JayB

Easier in what sense?

I'm sure that others will chime in with additional thoughts, but of the many differences that come to mind the foremost (in no particular order) are that alpine rock routes you: -Will be doing routes that feature far more crack climbing than face climbing. -Will be using traditional rock protection. -Will (often/probably)be climbing with a pack. -May encounter loose or poor-quality rock. -May find yourself in situations where finding the correct route is difficult. -May find yourself in situations where retreat is difficult or expensive. -Should have a much greater familiarity with technical ropework than you need to climb safely in the gym before venturing into the mountains. With your background in mountaineering, your probably quite familiar with the rest of the stuff that you'll encounter in the mountains. After you get comfortable in the gym, I'd make learning to lead/place-gear/construct-anchors a priority. After that, start moving on to multi-pitch routes that you can lead comfortably. Then pick a route or two that's way below your top leading grade and give it a go with the kind of pack that you'd take along on the kind of alpine route that you are considering.

Seems like on short trips in the Cascades, moisture from outside the bag would be the major concern, and something like this: http://www.backcountry.com/store/BLD0253/Black-Diamond-Winter-Bivy-Sack.html Would be the way to go. I've got one and it seemed to do keep the moisture at bay inside tents and snowcaves, and breathes pretty well too. It sounds like VBLs and/or overbags might be the ticket for longer trips in colder/drier climates. Hopefully some folks with experiences from that sort of outing will chime in if that's what you've got in mind.

It's well known that the giant squid have been recruited by the Mossad to participate in this plot hatched by their Zionist overlords.....

Gas > electricity for cooking. Plus your electric stove is cooking's answer to the SUV and you are killing the Earth(!) five times more rapidly every time you cook up a batch of top-ramen. "Gas stoves have considerably less environmental impact than electric stoves. With electric stoves pollution is almost five times greater for the greenhouse gas CO2 and up to 100 times greater for SO2, a pollutant that causes acid rain. Gas stoves are also more environmentally sound than electric stoves with regard to pollution with NOx (nitrogen oxides)." http://envirotech.blogspot.com/2004/02/electric-stoves-pollute-considerably.html

Um...N.O.W. deals only with domestic issues. That's why it's not called I.O.W. Dumbass. "NOW Continues Campaign to End Violence Against Women in Juarez, Mexico." http://www.now.org/nnt/fall-2006/juarez.html ----------------------------------------------------------------- "Feminist Super Bowl AdWatch Finds Few Women, But Plenty of Demeaning Stereotypes February 4, 2008 Where were the women? This was a common cry from the monitors in the National Organization for Women Foundation's 2008 Feminist Super Bowl Ad Watch. "By the second quarter, I said to my friends that there were more animals in the ads than women," said Karen from Florida. "Women were virtually non-existent in speaking roles and the overwhelming tone exalted violence," reported Gail from Texas. Another monitor stressed that when women were shown they were as passive objects - not active players in the storyline. Often, women's sexual availability to men was central to the theme of the sales pitch. The use of diversity in the ads could often be boiled down to "blatant racism" and "ethnic exploitation," as many of these characters were stereotyped and cartoonish. Advertisers paid an average of $2.7 million for a 30 second commercial this year - a sure sign that they believe their commercials will make a big impact on the viewing audience. The NOW Foundation agrees with these companies -- advertising does matter in our media-saturated culture. The portrayal of women and girls, people of color, and other disenfranchised groups can affect how they are viewed in society and how they feel about themselves. That's why the NOW Foundation got in the game and compiled our own feminist rankings for the best and worst ads. GoDaddy.com's ad was voted the most offensive, with the Planters ad not far behind."

Hopefully the folks will sell the home to someone that follows median price stats instead of the Case-Shiller-Weiss index... If you toss in unrestricted access to your climbing wall as part of the deal in exchange for a cut of the commission that baby will be off the market in no time.

Christianity is hardly unique in this respect. Islam also portrays Allah as being "always right" and perfect in every way. Islam, like Cristianity, also attracts those who have no idea how to live a life by their own construction. Islam goes so far as to say that men must wear beards, women must be veiled lest they arouse the male libido, you can't be in the same room with a dog, you can't touch a woman to whom you aren't married, and you have to wipe your ass with your left hand only. I wouldn't know, I've never read the Koran nor had any Islamic religious training. Have you? I won't claim I've "read" the Qur'an, but I've "looked" at it enough (you can listen to recitations on teh interwebz) to know its general contents. Plus, I've read a lot about Islam and have talked for years with Muslim friends. Plus, my father spent the last 30-odd years (1968-2000) of his career in the Middle East working/dealing/interacting with Muslims on a day-to-day basis, and has shared his experiences with me at length. So in that respect, I'd say, "Yes, I would know." I've mused over your posts for a long time, tvash. You seem to be an intelligent, informed individual by most measures. You'd even be surprised at how similar I believe our philosphical/spiritual viewpoints to be. So why always the antagonistic attitude from you? Same reason why N.O.W. goes ballistic over Augusta but has can't bring itself to muster a fiftieth of the energy denouncing burquas, honor killings, genital mutilation, dowry-killings, etc.... Rousseau's noble savage fantasy repackaged for the PC-era. All virtue lies with the primitive, oppressed, colonized, etc.

You blew your calrod homes: http://www.applianceblog.com/mainforums/archive/index.php/t-2024.html "Calrod sealed element: This encloses a fine coiled NiChrome wires in a ceramic filler-binder inside a tough metal overcoat in the form of a shaped rod with thick wire leads or screw or plug-in terminals. These are found in toaster oven/broilers, hot plates, coffee makers, crock pots and slow cookers, electric range surface elements, conventional and convection ovens and broilers. Testing: When these fail, it is often spectacular as there is a good chance that the internal NiChrome element will short to the outer casing, short out, and melt. If there is no visible damage but the element does not work, a quick check with an ohmmeter should reveal an open element or one that is shorted to the outer casing." If you have a sentimental attachment to the stove, or a visit by a repairman will cost less than replacing the stove, they should be able to inspect the circuit, make sure that nothing else got fried, and that it's safe to use. You can probably save some money by picking up a new burner at a local outfit instead of having the repair guy bring one out to your house.

You know, you are a complete fucking loudmouf...jeezus...you shit talk someone, he calls you out, and then you say, "Golly gee, i just compete with myself"...the reason why, is you SUCK at it. FWIW, Pope will absolutely crush your fat ass on just about any venue of technical climbing...jeezus fucking christ, shut your piehole already...who gives a shit about how much you fuckin' hike already???? I was thinking that what we were witnessing in that post was a "Smeagol-vs-Golum" voice-in-head type debate materializing before us on the screen, rather than a serious game of (rhetorical) climbing one-upmanship vs a guy who climbed at Pope's level. But who knows....

Even money says you regularly make mention of the fact that one of your hobbies is ice-climbing..."Yes. You heard correctly...Ice *climbing.* The kind where you use ropes, 'ice-tools,' and 'crampons,' which are metallic implements with 12 sharp points that that you secure to your 'ice-climbing boots'" to ascend frozen waterfalls that are often vertical or near vertical." into the verbiage that you dispense in your ACLU appearances...

Just a sign of the times. Sort of like this: graphic housing equivalent of Kennedy's shoe-shine boy.

I just went back and tried to look this up. I found dozens of posts where you mock the imaginary "left" or argue some economic theory in an oblique response to a discussion of the war, but I could not locate a post where you actually stated what YOU think. Why did Bush pull the trigger? What has he accomplished? All I can say is look harder. Maybe when I have the time and inclination I'll hammer something out.

"As seen on ABC News..." "If you are facing or considering foreclosure, you're not alone. * Are you stressed out about your mortgage payments? * Do you have little or no equity in your home? * Have you had trouble trying to sell your house? * Is your home sinking under the waves of the real estate crash? * What if you could live payment free for up to 8 months or more and walk away without owing a penny? Unshackle yourself today from a losing investment and use our proven method to Walk Away. If you QUALIFY for our plan: Your lender WILL NOT be able to call you in attempt to collect! Your lender WILL NOT be able to collect any deficiency or loss they may receive by you walking away! You WILL be able to stay in your home for up to 8 months or more without having to pay anything to your lender! You CAN have the foreclosure REMOVED from your credit! It's important to act now before it's too late! Let us help you." http://www.youwalkaway.com/

Methinks you are confusing a disinclination to perpetually play rhetorical groundhog-day with an incapacity to discuss either the invasion or anything related to it. I must have ~500 posts or more where I lay out my views on the war, and you are free to peruse them at your vast and internet-centric leisure. I'm curious though. At debates where you represent the ACLU, when the event is over, the audience has left, the janitor has long since stacked the last of the chairs, and only the dim-green light from the illuminated letters of the "EXIT" signs keeps total darkness at bay inside the middle-school gymnasium - do you find yourself bellowing at and taunting the empty lectern next to you, pointing at it and proclaiming "Yeah. That's RIGHT! That's what I thought..." when it fails to offer up a rebuttal, and finally punctuating the silence with the trademark onano-triumphalist closing (along with a raised fist, perhaps?) before scanning the emptiness for approval and filling the space with the tepid din emanating from the applause.mp3 file stored on your special red "Bono" themed iPOD? Just wondering.

Tennessee for Clinton...

'Kay "Dear Congressman DeMint: As a child I lamented the fact that I was too young to cast a vote for Ronald Reagan in anyplace other than the mock elections held in my elementary school - so it is quite likely that there are many issues that you and I would agree on. However - when it comes to the manner in which you've handled the matter involving Berkeley and the Marines, I am afraid that this is not the case. Specifically - I think that using what amounts to fiscal blackmail to punish and discipline a town because the leadership of that town voices opinions that you personally take exception to or find offensive sets an incredibly dangerous precedent that could just as easily be used against local governments who voice sentiments that you agree with. I also think that if this practice became widespread, it could very well undermine one of the central liberties that this nation has relied upon the Marine Corps to protect. I assure you that I find the statements by the members of the city council at least as misguided and as worthy of contempt and ridicule as anyone. However, it's clear to me that attempting to influence public opinion - not the disposition of public finances - constitutes the only acceptable and constitutionally sound means which a Congressman should use to take action against members of a local government who express opinions that he finds objectionable. Consequently, I hope that you will reconsider your actions and publicly disavow any effort to deprive the citizens of Berkeley of public funds on account of statements made members of their city council. -Jay Brazier" Kumbayah because I disagree with their opinions and love to bait and mock ideological necrophiliacs who can't seem to let the corpse of 60's-era leftism rest in peace...

The thing I actually object to *most* in this story is the Congressman's actions. Even if the city council's actions are in breach of Federal law - which I doubt - the proper place to take action would be in the courts, not in a rider attached to an appropriations bill. As far as their opinions are concerned - they are free to make whatever statements they wish. I am free to ridicule and criticize them (and the people who voted them into office) as I see fit, just as I would be if this were a school board passing a motion declaring that evolution is the devil's handiwork, etc. This is no way contradicts my earlier positions. As far as their conduct is concerned - as long as we're talking about a lawful enterprise, be it a strip-club, a bar, a casino, a brothel (in Nevada), an abortion clinic, or what have you - I think it's important to protect people's right to demonstrate and voice their opinions, so long as they don't obstruct anyone's access to the said enterprise, vandalize it, threaten or intimidate the people that work there, etc. If they take the law into their own hands or otherwise take it upon themselves to use coercion deny others the right to exercise their rights and freedoms, then they need to be put in check. This is not the case with the folks from Code Pink so far as I can see.

Seems like a certain percentage of children from homes where they are more or less indoctrinated from birth, and are not encouraged to develop the capacity to evaluate moral, religious, and political issues independently as they mature - tend to react against their environment and careen headlong in the other direction as soon as they have the freedom to do so. Gary Larson had a great cartoon about this a while back that showed a kid sneaking away from the circus to go join corporate America. Seems like a rebelious teen in Berkeley would have a difficult time doing anything short of rape or murder that would distress a set of ideologically overbearing Leftist parents more than joining the Marines...

Depends on the nature of the hand injury and the sort of ice you'll be climbing, I'd think. I've been able to climb mellower/lower angle stuff with a tweak that sounds similar to yours no problem, but once I got on steeper routes that actually got a decent forearm pump going, it definitely seemed to aggravate the injury and prolonged the pain associated with it by at least a couple of weeks.

Sure does. Thanks.

"In Berkeley, push to rescind letter to Marines Carolyn Jones, Chronicle Staff Writer Tuesday, February 5, 2008 (02-04) 18:52 PST Berkeley -- A week after blasting the Marines as "unwelcome intruders" in Berkeley, two City Council members want the city to back off the declaration that ignited the wrath of the nation's right wing and inspired a Republican senator to try to sever Berkeley's federal funding. Council members Betty Olds and Laurie Capitelli on Monday proposed that Berkeley rescind its letter to the U.S. Marine Corps that stated that the downtown Berkeley recruiting center "is not welcome in our city," and publicly declare that Berkeley is against the war but supports the troops. The City Council will vote on Olds' and Capitelli's two proposals at its meeting next Tuesday. "I think we shouldn't be seen across the country as hating the Marines," said Olds, who voted against last week's proposals. "If you make a mistake, like we did, you should admit it and correct it and move on." The brouhaha started last week when the council passed two items condemning the Marine recruiting center on Shattuck Square, which opened about a year ago. The first called on the city clerk to send a letter to the Marines telling them they're unwelcome, and the second item granted Code Pink a parking space in front of the recruiting office every Wednesday afternoon and allowed the group to operate a loudspeaker. After the items passed, the council was besieged with criticism from right-wing groups and military supporters. Sen. Jim DeMint, R-S.C., proposed that the federal government cut off funds for Berkeley, including lunch programs, ferry service and UC Berkeley. Olds said she heard from hundreds of people angered by the city's action, including many in her Berkeley hills district. "People are so mad about this. They have relatives in the service, and now they think they're not welcome in Berkeley," she said. "My twin brother was a Marine in World War II. He'd be turning in his grave if he saw this." The council appears split on the idea of backing down. Some council members said the original proposals inadvertently insulted veterans and those currently serving in the military. Others said Berkeley should stand by its convictions. "People are used to Berkeley taking a stand for peace, but you have to do it intelligently," said Councilman Kriss Worthington, who voted against sending the letter calling the Marine Corps unwelcome. "You don't want to slap one group in the face and then, the next minute, slap the other group. I think we have an obligation to be thoughtful and sensitive and not be counterproductive to the cause of peace." Councilwoman Dona Spring said the council should not be cowed by the volume of hate mail and threats. "I still oppose the Marines recruiting in Berkeley because it's one way of protesting this wasteful war," she said. "Our military policy is a shambles. But we're not in opposition to the Marines; we oppose the policy that directs the Marines." Meanwhile, the Code Pink protesters said they were disappointed that Berkeley might rescind its letter to the Marines. "I hope they're not acting out of intimidation," said Code Pink spokeswoman Medea Benjamin. "Berkeley is a city of peace, and a recruiting station does not fit Berkeley's values." Mayor Tom Bates, a former Army captain, said it probably wouldn't hurt if the council clarified its position. "It's a symbol, but there are consequences to symbols," he said. "A lot of people think we're anti-Marine, but there's a difference between the warriors and the war. This is an attempt to clarify that."

Seems like deciding to follow Deuteronomy would be the foremost mistake of them all but - let's leave Jesus and the deity under discussion out of this one, and say that a given person faithfully adheres to the injunctions in Deturonomy 13 99.999% of the time. In your estimation (not your understanding of Jesus or the said deity's judgment), would this person have lived a moral life?

How about we take the whole Pascal's Wager bit off of the table and stick to Deuteronomy. In your judgment (not that of the deity in question...Would following these injunctions lead to a good life? How about a set or moral principles to base one's life upon?