NorthSideSox72

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Nov 24, 2009 -> 10:19 AM) No mention of the 0.7% downward reduction of Q3 GDP? Widely expected, once the trade deficit and other numbers were added. Didn't go down as much as some thought, but its been revised to 2.8%, which is about what the concensus had been.

I can't imagine any argument otherwise. People were talking about Jim Rice being a feared hitter, but Big Frank was, even relative to his period, a far more feared and revered hitter. One of the best in recent decades, if not the best, overall hitter. I'm 80 delta he goes first ballot, but it depends on who else is in his class. Either way, he gets in, zero doubt.

QUOTE (BigSqwert @ Nov 24, 2009 -> 09:16 AM) And it's not like we could use the billions of dollars to rebuild our infrastructure. Sort of true, but again, what is the best use of those dollars? On Iraq, I agree with you, because we had no good reason to go there. That's a trillion dollars, thousands of American lives and hundreds of thousands of other lives, all gone, for basically nothing. $1T, even if cut in half, could have gotten us a good part of the way to energy independence, or kept us out of the immense deficit hole we are in, or lowered taxes, or bettered our rail system, or paid for TARP, or some combination of all those things. But with Afghanistan, there were, and still are, valid reasons to be there. Reasons why it was worth it.

QUOTE (WHITESOXRANDY @ Nov 23, 2009 -> 11:02 PM) This is great. Now I can sleep again when I think about who might be the last guy in the Sox bullpen in 2013. If he really is healthy in ST, Omogrosso might be in the pen in 2010.

QUOTE (BigSqwert @ Nov 24, 2009 -> 08:56 AM) Haven? Don't you mean Pakistan? Terrorists don't need a centralized location to plan their attacks. They don't need to be in Afghanistan and most likely aren't really there anymore anyway. Occupying a region that is unoccupiable is a waste of lives, time, and money. We will never win there and we're just churning out more anti-American sentiment and creating more terrorists. Terrorists need a place to exist, if anything organized is to occur. Lone gunmen are of course another matter. We aren't churning out any more anti-American sentiment, we already did that, and its lessening now globally, from what I can see. Staying in Afghanistan to get the job done isn't going to worsen anything. And your statement about not winning is simply reiterating what I was getting at before. This is not typical nation-state warfare that we were so used to for so long. There is no "winning" any war like this, in the sense we are used to. There is only getting certain objectives accomplished, and we haven't done that yet.

QUOTE (BigSqwert @ Nov 24, 2009 -> 08:52 AM) It comes off as purely political to me. If he pulls out he loses in 2012 because he "surrendered". No, if he pulls out and all hell breaks lose, he loses politically. If he pulls out and the country can not implode, and we don't see AQ and the Taliban celebrating in the streets of Kabul on CNN 3 months later, then he wins politically. I think you are way off on the political calculus at work.

QUOTE (Cknolls @ Nov 24, 2009 -> 08:38 AM) Right, us guys. Because healthcare will reduce the deficit, right? LOL. Congress is already setting the stage for his re-election by not having the benefits of the bill kick in until 2013-2014. That would do the opposite of setting the stage for his re-election. IF they were trying to help with his re-election, they'd have the benefits kick in BEFORE the election.

QUOTE (BigSqwert @ Nov 24, 2009 -> 07:29 AM) TPM reporting that Obama will be sending 34K more troops to Afghanistan. I am extremely disappointed. QUOTE (bmags @ Nov 24, 2009 -> 08:18 AM) Jesus Christ. WAR WAR WAR! HOW PATRIOTIC! This, of course, was the centrist, sensible thing to do. War is always more sensible. Anything else other than constant war is weakness, of course. This is ridiculous. Seriously, do you think Obama would do this because he is a warmonger? Do you think he likes the idea of spending that much money, ending that many lives, and stretching our already overstretched military even further? Or jeopardizing Obama's desires to fix health care and the environment by sending the capital elsewhere? We're in Afghanistan. We had to go, and we did. That country, unlike Iraq, is still a haven for the terrorist network that was not only responsible for 9/11, but also for other acts, and will be in the future as well. The central government is terribly weak. The border areas with Paki are lawless. If the US just up and leaves right now, the consequence is not just what happens to Afghanistan. Its that you hand the country over to being, essentially, a free-reign base for all manner of jihadists who would like nothing more than to train and send out attackers to all corners of the earth. So believe it or not, this really is self-defense for the western world. I think Obama is doing exactly the right thing here. He is conferring with military people who understand the situation better than anyone else, to find a well-thought-out solution that will actually have some chance of stabilizing Afghanistan. And with everything we have invested already, that is the right thing to do. This is not about posturing, this is no longer the world of nation-state conventional war, and no one on earth doubts the US military is the best there is. So the idea that this is about being "centrist" is a bunch of baloney. It makes no sense on its face. He is trying to push this thing off the fence, and I agree with him.

QUOTE (Chet Kincaid @ Nov 24, 2009 -> 08:05 AM) This is an excellent post. I agree. I would rather fix the holes that are in the OF and DH. I will be very disappointed if the fix is Pods and Thome again. I would trade Jenks if I found a taker and it got me a decent OF. If Jenks can be a difference maker in a trade that gets us a serious OF bat, then yeah, you do that. But I wouldn't seek to trade him specifically.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Nov 24, 2009 -> 07:53 AM) Except that, as usual, the numbers are garbage. http://newsbusters.org/blogs/rich-noyes/20...d-still-vote-it I'm pretty sure I'd take the words of an actual economist over those of an assistant editor for Newsweek, on this topic. I'd also think the CBO has some idea of how math works. Still though, the bill is a monster, and ALL of this is projections and guesswork. No way around that. And its not as if there is some loud chorus all favoring one side on this either. I'd be there are real cost savings there, but I'd also bet they won't be nearly as big as they are hoping. That would be pretty typical.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Nov 24, 2009 -> 07:23 AM) I read where Orlando Hudson would be hard pressed to get the guarantee of a little over $3 million he received last year. Put him at 2B, leave Beckham at 3B, and I think the infield everyday defense is better than with Teahan, the offense is most likely better and you still have money left over. I keep reading about bargains. As giddy as people are about Teahan and Vizquel, and I find it shocking, the bullpen has yet to be addressed. There are plenty of reasons the Sox lost a lot in 2009. Having Omar Vizquel play 3B in the 8th and 9th, addresses only an extremely small percentage. As for waiting before commenting, if that's the case, why have a message board? KW said he was doing some projection with Teahan, why can't we? IMO the White Sox have spent $5 million that could have been spent on more pressing issues. Sure Vizquel is one of the greatest defensive players ever, but not only is he now 43, he's not going to play much. He had a little over 1 chance a game last year if you consider the 162 game schedule. I don't understand the philosophy some folks here have with the bullpen. I don't see any reason to add any more than one new arm to the pen, tops. And I think that concern is secondary to the fact that the team is short an OF and a DH right now, which are much more glaring holes. The Sox bullpen, despite its struggles last year, put up a 4.08 ERA, good for the middle of the pack in the AL. Save percentage was also mid-pack. This despite the fact that Linebrink (the main setup guy originally) imploded beyond anything he's done in his career, Jenks has his weakest season as a closer, Dotel (7th inning guy originally) had a down year career-wise, and Tony Pena failed to live up to expecations. Carrasco had basically the same year he had in 2008. The only bullpen arm of significant innings who actually pitched better than his career typically would indicate, was Matt Thornton. Given the fact that the above pitchers were relatively healthy, and none are particularly old as far as relievers go, I think there is a very good chance that most or all other than Thornton will improve in 2010. Add to that we have Dan Hudson, a high end pitching prospect by any measure, who will probably be added to that pen. And guys like Nunez, who look to have the talent, in the wings. If you can find a serious upgrade arm somewhere, somehow, without seriously denting the major league roster, then you do it. But barring that, I'd be in no hurry to upgrade the pen. I'd be focusing on those OF and DH slots.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Nov 23, 2009 -> 10:54 PM) And by increase, of course, he means decrease. Never trust people named Gruber. Didn't Bruce Willis teach you anything?

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Nov 23, 2009 -> 09:39 PM) I don't think I've actually posted one of these threads myself, or at least I haven't done so recently, so it's my turn. Next week I'm going to be driving much of the length of I-40, basically from California to Knoxville, TN. I'll be heading through Albuquerque, Amarillo Texas, Little Rock AK, Nashville and Memphis TN, amongst all the other smaller cities. I'm looking for tips for good non-chain restaurants to stop at, random tourist traps, hotels that you've gotten for a good price or had a good experience with, anything that you'd count as "Can't miss", etc. Thanks for the help. And if it helps encourage posting...this thread can be done as the alphabet game as well. Some things of particular interest to a scientist like you - the Winslow Crater in AZ (a la Starman) is just off I-40, and I believe that part of the Petrified Forest is as well. In NM, again with the science, take a walk on lava flows that were, until St. Helen's, the most recent in the continental US, at El Malpais National Monument. In ABQ, the nuclear scientist in you might like the Atomic Museum, which is on the north rim of the Kirtland/Sandia/Manzano military complex (used to be ON the base, then the moved it). I know some good local restaurants in ABQ as well, for real New Mexican food. In TX, watch for the car plantation just outside Amarillo. Sort of a bizarre site. OK has nothing to offer. At all. AR has some nice scenery through the Ouchita, but careful driving there at night. Memphis, TN is a good stopping point - good BBQ, music, do a quick walk on Beale Street, see Graceland, ride a street car, etc. If you want hotel or restaurant recommendations there let me know, I lived there for a few years. Nashville is like Memphis, except with money. Lots of fun stuff to do. Just south of town is one of the major whiskey distilleries, I can't remember which one. Enjoy the ride!

QUOTE (KyYlE23 @ Nov 23, 2009 -> 09:10 PM) Brush your teeth like a Spartan Really glad I didn't open that at work - check out the banner ad.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Nov 23, 2009 -> 05:25 PM) At some point, the Senate's profligate use of these stalling techniques is going to wind up having a situation where there's a real emergency in judicial vacancies, or some Senate-confirmed office (i.e. FEMA head) is going to wind up unfilled during an actual emergency. Yeah, but its already done a ton of other damage.

QUOTE (kapkomet @ Nov 23, 2009 -> 04:37 PM) Be honest, you're all for it if it benefits your cause. Not really, no.

QUOTE (ozzfest @ Nov 23, 2009 -> 05:16 PM) Can someone give me a blurb about who each of these guys are....I was looking at the 40 man roster and just dont know much about these guys at all. There is very little info about them online.....I didn't want to start a thread about this but I didn't know where else to post it. Lucas Harrell Brandon Hynick Santo Luis Clevelan Santeliz Sergio Santos Stefan Gartrell As noted above, go to the FutureSox forum, specifically the adopt-a-prospect thread, and find their profiles. Furthermore, go to futuresox.com and search on those names, because some have had articles written about them.

Rafael Betencourt is one of the most frustrating pitchers to watch, ever.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Nov 23, 2009 -> 01:18 PM) So your argument is that you think he should have gotten an ARM? That would have been a stellar idea. Anyway...there was in fact an interest rate spike associated with the deficits that were being run there, and thus interest rates did in fact go up from the point in 2003-2004. That then caused a massive bust in the housing market, and removed the inflationary pressure that running a structural deficit would create. That's called "Different circumstance" or something to that effect. Running a large structural deficit during boom times = bad, running a deficit during the largest bust in 70 years = the correct resposne. Oddly enough, the fact that some people got ARM's a few years ago that are resetting now, is actually helping AVOID some foreclosures, because rates are so low.

QUOTE (Rex Kicka** @ Nov 23, 2009 -> 02:20 PM) Is it time to end the Wilsonian practice of the procedural filibuster? Cloture votes only date back to 1917, which essentially allowed bills to be killed by cloture votes. Prior to 1975, 67 votes were required for cloture. Currently, 60 is required. Some people are proposing moving the goalposts further back to just 55 senators required for cloture. I'm all for filibusters. I think they can provide a necessary safety valve to delay and kill bills that a minority party may find irresponsible. But I don't think it should be as simple as a vote for cloture. I think the filibuster should actually happen. If we take away the threat to fake a filibuster, as we've done increasingly over the last 20 years, I think we can still see the principled stands that we've seen in the past, without the "principled" stands of moderate senators who are only moderate because it pads the paycheck. (i.e. Landrieu, Lieberman, Lincoln). What do you think? I am not sure which alternative I prefer, but the current system is definitely a disaster. I agree that a filibuster should be a real filibuster, that takes real time and energy. Not just the cloture vote, which as far as I'm concerned should just go away.

QUOTE (flavum @ Nov 23, 2009 -> 02:32 PM) Some press conference video. I wouldn't be surprised if he wore #17. http://chicago.whitesox.mlb.com/news/artic...sp&c_id=cws Nuh uh - they will retire Ross Gload's #17, I'm telling you!

QUOTE (ozzfest @ Nov 23, 2009 -> 12:38 PM) I just don't see a playoff contender with this lineup at all this year. The only thing I am looking forward to this year is our starting rotation....I think our starting pitching is potentially the best in the bigs. I know people are going to tell me that Kenny isn't close to being done or that I'm jumping the gun, but I really believe that what you see right now is what your going to have opening day. Let's simply go around the horn and talk about our starters. C-AJP-----Love AJ but cant throw anyone out. 1B-PK-----Solid power numbers every year, but getting older and very overpaid. 2B-GB---Sophomore slump very likely. Also Kenny over managed this situation and should have left him at third, he was playing great. SS-Alexei- I love his potential, but I think this guy is a bonehead. He is asleep at the wheel at short. Can't hit a curveball. 3B-Teahen-One word- Mediocrity. OF-Rios-Who knows? OF-Quentin- If he can stay healthy he can carry the offense as we witnessed two years ago....but that's a big if OF-FA signing or trade-----feel free to throw around ideas for this one...no idea what were going to do. Can anyone explain to me how this lineup can possibly win anything past our division? If only Obama put the White Sox as part of the bailout ....... I think the better question is, what makes you think the bolded above is true?

QUOTE (Steve9347 @ Nov 23, 2009 -> 12:23 PM) Here's a terrible little tidbit. What if the Sox are signing Vizquel... to start? I wouldn't put it past them. Unless you are saying a trade of Beckham or Ramirez is in the works, this makes no sense. It would definitely be past them to start him over either of them - no one would do that.

QUOTE (chisox2334 @ Nov 23, 2009 -> 11:16 AM) a poster on southsidesox.com met Jake peavy over the weekend and was told from peavy that the w sox are trying to get A. gonzo. The article is up there with pictures of him and jake peavy over the weekend. Wait a second... didn't that same site ridicule SoxTalk mentioning the possibility based on non-journalistic sources?

National Association of Business Economists is actually more bullish than I am - saying they see the beginning of jobs recovery in Q1 2010, and a 3.5% bump in real GDP this quarter. They do caution though, that they see it taking until 2012 to fully recover the jobs lost so far, and that they feel consumer spending will be disappointing going forward due to consumer thrift. I personally think we won't see real drops in any of the UE numbers until latter half 2010, and I think the recent bump we saw in consumer spending will stick, so I guess I don't see it the same way. But I found it surprising to see that much bullishness from that crowd.