Houston1stWordOnTheMoon

People driving while talking on cell phones is bad.

People that are on the freeway in the far left lane that have thier left signal light on for miles, bad and just plain stupid.

Interesting read.

My sister and brother-in-law are both lawyers.

My brother in law is a familiar face in the courts. Things he has to say about officers giving tickets to certain people of certain skin color or race is very interesting. He firmly believes there is discrimination happening and it is centered around a number of policemen, small number. He says, just show up at traffic court, watch the offenders and the officers. The same set of officers will most likely be standing in court to support thier issuance of a ticket to a black or hispanic person. He says he sees it over and over again. One of those things that make you go, hmmmmm. He also says this discrimination, as he sees it, by the officers crosses racial lines---meaning the officers themselves are white and black, from his observations. Hes convinced that both white and black officers, especially the select few he has personally witnessed time and again in the courts, are discriminating against black and hispanic citizens. BTW, my brother-in-law is WHITE

I have heard from my Mini Me that he has been followed several times by officers and the officers appeared to be running his plate. Could it be because hes a young black man driving a brand new pick-up truck? Hmmm.

My oldest son has said the same has happened to him many times and he was once issued a ticket for not having his seat belt on. The ticket for the seat belt was as follows----

He got into his car which was parked in a strip center and drove maybe 2500 ft to another store in the same strip center and the cop which was there in the parking lot followed him to issue him a ticket. Could it be because hes a young black man driving a shiny new convertible? Hmmm.

Many things have changed for the better race wise. Many things also have stayed the same race wise.

I am an owner of firearms. I am a hunter and life long member of the NRA. I firmly believe that more gun control is stupid. Gun control punishes only the people that would abide by the law in the first place. Any bastard clown of a politician that speaks in support of further gun control in this country should be slapped and run outta office. I really do not wish to give any politician anymore control over the private affairs of law abiding citizens than they already have.

Let me chime in as someone who is actually from Western Europe:

There is a lot of hysterical hype about the purported imminent Muslim takeover of Europe, especially by Americans and Israelis. Yes, the Muslim populations have been rising in certain European countries, especially France and the UK, but also Germany. And of course there are a lot of social problems, need I mention the suburb riots in France, or the growing tension in Britain, or the debate in the Netherlands... However, as you can see very well in the immigrant country America is, the more immigrants advance in their adopted country, the more of the values and goals they adopt from their adopted country. And with rising affluence, birth rates will sink as well. I think Europe needs to be more afraid of refugee waves from Africa rather than their home-grown Muslim populations.

Are you sure about this?

Standards of assimilation in the EU are very low for the most part. If im going to move to a different country to live there, its only right for me to assimilate that great society that is currently in place which attracted me in the first place---that is, if my goal was for a better life. A better life in said country that i immigrated too.

I dont think wealth has anything to do with it. The Saudi nationals that have a hand in a lot of the unnecessary drama thats occuring in the EU have more money than you can count. The homegrown Muslim populations, as you put it, are a strong key for others from Africa or the MidEast to enter the EU nations. The new wave is far different than the previous. But who knows, that just may be a lie being told by Americans and Israelis.

Turning a blind eye to cultural differences that are not in line with existing way of life is nothing short of destruction.

A free flowing blob of land that used to dangle on the edge of nowhere, which is now fast filling with small communities of homes-gated and ungated communities.

I wish my HOA had a website but you can look at old news stories about my HOA from several years back like buying a expensive car and collage corruption. I found this about buy reading back issues of The Spring Observer, Just Google Birnam Wood section 1 around Birnam Wood BLVD at Reynoldo. Section 3 Birnam Wood is a different HOA and more strick like you can only have your garage door open long enough to park your car. five minutes

I think ours is strict but theres nothing in there about garage doors being open

Strong COAs/HOAs are good. Keeps the neighborhood clean and uniformed and keeps out the great unwashed, unruly, filth soaked public

If theres something you dont like, you can always run for the board and or get your neighbors onboard, to create positive change in the community.

River Oaks BLVD

length of Kirby Dr. from Shepard to Westheimer

length of Cypresswood Dr from Stuebner Airline to Cutten Rd

length of Memorial Dr from Downtown to HWY 6

length of Voss from Westheimer to Memorial

All of these are best experienced in a convertible on a beautiful spring day with the top down.

I agree. It's the same reason I see children under the age of 5 in R rated movies at 11:00 PM on a Saturday night, or kids running around a nice restaurant creating chaos while their parents sit there enjoying their meal oblivious to what their precious little darlings are doing to ruin the dining experience for everyone else, or kids running around a store creating a mess while Mom ignores them, or any of the dozens of other examples I see almost daily. Somehow we've ended up with a big group of parents, many from my own generation, that have no parenting skills whatsoever. Yeah I know I don't have any children of my own so who am I to judge... but still, a lot of the stuff I see kids getting away with in public these days we would have never tried to pull when I was a kid, because we knew we'd be in trouble with Mom and Dad and that the punishment would not be fun. I'm not saying I was the perfect child, because I wasn't. But when I was bad, I paid the price and learned that what I had done would not be tolerated, and I shouldn't do it again. It's called discipline, and it's something that's obviously lacking in a lot of homes these days.

Good post.

I dont think you have to be a parent inorder to make the dead on observations that you have made in your post. Parents need to take a more active and positive role in the lives of thier kids. If they arent able to do it alone, there should be active participation from family members. Amazing, when theres a strong and active family unit in place, these sorts of bad behaviors are greatly minimize or nonexistent.

I have 2 boys. They are 18 and 19. I consider them to be adults now, but i dont consider my role as dad to be over until i am dead! I am active in thier lives still, but not as much as i was when they were younger. I have comfortably loosened the reins because i am confident in the foundation the wife and i built for our boys. They come from a strong family unit with good values and a family unit with a strong focus on proper and improper behavior. We didnt wait to be active parents later in thier lives, it began at birth and that makes a world of difference. There are many parents on this forum that can probably relate. There are probably many people on this forum, such as yourself, that dont have kids, but can relate due to thier proper upbringing.

Let's say Moon or Ian were in a Muslim dominated country, how fast do you think Ian would have his tongue cut out for denouncing Allah out loud ? How soon would Moonman be drawn and quartered for preaching the word of GOD and claiming Jesus to be his savior in a town square ? America will tolerate the atheists, because that is what America does, we take in the weak , the hungry, the oppressed masses. America will listen to Ian's beliefs and take them into consideration, America loves to pander to the minority, but the "issue" of In God We Trust, It's been around since the 50's on our currency, and "God Bless The USA" has been out for about 20 years or so. Yet, I haven't seen any Brownshirt rallies at a Lee Greenwood concert, nor have I seen the spread of any type of Facism growing across this country in that time. Ian, are you afraid that overnight, every christian will have an "epithany", and decide that we need to run out all the "nonbelievers", and people who pray different from we, who believe in God will just automatically come for you in the middle of the night ?

Respect works both ways, our elected leaders decided to change the currency in that manner, they also decided to remove prayer from school, yet there are some teachers teaching kids how it's like to be a Muslim or an atheist, but they can't show the atheists or Muslims how it's like to be a Christian. Is that fair ? Is that respectful ? I don't mind you being against having GOD on our money, I just don't think your pet project has a snowballs chance in Hell, or wherever the hottest place it is your beliefs lead you acknowledge .

So, don't be upset Ian, if someone doesn't agree with your thinking, and finds your posts to be comical to them. Their beliefs find them to be totally opposite of you, and just like you find it appauling that even the mention of the name GOD in any form is bad, some folks just find it a reminder as to why our forefathers broke away from a tyrannical Govt. to form a new nation. Perhaps you could show that you have no representation in our current Govt. I don't know, IS there any atheists in the House or Senate ? Remember, the Constitution is a living document, it can be changed to suit our democracy, and our democracy dictates that MAJORITY RULES. Perhaps you would do better by creating converts to your beliefs and then have all of them go out and vote to get the leaders who would change such documents without hesitation.

Very good. To add, none of this discussion would be occuring if he didnt stray off topic to begin with. Its ok if you like to hold company with a small fraction of nuts here that constantly add religious insults and stuff about thier lifestyle in the most oddest of threads. Just dont be shocked when you get a response in opposition to it.

Ian if you would like to call me an asshole, i take no offense to it. I never take offense to the truth.

I agree with Ian Rees. This kind of argument is known as an ad hominen argument, argumentum ad hominem ( from the Latin meaning "argument against the man"). The term is most commonly used to refer specifically to kind of argument made when one attacks the person making the argument in an attempt to discredit that argument rather than addressing the substance of the argument consists of replying to an argument by attacking or appealing to the person making the argument, rather than by addressing the substance of the argument.

WHAT?!?!?!

It usually indicates a weak position when you ridicule the presenter of an idea instead of the idea itself. Blah. I'm going to just stick in the "on topic" forums from now on, better quality waste of time than banging my head against the wall.

Thats what happens when you go off topic with the stuff you were preaching.

No, be dissapointed that someone is actually like the way he is. I'll concour with the last thing you've said. And I agree with your thoughts, and I'm glad you stand you ground.

WHAT?!?!

I don't get what was so funny with it either. I will admit Ian's thought are very cliche and most people try to find a middle ground, so I am trying to find out what amusement "Moon" gets out of it. All I have to say is, what if "Moon" was in a more developed civilized Muslim nation such as Egypt, would he feel the same way about religous tolerance or does he see a convenience factor of calling America home and "everyone else" just has to deal with the feelings of the majority? With that said, I do not know "Moons" religous persuasion.

WHAT?!?!?!

Do you have the same condescending patronizing tone for people who are muslim, jewish, etc.?

Why do you think I am disadvantaged? My life is very rich intellectually, very fulfilling, and my work is rewarding. Materially I'm not doing so bad either.

Hilarious. Thanks for your assistance in helping me decide if i should laugh or not

Yeah, yeah.. It's just the words "God Bless the USA" -- in particular that song, ugh, it wraps religious fervor up in nationalism, and we know what happens when those two things meet -- and "One Nation Under God" are just phrases that send me off the deep end (isn't there a thread about this?). I think secularism can win any fights on any terms, it benefits everyone, including people who are religious, and makes the country a magnet for the best and brightest from all over the world. It's just in the past couple decades with the ascendancy of the religious right and their political attack machine, it's been very difficult to organize to promote secular messages.

Absolutely hilarious

One of my pet issues is having "Under God" removed from our currency and pledge. They were added in the 50's as an anticommunist tactic. The heart of the matter is that the US is supposed to be a totally secular nation and I intend to fight any encroachment of religion into public policy.

Of course my post was in jest, but I'm dead serious about separation of church and state, and any mention of god or any deity as part of required public speech.

Amazing. If you are going to fight against something, it is wise to have atleast a fundamental understanding of what you are fighting against. According to what you have stated above, you are very disadvantaged.

It's time will come, the religious right and those who wish to transform this country into a theocracy are losing more and more power and influence every day.

What went wrong in your life to put you on this course?

Do you have any examples of decrepit eyesores in Houston that have been protected by historical-preservation legislation? Just interested in hearing more...

Better question, do you have examples of ones that will not be protected by this stupid legislation?

If people want to preserve that crap, get out and buy it. Stop trying to dictate to private owners what they should do with thier property. If dictation of property is the goal, encourage deed restrictions and not some dumb ass government legislation that will do nothing other than create more useless red tape.

Not sure if that's illegal under the separation of church/state, the eighth amendment, the UN declaration of human rights, or all three....

I dont if i should laugh or just be ashamed for you........

Uh oh, there goes the neighborhood!

North Forest ISD is in trouble and it was also in trouble back in the 80's. However, why burden HISD with these problems. Let it stay out there by itself.

There needs to be help because these children are some of the future faces of the working/tax paying citizens of America. Turning them loose onto society without the proper education is nothing short of disasterous for this city, state and nation.

some new lyrics to the old Lee Greenwood song perhaps? LOL

For shame. I know of several Gulf War I veterans that would give you multiple knuckle sandwiches for even suggesting the thought

An underpass? There? That seems weird.

Theres a massive amount of development happening off of Kuykendahl north of FM 1960. They are doing this to handle both current and future traffic. This area in general is seeing nothing short of a growth explosion!

Does anyone know if a HOA has to follow any guidelines set out by the state/city or are the self governed? I have a HOA that does not seem to be doing anything (I do not even know who they are or how to get a hold of them) and I would like to get involved.

What area of town/neighborhood are you in?

Also if you dont know who they are and would still like to nmeet them, just "forget" to pay your HOA fees, they will come to you.

Memorial NW is a nice neighborhood. I think the reason those homes arent being snatched up so fast is because they are older and they are competing with tons of new construction thats nearby. Contrary to what some believe on this board, the new construction will attract buyers faster than older existing homes. Why buy someone elses problems when you can have a brand new home near the same area with home warranties and better value for the buck?

Great! Lets further legislate the protection of decrepit eyesores in the name of preservation. The 3 ring circus is still in full swing with the head clown at the helm-mayor White.

I wonder how many of these kids are from single family homes?

How many are from homes where the parents are absent?

How many are from homes where the parents are absent even while physically present?

How many are from homes where discipline is something thats as foreign as moon dust?

How many are from homes where the boundaries between parent and child are so blurred until they arent recognizable?

Are you seeing a pattern here?

Parenting or the lack there of is the cause of this stuff.

Im proud to be an American because it is the very best country on the face of the Earth! It isnt perfect. It has lots of problems. Even with all of its problems, theres always room for positive change and that makes it perfect for me which contributes to my pride in being American.

Im very greatful for the over abundance of opportunities we have here and i dont waste time attempting to damn this nation at any turn! There isnt a nation on Earth that is 100% comparable to ours and that is another source of pride for me---different and distinct from the rest.

America is forever being imitated, but never duplicated. G-D bless the USA!

I would love to go to this, but why in the world is it being held on a weekday? Seems like they would receive a better turnout if they were to hold it on a weekend.

Its being held on a weekday so they wont be cussed out and bombarded with complaints about some of thier other bad ideas from pissed off people who otherwise work Mon-Fri, 9-5.

I have heard complaints from other people in the Cypress area regarding the fact that the actions of Houston effect us but we have no voice.

Do you pay MUD taxes? If so, you do have a voice. It isnt as loud as it would be if you were officially in the Houston city limits, but you do have a voice

Becoming part of Houston is probably a lot easier than trying to establish your own city.