NorthSideSox72

QUOTE(YASNY @ Dec 12, 2006 -> 09:44 AM) That's a first. Enjoy it.

QUOTE(Jenksismyb**** @ Dec 12, 2006 -> 09:29 AM) We need to clarify why we're calling the country pussies or being soft. I don't think we're talking about our ability or desire to fight a war if the need arises. What I consider Americans weak for is the negative effect of liberalism: that everyone becomes stale and generic creatures without any differences because we're all socially programmed to say and do the same things. My examples of the Christmas tree or the Victoria Secret display prove this. Another one I heard today was that Rosie O’Donnell 'hurt' the Asian community by mocking the Chinese language when she tried to make a joke. There was a 'firestorm' created and NYC councilmen were asking for her to apologize and/or be removed for a show. And why? Because people can't take a joke? Because some people's feelings were hurt? Boo-f***ing-woo. Get over it. We're a nation of pansies that complains and whines about every little thing we don't like. We expect other people to change their ways when we should instead move away or stop watching. When you take this political correctness crap to its extreme there will be no differences between people. Everyone will be cookie-cutter Americans, pandering to anyone offended by anything. This is why we're a bunch of pussies. We continue to let these soft people rule over us. We continue to appease the incredibly small minority on these issues. And for the rest of the drivel you write, I'm not even going to take the time to respond. Just keep using hindsight. You'll get real far. I think most of what you say about PC crap and allowing people's complaints to derail our sense of community is right on target. But I sort of chuckle at the suppose connection to "liberalism". That's a joke. Liberalism is about freedoms and opportunity, not the things you describe. And if you think that the complainers and law suit filers are somehow more likely to be "liberals", then you have listened to one to many Rush shows. The lack of personal responsibility and generally me-culture is pervasive, and across the political spectrum. Everyone is all about themselves.

QUOTE(Texsox @ Dec 12, 2006 -> 09:20 AM) Knowledge almost always trumps equipment. Beginning and end, right there. People die in the wilderness because of poor or uninformed decisions, more often than not. Equipment and physical condition, while important, are lower on the list of importance than knowledge.

QUOTE(YASNY @ Dec 12, 2006 -> 09:13 AM) The die is cast though. It's going to happen. Eh, I have no doubt it will creep into society. But as PA says, no way any forced version of it (aside from maybe cons and probys) will ever pass muster. Instead, commercial industry will put all that good stuff into a watch or cell phone type device (only smaller) that fits in your pocket or on your best. Something the size of a key, or a credit card. That would service the broader market that wants to technology but not the scary bits.

QUOTE(YASNY @ Dec 12, 2006 -> 09:05 AM) ACtion sequences and eye candy? What's the problem? No problem at all. But if I see a piece of eye candy, say a picture of Scarlett Johansson naked, I'll be enthralled for a few seconds. Not 2 hours. But then, I guess if she was in action for 2 hours... oh nevermind. you win.

QUOTE(YASNY @ Dec 12, 2006 -> 08:52 AM) Two words. f***ing disaster. I tend to agree. Despite the many positives that undoubtedly could be produced by it, I just cannot imagine being OK with that. Waaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyy too much danger.

Happy B-Day my friend - you've had a big year to celebrate!

It seems like none of these new exotic defensive stat formulas are quite right. They all seem to favor some things abnormally, and ignore other factors. But I bet if you could combine some basic defensive numbers (FPct, RF, ZR) with an average ranking of a handful of these lists, you might get a good picture. Then again, you might get a defensive BCS, and that isn't exactly ideal. What do people here think is/are the best measures of defensive ability? Can numbers even really tell the story?

QUOTE(BobDylan @ Dec 11, 2006 -> 09:48 PM) How could anyone fall asleep during that movie? Because it was like white noise? A steady hiss of silly action sequences and eye candy with no involving subject matter?

QUOTE(YASNY @ Dec 12, 2006 -> 04:06 AM) Personally, I don't think it will take that long. 20 years tops. http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentSe...id=968867495754 And how do you feel about that...

QUOTE(Jenksismyb**** @ Dec 11, 2006 -> 09:44 PM) How is it a good comparison? You're going from a situation with ZERO reason to suspect anything, other than your preconceived notions about an ethnic group, to a situation where people were witnessed acting in strange ways. Two entirely different situations. And how is that bigotry? It's connected some dots. More often than not you'll probably be wrong. But wasn't one of the major problems, and a major recommendation, after 9/11 that we start becoming a little more serious about the threat that extremists pose? That we start using a little more imagination in how we recognize our vulnerability to attack? I think your position is BS if you're essentially labeling everyone a racist if they so much as hint of stereotype in their thinking about someone. We should all strive to not be prejudicial in our actions and thoughts about other peoples, but apparently these guys did something to warrant the attention (and reaction) that they got, and it wasn't as if there were merely a handful of people who thought that way. There was a large group of the flight who were concerned. And personally I don't see this as paranoid and fearful, I see it as people wising up. They're taking note of their surroundings and acting accordingly. Appeasement to extremists would be accepting a future attack is inevitable. If we're all on guard, hopefully it won't be. Agreed. As I stated early on in this thread, if they broke the rules (i.e. they stood up during taxi or some other time they weren't supposed to), then I'm all for taking them off the plane. But if that isn't the case, and they were praying, then yeah - I do call that bigotry. You may defend it for being necessary, and I could see that logic, even though I disagree - but it is absolutely bigotry. Just like affirmative action is bigotry, no matter how well-intentioned. And that is where the choice comes in. I choose not to let my opinions of one person in a race/religion/nationality/sexual preference/hair color/city dictate my opinions of another in the same category. You probably see that as a dangerous mindset. But for me, its the way I think I should act. Maybe that's why I left law enforcement after only a couple years.

QUOTE(southsider2k5 @ Dec 12, 2006 -> 06:09 AM) All I have to say is Frozen.Concentrated.Orange.Juice. I'm thinking that trading food products on the NYBOT isn't the easiest way to start in investing. Silk cocoons on the Kobe Silk exchange is a much better option.

Nuke's advice is good, especially when starting at that amatuer level. Stock picking is very risky if you aren't well versed, and only slightly less risky even if you are. Safe bet is to use funds and ETF's, making sure to research them for risk profile and performance first. If you do get into picking individual stocks, always follow this rule: no one security should EVER be more than 10% of your portfolio, and ideally, should be no more than 5%. One more piece of advice. If your employer does any sort of 401k, use it. If they match your money, always take out to at least the maximum matching level - its free money! Also, unless you have a big portfolio, look into using a discount brokerage like E*Trade, Ameritrade, or something similar. Don't use a portfolio manager or a full service broker. Its not worth it, at least when you first start.

QUOTE(mr_genius @ Dec 11, 2006 -> 05:17 PM) The only things I can think of is longer lines at airports. IMO, the amount of incursions on privacy and civil liberties in the name of security has been minimal and appropriate. And for the most part, I agree. Just be aware what they mean. QUOTE(Jenksismyb**** @ Dec 11, 2006 -> 05:03 PM) Apples and oranges man, it's entirely different. Pulling over a car because you see the driver is black is one thing. Pulling guys of a plane because they're acting inappropriately, making a lot of people nervous in the process, is another. This is precisely my point. Screw the majority of people on the plane. Let's do whatever these six guys want us to do because dammit we have to appease everyone. And for the record there is no law against stereotyping. I can judge anyone and everyone, for whatever reason I deem appropriate. The government can't pre-judge someone. Judges can't pre-judge someone. A plane is not a courtroom. People can (and should) voice their concern, especially in an environment like a plane where you have zero control. Right. And the current going ons in the world are that a s***load of muslims want to see us all dead. Compound that with these six guys, acting in a weird way, eerily similar to the stories we've all heard from 9/11, and I think it's a perfect example of when people SHOULD use their common sense and voice their concern. I'm tired of people trying to tell me (and the rest of us) that we should appease everyone and their mother in the name of fairness and respect. Guess what, life ain't fair. We do the best we can but sometimes people are gonna be unhappy. Get over it. A guy on the radio made an excellent point this morning. One of these days someone is going to b**** and whine about something they don't like, and instead of a major corporation appeasing them and changing, their gonna tell that person to f*ck off. And then we'll be back to being Americans. When we can tell each other to f*ck off and move on with our day. And for the record I don't think it's Reps v Dems. It's both sides. I really wish after something like the Janet Jackson fiasco at the superbowl a couple of years ago CBS (and the government) told all those people to f*ck off and deal with it. If you don't like it, don't watch it. If you can't act a certain way on a plane, deal with it. When 250 million people think one way and 10,000 think another, sorry. Majority wins. (And don't bring up something like the minorities would never get heard. We all know what circumstances I'm talking about here. Minorities without a voice, demanding RIGHTS, is a different matter). I don't see it as apples and oranges at all. I think its a good comparison. Look. As you said, there is no law against stereotyping, or any other form of bigotry. You want to feel that way, go right ahead. I'm going to see the world otherwise. One more thing. Don't put this "appeasement" crap on me. I don't want appeasement - I want us to win the war. And I believe the way to do that, the way that actually takes some courage, is to stand up for what is right and not stoop to the level or our enemies. Extremists want us to all be paranoid and fearful, and that is what we are becoming. To me, THAT is appeasement, and it makes me sick.

QUOTE(mr_genius @ Dec 11, 2006 -> 04:50 PM) I still don't see the correclation you are trying to reach. There is a large difference between 'tightening' security in airports and a rapid erosion of civil liberties. I am not talking about a rapid erosion of civil liberties, although there certainly has been some erosion of that. I was referring, as stated, to certain aspects of our lives that are warped by our fears. Airline security is one example (not a civil liberty of course). Would you disagree that some aspects of our lives have been changed significantly due to "security" needs? And yes, I was referring to 9/11, not this group of Imams. QUOTE(NUKE_CLEVELAND @ Dec 11, 2006 -> 04:43 PM) Is this an overreaction on the part of law enforcement? http://news.bostonherald.com/localRegional...rticleid=171422 Well, that article is so short that there is no telling what went on there. But if the person overstayed their visa, then that alone deserves police attention. So I suppose no, they did not overreact in my view.

QUOTE(Jenksismyb**** @ Dec 11, 2006 -> 03:45 PM) It's a shame this country continues to pander to the ubber-ubber-minority. What's that? Stereotyping muslims when there is plenty of reasonable suspicion about their activities?! Shame on you! Upset that the Seattle airport is going to have a Christmas tree?! Don't worry! We'll get rid of it for you! Upset about a 'too sexy for shopping' Victoria Secret window display in Detroit?! No problem! We'll have it removed right away! Bless all those groups (all 250 citizens total) that complain and b**** and continue to rule our lives! While I agree about the tree and Victoria's things, I find your first paragraph offensive. Its no different than saying its OK to stereotype blacks as being more likely to be criminals and therefore its OK to pull them over for being black. Are blacks more likely to commit crimes than whites? Are muslims likely to be terrorists? You can find numbers that would back both of those claims, but some of us were raised to judge people on their behavior, their decisions, and their individual merit. That is why the law uses phrases like "probable cause" instead of "reasonable suspicion" when it comes to searches and other actions. It isn't about Islam. If you make it about religion, there is no winning that war. History shows us time and time again that is the case. You have to focus on what is actually going on, and the individuals doing actual harm. QUOTE(YASNY @ Dec 11, 2006 -> 03:54 PM) If I'm on that plane, I'm going make damn sure someone knows what those jackasses are doing before that plane leaves the ground. I don't care who likes it or not. And thanks to that mindset, fear has won. We're doing exactly what the extremists want us to do - we walked right into their trap. A small number of idiots, who use Islam as a shield, have managed to kink American society so badly that some aspects of it aren't even recognizable anymore. We've forgotten how to be better than the enemy.

Add Kucinich for the Dems - he confirmed today he is running. I'm thinking the other candidates probably aren't exactly shaking in their boots. I will say this about Kucinich - he seems like an honest, unabashed person. No games there - what you see is what you get.

QUOTE(Hangar18 @ Dec 11, 2006 -> 09:28 AM) suggests I'd rather keep our YOUNG pitching (aka Jon Garland) and sign to another extension. And that is BAD to you?!

QUOTE(sox4lifeinPA @ Dec 11, 2006 -> 09:24 AM) the significance is that it's based on a comic book. The "bad guys" are supposed to be non-human like. Ah. I haven't read any of Miller's comics, so I guess I missed that general theme.

QUOTE(Hangar18 @ Dec 11, 2006 -> 09:11 AM) This was HUGE TOPIC on the baseball show yesterday on 670. It was leaked out late last week that the SOX almost had a deal to trade Garland, but it was confirmed on the show that the SOX were THISCLOSE to dealing him for prospects with the Astros, but the Astros backed out at the last second. The only thing I could think, which is was that sinking feeling I got after the Phil Rogers article last week. The SOX may truly be on a "rebuilding" plan in regards to their pitching staff, with no extensions being handed out altogether. "chatter" in the MLB suggests the SOX would very much like to deal him right now .................. Im not very happy about this recent turn-of-events ru·mor /ˈrumər/ [roo-mer] –noun 1. a story or statement in general circulation without confirmation or certainty as to facts: a rumor of war. 2. gossip; hearsay: Don't listen to rumor. 3. Archaic. a continuous, confused noise; clamor; din. –verb (used with object) 4. to circulate, report, or assert by a rumor: It is rumored that the king is dead. So far, we've dealt Garcia and Cotts, and gotten back good returns. Plus we've re-signed or extended MacDougal, Gload and Ozuna. What about those deals suggests rebuilding to you? Let's wait on the panic button, k?

I think the line between video games and film continues to blur. That can be OK, but in the midst of that, I am seeing a ridiculous number of bad horror and action movies, as well as a continued trend away from good writing. Those are bad. Also, I saw this preview in the theatre on Friday, and something in it distrubed me a bit. Unless I interpereted what I saw incorrectly (it was information overload of course), it looked like the "Persians" were depicted as non-human - they looked like alien beasties with all sorts of extra parts. Anyone else notice that? And did anyone else think about the significance of that?

Here is an honest question that I'd like to hear answers on... when is something on CNN. MSNBC or any other news station or show news, and when does it become opinion? What I mean is, there are some instances where you know the difference - an hour long show with pundits doing a panel on Iraq policy is opinion, while the talking head doing the 30 minute cycle on Headline News should be considered news. But it seems to me I am seeing more and more of a blurring there - especially on MSNBC. Its sometimes hard to tell if I am seeing what is supposed to be objective reporting, or if its commentary. So where is the line? Does this grey area pose a risk (or does anyone else even notice it)? Should news networks do more to seperate the two? And is the art of objective reporting going the way of the dinosaur?

Very nice. The offseason has been going quite well - Cotts wasn't going to be dependable anyway, we got solid talent for Freddy who was an FA waiting to happen, we get McD for cheap, and we've resigned some solid bench pieces in Ozuna and Gload. I'm looking forward to seeing what else happens.

QUOTE(EvilMonkey @ Dec 9, 2006 -> 03:17 PM) Here's our new Democratic overlords in action. Despite their call for more openness in government, the first congressional meeting will be a private, closed door affair. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/conte...av=rss_politics At least they aren't excluding the other party entirely, like we were seeing before.

Dude. Chill. We've made ONE TRADE, and it was a good one for 2007 AND the future. The rest are just rumors. Just. Rumors. So far, we're better off than last year. Let's wait on the panic button until we see that change.