The Water Cooler

OK Republicans everywhere, you've had your chance. The American People gave you 8 years, 6 with complete control over our government. Where has it led us? It's one thing to honestly believe in reducing the size of government. I respect those "Jack Kemp Republicans". I really do. However, the last 8 years have proven those were just words, all along. Instead of smaller government, we got record deficits and incompetent governing. Quite literally, nothing has gone right in 8 years. Oh sure, you can feel good about your lower taxes. But the fact is every dime, and then some, was borrowed money. There will come a time when we'll need to pay the piper... wi…

I have a couple questions for all the fantasy football experts and commissioners. I and the commish of a 10 team PPR league on NFL.com I have tossed around the idea of allowing the trading of individual draft picks prior to our draft. We redraft every year, it's non-keeper, and I am hesitant to change our league to a keeper league since this is our 4th year and we haven't had the same owners in any two or more consecutive seasons. First season was a 10 team, second season was a 12, last year was back to 10 and this year is so far looking to stay 10 and may be the first season we've had the same owners. I'm thinking that adding the ability to trade individual picks…

Where in the hell are all the bloggers from the class of 2006- 2007 ? I'm talking about the bloggers who came here with me form Bearstalk ? I see some still chirp in once in awhile like Pix, terra, jason, chile, connor, dabearsdabomb, Madlith. But where,s Nfloingo, neobear, Lt2-3, noots, etc. Miss you guys come back please !

Being from Chicago, I have been pizza spoiled. Living in Turkey, I am going through MAJOR withdrawls off decent pizza. Does anybody have a dood deep dish recipe they can give me? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

I want to be completely honest here. I am a biracial individual born of a black father and white mother. Moms from Chi; pops is from FLA. My mothers brother nurtured my sports alliances while he was still alive. These are the Cubs, Bears, Bulls,, Blackhawks and Sox just cuz they are Chitown. College is the town I live in; Gainesville Fl. so that's Gators all the way. I even root for NW and the Fire. While he's been dead nearly twenty years, I've never had any other allegiances other than the ones he taught me. That being said, I had found it increasingly difficult to relate to our boards viewpoints on controversial issues. Its quite apparent that the majority of …

Just quoting you from September 7th: "McCain is going to win this election. I guarantee it." You still standing by this statement? If the opposite occurs, I will be expecting you to eat crow. Peace

Hi All, I know a young woman from the UK who is going to be visiting Chicago next month, any suggestions? Thanks!

The weathers turning nice & looking to do some barbecues. Now I seem to recall some hardcore BBQers on the old Bearstalk site. I'm looking for some tasty recipes

I am a nosey bastard. I not everyone is from Chicago and was wondering what other teams in the major sports you guys like. Me: MLB- White Sox. I hate the Cubs NHL- Blackhawks. Much hate for the Wings and Blues NBA- Bulls. Still hate Pistons and Knicks. I grew up on the north side, went to St Pat's and have a gaggle of kids. Four little crumb snatchers belong to me. Sons 15 and 8 and daughters 13 and 9. Like I said just a little nosey.

Wow... 8 years ago my Republican friends said "Don't worry man, trust us, things are going to be OK." They said the economy would be strong and they'd bring back ethics in government. George W. Bush was on record as opposing "Nation Building" and as being a guy who supported the troops. We already had a surplus and the cold war was over... Everyone was talking about how to spend the "Peace Dividend". Hard to believe that was only 8 years ago. About 9 months into George W. Bush's term we were hit by the worst terrorist attack in our history. The country rallied behind him. The Republicans used the surge in fear and support to strengthen their control of Congres…

Well for some reason my work blocks soxtalk but not talkbears...so just thought i'd post this here Thoughts?

So apparently Lazor, Desai, and Tabor have all been placed in the C19 protocol. You almost can't make this up: I am not saying these are inaccurate, but for how bad Robinson, Jackson, and Goldman have played, they will barely be missed. However, this looks pretty ugly. So Fields gets Jenkins and Simmons as his bookend tackles against MIN who leads the league in sacks. Lovely.

I am posting all the way from Raleigh, North Carolina. What about you guys? Any Bear fans near my area?

Well we decided our draft order today by drawing names from a hat. I wound up with the 1st overall pick in a 15 round 10 team PPR league. While I like the idea of having the #1 overall, the drawback is that it's an eternity till my next pick since the draft order will snake. But it also means when I do pick I get to pick twice on all my next remaining picks. My first thought is AP #1 but I have looked at various different ppr rankings for RB and I see AP anywhere from 1st to 3rd often behind Foster and Ray Rice. I can kind of see the arguments for Rice and Foster. Foster worries me because of the hamstring which does seem minor and he's making good progre…

I think this is the right place to post this. A group of 10 people at work are going to be doing fantasy football. we'll have 2 divisions of 5 teams each, a playoff of 4 teams in weeks 15/16. Rosters will be 15 players so a 15 round draft. I will be a redraft league so we won't have keepers. Starting roster and roster limits will be. Quarterback:1 Running Back:2 Wide Receiver:2 Tight End:1 Wide Receiver / Running Back:1 Kicker:1 Defensive Team:1 Bench:6 Legue rules Max Adds per SeasonNo Maximum Max Adds per WeekNo Maximum Max Trades per SeasonNo Maximum Trade Review TypeLeague Votes (by team owners) Trade Reject Time2 days Tra…

I'm getting ready to break down & buy a TV & I'm kind of stressed on what to buy. I've read what the experts say, but I'd appreciate anytihing you guys have to offer from a first-hand experience. I've narrowed my choices down to these 2 (both from Wal Mart. I hate Wal Mart but damn they're cheap) : 1. 47" LCD Magnavox 1080p for $1198.00 http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?...le131444-rLink1 2. 50" Plasma Phillips 720p for $1397.00 http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=5633687 I'd appreciate any advice you could give me, especially when it comes to watching football. I get 16 HD channels so I'll be able to watch most Bears games…

QB- Josh Freeman Kyle Orton David Garrard RB- Jamal Charles Rashard Mendenhall Chone Greene Fred Jackson Ryan Torain RB/WR-LeGarrette Blount WR- Hakeem Nicks Miles Austin Johnny Knox Plaxico Burress Lee Evans Jacoby Ford TE- Dallas Clark DEF- Bears K- Matt Bryant

Share some information about yourselves guys. Name: Hometown: Currently living in: Hobbies: Job: What College you go to/went to: Do you play video games? If so, which ones: Favorite Movie: Favorite Teams (Non NFL): Favorite Food: Favorite Actor: Age:

As I said in the draft thread, I pulled myself a little acting gig. It's a low budget indie horror film that the directer described as kind of an old school, very vibrant/highly saturated film. I want the teaser (and later on the actual trailer) to get as many views as possible, so I'm posting it everywhere... I'm the fat clown at the 15 second mark("Fatty the Klown"). I hate the "costume" but it is what it is, low budget. Give it a view, if you have a youtube account and would be nice enough to give it a thumbs up, that'd be great .....See Stinger, it's not a gay porn =p

The Sox have missed out on practically every one of their targets this off-season. I don't think they would have won anything with Aaron, but at least I'd have someone to cheer for that busts his butt. Oh well I guess.