Bronco

Nothing but didn't you start this thread?

I think this may be one of the biggest factors to consider when structuring the new gov in Iraq. I'd support Iraq breaking up into states as defined by tribal teritorial lines, but, that's a whole nother can of worms (line goes here, no, line goes here). Ursa - what else did you have in mind? I'm open to suggestions, but under the circumstances, I support the current "strategery" to remove Saddam by force. His son's are prepared to step into his place when he passes away. They are "reported" to be as bad or worse so no regeim change would likely have taken place for a loooooong time. It's a tough situation any way you look at it, makes Afganistan look pretty black and white.

Interesting, that's the way I view Saddam's treatment of his people.

Good one Paul! My wife's made it clear that she not real pleased with me taking up climbing 5 years into our marriage, but, acknowledges I've always been a pretty avid outdoorsman and would have likely gotten into it eventually. I think if you are someone who just climbs for fun and your SO tells you to quit "or else" you should consider it. However, if you are lucky enough to find your heart singing when you are high in the mountains, you would be selling out to someone who might be giving you ultimatums the rest of your life. Hopefully, you have been fortunate enough to have married someone who recognizes how rare is is for people to find a "hobby" they love to do so much. Nice topic greg She's a real firecracker, eh? Sometimes I think she lives to give my buddies hell. I think she might be attracted to Fred though, she was asking when the next slide show is and talking about what an impressive memory he has for a codger.

If you're concerned about the tourons at Gustavs walk in and announce "Man, I really have a lot of ticks on me" and start dusting yourself off. Then run around and drink all the beers they left when they ran out.

kinda funny story 'bout REI and boots. One of my redneck buddies was planning to climb Rainier one year and decided to break down and get some mountaineering boot. So the shoe guy at REI refuses to even let him try on leather boots cause nobody can possibly climb Rainier in leather boots! Crist Almighty your feet will freeze solid and you will die! So he got some Makalus (from another REI) he really likes (narrow low volume foot) and climbed Raindawg in comfort. At the next REI he told them he needed something for hiking up Mt. Si.

when you're at the end of the rope and need to sling a big ass boulder. I don't make a habit of carrying one at the crags, except castle rock or other places I know I'll be slinging a big boulder. Mainly for mountain tomfoolery.

I wonder what the requirement is for their level of INSANITY!?

Iraqi eyeball stew! Mmmmmm.

....'cause my clients pay for it anyway

Seems to me that not too long ago the Iranians would have waved the suicide boats on through. Iranian gunboats intercepted an Iraqi speedboat filled with explosives in Iranian waters, U.S. Navy officials confirmed to Fox News Thursday, adding that they continue to be extremely vigilant for further Iraqi coastal activity. Navy officials confirm the incident and say several similar boats also feared to be carrying explosives escaped back up the Shaat al Arab waterway, which marks the border between the two countries. The Navy has been worried about this "fast boat" threat, which could threaten coalition vessels or commercial shipping. Keeping the waterway open for humanitarian aid and to move ships through and give them safe harbor are crucial on the agenda of naval coalition forces. SEAL Special Boat units, Coast Guard and air assets are keeping a very close eye on any activity on the waterways, and have discovered several vessels laden with mines, Fox News learned. U.S. Central Command discovered a sophisticated influence mine set in the channel to Umm Qasr and showed a picture of it at Thursday's briefing in Qatar. The arrival of the first relief ship, Sir Galahad, has been held up by the discovery of this mine. The sinking of a vessel in the narrow channel would pose a real problem for reopening the port and pumping in significant amounts of relief supplies, Fox News learned. The Sydney Morning Herald reported Wednesday night that coalition naval forces were on high alert against suicide attacks after the speedboats, packed with half a ton of high explosives, were intercepted. The explosives were discovered after one of the Iraqi boats was run aground during the confrontation. The Herald reported that three other Iraqi speedboats, feared to be carrying the same amounts of explosive, escaped when Iranian forces engaged Iraqis at the mouth of the waterway. All 30 Navy and Royal Fleet auxiliary vessels in the Gulf have mounted round-the-clock force protection squads on deck, The Herald reported, and all have permission to open fire on vessels if they continue to close on a ship after ignoring signals and warning shots across the bow. Since the suicide boat attack against the USS Cole in October 2000, which killed 17 American sailors, and the ramming of the French oil tanker, the Linburg in 2002, warships in the area from Britian, America and Australia have been on high alert for Al Qaeda strikes. However, the intervention of the Iraqi speedboat is the first tangible evidence that attacks are being plotted in the region. Before Operation Iraqi Freedom stated Rear Admiral David Snelson, the British naval commander in the Gulf, told The Herald that the threat of small speedboats packed with explosives was "uppermost in his mind" in terms of threats to the Royal Navy. Fox News' Major Garrett contributed to this report.

Admit it, you guys discussing the "magic" square are trekies.

But how cool the Fred Beckey Show was last night! Just thinking of all the long approaches he did with Leather & Canvas backpacks makes my back ache! He also gave a brief history lecture on the origin of the

If I add the percentage of insanity I scored last week to the IQ test I just get cloudy vision and the voices get louder. What the hell is an insightful linguist? Someone who likes pasta? Let's see if I can dig up the on line body fat test, it's as accurate as hell! Oh, here it is: http://www.healthcentral.com/cooltools/CT_Fitness/bodyfat1.cfm

I thought this was about changing strategery

You ice clamberers are nuts! Nice TR

And that's a good reason to go to a knowledgeable pack fitter like Jim Nelson, especially if you are a newbie. I've heard rumors that he actually climbs with the gear he sells too!

and a crow-bar for the chicken bolt!

eh, I guess what I meant was - Did you perform a search on Cascadeclimbers.com for "rooney" so you wouldnt create a duplicate thread in spray? sorry for the cornfusion, carry on.

catbird, did you actually do a search on rooney? yur a sick man!

what kinda truck does he drive?

you three just made number 1 on my shit list! Yes a three way tie!

yes it does but not very often, I think it faces due west. was the road open to the trailhead?

Wait and see what happens if you offend our choice of trucks punk! We're pretty civil when the subject is just insignificant political drivel.