If the Packers LOSE this week, should Ted Thompson be fired?

I say YES.

Amazing. I watch the game at my local bar. Afterwards, I shake hands with a guy wearing a Packer shirt. After a couple of pleasantries, he utters "they fired the wrong guy when the let go of Sherman". Yes this was Sunday. After futher debate he admits he's really a BF fan and wants the Vikings to win the Superbowl. I refrained from asking him to remove the shirt.

The horse is not quite dead. It needs another beating.

Somewhere, the underside of a bridge is lonely.

That website is an epic fail.

Two items have amused me during the escalating rhetoric associated with TT:

1) Most articles referencing the inner circle of NFL talent evaluators and draftniks all praise TT and his relative staff for their ability to evaluate talent and their 'hit' rate compared to the majority of GM's from competing teams around the league.

I defer to authority, I don't watch collegiate and NFL coaches tape to confirm this.

2) So many casual fans bemoan the fact that the Packers need to 'open up the check-book' and 'bring in more free agents'.

You immediately get a chorus of crickets when you ask, 'who' and 'how do they fit the respective offensive/defensive philosophy? (see Chris Canty, Albert Haynsworth).

I would love to see him bring in another draft class comparable to the one we see playing this year.

Hindsight is 20/20 (not that I would like Ted Thompson fired, just pointing it out)

lets just be clear...pack66 is the same person as in "turd from minn" and his obvious alter ego "tim" from firetedthompsonnow.com...

Now, now Alfred. There are sure to be more than 1 moron claiming to be a Packer fan who really celebrate when they lose. I work with at least one who will always hate TT, no matter how good the Packers do. It's what happens when people forget that they are a fan of the team and start thinking that they are fans of individual players. It's sad more than anything. They don't have the ability to sit back and enjoy a season.

Pack66 is a Brent-homer, so nothing he says can be taken seriously. The website you mention, Aaron, is just what a bunch of Brent ball-washers need to vent their spleens since their dream-man was "driven away" (LOL) by Thompson.
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I have problems with Thompson and McCarthy. I'd like to see more aggressive moves to strengthen parts of our roster during the off-season. I'd like to see McCarthy take less time to realize what doesn't work given the personnel he has. I'd like to see Campen and Slocum gone after this season and quality coaches replacing them.

I am sorry to report that it is not up to Pack66 or any other fan to mandate how a professional football team runs it's business. If you don't like it, don't watch, don't buy tickets or memorabilia, and for Heaven's sake, leave the people alone who do not agree with your position.
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Step back for a moment and think about this: What if the Packers win it all? You'll be sitting there pouting. Really...think about how stupid that would be.

I find it absolutely hilarious that you ridicule Tim for not giving his last name, then Pack66 posts without even giving his first name. Here, Pack66, I'll help you become a non-anonymous loser. I'll demonstrate what it takes. My name is Jayme Merline, I live in Wausau, WI. I am a graduate of the University of Wisconsin in Green Bay (Go Phoenix!) I grew up in Oconto, Wisconsin and post all around the internet either just using my first name, my first and last name, or my screen name jayme0227. I never post anonymously (intentionally, anyway) and always take credit/responsibility for the things I have said.

Now it's your turn. Who are you and how did you arrive at the alter of Favre?

PS. As far as I can tell, I have not released any information that is not publicly available about myself. Please don't try to use the identify theft excuse for hiding your identity. Be a man.

Lets see how many of the guys working for Ted get jobs as GMs this offseason. 1.5 on the over/under?

I re-read some of my e-mails to friends and family at the height of the "Brat v. TT" controversy. They got even worse when we lost to the queens in MN. Yet, I can say I can't stand Beck or Limbaugh. My hater gene must be corrupted somehow. Ted made the right decision...go Pack!!!

hoodriver_kev - I'd be interested to see whether there is a correlation between people who follow the conservative talk show hosts like rush and beck, and the people who are ardent Farvites.

I'm interested to see whether the willingness to blindly follow a demagogue goes across all spectra or whether people are only susceptible to specific demagogues.

Well Jayme, let me complicate things - I am a republican who thinks Glenn Beck is as big a douchebag as Favre. Wait, I'm in the wrong party to be hating on demagogues. I'm so confused. Maybe I need to start a 4th party - the Packer Party, yeah, that's the ticket

Jayme: actually it was Ari Fleischer who assisted the Packers during the Favre debacle which proves that conservatives hate Favre and pinko lefties love Favre.

i just hate brett favre, that's all.

I was a follower of that blog. Still not a big fan of Ted or Mike, but they are putting together a good thing and that makes me happy. It wasn't a bad site, there are people on both sides of the fence and there were people who gave some spirited comments. "Tiny Tim" was one guy who went after "Tim" constantly and was enjoyable. That is a guy who should start a blog of his own. There were your idiots, people who were Favre lovers and such, but isn't that what makes these web sites fun?

I'm a Republican and hate Brett Favre.

But I'd rather talk to a Democratic Packers fan than a Right-Wing Vikings fan any day of the week.

Pack 34, Cards 17

(If Charles Woodson ever runs for office, I'm voting for him. Even if turns out that his political beliefs make Nancy Pelosi look like Dubya.)

I'm in the middle somewhere. I believe we're all intelligent enough to come up with our own conclusions. We don't need to get brain washed or snowballed by the left or right snewz continuously or have reverse psychology tactics to pass laws we never before wanted. Once the FOX and CNN drones start telling me what they've done to fix the problems they constantly preach I'll listen more closely. Otherwise any tattle tailing 10 year old can do there jobs. Oh, And Favre is a douchebag.

True. Thompson is a good GM, but I'm just sayin that this site hasn't always been the biggest Thompson fan either. Just sayin...

That quote made me laugh so hard. At the same time, it made me sad at the fact that people who talk like that are associated with us TRUE fans. (Pack66, that means YOU!)

In reference to the Packers/TT vs. Brent Farth drama, I've noticed a definite correlation between business owners and siding with the Packers.
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Seems obvious- the business owner understands that no one individual is greater than the organization. You can't wait forever and hold a spot for an employee who's already retired.. Or doesn't want to put in the time it takes to be a part of a team.

I've always given TT the benefit of the doubt. When we supposidly ran fAVRE out of GB and what were we supposed to do let our future QB go so Favre could have one more shot at glory at the cost of how may FAs. That being said, I think we were quick to judge him. Considering the state of the team we had to surround AR with young talent and some vets. He really could only put out so many fires at a time.
At the beginning of the season even I was skeptical but still confident. But the 3-4 is working, the offense is starting to click, the sacks are down, Grant is running with pupose, and I even see improvement in Special teams. This is a team that will be fun to watch for years to come. We are not in the must win category like the Vikes. Who I think we will suprlant as NFC north champs next year GO PACK GO!!

According to this article from the Packers Lounge website: http://packerslounge.com/2009/01/31/too-far/, his full name is Tim Sorweid.

You're welcome.

If the Vikings lose after the bye week due to Judas - should he retire? I say yes.

(Whatever).

I will never be a total TT fan - Jersey Al has spoiled it for me forever with that creepy avatar (kidding, it's truly TT's sparkling personality). But I've said it before and I'll say it again, I understood why TT made the decision he made. When things stood at a certain point with the Jets last year (they were doing good) and the Packers weren't, I admit I wanted to fire TT. But that didn't mean I didn't understand his decision, or that I thought Brent would play more than one more year. I was just a Pollyanna wondering why all of us that have anything to do with Packerland couldn't work it out. This year has given me great insight as to why it just couldn't happen.

So mea culpa, TT, mea culpa. Now stop creepin' me out. (TT, not Jersey Al.)

Go BRETT GO

There are several more that exist in varying blogs/forums like Pack66 ..... There's also a larger group of 'fence-sitters' that have existed all season long ....... Funny thing is that most have disappeared or changed their IDs ....... It's truly unfortunate that they have missed out on the full enjoyment of the 2009 season ....... How can any solid PackFan not be thrilled with where GB is at this point in time & for the next several years? ...... Regardless of the playoffs, this is just the beginning.

Mel Kiper today on TT:

Mel you appear to be right on when you graded GB's draft last year. As a Packer fan im curious to where you rate Ted Thompson as a drafting GM.

Mel Kiper (1:56 PM)

I think he's always done a great job. And John Dorsey has done a great job in Green Bay. I've always regarded as one of the top personnel people in the NFL. He does a great job. He always finds those diamonds in the rough. He finds the guys in the late rounds that maybe other teams aren't high on. Those two together have done a nice job.

Mel Kiper (1:58 PM)

Look at Jeremichael Finley. Greg Jennings. James Jones. Traded for Ryan Grant. Aaron Rodgers, everyone passed on him when he was a potential No. 1 pick. Nick Barnett. They've done a solid job overall.

The only thing this topic has in common with politics, is that if you think it's black and white, and everyone on the other side is an idiot - then you are probably the idiot.

Here's why I'm not on board the Thompson bandwagon yet. Of the Packers 11 wins, 7 were against really crappy teams (Bears x2, Rams, Lions x2, Browns, Seahawks). The only really good teams they beat were Dallas (who was playing inconsistently at the time) and Arizona (who was arguably not playing to win). Ted has had 5 years to build this team, and all they've shown so far is that they can beat the mediocre teams, and crush the crappy teams. After 5 years of building, the Packers should be winning the Division and going deep into the playoffs!

Granted, it looks like they are headed in the right direction, but it also looked like that 3 years ago. If the Packers lose early in the playoffs, and start off next year poorly - I think Tedd should be fired. If they go deep into the playoffs this year, he should be safe.

And was he right on the Favre call? At this point it looks like A-Rod has more pure talent, but will he be able to translate that into a long winning career? To me it's all about the Superbowl. What if Favre wins a Superbowl this year and A-Rod never does? I hope that's not the case, but it could happen.

Now, if you want to know why the "fire Tedd" crowd has been silent - just watch the abuse I get for posting an alternate opinion.

The strength of schedule arguement has little to no merit. 6 teams in the playoffs have the 6 weakest schedules. They beat the teams you're supposed to beat (sans TB) and beat them handily. The 10 strongest strength of schedule teams didn't make the playoffs. Wonder why that pyramid is inverted? Don't think about it too much......

My last post on this thread: You automatically lose credibility on a TT, "is he evil or isn't he" thread when you have the number '4' anywhere in your username.

Backthepack4: The schedule argument could have some meaning, but there's no way Thompson made the wrong decision on Favre. Thompson gave him his chance, and Favre turned him down.

I'm not going to abuse you, I'm just going to try to continue a decent debate, which is one of the biggest reasons I like following professional sports. What makes me, and other Packer fans, angry is when someone puts up a site that shows pictures of Thompson in crosshairs, or Thompson next to Saddam Hussein. Someone voicing their own personal opinion in a civilized way will never make me angry.

Hey Packers - I agree with you - civil debate is fun, and people go to far with the TT hate (I would also say people go too far with the Brett hate).
I have to disagree about Thompson giving Favre his chance. As soon as Favre retired, Thompson closed the door and locked it. Yes, if Favre wouldn't have retired - we wouldn't even be having this debate. However, if Thompson wanted him back - he could have had him. Thompson had "moved on" long before Favre retired (in my opinion).

Backthepack4: Actually, the first time (in early spring) that Favre said he would consider returning, Thompson said he would have him back. Later, a couple weeks into training camp, Favre finally committed to returning to the NFL, but the Packers had already been working with Rodgers for a few weeks, so it made no sense.

PACKERS - that's the TT side of the story. Favre's side is different. I know it's a "he said, she said" situation, but I'm pretty sure TT was hired to usher out the Favre error. Drafting a QB in the 1st round of his 1st draft started the clock ticking. Here's a pretty neutral article I found from back in the midst of the divorce. Interesting to read it now (all 4 pages). It doesn't prove anyone right, but it shows there are two versions...

http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080805/...

"However, sources said Favre’s feelings of animosity for the club that have built in recent weeks were stoked when he arrived in Green Bay before the Packers’ Family Night scrimmage on Sunday and was unable to get Thompson or McCarthy to return his phone calls.

The sources said that when Favre showed up at Lambeau Field, he wasn’t allowed into the locker room or onto the field, and he watched part of the scrimmage from a luxury box.

During his long and candid conversations with McCarthy, Favre either determined himself or was convinced by the Packers that competing for the starting job was too costly because of the potential divisions it could cause on the team.

That, combined with his anger over the Packers’ efforts to keep him retired, plus what he considered false stories leaked by the team about his offseason waffling, made it impossible for him to play for the Packers again after his talks with McCarthy and Thompson failed to bridge those differences.

“Mike told me, ‘Hey, we're a better team with you on it’ but wanted to know if I have a problem with an open competition,” Favre told ESPN. “I don't have a problem with competing – you know that, but Aaron should be the starter right now because he's been out here all this time. This is more than about an open competition, and I can do that, absolutely, but this is going to be mass confusion (if there’s a competition) and that's not good for this team.

“I'll practice my butt off, if it comes to that, and I think we all know what the end result will be, but this probably isn't going to work. And I truly understand that if I was in Mike's shoes, I'd see it basically the same way he sees it, I'm sure. And I think if he was in my shoes, he'd see it my way. I think we both agree on that. They want to know if I'm committed, but I want to know if they're 100 percent committed. The problem is that there's been a lot of damage done and I can't forget it. Stuff has been said, stories planted, that just aren't true. Can I get over all that? I doubt it.”

Ted "the Snake" was the disingenuous one here, by all accounts. Hiring Ari Fleisher to do your PR?

That's like W. Shrub saying that he wasn't briefed on the possibility of terrorists hi-jacking planes before 9-11..simply not true, or that they thought Saddam had WMD's...

You guys might like to live with your heads buried in the sand, but if the Packers lose this weekend, I wouldn't want a snake oil salesman like TT on the payroll...

That guy will NEVER deliver the big game for you.

And you'll have only yourselves to blame.

ahahahahahaha.

Pack66
You may seriously want to consider 'agressive counseling' or ask your doctor to change your medication again........... You are a bonifide 'wack-job'..........Go away.

Dude,

All I'm saying is that Ted Thompson isn't INNOCENT in the whole deal like some here, and Tedro, like to pretend...

He knew what the deal was, and was a primary player in getting Favre out of Green Bay...

Obviously you guys can't see that, and get angry when someone points it out.

By the way...MANY Packer fans hold that opinion about Ted, if you didn't know..

"The only thing this topic has in common with politics, is that if you think it’s black and white, and everyone on the other side is an idiot – then you are probably the idiot."
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Well stated backthepack4. But as you concluded there is not going to be much discussion of that here, many minds have been closed. All you will draw down is fire and usually verbal attacks - Ironically, the worship once given to Lord Favre has only been traded in for yet another Lord; Lord Vader Thompson. At the beginning of this season the opinions were almost opposite, but with a few wins under the belt in regular season - well, my how things have changed.
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It's funny how folks are already saying what a great season this has been and how bright the future will be "even if they loose in the playoffs". The excuses are already in the wings if events go downhill.
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In 07 you were 13-3. Once we are back to where we were with Favre a better case may be made.
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And WE PEOPLE are long time GREEN BAY PACKER FANS by the way... even though many of us are not even from green bay we have made our pilgrimages over the years to celebrate it (my 1967 Bart Starr helmet remains on the shelf today) ... after the 70's-80's Favre was a breath of fresh air that lasted a long time. If he was stinking up the place today, you would not be hearing much from us, but everytime he steps onto the field and kicks our asses, I wonder, "what happened?"
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I'm wondering who "you people" are who think dropping a franchise QB is not going to cause division or differences of opinion among fans.
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SI's Peter King just named TT 'Executive of the Year'.

Pretty simple, greenbaypackerbob, the current franchise QB is better than the old one. Stop romanticizing his overall career. Look at it in chuncks: Almost benched and ran out of town during his early tenure; world-beating/Hall of fame player during the latter half of the 90's; no consistancy or leadership from 02' - 08' (caught lightning in a bottle during 07' which, curiously, is the only date you reference above).

You see, FOOTBALL FANS can emotionally distance themselves from the fantasy of Hall of Fame Brett and come to grips with Aaron Rodgers being far better then the QB that was mediocre during his last 7 years in GB. BTW....nice how you can only reference 07' (played 3 teams over .500 and your idol stunk it up down the stretch) and seem to forget how poor his play was for the rest of the decade.

Aren't you a little irritated now that he actually seems to focus and play disciplined ball? Don't you think intelligent Jets/Packer fans feel like they had an megalomaniac that simply went through the motions recently.

Greenbaypackerbob, your posts continue to be Favre with rose colored glasses and zero objectivity. Keep embarassing yourself, keep posting.....

Last word here: FAVRE RETIRED and orchestrated his own exit. Say it with me Favre NuttHuggers, "FAVRE RETIRED and ORCHESTRATED HIS OWN EXIT." Just the type of class act I want to worship.

Final note,
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Rodgers has yet to win 1 playoff game, one. Favre in 07 went 13-3, won the Division title and went as far as the NFC Championship game...almost to a 3rd Superbowl. So talk up your 11-5 season all you want, but doing so while Favre kicks our asses twice in one season, wraps up the Division Title, secures a number 2 seed, is on the MVP watch list and continues to play the best of his career--- (and thats not a past record thats just this year). All this just makes your case look.... well, silly. But I don't expect many here to see it... they have their new Lord Thompson and Mini Me to worship.
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We may have gotten lucky with Rodgers and a few other picks, but hey, even a blind squirrel finds a nut every now and then. Lord Vader Thompson and Mini Me are still not on my favorites list. I stand by it.
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CSS
Can't wait til the day Favre retires his number in the Ring of Honor and you have to vomit on yourself! Until, then you better pray he does retire... it may be the only way he stops kicking our ass.
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Nice to see your true colors, greenbaypackersbob. Keep on cheering for Favre and every new iteration of your passive/aggressive schtick. You fail at logic 101 and probably life too. Post more, it's truly fun to bear witness to your continued implosion. Feel bad for you, really.......

Amen, Aaron, Amen.

Yes Aaron, it is impossible to throw a pick or lose a playoff game when you've never been to a playoff... so what's the point? ... having never been to a playoff to win or lose is suppose to show AR's superiority; because of what he "hasn't done"? strange logic.
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Isn't it more realistic to watch him actually play in 1 or 2 playoff seasons before evaluating how good he is in playoffs. You are setting Rodgers up for failure not me. I can't imagine the support he will have if the playoffs go bad... particularly in light of how the accomplishments of Favre are demonized. He has no title history to fall back on yet... he better hope he gets some fast.
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And ironically, you want to call attention to Favre stats right after the season he just had? - particularly against us? ... another division title, #2 seed - all BECAUSE he beat us twice in regular season - with no less than 7 TDs, no interceptions and a passer ratings in the upper atmosphere...?? ... I know I am wasting words so I will stop ....
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greenbaypackerbob
So what you are wishing for is a GB loss this Sunday with AR struggling to validate your 'BF Obsession" ? ......... Your ID couldn't be more deceptive ...... Most Packer Fans don't 'pound their noodle' at the mention of the Vike's starting QB........ Just say'in... An odd approach to fandom.

greenbaypackerbob - would you trade Aaron Rodgers for Brett Favre TODAY?

Simple question.....

BTW - greenbaypackerbob, you completely fail at logic 101 again. You cherry pick one year and ignore everything else. Nobody, not even the general public fed up with Favre, questioned his ability to play. They questioned his ability to FINISH and play disciplined ball.

Team finished 2-3 down the streth, check.

Favre alienated yet another coach (Rhodes, Sherman, McCarthy, Mangini, Childress)because of his ego and inability to follow a game plan, check.

You ever wonder why coaches were pissed about his 84 interceptions to match his 84 TD's over the previous 4 years? It's because he's undisciplined when it matters.

I'm indifferent to what he does moving forward with the Vikings. The Packers made a FOOTBALL decision and it's universally praised as a good decision among football people in the NFL outside of the Favre nut-hugging whack jobs.

So, keep doing what you do: create an artificial strawman of 'Favre the victim' and the 'old gun slinger against the world'. Who cares but you? There's no trophy for winning the division or beating the packers twice.

Should he go on to win it doesn't change a thing but marginally informed, intellectually challenged nitwits like you will crow about conspiricy.

Please, keep posting and embarassing yourself. Your tears sustain me.....

Woody – I’m sure you don’t intent to put words in my mouth to make an easy argument. The Blog started out about TT and unfortunately his legacy is now tied to the success/failure of both Favre and Rodgers. I hope Rodgers wins Sunday but my point was that in light of how the accomplishments of Favre are so easily demonized (by former fans) if AR does have a bad first run I can’t imagine the heat he will take (which I blame on TT not AR).
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I feel sorry that Rodgers is caught up in this. I supported TT when he drafted Rodgers. We had a legend QB and what look liked (and looks more everyday) to be another great QB. We needed a backup and future QB (still need a good backup!). But my gripe is with the way TT handled the two – disaster - and with the way MM was coaching this and last year teams (and I’m not going to rehearse all that again- backthepack4 did a great job explaining it above). The distraction with Favre has been as great if not greater than if he had stayed. And now if certain cards play out, BRETT FAVRE could become the biggest obstacle standing in the way of our superbowl – and yes, with the way he has been playing and the way he manhandled us this season, that worries me.. Thanks Ted.
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I was just about to compliment you on a fair and good question e.g. “trading Rodgers for Favre TODAY” and began to post when I noticed you had again posted right behind yourself – and again addressed specifically to me – I guess you just can’t get enough of me (creepy).
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Unfortunately, the fact that a host of folks look at TT and the Favre episode differently than you really screws up your world. And that’s no understatement. You have ‘fallen’ again right back to your “nuthuggers, nitwit, whack job” name calling…. I’m so impressed with that logic… yes, you are a true Decartian logician; e.g. “I speak, therefore I am right” (lol) - Which finally reminded me, you are that guy that use to blog me with all the “masturbation” comments. Sad to see you going there again (e.g. nut hugging, whack job), but I guess that’s the world you live in.
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I have to say you are really starting to creep me out, kind of like Bobo the clown in that Etrade commercial. If you want a civil response to a question then act civil. This is why many who disagree with points on this blog do not care to comment (as mentioned by another blogger above). You think you can shut down free speech and differing views by name calling characterizations and intimidation... the level of a backyard bully.
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And by the way, your opening statements to your 2nd blog were all over-generalizations, incomplete and 'quite boring'. And your playing down a Divisional title and bye week along with “I don’t care what happens with the Vikes” is just your preparation of excuses in case they win (folks see right through that). I care – I hope they loose and we win but apparently you are above all that. And yet, if we loose and they continue to win, I have no problem rooting for an old favorite (anything beats rooting for the AFC). I like to think I’m bigger than your school yard sand lot mentality. I would have like to discuss your question but can see it would only be a waste of time.
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Anyhow, consider yourself officially IGNORED. I see no use to correspond to any of your comments. ** I like the etymology of IGNORED – Latin, “ignorant of” (lol)
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More failure, greenbaypackerbob. I have no fixation with you, only your inability to supporty your arguements and logical fallacy time and again. Thank you for ignoring me, the world is now a better place.

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IGNORED

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gbpackerbob
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Same argument ....... Same apologist spin.
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Boring .... plus I've heard it all. ... Sorry.... Try again.

Woodyg
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Please don't let me bore you. If you've heard it all, and know everything, no need to apologize for it or for me or you to correspond. I'm sure everyone else stands in your awe. Enjoy it.

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greenbayfavrebob, a franchise upon itself....

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IGNORED
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Aaron - yeah, but verbally ignoring him is kind of fun... (as I explained above) 'ignored' has its' etymological roots in 'ignorant of' - so in essence I'm calling him 'ignorant of' the facts each time I use it... But he's probably still trying to figure out the meaning of etymology ... so it is probably lost... lol).
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And irritating him to the point where he acts like a school yard kid with all the name calling is fun to...kinda like the guy who throws down and brakes his tennis racket because he gets all mad and out of sorts cause he doesn't like something you said.
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