NorthSideSox72

QUOTE(Gregory Pratt @ Dec 8, 2006 -> 10:04 AM) I don't feel comfortable with the Debate Panel. Personally, I think it would be more interesting if Rex and I each picked three and we also picked, perhaps in conjunction with our Veeps, one VP Debate Topic each. You don't feel comfortable with the debate panel? Its two people from opposite ends of the political spectrum, neither of whom are running. They stay. Just to be clear, if you read the original schedule, it states the election schedule - next week. Let's stick with that. We hadn't specified a new round of debate, but if you'd both like, we can have one - if Soxy and SS2K5 are willing to put the time in. Otherwise, if you just want to start some threads yourself to do whatever kind of debating with Rex you want, you are welcome to do so. So let's start with this - each of you pick a Veep. And if both of you are in for this, then you can debate at will on whatever topics you'd like. Alternately, maybe you could actually answer the debate topics you chose to ignore previously. Either way, I'll set up the vote for next week, as previously planned.

QUOTE(NorthSideSox72 @ Dec 8, 2006 -> 07:54 AM) Well, I have to tip my cap to GP. He used an unconventional strategy, one which bothered some folks. But it wasn't against any of the rules. And so, he wins the initial election. Our original rules called for a second election among the top half of vote-getters. But, since we only had 5 to begin with, that seems silly, no? Now, if Rex and GP are both willing, they will select a VP candidate, and we'll do the runoff next week. The VP candidate can be anyone they'd like (it doesn't have to be someone who ran in the election, necessarily). Are you two in? And if so, who do you want to pick as your VP? GP has declared he will not run in a runoff. The rules had called for one. We did not set up rules for this particular problem. Our options are: 1. Just end it here. 2. Rex runs uncontested in the runoff. 3. The thrid place vote getter, Tex, runs against Rex. Thing is, the competition is fun, but it was never about that. I just wanted to give a forum for real political debate. Apparently, that was not everyone else's motivation.

QUOTE(Gregory Pratt @ Dec 8, 2006 -> 08:00 AM) I have no interest in that. I think that's nonsense. Rex can have the Presidency if that's what you guys want to do. I'll just bask in the election itself. Doesn't matter to me. Excuse me, I could definitely debate against you and discuss things with you. I'd run, but I know that most of the "adults" here are now furious with me and testy because of "the way" I won the election. I knew that most of you guys wouldn't vote for me because of my age in the first place -- that's why I didn't put in much effort into the debates. There's no compelling reason for me to run again, especially considering the outright hostility being expressed to me by many in this electorate. Nuts to that, I'm happy with winning the popular vote and I don't care for the runoff. What'd be the point in running into a race that I can't possibly win? This stops right here. Neither of the Buster mods has insulted you, or done anything negative to you, other than run against you. And any hostility you felt from another poster or two is no less than the hostility you are showing here and have shown thus far. This despite your apparent paranoia about some sort of "adult conspiracy". Discussing the election is fine. But no more insults - from anyone.

Well, I have to tip my cap to GP. He used an unconventional strategy, one which bothered some folks. But it wasn't against any of the rules. And so, he wins the initial election. Our original rules called for a second election among the top half of vote-getters. But, since we only had 5 to begin with, that seems silly, no? Now, if Rex and GP are both willing, they will select a VP candidate, and we'll do the runoff next week. The VP candidate can be anyone they'd like (it doesn't have to be someone who ran in the election, necessarily). Are you two in? And if so, who do you want to pick as your VP?

Originally, the rules called for a runoff for Prez. But with only 5 candidates, that seemed silly, so the idea was brought up to have the top 2 vote-getters (Rex, GP) each select a VP, and then we have the runoff between those two complete tickets. So, Rex and GP, if you are both willing to do it that way, I'll set it up.

QUOTE(YASNY @ Dec 8, 2006 -> 03:20 AM) Are you saying Fox made up his quotes? I find that highly unlikely. I agree. I'd guess this is something more like... Richardson lays on a really obvious hint... Fox runs it, and maybe even puts it in a context where its more obvious than that... Richardson is upset because he wanted to make a more formal, controlled announcement.

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Dec 7, 2006 -> 06:42 PM) Governor Bill Richardson: I'm Running. - Fox news. Update: The Richardson camp says that Fox made this up. Opening with controversy. Interesting. I'l be curious to see how this plays out. He's running in any case, of course. QUOTE(spiderman @ Dec 7, 2006 -> 08:34 PM) I like Richardson, but I hope that FOX is making this up because he'd be wasting his time. Oh, I think he'll run. He's already got exploratory committees in place. And I'd guess that an executive from a state where he balanced their budget and improved the economy, is considered a regional leader in immigration policy, is the former energy secretary, and is Hispanic... is not wasting his time. He'll get some attention. Long shot to win, but a strong VP candidate.

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Dec 7, 2006 -> 01:22 PM) A date which will live... I've never heard that before. But thanks for the wishes everyone, they really did put a smile on my face. QUOTE(FlaSoxxJim @ Dec 7, 2006 -> 11:22 AM) Here's hoping it's a grreat one! And, Soxy, no Birthday shoutout to Noamy?? For shame. I share a B-Day with Noam Chomsky????

QUOTE(YASNY @ Dec 7, 2006 -> 01:40 PM) Doesn't mean a thing. I can't tell if you are being sarcastic, but, I agree with this - it doesn't mean a thing. Not with this issue. This isn't about funding levels or political decisions. This is piss-poor leadership from all levels of government.

QUOTE(Damen @ Dec 7, 2006 -> 01:19 PM) Democrats do, but that has little to nothing to do with this very specific problem with FEMA. Why can't people just accept something for what it is without running to some pointless and false equivolent in an attempt to evade dealing with the problem at hand? "The Democrats" do not run Louisiana or New Orleans. Blanco and Nagin, two people who bring nothing positive to their offices, do. The fact that they are Democrats is not relevant to their lack of leadership in this sort of thing.

QUOTE(YASNY @ Dec 7, 2006 -> 10:52 AM) From what I've been hearing from the MSM, they've been running FROM the state. It's gotta be someone else. Louisiana and NO were already possibly the most corrupt, poorly run state and city in the country anyway. This just pushed them over the edge.

QUOTE(Sox It To Em @ Dec 7, 2006 -> 09:49 AM) http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/4385643.html Holy f***. Taylor Buchholtz???

QUOTE(rudylaw @ Dec 6, 2006 -> 01:39 PM) I live down in Peoria and it is funny how big of a story it is down here. It is the top story on the news. Small town news cast are a riot. Wasn't Jody Davis coaching down there last year? My sister is a rabid Cubs fan, and Jody was always her favorite. If so, do we know where Davis went? Never mind, found it. Davis to coach Daytona (High A) next year. I guess Peoria is their Low A team.

For those of us not terribly in the know... can you clarify the Rule V rule? From what I can tell, basically, any player in your minor league system not protected on the 40-man roster can be drafted by another team, with compensation returning in the form of draft picks. Is that correct? Are there other conditions we could have used to protect someone like this, if we wanted to?

Reunion of PH vets is happening this year for the last time.

QUOTE(quickman @ Dec 7, 2006 -> 08:29 AM) they wont sign either.We will never sign a boras client, and Buerhle is as good as gone. So if they don't sign them, what do you do with the cash? Good question - that I do not know. But if you have the money, there are always players to be had. If they indeed don't sign Buerhle and/or Crede, then I am hoping for a big upgrade in the outfield. Actually, I am hoping for that anyway.

Fascinating stuff. First two grafs: And my fave excerpt: Looks like its working, at least for now. I am sure that this type of thing has limitations and downsides, and will only work well for certain environments. Nevertheless, pretty darn cool.

QUOTE(ChiSox9 @ Dec 7, 2006 -> 08:25 AM) Everyone is quoting rumors "Garcia for Wells" "Garcia/Crede and Santana/Figgins" "Garcia for whoever." These are all rumors, someone might have heard something walking around and had to report something... thats it rumors. The fact of the matter is, what kind of value is there for a 1 year rental player that can not hold runners on first???? Get out of here with your logic. We're too busy panicking.

QUOTE(quickman @ Dec 7, 2006 -> 08:19 AM) What can we get for 10 million? not much. In addition, I will assume they will use that money to pay crede and buerhle's raises. You will be dissapointed. Tell you what. If that 10M/year savings was used towards signing Crede and Buerhle long term, and we then had Fields and a young pitcher to deal for an outfielder... then I wouldn't be disappointed at all.

So, we lost: The replaceable Freddy Garcia of the 86 MPH fastball and the seemingly unhappy with the team attitude... And we gained: Two young, talented pitchers (at least one of whom will probably become a major league caliber starter), AND 10 MILLION TO PLAY WITH. Seems pretty good to me. Like the deals made pre-2005, I am sure KW has plans for the cash.

QUOTE(greasywheels121 @ Dec 6, 2006 -> 10:00 PM) I'm just going to program it to do as such. Cool, thanks Greasy. I couldn't figure out how to change the existing poll to get to those settings.

BTW, since the race for 2nd is very close, let me be more clear - I will close the thread at precisely 8am on Friday morning. I can't promise Thursday night because that's my B-Day and I don't think I'll be doing much computering that night. Unless someone is willing to shut it down for me at midnight Thursday night?

I'm still having fun, controversy and all.

QUOTE(Texsox @ Dec 6, 2006 -> 09:01 PM) Could you please capitalize Texan For a brief moment I thought of starting a PM campaign and decided I won't. I don't like spam and I believe most people do not like spam. I am glad PA, in a joking manner went negative, I am glad GP out hustled everyone, I wish that an openly Gay candidate could do this well in more places around the country than just cyber-elections. We have many vignettes here which made the process worthwhile. And as usual, no one likes the cops.

QUOTE(sox4lifeinPA @ Dec 6, 2006 -> 08:52 PM) We're going for realism right? My final campaign strategy: That's awesome.