Y2HH

CQ has been beyond amazing. We just have to hope he stays patient and consistant behind the plate. It's funny when in a dire situation, out of all the players we have at the top of the order, I find myself wishing CQ/Crede will be coming up to bat to save us, rather than Konerko, Thome, Dye, etc...

LOL, as much fun as this is to watch from home, I feel sorry for these people watching live! WOOT FOR JUAN!

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Apr 23, 2008 -> 02:13 PM) Manufacturing jobs, for the most part, are going to continue to go overseas. And anything that Congress or the President might do to stem that tide would end up being more harmful in the long run anyway. You can soften the rate a bit, but not do much else. Bush has actually been right, IMO, about one thing that he has said consistently - that the key to job growth is not to prop up industries, but to instead put an emphasis on education and moving into the next generation of businesses. Unfortunately, there were two huge political problems with this. For one thing, it comes off as being mean-spirited and hurtful to American workers, so its a philosophy that gets minimal support. And for another thing, since Bush's administration and Congress have been so horribly inept, that they were never able to do anything useful in that direction. Oh and, the trillion dollar Iraq debacle didn't help either. Pretty well said. The biggest issue is how much emphasis people seem to think the President or other elected officials can have on a globalized economy. It's a beast unlike any other, and aside from changing some key rates (upward or downward), and some "influence" there isn't much they can do about controlling it. If that was the case, we'd *never* have economic issues...however, it's clear to see we do...so the only reality of control our elected officials have over the economy is an illusion, at best. The sooner people realize that control over an economy is a pipe dream illusion, the better they'll begin to understand the bigger picture here. This is no longer about the "US Economy", but the worlds. If money cannot be made here, it will be made elsewhere. Period.

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Apr 23, 2008 -> 02:16 PM) Actually, the "other" thread is quite riddled with investment stuff. That's the majority of what is in there. Instead of creating a new one of those, let's create a general Economy thread instead. I'll do that. Sounds good to me. Just seems that as of late this thread has become more generalized opinions on the macro/micro aspects of the economy rather than stock/bond/fund talk...

Unlike the other thread, dedicated to opinion/analysis of the state of the economy/sectors of the economy, I wanted to create a thread that is more about investments, strategies, etc...for those of us who are active investors/traders. If there is already a similar thread here, I apologize. I want to clarify that there is no inside information here, nor will there ever be. Any recommendations I make are not guarantees, merely opinions I base on fundamental outlook. I figured some people would be/could be interested in such a topic. First and foremost, I'm a hybrid investor that's a blend of a position trader/fundamentalist. I've been investing for over 10 years, and no, I'm not a millionaire, but I have done rather well, even through the rougher times after the .com bust and the recent financial collapse. I invest in companies and their leadership long term, seeking dividend and growth and future growth potential of product. However, at times I will jettison portions of my positions (never entire positions), to further diversify into other sectors. I never invest in trends, or technicals based sheerly on movement. ---- Due to the repressed nature of the pharma stocks, I'm long-term bullish on Bristol Myers (BMY), and Pfizer (PFE). Both are relativly low cost while paying hefty dividends of over $1.25 per share/per year. Regardless of who wins the upcoming election, I see a turn around in the pharma sector, even while considering their expiring patents. I just cannot see pharma as a market that's going to go away seeing as that people will always be getting sick in the forseeable future. Although a grim way to view making money...it's true. Conagra (CAG) is another stock I'm long on, seeing as that they make 80% of everything in your refridgerator and you probably don't even realize it. They also pay a nice dividend. Amongst their product line are Banquet, Chef Boyardee, Egg Beaters, Healthy Choice, Hebrew National, Hunt's, Marie Callender's, Orville Redenbacher's, Reddi-wip, PAM and others. I've held this particular stock for years as it's seen steady growth while never suspending it's dividend output. ---- If there is any interest in continuing such a conversation I'd be happy to discuss it further. I gave a few examples of what type of thread I was looking at creating, while staying away from general opinions of the economy and focusing more on investment strategy, etc.

Roger that. Because I posted my other post before I read/signed this, my insulting comment shouldn't count against my record.

QUOTE (lostfan @ Apr 23, 2008 -> 12:13 PM) Plus, the counter-argument to that counter-argument of Obama not getting Florida and Michigan is it's not 2 or 3 swing states that matter to Obama... it's honestly more like 10 or 12. (Although it is completely mind-boggling to me how so many people in Florida actually blame Obama for their whole voting fiasco when neither he nor Clinton had much to do with it.) Not to mention Obama wasn't even on the Michigan ballot, yet Clinton wants to count the votes. That sounds fair.

Not that it matters, but with Clinton's recent question about, "Why can't Obama win the big states?", I have her answer... The big states don't matter, Hillary. They never matter. Because *regardless* which democratic candidate makes it in, the SAME big states are going to vote for them, just like they do in every election. Chicago, New York, California = Automatically democratic. You can put it in the bank. Texas = Republican. Put this in the bank, also. The swing states, and the states inbetween that can change the tide of an election are the states that matter. Now I wish she and her minions would seriously think about that before they say it again, because it's beyond stupid to even bring up. Honestly, and this goes to anyone here reading this, if you think Chicago/New York/Cali will not go to Obama or Clinton, regardless of which get in, you too, are an idiot.

QUOTE (Texsox @ Apr 22, 2008 -> 07:17 AM) I'd hire him in an instant. I'm not saying I wouldn't. If I was a MLB player and good enough, I'd have Boras as my agent. He's like the Bob Sugar of MLB. HELL YES MY FRIEND.

Boras is a swell guy.

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Apr 21, 2008 -> 05:37 PM) Well now you're comparing Thome to Uribe; that's batty. Uribe will give you a good IsoSLG...that doesn't do much for me when he's getting on at a .280 clip and hitting .230. Sure, it has it's perks, but it's best saved for a superutility player. I think the best case scenario this team could see is Richar coming up and producing well (.750ish OPS would be good), Alexei being sent down and getting regular playing time, and Uribe being a very good backup infielder at 3B, 2B, and SS. In no way am I or did I compare Thome OR Crede to Uribe. I was, however, pointing out the sheer insanity I see posted once in a while around here. And I still think Uribes defense makes up for his underwhelming OBP/AVG, especially considering his power numbers/RBI's the last 4 consecutive years. I'm simply saying I can deal with it and I'd rather have Uribe than Iguchi.

QUOTE (max power @ Apr 21, 2008 -> 01:43 PM) Uribe eats an entire pig, three loves of white bread and nine dozen eggs for breakfast. If Uribe hits his usual ~20HR, ~70RBI, ~55Runs, and plays the defense he will usually play...I'd be perfectly happy, and I wouldn't care what he eats or drinks, either. People are stuck on Uribe's avg...so what, he hardly gets on base and doesn't hit a lot, so let's ignore the fact he still puts up some *VERY* decent numbers and is a power threat at the NINTH spot in our order. Yea, let's get rid of that for someone that wouldn't even come close to that power production. Let's get rid of Crede while were at it...oh, and Thome, too. Sometimes you people drive me F-ING batty.

Crede. Is. >. All.

QUOTE (TitoMB345 @ Apr 15, 2008 -> 02:21 PM) Come on, you gotta green that. You KNOW someone won't see the Sig and get pissed... I did see the sig and *still* got pissed...cuz what he said wasn't green.

QUOTE (JohnCangelosi @ Apr 9, 2008 -> 02:48 PM) <!--quoteo(post=1608127:date=Apr 9, 2008 -> 01:34 PM:name=Y2HH)-->QUOTE (Y2HH @ Apr 9, 2008 -> 01:34 PM) <!--quotec-->8 I believe, but they were 319 games above .500 at the time, so it almost didn't matter. Yes, that's true, it was August of 05 when they dropped 7 or 8 in a row. The point, however, is to start off the season this way. I know in theory it shouldn't matter, but like mentioned above they now have to play .620 ball to get to 96 wins. My point, also, is if Boston can take care of them the next two games and we hit em in the mouth over the weekend like we know we can....it sounds strange to say in April....but they can almost be in a hole too big to get out of? I absolutly agree. Losing early sets a BAD tone for a team and often causes doubt, which compounds upon itself and gets worse as time goes on. Then, by the time they do recover, it's often too late. See the Indians in 05 for reference.

QUOTE (knightni @ Apr 9, 2008 -> 01:43 PM) Damn. You forgot about the Nazis, Super Models, Pirates and reanimated monkey corpses. I leave that stuff out in order for it to sound more believable. If I had told you the rest of the story, which DID involve Pirates, Super Models, reanimated monkey corpses, Nazis and an assist from Indiana Jones himself, you probably would have doubted my story. Even though *all* of that did happen.

QUOTE (knightni @ Apr 9, 2008 -> 02:34 PM) Sweet! That makes your story MUCH better! Oh, I almost forgot. In my final season I batted .378 with 54 stolen bases and a .400 OBP, things were looking up for me at that time...and then the Cubs farm system traded for me thus ending my baseball career forever. I just couldn't play for them.

QUOTE (Leonard Zelig @ Apr 9, 2008 -> 02:33 PM) The Sox dropped more than seven in a row in '05 didn't they? 8 I believe, but they were 319 games above .500 at the time, so it almost didn't matter.

QUOTE (knightni @ Apr 9, 2008 -> 02:10 PM) Nice! Here I was hoping that you got to play in the minors. In that case... Believe it or not, I was playing baseball. It's from a series of charity based games we play every Summer, alternating between Chicago and Colorado. A friend of mine rents out various stadiums for us to play in, and we play a series of games with experienced and non experienced players (we try to keep the teams balanced so one doesn't get crushed). It's a best of 5 series over two grueling days. Aside from that, I dabbled in adult leagues with a friend of mine in Indiana, etc...however, my skills have seriously eroded as I haven't played in two years now. I am hoping to return this year to play for the charity games, as it will be located in the Chicago area...he always gets us a nice stadium to play in so I never pass it up unless life prevents me from playing. :/ I wish I could play in a real league again, but time simply doesn't permit, especially this year as I'll be getting married later this Summer. I was playing minor league baseball for the Dayton Dragons. http://www.daytondragons.com/ Better?

QUOTE (knightni @ Apr 9, 2008 -> 01:52 PM) Was he playing for HS, College, or was he in the minors? HS lol. I'm 30 years old in that picture. Everyone thinks I'm a little kid when I have a baseball uniform on.

QUOTE (knightni @ Apr 9, 2008 -> 01:45 PM) So, what's the story behind this picture? Believe it or not, I was playing baseball. It's from a series of charity based games we play every Summer, alternating between Chicago and Colorado. A friend of mine rents out various stadiums for us to play in, and we play a series of games with experienced and non experienced players (we try to keep the teams balanced so one doesn't get crushed). It's a best of 5 series over two grueling days. Aside from that, I dabbled in adult leagues with a friend of mine in Indiana, etc...however, my skills have seriously eroded as I haven't played in two years now. I am hoping to return this year to play for the charity games, as it will be located in the Chicago area...he always gets us a nice stadium to play in so I never pass it up unless life prevents me from playing. :/ I wish I could play in a real league again, but time simply doesn't permit, especially this year as I'll be getting married later this Summer.

QUOTE (rangercal @ Apr 9, 2008 -> 12:30 PM) How much did these guys hurt us in 2007? Answer: Lots.

QUOTE (wsgdf_2 @ Apr 9, 2008 -> 01:12 PM) LOL - I did say pitcher... Freddy? I did say Carl Everett...and he can do everything, so it counts.

QUOTE (hammerhead johnson @ Apr 9, 2008 -> 12:04 PM) These guys look awesome, but someone needs to tell Swisher that he looks like a retard. I actually feel the opposite. Swisher doesn't look nearly as dumb as Jenks, whos chin hair is crooked to begin with, or Logan, who looks totally stupid with a non-styled whatever that is... At least Swish has style with his...and he looks the part. The others simply look as if they're trying to look the part...but don't. That said, as long as the teams winning, I don't give a damn what they do with their facial hair.

QUOTE (wsgdf_2 @ Apr 9, 2008 -> 11:51 AM) Actually, if the Sox are in contention in June, and Crede is playing well... I would absolutely be open to dealing Fields (and I'm positive KW would too - I mean, that's what he does). He is easily their best trading chip and might be able to get them a real playoff-caliber pitcher. Carl Everett?