NorthSideSox72

QUOTE(NUKE @ Dec 4, 2007 -> 11:32 AM) That is one thing that really is bothering me is that none of the GOP candidates have a plan to even balance the budget let alone reduce the debt. How much debt do we have to be in before we get a sense of urgency on this issue? Sounds to me like Ron Paul might be your guy.

QUOTE(Gene Honda Civic @ Dec 3, 2007 -> 08:45 PM) We should add this guy Article already posted here... twice. But it seems since they decided to protect Andy Gonzalez instead, that now the only way to sign him is hope no one acquires him in the Rule V, and then sign him to a minor league deal. Except someone is probably going to, so he's lost.

QUOTE(Heads22 @ Dec 4, 2007 -> 09:45 AM) I'd prefer not to give up MacDougal, simply because, when healthy and when the game isn't on the line, he IS nasty. Fixed for clarity.

QUOTE(Alpha Dog @ Dec 4, 2007 -> 09:21 AM) Tex, frame it how you want, but by writing 'who's allegations can't be disproved', you (well, the reporter, not YOU) are representing that as the truth. Bad writing? Probably, which is what I am trying to point out here. Just like people who hang nooses on their own office doors to get attention, people will make crap up to ride the publicity train. You know I always look for an opportunity to rip on the media, but... in this case, they are reporting exactly how they should. They are allegations, they are described as allegations, and "they cannot be disproved" probably because they tried to and couldn't. Its the right description. Now, you may be right - some of these guys may be making it up. Heck, it may even be the Republican party trying to finish Craig off and get him off the radar before November of 2008. But that doesn't change the facts available at hand, at this time.

Juan Uribe as a starter at 2B? Seriously? I am starting to wonder if they may be considering platooning him with Richar at 2B when the season starts.

QUOTE(Dick Allen @ Dec 4, 2007 -> 09:29 AM) I don't know what the fascination is with Burke. He isn't very good. Would you rather have Aardsma, Masset or MacDougal? Burke is a nice backup guy for the middle infield (although I still think JB deserves a shot), can push Richar or replace him in a pinch.

MacDougal or Aardsma or Masset for Burke = happy NSS

QUOTE(rcpweiner @ Dec 4, 2007 -> 02:42 AM) Interesting news from Rotoworld: $10-12 million for 4 years seems like a nice deal to me. At that level (4 years at $10-$12 per), he starts to look worth it.

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Dec 3, 2007 -> 09:46 PM) And IMO, the biggest problem with thinking that its representative of all of Islam is that it winds up being a self-fullfilling prophecy. Because people determine that it's representative, they decide that they're all hostile to us, and so it's not worth doing anything to try to improve that or listening to any concerns of those people. And the next thing you know, bombs and bullets are flying and more and more people are radicalized. That's why I added the "dangerous" part. Also, on the other side of the lens, folks should keep in mind that the modern media's tendency towards sensationalism means that we will see the extremes in everything more often. And when that's all we see from certain parts of the world, its just too easy to assume that is all there is. If you've travelled overseas, particularly outside the "western" world, you've probably been asked questions that make this clear. When I say I am from Chicago, people in places like India and Haiti tend to bring up Michael Jordan and Al Capone. When they know I'm American, they ask me if we all carry guns. It works both ways.

QUOTE(jackie hayes @ Dec 3, 2007 -> 08:16 PM) Fine. But you said, That at least suggests that these extremists don't have the ear of the government. But the protests couldn't have happened without the government's assent. Some good speculation on the government's role and intent from a BBC corresp: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7125514.stm You then said, I'm sorry, but clearly the idea is that, out of "millions", only "a few" of "a few hundred" are extremist. Maybe you have a very specific definition of the percentage needed to qualify for tinyness. If so, profound apologies. CNN says a few hundred. Another source says thousands. Another says a thousand. Whatever. Point is, its not millions of Sudanese all agreeing this woman should be stoned in the streets. Its a minority, albeit one that is growing in strength (as I've said many times before). My response, as I think was pretty obvious, was to the repeated and insistent (and dangerous) charge I see here from certain folks that these extremists are the mainstream of Islam. And I simply do not see that as true.

QUOTE(jackie hayes @ Dec 3, 2007 -> 07:57 PM) I believe it is a minority, but nothing suggests it's a tiny one, nor powerless. To get thousands out for a cause as idiotic as this says something. I did not say tiny or powerless, nor would I.

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Dec 3, 2007 -> 07:55 PM) Is Rogers actually suggesting here that Carter has a higher ceiling that Quentin? I would argue the exact opposite, given the positions they play. As a 1st baseman, compared to a corner OF, I think the guy putting up the high OPS in the OF, with better defense, and actually about 75-100 points higher of OPS, along with more speed based on the stolen base numbers, is more valuable. I might make the same argument for Cunningham/Richar. Yeah, Cunningham might put up 25-30 home runs in the OF, and a .900 OPS, but Richar might well put up a .850 OPS and 20 home runs from 2nd base with solid defense there. Yeah, Carter might be a 35 home run guy at 1b with a >900 OPS, but Quentin might well be a 25-30 home run guy in the OF with a >900 OPS. I think that the positions here make up a lot of the difference; it's a lot harder to find a guy to put up Quentin's numbers in the OF than at 1b, and it's a lot harder to find a 2nd baseman to put up those numbers than it is to find an OF. Mr. Rogers luuuuuuuuvs to stir the pot with Sox fans. He can't go an article about the Sox without making a comment about the *insert backhanded compliment* of sox fans. He doesn't throw s*** at the wall like Mariotti... he just puts the scent in the air enough to irritate Soxdom.

QUOTE(Alpha Dog @ Dec 3, 2007 -> 06:47 PM) A few hundred! And that was just in that city. I don't know where you got that sentence, but, the major news sources like CNN had it in the hundreds.

I really, really, really doubt that KW went and got Quentin to platoon with anyone. He's starting in LF, unless he's flipped in another trade. And Phil Rogers seems to be the only person so far who doesn't like the trade. He also has a type in his little article - he thinks the magic left after the All-Star break in 2005? I'm pretty sure he meant 2006.

QUOTE(hitlesswonder @ Dec 3, 2007 -> 05:10 PM) It's possible Quentin gets shipped to BOS along with another good prospect for Crisp. And I do think it's possible the Sox would give up a good prospect plus Quentin for Crisp. BOS wants a good position player and top pitching prospect supposedly and the White Sox really seem to like Crisp a lot (at least in the media). I wouldn't want to give up Quentin for Crisp straight-up, let alone Quentin plus someone.

I am going to re-open the thread for a bit, since the issue has come to a resolution of sorts - Gibbons was pardoned, and is now on a flight back home to the UK. The President of Sudan pardoned her, with the support of others in the government. So after all that bluster, in a country of millions... a few hundred people protested, and a few of those were calling for executions. And ultimately, Gibbons has nothing but good things to say of the Sudanese, and it seems most of the country took no issue with the situation. This really appears to have been, again, a loud minority trying using religion as a tool for their own hatred. Glad to see she is going home safe. ETA: Let's try to keep the discussions civil this time.

QUOTE(Vance Law @ Dec 3, 2007 -> 04:28 PM) The writing that has always been on the wall is that when and if they perform well they'll play for the Sox or be attractive enough trade. SWEENEY IS 22 YEARS OLD! HE'S 22 YEARS OLD. The guy we just got (which I am very happy about) is 25. There is certainly plenty of time for Sweeney to find himself on the Sox. Go out and dominate AAA, he hasn't done that yet. Anderson was never going to go into the 2008 season with a spot on the team. He needs to prove he's healthy and prove he can hit in the minors. If he destroys AAA pitching (I'd like to see that) some other team will want him if we don't have room for him. I tend to agree that Sweeney at least belongs in Charlotte again, unless some team wants him specifically and that helps the club in trade. But with him being at a low-ish point value-wise, but still with his potential, better to let him go into 2008 healthy and in AAA. Anderson, well... I think he's just burned too many bridges at this point.

QUOTE(Alpha Dog @ Dec 3, 2007 -> 04:26 PM) Vandy, do you know anyone that HAS been polled? They've actually just been calling Heads.... over and over again.

QUOTE(AWhiteSoxinNJ @ Dec 3, 2007 -> 03:26 PM) Padres, Mariners, Astros, and Ray are interested in Erstad. Notice no green font. What does this have to do with the trade?

QUOTE(AWhiteSoxinNJ @ Dec 3, 2007 -> 02:45 PM) Surprised many aren't upset more about Phillips being DFA'ed. Could of at least got something for him. Phillips had near-zero trade value. Kind of like Andy Gonzalez, who we all hope comes off next (and should have come off for Hernandez).

QUOTE(witesoxfan @ Dec 3, 2007 -> 02:07 PM) I officially hate both of you then Owens > Bonds since its hard to hit when you're in jail.

QUOTE(Heads22 @ Dec 3, 2007 -> 02:05 PM) Well, who's gone now, Crede or Fields? Maybe one will leave to get us our brand new leadoff CF? If the world were a happy place for White Sox fans... Uribe, Crede and maybe one of the AA/AA bullpen arms would head out and return us a shiny new CF with a high OBP, plus defense and some speed. Who wants to write the letter to Santa?

QUOTE(kapkomet @ Dec 3, 2007 -> 01:58 PM) Wow. I'm telling you, it will get worse then this. There's got to be a nuclear detonation in the next two weeks from the Hillary camp against Obama. I wouldn't be surprised. But this one I linked to isn't going to help her one bit. I think its just too petty, even for the current process. Its gonna have a negative effect on Clinton more than Obama, I think.

QUOTE(Heads22 @ Dec 3, 2007 -> 01:59 PM) No. Whatever. Egbert sucks.

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Dec 3, 2007 -> 01:58 PM) Is it even worth noting again that Owens's OBP was actually approaching respectable for a leadoff hitter during his second callup, and his patience in the big leagues improved each month he was up? Balta, I don't think anyone here other than you and I seem to think Owens can be a successful major league leadoff hitter. I think he's likely to be .340-.350 OBP with 50+ SB at an 80%+ success rate if given the chance. But I'm in the minority.