NorthSideSox72

QUOTE (Thunderbolt @ Feb 23, 2010 -> 03:07 PM) I understand resting players, but by no means should this scenario end with Vizquel at designated hitter. Exactly. It makes zero sense, unless some bizarre series of in-game injuries occurs. Actually, I'm not even sure that would do it.

QUOTE (BigSqwert @ Feb 23, 2010 -> 01:00 PM) A very exciting breakthrough in solar technology. Some snippets: Awesome!

QUOTE (StrangeSox @ Feb 23, 2010 -> 12:30 PM) It wasn't just a simple mortgage lien. He had outstanding IRS and legal issues stemming from a lawsuit over his business that was settled 10 years ago. That's why I said this... QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Feb 23, 2010 -> 09:43 AM) It all depends on what the bank got for his property, of course. And then there are all the legal costs, and then the tax liens. Whatever was left after that, he'd have to be paid - its after all his money. But whatever it would be, its a lot better than having NOTHING, and then in addition to that, facing possible criminal prosecution and probable civil action.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Feb 23, 2010 -> 12:31 PM) I think that would also destroy all of the incredible union costs and contracts that make the place a moneypit. That's the get-the-city-out part I referred to. The whole situation can be made more efficient this way.

Daley now floating the idea of privatizing McCormick Place operations. I like this idea as well, and unlike the parking meter situation, this would actually decrease costs to users, as well as get city government out of something it doesn't do well. And, would probably bring more conventions, and more tourism dollars, to the city. McPier is a city/state joint venture, so the state would also have to sign onto the idea. I'd think they would jump at the chance.

QUOTE (everafan @ Feb 23, 2010 -> 10:44 AM) Anyone suspicious that Jones is reportedly in great shape but there haven't been any pictures? There have barely been any pics at all, just a few. And he's only been in the cage, not out with the P&C crowd. So no surprise really.

Senate passes procedural hurdle for new Jobs Bill, 62-30. This is a $15B version, much smaller and narrower than the $154B House version, and the $60B original Senate version. Major components are: Those all seem reasonable, though I'd want to know more abiout the 2nd point.

So, I had thought that the current Turkish government was fairly secular. But the way this article states it, the current ruling government is more rooted in Islam, while the powerful military is more secular. Anyway, the interesting news here is that the gov't is claiming they stopped a coup attempt.

QUOTE (LittleHurt05 @ Feb 23, 2010 -> 09:39 AM) Wow, I didn't even realize he could get all that money back over $160k if they sold the actual house. Way to go, dumbass. It all depends on what the bank got for his property, of course. And then there are all the legal costs, and then the tax liens. Whatever was left after that, he'd have to be paid - its after all his money. But whatever it would be, its a lot better than having NOTHING, and then in addition to that, facing possible criminal prosecution and probable civil action.

QUOTE (KyYlE23 @ Feb 23, 2010 -> 09:30 AM) This is basically the non-fire version of Arson, isnt it? I love how he just tells the story like its no big deal Yeah, the closest approximation is Criminal Damage to Property. But CDP usually is used for graffiti and smaller level stuff - at this level, if they prosecute him (not a definite), then its Larceny. But regardless of the criminal side, the bank will probably sue for the damages.

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Feb 22, 2010 -> 01:42 PM) He has beastly forearms. Nice to see Donny in camp, I really thought a couple years ago he'd become the backup C to AJ. That injury really messed things up for him. Unless he manages to get regular at-bats AND puts up huge numbers in AA/AAA this year, his chances at a major league job are basically zero. Even if he does do those things, its still a long shot.

QUOTE (Athomeboy_2000 @ Feb 23, 2010 -> 08:58 AM) The article seemed to say they were GOING to foreclose, but hadnt yet. In that case, its more complex. The bank in that case "owns" 160k (what he owed). The land itself may be worth that much anyway, so they'll just take the land and move on, most likely. So really, that's even more stupid, because what he basically did was take $190,000 of his own money, throw it in a pile, and burned it. See, once the bank seized the property, they could only take $160k of take from it, and any further money would have to go back to the homeowner (which he could use to pay off the IRS, or whatever). Having now destroyed that asset, in a way that his insurance will not cover... he just threw $190,000 in the trash to make a point. Furthermore, if he had instead decided to declare bankruptcy, he'd get some of those funds even faster, and REALLY screwed the bank over - which would have been more effective. Stupid isn't a strong enough word to describe this man's actions.

QUOTE (LittleHurt05 @ Feb 23, 2010 -> 08:55 AM) Isn't the bank just gonna foreclose on the land his house was on anyway??? I guess now they cant make as much money on it, but what did he really accomplish?? http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100223/ap_on_...osure_bulldozer If the bank had indeed foreclosed on the house, then the bank owns his house. What he just did is actually criminal - its grand larceny, and he could be prosecuted. Not a real bright move.

QUOTE (Thunderbolt @ Feb 22, 2010 -> 03:18 PM) Would you put Marquez before or after Hynick? Now, that Ely is gone i think it's pretty fair to say that it's Hudson, Torres, Hynick, then Marquez. If Shirek has a solid opening to 2010, you'll see him pass all but Hudson on that list in terms of the "stack" of next called up starters.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Feb 22, 2010 -> 05:43 PM) Not if you believe current polling and if nothing changes before Nov. If things go as they are now, there are legit projections that the Dems will lose the House and be lucky to retain 51 seats in the Senate. I just don't see it. But of course, a LOT depends on how the economy changes (or doesn't) between now and November.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Feb 22, 2010 -> 02:30 PM) And yet, there have been what, 2, 3 Congressional/Senatorial Republicans to vote for anything Obama proposed in the last year? And 1 of them flipped parties afterwards. Like I said, the only rally point is really just "Obama sucks". Which as I said, does buy you some votes - just not a monumental amount. The GOP will still be the minority party.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Feb 22, 2010 -> 02:01 PM) People keep talking about the fracturing of the GOP, but why isn't anyone talking about the breaking apart of the Dems? Heck, they just lost one of their most moderate voices in Washington in Evan Bayh. He was a guy who routinely fought with the left wing of his party. They can't even keep their own people in line to pass their own agenda. Those divides have been in the GOP for a while, and this schism still hasn't happened. The Dems have nothing to fracture, they're already a dispersed bunch. The news with them is if they actually got some cohesion. And those divides have not been, before, what they are like now, in the GOP.

QUOTE (Tex @ Feb 22, 2010 -> 12:46 PM) I seem to recall that Hillary had some high negative numbers, that didn't stop the GOP radio network from annointing her the next candidate. If palin gets around some good campaign people she could be a factor. It's a shame her own party doesn't appreciate her. And after rereading the Perry article in Texas Monthly, I could really rally around him. They could be a great ticket. Two Governors from huge states that weathered the economy better than most. And in that case, Hillary had 50% disapproval ratings, not 70% - and she didn't make it. Palin is a non-starter.

QUOTE (Rex Kicka** @ Feb 22, 2010 -> 11:45 AM) Mike Huckabee on CPAC: It pretty much is just a bunch of libertarians now. http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/02...l.php?ref=fpblg The GOP has made some strides lately, because of the economy mostly, but also frustration over Obama's performance, and some other factors. But none of that has changed the fact that the Republicans are fractured, and having trouble keeping the band together (which they have been very good at until recently). You have the Christian Coalition types, the libertarian/small government types, the old school moderate Republicans, and then the whole angry old white guy crowd that doesn't know who to align with (and driven mostly by talk show hosts and unfounded "facts"). The Tea Party seems to have started as the small government crowd, but then became the "I'm angry about Obama" crowd. I think the GOP has a golden opportunity in 2010 and 2012 to make big gains - but I also think they are unlikely to rally around anything other than "Obama sucks", successfully. That will work to an extent, but it won't give them anything huge, like 1994.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Feb 22, 2010 -> 09:32 AM) That poll is three months old, and from Fox, which is funny that when they agree with something, you have no problem pulling that out. Just last week the WaPost found over 50% of Republicans felt she was unqualified to be President. http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/...s_slipping.html I know the left wing keeps pushing the Palin crap because short of actually being a decent President, the best thing that could happen to the Obama re-election campaign is Sarah Palin being on the GOP ticket. This is what I was talking about - all the recent polling by any real polling organization indicates that Palin is a non-starter for the GOP Prez nomination.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Feb 22, 2010 -> 09:14 AM) Romney is never going to be trusted by that party, probably with good reason. He's too slick, too wealthy, and he's not a real Christian. Huckabee...IMO, Palin beats him solely because they have the same base, and she's stronger with that base than he is. Pawlenty is sort of in the Romney mold except with less money to spend but no crazy religious background. I could see someone like say, Scott Brown, coming up as a legit outside challenger, but I think she easily winds up beating any of those. And anyway, just because I have to prove you wrong with data, here's a recent Fox News/Opinion Dynamics poll of approval ratings of all the Republican candidates. Amongst Republicans, Palin shows a 70% approval rating, best of any of the candidates. The polls taken by agencies not obviously aligned with one party have shown quite the opposite.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Feb 22, 2010 -> 08:01 AM) I'm 50/50 on Palin. If you put the primary out there right now, this moment, and the competitors were the suspects we have right now (Palin, Romney, Huckabee, Paul, Pawlenty, perhaps Jindal, etc.) then I think she'd win it and do so with relative ease. I think there needs to be either a new name in that field or a fundamental shift in the nation's politics before I'd say that changes. Do you disagree? If so, who would you say would win that case; a Repub. primary held right now? Palin's DISapproval ratings are currently over 70%, and over 50% IN HER OWN PARTY. Those are death sentence numbers. NO way she wins the nomination. I think any of Romney, Huckabee, Pawlenty, Jindal or even Gingrich have a better shot than her.

QUOTE (DukeNukeEm @ Feb 19, 2010 -> 03:21 PM) http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/feb/1...ck-mossad-dubai I highly doubt Israel is going to see any less support from the west just because of this one episode, but there's a trend here that Israel is becoming much less willing to mess around and play by the rules. This isn't a trend - its the way its been for decades. There is nothing new here from Israel. What's changed, as bmags alluded to, is the way the world is reacting to it.

QUOTE (Thunderbolt @ Feb 21, 2010 -> 12:12 PM) I don’t think statistical projections are the end –all—be-all of baseball predictions. I do think they lead to the right direction. And the directions they point the White Sox offense towards are not positive ones. I think you look at nearly every position in the starting lineup, and look at the replacements and changes, there are a lot of guys who are likelier to improve then diminish in performance. I think this offense hits for a notably higher average, and slightly higher OBP, than we saw last year. But there will definitely be a slugging drop. The DH slot is the one place in the lineup that really bothers me. I'll bet we score more runs this year than last, but not by much.

I've love to see it. Its also not going to happen, and I'm pretty sure most fans wouldn't like it either.