lostfan

Yeah, what NSS said. When the President picks somebody for his Cabinet he becomes directly accountable for them, if something goes wrong, he gets blamed. That's why they do vetting. If they find out there is potential fallout that isn't worth it, they pass them over.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Dec 2, 2008 -> 12:05 AM) I understand that. But a leadoff hitter with a below average OBP, absolutely no power and no ability to drive in runs isn't the answer either. Like I said, if the price was low and Taveras was thought of as an eighth or ninth place hitter, I wouldn' mind him on the White Sox. Selling him as a leadoff hitter is a joke. I wouldn't really mind him hitting 9th either. But we don't have a leadoff hitter, so I'm in the "no" crowd too. I think it's great that he's fast and everything but if his OBP is gonna be like .325, no thanks.

QUOTE (scenario @ Dec 1, 2008 -> 11:43 PM) Listen... I don't know what you think you know... but ix-nay with the upid-stay. You obviously like Taveras, but that is not a good reason to take shots at people making reasonable arguments. OPS is a well established measure of offensive output. The fact is that players who score low in OPS have to do something else extremely valuable to justify their spot in a lineup. If it didn't mean anything for a leadoff hitter, then where are the other leadoff hitters on the list? In fact, where are the other 'good' offensive players? The fact is that practically every player on that list is considered 'marginal' as a starter... because of their low offensive output. It's a list that seems made up of defensive specialists and journeymen. Is there ANYbody on that list who would make the Sox a better offensive team? I don't think so. It's not that OPS is meaningless for a leadoff hitter, it's that it's not as good of a pure metric to measure their production like it is for a middle of the order type hitter. It doesn't tell you everything by itself, the SLG part of it means something, but the OBP (and walk ratio) is more important than the SLG.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Dec 1, 2008 -> 11:49 PM) If a guy hits 40 doubles and steals 15 vs. a guy who hits 15 doubles and steals 40, they basically get to second just as much, but the guy who hits the doubles will drive in runs. In the AL with a DH, a leadoff guy that can drive in runs is pretty valuable. Not that I want Taveras leading off for the Sox, but those prototypical leadoff hitters that are being referred to in the last couple of pages don't really grow on trees either. If you want a leadoff guy that can drive in runs, and has an OPS at, near, or over .800 with a handful of homers and still steals bases, you're talking about elite talent. Those names sound like Roberts, Ichiro, Sizemore, Granderson. The ones who can't do all that and are one-dimensional slap hitters (Taveras, Owens, etc.) are a dime a dozen. The rest are somewhere in between. The Sox haven't been able to find one of those "in between" guys for a while now.

QUOTE (Steff @ Dec 1, 2008 -> 09:52 PM) The scanner who stands in one spot pulling and pushing items down a ramp, no. The bagger who runs around more like a bartender than the scanner (IMO), yes. And double if they help you to your car. I tip the baggers if they go to my car or if I bought a whole lot of stuff and they happen to be standing there when I'm ready to walk out. Not for routine stuff though b/c I generally want to do that myself and I can't, plus they're getting paid anyway (granted, not much, but that's not a job where you expect to make much either).

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Dec 1, 2008 -> 08:11 PM) Dude, I'd have been furious. As would I. All summer my manager kept making comments to the effect of "your cubbies" because he knows I'm from Chicago. I had to correct him repeatedly and let him know I was from south of Roosevelt. And that I also know baseball. Oh, and that I'm heterosexual.

QUOTE (longshot7 @ Dec 1, 2008 -> 07:12 PM) you should tip anyone who performs a service-- like cleaning up your mess. It's just courtesy. Being cheap isn't an excuse to not be courteous. I don't even make a mess 9 times out of 10, when I do, I leave a tip (when I'm there a long time I leave the do not disturb sign up cuz I don't want them coming in and doing unnecessary work). I'm not cheap or discourteous. I mean, I used to be an usher the Chicago and Oriental theaters, sometimes people would tip me, usually not (depends on where I was working in the theater that night). I didn't get paid that much either, it was above minimum wage though and I knew what the deal was and that I wasn't getting paid s***. In that kind of job, where it wasn't somewhere that's obvious like a waiter, bartender, or delivery person, I wasn't going to flip out if I didn't get one, it's more like "hey that guy gave me a 5 for taking him to his seat, nice." I also didn't expect people to feel bad for me and give me more money b/c they know I was making crap wages. I'm the kind of person who takes things to the logical extremes - so if we're going to do that, everyone should tip every teacher, police officer, or U.S. servicemember they see (just the first few enlisted ranks, and maybe the junior officers). Since that's not logical I have to draw the line somewhere... I just don't have that much money to be throwing around.

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Dec 1, 2008 -> 04:21 PM) Thats just being cheap, you obviously havent worked in the service industry. Let me edit and expand so you dont think im being an ass. If you want to drink beer for free you should stay home. Otherwise you are paying for all the ammenities of a bar if you go there. -The barback who keeps those beers cold and stocked, who keeps the bottles full and the bar clean -the busbuy who clears your plates and fills your water -the guy who cleans up after you in the bathroom -the guys who clean the entire bar at night -the staff that manages the supplies, food, drinks and overall bar business -the general upkeep of the bar, including the heat, AC, windows, doors, music etc If you dont feel like you need to give money to the people who complete some of that work for you and keep the bar you are at in good working condition, then honestly, please stay home. Not to be an ass, but isn't that why the beers cost like 7 dollars...? I don't tip for every beer either btw, not at that price, esp. when I drink it in the bottle. For shots and mixed drinks that's different, I always tip at least one dollar a drink. When I buy the 25 cent beers I either give them a full dollar and walk away or I give them 2 bucks depending on how much I've tipped that night and what's in my pocket.

QUOTE (longshot7 @ Dec 1, 2008 -> 04:26 PM) My gf's mom cleans hotel rooms and they get paid crap. Tip for every night you stay there. Meh, the guys that work at Blockbuster get paid crap too, I don't tip them and neither does anyone else.

QUOTE (Rex Hudler @ Nov 30, 2008 -> 01:07 PM) I don't understand tipping someone who cuts your hair sometimes. If you get your hair done by appt and have a regular person who cuts your hair and you like their work, then by all means take care of them. If they work you in at the last minute, tip them. But if you go to a walk in place, why should that person expect a tip? I never understood tipping hotel maids. Cab drivers? Why, unless they do something specific to deserve one? Bathroom attendants? whatever - I can get my own towel I don't tip hotel maids unless I do something completely trifling like leaving a condom on the bed (or worse) and don't/forget to clean it up. But I mean, I'm not giving money on top of what I'm already paying to stay there for someone to come in and give me clean towels and make my bed, that doesn't make any sense to me. I also tip if I order room service, but I only do that in really nice hotels, like when I was on my honeymoon. I'm not ordering room service at a regular hotel.

QUOTE (mr_genius @ Dec 1, 2008 -> 01:32 PM) how bout it. i can't trust their ratings anymore. Seriously. It's like they are literally grading the hype and success of the game now, instead of the quality. I love the GTA series but GTA 4 was NOT a 10. Great game, one of the best of the year, but certainly not perfection. Halo 3 is its own phenomenon, it's probably the most overrated game of all time. I think they rated it at the absolute lowest (9.5) possible without the fanboys flipping out and storming their offices with pitchforks.

I haven't gone back to read the last few threads yet, but does anyone else in here have Fallout 3? I just beat the game last night, somewhat by accident. The game ends rather abruptly and once you're done, that's it (I don't want to give away spoilers so that's all I can say). There's a ton of achievements you can get in this game too, without too much difficulty.

QUOTE (Steve9347 @ Dec 1, 2008 -> 11:25 AM) All I had to see was that 9.7 next to the game on IGN to know it will be great. I remember how much I loved Super Mario 64, and it looks like this is that game on steroids. The Wii takes you back to that time when video games were just fun... it wasn't about racking up kill counts or touchdowns... it was about winning a goofy race, setting a new time trial record, and shooting your friends with turtle shells. It's a great game, but IGN has been handing out high scores like candy lately and their ratings carry a lot less weight to me. Metal Gear Solid, GTA 4, Halo 3... come on, guys.

QUOTE (Iwritecode @ Nov 26, 2008 -> 04:37 PM) I must quote office space here... Really, what's anyone's motivation for doing their job well besides fear of getting fired? I make a crap salary and my company is going to be gone in about 2 years so I have even less motivation. Now if I started getting tips based on people receiving their magazines on time, I might work harder... Well I'm salaried, but my annual pay increase is based off performance, if I suck, then I get a sucky/nonexistent raise.

QUOTE (YahtzeeSox @ Nov 26, 2008 -> 03:51 PM) This is where I disagreed with some. I'd argue that if Quentin comes back next year and performs like he did in 2008, then he is a player capable of being a perennial all-star/MVP candidate as well as a household name and franchise player for the White Sox for many years to come.... Mauer is very similar to that description, however he just doesn't hit for good power too, like Quentin. 44 extra base hits from the 3-hole is not very spectacular, in my opinion. What do you think? Am I totally off-base expecting my 3 and 4 hitters to hit for good power and good average, like Quentin and Dye, and not just good average? No, you're not. Those guys are expected to drive in runs which the middle of the Sox order does quite well. Given that Quentin's SLG will probably dwarf Mauer's in any given year by 100 points or so, it'd just not be the best place to use Mauer in our lineup.

Mauer has a fantastic OBP and excellent bat control, which sounds to me like an ideal #2 hitter. Hitting in front of Quentin, Thome, and Dye would give them an assload of scoring opportunities.

QUOTE (YASNY @ Nov 26, 2008 -> 02:39 PM) It's the night before Thanksgiving and Greta wants to spend the evening with her family. By the way, O'Reilly is rerunning an interview with Obama. The same one or a new one? I imagine that interview drew pretty high ratings. edit: nm you said "re-running"

QUOTE (Milkman delivers @ Nov 26, 2008 -> 09:08 AM) Exactly, and it's delicious. It's one of those things that comes around yearly, and I just have to have it when I can (Cadbury Creme Eggs, etc.). And no, I do not like non-alcoholic beer. Eggnog too

Well, almost by definition, a filibuster is an obstructionist thing, so I'd expect that spade to be called a spade regardless of who does it.

QUOTE (kyyle23 @ Nov 26, 2008 -> 02:18 PM) Anyone who is delivering to you should get tipped IMO, but I am a former delivery driver, so I may be a bit opinionated on this. I always looked at it as "If you dont want to get off your ass to get your own food, and you want me to bring it to you, you should acknowledge that you didnt want to get off your own ass and compensate the driver/waitress/hotel worker." Delivery drivers are in the "ok to expect tip" category. The guy at the cleaners who is charging me 10 bucks to adjust the hem in my pants is in the "shouldn't expect anything outside of what I just paid you" category. The same goes for the cashier at the Chinese restaurant when I order takeout.

wtf?

QUOTE (juddling @ Nov 26, 2008 -> 01:52 PM) i don't mind tipping a waitress but when i go to a place like my local Dairy Queen and see a tip jar....i just shake my head. lol. Yeah. Anytime there is just a run-of-the-mill cashier with a tip jar I just ignore it. Why should I tip you?

QUOTE (mr_genius @ Nov 26, 2008 -> 01:12 PM) question of the day: is FOX news going to stop running Sarah Palin intreviews 24/7 or am i going to have to put them on my ignore list? Not as long as she's good for ratings.

Here's his cabinet so far. Chief of Staff: Rahm Emanuel Vice President Chief of Staff: Ron Klain White House Press Secretary: Robert Gibbs White House Counsel: Greg Craig Senior Advisors: David Axelrod, Valerie Jarrett Secretary of State: Hillary Clinton Secretary of Treasury: Tim Geithner Secretary of Defense: Robert Gates Attorney General: Eric Holder Secretary of Health and Human Services: Tom Daschle Secretary of Homeland Security: Janet Napolitano Director of the Office of Management and Budget: Peter Orszag UN Ambassador: Susan Rice National Security Advisor: James Jones I'm not overly impressed with the Hillary pick but it otherwise seems like a pretty solid list so far and his strategy seems to be getting things done quickly. I thought Spitzer was in line for Attorney General but he literally screwed himself out of the job.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Nov 26, 2008 -> 08:26 AM) Someone earlier in this thread said 90 yards, which sounds about right. He was in the 6th floor, so that works out to 60-65 feet up, plus the distance away that the car was. So if it's 65 feet up that's about 111 yards. What do you know, I actually used some of that high school math