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southwest1

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    southwest1

    Posted

    On September 24, 2016 at 3:36 AM, 2006Coltsbestever said:

    I am getting ready to get off work so I will have to respond to your Post tomorrow in more detail but all great points. Racism will probably never go away unfortunately as there are just people in this world that are ignorant and violent. I am not sure how anyone can solve some of the violence talking place. It just seems to get worse and worse with groups of people getting shot in night clubs, theaters, etc. for no reason. White cops aren't doing themselves any favors either by shooting unarmed black men during traffic stops. It just makes matters much worse.

    Yes, that is a fair point some individuals just like to stir the pot & cause controversy & mayhem simply because their life has not turned out as well as they wish it had. Like it's somebody's else's fault that they don't make enough money or have a pretty girlfriend or any girlfriend for that matter. 

     

    Look, I'm not trying to minimize any fatality white, black, male, or female & I know that being a police officer is not an easy job. I get that. I just wanna get to an atmosphere of mutual respect for human decency & dignity. The strange thing is this: The black community knows that not all cops are bad. They just want to return home safely every night & not feel singled out simply because they are driving a fancy car in an affluent neighborhood. Not all black citizens are violent criminals up to no good who couldn't possibly afford the wheels they are driving without doing something illegal. Or just because your vehicle may be run down & not new; it doesn't mean that the driver or their passengers are second class citizens to be harassed for no good reason. 

     

    I also get the police side too to some extent. Any routine traffic stop from running a stop sign to a broken tail light can turn dangerous in an instant if the driver feels threatened or uneasy given recent casualties around the country right now. I just wish more cops would be willing to talk to their supervisors about police officers too aggressive & guys who need to find another line of work since they either abuse their authority or they display anger too frequently to specific segments of society. Silence is a form of acceptance & good cops have to be willing to speak out & weed out bad cops. I don't view it as taddle telling...More like making sure that the right personalities respect the shield & protect the community on the street. I've heard the counter argument to this: If a cop doesn't turn a blind eye to bad behavior, then when you're in trouble no backup will show up to save your caboose. I'm not talking about minor infractions here. I'm referring to repeated cases of excessive force against suspects & using your gun & badge as an intimidation tool to make civilians fear you. 

     

    Community policing on foot goes a long way to the community viewing cops as a vital cog in the town or city along with attending local parades, picnics, games, & other social events. People need to see you as just a regular guy or girl not out to bust you, but a conduit to a safer & friendly community. Town hall meeting forums are good too as a way to clear the air & get to know the community whereby no one is looking to pigeonhole people into corners but figure out ways in which no segment of society feels unfairly categorized as a criminal from jump street & to not have 2 separate codes of justice purely based on a person's zip code, attire, appearance, or skin color. 

     

    It also bothers me how some police departments have access to military grade weaponry beyond basic SWAT units across this country. It's difficult to foster an air of trust among the locals when armed vehicles are being deployed & officers come out in full riot gear to get a handle on protests. I wanna be clear here. I do not want either civilians or cops hurt or killed in any way. But, when you see a cop holding a night stick with full gear on, it's not easy to approach that & feel safe & secure as a local person now is it? 

    southwest1

    Posted

    On September 22, 2016 at 8:38 PM, 2006Coltsbestever said:

    Here's my short take on Colin and what is going on: I have no problem with people protesting about something they believe in or serious matters like racism, that is everyone's right to do so. Where I have the problem is dissing the American flag. It doesn't accomplish anything and it really gets many people to dislike you and question why you are doing that. To me it's dissing the Military and the USA when you don't acknowledge the flag. All you are doing is drawing negative attention to yourself when doing so. Had Colin just went on TV or got with some politicians on TV and discussed his issues on different talk shows to get his message out and how we should go about improving the neighborhoods I would be behind him 100%. I just don't get kneeling for a flag that represents your country. Some people say it's just a song but it represents our country, where we live. If someone is that upset with the USA they can always move to a different country if things aren't getting any better for them. This country has a lot of issues but it is still gives most people a lot of leeway to say and do what they want. Colin Kaepernick isn't African American either, His mother is white, he is mixed.

    Thank you CBE for your response to my blog entry. I know how busy peoples daily lives are so I am grateful for feedback & different points of view on this subject matter. 

     

    Max Kellerman on ESPN 'First Take' has made the intriguing argument that in America anyway the Natl. Anthem standing up during it is a mandatory gesture of compliance as opposed to a voluntary one where dissent is frowned upon & even called out publicly if you refuse to stand up while the Star Spangled Banner is being sung vocally or played through a variety of instruments.

     

    If an act is required with backlash coming if you exercise defiance, where is independence & liberty being displayed individually without fear of retaliation exactly? Didn't George Washington defy King George III & call for a revolution against Great Britain's colonization & lack of religious & economic freedom which lead to the formation of the United States in 1776? 

     

    Still other American scholars have made the argument that the red in our nation's union jack represents the blood of the many black men & women who paid the ultimate sacrifice through war & forced bondage to play a crucial role in the United States autonomy away from the cash crop economies of cotton & tobacco via indentured servitude that survived slavery, Jim Crow laws, & city & natl. prohibitions against unfair restrictions on unlawful voting practices, unlawful access to an equal education; unlawful employment restrictions, unlawful housing practices; & unlawful guidelines about separate lunch counters; restrooms; water fountains & basic dignity rights about human survival minus lynchings & other forms of physical & psychological torture. 

     

     

    Relax, I'm not here to lecture anybody about our country's past missteps or injustices CBE. I am only pointing out what others have said about America's right to peaceful protest earned tragically through rebellion, wars, death,  & social unrest just to allow some US citizens the right to not stand during the Natl. Anthem. I like you dislike this act of defiance immensely, but that decision to not stand or kneel during the Star Spangled Banner is a choice they are entitled to exercise no matter how much others might firmly be diametrically opposed to this notion outright. 

     

    I've said this before & I'll say it again: To me, the flag & honoring it through the Natl. Anthem represents the land of opportunity where immigrants with nothing can come here & make something of themselves despite language barriers, cultural barriers, geographic barriers, & gender barriers. Yes, I know. The flag also means paying tribute to the fallen [military men & women & those who made positive strides forward as leaders of social change in this country as well]. 

     

    Colin Kaepernick wants to use his quarterback clout as a conduit to convey his frustrations over so many black brothers & sisters dying over minor traffic stops when more police stations across this country need to focus their attention on how to de-escaltate volatile situations more calmly & peacefully with no fatalities at all. And when a police officer oversteps their bounds of authority...There is a heavy price to pay meaning hard time behind bars in a federal prison.

     

    I also know we need to find a way to peel back the onion of racial bias & prejudice among different communities too. We need to start a dialogue between the black, white, & Latino communities where a safe comfort zone is established. By that I mean, create an atmosphere where all sides can ask each other anything not as a mechanism to upset or blame each other but rather to listen to everyone's hopes, dreams, & aspirations while unpacking misconceived prejudices about another community that are not accurate or truthful at all in the interest of real growth & awareness. It may sound like a far fetched pipe dream on the surface, but it can be achieved as long as different groups from different backgrounds really listen to one another & they don't get obsessed with protecting their own point of view exclusively at all costs. Yes, I know. The first thing any group needs is to know that they are safe, protected, & no bodily harm will come to them when interacting with powerful authority figures in society or expressing a POV that may be deemed unflattering or unpopular in contemporary circles. I understand completely. Trust me. 

     

    I have my first college roommate named Al who happens to be an America Indian that converse with somewhat frequently on provocative issues. I just enjoy our conversations because we respect the other person's backgrounds & life experiences & we can ask each other anything because for us it's not about a gotcha moment or look how smart I am stance. We wanna get deep below the surface & kick every rock/road block over. To quote HOF INDY head coach Tony Dungy, "are you part of the problem or part of the solution?" 

     

    Thanks again CBE for jotting down your thoughts. I respect you as a writer & thinker a great deal. 

     

     

     

     

    • Like 1
    YellScreamGoColts

    Posted

    On January 8, 2016 at 1:34 AM, pacolts56 said:

    YellScream....my deepest condolences to you and your family.

     

    I know firsthand the difficulty of your experience.

     

    My wife has been battling pancreatic cancer since the fall of 2013. Major surgery and 3 different rounds of chemo since, but those options appear to have been exhausted and her time is getting short.

     

    We've appreciated each and every day since her diagnosis and she's insisted the entire time that our lives remain as unchanged as possible....and as you know many days have been tough.

     

    I'm sure your dad Randy was a true warrior.

     

    Keep us in your thoughts and prayers if you would....and all the best to you and your family as you move forward.

     

    Thanks - pacolts56

     

     

    I hope you're hanging in there brother as well as can be expected given such heart wrenching circumstances. Miss you man. I'm here if you need me. God bless, my friend. 

    • Like 1
    Gramz

    Posted

    Wow, that is nice to hear that Papa John's management saw fit to recognize Amy for all her years of service & dedication to the company. No job is insignificant & I'm sure that there's an artform to folding that many boxes over the years. 

     

    I hope Amy was touched by all the well deserved attention she was given for her hard work, steadfast loyalty, & sense of team cohesiveness. 

     

    Delicious pizza, thirst quenching refreshments, relaxing music provided by Gramz & Ron, & a roomful of proud people. Way to Go Amy! 

     

    Thank you Gramz, Ron, & all the people who make disabled individuals feel part of the crowd & everyday society. You Rock! 

    • Like 5
    David Dunbar

    Posted

    Yes, when you consider all the turnover that this team has undergone from a scheme, player, and coaching staff perspective from last season until now it is nice to see that the arrow is finally pointing up David. Patience is the key.

    We will rise again like a phoenix amid the smoldering ashes of doubt. The Blue Horseshoe will dominate our division again within 3 years...Good things come to those who wait patiently and never ever give up hope. Our day of resurgence is coming.

    Mona Miller Ʊ

    Posted

    Hello there Mona,

    Nice football picture and Colts game day jersey gear. Yes, there have been a significant amount of upgrades and transformations since Colts Direct to Colts Forum no doubt. But, the changes on this site are much more advanced and they make it much easier to use and track your Blue Horseshoe family and friends IMO. Welcome Back Mona!

    Restored

    Posted

    Randal,

    You have done a superb job of documenting the similar backgrounds of Peyton Manning and Andrew Luck, their patriarchal influences of their NFL fathers, public criticisms about their capacity to win crucial football games, and their ability to call multiple audibles at the line of scrimmage.

    In addition, this statement is very accurate, timely, and cogent as well:

    "Barry Sanders, Charles Woodson and Desmond Howard are the only three players out of the most recent era who have won the award and achieved a level of success in the NFL. It can be inferred that “losing” the Heisman could be viewed as the blessing to the curse associated with winning it."

    Nicely written piece Randal. I look forward to reading your additional posts on Andrew Luck and any possible future parallel correlations to the future NFL Hall of Fame player Peyton Manning.

    • Like 1
    JPPT1974

    Posted

    "Twelve dead and fifty-nine wounded. Let's remember them and not the person that did it."

    Yes, we need to express sympathy for the families who lost loved ones naturally of course. I have a slight difference of opinion on your central thesis however JPPT. I am in no way, shape, or form condoning the violence and bloodshed committed by this lone gunman. He will face justice, through the legal court system, for his unspeakable crime eventually.

    From my perspective, the news media is too quick to label a gunman mentally unstable without taking the time to understand why a person was motivated to commit such a violent act. It's too easy just to say "lock him up and throw away the key." Very few mass murders are classified as legally insane. Most gunmen have a reason for what lead them down such an unspeakable conclusion of tragedy against innocent bystanders. Why take the time to do this you ask? To potentially spot unstable warning signs much faster and prevent a similar tragedy in the future.

    JPPT1974

    Posted

    Yes, a vast majority of gun owners are law abiding citizens, who are responsible with firearms, advocate safety at all times, and well adjusted individuals. Yes, "people not guns do the killing."

    However, most people tend to forget that the second amendment to the U. S. Constitution was written during a time period when local militias defended their territory using muskets and packed gun power performed largely by hand not assault rifles with multiple rounds in single clips as Narcosys states accurately above.

    Our Founding Fathers never envisioned this kind of weaponry or heavy magazine capacity. The only law enforcement entity that needs that kind of fire power is S.W.A.T. and military Special Forces Units IMO.

    I respect the "Right To Bear Arms" and the right to legally hunt wild game for sport and recreation, but the proper historical context needs to be observed here.

    Jay Kirk

    Posted

    Sorry Jay, I don't check the blog section that often unless I am prompted or encouraged to do so by a friend.

    I think we will get all our rookies signed in short order.

    Hey, the Horseshoe is pointed up this year. New GM, new head coach, new quarterback, and a number of new roster faces. INDY will return to NFL prominence in about 2 years IMO.

    • Like 1
    ColtsPRIDE11

    Posted

    Wow, I feel like I just read a journal for a reporter on the Travel Channel. The trees, the grass, the rolling hills, & the mighty & majestic Colorado River. I was transported from 2012 to the 1920's & back again. No phones, no internet, no modern day technology just rugged individualism, breathtaking scenery, & tranquil sunset backdrops. Our experiences of a simpler less complex time color of memories & remind us all not to be clouded by possessions & materialism.

    I understand this is only a fraction of your adventure, which is told in crisp & vivid detail documenting the sights, sounds, & smells on your trip. You touched on it, but I wanted to know the fear & exhileration [sic] of the cold water as it splashed in your raft, the thrill of not capsizing the boat, your anxieties of not slamming against the rock formations, & the thrill & adreneline rush of surviving a trip down the Colorado River.

    Beautifully written piece CP11!!! I really enjoyed reading it. Thank you. Nice work buddy!!!

    • Like 3
    ColtsPRIDE11

    Posted

    so many thoughts running through my head as I read. My father served 2 tours of duty in Vietnam. This year, a few months ago they finally acknowledged the medical conditions related to agent orange poisoning and he is under going tests to determine if he is owed medical care for his many illnesses. He has a severe heart and artery condition as well as COPD. Long story, but it's very odd and he is a walking miracle having had 11 stents, a double bypass, a piece of artery replaced and 8 heart attacks. He was in Danang, where AO was 300X's more than anywhere else during the war. He is still the hardest working person I know and will choose to do things himself (sand and refinish the deck, clean out the gutters, chop down a tree, etc,etc) before he would considering hiring anyone. He started working at age 15 setting pins in a bowling alley and has been employed since then. He is my hero. We know how the Vietnam vets were treated when they returned home. It was and is dispicable. I don't care what politics created any war or right or wrong, the fact is, these brave solidiers still commited to honoring the request of their country to serve and many died for it. My brother is a Veteran of the Iraq war. This is another war many Veterans are disrepected for being involved in, as if the politics of the war is their choosing. I could go on and on, but I won't. I have also noticed with my children the lack of American history education and it is troubling. In some cases they are even taught incorrectly. For example one teacher is teaching that the Black Panthers were a peaceful organization just trying to earn some civil liberties. Say what? My current 6th grader and 8th grader have learned more about Asia and Europe than they have American history. I hope this is improved in high school. I live in an area with a very good school system, so it makes you wonder. I know the current focus is math, math and more math. They are starting long division in kindergarten now. And also foreign language is a new requirement for graduation and is also being started in the elementaries. This takes away class time for other subjects. Writing is completely out. No cursive at all and very little time spent on printing in grades 1 and 2. They go to the computer lab and do not teach key boarding, they just start typing with hunt and peck at first and they eventually the kids know the keyboard, there is no purposeful focus on learning the keyboard. I digress, sorry. Allow me one more digression... I saw some 20 somethings talking and giggling during the playing of our national anthem at a graduation ceremony recently. It is just sad to see such disrespect. I'm sure they are fine people, but they just don't get it. Thanks for the great blog and I whole heartedly agree that we should honor and take care of our Vets! Thank you to all who serve!

    First of all MCF, I want to personally thank your father for serving in Vietnam & your brother for serving in Iraq. Your father sounds extremely hardworking, independent, & self reliant. It is easy to see why he is your hero. No doubt those admirable traits he possesses rubbed off on your entire family. I sincerely hope that your dad gets the medical care he & all veterans so richly deserve. The red tape bureaucracy of the federal government is so time consuming & frustrating. Look up a soldier's service record, pinpoint their location & duration of duty, correlate specific regions where Agent Orange was sprayed, & finally pay for all the tests & treatment options this soldier earned & is entitled to. It's really not that difficult to carry out IMO.

    Second, as you so eloquently stated, these soldiers did their job & they are to be recognized, remembered, & commemorated for their sacrifices; they are NOT chess pieces or political pawns. Please do not say derogatory statements to them ever. Thank you.

    Anyone who talks during the national anthem or refuses to observe a moment of silence & respect is not truly appreciative of what actual liberty really is...

    What teacher in their right mind would honestly claim with a straight face that the Black Panthers was a peaceful organization? That is utterly ridiculous. Is this what passes for an education today? I sincerely hope not or this country is deep trouble. Critical thinking skills seem to disappearing these days or not even taught for that matter & I find this trend incredibly disturbing personally. Accurate representations of our nation's periods of national conflicts, movements, & struggle to coexist as a people are essential to keeping our young nation vital & strong.

    • Like 2
    southwest1

    Posted

    Ahhh I like the points you bring up regarding health care for retired pros. My thought and feeling on this leans to the second option you stated. Again, if I have to pay for mine, they should have to pay for theirs. In regards to if they are bankrupt...well this is going to sound harsh, but they should have managed their money better shouldn't they? If I was injured and I was bankrupt isn't that what people would tell me? I believe the thing to remember is this: they are still ordinary people just like us. They too have to be responsible adults and be able to figure out hard situations such as this...it's part of life isn't it? Thoughts?

    You are a deep & provocative thinker my friend & I really admire that character trait in you & all my forum friends. Yes, personal responsibility is crucial to a player's financial security after their NFL career is over.

    However, anyone can fall prey to fraud & deception even among their most trusted advisors & consultants. Also, what if repeated concussions or head trauma makes a retired player susceptible to easy manipulation, influence, & coercion? There is a huge difference between reckless, lavish spending & diminished mental capacity & overall awareness. Often times, players with brain trauma are taken advantage of, broke, & can't get access to the real help that they need. Yes, you can't save everybody & some people do indeed fall through the cracks I know, but does any safety net exist for these broken down players?

    I don't have any concrete answers, but I am fond of asking questions. Nice discussion as always CP11.

    • Like 1
    ColtsPRIDE11

    Posted

    Being a student of history myself, having a Masters degree in American History, I am well aware the bloodshed spilled in this country & young Republic to preserve & protect our civil liberties. I know what "shared sacrifice" & paying the ultimate price really means. I am also intimately aware of what guilt over survival really means among veterans too. Why did I live & my buddy standing right next to me drop?

    To me, honoring veterans is more than a parade or salute of gratitude. When our men women come home from duty without limbs & brain trauma, does our citizenry & federal government cut through the red tape & get these men & women the surgeries, medical attention, & psychological assistance they need? When Humpty Dumpty comes back broken & weak, what do we do as a society to make them whole again? Once the crowds & fanfare does down, who comforts the sick, the ill, & the lame? Who quiets the voices of fear, pain, & nightmares? Who counteracts the images of death & decay that time can not completely erase? Who reminds these noble men & women that they matter & have value? Who can step in listen, let them cry, & prevent a suicide?

    Another point: Veterans of Vietnam, Korea, Iraq, & Afghanistan really resent the implication that only WWII Vets fought in the only "noble war" & that any wartime experience beyond 1945 does mean anything. WWII vets got parades, national respect, & the GI Bill to attend college & rise in terms of social & income mobility. Beyond WWII, media appreciation for veterans sacrifices has significantly diminished. VFW Posts will crumble unless WWII veterans loosen the misconception that theirs was the only war that really mattered. Also, the public isn't asked to ration sugar & other products for troops overseas anymore. So public awareness is almost completely unknown which is so sad.

    The fighting is now largely down by drown attacks at the push of a button or drop of a missile. The public doesn't see investigative journalists like Walter Kronkite anymore at the dinner table who keep the public aware of casualities, political power plays, & ultimately change the scope, mindset, & opinion of the War in South East Asia.

    Good Bless All The MEN & WOMEN WHO SERVE IN EVERY BRANCH OF SERVICE WHO SERVE IN A REMOTE CORNER OF THE WORLD WITH A SPATULA, MOP, OR MACHINE GUN. I WILL NEVER LET YOUR SACRIFICE DIE, DISAPPEAR, OR SLIP AWAY. THANK YOU.

    • Like 4
    southwest1

    Posted

    George Lucas has never won an Oscar. And he is a wealthy man otherwise. But has not explored other areas like his friend Steven Speilberg hence "Schinder's List."

    I think Lucas has been honored by a number of international film academies abroad for his influence of film making courtesy of his special effects company Industrial Light & Magic [iLM]. Thank you for your feedback JPPT1974. I appreciate it.

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