NorthSideSox72

Looks like you can just vote once per email identity. Voted. Go Lexi!

QUOTE (robinventura23 @ Jul 8, 2008 -> 03:10 PM) As per Twitter: Ugh. That sucks for Pablo. He really seems to love the game and his teammates. Must be hard to go through.

Here is a "cool standings" tidbit to think about... this team was at one time 20-22, if I recall. They are now 51-37 - or 31-15 since that time (a huge .674 clip). 46 games is more than a hot streak. Once this team's offense started to improve a bit, they took off. Unless the pitching implodes, I think this team is projectable to a pretty huge season.

QUOTE (kapkomet @ Jul 8, 2008 -> 02:48 PM) Why would anyone want to practice medicine in Canada if they choose to get a visa, get an American education, and make more money here? Furthermore, why is it that everyone wants to come here to practice medicine? That's why my "free healthcare for everyone" was in quotes, by the way, because it doesn't exist, you're right... but that's what people think (uneducated nonetheless) when they hear the Democrat plans for medical plans. That's an endemic problem - low pay for Canadian medical professionals. But its not endemic per se to gov't healthcare. Or, put another way, it doesn't have to be. Energy policy is the #1 issue in American politics, IMO. But Health Care is in the top few, and is actually much more complex. There are a lot of problems and a lot of potential paths to take, and a lot to unwind. I'm not saying gov't run healthcare is the solution - just that pointing at the Canadian model, and intimating that all social medicine is bad because Canada's is bad, is short-sighted and inaccurate.

QUOTE (Athomeboy_2000 @ Jul 8, 2008 -> 02:43 PM) McCain Responds to Maliki's Call for an Iraq Withdrawal Timetable OOPS! Looks like a shift in position to me. They asked us to leave... his response: "well... umm... conditions on the ground are what matter most, not what they ask" I just don't see a flip-flop here. He's said we'd stay as long as necessary, given the conditions on the ground. He has said that consistently. But, and here is the key, I think he'd be stupid to not take the Iraqi's desires into account. Its good policy for all sorts of reasons. So, that should be a mitigating factor in his decision. And that's what he's seeming to do. We've had 7 years now of a failed Presidency, in part because this President doesn't understand the concepts of compromise and adjustment. This is a key example where both these candidates are more willing to adjust to changing conditions in making their decisions. If the Iraqis suddenly stand up and say "we're ready, time to start getting you guys out of here", then any President with half a brain cell should take that heavily into account. Look, I'm still probably voting for Obama, for a number of reasons. And both these guys have shown some recent flip-flops (Obama on telecom immunity, McCain on some energy stuff, as examples) that bother me. But in this case, I think McCain's camp is handling it pretty well.

QUOTE (scenario @ Jul 8, 2008 -> 02:32 PM) I could picture Pablo ending up in St. Louis. Didn't he start in the Cards' org? Touted as their future SS at one time, until his age was revealed to be incorrect and his numbers slipped too?

QUOTE (kapkomet @ Jul 8, 2008 -> 01:20 PM) And the "free healthcare for everyone" crowd will tell you that's an exception. I certainly hope there isn't a "free healthcare for everyone crowd", because no such thing exists - anywhere. One thing that I think is interesting about that story, though... its an indictment of the Canadian health care system, but that's not the same as saying its an indictment of socialized medicine. I can see lots of reasons for socialized medicine being problematic, but the long wait times for care in Canada aren't necessarily a result of the government running health care. If they have a shortage of doctors and nurses, then that's the problem. That can be addressed any number of ways. If the system itself artificially keeps the number of specialists down, to cut costs or discourage heavy use, then that's a problem too (and just plain stupid). But neither one of those problems is a definite issue with socialized medicine. It may or may not be, depending on how it is implemented.

Fave Pablo moment: that time a squirrel got out onto the field, and while all the other players milled around, Pablo tried to catch it with his glove. I have no idea what he thought he was going to do with it if he caught it, but, it was a valiant and humorous effort.

QUOTE (Athomeboy_2000 @ Jul 8, 2008 -> 12:19 PM) Pay attention to how this plays out: Is McCain Poised To 'Refine His Position' On Iraq? So, if McCain says we must stay... hmmm... Again, you are really stretching here. Where is the flip-flop?

Sad, but really it was the best solution. We'll see if someone picks him up.

QUOTE (thedoctor @ Jul 8, 2008 -> 12:06 PM) speaking of richar, what is his status? Healthy and improving with the bat. Numbers recovering. They are juggling Getz and Richar, to get them both playing time, as they are both doing well (Richar lately, Getz for most of the season). Bourgeois is heating up too. So if Uribe gets traded later, there are definitely some options at Charlotte.

GP- Thanks for these threads. Truly, good stuff. Great discussion column. I may not always agree with your take, but, the topics are solid and so is the writing. Now, be warned, I'm about to dig into you on one of your previous column points. Not disparaging your columns - just calling out a specific point you made. In a previous column, you stated that YOU could hit Gavin Floyd. I'm wondering what your thoughts are on his breakout season thus far? Was it a fluke? Did he change some things that you have observed, that have allowed him to be successful? Is he just better than most of us thought? And most importantly... could you hit a Gavin Gloyd curveball? Seriously though, keep up the columns. Great stuff. -NSS

You lost me. What does this have to do with DC liars?

QUOTE (WISOX @ Jul 8, 2008 -> 11:53 AM) Just like this?? You might get more discussion from folks if you explained how that was related to this story. Was that branded on someone by a teacher or something?

QUOTE (Rex Kicka** @ Jul 8, 2008 -> 11:47 AM) Kinda cool. I love that Barack and I are on first name terms. That's quite cool. I might have to attend one of those.

QUOTE (earthshiner @ Jul 8, 2008 -> 11:48 AM) I'd hate to see a bench with only one back up IF. Gotta have flexibility. 1B is a non-issue, so you're really only talking about 2B-SS-3B. And Ozuna wasn't very good at any of those, in fact was downright bad the one time I've seen him play SS. Uribe can cover all three, and if the crap hits the fan, they'll figure something out. That would really only be a one game scenario anyway.

So, any time now, we should hear about what they plan to do with the 25. Jenks to the DL? Russell, Wise or Anderson to AAA? Ozuna or Uribe traded or released? Should be interesting.

QUOTE (Princess Dye @ Jul 8, 2008 -> 01:36 AM) the fact that Quentin is lighter (and rehabbing or about to rehab injuries) makes me want to air worries that would get me killed on these boards. that, and his dentist-visit style interviewing. these worries are definitely something i want lost in a Catch-All. Actually, I think he was saying that he was 10 to 15 pounds lighter THEN, not now. Still, from what I have read, I think Carlos is one who is constantly messing with stances and swings anyway.

Its been discussed here, in an indirect way. Today, the Trib published an off day article, analyzing the case - is the 2008 team better than the 2005 team? Linky.

QUOTE (mr_genius @ Jul 7, 2008 -> 08:23 PM) Interesting point I heard today. If we go with McCain's plan to juice up our nuclear capacity it will create 700,000 new jobs and we can cut the trade deficit on energy. I'm OK with some new nuke power, but you could say the same thing about various other non-fossil fuel energies as well, but with less long term impact on the environment and lower upfront costs. Just sayin', that's not something magical to just nuclear power.

QUOTE (GoSox05 @ Jul 8, 2008 -> 08:44 AM) http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080708/ap_on_...teacher_bible_2 How could anyone in their right mind support that kind of thing?

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Jul 8, 2008 -> 07:20 AM) So giving people more health care, and less reason to be judicious about the care they seek is going to improve those conditions? While I agree with your general point, you do open up an interesting sub-set here... Under the current system, where most have health insurance, there is already very little incentive to be judicious about it. Just something to keep in mind. Really, when you look at the whole issue, the fact that there are insurance providers sitting between consumers and health care providers is the cause of many of the roadblocks to a good solution. But, you really have to have it - its a necessary evil. This is the crux of the issue, IMO.

Rochester @ Charlotte, in warm-ups, Lance Broadway with the start (and Konerko at 1B, for probably his last rehab game) B-Ham @ Huntsville, also in warm-ups, Torres starting Kinston @ Winston-Salem in Game 1 of a doubleheader, Kinston up 7-3 in the 3rd. Ely got rocked early - 7 runs (5 earned) in 1.1 IP. Kinston @ Winston-Salem in Game 2 after Game 1 concludes. Santeliz scheduled to start that one. Kanny @ Columbus, just underway. Rice is starting, and Matt Inouye is ready to rock your socks. The Appy and Pioneer leagues are both off - no Bristol or GF today.

QUOTE (kapkomet @ Jul 7, 2008 -> 03:25 PM) This election is particularly difficult for me. McCain is an assmunch and Obama is 100% not what he shows himself to be. I understand the frustration with politics as they are right now, and with each of these candidates. But I don't get how this election is so hard for you. To me, and most people I've spoken with about it, this choice is a lot better than the ones we got the last few elections.

QUOTE (whitesoxbrian @ Jul 7, 2008 -> 02:48 PM) Barring any rain-outs, in the remaining 10 games vs the Cubs, the Brewers will only throw CC once against the Cubs. Also, Sabathia will make most of his August starts on the road. Assuming their rotation remains completely unaltered, which is at best a 50/50 proposition.