Fairweather

j_b, Looks like the "peaceful Palestinians" just blew up another bus full of Isrealis, killing 20 including 5 children, wounding 90. So much for peace, eh? Please explain how you make peace with people sworn to destroy you even as you start handing over land. I believe peace will only come when one side "wins" this conflict, and we know where your sympathies lie. Maybe it's time for Isreal to take off the gloves.

the french!

Trask just came to the realization that all of the alternatives are socialist democrat morons, radical green party kooks, or dope smoking libertarian wackos. (not that there is anything wrong with that!)

Too big & heavy. The 7.62x54mm (aka .308) cartridge belongs in a bolt action hunting or med range sniper rifle IMHO. The Ruger mini14 is still the best civilian semi-auto. Nontheless, I'd buy one of these surplus rifles just to help finance the war on terrorism. Maybe use my tax reduction rebate check that presently remains uncashed in a desk drawer!

I've noticed some of the ice cascades on the north side of Johannesberg no longer join at their termini as they once did. (As shown in Beckey's green-book photos.) They have each retreated into their own pockets.

Geeeez, j_b! You finally have me convinced! You are not a jew-hating revisionist history writing bigot. ...Let me guess! You even have a friend who is jewish!

Thankyou j_b for revealing yet another jewish, zionist conspiracy! Without you diligent work we would surely be at their mercy.

Is this the same Nobel Comittee that awarded Yasser Arafat the peace prize? No agenda at Nobel HQ, I'm sure.

j_b, vie are zu alvaze tryink to blame zee jewz for everysing? Zu zound like a nazi jew hater. Bist du? Ya, it must be zee jews fault eh?

I believe that many of the folks railing against "big business" work for govt./education, or lack the drive necessary to participate in "the system". Nothing wrong with that, but occassionally they need to come up for air long enough to wipe the milk from their chins. The very milk that they sucked from the teat of big corporations...and small business owners too, for that matter! I too have lived here all my life (Born in Tacoma, WA. 1962) , and I agree with Jon. I also (gulp) agree with Marylou, although I suspect my idea of what constitutes "acceptable change" is somewhat different than hers. Californication does suck. Hell, this used to be a state where a Republican could actually become governor!

Firearm must be .24cal minimum and generate min. 900ft/lbs of energy at the muzzle. (WA State, anyway) I think the state fish&wildlife folks might have a problem with your "a few" statement as well.

Comcast DOES suck. The worm-patch instructions posted on their site were 100% unworkable...at least for a non-computergeek like myself. Their billing is ALWAYS fucked up. I pay my bill on time and they ALWAYS have a "past due" notice on my next statement. My check gets mailed on the 5th, and isn't posted at my bank until the 21st! WTF?? Unfortunately, they are the only high-speed option where I live....at least until "Click!" lays their cable here next year. I'm also losing patience with Microsoft. What are the pro's/con's of converting to a Mac?

How about this analogy? pure capitalism = unroped solo climbing. Your govt belay is non-existent-but he will be there to scrape up your ugly pile at the base of the rock if you fall. No second chances...dont fuck up! These climbers are the best. American capitalism = roped, belayed climbing. You don't want to take a long leader fall, but if you do, your government belayer won't let you get too banged up. ...you'll still have to finish the climb though! These are good strong independent, but not stupid, climbers. Socialism = top rope. Don't worry about falling too much. Your govt belayer almost never fails to hold a fall. These climbers usually stick with what's comfortable. Eventually....they get fat and buy an RV. Communism = no climbing allowed, except that which glorifies the collective and it's recently appointed totalitarian dictator. All expeditions must have a political officer present. Any climber that expresses or displays any independent thought or ideas will be sent "home" (by railcar) to mine gold, diamonds and uranium in sub-freezing temperatures.

...other special interest groups like The Sierra Club, Trial Lawyers Association, NAACP, NARAL, and the biggest one of all, Emily's List? ...or shall we ban only the "special interests" that you don't like, 'eh offwidth?

How about that new "Reno 911" on Comedy Central? That show is funnier than shit!

I suspect a lot of folks on this website have their eye on presidential candidate Howard Dean as a potential "savior" who would support many of their liberal causes. Nothing wrong with that. But before you take your support to the next level, you'd better take a look at how this man, as president, might deal with the issue of individual liberties. http://rutlandherald.nybor.com/News/Story/33681.html Just "off the cuff" remarks, or insight into the mind of the man? ...and you thought John Ashcroft was scary!

"A commonly mistaken explanation of pressure altitude is that it is the result of centrifugal forces of Earth's spin that draws the atmosphere toward the equator to form an 'equatorial bulge'." I always assumed that this was the case being made for the 22,000 ft Denali claim. As it turns out the varyance is thermally driven. I still question how this would account for a 1700 foot varyance, and this is still not explained in the article, but now I understand I (and others) have misunderstood the premise. Thanks for the link!

If this were true, (it's not) then an altimeter would read 22,000 feet on top of McKinley. (it doesn't) no genius... cause you set it for sea level in alaska not in tibet I believe this is not the case. Even a device set at sea level on the equator would read 20,320 atop Denali. If this were not the case, the rate of increasing altitude expressed on the device as you climbed would be different at varying latitudes to the point that an altimeter would need to be specifically calibrated for, say every 10 degrees. I could be wrong. I'm certainly no atmospheric scientist.

If this were true, (it's not) then an altimeter would read 22,000 feet on top of McKinley. (it doesn't) Additionally, altimeters would have to be sold pre-calibrated for the latitude in which the buyer intended to use the device.

I've already read Fast Food Nation. (On the advice of someone here, I believe.) Michael Moore's, "Stupid White Men" isn't worthy of my time. I never read books written in crayon.

Any suggestions for my enlightenment, Matt? Looks like I'll owe you some balance. Nothing too heavy though!....I'm from Tacoma, afterall.

Tin Tin in Tibet! Good choice! That is an awesome book Dru.

.....gimme a break.

Matt, I don't claim to swim in the mainstream here. I would point out however, that I have never been so "over the top" as to warrant a censored post, and to the best of my recall never have faced the moderators "delete" key. As for anyone wanting to physically threaten me because of my stated beliefs; yes, I see your point. Although in this "spray" forum it is often hard to take anything seriously. I, personally, would not be concerned unless the threat was specific and the person making the threat had knowledge of my location and the wherewithall to carry it out. The Dr, however, should realize that deliberately goading someone who has spent several months in a virtual free-fire zone, where civilized norms are necessarily put on hold, can be a hazardous proposition. (Not an excuse, just an observation.) While I agree with much of Mikeadam's politics, and while I salute Mikeadam for his service, both civilian and uniformed, I would encourage him to retract his threats directed at Dr Flash. Just as I retract my support for those threats. I would also encourage Dr Flash to abstain from supporting or suggesting violence against president Bush.

http://www.nytimes.com/2003/08/06/international/middleeast/06KHOM.html I find this story incredible. While still a long-shot, there may yet be hope for the region. Is this a small sign of the democratic "chain reaction" that most hope for?