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Messages - Towlie

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1
Beer and Queso / Re: Snow on Mars
« on: October 04, 2008, 12:49:26 am »
You assumed Mars had ice, before you knew it had water?  I am astonished, and you won't like why.

Here's a hint -- clever condescension doesn't become you.  Especially because you lack the smarts to back it up.

Science channel, space week. you should check it out. Astrology, check it out. Polar Ice caps on Mars check it out.

The NASA guys are looking for evidence of rivers, lakes, and oceans once being there. People assume they were looking for water but they can see that its there. One of the really interesting findings though its carbon dioxide, thats a good indicator of there being life (probably plant life) on Mars at a time.

Ice is found on or near most of the planets in this solar system but its not liquidized. The reason, Mars and Venus were so intriguing is because they do orbit the sun in the habitable zone. Venus turned out to be a greenhouse planet of hell and Mars looks to have been once capable of containing life so far. I know that most people wouldn't pay attention to what is being found on other planets but most of the people I talk to had a simple understanding that water is there. In highschool my Chemistry teacher even went on to talk about how they finally got pictures of Mar's ice caps.

Then again, its pointless to talk about anything since I'm such a blabbering idiot. Though I do appreciate the water on Mars picture and some other things that were said about the discussion.

2
Beer and Queso / Re: Snow on Mars
« on: October 01, 2008, 08:47:02 pm »
...i guess you are one of the people who was astonished?

this is from 2003.

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2003/02/0213_030213_marspoles.html

Mars, like earth is tilted on its axis giving it a more likely chance to having poles (well poles that have the same type of sunlight hitting it like our poles, no direct sunlight at certain times of the martian year) that contain ice which can be water.

Its just that now with the latest rovers is that we now have proof of this.

this is from 2007 about the amount it might have

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2007/03/070315-mars-water.html

Don't get me wrong, I'm excited about Mars' implications but the moon Europa on Jupiter makes me more intrigued.

3
Beer and Queso / Re: Snow on Mars
« on: October 01, 2008, 09:04:45 am »
Mars Lander Finds Evidence of Past Water, Spots Snow
I thought it was a given that water would be found on mars. it is kinda further away from the sun than earth is meaning that theres a good chance that ice is present (especially since its atmosphere is not anything like venus's)...so when my friend was jubilantly saying "THERES WATER ON MARS OMG" i just kinda felt that most of us should have figured that much.

4
The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: Salem Avalanche
« on: September 22, 2008, 10:10:57 pm »
thank you for the wonderful reporting guys.

5
Talk Zone / Re: Brewers update
« on: September 10, 2008, 02:10:44 am »
it seems like we make these runs every year.

6
Beer and Queso / Re: Palin. WTF?
« on: September 04, 2008, 11:01:32 am »
CNN has a crack at decoding the rhetoric.

lol, i always laugh at post 666.

7
Beer and Queso / Re: Music
« on: September 04, 2008, 11:00:44 am »
wolf parade -- at zoomer mountain
sigur ros -- the new lp
she & him -- volume one
vampire weekend -- s/t
sun kil moon -- april
fleet foxes -- ragged wood



Hmm, have you heard the handsome furs? since you like wolf parade?

8
Beer and Queso / Re: Palin. WTF?
« on: September 04, 2008, 01:44:46 am »
Republicans don't like community service/work? That's what stuck out to me. The swipe she took at Michelle and Barack at the fact that they helped establish some of the better community work services in Chicago to help people. In City year and Public Allies.

Hers speech was a good VP speech, yes. Better than Bidens? I'll say yeah since he seemed restrained.

Hopefully McCain will take the Obama route and talk about what his policies are. Palin didn't really do much of that. She was family, my stances, hockey mom, family, haha obama, family, haha democrats, oil, haha, the media...boooo, haha, my family.

9
Beer and Queso / Re: Palin. WTF?
« on: August 30, 2008, 09:16:20 am »
Very well written and thoughtful. Thank you for a good response, pravata. There is a reason I try to RMPL. I do not agree with everything, but it is always better to read thoughful comments than just partisan blather. That is what is frustrating.

I will get back to lurking.

I'm sorry, I did seem like that angry bantering democrat. I just get annoyed by the assertion that Obama has no experience but pravata made a good point of course.

*hugs*

10
Beer and Queso / Re: Palin. WTF?
« on: August 30, 2008, 01:32:36 am »
Which was a great 'selling point' against 'Black Jesus' until McCain decided to pick a running mate that made Obama look more qualified for President that Henry friggin' Kissinger...

lol, but you know, one thing i absolutely hate about this current election is the fact that both candidates we have feel like giant risk. I was ok with McCain at first because McCain had a history of working between both parties. Now it just seems like hes changed to get the votes from the republican base down and hes not really that same appealing figure he was in the 2000 election. Obama is an enigma, even if he did have McCain type years in Washington. That's mainly because he comes from a younger generation of politician, our next generation.

The debates should be good for us all and should really tell us more about Obama than McCain. If Obama doesn't show the same confidence in a debate that he has in his speeches, then there should be some concern.

Anyways, good night guys I finished my paper  ;D.

11
Beer and Queso / Re: Palin. WTF?
« on: August 30, 2008, 01:05:22 am »
What? The presidential candidate should have less experience running...anything than the VP? I'm not sure I understand what you are saying. Maybe she should be able to give a better prepared speech? Be a couple of years older? What?

 ??? huh? Theres a good chance she could end up being president but i guess her experience outside of washington in a town of 5k and the distant state of Alaska is far more impressive than that of Obama's. Obama the guy who has a greater grasp of law terminology because I dunno, he kinda graduated from Harvard Law at the top of his class and went into using his knowledge to help the community of south Chicago. I dunno, Obama, the same guy that (in a demorcratic minority) has helped in passing legislation with the likes of John McCain on many subjects from weapons control (not abolish...but control) to climate change and nuclear terrorism. The same Obama who is a junior member of the foreign relations committee in Washington. Heck, I garantee no one would have given a damn about what Palin thought about Iraq years ago too but people listened to Obama. Now all the sudden Palin is sooo sooo much more experienced. If you actually sit down and read about what Obama has done within the Chicago community and state legislative as a whole, you'd realize he has more experience than people give him credit for.

12
Beer and Queso / Re: Palin. WTF?
« on: August 29, 2008, 11:05:36 pm »
I generally hate political discusions in here, but what makes a her unqualified?

Just because she is Republican?

Fort Worth people are worth nothing?

No, I don't know at this point if she is worth a point in the voting selection, but she seems as qualified as most of the people being proposed in the general election process.

Then Republicans should shut up about Obama if thats the case.

14
Beer and Queso / Re: Palin. WTF?
« on: August 29, 2008, 10:00:59 pm »
Apparently for possibly maybe not being involved with the firing of a state tooper that taserd his 11 year old son.  Who happens to be her sisters ex-husband.

Ok so its not involved with the other state representative.

15
Beer and Queso / Re: Palin. WTF?
« on: August 29, 2008, 09:07:39 pm »
Isn't she under investigation in Alaska for corruption charges?

16
The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: Round Rock Express
« on: August 28, 2008, 11:48:04 pm »
finally Johnson cranks one lol. and saccomanno does it once again.

17
The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: Greeneville Astros
« on: August 28, 2008, 11:41:11 pm »
Hmm, It seems like Lyles and Greenwalt aren't done pitching for the year. They've been moved up to Tri City, Greenwalt pitched an inning tonight as well.

18
The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: Round Rock Express
« on: August 28, 2008, 04:25:55 pm »
he has no business up there. he is not a good player in AAA yet. reward Saccamano. he actually has had a good year.

I agree, hes had 2 good years at AAA ball in a row i think.

19
The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: Round Rock Express
« on: August 28, 2008, 04:19:04 pm »
i guess its an award for the good AA season? I have no idea why...he probably will get 1 or 2 at bats or none at all.

20
The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: Greeneville Astros
« on: August 25, 2008, 11:28:50 pm »
Jordan Lyles went 5 innings tonight.  Surrendered a lead off walk and then faced only 15 batters.  He K'd 8 of the 15 he faced.  On man reached on an error but was erased by a ground ball double play.  So his outs were 8 Ks, 6 ground outs, 1 fly out.  Solid outing. 

Jiller Castillo & Andrea Lucati combined for 4 innings of no hit relief (they did walk 4 combined). 

G'ville wins 10-0.


Lyles is really pitching well :). have you been able to see his last few starts? It seems as if hes really bouncing back from that time where he wasn't pitching as good.

21
Beer and Queso / Re: Heres something you should be aware of...
« on: August 22, 2008, 09:53:51 pm »
Sounds almost unfair...like fishing with Dynomite.  Towlie, in your experiences, does this work?

Unfortunately, I know some girls who have legs that spread like butter once a little liquor and money is added to the equation.

*cringe*

22
The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: Round Rock Express
« on: August 21, 2008, 08:32:20 pm »
Hmm Alberto Arias can be a starter too? I thought he was just a relief pitcher either way hes pitching tonight for Round Rock.

23
Beer and Queso / Re: Heres something you should be aware of...
« on: August 21, 2008, 08:22:51 pm »
You're the one who told us all about his credit problems destroying your dreams of film school. He should be very upset that you said that on a message board.

Meh, at the time it was all crashing down, I was fairly desperate and looking for any advice on the situation. Also, Its not because he has horrendous credit because he doesn't, its just not credit that's good enough to get 40k worth in a student loan. Also, in hindsight on the whole situation, I think staying where I am now is the best situation financially and for my family. I'm greatful, very greatful and blessed about what I have. Compared to the people I was referring to earlier, I'm sitting in a very nice new home on my expensive laptop my parents got me and with many of the other amenities a kid like me would desire. My life is good at this point...I just kinda wish everyone else could have something like this if not better, very idealistic, I know.

24
Beer and Queso / Re: Heres something you should be aware of...
« on: August 21, 2008, 07:22:13 pm »
We're all real sorry you're not going to get to go to film school, since your dad fucked up his credit and couldn't qualify for a student loan (which, BTW, I'll bet he'd be tempted to throttle you if he knew you were posting shit like that on-line.)  That really sucks, and I am not being sarcastic.  But still, to this point you have lived a standard of living higher than about 98% of the rest of the people in the world.  You can cry about it or be appreciative, I don't care.  But you are in no way qualified to be an advocate for the downtrodden, except as a dilettante.  Until you get some experience, you might want to back off the world-weariness, as well.  You can do what you want, including continuing down the road you are on now; if so, you got a fairly painless preview here today of what you are in for.

Ah, id like it if you didn't bring in my parents credit history into the argument. You have no idea what happened to have that happen and no, it wasn't frivolous spending, it was more so of a tragedy.

25
Beer and Queso / Re: Heres something you should be aware of...
« on: August 21, 2008, 04:13:39 pm »
its been fun to kill time with you all, but i gotta go now. I appreciate it.

26
Beer and Queso / Re: Heres something you should be aware of...
« on: August 21, 2008, 04:04:27 pm »
It's not.  And it's not supposed to be.  Are you of the opinion you're entitled to a breezy life?

No im entitled to be sarcastic though...sarcasm on the internet doesn't work too well.

27
Beer and Queso / Re: Heres something you should be aware of...
« on: August 21, 2008, 04:02:12 pm »
Quick question: Does "standard of living" in your mind mean "cost of living?"

no, cost of living is something different. though i should have used cost of living in that matter. whoops.

28
Beer and Queso / Re: Heres something you should be aware of...
« on: August 21, 2008, 03:57:47 pm »

So the majority of the middle class is waiting for someone to raise their income for them?  I'm calling bullshit, here.  Start naming names.

or lower the standard of living. Unless you think being middle class is an easy breeze through life.

29
Beer and Queso / Re: Heres something you should be aware of...
« on: August 21, 2008, 03:55:45 pm »
There's no way to say this without sounding condescending, but you clearly didn't live through the late 70's.

course not, im a 19 year old being schooled by older people.

30
Beer and Queso / Re: Heres something you should be aware of...
« on: August 21, 2008, 03:54:28 pm »
Who are these people you are concerned about, who sit around waiting for someone to raise their income?

They dont sit around, they work...they're the majority of the middle class.

31
Beer and Queso / Re: Heres something you should be aware of...
« on: August 21, 2008, 03:52:49 pm »
Yes, I do.

Yes, but that's much better than just sitting on my ass and letting it happen without trying to get something done.

32
Beer and Queso / Re: Heres something you should be aware of...
« on: August 21, 2008, 03:51:21 pm »
Well, we could just fix the price of gas at $1/gallon.  It worked well in the USSR.

Eh, communism x.x

Of course this has always been a problem in the past but it just seems that right now, its effecting a much larger portion of the country than it did in the past.

33
Beer and Queso / Re: Heres something you should be aware of...
« on: August 21, 2008, 03:49:01 pm »
It's not the audience's fault for not "understanding" your material.

Music Man seems to understand whats bugging me about the situation.

34
Beer and Queso / Re: Heres something you should be aware of...
« on: August 21, 2008, 03:47:39 pm »
Then the problem isn't that the price of oil is too high, it's that people don't have enough income.

And I agree - we should do more to develop our education system, job training, etc., to move people into higher-paying jobs.  But that has nothing to do with the price of oil.

The price of oil is raising the standard of living, along with inflation, and a bunch of other things. Its just that no one wants to raise income to help people out.

35
Beer and Queso / Re: Heres something you should be aware of...
« on: August 21, 2008, 03:45:45 pm »
There are, what, 20 people on this thread?  All of us have a different set of demographics and view points.  Jim is an old Christian. Hudson is a middle aged practicing alcoholic/buddihst.  JackAstro is a nihilist (reformed).  strosrays follows the way of the gun. I myself am a menonite.  We come from different economic and social strata.

And each of us has come to the same realization independently...you don't know what the fuck you're talking about.  You got a lot of the nouns right, but you could use some help with your verbs adjectives and prepositions.


If that's the realization you've come up with even though you do have more knowledge on the situation than myself, then I have the right to feel bad about the people I'm mostly concerned with.

36
Beer and Queso / Re: Heres something you should be aware of...
« on: August 21, 2008, 03:39:37 pm »
No, seriously - if you think the price of oil is to high, then the best thing to do is to vote with your checkbook.

Buy your electricity from Green Mountain Energy.
Sell your car and by a Vespa.
Contribute to politcal campaigns that support intensive research into alternative energy sources.
Buy a house in one of Houston's solar-powered subdivisions.

If you're willing to do those types of things, THEN I will think that you are sincere in your belief that the price of oil is too high.

Otherwise?  It's just bitching and moaning.

You have to have a good amount of money to do that and unfortunately most people don't. That still doesn't justify leaving them be though so something has to be done to help them out.

37
Beer and Queso / Re: Heres something you should be aware of...
« on: August 21, 2008, 03:36:17 pm »
mmm....fruit loops.

thats not an alternative cereal, i think the its called fruity circles from malt-o-meal.   ;)

38
Beer and Queso / Re: Heres something you should be aware of...
« on: August 21, 2008, 03:34:02 pm »
The rising costs of goods is directly related to gas prices, but inflation is another story.  The value of the dollar is not based just on the cost of of oil.

but it is a contributor because of distribution prices.

39
Beer and Queso / Re: Heres something you should be aware of...
« on: August 21, 2008, 03:32:27 pm »
Fuck them.  What about the people in here?

Fuck Americans? Im talking about the Americans, fuck China they beaned LaPorta in the head cause they dont know that in baseball you will get fucked up if you try to block the plate with your leg.

40
Beer and Queso / Re: Heres something you should be aware of...
« on: August 21, 2008, 03:31:08 pm »
What exactly?  I would really like to know about your solution(s).

I dont know, I was hoping you guys would because you do know more than me.

Its kinda upsetting that you guys are perfectly ok with the fact.

41
Beer and Queso / Re: Heres something you should be aware of...
« on: August 21, 2008, 03:28:05 pm »
Foolishly, I'm thinking there's still a chance for education here.

I was watching the Olympics, thinking, what could have led to increased demand, and therefore, an increase in the cost of oil?

Oh come on, I know china is increasing demand substantially but I believe there can be something done to help people out here.

42
Beer and Queso / Re: Heres something you should be aware of...
« on: August 21, 2008, 03:25:52 pm »
This is fascinating.  Not only are the Oil companies conspiring to make granola more expensive, but now, seperately, Inflation is also raising prices.  Surely this was implemented by the Bushes.

What percentage of the rise in Raisin Bran do you attribute to Big Oil and what percentage to Inflation?

No, inflation is another topic that contributes to how the price of oil is jacking up the price of everything else. Yes, that includes the price of cheerios and raisin bran.

43
Beer and Queso / Re: Heres something you should be aware of...
« on: August 21, 2008, 03:19:30 pm »
So it is your beleif they market competition and supply and demand affect every industry OTHER than oil?

Yes, thats why cereal cost a whole lot more than it use to.

and Inflation doesnt help either.

44
Beer and Queso / Re: Heres something you should be aware of...
« on: August 21, 2008, 03:09:45 pm »
I do tax returns for a living.  People are required to file tax returns, much like you believe they are "required" to drive.  Why don't I charge $5,000 per tax return?

That would be stupid business and you have to go with market value. So if business A sets their prices far less than yours, more people would go to business A.

Also if companies aren't saying they would like the barrel price to cost around this much, Wouldnt they be able to manipulate price of oil by changing supply?

45
Beer and Queso / Re: Heres something you should be aware of...
« on: August 21, 2008, 03:03:48 pm »
If the oil companies set prices, and they're making "record profits" at this price, then why don't they move the price higher and make even MORE money?

Because people are complaining about it and doing that would make people more and more suspicious. But of course, we know this system is perfect.

46
Beer and Queso / Re: Heres something you should be aware of...
« on: August 21, 2008, 02:57:59 pm »

Oil companies don't set prices.  Oil is sold at auction. 

You think the people who produce the oil for the public dont have any say in how much they want it to sell for?

47
Beer and Queso / Re: Heres something you should be aware of...
« on: August 21, 2008, 02:54:28 pm »
Oil companies don't set prices.  In fact, oil prices are not set at all, they fluctuate daily.  That's what all the caterwauling is about.

they (edit: to more specific OPEC, wall street, oil companies, and those equations of numbers and decimals) set the fluctuating prices everyday and when the wall street bell hammer slams down, that price is it until the process begins all over again. Its as if you guys don't believe that there's anything wrong with the system. I figure many of you live pretty well by lots of the responses here.

48
Beer and Queso / Re: Heres something you should be aware of...
« on: August 21, 2008, 02:49:29 pm »
Holy hell, when did this perfectly good beer forum turn into the Noam Chomsky Hour?

Towelie, care to posit what the largest expenses that any huge company (big bad evil Oil Companies included) has?  Let's play the Feud!

1) Payroll
2) Benefits
3) Pensions

Who makes money when Exxon has a huge year?  Investors, sure.  And the thousands upon thousands of normal, Chevy driving Joes who work for Exxon, who are paying mortgages on modest houses and saving to send their kids to college.

Look, I'm an aspiring writer, too.  But if you're going to make it very far in fiction or non-fiction, you've got to know when your plot or your facts don't add up.

Theres another side to the story outside of the oil companies and its the people who are being fucked over by the prices they set.

49
Beer and Queso / Re: Heres something you should be aware of...
« on: August 21, 2008, 02:42:28 pm »
Query...How many MILLIONS of years ago did the dinosaurs roam the earth?


Hmm, nothing after dinosaurs live millions of years ago? or wait, are they still alive?

50
Beer and Queso / Re: Heres something you should be aware of...
« on: August 21, 2008, 02:40:06 pm »
Oh, holy shit and pass the Tylenol.  If you're dumb enough to believe that we're using oil at the same rate that we did 1,000, 100, or even 10 years ago, you're hopelessly stupid.  And I don't mean "too stupid to debate on the Internet".  I mean "too stupid to properly feed and clothe yourself."

And by the way... ExxonMobil does not equal OPEC.  In fact, no corporation is a member of OPEC.  Y'know, because it's the Organization of Petroleum Exporting COUNTRIES.


Well why do you think people are trying to push alternatives fuels? To slow the rate at which we use the Oil.

I didnt say ExxonMobil is in OPEC, I'm saying OPEC is a reason why things are the way things are.

51
Beer and Queso / Re: Heres something you should be aware of...
« on: August 21, 2008, 02:37:53 pm »
Oh. OK. I kind of thought you were dispensing logic from an ignorant but stubborn position. I didn't understand that you're just crazy. My bad.

I figure you haven't taken biology or geology?

52
Beer and Queso / Re: Heres something you should be aware of...
« on: August 21, 2008, 02:29:29 pm »
Good lord - do you not recognize that groups other than corporations pay MASSIVE amounts to lobbyists?

No, it's not a surplus.  It has nothing to do with surplus.

And yet you say the oil companies are manipulating this?

No, because I honestly don't think you know who some of the largest shareholders of these major corporations are.  See my other question to you.

I know many independent oil companies; you probably know many independent publishers.

I didn't realize you were forced to live in Houston.  Damn the Motherland for restricting our movements this way!

Yes, I use Spark Energy which provides me with the lowest rates.  The Internet is an amazing thing.

1.) Thats kinda obvious. However, in recent years, who has been the worst in manipulation?
2.) Ok.
3.) Ok, oil is made from the fossils of things that died millions of year ago. Each year something dies, and each year a dead something had the chance to be turned into that black gold called oil. Its been happening for years on end...but apparently we are running out of oil. If you notice, it seems like every now and then they say "hey we found more oil". The earth creates it! there's going to be oil until the earth dies and the sun explodes. OPEC has to keep supply low in order to be able to make as much money they are making. I guess the bad thing for us Americans is that we have to have that determined by an organization that isn't our own.
5.) Not everyone has the chance to take in their own shares independently without the help of a company putting it into their retirement plan. If those people are fortunate enough to work for a place that does put money into an investment for their retirement then thats great for them. However, those same people can't take out that money to help them in a emergency type situation without felling the repercussion on their taxes. Though there's millions of people in this country who can't do that and who are suffering because no matter how hard they work, they can't constantly get food on the table for their families.
6.) There's nothing wrong with Houston and I take great pride in being from here. I also want to see things become much easier for the far less affluent side of the spectrum.
7.) Awesome, I should check that place out.

53
Beer and Queso / Re: Heres something you should be aware of...
« on: August 21, 2008, 02:06:50 pm »
OK, could we agree that someone on, say, a teacher's salary, or a goverment employee, couldn't afford to invest in something like ExxonMobil?

They could buy five shares or so of course. I doubt they would have the same influence of someone who can buy much more. However, not everyone in the middle class is a teacher or government employee (also, some government salaries really suck...I'm talking 25k a year). So, how does this help those people?

54
Beer and Queso / Re: Heres something you should be aware of...
« on: August 21, 2008, 02:01:35 pm »
So many factual errors, so little time.

As doe teachers, publishers, lawyers, doctors, unions... what's your point?  All groups who lobby are evil?

As measured by gross profits, not by profit margin.

There's no need to wonder about supply and demand.

Oil drilling platforms.  Refineries are completely different than drilling.

You do realize who owns shares of companies like ExxonMobil, right?

Not one company you have complained about thus far is a monopoly.

There are many smaller energy companies, and even a self-propulsion option in walking.

1.) Do you really believe that those guys will have the same influence on politicians? Money talks.
2.) Even with that, its still a surplus isn't it?
3.) Supply and Demand are also something that dictates the prices we pay...thats simple economics.
4.) My mistake.
5.) Yes, but you do realize who that screws over right?
6.) Can you name any independent oil companies off the top of your head?
7.) Look at Houston, its a city based on having a car to get to place to place. Its public transportation system isn't the greatest either (though its trying and can get there). Also, can you name a smaller energy company other than the ones that can afford advertising cost ala TXU energy and Green Mountain Energy?  We have things called amigo energy but since they are so small time they end up jacking rates to compensate for whats going on with the price of gas.

55
Beer and Queso / Re: Heres something you should be aware of...
« on: August 21, 2008, 01:46:59 pm »
Wow.  How much of this did you learn on a chron.com blog?  You have no clue.

You do watch the news? and read right? theres these things called economist...they kinda know what goes on with money.

56
Beer and Queso / Re: Heres something you should be aware of...
« on: August 21, 2008, 01:43:22 pm »
I explained that yesterday, when I point out that it's idiotic to paint all large corporations with this evil brush. It's incredibly simplistic, and doesn't ever rise to the level of specious argument, because you don't have even have the common courtesy to make up shit that sounds like you might know what you're talking about. You just make juvenile blanket statements that are easily refuted, then either refuse to acknowledge that they're wrong, or conveniently forget that you ever typed them in the first place. Really, it's your bizarre argument, try to keep up.

So again, you said that you only brought the imperiled state of net neutrality to our attention because you're upset about large corporations. Jim asked you what you consider a large corporation, citing several reasonable examples that don't fit your simplistic mold. I've told you that corporations like AT&T lobby on one side of the net neutrality argument, and corporations like Google argue on the other. These positions don't make either corporation inherently good or bad.

Instead of trying to better illustrate whatever the hell it is you're trying to tell us, you decided instead to chase every shiny bauble that rolled by, all the while trying to tell people who understand their subject perfectly well that they don't know what the fuck they're talking about. Saying that you didn't say something that you very obviously said, word for word, was a nice cherry on the sundae.

That's what's fucking wrong with your thinking. Now, by all means, change the topic again.

I guess your mistake when it comes to me is believing that I think all corporations are bad and monopolizing. Also, I think I made the mistake in believing the most of you would know the difference between a Google and AT&T.

57
Beer and Queso / Re: Heres something you should be aware of...
« on: August 21, 2008, 01:41:40 pm »
Apparently one that either accidentally or through pure evil became too successful and has the audacity to defend its interests and those of its shareholders.  We should all aspire to lead companies to be just pretty good, and if we slip up and make too much money, we must find a way to tank it or sponsor bills that could hopefully lead to our demise.  Fuck Donald.

Well, a lot of those companies are screwing over the people who don't have the money to invest into those kinds of companies. Why? Because those companies have been slowly raising the standard of living without raising those peoples salaries to compensate. Why? Profits and investors.

58
Beer and Queso / Re: Heres something you should be aware of...
« on: August 21, 2008, 01:38:25 pm »
No, I still have no idea why you think large corporations are bullies, or why publishers aren't in this category.

Well, I guess the easiest ones to point fingers at would be the Oil companies or Walmart. Both of them hire large amounts of lobbist to get their way in washington. Also, with Oil companies making record revenue, it should make you wonder why gas was near 4 bucks a gallon more so than just "we don't have enough oil refineries". Speaking of which, even if they did make more oil refineries along the US coast, we wouldn't see the effects of that until 10 years later. Its a way for oil companies to get their way and get their money for all those luxury items the executives like.

Publishing companies are different because an author doesn't have to rely on one single company to get its work out there. There are still many different smaller publishing companies and even a self publishing option in Lulu.com.

59
Beer and Queso / Re: Heres something you should be aware of...
« on: August 21, 2008, 01:29:21 pm »
And you were wrong. But that didn't even slow you down a little bit.

How was I wrong?

60
Beer and Queso / Re: Heres something you should be aware of...
« on: August 21, 2008, 01:26:27 pm »
The problem with the Internet is that we can only judge what you wrote, not what you're thinking.

I explained my thoughts on the three.

61
Beer and Queso / Re: Heres something you should be aware of...
« on: August 21, 2008, 01:20:33 pm »

Don't worry, you don't need to re-type anything, I can read the posts.



Well, seeing that I did mess up by saying controlled then I was wrong with what I meant. Though, that still doesn't even answer the question I asked about whats wrong with thinking what I think with the three subjects: publishing company, school, and a mickey mouse corp?

62
Beer and Queso / Re: Heres something you should be aware of...
« on: August 21, 2008, 01:05:47 pm »
how deep has that hole you are digging gotten?

Just waiting for you to piss in it Jim, you don't seem like you know how to do anything else.

63
Beer and Queso / Re: Heres something you should be aware of...
« on: August 21, 2008, 12:58:39 pm »
I don't know what your Grandpa knows. I know that you came in with this "holy shit I just saw a video, you've got to see this, they're going to take out website" routine, which is bullshit, and demonstrably so.

Then you switched to "lol I don't like large corporations", which is bullshit by gross oversimplification.

Then - for reasons unclear to everyone here - you switched to "school districts are controlled by the state", which is also bullshit.

This has all been pointed out to you, and no matter how many times you try to change the argument, being marginally correct about the fact that ISDs receive some amount of funding from the state does not make any of your statements any less grounded in - you guessed it - bullshit. And as you may have recently read in The Boy Who Cried Wolf, people tend to only listen to someone shouting bullshit so many times before they decide to ignore that person altogether.

I didn't swing the topics into that direction first of all. I was just called something insulting...without any other explanation than just "Hey, YOU STUPID!" type of deal about school funding.

Also, never did i say school districts are controlled by the state. Though you may think otherwise, I'm not that super liberal hippie kid thats trying to take to the man with every establishment that's around. My words were taken out of context because of that bias set against me because of my age...which is quite dumb, honestly.

What I was doing in my first post that had anything to do about whats being..."discussed" was pointing out the contrast between a publishing company, school district, and a mickey mouse Disney type of corporation that tries to control everything. I don't want to completely retype what I said but basically, publishing companies and school districts don't have the same kind of influence that a Mickey Mouse Corp. would have. Publishing companies aren't monopolized, of course theirs the large publishing company but there are many many other outlets (also, publishing companies normally publish a certain genre depending on the size). School Districts are watched over by the state because the state has the right to know what that district is doing with the money they give it. A Mickey Mouse Corp. type uses it's money to manipulate and bully people, small businesses and politicians into passing regulation that benefits the company.

So explain to me whats wrong with that type of thinking? Whats so controversial?

64
Beer and Queso / Re: Heres something you should be aware of...
« on: August 21, 2008, 12:37:09 pm »
Any of you guys tried staying at a Holiday Inn Express lately?

 :P heh, thanks Duman that made me chuckle.

65
Beer and Queso / Re: Heres something you should be aware of...
« on: August 21, 2008, 12:24:25 pm »
Well my father was a mechanic. His father was a mechanic. My mother's father was a mechanic. My three brothers are mechanics. Four uncles on my father's side are mechanics


It worked in the movie.

66
Beer and Queso / Re: Heres something you should be aware of...
« on: August 21, 2008, 12:22:25 pm »
I taught at Austin High School, both my parents are teachers, my aunt and uncle are teachers and I know a whole bunch of teachers!  All this and I still pull things out of my ass.  Education and association with educated people does not equal an immunity from saying silly things.

Of course, since im related to a close relative who was directly involved with HISD. I must not have any idea how the school system works...my grandpa must have been completely ignorant of the process though! Wow, since he isnt a lawyer he must not know anything at all about the school district he worked with for 30+ years. Amazing...how dumbfounding.

67
Beer and Queso / Re: Heres something you should be aware of...
« on: August 21, 2008, 11:54:45 am »
come to california.  teachers are allowed to smoke marijuana IN the classroom WHILE teaching.  they also give you a extra day off per week if you're a author.

I dont do drugs, I've never been compelled to try any of it. Also, if you are a teacher, you get the whole summer off so that s plenty of time to work on something. Also, saying the thing about lessening off days comes from my student prospective since I only graduated a little more than a year ago and still have friends there.

Speaking of credentials, my grandfather was a former vice principle of Austin High School and my best friends father is the principle of HSPVA, the school I graduated from. I'm not just pulling things out of my ass.

68
The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: Corpus Christi Hooks
« on: August 20, 2008, 10:57:35 pm »
Hey Sergio Perez is pitching again! he pitched 2 innings, gave up no hits, walked 2 and struck out one.

69
Beer and Queso / Re: Heres something you should be aware of...
« on: August 20, 2008, 10:45:36 pm »
I'm just going to drop it, its not going anywhere productive.

70
Beer and Queso / Re: Heres something you should be aware of...
« on: August 20, 2008, 09:10:31 pm »
About the same as some monkeynuts coming in and being explained how ISDs work by a lawyer that actually WORKS with them and the monkeynuts insisting they're wrong with little to no base for it?

Jim never informed me where I was wrong. He just went on insulting me, like you and many other people are. That said, I wasn't wrong with what I was saying either. According to HISD, they get their funds from three main sources: local property taxes, state-provided revenue, and federal funds. If the state is going to give school districts money, don't you think they are going to watch over what that school district is doing with the money? Jim made it seem as if the school districts are out on their own with no one to watch over them. Though the school districts are considered Independent, they do depend on the state to help with money which also causes the state to keep an eye on the school districts because money has been invested.

(go here to read about funding: http://www.houstonisd.org/HISDConnectDS/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=a46708f860efc010VgnVCM10000052147fa6RCRD)

So, whats so controversial about this? Why is their so much "young kid know it all trying to tell good ol' me how things run" sentiment? These things i'm saying aren't that out there, its what actually happens.

71
Beer and Queso / Re: Heres something you should be aware of...
« on: August 20, 2008, 05:13:04 pm »
meh, im not a big fan of drugs and kickboxing is nothing compared to UFC. I know, I'm very idealistic mainly because I haven't been out into the world yet. I'll probably end up investing some money in a Google or Microsoft though i plan on saving a lot of what I earn for my kids and family whenever they need help. Though hey its fun to dream.

72
Beer and Queso / Re: Heres something you should be aware of...
« on: August 20, 2008, 02:29:13 pm »
Awesome. I remember what it was like to be 19 and have all of the answers, too.

I'm sorry to hear about your dislike of large corporations (though it was a little hard to hear at all, what with the fucking air raid sirens). You'll no doubt be dismayed to learn that net neutrality is lobbied heavily by the Open Internet Coalition, meaning that the largest financial force pushing an agenda you agree with is largely comprised of - GASP! - corporations. But fret not. I'm sure Google and Ticketmaster are the innocuous, quaint, under-capitalized and cuddly corporations, not the big, nasty ones that want to oppress you.

I don't have all the answers, mainly a lot of questions. I'm new to the OIC so I'm actually happy that you are telling me more about this subject since you know much much more about it than myself.

73
Beer and Queso / Re: Heres something you should be aware of...
« on: August 20, 2008, 02:16:35 pm »
you are full of shit. totally. you really are an idiot. i did not know that until today.

i think recess is over. go on to class.

...wow, and you call me the child. good luck.

74
Beer and Queso / Re: Heres something you should be aware of...
« on: August 20, 2008, 02:13:12 pm »
you're nuts. totally, completely, bithering nuts.

fyi--i represent ISDs every day in my law practice.

12?

ooooo you place credentials but don't answer my question or comment on the fact that HISD keeps roll and tries to lessen off days because they get extra state funding for attendance.

I have no problem with HISD, I just find it kinda odd that you don't think HISD has someone (ala the state) looking over what they are doing.

For instance, that school district that has allowed their teachers to carry guns. It could have been overturned by the state but Rick Perry agrees with the idea. Thats not Big Brother?

75
Beer and Queso / Re: Heres something you should be aware of...
« on: August 20, 2008, 02:01:04 pm »
a school district in Texas is not controlled by the state.

Houston INDEPENDENT School District

14? you definitely are a kid. you're funny.

Where do you think HISD gets its funding?

Well, maybe you dont know this. The reason HISD wants kids to go to school every single day (and takes away off days mostly) is because they get a special tax bonus from the state. Also...what the hell are you talking about? The school district is watched by the state.


76
Beer and Queso / Re: Heres something you should be aware of...
« on: August 20, 2008, 01:57:11 pm »
what is a "large corporation" exactly?

a public school district is one. a university is one. a publishing company certainly is one.

you're hilarious. are you somewhere about 15-16?

Publishing companies vary in size and are far from the Haliburton, Lockheed Martin, General Electric, type of corporation.

A school district is controlled by the state and has to follow a great bunch of rules and can't just do whatever the hell they want without Big Brother standing over them.

Corporations, they have lots and lots of money and can influence our politicians with that money. Big Brother isn't such a Big Brother until the little really screws up.

77
Beer and Queso / Re: Heres something you should be aware of...
« on: August 20, 2008, 01:49:06 pm »
Careful...those large corporations will be funding your retirement someday.

lol, if i had my way that wouldn't be the case. (since I'm trying to be a author) However, i guess one of the most likely directions in the early part of my life would be a english teacher or.....dun dun dun writing documents for some large corporation. :P Don't remind of the dread thats to come.

78
Beer and Queso / Re: Heres something you should be aware of...
« on: August 20, 2008, 01:32:48 pm »
OMG! what will you do then?

work and go to school and live my life.

Also, corporations try to control everything...who says that they won't try to control this place because we are talking about something that could be detrimental to their own profits. I only saw this recently because my friend sent it to me but overall it was just my anger boiling over about how much I do dislike large corporations.

79
Beer and Queso / Heres something you should be aware of...
« on: August 20, 2008, 03:47:51 am »
just watch the video:

http://foureyedmonsters.com/neutrality/

basically, if this actually happens. We won't have this website anymore.

Also, I know this sounds like hippie liberal bullshit to some of you but the video on this front page:

http://www.savetheinternet.com/

made me realize that the phone companies are up to something and that the FCC is doing their job.

80
The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: Corpus Christi Hooks F*#%!
« on: August 19, 2008, 11:38:24 pm »
Van Hekken had another good outing tonight left with a 9-2 lead and Hooks Pen gave up 14!

Midland 16 Hooks 12

God I hate Midland!

Gervacio gave up 6 in the 2/3. Didnt retire a runner in the 9th. 

Bo Hall has 3 really solid outings and gets inactivated???

...why did i have a feeling that would happen when i looked at the box score


also, how did fixler look hes catching there now.





81
The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: Tri Cities ValleyCats
« on: August 19, 2008, 09:49:54 pm »
Our David Flores is the mvp of the NYPL All-Star game. He hit the game winning two run double to end it. Congrats!

82
The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: Greeneville Astros
« on: August 18, 2008, 09:58:28 pm »
He has made huge improvement from last year to this in both defensive and offensive areas. Keep an eye on him.

Seems like Greenville had a field day tonight, including Cartwright.

Seaton got hit but of course i dont think its anything to worry about.

83
Talk Zone / Re: The Belly of the Beast (NYC Trip)
« on: August 17, 2008, 08:02:48 pm »
New York was quite the experience when I went their for my graduation present a little more than a year ago now. Everyones said pretty much everything...hit china town to eat...hit little italy and get a canoli. visit a museum, I went to The Met...see ground zero and the empire state. just walk around NYC in manhattan and Time Square. When my sister and I decided to stroll, we came across some really cool things, like a tiny little comic book shop that had this one door entrance in between these two large offices.

oh yea! Canal Street....Canal Street is the king of bootlegged items and just flat out awesomeness: The funniest thing happened there. The asian folk their are on the streets selling bootleg dvds and what not and bootleg purse and wallets (they sneak you down alleyways and into crowded china town apartments into a room filled with bootlegged items...kinda scary but at the same time its an adventure), my sister me and some friends are looking around then all the sudden, this asian lady yells something out in chinese and about 10 other asian people burst off into the alleyway with cops trying to get threw the crowd.

84
Talk Zone / Re: Reineke to start for Padres
« on: August 15, 2008, 12:29:37 pm »
wish him good luck.

85
The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: Greeneville Astros
« on: August 14, 2008, 07:45:00 pm »
Hmm, Cartwright intrigues me. I'm not sure as to why but it seems that recently, hes been getting on base a lot for the Gstros.

86
Talk Zone / Re: Rotation
« on: August 14, 2008, 07:39:23 pm »
The starting pitching is still held together by chewing gum and duct tape. They'll hold for awhile, but when they let go, things get ugly. I'd love to see these guys make a run, but I fear we haven't seen the last of the losing streaks this season.

You know I should try that. I wonder how long chewing gum and duct tape can keep something together.

87
Talk Zone / Re: Rotation
« on: August 14, 2008, 07:28:21 pm »
there is no ace on this team.

the lineup is a problem?

Roy Oswalt isn't an ace? I would say he is even with the crappy start he had. Hes 6 and 2 in his last 10 starts..not to mention hes had a pretty swell career up to this point.

88
Talk Zone / Rotation
« on: August 14, 2008, 06:57:38 pm »
Any one else think that the move to having Moehler in the rotation over Sampson and the Wolf trade solidified our starting rotation? Our rotation definitely isn't top 5 in the league but is it good enough to help us reach that 90 win plateau Coop has set forth.

Wolf has an era of 3.63 since joining us and the Astros have won all 4 of his starts. Recently, compared to his first two starts (which were 4.1 and 5 innings), hes gone 6 and 7 innings which of course helps the bullpen have to pitch less innings (Compare that too Hernandez or Cassel's starts). He's pitched well and has always given the offense a chance to retake the lead. Wolf has simply been solid so far.

Moehler pretty much came out of no where for us at least. Kinda makes me wonder if he should have been starting from the beginning of the season instead of Sampson. Even Sampson kept saying that his stuff is better when he has a "tired arm". I'm not exactly sure how to discribe his (Moehler) pitching because at first I was under the impression that he was a groundball pitcher but after looking at his stats he could be either one depending on the day. I guess it would be easiest to simply say that hes just been all around solid and that his experience simply shows when he goes out there to pitch...he just knows how to do the job.

Of course there's Oswalt who has been pretty good since coming back from the injury. It looks like hes finally going back to his normal consistent self. Hes definitely our ace.

Wandy has been good this year but for some reason I can't go into a game where hes pitching and think "oh we have a good chance at winning". You kinda have to hold your breath during the first three innings or until you see how his curveball is working in the game.

The worse pitcher we have starting for us is definitely Backe. Though he has good stuff and its like the Wandy situation when it comes to watching him. Though, even if he does have his stuff crisp, he is always a possibility for exploding one inning with his control issues.


The rotation is better than it was at the beginning of the year most definitely. I want to say its good enough to lead us into stronger playoff wild card contention and Coop's 90 win plateau but I'm not sure yet. You can't really say its too early for Moehler he's pitched plenty of games and done well and I have faith that Wolf will put up good numbers for us.

Maybe our biggest question isnt our rotation anymore...maybe its our line up.

89
Talk Zone / Re: lee and lack of slack
« on: August 14, 2008, 06:14:08 pm »
The Reds and Giants with their britches around their ankles are being helpful.

They played the cubs well until the Backe game.

90
Beer and Queso / Re: Cheap Beer Summary
« on: August 14, 2008, 06:05:29 pm »
Is it bad that I don't like beer but I like whiskey and vodka?

91
Talk Zone / Re: Danks back to UT?
« on: August 13, 2008, 03:39:06 pm »
Passing on some greedy kids last year may be making this year's negotiations a little easier.  The kids will have a genuine concern that the Astros will walk away if they push too hard.

Yeah thats a good point.

92
Talk Zone / Re: Danks back to UT?
« on: August 13, 2008, 03:34:50 pm »
hearing this makes me happy about how diligent the stros were about signing their guys. Only one we havent signed ins that Davidson kid so far.

I think the Giants only have 4 or 5 of their top 15 signed right?

93
Talk Zone / Re: Danks back to UT?
« on: August 13, 2008, 02:35:29 pm »
Speaking of draft signees, has Justin Smoak signed yet with the rangers?

94
The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: Greeneville Astros
« on: August 13, 2008, 12:49:53 am »
You are definitely right about that Duman...10 errors in this game.

95
Talk Zone / Re: Just throwing this out there
« on: August 12, 2008, 02:32:09 pm »
when we do hit on our 1st rounders, they turn out to be pretty damn good.


but theres a lot of recent ones that arent even in baseball anymore.

96
The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: Greeneville Astros
« on: August 11, 2008, 10:46:47 pm »
Saw Seaton make his first appearance tonight.  4 pitches to complete only inning. 

Batter 1: strike, 5-3
Batter 2: 1-3 bunt attempt
Batter 3: long drive to center caught by Austin just short of the track.

In other news: Jay Austin looks over matched at the plate and tired in general. The G-stros appear to be playing out the string with very little life and emotion.  Just 14 games left.

Thats a little disappointing, have you seen anything like that happen before? Is it just because they are young and have had long years from going from highschool, JUCO, or extended spring to playing rookie ball?

97
Talk Zone / Re: We are being taunted
« on: August 11, 2008, 02:55:04 pm »
6 fractures and one extends into the joint.  Not good news.  Not good news at all.

Don't count Ortiz out! He still needs to mention the impending staph infection and how Lee's career may be over!

98
The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: Corpus Christi Hooks
« on: August 10, 2008, 11:56:22 pm »
Also, Im glad to see Einertson finally putting together a good strech of hitting.

99
Talk Zone / Re: the end of the world is here
« on: August 10, 2008, 02:33:21 am »
at ozzfest.  ozzy finished and metallica is about to come on.  so what do 40k drunk metal fans do while waiting? ....

THE FUCKING WAVE.

Oh come on, its Ozzy. Thats not Fintroll or something like Rammstien. Ozzy is so mainstream man.

100
The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: Tri Cities ValleyCats
« on: August 09, 2008, 01:17:30 pm »
About Meszaros. Since you can watch the videos of past games on MiLB.com I've been giving him a look at what he has that has him simply dominating in the few innings that he's pitched. I think its:

LOCATION! The guy can locate his pitches, especially his fastball (which clocks in the low 90s, and not a very big guy either, he reminds me of Lincecum when it comes to body build). Hes not afraid to throw his breaking pitches though he mainly worked this one game with fastball curveball combos. Even so, he still uses his change up...which once again he located well...and a slider. The slider looks to be the one pitch that he doesnt have the best control over, but he mainly throws it on 2 strike counts down in the dirt.


101
The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: Lexington Legends
« on: August 05, 2008, 07:59:57 pm »
Brian Pellegrini has hit his 20th hr so far, would you say he has the most power in the farm system? Its either him or DeLome right? Though compared to DeLome, Pellegrini has the patience of a Buddhist monk.

102
Game Zone 2008 Archive / Re: Fuck the cubs 8-4
« on: August 05, 2008, 12:18:00 am »
man, really...the cubs can kiss my ass. thats some bullshit.

103
Game Zone 2008 Archive / Re: Fuck the cubs 8-4
« on: August 04, 2008, 11:43:11 pm »
did they call it yet?

104
The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: Tri Cities ValleyCats
« on: August 04, 2008, 11:10:21 pm »
How bout this Meszaros guy.  A 48th round selection with 17Ks and 2BBs in 8.2 innings.  Small sample, but still.
i was thinking the same thing when i went to check the box scores tonight.

105
The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: Sergio Perez?
« on: August 04, 2008, 05:08:29 pm »
*ehm* HIS NAME IS BIGRED AFTERALL.

106
Talk Zone / Re: What if?
« on: August 03, 2008, 02:20:48 am »
Deep-fried sushi with cheese.

lol

107
The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: BEST Major League ASTRO Prospect
« on: August 01, 2008, 01:30:21 am »
Im also impressed with Flores.

108
The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: BEST Major League ASTRO Prospect
« on: July 31, 2008, 09:00:10 pm »
I must say though, some of our Tri-City hitters are looking pretty dang good.

109
Beer and Queso / Re: Ron Artest a Rocket
« on: July 31, 2008, 01:28:10 pm »
Quote
“This is Tracy (McGrady) and Yao’s team, you know,” Artest said. “I’m not going to take it personal. I understand what Yao said, but I’m still ghetto. That’s not going to change. I’m never going to change my culture. Yao has played with a lot of black players, but I don’t think he’s ever played with a black player that really represents his culture as much as I represent my culture.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/5916652.html


 :-\  eh? Come on, I kinda hate that side of my culture but i definitely identify myself as a black person. Matter of fact, many black people resent the ghetto aspect because its a load of bull. Oh well though, Ron Artest can really play some basketball, Ill give him that. I dont think he had any run in last season and they really didn't give a way much unless they completely tank next season and give the Kings a Lottery pick. Though Green was looking to be a good one.

110
Talk Zone / Re: Hawkins An Astro
« on: July 30, 2008, 08:53:34 pm »
No loss.  He wasn't going to be an everyday mlb player.  Lacks speed and range so 2b wasn't a great option.  Can play 3b but lacks the offensive punch from a guy playing that position.  I always thought of him as a Johnny Ash type guy.  He can help the minor league club he's on.  This is another example, IMO, of Wade & Co. seeing little long-term value in most of Purpura's minor leaguers.  If Hawkins helps bring in a playoff appearance then great.  If not, this deal isn't going to hurt, at all.  I don't have the chart in front of me to tell me where Hawkins was in the Elias rankings last year so I can't get a feel for if he is going to be a type-B guy this winter.

thank you sensei, lol.

111
Talk Zone / Re: Hawkins An Astro
« on: July 30, 2008, 07:43:16 pm »
sub par defensively, but has a pretty good bat. Not much power his first year but he seemed to be producing more gap hits and homers. Hes been struggling recently though...for a good two months he was hitting in the .330s but now its all the way down from that. I think he was a bit of an enigma for where they wanted him to play on the field...right Duman...Jacksonian???

112
Talk Zone / Re: Hawkins An Astro
« on: July 30, 2008, 07:28:43 pm »
...we gave away Cusick for this??? Wtf.

113
Talk Zone / Re: Astros talking to Red Sox re: Tejada
« on: July 29, 2008, 05:22:40 pm »
Isn't this exactly where the thread started?  Deja vu all over again.

well, i think its kinda premature to want to get rid of him right now. I think we should wait and see how he ends the year. After that, depending on his performance, we begin looking around during winter meetings.

114
Talk Zone / Re: Astros talking to Red Sox re: Tejada
« on: July 29, 2008, 05:19:19 pm »
I'd give Pence another season before dealing him...unless of course someone offers some kind of good starting pitcher prospect.

116
The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: Greeneville Astros
« on: July 28, 2008, 10:27:45 pm »
How has Jay Austin looked?

117
The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: Greeneville Astros
« on: July 17, 2008, 10:25:53 pm »
I was wondering where the europeans we signed were.

118
The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: Bogusevic Ankeiled?
« on: July 15, 2008, 02:17:04 pm »
and a homer.

119
Beer and Queso / Re: My dreams have been crushed x.x
« on: July 11, 2008, 10:59:08 pm »
Sorry to hear that man.  Don't let that get in your way.  Did you try just a student loan rather than private lender?


the PLUS loan wouldn't accept my parents bad credit.


also, thanks zipp im looking at those now but im a bit weary about it because so far they dont seem to have the same regulations that the bank would have.

120
Beer and Queso / My dreams have been crushed x.x
« on: July 11, 2008, 06:33:10 pm »
thanks to not being able to get a co-signer to pay for a private loan for film school.

plus the astros are losing this year too...kill me now.

121
The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: Greeneville Astros
« on: July 11, 2008, 02:44:12 am »
who is Patrick Urckfitz?

122
Talk Zone / Re: 2008 Draft Recap
« on: July 03, 2008, 02:06:19 am »
YAY!

123
Talk Zone / Re: Chacon Suspended
« on: June 26, 2008, 12:03:20 am »
They both acted out of line but Chacon had no right to choke the man.

124
Beer and Queso / Re: Heres a Football mmo.
« on: June 25, 2008, 04:21:33 am »
the baseball one is ok, been playing it for the past few days. that said, i think the football one is better for just casual gaming...like something to do or check up on in the office.

125
Beer and Queso / Re: Heres a Football mmo.
« on: June 22, 2008, 11:26:02 am »
ooo, is this out? XD

126
Beer and Queso / Re: Game Consoles
« on: June 22, 2008, 11:17:37 am »
360 ftw...until the red ring of death rears its ugly head.

127
Beer and Queso / Heres a Football mmo.
« on: June 22, 2008, 11:16:19 am »
http://goallineblitz.com/game/signup.pl?ref=4410854

I was shown this on the Texanstalk board and its actually pretty fun once you get into a team and stuff. If you like rpgs or football, you should check this out.

128
The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: Tri Cities ValleyCats
« on: June 21, 2008, 09:50:48 pm »
lol, i took a nap while listening to that game completely expecting there to be a bloop single against them. its wonderful to hear that they did that.

129
Talk Zone / Re: Prince of Fatness
« on: June 20, 2008, 05:34:59 pm »
is he still vegetarian?

130
Talk Zone / Re: One change
« on: June 17, 2008, 10:38:44 am »
On a lighter note, Short season b-ball starts today guys  ;D

131
Talk Zone / Re: One change
« on: June 17, 2008, 10:20:53 am »
I never once said to send Bourn to AAA.

You're making shit up again, which is the only way to support your "argument."

Tell me the story again about how Abercrombie has taken Bourn's playing time.

I didn't point out you.

Abercrombie was given at least 1 or 2 spot starts in place of Bourn, and then take in account the Erstad spot starts in that position as well.

132
Talk Zone / Re: One change
« on: June 17, 2008, 10:16:49 am »
I understand that it was a panic move.  You and the voices in your head are saying that makes it justified, and that it healed Bourn to become the 7th hitter that the Astros need.

see the complaining about sending Bourn back to AAA because hes not producing at the leadoff spot.

133
Talk Zone / Re: One change
« on: June 17, 2008, 10:13:40 am »
They might do this if there is a better option too lead off, which Pence! is not.  Pence! is an RBI man who fits perfect at 6 or 7th in the lineup.  Understand?

Yes I understand that and agree to that idea but it seems like you guys aren't understanding the mentality taken by moving Pence in favor of helping Bourn. I'm not saying its the right one but at least understand the thinking behind it.

134
Talk Zone / Re: One change
« on: June 17, 2008, 10:11:16 am »
i could do that. i have done it. have you?

Oh sure, if beer leagues count. I'm talking about the bigs.

135
Talk Zone / Re: One change
« on: June 17, 2008, 10:09:16 am »
nope.

next issue?

Maybe you should be manager since you know so much.

136
Talk Zone / Re: One change
« on: June 17, 2008, 10:07:11 am »
Confidence <> development.  Towles had not even a cup of coffee in AAA.  He needed to learn to recognize major-league quality pitches.

Physician, heal thyself.

Bourn is on this team to lead off.  You don't learn that hitting 7th.

1.) No shit? Obviously thats the idea they took with Bourn. Though they dont say it is, moving from the 1st to 7th spot in the line up is considered to be a demotion. Hell, Bourn was losing playing time to our dearly beloved Abercrombie as well. Oh no, Bourn wasn't being sat down for confidence and development (i guess hitting coaches in the bigs aren't a form of development), its just rest.

2.) He was slumping in the leadoff spot, right? How many times have you seen managers on many other teams move the slumping leadoff man down in favor of someone else who was getting on base at a higher clip. Its used to be able to give the guy playing time at a much less lofty position in the line-up. Bourn knows hes the leadoff guy but he needed to be moved down to have the pressure off his back for that position so to speak.

137
Talk Zone / Re: One change
« on: June 17, 2008, 09:59:42 am »
you bet, genius. batting 7th unlocks the hitting machine. write that article. i want to read it.

its the same mentality they are using on Towles by sending him down to RR to gain confidence (and mostly in Towles case more development). Stop being so fucking dense, please.

138
Talk Zone / Re: One change
« on: June 17, 2008, 09:56:17 am »
oh, really? so the cure for not hitting is to move down in the batting order? fucking brilliant. write an article on this. coaches everywhere will want to know it.

Its a mental thing dude...its not that hard to realize that. Or, i guess, sports players dont have brains, its all that fast twitch muscle fiber.

And, it seems to have worked for Bourn.

139
Talk Zone / Re: One change
« on: June 17, 2008, 12:28:38 am »
The reason Bourn was moved down was to get him to start hitting better. He is now, it wont be long before Bourn is back in the leadoff spot.

140
Talk Zone / Re: One change
« on: June 16, 2008, 10:23:00 pm »
So has everyone in the NL not named Brett Myers.  What's your point?

I didnt think Wandy deserved to be bunched in with those others, as replaceable by Runelvys.

141
Talk Zone / Re: One change
« on: June 16, 2008, 08:57:10 pm »
Bourn
Matsui
Berkman
Lee
Tejada
Pence
Wigginton
Ausmus

Bring up Hernandez and sit down Backe. Or Chacon. Or Rodriguez.  Or Moehler.

Stop making stupid declarations about "This won't happen again".  If your team isn't "showing up", that's on you as a manager, just as much as it is on the team.

...hes been better than Roy this year.

142
The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: Chris Johnson
« on: June 16, 2008, 01:10:42 am »
I should have also mentioned Parraz...hes being consistent recently as well. his 40/53 walk/strikeout ratio isnt bad.

143
Talk Zone / Re: my opinbon only
« on: June 15, 2008, 11:02:23 pm »
I can't even pin point what it is...its just...not his half so far.

144
The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Chris Johnson
« on: June 15, 2008, 10:59:16 pm »
Should I get excited about him? or no? cause, hes been on consistent at the plate...very very consistent this season. I know his fielding has been a bit of a drag because this is the first time hes been given full time at third but, his defense was one of the things that was a plus about him looking at the draft tracker.

145
The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: 2008 Draft Thread
« on: June 15, 2008, 08:57:35 pm »
to our knowledge, they have. see the draft tracker thread for more info.

146
Talk Zone / Re: Most. Disturbing. Video. Ever.
« on: June 14, 2008, 08:52:22 pm »
that one pic of lance jumping near the boxes....i didnt realize he had those kind of hops
.

147
The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: 2008 Draftees and Status
« on: June 13, 2008, 11:18:03 pm »
Zackery Grimmett is also listed on the Greenville roster.

148
Talk Zone / Re: Dontrelle Willis back in the Bus League
« on: June 10, 2008, 10:08:51 pm »
its for he can work on his mechanics, and just focus on that and only that. kinda sad though but understandable.

149
The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: 2008 Draftees and Status
« on: June 09, 2008, 12:40:19 am »
mine is 1200 x 800, hmm...try that and see if it works. if not, just change it back.

150
The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: 2008 Draftees and Status
« on: June 08, 2008, 09:27:33 pm »
whats ur screen resolution?

151
The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: 2008 Draft Thread
« on: June 06, 2008, 11:35:42 am »
Yeah, I had to look it up.  How many did he hit?  Four in one game!!!!

4/4 3 hrs and a single.

152
The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: 2008 Draft Thread
« on: June 06, 2008, 11:24:27 am »
Loved his timed home run trots to first

lol yeah.

153
The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: 2008 Draft Thread
« on: June 06, 2008, 11:16:27 am »
well, looks like Priday has power to both sides of the field.

154
The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: 2008 Draft Thread
« on: June 06, 2008, 11:03:42 am »
another lefty, jarred holloway

no video on him.

155
The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: 2008 Draft Thread
« on: June 06, 2008, 11:02:13 am »
from the video on cruz, he has a nice curveball. caught him buckling knees.

156
The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: 2008 Draft Thread
« on: June 06, 2008, 01:54:21 am »
um this is a day 1 observation that could be completely disregarded depending on what our GM n' company does. That said, what does this mean for Chris Johnson and Tommy Manzella? I think for right now, they should be pleased; maybe theres some faith in the idea the Chris may be our 3rd baseman of the future if he continues hitting as he has (his fielding isnt as crisp as it could be but hes been moved around a lot). Manzella is very good defensively and hes shown the ability to drive in runs and hit so far this season and even a little bit last season (though is he hurt or something?). After Tejada's contract is up, do you think he will be the one to replace him?

157
The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: 2008 Draft Thread
« on: June 05, 2008, 07:29:57 pm »
whats your meaning of short?

my meaning of tall is 6'6 and up

158
The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: 2008 Draft Thread
« on: June 05, 2008, 07:14:41 pm »
tall pitchers scare me, they tend to have good stuff but they seem to rarely be able to maintain their mechanics on a constant bases.

159
The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: 2008 Draft Thread
« on: June 05, 2008, 06:43:29 pm »
so, whats the word on Steele?

160
The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: 2008 Draft Thread
« on: June 05, 2008, 06:39:59 pm »
hmm another center fielder in Thomas Steele

161
The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: 2008 Draft Thread
« on: June 05, 2008, 06:27:01 pm »
Seaton, there he is.

162
The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: 2008 Draft Thread
« on: June 05, 2008, 06:08:20 pm »
all these youngins

163
The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: 2008 Draft Thread
« on: June 05, 2008, 04:22:06 pm »
Jordan Lyles....anyone know anythign?

164
The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: 2008 Draft Thread
« on: June 05, 2008, 04:20:16 pm »
here we come...

165
The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: 2008 Draft Thread
« on: June 05, 2008, 02:53:12 pm »
Catro apparently has most of his power going to opposite field...that makes me happy.

166
The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: 2008 Draft Thread
« on: June 05, 2008, 02:19:57 pm »
im more so excited about our other picks...normally i am, our 1st picks recently dont pan out so well.

167
Talk Zone / Re: The catch by Jim Edmonds
« on: May 20, 2008, 01:43:12 pm »
hes made better catches.

168
Talk Zone / Re: unassisted triple play
« on: May 12, 2008, 10:34:48 pm »
this reminded me of that bagwell unassisted double play he made. where the guy popped up a bunt but baggy let it drop so he picked it up tagged the guy at first and stepped on the bag, inning over.

169
The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: Corpus Christi Hooks
« on: May 07, 2008, 11:24:42 am »
Awesome, I didn't know he was back on his way to pitching. This is good news.

170
The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: Salem Avalanche
« on: May 05, 2008, 09:20:16 pm »
Who is the Fixler guy in Lexington, hes been hitting well...not much power but he gets his singles >.>

171
Talk Zone / Re: Franco retires
« on: May 04, 2008, 02:44:39 pm »
wow, i thought hed never retire.

172
The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: Salem Avalanche
« on: May 04, 2008, 02:43:45 pm »
Do you think Cusick will be in Salem by the all star break?

173
The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: Lexington Legends
« on: May 04, 2008, 02:42:24 pm »
Has Sapp shown any flashes of 1st round talent? It seems that hes just been a major disappointment when it comes to performance and health...but he is only 20.

174
The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: Corpus Christi Hooks
« on: May 03, 2008, 09:51:53 pm »
then do not come back. simple.

Well, I enjoy reading up on Duman and Jacksonians in sight. I'm not coming here to read your stuff because its not worth looking at; you are like one of those people on message boards who always have to shoved their crap into other peoples faces.

Duman and Jacksonian give me a reminder of why i love checking up on prospects and the sport of baseball. I can only look at the stats while they can tell me something they noticed in real action. They make this board enjoyable for me.

175
The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: Corpus Christi Hooks
« on: April 30, 2008, 10:17:47 pm »
Ok, im fucking tired of coming onto here to see if there are new updates on the team just to find you guys bickering. Please, stfu and talk prospects.

176
The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: Lexington Legends
« on: April 16, 2008, 10:26:25 pm »
Whats the word on Matt Cusick?

177
The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: Corpus Christi Hooks
« on: April 16, 2008, 03:15:33 pm »
hey, cut the crap please. Just talk Corpus.

178
Game Zone 2008 Archive / Re: 4/15/08: HOU @ PHI
« on: April 15, 2008, 08:46:06 pm »
oh well, next time.

179
Game Zone 2008 Archive / Re: 4/15/08: HOU @ PHI
« on: April 15, 2008, 08:44:38 pm »
wow he was way out.

180
Game Zone 2008 Archive / Re: 4/15/08: HOU @ PHI
« on: April 15, 2008, 08:43:42 pm »
it seems like hes just throwing it up in there...not even locating.

181
Game Zone 2008 Archive / Re: 4/15/08: HOU @ PHI
« on: April 15, 2008, 08:39:55 pm »
valverde doesnt have his split finger down...bring up Gervacio!

182
Game Zone 2008 Archive / Re: 4/15/08: HOU @ PHI
« on: April 15, 2008, 08:38:20 pm »
...now what

183
Talk Zone / Re: Pence
« on: April 14, 2008, 11:03:39 pm »
Another struggling young stud: Ryan Braun


184
The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: Corpus Christi Hooks
« on: April 12, 2008, 06:28:41 pm »
How is Bud Norris looking? I checked Milb.com and saw that he was 2 and 0 with 16 Strikeouts in 2 starts. Anyone seen him pitch?

185
Game Zone 2008 Archive / Re: fish @ stros 4-11-08
« on: April 11, 2008, 09:56:44 pm »
what an ugly game...what the fuck is wrong with Roy?

186
Talk Zone / Re: Team Grades at the Ten Game Mark
« on: April 10, 2008, 01:25:36 pm »
Let's hope so.  To extrapolate out x16 and assume that will be the production of this team is not logical.  But you can see some things.  Tejeda is a professional hitter.  Carlos is pretty slow and will not get to some balls.  Bourn will get lots of SB's.  Backe could very well be a serviceable 4.00era pitcher, etc...

Backe and Wandy.

187
Talk Zone / Re: Team Grades at the Ten Game Mark
« on: April 10, 2008, 09:39:01 am »
Offense: C-; aside from Pence's play the majority of our batters at least look like they know what they are doing, production will come at an high output once it all gets rolling. Also, it would be nice to have Wigginton and Matsui back in there.
Deffense: B+; I don't think we've lost a game due to a lack of fielding yet. Tejada has been better than what most of you guys expected and Bourn has been relatively excellent.
Starting Pitching: B-; All of our starters other than Roy O have pitched well enough and better than expected...and the one thats not pitching that well is Roy Oswalt.
Bullpen: C-; Mostly the pen has been ok...aside from Mohler and Villarreal. Valverde has the passion but he needs to have better control than he has shown.
Managing: A; Coop hasn't made any real glaring mistakes, its just a matter of having his players produce.

Overall: C; Ten games is ten games of 162...the team is looking better than what I expected especially in the starting pitching. The offense will be fine if all our established players continue their steady trends. 

188
Talk Zone / Re: Is it too early to get excited about this team?
« on: April 10, 2008, 09:25:24 am »
looking at the future we gave up, it really doesn't seem like we had much of a future.

189
Game Zone 2008 Archive / Re: Astros @ Cubs, 4-5-08
« on: April 05, 2008, 01:19:56 pm »
I love Bourn's defense so much.

190
Talk Zone / Re: Not a bad first series
« on: April 04, 2008, 01:47:43 pm »
You're posting this in a thread titled "Not a bad first series"?

Well, it was though I think we weren't expecting much more from them.

191
Talk Zone / Re: Not a bad first series
« on: April 04, 2008, 01:14:23 pm »
http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/COL/COL200706050.shtml

I'm pretty sure you watched Wandy pitch last year and whenever he got into trouble on the mound on the road, he was noticeably rattled. I didn't see that this time, he looked more mature and more capable to get out of a rut. I felt good about what i saw from him.


damn you guys are so down on this team eventhough they played a very good team very well. We could have won all four games just as easily as we lost three of them. Just wait til our hitting really gets going.

192
Talk Zone / Re: Not a bad first series
« on: April 04, 2008, 01:01:38 pm »
I think they'll be ok this season. I thought Backe and Wandy looked good...especially Wandy because he was wasnt blowing up on the road like he would last year. Chacon has some nice stuff but he looks a bit too hittable for my liking, but he is a decent number 4.

193
Talk Zone / Re: Play Ball
« on: March 31, 2008, 02:58:06 pm »
...damn hes happy.

194
Talk Zone / Why is this...
« on: March 29, 2008, 10:11:33 pm »
Why am i hearing so many people kiss the cubs ass? Cubs and Tigers in the World Series. I can see the Tigers as a possibility but the Cubs are not that good.

195
Talk Zone / Re: I know it's spring . . .
« on: March 28, 2008, 05:14:32 am »
wasnt our main problem last year offense and a weak pen on the end?

Our starting pitching wasn't that horrible last year and I would look at it and think it isnt any worse. We should be ok...guys. All we have to hope for is that our 1-3 can get get 200+, 180+, and 170+ innings with a respectable era (which is like at most 4.50?). hopefully Woody is gone too.

196
Talk Zone / Cassel and Hernandez sent down.
« on: March 26, 2008, 11:07:10 am »
http://houston.astros.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080326&content_id=2458941&vkey=spt2008news&fext=.jsp&c_id=hou

I hope Cassel gets a chance to come up and pitch in the bigs sometime this year...id much rather watch him pitch in the Starting Pitching slot than Woody and Sampson (who i think should be in the pin).

197
Talk Zone / Re: Astros interested in Cleveland pitching?
« on: March 20, 2008, 12:55:36 pm »
Big difference between Sowers and Saarloos, beginning with the fact that Sowers is a southpaw.

Saarloos like Sowers pitched well in a hard conference in college and went up the minor league ladder quickly. Why? He had really good offspeed stuff like Sowers and also like Sowers, he isn't a hard thrower...they supposedly had very good command of their pitches. Other than being a lefty, what more of a difference is there? Also, I don't like the idea of a soft tossing lefty in our division with the caliber of right handed hitters we have...hell, i dont even think he'd be able to give Prince Fielder the chills either unless he has a killer change up and a just fast enough upper 80s fastball he can plant on the far edge of the plate low and away.

198
Talk Zone / Re: Astros interested in Cleveland pitching?
« on: March 19, 2008, 04:30:09 pm »
whats the word on Laffey?

also sowers just reminds me of Kirk Saarloos so id pass on him.

199
Talk Zone / Re: O's winking at Loretta from across the room
« on: March 10, 2008, 03:19:26 pm »
I'd do that in an instant.  Sarfate reminded me of a young Nolan.

T.T why did we trade him away...

200
Talk Zone / Re: O's winking at Loretta from across the room
« on: March 10, 2008, 03:00:17 pm »
can we get sarfate back?

201
Talk Zone / Re: BP on the Astros
« on: March 09, 2008, 08:38:36 pm »

202
Talk Zone / Re: Footer says...
« on: March 09, 2008, 01:19:32 pm »
Id like to see Gervacio in the pen...

203
Talk Zone / Re: Hunter meets a glass door - There Will Be Blood
« on: February 19, 2008, 12:29:35 pm »
shut the fuck up.

you know its true, he was excited and wanted to get with that girl.

204
Talk Zone / Re: Hunter meets a glass door - There Will Be Blood
« on: February 19, 2008, 11:14:15 am »
are ppl dissing hunter for calling his mom? wow...hey at least he was on the verge of getting booty that night.

205
Talk Zone / Re: Hunter meets a glass door - There Will Be Blood
« on: February 19, 2008, 11:10:09 am »
look like hunter was in a rush to get with his lady friend...you know, for a little 'spring' training in his pants.

206
Talk Zone / Re: Pujols bans Fox news
« on: January 25, 2008, 04:47:30 am »
The case with most of the people using performance enhancers is that they have a short string of break out seasons (3-4) Pujols has been that good ever since he became a professional. I'd be pissed off to to have my name put into something that would tarnish all the achievements I've done too. I don't blame Pujols for defending himself, hell, you'd be saying the same thing if he didn't say anything about his name being in there. At least hes not on 60 minutes liking his lips and looking nervous as hell like Roger.

207
Talk Zone / Re: Pujols bans Fox news
« on: January 23, 2008, 01:27:41 am »
It could be, in fact he's clearly talented.  However, he also clearly played older than his years, and is now sporting the full spam due to hair loss (not choice).   If it walks like an older duck and quacks like an older duck...

Bottom line is that it only impacts the Jakes, who may have been misrepresented in numerous contract negotiations with the guy.  Otherwise, he hits what he hits and is as old as he is.

I know people 20 years old who are losing their, thats not good enough evidence, also does his age really matter? All that matters is the consistently great numbers he puts up each and every year. I respect Albert Pujols greatly.

208
Talk Zone / Re: Pujols bans Fox news
« on: January 22, 2008, 07:32:38 pm »
Although he grew up in the US - which Pooholes' apologists use as a validation of his age - he didn't move here until the early 90s while claiming to have been born in 1980.  He is the "youngest" of (IIRC) 5 brothers, none of whom exhibited anywhere near the beisbol talent of Albert.  How hard would it have been to change identities with a younger brother on the way over from DR, or even before he left?

He shredded high school pitchers (hitting .660 in his senior year) and dominated in his one year of college.  He passed on STL's original offer of a $10k bonus in 1999 but signed on in 2000 for $70k.  He exploded through the STL farm system, making the big club within that first year, and he hit .367 with 2 dingers in 7 games in the majors.  He was league MVP in 2001 and had a career year in 2003, allegedly aged 21 and 23 respectively.

Either it's steroids or he's older than he says.  Or both.  I like to think both.


why cant it just be talent?

209
Talk Zone / Re: for those Guitar Hero fans (non-bb obv)
« on: January 02, 2008, 09:07:43 pm »
Or about 9 years old:

http://view.break.com/422526


i got tired while playing that song on easy..

also, rock band would be cool but im too poor to by it, maybe someone on our dorm floor will get it.

210
Talk Zone / Re: So, did Lance Berkman *really* take back all he said?
« on: December 20, 2007, 05:02:10 pm »
Bagwell still works for us right? Can he be clubhouse consultant or something?....berkman is being a bit annoying.

211
Talk Zone / Re: "With eyes on Prior"
« on: December 20, 2007, 11:22:45 am »
I still haven't found the part where this makes him a bitch.  Or the part where a high-strikeout, sub-4.00 pitcher would not be fit to be a #2.

We'll firstly, bitch is something I say when things frustrate me, bad habit yes it is. I don't like the idea of renting players which looks like what the Prior situation could turn out as.

Secondly, IF Prior can return to that form then yes its number 1 type stuff so we'd actually have two number 1s in our rotation but I don't see how Benson couldn't do just as well as Prior could. Of course Benson won't have all the flashy strikeout numbers but if his era is where it has been around for his career (4.00- 4.60) thats good enough for a number 2 especially with the potential of our offense.


212
Talk Zone / Re: "With eyes on Prior"
« on: December 20, 2007, 11:13:28 am »
look, let say we sign Prior to a 1 year deal with incentives and what not.

If he does well on his return and the astros aren't in contention (which is possible) then they'd trade him and "replinish the farm".

If he completely blows we are stuck with him for the rest of the year without fixing out starting pitching as much as they would have liked to. then we can cut him loose and watch him flutter around like Scott Elarton (no im not saying their skills are to par with eachother...thats just another pitcher who had a great year got injured, and was never to recover thus he flutters around going from team to team)

If Prior does well and we are in contention to the end or even make the playoffs, He can just cut loose into the free agency mill. Now you have the whole Beltran effect, the fans will want him back, the media would want him back, we'd all want him back. I just fear that he'd use us and our market to up the amount of money paid to him for her can go to New York or Boston or Los Angeles even.

Now, I don't know about you guys but what I'm hoping if Prior gets here, is that he'll pitch well. He'll help us get to the playoffs and do the whole win now thing Drayton likes. So, I'm just very weary of the chances of him using us to get more money to go elsewhere.

213
Talk Zone / Re: "With eyes on Prior"
« on: December 20, 2007, 10:48:15 am »
A cheap rental for about 1/2 a season, even if he's not ready to go until the All-Star break.  I'd say do a one year with an option.  Relatively low money up front but maybe load it with lots of incentives.  Bargain basement high reward/low risk.  What's not to like?

/likes the idea of Prior & Benson as our #2 & #3 starters for the 2nd half pennant run

if we get both of them then i'd be plesantly surprised, but I doubt Prior would want to come here...also, think about it, Prior wouldn't be back until May so if hes to be that 1/2 a year pitcher he has a month to prove anything to be traded. I don't know, this just screams Beltran 2.0 the Prior edition in the off-season for the astros again.

214
Talk Zone / Re: "With eyes on Prior"
« on: December 20, 2007, 10:40:46 am »
You can type bitch here.  But what makes you say this?

We don't need a wonderful strikeout artist ace as our number 2 which i guess Prior could fall into place as being, we need someone that can eat up innings and have a decent era 3.50 - 4.50. Benson could do that for us and potentially cost less (depending on priors performance) which is better imo. I also doubt Prior would want to sign here.

215
Talk Zone / Re: "With eyes on Prior"
« on: December 20, 2007, 10:32:35 am »
Prior's being a little B*tch so i say lets go get Benson.

He'd (Benson) be more willing to sign a 2 or 3 year deal and would probably cost less in the long run. Prior is being picky with the situation because he can tell that teams are still in awe of is 2003 season where he was amazing. Hes using this to his advantage to court plenty of teams without any really knowledge of whether or not he can stay healthy. So his agent goes out and makes comments like that and it annoys me and makes me question what Prior's motives are.

216
Talk Zone / Re: No support for Berkman's open piehole
« on: December 19, 2007, 12:52:19 am »
No wonder I like Backe so much.

217
So, who are you guys looking forward to in the pending draft?

or

What positions should the Astros really consider addressing down on the farm? Let me guess all of them? I'd think pitching of course...you can never have enough pitching yet the stros never have a slew of position players that make you really happy.

and also

How much of a prospect is Mr. Einertson?


there, some questions...discuss, i'll sit back and listen.

218
Talk Zone / Re: Major announcement at 12:30
« on: December 12, 2007, 01:49:49 pm »
Meh i guess we'll be ok then.

219
Talk Zone / Re: Major announcement at 12:30
« on: December 12, 2007, 01:41:27 pm »
Oswalt
Wandy
Backe
William
Paulino/ Gutierrez

Closer: Qualls

Set up: ???

220
Talk Zone / Re: Major announcement at 12:30
« on: December 12, 2007, 01:35:04 pm »
yes we have a nice offense but i want pitching too.

221
Talk Zone / Re: Major announcement at 12:30
« on: December 12, 2007, 01:33:00 pm »
(hint) *Wesley Wright* (/hint)

Maybe...and i think you hate me T.T

222
Talk Zone / Re: Major announcement at 12:30
« on: December 12, 2007, 01:30:15 pm »
Your future 2/3(Patton), Albers has easily #2 stuff it was just a matter of control, Sarfate has closer stuff, Costanzo has the talent (yet mlb unrealized) to be a starting 3b.

No one in our minors potentially takes there place? What about Paulino and Juan?

223
Talk Zone / Re: Major announcement at 12:30
« on: December 12, 2007, 01:27:40 pm »
Who replaces these guys on the 40 man?

i figure Tommy Manzella will be on there now whoelse?

224
Talk Zone / Re: Major announcement at 12:30
« on: December 12, 2007, 01:24:14 pm »
well lets just hope they know what to use those 7 picks in the first 5 rounds nicely. Maybe we'll get a gem or two that'll take 2 or 3 years to be ready..............maybe.

225
Talk Zone / Re: Major announcement at 12:30
« on: December 12, 2007, 01:18:51 pm »
I take it back Noe.  This is a going for the World Series deal.  It makes no sense to get him and give up part of your future rotation and only hope for the division.  Tejada is only locked up for 08 and 09.  Will they try to extend him?  He's going to be 34 for the 2010 season.

We got the the World Series because we had pitching...now we have hitting and no pitching other than Roy and a few others. This makes no sense to me if its a 'going the the World Series deal'. We are hoping for a lot of people to have career years on the mound it seems.

226
Talk Zone / Re: Major announcement at 12:30
« on: December 12, 2007, 12:58:53 pm »
I'm sure they can get a Chan Ho Park-level guy for him.

thats what we are looking at now on the roster aside from a few people.

227
Talk Zone / Re: Major announcement at 12:30
« on: December 12, 2007, 12:56:30 pm »
It would be nice to pick up pitching for Burke though.

228
Talk Zone / Re: Major announcement at 12:30
« on: December 12, 2007, 12:55:12 pm »
I guess they must have another deal in the works then...thats the only way I see it. Oh well can't judge the deal until we see whatelse Wade has up his sleeve.

229
Talk Zone / Re: Major announcement at 12:30
« on: December 12, 2007, 12:32:16 pm »
can someone give me a hug?

230
Talk Zone / Re: Major announcement at 12:30
« on: December 12, 2007, 12:26:42 pm »
...so Drayton expects us to be happy about this?

231
Talk Zone / Re: Major announcement at 12:30
« on: December 12, 2007, 12:20:56 pm »
The Astros better have gotten Bedard, too, or this seems like a very uneven trade.

if they got Bedard then yeah im ok with what happened...though our bullpen looks like bad.

232
Talk Zone / Re: Major announcement at 12:30
« on: December 12, 2007, 12:14:08 pm »
Maybe a Burke deal is in the works to add pitching seeing that we just traded away almost all of what we had!!!

233
Talk Zone / Re: Major announcement at 12:30
« on: December 12, 2007, 12:11:06 pm »
...I don't get this trade. I dont f*cking get this trade...I absolutely hate this trade so far.

234
The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Dietrich
« on: July 26, 2007, 09:24:21 pm »
Has there been any news on him? Is he going to sign or go to college? I mean, with the draft class not looking like one of the better ones so far (even though, i say next year will really be the judge of that) don't you think Pupura would be a bit more urgent with the situation?

235
The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / De Lome
« on: July 21, 2007, 08:05:56 pm »
Is he injured? On Friday, he was hit with a pitch and left the game the next inning. Today, hes not in the line up for Tri-City, what is wrong?

Hopefully, its only a Day to Day matter if its anything at all.

236
The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: Players of the month
« on: July 19, 2007, 12:42:30 am »
Here are your players of the month as designated by the Astros Player Development Department:

RR:
P -Driskill
O- Anderson
D- Ransom

CC:
P - Middleton
O- Towles
D - Maysonett

Salem:
P- Gevacio
O- Sutil
D - King

Lex:
P- Arguello
O- Florentino
D - Clemens

Tri:
P- Leonhardt
O - Dixon
D-Cusick

Greeneville:
P- Ciriaco
O & D - Launier

For more details http://houston.astros.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20070717&content_id=2091709&vkey=pr_hou&fext=.jsp&c_id=hou

I guess his defense has improved quite a bit. Are the astros still considering him as a catching prospect or is he just a 3rd basemen now?

237
ahhh Jimi  ::)

238
Jonny Greenwood
Thom Yorke (rhythm guitar)

239
The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: lefty bats
« on: July 13, 2007, 02:47:58 pm »
I know I am the minority, but I am pulling for Ash.  I just keep getting the feeling he is the type of player who always will hit around .280-.300 and have an OBP around .360-.380 at any level, but not much power or speed.  He is the reason why I am not concerned if Burke is moved in a trade and Biggio retires, I think Ash could step in and be ok at 2B.

But like I said, I am in the minority in that opinion.

I with you on that one as well.

240
The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: Greeneville
« on: July 10, 2007, 01:39:38 am »
Thank you, Duman.

241
The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: 2007 Draft Thread
« on: July 06, 2007, 03:12:39 pm »
I don't ever remember having a top pick (in this case Dietrich) take so long to sign.

242
Talk Zone / Re: Stark article on Biggio's #3,000
« on: June 29, 2007, 09:44:20 pm »
Ugh, Its quite annoying to read the people arguing against his hall numbers. Especially the arguements about his longevitity giving him those numbers.

"If so and so hit .260 for 20+ years he'd have 3000 hits too"

Um, ok...well Biggio is hitting .280 for his career...thats highly respectable and thats hall of fame material. No one mentions that Biggio's numbers would have probably hit 3000 last year or the year before if he didn't get injured in 2000. Hell, Biggio would probably have 300 homers to add to his credit.

243
The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: 2007 Draft Thread
« on: June 29, 2007, 07:21:27 pm »
Hopefully Torrence is getting a feel for his new enviorment now. he got his 1st hit, a single  ;D. Also, I was told that Bono looked good in his 1st time out yesterday by my friend thats also a plus.

244
The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: Mitch Einertson
« on: June 29, 2007, 01:11:22 pm »
Intresting find: http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2004/10/19/news/columnists/john_maffei/10_18_0419_35_07.txt

Its a few years old and Einertson hasn't made the transition to second base in the minors yet. I figure since there hasn't been anything new on it, he wasn't doing very well at the position. Or, are the astros still considering this as a possibility?

245
The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: 2007 Draft Thread
« on: June 28, 2007, 07:00:56 pm »
They really don't have anything to lose by playing Saccomanno and it would be nice to see what he can do. I don't expect anything to happen until after this 11 game homestand and after the all-star break. It all depends on if everything can get on track. The astros need more bullpen help than anything right now.

edit: I figure Albers and McLemore will have some change.

246
The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: 2007 Draft Thread
« on: June 28, 2007, 04:35:23 pm »
A couple of things about Torrence:  he hasn't played organized ball in, what?, a month or more?  Plus, who was he facing?  College pitcher?  Pitcher repeating the league?  If he's willing to give up because of a bad start...  Plus his signing bonus payment is broken down so that if he quits too early he won't get the full amount.

There is plenty of good news in the org:  Pence, Patton, Paulino, Towles, Flores, Manzella, Iorg before freak injury, James, Bogusevic, Salamida, Perez, Gervacio, Johnson, Torres, Einertson, Van Ostrand, Parraz, Sapp, DeLome, Dixon, some of the Venezulelan players are adjusting to the US ok. Plus several of the top high school draftees haven't signed yet, Dinelli hasn't played yet.

The Astros draft the best player available, especially in the top 7-10 rounds regardless of pitcher or position player and tools.  Too, they're not going to reach just to get a guy with a particular tool.  Top of the order kind of guys in the system: Anderson, MRod, Flores, Ash, Sutton, Moresi, and several drafted this year.  Some are better prospects than others, but the Astros do have them.

Manzella is as you say.  He's a major league shortstop.  He's not yet a major league hitter.  His chances in the majors are completely dependent on his ability to hit enough.  Rest assured the Astros are doing/have done whatever they can to make him a better hitter.  If you look at the top 10 from this year you'll see we include a note that the Astros are looking at him as a possible Everett replacement down the road.

Out of those guys I can only see them giving Flores a real shot and maybe Anderson. I still feel like they should give Jonny Ash real consideration because as you say, hes maxing out his ability as a player because he isn't as athletic as most; that reminds me of David Eckstien. It just feels like the Astro's wait so long to bring a prospect up to replace an under performing player. Whats wrong with giving Saccomanno (sp?) a chance to play at 3b now since Ensberg and Lamb are now trade fodder? He does play both 1st and 3rd base and Ensberg is basically dead weight on the bench right now. Being 14 games out should give them a chance to bring up a Saccomanno or  a Paulino or a Patton (probably sept. call up).

Maybe a change in the tide is occurring because of what Hunter Pence has been able to do.

edited: DeLome and Dixon are adjusting nicely so far.

247
The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: 2007 Draft Thread
« on: June 28, 2007, 01:25:46 pm »
I know its only 7 at-bats and that he only just got out of high school but damn just get a hit already! I'm listening to the minor league games on the net radio and hearing about the errors and missed plays of our organizations players...I just want them to play better and I want good news from some there in the org. I just want good news in the organization -_-...sorry if i made you mad.

Also, I fear that if Torrence doesn't hit well here that he'll just stick to football so I really feel uncomfortable about the amount of strikeouts; i think he had high totals for his high school career as well, correct?





Question: Are the astros looking for contact hitters now more so than the typical hitter that we've been us to seeing these recent years (ala. Big right handers with long swings aka...Jason Lane types)? I think one of the things that hurts this team is the lack of two top of the order speedy guys who can put the ball in play.

Also, it looks like the stros are probably going to give Tommy Manzella a serious look at SS in spring training next year (from his recent promotion and from comments Pupura has made about his play). I know his defense is major league caliber but I've had mixed feelings for his offensive ability. He has more pop than Adam Everett and he seems like he can develop into a more offensive threat as well. What kind of evaluation do you have on him and his play?

248
The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: 2007 Draft Thread
« on: June 28, 2007, 12:26:47 am »
In 3 games (7 at-bats) Torrence is batting .000 with 6 strikeouts. I know its only 7 at-bats and 3 games and that hes very young but those numbers are quite disappointing.

249
The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: 2007 Draft Thread
« on: June 27, 2007, 08:50:23 pm »
Torrence isnt looking very good at the plate.

250
The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: Mid Season Promotions
« on: June 24, 2007, 10:54:26 am »
Ive always like Manzella since he was in Tulane.

251
The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: Mid Season Promotions
« on: June 23, 2007, 03:34:11 pm »
Well, now I have offensive players I actually care about in AA ball now.  ::)

Seriously, there was no one in AA that I even cared about watching for the first half of the year. Not including the pitcher.

252
The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: Devon Torrence Signed
« on: June 22, 2007, 12:53:47 pm »
Damn, I was being optimistic and hoping it was Okalahoma State University.

NOOOOOOO, well hopefully they already have a stud DB at safety that makes him wait to play. Maybe Ohio State will suck it up these three years...  :'( :'(


Lets hope we get the Matt Holiday side of the deal.

253
The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: Mid Season Promotions
« on: June 22, 2007, 12:50:51 pm »
What the hell could they get for Lane? Pitching?

254
The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: Devon Torrence Signed
« on: June 22, 2007, 12:46:35 pm »
Maybe the Texans can draft him and he can play football during the winter months and baseball during the summer months with the stros....God knows the Texans need safety help.

Joking aside, I agree with you there. Unless he is of the LaRon Landry caliber safety then he probably won't go in the higher half of the first round. Also, hes going to OSU and they tend to not have as press and media coverage as lets say a UT or OU would.

255
Talk Zone / Re: Brawl at Wrigley
« on: June 16, 2007, 05:57:32 pm »
Baseball fights are so much fun to watch lol.


256
Talk Zone / Pence Hurt?
« on: June 08, 2007, 09:12:47 pm »
It says he has left the game due to an injured leg on my MLB gameday. Anyone else have more information?

257
Max Sapp as of today is hitting .309; he has no home runs though. Is he the better hitting prospect out of him and Hendriquez?

258
Talk Zone / Re: Clemens a Yankee
« on: May 08, 2007, 07:53:16 am »
i wasnt surprised

259
Talk Zone / Re: Pence at the top of the lineup? OMG!!!
« on: May 03, 2007, 03:49:39 pm »
you saw it. your eyes lied, though. it could not have been HIM.

No! its not true!! NOOOO NOOOOO

*melts away*

 ;D

(

260
Talk Zone / Re: Pence at the top of the lineup? OMG!!!
« on: May 03, 2007, 03:45:43 pm »
He got picked off last night.

Pence did? I thought Biggio was the only one who got picked off on the bases. I probably wasnt watching when that happened.

261
The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: Johnathan Ash
« on: May 03, 2007, 03:42:33 pm »
Thank you, however, it annoys me to think that the astros dont have much value in someone who hits for a high average and hits doubles, doesnt strike out much and gets on base a reasonable amount. He could be a number 2 hitter IMO.

262
Talk Zone / Re: Pence at the top of the lineup? OMG!!!
« on: May 03, 2007, 01:57:40 pm »
i'll say this, part of why PENCE!!! was such a fan favorite is the way he plays the game.  he's easy to root for.

I know! He makes me happy because hes so freaking unorthodox and he plays hard but doesnt make stupid decisions on the bases (Luke Scott...pay attention please) but aggressively smart plays.

263
Talk Zone / Re: Pence at the top of the lineup? OMG!!!
« on: May 03, 2007, 01:46:23 pm »
Having Pence in the 2 hole for now is a good move by Garner. He will get more at-bats and wont be counted on to drive in runs in pressure situations. Right now, Pence just needs to get use to the Majors then once they feel hes ready, they'll move him to the 5 hole.

264
The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Johnathan Ash
« on: May 03, 2007, 01:23:43 pm »
Why isn't he considered to be more of a prospect? He has always produced in each level of the minors and I think he can be a serviceable player for the Astros if given the chance. Is there something I dont know about him that makes him less of a prospect?

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