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Post by maxwellsdemon on Oct 3, 2017 13:35:05 GMT -5
My point about Russia, China and other autocratic regimes wasn't a focus on their economies, it was about the rule of law and freedom to protest the government. I am not an anti capitalist but do believe it needs to be limited by strong regulation that benefits the populace and protects them from the excessive (and essential) amorality that is unrestrained capitalism. You can post pictures of wounded soldiers all you want, but if you fail to understand that attempts to stifle the freedom to protest the governments actions or performance by using the symbol of that government (in this the flag) is the essential difference between the freedom they fought for and places like China, Russia and, indeed, the Philippines where laws don't protect that protest you have missed the point. I honor those same soldiers for what sacrifice for ALL of us and, in fact, when someone takes a knee at the playing of the National Anthem and isn't hauled away to jail, that is the ultimate proof of the measure of that sacrifice.
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Post by maxwellsdemon on Oct 1, 2017 19:08:15 GMT -5
It's great that some people have the talent and disposition to escape from difficult circumstances and make a good life for themselves and their families. But for every one of those folks there are hundreds working for less than a living wage because they are simply average people who happened to be born into circumstances where there is little money, poor schools and lack of basic services.
Meanwhile what do they see? Pirates in the financial industry crash the economy and walk away with millions, no one goes to jail despite committing massive fraud. Steve Mnuchin whose company was one of the worst offenders not only sold crap mortgages, but then ripped people off in the foreclosure problem sabotaging what little the government did even as it bailed out banks. And now he's the freaking Treasury Secretary who has the balls to say just today that the new tax plan won't benefit Trump although he won't (can't) supply the details.
You say only 1 in 22 black people are shot by cops as opposed to one another, what the hell do you think the ratio for that is if you're white? And how many of those shot by police were unarmed? Or maybe you're all ok that you can work full time at WalMart (and other minimum wage places) and make so little that you're still eligible for food stamps, you all ok with that? What about any business model that has people work full time and not be even at the poverty line let alone above it?
It's interesting that all those supposed lefty countries like France, Germany, Canada can provide health care for ALL their citizens, free college for those who qualify in many cases and a better overall quality of life than we have done. I'm not saying they are perfect and that the USA doesn't have a lot to recommend it, but I'd bet that if yo had a choice you'd all rather live under these left wing regimes than the oppressive right wing governments like Russia, China and the like where you don't have the right to a fair trail and the rule of law is pretty much nonexistent. And don't talk about the supposed left wing countries like Cuba or Venezuela because they are no country ruled by an autocrat can ever be considered a liberal, progressive state no matter how they try to dress it up with rhetoric.
If you're honest with yourself you can see that many folks that live in poor communities, especially those people of color, may feel like they live in conditions closer to Russia than to Sweden and when they feel that the rule of law doesn't protect, well sometimes they may just have to take a knee, sure beats taking up a gun.
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Post by maxwellsdemon on Oct 1, 2017 11:21:40 GMT -5
philsbosoxfan while your post is very eloquent and I do understand and respect the point you are making I believe that you have made a couple of errors in your analysis. The issue that drove Kaepernick to protest is not really a left vs. right one, but is the desire to call attention in dramatic fashion to the all too frequent killing with impunity of black Americans by police who then face no or minimal repercussions. Also the broader issue of racial injustice is an underlying item. The use of the flag as a symbol is a long standing tried and true way to get that attention and has been often used by all sides in most any fraught political debate. In this instance, the right is using the "respect the flag" argument to disempower and deflect from Kaepernick's point of protest. In fact his action is no different than when a politician wears a flag pin (remember the strum und drang when Obama didn't sport one early in his campaign) or when the current White House occupant hugs a flag to show his alleged patriotism. There is a famous quote, "Patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel" that has been in existence in one form or another since at least the days of Samuel Johnson. It is used to end argument when suitable rejoinder is unavailable. I am saddened to note that your picture on the soldier missing his legs is an emotional appeal that falls into that category. The right and freedom of Kaepernick to do what he did is EXACTLY what every soldier is fighting for and in fact takes an oath to defend (whether or not they fully comprehend what they are swearing to). You are equally free to disagree with what the players have done, but in doing so in the way you have you have fallen for the style and failed to address the substance. I know from your posts that you are a thoughtful individual and I was surprised that you took the position you did the way that you did. Not that I have any idea of your politics; left, right, center or none but you resorted to the kind of appeal that I thought was beneath you. There are a lot of ways to love your country and show patriotism and I think that if you reflect on it you will agree.
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Post by maxwellsdemon on Sept 24, 2017 21:31:13 GMT -5
Doesn't that depend on who the Astro's star as they would be in a similar position of trying to gain Home Field? If it were against a third team I would say no since we've already shown we can win in Houston.
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Post by maxwellsdemon on Sept 22, 2017 11:11:29 GMT -5
If you're on the same side as Cafardo.......just sayin'
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Post by maxwellsdemon on Sept 21, 2017 21:45:10 GMT -5
Thanks, now I'm seeing the rim of my glasses. ![;)](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/wink.png)
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Post by maxwellsdemon on Aug 26, 2017 13:50:05 GMT -5
You send them nothing else unless they ave some objective evidence that there was misrepresentation on the part of the Celtics regarding IT's injury. You tell them that if they demand to renegotiate they will have 2 alternatives: replace IT with Smart or the Pilly pick with the Lakers pick because that's the price of bad faith.
Cav's are in a spot now because no one else can match the offer Boston gave them and all they are doing will piss off IT who won't resign with them or their fans if they end up with a lesser package and of course Irving.
In memory of Red On Roundball, call it Ainge On Ass#0!3s.
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Post by maxwellsdemon on Aug 22, 2017 19:16:48 GMT -5
What's needed now is some of tat old time Auerbach/Celtics luck. 2018 Draft Lakers Pick #2, Nets Pick #3.
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Post by maxwellsdemon on Aug 22, 2017 6:47:51 GMT -5
Seems to me Farrell failed simple game theory here. 1. Have a small lead - use best to likely win game -make them unavailable for 1-2 days. 2.Fail to use them increase chance to lose game.
A. Next games have 4 possibililties 1. Blow out lead no need to use 2. Blow out loss no need to use 3. Small lead - need to use (unavailable) 4. Small trail/tie - no need to use
These possibilities exist for the next 3 games - unavailability exists for 1-2 games. Best strategy is to take the game in and and ten possibly lose the next game (which may not require them) if that's the way it rolls. THis is even more true with Fister going which increases the likelihood of the blow out loss anyway.
Use tem in Game one and save them for game 4 (the Sale start) to give team best chance for at least a split. Maybe the offense steals one of the two middle games.
Farrell's bullpen management increased the chance to lose this game meaning that a 3-1 series is very unlikely and 1-3 series more likely.
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Post by maxwellsdemon on Aug 20, 2017 16:12:45 GMT -5
Man needs a few days off to just work on his swing
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Post by maxwellsdemon on Aug 19, 2017 20:39:42 GMT -5
Jimed14 said: Really, I'm just searching for reasons why he's not the next Ted Williams. Am having a hard time.
Because he uses the left side of the field as well, other than that...
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Post by maxwellsdemon on Aug 18, 2017 19:10:17 GMT -5
Hence "Next Papi"
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Post by maxwellsdemon on Aug 18, 2017 19:09:21 GMT -5
Gold glove when he should have used leather?
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Post by maxwellsdemon on Aug 18, 2017 18:59:55 GMT -5
Rafael "little papi" Devers. The chosen one. He might be shorter than Big Papi, but he ain't little
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Post by maxwellsdemon on Aug 18, 2017 18:54:50 GMT -5
Devers = Next Papi or Rafi Ballgame E.M.Van is going to have fun with the stats he gives when he gets home tonight.
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Post by maxwellsdemon on Aug 15, 2017 19:36:28 GMT -5
Buy that man a beer.....oh, wait....
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Post by maxwellsdemon on Aug 14, 2017 17:52:50 GMT -5
SO does Devers change his name to Bevers or will it be Detts, Dogaerts, Denintendi and Dradley Jr?
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Post by maxwellsdemon on Aug 11, 2017 10:59:54 GMT -5
Does Chavis-brentz-Travis remind anyone of a Jedi character?
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Post by maxwellsdemon on Aug 8, 2017 13:35:55 GMT -5
I'm not convinced that Moncada's floor is that great if he continues to K at 30% plus. He hasn't shown in game power that is commensurate with much of MLB increase in Ks and his fielding and arm are average. He as great speed but if he doesn't keep his OBP up over 300 and prove he can steal bases at the MLB level then that is devalued.
In a league where pitchers go 6 innings and many relievers are used the MLB bench is going to have only 3 offensive players so while Moncada has the positional flexibility, he lacks the bat so far at this level to play even as a utility guy for a contender. Yes his non bat talent outshines Chavis (arm excepted) but with only 3 bench guys (one of whom is a catcher) I don't think that Moncada's tools get him far without some real improvement at the plate.
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Post by maxwellsdemon on Aug 1, 2017 10:57:07 GMT -5
LOL to Eric sort of dissing stats
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Post by maxwellsdemon on Jul 29, 2017 20:21:22 GMT -5
It appears the Sox got the power bat they were looking for.
And if Devers is so great how come it took him 4 games to hit a single?
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Post by maxwellsdemon on Jul 26, 2017 11:18:38 GMT -5
Maybe this has been discussed and I've just missed it but - Last year Brady missed 4 games and seemed to stay fresher throughout the remainder of the season and the playoffs perhaps, in part, as a result of the "time off".
Now the Pats have held onto Garappolo when the could have received a real windfall in a trade so is that simply to keep him around incase Brady gets hurt or just suddenly loses it? I'm thinking this.
With a loaded roster there is a good chance that there will be more than a few early blowouts for the Pats this season and maybe Garappolo gets to play the final 20 minutes or so several times. THis accomplishes 3 things 1. Keeps him around and sharp in case of a Brady disaster. 2. Gives him a real tryout to see if he IS the successor and worth a big contract to keep him (or up his value in a sign and trade) 3. Gives Brady the equivalent of 3 or 4 games of rest (and reduces injury chance by reducing his time on the field especially during "garbage time").
This scenario seems to fit with the Belichickian short and long game strategy? Any thoughts?
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Post by maxwellsdemon on Jul 18, 2017 12:34:39 GMT -5
It's a good thing they optioned Travis because the last thing this offensive juggernaut needed was a first baseman hitting 279 with 380 OBP. /s
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Post by maxwellsdemon on Jul 5, 2017 11:10:34 GMT -5
Andrew Benintendi
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Post by maxwellsdemon on Jul 2, 2017 11:09:18 GMT -5
Probably Ainge wasn't willing to be more aggressive without some assurance that he could extend George and without Hayward in the fold that was problematic. Indiana's impatience could well have cost them a better deal.
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