Fairweather

You may be in for a surprise, Fairweather! It looks to me as if most of these ideas are gaining in popular acceptance, rather than fading toward the fringe. Maybe I'm just a naive leftist extremist, though. Mattp, Is it possible that you have so immersed yourself in the liberal/Seattle culture, and surrounded yourself with such like-minded people, that you aren't seeing the "big picture"? This isn't a slam. I regularly ask myself the same question and listen to the other side....like NPR, Dave Ross & Mike Webb on KIRO, CNN, etc. I've even been swayed on a small number of issues.

We had troops in Saudi Arabia (to protect the Saudis from Iraq). This was the stated reason Muslim extremists murdered 3000 Americans (and others from 40+nations) on 9/11/01. Now that Iraq/Saddam has been neutralized as a threat to our allies (...and yes, 17% of our oil supply!) we are pulling out of Saudi while not appearing to "cave in" to Osama and his followers. Is this not reason enough to have invaded Iraq? Now when the Al-queda kills innocents they'll have to come up with another excuse, at least. And you lefties here will have to come up with another excuse for them.

Mattp, I agree with much of your post. ( The last paragraph, anyway) I think Trask's point regarding the found Mig jets is, "if it's this easy to hide 30 or so aircraft for this long, then it is probably comparably easy to hide a few dozen/hundred chemical warheads." The jets themselves are/ were never a threat obviously. The Democrats are losing the heart of the overall debate not because they have truly compromised their values, but because they regularly compromise these values publicly to appeal to mainstream America, and then once in office go back to the same old left-wing playbook. (ie: socialized medicine, gay rights, pacifism, extreme environentalism, federalism, union activism, etc.) IMHO, these values, whether they have any validity or not, are no longer mainstream American values. Probably never were. To state their true values publicly is a good way to get through the Democrat primaries, but a political death sentence with the public at large. (I think Mr Dean will soon find this out the hard way.) The general public now understands that the Dems will lie to get elected....just like the Republicans! I don't think the Republicans have 2004 "in the bag". A lot could happen before then ala Winston Churchill or GHW in 1992. And the truth be told, there may be one true moderate Democrat in the running that could give GW a run for his $$$. (Care to guess?) The others have almost no chance.

Terry, How did the climb up from Meade or Conrad Glaciers look? I think it's about 8 miles in to Warm Lake this way. Do you think this way would be any shorter and/or avoid the choss? Nice trip!

Wow Nerco, You really present a well thought, intelligent argument such as one would expect from a 5 year-old who isn't getting his way in line at the grocery store. I wonder if the Seattle office of the FBI would be interested in your WTC collage?

Alien Platoon True Lies Tombstone Twelve Monkeys Brazil A River Runs Through It Never Cry Wolf Deliverance

Those of you libs who want to approach this topic with the argument that "the government has no business in our bedrooms!" had better re-think that one. Does this mean that I am now free to marry a 12 year old girl? Or boy? Am I now free to marry my sister? First cousin? Can I now start my own harem? The only reply that liberals have to this usually runs full circle, right back to the "societal norms" argument. And obviously this torpedoes their entire premise! But wait! Before you go flaming Fairweather and presume to know what he thinks, read on.... First, let me say that I detest the very idea of homosexuality. It makes me ill to even try and comprehend it. No fucking PC culture or liberal puke is going to convince me it is natural or that I must personally accept it, or allow my children to be taught that it is "normal". Fuck all of you who try. That said, I see no reason why "two adults who love eachother" should be prevented from marrying regardless of their gender. It is an issue of freedom, privacy, and even of state's rights. Additionally, it would (hopefully) put an end to the need for legally complicated "civil unions" now preferred by homosexuals. I am still a Republican. I am still a conservative. I see no reason for the govt to stand in the way of gay marriage. I see no inconsistency in this position with my values.

E, I have a copy (VHS) of this video and would be happy to loan it out or .....opycay tiay for you. The premise of the program was decidedly neutral, and while I think the benefits of GM food production and associated increased yields far outweighs the risks, I can certainly sympathize with those who are concerned. Unfortunately, many of the groups opposed to GM foods can't get beyond their own hysteria and present solid science to back their claims. (I say this with the understanding that the onus of "proof" is not necessarily theirs.) As for the fuss about Bt; I may be wrong, but I believe this pesticide is legally sprayed on "organically grown" labeled produce. (I'll check it out.) Personally, I am more concerned about the presence of growth hormones in meat/milk than GM foods.

Dr Unamazing, You may be the only individual in this country to express such sick sentiments. As you so often demonstrate, you're a real prick.

What is the record? Didn't ranger Bundy Phillips do it in something like 27 hours? Has it actually been done in under 24?

Great story! I have a copy of the book too. I read the "old" PNW climbing books and history with both joy and saddness. Joy for the beauty, solitude, adventure, friends aroud a campfire or huddled against the ravages of a storm many, many years ago. Sorrow that these memories are fading away; the original participants passing on, their journeys preserved only in old out-of-print books. You do a great service to these memories by passing them along and keeping them alive. Thanks.

You'll have no problem. Just one little slow section through the washout. Be sure to check out the short little hike to Chenius Falls at about mile 2.5 (from the gate). It is a short hop across the Carbon River on a log bridge. Beautiful. The kids will love it.

Just an FYI for ONP climbers. The "High Bridge" over the West Fork Dose is now repaired/replaced. This primary approach to Mount Anderson has been out of commission for a few years and it is nice to see the Park Service finally come through! Kudos to them. Keep in mind though; the washout on Dose road necessitates adding 5.5 miles of mountain biking to the 9 mile hike to Anderson Pass. No projected completion date on this major repair. Source: ONP website.

Frankly, I suspect the private sector should do most of the park maintainence if they don't already. I'll have to investigate this and educate myself. I agree with the sentiment; "what 100million$$ backlog?" I find this figure highly suspect/shocking.

I'm looking at getting a decent road bike for workouts and the occasional 100 mile'er. I'm not a racer. Just tired of taking the road slicks on and off of my mountain bike all the time. Looking at a bike with at least 105 or Ultegra in the $800 to $1500 range. This pretty much eliminates Carbon frames. I know that Chrome-molly is a softer ride, but is aluminum's weight savings worth the road rash? Even with a carbon fork? I've looked at a Fuji Marselles, a Jamis Comet, a Trek 2200, a Bianci (steel) with the Campignolo, etc. I know there are some cross-trainers here... any thoughts or specific recommendations??

Perhaps the USFS should use the climbing permit fees they have extorted from us to build a privy near lunch counter? Otherwise, they should ban/severely curtail camping in this area. (I support this action based on environmental/health considerations. Not the subjective "solitude" provisions on the WA1964.) You're right Mattp. It is a disgusting place.

Ol' Hubby probably wouldn't have cheated if Wifey had put out once or twice in the past five years.

Dustin, I wish I had known it was you on Easy Ridge a couple weeks ago. We may have been the only "right-thinking" people in all of the Cascades that day!

AK, didn't you want your poem to be a truer reflection of you?: "here I kneel my ass a flexin' takin' it up the chute from this gang of Mexicins'" ....yeah, that's what you really meant. Texas rules! GW is da' prez.

"Don't mess wit' Texas."

Anyone here ever been on/climbed Lava Ridge? I've done a few other routes on Adams, but never this one. The upper part of the ridge looks like it might afford some interesting snow/ice with some good views? Also, CE Rusk attempted it in "Tales of a Western Mountaineer", so it has a little history goin' for it. As for the North Ridge: I concur with those here that say it isn't nearly as bad as it looks in terms of loose rock. It is "tennis-shoeable" up in late season, but some good leather mountain boots will be necessary to cross the icecap and to keep your ankles together on the descent. Also, while Divide Camp is probably a better approach for Adams Glacier or NW Ridge, I think Killen Creek is still best for the North Ridge. IMHO. I suspect that Mazama Glacier's popularity in recent years has pushed the North Ridge to "third place" in climber traffic. But the drive sure is a lot shorter from Puget Sound area! Adams is a neat mountain! Have fun.

Get a grip asswipe. You must be one of the afore'mentioned left-wing zealots. ....Now go grab that protest sign and make a difference!

I don't know about any "goat roping", but there is a beautiful cow named Nellie in the field behind the Ford dealership that has the "AK" brand on its ass and an old step stool nearby.

Mount Peak. 1100ft vertical gain. You can do multiples as you desire in tennis shoes. It is the big wooded mountain about one mile behind the Safeway store. My work takes me to Enumclaw 3 times per week. Let me know if you need a partner for a run up.

The only thing I hate more than proselytizing, brain washed religious zealots are proselytizing left-wing anti-judeo/christian environmental extremists who use their hatred of organized religion as a rallying cry and a scapegoat for all they see wrong in the world.