Andy "avenger" Hogue

[Quoner]

The ONLY reason you can add Tech to the list with UT and A&M is the progress of the Athletic Dept over the past 10 years and the Legislative muscle they were able to pull off in Austin (ie strong alumni support) to get invited to the Big 12 or as it was stated here "The Big Time". Mike Leach was making fun of A&M's Corp which is not tied to the military. He called it a made up deal so he wanted to start a made up "Pirate Academy" in response to the "Corp". If you enjoy making fun of A&M (which I do) Lubbock is a good place to live. A&M has given Tech a lot of grief over the past few year, due to the usual outcome of the football game each year. A&M insist that Tech is not a rivalry however, much like SMU is far superior to NT and not a rival.

Except that Leach is an idiot and schools like A&M and Virginia Tech have every right to stand on their military traditions (seriously, read the service records or just go to the military appreciation game if UNT is not playing) even as things have changed. Leach has created a cult of personality around himself that will be funny to watch flounder when he leaves Tech. The classy Tech of Dikes and all the others has been traded in for a wannabe safety school that thinks if it pumps everything it has into football it will rule Texas with an iron fist. There may not be a formal tie to the military, but just basic research shows how integrated a role they have played alongside the academies and in each major war.

A&M insisting it is not a rivalry is half the rivalry (just like SMU does with us, Texas does with A&M, Cowboys do with Philly, etc.) The problem is that (like some of us with SMU), Tech plays right into their hands and stomps and pouts even louder trying to be noticed. Having had a chance to be around older Tech alums along with my wife's brother-in-law who was a class valedictorian there in the 90s, they do not hide that they are embarrassed about what Tech spirit has now become.

[woody82986]

Yeah, doesn't A&M have an entire hall dedicated to Corp alums who were military veterans and have either won the medal of honor or who have distinguished themselves in wartime? I think I remember seeing that hallway when i was down visiting a friend last year.

[GreenMachine]

.

---In the last session, Perry even vetoed the funds for health insurance for community college instructions ( I am one) . They had been paid by the state for years.. If you think I don't like these guys .... you are right...... and for a good reason.... and not just because I dislike the look of elephants.

why should I, the taxpayer, pay for community college instructors health insurance? Hell, I want my health care covered by the state as well.

[SilverEagle]

OK, so I looked up our friend on Myspace and dropped him a line. I asked is he seriosuly against the new stadium and progess for UNT. Here is is reply. Try to save your laughing until you finish, although it might be impossible after reading the 3rd paragraph.

"Uh ... it already passed. What's your motive in writing me?

For the record: I am for a new stadium. I just think it can be done without charging students an extra $100 per year. (Progress my ass -- that's breaking people's backs.) $100 was the difference between me going to community college or continuing my education at UNT. I was already choosing between which two meals to skip. Thank God I graduated before tuition de-reg.

I wonder how much amazing talent our state-funded university is missing because it's not reaching the people it is designed to reach. If we make UNT too expensive the Legislature will have no reason to keep us a seperate university and will move to merge us with UT, A&M or Tech -- the fate of so many other "directional" universities. We've got to keep tuition affordable or we'll lose everything.

Now with that said, here's what I think could be done. Correct me if I'm wrong, because I'm not a sports expert (though I used to attend the home games when I was in Denton): $30 million could be used to fund an aggressive recruitment program to match what is spent by UT, A&M and their ilk. Once we attract some quality players (we already have an amazing coach, from what I understand) we can play some serious football and score some 2001-like victories (played in a neglected Fouts Field, FYI).

Once the wins start pouring in, the fans will pour in. And with more people in the stands, ticket sales, advertising revenue ... and hell, just passing around a bucket ... we could pay for a nicer stadium that what we could currently envision.

I got involved as an agitator to help keep things above board and clean. Things were looking pretty dirty and crooked at first, and I sure didn't want a repeat of 2002. That was my only dog in this hunt. If you were around for it, 2002 was an ugly situation.

--Andy."

OK, so I think I only have enough in me for one reply. I dont have the lifeforce to combat such stupidity. Ya'll feel free to try to talk sense into him.

I haven't heard anything like this since the Katie Couric interview with Sarah Paliin.

[SCREAMING EAGLE-66]

why should I, the taxpayer, pay for community college instructors health insurance? Hell, I want my health care covered by the state as well.

---Most big employers pay for health insurance. All three of my "kids" have their insurance paid by their employers. The way it is now they now, instructors have to pay federal taxes first on the earnings and what is left buy insurance. Given a choice of $1000 in insurance or $1000 raise... take the insurance.. It is not taxed first....... well it will be ..... be if McCain's plan becomes law. For community colleges (who don't pay big bucks anyway) having prepaid insurance is better than a raise of the same amount. .......Basicly Perry cheated on the employment agreement which was agreed to before taking the employment, it had been considered part of the pay package.

---You just don't get it. I'll bet your earnings exceeds ours as well. Both of my sons the first day of the job ( not in education) made more than I did after 30 years, their insurance was also provided in addition to their salery. There was no way they were going into education at any level.

I am not complaining about the pay really just that Perry did not live up to the agreement ---- and changed it.

________________________

----You probably are so "conservative" that you think public schools and public hospitals are examples of socialism... which I guess they are... I guess you think everyone should just find a private school and pay for an education and do the best you can for medical care. Which is pretty much the way things were in the 1800's. By the way North Texas is a STATE-SUPPORTED institution and people who have never even attended state supported college and and never plan to attend--- got to contribute to your education by way of paying taxes....... so I guess you believe in some socialism since you attended a state supported college and likely public school .... at one time all colleges were private and only the rather wealthy could attend. Doctors, dentists, lawyers, and pharmacists got to be one by working for another one... and not by going to a "school". I suppose you think that the the old method was best and that you would get would get good services that way. ....Are you sure you know what you support???.

Edited October 22, 2008 by SCREAMING EAGLE-66

[BeanCounterGrad'03]

---Most big employers pay for health insurance. All three of my "kids" have their insurance paid by their employers. The way it is now they now, instructors have to pay federal taxes first on the earnings and what is left buy insurance. Given a choice of $1000 in insurance or $1000 raise... take the insurance.. It is not taxed first....... well it will be ..... be if McCain's plan becomes law. For community colleges (who don't pay big bucks anyway) having prepaid insurance is better than a raise of the same amount.

---You just don't get it. I'll bet your earnings exceeds theirs as well. My sons the first day of the job ( not in education) made more than I did after 30 years. There was no way they were going into education at any level.

________________________

----You probably are so "conservative" that you think public schools and public hospitals are examples of socialism... which I guess they are... I guess you think everyone should just find a private school and pay for an education and do the best you can for medical care. Which is pretty much the way things were in the 1800's. By the way North Texas is a STATE-SUPPORTED institution and people who have never even attended college and and never plan to attend get to contribute by way of paying taxes....... so I guess you believe in some socialism .... at one time all colleges were private and only the rather wealthy could attend. Doctors, dentists, lawyers, and pharmacists got to be one by working for another one... and not by going to a "school". I suppose you think that the the old method was best and that you would get would get good services that way. ....Are you sure you know what you support???.

This is a thread-jacking...stick 'em up!!!

[SCREAMING EAGLE-66]

This is a thread-jacking...stick 'em up!!!

--It started about tuition and college costs increasing rapidly since 2002 because of what the legislature did... The stadium issue is also going to raise college costs some ...... But I think is is needed and football is really rather inexpensive advertising which means our degrees become more recognizable when seeking jobs. . Lamar and UTA have really slipped a lot from view since they dropped football. When I was at NT, UTA was within 1000 students of being the same size and both were almost equally known statewide. They screwed up. .

A bad football team is much better than no football team....

Edited October 22, 2008 by SCREAMING EAGLE-66

[GreenMachine]

---Most big employers pay for health insurance. All three of my "kids" have their insurance paid by their employers. The way it is now they now, instructors have to pay federal taxes first on the earnings and what is left buy insurance. Given a choice of $1000 in insurance or $1000 raise... take the insurance.. It is not taxed first....... well it will be ..... be if McCain's plan becomes law. For community colleges (who don't pay big bucks anyway) having prepaid insurance is better than a raise of the same amount. .......Basicly Perry cheated on the employment agreement which was agreed to before taking the employment, it had been considered part of the pay package.

---You just don't get it. I'll bet your earnings exceeds ours as well. Both of my sons the first day of the job ( not in education) made more than I did after 30 years, their insurance was also provided in addition to their salery. There was no way they were going into education at any level.

I am not complaining about the pay really just that Perry did not live up to the agreement ---- and changed it.

________________________

----You probably are so "conservative" that you think public schools and public hospitals are examples of socialism... which I guess they are... I guess you think everyone should just find a private school and pay for an education and do the best you can for medical care. Which is pretty much the way things were in the 1800's. By the way North Texas is a STATE-SUPPORTED institution and people who have never even attended state supported college and and never plan to attend--- got to contribute to your education by way of paying taxes....... so I guess you believe in some socialism since you attended a state supported college and likely public school .... at one time all colleges were private and only the rather wealthy could attend. Doctors, dentists, lawyers, and pharmacists got to be one by working for another one... and not by going to a "school". I suppose you think that the the old method was best and that you would get would get good services that way. ....Are you sure you know what you support???.

dude, you got me pegged right on. Good job with the generalizations, kinda hard to take you serious now.

[UNTLifer]

There is something fundamentally wrong with having a signature line longer than your posts.

[Quoner]

There is something fundamentally wrong with having a signature line longer than your posts.

I think the dashes are morse code.

[FirefightnRick]

I haven't heard anything like this since the Katie Couric interview with Sarah Paliin.

That's probably because you have been on vacation and missed the latest from the GaffeMaster

But as scary as that prophetic endorsement for our future may be, it still doesn't beat

Rick

[Green Mean]

That's probably because you have been on vacation and missed the latest from the GaffeMaster

But as scary as that prophetic endorsement for our future may be, it still doesn't beat

Rick

Palin's was much much worse.

[FirefightnRick]

Palin's was much much worse.

Yeah, keep telling yourself that.

Rick

[Green Mean]

Yeah, keep telling yourself that.

Rick

No doubt both VP's are goofballs I think when push comes to shove she is a bigger goofball than Palin is the bigger one. But I try to give her a pass since she's a MILF...its just so hard sometimes.

[TheTastyGreek]

No doubt both VP's are goofballs I think when push comes to shove she is a bigger goofball than Palin is the bigger one. But I try to give her a pass since she's a MILF...its just so hard sometimes.

Is this a stealthy Fluffy Kitten joke? If so... Bravo.

[JesseMartin]

I don't know how me stating that tuition was a little cheaper when Andy and I graduated was a statement on tuition deregulation and the TX Republicans' recent changes. All that statement about how much it cost in 2002 meant was that it was cheaper 6 years ago. Either through deregulation or regular state increases, something would have gone up in students' budgets (aside from a Rec Center and Athletics Fee) since then anyway.

Tom Craddick should obviously get with the Daily to work on polling.