NorthSideSox72

QUOTE (Controlled Chaos @ Oct 9, 2008 -> 08:37 AM) I bet most people have never used the word "folksy" in their entire lives. All of a sudden it's a household term. She has an accent/dialect/regionalism, whatever you want to call it, so that makes her uneducated??? So she says "you betcha" and "gosh darn"... Sorry those phrases dont' fit the elite, but they are simply just that...phrases. It says nothing about a persons intelligence. Yes she is different from many of us...she hunts, ice fishes, is a member of the NRA. For that she has been called white trash? Are you kidding me? Talk about bigots. People were swinging from Obamas jock strap without knowing a god dam thing about him, other than he could read a teleprompter, but Palin is a white trash uneducated moron because she talks different. Hypocrites!! I guess it's ok to be a bigot if you're talking of someone from a different party. I'm guessing the same people that are saying this are the same ones who feel people with a southern accent are just dumb country bumpkins. Some would be ashamed to have their kids see this person as a role model. An athlete in high school, a beauty queen, a mom of a wonderful family. Wanted to change her local politics, ran for mayor and won. Wanted to change state politics, ran for governor and won. Took on the good old boys, regardless of their party affiliation and was the most popular governor in the country. Gosh darn, those are some terrrible attributes to have your kids look up to.... Now I certainly don't expect dems to like Sarah Palin, her views are the exact opposite of theirs, but to call her dumb, white trash...etc...is...ridiculous. See, the scary thing is, she isn't dumb. This is an act, or probably more accurately, an exaggeration of certain aspects of her persona. Her being "folksy" isn't about being white trash, or dumb, neither of which I've said. Its about her reveling in acting uneducated and ignorant. Its incredibly insulting to us all. Her being from a small town is irrelevant - Biden grew up in small towns too. It makes no difference to me that he did. Her membership in the NRA, her ice fishing, her hockey fandom... don't care. Not a bad thing at all, and in fact, maybe a good thing. And I could care less about her accent. Those aren't what our objections are about. But if you want to think that the Palin hate is based on bigotry of some kind, feel free. Its probably true for some smallish number of people. But I don't see that on here, at all. Does this sound familiar, by the way? The victim of bigotry claim that you are making, but which is dismissed by GOP'ers when it comes to Obama? In both cases, there is some truth to the bigotry. There are people who will vote for, or against, Palin because of her gender or her townie schtick act. There are even more people who will not vote for Obama because of his race, and some who will, because of his race. But in all honesty, with a very few exceptions, I have not see ANY of that in HERE.

QUOTE (sox4lifeinPA @ Oct 9, 2008 -> 08:28 AM) It's a non-issue to me too. I'm just in-hate with the obam-ites who want to make this an issue. (not here, but elsewhere) Dear Obama supporters, stop making it a pain in the ass for me to vote for your candidate. OK, so... no one here makes an issue out of it. You start a thread with a video of it, asking if anyone else caught it. Then you say its a non-issue to you, and you just hate the Obamatons who want to make it an issue? When, in this forum, YOU made it an issue?

QUOTE (scenario @ Oct 8, 2008 -> 08:17 PM) Appears the Sox don't have any players in the Hawaiian League this year. What about the other leagues? Do you have any links to the winter ball rosters? I am hoping to see Donny Lucy's name somewhere, along with Kevin Dubler.

QUOTE (Soxy @ Oct 8, 2008 -> 02:04 PM) Balta that article really get to the heart of what drives me the most nuts about Sarah Palin. I'll admit it, I'm kind of an intellectual elite. I think that the country should be governed by highly educated and knowledgeable people. So, I'll take the right's label as an elitist with pride. And I look at Sarah Palin and it just frustrates me so much that this woman who seems to pride herself on ignorance and being outside these educated circles. Sometimes being educated means being out of touch with people--I'll admit that. But her whole cutesy, folksy attitude is such an affront to me. I am so proud to be well educated. To have a deep understanding about statistics, neuroscience, cognitive science. I work just as hard at my job to be well educated as a Joe Sixpack working at a construction site. We finally have reached the point where we can put a woman candidate up in a viable ticket (sorry Geraldine), and we pick this gorgeous non-threatening mess of a woman. We pick a woman that is in no danger of showing a man up in foreign policy or economic knowledge. We pick a woman who is PROUD of her ignorance. What the f*** kind of role model is that? We pick a woman who thinks she can win a debate by attacking her opponent and winking--WINKING. What is that teaching girls about how to debate--how to express themselves? We pick a woman that would rather resort to personal attacks and cliche slogans than an actual substantial debate. What kind of role model is that? Let's say that a male candidate pulled the winking and gibberish that she did. There is no way he would be taken seriously. NO f***ING WAY. I am so incredibly upset that it is this woman who is proud of her ignorance and would rather rely on her cutesy folksy self than her knowledge and credentials is there. I think of all the generations of intelligent, capable women who were DENIED this opportunity and I don't even know what to think. I know this probably comes off as crazy feminist gibberish (just like my Hillary supporting moments did) to a vast majority of this board. But dear god. If I am ever blessed with kids, I would be so ashamed to offer them Sarah Palin as a role model. I want my children, girls and boys, to have role models who rely on the contents of their minds and souls and not populist panderings. I want a Virginia Woolf, a Marie Curie, f*** it--a Hillary, a Shakespeare's sister to portray what it means to be a woman. /rant I completely agree, Soxy. This act of hers, the country bumpkin thing, is incredibly insulting and damaging to all of us, particularly to women. She really is a female Bush analog, but even more exaggerated in terms of the joy of stupidity. Amazingly, too, I don't think she is actually that much of a troglodyte. I think she puts in on thick, on purpose. Its disgusting. Also, one interesting quote from the article about Obama stuck out to me: This, I am glad to see. The writer shares my concern about his lack of experience. But he also feels that Obama is a very fast learner, and very good at surrounding himself with the right folks who know what he doesn't know. That is one of the things that made Bush so lousy as a manager. It would be nice to see the opposite.

QUOTE (Kalapse @ Oct 8, 2008 -> 04:22 PM) Over the past 2 seasons: AJ: 41 of 199: 21 CS% Toby 12 of 81: 15 CS% I don't know Phillips' arm, but from everything I've read and seen, I am 99% sure that either Lucy or Armstrong could do far better than that.

QUOTE (daa84 @ Oct 8, 2008 -> 03:05 PM) in nearly 250 ABs over the last two years with the sox toby hall has 9 walks and 9 extra base hits, posting OPSs of .466 and .635...thats miserable on top of that as others said, he doesn't have any speed or athleticism, he throws better than AJ but then again so does just about every other catcher in the game...and its not like his D is great I don't think he even throws better than AJ. I'm really surprised at how many people want him back. He offers nothing defensively or offensively, to speak of. His only positive traits, as far as I can see, are pitcher handling and clubhouse presence.

QUOTE (Thunderbolt @ Oct 8, 2008 -> 12:58 PM) I'll try to find the link, but i've heard his injury described as "devastating.". and even prior there was a lot of hesitation on him from the Sox Front Office due to his bat. There was definitely question about his bat. Even before the injury, he was a very long shot to be a major league starter. but as AJ's backup, given who he'd be replacing, I think he would have been more than satisfactory. I'm a little biased towards him, he's my AAP. But even if I wasn't, I'd hate to see his career end that way, just as he was about to reach the majors, even if as a backup. You just hate to see that happen. So, I hope he's able to recover. If however the injury is such that he can't be 100% or close to it by ST, then his career may indeed be over. he doesn't have the bat to move to the OF.

QUOTE (Athomeboy_2000 @ Oct 8, 2008 -> 01:05 PM) This may be the oddest comment form McCain yet: "Across this country, this is the agenda i have set before my fellow prisoners and the same standards of clarity and candor must now be applied to my opponent." American's are now POWs? Do you really have to point out every little verbal gaffe? All this does is make your own candidate look bad by extension.

QUOTE (Reddy @ Oct 8, 2008 -> 01:32 PM) i love cole armstrong. doesn't anyone else? If he hit right-handed, and more importantly could hit lefties better than righties, then yes. But as it stands, he's not useful to the Sox. Trade bait is, I think, his best role.

QUOTE (ChWRoCk2 @ Oct 8, 2008 -> 01:36 PM) Can't complain with the production Toby Hall gave us. Good clubhouse guy too, hopefully hes back backing up AJ. A .631 OPS, mediocre defense, inability to throw out runners, and zero athleticism or speed. I think we can complain a lot. Any one of Lucy (if healthy), Armstrong or Phillips could equal or better the offense with dramatically better defense, and not cost anything like $2.25M.

QUOTE (scenario @ Oct 8, 2008 -> 10:46 AM) Kevin Dubler Dubler has a lot of potential, but he isn't anywhere near being ready for the majors in 2009. he struggled with rookie ball pitching for a while before figuring it out. He's at LEAST 2 or 3 years away.

QUOTE (Thunderbolt @ Oct 8, 2008 -> 09:23 AM) Now, that Donny Lucy has gone the way of the dinorsaur. I'd love to see the Sox get a decent catching prospect either through a trade or in next years draft. I would like to know more about Donny Lucy's injury and status. If he'e healthy again come ST, I think he's very much still in the running. But I can't find any sort of updates on him.

Here’s a topic for offseason discussion – who becomes the backup catcher in 2009? Who would you choose, and who do you think will be chosen? Brief synopsis on the options… TOBY HALL – He’s 33, and he looked like he was in terrible shape this year. He seems to work well with pitchers, but his defense is mediocre, and his arm is terrible. He got a few hits early in the year, then went back to looking like the 2007 version. He finished 2008 with a .260/.304/.331/.635 line. He has a $2.25M team option, or a $150k buyout. DONNY LUCY – He’s 26 and it looked like he was lined up to be AJ’s backup for 2009. He’s seen as very good defensively, with some good athleticism and speed for a catcher (stole 17 bases in 18 attempts in 2007). His hitting has always been a question mark – as he’s reached each level of the minors, he’s basically put up similar numbers (AVG in the .260 to .290 range, 10 to 15 HR a year, OK BB/K numbers). But, back in July while playing in Charlotte, he suffered a season-ending knee injury. It was described at the time as a patella dislocation. No word recently on his status. COLE ARMSTRONG – Cole is about a year younger than Donny. Also like him, he’s considered a plus defender, with questionable hitting credentials, though Armstrong has been a little more erratic (showing very good numbers at times, lousy at others). He finished the year at Charlotte, replacing Lucy, and put up a line. His major disadvantage is that he hits lefty, and his numbers show he definitely hits righties better – this is a less than ideal match for a backup to AJ. PAUL PHILLIPS – Paul was picked up by the Sox and given a look in ST. He’s older than Lucy or Armstrong by a few years, but younger than Hall. I’m actually not sure what his defense is like other than watching him in a few games in ST and with the Sox, and I’d say he’s at least competent. Offensively, his major league career (X games) has shown a X line. He’s still 2 years from ARB, despite his age, so he’s under control for a while (I think). OTHER – there is of course the chance to pickup someone from outside the organization. According to K’s free agent list, there are a number of them out there. But many of the 10 listed have team or vesting options likely to be taken up, and the others are I-Roid (Boras client), Varitek (Boras client), and Gregg Zaun (who is 38). There are others as well. May also be able to acquire one by trade, but its usually hard to trade for a competent catcher. --- MY CALL I think the team should look at the FA and minor league FA markets, but ultimately, that probably won’t get much. I think Hall is a mistake to pickup the option on, he’s headed downhill fast. Armstrong is intriguing but is a poor offset to AJ, so he’s not a viable option. That leaves Phillips and Lucy. My call would be to have them both show up for ST, and see how things look. Basically, if Lucy is back to 100% healthy, he gets the job. If not, it goes to Phillips. Armstrong could be a good option for many other teams, so he should probably be traded.

QUOTE (SoxFan101 @ Oct 8, 2008 -> 01:39 AM) Armstrong seems like a nice backup option for any team besides us lol. With AJ as our primary catcher he would almost be pointless on the big league club. I think that's why he is in the AFL. He's going to be traded, I'd bet on it.

QUOTE (Athomeboy_2000 @ Oct 7, 2008 -> 09:22 PM) Discus.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Oct 7, 2008 -> 09:45 PM) Those evil speculators are at work again... http://www.businessandmedia.org/articles/2...1007163408.aspx Like the predictions of $300 a barrell, saying its dropping to $40 is completely unrealistic, IMO. it might get as low as the 70's, but then will bounce back to triple digits again. Demand is down because of the global economic downturn, but its not down enough to do that.

Format was terrible, Brokaw was awful. McCain was condescending and offputting, but BOTH candidates managed to avoid actually answering most of the questions and instead spouted off lightly-related talking points. Winner: Obama, by a small amount. Effect on election: McCain failed to get the momentum changer he needed. Looks bad for him.

QUOTE (mr_genius @ Oct 7, 2008 -> 03:34 PM) If someone is going to air a commercial or have an interview with an author that Obama does not approve of, Obama has threatened to have their licensed revoked. The dirtiest tactic in recent election history by far. They know if he wins they could very well get their license revoked. It's an obvious threat. I would actually be very surprised if you support such threats. He has also sent out commands to his followers to go after any station that has authors whom write a negative book about Obama. Who knows, Obama has so many fanatical worshippers he really shouldn't be sending out orders to go after any media outlets. Results could end up being tragic. Hm. If the letter had been everything BUT the FCC mention, I would have been fine with it. In fact, I'd say it would be the smart thing to do. But I have to agree with you on the FCC aspect - its a thinly veiled threat. Its scuzzy and unprofessional. I don't think I'd go to the extent of "dirtiest tactic in recent election history by far", which I find a gross exaggeration. But its scummy and wrong none the less.

QUOTE (kapkomet @ Oct 7, 2008 -> 05:36 PM) One's up front about it and one's doing it behind the scenes. It's all the same, though. Makes it easier to think that way. But it just isn't the case here. One is simply going further than the other, and more regularly.

QUOTE (mr_genius @ Oct 7, 2008 -> 04:40 PM) I wouldn't be too worried about McCain attack ads on this stuff if I was you guys. Most people don't care about Bill Ayers, or any of that stuff. They want economic answers. Always issue no 1.

QUOTE (mr_genius @ Oct 7, 2008 -> 03:06 PM) you didn't see it because McCain threatened to have his supporters destroy the TV station if they showed it... oh wait. Huh?

QUOTE (mr_genius @ Oct 7, 2008 -> 02:55 PM) he has, by far. it's not even really a close call. OK, this is obviously not going anywhere. I give.

QUOTE (mr_genius @ Oct 7, 2008 -> 02:39 PM) I've been checking out what the Obama campaign is doing lately, they have run by far the dirtiest, most dishonest, presidential campaign in modern US election history. Well, the bar has been raised and Karl Rove knows his title has been surpassed, I am guessing he will step up his game for the 2010 senate elections. Obama hasn't even run the dirtiest or most dishonest campaign in this cycle.

And here is a fun number for today. If you combine the total public debts of the federal government - national debt, obligations to civil and military retirement pensions (unfunded), unfunded soc sec and medicare, etc., what number do you get? $56T That's a capital T. House of cards. ETA: Linky.

QUOTE (Athomeboy_2000 @ Oct 7, 2008 -> 02:35 PM) I would argue partially the opposite. These voter registration drive in places like VA, NC, and IN could boost Obama by 1-3% because pollsters don't know how to factor in new voters. That's the other X factor, as I've mentioned before. But keep 2 things in mind on that. One, the polls reflect the registered voters or likely voters - so that is factored in. Two, the boost from Obama's ground game will have a declining margin over poll numbers as you approach the election. QUOTE (BigSqwert @ Oct 7, 2008 -> 02:35 PM) Do you counter balance the fear factor effect to the unpolled cell phone only users who tend to favor Obama? My understanding is that some of them, at least, now include those. But that is still a good point.