Nalod wrote:

NardDogNation wrote:

Nalod wrote:
Dwight wants "@Free Palistine"

Harden to me was not dissing Parsons, he was selling his team. They all say that crap after a player leaves.

Parsons now selling his new team and himself. He got a good market value for his services! Now he says "ready to step up".

They all say this crap. NBA players mouth moves and its the same nonsense every year. Just different names.

Dwight's been a moron for quite some time but even a broken clock is right twice a day. Palestine should become a sovereign state.

As for Harden, he's still a douche and should learn to conduct himself better. It seems that he's turned himself into a massive diva in the past few years, dominating the ball to the detriment of his teammates and becoming one of the worst perimeter defenders in the league. On top of that, he seems to forget the integral role Parsons played in luring Dwight to Houston via their shared agent. No Paron's kissing Dwight's ass; no Dwight Howard who seems to be nothing more than a petulant man-child that needs constant reassuring. Them losing Parsons will hurt big time, even though they needed a perimeter defender like Ariza.

If Dwight wants to be a champion he should think, sound and do things that champions do. If he wants to be a "leader" he should learn to emulate one.

Maybe Gaza should start acting like they want to be a sovereign state as well. Digging tunnels, accepting weapons and not governing is not how seperate states act. Building schools instead of teaching hate thru ignorance would be a start! Instead of tunnels why not build things that improve the lives of others.

I do agree they should have their own independance but thats not what Hamas is about is it? The enemy is from within, not Isreal!

I'm not sure if leadership is something that can be "emulated" or learned. It seems like it's more an intrinsic quality in the same vein as a character/personality trait. And as far as Dwight's concerned, I think he is a lost cause in that respect. After all, it's kinda hard to rally around a "man" that still tries to emulate cartoon characters from his childhood (e.g. Superman).

As for this Palestinian-Israeli conflict, the following comments by Netanyahu all but confirms who the villain has become in this story:

(Netanyahu)...boasts of manipulating the U.S. in the ongoing peace process, as the Washington Post points out:

"They asked me before the election if I'd honor [the Oslo accords]," he said. "I said I would, but ... I'm going to interpret the accords in such a way that would allow me to put an end to this galloping forward to the '67 borders. How did we do it? Nobody said what defined military zones were. Defined military zones are security zones; as far as I'm concerned, the entire Jordan Valley is a defined military zone. Go argue."

http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/649427

The reality is that any entity with the power to yield overwhelming force, will do so whenever it can to further its own end. And while Israel boasts the strongest military in the region, thanks to U.S. subsidizes that finance 25% of their fighting force and favorable trade agreements courtesy of powerful religious zealots in our country, Palestine doesn't even have a formal military. That is exactly why they build tunnels instead of schools/hospitals because when you have an enemy that can attack you from the North, South, East and West and who also kills civilians indiscriminately (80% of casualties in the most recent conflict), you damn well better have some escape routes.

I just hope for all parties involved that the moderate and left-wing parties in Israel can wrestle power away from Netanyahu and his hard right wing allies. It still amazes me how a man like that can garner less than 30% of the vote and still win office. Maybe there is some sliver of hope that the remaining political parties can form some kind of coalition to run a candidate that can oust that war monger and pave the way for sensible policy/peace.

Nalod wrote:

NardDogNation wrote:

Nalod wrote:
Dwight wants "@Free Palistine"

Harden to me was not dissing Parsons, he was selling his team. They all say that crap after a player leaves.

Parsons now selling his new team and himself. He got a good market value for his services! Now he says "ready to step up".

They all say this crap. NBA players mouth moves and its the same nonsense every year. Just different names.

Dwight's been a moron for quite some time but even a broken clock is right twice a day. Palestine should become a sovereign state.

As for Harden, he's still a douche and should learn to conduct himself better. It seems that he's turned himself into a massive diva in the past few years, dominating the ball to the detriment of his teammates and becoming one of the worst perimeter defenders in the league. On top of that, he seems to forget the integral role Parsons played in luring Dwight to Houston via their shared agent. No Paron's kissing Dwight's ass; no Dwight Howard who seems to be nothing more than a petulant man-child that needs constant reassuring. Them losing Parsons will hurt big time, even though they needed a perimeter defender like Ariza.

If Dwight wants to be a champion he should think, sound and do things that champions do. If he wants to be a "leader" he should learn to emulate one.

Maybe Gaza should start acting like they want to be a sovereign state as well. Digging tunnels, accepting weapons and not governing is not how seperate states act. Building schools instead of teaching hate thru ignorance would be a start! Instead of tunnels why not build things that improve the lives of others.

I do agree they should have their own independance but thats not what Hamas is about is it? The enemy is from within, not Isreal!

If the Palestinians were given an army and weapons equal to Israelis, they wouldn't have to build tunnels and smuggle weapons- they could kill people legitimately and in greater numbers just like Israel! When Hamas fire rockets into Isreal, why don't Israel respond by building more schools?

NardDogNation wrote:

smackeddog wrote:

Nalod wrote:

NardDogNation wrote:

Nalod wrote:
Dwight wants "@Free Palistine"

Harden to me was not dissing Parsons, he was selling his team. They all say that crap after a player leaves.

Parsons now selling his new team and himself. He got a good market value for his services! Now he says "ready to step up".

They all say this crap. NBA players mouth moves and its the same nonsense every year. Just different names.

Dwight's been a moron for quite some time but even a broken clock is right twice a day. Palestine should become a sovereign state.

As for Harden, he's still a douche and should learn to conduct himself better. It seems that he's turned himself into a massive diva in the past few years, dominating the ball to the detriment of his teammates and becoming one of the worst perimeter defenders in the league. On top of that, he seems to forget the integral role Parsons played in luring Dwight to Houston via their shared agent. No Paron's kissing Dwight's ass; no Dwight Howard who seems to be nothing more than a petulant man-child that needs constant reassuring. Them losing Parsons will hurt big time, even though they needed a perimeter defender like Ariza.

If Dwight wants to be a champion he should think, sound and do things that champions do. If he wants to be a "leader" he should learn to emulate one.

Maybe Gaza should start acting like they want to be a sovereign state as well. Digging tunnels, accepting weapons and not governing is not how seperate states act. Building schools instead of teaching hate thru ignorance would be a start! Instead of tunnels why not build things that improve the lives of others.

I do agree they should have their own independance but thats not what Hamas is about is it? The enemy is from within, not Isreal!

If the Palestinians were given an army and weapons equal to Israelis, they wouldn't have to build tunnels and smuggle weapons- they could kill people legitimately and in greater numbers just like Israel! When Hamas fire rockets into Isreal, why don't Israel respond by building more schools?

That's because they have already invested a great deal in developing their infrastructure. In just the past decade, Israel's GDP has nearly doubled. They've been able to do that in large part because of the very generous aid package we've been sending them over the past few decades. We've given them $3.1 billion this past fiscal year and are committed to do so for the next decade. Just for perspective, we have literally built Afghanistan from the ground up and their aid package per capita is $423 for the average citizen. Israel, which is already a power in the region, gets about a $410 supplement for the average citizen from us. So whose the real bad guy in all this? Could it be the Christian zealots in our country that will support any and everything if it's framed in their mythology, in spite of facts/reality?

Sad thing is Palestinians and Israelis have both been used like pawns by foreign powers for decades- US only gives that money so the have a strategic presence in the region, same reason they were happy to give billions to Mubarak in Egypt (which he spent on luxuries for himself and his friends, not the Egyptian people).

knicks1248 wrote:

F500ONE wrote:The Rockets are gonna be a handful still.

Harden may have time yet to show he can lead, meanwhile Dwight is such a lost cause in this category

Ariza was probably the perfect signing for these two goofs//// he'll be the leader

On the court to their credit they do allow their teammates to perform for the most part

Parson probably doesn't get paid those figures if not for playing alongside Harden and Dwight.

He'll have his chance to prove his value and potential

Rockets have incredible talent remaining-added.

D-Mo has taken their comments in stride feeling role players have to play confidently with them

Nick Johnson is for real and I expect Terrence Jones to break out

It's tough to win on the next level when your stars are not leaders. which is why that got bounce in the first rnd. Ariza isn't a leader by any stretch.

Howard and Harden, both "all stars", couldn't even make it out of the 1st rnd.
Pure clowns, thats one of the reason melo probably didn't give it a 2nd thought.

Why is it you never here silly talk like this from spurs players.

Howard is one of the only true Center in the league, he should be dominating like WILT, and Harden doesn't care about winning championships, or else he would have sacrifice like wade and them, and stood with OKC, that dude hasn't done Nada since he's been there. STFU and focus on what it takes.

This.

smackeddog wrote:

NardDogNation wrote:

smackeddog wrote:

Nalod wrote:

NardDogNation wrote:

Nalod wrote:
Dwight wants "@Free Palistine"

Harden to me was not dissing Parsons, he was selling his team. They all say that crap after a player leaves.

Parsons now selling his new team and himself. He got a good market value for his services! Now he says "ready to step up".

They all say this crap. NBA players mouth moves and its the same nonsense every year. Just different names.

Dwight's been a moron for quite some time but even a broken clock is right twice a day. Palestine should become a sovereign state.

As for Harden, he's still a douche and should learn to conduct himself better. It seems that he's turned himself into a massive diva in the past few years, dominating the ball to the detriment of his teammates and becoming one of the worst perimeter defenders in the league. On top of that, he seems to forget the integral role Parsons played in luring Dwight to Houston via their shared agent. No Paron's kissing Dwight's ass; no Dwight Howard who seems to be nothing more than a petulant man-child that needs constant reassuring. Them losing Parsons will hurt big time, even though they needed a perimeter defender like Ariza.

If Dwight wants to be a champion he should think, sound and do things that champions do. If he wants to be a "leader" he should learn to emulate one.

Maybe Gaza should start acting like they want to be a sovereign state as well. Digging tunnels, accepting weapons and not governing is not how seperate states act. Building schools instead of teaching hate thru ignorance would be a start! Instead of tunnels why not build things that improve the lives of others.

I do agree they should have their own independance but thats not what Hamas is about is it? The enemy is from within, not Isreal!

If the Palestinians were given an army and weapons equal to Israelis, they wouldn't have to build tunnels and smuggle weapons- they could kill people legitimately and in greater numbers just like Israel! When Hamas fire rockets into Isreal, why don't Israel respond by building more schools?

That's because they have already invested a great deal in developing their infrastructure. In just the past decade, Israel's GDP has nearly doubled. They've been able to do that in large part because of the very generous aid package we've been sending them over the past few decades. We've given them $3.1 billion this past fiscal year and are committed to do so for the next decade. Just for perspective, we have literally built Afghanistan from the ground up and their aid package per capita is $423 for the average citizen. Israel, which is already a power in the region, gets about a $410 supplement for the average citizen from us. So whose the real bad guy in all this? Could it be the Christian zealots in our country that will support any and everything if it's framed in their mythology, in spite of facts/reality?

Sad thing is Palestinians and Israelis have both been used like pawns by foreign powers for decades- US only gives that money so the have a strategic presence in the region, same reason they were happy to give billions to Mubarak in Egypt (which he spent on luxuries for himself and his friends, not the Egyptian people).

The crazy thing is that the "strategic presence" angle doesn't even make sense when you delve deeper. We've had several skirmishes in the Middle East region since the 90s and Israel has not been a formal ally or served as a spring board for ANY of those operations. As a matter of fact, of the 900 bases we have around the world, Israel only houses one, which is said to be a radar station staffed with just 120 soldiers. By comparison, Kuwait has 14 of our bases and Afghanistan has 16 (all provided from info on Wikipedia, so take it with a grain of salt). Needless to say, I'm struggling to see their importance to our security especially since our alliance with them agitates their neighbors.

If your Palestinian I could get your point. If your just trying to logically align some logic either via foreign policy or garner some kind of sympathy that our tax dollars are going there to masquerade an anti israeli rhetoric then just be honest.

For some of us its just emotional. The Israeli's I know want Gaza and the west bank off the books but you want to ignore the rockets? The agenda to exterminate?

Israel can end this in a few days if not for civilian concern and just wipe Hamas out. They don't do that. Hamas is just trying to kill with no regard to whom.

Bottom line is Israel won't wait for a horrific event to garner world wide sympathy like a 9/11 or pearl harber to justify an response. Its how they roll. They got the bomb and have leverage because if they get hit my a nuke they will respond in a way that will kill 10x more and poison the oil for 50 years. Its their survival.

Nalod wrote:
Nard, I got many israeli friends and family. I got skin in the game.

If your Palestinian I could get your point. If your just trying to logically align some logic either via foreign policy or garner some kind of sympathy that our tax dollars are going there to masquerade an anti israeli rhetoric then just be honest.

For some of us its just emotional. The Israeli's I know want Gaza and the west bank off the books but you want to ignore the rockets? The agenda to exterminate?

Israel can end this in a few days if not for civilian concern and just wipe Hamas out. They don't do that. Hamas is just trying to kill with no regard to whom.

Bottom line is Israel won't wait for a horrific event to garner world wide sympathy like a 9/11 or pearl harber to justify an response. Its how they roll. They got the bomb and have leverage because if they get hit my a nuke they will respond in a way that will kill 10x more and poison the oil for 50 years. Its their survival.

So you don't actually care about the hundreds of children who have been killed and over a thousand children who have been wounded because they don't live in Israel? Come on man, extend the same empathy and compassion you have for your friends and family to the kids living in gaza- they haven't done anything.

mreinman wrote:

smackeddog wrote:

Nalod wrote:
Nard, I got many israeli friends and family. I got skin in the game.

If your Palestinian I could get your point. If your just trying to logically align some logic either via foreign policy or garner some kind of sympathy that our tax dollars are going there to masquerade an anti israeli rhetoric then just be honest.

For some of us its just emotional. The Israeli's I know want Gaza and the west bank off the books but you want to ignore the rockets? The agenda to exterminate?

Israel can end this in a few days if not for civilian concern and just wipe Hamas out. They don't do that. Hamas is just trying to kill with no regard to whom.

Bottom line is Israel won't wait for a horrific event to garner world wide sympathy like a 9/11 or pearl harber to justify an response. Its how they roll. They got the bomb and have leverage because if they get hit my a nuke they will respond in a way that will kill 10x more and poison the oil for 50 years. Its their survival.

So you don't actually care about the hundreds of children who have been killed and over a thousand children who have been wounded because they don't live in Israel? Come on man, extend the same empathy and compassion you have for your friends and family to the kids living in gaza- they haven't done anything.

It sad that for years they were pawns of corrupt leadership like Arafatso and Hamas. Nobody wants to see kids exploited.

Exploited by Hamas, then murdered by Israel. But as long as only one side are called out, then they'll continue to be Pawns/irrelevances who get used and killed by grown ups. Disgusting.

mreinman wrote:

smackeddog wrote:

mreinman wrote:

smackeddog wrote:

Nalod wrote:
Nard, I got many israeli friends and family. I got skin in the game.

If your Palestinian I could get your point. If your just trying to logically align some logic either via foreign policy or garner some kind of sympathy that our tax dollars are going there to masquerade an anti israeli rhetoric then just be honest.

For some of us its just emotional. The Israeli's I know want Gaza and the west bank off the books but you want to ignore the rockets? The agenda to exterminate?

Israel can end this in a few days if not for civilian concern and just wipe Hamas out. They don't do that. Hamas is just trying to kill with no regard to whom.

Bottom line is Israel won't wait for a horrific event to garner world wide sympathy like a 9/11 or pearl harber to justify an response. Its how they roll. They got the bomb and have leverage because if they get hit my a nuke they will respond in a way that will kill 10x more and poison the oil for 50 years. Its their survival.

So you don't actually care about the hundreds of children who have been killed and over a thousand children who have been wounded because they don't live in Israel? Come on man, extend the same empathy and compassion you have for your friends and family to the kids living in gaza- they haven't done anything.

It sad that for years they were pawns of corrupt leadership like Arafatso and Hamas. Nobody wants to see kids exploited.

Exploited by Hamas, then murdered by Israel. But as long as only one side are called out, then they'll continue to be Pawns/irrelevances who get used and killed by grown ups. Disgusting.

You are not one sided? Which side are you calling out?

The issue is the extreme fundamentalists who are not playing with a normalized deck.

I'm calling out both sides. As a human being, no matter what politics we believe in or who we think is right or wrong, at the end of the day seeing adults kill and maim children- we all know that's wrong. I'm fed up of excusing it/turning a blind eye/justifying it/ saying 'someone else made them do it'/ 'it was an accident'. This stuff has got to stop. You can say 'fundamentalists' are mad- so how exactly does that then make it okay for the other side to go and blow up a load of kids? That's sane and moderate is it?

We all play a role in continuing the conflict by picking sides and downplaying the wrongs of the side we've picked.