southsider2k5

Dude, Who Stole My Thread?

The Olympics in Chicago would be so huge for the entire region. There is so much good that would come from this, besides the obvious. Also worth noting that London was dead last of the finalists at this stage of the process for the 2012 games.

QUOTE (Controlled Chaos @ Jun 5, 2008 -> 08:44 AM) Stop making sense!!!!! One thing I learned about 2005 is some people just can't emotionally invest themselves in something. Buehrle has been far from dominant, but his track record shows he'll probably end up the same old Mark. He does have 7 starts where he's given up 3 or less and he's also been very unlucky, to say the least, on more than one occasion. Count..ok he's up there in age...but what has he done at all this year to have anyone doubt him. He's been ridiculously good. Floyd...hmmm.... not even worth commenting on. Yes, some people will be concerned about this pitching....but if they're worried about that...they should just be worried about everything. They should be worried about Q slipping on a banana peel in the dugout. They should worry about a seed flying out of Ozzies mouth and hitting Jenks in the eye. They should worry about a blister forming on Alexei's hand from bare handing so many grounders. They should worry about Just a shout out to my buster peeps!! There's a ton of s*** people can worry about, or they can just enjoy the ride and stop looking for misfortune where it hasn't even presented itself. Bravo!

QUOTE (BigSqwert @ Jun 5, 2008 -> 08:34 AM) So much for this being the probama thread. Yeah, sucks don't it?

In person the hardest hit ball I ever saw was the interleague game a few years back where Bartolo Colon had struck out Barry Bonds three times in 3 ABs and pitched to him in the 9th inning. He hit a ball about 20 rows up in section 100 or 101.

QUOTE (jackie hayes @ Jun 4, 2008 -> 01:36 PM) More assholeism by Robert Mugabe. The opposition leader is being held by police: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/05/world/af...05zimbabwe.html Interesting to see where this goes, and what Mbeki has to say about it. The whole reason they wanted him to come back from exile is so that they could imprison and kill him.

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Jun 5, 2008 -> 08:56 AM) Well, now you have. I am not 100% sold on Obama yet for the general, but currently, he's my choice. Doesn't surprise me. I just don't get how it is that you take his "change" agenda (which, by the way, McCain is now also promoting in his own campaign), and make the leap to a point where you expect him to change EVERYTHING. He won't. He can't. No one should expect him to. But honestly, if he can make some small but important changes, then he's accomplished something. Its NOT exactly the same - its SOME of the same, and some new stuff too. And heck, I think McCain would be able to say the same thing, to at least some extent. Its just not that black and white. I am not even starting on everything... trust me. Two of the biggest things he rails against all of the time are corporate influence and lobbyists, yet who is he bringing into his campaign and to help pick his officers? And I know McCain is going to say anything to get elected, I have no doubt about that.

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Jun 5, 2008 -> 08:19 AM) Oh come on now. First, Obama hasn't even begun showing us his cabinet yet - and that will be a real indicator of what his administration would be like. Second, I don't think anyone is saying that Obama will be some entirely new kind of President. If they are, that's ridiculous. Third, the details ARE important! For example, if you have a team of people doing energy policy, is there a difference between having some oil-type people, and mostly or entirely oil-type people? I think the answer is unequivocally YES. I haven't heard anyone, even Obama, say he won't include some big corporate types in his adminsitration. I am sure he will. And by the way, as far as how to build an administration, I'll take a Clinton monster over a Bush monster every day and twice on Sunday. At least Clinton had the brains to know you shouldn't surround yourself entirely with people who all think exactly the same way as you do. But, that said, I think Obama's administration (if he even wins) will probably have a broader variety of views than either of those monsters. Just my opinion, but, that seems to be his way of thinking. We'll see if I'm wrong. Those last two sentences in your post really irk me. Just because people are saying this particular individual in the VP committee isn't an indicator of much, you think that means that all people currently backing Obama are too closed-minded to understand what you are saying? Isn't that a bit over the top? Its probably over the line to say, but I have yet to talk to a serious Obama supporter who could see fault in him. I am 100% serious. I don't think it is that the are to closeminded to understand, I think it is they don't want to believe the guy they have hitched their wagons to is the exact same person they have been railing against for eight years. He is a politician who will say or do anything to get himself elected. Sure his speeches sound nicer, but his actions speak way louder to me. Barack Obama himself is the one promoting himself as the candidate of "change", not me. If he doesn't intend to, that is fine. But it bugs me to have him saying one thing, and ALREADY doing another. It bothers me even more that it is somehow OK for him to keep pulling the same doubletalk that this administration has been crucified more, and no one seems to care, nee, are excusing it. I don't like getting preached to about how evil the Bush and then McCain adminstrations would be when Barack Obama is going to be doing the exact same things. Hiring Washington insiders such as Kennedy's and heads of equity capital groups to conduct your VP isn't change, and it isn't getting rid of corporate influence. Its the exact samething we have been doing for decades. You want details, here are details. There are plenty of Lobbyists working for Obama http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/lobbyi...2007-12-20.html http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1207/7462.html http://www.blackagendareport.com/index.php...13&Itemid=1

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Jun 5, 2008 -> 07:56 AM) Look. Even if you think he'll pardon Rezko, you cannot seriously believe he'd do the pardon right upon being elected. That would be career suicide. He'd do it when all the other Presidents have done that kind of thing - at the end of his Presidency. Exactly. It is laughable to think otherwise. Especially with the depth of finanical dealings he had with Rezko, he would be crucified and unable to run the country at all.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jun 4, 2008 -> 09:25 PM) So, I just checked, as far as Opensecrets.org is telling me, there is no James A. Johnson who is currently a registered lobbyist in this country. Again, can you provide a citation for this claim? OK forget lobbyist. Like I said, the details are where you guys are making your arguement, instead of the big picture. NO ONE has actually addressed the big picture conflict of what Obama is saying and what he is actually doing at all. To me THAT is more telling than anything. Keep looking at the details, ignore what is going on behind the scenes. This was done for eight years with the Clintons, and look at the monster that built. I know I won't get anywhere with you all, and that's fine. I really didn't think anyone sold on Obama would have an open enough mind to understand what I was trying to say anyway. Turns out I was right.

32-26 + 1.5 games

What a big win. Its a game like this that can really get a team going. I was glad to wake up to the happy news.

Thome, Konerko, and Swisher aren't all going to hit .200 for the season either, so that kinda negates any pitching regression.

QUOTE (Kalapse @ Jun 4, 2008 -> 07:53 PM) Actually that's not the case, it was his 518th career homerun. From the way Hawk and DJ are talking here in the 6th the official measurement was under 500 feet but thus far they've yet to give a number. (from what I've heard at least) I know the 600 foot stuff from Hawk was crap, but anything under 500 feet is a joke. That ball was the hardest hit thing I have ever seen at that park, and I have seen Chavez's, Thomas's, and Borchard's HRs, not to mention the one the Bonds hit off of Colon a few years back that was every bit as far as those previous three.

QUOTE (lostfan @ Jun 4, 2008 -> 08:55 PM) Personally I don't see how an administration could run Washington without having Washington insiders at your side. Whether people hate them or not, at some point something's got to give. That's how I see it, then again, I wouldn't be out trying to portray them as what is wrong with this country before enlisting their help either...

QUOTE (BigSqwert @ Jun 4, 2008 -> 09:01 PM) You haven't provided a shred of evidence to suggest that Johnson directly created the predatory lending fiasco. Insinuations don't hold much water. Obama runs a campaign that brags he doesn't take money from lobbyists. Instead he has them pick his VP. We hear all about corporate American is ruining this country and stealing our money, and yet here they are playing a key role picking the second most influencial office on the planet. The evil private equity companies need to be taxed and regulated, but in the meantime, who would be a good VP? You keep missing the forest for the trees. Barack Obama might as well be Hillary Clinton or George Bush because he is doing the exact same two step on his campaign versus reality.

QUOTE (BigSqwert @ Jun 4, 2008 -> 08:37 PM) He's not selecting the VP. He is vetting the possible candidates. What about the Edwards and Ferraro choices leads you to believe that his Fannie Mae experience caused some sort of conflict of interest? Nope, I am sure that his past experiences have nothing to do with who he will recommend, that only happens when evil Republicians get involved. I probably should walk away from here now, as you won't want to understand what I am saying here.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jun 4, 2008 -> 08:29 PM) Has an official distance been given yet? I couldn't see online exactly where it landed, does it have a shot at Borchard's? Thome +15>Borchard

QUOTE (BigSqwert @ Jun 4, 2008 -> 07:34 PM) This guy is not going to be VP. He is not part of the Obama cabinet. He was the CEO of Fannie Mae 10 years ago. I don't see the equivalent with what "we" have been complaining about for 8 years. GWB actually appointed his cronies to high level positions that actually affected policy. This guy is asked to help vet VP choices. To me it's apples to storm windows. Because picking the second most powerful person on the planet doesn't affect policy? Come on. You know better than that.

I know I could spend all night here getting nitpicked apart in the details and I know, I know, it is different now that Obama is doing it... But the BIG PICTURE here is that I think it is hilarious how the excuses are getting made for him here. This is the exact same thing that the Democrats have been complaining about for almost 8 years now, and that is corporate America having too much influence over the White House. I don't see how bringing in someone who has been involved in many of the samethings that Obama himself has rallied the troops against the Republicans out on the campaign trail, is "change we deserve", but I guess that is just me. The funniest part about it is that personally I don't have a problem with it. I prefer my officials to have corporate experience, as it aids them in understanding the business cycles and macro-economics. I have a problem with the two faced campaign that Obama is running here. I'd have much more respect for the guy if he actually put his money where his mouth is.

Has anyone ever seen a ball hit THAT far before? Have they given a distance on it yet?

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jun 4, 2008 -> 07:51 PM) According to the blurb posted a page ago, he was at Fannie Mae from 91 to 98? Is that incorrect, or do you have information about the work he's done with Perseus LLC (whatever the hell that is) which is listed according to Wikipedia as his current employer? Considering that the mortgage market craziness basically started after his time ended there, I'm hoping you'll elaborate as to his connection. Sounds like he is working private equity group. Much better. Anyways, don't kid yourself. The lax mortgage lending standards didn't start January 20th, 2001. This stuff has roots back into the 90's when the stock market put money into tons of peoples pockets. Notice how even with the Clinton Recession and 9-11 the curve doesn't break down like it does on the chart for other recessions. That tells me all I need to know.

QUOTE (BigSqwert @ Jun 4, 2008 -> 07:56 PM) Big difference in the 2 things I highlighted. You're damned right there is. The VP is a MUCH bigger deal.

QUOTE (BigSqwert @ Jun 4, 2008 -> 03:27 PM) I'm not sure what your issue is here. Obama is not asking him to be the VP. He's asked him to be part of the staff that vets the potential VP. Johnson isn't being asked to help out with policies or stances of the Obama campaign. I think you are manufacturing your own outrage. I honestly doubt this is something that will impact voters. It probably won't impact voters at all, which is unfortunate. Its just another hint that dispite all of the propaganda otherwise, the exact same types of people are going to be running an Obama White House as a McCain White House or a Clinton White House. Its ironic that Obama has the gall to say he doesn't take money from special interest groups, yet hires a person responsible for the mortgage meltdown to help pick his VP. Yeah, I am sure there won't be any conflict there... Sort of like no one had a problem with Bush and Cheney picking energy executives to write energy policy, right?

QUOTE (BigSqwert @ Jun 4, 2008 -> 02:16 PM) Johnson served as Fannie Mae CEO from 1991 to 1998 and has a long history in both Washington politics and business. He served on the boards of numerous companies, including The Goldman Sachs Group, KB Home, and Target Corporation, and has been Vice Chairman of Perseus LLC. He also was a corporate finance managing director for Lehman Brothers. He was an executive assistant for Vice President Walter Mondale (1977-1981) and a U.S. Senate staff member. Johnson also helped screen running mates for Democratic presidential nominees Walter Mondale in 1984 and John Kerry in 2004. In other words his a Washington insider, a corporate head honcho, and a guy who helped shape the policies that led to the biggest banking crisis since 1929. He is pretty much one of the guys that he has turned into a villian on the campaign trail. Yeah, real change there