CanOfCorn

QUOTE (Soxbadger @ Sep 4, 2012 -> 10:14 AM) Two points. 1) Maybe I am naive, but I believe most people in the United States think that all people are created equal and deserving of the same rights and protections. 2) Even economists disagree on the best positions to take. There are a few things that most economists agree on (not restricting immigration), but most people dont really want to talk economics on immigration, they want to use a pseudo-social argument of protectionism (they took our jobs). I have no illusions anymore, on the current course the US will fail. The US must remain the freest county in the world, because it simply can not beat other countries who dont play by the same rules (minimum wage, quality controls, etc). 1) I guess the question is, who are you asking? I believe that if you took a poll of everyone in the US, they would agree with your statement. But words and actions are totally different things. If that were the case, this gay marriage/civil union argument wouldn't be an argument at all. It would just be, "Hey, you are in a committed relationship, then you should have all the rights granted to opposite sex couples." But it's not. 2) Agreed. But every economic policy affects every other issue, even if it's as simple as spending money on one thing will take that money from spending it on another. The average Joe doesn't understand the ramifications of even one spending or taxing difference. And like you said, sometimes the economists don't either.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Sep 2, 2012 -> 10:50 AM) Maybe we should give pro athletes tenure to balance things out. They do...it's called veteran minimum salary.

QUOTE (Soxbadger @ Sep 4, 2012 -> 09:59 AM) In some ways its true. But not on social issues. No way does GWB pass health care reform, no way does GWB publicly support same sex marriage and Im pretty sure GWB is pro-forcing families to have babies. Thats why I dont really care about economic arguments. Both sides are going to spend excessively. Neither side is going to want to compromise on spending cuts. And its ultimately why the Democrats should win because I refuse to be part of a platform that will be viewed as historically backwards. Herein lies the problem. A candidate for any office isn't going to change your or probably most of America's opinion about social issues. They are beliefs that people are raised with and ultimately will change only on their own, not by a stump speech. But most of America doesn't understand economics, if I cut taxes, X will happen or if I raise taxes, Y will happen. Because of this, arguments today HAVE to be about economics, jobs, housing, taxes, etc. Because the masses minds CAN be changed. Now I'm not saying most of America is dumb. I just think that our current economic system is too complex for most people to have the time to sit down and understand. I have a basic knowledge, but if you asked me what Obama's or Romney's plans would do to the economy, I have no stinkin' idea. But I am smart enough to know this...neither one is going to solve the problem in 4 years.

QUOTE (Jenksismyb**** @ Aug 31, 2012 -> 01:14 PM) I think that's the unwritten playbook for beating an incumbent. You don't offer up solutions, you just talk about the failures of the other guy. That's going to "change" the independent votes more than offering up a competing strategy. Usually...like StrangeSox just showed...there's some sort of outline of how. This had none of it. So, I walked away with, "That's great, but how are you going to do these things?" Or course, the disenchanted don't care, they just want change thinking it will be good. Can't say I blame them or that they are wrong, but I can't imagine an election is going to change anything long-term.

Did anyone notice that for the first time in as long as I can remember, the Republican nominee didn't really lay out a plan? It was more of a "what hasn't our current President done" speech than a "this is what I'm going to do and how I'm going to do it." Well, it was a "this is what I'm going to do" speech, but not so much of a "and this is how I'm going to do it." There were no empty promises, nor was there a structure for those promises to eventually fill. Strange speech...but it riled up the crowd, that's for sure.

Actually any John Hughes movie. Also, I can't believe this one hasn't been mentioned yet: Glengarry Glen Ross! "Coffee's for closers." "Always be closing. ALWAYS BE CLOSING!" "f*** you, that's my name."

Hawk pours himself into every game. Not every broadcast, every game. Which is where the rants come from. Where the silence when the Sox are doing poorly comes from. Where the broken voice when there's a big hit or catch comes from. Where "JOOOOOOE CRRREEEEEE-DEEEEE!" and "C'mon Timo! C'mon Timo!" comes from. He may not be the best play-by-play man in the game, but I'd like to see you try to find another one that matches Hawk's enthusiasm for the game of baseball.

If we are going that route...make an offer for Jason Vargas, an above average pitcher on a poor team. Or, for just an innings eater...Kevin Millwood. Other than that...I can't say there's much out there except for maybe a flyer on Oswalt, but that's probably not a good move considering what he's done with the Rangers.

How the HELL did we get this far in and no mention of Caddyshack?! "Hey Wang, don't tell 'em yer Jewish." "So I got THAT going for me...which is nice." Etc. I love quotes from Coen movies too. The Hudsucker Proxy: "Y'know, for kids." Intolerable Cruelty: "I'm FASCINATED by that creature." "You're exposed." Big Lebowski: Too many to name. Fargo... ETc., etc, etc.

QUOTE (Milkman delivers @ Aug 22, 2012 -> 05:16 PM) The mom asked the kid incredibly leading questions. She's a f***ing moron and should see jail time. While you and Soxbadger are both right...as a parent, emotions will always reign supreme. I wouldnt' be thinking clearly, asking questions as if I were a lawyer. Then again, I certainly wouldn't go after someone with a bat either, unless I was POSITIVE this was true. But, don't give the mom grief because of her questions...give her grief because of the action.

It's a couple of years old, but check out Listen for the Clues by Trumpeter Swan. It's by the former keyboardist from What Made Milwaukee Famous. I won't repost the description, but if you go to the website, it's pretty fitting. Excellent music (and I happen to know him).

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Aug 23, 2012 -> 10:06 AM) Yeah, the zone was big for both teams. You might not like it, but it was consistent. That's all anyone can ask for...as long as it's a strike or a ball for both teams. That being said...

QUOTE (mr_genius @ Aug 20, 2012 -> 09:21 PM) kind of below average Onion 'snark'. and this is coming from a big fan of the Onion. but it's a hard topic to make hilarious Exactly, cuz what he said was already the biggest joke of all.

According to ESPN...Shawne Merriman cut by the Bills.

QUOTE (pittshoganerkoff @ Aug 20, 2012 -> 10:50 AM) I'm hooked on it, too. The writing is top notch. It's a very dialogue-heavy show, much like Aaron Sorkin's other efforts. You're right about the timing. I particularly like the scenes with Jeff Daniels and Sam Waterson. Oh, and there's nothing wrong with Olivia Munn on screen. I loved the part yesterday where Mac was talking to her ex about how Will MacAvoy "struggles with things" and there he is with the pants. The chemistry on that set is incredible. And there is DEFINITELY nothing wrong with Olivia Munn on screen.

Anyone watching The Newsroom? While it's overly idealistic and heavy-handed with a touch of too much romance between characters we don't REALLY care about, the writing is incredible and the actors timing is impeccable. It's worth a watch if you haven't already.

QUOTE (Brian @ Aug 16, 2012 -> 10:10 PM) Jereme Richmond has enrolled at Arizona State. He can't play, right? Or can he but just not on scholarship? Anyway, good for him to get away from some of the people he has been hanging with. I don't think he can play at ASU because he played professionally.

QUOTE (bighurt574 @ Aug 17, 2012 -> 09:31 AM) Is it just me or does 460 on Dunn's seem way low? It was right over the 400-foot sign, and it sure seems like more than 60 feet. I wish there was a way to find out how far it would have traveled if there were no walls, seats, whatever in the outfield. Now THAT would be fun.

I'll take Nate Jones as the longshot.

QUOTE (Greg Hibbard @ Aug 16, 2012 -> 02:31 PM) Wasn't Sax a 90s Sox? Like 92 or something? You are correct...*sad face*

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Aug 16, 2012 -> 01:19 PM) There was a lot of horrible 80's baseball to get those picks. Don't you DARE mock those 80's teams of Carlos Martinez, Dan Pasqua, Joel Skinner, Scott Fletcher, Steve Sax...BWAHAHAHA... Crap, almost made it through without laughing.

QUOTE (YASNY @ Aug 16, 2012 -> 01:56 PM) That is a horrible look, but that isn't the uni I had in mind. I think a recall a road uni in powder blue with white lettering and white sox. I seem to also recall some sort of sox logo patch on the side of the socks. Is this it?

I heard Tim Howard's new nickname is "The Border Fence."