NorthSideSox72

QUOTE(southsider2k5 @ Mar 19, 2008 -> 08:22 AM) Murtha endorses Clinton. This plus the PA gov being pro-Clinton are two body blows to Obama in the last big state on the map. http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/03/19/mur...nton/index.html Obama had an enormous uphill battle in PA to begin with. Unless he suddenly gets Edwards to endorse him and campaign the mining towns for him, or Clinton has a major gaffe... he isn't going to win PA. Its a weak state for him. His ground game will undoubtedly be good, and he'll benefit from it being a closed primary (not GOP interlopers), which will help him keep it close. But I really doubt he can win it. Certainly, one of the interesting things about this Dem race has been who has won what. Clinton did well in OH, and will do well in PA - 2 of the big three swing states from 2004 (FL being the other, who didn't have a real primary). But, looking at all the other states that are considered swing - IA, MO, CO, NM, WA, WI, VA - he won almost all of them (all but NM, which he still was very close in). Its been an interesting contest.

QUOTE(Athomeboy_2000 @ Mar 19, 2008 -> 08:10 AM) seemed to work for bush. now McCain is up to it. Dude, come on. He misspoke, one of his buddies corrected him, and he corrected it. Let's not make it into policy or anything.

QUOTE(lostfan @ Mar 19, 2008 -> 08:04 AM) It's not a matter of enacting more policies IMO, we already have plenty of laws. It's a matter of acknowledging the past, understanding it, and airing it out instead of avoiding it. Leadership that we haven't seen since MLK died (Jackson, Farrakhan, and Sharpton couldn't cut it). I would agree that leadership, and laying open the real issues, are part of what is needed. But since we are talking about a Presidential candidate, I think a policy discussion makes sense. For example, the current system of funding schools via property tax is, in my opinion, class warfare. Its keeping the poor poor, and the rich rich. PUBLIC schools should not be so disparately funded from district to district based on how big the parents' homes are. Another policy example is affirmative action. In my view, its organized bigotry, and does more harm than good. It should be abolished as an acceptable practice. I am sure there are other discussions that can be made as well, about policy. I think things can be changed for the better.

So, the Supremes are looking at the case of the D.C. ban on handguns. They are addressing the right to bear arms, and the 2nd Amendment. This is something that SCOTUS has historically avoided like the plague. So, this is a very important case. So far, it looks like the justices definitely agree on an individual right to bear arms, as well as the right of the government to regulate that right. The argument has now centered on whether or not the D.C. ban is a reasonable government regulation as such. By the way, for discussion's sake, here is the exact text of Amendment 2:

QUOTE(BearSox @ Mar 18, 2008 -> 10:49 PM) Great spring my ass. His horrible defense to go along with his noodle arm has cost us more runs then he has scored this spring. Plus, I think it's safe to say my dog might have a better swing then Owens. He has looked terrible at bat this spring. He accidently got a triple on sunday, and today he probably got some weak singles somewhere, but he did K twice. "accidental" triple "weak" singles But he K'd twice!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And your "dog" can swing better

QUOTE(knightni @ Mar 18, 2008 -> 06:37 PM) I wonder if the real 2001 was a disappointment. It probably represented his Childhood's End.

I think its really, really interesting the firestorm this speech has set off. Not only in here, but amongst Americans generally. And I've noticed, looking not only at message boards, but also hearing conversation, that there is a recurring theme to how the dialogue goes. Some people are immediately inspired and heartened by the speech. But many are set off to anger by some phrase or phrases in it - and I've seen this from both white and black people and commentators (not that commentators aren't people - you know what I mean). They argue it out, and ultimately, they are able to cite some other portion of the speech to moderate or add perspective to those parts that offended. To me, that just reinforces how all-inclusve the speech really was. It contained within it a full, reasonable perspective - including reference to some of the extremities. But he ALSO specifically talked about this EXACT conversation occurring - that we could choose to stay in our respective corners and duke it out. Or we could choose to see the whole picture. I have to say, even though I think some posts in this thread were a bit over the top (or downright paranoid, or ridiculously sheepish), the overall conversation eventually got back to a 95% common understanding among all the various parties. Very nicely done. So now, the next natural question should be... what policies would you implement to address some of these issues?

QUOTE(knightni @ Mar 18, 2008 -> 05:25 PM) Never made it to 2010. Yeah, but he saw the Light of Other Days.

QUOTE(mr_genius @ Mar 18, 2008 -> 05:43 PM) it's just a slight campaign gaffe. who doesn't say something wrong on accident at times? and he had his buddy Lieberman there to let him know he slipped up a little. ^^^^^^ Its not a huge deal, its just a sort of funny little quip. Heck, even though CNN is showing it as a story, its under the title of "Dems seize on McCain's gaffe". Clearly, its nothing much more than campaign mudslinging fodder.

QUOTE(kapkomet @ Mar 18, 2008 -> 05:18 PM) What is the big deal? Maybe I'm missing something here. Obama's claiming that he's never been there when Wright said something like this that's rhetoric? So what? He's heard it, his speech today says he has, but who cares whether or not he was attending when things like this were said? Obama hasn't been at that church for at least his time in office if I had to guess, right? What's the big deal here? Its not a big deal, except that some people want to make it one. These are the people who have no interest in what Obama was trying to get across - they are more interested in dissecting the individual words to death, trying to find something to criticize. And if I recall, actually, he said in the speech he HAD been there when he'd said some incindiary things. He admitted it.

QUOTE(kapkomet @ Mar 18, 2008 -> 05:13 PM) NSS, mr_genius wasn't the one who (originally) said "oreo"... it was AngelasDaddy. I quoted two posts, referring to both. Angela's Oreo post, and Mr. G's hyperbole. But I guess CNN had some expert saying this was the case. Therefore it must be true. Sorry, Mr. G, I take it back. I know how you love your CNN!

QUOTE(mr_genius @ Mar 18, 2008 -> 04:58 PM) There have been arguments on CNN that a white person has no right to judge a black church or a preacher at that church. I don't see how it is now laughable. Why are you threatening to ban me? You saying that no one is allowed to criticize black people if they aren't black. You said it, its hyperbolic, I pointed out that its inflammatory and doesn't add to the dialogue. If you heard it from some talking head, does that make it better? And when I referred to further actions, I wasn't talking about banning anyone. I was thinking more like closing the thread.

QUOTE(AngelasDaddy0427 @ Mar 18, 2008 -> 04:38 PM) Larry Elder is the definition of the term Oreo... Hell I bet it has his picture next to it... He reminds me of that Chapelle Show skit about the blind black white supremacist. QUOTE(mr_genius @ Mar 18, 2008 -> 04:42 PM) Why isn't he entitled to his opinion ? Why are you lowering yourself to calling someone a race trader? Are you white? If so, you might want to watch your words as, because as a white person you have no right to criticize a black man. Thats the theory behind why white people can't criticize Wright, correct? This thread WAS civilized. There is no need to call anyone an "oreo", nor is there any reason for the laughable hyperbole that will only serve to enflame people. Tone it down please, lest other actions become necessary.

Ha! Naturally, as soon as I talk up Wassermann... he gives up a walk and a double, giving up a run in the process. Oh well. Like rock said, he's got options left, and chances are someone in the bullpen will falter or get hurt during the season. Having him, Ohka and Carrasco in AAA as backups is a decent place to be for the team.

According to CNN, he has died at the age of 90. No link yet. One of the best Sci Fi authors of all time, and one of my faves. He even helped inspire some modern space program initiatives. Rest in peace good man, and enjoy the heavens.

QUOTE(RockRaines @ Mar 18, 2008 -> 04:41 PM) Wass has time to come back up, he has options and we can use them. No biggie. When McD fails, Wass comes up. The only thing that hurts Wass is that hes so situational and only good against a hitter from one side, whereas McD in theory can retire both. Wassermann has done well against a few lefties this spring, actually. He developed a change up specifically for that purpose. I don't know his stats for that situation in ST though - I can't find a sortable version of ST stats that includes those numbers.

Wassermann comes in and K's both guys he faces. Sorry, I just can't get over that MacDougal is going to get a job over Wassermann. Huge mistake IMO.

QUOTE(Athomeboy_2000 @ Mar 18, 2008 -> 04:32 PM) See, and I think this speech transcends a single candidate. It's a commentary and HISTORY lesson on how we got to where we are today. Chris Matthews on MSNBC said this video should be watched by every college student before they enter "the real world". While I agree that it was an important speech, and one worth watching... let's not get out of hand. This isn't "I have a dream" or anything at that scale. Its a strong reminder on some issues, and I am glad it was done. But let's not over dramatize here.

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Mar 18, 2008 -> 04:21 PM) So far, we've seen 2 of these "Major" type speeches from candidates this season...Romney on his religion and now Obama on the race issue. She has 2 issues that sort of hang over her campaign that she hasn't addressed in the same way...that she's a woman and that her spouse is a former president. Interesting point. One has to wonder...

QUOTE(iamshack @ Mar 18, 2008 -> 04:08 PM) We are 15th in BA with a .283 average, and 26th in homers with 14. We are 6th in doubles though with 50. 6th in doubles, 7th in triples. Those are good signs. But only 15th in OBP isn't great.

QUOTE(Alpha Dog @ Mar 18, 2008 -> 03:29 PM) And why has he not been as frank until now? Is he only frank when it is politically expedient to do so? I'll watch the speech later, as I have questions, but I'll hold them in case he actually answers them. or gives me more questions. He has been. I've been saying for a while, relative to the other candidates in either party, I think Obama is by far the most forthright. This is no different.

I just watched the speech over lunch. It wasn't just a really good speech - it was more than that. It was mostly not flowery or rah-rah like his stump speeches are. It was direct, made some really great points, and shied away from nothing. Its worth watching, for anyone here. Seriously. QUOTE(jackie hayes @ Mar 18, 2008 -> 02:22 PM) That's not the color, that's the force of my insight. You are quite welcome. Awesome.

QUOTE(Dick Allen @ Mar 18, 2008 -> 01:10 PM) I think there will be a trade or 2 before the season starts. Agree.

QUOTE(kapkomet @ Mar 18, 2008 -> 11:03 AM) For me personally we all have equal opportunity to succeed. Why do African-Americans who live in inner cities rise to the top of their respected professions, when they could just as easily end up in jail? Because someone was there to mentor them. Because someone was there to help them understand that is the American dream, not because some white guy who doesn't know them or their plight are going to keep them right in that socio-economic class. I have friends that are Mexican-American, African-American, Phillopeano-American (spelling), whatever. And they are very successful people. They didn't let the crap that gets spewed about the great white satans knocking them back exist in their minds. It's sad to me that people get brainwashed into thinking they can't be successful. You have to teach kids that they can do what they want and be successful. You have to reward them for successes and through discipline build them up from failures. Race has nothing to do with that. Now, when you have a "high roller" preacher up there saying the things he is, #1 of course he's opening himself up for video clips like this. I know better and realize that he doesn't say this stuff all the time, but he wants people to buy into this stuff because it helps him "rule the roost" so to speak. #2, it's all about selling something to people to get them to continue to buy into something that feeds a process. In this case, it's that white people want to keep African-Americans "down". That's poppycock for those that have half a brain. I realize that there are racists among us, but I hope that people like me and most of you out there will overcome that by simply looking at people for what they are... human beings, without any differentiation other then heritage and culture. Here is the thing - and this is going to sound convoluted, but I think its key. I would agree that for the most part, being of a minority race is not in itself a huge detractor for an individual to succeed in this country. BUT, at the same time, I agree with Obama that there is still a significant issue of racial division in this country. So, how can these two seemingly conflicting facts both be true? Two things: economics, and education. It is simply reality that blacks and hispanics are much more often living at lower levels of income, and further (and possibly more important), they live in places with crappy schools. Worst of all, those two things tend to be attached to one another (ala Savage Inequalities). And THOSE things are the biggest barriers. So the question shouldn't be framed as, can a black/hispanic/asian/white person succeed. it should be, why, after all these decades, are the economics and education of minorities still so disparately different than whites? And what can be done about those things?

According to whitesox.com, the field of 4 has narrowed to 2 - Uribe and Ramirez. Richar's late arrival, health and performance seem to be giving him a ticket to the bench or Charlotte. The poll topic is... who would you like to see starting at 2B, as of right now? Discuss...