spiderman

Thanks Buster for stating the obvious. Of course, the White Sox would be crazy to not move Buerhle should the White Sox not be in contention at mid-season, though, chances are, he'd probably be a big reason why they wouldn't be.

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Feb 25, 2007 -> 10:44 PM) Then we have them build windmills. Gigantic windmills. And no I'm not joking. Those places I believe receive more wind more regularly than anywhere else in the country. They can build windmills. Ggantic windmills. Right after they figure out how to create a fishing pole out of their underwear or make a spear out of 64,000 blades of grass. I'm sure buildindg windmills is about third or fourth on the list.

The total amount spent on Prisons in the United States was over $60 billion last year. The average cost to house a prisoner in the US is close to $23K per year. Nearly 2 million people are in prison at any given time and the system is overwhelmed because 2/3 of prisoners are sent back to prison again within three years. The current system is not a deterrent. It is simply a temporary barrier system to keep the offenders away from the general public temporarily. Here is the solution. The Aleutian Islands are a chain of 300 islands that extend over 1200 miles off the coast of Alaska. Several of the islands could be used by the Alaskan Government as a permanent exile for violent offenders or multiple repeat offenders across the country. Any state would be allowed to participate. They would simply have to pay an upfront $50K fee per prisoner and cover the costs of shipping the prisoner to Alaska. After that, their hands are washed from that individual forever. Alaska would take care of getting the prisoners to the islands in question. The prisoners would be left on the island to fend for themselves and live among other outcasts/animals of society. Few people live on these islands, so moving people to accomodate the prisoners would not be difficult. The islands offer all of the neccesities of life. Each prisoner would be provided with a backpack containing survival gear, meals ready to eat for two weeks, and two sets of weather proof winter clothing to keep them warm (one set they would be wearing). They would be required to participate in a two day class to teach them how to survive in the wilderness for the rest of their lives. It would be their choice whether to participate or not. The mass production of the equipment for the inmates could be kept low due to the large quantities ordered. Perhaps $500 per inmate. Costs to transport inmates to the island would be minimal if done in bulk visits via helicopter or ship. The total cost to Alaska per inmate would be about $2K, netting out $48K per inmate minus the minimal costs of keeping a couple ships on round the clock duty watching the island. For the 20,000 murderers and violent sexual predators each year, that would total a nearly $1 billion revenue to the state of Alaska each year. States could also choose to send "three strike" offenders to the island (a significant deterrent to most criminals, I would have to believe). The temperature ranges on the islands from 30-52 degrees year round and the military style clothing and gear provided (including a poncho) would keep the prisoners warm until they can build adequate shelter for themselves. It rains on the islands about 200 days per year, so fresh water would never be difficult to come by for the prisoners, not to mention the large quantities of lakes, rivers, ponds, and streams. The islands that have trees have coniferous trees and plenty of vegetation, including grasses, sedges, and flowering plants to eat and for insulation and bedding. The ocean waters are loaded with crabs, shellfish, and fish of all shapes and sizes and the prisoners would be required to fend for themselves to acquire food. The islands are also loaded with fresh water abundant with fish, as well. There are seals, sea lions, and otters to eat, also. The islands are foggy, windy, and rainy with oceanic storms frequent enough to prevent anyone from escaping the island (since they would most likely have to swim hundreds of miles to get off). The islands could be patrolled by a small number of vessels to prevent anyone from trying to rescue anyone off the islands. Natural selection would keep the population of the island under control. Deceased prisoners could simply be "put to sea" so nature can take its course, eliminating the need for burial or hospitalization costs. There would be no need for an death penalty anymore since they sheer numbers would on the island would probably take care of that on their own (hence, quieting those who say that the State does not have the right to kill a human being either). In this scenario, the prisoners are provided adequate gear to ensure protection from the elements, training and food to ensure survival from the perils of nature, adequate freedom to not be cooped up in a small cell and restricted from fresh air, given the right to create a new life for themselves away from the society they have proven they cannot live beside, and no longer be killed by their own State. The States that choose to participate would slash the costs of their prison systems for housing long term inmates freeing up money for schools, health care, or tax cuts; remove unsavory characters from society permanently; create a real deterrent to prevent violent offenses from occurring in the future; create safer societies for their law abiding populace while lessening the burden those societies have to house these offenders.

QUOTE(Texsox @ Feb 24, 2007 -> 11:35 PM) News is when things go wrong. A twelve car pile up on the Edens is more newsworthy than the hundred thousand cars that arrived successfully. Tonight on the CBS News, this man drove home without incident! This isn't news either. Check out a poll A large majority of people are against the war. Why should the army be any different ?

QUOTE(Texsox @ Feb 23, 2007 -> 06:34 AM) I wonder if one of these is Nuke!? Why is this a story ? Did anyone really think that all US Soldiers believe in the mission, especially the longer we are there ? Of course not. I hope that 60 minutes will have a story next week about 1,000 soldiers there who believe in the mission. I'll probably be waiting a long time for that story though.

Pitching has a chance to be very good with lots of potential in the bullpen, and a veteran starting rotation....saying that, I need to see to believe. White Sox will finish in 2nd place, 86 wins

QUOTE(NorthSideSox72 @ Feb 18, 2007 -> 05:31 PM) Wasn't reported? It was out there for me to find in multiple locations. Considering it was just a couple employees of a campaign staff, I'd say it was overreported for what it was. If that was McCain, Clinton or Guiliani, that would have been more widely reported. Sure you could find it if you if you're into politics, but it wasn't a top story. Maybe it shouldn't have been a top story, I'll agree, but when the race for '08 is beginning so early, I was surprised it wasn't more easily found.

QUOTE(Alpha Dog @ Feb 18, 2007 -> 01:03 PM) Have you read any of the stuff those two have written? I think you would have probably come to the same conclusion. Those two write for shock value, and seem shocked that it came back to bite them in the ass. The bloggers were scumbags, and it does goes back to what Edwards was thinking when he hired them, and then, at first, refused to fire them when this story came out. Not surprisingly, this story wasn't widely reported by mainstream media.

What good does drawing 2.9 million people, winning a WS, having more revenue than ever before if Reinsdorf wants to run this team like a mid-market team ? We can't keep every free agent - to expect so would be unrealistic, but I think it's ridiculous to even put themselves in a position to lose your free agents like Williams seems willing to do.

QUOTE(witesoxfan @ Feb 16, 2007 -> 02:00 PM) They both played 1B much of their career as well. They're shoe-ins. You're right about Thome, I wasn't sure when I said that, but what % of games has Frank Thomas played at 1B ?

QUOTE(Hideaway Lights @ Feb 16, 2007 -> 11:55 AM) There was some doubt in 2003-4, but I think we all now know Thomas is probably a shoe-in to go in as a White Sox whenever he finally gets the call 5 years after he calls it a career. However, which current White Sox (that have spent most of their career with the team) do you think will eventually be hall of famers? I think Buehrle and Konerko are the most obvious choices, but who else? Could Konerko necessarily even make it with 500 homers and a .280 career average? I'd say none - Thome could get in, but being a DH in the AL is going to be held against him.

QUOTE(Chisoxfn @ Feb 16, 2007 -> 11:10 AM) Offensively Anderson was a POS all season. Yes, his splits improved and yes I was one of his biggest defenders but the guy was absolutely horrific at half of the game (the offensive half). There haven't been many rookies I've seen look that bad for that long of a stretch (well at least not ones with all that supposed talent). The guy had completely no clue what he was doing at the plate and even late in the season when his average went up he still looked pretty ugly up there. I agree - he looked overmatched at the plate, and has a long swing. I don't know if he's trying to kill the ball rather than just make contact.

QUOTE(BigSqwert @ Feb 14, 2007 -> 12:46 PM) http://origin.barackobama.com/issues/ His positions are rather generic that I'm sure John McCain could use the same responses. In summary, he wants the world to be a better place, and has several areas that he wants to improve, but I'm sure candidates on the other side of the politiical aisle say the same things.

QUOTE(Alpha Dog @ Feb 2, 2007 -> 01:40 PM) No. It was a Laura Ingrim producer during the republican convention. Here is the website I took the pic from. http://wizbangblog.com/2004/08/31/rnc-gossip-edition.php If that got stuck his finger in my face, I'd rip his head off.

QUOTE(Felix @ Feb 14, 2007 -> 03:37 PM) "If rookie Chris Stewart sticks as a third catcher, Guillen can use Hall and Pierzynski regularly to rest Thome or as pinch hitters." Little does SI know, but Chris Stewart was traded earlier in the offseason to the Rangers. That wouldn't say a whole lot for the White Sox if he was able to make the team despite not even being in the organization!

QUOTE(Tony82087 @ Feb 14, 2007 -> 08:38 PM) We have been a "HR or Nothing" team for the last 7 years. Get used to it. If you don't like it, I would sugguest finding a new team, because it seems thats the way the Sox like to be built. I like when the White Sox hit HR's, hopefully they hit lots of them, but they need to be able to manufacture runs as well.

Are the White Sox a better team going into spring training than they were last season ? I say no, but that doesn't mean they can't be right there, and win the division. The White Sox have Gavin Floyd as the 5th starter, and that spot could be another revolving door. The rest of the rotation can be good, but it enters the season with question marks, and something to prove. The Bullpen can be great, but it enters the season as an unknown as well. There are a lot of great arms in there, but not a lot of experience in the majors, but the back end of the bullpen should be strong. Offensively is where my biggest concern is on the team. Kenny did absolutely nothing to improve an offense that became HR or nothing. We don't have a leadoff hitter, and we still don't have a LF, CF, or SS entering the season who we can expect much from offensively. It's not all gloom though - let me repeat. The Bullpen CAN be great, the starters are veterans, and have something to prove this season. Offensively, we have good players, but I question their ability to manufacture runs. I think the season is going to be fun and we will be right there in the stretch run, but this is a tough division so it's tough to predict who's going to win as injuries, mid-season acquistions, etc. will factor in as well.

QUOTE(witesoxfan @ Feb 14, 2007 -> 12:10 AM) No, I'm honestly just curious as to why you'd think Ozzie would handle Vazquez any different when it's quite apparent that he hasn't and would seemingly have no intentions to. I'm also not sure why everyone lumps Vazquez in with the #5 starter - who has a shot to be one of the worst starting pitchers in the major leagues numbers wise, regardless of who it is - when he was arguably just as good as every other starter in the rotation last year. That's really all. I do think Vazquez will have a good year for the Sox (as in being a top 2 starter for the Sox), but I'm admittedly one of Vazquez's biggest homers (and yes, I used the word homer). However, my expectations are simply a 4.20-4.60 ERA with good peripherals, 210 IP, and about 13-15 wins - which in turn means I expect him to exceed expectations. I don't find that to be too unrealistic. I don't lump Vazquez in with the #5 starter, but he's been up and down, and inconsistent the past few seasons. He clearly comes into the season as a better pitcher than Gavin Floyd. As far as Ozzie's handling of Vazquez, I do believe that he'd prefer to give every benefit of the doubt, but how many times did we see relievers warming up in the bullpen come the 6th inning because Vazquez could implode ? Of course, when he's pitching well, Ozzie's going to stick with him, just as he would with anyone else on the staff, but he has also had to have the bullpen ready earlier than he would like. I don't find your numbers for Vazquez to be crazy at all - in fact, he's capable of putting up big numbers, and next to Contreras, he has the 2nd best stuff on the staff. He just needs to become more consistent. I'm a believer that Mark Buerhle will win 15-18 games, and return to his usual self so if you're right about Vazquez improving upon his numbers, then the White Sox should have a good season.

QUOTE(Gregory Pratt @ Feb 13, 2007 -> 08:29 PM) http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/6466022 Of White Sox interest: Talk about a difference of opinion...The White Sox think that they have the two best lefty prospects in baseball with Gonzalez being one, and the Phillies, according to Rosenthal, don't think he's much of anything.

QUOTE(witesoxfan @ Feb 13, 2007 -> 04:39 PM) K, I'm not arguing this anymore because it's obvious you don't understand that Vazquez was better than Buehrle last yaer. Mark Buerhle actually had a solid first half, and was better than Vazquez, but was horrible in the 2nd half, and also outperformed by Vazquez. Anyway you want to slice it, Buehrle is normally a workhorse, and Guillen trusts him to go deep into games. Vazquez can be dominate, but he's not consistent from inning to inning or game to game. For whatever reason, you seem to have the opinion that Vazquez is about to break out and have a big season, and I don't believe he'll be any better than what he's done in the past 3 season's - great in certain games, but overall ERA in the mid/upper 4's. If you think Buehrle will have another bad season, then I understand your argument better, but this is what this board is all about - good discussion, and different opinions.

QUOTE(witesoxfan @ Feb 13, 2007 -> 01:12 PM) Vazquez completed 6 innings or more in a start 24 times (75%) and pitched into the 6th inning in 30 starts (alot%). I think Ozzie's likely to allow him past the 5th inning, don't you think? And Floyd/Haeger/Danks/whoeverthef*** will likely put up atleast 150 innings, which is perfectly acceptable out of a 5th starter (so long as the ERA is not in the 7.50 range). The bullpen will be used sparingly again because that's the way Ozzie manages. Based on last season, you're probably right, but how many times did we see Ozzie leave Vazquez in the game a bit too long ? I think with what Ozzie feels is a stronger bullpen, he's not going to let Vazquez lose a game, instead he'll the bullpen win the game. With the top 3 starters, I think Ozzie will let them pitch into the 7th inning+ regularly, and because of that, the bullpen will be rested for days when we Vazquez or the 5th starter struggle.

QUOTE(witesoxfan @ Feb 12, 2007 -> 11:05 PM) and a 3rd starter whose ERA was in the 6.50 range at the end of May, and a 2nd starter who was the worst starter in baseball in the second half of last year, and a 1st starter who is 62. The rotation is questionable up and down. No doubt...but I think Guillen is more likely to allow Contreras, Garland and Buerhle to work through their problems, and you can't go to the bullpen in the 5th inning every game.

QUOTE(Tony82087 @ Feb 12, 2007 -> 09:23 PM) As of right now, I will be surprised if Sisco is with the big club in 07. Do you think that's Sicso will spend the 07 season being converted to a starter ? QUOTE(southsideirish71 @ Feb 12, 2007 -> 09:22 PM) How many bullpen arms does the team lead by a manager that goes to the bullpen less than anyone in baseball. I'm not sure, but if we have an ineffective or, unproven at least, 5th starter in Floyd, and a 4th starter who can get blown up at any time, I wouldn't be shocked if they went to 12 pitchers. Early in the season, though, with the off-days, it may not be necessary to use 12 pitchers, but once they start playing 6 or 7 days a week, it wouldn't be shocking to me.

QUOTE(witesoxfan @ Feb 12, 2007 -> 08:17 PM) there was never a chance the Sox went with 12 pitchers 1) Buerhle 2) Contrereas 3) Garland 4) Vazquez 5) Floyd ?? 6) Jenks 7) MacDougal 8) Thorton 9) Masset 10) Aardsma 11) Sisco There's no chance that Charlie Haegar can make the team out of the bullpen ???

Whose roster spot does Perez take ? Could this mean that the White Sox don't go with 12 pitchers ?