Fairweather

I wrote it, moron.

This moral decline of the last 40 years that you speak of is a direct result of the adaptation of liberal policy during this period. I'm not talking religion as a solution here. One needn't be religious to understand the importance of social order/morality. BTW; crime in major cities is at a modern low right now. And yes, it's partly because we have finally decided to lock up those who can't seem to adhere to even the most basic societal code-of-conduct. Additionally, I would say that, of late, it is the left that has shown intolerance for Jews and for Israel. The right wing'ers who embrace Israel's right to exist are now scorned and labeled by liberals as "neocons". Basically, E-Rock, that essay is the biggest pile of nonsense I have read in quite a while. I'm not sure an ex Hitler Youth is one who can claim special knowledge to the history or policies of the period. The guy was, what, 15 yrs old at the time?

= money not spent diversifying the Seattle economy, providing a broader base of jobs, making it less cyclical. Can you say 'Seattle-centric'? I thought Boeing provided jobs state-wide? Everett? Auburn? Renton? Fredrickson? Those tax-breaks were primarily doled out by the State. aka: a lot of non-Seattle residents.

Actually, I don't really like it either. But to make it out as something completely sinister is just not accurate. I'm glad to see Boeing is back to kicking Airbus' ass again this year.

Boeing tax break = jobs = increased property value = local consumer spending = secondary jobs = a vibrant economy = more tax revenue.

Good list, Dave. Even though they smoke outside, they still drag their stink back in with them. And the fact those same smokers think they're entitled to a 10 minute 'smoke break' every hour...what bullshit. That micro-popcorn smell is putred. I thought I read recently that there can be some respiratory fungus associated with the inhalation of certain chemicals in the popcorn steam-cloud. Also on the list: People who fart and don't even have the decency to fess up. People who sneeze into their hand (instead of their elbow bend) and then go on about their business w/o washing up.

Don't you have someone to sue tonight, Winter? You sound angry.

Spoken like a true hillbilly.

Hopefully you had a permit. (For the tree)

I'm linking to his gallery, for God's sake! If he doesn't want the world to see the results of exceeding one's abilities, all he has to do is kill the link...or shut up with his 'when were you in the military?' harping. But I think it's really fabulous that he has a 'partner' like you to stick up for him.

I don't diasgree with anything Iain said. In fact, I think it provides THE answer. I did manage to run 8 miles and spend a couple hours at Spire Rock today. But you're right, AK. I guess if you don't climb 5.11c, hang out at pubs drinking wheat beer, smoke weed, and screw the skankiest girls available, then one can't possibly be a real climber like you.

My boss just doesn't like the word lunch period!

Two weeks in July - taking the kid on a Mount Adams circumnavigation and summit climb for a few days, then spending week #2 in the Bugs' with my brother. Then one week in August with the wife for our 20th anniversary. Yes, we'll be consuming jet fuel. After that, I'll be quitting my job and returning to school so I can be a smart guy like you.

That's about the 10th time you've asked that question of me and others. You seem hung up on this issue. I'm supposed to reply, "what branch did you serve in?" to which you will no doubt chestbeat your 3 years of non-combat service in the Army or Navy. It's all irrelevant to the topics we discuss. (see my reply to foraker regarding reading comprehension on this thread) BTW: How's that nasty bruise doing. No doubt a guy like you has had his share of blackened orbits. As Clint Eastwood once said; "A man otta' know his limits."

That's my point, numbnuts. Luna is the one making this assertion - I am the one being facitious. Reading comprehension, Foraker.

No. You're not answering my premise and trying to obfuscate, you arrogant little punk. Based on your own assinine statement, Quote: I think the point was that folks with degrees in what -business administration - speculate on the flaws of models put together by experts with decades of experience in the field. It would be just as odd for me to question the engineering on the space shuttle... are you qualified to comment on matters of political and economic import? For that matter, are you even qualified to wipe your own ass?

My boss loves the "F" bomb. Once, during a meeting, I made a hash mark on my legal pad every time fuck, or a variant thereof was uttered forth from his vile hole. After one hour, the count topped out at twenty-two. He loves throwing papers, folders, journals as well. A real class act, he. One of our female reps took exception to his methods and contacted personnel about a year ago. After a very short meeting she was told, "unfortunately, there's no rule against being an asshole." Strangely enough, she soon developed performance issues and was encouraged to seek other employment.

Does it work with a Nalgene bottle too?

Sorry, JayB. I just can't get past those audio tapes of Enron exec's ordering power stations to go off-line while brown-outs were wreaking havoc on California. Right here in Tacoma, Kaiser Aluminum's state-of-the-art smelter decided it was cheaper to take $$$ incentives and shut down than it was to pay soaring electric rates. Hundreds lost their jobs and the work went to Thailand. It will never come back.

....or just as odd for you to question the model of capitalism? Or political science? What are your qualifications that allow you to 'speculate' therein? Are you actually suggesting that unless one has a degree in a given discipline they should refrain from opining? Or perhaps you are simply casting aspersions on MBA's who are so obviously unqualified to comment on the world around them? I smell arrogance.

The SUV argument is a red herring, in any event. We're talking fuel consumed during the vacation time window, versus fuel normally consumed during the same time period while at home. I maintain this difference in increased consumption is so large, it renders the vacationeer a hypocrite.

No shit - where did I say otherwise? And the average SUV's mileage is also "per passenger", in case you've never noticed. So we're still comparing apples to apples. A fully loaded 747 gets better mileage per passenger and does a Hell of a lot more work, a Hell of a lot faster than your average SUV. Dumbass. QUOTE:"1L per 19km works out to a little over 45 miles per US gallon for a vehicle that travels at hundreds of miles per hour. That's a Hell of a lot less "excessive" than your average SUV at 55 mph." Maybe I'm not translating your 'Canadian' properly? Also, assuming the SUV always carries a single occupant is not 'apples-to-apples'.

The 3000 mile figure was for the model, not the actual distance to europe and back. And Murray, you dumbass, that figure is PER PASSENGER. The fact remains, Jim; your trip is not one of necessity and a huge amount of fuel will be consumed to satisfy the demands of your 'hobby'. In fact, the exhaust will be pumped directly into the atmosphere at around 35,000 feet w/o the benefit of a catalytic converter, smog pump, charcoal filter, etc. (No difference in CO2 emission, I realize.) Don't let this rain on your little parade, though. All those other Americans don't really need their SUV's to the same degree that you do your trip.

Hey Jim! You still gonna hop on that big 747 and fly off to climb in Spain this summer? I believe the fuel consumption profile of a fully loaded 747-400 (3000mi flight w/ 1 T/O and 1 landing) is one liter per person - per 19km. I'll leave the math up to you, but suffice it to say; that's a whole shit-load of kerosene! How dare you lecture here about excess.

"Don't cry for me, Argentina!" Ok....I've gotta side with the paranoid libs on this one. I ate some serious crow back when I actually believed that a western US generating capacity shortage was underway....when in fact Enron was manipulating the market. The same is obviously now going on with oil companies and I call bullshit on this whole China/supply/demand scenario. At the same time, I think those who want to blame those 'evil Republicans/BushCo' assign too much power to one man. Most big oil companies are multi-national, but I certainly think Bush should be using the bully-pulpit to beat these guys down...and so far, he's not. I think it's just a major case of price-fixing. Possibly one of the biggest $$$ anti trust fiascos of all time.