NorthSideSox72

QUOTE (ChiSox_Sonix @ Oct 1, 2009 -> 07:50 AM) So what would you recommend as the best place for Int'l flights then? I'm currently searching for a flight to Spain Try sidestep.com.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Oct 1, 2009 -> 08:30 AM) I couldn't believe that the ST people rejected the new terms to keep it open. A pay cut is better than no job at all IMO. Yeah, that was pretty much throwing out the baby with the bath water. Career suicide. Not like there are a ton of other jobs out there in that sector, which is already shrinking pretty rapidly. I suppose with the demise of the Sun Times, that should help the Trib, but I'm not sure it would help enough for the Trib to do any major new hiring. Its possible that TribCo may consider buying some of the suburban papers that make money, though.

In the DOOM DOOM DOOM category, a couple big name businesses are about to go away... The Chicago Sun Times' offer of purchase from the Tyree group expires today - so unless the union suddenly changes its votes on the deal, that will fall through. Rumors are there is some other entity kicking the tires, but no offer yet. Sun Times is running out of cash, and according to the most recent articles, they will reach a point where they don't even have enough money to shut down within days. So there is about a 95% chance that the Sun Times will cease to exist very soon. GM has also announced that the plan to sell Saturn to the Penske Group has fallen through. Saturn will be shut down, by this time next year, with manufacturing stopping well before that, unless someone else can come to the rescue soon. Saturn employs at least 13,000 people (that's how many they intended to save with the sale, they probably employ more than that).

QUOTE (lostfan @ Sep 30, 2009 -> 09:31 PM) Comprehensive health care reform is unpopular with the American people? I say damn, that first sentence didn't even come with a qualifier. Yeah, its not often I get one sentence into an article I intended to read, and already realize the author is clueless. I don't even favor a public option, at least not one run by the government, but I can't deny the simple fact that the American people obviously want one.

QUOTE (danman31 @ Sep 30, 2009 -> 11:58 PM) Honestly, not that many. Nathan Jones showing some control, but seeing his K rate turn mediocre at Winston-Salem. I thought about mentioning Griffin just because he was healthy, but he's not the same yet. I could have mentioned Bellamy's dominance, but I was trying to focus on guys not drafted in 2009. I don't agree - Kanny had a phenomenal pitching staff this year, and to me that is worth mentioning. Look up and down at the pitchers who were on Kanny's opening day roster, and see how their seasons went - guys like Hudson, Leesman, Infante (though he faded), Jones, Sauer, Dex Carter, Remenowsky, Burdie, Corley, O'Neill... then picked up Bellamy, Serafin and Griffith later... that pitching is what got Kanny to their postseason berth, and that is a lot of talent there.

How the voting works, in detail. Friday at 11:30am Chicago time is the first announcement.

QUOTE (scenario @ Sep 30, 2009 -> 04:47 PM) I find it hard to understand why he was sent back to AA this year after absolutely destroying Southern League pitching in 2008. Just makes no sense to me unless there was someone in AAA they felt HAD to give playing time to instead of Cook... which obviously was not the case given the utter garbage we had in Charlotte most of the year. I'd love to hear someone in the Sox player development system give us the real story. I've said before, I think there is something none of us know that is holding him back. Has to be. I just don't know what it is.

QUOTE (Kenny Hates Prospects @ Sep 30, 2009 -> 12:52 PM) We should be able to keep Omogrosso. If we don't add him then I doubt anyone else will either given his injury. Marrero, Shelby, and Gartrell will be added IMO. Harrell shouldn't be dropped from the 40-man, and if he goes it'll be in a trade. I'd like to keep Socolovich but I think he's a goner in the minor league phase. Rasner possibly too. Cook, Wassermann, Fernando Hernandez, DRod, Whisler, Kroeger and possibly Cole Armstrong should all find jobs to compete for in another organization. I'd say all of them except Armstrong have a shot a winning a job with a bad club with DRod, Hernandez and Wassermann being the best bets. Burdie and Corley both have looked good, and I'd think they have a good chance of going in the minor league phase as well. I doubt either are put on the 40.

QUOTE (Athomeboy_2000 @ Sep 30, 2009 -> 01:43 PM) WOW! White House smacks down Fox News over its mostly anti-Olympic coverage. Let's please try not to busterize this thread any more than it has been. Seriously, the battle between the White House and Fox News is pure politics in motion.

QUOTE (lostfan @ Sep 30, 2009 -> 01:22 PM) Wow this is like the 18th trip around the circle. Should I post my NSS Plantm again?

QUOTE (bmags @ Sep 30, 2009 -> 01:02 PM) thought this would happen. Also, was kind of annoyed that the SC is continuing to take such vague stands that open it up to case by case rulings. Surely they can come up with SOME standard to apply here. I wrote some papers on various implication of 2A, back in college. Part of the reason SCOTUS avoided 2A cases like the plague for so many decades, and why they are so vague on it now, is that the most clear interperetations of 2A would result in jurisprudence that would be unacceptable to most everyone. As in the Miller case, it was stated that, taken to its full extent, 2A by nature actually protects all including the most powerful of weapons. But I don't think anyone (well, almost anyone) wants people to have tanks and bazookas. This means that any specific stand taken is, in essence, legislating from the bench, and would be labeled as "activist" or otherwise panned by one or both parties politically.

QUOTE (kapkomet @ Sep 30, 2009 -> 01:01 PM) Wow, really? (goose stepping)... The government needs to do everything for me. /official drone Why do we bother having a discussion?

QUOTE (kapkomet @ Sep 30, 2009 -> 01:00 PM) "Iiffff Youuu (youuuu) likeee (likkeeee) yoouurrr (youuur) current (current) plannnnn (plannnn) youuuu (youuu) can (can) keeeeeep (keeep) ittt (ittt)." Please. HB3200 totally dismisses that - TECHNICALLY that's correct but everyone gets pushed over to the "public option" eventually and that is what pisses people off. And that's exactly what's going to get "reconciled". Again, and again, and again, the majority of people do not want GOVERNMENT providing the country health care. Reform? Hell yes. Government takeover? Hell no. No, HB3200, as I recall it quoted in here and elsewhere, says that if you DO NOT HAVE private coverage, you either have to buy into the public plan, or pay a penalty. Correct?

So, after the DC handgun ban was overturned, numerous people sued various municipalities and states claiming that their bans, too, are unconstitutional. SCOTUS has just said they will hear some cases on this, and Chicago is #1 on the list. Linky. Discuss.

QUOTE (kapkomet @ Sep 30, 2009 -> 12:45 PM) What reality? What the hell are you talking about? No one says that something doesn't need to be done. So what you're telling me is everyone wants government run health care? Bull. No, I'm telling you that every poll and every survey published so far indicates a majority of people, even a majority of health care professionals, want reform, and want a public option. YOU said that wasn't true, which flies in the face of reality.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Sep 30, 2009 -> 11:36 AM) These people have always been out there. No one paid attention to them until the Dems figured out that they could demonize them into winning elections. Categorizing all conservatives along with these extremists is laughable, but so is your idea that this increase in hate is somehow the fault of the Dems.

QUOTE (bmags @ Sep 30, 2009 -> 11:16 AM) newsmax is a pretty popular right wing publication. How large does your audience have to be before you stop dismissing these people as "just one right wing nut" Its one right-wing nut writer, who I am sure who have an audience of right-wing nut followers. I don't think there is any doubt that the far right wing of the GOP pretty much spazzed out during the past year, seeing that it appeared the Dems and moderates were taking over, and that the modern version of conservatism was failing. The result is what we have now - a larger number of idiots than normal, shouting from the rooftops. Those idiots were always there, they just weren't as vocal or exposed. Fortunately, they are still a small minority.

QUOTE (G&T @ Sep 30, 2009 -> 10:53 AM) That's the question in my mind. Did he go because he thinks he can change voter's minds, or did he go because he knows their minds are made up? In between. He had operatives ask around with IOC members, to make sure they had a very good chance, and then disseminated information that he'd go. You cannot know 100% for sure ahead of time - this is the IOC we are talking about here - but I am sure he got a very good indication that the chances were very good that they'd get it if he went.

QUOTE (bmags @ Sep 30, 2009 -> 09:48 AM) but, polls aren't to be trusted. Some aren't. Just like the climate change debate, not every scientist or every scientific piece should be taken at face value. But in both cases, when ALL OF THEM line up to the same conclusion more or less, its time to face reality.

QUOTE (BigSqwert @ Sep 30, 2009 -> 09:41 AM) And where does "the MAJORITY OF AMERICANS DO NOT WANT THIS s***" come from? Nowhere. I have not seen a single poll or survey that said that - not one. They have all said, even the ones specific to doctors, that some majority wants reform AND wants a public option.

QUOTE (JPN366 @ Sep 30, 2009 -> 09:11 AM) Brandon Hynick Brian Omogrosso Christian Marrero John Shelby Stefan Gartrell Miguel Socolovich Luis Sierra Jake Rasner Derek Rodriguez David Cook Ehren Wassermann Josh Kroeger Wes Whisler Carlos Torres Cole Armstrong Lucas Harrell Fernando Hernandez How do you plan to fit that many guys into, I'd guess, about 5 open slots that will be around to work with by December?

QUOTE (bmags @ Sep 30, 2009 -> 08:42 AM) well if i lived in missouri i would've shipped you some...sorry! THanks for the thought, but I can actually order it from O'Dells via their website and have it shipped. Its pricey that way, but every so often, I do it anyway.

QUOTE (bmags @ Sep 30, 2009 -> 08:48 AM) Okay, let me continue to narrow this down, in my mind: There are two huge names in journalism with very different tactics: Woodward and Hersh. I think both of them miss the point. Hersh identifies problems, but frankly, they are usually too large to be taken seriously (are we ratcheting up for war in Iran), uses a crap ton of unidentified sources and gets damning information tainted by this fact. Woodward has an uncanny ability to get everyone to talk on the record and gets really interesting, albeit, historical information now. And below them, are a bunch of really savvy, talented journalists are identifying singular problems (corruption from contractors, torture, etc.) getting people to speak on the record, getting really incredible documents and put info into the marketplace that allowed people to question how this war was handled, what is being carried out in our name for safety. I think woodward and hersh's ego is too large, and they are trying to tackle too much. Hersh's mind couldn't settle for My Lai anymore, dude would try and tackle the administration plans for China and communists role in Vietnam. I can't imagine Woodward settling for diving into a small break in anymore. They're trying to tackle too much and end up not getting to the point of anything. I personally think you need both kinds. I don't expect Woodward to dive into "small breaks", and I don't expect a paper journalist to do something as large in scope as his books either.

QUOTE (bmags @ Sep 30, 2009 -> 08:29 AM) I think you misunderstood what I meant by key player. The at worst illegal, at best immoral/provocative, actions that the Bush administration was taking part in were not uncovered by the man given more access than anyone else. So instead, a couple free lance journalists through unbelievable work were able to uncover information without that access, and in my opinion, served the public more good than the theoretical mindset for Bush. I don't believe Bush going to war with Iraq was done with ill intention. And to his credit he did go to Congress for a resolution, when he didn't have to. But, it was always the administrations tactics and methodology that were heinous to me, and Woodward failed to identify it because he's too removed now. The guy always brags about how he has more time than the average journalist. He should've spent some of that identifying some key aspects to the war that reflect a great deal more light on the man's actions than his mere words. I don't know what other pieces or books you are referring to, but I haven't seen or read anything that was as useful in identifying the tactics and decisions made in the administration as what Woodward put out. I think perhaps you were looking for his books to be something they were not - a study of the effects of the decisions. The whole purpose of Woodward's books was to get a view into the administration and its decisionmaking. He did that.

QUOTE (G&T @ Sep 30, 2009 -> 08:20 AM) Yeah, I'm a snob. It's an illness, cured only by drinking...I hope. I LOVE scotch ales. Have you ever tried 3 Floyd's Robert the Bruce? Probably the best scotch ale I've had. Haven't had the 90 Shilling, but the Robert the Bruce might be a good substitute. By the way, very few breweries put preservatives in their beers. Macros tend to because they have no hops. No craft brewer ever adds preservatives to the best of my knowledge. Hops are a natural preservative. Interestingly, the preservative quality of hops is the reason for the India Pale Ale style, which is essentially an English ale with a ton of hops to survive the trip to India back during the days of English rule. It's more likely that O'Dells just doesn't have the capacity to brew for national distribution. Also, the larger the batches, the more likely a drop in quality will occur. They might not want to sacrifice quantity for quality. If you like Scottish Ales (which I do as well, obviously), another one I found in Chicago that was quite good: Stone of Destiny Ale, from the Lia Fail brewery in Scotland.