NorthSideSox72

QUOTE (Tex @ Nov 4, 2009 -> 01:37 PM) The Republicans would of had a field day talking about Obama's nanny state, socialist agenda wanting to won people's houses. No way tat proposal would have passed. Plus, who were you helping and what could they later do for politicians runing for office? Money >>>>> votes. You lost me.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Nov 4, 2009 -> 12:24 PM) That's exactly how the people in charge of California want it. Huh?

QUOTE (kapkomet @ Nov 4, 2009 -> 12:55 PM) I know a lot of people personally that are involved in both wars. Let's not start throwing that crap around, mmmkay? My point was that it's a nice catchy phrase that people love to throw out and it's ridiculous. "Saved or created" is about as stupid as "Bush lied, people died". And, metaphorically, people are economically dying out here right now, and for what? So our current president can pat himself on the back when a government inflated GDP number comes in? He doesn't give a s*** about countless people on this board (for example) that are unemployed; "saved and created jobs" is all for political gain. That's a little ridiculous. This isn't Obama not giving a s***. This is Obama wanting one thing, getting something different but similar from Congress, and then scrambling to make that look pretty (which was then fully botched by his agencies). Yes, for political gain. But also, I find it absurd to think that Obama wasn't TRYING to do the right thing here. He just failed miserably. And if you are going to compare this to the Iraq War (leaving out stupid bumper sticker slogans), I'll take a botched, half-effective economic stimulus package over an even more expensive war that costs hundreds of thousands of people (including thousands of Americans) their lives, with NOTHING to show for it. This stimulus package failure is epically bad, and will probably cost Obama dearly in political capital, but it pales in comparison to the Iraq War. Its a distant second among costly governmental failures in recent history (but being second is still impressively bad). Failing at trying to create jobs and saving the economy is a hell of a lot better than going to war for no good reason at all. If you ultimately want to use this versus the Iraq War as a way of comparing Obama and W, then Obama is the tallest midget by a good 6 inches.

I couldn't find the original Stimulus Bill thread, so I'll use this one. So, the Trib decided to dig into the details of ObamaCo's claims on how many jobs were saved or created from the stimulus money. They focused specifically on schools in Illinois, so that it was manageable, as an example. Not surprisingly, the numbers they are using are off - and I mean waaaaaaaaaaaaaaay off. Like, saying a school district with 200 teachers on staff somehow saved 350 teaching jobs. But here is a really interesting thing to note - the bad numbers are present on both sides of the equation. For example, the Chicago Public Schools probably saved something like 1200 jobs, but they showed their number as zero, because of some idiotic decision made by a bureaucrat that jobs could not be considered saved unless the person was laid off, then un-laid-off. WTF? This is awful, and ObamaCo should be ashamed of themselves for putting out a report this fundamentally flawed. This tells me what many have already been saying - that the numbers are meaningless and unfounded in any sort of material fact. The article simply confirms it. Article link.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Nov 4, 2009 -> 10:59 AM) The state of California is about to help itself to an interest free loan, out of its citizens paychecks. Merry Christmas! http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-stat...0,2028140.story Now that's just stupid. The state won't have the money for more than a few months, and they cannot possibly project the actual amount because they have no way of knowing how many people will simply change their withholdings. This isn't a solution to anything.

National Anthem at Arrowhead - "Home of the CHIEEEEEEEEEEEFS"

QUOTE (KyYlE23 @ Nov 4, 2009 -> 08:14 AM) I figured it was you or NSS, couldnt remember which. A lot more likely to have been lostfan. I have some basic knowledge of Middle East politics, but am not anything like an expert (which I'd say lf is closer to being).

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Nov 4, 2009 -> 08:26 AM) I think this is an excellent example of why our founding fathers put in the constitution certain protections against everything being decided on the basis of 50% +1. It doesn't always work the best. Yes. Specifically, issues of civil rights should not be subject to simple majority rule, since by nature, civil rights are there to protect the minority in one way or another.

I was busy with a sick kid, so I am only getting updated this morning, but there were a few important elections last night... --NJ and VA elected R governors, giving the GOP some new hope --Dems win typically heavily GOP Congress district in NY --Maine voted to repeal gay marriage law Did I miss anything?

QUOTE (G&T @ Nov 2, 2009 -> 06:42 PM) You can buy up and tear down buildings. I've never been to the Bronx, but I can't imagine they built the new stadium without clearing space (of course, the Bronx isn't as nice as Wrigleyville), but I could be wrong. Think for a moment about the cost involved in buying up 4 to 6 square blocks in Wrigleyville - you are probably talking low 9 figures. Also, that is assuming you even COULD buy that much contiguous property in that area, which is probably not even possible. The Cubs are not a government agency, they can't use eminent domain to do it. It would be basically impossible to do, all things considered, in that neighborhood. The only logical path for them to take is to do small renovations over time, and then when they have no other choice, rebuild it in place.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Nov 3, 2009 -> 11:55 AM) Actually...we were seeing signs it was a distinct possibility earlier this year. But that's where the stimulus package and the free money from the Fed have been so important. I am not talking about 8 months ago, I am talking about now. Way too much money out there, all sorts of indicator saying we are no longer in free fall, and commodity prices (particularly oil) are still pretty strong. Deflation is just not in the cards, barring a huge second dip.

QUOTE (Cknolls @ Nov 3, 2009 -> 10:53 AM) The question is : what happens if deflation really sets in despite all the money printed? We could have another "lost decade". That's like asking what if unemployment hits 25%. Its just incredibly unlikely, and none of the indicators are saying anything like that. Deflation is scary, but we aren't seeing any signs that its even a remote possibility.

QUOTE (mr_genius @ Nov 2, 2009 -> 07:39 PM) who? and you usually threaten to ban them the voters wanted a fiscal conservative, and if you think she is a fiscal conservative.... how the f*** is a pro-bailout, pro-deficit, pro-cap and trade politician a fiscal conservative? since when? what the hell is going on in this country when THAT is a fiscal conservative. she was a big spending Republican and lost to a 3rd party candidate. no surprise to me. a lot of 'Blue dogs' are the worst. merely political wind socks. some good though, can't use a broad brush i suppose. the Dems went far left last election and won. mainly because GW Bush sucked so bad, but still.... Al Franken is a moderate now? Who have I threatened to ban for using stupid nicknames like The Messiah or ObamaCare or Teabaggers or anything like that? No one. Cap and Trade will have the effect of a tax, but it is NOT a tax, because the revenue doesn't go to the gov't (necessarily - depends on the model they adapt). As I said before, its definitely not a pro-business move though. I don't know her stance on the bailout, so I can't comment there. The Dems went left AND right, and that's one of the reasons they won - they decided to not run their party as stringent in ideology as the GOP did. That is what we are seeing here. The GOP is much better at lining up their own support, because they are lock-step - but they are also a minority party for the same reason. The Dems on the other hand are ineffective at getting concensus on, well, almost anything, but they are in the majority.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Nov 3, 2009 -> 08:12 AM) He was asking a reporter. Its not like he was asking someone who had a personal stake in things. That makes a big difference. Eh, it still takes a little something. But the bigger personal stake is MG - he has to have access to the team to be effective, so its pretty ballsy for him to call out the team the way he did.

QUOTE (Cknolls @ Nov 2, 2009 -> 06:36 PM) LMAO. Yeah moderate, if you compare her to Messiah. GMAFB. The more you Dems and libs worry about us R's the more confident I am we will be just fine. I believe I illustrated that the Dems have nothing to be worried about, and in fact, it looks like they are quite happy about this. Its the R's that need to worry about this particular trend. Moderates and independents are the make-and-break of pretty much every national level election. You eschew those voters, and you lose out big time.

QUOTE (kapkomet @ Nov 2, 2009 -> 06:06 PM) Her support of healthcare (specifically ObamaCare), cap and trade, and tax policy does not make her "right of center". She said she'd vote AGAINST ObamaCare, and she signed the pledge for no tax increases. The only thing from your items here that is not right-of-center is cap and trade.

QUOTE (elgonzo4sox @ Nov 1, 2009 -> 03:34 PM) That would be far too smart, rational and logical. The state-of-mind of Cubs fans/owners doesn't tolerate this type of thinking. Leave it to the Cubs to have a falling-down stadium with a corporate name on it that they get no money from... Actually, that would be profoundly business-stupid. Wrigley Field is Wrigleyville. They have to stay there. They may rebuild in place - probably they will have to, eventually - but moving somewhere else would be business suicide. Yankee Stadium is in an area that is mostly a dump anyway, and STILL drew big numbers, so they could pretty much do what they wanted, so long as they stayed in the city. QUOTE (RockRaines @ Nov 2, 2009 -> 04:35 PM) Because they cant tear down a landmark. My best guess: Wrigley Field Lincolnshire is only 10 years away. I'll take that bet every day and twice on Sunday. Ricketts said, smartly, they will renovate bit by bit over time. and even if eventually they had no choice but to gut it, they'd just gut it out one year some place else and rebuild in that same spot. That is the only smart move here.

QUOTE (SnB @ Nov 2, 2009 -> 04:48 PM) Finance People: Is there any demand for masters degrees in economics? (Would it be worth pursuing?) Yes, there is demand, but not as much as there is for a masters in Finance (at least, from what I see, being in the sector). Economics has a lower % in private work, higher in public work, relatively. Other way around for Finance. Pluses and minuses to each of those. Of course, right now, neither one is in extremely HIGH demand. But finance and accounting are still pretty strong, because even with the financial industry reeling, companies still need more and more of those folks to keep up with all the new rules and risks.

QUOTE (Alpha Dog @ Nov 2, 2009 -> 04:53 PM) First off, how about growing up and quit using the teabaggers name, and call them what they are. You appear lazy and juvinile when you resort to those tactics. And second, that district had already elected a condservative republican, so i have no idea why newt decided he neded to put a liberal in republican clothes in that spot to begin with. So she signed no tax pledge, etc, Hoffman is all that and more. What is the dealbreaker with Hoffman that you think he sholdn't be there? A pro life position? Dede has no business being a republican, in any way shape or form. Grow up? First, I've seen conservatives on here call them teabaggers. Second, I've seen all variety of deriding nicknames given out by wingers and moderates on both sides, to all sorts of groups, a lot worse than that. And of all people to say "grow up" to... Rex is one of the most rational, mature, lucid posters in here, whether or not you agree with his views. This candidate was textbook moderate, and taken a whole, appears slightly right of center. As Rex said, if you don't want those folks in the party, that's fine. Enjoy being a permanent minority as a result, though. Do you tear apart the Blue Dogs in this same fashion? And for that matter, I personally want to see MORE candidates in BOTH parties that aren't just sitting in the wings, shouting from the gallery. The extremes we are seeing the parties run towards, especially the GOP (but not ONLY), are really a detriment to getting anything useful done.

QUOTE (flavum @ Nov 2, 2009 -> 04:18 PM) Kyle Bellamy was added to the roster. He pitched an inning today. One walk. One K. Based on everything I've read, he may be on the fast track. That's very interesting. He's definitely someone that attracted some attention this year. No one has him as their AAP either - might be worth someone's time to write up a prospect page, maybe we can arrange an interview.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Nov 2, 2009 -> 02:38 PM) That was the first time I have seen it discussed on an "official" level. They gave a firm "no comment" on it, which means they are talking for sure. Like I said when the CBOT/CME merger happened, it makes perfect sense for Chicago to look to a more vertical formation, which NYC controlling the stock market in the US. It is their best chance to challenge the NYSE and NASDAQ. Sure - makes perfect sense. If this acquisition goes through, the CME Group will be the largest player in listed derivatives on earth, one of only three OTC derivative clearing entities on earth, and have both the largest equity options exchange AND the TWO largest listed derivatives venues in the US. As well as some other flak like the CSX business, which I can only assume means they may also make more inroads in stocks.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Nov 2, 2009 -> 02:29 PM) The teaser was about them potentially taking over the CBOE. That ought to be interesting. Its been discussed for quite a while. You and I have discussed previously. Chicago financial community wants to take on NY, and the CME Group is leading the charge.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Nov 2, 2009 -> 01:51 PM) another crime being committed completely negates things in my eyes. Things like rape/incest/ etc, change things past normal. I agree, and so those exceptions certainly seem reasonable.

any law regarding abortion will be divisive. But I'm fine with this one - as others have said, a 17 year old needs consent for all sorts of things far less risky, so why would this be OK?

QUOTE (Big Daddy Kool @ Nov 2, 2009 -> 12:33 PM) What year is this? The Taylor homes were demolished in 2007 and residents moved out in 2005. He might be referring to the smaller structures immediately south of the park - but I think the taller ones are retirement homes, and the shorter ones further south MIGHT be section 8 housing. I am not sure.