1287 posts shown.
Jacob White49 said:That particular statement was made an entire year after the fact... you have to remember that immediately following that very same race, he actually said something quite different.
And besides, that error he eventually admitted to actually concerns his decision regarding the neodlazak to the pits during that very first lap.
What does the timing of a statement even matter in the grand scheme of things? In my estimation, a comment made in the heat of the moment on the very day of the race carries far less weight than a measured, thoughtful perspective shared once the dust has finally settled.
Jacob White49 said:As I mentioned previously, I have been searching for that specific statement—you know, the one released immediately following the race, or perhaps even during the action itself—but for some reason, I simply cannot seem to track it down.
Is it not truly fascinating how the unpredictable nature of motorsport can shift the entire landscape of a championship in what feels like a mere heartbeat? One finds oneself contemplating the sheer weight of momentum, wondering if any driver, no matter how seasoned, can ever truly master the chaotic elements that govern our sport. When we look at the recent developments surrounding the drivers and their respective trajectories, one cannot help but ask: where does the skill end and pure, unadulterated luck begin? It seems we are standing on the precipice of a significant turning point, much like watching a storm gather on the horizon over the Midwest, knowing that once it breaks, nothing will remain unchanged. Does this current shift signal a permanent change in the hierarchy, or is it simply a fleeting moment of turbulence before the established order reasserts itself? It is a question that lingers in the mind, much like the scent of rain on hot asphalt.Reflecting on today's race, Fernando Alonso shared a rather sobering perspective: “Unfortunately, luck just wasn't on our side today. We actually managed a quite solid start, but then things took an unexpected turn when I touched with Sebastian Vettel at the second corner; it was quite a shock to suddenly find him right there in my path, nearly bringing us to a complete standstill, and honestly, I haven't the slightest clue how fast he was traveling at that moment.”
Jacob White49 As I was reflecting on the matter, one cannot help but wonder if we have truly grasped the underlying essence of what was being discussed? It seems to me that there is a certain depth required to understand the nuances here, much like the way one might study the intricate mechanics of an engine before attempting to drive it at high speeds. Is it not possible that we often overlook the subtle complexities in favor of more immediate, superficial conclusions? I find myself contemplating whether our previous assumptions held any real weight, or if they were merely shadows of a more profound truth waiting to be uncovered. One must ask oneself: are we looking closely enough, or are we simply skimming the surface of a vast and complicated ocean?
I find myself pondering whether there is truly any room for debate regarding Sebastian Vettel’s decision to brake so abruptly; it seems quite clear to me that he did so intentionally, which leads one to wonder if such calculated maneuvers are simply part of the cultural DNA of certain German drivers. Is it not possible that this level of precision—or perhaps ruthlessness—is something woven into their very nature?
First off:
neonfox65 said:It is an inescapable truth, isn't it, that the fault always lies with the driver trailing behind who initiates the collision?
Why on earth would Vettel even consider braking just to let Alonso slam into his rear? What possible logic could drive such a move—would he really choose to ensure they both crash out of the race? Does that make any sense at all to anyone? And if we look closer, how is it that the rest of the field didn't simply breeze past him while he was busy braking like that?
Jacob White49 said:he claims he didn't
http://grandprix247.com/2013/12/23/a...son-as-driver/
“This season, there were times when I did not do well enough, such as when I could have had a little more performance, or when I made a mistake like in Malaysia.
Or, to put it more plainly, he admits to making a blunder at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway...
Jacob White49 said:Alonso always seems to find his groove at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway; he snatched pole here once and secured three victories driving for three entirely different teams. He really should have walked away with the win last year too, but that little yellow car decided to brake just a bit too aggressively at the second corner.
If we are being completely honest, Alonso was the one who made the mistake last year. End of discussion.
gentlecobra23 said:I want to apologize in advance, as you likely won't see the results until around 4:00 PM this Saturday. Unfortunately, I won't be able to tune into the qualifiers myself due to some unavoidable commitments.
Don't worry about it, Pani. If I happen to find a free moment, I might even be able to post some provisional scores myself.
wearyraven41 said:Do you honestly think it takes the same kind of courage to drive a modern car as it did to sit in one back in, say, 1982? Especially when you consider that in the decade leading up to that—roughly 1970 to 1982—fifteen drivers died in those machines, including legends like Gilles Villeneuve, Jochen Rindt, and Ronnie Peterson?
An F1 driver actually mentioned a few years ago that driving a car on a public road is more dangerous than driving an F1 car on a track... and he wasn't trashing Formula 1, he was just making a point about responsible driving on American streets.
Those are my favorite arguments... these guys have been racing karts since they were toddlers, climbed through every junior formula imaginable, and get paid millions, yet they compare themselves to some random guy on a forum claiming it took more bravery to drive cars where pilots refused to wear seatbelts because they'd rather be ejected during a crash than burn alive inside.
It's like saying no one on this forum is allowed to criticize ConEd workers just because they don't know how to swap out an insulator on a high-voltage power line.
Fast forward 30 years, when a "driver" just memorizes an ideal racing line and programs the car to drive itself while their actual job is monitoring nitrogen flow sensors and trying to beat lap times by optimizing pit stop efficiency... then, and only then, will today's cars look like some piece of junk built in a shack.
Times have undeniably shifted, and one could argue that Formula 1 is no longer the death trap it once was. I hold all three of the men you mentioned in the highest possible regard, truly; yet, does it not follow that some of today’s elite drivers might have actually thrived during that perilous era if given the chance?
stormybadger8 said:It seems you might actually be right, at least if my understanding of the rules isn't completely flawed.🤷
And look at this, just look...😵😵😵
1st prediction
23
2nd prediction
26🙂
Some restless spirit decided to wake me up at the crack of dawn today, I suppose.🙂
I really should have aimed for 3 or 4, but then again, am I truly obligated to go through the trouble of changing my prediction for the third time at the very last second?🤣
And the most ridiculous part of it all—I genuinely convinced myself that I had submitted it after the deadline passed.🤣
Didn't the exact same thing happen to you last season? It's as if you never learn from these things.😁
And this particular ranking of those who managed to secure 21 points feels somewhat peculiar to me; considering that stormybadger8 was the very last one to submit a prediction, wouldn't he logically have to fall behind the rest of the group?
gentlecobra23 said:1. Linda Bailey17 31
2. rosi 27
3. Clark 25
4. graniteharbor502 23
5. gentlecobra23 23
6. akoj 23
7. iceman-st 22
8. MladenCro 22
9. stormybadger8 21
10. darkmarlin16 21
11. Templarski red 21
12. amberangler64 21
13. Dorian. Gray 20
14. another cheetah 20
15. nicro 20
16. _express_ 20
17. miST 20
18. WayOut 20 20
19. FilipR5 20
20. Sigurno 20
21. Ogius 18
22. Nesta Marley 17
23. Put99 16 16
Please keep in mind that these standings are merely provisional; would you be so kind as to verify all the results by midnight, so that I might have the opportunity to organize the groups tomorrow morning?
It appears you may have overlooked adding the point earned from Daniel Ricciardo making it into Q3 for Dorian, which would bring DG's total up to 21 points.
Furthermore, did you perhaps forget to place the little deer at the very bottom of the list with 13 points?
Green absolutely dominated the competition😁
Australia 2014. (Final Predictions)
1. Lewis Hamilton
2. Nico Rosberg
3. Sebastian Vettel
4. Daniel Ricciardo
5. Kimi Raikkonen
6. Fernando Alonso
7. Jenson Button
8. Valtteri Bottas
9. Kevin Magnussen
10. Hulkenberg
Australia 2014. (My initial predictions)
1. Lewis Hamilton
2. Nico Rosberg
3. Valtteri Bottas
4. Felipe Massa
5. Jenson Button
6. Kevin Magnussen
7. Kimi Raikkonen
8. Fernando Alonso
9. Nico Hulkenberg
10. Sebastian Vettel
"– TJ, is that really you?!" graniteharbor502 blurted out.
"– With my head and my beard (though it isn't quite as well-groomed as it once was) –" TJ replied, stepping forward into the light.
"– Honestly, I thought I’d never see such a level-headed rodeo rider again, not since back in '88 when you snatched that gold medal right from under my nose at the Cowboy Olympics in Austin, only for you to vanish without a trace ever since." graniteharbor502 felt the tension drain from his face, replaced by a sudden, wide smile.
"– Well, paint me red and call me a sunset, it really is my old pal TJ!" he exclaimed, pulling his hand away from his holster. The rest of the group just stood there, exchanging confused glances.
"– It would be only right that we grab a drink in honor of the good old days –" graniteharbor502 suggested as he moved toward TJ, and together, the whole group began making their way toward the saloon.
"– So, what brings you all to this neck of the woods anyway? And what's with all this frantic rushing about?" graniteharbor502 asked as they reached the entrance of the saloon.
(continue with TJ and the crew)
I find myself wondering, quite sincerely, if Vuco might inadvertently offend our lovely ladies on the moderation team by sharing this particular track:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gB7TpiqYsGQ
swifttiger75 said:Pred Sepin On the ranch, almost everyone had a target in their sights. Except... 4seasona Someone tried to de-escalate the situation—failed miserably. Everyone else just sat there spinning through every possible scenario, hunting for the best target. Well... Brilliant. He was busy thinking about naked women, but he wasn't exactly armed anyway. Then it happened. Pat Suddenly she sneezed, huh? Sep He instinctively cocked the shotgun and chambered a shell. Mirko Who actually tried to ride a horse like that?
coastaldrifter6 He pulled his gun, ran the tip of his palm over it, and chambered a few rounds. Sepin Stomach. SukKin The horse jumped—so what? Jim Clark He hit the mark, but he ended up taking himself out instead. I don't know what you want from me—just leave it at that. Sent him off with a shot—straight to the eternal hunting grounds. Nathan Jones98 He really pushed it toward— I don't know what you're trying to get at with that—just leave it alone.Hitting him right in the neck. I don't know what to tell you—it just sucks. She took a shot at... 4seasonu The bullet stopped halfway through the Bible—which basically meant... Nathan Jones98 Time to take good aim and hit a young gunslinger. coastaldrifter6 It’s finished. Sep With two rounds just as he was getting himself up, only to find himself staring down... Nathan Jones98With guns drawn, the duo sat perched on their horses—balancing themselves with one hand against the restless animals while aiming at their opponent with the other.
Here we go, guys.Nathan Jones98 and coastaldrifter6So, you’ve got some breathing room—enough to hash things out here in the dust and figure out the next move. I'll stick to whatever we decide... hopefully. You have until the deadline to reach an agreement. Pat Not again. Seriously—whenever that "Apache" nonsense starts popping up out of nowhere, whether it's from someone else or coming from my side... Patina You can take your shots, but not before I do. Here's how it works: you type "bang!" in your post. Whoever posts immediately after the "Apache" is the one who hit the other.
During that time in the camp. Edward Howard2 He was just complaining about... rustydrifter10He slipped up on the latest issue of Motorsport—ended up face-first in the dirt. TBF He brushed the dust off his sleeves—just a quick motion—and looked over. traxdatu7 who was standing right next to him, holding that Tomahawk, TBF He slowly started listing the reasons why he was... Sebastian Vettel Best driver out there today.
He threw everything at the wall—every statistical data point imaginable, plus some astrological nonsense. Of course, he had to throw in a comparison, too. Vettel-Alonso Which one did he further personalize with a clear personal stance toward— AlonsoIt wasn't meant to be insulting—far from it. It was actually pretty affirmative, even if the whole point was to frame things in an affirmative way regarding... Alonso Basically, I just forced my opponent to realize exactly how it feels. Sebastian Vettel Still better. rustycobra32 And they were just sitting there watching how... traxdata7 He can't even get a word in edgewise. But when he does— TBF I’ve started working on an extensive analysis regarding the life and work of the young guy. VettelStarting from my earliest childhood— traxdata7 He went down on his knees—blood spraying from his nose. What really finished him off was how blatantly they positioned the fact that... Mark Webber i Sebastian Vettel They’re driving the exact same cars anyway. Just stating the facts. traxdata7 He went face-first into the dirt. rustycobra32 He rode up on us, approaching on horseback. TBFPointing toward the ridge, a few of the Apache sent him off for... I can't work with just a username. Give me some actual text to rewrite.. Tyler Bennett5 I'm ready. Send over the posts you need me to rework. I'll handle the substitutions and keep the tone exactly where it needs to be—blunt, terse, and strictly American. Paska They've already pulled way ahead—honestly. Megan Jones3 He walked out of the Wigwam clutching his head.
It continues...
Please, just allow me this one moment to let out a scream. 🤣
swifttiger75 said:Pred Sepin On the ranch, almost everyone had a target in their sights. Except... 4seasona Someone tried to de-escalate the situation—failed miserably. Everyone else just sat there spinning through every possible scenario, hunting for the best target. Well... Brilliant. He was busy thinking about naked women, but he wasn't exactly armed anyway. Then it happened. Pat Suddenly she sneezed, huh? Sep He instinctively cocked the shotgun and chambered a shell. Mirko Who actually tried to ride a horse like that?
coastaldrifter6 He pulled his gun, ran the tip of his palm over it, and chambered a few rounds. Sepin Stomach. SukKin The horse jumped—so what? Jim Clark He hit the mark, but he ended up taking himself out instead. I don't know what you want from me—just leave it at that. Sent him off with a shot—straight to the eternal hunting grounds. Nathan Jones98 He really pushed it toward— I don't know what you're trying to get at with that—just leave it alone.Hitting him right in the neck. I don't know what to tell you—it just sucks. She took a shot at... 4seasonu The bullet stopped halfway through the Bible—which basically meant... Nathan Jones98 Time to take good aim and hit a young gunslinger. coastaldrifter6 It’s finished. Sep With two rounds just as he was getting himself up, only to find himself staring down... Nathan Jones98With guns drawn, the duo sat perched on their horses—balancing themselves with one hand against the restless animals while aiming at their opponent with the other.
Here we go, guys.Nathan Jones98 and coastaldrifter6So, you’ve got some breathing room—enough to hash things out here in the dust and figure out the next move. I'll stick to whatever we decide... hopefully. You have until the deadline to reach an agreement. Pat Not again. Seriously—whenever that "Apache" nonsense starts popping up out of nowhere, whether it's from someone else or coming from my side... Patina You can take your shots, but not before I do. Here's how it works: you type "bang!" in your post. Whoever posts immediately after the "Apache" is the one who hit the other.
During that time in the camp. Edward Howard2 He was just complaining about... rustydrifter10He slipped up on the latest issue of Motorsport—ended up face-first in the dirt. TBF He brushed the dust off his sleeves—just a quick motion—and looked over. traxdatu7 who was standing right next to him, holding that Tomahawk, TBF He slowly started listing the reasons why he was... Sebastian Vettel Best driver out there today.
He threw everything at the wall—every statistical data point imaginable, plus some astrological nonsense. Of course, he had to throw in a comparison, too. Vettel-Alonso Which one did he further personalize with a clear personal stance toward— AlonsoIt wasn't meant to be insulting—far from it. It was actually pretty affirmative, even if the whole point was to frame things in an affirmative way regarding... Alonso Basically, I just forced my opponent to realize exactly how it feels. Sebastian Vettel Still better. rustycobra32 And they were just sitting there watching how... traxdata7 He can't even get a word in edgewise. But when he does— TBF I’ve started working on an extensive analysis regarding the life and work of the young guy. VettelStarting from my earliest childhood— traxdata7 He went down on his knees—blood spraying from his nose. What really finished him off was how blatantly they positioned the fact that... Mark Webber i Sebastian Vettel They’re driving the exact same cars anyway. Just stating the facts. traxdata7 He went face-first into the dirt. rustycobra32 He rode up on us, approaching on horseback. TBFPointing toward the ridge, a few of the Apache sent him off for... I can't work with just a username. Give me some actual text to rewrite.. Tyler Bennett5 I'm ready. Send over the posts you need me to rework. I'll handle the substitutions and keep the tone exactly where it needs to be—blunt, terse, and strictly American. Paska They've already pulled way ahead—honestly. Megan Jones3 He walked out of the Wigwam clutching his head.
It continues...
Please, just let me scream. 🤣
Patrick Bailey4 said:I would kindly ask everyone to refrain from responding for the time being, as I intend to resume this discussion on December 1st.
And I would ask the moderators to please remove those who are merely mocking the topic.
...for truth and logic do not always hold weight; rather, they seem to carry value only during certain windows of time...
Patrick Bailey4 said:I shall endeavor to be as direct as my nature allows. It is my firm conviction—one that I hold with absolute certainty—that when the next national referendum arrives, the majority of Americans will cast their votes in the "Yes" column. This isn't merely a passing whim of mine, either; if one looks at any legitimate polling data currently available in the country, the trend remains undeniably consistent (and please, let us be clear, the various polls conducted here on this particular forum carry no weight in such a serious matter). When I observe a digital space, such as a Facebook group, where the sentiment leans so heavily toward "Yes"—say, a margin of fifty-four to forty-two—does that not serve as tangible evidence? Can we not see that the eventual outcome of the referendum is already written in the stars?
So, if you are truly convinced that the outcome of this referendum will be the exact opposite of what I am asserting, then perhaps it would be most prudent for us to simply suspend this entire discussion and wait until December 1st?
If you find yourself in agreement with my perspective and the projections I have laid out before you, then perhaps we might find it worthwhile to proceed further with this discussion.
Perhaps it might seem somewhat foolish of me to be making such definitive assertions here before all the dust has even settled, but if one pauses to consider the sheer weight of the evidence, isn't the conclusion actually quite self-evident? When you look at the numbers, specifically those 750,000 signatures already collected from those who have pledged their support, does it not become increasingly apparent that such a significant margin would likely be more than sufficient to ensure the referendum passes?
But, I really must insist, if you find yourself disagreeing with my perspective, please, do stop me right here in your very next response; otherwise, we shall simply pick up this thread again on December 2nd.
To continue my previous line of reasoning—and I should clarify that I am presenting this as a contention rather than an absolute fact at this particular juncture—I have chosen to highlight this specific example. It feels particularly pertinent right now, and I happened to notice, quite by chance, a staggering disparity in the moderator votes. While I was already aware of the moderators' general stances, seeing the numbers laid out like this is striking. If this single instance doesn't suffice to prove my point, I shall certainly endeavor to pull more examples from the ether, but let us look at the data: out of your 183 administrative members, there are 24 moderator votes, with 21 casting a "No" vote. At the moment I was composing my initial post, that number sat at 18—meaning three more arrived while I was typing—leaving the alternative option with a mere two votes. This represents 13.1% of your moderator body. Is that not a perfectly sufficient sample size? We must remember that in America, many of the most significant polls are conducted using samples that represent less than 1% of the population. In fact, we have seen entire elections decided by a turnout of only 20% of the electorate. Does that not suggest that even a small slice of the pie can carry immense weight?
Furthermore, one must consider that the 13.1% of moderators who cast their votes represent precisely the demographic most invested in this subject matter; this group encompasses the moderators of the Politics section along with those overseeing the various other sub-forums most directly impacted by these developments. When I previously suggested a figure of 90%, was I not speaking specifically in relation to a particular sample size? Indeed, my estimation was predicated upon that specific subset—those individuals who actually hold a definitive stance on the issue and who perceive this question to be of fundamental importance.
Well, despite all that, I shall endeavor to unearth a few more examples for us to consider. But even before I go through the trouble of doing so—even without the need for this poll—I am already quite certain of what the majority of the moderators believe, simply by observing the general atmosphere of the forums and the nature of our ongoing communications. If you truly maintain that you are unaware of their position, then...
Are you being untruthful under point A, or am I perhaps misinterpreting the situation?
Regarding point B... have you perhaps neglected to read the forum?
I certainly do not wish to cast any aspersions upon your integrity or suggest that you are being untruthful, but one must wonder, is there truly a third option to be found here? It seems to me, quite simply, that such a path does not exist.
Now that I have concluded that point, I suppose I can move on to the next matter at hand. What I truly wish to emphasize here is the sheer scale of this platform; we are discussing the largest forum in all of America. If we were instead congregating on some obscure, niche LGBTQ+ blog, would it not be entirely expected if over ninety percent of the users there voted "no" during a national referendum? Of course it would. However, when dealing with what is ostensibly the premier American forum—one which, according to your own assertions, strives for a sense of objectivity—is it not only logical to pause and wonder why the vast majority of its contributors and moderators find themselves voting in direct opposition to the consensus of the American citizenry? If a forum truly aims to be an objective reflection of reality, should it not, at the very least, provide a reasonably faithful representation of the national mood? If the forum remains fundamentally disconnected from the public pulse, then it becomes irrelevant; and if it claims to be objective while remaining so detached, then the burden falls upon you to ask yourself why such a discrepancy exists. I shall, however, offer my own conclusions on the matter.
I suppose I shall begin my observations by addressing the moderators, before eventually turning my attention toward the forum members themselves.
If more than 90% of the moderators—and I am speaking here about a representative sample, including those who cast votes, those with firm convictions, and those who manage the essential documentation central to this entire debate—find themselves aligned on a single side, does one truly believe it is possible for them to steer the conversation toward an objective truth, regardless of how noble their intentions might be? It is a question that weighs heavily on my mind. If we were to gather twenty-five individuals in a room, and twenty-three of them held an identical viewpoint while only two stood apart, could that group of twenty-five ever truly grasp what is objectively real? Is objectivity even attainable when the scales are so fundamentally unbalanced?
We eventually arrive at your assertion—that you somehow remain unaware of your moderators' actual stances when you appoint them. I shall reiterate my previous point, for it is quite simply untrue; just because you have selected or confirmed certain individuals to hold moderator positions does not mean you are inherently ignorant of their activity on this forum, what they write, where they post, or the tone they adopt. Either you are confirming them without due diligence, or you truly do not know.
Even if we were to concede that you lack this knowledge—which, granted, might be considered trivial for many other subforums—do you not feel that in a space such as Politics, such information becomes paramount? Should one not consider these factors vital when selecting leadership for a political discussion board? Furthermore, would it not be a catastrophic failure if a forum dedicated to politics were governed exclusively by five staunch Marxists or, conversely, five far-right extremists?
At this juncture, I find myself turning my attention back to the users themselves. If this is meant to be the largest forum in America, and if its goal is to maintain objectivity, and if you claim that your moderators are indeed impartial, then why does the forum poll present such a starkly different reality from what we see here?
I shall offer you my own conclusion, though I invite you to provide an alternative should one exist. On any given forum, the community that gathers is precisely the type of crowd that the moderation allows to flourish; those who do not fit the mold simply migrate elsewhere. One sees this on sites like Reddit, where people are insulted, reviled, and harassed because there is no oversight to prevent it.
What we see here is a majority formed by the specific kind of support provided by the moderators. While we may not witness the overt terror that would immediately drive away anyone with a dissenting view, there is an indirect endorsement of a particular side. Logically, this leads to a situation where the favored faction becomes the dominant majority on the forum. Therefore, I submit that your moderators are not objective, nor is this forum being steered in an impartial direction.
@stormybadger8 - you will find the answers to your own inquiries within my post.
What absolute nonsense! You are claiming that the moderators lack objectivity simply because they do not vote in the exact manner you desire! Every individual possesses the right to their own opinion, and that includes the moderators. What you are attempting to propagate here is nothing more than narrow-mindedness. The issue of same-sex marriage is an exceptionally complex matter, and one cannot possibly accuse someone of being biased simply because they refuse to align with the homophobic undertones of certain initiatives.
William Bennett53 said:Just a bunch of jealous haters... 🤣🤣
Tempo, why don't you let rustycobra32 plant some white squash when they roll into town? And maybe give graniteharbor502 some almonds near rustydrifter10 as a little thank you for saving them from Jason Campbell70.
edit:
Actually, don't give anything to graniteharbor502. Let him just follow PhilipR5 into the canyon. 🤣
graniteharbor502 just loves a cheap thrill—gunfire and smoke. As for affairs and romances, I get plenty of those in my actual life. 🙂