mat

Good.  Then your opinion is unbiased, the way it aught to be.  But the people I'm talking about know who they are.  I'm more interested in an unbiased opinion.  We'll all debate the issue and see which side prevails.  Again, good job. 

All I can tell you is I'm not.  Whether you believe that or not is up to you. 

You continue to discredit those with first hand experience with a "bias" label. Your "unbiased" definition appears to be an opinion of those that may be the least knowledgeable.

I respectfully ask; who much time and effort have you personally spent really access the need of the district?

Agenda? Whats wrong with an agenda to improve school facilities, reduce utilities, improve technology, etc... and yes, improve athletic facilities.

I also ask; are you a Nederland tax payer? Just wondering and on disrespect intended.

I don't claim to know the athletic/stadium needs.

But on the lighter side; Am I the only one that finds it extremely ironic that there is so much opposition to turf and stadium improvements on this sports site/football thread?  ;D

This is my point all along.  When the pro-bonders say "do it for the kids" then you know they feel they are fighting a losing battle.  They've lost the intellectual battle now they have to try and tug on your heart strings.  Just stick with he facts.

Same old pork story.  They don't want to you have the option to vote down the football field.  If you vote against the proposal, you hate the kids.  Already been there, in Beaumont.

Is it so hard for you to comprehend people that actually have the kids interest first? Does anyone that makes that statement have to have an ulterior motive?  ??? ???

Well, at least the kids got to participate.  Way to go and the weather cooperated!  What time did the meet end?  Why did teams drop out and what happened to the Mustangs' 4X200meter relay team?

I agree. Kudos for making it happen with limited resources

These are all great questions and concerns and that is the purpose of the discussion, to be certain that people know the facts about the issues.  Everything that has been mentioned here was considered, studied, and debated by the citizens committee at length.

Regarding the economy, this too was considered.  Passing the bond proposal does not mean that taxes go up immediately and/or all at once.  Passing the bond, simply gives the NISD Board the authority to sell bonds at a time they deem appopriate.  No doubt, the eceonomy is not good right now, but at some point, it will improve and things will look better.  The numbers you keep hearing regarding tax increases are worst case scenarios and assume that all bonds are issued at once.  It is highly unlikely that this will be the case and your trustees have stated as much.  Bottom line, the needs of our schools have not changed for the better and they will not if we do nothing.  Something will have to be done about the schools in NISD at some point.  The cost for this will not go down in the future.  It is a pay me now or pay me later proposition. Besides, a bond proposal with school construction will actually put a few people to work as well.

First I would like to commend you on your effort to improve your district and your commitment to serve on the bond committee. There is a lot more time and effort involved than most people think. I also think you have done a very good job of presenting the facts and representing your position.

I equally appreciate those who differ because their opinions/votes also matter as long as they are informed opinions.

Now, if it appears the stadium and turf improvements could cause the bond to fail, the committee may want to concider separating those items and having two bond proposals to vote for. WOC had to split their bond request because of opposition to turf. In the end their bond passed by a slim margin and the turf bond failed. If they had not separated it the bond would probably have failed.

Good luck on a successful bond campain because the students deserve it.

There are some claims that artificial turf holds Staph, possibly from players and treatment is recommended. A more recent study claimed the problem is not nearly the concern as once thought.

Artificial turfs are not maintenance free.

The biggest advantage, as stated earlier, is the versatility to accommodate a lot of activity without wear.

The cost is about $900,000 - $1,000,000 with a $600,000 replacement recommended after ten years.

The numbers can be manipulated but in most cases its hard to say its cheaper than natural grass turfs.

I really appreciate a GOOD natural turf.

Great info

There have been other close WOS games that could have gone the other way but they never do. They certainly have the edge even in close games. Can't agrue the history.

winning tradition! winning breeds winning!

True

A lot of schools have talent walking their halls. Programs have to attract the talent and then know how to get the most out of them.

Maybe it's the WOS program that attracts the athletes.

why do i hear people talk about wos like its the best place in texas when it come s to football?

??? ???

If I didn't know better I'd think this tread was started by a WOS supporter trying to generate some well deserved praise. ;D ;D

If your a fn of MMA at all how can you not like the TAPOUT guys?

Their style seemed to belong in the WWE; hard to take them serious. JMO

Here's the problem....

1. Supreme Court Justices should not be appointed for lifelong terms.

2. We had Bible class in my high school years with no problems whatsoever....what is so different today?

3. This country is majority Christian, which in a Democracy...rules. If a Christian prayer is led, and you don't want to participate....don't! No one is forcing their religion upon you.

4. The Lord's Prayer is so universal in it's wording, that I see no reason for it to offend anyone of religious faith. We are pacifying the atheists only, and who cares about them.

5. Christians have sat back let this happen to themselves and watched it progress to what it is today. We are so afraid of offending someone else, that we forget about our rights. Remember, there is no such thing as being fair. To be fair to one side, you must be unfair to the another.

6. I believe the interpretation of separation of church and state has been skewed.

7. Lastly, why does the negative side seem to carry more weight than the majority?

Thank you

THANK YOU!

Bob Byerly was on the tip of my tongue and it was killing me.

It still amazes me that our forefathers were so insightful and knew the importance of church and state.  I am wholeheartedly a Christian (and a Democrat), but separating the two was vital because I think that it was meant to deter what was happening in England/Europe and Catholicism.  I don't like it that this coach cannot pray with his team, but I also agree with the post concerning how many might feel if the Muslim faith was involved.  I have always said that I don't have to be in church for God to hear me... I pray in many places (including driving in my car because I spend so much time in my car and it's just me and God!) 

The problem with allowing religion to govern our laws is that ultimately, there will be issues with the varying religions and which ones should be followed or used as a basis of something like prayer.  What if the majority of the kids were Catholic and recited the rosary?  You would probably have at least one kid whose parents would be at the school complaining that the rosary was being recited and their child is a Baptist or is Lutheran or whatever religion that child and his family is.

That being said, I have thought about trying to start a movement of sorts where perhaps a small group of parents/fans begin reciting the Lord's Prayer from the stands before games (the moment of silence) and see how it would go.    ;D

I like the idea of the lords prayer being recited from the stands before the game during the moment of silence. I think the fans and probably the students would like it also. But I'm sure some would balk at it and then the authorities would stop it. I wish that the supreme court could be overruled on their judgment about school prayers. Instead the majority of Americans cannot pray publicly even though we out number the ones who don't like it.

Great idea

Prayer is a form of communication with whom ever your God is. It's meant for you and him, no one else. You can pray to God just standing at work. I pray while I'm working. That's what he tells you to do. Go to your private place and pray. When people pray in groups it should be when everyone is on the same accord. If anyone is offended it should not be resumed. God wants no one to be offended. He was totally aware of this mess from the beginning.

This country in prints "In God we trust" on all of it's currency. The acknowledgment of God has been from the beginning. He'll be God re guardless. The coach could just close his eyes as the team prays, same thing. God will acknowledge him. GOD BLESS

According to your reasoning, the students should not pray either for fear of offending someone.

Our God is a jealous God and I don't think he objects to offending others in His name.

True, the laws of this land are not in alignment with His but this country was founded based on Christian values, but we're slipping away from those principles.

I agree with WB WOS. This would be THE game.

It won't take much success for most to concider next year better than this past season. Most, including myself, will be happy with any improvement that carries over year after year.

What's the date?

I never liked the Tapout guys but hate to see it happen

Can anyone say, retirement?

Two undefeated fighters in a title fight should be good.

bcjag

I wonder how they will respond on the day they stand before Jesus?

Every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess Jesus is Lord....

Truely said

Again, constitutional rights cannot be violated by government or employers. The actual constitution is extremely clear that these rights cannot be violated in any way.....................for those who do not actually know what it says check this out.............www.usconstitution.net

: :

I guess that you are at least somewhat correct. Rights cannot be violated.. and in this case they are not. Restrictions can be placed on conduct though.

Just because someone doesn't like a ruling, that doesn't mean that any civil right is violated. The Constitution gives no complete freedom of speech, no complete freedom of religion, no complete freedom of the press, no complete right to bear arms, no complete right to no searches without warrants, etc.

But I am sure that you learned that in Constitutional Law class.

I'm sure no expert, but it appears to me that over the many years the interpretation of our constitution has been severely warped to fit the liberal mindset. The constitution of today doesn't seem to be the same constitution of yesterday.

The school district cannot constitutionally restrict him from taking a knee and praying with his team......The coach taking a knee with his team does not represent a school endorsement of religion....just as if that coach committed a violent crime while at that school is not an endorsement by that school of that particular crime.

You are correct that him taking a knee does not endorse a religion. See my previous posts. I have clearly said that it is constitutional for him to pray in that manner. I have also said that I disagree with the district's stupid rules.

The issue in court was, does the district have the right to make rules. The answer is, "yes". The coach's response is along the lines of, "Since it is about religion, the district cannot make me follow the rules". He is incorrect.

It is the same as in the case from Texas of Daniels vs. City of Arlington that went to the 5th Circuit Court (next highest to the Supreme Court in this region). A police officer from Arlington, TX wanted to visibly wear a cross on his uniform. It was against the department policy to have individual pins. His argument was that since it was about his religious beliefs, he did not have to go by policy. Sgt Daniels was fired and then he sued in federal court. The trial court threw the case out. He appealed to the 5th Circuit. Same answer.

When you are at work, the place you work for can set rules. You cannot say that you don't have to go by the rules if it is based on religion. Well, you can say it but in most cases you won't win according to the Constitution.

What are your thoughts? If a district can prohibit an employee from taking a knee during student prayer, can they also make it a rule to prohibit the student led prayer?

I recently got a Kershaw with open assist and I love it