NorthSideSox72

QUOTE (Alpha Dog @ Oct 24, 2014 -> 10:28 AM) Greenpeace, enviro-terrorists, people like that. They worship the earth, brook no dissent, will change facts to fit their beliefs and are so vested in their outcomes that an attack on the belief is an attack on them personally. If you disagree , you are a heretic, outsider, an 'other' to be scorned, mocked, ignored and not trusted. OK, I can see that. Fortunately I think those folks are few and far between, but I can definitely see how that set of beliefs at least borders on the concept of religion. I was afraid I was being labeled an environmental extremist for installing LED lights in my house.

QUOTE (GoSox05 @ Oct 24, 2014 -> 10:22 AM) I think there is a lot of reasons you see that extremist part of it. War torn countries like Syria that are almost lawless are going to be more prone to it. Also have to factor in revolutions, class struggle, intervention, colonialism and sectarian violence. Each country is different and I think it's ignorant to lump them all together. Look at Turkey. 76 million people, majority of them are Muslim. No problems. Well, to be clear, Turkey is not fully free of religious problems. But mostly they are under control. India is always a fascinating example to me of religious tolerance. A billion people, including 100M or more each of Hindu, Islam, Christianity and Buddhism, plus smaller groups (but still in the millions) of Jainists, Sikhs and assorted others. And yet India, for the greater part, is a country will little internal religious strife. The big exception of course is the Kashmir, which is a simmering war lasting decades, but that is really more a nation-state construct than religious at this point. Like Turkey, India is not fully free of religious issues internally, but mostly the groups seem to function without going to war with each other. When I was in India (spent a month there in 2005 on business), the city I was in for most of my time there (Pune), just on the road my hotel was on there were houses of worship for Hinduism, Islam, Christianity and Judaism all within a few blocks, some right next to each other. As Americans we take for granted that can be normal, but in most of the world it absolutely is not.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Oct 24, 2014 -> 09:58 AM) Again, the Islamic "Source Material" states that Muslims are to respect people of the book as well. That hasn't stopped any of the people co-opting the message for their own gain, just like we have seen in pretty much any religion historically. Agreed in full. QUOTE (Alpha Dog @ Oct 24, 2014 -> 10:00 AM) OK, what percentage of 'some' people is needed before it becomes a problem? With a religion of this size, 'some' can be in the millions. Not sure why you seem to think I don't see a problem - I think I've stated clearly that Islam has a major extremism problem right now. I have no idea what percentage of Muslims worldwide hold views in line with the likes if ISIS or AQ. My suspicion is that it is low, but I have no data. And you are right that even if it is 1%, that is a large number of people.

QUOTE (Alpha Dog @ Oct 24, 2014 -> 10:04 AM) Hardcore environmentalism is a religion unto itself. How do you define hardcore? And does this mean it will be perpetually in conflict with recognized religions?

This is a subject I find fascinating. Looking at the beliefs of major religions, in this country particularly - which is to say primarily Christianity in it's many forms - and what they have to say about the natural environment and our interaction with it. I grew up Catholic, and I've actually talked with Priests on this before. Man has "domain" over the animals and the land, but the religious folks I've spoken with also made it clear that man also has responsibility for it. Nature is provided by God to man to sustain him. Which interestingly, makes it seems like natural resources are a community asset of sorts. That sort of runs in conflict with much or the American view of property, real estate and the like. Basically, I want to see if people see their beliefs (or those of other religions, or lack of religion) are in concert with, or conflict with, the idea of protecting our natural environment and resources. And if that has an effect on your or others political beliefs as a result. Anyone else ever thought about this? Or am I the only one?

QUOTE (Dam8610 @ Oct 23, 2014 -> 10:44 PM) So I asked about this list of players earlier as far as what they could get for a return if packaged: Conor Gillaspie Dayan Viciedo Carlos Sanchez Micah Johnson Chris Bassitt Tyler Danish Chris Beck Francellis Montas And this discussion of these Braves players is an example of why. Could any group of players off that list net the return people are looking for? Or perhaps an interesting group of players from the Reds? All those players have some trade value, but only Danish, Montas and Johnson have more than a small amount. Beck and Bassitt aren't going to get you anything in the way of a starting player in return individually, but they could be throw-ins to help ice a larger deal. Viciedo, at his salary, has only minimal differential value. Sanchez is probably seen by most as a utility guy, so think in terms of the Eduardo Escobar deal. Gillaspie is a bit of a mystery to me - I'm not sure a team would want him as a long-term starter at 3B, but may be willing to move a prospect or two for him as a short term fill or longer term bench corner IF / PH bat. Just my take.

QUOTE (Alpha Dog @ Oct 23, 2014 -> 11:58 PM) So for a 'recent' example you have to go back to the 1500's? Ok. As I said, right now, Islam has far and away the biggest problem with extremism (among major religions). No one has said otherwise. QUOTE (Alpha Dog @ Oct 24, 2014 -> 12:00 AM) But it's what they tell their people to DO to those non-believers that makes them different. The problem is the bolded word. It is more accurate to say "some people" within Islam, as clearly it isn't across the religion. It is splinter groups, which are certainly gaining strength, that are doing it. I think it's important too to read more deeply about groups like ISIL - and see that they are led by people that were criminals and thugs to begin with, now using Islam as a "cause" to promote what is essentially organized crime. They're a gang.

QUOTE (GoSox05 @ Oct 23, 2014 -> 01:22 PM) What is Abortion Barbie? I had the same question but don't want to Google it at work. I'm guessing it's some disgusting name the GOP gave to some opponent candidate in an election (only saying GOP because obviously a Dem wouldn't use that particular slander - they'd use a different one).

QUOTE (SCCWS @ Oct 23, 2014 -> 12:23 PM) One additional thought on Peavy. He is coming off a pretty rocky season and it appears he may be a 6 inning starter at this stage of his career. That will lower his value somewhat. But that also could be a problem coming back to the White Sox. If Rodon makes the roster at any point next year, it will surely be on a limited pitch count. Considering the bullpen, the Sox may need to find more of an inning eater for the RH starter they need to add. I wonder if Peavy might be good in the bullpen. Not sure anyone would be willing to try it with him at this point, but there are some flags there that tell me it may be a good fit in the latter stages of his career.

QUOTE (Harry Chappas @ Oct 23, 2014 -> 11:51 AM) Duke has some program that was created for basketball players. I am not certain it is much different. Duke is an elite academic school though, outside of sports, so it seems less likely from them. I'm sure athletes there get special treatment, but I would be surprised if they had this deep a problem.

Islam and Christianity's holy books (which contain some overlap for those unaware) both contain text making it very clear that non-believers in their religion are, by some description (infidel, unclean, whatever), lesser people.

BA did their annual team-specific draft report cards. The White Sox one is here, though it is behind the paywall. I do recommend subscribing, there is a video here and lots of other good stuff. Two interesting surprises though, for me anyway... INF Jake Peter (7th) mentioned twice... RHP David Trexler (17th) also twice... I had heard a few rumblings, but that is a pretty big endorsement for Trexler.

Actually a much more recent example for Christianity, if you want to go there, is what the mostly-Spanish missionaries did in the New World in the 1500-1800AD period.

QUOTE (Jenksismyb**** @ Oct 23, 2014 -> 10:05 AM) Neither really based on religious doctrine though. Now that is utterly false. It was done under the banner of Christianity, unabashedly and fully. But that was also a very long time ago.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Oct 23, 2014 -> 09:58 AM) They called it "crusades" and "inquisitions". Actually much more recently, the Klan was nominally representing Christianity's interests. Though again, in reality, that was part of a mask. That's my point. There's no denying that Islam, among large religions, is having far and away a worse problem with this than the others at this stage in history. It just is. All I'm saying is... crazy attracts crazy. This guy was nuts before he converted. If you are crazy and angry, you look for an outlet, and they'll pick some of the ones right under their noses. You can't see a news website or newspaper the past few years that doesn't have something about extremist Islam somewhere in it.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Oct 23, 2014 -> 09:31 AM) This should be the end of that idea right here. Yeah, not only is it flouting the rules, it is also a big gamble because you are ASSUMING that any new CBA changes wouldn't also carry penalties specifically designed to get people who try something like that.

QUOTE (flavum @ Oct 23, 2014 -> 09:16 AM) A little video/scouting on Anderson and Montas http://m.mlb.com/video/topic/26271672/v368...elop-in-the-afl Montas is a horse. Probably could drop a few pounds. I could care less if he gains or loses weight. If he's put on a little weight and pitched this well, I see no reason to push hard for weight loss. No one is asking him to pinch run.

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Oct 23, 2014 -> 08:42 AM) Frankly, the only recent international signing of any interest is Adolfo. Anyone else is someone we just don't know enough about at this point. I say that because it's been only about 2-3 years since the Sox actually started spending significant money in that area again. I agree with your general point, but not that no other intl signings are of interest yet. Luis Martinez and Maiker Feliz have caught my eye this year, and I have not yet written off Braulio Ortiz. They are all state-side. For that matter, Jefferson Olacio is one of those, from a while back.

QUOTE (LDF @ Oct 23, 2014 -> 08:31 AM) a great write up. many thanks. fwiw, your description of the rules would be a nice recurring post in the future for the offseason games. To be clear none of those are "rules", they are just the way things usually tend to work.

OK, I'll try here, why not. I'm looking to try out some wireless headphones, for my commute and workouts. Here's my issue though - I want ear buds or ear speakers, but NOT IN-EAR headphones. I cannot stand the feeling of these in-ear headphones that you have to literally stick into your ear canal. Currently, I use the basic Apple headphones that came with an iPod. They sort of hang in the ear, without sticking into it. That is the type of unit I want. But so far, it looks like all the wireless ones available really want to be in-your-ear. I don't care if if it is a hard rubber band around back, or just cords around back, or cords to a small control unit. Any of those are fine. Anyone have any advice?

QUOTE (Jenksismyb**** @ Oct 22, 2014 -> 04:47 PM) That's such a cop-out though. If you're a violent person with violent tendencies who needs an outlet there are other ways. Why is Islam such an attractive option? It shouldn't be, but it is and has been for quite a while. When's the last time someone converted to Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism, etc. simply for the purpose of killing that religion's non-believers? You're talking hundreds and hundreds of years. That's an antiquated move and it's no wonder it's strongest in the most ass-backwards part of the world. Nations, cultures and religions go through periods of turmoil at different times. In the past few decades, a particularly focused and violent faction (or factions) developed within Islam, particularly in the Middle Eastern portions of their world, that is now all over the news for obvious reasons. That will have appeal for certain people - it attracts them. Seems pretty simple to me. As far as I know, at this point in time, there aren't any holy-war-touting sects within Christianity or Hinduism that have gotten much attention (if they exist at all). Judaism, some may contend, has been locked in a violent holy war for a long time now. But that's a two-way street.

QUOTE (LDF @ Oct 23, 2014 -> 07:48 AM) beside Engel, how are the other players mention? any word on where, if any on S. Adams playing? is there any internal decision not to play any of the 2014 drafted players? Rarely do players drafted that year play any sort of winter ball. They've all had their first pro ball, they need rest more than anything. And certainly they won't send a high school pitcher off to the Caribbean or anything. Winter ball is usually used for one (or more) of the following circumstances: --Missed time during the season, generally due to injury --Players who are borderline in some way - i.e. borderline for a job of any kind the next year, or borderline for a 40 man slot --Players working on something new --Players are native to that country and spending the offseason there anyway, so they'll play occasionally to stay sharp There are exceptions. Ravelo was going to be AFL but chose winter ball for, apparently, financial reasons (players get paid by the winter league teams to play for them). The guys going to Australia are kind of a microcosm of that. Blount missed time due to a PED suspension, so he needs innings. Marin performed well in A+/AA last year but they aren't sure if he's worth a rotation slot in AA, so he's trying out. Engel is raw and needs to work on bat-to-ball skills, and he did miss a little time during the season due to injury. Beatty is an org guy looking to prove he deserves a job somewhere in 2015.

QUOTE (Milkman delivers @ Oct 22, 2014 -> 01:47 PM) A Muslim? Surprising. It's actually a pretty spot-on picture of why this isn't about religion. Here's a guy who converted to Islam and immediately started in on the extremist stuff. What does that tell you? Because it tells me that he was already a broken mind, looking for an outlet (excuse, cause) for his violent tendencies. People have used religion as a justification for all manner of some of the worst kind of violence throughout history. Islam happens to be a current hotbed for it.

CJ Beatty added to Brisbane Bandits in ABL. That makes four Sox players (Engel, Blount, Marin, Beatty) and a manager (Thompson) down under this year.

QUOTE (greg775 @ Oct 21, 2014 -> 09:08 PM) Will u be at the KU game in Ames this year? I will be there. I haven't been back to Ames since I moved out, which was in 1996. I'd like to get back sometime, and would probably try to time it with a hoops game if I could. But haven't done that yet. In my younger years I visited a number of different NCAA basketball arenas, including a few noted for being particularly loud. None of them touched Hilton. Closest was probably The Pit (UNM), but it wasn't that close. Hilton really is a special place for those games.