Badsmerf

Just want to say, this is a great thread. I'm more interested in this discussion than any sports talk. I'm grateful that we have this medium to fulfill this need. It feels like we are continually fighting the symptoms of radical Islam, and not the problem itself. Personally, I dislike religion because it is open to interpretation and not finite (like math, where I have a bachelor's). The question I ask, is why these people being ruled over haven't revolted? This type of oppression in the US would be quickly revolted against. But, our country was founded on fighting for freedom. So perhaps it is ingrained in us to fight for freedom. That part of the world doesn't have that and never has. I do feel the culture of Islam prevents it. The problem this culture presents, is more radical and aggressive ideas excel over progressiveness. Free ideas, individualism, challenging the status quo, are all not only discouraged, not only illegal, but punishable by death (death of course according to isis). Even if we don't go full crazy like isis does, this is not a place that allows new ideas to prosper. I don't have a solution to that. How do you fix something that has been broken for thousands of years? Create the right conditions and radicalism will quickly become less tempting.

Worst thing about that, is the dumbass pundit said the disagreement was a "wash". Unbelievable. Rand just doesn't have the charisma unfortunately. He has my vote.

Wow. Russia held nothing back in their bombing. They even used white phosphorus. I read the assault they launched, with the powerful bombing capabilities, could barely be replicated by even the US.

It would be cool to be good enough with a computer to join a group like that.... as long as they do cool stuff with the knowledge.

If you really believe isis doesn't pose a threat to the US, there really is no discussion is there? Or, if you believe countries should be allowed to persecute, kill, deny basic necessities of life, we have no discussion. While the US has given is people an enormous amount of freedom and rights, maybe it's difficult to see what is happening in some parts of the world. I don't believe we should be in every civil war (like Rand Paul pointed out), but I do believe we should defend the defenseless. Unfortunately, the United nations hasn't stepped up to this challenge, and the US gets involved in conflicts that should be resolved with the un. At some point hopefully, we can work toward that with our world leaders. When we have countries like China and Russia, who seem to have no desire to contribute to anything that doesn't help their interests directly, it makes it difficult to accomplish.

I would go if you can't reschedule. Life will not cease, it just might be a little more somber and tense. I believe western civilisation is too strong and resilient to allow terrorists to change everything.

Worst linebacker play I've seen in a long time in this game. I've been saying it every week for a long time, these linebackers are the reason this team is losing. That poock kid is absolutely horrible. How can you not so the run, over and over, when you know... that there is a99% chance a run is coming? Special teams is also abysmal. Unreal. Offense played really well, gameplan was extremely solid. I thought we were past these problems.

Glunn, I like the idea of grouping them in one place as well. Easier to exterminate. I don't think these people want a country. They wouldn't be attacking innocent people in place like France. No, these people want death. I don't know the answer. At some point, the rest of the world is going to get fed up with their antics and make some drastic moves. I'm not sure if this is hair or not, but it will come. If something like this happened in the US... We would already have troops on the ground.

I feel for the people in Paris. What a tragedy. I don't know what it will take to erase this world of things like this. I hope, at some point, we can all live in peace. Settle our disputes with words instead of bullets. Unfortunately, there has to be justice.

Leidner was brutally bad in that game. So bad in fact, that kill pulled a red shirt for less than a quarters worth of play. Leidner plays even as well as he did last week (and that isn't saying much) Minnesota beats nw. Remember, it was a close game until after the third. Northwestern never impressed me. A lot has happened since then. This team has gotten healthier, leidner has been playing better, defense has remained solid. I think Iowa will overlooked them. They are more concerned with Nebraska.

He's done well so far. The team has showed up with a plan and played well. The clock thing was unforgivable, but it was such a small sample I think he gets a second chance on that. You can't judge a coach based that one play. I think they beat Iowa Saturday too. I don't even think it'll be close.

Very impressed with Paul. No surprise the lack of praise from the establishment. It's funny, some people actually praise Rubio and say he got the better of him when talking about military spending! Are you ****ing serious here? If Paul stocks around I could see him gaining some momentum, but I'm not sure if it will be enough.

I'm in the boat of keeping them all and reducing Mauers role. Let him earn a spot just like everyone else. Don't even worry about the contract. I also think he needs to be flexible enough to catch, but that is a pipe dream. To begin the season, for 3b/1b/dh/rf the twins will have plouffe, Mauer, Sano, vargas, Arcia, park. 6 guys for 4 positions. That isn't too bad. Arcia and Vargas are big question marks anyway. In the minors, you have Kepler, Buxton and maybe even Park. I don't think it would be egregious to start him in aaa to allow the bat to develop. Talent wins tittles.

Why do voters want to change direction of the country? The economy is doing well more people have equal rights than ever, our international relationships are improving... I just don't see the contempt the gop is trying to portray. This isn't 2008, and we all remember what brought us to that point. That asinine rhetoric is exhibit z of the inability of that party to comprehend what is happening. Rand Paul is the only one that is actually taking about the things that are relevant for this party, but since he is not a party favorite he is being shuffled aside (he is kinda an ass to).

Any concern over the lack of power? Any insights on bat speed and swing seth? Is he supposed to develop more power?

My dvr didn't record the whole game. I sat and stared at the TV with under 4minutes left in the fourth and silently wish I'll will on abc for having hocus pocus on so late. After seeing the result, the coaching staff should be apologizing to the players. Leidner should have just done a quick snap qb sneak in spite of the stupid play call. Words can't describe the ineptitude of those decisions in the last 20seconds. BTW, that is the gopher team I expected to watch the entire season. W.t.f. Leidner was fast! W.t.f. There are some young paymakers on that team. The season is salvageable still. Knock off osu, and continue the momentum and end the season on a high note.

Gonsalves has too many skeptics still. He has a good feel for his breaking ball, and scouts have said that allowed him to dominate the low levels of the minors. When he starts facing more advanced hitters that can handle breaking stuff and make him pitch that FB we'll see how he does. I think he is on the radar though.

Really? I don't think a team can have the best lineup of this decade by picking up pennies in the ally. That is just disingenuous.

To be honest, I thought Fiorina did a good job in the debate explaining what happened with HP. I felt a big boost when she was asked about a former board member (can't remember the name, Powers maybe) and him wanting more votes for people that make more money. She clearly separated herself from him by saying that is one example of why she disagreed with him. It is one thing to be fired. It is another if you don't accept it and learn from it. I can accept her being fired, and it seems she has grown from the experience. One failed job (your fault or not) should not define you. I question her position on tax reform a whole lot more than position as CEO. I really think shortening the tax code in the US to 3 pages is simply ludicrous. I was mildly impressed with Kasich. I think him speaking out against the irrationality is going to work in his favor if he continues to stay in the race. He has a lot of relevant experience too. Business sector and public. I think he could be a dark horse in this race. He probably is the last guy the Democrats want to see (especially since he will own Ohio... 62% approval rating).

Mauer is not a very good 1st baseman. He isn't a stiff, but he doesn't add any defensive (or any other kind) value.

I think rating GM's is becoming a hot topic. There is a lot of opinions on it. About 10 years ago I was a fan of Ryan and felt he was one of the best in the game. That opinion changed as the Twins put together teams that could win the division (the weakest in MLB not debatable), but were completely blown away in the playoffs. I don't think of that as a success. He proved good (not great) at building a farm system, but terrible at improving the team at the MLB level. There are a lot of people talking about this topic right now. I think the next big innovation in baseball will be identifying top GMs.

What is it about Cruz that makes you like him? I'm very much Libertarian, so I wish Paul was as likable as Ron was. In fact, Ron Paul was probably ahead of his time. Put him in these debates and he would destroy these guys. I liked the message Rand was sending with the deficit and spending. I also think he is on the right track with his tax reform. A much more palatable plan than anything I've seen elsewhere. While Bernie Sanders wants to raise minimum wage, Rand was to eliminate a bunch of taxes that stifle growth. Its not perfect, since the rich would undoubtedly benefit more from this plan, but that is where politics comes in and would make it better. He has to try to appeal to the conservative crowd somehow right? I also wish Rubio wasn't such a zealot on some issues. I think he has a good foundation with solid values, but I can't tolerate some of the ultra right conservative agenda. Him missing a bunch of votes in the Senate also bothers me. All he has to do is vote. He has a team working for him that tells him which way to vote. I have a hard time understanding why our congressmen think it is acceptable to not do the one thing we put them in office for. Plus, he skated around the question when asked about it and put the blame on someone else. That might work for some people, but he is going to have to answer to it. Trump/Carson: they are on the way down. The fact both of them are leading in the polls is a perfect example of how out of touch this party and their base is. If one of them are still leading and the other option is someone like Cruz, I will vote for them just so I can see them annihilated in the presidential election. You can't vote people in that call people losers or have no problem alienating the largest religion in the world.

Very strong list. All these guys should be top 100 prospects right? Jay is the only questionable one, but he was such a high draft pick I don't see how he is left off. Thanks for the list Seth. You've done a great job developing this site and providing excellent content.

Depends on how highly you viewed him. The first time I saw him pitch I was extremely disappointed. The power FB had no command, and his wipe-out slider couldn't get over the plate. The Nats knew what they had with him, and knew the odds were he was going to end up in the pen. I don't fault the Twins for this trade, and neither should anyone else. Had he clicked (and still might eventually) he could be a top of the rotation guy. Unfortunately, his floor is a non-MLB player since he struggles to throw strikes. I do think TR could have gone after a little more of a sure thing at equal the upside with Span.

I feel for him and his family. He seems like such a genuine person, I really hope this decision helps him. This team has not looked like the past 2 seasons of gopher football. I'm wondering how much his health has been impacting the team. The last few weeks is the first time I've questioned Kill's ability to lead this team into a national contender. Now, the U has a huge problem on their hands. There is no AD and they need to replace their football coach. I hope they don't simply promote TC. I really think they need to hire someone with national star power to draw recruits in. Kill was doing well finding some guys and developing them, but MN will never compete with Mich or OSU without getting better recruits. they will need to find that diamond in the ruff. Easier said than done.