GoOnRecord.com

via elduderino726:

RGThrizzle has a big week 1:

via @AndyRoos510

via @majac21:

via @rcasagra3:

NLCS - Dogers v. Nats

ALCS - Detroit v. Red Sox

WS - Nats over Detroit

via @jland3131:

NLCS - Cards over Braves

ALCS - Tigers over Rays

WS - Tigers over Cards

MVP - Hanley Ramirez

via @tandons12:

via @BrianKoles

Regardless of personal politics, it is undeniable that the broad decriminalization of marijuana represents an enormous investment opportunity. A multibillion dollar industry is taking shape in 2014. THIS IS NOT INVESTMENT ADVICE, but I am going on record that building a diversified portfolio of marijuana stocks (akin to a marijuana ETF) is the single best long-term equity hold opportunity for the next ten years.

Here is an interesting basket of publicly traded companies pioneering various aspects of the cannabis industry:

Medical Research:

Cannibis Science (CBIS)

CannaVest (CANV)

  Cultivation:

GrowLife (PHOT)

FusionPharm (FSPM)

  Consumer Products:

Medbox (MDBX)

mCig (MCIG)

VAPE Holdings (VAPE)

  Real Estate and Advisory:

Advanced Cannabis Solutions (CANN)

  Cross Industry:

Medical Marijuana Inc. (MJNA)

via: @Manjac21

Every year I am shocked at how the “experts” routinely pick the Yankees to finish 3rd or even 4th in the division and failing to reach the playoffs. These experts almost always look like idiots at the end of the season. I understand they missed out on post season play last year, but by almost everyone’s account last year’s team overachieved after the insane injury rampage struck during spring training. The fact that they were in the playoff hunt until the last week of the season or so was a testament to Joe Girardi’s clubhouse and the Yankee system.  Once again this year all the experts I have seen so far are picking the Yankees 3rd or 4th in the AL East (most picking the Rays to win it) citing their advanced age, weak infield play, and the losses of Mariano Rivera and Robby Cano.  All of these points are 100% true as weaknesses of the club, but I don’t see them holding back a team that won 85 games last year and add some key pieces in the off-season, from winning the 7 or so more games it will take to make the playoffs. 

First, addressing our losses – nobody loved or respected Mariano more than me, and his departure will certainly cost us games that we would have won with him, but as we saw 2 years ago when Raphael Soriano was closing for us, others can step in and get the job done. David Robertson will surely have some shaky appearances, but once he gets comfortable I see him excelling in the closer role. I do think the Yanks will add some bullpen help at some point in the near future.  Robbie Cano is by far the best 2nd baseman in the game, and I’ll argue that his fielding is also second to none. But, the additions we have made elsewhere in the lineup (most notably at catcher) will make up for his loss at the plate.  I don’t see us losing any games in the standings by having another 2nd baseman in the field either.  There’s no denying it though, the loss of Robby’s bat will hurt, as every time he’s at the plate he is a threat for an extra base hit. But, the upgrade from Chris Stewart to Brian McCann cannot be underestimated. Forget about his intensity and his command of a pitching staff, his bat in Yankee Stadium will bring back the advantage we had with Jorge was our catcher. Having a power bat behind the plate is going to be huge for this team. I’m not really sure what we will get from Jacoby Ellsbury as his history is makes him unpredictable. But I expect him to be on base at a high rate, and to be a terror on the base path once he gets on. He’ll also benefit from the short right porch and give us some power. As will Carlos Beltran who is going to be a consistent presence in the lineup. Gardener, Jacoby, and Beltran in the outfield is as good as it gets and will save many runs throughout the season. Lets also not forget how insane Alfonso Soriano was last year once he joined the Yanks, and I look for him to continue to add power to the lineup from the DH spot. Forgot to mention…Derek Jeter and Mark Teixeira are back.  I fully expect Jeter to hit with the top shortstops in the game as he always has (he lead the league in hits 2 seasons ago). We know what his fielding will be, but I refuse to believe having Derek Jeter in the field will cost us games, especially when we have the best fielding ss in the game as his back up for late inning replacement. Lastly, the signing of Tanaka was huge for the depth of the rotation. He might take some time to adjust, but his stuff cannot be denied.  In a perfect world, CC will get back to his normal ace self, Tanaka will pitch like its Japan,  Nova will continue his impressive pitching of the 2nd half of last season, Kuroda will be  a consistent  pitcher allowing the team to stay in and win games, and we will see Michael Pineda like he was in Seattle.  We know that all won’t happen, but I think enough of it will that this staff will be one of the best in the AL.

Via @jland3131:

Via @egellman83

Via @LHirsch

Via @Manjac21

Chris Christie can’t escape this Fort Lee controversy unscathed. Let’s say he’s telling the truth and he knew nothing about the e-mails sent by his senior staff effectively shutting down traffic on the GWB into Fort Lee, NJ. First off, it’s very hard to believe that with so many people involved in this scandal including his lead campaign manager, chief of staff, deputy chief of staff, communications director and chief counsel, he didn’t catch wind of this fiasco.  In that case then he’s a Governor whose top advisers and staff either think it’s okay with him to conduct themselves in a grossly improper way under his watch, or who simply don’t respect him enough to obey his command. If he’s lying then the implications are obvious – he can’t be trusted at all as he put the safety of many thousands of people behind his political agenda.  So he either comes of looking like a weak leader or an unethical one. 

Last point – the excuse that because it was election season a lot of things that otherwise would be dealt with can fly under the radar and go unnoticed, is laughable and disingenuous.  Suppose he does become the President of the United States, and then runs for re-election. Would we not have the same issue at that point? I have to believe there would be way more distractions participating in an election on the national scale.  I wonder what could go unnoticed then.

Via @tandsons12

Via @BrianKoles

The two-party system of Washington politics has the federal government hopelessly gridlocked. Placating a party base means pandering to an ever-increasingly radicalized agenda that irrationally pairs fiscal and social values, leaving moderates and those bold enough to separate tax allocation from bedroom behavior powerless on the fringe. A diverse nation that agrees on little aside from the importance of checks and balances makes voting majorities hard to come by. If we’ve learned anything from the Obama administration, it’s whatever hope and change represents to you, it won’t be accomplished at the federal level any time soon.

Local politicians, namely Mayors, are better armed to be catalysts for meaningful transformation. They’re less beholden to state-wide bureaucracy than governors, and the national population is largely concentrated around major metropolitan areas. Still, this programmatic latitude and power over large populations is stymied by the shadow of party allegiance. Getting elected is expensive - at least until interest group financing is somehow severed from campaigns - which means latching on to the machine of a major party is the path of least resistance for getting into office. That is, unless you don’t need their money.

Love him or hate him, Michael Bloomberg got elected to be Mayor of New York City (3 times!) based on his own personal agenda. Dropping his GOP affiliation, Bloomberg managed to champion the otherwise untenable combination of pro-business policies, respect for religious and sexual freedoms, and big government influence over public health. Another wealthy leader could have supported a completely reverse combination of Liberal and Conservative agenda if elected. However, neither could thrive with a party affiliation.

Via @rcasagra3

Via @Jland3131

Via @rcasagra3