Saturday Open Thread

by afew Sat Feb 11th, 2012 at 12:08:35 PM EST

It's Saturday, it's open, it's thread

Saturday Open Thread | 73 comments (73 topical, 0 editorial, 0 hidden)

Re: Saturday Open Thread (none / 0)

Winter still here?

Here, winter still.

by afew (afew(a in a circle)eurotrib_dot_com) on Sat Feb 11th, 2012 at 12:09:49 PM EST

Re: Saturday Open Thread (none / 1)

well it's definitely in Rome

Any idiot can face a crisis - it's day to day living that wears you out.

by ceebs (ceebs (at) eurotrib (dot) com) on Sat Feb 11th, 2012 at 12:13:38 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Saturday Open Thread (none / 1)

Schnee in Berchtesgadener Land. Mrs. Brown the cat in VERY crappy when-is-Fruhling mood.

'tis strange I should be old and neither wise nor valiant. From "The Maid's Tragedy" by Beaumont & Fletcher

by Wife of Bath (kareninaustin at g mail dot com) on Sat Feb 11th, 2012 at 12:52:16 PM EST
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Re: Saturday Open Thread (none / 1)

The cats here (not ours, they just live round here, though they are too sleek to be entirely feral) are having a gret time catching little birdies in the snow. Perhaps that's what Mrs Brown is jonesing for?

(aka, in the cat world, brownsing).

by afew (afew(a in a circle)eurotrib_dot_com) on Sat Feb 11th, 2012 at 02:31:28 PM EST
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Re: Saturday Open Thread (none / 1)

I'm pretty sure you're right. So far she's only brought us a dead mouse, though... she's a bit too fat to catch the birds.

'tis strange I should be old and neither wise nor valiant. From "The Maid's Tragedy" by Beaumont & Fletcher

by Wife of Bath (kareninaustin at g mail dot com) on Sat Feb 11th, 2012 at 05:39:04 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Saturday Open Thread (4.00 / 3)

We have a couple of neighborhood charmers like that too, Le Pissoir and friend.

The orange one is Le Pissoir. A name I gave it when it was just a kitten and one cold, winter day it suddenly appeared, right outside the living room window where a huge mound of snow had piled up. All of a sudden, this little tiny kitten jumped up on top the snow mound right in front of me, lifted its leg and took a piss on the window. I couldn't believe my eyes.

Nowdays, it's always up to something.

by sgr2 on Sun Feb 12th, 2012 at 07:26:31 AM EST
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Re: Saturday Open Thread (none / 1)

Back in a big way here. Not terribly cold yet (57F), but the wind is going to be nasty, and we're getting the coldest nights of the season here over the next two days (25F and 26F).

Be nice to America. Or we'll bring democracy to your country.

by Drew J Jones (pedobear@pennstatefootball.com) on Sat Feb 11th, 2012 at 01:33:19 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Saturday Open Thread (none / 1)

Pretending to be Spring here as trees are breaking their buds and the early plants are greening-up.

We've been running +9 (F) or more above "normal" (sic) temperature for the last year, year and a half, running less than 5% of "normal" (sic) precipitation.

Ever since I learnt about confirmation bias I've started seeing it everywhere

by ATinNM on Sat Feb 11th, 2012 at 01:40:17 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Saturday Open Thread (4.00 / 3)

We still haven't had any snow (it's coming they say) but we did feel this morning how -2 and damp can feel colder than -12 and dry.

Here it is Karneval, the 2 hour Samba drums parade in Bremen's Viertel, and not a prominent nipple to see. (for all the ski underwear under the costumes.)

but there was hell of a lot of rhythmic drumming on the street. one band was doing what passes for breakdancing (as much as you can while wearing a drum) without losing a syncopated beat, which i found Total Geil.

Wasabi Cheese keeps the winter blues away, but you can't even get an approximation of good sushi in this so-called fish city.

Some of my friends are in Bozen for a theater premiere, but i wish i was at Levon's Midnight Ramble. (Goggole it)

"Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage." - Anaïs Nin

by Crazy Horse on Sat Feb 11th, 2012 at 02:25:27 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Saturday Open Thread (4.00 / 4)

Speaking of Winter

it's summer at Princess Elisabeth Zero Emission Station in Antarctica, and yes, those are windmills powering the station.

"Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage." - Anaïs Nin

by Crazy Horse on Sat Feb 11th, 2012 at 02:32:48 PM EST
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Re: Saturday Open Thread (none / 1)

Why there are no birds or bats in Antarctica: windmills killed them all.

Ever since I learnt about confirmation bias I've started seeing it everywhere

by ATinNM on Sat Feb 11th, 2012 at 02:35:04 PM EST
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Re: Saturday Open Thread (none / 0)

just a quick correction - penguins are birds.

by stevesim on Sat Feb 11th, 2012 at 02:36:16 PM EST
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Re: Saturday Open Thread (4.00 / 4)

No.

Penquins are amphibious, therefore they are frogs.

Ever since I learnt about confirmation bias I've started seeing it everywhere

by ATinNM on Sat Feb 11th, 2012 at 02:42:18 PM EST
[ Parent ]

P.S. (none / 0)

:-)

Ever since I learnt about confirmation bias I've started seeing it everywhere

by ATinNM on Sat Feb 11th, 2012 at 02:42:31 PM EST
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Re: P.S. (none / 0)

on the internet, and in the bible, frogs are birds.

"Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage." - Anaïs Nin

by Crazy Horse on Sat Feb 11th, 2012 at 03:03:05 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Biblical Taxonomy (none / 0)

If a bush can vocalize then why the hell can't frogs be birds?

Or kumquats, for that matter.

Ever since I learnt about confirmation bias I've started seeing it everywhere

by ATinNM on Sat Feb 11th, 2012 at 03:19:08 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Saturday Open Thread (none / 0)

Are you claiming windmills kill penguins?

by gk (g k quattro due due sette "at" gmail.com) on Sat Feb 11th, 2012 at 05:33:49 PM EST
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Re: Saturday Open Thread (none / 0)

When they jump.

by afew (afew(a in a circle)eurotrib_dot_com) on Sun Feb 12th, 2012 at 02:42:05 AM EST
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Re: Saturday Open Thread (none / 1)

standing on tp of mounds of snow and grabbing the blades with their beaks as they pass, just to get a few seconds of flight.

Any idiot can face a crisis - it's day to day living that wears you out.

by ceebs (ceebs (at) eurotrib (dot) com) on Sun Feb 12th, 2012 at 09:49:13 AM EST
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Re: Saturday Open Thread (none / 0)

Classic risk-seeking behaviour.

by afew (afew(a in a circle)eurotrib_dot_com) on Sun Feb 12th, 2012 at 10:38:23 AM EST
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Re: Saturday Open Thread (none / 0)

sort of thing that turbines just drive you to do

Any idiot can face a crisis - it's day to day living that wears you out.

by ceebs (ceebs (at) eurotrib (dot) com) on Sun Feb 12th, 2012 at 10:54:30 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Saturday Open Thread (4.00 / 2)

why the first human on Mars will be a woman:

when Barratt blasted off to the international space station, he needed eyeglasses for distance. When he returned to Earth, his distance vision was fine, but he needed reading glasses. That was more than two years ago. And he's not getting better.

"We really need to understand this. This is a critical point for understanding how humans adapt to spaceflight," he said.

In the past few years, about half of the astronauts aboard the international space station have developed an increasing pressure inside their heads, an intracranial pressure that reshapes their optic nerve, causing a significant shift in the eyesight of male astronauts. Doctors call it papilledema.

Female space travelers have not been affected.

Some of the astronauts slowly recover. Others have not.

http://lightyears.blogs.cnn.com/2012/02/10/astronaut-feels-spaces-toll-on-his-body/?hpt=hp_t3

by stevesim on Sat Feb 11th, 2012 at 12:45:58 PM EST

Re: Saturday Open Thread (none / 0)

Eighty-three percent of Americans in the latest ABC News/Washington Post poll approve of Obama's use of unmanned drones against terrorist suspects, 78 percent back the drawdown of U.S. troops in Afghanistan and 70 percent favor keeping open the Guantanamo Bay detention center - the latter a reversal by Obama of his 2008 campaign position.

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/po...

by stevesim on Sat Feb 11th, 2012 at 02:00:08 PM EST

Re: Saturday Open Thread (none / 0)

Would the results be different if the poll were undertaken for different organizations?

(Which is a polite way of saying... ahh let it ride CH.)

"Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage." - Anaïs Nin

by Crazy Horse on Sat Feb 11th, 2012 at 02:06:58 PM EST
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Re: Saturday Open Thread (none / 0)

one can only speculate.

sorry, I posted that response in the wrong place.

by stevesim on Sat Feb 11th, 2012 at 02:21:46 PM EST
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Re: Saturday Open Thread (4.00 / 5)

must be the same 83% who still thinks they're number one.

"Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage." - Anaïs Nin

by Crazy Horse on Sat Feb 11th, 2012 at 02:26:53 PM EST
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Re: Saturday Open Thread (4.00 / 6)

Hey, c'mon, I'm pretty sure that we are number one.

Its just that what we're number one at is getting less and less comfortable.

I've been accused of being a Marxist, yet while Harpo's my favourite, it's Groucho I'm always quoting. Odd, that.

by BruceMcF (agila61 at netscape dot net) on Sat Feb 11th, 2012 at 02:57:57 PM EST
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Re: Saturday Open Thread (none / 0)

join the people of Hoboken in rebelling. ;-)

"Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage." - Anaïs Nin

by Crazy Horse on Sat Feb 11th, 2012 at 03:06:11 PM EST
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Re: Saturday Open Thread (none / 0)

should I send them heavy weapons and subsidize the crazy people who want to establish some sort of parallel government as well?

by stevesim on Sat Feb 11th, 2012 at 03:07:31 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Youngstown is closer. (none / 0)

And it ought to be every bit as revolting as Hoboken.

I've been accused of being a Marxist, yet while Harpo's my favourite, it's Groucho I'm always quoting. Odd, that.

by BruceMcF (agila61 at netscape dot net) on Sat Feb 11th, 2012 at 03:25:18 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Saturday Open Thread (4.00 / 4)

I prefer to think of America as 9 and a half double E.

(For foreigners I may need to explain American shoe sizes are computed using different formulas for men, women, and children. Each formula contains variables, such as the phase of the moon, divided by constants, such as the average weight of a barley corn in Vermont on a summer day in 1734, that, on the face of it, have no bearing whatsoever with the length and width of one's foot. However, after close examination, conclusive evidence can be piled to arrive at a conclusive conclusion (True, Valid, & QED) the variables and constants used to compute the standard factory and, therefore, consumer shoe sizes have no bearing whatsoever with the length and width of one's foot.)

Ever since I learnt about confirmation bias I've started seeing it everywhere

by ATinNM on Sat Feb 11th, 2012 at 03:13:14 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Saturday Open Thread (4.00 / 5)

This is a vicious attack on American men's feet sizing. Your shoe size is determined by the length of your foot and the width of your foot. There are standard solid metal sizing tools that will determine your shoe size to high accuracy and with a high degree of consistency from one store to the other.

The sizes of men's feet is quite clear and sane.

Its just that, in the spirit of deregulation, shoe manufacturers opt to lie about what feet various shoes will fit, and there is no sanction for lying, so the shoe sizes have only a vague and uncertain relationship to the foot size.

I will admit, however, that this only applies to men's shoe sizes. Sizing women's feet is an arcane science, I believe invented in the early 20th century as a "jobs for the boys" rort to protect jobs of shoe salesmen.

I've been accused of being a Marxist, yet while Harpo's my favourite, it's Groucho I'm always quoting. Odd, that.

by BruceMcF (agila61 at netscape dot net) on Sat Feb 11th, 2012 at 03:24:19 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Saturday Open Thread (none / 1)

from my experience, sizing women's feet is most easily accomplished on one's knees.

"Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage." - Anaïs Nin

by Crazy Horse on Sat Feb 11th, 2012 at 03:46:56 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Saturday Open Thread (none / 0)

keeping open the Guantanamo Bay detention center - the latter a reversal by Obama of his 2008 campaign position.

To be fair, it wasn't Obama who reversed on that. The Congress refused to provide funding to close it and take detainees to US prisons.

Unless something changed since then.

Be nice to America. Or we'll bring democracy to your country.

by Drew J Jones (pedobear@pennstatefootball.com) on Sat Feb 11th, 2012 at 05:51:51 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Saturday Open Thread (none / 0)

one can only speculate.

by stevesim on Sat Feb 11th, 2012 at 02:21:14 PM EST

Re: Saturday Open Thread (none / 0)

SO is France Ireland going to happen today?

Any idiot can face a crisis - it's day to day living that wears you out.

by ceebs (ceebs (at) eurotrib (dot) com) on Sat Feb 11th, 2012 at 02:50:24 PM EST

Re: Saturday Open Thread (none / 1)

Fairly confident France and Ireland happen every day. It's a question of continuation of existence through the Space/Time Continuumumumummy.

Ever since I learnt about confirmation bias I've started seeing it everywhere

by ATinNM on Sat Feb 11th, 2012 at 02:53:14 PM EST
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Re: Saturday Open Thread (none / 0)

Well France ireland Rugby is now not going to happen ground too hard and its dangerous.

hope the Bars in paris have enough guiness in for an extra couple of hours drinking by the crowd.

Any idiot can face a crisis - it's day to day living that wears you out.

by ceebs (ceebs (at) eurotrib (dot) com) on Sat Feb 11th, 2012 at 02:58:21 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Saturday Open Thread (none / 1)

My overall contention is professional sport would be more interesting if they were played on trampolines.

Setting that aside, I bow to your superior knowledge of things Rugbyesque.

Ever since I learnt about confirmation bias I've started seeing it everywhere

by ATinNM on Sat Feb 11th, 2012 at 03:02:31 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Saturday Open Thread (none / 1)

now that is something you'd have to be mad not to agree with.

They should teach those showjumping horses the Fosbury flop too (but best not tell the riders)

Any idiot can face a crisis - it's day to day living that wears you out.

by ceebs (ceebs (at) eurotrib (dot) com) on Sat Feb 11th, 2012 at 03:09:44 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Saturday Open Thread (none / 0)

Well France ireland Rugby is now not going to happen ground too hard and its dangerous.

It's too cold to play, showing once again why rugby players are tougher than American football players.

Be nice to America. Or we'll bring democracy to your country.

by Drew J Jones (pedobear@pennstatefootball.com) on Sat Feb 11th, 2012 at 05:57:36 PM EST
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Re: Saturday Open Thread (none / 1)

well if you dress like a Michelin man you're going to bounce whatever the weather

Any idiot can face a crisis - it's day to day living that wears you out.

by ceebs (ceebs (at) eurotrib (dot) com) on Sat Feb 11th, 2012 at 08:14:45 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Saturday Open Thread (none / 0)

Plus rugby players play outdoors, without padded insulation.

"Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage." - Anaïs Nin

by Crazy Horse on Sun Feb 12th, 2012 at 04:34:57 AM EST
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Re: Saturday Open Thread (none / 0)

Football isn't played outdoors? I'd imagine people in Green Bay and Chicago will be surprised to hear that.

And no amount of padding's going to save you when it's -20F and you're slamming your head.

It's okay, guys. I just respected rugby a lot more before I read that. At least it's not a non-sport like baseball, where they can only play with clear skies and moderate-to-warm weather.

Be nice to America. Or we'll bring democracy to your country.

by Drew J Jones (pedobear@pennstatefootball.com) on Sun Feb 12th, 2012 at 06:38:04 AM EST
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Re: Saturday Open Thread (none / 0)

Drew J Jones:

you're slamming your head.

Helmeted, I believe.

Not that I see much point in a pissing match.

by afew (afew(a in a circle)eurotrib_dot_com) on Sun Feb 12th, 2012 at 07:42:43 AM EST
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Re: Saturday Open Thread (none / 0)

There is no point. I'm just trolling.

Be nice to America. Or we'll bring democracy to your country.

by Drew J Jones (pedobear@pennstatefootball.com) on Sun Feb 12th, 2012 at 07:55:43 AM EST
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Re: Saturday Open Thread (none / 0)

A troll? OMG, call the police!

by afew (afew(a in a circle)eurotrib_dot_com) on Sun Feb 12th, 2012 at 08:04:19 AM EST
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Re: Saturday Open Thread (none / 0)

Don't they have heated grass in Green Bay and Chitown? (The Bundesliga does.) But when the ground is so frozen that it will break the skin, i'll bet amurkan footballers wouldn't play either, with the excuse your spikes don't bite so you can't run or cut.

and of course baseball is a non-sport, because it's played every day instead of once or sometimes twice a week. and that a baseball can kill, especially when it's wet. or worse, dispossess the family jewels.

does rugby have cheerleaders?

moin, Drew. ;-)

"Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage." - Anaïs Nin

by Crazy Horse on Sun Feb 12th, 2012 at 08:17:56 AM EST
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Re: Saturday Open Thread (none / 0)

But when the ground is so frozen that it will break the skin, i'll bet amurkan footballers wouldn't play either

Ahem...the Icebowl

The game-time temperature was about −15°F / −26°C, with a wind chill around −48°F / −44°C.[28][unreliable source?] Lambeau Field's turf-heating system malfunctioned,[citation needed] which left the playing surface as smooth as ice.[

keep to the Fen Causeway

by Helen (lareinagal at yahoo dot co dot uk) on Sun Feb 12th, 2012 at 08:48:42 AM EST
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Re: Saturday Open Thread (none / 0)

The game-time temperature was about −15°F / −26°C, with a wind chill around −48°F / −44°C.[28][unreliable source?] Lambeau Field's turf-heating system malfunctioned,[citation needed] which left the playing surface as smooth as ice.[29]
....
The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse (then Wisconsin State University-La Crosse) Marching Chiefs band were scheduled to perform the pre-game and half-time shows. However, during warm-ups in the brutal cold, the woodwind instruments froze and would not play; the mouthpieces of brass instruments got stuck to the players' lips; and seven members of the band were transported to local hospitals for hypothermia. The band's further performances were canceled for the day.[citation needed] During the game, an elderly spectator in the stands died from exposure [1]
....
The officials were unable to use their whistles after the opening kick-off. As referee Norm Schachter blew his metal whistle to signal the start of play, it froze to his lips. As he attempted to free the whistle from his lips, the skin ripped off and his lips began to bleed. The conditions were so hostile that instead of forming a scab, the blood simply froze to his lip. For the rest of the game, the officials used voice commands and calls to end plays and officiate the game. At one point during the game, CBS announcer Frank Gifford said on air, "I'm going to take a bite of my coffee."[31]

well, that's just insane.

Packers Linebacker Ray Nitschke developed [frostbite in his feet, causing his toenails to fall off and his toes to turn purple.[54] Bart Starr had frostbite on his fingers and several Packer players were suffering flu like symptoms.[55] Cowboys, George Andrie, Willie Townes, and Dick Daniels also suffered frostbite from the game.[56]

OK, all athletes are a touch superhuman. But i'll bet the game would be postponed in today's society.

"Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage." - Anaïs Nin

by Crazy Horse on Sun Feb 12th, 2012 at 09:08:13 AM EST
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Re: Saturday Open Thread (none / 0)

Landry, not alone, believed that football games should never be held in weather conditions so harsh.[65] The NFL did not award an outdoor Super Bowl to a cold-weather city for decades; MetLife Stadium in New Jersey is scheduled to be the first in 2014.[26]

"Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage." - Anaïs Nin

by Crazy Horse on Sun Feb 12th, 2012 at 09:31:46 AM EST
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Re: Saturday Open Thread (none / 0)

But i'll bet the game would be postponed in today's society.

I highly doubt it considering the Giants and Packers played in -5F back in 2008 (windchill: -24F).

The Dolphins and Chiefs played back in the '08-'09 season with a -5F windchill. Don't remember what the temps were without the wind.

Be nice to America. Or we'll bring democracy to your country.

by Drew J Jones (pedobear@pennstatefootball.com) on Sun Feb 12th, 2012 at 10:04:14 AM EST
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Re: Saturday Open Thread (none / 0)

ok, i've already conceded that amurkan football players are well-conditioned athletes, and near real men, despite being on the field for perhaps half a game, and having commercial breaks all over the place.

and wearing protection worthy of a formula one side-pod.

you don't have to like the game, or even understand it, but you have to admit that athletes who play nearly every day with a 162 game season are also athletes in a real sport, with potential lethal results.

aside: one of my colleagues wind-surfed the north sea a few times in the past bitter cold weeks. only partly insane. and even i rode bike at speed for an hour in -8C.

"Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage." - Anaïs Nin

by Crazy Horse on Sun Feb 12th, 2012 at 10:29:39 AM EST
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Re: Saturday Open Thread (none / 0)

I'm kinda with you on the commercial breaks, although I've come to appreciate them for cigarettes, beer runs and restroom breaks. So it's not all bad.

Also, aside from some linemen (particularly defensive tackles), guys coming off the field -- for non-injury reasons, obviously -- has more to do with coordinators wanting specific personal rather than a physical need to come off.

As for baseball, I'm just giving you a hard time. ;) Although Griffey was still lightyears ahead of Bonds.

Be nice to America. Or we'll bring democracy to your country.

by Drew J Jones (pedobear@pennstatefootball.com) on Sun Feb 12th, 2012 at 11:49:33 AM EST
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Re: Saturday Open Thread (none / 0)

Light years meaning, at best, if at all, for a much shorter time. (the stats make it lopsided in Bond's favor.) Steroid debate aside, you still have to see the ball and hit the ball. also ;-)

Griffey story: Reds came to town, me sitting behind the plate. 1st at bat of the series, "Yo, Mr Griffey, you're a great ballplayer... but $19M and .238."

2nd AB: Yo, Mr. Griffey, $19M and .236." He now knows where i sit, and what i look like.

By the 3rd game, it was, "Yo Mr. Griffey, $19M and .223." He turned and said, "Yo, Giant Fan, i'm still doing the best i can," and proceeded to whack a run-scoring double.

Bonds remains the most awesome hitter ever. The Giants catcher said, " So he comes into the clubhouse and says today i'll tie the record, which he did. then he says, but i won't break the record until we get back home, proceeding to line laser shots for singles and doubles. First game back home, blam, record.

i spent a season sitting next to his gorgeous, and interesting wife.

"Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage." - Anaïs Nin

by Crazy Horse on Sun Feb 12th, 2012 at 12:58:39 PM EST
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Re: Saturday Open Thread (none / 0)

Oh come on, Bonds wasn't even close to the best hitter ever. Aaron could've hit 900 HRs if he'd cheated like Bonds.

Hell, Fielder and Griffey were both better around the same time before Bonds got larded up on enough steroids that a chimp could've hit 70 HRs. In addition to being a colossal piece of shit, he was a major reason why it's not so sad to me to see "America's Pastime" die.

Getting hurt running into walls chasing fly balls doesn't negate one's ability to see the ball and hit it. Even with Bonds cheating, Griffey would've hung with him but for the injuries.

Be nice to America. Or we'll bring democracy to your country.

by Drew J Jones (pedobear@pennstatefootball.com) on Sun Feb 12th, 2012 at 01:12:27 PM EST
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Re: Saturday Open Thread (none / 0)

and that's a debate that will go on forever. remember, the pitchers were juiced as well. it's a debate i choose not to participate.

But neither Griffey nor Fielder broke the record on my wedding day. and Fielder is simply, too fat for a long career.

PS. There were all manner of juiced top hitters, playing against the same pitchers, who never hit close to Bonds. You can't juice your eyes.

"Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage." - Anaïs Nin

by Crazy Horse on Sun Feb 12th, 2012 at 01:21:49 PM EST
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Re: Saturday Open Thread (none / 0)

ADDING: The real vitriol should be directed against that Congressionally granted monopoly, Major League Baseball. They were the ones who refused to institute any kind of a program until it was too late.

They were the ones who already knew, but couldn't resist the profits from the McGuire - Sosa battle. Probably the Players Union as well.

"Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage." - Anaïs Nin

by Crazy Horse on Sun Feb 12th, 2012 at 02:13:44 PM EST
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Re: Saturday Open Thread (none / 0)

But neither Griffey nor Fielder broke the record on my wedding day. and Fielder is simply, too fat for a long career.

I'm talking about Cecil, not Prince. I can still remember Cecil hitting 51 HRs before Bonds's neck became thicker than Prince's waistline.

PS. There were all manner of juiced top hitters, playing against the same pitchers, who never hit close to Bonds. You can't juice your eyes.

Great hitters + juice = records broken (McGwire, Sosa, Bonds). Mediocre-to-good hitters + juice = everybody else during the period.

Be nice to America. Or we'll bring democracy to your country.

by Drew J Jones (pedobear@pennstatefootball.com) on Sun Feb 12th, 2012 at 05:42:28 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Saturday Open Thread (none / 0)

Congratulations on achieving Recommended status at the Orange Place.

Ever since I learnt about confirmation bias I've started seeing it everywhere

by ATinNM on Sat Feb 11th, 2012 at 02:54:16 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Saturday Open Thread (4.00 / 4)

well I made the teary speech and thanked everyone, but apparently missed my agent

Any idiot can face a crisis - it's day to day living that wears you out.

by ceebs (ceebs (at) eurotrib (dot) com) on Sat Feb 11th, 2012 at 03:00:21 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Saturday Open Thread (none / 0)

the marriage?

"Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage." - Anaïs Nin

by Crazy Horse on Sat Feb 11th, 2012 at 02:54:19 PM EST
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Re: Saturday Open Thread (none / 0)

As the rough beasts of the GOP slouch towards Tampa - a'waiting to be bored, no doubt - Santorum has moved to the head of the leader board. Romney is (apparently) preparing his standard "Death by Attack Ad" defense in Arizona and Michigan (the next two primary states.)

Maine will be reporting results of their caucusing sometime after 7:00 PM (Right Coast Time.) Paulites are agog with the chance for Their Guy to take it.

Ever since I learnt about confirmation bias I've started seeing it everywhere

by ATinNM on Sat Feb 11th, 2012 at 02:51:44 PM EST

I haven't had this much fun in GOP politics since (none / 1)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_wp4O7v5320

by THE Twank (yatta blah blah @ blah.com) on Sat Feb 11th, 2012 at 04:09:25 PM EST
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Re: Saturday Open Thread (none / 1)

The guys at PPP were getting a good laugh out of the Paulbots claiming they weren't polling Maine for fear that Paul would win.

Everything's a conspiracy.

Be nice to America. Or we'll bring democracy to your country.

by Drew J Jones (pedobear@pennstatefootball.com) on Sat Feb 11th, 2012 at 05:59:03 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Results (none / 0)

Already over:

Mittens 39
RON PAUL 36
Mullah Ricky 18

Be nice to America. Or we'll bring democracy to your country.

by Drew J Jones (pedobear@pennstatefootball.com) on Sat Feb 11th, 2012 at 06:50:31 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Results (none / 0)

What percent of total US population has been represented by the caucus/primary circus to date? Are we at 5% yet?

"Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage." - Anaïs Nin

by Crazy Horse on Sat Feb 11th, 2012 at 06:56:34 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Results (none / 0)

Under 4% of total delegates and about that for US population.

Ever since I learnt about confirmation bias I've started seeing it everywhere

by ATinNM on Sat Feb 11th, 2012 at 08:01:10 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Results (none / 0)

With 84% reporting:

Mitt Romney    39.2%    2,190
Ron Paul    35.7% 1,996
Rick Santorum    17.7% 989
Newt Gingrich    6.2% 349

Notice the huge vote count! Romney has a 194 vote lead so Frothy can pull it out.

Ever since I learnt about confirmation bias I've started seeing it everywhere

by ATinNM on Sat Feb 11th, 2012 at 08:04:09 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Results (none / 0)

I meant the Paultards.

Ever since I learnt about confirmation bias I've started seeing it everywhere

by ATinNM on Sat Feb 11th, 2012 at 08:05:14 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Results (none / 0)

Except that:

"Some caucuses decided not to participate in this poll and will caucus after this announcement," [state Republican Chairman Charlie] Webster said. "Their results will not be factored in. The absent votes will not be factored into this announcement after the fact."

Democracy is sooooooooooooooooooooo annoyingly boring.

Ever since I learnt about confirmation bias I've started seeing it everywhere

by ATinNM on Sat Feb 11th, 2012 at 08:07:57 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Results (none / 0)

Delegates will not be awarded until the state convention on May 5 through 6. The district delegate counts are:

Romney 8
Paul 8
Santorum 4
Gingrich 1

Maine will send 10 at-large delegates, 6 district delegates, and 3 state party delegates to Tampa.

Ever since I learnt about confirmation bias I've started seeing it everywhere

by ATinNM on Sat Feb 11th, 2012 at 08:13:40 PM EST
[ Parent ]

ENOUGH ... (4.00 / 2)

of this idle chit-chat.

I have chores to do¹ and miles to go before I fall over in a state of apathic ennui.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

¹ In the Zen phrase, "Chop water, carry wood."

Ever since I learnt about confirmation bias I've started seeing it everywhere

by ATinNM on Sat Feb 11th, 2012 at 03:22:02 PM EST

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