NorthSideSox72

QUOTE (BigSqwert @ Feb 22, 2011 -> 08:59 AM) Yes It would sure as hell be a better use of military resources than having invaded Iraq. Unfortunately, that decision was already made, and engaging in a third Middle Eastern military conflict may not be prudent right now.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Feb 22, 2011 -> 07:29 AM) I'm surprised that an event of this size did this much damage in an area like NZ...which is ridiculously earthquake-prone. So... why is it surprising then? By the way, even though this quake was "only" a 6.3, it looks like it was quite shallow, and Christchurch sits on a plain of silty soil (causes the liquefaction, I think).

I have owned two actual official jerseys in my life as a Sox fan. One was Fisk, the other is Crede. He was just so much fun to watch playing 3B. Really sucks to see a career end because of injury. Best of luck, Joe! QUOTE (Brian @ Feb 20, 2011 -> 05:58 PM) He should of been WS MVP IMO. Yes he should have. And really, he probably would have, if not for a bad call on a home run (that was called a base hit) in Houston during the WS.

QUOTE (DBAHO @ Feb 22, 2011 -> 07:06 AM) My folks were on holiday in Christchurch exactly 1 year ago to this day, so it's definitely tourist season for sure. Sounds as if 200 people are still trapped in buildings, so that's pretty horrific to say the least. For AUS and NZ, it's been a pretty bad 3-6 months for disasters like this, and unfortunately they're probably going to become more common into the future. New Zealand lives under constant geological threat from earthquakes and even volcanoes, along with the side effects from those (slides, tsunami, etc.).

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Feb 21, 2011 -> 05:59 PM) I assume by 100% you also mean that he is throwing well too. He could be 100% healthy and pitching pretty terribly like he was early in the year last year. That's something people aren't mentioning as much, but I think its spot on - even when he gets going in the majors, its very likely he won't be the ace-level Peavy at first (or possibly at all in 2011). If he can get going in April sometime and be a decent starter, like AL 3rd-slot numbers, I think that's a win.

Only 53 votes? There's more than double that many regulars in here - place your bets!

QUOTE (Jordan4life @ Feb 22, 2011 -> 12:12 AM) All I gotta say is if you're looking for a spot to eat go to Portillos. They have no peer when it comes to cheesy beefs or ribs. Their shakes are the stuff dreams are made of as well. Or do the local thing and eat at Ricobene's, then walk to the game (if you can still walk after that).

Paying any one player $30M per year for more than a couple years max is stupidity plain and simple. Even for a $200M payroll Yankees team, that's 15% of the team payroll. The risk of injury and complete handcuffing that does make it a potentially crippling move for any team other than NYY, and even for them is probably stupid beyond about 3 years of that level of money. For the other teams, any more than 2 years is basically putting on an O'Hare option. I sincerely hope the Sox do not get into a contract at that level with Pujols or anyone else.

QUOTE (DBAHO @ Feb 22, 2011 -> 12:08 AM) Earthquake in Christchurch, NZ's 2nd biggest city has killed 65 so far. http://www.news.com.au/world/quake-aftersh...i-1226009960218 Jeez - seems like the September quake set the table for this one. I was in Christchurch about 3 years ago at this time of year. This is high tourist season for the area.

QUOTE (Quinarvy @ Feb 19, 2011 -> 04:19 PM) One time he said he was going to retire, definitively. His wife called him out on it. Ah, now it makes sense. Thanks.

QUOTE (flavum @ Feb 20, 2011 -> 04:55 PM) Word is Viciedo dropped more weight. Hopefully this will bode well for him in the outfield. I think its interesting how this Viciedo-to-the-outfield thing has shifted over the offseason. First it was, he's just going to try to see if he can cover it if needed. Then it was, let's give him a try there. Now, its, he's an outfielder in 2011 and the outfield coach in the minors (Daryl Boston) will be working with him on it. I think this is really the path with him now. Also, Gonzo noted in an article recently, Viciedo did play RF for one of his Cuban teams. I didn't know that.

QUOTE (Quinarvy @ Feb 18, 2011 -> 10:39 PM) Like Jamie proclaimed, Buehrle was full of **** http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2011/02/bueh...011-season.html I don't know who "Jamie" is, but why was MB full of s***? He's said all along, he might retire after this contract, or he might not.

QUOTE (Soxbadger @ Feb 18, 2011 -> 04:09 PM) Unfortunately some people truly believe that they are better than the rest of the world. Fortunately for the rest of the world, they are living in a dreamland of ignorance. Not sure how you took this into the American Exceptionalism realm, but that's pretty irrelevant to me. I don't care if people think America is better than the rest of the world - in fact I think a certain amount of that is good for the country. This case though, is just some psycho racist looking for attention via her blog. Lots of those around, and the best treatment for them is to be ignored.

QUOTE (lostfan @ Feb 12, 2011 -> 02:49 PM) It's actually really, really hard to get into the FBI. I'm very much aware of the process.

QUOTE (Jenksismyb**** @ Feb 18, 2011 -> 01:54 PM) How is that another issue? It's a tax businesses pay (assuming they have income after deductions). It's all factored into calculating whether doing business in State ( or Country) A is better than State B. Fed vs State taxes. Fed taxes won't change from state to state.

QUOTE (Soxy @ Feb 18, 2011 -> 01:14 PM) Here's the thing: I don't have a problem with paying more into my pension and healthcare. 8-12% suddenly dropping from my paycheck? Ouch. It sucks, but at least I'm single and kid free. I feel worse for our custodians and the healthcare workers who are making $9 an hour (or the single parents). So, for those of us that are highly skilled workers (and can contribute to the inevitable brain drain) not a giant deal. Yes, it sucks that there hasn't been a cost of living increase in my institition in over 5 years. I know I have to make sacrificies--but I resent that he is painting public servants so negatively and making us bear a HUGE burden in this budget crisis (some of which he artificially created). Part of the problem is that he wants public sector employees to pay the same rate for benefits as private sector employees--at least in the UW system you make much less than you would at a private college or in industry. So, he's taking away any possible benefit to working for the state. None of this, of course, has a single f***ing thing to do with our right to collectively bargain. Nothing. And I agree with you. I think that pension and health care costs for government employees is a pretty huge issue, which should be addressed... but I don't think that massive pay cuts in that sector is a good idea at all. It will have a lot of negative impact. And you are right that this is not part of the stupid idea to take away the right to organize.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Feb 18, 2011 -> 12:32 PM) That's my point. Those difficult cuts have to happen because he chose to cut the corporate tax rate. WI had one of the highest corporate tax rates in the country. I have no problem with him trying to make tax cuts there, and then trying to offset them. I just would have chosen different places and ways to cut, and not added in this union nonsense. I also would have happily taken the free $1.2B worth of high speed rail jobs, thank you very much.

QUOTE (StrangeSox @ Feb 18, 2011 -> 12:29 PM) He's trying to make cuts and bust unions based on his personal politics to cover a budget gap he created. This doesn't seem like a difficult choice for him. Anything that alienates such a large part of your constituency is a risk. And yet again, I am not saying that he's doing the right thing here. I am saying that what he seems capable of that Quinn is not, is actually cutting spending when the state needs it. Hell, Quinn's budget is being panned for overspending even by the state Congressional Dems in Illinois - the guy is clueless.

Add Bingaman to Corad and Webb as retiring from the Senate for the Dems. NM is a swing state too.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Feb 18, 2011 -> 12:22 PM) Really? Where did you get that from? Pension offsets for one, health care cost share for another. Now again, I don't agree with his approach, nor do I agree with the exact TYPES of cuts he is making. But he is pushing his ideas on it, and frankly, Illinois could use a little bit of that right now.

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Feb 18, 2011 -> 11:18 AM) Because there is no way to tangibly see that number, but the consensus is that it is a pretty accurate number. Besides, it's not like bad defense has ever stopped Ozzie from putting someone in RF; indeed, it's the only thing he ever has put in RF. The Sox needed Quentin's bat in the lineup, so they need to find a spot to get him on the field, and RF makes the most sense. Makes sense to me atleast. Dye was not a horrible RF in his first 2-3 years with the Sox. He went downhill quickly after that though.

QUOTE (southsideirish71 @ Feb 18, 2011 -> 11:33 AM) Yeah but Quinn is the other side of the coin. We have all these financial problems as a state. He wants to raise taxes and now he wants to add about 1000 new employees. You can't have it both ways. You want to raise taxes, then also cut some of the spending. You can't use raising taxes as the endless money pit to grow government. Can't we have something in the middle. Oddly enough, SOME of Walker's tactics would be more beneficial here than in Wisconsin. I think Walker is acting like an ass, but he's trying to make deep and difficult cuts, which Illinois needs. Quinn is raising taxes but making only small and insufficient cuts, which is more what Wisconsin needs.

QUOTE (StrangeSox @ Feb 18, 2011 -> 10:45 AM) Wait, why is comparing him to Mubarak supposed to be so terrible? I mean, yeah, it's hyperbolic and silly, but Mubarak was removed from office in a pretty peaceful manner and still has billions of dollars. This is the GOP thread, so I am hesitant to criticize. I do want to point out one little fact, though - the Cairo in Egypt quote actually came from a GOP guy, not a protester or a Dem. Just FYI. And I agree with CKnolls in that anyone who tries to equate this thing with Egypt is just being stupid.

QUOTE (PlaySumFnJurny @ Feb 18, 2011 -> 08:49 AM) Well played, sir.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Feb 18, 2011 -> 08:32 AM) On the rail topic, here's Tampa's paper on where Gov. Scott got his numbers. Worth noting, I haven't read every Floridian paper for some reason, but I have seen now in several places the contention that Gov. Scott canceled the project without actually taking bids or estimates for the real cost. Yeah, its looking more and more like he's really just as stupid as Walker here. I gave him the benefit of the doubt at first, but it looks like he is just making s*** up to stop this and look like a good GOP soldier.