Trump did not kneel on an NFL field during the national anthem. That singular act is the act of division -- it is an attack on our country and what a great majority hold important and sacred. That's the act of division, so we're clear. That was the act of injecting politics into sports. What James is irritated with is that someone with a national voice has the temerity to speak out against this woefully ignorant and misguided behavior. We've seen the histrionics here -- referencing totalitarian regimes and such other alarmist baloney. No one is required to march, bow, salute, place hand over heart, sing, or curtsey, which is a purposefully false narrative promulgated by leftists. Remember that -- it is purposeful dishonesty. No, the truth is that all that is asked is that an individual, during work hours, at his place of employment, not show disrespect for the national anthem and just stand quietly. That is all. Nothing affirmative or objective. Just stand quietly. Anything suggested beyond that is the classic "fake news." Made up. It's exactly what we expect from the left. Guys like Lebron get to talk because they have a microphone in their face. They never debate, they never get challenged. That's how the left operates best. No debate or discussion.
Of course, others, like Dak Prescott, get it: "I never protest during the anthem, and I don't think that's the time or the venue to do so. The game of football has always brought me such peace, and I think it does the same for a lot of people ... When you bring such a controversy to the stadium, to the field, to the game, it takes away. It takes away from that."
Nothing matters this season. Nothing. Unless we win the NCAA title. We've had it all. It's all that matters now.
Excellent point .. shot selection, really, is the name of the game. Putting shooters in the best position to make the shot drives three point percentages to a very large degree. The step-in three, when the pass comes from inside, is typically the best option. With a 4 like Dedric, if the scheme had him dribbling out to the line, that would create too many of the turn around looks. If a good two man game is in place, he can kick and get the dish from inside -- we all know Self will have this all well covered. This is a great argument as to why Dedric will be better from three.
That is an EPIC quote. I "hated" Norm Stewart, until he retired. Then I had great admiration for his accomplishments, and was greatly moved by the ceremony at AFH when he was cheered and given a rocking chair by Roy. "Sit down Norm" was badge of honor for Stewart. This is not real "hate." This is sports hate. The healthy kind. The kind that creates incredible enjoyment. The kind that bonds KU and MU.
@dylans that made my day .. nice work.
@mayjay I think you're right on point there .. both "agent" in terms of a sports agent, and "agent" in terms of an agency relationship. It's assumed or imputed. A presumption. It's important for the rule to be effective that the player suffer repercussions.
7/27/18 - The national anthem issue is a simple one. The employer dictates the workplace. It's that simple. As an employer, it's bad business for me to permit my receptionist to wear a "never Trump" shirt or "Lock her up" shirt. I can determine if I permit that. But I can dictate employee apparel so it coincides with my wishes for my business -- MY business. Not my employees' business. The NFL is the employer. The players the employees. The employees, however, can shape the rules to the extent that they have power and leverage. They don't. Whether their value can convince the owners to cede control. We don't see this issue in the NBA or MLB, and of course not in hockey. Never mind that that the players that participate in this faux protest, this undeniable show of weakness, are sorely misguided at best and purposefully dishonest at worst. This is about employers being able to control their workplace so as to ensure that customers aren't alienated. And, of course, Trump is on the right side of this issue. The Cowboys are leading here. I may become a Cowboys fan.
http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/24207562/stephen-jones-players-stand-cowboy ↗
7/26/18 - A Kansas City Start special. Purposefully avoid putting favorable Trump headlines on the front page. And then water down and misrepresent by use of a headline that ignores the real story. The left obviously is so histrionic related to any the "Trump", all objectivity is lost. The trade and tariff issue is a great example. Trump knows that free trade is the best result. The goal of Trumps long-needed tactics are to balance the trade field. For too long, the US has been a willing victim to unfair trade practices. Trump's efforts are to level that playing field for American companies and workers. The way to do that, if other nations won't agree, is to make them hurt. Significant story related to the EU's recent concessions .. only because of Trump's tactics. Nowhere near the front page. Big item. It's not "pulling back from the trade war", it is the EU's reaction to our policies that are now hurting the EU. The EU, economically, is much more fragile. This is winning.
https://www.kansascity.com/news/business/national-international/article215481800.html ↗
7/26/18 - Typical tripe from the left. I always love the little bubble where the Hollywood elites reside -- but this is the idiot left. So a black woman is stabbed by a white man. And it's automatically racial. And it's white privilege. The left cries when blacks are grouped together, but hypocritically feels it fine when whites (in this case evil white man) are grouped together. One of the more entertaining contrasts is how silent the left is related to the horrific atrocities by black men in our society. The crimes stats are undeniable. But it is always someone else's fault. But what we hear from the left are the excuses, the things we hear from the apologists. The left is famous for its lack of insisting on personal responsibility. But of course, they run their mouth, feeling it necessary to attack white men on a regular basis. Have at it. Makes me smile.
Just because the left is dangerous to democracy and to our way of life.
@dylans I think you know I'm more just kidding around on this. DeSousa is an absolute stud and I want to believe ...
This is a dangerous rule NOT to have in place.
The reason why is obvious. A player could just be shielded by his parent/guardian, and keep the player out of the loop. The plausible deniability thing. The parent/guardian takes the money, deposits in the parent/guardian's account, and gives whatever % to the player upon graduation or whatever.
It's better to have the rule, with discretion. Put the burden on the player to prove convincingly that the actions of the parent/guardian were purely unilateral and it would be an injustice to penalize the player by lost eligibility. Or something like that.
I would suspect in most every case, including DeSousa's, that the kid isn't fully ignorant. He's just shielded from detail and interactions.
@dylans Again, just for entertainment purposes --
Self said KU officials spent the better part of Tuesday attempting to gain clarity so Preston could play. But when that did not happen, Self had no choice but to keep his five-star freshman on the bench. “I'm out of it,” Self said, before adding, “I am confident it'll get cleared up. But I don't know the time frame and they haven't clued me in.”
I remain pessimistic on DeSousa. I just don't like the overall dynamic with the FBI stuff.
@dylans For entertainment purposes only -
Kansas basketball coach Bill Self says he is “optimistic” that freshman forward Billy Preston will be able to play in games for KU during the upcoming Big 12 season.
Self said he is "very optimistic" Embiid can return to practice next week.
“But the one most pleasant surprises we've had so far has been Carlton Bragg”, Self said. “I feel confident that we have enough punch up front, but we just won't be very big if we don't have Cheick."
@Kcmatt7 That may be a good point. My take is that intent is inherent in fraud. So it has to be intended for there to actually be fraud anyway. That might be a conspiracy to commit fraud when the actual repercussion of the fraud doesn't actually come to fruition. I guess the point I'm suggesting is, how can it be fraud when no one was defrauded? That goes to the "conspiracy" thing. If you buy the charging, that would fit.
It is just a document production, not testimony, it appears.
I would agree. I don't think Self would be talking about there not being any issues if they'd responded with incriminating info. But the language in the AD contract is the only thing that makes me wonder (I know KU said it was KU's idea, but I don't believe everything I hear -- though, if true, that sounds promising too).
Again, as I've posted, how does the basis of the fraud stand -- that the players in question would be ineligible because of the payments, thus defrauding the universities -- if DeSousa actually is eligible?
That's why I'm pessimistic on DeSousa.
@jaybate-1-0 Here's something interesting to think about. Look at the 2015-16 Jayhawks that lost to Nova in the Elite 8.
Three ball shooters? Two bigs, Ellis and Bragg at 43% and 57% respectively. I understand Bragg's attempts were way low, but I think we all can agree that he could shoot from the outside and if given the opportunity, he could have threatened the 35-40% range as a big, stepping out to shoot. Heck, some thought (including me) that Diallo had reasonable outside shooting ability too. He had a nice shot.
Lucas and Traylor, of course, were .. uh .. Lucas and Traylor.
Then our other guys - Svi 40%, Selden 39%, Mason 38%, Graham 44%, Greene 49%, Vick 47% (low attempts).
If we played Ellis and Bragg, with the intent of attacking the perimeter, is that not exactly what is being discussed? Did we not have a roster capable of that exact type of attack?
@JayHawkFanToo Ok. It would also seem to me that it would feel a bit dirty to get your money from a shoe company -- but if a state can only pay a public employee a certain amount of money, it might be a necessity.
It would also seem that a coach not contractually tied to a shoe company might be in a better position with all of the FBI stuff. I guess I wonder if Self or other coaches purposefully did deals without direct connections to the shoe companies for some reason (foreseeing the possible muck). It would seem that at the root level, it's better to be beholden to the lowest number of masters as possible. If I were a coach, I'd rather just get paid by the state vs. any other entity, if I was able to make the same money.
@JayHawkFanToo Interesting .. in poking around, Pitino had one with Adidas. Wonder why some coaches do, and others don't? It would seem to me that not having a contractual connection to a shoe company might be a wise move. But I haven't considered all the moving parts.