Jim

Did FW hack jb's password?

Had some tracking issues while competing in track in college. I'd agree - get a second opinion from a sports ortho - ask around for a referral. Exercises helped solve the problem for me, no surgey. I've had to modify my exercise regime 35 years later - but you should have some good miles in you yet. Good luck.

symmetry spire, Mt Moran,Teewinot, Irene's arete http://cascadeclimbers.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/903711/Tetons_Symmetry_Spire#Post903711

Wrong - deregulation doesn't just mean the repel of existing laws. Under the Bushies they systematically ignored their power to regulate under existing laws. One of the best examples is when the CFTC tried to regulate default swaps under their jursidiction - they got hammered big time by Greenspan and his Ayn Rand groupies. Also under the Bushies, the amount of capitalization that financial institutions were required to keep was significantly reduced - allowing them to take larger bets with less backup. The "let the markets regulate themselves" was the rule and Greenspan just kept shovelling low interest rates into not one, but two bubbles, which turned out to be nothing more than a international Ponzi scheme.

I'm not sure what this has to do with a leash. A clumsy person could fall on an ax if it were leashed or not. What I have seen first hand is someone dropping into a crevasse with an unleashed ax and them watching their ax go clanging into the dark pit. That kinda put an end to the trip. I've also seen someone trip, fall, and then leave their planted ax behind that was leashed! So I guess "hang on" is still the first rule. I'll go with SS's advice; use a leash on the glacier, functional length, discretion when switchbacking.

I'd still say the overall package is reasonable. That said - there has been an increased tax burden over the past 25 years on the individual vs. the corporate entity. Combine this with the restrictions placed on state and local governments regarding Tim Eyman's wako-ness and there is little wiggle room. The idea that there is some bloated bureaucracy living off the public dole is baseless. Spend any time with federal, state, or local employees these days and you will quickly understand what they are up against. They are stuck in a difficult place - and floating bond measures, as unpalatable as it is during a recession, seems to be the only choice. Unless of course you don't mind 50 kids per classroom, parks closed, and services curtailed. It's a big hole and one that has been dug over a couple decades. Foreign adventures, unprescedented flow of capital to the upper class, and reducing of corporate taxes - that's were our money has gone.

The real estate tax rates are pretty reasonable in Seattle: There's two rates: One for downtown & near north (Belltown/Queen Anne) 10.82722 per thousand. On a "low" priced building assessed at 400K = $4330.88 The rest of the city is more reasonable: 8.68790 per thousand. On the same 400K = $3475.16 Especially considering there is no income tax rate - the taxes here are not a burden. Unless you are in the lower income brackets and then are acutely aware of our regressive sales tax. Taxes and death; nothing is free. Get used to it.

Is English your second language?

http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/mbs/conditions/road_conditions_report.shtml

No. Not at all. It's just tongue wagging. But robust power grabs as Bushie was good at is a good example of trying to consolidate executive power and marginalize the legislative branch. That was concerning. I'm sure Scalia was muttering under his breath STFU.

Scary? Using the bully pulpit to tell the Dems to get off thier butts? As far as the Supreme Court - nothing he or anyone can do until one of the conservataives goes feet up. I thought the recent Supreme decision was an odd display of ignoring quite a load of precedent.

General amnesia on how we got here. Good example is the hearing going on today on how the Bushies gave away the taxpayer farm to AIG and their note holders.

Surly has a good rep - but not cheap. If you're looking for a bargin I would suggest visiting this place: http://www.bikeworks.org/ in Seattle. They refurbish donated bikes and have a shop and salesroom. They have several nice steel frame bikes hanging on the wall now. Full disclosure: I volunteer here and rebuild bikes and such.

Another Bush legacy. 8D Equating money to free speech is one of the reasons we have shitty government. Asked how regular citizens can compete with corporate money flowing to their congressman, Trent Lott said "....they will just need to gain access in other ways."

Always making lemonade from lemons you are.

Scene of my first leader fall as well. Actually first 3 on the same nut Got up the Gendarme before it went wayward. Way to get at it on the road trip

I looked at the links and I'm not sure what your point is. The system is working as planned - which was never to have portable MRI data. That is easily transfered via something new, called secure FTP sites. Yes, they are struggling with some cost issues, but compared to the US it's much more reasonable. And they spend the least on overhead. How anyone can argue our current system is fine is beyond me. I've always said the best way to reform our system is to look at what other contries are doing and then select the best from the lessons they have learned. We have smart people here; we can do it. That is, if the pols weren't awash in big pharm and medical bribes.

Even I admit that they look a bit better with recent acquisitions.

Speaking of which. I saw this PBS show recently of comparisions of health care in 6 different countries. In Tawian each person has a small card they carry. A physician just has to plug it into a reader to see his patient's history and it's also used for a single billing system. What a concept.

Thanks. I'm more familar with it than I want to be - believe me, there are many more "online resources" available.

The dreaded 3, which does not even allow you to max out contributions to the IRS limits (?); you have to join a seperate state system for supplemental contributions to do that. Go figure. Maybe they assume teachers can't afford to do that.

I don't know about the Diversity Coordinator, but my understanding of the current state retirement system is that it is funded through employee contributions with a modest match from the state. If you are an long-time employee 20 yrs+, you may be on a different system. Just like private business there has been a shift of responsibility to the employee. Trying to wade through the options of my wife's TRS provided a new definition of Byzantine.

Looks like he is using the Alberto Toma training diet.

Been posted already but a worthy read.