NorthSideSox72

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jun 25, 2008 -> 02:11 PM) You can't have the federal government spend 40x as much money on roads as it does on rails and be surprised that people use the heavily subsidized roads while the nearly unsubsidized rails fail to attract passengers. I didn't mean "surprised", as in, how come they can't function on cents on the dollar. I mean surprised that we aren't emphasizing it more, and also, that private businesses haven't been able to break in. And the latter part, I know some of the reasons there - the few large rail companies own 95% of the rails and won't let others in. Plus those same rail companies don't want passenger traffic screwing up their freight lines.

QUOTE (kapkomet @ Jun 25, 2008 -> 03:03 PM) I just had a conversation a couple of days ago - for all the money talking about infastructure, they need to get on somehting like this. Japan does it, Europe (sort of ) does it... it's time for us to do it. And I don't buy the whole "it's too big" over here crap. Get this done. Regardless of the particular technology chosen, it still amazes (and irritates) me that regional and national passenger rail in this country is so bad. 9/11 and now gas prices are a HUGE opportunity. Amtrak can't get it done, partially because they are such a wreck as a business, and partially because fo the archaic rules they are bound by.

Twins have won 7 straight, and 9 of 10. Nice to see the Sox are still in first after that run. 6 games up on CLE.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Jun 25, 2008 -> 02:38 PM) How many other programs actually operate completely separate from the general fund? I am not sure, but SS should be one of them. More than any other program, it is a trust, and should function as such.

QUOTE (JPN366 @ Jun 25, 2008 -> 01:44 PM) The annual tradition of him being demoted back to W-S hasn't occurred yet. But, it's usually about this time of year. I doubt that happens again, with this group of shortstops in the wings. I think for him, its either the bench, or a release. ETA: I would add, I suppose its possible they promote him to Charlotte this year, as a sort of perform-or-be-gone type move, and to clear room.

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Jun 25, 2008 -> 02:21 PM) agree 100% with him bumping Valido...one thing I hadn't thought of though is that they may just be saving SS in W-S for Beckham. You'd think that once he's signed, which could be shortly after the CWS is over, he'll head there rather than Kanny, because there's no way a hitter of his caliber is going to start in a rookie league. And then by next year, he'll be ready to be the SS for the Barons, if everything goes according to plan. My marginally-educated prediction for whem Beckham signs... --Beckham lands in Kanny. --Escobar goes back to GF. --Miranda goes to W-S. --Valido is benched or released. --Paiml goes to B-Ham. So that, plus Silverio in Bristol, give you your SS stack for the system (Charlotte being a non-factor in terms of the prospects in this case. From the bottom up... Silverio-Escobar-Beckham-Miranda-Paiml. Then in 2009, its all up for grabs. You have to like that list of names, one way or another. That's 4 or 5 legitimate SS prospects there. Miranda is marginal, and so is Paiml, but both have shown success. The other three look like serious talents.

QUOTE (Cknolls @ Jun 25, 2008 -> 01:16 PM) If the brain trust cannot fix the AMT, what makes anyone think that a fix is coming for SS and Medicare? Like I said, it doesn't have to be complicated. AMT is complicated. Doing two very simple things - removing the SS cap and banning use of SS funds for general purposes - would be a clean, complete way to address the problem (at least for the next 75 years). It also provides something that this government is allergic to - SUNLIGHT. The deficit numbers will be closer to reality, if Congress isn't allowed to raid SS.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Jun 25, 2008 -> 12:49 PM) there is no need to raise SS taxes. It was proven during the primaries that simply changing the indexing of increases from wage inflation to general inflation would make the system completely solvent for at least the next 75 years. Why give the government more money, when they simply don't need it? I'll give you a reason - to stop Congress from borrowing from the SS fund. Those calculations on solvency assume access to the full fund. Unfortunately, the government has been dipping in there for a number of years now, for other spending. so really, its not as solvent as that math makes it seem. The smart thing to do, IMO, is to remove the SS cap, and at the same time, put a permanent stop on borrowing SS funds for other purposes. Long run, I'd like to see some privitization of SS anyway. But for now, you need to at least but some protections in place to guarantee its financial stability.

QUOTE (scenario @ Jun 25, 2008 -> 01:42 PM) They just brought up Eduardo Escobar from Great Falls. Escobar has played SS the last 3 games and they wanted to keep Miranda's bat in the lineup. Interesting. I doubt they expect to keep Miranda and Escobar both there for long - they are both considered future SS's. One will be moved soon. Miranda seems ready to go back to W-S, but, Paiml is doing quite well there. The only place in the system with a SS hole, maybe, is B-Ham with Valido. Plus Silverio is starting off so hot. Should be interesting to see what happens to the SS stack as the season goes on.

Miranda 1-for-3, his avg now up to .298. OBP is above .375. He looks back to form again, after a horrible start at W-S. But, why is he at DH so much lately?

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Jun 25, 2008 -> 01:26 PM) http://www.poorandstupid.com/2008_06_22_ch...368161190802707 There aren't many tax increases I'd support. In fact, I can think of only two that have been suggested that I'd be OK with. One of them is lifting the SS cap, because the tax is so regressive as it currently stands. That said, I cannot figure out why he's using a lateral on this. If you want to lift or remove the cap, then do that. Why move it over to the payroll tax, apply it to a different level, and raise the rate? Just a bizarre strategy if you ask me.

QUOTE (BearSox @ Jun 20, 2008 -> 12:52 PM) Oh please. I would be absolutelty shocked if any one of the hundreds of people we have contained there don't absolutely despise America and/or haven't funded terrorist organizations, if not actually be a part of one of the many terrorist groups. If it was up to me, I'd probably have them lined up in a striaght line, and shot with one of those bullets that goes straight through, so we dont waste any ammo. I'd also have the lawyers defending these terrorists executed as well for aiding terrorism. This post, and particularly the bolded part, is sickening. In fact, I find it distinctly Unamerican and downright hateful. The defense lawyers assigned by the government to those who are probably guilty of apalling things, are doing one of the hardest and most admirable jobs in this country's justice system. They deserve our praise for taking on a job that few would want, and that will result in immense ridicule from the nutjobs who don't understand the purpose of certain Constitutional freedoms. SCOTUS says they get a trial. That decided, some AMERICAN CITIZEN attorney will have to defend them. And you want to see them executed. Truly, no exaggeration, this is one of the worst posts I've ever seen in this forum.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jun 19, 2008 -> 01:31 PM) Italy fires out an oil company windfall tax. As a general rule, following the political lead of Italy is usually a bad idea.

still in.

QUOTE (Heads22 @ Jun 17, 2008 -> 09:56 PM) So, through two days of little league umping... the coaches are MASSIVE tools. I ump'ed little league when I was in high school. I once had to break up a fight behind the backstop... it was the two head coaches. Embarrassing. Parents and/or coaches get waaaaaaaaay too involved in those games. Its like they are trying to live out their own little dreams that were dashed decades ago.

QUOTE (Ozzie Ball @ Jun 18, 2008 -> 08:20 AM) Gerst stole a base he wasn't caught stealing. You are correct.

QUOTE (joeynach @ Jun 18, 2008 -> 01:46 AM) Umm don't hydrogen fuel cell cars emit Water Vapor as their exhaust. I know its a naturally occurring substance, but doesn't anyone remember that Water Vapor is a greenhouse gas. Actually I believe its the most greenhouse inducing gas on this planet, meaning it traps more radiant heat than CO2. Sounds like a waste to me, all it does is not run on gasoline, it still would case and/or make global warming worse. I will wait for Balta or FlaSoxx or some other scientist to pipe in, but, I am thinking that the overall impact of a small amount of water vapor is a lot less negative than the chemical soup that currently comes out of cars.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jun 17, 2008 -> 04:51 PM) Rep Issa, R-CA. During discussion on a resolution recognizing the late Tim Russert. Asshole.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jun 17, 2008 -> 09:27 PM) Take a good guess. Hmmm...which side of the aisle might uniformly oppose any extension or expansion of tax credits for any sort of renewable energy? (The non-voting 4 would not have made a difference). I still don't get it. I mean, obviously, I see that the GOP is again being stupid about this and doing everything possible to keep us in the stone age. But what specific senator are you saying made the difference here?

Game Preview *ahem* GO YOU WHITE SOX!

Game reviews for the two rookie clubs... Great Falls won big, 9-0 over Helena. Among players worth keeping an eye on (some of the starters at GF are really just slot holders, until other draftees are signed)... Kuhn (08 15th rd): 0-0, BB, R (PH) KW2 (08 6th rd): 0-0, BB, R (PH) Mahin: 1-5, R, SB Cheatham: 3-5, 2B, 3 RBI, R Thennis (08 27th rd): 1-5, HR, 2 RBI Guillen: 0-3 Gerst: 0-3, BB, 2 K, CS Skogley (W, 1-0): 7 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 8 K Bristol lost to Johnson City, 6-3, but in 12 innings, so it was a close game. A few details... Short (08 28th rd): 1-4, 2B, BB, 3 K Castillo (08 26th rd): 2-4 The Legend of Juan Silverio: 2-4, 2B, 3 RBI, E Kendall (07 11th rd, DNP in 07 due to injury): 2-5, SB, CS, E Harrell (on rehab): 3 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 5 K Asselin (08 30th rd): 2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K Mota (converted OF), L (0-1): 1 IP, 3 H, 3 ER, 1 BB, 1 K (also 1 balk and 2 wild pitches)

How a starter with a 6.65 ERA has a .500 record is beyond me. Time for his luck to run out. MB's been solid in 5 of his last 6 starts, and he has a 2.05 ERA in three starts in June. He should keep rolling against PIT. Game Preview *clears throat* GO YOU WHITE SOX!!!

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jun 17, 2008 -> 06:30 PM) Hmmmm, someone in the Senate has now repeatedly killed several attempts to bring forward versions of this legislation using a technique I believe known as the filibuster. I wonder who that might be and why they might be doing this. One of the reasons cited repeatedly for why things like wind power have been unable to get off the ground in the U.S. compared to Europe is that the government keeps extending and then canceling tax credits for it. So the fact that these tax credits are stuck in limbo and possibly going to expire is a real impediment to building any sort of alternative energy system. Any idea who it is?

And, since we apparently can't let it die... we're closed. if this garbage finds its way into another thread, there will be more action taken than just closing the thread.

Lots of new names on the GF roster. New signees added include... 3/86 Morel, Brent Cal Poly San Luis Obispo 3B 4/120 O'Neil, Andrew Penn St U RHP 6/180 Williams, Kenneth Wichita St U CF 9/270 Strauss, Ryan Florida St U RHP 10/300 Sauer, Stephen Arizona St U RHP 15/450 Kuhn, Tyler West Virginia U SS 18/540 Billeaud, Joshua U Southern Mississippi RHP I'll update the list again.