clyons

QUOTE (lostfan @ Jul 14, 2009 -> 10:45 AM) The law being that the city had the right to throw out the results because they didn't like it, and the Supreme Court said no they didn't (overriding the precedent in the federal district). I don't believe the city ever claimed it had the right to throw out the results simply because they "didn't like" them, or that any precedent had ever held that it did. The city argued that it had the right to throw out the tests based on its legitmate, good-faith belief that its failure to do so would subject it to lawsuits from the minority firefighters upon whom the test had a significant statistical "disparate impact." This disparate impact theory (giving rise to liability for employment practices that are 'fair in form, but discriminatory in practice') is rooted in Supreme Court precedent going back 30+ years. Ironically, the city's actions were guided almost totally by its understanding of what current law required. As has been pointed out, it spent big bucks to have consultants concoct a supposedly "race neutral" test. However, the results that came back showed significant statistical disparities along racial lines. Fearing litigation based on these results, it decided the safest and legally correct course of action was to not promote anyone. It should be noted that in this case there was no tangible evidence of racial bias, prejudice or animosity on the part of the city decision makers. That was never at issue. In essence, the city contended and the lower courts held that it should not be held liable for intentional discrimination because its actions were guided soley by its intentions to comply with the law, not violate it. However, the Supreme Court rejected that, and essentially held that an employment decision made to avoid racial litigation is still essentially (and unawfully) a decision based upon race: “Fear of litigation alone cannot justify an employer’s reliance on race to the detriment of individuals who passed the examinations and qualified for promotions.” That is what broke new ground.

She's credited with a "Cap and Trade" Op-Ed piece in today's Washington Post. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/conte...9071302852.html

ESPN reporting a "report" of the firing. http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=4325783

Not a catch; not really even that close.

FYI, as of 1:00pm today (7/10) the TJ Maxx on Plainfield Road in Countryside had a selection of American Needle fitted White Sox caps on sale for $ 7.99. They had 1926 (dark blue with "W" made out of socks); 1929 (blue with big white "S" bisecting small "o" and "x"), 1932 (navy with red S-o-x over bat), 1940's (navy with red block "C"), and 1983 (red, white and blue "Expos" hat). I've paid $30 for similar hats at Grandstand. Would have picked up the 1926 but they only had a couple and none in my size. I didn't think to ask if other TJ Maxx stores in the area might also have some, but I thought I'd share the find in case anyone lives near there.

QUOTE (KyYlE23 @ Jul 10, 2009 -> 11:16 AM) Alex Cora should be banned from playing ever again. Completely reckless on his part. I was going to post this almost verbatim.

I don't agree with too much of what Keyes, Buchanan, Huckabee or Peggy Noonan espouse, but I can concede they are all highly intelligent folks. I do think Keyes is a bit of a nut, but I'm intelligent enough to have come to that opinion on my own, without having been sold that by the MSM.

QUOTE (Athomeboy_2000 @ Jul 10, 2009 -> 11:27 AM) Any man who advocates that every American should be allowed to own a machine gun in their home is dumb. Well, I was trying to keep issues and ideology out of it, but yeah, I don't think that's a real good idea either.

QUOTE (kapkomet @ Jul 10, 2009 -> 10:40 AM) All "conservatives" are "stupid" as defined by the MSM, whether they are or not. Liberals, on the other hand, are the most intelligent people on earth. Alan Keyes is probably both the smartest and most conservative politician alive. I've heard him criticized aplenty, but NEVER called dumb. Huckabee is pretty-right wing too, no? I haven't heard anyone attack his IQ either. And what about that Pat Buchanan guy? Never exactly heard him lumped in with Dan Quayle. Imho: Palin, Quayle, Bush II, Rangel, Pelosi = STOOPID Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar, and sometimes a dumbass is just a dumbass.

C: Karko 1B: Paulie 2B: Cora 3B: Robin SS: Ozzie LF: Raines CF: 1Dog RF: Mags P: Burls #1: #13

QUOTE (Tex @ Jul 10, 2009 -> 10:14 AM) All good points. I also believe off the cuff remarks are not a true gauge of intelligence. So pretty much we would have to discount every factor that is being used to create that image of intelligence or buffoonery*. *just for FlaSoxxJim In a sense, there is no "true gauge" because its relative. Its kinda like Potter Stewart's pornography standard ("I know it when I see it").

Re Palin's "intelligence:" As a general matter, I think our society is sadly predisposed to assume that attractive women are less than bright, and forces them to "prove" otherwise at levels not required of others. I also think we tend to assume that people with accents who "talk funny" are inferior to ouselves. No question that both of these factors worked against her, not to mention the fact that she was hyper-scrutinized by the media. Nevertheless, and with all of that said, I still think she's a dim bulb (and I think Quayle was too). I've never heard either of them say anything extemporaneously that remotely impressed me, and yet I've heard them say more than their fair share of head-scratchers (which I realize the media has gleefully served up to me at a much higher rate than it has vis-a-vis other politicians). Granted, I've never studied their writings, but just like advance speeches, those are heavily edited and polished (if not outrightly written) by helpers, and thus, to me, should be somewhat discounted.

Ron Zook hauls in a big catch for Illinois. http://yourseason.suntimes.com/football/16...llinois.article

Jeff Marquez

I don't care if he can run well enough to field his postion, but if he is healthy enough to maintain consistent ABs as a DH in Charlotte and we hang in this thing, I want him up here for the stretch drive and in time to be eligible for post-season rosters. He can be like our Kirk Gibson off the bench. We're deep enough in the infield that he can have Nix's roster spot if needed.

There's a reference in this article to "a reporter" summoning security to the Wrigley Field press box when Zambrano was up there goofing around this morning: http://blogs.chicagosports.chicagotribune....lays-start.html Its gotta be him.

Happy Birthday, Kid!

QUOTE (iamshack @ Jul 8, 2009 -> 12:25 AM) The Angels are an outstanding franchise. No disputing that. However, the level of knowledge the average Angel fan has about that franchise is far above and beyond that of the average Sox fan. I'd like to see the survey data that forms the basis for this most interesting conclusion.

QUOTE (CanOfCorn @ Jul 7, 2009 -> 11:37 AM) Jim Henson hit me pretty hard. The Muppets were such a huge and important part of my upbringing. And sorry Tex, PSFJ and Critic, I shed a tear. I never met Jim Henson but he was in my house everyday for many years teaching me and making me laugh. And still does to this day. I can understand and respect that. My comment was inspired by and directed mostly at the Michael Jackson mourners I saw convulsively sobbing on TV. I can't help but think that for many, their waterworks came on just as the camera lights did. I can be cynical, but I certainly wouldn't begrudge anyone their personal emotions or genuine expressions of grief.

QUOTE (WCSox @ Jul 7, 2009 -> 09:16 PM) Kenny, JR, and the rest of the powers-that-be have spent generously on this team since the WS (and still sport a $100 million payroll), despite the fan support being nothing more than average for the past 2 1/2 years. I don't like what they've done with the prices, but they've obviously made a good-faith effort to invest everything that they reasonably can in their roster since the fans bought up season tickets like crazy in 2005/2006. I'm not criticizing the payroll or the prices. I'm criticizing the comment; its completely inappropriate, even if true. I understand that "you can't spend a dollar when you only have 50 cents." Why can't he understand that it won't help matters to alienate the fan base by blaming them? Its stupid, and I resent it.

f*** you, Kenny. Yeah, I said it. Even if true, any business that blames its customers for its own inability to improve its product is idiotic and arrogant. Its Marketing 101.

QUOTE (Jimbo's Drinker @ Jul 7, 2009 -> 03:53 PM) Dempster with a broken toe, out minimum 3 weeks. He hurt it celebrating Sunday's win. http://blogs.chicagosports.chicagotribune....broken-toe.html That's pretty funny when it happens to somebody else.

I wish my name was Gordon, because then I could say, "Yes, my name's Gordon. Gordon Beckham." Oh, I also wish that my last name was Beckham.

QUOTE (The Critic @ Jul 7, 2009 -> 06:18 AM) I can't imagine getting that depressed over a celebrity death. I don't know any celebrities personally, so my feeling is never more than a general sadness for their families. Me three. There is truth in what Donne wrote about "each man's death diminishes me," but I don't understand how people can get worked up to the point of tears over total strangers they know only through TV. Sad for their families? Sure. Disappointed at being deprived of their future artitistic contributions? OK. Upset over the injustice of the "good" dying young? I can see that. But these people being shown in hysterics over the "King of Pop" need to either get a life or find a more constructive way to earn their 15 minutes of televised fame. This is not an assassinated President, and all that that symbolically represents. This is a pop singer whose unorthodox lifestyle undoubtedly contributed to his own demise. I know I shouldn't judge, but I just don't get it.

QUOTE (BigSqwert @ Jul 6, 2009 -> 10:24 AM) I'd be interested in some White Sox thoughts by Jack Handey. Some folks said it was a miracle: Saint Francis suddenly appeared in the White Sox on-deck circle, strode to the plate, and hit the first pitch he saw for a walk-off, three-run homer. But I think it was just a lucky swing.