Things that really bother you

bd popeye said:

Oh no..I'm no liberal.... I just do not like the New England Patriots. Never have and never will. There are many other NFL teams I don't like. But the Patriots are on top of my list.

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I myself hate the Cowboys. Like their cheerleaders, but hate the team with a passion! Not so much because of the so-called "I-45 rivalry" since the Texans suck the big time and do not even deserve to have a rivalry with any other team in the NFL... I just don't like their arrogance. Even when the Cowboys are losing, they act like they are 16 and 0...

Popeye, I know you are a huge Lakers' fan, but I hate them! Also, that arrogance...

I love the Spurs!!! Too bad I don't live in San Antonio... they have this down-to-earth attitude, which is so admirable. They are unselfish and their only goal is to win the game. They don't care if their game is not flashy. They don't care if it boring to watch their game. All they care is winning. And they have the record to show for it. And that's why they are perennial championship contenders. It all comes from the coach and their star players, especially Tim Duncan.

bd popeye said:

Oh no..I'm no liberal.... I just do not like the New England Patriots. Never have and never will. There are many other NFL teams I don't like. But the Patriots are on top of my list.

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How do the San Francisco 49's rank with you.? If I had to pick a team to follow I guess it would have to be the 49's because NZ'der Riki Ellison was a linebacker for the 49's and won a Super Bowl ring in 1985

The Farty-niners? err I mean the Forty Ninerr? Don't like them either. I don't like their quarterback Colin Kaepernick at all.

What teams do I like now that my San Diego Chargers left San Diego for LA? I like the Seattle Seahawks, New York Giants, Houston Texans and Pittsburgh Steelers.

Popeye, I know you are a huge Lakers' fan, but I hate them! Also, that arrogance...

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Oh my oh my.. and I thought you were my friend.. oh boo hoo....boo hoo

The Lakers have WON 11 championships as the LA Lakers and 5 as the Minneapolis Lakers. My favorite Lakers teams were from 2000,2001 & 2002..the Three-peat. they were awesome..

bd popeye said:

The Farty-niners? err I mean the Forty Ninerr? Don't like them either. I don't like their quarterback Colin Kaepernick at all.

What teams do I like now that my San Diego Chargers left San Diego for LA? I like the Seattle Seahawks, New York Giants, Houston Texans and Pittsburgh Steelers.

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My dad loves Joe Montana. And he has watched every 49ers game with Montana as their quarterback. Even now whenever they show old games, my dad would watch them if they are Joe Montana and the 49ers. And whenever we talk about good quarterbacks, my dad's standard response has always been "he's not as good as Joe Montana". I called him last night after the game and asked him "now is Brady as good as Montana?" He's like "getting close... getting close... although Montana would never allow the game to slip away like that...". Even though Montana has been known as the comeback kid and made plenty "coming from behind plays" in his days. My guess is, even if I mention Superman, my dad would still say "not as good as Montana"

bd popeye said:

Oh my oh my.. and I thought you were my friend.. oh boo hoo....boo hoo

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Hahaha! No matter how much you love the Lakers, you are still my friend! Guess I'm the bigger man here

Deino said:

Pardon, but that simply has to be so ! Don't You know "America FIRST" !

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[OT Rant:On]
Excuse Me I have seen this line from the now Elected President used like this a lot and I want to point out a fact.
He was Running for President of the United State of America.the Slogan "America First" was for the Domestic audience. Anyone running for national office should be putting their Domestic audience and national wants and ideals at the head of their mission statement. If Putin Said "Russia first" or Xi said "China First" You should not have an issue with that same for the other ones. He was not Running for the UN.
So when I see people trying to use it trolling I have to ask What the heck is wrong with "America First" If you Are RUNNING FOR US OFFICE?
Should the Mayor of New York City give two nickels for Chicago? No.
The President of the United States of America Should place the hopes, Ideals and wants as well as Welfare of his Nation before Any other, That's the JOB!!
Just as the President of Russia or China or PM of Great Britain or Japan Should place there Nations Wants at the front of their policies.
I would have a Serious issue if someone running for Domestic office Talking about international needs before Domestic ones. Politics is Always Domestic! Brexit was not because The Brits were angry over how the EU was treating France or Germany. They were angry over how the UK was being treated so they said were out.
Seriously GET OVER IT!
Had a Candidate for President of the US said "Norway First" I guarantee they would Lose! Norway would Love them, BUT THEY WOULD LOSE!
[Rant:Off]

TerraN_EmpirE said:

[OT Rant:On]
Excuse Me I have seen this line from the now Elected President used like this a lot and I want to point out a fact.
He was Running for President of the United State of America.the Slogan "America First" was for the Domestic audience. Anyone running for national office should be putting their Domestic audience and national wants and ideals at the head of their mission statement. If Putin Said "Russia first" or Xi said "China First" You should not have an issue with that same for the other ones. He was not Running for the UN.
So when I see people trying to use it trolling I have to ask What the heck is wrong with "America First" If you Are RUNNING FOR US OFFICE?
Should the Mayor of New York City give two nickels for Chicago? No.
The President of the United States of America Should place the hopes, Ideals and wants as well as Welfare of his Nation before Any other, That's the JOB!!
Just as the President of Russia or China or PM of Great Britain or Japan Should place there Nations Wants at the front of their policies.
I would have a Serious issue if someone running for Domestic office Talking about international needs before Domestic ones. Politics is Always Domestic! Brexit was not because The Brits were angry over how the EU was treating France or Germany. They were angry over how the UK was being treated so they said were out.
Seriously GET OVER IT!
Had a Candidate for President of the US said "Norway First" I guarantee they would Lose! Norway would Love them, BUT THEY WOULD LOSE!
[Rant:Off]

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Nothing wrong with "America First" if it was purely domestic. Problem is, Trump never said it was restricted to the domestic, and that's a problem for international relations.

All relationships, including IR, is based on compromise. Sticking with a "Me First" attitude isn't exactly conducive to cooperation.

solarz said:

Nothing wrong with "America First" if it was purely domestic. Problem is, Trump never said it was restricted to the domestic, and that's a problem for international relations.

All relationships, including IR, is based on compromise. Sticking with a "Me First" attitude isn't exactly conducive to cooperation.

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I will give you that to a point.
An American needs First when applied to Foreign interests should also mean pushing American interests and Allies ahead and working to undermine American adversaries and Allies Adversaries. Which again falls into common sense and Any and all global powers want what they want before anyone else's wants. The trick is working so that you And your Allies get what you both want and benefit.

TerraN_EmpirE said:

I will give you that to a point.
An American needs First when applied to Foreign interests should also mean pushing American interests and Allies ahead and working to undermine American adversaries and Allies Adversaries. Which again falls into common sense and Any and all global powers want what they want before anyone else's wants. The trick is working so that you And your Allies get what you both want and benefit.

Click to expand...

The issue US allies take with the "America First" slogan is that the US is already first in many areas. Many so-called "allies" of the US, such as SK, Japan, Australia, UK, Canada, already support US needs at the detriment of their own national interests.

Consider the Australian response to Tillerson's "blockade China" comments, or the rise of PH's Duterte, which is a direct response to previous US-PH relations, or Victoria Nuland's comments on the EU.

So it's particularly galling when a US president starts chanting "America First", as if completely oblivious to the sacrifices that US allies are already making.

TerraN_EmpirE said:

[OT Rant:On]
Excuse Me I have seen this line from the now Elected President used like this a lot and I want to point out a fact.
He was Running for President of the United State of America.the Slogan "America First" was for the Domestic audience. Anyone running for national office should be putting their Domestic audience and national wants and ideals at the head of their mission statement. If Putin Said "Russia first" or Xi said "China First" You should not have an issue with that same for the other ones. He was not Running for the UN.
So when I see people trying to use it trolling I have to ask What the heck is wrong with "America First" If you Are RUNNING FOR US OFFICE?
Should the Mayor of New York City give two nickels for Chicago? No.
The President of the United States of America Should place the hopes, Ideals and wants as well as Welfare of his Nation before Any other, That's the JOB!!
Just as the President of Russia or China or PM of Great Britain or Japan Should place there Nations Wants at the front of their policies.
I would have a Serious issue if someone running for Domestic office Talking about international needs before Domestic ones. Politics is Always Domestic! Brexit was not because The Brits were angry over how the EU was treating France or Germany. They were angry over how the UK was being treated so they said were out.
Seriously GET OVER IT!
Had a Candidate for President of the US said "Norway First" I guarantee they would Lose! Norway would Love them, BUT THEY WOULD LOSE!
[Rant:Off]

Click to expand...

That is the difference between Xi and Trump (I don't know about Putin) in that Xi will not say "China first", neither domestically nor internationally. I would see him being unChinese if he have said so as that (to me) is aggressive and immature. The traditional Chinese leader is never a "loud" speaker or chest-beating figure.

The evidence is the adoption of the slogan "中华民族的伟大复兴" (peaceful rejuvenation of Chinese nation) instead of what was often used by the Chinese think-tanks (unofficial) "和平崛起" (peaceful rise) before Xi became president. As rejuvenation means return to the point where one was, while rise sounds something new, drastically change. That adoption shows how careful the Chinese leadership is to avoid stirring foreign anxiety, successful or not is another matter.

In principle, I agree with you that any leader should put his country first in his effort, it's their duty. But saying it loud or not is another matter. Different cultural background and standing point, the choice is different and impact different.

If anyone has been following the Canadian Real Estate news recently, you are no doubt aware of the Vancouver foreign buyer's tax, and the subsequent price rise in Toronto. Now Toronto is talking about a foreign buyer's tax because Toronto housing prices are going through the roof.

As I read about politicians and "experts" talk about the issue, I keep hearing about supply and demand, market forces vs affordability, and the effect of a tax on the economy of Ontario.

These talk points all focus one a single issue: the price of homes in Toronto, and all their discussions only revolve around that one point.

What gets left completely out of the discussion is *WHY* people, foreigners or not, want to buy homes in Toronto.

First, the obvious part: Toronto is a world class city with one of the lowest crime rates in the North America. It has a ton of things to do, a vibrant economy, and some of the best schools in the country.

Now, for the less obvious part: Toronto has an antiquated subway system that was built in the 50's and hasn't seen much expansion in the last half century. I like to joke that if you can name a famous landmark in Toronto, the subway probably doesn't go there. Even the CN tower is a 20-minute walk from the nearest station!

Worse yet, the Toronto subway doesn't go very far, and any expansion work takes ages to build. The short, 6-stop extension to York university was started some 15 years ago, and it's *still* not open yet!

Toronto has atrocious public transit compared to other cities in its class. As a result, everyone is forced to compete for the small speck of land instead of being able to spread out. Foreign taxes isn't going to change that!

Maybe if people were *able* to live further away and still work in Toronto, Toronto homes wouldn't be so overpriced, eh?