Dan

Of course companies pass cost increases, as well as increased taxes, on to the consumer. But why should one set of businesses get breaks and incentives when others don't? No, I asked a leading question. It's only considered obnoxious if you don't like where it's leading. People (not just here) are arguing that we should continue to give billion dollar tax breaks to hugely profitable companies; primarily, because that will keep gas prices low. Well, why can't my business get large tax breaks. I'd pass the savings on to my customers. I'm just trying to understand why these few, greatly profitable companies continue to get nice tax breaks amounting to billions of dollars at a time when we're talking about cutting all sorts of programs to save millions of dollars from the budget. If the country is broke and needs to cut spending, I'd suggest we could also stop subsidizing highly profitable companies.

Sorry.. just asked a simple question. If you don't have an answer, a polite, I don't know would have sufficed.

So why don't we give ALL businesses huge tax breaks so the cost of everything will go down?

I reckon not. I'm not arguing for extremes. I'm stating that some things are larger, and more impactful, than one individual or a group of individuals. The MS levee flood control system is a perfect example of that. The Army Corps has had to manage the water levels in the MS and all major tributaries to keep this flood under control. The TN river, OH, Columbia, and dozens others have all had their flow controlled so as not to inundate the MS river and exacerbate the problem. The floodways have been opened to protect people and land many miles down stream. A group of individuals in a relatively small area cannot do that alone. It's an example of managing a system that encompasses 9? states. This is not me or any one small group of individuals saying "protect me". This situation is a prime example of the federal government recognizing long ago that you can't let such a large, economically important area of the country be at risk. I fail to see how a few small individuals are dictating or demanding that the rights of everyone be set aside so they can live in the Delta. There are 2 issues here, as I see it: 1. Should the federal government maintain and operate a flood control system on the MS River and most every other major waterway in the US. I think the country decided quite some time ago that it was best for the nation to do so. And I would contend that, to the benefit of all, it has been money well spent. This it not a case of a few individual farmers benefiting; this is the entire nation benefiting from the production of these crops. 2. Should the federal government help disaster victims, via additional FEMA money. Everyone complains about that.... until the disaster is in their back yard. And eventually, it seems 90% of the country gets their's sooner or later. The floods and hurricanes may get all the media attention; but FEMA and other federal monies and resources kick in and help people in all corners of the country every year recover from wildfires, floods, blizzards, tornadoes, earthquakes, oil spills, disease out breaks you name it. Once again... presumptions run wild around here! What are you talking about OC?

I absolutely love this every man for himself attitude. Ever hear the term, a chain is only as strong as the weakest link? How do you build a nation if you leave everything up to individuals? Wanna grow here... build your own levees. Wanna transport your goods and services across the country... build your own roads. Wanna power your factories... build your own power plants and lines. It's a backwards, close-minded attitude that concludes that the government should do nothing to help grow the infrastructure, commerce, economy, and general welfare of the nation. This nation is reliant upon the crops produced from the farm fields of the Mississippi River delta. This nation is reliant upon the shipping that uses these rivers. This nation is reliant upon the factories that operate in these states. To say the federal government should do nothing to help develop and protect such a vast portion of the nation, is to say that you'd prefer America to not be the nation it currently is.

As someone living in Greenville, MS, with the river currently cresting at over 64ft today (the highest level since 1927), I'll readily state that this notion of "don't build in a flood plain" is completely asinine. You do realize that the flood plain of the Mississippi River covers millions upon millions of acres of some of the richest farmland in the world. So, no one should live there? The country should abandon it all because it floods? Really? The Army Corps has built levees, yes to protect people and property, but the levees are also built so that this country can have access to some of the richest farmland in the country. Because the development of the Mississippi flood plain from IL to LA is in the best interest of the nation and covers multiple states, why wouldn't the federal government be the responsible party and do exactly what they did... build a levee and flood control system that protects our citizens, our commerce, and our economic development? If you follow the original line of logic further, where would you build/live in this country? The vast majority of this great nation is in a flood zone, earthquake zone, hurricane zone, tornado zone, or some other natural disaster zone. Should we abandon all of those areas and leave the people there to fend for themselves?

It remains to be seen if the steps being taken are steps in the right direction. However, it's undeniable that a lot of steps have been taken in the last 2? years to improve and address problems with this team. Furthermore, most of these steps have been called for by the "negative nancies" on this board forever. So, you'd think attitudes about the team would be improving? The Bills have essentially replaced the entire FO, now. Modrak was the last of the failed decade staff to go. We're purging the roster of the small, too comfortable with losing players from the failed decade (although there's a few more I'd love to see go this summer, eg. Kelsay, McCargo). The new players being brought in (FAs and draftees) are at positions of need. They realized Edwards was in over his head as DC and bought in a significant assistant to help him. They've replaced the uniform of the failed decade with what we all anticipate to be a much desired retro upgrade. Now, it seems we're replacing the turf from the failed decade; perhaps even getting colored end zones back. Quite honestly, that's a lot! It's been done relatively slowly and methodically; but, it has been done. Now, let's hope for it all to translate to success on the field. If it does, then we're clearly heading in the right direction and the overall mood of the fanbase should improve along with it. IMO, last season we did see improved play on the field. It didn't translate to the win column. But, I saw many things that we hadn't seen in years. My biggest concern now is how much will/is the lockout preventing the players and coaches from continuing to build on that modest progress.

You can get DNA from just about any part of the body. Certainly some areas are better for testing than others. Given they had the body, I think it can be a given that they got all the tissue and blood samples needed for an accurate test. From what I read, they compared it to familial DNA samples. So, they're essentially saying, with a high degree of certainty, that this is a brother or son (or father) to whomever they compared the samples to. Taken together with all the other factors - eye witness ID, physical characteristics, known locations of other family members, etc. I'd think you could then conclude an identity pretty accurately.

Yes it is. I routinely perform tests to identify viruses (RNA, not DNA, but same difference). We can process sample in about 3-4 hours. There's also field tests that are somewhat less accurate, but can be preformed in under 2 hours. Certainly this is different test, but DNA samples can be processed quite rapidly given a dedicated lab. My questions would be: What DNA tests were performed and where were they performed? If they've got the right lab set up at the military base in Afghanistan, then its entirely possible for the tests to have been performed in a timely manner.

I very much agree with your comments. I hope you didn't infer from my comment last night that I think the war on terror is over. In no way did I or do I make that assertion. However, this is clearly a significant victory in that war and should be celebrated as such, before we get back to the business at hand. I was working for NYC on 9/11/2011. I was on, under and around the pile for 4 months beginning 9/12/2011. The images and memories from those days and weeks will unfortunately last with me forever. I promised to never forget while saluting the ground zero flag and cross. I have not forgotten. I've waited patiently for this bastard to be brought to justice and I'm just damn glad I was able to see justice done at the end of an American bullet. Politics and bull **** be damned, this is the best news I've heard in a decade. Yes, there's more work to be done. And I have all the trust and belief that our military and intelligence officials will continue doing that work. Just as I'll go on remembering and praying for their speedy and safe success. As an aside: I'm glad he was buried quickly at sea. Put him out of sight with no grave to mark his existence.

OC... you and I have enjoyed sparring back and forth here a little. Thank you for that. And thank you for a post that is spot on.... job very well done by all involved. Let's all tip a drink to those that have sacrificed and worked to get this !@#$er. Saw on the news.... the intelligence that got him started with the detainees and was tracked and verified for about 4-5 years. Amazing to think of all the work that went into this manhunt. Job well done indeed.

For nearly 10 years, I've turned on the news almost every morning hoping to see this deadline. I can't express enough my admiration for ALL the individuals involved in this.

The single most wanted man in the world for nearly 10 years and that the US has openly hunted is dead and you don't expect the US President to comment on it? Seriously?

My guess.... if this were a normal season and you could sign UFA's today; he wouldn't have been drafted. But, given the lockout, the only way they could be assured to get him is with the final pick. Hence, it seems bizarre.

Know McKenzie well... that workout vid was shot in my hometown! I'm all on board this pick!! I hope he's starting this fall. (I'm sure he won't be, I'm not delirious. But I definitely hope the best for him and hope that includes a long productive career in Buffalo!)

Honestly, I could see this reasoning coming back up in 2 or 3 years. Someone is arguing that Nix has done a good job drafting and uses Dareus as an example. Only to have someone fire back... yeah, but he lucked into the pick - he really wanted Newton. So, Nix still will still be bad.... even if he's good. (I'm aware I'm making a huge assumption that Dareus pans out and Newton doesn't.) It's called can't win for losing, and no matter what happens, we have to find the worsts possible angle to focus on. I promise you the day after the Bills win the Super Bowl, someone will be here pissing about how they won and it's not good enough.

Carrington was a 3rd rounder. He and Troup have been used sparingly at best, so it's near impossible to say they've considerably upgraded the D-Line yet. Batten a 6th rounder, Coleman Undrafted, and Merriman who still has a huge question mark as to whether he can even play, let alone play well. Moats, who had an ok rookie year, was also a 6th rounder. That's a lot of late round, unproven, hopeful talent that's starting. Not to mention, who's the depth. And the Oline isn't much better, Wang, Urbik, and whoever we have at RT - all more hopes and wishes than solid play. So, IMO, all these great moves, as you see them, are trying to piece meal a line together and hope it all works out. And, again, that's trying to find quality starters. I really want to get behind this team. Believe me I do. But, the biggest weakness for more than a decade has been poor line play - offensive and defensive. And here we are again, only marginally addressing it while we're filling "holes" in the defensive backfield. Wasn't going into last year all the talk about having one of the best secondaries in the league? What happened? Maybe we can't generate a pass rush? I'm not jumping off any bandwagons. I'm not saying this is the worst draft ever. I'm just saying, that IMO, they're once again missing the mark of what this team's real weaknesses are and addressing holes that they're going to create by not re-signing perfectly decent players. That's pretty much the definition of running in place. Would it be so bad if they addressed the line, TE and LB positions with more than late round, undrafted guys that we hope develop in a few years? I guess so.

Unfortunately, for me, this draft has gone downhill. You're telling me that taking 2 DBs and a now a RB is addressing the holes on this team? We got 2 linemen. That's it. 2. So, Nix apparently thinks both the offensive and defensive lines are pretty well set. I don't get it. Of course, I'll wait till the season, if there even is a season, to start; but for me this draft is looking like more of the same. Picking a bunch of players with little direction or plan to actually build and address true needs. 1 LB. really... 1? oh yeah.... we're set.

You're in college. Someone throws a sex party and invites you as the guests of honor. You're not going to attend? You're a dumb jock trying to get through school to cash in on the NFL... and you're not going to cheat on tests? Someone gives you money for whatever reason... you're not going to take it? Seriously... all while your young and dumb in college. I'm not condoning it.. I'm just saying 99 out of 100 guys would do all of those things. Saying Newton has done it, doesn't necessarily mean he's a horrible person. Now stealing the xbox. That's just rude man. BTW.. not to stray off topic completely. NGU... thanks so much for the information and insight. This is the one pre-draft thread I've been waiting for!! Your efforts are greatly appreciated.

Maybe if you're you. But for some of us... it works out quite well.

Gotcha.

I don't get it.... why can't you? You can do all of those things, except grow weed. I know plenty of people that make their own beer, wine, and liquor. Certainly anyone can grown vegetables - organic or pesticide-laden, keep bees and even make their own honey. I don't understand why you think you can't do any of that. You can even sell it! Of course, you have to get the proper business licenses and all that, that entails.. but there's no one stopping you from doing it.

My advice/thoughts: Just be yourself.. whoever that is. If it's a coupon clippin cheapo; then so be it. Why try to be with someone that you have to pretend to be someone else around? It makes no sense to me. Granted you don't want to completely let it all hang out on the first date.. .but it sounds like you're past that point. So, I say take the coupon....

No, I'm not... home network. Good question about the VPN. You'd probably have to get one of your gadget guys to allow access through the VPN, otherwise I'm not sure one of these would work. DropBox is another great way to transfer files between multiple computers; but you'd almost certainly need VPN access for that as well. Plus, it has the added complication that you'd still need the software on the iPad to open the files. That's why I liked the TeamViewer... I was on my laptop computer and had full access to all it's sofware and, of course, when I got home all the files were right there.. no syncing. It takes a little to get used to using a mouse with your finger on the iPad screen... and of course you're slowed down with slow internet feeds. But, I highly recommend giving it a shot if you can get around the VPN.

Agreed. years ago, you'd have places like that review the latest software or computers... and not even a mention of an Apple product. Now... Apple seems to get tons of press and people claim bias. Funny how that works.