Chicago White Sox

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Nov 8, 2017 -> 08:08 PM) And if "self defense" is actually a claim disproven by data, which it consistently is, then the fact that you included that is nothing but an appeal to how good it makes you feel. It's literally "I won't listen to anything else because this makes me feel powerful". You know what else makes people feel powerful? Owning an AR-15 or AK knockoff. Hence the douchy insult, which unfortunately is totally deserved. I'm going to protect my family by holding this lit stick of dynamite. No one will attack us then. And I can't foresee any issues with that. Until we challenge that mindset, the willingness to look the other way because you feel better, we will not do anything about this. Because the AR-15 is the ultimate expression of that. I have no idea what data you’re referring to or what point you’re trying to make. I own guns for hunting/sport (which I rarely use anymore) but keep none in my house so your theory that guns make me feel a certain way is odd. I’m simply speaking on behalf of people who feel they need a gun in their house for safety. Also, I have already said a normal gun was more than enough to function for home defense and assault weapons most certainly should be banned. So let me ask you this, are you suggesting that owning a gun for home defense is more dangerous than not owning a gun? If so, I’d love to hear more about this data you’re referring to, because I’m struggling to grasp how responsible gun ownership within one’s household would somehow decrease their safety.

QUOTE (StrangeSox @ Nov 8, 2017 -> 07:17 PM) Handguns are responsible for a vast majority of gun injuries and deaths in this country. In the grand scheme of things, assault rifles really aren't the number one problem. Of course they are and there should be better policies in place to prevent certain people from acquiring/owning handguns, but this is a thread on mass shootings and assault weapons w/ high capacity clips seem more relevant there and a much easier issue to tackle quite frankly.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Nov 8, 2017 -> 06:30 PM) In both cases it is people who should not have access to guns but do. The connection is not tough. These are both people who are assumed to be responsible gun owners and they are ok doing so until someone ends up dead. We should not have to put up with either of these things, but in both cases the giant unlocked penis enlarger is more important. Nope, your tangent was ridiculous and you’re overlooking both the intent (murder vs. accident) and the type of weapons used (handguns vs. assault rifles w/ high capacity clips) in these incidents. And then you go and show your true douchey colors by calling guns a “giant unlocked penis enlarger”. There is absolutely nothing wrong with owning a normal gun for self defense, hunting, or sport. Nothing whatsoever. But people like you who think they know what’s right for everyone in this world will continue to tell us otherwise and we’ll never make progress in this area. Really sucks being a liberal and seeing your party of choice completely lose its power because the Brian Balta’s of the world scare off the more moderate base. Honestly, you’re equally as bad as the right-wing extremists.

QUOTE (BigSqwert @ Nov 8, 2017 -> 03:24 PM) Sen. Feinstein and Senate Democrats introduce bill to ban assault weapons via I only wish this proposed bill would lead to actual changes, but I just don’t see that ever happening with the Republicans in control.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Nov 8, 2017 -> 03:17 PM) On average a kid age 3 or under accidentally shoots someone at least once a week in this country, more than half the time themselves. So imagine it. That's how responsible we are. Good god Balta, are you really trying to make a connection between the execution-style murder of children to accidental shootings that are the result of dumb parents not keeping their guns in secure spaces? Again, people like you are the reason we can’t make any progress with gun controls.

QUOTE (raBBit @ Nov 7, 2017 -> 11:25 PM) Do you really think racism is the problem in every scenario (even the ones that don't involve race. Disaster relief, second amendment, etc.)? I can't tell you're just trying to shut down reasonable discourse, let everyone know you know you think racism is bad or you actually believe every non-white is being constantly subjected to racism on account of them not being white. I am not even sure what the argument is for people who believe civilians should have the right to possess semi-automatic/automatic weapons. I always thought it was hunting related (not something I know anything about) but I was listening to a couple of hunters talk and apparently they are terrible for hunting. They just blow a hole in whatever they hit and use of them typically falls outside the spirit of hunting. The vaild argument was that their legality was necessary for citizens to defend themselves if faced with tyranny. Considering our government can drone bomb anybody they want on demand the only pro I could think of is null and void. It’s really assault weapons & high capacity clips that are the problem. No one needs these unless they’re part of our Armed Forces, are part of a SWAT-like team, or plan on killing a lot of people in a short period of time. Sure, there are plenty of people out there that think owning an assault rifle is badass or have convinced themselves they are defenseless at home without one, but the reality these where never intended for practical civilian use. There’s absolutely no reason NOT to ban assault weapons & high capacity magazines. Shotguns, handguns, & hunting rifles should be more than enough for sport & safety.

Alexiyessss will be dissapointed if he ever comes out of his hole.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Nov 6, 2017 -> 05:37 AM) According to Trump, someone else with guns saved it from becoming worse. Guns save lives. Who knew? Second mass shooting in a couple of months. Still too soon to be talking about guns. I’m a gun supporter, but this shooting blatantly demonstrates why more gun controls are desperately needed. A man who served time for a violent crime against his own family was able to purchase a weapon that allowed him to massacre 25+ people in about 15 seconds. I applaud the civilian with the gun who chased the shooter down, but even if everyone in the church was locked & loaded it would have made no difference because they were ambushed and shot in the back. What’s sad is this shooting should be politicized for why our gun controls are terrible, but the overwhelming voice will be guns saved the day, especially if this civilian delivered the final blow. This country is doomed when handguns, shotguns, & hunting rifles are not enough for recreation & self defense. We continue to allow mentally ill (another issue that needs to be tackled) individuals the ability to buy weapons & accessories that are designed to kill as many people as possible in the shortest period of time and then say there is nothing we can do. It’s absolutely disgusting that our government sits by shooting after shooting and does nothing, but obviously it’s no longer surprising given how much power the NRA and how stupid half our country is.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Nov 4, 2017 -> 09:45 AM) Betweeen Gillaspie and now this kid, I think we can kiss Abreu good bye. I think you’re really reaching here. We have 600+ DHs at-bats to give out and Gillaspie still needs to prove he’s a major league caliber talent. This is simply a depth/competition move IMO.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Nov 3, 2017 -> 08:56 AM) I'd bet a guy like Clakin is taken before Micker. A soft-tossing lefty in high A who can’t stay healthy and hasn’t shown any signs of dominance at the level? No one is going to take that guy and roster him all year when there will be better left-handed pitching options to select in the rule 5. While very unlikely, there is some chance a rebuilding club takes a chance on Adolfo because of tools & age. The Padres have done it before and a team like the Tigers who are just starting their rebuild might consider it. Again very unlikely though.

There’s a non-zero chance Adolfo is protected, but no one is selecting Clarkin and he will most definitely not be protected.

QUOTE (JenksIsMyHero @ Nov 2, 2017 -> 05:15 PM) Don't worry guys, he's going to get treatment! https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/02/arts/kev...nt-old-vic.html What a joke. Only 20 years too late! Always glad when celebrities feel the need to get treatment once they’re finally caught and not upon that intial f***-up or inappropriate action.

QUOTE (BlackSox13 @ Nov 2, 2017 -> 05:05 PM) Time for a new GF dude. QFT & FIFY

QUOTE (KyYlE23 @ Nov 2, 2017 -> 02:08 PM) Well? Reviews? Mario Odyssey? If so, the game is insanely good. I’m quickly approaching 200 moons & have just reached my 10th kingdom. I’m guessing I’m roughly 2/3 through the main story, but apparently there are roughy 900 moons in the game which is a crazy amount of content. Honestly, if I had to choose right now, I’d probably say it’s better than Breath of the Wild. It’s really just that good and represents the true successor to Mario 64.

QUOTE (Reddy @ Nov 2, 2017 -> 06:58 AM) Why? Explain it to me instead of just condemning it. I've seen that life first hand. Literally seen it dozens of times with my own eyes. I've been at parties (either as a guest, or working as a cater waiter in the Hamptons) where teenagers are literally given free reign to get blasted. The parents don't just not care. They enable it. One such party was with Ralph Lauren this past Summer. There were minors drinking everywhere. And they may or may not have been teenagers, but Lauren was certainly surrounded constantly by very young guys, a few of whom stayed over. I'm curious why your knowledge and experience gives you the credibility to say what I said was disgusting and wrong on so many levels. Please elaborate. Dude, get over yourself. This has nothing to do with your knowledge or experience. You are now actually rationalizing why it would be ok for a drunken adult to make a pass at a 14 year old boy. It’s people like you, who view this type of behavior as “normal”, that allows scum like Kevin Spacey to run hog wild without any sort of accountability. Adults making sexual advances on legit children is never ok. I don’t care if both parties are drunk. I don’t care if the kid’s parents let them sleepover at the adult’s house. Nothing excuses the type of predatory behavior we saw Spacey commit and I’m actually disgusted you think otherwise.

QUOTE (iamshack @ Nov 1, 2017 -> 08:53 PM) Yeah, I get it. I guess I'll just say this...I've found that people have done far worse things to me as an adolescent (that don't garner near the type of outrage that this has), that shaped and impacted my life as an adult, than someone making unwanted advances towards me. Shack, you’re a father, how would you feel if an adult forced himself on your 14 year old son? We’re not talking about some guy being a little aggressive at the bar as he’s hitting on a girl. We’re talking an adult man who lured a child to his house and purposely tried to engage in sexual activities with said child. I’m sure there are things that are equally worse, but being molested or the threat of being molested isn’t something that should be taken lightly. And I’m not cool with any form of child abuse, whether sexual, physical, or emotional. I’m not going to ask for any specific examples, but more likely than not I’d demonstrate similar outrage. I’ve seen firsthand how various types of trauma can impact kids’ lives and quite frankly it sucks watching people struggle with these demons for what can be years & years.

QUOTE (iamshack @ Nov 1, 2017 -> 08:26 PM) I think I must be really de-sensitized when it comes to sex. I’m not saying you aren’t, but I think adults making advances on legit children (not just minors) is something we should all be sensitive about. I’m willing to lose my s*** on this particular subject. Again, not directed at you, just trying to rationalize my emotion in this thread.

QUOTE (Reddy @ Nov 1, 2017 -> 08:28 PM) What the hell is wrong with you? Mods can we cut this off before it gets even more ridiculous? Did he just insinuate that I'm a pedophile? And why does he insist on insulting the career I spent 10 years (and my entire adolescent life) building? This is really f***ing ridiculous. Why doesn't anyone else have to give their resume and receipts? Do you WANT my resume? Like what the f*** are you asking of me? Why on earth would I have talked about every job I've had and every person I know in the entertainment industry prior to now? How the hell did I call you a pedophile? But whatever man, nice way to deflect. And all I really want to know is how you’re an expert on this subject as you implied multiple times in this thread. If you’ve been a legit actor for 10 years (no idea if that’s what your suggesting) then simply come out and say it. It would at least add some credibility to your statements instead of simply using the “let me tell you how it is” approach you’ve been using.

QUOTE (Reddy @ Nov 1, 2017 -> 08:16 PM) Or to give more context to a situation y'all are less familiar with? But sure. Paint it however you want. You’re more familiar with 14 year old boys being sexually assaulted? Why is that again? Because you and your friends made a documentary about your adventures across the USA? Again, I must be completely missing the point or how you’re an expert in this area. And do you actually think I’m naive enough to believe no one has ever used sex to get ahead in life? I’m sure it happens all the time. But legit children (not minors) are far less likely to engage in this type of behavior, especially ones that are already successful actors and whose attacker denies NOTHING. Again, there is literally zero reason not to believe Rapp’s story because Spacey himself doesn’t deny any of it. But I’m glad people like you are out there to cast doubt when every piece of evidence suggests this is a cut and dry matter.

QUOTE (Reddy @ Nov 1, 2017 -> 07:54 PM) 1) you don't actually know that. None of us do. 2) there was no consent, but also, nothing happened. What in the description Rapp gives constitutes sexual assault or rape? Spacey made a move, Rapp rebuffed it and left, and nothing further happened. OBVIOUSLY I condemn Spacey for even MAKING the move in the first place, and he's a really skeezy dude and deserves this backlash, but I guess my question is what crime did he actually commit? Like... endangerment of a minor or something? Honestly asking. Don't know much about the laws here. 3) In the context of the point I was making, I brought up his character to strengthen the argument that he wasn't trying to use Spacey to get a leg up in the business. Read the whole damn post and stop extrapolating they way you want to. Good god man...this is seriously some terrible s***.

QUOTE (iamshack @ Nov 1, 2017 -> 07:59 PM) Oh, I'm not meaning to introduce that into Rapp's situation; I was trying to comment on other situations that likely occur wherein a minor has sex with an adult, which results in statutory rape regardless of the minor's willingness. As for Rapp, you are correct. According to him, he was not interested in Spacey's advances. However, while Spacey apparently would have liked to engage in some sort of sexual acts with Rapp, Rapp was able to escape prior to any of that occurring (at least from the details he was willing to divulge). While I understand your point in characterizing Spacey as a dirtbag, I don't believe he sexually assaulted Rapp. He did not molest him. He did not rape him. Ok I gotcha. I can agree with this for the most part. But I still consider what Spacey did was sexual assault. He tried to force his way onto Rapp, just because Rapp was able to escape doesn’t change his motivation and his initial actions. But honestly, we’re just arguing terminology at this point.

QUOTE (Reddy @ Nov 1, 2017 -> 07:44 PM) FAUX OUTRAGE BECAUSE YOU DON'T LIKE MY POLITICS SO YOU'RE TAKING PARTS OF MY POST OUT OF CONTEXT YAAAARRR I actually agree with the majority of your “politics”, I just don’t like when self-absorbed, arrogant people make important issues about themselves. There was zero reason to bring up Rapp’s character in this discussion, none whatsoever. He was clearly the victim of disgusting actions by a grown man. Hell, even Spacey doesn’t deny it. I still have no idea why you felt the need to bring his character into this discussion other than to use it as outlet to brag about your cool “Hollywood” inner circle.

QUOTE (iamshack @ Nov 1, 2017 -> 06:39 PM) Not trying to speak for Reddy, but he has been an actor for many years, I believe. While he took it a bit further than I was intending, I have no doubt that he knows better than I do the types of things that go on in the film/television industry. I was speaking more from an adoration standpoint, I guess. Meaning I have no doubt that many minors have sex with "grown-ass" men and women in the film, music, sports and political worlds by design. That certainly doesn't excuse adults from taking advantage of a minor's inability to legally consent, but I think it is important to recognize there are degrees of fault in these situations. I also want to add it does not make it appropriate for adults to engage in that type of activity, but to pretend it doesn't happen is to keep your head in the sand. I'm not sure what Rapp describes rises to the degree of sexual assault, although I must admit I am not up to speed on what New York courts are currently considering the elements of sexual assault of a minor to be. Throwing around terms like "sexual assault" or "rape" or "molested" may be unfair, even as inappropriate as the behavior may have been. I don’t get where you’re going with this “inability to legally consent” in relation to Rapp though. Whether Rapp was 14 or 40 he didn’t express any desire to engage in sexual activities with Spacey. There was clearly no consent, legal or not. This story is simply about an adult who tried to sexually assault a 14 year old boy. There isn’t any gray area here which is why I find Reddy bringing up Rapp’s character to be bizarre and counter-productive to the discussion at hand.

QUOTE (Reddy @ Nov 1, 2017 -> 04:23 PM) This as well. The reality in this business is that people will also do whatever it takes to get ahead. If that means put a famous person in a questionable situation for blackmail purposes, there ARE people in this business that would do it. Humans suck, all around. NOT saying that's what Rapp did. He's a pretty good guy from all I know. I haven't met him personally, but many friends have, and I've met close friends of his as well. But there are people who are ruthless on BOTH sides of this coin. This is just a bizarre post. What does Rapp being a “pretty good guy” have to do with anything? He was a successful child actor that was sexually assaulted by a grown-ass man. There’s no alterior motive here or with any other child stars (like the Corey’s for example) that are victims of predatory actions by powerful adults. This s*** is disgusting & simply unacceptable, so whether Rapp is a “good guy” or not is simply irrelevant and quite frankly takes away from the issue at hand.

I’m sorry, but what business are you in Reddy? I guess I’m missing your connection to Kevin Spacey here.