Jim

Kinda like that. The little brown people (unlike us white Americans) have a tough time with democracy. Here's the full column. Oh? Who? Appearing Friday in the Rose Garden with Canada's prime minister, President Bush was answering a reporter's question about Canada's role in Iraq when suddenly he swerved into this extraneous thought: "There's a lot of people in the world who don't believe that people whose skin color may not be the same as ours can be free and self-govern. I reject that. I reject that strongly. I believe that people who practice the Muslim faith can self-govern. I believe that people whose skins aren't necessarily -- are a different color than white can self-govern." What does such careless talk say about the mind of this administration? Note that the clearly implied antecedent of the pronoun "ours" is "Americans." So the president seemed to be saying that white is, and brown is not, the color of Americans' skin. He does not mean that. But that is the sort of swamp one wanders into when trying to deflect doubts about policy by caricaturing and discrediting the doubters. Scott McClellan, the president's press secretary, later said the president meant only that "there are some in the world that think that some people can't be free" or "can't live in freedom." The president meant that "some Middle Eastern countries -- that the people in those Middle Eastern countries cannot be free." Perhaps that, which is problematic enough, is what the president meant. But what he suggested was: Some persons -- perhaps many persons; no names being named, the smear remained tantalizingly vague -- doubt his nation-building project because they are racists. That is one way to respond to questions about the wisdom of thinking America can transform the entire Middle East by constructing a liberal democracy in Iraq. But if any Americans want to be governed by politicians who short-circuit complex discussions by recklessly imputing racism to those who differ with them, such Americans do not usually turn to the Republican choice in our two-party system. This administration cannot be trusted to govern if it cannot be counted on to think and, having thought, to have second thoughts. Thinking is not the reiteration of bromides about how "all people yearn to live in freedom" (McClellan). And about how it is "cultural condescension" to doubt that some cultures have the requisite aptitudes for democracy (Bush). And about how it is a "myth" that "our attachment to freedom is a product of our culture" because "ours are not Western values; they are the universal values of the human spirit" (Tony Blair). Speaking of culture, as neoconservative nation-builders would be well-advised to avoid doing, Pat Moynihan said: "The central conservative truth is that it is culture, not politics, that determines the success of a society. The central liberal truth is that politics can change a culture and save it from itself." Here we reach the real issue about Iraq, as distinct from unpleasant musings about who believes what about skin color. The issue is the second half of Moynihan's formulation -- our ability to wield political power to produce the requisite cultural change in a place such as Iraq. Time was, this question would have separated conservatives from liberals. Nowadays it separates conservatives from neoconservatives. Condoleezza Rice, a political scientist, believes there is scholarly evidence that democratic institutions do not merely spring from a hospitable culture, but that they also can help create such a culture. She is correct; they can. They did so in the young American republic. But it would be reassuring to see more evidence that the administration is being empirical, believing that this can happen in some places, as opposed to ideological, believing that it must happen everywhere it is tried. Being steadfast in defense of carefully considered convictions is a virtue. Being blankly incapable of distinguishing cherished hopes from disappointing facts, or of reassessing comforting doctrines in face of contrary evidence, is a crippling political vice. In "On Liberty" (1859), John Stuart Mill said, "It is, perhaps, hardly necessary to say" that the doctrine of limited, democratic government "is meant to apply only to human beings in the maturity of their faculties." One hundred forty-five years later it obviously is necessary to say that. Ron Chernow's magnificent new biography of Alexander Hamilton begins with these of his subject's words: "I have thought it my duty to exhibit things as they are, not as they ought to be." That is the core of conservatism. Traditional conservatism. Nothing "neo" about it. This administration needs a dose of conservatism without the prefix.

It sure will: http://www.awolbush.com/kerry-vs-bush.asp

No conservative slacker himself, George Will takes Bushie to task: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A64323-2004May3.html "This administration cannot be trusted to govern if it cannot be counted on to think and, having thought, to have second thoughts. Thinking is not the reiteration of bromides about how "all people yearn to live in freedom" (McClellan). And about how it is "cultural condescension" to doubt that some cultures have the requisite aptitudes for democracy (Bush). And about how it is a "myth" that "our attachment to freedom is a product of our culture" because "ours are not Western values; they are the universal values of the human spirit" (Tony Blair)." In other words - the dolt we have for a president is at it again.

Be careful with the yoga route. Many instructors are not very "back aware" and are too agressive. I would strongly recommend the Seattle Holistic Center at the Good Shepard Center in Wallingford. They have a 6 week class called "Heal your back". It's taught by Collette, who was a nurse and had some major back problems herself. She is a great instructor. Once you take that class then you can take her open classes. I've found that it has helped my chronic back problems quite a bit. One other word of advice - mix up your exercise routine. Walk, swim, climb, use weights, bike. Don't get too discouraged - it's a temporary thing you can work through.

The nasty angled log is history. It is still in the creekbed but has been pushed to the side, downstream, and is now parallel to the main flow. You can cross in the same vicinity where this long now lives, but I doubt the improvised crossing that was put in last week will last one storm flow. Maybe some group will re-install the old log crossing, which is pretty big. Also, there is a creek within 200 m of the trailhead that used to have a simple, 25 ft long bridge. Only a remnant of this remains. Most of the cross pieces are gone, leaving the two main beams with nothing in between. The creek is only about 3 m wide and calf deep so you can dash across, or you can walk on the beams, one foot on each side. Hope this helps, I would still go unless you've got some newbies of sorts. Then again they could think it exciting.

IMO, not w/o skis this time of year. Nice summer hike. Decent ski this time of year, you can yo-yo the peak a couple of times and he coulir from the pass is challenging (for me anyway). It's one of my favorite moderate spring skis and a good day out in the mountains.

Touche!! Can you go up Ruth Mt. ahead of us next week?

Good times were had by all on a ski trip to Vesper Peak on Saturday May Day. A tree that had blocked the Sunrise Mine road is clear and you get to the trailhead now. As other places in the northern drainages bridges have be demolished from last autumn's flood. The nice bridge over the first creek has been stripped to the two main, creaky beams, which makes for an interesting double tightrope in tele boots. The big creek crossing, which was always interesting, is gone. But due to some great engineering by a party ahead of us its better than the orginal, but unlikely to last storm flows. Thanks guys! While snow still fills the valley below Hadlee Pass there's a bunch of old avy debris that one should avoid for more pleasant skiing. It's the softest snow I've seen up there this early in the year, and going fast. The cornice atop the col is easily avoided via rock on the right. We were joined by 9 other skiers, one very energetic dog, and one hiker (why bother?). The malamute made friends with us as soon as we opened our lunch. Being ignored he managed to find someone's discarded enchalida by sticking half his body into a rock crevice. The ski down was ok, as long as you avoided the minor slides you set off. One alpine touring type was having a hard time of it and got carried, slowly, about 50 yards in a small slide of his own making. No danger, just embarassing. The col was skiable as it was so soft. Another fun day in the sun.

Good times were had by all on a ski trip to Vesper Peak on Saturday May Day. A tree that had blocked the Sunrise Mine road is clear and you get to the trailhead now. As other places in the northern drainages bridges have be demolished from last autumn's flood. The nice bridge over the first creek has been stripped to the two main, creaky beams, which makes for an interesting double tightrope in tele boots. The big creek crossing, which was always interesting, is gone. But due to some great engineering by a party ahead of us its better than the orginal, but unlikely to last storm flows. Thanks guys! While snow still fills the valley below Hadlee Pass there's a bunch of old avy debris that one should avoid for more pleasant skiing. It's the softest snow I've seen up there this early in the year, and going fast. The cornice atop the col is easily avoided via rock on the right. We were joined by 9 other skiers, one very energetic dog, and one hiker (why bother?). The malamute made friends with us as soon as we opened our lunch. Being ignored he managed to find someone's discarded enchalida by sticking half his body into a rock crevice. The ski down was ok, as long as you avoided the minor slides you set off. One alpine touring type was having a hard time of it and got carried, slowly, about 50 yards in a small slide of his own making. No danger, just embarassing. The col was skiable as it was so soft. Another fund day in the sun.

Not an opinion - this guy is DUMB! He can't string together several 3 syllable words without breaking into a sweat! Why do you think Cheney, Condi, and Karl won't let him off the leash to run around on his own with the 911 Commission. Because he would trip over his tounge. He's not just inarticulate - he's DUMB. Doesn't read, never travelled before, born with the silver spoon up his nose, but looks ok in suits. It's a great partnership with Cheney working the levers behind the scenes and Bush as figurehead.

It's amazing that this guy gets such a pass from the press. We know he's a dimwit, the press knows it, but somehow they don't talk about his lack of knowledge about the world and the specifics of his own policies for fear of being labeled a bush basher - then they would be persona non grata at press conferences and give a new seat at the back of the room. Dumb as a stump.

And Cheney will try to not move his lips while Bush is "talking". I wonder if he will sit on Cheney's knee.

[quote But because those soft hearted demmies let the world tample over us instead of protecting our people and interests. Pot calling the kettle black.

Oh my that would be a big day! Have a trip planned up there this year but will likely be a wimp and go two at a time unless I get an ambitious partner.

Picked up a Vector on sale at REI this weekend for $139, plus I had a $50 divedend to put towards it. Took it out for a ski on Sunday - dang these things are rather large - but functional.

Uptight teacher in Prosser. But you gotta wonder about the SS coming for a visit. Anything better to do guys?

Well at least Bush had a root canal or something nasty done during the limited time he showed up.

It is ironic, however, that the Bushies chose the flag-waving images of the rubble of 911 in their campaign ads. Hmmm.

Is is my understanding that this policy was put in place, by the Pentagon, about the time of Gulf War I. This was done primarliy as a reaction to the media's focus on it during Vietnam. The brass running the show at the time remembered it all to well and was not a fan of the media. I do seem to recall that Clinton used this policy (by failing to lift it) to his benefit during the Somalia fighting. You may be correct, but I don't think so, if this is a Bush II policy could someone please cite the Presidential order number, and or a link? I'm curious about this one. Rodchester - Technically you are correct. The policy was first put into place in 1991 during the first Gulf War, but was not consistently followed as Bush I and Clinton saw fit to visit Andrews as remains of soldiers arrived, and to provide opportunites for press photos. So it would be more fair to say that Bushie II has taken the policy to the extreme and barred all ceromonies and press coverage.

From my understanding, this has been standing policy for quite some time. You know, junior, the world of policy, politics, and goverment didn't start the day after your testicles dropped. Wrong again dude. This new policy was instituted by the Bushies in 2002. Never before have the press been bared from Andrews and photos. It is nothing more than the contiued policy of the Bushies to hide thing from the public.

Great shot! Looks like a vertical yard sale!

ELF - they're a bunch of wackos. Burnt down a Dept of Agriculture office in Olympia a few years back because they were rounding up Canada geese in urban areas where they got outta control (Canada geese for dog's sake - sub sp moffiti - aliens) and then moved on to the big burn in Vail. The Urban Horticulture building was especially misdirected. It housed a huge collection of rare plant references and samples, and numerous conservation ecologists research. The place has not yet fully recovered - financially or otherwise. The recent tourching of a subdivision that meets open space requirements is also a bit odd. Wackos.

You're correct, it doesn't say that. There are two theories about the incident. The first that the FBI planted the bomb and planned to nab them. They were on the scene in less than 10 minutes which is a bit strange to begin with, and it gets stranger after that. Easy to find old news reports and such on the web. The other is that the timber folks were getting way pissed at Julie's extremely effective, non-violent protests regarding "Redwood Summer" and that they tried to kill her. She had her car and home vandalized before.

Nothing like harassing the hippies when you should be out catching terrorists - guess which is easier. And Juli Bari and her crew were non-violent all the way - some timberhead tried to kill them. http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2004/04/23/BAGOV69ASA50.DTL

I feel bad for this guy, and the other families. Afganastan was one thing, but what do you tell the relatives that this guy, or any other solidier, died for in Iraq? Hell, they can't even explain it to the media never-the-less a grieving family member. What a waste.