Jim

Also looking for a partner in July, but likely routes more moderate than this on my first visit.

Still working on the schedule but likely will be in Bolivia from end of June through mid-August, with most of July available for climbing. Having not been there before and never been above 5,000 m, I'm intersted in moderate routes and an intro to the area. Planning a week of aclimatization just hiking before climbing. Been climbing for 34 yrs, some Alps and Patagonian experience, mostly in Cascades last 20 yrs.

The ruling does not afffect patents on processes, drugs, or new newly developed genes. It merely says that a firm cannot lay claim to a patent on an existing gene. In this case the firm isolated the defective gene sequence for congenital breast cancer. Rather than lay claim to the test procedure they said they owned the right to the gene itself. WTF? They didn't create anything. They can patent a test for it, a potential medical cure, etc. but not the gene itself. Not any more.

Uh...yeah? So, should EVERYTHING for sale have to be cleared by the gummint first? Or, just drywall? I think the free market should reign. Then we could get back to using the best material for the job such as radium for watch dials, asbestos for insulation, and DDT for those dang bugs.

Short answer is yes, you can change out the big chain ring, but you'll need to look at compatability of it with your drive train. I don't know about this specific bike but many "commuter" ones have a large ring in the low 40's. Something up close to 50 would help. Also, do you have 26" or 700c wheels. The narrower 700s are speedier, but not as versatile.

We took the late shift and went up to Pinapple Pass early afternoon. Saw a few minor releases off cliff faces, but the pack in the basin remained cool and powdery. Low in the trees was another story. Dang - I have to get a better hop tele going. Working a bit to hard in the heavier snow there. All in all a nice half day ski.

Actually, no, that's not how it works. The younger generation is paying for those that receive the benefits. No one is socking away money for their own SS benefits.

Oh. I was confused for a minute. I thought the Federal Government administered the Social Security System.

Gotta go - but you realize that a giant chunk of the insurers are non-profit, and that profits at for profit health insurance companies has been something like ~2.2% on average for the past few years? I'd like to see that statistic from a reliable source. And of course profit does not include CEO compensation. For a taste of that go here: http://www.fiercehealthcare.com/special-reports/total-package-health-plan-ceo-compensations-2008 So CGNA might post a 5% profit but pays over $12M to its CEO and another $50M+ for a handful of other executives. My heart aches for them.

IMO - I'm not arguing that you don't have a valid point about the other end of efficiency and patitent care - it's just that you're ignoring the elephant in the room, which is the current insurance mess and lack of coverage for all. THAT is not going to be addressed with the current system. My recommendation: Either singer payer or limited insurance companies with cap of 4% profit. Standard prices for all procedures.

What? The use of multitude private insurance companies, each inefficient in their own profit grubbing way, and collectively a nightmare, don't contribute to health care costs? Just look around the world - Germany, Japan, Tawian, France, for any number of different models that are working much better, and cheaper, than ours while delivering more and better service.

...speaking of which ....

Yea. Depends on the source, eh? More web wackos.

Thanks D- ...coservative meaning no down because of moisture concerns? Also - no soft shell jacket, eh?

1) there was an election, Repbups lost 2) wtf did they do about health care while having Congress and the White House for 6 years? Nada.

What's the snow now low - where were you able to drive to? Looks like a nice day.

Oh brother. Wackos coming out of the woodwork. Can you imagine the feigned outrage if something really progressive actually passed. What a bunch of clowns.

Private Icelandic banks take big risks, then turn to government handouts when their turn at the roulette table doesn't work out. Sound familiar?

Read closer. I mentioned Fannie and Freddie. Farm subsidies, I'm with you. But you were the one that touted the "structural reform", which by ample example tends to be the same. Provide bailouts to the entities that cry the loudest about "let the market figure it out" until the consequenses of their financial prowess turn downward. Then it's time for the government to step in and save their sorry asses at public expense. Then it's business as usual and profiteering until the next, inevitible disaster and the guaranteed public shakedown. Ya gotta give these guys credit. It's quite the racket.

This pretty good. Just like we did with the S&Ls, Enron, the airlines after 911, Bear Stearns, Freddie and Fannie, AIG, the auto indurstry, TARP, Citigroup, and Bank of America. Going back further we have Continental Bank of Illonis in '84 ($9.5 billion), Chrysler ($4 billion), Franklin National Bank '74 (7.8 bilion), Lockeed '71 ($1.4 billion)--- do I detect a "structural reform" pattern here. Indeed. The repeated pattern is public risk and private profit - all fed by cash through the political system to just tinker on the outside. Just keep shovelling the cash to the masters of the universe, then wail about undeserving welfare queens getting an extra $50 a month. It would be funny if not so tragic. Love the zeal there Jim, but spare a moment to consult an actuarial table or two that lays out the magnitude of unfunded entitlement spending at the state and Federal level and the price of the distortions of the nation's political economy you laid out above will seem trivial by comparison. Nice dodge. Now try and address the issues raised.

This is pretty good. Just like we did with the S&Ls, Enron, the airlines after 911, Bear Stearns, Freddie and Fannie, AIG, the auto indurstry, TARP, Citigroup, and Bank of America. Going back further we have Continental Bank of Illonis in '84 ($9.5 billion), Chrysler ($4 billion), Franklin National Bank '74 (7.8 bilion), Lockeed '71 ($1.4 billion)--- do I detect a "structural reform" pattern here. Indeed. The repeated pattern is public risk and private profit - all fed by cash through the political system to just tinker on the outside. Just keep shovelling the cash to the masters of the universe, then wail about undeserving welfare queens getting an extra $50 a month. It would be funny if not so tragic.

One of the three times I was on the traverse we got across Red Ledge and then got a major dose of fog and drizzle and we wandered back to Kool-Aid lake because we couldn't find a water source on the knoll - least not anywhere we wanted to walk to - it was the thrid week of August, however. Got up the next morning to blue skies and carried on.

Thanks - planning on a couple of your peaks.

So after not making the trip I wanted to last year because of life stuff, I planning for a couple month break this year. I've climbed in SA but at lower elevations, may get to 20k this trip. Advice on how cold to plan for in June/July has been variable. Chime in with your experience on: sleeping bag needed for minus 10 deg? down jacket type/brand - have a FF hooded helios, good NW jacket but seems too light for 20k? have Scarpa invernos, new model, seems warm enough. Not planning on overboots. Don't own mitten shells but will likely spring for some. been scanning websites and 2nd ascent for used gear, need funds for pisco.

Inquiring minds want to know!