OlDawg

Agree to your examples and thoughts. Someone can always sue about anything. I also do not endorse—or not—the SCOTUS decisions. I also think with Kennedy vs Bremerton, the standards changed. But, my take is the decisions are based more on if it’s felt the STUDENTS are being coerced in any way. That’s where the current line seems to be drawn. Regardless of who may be doing the perceived coercing. In addition, tradition appears to be taking a more prevalent position in rulings—although not uniform by the courts. Some courts have ruled prayer before a school board meeting is okay. It’s a legislative meeting, and tradition protects prayer at such events. Other courts say no. It’s a mish-mash of rulings. The rulings appear to be more to protect not yet legal age young folks. I believe Gorsuch explicitly referenced no kids being coerced in his majority opinion in Bremerton. (If I remember correctly.) I do not think the Ten Commandments in the classroom will stand. Someone against it will pursue, and Paxton’s move will be negated. I have said that I believe certain things are best left taught at home, or other more appropriate places. I want schools to focus on secular education of reading/‘righting’/‘rithmatic’. But, I wouldn’t be one to sue over the issue either way.

My tradition is that I don’t typically respond to a poster who—without actually knowing other posters—regularly throws around the ‘bigot’ and ‘racist’ cards just because they don’t agree with their viewpoint. That applies whether it’s directed at me or not. In answer to your post…Yes. Well aware. However, a School Board member isn’t a public school employee and isn’t governed by the Establishment clause. Even an employee (like a coach) can pray—voluntarily—at an extracurricular activity. That has been found constitutional in Kennedy vs. Bremerton. I don’t see Texas having a major issue with voluntary prayer before a high school sporting event in most locales. But, having the Ten Commandments (regardless of whether I think they should be followed or not) posted in classrooms is a different matter. Some people (not you) have a very limited understanding of the Establishment Clause and the First Amendment. I would venture to guess that most couldn’t even name the rights included in the First Amendment. They only think of one. Two at most. Talk about the Establishment & Free Exercise Clauses and eyes glaze over.

I think so. One of the cool things I haven’t seen elsewhere at high school stadiums is—between the seating levels—on the concourse on both sides are large ribbon video boards that they programmed in things like ‘big hit!’, growling, and stuff like that with flashing colors & sounds, etc. like you’d see at a professional stadium. As it was getting darker, even with the stadium lights on, the graphics & sound lit up the stadium. I can see it really getting the crowd pumped up. It’s going to be something else again tomorrow night. I asked the Superintendent (Dr. Jackson) to make sure they would announce crowd size when he had to let us out to the elevator. They’ve sold everything they could & still had people wanting more seats. He did say they were going to have some type of temporary block to keep the fan bases apart in the stands for this specific game—if that gives people a clue on if this is a friendly rivalry or not.

Not really sure how I feel about this. I’ve always been one that believed family came first, parents were primary, and religion was best left to be taught by the parents and their belief group. On the other hand, the moral lessons are sorely needed among our youth, and just seeing them—without even discussing formally—may give some pause to think more about how they treat others. Similar to cell phones being taken away is making them have actual face-to-face interactions. Also a good thing to me. I know at the La Porte town pep rally at the new stadium tonight, the School Board President led the entire crowd (probably 5.000 or so) in a prayer before the festivities. Everyone—even the smaller kids—were at least respectful and quiet. Even if they didn’t pray along. So, some schools still do keep those traditions alive.

Okay…Bulldog Stadium is AWESOME! For the Border Battle, the bands & drill teams will sit on the track area. Every single seat has been sold—not counting Press (4 local TV stations & other football sites/publications). A lot bigger than it appears online, the sound system is LOUD, and the video screen is very large & crystal clear. The video board outside on the south side of the stadium already is showing info about the rivalry. Doesn’t look like the ribbon scoreboard around the horseshoe is totally finished yet. But, I was told it will be ready for Friday night. Was worried about the heat with the horseshoe closed in. But, there’s a very nice bay breeze coming in. Only issue I see is parking is a little lacking & spread out. They’re going to have shuttles for the Border Battle between parking lots for the disabled. Wish I could post a movie. But, it wouldn’t do it justice. Go Dawgs!

So much for the ‘a Grand Jury will indict a ham sandwich’ belief…

Where’s Belushi when you need him.

DC grand jury refused to indict the ex Justice Dept. employee who threw the footlong sub sandwich at the Federal officers. Apparently, they thought it was a lot of baloney.

You're correct. That's where the marker is located as an approximate spot. South of the old Simpson Paper Mill. Deer Park is where the surrender treaty was drafted. Then, Santa Anna was brought back to San Jacinto Battlefield to sign according to the Daughters of the Republic. The marker is at the battlefield site by the Channel. Deer Park likes to take credit for a lot of things. So, we let them have some just to make them feel better about themselves. 😜 They paid a lot of money for that big sign that says they're the Birthplace of Texas. Wouldn't want it to go to waste.

Will be watching The Border Battle (La Porte vs Deer Park) on LPSportsnet. No way I can handle Mama Dawg in her transport chair & possible restroom needs in the overflow game crowd. We do intend to go to the Pep Rally at the stadium tomorrow night when it’s not quite as crowded.

KPRC 2 Houston Friday Football Frenzy Game of the Week to start the season! [Hidden Content] (I may have messed them up with the title of this thread! Guess I should’ve asked for a change. lol) Also, Jeff Powers will cover the game for Inside High School Sports. [Hidden Content] [Hidden Content]

It's difficult for you because you're not thinking like the Chinese. They play the long game. They--and I'm quite sure continue to--believe we will implode. (They may be correct.) They have an abundance of rare earth minerals. We do not. They have a shortage of technical talent. We have a shortage of rare earth minerals. They sell us the rare earth minerals. We develop the tech. They can easily buy, bribe, steal, and/or copy at a much quicker pace than internal development. They have a labor force than can easily ramp up production, and almost unlimited funding to do so. They want as much tech from us as they can get before our implosion. They are counting on our greed, short-sightedness, and laziness (compared to them) to be our downfall. They aren't concerned with a military confrontation because they know it won't come to that. To them, we are a very young culture. They play the long game. Our system dictates we play in basically 2 year cycles.

I like many of his policies. But, a few of these lately have been head scratchers. He's become too desirous of a deal, and is giving up too much of the farm to try and get one. He's already postponed the banishment/sale of TikTok after everyone saying what a security threat it is, and passed a law to ban it. Now, he's willing to accept students--at research facilities no less--when he knows they're asked to spy. All in the name of some deal the Chinese will never live up to anyway. As the supposed King of the Deal, he needs to recognize when the best deal may be no deal. Get your personal ego out of the way, and think longer term.

Trivia: If High School Football is King in Texas, La Porte and Deer Park are the coronation sites, and The Border Battle is the 'Official Texas State Rivalry'. The battle for Texas Independence was fought and won at San Jacinto in La Porte, and Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna was caught, captured, and surrendered to General Sam Houston in what is now Deer Park. Texas Independence was birthed in these two blue collar towns that border one another, and are separated by a white line on a road. Commemorating the battle that secured independence, the San Jacinto Monument in La Porte is still the world's tallest war memorial at 567.31 feet. (The Washington Monument is 555 feet.) If you're coming to see a game at La Porte, it's worth it to come early, stop at the San Jacinto Monument and see the exhibits and grounds.

It’s all about the Deal, Deal. If not that, it’s Nobel. I’m still miffed about Intel. How would people feel about President AOC or Mamdani taking a large ownership stake in United Healthcare? He’s just opened the door, and made it a lot easier and acceptable. That’s why people should always think about the worst that could happen. Not just right now.

Bad move. IP theft from the Chinese has been rampant. They’ve been caught stealing research from MD Anderson for years, and again just days ago. 2019 caught stealing IP from MD Anderson [Hidden Content] 2 Days ago caught stealing IP from MD Anderson [Hidden Content]

Okay folks. Fastest sellout in Border Battle history! Bulldog Stadium will be rocking with the Dawgs on the hunt! If you couldn't get tickets, make sure you tune in and subscribe to LPSportsnet YouTube Channel. It's La Porte High School's exclusive channel and it's free. Coverage from Bulldog Stadium begins at 6:00 p.m. Watch as the first game at the new Bulldog Stadium is kicked off with one of Texas' great, historic rivalries! [Hidden Content]

LOL Just went to Hometown Tickets to see what was still available. General Admission looks sold out, and there are 8 seats left in Reserved. 9:45 a.m. Monday morning Border Battle Week. Ha! Someone better get with the Fire Marshall and start working on that waiver...

Tickets go on sale today online. They'll probably be sold out today. No idea if they'll allow standing room only. I know Fox 26 Houston (Nate Griffin) will be at LP in the morning, and Inside Houston High School Sports said they'd have someone at the game. Usually, most of the Houston media has someone at the game. Pretty sure they will this year with the new stadium. One of the best games to start a new season. One of the oldest rivalries that's actually a true town vs town rivalry with an almost equal record. Hope it doesn't rain. I'll try to post when I find out about the tailgating. They're supposed to have food trucks and other stuff before every home game this year.

Let's just say, after having some experience with an alphabet after my Service, you'd be toast.

I like your prediction better than mine. 😁