RichlandsAlum

So much for subtle humor.... Google is a wonderful thing. Type in "Michael Vick" and "Ron Mexico." See what you come up with.

Seems that Michael Vick has chosen to "borrow" his identity.

I shouldn't have interjected politics into this discussion. Lord knows I'm bad to steer threads off onto tangents as it is. I'm guessing that Tazewell's numbers are pretty comparable to the rest of the region. And that's probably an issue that the powers-that-be are working on.

[ QUOTE ] Of course if they could work....where would they work? [/ QUOTE ] Chicken and egg thing there. I realize that the job situation isn't the best, but if you're an individual investor, are you going to put your $$$ in a place where only 1 in 3 people are even able to work? I appreciate your personal point of view, although I didn't particularly mean to call anyone out. However, I would refute the claim that disability is "not easy to get." The fact that 1 in 4 members of the entire population are claiming disability is extremely signficant no matter how you spin it.

Where to begin? How about this little factoid: "12,481 of the county's 44,362 residents claim some sort of disability" That is absolutely beyond pathetic. The thing that's most telling is that's the number for the entire population. If we can assume that 20% of the populace is under the age of 18, then the percentage of the "workforce" that's disabled must be substantially higher. Whomever is processing all of those claims needs to be horse whipped. I'm sure that Ginger Branton and her counterparts are thrilled about that statistic. In fact, I can already envision the slogan: <font color="green"> Locate your business here in Tazewell County. 65% of us are actually able to work.</font>

[ QUOTE ] I have a question! I saw one of the best basketball refs (Jeffrey Hurst) today in Richlands and he had a beard. It got me to thinking; are basketball refs allowed to have beards? I don't think I ever saw one with a beard! [/ QUOTE ] I didn't think he swung that way. Guess you learn something new... Wait a second... I thought you said that Hurst was a "beard." Is this him?

[ QUOTE ] I know that alot of school are percieved by other schools in a certain light. I know, being a Graham kid that we perceive Bluefield as "gangsta" to say it the nicest way. Tazewell is seen as a bunch of hicks. I heard that Graham is known as the "goody goodies" of the SWD and I was wondering if there was any truth, or how other schools view other SWD schools. [/ QUOTE ] The Richlands perspective back in the '80s was different. We were pretty certain that our town was the center of the universe, and therefore we didn't really think too much about other schools. We were aware that the other teams that showed up to compete with us had to come from somewhere, but that was probably the extent of the attention that we gave to them.

[ QUOTE ] I still don't understand all of the fuss about Chelsea. They are just another team that actually plays as a team without many big name players, yet. That's the greatest part of this team, is that they are making names for themselves by playing very well. [/ QUOTE ] The main criticism I've gleaned is that Chelsea's ownership are basically "buying" the championship this year. As you noted, they don't really have a lot of superstars, but they made a lot of personnel changes in the off-season that most clubs don't have the means to accomplish. If there's an analogy to be found, I'd say it's the Florida Marlins first World Series team. Personally, I'm happy to see someone other than Arsenal or Man U. dominate the premiership for a change.

Although the list of potential culprits is very large.

[ QUOTE ] that's okay. as long as you like DC United then that's all you really need to know about MLS. haha! so why Oxford United? [/ QUOTE ] Lived in Oxford very briefly about a dozen years ago.

Not a player, but I am a fan. I support Oxford United (currently in Coca-Cola Football League Two), and my favorite player is probably keeper Chris Tardif. If I had to declare for an American team, I suppose I support DC United. But I have to confess that I don't know much about MLS.

[ QUOTE ] I really doubt that. The ACC has a good chance of having 3 of the 4 teams in the final four. But anywayz McCants will be back to 100% by this friday. Trust me [/ QUOTE ] Gonna be kind of tough for him to put in excess of 20 pounds back on his frame by Friday. I'd love to see 3 ACC teams in the Final Four, but no way would I bet on it.

UNC would be a solid pick if McCants were 100%. But McCants isn't at 100% by a long shot. And Wake should make it to the Final Four. However, the same could have been said about previous Deacon squads and it hasn't happened yet. In the meantime, Louisville has "quietly" won 29 games under a coach who knows the ins and outs of the big dance. Duke lost to Virginia Tech. Is any further comment really necessary? I'd like to be wrong, but I see the ACC being shut out of the Final Four. Just like 2003. Time will tell....

[ QUOTE ] VT. would have been put out in the 1st or 2nd round anyways... Atleast in the NIT they have a chance to do something big! [/ QUOTE ] I agree with you on the first point. Not sure about the second. The week off would be a killer for them either way. Last two outings after at least a 5 day layoff were blowout losses (to NC State and Georgia Tech). At the very least, we're assured of a second consecutive season above .500, and I'll settle for that.

Illinois Louisville UConn Kentucky Illinois beats UConn by at least 10 in the final. Losing their last regular season game to Ohio State will prove to be the best thing that could've happened to them.

[ QUOTE ] Ill agree!! & Screw the NCAA Tourney. Committee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I hate em' [/ QUOTE ] I'm as big a Hokie fan as there is, but if Tech had gotten a bid to the NCAA tournament, something would have been seriously smelly in Denmark. We need to firmly grasp that our record is 15-13, including blowout losses in two of our last four outings. While we should get a shot at the NIT, a bid there is not a lock by any means. Regardless of what happens, let's enjoy this season for what it was worth.... a very pleasant surprise.

[ QUOTE ] Soccer has not captured the AMERICAN MALE SPORTS FANS' attention, therefore it will not be popular in America until it does so...maybe in 20-30 years it may be close... [/ QUOTE ] And even if it is ever measurably popular, it will never compare with the English professional league system. Whether you're a soccer fan or not, that system (particularly the promotion/relegation aspect of it) is primitive cool.

this afternoon. Those who know me can consider this a PSA. However, I do think I deserve credit for staying in the office and merely listening to the ACC tournament on the radio instead of going home "sick" to watch it. If you are, in fact, one of my employees or colleagues at work, there is a reason why my door is closed. And I shall appreciate it if you will not disturb me until Monday. That is all.

How about Rick Boucher? He lives in Abingdon. Better still... How about Boucher takes over the gridiron position at AHS and Dennis Vaught takes over as 9th District Congressman. I'd bet you wouldn't be able to tell a lick of difference. With the Congressional gig, anyway.

You forgot J.B. Viers.... Oh wait... You said "great" coaches. My bad.

I think Terry Smith is the obvious choice to head both programs simultaneously in addition to his role at Virginia High. The man is an absolute marvel....

[ QUOTE ] while we're at it i would also like to see a water polo forum.... very overlooked sport around here!!! well a golf forum would be cool....but i dont think itd get much attention either [/ QUOTE ] Oh come on.... The only thing that could possibly be more exciting than playing golf, watching golf, and/or talking about golf would be posting about golf on an Internet message board. Don't try to tell me that there are that many competing options for entertainment in SWVA.

[ QUOTE ] I hear his health conditions aren't so great. [/ QUOTE ] That's specifically what I'm wondering about now. Although obviously that's a very personal matter that's none of my business. It's unfortunate regardless of the reasons for the move, IMO.

[ QUOTE ] I just saw on the bottom line on Cold Pizza that Bob Pruett retires. Does anyone know anything about this? Just wondering since its really out of the blue. [/ QUOTE ] Got to be a major story under the surface here. Nobody "retires" right before the opening of spring practice.