sexual_chocolate

And a note to the person who served overseas and was shot at: I'm wondering what country that happened in? There are many countries where we have a military presence, yet that presence is not welcomed by the general population.

Oops, I hit submit instead of review! I meant to continue with a nod to David Parker; I'm glad you had a chance to express your thoughts and opinions. Take care.

The CIA trained, armed, and funded the soviet resistance in Afghanistan, which then became known as the Mujahedeen. Osama bin Laden was one of the characters who was trained by the CIA, as were many of the current Taliban. I understand the frustration that some of you feel in seeing this topic here on a climbing board, and after starting the thread myself, I had similar feelings. But after seeing the responses this morning, I'm glad for its existence; it's at least giving people a chance to voice their opinions and share them with a diverse group of others, and in the process, perhaps coming to a better understanding of the situation themselves. One thing I do wish, though: I do wish that the personal attacks could be lessened. I know this is a volatile subject, but if we simply slander others for having views different than our own, aren't we doing exactly what the people who most of us oppose are doing? Of course, I'm speaking of the Taliban, and their form of intolerance. I don't agree with their intolerance, and it's just as hard to see from the Americans who seem to be the most opposed to them. So let's lighten up on each other, huh? By the way, an interesting series of presentations are being conducted on the UW campus, for those who are interested. I went to one last night at Kane Hall. Among those speaking were an Afghani doctor and a couple of American doctors who had spent time there. Very informative. A slide-show was also presented, which was wonderful, because it gave the country a face, something that didn't really exist for me before. All this week there are presentations at Kane Hall, for those interested. And thanks for all the thoughtful responses

I'm not sure I know whether or not to take these responses seriously. Is every subject open for sarcasm and whimsical treatment? Well, it is a climber's forum, after all....right?

Aborigine's 11b. It's on par with any other 11b I've ever done.

Okay, I'm against the war, so the opinion poll seems to be running at 66% in favor, 33% against, with Alpine Tom giving an articulate and illuminating response, yet refusing to be counted as either for or against. Any others?

No, not trolling. I was simply wondering if there was any original thinking happening in the climbing community. Maybe everyone is sick of the subject? I do know that there is some diversity in this forum, and was wondering if that diversity was expressing itself in any way towards the war. It just seems funny to me that we are bombing a country, and threatened by further terrorist acts, yet no one is talking about it. Why?

So I was curious what the climbing community is thinking about the war. About 80% of the general US public seems to support the war; I wonder if the percentages are similar in the climbing community. Any ideas?

"Yes, but teflon doesn't stick!" One of my favorites! Here's some more: "Good God, It's like a Buick dealership in here! Who let in the mocktards?" "Oh fine. Be that way." "Did you know "squeezin'" rhymes with "pleezin'?" "El Torro, ho!" "Oh my god, not another mountain!" "Hey, a fish could live in there." "Orbit is defined by various factors that DON'T include personal hygiene." I forget the rest.

But has it been repeated?

Ahh I see, a different location...fair enough! So the election is over, hmmmm. I really don't know anything about his opponent; I was simply interested in seeing his name again, and how politics and other mechanisms might be playing out in that country.

(I can tell this is your first time...?)

Hey, your first twenty dollar tip will change all your discomfort into pure joy and happiness!

Bronco, you're dancing for me!!!! It's not Moondancing, but I'll have another drink , and there might be a healthy tip if you continue to dance.... Come on, baby!!!!

What is this attempt at control over the content of topics? I started a post about Central America and it's political situation, and it was erased! It seems like something relevant, as many of us travel to that area of the world. ( Topics about beer-drinking abound! Is that somehow more relevant?) Moderators, please explain yourselves! Willy-nilly removal of topics will discredit this forum, and eventually be counter-productive to your aims. (Whatever they may be....)

I thought some of you out there might be interested.... The elections are nearing the end in Nicaragua, and Daniel Ortega is locked in a virtual tie with his competitor from the ruling Constitutionalist Liberal party. After an illegal and virtually unmitigated overt war on his country by the biggest super-power on earth during his previous term as a (democratically elected) president, the people still resonate with his calls for social justice and equality! (Do you think the US is involved in this election in any way? Is there a lot of US corporate interest in the country?) I thought some of you might be interested; climbers seem like a politically aware bunch! Viva la Revolucion?

De nada. I haven't, but I know quite a few others who seem to have experienced no problems. They seem like a reputable company with history backing them up. Disfrutalo!

Hey Charlie, www.barrabes.com has the boots at the prices I listed. And thanks for the info, Danielpatricksmith, fairweather, and the others! I think though, that because of the difficulty I am having in making a decision, I'll be taking up barefoot beach-walking in Hawaii instead, or just buy plastics for Mt. Si, and be done with it. Simpler this way. Har!

Courtenay: no, I don't pike, but I know that I don't keep the front of my body relaxed either. It's like I tense up as I'm going up on the pull-up, which seems to initiate the swing, and then as I lower myself, I relax, which seems to exacerbate it. I think I just need to practice them a little more; practice at staying relaxed as I do them. And keeping my body long and straight as I do them. Thanks for the input. By the way, why do you think lat pull-downs are a waste of time?

I don't know, Captain, all-around alpine stuff. Maybe a winter ascent of Rainier, some ice climbing, maybe even some mixed stuff. Hopefully, one boot will work for all of that....

Yeah yeah it's all about the swing! I start swinging pretty much right away and I waste half my energy trying to keep from swinging. It pisses me off, but I haven't been able to figure out how to stop it, besides dragging my feet. I'm gonna try to figure it out though, go real slow and see what I'm doing wrong. Thanks for the work-out plan!

What do you mean, "you get what you pay for"? Are these not good boots for what I want them for? And what would you recommend?

Yes yes, Peter Puget, you must drop the gorge entirely out. Else the ratings become a mess. The gorge is hard, eh? It has it's own aesthetics and protocols; really an entirely different area, hardly having any basis for mention in the same breath as Smith Rocks. But lovely! My original comment only took into account the "other" Smith!

How much for mid-week passes at June Lake or Mammoth? I'll be there late December/early January and would love to swing by, but not if it's a major investment....

Why not settle on 5.8+/5.9- ? Then EVERYONE is happy!