Fairweather

We're heading down to do this trip as a two day this Sunday/Monday. No room in the car, but if someone wants to coordinate/meet up at the TH let me know. Details via PM.

what don't you take a trip back to Varshava and enlist in the Polish army to defend the motherland? You're a real tough guy, after all. The Russians will be shaking in their boots when they see your 110 lb form - waving an M16 in one arm and an ice tool in the other! Does the Polish military accept openly gay trans genders like GGK? Oh well; maybe he could be a "comfort boy" for Russian troops after they set up camp in Warsaw.

Not to worry. I'm sure they'll take The Bronze in hockey when the 2010 games come to town, eh?

Roche Harbor might not have as many yuppies, but it has more than its share of yacht-snobs. I do like the cannon ceremony at sunset though. As far as Orcas, there's a cool little bar in East Sound. It has one of those video trivia games where the girl takes off more clothes as you answer the questions correctly. There's some good trail-running in Moran State Park too. You're right about the artsy goof balls though. Warren Miller lives there, so it can't be all that bad.

Gold - 0 Silver - 0 Bronze - 0 http://results.beijing2008.cn/WRM/ENG/INF/GL/95A/GL0000000.shtml

I don't think Georgians are 'the good guys' either, and Bush has bungled Russian relations from day one. Missile defense in former Soviet republics? Bad idea. If I recall we didn't take too kindly to the Soviets making friends in our sphere of influence in the central and south Americas back in the day. I don't completely blame Russia for flexing its muscle--even if the current crisis is somewhat manufactured. Fuck 'em both. Russia clearly had assets in place before this thing supposedly blew up. Just a thought: can Russia completely control its own army/officer corps? Claiming a cease fire is in place when it clearly is not is either cynical in the extreme--or political control of the military is lacking.

I've gotta agree.

We'll never know for sure, because her plan was formulated behind closed doors--much like Cheney's reviled energy plan seven years ago. I've read that one plan called for the punishment of doctors who provided private services.

Hillary Clinton's proposal in 1993/94 proposed just that. Did Hillary Clinton really propose to close or nationalize all private clinics and hospitals? I don't think so. By most accounts, it did.

What I'm saying is not necessarily business/good, government/bad, but rather there are ways to retool the partnership that already exists between the two. That is what anybody who is involved in any discussion of possible national litigation is talking about too. Did you mean legislation? Was that a Freudian slip, or what? But seriously, the proposal worked on by Hillary in 1993 set your reforms back decades because it did, in fact, attempt to 'socialize' the medical economy and draft virtually all of its employees.

You don't think that private pharmaceutical companies have built well on existing research--yes, much of it government funded--with new and better treatments and medications? What I'm saying is not necessarily business/good, government/bad, but rather there are ways to retool the partnership that already exists between the two. You may trust all of your eggs will do well with government, but I don't. And it's not necessarily about trust either. I believe government has the ability to do more damage to the individual than a corporation does--and will if given free reign.

What will happen if one of our "mercy" flight C-17's is "accidentally" shot down by a trigger-happy Russian fighter pilot? Are we really willing to go to the wall for Georgia?

You don't think a government health history database would be established that could (would) be used to deny employment, government-backed lending, genetic predisposition, etc? Sure, private insurance companies have access to this information right now, but the government acts as a (somewhat lethargic) watchdog. Do you really think they would be inclined to keep themselves above board?

The devil went down to Georgia...

I like the way you are more willing to hijack another thread than you are to address privacy problems inherent in your health care ideas when asked in the appropriate thread. So what do you really think about the gloved-hand of a government doctor shoved up your rectum? Would that be less invasive than, say, listening in on Hajib's phone call to Vancouver B.C.?

So the upset you and Matt always express about Bush's perceived privacy invasions is just unfounded hysteria. Got it.

Hillary Clinton's proposal in 1993/94 proposed just that.

Sorry I'm getting to you FW. My point is that here are several "use the military anytime we want" chickenhawks that never served. Our current administration which is one of the worst. Sure Obama didn't serve. But he doesn't turn to the military everytime things don't go his way. Clinton too was true to his beliefs and was not a promoter of indiscrimenate use of our forces. He attacked Serbia proper while supporting KLA thugs, and refused to intervene in the slaughter of 800,000 in Rwanda/Brundi. Great leadership.

I haven't had a chance to see the series (or read the book by David McCullough) on John Adams. Have you?

Good. IMO, he probably gave his "target" as much thought and consideration as the last video game character he blew away.

You never participated. What are your picks? Okay! 5 Best George Washington FDR - some may say he took advantage by having three terms but he was the right man at the time Theodore Roosevelt - leadership, conservation, etc. Abraham Lincoln Andrew Jackson/Dwight D. Eisenhower 5 Worst James Buchanan - put economy in toilet and corruption Ulysses S. Grant - what were they thinking George W. Bush - 'nough said! William H. Harrison Warren Harding US Grant ran what many historians say was the most corrupt administration in American history to this day. I've never thought Buchanan was associated with too much corruption, but he failed to take any steps whatsoever to calm the sectionalism that led to war. Harding fathered a child with his mistress in a broom closet adjacent to the oval office--claimed he never wanted to be president and was not qualified. GWB will rate mediocre IMO. Too soon to say in any event. William Henry Harrison died in office after only 30 days! Why him? Andrew Jackson is much revered, but he was basically a butcher. Research "Trail of Tears" and you'll understand.

Cut and paste cut and paste cut and paste never an original thought of your own must run to the interweb now and reveal this injustice cut and paste cut and paste Obama never served Clinton never served but your sources tell you thats ok so thats ok go about your business safe with the knowledge you now possess find out what to think next

You never participated. What are your picks?

Obama doesn't have much meat on his bones, and McCain would require a lot of marinade...

After more thought, I guess I've always been a big fan of Polk's work ethic. I'm surprised you haven't asked me about Tyler. Who is your favorite politician that never became president? (ie: Alexander Hamilton, Stephen Douglas, William Jennings Bryan...) I've always liked Henry Cabot Lodge.