Dan

Sad because it's true - for me at least. I'm sorry, but since Jauron's announced extension I've seen little to nothing to get excited about. I've tried to give the guy the benefit of the doubt, but I lost all confidence in his decision making process this season culminating with the complete farce that was the final NE* game. So, I say, does anyone here really think that if we signed Haynesworth, he wouldn't be dropping back into coverage 4-5 times per game? Does anyone really think that any linemen signed is going to suddenly mean we don't keep 2 noncatching TEs on the field at all times along with a FB that does next to nothing. Does anyone really think that we're going to sign a WR and suddenly find the page in the playbook that has a slant pass on it? I'll certainly still watch the team. Heck I'm here now following the off season. But, do I expect any sort of success? Do I expect any improvement? Do I even hope for it? No. I'm just watching because I'm a Bills fan and that's what I do. I'll still cheer every week for them. I just won't' get so upset when they lose.

I understand that. And I'm not complaining because, quite honestly, I've given up hope this team will improve regardless of who they sign. However, so far all we've seemed to do was cut or release average players and replace them with similarly average players. I guess we saved money, in the process. But, I don't see any of these moves - either the cuts or the FAs signed - as being doing much to help the play on the field.

Iran Contra ring any bells?

Is it just me or are we just treading water here? Cut a guard, sign a guard. Cut a CB, sign a CB. Let a backup QB walk, sign a backup QB. I wonder if we'll see any kind of potential "impact" player sign.

I removed the keyboard. It's connected to the motherboard with a thin, flat wire (maybe an inch or so wide). Unplugged that and the keyboard came completely out and was in no way touching the computer. I think that's what you mean? I was looking for a command line process that could kill it just now. Still haven't found anything. But, that's what I was thinking as well. I didn't try the antivirus stuff yet - quite honestly my brain didn't even go there. I was too busy thinking it was related to the keyboard being messed up. I'll let ya know what I find out - if anything. That's what I told them when I first saw it. "who butchered this thing?" But, yeah they're close to getting a new one. It's an old hand me down as it is, so I'm not sure they're ready to send it off to HP for repair.

Yeah, I unplugged and physically removed the keyboard. It was laying on the table 2 feet away from the laptop. I turned it on (with and without the usb keyboard). Opened the recently opened programs and got cmd up. 7's still steadily typing in. I agree - no logical reason behind it. I'm completely stumped.

I did that. No dice. 7's were still streaming continually.

OK... so I'm working on a few comps today at a neighbors house- a little basic cleaning, setting up a home network, easy cheesy. Then they ask if I can fix a keyboard on their laptop (HP ze5700). Enter the end of my day. The "7" key is busted. I mean completely busted. In their failed attempts to do something they completely ripped out the key and tore up the underlying circuit thing. So, it's pretty well screwed. I told them they could buy a new keyboard relatively cheap and replace it. Can you get it to connect to an external keyboard? Sure, I say. Well, to make a long story short... the computer is continually acting as though the "7" key is being continually pressed. I removed the laptop's keyboard completely. Still 7's continually being typed with no keyboard whatsoever attached. I tried everything I could thing of, but bring up any cmd window (not an easy task when all you can type is 7c77m7777d77) and a steady stream of 7's start flowing. So, any advice? It beats anything I'd ever seen.

Technically, we've never withdrawn our troops from Europe after WWII either. I guess.

Yes. The Chroise makes the fans jump for joys and make some noise! Start the Chroise! forget the toys.

IMO, these tax issue discussions are funny. All it does is put the tax rate back to where it was 10 years ago. It didn't kill the country then, it won't kill the country in 2011. Like it or not, the only way you're getting the deficit down is a tax increase like this and cuts. So, if you want a balanced federal budget, you have to realize that some measure of tax increase is required. What should be discussed is the wholesale changes in healthcare, medicare, defense spending, and so on and so forth. Obama has laid the outline for some very serious and profound changes. Good or bad, I couldn't begin to tell you yet; but the guy is taking on some huge issues that he's almost certain to fail in (and by fail I mean not get passed through congress). So, in the end, I'd be shocked if Congress does a quarter of what he's outlined.

Hamdan Rocks! the Chroise and the rest are boys! Yeah Hamdan!

They must have a great sense of humor to do that in public is all I can say.

Interestingly, I was in LA last night with a very highly conservative republican watching the prez and then Jindal. Even he thought Jindal blew it. He was fairly disappointed when it was all said and done. It was a whiskey night needless to say.

Obama has repeatedly stated that this bill will create or save an estimated 3.5 million jobs. I would put spending like this clearly in the "saving" jobs category, as opposed to creating. Granted it may create a couple, but certainly not many. These types of projects aren't nearly as wasteful as everyone seems to think. Money from something like this goes directly back into the economy in a variety of ways. Much of the work is probably through Universities, hence university overhead keeping administrators employed. Researchers are famous for using grant money to buy supplies, equipment, reagents, and so forth - they'll spend every dime they get; plus they'll hire/support Post Docs with the money. One thing is for certain, if you give someone $100 dollars for a research grant; they'll spend every penny of that - none of it goes into a bank or account. Granted we can argue should they be spending money on this particular research project? Should they be spending it as part of this bill and not some other bill? And so forth. But, I'm less worried about this kind of spending helping the economy than I am money to some governmental program. I guess everyone just assumes researchers and the industries that support them don't need an economic boost like the housing/auto industry does?

Exactly... kinda. The point I attempted to throw out was that many people have a false perception of reality. The A-Bomb is perceived as the instantaneous and complete annihilation of a City. More traditional bombing methods are seen as something you have a chance to survive. I'm not saying that's true. I'm saying that's the perception. And because of that perception, the use of atomic bombs is looked upon more negatively.

I would suggest the much the difference of opinion is just perception. For example, Firebombing is less bad because it's 100's or 1,000's of bombs dropped over the course of hours and I can hide in the cellar and still survive. An atomic bomb, on the other hand, is a single bombed that in an instant completely incinerates an entire city. Hence, I'll take my chances with the "traditional" bombs because they're not as devastating. Not saying any of that is true - just saying that is likely many people's perceptions.

oooo... look hornet's nest. *poke, poke* Love it. Unfortunately, I think gordon gave up on this thread quite a few posts ago. Hopefully, he doesn't give up on posting other insider notions.

I agree! I think we should only own up to ~30 seasons. No way we should let last season go down a season of record for the franchise. I'm also a little confused by all this season vs anniversary stuff. Is it kinda like how the Chinese call what we call the first birthday your 2nd because your first birthday is the day you're actually born?

All miles better than the Bills' design. Interesting though that they all have similarities with the big "50" and the double emblem idea. I wonder if the league mandated certain aspects of the design.

Maybe it's just due diligence. With Jackson's contract still up in the air; Omon still an uncertainty; and Lynch getting into trouble, maybe they just want to cover all their bases and see what's available. It never hurts to bring guys in and talk to them. Or maybe its just a smokescreen to throw other teams off by making them think we're trying to sign a RB. My guess, nothing comes of it and they're just fishing. Personally, I'd like to see them bring in every potential FA. At least it shows they're doing something. Of course, it won't mean anything come Sept. but it keeps us in the running of winning the offseason.

Yep. You summed it up pretty well. I try to look at this like what's the big deal... it's just a patch. But, seriously, it looks sophomoric to say the least. I can only assume they had one of those 5th grade contests to let kids draw designs. Just bad.

Hope its a good machine. I didn't max out the options, but added about another $1,000 to the list price with memory, Velociraptor drives, board upgrades, the works. But, that was the nail in XPs coffin for me. Windows 7 is supposed to come out this fall and they say you can upgrade from Vista, but with XP it'll be a complete overhaul. You'll need a full Windows CD for the UBCD. Then spend a little time to update the antivrus definition files and it becomes a really handy tool.

Thanks Dean! I was leaning towards the Avira. But had not heard of the Nod32. I'll have to look into it some more. I've downloaded the Vipre upon your advice to other posters but haven't really had the chance to use it much yet. I agree on th AVG. It's not bad, but kinda bulky. It serves me well but I'm not sure I'd put it on less knowledgeable person's machine. I expect delivery of the machine in 5-10 business days. Of course, it's customized up a fair bit. I'm a little anxious about it; never got a brand like this. But, it was a really good price and had decent reviews. We'll see I guess. Also, I bit the bullet and went with Vista SP1. I know all the issues with Vista, but I just couldn't see putting XP on a comp that should be around for another 5 years or more. Have you ever tried the Ultimate Boot CD for Windows? I've found it pretty darn helpful with machines that were really bad infected or messed up. Good for machines that get the passwords changed too.

I agree with everything you've said. I also saw the program from the OP. It makes me wonder... is this the type of effort it would take to truly crush the terrorists inside Pakistan and other countries? There seem to be several parallels to the ideology and surrender not being an option. Would the world today even allow such a complete obliteration of people in those tribal regions?