North Buffalo

Again, having never been in a Union before, I was skeptical. And I am fine with you not wanting to be in one given your experience with your Dad. I've seen the best... the Teachers Union with my Dad SUNYAB and the worst, the Buffalo musicians Union with him as well. However, unless you own and run your own company... the company you work for has that much influence itself... the Union affords some protection against arbitrary and capricious actions by said company. I have seen the difference between Union and non-union hospitals and the difference is stark. The treatment of staff in non-union hospitals is atrocious, especially by the Docs, but often it emanates from the supervisors with favoritism being rampid despite levels of competence. All I am saying is it is easy to dismiss Unions and in today's day and age, the one's that are growing are much more responsive imo. Guess that goes with anything, including management in companies, but the bigger the company, the more important the need for a Union.

The stuff in the foreground is Virginia Creeper... a grape like vine. the stuff behind with the little berry stuff is the Sumac and probably the poison variety looks like from the pics on line.

Trump is a pain, even when I agree with what he is trying to do, strengthen border control, fairer trade (our trade agreements suck)… he goes about it in such a narcissistic, foul mouthed way that I can't even listen to him anymore. He is not a leader in quite the opposite way that Obama was not a leader. Obama didn't like to get out a criticize people directly and when he did, it seemed... meh. Trump does it so nastily and doesn't have any couth. He doesn't share credit unless it is inappropriately with dictators like Putin and North Korean guy that it makes your stomach turn. Not sure there is much else I can say. His economic policies are so hap hazard, they make little sense and his trade actions while imo in the correct direction don't work the way he is implementing them. I don't think he realizes the connection between the results his actions will have on the economy and how he is going about it with all his actions by fiat. Meh...

Just read up on it, the Red droups are non-poisoness, the stuff with white droups are and usually grow in swampy areas... had no idea. Still not sure what a droup is...

Interesting, never had a reaction to it and have been around it and touched it. People I knew in Canada made tea out of it unless there is a difference. Always heard about poison Sumac, but was wondering if there are different varieties or am I just immune having grown up around it? P.S. Sorry for your pain.. Sounds like it sucks.

The problem I have with your assumption is that Unions are only there to prevent folks from getting fired. Unions do insure if not sometimes an overburden for a struggling company going thru a bad business cycle, a fair process for relieving someone of their position. But that is only a part of what they do. They provide that employees get affordable health insurance. Retirement plans or pensions separate from or secure from company mismanagement though depending on the agreement that can still happen. But it is a firewall to prevent it and allows for employees to be secure if they choose not to work overtime especially if family concerns prevent it. It allows for an employee not be a singular voice when negotiating pay with a large corporation. I think your depiction of a Union is a bit cherry picking some of the difficulties with Unions without acknowledging the benefits. Including a stable properly credentialed workforce which a Union often provides.

Dont really care but nothing else going so bored... with offseason.

Don’t start Aud... got back to back penalties last night for roughing and slashing.... not in the mood especially when it comes to my wife’s honor. grrrrt ?

No Casey is still our Lord and Savior... I'll allow that Dahlin is his first disciple and as such should write the first book of the Word of Middlestadt.

No, just coming off an injury forget what.

Hey sounds like a plan, I can probably do Saturday, its better for me sort because I'll probably drive up and stay with friends. But I would need two tickets, one for me and one for my 14 year old. Doubt my wife would let me go by myself. LOL

Not now but once they get their new stadium... next to Belmont with direct train routes may out do Strangers. Isles have a very loyal following and their AHL affiliate is in Bridgeport and easy trainnride to Belmont.

Yeh was wondering about Nylander that is who the doc said but it maybe to just force Torontos hand depends on the offer.

Rumor has it Lou may put an offer in for one of Toronto’s RFA’s. Was on the radio this am with the Fan according to one of our docs. He wasn’t sure who but said Lou still pissed at Toronto over Tavares.

Careful, my wife spells her name Caryn... the Gaelic spelling and hates it pronounced Car-inn. Just no bad bad Judge Smell. ?

Hmmm but he was under Smith’s tutelage at Carolina.

Yes

Yes, motivation v booksmart. Why John Thompson kicked Jim Boeheim's but in the NCAA's all those years. Finally Boeheim learned a thing or two and Thompson retired.

Yes, I saw this on twitter today. He said he was going to do a couple of more as well, system or players not playing system kinda thing.

Yeh but it is legal to shoot tresspassers so why beat them.

Kinda laughable coming from people of the Thames... another word for sewage...

Oof true or not this sucks... bad news... for all involved no matter how it turns out

Again its an added strain and distraction which may be ok for them or cause problems. Just saying it adds another level of intensity to relationships that can be hard on them.

Politics can be very demanding of family. Or very neglectful. In someways it is good that Phil has his own career. But kissing babies, standing there with your spouse and kids for big events are often needed and unlikely Phil has the time nor really cares about all that. Problem is people pick up on that. It can be overcome but politics can strain relationships. Think Stanley Cup final intensity every two years for six months plus.

Not so much conflict of interest in a business sort of way but time committment and proper attention sort of way. If that is what you meant, we agree.