Aggie87

SW has posted 4 live tracks on his soundcloud page, from the current tour - No Part of Me, Deform to Form a Star, Sectarian, and Index. Get 'em here... edit - That is to say, they're available for listening, I don't see a download link. Hopefully that shows up soon!

Paterno has just been fired by PSU.

If you KNEW someone abused children before and was allowed to remain around them, then it was reported to you that that person raped yet another child, your only thought is to wash your hands of it - legally speaking - by reporting it to your boss?? Then when that person is allowed to continue hanging out in showers with young boys,and you know it - you feel you have done your job, so all's good? Yes, I'd say you would be guilty of not doing enough, if all you did was report it to your boss, and nothing else. Absolutely. Wash my hands....I can't even believe you said that. I have dedicated my LIFE to the education and protection of my students. How dare you even assume you know what's in my heart or in my ability to report on such things. I mean the absolute nerve. All Paterno knows is an alleged eye witness told him of sexual abuse. That's it. All I ever know is what the student tells me. That's it. I make the report and contact CPS through my written response. That is all I can do. Yet you have the unmitigated gall to sit in judgement of me and my abilty to discharge my legal duties as a frontline reporter of child abuse? Really? I am singularly amazed, Aggie. Tell me, have you had to report on child abuse...ever? I'll be as direct as I can with you, Aggie...you have absolutely NO idea what you are talking about. None. You asked a question for which there is a yes or no answer. I gave you my answer. The answer that works for me. Your response indicates you will do exactly what is legally required of you. That is fine. I never accused you of not doing what is legally required. For me that is not enough.

If you KNEW someone abused children before and was allowed to remain around them, then it was reported to you that that person raped yet another child, your only thought is to wash your hands of it - legally speaking - by reporting it to your boss?? Then when that person is allowed to continue hanging out in showers with young boys,and you know it - you feel you have done your job, so all's good? Yes, I'd say you would be guilty of not doing enough, if all you did was report it to your boss, and nothing else. Absolutely.

While he have have done enough legally, he SURE didn't do enough morally. There's grand jury evidence that Paterno knew about an on-campus Sandusky molestation in 1998 - Sandusky even admitted to wrongdoing, and Paterno basically let Sandusky stick around the campus anyway. If you don't think everybody deferred to Joe Paterno on that decision, you're fooling yourself. Then 4 years later, when another Sandusky child rape occurs in the PSU football showers and is brought to Paterno, his decision is to just let his "bosses" know? "Oh by the way boss, Sandusky was caught 'horsing around' in the showers with a 10 year old again." Mentally, he's ok with whatever happens after that? To include allowing Sandusky to continue to be on campus AND continue to bring young boys to the football team showers repeatedly?? Reportedly the number of victims that have come forward is about 20 now (8-9 are confirmed or at least credible at this point). For that he should be roundly condemned. Legally maybe he did enough. Morally, he's a complete, utter failure. To be sure, Sandusky is the monster. But McQueary (the 2002 witness who by remaining silent appears to have been promoted up the coaching ranks at PSU), Paterno, the AD, and the school President (and any others who were reported to) are all guilty of allowing that monster to continue his evil. Had Paterno gone to the police after reporting to his boss, he'd be revered in the public eye for being morally upright. Whether he was at risk of losing his job (as the most powerful person at PSU, doubtful) or not. And even if he had somehow bizarrely lost his job, there would have been dozens of equivalent jobs available to him around the country immediately. But since he didn't and aided in the continued coverup, he deserves the public scorn he'll have the rest of his life. In my opinion.

Don't forget to add in a dead or MIA District Attorney, who apparently tried to destroy his computer's hard drive before he turned up missing. Or somebody who wanted him gone tried to destroy it.

Indeed he did! Happy Birthday, Conn!

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday

All the best!

There are over 500 different kinds of oak trees. The kind we have down here in this part of Texas are called "Texas Live Oaks". They are found more in dry climates than regular Live Oaks (and Oaks in general), I think. Don't have the larger leafs like other types of oaks, too. Mine have been dropping acorns like crazy this year, but it doesn't do it every year like that. I was told it's because of the drought conditions down here.

Happy Birthday!

If it's any consolation to you, I don't think most "real" Cowboys fans consider them America's Team. I think many find that just as annoying as you do. And I find Jones to be a alternately a boon (owner) and bane (GM) to the team. He excels at the first, and is absolutely clueless at the later.

There's either a joke in there or an oxymoron...

Happy Birthday!

This was gonna be their year. Finally. Supposedly peaking on offense and a young and hungry defense with a good D-coordinator. Instead, they've lost 3 games, in all of which they had double digit leads at the half. Poor coaching adjustments or something, or hell, just poor coaching in general. Questionable play calling. Defense not arm-tackling. On and on. I've dialed my expectations for A&M wayyy back after this game. A&M has all the talent needed to be competitive and in the Top 10 right, but they're not coached well. I don't think Mike Sherman is the right guy for A&M as it heads into the SEC, at this point. Other than that, been an interesting day of football. Shocked that Iowa State was able to whomp Texas Tech in Lubbock, a week after Tech upset Oklahoma. Stanford pulls it out in triple OT at USC. Ga Tech beats Clemson. Wisconsin loses to OSU on a hail mary again.

Why do you feel that way about Ryan?

Happy Birthday - come back!

Actually...as I heard it during the last off-season, Berkman was wanting to return to regular field play, that's what motivated him to return to the NL. Didn't really like the whole DH thing. I'm not sure he was actually ever healthy with the Yankees, either. Seems to have regained the form that made him the centerpiece of the Astros after Biggio & Bagwell's retirements.

All the best for the coming year!

Rangers have had a couple of errors tonight as well. 4-4 at this point, fun game!

All the best, Daniel!

It's baseball that lacks appeal in general, not the Rangers. And I say that as a baseball fan. I grew up playing baseball, and so has my son. I've helped coach his teams for 6 straight years now. Yet he and other kids don't care to watch these games - those that will are exceptions, I think. Baseball is slower paced, with more breaks between actual plays. Less of a team sport and more a series of plays by individuals. But my son and his friends will pause from what they're doing and sit and watch a bit of football when I have it on though. I think football fits more in with the videogame lifestyle that younger folks like. It's more like a combat game than baseball is. Faster paced, with more action on any given play. And it's teamwork. I think all of that appeals to younger folks. People that like physical products like cds and dvds? We're dinosaurs. Maybe baseball fans are, too. The Superbowl is an 'event'. It's an event for everyone in the country. It's only one game, one Sunday night. People have parties for it, regardless if their team is in the game or not. It's an excuse to have fun. The World Series is a set of games that, like the regular season, occur on week nights and weekends. People don't typically throw parties on Wednesday nights and have a ton of folks over and have a wild time. Rangers fans will watch the WS, and Cardinal fans will watch it. Hardcore baseball fans will watch it. But that's about it. People don't throw parties for it though, generally.

Well executed guy-checks, Rangers!