Both wings are on the same bird.

And they're both broken.

/
- Scoob

There is a strain of Dem crackpots who believe in homeopathy, and astrology, and get too excited about the evils of GMOs and nuclear power, so on.

And there are many more Republicans than Dems who are against mandatory vaccinations, and do not consider climate change to be real or a threat.

But the difference is in the degree of influence. The former element of the Dems do not really have much say in the national debate of their party any more regarding science. (They do in other issues of course)

But we have had a President saying he loves the poorly educated, and casting doubt on the threat of climate change, and going on and on about utterly nutjob views about the virus at a time when we have had our knees chopped off by it. And we have had in the past a speaker who has vaccinated his kids saying he doubts the benefits of mandatory vaccination programs, arguably the greatest public health success this country has ever known. They belong to the same party and this anti-science, anti-data view would not happen with the Dems today. That's not politics, that's being DUMB!

Everybody has very much their right to follow their own politics. I would hate to live in an US where any one party has a super-majority. If the election was between John Kasich or William Weld or McCain or Bob Dole or Condoleezza Rice or William Powell versus Biden, I would vote Republican.

But I am really talking about data driven policy, and science here, not issues of social justice or the lack thereof. We should separate the issue of competence and intelligence from political ideology. I feel Palin lacked the former, and it is becoming increasingly ok to conflate the two in one party as a philosophy thats "oh shucks, everything I needed to learn I learnt in Kindergarten."

The people who work at NASA, and who compile research such as this: https://climate.nasa.gov/scientific-consensus/ are not "deep state" or "globalists". They are smart, objectively driven people whose views should be embraced. They are an asset to us, not some group of elitists who want to screw America.

Both wings are on the same bird.

And they're both broken.

/
- Scoob

Which one follows the advice of Dr. Demon Sperm?

I admire Ed Snider very much for setting the tone, personally and institutionally, of the emotion involvement in being a Flyers fan, beyond the $ and beyond even the results. He is surely the greatest Philly sports owner ever. I don't think Connie Mack is relevant to the argument.

I will however nitpick about one thing. He was a lifelong conservative, which is irrelevant. He espoused the same Ayn Rand shtick that many successful business-people of earlier generations did, for example the Koch brothers. Ayn Rand is to the canon of philosophy what Archie Andrews comics is to literature, but again, that's also irrelevant.

I am talking about inviting Sarah Palin to drop the puck in 2008. It was because she was a "hockey mom" ostensibly, and we all know that's not true, but again, she was certainly a celebrity, and she did use the phrase "hockey mom from Alaska", and so Ed and the Flyers deserve the benefit of the doubt on their claim that the decision was apolitical.

But this is not about politics. Sarah Palin should not have been invited because by this time, it was evident that she was (and remains btw) a bona fide bimbo. Politics is one thing, sheer stupidity is quite another, and the aw shucks "its cool to be stupid" is simply dangerous, as tens of thousands of lost lives this year will provide proof of. She exemplified a specific trait of the modern Republican party that has increasingly lost its intellectual compass and not just panders, but actually cultivates, true dimwits.

By almost two to one, modern Republicans believe that higher education (college and beyond) is bad for the country. In a world that is increasingly dependent on valuing abstract thinking (global warming, cyber-security, vaccines, financial crimes, big data), this kind of perspective and this kind of thinking is personified by people like Palin and a few others, who previously set the trail blazed by the current dude at our helm, and it will end up destroying our country if it is not called out publicly and shamed.

For that one profound cause alone, that simple and singular gesture was deeply misguided. It's just one speck on his shining suit, but it is very much a speck and I personally think it is a significant one.
- PT21

this reads like the ranting of a 9th grade poli-sci 101 C student.

Stick to hockey.

I have asked that various Alumni and they all have stories to share.

One of my favorite stories is this one: An Alum's dad, who never had much money and was a working man who didn't own a suit was invited by Mr. Snider to sit in his private suite at a game. The dad was too proud to accept either his son's or Mr. Snider's offer to buy him a suit (Mr. Snider offered to have it tailored, too). Mr. Snider said that he'd take no for an answer on one condition -- that the dad come to the game, anyway. Ed Snider wore casual clothes to the game that afternoon, so the guy's dad wouldn't feel embarrassed or out of place.


Many Flyers Alum talk about how the Sniders -- and this really started with Ed's first wife, Myrna -- treated their wives and children like part of the "Flyers family." There's a great photo of Ed Snider, at a team Christmas party, holding Don and Mary Anne Saleski's baby. Even smaller things, like knowing everyone's name, and their wife and kids names were not lost on the players' families.

Some Flyers have said that the team always went first-class on well-stocked training facilities relative to whatever era they played. Mark Howe, for example, said he couldn't believe the difference between the facilities the Flyers had versus what the Hartford Whalers players had to make suffice. The Flyers were also one of the first to have team-employed physical therapists, strength-and-conditioning coaches (Pat Croce was a key pioneer).

Things such as the way the Sniders treated the Alumni and current players if they needed tickets to a game -- the only question was "how many?".

The way that franchise icons basically had jobs for life in the organization after their careers was something very important to Ed Snider.

Again, little things: The Flyers Archives (when it was on-site) had thousands of photos of every player in franchise history, including scores of off-ice and family photos from team events. A player or Alum need only make an appointment and it was there for their perusal. No one with Flyers ties was ever charged for personal prints.

Above all else, though, the Alumni KNEW that Ed Snider was deeply invested emotionally in the team winning. He'd rage at referee's calls. He'd be up all night stewing over a tough loss. He'd come down to the room, as would Jay during his tenure as team chairman. The team would also try its damndest every year to put out a contending team.

Pre-Comcast, the Flyers were not the biggest contract spenders in the league, although the Sniders (and Tobins, and Joe Scott, Fitz Dixon, etc) would do what was needed if there was a chance to bring in a star/projected star. In fact, Clarkie held down other players' contracts because he never really cared whether he was one of the highest paid players in the league (and if a 3-time Hart Trophy winner didn't care, no one else was expected to quibble, either).

So it was really all those other personal touches -- plus the chance to be surrounded by great people ranging from the same devoted equipment/training staff guys, Joe Kadlec then Zack Hill or office staff like Celie Baker or worked there for years and years and always went the extra mile on their behalf -- that's why players loved it here.

Nowadays, since Mr. Snider's passing, things are much more corporate. But Chuck Fletcher understands some of those little touches -- such as sending flowers on behalf of the team to all the players' wives and girlfriends as a thank you for their sacrifices to allow the players to live in the Bubble; have a big collage of family photos, with every player included, on display in the Bubble for players to see -- that existed most of the team's history.

There are not many things that Ron Hextall would have done differently about his GM tenure; for better or for worse. But one thing he's said that he wished he could do over was what happened on the day/night of the 50th Anniversary Game.

The Flyers were in Boston that day. Even so, Hexy closed off the current team's locker room to the Alumni Team, which meant that the likes of Clarke, Barber, Leach, Howe, Kerr, Propp, Poulin, Lindros, LeClair, Renberg, Desjardins, Briere, Timonen and a host of others had to get dressed for the game in the side locker rooms that the post-game rec hockey teams use.

That was a very un-Flyers like decision. It caused resentment of Ron, along with other decisions (the end of the longstanding open-door policy for Alumni; who never got an invite to see the new training center in Voorhees, while the media, including me, got the grand tour at Comcast-Spectacor initiative to show off the results of their major renovation project).

I am happy to say, though, that the rift has largely been mended. Ron gladly took part in the first "Alumni Decades" show, which spotlighted the 1986-87 season, and I know they want him back for future Alumni events if he's available.

Families fight, sometimes heatedly. But they usually come back together eventually.

Hell, even Eric Lindros is employed as a Flyers ambassador now (a very well-compensated one, at that) and has played in various Alumni games.
- bmeltzer

Appreciate you taking the time to not only reply... but give a response with insight and depth. We're lucky to have the best reporter on this sight.

Which one follows the advice of Dr. Demon Sperm?
- StepfordSam

For those unsure about the reference, The President retweeted the views of this doctor, which among other things, promote Hydroxychloroquine and dissuade people from using face masks. His son DJT Jr. tweeted that her video with those views is a "must see."

And all this was done in the middle of a pandemic that has taken more American lives in a 5 month period than any other disease, war or catastrophe.

Here is a Wikipedia entry about the doctor:

"Immanuel's medical claims are sometimes combined with her spiritual beliefs. She has said that many gynecological illnesses are the result of having sex dreams with succubi and incubi and receiving "demon sperm". She has said that endometriosis, infertility, miscarriages, and sexually transmitted infections are caused by the spirit husbands and spirit wives.[7][13] According to Immanuel, the causes of cysts and endometriosis are individuals having sex in their dreams with demons and witches.[4] She said in a 2015 sermon that space alien DNA is used in medical treatments and that reptilians[a] and aliens run the government. She also stated in 2015 that Illuminati are using witches to destroy the world through abortion, gay marriage, children's toys and media such as Harry Potter, Pokémon, Wizards of Waverly Place and Hannah Montana. In another 2015 sermon, she said scientists are developing vaccines to stop people from being religious.[7][13]

At what point do we say this is not about politics, this is moronic and unacceptable?

I wish we had moderators and "ignore" function here.
Most of us do not come to this site for discussions about political parties, presidents and former vice- president candidates.
Note- I did not say "political discussions", because, apparently , above subjects are "not political".

For those unsure about the reference, The President retweeted the views of this doctor, which among other things, promote Hydroxychloroquine and dissuade people from using face masks. His son DJT Jr. tweeted that her video with those views is a "must see."

And all this was done in the middle of a pandemic that has taken more American lives in a 5 month period than any other disease, war or catastrophe.

Here is a Wikipedia entry about the doctor:

"Immanuel's medical claims are sometimes combined with her spiritual beliefs. She has said that many gynecological illnesses are the result of having sex dreams with succubi and incubi and receiving "demon sperm". She has said that endometriosis, infertility, miscarriages, and sexually transmitted infections are caused by the spirit husbands and spirit wives.
- PT21[7][13] According to Immanuel, the causes of cysts and endometriosis are individuals having sex in their dreams with demons and witches.[4] She said in a 2015 sermon that space alien DNA is used in medical treatments and that reptilians[a] and aliens run the government. She also stated in 2015 that Illuminati are using witches to destroy the world through abortion, gay marriage, children's toys and media such as Harry Potter, Pokémon, Wizards of Waverly Place and Hannah Montana. In another 2015 sermon, she said scientists are developing vaccines to stop people from being religious.[7][13]

At what point do we say this is not about politics, this is moronic and unacceptable?

So Demon Sperm is not a real thing?

So Demon Sperm is not a real thing?
- mickel25

So...how bout’ them Flyers

I honestly don't think most of this is accurate. You might want to move. I did grow up in Philly, so I guess maybe it's a little different than a lot of places. But most people I know aren't racist at all, let alone aggressively racist. Most of my friends don't own guns, or love them for that matter. I also don't know many people who love to talk politics. But I also don't participate if I do overhear a political conversation. I feel like most people don't know what they're talking about anyway, and just spewing nonsense they read in some biased article or on tv.

edit: when I said move, I meant from where you are now, not like "get out of my country!!!!" because I don't come across many aggressively racist people where I am.
- Ftown19125

Dude where they heck do you live that this is your thoughts on the US, the media and all other nonsense draws up a crazy narrative that for 90% of the country is not true.
- ClaudeFather

Story time...

So about three weeks prior to Covid I walk into my local bar and I get served by my usual waitress, who is a very attractive woman. I’m on one end of the bar and on the other end is her husband who notices me. He flags me over. At first I told him “I don’t think so” because you have to know who this guy is. Clever and witty guy, late 40’s, does aggressively like to talk politics as a trump supporter but he also likes to have fun at people’s expense. Anyway, I give in and come over.

First things first, he starts off by calling me a Canadian queer. I do yoga, I’ve come along way with my practice with balancing poses and standing on my head. Well he Seek me out on Facebook and he calls me out for posting that kind of thing because I’m looking for attention. He might be right but regardless of why I do, I’m proud of it.

I tell him to settle down because I don’t want things to become like the last time we spoke where he called me a Tribesman. He responds with, “I wouldn’t call you a tribesman. This time I would call you an aboriginal”. At this point his wife the bartender is watching the conversation and saying nothing and the other young bartender is just coming off her shift and clearly doesn’t know what an aboriginal is. The guy went as far as looking up an aboriginal, with a painted face, missing teeth and holding his phone up to my head to compare me to an actual aboriginal. I then say out loud “this is some pretty racist poop”. The young bartender calls me out by saying “he’s not racist, you know him”. Yeah, I know him because he’s my usual server’s husband, it’s not like we hangout. At this time my bartender is shrugging it off with the comment of “It’s not a big deal, I get called things all the time”, when is reality if he were anyone else, he’d get kicked out. Plus I can only imagine how tough this tiny blond with big boobs gets called regularly but it can’t be anywhere near the direction her husband is going in.

Anyway I sit there and finish my beer. Bartender goes back to serving the other side of the bar. Young bartender gets off her shift and leaves. The husband then says while nobody is listening “Well since you already think I’m racist, I might as well say all you n*ggers look the same time me”. I had enough, I get up and walk away and as I’m walking away he calls me a wimp. You have to understand that there are cameras in this bar and the bartender is already defending her husband as if his obnoxious behavior is no big deal. I attack him, it doesn’t workout for me no matter what.

This is only the most recent of racist behavior I’ve experienced of my life back in March.

As for media being what pushes racism, that’s just an idiotic take. Racism is very real. Gun lovers are very real and I’ll defend their right to bear arms at any cost. I know this because I once worked in the sporting goods department in a Walmart that sold guns for hunting and I’ve heard all the conversations. Don’t tell me my experiences aren’t accurate from your bubble in philly unless you’ve lived the same experiences.

Heck, you can’t even have a different take on this board without people getting aggressive. You two are only two examples.

So...how bout’ them Flyers
- funmaster18

I thought the first line was good in the first period, and the second line was better as the game went along. I do hope Laughton stays on second line wing.

I thought JVR, who normally plays within himself, played within that within, so that he essentially was a non-factor. Pitlick was the most noticeable player on that line based on what I saw. I am hoping that line is more visible.

Provorov was impressive right from the get go. His skating and conditioning shows. He was all over the ice. Niskanen was ok.

Myers and Sanheim worried me. Its just one game, I know.

Hayes showed the aggressive flair that is so valuable for us.

Ghost was all over the ice, but I don't remember him doing anything significant. Again, I could be wrong. His skating was markedly improved though.

For the first 2 periods or so, plays were choppy and scattered. Timing on passes was off. JJ and Jones mentioned ice, but it was hard to tell if it was that or the layoff or both.

Goalies were ok.

Good, solid start in summary. More pluses than minuses.

Story time...

So about three weeks prior to Covid I walk into my local bar and I get served by my usual waitress, who is a very attractive woman. I’m on one end of the bar and on the other end is her husband who notices me. He flags me over. At first I told him “I don’t think so” because you have to know who this guy is. Clever and witty guy, late 40’s, does aggressively like to talk politics as a trump supporter but he also likes to have fun at people’s expense. Anyway, I give in and come over.

First things first, he starts off by calling me a Canadian queer. I do yoga, I’ve come along way with my practice with balancing poses and standing on my head. Well he Seek me out on Facebook and he calls me out for posting that kind of thing because I’m looking for attention. He might be right but regardless of why I do, I’m proud of it.

I tell him to settle down because I don’t want things to become like the last time we spoke where he called me a Tribesman. He responds with, “I wouldn’t call you a tribesman. This time I would call you an aboriginal”. At this point his wife the bartender is watching the conversation and saying nothing and the other young bartender is just coming off her shift and clearly doesn’t know what an aboriginal is. The guy went as far as looking up an aboriginal, with a painted face, missing teeth and holding his phone up to my head to compare me to an actual aboriginal. I then say out loud “this is some pretty racist poop”. The young bartender calls me out by saying “he’s not racist, you know him”. Yeah, I know him because he’s my usual server’s husband, it’s not like we hangout. At this time my bartender is shrugging it off with the comment of “It’s not a big deal, I get called things all the time”, when is reality if he were anyone else, he’d get kicked out. Plus I can only imagine how tough this tiny blond with big boobs gets called regularly but it can’t be anywhere near the direction her husband is going in.

Anyway I sit there and finish my beer. Bartender goes back to serving the other side of the bar. Young bartender gets off her shift and leaves. The husband then says while nobody is listening “Well since you already think I’m racist, I might as well say all you n*ggers look the same time me”. I had enough, I get up and walk away and as I’m walking away he calls me a wimp. You have to understand that there are cameras in this bar and the bartender is already defending her husband as if his obnoxious behavior is no big deal. I attack him, it doesn’t workout for me no matter what.

This is only the most recent experience of my life back in March.

As for media being what pushes racism, that’s just an idiotic take. Racism is very real. Gun lovers are very real and I’ll defend their right to bear arms at any cost. I know this because I once worked in the sporting goods department in a Walmart that sold guns for hunting and I’ve heard all the conversations. Don’t tell me my experiences aren’t accurate from your bubble in philly unless you’ve lived the same experiences.

Heck, you can’t even have a different take on this board without people getting aggressive. You two are only two examples.
- SuperSchennBros

neither one of us were aggressive, and no one said your experiences weren't accurate.

Story time...

As for media being what pushes racism, that’s just an idiotic take.
- SuperSchennBros

I will not respond to your whole post.

While agree the media did not create racism it sure does exacerbate it.

neither one of us were aggressive, and no one said your experiences weren't accurate.
- Ftown19125

You said the words “I don’t think most of this is accurate” and both you and claudefather are aggressive towards me on a daily basis. To deny this would be idiotic as well.

I will not respond to your whole post.

While agree the media did not create racism it sure does exacerbate it.
- mickel25

No, media is not the problem.

No, media is not the problem.
- SuperSchennBros

They are not the solution either.

Story time...

So about three weeks prior to Covid I walk into my local bar and I get served by my usual waitress, who is a very attractive woman. I’m on one end of the bar and on the other end is her husband who notices me. He flags me over. At first I told him “I don’t think so” because you have to know who this guy is. Clever and witty guy, late 40’s, does aggressively like to talk politics as a trump supporter but he also likes to have fun at people’s expense. Anyway, I give in and come over.

First things first, he starts off by calling me a Canadian queer. I do yoga, I’ve come along way with my practice with balancing poses and standing on my head. Well he Seek me out on Facebook and he calls me out for posting that kind of thing because I’m looking for attention. He might be right but regardless of why I do, I’m proud of it.

I tell him to settle down because I don’t want things to become like the last time we spoke where he called me a Tribesman. He responds with, “I wouldn’t call you a tribesman. This time I would call you an aboriginal”. At this point his wife the bartender is watching the conversation and saying nothing and the other young bartender is just coming off her shift and clearly doesn’t know what an aboriginal is. The guy went as far as looking up an aboriginal, with a painted face, missing teeth and holding his phone up to my head to compare me to an actual aboriginal. I then say out loud “this is some pretty racist poop”. The young bartender calls me out by saying “he’s not racist, you know him”. Yeah, I know him because he’s my usual server’s husband, it’s not like we hangout. At this time my bartender is shrugging it off with the comment of “It’s not a big deal, I get called things all the time”, when is reality if he were anyone else, he’d get kicked out. Plus I can only imagine how tough this tiny blond with big boobs gets called regularly but it can’t be anywhere near the direction her husband is going in.

Anyway I sit there and finish my beer. Bartender goes back to serving the other side of the bar. Young bartender gets off her shift and leaves. The husband then says while nobody is listening “Well since you already think I’m racist, I might as well say all you n*ggers look the same time me”. I had enough, I get up and walk away and as I’m walking away he calls me a wimp. You have to understand that there are cameras in this bar and the bartender is already defending her husband as if his obnoxious behavior is no big deal. I attack him, it doesn’t workout for me no matter what.

This is only the most recent of racist behavior I’ve experienced of my life back in March.

As for media being what pushes racism, that’s just an idiotic take. Racism is very real. Gun lovers are very real and I’ll defend their right to bear arms at any cost. I know this because I once worked in the sporting goods department in a Walmart that sold guns for hunting and I’ve heard all the conversations. Don’t tell me my experiences aren’t accurate from your bubble in philly unless you’ve lived the same experiences.

Heck, you can’t even have a different take on this board without people getting aggressive. You two are only two examples.
- SuperSchennBros

Dude, I'm a 65 year old white guy. You are a Better man then me. I'm sorry you have to out up with that poop. I'd be in jail. Got no time for that BS! I've known racist men. My father was one. I grew up in a small town in North Jersey. Had one black family in town. Ron was one of my best friends through grade school. I'm guessing my mother was an amazing woman. Ron was at my house all the time. Never heard a word from my dad.
There are bumholes all over the place. Doesn't mean that most people are racist or aggressively racist. You are in the wrong part if the country if you see this all the time.

They are not the solution either.
- mickel25

Who said they were?

Saying the media is what drives racism is just a stupid belief.

You said the words “I don’t think most of this is accurate” and both you and claudefather are aggressive towards me on a daily basis. To deny this would be idiotic as well.
- SuperSchennBros

yes, generalizing the entire country based on your experiences at some bar you frequent. Also, why do you keep going to some bar where the same racist bumhole keeps (frank)ing with you?

I have never been aggressive towards you actually. I more laugh at you than anything else.

Dude, I'm a 65 year old white guy. You are a Better man then me. I'm sorry you have to out up with that poop. I'd be in jail. Got no time for that BS! I've known racist men. My father was one. I grew up in a small town in North Jersey. Had one black family in town. Ron was one of my best friends through grade school. I'm guessing my mother was an amazing woman. Ron was at my house all the time. Never heard a word from my dad.
There are bumholes all over the place. Doesn't mean that most people are racist or aggressively racist. You are in the wrong part if the country if you see this all the time.
- jaws1955

I don’t want to turn this into a political argument or a racist one. What I’m saying is, let’s not be ignorant. Southern New Jersey, East Pennsylvania is just one small areas compared to the rest of the states. Just because your experience is different, doesn’t mean these things aren’t out there.

I don’t want to turn this into a political argument or a racist one. What I’m saying is, let’s not be ignorant. Southern New Jersey, East Pennsylvania is just one small areas compared to the rest of the states. Just because your experience is different, doesn’t mean these things aren’t out there.
- SuperSchennBros

again, no ones saying they aren't out there. no one is claiming racism doesn't exist. but I don't believe stating "this country has shown me it is aggressively racist" is accurate. you're basing this off of your experiences and you shared one situation at a bar, where the same dude messes with you, yet you still go there.

normally if I feel uncomfortable at a place, I don't go there.

yes, generalizing the entire country based on your experiences at some bar you frequent. Also, why do you keep going to some bar where the same racist bumhole keeps (frank)ing with you?

I have never been aggressive towards you actually. I more laugh at you than anything else.
- Ftown19125

You laugh at me and that’s not an aggressive nature? You disagree with my views, say something poopty on a daily basis but this isn’t aggressive. Gotcha.

Also the United States was built on racism. Our presidents have own slaves. Read a book.

As far as where I choose to drink is up to me. One bad experience in 8 years shouldn’t chase me from anywhere, not that I owe you an explanation.

again, no ones saying they aren't out there. no one is claiming racism doesn't exist. but I don't believe stating "this country has shown me it is aggressively racist" is accurate. you're basing this off of your experiences and you shared one situation at a bar, where the same dude messes with you, yet you still go there.

normally if I feel uncomfortable at a place, I don't go there.
- Ftown19125

What is wrong with you? Where I choose to go and what I choose to do, is not up to you. It’s not for you to question. What exactly do you want? You want me to list all my experiences of Prejudice for you right now because you don’t feel what I’m saying is accurate??

You laugh at me and that’s not an aggressive nature? You disagree with my views, say something poopty on a daily basis but this isn’t aggressive. Gotcha.

Also the United States was built on racism. Our presidents have own slaves. Read a book.

As far as I choose to drink is up to me. One bad experience in 8 years shouldn’t chase me from anywhere, not that I owe you an explanation.
- SuperSchennBros

most days I don't even interact with you, but alright. and nah, you might want to look up the meaning of aggressive.

also, i thought you said the same guy has made racist remarks to you on more than one occasion. not just one night.

Who said they were?

Saying the media is what drives racism is just a stupid belief.
- SuperSchennBros

Cool man. Super objective from the guy that is asking everyone to be more objective in this thread.