Dr_Flash_Amazing

quote: Originally posted by mattp: quote:Originally posted by Dr Flash Amazing: There's something very satisfying about buying, for example, organic over pesticidal produce ... and knowing that, in a small way, you're sticking it to some faceless big business you disagree with Except that now the big companies like General Foods are getting into the "organic foods" thing. They got you, my friend. Actually, we (i.e. green-minded thinkers) got them. Wallet-vote for organic stuff over chemically produced junk for long enough, and even a behemoth like General Fuds comes around. This is a great thing. It brings organic food out of what many see as extreme hippy culture into the public eye, and makes it more acceptable for average folk to buy. It also supports organic farmers, and gives other farmers perhaps more incentive to practice organic farming. That kind of thing is great, in DFA's opinion. Plenty of the people who have been buying OG food from smaller producers all along will most likely continue to do so, while General Foods' products will get purchased by more mainstream consumers, helping support OG agriculture and spread the word. And OG food is showing up in more and more places now. Stores like Safeway carry OG stuff, and even stores in Vegas (hateful blight on the world) carry the OG goods. So this is an example of corporateness gone good, due to diligent product buying by conscious consumers.

quote: Originally posted by Dru:

quote: Originally posted by Greg W: Do not support those companies, you are free to take your business elsewhere; ultimately, that is how they get the message. There is no "greater good", it's a sham to fuck the little guy out of money for the government coffers. Of course it's the little guy that pays. How do companies pay for damaged goods? Raise prices. Greg W Greg, This is an excellent point, and it's one of the Doctor's favorite tactics. Voting with ones pocketbook is a truly excellent way to show support. And, if you choose carefully where you spend your money, you frequently extend your opinion, as companies that share your view frequently put their money (and influence, since that seems to be how the game gets played) toward causes you support. There's something very satisfying about buying, for example, organic over pesticidal produce, or locally-made goods over some megacorporation's crap, and knowing that, in a small way, you're sticking it to some faceless big business you disagree with. Transferring credit card balances to 0% introductory rate cards is another favorite. Those banking cocksuckers do NOT need any more money. So, (drumroll, please ... and some distortion, too ) Dr. Flash Amazing, for the first time ever, agrees with Greg W. Thank you, ladies and gentlemen, thank you.

quote: Originally posted by erik: dfa....qualify harming people.... is emotional stress not harm??? is scaring someone into believing your points are the right ones not harm?? is reducing the opportunity to enjoy life without the threat of some zealot attempting to ruin my way of life not harm??? is some idiot hanging off of the alaska way bridge deal...creating hours of traffic not harm?? these people by focring thier opinions upon us in their radical way of doing things is harming my way life....if i were interested in these peoples thought, desires, wishes then i would seek them out.....i consider them much like telemarketers and door to door religous types.....they are leeches upon society....attempting others to swallow their ideals....by force and cohersion..... Erik, The Doc supports the actions discussed previously, and feels they are reasonable in the face of what he views as equally distasteful displays of force, coersion, and destruction by various shithead companies. DFA feels like corporate interest frequently runs roughshod over the greater good, and that if a little of that discomfort, suffering (not physical, mind you), etc. comes back to them, then bravo. It's unfortunate that these actions sometimes affect the little guy, too, but corporate America has a history of treating people like so much cattle while the bigwigs rake in gross amounts of money, and those assholes need to be taught a little lesson now and then. Still, Dr. Flash Amazing sees what you mean (here; a snaffle of understanding for you: ). It seems that we eventually do need to agree to disagree. Clearly, with our divergent views on such matters, we'll never agree on this sort of thing (probably). But it's good that we can at least argue it around in circles (without spitting and slander and such) enough times to see where each of us is coming from.

quote: Originally posted by sk: Can we please go back to talking about climbing, or sex? those are much more fun than arguing about things that have no ansure or solution. Ah, yes. Let's get back to those easily solveable debates like sport vs. trad, gay vs. straight, abortion vs. life, etc. You know, the stuff with an easy answer.

Wonder how many times you have to say things like "ELF," "terrorism," "destruction," "FBI," etc. before The Man taps your phone, buggers with your computer, and finally hauls you off to some anonymous federal penitentary with no access to legal counsel, your family, and your climbing gear? HEY! FUCK YOU FBI! AND FUCK YOU TOO, ASHCROFT! STICK THE PATRIOT ACT UP YOUR ASS! There, that should do it ...

Yeah, you have a point, and the Doctor sees what you mean. Here, take this small snaffle as a token of the Doctor's understanding:

quote: So Iain was like: Your comments about being alarmed by DFA's support of ELF violent protests are rather ironic when you suggest filling them full of lead.That's a very good point, there, mister. Well said.

The beauty of a lot of the new shoes that are out now is that with the curved and cambered last, you get excellent performance out of them without crippling the shit out of your little piggies (uh, that'd be your toes). Dr. Flash Amazing's last several pairs of shoes (La Sportiva, anything using the Miura last, thanks) have all been comfy once broken in, and with the exception of the Miuras, can be worn for extended bouldering sessions in the gym without causing much suffering.

quote: Originally posted by Greg W: DFA; By definition, ELF uses these extreme actions to shock and scare people. This is terrorism - the use of terror and intimidation in order to coerce. ELF takes action to coerce the public or the government to take actions that ELF wants. Your other comments are equally scary: by what right does the ELF, or anyone, have sanction to destroy log trucks and other property that does not belong to them? No one has the right to exercise their rights (i.e., freedom of speech, assembly, etc.) at the expense of someone elses same rights. Greg W GW (hey, you're one letter away from the Prez!), The Doctor agrees that the ELF (and anyone else who engages in monkeywrenching or other types of sabotage) has no right (at least legally) to do what they do. It's illegal, hard to defend to the public, they know it, and they know they can go to jail for it. And if they go to jail, fine. But they make a point to never harm people, and they make it known that they do not intend to harm people (as far as Dr. Flash Amazing knows) which takes a lot of the fear out of the equation. But where do you draw the terrorism line w/r/t using fear to coerce? Is it terrorism when a company says they won't open a branch of their biz in a particular city unless they get tax breaks or other incentives? This preys on the city's fear of losing a big employer and having to deal with the problems this creates such as joblessness. Hell, if intimidation used to change a behavior is terrorism, aren't laws, using that reasoning, a form of terrorism? What about war? The US uses war, or the threat of war, to coerce other nations or groups into seeing things America's way. Doesn't this fall into the terrorism category? The Doctor thinks it's a matter of perspective, and from DFA's perspective, some of the ELF's actions are appropriate, and while they may not be legal under our laws, they further what many feel is a good cause. Hey, it's lunch time!

Definitely a yes on the Rubber Room. Had them resole a few pairs of curvy-lasted, down-cambered sport-climbin' shoes, and they did a stellar job of preserving the shape, fit, and sensitivity, not to mention the workmanship was impeccable. No delams or any crap like that. Give them your shoes and you will be happy.

This is a gorgeous and striking feature. What and where and how hard, etc. please? It's enough to make the Doctor want to hike more than a quarter mile, and carry a rack and stuff. [ 08-27-2002, 11:28 AM: Message edited by: Dr Flash Amazing ]

So, are they not supposed to protect, even if it *is* big money donors? When a mob turns out to break things and hurt people, are the police just supposed to step aside because oh, these rioters "care", and are showing "democracy"? This criticism makes no sense whatsoever. The police are supposed to keep the streets safe no matter who is rioting and trying to cause problems. First of all, where do you get the idea that this was a "mob" turning out to "break things and hurt people?" Where in any of those pictures (and there are a lot more photos at www.indymedia.org) do you see anything getting broken or anyone getting hurt? It's not a riot, it's a protest or a demonstration. Riots involve lots of violence and looting, and while they may be in reaction to an event, they are rarely carried out to raise public awareness. Since this is not a riot, who are the streets being "kept safe" for? Why is it that when a group of decidedly wealthy individuals turns out to hobnob with the President and Gordon Smith, they get police protection, essentially acting as armed guards? The police are public servants, not security-for-hire. And thats wether it's rioters who "care" and are threatening people for "peace" and "progressive" values, or anybody else. Funny thing is, it's the folks who *claim* to be oh so caring, and oh so peaceful, throwing bricks and causing problems. And they wonder why they get pepper sprayed. If it always seems to be the folks rioting for peace getting treatment from the cops, maybe that ought to tell us something. It's because of all the folks in the nation who hold vigils, demonstrations, and marches, only those who describe themselves as the most caring and peaceful do the worst damage and lately always cause riots. Not the pro gun crowd, not the million moms, not even the reparations folks, when you see it's the pro peace, social justice, anti globalization folks coming downtown to show us how "democracy" should work, prepare for violence. Makes sense, huh? Where are you getting this idea that peaceful protestors "always cause riots?" It does not make sense that the city should prepare for violence from peaceful demonstrators, because they rarely incite violence. What incidents of violence are you referring to? Even the highly publicized anti-WTO protests in Seattle only had a few instances of "violence," and as the Doctor recalls, that violence was against some windows and newspaper boxes. Hardly an attack on society at large. And even then, that demonstration was attended by thousands of people. If .1 percent of those people break some windows, are all protesters rioting miscreants? Try to keep the "violence" you're referring to in perspective. "Does this make anyone else want to puke?" It certainly does. We have folks claiming "democracy" is shown by rioting. "peace" is pursued by violence in the streets, and police protecting citizens some others disagree with is somehow outrageous. Because apparently if you're a rich donor, rioters should be able to harm you on the sidewalks, you have no life, no rights, no kids at home or people who love you. You're just a cartoon figure, not a real person, and pissed off "progressives" should be able to do what they want to you on the street. yeah, it makes me puke alright. Again (and again, and again), this is not violence. This is people exercising their right to peaceably assemble. This is the police keeping people from getting within several blocks of the people they disagree with. This has nothing to do with keeping these people safe, and everything to do with shutting out peaceful protest. These people weren't there to hurt wealthy political donors, but to voice their opinion of the "president" and what he stands for. You keep calling these people violent and rioters, but look at the pictures, and tell the Doctor who showed up with pepper spray, clubs, and shotguns? Do you see any protesters in full riot gear and pointing guns at people? Come on. Are the protestors beating up the cops and smashing windows? Hmmm ... no, they're not. When you have a political disagreement with someone, you *don't* get mad because the cops keep you from harming them. You *don't* show up and cause riots. Demonstration is a public right, causing harm is not, and if "progressives" cannot keep their demonstrations from turning into riots maybe they ought to grow up and take a look at who they are, who they attract, what they condone, and maybe, just maybe, *actually* *LIVE* what they claim to believe. Fat chance. Again, where's the violence? Who is there to cause harm to other people? Perhaps you remember Los Angeles post-Rodney King incident, with all the burning, looting, and mayhem? That was a riot. That footage of the Middle East you've seen on the news with people burning cars, throwing rocks and molotov cocktails at the police? Those were riots. But people carrying signs, chanting, beating drums (there's something we could to without), and staying on their side of the barricades without throwing anything but a little attitude at the cops? That's a protest, not a riot. Is not rioting for peace really all that hard? And they wonder why they are viewed as fringe, while they claim to be mainstream. one casual look at claims vs actions is all it takes to explain why. How many of those people do you think claim to be mainstream, or want to be? They know that as protesters they are in the minority. Most people who might agree with the reasons behind them don't turn out to protests because they are either too cynical or too busy with other things, or don't want to get -- surprise -- pepper sprayed or worse by the cops. ****************************8 Poor babies got pepper sprayed. Call the Waaaaaambulance for them. Pepper spray is an appropriate low intensity responce to rioters. They have no "right" to riot, they are committing a crime and threatening others. If you don't want to be pepper sprayed, with the attendant risk of allergic reactions in some, it's pretty simple, really...don't riot! Don't hang around when told to leave! Don't threaten people for peace! Look, it's not a riot, and demonstrating is not a crime, so why should people get pepper sprayed for it. Yeah, it would be understandable if these people were causing havoc and wrecking shit, but that's not what was happening, so why should they get treated like criminals?

Heh heh, yeah, yeah. DFA was just talkin' sheeit.

quote: Originally posted by pope: My favorite sport is climbing. Clipping my way up a monotonously bolted rock doesn't feel very sporting and one could argue that it isn't climbing at all (or at least that it has more in common with toproping than real leading). Not trying to sound condescending here, just trying to understand why somebody would put all of that effort into bolting(littering) when the result isn't going to be a real lead. For someone who's not trying to sound condescending, you're sounding pretty condescending. The Doctor sees why you and the Dwaynepipe get along so well . Given said similarity with Dwayno, Dr. Flash Amazing will likewise avoid the time-wasting sport/anti-sport with you, and instead go home seeking alcohol.

What's this crap about climbing in the rain? Only if it's steep enough to stay dry, thanks. Otherwise, it's time.

Huh? What double post? [ 08-26-2002, 04:44 PM: Message edited by: Dr Flash Amazing ]

Trask, you certifiable pussy. If you were truly hardcore, you'd take your concealed weapons permit out back and shoot it.

"This is RURP: My favorite sport climb is the one where all of the hangers are missing and the befuddled sport-climbers scratch their heads and then decide to go wind-surfing instead. RURP has spoken." You're such a piton. Go suck a Birdbeak.

thanks for the chewy posts and your comments, even though we're on opposites sides we can try and demonstrate some civility ourselves! Amen, MtnGoat! The Doctor might protest some of your points, but he's not about to start a riot wit' ya!

i am sorry but i think sooo maby of those peopl e are sooooooooooo fucking pathetic. Just look at the pic of the lady staring at the cop....what the fuck???? that lady isssssss sooooo tough...come on i wanna see that lady stare down a crack addict....i wanna see that lady starre down ted bundy...of course that cop aint gonna do shit..... Yeah, the picture of that lady swappin' stares with the cop is kind of goofy. But then again, if the cops are going to show up decked out in their body-armored best and stare you down, why not stare back? If the cops are there to "protect" the innocent corporate interests of the wealthy, why do they need to intimidate people? [/b]and they call them storm troopers.....[/b] What do you call large heavily armed and armored men dressed in black and carrying big sticks? well i call those other people fat, and dirty and worthless....do not these people ahve jobs?? they can just go down and yell and tell the world what is wrong with it....i bet none of these people have any ideas on what really constitutes how the world works. these people obviously have no idea on how good their lives are.....you can look at those pictures and see deisgner clothes and all sort of expensive items....that ummm is called capitalism and without these jobless(speculating here) dirt bags would have none of it, even if they bought it at a 2nd hand store. Fat, dirty, worthless ... what's that all about? A lot of those people looked pretty skinny to DFA, and they're drawing attention to their cause; what's worthless about that? If any of them are unemployed, do you think it has anything to do with our economy being in the shitbox? The argument that these people have nice clothes or good lives is pointless and empty. First off, if people of privilege want to stand up and draw attention to issues effecting the disadvantaged, isn't that fairly egalitarian? And second of all, why the fuck should we settle for a half-assed America? The whole beauty of this country is that we are free to voice our opinions in public, and that people should be able to live well and be treated fairly. It should be possible to have capitalism without gross injustice, shouldn't it? And those protesters who are staunchly anti-capitalist probably go a lot farther than you give them credit for to live that credo. use that energy in a positive way. instead of crying what is wrong with the world, why dont you try to go out and work with it, make a positive influence with the people and the things around you. What is negative about making the world's problems known in public? And what makes you think a lot of those protesters don't do things like volunteer to make positive changes. Groups like Food Not Bombs, organizations like Street Roots and Sisters of the Road, and hordes of nonprofits are all staffed and kept alive by idealists like this who feel that they can make a difference. Taking to the streets is just another way to get the word out. and reading the other day on that same website about how attroucios it was that a bay got peppered sprayed....well um did that baby walk down there by itself.....umm no so irresponsible parents brought it there......obviously these people are real smart....i say those parents should be jailed....for endangering their child. Yeah, it does seem a little dodgy that you'd bring a baby to a protest, or at least that you'd stick around when the riot cops showed up. But hey, maybe instead of it being incumbent on people to not get hurt by the cops for exerciseing their rights (does that sound at all backwards to you?), maybe it should be incumbent on the cops not to hurt people for exercising their rights. Since when should people expect to get beaten or pepper sprayed for voicing their opinions? It is grossly backwards to expect that the police are going to punish people who demonstrate peacefully. then they have the pic of the cop with the video camera, making comments on how smug he was....well lets see i am sure that there were thousands of wanna be video journalists down there doing the same thing.....obviously they are in the right and the cops are wrong there..... The point apparently being that the cop was real smug taking pictures of protesters, but apparently not so happy getting filmed himself. Why are the cops nervous about the public seeing what they're doing? Whose video footage probably makes it onto the nightly news? It's probably not the footage of the cops spraying people down with pepper spray for just standing there. we certainly have the right to assmeble and protest, but with that comes responsibilty. and that responsibilty comes from both sides of the fence. if protesters feel they need to antagonize the police in that situation...they should expect to get beat down....it works that way in all walks of life........ But who's antagonizing who here? People are guaranteed the right to peaceably assemble, so they do so. They carry no weapons, and they stay on their side of the barricades. The cops, on the other hand, show up ready to kick ass, in their jackboots with nightsticks in hand, marching shoulder to shoulder. Isn't that a provocative act of intimidation? So by that line of reasoning, shouldn't the protesters mob the cops and fuck them up? But it didn't happen that way, did it? liberal news media at its finest. next expose' piece will be on "road kill why do humans feel the need to rid the world of animals!" Funny, and presumably meant to be. But if you look at mainstream media coverage of these events (when there is any), you find that the protesters are painted as a violent criminal mob, and that the police are just protecting people and maintaining order. You don't get a very balanced view there, so should you expect the independent media to present things in a balanced way?

quote: Originally posted by plexus: Went to local gear shop today to replace gear either lost or mistakenly placed in my friend's pack down at Yosemite last week. For BD #10-13 nuts, oval rack biner and a new QD that bounced down from two pitches up Cathedral Peak, I spent $54!!! Yikes!! Anyways tried to put off getting the nuts but those are the most used pieces on my rack, expecially No. 10 and 11. I seem to always use my No. 6 and my No. 1 Trango cam. Curious what everybody else's most precious pieces on their racks. DAF, is yours a golden quickdraw? First of all, friend, it's spelled "DFA". And since the Doctor replaced his rather old and worked assortment of draws a while back with 12 identical ones (plus two for the anchors), the rack has become a communist utopia, and no piece gets any more use than any other. Isn't that sweet?

In the Doctor's sport-climberly opinion, a sport route is protected exclusively with bolts, and could conceivably maim you, but preferably not. Safe and convenient is the name of the game, baby.

Here's some coverage of the anti-Bush protests in downtown PDX. Obviously the police are there to serve and protect. Big-money political donors, that is. Does this make anyone else want to puke?

Now, there's a favorite sport climb! Quite an enjoyable read, to boot. Dr. Flash Amazing has been wanting to go climbing in southern France (and Spain, and parts of Italy, especially Corsica) for a long time, with the Calanques being near the top of the list. Absolutely gorgeous place! On looks alone it completely romps anything in the US, at least as far as sport crags, with the exception of some of the stuff at the Red River Gorge, which the Doctor also needs to visit. Gotta save up that money and those days off, and get the hell out of McMerica for a while ...