MattPie

I dig the idea of the priv, and even Blackberry to a degree, but I couldn't resist getting a Nexus 6.

Interesting idea. You mention the downside for Stamkos. What's the upside for the Sabres? Best I can tell, they'll (probably) be better for the next few years. But what happens when Stamkos leaves a big hole in the line-up in 2019?

Kane: Absolutely. Reinhart: maybe. Stamkos is better than Samson now for sure, I'm not sure if that'll be true in 5 years.

Since I'm not in a place to really attend concerts, I'll just links stuff from the ones I'd like to go to. :) The Motet in Philly in a couple months. The Slackers Record Release Party.

It's very similar to Fox News' talking about how they're the most popular news channel or how Apple is (I think) the most popular phone. Both those statements are true, but both aren't a majority, just the largest competitor to a group of clones that the majority prefers. Initially I didn't think Trump had a chance at winning the nomination, but as this drags on and the non-Trumps continue to divvy up the 60%-ish of voters that won't vote for Trump at some point he ends up with enough delegates that it becomes a real possibility.

Interesting perspective, but I'm not sure it entirely holds water. There's just no way small business in retail sectors can compete with large business economy of scale, not to mention mail-order and its internet-savvy children. You may blame it on "red tape" and whatnot, but realistically retail comes down to selection and price. I don't see many mom and pops that can complete with Wegmans, Best Buy, or Target. After that, it's all service jobs and for many of those, there's not a ton of education needed so the supply of labor outstrips the demand so companies can get away with being "bad" employers. The flip side is also true, there's enough churn that a bad employee can always go find another crappy job. It's not like Hot Topic is checking resumes for new sales associates other than maybe a criminal record. There are exceptions to these rules, but I think I covered a lot of bases here. I look at it as a frame work that everyone is competing within. The rules are (kinda) the same for everyone, but some business models just aren't going to work. Business owners can all complain about how hard it is to because of the evil government, or they can get to work finding a model that lets them turn a profit given the rules in place.

There are a lot of scenarios, but if you tell some kid, "you can either play for essentially free and hopefully not get broken", or "you can play for good money against (probably) better competition and hopefully not get broken", the choice isn't going to be that hard for many. The primary argument against this is, "but that's not what everyone else does", be that either CHL or NCAA. Bold: and that matters how?

The roster is full, Ghost Rider, I repeat the roster is full.

I'd assume that the US government being who they are would contract out the administration to private firms (which has it's own issues), so some would be retained that way, but it's a very good point. Capitalism generally means individual entities trend towards being efficient, but market-wide there's a ton of duplication of effort so some people will need to find new work. Snarky-mode ON: but with the reduction of employer payments on medical taxes, they'll go on a hiring spree. We'll be better than before!

(copied from other thread) Now that looks like some insight. Are the rest of the guys on low loonie/short term contracts coming back Toronto's way?

I see where you're going off the tracks: Phaneuf contributes problems, not solutions.

Are we ready to at least discuss single-payer yet?

Ted Nolan isn't the coach, but Teds Nolans is!

Let's not get crazy here. Well, Ott'wa ends up with Phaneuf paying more than than a 5th-round pick for him. Bold move, Ott'wa, let's see how it works out.

Hey, I already said they lost Moulson for long stretches of time. :)

I think Lehner, played his first back, then Johnson 2, and then it's been mostly Lehner since. Seems like they were easing him in a little.

Even at 70 points, a 10% improvement in wins (8 games) is nothing to scoff at. Could the Sabres be better this year? Sure. Would the Sabres be better if they hadn't lost their starting GT and a couple key pieces for long stretches of time (Kane, Ennis, and Moulson)? Probably. I think the only people that are truly disappointed with this season are the ones that had unreasonable expectations.

Where has Armia been slotted recently? I assume Staff was playing 1RW, right?

Yep, it was a Ludacris call.

Just another guy.

:) I was going to make pork tacos, but didn't bother. Too much time for a low-key party.

If you're thinking of the one I am, he's as much a "Philly Cop" as the officer in Hammondsport, NY is a "Buffalo Cop".

Whoops. :) I can remember the name of the place, Melvilles, but I can't for the life of me remember the character's name.

Ask for extra crispy everywhere unless you know they cook them right. I made up some BBQ hummus for a party I was going to. That's a keeper, IMHO, I'll be making it again.

I can't think of a good fit, but what about the snooty Maitre'D from upstairs?