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464 thoughts on “Content Removed

  1. Mike Garza May 31,2012 8:47 am

    Moyer could probably still be effective in the Coli. I’d like to see it.

    My pop once called Storm Davis an asshole. On my birthday.
    • SPWC May 31,2012 8:54 am || Up

      His pitches haven’t been quite as precise as they were before the surgery. I think the Coliseum will hold many of the flies in, but not all of them.

      I’d rather have him in the rotation than Ross, though.

      I also hope the club is putting out feelers on trading Colon and Gomes. Colon can help a contender in the back end of their rotation, and Gomes is an effective pinch hitter/4th OF against lefties. Obviously, any reasonable offer (if any) for Balfour or Fuentes should be jumped on.

      \"Weren\'t you already aware the Kay is already writing everyone\'s story? We\'re all just characters who believe we are real. Things make more sense now, don\'t they. Be honest.\"- DMOAS
      • jeepers May 31,2012 6:45 pm || Up

        Classic A’s problem. We have a couple of players we see trade value in, but that the rest of the league wouldn’t value in a trade in a million years. Maybe Colon could fetch something…otherwise, trading Reddick is about the only thing we could do that would net a return.

        • aardvark May 31,2012 6:54 pm || Up

          Despite their terrible performance so far this year, I suspect that both Suzuki and Pennington have some trade value.

          • jeepers May 31,2012 7:03 pm || Up

            I would be absolutely shocked. Why do you think they have value? Kurt is expensive for a terrible catcher, and Pennington’s a sub-700 OPS hitter who makes a lot of errors.

            • aardvark Jun 1,2012 8:11 pm || Up

              I had forgotten how much Suzuki is being paid, so forget that one, but Pennington is a slightly below league average hitter (not adjusting for position) with about league average defense who hasn’t hit his arbitration years yet. That’s definitely a tradable commodity.

            • DFA Jun 2,2012 12:20 pm || Up

              This. I said at the time that the Suzuki extension made him untradable and was a terrible idea. Once again no one listend to me.

              In play, run(s)! Talk dirty to me gamecast, talk dirty. - Nevermoor
              • Glorious Mundy Jun 2,2012 2:10 pm || Up

                Sorry, Cassandra. We’ll try to pay more attention next time.

                • DFA Jun 2,2012 2:14 pm || Up

                  thanks

                  In play, run(s)! Talk dirty to me gamecast, talk dirty. - Nevermoor
  2. 5Aces May 31,2012 8:50 am

    1. Blind people get bionic eyes, and I still just get stuck with 2 tiny microphones in my ears that go out any time dust flies by. Even when they work they still don’t seperate ranges that well-I can hear footsteps in the next room but still make Mrs. Aces repeat herself, which makes her then yell at me for not paying attention. ugh.

    Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it? -Steve McCatty
    • Dial C for Concupiscence May 31,2012 10:01 am || Up

      Embrace the technology!

  3. Englishmajor May 31,2012 8:52 am

    7. Not what we mean when we say “ride the whip“.

    8. It’s The Oldest Established, Permanent, Floating Crap baseball stadiumNBA Franchise in California?

    9. So you think your neighbors are annoying?

    10. Hard to believe Fosse wasn’t part of this old catchers’ lovefest:

    He gave up some of Clemens’ trade secrets as a pitcher. Clemens, for example, would purse his lips on the mound to ask for curveballs. “You’re not making a comeback any time are you, Roger?” Fletcher said. “I’m not giving anything away, am I?” Clemens laughed.

    • SPWC May 31,2012 9:13 am || Up

      7. I used to work at a head shop in North Highlands… about 15 years ago or so…

      This fat Ron Jeremy-looking dude would come in EVERY FKing WEEK and buy hundreds of dollars worth of whipped cream cartridges. The boss told us to basically kiss his ass and treat him like royalty because he was the life preserver that kept the camel (i.e. the business and our jobs) afloat. There must be a huge profit margin on those things.

      \"Weren\'t you already aware the Kay is already writing everyone\'s story? We\'re all just characters who believe we are real. Things make more sense now, don\'t they. Be honest.\"- DMOAS
    • Dial C for Concupiscence May 31,2012 10:06 am || Up

      9. I would say that some people are just wholly unsuited for society, but it sounds like this woman leads a fairly normal life in most areas outside of this specific thing with her neighbors, so um…yay for obsessive and narrowly focused crazy?

  4. AV May 31,2012 8:54 am

    it’s like the whole world is taking a day off from sports. roland garros or detroit-boston are about as exiting as it’s gonna get.

    *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
    • SPWC May 31,2012 8:58 am || Up

      I was thinking about calling this grill “Day after the All-Star Game (Preview)”

      \"Weren\'t you already aware the Kay is already writing everyone\'s story? We\'re all just characters who believe we are real. Things make more sense now, don\'t they. Be honest.\"- DMOAS
      • Dial C for Concupiscence May 31,2012 10:07 am || Up

        Makes sense. Gotta do a dry run first. Don’t want to pull a hammy during the real thing.

    • SPWC May 31,2012 8:58 am || Up

      I have to admit that some of the voices in my head tell me to take the rest of my life off from sports.

      \"Weren\'t you already aware the Kay is already writing everyone\'s story? We\'re all just characters who believe we are real. Things make more sense now, don\'t they. Be honest.\"- DMOAS
      • 5Aces May 31,2012 9:03 am || Up

        With every team I like falling into a sleeping beauty like funk I have thought the same once or twice.

        Last week I went to a Lacrosse game for the first time. It was my niece’s final HS game. Her school completed their 4th consecutive city championship and undefeated season. I found the game interesting and it made me consider starting to watch at a college or professional level. I have no alliances so I could actually find a better team and not feel quite as much like a bandwagon fan (at least I could justify it in my own mind).

        Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it? -Steve McCatty
        • SPWC May 31,2012 9:07 am || Up

          One important thing is to always have something to look forward to, at least a little bit. A sports allegiance is a quick and easy way to stay connected to societal ritual, future hope, and kill a lot of time, all in one easy package.

          \"Weren\'t you already aware the Kay is already writing everyone\'s story? We\'re all just characters who believe we are real. Things make more sense now, don\'t they. Be honest.\"- DMOAS
    • Glorious Mundy May 31,2012 9:21 am || Up

      Couple of fairly uninteresting international soccer friendlies on ESPN3.

      • AV May 31,2012 9:31 am || Up

        & the spelling bee!!!!!

        *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
      • AV May 31,2012 9:32 am || Up

        hm… the mexico game isn’t on espn. that’s the one i’d want to tangentially pay attention to.

        *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
        • Glorious Mundy May 31,2012 6:22 pm || Up

          It’s on Univision and streaming free here: http://futbol.univision.com/seleccion-nacional/partidos-en-vivo/

          • AV May 31,2012 6:38 pm || Up

            nicely done GM! and i juuuuust missed somebody scoring.

            *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
            • AV May 31,2012 6:42 pm || Up

              that comment stream on the side, how unfortunate and distasteful.

              *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
              • Glorious Mundy May 31,2012 6:43 pm || Up

                It’s ad-blocked on my machine. Mexican fan commentary can get pretty nasty though.

                • AV May 31,2012 6:47 pm || Up

                  yeah, i blocked it. but my eyes grace over it before i fully realized what it was. blech. then i went over to HH for a sec to bring the IQ level back up a little.

                  *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
                • SPWC May 31,2012 7:57 pm || Up

                  That’s sad.

                  \"Weren\'t you already aware the Kay is already writing everyone\'s story? We\'re all just characters who believe we are real. Things make more sense now, don\'t they. Be honest.\"- DMOAS
                • AV May 31,2012 8:07 pm || Up

                  to be fair, i’ve never read any streaming game-thread comment in spanish that was at all intelligent, no matter what country it’s for or from.

                  *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
            • Glorious Mundy May 31,2012 6:42 pm || Up

              Dzecko.

          • Glorious Mundy May 31,2012 6:41 pm || Up

            Holy smokes, there are a massive number of Bosnian fans at this match. Crazy atmosphere.

          • AV May 31,2012 8:04 pm || Up

            as my people say, nice “blúper” bosnia.

            chicharito didn’t seem like he could get it past the goalie no matter how many point-blank shots he got.

            *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
            • Glorious Mundy May 31,2012 9:30 pm || Up

              That clearance was horrific. The pea deserved it though.

    • MikeV May 31,2012 9:55 am || Up

      My kids both have practice and I have an indoor game.

      I can’t stream any of it though, sorry.

      And I have to say: mikev is one of my favorite people on here -slusser.

      Thanks, and go As.

      • AV May 31,2012 11:31 am || Up

        ha!

        *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
        • MikeV May 31,2012 11:34 am || Up

          Actually I could probably broadcast the practice on a G+ hangout thingy.

          Not the game though, I can’t carry my phone on the pitch.

          And I have to say: mikev is one of my favorite people on here -slusser.

          Thanks, and go As.

          • AV May 31,2012 11:37 am || Up

            we’re probably only a couple seasons away from cleat-cam.

            *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
    • Englishmajor May 31,2012 10:04 am || Up

      The Women’s College World Series starts today and Cal is the #1 seed. They play LSU at 12:30 pm. It’s on ESPN and all.

      • SPWC May 31,2012 10:44 am || Up

        I think that’s our winner of the day.

        \"Weren\'t you already aware the Kay is already writing everyone\'s story? We\'re all just characters who believe we are real. Things make more sense now, don\'t they. Be honest.\"- DMOAS
        • AV May 31,2012 11:32 am || Up

          yay! i do like women’s softball.

          *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
          • wacchampions May 31,2012 1:06 pm || Up

            Fresno State plays at Stanford in the college Baseball World Series tomorrow at 6 PM..

            • AV May 31,2012 1:30 pm || Up

              tomorrow seems a long ways away when i don’t know if my heart will make it through today. ponytails AND high socks??? call doctor if sustained for over 4 hours.

              *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
              • AV May 31,2012 2:44 pm || Up

                this game’s pretty good, BTW. bears just tied it in the 5th.

                *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
            • Future Ed May 31,2012 1:41 pm || Up

              did fresno st win the WAC?

              I have $5. No I don\'t.
              • wacchampions May 31,2012 1:47 pm || Up

                Yes they did…

                • MikeV May 31,2012 1:48 pm || Up

                  So.. one could say they are WAC… CHAMPIONS????

                  And I have to say: mikev is one of my favorite people on here -slusser.

                  Thanks, and go As.

                • wacchampions May 31,2012 2:04 pm || Up

                  Indeed!

                • SPWC May 31,2012 2:41 pm || Up

                  Is there a specific year you’re referring to? Were you involved with the team that year?

                  \"Weren\'t you already aware the Kay is already writing everyone\'s story? We\'re all just characters who believe we are real. Things make more sense now, don\'t they. Be honest.\"- DMOAS
                • AV May 31,2012 2:45 pm || Up

                  i googled 92, 93, 99 for football, so now it’s a matter of guessing his age… i grad’ed college in 93 and i think wac is a little younger. i’m guessing 99.

                  *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
                • wacchampions Jun 1,2012 1:10 am || Up

                  My first year at Fresno we played in the Big West Conference with UNLV, New Mexico State, San Jose State, Utah State, Fullerton, Long Beach State, UOP, UC Irvine and UC Santa Barbara…Not all of these schools had football programs. Fresno joined the WAC in my second year…We tied for the WAC Title in Football twice but never won it outright…

                • wacchampions Jun 1,2012 12:58 am || Up

                  In this thread we are referring to the Fresno State Baseball team winning the Wac Championship this year! They begin play in the College Baseball World Series on Friday night at Stanford..

                • SPWC Jun 1,2012 1:04 am || Up

                  You sly dog!

                  \"Weren\'t you already aware the Kay is already writing everyone\'s story? We\'re all just characters who believe we are real. Things make more sense now, don\'t they. Be honest.\"- DMOAS
                • AV Jun 1,2012 8:44 am || Up

                  i knew that. but i also knew why you have that handle.

                  *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
  5. FreeSeatUpgrade May 31,2012 8:55 am

    1. Maybe tractor beams can be realized in time to repurpose the Coliseum for tractor pulls.

    "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
    • SPWC May 31,2012 9:08 am || Up
      \"Weren\'t you already aware the Kay is already writing everyone\'s story? We\'re all just characters who believe we are real. Things make more sense now, don\'t they. Be honest.\"- DMOAS
      • SPWC May 31,2012 9:09 am || Up

        that’s weird… it didn’t give me the option to check the box that says “Open in new window”

        \"Weren\'t you already aware the Kay is already writing everyone\'s story? We\'re all just characters who believe we are real. Things make more sense now, don\'t they. Be honest.\"- DMOAS
      • lynnzgal May 31,2012 9:12 am || Up

        Wtf? Did Danbot make this up? :D

        • SPWC May 31,2012 9:18 am || Up

          My heart is warmed that the Atlanta Braves still exist in the 31st century. There must have been a couple of hiatuses for de-evolution in their 1131 year history, but still, it’s quite impressive to see the descendents of the 1869 Cincy Red Stockings represented.

          \"Weren\'t you already aware the Kay is already writing everyone\'s story? We\'re all just characters who believe we are real. Things make more sense now, don\'t they. Be honest.\"- DMOAS
          • lynnzgal May 31,2012 9:22 am || Up

            OH! It’s a Futurama thing, I don’t watch. Lol. And how about those Pituitary Giants?

      • AV May 31,2012 9:15 am || Up

        as long as we’re fantasticizing sports…

        *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
  6. Mike Garza May 31,2012 9:12 am

    11. FDA says FK YOUR CORN SUGAR

    My pop once called Storm Davis an asshole. On my birthday.
    • SPWC May 31,2012 9:18 am || Up

      I think they should go one step further and rename it FAT SYRUP.

      \"Weren\'t you already aware the Kay is already writing everyone\'s story? We\'re all just characters who believe we are real. Things make more sense now, don\'t they. Be honest.\"- DMOAS
      • Mike Garza May 31,2012 9:22 am || Up

        Liquid ‘Beetus

        My pop once called Storm Davis an asshole. On my birthday.
        • SPWC May 31,2012 9:29 am || Up

          “Uncle Wilford’s Liquid ‘Beetus is better than that Karo crap because it’s HIGH FRUCTOSE!”

          \"Weren\'t you already aware the Kay is already writing everyone\'s story? We\'re all just characters who believe we are real. Things make more sense now, don\'t they. Be honest.\"- DMOAS
          • Mike Garza May 31,2012 9:43 am || Up

            I’ll try anything endorsed by Wilford, mainly because I am so scared of somehow disappointing him.

            My pop once called Storm Davis an asshole. On my birthday.
            • Mike Garza May 31,2012 9:59 am || Up

              Also, how in the hell is Wilford only 77? Was he really only 50 when he was in Cocoon? That’s weird.

              My pop once called Storm Davis an asshole. On my birthday.
    • AV May 31,2012 9:33 am || Up

      i totally read that as DFA says… (and it still fit).

      *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
    • MikeV May 31,2012 10:00 am || Up

      Uh

      Way back in September 2010, the Corn Refiners Association petitioned the FDA to allow it to call HFCS corn sugar instead, arguing that consumers have a bad impression of HFCS because of its complicated name.

      How about because it’s FKing awful for you, and they put so much of it into shit that it doesn’t need to be in?

      And I have to say: mikev is one of my favorite people on here -slusser.

      Thanks, and go As.

      • Mike Garza May 31,2012 10:06 am || Up

        HFCS wasn’t even on my radar until they ran a Super Bowl commercial a couple years ago. I then threw out anything containing it with the quickness of a jack rabbit on meth.

        My pop once called Storm Davis an asshole. On my birthday.
      • andeux May 31,2012 10:17 am || Up

        Exactly as awful for you as sugar is.

        TINSTAAFK
        • MikeV May 31,2012 10:19 am || Up

          Did you ignore the 2nd part of the sentence on purpose or what?

          And I have to say: mikev is one of my favorite people on here -slusser.

          Thanks, and go As.

          • andeux May 31,2012 10:30 am || Up

            I guess so, in the sense that it wasn’t the part I was responding to.
            Yes, sugar/hfcs is bad for you and lots of people eat way too much of it.

            TINSTAAFK
          • dmoas May 31,2012 10:40 am || Up

            They do the same thing with sugar. It’s not really much different. It’s all bad for you.

        • DFA May 31,2012 3:00 pm || Up

          HFCS is worse for you than regular sugar

          In play, run(s)! Talk dirty to me gamecast, talk dirty. - Nevermoor
          • andeux May 31,2012 7:20 pm || Up

            Lots of people seem to think so, but the evidence for it is somewhere between scant and nonexistent.

            TINSTAAFK
            • ozzman99 May 31,2012 8:23 pm || Up

              Princeton University disagrees with you. And from what I can tell, the studies that suggest that HFCS and sucrose produce similar effects are pretty much all paid for by the corn industry.

              • andeux May 31,2012 8:45 pm || Up

                Some psychology professor at Princeton University you mean?

                Marion Nestle (certainly no friend of the industry) was not impressed by that study, and links to a more detailed critique by an expert.

                Robert Lustig, another expert and non-friend of the industry says they are identical.

                Most sites, (e.g. The Mayo Clinic) simply say there is insufficient evidence to draw a conclusion.

                TINSTAAFK
                • ozzman99 May 31,2012 9:00 pm || Up

                  Ok, none of that popped up in the first page of my Google search, and you can’t reasonably expect me to go past the first page.

                • AV May 31,2012 9:03 pm || Up

                  lol

                  *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
                • MikeV May 31,2012 11:29 pm || Up

                  My issue is not whether it is or isn’t worse for you than “real” sugar.

                  My issue is that it’s massively subsidized and put into TONS of food that it has no business being in, or foods that are marketed as “healthy” or not “holy shit too much sugar is bad for you and this WHEAT BREAD that you think is good for you actually isn’t”

                  In short, processed foods FKing suck.

                  And I have to say: mikev is one of my favorite people on here -slusser.

                  Thanks, and go As.

                • DFA Jun 2,2012 12:32 pm || Up

                  this.

                  Also it tastes worse.

                  In play, run(s)! Talk dirty to me gamecast, talk dirty. - Nevermoor
                • SPWC Jun 2,2012 5:14 pm || Up

                  Big time.

                  \"Weren\'t you already aware the Kay is already writing everyone\'s story? We\'re all just characters who believe we are real. Things make more sense now, don\'t they. Be honest.\"- DMOAS
              • JamesV May 31,2012 9:29 pm || Up

                I’ve seen those commercials by the corn industry late at night.

  7. Mike Garza May 31,2012 10:01 am
    My pop once called Storm Davis an asshole. On my birthday.
  8. Englishmajor May 31,2012 10:09 am

    Tyson Ross has caught the Capitol Corridor.

      • MikeV May 31,2012 10:19 am || Up

        And I have to say: mikev is one of my favorite people on here -slusser.

        Thanks, and go As.

        • lynnzgal May 31,2012 10:20 am || Up

          Yeah, got my hopes up for a minute. I’m glad about Cespedes and McCarthy, though. :)

          • doctorK May 31,2012 10:43 am || Up

            SEXY FEET

            • beebo May 31,2012 11:28 am || Up
              • Englishmajor May 31,2012 11:29 am || Up

                I wouldn’t kick them out of bed…

              • FreeSeatUpgrade May 31,2012 11:49 am || Up

                I had the same question as one of the commenters: that sure doesn’t look like Kansas to me.

                "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
              • dmoas May 31,2012 11:51 am || Up

                Why is he wearing a Red Sox hat in that image?

                • Future Ed May 31,2012 1:22 pm || Up

                  because someone else is in charge of photoshop

                  I have $5. No I don\'t.
          • gonealookin May 31,2012 10:33 am || Up

            My baloney has a first name, it’s D-A-R-I-C…

            What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
            • MikeV May 31,2012 10:47 am || Up

              My baloney has a second name, is C-R-I-S-P

              And I have to say: mikev is one of my favorite people on here -slusser.

              Thanks, and go As.

              • lynnzgal May 31,2012 10:54 am || Up

                Mmmm…fried baloney sammiches.

                • AV May 31,2012 12:22 pm || Up

                  she don’t like salami, she don’t want pastrami…

                  *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
                • Jennifer May 31,2012 12:41 pm || Up

                  I’m singing this to the tune of “She Don’t Use Jelly”.

                • AV May 31,2012 12:55 pm || Up

                  sister songs, really.

                  *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
                • lynnzgal May 31,2012 12:23 pm || Up

                  That used to be the Lunardi’s Friday special. Used to be. :(

                • Leopold Bloom May 31,2012 12:28 pm || Up

                  USED TO??????

                • lynnzgal May 31,2012 12:28 pm || Up

                  sigh. perhaps it is best, though.

              • gonealookin May 31,2012 10:55 am || Up

                They’re not eating Crisp’s contract, yet.

                I know this will make you turn several shades of purple, but if Barton is coming off the 25-man roster I don’t see any point in sending him to Sacramento.

                Given that this is the Athletics we’re dealing with it’s always possible that Barton has an ongoing physical issue, i.e. the shoulder wasn’t fixed right the first time. In that case DL him and fix it right. More likely, though, he’s simply well into a Crosbyesque death spiral of suck, in which case I favor a DFA. Hopefully there’s somebody who holds out some hope for him and will give the A’s some roster fill for the Sacramento or Midland bullpen. Otherwise I think you thank him for his 7+ years of service to the organization, release him and let him try to rebuild his career wherever he thinks he has the best chance of doing that (Japan?).

                What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
                • SPWC May 31,2012 10:58 am || Up

                  Well into a Crosbyesque death spiral of suck

                  tagline!

                  \"Weren\'t you already aware the Kay is already writing everyone\'s story? We\'re all just characters who believe we are real. Things make more sense now, don\'t they. Be honest.\"- DMOAS
                • andeux May 31,2012 11:13 am || Up

                  The Crosby comparison has crossed my mind this year too: from “he’s going to be a star” to “well, at least his defense is still good” to “I just can’t stand to watch” in a couple of years.
                  In both cases injuries were probably a big factor, by both taking a permanent physical toll and costing critical mid-twenties development time. But those are the breaks, etc., and it’s pretty hard for me to imagine Barton suddenly turning it around at this point.

                  TINSTAAFK
                • jeepers May 31,2012 6:50 pm || Up

                  I’d add “lacking the brain and/or temperament to ever absorb and implement constructive criticism,” however subjective that may be.

        • Glorious Mundy May 31,2012 10:30 am || Up

          Sounds like Blackley has worked himself into the rotation.

          • SPWC May 31,2012 10:46 am || Up

            unless it’s Moyer Time!

            \"Weren\'t you already aware the Kay is already writing everyone\'s story? We\'re all just characters who believe we are real. Things make more sense now, don\'t they. Be honest.\"- DMOAS
          • Dial C for Concupiscence May 31,2012 10:46 am || Up

            Maybe they’re making space in the rotation for Moyer!

  9. Englishmajor May 31,2012 10:45 am

    Uh, Jennifer, do you have your scalpel handy?

    • Jennifer May 31,2012 11:09 am || Up

      He’d end up looking like this:

      • SPWC May 31,2012 11:13 am || Up

        sidehawk!

        \"Weren\'t you already aware the Kay is already writing everyone\'s story? We\'re all just characters who believe we are real. Things make more sense now, don\'t they. Be honest.\"- DMOAS
        • beebo May 31,2012 11:20 am || Up

          Is it really that hard to get your hair cut in Kansas City in the 21st century?

          • Jennifer May 31,2012 12:31 pm || Up

            I get my cut at Wal-Mart, only because it pisses my mom off.

            • FreeSeatUpgrade May 31,2012 1:22 pm || Up

              Also pisses DFA off, added bonus.

              "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
            • beebo May 31,2012 1:30 pm || Up

              I just go to this place in Chinatown. Even though I don’t speak a lick of Cantonese, it’s dirt cheap and I have yet to walk out sporting a bowl cut. I don’t think it’s offended anyone just yet, but I could keep trying.

            • SPWC May 31,2012 2:43 pm || Up

              My wife cuts mine. It’s nothing complicated, tho.

              \"Weren\'t you already aware the Kay is already writing everyone\'s story? We\'re all just characters who believe we are real. Things make more sense now, don\'t they. Be honest.\"- DMOAS
            • DFA May 31,2012 3:03 pm || Up

              Thats disgusting. A crime against style, labor, and humanity.

              In play, run(s)! Talk dirty to me gamecast, talk dirty. - Nevermoor
            • Kylianna May 31,2012 9:19 pm || Up

              …People get their hair cut?

              Weird.

  10. MikeV May 31,2012 10:50 am

    Wow. Way to come across as a douchebag jock, BA.

    The kids who were in the spelling bee when you were a kid are the ones paying your salary now.

    And I have to say: mikev is one of my favorite people on here -slusser.

    Thanks, and go As.

    • dmoas May 31,2012 10:54 am || Up

      Wow. Just… wow.

    • SPWC May 31,2012 10:56 am || Up

      Brett Anderson might be smarter and more well adjusted now if he had had an imaginary friend when he was younger.

      \"Weren\'t you already aware the Kay is already writing everyone\'s story? We\'re all just characters who believe we are real. Things make more sense now, don\'t they. Be honest.\"- DMOAS
      • Englishmajor May 31,2012 11:01 am || Up

        Well, in Brett’s defense, I’ve never seen him make a mistake in spelling on Twitter, which is rare. He may well have been a spelling-bee, imaginary-friend kind of kid himself.

        • SPWC May 31,2012 11:03 am || Up

          and since baseball players often grow up slowly compared to people who grow up in the real world, maybe he’s at that 14-year old phase of picking on his true self to enhance his public image.

          \"Weren\'t you already aware the Kay is already writing everyone\'s story? We\'re all just characters who believe we are real. Things make more sense now, don\'t they. Be honest.\"- DMOAS
        • beebo May 31,2012 11:21 am || Up

          iPhone autocorrect?

          • Englishmajor May 31,2012 11:22 am || Up

            If it’s working for him, it sure as hell isn’t for 95% of the people on Twitter.

            • AV May 31,2012 11:36 am || Up

              “i limen how he admitted it wasnt dbs halla bautista still blamed him.”

              *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
      • Mike Garza May 31,2012 11:56 am || Up

        When I was 4 I had an imaginary friend named Murphy. I think I settled on that name because my pop would yell it at the TV all the time, although it was usually preceded by the words “Goddamned”, “Worthless” and “Fucking” and followed up by “swinging at ball four!”

        My pop once called Storm Davis an asshole. On my birthday.
        • Mike Garza May 31,2012 11:59 am || Up

          (Of course, Dwayne would then make an amazing play in the field and all would be forgiven)

          My pop once called Storm Davis an asshole. On my birthday.
          • ozzman99 May 31,2012 8:25 pm || Up

            Dwayne Murphy is the reason I’m an A’s fan.

        • Future Ed May 31,2012 1:29 pm || Up

          mine were bee bee and house keeper.

          Bee bee drove a garbage truck

          I have $5. No I don\'t.
    • Leopold Bloom May 31,2012 12:22 pm || Up

      Why does this make him come across as a douchebag?

      • MikeV May 31,2012 12:44 pm || Up

        Douchebag jock, not just douchebag.

        I mean I guess it’s not totally necessary for him to make fun of “smart kids” all over twitter, but w/e

        And I have to say: mikev is one of my favorite people on here -slusser.

        Thanks, and go As.

        • JamesV May 31,2012 1:09 pm || Up

          Well, it never should have been on ESPN to begin with but that’s another story.

          • SPWC May 31,2012 2:44 pm || Up

            in the same way Little League World Series shouldn’t be on ESPN,
            or in the same way Poker shouldn’t be on ESPN?

            \"Weren\'t you already aware the Kay is already writing everyone\'s story? We\'re all just characters who believe we are real. Things make more sense now, don\'t they. Be honest.\"- DMOAS
            • MikeV May 31,2012 2:54 pm || Up

              Poker.

              Baseball is a sport, and dammit I friggin LOVE the LLWS. My little league team made the playoffs the year I was whatever age they have (12? 11?) go to Williamsport, man that was my dream to make it there.

              All the off the field (meta!) stuff is complete bullshit, but man… Little League FKing rocks.

              And I have to say: mikev is one of my favorite people on here -slusser.

              Thanks, and go As.

              • SPWC May 31,2012 3:01 pm || Up

                The thing I hate about televised poker is that reruns of it are used as filler programming. Also, except for WSOP action, it should be relegated to secondary channels.

                \"Weren\'t you already aware the Kay is already writing everyone\'s story? We\'re all just characters who believe we are real. Things make more sense now, don\'t they. Be honest.\"- DMOAS
            • JamesV May 31,2012 3:12 pm || Up

              There’s no reason the LLWS shouldn’t be shown. It’s an actual sport. Sitting there playing cards and spelling words are not sports.

              • SPWC May 31,2012 3:20 pm || Up

                Exposing kids to fame and/or failure on a national level at incredibly young ages used to be a halfway good reason not to show LLWS on national television, but it doesn’t hold much water anymore in our media-saturated environment.

                I’m not against poker, chess, strongman competitions, spelling bees, or occasional things like that being shown on ESPN during hours that would have otherwise been filled with worse garbage, like talking heads.

                \"Weren\'t you already aware the Kay is already writing everyone\'s story? We\'re all just characters who believe we are real. Things make more sense now, don\'t they. Be honest.\"- DMOAS
                • JamesV May 31,2012 3:27 pm || Up

                  A better solution is to just watch less ESPN.

              • dmoas May 31,2012 3:37 pm || Up

                Depends on how you define sports. Technically they’re both sports by the letter of the definition.

                • nevermoor May 31,2012 3:39 pm || Up

                  As long as you’re not planning to argue that figure skating is a sport, we can continue to have this discussion.

                  "There's never enough time to do all the nothing you want"
                • dmoas May 31,2012 3:41 pm || Up

                  I’m arguing everything can be a support, including sex. Don’t tell me that wouldn’t get killer TV ratings…

                • AV May 31,2012 3:45 pm || Up

                  there’s usually at least a hint of physical activity or athleticism in a definition of sports.

                  *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
                • MikeV May 31,2012 3:51 pm || Up

                  The first 3 words of the definition of sport are “an athletic activity”

                  Poker is not an athletic activity.

                  And I have to say: mikev is one of my favorite people on here -slusser.

                  Thanks, and go As.

                • FreeSeatUpgrade May 31,2012 4:05 pm || Up

                  They have to sit and concentrate for extended durations. Not terribly different than the definitions that allow auto racing into the conversation of what’s a “sport.”

                  (Which is basically just a semantic discussion anyway. Call them “competitions” and I’m just as happy to watch spelling bee, demolition derby, or Survivor and The Amazing Race).

                  "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
                • AV May 31,2012 4:09 pm || Up

                  o_O

                  car racing is brutal on the body. ask niki lauda.

                  ok, that was a cheap joke, but really, it’s physically demanding like all getout. hand-eye coordination in a confined space at 200mph with an error = possible death to one or more…

                  *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
                • FreeSeatUpgrade May 31,2012 5:12 pm || Up

                  Oh, I know. I’m a casual fan of some kinds of racing and have friends in the biz. I was just using it because MikeV is also a gearhead, and it served to make a more expansive point that the difference between sport and competition can be tricky, and is not terribly useful anyway.

                  "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
                • MikeV May 31,2012 11:30 pm || Up

                  One thing i could never imagine doing is racing motorcyles for a living.

                  Holy shit. talk about absolutely wiping you the FK out.

                  And I have to say: mikev is one of my favorite people on here -slusser.

                  Thanks, and go As.

                • ozzman99 May 31,2012 8:27 pm || Up

                  Not just that, but it requires quite a bit of strength and stamina (unless it’s Formula 1, then you just sit there for a couple of hours while the car drives itself).

                • AV May 31,2012 8:32 pm || Up

                  yeah, that’s the weird thing about F1… how does the car know that sometimes it’s gotta turn RIGHT??

                  *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
                • ozzman99 May 31,2012 8:34 pm || Up

                  Duh, it’s controlled by an engineer with an Xbox.

                • dmoas May 31,2012 4:07 pm || Up

                  Requiring physical strength, agility, or stamina (athletic). They do technically require stamina. Both are hard on endurance. It’s certainly not the most active thing, but there’s still a certain wear and tear.

                • MikeV May 31,2012 4:09 pm || Up

                  yes, but it’s mental not physical.

                  And I have to say: mikev is one of my favorite people on here -slusser.

                  Thanks, and go As.

                • dmoas May 31,2012 4:10 pm || Up

                  It’s both.

                • MikeV May 31,2012 4:19 pm || Up

                  Whatever. It’s a competition, not a sport.

                  And I have to say: mikev is one of my favorite people on here -slusser.

                  Thanks, and go As.

                • JamesV May 31,2012 4:45 pm || Up

                  What kind of stamina are we talking about? Sitting in one spot for hours? Great! Watching TV is a sport now!

                • AV May 31,2012 4:51 pm || Up

                  well… you gotta not fall asleep while being able to lose tons of money senselessly/endlessly. so a better parallel is, watching the shopping network is a sport now!

                  *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
                • dmoas May 31,2012 8:03 pm || Up

                  You’ve got to maintain focus on the cards in your hand, on the table, each other player on the table’s moves. You’ve got keep control of your own body language to make sure you’re not giving off a tell. And you have to do for half a day or more at times for sometimes multiple days in a row. It’s by no means the most physically strenuous activity, but to say it’s not at all, is just not true.

                • AV May 31,2012 8:20 pm || Up

                  opening a can of worms… is playing one hand of poker a sport? the way that the 100m is a sport even if there’s also a marathon to test one’s endurance? i might buy that it’s the endurance factor that elevates it to sports-level even if a few hands is just a game. but then i really start to see why it’s not easily taken as a sporty sport when there isn’t complicated by a counter-factor. in the running example, one factor is speed and the other is endurance. the 100 is 99% speed and 1% anaerobic endurance. the ‘thon is the opposite. the distances in between set the parameters at different levels of importance to test, say, a 10K, 40% speed and 60% endurance. or a 1000m at the opposite of that. so when you say that poker is a sport when this one requirement is met, that they can last long, it just feels little less than satisfying.

                  *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
                • Future Ed May 31,2012 8:29 pm || Up

                  playing poker is a long sit spoiled

                  I have $5. No I don\'t.
                • AV Jun 1,2012 8:45 am || Up

                  bed is happy you took the pressure off golf.

                  *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
                • JamesV May 31,2012 9:30 pm || Up

                  I’ll agree to disagree on this one. There’s nothing inherently athletic about any of that.

                • dmoas Jun 1,2012 7:53 am || Up

                  All tells are physical, controlling your tells is physical. All athletic means is that it requires an element of physicality. It’s certainly by no means the most physical of activities, but it does have an element that is. I’m not saying it is or isn’t a sport, simply that it follows the most basic definition for the word.

                • JamesV Jun 1,2012 8:03 am || Up

                  Well, I’m saying it’s not a sport. ;-)

                • SPWC Jun 1,2012 10:28 am || Up

                  And I guess I’m saying that sports and competitions are brothers, even if the competitions involve movement or the sports (auto racing) require little to none.

                  \"Weren\'t you already aware the Kay is already writing everyone\'s story? We\'re all just characters who believe we are real. Things make more sense now, don\'t they. Be honest.\"- DMOAS
                • JamesV Jun 1,2012 10:48 am || Up

                  There may be a relation, but whether it’s right or not I draw the line at physical exertion vs. skill alone.

                  Learning how not to give away clues about the poker hand you have is a skill, it’s not an athletic ability. Swinging a bat, shooting a basketball, throwing a football, shooting and passing a puck, boxing, etc. – those are all athletic abilities.

                  I’m on the fence about auto racing because when you get down to it the drivers aren’t doing anything except driving a car at very fast speeds. Yeah, it takes a certain type of skill to (usually) safely drive machines like those at the speeds they reach and yeah, there’s a certain endurance and fitness you need to be in to handle the demands on the body, but to me it’s more of a glorified skill put to an extreme.

                  If you want to connect the car to it like it’s a part of the whole, I guess you can. It’s not that far removed to me from horse racing, though. Take the smallest guys around, teach them how to ride a horse really well, know how to make them go fast and race. Yeah, you have to be fit and you’re controlling the “vehicle” but it’s the car or the horse that’s actually doing the real work.

                  I know there are some gray areas where people go “That’s not a real sport!” with stuff like bowling, golf or even tennis, but those still involve actually doing something physical in a traditional sense instead of sitting at a table, knowing card strategy and being careful not to give away what you’ve got.

                • SPWC Jun 1,2012 10:59 am || Up

                  I think what it comes down to is that you want to preserve the distinction between sport and competition whereas I’m down for turning the whole mess into purple PlayDoh.

                  \"Weren\'t you already aware the Kay is already writing everyone\'s story? We\'re all just characters who believe we are real. Things make more sense now, don\'t they. Be honest.\"- DMOAS
                • AV Jun 1,2012 11:07 am || Up

                  tennis isn’t a sport? first i heard of that one. point for point, it’d come out ahead of baseball. a serve is like a pitch (except you don’t have a guy dedicated to just doing that), a return is like hitting (except that you do it hundreds of times rather than 4-20ish bat-swings per game, AND you’re expected to hit the ball to within an inches of where you want it to be), there’s constant footwork (rather than once in a while), there’s strategy, there’s hours of endurance, there’s even yelling at the umpire…

                  i’m not arguing with you. i know you didn’t specifically endorse this view. but i’m reeling in my head that anybody would consider tennis not a sport.

                  *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
                • JamesV Jun 1,2012 11:10 am || Up

                  @SWPC Pretty much, I guess.

                  I don’t care for cheerleader competitions but at least that involves more athletic ability than poker or a spelling bee.

                • JamesV Jun 1,2012 11:16 am || Up

                  @AV I’ve seen it occasionally with tennis, especially with the lessening of the serve-and-volley game in favor of people just going side to side on the baseline whacking the ball back and forth, stuff like, “Oh, that’s not a real sport! All they do is smack the ball a bunch with a racket!”

                  It’s a stupid position to take.

                • Dial C for Concupiscence Jun 1,2012 11:41 am || Up

                  Yeah, I’ve never heard anyone argue that tennis isn’t a sport. I’ve heard the arguments against bowling and golf and such since there’s a lot of leisure and down time in between moments of effort, but tennis is nowhere near that category.

                  So, pretty much what AV said.

                • AV Jun 1,2012 11:47 am || Up

                  weird. i can see either purists saying that, invoking that the sport is devolving (which would be like, the live-ball era ruined the sport, all you gotta do is hit a home run), or people completely uninformed about what it takes to smack the ball a bunch of times (like, baseball’s not a real sport, all you gotta do is stand there and hit a home run).

                  *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
          • Kylianna May 31,2012 9:21 pm || Up

            It’s more of an ESPN2 sport.

            God, I miss when they used to broadcast Magic: the Gathering tournaments late at night on ESPN2.

            As someone who bets on the spelling bee every year, though, I’m glad to see it on ESPN. >:)

            • 5Aces Jun 1,2012 8:24 am || Up

              Connecting to a previous thread here..

              Fresno State’s baseball announcer (they play the Cardinal at sunken diamond tonight) was a participant, and later a comentator for the spelling bee.

              Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it? -Steve McCatty
        • Leopold Bloom May 31,2012 1:20 pm || Up

          How is that making fun of smart kids? Do more smart kids having imaginary friends or something or don’t stupid kids have them?

          • MikeV May 31,2012 1:26 pm || Up

            I dunno, what do you think the point of him saying it was? What sort of joke do you think he was implying?

            And I have to say: mikev is one of my favorite people on here -slusser.

            Thanks, and go As.

          • AV May 31,2012 1:28 pm || Up

            it’s making fun via the stereotype smart = socially awkward. NURDS!!! (sic)

            *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
            • MikeV May 31,2012 1:30 pm || Up

              I am reasonably sure Bloom knows this, I am trying to figure out the angle he’s playing by dragging this out.

              And I have to say: mikev is one of my favorite people on here -slusser.

              Thanks, and go As.

            • Glorious Mundy May 31,2012 1:33 pm || Up

              Thing is, though, I suspect that being a prepubescent spelling bee champ is less about smarts than it is about spending hours and hours poring over dictionaries and getting drilled by an overbearing parent on flash cards (though some level of smarts is certainly required). There’s a good chance that kids who reach that level spend less time playing with friends than do other similarly smart kids, and as a result end up socially awkward.

              That said, I’m not sure BA’s commentary was going further than “NNNNNNNNNNERDS.”

              • SPWC May 31,2012 2:46 pm || Up

                BA gets a party foul. JB gets a pass. Mr. Barfield likely meant what you elucidated.

                \"Weren\'t you already aware the Kay is already writing everyone\'s story? We\'re all just characters who believe we are real. Things make more sense now, don\'t they. Be honest.\"- DMOAS
              • jeepers May 31,2012 6:52 pm || Up

                Yep. Spelling has little to do with being smart, it has to do with memory.

                • beebo Jun 1,2012 8:07 am || Up

                  Maybe a little bit, but you also have to be cognizant of things like language of origin, etc.

                • DFA Jun 2,2012 12:38 pm || Up

                  I have a pretty good memory and score quite well on all the other standardized tests, but have never been able to spell my way out of a paper bag.

                  In play, run(s)! Talk dirty to me gamecast, talk dirty. - Nevermoor
      • DFA May 31,2012 3:07 pm || Up

        yeah making fun of kids for being nerdy isn’t what i would call being anti douche

        In play, run(s)! Talk dirty to me gamecast, talk dirty. - Nevermoor
        • Leopold Bloom May 31,2012 4:36 pm || Up

          I still don’t get how he’s saying anything about anyone being nerdy. But w/e.

    • jeepers May 31,2012 6:54 pm || Up

      It comes off as douchey to me, but only because making fun of kids for any reason is douchey. They’re kids, for fuck’s sake.

  11. Jennifer May 31,2012 11:11 am

    ANOTHER off day? Lazy bitches.

    • lynnzgal May 31,2012 11:12 am || Up

      Yeah, but they have to play on the weekend, when we get to be lazy bitches, so it evens out.

  12. SPWC May 31,2012 11:26 am

    Sugar= Bloom poison. Testosterone= SPWC poison.

    Cortisol= Wistful Witch poison?

    \"Weren\'t you already aware the Kay is already writing everyone\'s story? We\'re all just characters who believe we are real. Things make more sense now, don\'t they. Be honest.\"- DMOAS
    • wistful witch May 31,2012 12:05 pm || Up

      whoa.

      • SPWC May 31,2012 1:01 pm || Up

        sorry if it was offensive and/or you’re welcome if it’s vaguely helpful

        \"Weren\'t you already aware the Kay is already writing everyone\'s story? We\'re all just characters who believe we are real. Things make more sense now, don\'t they. Be honest.\"- DMOAS
  13. Englishmajor May 31,2012 11:27 am

    My colleague who does the news blog here just told me, “We’ve got to get you blogging more, you’re a natural”. (Because I suggested that he post Tom Lehrer singing the elements with the announcement that Livermorium has been officially added to the periodic table.

    • SPWC May 31,2012 11:31 am || Up

      Somebody should mash up Tom Lehrer and Ken Nordine and make some sort of crazy-ass battle rap song.

      \"Weren\'t you already aware the Kay is already writing everyone\'s story? We\'re all just characters who believe we are real. Things make more sense now, don\'t they. Be honest.\"- DMOAS
  14. MikeV May 31,2012 11:35 am

    and… another one

    And I have to say: mikev is one of my favorite people on here -slusser.

    Thanks, and go As.

    • dmoas May 31,2012 11:36 am || Up

      Much less insensitive and probably more than enough true. But then 95% of kids today probably need to do that.

      • AV May 31,2012 11:44 am || Up

        didn’t i see a billboard in oakland recently advocating for kids to go outside and play? that’s pretty funny/sad when you gotta ply a kid to do that.

        *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
      • jeepers May 31,2012 6:55 pm || Up

        Nail on the head. I wish I was less of a nerd and spent more time outside when I was their age, and I still probably spent more time outside than today’s kids do.

    • FreeSeatUpgrade May 31,2012 11:47 am || Up

      The issue which always concerns me most is home schooling, which is the background of a very high propotion of these top spellers. I always worry that home schooled kids miss out on crucial lessons in socialization. Though I really have nothing but gut feeling to base that on.

      "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
      • AV May 31,2012 11:52 am || Up

        y’all seen that spelling bee doco?

        *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
      • Leopold Bloom May 31,2012 12:23 pm || Up

        South Park.

      • Future Ed May 31,2012 1:41 pm || Up

        a cousin of mine has been a superintendent in several districts in CA.

        His kids were home schooled.

        I have $5. No I don\'t.
        • WaddellCanseco May 31,2012 2:12 pm || Up

          That’s sad

          • Future Ed May 31,2012 2:15 pm || Up

            very much so.

            never understood it, even when he was a teacher, then principal, his kids stayed with their mother, a certified teacher, homeschooling.

            I think the explanation was that public school too unchristian or something

            I have $5. No I don\'t.
      • Kylianna May 31,2012 9:25 pm || Up

        My best friend was an RA in college.

        As someone who had to drive her to bail an oddly high number of homeschooled kids out of jail for getting waaaaay too crazy, and hearing the batshit parents on the answering machines wanting Status Updates on their children, I have plenty of anecdotal evidence.

        Also about parents who try to force their kids to be on an all girls’ floor in college dorms.

        Public school taught me to make shivs. I’m cool with that education.

        • MikeV May 31,2012 11:31 pm || Up

          I would love to be on an all girls floor in a college dorm.

          And I have to say: mikev is one of my favorite people on here -slusser.

          Thanks, and go As.

          • jeepers Jun 1,2012 8:11 am || Up

            My college had coed restrooms. That was one my parents had a hard time wrapping their head around.

            • Kylianna Jun 2,2012 2:20 am || Up

              I was a big fan of co-ed restrooms. Easy to keep up a conversation with someone even if you were both heading to brush your teeth.

          • DFA Jun 2,2012 12:41 pm || Up

            My freshman year my mom and my aunt drove me to school and dropped me off. As were moving things up from the van my aunt realizes that my roommate and I are the only guys on half the floor and are surounded by like 10 girl rooms and she says ” I DIDN”T APPROVE THIS.” Everyone laughed.

            Its a great idea untill you fuck the girls who live next door to you. Then its a terrible idea.

            In play, run(s)! Talk dirty to me gamecast, talk dirty. - Nevermoor
            • nevermoor Jun 2,2012 2:44 pm || Up

              Exactly. I think it’s a great low-risk object lesson in the importance of not shitting where you eat.

              "There's never enough time to do all the nothing you want"
              • DFA Jun 3,2012 11:47 am || Up

                I wouldn’t call it low risk. Second, I didn’t learn that lesson.

                In play, run(s)! Talk dirty to me gamecast, talk dirty. - Nevermoor
    • Leopold Bloom May 31,2012 12:23 pm || Up

      I’m afraid I am completely lost, here. Why are either of these things mean or bad?

      • dmoas May 31,2012 12:50 pm || Up

        The first one is making fun of them for basically having no friends so they have to make them up. The second one, not really sure it’s making fun of them per se, just more pointing out a truism that probably didn’t need to be directly picking out spelling bee kids.

        • wacchampions May 31,2012 1:14 pm || Up

          Man, I’m sorry, but I just really didnt read that much into it, it didnt sound to me like they were making fun of anyone..

          • Leopold Bloom May 31,2012 1:21 pm || Up

            me, neither. Like, at all.

            • Future Ed May 31,2012 1:44 pm || Up

              Brett’s was meaner. Prolly unnecessary.

              I have $5. No I don\'t.
              • dmoas May 31,2012 2:01 pm || Up

                Brett’s was below the belt. Jeremy? Meh. Not a biggie. Neither are horribly offensive, but Brett probably shouldn’t have said it. It failed on the funny while trying to poke fun. Not a good combo.

                • Future Ed May 31,2012 2:03 pm || Up

                  yeah. that sounds right.

                  I have $5. No I don\'t.
                • SPWC May 31,2012 2:50 pm || Up

                  Mr. Anderson could possibly redeem himself by tweeting about his own childhood imaginary friend, if he indeed had one or was brilliant enough to tell a plausible story on the spot.

                  \"Weren\'t you already aware the Kay is already writing everyone\'s story? We\'re all just characters who believe we are real. Things make more sense now, don\'t they. Be honest.\"- DMOAS
                • dmoas May 31,2012 3:38 pm || Up

                  He needs to post a picture of himself with his imaginary friend.

                • Future Ed May 31,2012 3:51 pm || Up

                  he has already. Got him in trouble

                  I have $5. No I don\'t.
    • Jennifer May 31,2012 12:33 pm || Up

      They can study outside.

      • Future Ed May 31,2012 1:45 pm || Up

        My grandmother told my mother to stop reading and go outside when my mother was about 11.

        Its why the sole picture of my mom from her childhood is of her standing on the driveway with her nose in a book.

        I have $5. No I don\'t.
  15. Englishmajor May 31,2012 11:43 am

    Guys need to wash their hands, study shows.

    “This study provides detailed baseline information about the rich bacterial communities in typical office settings and insight into the sources of these organisms,” he said.

    • 5Aces May 31,2012 1:08 pm || Up

      When the next resistant strain of killer flu comes and starts wiping out every un-snot nosed anti-bacterial fetish person around, I will have the last laugh. But I won’t high five the other survivors because lets face it, they have more disgusting hands than I do..

      Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it? -Steve McCatty
    • beebo May 31,2012 1:20 pm || Up

      I try not to think too hard about the butt germs floating around me at work.

      • lynnzgal May 31,2012 1:40 pm || Up

        I made the mistake of reading that, in my office, during lunch.

  16. JamesV May 31,2012 1:10 pm

    • Future Ed May 31,2012 1:48 pm || Up

      is that parker who can’t stop talking to the runner?

      I have $5. No I don\'t.
      • wacchampions May 31,2012 2:04 pm || Up

        Its probably Luke Hughes….he usually plays 3rd

        • Future Ed May 31,2012 2:07 pm || Up

          wearing #5 so people compare him to brooks robinson?

          I have $5. No I don\'t.
      • AV May 31,2012 2:20 pm || Up

        getting ready for the show… (talking to imaginary A’s fan!!!)

        *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
    • JamesV May 31,2012 2:18 pm || Up

      As for Doolittle, he’s routinely hitting 94/95 with his fastball and…well, here:

      http://www.sacbee.com/2012/05/31/4527367/doolittle-back-with-river-cats.html

      • SPWC May 31,2012 2:52 pm || Up

        I don’t think you’re going to be taking pictures of Doolittle for much longer. Maybe not even next homestand.

        \"Weren\'t you already aware the Kay is already writing everyone\'s story? We\'re all just characters who believe we are real. Things make more sense now, don\'t they. Be honest.\"- DMOAS
        • JamesV May 31,2012 3:13 pm || Up

          It’ll probably depend on those secondary pitches of his.

          • SPWC May 31,2012 3:27 pm || Up

            You might be right, but with gas like that, I figure he could be up in the bigs, working on his breaking/offspeed stuff with Curt Young in side sessions.

            I can’t help but think of him like a quickly fattening pond catfish for some reason. I’m not a cannibal or anything. The A’s front office might be.

            \"Weren\'t you already aware the Kay is already writing everyone\'s story? We\'re all just characters who believe we are real. Things make more sense now, don\'t they. Be honest.\"- DMOAS
  17. JamesV May 31,2012 1:11 pm

  18. JamesV May 31,2012 1:11 pm

    • jeepers May 31,2012 7:20 pm || Up

      I like the simplicity of his mechanics. I wonder if his offspeed stuff has developed since I saw him in spring training. It had promise, but was rough around the edges. I remember how off guard all the scouts I sat with were caught by him, though. Heard two or three guys go, “Who is that?”

  19. JamesV May 31,2012 1:11 pm

    • jeepers May 31,2012 7:23 pm || Up

      Surprised at how much shit he took from the fans. I guess I shouldn’t be.

  20. MikeV May 31,2012 1:22 pm

    DFABait

    And I have to say: mikev is one of my favorite people on here -slusser.

    Thanks, and go As.

    • jeepers May 31,2012 6:56 pm || Up

      Does DFA like McLousy? I’m so out of the loop.

      • MikeV May 31,2012 11:32 pm || Up

        He was one of DFA’s reclamation project trade targets a year or two ago.

        And I have to say: mikev is one of my favorite people on here -slusser.

        Thanks, and go As.

        • DFA Jun 2,2012 12:42 pm || Up

          yup. yup.

          In play, run(s)! Talk dirty to me gamecast, talk dirty. - Nevermoor
  21. MikeV May 31,2012 1:33 pm

    I lol.

    95.7 The Game
    Something BIG is coming to 95.7 The Game next week. We’ll tell you today at 5pm. Any guesses?

    T.D. Morgan
    A’s coverage?
    18 minutes ago · Unlike · 9

    And I have to say: mikev is one of my favorite people on here -slusser.

    Thanks, and go As.

    • Englishmajor May 31,2012 5:07 pm || Up

      Starting Monday, Tierney and Davis have lengthy chats with sports team officials. Monday Larry Baer. Thursday Lew Wolff. Pray for sunspots.

    • Englishmajor May 31,2012 5:07 pm || Up

      (and I LOLd too)

  22. nevermoor May 31,2012 2:18 pm

    Aardvark: Do you know who this Sandor Kopitz guy is in our keeper league (the Marlins)?

    Dude just will NOT stop offering the most bafflingly-stupid trades (like, just now, Sands/Amarista/Arias for Altuve). Even after he asks what my price is and I tell him.

    "There's never enough time to do all the nothing you want"
    • aardvark May 31,2012 2:31 pm || Up

      No idea. There’s some real weirdo’s in that league.

      • aardvark May 31,2012 2:33 pm || Up

        No idea why I added an apostrophe in weirdos. Maybe I’m one of them.

        • MikeV May 31,2012 2:35 pm || Up

          What league is this

          And I have to say: mikev is one of my favorite people on here -slusser.

          Thanks, and go As.

          • nevermoor May 31,2012 2:59 pm || Up

            Keeper league that Aa’s friend started.

            "There's never enough time to do all the nothing you want"
            • aardvark May 31,2012 3:11 pm || Up

              I’ve never actually met Jack, although I’ve played against him in a different league for a few years.

  23. Glorious Mundy May 31,2012 2:39 pm
    • SPWC May 31,2012 2:56 pm || Up

      I watched that game. Tom Paciorek was in the booth so I had the sound on for much of it. Hawk lost his shit, and rightfully so. There should have been a warning earlier in the game.

      \"Weren\'t you already aware the Kay is already writing everyone\'s story? We\'re all just characters who believe we are real. Things make more sense now, don\'t they. Be honest.\"- DMOAS
      • JamesV May 31,2012 3:16 pm || Up

        I disagree about him rightfully losing his shit over whether or not a warning was issued.

        Pierzynski (what a surprise) started all of this previously with a very late, spikes-high slide at second that was clearly to get Zobrist. I mean, the slide was begun when he was no more than a handful of feet from the bag. Then he got plunked the next game.

        Perhaps warnings should have been issued there, but it was also reasonable to assume that it was in retaliation for the slide before. Then Quintana throws behind the batter. That’s obviously a message itself, and whether warnings were given or not I don’t blame Wegner for tossing him.

        The whole rant against Wegner, especially the “He doesn’t understand the game!” stuff was flat out embarrassing and Harrelson should be fined for it. If managers and players get fined for running down umpires, no reason an outburst that bad should be any different. I don’t care if it’s Hawk being Hawk.

        • SPWC May 31,2012 3:30 pm || Up

          The “doesn’t understand the game” stuff was bad, I agree. However, there should have been a warning after the first HBP.

          I think warnings should precede ejections, as a strong rule of thumb.

          IIRC, the Pierzynski slide was in a previous game of the series. Umpires can’t let that stuff carry on from one game to the next.

          \"Weren\'t you already aware the Kay is already writing everyone\'s story? We\'re all just characters who believe we are real. Things make more sense now, don\'t they. Be honest.\"- DMOAS
          • dmoas May 31,2012 3:40 pm || Up

            Nah, umps don’t actually have to give a warning. That tends to just to be a courtesy most of the time. When it’s absolutely blatant and intentional, he gone.

          • nevermoor May 31,2012 3:42 pm || Up

            Sure they can.

            Hard slide by known asshole, fine.
            HBP to known asshole (away from the head), fine.
            Pitch behind (but not hitting) non-asshole team, should be fine too.

            I don’t like tossing the Sox pitcher for not hitting anyone. If you leave him in and the next pitch hits, then (1) it’s clearly intentional and (2) he’s going to get both ejected and suspended.

            "There's never enough time to do all the nothing you want"
          • Future Ed May 31,2012 3:53 pm || Up

            I don’t think there needs to be. the ump handled it well. let AJ get hit. Frontier justice is done.

            Going after zobrist again is starting it back up

            I have $5. No I don\'t.
            • SPWC May 31,2012 4:05 pm || Up

              Maybe I missed something, I thought 2 White Sox got hit before 1 missed toss at a Ray got the pitcher tossed. If it was 1 and 1, then Hawk was wrong on all fronts.

              \"Weren\'t you already aware the Kay is already writing everyone\'s story? We\'re all just characters who believe we are real. Things make more sense now, don\'t they. Be honest.\"- DMOAS
              • Future Ed May 31,2012 7:30 pm || Up

                my understanding is 1+1 + Ray, but I could be wrong. if I am, th eWS have a better argument.

                Hawk is still dumb

                I have $5. No I don\'t.
  24. aardvark May 31,2012 2:45 pm

    The guy behind Beanball has been writing over at BP and did a chat today:

    Ben (California): Thanks for the chat. I think the A’s should sign Moyer now that the Rockies released him. How much worse could he be than Graham God(awful)frey? And at least it would be fun, right?

    Jason Wojciechowski: I am more for this than I realized I would be. I’d root pretty hard for Moyer, and it’s not like it could hurt.

    • Dial C for Concupiscence May 31,2012 2:53 pm || Up

      I see no downside at all to signing Moyer until Braden and/or Anderson are ready to come back. Plus, I’m ready to have a player on the A’s that I can root wildly for.

      • SPWC May 31,2012 3:03 pm || Up

        I think that every shitty team in the league with a rotation opening should consider helping Jamie Moyer go out on Steve Carlton terms.

        I hope it’s our shitty team, but as long as somebody steps up, I’ll be happy.

        \"Weren\'t you already aware the Kay is already writing everyone\'s story? We\'re all just characters who believe we are real. Things make more sense now, don\'t they. Be honest.\"- DMOAS
        • Kylianna May 31,2012 9:28 pm || Up

          Totally agreed.

          I think Moyer should stay in the game for as long as he damn well pleases.

          I want him to break 10% of all batters ever.

          • SPWC May 31,2012 9:30 pm || Up

            That would be awesome.

            You’re awesome too.

            \"Weren\'t you already aware the Kay is already writing everyone\'s story? We\'re all just characters who believe we are real. Things make more sense now, don\'t they. Be honest.\"- DMOAS
          • JamesV May 31,2012 9:31 pm || Up

            Then he’s better off going to another AL West team so he’ll face the A’s a few times.

            • SPWC May 31,2012 9:39 pm || Up

              I’d like to see him sign with the Padres if the A’s don’t get him.

              \"Weren\'t you already aware the Kay is already writing everyone\'s story? We\'re all just characters who believe we are real. Things make more sense now, don\'t they. Be honest.\"- DMOAS
  25. nevermoor May 31,2012 3:53 pm

    Attaboy Bill.

    Former President Bill Clinton has decided to go to Wisconsin to campaign against Scott Walker in the final days of the battle over whether to recall the Wisconsin Governor

    "There's never enough time to do all the nothing you want"
  26. lenscrafters May 31,2012 4:03 pm

    The second wild card will affect the number of sellers at the trade deadline. There will definitely be fewer teams that are completely out of contention, which may make it quite a sellers market. I suppose that’s a bright side to being irrelevant before mid June.

    And the Cubs are supposedly making Starlin Castro available for “two impact prospects”. Wow, just two?

    • nevermoor May 31,2012 4:07 pm || Up

      Ummm… WANT

      "There's never enough time to do all the nothing you want"
      • lenscrafters May 31,2012 4:15 pm || Up

        Definitely sounds too good to believe. Castro is someone teams should be willing to trade 3 or 4 blue chip prospects for.

        • jeepers May 31,2012 6:57 pm || Up

          It is, subsequent reports refute this notion entirely.

          • lenscrafters May 31,2012 7:05 pm || Up

            Darn. I had thought that Hendry acquired a Theo costume and snuck into the Cubs executive offices for a day.

      • DFA May 31,2012 4:20 pm || Up

        why? hes not going to play SS much longer and hes going to get expensive.

        In play, run(s)! Talk dirty to me gamecast, talk dirty. - Nevermoor
        • MikeV May 31,2012 4:22 pm || Up

          Remind me how many 22 year old shortstops who are MLB caliber we have?

          And I have to say: mikev is one of my favorite people on here -slusser.

          Thanks, and go As.

          • DFA Jun 2,2012 12:45 pm || Up

            0

            Are we going to be good in the next 3 years? Not to my knowledge. Hes going to be very expensive as he goes through arby for the first time next year for all the reasons mentioned below.

            In play, run(s)! Talk dirty to me gamecast, talk dirty. - Nevermoor
        • lenscrafters May 31,2012 4:25 pm || Up

          Early returns on his defense are good this year. It might not mean anything but it’s not unheard of for 22 year olds to become more polished defensively as they mature.

          He’s accumulated nearly 6 fWAR before the age of 22. That puts him in the company of Justin Upton and lots of other favorable comps.

          • jeepers May 31,2012 6:58 pm || Up

            He certainly has the physical tools to stick at shortstop. Still, we are never getting him in a million years, and neither is anyone else.

            • DFA Jun 2,2012 12:47 pm || Up

              Have you seen his ass and legs? I don’t think that screams physical tools to stick long term at SS

              In play, run(s)! Talk dirty to me gamecast, talk dirty. - Nevermoor
              • MikeV Jun 2,2012 1:01 pm || Up

                Cool. Put him at 3B.

                And I have to say: mikev is one of my favorite people on here -slusser.

                Thanks, and go As.

              • Glorious Mundy Jun 2,2012 2:04 pm || Up

                Tempted now to head down to Coke Bottle Park tonight to check out Starlin’s ass.

                • DFA Jun 2,2012 2:15 pm || Up

                  doooo it. its a thick ass rather than a high ass.

                  In play, run(s)! Talk dirty to me gamecast, talk dirty. - Nevermoor
                • nevermoor Jun 2,2012 2:45 pm || Up

                  high ass

                  What is DFA’s arguing style?

                  "There's never enough time to do all the nothing you want"
                • DFA Jun 3,2012 11:48 am || Up

                  #WIN

                  In play, run(s)! Talk dirty to me gamecast, talk dirty. - Nevermoor
                • nevermoor Jun 3,2012 3:47 pm || Up

                  love you

                  "There's never enough time to do all the nothing you want"
                • DFA Jun 4,2012 11:21 pm || Up

                  lof you back.

                  In play, run(s)! Talk dirty to me gamecast, talk dirty. - Nevermoor
                • DFA Jun 2,2012 2:15 pm || Up

                  KG and Prof Parks had a long talk on their podcast about his ass about two years ago.

                  In play, run(s)! Talk dirty to me gamecast, talk dirty. - Nevermoor
          • DFA Jun 2,2012 12:47 pm || Up

            Im not saying hes a bad player. Just that he won’t be as valuable going forward to a team like the A’s.

            In play, run(s)! Talk dirty to me gamecast, talk dirty. - Nevermoor
        • nevermoor May 31,2012 5:10 pm || Up

          Pennington to Castro would be a significant portion of a rebuild in and of itself. And we have no internal replacement.

          "There's never enough time to do all the nothing you want"
          • DFA Jun 2,2012 12:48 pm || Up

            How so? You are taking away two or three premium prospects from a team full of holes and getting back a good but about to be expensive ss.

            In play, run(s)! Talk dirty to me gamecast, talk dirty. - Nevermoor
            • nevermoor Jun 2,2012 2:45 pm || Up

              Yeah, but all our prospects suck anyway. And I’m talking two, not three.

              "There's never enough time to do all the nothing you want"
              • DFA Jun 3,2012 11:49 am || Up

                Ironically its why the whole thing is irrelevant. Trade specs for castro, he gets expensive and there isn’t enough around him to win: #fail. Don’t trade specs for castro, specs aren’t good enough to win: #fail. Now for an impact player like Che I would be willing to do it, because hes a difference maker.

                In play, run(s)! Talk dirty to me gamecast, talk dirty. - Nevermoor
                • MikeV Jun 3,2012 3:25 pm || Up

                  Watching Castro instead of Pennington. #win

                  And I have to say: mikev is one of my favorite people on here -slusser.

                  Thanks, and go As.

                • DFA Jun 4,2012 11:22 pm || Up

                  This is true.

                  In play, run(s)! Talk dirty to me gamecast, talk dirty. - Nevermoor
                • Future Ed Jun 4,2012 11:36 pm || Up

                  pennington can count to 3.

                  I have $5. No I don\'t.
                • nevermoor Jun 4,2012 11:54 pm || Up

                  1, 2, 3 strikes he’s out.

                  "There's never enough time to do all the nothing you want"
                • ptbnl Jun 5,2012 12:34 am || Up

                  … at the old baaalllllll game.

                  If this is His will, He's a son of a bitch.
                • nevermoor Jun 3,2012 3:48 pm || Up

                  If he keeps to this trajectory, we could also move him a few deadlines from now.

                  But it would definitely run contrary to the tank-for-picks strategy

                  "There's never enough time to do all the nothing you want"
                • MikeV Jun 3,2012 4:25 pm || Up

                  As would Theth Thmith, bringing back Coco, signing Gomes, etc.

                  And I have to say: mikev is one of my favorite people on here -slusser.

                  Thanks, and go As.

    • dmoas May 31,2012 4:10 pm || Up

      What kind of impact do they want?

  27. SPWC May 31,2012 4:33 pm

    I just deleted my facebook account. It felt liberating.

    \"Weren\'t you already aware the Kay is already writing everyone\'s story? We\'re all just characters who believe we are real. Things make more sense now, don\'t they. Be honest.\"- DMOAS
    • gonealookin May 31,2012 4:44 pm || Up

      A lot of times an IPO signifies that the owners of the enterprise feel they have a brief, fleeting opportunity to squeeze blood from the turnip.

      What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
      • SPWC May 31,2012 4:46 pm || Up

        If I want blood squeezed from my turnip, I’ll just go back to the piercing shop, TYVM!

        \"Weren\'t you already aware the Kay is already writing everyone\'s story? We\'re all just characters who believe we are real. Things make more sense now, don\'t they. Be honest.\"- DMOAS
    • Glorious Mundy May 31,2012 5:20 pm || Up

      You broke Facebook.

      • wistful witch May 31,2012 5:21 pm || Up

        she totally did!

      • lynnzgal May 31,2012 5:22 pm || Up

        I had this very thought.

        • AV May 31,2012 6:12 pm || Up

          OMG, it’s broke! we’re ALL free!!!!

          *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
          • AV May 31,2012 6:15 pm || Up

            Got EOF while waiting for outstanding responses > failed to establish etc. etc.

            *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
    • colin May 31,2012 7:06 pm || Up

      I want to do that! I just worry that I’m going to miss out on invitations to events where the organizers are too lazy to do anything other than invite their entire friends list.

      • lynnzgal May 31,2012 7:08 pm || Up

        That is the downside.

        • lynnzgal May 31,2012 8:22 pm || Up

          And I’m not calling anyone I know lazy here. But I do miss when facebook didn’t drive who we communicate with, or when we make an effort to do so.

      • dmoas May 31,2012 8:08 pm || Up

        I’d miss the great poke off of 2012.

  28. Glorious Mundy May 31,2012 6:02 pm

    • jeepers May 31,2012 6:59 pm || Up

      I would like to wear Mrs. McCarthy as a hat.

      • Jennifer May 31,2012 7:08 pm || Up

        Well, that seems impractical.

        • Glorious Mundy May 31,2012 7:11 pm || Up

          You know, she balances on your head just like a mattress balances on a bottle of wine.

        • jeepers May 31,2012 7:11 pm || Up

          It’s a cross I’m willing to bear.

      • lynnzgal May 31,2012 7:09 pm || Up

        I am quite sure you are not alone. :D

      • dmoas May 31,2012 8:09 pm || Up

        I’d rather wear her as an apron.

        • jeepers May 31,2012 8:56 pm || Up

          You, sir, are a gentleman and a scholar.

      • MikeV May 31,2012 11:34 pm || Up

        OK, I’ll be the one that says it:

        I’d wear her like a feedbag.

        And I have to say: mikev is one of my favorite people on here -slusser.

        Thanks, and go As.

        • AV May 31,2012 11:38 pm || Up

          i’ve been waiting all night for someone to go overboard so that “i’d like to wear her like a condom” sounds somewhat… well i don’t know what. at the very least, not equine.

          *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
          • MikeV May 31,2012 11:40 pm || Up

            Someone had to do it.

            And I have to say: mikev is one of my favorite people on here -slusser.

            Thanks, and go As.

        • 5Aces Jun 1,2012 8:29 am || Up

          As Reddick’s mouthguard TYVM.

          Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it? -Steve McCatty
    • Kylianna Jun 1,2012 7:23 am || Up

      This conversation isn’t getting gross at all. Nope.

    • DFA Jun 2,2012 12:49 pm || Up

      OK now sign him to a long term extension now that we know his position on Cardis

      In play, run(s)! Talk dirty to me gamecast, talk dirty. - Nevermoor
  29. FreeSeatUpgrade May 31,2012 6:46 pm

    Today is Spelling Bee news, I learned that “Harengiform” is a word. Having the shape of a herring.

    "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
    • AV May 31,2012 6:48 pm || Up

      so what’s that disease called where herring-shaped things get spongy brains?

      *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
    • lynnzgal May 31,2012 6:49 pm || Up

      Spelling Bees are awesome like that!

    • jeepers May 31,2012 7:00 pm || Up

      I thought it was a trendy way that Dan Haren requested an electronic picture.

    • Jennifer May 31,2012 7:00 pm || Up

      Huh. I thought for sure that was something taking the shape of two former A’s pitchers.

      • jeepers May 31,2012 7:05 pm || Up
        • Jennifer May 31,2012 7:10 pm || Up

          Horseshit!

        • Kylianna May 31,2012 9:31 pm || Up

          You take away my giant face-sized Diet Coke, and I WILL CUT YOU.

        • beebo Jun 1,2012 8:20 am || Up

          I hate soda, so I really don’t care too much about this.

          However, in the event that this happens and you’re really jonesing for a lot of Sierra Mist, there’s nothing to stop you from buying more than one drink, even if the size is capped at 16 oz. That means more trash for New York, hooray!

          Meanwhile, I’m going to head down the street to pick up my free Donut Day donut.

        • nevermoor Jun 1,2012 10:21 am || Up

          My understanding is that it’s a restriction that could actually work.

          "There's never enough time to do all the nothing you want"
          • SPWC Jun 1,2012 10:31 am || Up

            Is NYC going to ban refills and front-of-counter soda machines too?

            \"Weren\'t you already aware the Kay is already writing everyone\'s story? We\'re all just characters who believe we are real. Things make more sense now, don\'t they. Be honest.\"- DMOAS
            • nevermoor Jun 1,2012 10:48 am || Up

              No. But proportion sizes matter.

              Give me a 32 oz cup and I’ll drink 32-64 oz. Give me a 16 oz cup and there’s no way I’m filling it four times.

              "There's never enough time to do all the nothing you want"
              • colin Jun 1,2012 11:01 am || Up

                Yeah, I’ve seen several articles complaining that it’s unenforceable, etc. But I think the whole idea is just to change the default behavior and 98% of people will go along with that. I still don’t know if it’s a particularly good idea, but I do believe that it will change people’s habits.

                • JamesV Jun 1,2012 11:12 am || Up

                  It’ll lead to smaller amounts of soda being consumed in the long run. If you walk into McDonald’s and get a huge cup of soda, even if you don’t finish it before you leave chances are you’re going to top it off before you go and drink the rest of it once you get home.

                  If you start with a small cup maybe you refill it before you go but you’re probably not making multiple trips to the soda fountain.

                  It’s even better if it’s a drive-thru since you aren’t getting a refill at all.

                • AV Jun 1,2012 11:17 am || Up

                  i enjoy that in some countries small glasses are a social default at home and in restaurants. even if you end up drinking a couple liters of beer or coke through the night, you do it small pours at a time. and you share.

                  *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
                • jeepers Jun 1,2012 11:23 am || Up

                  Drive-thru is not a scenario that would happen in NYC.

                  I think it will work, I’m just not sure I’m OK with being how big of a soda I’m allowed to drink.

                • SPWC Jun 1,2012 11:41 am || Up

                  I would like to argue the “This is a needless restriction on individual liberties; This is an invasive meddling proto-prohibition that might hurt small businesses and likely will only negligibly affect public health; Michael Bloomberg is an egotistical jerk who likes to FK with people he finds unseemly” suite in honor of Tutu-Late.

                  \"Weren\'t you already aware the Kay is already writing everyone\'s story? We\'re all just characters who believe we are real. Things make more sense now, don\'t they. Be honest.\"- DMOAS
                • nevermoor Jun 1,2012 11:47 am || Up

                  How will it hurt businesses?

                  And why assume negligible impact?

                  "There's never enough time to do all the nothing you want"
                • Dial C for Concupiscence Jun 1,2012 12:00 pm || Up

                  1. The argument would be that soda sales are almost pure profit, so by limiting the sizes business can sell and transferring the consumption from “purchase a giant size” to a refill-driven style, that’s taking money away from businesses. I guess businesses could start charging a small fee for refills, but that’s a whole nother hassle in and of itself for both consumers and businesses.

                  2. Here, I think the argument would be that there’s no way to know how much less soda will be drunk as a direct result of the legislation (and what ultimate impact on health that reduction will have), so the infringement on liberty is unjustified. Personally, I don’t know if I’d assume negligible impact, but I wouldn’t assume a huge impact either.

                  To weigh in on this, I’m not a fan of paternalistic laws pretty much across the board, but this one is ultimately pretty minor. People can still drink all the soda they want in a single sitting, it’s just more of a hassle to do so. If they banned big sizes and limited refills or something, then I would be firmly against it. I would probably vote against it if I were voting, but I’m not overly upset that it exists.

                • SPWC Jun 1,2012 12:11 pm || Up

                  #1 is important. Soda machines are small business money trees.

                  \"Weren\'t you already aware the Kay is already writing everyone\'s story? We\'re all just characters who believe we are real. Things make more sense now, don\'t they. Be honest.\"- DMOAS
                • nevermoor Jun 1,2012 12:29 pm || Up

                  So instead of selling a 32 ounce drink for $1.50, you sell a 16 ounce one for the same price.

                  "There's never enough time to do all the nothing you want"
                • SPWC Jun 1,2012 12:43 pm || Up

                  That’s what they’ll have to do, pretty much. I would also think that savvy small businesses would cut out any cup sizes under 16oz as well, because that way they can overcharge customers who plan to consume less than 16oz of soda as well as ensure a higher base price for budget minded refill whores (the bane of any soda jerk worth hir salt)

                  \"Weren\'t you already aware the Kay is already writing everyone\'s story? We\'re all just characters who believe we are real. Things make more sense now, don\'t they. Be honest.\"- DMOAS
                • jeepers Jun 1,2012 12:42 pm || Up

                  That’s a pretty reasoned response. I wonder what the environmental impact of more, smaller containers will be.

                • nevermoor Jun 1,2012 12:49 pm || Up

                  Does NYC have SF-esque rules on containers? If so, minimal.

                  "There's never enough time to do all the nothing you want"
                • Kylianna Jun 2,2012 2:25 am || Up

                  What about places that make you pay for refills? This is gonna change the business model for some places or cost consumers money. And given that they’ll likely just charge the same amount for a smaller size cup, it just means consumers are gonna get fucked yet again during hard financial times.

                  It’s just so fucking patronizing that I can’t even stand it. Normally I’m pro-government involvement but this is just ridiculous. Especially since they’re not gonna do jack-all about the face-sized 700 calorie frappucinos that you can suck down just as easily.

                  If this comes to California, I will be pissed, since if it effects the availability of self-serve soda fountains, I WILL DESTROY. No one gets between me and my 60% Diet Coke/40% Mr. Pibb.

                • DFA Jun 2,2012 12:57 pm || Up

                  Actually considering that suggary drinks are one of the most significant causes of childhood obesity it should cost more. The price of the soda doesn’t reflect the true cost to society of paying for your healthcare because you drink that shit.

                  Soda should be expensive because we need to drink less of it.

                  Further a huge target for the marketing of soda is children who I believe that the government has a duty to protect. Just like how you shouldn’t be able to market cigarrettes to kids, we as a society should take steps to limit the amount of soda consumed by kids.

                  We are litterally killing ourselves with this shit.

                  In play, run(s)! Talk dirty to me gamecast, talk dirty. - Nevermoor
                • Kylianna Jun 2,2012 1:09 pm || Up

                  So if things should cost more because we need to drink less of it, you’re saying that PBR should cost $15?

                  And because the government has to Protect the Children, my options as an adult are supposed to be freely limited?

                  Why not just ban the sales of soda to anyone under 18 instead and let me make my own life choices?

                • DFA Jun 2,2012 2:00 pm || Up

                  Yes goods private costs should be the same as their cost to society.

                  Yes the government should protect its citizens by doing things like putting up lights in intersections that limit your freedom to drive wherever whenever you want.

                  In play, run(s)! Talk dirty to me gamecast, talk dirty. - Nevermoor
                • DFA Jun 2,2012 2:01 pm || Up

                  and I would support high levels of taxation on soda before a ban.

                  In play, run(s)! Talk dirty to me gamecast, talk dirty. - Nevermoor
                • Kylianna Jun 2,2012 2:25 pm || Up

                  Because sodas are totally on par with highway accidents.

                  I look forward to seeing you accept the cost of rum and PBR with its actual cost to society.

                • Kylianna Jun 2,2012 2:26 pm || Up

                  I also assume that you would be on par for high taxation for having sex, given the detrimental effects it has on the environment and the world.

                • nevermoor Jun 2,2012 2:48 pm || Up

                  The size of soda cup you can buy at a restaurant is an odd choice for the “don’t tread on my liberties” argument, though isn’t it?

                  "There's never enough time to do all the nothing you want"
                • Kylianna Jun 2,2012 2:57 pm || Up

                  It’s more of a, “Seriously, THIS is the kind of stuff you’re spending your time on? No wonder the country is fucked” issue to me, honestly.

                • JamesV Jun 2,2012 3:01 pm || Up

                  @Kyli

                  With how much consumption of soda helps lead to obesity, especially in children, why shouldn’t people spend time on finding ways to discourage the super-sized stuff?

                • Kylianna Jun 2,2012 3:25 pm || Up

                  Because bacon still exists? Because families aren’t making enough money to be able to afford juice for their kids? Because bacon can be put on EVERYTHING? Because why the hell are little kids apparently running wild, going to 7-11 on their own and buying Big Gulps? Where the hell are kids getting the money and transportation to be drinking the apparent mountains of soda contributing to their obesity?

                • andeux Jun 2,2012 3:29 pm || Up

                  Amusingly, 7-11 would not be covered by this law, which is just another reason that it is dumb.

                  TINSTAAFK
                • Kylianna Jun 2,2012 3:36 pm || Up

                  I’m also amused that blended coffee beverages aren’t covered because of “dairy content”, given that venti frappuccinos are the equivalent of a snake swallowing a zebra and every day I see little kids walking out of there clutching tall or grande of the blended creme drinks.

                • DFA Jun 3,2012 11:52 am || Up

                  I agree that the parents are obviously at fault but since you cant legislate good parents I would choose to try to mitigate the effects of shitty parents.

                  In play, run(s)! Talk dirty to me gamecast, talk dirty. - Nevermoor
                • Kylianna Jun 3,2012 12:39 pm || Up

                  So if this law is about trying to have the government take over parenting responsibilities, again, why not have the ban apply to those under 18? Why not card for giant sodas instead?

                • Kylianna Jun 3,2012 12:39 pm || Up
                • AV Jun 1,2012 11:55 am || Up

                  it reminds me of the SF no toys with fast food thing, which backfired IIRC.

                  *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
                • nevermoor Jun 1,2012 12:30 pm || Up

                  That’s a much less believable way to stop selling (at least, I’d assume).

                  Did it not happen?

                  "There's never enough time to do all the nothing you want"
                • AV Jun 1,2012 12:34 pm || Up

                  restaurants did a workaround. something like, we’re not selling the toy with the food, we’re giving it away for free whether you buy the food or not. (i’m hazy on details here, my lunch 15 is over and i gotta not go into the google hole to find it.)

                  *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
                • AV Jun 1,2012 3:58 pm || Up

                  here it is. and i got it backassward as usual. the ban was against toys that come free with crappy children’s food, so McD started charging a dime for the toy when purchased with said crappy food.

                  *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
                • nevermoor Jun 1,2012 4:00 pm || Up

                  Makes sense.

                  "There's never enough time to do all the nothing you want"
                • JamesV Jun 1,2012 11:44 am || Up

                  That’s true.

                  Whether it’s a matter of trying to tell people how big a soda they can drink or not, if someone really wants to refill it four times before they go they will. The reaction by Mcdonald’s doesn’t seem to suggest they’ll limit the number of refills:

                  (That may or may not include choosing not to eat there in the first place)

                • nevermoor Jun 1,2012 11:48 am || Up

                  1. There is no reason to trust Americans to make choices in their best interest.

                  2. Free refills doesn’t bother me. The point is not to prohibit soda, the point is to reduce its consumption.

                  "There's never enough time to do all the nothing you want"
                • andeux Jun 1,2012 12:09 pm || Up

                  There is no compelling (to me, and in this case) reason for the government to make those choices for them.

                  I’m all for taxes on externalities where the cost is direct and measurable (e.g. pollution of various sorts), but the “you might end up being obese and being a strain on the public health system” argument is just way too weak to make this good policy.

                  I’m also all for ending subsidies for corn syrup and other unhealthy foods, of course.

                  TINSTAAFK
                • AV Jun 1,2012 12:15 pm || Up

                  extension of the rationale for illegalization of drugs… if something is bad for the population, it stands to reason to curb its use.

                  *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
                • nevermoor Jun 1,2012 12:34 pm || Up

                  There are, imo, lots of good policies (farm bill reconfiguration, no subsidies for unhealthy food, soda tax, and this). The fact that it isn’t the only option shouldn’t drive opposition.

                  Do you generally believe that government has no role in fighting obesity? If so, where do you draw the line between obesity and, say, cancer (which I’m assuming you see a government role in)

                  "There's never enough time to do all the nothing you want"
                • andeux Jun 1,2012 2:02 pm || Up

                  My opposition is driven by the fact that I see it as an unwarranted intrusion into people’s rights to make (bad) decisions. The fact that there are better – in the sense of more appropriate, whether or not they would be more effective – policy options is a side note.

                  For the same reasons, I would be similarly opposed to government taxes on red meat or alcohol, which supposedly increase the risk of cancer. Tobacco is a tougher case, because it also has more direct externalities (i.e. nasty second-hand smoke). Again, the government has many other less-intrusive ways of fighting diseases.

                  At the risk of opening up a whole other can of worms: if you want to make people bear the cost of being fat or getting cancer, why not … let insurance companies (or, hell, even the government) charge them more for those pre-existing conditions? It strikes me as strange to want to tax people for doing things that might make them sick while also insisting that it’s wrong for them having to bear the costs when they do get sick.

                  TINSTAAFK
                • nevermoor Jun 1,2012 2:26 pm || Up

                  Do you generally believe that government has no role in fighting obesity? If so, where do you draw the line between obesity and, say, cancer (which I’m assuming you see a government role in)

                  I see a criticism of tax as a method, but no response to that question.

                  As to your last paragraph: because we require ERs to take anyone, irrespective of ability to pay. Assuming that isn’t rolled back, society ultimately bears the costs of a significant percentage of all health problems.

                  "There's never enough time to do all the nothing you want"
                • andeux Jun 1,2012 3:49 pm || Up

                  Government can, should, and does do all kinds of things to fight diseases, including directly funding research into treatments, and regulating (either by tax or outright ban) behaviors that increase the risks of diseases for other people.

                  I don’t think government should levy sin taxes on things like soda, candy, red meat, alcohol, etc. that only directly harm the user himself.

                  And I simply don’t see much value in discussions of exactly where the line should be drawn, except to say that to me things in the first paragraph are on one side of it and things in the second paragraph are on the other side of it, and that it shouldn’t be too hard to see the qualitative difference, even if you would draw the line someplace differently yourself.

                  TINSTAAFK
                • nevermoor Jun 1,2012 3:59 pm || Up

                  Ok, but essentially no diseases “only directly harm the user himself” because of the huge number of uninsured/underinsured people.

                  I’m also surprised to see you against nearly all sin taxes. Assuming you believe collecting revenue is a legitimate government function, isn’t it better to derive two benefits (reducing the bad behavior) while doing so?

                  "There's never enough time to do all the nothing you want"
                • FreeSeatUpgrade Jun 1,2012 5:03 pm || Up

                  @nevermoor: besides andeux’ heavy hand of govt argument, with which I agree, sin taxes are about the most regressive of all taxes out there.

                  "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
                • ptbnl Jun 1,2012 5:09 pm || Up

                  To each according to their need, from each according to their vice ability.

                  If this is His will, He's a son of a bitch.
                • nevermoor Jun 1,2012 5:37 pm || Up

                  @FSU:

                  I understand the math there, but the solution would be to make income taxes more progressive (and smaller overall) to offset that negative.

                  Also, not buying soda is easier than not earning money, so if the tax is your bugetary difference maker… drink tap water.

                  "There's never enough time to do all the nothing you want"
                • FreeSeatUpgrade Jun 1,2012 5:46 pm || Up

                  @ptbnl: The workers have nothing to lose but their chains incipient diabetes!

                  "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
                • DFA Jun 2,2012 1:03 pm || Up

                  at FSU: You are right they are the most regressive because of things like cigarettes being so addictive, but they are super helpful in stoping the next generation from taking them up.

                  In play, run(s)! Talk dirty to me gamecast, talk dirty. - Nevermoor
                • batgirl Jun 1,2012 12:54 pm || Up

                  I would think a more effective way to reduce soda consumption (or really any “bad ingredient” consumption such as salt, etc.) would be to force vendors to post a non-numbers-based graphic showing how much sugar is in each size of drink. It really hits home when you see 20 sugar cubes stacked in a pile. It’s not something you think about when you drink a soda, but damn that is a lot of sugar. Some people still wouldn’t care, but I think it would make some think twice.

                • DFA Jun 2,2012 1:04 pm || Up

                  I am 14. Why would I give a fuck?

                  In play, run(s)! Talk dirty to me gamecast, talk dirty. - Nevermoor
                • batgirl Jun 2,2012 4:12 pm || Up

                  Forget kids, I’m talking about adults. Kids aren’t even going to look at the sign.

                • AV Jun 2,2012 4:18 pm || Up

                  they will. and they’ll think it’s new math. and put the coke back on the shelf. in other words, WIN!

                  *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
                • MikeV Jun 2,2012 1:05 pm || Up

                  Most kids don’t realize how much sugar is too much or that 20g is a lot.

                  And I have to say: mikev is one of my favorite people on here -slusser.

                  Thanks, and go As.

                • SPWC Jun 1,2012 12:49 pm || Up

                  If I was a heavy soda consumer in NYC, I would feel hurt and oppressed that the government (and/or Gub-mint) was targeting me for my lifestyle choices. I would have a NIMBYesque reaction.

                  \"Weren\'t you already aware the Kay is already writing everyone\'s story? We\'re all just characters who believe we are real. Things make more sense now, don\'t they. Be honest.\"- DMOAS
                • nevermoor Jun 1,2012 12:59 pm || Up

                  sure, but NIMBY-ism is bad

                  "There's never enough time to do all the nothing you want"
                • colin Jun 1,2012 1:51 pm || Up

                  I don’t see how that’s NIMBY-ism exactly. One of the reasons why NIMBY-ism is so ridiculous is because you are fighting against something that doesn’t even directly affect you — just something that is proximal to you. For the NY soda drinker, this directly affects their personal decisions (albeit weakly).

                • SPWC Jun 1,2012 1:54 pm || Up

                  What is it called when you know what’s good for you and you know what you want, and you fight for what you want, not what’s good for you?

                  \"Weren\'t you already aware the Kay is already writing everyone\'s story? We\'re all just characters who believe we are real. Things make more sense now, don\'t they. Be honest.\"- DMOAS
                • JamesV Jun 1,2012 1:55 pm || Up

                  Stubbornness.

                • andeux Jun 1,2012 2:05 pm || Up

                  Freedom?

                  TINSTAAFK
                • nevermoor Jun 1,2012 2:27 pm || Up

                  Can I have $5 $1.05?

                  "There's never enough time to do all the nothing you want"
                • AV Jun 1,2012 3:33 pm || Up

                  just another name for so much weight to lose.

                  *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
                • Kylianna Jun 2,2012 2:26 am || Up

                  I will still refill my soda four times. Making shit complicated won’t stop me.

                • nevermoor Jun 2,2012 2:49 pm || Up

                  So no harm then. Over the two of us, less soda consumed / less fat, and the one of us who cares more still gets a lot of soda.

                  "There's never enough time to do all the nothing you want"
                • Kylianna Jun 2,2012 3:00 pm || Up

                  Except for the financial impact of places that don’t have free refills, and the increase of pollution from people tossing cups and getting another.

                • DFA Jun 3,2012 11:53 am || Up

                  What financial impact?

                  In play, run(s)! Talk dirty to me gamecast, talk dirty. - Nevermoor
                • Kylianna Jun 3,2012 12:36 pm || Up

                  The fact that 3 16oz sodas are gonna cost more to my wallet than one giant face-sized soda. A girl’s got billz to pay, man, I can’t be paying for multiple tiny fucking sodas when I could just getting something reasonably sized.

                • nevermoor Jun 3,2012 3:50 pm || Up

                  16 oz. should be considered reasonably sized.

                  One of the most depressing things I’ve ever seen was a prison admin room where all the admins were short hugely fat women sitting at their computers “working” with like 64oz. sodas.

                  "There's never enough time to do all the nothing you want"
                • SPWC Jun 1,2012 11:49 am || Up

                  I think if Bloomberg could get away with it, he’d likely ban fast food chains from NYC entirely.

                  \"Weren\'t you already aware the Kay is already writing everyone\'s story? We\'re all just characters who believe we are real. Things make more sense now, don\'t they. Be honest.\"- DMOAS
                • 5Aces Jun 1,2012 11:53 am || Up

                  And (ironically?) it always felt to me that McDonalds began the whole upward trend to begin with. My first job was at a McD’s (met Mrs. Aces there). When I started the 21 oz drink was the “large” and the large fry was maybe about somewhere between the small and medium. They inched it up and up until we were all drinking 1520 oz. diet cokes to watch our calories…

                  Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it? -Steve McCatty
                • 5Aces Jun 1,2012 11:55 am || Up

                  Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it? -Steve McCatty
                • JamesV Jun 1,2012 11:57 am || Up

                  Basically this. It’s about to the point where you’re walking out with the whole soda fountain.

                • AV Jun 1,2012 11:59 am || Up

                  i’m remembering convenience stores upping the oz-age, rather than fast food. am-pm thirsty-two and the like.

                  but i have always wondered if McD’s straws are so wide so that you drink your drink faster and remember to get a bigger, longer-lasting one next time.

                  *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
                • 5Aces Jun 1,2012 12:01 pm || Up

                  I think they use a “better ffor their milkshakes” arguement. But it may even be a holdover from the pre free refill era. Bigger straws=more sodas bought=profit!

                  Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it? -Steve McCatty
                • Englishmajor Jun 1,2012 10:13 pm || Up

                  About 25 years ago, I was working in a building that had a mall on the lower floors and a mall food court in the basement. One of the businesses started selling what we all thought was the largest cup of soda pop` we’d ever seen — although it would probably be a medium by today’s standard; I think it was 28 oz. Anyway, some of my colleagues who were in the habit of buying one first thing in the morning and nursing it all day, began to refer to it as the “Bladder Buster”. One day someone was in the middle of a project and asked another colleague to go down and get her a Bladder Buster Pepsi. The colleague who she sent was a very sweet person who was entirely unable to perceive a joke. She thought that was the actual brand name of the beverage in question, and ordered accordingly at the food court. I think we could hear the screams of laughter in our offices on the ninth floor.

                • AV Jun 1,2012 10:22 pm || Up

                  lovely.

                  *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
                • beebo Jun 1,2012 10:41 pm || Up

                  “Sorry, we don’t have any Mountain Dew.”

                • Glorious Mundy Jun 1,2012 12:05 pm || Up

                  When I was a kid, I remember 7-11 having a summertime promotion where the biggest soda size was literally a small bucket. I think it was called the “Family Gulp,” which is quite disgusting but seemed fun and exciting to me at the time.

                • AV Jun 1,2012 12:16 pm || Up

                  the family that gulps together…

                  *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
                • JamesV Jun 1,2012 12:20 pm || Up

                  …backwashes together.

                • AV Jun 1,2012 12:29 pm || Up

                  ewwwwwww!

                  *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
          • jeepers Jun 1,2012 10:41 am || Up

            I’ve heard it more of a ploy to get his soda tax passed.

  30. Kylianna May 31,2012 9:30 pm
    • SPWC May 31,2012 9:38 pm || Up

      Way cool.

      \"Weren\'t you already aware the Kay is already writing everyone\'s story? We\'re all just characters who believe we are real. Things make more sense now, don\'t they. Be honest.\"- DMOAS
  31. jeepers Jun 1,2012 8:29 am

    Can’t imagine this happening for the A’s, even though he’d a) allow Beane to finally get his holy grail, and b) is consistent with the health profile the A’s constantly seek.

  32. beebo Jun 1,2012 8:40 am

    Just in time for Pride, you too can be gay for a day!*

    *offer valid for Kentucky residents only.

    • SPWC Jun 1,2012 10:34 am || Up

      I’ve never been to a Pride day or parade. Maybe I should go tomorrow.

      \"Weren\'t you already aware the Kay is already writing everyone\'s story? We\'re all just characters who believe we are real. Things make more sense now, don\'t they. Be honest.\"- DMOAS

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