And so does the Score Bard, the funniest and most creative blogger on the Net. If you haven't read his Random Diamond Notes Generator or his playoff haiku, then you've been missing out on some amazing baseball-related wordplay that does more than just border on genius. His latest creation, the Periodic Table of Blogs, includes our very own Batter's Box! We're indexed under beryllium, which I'm told is a metallic lead-grey element whose metal can be obtained by electrolysis of molten beryllium dichloride containing some sodium chloride. Remarkably, that was also how I was described in my high school yearbook. Visit the Score Bard today and forward his URL to friends who'll appreciate his work.
Just to dispel the rumors ... OK, they're true.
Coach is negotiating with 33-year-old left-handed reliever Liam Burl (listed in your Baseball Abstract at "Burl, Liam" and thus the placement on the periodic table) to fill a slot in the ZLC.
Though the sturdy vet Burl would bring a calming presence to the ZLC, his walk-to-strikeout ratio is disturbing and there is some concern that his left-handedness will once and for all tip the ZLC's political leanings into GizziLand.
Coach is negotiating with 33-year-old left-handed reliever Liam Burl (listed in your Baseball Abstract at "Burl, Liam" and thus the placement on the periodic table) to fill a slot in the ZLC.
Though the sturdy vet Burl would bring a calming presence to the ZLC, his walk-to-strikeout ratio is disturbing and there is some concern that his left-handedness will once and for all tip the ZLC's political leanings into GizziLand.
http://economics.about.com
Between Gitz, Adam, and Greeny Craig Burley, aren't we left enough?
Is there anyone on here that is truly right wing? I guess my love of free markets makes me the closest thing the box has to a righty. I'm not much of a righty, though; my views on gay rights would make Svend Robinson look conservative.
We need to sign a righty for the Box. What's Rafe Mair upto these days?
Between Gitz, Adam, and Greeny Craig Burley, aren't we left enough?
Is there anyone on here that is truly right wing? I guess my love of free markets makes me the closest thing the box has to a righty. I'm not much of a righty, though; my views on gay rights would make Svend Robinson look conservative.
We need to sign a righty for the Box. What's Rafe Mair upto these days?
Hopefully he's hiding under a rock somewhere. When he gets into a rant about BC politics, I have to cover my ears and hum real loud.
I guess I haven't made my political views clear here -- imagine! -- but the only sense in which Gitz is left of me is coastal.
I live in Texas, but like the clear majority of Americans, I voted for Al Gore. :-)
I live in Texas, but like the clear majority of Americans, I voted for Al Gore. :-)
http://economics.about.com
You voted for Al Gore.. and you consider yourself left wing?!? :)
One of the biggest differences I noticed when I moved to the States from Canada is how much further right the political center is in the U.S. In Canada I'm right wing, whereas in the States I'm a moderate Democrat.
Plus I moved to New York state! I'm not sure I want to know what the political culture is like in other states.
Mike
You voted for Al Gore.. and you consider yourself left wing?!? :)
One of the biggest differences I noticed when I moved to the States from Canada is how much further right the political center is in the U.S. In Canada I'm right wing, whereas in the States I'm a moderate Democrat.
Plus I moved to New York state! I'm not sure I want to know what the political culture is like in other states.
Mike
Emoticons aside, I knew somebody would call me on that. And yes ... while I would have preferred voting for someone else on the ticket, it was much more of a vote-for-the-guy-who-could-win (if-the-election-weren't-rigged) situation.
Hijack: Gagne wins the Cy!
Vive le Quebec!!! Vive le Baseball!! Vive le Labbatt Cinquante!!!
Vive le Quebec!!! Vive le Baseball!! Vive le Labbatt Cinquante!!!
Vive le Labbatt Cinquante!!!
Ooh, I could use me a quart bottle of Cinquante right now.
Ooh, I could use me a quart bottle of Cinquante right now.
(if-the-election-weren't-rigged)
Oh, give me a break. Your candidate lost. Get over it.
Oh, give me a break. Your candidate lost. Get over it.
We're indexed under beryllium, which I'm told is a metallic lead-grey element whose metal can be obtained by electrolysis of molten beryllium dichloride containing some sodium chloride. Remarkably, that was also how I was described in my high school yearbook.
I think it's because this place is a beryl of laughs.
I think it's because this place is a beryl of laughs.
It's been a while since high school chemistry. Is bauxite an element?
Bauxite is a mineral that has aluminum ( an element ) as main component
Dominican republic and Canada are very rich in Bauxite ( see the baseball connection )
I don't consider myself "right-wing" anymore, but I'm sure most everyone else would call me that. More libertarian, really, but it's a bit of a waste of time voting for any libertarian party. I'm generally in agreement with left-wingers on social-type laws, things like abortion, capital punishment, gay rights and drug legalization. I'm in favor of free markets, much smaller government and fiscal conservatism. I share just about nothing in common with the so-called "religious right".
As for voting, I voted for Mike Harris twice, but I've never voted for the national PC party or Alliance. Newsflash to the PCs, the Liberals own the middle, you're going to have to do something different if you want any votes!
I scored approximately -3 (libertarian) / +3 (right) on the Political Compass.
As for voting, I voted for Mike Harris twice, but I've never voted for the national PC party or Alliance. Newsflash to the PCs, the Liberals own the middle, you're going to have to do something different if you want any votes!
I scored approximately -3 (libertarian) / +3 (right) on the Political Compass.
Oh, give me a break. Your candidate lost. Get over it.
How can one candidate get more votes than the other one and still lose. It's honestly the most rediculous thing I can think of. Not to mention the fact that Republicans were falling all over themselves in order to use their power to get Florida. If the situation was reversed, you can't tell me that Republicans wouldn't complain about such an incredible farce.
How can one candidate get more votes than the other one and still lose. It's honestly the most rediculous thing I can think of. Not to mention the fact that Republicans were falling all over themselves in order to use their power to get Florida. If the situation was reversed, you can't tell me that Republicans wouldn't complain about such an incredible farce.
http://economics.about.com
"How can one candidate get more votes than the other one and still lose. It's honestly the most rediculous thing I can think of."
To be fair, this isn't unique to American politics. It's happened a few times in Canada (including a few years ago in Quebec), where one party will get the most votes but a different party ends up winning a majority government.
Mike
"How can one candidate get more votes than the other one and still lose. It's honestly the most rediculous thing I can think of."
To be fair, this isn't unique to American politics. It's happened a few times in Canada (including a few years ago in Quebec), where one party will get the most votes but a different party ends up winning a majority government.
Mike
According to Mark's compass, Jean Chretien is my political twin.
If the system was based on the most votes overall, then Bush would have got a lot more votes out in Texas, etc. At the very least, it's not clear who would have won if the system had been different.
That political compass was quite fun but there are some crazy questions that have no relationship with political stance. My personal favorite;
When you are troubled, it's better not to think about it, but to keep busy with more cheerful things?
Another about property rights is classic. Should I declare I love Communism?
When you are troubled, it's better not to think about it, but to keep busy with more cheerful things?
Another about property rights is classic. Should I declare I love Communism?
I scored -5.25/-6.05 on the Political Compass, so I guess I'm a left-libertarian. Everybody leave me alone, including The Man. :-)
As for Bush and Florida: many reports I've seen question whether there were voting irregularities in the Sunshine State, including some people incorrectly thrown off the voting lists as felons. It's not clear that Bush stole the election, but a case can be made for it.
As for Bush and Florida: many reports I've seen question whether there were voting irregularities in the Sunshine State, including some people incorrectly thrown off the voting lists as felons. It's not clear that Bush stole the election, but a case can be made for it.
My god, that was a stupid quiz. Anyway, I scored at -2.50 (mild left), -4.77 (solid liberatarian) on the Compass, which is about as for assessing politics as total sacrifice hits are in determining a player's bunting ability.
Yep, it was simplistic. I was hanging out with Orwell and Goldman and Till, when all was said and done. And Craig B is, in Canadian terms, "the reasonable man".
I thought my score was pretty accurate. I had an Economic Left/Right of 0.50 (dead centre) and a Libertarian/Authoritarian of -4.56 (libertarian). That's about what I expected.
That test was kind of fun; accurately enough, it pinned me as a liberal lefty: -9.62 on the economic left/right and -6.72 on the libertarian/authoritarian
It's not clear that Bush stole the election, but a case can be made for it.
And a good case is made for it in Stupid White Men by Michael Moore. Good Book.
And a good case is made for it in Stupid White Men by Michael Moore. Good Book.
http://economics.about.com
"And a good case is made for it in Stupid White Men by Michael Moore. Good Book."
I'll concur. One of the most entertaining pieces of fiction I've ever read. :)
IMHO, 2000 was just a payback for 1960. If you're interested in reading about American election history, that's a fun one to look at.
Mike
"And a good case is made for it in Stupid White Men by Michael Moore. Good Book."
I'll concur. One of the most entertaining pieces of fiction I've ever read. :)
IMHO, 2000 was just a payback for 1960. If you're interested in reading about American election history, that's a fun one to look at.
Mike
Lefty/libertarian here too. I scored -4.00 (left/right), -4.05 (libertarian/authoritarian). It puts me close to the Dalai Lama and Nelson Mandela, apparently.
http://economics.about.com
Is there anyone who *isn't* a libertarian?!?
I really wonder about that test.
Is there anyone who *isn't* a libertarian?!?
I really wonder about that test.
Mike,
We do live in a democracy, and in countries (the large majority of us in the Box) that have had waves and waves of immigration (making it harder to be intolerant). I think that rubs off on a lot of people.
We do live in a democracy, and in countries (the large majority of us in the Box) that have had waves and waves of immigration (making it harder to be intolerant). I think that rubs off on a lot of people.
http://economics.about.com
I agree with you 100% on your comments RE: immigration.
It's more just that if we're all such libertarians, why does our public policy not skew as much as the test would predict.
I just agree with Craig B: It's not a particularly useful test. Fun, but not useful.
I agree with you 100% on your comments RE: immigration.
It's more just that if we're all such libertarians, why does our public policy not skew as much as the test would predict.
I just agree with Craig B: It's not a particularly useful test. Fun, but not useful.
"Everybody leave me alone, including The Man. :-)"
Hey, what did Stan Musial ever do to you? ;-)
Hey, what did Stan Musial ever do to you? ;-)
"Is there anyone who *isn't* a libertarian?!?"
The Taliban.
The Taliban.
http://economics.abuot.com
The Taliban.
Yeah, they'd only get -1.5 on that test. :)
The Taliban.
Yeah, they'd only get -1.5 on that test. :)
Mike, I suspect it's a lot easier to be a libertarian when you're not in power! I bet once you get elected you have to start pandering to the existing institutions of authority if you want to stay there. And, actually, I think in the last 20 years we *have* gotten a more libertarian as a society. Whether it's all been for the good depends on your opinion of good, but the Charter is pretty strong on individual rights which is fundamental for libertarianism.
I probably would have had a lot higher (in absolute value) scores five years ago (I'm 28). I've gotten a lot more moderate in things.
I think this is pretty decent for a quick test. Yeah, some of the questions are dumb but for 30-odd multiple-choices it's been reasonably accurate for most of the people I know.
I probably would have had a lot higher (in absolute value) scores five years ago (I'm 28). I've gotten a lot more moderate in things.
I think this is pretty decent for a quick test. Yeah, some of the questions are dumb but for 30-odd multiple-choices it's been reasonably accurate for most of the people I know.
http://economics.about.com
"but the Charter is pretty strong on individual rights which is fundamental for libertarianism."
I agree with a lot of what you said. This just reminded me of a Poli. Sci. prof I had once who called the Charter "The Government's Right To Take Away Your Freedoms". So it's not as if it's universally loved by libertarians.
"but the Charter is pretty strong on individual rights which is fundamental for libertarianism."
I agree with a lot of what you said. This just reminded me of a Poli. Sci. prof I had once who called the Charter "The Government's Right To Take Away Your Freedoms". So it's not as if it's universally loved by libertarians.
Not for the first time, I'm late to the party. Is it too late to re-hijack a thread? This concerns me:
Beryllium and beryllium alloys are used in electronics components, fiber optics components, nuclear weapons, nuclear reactors, aircraft-satellite-space vehicle structures, X-ray transmission windows, mirrors, ceramics, bicycle frames, golf club heads, and as an additive in solid propellant rocket fuels.
I thought Score Bard was just saying we were an emerald, but it seems we're a lot more volatile. Fortunately, we have a high melting point.
It puts me close to the Dalai Lama and Nelson Mandela, apparently.
Not the first two people that come to mind as Dudek comps, but interesting. I am so far out in left field on the test that Robert looks like the shortstop.
Beryllium and beryllium alloys are used in electronics components, fiber optics components, nuclear weapons, nuclear reactors, aircraft-satellite-space vehicle structures, X-ray transmission windows, mirrors, ceramics, bicycle frames, golf club heads, and as an additive in solid propellant rocket fuels.
I thought Score Bard was just saying we were an emerald, but it seems we're a lot more volatile. Fortunately, we have a high melting point.
It puts me close to the Dalai Lama and Nelson Mandela, apparently.
Not the first two people that come to mind as Dudek comps, but interesting. I am so far out in left field on the test that Robert looks like the shortstop.
My score was almost the same as Robert Dudek and Ghandi. Which should I be more proud of?
"but the Charter is pretty strong on individual rights which is fundamental for libertarianism."
The Charter does not protect those who need it the most: the economically disadvantaged. My favourite Supreme Court Justice, Claire L'Heureux-Dube understood this better than anyone, but she is now retired. The Charter protects Robert Sharpe but not Gosselin? Gimmie a freakin' break.
The Charter does not protect those who need it the most: the economically disadvantaged. My favourite Supreme Court Justice, Claire L'Heureux-Dube understood this better than anyone, but she is now retired. The Charter protects Robert Sharpe but not Gosselin? Gimmie a freakin' break.
http://economics.about.com
Ugh. The last thing we need in here is a discussion about the difference between negative rights and positive rights.
Mike
Ugh. The last thing we need in here is a discussion about the difference between negative rights and positive rights.
Mike
Hijack-A.J. Pierzynski was traded to SF for Joe Nathan, Boof Bonser and Francisco Liriano. I guess the Twins decided that a couple of months of double A was enough for Mauer.
So am I the most conservative one here by being a half-point to the right on the test? You all make me look like Bill O'Reilly.
Economic Left/Right: -1.62
Libertarian/Authoritarian: -0.56
My friends and family can assure you that if I'm a left-leaning libertarian, then Rush Limbaugh is the next president of the NAACP. This is not a very reliable test.
Libertarian/Authoritarian: -0.56
My friends and family can assure you that if I'm a left-leaning libertarian, then Rush Limbaugh is the next president of the NAACP. This is not a very reliable test.
Wow, that's a steal for the Twins ...
Isn't the Boof-man one of those guys the Giants ID'd as "untouchable" in the ill-fated Sidney Ponson deal?
Isn't the Boof-man one of those guys the Giants ID'd as "untouchable" in the ill-fated Sidney Ponson deal?
Jordan,
It's all relative. On a world scale, you probably are. Those numbers of yours are pretty neutral.
It's all relative. On a world scale, you probably are. Those numbers of yours are pretty neutral.
I too scored a Gandhi on the quiz. That's not surprising really. Both of us are thin, bald headed and law school graduates. The only difference is that he was able to free his country from colonial oppression whereas I can't get anyone to listen to my anti-monarchy rants.
Economic Left/Right: -8.50
Libertarian/Authoritarian: -8.51
Libertarian/Authoritarian: -8.51