Official Texans @ Colts Game Thread, 12/20/2015

[chuck]

Idiots like Bob and nunu are perennial owner apologists. They spout bullshit like "its the capital and entrepreneurial skills of past and present NFL owners that has made for the opportunities for these young guys to leverage their freakish athletic traits in a way that nothing else possibly could," conveniently forgetting that corporate welfare typically gave these owners a clear path to their wealth not available to normal people, that the NFL enjoys insane anti-trust protection and that most of these repellent pricks had taxpayers build their stadiums for them. And, of course, it's the television contracts that get these players paid like they do.

These assholes are force-fed what they likely think of as conservative ideals. Actually, there is probably very little force feeding happening; they most likely happily take it in their oral orifice and elsewhere. Big government participates in stacking the deck for the billionaire owners with respect to their wealth accumulation, their anti-trust protection and the stadium building. Yet these idiots parade up and down bitching about taxes and government intrusion in their lives and so on but when it's rich white guys against uppity black guys, well, they stand in line to lick the taint. It's sad how typically hypocritical these clowns are. It's almost enough to make you want to leave the country to avoid them.

Oh, happy holidays to all you necks.

[barrett]

I read an interesting article a few weeks ago about the irony in the fact that the USA has completely socialist sports leagues (government support, tax subsidies, use of public land, revenue sharing, salary caps, draft systems that give the best players to the worst teams, etc...).

Meanwhile socialist Europe has completely capitalist sports systems (no salary caps, no drafts, no leveling systems, relegation).

It is foolish to call making money on owning a pro sports team a capitalist venture.

[HPF Bob]

I like what the British do. The lowest-performing teams are kicked down to a lower league and replaced by the highest-performing teams at the level below them. If that were done here, the Astros would still be climbing out of A-ball.

[nunusguy]

Originally Posted by chuck

Idiots like Bob and nunu are perennial owner apologists. They spout bullshit like "its the capital and entrepreneurial skills of past and present NFL owners that has made for the opportunities for these young guys to leverage their freakish athletic traits in a way that nothing else possibly could," conveniently forgetting that corporate welfare typically gave these owners a clear path to their wealth not available to normal people, that the NFL enjoys insane anti-trust protection and that most of these repellent pricks had taxpayers build their stadiums for them. And, of course, it's the television contracts that get these players paid like they do.

These assholes are force-fed what they likely think of as conservative ideals. Actually, there is probably very little force feeding happening; they most likely happily take it in their oral orifice and elsewhere. Big government participates in stacking the deck for the billionaire owners with respect to their wealth accumulation, their anti-trust protection and the stadium building. Yet these idiots parade up and down bitching about taxes and government intrusion in their lives and so on but when it's rich white guys against uppity black guys, well, they stand in line to lick the taint. It's sad how typically hypocritical these clowns are. It's almost enough to make you want to leave the country to avoid them.

Oh, happy holidays to all you necks.

Now I ask you, are you also concerned that the Chuckster has not yet been seized by the Christmas Spirit ? Well I'm going to remain hopeful because there's still a couple more days for him to find that spirit of peace and goodwill towards his fellow man.

[chuck]

Originally Posted by nunusguy

Now I ask you, are you also concerned that the Chuckster has not yet been seized by the Christmas Spirit ? Well I'm going to remain hopeful because there's still a couple more days for him to find that spirit of peace and goodwill towards his fellow man.

I wished you happy holidays, dude. That's about as possessed with anything as I get. And I menat it, too. Happy and safe holidays, everyone.

[HPF Bob]

Originally Posted by chuck

Idiots like Bob and nunu are perennial owner apologists. They spout bullshit like "its the capital and entrepreneurial skills of past and present NFL owners that has made for the opportunities for these young guys to leverage their freakish athletic traits in a way that nothing else possibly could," conveniently forgetting that corporate welfare typically gave these owners a clear path to their wealth not available to normal people, that the NFL enjoys insane anti-trust protection and that most of these repellent pricks had taxpayers build their stadiums for them. And, of course, it's the television contracts that get these players paid like they do.

You're certainly taking this rant way off base. I haven't said these things, nor do I believe them. The professional athlete makes a deal with the devil everytime they step on the field. They get paid extremely well. In return, they could be crippled now or crippled later. In a sense, no different than a soldier of fortune. Who they choose to represent or whether they continue playing at all is entirely up to them except for the limitations of the COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT negotiated between the league and the PLAYERS UNION - a factor you conveniently forget.

Do you not remember I grew up with Bud Adams and now suffer through Jim Crane?? I know about asshole owners and do NOT universally praise them or unconditionally support them. I'm no fan of holding a team hostage with threats to move them until the city coughs up a new stadium. But it happens and, at most, the only say I have in the matter is one vote.

I'm glad you found new soil to live on, Chuck, with a political system more to your liking. Too bad more America-haters didn't leave like you instead of ruining our federal government.

Feliz Navidad and say hi to Fidel and Raul the next time you do the secret handshake with them. From each according to their ability; to each according to their need. Death to the capitalist running dogs!! Viva Marx!

[barrett]

Originally Posted by HPF Bob

You're certainly taking this rant way off base. I haven't said these things, nor do I believe them. The professional athlete makes a deal with the devil everytime they step on the field. They get paid extremely well. In return, they could be crippled now or crippled later. In a sense, no different than a soldier of fortune. Who they choose to represent or whether they continue playing at all is entirely up to them except for the limitations of the COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT negotiated between the league and the PLAYERS UNION - a factor you conveniently forget.

Do you not remember I grew up with Bud Adams and now suffer through Jim Crane?? I know about asshole owners and do NOT universally praise them or unconditionally support them. I'm no fan of holding a team hostage with threats to move them until the city coughs up a new stadium. But it happens and, at most, the only say I have in the matter is one vote.

I'm glad you found new soil to live on, Chuck, with a political system more to your liking. Too bad more America-haters didn't leave like you instead of ruining our federal government.

Feliz Navidad and say hi to Fidel and Raul the next time you do the secret handshake with them. From each according to their ability; to each according to their need. Death to the capitalist running dogs!! Viva Marx!

So anything short of blatant extortion and you are supportive? Since Bob McNair didn't threaten to move the team you stand firmly behind him and are offended that Andre Johnson may or may not have stuck it to him by going to Indy?

[chuck]

The CBA exists between the players' union and the owners. (I love how you say 'union' like it were some communicable disease.) The owners can and do elect to act in ways counter to the intention of the CBA. You may recall that the latest lock-out was the last straw for me. I gave up my season tickets (and forfeited the PSL money) then and there. While there were several here who were vocal in their support of the owners at that time, I do not specifically remember your being among them. I'm not interested in going back to check, so I'll carry forth as if you remained silent on the topic. It's unfair to ascribe to you words or thoughts that I can't document, even if it's merely due to apathy on my part. Plus, you've been recently spotted apologizing for the owners so that's good enough for me.

On a side note, I'm not sure what your issue with Crane may be. Other than the fact that he golfs with your President, I mean. I blame the league change on Drayton's cowardly actions, not on Crane. And I think the string of horrible losing seasons has been redeemed by their success last year and their bright future. But if you want to be mad at Crane, that's fine with me. I never suspected you'd get too worked up about EEOC violations or blatant war profiteering but I'm glad to welcome you to the fold on those counts.

In addition to being a legal permanent resident of several other countries I'm still a US citizen, by the way, and I still vote. And I certainly do not hate the United States. I do hate the vision deluded nutjobs like you have for the country, but I suspect this recent fad will run its course soon enough and the adults can resume making adult decisions without undue interference from the children's table. And if not, guess what? I'm happy to live in a place with universal access to healthcare and strict gun control. I can take my son to the park without worrying that some adderol addled freak is going to jump out of the bougainvillea and start picking kids off the jungle gym. Or, also important, that the police won't show up and do the same.

One last thing - capitalism is what allows me to hang out with my family all day (and annoy rednecks on the internet) rather than clock in for the second shift at the dirt factory. I don't know why you'd try to associate me with Raul or Maduro or Kirchner or Correa or any of the other clowns on the loose down here. I'm mature enough to see that the world is not monochrome. Maybe one day you might be, too.