Americans of TFF

[Baal]

I live in Phoenix Arizona. It’s not all that great of a state. The only tourist attraction that I know about would be the Grand Canyon. I live here and I’ve never actually been there. It’s always hot here even during the winter the only time it is cold is in the mornings and late at night. We don’t get much rain here but that’s what you get for living in the valley.

It’s the shops and stuff to give us free water so that’s a plus. We also get to go swimming way more often to bad theirs no beach in phoenix. Sorry it’s so short but it is late at night and I need to get some sleep. Before I go I just want to say that’s Arizona for you!!

[Meier Link]

So the country is still in recession and I am curious, how peoples lives are affected by it? Sorry to keep this one short but I will have to come back and respond to my own question here in a few, just thought I would throw it out there.

[Sasquatch]

Well, since nothing really is going on here ...

Cubs are on a roll. They're 8-4 so far. Soriano still blows with RISP and sucks as a leadoff hitter, but he's all we got for it, so he'll do. Looks like Chicago should take the NL Central without a problem again this year ... hopefully they'll win at least one friggin' playoff game this time around.

Bears got Jay Cutler from the Broncos, so they finally have a quarterback -- and not just a good QB, but a young one that they can slap a franchise tag on. With Cutler and Forte, they should be able to concentrate on their offensive line for now, then switch the focus back to defense.

Tax day was last week. Ironically, April 15th is the same day the Titanic sunk, and the same day Lincoln died. So if you like Lincoln, 15 Apr is just a bad day. ... Unless you find out that you're getting your own money back from the interest-free loan to the government.

Speaking of government, people are still defending Obama and attacking Bush, despite the fact that Obama has increased government and spending more in the last three months than Bush did in eight years. Tea Party demonstrations were held all over the country on tax day, protesting irresponsible and wasteful spending by both parties, but were promptly attacked by the mainstream media.

And since I mentioned attacks, yet another of Obama's gems -- apparently, if you like small government, don't like overtaxation, value the Second Amendment, fight for the life of an unborn child, or are a veteran, you are an extremist and need to be surveiled. No outcry yet from the people who attacked Bush over the Patriot Act, which gave consent to watch people with known ties to terrorists.

On to more practical matters. Fishing season starts next weekend. Since fishing on the Wisconsin River is open all year, I went on Monday, but only caught two Walleye, a crawdad, and a mudpuppy. The mudpuppy was freaky, since I'd never seen one before, and when a person fishes, most of the time they don't expect to pull up their line and find something on it with legs. The weather was cold and rainy, and it even snowed for a while, so I didn't stay out too long, but it was good to fish again. I hadn't been for a while. I'll probably go again on Friday, since it's supposed to be good weather ... and with the front moving out, it should be good fishing, too.

[Meier Link]

Ahh fishing season, haven't been in a very long time, quite literally years, 8 to be exact haha. But I plan on getting my licencse this year and taking the son along seeing he can be my new fishing buddy. With all of the rain we have had this year already lakes are already dumping mass amounts of water.

I think I might try my hand at spoonbill snagging.

Oh and Sassy you forgot, if you are a war vet with injury from the time in service, no medical benifits besides what you can provide for yourself. In all actuallity I have tried to give Obama a chance but so far some of his decidisions have not been very wise. The one I mentioned ( sourced on yahoo news this morning ) has been pissing me off since I read it. Obsurd I say; obsurd! A volentary service justifies no medical benifits for vets, BS. Guess he has never heard of the draft eh?

Then again discracing our former armed service men by deniying them their benifits seems right.... [/sarcasm] But then again, he never served in the military.

[Sasquatch]

I think I might try my hand at spoonbill snagging.

Are you actually talking about snagging? Careful, it's illegal in a lot of places. A lot of people here try it with suckers, when they sun or spawn -- just throwing a big treble hook and a heavy sinker on a line, casting it out, and seeing what they can pierce into -- but the DNR'll rape you if you're caught.

[qoute]Oh and Sassy you forgot, if you are a war vet with injury from the time in service, no medical benifits besides what you can provide for yourself.[/quote]That's right. Everybody deserves free medical care -- except you stupid military grunts! Suckas!

In all actuallity I have tried to give Obama a chance but so far some of his decidisions have not been very wise.

I admit I have been skeptical of him since he came onto the scene, with growing dislike every time he comes out with more socialist policies, but he's only digging deeper. Hell, even Clinton plateau'd out after a while, where there was nothing he could do that would be too surprising.

[Meier Link]

Actually spoonbill snagging is leagle here to an extent. The 2 stipulations here is that you can only take one homeand it has to be taged with your Fishing License number and your name. Other then that it is free game to snag that kind of fish. It is frowned apon if you are trying to snag other fish though.

I personally am a catch and release type of fisher, not a big fan of eating fish (long story don't care to get into it) but I have a buddy that loves spoonbill so even if I catch one I will more then likely give it to him seeing the fish is toast after being snagged.

[Baal]

I don’t mean to get off of topic or anything but if you guys elected Obama then why do you guys hate him now? I mean what’s he doing wrong in the world? Imagine if you were in his place with advisers telling you what to do everyday and having the fate of the country on your shoulders everyday. I’m pretty sure you would be under a lot of stress and make mistakes to wouldn’t you?

[Meier Link]

I am sure I can guess part of Sassys responce to this, semi knowing him and it is probably about the same responce you will get for me.

As for me I did not vote for Obama, I did not like his veiws on alot of things and he had alot of gaps in his campaign.

I am not going to start a political debate in this thread, and it has been an issue before.

Remember if these kinds of things are going to be discussed, there is a peace that needs to be kept or Nixon or myself will shut the conversation down.

[Walter Sobchak]

Remember if these kinds of things are going to be discussed, there is a peace that needs to be kept or Nixon or myself will shut the conversation down.

Word.

As long as the political discussion is civil, it is fine. We do not take into account how correct or incorrect it may be, however.

Baal, Obama only won about 53 percent of the vote, while his opponent won close to 47. In that sense, there is going to be a lot of vitriol thrown his way. It even reflects in polling numbers; while over eighty percent of Democrats believe Obama is doing well, over eighty percent of Republicans think he is doing poorly.

As for fishing, eh. It seems boring. Hunting would be more exciting, and only if the animals fought back.

[shinra_32]

Sorry this is off the political subject and fishing. I guess it's about time I joined the Americans of TFF. I am from San Antonio Texas. I hope this is how I join?

I have never been fishing. I guess the closest thing to fishing I have ever done is chasing crabs on the beach kind sad I know.

[Meier Link]

Actually you fit the build very well Shinra. And no need to be sorry haha. I welcome you into the club, have fun and if you have read any of the prior posts and want to throw in your two cents feel free.

[Sasquatch]

Well, anyway ...

Cubs started off good, but crapped out. Still think they're the best in the NL Central, despite their poor record right now.

Bought a new sound card hat outputs DVI, and a cable to hook up to my television. So now I'm sitting in my recliner, with my wireless keyboard in my lap and my wireless mouse on the coffee table next to me, using my 50" widescreen plasma television as my monitor. Played Generals: Zero Hour on it last night. Good stuff.

Been fishing a few times. Bought a kayak. Looking forward to taking that out and fishing out of it. It's a little weird getting used to it, since it seems so unstable, but one eventually realizes that it actually is very stable, and unless they do something stupid or take it through rough water, there's no danger of capsizing. Going fishing later today, then again tomorrow -- stillwater season opens tomorrow (which means lakes and ponds are open for fishing, whereas rivers are already open), so I might take the kayak out, with my grlfriend and friend in his canoe, or I might take the girlfriend and her father's canoe out somewhere. We'll see. Been a few times, but only caught six or eight small walleye ... also caught a mudpuppy. Friggin' weird. I've never caught something and set it on the ground to see it walk towards me. I've been slowly building my equipment since I left one of my rod carriers and my tacklebox with my parents (and who knows where they are now), but now I have a decent tacklebox, three Ultralite rods and reels, a Medium-Light, and two Mediums. Can't wait to take the Mediums out with some nightcrawlers and sit on the bank for a few hours in the dark, drinking a beer or two, swappin' stories with friends, and reeling in a few nice catfish. THAT's the life, I'm telling you.

[Meier Link]

Well summer break is finally here, anyone have any exciting plans for this summer?

I think this year the wife and I have decided it is just time to sit back and relax, kind of helps that she is pregnant. So we plan on just lounging around the house not doing a whole lot and just spending time with each other.

As of right now nothing is set in stone though. My father-in-law is talking about a 3 day fishing excursion sometime next month. Could be some fun, if that somes to be I am going to have to go get my rod and reel fixed. It broke on my last Monday when I was fishing the water resivor. Good thing I have a spare though.

[Walter Sobchak]

I have been tied up in summer classes, as well as working on my thesis. It is not the most exciting thing to do over the summer, but it is the only time I will be able to. I did just get back from Japan, though, and that had its exciting moments.

I am unhappy with so many people at my beach, though, with everyone back from school. I need my breach back!

[streaml1ned]

Say, can I join in? I currently live in Goose Creek, South Carolina and I have lived in North Carolina, Missouri and Hawaii. I apart of the typical military family so I have moved around a bit in my lifetime but yeah. My dad is retired now so I don't have to move anymore unless its locally!

[Meier Link]

Sure you can join, I give you my seal of approval. We are not as active as we use to be. Hopefully that will pick up soon specially if we want a shot at the awards this year; last year we had the runner up slot for best club.

Anyways feel free to join in on any of the conversation.

[Sasquatch]

Say, can I join in? I currently live in Goose Creek, South Carolina and I have lived in North Carolina, Missouri and Hawaii. I apart of the typical military family so I have moved around a bit in my lifetime but yeah. My dad is retired now so I don't have to move anymore unless its locally!

Welcome. What branch was your father? Ever stationed anywhere overseas? A buddy of mine was born in Germany while his father was stationed there.

[Walter Sobchak]

Yeah, you are in friend. However, I must ask why I remember you. Obviously, your join date is a signal, but there are a lot of vets I do not remember. I bet this means good news for the club. Please stay active; it seems that only myself, Meier Link, and Sasquatch are keeping this active.

If there is one thing I hate about summer in Florida, it is the rain. We drove to the other side of Florida to swim in a spring, but it rained and thundered all day. I have no problem with this, but others do. It was a shame.

[streaml1ned]

Welcome. What branch was your father? Ever stationed anywhere overseas? A buddy of mine was born in Germany while his father was stationed there.

Well, my dad was in the Marine Corps and he retired as a Gunnery Sergeant. We were stationed all over the country. Me and my family didn't go but the only place overseas that he was stationed was in Okinawa for awhile. He was also in the first Gulf War as a communications worker. He would basically set up communications between the guys in the front lines and the guys back at headquarters.

Yeah, you are in friend. However, I must ask why I remember you. Obviously, your join date is a signal, but there are a lot of vets I do not remember. I bet this means good news for the club. Please stay active; it seems that only myself, Meier Link, and Sasquatch are keeping this active.

Did you post your past user names in my "I'm Back" thread? If not, list some of your past usernames and I'll try and remember them.

[magujido]

I'm in Provo, Utah and i just joined these forums yesterday

[Meier Link]

Ah well then welcome to not only TFF but the Americans of TFF also! One quick recomendation, please try to add a little more content to your posts in this club. Forum rules and regulations still apply here.

Other then that it is good to meet you. Feel free to contribute to any of our conversation.

[streaml1ned]

I'm in Provo, Utah and i just joined these forums yesterday

Yes, welcome magujido to both TFF and Americans of TFF as Meier Link said earlier.

Anyway, I may as well strike up a conversation...

What do you guys think about another $30 billion given to GM out of our pockets?

I think its just plain ridicules. I mean, didn't we just give them $20 billion to bail them out? It didn't even work! Here is an article that you guys can read to see what I am talking about.

Discuss...

[Meier Link]

Here is my take on the article, or atleast a part of it. I will have to add more tonight when I am away from work.

In his remarks on Monday, Mr. Obama will spell out a strategy in which a shrunken G.M. can make money even if new car sales remain at a sluggish 10 million a year in the United States and even if G.M., once the giant of the industry, drops below its current 20 percent market share in this country.

It also places the government in uncharted territory as a business owner, as it takes a 60 percent ownership stake in the company during its restructuring.

I find this almost amusing. Not only are we going to pay for it but the government get to take over. With a 60% share holding they will be in the top percentile with no oposition.

I can see where this could be very benificial to the government in a long run. Seeing GM was one of the first to supply the military with automobiles. I can see this coming back into play as the government can have GM now make their cars to their specifications for an uncontracted unconditional price. For instance the Hummer will probably now be sold to the government for 1/2 the price that it is being sold for today.

Plus with proper share distributions and sharing the government can make a butt load of money off of this deal, down fall is that we will have to put the money into it but will probably not see a dime in return.

[Sasquatch]

I find this almost amusing. Not only are we going to pay for it but the government get to take over. With a 60% share holding they will be in the top percentile with no oposition.

But Obama's not moving us closer to socialism at all, and anybody who says he is is just fearmongering!

I can see where this could be very benificial to the government in a long run. Seeing GM was one of the first to supply the military with automobiles. I can see this coming back into play as the government can have GM now make their cars to their specifications for an uncontracted unconditional price. For instance the Hummer will probably now be sold to the government for 1/2 the price that it is being sold for today.

Are you referring to Hummers, or HMMWVs (Humvees)? The Hummer is out now -- they're no longer making it. (That's what I've heard, anyway, could be mistaken.) And AM General -- a wholly owned subsidiary -- makes HMMWVs.

Also, government contracts usually have less of a profit margin, because it's a mass-production issue.

Also also, the military is moving away from HMMWVs now and towards MRAPs.

Plus with proper share distributions and sharing the government can make a butt load of money off of this deal, down fall is that we will have to put the money into it but will probably not see a dime in return.

I don't mean to be condescending here, but WHAT exactly has the United States government ever run that has turned out to be profitable?

[Walter Sobchak]

Independence Day, our annual tradition! Have anything excited planned, or perhaps going somewhere? I am making the journey to South Carolina tomorrow to by the needlessly dangerous fireworks only legal there, and will light these off with a drink in my hand, being 21 and all. If I have ten fingers next week, it will be an unqualified success.

[Rocky]

Independence Day, our annual tradition! Have anything excited planned, or perhaps going somewhere? I am making the journey to South Carolina tomorrow to by the needlessly dangerous fireworks only legal there, and will light these off with a drink in my hand, being 21 and all. If I have ten fingers next week, it will be an unqualified success.

There's a big music festival in our town that always starts up in July, but this is the first time that it will land on July 4th, which is kinda odd/crazy. Either way, I'll probably be there listening to live music with my drunk and incoherant friends. Afterwards, a few friend's of mine have a house that is literally half a block away from the place. With two kegs and all, I'm sure things will be pretty intense. Can't wait!

[Joe]

Independence Day, our annual tradition! Have anything excited planned, or perhaps going somewhere? I am making the journey to South Carolina tomorrow to by the needlessly dangerous fireworks only legal there, and will light these off with a drink in my hand, being 21 and all. If I have ten fingers next week, it will be an unqualified success.

Ahhh yeah, my family did that one year. Our show (several hundred dollars worth of fireworks) beat the hell out of the show they had in town. Even the local cops were kicking back and watching it haha.


This year, I'm going to be hanging out with some of my friends, and going to see the fireworks. I might even see some chicks there XD

Gonna be good times all around though.

[Meier Link]

I think for once I am not going out to a party! Seeing the wifey is pregnant we will be spnding time with family. My father is throwing a shin dig out at his place for my son and we will be there to eat all of his food and I will consume alot of his beer.

Afterwards I am not sure what we are doing, might jump the turn pike and head to a lake or the Verdigris River Firework Festival. I think the son would really enjoy something like that.

Other then that my plans include work, yup I am a fuddy duddy. My week end is booked because of a few items that have to be done by Monday. Oh well. Making damn good money for working this weekend so I can't complain.

[Meier Link]

Ok so it has been a month since I / anyone has posted in this club. Time for a bump.

So with summer drawing to an end and the school season picking back up I had a few questions to throw out there.

How was your summer?

Was it everything you expected it to be?

Anything interesting happen that we should know about?

Are you ready for the new school year?

Are you involved with any big school projects or activities this year?

Are you expecting anything great to happen this school year?

Also on a final note none school related;

Has the current state of the economy affected your life in anyway?

I can't respond most of the questions because I am not in school anymore even though at times I wish I was. As for my summer it was alright, worked most of it away.

For my last question I am going to have to say yes. Money is very tight, bills are up, pay is down and I don't see a better forecast coming any time soon. Atleast I still have a job I am thankful for that. And I still have my family so I guess I can't bitch to much.

[Alther Primus]

Well, mind if I join? I live in Colorado and that's all you need to know, right?