LTS

Let me say this. I say "you can feel this way" because if I don't say it, I presume I will be questioned for not acknowledging that fact. It's kind of a catch-22. As for my statement on history, whether it's 1 year, 400 years, or 900 years, the process by which one culture assimilates, dominates, etc. is my point. Call it war, call it something else. It doesn't matter really. They are words to describe the subjugation of one culture to another. One nation over another. One governmental system, over another. Would I be emotional? Yes. As I said, though, I don't let the thoughts of the ignorant define me. I recognize the socio-economic divisions, the white privilege. I absolutely love how passionate you are in this discussion. You are 100% correct that none of us can understand what you have seen. But I would also offer that just because a story has not been shared does not mean no story exists. Not everyone wants to share their stories, but that doesn't mean they don't have them. I didn't quote your comments on the other sports franchises, but I appreciate the input. I shook my head when I read the dismissive BS from the Blackhawks organization. Now, if you tell me the people of that group support the name, then fine, so be it. But until I see that, I think they are full of crap. Dude.. I so need to aerate before I worry about lawn rolling.. and I also need to make some quality beer.. I recall you were looking for an exchange. ? For what it's worth, my points about history are a commentary on humanity and nature itself. The higher level of thinking that humanity has developed doesn't keep it from adopting the natural order. IN fact, one might argue that our "intelligence" can find new and interesting way to justify the natural order... against everything that is natural. I'm not a fan of the way Native American people are/were treated. I'm not a fan of how all non-white people are treated. I don't have control over the past, I was not there. I don't have control over others, but I will speak out against them. I do have control over myself and my actions. This thread is not anywhere near the need to be locked. There are important discussions going on here that will drive awareness. The passion behind your points emphasizes the point that there is more than just the words being used to be considered and those of us who are interested should heed that when absorbing the information.

Sure, but I'd have to look at the teams they were playing on to see how it related to the overall offensive output. I'm high on Dahlin. I'm just saying that goals scored, by a defenseman, on a team that hasn't scored goals for years, is probably not the best stat to look at for how good the player is.. Put a parachute on Usain Bolt and he's not going to win many races, despite still being fast.

They lost a war. The government that now rules the land decides on what is "equal" in the society that it governs. This is also how it works. Those who live in the society choose to do so (unless forcefully compelled to stay in that society). The choice, assuming there is one, is to work to change that government, or leave. You don't have to like the options, but those are the options. No one on this forum makes those rules, they are made automatically by the situation that has unfolded. I am telling you that when your ancestors lost the war they did in fact lose their right to continue to exist as they had in the past without interference from another culture. No one has to like that statement, but that does not make it any less true. Wars eventually end up at someone's door step. Again, no one has to like it, but it happens. We may, at some point in the future, lose a war and our lives as Americans could be forever changed. All of us, who live in this country, could be ruled by a completely different government and that government could decide that white people are not equal. If that happens, everything I said would still apply. All of that aside, what I think you are missing the most is that no one is saying you have to like any of it. No one is saying that they like any of it. The entire reason for my post was to provide a viewpoint on the fact that these things happen. Humanity, and even nature, does not live in harmony all the time. Those that lose out on conflict are often impacted in ways far worse than subjugation. Saying that does not attempt to justify either of the outcomes but merely to speak objectively as to what those outcomes usually are. I would prefer a world that could understand and accept a natural balance. One that does not use its intelligence to destroy but to build. I like to think of that as a wonderful way to think but I also realize that how each of us defines "natural balance" is usually the instigator for conflict. I'm not sure anyone has said that the Redskins logo and name is acceptable. A wise person would say that if you wanted to operate a sports franchise that would reflect a particular section of society that you would consult the people of that society for how they would like to be depicted. As to the rest of your suggested affronts, for me, personally, I wouldn't give a damn what logo they put on the side of a helmet. If the intent of the depiction of the fat, disgusting, white guy, wearing a trucker hat was intended to provide offense to white people (of which I am) then I am not offended. I'm not defined by that. If someone is ignorant enough to assume that's who I am then I am intelligent enough to know that that person is not worth my time or energy. As I said, that's MY feeling. There may be others who would take offense to that depiction. That's their choice. For my educational benefit and understanding, where do you fall with regards to the Chicago Blackhawks, Atlanta Braves, and Cleveland Indians? The Blackhawks, as I understand it, are saying their name honors a native leader, Black Hawk, of the Illinois' Sac & Fox Nation. https://www.cnn.com/2020/07/08/us/chicago-blackhawks-name-spt-trnd/index.html

The entire Sabres team should have more goals. The story of a player is not told solely in the stats they provide. You do have to account for the team they are on, the style of play the team adopts, etc.

There is always something filled with something, and something that is not. The Earth was a history of humanity expanding across the globe and at every point there was going to be one culture taking over another. One day humanity will spread from the Earth and it will begin taking over other worlds. The opposite could happen as well. Any society that seeks to expand its borders will engage in conflict. The Native American tribes battled for land as well. They sought to increase their own territories. They did so at the expense of their own cultures only because there were no other cultures to compete with at that time. As far as regions and hemispheres go, they are theoretical boundaries, the edges of which will be tested. At some point, the Native American people who populated these lands were not on these lands. They too traveled thousands of miles from outside their region, their hemisphere. Humanity is defined by its violence. Every civilization throughout history has engaged in some level of violence. Some level of killing those who are not us. Not every culture was as violent or as dominating, but they all did it. Those who do not win a conflict are at the whims of those who do. In some cases it is beneficial to let those who lost continue to live, but to do so in an altered state and in some cases it is the decision to end their existence. This is humanity. In a sick and twisted way it's not much different than the rest of nature. The weeds in your garden seek to expand their existence at the expense of your flowers. They may live in harmony, or the weeds may kill the flowers. The difference is that because we are "evolved" in our thinking that we somehow think we are also "evolved" in our actions. But deep down we are all still driven by the basic laws of nature. Consume. Sleep. Reproduce. Extend our DNA throughout time until the laws of nature decide that our DNA should no longer be extended. None of this is meant to justify anything that occurred, just to add context that conflict between entities results in impacts to both entities, although the one that loses usually is changed more than the one that wins. The one that loses doesn't usually like that it lost, but to a certain degree, if its around to know it lost, then that's better than the alternative.

So offense is only counted in goals? Now I'm ticked off. All this time, every person who ever talks about hockey and offensive stats always tells me goals, assists, and total points and they've been feeding me garbage this whole time. All you damn analytics people who kept going on and on about assists, secondary, primary... you know what? You are full of it. The mop has spoken. It's all gimmicks. It only matters if you score goals! He has simplified your lives. Hell, simplified the lives of all the officials out there at every level of the game who struggle to remember two players who touched the puck before a goal was scored. It doesn't matter any more. Praise be! I guess I will sit back and start watching the players who only score goals. I will focus on their offensive possession skills. They should be easy to pick out. Those players taking the puck and skating end to end to score their amazing goals. You know, the only one's who drive offense.

Have you stopped at Birdhouse Brewing in Honeoye? Highly recommend them. I'm also a fan of Seven STory in Bushnell's Basin. Went back to K2 last week, used to be a fan but they've devolved into alcoholic fruit juice essentially. Quite a few places going with that these days. Ugh. Love Abandon. I've known the head brewer since before he started brewing. Got laid off from his high tech job, decided to intern at CBs in HFL then went to brewing school, spent time in Germany, then some time at Ommegang (don't ask him about it.) Birdhouse also uses them to brew some larger runs. Good stuff.

Moved non Trump conversations to a new thread where an appropriate and needed discussion can occur.

I am starting this thread to move posts into that are straying away from the primary topic in other threads and to provide a place for beneficial conversation on the topic.

Well, talking to a friend yesterday. His mother was just exposed because the hair dresser that came into the complex two weeks ago tested negative, passed the screen upon entry and then tested positive two days later. Now they've had to quarantine and test everyone. So, it's believable. This indicates the problem with this virus. You are clear one day and not the next but you can still pass it on.

I can't pinpoint when I became a fan. Grew up in Buffalo, watched games when the were on the local broadcast stations but it was just sports and I would watch almost anything then. I wasn't a passionate hockey guy. We were a football household. It was mostly the Bills all the time. Every Sunday we sat down, made wings, watched football. Hockey was nice, if it was on. I slowly became a bigger hockey fan progressing towards 88-89. I had been to games, but I knew the big names around the league and most of the Sabres but I can't recall much of it today and I attribute that mostly to just not caring enough at the time. From about 88-89 I really became a fan... and then became a serious fan. If I lived in Buffalo I am sure I would have splurged for season tickets, but life wasn't going to go in that direction... I ended up in Rochester and that was that. I began playing hockey in college and it was then that hockey truly dominated my life. Too many exciting moments.. 1999 is the most frustrating.. to be that close. 2006 playoffs the next.. The team needs to return to being genuine.. it's that simple. The owners started with the whole passion for hockey but have migrated to "we know more than you, shut up" mentality. Fix it and the team... ?

Is the question can Sam Reinhart take the 2C role or is it can he reliably drive offensive production on a line away from Jack Eichel? I honestly don't care if he can play C. These days positions are largely relative. Players are aligned to cover areas of the ice based on strategy and skill. The belief that the C has to be up and down the middle of the ice is outdated. To that end, I think Reinhart can drive his own line. The Sabres however lack the depth to make a second line meaningful and taking him off the top line will weaken it. So I think the natural inclination is to go get more talent to shore up that second line. Potentially a player that can set up Jeff Skinner. ?

Comparing states and countries also means comparing how each government has done with testing and awareness. While you might be right in stating it's the MOST relevant, I don''t know that it's supported enough to make it actually relevant. It's a lot of dead people. It's an virus with high transmission rate. The extent to how many will contract it and how it will impact them is unknown. There are a few theories that come into play, and where people fall on them is wide ranging. 1. You will be exposed to this virus. It's not a question of if, but when. 2. Your ability to fend off the virus is a mix of your access to qualified medical care and your overall health and predisposition to this particular virus. Somewhere in that mix of statements there's the concept that some people are going to die to this virus, regardless of healthcare treatment and anything short of self-isolation. There are others who will be permanently impacted, and others who will have known they had it. This is reasonable and is part of life. We can't save everyone. Do not equate that statement to saying we should not try to save everyone. This is a great example and many others abound. This virus is doing so many different things to different people in different ways that it's still hard to predict any outcome. Reading this morning about a large group of scientists and researches publishing a statement to the WHO advising them to revise their stance on aerolization of COVID and its ability to linger in the air for hours and travel far more than 6 feet. Bottom line, more research gets us closer, but I feel like we've a long way to go before know enough for anyone to accurately predict what will happen and what is "safe". I use quotes because "safe" will vary by person.

Well, it's those that are known to have had the virus right? Given that people can have it and remain aysymptomatic means that the rate is likely lower than that 5% number. How much lower? Well, that's anyone's guess at this point.

Just as its important to know how each number being used in any part of an equation was arrived at. Knowing that there are assumptions going into many of the numbers being used brings into question where those assumptions fall on the scale from pulled out of thin air or derived from well known information. I'm still firmly in the camp that there isn't enough information to be certain but limit exposure and risk and you'll likely do okay.

I see references to these two.. I have stopped reading the news so I don't know anything about it. I have, admittedly, gone into my own little world where things are good. Every time I venture outside of that little world I get angry... fast. But yeah.. we're in for some race war inside this country. It will not end well.

Well, sadly, I'm convinced many Americans just don't understand racism and that they in fact are racist. I'm also convinced a lot are racist and absolutely know they are and feel free to spread their views now that the leader of the country is freely slinging racist viewpoints around. I just hope we're at the low point. I prefer not to think on how it can get worse before it gets better.

I'm not sure how anyone could support him and not find themselves labeled as being a supporter of racist ideals. He's beyond the rocker at this point.

He's nothing more than an Internet commentary guy with some data analytics experience. Went to RIT. I presume looking to make his way into sports management of some kind in some way.. if he's not already performing some level of data gathering, etc. I haven't talked to him directly in a few years.

Ryan Stimson. He's into analytics. He wrote a book on hockey tactics, etc. https://www.amazon.com/Tape-Space-Redefining-Modern-Tactics/dp/1790480493 The last section of the book is about his season with Perinton Youth hockey. His writings are about my son's hockey team as he was an assistant coach. He's a good guy.

See, if you wait then you can't have an event now and then hold every one in suspense while the determination for #1 plays out. That's the beauty of it all. The NHL has people talking now and they will continue to talk until the #1 pick is determined... then people will continue to talk about how stupid the whole process is. The entire time the NHL will be relevant, even if for no other reason than being a joke. I do wonder however if the top 16 had been in the playoffs and the team in the #12 spot had moved up to #1 if people would be as upset with the whole process. Effectively that's what happened... it's just that the NHL decided it would be cool to block off those outside the bottom 7 and give them equal chances at the first pick. Which, in and of itself, is certainly worth scrutiny. Either way, the lottery system is a joke. The good news is that I felt absolutely no emotion last night when I watched.. in fact I kept asking myself if I even care anymore. Between the Sabres lack of success and having hockey (and all sports really) taken away for the past few months I find myself apathetic to sports in general.

For what it's worth.. I don't find any of them to be all that terrible. But if the intention is to bring discourse up a notch, I think they are on equal footing with regards to not achieving the goal. Overall I find dismissive language to be off-putting. It doesn't invite conversation. If someone says something I'd like to think they had reasons for saying it, even if they didn't provide them. I mean, except when its a clear case of trolling. No big deal overall. Also.. the core. To me it's Eichel, Skinner, Reinhart, Dahlin, Ullmark, Okposo, and I hope Larsson. Okposo is undoubtedly making more money than his role on the team but I don't see an argument for him not being well respected and a leader on the team.

Yes. People swoon over Makar, and he's good, but it helps when the opposition has to worry about the forwards that Colorado has. They can't pressure the D as much as they'd like without worrying about a simple flip pass setting loose a serious rush. The Sabres don't carry that same threat.... Dahlin is good.. exceptionally good. But even the best D isn't going to dominate a game without the team having some other threats on the ice to occupy the opposition.

Nah, winning the lottery when not in last place is okay. I mean, not making the playoffs is bad... certainly.. but being last is the pathetic and being last and not winning the lottery is worse...

Yes. NFW puts your estimation of possibility of someone's idea at a solid 0%. I would think that's the equivalent of saying, "What a stupid idea" or "you are a fool to suggest that". Examples: There's NFW the Sabres <...>. Why would you think the Sabres would <...>? That's just stupid. You're being quite stupid if you think the Sabres <...>. You are a fool for thinking the Sabres <...>. I read all of those similarly and would argue that saying NFW implies stupidity and foolishness in even making the suggestion. I wish I had been able to respond sooner to your question as much conversation has passed and I'd prefer to not head back that part of it, but I felt it would be good to respond. Has there been a core?. It's more like a concept at this point... and mostly because I don't think anyone considers anyone to have a core until the team actually wins.