NorthSideSox72

QUOTE(Rex Kicka** @ Nov 1, 2007 -> 02:43 PM) If two days before Richardson doesn't have the ground game he needs, that's when he plays kingmaker. Being in third place in Iowa and treading the 10% watermark is not a bad place to be two months before this caucus. A lot of things can come into play for him between now and then. If he hasn't broken past one of the top 3, or at least gotten very close to one of them, in IA and NH, by a week or two prior... he'll bow out in exchange for a slot. Richardson has never lost an election.

QUOTE(kapkomet @ Nov 1, 2007 -> 01:30 PM) And yet, Hillarity still will win because everyone will look away. Look away? The Hsu mess, and the large donations, have been right on page 1 of newspapers and on the main page of CNN.

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Nov 1, 2007 -> 01:18 PM) If I had the money to do that, I'd still wait. IIRC, the peak of ARM Mortgage resets, the month that most of these sub-prime ARM mortgages see their rates jump, doesn't even happen for another 6 months, so there is a lot of bloodletting still to come before things even can begin to even out. When I mean now, I don't necessarily mean literally today. I mean in the next few months. And keep two things in mind. One, people are going to become aware of their resets before they happen, because law requires notification/warning ahead of time. So the panic will start prior. Two, when I say buy, I don't mean buy at market. I mean something like... find 10 properties where you think appreciation is likely later, and start making low bids. As you go down the list, someone will bite.

QUOTE(Vance Law @ Nov 1, 2007 -> 01:02 PM) I don't think the Yankees are in desperation. They're showing interest now because the price couldn't be lower. They'll offer nothing of value now, and we'll be smart to hold onto Crede. All part of the game. The Yankees will offer a c-level scrub prospect, the Sox will counter by asking for Betemit... if they can get something closer to Betemit, you take it. If not, hold onto Joe. Personally, I want to see Joe stay on the team for years - he's one of my favorites. But you have to be smart.

QUOTE(Cknolls @ Nov 1, 2007 -> 01:08 PM) There were 635,159 foreclosure filings in the quarter, or one for every 196 households, including default notices, auction notices and bank repossessions. The rising foreclosures is further pressuring home prices on a national level. Not one of the 10 major cities tracked has shown price appreciation for four consecutive months. Which is why I would recommend, if you have the money for it, this is a good time to invest in real estate. Make low offers - some will be rejected, but some will take it out of desperation. People made a lot of gains in the last 10 years, they are still making out well today, unless they overextended their credit. I know it seems harsh, but, when there is blood on the streets...

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Nov 1, 2007 -> 01:04 PM) No they won't. They won't wonder that at all. Because in most cases for the credit lending companies...the people with bad credit wind up being by far the most profitable people. They'll lose some money on some of those deals, but that's what the repo guys are for, and then they can go right back to making more money off the people as they try to rebuild. Not true. The most profitable customers are those with any level of credit but low to middle income - they tend to have balances a lot, but pay the minimum monthly most of the time. That is their ideal customer - not one who has bad credit, because they disappear or declare bankruptcy. It was far too easy before to use bankruptcy as an easy out. I think in some cases it is even still too easy.

QUOTE(kapkomet @ Nov 1, 2007 -> 01:01 PM) *crickets* I have to say, some of these fundraising things with Hillary are looking quite sketchy. This has been going on for months. Where are these people with no money coming up with thousands of dollars? It just screams proxy. And I wouldn't be surprised if other candidates are doing similar things.

QUOTE(kapkomet @ Nov 1, 2007 -> 12:57 PM) Banks are whores. That is all. I blame the consumers more than the banks. But yes, the banks deserve some of the blame.

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Nov 1, 2007 -> 12:54 PM) I think Mack would be an ideal pickup for this team again, esp. if he were actually used to spell the corner OF and infield spots (given that we, right now, have righties at all of those positions except 2nd base, and our other utility guy is Pablo). That'd leave one thing missing from the bench though; a guy who could hit from the right side and play CF/other OF spots in particular behind Owens. Seems to me they might be grooming Jason Bourgeois for that role. He hits righty, and even though he is a SS/2B by trade, they started playing him in CF in Charlotte, and he's been playing there almost exclusively in winter ball. By the way, he is hitting .325 down there.

QUOTE(Cknolls @ Nov 1, 2007 -> 12:36 PM) Here you go: http://www.federalreserve.gov/releases/g19/Current/ So, U.S. consumers hold approximately $915 billion dollars in revolving debt (credit cards, short term payment plans, short loans, etc.). There are 300 million people in the U.S., but about 120 million households (the appropriate level, IMO, where most credit measures are useful). That means that the average household has about $7600 in revolving debt. And in those instruments, usually, the interest rates are very high. That is scary.

QUOTE(Cknolls @ Nov 1, 2007 -> 12:30 PM) Don't have that figure, but here is some historical data: Year Annualized Growth Rate (Credit Cards) 2003 2.3% 2004 3.8% 2005 3.1% 2006 6.3% JUNE 2007 7.1% JULY 2007 7.5% AUG. 2007 8.1% Jeez.

QUOTE(Vance Law @ Nov 1, 2007 -> 12:17 PM) Per Rotoworld: "The Yankees have reportedly had preliminary discussions with the White Sox about trading for Joe Crede as a replacement for Alex Rodriguez at third base. Crede, who underwent back surgery in June to fix a herniated disc, was cleared to resume baseball activities on Friday. He hit 30 home runs in 2006." Not now. Crede's value couldn't be lower. We'd get nothing in return until he's healthy and proves he can play. I tend to agree that it seems like the Sox wouldn't get much right now. But, if the Yankees in their desperation were willing to move someone of decent value, then jump at it. Let the Yanks deal with Boras in 2009.

QUOTE(YASNY @ Nov 1, 2007 -> 12:14 PM) I just don't want a 40 year old CF'er making $15 a year. Think Erstad when you think about Torii in a few years. This team is already getting too old to add more long in the tooth long term commitments. I'd go 4 years with Torii for the right salary levels. Better would be 3, plus maybe a performance-vesting option for 4, or something like that.

QUOTE(Cknolls @ Nov 1, 2007 -> 12:07 PM) And this is potentially worse than the mortgage crisis because this debt is all UNSECURED!! Some stats: Consumer credit rose at an annual rate of 5.9% in August, the biggest increase in 3 months. The increase in consumer credit was led by an 8.1% increase in revolving credit, which is the category that includes credit cards. Non-revolving credit, which includes auto loans, also rose at a faster pace, increasing 4.7% annualized, compared with 3.1% in July and 4% in June. Overall, consumer credit rose by $12.2 billion to a record $2.469 trillion. Does your source have a total number for the amount of revolving credit outstanding? I see the 8.1% increase, but I'm curious how much unsecured leverage there is out there.

Stephen had to have submitted by noon eastern today, which was a couple hours ago. Anyone hear if he did? No word yet on my usual sites.

QUOTE(sox4lifeinPA @ Nov 1, 2007 -> 11:12 AM) joke Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[johk] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation noun, verb, joked, jok·ing. –noun 1. something said or done to provoke laughter or cause amusement, as a witticism, a short and amusing anecdote, or a prankish act: He tells very funny jokes. She played a joke on him. 2. something that is amusing or ridiculous, esp. because of being ludicrously inadequate or a sham; a thing, situation, or person laughed at rather than taken seriously; farce: Their pretense of generosity is a joke. An officer with no ability to command is a joke. 3. a matter that need not be taken very seriously; trifling matter: The loss was no joke. 4. something that does not present the expected challenge; something very easy: The test was a joke for the whole class. Font color.

QUOTE(sox4lifeinPA @ Nov 1, 2007 -> 10:51 AM) unfortunately, this sets back the separation of church and state argument a few years I don't see how this case has any connection there whatsoever. The suit was about the behavior of people, so they are the real targets anyway. And are you suggesting that all organizations that claim to be a "church" should have blanket immunity from civil litigation? Because that would take the separation of church and state to a level beyond anything I've seen.

QUOTE(Markbilliards @ Nov 1, 2007 -> 10:50 AM) I would much rather keep Jerry Owens. Hunter is a huge whiner and not a team player. And most importantly, way too expensive. If Hunter is a whiner and not a team player, I'll take a team full of whiners any day. I have no idea where you are getting that idea, but its quite the opposite of everything I have seen and read. But I do agree he may be too expensive.

I hope there is a hell.

QUOTE(WHITESOXRANDY @ Nov 1, 2007 -> 10:12 AM) If Crisp is less than Rowand, why don't we just sign Rowand and not give away any of the few good prospects that we have. Fields, Rowand, Dye and Owens is fine for the outfield. Move on to improving the middle infield and the bullpen. Because Rowand is a little better than Crisp, but will cost a LOT more. Not sure if that's a good idea, if you want to make serious improvement at SS.

The Trib mentions Hunter and Eckstein as well, but goes further into other SS possibilities (they don't seem as convinced of the Eckstein thing). Names they mention for Sox SS targets: Cesar Izturis, Jack Wilson, Luis Castillo and Kaz Matsui.

I can't find it here now, but, I could have sworn someone posted a picture recently of the Ledger Joker, close up. It was a creepy/cool pic. Anyone have that?

QUOTE(Dick Allen @ Nov 1, 2007 -> 07:16 AM) If he were cheap, I agree he wouldn't be bad to have, but I would rather see the Sox get someone who can rake lefties. Well, there are quite a few strong RH hitters in the lineup as it stands now (PK, Fields, Crede, Dye), but if a couple of those take off, then I agree that should be a consideration.

QUOTE(Dick Allen @ Nov 1, 2007 -> 07:21 AM) If someone can live on that, God bless them. Does anyone know approximately how much ticket reps make? Do they get commissions? I know someone who the stringing about 10 years ago. I think he got $30 a game. Considering thats 81 x30, thats about $2400. I can't honestly say I know. These were grad students, so they were happy making anything at all. I think they also worked for the school, making yet another tiny amount on top of that. And I'd bet the reporter job pays a little more than that - maybe even a living wage. I wasn't encouraging anyone to think about spending their lives running stats for MLB.com. But for people at a certain career stage, this is a pretty good place to start.

QUOTE(southsider2k5 @ Nov 1, 2007 -> 07:14 AM) If it is up to a committee, there isn't a chance he gets on the ballot, even in the party of inclusion. Probably. I think the only reason they might consider it, honestly, is that Colbert would be a huge draw for the state of SC. Like a tourist attraction.