The Message Forum is an ongoing dialogue among classmates. The goal is to encourage friendly interaction, including interaction among classmates who really didn't know each other. Experience on the site has revealed that certain topics tend to cause friction and hard feelings, especially politics and religion. 

Although politics and religion are not completely off-limits, classmates are asked to be positive in their posts and not to be too repetitive or allow a dialog to degenerate into an argument. 

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David Cordell

Wayne,

No, you won't see me on a street corner, seeking donations. I am blessed.

However, a week or so ago I lost an amount in my retirement savings in one day that exceeded my former monthly salary. It does focus one's attention.

Separately, I am trying to wrap my brain around Biden's concept of a minor incursion by Russia into Ukraine. Seems to me that an incursion is a binary concept. It's an incursion, or it's not an incursion. Reminds me of  pregnancy. A woman is either pregnant, or she's not pregnant. There's no such thing as "sorta" pregnant.

Janalu Jeanes (Parchman)

Wayne,

Was the doctor named Dr. Apple?  My Dad's family lived in Allen and in many hamlets in the vacinity, so the only doctor in Allen, was Dr. Apple.  As a matter of fact, Dr. Apple was evidently the only doctor in most of Collin County, from what I've been told, as he served practically everyone, when and if a family was able to summons him.  He would take most any type of payment the patients could offer, such as a couple of chickens for a nice dinner, or perhaps, if he was a little more fortunate, a few dollars.  He delivered many, many babies in the area, but depended upon available relatives to begin procedures before he could travel along the roads or pathways to get to the farmhouse locations.  Dr. Apple "set" my uncle's broken elbow, after he had fallen out of a tree at the age of twelve, and he gave my Granddad a dose of some type of powerful elixir to either allow my Granddad to get well, or finish him off towards his trip to Glory.  He told my Grandmother that the concoction would either 'cure him,' or 'kill him.'  Tough 'goings-on' in those days!

Luckily for Granddad, he pulled through and lived to be 73 years old.  Diabetes took him down, since he rarely ate what he should have eaten.  He liked fried chicken and cream gravy with biscuits to boot!  And he liked sorghum molasses on almost anything else that gravy didn't cover.  He was 6'2'' and weighed 235 lbs., in his younger years; a brawny plowboy who broke up the dry ground with one of those plows that has a blade sticking in the ground, and a mule pulling the dad-gum contraption.  It worked for many a year until a tractor could be purchased.

Janalu Jeanes (Parchman)

David,

Bob Fleming mentions that people who have been told that they must be deported, have to get their affairs in order and report to an airport within thirty days, to leave the US.  However, during this Biden administration, the ICE officers have been scuttled, pretty much, and are being told to "stand down;" to NOT continue with their usual work of rounding up errant folks. ( That bug-eyed little Mayorkas fella' gets a kick out of pushing the ICE officers around, since he can't stand them at all.)  The officers have been told to do this because VP Kamala and a number of other progressive activists, think that the officers are being unruly and cold-hearted in their duties.  These activists say that ICE personnel are cruel and are purposely routing out peaceful "immigrants" who are not doing any harm here, therefore the "immigrants" should be allowed to continue their lives, regardless of what the courts have ordered.  The ICE officers are mostly twiddling their fingers at present, waiting to get the "okay" from Biden to resume their jobs.  Of course, they realize that such an order is not going to happen until after the 2024 election happens, so they just keep busy sweeping their office floors, watering the potted Chia Pet plants, and keeping the grass mowed. They probably watch Netflix too, when they get bored, and drink way too much coffee.  Maybe they watch some of those cooking shows, gathering recipes of interest to take home to their wives to whip up!

I believe you already know this info, but I wanted to reiterate it to press a point.

Wayne Gary

Janalu,

Good story. I never heard the name of the doctor.

David Cordell

Bobby,

I think the point is that U.S. policy toward illegal immigration has changed dramatically in the past twelve months. What was, is no more.

Illegal immigrants should not be allowed to cross the border. The end.

I appreciate your compassion for the poor -- the wretched refuse of their teeming shores -- but if you want an open border (and I clearly don't), pass a law. Don't ignore the laws we have.

The Biden administration is remarkably unserious about border security. The so-called border czar refuses to visit the border. The border is incredibly porous, and those who pass are allowed to stay. Less than half show up at their hearings.  

That is what is happening. And, not to switch topics, but it is consistent with what is going on in the broader society. Liberal mayors and liberal district attorneys are simply deciding to ignore laws. Crime is spiking. No surprise.

David Cordell

One more thing -- about Vice President Harris's insistence on getting to the root causes of illegal immigration. Well two things.

First, it is a crock. They're coming because they can. They are looking for a better life, and the door to the better life is our open border. 

Second, let's say that she determines that people are coming because of bad conditions in their home countries. Now what? Replace those governments? Send billions of dollars (musch of which will be siphoned off)? 

(Well, three things.)

Third, an analogy. Imagine that you are in bed. During a rainstorm, a leak occurs and water starts dripping onto you. What are you going to do first? I don't know what your answer would be, but mine would be to grab a container to place under the drip to stop water from soaking my bed. The source (root cause) of the leak? Yeah, I'll get to that, but the first step is to deal with the flow.

Sandra Spieker (Ringo)

Bob Fleming, on illegals, deportation and showing ID, exactly.  Well said.  You said it better than I could have. 

David - In a perfect, strict world there would be no one seeking asylum, or running from war, extreme poverty, or certain death.  Sadly, that is not the case.  I don't believe you can completely stop illegal immigrants from crossing our borders.  Manage it, yes.  Reduce it, yes.  But a zero tolerance policy?  I don't think that is possible.

Greg Abbott in his zeal to obtain the zero tolerance policy of no one entering has deployed the National Guard in the thousands to guard the border in Texas.  This was done with no clear plan on how to pay them on time, house them, or provide facilities adequate enough to not spread Covid among those deployed.  Hence, payroll is sporatic, Guardsmen are defacating on the highway and sleeping in their cars.  Some, wanting to be released from duty to go back to families (this has gone on for months now) have been denied and a few have committed suicide.  This is a big problem and should be investigated, and solved as soon as possible.  Our Texas National Guard might be needed in case of an emergency, like a Hurricane, or flood, or firefight....the list of possiblities goes on.  To demoralize them like this shows a lack of good leadership and forsight.  This has been reported in more than one new source, but to read more see this link in USA Today.

We do need a more robust immigration policy that all sides can agree on.  Immigration is the backbone of this country.  We are all decendents of immigrants, legal and illegal.  Some business rely on the labor that those seeking new citizenship would gladly take that local citzens turn their noses up on.  Right now we are in gridlock.  To get 60 Senators to agree on this will take a miracle. 

As far as news sources go, I treat them like junk food.  I do indulge in far left leaning sites now and then, just like I gawk at the far right news sites too.  But to indulge in them daily will affect the brain much like a high fat, high sugar, high carb diet affects the body.  It just is not very good for your body, brain or soul.

David Cordell

The problem with starting negotiations from the status quo is that one side attempts to move the status quo before the negotiation. 

Imagine two boys on the playground. They have a disagreement. One boy wrestes the other to the ground and pins both of the other boy's arms behind his back. What is the negotiated compromise? Pinning only one arm behind his back??

We must start by enforcing the current laws. Stop the flow of illegal immigrants. Then we can have a conversation about whether and/or how to change the laws. 

Right now, we have an extremely porous border because of the obvious policy of the Biden administration to flaut immigration law, and, in the process, encouraging even more illegal immigration. If Biden were fulfilling his oath, Abbott wouldn't be doing anything on the border. 

Wayne Gary

I have been reading where the Blacks in SC and those with student loans while attending historically black colleges are upset with Biden because he "bought" their votes by promising to forgive student loans and send them money. Biden has not fulfilled his campaign promises.

Bob Davidson

I'm still in the midst of moving from hipsterville just outside downtown Houston to the distant suburbs so I don't have much, if any free time.  The two things I like are the network of trails through the woods in Kingwood, and the lack of snark.  It is pretty amazing to be around people who are just going about life without that distinctive inner loop attitude.  It's also interesting to keep reading Neighborhood and the constant crime reports.  This weekend someone smashed the windows of all the cars parked on the street in my old block, then stole everything inside.  My old mechanic and friend is maimed after some ahole decided to steal a car he was working on at his shop a week ago Saturday -- the thief ran him into the wall of the barbershop next door with the car he was stealing, leaving him with a crushed pelvis among other injuries.  His wife and teenage daughter were in the office and saw the whole incident.  They are carjacking customers in the parking lot at my old Kroger.  It goes on ad nauseam. 

It looks to me like Brandon is blundering us into a war with Russia for Ukraine, a place of no particular import to us.  The fact that China, Russia, and Iran have been doing joint military exercises lately seems kinda important, too.  It makes me think of the pre-World War II world:  in 1939, France and Great Britian were two of the richest nations on earth.  The French had the most powerful, best-equipped army on earth and the British navy ruled the waves.  They went to war with Germany over the Polish dictatorship, a place of no particular import to them.  By 1945, they were both basket cases of countries, with third world economies and depleted militaries.

In my little spare time, I'm reading T. Harry Williams' biography of P. G. T. Beauregard.  That man can really write -- his history books are a pleasure to read.  I'm currently in the time leading up to the War Between the States -- again, the foolish, self-serving politicians on both sides remind me of the current crop.  Being the 1850s is much better than watching my investments go south and the world go to hell.

Sandra Spieker (Ringo)

David,

I guess is to start negotiating without the "status quo", whatever that is defined as.  BOTH SIDES NEED TO COME TO THE TABLE AND AT LEAST TALK ABOUT IT.  This political gamemaship of finger pointing, blame, and grandstanding is costing lives, money and human hardship on all sides.  But I forget that an election is coming up and it is what it is. 
 

Jerry May

Lowell,

I was shocked the Bills didn't "squib" kick on the ensuing kickoff......as well. Actually a lot of mistakes in all the playoff games. 

Of course Cowboys Head Coach McCarthy didn't exactly win the "time management of the year" award for his clock handling. And not just against the 49ers. All year!

Was happy for Matt Stafford yesterday......in advancing to the Championship. (after all those grueling years at Detroit)

I did not see him play in High School (at Highland Park) but did get to see films of him playing for the Scots. He was one of the biggest players on the field, and was throwing darts back then!

Speaking of Highland Park......in 1977 was able to go to the quarterfinal round  at Texas Stadium, between they and the Plano Wildcats Problem was, we only stayed till half.......since the Scots easily racked up 28 points to Plano's zero! Turned out to be the greatest game I didn't see.

As several of us were drowning our woes at some bar off of Greenville Ave, an indoor radio broadcast turned up to the max......blared out: " And in tonights quarterfinal matchup the final was Highland Park 28; (long pause) Plano 29!! Huh! Unbelievable! 

After that, we did go and see the whole state championship game between Port Neches Grove and Plano along with 49,000 or so, fans (largest attendance at that time for a High School game) Plano prevailed 

13-10. 

I became a Wildcat fan when we moved to Plano in 1975......and both boys later graduated from PSH

Bob Fleming

Wayne & Janalu - I always knew that you two and others I could name are 'originals" to Richardson (as opposed to snowbirds and others who came to the city in the 50's).  I really enjoy hearing the stories you tell.

I have 3 questions for you.

1.  I forgot the name of the man that owned the lumber company in downtown Richardson.  I thought I would always remember because he was the business leader that brought the YMCA to town.  Do you recall his name? (was it Jim Boyle . . . something like that?)

2.  Can you tell me about the name "heights" in Richardson - as in Richardson Heights Elementary or Shopping Center.  What "heights" are we talking about?  Was "heights" just an all purpose name for any area area outside of downtown (like the Houston Heights for example).  Do you know? 

3.  This one is a little more difficult.  Richardson was the only small town north of Dallas, to my knowledge, that  did not have a black community "across the tracks."  Is that true?  And if so, do you know why? 

Bob Fleming

David -

I think you are assigning political positons and attitudes to me that I don't hold.

In a previous post, you assigned me to a politcal "team."  I repeat again, I am not on a team.

"If you want open borders then pass a law" may be rhetorical on your part but it seems that you are assigning a political positon to me that I don't share.  I am not, nor have I ever been, an advocate for open borders.

Nor am I a compassionate bleeding heart romantically attached to the teeming masses, etc.   To assign that designation to me - is to dismiss my views a priori. 

I do not ascribe to either of the two "romantic" political notions on offer.  "Open borders" is a preposterous political position to hold.  "Closed borders" and "just don't let illegals in" is equally preposterous. And both positons are prima facie impossible to implement.

I will say that your characterization of the Biden administration's immigration policy is exaggerated to say the least.

I understand that you are repeating conservative political talking points used for campaign purposes, but I also understand that both "liberal" and "conservative" talking points are both simplified and exaggerated.

I myself follow the logic of G.K. Chesterton, the great conservative Catholic religious writer, poet, novelist,  essayist and critic.  "To have a perfect system is impossible; to have a system is indispensable."

It is possible to have a sensible, though imperfect immigration system.  Such a system - given human realities - can last 20-25 years before it must be re-done.  This country is about  15-20 years overdue since the last reform was accomplished by Ronald Reagan.

Buf if everyone is mischaractrizing the other's positon and maximizing their own, we cannot do politics and we get nowhere.  That, I think, is what happens on this forum and in the nation at large. 

Jim Bedwell

My 10 favorite guitarists (I can't tell you who's the best):

1 Jimi Hendrix

2 Stevie Ray Vaughan

3 Michael Bloomfield

4 Eric Clapton

and then in no particular order:

Eddie Van Halen

Johnny Winter

Leo Kottke - the only acoustic guy of the 10

Roy Buchanan

Duane Allman - the only mainly slide guitarist of the 10

John Jorgenson - ex-Byrd & ex-Flying Burrito Brother Chris Hillman called him the best musician he's ever played with

David Cordell

Bobby,

I'm not sure what I said in my last couple of posts that indicated that I ascribe any particular policy to you. You have said recently that you are not on a team, and I will acknowledge that. Still, my guess is that if a set of Democrat policies were placed next to a set of Republican policies, you would most closely identify with the Democrat version, and I with the Republican version. To be candid, my casual observation is that people on the left tend to think that they are in the center

You seem to want to discredit facts simply because they are  reported on "right wing" news outlets. Facts are facts. In my thinking, the issue is not that they are reported by conservative outlets. The issue is why they aren't reported on left-wing outlets.

You might benefit from listening to Thomas Homan, former Acting Director of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, who is now a Fox News contributor.

Regarding whether illegal immigration can be completely eliminated, I agree that it cannot. Similarly, it isn't possible to keep the opposing football team from completing any forward passes. Does that mean that you shouldn't have any defensive backs?

David Cordell

I should have mentioned that the immigration "reform" during the Reagan administration included a mass amnesty, presumably in exchange for better border enforcement. How did that work out?

Jim Bedwell

My 5 least favorite Cowboys (in no particular order):

Jerry Jones

Jerry Jones

Jerry Jones

Jerry Jones

Jerry Jones

Lowell Tuttle

jeff Beck   and Andre Segovia

Janalu Jeanes (Parchman)

David,

I like listening to Tom Homan too, as he has first hand experience of dealing with border issues, having worked with them every day for more than twenty years.  Listening to him tell "the facts" is an excellent start for all of us.

I don't see why we can't go back to having an "Ellis Island" type of set up that immigrants can and did understand fairly easily.  Immigrants knew what they needed to accomplish before coming here, and once here, they were dealt with in an organized manner, and were usually sent to live with a relative who could help them learn the American way of life.  It just made sense, I think.  And when many, many immigrants had come to the US in the late 1800s and early 1900s, our government had the good sense to bring our accepting rate of immigrants down to a trickle for a while, to allow for all of the masses of immigrants here, a time of assimilation and adjustment, without overwhelming our country with various newcomers who would huddle with "their own kind," not assimilating as they should.  If we don't have new folks learning to become Americans with pride, then we will have what Europe has, I fear.  Europe has areas where firemen and policeman are afraid to enter, because they fear they will be attacked as the unwanted Anglo-Saxon enemy.

Janalu Jeanes (Parchman)

Bob F.,

I don't know the answers to your questions, but I will look into it, since I enjoy searching for the answers to questions pertaining to Richardson and the metroplex.

I suspect that the "Heights" name was just a generic name for a new development by the developers that came in to build new houses in that area.  My Dad bought a lot over in the new area, thinking he would hold it for a while as an investment for himself, and then sell it.  As it turned out, he and my mother decided to build a house there instead.  I asked him why he chose a corner lot, and he told me the corner lots were the largest lots.  It made sense to him at the time, but later on, my mother was a little miffed to have a corner lot on a busy street as our residence, because she was worried that one of her kids would end up getting hit by a car after chasing a ball into traffic.  Fortunately, it never happened, probably because of her constantly warning us of the danger. However, we DID loose our little pet dog one late afternoon, after he ran out of our fenced backyard, right out on to Floyd Rd., and was hit.  My Dad rushed him down to the vet's office at the southern end of Floyd Rd., near the expressway, while giving the little scamp mouth-to-mouth resusitation, ( I don't know how he did that, since I didn't see it happening---I was just told about it by our neighbor guy who drove Dad as he tried so hard)  but it was to no avail.   We were all heartbroken, but we managed.  We soon got another dog and continued along, living for several more years before moving to a new house near Belt Line and N. Waterview Dr., where we had new adventures, new pets, and new friends.

Wayne Gary

I just saw on ABC News where a Judge issued an "arrest warrant" for a cruise ship headed to Miami.  I wonder how do they arrest a ship.  I think the judge issued a sheizure order for non payment of bills for fiel. 

I get a laugh when I see a reporter make a big gaff.

Marty Fulton

Those were some pretty good NFL playoff games this weekend.  Parity among teams was very apparent. 

Was shocked that the 69'ers won IN Green Bay DURING a snowstorm.  They had neither a completed pass NOR a first down until 6 minutes left in the 1st half.  I agreed with Boomer Esiason that the Bengals would win (before the game started), based on winning in KC just 3 weeks ago.  D Henry of the Titans having a bad game just couldn't push them to a victory.  The Lambs played just good enough to win, even though yet another epic comeback was directed by Brady - as usual - to tie the game.  Thought for sure that one was going into overtime, but the normally reliable defense collapsed at the end of the game.  Lambs / 69-ers in the NFC championship game?  BORING.

One note about the end of the Cowboys game.  If I'm not mistaken, the refs screwed up the 'Boys in a similar fashion earlier in the game.  1) Dak should not have run as far as he did.  2)  The refs 'gave a pass' on penalizing the defensive back who ended up on top of Dak as 'he gave himself up'.  3) Turns out, ANY official, not just the umpire, can 'activate' the ball prior to the next play.  The umpire was late activating the ball for the next play, and even interfered (twice) with the offensive line prior to the snap.  An officials time out would have been the prudent call.  Sure, there would have been whining of a 'good ole homefield call', but it would have been the right thing to do.  Besides, what would be the odds of a TD from 25 yards out with 1 second left?  Did you notice how quickly the referees SPRINTED to the exit?  That's telling...

If you like high scoring games, you either hated or loved the outcome of the Chiefs / Bills game.  T Romo added greatly to the game (J Nance should stick to golf).  He's almost as good as T Aikman now....  r.e.: the last 13 seconds of regulation.  Agreed, the Bills should have 'pooched' the kick - that would have 'forced' KC to down the ball on the field of play in order to stop the clock.  Unless KC downed the ball (0 or 1 second elapsed time), then several seconds would have passed, which probably would have ended the game a play or two later.  I know what the Bills coaching staff was thinking - not even P Mahomes can score now.  WRONG. As good as J Allen was yesterday, 'The Homes' was slightly better.  It's refreshing to see a Texan play so well.  Super extraordinary.  Born in Tyler, schooled in Lubbock.  Even when the Chiefs lose, it's entertaining to watch.  Thats all I have to say about that.

David Cordell

Marty and others,

I don't actually watch many NFL games that don't include the Cowboys, but I watched, at least out of the corner of my eye, all four games this weekend. Three last second wins and one in overtime. Heroics everywhere. I can't imagine a more exciting set of playoff games.

It does sort of annoy me that the NFC Championship is an all-California affair.

David Cordell

Bobby Fleming,

You mentioned G.K. Chesterton. We watch a lot of British shows, especially murder mysteries. One of them is Father Brown,  a character created by G.K. Chesterton.