Are you voting today?

[TheWriter]

Some 55,000 early votes were cast, I'd expect big numbers for todays vote as well.

So, are you voting?

SAY YES TO THE ACCD BOND!

[Johnny_Blaze_47]

Absentee. Last week.

[MannyIsGod]

Absentee will end up being higher than the regular turnout, although I wouldn't doubt it if Prop 2 drives attendence at the polls.

That spells bad news for the bond. People don't want to fund school, they just want the homos in check.

[Johnny_Blaze_47]

Absentee will end up being higher than the regular turnout, although I wouldn't doubt it if Prop 2 drives attendence at the polls.

That spells bad news for the bond. People don't want to fund school, they just want the homos in check.

It's that same thought that makes me believe I may have to call deadline on the paper tomorrow night without having the other elections called.

That is gonna be a bitch.

[TheWriter]

This Is Just For Texas, Correct? Maybe Not, I Dunno

The election that I speak of is for the San Antonio area. I'm sure there are many many other November elections going on.

[TheWriter]

That spells bad news for the bond.

I don't know. The bond has gotten a lot of support for groups that said no to it last time.

I hope its passes. Those colleges need expansion.

They freakin' predict an enrollment of 69,000 by 2010 for the ACCD.

[MannyIsGod]

People come out to vote against things, not for them.

[samikeyp]

Just came back from voting.

[ClintSquint]

Early voting rules.

[Johnny_Blaze_47]

People come out to vote against things, not for them.

True, but I think that the ACCD pleased many a person with the revised bond issue and that will stick in the minds of voters.

I've got little doubt that the bond passes today.

[Mixability]

People come out to vote against things, not for them.

exactly! that gets to me!

[CharlieMac]

True, but I think that the ACCD pleased many a person with the revised bond issue and that will stick in the minds of voters.

I've got little doubt that the bond passes today.

Tht's what changed my vote.

[MannyIsGod]

If the ACCD bond does pass, and I don't think it is nearly as likely as many of you, it will be by a narrow margin. People hate tax increases, and they are very difficult to pass. The same people that came out to vote against it last time aren't going to show up with the same amount of support FOR it.

We'll see.

[Mixability]

If the ACCD bond does pass, and I don't think it is nearly as likely as many of you, it will be by a narrow margin. People hate tax increases, and they are very difficult to pass. The same people that came out to vote against it last time aren't going to show up with the same amount of support FOR it.

We'll see.

I'm not a very political person or anything, but what bothers me is people complain about things they don't have, but when a tax increase comes along to pay for those necessities, they vote against it, and then next year, the complaints start again. :pctoss

[HB22inSA]

What are we voting on??

Seriously, I don't keep up with this kind of stuff.

[easjer]

Absentee will end up being higher than the regular turnout, although I wouldn't doubt it if Prop 2 drives attendence at the polls.

That spells bad news for the bond. People don't want to fund school, they just want the homos in check.

I hadn't planned on it, but you just reminded me I need to. Damn it.

[Johnny_Blaze_47]

What are we voting on??

Seriously, I don't keep up with this kind of stuff.

Albeit it's from the ACCD, here's the gist.



The Alamo Community College District (ACCD) Board of Trustees unanimously accepted the recommendations of a broad-based Citizens’ Committee for a $450 million capital improvements program, and has called for a bond election November 8, 2005.

Here are some pertinent facts about the bond issue:

* Nursing programs. The bond package will enable the ACCD to expand its nursing and related programs to address the critical shortage of nurses and other medical support technicians in San Antonio by tripling the existing capacity in nursing and allied health programs at San Antonio College and St. Philip’s College

* Funds distribution. The money from the bond will go toward the repair of older facilities and infrastructure and technology upgrades at the four established colleges, based on projected student enrollment, plus the construction of a much needed northeast college at the intersection of Loop 1604 and Kitty Hawk

* Oversight. An oversight committee of citizens will be created to monitor the finances associated with the new bond package

* Growth. Enrollment at the ACCD colleges has grown by 41 percent during the past six years, to more than 50,000 students. ACCD's credit enrollment is projected to grow to 68,800 students by 2010

* Affordable quality. ACCD colleges have been providing affordable, quality higher education in the San Antonio area for more than 100 years

* Economic impact. The ACCD plays a key role in the economy of the region; 80 percent of all jobs now require a post-high school education

Based on current financial market conditions, the bond issue, if approved, will cost taxpayers an increase of 3¢ per $100 valuation over the current tax rate of 10.7¢ per $100 valuation. On a house valued at $100,000, this would mean an increase of $30 per year, from $107.50 to $137.50, or $2.50 per month.

Property owners who are 65 or older, or disabled, would not be affected by the increase.



Notice that last line at the end...just a little extra sell by the ACCD.

Also, Danyo, it's NIMBY-ish.

[Hook Dem]

People come out to vote against things, not for them.
It's all a matter of perspective and where you are in life. Doesn't everyone vote from their perspective? You are young and a professional student. Correct me if I'm wrong, but don't you live in an apartment? Maybe if you were a property owner, you wouldn't be so quick to raise property taxes. Just a thought!

[Johnny_Blaze_47]

It's all a matter of perspective and where you are in life. Doesn't everyone vote from their perspective? You are young and a professional student. Correct me if I'm wrong, but don't you live in an apartment? Maybe if you were a property owner, you wouldn't be so quick to raise property taxes. Just a thought!

True, but the reason I continue to vote in Bexar (instead of Hays in which a good City Council race has enamored the city of San Marcos along with some local bond issues) is because of my parents (and technically me) who own a house in the city and would pay those taxes.

Search the archives and I was all for the bond in its previous form (Manny and I had long discussions over that one) because the benefit to the community as a whole was worth the extra tax money shelled out.

We wrote a staff editorial on the same subject, though, Hook Dem, for today's paper.

A local resident wrote to the San Marcos Daily Record last week that students shouldn't be able to vote in the local elections because they didn't have property here and wouldn't keep the homeowners thoughts in mind (also because a student is running for that City Council spot against the incumbant local businessman and a State professor who has lived here for over 30 years).

I would have voted for most of the bond issues locally [and not necessarily for the student, but the locals seem to think that the lot of us (since he's a student) would have voted for him blindly (and I don't doubt that some did), I might have gone for the incumbant had I had a vote here].

Essentially, we said in the staff editorial that the argument in that letter to the SMDR was flawed since the students contribute so much to the local economy and it failed to take into account those people who do not own land in San Marcos, but are there of their own accord and not related directly or indirectly to the university.

[gay abc]

just want the homos in check.

:lol

yeppers

and i don't we should have to pay school taxes unless we have kids in school

[2Blonde]

:lol

yeppers

and i don't we should have to pay school taxes unless we have kids in school
of course... because we all know we only want uneducated people running this country in thirty years. And stupid doctors taking care of us in our old age. We get what we pay for, right? :rolleyes

VOTE NO on Prop 2 and YES for ACCD

[midgetonadonkey]

I'm not registered to vote in Bexar County. Actually, I probably wouldn't vote even if I was registered.

[gay abc]

of course... because we all know we only want uneducated people running this country in thirty years. And stupid doctors taking care of us in our old age. We get what we pay for, right? :rolleyes

VOTE NO on Prop 2 and YES for ACCD


:lol


thirty years? bush can't even speak much less put a sentence together and a doctor almost let me die just a few months ago - it's already happening honey

let us get married legally and file income taxes jointly - then we'll talk
__________________

[2Blonde]

:lol


thirty years? bush can't even speak much less put a sentence together and a doctor almost let me die just a few months ago - it's already happening honey

let us get married legally and file income taxes jointly - then we'll talk
__________________
Can I come to the wedding? :lol

[gay abc]

Can I come to the wedding? :lol

:lol

of course - you can be my best girl

[Mixability]

Also, Danyo, it's NIMBY-ish.

:huh

[Johnny_Blaze_47]

Not In My Back Yard.

Everybody wants things to be better, but nobody wants to pay for it. Also, when something will make something else better, but it involves something nearby, people don't want it.

EXAMPLE: Some people would say they want better cell-phone reception, but they don't want big towers near them.

[shelshor]

Yes, otherwise I don't feel justified in getting to b1tch and whine about the outcome of the election

[MannyIsGod]

It's all a matter of perspective and where you are in life. Doesn't everyone vote from their perspective? You are young and a professional student. Correct me if I'm wrong, but don't you live in an apartment? Maybe if you were a property owner, you wouldn't be so quick to raise property taxes. Just a thought!
If I owned property I'd still vote FOR the bond. But I value education a great deal, as you pointed out.

I understand the peoples reasons for voting as they do, but I think it is foolish. The ACCD needs the money and San Antonio as a whole seems much benefit from improving the overall education of the city. It pays off huge dividends. I hope the bond passes today, but I'm not too optimistic.

[Marcus Bryant]

Why aren't you people voting for the brand new sports complex? What is with you?

[MannyIsGod]

As far as Prop 2 goes, I assume that the closest it comes is 65-35, but I think it will be more like 70% for. These acts are rarely close when they are on ballots across the country.

However, the thing to look forward to is the legal action that is sure to follow. I don't expect Prop 2 to be diferent from any other measures that have been tried across the country and struck down by the courts because of thei inherint inequal nature.

[Marcus Bryant]

I agree. People should be allowed to form marriages based on how they fuck.

[Mixability]

Not In My Back Yard.

Everybody wants things to be better, but nobody wants to pay for it. Also, when something will make something else better, but it involves something nearby, people don't want it.

EXAMPLE: Some people would say they want better cell-phone reception, but they don't want big towers near them.

Thanks!

[Horry For 3!]

Nope.

[Trainwreck2100]

That spells bad news for the bond. People don't want to fund school, they just want the homos in check.



That's easily solved make a bond to keep homos out of college and attach a rider to increase funding.

[midgetonadonkey]

To quote Danny Devito in Screwed..."Why should my money go to build schools and pave roads?"

[Hook Dem]

:lol

yeppers

and i don't we should have to pay school taxes unless we have kids in school
I'm assuming you're young and don't have children yet. I understand your thinking on that but how bout the ones who have grown children and not in school? Thats why I said everyone votes from their perspective.

[MannyIsGod]

That's easily solved make a bond to keep homos out of college and attach a rider to increase funding.
:lol

[AlamoSpursFan]

I voted AGAINST Prop 2.

If there's only one vote against it in Wilson County, that was ME!

:lol

[McKenzie]

True, but I think that the ACCD pleased many a person with the revised bond issue and that will stick in the minds of voters.

I've got little doubt that the bond passes today.


GO ACCD! That needs to pass.

Hey to the Texas State Bobcat above. I'm taking some classes there through July.

[gay abc]

I'm assuming you're young and don't have children yet. I understand your thinking on that but how bout the ones who have grown children and not in school? Thats why I said everyone votes from their perspective.


wrong assumption - i'm 44 years old and don't ever want children - my perspective is if you decide to make babies then you are responsible for their welfare, education etc. - not me

[TheWriter]

Looks like the ACCD Bond is going to pass with by a large margin.

Hell yeah!

[TheWriter]

If the ACCD bond does pass, and I don't think it is nearly as likely as many of you, it will be by a narrow margin.

Looks like its gonna win by a huge margin.

[MannyIsGod]

Yeah, the bond looks good to go. A pleasant suprise for me. Prop 2 passsing with about what I predicted, but the real fight is yet to come on that.

[TheWriter]

Yeah, the bond looks good to go. A pleasant suprise for me.

I was expecting it to pass (once ACCD decided to expand nursing in St Phillips and SAC) so I'm happy.

[T Park]

bush can't even speak

Yawn.....

[pseudofan]

Look man, God made us like puzzle pieces.... to fit together. But we've all done puzzles right? Sometimes you try to force a piece and it actually does fit, but the picture doesn't look right because that piece does not belong there.

Men don't marry men, women don't marry women, people don't marry animals, and animals don't marry birds for a reason. The pictures wouldn't look right.

What's there to vote on?

[MannyIsGod]

Well, not everyone subscribes to your religous beliefs, and not everyone believes that. Marriage by the government and marriage by a church are 2 entirely different things that Americans are unable to differantiate. They lambast gays getting married as a great threat to an institution that allows for such reality TV shows as The Bachelor and I Want To Marry A Millionare. An institution that is rife with adultery and has an incredible high divorce rate.

A legal contract between 2 people has nothing to do with religion, and that is what governmental marriage is.

But you're right, there is nothing to vote on. As much as people of this country love to believe they can vote the rights of others away, it just isn't so. That is a fact the courts have upheld again and again.

This is going to court, and in court is where it will be reversed.

[pseudofan]

Maybe I'm ignorant then. Marriage should not be a legal contract between two people, that's what I did to get my Direct TV. Marriage should be a leap of "faith" between two people (with faith being the operative word).

[TheWriter]

Marriage is a fantasy.

Does marriage give people powers? Does it make their lives easier? Does it make people happier?

No.

[pseudofan]

Ever been married? Then how do you know? Pessimist.

[TheWriter]

Ever been married? Then how do you know? Pessimist.

No, but it's more logical than anything.

What is marriage but an illusion that is binded by law. Were you and Sequ less happier pre-wedding? Did marriage unlock a secret passion?

Sure it's a major commitment but why not just buy "commitment rings" or something. It's as effective.

[pseudofan]

"commitment rings" don't protect you from getting "bent over" if someone decided to accidentally forget their "commitment". On the other hand, when you are married you have more to lose should you actually forget where you left your "commitment". Nes pas?

[Johnny_Blaze_47]

"commitment rings" don't protect you from getting "bent over" if someone decided to accidentally forget their "commitment". On the other hand, when you are married you have more to lose should you actually forget where you left your "commitment". Nes pas?

Just me, but why not let people decide who they want to not forget their committment with?

I'm not going to get into a discussion over gay marriage as this state has already decided that with the Defense of Marriage Act or whatever the hell it was called, but did we really need it written into the constitution that there shall be no civil unions when all most of those fighting for either gay marriage or the non-passage of the amendment want are the same things you just made clear to The Writer above?

So they're not bent over or have so much to lose (such as insurance rights, beneficiary rights, children from the relationship, etc.).

[PM5K]

Look man, God made us like puzzle pieces.... to fit together. But we've all done puzzles right? Sometimes you try to force a piece and it actually does fit, but the picture doesn't look right because that piece does not belong there.

Men don't marry men, women don't marry women, people don't marry animals, and animals don't marry birds for a reason. The pictures wouldn't look right.

What's there to vote on?

Your best argument in favor of Prop 2 is puzzles?

[pseudofan]

Yup. I was always taught the K.I.S.S.

Keep It Simple Smarty :)

[PM5K]

I guess if simplicity is all that you are capable of...

[TheWriter]

I guess if simplicity is all that you are capable of...

Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. - Leonardo da Vinci

[pseudofan]

Okay well how about this then:

Link http://www.avert.org/usastatg.htm

Estimated adult and adolescent HIV diagnoses in 2003 by exposure category
Exposure category Male Female Total
Male-to-male sexual contact 14,532 - 14,532
Injection drug use 3,189 1,628 4,817
Male-to-male sexual contact and injection drug use 1,224 - 1,224
Heterosexual contact 4,041 6,942 10,983
Other/risk not identified 168 163 331
Total 23,153 8,733 31,886

* Because totals are calculated independently of the subpopulations, the values in each column may not sum exactly to the figure in the Total row


Estimated adult and adolescent AIDS diagnoses by exposure category
Exposure category 2003 diagnoses Cumulative diagnoses
Male Female Total Male Female Total
Male-to-male sexual contact 17,969 - 17,969 440,887 - 440,887
Injection drug use 6,353 3,096 9,449 175,988 70,558 246,546
Male-to-male sexual contactinjection drug use 1,877 - 1,877 62,418 - 62,418
Heterosexual contact 5,133 8,127 13,260 56,403 93,586 149,989
Other/risk not identified 281 276 557 14,191 6,535 20,726
Total 31,614 11,498 43,112 749,887 170,679 920,565

* Because totals are calculated independently of the subpopulations, the values in each column may not sum exactly to the figure in the Total row


Now: I may sound insensitive, but my health insurance costs me enough as it is. Do you know how they derive the amount of money you have to pay through your employer for health insurance? That's right, by risk. I refuse to pay more for me and my family's health insurance because my cubicle neighbor Joe and his hersband Josh put us in a higher risk category because they are clearly at a higher risk of contracting a very expensive to treat long term illness and now that they're married he is being put on his spouses insurance policy through our employer.

Good enough?

[Johnny_Blaze_47]

So do we eliminate heterosexuals from it, too?

Basing off the stats you posted along with the information from your link...the spread of AIDS between heterosexual contact is fast increasing. The increased risk of heterosexual contact and the increase in the diagnosis of AIDS would also increase your insurance rates, no?

Do people in your insurance group smoke? Isn't that an action not guaranteed equal protection under the law in which we could amend our constitution so that your insurance rates don't get higher with increased rates of lung cancer?

[MannyIsGod]

Woah, now you're about to open a pandora's box with that. Did you know that women are the biggest group who get the following:

Cervical Cancer
Breast Canscer

Also, the rate of Hystorectmies amoung women is much higher than amoung men!

Why shoudl I be forced to pay for women's increased health costs?

[MannyIsGod]

To take your arguement further, why are employers forced to cover homosexual employees at all?

Or better still, why are they forced to honor straight marriages????

[gay abc]

one day some of ya'll WILL have gay or lesbian children - wonder if your perspectives/opinons will change then - breeders put us here on earth :rolleyes we haven't mastered the cloning process just yet - getting close though :lol

[pseudofan]

Woah, now you're about to open a pandora's box with that. Did you know that women are the biggest group who get the following:

Cervical Cancer


:lol Yah, I know this, because it's pretty hard to get Cervical Cancer if you don't have a cervix. So that makes sense....

I tried to keep it simple, but PM5K wanted it otherwise, so that was the bone I threw to chew on.

Besides, smokers.... smokers? Come on man.... there are anti smoking ads everywhere. What kind of upheavel would occur if you drove down 410 and saw an anti-gay billboard?

Breast cancer is now very diagnosable and curable for many. For many it is not a long term illness any longer. Can you say the same about AIDS?

[gameFACE]

That the bond was restructured is what got me to vote in favor this time around. I don't mind paying for education and infrastructure first and foremost. Sports complexes? It will have to be very creative funding mechanism.

I thought Prop 2 was going to fail. People can justify being against same sex marriage with their moral beliefs all they want. But let's be honest the basic problem is the psychological aversion to the thought of fudgepacking. Even my religiously conservative 77 year old mom has said "two women aren't that bad - but two men? Yuk!" :lol

[Das Texan]

Maybe I'm ignorant then. Marriage should not be a legal contract between two people, that's what I did to get my Direct TV. Marriage should be a leap of "faith" between two people (with faith being the operative word).

do you file jointly or seperately? you see in this country you really cannot say that marriage is not a contract, largely becuase especially in texas we are a community property state, therefore marriage in many ways is a contract in this and many other ways.

[Trailer Trash]

Pseudofan where did ya find that picture of my ol' lady.

[Johnny_Blaze_47]

Besides, smokers.... smokers? Come on man.... there are anti smoking ads everywhere. What kind of upheavel would occur if you drove down 410 and saw an anti-gay billboard?


Are homosexuality and smoking both two actions not given equal protection under the law?

[Das Texan]

for the record regarding the accd bond issue, i think there are better ways to get your money that you so desperately need than to tax citizens that will never use the school system.

however, for my own future bottom dollar, it will be more beneficial for me for these people to have their cheap, subsidized education and therefore have more money in their pocket than for them not to. i pay more in property taxes, but in the end i make more. easy tradeoff.

[MannyIsGod]

:lol Yah, I know this, because it's pretty hard to get Cervical Cancer if you don't have a cervix. So that makes sense....

I tried to keep it simple, but PM5K wanted it otherwise, so that was the bone I threw to chew on.

Besides, smokers.... smokers? Come on man.... there are anti smoking ads everywhere. What kind of upheavel would occur if you drove down 410 and saw an anti-gay billboard?

Breast cancer is now very diagnosable and curable for many. For many it is not a long term illness any longer. Can you say the same about AIDS?
We weren't talking about the curability of any illness, the point that was made was because of the increased costs to employer based health insurance because of the increased health risks fo a certain group.

And what is worse, is that your arguement would read more like a debate against covering homosexuals (or any other group with increased health risks read: women) from group health insurance policies.

Homosexuality does carry with it an added health risk for AIDS that other subsets other groups do not have. But almost every subset has added health risks! Hispanics are at higher risk for diabeties, African Americans for sickle cell anemia, Men for Prostate cancer and Women for the aformentoined ailments.

But what is at issue here is whether employers have to recognize a contract between 2 spouses of the same sex. I'd be interested to see the HIV/AIDS rates for homosexuals in a serious partnership as opposed to in and out of a relationship. I think they would be incredibly different and remove the entire basis for your objection above.

But either way, if someone can give me a good legal arguement as to why an employer who covers spouses of heterosexual employees should not have to do the same for homosexuals.