fortyearspickn

Schools have been de-funded? Not in this country. We only get to vote on Bond Proposals which- the school districts keep putting on the ballot until they pass. Proportionately, many of the people who vote for them do not actually PAY property taxes. And the schools the ISDs close? - are outdated structurally or in areas where the student population has dropped. More specific facts from people whose jobs are to track this stuff: They note, for example, State funding of schools is approximately 40% of their revenues. Federal government funding is another big chunk. So the local property tax is only a portion of the approximate $15K per year they spend on students today. AND - politicians focus on whichever one of the 3 sources they want to in order to scare us. Claiming 'State funding in these 4 states dropped.' or "Local school property taxes in my district are half of what they are in the richer districts." The total funding goes up as the other pieces of funding will take up any slack. From The Manhattan Institute - their July 2015 report on US Education - approx. 60 pages of eye opening stuff: U.S. per-pupil expenditures have nearly tripled over the past half-century, from $4,720 in 1966 to $13,847 in 2016 (2018 dollars). Likewise for complaints about “overcrowding”: data from School Planning & Management show that between 1995 and 2014, space increased by 30 square feet per high school student (a 20% increase), 45 square feet per middle school student (35%), and 80 square feet per elementary school student (74%). Although the Economic Policy Institute has claimed that teachers earn 21.4% less than similarly skilled and educated professionals,[19] Jason Richwine and Andrew Biggs have shown that the same methodology would find aerospace engineers “overpaid” by 38% and telemarketers “underpaid” by 26%.[20] A simpler way to assess teacher pay, they argue, is to see whether individuals gain or lose money when switching careers into or out of teaching. They find that transferring from the private sector into teaching is associated with an 8% salary increase, while leaving teaching for the private sector is associated with a 3% salary decrease.[21] So, in the 50 different states, and nearly 14 thousand school districts - our politicians can always find a statistic or trend to argue a point on either side of the issue. When a school cuts civics, they don't give back the money. The school isn't "De-funding" itself - it is taking the money and using it somewhere else. Of course, the parents and/or taxpayers don't get asked. Girls in our H.S. have to pay $Five Thousand! to participate in the cheerleader squad. If lucky enough to be picked. If that isn't a perfect example of the smoke and mirrors in our schools - and their lack of integrity when it comes to 'fairness' - I don't know what is. Single parent mothers can't afford it, But in a year or two - there will be an option for everyone to pay a little more to help out the disadvantaged girls. THEN - they will just add it to the school property tax as a required contribution. The main job of politicians is to increase revenues so they can use the money (our money) to purchase influence and votes.

There use to be - if your mortgage contract provided for it - but after we woke up - politicians were embarrased/forced to created a law prohibiting it. I did have to pay a penalty for paying off my new car early. The penalty involved - you get a $1000 cash back if you finance with Ford. BUT, if you pay it off before 6 months - you payback the $1,000. Impossible to stay one step ahead of the bloodsuckers.

SheepDog, funny you brought up Water Bills. This month, many here in San Antonio are up in arms because our billsreflect a new line item: "Uplift Fee" 1% added to your bill - no explanation. Our son called them and learned that the City Council approved the city owned water utility to charge everyone to cover the bills of those who cannot/will not pay. Salt in the wounds - half those paying are not in the 'city' and do not have a city council member to call to complain. So, in this small, anecdotal case - we get Taxation Without Representation giving us Socialism. Ironically, there had been a place you could 'add a dollar' to help pay those in need. Since that was not used - one could assume the citizens paying their bills did NOT want the City Council to over-rule them. That is a microcasm of what we see throughout the layers of taxes we are levied.

NhC - I guess we can at least agree that we disagree.

Yep. Maybe OP didn't come back for that reason. Embarrassed.

Our school tax potion of our property tax is about half. So, fire, police, city code inspectors and the city government all run at the same cost of just the schools. That’s carp. Suggesting that it’s ok because an educated voting citizenry will result in better government is also. Implement vouchers and put competition into the equation and see how fast the government monopoly implodes. If competency scores weren’t dropping, if , for example in Chicago, “16% of middle school students tested at or above the proficient level for reading, and 12% tested at or above that level for math.” I’d be happy paying. It’s not like we have dumber kids, or the schools have been “de-funded.

Almost as funny as the "Deleted Thread" thread.... I think my 'maturity' peaked in the last century !

Another distinction, the TVs don't come with electronics, in accordance with the TRUE Vintage concept. As far as group playing - mine certainly is not a 'banjo killer', and would not stand out in an Acoustic Jam, but that's because I prefer old strings. I guess because that's what I grew up with - cheap, Black Diamonds. But I appreciate the tone, over the volume, as noted, when noodling on the couch.

Echo Chamber Effect: OP alleges he has a cracked nut. Experience, knowledgeable people here, where he came for input suggest it us usually just a streak in the lacquer and ask for a photo. But, nothing heard back after his first, one and only post 3 days ago. In the meantime, other forum members take the ball and run with it and post the allegation of cracked nut QC problems in Bozeman on other threads as if it were confirmed. Social Media-itis.

On a serious note, or chord - to me, even worse than Glue Traps - the spring/coil leg traps used for cougar, wolf, and other mammals. I imagine, like that mouse, after a few days without water - they try to chew their leg off. I guess the fur trappers 200 years ago didn't have Game Wardens to worry about.

There are 4 on Reverb. One is a lefty and is $3750. The other 3 range from $4500 to $7k approximately. I've had an H'Bird TV for 9 years. Absolutely love it. Not loud, but louder than you'd expect. Seems to project the sound more than keeping it inside. Balanced tone. Gibson also made SJ200s and J45s in a TV mode, but it's the H'Birds we hear most about it seems. Sorry to hear you've not 'bonded' with your 185. As you've had H'Birds and are drawn back - you may expect one would be more 'comfortable' to play. G'Luck !

Rabs - thé piece is spectacular. It looks like what we call 'flame' usually on maple. But this takes it to a whole new level. Finished guitar should bee hanging in an art museum, not a guitarists 'music room' !!!

I ruined a good strap trying to make the hole bigger for the Acoustic Output posing as an endpin. Problem is the output jack is a different shape - at least the ones I've got. Shaped like a straight sided can, with a narrow slot around the circumference - that is too narrow for leather to fit into. An actual endpin has a generous curve with a bulbous top end so leather of all size thicknesses will stay put. I've never tried a strap lock, mostly because I'm naturally suspicious of the description. I found paracord fits perfectly in the slot on the metal jack, so tie it on with a hangman's noose type knot and tie the bitter end to the hole in the leather tab at the end of the strap. Never had an issue.

Yep, between my playing and my singing ... I expect I'd be escorted to the State Line.

Sheepdog, the quarter of a million who die annually due to medical malpractice - sounds outrageous. And probably right. I remember 25? years ago - doctors in California went on strike. And the death rate in hospitals went down significantly. I doubt anyone here doesn't have at least one bad experience with hospitals, doctors and nursing. Unfortunately, we have no choice. Fortunately, the care givers get it right most of the time. With our extended family - we're batting around 95%, with no major issues.

I plug my extension cord into my neighbors outside electric outlet when they are gone. Usually they get "Six months and time served."

Sheepdog seemed to say it best. I'm guessing there are more of the 'Studio' etc. versions for sale because they are purchased by folks who aren't as 'committed' as those who get a J45. For me, with an H'bird and an SJ200 hanging next to it - I grab my J45 90% of the time. The one I'd grab if the house were afire, last one to sell if I needed the $, etc. Sound, tone, comfort, looks, it checks all the boxes. Other long standing iconic models are certainly close in desirability but I can only sum it up in one word for me - 'bonding'. Another aspect - when you see performers with acoustics, based on my unscientific observations - the J45 is the one you see most often. So it creates a subliminal message. Yeah, you see a lot of DIFFERENT Gibson, Martin and Taylor models, Garth plays a Takemine. George Strait a Guild, etc. but the one model most often seen - seems to be the J45. Maybe in part because it's hailed as the 'Singer Songwriter" guitar. Ironically, since there is an actual Gibson model with that name! PS... PD, I'd widen your search criteria and consider Custom Shop J45s, if the tone wood and the glitziness don't offend. Mine has an ebony f/b and koa - which isn't too far removed from mahogany tone wise, according to some. And of course - it's not until you've decided on purchasing and are actively looking for something specific that seemed to be everywhere - that you find out how few there actually are available.

I thought the solar panels were primarily recommended for Electric Airplanes.

Maybe it was a new floor in a 100 year old saloon. I could seen them doing that to the bar top too - otherwise the drunks would be asking for coasters, and asking if they had to take their shoes off at the front door.

Also as a Secret Ingredient to chili. Instead of water. Or watery tomato sauce.

I'm beside myself in embarrassment.

Let's start an Obituary Sub-Forum.

No, not in a couple of years. I would not expect they have much of interest. They had only 2 or 3 Gibson Acoustics the times I went in. Not much in terms of 'high end' stuff. I'd guess half the floor stock that GC has. Prices might be better - and if you're potentially open to all types and brands - they may have gotten stock from their warehouses. But, if I were me, even living only 10 miles away - I wouldn't bother.

Grin and bare it !