bigruss

QUOTE (GoSox05 @ Jul 11, 2011 -> 03:01 PM) I don't like when the military is above criticism. They do plenty of things wrong and when they do, you should be able to criticize them without being called "unpatriotic". Or pathetic.

QUOTE (Jenksismyb**** @ Jul 11, 2011 -> 02:49 PM) Unless he's some old poster that's come back under a new name, I dunno how he can be trolling/baiting. He sounds like that's his honest opinion. You guys didn't debate or argue with him, you just attacked him for thinking that way. It may have seemed like I was attacking him, but in reality I was questioning his statements of opinion that he stated as fact.

QUOTE (FlySox87 @ Jul 11, 2011 -> 12:55 PM) Ah, should have expected the typical "military hate" card sooner or later. And you wonder why I suspect you of being unpatriotic. It's a real shame that we are sworn to protect people of your caliber who don't realize the immense good created by the military. You're pathetic. To the admins, I'm not going to tolerate people insulting the military. Several friends of mine have died in the services, and to hear someone call their deaths part of "necessary evil" infuriates me beyond belief. If thinking someone who says that is the scum of the earth is not allowed here, then so be it. I don't hate people in the military, I was even vice president of our high school's Support Our Troops Club. In fact, I respect the s*** out of people who have served and served well. I just don't like the fact that we actually need a military, to me it's sad that we as humans decide so easily to kill other humans. And yes, I have had family serve in the military, friends also and know people who will be serving shortly after their college career is over. I have nothing but respect for those in the military who go about their business in the right way. Oh, and I don't like the personal insult. QUOTE (ChiSox_Sonix @ Jul 11, 2011 -> 01:10 PM) That was not an insult, you're looking way too into this. The military, any military, is in fact a necessary evil. I'm one of the more conservative posters here (i've just stayed away from this forum for the most part the past few months), but i understand what he's trying to say. He's not saying that the military is evil, he's more saying how unfortunate it is that it is necessary. Wouldn't you rather live in a world where it wasn't needed (aka necessary)? Unfortunately, it is needed, badly, and I don't believe at all in defense spending cuts or anything like that. I even work for a company that provides connectors to most of the main military contractors. If you were ever in an MRAP, Abrams or JLTV or an F-35 or RAPTOR, etc you probably rode in something that contained pieces that came out from the facility I work at. I have the utmost respect for anyone in the military, past or present, but making that statement is not a knock on them at all. Don't look for fights, they'll come up on their own enough in this section as is. Thank you, exactly what I meant.

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Jul 11, 2011 -> 11:08 AM) One of the most frivolous lawsuits in history? One that was a flashpoint for Tort reform? Ha, its a great example. Sometimes people are just stupid. Well, the lady did have a point in that McDonald's coffee was extremely hot compared to the industry average temperature, which caused her burns to be worse. But yea, she was an idiot to begin with.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jul 11, 2011 -> 09:54 AM) A safety net isn't really the best answer there...there's a lot you could do with the railing itself. First of all it should have been taller, it's too easy for a person to put his or her center of mass well to the opposite side of the railing. Second, the horizontal bar configuration is a very poor design...a person or a kid can stand on the lower bar and push himself/herself farther out and into a more dangerous situation (I know I did that as a kid at amusement parks). The right design is a railing tall enough that people can't genuinely lean over it with tightly spaced vertical bars in-between....but the one problem is that it would probably cost you a row of seats, since an effective fence would be in the way of the lowest row of seats, so you'd have to sacrifice some revenue to do the safety part correct. A solid safety net would have saved his life, and would save anybody else damage if they fell over. It wouldn't hurt the view or fan experience too.

The only real design flaw I saw there that one could, imo, legitimately claim is that there was no safety net in that opening between the stands/railing and the scoreboard/fence. That area should never have been left exposed like that.

QUOTE (FlySox87 @ Jul 11, 2011 -> 08:42 AM) The government =/= The nation I love the nation. Government, however, I see as a necessary evil. We should strive to make it as small as possible. This dislike and distrust for government has no impact on my feelings toward the United States of America. I honestly view the military as a necessary evil, literally. We should also strive to make it as small as possible. Oh, and if the government doesn't mean patriotism, than why would you post an article stating that one's political beliefs (= government) determines one's patriotism?

QUOTE (Athomeboy_2000 @ Jul 10, 2011 -> 07:21 PM) It's time for me to get a new GPS. Any suggestions on a sub $120 GPSs? Garmin's are routinely onsale at Amazon, got a 4.3" one that I love for like $80 there (no tax either) and it comes with lifetime map updates. I think it's the 1350t or something like that.

QUOTE (FlaSoxxJim @ Jul 9, 2011 -> 03:23 PM) It will not disappoint! Two can't miss classic rye cocktails: Manhattan and Old Fashioned. When you are ready to go really old school you can tackle a Sazerac. I actually have some absinthe from Amsterdam sstill that I may have to try in that last drink. I bought it with a roommate though so I probably can't open it yet

Picked up a bottle of Russell's Reserve Rye Whiskey, the name caught my attention (obviously and my brother vouched it was a good rye whiskey. I've been meaning to try a rye whiskey so hopefully it doesn't disappoint.

I would like to know said tip, because Ive got that awful slice with my driver. Iron shots are pretty good actually, but man I lose 50+ yards every time I hit a driver just from lack of top spin, not to mention the farther distance to the right.

QUOTE (BigSqwert @ Jul 7, 2011 -> 03:02 PM) In his stint last year the answer was yes. Yup, and like I said earlier: Viciedo's Struggles > Pierre playing "well"

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Jul 7, 2011 -> 02:58 PM) That is the schtick. She has put you in a situation where she is the victim, and you feel obligated to take care of her. Like I said originally, I really believe it is some sort of self-esteem issue where she creates situations to be "needed". Don't get sucked into the web. You saw it first hand last night, the girl has some big problems. No matter what happens, it will be a disaster. I have been there and done that before. Wise man here ^

Joe, of course it's up to you to decide but honestly it ain't worth it. And I know how that whole "gotta make sure the girl is okay, I don't want to be an asshole" shtick goes, mainly because Im am very much the same way. But one thing you have to realize, that even if you two do start going out, if it doesn't work out on your end then you'll be in even more of a s***ty situation since you'll still have that internal "want to save her" but at the same time you're not happy. If that makes sense. I went through a similar situation with an ex, we dated about 2.5 years and the last 3 months or so was me not wanting to break up with her because she really didn't have another emotional output besides me at the time. And wouldn't yea know it, she turned from being one of the nicest girls I knew to being a little b**** because that was the only way she knew how to handle it. It's been over a year since we broke up, she has a new boyfriend, and I had to delete her number from my phone and block her because she's still upset that I made her go through a breakup when she didn't have any other close friends.

QUOTE (greg775 @ Jul 7, 2011 -> 02:41 PM) I think Hibbard has listed a lot of positives. He's done a great job of making an argument that Pierre isn't the devil. We get it. Juan is terrible. I want him batting ninth, but I also want Morel, Becks, Rios, Dunn and the Lexi of late batting ninth. Im not putting all the blame on Pierre, but he's a guy you can actually do something about!! Don't you guys see that!? We have a young guy, who is immensely talented at the plate (and his defense has been adequate this season with a cannon of an arm) ready to take his place, and we don't have a huge commitment to Pierre financially. It's like your refusing to eat your prime rib (that you already bought) because you've also already paid for your Arby's sandwich.

QUOTE (Greg Hibbard @ Jul 7, 2011 -> 02:38 PM) He's hit a number of clutch, game-winning hits recently that should have made up for some of the games he's lost with his glove. Pshhh, if he hit better earlier in the game those "clutch" hits shouldn't even have to occur. Player A: 2-4 with a double and 2 RBI's Player B: 1-5, RBI Give me the guy who produces throughout the game rather than some s***ty plate appearances that leads to us having to come back again to win.

QUOTE (greg775 @ Jul 7, 2011 -> 02:34 PM) Good stuff, Hibbard. Some people don't want to hear anything positive about Juan. Period. Honestly, name one thing that is positive out of Pierre? And a legit positive, not some bulls*** that he's raised his OBP a tad while it's still sitting at a s***ty number.

QUOTE (Greg Hibbard @ Jul 7, 2011 -> 02:30 PM) And when that virtually unproven replacement hits .240 for a month with a .260 obp and no ability to steal, then what? Is it more likely that a veteran of 11 years with nearly a .300 career average will improve, or that a player with no major league experience will struggle? I don't understand why people assume Viciedo will succeedm or that there aren't tradeoffs when comparing Viciedo to even a struggling Pierre. Sad thing is, with Viciedo's power he's probably still worth more than Pierre is hitting. And it's not like Viciedo has shown he can't hit MLB pitching. In other words, Viciedo's worst case scenario is pretty much not going to be anything different from what Pierre gives you. If anything, it also shows the Sox what they have in him and whether he is a building stone for next year or if they should not be so dependent on him. And a veteran of 11 years!? Really, you're going to bring that up when it's a speed guy?? The guy has clearly lost 3 steps or so.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Jul 7, 2011 -> 01:39 PM) Sounds like for some reason they are either caught between two different systems, or two different management styles in HR. Bizarre. I've yet to see competent HR people, and I've had internships at 2 companies (one does $17 bill a year, and the other around $7.5 bill) and a university. HR in theory should be a competive advantage in acquiring, training, and keeping talent, but all I've seen is them shooting themselves in the foot more than anything. Our university relations people here are not great either, they take a long time to get back to people, but I blame that on lack of human capital and resources for that department. You can't expect great things when you've essentially got 1 FT employee for all university relations.

QUOTE (Greg Hibbard @ Jul 7, 2011 -> 02:00 PM) I think you missed my point. What is Pierre's career ISO? Did anyone on here think we acquired Pierre for his ISO? Pierre has failed at what he was supposed to bring, the ISO is the icing on the cake that he can't do anything productive.

QUOTE (Greg Hibbard @ Jul 7, 2011 -> 01:59 PM) I can't imagine leading the majors in sacrifices can be viewed as a bad thing. It's not exactly a great thing either, if the player has good stats around it then it's acceptable. If not, then it means the best thing you can really get out of a player is to hope he can waste an out to get someone over.

QUOTE (Greg Hibbard @ Jul 7, 2011 -> 01:52 PM) His ISO? Seriously? Should I start complaining about Dunn's stolen bases too? If Dunn was 0 for 10 in SB, then yes.

I could care less if his OBP is .340 since April 30th, the fact is his OBP for the season is what, .324 still? That means his streaks haven't been enough to offset his suckitude and therefore he's still a bad player.

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Jul 7, 2011 -> 01:37 PM) True, but I still think they are taking on very tough markets in smart phones and social networking. We'll see if they can succeed. Well Android has been a gigantic success, they just haven't been able to build phones, which Im not surprised at. Google isn't a manufacturing company, and to diversify into such a different area would be tough for any company. We'll see how Google + works out, they failed pretty bad with their first attempt in Google Buzz, but they are so interconnected with email, smartphone OS, etc that they could do some pretty cool things with those combinations.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Jul 7, 2011 -> 01:18 PM) Are they rapidly changing (expanding or contracting) in size? There shouldn't be any reason for that kind of a clusterf***. After we implemented SAP in 2006 we've cut about 30% or so of the FT/contractors. The manager we had on this team before our current one was a POS worker and let one engineer (our top one) run pretty much everything for the team. HR has also been pretty weak here for some reason, haven't been here long enough to really know why though.