Balta1701

QUOTE (bmags @ Sep 30, 2009 -> 11:24 AM) how is this pressured by politics, they ignored an issue for years because it was too hard and so state/local/fed gov'ts ran wild not caring, they basically just punted for years, and now they are going to punt again. They are supposed to interpret the constitution. So do it. Frankly, I don't think this court is going to punt again. I get the general impression that the people on this court realize that this is probably the most conservative court we'll see for the next 50 years, and if there is ever going to be law made from the conservative side, this is their chance. I think the Roberts 4 will push things as far as they can possibly go without getting Kennedy to vote against them, and they'll then defy everyone that follows to overturn it.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Sep 29, 2009 -> 05:15 PM) Step one is to repeal that. You'll see a much better result from that, than anything the government has proposed. Harry Reid has said he'd like to, but that would be vastly more "Politically controversial" than anything else the Dems have proposed. In other words...lots more lobbying dollars.

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Sep 29, 2009 -> 09:53 AM) I don't agree with your view here at all. I much prefer we get more people delivering fact, and fewer people injecting their opinions. I'd rather make my own. The big problem is...what people say is not equal to fact. Playing stenographer doesn't take that in to account. That's how we got "Bush at war", that's how we got Bush's war, that's how we've gotten this whole mess that is our current media.

QUOTE (kapkomet @ Sep 29, 2009 -> 06:11 PM) You all can't stand the fact that the town halls, etc. and the MAJORITY OF AMERICANS DO NOT WANT THIS s***. You can take your little polls and twisted language to solicit a response you want to hear, but (again) the majority, an overwhelming one at that, do not want state-run health care (and you all know damn well that's where it was going). You can sugar coat this any way you want about lobbyists, money, bribes, etc. but the Dems know that if they do (and there's still a {pretty good} chance it does in some form, just different language then "public option") shove this down our throat they're out of power again. The PEOPLE spoke on this one, and it's about damn time. LOL "I refuse to believe any polling data but my gut tells me that Americans don't want this". "The people spoke on this one". Yeah, if only there had been some sort of official poll done, perhaps using paper or electronic ballots, where one person had pushed a national health care system and the other had pushed a system of expanded tax credits for health care costs. If only that had happened 11 months or so ago, we might have had some idea...if only. You won't except polling results, you won't accept election results, you won't accept that any of the town hall riots had official organization, you won't accept that there were dozens fo town halls that didn't get covered because no riots happened... Really...your rant here is quite impressive.

QUOTE (lostfan @ Sep 29, 2009 -> 09:39 AM) The NFL has an exemption too doesn't it No. That's why Al Davis is able to keep moving his team against the wishes of the NFL, in some fashion.

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Sep 29, 2009 -> 09:24 AM) I fully disagree, based on his books and the few articles I have read, but I admit I have not read a ton of his paper stuff. Woodward's problem is that he has become the prime example of a "Villager". He's no longer interested in getting beyond the story that people are willing to tell him and pissing people off in the process...he's traded away that behavior in exchange for access. There's not necessarily anything wrong with being a high level stenographer, those people should exist and do serve a purpose. And Woodward gets some interesting stuff when there is legitimate conflict occurring between the people he's interviewing, But there's just way too many of them today who aren't trying to get beyond what they're told.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Sep 29, 2009 -> 09:06 AM) I really don't think that any of those countries could stop Israel from doing anything if Israel decided that it had to be done. Except for Iraq, this is true. The question though is what happens after it is done.

QUOTE (lostfan @ Sep 29, 2009 -> 08:58 AM) Well he's kind of right, the Saudis don't really like Iran. That's plausible. On the other hand...it's also plausible they could use it as a way to whip up additional anti-Israeli furor, which is something that happens quite consistently. Especially when the civilian casualty images start showing up on TV.

QUOTE (Jordan4life @ Sep 29, 2009 -> 01:21 AM) Holy s***@that vid. I'm not one that gets overly emotional but damn. And I agree about the Angels being good enough to win it all. This is the best offense they've had since they won it all in '02. Their pitching isn't as good as it's been in past years. But Lackey/Weaver/Kazmir (I'm assuming those would be their top 3) is pretty formidable. Then you got Saunders and Santana, who's rounding into form, and you have a pretty deep staff. Bullpen is solid led by Fuentes. They've got a real shot. Hopefully they don't play the Red Sox in round 1 again. They're to the Angels what the Bulls used to be to the Knicks all those years we were winning titles. Yeah, they're getting the Red Sox in round 1. Yankees have best record, Tigers/Twins will have worst record, Wild Card is Red Sox.

So, I think the direction of this thread argues that we're totally useless on the gift suggestions based on the information given.

Gosh, I was just trying to SING!

QUOTE (kapkomet @ Sep 28, 2009 -> 08:53 PM) The Palestinians, for one, albiet indirectly. If the had a couple billion dollars worth of weapons, they'd be doing a lot more than firing the occasional unguided rocket.

QUOTE (WCSox @ Sep 28, 2009 -> 08:50 PM) I'm sure that some GM would give up a lot (Sabean comes to mind). Like I said above, I think it's really odd that they'd shop him (1) coming off of a really bad season and (2) when he's arb-eligible for three more years. After thinking about it, I strongly suspect that their front office leaked this info on purpose to put a fire under Upton's ass. On the other hand though...they have genuine reason to be excited about that other OF. So if you're a GM, you be a bit nervous, but you talk to your scouts, you talk to your doctors, and maybe you're the team that has a chance to steal a legit talent.

QUOTE (SoxAce @ Sep 28, 2009 -> 08:34 PM) Assuming we about 3 months going into "next year," I won't be that shocked. But that depends on how you define a year. (525,600 minutes, perhaps?)

QUOTE (SoxAce @ Sep 28, 2009 -> 07:43 PM) X-Rays were negative today from a potential broken arm. And yes, I'm still shocked this thread has lasted this long STILL! Zip it with the shockiness, k? You'll be shocked next year when it's still going.

QUOTE (lostfan @ Sep 28, 2009 -> 08:13 PM) And I really just wish we would treat them like we treat any other country. How many other countries do we give a couple billion in arms to every year?

QUOTE (The Baconator @ Sep 28, 2009 -> 07:57 PM) How about a couple Nats? I would love to see Nyjer Morgan or Josh Willingham. Anyone know what their contract situations look like? Willingham just finished his first arb-eligible year, I believe he has 2 more. Nyjer Morgan is still at least 1 year pre-arbitration, and would be a league minimum guy next season. Has less than 2 years of service time.

QUOTE (WCSox @ Sep 28, 2009 -> 07:18 PM) I think that a lot of GMs agree. If Upton had Jeter's attitude on the field, they'd probably be less concerned about Upton's current OPS+ of 74 (which probably has at least something to do with the fact that he went under the knife 10 1/2 months ago). But Upton's lackadaisical playing style is likely going to give some GMs pause. At the very least, they'd probably want to see what he'll do next year before giving up a king's ransom for him. Plus...that seems to be a weird injury he's having, or at least it's really hurting his game and he's not recovering well from it. Either way, if I were the Rays, I'd move one of them. If I'm ready to give up on Upton, I move him and shoot for a pitcher or a AA level outfielder. Someone will gamble on him (They got Garza for Delmon "Hell of a bat throw at that Ump" Young). If I think this was just an injury down year and he'll be back next ST where he was in the 2008 playoffs, then move crawford, bring the kid up, and try to reload with a AAA pitcher and a new closer.

QUOTE (kapkomet @ Sep 28, 2009 -> 07:18 PM) Fair enough - but I guess if someone was trying to kill me every day, I wouldn't think very fondly of them either. You do realize that applies to both sides as well right?

QUOTE (Thunderbolt @ Sep 28, 2009 -> 07:06 PM) Then we never should have made the trade with the Yankees. Equal returns or bust. After the season he had last year...with the contract he had, what we got was an equal return. He was just that bad last year.

QUOTE (Jordan4life @ Sep 28, 2009 -> 06:58 PM) Don't be such a stat whore. Do you really think we could get anything worth a damn if we traded Getz? If the Rays traded Upton they'd get a killing. Value in a trade is not always the best indicator of a player's true value. Yeah, I'd rather have Upton than Getz too...but I don't think Getz is a .670 OPS player long-term. I think Getz looks like one of those guys that you really like having on your team because he always does something positive. And Upton...I'm kinda worried he'll never get to where he's supposed to be, and will wind up being a fringey player watching his brother kill the league. But we'll see. If nothing else, Getz's trade value is no wehre near where his value to the team would be if he can put together a solid season with teh bat (.290ish average) next year.

QUOTE (Thunderbolt @ Sep 28, 2009 -> 06:58 PM) I agree with the premise that the differences between Swish and Ozzie were irreconcilable. I will never agree, however, that Swish couldn't have found a home here given the chance. I just wish we could have gotten something for him. Honestly, swap Marquez for Ian Kennedy and I’m fine with that trade. We'd all have been fine with that but the Yankees would never do that.

Well then. Giddyup.

Step 1: cut a hole in a box

QUOTE (kapkomet @ Sep 28, 2009 -> 06:32 PM) Sure they could, but we're sending the Palestinians enough money to cover some of that. Yea, they use that money for humanitarian aid... wink wink, nod nod. Do you have any idea how much it costs to replace the stuff Israel destroys every few years?