OlDawg

So, BH and LP would probably meet again if they make it that far in Div 1 PO’s if I’m seeing standings correctly? (Assuming BH & Sterling being Div 1.)

Just one off topic to follow-up on your bow thruster comment. They are AWESOME! Put one in my last 32' Stamas. One of the best boating decisions I ever made. I never worried about docking by my self again. Even with a boat that was 35'3" OAL.

I noticed that Maxpreps has BH at #2 in 5A, and La Porte is #4 in 5A. Would these two teams be in separate divisions like we were in basketball, or is softball all one division?

I still think the best outcome would be for the other Arab countries/nations directly impacted by Iran's aggressive posture to finish the necessary kinetic actions (which they seem more willing to do now that Iran is degraded), and work the diplomatic side along with assistance--as required/requested--from the U.S. This could be an excellent opportunity to solidify the Abraham Accord countries, and actually provide a ME with some lasting peace. Or, at least as much peace as can be between religious factions. If their economies can become intertwined, along with security agreements between nations, you may see some real progress. The region could really be a more secular, economically advanced region--even with Muslim foundations--if they were to cooperate. That--to me--would be the most positive outcome, and allow the U.S. to remove itself from the conflict with a successful mission. Iran was a known threat. This was proven by their attempts to attack Garcia. They had the tech, the range, and the desire to do real damage. It was never going to be pretty though, and it was a pipe dream to think it would be anything else.

Or, the people who realize--for good or bad--when the decision was made to go in, there was going to be no easy way out without a regime change, and a regime change--without an internal takeover--was going to require ground troops of some type. I said from the very beginning--before this started--you weren't going to dislodge the IRGC with just an air campaign.

No need to apologize. I think it's very good info for folks to know what all goes into the costs. I would guess 95% or more of the public doesn't know any of this information. The Houston Ship Channel has issues with the supers also. Even constant dredging can't totally stop the bottom movement.

Asia and Europe are bidding up the price. Also, as I previously mentioned, we’re running low on tankers. Most folks don’t know that VLCC tankers can’t come into most U.S. ports because of the channel depths. There are actually multiple trans loading stations in deeper water around the U.S. for loading/offloading where the VLCC tankers can’t get into port. (There are 2 for our area for example that are offshore outside of Galveston & Sabine.) A VLCC tanker (super tanker/most cost effective) is roughly $30 Million per trip to Asia, and holds—if I remember correctly—around 2 MM barrels. Any other tanker that doesn’t have to transload is more expensive per load even discounting the transloading fees.

There may be quite a few Cabinet position changes coming up. Seems like it’s the norm for every Administration after 2 years.

After research, there have been 8 POTUS with one parent who wasn’t a U.S. citizen when they were born. Trump is the latest. Obama was the first POTUS with a non-U.S. citizen parent, who was also not born in the contiguous 48. Kamala was the first VPOTUS—and could have been first POTUS if Biden was incapacitated, or if she was elected—with neither parent being a U.S. citizen. Somehow, I don’t think the Framers—who fought so hard for this country to keep it out of foreign control—would have written something that could have possibly made it easier for that to happen.

We’ve already had one POTUS who had a parent who wasn’t a U.S. citizen. Maybe SCOTUS doesn’t see it as a big deal. What the heck, why not have a POTUS where neither parent is a U.S. citizen? Folks that think it’s a joke don’t realize how realistic it can be since the only requirements are to be a natural citizen, a resident of the U.S. for the last 14 years before filing to run, and be at least 35 years old when inaugurated. There’s nothing saying the parents even have to be citizens. That’s how screwed up the current interpretation is…

Thanks tvc! I must have missed that tending to my better half. Hopefully, they’ll get the transcript up soon where I can read. How was this hypo addressed, or was it just dismissed out of hand? (I just caught a second or so of something about an Iranian, but had to leave the room.)

Ha! I prefer the Denzel version. Decent flick.

Yes. We are also running low on tankers. There's a shortage because Asia, and Europe are buying US oil. It's driving the price up. We're even running low on tankers from the Gulf Coast refineries. WTI is running at a discount to Brent because of Hormuz. Tankers from the U.S. don't have to navigate through the Strait to get to their destination.

What's interesting--that most people don't think about--is that a child born by someone here temporarily is a U.S. citizen--according to the current situation. That person can become a future POTUS. Hypothetical: A Chinese birth tourism agency recruits a Chinese female to have a baby born in the U.S. That baby then leaves the U.S., grows up in Communist China for all their lives until they are 21. Then, they move back to the U.S. At 35, they file to run for President of the United States. They would qualify. They would be a natural U.S. citizen, they would have lived in the U.S. for the last 14 years, and they would be 35 years old.

Doubtful. Also, you should really want the other Arab countries pooling together against Iran instead of U.S. involvement any more. It should be their regional issue.

UAE and other Arab countries are preparing to join in the fight [Hidden Content]

True. Sauer’s rebuttal just chewed up the ACLU argument. Wow! He pointed out almost every case they referenced was BEFORE the 14th, and every case he cited was after. Still don’t know if it will be enough though. Gorsuch’s comment was troubling about accepting the ACLU argument and making a quick ruling. I really thought he would be more on the textualism/originalism side. Now, I’m not so sure.

If y’all come, stop by the Gold Star Memorial in La Porte (5 Points Park) while you’re here. It’s only a mile or two from Sylvan Beach in old downtown LP. Impressive monument. La Porte is a very veteran heavy community. [Hidden Content]

What we know is there were at least 4 Justices that believed the Government had a solid case. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have agreed to hear the case at all. The arguments are very interesting. Sauer is kind of hard to listen to with a raspy type voice & very fast speech. 😂

If you have YouTube, there are multiple live streams. Already showing protestors on the Reuters channel with signs saying Trump must go now, etc. look like well-funded groups. POTUS is on his way to attend. I think there’s gonna be a fight between a young black woman with a siren blasting over a Hispanic man with a microphone advocating automatic birthright citizenship. She’s shouting America First over him. This is gonna become WWE before it’s over .

YouTube link to listen live to the oral argument for those interested. Arguments are scheduled for an hour. But, I would imagine this one may run over the allotted time. It goes live at 9am. [Hidden Content]

This is unacceptable. It causes you to look at the positive side of things.

Y’all should start a separate Scripture/Beliefs discussion thread.

I wasn’t sure where to put this, or who may be interested. But, La Porte will be the first Texas city to host the U.S. Navy Fleet Week. Details are in the link. Come one and come all. Sylvan Beach is about 300 yards from LPHS and the new Bulldog Stadium. [Hidden Content]

Simple solution. Don’t feed the troll.