Achebe - Without the Right to question our leaders, we would be in anarchy. The freedom of speech allows the people to voice their opinions and displeasures with our leaders. Without the freedom of speech where would the civil rights movement be? How bout the environmental lobby, etc.? This wonderful freedom helps us to change our world in a positive or negitive manner. More importantly, it allows ideas to be out there for others to see. To me, its the right that leads to a positive change in our world. If you need other references, check out what happens when you take that right away. (see Tienimen square) ------------------ T-Pooh and BahDakota went up the hill, to make a bet on a Forward. When it all came down, they were nowhere to be found. Now they should be drawn and quartered.
I think perhaps you are misconstruing the intent of my post Mr. Will. I will reiterate that I have no opinion on this matter as I am not Mr. Tomjonavich, and I feel that I do not have the authority and experience needed to accurately state how Mr. Olajuwon would fit onto the team. Hence the reason why I asked individuals who offer their opinions on how they believe Mr. Olajuwon would fit into the potential system. Generally speaking, most athletes tend to enjoy playing the game based on a variety of factors. Many times this includes feeling as if they can offer a contribution to the success of the team. In Mr. Olajuwon's case I am asking what these contributions would entail outside of increased numbers of people attending games and coming to watch him play out of nostalgia. Sometimes great athletes are kept to cash in on their name, not because they can offer a meaningful contribution to the success of a franchise, and sometimes when an athlete is unable to see their contribution, they feel as if they are unwanted. As for Mr. Colby's sentiments. I am unsure where your conclusions are drawn. I have not portrayed a single statement that mitigates the freedom of speech, or the so-called "right" of an individual to express their respective opinion. My sarcasm only meant to draw a clear contextual point, that I find it ironic that people claim certain absolutes about the personality of an individual when they more then likely do not know this - and are basing it off of speculation (hence, their opinion). Certainly if an absolute can be established based on speculation, then I have every "right" to say - in absolute discourse - that your intelligence compares to a hippopotamus. Based on your rather interesting advocacies, it would be hypocritical for you to say I have no right to that sentiment, regardless of meaningless and unwritten standards that imply that the amount of money an individual makes entitles them to more criticism. Following your logic however, I suppose it is feasible for an individual who makes fifty thousand US dollars a year to spend it on beverages containing alcohol and to smoke several packs of ciggarettes a day to not receive criticism, however an individual who makes one million US dollars a year does deserve harsh criticism because they've only donated only twenty thousand dollars to a charitable organization. Again this was not to draw a conclusive absolute about the nature of the standard, rather to criticize it as irrelevant - essentially to give the idea that it was constructed to establish a certain political idea instead of accurately understanding the nature of the topic. Again, my apologies if anyone was offended. It clearly was not my intent, and I thank those individuals who have looked past my inability to express thoughts and reconstructed them (even if not wholly accurate) to a point where the discussion can continue. Allow me to say that I do not disagree or agree with anyone's sentiments regarding money or critiques. My purpose is to observe other people's criticisms. As always, I eagerly await your responses. [This message has been edited by Arbitrator (edited July 25, 2001).]
Arbitrator -- I have nothing to add to this discussion, but I just wanted to say "Welcome to the Board" and you have a kickass name! Very well, carry on ------------------ I'm looking for a job, so hire me "And I just have to smile and say 'well, I hope so' while I'm really thinking inside how I'd like to just strangle them and take their job."
Will, Last year I experienced an epiphany. I realized that Charles Barkley was a wart on Hakeem's ass these past few years. It pains me to write this.. because I have considered myself a Barkley fan for a long time... but the trade for Charles was a mistake. Dream seemed to become laissez faire during the Charles years; he seemed to be let off of the hook. Last year Dream finally had the opportunity to quanitify his production for the team as the frontcourt anchor. IMO, Dream did not get that opportunity until he gave the Rockets the infamous ultimatum. They responded, Hakeem exploded. Dream tore more than one bunny a new *******. Dream was simply incredible. That man is a free agent. That man would be incredibly effective with this team. That man will give the Rockets more wins than Maurice Taylor this next season, I'll bet cash on it. I'm not so much concerned w/ the past. I don't own bookends. The rings, yippee. The scrapped Toronto deal, yahhoo. Dream wants more money, whatever. Hakeem Olajuwon is a free agent. The Rockets are a suitor. Dream is the best Center they could hope to get. The Rockets should feel honored that he is talking to them right now. Mo Taylor is a settlement for the underexpecters of the board. He's a 13/5 guy on an above average team. He's trade bait once Griffin fills out. Hakeem, in his dying days, will always be more effective than Marissa Taylor. One month into this upcoming season, GMs won't be planning defensive strategies on how to shut down Mo in the Rockets hokey four guard offense. They will of course be geared up for Hakeem. blah blah blah... to make a long story short, I harbor no ill will towards the Rockets nor Hakeem. If they come to an agreement, excellent. If not, I truly think that the Rockets aura of competence will be knocked down a few notches again, as Dream coasts deep into the playoffs for some other team and as the Cato deal comes under more scrutiny. ------------------ Everything is proceeding as I have foreseen...
Newbiehad wrote: "Arbitrator = lawyer = Pine Cone????" or Arbitrator = Lawyer = LHutz = Duke = = = lol rH ------------------ visit: The Psychedelic Groove House of Rockets Basketball Love! join the club! Rockets Psychedelic Groove House Club on Yahoo! Stop annoying X10 ads! This link will set a cookie on your system that will disable X10 ads for one year! GO ROCKETS... and if you must, Go Hakeem! [This message has been edited by rockHEAD (edited July 25, 2001).]
Elvis Costello: Bravo! Brilliant post. Thank you for putting into words my exact thoughts! ------------------ It looks like a veteran can Be had.
Elvis, I could not have put it better myself. On the other hand, Arbitrator sure has taught me how fun saying "Mr" before everything is!!!!! ------------------ Da da da da......da da da.....da da.....da..
Mr. Achebe, you have some very interesting theories. I can't comment on them as I don't have the authority to, however I do wish more people carried your sentiments... Mr. Costello, I am sure you are a fine upstanding citizen who cares deeply for the Rockets organization, and perhaps your disillusionment and apparent hostility is symbolic of that. >>>*First of all, I'd like to comment that I have no disrespective intentions, I'd just like to comment on a few things.* What is the purpose of this, then? To comment on a few things and offer an alternative topic. >>>*Houston is blessed with some of the greatest fans in the world. I'm sure the management and the players agree with me on this issue.* You are clearly not a Houstonian, or one with a clear grasp of reality if you really mean what you say here. Another way to look this quote is to say that you are being a condescending weasel..more on this later. I think I do mean it, and considering I didn't say "Every Houston fan is the best in the world" - I don't see how anyone looking at the amount of interaction both the fans and players engage in, and how much care and concern is brought over each move the team makes (even to a point where some posters feel they are better equipped to run the team then the professionals in place) tells an individual like myself that there are indeed some great fans, and very overemotional. I don't understand why you are being so hostile, and I don't understand how you are drawing an intent of "condescending" from my statements Mr. Costello. >>>*One problem with having such great fans is they also tend to be the most emotional, and when things occur that would seem inconceivable, fans can say things they really don't mean.* Remember what "fan" is short for? And why do you take on the manner of a disapproving father here? It is clear that you are only trying (somehow) to stroke your own ego by pontificating with this meaningless lecture. Well perhaps if you could explain how I am "stroking my ego" when I am commenting on the multiple numbers of threads that have said "Screw Dream" or "Taylor sucks!" or "Tomjanovich should be fired!" throughout the past few years. Many times people don't really mean these comments, they are just so concerned with the well-being of the team that they let themselves out. What they don't realize is that this can negatively affect the perception of the board, the people who run it, and potentially represent the perceived majority consensus about a particular franchise's desire to resign a particular player, or the desire of the fans to see a particular player return... >>>*The problem with this is that sometimes there is a group that forms, that advocates one systemic idea, and this "group" can often seem like it is speaking on the majority of the fans.* This sounds like you have other issues you are trying to address here. Have the big, bad Clutch City bullies been mean to you in the past, Pine Cone, um, I mean, whatever you call yourself these days? Mr. Costello, I've followed you up to this point, however I don't understand what you are speaking of here. Is "Pine Cone" some sort of slang term to refer to an arbitrator? I've heard various expressions for different professions, however I have never heard of that. I have no prior record of participation on this board. There was an ulterior motive behind my saying that, however it was not intended to dehumanize or to ostracize any group of people on these boards, rather to effectively address one particular person who tends to frequent this board. >>>*Without getting into specifics, I'd like to comment that sometimes these people can represent the general notion of a particular player or individual within a franchise despite assurances to the opposite. This is referring to those people who have said a certain player is not wanted within the organization, that this certain player "sucks" or that this certain player is "greedy" and "worthless" - my point was that these are all rampant speculations, and they are all based in the emotion of great fans who truely care about the direction of the franchise and are indeed so emotional that they have to go and establish certain absolutes which are indeed not representative of absolutes, whether it be about the organization's desire to retain him, or whether it be his personal motives or desires from management. >>>*Instead of perhaps discussing whether Mr. Olajuwon is greedy, egotistic, humble, delusional, an angel, stupid, smart, kind, or a genius (as I am sure many people on these boards happen to know him when they say he is any of the above), and without making unwarranted and cliche statements like "development" - I'd like to offer a change of pace, and bring about this topic on how well Mr. Olajuwon fits into the team (outside of so-called "demands" which people believe he has) and how beneficial he is to the organization as a whole assuming he, Mr. Taylor, Mr. Anderson, and Mr. Norris are all brought aboard.* This is one laaame passage and it speaks to your real (if non-sensical) motives for posting this topic in the first place. Hakeem's value to the organization has not been discussed? There has been no basketball, historical, philosophical, or economic subject involving Hakeem Olajuwon and the Houston Rockets organization that has not been discussed ad friggin nauseam. For someone that presumes to make all of these pithy observations about the conversational conduct of the board, you sure haven't paid any attention about what people have actually wrote. The question isn't what his nostalgic value is, rather his potential for playing an important role in the Rockets making the playoffs, and how he can contribute. This is connected to my second post within this thread on how sometimes players feel unwanted because they don't see their potential contribution to the team. >>>*I eagerly await your responses.* I eagerly await a lot of things, but I can't say I look forward to anything you have to say. Reading one of your foppish psuedo-intellectual posts(invest in the Big Book of Verb Conjugation for Christ's sake) ranks just above having my fingernails pulled out. I wish the next time you assumed a new screen name when you re-join Clutch City you would also assume a personality that wasn't so boorish (and boring). I'm sorry, I clearly have no idea what you speak of. Could you clarify Mr. Costello? I've already said I don't have the supreme ability to express my thoughts as elegantly as someone like you may (I've also appreciated the service by Mr. Achebe), I don't understand why you are making that such an issue? Either way do accept my apologies if you were offended, again I have no goal here but to observe and learn. Jerry - I'm sorry - I absolutely had to reply to this particular post - I hope you understand why. [This message has been edited by Arbitrator (edited July 26, 2001).]
I apologize - An accidental double-post. [This message has been edited by Arbitrator (edited July 26, 2001).]
I've finally figured it out...a blinding flash of the obvious: Mr.Arbitrator is a really Eddie Haskell. I knew I recognized that grin from somewhere. And Eddie, Mrs. Cleaver sends her regards.
I'm sorry Mr. "Rocket", I am not aware of an Eddie Haskell. As such, I am unware of who Mrs. Cleaver is. Perhaps you have mistaken me for another individual. ------------------
Mr. Trollbitrator, please, for the love of all that is holy, mix in a personality... [This message has been edited by Pete Rose Mobster (edited July 26, 2001).]
I find that reading "Mr. Arbitrator's" posts in the voice of C3PO seems to really add perspective. Give it a try. by the way. Elvis, wonderful post. I still don't know what your original intention was, Arbitrator, but I get the impression you are desperately attempting to come off as the cooler head among all the hot-tempered, illogical fans by using flowery speech. I feel like I just received a smoke enema. ------------------ Life is a **** sandwich. The more bread you have, the less **** you have to take. You can Run from the bet, you can Rave at the bet...but you just can't hide.
Mr. Arbitrator,go check out any Leave it to Beaver rerun to find out about Eddie Haskell. Can you say "metaphor"? I can play word games too.
in the Big Book of Verb Conjugation for Christ's sake Now that is funny. A few months from now, the 2001-2002 season will start and this kind of crap will alllll be over with. But in the meantime... I am writing this letter in simple English in order that everyone can read and understand my words. In the rest of this letter, I will use history and science (in the Hegelian sense) to prove that vapid malcontents and people of similar psychological type are often inspired by Mr. Arbitrator's slurs. You might object to my claim that you'll never hear him admit he made a mistake. But bear in mind that he is addicted to the feeling of power, to the idea of controlling people. Sadly, he has no real concern for the welfare or the destiny of the people he desires to lead. The point at which you discover that he has no moral courage, nor even a desire to be honest and forthright, is not only a moment of disenchantment. It is a moment of resolve, a determination that if he feels ridiculed by all the attention my letters are bringing him, then that's just too darn bad. Arbitrator's arrogance has brought this upon himself. If history follows its course, it should be evident that Arbitrator's rise to power was not accomplished without a fair amount of backstabbing, skulduggery, and unanticipated and unpredictable reversals of fortune. No joke. You don't have to say anything specifically about Arbitrator for him to start attacking you. All you have to do is dare to imply that I should improve the physical and spiritual quality of life for the population at present and for those yet to come. True, it is entirely ridiculous that I have to be faced with pests whose disorganized tricks are treated with apathy, but many people who follow his methods of interpretation have come to the erroneous conclusion that my bitterness at him is merely the latent projection of libidinal energy stemming from self-induced anguish. The truth of the matter is that my concern and outrage are not directed solely at Arbitrator, but at all those who seek to arouse inter-ethnic suspicion. Think about it, and I'm sure you'll agree with me. His Ponzi schemes are a modern-day example of a Procrustean bed. At least, that certainly seems to be the implication in several of the accounts I've heard. Arbitrator's put-downs are a load of bunk. I use this delightfully pejorative term, "bunk" -- an alternative from the same page of my criminal-slang lexicon would serve just as well -- because you might say, "Arbitrator's prognoses are founded on bald-faced lies." Fine, I agree. But Arbitrator can fool some of the people all of the time. He can fool all of the people some of the time. But he can't fool all of the people all of the time. It's not just the lunatic fringe that's in Arbitrator's corner; a number of previously respectable people have begun backing him. Even though supposedly distancing himself from repressive ideologues, Arbitrator has really not changed his spots at all. I am reminded of the quote, "I would like to register my strong objection to his mottos." This comment is not as shameless as it seems, because Arbitrator's methods are much subtler now than ever before. Arbitrator is more adept at hidden mind control and his techniques of social brainwash are much more appealingly streamlined and homogenized. I have two words for him: Grow up! There is a format Arbitrator should follow for his next literary endeavor. It involves a topic sentence and supporting facts. While I don't question his motives, and I certainly understand the frustrations of Arbitrator's stooges, of all of Arbitrator's exaggerations and incorrect comparisons, one in particular stands out: "Arbitrator is the best thing to come along since the invention of sliced bread." I don't know where he came up with this, but his statement is dead wrong. Hey, it's not my fault that I unquestionably hope that the truth will prevail and that justice will be served before Arbitrator does any real damage. Or is it already too late? After days of agonized pondering and reflection, I finally came to the conclusion that I like to face facts. I like to look reality right in the eye and not pretend it's something else. And the reality of our present situation is this: I indubitably think that Arbitrator's idea of a good time is to saddle the economy with crippling debt. My views, of course, are not the issue here. The issue is that every time he tells his bootlickers that unregenerate, beer-guzzling twaddlers are more deserving of honor than our nation's war heroes, their eyes roll into the backs of their heads as they become mindless receptacles of unsubstantiated information, which they accept without question. Essentially, I undeniably have a hard time trying to reason with people who remain calm when they see Arbitrator drag men out of their beds in the dead of night and castrate them. He is not interested in what is true and what is false or in what is good and what is evil. In fact, those distinctions have no meaning to him whatsoever. The only thing that has any meaning to Arbitrator is hooliganism. Why? The answer is obvious if you understand that Arbitrator is reluctant to resolve problems. He always just looks the other way and hopes no one will notice that he parrots whatever ideas are fashionable at the moment. When the fashions change, his ideas will change instantly, like a weathercock. Throughout history, there has been a clash between those who wish to make plans and carry them out and those who wish to outrage the very sensibilities of those who value freedom and fairness. Naturally, Arbitrator belongs to the latter category. Sticks and stones may break my bones, but his older shell games were irascible enough. His latest ones are unequivocally beyond the pale. All this aside, Arbitrator managed to convince a bunch of obscene sideshow barkers to help him censor by caricature and preempt discussion by stereotype. What was the quid pro quo there? You know the answer, don't you? You probably also know that his subordinates are unified under a common goal. That goal is to dump effluent into creeks, lakes, streams, and rivers. It would be wrong to imply that he is involved in some kind of conspiracy to lower this country's moral tone and depreciate its commercial integrity. It would be wrong because his reinterpretations of historic events are far beyond the conspiracy stage. Not only that, but certain facts are clear. For instance, he is a psychologically defective person. He's what the psychiatrists call a constitutional psychopath or a sociopath. It should be readily apparent that if Arbitrator is unable to deal with a world populated by human beings, then it's unfortunate that he has no real education. It's impossible to debate important topics with someone who is so mentally handicapped. His promise of equality is a false one. But that's not the end of the story. We must remove our chains and move towards the light. (In case you didn't understand that analogy, the chains symbolize Arbitrator's uncompromising inclinations, and the light represents the goal of getting all of us to exert a positive influence on the type of world that people will live in a thousand years from now.) No matter what Arbitrator thinks, he would not hesitate to pose a threat to personal autonomy and social development if he felt he could benefit from doing so. In keeping with all of their inner heartless brutality, his grunts preach hatred. To quote the prophet Isaiah, "Woe to ye who prey on people's fear of political and economic instability". This is not the place to develop that subject. It demands many pages of analysis, which I can't spare in this letter. Instead, I'll just state the key point, which is that to get even the simplest message into the consciousness of unprincipled misogynists, it has to be repeated at least 50 times. Now, I don't want to insult your intelligence by telling you the following 50 times, but many people respond to Arbitrator's disorderly zingers in the same way that they respond to television dramas. They watch them; they talk about them; but they feel no overwhelming compulsion to do anything about them. That's why I insist we offer a framework for discussion so that we can more quickly reach a consensus. While these incidents may seem minor, Arbitrator's deputies believe that Arbitrator's vituperations provide a liberating insight into life, the universe, and everything. Although it is perhaps impossible to change the perspective of those who have such beliefs, I wish nevertheless to pave the way for people of every sex, race, and socioeconomic status to fulfill their own spiritual destiny. Note that all of the bad things that are currently going on are a symptom of Arbitrator's lackluster, yellow-bellied invectives. They are not a cause; they are an effect. In conclusion, let me just say that as commonly encountered, postmodernist primates lack any of the qualities that mark the civilized person, like courage, dignity, incorruptibility, ease, and confidence I am so sick of BBS alter egos. [This message has been edited by BrianKagy (edited July 26, 2001).]
I'd like to be called, Mr. rockHEAD!! Mr. rH ------------------ Updated: The Psychedelic Groove House of Rockets Basketball Love! join the club! Rockets Psychedelic Groove House Club on Yahoo! Stop annoying X10 ads! This link will set a cookie on your system that will disable X10 ads for one year! GO ROCKETS... and if you must, Go Hakeem!
Thanks for the link BK, I wasn't sure if you were plagiarizing or if reading the Jeweller's Eye for the thousandth time had finally payed off for you. How did you stumble across the link? Also (the question remains), who is Arbitrator (A better question would be 'how did Mr. Arbitrator create a bbs & sports styled letter out of that machine', but I'm humoring BK for the moment)? Oh yeah, and even though you had that letter mocked up, I still have to respond to your insults... .|.. ..|.
