Fairweather

Yes, we all saw how anxious Seattlites were to pay for their monorail project. When it became apparent the state wasn't going to contribute, the locals snapped those purses and wallets shut so fast they nearly broke the sound barrier. ...Of course it was yet another good excuse to sieze some private property and re-sell it for a tidy profit! A case can be made for a state-funded 520 bridge. It's a state highway, after all. But the viaduct begins and ends in Seattle. Via your logic, Josh, the other 70% of the state should relieve King County citizens of all their tax burdens? Have you noticed that the Port of Tacoma now handles more shipping than Seattle? Have you noticed that Boeing HQ now resides in Chicago? Other than being a necessary center for business - most of which actually transpires elsewhere - I don't see Seattle as much more than vacant stares, ivory towers, and goofy politics along the fringe.

Are you trying to attribute that second quote to me? Clever, but lacking originality with the southern banter and Nascar wit. A classic example of Seattle arrogance has once again been displayed by JoshK. You go, Tiger!

Damn straight! Why the fuck are the rest of us paying for Seattle's Viaduct repair/replacement?!?! (can you say 'Tacoma Narrows Bridge public/private partnership'?) Maybe they should tear down that fucking convention center they built over I-5 and widen the freeway there. Just get rid of that Alaska Way viaduct altogether.

As most Seattleites seem to forget, light rail/Sound Transit is being paid for by the good people in both Pierce and Snohomish Counties too. ...Despite Seattle/King County's control of the RTA board and constant "shortening" of the line. Explain to me again why I'm paying for these projects? As for the Sonics....Fuck 'em. I have yet to see where any taxpayer-funded pro-sports payoff resides.

A socialist? Snark? WTF? You're putting words into my mouth. Don't be such a crybaby. Actually, I agree with much of what you just wrote. However, your premise that only smart people (like you, I assume?) should vote is a classic and ongoing theme in your posts. Did I misread that one? An aside: Do we really "own" our homes and land in this 'free country' when failure to pay prompt tribute will result in government siezure?

Probably the most enlightened thing you've ever said.

Yes, but is "market value" really how property should be taxed? I believe that increased value - CPI and bond measures notwithstanding - should not be tax-relevant until that property actually changes hands ala California's prop 13. Ask yourself sincerely; does this state really provide increasing levels of service commensurate with property values? The state budget has gone from 21bn to 27bn in just 3 years. Has population increased the same? No. If, as some here believe, the real-estate bubble bursts, will the state then lower property values at pace with the market? I seriously doubt it. The government in Washington State - lacking proper judicial separation as it does - can raise or lower taxes virtually at will. Free market forces are not particularly tied to government tax policy vis a vis property rates. The free market is what it is - taxes are what we as a people decide they ought to be. And I believe there should be much more accountability and performance standard. I don't believe this state government is entitled to a windfall not initiated by any particular policy they passed into law.

Geeez, JayB! You sound like one of them in that last post. You can't reconcile your free market beliefs (which I sincerely admire) with the above. You just can't. Even though it breaks my heart to see the prices here in Pierce County going up at an even faster rate than Seattle, I will remain true to my beliefs. The real injustice is when a retired couple or widow(er) in their late 60's or early 70's has to sell their home because they can no longer afford the property taxes on that once-modest abode. My mother now shells out $10,000/yr in property taxes for the "privelege" of living in the home she worked so hard to pay off years ago. And for what? So state workers can get new fleet vehicles every 16 months? So the state can squander $10,000 per child on K-12 'education' (administration) and subsidize university-level students who are so filled with a sense of entitlement? C'mon, man. You know better.

I'll be out of town as of tonight, but put me down for a contribution anyhow. I'm glad to hear AK's recovery is progressing well. Wish I could attend and demonstrate my 5.5 toprope skills...and show my new Grigri to OffWhite.

I use "Spysweeper" by Webroot. It has isolated this TH and - as far as I can tell - removed it. It's a paid program that costs about (aboot) $50/yr. I get new definitions almost daily. You know, if you'd stop surfing the porn you wouldn't get your machine all dirty like this....

...prevents unwanted downloads, viruses, and spam (?).

Exactly!

I don't see anything impeachable in the author's litany of supposed offenses. Lying? A politician? We would have to impeach every president - past, present, future. BTW, has GWB been accused of lying under oath?

I think the guy lives in fantasy-land. I skimmed some of his other "works" such as "Give Iran positive incentives to halt it's nuclear program" - (gee, didn't Clinton/Albright already try that in North Korea?) - and the site review of his book "The Empire Has No Clothes". Of course, that's America he's referring to as empire. How original. Side note: Why do non-MD's insist on impressing us all with the title of Dr. before their surnames? I really don't think anyone cares.

Ahhh yes. Now I understand..... http://www.independent.org/aboutus/person_detail.asp?id=487

Well, if Ivan Eland says it - then it must be true in your world!

When will you learn, Peter? This is the only way: ....and, BTW, never, ever, ever, cede anything - not even the most mundane element of your argument - to father Matt.

I killed my landlord.

We've had this one on our 'to do' list for some time now. I don't think it sees much traffic. Left Fryingpan Creek Trailhead with my brother, Steve, at 5:30am and hiked through Summerland (trail is snow-free to last few switchbacks, then about 60% snow) to Meany Crest arriving there around 8:30. Roped up and easily crossed the Fryingpan Glacier. No crampons were necessary and slightly-soft stepkicking made for good progress. Arrived at the base of the spire around 10:00am, ate some lunch, and contemplated the route up - which looked much more difficult than Beckey's description. With brother Steve ahead we scrambled up the downsloping ledges of the SE face in one long lead. It seems that the entire slab of the lower SE face is ready to calve off of the main structure. A 2 foot wide fissure seperates the ledge system from the main face and dropping debris into the black space between indicates it is very, very deep. Again, with Steve leading (Thanks, Steve!) in his mountain boots we surmounted a crux lieback - very exposed, slightly overhung, definetely 5.7 - and traversed back left along a low fifth-class finger traverse (again- very exposed) to the summit ridge. Easy scramble up from here. Nice views. Rappel is doable with the two 37 meter ice-floss ropes we climbed with. Back down the Fryingpan, saw hordes of people making camp at Meany Crest for Little T climbs on Sunday. Back to the car around 5:00pm after a leisurley, fun descent. Gear: Crampons (not used) Ice axe Two 37 meter ropes 3 small - medium cams 3 small - med stoppers Helmet Rock shoes (helpful for me, but not required) note: a single 60 meter rope is not adequate for the rappel. Our twin 37's bearly reached the base.

But it is exactly what you regularly practice here with your constant use of terms like "reich-winger". Additionally, while I will cede Hitler was a right-winger (something not all conservatives will do), his murderous quest was certainly not rooted in religion.

Happy B-day Cananda! Overall, you're a pretty cool place. I just wish you would paint better stripes and put night-time reflectors on your highways. Otherwise, . BTW, I really like your new PM!! I think you're headed in the proper direction.

A quick review of twentieth century body-counts will reveal that modern man has much more to fear from the secular left than from the 'religious right'. The only brainwahing I see going on is in primary schools and universities. Gov't sponsored, no less!

...of course, there's more to the story - like sending an unescourted liner into waters where Germany had promised to do just this very thing. I'm not a big proponent of active conspiracies, but Wilson (and the Brits) had to know the outcome beforehand....

Funny you should bring it up, but that's Dan Q-u-a-y-l-e.

Suck up to a self-promoting choad like MattP? I hardly think so. His response was pretty much what I predicted based on past exchanges. Matt may wish to pose as a father figure here - and I can't really stop him from doing that - but as a father myself I can tell you with complete certainty he would have a difficult time raising children. Additionally, I don't hold in high esteem those who post pictures of themselves with their avatar. It just seems to wreak of self-importance. And Matt's WAC exploits demonstrate him to be amongst the kings of manipulation and self-importance. As for the Frontline show, my change of heart is sincere - although I don't think I ever mentioned the word treason. And, I might add Crux, that the entire premise of the piece was Cheney as the dark lord and GW as the reluctant dupe, so I'm not sure why you would claim my conclusion is any less valid than the story's - other than your own shrill anger. Matt and I proposed to watch the Frontline piece - which I agreed in advance was likely a neutral stage - and write about our conclusions here. I did. But thanks to the repeated "I told you so" childishness of Matt, your classic left-wing anger, and the highly predictable responses of others here, I will keep future concessions and changes-of-heart to myself and try not to interfere in the leftist love-fest this shit hole has always been.