Things that I really like (1 Viewer)

[Combat]

Honoring the Gaudreau family by bringing out the two small daughters for the team photo was the moment of the Olympics.

 

[Warrior]

Great game. The US was very lucky. Missed opportunities by the Canadians and great goalie play was the difference. I didn't realize that the US had not won in hockey in over 40 years. The Canadians looked miserable getting the silver. That made it all the better. And why was Crosby dressed when he was injured and got going to play? Very strange.

That paddle save; holy smokes, 9,999 times out of 10,000 it goes in.

How many of those beanie baby dolls do you think ended up in the trash can in the Canadian locker room; probably several silver medals in there too.

It's their sport and the US beat them; had the US lost, I'd be upset for about 12 seconds, Canada loses, the whole country goes into mourning until Spring.

Watching Binnington crap himself in the gold medal game brings back Vietnam flashbacks as to how that bozo stole a Stanley Cup from the Bruins in 2019, unreal.

 

[Combat]

That paddle save; holy smokes, 9,999 times out of 10,000 it goes in.

How many of those beanie baby dolls do you think ended up in the trash can in the Canadian locker room; probably several silver medals in there too.

It's their sport and the US beat them; had the US lost, I'd be upset for about 12 seconds, Canada loses, the whole country goes into mourning until Spring.

Watching Binnington crap himself in the gold medal game brings back Vietnam flashbacks as to how that bozo stole a Stanley Cup from the Bruins in 2019, unreal.

Yes, no joy around the igloos tonight. The look on the faces of the Canadian players was priceless. The US caught some enormous breaks. Lots of opportunities for Canada. The guy who scored the winning goal apparently got his teeth knocked out earlier in the game. Someone sent a photo to me on Facebook of him with the US flag draped around his neck and Facebook blurred it for "sensitive content." You can't make that up. What an age we live in.

 

[Warrior]

Yes, no joy around the igloos tonight. The look on the faces of the Canadian players was priceless. The US caught some enormous breaks. Lots of opportunities for Canada. The guy who scored the winning goal apparently got his teeth knocked out earlier in the game. Someone sent a photo to me on Facebook of him with the US flag draped around his neck and Facebook blurred it for "sensitive content." You can't make that up. What an age we live in.

That kid said he loves his country, so imagine how many people that triggered...............some moron on another forum I am on wrote "Great win for the US, takes my mind off how depressing it is to live in this country at the moment."...............

Yeah, I'm sure a middle aged white guy like him is really living a hard scrabble life here in the US, my God the whining is at an all time high.

You don't like it here, feel free to move anytime you want.

 

[Combat]

That kid said he loves his country, so imagine how many people that triggered...............some moron on another forum I am on wrote "Great win for the US, takes my mind off how depressing it is to live in this country at the moment."...............

Yeah, I'm sure a middle aged white guy like him is really living a hard scrabble life here in the US, my God the whining is at an all time high.

You don't like it here, feel free to move anytime you want.

The hockey players are a great contrast with most other athletes. They generally come from blue collar, working class backgrounds with lots of family support. You don't get driven to the hockey rink for your entire youth with someone buying your gear without dedicated parents. As a result, they are not entitled nitwits catering to an audience. Meanwhile some radicalized nut tried to infiltrate Mar-A-Lago and burn it to the ground. Fortunately, security there was much better than at the PA governor's mansion. Or as my dad often says, he won't make that mistake again.

 

[mikemiller1955]

Meanwhile some radicalized nut tried to infiltrate Mar-A-Lago and burn it to the ground. Fortunately, security there was much better than at the PA governor's mansion. Or as my dad often says, he won't make that mistake again.

you play stupid games...you win stupid prizes...

 

[Buster]

You shouldn't be upset at Canada over this; you should be more upset that Canada gave the musical world Nickelback.

Yes, and you can throw in Neil Young and the Guess Who too!

B.

 

[Warrior]

Yes, and you can throw in Neil Young and the Guess Who too!

B.

A Southern man don't need him around anyhow................

 

[OzDigger]

While it's true that this is a "toy soldier" forum this thread is in a subsubsection of the forum that has nothing to do with toy soldiers. If it is upsetting to anyone who doesn't want to hear contrary views on a variety of topics and just want to discuss toy soldiers, there is a very simple solution that doesn't involve putting others on ignore or suggesting what they believe should be discussed. Just stick to the portion of the forum dedicated to toy soldiers. In most instances, the posts here have nothing to do with politics.

Rubbish, you promote your political views at every opportunity.

The US spends money on defense for a number of reasons. Some legitimate and some not. There are legitimate threats from China, Russia, N. Korea and others. Our politicians derive power and influence from spending money. Thus the COVID handouts and military spending allow them to decide how that money is spent. That means they are lobbied by industries who want the money who in turn keep them in office. The net result is that much of the entire world does rely on the US military - directly or indirectly - to provide for their national defense. That is just a fact whether they want to acknowledge it or not. Canada spends practically nothing on defense because they understand that the US would never allow a foreign adversary to invade Canada given its proximity to the US. The US has military bases around the world to protect those countries. If the US is not being used to defend those countries, then why do those countries allow the US to have such bases? Europe's economy and socialist policies are centered around the US paying for the privilege to defend them from Russia.

That's risible, you need a reality check, rarely in the history of the United States is your current Government less likely to defend other countries than now, unless Trump sees something of benefit to him.

 

[gk5717]

That paddle save; holy smokes, 9,999 times out of 10,000 it goes in.

How many of those beanie baby dolls do you think ended up in the trash can in the Canadian locker room; probably several silver medals in there too.

It's their sport and the US beat them; had the US lost, I'd be upset for about 12 seconds, Canada loses, the whole country goes into mourning until Spring.

Watching Binnington crap himself in the gold medal game brings back Vietnam flashbacks as to how that bozo stole a Stanley Cup from the Bruins in 2019, unreal.

George I'm beginning to think that Binnington is as bad as Bucky f------ Dent in your mind! Canada picked him for a reason both in the Olympics and that 4 team tournament last year that he won. I will say this about Binnington he is having a pretty rough year in the regular NHL season but he is not the reason Canada lost. Hellebuyck was beyond great. I also agree that the Canadian player looked like they would never be happy again for the rest of their lives. I was thinking anyone of us would have been overjoyed to win an Olympic silver medal but not this Canadian team.

 

[Combat]

George I'm beginning to think that Binnington is as bad as Bucky f------ Dent in your mind! Canada picked him for a reason both in the Olympics and that 4 team tournament last year that he won. I will say this about Binnington he is having a pretty rough year in the regular NHL season but he is not the reason Canada lost. Hellebuyck was beyond great. I also agree that the Canadian player looked like they would never be happy again for the rest of their lives. I was thinking anyone of us would have been overjoyed to win an Olympic silver medal but not this Canadian team.

Don't forget that they also got those stuffed animals which I learned are something called "Flo." The guy handing them out looked as happy as the Canadian players.

"The Flo are a sextet of impish animated snowdrop flowers that, per the Olympics website, "never leave their friends and love to have fun even if sometimes this gets them into trouble.”

 

[Panzer ace]

Fresh seafood that I can thankfully enjoy in both California and Texas,

 

[tdubel]

Rubbish, you promote your political views at every opportunity.




That's risible, you need a reality check, rarely in the history of the United States is your current Government less likely to defend other countries than now, unless Trump sees something of benefit to him.

Your last statement is not a fair one. The US spends and continues to contribute more foreign aid than any other country. Additionally, in certain instances we are well within our rights in getting some return on our investment, we are not the World’s piggy bank, not even the US can afford that.

 

[tdubel]

A Southern man don't need him around anyhow................

Ronnie Van Zant nailed that one.

 

[OzDigger]

Your last statement is not a fair one. The US spends and continues to contribute more foreign aid than any other country. Additionally, in certain instances we are well within our rights in getting some return on our investment, we are not the World’s piggy bank, not even the US can afford that.

You are responding to my replay to 'Combat' that I quote below;

I said;

"Rubbish, you promote your political views at every opportunity.

That's risible, you need a reality check, rarely in the history of the United States is your current Government less likely to defend other countries than now, unless Trump sees something of benefit to him."


I can't see how your comments regarding US Foreign Aid is very relevant to that 'discussion' which hinged on Mr Trumps personal opinion of aid on a 'military basis', however I will respond;

The US economy is huge, and it's not surprising they contribute more foreign aid than any other country on a Total Aid ranking:

However on a Per Capita basis the US is rated at 12th, Australia is 16th.

On a Gross National Income (GNI) basis the US is rated at 18th, Australia is next at 19th:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_development_aid_sovereign_state_donors

I'm not sure what you mean by 'return on our investment', are you refering to Foreign Aid???

 

[tdubel]

You are responding to my replay to 'Combat' that I quote below;

I said;

"Rubbish, you promote your political views at every opportunity.

That's risible, you need a reality check, rarely in the history of the United States is your current Government less likely to defend other countries than now, unless Trump sees something of benefit to him."


I can't see how your comments regarding US Foreign Aid is very relevant to that 'discussion' which hinged on Mr Trumps personal opinion of aid on a 'military basis', however I will respond;

The US economy is huge, and it's not surprising they contribute more foreign aid than any other country on a Total Aid ranking:

However on a Per Capita basis the US is rated at 12th, Australia is 16th.

On a Gross National Income (GNI) basis the US is rated at 18th, Australia is next at 19th:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_development_aid_sovereign_state_donors

I'm not sure what you mean by 'return on our investment', are you refering to Foreign Aid???

Foreign Aid, Military aid, we are the leaders in total contributions. We finance way more stuff abroad then we have business doing and that doesn't matter what administration is doing it. Trust me when I say the average American on the street does not agree with all of it regardless of political leanings and as a business guy who looks at the black and white of it, I question a lot of it too. I don't think we are required in any way to provide "foreign aid". It is up to our discretion to do so and in my opinion, on a lot of these, it is a lose lose situation. Nothing is free in this world and yes, I want something in return for any aid/investment I make unless it is related to a world disaster. And then, I personally want to know if it is a natural disaster (which is no one's fault) OR if it is a disaster of someone else's making. I am not as charitable as my Country at times is and I would treat all non-natural disaster aid as a need/return situation. I will also go out on a limb (safe bet) that I am not the only American who feels this way in the least. This is not a Trump thing or a Biden or Obama or Bush thing. We as a Country IMO have been getting screwed the world over for longer than I have been alive with our aid, investments and support. Again, my comments are to all non disaster aid.

Let me give you a quick example - We previously turned over an unfathomable and uncountable amount of money to Iran..........WHY? A country who wants to erase our existence. Again Why? As I said, that is not a Trump or any other president thing. What did we get in return? Terrorism, etc etc etc.

Foreign aid is an investment 99% of the time and most reasonable people who make an investment want a return.

Tom

 

[OzDigger]

Foreign Aid, Military aid, we are the leaders in total contributions. We finance way more stuff abroad then we have business doing and that doesn't matter what administration is doing it. Trust me when I say the average American on the street does not agree with all of it regardless of political leanings and as a business guy who looks at the black and white of it, I question a lot of it too. I don't think we are required in any way to provide "foreign aid". It is up to our discretion to do so and in my opinion, on a lot of these, it is a lose lose situation. Nothing is free in this world and yes, I want something in return for any aid/investment I make unless it is related to a world disaster. And then, I personally want to know if it is a natural disaster (which is no one's fault) OR if it is a disaster of someone else's making. I am not as charitable as my Country at times is and I would treat all non-natural disaster aid as a need/return situation. I will also go out on a limb (safe bet) that I am not the only American who feels this way in the least. This is not a Trump thing or a Biden or Obama or Bush thing. We as a Country IMO have been getting screwed the world over for longer than I have been alive with our aid, investments and support. Again, my comments are to all non disaster aid.

Let me give you a quick example - We previously turned over an unfathomable and uncountable amount of money to Iran..........WHY? A country who wants to erase our existence. Again Why? As I said, that is not a Trump or any other president thing. What did we get in return? Terrorism, etc etc etc.

Foreign aid is an investment 99% of the time and most reasonable people who make an investment want a return.

Tom

Tom,

You keep mentioning Foreign Aid, the earlier discussion between Combat and myself began with the existence (or not) of the Canadian Navy, then Canada's Military spending compared to the US. To be clear, I actually agree with you that the US contributes too much to Foreign Aid, as does Australia, and feel that the US spends too much on their Military budget, as does Australia, waste of money imo.

 

[tdubel]

Tom,

You keep mentioning Foreign Aid, the earlier discussion between Combat and myself began with the existence (or not) of the Canadian Navy, then Canada's Military spending compared to the US. To be clear, I actually agree with you that the US contributes too much to Foreign Aid, as does Australia, and feel that the US spends too much on their Military budget, as does Australia, waste of money imo.

Gotcha, I was lumping it all together. To me the whole subject hits a nerve and I am not defending Trump. He to me is a guy where I like a lot of his policies, question his implementation of some (or his advisors I should say) but quite frankly his ego/delivery of same drives me nuts. I actually was stuck watching his SOTU address the other night due to work travel and in a hotel, so I had it on in the background. What I liked about it was the honoring of the various individuals, some very tragic, some very uplifting, but I did like that they were a large part of the night, I think that is a good thing regardless of the President.


To me the nutshell in the US is we hand out too much both abroad and at home (illegal alien issues) and it costs the US taxpayer/citizens dearly. And truthfully, it burns my shorts when I see politicians putting these problems above the US citizen. In my posts you will see me complain a lot about my State. In MD, we have disastrous sanctuary laws which are a huge part of our financial crisis of our own making which in the end costs me a lot of hard earned money on an annual basis. It is the reason I often remark about how much I like Texas and Florida and Tennessee to name a few - it is not politics, it is policy. There is a huge difference between those two words, but unfortunately, most see it as a Red vs Blue and the people who live int these "bad" policy States are the ones who pay the price.

Again, strayed a little off the topic, but the aid of any kind hits a nerve for me. I wish we didn't have to invest so much in our military, but on that topic, I would rather be over invested there then under, Iran and Russia scare me.

TD

 

[tdubel]

Getting away from news Here is some good. Iron Maiden nominated for the rock hall again. I would think they have to get in this time. There is so much bad press on the rock hall for oversights lately. They literally are iconic to the point that their mascot Eddie is in toy stores worldwide. Hopefully the third time is a charm. Of course their original singer passed away last year so maybe the nitwits at rock hall feel guilty. They should have been in 20 years ago.

 

[Warrior]

Getting away from news Here is some good. Iron Maiden nominated for the rock hall again. I would think they have to get in this time. There is so much bad press on the rock hall for oversights lately. They literally are iconic to the point that their mascot Eddie is in toy stores worldwide. Hopefully the third time is a charm. Of course their original singer passed away last year so maybe the nitwits at rock hall feel guilty. They should have been in 20 years ago.

I'm sure Pink will get in ahead of them.

A total farce and a disgrace that they are not in, putting them in now is sort of pointless, as you said, should have happened 20 years ago.