dc.

Certainly people won't like it, but I don't think up-in-arms. You can't erase history, so you'll always have someone say, "They used to be..." and you'll always have some local radio jockey saying, "the REDSKINS" just because they refuse to change their ways or just to rile someone up. That becomes a problem for the announcer. If the protesters get upset, they'll let the radio stations know... but that becomes the station's financial choice. BTW - you're comparison on the Nats is a nice try, but hardly in the same ballpark.

We have never played well on Sundays. Remember a few years ago when we lost something like 20 straight Sunday games in one season?

But you did make it about right to carry, which is what I was calling out. If you mean I should feel your way because I'm a dad, I understand. And in moments of legitimate imminent violence,I would act to protect my family (friends or anyone really). But I really oppose killing of any alternative exists, no matter the vengeance I am feeling. At least I hope I can maintain that in my worst hour.

All I meant was that his right to defend his child had nothing to do with right to carry. This was all in his house, no need for right to carry to own a gun in your own home. Right to carry is a totally separate issue. Meanwhile, I don't like killing people. I understand the visceral response many people have to things like this, but I don't like killing people. I think this father did well, defended his cold, imposed some rough justice and still allowed for the system to play it's part.

Right to carry is not right to kill.

The A's have had some pretty mixed results against the AL East anyway (they were under 500 against the East until they beat up on the Yanks and Jays in recent weeks, I believe). And I am hopeful that our normal west coast crappy play will be moderated by the AS Break - hopefully the jet lag won't be so bad.

Got it. But here the question - why don't the ads teach you that? Again, it's not exactly obvious to someone just looking at the TV, so I watch those ads and think, what's the point of a curved TV, Samsung?

Oh, I'm sure the A's don't care and I was more making a joke - that we have diagnosed them as flawed, so, there! ;) I do think the A's are flawed in a few ways that could definitely show up and hurt them; but there's always a team or two that just win regardless of what makes sense - the Red Sox were even an example of that in my mind last year. No way Napoli and Ross and Victorino could keep playing so far over their heads... and then they did. Even the same with the O's in 2012. No way we could keep winning in extras or one-run games... no way the bullpen could keep being perfect... and then it was. So all I'm saying is with the A's - their bats are quite timely right now, but I don't see that continuing forever. And then add that several pitchers are having career years - including the newly acquired Samarzdjia and Hammels - and what happens if they don't pan out? Or even when they regress to their norms? They could still wind up with great end-of-year stats, but an average second half could mean an A's team that falls back to the pack.

We've already discussed why the A's will falter ... I'm more worried about the Angels and maybe even Mariners (given that pitching). The Tigers seem to own us, too, so that's no fun - but I think they are beatable, especially if Verlander doesn't turn it around.

Crav - But I immediately understand the benefits of a VCR... and flat screen... and even plasma... I don't even understand the concept of a curved TV. Better picture? Better viewing angles? Better for 3D? What does it even do? Speaking of VCRs... Malcolm Gladwell did a great essay on VCRs a while back (well, tangentially it wound up talking about VCRs) and how while we associate them primarily with watching videos that you either rented or bought, the original intent was to record live TV and playback later. And yes, many people did that, but he jokes and I agree that pretty much no one ever got good at programming those damn things, it became an entirely secondary feature. It was supposed to be the original DVR. The article was actually about that guy who sells those Rotisserie chicken cookers on TV and how he is the perfect salesman/designer of products in so many ways - and how whoever designed and marketed the VCR needed his help.

Who gives a crap?

It's difficult to even get through the first minute... Something makes me think this guy was a manager trying miserably to prove to his subordinates that they could do more to get people to not cancel.

Crav - I don't get why a curve is needed in a TV but maybe I will be educated. But I would also never spend that much on a TV or even close. I think I got both of our TVs for under $400 (a few years back) - good sales at some big box nearby. I also see no need to upgrade until there's an issue or a technology I need that I don't have - hasn't come yet.

I dare you to listen to the whole 8 minutes... Speaking of awful cable/customer service http://www.cnet.com/news/could-this-comcast-rep-be-the-worst-service-rep-in-the-world/ This - by the way - is the definition of crappy.

http://www.cbsnews.com/videos/physicist-michio-kaku-explains-record-low-summer-temperatures/ Saw this this morning on CBS Morning News. Physicist explains how the "polar vortex" phenomena that we experienced this winter (and actually kind of right now too - causing these storms) are the result of warming. The cold "cap" on the arctic is very stable when very cold. But as it has warmed up slightly in past decades, it has become less stable and less symmetrical, leading to big pieces breaking off and spinning south into the continental US - under the name "polar vortex." Again, this is the theory behind the movie "The Day After Tomorrow." He doesn't address it here - but important to note that this will not end global warming, but could be catastrophic - for example what happens to crops if some regions get a frost in the next 24-48 hours because of this push? (Hint - the crops die, and yes, some northern states are seeing the potential for frost tonight).

Are we really missing his 240 avg and lack of power? 2b might be or weakest bat but our platoon is easily out hiring brob

An unknown young starter shuts down the O's?! Unheard of. Except for every other time we face one of course.

Because that still doesn't force them to move the dish... Though it would probably necessitate some action.

Yeah, I understand why it gives their system trouble, but there has to be someway for them to deal with it - there has to be some magical code or work around from their end. If not, it's still their fault, not yours. It is definitely lawsuit territory, but I doubt it will reach that point. My brother considered going up and ripping it off the roof himself, but if there was any damage to the roof, DirectTV would be off the hook for it, so he's avoiding that. But man would it be fun to toss their dish in the dump and shrug, "Well, we don't have an account - so I don't think there was ever a dish there..."

Oh, I can't stop on cable stories after hearing how nice they treat you, Crav... Comcast also gave us the exact opposite treatment a year back. Our cable and internet kept cutting out for long periods. After weeks of "analyzing" and send several techs, they determine it was the modem that was faulty and send me to get a new one. (First, they sent me to an address that they don't own anymore - 30 minutes the wrong way, but that wasn't the fun part - neither was waiting in line for 2 hours to return equipment). Anyway, so eventually I have my new modem and they set it up. I ask the tech if I will get a discount for the 2+ weeks I didn't have service. He says probably, but call billing cause that's not his job. Fair enough. I call billing and they tell me (I love this)... that "when the new modem was installed, their server automatically deletes all the old data, so they have no data record that I was without service for two weeks." Eventually, I had to deal with billing & tech together and get them to verify my problem via phone records and tech visits. I got $20.

Here's a fun DirectTV story... my brother's neighbor got DirectTV recently. DirectTV came out and accidentally placed the dish on my brother's house & roof (they are in a row home). My brother keeps calling DirectTV (and writing them) and they keep saying that they cannot move the dish without an account on file to request the move. The neighbors refuse to get involved (I guess they don't get along) so DirectTV wants my brother to set up an account so that he can then officially ask for the order, set up a time, etc etc. He keeps saying no - as much out of principle as anything else - and saying that it's his roof and was installed illegally and without permission and if he wants it gone, they have to comply. After several weeks, DirectTV is still trying to toe this line of "someone with an account has to file the complaint." So just so you know... according to Direct TV - you can own your house, but if they put something there, you have no rights in their mind unless you have an account with them.

Fastest the O's have been to 50 wins in a season since 1997. Surprised me to hear that; means we are actually ahead of pace from 2012 - though I guess we do have to remember we were "decent" that year until Manny came up in July and we transformed into a legit threat. But maybe with Manny's bat coming alive again, we can see something similar. Meanwhile - I was doing some research on the A's recently and was shocked to see some of their numbers. Most runs scored in all of baseball - but only two (regular) players hitting over 265. Seriously only two over 265. Lots of HRs in there, though no one with more than 20. The big difference (this is the "Moneyball" factor) is that they have most of their starting line-up with an OBP over 350. The O's are the opposite. I think we have 6 starters with a BA over 265 (maybe even over 275), but only 1-2 guys with an OBP over 350. Regardless, it still doesn't make much sense to me and I'm surprised there hasn't been more talk about it. There is no way the A's continue to be the best offense in baseball without the hit to back up the walks. And I just don't see Coco Crisp continuing to pace for almost 30 HRs. Or John Jason/Derrick Norris (their catcher platoon) continuing to both hit over 300 and slug like crazy.

Just realized that our quotes are from the same guy - different articles. Nice.

Stealing this from a friend... but this one is just beyond me.

I don't think that As trade will work out- this year or long run. Both guys they got are pitching beyond anything they have before and are moving NL to AL. Not to mention both have high WHIPs with low HR rates. Oakland will keep the low HR rates but will be trouble for the hits in general - lots of space there. When both regress to norms for the second half, it won't look good. And then you gave up how many younger players to get that? Oakland is damn good - but not sure they'll keep it up. And I still don't buy some of their bats, especially guys like Crisp and even Donaldson who's bar has crashed mid year for the second straight season.