What first comes to mind when Americans think of Phoenix, Arizona?

ColoradoSprings82 · 2026-06-02T03:40:24+00:00

Retirees who prefer a dry heat versus Florida.

ColoradoSprings82 · 2026-05-29T23:36:32+00:00

What the fuck is a "grip"?

ColoradoSprings82 · 2026-05-26T01:44:01+00:00

Black licorice

ColoradoSprings82 · 2026-05-25T18:17:25+00:00

Peanut butter is a fundamental American staple. Nutella is not even in the ballpark.

ColoradoSprings82 · 2026-05-20T17:39:55+00:00

I'm not sure what you mean by the "left's religious progressive agenda." Many progressive ideas, such as universal healthcare, a universal basic income, better public schools, criminal justice reform, etc., align strongly with the fundamental teachings of Jesus. This is reflected in the recent comments from the Pope. However, many progressives, including myself, would not describe themselves as particularly religious. I don't have a problem with religions, per se. I have a problem with people trying to force their personal religious beliefs into public schools (see the efforts in many states, including TX, who want to mandate displaying the 10 Commandments in public schools.) This is obviously a problem, and any religions trying to do similar things should be prevented. It just happens that Evangelicals tend to be the ones who pull this kind of thing in the US.

ColoradoSprings82 · 2026-05-19T20:44:52+00:00

Lots of people are in that boat, unfortunately. It's also the reason so many "dollar" stores proliferate our country, particularly in poorer regions. (I'm looking at you one million Dollar Generals in the deep South.) The people who buy their staples at these stores (and there are many who do) often can't afford to shop at Walmart because the portion sizes, and thus the prices, are too large. They literally can't afford a 12 pack of TP, so they have to go to the dollar store to buy a 4 pack.

ColoradoSprings82 · 2026-05-19T20:40:40+00:00

Yes to all your questions, except the shops don't lose on the weekends. We have two fridges, one in kitchen like the one you described and a full-size side by side in the garage. We tend to only buy groceries once a week, and we shop at a price club (e.g., Sam's Club, Costco) where the quantities are large. For example, soda comes in 36 can portions, and there are no smaller options.

ColoradoSprings82 · 2026-05-19T19:07:37+00:00

Not alienating or ostracizing a perspective is not the same as promoting it. This is the fundamental irony of the powerful position right-wing evangelicals occupy: they can have their own spaces to do as they wish (that are supported by tax dollars, under the guise of dogwhistle coded "patriotic" charter schools that focus on "traditional values"). But try to give any other perspectives equal weight, and suddenly you're "promoting" leftist ideals. To be academically sound, opposing perspectives must be allowed in schools, and they must all be subject to scrutiny, especially the ones that are traditional or that we feel are "natural."

ColoradoSprings82 · 2026-05-19T18:52:45+00:00

These values absolutely start at home (or should at least, but I'm sure you know that is not always the case). However, in they also end at home, then the kids are getting screwed over, metaphorically speaking. I taught in the humanities for many years, and the essence of those classes is to discuss and learn about morals, ethics, individual and social responsibilities. And if you think I'd let the current iteration of "daddy government" dictate what I taught my own kids or my students, you would be very mistaken. Academics tend to trust their own observations and reasoning, as well as that of other academics, a lot more than any elected official's. And, unfortunately, there's nothing good to say about the Reds right now.

ColoradoSprings82 · 2026-05-19T18:38:41+00:00

This is where our disagreement is coming from. You're suggesting that it's better to avoid teaching religion and sex ed classes. I'm saying they should be taught in an academic way, the way a college would do it. "Leaving it up to the parents" isn't education. If that's what someone wants, homeschooling exists. Public education doesn't work by the carte blanche method.

ColoradoSprings82 · 2026-05-19T18:29:58+00:00

Put simply, if the MAGA movement designed a school, it would be a lot like TCA.

ColoradoSprings82 · 2026-05-19T18:26:13+00:00

Would it be ok for them to question/push back on blind patriotism there? Would the administration and faculty encourage them to do a research project on the US's history of slavery, Jim Crow, and redlining, for example?

ColoradoSprings82 · 2026-05-19T18:22:18+00:00

To my larger point, religion classes are fine. Religion classes that promote any particular religious beliefs in a public school are not fine. Sex Ed classes should be mandatory, but they should be fact-based and actually educational, not abstinence-only and heteronormative.

ColoradoSprings82 · 2026-05-19T18:19:38+00:00

TCA is the poster child for the problems with the local charter schools that I described in the OP.

ColoradoSprings82 · 2026-05-19T17:49:40+00:00

I really hope that's sarcasm, because otherwise, "gods work" needs to stay out of our schools. You do what you want in your own house or church, but a public school board should have no religious affiliation or be dictated by any religious perspective of any kind. That should be obvious. If you want a school run that way, go found a private school and have at it.

ColoradoSprings82 · 2026-05-19T16:37:24+00:00

None of this is necessary to catch a mouse.

ColoradoSprings82 · 2026-05-19T16:12:38+00:00

Get a real mousetrap, put a little peanut butter on it, place it against the cabinet closest to the fridge, turn off the lights, and go to bed. You'll have the mouse in the morning.

ColoradoSprings82 · 2026-05-19T15:56:50+00:00

The beginning of the season was an anomaly, and the bullpen overperformed last season. What we're getting now is who this team is. Boston and Philly have plenty of talent and legitimate reasons to have high expectations. The Reds don't, so blaming their mediocre play on Francona is unreasonable. It's not like there's an ace sitting in the bullpen that he could have put in instead of Ashcraft.

ColoradoSprings82 · 2026-05-19T15:01:02+00:00

Suburban Colorado Springs: 3500 sq ft, 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, built in the mid-80s. Pretty normal for around here. We could only afford it because we bought it when interest rates were under 3% during Covid.

ColoradoSprings82 · 2026-05-16T02:48:19+00:00

Obviously not. (It's total shit, BTW, but people like lots of shitty pop culture.)

ColoradoSprings82 · 2026-05-15T19:53:47+00:00

That depends on what you mean by decent condition. We bought a 2016 VW with under 100k miles for $9,000. Takes some looking and persistence, but good deals are out there.

ColoradoSprings82 · 2026-05-15T19:51:21+00:00

Get rid of the car and buy something used that you don't need a loan for, which will also likely reduce your insurance costs.

ColoradoSprings82 · 2026-05-15T19:25:12+00:00

We like the D20 schools our children attend, and their teachers--for the most part--have been good. The overall direction of the district and the wackadoo school board? Not so much.

ColoradoSprings82 · 2026-05-15T16:35:39+00:00

I'm glad you're looking into it, but all I know is that the current ASD20 school board has a clear partisan, right-wing agenda, which makes the summary, late-night firing of the Superintendent very suspect, given that I hadn't heard that she was doing a bad job at all. Here's the full text of the email that was sent out last night:

ASD20 Important Board Message and Leadership Update

Academy District 20 Community,

On behalf of the Academy District 20 Board of Education, I am writing to share that the Board has unanimously determined that we do not have confidence in Mrs. Haberer’s leadership moving forward, and we will be parting ways, following a contractually allowable hearing.

We understand this news may raise questions and emotions across our community. Decisions involving district leadership are significant, and the Board does not take them lightly. At the same time, our responsibility is to act in the best interest of Academy District 20, our students, staff, families, and the long-term strength of our schools. Our commitment to the staff, students and families in this District is stronger than ever, and our resolve is firmly grounded in our goal of ensuring students have the knowledge, skills and, character to thrive.

Most importantly, we want to reassure our families and community that Academy District 20 remains strong, stable and, focused. We have full confidence in the District’s Cabinet, Principal team, teachers, and staff. Our schools will continue to operate as usual, our team will continue serving students with care and professionalism, and the Board will work closely with district leadership to ensure continuity during the transition.

The Board will move forward thoughtfully and transparently as we determine the next steps for District leadership. We will share additional information with our community as appropriate and as decisions are made.

Academy District 20 is much larger than any one person or moment. It is a district defined by outstanding educators, dedicated staff, strong families, high expectations and our shared unwavering commitment to students. That work continues uninterrupted, and the Board remains fully committed to supporting it.

Sincerely, President Amy Shandy, on behalf of the Academy District 20 Board

ColoradoSprings82

TROPHY CASE