sexual_chocolate

You might be right, CBS. In his anger, he would sacrifice his own children, along with the lives of so many other thousands. Already, his actions have sacrificed tens of thousands, so he's too far down the slippery slope to try to climb back now. And it certainly seems as though Allawi is in a similar position. Can you imagine a more difficult situation to be in? Absolutely horrendous. Hell's gates have been opened by the sword again, and it really seems as though this situation will drag and drag and drag for years to come, in a not so dissimilar way to the current situation. I really don't see how it could be different. It kinda reminds me of the things I've read about the Vietnam war, how the politicos and military would spin the situation in favorable terms, whilst the situation deteriorated. It's been a year and a half now, and honestly, is the situation better, the same, or worse?

"You see, Ziad is a Sunni by birth, but a free and upright person by mind and education. This gives the lie to the idea that the problem in Iraq is solely due to the strife between religious sects and ethnic groups. The problem and divide is between intelligent cultured people and the ignorant. And Ziad is a fine example of a cultured person whose strength of character and conviction is stronger than all the pressures of sectarianism and fanaticism. The same applies to many fine men in Iraq today, and it is our hope that sooner and later the waters will calm and the true bond of “Iraqiness” will triumph over the ignorance and foolishness of extremists and peasants of all sorts, Sunni, Shiaa etc. etc. Ziad is my favorite blogger and he has been my inspiration for starting this blog. I wish to send him all my heart felt greetings and best wishes from this humble forum." The italics are mine, but indicate to my mind the ramblings of an arrogant and elitist attitude.

What CAN he do? (What would George Bush do if his daughters were kidnapped?) Iraqi interim PM's relatives taken hostage Wednesday 10 November 2004, 15:40 Makka Time, 12:40 GMT A group claiming responsibility for the abduction of three relatives of interim Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi, have threatened to kill them in 48 hours if the state did not halt the raid on Falluja and free prisoners. "If the agent government does not meet our demands within 48 hours we will behead them (the hostages)," the Ansar al-Jihad group said in a statement dated Wednesday and carried on a Muslim website.

I have yet to see a better illustration of Pope's epigram: "A little learning is a dangerous thing." I would suggest aquainting oneself with the history of the period prior to pontificating about it. Start with a credible survey of that period in German history, and move on from there. Of course, it is actually quite reasonable to conclude that decades of historians who have dedicated innumerable lifetimes to dissecting the history of this period, with full access to all of the requisite archival material, interviews with the primary actors, etc had yet to unearth this essential truth that Brian has placed such stock in - "Why - yes! It was...the corporations!" - based on an authority as unimpeachable as an article on the internet. I am anxious awaiting an elucidation of the present conflict as merely the latest mischief orchestrated by the Z.O.G. - substantiated by an equally impeccable source... Should be fascinating. Wow. Now I understand why you are such an authority on the old "passive/aggressive" syndrome and its attendant symptomology! How are the chains treating you, by the way?

You can build your own from a backing of 3/4" ply and screw on different width strips of whatever. Get creative. Small edges, pockets and pinches. Then get psyched to used it, and develop a training plan that psyches you. It seems that the prefab ones that I see at friends' houses are chosen more for aesthetics, adding lovely colors to their living-rooms, chosen by their interior decorators.

Sure. There isn't a single person in this administration who strikes me as an ardent supporter of either the text or the spirit of our Constitution. To them, the Constitution is to be played for political gain when to their advantage, and ignored or rewritten or reinterpreted when curtailing their ambitions.

It was even called "corporatism" at the time. I think it was Mussolini who used "Corporatism" interchangably with "Fascism", proposing the former as the proper term at one point? Anyway, fascist tendencies exist in every individual, so of course they exist in every state. And the trend of our present political course to me seems much more indicative of a fascist tendency than that of say liberalism. State power has increased. Corporate power has increased. Individual liberties have been curtailed. Labor unions have the lowest representation in the work force since the turn of the century. (Walmart just advertised on NPR (can you believe this?), telling us how they offer people so many benefits and give them a lift in life!) While I don't think Fascism has become codified in any formal sense in this country, the tendencies are pretty clear, I think. And instead of referring only to past examples of Fascism as definitional reference points, perhaps we can look to them as loose guidelines for delineating current trends, and propose new terms. Under this framework, I would propose "Democratic Fascism" as a more accurate label for our current political reality.

Affirmative action? Of course dems pressed. Gay marriage? Not even an issue 30 years ago, but considering the progressive nature of the democratic party (this has become a joke, right?), they would have been the ones to run with it. The dems have swung further to the right, and that's pretty evident over the last 20 years. This was the party strategy after 12 years of reagan/bush.

WOT?

i strongly disagree. it may be reductionist to focus on missing high-grade explosives but this story is truly indicative of what has gone on. invading a country under pretense of imminent danger when in fact increasing danger through the dispersion of weapons that were closely garded by an anti-fundamentalist regime and united nation inspectors, points to some of the lies that this venture has been built upon. as for the overall "what does it take to win an election today?" i am afraid there is little choice in the matter considering the immmense role of the media in determining who'll be president and the unfortunate tendency of many to focus solely on soundbytes. a little reductionism seems a small price to pay considering the alternatives. One of the problems I see though with Kerry being the touter of an anti-war agenda is that he originally gave Bush the authority to go to war. Congress was cowed in a similar way as were the German law-makers in the early '30's. And Kerry was complicit. I agree that the information is important, but I'm not absolutely convinced Kerry is an honest messenger. In fact, how can he, with a straight face, be using the war as an election issue when he originally voted to give Bush the authority to execute it? Did he really think Bush is a swell guy, wanting to avoid war???? Come on, he's not THAT ignorant! He reads PNAC, he knows what the neocon agenda is, and HE VOTED TO GIVE THESE GUYS WAR POWERS! (Kerry is a cow, a political machination, and he really pisses me off right now!) The ONLY two democrats worthy of their party title are Kucinich and Sharpton. The rest can take their kowtowing and hypocrisy straight to Iraq, and help out with the mess they authorized.

Is PP really a Bush supporter? Damn, all this time I thought he was a pretty smart guy who liked to troll!

So you found the crux to be at the roof? My memory tells me this was relatively easy, with the pump making the top part harder. Don't know if a hold is missing. The lip had a decent sized handhold when I did it.

http://www.pipa.org/OnlineReports/Pres_Election_04/Press10_21_04.pdf This link is awesome. It really shows that political leanings tend to be more ideological and religious in nature on the Republican side. Facts aren't important, mein Fuhrer is; Hypocrisy isn't important, party fealty is; Thinking isn't important....

1. Vanishing Point, Mt. Baring (Does anyone ever do this route? It's an amazing climb) 2. Beckey Route, Liberty Bell 3. Liberty Crack, Liberty Bell 4. Serpentine Arete, Dragontail 5. Chronic, Little Si

I think the real story is that either side will stoop to anything at this point to get elected. Pretty disheartening, really.

Gosh. Why would you go deleting so much important info on tire chains, yo? Oh, I get it....

Yeah I was pretty upset with him. I guess when I see the energy he flung at NOLse, I sometimes get a bit peeved. Funny, huh? Plus, he's dry. Insincere. Callow. I don't know....it's the internet. Partial pictures and all. 'Tis a strange community, indeed. But, thanks for the thread and shit. I'm most appreciative. (I'd still go with your gut on the chains though. )

That hurts, man. I'm trying to help someone with an important purchase, and he belittle me. Not passive, not aggressive: Just pure concern.

So I went outside and checked my chains. Darn, couldn't find the make. I'd go with the ones you like, personally.

Ahhh don't be so dour please? Come on, your article was awesome, man. I loved it. I like the chains too, ok?

that is like a sick chain selection, dude. I don't know HOW I got around in the mountains before. The ease of use and maximum traction angle has NOT been discussed enough, IMO.

Mmmmmm......I smell a road-trip! [spanakopita emoticon]

Reasonable? First of all, the assumption that somehow the posters on this thread (or this board!) are the "climbing community" is a bit laughable and self-aggrandizing at best. Most of who I climb with never visit this site, nor do most of the others that I run into!?!? Secondly Scott, I find it a bit funny how you're acting like a kid who can't quite reach the freezer for a popsicle and throws a tantrum (give him a few more clues for fun's sake Nolse!). And thirdly, relax people. I'm sure all the info will be available in due time (your world won't end in the mean-time). I'm sure at that time, a reasoned conclusion and consensus will be reached.

Yes indeed. Crystal clear. Shine on, you crazy diamond. Or pot, in this case. Black pot, that is.

Dood nice work! Site looks awesome. Do you do any side-work? I need a website.... And: Where are chewuck boulders, and what's the muzak streaming?