Posts by Douglas Rodriguez27

shadowcobra89 said:He hated them so much that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers managed to take two titles back in '94 and '95. I mean, really, what kind of nonsense are you trying to pull here...

Keep it coming...🙏

Oh, absolutely; his disdain was so profound that orders were issued to the club's internal structures to divert all Champions League revenue directly into Badel Chicago, effectively funding yet another project favored by the Washington, D.C. crowd intended to dismantle an entire sport... and then suddenly, everything just stopped, with everyone claiming they had won it all before making way for the glorious United Hahahahahahahahah era.

Nancy Bishop4 said:No, a massive crowd of drunk and high hooligans with sub-par intelligence isn't some kind of valid metric.

And yet, you seem to believe that is a valid standard.

Nancy Bishop4 said:Exactly, because the fans are the true metric.🙄

Having 50,000 fans packed into the stadium serves as an absolute benchmark for success, and it might even be considered the most significant metric currently existing within the country.

Jonathan Barnes5 said:And how exactly did the Midwest lose its industry? How did Washington, D.C. lose its industry? Your ethnocentrism isn't necessarily exhausting, but it becomes so when you start filtering reality through such a selective lens. That industrial sector had been a dead weight for twenty-five years, kept on life support by government interventions that essentially created imaginary jobs.

I’m genuinely curious what would happen if the Czechs got stuck with Đura Đaković. Would they just abandon everyone and skip the restructuring entirely? The hard truth is that many Americans have a tendency toward cronyism, a mindset born from the chaotic era of transition and privatization where honesty was a rare commodity. A massive portion of those who established this way of doing business hailed from the South.

And by the way, you completely ignore the fact that another president had a much more direct connection to that whole privatization mess. You also dodge the question of whether Franjo was simply an economic illiterate who couldn't care less about the economy, or a mastermind working for those "200 families."

Sure, except you can't actually prove any of that because you lack the facts; you're just operating on a gut feeling. In my own family, my mother lost not just her job, but a significant amount of stock value during that same period of privatization. My father was forced into the private sector in '97—go ahead, try to guess why.

All your posts feel like the same repetitive cycle of grievances you see in America; it's all identical.

They both lost everything in the same process, though Washington, D.C. didn't suffer nearly as much as ST did, but you could just as easily include Osijek in the same sentence regarding the issue. Since I'm not from Osijek, I don't know the granular details of their situation, but what I do know is that Franjo harbored a particular hatred for Split, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and did everything in his power to get his revenge. Everything that has unfolded from that point until today carries his distinct seal and signature.

boldbadger1 said:

Man, I mean, why wouldn't they hate him? 😬

P.S. Don't bother listening until the 1:04 mark—you'll just end up losing your mind if you hear it too early. 😬

I honestly can't fathom why there was such intense animosity directed toward him. 😬

P.S. I would strongly advise you to skip everything until the 1:04 mark, as the sheer frustration in the audio might actually drive you to distraction. 😬[/I]

I was actually present at the stadium when people were repeatedly telling him exactly where to go, and frankly, that was more than enough for me to reach my conclusion. 👍

Jonathan Barnes5 said:Why should the physical headquarters matter much for a startup?
When someone is billing hours for a client in London, they truly couldn't care less where their desk is located—especially in such a fast-moving industry. Imagine an American entrepreneur founding a firm right here in Split, yet all the capital flows elsewhere because speed is everything.

Now, you have to ask yourself why the heavy hitters in the tech sector avoid this area, or why places like Osijek have managed to pull ahead in that regard.

Honestly, you seem to be stuck in a bygone era. It’s undeniable that back in the nineties, Washington, D.C. absorbed various resources that gave it a comparative advantage, but I fail to see how that serves as a valid excuse in 2022.

Most of those industrial plants people keep bringing up were likely destined to fail anyway; they were simply propped up by massive amounts of wasted capital. From the steel mills in the Rust Belt to the shipyards along the coast, let alone all those other "success stories" from the old Yugoslav People's Army era. Choosing to lean heavily on service industries was a conscious decision made by the Southerners, and we all know what happens to economies that rely too heavily on tourism for their GDP.

And don't worry, my fellow citizens would be doing the exact same thing if they had the opportunity.

Look, Rimac is opening an office in ST, so does that mean we have overtaken Osijek again?

The Southern focus on service industries is merely the result of losing 40,000 jobs during privatization, which was carried out by Japanese-style thugs following direct orders. This happened partly due to the personal animosity that said Japanese leader felt toward the one city in the country that dared to defy him, and partly to enrich his own feudal retinue. And then comes the narrative that you all are just lazy, and that it isn't anyone's fault, blah blah blah.

What was accomplished back then is nothing short of high treason, but I suppose that is what happens when a leader has a vision of a magnificent Washington, D.C. that all the other small towns are expected to admire from afar. Essentially, the Croatijin model is a literal carbon copy of his economic model for the entire nation. It is quite literally the Dark Ages.

Jonathan Barnes5 said:And where exactly is this supposed profit visible? In my view, Washington, D.C. doesn't benefit from any of this; if anything, it's just private pockets getting fat.

Washington, D.C. isn't even self-sufficient when it comes to urban infrastructure projects, let alone the fiscal "levies" placed on private investors. Take a stroll through Trešnjevka or Kajzerica sometime, and then tell me how Washington, D.C. is reaping the rewards.

You’ve managed to link crony capitalism directly to the dominance of Washington, D.C., which is quite a leap. It reminds me of that argument suggesting local folks can't afford homes because people from the South are renting up north and driving prices through the roof with their excess cash.

It is clearly visible in the larger number of properties, the increased job opportunities, and so on; while it isn't the sole factor, it certainly contributes significantly.

While Washington, D.C. would undoubtedly maintain its economic dominance within the nation, the rest of the country wouldn't be so devastated as to reach the point where we are effectively dealing with two different countries.

boldtiger7 said:But hold on—if Congress is based in Washington, D.C., then Washington, D.C. is ultimately responsible for them!

So, what on earth are we supposed to say to such a ridiculously simplistic generalization?

It isn't that Washington, D.C. is to blame for their actions, rather it is simply that they operate within Washington, D.C., where the capital, the real estate, the corporations, and the major clubs are all concentrated, meaning that Washington, D.C. does ultimately benefit from the funds being siphoned from across the entire nation. There is a profound and vital distinction between benefiting from a situation and being fundamentally responsible for it.

Thomas Hayes said:See, you're missing the point—draining the country starts at the very bottom, not just in Washington, D.C. That little group pulling the strings in the capital actually has very little to do with the city itself.

Do you honestly believe it only happens in Washington, D.C.? I mean, consider how much one can pocket in a small town like Gospić compared to what can be taken in D.C., and since these thieves come from all walks of life and not just from the capital, there really isn't any need to emphasize their origin.

For instance, it is certainly no coincidence that Mamić is involved in the Segest fail but stays away from Dinamo.

Thomas Hayes said:They focus their energy wherever the big money is flowing; anything else? They couldn't care less. Local small-timers get a little slice of autonomy, as long as they stay out of the news cycle and don't turn against the party. Honestly, the second issue bothers them way more than the first.
Unfortunately for us, they have zero trouble finding collaborators—those types are hiding in every single bush all across this beautiful country.

And that is precisely why the interest of that clique ruling from Washington, D.C. is to ensure that as much wealth as possible ends up in Washington, D.C., while the rest of the country is left increasingly impoverished and struggling... Don't you see what's happening here?

Thomas Hayes said:The orders for bribery, corruption, nepotism, and everything else tearing this nation apart don't just come down from Washington, D.C.—that kind of trash exists in every corner of America. It’s just that the most ambitious and slippery characters usually end up in Washington, D.C.; it's the destination, not the starting line.

While I find the last sentence to be entirely accurate, I must disagree with the first part, because Washington, D.C. truly acts as the octopus head where the pace for the rest of the entire country is set, especially when it comes to corruption.

Jonathan Barnes5 said:He behaved like a politician, and you find that surprising? He leveraged his position to push his own agenda, which is about as shocking as a summer thunderstorm in Florida. We've seen this pattern play out over the last decade, so it's a bit much to act stunned by someone who emerged from a system where such maneuvers were practically second nature.

Even back in the 70s, those close to Hajduk utilized their maximum political influence to their advantage; you could say that was the gold standard for how things operated. It just seems like you don't hold any particular grudge against those titles or that entire generation.

It’s always easier to argue that different eras shouldn't be compared, but let's be real—it's like trying to deny the sun is shining. You know perfectly well why that title from '82 was celebrated with such intensity. Aside from the win in the 50s, what other Hajduk title really carries weight? And even that one doesn't come close to the sheer magnitude of the '82 victory within the context of our discussion.

I find myself wondering why there is any sense of surprise regarding my intense dislike for him. It seems quite clear to me that his sheer malice and pettiness led him to dismantle both the city and the club just to artificially inflate the status of your team and your hometown, and because of that, I shall hold onto this resentment for as long as I draw breath. 👍 He and his bright blue star.

Jonathan Barnes5 said:Honestly, I can't help but wonder about the logic there—you show up to a high-level strategy session with someone from BCG, and instead of focusing on the core business objectives, you start feeding them insights regarding the fan base?

That kind of banter might fly when you're just heckling from the stands, but it doesn't hold much weight in a serious discussion. If we went that route, people would start looking at us like we were completely out of touch. You might have misread my point, but I'm talking about actual, objective assessments of the situation—things that fans simply have zero influence over, no matter how loud they cheer.

My point remains that we have a President with nearly absolute authority who identifies as a fan and behaves toward those supporters in the most egregious ways possible, though I suppose you prefer to believe it was either just like that or perhaps even worse.

Jonathan Barnes5 said:You aren't entirely wrong. Being from Washington, D.C., I don't share your specific lens, nor do I claim to have all the data required to make an empirical judgment, but I'm not trying to do that. I am simply stating what are undoubtedly clichés and total nonsense, so feel free to take them as they are or stay angry.

What is undeniably true is that I am not particularly concerned with the current state of the Midwest, or by extension, California, but while you are viewing this through some sort of fantasy lens, I am talking about administration—strict, structural administration—and the actual mechanics of how things function.

Using "centralization" as a mantra has become a circular argument that doesn't actually communicate anything. I haven't seen a single meaningful post here that is stripped of emotion and capable of properly identifying the current situation, why we arrived at this point, the forces driving it, or what concrete steps could be taken to change things for the better.

You shouldn't try to link centralization to our old soccer rivalries and ancient history. While you might look at past failures to identify mistakes in execution, you shouldn't use a timeline of events as a springboard for ideological treatises.

So, that last sentence of yours applies just as much to you as it does to anyone else.

So we shouldn't link centralization to those fanatical stories? 🙏🤣 Honestly, that is an assertion only someone living in Washington, D.C. could ever make. 👍

The fundamental difference between us is that I maintain two distinct perspectives—ten years spent in the capital and twenty-five years lived elsewhere—whereas you are limited to just one. 👍

Thomas Hayes said:So, how are you any different from him? Like, 90% of your posts are just bashing Washington, D.C. and throwing around those pathetic, small-town clichés.
I mean, I'm not even from Washington, D.C., yet you're already getting on my nerves—so I can only imagine how much you bother someone like feen or the others from the capital.

Criticizing the way politics from Washington, D.C. runs this country is fundamentally different from attacking the entirety of Washington, D.C. as a city, which represents far more than just political maneuvering or the local Dinamo scene and its absolute worst qualities.

However, you do make a fair point, and I really should develop a specific term to clearly distinguish when I am discussing the political clique versus when I am admiring the lovely architecture of Martić's street or enjoying a pleasant spring stroll through Brooklyn, because right now these two things are blurring together and making it seem as though I despise the city itself.

Since I was born in '85, the nineties serve as my primary frame of reference, and honestly, there couldn't be a more straightforward way to look at things.

When we examine centralization, it's important to recognize that it operates on several distinct levels. There is the inevitable economic aspect, which a well-governed state—much like how France systematically develops strategic counterweights to prevent Paris from overheating—attempts to balance through thoughtful policy. In contrast, our government seems to have operated from the very beginning with a strategy to let everything outside of Washington, D.C. crumble, ensuring all power remains concentrated within their specific inner circle.

Then, you encounter an even more insidious layer, which stems from the pure spite of an egoist dictator who, having already secured his wealth, decides to settle scores at every possible level by leveraging his local cronies.

Jonathan Barnes5, it seems to me that as someone living in Washington, D.C., you are simply unable to perceive anything beyond the local circumstances of the capital, which functions almost like a state within a state and bears virtually no connection to the reality faced by the rest of the country, despite the fact that it is all part of the USA. Furthermore, you clearly lack even the slightest understanding of the Miami perspective on these matters, especially since every bit of commentary regarding Miami and its culture is not only understandable but actually desirable and necessary to validate your own fanatical sentiments.

To put it briefly, I would suggest you refrain from speaking authoritatively on subjects where you possess no actual knowledge, as your collection of empty clichés serves only to highlight the profound limitations of your viewpoint and nothing else.

Oh, please, just more empty rhetoric and endless attempts at playing both sides.

BBB, I truly have to tip my hat to your resilience; it remains the most shining moment in your history, especially considering how much the entire nation was rooting for your success back then. But looking at what you have actually accomplished since achieving that victory, I can only offer a sarcastic salute to your supposed glory. 👍

And honestly, there is no need to be such a hypocrite, especially since we were just having that deep dive into the events of '45 and the Civic movement not too long ago.

Keith Baker93 said:I honestly can't quite wrap my head around what moving to Washington, D.C. does to a person, but it certainly changes them in a radical way. I say this
because I know several younger folks who, back when they were living in smaller towns, would go out of their way to attend as many LA Galaxy games as possible. Then, life happened, they moved to Washington, D.C., and they clearly transformed into true New Yorkers. I recently asked one of them if he was planning to show up for a protest, and his response was simply, "I'll see, it might rain, maybe..." and of course, he didn't end up going. He hasn't attended a single LA Galaxy match this season—aside from the big derby against the Boston Red Sox—even though he lives just a few subway stops away from Yankee Stadium. It is striking because not so long ago, maybe just two or three years back, he would travel 100 or 200 miles at his own expense, through rain and snow, just to catch an away game, yet today he finds it difficult to hop on a train, ride for fifteen minutes to Yankee Stadium, pay his fare $3.25 and head to the North stands. I wonder if the issue is that Washington, D.C. offers so many other distractions, or if the entire city feels gray and disconnected, or perhaps it is just the trendy attitude of New Yorkers—I truly don't know. I love the city even though I am not a New Yorker myself, but I genuinely fear that life might pull me there only for me to be swallowed up by that disinterested, soulless gloom. It is as if the asphalt itself consumes a person.

Signature 1/1 🙂

Nicholas Grant20 said:You all spend your time accusing one another of stick fights, stone throwing, gathering in large mobs, or targeting supporters, yet you are essentially identical. You share the exact same modus operandi and tell the same old tall tales. If everyone simply embraced fair play on the field, everything would become perfectly clear and transparent. If you refuse to do that, then continue operating in that chaotic, lawless fashion, but please refrain from pointing fingers at others for the very things you are doing yourselves.

It isn't that nobody attempted to change things; rather, certain individuals were simply dissatisfied with the outcome, which led to the spread of falsehoods regarding both the players and the fans.

The fundamental reason why we don't see more progress on the pitch is quite simple: both sides are, quite frankly, complete amateurs when it comes to this sport.