You Know How I Know You’re Stupid?

In Unobstructed Views by Obstructed View Staff245 Comments

Damn you, Bob Brenly, you mustachioed moron, for opening your festering suck and dragging me out of Cubsblogtirement.

For some reason beknownst only to her and the family of finches living in her up-do, Carrie Muskat got up yesterday morning to the news of the death of Osama Bin Laden and decided to get the opinions of no less august a commentator than the Cubs color man, Johnny Cakes Bob Brenly.  Bob not being a particularly bright man, nor a particularly socially aware man, he responded exactly like you would expect a balding white man with moobs, a bad golf shirt and a handlebar mustache to respond:

The guy [Bin Laden] ruined the rhythm of our baseball season so for no other reason he needs to be killed.

 

We didn’t know how long it would be, we didn’t know how long we’d have to wait before we could play again, he said. Professionally, it was a little unnerving and obviously, for the whole world it was tremendously unnerving.
 
Playing in the 2001 World Series was an emotional event Brenly will never forget.
 
I’ve said it many times, I’ve never been prouder to be a part of Major League Baseball than I was then, Brenly said. We get all carried away and it consumes our lives on a daily basis but the reality is we’re just a distraction, we’re entertainment and it was never more needed than it was that year. For the series to go the way it did, the Yankees winning those three at Yankee Stadium, I think everything played out as good as could be expected under those circumstances.

Two things: if you click that link today, as opposed to clicking it last night, you’ll note the Bin Laden quote is gone.  That should tell you everything you need to know about how worried Bob is about it getting out.  But guess what. IT FUCKING HAPPENED, BOB. Boom. Lawyered. Second, to be fair, Bob notes that baseball is an attraction, etc.  I suppose, then, that I shouldn’t be too hard on old Bob. After all, he immediately begged off his incredibly stupid and crass remark. Right?

Fuck. That. Shit.

Bob, you’ve said a lot of stupid things in the time you’ve been in Chicago. Thankfully, most of them were about baseball.  But this, well, this gets my Irish up.  Why?

Because I can think of a few thousand reasons why Osama Bin Laden, that miserable fuckdrenched asshole, deserved to die before we decide to kill him over a baseball game.  4 of those reasons were 4 of the finest men I will ever know, men that lived better lives in their 20 some-odd years of life on earth than you, Bob, will manage in your pathetic 6 or 7 decades of miserable, ignorant existence. 17 of those reasons I participated in the recovery of what was left of them.  More than 3, 000 of those reasons died blocks from where you sat in a cushy hotel pissing about over having had your season interrupted. So pardon me, Bob, if I’m not feeling charitable towards you. Pardon me if I’m not willing to shrug it off as yet another example of your baldfaced idiocy.

I want you gone, Bob, and I never want you to smell the stench of your stupidity in my city again. Leave, and never come back.

Bob, you can have as many bloggers erase as many of the turds that drop from your furry gob as you wish, but this one will stand here at OV for as long as this blog is around, as a testament to your pridefully craven and horrifically myopic view of the events of September 11 and those that followed.

Am I taking myself too seriously? Perhaps. Almost certainly, in fact. Sorry. I can’t help it. And you, Bob, you can go fuck yourself and the horse you rode in on.


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  1. Mercurial Outfielder

    Gah, I was going in to edit this when Tim moved it over.

    Thanks for the promotion to the front page, all apologies for the mass typos.

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  2. Mercurial Outfielder

    [quote name=mb21]Scroll over Unobstructed Views and click Manage Articles.

    There’s this too: http://obstructedview.net/images/Brenly-OBL.jpg

    Resize it to no larger than 650 px wide though.[/quote]I’ll just link it, but it now says I have no blogs. I suppose I can just cut and paste, but that’d be a whole new entry then

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  3. Mercurial Outfielder

    [quote name=mb21]Did MO write this or did Tim? It has Tim’s name.[/quote]I wrote it. But I didn’t get a chance to edit before it got moved. To quick on the publishing trigger, as always. (dying laughing)

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  4. Berselius

    [quote name=mb21]Did MO write this or did Tim? It has Tim’s name.[/quote]
    Weird. I went in and hit the “front page” button to move it over but that’s all I did. It had MO’s name when I first accessed it.

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  5. Mercurial Outfielder

    [quote name=Berselius]Weird. I went in and hit the “front page” button to move it over but that’s all I did. It had MO’s name when I first accessed it.[/quote]If some can move it back, I’ll edit it up and then we’ll see what happens. I may have not labeled it properly in Joomla.

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  6. Suburban kid

    [quote name=mb21]Did MO write this or did Tim? It has Tim’s name.[/quote]Was there really any question?

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  7. mb21

    I think what happened is that there are only 5 authors on the Joomla back-end so when b edited it, it went to the first name on the list.

    I’ll change something later today so all the names are there and it shouldn’t happen in the future if someone goes in and front pages it.

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  8. mb21

    [quote name=Suburban Kid]Was there really any question?[/quote]I didn’t think so, but it had his name and I believe Joomla. (dying laughing)

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  9. mb21

    There is that screen cap of it that you should include, MO. Just make sure to resize it and link to the larger one.

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  10. GBTS

    [quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Any chance I can get in and edit?[/quote]Make sure you take out the stuff about bin Laden.

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  11. Mercurial Outfielder

    I linked the screencap in the edited version, so if you front page that, the link to the screencap is there.

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  12. Mercurial Outfielder

    If you refresh the page, the screencap is now linked. I can’t believe Muskat took that shit out. Fucking pathetic.

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  13. mb21

    I saw it. I was surprised it ever made it in the entry in the first place. I should have screen capped it right away, but luckily I leave every tab open and was able to find it.

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  14. Mercurial Outfielder

    [quote name=mb21]Yep, that worked too: http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?num=100&hl=en&newwindow=1&safe=off&client=firefox-a&hs=bTc&rls=org.mozilla%3Aen-US%3Aofficial&q=cache%3Ahttp%3A%2F%2Fmuskat.mlblogs.com%2F2011%2F05%2F03%2F52-brenly-quade-on-news-of-the-day%2F&btnG=Search&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&oq=

    just google search cache:Article-URL and it should bring up the first cached version of the article.[/quote]
    Nice. Fucking awesome that you caught that shit.

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  15. mb21

    [quote name=GBTS]MB is an internet hoarder.[/quote]it’s pretty bad, GBTS. A few years ago I got sick of closing tabs that I’d later want to look at. So now I only close tabs when I restart my computer. I almost always have 40 or 50 tabs open.

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  16. GW

    [quote name=mb21]it’s pretty bad, GBTS. A few years ago I got sick of closing tabs that I’d later want to look at. So now I only close tabs when I restart my computer. I almost always have 40 or 50 tabs open.[/quote]
    ditto

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  17. mb21

    I’m glad I’m not the only one. It actually annoys me when I see my wife close a tab on her laptop. It’s that bad.

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  18. mb21

    I really enjoyed listening to Scully last night, but I enjoyed listening to his recent broadcasts in Brooklyn a lot more.

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  19. Berselius

    [quote name=mb21]I really enjoyed listening to Scully last night, but I enjoyed listening to his recent broadcasts in Brooklyn a lot more.[/quote]
    It blew my mind that when he mentioned the Thomson HR in last night’s broadcast, he was there broadcasting

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  20. mb21

    By the way, MO, it was showing up after you published it, but not on the front page. If you click on the Unobstructed Views link on the menu it would have been there.

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  21. mb21

    [quote name=Berselius]It blew my mind that when he mentioned the Thomson HR in last night’s broadcast, he was there broadcasting[/quote]The guy was everywhere broadcasting. It’s really weird. He’s been broadcasting for so long that it’s really hard to imagine what baseball was like when he first started. He’s been doing it solo almost the entire time.

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  22. Berselius

    [quote name=mb21]By the way, MO, it was showing up after you published it, but not on the front page. If you click on the Unobstructed Views link on the menu it would have been there.[/quote]
    It didn’t show up right away, but it was there when I linked it from the game thread. I guess it disappeared after I moved it over.

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  23. GBTS

    I also like how Bob Brenly is dumb enough to be mad at bin Laden for “ruining the rhythm” of the baseball season…in the year his team won the World Series.

    Yeah, losing your rhythm was fucking awful Bob.

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  24. mb21

    [quote name=GBTS]There’s a recent picture of mb on the internet:

    [/quote]I like the globe back in the corner.

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  25. Mercurial Outfielder

    [quote name=GBTS]I also like how Bob Brenly is dumb enough to be mad at bin Laden for “ruining the rhythm” of the baseball season…in the year his team won the World Series.

    Yeah, losing your rhythm was fucking awful Bob.[/quote]There’s just so much wrong with that quote.

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  26. mb21

    [quote name=GBTS]I also like how Bob Brenly is dumb enough to be mad at bin Laden for “ruining the rhythm” of the baseball season…in the year his team won the World Series.

    Yeah, losing your rhythm was fucking awful Bob.[/quote]It’s also bin Laden’s fault we can’t masturbate on airplanes anymore.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPin5LRBfZo

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  27. Mish

    [quote name=Rice Cube]http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/05/03/video-do-not-mess-with-fenway-park-security/

    Wicked pissah.[/quote]
    That would make Goldberg proud.

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  28. Rice Cube

    [quote name=GBTS]http://twitter.com/#!/R_Mendenhall/status/65166153525379072

    YALL DON’T EVEN KNOW, HE MIGHT HAVE HAD A REASON[/quote]
    Um…if this is regarding OBL, didn’t he release a bunch of Al Jazeera home movies of him wishing death on America?

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  29. Mish

    [quote name=GBTS]http://twitter.com/#!/R_Mendenhall/status/65166153525379072

    YALL DON’T EVEN KNOW, HE MIGHT HAVE HAD A REASON[/quote]
    Lawrence Wright documents them in “The Looming Tower”.

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  30. GBTS

    [quote name=Rice Cube]Um…if this is regarding OBL, didn’t he release a bunch of Al Jazeera home movies of him wishing death on America?[/quote](dying laughing) Apparently his “death to America” message never reached Rashard Mendenhall. To him he’s an underreported figure.

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  31. Mish

    Mendenhall may have a point with the first part of the tweet, but the latter betrays a greater ignorance on OBL.

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  32. Mucker

    [quote name=Mish]Mendenhall may have a point with the first part of the tweet, but the latter betrays a greater ignorance on OBL.[/quote]What does he say? I can’t get twitter at work.

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  33. GBTS

    [quote name=Muck Muckintuck]What does he say? I can’t get twitter at work.[/quote]”What kind of person celebrates death? It’s amazing how people can HATE a man they have never even heard speak. We’ve only heard one side…”

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  34. dylanj

    you gotta love social media. some of my wifes friends from argentina were voicing some of the most batshit crazy ideas about the TRUTH of 9-11 and OBL yesterday. Twitter just gives every person a platform for their wild ass ideas. Mostly it just makes me sad at how education seems to have failed so many people

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  35. Mish

    Not to get too political, but I bet the Birther movement assimilates the “pics of Osama’s body” conspiracists.

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  36. Mucker

    [quote name=dylanj]you gotta love social media. some of my wifes friends from argentina were voicing some of the most batshit crazy ideas about the TRUTH of 9-11 and OBL yesterday. Twitter just gives every person a platform for their wild ass ideas. Mostly it just makes me sad at how education seems to have failed so many people[/quote]I know what you mean. When I see the posts by some people on these stories of OBL, it makes me ashamed of my species. The internet gives people a sense of invincibility. I would love to see these people actually have to put their real names or their faces to their posts.

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  37. Mish

    [quote name=Muck Muckintuck]I know what you mean. When I see the posts by some people on these stories of OBL, it makes me ashamed of my species. The internet gives people a sense of invincibility. I would love to see these people actually have to put their real names or their faces to their posts.[/quote]
    Do I win the internets for having my name and face on every tweet?

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  38. Berselius

    [quote name=Muck Muckintuck]I know what you mean. When I see the posts by some people on these stories of OBL, it makes me ashamed of my species. The internet gives people a sense of invincibility. I would love to see these people actually have to put their real names or their faces to their posts.[/quote]
    Plenty of shit being thrown around on facebook too. A guy I knew from HS thinks he’s been dead for years and “isn’t it so convenient” for them to release the news now. Of course I replied that in the extremely unlikely case it were true, now is an especially dumb time to do it because we’re too far away from an election or any major crises. Of course that just makes it an even better time to do it, because no one would expect it!! I wonder if he’s distantly related to Yellon.

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  39. Berselius

    [quote name=Mish]Do I win the internets for having my name and face on every tweet?[/quote]
    Some of us have other reputations to protect beyond sports (dying laughing)

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  40. Mish

    [quote name=Berselius]Some of us have other reputations to protect beyond sports (dying laughing)[/quote]
    Yeah I don’t have much to stake mine on. (dying laughing)

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  41. Mucker

    [quote name=GBTS]”What kind of person celebrates death? It’s amazing how people can HATE a man they have never even heard speak. We’ve only heard one side…”[/quote]I’m interested to find out what side Mendenhall wants to hear. What possible side could there be? The man murdered thousands of innocent people. I don’t know how anybody could possibly want to hear his side of the story to try to justify his actions.

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  42. dylanj

    [quote name=Berselius]Plenty of shit being thrown around on facebook too. A guy I knew from HS thinks he’s been dead for years and “isn’t it so convenient” for them to release the news now. Of course I replied that in the extremely unlikely case it were true, now is an especially dumb time to do it because we’re too far away from an election or any major crises. Of course that just makes it an even better time to do it, because no one would expect it!! I wonder if he’s distantly related to Yellon.[/quote]
    i had the exact same conversation with a guy i know yesterday. what exactly is “convenient” about May 2011?

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  43. dylanj

    i was pretty close to altering the MLK Jr quote Mish & Mrs. Dylanj rolled out yesterday to conclude with “But, sometimes a motherfuckers gotta die”

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  44. Mish

    [quote name=dylanj]i was pretty close to altering the MLK Jr quote Mish & Mrs. Dylanj rolled out yesterday to conclude with “But, sometimes a motherfuckers gotta die”[/quote]
    It’s a fake, BTW

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  45. GBTS

    [quote name=dylanj]i was pretty close to altering the MLK Jr quote Mish & Mrs. Dylanj rolled out yesterday to conclude with “But, sometimes a motherfuckers gotta die”[/quote]A guy on facebook that I don’t like posted that quote “An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind.” Just to be a smug asshole, I commented “It also makes the whole world even.” (dying laughing)

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  46. Mucker

    [quote name=Mish]Do I win the internets for having my name and face on every tweet?[/quote]If you are posting “youtube” or better yet “cubs.com” (dying laughing) comments on your page, then yes, you win.

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  47. Mish

    [quote name=Mish]It’s a fake, BTW[/quote]The initial line about “1,000 lives” was faked, but the remaining part appears to be a combination of speech/sermon from “I’ve been to the mountain top” and “Loving your Enemy”.

    I still agree with the quote, fake or not.

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  48. Berselius

    [quote name=GBTS]A guy on facebook that I don’t like posted that quote “An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind.” Just to be a smug asshole, I commented “It also makes the whole world even.” (dying laughing)[/quote]
    (dying laughing)

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  49. Rice Cube

    [quote name=dylanj]i was pretty close to altering the MLK Jr quote Mish & Mrs. Dylanj rolled out yesterday to conclude with “But, sometimes a motherfuckers gotta die”[/quote]
    I agree with this…I know that the gov’t is freaking out because OBL’s death probably means some crazies are going to start trying to suicide-bomb the shit out of some populated area, but I still think the world is better off without him in it.

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  50. Mish

    [quote name=GBTS]A guy on facebook that I don’t like posted that quote “An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind.” Just to be a smug asshole, I commented “It also makes the whole world even.” (dying laughing)[/quote]
    Flagged. That’s a Gandhi quote. Gotta protect my brown bretheren.

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  51. GBTS

    Can of worms: What does this do in regards to America’s feelings on torture? Because there’s a 0.0001% chance that it didn’t help get OBL.

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  52. GBTS

    My understanding is we got OBL because we got his courier. We got his courier through a phone call. We were listening to the phone call because KSM gave us his name. We know KSM was waterboarded.

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  53. dylanj

    [quote name=Rice Cube]I agree with this…I know that the gov’t is freaking out because OBL’s death probably means some crazies are going to start trying to suicide-bomb the shit out of some populated area, but I still think the world is better off without him in it.[/quote]

    i hate that reaction from people as well. What is Al Queda going to be really mad as us now? Were they just play fighting before we killed OBL?

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  54. Mish

    I am still steadfastly against torture. Just because it produces good outcomes doesn’t make it necessarily better.

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  55. GBTS

    [quote name=dylanj]i hate that reaction from people as well. What is Al Queda going to be really mad as us now? Were they just play fighting before we killed OBL?[/quote](dying laughing) Jon Stewart made that same point last night.

    “Oh no, now they’ll want to kill us!”

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  56. Mish

    [quote name=GBTS]Can of worms: What does this do in regards to America’s feelings on torture? Because there’s a 0.0001% chance that it didn’t help get OBL.[/quote]
    But does it matter? The current and previous president have effectively instituted a torture regime, so while us civil libertarians may banter about it, it’s accepted protocol in the Beltway ether.

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  57. Rice Cube

    [quote name=GBTS]Can of worms: What does this do in regards to America’s feelings on torture? Because there’s a 0.0001% chance that it didn’t help get OBL.[/quote]
    Before the political talk stops, I’d like to say that I don’t really condone torture because I feel like we should be better than that…it’s one of those slippery slope arguments that you lawyer folks are better at than I, but if you keep trying to justify the ends with the means…where do you stop?

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  58. GBTS

    [quote name=Mish]But does it matter? The current and previous president have effectively instituted a torture regime, so while us civil libertarians may banter about it, it’s accepted protocol in the Beltway ether.[/quote]True. I’m just curious about the public perception. I’m sure tons of people who were out partying in the streets draped with American flags on Sunday night are the same people who were vocally opposed to torture.

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  59. Mish

    I don’t really watch Cable News, but outside of a few things from either Maddow or Stossel, I can’t remember the last time torture was even discussed as a political issue.

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  60. Mucker

    [quote name=GBTS]My understanding is we got OBL because we got his courier. We got his courier through a phone call. We were listening to the phone call because KSM gave us his name. We know KSM was waterboarded.[/quote]I thought I read something that KSM gave this information up years after he was waterboarded. I read that all waterboarded intel gave them OBL in the mountains of Afghanistan and Pakistan. Either way, I’m fine with torture. (dying laughing)

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  61. GBTS

    [quote name=dylanj]i dont know. They said that the initial lead from KSM came under normal interrogation.[/quote]Yeah, that’s what they said. They also have to say that. I find it hard to believe that KSM gave us that before water boarding.

    “Boss, he’s talking.”
    “Well drown the fucker anyways.”

    That makes us both evil AND greedy. (dying laughing)

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  62. mb21

    [quote name=GBTS]http://twitter.com/#!/R_Mendenhall/status/65166153525379072

    YALL DON’T EVEN KNOW, HE MIGHT HAVE HAD A REASON[/quote]I actually agree with him about the celebrations. I’ve already heard his side of it and don’t want to hear it again.

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  63. Mish

    [quote name=mb21]I actually agree with him about the celebrations. I’ve already heard his side of it and don’t want to hear it again.[/quote]Yup.

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  64. dylanj

    yeah, i dont know how i feel about water-boarding. its pretty obvious it was used on people who werent high value targets. its also kind of common sense that there are some people you need to get info on. not being an interrogator i have no clue what approach is most effective

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  65. Mucker

    If my family memeber was killed on 9/11 or the war, I would want to torture that motherfucker myself.

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  66. Mish

    [quote name=GBTS]Yeah, that’s what they said. They also have to say that. I find it hard to believe that KSM gave us that before water boarding.

    “Boss, he’s talking.”
    “Well drown the fucker anyways.”

    That makes us both evil AND greedy. (dying laughing)[/quote]
    Maybe I’m just cynical, but considering that the Holder DOJ has legally adopted the Woo memos, it would make more sense to say that “enhanced techniques” acquired the relevant intel, not the other way around.

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  67. GBTS

    Even if that’s true Muck, there’s the argument that torture still helped compel the information. As long as it came some time afterwards, it can potentially be a but-for cause.

    For the record, I’m against torture.

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  68. Mish

    [quote name=dylanj]yeah, i dont know how i feel about water-boarding. its pretty obvious it was used on people who werent high value targets. its also kind of common sense that there are some people you need to get info on. not being an interrogator i have no clue what approach is most effective[/quote]
    I’m not sure that “torture” is effective as a means for intelligence extraction, as several people like Greenwald, Hamsher, and Serwer have documented. Most people under duress will say what is wanted to be heard, from all accounts.

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  69. Suburban kid

    I’ll stay away from the conspiracy shit, because I tend to believe the simplest explanation is usually the right one, and for there to be a 911 or OBL-killed conspiracy would require about a bajillion people with different agendas agreeing to keep their story straight, but I will comment on the celebrating shit.

    I just don’t see how you can celebrate this event unless you believe that’s the end of terrorism, the end of people hating America and the west. If you truly think that, then yes, it’s a wonderful thing to celebrate. You’d also be a fucking simpleton.

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  70. mb21

    [quote name=Mish]Yup.[/quote]I mentioned it last night, but that scene outside the White House prior to and during the announcement was not a good scene.

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  71. dylanj

    all i really want out of this is for the US to take a hard look at sending Pakistan any more foreign aid. I am not a conspiracy guy AT ALL but they fucking knew where he was

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  72. dylanj

    Also, the General in charge of this super secret arm of the military is named McRaven. You can’t make that shit up.

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  73. Mucker

    [quote name=GBTS]Even if that’s true Muck, there’s the argument that torture still helped compel the information. As long as it came some time afterwards, it can potentially be a but-for cause.

    For the record, I’m against torture.[/quote]Sure, I agree with that. I was just adding a coherent thought to the debate. I don’t know if torture should be used, but if not torture, then how do you make these guys talk? Monetary resources? Promise of protection?

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  74. GBTS

    [quote name=mb21]I mentioned it last night, but that scene outside the White House prior to and during the announcement was not a good scene.[/quote]I’m pretty sure a majority of those celebrations were just young people being ironic. A reason to go outside late at night and yell, pretending America just won the Super Bowl. Fucking hipsters.

    I think most people who were actually affected and moved by OBL’s death kept their celebrations to themselves. Chances are if you were jumping up and down and climbing street lights draped in an American flag, you weren’t experiencing catharsis.

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  75. Suburban kid

    [quote name=dylanj]Also, the General in charge of this super secret arm of the military is named McRaven. You can’t make that shit up.[/quote](dying laughing)

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  76. mb21

    I don’t want to send any of them aid, dj. Aid is nothing more than a purchase. The US government or any other government isn’t giving money away. They want something in return and it’s not something they’d get without purchasing it. This leads to more problems than are solved.

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  77. Mish

    [quote name=dylanj]but if water boarding did get the info that would indicate that torture does get results.[/quote]
    It can apparently, but without any level of knowledge how often, I feel moral concerns trump utilitarian ones.

    Maybe I’m just too 24-obsessed, but maybe there is a ticking-time bomb scenario where something more dramatic is needed for intel. I’d be okay if one person chose of his will to “cross the line” with the knowledge that he will stand trial/review to make sure the scenario he acted in was in dessert of whatever methods he used. What I’m no okay with is blanket immunity and/or the institution of a torture regime. If the act was performed in good faith, hopefully it can be proven so.

    Given I have little faith in our officials though, I don’t know practical that is.

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  78. Mish

    [quote name=mb21]I don’t want to send any of them aid, dj. Aid is nothing more than a purchase. The US government or any other government isn’t giving money away. They want something in return and it’s not something they’d get without purchasing it. This leads to more problems than are solved.[/quote]
    This too. Against all foreign aid.

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  79. Mucker

    [quote name=GBTS]I’m pretty sure a majority of those celebrations were just young people being ironic. A reason to go outside late at night and yell, pretending America just won the Super Bowl. Fucking hipsters.

    I think most people who were actually affected and moved by OBL’s death kept their celebrations to themselves. Chances are if you were jumping up and down and climbing street lights draped in an American flag, you weren’t experiencing catharsis.[/quote]Agree. I didn’t see any responsible adults out there. We were all in bed. (dying laughing)

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  80. Rice Cube

    [quote name=GBTS]I’m pretty sure a majority of those celebrations were just young people being ironic. A reason to go outside late at night and yell, pretending America just won the Super Bowl. Fucking hipsters.

    I think most people who were actually affected and moved by OBL’s death kept their celebrations to themselves. Chances are if you were jumping up and down and climbing street lights draped in an American flag, you weren’t experiencing catharsis.[/quote]
    My wife and I were just talking to ourselves. I did post some dumb shit on facebook (I find humor in the strangest places) but I think that there is a certain caliber of asshole that celebration of their death shouldn’t be judged too harshly. I would wager that Hitler and OBL were neck-in-neck on the evil scale; folks celebrating Hitler’s death in 1945 were justified in doing so.

    Just my opinion, not to be taken as fact.

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  81. Mish

    [quote name=mb21]I mentioned it last night, but that scene outside the White House prior to and during the announcement was not a good scene.[/quote]
    I agree with GBTS’s take, but I was also sickened. I don’t want to equate one death with 2,000, but it reminded me a bit of the Muslim celebrations on 9/12 (obviously not the same, so please don’t charge me with equivalence).

    If this meant an end to war, torture or military adventurism, I could maybe understand the celebration…maybe.

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  82. mb21

    [quote name=GBTS]I’m pretty sure a majority of those celebrations were just young people being ironic. A reason to go outside late at night and yell, pretending America just won the Super Bowl. Fucking hipsters.

    I think most people who were actually affected and moved by OBL’s death kept their celebrations to themselves. Chances are if you were jumping up and down and climbing street lights draped in an American flag, you weren’t experiencing catharsis.[/quote]I saw some older people interviewed yesterday and they were precisely the kind of people that would go out and celebrate. We’ve criticized Palestinians for celebrating the death of an Israeli. We’ve criticized terrorists for celebrating our deaths as well. The same argument (young people doing it) could be said for them too. The result is that nobody can question them for celebrating a death when we have done the same damn thing.

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  83. mb21

    [quote name=Aisle424]This post has ruined the rhythm of my vacation.[/quote]I’ll kill ’em all then.

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  84. Mucker

    The aid is what really pisses me off. The US gave Pakistan $15 billion for intel, most likely OBL intel, and that fucker was 30 miles from their capital in a $1 million compound, in a military retirement community, 1 mile from their military training complex and several miles from their secret service complex. Those fuckers knew he was there.

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  85. ZappBrannigan

    Confused here at the dislike of foreign aid. Surely it can be wasted or squandered, but there are many worthwhile development projects undertaken by USAID that have made a signficant improvement in the standards of life for millions of people.

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  86. Mish

    [quote name=ZappBrannigan]Confused here at the dislike of foreign aid. Surely it can be wasted or squandered, but there are many worthwhile development projects undertaken by USAID that have made a signficant improvement in the standards of life for millions of people.[/quote]
    This is a whole other topic. I don’t trust the people giving the money nor getting the money, and doesn’t necessarily address whether no aid would exist at all if the gov’t didn’t provide it. But I really don’t want to get into this. (dying laughing)

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  87. mb21

    [quote name=Muck Muckintuck]The aid is what really pisses me off. The US gave Pakistan $15 billion for intel, most likely OBL intel, and that fucker was 30 miles from their capital in a $1 million compound, in a military retirement community, 1 mile from their military training complex and several miles from their secret service complex. Those fuckers knew he was there.[/quote]Even if they didn’t know where he was, it’s not like you get a receipt for purchasing intelligence. You can’t go to the Pakistani Customer Service Desk and get a refund. You can’t get an exchange.

    The whole thing is a game. The Pakistanis were naturally only going to give the US a minimal amount of information. That amount was determined by how much money they got. Had the US given them 3 times as much money the US would have gotten more information.

    It’s the same with with the US though. We sell our information to others for a price too. The more they’re willing to give the more we’ll give them.

    How much are we going to increase our annual aid package to Egypt now so the new leaders can side with the US on Israel? Twice as much? That’s what I’m betting. So now they’ll pay them twice as much and get the same fucking product.

    It’s ridiculous.

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  88. Mish

    Foreign aid is often used as a negotiating tool, to have a country open up its markets for US companies, or in return for adapting prefered policies or siding with the U.S. or its allies on certain issues.

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  89. mb21

    [quote name=Mish]This is a whole other topic. I don’t trust the people giving the money nor getting the money, and doesn’t necessarily address whether no aid would exist at all if the gov’t didn’t provide it. But I really don’t want to get into this. (dying laughing)[/quote]I agree. I also agree there are necessary forms of aid, but unless they come without a sticker price, governments need to stay away from it. I do not want the US purchasing anything with their aid. Until they stop doing that, they should stop giving aid to foreign nations. I just don’t think they’ll ever stop. It sucks, but the US giving aid to nations is nothing more than them trying to influence their governments in one way or another. It’s not about helping people.

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  90. Aisle424

    [quote name=Mish]This should be a fanshot…. But I can’t argue with you today.[/quote]
    /Yellon’d

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  91. ZappBrannigan

    [quote name=Mish]Foreign aid is often used as a negotiating tool, to have a country open up its markets for US companies, or in return for adapting prefered policies or siding with the U.S. or its allies on certain issues.[/quote]
    Are you not going to get into it… or…?

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  92. Mucker

    [quote name=mb21]Even if they didn’t know where he was, it’s not like you get a receipt for purchasing intelligence. You can’t go to the Pakistani Customer Service Desk and get a refund. You can’t get an exchange.

    The whole thing is a game. The Pakistanis were naturally only going to give the US a minimal amount of information. That amount was determined by how much money they got. Had the US given them 3 times as much money the US would have gotten more information.

    It’s the same with with the US though. We sell our information to others for a price too. The more they’re willing to give the more we’ll give them.

    How much are we going to increase our annual aid package to Egypt now so the new leaders can side with the US on Israel? Twice as much? That’s what I’m betting. So now they’ll pay them twice as much and get the same fucking product.

    It’s ridiculous.[/quote]What if they used their debit card? (dying laughing)
    Oh, I agree. And I don’t doubt for a second that the US does it too. It just makes you sick to think of all that money being used as asswipe for Pakistan.

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  93. Mish

    [quote name=ZappBrannigan]Are you not going to get into it… or…?[/quote]
    I have a hard time biting my tongue but the only thing that rivals my love for baseball is my love for political discourse.

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  94. mb21

    Mish and I tend to have similar opinions about all of this stuff, but I actually disagree somewhat regarding torture. Let me use the death penalty as an example. If you’re 100% guilty someone did something worthy of being executed, I’m fine with it. If there’s even the slightest bit of doubt you cannot allow them to be executed. A typical conviction does not produce 100% certainty.

    If the government is 100% certain they have some piece of shit in their possession that could provide them with additional information about terrorism then I don’t really care how they get the information.

    The problem here is that having 100% certainty is unlikely. By the time you have that kind of certainty you likely have the additional information you’re looking for anyway. I’m against torture except in the rare case you’re 100% certain the person is guilty and can provide additional information.

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  95. ZappBrannigan

    [quote name=Mish]I have a hard time biting my tongue but the only thing that rivals my love for baseball is my love for political discourse.[/quote]
    I’m the same way. Though, love for snarky comments also rivals my love of baseball, strangely enough.

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  96. mb21

    By the time a government sells their services to the US for a price does anybody think the officials won’t make out better than the civilians?

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  97. Rice Cube

    Anyone up for a rules clarification?

    I tried to find video of the Kershaw strikeout/”wild pitch” and couldn’t, but what happened was that Kershaw struck out on a pitch in the dirt, then before Soto could corral it, the follow-through of the bat or Kershaw’s own disgust hit the ball again to knock it out of Soto’s reach. That would have been out number two I think, and Russell did get the second out before the magic wore off.

    Shouldn’t that be a dead-ball or interference or something? Why didn’t any of the other umpires (especially the 1B and 3B umps) see it better than the HP ump, who was probably blocked by Soto, and overrule it?

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  98. dylanj

    the other thing that blows my mind is just how equipped & advanced our elite kill teams are. Some space age shit they are using

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  99. dylanj

    md- have you seen anything on the net about whats wrong with Yovani Gallardo? The guy is just terrible this year

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  100. mb21

    [quote name=dylanj]md- have you seen anything on the net about whats wrong with Yovani Gallardo? The guy is just terrible this year[/quote]No, but I’ll write a post about how there’s nothing wrong and then he’ll get lit up. (dying laughing)

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  101. Rice Cube

    [quote name=mb21]I think it should be an out, RC.[/quote]

    I’m not surprised by the call because the HP ump didn’t have the best view, but I am surprised that they didn’t have a conference to get the call right.

    No wait, no I’m not, gotta protect umpire egos right.

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  102. Mish

    [quote name=mb21]Mish and I tend to have similar opinions about all of this stuff, but I actually disagree somewhat regarding torture. Let me use the death penalty as an example. If you’re 100% guilty someone did something worthy of being executed, I’m fine with it. If there’s even the slightest bit of doubt you cannot allow them to be executed. A typical conviction does not produce 100% certainty.

    If the government is 100% certain they have some piece of shit in their possession that could provide them with additional information about terrorism then I don’t really care how they get the information.

    The problem here is that having 100% certainty is unlikely. By the time you have that kind of certainty you likely have the additional information you’re looking for anyway. I’m against torture except in the rare case you’re 100% certain the person is guilty and can provide additional information.[/quote]
    I don’t have any problems with this. Again, that certainty is hard to accomplish and nearly an impossible threshold.

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  103. Mucker

    [quote name=dylanj]the other thing that blows my mind is just how equipped & advanced our elite kill teams are. Some space age shit they are using[/quote]Yeah, no shit. We don’t even know the extent of their equipment they use. They said the Seals used “facial and body recognition tools”. What’s that? Like a full body scanner or some shit? Their precision and execution is amazing. They are the anti-Cubs. (dying laughing)

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  104. Mish

    [quote name=Muck Muckintuck] They said the Seals used “facial and body recognition tools”. What’s that? Like a full body scanner or some shit?[/quote]
    It’s like a misting station.

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  105. Rice Cube

    [quote name=Muck Muckintuck]Yeah, no shit. We don’t even know the extent of their equipment they use. They said the Seals used “facial and body recognition tools”. What’s that? Like a full body scanner or some shit? Their precision and execution is amazing. They are the anti-Cubs. (dying laughing)[/quote]
    Glad they didn’t TOOTBLAN.

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  106. Mish

    [quote name=Rice Cube]Glad they didn’t TOOTBLAN.[/quote]
    It’d be a BOOTCLAN for blown up on the compound like a nincompoop.

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  107. Mucker

    [quote name=Rice Cube]Glad they didn’t TOOTBLAN.[/quote](dying laughing)
    Seriously, I don’t think it’s possible for those guys to fuck up.

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  108. mb21

    [quote name=Mish]I don’t have any problems with this. Again, that certainty is hard to accomplish and nearly an impossible threshold.[/quote]As it should be in my opinion.

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  109. ZappBrannigan

    [quote name=Muck Muckintuck]=They are the anti-Cubs. (dying laughing)[/quote]
    (dying laughing)

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  110. Rice Cube

    [quote name=Muck Muckintuck](dying laughing)
    Seriously, I don’t think it’s possible for those guys to fuck up.[/quote]
    I don’t think you’d be hearing about it if they did fuck up.

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  111. Rice Cube

    [quote name=Mish]It’d be a BOOTCLAN for blown up on the compound like a nincompoop.[/quote]
    ZING!

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  112. Mucker

    [quote name=Rice Cube]I don’t think you’d be hearing about it if they did fuck up.[/quote]Good point. If anybody is interested, there is a book called “Lone Survivor” by Marcus Lutrell, who was the only SEAL to survive Operation Redwing. It was the biggest loss of life in SEAL history. Absolutely incredible book.

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  113. Berselius

    [quote name=Mish]I don’t have any problems with this. Again, that certainty is hard to accomplish and nearly an impossible threshold.[/quote]
    Not to mention that you still don’t have 100% certainty that the torturee gave you the truth anyway, which is the biggest problem with torture

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  114. mb21

    [quote name=Berselius]Not to mention that you still don’t have 100% certainty that the torturer gave you the truth anyway, which is the biggest problem with torture[/quote]I actually think this is where math could help. Maybe I’m just an idiot, but I think it would be relatively simple to come up with a probability that the person was telling the truth or making shit up.

    I don’t think it’s worth investing any money in coming up with a formula because the situations in which I mentioned are going to be few and far between. I was mostly just mentioning that in such circumstances I don’t really care. I wouldn’t trust the government to figure out if they were 100% certain to begin with so it’s really just a hypothetical that I brought up.

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  115. mb21

    Now that he’s come back to earth, his significantly lower BB% is starting to look a lot bigger than it was a couple weeks ago.

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  116. mb21

    I think he will too. I expected a slightly worse season from him this year than last. I figured the BABIP would fall a bit. It’s nice to see his K rate cut in half but so far it’s come at the expense of cutting his walk rate in half too.

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  117. Berselius

    Castro’s projections are around .330 ish and I think that’s a fair expectation. It would be nice to see him drawing more walks but he’ll never be a big OBP guy. If his numbers improve it’s going to be due to his SLG numbers getting higher.

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  118. Mish

    Right, it coems down to not necessarily drawing walks, but being more selective so that he can work better counts and get better pitches to hit. I’d be shocked if Castro becomes a > 7% walk rate.

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  119. Mish

    Despite ranking in the top six in all three slash categories, the Cubs are 11th in the league in scoring at 3.96 runs per game, 0.27 below league average.

    For the NL.

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  120. mb21

    If Castro doesn’t become a 7% walk guy it would be a huge disappointment. I don’t expect it this season, but I was hoping for something in the high 5s or low 6s. Based on an average aging curve, walk rate improves until the mid to late 30s.

    I don’t expect him to ever be a high OBP guy, but I do expect to see improvement and so far I’ve seen little or none. I did expect slightly worse overall numbers, but also expected some improvement in a few areas. Weird season so far.

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  121. Mish

    I hope you’re right, mb. I would like his walk rate to be right around league average, even a little below if he’s at least taking pitches and working good counts and squaring up the ball. If he ever learns to walk, he has the ability to be truly elite. I’m not sure if this is the right organization to cultivate that out of him, though.

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  122. ZappBrannigan

    I’d been expecting him to hit for a lot more power, but that hasn’t shown up so far. If he can laern to be more selective at the plate, that should prove his ability to mash a bit more while also helping his walk rate a bit.

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  123. Mish

    KG

    Josh Vitters, 3B, Cubs (Double-A Tennesee): 2-for-4, 2B, HR (4), 2 R, 2 RBI. Was in 4-for-37 slump heading into today’s game; just .241/.292/.470 in 24 games.

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  124. Berselius

    More power would be great but keep in mind that his most optimistic projected slash line going into the season was .310/.359/.428 He’ll have great power for a SS but I think expecting him to be a big time run producer is going to curse him with high expectations.

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  125. mb21

    His ISO is actually a couple points lower than last year. He’s hitting almost everything on the ground. I think he has so much potential that he could become a pretty good hitter in terms of discipline, but he’s a long way from it right now.

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  126. Mish

    ISO does take the longest of the offensive stats to stabilize, IIRC – about 550 PAs (not including stats like BA/BABIP).

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  127. Mish

    [quote name=Mish]ISO does take the longest of the offensive stats to stabilize, IIRC – about 550 PAs (not including stats like BA/BABIP).[/quote]
    I’m not sure why I posted this, outside of FYI.

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  128. Mercurial Outfielder

    [quote name=Mish]I’m not sure why I posted this, outside of FYI.[/quote]Cool story about a cool story, bro.

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  129. Suburban kid

    [quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Cool story about a cool story, bro.[/quote]Meta meme blew my mind.

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  130. Mercurial Outfielder

    [quote name=Suburban Kid]Meta meme blew my mind.[/quote]As long as it didn’t interrupt the flow of Brenly’s season, I think we’re okay.

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  131. ZappBrannigan

    [quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]As long as it didn’t interrupt the flow of Brenly’s .[/quote]
    Fixed.

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  132. Mish

    Sickels has a review of the 2010 Draft up at the minorleagueball.com.

    16) Hayden Simpson, RHP, Chicago Cubs Southern Arkansas University superstar has a 5.06 ERA so far for the Low-A Peoria Chiefs in the Midwest League, 20/6 K/BB in 21 innings, 29 hits. Throwing strikes but hittable. This was the most surprising pick in the first round and the Cubs have a lot of credibility riding on his performance.

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  133. ZappBrannigan

    Cubs have a lot of credibility riding on his performance.

    (dying laughing) We know what that means.

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  134. Mucker

    Is there a general rule of thumb with a slash line? For example, should your OBP be 100 pts higher than BA and should SLG be 200 pts higher than BA, etc.?

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  135. Suburban kid

    [quote name=Mish]Sickels has a review of the 2010 Draft up at the minorleagueball.com.[/quote]How timely.

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  136. Rice Cube

    Matt from Indy makes a good point:

    Matt (Indianapolis)

    Sometimes I think I’m the only Cubs fan who likes Soriano. For all the crap the fans give him, he works his tail off, still hits for power, and is incredibly charitable and family-oriented off the field. He strikes out a lot and is a mediocre fielder. Still, if his shirt said “DeRosa” he’d be a fan favorite. What gives?

    Bruce Levine (1:56 PM)

    Not quite sure what your point is. I can tell you among the players, Soriano is reverred as one of the truly nice people in the game. He’s always respectful and considerate. Defense and baserunning are obviously things of the past. But as you see, he can still be a functional par tof the offense when other people aren’t getting the job done.

    Soriano’s slash line is really funny to look at though.

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  137. Lukas

    Bruce Levine (1:56 PM)

    Not quite sure what your point is.

    Not quite sure what his point is? I think it’s pretty obvious Bruce.

    That’s exactly how Alvin would approach that statement. It’s fucking ridiculous and annoying.

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  138. Mish

    [quote name=Lukas]Not quite sure what his point is? I think it’s pretty obvious Bruce.

    That’s exactly how Alvin would approach that statement. It’s fucking ridiculous and annoying.[/quote]
    I conquer.

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  139. AndCounting

    [quote name=mb21]If Castro doesn’t become a 7% walk guy it would be a huge disappointment. I don’t expect it this season, but I was hoping for something in the high 5s or low 6s. Based on an average aging curve, walk rate improves until the mid to late 30s.
    [/quote]Can’t wait to see where he’s at around the 2025 season or so. When I’m 50. Holy shit, Castro is so young. (dying laughing)

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  140. Rice Cube

    [quote name=Mish]Shin-soo Choo ——> DUI[/quote]

    The sad thing is that he probably just drank half a cup of Bud Light.

    /Asians have no alcohol tolerance joke’d

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  141. AndCounting

    [quote name=Mish]Shin-soo Choo ——> DUI[/quote]I don’t understand the sudden uproar over this. Seems to me any increase in DUI arrests is either random chance or just marks a decrease in players’ abilities to weasel out of arrests when they get pulled over.

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  142. Mish

    [quote name=AndCounting]I don’t understand the sudden uproar over this. Seems to me any increase in DUI arrests is either random chance or just marks a decrease in players’ abilities to weasel out of arrests when they get pulled over.[/quote]
    Yeah I don’t particularly care either.

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  143. Xoomwaffle

    [quote name=AndCounting]I don’t understand the sudden uproar over this. Seems to me any increase in DUI arrests is either random chance or just marks a decrease in players’ abilities to weasel out of arrests when they get pulled over.[/quote]
    These are the same fans who think Sam Fuld is the next coming of Christ after a random sampling of a few good games. Why would we expect this to be any different?

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  144. Rice Cube

    [quote name=AndCounting]Oh, it’s about Jeter. When I first saw the title I thought he was writing about his decision to use Viagra.[/quote]
    He had a few snippets about his own old-getting, but that would have been TMI even for a writer as gifted as Joe.

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  145. mb21

    The increase in player DUI could also be because we now hear about every DUI moments after it happened. I highly doubt player drinking and driving is up. If anything, it’s probably down.

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  146. mb21

    [quote name=Rice Cube](dying laughing) @ Kool Aid man picture.[/quote]He’s raising his hand. He has something to say. (dying laughing)

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  147. Rice Cube

    [quote name=mb21]At this point in the Cubs season all that’s left is Kool-aid. They’re done. Except for Kool-aid.[/quote]
    What is their talent level at this point? Figure if they need 85 wins (generous estimate given the teams they’ll have to leapfrog and what said teams were projected to win-ish), that means they have to win 54.5% of their remaining games…which is not very likely.

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  148. mb21

    [quote name=Rice Cube]What is their talent level at this point? Figure if they need 85 wins (generous estimate given the teams they’ll have to leapfrog and what said teams were projected to win-ish), that means they have to win 54.5% of their remaining games…which is not very likely.[/quote]

    The talent level is probably still around 75 to 80 wins as it was entering the season. They could play well enough to reach the playoffs, but they need even more luck now.

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  149. ZappBrannigan

    I think you’re overstating the problem. I don’t deny that some black players may have heard racist taunts. However, I believe those people are in the extreme minority of Cubs fans.
    Don’t tar all of us with that brush.
    Check out Chicago sports coverage at SB Nation Chicago
    by Al Yellon on Apr 30, 2011 9:28 AM PDT

    well dont dismiss it either Al obviously not all Cub fans are racist but it has been a reoccurring problem for like 5-6 years now. Black players who struggle get racist hate mail. Period. I don’t read about this as often in other cities. It’s a problem and I don’t pretend to have any form of solution because you can’t stop stupid people from being stupid but again, I hope D Lee speaking on it will silence those at BCB who were suggesting Milton Bradley or Hawkins were making it all up.
    by CalCalender on Apr 30, 2011 9:31 AM PDT

    Really? D-Lee had his struggles at times, but said he never got any such mail.
    I don’t deny that some idiot fans made remarks like this, nor that Bradley or Hawkins “made it up”. I’m sure that was real. You’re making it out to be a much larger problem than it really is.
    Check out Chicago sports coverage at SB Nation Chicago
    by Al Yellon on Apr 30, 2011 9:33 AM PDT

    Dusty Baker Jacque Jones, Latroy Hawkins & Milton Bradley all reported it. Tori Hunter who is one of the classiest guys in baseball said he knew it was a problem here.
    Thats not exactly a great track record Al
    by CalCalender on Apr 30, 2011 9:36 AM

    Again… … I do not deny these things happened. You’re making it out like every Cubs fan is a racist. That is certainly false.
    Check out Chicago sports coverage at SB Nation Chicago
    by Al Yellon on Apr 30, 2011 9:45 AM PDT

    no im not you are trying to discredit a valid argument by misrepresenting what im saying.
    i said it above- obviously not all cubs fans are racist
    i cant be more clear than that
    by CalCalender on Apr 30, 2011 9:49 AM PDT

    Fair enough. However, the problem seems to have gone away — for the moment, at least. Let’s hope it stays gone away.
    Check out Chicago sports coverage at SB Nation Chicago
    by Al Yellon on Apr 30, 2011 9:52 AM PDT

    IT’S NOT A PROBLEM LALALALALALA

    Ok so it was a problem but it’s gone now

    /Yellon’d

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  150. WenningtonsGorillaCock

    [quote name=ZappBrannigan]
    Ok so it was a problem but it’s gone now Let’s hope it stays gone away.
    [/quote]
    fixed for Al’s shitty english

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  151. Rice Cube

    [quote name=ZappBrannigan]IT’S NOT A PROBLEM LALALALALALA

    Ok so it was a problem but it’s gone now

    /Yellon’d[/quote]
    See no evil, hear no evil.

    Or, if it happened in the RF bleachers and Al is in the LF bleachers, then it didn’t happen.

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  152. WaLi

    [quote name=Mish]In Al’s world, the Civil War ended all racism.[/quote]
    In Als world, there would be no blacks in the HOF

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  153. mb21

    It’s no longer a problem because the only black player the Cubs have had since 2009 was Derrek Lee and he was loved by the fans. Problem solved by not having blacks on the Cubs anymore. Wonderful idea.

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  154. mb21

    [quote name=Mish]In Al’s world, the Civil War ended all racism.[/quote]If Al lived during the Civil War era he’d be saying the same thing. Not all people were racist then just as they aren’t today. Al would still be highlighting that fact and ignoring what’s wrong.

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  155. Rice Cube

    [quote name=mb21]It’s no longer a problem because the only black player the Cubs have had since 2009 was Derrek Lee and he was loved by the fans. Problem solved by not having blacks on the Cubs anymore. Wonderful idea.[/quote]
    So…Marlon Byrd is just really really tan according to Al?

    And I guess Alfonso Soriano isn’t black because Torii Hunter said so.

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  156. Mish

    [quote name=Rice Cube]Reading the article, I’m really surprised they didn’t throw the whole book at him. How can you leave a guy to die and not be charged with homicide or manslaughter? Maybe the lawyer guys can clarify that.

    Ugh.[/quote]
    It may be bad news to put some kind of law to that effect on the books, because then a whole new can of legals worms are opened. You’d hope in a free and just society that we wouldn’t need laws governing these things; human decency should take care of it.

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  157. Mish

    [quote name=Mish]It may be bad news to put some kind of law to that effect on the books, because then a whole new can of legals worms are opened. You’d hope in a free and just society that we wouldn’t need laws governing these things; human decency should take care of it.[/quote]
    This is just a general statement on laws of this nature. Without knowing all the details IDK what would apply here. Obviously the fan was not an observer here, he actively took steps towards theft which would be different than simply ignoring a dying person.

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  158. Rice Cube

    [quote name=Mish]It may be bad news to put some kind of law to that effect on the books, because then a whole new can of legals worms are opened. You’d hope in a free and just society that we wouldn’t need laws governing these things; human decency should take care of it.[/quote]
    I see your point, but it seems like in cases like these, they need a “Bad Samaritan” law. This story is just so unpleasant.

    I guess I could see where the kid would think the guy was drunk or something, and thus he wouldn’t be complicit in the guy’s death. But now I’m just stretching for rationalization.

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  159. GBTS

    Without knowing the specifics of Pennsylvania’s criminal code, I think a state attorney could easily manufacture a homicide out of those details.

    At the very least, it would be an interesting felony-murder case, if that still exists in Pennsylvania (old common law rule that any deaths that occurred during the perpetration of a felony were treated as homicides).

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  160. Suburban kid

    [quote name=Rice Cube]I see your point, but it seems like in cases like these, they need a “Bad Samaritan” law. [/quote]

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  161. Rice Cube

    [quote name=Suburban Kid]Sorry for being an insensitive dick.[/quote]
    It’s okay. Jerry was a very very bad man.

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  162. GBTS

    § 2501. Criminal homicide.
    (a) Offense defined.–A person is guilty of criminal homicide if he intentionally, knowingly, recklessly or negligently causes the death of another human being.

    § 2502. Murder.
    (b) Murder of the second degree.–A criminal homicide constitutes murder of the second degree when it is committed while defendant was engaged as a principal or an accomplice in the perpetration of a felony.

    Yeah, I’d say they have a murder charge if they want it.

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  163. Suburban kid

    [quote name=Law Talking Guy]§ 2501. Criminal homicide.
    (a) Offense defined.–A person is guilty of criminal homicide if he intentionally, knowingly, recklessly or negligently causes the death of another human being.

    § 2502. Murder.
    (b) Murder of the second degree.–A criminal homicide constitutes murder of the second degree when it is committed while defendant was engaged as a principal or an accomplice in the perpetration of a felony.

    Yeah, I’d say they have a murder charge if they want it.[/quote]
    I love those crazy law S’s.

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  164. GBTS

    Quoting Law Talking Guy

    (dying laughing)

    Yeah, like lawyers work in tall buildings and have secretaries. That’s Hollywood for you. Look at him, he’s wearing a belt!

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  165. mb21

    (a) Offense defined.–A person is guilty of criminal homicide if he intentionally, knowingly, recklessly or negligently causes the death of another human being.

    He didn’t cause the death. The heart attack did. This type of thing has been talked about before and there’s no law that would allow someone to be tried. He wasn’t responsible for the death. You could possibly get him on some misdemeanor and I expect they probably will eventually.

    (b) Murder of the second degree.–A criminal homicide constitutes murder of the second degree when it is committed while defendant was engaged as a principal or an accomplice in the perpetration of a felony.

    You can’t be convicted of murder when someone dies of a heart attack.

    The 17 year old kid is a dumbass piece of shit who should probably spend time in prison just so he can be someone’s bitch, but I don’t really want murder or manslaughter laws changed to include what he did.

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  166. Perkins

    [quote name=GBTS](dying laughing)

    Yeah, like lawyers work in tall buildings and have secretaries. That’s Hollywood for you. Look at him, he’s wearing a belt![/quote]
    “Good news Mrs. Simpson, your sexual harassment suit is just what I need to rebuild my shattered practice! Would you care to join me in a belt of scotch?”
    “Mr. Hutz, it’s 9:30 in the morning!”
    “Yeah, but I haven’t slept in days.”

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  167. GBTS

    [quote name=mb21]

    He didn’t cause the death. The heart attack did.

    You would make the argument that dragging a man having a heart attack out of his car and leaving him to die on the side of the road is an act of criminal negligence, a substantial and unjustifiable risk of causing death that’s a gross deviation from acceptable conduct. That’s what criminal negligence is.

    You can’t be convicted of murder when someone dies of a heart attack.

    I don’t know how strictly Pennsylvania follows their felony-murder rule, but that law has gotten people convicted for homicide that are far less culpable than that kid.

    http://articles.nydailynews.com/2008-05-07/news/17898326_1_brandon-hein-menendez-brothers-charles-manson

    It’s a fucked up rule that’s still on the books in a lot of states, for shit like this.

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  168. Mercurial Outfielder

    [quote name=Perkins]”Good news Mrs. Simpson, your sexual harassment suit is just what I need to rebuild my shattered practice! Would you care to join me in a belt of scotch?”
    “Mr. Hutz, it’s 9:30 in the morning!”
    “Yeah, but I haven’t slept in days.”[/quote]I miss Phil Hartman.

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  169. Mish

    Do we really need to discuss this further? Not everyone would do this, so it’s not really an issue.

    /Yellon

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  170. GBTS

    I agree that finding causation for the death under ordinary circumstances would be tricky. If you were just an ordinary pedestrian and you saw a guy having a heart attack and didn’t help, there’s no way you could be charged with homicide.

    If you smacked him around a little, potentially accelerating the heart attack, and then left him to die in the street, that’s another story.

    The fact that Pennsylvania has a felony-murder statute makes that moot though.

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  171. Mish

    [quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]I miss Phil Hartman.[/quote]
    You might remember him from such shows as “The Simpsons” and “Saturday Night Live”.

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  172. GBTS

    [quote name=Mish]Do we really need to discuss this further? Not everyone would do this, so it’s not really an issue.

    /Yellon[/quote](dying laughing)

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  173. Mercurial Outfielder

    [quote name=Mish]You might remember him from such shows as “The Simpsons” and “Saturday Night Live”.[/quote]And NewsRadio, which is a recent show I enjoyed.

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  174. Berselius

    [quote name=Mish]You might remember him from such shows as “The Pop ‘N’ Rocker Game” and “Gravedale High”.[/quote]
    McLure’d

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  175. melissa

    Great post, MO. Brenly really elevated his ignorance to a whole new level in my opinion. It’s a smack in the face to the victims of 9-11 and all those that have sacrificed their lives in this so-called War on Terror since that day.

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  176. Mercurial Outfielder

    [quote name=melissa]Great post, MO. Brenly really elevated his ignorance to a whole new level in my opinion. It’s a smack in the face to the victims of 9-11 and all those that have sacrificed their lives in this so-called War on Terror since that day.[/quote]Thanks.

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  177. Berselius

    [quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Cubs lose.[/quote]
    The first rule of Tautology Club is the first rule of Tautology Club

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  178. uncle dave

    This point has likely been made at some point in this thread, but here I was thinking that the foulest thing to come out of Brenly’s mouth this year would be a teaspoon of Darwin Barney’s spooge.

    Guess I was wrong about that.

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  179. Mercurial Outfielder

    [quote name=uncle dave]This point has likely been made at some point in this thread, but here I was thinking that the foulest thing to come out of Brenly’s mouth this year would be a teaspoon of Darwin Barney’s spooge.

    Guess I was wrong about that.[/quote]Uncle Dave FTW!

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  180. Mercurial Outfielder

    [quote name=Berselius]The first rule of Tautology Club is the first rule of Tautology Club[/quote]Correct. And therefore correct.

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  181. Corms

    [quote name=AndCounting]I believe in forgiveness and all that, but that 17 year old needs to be executed.[/quote]Did he interrupt the rhythm of your baseball season?

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  182. mb21

    [quote name=GBTS]I don’t know how strictly Pennsylvania follows their felony-murder rule, but that law has gotten people convicted for homicide that are far less culpable than that kid.

    http://articles.nydailynews.com/2008-05-07/news/17898326_1_brandon-hein-menendez-brothers-charles-manson

    It’s a fucked up rule that’s still on the books in a lot of states, for shit like this.[/quote]That’s different though. The death occurred as a result of the criminal activity while the death occurred before the criminal activity here. The man wasn’t yet dead, but was dying.

    I do agree you can probably get him for some kind of negligence, but I’m guessing it would be a misdemeanor of some kind.

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  183. mb21

    [quote name=Corms]Did he interrupt the rhythm of your baseball season?[/quote]That is something we haven’t thought about. If he did, then Brenly approves of the kid’s actions.

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