KRAM1

NO

Can't wait! Let's get it going! Bring on Houston and the Mean green will send 'em packin'.

Just be happy it was Carrollton rather than Denton. I picked up a ticket doing 45 on 6-lane Beltline Road on a Sunday morning about 9AM. No one else on the road ...six lanes mind you with a 35mph limit....and, YES, I was doing 45...no complaints...except me and the Carrollton Cop. I was about 1/2 mile from I-35. When i went down to pay the fine...then sign up for on-line driver's training...the ticket/amount I paid was less than 1/2 what I paid for the same thing in Denton just the year before. Yes, I am a slow learner, but a speedy driver at times. I think I am a 4-5 time graduate of the driver's training course. When turning onto I-35 from Beltline I saw that Carrollton Cop sitting exactly where you said you saw him...I was doing over 40 (thought the speed was 45...like you), but turns out it is 35mph. Lucky for me he was preoccupied with someone else. Those limits in those areas seem much too slow to me and seem to be there for one reason...pick up a few tickets and help fund the City of Carrollton. BUT, I am in 100% agreement with those who said...easy fix...just don't speed. One is, in fact, in 100% control of whether they will get a speeding ticket or not. I have "reformed" a bit...A bit! Somewhere Brad Olson must be listening!!!!!! Rocket man...Rocket man!!!! Are you listening??????

I'll be in my seats with my bride for all the games and we will then head to Hot Springs for the tourney. I BELIEVE in the Mean Green. And, by the way...anyone who thinks George O is selfish needs to find a good psychologist or analyst with a couch ASDAP!

Excellent point.

Let's see...I attended UNT for 8 years, and my wife has worked two periods of time at UNT...including currently...and I have spoken with folks in the administration at UNT that I have known for many years about this very topic. So, I repeat and not just from "observation", you may be surprised at the percentage of students at UNT who do receive parental and other family support. UNT students have a much higher socio-economic level than you seem to think. Don't confuse working part-time for spending money and other items and paying for some of one's college education (as I certainly did) with getting little/no parental support. It is a tired old stereotype that you are trying to keep alive. And, one that does UNT no service...just like the one that keeps the ruse alive that UNT is just a commuter school. Sometimes it is hard to separate fact from fiction if one doesn't do the research. I am not saying that many students are not "on their own" at UNT...and at UT and TX A&M for that matter. What I am saying is that many more students than you seem to "observe"...and you are not alone in this false observation...do get support from home or other places such as grants and scholarships. Just because one is not from Southlake or Highland Park as you cite does not mean that they are "on their own" with college expenses. I would guess that any college might have more students from Euless or East Plano or the like than from the small burbs of Highland park and Southlake. And, just what makes you think that students from Euless and/or East Plano don't get outside support from home or elsewhere? There is great benefit to be gained in working hard to put oneself through college, and everyone in that category should be congratulated for the diligence and hard work. But, there is a very large percentage of undergrads (grad students don't count in this discussion in my opinion...grad students are another animal all together) at UNT getting help, just as there is a large percentage of undergrads at UT and TX A&M who get help and a good number who don't. Why this is a problem for some folks to sort out is beyond me...there is no shame or crime either way. It is just that people seem to want to make UNT out to be a university full of students who have to pay their full way through school, and that is simply not the case. This is not a good vs bad issue. However one gets to UNT is a good thing because UNT provides a quality education at a reasonable price...not the least expensive in Texas, but certainly not the most expensive. Anyway, time for me to leave this discussion. I don't want the truth to get in the way of any one's feelings. Good grief!

Congrats EagleD...great story. I can see why you are proud of this young man. Seems to know what he wants and then excels at getting to the goal.

Where do you get your info on this? What makes you think or feel that things are any different at UT and TX A&M? I think you may be surprised at the percentage of students at UNT that do get family support. UNT is not the "poor kid" campus that many seem to want to make it out to be. That is a stereotype as old and as wrong as the commuter campus thing!

Imagine that! Better get some -1's going for the poor fella...I guess he just has no respect for that team. HeHe....

Exactly...just like WKU is Western Kentucky...which would be WKY for those who realize what state abbreviations are these days. Groom-zillas can get a bit touchy the closer to the date it gets.... Looks like a few folks have no sense of humor judging from the reactions to my original response. Too funny!

Thanks to everyone who turned out for the Watch Party. In spite of the loss, I had a great time getting a chance to meet several members of the Mean Green nation that I had not had the pleasure to meet before and to talk with so many members I already knew. Good to see everyone. There were about 35 of the faithful in attendance and I think everyone had a good time in spite of the loss. The beer was cold and the food was good and the companionship was superb. All in all a great way to spend a beautiful Saturday afternoon. Thanks again...hope to see everyone again along with some new faces at the next chapter event. Details will be posted when its ready to be announced...OK, well, we know there will be another watch party for the finals of the SBC Championship should the Mean green be playing...which I fully expect them to be in spite of this current slide. GO MEAN GREEN!

Hope so, but after today's performance even I would say doubtful. But, I am not giving up the hope that this team finds some floor leadership and goes on a hot streak just at the right time. Can happen...here's hopin' it will. GO MEAN GREEN...see ya in Hot Springs.

And how much did WKU pay you for this Little rant? Man, touchy today aren't you? I would imagine that everyone knew who was being mentioned with the WKY (in case you forgot...KY is the abbreviation for the State of Kentucky, so it is not a slam...just sayin'). Good grief. We are referred to as NORTH TEXAS quite a bit and I don't take offense. Calling Western Kentucky University, Western Kentucky like the local papers in their home area do quite often doesn't seem to warrant such a response. But, maybe you are a closet WKU fan...so be it. Or, maybe it's the Groom-zilla beginning to come out in you as the wedding date approaches. Who knows, but we'll forgive the rant this time. Just watch it, buster!

Not a pretty sight today...and to have it on national TV. Too bad, but all is definitely not lost. I think the right thought is that the team seems to have given up on the regular season. They know that only the tournament gets them to the big dance, but if they don't step up will they be anywhere near ready to turn it on for the tournament? Matt is correct that not all is lost, but they sure are playing like it or so it seems. WOW...too bad to have that on national TV...but, let's all turn out for the next home game to show our support and to let them know that the Mean Green nation has definitely NOT given up on them! GO MEAN GREEN! Thanks to all who attended the Watch party today hosted by the Denton Chapter of the UNT Alumni Assoc. at Fox and Hounds in Lewisville. Good turnout and it was a lot of fun just being around everyone who showed up...thanks for making the effort to be part of the event and show your collective support for the Mean green. For one, I had a great time...and so did my bride!

Emmitt01 and Green 59 got you both down...many thanks for signing up to have fun while supporting our UNT Cheer Squad...much appreciated. GO MEAN GREEN!

This is a pretty nice thing for the athletic dept. to do for the season ticket holders. Just a little "added value" after they opened up the "ice bowl" game for free admission to all. I called yesterday and ordered two for the Denver game. The ticket office was helpful and got them very near my current seats, and they knew the program was "on" and will mail the tickets to me...you can pick them up if you wish. No problems getting these tickets...friendly and fast and knowledgeable service as well. So, good job on this athletic dept. Nice to see you recognize the impact on season ticket holders and stepped up to add some value. AND, in so doing look to have a good plan to bring some additional people to the last three home games. I know I will invite a couple of people to the game that have not come to a game yet this season. They may have free tickets, but they will definitely spend some cash at the concession stand and may like it so much that they return on their own next season and buy tickets as well. Good deal all the way around in my opinion. GO MEAN GREEN...good things are happening at UNT!

Come watch the Mean green take on and BEAT WKY on National TV today with a Denton County Alumni Assoc. Mixer starting at 2:30PM at Fox and Hounds in Lewisville. Yes, I said BEAT WKY for a much needed road win. Not only can they do it, they WILL do it! Be with other members of the Mean Green nation today and enjoy the game. A bonus will be a short presentation starting at 2:30PM about the UNT Alumni pavilion that is currently under construction at the new stadium. It's gonna be fun! See you at Fox and Hounds today... Also, there will be mention of the newly forming Collin County Chapter of the UNT Alumni Association....and, some fun and games...you could get lucky! GO MEAN GREEN...GO ALUMNI!

And, some had questions about whether you could count at all. Rumors dispelled, at least you can go to eleven. Good for you. Hey, you can start by showing up at the Denton Chapter of the Alumni Association's WKY watch party today at 2:30PM at Fox and Hounds in Lewisville. We might even let you count George's rebounds or something just so you can impress everyone with your counting skills. Are you buying???? You are too funny...thanks for the laughs this morning. Hope to see you this afternoon at Fox and Hounds. I am looking forward to you buying me eleven beers! Carry out perhaps?

These are heady days for the Egyptian people for sure, but there is much danger lurking. The proof in this will be what comes out of this very peaceful "revolution" that has taken place in Egypt. It is very exciting and has the makings of a great time for Egypt in really installing a democratic government and improving the lives of so many of its citizens. But, do not think for one minute that those in power in all the agencies and branches of government and who control business and commerce will go away willingly and quietly. There will be no increasing of wages and replacing of management overnight. There are many rough days ahead and after all the cheering and congratulations some leaders must emerge and emerge quickly to head off radical factions who would love to take control of this seemingly moderate Middle east nation. The Muslim Brotherhood (among others) must be giddy over the prospects in front of them in Egypt at the moment. I am extremely happy to see how the military handled this whole event and you have to give Mubarak some credit for not turning it into the bloody mess that he probably could have early on...as the same or more credit goes to all the massed protesters. This could have been a blood bath, could still turn that way. I also need to say that I think the Obama Administration handled this situation pretty well...from all accounts I can find. I know it's strange for me to praise anything this administration does, but i think credit is deserved in this case. It is one of the first foreign policy type events I think the Obama Administration has handled pretty darn well. Credit where credit is due. Anyway, we all recall when the Iraqi citizens were dancing in the streets and pulling down all the Hussein pictures, etc. That lasted a short while and then tuned into chaos. We saw the Green revolution sputter out in Iran, etc. Yes, good things can and may well develop, but one must be careful not to count ones chickens before they hatch with this revolution. There has been no real leadership emerge from the reveloutuion...if a leadership vacuum develops, watch out the the radical side to seize the day. remember, this is the one major Arab nation that signed a peace treaty with Israel and has recognized Israel's existence. There has been peace on the Egyptian-Israeli borders ever since. Much can be gained in Egypt from this, but much is to be lost as well. The joy must quickly be replaced with responsible and democratic leadership if Egypt is to truly WIN from this revolution. The world will be watching as will the people of many other nation's whose leaders rule through oppression. Let's hope what we all see is the birth of a great and free democratic Egypt.

WOW...so much incorrect in the above statements that one doesn't even know where to start. The capital gains tax rate of 15% helps middle class American as much as it does those on "Wall Street" you have so much disdain for it seems. If you own a mutual fund or a stock outside of a 401K then you benefit from the 15% capital gains rate when the fund issues capital gains or you sell a stock for a profit. It is no where near just the "fat cats" you dislike so much that benefit from this, plus it helps cut down on the double taxation of savings in this country...one of the ONLY industrialized nations that continues to penalize capital formation and savings with it's double-taxation in this area. Capital gains are not "earned income" in the IRS definition of "earned income". The rich pay more taxes than any other in this nation and over 40% of the people pay no income taxes at all! Public schools will not be the only area that feels the pain of the budget axe in Texas. many other programs will also feel that pain. Butr, many of the areas seeing the cuts have long been spared the cuts and have simply continued to add staff, facilities and support personnel at faster and faster paces...fast outpacing the taxpayer's ability to keep up. I understand your concerns as I have a family full of educators, at all levels of public education, but when I talk with them, they seem to understand that some areas could use some trimming and feel that too many administrators and admins are around doing little to help the real education that goes on in the classroom. It may be time to consider such things as year round schooling...why keep your facilities empty several months each year...consolidation of some districts to save admin costs, increasing the number of kids in classrooms, adding some fees for extracurricular activities, cutting down on board retreats and board admins, making 100% certain that everyone on free and reduced lunch/breakfast programs actually qualify, shutting down daycare programs that do not pay for themselves, etc., etc. Tough times, I get it, and, yes, it calls for tough decisions. Blaming others who may earn more or have figured out how to legally reduce their tax bills is not the answer. Sitting down and finding ways to get creative is...if we have the best educators (teachers and administrators) then they should be able to figure this out without all the "class warfare" and "poor me, it's all the rich guys fault" crap and excuses. How about remembering that every time you buy something outside your home district you are reducing sales tax revenue for your own community. Every time a new program that "feels good" is introduced, how about figuring out how to pay for it...and I don't mean with "stimulus" money that will soon disappear. How many teachers were hired across the state with temporary funds knowing all the while that the revenue to sustain their salaries long-term was not there? Now, many of those teachers face being laid off or fired. Gee, who could have seen that coming???? We all know it will not be easy, and we will all...all of us...share in the pain (yes, some more than others), but what good does it do to whine about it all? It is time those great educators we have (and I truly believe our educators do a great job) to get together and come up with ways to help alleviate the pain. And, they will have to realize that just because a program or benefit "feels good" is not the sole reason it should exist. I truly believe that we have the best and the brightest that can work locally to solve these problems and reduce the pain. No one wants anyone to lose a job, but it looks like that may be coming. Why, well, not just because the state is reducing funding or some new tax has not been placed on "someone else". It has a lot to do with poor long term planning and sticking heads in the sand and not thinking it could happen here! What a lot of this whine seems to be all about is that new taxes are great...on anyone other than me that is! Once again, the "not in my backyard" syndrome rears its head. Tax those other guys, they are rich, just don't tax me and let's keep all the benefits and perks. Looks like that type of thinking just won't cut it in these tough budget times. Time to take a new approach and get down to figuring it out...for the long term.

Excellent opening win for the Mean green. You go, ladies. I will do my best to go to a few games this season. I have to admit that I am not a big softball fan, but as untcampbell posted earlier, these ladies would appreciate the support...and they are the Mean Green. So, I hope to get out to a couple of games this year...I'd like to experience that stadium in person! GO MEAN GREEN!

OK, some confusion...the start time for the UNT Alumni Pavilion presentation is 2:30PM...but several of us plan to start Mixing and Greeting about 2PM...so if you get there between 2 and 2:30PM you will be in fine shape for the opening presentation and all the fun. Hope this hasn't been too confusing...just trying to set up a really great event for the Mean green faithful and show everyone how the new Alumni pavilion is coming along at the new stadium. See you at Fox and Hounds Saturday...presentation starts at 2:30PM. I too hope to avoid the big crowd trying to get into Fox & Hounds Saturday, so I will be there by 2PM...let's hope they need an off-duty cop to direct all the traffic...Emmitt/Rudy, either of you looking for an extra giog on Saturday????

T-Shirt Size???? Player stats? You can use the blog to post this stuff if you wish. Thanks for the OK!

I really think you have a misconception here as the weekend exodus ebbs and flows with the time of year and the campus weekend activities. Those drives home decrease as the undergrads move up in class. I witnessed this first hand as we all did as students, but it was really driven home to me when I taught as a grad assistant at Oklahoma State. The first semester freshmen seemed to always go home as there were "boyfriends and girlfriends" and just lots of friends still at home. But as they moved up to sophomores and beyond that exodus seemed to reduce greatly.

Please...everyone on the list respond with a "yes" I am still playing or a "no". Also...I need T-shirt sizes and playing/height/weight,experience, etc. info from everyone for the player draft. You can go into the blog to do all this as it has been set up for that very purpose. Let's get it ON! This should be tons of fun. We are still looking for a local place to hold the "after-event" awards ceremony and festivities. Would like the place to sponsor the event as I feel they would more than cover the cost of the sponsorship in the sales of after-event food and beverages. Does anyone have a contact with a local spot that might be interested? Also we are selling sponsorships to individuals and businesses alike. Sponsorships run from $50 for a business card size ad in the event program to $150 for a full page ad. In addition the title sponsor ($250) will have their logo on the game day t-shirts, will be able to have coupons, literature, etc. passed out to participants and spectators and will be recognized game day. I hope to find that local "establishment" that would like to sponsor at the Title Sponsor $250 level as I really do think they will more than cover their cost of sponsorship from after event sales. PLEASE help if you can with a sponsorship at any level or with the Title Sponsor. Also, individual donations would be greatly appreciated as well. If you want a game day "Classic" event t-shirt yo can pay $25 and I will have one made for you...just need your name and size. If you can personally help with a donation of any size it would go a long way in helping our UNT Cheer Squad raise some much needed funds. These are great ambassadors for UNT and spend many many hours and lots of their own money in trying to represent UNT. Let's see if we can't help and have a great time as well. GO MEAN GREEN...sign up to play, verify that you are or are not playing, sign up a sponsor, donate a bit on your own....Let's Get It On! Many thanks to all who are supporting this event or considering doing so. BTW, the Cheer Squad is also out trying to sell sponsorships and will be involved with us in this event. It will be great to bring young kids out who might want to meet a Cheer Squad member or have their photo taken...fun for all.