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Todd Gack

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Posts posted by Todd Gack

  1. 1 hour ago, Brisketexan said:

    Our next door neighbor (a stone-cold knockout, by the way) is Persian Baha'i.  She got here as a teenage refugee, worked her way through college and grad school, and is remarkably successful.  I've met multiple Persia Baha'i over the years, and they all have been fine human beings.  It seems your grandfather was no exception.

    My wife and I watched the last episode of A Gentleman in Moscow last night (we loved the book), and at the end, we ended up in a discussion about defectors, people fleeing oppressive states, and the like.  How we grew up in Houston knowing multiple defectors from behind the iron curtain, and from Iran, and even several Latin American countries.  How it is such a terrifying, and brave thing, and how difficult a calculus it is -- leaving everything you know behind, with no certainty that you would actually end up better off.  It's a decision for each individual, for their own reasons.

    Your family story is both not unique but also an incredibly beautiful and tragic chapter that belongs to your family alone.  Thank you for sharing it with us.  Your grandfather was a blessing.  I wish you could have known him; I wish we all could have.

    ahem...

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  2. 1 hour ago, immamac said:

    It’s shocking to me how much people struggle with the law of averages, understanding the median and self awareness of being top quartile. 

    The issue isn’t that there aren’t still ways to be successful in the system as it is today, the issue is that it only rewards those at the top. That means you likely came from a good home, got help, or are in some other ways “remarkable” not in the sense that you are a top 1% IQ prodigy, but in the sense that you have the basic tools to function and get ahead in todays society. 

    When he talks about “unremarkable” people getting an opportunity this is what he’s talking about. He’s not saying we need sub room temp IQ people going to college, he’s saying that the average person is fucked and that the requirement to be above average to get ahead systemically in America is fucked. 

    If you are average you have gotten fucked harder than any time in American history over the last 5 years, and definitely looking like it for the next 20 years. This is the issue. The fucking has been a slow oppressive force since the 70s, but just recently rapidly accelerated to the point of absurdity. 

    Programs and institutions that were built to level up the average have done so, their foundations were altruistic and noble. That’s all gone away, now the foundations are built on greed, ego and prestige.  I mean just look at your post.
     

    The growth at all costs mindset paired with nepotism, ethical collapse and non merit based selectivity have turned everything into shit. There is not a single billionaire on planet earth under 30 that isn’t a product of nepotism. At a time in history when there are the most billionaires ever. Let that sink in. 

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  3. 2 hours ago, Getafix said:

     

    June 21st.

    Blair Angulo's article below.

     

     

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    Elite linebacker Matai Tagoa'i locks in Texas official visit

    Blair Angulo (247 Sports)

     

      Reveal hidden contents

     

    Elite linebacker Matai Tagoa'i locks in Texas official visit

    Blair Angulo (247 Sports)
     

    SANTA CLARITA, Calif. — Elite defender Matai Tagoa'i has circled yet another big weekend on his offseason calendar.

    The four-star linebacker from San Clemente (Calif.) has locked in his official visit to Texas for the weekend of June 21, continuing to fill out an itinerary that already included trips to Washington (May 31) and Utah (June 15).

    The Longhorns joined the race for Tagoa’i with a scholarship offer in late January and have quickly surged up the list.

    “Man, they’ve been a powerhouse program and truly one of the bluebloods since I was born,” Tagoa’i told 247Sports at the OT7 Golden Ticket tournament. “They’ve been consistent and always competing. They have been winning a lot the last few seasons and that’s something I know I would want to be a part of.”

    Tagoa’i is the nation’s No. 71 overall prospect, No. 10 rated linebacker and No. 3 player in the state of California for the 2025 class, per the 247Sports rankings. After transferring in from Las Vegas (Nev.) Faith Lutheran after his sophomore year Tagoa’i had a big junior season in south Orange County, accounting for 59 total tackles, including eight for a loss and seven sacks, to go along with an interception.

    New coach Johnny Nansen has been spearheading the recruitment of Tagoa’i since he arrived in Austin from Arizona earlier this offseason.

    “Coach Nansen came down with coach Sark back in January, and that was my first time meeting them both,” Tagoa’i said. “They both were really genuine, told me things that I wanted to hear, and we’re still building the relationship.

    “This is going to be my first time out there so I’m excited about that. I’m not tied into anything specific when I get on campuses. I know a lot of guys talk about facilties and things on campus, but I’m more tied into the coaching staff and relationships. The weight room and the facility will obviously be things I look at there but for me it’s going to be about the connection I have with coaches.”

    Tagoa’i has already committed to play in the 2025 Polynesian Bowl all-star game in Hawaii next January. He hopes to be able to be ready to make a college choice by mid summer heading into his senior year.

    A long and athletic defender who plays inside and outside ‘backer for the Tritons, Tagoa’i has the physical upside to potentially grow into an edge rusher in college. He carries projectable traits and flashes explosiveness as an athlete.

    “When you look at his ability to play in space, rush the passer or even drop in coverage, he’s an easy player to project as a national recruit with the talent to play for just about anyone in the country,” 247Sports national recruiting analyst Greg Biggins wrote in the most recent scouting report.

     

     

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  4. My understanding is that Biden has a historically low approval rating (especially amongst youth and hispanics) and no incumbent has managed to win re-election with such numbers.  He's also trailing trump in multiple polls, unlike 2020 where he didn't exactly win in a landslide.  I know polls were bullshit last mid-terms predicting a red wave but still seems like Biden is in bad shape at the moment.

  5. For someone who pretty clearly despises politics (or at minimum, politicians), Ana is doing his best impression of Joe Politician by dodging a very simple question.  He wasn't asked who he would vote for of the three, just who the best option was.  You can vote for none of them of course.

    To me, Biden is clearly the best option of that group, and I say this as someone who won't be voting for him.  I have that luxury since Trump will carry Texas by double digits regardless of what I do - I can actually not cast my vote for a horrible candidate and have a clear conscience.  If I lived in a swing state, I'd probably, sadly, hold my breath and vote Biden.  Because a deeply flawed man with a shit morality compass is still better than one of the worst persons to ever walk the earth.

  6. 3 hours ago, Pescado_Rojo said:

    This shit right here is infuriating. I ended up creating a new email account just for ActBlue donations so I could keep the spam out of my main email. It seriously cut down the amount of spam I get in my main account by about 500 emails a week. 

    "Pescado!  This is James Carville here, and I am FURIOUS!..."

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  7. 28 minutes ago, SydneyCarton said:

     

    I clicked on the link and read a bit. It says he made the vow not to kiss a girl till he got married when he was 14 years old. 

    I'magine making a vow when you were 14 years old, any vow other than "I'm going to fuck anything that will let me fuck it that I don't find grotesque" and sticking with it. All through college. All through college where you eventually end up as the starting QB on the college football team. I'd argue that's almost a sign of mental illness.

    When I was 8 I saw the neighbor's Jaguar and asked my mom what they did for a living. She told me a doctor. Let me tell you I really wanted to be a motherfucking doctor, right up until the point I had to take Bio. Sometimes the smartest play is an obvious audible. 

    It means he's a fucking liar IMO.  Which tracks perfectly with his bullshit pious persona.

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  8. 1 hour ago, Huckleberry said:

    I used to worry about this when pointing out that Billy Liucci is the embodiment of every reason they'll never be a championship program. That their entire fanbase is at fault because they'd rather pay that assclown a bunch of money to tell them how special and unique they are than to pay money to someone who will actually hold the program accountable.

    But then I realized that I was worried about Texas A&M listening to and implementing advice received from Longhorns. Hahaha. No, we're free to continue pointing out how obvious their institutional problems are and they'll never do jack shit about it. Hell, the only ones who are open-minded enough to understand end up posting on Longhorn boards.

    The leading figure on the A&M internet is a guy who has been telling them leading up to every season, without fail, for over two decades that:

    1. Their players are more talented than Texas's players.
    2. Their players are more skilled than Texas's players.
    3. Their coaches are better gameday coaches than Texas's coaches.
    4. Their coaches are better recruiters than Texas's coaches.
    5. Their recruits are better prospects than Texas's recruits.

    For over two decades he has said every single year that everything about their program is better than Texas, and yet they've accomplished jack shit compared to Texas. Not just during our great run in the 2000s, but they haven't even accomplished more than us since they joined the SEC. They won a Cotton Bowl. They beat Alabama. That's it. They haven't even accomplished more than Texas has during one of the dark eras of our program. But if you point out that he's been selling them a load of bullshit you're hated for being a 2%er then banned. Common sense says Liucci is either lying to them on purpose to make money off of them or he's the worst fucking football analyst of all time. Either way why in the hell are you giving him your money? But they don't want to hear that because it might mean they're not as special as their moms told them they are. So he will continue to rake it in.

    I wonder if the above is the reason why Justin Wells said luicci was a business genius on an IT Youtube show before the season began.  Luicci has found a fool-proof way to monetize the cult of the 12th man.

  9. Generally speaking, what is the life expectancy of these things?  I have a bare bones contractor-grade system that's about 12 years old.  I can't use it because it fucks the water pressure in the house.  Can't run a shower and wash dishes at the same time.  I ran through some Iron Out this weekend to help clean the pellets but it didn't help.  Might just need a new system.  Anyone deal with pressure issues related to the softener?

  10. 2 hours ago, CooterBrown said:

    If I'm not mistaken, GreatSchools.org rates schools based only against schools in the same state, not nationwide.  So a high performing state may have a school that rates a 5 out of 10 but if you really delve into the raw data that 5 may actually be a better school than an 8 in Texas. So, I wouldn't pay much attention that overall rating.

    I'd pay attention to the college readiness section on the website. I think you can glean a lot of info based on that data.

    I had not realized this, definitely something I should look into.  Much thanks.

  11. 2 hours ago, SydneyCarton said:

    If you're not averse to cold weather, the school system in MA is arguably the best in the country. Plus don't they have unviersal healthcare at the state level?

    The lists I've seen show either MA or NJ as having the best public schools.  Color me shocked that Jersey isn't only Jets fans and jersey shore guido morons.

  12. We're beginning very early stages of exploring a move to other states.  Frontrunners are CO, WA, MA, VT... 

    Question for those with school-aged children - how big a role should public schools play in choosing a new place to call home?  Seems to me it should be priority 1 (or at worst 2), but I'm open to other viewpoints.  Kids are 3 and 6, so ideally we'd only move once and let them finish K-12 there.

    So far the only "research" I've done is limited to searching real estate in areas with GreatSchools ratings of 6 or higher.  What other resources are out there to find good/decent public schools in a particular state?

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