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Flipping voters matters, but it won't be the biggest factor in November. Probably over 90% of the country that will vote made up their minds about the 2020 election by March of 2017 and haven't changed materially. There is only a very small slice to vary on there. What it will come down to is Dem and Independent voter turnout (because the GOP turns out in pretty much the same numbers every time, and the others are more flighty). If Dems and independents show up in November the way they did in 2018 (relatively), then Trump loses in a rout. If they are just kinda meh about voting (which I doubt, as the anger has not subsided), then Trump has a chance, though it would be very close. COVID will push some undecideds off Trump but not many.

Well bless your heart it's always like that, the rich and powerful make and break the rules. But after our economy craters by the end of the year we'll all be too poor to pay attention. So sit down on that cracker barrel and let Ol' Tex help you out. It's easy any mule's tail can catch cockle-burrs. Fight the system Greg775, don't wear a mask. Stick it to the man and be like the man (or the mayor). Those internet sites pretending to sell masks are all crooked as a dog's hind leg. Once you give them a credit card they know more ways to take your money than a lawyer. And for God and country sake, head to Texas for a haircut and a gun. Tex will chamber of commerce you a nice salon, coffee shop, park bench, and a good dealer. We got riots and chaos coming with all the meat shortages. Until you get armed, protect yourself by wearing a helmet. If you really do want a mask you know we're here to help you but Greg775 has to take the first step. As Tex always says you can't get lard unless you boil the hog. Now I can explain it to you but I can't understand it for you so don't be looking like a goat on astroturf. First off don't bother asking the people not wearing a mask advice on where to buy a mask. That's like asking a dog with no legs to come. Instead, invite the maskless to come with you to find masks. Lead them to the promise land. Have signs printed up Greg775 and the Search for the Holy Mask. We know these masks can be as scarce as a virgin in a cathouse but walk up to ever person who is wearing a mask there in K-land and ask them where they bought them. Perhaps video the conversation and post it here so we can help you understand what they are saying? Of course it is difficult to understand what they are saying with everyone talking through a mask. Imagine leading all those maskless people who did not know where to find a mask to masks. You'll be famous, like the Pied Piper. Then when you are running with the big dogs and livin' in high cotton you will be allowed a haircut and access to the secret meat lockers that Jarrod has established throughout the country. And if that ain't fact God's a possum.

No, this isn’t Red Dawn. Too much distance to cover the entire Pacific against our Navy, Air Force and defense systems. What good does having a huge conventional army (they’ve been cutting back dramatically the last decade in size, but much more nimble and fast strike, high tech missile systems) with tactical nukes? Their planes are mostly hybrid copies of American and Soviet fighter jets. They have 1 1/2 aircraft carriers. Nobody wants to capture or torture you. Whiteman AFB for stealth bombers the closest obvious target to you. Their only real ally is Russia, and that’s a practical, pragmatic relationship versus genuine trust and respect. Otoh, the US attacking China could go either way. What would we do as “winners,” anyway? Our nation building record since Korea and Vietnam is pretty miserable across the board.

For Bryce Harper, beating Giancarlo Stanton's contract was another key part of making him happy.

Is there really that big of a difference between any two teams in terms of "happiness"?

He wasn't being selfish or greedy. He set the bar higher for the free agents coming after him.

Madrigal still has believers?

https://www.cnn.com/2020/05/07/opinions/the-future-normal-hinge-event-bergen-rothenberg/index.html How the Hinge Event of Covid Will Change the World https://www.yahoo.com/news/armed-activists-escort-black-lawmaker-to-michigans-capitol-after-coronavirus-protest-attended-by-white-supremacists-184000180.html Greg, we’re getting closer and closer to Civil War. With that flowing hair, be careful you don’t get confused with Quantrill’s Raiders. Go Kansas!

I'm with ya Jack. The dude is big nasty and left handed. No need to over think this. I'm just afraid he's not going to be there at 11.

I'm still on the Crochet train. If he hits, it's Chris Sale part deux. A plus slider and Changeup with a 100 mph fastball from a 6-6 low 3/4 delivery from the left side. This is one of those calculated risks you take in the spot where the Sox are picking. Could lightning strike twice?

What are you arguing here? Where have I said Shaq is the best big of all time? Or even a good passing big? I've argued consistently that if you took 2000 Shaq, gave him a guy like 2016 Cavs Kyrie, and surrounded him with shooters, that team would compete for a title. I used the 2000 assist stats to show that Shaq - under the right circumstances - was a willing passer (ie, he'd be willing to pass out of double teams to open shooters). For me, this is less a referendum on Shaq, and instead an argument about whether you can build a contender in 2020 around a dominant big who doesn't shoot threes.

Did the Sox $$$ leak at all? Did they even extend an offer? Bryce wanted to be the highest paid player, right? I don't think that JR and the Sox were willing to play that part, at least not in the 2018 off season. In hindsight, I like how things turned out.

In terms of guaranteed money, the deals may have been 70-80m apart realistically. He may have loved the White Sox free agent pitch, but anybody would choose dumpy Philadelphia over Chicago at that price.

Nope. As I said he has every right to do whatever he wants. I, personally, have valued more time with family and happiness over the absolute highest paying job where I knew I wouldnt be as happy. Just a personal philosophy.

Assuming we have baseball sometime this season, I’m actually glad we didn’t sign him (or Machado). We never would have plugged all the holes we did this winter if we had committed the necessary money to sign either of them.

Did I say Shaq had to become the best passing big in NBA history? Edit: Also, calling Shaq a 50% shooter from 2 misstates the facts as well. He's shooting almost 60% from 2 in 2000 - not 50%. Also, if teams were comfortable giving up efficient looks at the rim in 2020, there would be no drive and kick game. Second edit: In 2000, Shaq averaged almost 4 assists a game (I was surprised to see that number). That's hardly a guy who wouldn't pass.

well certainly #1.

Well that is a pretty extreme example considering one scenario is illegal activity lol that's not comparable at all to be honest.

First Trump declares victory over Covid 19. He shut it down. Then, he decides he is a wartime President and declares war. Now, he has surrendered. Time for the re-election campaign.

https://www.thebalance.com/job-creation-by-president-by-number-and-percent-3863218 Six of the seven largest Presidential job creators are Dems (yes, there are NUMEROUS factors involved...fwiw, Reagan was the lone trend exception, coming out of a brutal 1981-82.) I also saw a stat quoted that claimed in their lifetime, Democratic presidents had created 32 million jobs while Republican presidents had seen 34 million in net job losses. Not sure how far off that is, but just wow. Would need to do some more thorough research to verify.

The federal courts are increasingly packed with judges who want to return to Lochner-era jurisprudence. We have a SCOTUS justice who's most famous prior ruling was that it was perfectly acceptable for a trucking company to fire an employee who chose to abandon his broken-down truck rather than freeze to death. I wouldn't be so sure about any pro-labor legal outcomes.

77,000 WI (no HRC event), MI (Bill Clinton told them it was going against them but was ignored) and PA (brought in Obamas, but too late with Comey letter also turning momentum last two weeks)

Leadership across the country is pretty much just shrugging their shoulders at this point. We're going into an "NBA hell" response where we do basically nothing to contain the health damage, which will just lead to further economic damage. We won't make people feel safe and secure by staying home, instead forcing them back to work if they want food and shelter, further exacerbating the health crisis. Which will then only deepen the economic damage, which will be accelerated by massive state and local layoffs. I know this is a deeply pessimistic outlook, but from what we're seeing from the Federal government (Congress and WH) and from many states across the country, I don't see much to indicate we're on any other path. And this lack of vision or leadership is only going to drive people to drop their support of mitigation efforts and instead turn to more conspiratorial viewpoints.

Yes, but their re opening is all about Trump. For some reason, they think they need him to survive. He's a great salesman. Most of these people are right to lifers, yet people should risk death to go to a minimum wage job because it makes it more convenient for the better off. They have actually made this a political issue. Getting sick and dying is now political. While they sit away from everybody, getting tested every few days....it is really sickening.

Interviews are so precious. Ask harper about every franchise. He's not going to shit on any except a rival. He makes a lot being one of the most accessible players in the game.

Yes, maybe he is selfish and greedy, but I have left places for more money. You can't blame anyone for taking the cash. Most people would. The reality is if you paid him $300 million or $330 million, it isn't going to make much difference in his life. It's all money he will never spend, but it is nice to have just in case, and most people if they are able, like to leave things to their heirs.

I believe it will happen, but it's been so long since we've seen them play it just feels like a pipe dream

While he certainly has the right to do it, I would say there is something wrong with that attitude. Sacrificing happiness for every last cent isn't the way I would choose to go. I know that is extreme but as an attitude or philosophy I would disagree.

You can't feel good if you don't look good.

Absolutely not. He's entitled to that.

We are doing that to ourselves...self inflected. Can you imagine Reagan, JFK, Truman, Teddy Roosevelt, FDR, Lincoln agreeing with this idea? The Chinese system is based on maintaining control and allegiance to party...but hasn’t really been outward facing until the 2008 Olympics and 2010 World Expo. There has been blood in the water ever since 9/11 and the wars in Iraq/Afghanistan (in terms of international consensus on US), but the current preference for China is to continue to increase “world market share” through trade and diplomacy...massive loans/development projects in Africa and Asia/Middle East, transforming from USD to RMB denominated transactions, competing with petrodollar, Belt and Road Initiative, etc. Of course, if we had reacted just two weeks more quickly, we could or might have saved the majority of those who have already lost their lives. Unless they could have predicted a totally incompetent US response (certainly arguable), they never could have anticipated the damage to the US and American economies would be so extensive. Keep in mind, they’ve wiped out their #1/#2 export markets (EU/US), so how is that to their advantage if they have nobody left to sell to? India is not their friend, either. More a budding rival. Now their supply chains are under threat....and countries are looking to bring back domestic production of PPE and especially drugs/medicine. None of these are positive developments for China.

It would really boost a lot of spirits if we have baseball in our home parks. That would be fricking awesome. I still can't believe this bad ass virus is going to be sickening/killing people in June, July and August. That's not traditionally sick season. Heaven forbid how bad it will be in October if we don't find a treatment. But to have baseball this summer would be amazing. Seeing Eloy and Timmy and Moncada and Jose baby and that new right fielder and EE and our young pitchers. Ricky baby managing. Bring.On.Baseball.

I kinda think its true you've talked to a lot of people about masks but I'd imagine they tell you the many ways to get masks, and you don't listen and think to yourself "nobody knows how to get masks!" while they are talking.