Malman

Wow...didn't realize you went to NU...I worked at the University and lived in Evanston for three years in the early 90's. Here is an excellent article regarding the potential ramifications of this case... Eric Zorn...Chicago Tribune...March 01, 2005 TURNING POINT? Tempting though it is, I?m not going to leap to the conclusion that Monday?s murder of U.S. Judge Joan H. Lefkow?s husband and mother in her family?s North Side home was an act of revenge against Judge Lefkow for her role in white supremacist Matthew Hale?s legal troubles. At this writing I know of no evidence that links Hale?s followers to the horrifying crime other than the fact that he was convicted in April of soliciting Lefkow?s murder. While that fact plainly raises suspicion, it?s important for observers and police alike to remain open to the possibility that Michael F. Lefkow and Donna Humphrey were the victims of a random home invasion gone bad, a grudge killing unrelated to Judge Lefkow?s work or even a grudge killing related to her work on a different case. That said, however, these murders, if they turn out to be the work of white supremacists loyal to or working for Matthew Hale, would be the among the most ominous in the recent history of this nation. We have more than our share of mayhem here ?-random, predatory, twisted, senseless. But assassinations of public authority figures or, even worse, their relatives, have been mostly a third-world phenomenon for nearly a quarter of a century. And even in America back in the early 1980s, the murder of John Lennon and the attempted assassination of President Reagan were such loopy, deranged crimes so utterly lacking in organizational method that they didn?t strike fear into our hearts or change our way of life. Judges, and by extension their families, must be safe if they are to serve justice. Our way of life depends on it. The same is true of political leaders and police officials. Fear is corrupting, malignant, metastatic. True freedom is impossible under its heavy cloud. Again, I?m not pointing the finger in this case. What I?m saying about the essential nature of personal security for law enforcement and legislative leaders applies no matter who turns out to be responsible for Monday?s murders. And we have lived happily under the presumption of that security for an awfully long time -- enough that most of us have felt justified in heaping scorn on egocentric mid-level political office holders who travel with bodyguards. Elsewhere in the world, important people of all sorts live in armed compounds, and when they venture out in public they're always wary of killers and kidnappers. Why not here? There?s never been a great reason -- we just don't do things that way. Our judges, our prosecutors, our police officials, and most of our elected leaders and fabulously wealthy people live and walk among us every day. But the presumption that they?re safe from organized intimidation, extortion and bloody revenge stands to be easily shattered, and with it something very precious. It?s too early to conclude that this happened on Monday. But it?s not too early to hope that it didn?t.

:lol :lol Are you kidding me? There is no way Oakland AND Atlanta are both that stupid. Whats funny is that not only did this guy clearly make it up, but some people think the Marlins are being ripped off. 698267[/snapback] Funny, I was thinking the exact same thing.

You might recall this scumbag (Hale) was associated with the World Church of the Creator racist organization, whose follower murdered Ricky Byrdsong (former Northwestern basketball coach) and several others a few years back. Last year Hale was convicted of attempting to solicit the murder of the same federal judge whose husband and mother were murdered in Chicago yesterday. Federal Judge Finds Husband, Mother Dead In Home Judge Presided Over High-Profile Cases In Past CHICAGO -- The mother and husband of U.S. District Judge Joan Humphrey Lefkow were found dead in her North Side home Monday night, officials have confirmed. The bodies were found in this house in the 5200 block of North Lakewood. Police said the judge came home around 6 p.m. to find the two victims in the residence in the 5200 block of North Lakewood Avenue. The victims were identified as Michael Lefkow, 64, a private attorney, and Donna Lefkow, 89, who was visiting from Denver, NBC5's Sharon Wright reported. "Mike was a very good guy, very diligent attorney (who) represented a lot of people who needed help," family friend Ray Grobel said. Police and the FBI are conducting a death investigation. Officers would not say how the two people were killed. "Judge Lefkow is a wonderful judge, and I really hope it has nothing to do with any cases she's ever worked on, because that's an outragous position for any judge to be in, to think that their family could be at risk because of decisions they make in their cases," family friend Candice Gorman said. Lefkow presided over a trademark case against Matt Hale, a white supremacist later convicted of trying to have the judge killed. Hale remains behind bars. Prosecutors said Hale was furious when Lefkow ordered him to stop using the name World Church of the Creator because it had been trademarked by an Oregon-based religious group that had no ties to Hale's group. Solicitation of murder carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, and Hale also could get a maximum of 10 years on each of three counts of obstructing justice. Lefkow has been under federal protection in the past, Wright reported. Officials have made no connection between the two deaths Monday and any case over which Lefkow has presided. Previous article with background... Hale Found Guilty Of Murder Solicitation Hale Found Guilty On Four Of Five Counts CHICAGO -- Federal prosecutors in Chicago say the conviction Monday in white supremacist Matthew Hale's murder-solicitation trial sends an important message. There was no expression on Matt Hale's face as the clerk read the verdict, NBC5's Charlie Wojciechowski reported. On the third day of jury deliberations, Hale was found guilty late Monday morning on four of the five counts against him, including a charge that he tried to have a federal judge killed after she ruled against him in a trademark case. Defense lawyer Tom Durkin said after court, "Of course we're disappointed. (Hale is) very disappointed. He thought as we did that we had won on the solicitation counts. I still think we won the case, the jury thought otherwise." Durkin said Hale "preaches ridiculous, philosophical beliefs," which were "plastered" all over the tape recordings prosecutors played at trial. "I don't think you can come away with any other sense than he was prosecuted for his beliefs." Durkin said. "I didn't say he was convicted on his beliefs. I have a lot of faith in the jury system. "I think (the government) set out to get Hale the day of the Ben Smith shootings and they've accomplished that," Durkin said. He added he would appeal the verdict. Smith, a former member of Hale's group, traveled in Illinois and Indiana shooting blacks, Asians and Jews during the 1999 Independence Day weekend. Smith killed two people and wounded nine others before killing himself. Hale (pictured, left) was convicted Monday on three charges of obstructing justice and one count of soliciting the murder of U.S. District Judge Joan Humphrey Lefkow. He was acquitted of a second count of soliciting the murder of a federal judge. Hale sat with his hands clasped on the table as the verdicts were read. He dipped his head slightly but showed no other reaction. The jury found Hale, 32, had solicited his security chief, Anthony Evola, to kill Lefkow because she had ruled against his organization, the former World Church of the Creator, in a trademark infringement lawsuit. But the jurors acquitted Hale of charges alleging he solicited Jon Fox, a former member of the World Church, to kill Lefkow. The obstructing justice counts state Hale obstructed justice when he solicited Lefkow's murder, when he sent her a letter falsely claiming he did not possess materials bearing the trademarked terms "Church of the Creator" and when he instructed his father on what to say when testifying before a federal grand jury. U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald said during a news conference after court, "Matt Hale was convicted today because of his conduct, his words, his actions, not the government's. Matt Hale committed a crime. Matt Hale sought to have a federal judge killed." "We're not out to get anyone," Fitzgerald continued. "We go after people who carry out crimes or we watch people if we think they are about to carry out crimes." People can express their views and beliefs, but when such views and beliefs call for violence against others, then the government will step in, Fitzgerald said. "Today's message is that we will not wait for the trigger to be pulled," he added. He said Hale, who has been trying to get his law license, knew he was inciting Evola to commit violence against Lefkow. "He knows how to talk quite well. He has legal training," said Fitzgerald. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Weisman said he believed jurors saw that Hale knew much about the law and was being careful not to step over the line, which shows he meant it when he wanted a federal judge killed. When asked if he was disappointed about a split verdict, Weisman replied, "We are happy that the jury did their job and that would've been true regardless of what verdicts we got." As for possible retaliation by Hale's followers following the verdict, Fitzgerald responded, "We will take action should anyone try to do anything violent." Other people and groups also expressed their views on the Hale verdict. Sherialyn Byrdsong, widow of Northwestern University basketball coach Ricky Byrdsong, who was killed during Smith's 1999 rampage, released a statement on behalf of the foundation named after her late husband: "We are thrilled about the verdict in the case against Matthew Hale. We are all human beings, created in God's image, placed together on this planet to love, respect and esteem one another. I hope that the lesson and message of this trial is that peaceful co-existence should be all of our goals." Sherialyn Byrdsong is the president of the Ricky Byrdsong Foundation. "In this case, there is still justice in our society that needs to prevail," said Ricky Byrdsong's sister, Marcia Byrdsong, on Monday. Ian Seigal, Midwest director of the Jewish Defense League, called the verdicts "a good start" in the fight against racism, but said groups such as Hale's church were likely to use the case as a rallying point. "The hate is always going to be out there," Seigal said after court. "We have to stay vigilant." "I'm very grateful to the jury for their courage," Seigal said. "They bent over backwards to be fair to Matt Hale, which is a lot more than he ever did for anyone else." Richard Hirschhaut, Midwest director of the Anti-Defamation League, said after court, "This is an extraordinary day for our system of justice. "The trial and conviction of Matthew Hale should send a warning shot to be heard round the world to those extremists, white supremacists, bigots, and tell them that while their hateful views are indeed their own, are indeed theirs to be spoken and thought about freely, the moment those views move into the arena of incitement ... you will pay for those crimes," Hirschhaut said. "Let that be a deterrent to racists everywhere," he added. Hale, who renamed his organization the Creativity Movement, has been held at the Metropolitan Correctional Center since his January 2003 arrest. No sentencing date has been set in Hale's case. Solicitation of murder carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. Hale could also get a maximum of 10 years on each of three counts of obstruction of justice. "It's a bittersweet victory," Seigal said. "I wish that this could have occurred about 10 years ago, before he left a trail of bodies from one end of the country to the other."

UofP

What about Mike Cameron? The Mets are really desperate for relief pitching, we have plenty. Although I don't think Jones, Reidling, Mecir or Alfonseca can be traded until mid-May. Could Encarnacion and Perisho/Bump do the job? What about Spooneybarger and Encarnacion? Should Pierre leave in a year or two, Cameron could move back to centerfield where he's much better. 698246[/snapback] What was Cameron's OPS last year?

Looks like this would be an unbelievable deal for the Marlins. Seems like the A's are giving up far too much. If this is real Beinfest would pull the trigger in a heartbeat. That being said...I don't believe this is real.

Thanks Admin. Good interview, good format, good idea. Hope you are considering doing more. How about one with Roxy Bernstein? (our new radio voice) And if you can't do it, how about one of our Moderators (or others, e.g. CapeFish, Marlins2003, Maverick, and. Rferry could provide northern exposure.) Will take some initiative but can be done. A 2000 member Forum has clout. (And I recommend the weekly "Mail Bag" with Joe Frisario on "Official" Marlins site.) 697363[/snapback] RFerry would be perfect for a segment with Mike Berardino...those two would get along just fine!

Glad to hear DVH is good to go 697384[/snapback] DVH will be fine. I hear he has an extremely hot wife. :thumbup

Is the final player on our roster really that big of a deal anyhow?? If Lenny gets two bats a week...that will be a lot.? In my opinion, our young players would be better off playing every day in the minors versus rotting away on Jack's bench. 696498[/snapback] It is a big deal when Hagerty and Harris both figure to be "dead weight" on our roster. 696722[/snapback] I was referring to our our position players not the overall roster...I would not advocate losing Haggerty in order to keep Harris. Harris is close with all of the veterans...he is the last guy that will stir the pot. He knows his role and accepts...it's the young guys who get frustrated when they aren't playing...Abe Nunez comes to mind. and as for Valdez...please...gimme a break.

Can we please put this Lenny Harris debate to bed?? He is the all-time leader in pinch hits, he is 7 hits away from 200, he is great in the clubhouse and Jack loves him...regardless of his OPS, OPB, OPBS...Lenny Harris will be on the Opening Day roster...case closed. Is the final player on our roster really that big of a deal anyhow?? If Lenny gets two bats a week...that will be a lot.? In my opinion, our young players would be better off playing every day in the minors versus rotting away on Jack's bench. 696498[/snapback] You know that's not going to happen. If Lenny makes the team, McKeon will make sure he gets most of the pinch-hitting chances. As a NL team, that's six at bats per week. Probably half of those will be in a position when the Marlins have a decent chance to score a run or more. Now consider he's batted close to .200 (with no patience or pop) as a pinch-hitter the past two years. Add it all up, and that's going to lead to a lot of missed opportunities. He's shell of his former self and no longer a productive member of the club. The team and himself are better served to retire and become a coach. Wilson Valdez, the rightful winner of the final bench spot last year, would probably agree. 696581[/snapback] Have you ever heard of the word "intangibles"? I highly doubt Wilson Valdez not making the team last year was a blow to the squad. I realize Lenny is in decline but c'mon...he won at least one game for us last year. If the final roster spot came down to Harris & Willingham - who would be better suited for the last seat on the bench? I'd rather have the all-time pinch hit leader vs. the future star who could continue to improve (both offensively & defensively) while playing every day at AAA. I would handle JWil in a similar manner to how the Mets handled David Wright. Wright was not called up until Wigginton was moved...so Wright could play every day. Wright was obvioulsy better than some of the stiffs on the Mets bench but he was better off playing regulary for Norfolk until a spot opened up for him.

Aguila could be a future cornerstone of this franchise if his progress continues 696510[/snapback] Umm...I think you might be a bit overly-optimistic on Aguila. Hermedia...now that's a different story. 696521[/snapback] Sarcasm my friend. 696588[/snapback] R U sure??? :mischief2

"Gambling is illegal at Bushwood, Sir"

Nice...a little love for my Wildcats...TJ & VV! It looks like the Cats will have to wait til next year for their first ever NCAA appearance...nearly everyone returns and they add Kentucky transfer Bernard Cote. They have an outside shot at the NIT this season but will have to beat Ramp's Hoosiers in Bloomington. :notworthy

Aguila could be a future cornerstone of this franchise if his progress continues 696510[/snapback] Umm...I think you might be a bit overly-optimistic on Aguila. Hermedia...now that's a different story.

Aguila is a great player. Pujols is great. Bonds is great. Vlad is great. Aguila is a backup outfielder...he is marginal at best.

Can we please put this Lenny Harris debate to bed? He is the all-time leader in pinch hits, he is 7 hits away from 200, he is great in the clubhouse and Jack loves him...regardless of his OPS, OPB, OPBS...Lenny Harris will be on the Opening Day roster...case closed. Is the final player on our roster really that big of a deal anyhow? If Lenny gets two bats a week...that will be a lot. In my opinion, our young players would be better off playing every day in the minors versus rotting away on Jack's bench.

Jeez...give the Pimp some love...Lenny fills an important role for the Fish...I'd rather have him on the bench getting one or two AB's a week opposed to someone like Willingham who is better off playing every day in Albuquerque...

What happened to the QAM press conference scheduled for Wednesday? Did I miss it? Did they announce anything regarding the Marlins or Roxy??? :mischief2

Trust me when I tell you that the academic reputation of UM and UF outweighs FSU. If you intened to stay in the South...I would highly recommend Georgia Tech over FSU & FIT...this would be a no brainer IMO.? Other outstanding schools in the South include Rice, Emory, Vanderbilt, Tulane, Duke, North Carolina and UVA.? Try not to be so narrow minded and explore your options...get out of Florida if you can...it's only four years and you can always come back. 695105[/snapback] FSU is a Top 3 school in Meteorology. Penn State and Oklahoma are the other ones I believe. 695239[/snapback] Don't get so fixated on Meteorology...look at the school and its overall reputation. Go to the school with the highest ranking. The odds of you sticking with meteorology are slim...most people end up changing as they grow older...you might think there is no chance of this but the probability is very high. FSU, PSU and OU are not very impressive compared to the other schools I had previously mentioned. Do you have a college placement advisor? Who is guiding you through this process??? 695290[/snapback] I'm only a Junior. Mr. Sherman starts later this year with the process. 695296[/snapback] Best of luck...you seem like a bright person...be sure to keep an open mind and consider all of the opportunities out there! :thumbup

Trust me when I tell you that the academic reputation of UM and UF outweighs FSU. If you intened to stay in the South...I would highly recommend Georgia Tech over FSU & FIT...this would be a no brainer IMO.? Other outstanding schools in the South include Rice, Emory, Vanderbilt, Tulane, Duke, North Carolina and UVA.? Try not to be so narrow minded and explore your options...get out of Florida if you can...it's only four years and you can always come back. 695105[/snapback] FSU is a Top 3 school in Meteorology. Penn State and Oklahoma are the other ones I believe. 695239[/snapback] Don't get so fixated on Meteorology...look at the school and its overall reputation. Go to the school with the highest ranking. The odds of you sticking with meteorology are slim...most people end up changing as they grow older...you might think there is no chance of this but the probability is very high. FSU, PSU and OU are not very impressive compared to the other schools I had previously mentioned. Do you have a college placement advisor? Who is guiding you through this process???

Title says NY Post....

Someone should forward this to Fat Hank...he was spouting off his usual uniformed BS all morning. I couldn't stand listening to him so I switched over to Joe Rose. He was actually complaining about the increasing cost of bricks and mortar! The guy has no clue whatsoever...what a turd. :thumbdown

Wow...I got chills reading this article! Thanks for posting...

Trust me when I tell you that the academic reputation of UM and UF outweighs FSU. If you intened to stay in the South...I would highly recommend Georgia Tech over FSU & FIT...this would be a no brainer IMO. Other outstanding schools in the South include Rice, Emory, Vanderbilt, Tulane, Duke, North Carolina and UVA. Try not to be so narrow minded and explore your options...get out of Florida if you can...it's only four years and you can always come back.

hopefully he absolutely tears up the minors this year and stays healthy until July so that his value will be nice and high. 694785[/snapback] Funny, I was thinking the same thing about Willingham...