Texsox

If that sort of stuff is unneccesary, then just print the box score. The reason sports are so popular is the why?. The human stuff surrounding the players. Don't ask Sammy about the cork, he'll get pissed. Don't ask Mark Grace about Sammy's cork, we don't need to know, or care to know, what Grace thinks about Sammy. We are a nation of celebrity watchers. Why do baseball players make more than a soldier who protects our ass? Because we are facsinated by them, hero worship some, and pay money to know about them. Suck it up and answer the damn questions. You can bet if he sets a record or wins a WS he'll talk about his wife's, sister's boyfriend's cat if asked. He's getting paid, in part, to represent his team and make his team financially sucessful. If he wants the bucks the fans pay, they answer the questions the fans, through the media, ask.

Or Kerry is elected along with a few Dems

But we have cut vocational and other electives to "get back to the three Rs" We've also added stuff like advacned computer classes, kids in the McAllen School District can graduate from HS with certification in over 25 different fields ranging from Novell and Microsoft to Cosmotology. Those programs are in jeopardy each time we add another credit of math or science to the curriculm. Our schools, for the majority or the country, are the best in the world. You mentioned home school earlier and I wish every parent would understand, like home school parents do, that they alone are ultimately responsible for their child's education. If they contract out that responsibility to a school, public or private, they still have a responsibility to follow up and make certain what is being taught. They also need to complete the eduction process at home by teaching the rest of the stuff. Too many parents do not do that, instead they ask our school systems to teach stuff that should be taught at home. Like morals, ethics, team building, stock markets, starting a small business. I understand since the parents do not, that someone has too, but that doesn't make it right.

I only hope that Ozzie talked with Marte and Koch before this. I wonder why he isn't more confident in Zero. Perhaps he likes Marte's experience.

Then let's all not read or watch any sports news for the summer. Everyone who agrees with athletes not talking to the media go a month without sports news. Just read the box scores.

I think anyone succeeding in America is good for us. I think we need to help everyone, regardless of origin, succeed. It makes us stronger. If a couple school districts are teaching ebonics, I do not think it has that great an effect on the nation. The problem with requiring advanced academic skills happens in a couple areas. One is that many kids are not exposed to various "shop" classes to see if they are interested. I took drafting, wood working, metal working, etc. as fun type stuff and to pick up some life skills. A buddy of mine became an architect after being exposed to drafting. I was talking to a ROTC instructor and he mentioned how his numbers are down because he cannot use the "try it, you may like it" approach. Another is some kids are discouraged when then cannot pass these required courses and drop out of school. Three it fails to allow for local decisions in the schools. States pass these requirements, but do not fund them, leaving localities to raise taxes or cut spending on sports, arts, extra curricular activities, etc. Looking at unusual things that are taught in school, I am interested in your opinion. In the middle schools here and elsewhere, they are competing in a classroom excercise called "The Stock Market Game" classes form teams and they are given $X to invest in the stock market. Their results are tracked over a 60 or 90 day period and judged against other teams from accross the nation. My son's team happened to win for his school a couple year's ago when he rejected my advice and invested almost 75% of their funds in Timberland after they noticed almost all their fellow Boy Scouts were buying Timberland boots. Is this something that should be taught in the schools? I believe it is in their Math or Advisory classes. And probably takes up 20 hours of instructional time.

I knew he was going to be a key piece of this years team and it is disapointing he is only a middle of the pack closer. I was actually hoping he was goig to announce some minor surgery or something to explain the drop in velocity and effectiveness. When that didn't happen, I had a bad feeling. I really wish he would shave. I'm sick of his face at this point.

Writing isn't that easy. It is a very competitive field and only the best of the best survive. I believe a player has the right to remain silent. I also believe he has an obligation to his employer to help in marketing the team. The team needs the publicity to build and keep fan interest. Popular players, who put butts in the seats, are almost always great with the media. Contrast the media ass kisser Sosa to Thomas. Both are HoF caliber players, yet one has the town falliong at his feet. Why? One is media friendly. Take a thousand casual fans, put them in Chicago for the day, and ask them who they would rather see, Sosa or Thomas. Who do you think will fill the seats? Suck it up, give the interviews, and quit whining. You're paid very nice wages to play a f***ing game. Most people here would rather switch places with you than the reporter.

Same here. The hardcore on both sides have gone to such extremes, it's embarrasing.

I don't see it as a us vs. them argument. :headshake When do you consider these Asian immigrants to be "us"? I agree the schools are partly to blame. My kids have not been taught ebonics or any of the items you mentioned, perhaps it is just with military kids. What school did you go to or your kids went to that taught ebonics and multiculturism? Was it all day, one period, all four years? I have my son's HS list of courses and neither of those subjects are listed. What has happened is the State Governments and school boards have increased the number or required math, science, and english classes to the point where kids have very few electives. Everytime some standardized test comes out, we add more regulations and required courses. Kids who are not, and maybe should not be, on an academic track, who would be better on a vocational track, are cut off from those opportinities. We have a critical shortage of Tool and Die workers, of Industrial Maintanance workers, etc. Maybe teaching Triginometry and Physics to kids who want to be Auto Mechanics, HVAC mechanics, Tool and Die workers is a good idea, I just think it should be an elective, not required. When I was in High School, by my Junior year, I had three periods of electives, my son will have 1.

Kap, Dems loved Reagan as well. Remember the phrase Reagan Democrats? Witness his landslide re-election. He spent like a Dem and taxed like a Rep. What's not to love? I disagree about Clinton receiving the same respect. Perhaps on par with Nixon, but not with Reagan. I believe Reagan served with more dignity than Clinton. Reagan was a unique President and deserves the accolades he is receiving.

Good post Chaos I would be surprised if anyone on planet earth thought he could throw two strikes in that situation. Then get the next guy out. I think we watched the end of a promising career as a closer. :headshake

Not cheap. Many workers will now be paid overtime for their services. I happen to agree that a National Day of Mourning is appropriate. Reagan served this country with honor. He was a very popular President, as Mondale can attest to.

no, but many come from abortions, which is why the GOP has a problem in allowing the research.

I thought we were talking about recent immigrants. There has been an explosion of Asian immigration when the Japanese economy cooled down. Some of the differences in the immigrants is largly economic. To immigrate from Japan, China, Korea, France, Spain, or Australia (and others) requires a large outlay of cash for travel, moving furniture, etc. A common laboror from these countries cannot afford the luxery. To immigrate from Mexico, South America, or Canada one can drive, or even walk. We see more lower skilled immigrants from these countries and they possibly tarnish our view of the better educated, better skilled immigrants from Mexico, South America and Canada. Nuke, do you believe if an Iraqi, a Mexican, and a Japenese person all applied for the same job, with the same qualifications, they would have an equal chance to be hired? We hear about Hispanics coming in and taking our jobs, yet you just pointed out other immigrants are filing the higher paying jobs. Why no backlash? Why no editorials?

58 Senators Seek Looser Stem-Cell Rules Nancy Reagan and many democrates have been for research, the GOP, based on Pro-Life and religious beliefs, have blocked it.

I believe once Koch is removed from the roll, his career as a closer is over. I do not see him regaining the confidence and intimidation, to be a closer again. I am certain that is why Ozzie has been slow in making a switch.

Even God cannot help him if he takes a loss tonight.

I should have added, if you have a flag that is fixed to the staff, you may continue to display it, even if the nation is in mourning. It would be appropriate to add some black bunting to the staff.

General Draft Thoughts: Odds are someone else just drafted our next star. Examples are Maggs, Uribe, E-Lo, etc. Only a couple of these guys will ever play in the big league. I'm old, to me these guys are trade bait in a couple years for someone who can help immediately. I've watched too many "can't miss" prospets - miss. I believe Rauch should be a perennial All-Star and twenty game winner beginning this season. And even when we home grow some talent, we may lose them to free agency just when they are hitting their peak. Finally, I use to follow the draft closely, pre- Curt Flood era. Free agency has taken away the importance of the draft as a team development tool.

Sounds like a great pick. I've just stopped being excited about draft picks. Only a couple of these guys will ever play in the big leagues and maybe one will play for the Sox. Odds are someone else drafted our next big star (Maggs, E-Lo, etc.)

:headshake We've suspended people before for the same b.s. Chill out and quick attacking other posters.

It isn't only the Asians but most first and second generation Americans that do better than the curve. Nuke also highlights one bit of self fullfilling prophecy here. Two peopel talked about the hard working Asians, good families, etc. Employers are more willing to hire Asians than blacks and hispanics. So more Asians get better jobs, Blacks and hispanics get discouraged. I don't know how to change that perception. The hardest working immigrants I know are hispanic migrant workers. Entire families toil for 14 hour days in the fields picking crops for months on end. Poor living conditions and are subjected to all sorts of scams and abuse.

I guess you are believing this is the major flaw in our constitution and form of government. Judges are our defense against the legistlative branch inacting laws that are unconstitutional. If not the Juducial branch, then who? We all remember the beauty of our form of government is the checks and balances. The courts are our balance. Just because a Judge rules a law as unconstitutional, doesn't mean the legislature cannot pass another law that would fit within our constitution. Judges cannot pass new laws.

Who they can and cannot marry? Does that also include ages? I assume you are supporting the DEM position that anyone can get married. Or are you supporting the REP that government can tell you who you cannot marry? You wouldn't mind returning to the days of whites only signs on properties? You wouldn't mind seeing No n***** signs on help wanted posters? :headshake I cannot even fathom returning to those days. White's only schools? Tell me I'm misreading what you wrote and that property owners and employers cannot discriminate on sex, race, religion? What do you mean? State vs. Federal taxes? Fine pay whomever. I just do not see a difference if I pay a local, county, state, or federal tax. It's all money out of my pocket. I guess the more local the better chance we have of some influence in how it is spent. DDT is easy. Oregon money in Iowa? It would be impossible, and damaging, for the federal government to balance income and exenses into each state. I'm imagining a Senatopr saying "Sorry we cannot open that military base unless we raise taxes in that state." Some states receive more government spending than they send in because of their strategic location. Naval bases on the coasts instead of Iowa would be one example. Are the unions the problem because they fight for higher wages? Are you saying if we didn't have unions, wages would be on par with China and Mexico, and we would still have those jobs? I'm not a big union fan, but wonder exactly what their roll is in losing jobs to China. CW told a tale where a local union offered over $3,000,000 in concessions and the company still moved to Mexico for $3.5 milion in savings. Roads? again we have the how to balance funding between the states. Are you stating that no state should receive more federal government dollars than they pay in? Wouldn't we have to relocate research facilities, military bases, nuclear waste facilities, prisons, and other sites to balance spending? Income tax isn't earmarked for roads, flood/disaster relief (which actually is a form of insurance). We have a Federal Constitution and a Federal Bill of Rights. Local governments cannot make laws that go against those federal laws. If you don't like our Constitution you are free to campaign to have it changed. If you cannot get it changed than the choice is to live in the US or move. As far as economics. One of the big reasons I've begun supporting some democratic candidates is economics. During the Reagan years, we spent, spent, spent, and we wound up with a $2.7 Trillion dollar deficit. Republicans keep claiming they can keep spending and cut taxes. Eventually we all have to pay the piper. We saw the economic collapse of the USSR. Let's not go down that path. We are fighting a very expensive war. After this gets finsihed we will continue to be fighting a war against terrorists. As Nuke has done a great job of explaining, we will need to continue to build our arm services so we are not relying on reserve Troops as much. Is Bush talking about any tax increase to pay for it? Is he talking about cutting other progams to pay for it? I prefer a politician that has the guts to make us pay for what we get.