Why Mix Politics With Basketball????

[Kent_in_Atlanta]

WOAI recently interviewed Coach Pop, and decided to ask him about politics. Popovich, who I've always liked a lot, responded by completely pissing me off. I make a point of not knowing the political views of celebrities and sports figures because I want to continue liking those who I like. So I didn't like the fact that they slipped it into the interview before I had a chance to turn it off.

Popovich said something about "the fear that's being perpetrated out there around a public option is just shameful". No Pop... it's not shameful at all. It's pretty damned reasonable for people to have fear about the government seizing the healthcare industry, when it WILL lead to rationing (no way to add 30 mill people with FEWER doctors - as many will retire if a public option happens - and not have rationing). Not to mention the fact that all of the existing major government entitlements are on a fast track to bankruptcy.

Pop, stick to basketball. Don't insult many of your fans by calling our point of view "sickening".

Greg Popovich: "If you're going to have any competition at all, you've got to have a public option. How can you not have a public option?! I mean, just the fright and the intimidation that's trying to be perpetrated on everybody is just sickening."

[Buddy Holly]

You hate basketball and politics mixing so to counter that you mix basketball and politics?

Wow.

Kent in Atlanta. A little secret... no one gives a shit what you think. :toast

[DPG21920]

Pop was agreeing with you. He was saying the government is wrong for making people fearful.

[Kent_in_Atlanta]

You hate basketball and politics mixing so to counter that you mix basketball and politics?

Wow.

Kent in Atlanta. A little secret... no one gives a shit what you think. :toast

Then then why the hell are you posting in his thread? If you don't care, then you don't comment. Who's being contradictory?

[HarlemHeat37]

everybody is entitled to their opinion..politics is something that is easy to disagree on..you have your beliefs, Pop has his..no reason to shit on somebody for their beliefs..

according to DPG, he was agreeing with you LOL..so it's pointless now too..

[Kent_in_Atlanta]

Pop was agreeing with you. He was saying the government is wrong for making people fearful.

Nope... he was supportive of a public option, and said that fear being spread about the idea of a public option was "sickening".

[EricB]

Pop was agreeing with you. He was saying the government is wrong for making people fearful.

No, not really.

He was asked questions and he answered truthfully lol.

He finally had enough after a while, but I thought it was fun.

I disagree with him on the health care obviously, agreed with he banks and the auto companies and there is such a thing as clean coal pop google it.

That being said, I could care less, he still seems like a class act and he is still a damn good coach.
Thats all that matters.

[EricB]

everybody is entitled to their opinion..politics is something that is easy to disagree on..you have your beliefs, Pop has his..no reason to shit on somebody for their beliefs..

according to DPG, he was agreeing with you LOL..so it's pointless now too..


No I understand kent's POV and Pop and him do not agree 1 i ota.

[DPG21920]

I thought he said that economics should prevail and that if big companies are going to fail, let them. I also thought he was saying that the government was using fear against the people and that he thought that was shameful.

[Kent_in_Atlanta]

No, not really.

He was asked questions and he answered truthfully lol.

He finally had enough after a while, but I thought it was fun.

I disagree with him on the health care obviously, agreed with he banks and the auto companies and there is such a thing as clean coal pop google it.

That being said, I could care less, he still seems like a class act and he is still a damn good coach.
Thats all that matters.

Yeah, I guess... he was asked a question, and he answered it honestly. I'm probably overreacting. But I am a person who thinks that FEAR is sometimes healthy and perfectly appropriate, and I do have fear about the government taking over healthcare... and I have explained my point of view to others. So I guess I would fall in his "sickening" category. That's what kind of pissed me off about what he said.

[Kent_in_Atlanta]

I thought he said that economics should prevail and that if big companies are going to fail, let them. I also thought he was saying that the government was using fear against the people and that he thought that was shameful.

He DID say that if companies are going to fail, let them fail. And I agree with him on that. But he was definitely supportive of a public option. He said something to effect of "how can you have competition without a public option".

It's not the fact that he disagrees with me that bothers me. Everyone is entitled to their point of view. It was his "sickening" comment that pissed me off.

[EricB]

I thought he said that economics should prevail and that if big companies are going to fail, let them. I also thought he was saying that the government was using fear against the people and that he thought that was shameful.


Pop views anyone saying bad things about government run health care as "scaring people" its the way the other view point views things.

Therefore me and Kent disagree wholeheartedly with Pop.

[EricB]

Yeah, I guess... he was asked a question, and he answered it honestly. I'm probably overreacting. But I am a person who thinks that FEAR is sometimes healthy and perfectly appropriate, and I do have fear about the government taking over healthcare... and I have explained my point of view to others. So I guess I would fall in his "shameful" category. That's what kind of pissed me off about what he said.


Yeah tad bit of an overreaction.

[NZ Spurs]

Thanks for posting this. I admire Pop even more than I had thought possible.

[Buddy Holly]

Then then why the hell are you posting in his thread? If you don't care, then you don't comment. Who's being contradictory?

:sleep

[Kent_in_Atlanta]

Thanks for posting this. I admire Pop even more than I had thought possible.

You're welcome.

[spursfaninla]

Yes, the U.S. should be scared, after all, every other European and industrialized country has cheaper yet equivalent medical to the U.S., and manages to have a public option (or non-profit insurance).

Other countries mock us; they actually look to the U.S. as what NOT to do for a just health system.

Look at Japan for an example of a health care system that we would do well to become more like..the boogyman of socialized medicine is a farce, the whole rest of the world already proved so. Educate yourself before you let fear of the unknown and fear of change cloud your mind.

[Buddy Holly]

Pop views anyone saying bad things about government run health care as "scaring people" its the way the other view point views things.

Yeah, disagreeing with it is what is "scaring people", not the actual "your grannies going to die" and "death panels" bs etc. :rolleyes

[DPG21920]

Just rewatched, he did say the public option thing. Either way, he did not call people who were fearful "shameful", he said the use of fear is shameful. Huge difference.

[baseline bum]

Go to the political forum where you can argue to your heart's content about the merits of paying 16% of our GDP and more than any other nation in the world for a shittier system than what the rest of the first world has done with public health care.

[Kent_in_Atlanta]

Yeah, disagreeing with it is what is "scaring people", not the actual "your grannies going to die" and "death panels" bs etc. :rolleyes

Just like the other side... Obama during his speech recently said that if a government option wasn't passed, businesses would go under and people would die. Just like if we didn't pass that largest pork-infested spending bill in our nations history (the "stimulus" bill) IMMEDIATELY, America would burn to the ground by weeks' end.

Yeah... no fear mongering from the left.

[coyotes_geek]

So have we successfully kissed the boo-boo and recognized that it's not the end of the world if a sports figure you like has a different opinion than yours on a political topic?

[baseline bum]

Just like the other side... Obama during his speech recently said that if a government option wasn't passed, businesses would go under and people would die. Just like if we didn't pass that largest pork-infested spending bill in our nations history (the "stimulus" bill) IMMEDIATELY, America would burn to the ground by weeks' end.

Yeah... no fear mongering from the left.

Our country is fucked paying medical costs when the baby boomers who trashed this nation hit retirement age unless something is done to significantly rein in costs. We pay 20% more per capita then the next most expensive healthcare option in the world; that of Switzerland, which manages to cover everyone.

[Kent_in_Atlanta]

Go to the political forum where you can argue to your heart's content about the merits of paying 16% of our GDP and more than any other nation in the world for a shittier system than what the rest of the first world has done with public health care.

Well, you said it BEFORE going on to talk about having a shittier system the the rest of the world with public options... this isn't a political forum, and I didn't intend to take it that far in a political direction.

My point was that I thought Popovich's comments were dismissive of the opposing point of view to the point of being insulting.

[DAF86]

Thanks for posting this. I admire Pop even more than I had thought possible.

+ Juan, Go Pop!

[baseline bum]

Well, you said it BEFORE going on to talk about having a shittier system the the rest of the world with public options... this isn't a political forum, and I didn't intend to take it that far in a political direction.

My point was that I thought Popovich's comments were dismissive of the opposing point of view to the point of being insulting.

You already turned it into a political thread by posting your rightwing beliefs. No way people are going to shut up and take that garbage.

[Bartleby]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5_gTdqeUOI&feature=related

[greyforest]

death panel in us = not hvaing money lol

[Kent_in_Atlanta]

Our country is fucked paying medical costs when the baby boomers who trashed this nation hit retirement age unless something is done to significantly rein in costs. We pay 20% more per capita then the next most expensive healthcare option in the world; that of Switzerland, which manages to cover everyone.

So naturally, the way to bring costs DOWN is to hand it all over to the federal government... the untarnished PICTURE of fiscal responsibility. Again, all of our existing entitlement programs are head for bankruptcy SOON.

Every time the government says it has a plan to pay for something, it turns out to be a total crock, and costs WILDLY overrun their rosy estimates. And they DON'T even have a good plan EVEN ON PAPER to pay for the "public option".

We are operating our country the way some people live off of credit cards. We pay 800 million dollars A WEEK to China in interest. And that's just China... we pay a number of other countries as well, including some middle-eastern countries that don't even like us. We are trashing the dollar and hurling this country toward a brick wall.

Another massive government program isn't even an option any honest, sane elected official should even THINK about until we repair all the severely cracked dams - on track for imminent failure - holding the flood waters of Social Security, Medicare, and other entitlement programs.

Our global credit rating will soon be reduced... and the world is rapidly talking about moving away from the Dollar as the global currency because of INTERNATIONAL concern over reckless spending in the U.S. And that will have a HUGE effect on the economic strength of this country indefinitely.

Dude, communist CHINA is telling us that our government is beginning to spend WAY too much. When T.Geithner went to China and told them that the dollar was still a safe place to put their money, they literally laughed at him out loud.

We are headed for serious trouble if both Democrats AND Republicans don't get their shit together and turn this ship around. And that's WITHOUT a massive government healthcare takeover.

[Kent_in_Atlanta]

What's funny is how we won't hear a peep out of this guy when it comes to the cost of the Iraqi war. That is because the Fear of terrorism has clouded his judgment.

Wow... the Iraq War. Strong comeback dude. How long did it take you to think that one up?

Setting aside whether you or I agree or disagree with the Iraq war... speaking solely in terms of money here, wars come and go. When you put a MASSIVE government entitlement in place, it stays FOREVER, and the costs just snowball every decade.

AGAIN, look at the entitlement programs we already have. We've been on the wrong track, fiscally, for a long time, and America has seemed to do just fine in spite of that fact. Therefore, many people think we can just go on running our country this way. But just like a person who lives on credit cards... you CAN'T do it forever. It WILL catch up to you.

And it IS beginning to catch up to us. If both parties don't get their shit together, we will NOT hand a country to our kids that is nearly as strong as the one we now enjoy.

[CubanSucks]

I think of it this way, I have friends that may disagree with me on certain issues but they are still my friends even though they piss me off when said issue gets brought up. It's the same with this situation, only I'm his fan not his friend

[Kent_in_Atlanta]

I think of it this way, I have friends that may disagree with me on certain issues but they are still my friends even though they piss me off when said issue gets brought up. It's the same with this situation, only I'm his fan not his friend

Perfectly sensible. Probably the best way to look at this.

[celldweller]

Arguing with Idiots! :lol

[baseline bum]

So naturally, the way to bring costs DOWN is to hand it all over to the federal government... the untarnished PICTURE of fiscal responsibility. Again, all of our existing entitlement programs are head for bankruptcy SOON.


Happens when you have idiots like Bush coming and slashing taxes for the rich while squeezing the middle class out of the picture. Look at how GM got murdered by healthcare costs. That's going to be everyone in a few years as long as the Tony Sopranos in the insurance industry are charging us 20% tributes on top of the cost of health care. It'll be the last kick in the nuts the conservative baby boomers can get in on us all. Look at how far our country has fallen in the past 30 years under economically conservative leaders like Reagan, daddy Bush, Clinton, and dummy Bush.



Every time the government says it has a plan to pay for something, it turns out to be a total crock, and costs WILDLY overrun their rosy estimates. And they DON'T even have a good plan EVEN ON PAPER to pay for the "public option".


I love the conservative religion of all things government being bad. The federal government put a man on the moon. They built the internet. They won a world war. They built an amazing highway system and a spectacular national parks system. Public healthcare has done wonders worldwide to limit healthcare costs. But the conservative battle-cry is always "no we can't!"



We are operating our country the way some people live off of credit cards. We pay 800 million dollars A WEEK to China in interest. And that's just China... we pay a number of other countries as well, including some middle-eastern countries that don't even like us. We are trashing the dollar and hurling this country toward a brick wall.


Our country is being run like an oligarchy. The banks get taxpayers to take their risks while they run home with the profits. The insurance giants buy off the assholes against reigning in our costs to keep us stuck with them (unless you want to pay the ridiculous uninsured costs hospitals charge to make up for what the insurance companies try to weasel out of).



Another massive government program isn't even an option any honest, sane elected official should even THINK about until we repair all the severely cracked dams - on track for imminent failure - holding the flood waters of Social Security, Medicare, and other entitlement programs.


Doing nothing as our economy collapses under the weight of insurance vandals is the worst option possible. You can't seriously believe our healthcare system is at all adequate.



Our global credit rating will soon be reduced... and the world is rapidly talking about moving away from the Dollar as the global currency because of INTERNATIONAL concern over reckless spending in the U.S. And that will have a HUGE effect on the economic strength of this country indefinitely.


Thanks to conservative initiatives neutering regulation of derivatives markets.



Dude, communist CHINA is telling us that our government is beginning to spend WAY too much. When T.Geithner went to China and told them that the dollar was still a safe place to put their money, they literally laughed at him out loud.


I would too since nothing has changed due to people screaming socialism every time any reform is attempted.



We are headed for serious trouble if both Democrats AND Republicans don't get their shit together and turn this ship around. And that's WITHOUT a massive government healthcare takeover.

We're there. Your idea is more of the same when we have already seen the disastrous results.

[itzsoweezee]

Greg Popovich: "If you're going to have any competition at all, you've got to have a public option. How can you not have a public option?! I mean, just the fright and the intimidation that's trying to be perpetrated on everybody is just sickening."


further proof that popovich is the coolest coach in basketball.

[itzsoweezee]

Happens when you have idiots like Bush coming and slashing taxes for the rich while squeezing the middle class out of the picture. Look at how GM got murdered by healthcare costs. That's going to be everyone in a few years as long as the Tony Sopranos in the insurance industry are charging us 20% tributes on top of the cost of health care. It'll be the last kick in the nuts the conservative baby boomers can get in on us all. Look at how far our country has fallen in the past 30 years under economically conservative leaders like Reagan, daddy Bush, Clinton, and dummy Bush.



I love the conservative religion of all things government being bad. The federal government put a man on the moon. They built the internet. They won a world war. They built an amazing highway system and a spectacular national parks system. Public healthcare has done wonders worldwide to limit healthcare costs. But the conservative battle-cry is always "no we can't!"



Our country is being run like an oligarchy. The banks get taxpayers to take their risks while they run home with the profits. The insurance giants buy off the assholes against reigning in our costs to keep us stuck with them (unless you want to pay the ridiculous uninsured costs hospitals charge to make up for what the insurance companies try to weasel out of).



Doing nothing as our economy collapses under the weight of insurance vandals is the worst option possible. You can't seriously believe our healthcare system is at all adequate.



Thanks to conservative initiatives neutering regulation of derivatives markets.



I would too since nothing has changed due to people screaming socialism every time any reform is attempted.



We're there. Your idea is more of the same when we have already seen the disastrous results.

game, set, match.

[peskypesky]

further proof that popovich is the coolest coach in basketball.

:toast

[Em-City]

i agree w/ pop on this one and i have no problem in sportspeople contributing an opinion... Robinson can talk about god, but pop can't talk about Health Care?.. come on now...

[completely deck]

He was in the mood to answer the question that was asked, so he answered it.

[iManu]

Thank you, Pop. When I first heard the fearful zombie posting, I became afraid and thought I wouldn't Love my team anymore.

You are the Best. I don't care what Kanye says about Beyonce's videos. Cheers. :toast

[STX_21]

Kent, you're mad because Pop's view opposes your own. Actually, you're just angry, and you were angry before Pop answered this question. You can't like someone who sees this health care issue differently than you do? lol. Come on Kent, grow the fuck up!

[SpursPreacher]

I have my views on health care and what not but am I alone and thinking I dont care what pop things on health care I only care how he is going to get this team back to the nba finals.

[flox]

\Haha, wait a minute, are you upset because your false position with your false facts and false beliefs are being called out?

That folks, is sickening.


(fyi the second you created this thread in a basketball forum asking for basketball and politics not being mixed and then arguing politics..well then...)

[DJB]

Why don't you go find an Obamatalk.com forum and shut the fuck up?

[BlackBellamy]

Move this piece of shit thread already. There is a political forum you twats. If I wanted to know what a bunch of dip-shits pretending to be pundits have to think I'd have 5 fucking channels to choose from. Shouldn't sports and our specific team comradery be a sacred escape from these divisions? Assholes.

Edit: I hope the hypocrisy of the 'title vs. the political subject matter' on this thread in the National Basketball Association section of Spurs Talk is not lost on you.

[Russ]

Gosh, I hope this isn't too political . . .:flag:


If you understood what Communism was, you would hope, you would pray on your knees that one day we would become Communist.

-- Jane Fonda (speaking to students at the University of Michigan in 1970)

[CubanSucks]

Move this piece of shit thread already. There is a political forum you twats. If I wanted to know what a bunch of dip-shits pretending to be pundits have to think I'd have 5 fucking channels to choose from. Shouldn't sports and our specific team comradery be a sacred escape from these divisions? Assholes.

Edit: I hope the hypocrisy of the 'title vs. the political subject matter' on this thread in the National Basketball Association section of Spurs Talk is not lost on you.

yup

[Baseline]

Well, if Pop had flapped his lip with a view opposite of what he said, it would be a national story.

I would rather him keep his political opinions to himself while he's coaching the Spurs. He also said he felt like Leno. Well, he's no comedian either.

Note to Pop: If overaged #2 guards fail, let them fail. When you signed Finley to a 2-year deal, you failed. When you should have sat Finley last year and didn't, you failed. So try not to make the same mistake this year or you may need to be bailed out. Oh, wait...you don't believe in bailouts either.

[NZ Spurs]

speaking solely in terms of money here, wars come and go.

Wrong.

"One economist from America's Yale University predicted rebuilding Iraq could cost up to $1.6 trillion over 10 years". (http://edition.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/meast/04/17/rebuilding.cost/index.html)

[sabar]

Why are people arguing politics here? There are thousands of threads in the political forum where you can spout off your party line endlessly for 32 pages while being trolled as you do it. Pick one, they're all the same thing. If you are bothered by someone's political opinion so much that you actually dislike them, then you should probably re-examine how you approach life.

This place should be for basketball, something that actually matters in life. The playing time of Finley is by far more important than whatever scheme congress is cooking up to screw you and your children. Your vote means nothing. Supporting the Spurs does.

[Harry Callahan]

Nice job Baseline Bum - you printed off a copy of the Demo talking points.

The deficit spending has been accelerated by the Obama administration (which was also out of whack under Bush).

Paying for all the things BHO wants to do will hurt our economy at a time when is it already weak. Higher taxes on the people who still have employment (an employment killer) or higher deficits and debt (the govermental credit card weighing our currency down) are not good options.

BBum has noted some key goverment contributions (space program, roads, etc), which is true. Atomic weapons are another major govenment contribution - ending WWII sooner and saving millions of lives and protecting our country 24/7. Nuclear power could even relieve a material portion of our energy issues as well. Oh, I forgot, people like BBum don't like that great government contribution.

I noticed BBum did not mention the entitlement programs already in place are not in good financial shape.

A massive shift in our health care system to the Canada or England model will result in a smaller supply of good doctors. England has to import doctors from all over the world because a domestic doctor shortage - it will happen here as well (it already has to a certain extent). Shortages are byproduct of price controls and rationed care. I've noticed no mention in the public dialog of cutting healthcare and insurance costs by looking at tort reform. Oh yeah, you can't threaten the money tree of the slip and fall lawyers (95% of them are democrats and fund the democrat party big time).

Kent in Atlanta was trying to educate you guys a little bit. Our goverment is not capable of running car companies, banks, or health care. The dominating presence of Medicare is already controlling a significant portion of the U.S. healthcare system. Cars for Clunkers was another example of goverment screwing something up in a big way. Pissing away another $3B in three weeks.

If guys like Congressman Grayson (D-FL) (if you don't know who that is - Google him) represent the mainstream Democrat point of view, I am proud to have a complete different world view.

Sorry for going political here, but it is a free country (I think).

[SpursNextRomanEmpire]

kent, you're mad because pop's view opposes your own. Actually, you're just angry, and you were angry before pop answered this question. You can't like someone who sees this health care issue differently than you do? Lol. Come on kent, grow the fuck up!


i know right!

[ambchang]

I can only like people who agree on everything with me.

[boutons_deux]

somebody move this thread to the political forum.

thanks for nothing, bubba_in_Atlanta.

[Buddy Holly]

kent, you're mad because pop's view opposes your own. Actually, you're just angry, and you were angry before pop answered this question. You can't like someone who sees this health care issue differently than you do? Lol. Come on kent, grow the fuck up!

bingo.

[TheChillFactor]

go Pop!

[Agloco]

WOAI recently interviewed Coach Pop, and decided to ask him about politics. Popovich, who I've always liked a lot, responded by completely pissing me off. I make a point of not knowing the political views of celebrities and sports figures because I want to continue liking those who I like. So I didn't like the fact that they slipped it into the interview before I had a chance to turn it off.

Popovich said something about "the fear that's being perpetrated out there around a public option is just shameful". No Pop... it's not shameful at all. It's pretty damned reasonable for people to have fear about the government seizing the healthcare industry, when it WILL lead to rationing (no way to add 30 mill people with FEWER doctors - as many will retire if a public option happens - and not have rationing). Not to mention the fact that all of the existing major government entitlements are on a fast track to bankruptcy.

Pop, stick to basketball. Don't insult many of your fans by calling our point of view "sickening".

Greg Popovich: "If you're going to have any competition at all, you've got to have a public option. How can you not have a public option?! I mean, just the fright and the intimidation that's trying to be perpetrated on everybody is just sickening."

Be careful with your choice of words. Think about it......Rationing doesn't occur now?

I understand the argument from both sides of the fence, having been a healthcare professional for over a decade now. Most of the problem extends from the verbiage being slung around. People invariably aren't talking about the same things, even though the same words are being used. See the example above.

Having said that, I continue to love Pop for what he gets paid for and does best, regardless of his political or socioeconomic inclinations.

[Kent_in_Atlanta]

Kent, you're mad because Pop's view opposes your own. Actually, you're just angry, and you were angry before Pop answered this question. You can't like someone who sees this health care issue differently than you do? lol. Come on Kent, grow the fuck up!

I have explained multiple times in this thread what bugged me about his response. I'm well aware that probably half the people in the NBA are on the other side of the political fence. Cool. Fine. That's they're point of view. I don't care. But the "sickening" comment pissed me off. Pull your head out of your ass and learn to read.

[Agloco]

Wrong.

"One economist from America's Yale University predicted rebuilding Iraq could cost up to $1.6 trillion over 10 years". (http://edition.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/meast/04/17/rebuilding.cost/index.html)

Wrong......


Because one economist said it. :lol:lol

[boutons_deux]

Pop is sickened because the paranoid, bullshit anti-health-reform/keep-the-status-quo-ripoff spew, paid for by the corps, IS SICKENING.

[rjv]

get over it. you disagree with pop. it is called a difference of opinion.

[celldweller]

In other news the Spurs began Day 3 of training camp....:lol

[Nathan Explosion]

Why is everyone so mad over this. Instead of getting mad at Pop, Kent, you should be praising WOAI. Pop hates giving interviews, and they finally followed a line of questioning that got Pop to open up and actually talk with some passion.

BTW, for the government (both parties), fear is the tool that tyrants use to rule. Options are the tools that make democracy great. Whatever those options are, it's best to have them imo. That's all I'll say on the subject matter.

[Saban Rules]

Thanks for posting this. I admire Pop even more than I had thought possible.

+1. just confirms what i have always expected. he is a realist and an intelligent indivdual who makes his own mind up and doesnt let others think for him and doesnt beleive all the bs in the media. it is shameless how the glenn becks and limbaughs have used fear to attack obama and his policies. damn near feels likes the 40 and 50's again.

[Bukefal]

WOAI recently interviewed Coach Pop, and decided to ask him about politics. Popovich, who I've always liked a lot, responded by completely pissing me off. I make a point of not knowing the political views of celebrities and sports figures because I want to continue liking those who I like. So I didn't like the fact that they slipped it into the interview before I had a chance to turn it off.

Popovich said something about "the fear that's being perpetrated out there around a public option is just shameful". No Pop... it's not shameful at all. It's pretty damned reasonable for people to have fear about the government seizing the healthcare industry, when it WILL lead to rationing (no way to add 30 mill people with FEWER doctors - as many will retire if a public option happens - and not have rationing). Not to mention the fact that all of the existing major government entitlements are on a fast track to bankruptcy.

Pop, stick to basketball. Don't insult many of your fans by calling our point of view "sickening".

Greg Popovich: "If you're going to have any competition at all, you've got to have a public option. How can you not have a public option?! I mean, just the fright and the intimidation that's trying to be perpetrated on everybody is just sickening."

I guess you cant keep politics out of basketball, otherwise you wouldnt have posted this. What do you care what pop thinks about some politic issues?! Its about basketball right? Then focus on the basketball and dont get mad at him and his opinion, because then you are mixing basketball with politics. :bang

[hater]

WOAI recently interviewed Coach Pop, and decided to ask him about politics. Popovich, who I've always liked a lot, responded by completely pissing me off. I make a point of not knowing the political views of celebrities and sports figures because I want to continue liking those who I like. So I didn't like the fact that they slipped it into the interview before I had a chance to turn it off.

Popovich said something about "the fear that's being perpetrated out there around a public option is just shameful". No Pop... it's not shameful at all. It's pretty damned reasonable for people to have fear about the government seizing the healthcare industry, when it WILL lead to rationing (no way to add 30 mill people with FEWER doctors - as many will retire if a public option happens - and not have rationing). Not to mention the fact that all of the existing major government entitlements are on a fast track to bankruptcy.

Pop, stick to basketball. Don't insult many of your fans by calling our point of view "sickening".

Greg Popovich: "If you're going to have any competition at all, you've got to have a public option. How can you not have a public option?! I mean, just the fright and the intimidation that's trying to be perpetrated on everybody is just sickening."

you are doing the same in this forum, dumbass. :lol

take this shit to the political forum.

[Wombatzu]

Pop, stick to basketball. Don't insult many of your fans by calling our point of view "sickening".



maybe he meant "sickening" literally. as in as far as your backwardness and gullibility make you a willing tool for the blood-sucking health insurance companies, you are a contributing factor in keeping people sick.

[manufan10]

I think of it this way, I have friends that may disagree with me on certain issues but they are still my friends even though they piss me off when said issue gets brought up. It's the same with this situation, only I'm his fan not his friend

That's why I don't discuss politics with friends. I don't even discuss politics here. With friends, discussing politics just turns into arguments and people get pissed off or get their feelings hurt when you don't believe the same way as them. On here, its rather pointless to discuss things. Arguments just go around full circle, and nothing is really accomplished through it (just more posts). No one is going to change anyone's mind on here, and it just comes down to arguing over your beliefs for no reason. Rather pointless, IMO.

[nkdlunch]

That's why I don't discuss politics with friends. I don't even discuss politics here. With friends, discussing politics just turns into arguments and people get pissed off or get their feelings hurt when you don't believe the same way as them.

that's because you and your friends don't know how to have a constructive discussion. Don't worry you are in the majority unfortunately for this country

[manufan10]

that's because you and your friends don't know how to have a constructive discussion.

:rolleyes

Everyone has their own beliefs. I'm not going to change their minds about what they believe, and they're not going to change my mind. I know what I believe and I'm going to stick to it. That's where the arguments come in. You think you're right, and you stick to your guns. When you argue with someone, more than likely their feelings are going to get hurt. On a forum, less likely, but when it's friends feelings are bound to get hurt.

[Saban Rules]

I have explained multiple times in this thread what bugged me about his response. I'm well aware that probably half the people in the NBA are on the other side of the political fence. Cool. Fine. That's they're point of view. I don't care. But the "sickening" comment pissed me off. Pull your head out of your ass and learn to read.


it is sickening. hate on him for speaking the truth, but it is what it is. too bad you can't see it that way.

[#2!]

You hate basketball and politics mixing so to counter that you mix basketball and politics?

Wow.

Kent in Atlanta. A little secret... no one gives a shit what you think. :toast

+100000

no need for me to read beyond this, you covered it

[nkdlunch]

:rolleyes

Everyone has their own beliefs. I'm not going to change their minds about what they believe, and they're not going to change my mind. I know what I believe and I'm going to stick to it. That's where the arguments come in. You think you're right, and you stick to your guns. When you argue with someone, more than likely their feelings are going to get hurt. On a forum, less likely, but when it's friends feelings are bound to get hurt.

Beleive it or not there is a way to discuss things constructively without getting feelings hurt.

Ppl get carried away by trying to be right, instead of being open minded and asking themselves if maybe, they could be wrong.

yup the first step is to be open minded and beleive that it's possible you could be wrong. very hard to do but possible

[manufan10]

Beleive it or not there is a way to discuss things constructively without getting feelings hurt.

Ppl get carried away by trying to be right, instead of being open minded and asking themselves if maybe, they could be wrong.

yup the first step is to be open minded and beleive that it's possible you could be wrong. very hard to do but possible

Obviously you can. However, when you're discussing things like health care, national security, and things of that nature, things will get more than heated. Why? Because people already have their position on those things. They construct them through faith, how they were brought up, etc. It's a lot harder to change peoples minds on politics than a lot of other stuff, like sports for instance, and some of the topics are more important as well. So instead of arguing about it, I choose not to discuss it. Because I choose not to discuss it, I'm not able to have a constructive conversation. :rolleyes

[Spursfanfromafar]

Oh..it's so easy.

Pop is a no-nonsense coach.

No wonder, he bashes the nonsense spewed by the fear mongers of the status-quoists against the "public option".

My respect for Pop has gone up even more higher notches now.

Pop for president!

[YoMamaIsCallin]

Anyone who's been paying attention knows Popovich is a Liberal Democrat. Always has been. He just doesn't make a big deal out of it. (Actually he doesn't make a big deal out of anything having to do with himself.) But he was asked a question, so he answered.

He's still one of the greatest NBA coaches of all time.

Look, I don't agree with his point of view on this either. But what the hell does it have to do with basketball? Is it not possible for someone who's on the other side of this issue from you to still be "The Man" when it comes to the Spurs? Can you not root for him now?

And, turning this thread into a political debate, in the Spurs forum, is just not acceptable. Take it somewhere else! I don't come here for this kind of discussion.

Mods??????

[Ocotillo]

Wanna get even more irked Kent?

Use teh google and see which political candidate Pop donated money to.

Hint, he was not elected president.

[Ed Helicopter Jones]

When this thread rockets to 3 pages you know there's not much to discuss in the world of hoops! :lol

[Mark in Austin]

Obviously, the time Pop spent studying Russia in his former profession has caused his brain to get infected by communism... errr facisism err socialism. Whatever, they're all the same thing.

[diego]

all I know is that my country of residence (CHILE), known for being the most neoconservative, fiscally conservative, privatised country in south america, whose GDP is probably less than a tenth of the US, has a public option and its overall health care is ranked higher by the WHO than the US. in the land of finance, is it really so difficult to find funding for a public option, especially when most people will not even use it?

and since I work with food, I'll also say- food in the US is much cheaper than other countries. I think a lot of the health problems in the US come from how cheap and unhealthy the processed foods are. Y'all need to stop subsidizing corn and get back to actually cooking for yourselves. You'll spend more money and time, but its much better to spend money and time in a kitchen than in a hospital

[Kamnik]

Go to the political forum where you can argue to your heart's content about the merits of paying 16% of our GDP and more than any other nation in the world for a shittier system than what the rest of the first world has done with public health care.

This is a fact. And I don't see anyone succesfully disputing this.



Imo USA is going downhill because at leastone half of the country believes republican/FOX scare tactics on pretty much every issue.

Furthermore democrats are unable to get anything done despite them having majority pretty much everywhere.

China will maybe be the new world superpower even sooner than expected...

[Agloco]

This is a fact. And I don't see anyone succesfully disputing this.



Imo USA is going downhill because at leastone half of the country believes republican/FOX scare tactics on pretty much every issue.

Furthermore democrats are unable to get anything done despite them having majority pretty much everywhere.

Well.......


"Shittier system" is quite nebulous. There are good points and bad points. An irrefutable argument would necessarily have a narrower focus.

[Kamnik]

About Popovich.

I respect him in many ways. The way he thinks about basketball, politics, world, etc.

Imo he is extremely intelegent and would love to see a few hour interview with him where he would talk about his views on everything...

[baseline bum]

Nice job Baseline Bum - you printed off a copy of the Demo talking points.


Spending 16% of GDP on healthcare, paying 20% more per capita than the next most expensive health care program in the world, health care costs bankrupting GM, and the impending disaster of paying for baby boomers' health care costs as they hit retirement aren't Democratic talking points; they're stone cold facts that should scare the hell out of everyone.



The deficit spending has been accelerated by the Obama administration (which was also out of whack under Bush).


Because doing nothing worked so well when Hoover did it last time we had an impending depression?



Paying for all the things BHO wants to do will hurt our economy at a time when is it already weak. Higher taxes on the people who still have employment (an employment killer) or higher deficits and debt (the govermental credit card weighing our currency down) are not good options.


We've tried it your way for 30 years. In those 30 years the wealth of our nation has moved from the middle class to the privileged few. The wealth distribution in this nation now looks more like Mexico than the United States in its prime (up to say, the 1960s, when we put a man on the moon; it's been all downhill since then).



BBum has noted some key goverment contributions (space program, roads, etc), which is true. Atomic weapons are another major govenment contribution - ending WWII sooner and saving millions of lives and protecting our country 24/7. Nuclear power could even relieve a material portion of our energy issues as well. Oh, I forgot, people like BBum don't like that great government contribution.


You shouldn't project your stereotypes on me. If you read the political forum last year before the election and you'd have seen one of the things I liked most about McCain was his proposition to expand use of nuclear energy. Too bad he hired his ignorant loudmouth nurse to be his running mate.



I noticed BBum did not mention the entitlement programs already in place are not in good financial shape.


This country itself is in horrible financial shape. Economically conservative policies like free trade with China and Mexico have raped our nation's middle class of its wealth. When you replace $20/hr manufacturing jobs with $7/hr service jobs at Wal-Mart en masse, of course you're going to have trouble raising the taxes to pay for what's needed in this country.

Medicare is expensive because it covers only by FAR the most expensive patients (the elderly). I think it would do wonders for our economy to give the middle class more disposable income by using a system with 3% overhead like medicare instead of making them pay 20%+ to the paper pushers at Cigna or Humana.



A massive shift in our health care system to the Canada or England model will result in a smaller supply of good doctors. England has to import doctors from all over the world because a domestic doctor shortage - it will happen here as well (it already has to a certain extent).


This is a problem Germany has. Its doctors are underpaid and overworked. The biggest mistake they made was letting people opt out of it. So, the richest 10% don't pay into the system. I'm fine with paying doctors what they're worth (which is a lot, considering the hours they put in). I'd never argue we should follow a system like Japan's exactly, where doctor pay is awful and health care is so cheap that you have tons of people making 5-10 trips a month to see their doctor. I just don't like this system where a paper-pusher gets to take 20% of what I pay and I have no way to opt out of it without having to subsidize their stinginess in enormous medical bills the uninsured get charged by hospitals.

The public healthcare systems in the rest of the first world are by no means without fault, but they're significantly better than this trainwreck we have where we pay enormous amounts for a system designed to keep us from using it at all costs and limit our access to it.



Shortages are byproduct of price controls and rationed care. I've noticed no mention in the public dialog of cutting healthcare and insurance costs by looking at tort reform. Oh yeah, you can't threaten the money tree of the slip and fall lawyers (95% of them are democrats and fund the democrat party big time).


More projection. I'm actually against suing doctors for anything but malevolence or extreme cases of incompetence. You can't sue the doctor because he doesn't bat 1.000 in life-saving. I hate the idea that a simple mistake can cost a doctor millions and I think it's sickening the amount doctors pay for malpractice insurance. Yet, I didn't bring it up because I don't know that it has done anything for health care costs in Texas after being passed.



Kent in Atlanta was trying to educate you guys a little bit. Our goverment is not capable of running car companies, banks, or health care. The dominating presence of Medicare is already controlling a significant portion of the U.S. healthcare system. Cars for Clunkers was another example of goverment screwing something up in a big way. Pissing away another $3B in three weeks.



More of the no we can't mantra that has become the conservative battle cry for years after Saint Ronnie advocated it.

[Kamala]

Yes, the U.S. should be scared, after all, every other European and industrialized country has cheaper yet equivalent medical to the U.S., and manages to have a public option (or non-profit insurance).

Other countries mock us; they actually look to the U.S. as what NOT to do for a just health system.

Look at Japan for an example of a health care system that we would do well to become more like..the boogyman of socialized medicine is a farce, the whole rest of the world already proved so. Educate yourself before you let fear of the unknown and fear of change cloud your mind.


:toast:toast:toast

[TIMMYD!]

About Popovich.

I respect him in many ways. The way he thinks about basketball, politics, world, etc.

Imo he is extremely intelegent and would love to see a few hour interview with him where he would talk about his views on everything...
Yeah I'd like to know what's pissing him off too.

[JR3]

Why mix politics with basketball POP? well... because im sure Pop is not one dimensional and doesn't fit in the little box people want to put him in. He was asked the question, so he answered it. He is a real person...

[ploto]

I highly doubt the OP would have such a problem with mixing politics with basketball if Pop agreed with him.

Your reaction is what is wrong with discourse in this nation on anything. You perpetuate the notion that someone you respect could not possibly have an opposing view to the one that you have and that you must vilify him if he does.

What you are really mad at is that maybe someone listening might change his or her mind on this issue because he or she respects Pop. Now, if he was advocating for your position, you would think that was great!

[beachwood]

To counter you, I'm glad Pop spoke his mind. And he's right and you're wrong.




WOAI recently interviewed Coach Pop, and decided to ask him about politics. Popovich, who I've always liked a lot, responded by completely pissing me off. I make a point of not knowing the political views of celebrities and sports figures because I want to continue liking those who I like. So I didn't like the fact that they slipped it into the interview before I had a chance to turn it off.

Popovich said something about "the fear that's being perpetrated out there around a public option is just shameful". No Pop... it's not shameful at all. It's pretty damned reasonable for people to have fear about the government seizing the healthcare industry, when it WILL lead to rationing (no way to add 30 mill people with FEWER doctors - as many will retire if a public option happens - and not have rationing). Not to mention the fact that all of the existing major government entitlements are on a fast track to bankruptcy.

Pop, stick to basketball. Don't insult many of your fans by calling our point of view "sickening".

Greg Popovich: "If you're going to have any competition at all, you've got to have a public option. How can you not have a public option?! I mean, just the fright and the intimidation that's trying to be perpetrated on everybody is just sickening."

[SpurNation]

Like most people that have more money than they can spend...they don't give a shit about the middle man who's pocket is often left more thin than anybody elses in these situations.

Rich men will be rich...poor men will be poor...the middle man will either fall into poor man status or luck into fiscal utopia.

[Mr. Body]

WOAI recently interviewed Coach Pop, and decided to ask him about politics. Popovich, who I've always liked a lot, responded by completely pissing me off. I make a point of not knowing the political views of celebrities and sports figures because I want to continue liking those who I like. So I didn't like the fact that they slipped it into the interview before I had a chance to turn it off.

Popovich said something about "the fear that's being perpetrated out there around a public option is just shameful". No Pop... it's not shameful at all. It's pretty damned reasonable for people to have fear about the government seizing the healthcare industry, when it WILL lead to rationing (no way to add 30 mill people with FEWER doctors - as many will retire if a public option happens - and not have rationing). Not to mention the fact that all of the existing major government entitlements are on a fast track to bankruptcy.

Pop, stick to basketball. Don't insult many of your fans by calling our point of view "sickening".

Greg Popovich: "If you're going to have any competition at all, you've got to have a public option. How can you not have a public option?! I mean, just the fright and the intimidation that's trying to be perpetrated on everybody is just sickening."

You're a goddamn idiot.

[raspsa]

I highly doubt the OP would have such a problem with mixing politics with basketball if Pop agreed with him.

Your reaction is what is wrong with discourse in this nation on anything. You perpetuate the notion that someone you respect could not possibly have an opposing view to the one that you have and that you must vilify him if he does.

What you are really mad at is that maybe someone listening might change his or her mind on this issue because he or she respects Pop. Now, if he was advocating for your position, you would think that was great!
Agree 100%.

[Dex]

Way to go, you've got an opinion.

News flash: so does everyone else. Including Pop.

Fortunately, he's not here to run our country. He's here to run our basketball team.

[SpursPreacher]

I still wonder why WOAI ask him this instead of you know whats going on with the spurs.

[Mr. Body]

I still wonder why WOAI ask him this instead of you know whats going on with the spurs.

Yeah, really. I know Pop's politics already, because you can read between the lines. But let's stick with basketball.

[Nathan Explosion]

I still wonder why WOAI ask him this instead of you know whats going on with the spurs.

It actually got Pop to open up and talk instead of his usual "enthusiastic" interviews. It's actually a smart move.