Billy_T wrote:

I think it’s an ongoing national scandal (and disgrace of epic proportions) that our election system is under the control of both major parties, together, or separately. Beyond that, it’s a national scandal and disgrace that our governing system is in the hands of political parties at all. As in, none of this should be controlled by either the Dems or the Republicans, separately or jointly. It should always and forever remain absolutely “non-partisan,” not “bipartisan” or partisan.

Yeah, we can have political parties vie for seats to represent the people, but they never, ever, not in any way, shape or form, should be able to set the rules for that representation or monopolize power. All of that should be outside the control of the parties, and subject to truly popular consent, protected by Constitutional right.

On just the issue of districts, they should all be formed via computer program, designed to completely ignore party affiliation of any kind, going by population numbers instead, mixed with whatever “natural” boundaries can be adduced. Set up districts by number of citizens, not geographical space, and apportion them that way.

The Dems and the GOP haven’t earned the right to govern any of this, much less set up rules.

Seems to me that a proportional representation system is more democratic. I think some European countries have it, including Germany. I don’t know how they work, but seats are distributed in proportion to the number of votes received rather than winner-take-all.

My only real question is “Can the Rams break their own record of 7 consecutive division titles?”

Herzog wrote:

wv wrote:

Ok, see to ME, this is bad parenting. Very bad decision-making.

“….“My son looked at me and asked, ‘Can I do that?’” Steve recalled.
Steve had seen some crocodiles on the banks of the river. He also knew the flow of the river could be unpredictable and potentially dangerous to a boy putting a higher premium on fun than safety. “But I told my wife that I’m going to let him do it,” Steve said. “I didn’t want him to be afraid of anything, and he did it….”

I agree.

Yeah. I think there are some things it’s really okay to be scared of. And swimming in crocodile water is one of those things.

I think I’d like to read that book. I wonder if my local library has a copy.

Why do Democrats want to be Republicans so badly?

Oprah is not going to run, though.

Saints/Vikings is the game.

I take it for granted the Pats will win. Nobody wants to see that.

The Steelers and Falcons will probably win, but I will probably check in on those games every half hour or so to see if anything interesting is going on.

Wow, Ag. Tough few weeks, and during the holidays, too. Glad you are recovering.

zn wrote:

Gaining experience at losing playoff games is not a foundation for anything but more losing.

You know, I’ve always wondered about that.

I’ve always questioned whether losing is a necessary learning experience, or if it’s just something losers tell themselves to reset their optimism for next season. What, really, is learned by losing? Not to drop a pass? Not to lose your grip on a runner’s ankle?

Roethlisberger won a SB his second year at QB. Warner and Brady won their first year.

Just sayin’.

Herzog wrote:

Rams kill falcons. Goff tears them apart as they try to stop Gurley and try to make Goff “beat” them.

That scenario works for me.

Not looking good here, either. 90% chance of rains, wind gusts up to 6 mph, a high of 58 expected. An overnight low of 48. So we’re kind of feeling it out here, too. But of course with the East Coast bias in the media, there’s total silence about it.

wv wrote:

For me the story of the year is McV and his scheme. It is so much fun to watch players getting so wide open and having room to run.

Atlanta is a worthy, battle-tested opponent, and
its just awesome to be playing them in the playoffs. They were the one team i didnt want the Rams facing, but what the hell.

And if they win….the dreaded malevolent mother-fucking North-Men. How cool is that.

w
v

.

Unless the Panthers upset the Saints. In which case, the Rams go to reeling Philadelphia and avoid the Northern Climes for another week.

zn wrote:

CB Kevin Peterson, 93.1 overall grade

T Cornelius Lucas, 79.1 overall grade

Never heard of those two guys until yesterday.

I could barely stand watching that game, and as it went on, just got more interested in all the other games.

Mannion did not impress. And I know that was a preseason game. An OL that didn’t play together, and not the starting RB or WR etc., but they had a week of practice anyhow, and there were so many dropped passes, bad passes, missed tackles…just a load of crap.

So…on to next week.

Surprising the Rams ended up with the 3rd seed. I saw the last bit of the Bucs, and cannot believe they scored from 40+ on a 4th and 12 against the Saints. Good grief.

I fell like I ought to worry more about the Falcons because they went to the SB last year, and have talent…but I just don’t. I just don’t expect the Rams to be seriously threatened in this game.

I’ll prolly watch it anyway because what the hell else is there to do on a Saturday night in January, but….