YASNY

QUOTE(greasywheels121 @ Jan 8, 2008 -> 02:13 PM) Deadspin made my day when I saw this pic. That guy in the center ... is that Barack Obama?

QUOTE(NorthSideSox72 @ Jan 8, 2008 -> 02:12 PM) I see your point, and agree to an extent. No doubt that our "experiments" in, for your example, wildlife preservation, have at times been disastrous. Just look at Lake Michigan - the alewifes, the salmon and trout, and that whole mess. But, we get better at it as time goes on. All sorts of reintroductions are happening successfully now around the country, along with habitat restorations, that are simply much more educated and researched (as you rightly suggest). Plus, I think you can almost always go right by leaving nature to its course. Leaving space undisturbed, it will find a way to balance itself with its surroundings. I'm a big advocate of open space initiatives, but I think the best ones are exactly that - leave the space to become wild on its own, to the extent possible. I totally agree with your last paragraph.

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Jan 8, 2008 -> 01:53 PM) The official energy crisis was driven by them keeping power plants deliberately off line and forcing the state to buy whatever capacity it could from whoever was selling at whatever price (Enron). But CA, especially in the LA Area, has a real nasty habit of pushing itself right up to the limit of the power grid every summer when the big heat wave hits, and it's become fairly common that there are rolling blackouts on a smaller scale because the system can't handle the load. If all you did was save 1% of the area's electricity by altering everyone's thermostat who has one by 1 degree, it'd make a huge difference. Sorry man. I'm just not into the gov't telling me what I have to my thermostat set at in my own house. When I built this house I put in 2x6 walls instead od 2x4 for the extra insulation. The point is, that was MY choice not the damn gov't interfering in my comfort level. This is a perfect example of left wing thinking and I use the term thinking loosely here. And, yes I was right. It was an Enron thing.

QUOTE(GreenSox @ Jan 8, 2008 -> 01:24 PM) I hear ya and that makes sense. But I'm not convinced he can handle the D. Any idea how Swisher handles CF? It seems he'll have to for that trade to make sense. CF have value - LF and 1B, as you said..... No, I can't place a value on Swish in CF, but it sounds iffy at this point.

QUOTE(NorthSideSox72 @ Jan 8, 2008 -> 01:24 PM) You know, for all the negativity in this forum that is aimed at our public officials - rightly in many cases, and certainly myself included - this Presidential race is inspiring to me. There are a number of historically significant and dramatic things going on, not to mention that I actually feel some hope for where the country might go after BushCo skulks out of office. Not that I think everything will be la-la perfect, but that there is a scent on the air that some important things may actually change for the better - no matter which party takes the White House. Call me naive if you'd like. But I see just a little bit of silver lining. This thread highlights one of those things - involvement and voting was very high in Iowa, and appears to be very high in New Hampshire. That, to me, is awesome. I am really happy to see people get more involved in the process. Similarly, the large youth voter turnout trend is good to see. It really started a bit in 2004, more in the 2006 midterms, and now seems (so far) quite big in Iowa and NH. Not everything is so awful. I wish I had your optimism.

QUOTE(ChiSox_Sonix @ Jan 8, 2008 -> 01:18 PM) http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/7651196?MSNHPHMA Gossage alone in this years class (plus veterans committee selections). Rice fell 14 votes short with next year being his final chance. Raines the only first timer with more than the 5% needed to remain next year; he had 25%. Good for Goose. Well deserved. He was the best reliever of his time. I wish Dawson would have made it.

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Jan 8, 2008 -> 01:10 PM) Ok, so since it's CA, I can safely say this. Which would you rather have...the government turning down your thermostat or the government turning off your lights? Because one of those 2 has happened in the last 10 years. Wasn't that an Enron thing? The rolling black outs?

QUOTE(GreenSox @ Jan 8, 2008 -> 01:06 PM) But he can't play the position. Crede's contract isn't going to be that big, Boras or not. Also, the Sox played Crede in LF last year, so they must have had other ideas for 3b And they bailed on the idea of playing Fields in left. He can play the position. He's no Crede, but he'll be fine. Putting him in LF or 1B also decreases his value, as decent 3b are much harder to find ... and he will be a decent 3B. Look at how bad Aramis Ramirez was. It takes work and it takes time, but Fields has shown he is willing to pay the price to be good at what he does ... otherwise he never would have been a starting QB at OK State.

QUOTE(GreenSox @ Jan 8, 2008 -> 01:01 PM) What about 1B? Why haven't the Sox worked him there? He should be able to handle first. Trade Konerko, but not for 1 year rentals of Figgins, please. Because we are going to need him at 3B once Crede's gone ... and he'll be gone before 2009.

QUOTE(GoSox05 @ Jan 8, 2008 -> 12:59 PM) I think things like this or groups like Blackwater pose a much greater threat to are freedom than gun laws. Now that I agree with. Ruby Ridge and Waco come to mind.

QUOTE(NorthSideSox72 @ Jan 8, 2008 -> 12:45 PM) No, I think that is highly unlikely. But its not impossible, in my view. I just don't trust my government (or any other) enough to make that sacrifice. Its not that I think its likely we'll end up like Nazi Germany or something - but I think its very possible we are headed generally towards a society that is too controlled by its government. Which is just another step on that slippery slope.

QUOTE(GoSox05 @ Jan 8, 2008 -> 12:39 PM) So do you think that America's or England's gun laws are being put in place to move to a totalitarian state? In a word. [/size]YES! Edit to add: That didn't work, but you get my point.

QUOTE(GoSox05 @ Jan 8, 2008 -> 12:30 PM) I think it prove's that a goverment dosen't need to take away guns to over take it's people. I think it also points out that other factors are invloded in taking over a people, not just taking away their guns. I'm not for taking people's guns away. I'm for people having guns. I just think people in this country over react when talking about gun control. I'm going to overreact every time. This is one issue I feel strongly about. You know, like to the extent of putting my life on the line. Other s*** I'll vote for or against. This one is non-negotiable.

QUOTE(NorthSideSox72 @ Jan 8, 2008 -> 11:46 AM) It was absolutely part of the process. It would have been a lot more difficult to kill 6 million Jews if they could have shot back.

QUOTE(kyyle23 @ Jan 8, 2008 -> 10:26 AM) Britney is out and about again, starbucks, gas stations, hotels, convenience stores. How long until she seriously hurts herself? We, as a nation, spend way too much time focusing on these pop tarts and not enough on important issues. Like the Sox.

QUOTE(max power @ Jan 8, 2008 -> 11:41 AM) Touchdown bears. It's touchdown Razorbacks today. Arkansas has already had one death this morning.

QUOTE(Brian @ Jan 8, 2008 -> 11:20 AM) Finally rented "We Are Marshall". Been wanting to see it since it came out in theaters. Great movie. I enjoyed it. I wouldn't call it great. But was worth watching for sure.

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Jan 8, 2008 -> 11:36 AM) A lot of the better articles have disappeared from the Google or been hidden behind subscription archive walls, but the general consensus back in 04 was that Edwards was trying to run as the electable, centrist, southern Democrat, and that's why Kerry picked him, to try to balance out his northeastern liberalness. Exit polling in the primaries did suggest that in fact was the case in the voting; as the crossover voters, the independents/Republicans who showed up to vote in the contested Dem primary in states that allowed it, went stronger for Edwards than for Kerry, suggesting to me that Edwards did pull off something of a centrist argument then. For one of the examples I was able to find: Guardian Thank you Balta. Interesting. I'd still like to see Mike's line of thinking and also the Romney aspect of it.

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Jan 8, 2008 -> 11:26 AM) And since I'll have all the guns... That's the point. You'll have to have guns or you won't get mine. If you do have guns and try and take mine, then s*** will hit the fan. Of course, your response is exactly the reason I won't give up my gun. When tptb are the only ones that have guns, we are f***ed. Hang it up at that point. It's all over. Seig Heil!

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Jan 8, 2008 -> 10:59 AM) I am. Then one of us will die when you show up at my door.

QUOTE(southsider2k5 @ Jan 8, 2008 -> 10:30 AM) John Edwards is the lefts answer to Mitt Romney, he completely transformed himself in an election cycle to try to get wins in two different elections. I'd really appreciate if you would elaborate on that ... regarding both candidates. Not intended as a challenge, but more of what is your thinking here.

QUOTE(Reddy @ Jan 8, 2008 -> 03:57 AM) even though he's the exact opposite....? i understand y'all don't like trial lawyers apparently, but i'm staying right now with a doctor who is a die hard edwards supporter. hmmm interesting that he doesn't fault him for his career choice. Edwards, if you actually talked to the man - if you actually listened - is the most genuine candidate i think we've seen in a long time. why is it that every other candidate keeps stealing his ideas, platforms, even speeches? Yesterday i heard Clinton say "this is very personal for me". Straight out of John Edwards. Obama said "I walk the walk". Straight out of John Edwards. The health care plans? Edwards came up with it first - they took it and called it their own. He's been a leader on almost every issue but he's not black and he's not a woman so the media didn't care. He also is against the giant corporate conglomerates that RUN the media... so they have a stake in him losing. look - yesterday i met some incredible people. people with nothing - literally clawing to survive. a house made of wooden shingles and a tin roof. IN AMERICA. These people have been thrown by the wayside. The husband of a couple i met lost his job cuz he was hurt. Now he's "supporting" his family off of SS. for how long? and is that enough? no. They told me about friends dying because they didn't have health insurance. I talked with him and his wife for half an hour yesterday and when i left i was near tears because it was that heartbreaking. I've never been so inspired in my life This is who Edwards is fighting for. These people NEED this man. Obama can't do it - doesn't have the balls. Clinton can't do it - she just doesn't care about these people. You all can bicker all you want about this that and the other, but right now I'm out here fighting for people with nothing and i'm fighting against huge odds to get a man into office who can change this country. Y'all might think i'm a bit crazy - but sometimes you need crazy people out there if you want to actually accomplish something. I'll say this much for you. You believe in the man and are out there trying to get him elected. Good for you!

QUOTE(witesoxfan @ Jan 7, 2008 -> 11:16 PM) I'm not sure there's a player on the Sox right now that would get Jones away from Seattle, let alone with the addition of Clement. The absolute only reason I hate hypothetical trade ideas is because of how little some people understand value from both sides. Otherwise, they are pretty fun to look at. Some vastly over rate the Sox players and prospects. Some vastly under rate them. Either way, it's fun to read.

QUOTE(Gene Honda Civic @ Jan 7, 2008 -> 11:17 PM) My thought was that it was a calculated and direct response to 'the iron lady' syndrome of which you speak. I didn't think it was calculated. I don't know, though. I despise the lady, but I think this was the real thing.

QUOTE(Soxy @ Jan 7, 2008 -> 04:04 PM) I agree completely. Even if it was genuine (and I tend to think it was--even if it was mostly because of frustration as opposed to hopefulness or optimism) crying is the WORST thing she could do. She's f***ed either way. I'm not even going to get into a gender debate here, but I think that plays a huge role for Hillary. I just don't think America is ready for a female head of state yet. I think the problem with Hillary is that she is, fundamentally, an intellectual. (I feel entitled to say this because I am surrounded by those rat bastards all day.) She lacks the ability to really seem compassionate. I think her ideas are good. She's articulate. But she has no charisma and/or people skills. Here's my question: why the fudge would anyone WANT to be president? You have to be pretty messed up, imo, to want it in the first place. I'll put my two cents in here on the fact that Hillary got emotional. That moment is most human side of Hillary that I've seen from her. She has always, imo, comes across as 'the iron lady' and this kind of shows a chink in her armor. In fact, I think this incident will help her rather than hurt her.