NorthSideSox72

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Sep 8, 2008 -> 01:40 PM) indeed it does a little 7 game winning streak or so would help out a lot, because Minny may be able to make up a few games playing KC. Just hope Tampa finds some way to get hot over the next week, and hopefully Longoria will be back in the lineup for the series. I also believe they will face Kazmir so that sounds nice to me too. It's going to be a grind down the stretch. A 7 game win streak right now would almost assuredly put the division in the bag.

QUOTE (JoeCoolMan24 @ Sep 8, 2008 -> 03:00 PM) 3.11 is pretty high for league best. Must have been a hitters league. Keep in mind that you have to qualify by IP or games for those kind of titles. And in the minors, if a guy is pitching phenomenally (like, ERA in the 1's or 2's for a starter), then they have a high likelihood he would be promoted, and thus not make the minimum for qualification.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Sep 8, 2008 -> 12:53 PM) I wouldn't go that far, but there is a definate set of ideals that were set forth by our founding fathers, and they did recognize that economic freedom was just as important as many other freedoms. I wouldn't go that far either - I was just giving Kap an elbow to the ribs on his over the top response. Not intended to be serious.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Sep 8, 2008 -> 01:01 PM) So let me give the standard reply. We cut the tax on capital gains significantly early in the Bush administration from a higher level during the Clinton years. I'm going to push you guys back on to this every time...either the capital gains tax simply isn't nearly important enough to overwhelm other effects on the economy at the levels under Clinton and Bush, or cutting the tax is a bad thing in general because the economy performed much worse after Bush's CG tax cut than beforehand. Every tax has some impact on economic growth. But pretending that there's not a corresponding benefit to things like a closer to balanced federal budget or additional spending programs is the issue that keeps being missed. Not sure who you are arguing with here. I've said on here I am all about a balanced budget - I'd even favor a constitutional amendment (with a war exemption). And I certainly never said that changes in cap gains tax would "overwhelm" other economic factors. Its is AN economic factor, and an important one.

QUOTE (kapkomet @ Sep 8, 2008 -> 01:36 PM) We get it. Governments should control everything. And he gets it too. Governments should control nothing.

QUOTE (BigSqwert @ Sep 8, 2008 -> 11:47 AM) An overwhelmingly large proportion of America could care less about capital gains. That's for the elitists. And Obama is proposing an elimination of income tax for seniors making less than $50K. Not sure if you realize this, but, if you increase cap gains tax, it WILL effect basically everyone in the country. Just because you don't pay that tax bill, doesn't mean the bill won't be passed down to you indirectly.

Miranda made a big splash in W-S's playoff series (they were eliminated, 3 games to 1). The losing team doesn't have an MVP, but if they did, it would probably be Sergio. On the series, he did this in 3 games: .556 AVG .667 OBP .778 SLG 1.445 OPS 5 hits in 9 AB plus 3 BB 2 2B 3 R 1 RBI Good way to end the season for Sergio!

QUOTE (Alpha Dog @ Sep 8, 2008 -> 06:59 AM) Maybe they should try and keep this secret from Teddy Kennedy so he doesn't try and stop it again. Wouldn't want to ruin his view, you know. I do think its a good idea to try to put them pretty far offshore, when practical. Out of view. But that shouldn't stop it from happening. I don't recall the exact situation for Teddy, but, if he just outright went against it without trying to work out a compromise, then that's just stupid.

QUOTE (Texsox @ Sep 7, 2008 -> 10:11 PM) TAAS had it right, news directly from the government, no bias. Do you mean TASS? As in ITAR-TASS, the Russian government-run news agency?

QUOTE (Alpha Dog @ Sep 6, 2008 -> 08:41 PM) http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122040089460493157.html There's a lot more at the link, along with a map. Good!

Needless to say, this is causing quite the chatter among the traders this morning. They're talking extended ramifications in various markets outside the core debt instruments that are directly effected. Lots of weird downstream stuff is possible. Should be an interesting trading day. Cknolls, where art thou?

QUOTE (Alpha Dog @ Sep 5, 2008 -> 04:49 PM) So if her interests and the state's interests are the same, she should ignore it? Call in the DOJ? Call in someone who acts on those sorts of things (Alaska's state government is a little weird, so, might be DOJ, or someone else, I don't know). And leave your personal biases out of it.

QUOTE (WCSox @ Sep 5, 2008 -> 04:48 PM) There's massive media bias on both sides. If you can't see it, you're not paying attention. Or, if you DO see it, you are looking for it. And you are looking for it in places where bias will, of course exist (editorials, talking heads, etc.).

QUOTE (Alpha Dog @ Sep 5, 2008 -> 04:13 PM) Why should she not concern herself with a rouge cop on the state force who had already threatened her sister and father, tasered a kid and done numerous other things that would get the ordinary person fired or jailed, but because of union b****ing, only got suspended 5 days? He is a lawsuit waiting to happen. QUOTE (WCSox @ Sep 5, 2008 -> 04:18 PM) I completely disagree. If there's a documented violent alcoholic carrying a badge and a gun (who has already been found guilty and reprimanded for behavior that is grounds for dismissal) in my state, I try to remove him. I don't care who the hell he's related to or how bad it looks. At the minimum, he's a massive legal liability to the state. At the worst, he could kill somebody. Also, one thing that the MSM tends to omit is that the Department of Public Safety that WAS fired, was only removed after he REFUSED a reassignment to a different department. So it's not like Palin was trying to destroy this guy's life or something. I think my point was missed - I probably didn't describe it well. If the cop was guilty of those things, then he should be fired. I have zero issue with that. What I have issue with is the governor stepping in to act in her personal interests when it fits her needs.

QUOTE (Flash Tizzle @ Sep 5, 2008 -> 04:40 PM) Uh, no. The media bias is what made me surprised McCain had more viewers. I'm not suggesting a favorable view of Obama suddenly made everyone more willing to listen to McCain. I don't think we're conditioned to believe there is media bias because its there... I think we're conditioned to believe it, for the most part, because the far right has been using that perceived bias as a rallying call forever.

QUOTE (WCSox @ Sep 5, 2008 -> 03:59 PM) I find it odd that there was apparently no discussion of what Palin may have objected to, and that the librarian's immediate response was, "No!" It's kind of difficult for me to draw a conclusion from that, given that I don't know if Palen wanted nude photograph/artwork or the local copy of Huckleberry Finn removed. As for the trooper firing, this guys has admitted to tasering a child and was apparently sanctioned (a laughable slap on the wrist) for almost two dozen violations by his department, including drinking while driving a police car. And that's on top of the alleged threats against Palin's father and sister. I know an untenured Illinois public school teacher who was fired for a picture of what appeared to be him smoking from a bong on his Facebook page, so I find it laughable that this Wooten guy is still allowed to carry a badge and a gun and that Palin is being criticized by removing the guy who refused to fire his violent/alcoholic ass. Maybe I'm biased because I support the ticket, but I don't see how Palin can be blamed for fighting obvious corruption in the police department just because her extended family fell victim to it. Those are very good points. With the librarian, frankly, I doubt that the local librarian in Wassila was trying to plaster the walls with porn or anything. I guess I lean towards no censorship in libraries at all, barring something like live sex acts or whatever. The trooper was an asshole. But, its not her place to go firing her ex-brother in law. In fact, if she was smart, that would mean she would stay the heck away from that case.

QUOTE (BaseballNick @ Sep 5, 2008 -> 01:33 PM) We won it in '05 without Frank, now we have to win it in '08 without TCQ. This team is plenty good to make a run without Carlos. I like your optimisim, and you may be right, but... this pitching staff is not as good as the 2005 one was. With Linebrink back, the bullpen may be close to as good. But the starting staff isn't, and with Danks looking tired out, its a big drop from 2005's starting 4. Also, this team doesn't have as good a defense. Let's hope the fact that this team has a better offense (which is true, even with out TCQ) than 2005's will make up the difference.

QUOTE (Rex Kicka** @ Sep 5, 2008 -> 12:23 PM) From what I understand, the bill allows a worker to sue if they discover that they are being paid unequally for equal work, beyond the 6 month statutory deadline currently in law. Lily Ledbetter worked for Goodyear for decades and discovered after early retirement, that she appeared to have been paid intentionally less for her factory work because she was a woman, rather than a man. She sued. It went to the Supreme Court. It was thrown out because Goodyear's decision was made (in Ledbetter's case) to emply pay discrimination in 1979, not 1997, when Ledbetter made inquiries and discoveries that indicated this policy. This act would, I believe, eliminate the statutory limit on these actions. If that's all it does, and still requires litigation for determination, then I'd be OK with it. In fact, I see no reason to vote against it in that case.

QUOTE (Alpha Dog @ Sep 5, 2008 -> 12:04 PM) because he f***ed a seal LOL, alaskans are that cold and that bored, huh?

QUOTE (Athomeboy_2000 @ Sep 5, 2008 -> 12:02 PM) I'll post this and let you say what you will, but let the dot connecting begin. 1) National Enquirer Palin Affair Rumor - Sarah Palin had an affair with her husband Todd Palin’s business partner 2) Todd Palin's former business partner files an emergency motion to have his divorce papers sealed. Just keep an eye on this. Under most circumstances, I tend to dismiss National Enquirer stories. They do mostly silly, baseless stuff. But, I said that about the Edwards affair too. It's probably B.S. But I'll be curious to see if any reputable news sources do anything with it.

QUOTE (Jake @ Sep 3, 2008 -> 10:38 PM) Uribe and Cabrera aren't even in the same league as shortstops. Uribe will never approach what Cabrera does in an average year for OC at the plate. As far as defense, OC is just better. People are just fooled by Uribe's flashy plays. The fact is, he's a fatass and that restricts his range. His arm strength helps him sometimes, but arm strength doesn't get you to balls. In 2005, I was one of those who thought wow Uribe must be one of the best shortstops in the league. But he just isn't. Orlando Cabrera is better, and I laugh at people who say that not only is OC's defense inferior to Uribe's, but is so bad that it doesn't make up for his superior hitting. And for those who want to use OPS or HR's to say Uribe last year is better than OC at the plate, the key to statistics is to use all indicators of performance. Cherry-picking the few numbers that contradict the majority doesn't fly with educated fans. Uribe > Cabrera defensively. Not much question in my mind. But yes, Cabrera >>>>> Uribe offensively.

While I don't like the Palin pick on many levels, it occurs to me that it did one very good thing for McCain's campaign (other than the obvious and discussed female vote, and a play towards the social conservatives). By choosing a social conservative, and one who takes up a lot of media spotlight, this move frees up John McCain to go back to being John McCain. On an issue/policy level, he can move a little more towards center, which is more where I think he likes to be (he can do this with Palin out there as the preacher). It also takes some of the pressure off McCain in regards to being some great speaker, and an attack dog. Palin can take on these roles some of the time now, allowing McCain to get more into his own element. I guess that's two good things, really - allowing him to moderate his stances a bit, and taking some fo the media pressure off.

QUOTE (Athomeboy_2000 @ Sep 5, 2008 -> 12:16 PM) Jet for Sale on e-bay... not so true I got to thinking last night in the vacuum of SoxTalklessness, what reputable government official would ACTUALLY sell government property on e-bay? especially a milti-million dollar jet. That's a stunt if you ask me This is the kind of B.S. I was referring to earlier. So McCain made a small misstatement. So Palin may have chosen to use eBay to sell something, which may actually have been a good idea. So the f*** what? How does this relate to McCain or Palin's ability to lead?

I'll wait for some sort of team confirmation. But obviously, losing CQ out of the lineup is pretty big. Not a season killer, but a worry. Honestly, I am still MORE worried about Danks' sudden fall-off and apparent tiredness.

QUOTE (Athomeboy_2000 @ Sep 5, 2008 -> 11:44 AM) Senate Dems to force equal pay vote on McCain Anyone have any good background on what this bill actually does? The link provided here is just a one graf blog entry.