NorthSideSox72

QUOTE(BigSqwert @ Feb 23, 2007 -> 09:44 AM) Vilsack reportedly dropping out of the Democratic race. Source? Please tell me your source isn't my post from the Dems forum. Nevermind, found it.

QUOTE(southsider2k5 @ Feb 23, 2007 -> 08:41 AM) Rudy is leading McCain by 7 points in Iowa as of the last poll http://strategicvision.biz/political/iowa_poll_022207.htm I didn't think Tancredo was actually running. ??? Not that he will make a difference, probably.

Linky. Good news on Uribe if true. Prinz seems low risk.

QUOTE(southsider2k5 @ Feb 23, 2007 -> 08:40 AM) A little poll assist.... Edwards leads Iowa by 6 points right now http://strategicvision.biz/political/iowa_poll_022207.htm This will be an interesting year. I suspect that poll to change dramatically, if taken about 10 months from now. Whats amazing to me is, Vilsack is 4th. Its his state, and half the candidates are still unknowns at this point... and he still can't get better than 4th?

QUOTE(IlliniKrush @ Feb 22, 2007 -> 11:26 PM) Who wants to drive when parking is 20 bucks anyway? Seriously. Red line or green line all the way. And in 2008... Metra.

This is why I me some Soxtalk.

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Feb 22, 2007 -> 04:21 PM) BOoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooone. Captain Sisco. Yeah, one of those two is pretty likely for the 6th spot. Sounds like they may still be considering making Sisco a starter, though. So you never know. ETA: Masset isn't a lock for the big club either. If they like him as a starter but he doesn't get the 5th spot (and probably won't), they might want to send him back to AAA. That means possibly Haeger and one of those two lefties making the pen.

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Feb 22, 2007 -> 04:15 PM) Unfortunately, given Ozzie's habit of wanting 2 lefties in the pen (and the fact that we have 3), and the fact taht this team really doesn't have room or need to carry 12 pitchers, the only way Charlie makes it is as the 5th starter I think. Bullpen (6 guys): Jenks Thor MMac Masset Aardsma 2nd lefty Hm. What other lefties are in camp? QUOTE(GIOin08 @ Feb 22, 2007 -> 04:15 PM) I would be messed up against any of them... and i think you would too

I meant this... QUOTE(NorthSideSox72 @ Feb 22, 2007 -> 02:50 PM) First to market, then better brand recognition, then got into cars and rentals faster. QUOTE(tonyho7476 @ Feb 22, 2007 -> 02:52 PM) Started first, better technology up front, and better car manufacturer deals. I think overall the Sirius audience is more dedicated, because so many have gotten them via retail, instead of with a car. Sirius started in a big hole.

QUOTE(Queen Prawn @ Feb 22, 2007 -> 03:46 PM) Blowing up a CD player? Sheesh. Not sure, but they may be a little more sensitive given the location. That church is one of a handful of the most well-know, highly visited landmarks in the state. Still, seems a little bizarre. I wonder if we are missing part of the story, like, someone called in and said three was a bunch of wiring sticking out of the bottom of the pews.

QUOTE(tonyho7476 @ Feb 22, 2007 -> 02:52 PM) Started first, better technology up front, and better car manufacturer deals. I think overall the Sirius audience is more dedicated, because so many have gotten them via retail, instead of with a car. Sirius started in a big hole. There seems to be an echo in here...

QUOTE(Jordan4life_2007 @ Feb 22, 2007 -> 03:23 PM) If Haeger did make the 'pen, it would definitely be in a middle relief role. Thornton, McDougal and Jenks will take care of the later innings. If you look at Haeger's time with the big club last year, his 1 start was pretty awful, but as a reliever, he had very solid numbers (in limited time of course). And think for a second about having to face, say, Garland-Haeger-Thornton-Jenks. How messed up would you be? I don't know how it will play out, but I kind of like the idea of Haeger in the 'pen in that 6th spot.

7 of the 8 Dems running for Prez had their first forum, in Nevada. Mostly good to each other, except Edwards, who was a bit snide towards Hilary. I think its interesting that Richardson proposed the no-negative campaign promise, since I think he'd actually benefit more than others from the daggers. Obama was the one no-show - he was campaigning in Iowa.

QUOTE(bad at best @ Feb 21, 2007 -> 04:03 PM) I'm excited about our pen this year. It sounds scary. However; I kinda wish we had at least one guy that didnt pump fastballs. Some weirdo submariner or junk ball pitcher. Anybody else think a little variety might make our pen more dangerous? Thy name is Haeger.

QUOTE(Texsox @ Feb 22, 2007 -> 02:49 PM) Then here's where I am confused. XM has 7.1 million subsribers and Sirius 5.1. Taking out the 3 million that signed up because of Howard that means 2.1 million versus 7.1 million for the rest of the stuff. As you claim there is no programming that can approach Howard, so why did people choose XM 3-1 over Sirius? First to market, then better brand recognition, then got into cars and rentals faster.

QUOTE(RockRaines @ Feb 22, 2007 -> 02:30 PM) Tony, as a fellow owner of Sirius stock, I wish everything you said is true. However even with Stern bringing his audience with him, they were never going to catch or take over XM as the leader in Sat radio. As much as I would have liked it to happen it just isnt in the cards. Both companies realized that the market is leveling off and there is only so much to be gained from competing. When they adapt the XM name, will you still claim to listen to Sirius? Buy the rumor, sell the news. The stocks have priced in a merger at this point, but there is downside risk, and very little upward potential left. If I owned stock in either one, I'd sell it pronto. I might even consider shorting them.

QUOTE(mreye @ Feb 22, 2007 -> 11:54 AM) I've got 20/10 as well, Soxy. 10/5 maybe?

QUOTE(mreye @ Feb 22, 2007 -> 12:24 PM) What? Like an Independent? Like they are really any of those.

QUOTE(Texsox @ Feb 22, 2007 -> 10:02 AM) The escorting would depend on the terrain and the trail conditions. Once you are attending, you are a member, aren't you? While the needs are similar for Polish and Italian immigrants, aren't there differences and advantages of being with Poles and Italians? If a Church is offering Polish to English lessons, why fault them for not serving Italians? Isn't there a great motivation when someone stands up and says, I came here from Italy, just like you. I spoke only Italian, just like you. I received an education, just like you can. I found a job, just like you can. I was exactly like you, became successful, and you can to. Churches are made up of dozens to hundreds of families and largely reflect the town/city/neighborhood they are in. To try and racially balance every Church is impossible. Who is trying to racially balance a church? I'm saying I could care less if I'm the only white guy there, or they are all white. It really makes no difference. That's the way I think it should be. If happenstance dictates some particular mix, then so be it.

QUOTE(maggliopipe @ Feb 22, 2007 -> 09:12 AM) It tends to get caught in things like curtains, rugs, and furniture, which causes it to cry to be set free. Such a great picture. "Help me!"

QUOTE(Texsox @ Feb 22, 2007 -> 09:43 AM) I don't see how that is doable. There are limited resources in every group. Why should Baptist be criticized for offering programs strictly for their members? Why shouldn't a Church be allowed to help Polish speakers learn English and not French, German, and Spanish? If you and I ban together to take blind kids backpacking, why should we be expected to open it up to sighted? (Hey, that actually sounds like a great idea.) Again, I agree in the extreme it is a bad thing. But everything is like that. A church for Baptists is just that, by nature, and that is their service base. But most churches allow people of other religions to attend as well, yes? There is also a big difference between blindness and race. Someone who is blind requires certain resources and tools to do certain things. No race needs such things. Backpacking for the blind? Hm. Might be kind of problematic. You'd need to be escorting them nearly everywhere they go. Novel thought, though.

QUOTE(Texsox @ Feb 22, 2007 -> 09:30 AM) Of course I would have a problem with that. But we are talking about two things. Mine is telling someone about the opening and how to apply.That you need to go to the Baywatch School of Lifeguarding, here's where to apply for scholarships. You need to be First Aid certified, here is the address and schedule for First Aid Classes at the Red Cross. You need to be at the Qualifying swim on February 14 and pass this test. It would also be helpful if you spoke better English, we have classes every Wednesday before services. In other words, putting people in a position to be successful. Which is fine, but I think that if you do that only for a specific race or people, you are ultimately making things worse for everyone. Worse for everyone not of that race, and worse for that race later due to a continued artificial barrier.

QUOTE(Texsox @ Feb 22, 2007 -> 08:51 AM) Same with Native Americans, prisoners, newly immigrated, etc.? Sermons in Polish, Spanish, French, etc.? A community is about a lot of things, one is a shared struggle. Blacks have a much different experience living in America than whites. That experience, those struggles, bind them together into a community. That is a natural part of the human experience. Eliminating racism isn't about destroying what makes us unique, it's about accepting those differences. I know some great people who attend the McAllen Korean Presbyterian Church. They aren't racist, they want to join together with other Koreans who live in the area. They hold events that appeal to first generation Koreans. The services give them an opportunity to hear their native tongue. They put there efforts into helping that community. They can't do everything for everyone, but they can help a small group, and they choose to help Koreans. I can't believe anyone would think that is a bad thing. How does their mission statement harm anyone? Isn't a stronger black community, one that embraces all those ideals, good for America? I think eliminating racism is about focusing on people and what they bring to the table as individuals. If it happens to be that part of who Bob is comes from his Irish ancestry, so be it. Me putting him in the Irish category and making assumptions about him based on that helps no one. Better for me to focus on Bob for the complete package that is Bob. Does that make more sense? Yes, our differences are key, and I personally like having people around me from a variety of experiences and backgrounds. But I could care less of they are black, white, red, purple or rainbow-colored, because that doesn't define who they are. Their actions define them.

QUOTE(Texsox @ Feb 22, 2007 -> 08:31 AM) So Churches should not minister to a specific community? Let's use this example. Someone feels the calling to minister to Native Americans, to help their community. That is wrong? They have to help every community? Why not address the specific needs of that community? Those guidelines are not ministering to a community. They are trying to prop up a race of people, ultimately, at the expense of everyone else. There is a difference. The latter is not OK with me. A community, in this day and age, should not be a race. Now, let me add something. I do think churchs should be able to be whatever they want in the legal sense - including all black or all white. But I would never, ever attend a church with a set of principles like the one listed earlier, for white or for black. I find it closed-minded and offensive. Racism in insidious, in that even good intentions cause ill effects when these sorts of delineations occur. The only way to combat it is to make it irrelevant.

Looking at that grid, the thing that worries me is the infield. Pitching staff looks good (especially with the talent in the minors), catching and DH fine, outfield thin but a few talented players coming up soon will help there. But that infield is thin, and it gets ugly looking at the farm system. I really hope they re-sign Gooch very soon, and figure out the Crede/Fields situation in some way. Then they can focus on SS.