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There's no crying in baseball!


a-guitarist

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So, I've joined a pickup sandlot league. We play baseball one night a week for a couple of hours a night. Hardball, "slow pitch", three strikes you're out, basically we play baseball. Now, it started off amazing, bunch of guys having fun, cracking jokes, drinking beer (we call them Man Sodas, as we play on a high school field and no alcohol allowed.), anyways...

Some girls start playing. AWESOME! I love girls playing sports. I like it even better when they're running the bases. I like it exponentially more when I can get sweaty with them and do the ***-slaps, hugs, and jumping high-fives, and casual sexual comments. Anyways... the few we started with could "swing", could "throw", and could "catch". It was good. Then, of course, some guy thinks it's awesome to bring his girlfriend... and her friends. It's cool, though, some are quite attractive, all are decent people.

But then the bitching starts. The White Knights get pissed at some players for moving in when some of the girls are up to bat. They call it "not fair" that some people want to make the play quicker. Then it starts... they play second, first, and third, and wherever they play. But they get pissed when the short sends a gun to them at second in order to turn a double play. They get pissed when they're playing Right field that the center fielder (me) will run and get the ball that went over their head before they can get to it and then throw to the short stop (who is pissing off the second basegirl because she won't come out for the cut off).

They get pissed when a batter will sacrifice one of them to move a further runner into scoring position or to score. They get pissed when they're picked last (I swear to god... I understand why I'm picked towards the end, why can't they?). They get pissed when no one brings a bat that isn't too heavy for them... never mind the fact that we don't own any that suits them... christ, we've always had two bats; one (girly) metal one, and one (manly) wooden one.

Now, I'm all for equality of the sexes, I'm all for equal treatment, equal pay for the same job. But this means you get equality input (payment) for equal output (work done). So, if you're going to come to a game that mostly men playing, don't ask for special treatment in the rules. I have the same issue with women in the military, police, fire departments, etc. that have lower standards to pass to get the same job, and then demand equal pay.

Just a rant for tonight... probably more later. I'm sure this will piss someone off. Just know, I'm not a sexist, I'm not a racist, or a bigot. I'm just human... so I guess I'm all of those things.

a-g

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Yes.

Yes, see the problem is some people see equality of opportunity as a means of allowing less talented/knowledgeable individuals positions that should go to others by virtue of superior talent/knowledge. All things being equal, I'd rather have the best qualified wingman as opposed to a "token". I don't particularly care if it's a he, a she, black, asian, latino, cyborg, mutant, or trained seal. In this vein, affirmative action (though we don't exactly have quite the same thing in Canada) disgusts me. I'm a white, English speaking Canadian, and that's pretty much the worst thing I can be in Canada (let me explain), I don't have any groups like the Italian Students Association, Jewish Anti-Defamation League, or what have you looking out for my interests, and you can be damned sure if I wanted to start up a "White Male Students Association" I'd be forced to fold faster than Superman on Laundry Day.

Yes, double standards. On the one hand sure it's great that minorities are being treated more fairly overall than at any other time in recent history, but I personally didn't keep slaves, intern the Japanese in World War 2, or commit hate crimes of any sort, and I don't think my generation on the whole has, either. As such, and in the spirit of treating everyone equally which is from what I can gather the goal of unity, gender/ethnic background cannot and must not play a role in determining opportunity.

After all, what's good for the goose is good for the gander.

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If you know a man cant hit a curve...you throw a curve.

If you know a man is gonna bunt, you move in.

If you know a man always pulls it to right field, you shift right.

If you know a man hits shallow flys 90% of the time...you move in.

So why is it wrong to move in when a girl takes the plate?

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I want girls there. I just want them to realize that they aren't going to be treated differently because some of the guys there haven't seen a naked female in real life and think that treating them like goddesses is the proper way to treat a woman.

Is it wrong that I think equality of the sexes means same rules for everyone?

Anyways... I doubt most will be coming back. A friend ended calling one a ... well, told her she should have a "C" Tattooed on her face. After that comment I guess a bunch of them left the Ice Cream Parlor/Bar they were at. Ah, life is great... Now I look like a shmuck because of association. Oh well. Game on, right?

a-g

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Although I agree with most of what has been said' date=' to some extent it is debateable. In baseball, it's not. Tell the girls to play baseball or GTFO if they're ruining your good time.[/quote']

I agree!

That and guys who insist on bringing their girlfriends into a male sanctuary like sandlot games are pussy-whipped.

Hell Im married, but when we have pick up soccer nights (all the guys who participate in the league with/for their kids have pick up games) I dont bring my wife in, why? because she cant play...now she omes and watches, and comes and reads a book to enjoy some time outdoors, but hell.

If they cant play..they cant play...and shouldnt

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Affirmative action is banned in Michigan. One of the few good things about this state.

As for baseball, I don't really remember girls playing too much, but the ones that did were about as bad@$$ as the guys, so we never treated them any different and they didn't want to be treated different. Pretty good looking, too. Of course, the local high school that I went to has a STRONG push towards athletics, especially football. You'd think we lived in Texas or something.

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Affirmative action is banned in Michigan. One of the few good things about this state.

As for baseball, I don't really remember girls playing too much, but the ones that did were about as bad@$$ as the guys, so we never treated them any different and they didn't want to be treated different. Pretty good looking, too. Of course, the local high school that I went to has a STRONG push towards athletics, especially football. You'd think we lived in Texas or something.

Yep MI is a pretty crappy state.

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*sigh*

Where to even begin...

A-G.. you know youre my dude.. and i was w/ you for most of your post. I have some small things that i disagree w/ you about though... but to be sure i wanted to ask you a question. Are you playin this thing for fun or to win... cuz i mean there is a big difference...

If you are playing for a good time... then why do a lot of these things matter? It sounds to me like most of these girls just want to spend time w/ their b/fs... and show that they have an interest in their man's activities... or just want to have some good natured fun w/ the boys. I think that some of the things they are getting pissed about is b/c they dont think you guys are being considerate of them... and for most women i know that is one of the worst things you can do to them (be inconsiderate). Most women i know like to think about how to be considerate of their b/fs and significant others yadda yadda yadda. I mean... not bringing a bat that they can use... going over their heads (hehehehe im sorry man... but that kinda sounds like a d!ck move... funny... but kinda d!ickish b/c its like saying 'youre useless') ... and trying to take their arm off with 80 mph throws... all sound inconsiderate. Is it that unfair to think that there are things you do w/ boys that you dont do w/ girls? Its a double standard...

.

From your post.. it sounds like you want to play hard and play to win... and theres nothing wrong w/ that! ... but do you really want to turn into "that guy"? Everyone knows a "that guy".. the one douchebag that gets all serious about a meaningless game. The guy who gets serious no matter what you are playing... chess, checkers, madden, halo, hopscotch... and everyones thinking "its only a game Focker" .

So what you give them a shot at getting to first base? Unless this is a serious league and you guys are playing to win... in which case explain the rules to them... how the game should be played... then if they still dont do it... kick them out. Just know you run the risk of being perceived as a bunch of tools and "those guys" .. but if you dont care what people think and just want to have fun and enjoy your baseball then go for it. Either way.. i still think youre a cool guy.

What really caught my attention tho was that last paragraph.. i think youre sorely mistaken about women in the service.. cuz last i heard men didnt have to worry too much about being held down and raped while protecting their country. Women still run the same risks of being shot/killed... and they get the added disrespect of "being a woman" and not being taken serious. Equal output equal pay still aint happenin in the military or any sector for that matter... women are still not getting paid as much as men for working sometimes twice as hard even though the gap is supposedly getting smaller, women still earn 77.5% less then what men are making . As far as i know the only special treatment women get in the job world is maybe some maternity leave... other than that its fair that women in the service demand the same pay despite not doing some of the jobs men do... since they do other jobs and they do face as much danger as the men... and then face danger of being mistreated by their own men to boot! Hey, where do I sign my daughter up?! Sarcasm aside.. this is a real serious issue man... this is 2008... not 1908... we gotta fix this.

V.. I think things like Michigan's Propsal 2 are kind of funny... and even disingenuous.. While the Supreme Court ruled against affirmative action in Gratz v Bollinger... they upheld it in Grutter v Bollinger. Telling me that what was at issue was the method it was carried out ... and not the usage of it ... i mean lets be serious.. who is the biggest beneficiary of affirmative action? White women. Title IX, amongst other things, really has helped them out the most... considering that most universities were all male.. and they were given no funds to play sports at all. Now college admission is pretty much even for male and female w/ the trend actually leaning more towards female i believe.. despite their "poor math scores". But whenever people think of affirmative action.. they think of black, latino, native americans, and asian (who stastically speaking do quite well w/ tests... but are much less likely to come from poverty in the U.S.).

So they get rid of affirmitive action... b/c hey.. were goin to pretend we buy into "meritocracy". But wait up...hold up... what about the practice of legacy points? Giving someone prefferential admittance to a college/university b/c mommy and daddy came... yay!... go merit. Dont forget Johnny D. Dunkaball.... cuz were still giving points to recruited atheletes. So atheletes and trust fund babies get a freebie.... why? Duh...Money... Cash Rules Everything Around Me.. cream get the money... dollar dollar bill yall (sorry... Wu-Tang moment). Sports (mostly football and basketball) and rich alumna are gunna bring a whole lot more greenbacks to the colleges than po' smart folks. If you cant see how money and socioeconomic status play into this thing... and instead swallow the "minorities are takin our spots! (a WHOPPING 20% of our spots)" garbage then CONGRATULATIONS! You are the next contestant on our show "You Might Just Be An Idiot". Sarcasm aside again... it is a well played hand to distract you from the real issues. Socioeconomic status is the number one indicator of success in this capitalistic society (no... im not a socialist... socialism to me is like sex-buddy.. sure it looks great on paper but it never works out in practice). Now dont get me wrong.. i have no problem w/ atheletes and trust fund babies getting a bit of leeway to get into the school (they still have to do their hw... most of the time hehe)... but dont shut out less fortunate people and then try to pass it off like "oh.. were tryin to be fair.. we dont want to discriminate". Puh.. and dare i add... leeze!

Then theres bull-ish about about hiring the most competent people... while i dont have statistics on this... and wont go as far as pulling one out of my donkey... im willin to bet most people have gotten a job not b/c of what they can do but who they know. Everybody knows someone who has gotten "hooked up" w/ a job by a friend/family member/alumna/frat etc ... or some boss who hired an incompetent niece/nephew/family member/family member of a golf buddy. For the most part thats how its always been.. and if im runnin a business.. best believe im gunna do the same thing.

I'm a white, English speaking Canadian, and that's pretty much the worst thing I can be in Canada

ROFLMAO! Ahahahahaha... oh god... i can't breathe.. im tearing up. Lemme explain.. im not laughing at you Hegemon... im laughing at the absurdity of that statement from where im from. Look... I dont know how it is in Canada (i have an uncle who lives there and tells me that it is actually MUCH better in a lot of ways to the U.S. in terms of "race" and equality) so maybe you're right... maybe it is just tough being a white male in Canada (you wouldnt happen to be Protestant too would you?).

Hegemon... if you want to start a White Male Student Association more power to you! Seriously... Id support it! As long as you can tell me what function it would serve that you are currently not receiving... i mean i was the co-chair of the Caribbean African Student Assemblage at my university. We held events, speakers, game nights, all centered around Caribbean (Im Haitian) and African cultures/heritage... i learned a lot about not only my heritage but about alot of my peers and their culture. I would LOVE nothing more than to know more about "White" culture and heritage (i put it in parantheses b/c honestly the "white race" is a made up concept..). I mean... the closest thing to a White Male Association that i know here are these guys ... they seem to be doing pretty well for themselves. People seem to think that a "White Student's Union" or a "White Entertainment Television" channel would be some huge contreversy ... b/c somehow "White Pride" has become synonymous with hatred of other races. You have the KKKnuckleheads and neo-nazis to thank for that... If European-Americans want to define their heritage (whether it be focusing on the European part or the American part) or in your case "white" Canadian heritage than I am all for it as long as it is not defined by hatred for others or proclamation of superiority. Im sure you have a beautiful culture/heritage and i would love to learn more about it.

Now before someone tosses the ole "if things are so bad here... why dont you leave darky?". The U.S. is one of the best countries in the world (if not the best)... but it aint perfect. Theres a lot of things i like about this country... freedom of thought (like the fact that i can post this w/out worryin about the Gestapo showin up an openin a can of whipass on me) and the opportunity to actually succeed despite all the obstacles. Theres just some things that i think can be improved... and progress has been and can be made. "Things are better than they were 20 years ago" thats awesome... but thats no reason to stop... If people were content in the 1950s w/ the way things were (and a lot of people were)... wed still be in the 1950s... and wed still think Pluto is a planet... and wed still think its ok to beat our wives (well.. Mr Fantastic still thinks its ok)... and wed still think a bunch of other lame stuff that our grandparents think.

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Iconz - One love.. one heart... lets get together and feel alright

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Thanks, Iconz, for the response. I'm really falttered you took as much time out of yoru night to write this, but next time please read what I write... not just the parts that stick out. What is wrong with playign for fun and playing to win? And if you read what I wrote, I love having the girls there. I have no problem with women playing sports with me, I have no problem with women in general (minus the ones that have shafted me recently, but that's my bad choice in mates and dates, not theirs). You would have realized this if you saw what I wrote.

We're being damn considerate of them. We're letting them play. Now, what would they (or you) say if we made every exception for them, let them hit the softball, let them swing till they were on base, let them win because they were girls? Would we be *******s for not treating them like equals and going easy on them? Probably.

As for girlfriends showing interest, I love that! Bring them along, but don't expect the half the guys that show up to go easy on them because they don't play sports or they can't throw because you are. I had a girlfriend, love of my life, who showed no interest in anything I did. I was pathetic for playing muds, I was a loser for being into RPGs, it pretty much sucked. The only thing she approved of was Sex and Music. Rock on... so I love it when couples share things, believe me, I do. Makes me very happy to see a happy couple.

As for the consideration on the field... you're making bold assumptions on our skills, first off ;) I mean... 80mph on a throw to second? Not likely. Anyways, Taking an arm off? Nope. I can catch a ball throw that fast, so can the scrawny kid that never played a sport in his life. Why can't a girl? Are they not as good as a man? As for throwing it over her head... what is the point in a double cut off thrown from the out field? She was twenty feet from me, not yards, feet. And to boot, whenever she got the ball she'd throw it to me to throw into the infield because she couldn't make it.... so I guess I'm the dick for skipping throwing her the ball only to get it handed back to me to throw to where I was orignionally throwing it? Yeah... Sometimes double standards are kosher. They're called Double standards because they're twice as right, sometimes.

So, because you read half of what I wrote and then decide to jump up and off the line early, I'm the doucebag that is "that guy"? You make a lot of assumptions, my friend. Look man, I've respected you since the beginning. You're a great guy, but this is kinda low to assume that because I want to play a game of ball with a bunch of guys, to have male bonding and guy time, I'm an inconsiderate prick. Just to get it out there, I'm the second worst guy on the field... I suck. I suck hardcore... I don't get upset when the out field moves on me, I don't get upset when someone skips me on a cut off... because if they can do it better without me then let them. What it tells me is to get better, and if I play smarter next week I might get more game time. The best part? I make fun of myself for my suckage. So does everyone else there that duffs a catch, strikes out, or does something stupid. It's what we do. We call each other names, we prank one another... and when we do this to the woman we get hell for it... doens't seem right to me.

Nothing wrong with letting them get to first base... but why stop there? I mean... everyone should be able to get the thrill of hitting a home run! This may not be league play, this may just be a pickup sandlot team, but you know what? I want eveyrone to feel stellar about themselves... so every pitch is a homerun! See.. that is why they dont' earn first base by showing up. That is why if they want to get to first, they earn it. Did I cry in little league when I never made it on base? Nope. I worked and worked and worked... and then next season I was a decent player. And little league doens't mean ****... so, come on.. if a 10 year old boy can suck it up and make a play in a league that is meant for making kids feel good about themselves... why can't a grown woman do it on a baseball field full of men?

As for the rest? Not going to touch it.

a-g

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Just to clarify... i wasnt coming at you A_G. I did read what you wrote...I just wanted to play devil's advocate a bit. Trust me i was not angry at all when i wrote.. and i wasnt really tryin to insult you. I apologize if i did.

I just thought it was a bit funny that you guys are strategizing ... cuz it reminded me of this kid that i knew who would hold practices for an intrumaral basketball team of his. We always gave him ish for it... and i so i gave you a little bit of a tough time over it. We just have different views on things and thats cool... i just dont have much of a competitive nature sometimes. The moment i tell myself im not playin something for money or for pride... then its immediately "playin for fun".. so to answer your question...i wouldnt care if anyone asked for do-overs in that sense... id prolly give them crap over it. If i was playin to win... you best believe 3 strikes and youre out and im playing close to the plate and all that good stuff.

I dont think youre a douchebag and i dont think youre a dick... i tend to use those words too loosely w/ my friends whenever im ribbing them for whatever... its my weird sense of humor lol... but sorry for making you think that. I dont think youre inconsiderate.. but it sounds like they think you are (at least that guy who called the other girl a C).. thats what i was trying to get across. Trust me... i dont understand how women think... and i dont even think most WOMEN understand how they think.

We cool? :D

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Iconz - Prof self clarity... Your proficiency at clarity is 50% *mutter*

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We're cool. As we've talked in PM. I just have to say... I think we both have very similar senses of humour, and we really don't think anyone else can share something like this... so assume the other is being a twat. Heh. Awesome. I've got a black friend again... so, um, maybe I can get this answered for once and for all... can I use the N-word when rapping along with CDs and what not?

a-g

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I don't get how people can make something fun, or serious, and not have a middle ground. The people I hobby with in my various interests, we always seem to fall to the same fate, we take what we do seriously, the continuity of the game/hobby is important. For me it's mostly Judo, I want to throw hard, I want to play in such a way that I will be bruised at the end of the night, but I want to tell jokes, I want to laugh, I don't want to grow spiritually through judo, I don't care about my ki, I have a hard time finding people who either expect me to give them free shots, or people who get pissed off when I don't learn a particular motion to their liking.

For Ag and baseball it's like this; If you have a chance for a double play, you take the chance. Put a hot one toward second, and second will gun it to first. If the play isn't made, no one really cares, they will joke about it, but no one is going to storm off the field. But if you don't even try to make the play, then you are ****ting on one of the reasons this guys get together; to play baseball.

Swinging a bat is not playing baseball, it's swinging a bat.

And your post about the white race/heritage/culture really pissed me off for a bit, but at first I thought for certain reasons, and when I typed out my response I ended up defending my ideas with almost all the same points you brought up. And it just seemed ****ing odd, I'm still really put off by it, I guess I don't see how that if the white race is a made up concept, how any other race isn't just the same. But I'm not even sure if that was your point, could you clear that bit up for me please? It seems really foolish for me to be so pissed over it, and I'd rather not be.

WC

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I totally understand where both of you are coming from. Iconz, you're a well-known figure in the FL community, and if anyone takes offense to something you've saide, we all know you don't give a d***. A-G, you're also a well-known figure, and if you and Iconz want to wrassle about this post, go for it, and no one will care as long as you don't get racial, etc. But to me, it sounds like a serious case of "the wrong sex". Now, eventually the girls will get involved in your soft/base ball game, in the wrong way. The "guys/girls don't throw the same way as the girls/guys." Deal with it. If you don't agree withe the captain/manager's decision, then don't play. Find a new way to exercise, but most of all, don't be abusive toward the girls, becaase that isn't fun or decisive or complimentary to your cause.

It may have evolved from a friendly pick-up game to a serious game, and if it does, quit. And if you need an excuse, come back to FL, where you can say, "I've found a game that's less serious than yours." :D

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Hahaha,

A_G. Its a word... but it means a lot of different things to alot of different people... but here ya go that might help. :D

Thanks corpsetomp. I dont try to insult people just to insult them.. but i can be a dick heh... and i actually like A_G and WC... and i use "and" too much...

Bingo WC... lots of people are pissed about the issue of "race" and they are put off by it... and they cant grasp why. "Race" is a divise tool... and if you resist becoming part of that blob.. youre somehow anti-American.. and were taught if we dont talk about race it will go away... (which coincidentally is also my policy w/ debt). The world is a really big place man... and i think its a disservice to "white" people to cram themselves under one category.. when there are so many different cool European cultures out there that somehow get lost under the banner of "white".... or even some American ones. What i meant was there is no such thing as a "white" race or a "black" race... b/c the meaning of both have changed over the years... at one point the Irish were not considered "white" either... and "blackness" isnt that much better defined. At least "Asian" has a geographic basis... and latino does as well. I guess what im sayin is that im all about learning new cultures... like i didnt know black-eyed peas are a dish of tradition on New Years for a lot of southerners.. Haitians have a similar tradition with eating soup on New Years. So if a "White Student Organization" were to decide to form itself ...and express the coolness of "white" culture ....and it wasnt based on putting down other cultures... show me where to sign. (no im not being sarcastic)

Ultimately... i think a part of the problem is that i dont like that America is a "melting pot" because that means you become one homogenous blob... id rather think of America as a cultural salad. The tomato doesnt want to be lettuce... and the lettuce doesnt hate the tomato for being a tomato... and the salad dressing doesnt wish it didnt have to put up with the carrot. Instead they work together to be delicious.. nutrional.. and slightly awesome... just like you America.

And were are the women of FL??? I thought for sure theyd be riding you like a circus pony by now A_G (hmm... maybe that wouldnt be such a bad thing)

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Iconz - Hmm... im hungry...

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Iconz, you da man! You're right. Money is what makes the world goes 'round and so does what blood runs through your veins.

I wanted it gone, because, frankly, I don't need anymore favoritism than what already goes on. I'm already a hurting unit. How does a guy who works his butt off, maintains a 3.5 GPA, scores a 25 (alright not that high, but I was one week removed from a hernia operation) on the ACT's, is turned down by Ivy League schools, winds up at CMU, and then gets booted for lack of cash when his parents are (someone forgive me) your typical trailer trash that never bothered to better themselves and spent most of their lives in the welfare system?

When I blew my knee, I practically died having to go the FIA and see if I could get assistance with my rent and food stamps. I was denied, which made my pride feel better, but my fiancee had to go to work and that made me feel pretty low in itself.

I try not to think too much into this. Just enough to know that, well, I'm screwed almost no matter what I do. I am, quite literally, on my own and the only way I'm going to get anything in this world is if I scrap for it.

By the way, Detroit's Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick landed behind bars today....but technically, I can't make jokes about it...would you help a brother maintain his political correctness? ;)

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You know... Killalou was tellin me about that whole mess... but i didnt get the full grasp of it. What DID happen w/ Kwame (hehehe... everytime I hear his name I want to yell

)? Well all im gunna say is at least he wasnt on crack like that one from D.C. (Barry?). How the hell you become a mayor and still smoke crack is beyond me... really... wtf. I thought the higherups do cocaine...

BUT! On the topic of politicians... John Edwards and his mistress? Now.. im comfortable enough in my heterosexuality to say that John Edwards is what you would call a good looking man. So i kinda feel bad for him b/c the picture they choose to show of his mistress is one that makes you take a look and say "dude... tell me you were drunk..." In the picture... her hair is all out of whack.. and she even has this look of confusion like "yeah... how DID i get you in bed?". Then i stop feeling bad for him when i realize... oh yeah... dude's wife is dealing w/ cancer... thats gotta earn him a solid spot for the douchebag of the year nomination.

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Iconz - "Politicians are like plumbers... they do a necessary service... but you sure as hell dont have to like watching what they are doing when they really dip into the ish".

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