The Beast

So, I didn't realize that quite a few of the Supreme Court Justices were rather old and that Kennedy and Bader Ginsburg were that old. I had heard an opinion that Democrats shouldn't disrupt the confirmation of the new Supreme Court Justice - but it doesn't seem like there's much they can do. It's too bad Obama didn't get to confirm his and the potential picks Trump may have over the course of his term or terms may shift the balance of the court for decades to come. Hopefully they don't overturn too many established social issues.

QUOTE (Soxbadger @ Jan 31, 2017 -> 01:31 PM) A real problem is that our current "labels" dont really fit most people well. I used to say I was more fiscally conservative, but after this election I dont even know what fiscal conservative means anymore. There used to be some good in both parties being counter-balances, but now it seems to just be about power. Whoever is in power wants to expand the federal govt to enforce their agenda, whoever isnt in power tries to check it. Nobody wants to work with the other side because they seemingly fear that they wont get re-elected. We all have different ideas/opinions, but we should all agree that our government should be doing what it can to make life better for the most people. Whether thats more govt/less govt, whatever. But this whole "Im taking my ball and going home" routine has gotten old. I am not going to get into who started it, but when Republican's dont even bother to vote on a Supreme Court judge, they have to expect that there will be some sort of counter-response. Its almost as if we need a movement to vote out every incumbent. Just to put the fear back into them. I just try to keep it very basic for people. I voted democratic in the general election three times for president, one time of which was because I didn't (and don't) like Trump or his policies. I thought Obama did a decent job with what he was handed and felt the republicans obstructed him in the last term big time. I supported Obamacare but felt the implementation was off. I'm not huge on spending money elsewhere when our infrastructure needs it here, but I think we still need to work with other countries. I don't like spending money like Madigan does in Illinois and voted for Rauner. I think there should be a path to citizenship and don't care about illegal or legal immigrants as long as they pay taxes (they are working jobs Americans don't want anyway). So maybe I'm a progressive based on that. I would agree with you when you say labels don't fit most people well. That's why I've grown tired of people just throwing the word "liberal" around like a bad label since many of us don't fit just democrat or republican as a label. And I would agree about the Supreme Court Justice point as well as voting out incumbents. There's a lot of people in there who need to get out...if I didn't do my job I wouldn't get paid or fired and some members of congress almost make double of what I make.

QUOTE (Soxbadger @ Jan 31, 2017 -> 10:01 AM) I agree. At the end of the day a lot of reasonable moderates and Republicans are getting lumped with the Trump Train. These are people who will play a large role in how our country moves forward. 2 years from now they are going to be the people that could make a change. Trump made promises about jobs, about the economy etc, and some voters saw the "good" in those ideas and didnt necessarily believe all of the potential "bad" about Trump. Its only been approximately 2 weeks, but as of now, Trump has been focusing on the ideas that, I believe, most moderates consider "bad", while a the same time completely ignoring other issues that seemed "good". And I truly believe this is where his inexperience and lack of understanding the system come into play. The election was a battle, he came out on top, but he should have started with some sort of conciliatory position to blunt the opposition. Then over time you slowly drop the sledgehammer. When I say moderate though it is only because I'm fiscally conservative and more liberal minded. Progressive if you will...kind of like Mark Kirk but voting for both democrats and republicans. We really need the army who doesn't agree with Trump to get going in the midterms and fight back so that when 2020 comes around, another candidate can step forward and try to win back the presidency (even though I think it is unlikely).

QUOTE (Soxbadger @ Jan 30, 2017 -> 11:26 PM) How does attacking his point of view further your cause? I think his question is perfectly reasonable, how do moderates fit into Trump's universe? And that is really a group who can make a difference. He said he was going to be a president for all Americans - I haven't seen how he's been one for me or people that I know yet. My question was reasonable - right now, they don't fit into his universe. Here's the Goff and Bernstein clip I talked about. Start listening at the 1:55 mark, where they get to talking about Steve Kerr's comments and an escalated caller comes in. What's important is that we can have discussions of civility, respect and tolerance - something I haven't seen done in every day life recently.

Slightly off topic, but Goff and Bernstein had an epic call with some dude named Tony today who went off on them for talking current events instead of sports. He was a clear supporter of the recent executive action on the immigration ban and was very escalated. They sliced and diced his argument in a matter of minutes. It's too bad that so many people say they should stick to sports and they are immediately deemed as liberals when they were just fostering a discussion about something on everyone's mind on a slow sports day.

QUOTE (BigSqwert @ Jan 30, 2017 -> 09:00 PM) We're turned into a banana republic. Thank you to everyone who voted for this idiot. I think he'll do just enough to get re-elected, thanks to his base that don't care about the facts and instead feed on the garbage he and Spicer spew on a daily basis. There's a lot of time to see what happens, but if the democrats don't do well in the 2018 midterms, it's going to be difficult to get him out of office in 2020. Plus, all presidents since Clinton have had two terms. Also, what is Trump going to do for moderate college educated white guys like me?

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Jan 30, 2017 -> 11:44 AM) The midterm election is 2018 is going to be one of the most important in a long time for this country. I just hope people actually go out and vote and participate. Since I live in Illinois and I don't know that my vote really matters in my district, should I reach out to the Democratic Township to make calls to other states or do townships just do outreach locally? I'm an independent but there's no way I'm helping Mr. Trump.

QUOTE (Soxbadger @ Jan 28, 2017 -> 09:43 PM) Im not an immigration attorney, but if anyone knows someone or is affected by this, feel free to pm me. I will not charge anything and I will provide any advice assistance I can. To those of you who I used to have respect for, who always told me that they were libertarians, whatever, who said that they shouldnt be lumped in. Now is the time to be heard. For those who dont have other Americans backs, I am taking names and I will hold you accountable. How can the average American man help the legal system? Donate to the ACLU? Pay legal fees for immigrants? Just curious.

Well, if the rumored three way trade fell apart and we are going into the season with Quintana, I hope he stays healthy and they deal him for a haul before the deadline. That's all we can hope for from a risk perspective.

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Jan 26, 2017 -> 10:47 AM) By the way, all the marching and yelling is good, but if you want to get the most bang for your buck, it's three simple things: 1. Get involved in community organzations 2. Vote 3. RUN FOR OFFICE I mean, look at the candidates being run out there. Look at the 2016 Illinois House and Senate races - in half of them, someone ran unopposed. Seriously - in a state that is the massive fiscal disaster that Illinois is, neither party can find enough candidates to run for the f***ing Congressional seats! If I wanted to move to Mike Madigan's precinct and run against him, how long would I have to live there? Do people in his precinct actually think he's doing a good job and vote him in or is there poor turnout?

Mark Cuban.

QUOTE (Brian @ Jan 20, 2017 -> 01:49 PM) Not so sure the Dems have one. Bernie and Joe will be too old. Corey Booker? Kirsten Gillibrand, Booker, Kamala Harris or John Hickenlooper.

QUOTE (BlackSox13 @ Jan 18, 2017 -> 10:30 AM) Hahn has already said due to market demand or lack thereof, trading away assets for the rebuild could take the rest of this year. I think Frazier is gone by the deadline and if Melky hits like Melky he might be too. That leaves Robertson which if he pitches well could be gone by the deadline or next winter. Bottom line is Hahn can't force teams to trade for the players he wants to trade. I agree with on KW. If he was running the rebuild there probably would be a bit more out there but Hahn is extremsly quiet when it comes to leaking info. Fair enough, where was RH quoted saying the first thing you said? (I trust that he said it.)

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Jan 18, 2017 -> 09:46 AM) Why? Because of impatience? Seriously, this is going to be a long 5 years for you. Because I hope someone has the guts to ask actual questions instead of the typical BS. He won't spill anything but at least we could see what he says about the reports we have. Or we can just continue to sit and speculate as we have in the last four threads...I am patient with losing but I do want to see moves continue to be made.

QUOTE (BlackSox13 @ Jan 17, 2017 -> 10:48 PM) If Hahn was willing to speak more on his trade negotiations for Q, it would already be out there. Hahn is not going to give in to fan peer pressure, nor should he. No, but my idea is something I definitely would have used on Williams back in the day since he's the kind of guy who allows things to get to him. I would like to see how Hahn responds to questions about the rebuild though, because we are at the point in the offseason where there's nothing going on and we patiently have to wait for spring training to start.

Will anyone going to SoxFest go to a Q&A with RH and grill him? Beat him up a bit and see what he says about Quintana? The lack of rumors and disagreement over what to do with Quintana now and at the deadline is driving me crazy.

QUOTE (flavum @ Jan 17, 2017 -> 02:49 PM) Pretty much. We get it. Call me when the deal is done. Yeah, call me when a deal is done too. It seems like Merkin and Levine are picking angles that nobody has reported and nothing more than that. WSCR reported the same exact s*** today and didn't respond to my text asking for them to elaborate further. I get that it's a Cubs station and that their programming is all set for the day, but we can't just be left hanging with more posturing and more bulls***. Either trade Quintana or say we haven't gotten our demands and be done with it.

QUOTE (knightni @ Jan 17, 2017 -> 08:14 AM) Broken Clock Syndrome I believe the last thing he broke was Theo Epstein's extension. Things are really quiet again...great. They shouldn't have teased us with news about talks with the Pirates and Yankees weeks ago.

I think we will really have to see some other reporters tweet about this or post something else for this to get off the ground. I wonder how much teams could have upped their offers, but I hope the Sox do take something before spring training for the sale of development.

QUOTE (StrangeSox @ Jan 14, 2017 -> 12:39 PM) Yes, surely this will prevent any threats and intimidation from Trump. We've all seen him respond in a cool and levelheaded manner at even the mildest criticisms. What bothers me is when facts are presented towards him that are true, he and Kellyanne deny it and attack the media. Paul Ryan even said CNN didn't publish the Buzzfeed story. Now, if something was really bad reporting, I guess I could see why he would be mad. I think he's still mad at the media for the election coverage. I also think more people need to watch and read more than one news source. I wouldn't touch Fox News or Breitbart (because I can't take them seriously, though it depends what the programming is on Fox News), but I watch NBC, ABC, CBS and read CNN and the Chicago Tribune. I even watch C-Span and listen to NPR. I think fake news is a perception that is made after someone forwards something on social media and people complain. Or it is when there is actually bad reporting.

QUOTE (Quinarvy @ Jan 14, 2017 -> 10:27 AM) Cubs tax = lost Sox revenue from the fact that their inter-city rival and defending World Champs get better with Quintana. Okay, I thought it literally had to do with the CBA.

I'm a moderate who voted for Obama twice and Kasich in the primary. I would have voted for Bernie or Biden in the general election but picked Clinton because she was the lesser of two evils as a person. The only thing I agree with Trump on is that jobs should not be leaving the US and companies should be punished in some way, shape or form for pushing them overseas. I am concerned about the republican agenda that I think will go down - slashing entitlements, building a wall that doesn't help the deficit, somehow sitting on their hands when Trump works with Putin and of course, appointing at least two Supreme Court justices if one passes while he is in office. I worry about what they could do to gay rights in addition to overturning Roe v Wade completely. I sincerely hope he doesn't get us into any wars while he is in office as well. I think the question is, how do democrats recover from this and regain some seats in 2018? Will someone like Colorado's governor (his name escapes me), Kirsten Gillibrand, Kampala Harris or Cory Booker be able to win the Presidency back in 2020, or will we have to see his 74 year old ass in office for another four years? And, how can democrats connect with voters who believe Trump will bring their jobs back (not happening because of automation)? I've read these threads for awhile and wanted to see what you all thought about some of these questions? Edit: What should journalists do to protect themselves and the truth in the Trump era?

QUOTE (Dam8610 @ Jan 14, 2017 -> 02:15 AM) Because you're not factoring in the Cubs tax that makes a deal with them not feasible. This may have already been explained, but can you or someone explain this to me? How much cash would the Sox have to throw in to offset, say, Robertson's contract if it were Quintana? Or if it's just Quintana? What kind of dollars are we talking about here?

QUOTE (Deadpool @ Jan 13, 2017 -> 03:08 PM) My impression (never been in radio) is that it is a demotion. I have never felt DiCaro or Rongey were "higher up" than Abbatacola. It is super weird that a guy so active at the company is suddenly "demoted". Maybe there's more we don't know. Nice display name, BTW. Thanks - it's a New Era after the Northsiders won the WS and the Sox started the rebuild. There is more to all of this, but I bet it is politics. The show enjoyed great ratings and was funny under Abbatacola's watch. I would think maybe they wanted to keep Shepkowski at the Score and told Abbatacola that he's a sub for when hosts are out, just like Rozner.

If Quintana isn't traded by SoxFest, I think all signs point to him being on the Sox roster in 2017. These rumors have dried up and there's nothing new happening. My guess is he will be traded at the deadline, along with Robertson and possibly Cabrera and Frazier for beer and possibly a plate of nachos.