greg775

This makes sense. The way the team is a month before spring training we have TOO many veterans to be in a rebuild. Our infield is amazing. Our outfield is pathetic. Our catching is pathetic. Our DH is pathetic. Our pitching however is good.

I had a friend of mine call me tonight and tell me one of his coworkers is going to move out of the city because of incredible property tax hikes. She is going to move to one of the cities where there are no state taxes. Is this a true concern in the great city of Chicago? Is our city doomed or not? Let's say you lived on 103rd and Trumbull. What would your taxes cost you as a working stiff for a full year in one of those modest homes. Any figures for me? What are your thoughts about Chicago going broke? Is the city in deep financial trouble in terms of turning into a wasteland in the city itself like Detroit or not?

QUOTE (raBBit @ Jan 19, 2017 -> 12:16 AM) You may act like you're all for freedom of speech but all you do is twist people's words to paint them in a bad light.... I know it's common procedure for you to call people you don't agree with racist to elevate your moral high ground, but the person has to at least give you an opening. You're just making s*** up at this point. You've done a great job of putting him in his place after he did what you said he did. I enjoy your posts on this topic. I do the same thing when my longer posts get one line quoted out of context by certain people on the board. Some of us understand your point(s) and do not think you are racist. It's hard to 'win' in a discussion like this, however.

QUOTE (raBBit @ Jan 18, 2017 -> 07:33 PM) I have no self control and have to respond to all of your mischaracterizing and faulty conclusions here. 1.) That wasn't a matter of a qualification. It's a "LAUNCH" program. An acronym that starts with Latin American and African American. I was not allowed the same head start because of my skin color. Companies give opportunities to certain minority groups at an earlier juncture than age equivalent students of other races. That's discrimination and if the ethnicities were swapped in this scenario you would entirely be up in arms over it. I understand that certain minorities went through a lot of s*** at the behest of fair skin people. That being said, my family hasn't been here long and my family was poor as recent as my parents' generation. I don't believe in reparations being forced on upon people of similarly fair skin when my ancestors were in Italy, Ireland and Poland being poor. 2.) I don't blame the system for a minority getting a scholarship or "my" job I blame the system for not offering me the same opportunity as others. There's no white male scholarship. There's no early start in business for white guys. I blame the system for preferring to hire people other than white males because it's better for the organization's reputation. All I ask for is a meritocratic process but I guess I am racist loon for that. You would think that is in the best interest of all fair-minded individuals. That being said, I accomplished everything I set out to before I went to college. I just wish I didn't have as much debt as I do now and I wished scholarships were offered solely on merit/participation as opposed to being based on things that are outside of an individual's control. 3.) "If I hadn't been born with my privilege there is a chance Id be in jail." What does that even mean? While I wouldn't stoop to the level to misconstrue someone's words into making them seem racist to make my point, I could easily say, "Oh, so all non-whites are criminals?" This is such a silly statement. I am not criminal because my parents are good people. My parents planned to have children they could afford and had the personal attributes to foster and nurture myself and my siblings. If my parents were purple and had the same values and priorities I wouldn't just end up in prison because I am not white. You'll say, "You don't know what it's like, you've never dealt with police as a minority." That's true and I don't deal with them as a majority either. Ever since I graduated to legal drinking age and bought a decent radar detector I have had no relationship with police officers. The extent of our relationship is me nodding at them when I get on/off the train. Your posts are well thought out and very reasonable. In any true discussion about this issue, your takes are very valuable.

QUOTE (Reddy @ Jan 16, 2017 -> 10:08 PM) I actually bet many of them would, just like I do - as someone in the entertainment business who knows a lot of people in the entertainment business. I wish they'd be asked about it, then, put them on the spot like others who have to admit to "white privilege" when approached on campus last year. QUOTE (KyYlE23 @ Jan 17, 2017 -> 06:33 PM) That isnt how I interpreted what she was saying. right after she said MMA, and people started cheering, she said "those are not 'the arts'". I think her point was if you remove movies and music etc all you have is football and MMA, and that isnt everything we need(according to her). I thought it was a strange shot at MMA and Football for sure That's why she shouldn't have gone there at an awards show. Yes, I applaud her first amendment rights. Doesn't mean it was a proper speech. QUOTE (Reddy @ Jan 18, 2017 -> 01:12 AM) you're literally, 100% ignoring my words. Being white puts you ahead of the pack inherently. What you do with that advantage is up to you, but that doesn't mean you don't have the advantage. So what do you want America to do about this issue? In a perfect world what is the solution so everybody can get along and prosper?

QUOTE (raBBit @ Jan 18, 2017 -> 07:06 PM) I stopped reading here. Never once complained about how successful Jews are and you can't quote me doing so. There's a big difference between acknowledging their disproportionate amount of wealth in this country and complaining about it. I typed up that post and thought to myself that I shouldn't I even press post because I'd get a silly response like this. Amazing you can try and paint me an anti-semite when one of the underlying points of my post was that the whole idea of affirmative action is bs when you look at the Jews. They're the most discriminated people in the history of the world but they keep on achieving despite discrimination. Amazing what a full embrace of family, education and sticking together can to for a culture's aggregate earning power. I thought your post was very professional if that's the right word and stated nicely and worthy of a read in a society that likes discourse. I'm glad you posted it, but I understand what you are saying about hesitating before posting it.

QUOTE (Soxbadger @ Jan 18, 2017 -> 06:13 PM) I read your anecdote and I sympathize that someone you believe is less qualified than yourself received benefits that you did not get. But at the end of the day, its still better to be a white male in this country. I know its probably impossible to understand, but not being eligible for a scholarship or someone else getting preferential treatment at a job, doesnt really compare to the things that many minorities have historically gone through and that some continue to go through on a daily basis. I normally like your posts, but you really appear (to me at least) to not be listening to him. His story was pretty interesting. You basically told him, 'that's all well and good, but let me tell you how it really is.' All I know is people are people. Why can't we all just get along?

If we're going to go down the tubes, we could have at least gone down the tubes with Bernie. Free healthcare; free college. s***, we could have given that a try, since like SNL said, we're all going to die in the next four years with Trump as president. I'm sick of our health care system. It plain sucks. I challenge any middle class American to survive a one week or 10 day stay in the hospital. Can you say BANKRUPT? (I have to give an addendum to all my posts saying I STILL am glad Hillary has been denied the oval office)

I put Tom Hanks but I don't think any of the candidates mentioned in this thread except for Jesse V are very good.

QUOTE (StrangeSox @ Jan 15, 2017 -> 04:35 PM) That's not really what privilege means, though. It doesn't mean you automatically "win", just that it's generally easier for you. Who gets credit for starting this white privilege issue nationally? Who is the one person who first brought it up? Somebody should ask the liberal white Hollywood people if they are willing to admit their white privilege. I wonder how many would cave and smile at the interrigator and say, "Well of course I do. Thanks for asking. Of course I admit my white privilege, every day of my life."

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Jan 15, 2017 -> 08:15 PM) http://observer.com/2017/01/the-clinton-fo...iative/?ref=yfp Clinton was the greatest politician of his time, and the most flawed in terms of understanding his own weaknesses...perhaps, ultimately knowing that he could easily manipulate people to forgive him is what led to his ultimate undoing. But brilliant political mind and grasp of policy minutiae, the complete anti-Trump (except in one key way, that both were a boon for reporters/ratings/coverage). Ironically, he knew all along how important states like PA, Michigan and Wisconsin would be but was ignored by his wife's campaign until it was too late. All that because of the South Carolina primary in 2008 against Obama. Sad that even those closest advisors like Band and Huma Abedin ended up as collateral damage along the way. Luckily for Greg there is no Chelsea for president groundswell to worry about anymore. Yes, I would think Chelsea's possible bid is over. Only hope for her is if she really wants to get in politics, she'd have to win an election in some state as mama did. Like governor of Illinois or senator of New York or something. I mean she could run off her name like Trump, but that probably wouldn't get too far at this point, considering Hillary's bid was for the oval office failed miserably.

QUOTE (illinilaw08 @ Jan 13, 2017 -> 07:58 PM) Right now, there is no new healthcare plan. It has been 8 years and there is still no replacement option from the GOP. Kellyanne detailed a plan on Hannity tonight. I confess I wasn't listening intently enuf to explain to you what it is, but she was rattling off details. QUOTE (Reddy @ Jan 13, 2017 -> 11:36 PM) For gosh sakes, greg. For gosh sakes. What up Reddy? What did I say that made you say that? What u disputing?

QUOTE (Steve9347 @ Jan 13, 2017 -> 04:02 PM) I bet he runs. I bet he also wishes he'd ran right about now. Exactly. Hillary, Bernie and Biden would have had a very compelling primary season and there's a good chance Biden would have prevailed. But Biden couldn't run. Say what you want, but if you remember the mood of the Democrats many many months ago, Hillary was THE choice. It was her time, her turn. It was heresy for any Democrat to even consider trying to stop her from being able to receive her lifetime achievement award of the presidency. Democrats may deny this now, but at the time it was considered heresy for ANYBODY to even consider derailing Hillary's coronation. Nobody ever thought the Republicans had a chance and it was Hillary time. Biden would have been blasted beyond belief for slowing the Hillary machine.

.247 batting average, 12 homers, 64 RBI.

Let's hope the new health care plan is good. I don't want people to suffer obviously. As far as the election and not voting for either ... we agree to disagree only because you guys think Hillary was an OK choice considering the opponent was Trump. I, meanwhile, think both were equally bad. I can't change your minds on Hillary's horribleness so go ahead and think I'm an uncaring beast when I merely consider Hillary also unfit to lead hence the no vote. The new healthcare plan might be OK. You never know.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jan 13, 2017 -> 02:29 PM) You're the bad guy because you looked at Donald Trump making fun of a pulitzer prize winning reporter over a physical disability and said "yeah but I think Hillary's mean too so I guess we have to put up with that". You're the bad guy because you looked at the kind of person that would make Meryl Streep give that commentary at an award show where she's getting a lifetime achievement award and respond "but Hillary's bad too and I'm glad I didn't vote for either and I have the right to tell her what to say when". Oh well, I think you guys are wrong. I think some of you don't know what category to put voters like me who abstained as they could not vote for either candidate. In your mind I guess, you feel people like me had a responsibility to vote for Hillary as the lesser of two evils. Many Americans could not do that. For some reason you guys don't blame the DNC for giving us Hillary, you blame us for abstaining from voting for two one percenters who do not appear to be good people. Let's say you simply despise ham sandwiches and sloppy joes equally. Somebody tries to give you one of the two to eat. You say "No I cannot eat either. I detest both. Both make me ill." I mean what Trump did to that reporter can be added to the list of reasons I didn't vote for him but it doesn't change the fact both candidates were bad. Now give me Bernie or Biden and we'll talk.

OK this is the Democratic thread. So let me say this, after watching Democrat Biden receive the medal of honor today, you have to wonder why in the hell the DNC didn't convince him to run for president. I love Bernie, but it's obvious Biden is a heckuva leader and honorable man. I won't list all the reasons why Hillary was a historically bad choice, but who cares how old Biden is? Trump is old, too. Biden would have won in a landslide over The Donald and our country wouldn't be in this potential mess right now. I know this board is stock full of Democrats. Why? Not? Biden?? You can say he didn't want to run. I don't believe it. He didn't want to get in Hillary's way is what it was.

QUOTE (Soxbadger @ Jan 13, 2017 -> 06:20 AM) Or as Tony pointed up, he always brings it back to Hillary. He remarks about Streep's comments, I remark about the 1st amendment and how that means standing up for both sides of an argument. He responds "It simply amazes me how Hillary gets no fallout over all this." Fallout over what? Chilling the first amendment, threatening the Press? In what world is that at any way related to Hillary f***ing Clinton. He cant even discuss a topic that is completely unrelated without somehow associating it back to her. I at one time had belief in Greg, he seemed like a good guy that just had different point of view than me. I said if you were right about Trump/Russia you deserved credit. I answered all your questions honestly. Why am I suddenly the bad guy here? I said in response to your first amendment point that I was not against her right to say what she said, but did Streep pick a poor time to say it? I think so. She coulda done it in post-awards interviews or on Ellen's show the next day. No big deal. If she wants to say it in an awards show fine, but I thought it was in poor taste. Of course she has the right to say it.

QUOTE (Chicago White Sox @ Jan 12, 2017 -> 06:57 AM) I'll give Greg credit, dude trolls 24/7 year after year. He may very well be the GOAT troll. What in my post made you deduce it was a troll post? What did I say that was not honest and to the point, answering his questions?

QUOTE (Soxbadger @ Jan 10, 2017 -> 06:57 AM) You are right. It is mean and cruel. For the entire summer, I tried not to be mean/cruel. I pleaded with you, I tried to show people that Russia was actively trying to assist Trump to defeat Hillary. But certain people didnt care to listen, didnt care to even consider the idea that they were throwing our freedom away. And now that you helped elect someone who is trying to silence critics, who shows absolutely no respect for the American people, you think Im going to be soft? When you sit and watch something terrible happen, you let something terrible happen. Well, if you are right about Russia and Trump then you deserve credit for your observations being fact. If Trump did something illegal, by all means I hope he's impeached. U guys don't believe me, but I'm not a Trump fan. I'm a Hillary hater if that's the right word. He's a one percenter who I am assuming has stepped on the little guy A LOT to get where he is. That said if he hasn't done anything ilegal, he won and I hope somehow he turns around the economy. Also, you said the thing about going soft. That still doesn't mean you can act like I'm a Russia supporter. What's that all about? Nobody is more of an America-supporter than me. What are u doing insulting me like that? It's uncalled for IMO. QUOTE (Tony @ Jan 10, 2017 -> 08:54 AM) You have to bring Hillary up in every post. Here is a question, Greg. Is it acceptable for Donald Trump, President Elect, to spend his time creating controversy over the Golden Globes? Meryl Streep is an actress, paid to give performances in film. Donald Trump is now an elected official sitting in the highest office in the world. You're worried about what Meryl Streep and Keith Olbermann are saying, why don't you worry about what Trump is saying, or more importantly, doing. This has nothing to do with the election, anymore. Hillary, Bernie, Ted Cruz, whoever. This is about Donald Trump as the President of the United States. Did Trump create controversy about the Golden Globes? I think he was responding to her throwing her little fit during her speech. Well yeah I'm upset at Streep and Olbermann whining, sure I am. Like I said, they backed a person whom America pretty much despises and made life difficult on Bernie who was trying to earn the nomination fair and square. As far as what Trump is saying, well, he's a rude guy. If he is a criminal, then impeach him and let's get on with it. If there's no proof of that, let him lead. And Hollywood needs to quit whining IMO.

QUOTE (KyYlE23 @ Jan 11, 2017 -> 05:04 PM) Where is Greg to drop his "anyone but Hillary she is corrupt" post while we all talk about Trump refusing to divest while talking about making deals with Dubai and saying we learned a lot from that hacking Look, my position on Trump is clear. I did not vote for him. BUT I did not vote for Hillary. I feel she is just as bad as Trump, yes I do. My other statement is if they can find something REAL to impeach him on, by all means do so. I am not in favor of Pence replacing him. I am in favor of Obama remaining president a year (if Trump did something illegal with the Russians and Pence is on the same ticket so he can't take over) and an emergency election next November if Trump is kicked out of office. You say the logical succession would apply here and Pence has to be President. I say IF Trump is guilty of something, this is unprecedented, hence Congress should be able to concoct my scenario in a national emergency.

QUOTE (Soxbadger @ Jan 10, 2017 -> 05:24 AM) First amendment. What separates America from your beloved Russia is that in America we are free to express our opinion. But we are now entering an era where the President of the United States is attempting to intimidate us into being quiet, much like his hero, Vladimir Putin. When the opposition is silenced due to fear of reprisal, you get results like USSR, Nazi Germany. So irrespective of whether they are Democrat or Republican, I hope the opposition never loses its voice. One of my favorite quotes of all times (which seems to be misattributed to Voltaire) is: "I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it." And so that is the weakness of Democracy/Republic. Those who truly believe in it, must fight for the rights of those who wish to destroy it. That's pretty sad of you BTW to say what you did to me. My "beloved Russia?" That's pretty mean and cruel. I am not a Putin fan. I am not a Russia fan. You may hate me and my positions, but I never say things like you said there. I am an American, not a Russia supporter for gosh sakes.

QUOTE (Soxbadger @ Jan 10, 2017 -> 05:24 AM) First amendment. What separates America from your beloved Russia is that in America we are free to express our opinion. But we are now entering an era where the President of the United States is attempting to intimidate us into being quiet, much like his hero, Vladimir Putin. When the opposition is silenced due to fear of reprisal, you get results like USSR, Nazi Germany. So irrespective of whether they are Democrat or Republican, I hope the opposition never loses its voice. One of my favorite quotes of all times (which seems to be misattributed to Voltaire) is: "I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it." And so that is the weakness of Democracy/Republic. Those who truly believe in it, must fight for the rights of those who wish to destroy it. I never said they didn't have the right to say it. I wonder if a.) Streep did it at the wrong time. She'd just won an award for gosh sakes and b.) I don't understand much of what Olbermann is trying to accomplish. He did say he wanted no rebuttal or reaction, just people to hear him out. It simply amazes me how Hillary gets no fallout over all this. She should have won the damn election if she's so much better than Trump. She's not even getting ripped for being unable to beat Donald Trump for gosh sakes. Say what you want about Bernie. I think he'd have won.

QUOTE (Soxbadger @ Jan 10, 2017 -> 05:05 AM) Why would the DNC get behind Bernie when Hillary destroyed him? Never forget a MAJORITY of Americans voted for Hillary. Whether you like it or not, a minority of Americans screwed you Greg. And they along with you, will have to deal with the fallout. The party of Reagan bowing to the Russians. The party of small government promising to spend and increase the federal government without a word about "balancing the budget." The Russian's won, after all of these years, they won. And all they had to do was post a few false stories to convince people like you how "terrible" Hillary was. Trust me, I've despised Hillary a long time. As far as Russia ... I said earlier if Russia delivered votes to Trump and impacted the election I'd be in favor of Obama staying in office six months to a year and have an emergency new election. Or if Trump had a role in this, impeach him now. Even though Hillary won the popular vote, you guys fail to admit TONS of Americans voted for Trump. It's still America. They are your brothers and sisters. If you do not accept Americans as voting Trump in, I don't know what to say. Maybe a Civil War is ahead again. Or states trying to leave the country and start their own country.