NorthSideSox72

QUOTE (PorkChopExpress @ May 28, 2008 -> 09:24 AM) Swisher may not be a great PTC today. Swisher is out, Wise gets the start in CF per gameday. My PTC: D Wise.

QUOTE (Texsox @ May 28, 2008 -> 09:21 AM) As far as businesses, as noted in the article, many spring up that speak Spanish and make money. We expect private business to offer customer service for their customers, but we demand that government does not offer that same service. We point to how inefficient government is, but when they start acting like a private company, we complain. Read again the living conditions they are enduring to pick our crops. You think $4.00 per gallon gas sucks, we can drive less. Food costs are something we cannot escape. I really don't see what that second graf has to do with this discussion, so, I'll pass on that. As for business vs government in the language issue, private business can do whatever the heck they want. But if governments allow regionalized languages to become prevalent, you are making a whole lot of businesses that are non-local a lot less efficient. You are adding costs in the long run.

Our corner infielders have indeed made a few more errors this year than we are used to seeing from them. Hopefully its an aberration, and not a trend. But I really don't see that one play as something to get all worked up about. And I guess I don't recall the other two blown run-downs.

QUOTE (jackie hayes @ May 28, 2008 -> 09:09 AM) Huh? The society they are surrounded by uses Spanish "overwhelmingly", according to the article. It is a much bigger challenge than you are letting on. I've known people who took such courses, and really they still can't function without a translator. Languages are very tough to pick up as an adult. I don't think you can look at this issue in a community-level vacuum. The reality nowadays is that people are more transient, and get around a lot more. I'd bet that in that county, and that state, English is far and away the primary language. If communities start cobbling together different primary languages as an expectation of base communication, that will start to add enormous costs and problems to businesses all over the country.

QUOTE (kyyle23 @ May 28, 2008 -> 10:09 AM) So we need a 4th backup 1st baseman/DH? I didnt know that If Konerko is DL'd, since I'm pretty sure we're not playing Thome at 1B except in interleague, the only real 1B on the team to back him up is Swish. Playing Swish there and Anderson in CF isn't a bad idea either, but picking up Hatteberg or Eldred may be equally useful. And I forgot to add earlier, Eldred can just be called up then sent back down - Hatteberg needs to be signed to a contract, and may not have any options left.

QUOTE (Jenks Heat @ May 28, 2008 -> 08:53 AM) Pick him up and DL Konerko, he could then be the lacking bat off the bench when Konerko comes back. Am I the only one that thinks this move makes too much sense? Hatteberg does have some potential it seems - his career lines remind me a lot of Ross Gload. But I think Eldred could give you something similar for less. Hatteberg's advantage is that he hits lefty, but Eldred has the advantage of age (Eldred is 27, Hatteberg is 38 - pretty darn old).

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ May 28, 2008 -> 08:45 AM) I don't see Indiana in play for Obama no matter who he puts on his ticket. Hillary had a chance at it with Bayh on the ticket, but it just isn't going to happen against the GOP. And if he somehow does win Indiana, it won't matter because he will win the election by Reagan-esque proportions. Probably. When I say "in play", I mean that an Obama/Bayh ticket makes it close in IN. Probably not a win, but a race nonetheless, and the outside chance of a win. Bayh may also help with OH.

QUOTE (BigSqwert @ May 28, 2008 -> 08:31 AM) From TPM: The caveat provided there is everything. I mean, I'm sorry, but this is a ridiculous stretch. We are saying that it somehow reflects badly on John McCain that one of this economic advisers lobbies for a major Intl bank, which also happens to have an arm (private banking - 100% unrelated to mortgage banking, BTW) that may or may not be under some legal scrutiny?

QUOTE (Athomeboy_2000 @ May 28, 2008 -> 08:23 AM) I am not sure if thi shas been posted or not, but... http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24844889 Why is this such a problem? I mean, I'm no Phil Gramm fan, so I'm not sure I think he's a great choice for McCain in that role. But if you are going to have people on your economics committee, then chances are, some will be current or former lobbyists - that isn't necessarily a bad thing.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ May 28, 2008 -> 08:11 AM) If Obama is the nominee, he doesn't need Bayh. I'm not so sure, and in fact I think Bayh could be more useful to Obama than he is to Clinton. I think Bayh presents some nice advantages for him - Indiana then is in play, for example. Not that I think Bayh is the most likely guy, I don't, but I'd bet he's on an initial list.

QUOTE (BigSqwert @ May 28, 2008 -> 08:04 AM) Of the handful of people I know that have seen it, none have told me I should go check it out. It just doesn't even touch any of the previous three - not even Temple of Doom.

QUOTE (Athomeboy_2000 @ May 28, 2008 -> 08:05 AM) This warrants it's own thread in my opinion. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24848910/ Not surprising to those paying attention. But, yet another nail in the coffin of Bush's "legacy", in the view of the public.

QUOTE (ChiSox_Sonix @ May 28, 2008 -> 08:02 AM) Gas has dropped roughly 7 dollars since last thursday to 128/barrel yet prices are still going up... i can't tell what you are trying to say here... 128/barrel looks like an oil price, not gas. And gas prices, if you mean what you see at the pump, are always lagged behind oil price changes. Plus as we hit summer, the gas mix changes, and gets pricier for that reason as well.

Saw Indy last night. The phrases "ham-handed" and "over-the-top" are understatements.

QUOTE (daa84 @ May 28, 2008 -> 08:50 AM) cook is old, especially for AA, but hes an interesting guy as he has always had solid plate discipline and good power...id like to see what he can do at AAA...the guy is almost 27, its not like wed be rushing him♠ When you see a guy like that, who struggled through a first few years in the low minors, then suddenly takes off the last couple (which he has)... you have to wonder if he's "figured it out", or if he's just outgrown his cohorts. A trip through AAA should tell us which it is. And unlike some folks, I personally have no problem with a guy who is 28 at AAA and raking, if he really did just take a few extra years to figure things out. If he can contribute at the major league level, even if he's in his late 20's, so be it. Maybe not as ideal as a 22 year old, but still of value.

QUOTE (WilliamTell @ May 27, 2008 -> 05:40 PM) I'm going to try to figure this out because I'm interested in seeing what town it was. If I had to take a guess I would guess Eagle Grove or Goldfield. I'll do some research into it though. Thor could be a possibility as well. Did you stay in this town for the night or just pass on through? Pass-through. And its a very small town. I think we were there later in the week, like the 2nd to last day, or 3rd to last. We did ride through Eagle Grove (which was quite possibly the most charming small town I've ever seen), and Thor, but neither are what I am talking about.

QUOTE (Rex Kicka** @ May 27, 2008 -> 04:49 PM) Why anyone thinks Bayh would be on Obama's short list is beyond me. QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ May 27, 2008 -> 06:32 PM) He was one of the last Hillary holdouts on the planet. Not a chance. IMO, that all changes when Obama clinches it officially. At that point, I think Bayh is on the short list, and I don't think he'll complain about that either.

QUOTE (Alpha Dog @ May 27, 2008 -> 08:47 PM) Can police be next? http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/loca...ilingual26.html Again, why aren't these people learning English? Since they are called 'permananet' residents there, they are not migratory. They live here, do not pay taxes, use government services, and then need special treatment also? Not right. I tend to agree. Mind you, I don't think its a bad thing for a police department in a town like that to try to recruit officers who are bilingual - that should give them an advantage in fact. But IMO, there is a far cry from the PD making an effort like that, and the feds coming in and requiring someone be available who speaks something other than English. People who defend these sorts of policies usually do so by way of saying that people shouldn't have to give up their culture. But to me, that's an argument no one is against. No one is saying people can't speak other languages, or practice whatever cultural idioms they desire. Do whatever you want to! But in order for society and government to function, there needs to be a common language - and since English is far, far and away the dominant language in this country, I'm afraid that's the one we need to standardize on. If you are going to force government agencies to deal with a language barrier, then do it in such a way that the legal residents of that area are putting in a little elbow grease and showing some respect for the country that is giving them these opportunities. Provide some free or low cost get-by English classes at the local JuCo. Its not that hard.

QUOTE (MurcieOne @ May 27, 2008 -> 05:15 PM) I'm going to look through my admin contract and see if there are any incentives tied towards softball related activities. If there is a free shirt/hot dog involved... i'd have to consider it. Would you accept a used, but clean, Ross Gload shirt?

QUOTE (Reddy @ May 27, 2008 -> 05:43 PM) sunday lineup tonight. lol Its the all-righty special. Sort of a modified Sunday lineup. Against a very tough lefty, I like it.

QUOTE (RockRaines @ May 27, 2008 -> 04:12 PM) Honestly, he should be in the 2-hole right now. Move AJP back down and put Swish between OC and Carlos. Have to disagree. AJ's hitting this year so far is a decent fit for the 2 slot, and Swisher is just starting to get the hang of it where he is. I wouldn't move them right now.

QUOTE (lord chas @ May 27, 2008 -> 03:45 PM) well its pretty tough to be in the top 15 when you arent even on the ballot That.

QUOTE (mr_genius @ May 27, 2008 -> 04:10 PM) The Dems really aren't that strong, the GOP is just really weak. GW has a 24% approval rating, spending is out of control, national debt is out of control, unpopular and really expensive war in Iraq, massive gas prices, inflation, weak dollar, ect. And McCain is still close. This should be a blowout win for the Dems (which it still might be). The GOP is weak, but this whole war on terror thing does still have that solidifying quality for the die hards. I don't think it will be a blowout for either one come November, though.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ May 27, 2008 -> 04:06 PM) Furthermore, they're even more meaningless in that 2/3 of the people being polled simply aren't known outside of most political circles. How many people nationwide know people like the governor of Arizona, or Pennsylvania? The reason Edwards does the best on all of those is..."Oh yeah, John Edwards, I know him!" That's also the reason why Hillary was seen as so dominant early in the race. That was her biggest strength in early contests.

QUOTE (StrangeSox @ May 27, 2008 -> 02:39 PM) ...he still wasn't at Auschwitz. Its a meaningless gaffe, but a gaffe nonetheless. I find is irritating that so much attention has been focused on the occasional verbal gaffes of Obama and McCain. Not only are they silly things to dwell on, but let's put this in perspective here - neither of them are nearly as prone to them as Dubya is. Not even in the same ballpark. And yet, the MSM continues their laughable slide into becoming "A Current Affair", providing us with a deluge of pedantic and idiotic fodder for the pounce-and-denounce crowds to use as artillery. Ridiculous. If these sorts of things are what make you choose McCain or Obama, then I respectfully hope that you get lost on the way to the voting booth.