In-A-Gadda-Levitre

but your dad yelled it up the stairs...

a good chunk of that will be attributed to the economic bubble of the dot.com era. I wouldn't exactly credit Mr. Clinton for prosperity. He was in the right place at the right time and wisely didn't get in the way, he just rode it out.

yes, you're right on. The number of newly registered voters (mostly democrats) and people that claim not to have voted in years will be lining up in November, probably more so than in any election in recent memory.

I wouldn't wanna speculate on J-Mac's survivability, but the POTUS has to be one of the most stressful jobs in the entire world. That's gonna take a few years off almost anyone...

I'm gonna respond once more and then I'm done, cuz it's a waste of bits trying to tell you anything, as you continually win the most closed minded, holier than thou prize on this board.... my statements on Rendell have nothing whatsoever to do with any Obama or democratic or liberal or left wing talking points and/or viewpoints. I've never even heard or read what they had to say about him. They are based on my own opinions from watching him, admittedly not throughout his career. He says STUPID things to his audiences and then gets blasted for it. You seem enamored with twisting it around to be some sort of positive or intended result. It's not about how many votes he gets, what states he delivers, how many times he is on tv, or how much political capital he has, or anything else besides his lack of ability to consider the repercussions of his (verbal) actions. That's my viewpoint, nothing more, nothing less.

you're not talking about Singapore, you must mean Hong Kong. Singapore has more stupid laws than most high schools.

you're absolutely right, lots of Americans are flocking to Central America because of the property costs are still way cheaper and the low COL in general. I would worry about places like Nicaragua going back to communism or some other dictatorship. Those retirees would just get booted out and there's nothing they could do about it.

yes, but that goes back to Parker playing hardball, telling Peters to stay at home unless the Bills give him big bucks now and part of that strategy is the silent treatment. How do they how far off they might be if they're not talking since January? The Bills said no new deal initially and the media is repeating it, so they're not close, because there's been no discussion in 6 months or so. Of course this is all supposition upon supposition, but I just think the Bills are bluffing because that's the way the game is played, and stubborn Ralph is behind the scenes, pulling the strings.

I remember reading back then Marv was saying that "preseason games are only to evaluate personnel" or words to that effect.

because that would torpedo their negotiating power and they would never do that. He's playing hardball and they are playing right back, because they can. IMO, they're saying let him show up before we discuss anything, and we're not tipping our hand, no way, no how!

All I have ever seen, is Sal Maiorana from the D&C saying a team official told him this year is out. Everything else has been unsubstantiated repeats from reporters, that being one-sentence statements with no quotes and no information as to how that was learned. Maybe I'm deluding myself, but never once has Brandon or any team official been quoted as saying that. If they have, I missed it and I'll fall on my sword. What they have said is we won't negotiate unless he shows up, which is very different. The fact that they're vague and not promising anything is totally expected.

I hear all that, but please tell me why the following hypothetical convo couldn't have happened? ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Parker: Jason is woefully underpaid and wants similar money as the top LTs in the league Bills: we agree Jason has overachieved and we're proud of him, but he has a contract and we expect him to honor it (thinking: we can't send a message that we're willing to pay top LT money or even redo his contract, we hold the cards and we can play from a position of power) Parker: Jason is willing to sit out until he's paid like other top LTs (thinking: hey Bills, we're playing hardball here) Bills: we're sorry to hear that, but he has 3 yrs left on his contract (thinking: continue to send a message it's not negotiable) Parker: We understand that, but you need to pay him for his performance, and Pro Bowl LTs don't grow on trees, so he's gonna sit at home until he gets what he deserves (thinking: continue to plant the seed that Peters deserves big bucks and will sit out indefinitely) Bills: If we were even to discuss a new contract, it won't be for this season, and it won't be in the range that you're looking for, since he hasn't been in the position that long, and he was hurt at the end of the season, and if he chooses to hold out, there will be no discussion whatsoever (thinking: do not send a message we're willing to redo this season and pay top dollar, don't even hint!) Parker: okay, then I guess there's nothing more to discuss (thinking: what a bunch of crap, but we warned you) Parker hangs up the phone... Bills execs talking to themselves: Schitt! We don't wanna lose our best lineman, but what a nasty precedent! We can't just give in easily, but we will probably have to redo his deal. Maybe this year, maybe next, but it almost has to be done at some point. We can call the shots, but he did kick butt and deserves more. Let's just tell everyone that we won't negotiate unless he shows up, agreed? And we'll also hint strongly that this year is not negotiable, but if he comes in, we might consider next year's salary, ok? We actually might have to give him a new deal this year, probably not at top $, but we'll use the media to put out the message that this year is off the table. Let's just see how this plays out.... ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- of course it's about big bucks now, but just because the Bills tell (or leak to) some reporters that they won't pay him this year, it doesn't mean they won't. Teams, agents and players use the media all the time, and then do something else entirely different. Changing their tune after he reports doesn't really hurt the Bills all that much. It's a lot better than caving in when he doesn't show up.

I heard he gives Hot Pockets to his OL when they give him time to throw...

CBSSportsline give the Bills some love...

well, some people took him serious

I don't agree with much that Mickey has to say, but he brought a very good point that changes the entire Schoebel and Peters comparison... The Bills FO approached Schoebel and his agent early in the year, like January or February, about redoing his deal. They negotiated before (and through) the OTAs and Training Camp, and Aaron knew he was getting a new contract, just not exactly how much, details, etc. Whereas the Bills haven't approached JP in the same way, haven't negotiated in the off season, and basically told Peter Parker to pound sand. So while both had 3 years to go, both made the pro bowl, and both were underpaid, they treated Schoebel very differently. Don't misunderstand me. I totally disagree with the holdout and silent treatment, and strongly believe he is hurting himself, his team, and his career, and he should get his a$$ to OBD!

umm not any more he might start the opener, but as of now he's not practicing

do you mean the $80M Playmaker?

The Bills are the 6th highest scoring team in the conference and tied for 2nd for the most touchdowns, and they're 2-1 against some damn good teams. Maybe it's preseason, but they don't suck at all.

or this nut job blabbering to Chris Matthews

Gee I coulda sworn the reason for talking to these young voters was to educate them and instill values. But maybe you're right, it was really about using them to get his message about kool aid drinkers to adult voters. Yeah, that's it, of course. Farrakhan doesn't matter to anyone, because it's really about Ed delivering PA for Hillary. The late Tim Russert hangs him out to dry on national tv, and that doesn't matter, cuz Ed is really playing TR like a piano. With all his political capital, he can keep opening his mouth, stepping in it deep, and come out smelling like a rose, cuz that was his intention all along. This is too freaking funny. Do you have enough of those drugs for everyone? The only one you "caught" is yourself, making schit up to disguise your man love for Ed Rendell.

very good post

I hear that. Now put yourself in the kid's shoes. You know little about the importance of the "how" you ask people, the choice of words, all that. So, you deliver the question in the only way you know how. The guy dances a bit, mixes with facts, and then disses you in public, and you listen to the laughter of the audience at your expense. Now, you're gonna learn all right, but you're gonna hate and resent McCain. Is that a good lesson? I strongly believe in learning by experience, even when it stings. And just like injecting humor, there's good ways and not so good ways. McCain changes his delivery and maybe you have Johnny's attention. is that difficult to understand, or are you like, umm closed-minded and neutered? see example above

again, I agree totally. You will "selectively lambaste" posters. My only problem is that the tit for tat nukes most of the rational discussion after that. I've definitely got a few of those inane posts going for me...

I don't know enough to say at what point the speculators opt out and sell. Expiration is death, so they will do whatever they have to avoid it. Simplistically seems like they would just sell early. The side deal you speak of a legal business contract to refine 'n' barrels of crude into Jet A, possibly delivering to their hubs (Shell could do this...). Everything is totally legal and above board. The difference is they always intended to take delivery vs the speculator who never intends to. You are absolutely right, taking the only customers out would kill their the speculator's business, but I imagine United, American and Delta would rather use their resources to inform Congress and various regulatory agencies about the realities of the market (as they see it of course), and have those groups investigate, make the necessary legal changes, all that. If you buy into the argument that speculators have a significant part of the price of oil, then it's not a leap of faith to think Congress and CFTC, NYMEX, etc. are incented to move quickly, since that would have a sizable change in the price of gas, a lot faster than drilling new wells (I'm not against this!) or other medium-to-long term investments would.