Texsox

QUOTE(The Critic @ Apr 2, 2007 -> 09:21 AM) And now the "Please, Mark Cuban, Buy The Cubs" campaign begins. Or more accurately, it picks up steam, since Cubs fans have wanted Cuban to buy the team for a while now. I would love to see Cuban own a baseball team, but any team other than the Cubs. I think he would be successful.

QUOTE(FlaSoxxJim @ Apr 2, 2007 -> 09:30 AM) Uh, yeah, it's now April 2nd. Duh. Or maybe, we are all playing a joke on you and it's really April 1, Sunday, and you don't need to be working.

QUOTE(NUKE @ Apr 2, 2007 -> 09:49 AM) For 200 years we've also never had a bunch of people filing lawsuits against other people for reporting suspicious activity. Vigilance used to be regarded as a virtue and praised but in 2007 America it's suddenly a violation of people's supposed rights and we file lawsuits against it. bunch of people? I thought it was one case? I'm not finding any other cases. I am worried when based on one case, we rewrite our laws, taking away the rights of innocent people and giving them to people who may or may not be making an innocent mistake. I can't believe I am the only person standing up for the rights of innocent people to seek justice in our legal system. I would be willing to consider it as soon as someone is actually required to pay damages for falsely accusing someone. But so far, that hasn't happened.

QUOTE(NorthSideSox72 @ Apr 2, 2007 -> 09:22 AM) I agree that there are certain age straddles that won't work. You can't have a remedial 17-year old in with the third graders. For those on the extremes, there need to be some remedial classes. But that's a small number. Most kids will naturally progress in a small band, with most kids being only a year or two different in some areas (and less in others) than their peers, even up to high school age. We shouldn't make the rules based on the exceptions to them. For phys ed, like any classes, different kids move at different paces. In fact, I think P.E. is one of the classes most in need of NOT being socially promoted, especially when you get to junior high and early high school, when there is a huge physical discrepancy in the development of kids the same age. Most sixth graders are 11, so 13 or 14 would be fairly common without a push to keep the kids on grade level. What happens a lot is kids miss years when their parents are following work. I agree that social promotion is full of problems and needs to be carefully used. Which is why I believe programs need to be developed if we drop bilingual education. Interesting point on PE.

QUOTE(NorthSideSox72 @ Apr 2, 2007 -> 09:06 AM) I strongly disagree. These kids will need to socialize with a continuous flow of people in their lives from all different age groups and backgrounds. School should be no different. The social learning aspect of school is of course of great importance - but that isn't a reason for social promotion. In fact, I'd say its an argument against it in some ways. Kids will still have a number of other kids around them most of the time (because in most classes, the age bad will still be pretty narrow), and most of them will move at similar paces, so there is still the chance for lifelong bonds to form. But they will also get some younger, and older, kids in different classes. I think that's a big positive. Having thirteen and fourteen year olds in a 6th grade classroom is not good. There are ages and stages that kids go through and that mix is a nightmare for educators. There are many child protection issues at play here. Even things like physical education and play time at recess become issues. After school programs to help kids stay on track should be emphasized to minimize these issues.

QUOTE(NorthSideSox72 @ Apr 2, 2007 -> 08:49 AM) Which gets at another problem in our schools - social promotion. I think its time we accept that just ushering all children from year to year at the same pace of learning is not effective. As it relates to ESL students, they can start with a crash course in English, then slowly back that off as they get better, and start slowly putting them into other classes. I think the focus shouuld be on assuring that the kids do not get left behind. Having mixed age classrooms can be distracting to the other students.

QUOTE(Alpha Dog @ Apr 2, 2007 -> 08:38 AM) The GOP isn't writing textbooks, isn't sitting in classrooms refusing to tell students about Watergate because it might offend some Republicans and are not going to riot if offended by history. Completely different. When American schools start refusing to teach about to history because it might offend Muslims, we are toast. Which do you remember more, something in your 8th grade history class, or what is happening yesterday in the news?

The reason that bilingual caught any momentum is the kids fall behind in every other subject as they attempt to master English. I've yet to see a method that allows the kids to remain on grade level in social studies, math, science, etc. and not receive that instruction in Spanish. What I think we need are more after school programs to offer tutoring, in native languages, in the other subjects. It will take more of an effort to keep the kids on track, but if we make it a priority, it can happen. And, btw, being bilingual is a nice advantage in a world economy.

QUOTE(Alpha Dog @ Apr 2, 2007 -> 07:50 AM) I agree with you, disagree with Tex. The first draft of history is found in newspapers, listened to on radio, and watched on TV. The GOP is telling you that any criticism of themselves is a result of liberal media bias. How is that any different? No need to answer, just something to think about.

"History is written by the victors."Winston Churchill It will happen here if the GOP has their radio network call for it as a way to fight terrorists. We already are taught to ignore newspapers, tv, and radio journalists if they do not agree with GOP positions and propoganda. Why not, for example, tell their children the official GOP History Lessons like Nixon was unfairly attacked by a liberal biased media? As soon as school children listen to the GOP Radio Network and understand their text books are written by a liberal biased education system, we'll be well on our way. And I believe that will be the Methods Class you will applaud

Damn, I thought you youngins found a new use for marijuana

Our starter is cuter and knows how to wear a cap.

http://www.wikihow.com/Be-a-Cheerleader

For over two hundred years we have lived without this law, how? What great social problems are we trying to fix? With this law, we are taking away the right of innocent Americans to sue when they are falsely accused, and now protect someone who makes the false accusation. That's progress Get past this example and look at how that can be abused.

Friday the Texas Lottory Commission confirmed my winning ticket and my attorney and I will be in Austin collecting one of those silly oversized checks I can't take to the bank. Note: This will be one very nice set of direct deposits. I am now a millionaire times a bunch. I will be giving away most of the money, starting with those around here who haven't pissed me off too bad. I may even reward a GOPerhead or three. Sign in here to tell me why you deserve $10,000

But April is starting off with a chuckle QUOTE(SnB @ Apr 1, 2007 -> 02:51 PM) having mono is no fun. QUOTE(Gene Honda Civic @ Apr 1, 2007 -> 03:48 PM) meh, I had stereo once. It was twice as bad.

I've been running Vista for a month or so on my new Dell laptop and so far love it. It takes some adjustment from other OS, but any jump does. I don't discount the visual, after all both Apple and MS are GUI with the emphasis on graphical. While I was comfortable with Dos commands and X-Tree Gold, I'll click any day of the week. And I like a pretty and bubbly interface when I'm stuck inside working. Besides, only liberals own Macs

QUOTE(mr_genius @ Apr 1, 2007 -> 02:58 PM) You can already report a crime to the police and remain anonymous, you should be able to report suspicious terrorist activity on an airplane with anonymity. If a person files repeat bs terrorist threats they should be held accountable. I don't think people are going to be strip searched for 12 hours because they cut in line at the airport donut shop and someone reported them as a terrorist. You are assuming the majority of people that work for the government to help keep airplanes safe are complete morons that would not recognize an obvious false claim. If you can already report the crime anonymously why do we need this law? "complete morons that would not recognize an obvious false claim", do you mean those like the Imams? If a person files repeat bs terrorist threats they should be held accountable - this law would prevent it. We are taking away protections from innocent Americans. That's my point. Give away your rights if you will. After all, if we give away all our rights, the terrorists can't take them away from us, and we'll keep the American way of life.

QUOTE(NUKE @ Apr 1, 2007 -> 02:06 PM) I feel this law is totally necessary. If douchebags like this are allowed to bring lawsuits against people for being vigilant against terrorist activity then there needs to be some form of legislation passed to grant people immunity. It's sad, really, that our lawsuit happy society seeks to punish people for doing their part to protect us against terrorists. This whole thing does nothing but reinforce the perception ( one that I find to be true ) that Islamic people are trying to foist their way of life on others. If these Imams had any common sense they would have just got on the damn plane and sat down like everyone else. That was too hard, though, so they go and start their whole routine in front of everybody and get people nervous. In this day and age what the hell did they expect anyway? How would you protect innocent Americans from being unfairly targeted? What this law allows is for anyone to accuse anyone of being a terrorist for any reason. Getting bumped from a flight? Accuse the dark complected guy of being a terrorist. You are taking away the rights of innocent Americans from being unjustly accused of a crime. Shouldn't innocent Americans be protected from that? How would you feel after being striped searched and questioned for twelve hours because some idiot didn't like you praying? Or you cut him off in the parking lot?

It should be noted that many Hispanic educators agree with him. What needs to be split somehow is the real needs of immigrant children and the anti-Hispanic racism that exists. It is difficult to find consensus in that climate.

Pen: Logan too bad he's not around. Can I take a player to be named later? Clutch at bat: Dye, Crede Starter: Contreras

Seems faster. I can't believe it's time to start counting them for real in a day or two.

Smart, unbiased baseball experts could place this team anywhere from 1-4 and have some pretty damn good reasons. It's all in the ifs, and which ifs will fall in place for which team. For me, it's enough to know the team has the talent to win the division, many, many years, I knew before they left Spring Training the season was over. Weather and the other team drove which games I wanted to see. There are question marks on every roster, in every rotation. I think character and desire plays a huge role. I like the character of most of the players on this roster. So, allow me to answer the question this way with the percentage of confidence I have in the team finishing in each place. 5th Place or better 100% 4th Place of better 100% 3rd Place or better 99% 2nd Place or better 80% 1st Place 51% It will be another great baseball season.

QUOTE(NorthSideSox72 @ Mar 31, 2007 -> 09:53 AM) I actually am OK with politicians at that level making a career of it, if they are effective. People make the military or other government work a career. Why not them? But it staggers me that neither party can put together the momentum to take the high ground here. The Dems started strong on the first few things they did in Congress, but have since gone back to being what we all hate. If one party's leadership stood up and dropped the hammer on the scumbags around them, and stopped this pork barrel B.S., I'd think that would be a huge PR move that could help them at the polls (as long as it was properly marketed after the fact). Actually that is only partially right. When we demand better from our own parties, it will happen faster. Look at the threads here, this is a fair example but there are better. The GOPerheads are attacking the Dems for doing the same thing the Reps have done, and some of the Demheads are defending and trying to draw distinctions. What needs to happen, is Dems to stand up, write the Dem leadership and tell them if the party doesn't fix itself the party should not expect their continued support. If the GOP does the same thing, we can clean this up faster than each side defending the indefensible.

Wait until you get the price. You will be a fanatic about backups after that.