KRAM1

Maybe his Mom just doesn't like standing up for the entire football game.

YIPPEE...GAME ON...Go Get Em' Mean green. The streak lives!

OK, sorry, no offense...BUT tickets to Mean Green Games are NOT cheap. They are definitely INEXPENSIVE for the value received, but they are not cheap. "Cheap" has a meaning that involves "inferior". Mean Green tickets are definitely not inferior. In my humble opinion the correct phrasing would be "tickets to our games are inexpensive". Just sayin'.......

Yes...great news. I'll be there. GO MEAN GREEN. Got a home winning streak UNT needs to protect and extend! GO MEAN GREEN!

Muy Bueno...GREAT NEWS! Looks like all the known recruits and commits are signed on the first day. Am I missing anyone?

True for me as well.

I don't know...but the feed seems to be working great for me...both audio and video. Maybe the challenge is on your end. I don't know as I am not too "hi-tech" (that's an understatement), but it's working fine for me.

Because school is out Thursday, does it have to mean that the game is canceled/postponed? My guess is that the reason that school is closed already for Thursday is not so much the roads, but the power situation...rolling blackouts and all that. My bride tells me that UNT has some agreement with Denton Municipal Electric (or where ever they buy their power...I think DME) to cooperate in times like this when there is a chance that power usage would surpass capabilities. But, does that mean the game is actually off? I wonder if FAU is already in town? Could a Friday game be in the works? That would be tough...especially on FAU, so i would think not, but just wondering how they handle such as this?

Really too bad, but the decision to cancel is a good one. No need to get in a fender bender (or worse) trying to drive on the roads here in Denton. Especially after dark as what ice may have melted simply re-freezes. While I am very disappointed in not being able to attend this event, it was a very appropriate decision to cancel it under the circumstances. News conference on the Mean Green web at 2:00PM. I guess we can follow Coach mac at that time...it's going to be a GREAT day for the Mean Green!

I am a bit surprised that this momentous decision by a Florida Federal Judge has not received more attention on the board. No matter which side of the debate you are on this is a HUGH decision, and could be the one that actually gets this bill reviewed by the Supreme Court of the US. Big win for the states joining in this lawsuit, and one that none of them really expected...to throw out the entire bill. I believe the decision was "stayed" until it can be appealed by the US, but this is a very big victory indeed by the parties bringing this suit. For those that might think this is "no big deal", it is just the sort of thing that had to happen to get the bill before the US Supreme Court. It takes some "controversy" and some differing opinions in various lawsuits and appeals to get something like this to be heard before the Supreme Court in the first place. Without this decision, it is possible that the case would never have gotten to the US Supreme Court. VERY BIG DECISION. If it holds this could un-do the capstone piece of legislation the Obama Administration made such a focal point. Couple this with the note that some people are saying that Obama might be the president that "lost" Egypt just as Carter was the president who "lost" Iran and the days are not looking so bright in the White House. I am not saying the "guy" lost Egypt as the "results" are not in as yet, and how one can place the blame on him for that is a bit beyond me, but such is the case in some media outlets (no, not just Fox News BTW). I think it is a bit too early to "call" this action. It is not too early to be a bit concerned that the US intelligence agencies were not better prepared or more aware that this was about to take place in Egypt. The White House, the Secretary of State's Office, the CIA and the NSA all seem to have been caught completely flatfooted. If anything should concern you, it is this. Why, with all the "making nice" that the Prez and his administration has been doing toward the Arab world, and the fact that he made "making up" with the Arab World a cornerstone of his selection campaign and early days in office, did the US get caught so un-prepared? Interesting to speculate I would think. Big days brewing both internally and externally. Do we have an administration capable of handling it all? Just asking.

Tough one to take, but the "good news" is that it all comes down to the SBC tournament. Win out and the seed gets better, and I guess that's the goal now. Get the best seed we can, and win the tournament. However, this team must find a way to play some defense. I do think they can, but I don't think that has been "top of mind" with this team from day one. All is certainly not lost, but the team does need to get a sense of urgency going for the stretch run to the tournament. See you at the Super Pit Thursday...need to keep that home win streak going! GO MEAN GREEN!

Excellent...just excellent. This is what everyone needs to be doing. Talking positively about the Mean Green to everyone (even if you have some personal challenges with the program) will, indeed, help to win people and the press over, one person, one reporter at a time. If the loyal members of the Mean Green Nation don't make it a rule to speak in positive terms when out in the general public, well, then who will? Way to go...nice job!

So, given that the Mean green has shown to be a "less than wonderful" road team, do we consider Hot Springs a "road game" situation, and should that be of concern? I really thought UNT would take this game...hands down and set up a great game at Denver. Now, the team really needs to get together, play some defense and take it to Denver on their home court in order to regain a bit of swagger for the final conference run before the tournament. GO MEAN GREEN. This one was really disappointing...thought we could take this win pretty easily.

How does she get all that into one t-shirt? Be still my heart...but, nothing to compare with the co-eds of the Mean Green Nation. Mean Green nation wins...hands down (and off) ! GO MEAN GREEN!

It's OFFICIAL...we have been granted the use of the gym at the Mean Green Village for our game on the 26th. So, time to start confirming those playing and getting me t-shirt sizes and listing playing stats for the team draw, etc., etc. PLEASE let me know...we need lots of players...we can have more than one game and a championship play-off if enough want to play. You can definitely bring friends, relatives, etc. who might want to play. It is a co-ed event, so all are welcome. If you want to sign-up a ringer (ex-college/pro player...you know what I mean) PM me and let me know the details. I will get back with you as details become known. Cost is $25 per player and that includes a GMG.Com collector's edition 1st annual GMG.com BB game t-shirt in either green or white. Depending upon which team you are on...of course. I have asked harry to set the game up an "official" thread so all details can be posted. MORE TO COME...it's going to be great fun! WE NEED donations as well as players and we continue to look for sponsors at the $50, $100, $150 and $250 levels. There are some benefits and opportunities for sponsors, so if you own a company or work for a company that might be willing to help the UNT Cheer Squad...please let me know with a PM. We plan on having a game day program and goodie bags with sponsor info and other stuff for players and spectators (first come first served as long as they last). We also need "goody bag" items, so if you have some "stuff" that would be good for a goody-bag (corporate give-a-way items, coupons, etc.) let me know. I am looking at getting an autographed UNT BB and/or jersey for a drawing/auction, etc. for the after-event get together at a local watering hole.... Looks like this could be a really fun event...I know you will want to be part of it one way of the other...donations of any size would be greatly appreciated. 100% of all net proceeds go to the UNT Cheer Squad.

Someone asked why Perry should have refused the government money...well, today's Dallas Morning news article offers just one example of how more problems can be created than solved when one takes federal handouts. Headlines read "DISD Plans to Fire 290". Those 290 positions were all created and funded by government stimulus money. DISD apparently thought the "handouts" were going to continue forever, but have now found out otherwise and will be firing all 290 that were hired with the "stimulus" money. They couldn't even see the ":handwriting on the wall" it appears and made absolutely no contingency plans (other than firing those hired) if, in fact, the funds were not renewed. Now they blame the government for not continuing the handout. Seems to me that DISD (Dallas) would have been better off either refusing the funds in the first place (and making the adjustments they should have been making at the time to budgets) or made some contingency plans such as not filling every open position in case some or all of the funds were not renewed...I guess the wonderful DISD leadership thought the funds would become another government entitlement and just keep coming forever. Were there strings attached to the federal stimulus funds? You bet your bottom dollar there were and now the problem of taking the funds in the first place have come home to roost. Just putting off a problem and placing a federal "gift" of funds band-aid on a problem does not solve it or mean leadership is acting in a fiscally responsible way. Now watch all the crying from DISD leadership about how they will have to make the tough decisions and people will lose their jobs! Amazing lack of foresight and planning.

Nice article. If only Knight had graduated from UNT! Still didn't see where Knight said he controls the hiring and firing process, nor was any school official quoted as saying so, but, on the other hand......

Oh, but you speak of private industry. That is entirely different than what we see in many of the bloated payrolls and budgets for tax supported entities. The largest area of employment growth lately has been within the public sector. While all the other sectors cut and do more with less, the public sector continues to grow and strain the minority of folks who actually pay taxes in this great nation of ours. The last report I read said that less than 50% of the people in this great nation of ours pay any federal income tax at all. What one sees time and time again are taxpayer paid work forces that have no clue about how to run efficient "ships" as they have not been required to do so. In my industry (finance) we dealt with many many different governmental agencies from the federal to the state to the local. While I ran across a great number of dedicated and very hard working public payroll staffers, I also saw countless numbers of unnecessary, unmotivated and untrained workers who just were drawing a paycheck. In fact, some even made it harder on those who actually did work hard to get their jobs done. Often they couldn't wait for that comp time to come around or when their next vacation was scheduled. There is no doubt that public payrolls are bloated and growing at the same time. Tough time call for tough action and it is well past time that public entities started running on a balanced budget without relying on added tax revenue to "make up the difference". In the private world...unless you are handcuffed by some union contract...there are choices and consequences to management's decisions. As you say, you can change jobs, and the business can suffer from a profit standpoint. Running an inefficient "shop" in the public sector does not have the same consequences. There is always more tax money that can be thrown at it to keep it afloat and so it can hire more to do less. Some of what I say you feel is "well --silly". That's probably what most folks would say if working for a tax supported entity and didn't want to really look hard at all areas to see where they could be more efficient. I understand.

Well, access to information is no big deal in my opinion. As long as it is not prohibited from a legal or regulatory or NCAA standpoint I see no problems with that for any big time donor who might be interested in that level of information. Offering an opinion on coaches is no different than any other alum who may have a bit of access as long as it does not come down to "fire this guy or I am taking my money back" sort of stuff as it seemed to have been in the UConn case. Yes, agree, it is no secret that these folks get access that the rest of us mere mortals do not have. I have no problem with that. What I have a problem with is if the folks think they should have veto and preemptive powers into the programs they support. If the guy wants to say, "look, sorry, I don't like your selection for our new AD, and if you feel you must go that way, I will no longer be able to support the program financially". Well, so be it. It is then up to the administration to make the decision to go for the money or make the decision they think is correct for the institution. That's just the way it is in most cases. But, to say "if you hire that guy instead of my hand picked guy, I want all the money I have donated returned" is NOT OK in my book. "knowing" that Knight has sway in the hiring and firing process is still speculation unless it has come from Knight's mouth or that of the university. We can all, however, "assume" it to be true. Whatever the case, it hasn't hurt the rise of Oregon football. We can certainly all agree on that.

Really? Since you are so close to the inner workings of that program and what Phil Knight may or may not be doing regarding his donations, please do enlighten us on what those strings actually are? I am not saying there are no strings attached as I am not close to the Oregon program, but you appear to be, so please...do tell.

Thank you, Brett. Nicely done. I appreciate your coverage of the Mean Green.

Yes, indeed...good things are happening at North Texas! The kid does need to qualify and then realize that he is a student first. NBA dreams have a way of being extremely hard to realize even when you are a 5-Star big time recruit. Great get, JJ and Company. This is indeed great news. I am going to assume the academic advisers might have some fun helping Tony realize how important going to class might be if he thinks he is a "one and done" sort of player. But, if that is the case...welcome to the Mean Green nation. It will be great to watch you and the rest of our Mean Green team soar! This is going to even more fun. Time for those fence-sitters out there to get behind the Mean Green. WOW! Super get!

I am thinking the academic advisers will have their hands full. But, good job and good to have him as a member of the Mean Green. Now, class comes first. I hope he at least half-way understands that at this point. Go Mean Green!

How about this for a start...Plano just eliminated the second highest paid person in the district when they cut the Associate Superintendent's position...his salary was around $211,000/yer...that is before social security, health care costs, retirement system costs, medicare and associated other perks the guy received. That should save the district well over $300,000/year right there. Seems maybe they didn't need that admin position after all. Amazing how they now find they can get along without that extra salary and position. Tough times folks, tough decisions. They can be made if people are willing to actually get creative and look at all areas.

Wow...once again the whining starts. Look, I know, I know, everything the Mean Green does should be free, but UNT needs to pay it's coaches more (to be able to hire better coaches), add sports, build new facilities, play a tougher schedule, recruit all over the nation, increase scholarship levels in non-revenue sports, etc., etc., etc. The state won't pay for all this great stuff. The athletic dept. budget must find a way to cover it all. This may be a small thing, but, unfortunately, it is necessary in today's financial climate. The budget cuts will hit all areas of campus including athletics. While I don't love shelling out the $10 (plus the cost of the beers I will consume at the event), it's not a very high price to pay for a great evening of Mean green entertainment. It would cost as much or more to go to a movie, and the signing event will be so much more fun. The benefit to the Mean Green Club member is the 50% discount off the price of admission. I'm sorry if some don't see this as the decent benefit that I see it, but it's hard to argue that there is no benefit to being a Mean Green Club member in this case. I get it, some have other places they need to put that $10 or $20 other than paying to attend a signing day event. That's fair. And, some will now not care to attend because of the fee, that's fair as well. I just see it as one more way to help the athletic dept. in its attempts to move this program into the days of being a "champagne program" rather than a "beer program". Although I much prefer beer over champagne when I am consuming adult beverages. Hope to see a big crowd for the event. Anyone wanting to go that is not a Mean Green Club member, I am happy to have you as my guest so you can pat the member rate of $10. Just PM me and let me know. See you on the 2nd. GO MEAN GREEN!