spiderman

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Nov 28, 2005 -> 12:10 PM) I've made this point before, and I'll make it again...it is absolutely useless to compare the "Unemployment" numbers published by the government between even the early years of an administration and the later years of that same administration. This goes for Clinton, Bush 1, Bush 2, etc. Why? Because the "Unemployment" numbers published by the government don't really measure the number of people out of work. They measure a certain subset of that group; the unemployment percentage numbers specifically exclude the long-term unemployed (people who haven't been able to find work for many months), those on any sort of disability or government assistance, or those who are getting any sort of education (i.e. you lose your job and go back to school). All of these groups have significantly inflated under both Clinton and Bush 2, which has allowed both administrations to claim that the unemployment percentages say that either the economy is doing great or is really not that bad...when in reality all they've done is exclude enough people from the count so as to make it look better. Furthermore, there is no way to gauge the percentage of "Under-employment" in this country either - people with high level degrees stuck working at WalMart, that sort of thing, which can be just as much a drag on the economy as the former. Those unemployment numbers are the same ones that many, don't know about you, pointed to during the Clinton years, and now point away from during the Bush years.

QUOTE(Steve Bartman's my idol @ Nov 28, 2005 -> 10:00 AM) True...but the current administration has wasted billions of dollars on "pork", and the only people who have benefitted financially during the Bush years have been the wealthy. (I sure as Hell haven't benefitted!) If you look at the actual numbers, you'd see the economy is actually performing well (not great) and unemployment is very low right now - if it was this low during Clinton's years, you'd probably be bragging about it. I do agree that this adminstration needs to cut back on it's spending.

QUOTE(Steve Bartman's my idol @ Nov 28, 2005 -> 09:58 AM) One word answer...NEED. Poor people need the money and opportunities...the wealthy don't NEED, they want. Full blown socialism. If you make above a certain limit, then any remaining money should go to people below a certain limit. At least you seem to be admitting it.

QUOTE(nitetrain8601 @ Nov 28, 2005 -> 12:14 AM) They want a team under 40 mil preferably, not 20. Why are we still talking about Juan Pierre ? Yes, Florida wants to move him, but the White Sox seem committed to Brian Anderson. What am I missing ?

QUOTE(Texsox @ Nov 27, 2005 -> 03:16 PM) Why should he cut taxes while *increasing* expenses? You do realize we are borrowing hundreds of billions of dollars, and somehow some people think that other people will magically arrive to pay the debt. If it isn't the taxpayers with the most resources, who will be paying all this back *plus* interest? I believe that the tax cuts are a stimulus, but I also believe we need to cut spending, and spend the money we do more responsibly - sounds simple, but the government is constantly waisting our tax money.

QUOTE(Steve Bartman's my idol @ Nov 27, 2005 -> 11:49 AM) He inherited a federal surplus of SEVERAL billion dollars, and turned that into a deficit of SEVERAL billion dollars. He also inherited an economy that was on the downturn. Do you deny that ? 9/11 didn't help either.

QUOTE(Steve Bartman's my idol @ Nov 27, 2005 -> 11:50 AM) Why should wealthy people who don't need the money get tax refunds? They're the ones paying the taxes ? Who are you to decide that somebody doesn't deserve their tax money back ? Why does a poor person who may not even pay federal taxes get that money ?

QUOTE(JimH @ Nov 26, 2005 -> 09:36 AM) Interesting discussion here. My guess is Guillen wants speed and contact from the 4th OF spot. I agree that Timo has run his course and they should find someone else. Borchard is an option. It really comes down to his value, is it more to the White Sox or could they get something of value in trade? If they plan to let Anderson and Owens battle it out for CF does the 2nd place finisher stay as the 4th OF, or is it too risky to have two rookies? KW is also looking for some 3B insurance incase Crede needs some time off. During the trade season last August, there were rumors of Borchard going to SD for 3B Sean Burroughs, as he is in basically hte same position that Borchard is in Chicago - high expectations, but failed potential.... Interesting to see if that becomes reality as both players could use a fresh start.

QUOTE(ZoomSlowik @ Nov 22, 2005 -> 01:24 AM) Interesting note on ESPN Insider. One of their NBA experts (not sure who, don't really care) seems to think that we might trade Luol Deng for some size during the season. While this originally upset me, he then noted that he seems to think we're getting Peja in FA. Now I don't know what to think. Yeah, that Stojakovic rumor won't go away since he made comments about playing in Chicago. Not that Stojakovic isn't a good player, but we don't need a small forward - Luol Deng is going to be, and already is, a fine NBA player who I wouldn't be surprised if he gets to a an all-star game or two down the road. The Bulls, IMO, should have gone after Jamal Magloire when he was available. Looking at the free agent market, we have lots of money to spend, but nobody to spend it on. Nazr Mohammed should not be given big money (someone will though, I"m sure), and Al Harrington is an undersized power forward - I don't want him at big money either. Our biggest chip has to be Tim Thomas, who makes $14 million - if we can find a team willing to trade an all-star PF/C for cap flexbility and a #1 draft pick, that may be the route to go. That's why I believe if Minnesota/Kevin Garnett need a shakeup, the Bulls COULD be a player. We can give Thomas' $14 million, the Knicks 1st rounder (should be a top 10 pick), our own (probably #15-20 overall) and see where that gets us - I'm guessing Minnesota would also want a Deng or Gordon back as well.

QUOTE(Steve Bartman's my idol @ Nov 23, 2005 -> 11:21 AM) Okay then...let's nail the unemployed, the homeless, the disenfranchised, the uninsured, etc., Let's let the fatcats like Bill Gates, Donald Trump, the Waltons sit in their ivory towers and make billions of dollars virtually untaxed. Let's let Exxon destroy Alaska.... Bush only cut taxes on those who were paying taxes - I don't think most homeless people are actually paying federal taxes. Why should people too poor to pay federal taxes get a tax refund ?

QUOTE(Steve Bartman's my idol @ Nov 23, 2005 -> 10:18 AM) In my humble opinion, Bush II is the worst president in my lifetime (since 1964). He has trashed the economy, the environment, kowtowed to "Big Business", his foreign policy sucks, he has continued to f**k the poor, he screwed up re. Iraq, etc. Other than that, I guess he's been okay. :puke Bush! How has Bush trashed, as you say, the economy ? He inherited an economy that was on it's way down, and had 9/11 in his 1st year, and yet had the shortest recession in history. Yes, the economy can always be better, but it's been a solid, not spectacular, economy under him.

The Blue Jays are not a big market team, they finally open up their wallet, and this is what they do ? I'm not going to rip B.J. Ryan - yeah, he's a good pitcher, and has been for about 3 seasons, but didn't they let their franchise player, Carlos Delgado, walk away last season ?? Have they signed Vernon Wells to a long-term deal yet ?

Cedeno and Walker are not BOTH going to be traded, and it would be very shocking for the Cubs to move Cedeno given the way the Cubs feel about him. That article is FALSE - and I'm not a Cubs fan.

Assuming the White Sox have a payroll of about 90 million, give or take 2-3 million. Thinking positive, and hoping that the White Sox sign Konerko to a 4 or 5 year deal for say 12 million a season - Are the White Sox tapped out for the off-season ? Can they add anymore depth ? Basically, what kind of shape are we in right now in regards to the payroll after taking on 7-8 million for Thome, and hopefully resigning Konerko ?

3 years seems like a long time! Wonder if they will end up regretting that 3rd year like they did with Mike Remlinger.

What are the realistic chances that the White Sox trade for Juan Pierre ? It seems as if, to me at least, that there is no chance - Brian Anderson would get the 1st opportunity to take an OF job and at a minimum salary, that is probably the desired option especially since the White Sox just traded some good minor league pitching. BTW, what kind of shape is the White Sox minor league system in after this trade ? Obviously, they seem stacked in the OF, but how about pitching ? Hopefully, Konerko resigns to go with Thome, but I think Iguchi is our #2 hitter again!

As for next season, we will have Willie Harris and Pablo Ozuna as our primary backup middle infielders - we really didn't need a 3rd one so Blum was expendable. Plus, the White Sox seem as if they want to give Ross Gload another opportunity next season to make the team, and be a contributor as an occasional 1B/OF so I think the White Sox are fine in this area for next season - Ozuna will play 3B/SS/OF in a backup role, and Harris primarily 2B.

I don't consider Aaron Rowand to be a great player, but he does play defense quite well, and isn't making an unreasonable amount of money. He is a solid hitter in the .280 range, and has the flexibility to hit all over a lineup depending on where he is needed. So, why does he seem to be rumored in every deal ? Didn't the White Sox win the World Series, in large part, to the great pitching and defense ? Yeah, I know Brian Anderson needs to play, but why can't they just rotate Anderson around the outfield, and DH - that would be a cheaper alternative, and allow the White Sox to keep their pitching intact as well for next season. If Anderson is 1/2 as good as projected, and Konerko is resigned, we won't have a dynamite offense, but it should be enough with the pitching. I say keep Rowand, Pods, and Dye in the OF, have Anderson as the 4th OF and part-time DH, and find one more bat as insurance in case Anderson struggles (maybe Frank Thomas)....

Also want to add, that I'm hesitant to trade Marte unless we can get Erye or some other lefty to replace Marte - not suggesting that Marte is great, but a lefty in the bullpen is big, and I think we need someone to complement Neil Cotts.

I know Levine keeps saying the White Sox are going hard after Delgado, regardless of what happens with Konerko, but wouldn't the White Sox, to make this work financially, have to give up more than just Marte ? I'm thinking it would have to be either Garland or Contreras (probably Contreras because he's got 1 year left on his deal, which would give Florida flexibility) and Marte just to get the salaries closer, and even then, the White Sox may ask the Marlins to pay a percentage of this. Where am I wrong ?

Anything for Verizon that we can get for the Hawk ?

Looking at making a CD to celebrate tonight full of 'Sox' Songs.... So far, I have AC/DC Thunderstruck, Journey's song, Go-Go White Sox Song, nah-nah, hey hey hey good bye, What else can I put on this CD ? Thanks for any good suggestions!

We don't have to score a lot of runs to win these games. Obviously, Clemens, Petitte and Oswalt are dominating pitchers, but if we can scratch our 3 runs a game, that might be good enough because they're going to have the same problem with our rotation....Their offense got shut down a lot this season so most of these games could be 2-1, 3-2 type games.

I don't think Guillen is going to shake up his rotation to accomodate Mark Buerhle's dream of the World Series. I want him pitching in Game 2 and 6.

How have the White Sox performed against Lackey this season/career ?