Nottso

I'm sure we've all seen the commercials. They tell us this new full-sized Toyota Tundra 4X4 is the biggest, baddest, toughest, strongest pickup truck ever dreamed up by mere mortals. Well, this is what it looks like when one of 'em is parked between a couple of Fords.... http://groups.msn.com/isapi/fetch.dll?action=MyPhotos_GetMBPhoto&ImageID=nHQAAAOgHZW1G0yfa2rtnelKAq2SfsNbBYJUaedtSEub0ems4f815YwwrxXif972Z The filthy one on the left (as you look at it) is my personal 2002 F150 that is bone stock from the factory. The other one is an Expedition (Ford's midsized SUV) that also appears to be stock. I'd sure like to get that fine Japanese vehicle out in the mud or the snow to play with my Ford. Somehow, I don't think it would quite live up to the commercials. My apologies for the crappy picture. This happened purely by accident when out shopping with the wife, and I grabbed the pic with my cell phone.

If people would quit buyin' Jap cars, the big 3 wouldn't BE in trouble. Nor would their suppliers.... support personnel.... truck drivers.... etc, etc,etc, on and on and on. Let us suppose for a minute that we, the American people, actually supported American workers and bought only American products. Hell, let's just simplify and stay on vehicles. If everybody that bought a Jap truck bought an American truck instead, do you think the Janesville plant would close and wither away? Not likely. More Americans would have jobs making more money with better benefits. Most of the money would stay here as opposed to going across the water. Where's the down side? There isn't one. We'd just have to quit making excuses and do what we know is right. We've become a "me first" society, saving our precious 17 cents at Walmart until we've completely destroyed our manufacturing base; and thus, our entire economy. The very first rule of economics is: "There is no money until someone makes and sells something." Think about that. No need for accountants, investment bankers, financial managers, etc, until someone earns some money by making and selling something. How important is manufacturing to defense? Ask Robert E. Lee. Had the North not had all the manufacturing, the South would clearly have won The Civil War. The Southern boys were better shots, better outdoorsmen in general, and the Southern generals were much better strategists. What happens in the next war, when we don't have anywhere to make planes and bombs, and everything else? Maybe we'll get lucky, and whomever we're at war with will sell us what we need to fight them. Yeah, right. Now let's talk "profit margins." In the old days, every little town in America had "Johnson's Hardware" on the town square. Mr. Johnson employed Mr. Smith and paid him a wage that allowed Smith to own a home and raise a family. Little Billy Jensen delivered packages after school and was learning the hardware business. Mr. Johnson made a good deal more money than Smith, as he should, but he wasn't a greedy pig. Today, all the Mr. Johnsons have been run out of business by "Mr. Home Depot" and all the Smiths no longer have jobs, because Mr. Home Depot hires minmum-wage know-nothing dolts to work in his store, and sells cut-rate Chinese junk as opposed to well-built American products. Little Billy Jensen is working at McDonald's, at the age of 34. Mr. Home Depot has a great profit margin. The guys at the top are making a killing. Fie on everybody else. Across the square from Johnson's Hardware was "Joe's Auto Parts." Auto Zone got him. Same way. Same story. Cheap junk, idiots behind the counter. Joe and all his decently paid employess are screwed. Great profit margin, though. Just off the square was "Town Grocery." WalMart Super Center came in. You know the drill. Great profit margin for the Walton family; must be good business. And we are one step closer to becoming a "society of the super-rich, and the drones that serve them."

It's the union's fault? You guys need to get a grip on reality. It's the fault of the American consumer. If everyone that bought a foreign pickup/suv had bought a GM product instead, that plant would be expanding rather than closing. And before you cry "quality" you need to take a good look at a JD Power report and/or other independent research; American vehicles are among the highest quality out there. It is no longer the 1970's. I'm also hoping one of you guys can explain this to me: Big business cries "the unions are why prices are so high" and you people eat it up as gospel. Then, the Japanese build (non union) plants down South and pay the workers much less money and provide far lesser benefits. Yet, those vehicles cost as much (if not more) than their union built American counterparts. How exactly does that work?

For $670,000 per year I'll play first base in all 162 games + playoffs, clean the clubhouse, drive the team bus AND keep Ned in fresh coffee.

Vodka and seltzer?

Thank you Mark Attanasio for allowing your Dad to sing The National Anthem on opening day each year. It's awfully refreshing to see a man being close with (and good to) his family.

Yes.

When I look at that picture, I hear the sound effect from "The Six Million Dollar Man" when his bionic eye would focus in on an object (in this case the line-drive-laser that just rocketed off the bat). Robot. Overlord.

Has anyone else noticed that Braun never blinks? In games, interviews, even the 30 minute "In my own words" thing, the man never blinks. He may very well be mechanical. My apologies if this silliness is out of line or on the wrong board.

I think Ned was the right guy to bring in when they brought him in. He took an absolute train wreck of a team and made it better. Now, however, he has outlived his purpose. Trying to take the team from where it is today, to the next level, has him completely out of his depth. It is time for Ned to move on to the next train wreck, and for the Brewers to hire a manager capable of taking this team on to greater things.

Tonight is the night for the free Police Baseball Cards giveaway to kids 16 and under. Since my wife is a Correctional Officer, we go every year and hand out cards (I'm the designated criminal). Look for the tattooed white trash that isn't wearing a uniform and say hi. That'll be me.

I like Trenni. I'm not a fan of the "every team must have a female on-air personality" trend, but Trenni's better then most (heck, she's better than a lot of the males). Let's enjoy her while we've got her. In a year or two, she'll have a national job and we'll get stuck with another Ann Carroll. Clarification: I don't care what gender a broadcaster is as long as they're decent. I just don't like the thought of so many of them getting a job solely because they're female (while there are probably some pretty good male talents out of work).

I thought this might be a fun topic. What would you change if you were given the opportunity? I've given this a good bit of thought, and here's what I'd do: The DH would have to go. All stadiums would have retractable roofs and natural grass. Playing fields in all stadiums would be identical. Same amount of foul territory, same-width warning tracks, dugouts & camera wells would be identical, etc, etc, etc. Outfield fences would all be at 400 feet. Placement of said fences would be determined by driving a stake in the center of home plate, running out 400 feet of twine, and drawing an arc. No more nooks, crannies, jigs, jags, whoop-de-doos, or stupid hills with flagpoles in the field of play (Houston, we have a problem). The first thing people will say is that the players union will never give up the DH, but I think they might if all of the above were done as a package deal. The DH prolongs the careers of a few players. The above would prolong the careers of most players, and make all of their lives more comfortable. No more 6 hour rain delays. No more rain-outs. No more doubleheader make-ups. No more turf injuries. No more stupid flag pole injuries. You get the point. Attendance would surely go up as well, wouldn't it? How many tickets aren't sold due to the mere possibility of inclement weather on game day? All of those tickets would now be sold. I'll even venture to guess that once the idea of "no more bad weather on game day" sinks in, season ticket sales would increase as well. People could buy theire packages knowing full well that they were going to see x amount of games, at their scheduled dates/times, in warm dry surroundings. I think the long fences would bring more excitement to the game. Less "cheap" homers, but more triples and inside-the-park jobs. I also firmly believe that NL style ball is far more exciting to watch. I think that most AL fans would feel the same once they understood the strategies involved in NL ball. Of course, I could be wrong. What say you?

+1 for Cameron.

I have severe apnea, and have had it for a number of years. Tha CPAP will take some getting used to, but it is well worth the effort. I use what is know as a "breeze interface with nasal pillows" and have found it to be the most comfortable. It comes over the top of my head and there are 2 little pillows that rest against my nostrils. No mask to leak. no shaving off of the facial hair. Very nice. The CPAP will eventually become a big pacifier to you. I love mine. If I know I'll be out late or something and should take a nap, it's no problem even if I'm not tired. I put the machine on, and I am OUT. Apnea left untreated is a silent killer. It got Reggie White, remember. If you live near West Allis, stop in the Sleep Wellness Institute. They can help you with lots of stuff. Very nice people. Ask for Ron or Mark, and tell 'em the "Super Evil Genius" sent ya.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y174/DanAuctions4u/posting/bulldog.jpg

Tony LaRussa.... every time he pops out of the dugout to whine about something, I wish whomever is on the mound would just drill him.

I can live with Braun's defense, especially with Jenkins backing him up in left. Jenkins' defensive ability and great arm minimize the damage done by anything that gets by Braun.

This may also be off topic a bit, but I think it's interesting. A few years ago, I spent a couple of weeks in a nursing home while recovering from a bad motorcycle crash. I'm only in my 40's, but I was too busted up to go home. One day, the wife of one of my new-found elderly friends shows up wearing a jacket with the "All American Girls..." logo on it. I asked if she had played in the league, and she said she had been a pitcher. I asked her how accurate the movie was, and she said "extremely." On her next visit, she brought me her baseball card and even signed it for me. Sadly, my ex-wife snatched it when she left and I can't even remember the lady's name. It's tough getting old.

In a word.... yes.