NorthSideSox72

So, former Fed Chairman Alan Greenspan has a book coming out. Among the many interesting tidbits that have been leaked/released... --Says that the GOP Congress deserved its 2006 beat-down, because they had traded "principle for power" --Calls Nixon and Clinton the two smartest Presidents he has worked with --Says economic policy tended to flow from the inner White House circle, leaving SecTreas O'Neil out of the loop --Says he was very close to, and highly respected, many of the people Bush brought into the administration. But that on a policy level, many of them "veered off course" Given how much exposure Greenspan will have had to the inner workings of economic policy in so many Presidencies, I think I may have to pick up this book when it comes out.

I'm going to try to be careful in this thread. --He may be fired, he's being investigated, and he is suspended without pay. Not sure I'd call it a firing offense, but maybe. Close to it anyway. But let's see what happens. --Police work, unfortunately, draws some people to it who like the power way too much. So, you get the occasional asshole like this. He is, fortunately, in the small minority. --Most cops go through a selection process that is much more rigid than almost any other job there is, including the military (this I've been told by cops who are former military, which is a common career path). There are differences between departments of course. But many times, cops that start well, don't end well. That is where I think some of the biggest failures are - they have stringent guidelines for selection, but then most departments tend to be a lot less mindful of ongoing behavior, and provide a lot less training after the first 2 years. --Here is my question in reading this and seeing the tape - are we seeing the whole thing? Just curious. I haven't seen the part of the tape where the encounter actually started. Has anyone seen it? Have we heard how the conversation actually began? I hope this cop gets penalized severely. Since he didn't do anything to the kid physically, I'd stop short of saying he should be fired. Give him an extended suspension without pay, put him back on the street with a partner for a while and not alone, and put him on probation for a year or two. Make sure his squad has a camera operating with audio. Get him some therapy. If he screws up again, fire his ass.

QUOTE(santo=dorf @ Sep 14, 2007 -> 08:19 PM) The recycling process requires more energy usage for transporting, sorting, storing and cleaning the product. Another truck is required to pick up your bins of recycled parts. A facility has to be set up to sort and store all the stuff. More transportation is required to move the sorted stuff to yet another facility to melt the plastic, or bundle up the paper Then the next steps are used in the normal, initial start of making a new bottle from cash. It's a complete waste of tax money. There is no value in recycling plastic or paper, however there is value in recycling aluminum. Ever notice how bums don't go through trash cans looking for Evian bottles? I think perhaps you misunderstand the main goals of recycling. Saving on the direct cost of material to make new cans and bottles is not the main point, or even in the top few. You are completely ignoring, for example, that plastic requires petroleum (read: oil) to produce, and anything we can do to cut down consumption of that is a positive. Then there is the landfill problem, as Tex pointed out, and plastic bottles to NOT biodegrade quickly. And further, the more crap we put in the ground in landfills and other waste areas, the more of those chemicals leach into the soil. The soil where we grow our food, and where our water sources filter through. Do you think that's a good thing? There was a well known book that came out a number of years ago, taking the stance you do here. It pointed out that from a purely direct financial cost perspective, recycling actually costs money. That is true, but you see, it completely misses the point. How much will it cost is in ten years when we still have to buy such a large percentage of our oil from oveseas? How much in health care costs go out the door as our water supplies become contaminated? And how much will it cost to deal with the growing problem of having no more room for trash? All these have costs that, while indirect, are inevitable and very, very costly.

QUOTE(Kalapse @ Sep 15, 2007 -> 01:21 AM) Probably in front of their seats. LOL Seriously though, I was there, and yes. Everyone was standing, and cheering, each at bat. Thome appeared to definitely be swinging for the fences. but he couldn't get it done. Oh well. Fun game anyway.

I picture Big Sqwert as a skinny dude with facial hair, wearing one of those pullovers that looks like its made from hemp. Probably smiles a lot too. Am I close?

^^^ Tex actually looks a bit like Roger Clemens. True story. ^^^^^

QUOTE(Gregory Pratt @ Sep 14, 2007 -> 04:16 PM) The Union probably won't allow tests. And if the owners and MLB start them anyway, then the union has a choice - get tested, or not play (aka strike).

QUOTE(hammerhead johnson @ Sep 14, 2007 -> 03:45 PM) You never got into hip hop in the mid-to-late late 80s/early 90s? No RUN DMC, Public Enemy, Rakim, KRS-ONE, Slick Rick, Juice Crew, De La Soul, Main Source, Ultramagnetic MCs, EPMD, K-Solo, Gangstarr, Organized Konfusion, Sadat X, O.C., L.O.N.S., Freestyle Fellowship, Pharcyde, Del, etc? I did actually have some albums from those folks - I even liked some. I liked some RUN DMC stuff, way back when. Mostly, I like Hip-Hop that's fun - not this gangsta tryin to be a badass stuff. That genre, to me, is best when it doesn't take itself too seriously. I actually liked, even better in that time period, the hip hop fusion with jazz stuff. Diggable Planets, Us3, etc. One could even put Tower of Power in there, maybe.

QUOTE(southsider2k5 @ Sep 14, 2007 -> 03:11 PM) If they leave the US. If they don't leave, it is worse. If they have nothing to stay for (no jobs, no check from the government), most will leave on their own, and/or find a way to be here legally (depending on how a guest visa program might work). QUOTE(southsider2k5 @ Sep 14, 2007 -> 03:13 PM) That is the point. Even if you don't believe the numbers fully, the point remains that low earning illegals who become citizens will be a much larger drain in the long run on resources versus having a rising wage and paying more for a product in the short term. It falls under the ounce of prevention/pound of cure category. Exactly. It may take some pain in the short run, but long run, we'll all be better off. Including them by the way, as they become entitled to legal protections and social services.

QUOTE(witesoxfan @ Sep 14, 2007 -> 03:12 PM) No one is worth $30 mill a year, except maybe Johan Santana. I wouldn't even say Santana. For most teams, $30M is at least a third of their payroll if not more. For this team, probably just under a third. Having one player be 30%+ of your payroll is inviting disaster - like putting your retirement funds in a single, volatile stock. So unless you have a $200M payroll, I don't think ANY player is worth $30M.

QUOTE(SoxFan562004 @ Sep 14, 2007 -> 02:57 PM) I may be way over simplifying this, but Bullpen better be on #1 on KWs offseason list I'd say it should be about #3, after shortstop and center field. And even then, given how few reliable relievers there are available in all of baseball, I'd say it makes more sense to stick mostly with in-house talent in the pen. Maybe pick up one reliever. The back of the pen (Jenks, Wassermann, Logan) is pretty well set, and even Thornton and MacDougal have a good chance of being good next year.

QUOTE(Texsox @ Sep 14, 2007 -> 02:58 PM) You may be overlooking a key point in SS posts. Even in paying your taxes, low wage earners collect more in benefits than they pay. Yes, that is true. But here is the thing - those illegal immigrants are still using all kinds of services unofficially. They may not be getting a check, but they are a drain on resources, without paying it. That is far worse than someone at a low wage earning position that at least contributes SOME tax money, and keeps more of their spending and cash in the country. So even if low wage earners end up getting 90% of their taxes back in terms of federal income tax, they are still paying all sorts of other taxes into the system. Economically, the more illegal laborers are hired, the worse things will be later. Its an artificial, short-term cost reduction for businesses that is offset by greater costs to the entire country.

QUOTE(SoxAce @ Sep 14, 2007 -> 02:43 PM) But.. but.. but...... He's got POWER and D!!! Well... we will miss the D. Not many better defensive shortstops in the game today. But his hitting is SO bad, that I too will be happy to see him go. I am still hoping for a Garland for Furcal type trade.

QUOTE(southsider2k5 @ Sep 14, 2007 -> 02:47 PM) That actually makes things worse, not better. Now those people would be on the rolls of all of the applicable social programs, and not paying any taxes at all, instead of paying a small amount of taxes in someway, shape, or form. I think that slowly having illegals taken off he payrolls makes it better in the long run. Because then ultimately, businesses either have to hire legal laborers (who then all pay their taxes), and any businesses that can't survive don't, which relieves artificial price pressures. And if they are here illegally, they shouldn't be allowed on any social programs. If those things occurred, they'd go home, or find a way to work here legally. That's the goal, isn't it?

QUOTE(StrangeSox @ Sep 14, 2007 -> 02:36 PM) Those 12 million low-paying jobs that the illegals have will be there, whether or not they are filled by legals or illegals. You can't count that against the illegals as their drain on the system. That is only sort of true. For one, not all the 12 million have regular jobs at all. For another thing, if a farmer is currently working 10 illegals in the field at like $3 an hour, and he is then forced to hire legal folks at $5.50 an hour... he might not hire as many people. Just something to keep in perspective. Also, frankly, some businesses are being artificially propped up by illegal labor. Companies that are just scraping by using under-minimum wage labor, in some cases, won't survive without that labor. And that is actually better for the economy anyway, in the long run. Companies that would not otherwise survive their competition don't help the economy, they hurt it.

I've tried to like music in this genre, but I find very little in it of any musical value. Its kind of like horror flicks - a genre that is done often, and usually is both unoriginal and crappy. Once in a while, though, you get a winner.

QUOTE(kapkomet @ Sep 14, 2007 -> 11:06 AM) You're actually defending Olbermann? Wow, just wow. Olbermann is kind of ridiculously over the top, but, all Balta was doing here was providing the actual video instead of a commentary on it. I don't see how that is bad.

LOL

QUOTE(greg775 @ Sep 14, 2007 -> 03:36 AM) Hope for the future? One draft pick? My gosh, how misguided some are. Free agents ... victories ... foreign signees. The draft? One pick? No way. Greg- If it makes you feel better, there are some of us who still won't actively root against the Sox. But, I don't really care if they win or lose, either. If they win I'm happy, if they lose they get closer to a better pick and I am also happy. Works well either way, really. What is most important, to me, is getting playing time for some of the younger players - that should be the emphasis. And whatever they do, they do.

QUOTE(southsider2k5 @ Sep 14, 2007 -> 09:15 AM) I don't flush when I pee sometimes TMI!!!! Hopefully you don't have a dog.

OK. Here are some highlights... --As you know, Tex, I (and a few friends) run a small not-for-profit that runs wilderness treks and promotes environmental education. We have taken a lot of people, over the years, out to the backcountry, where most of them had never been. This does may positive things for them, but on the environmental front, we give people a real look at wilderness areas and green spaces, their protection, and their importance. We are now also beginning a program in cooperation with the US government (BLM) to work with local youth groups along the Continental Divide Trail - teaching them about the amazing natural resources out their back doors, learning about what the communities need, and helping preserve land along the corridor. Ultimately, this will help create generations of people who are invested in better protecting their local natural resources. --We (Middle of Somewhere and my wife and I as individuals) donate to a few environmental groups, chosen very specifically. The Nature Conservancy and the Audobon Society, for example, are great models - they aren't just complainers and lobbyists like Sierra Club. They actually get things done. They make sure green spaces are protected, and expanded. --We drive as little as possible, taking the train or buses or walking/biking for most things we do (except the wife's commute, where mass transit simply doesn't work). We have just one car, and it gets reasonable gas mileage. --At home, we tried to emphasize things that are both more green AND save us money. Little things like putting in a programmable thermostat, so that we are only cranking the heat or A/C to comfort levels when we are home. Running the A/C less and using open windows more. None of these things are huge, but a few little things like this from everyone would make a huge difference. --A few months ago, replaced pretty much every single lightbulb we had with a CFL. Electric bill went down noticeably, and I figure they will pay for themselves sometime this year, then save us money next year and forward, as well as decrease energy use. --We've planted a number of trees around the property, even along the alley (which is technically not our land, but no one complained). --We use cleaning chemicals that are made from natural ingredients that are easily biodegradable, putting less strain on the water treatment system. Things we plan to do next year: --Using ComEd's new energy choice program, and buying exclusively renewable energy sources. It will cost a little more, but this to me is worth a few bucks. --Using the city's new recycling system (since the blue bag thing didn't really work). --We are looking at buying a hybrid or light hybrid car. Reading my list, we could be doing a lot more. And we will, as time goes on. When we actually move into a house (we're in a condo right now), we will be employing a number of things - solar panels, rainwater catch for watering, energy star-rated appliances - that we can't do right now. I'd bet there are people here who have done more than we have. I'd like to hear what other things have been done. Someone put in solar panels?

QUOTE(kapkomet @ Sep 13, 2007 -> 10:30 PM) So what are we supposed to do, Mr. NSS? It seems like you have all the answers as to why GWB is so wrong, so what is it that is so right now? BTW, I don't expect a serious answer to that, because I'm not sure there is one, in all seriousness. It's a god-awful mess over there but from some blogs that you can read (including our very own NUKE) there are things that can be done to make this more "winable" then is happening now. The real question is, how do we make the Iraqi's care enough to want to take control of their own country? Had an interesting conversation with my grandfather in law about the war - he is a WWII vet and had some interesting things to say. You know the zero plane in the Smithsonian? The picture with the GI in the cockpit in that exhibit? That's my grandfather-in-law. I love listening to his stories... it gives you a real sense of perspective on things in these current times. Anyway, I'm tired after thet trip. Hopefully I'm not too buried and can play with ya'll tomorrow. I'm glad you asked, Kap. I am probably many things to people here, not all good, but I think I can say I usually make an effort to suggest a different path if I disagree with the current one. I'll reiterate my preferred paths for Iraq, as of this point (ignoring that being there at all was illegal and irresponsible), in order of preference... 1. Ideally, I think something like the Biden plan is what should be done. A very thin national Iraqi government with only a few basic tasks - revenue sharing, economic structure, endorsement and protection of basic personal freedoms, things of that nature. Then seperately, allow the three ethnic groups to do what they want with their own terrain, which they are headed towards anyway (just, more violently, right now). The three states (Kurdistan, Shiastan and Sunnistan, we'll call them for now) would handle many things individually. This is painful in the short run, as it would inevitably cause displacement and refugee problems, but again - already happening. This just puts some control and safety around the processm so that maybe a few less people are killed, injured, made homeless, etc. Once these states begin to stabilize a bit, start to draw down our troops. The desire of the states to protect themselves from each other would have a new side benefit - security increases in each state. 2. Since the Biden plan has received no significant backing, and is never going to be adopted, my current second choice is Obama's plan. The gradual drawdown of troops over about a year period, each combat brigade handing over duties to Iraqi police and military, in order of who is most ready. This forces those Iraqi units to get their asses in gear. In the end, leave a residual force to assist with advisement, border control, and the occasional terror cell hit. I am OK with a long term presence of those few thousand troops in those specialized positions, if in return we get back the bulk of the combat brigades. I do not agree with Richardson on this - I do not think it is realistic to draw down to zero anytime soon, nor is it smart. But the plan I agree with least, because it will result in the most death and destruction for Iraqis and Americans alike, in both the short AND long runs, is the Bush/Patraeus let's just keep going and maybe they'll wear down strategy. Its really the worst possible way to go about it.

I would actually be really curious as to what, if anything, folks here have done in recent years to be more environmentally conscious in their choices. I'd be happy to list mine, if this is of interest to anyone else.

QUOTE(Rex Kicka** @ Sep 13, 2007 -> 11:14 PM) It's actually a smart move for a campaign to take. I'm surprised more candidates don't do this. I was thinking about this last night. I am not sure if it was or not. It certainly puts him on point, gets his face out there, makes him look like a voice for the people... those are all positive political themes for him. But, it wasn't really making him look at all Presidential. It made him look like a Senator. And I don't know it that is a good thing for him right now.

QUOTE(kapkomet @ Sep 13, 2007 -> 10:42 PM) Niiiiiiice. And that other poll that BS referenced the other day was ... solid. Look... I think all these so-called polls are bunk, including this one (that SS referenced). You can't possibly have a valid poll over there right now and I also think that the questions that are asked will absolutely skew the results of "positives" and "negatives", which was the point I was making in the other thread, when I basically got told that I was simply trying to start s***. I didn't say anything was solid, I don't think. What I was saying was that analyis in that clip from SS2K5 was really poor analysis of the numbers. And by the way, I agree that the poll has some potentially huge bias factors in it. It has to. Too many things that would skew it.