IronTiger

@ Bryan, Crunch: Well, I wasn't really trying to successfully argue a case, I just kind of wanted to learn about it. I did post something like this, but this topic for me isn't really an entertainment and recreation source, it's rather an educational experience. Sorta.

On HAIF (and practically everywhere else), a good (if not the majority) part of the people always gripe about what Bush did or didn't do and what Obama is doing to repair it. Being conservative, part of me wants to dismiss it as just whiny liberal rumblings, as do many other conservatives. However, knowing many liberals are intelligent, thoughtful people, there must be a reason behind all that hate. So, this is kind of an "open topic": where you tell what you think Bush did wrong. No debating. Knowing the can of worms I'm about to open, I'd request everyone follow these rules: - no personal attacks on Bush (includes deliberate misspellings, violence, name-calling, the like) or the rest of the administration - no blanket accusations ("He started a war with Country X", "He screwed up the economy", etc.) - no conspiracy theories ("The administration knew about September 11th beforehand") - no outright lies - no off-site links Why am I doing this? It's because I want to learn about the reasons behind people's actions, and in the words of About This Particular Macintosh's R.D. Novo: "Being an informed person, whetheryou're buying a computer or discussing the new blue M&M, is never a bad sort of person to be."

Because when I first noticed it there was nothing. I only recently found the Street View and did not really pay attention to it. I think it closed around 2008. My initial mistake was thinking that the BCF and the old Kroger were in the same plaza.

Well, I was mostly referring to the Fairbanks Plaza's sign above the Kroger sign. See, I thought that since there was no "labelscar" and that the "Fairbanks Plaza" sign seemed to be squeezed into what looked like an H-E-B sign, I wrongfully assumed that the H-E-B had gone O.O.B. and that a cheap remodel was done by writing "Fairbanks Plaza" into what said H-E-B and painting it beige. But you're right. I'm wrong.

Hmm... On it being harmful Unlike cigarettes, which can cause harm to others, soda only causes harm to oneself. And unlike cigarettes, sodas are not necessarily addictive or universally unhealthy. Comparing it with alcohol Alcohol is taxed significantly higher than soft drinks. I'm not endorsing or rejecting the idea (alcohol is a regressive tax in many ways) but let's face it, alcohol causes problems. If we taxed sodas up to alcohol, people would choose alcohol, which, unfortunately, does cause problems--science has proven that more violence does occur near liquor stores and bars--and if we got rid of the tax on alcohol, the poor who are already addicted to alcohol would buy more thus staying poor. But that's another argument in itself. But would you do it? The basis argument for all taxes is "would you be willing to pay it?". It's easy to create taxes for other people. I don't drink alcohol (regularly) or smoke. Therefore, it would be unfair for me to decide if those items were to be taxed higher. Interesting how the biggest pro-soda tax people on here do not enjoy soft drinks. More arguments I want to address - Don't delude yourself into thinking the "government knows best". No one says that unless the political party of their choice is in office or they're in a dictatorship that has brainwashed their followers. - Yes, alcohol is healthier than soda in only certain cases! A glass of red wine is quite healthy, but don't gorge yourself on cheap beer. Similarly, a Dr Pepper is a refreshing pick-me-up, several cans is just plain gross.

Turns out I was kind of wrong. The center with Burlington Coat Factory is NOT the same one I was thinking of. While the BCF center is interesting (the Fallas Discount Store is an old Toys R Us), Fairbanks Plaza is further north and has King Dollar. But based on the fact that "Fairbanks Plaza" is in a certain quasi-oval shape I can conclude with near certainty the real mysterious vacancy was H-E-B.

Typically for the abandoned vs. disused, I go for the "is it connected to the tracks" and "is there some obvious impediment?", For example, in Riverside Campus, the tracks are clearly disconnected. The kreosote plant in Conroe is connected with intact signage but disappears after the road. Otherwise it can still be used.

I meant in the "Construction, Home Repair and Improvement" forum.

Somewhere I read about a Disney "space park" to be built in the 1960s or 1970s to be built in Houston. But that was 1960s or 1970s. Wait, what? It's totally false. Why you are posting this here?

But even if they do jack it up a whole story, that would mean the kitchen would be on the upper level, and no one likes carrying groceries up there, right?

You're right. I was being a bit too silly there. Note to self: Don't post on HAIF after consuming substantial amounts of Sunny D.

It was at HAIF where I heard first about the miracles of the past: specifically Gatorade and Dr Pepper chewing gum. I want to make it. All I would need to boil the stuff to get the syrup and add water and gum base. Sadly, gum base is largely is a mystery and I'm not eager to import a bulk amount from an overseas corporation. Any advice?

Have any of you seen the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library? It's certainly more eye-catching than any other I've seen. To go visit, go northwest on 290, exit at 6, and then exit at 2818/Emerald Parkway. It will be on your right. * ADVERTISEMENT * AND while you're there, see the Wal-Mart under renovation AND the new overpass they're building! All on FM 2818! * ADVERTISEMENT *

Am I going insane or has this thread been truncated? ANYWAY: Retaining walls on east side are growing. The mold is still on the West to South exit The frontage road is slowly starting to take shape South Wellborn is definitely looking better Part of Wellborn Rd. south of the area is striped.

I like subterranean pedestrian tunnels. I like subways. Whoever said we can't have both?

Actually, I do know who said it: a friend of a friend on Facebook.

Found a great quote on Facebook, though I can't really identify the source: "These are the kind of people who would eat a baby." (on drivers who cut in at I-610/59 interchange)

I think it would be cool if it was below-ground. Less above-ground demolition, that's for sure... On the flip side, I watched an Extreme Engineering episode on the Big Dig, in which it ran hopelessly overbudget.

So is it network-wide Fox, or just the local segment? There is a huge difference between the local segment and the national news. I watch CBS every night, but it's always Bob French reporting the weather, not some upper-state Big Media zombie.

I wouldn't be surprised if the steel structure starts to come up before the end of the year. Wal-Marts go up surprisingly fast. In Kansas City, they demolished a nearly 50-year-old mall, with demolition ending in early 2006, and running by January 2007. Given that a good amount of work has already been done (all they really need to "demolish" now is a wall), it's not at all surprising that it will be completed by April. Full speed ahead! Coo-coo-kachoo!

The concrete "edge" for the retaining walls on the west side are complete! The east side retaining wall is starting. One of the "cowboy" plates are put in. What I'm worried about is that they'll have to close the existing part of Wellborn Road to complete the retaining wall. While they already to have a right-turn yield lane from Wellborn to 2818 (west bound), it's way too close to the railroad for comfort. The left hand turn is already long as it is! I'd hate having to be held up turning from Jones-Butler to 2818 due a long LHTL. Unless they complete Holleman. From the plan, it looks a gentle curve, which would put it between Quail Run and Jones-Butler, roughly across from the water plant. If they connected it to Quail Run directly, they could eliminate the people turning right from Quail Run to Dowling then turning LEFT on Holleman.

Yes, but I was thinking along the lines of the northern part of the DART (suburban, Plano area). The set-up is distinctly different in the suburbs as opposed to downtown, even though it is the same line. It also doesn't hurt that their ROW is on an old R.R. line. But because Houston has a lack of conveniently-located ROWs, the only way I can actually see something like that working is the MKT line between 610 and downtown, but the train runs through a lot of residential area. The residents would really hate it.

I've been thinking about this, but would I be brash to suggest that most of Montrose's residents are yuppies? I could certainly offer a few facts to back this claim up: it's an urban area, it has the types of places that they would typically go to (Whole Foods, independent coffee shops), tend to be politically liberal, and so on. What do you think? Am I right or so hopelessly off the mark that you'd flame me for suggesting such a thing?

Actually, a LOT of oil is in these sand dunes in Alberta, but the cost will be astronomical. Supply and demand curves, remember? Still, I get your point. Could we build heavy-rail-type LRT (less stations, crossings like a traditional railroad) to the northwest?

Seems that the biggest hole has been filled in, and now there's a smaller hole in front of the old "front of the store road". The Garden Center has been truncated and no longer has an exterior exit. Some large metal structures are in the parking lot that look like they might become the ceiling. I imagine that the eastern wall will be obliterated when the Subway and customer service area move or close. They show no sign of closing yet, but I wouldn't be surprised if the wall comes down by the end of November.