NorthSideSox72

QUOTE (BigSqwert @ Jul 15, 2009 -> 09:11 AM) I just never understood the connection. We enjoy freedoms everywhere in our lives here in America. Should we do the national anthem at every music event, before the markets open on Wall Street, whenever we go bowling, at comedy clubs, at Chuck E Cheese? It just seems arbitrary. I'm all OK with the anthem at games. But I agree with others that God Bless America is needless, and also arrogant bordering on offensive. God doesn't bless a country, any more than they bless a team or a player to do well on the field. And speaking of unpopular opinions, I really dislike players who pray or do the sign of the cross before playing on the field. God is not there to help you get a base hit, jackass.

QUOTE (Middle Buffalo @ Jul 14, 2009 -> 11:33 PM) Well, that wasn't exactly the most impressive pitch I've seen, but being Obama, I'm sure he threw his "change." I know we're not supposed to discuss politics in here, but, this deserves a tip of the cap. Well done.

QUOTE (BearSox @ Jul 14, 2009 -> 09:37 PM) I should have said he will... at least once FOCA gets passed. I believe that FOCA simply codifies existing jurisprudence (Roe v Wade).

QUOTE (ChiSox_Sonix @ Jul 15, 2009 -> 08:06 AM) Completely agree with this. I'll often go to a friends house with a six pack and then go home 4 or 5 hours later. I'm completely fine, but I know i may legally in that .06-.08 range. And just as is true with the earlier poster, really, you're not fine at all. This has been proven time and again in studies - your reaction time is worse, your vision is worse, your critical thinking is slower... very drink you have makes you less capable of driving safely. Yes, there should be a line, and no, the BAC limit shouldn't be .01. But if you have a 6 pack in 4 hours, you are undoubtedly effected by it. Its simple medical reality. That all said, I actually agree on gradations for BAC levels - but I think that is already the case. Judges can use that as a factor in mitigation or aggravation, at their discretion. It doesn't change the charge, but can change the sentencing. In any case, first DUI at any level should be a 5 year license suspension and a little jail time (maybe 30 days). Second offense, same suspension, but minimum 1 year jail time. Third offense, no license again ever, and minimum 5 years jail time.

QUOTE (ChiSox_Sonix @ Jul 15, 2009 -> 08:07 AM) Private loans should not have mandated regulations though, hence why they are private. I took out a second student loan through Citibank and there were ways to get extensions but it's a pain in the ass. Oh I agree with you there - if you get private loans, they can do whatever the heck they want. I'm talking about the government backed or government sponsored stuff here.

QUOTE (ChiSox_Sonix @ Jul 15, 2009 -> 08:03 AM) How would that be possible? Especially for those who went to college? College loan paybacks begin within 6 months Well, obviously, the 6 month period would be extended. There are already exemptions for different things like that anyway, lots of states do it for different professions and services.

QUOTE (bmags @ Jul 15, 2009 -> 01:02 AM) a while ago I was talking about cap and trade and northsox said it had never worked, but, with SO2 I was under the impression that it worked rather well... and I don't believe I'm wrong. One thing wrong with our system is states with senators that they don't vote out, like WV, become a huge obstacle in moving the country forward. And I hate them. Wait, what? I said it had never worked? I don't think I'd say that.

QUOTE (Y2HH @ Jul 15, 2009 -> 07:59 AM) That's what makes it so unpopular. I wasn't referring to popularity - I'm saying it would be unconstitutional, but also, pretty anti-American, which I was surprised to see from BearSox.

Dear BearSox- CBO stands for Congressional Budget Office. Obama is no longer in Congress. This isn't his projection. Sincerely, NSS

QUOTE (mr_genius @ Jul 14, 2009 -> 10:01 PM) Take a look at this U.S population growth chart (based on census data) and take into consideration that we have had 0% job growth in the last decade and could easily see the next decade losing jobs rather than being able to break even. Anyone else see how this isn't going to work? Definitely as problem. This is why the short term "stimulus" jobs aren't a real solution. We need to push forward into new technologies.

QUOTE (BearSox @ Jul 14, 2009 -> 10:02 PM) Outlaw all 3rd term abortions unless it is for a legit medical reason. I believe this is already true. QUOTE (BearSox @ Jul 14, 2009 -> 10:02 PM) All other rapists should be castrated and get a mandatory minimum sentence of 30 years. Castration doesn't do any good - rapists are rapists because of things going on in their brains. QUOTE (BearSox @ Jul 14, 2009 -> 10:02 PM) Disband ACORN and community organizer groups like it. I can't see how this would be possible - seems to be very much against the major principles of a democracy.

So its like 80 degrees in STL, and he's wearing a bulky jacket. It just occurred to me, probably wearing a ballistic vest underneath. Lovin' the Sox gear.

QUOTE (KyYlE23 @ Jul 14, 2009 -> 01:49 PM) The movies are getting better though. The last movie was pretty good, a dark movie for the Harry Potter series. IMO once people actually started dying in the storyline the movies took a big turn for the better The books get progressively darker as well, as the characters age, which makes sense. I believe the last book will be two movies, and directed by Guillermo Del Toro. At least, that was the going rumor previously. Should be delicious.

QUOTE (Thunderbolt @ Jul 14, 2009 -> 05:26 PM) Palin skewers Obama’s Cap and Trade plan in op-ed. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/conte...1302852_pf.html Media works feverishly on ways to discredit her. See the Palin thread on this very topic. In order to "skewer", she may have wanted to provide even the slightest "fact" or "evidence" to make her case.

Welcome to the mid-season edition of the FutureSox Top 25 Prospects list. This time we ratings from 9 posters who are closest to the minor league action, which are netted out to give us the amalgamated list you see below. the numbers in parens are the number of #1 votes, and the *** represents a player (Trayce Thompson) not yet signed, but reflects where he'd be assuming he does in fact sign (we did this as he seems like a likely signing - if he doesn't, others below move up). The list of "others receiving votes" is in order of how many votes/points they got. For more info on the list, go to the FutureSox main page for player profiles, or visit the AAP Thread area for further background on many of these players. Between the two areas, we have a wealth of information available on White Sox prospects unparalleled anywhere on the web. Here it is... 1. Tyler Flowers, C (5) 2. Dayan Viciedo, 3B (3) 3. Jordan Danks, OF (1) 4. Dan Hudson, SP 5. Jared Mitchell, OF 6. Dexter Carter, SP 7. John Shelby III, OF 8. Josh Phegley, C 9. Brian Omogrosso, SP/RP 10. Charlie Shirek, SP 11. C.J. Retherford, 3B/2B 12. Nathan Jones, RP 13. Trayce Thompson, OF*** 14. Jon Link, RP 15. Carlos Torres, SP 16. Lucas Harrell, SP 17. Steven Upchurch, SP 18. Brent Morel, 3B 19. Justin Greene, OF 20. John Ely, SP 21. Charlie Leesman, SP 22. Jon Gilmore, 3B 23. Stephen Sauer, SP 24. Stefan Gartrell, OF 25. Jack Egbert, SP Others receiving votes (in order of votes): Jhonny Nunez, Gregory Infante, David Holmberg, Christian Marrero, Clevelan Santeliz, Derek Rodriguez, Santos Rodriguez, Matt Heidenreich, David Cook, Nevin Griffith, Jeff Marquez, Jose Martinez, Justin Edwards, Fernando Hernandez, Dale Mollenhauer, Jacob Rasner, Drew O’Neill, Eduardo Escobar, Dan Remenowsky, Josh Kroeger, Ryan Buch, Tyson Corley, Justin Cassel, Kyle Bellamy, Daniel Black ... Credit to our nine poll voters: Chisoxfn, Heads22, danman31, SoxFan1, NorthSideSox72, scenario, Ozzie Ball, JPN336 and Kenny Hates Prospects.

QUOTE (fathom @ Jul 14, 2009 -> 04:23 PM) - DUI should be an automatic one year in jail - "The Hills" is a quality television show - I dislike Frank Thomas Agree on DUI, should be more like German laws - way tougher.

The jury trial system should be abolished, replaced by bench trials and panels of judges. There should be no such thing as punitive damages - all civil trials should only attempt to regain actual losses. If someone deserves to be fined, then the government should levy fines. Punishments should better fit crimes. For example, if you are arrested for graffiti, the penalty should be that you are up against a wall, with goggles and underwear on, and be spray painted head to toe. It will wear off eventually. Earmarks should be banned in all legislative bodies (not that unpopular, but...), replaced by a district funding system like the Chicago City Council uses. Rail infrastructure should get equal treatment as roads. Not equal funding levels, but, same expectations - level playing field. No one expects roads to make a profit, or even revenue, but somehow we expect Amtrak to make a profit? Absurd and unfair. System is broken until this is fixed, and we're stuck with a crappy transportation grid, more expensive oil, and much dirtier air as a result. No personal money should ever be allowed to be used in campaigns - a 100% public funding system, for in campaigns and in office, is the only way to get rid of corruption. The DH should be abolished.

QUOTE (BigSqwert @ Jul 14, 2009 -> 10:44 AM) being vegetarian does not necessarily equate to eating healthy. Some vegetarians subsist on oreos, cheese pizza, potato chips and big gulps. I thought oreo filling had ground up bone in it. Or maybe that's twinkies.

QUOTE (BigSqwert @ Jul 14, 2009 -> 12:24 PM) Am I the only person in the world that thinks Harry Potter is lame as heck? The movies are decent, nothing great, IMO. But the books are quite good.

I guess my question is, if Nunez is closer material, why is Link still the closer in Charlotte?

QUOTE (BearSox @ Jul 14, 2009 -> 12:10 PM) I'm not saying it's a bad thing to be a politician, but it's not for me. There's way too much corruption, hypocrisy, etc. for me. I know one state rep in IL, and he's a good guy. But I'd rather stay out of it completely. Same thing goes for lawyers. I'd rather be dead than be a defense attorney. You got your Perry Mason's, but then you got your overload of slimeballs. As for cops, it's different, IMO. Most cops are regular, blue collar people. You got your scumbag cops who are a disgrace to the force, but with my experience cops (keep in my mind I have family in the force and have met a lot of officers), most of them want to do a good job and get home safely to their family. In either case, you need all 3 groups I listed, no matter what you think of them. I'd just prefer not to be a politician (or defensive attorney for that matter). You say its not a bad thing, but that you'd rather be dead than be one? Do you not see how absurd that sounds? And I think you're wrong on cops being different. In fact, on the scale of corruption, I'd probably make the list 1. politicians, 2. cops, 3. lawyers, in my experience. But in any case, the point is, indicting entire groups of people that way is choosing ignorance instead of accepting that the world has shades of gray.

QUOTE (BearSox @ Jul 14, 2009 -> 11:45 AM) He isn't the president of their country and if they don't want to shake his hand they don't. If Obama extended his hand out to me for a handshake, no way I'm shaking his hand. I respect the office, but I don't respect Barry one bit. For that matter, I wouldn't shake Bush's or Clinton's hand as well, along with a numerous amount of other politicians. What is the point of respecting the office if you don't respect the person holding it? This is so over the top its ridiculous. None of those three Presidents have killed any babies or the like. You make it sound like they are all worthless human beings, which is absurd.

QUOTE (BearSox @ Jul 14, 2009 -> 11:48 AM) I'd rather be dead then be a politician. LOL Just curious, how do you react to people who say the same thing about cops? I mean, there are some lousy cops out there, so they must all be scumbags not worthy of our respect, right? Let me know when you've actually met, talked with, or gotten to know any politicians. You'll quickly find that, as with any other group of people, there are good ones and bad ones and a whole lot of in between.

A lot of the content in the weekly mail bag is obvious, but there are some interesting tidbits and some hints if you read between the lines... on Dan Hudson, apparently was a potential part of the Peavy deal... When asked about prospects, interesting note on Nunez... When asked about Beckham's defensive issues... Sometimes Gonzales hears things he can't repeat verbatim, but hints at them in articles like this. I'm starting to think its more and more likely that we go after Teahen, and probably move a minor league pitcher or two to accomplish that. More at the link.

What has been your favorite stadium to play in so far? Have you met any of the Sox players on the big club? What were those experiences like? Name an obscure fact about your life that people would find interesting. You dominated pitching in your college conference for four years, but some of your numbers dropped off a bit your senior year. Do you think that is why you weren't drafted? Was there an injury, or change of approach, that caused that? What is the weirdest thing you've seen happen on the baseball field? What area of your game are you most interested in trying to improve on? Can you describe in more detail your signing experience? Did you get a chance to talk with Doug Laumann or any other Sox staff when they were watching you in independent ball? Do you like to hit? What aspect of your pitching are you most proud of?