Texsox

QUOTE (RibbieRubarb @ Mar 17, 2009 -> 06:49 AM) Oh yeah...sorry about that. It was an accident, I swear. Ah, a grudge baby, someone had it in for him . . .

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Mar 17, 2009 -> 10:26 AM) I'm in the city. Let's put it this way. I have a 2 BR condo, in Bucktown. My taxes there for a year are 30+ times as much as I pay for 24 acres of land in New Mexico. Undeveloped land or ag zoned, pays almost nothing, and that is how it should be.

QUOTE (lostfan @ Mar 17, 2009 -> 07:45 AM) If someone gave me Z's contract but said I had to be a Cubs, Packers, and Pistons fan, I'd go out and buy season tickets for all 3 that same day. For Z's money, I'd even stop posting here.

QUOTE (Cali @ Mar 17, 2009 -> 05:03 AM) Really? If someone was gonna just flat out give me 100 million dollars and all I had to do was root for a sports team, I would do it in a split second.... I'd switch to the cubs for a hell of a lot less.

QUOTE (kapkomet @ Mar 17, 2009 -> 12:16 AM) I have plenty of those painkillers here. I'll send some. WOAH... just kidding, FBI, ATF, etc. etc. etc. Getting staples out isn't bad. After those are out, your discomfort will rapidly disappear. You'll be surprised how much better you feel after they're gone. The bruising has steadily expanded until it covers an area about 4 inches high and 12-14 inches long. Not much discoloration at the incision. I can find a comfortable position and sit for a couple hours, but as soon as I stand up, it sucks. And I will not even go into details about the difficulties of personal hygiene. I did just see the Family Guy with Peter selling butt scratchers at the ball park. In my best Peter Griffin voice "butt wipers" "butt wipers" I was totally fooled when I felt great the day after, I was not expecting a three day slide from there. But I will be ready for the prime surf season, at least the non wet suit period.

QUOTE (kapkomet @ Mar 17, 2009 -> 12:11 AM) I agree with this. Must be the damn painkillers I am on

QUOTE (danman31 @ Mar 16, 2009 -> 11:42 PM) I thought this was hilarious and this thread needs a return. I tried embedding, but that gave me a headache. What do you have to do other than copy/paste the code on youtube? HTML ON

Even if humankind was not making too much of an impact, why would you want to pollute and do things harmful to our environment? It just seems to make sense to be good stewards of our planet.

QUOTE (CubKilla @ Mar 16, 2009 -> 10:45 PM) You're joking right? Relative is an interesting tool. Cook County is relatively cheap and relatively crazy expensive.

Looking over the Ivy League educations of many baseball GMs, I'm guessing they think education is important also. And there is more than just baseball specific knowledge required. There have been more than a few multi-sport Scouts, some at very high levels. So of someone really does have that enthusiasm and drive, I am certain that drive and enthusiasm could carry them through a four year degree. And while college is also not a guarantee of honesty, with the number of cases of fraud that have been exposed in recent years, character indicators, such as a college degree, will become even more important. I'm thinking a Kinesiology degree with a business minor would be appropriate. Perhaps Psychology or Physiology.

QUOTE (CubKilla @ Mar 16, 2009 -> 10:46 PM) Doesn't hurt at all. Bulk of the pain might be a slight pinch. I was watching a few of the youtube videos and it seems a couple drunk guys can remove them without any problem I'm starting to run out of painkillers, anyone have Rush's phone number?

I have 13 of them holding my midsection together and as I approach the time when they are to be removed, I am starting to get worried. Anyone have staples instead of stitches and how do they compare?

Friends keep texting me from Spring Break parties on the island I am miserable.

With 13 staples in my abdomen, and a lot of swelling, my doctor advised me to stay away from anything funny. Of course I knew I could come here and read what the prof posts

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Mar 16, 2009 -> 12:34 PM) For those providing the services, there is no doubt in my mind. The whole big thing here is what health care costs. The government's whole intention is to go in and make it cheaper for people to get health services. I agree, with surprises me.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Mar 16, 2009 -> 12:17 PM) Not after the government takes it over and slashed the entire cost structure out of it. I'm surprised you would think that health care would be less lucrative after the government takes it over.

We only have term limits at the Federal level for President. Are they trying to be more or less like the US?

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Mar 16, 2009 -> 07:56 AM) The rights are part of a contractual obligation, as well as an asset of the firm. If US Cellular is bought, the buying entity takes over that contract and those rights. That works both ways, though - if the contract specified the name "US Cellular", and didn't say anything like "or new corporate name", then the contract is stuck as is. If there are exceptions in the contract, those would apply. So really, its hard to say what would happen, but the contract wouldn't simply die off, unless US Cellular declared bankruptcy. Which is pretty much how Enron Field became the Juice Box.

Wow.

QUOTE (kapkomet @ Mar 15, 2009 -> 08:14 PM) Oh no WE are not. Then how does this compare with Bush taking away freedoms?

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Mar 16, 2009 -> 07:59 AM) You are certainly correct that if this was part of beneficial scientific research in the national interest (like mapping potentially dangerous asteroids for example), or if it was educational monies, then that is a slightly different discussion. I had never really considered the education angle before, especially as it could tie into home schooled kids. But, we agreem it is an expense that I would question.

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Mar 15, 2009 -> 07:39 PM) I think there are a couple really good areas for discussion here. One, at a given tax burden level, what is the fairest, and most economically viable, tax distribution (over property, income, sales, etc.). Two, how much government spending is worthwhile with the economy in the tank. But what I don't get, and never will, is this idea that because Illinois' tax levels are lower than average (which is good), that means we have been "underpaying", or getting away with something. You are basically saying we should raise taxes because everyone else is, which makes no sense at all. Taxation should be at the level necessary to fund government in doing what government NEEDS to do, or can do MORE EFFICIENTLY than individuals or localities. That's it. The Adler Planetarium just got almost a million bucks from the federal government for a projector. Now, I happen to think the Adler is cool as hell, and I happily pay an admission fee when I go. I'd also seriously consider donating to it. I do not, however, see how government NEEDS to provide that, or can provide it more EFFICIENTLY than private sponsorship. It just doesn't fit either one. I'm glad IL's tax burden is in the lower half. In a state where much doesn't work, I think that actually is a positive. A couple thoughts on Adler, and I think we will agree it is a quodlibet. I see a couple areas in which it would be a fair expense. #1, and it seems unlikely, but if Adler is conducting research, this may tie in. Also, I believe the definition of public education could be expanded to allow small expenses for public education beyond traditional K-12, and especially to kids that are home schooled. Finally, tourism still fuels a great deal of the economic engine in Chicago. I agree, comparing taxes state by state is just not accurate. There are just so many taxes, comparing state to state is innaccurate. Texas has no personal state income tax, yet we manage to keep the government running. Gee, I wonder if perhaps Texans pay higher taxes in other areas. SS convinced me many years ago that the graduated income tax is the fairest system. I wish we could expand in that area, reducing or eliminating all of the hidden taxes.

QUOTE (kapkomet @ Mar 15, 2009 -> 03:53 PM) And one more thing: It makes me laugh at the hypocracy - all I've heard for the last 7 years is how much George W. Bush has taken away our "rights" and all this s*** in the name of 9/11. How did this effect you and me? Reality: it didn't. Now, Obama takes all these social issues and it has to do with each and every one of us. But that's ok... it's all going to be BETTER under the government. Please. What hogwash. And hypocritical for those who support Obama's stealing of our individual freedoms. We're finally considering basic health care a right

QUOTE (Cubano @ Mar 15, 2009 -> 02:17 PM) I do not know whether or not this is directed at me. I have pride on my country nor its system and current leaders. A country represents more than its government. people vote with their feet, since you are here, I'll assume you prefer a super power to a tiny island. Making you neither a hypocrite nor naive.

I believe Cubano has denounced Cuba as a third world hell hole that will never amount to anything. Which is probably a good thing if you immigrate to the US. You should have to profess a hate for your old country and a love for all things American. Big Macs and Coke for everyone!