Jim

Never climbed a Beacon. Would be afraid to given the fervor of falcon and bolt advocates. I might do something bad!

IMO - the bottom line is that there always have been and always will be selected subsidy of transportation. But it seems we should be moving to those elements that result in the best return for transportation, business, energy/greenhouse gas, and community benefits.

uh-huh http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=F2091EFB345D10738DDDAA0994DA405B8684F0D3

Exactly. What a concept - actually PLANNING for infrastructure, business, and community together. The hodge-podge of sprawl that is the result of lack of planning is quite evident on the fringe of most suburbs.

That's a good one! Those guys with the robes, camels, and curved swords will be showing up any minute!

I send my tax money there!

Which free and democratic Middle East regime might you be referring to?

Can't say I can provide any insight for which political group will rise to the top after all this, but the reason the Brotherhood, or any other political group, had no traction was 'cause they got beat to a bloody pulp if they showed any organizational skill.

If that's what you got out of my brief post and refernce to the book - that's not what I was trying convey. You'll have to pick up the book and read it - I'm not going to try and summarize such a complex analysis here. But Armstrong does a a very detail analysis that is worth the trouble to wade through the issues. That you, somehow, have gained enlighment, and the rest of us have cultural blinders on, is going down a familar path I'd rather not purse.

I'm no fan of religion in general but one striking issue with Islam is that it has not gone through a reformation process and seems to be stuck in a particular brand of fundamentalism - at least how it is practiced in much of the mid-east. I'd encourage you to read this: http://www.amazon.com/Battle-God-Karen-Armstrong/dp/0345391691 The next question then of course - is why are the fundamental Christians in the US not blowing things up? It's a complex issue that Dr. Armstrong wrestles with.

Washington Politics. It's like Hollywood for ugly people!

Actually he said before the fall he was training for a trek: But after he fell he decided to climb it! What the heck - figured he had good luck.

Definately the biggest issue. See below. For the Marmot Dam removal I worked on the geomorph guys estimated that it would take 10 years for the sedimient behind the dam to get flushed out of the system - it took 1 year.

Oh there's a tough sell, but I've been surprised before. haven't the Twilight movies laid the groundwork for that? just print some posters of topless "werewolf" hunks running around That's the ticket! Once in a while my wife and I would get over to the Quinault Reservation and rent a cabin for the weekend - but now there is a three day minimum because the Twilighters have ticked up the hotel demand. Good for Forks - maybe good for wolves using your pitch!

Oh there's a tough sell, but I've been surprised before.

Yea, saw that. Good news. Here's a smaller dam removal project I worked on in Oregon - Bull Run. A couple friends are working on a similar film for Elwa. [video:youtube]

Seriously. After this "discussion" I'm ready to go have a beer with you and KK as you would be more fun.

Still waiting for a source. zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

No. Rather I'm saying that 1) it doesn't matter how many "observers made these claims" if there are no facts to back it up; 2) if you claim it is "widely known" then it should be readily easy for you to come up with a documented source, eh? and 3) Damn! You are whiny.

liar. Ok. I'm trying to be patient here. No reference but is "..most certainly true and obvious". That is nothing but your opinion based on? Done here if we can't even get you to agree on what is a fact. A corollary statement would be "Some observers believe the moon is made of green cheese" Well I suppose that statement in itself is true - the underlying supposition is false. Get it?

Ok then - maybe I am wrong - show me the analysis or data report for this statement: Nothing is cited and is therefore opinion.

What I love about articles like this is the pile of unsubstantiated statements No data cited - is in complete contrast to several studies done by non-partsian economic groups. Great -it's his "opinion" So let's take a local look at WA's pension program. Here's what the govenor's office says: The actuary's office has recommended that lawmakers contribute $774 million to pension funds this spending period, which ends in 2011. Gov. Chris Gregoire's budget allocates funding levels in line with the actuary's request. "It is in the long-term interest of the tax-payers to fully fund all pension plans with consistent and adequate payments so as to avoid higher long-term costs. As the legislature grapples with the current budget shortfall, I hope they avoid making next year's pension problems bigger," the treasurer said. And from the state actuary: Yea - no problem here. Now if you could provide more than an Op Ed I'll be willing to look at it. Where do think these funds are going to come from. It's not going to be from tax revenue - the voters are capping that. If the current trend extends itself it will come at the expense of the lower social and economic spectrum. While protecting public employee unsustainable pension programs you are advocating for less social good programs.

All this is saying is that the pension program deficits did not cause the current big budget hole from the reduced revenue stream. No friggin' duh!! As Tvash said - interesting, but still doesn't solve the unsustainability of the pension programs. They were unsustainabale during flush times, it was just papered over a bit with some extra revenue. Now that facade is stripped bare there is more urgency. While I understand your apparant frustration with the financial wizards putting us in this bind, and the lack of wisdom of the state voters to tax a bit more, I don't understand the concept of keeping an unsustainable system in place that is robbing funds from,what I consider, more benifical uses for social programs.

Thanks D! Got it. Now all I need is some cold weather or a trip north. --great website by the way.

Fixing a problem that is $15B will not help? And times that by say, 5 over the next 50 years? Yea, you're right. Doing nothing will help more