Texsox

As I have said before. The funniest thing about Jay's columns are the reactions from fans. I'll see posters here ripping something all day and night, the next day Jay will write the same thing, and everyone goes nuts how he is an idiot. Look at the track records of these teams Hawks 1961 Sox 2005 Cubs way back Bears 1986 Bulls - ok, they had a run A columnist like Mariotti has a field day here.

* *By a 2003 agreement, I am denied my rights to free speech in all weather related theads from October to May.

QUOTE(DBAH0 @ Oct 13, 2006 -> 01:14 AM) General Manager of the Arizona Diamondbacks. Managing Generals is really tough. They have all those medals and s*** and think they run the world.

QUOTE(santo=dorf @ Oct 13, 2006 -> 12:02 AM) Good Lord. Sportsbook is charging $30 for a withdrawl via a check through Fedex or an e-check. It used to be free. Congress can blow me. This is just going to put more money in the pockets of the mob and other illegal bookies. Just a small clarification, these are/where illegal. These forms of gambling where never legal. It just took congress this much time to figure out a way to rewrite the old laws to apply to new technology. Did you happen to notice that none of the companies had their servers or offices in the US?

QUOTE(NorthSideSox72 @ Oct 11, 2006 -> 06:15 PM) If those don't work out, and money was no concern... I'd start or run a business bringing urban or disadvantaged youth out into the wilderness. Or something along those lines. Hey, that's my job. Have you thought about working for the Boy Scouts?

QUOTE(mreye @ Oct 12, 2006 -> 12:33 PM) I thought you were self employed. I was a victim of GOP policies. A couple things transpired to have me switch. Now I'm working for the Boy Scouts running a High Advneture Sea Base and loving it.

My current job with the pay raise they promised months ago

We are assuming, and probably correctly, that this is coming out of the fixing the stadium fund and not a we invest $2,000,000 and make $4,500,000 fund. It is also interesting that seemingly if they make a change to the stadium that increases profits, they can't use those profits to help the team on the field. Seems like a bad deal for the fans.

QUOTE(NorthSideSox72 @ Oct 12, 2006 -> 10:31 AM) That was my point. I don't want on on every corner either. But you also cannot force warrants for targeted, plain sight surveillance because its already legally acceptable - in the form of police officers. The reason for that, by the way, is that police have the same legal ability to observe things in plain view that any other citizen can. You cannot take that away from the police and not regular citizens. Police officers and other citizens are intended to be on an even playing field in that sense. The rights that police have were given to them, through our legislative process. I don't see a reason to treat cameras the same as a police officer. While I accept that a live person can be there and observe, I draw the line at being recorded on camera in a public place.

QUOTE(NorthSideSox72 @ Oct 12, 2006 -> 10:05 AM) If its a public space, you don't need a search warrant. Police don't need a warrant to patrol and observe what goes on in plain sight. But otherwise, yes, I agree - specific use of cameras for targeted observation and enforcement are OK by me. Under current lawsyou do not. I do not wish to live in a society where we are under constant 24/7 survelience. I have not committed a crime and do not wish to be treated like a criminal. I think it is creepy that the government wants to watch me anytime I am in public.

QUOTE(southsider2k5 @ Oct 12, 2006 -> 09:51 AM) I want to know how Tex got the spotted Dick picture for his avy. Do you think he actually put "spotted dick" into google image search? If so, how many other links did he have to go through to find the one that actually was it? Step One: Spot a tin of spotted dick in the local grocer. Step Two: Stand there and laugh and think, I have to share this with everyone Step Three: Google Heinz spotted dick, didn't want some poor imposter

Book: 98.6 Degrees, The Art of Keeping Your Ass Alive Movie: Romeo and Juliet* TV: M*A*S*H Album: Singers and Songwriters (any year)* Person: Rush Limbaugh** *Doesn't matter, I'll hate it in a month. ** I know someone will be looking for us Actually I'd rather be alone. When are we leaving, this sounds like a nice vacation.

QUOTE(NorthSideSox72 @ Oct 12, 2006 -> 09:30 AM) I think its getting excessive. I am OK with targeted enforcement with a camera, because its no different than cops on patrol in terms of intrusion (targeted meaning specific high crime areas, or intersections with a lot of accidents and school zones for traffic enforcement). But to attempt to blanket the city in cameras is no longer analogous to police patrol - its too far. That's the first time I have hearg that analogy, and I like it. I've never been a fan of any cameras, but that has me thinking that in a specific place, for a specific reason, based on a specific need, with a specific time frame, and perhaps appoved like a search warrant, I could see agreeing it is a good thing.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ I think these two have something to hide. Perhaps they are terrorists.

George Costanza: So, did you get your new plates? Cosmo Kramer: Oh... yeah. I got my new plates. But they mixed them up. Somebody got mine and I got their vanity plates. George Costanza: What do they say? Cosmo Kramer: Assman. Jerry: Assman? Cosmo Kramer: Yeah. Assman, Jerry. I'm Cosmo Kramer, the Assman! Jerry: Who would order a license plate that says "Assman"? George Costanza: Maybe they're Wilt Chamberlain's. Jerry: It doesn't have to be someone who gets a lot of women. It could be just some guy with a big ass. Cosmo Kramer: Yeah, or it could be a proctologist. Jerry: Yeah. Proctologist. George Costanza: Come on! No doctor would put that on his car. Cosmo Kramer: Have you ever met a proctologist? Well, they usually have a very good sense of humor. You meet a proctologist at a party, don't walk away. Plant yourself there, because you will hear the funniest stories you've ever heard. See, no one wants to admit to them that they stuck something up there. Never! It's always an accident. Every proctologist story ends in the same way: "It was a million to one shot, Doc. Million to one."

I guess they don't have a DH in piloting

QUOTE(Soxy @ Oct 11, 2006 -> 12:51 PM) Everything I need to know I learned from Iron Maiden Thank you, that's five minutes of my life, never to be recovered.

QUOTE(Steff @ Oct 11, 2006 -> 01:00 PM) #'s 1and 2 specifically inquire about saving money for the chosen "major expense" and preparing a budget based on expected income. NOYB, IMO. Let's move on. #1 They discuss how to save. Not well can your family afford that, what does your dad make etc, that would be creepy. Instead they break down the cost and look at the interest rates of CDs, simple savings accounts, and the difference between investing and saving. If you put away this amount for X months you would have this much. If you change the principle, the interest, etc. this is the result. If you borrow the money, via credit cards, etc, the item will now cost this. Never personal family finances. There is no point in that. #2 is the kids allowance and how to budget it. Not the families. So the kid learns how to work with his $5 a week. He learns to keep "books" and track income and expenses. All very good skills. I doubt the counselor really cares about Juan and his weekly allowance, the skills to manage it is what is being taught. They never discuss actual family finances. That would be creepy. I'll move on. Actually the kids to enjoy this merit badge. The counselor takes them (along with a buddy or parent, never one on one) to the executive board room at the bank. Way up at the top. Private elevator. Makes them feel like a big shot. He's very entertaining. Of course YMMV, not every merit badge conselor is that good. Just a great resource I developed.

QUOTE(Steff @ Oct 11, 2006 -> 12:47 PM) Yes, very creepy. Family finances are family issues and none of anyone's business that doesn't contribute to the paying of the bills or a paid financial advisor who the family seeks for help. This requirement for this merit badge is nothing more than being nosey, IMO. You are correct, that would be creepy, if it was true. I don't see where they are discussing family finances. Do you mean discussing how to save money for a purchase? They never discuss the family's finances. They counselor talks about various saving vehicles, CDs, passbook accounts, mason jars, etc. I don't see how that is creepy. Where else can a 16 year old talk to a CPA for a couple hours for free?

QUOTE(Steff @ Oct 11, 2006 -> 12:30 PM) Discussing family finances with a boy scout counselor.. that is just plain creepy, IMO. The counselor we use the most happens to be a Senior VP at a bank here, the other is a CPA with one of the better accounting firms. Still creepy? BSA does not approve merit badge counselors unless they pass a background check and demonstrate knowledge in the area they will be counseling. QUOTE(Steff @ Oct 11, 2006 -> 12:34 PM) If you have a severe comprehension problem, perhaps. People will still accept the risks. They will believe that promotion will happen. They will believe that interest rates will decline in five years. They will believe their home will appreciate in value at the current rate. They will believe in anything. And some will have a comprehension problem.

QUOTE(Steff @ Oct 11, 2006 -> 12:26 PM) Kids are not concerned or interested with buying a house while still in school. That would be the "catch up on sleep class". There should be a idiot proof packet that every bank, broker, and home builder gives out to any potential buyer. Pats them on the ass, sends them home to study, and they return when they can tell the bank, broker, and seller what they want. Absolutely right. In the auto industry they have the simple to understand form that is required by law. I guess I thought the mortage industry was also required to follow that. However, even with that, ARMs would still attract a number of victims.

QUOTE(NorthSideSox72 @ Oct 11, 2006 -> 12:03 PM) Now that is a good point, which we have discussed before. Much of the quick recovery from the 2001-2002 recession was NOT from any government program, contrary to what some want to believe. It was people taking advantage of really low interest rates to take out equity or re-fi their mortgages or get into bigger, more expensive homes. That particular ingredient will not be such a dominant force in the coming decade. As I said in the post... sex ed, for example, doesn't need the attention in public schools that it gets, in my opinion. I don't think it buys the students much. Just my opinion. As for other areas, I'd have to see a curriculum sample before giving you more ideas. Sex ed isn't split out, it's part of health, which also covers the nutrition you mentioned earler. There is a one semester required adult living class, but it doesn't go into much length but does talk about personal finances, but not to the depth of explaining the various types of mortgages. How much time would you spend teaching kids about mortages? One hour? A week? What is being proposed here is that every graduating high school student should know how to buy a house. They should be versed in the various ways to finance a house. SHould it go so far as to teach them how to evaluate market conditions and comparable values, etc.? Again, if the text book talked about the advantages of ARMs, would you agree that teaching this stuff is a good idea in the schools? And which teacher would you hire to teach a personal finance course? The Math teacher? Social Studies? Football coach? This is part of preparing your child to live on their own and parents have to be parents at some point. IMHO, this is one of the best way for kids to learn personal management.

QUOTE(NorthSideSox72 @ Oct 11, 2006 -> 11:46 AM) You are lumping in personal and family issues (ethics, drugs, sex) with issues that can be educated (finance, consumerism, nutrition and fitness). The latter category belongs in the schools. The former does not. Then what are schools currently teaching that you would take out to fit this in? You wouldn't mind in this example of teaching kids that ARMs are a great way to buy their first home? That getting a VISA as soon as possible is a great way to build a credit history? Once you put it in the schools anything happens.

I have two kids in High School. If you look at their course load, there is no time for classes like this. The parents have to be parents at some point. Sorry kid if your parents suck, but guess what, the teacher you get may suck also. Some parents can't teach ethics, so the school should. Some parents can't reach consumerism, so the schools should. Some parents can't teach nutrition and fitness, so the schools should. Some parents don't talk to their children about drugs, so the schools should. Some parents don't talk to their children about sex, so the schools should. I have to disagree. Who is raising these children? The schools are not a replacement for parenting. TV is not a replacement for parenting. Parents have to be parents. And imagine this. Kids, today we will talk about ARMs. ARMs are a great way to buy your first home. They allow you to buy the home that will accomodate your growing family, while preserving you cash to pay back the student loans and VISA debt you will rack up in college . . .

QUOTE(Steff @ Oct 11, 2006 -> 09:59 AM) No bank is giving anyone $5 without some type of collateral no matter what your credit history, job history, or credit score to take to an auction and maybe buy a house. I should have been clearer, the $25,000 difference was the down payment. And I was thinking more along the lines of conventional purchase than auction. At auctions, and I have known a couple people who have been in this line of work, the bidders I've known have lines of credit established, secured by other equity. You are correct, getting approved for an auction sale would be almost impossible without independent collateral.