NorthSideSox72

QUOTE (Texsox @ May 29, 2008 -> 07:59 AM) Isn't that sad. I use the babysitter test. Which First couple would I want babysitting my kids? In my lifetime, I'd have to go with either the Carters or the elder Bush. Bill and Hillary would be at the bottom of the list. Of the current crop of candidates, I'd probably just stay home and watch them myself. But if that was not an option Obama = McCain > Clinton Based on that test, I think I'd trust McCain or Obama over most of the recent Presidents. Exceptions: Carter and Bush I.

Minny came back in the 9th to beat KC. So... 29-23, +2 on MIN, +5.5 on CLE, +7.5 on DET, +8.5 on KC

QUOTE (JPN366 @ May 28, 2008 -> 09:04 PM) The Barons are trying to secure a playoff spot at the moment and he is the 3 hitter in that lineup. Charlotte can wait. B'ham's magic number for a playoff spot is 12. Charlotte has plenty of boppers in the lineup. You don't take a good hitter away from a competitive team to promote him to an average team at best. That would be a like a punch to the gut for B'ham. Collaro was promoted to Charlotte beacause it didn't hurt B'ham's chemistry. QUOTE (whitesoxfan101 @ May 29, 2008 -> 12:13 AM) This logic is ridiculous. Cook is running out of time already as a guy who turns 27 later this summer, ancient by minor league standards, plus he already has proven that AA pitching can't touch him. The minor league system isn't about winning (crazy but true), it's about finding talent and promoting it as it proves itself. David Cook at AA is pretty ridiculous, he should be in Charlotte. Right now, with Richar and Uribe in rehab in Charlotte, its too crowded anyway. Conveniently, that also allows for the Barons to have Cook a little longer, to clinch that first half playoff spot. Happy coincidence that helps everyone. But I'd bet in a week or two, when Uribe and Richar are fully healed, and maybe we'll see Cook moved to AAA. But here is the issue - where would he play? The Charlotte OF would be Bourgoeis-Owens-Wise, so, I suppose you can put JB on the infield. But where? Its just very crowded down there. I suppose its possible they might release Jeff Liefer, who usually is at DH. He's old, isn't doing well at AAA, and would allow Cook to DH and play a little OF here and there.

QUOTE (BearSox @ May 28, 2008 -> 11:02 PM) This is just an obvious play for money if I've ever seen one. Most likely. Unless he wanted to go back into government service again, because this pretty much precludes that. But that's not even the real question anyway. The important question is, are the allegations true? Certainly they fit the pattern of what this administration has done. But its possible he may have exaggerated things, or embelished. Who knows? I'd like to see some folks vet out the book a bit, try to corroborate some things.

Found that town - Bradgate, Iowa. Here is the Wiki page, and an article about the 2004 tornado that destroyed three quarters of the town's homes. I can't find anything about the older tornado in the town, or a town website. But that's the one. Destroyed by tornadoes twice, still people living there.

Anyone hear anything about Donny Lucy? He was injured on May 1st, it was called a dislocated knee cap, and I can't find any word at all about his situation. Heck, on the Charlotte Knights website, he's still listed as "Active" on the roster.

QUOTE (Chisoxfn @ May 28, 2008 -> 06:34 PM) Ford has done an awesome job with the Escape Hybrid. In terms of the market for smaller SUV's they were ahead of the game (as I'm pretty sure that was the first hybrid SUV out on the market and was actually one of the first hybrid vehicles as well). It will be interesting to see Saturns as this will compete with the Escape (in the small SUV market). The key to me is in the description of SUV's, while the Saturn/Escape are SUV's, you still aren't talking about the big boys of the SUV world (in terms of sales and therefor drivers) which is the Ford Explorers, Tahoe/Yukon, Honda Pilot's, Toyota Highlander (its nice to see Toyota coming out with there hybrid), Nissan Pathfinders, and 4Runners of the world. You can easily pinpoint those vehicles as making up probably 90% of the SUV market (maybe I'm exaggerating but its probably close to that). Right now the options are the Highlander (which is a solid car, comparable to the Pilot which I drive and based on what I get in mileage, you are talking about a 32% increase). I think this is a step in the right direction. Again, the next step and the key step is to have these hybrid versions priced at a similar cost to the non hybrid version (I think as these hybrid options become more mainscale and as technology increases as well as economies of scale being reached, we could see a hybrid costing maybe 1K more and at that point for a 32% increase in fuel efficiency you are talking about a no-brainer and the beginning of hybrids becoming the standard vehicle purchased. The Lexus version is essentially the more luxurious Highlander and its nice to see Lexus spreading the wealth (Lexus has added a lot of hybrids to there line of vehicles and again the current problem is structured on the cost/benefit factor which consumers need to consider, imo (ie, cost of hybrid up front and payback period). I posted a thread in here back around December or January, right before we bought our Ford Escape Hybrid. I laid out the math, and did payback period calcs based on gas at $3.00, $3.50 and $4.00 a gallon, including the tax rebate. for $4, the payback period, depending on arrival of tax time, was a year or so. And we're above that now. But, that math is different in each scenario - my scenario was the FEH versus my current SUV (which was a V6 Saturn VUE with the Red Line Honda engine, at the time), and looking at the non-hybrid Escape versus the hybrid for the cost difference. Someone else making a different change of vehicle would have different results. But for us, it was a no-brainer, and I'm really glad we did it. We'll be making money on the deal by a year in.

QUOTE (Chisoxfn @ May 28, 2008 -> 06:12 PM) I drive an SUV now and I'm looking hard at switching to a car and every time I really think about it, I get pissed at the fact that there just isn't a more fuel efficient SUV. Heck, most of the cars I'm looking at aren't all the fuel efficient. And like I said, I have no desire to drive a Civic/Prius Hybrid (nor do I want to spend the assloads in additional costs to get the Prius or Civic). I absolutely love being able to go up to the mountains when I snowboard (pile in all the people and boards and go). I also prefer sitting up higher and being able to look out on the road (visibility) and quite frankly I love the fact that when I haul crap I can actually fit it in my car and not make special trips. I have a Honda Pilot so its not like a huge V8 guzzler and its my favorite car I've ever owned (I love the s*** out of it and drive the s*** out of it too; pretty long commute to a couple of my main clients). Still, if I want a car, I'd want it to be a sporty car and that means no to the Prius/Civics of the world. Ford Escape Hybrid: 30/34 Saturn VUE Green Line, out this fall: 34/32 Toyota Highlander: 27/25 Lexus RX 400h: 27/24

QUOTE (Texsox @ May 28, 2008 -> 05:46 PM) 18 months ago, SUVs ruled the world. That was what was selling and what Americans seemed to want. Whenever we can go big, we go big. This is sort of my point - its been a huge weakness for American car companies for decades now. They react to the current trends, instead of thinking ahead. When they started planning for a Tahoe hybrid, SUV's were king of the world. But that sort of thing never lasts long, and even 3 or 4 years ago, there was every indication of two things - rising oil/gas prices, and the curve away from larger SUV's and going to small and mid-size SUV's. Those trends were already well underway. The smart money, since it takes years to put a car to market, is to go with where things will be - not where they are. Plus, trends aside, you get almost no value by hybridizing a giant SUV. You won't gain new customers who are looking for fuel efficiency, because that 20-22 number is still far too low. Your main market segment who wants a giant playground/grocery-getter, or the ones who actually have a use for an SUV, are going to buy it regardless. And you may actually scare off some regular customers who don't to spend the extra dough up front. So really, what possible value were they getting out of going that direction? As far as I can tell, the answer is, none.

Charlotte @ Rochester, in pre-game, looks like Wes Whisler (5-2, 2.68) is starting according to the box score (Tomo Ohka is listed on the scoreboard preview) Jacksonville beat B-Ham, 4-2. Details... Cook: 0-1, 3 BB, R (pitchers just seem to be going around him now) J Castillo: 1-3, HR, BB, 2 RBI Valido: 0-3, K, his 13th error resulted in 3 of the 4 runs scored by Jacksonville, giving Cassel a tough loss Cassel (L, 3-3): 7 IP, 9 H, 4 R (1 ER), 1 BB, 4 K Lujan: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 0 K Myrtle Beach @ Winston-Salem: postponed by rain. Kanny is off.

Here it is... Do your best/worst, Busterites.

QUOTE (lostfan @ May 28, 2008 -> 04:03 PM) For whatever it's worth, McClellan is saying that he was misled and he really believed the stuff he was saying and later realized it was BS. That's possible. The only info I have is what he has said, so, I have no specific reason to disbelieve him. It may be bulls*** - I couldn't tell you.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ May 28, 2008 -> 12:10 PM) There are much better VP options if you're focused on picking up Ohio. Probably. I never said otherwise.

QUOTE (Chisoxfn @ May 28, 2008 -> 03:14 PM) The problem with the 2nd generation Prius is that 100MPG hype is just that. I've read numerous articles that the 100MPG ratings are based on an outdated rating system and the reality is your talking about a 46-60 MPG automobile. Again, that is great mileage, but it isn't a significant improvement over the first generation. The better idea is to start getting these rolled out in all the product lines to the point that the companies can reach economy of scale which lowers the payback period of these vehicles (as a lot of hybrids still aren't wise fiscal purchases for those that don't plan on keeping a car for 5 or 6 years). In addition, I don't want a f***ing Prius, so if I have the option to get that sort of milegae in a car I like, good. GM does this with the Hybrid Tahoe, but again, it is so much more than the standard one. I think Hybrid will be the gap until we develop good battery power and at that point, we won't need filling stations or anything (we'll have batteries which can power a vehicle for hundreds of miles at a time and take very little time to recharge). Again, this is a bit into the future, but a lot of the capabilities are there. You appear to be misinformed here on some things. First, the Prius already gets 48 to 50 MPG, in the CURRENT version. You can look at the vehicle stickers, with the current (tougher) rating systems, to confirm that. Second, the 2nd gen cars are still in prototype mode, so of course its all hype no one knows for sure what it will actually be. But if the current car gets 48, which it does, then the new tech sure as heck won't be 46-60 (or else they wouldn't bother with all that investment). And as for GM's hybrid Tahoe, its really not even remotely comparable to a Prius, or any other hybrid that gets 30 to 50, or even other hybrid SUV's like Saturn's or Ford's that get 25 to 35. The hybrid Tahoe gets 20 to 22, and that's according to GM's estimates, which are sure to be liberal. That hybrid is still worse in economy than most regular cars. Why on earth GM made the poor business decision to go to the Tahoe for their first hybrid, when people are running away from those vehicles at this point, is something I don't even understand. As usual, the American car companies don't seem to get it. The one thing in your post I do completely agree with though, is that hybrid tech is a bridge to other things. Electric cars will become a major factor in the relatively near future.

QUOTE (Rex Kicka** @ May 28, 2008 -> 12:46 PM) If I was able to figure it out and I was working in the basement of a radio station in Michigan, a dude running the White House press office should have been able to figure it out too. I just don't buy this argument. You cannot compare the experiences of you or I, to his, in this instance. While you and I may both have seen what we felt was the real reason for war, and seen how weak the evidence was, that was based on information we had available too us. McClellan had all that info, but also probably, was given a lot more. And that more part may have been info that led him to believe that it was the right move. All I am saying is, we can't know if that was the case or not - until more facts come out. It is not entirely out of the realm of possibility that McClellan was misled.

QUOTE (StrangeSox @ May 28, 2008 -> 09:51 AM) What more do you want? It's all over the press and the internet. Seriously. Seems to me, at least lately, that its Obama's gaffes that are all over the news, and not McCain's (even though he has made them too).

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ May 28, 2008 -> 10:47 AM) Who gives a s*** how they advertise, even if it was on purpose. Even if the ad was in arabic, I don't care. Thank you.

QUOTE (Rex Kicka** @ May 28, 2008 -> 10:52 AM) It's still bulls***. If it's that morally outrageous for you now, when you're cashing in with a book deal, it should have been morally outrageous for you then, when you actually had something to lose by standing up for it. Depending on the extent, yes. Seems to me, at least from the reading I have done, that most people that weren't in the inner circle were told things that made it all seem logical, even if it was some seriously poor judgement. Now, one could say that people like McClellan may have intentionally turned a blind eye, just going on what they were given - probably true. I'm not saying he's golden on this, but, I think his sins pale in comparison to the decision makers.

Let's see if the conservative PC = BAD crowd shows up to protest this one. I doubt it. In this case, I'm guessing those same conservatives will all be just fine with this specific use of political correctness. And so the f*** what if it was a kefiyah. I mean really.

QUOTE (Rex Kicka** @ May 28, 2008 -> 11:30 AM) There have been plenty of enclaves in the past where people never bothered to learn English, or never bothered to assimilate. And that is the case with many first generation immigrants. It's why there are strong Chinese communities in New York City, it's why there are Polish and Russian radio stations in Chicago. Hell, its why Delta advertises in Russian on billboards in Coney Island. The first generation is not as apt to assimilate as its children. I live in a very hispanic neighborhood. The parents might not speak English well, but the kids do. In fact the kids don't really speak Spanish all that well. If we're really concerned about foreign workers coming in and taking over our culture, maybe we need to stop allowing our employers to encourage that labor pool. And historically, the government didn't try to learn their languages. That fact was among the reasons why the youth then adapted - because they had to. If not, the business of the country would have become much more difficult and costly.

QUOTE (FlaSoxxJim @ May 28, 2008 -> 10:45 AM) McClellan would have had a whole lot more integrity and credibility if he had resigned as press secretary, rather than spending three years parroting the administration lines that he now finds so disagreeable. A$$hole. That was his job. And its one of the reasons why that job is so tough.

QUOTE (Cknolls @ May 28, 2008 -> 10:35 AM) But how many "gaffes" does one person get before you question them? 1.) 57 States 2.) Arabic translators in Afghanistan 3.) Uncle Auschwitz 4.) I see dead people. 5.) "I'm not very well known in Kentucky, Sen. Clinton is much better known coming from a nearby state of Arkansas. I think Illinois is even closer Senator, like border close. 6.) 1965 Selma march inspired his 1961 birth. Would anyone honestly deny that Olbertool would have a field day with this material if MCCain was the speaker? The point is, the MSM already DOES have a field day, because McCain has had just as many gaffes. To focus on those things, for either candidate, is pointless. Its one of the reasons why we end up with such lousy politicians so often, in my view. People focus on the irrelevant little things, and ignore the bigger, more important, but also more complex things. And what the heck is #4 about anyway? I see dead people? Did I miss something?

QUOTE (jackie hayes @ May 28, 2008 -> 10:32 AM) But the statement was that Tex would learn Spanish adequately because he was surrounded with it. If he moved to an area with a large English-speaking community, went to bars that beamed English-language broadcasts on the tvs, and had access to English-language newspapers at the Siete-Once every morning, I don't see how he would be surrounded by Spanish, at all. No little once-weekly English (or Spanish) class is going to overcome that. We can criticize people for living in such a community, but asking people to live in enforced loneliness is something I could never honestly demand of anyone. Enforced loneliness? If you move to a community, or a country, where the dominant language isn't one you know... you can learn it if you make the effort. Or, you can choose loneliness. But here in this case, we have a community who speaks majority Spanish, in a county/state/country that is majority English. So it goes beyond just that. A choice has to be made about how to bridge the gap, or whether to bridge it at all. Any path you take will have costs and issues - but IMO, the path of English will cause the fewest problems in the long run, for government purposes.

QUOTE (ROC Sox Fan @ May 27, 2008 -> 08:06 PM) Uribe started his rehab stint with Charlotte tonight. Interestingly, Richar has started at shortstop the past two games (makes sense with Uribe there, but yesterday Getz started). They are trying to get Richar his recovery time, but still play Getz, who is also a secondbaseman. Also interesting, Getz was in the outfield last night. Probably all due to having Uribe and Richar down there, but maybe also a chance they are trying out Getz in a utility role. Seeing if he can play some OF.

QUOTE (Tony82087 @ May 27, 2008 -> 04:59 PM) Sounds like we got some premadonas on this club this year. If they win, I could give two s***s, but you obviously don't like hearing about it. plural? I'm not ready to indict Dotel yet, since there is no information out there as to what that was even about.