NorthSideSox72

So during last night's debate in NH, Russert asked all the Dem candidates if they could pledge to have ALL troops out of Iraq by 2013 (end of next Prez term). Only Richardson, Dodd and Kucinich said yes. The others kind of hemmed and hawed. On the one hand, this is a bit frustrating, as it seems most of the candidates are pulling back on their promises. But, the way Russert framed the question, it wasn't "will you substantially end the war", it was, "will you remove ALL the troops". But in any case, its interesting to see that most of them seem to favor the idea of getting out, but leaving a residual force. That seems to be the current party line. On the subject of whether or not they would lift the 97k SS tax cap and apply the rate to all income... Obama, Edwards, Kucinich, Dodd and Biden all said they would. Richardson was alone saying he would not. Clinton gave a non-answer: "I'm not putting anything on the proverbial table" (isn't that the point of a debate, Hillary?). Biden said he would consider raising the retirement age from the current 67 to something higher. Kucinich, interestingly, said he wants to move it back to 65. Asked if they would use force to prevent Iran from going nuclear, they all said they favored diplomacy first, but none of them ruled out military action. And a fun one... the question was posed if any of them favored lowering the drinking age from 21 to 18 (drawing cheers from the Dartmouth crowd). Only Gravel and Kucinich said yes to that one.

That network pretty much gave up the right to call it "news" when they hired Couric. That was their white flag.

QUOTE(Texsox @ Sep 26, 2007 -> 10:51 PM) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lowest-income...e_United_States 47 Webb $10,759 Interesting that South Dakota has so many. I assume, like here, it is all the agriculture jobs that are really seasonal. Also in Hidalgo we have most of out highest paying jobs across the river in Mexico, and most of our new investments are Mexican Nationals starting businesses here. Many of the counties listed for ND, SD, MT, NM and AZ on a per capita basis are counties with large Indian Reservations.

QUOTE(LosMediasBlancas @ Sep 27, 2007 -> 03:01 AM) When do they come out west? I do know they are going to Cali - San Fran is at least one of the teams. Not sure who the other NL road team is. I like interleague play. Just sucks we keep getting the Pirates over and over again.

QUOTE(santo=dorf @ Sep 25, 2007 -> 10:32 PM) Yet here we are, 14 innings later, and he's only better than Dewon Day. This is yet another "Hellen Keller" move made by the Sox this year. This was actually a good move at the time. He failed, now the team moves on. But given the condition of the pen at that point, and his previous experience, there was really zero harm in the move, and some possible good. The only "Helen Keller" thing would be if, after this little try-out, they take his option for 2008. That would be stupid.

QUOTE(kapkomet @ Sep 26, 2007 -> 08:23 PM) Uh huh... and it is all starting to come back around full circle: the Democrats know, if we leave, that THEY have blood on their hands. That's why the meaningless amendments and empty threats. It's all about showing the kook fringes that they are "serious" with this, and they are not. http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?...H.DTL&tsp=1 My DemocratIC (feel better, Chet), you've been duped. Instead of playing this political power game, if everyone would decide to get on board, the troops would be home TWICE as fast because the dirtbag inusrgents over there would have nothing left to fight for if they know our resolve is not shaken. But apparently, that's too much to ask. The bottom line is, we're there, even if it is for the "wrong" reasons. So why do we have to play this political pandering bulls***? Let's come together, get something done, and get our people back home where they belong. I know part of it is the Democrats know they have to be "anti-war" to have a prayer at the White House, but I think you would find that if they were just straight with the American people and got something done over there, they would have just as good a chance... BUT WAIT, then Bush and the Republicans would get credit, and we CAN'T have THAT! What a f***ed up situation. One more thought: how much do you all want to bet that the "bring the troops home" s*** TOTALLY stops if a Democrat (Mrs. Bill Clinton) gets elected? Think about it. Did you read the articles about the amendment? Because it says nothing of leaving. Its about how to manage the Iraqi government. Its basically the Biden plan - as a suggestion.

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Sep 26, 2007 -> 04:55 PM) Congress could do anything it wants to do if it was willing to use the funding for the war as a negotiating tool. Basically, Congress has the ability to say "Either you will agree with our plan, or we will not fund this war any farther". Until it does that, it has given up its only negotiating tool with this President before it starts. If the President vetos whatever plan the Congress comes up with, then the Congress can give him the same plan right back, and eventually the Executive branch winds up having no choice between agreeing with Congress or ending the war entirely with the funding already appropriated. But the Executive branch knows right now that the media will buy into the "The Democrats aren't funding the troops!" meme, as they already have done, so it's already a given that if Congress actually tries to use its power, the Democrats are going to be the ones capitulating. But they did that. They amended the spending bill. Now, maybe they didn't word it usefully, I don't know. But if they have an amendment saying the funding is contingent on doing X, then there it is. Perhaps they didn't do that - maybe the amendment just said "we think you should do X". If that is the case, then I guess they just wimped out again.

QUOTE(CWSGuy406 @ Sep 26, 2007 -> 04:27 PM) Well, the most obvious choices are a 22 (23?)-year-old who will be heading to Charlotte for a third consecutive year or a first-baseman in low-A. I'm assuming that Richar and Fields don't count. Flip a coin? Sweeney's best season was a .800 OPS in a tiny park and Carter hasn't even tested high-A yet. It embarrasses me to type that. What a pathetic job by our scouts. We have f***ing zero position prospects. I think there are better ones than Sweeney. Carter for one, and maybe Miranda or Shelby for higher ceilings. And I know at 25 most wouldn't consider him a prospect anymore, but I think Bourgeois looks very close to major league ready, and he can play a lot of positions (not as high a ceiling as others, though). I guess it depends on how much you value readiness versus ceiling. But I'd bet Sweeney comes back healthy and stronger in 2008 at Charlotte and has a very good season.

The Senate today voted heavily for an amendment to the Iraq spending bill, to essentially endorse the Biden plan for Iraq. The amendment has bi-partisan support and a veto-proof majority, with a 75-23 vote. Unfortunately, as it is only a plan and a set of goals, it is essentially non-binding. BushCo can sign the bill into law, and choose to ignore the amendment if they'd like. So, Congress agrees a change in course is needed, they endorse that change in course, but fail to put any teeth whatsoever in the amendment. What good does that do? I do have to ask though - since Congress has no authority over Iraq's government per se anyway, and the executive branch can pretty much implement their end of things how they want to... could Congress even do anything binding along these lines anyway?

QUOTE(Gene Honda Civic @ Sep 26, 2007 -> 04:09 PM) Ha... You need more than one pitch to be #1... He was rated the 4th best prospect in his league. DLS should take the SALly league #1, and if he doesn't it's at least a 16 team league stocked with real prospects, whereas the PIO was a 8 team league with 6-7 (including Miranda and Moustakas) major league prospects and a bunch of suspects. I'd rate Gio #1 on experience (being at AA) and his improvement from last season. DLS only had a handful of starts above lo-A, so while I think he's a great prospect with the highest ceiling of anyone in our minor leagues, the inexperience/unknowns at the higher levels have to knock him down a peg in my book. Having followed the system a lot more closely over the past year, I am looking forward to projecting the Top 25 in the system this offseason. Just curious... who would you rate the best position player prospect in the Sox' system right now? I tend to agree on Gio as #1, by the way. Maybe not the highest ceiling, but he looks like he'll be a good starter, and is close to ready.

Since the Sox will have 7 players in the AFL starting in early October, along with a handful of others spread out over various Mexican and Caribbean leagues... does anyone know if those leagues typically post results and/or stats during their seasons? And where to find that info?

QUOTE(Gene Honda Civic @ Sep 26, 2007 -> 03:53 PM) Egbert's about 5 or 6, though some would consider that generous. I'd put DLS at 2, but he's got the most upside of anyone in our system. Poreda at 1? Or someone else?

Lucy gets a section in the Trib's notes page for the day. Working extra time on defense - nice to see. He definitely seems to be working hard. So far with the big club, he hasn't gotten much opportunity to play. 2 starts and a couple late inning appearances, 10 at bats, 2 singles. 3 attempted base stealers against, all 3 succeeded. Subjectively, watching him play, he's isn't ready yet. AFL ball this fall, plus some time in 2008 in AAA, will do him some good. He does show good athleticism, seems to know how to call a game, etc. But he looks pretty lost at the plate - not a huge surprise for a guy in his first 10 at bats after going almost directly from AA. Given how poorly Hall did this season, the Sox could probably do worse than having Lucy be the backup catcher in 2008. But Lucy would undoubtedly struggle at first, and not get enough playing time to improve quickly. So let's hope Hall can get back to form in 2008, and allow Donny to finish his minor league development.

Latest polls in NH show Romney and Giuliani now a dead heat (Romney had, at one time, a comfy lead). Also significant, McCain is coming back strong, now at 18% (6 points higher than previously).

QUOTE(jasonxctf @ Sep 26, 2007 -> 03:02 PM) somewhat sounds like every priest and pastor out there doesn't it??? How do you expect people to show anything but disdain for you, when you make posts like that? You think every priest and pastor are racist jerks looking for money?

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Sep 26, 2007 -> 12:57 PM) Link Oh yeah, he's taking this thing reeeeeeeeeeal seriously. Amazing.

QUOTE(Texsox @ Sep 26, 2007 -> 02:10 PM) I think who we have here are more the mainstream Democrats than the mythical ones that get pin poked. Which perhaps adds to the b.s. factor. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Except for BigSqwert. He, the mythical beast they call Liberal.

The fact that Hillary's camp managed to get a GQ story that was critical of her squashed (by way of saying they'd lose access to Bill), has now been on the top stories board on both the Trib and CNN web page all day.

QUOTE(kapkomet @ Sep 26, 2007 -> 02:04 PM) They pimp money out of their own "followers" every day, so which is worse? Lying and running around screaming "racism" when they are using racist means to suck out money from people, or being a douche on TV? I rate it about the same, but since it's a "conservative" you all want to take pot shots at how bad he is. For the record, I'm pretty sure I've taken more "pot shots" at Jesse and Al than I have O'Factor. Who the f*** cares anyway - none of them are worth your time or energy.

QUOTE(Steve9347 @ Sep 26, 2007 -> 11:39 AM) Press Conference as we speak on 670 AM Lovie just announced that #1 Griese #2 Rex #3 Orton I don't think we've seen the last of Rex. Didn't you just say, two pages ago, that Grossman never starts again for the Bears?

QUOTE(RibbieRubarb @ Sep 26, 2007 -> 12:05 PM) His school doesn't have uniforms. We're torn between a blue shirt and the Kong jersey... If it was an office and these were adults, the Konerko jersey would be amusing. But for a 3rd grader, I have a feeling that might go badly. I'd avoid it.

QUOTE(Texsox @ Sep 26, 2007 -> 01:57 PM) When you read or hear someone of good character and intelligence say something you find unfathomable, what do you do? Do you even give it a second thought? The Vick dog fighting thing has me thinking. I found comments by Sanders, Whoopie and others to be so off base, so wrong, I could not image anyone actually saying them. Similar to some of the Mr. KapCleveland2k5 posts I've read through the years. My reflex is always to try and figure out why they believe that. I know they aren't uneducated, amoral, fools, so there must be some underlying logic. So I ask, does anyone even pause and try to understand the other side? I know that asking questions and probing around here usually ends in an argument, but there are other places to research. There is maybe some logic, but its also very emotional. When you are involved in a heated, emotional debate, something political... and you someone says something on one extreme that offends you... a person may sometimes tend to say something on the other extreme in a reactionary way, even though that person may not really be on that extreme. The current information overload and soundbyte society we are in only amplifies that problem by replacing discussion with one-liners.

QUOTE(kapkomet @ Sep 26, 2007 -> 01:55 PM) Don't get me wrong - O'Reilly opened himself up for this, but it's hypocritical. Well, if Jesse or Al were full time employees of some major network, they might get fired too. But, as they are basically unemployed, what's there to fire them from?

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Sep 26, 2007 -> 11:43 AM) I find this perspective intriguing... The analogy is interesting, but that author's assertion that America piddled its pants is just assinine. I am, frankly, very proud of how are nation handled this particular dictator. There were protests, there was support and non-support. Tough questions were asked, but he was allowed to speak freely. I think America showed its mettle, and I think its the first time in a while I have felt that kind of pride in our foreign affairs.

QUOTE(RibbieRubarb @ Sep 26, 2007 -> 10:24 AM) His elementary school has declared this Friday as "CUB PRIDE DAY" They have asked the parents to send the kids to school that day in Cub paraphernalia to "support Chicago's team into the playoffs" Granted, they did do this in 2005 with the White Sox (but they waited until they won the ALCS). What does a proud White Sox parent do??? (BTW, he is in 3rd grade) My wife suggests sending him in his Konerko jersey...lol Your thoughts? Bears jersey. Support your city, but not necessarily the Cubs.