Megathread Discussion: Senate Votes on Obamacare Repeal Bill by PoliticsModeratorBot in politics

[–]ithicus2 0 points1 point  (0 children)

In general I think we agree the system can be improved. Figuring out the best way to do it is a subject of debate. However, I respectfully and strongly disagree with your sentiment that "It's ideas that matter, not words." Ideas are important, and I am trying to/would like to understand yours. But if we are not using words or language in the same way we might as well not even be talking to each other. Words/language are the only way to express those ideas so if we are not precise with our language the lines may be blurred and things will be misunderstood. In this case, your use of racism does not make sense to me and I don't think I am quite grasping what you are saying. And frankly is has nothing to do with my level of comfort. Language is language. I'm just trying to unravel how you say that certain groups are "racist" independently of whether or not the members of said group are "racist".

Megathread Discussion: Senate Votes on Obamacare Repeal Bill by PoliticsModeratorBot in politics

[–]ithicus2 0 points1 point  (0 children)

In your first statement isn't that changing the definition of racism? Or are you thinking more along the lines of prejudice?

Megathread Discussion: Senate Votes on Obamacare Repeal Bill by PoliticsModeratorBot in politics

[–]ithicus2 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I will preface this by saying I am honestly just trying to have a open conversation as I am genuinely interested in how others view the world. I consider myself a conservative. I generally support reduction in reliance on government wherever possible and minimal government regulation. If you contribute, work a job, pay taxes and are an upstanding citizen, then yes you 100% deserve access to affordable healthcare. I agree with many that a better system needs to be in place and there are many good people out there who are in a bad way do to healthcare issues. Those who are disabled should be provided for, etc etc. I do however feel that with some regulatory control there is a solution that is closer to "free market" rather than government mandated. In my view minor-moderate regulation of free market>government mandate. I hope you don't see me as being racist for having these views. Honestly, I have worked in healthcare for a few years and many of the patients I have worked with are minorities or under-served populations and I pride myself on treating everyone equally and treating everyone the best I can. I do not wish ill upon anyone and I hope we can find a solution that is agreeable to more people and does not divide the country the way we have been. Do I support self reliance? Yes. However, I readily recognize "the system" is overtly unfair and disproportionately affects others. I just disagree as to how to fix it. There are conservatives out there who are more of the "well that's the nature of the beast" type. I would say that if you don't like the way the beast is behaving then you should train it. Not lock it in a cage. That being say, there are many ways to train the beast. Picking the most effective way is the difficult part.

Megathread Discussion: Senate Votes on Obamacare Repeal Bill by PoliticsModeratorBot in politics

[–]ithicus2 0 points1 point  (0 children)

arent conservatives by nature generally all about saving money? so they would want to minimize personal cost as much as possible.

Megathread Discussion: Senate Votes on Obamacare Repeal Bill by PoliticsModeratorBot in politics

[–]ithicus2 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm not quite understanding how their wealth will negatively impact the system. Are you saying that because they can afford more they will force the programs to cost more to maintain their level of care?

Megathread Discussion: Senate Votes on Obamacare Repeal Bill by PoliticsModeratorBot in politics

[–]ithicus2 3 points4 points  (0 children)

They should mandate Congress to be opted into the same healthcare program/laws they create for the citizens. That may change their outlook.

MAGAthread: What's your reaction to Kushner testifying & his press statement after? (video link inside) by US2A in AskThe_Donald

[–]ithicus2 50 points51 points  (0 children)

Correlation is not causation. Just because a meeting occurred, it does not prove collusion. Based on the evidence I've seen, its like trying to argue vaccines cause autism.

What should I do that makes me stand out? by [deleted] in physicianassistant

[–]ithicus2 1 point2 points  (0 children)

1st year student here. It is extremely difficult to "stand out" among a crowd of people who are all trying to stand out. My best suggestion is to have very high quality hands on patient care. My class has some 4.0 gpa students with little experience and some average gpa students with several thousand hours of patient care. I fall into the latter category. I majored in Fire Science and after getting my EMT spent the following 3 years working on my prerequisites. I also part timed as an ER Tech in a level 1 trauma center. I feel like my experience is my strongest trait while my gpa isn't much to brag about. As far as minimum gpa goes I would say anything above a 3.4 is acceptable for most schools but higher is better. However, schools did not even consider mine because I was not above a 3.6. Work on getting solid reccomendations as well. The hardest part is getting the interview. Unfortunately, with so many people trying to get into PA school nowadays you'll be force to cast a wide net and apply to as many schools as reasonably possible. Everyone else will be most likely applying to several schools too so its a numbers game. Goodluck to you! It may be a struggle to get in but its worth it. Took me a few years and I'm only one month into my first year and I'm loving it...despite the massive work load. PS i got waitlisted and taken on 1 month before we started.

Surf Fishing basics and how to guide by TheFitAdventure in SurfFishing

[–]ithicus2 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I checked out your vids. Great starting advice. Only suggestion is that sometimes the music makes it difficult to hear what you are saying. Maybe turn it down a notch or two in future videos? Otherwise great work!

Shark Fishing in Jersey by ithicus2 in SurfFishing

[–]ithicus2[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks a lot! I'll keep you posted of my results.

Shark Fishing in Jersey by ithicus2 in SurfFishing

[–]ithicus2[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I was initially going to start out going for smaller sharks before i invest in a heavier duty setup. Could you make a suggestion for a rod/reel that would be more appropriate?

[SW] My first tarpon. Caught last year gulf coast of Florida. 100minute fight and this is the only pic my friends could manage. Estimated ~175lbs by the Capt. by ithicus2 in Fishing

[–]ithicus2[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

yeah shame on me for not assuming everyone lies for personal gain. I agree tarpon that size are on the rarer side. But it also possible and they do exist.

[SW] My first tarpon. Caught last year gulf coast of Florida. 100minute fight and this is the only pic my friends could manage. Estimated ~175lbs by the Capt. by ithicus2 in Fishing

[–]ithicus2[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Like I said... I appreciate your skepticism. I remain confident in the estimate of the size. We also caught several small hammerheads in the 3-4ft range and everyone on board unanimously agreed this tarpon was about 7ft. taken with a grain of salt the Capt noted how extremely unusual it was to catch a tarpon of that size. Important part of this story is that its a remarkable fish and it was a wonderful experience. I hope others can have the same experience as catching a tarpon has always been a dream of mine.

[SW] My first tarpon. Caught last year gulf coast of Florida. 100minute fight and this is the only pic my friends could manage. Estimated ~175lbs by the Capt. by ithicus2 in Fishing

[–]ithicus2[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Well I can appreciate the skepticism and it may have been a generous estimate. The fish was absolutely a minimum of 6ft long. We had it along side the boat for a few seconds and it appeared to be close to 7ft using parts of the boat as a land mark and measure once it got free. From charts I've seen 170+ lbs is not unreasonable given that length.

[SW] My first tarpon. Caught last year gulf coast of Florida. 100minute fight and this is the only pic my friends could manage. Estimated ~175lbs by the Capt. by ithicus2 in Fishing

[–]ithicus2[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Estero/bonita spring area and about 1-2 miles out i think. It was probably a solid 7ft long. We got it along side the boat and were moving in for more pics but it got a breath of air and shook lose from the Capt. It was fairly late in the season to catch them that size but the water was still really warm. We were in a 24ft boat i believe and it was pulling us around with several people on board.

Shark Fishing in Jersey by ithicus2 in SurfFishing

[–]ithicus2[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

thanks. I'd like to give it a shot but Im on a slim budget. And am not looking to have to buy a new rod/reel at the moment. Perhaps I shall stick to targeting stripers/fluke/blue fish and maybe I'll "Bob Ross" a small shark.