Billygoat

Coming: Bill E. Goat and Jed Finn(8) Tentative: Heather Way to pull the trigger on this sucker Bug I will bring your beer Master

Out of control...

Mike, are these guys, like Sadr, numerous or just really influential. My friends who are Iraqis say that most people over there are glad we are there and threw out Saddam, but worry that, since we have created a power vacuum, if we don't stay and finish the job, the radical fundamentalists will take over and propel them back into the Middle ages. My point is, did we polarize things by invading, and give these fringe yahoos more clout than they deserve? Also what politics is hamstringing the operations? It seems like everyone is fighting hard. Why not assassinate Sadr? We should question the Saudis more about their countrymen's role in 9/11. I don't envy where you are at. I hope you keep your wits about you and make it back. We care about you guys, I am just pissed about how I perceive the "why". Your talk about that meeting with Sadr has made this whole thing a little more real for me.

Yeah, the shit is going to hell in a hand basket while you have been gone. Get back here Mike and lets do battle on some of these real enemies of the state.

Nice What was the climbing like and where did you pick up the boot track to Lewis Lake?

*bump*

Actually Merv, science used to be considered Natural Philosophy. Science is a religion too. There just seems to be more tangible results for those worshipping in that church...

Will, I think Whirlwind is just saying "WOW" that's a lot of people dependent on the payroll. I did not catch him saying we should down size. In fact I think he was pointing out that Bush is lowering pay and benefits to the soldiers and I say he is outsourcing the jobs and money to his friends in the private sector. Maybe Peter Puget or J_b can help me here, but I think the total "defense" spending you are a part of is roughly 50% of the national budget. Social programs are only about 2%. So don't worry about a bunch of unworthy poor people getting a whole lot of the pie... This defense spending benefits society as a whole. I agree with that. This current war, however, does not. social "handouts" also benefit society. They are like Insurance. People fall into bad situations and the idea is to help them out of it and become productive citizens. Sure, there are a few that abuse the system, but I would bet the large majority do not

All religions are the same. People get into trouble when the community/social aspect is discarded and they begin to take themselves too seriously. Ultimately, religion is highly personal. If I need to talk with God, I call him on the batphone....

I hear you Mike. I think what most of us are reacting to is the lies that bring us here, to this situation. In a free society information should be up front and we can decide what is important and what action to take. No one likes being lied to and that engenders distrust. I appreciate your honest reasons for being there. Aaron, that is uncool! I'll gladly hold you down while Mr. Damerung gives you a wood shampoo....

I'll bet Greg plays with his six shooter on Sunday mornings while watching Bonanza re-runs in his underwear, sitting inside a fort made of sofa cushions.... "Hey there little Joe, Imma getting mighty hungry." "Go up and git some cheerios from the pantry there Hoss, you fat fuck."

And there's Bush sending that Sargent in harms way, while cutting his pay, so that Bush's friends the Saudis and Haliburton inc. etc can get rich...Great shit Hey Mike, would you be psyched to be out there saving the world if you were only getting $2k a month. I think you would be singing a different tune. I don't know you, but I bet you don't buy this "God and Country" bullshit. And I think I hear you saying that you want recognition for the sacrifices that these enlisted soldiers are making. But why are you supporting this war when it is with the wrong people. Religious Fundamentalists attacked us, not the oil rich country of Iraq. Obviously this is a pissing contest to assert our dominance in the region. Why the fuck not take over Saudi Arabia...? Every finger points in that direction...Friend or Foe Mike?

In my view, Prussic above has many advantages and no worries. I use a Klemheist instead of an actual Prussic: It will hold well and not slip and potentially burn thru like a French Prussic, yet still loosen after loading unlike a regular Prussic. I use a Petzl quick-draw with lockers to attach it to my belay loop which keeps it safe and far enuf above the rappel device, yet not so far that it will escape my grasp if I slip. It is also where my upper hand wants to ride. I carry another Prussic loop and a Texas Kick rig in case I have to go back up or unload. Not sure how you would use a Jumar on a double rope rappel. Petzl Shunt maybe...

Why do you freaks put the Prussic back-up below the rappel device?! Seems baked

Wha?! Alpinfox grew up in the Springs?

Either works for me, if it is squish, don't forget the birth certificates and letters is the other parent is not coming along.

If you spent a dollar a second, it would take not quite thirteen days to spend one Million. It would take a little over Thirty one and a half YEARS to spend one Billion. Now where is that One Hundred and Eighty Six Thousand Million Dollars....

Well again, where has the 186 thousand million dollars gone?

You are over there for your own reasons. The enlisted men are there for a lot of reasons. Bush took everybody there for his own reasons. In your circumstance, I am sure it is very clear what you have to do and why you have to do it. From my seat of safety I see it as a stupid politcal adventure for the purpose of financial gain. You gotta deal with the day to day and the enemy is in front of you. I gotta call it like I see it and I choose not to agree with it.

Exactly my point. Opinionated assholes like GW dishonor the sacrifices of everybody taking incoming rounds by insuring this kind of thing will keep on occurring in the future. They thought WWI was the war to end all wars. Soldiers are paying taxes, contractors are not, at least on the first $60,000...

Yep, it's one big party and I am footing the bill. You paying any taxes on your filthy lucre?!

Well then, where has the $186 Billion gone? That's 186 thousand million dollars. It's just Social Darwinism then. If you aren't getting at least $100 an hour then you are a fuckin' fool! The point is the soldiers aren't getting shit for their risks. How much you making over there? I don't have to travel away from my family or safety to recognize a bad deal for an Illegitimate cause.

I was talking last night with my friend's girlfriend who is Iraqi and studying medicine in Vienna. She reports that most people in Iraq are glad we are there but only because they have no other choice. Also, if we do not finish the job the fundamentalists will take them back to the middle ages. Maybe this struggle is inevitable, but I am pissed because BushCo contrived this whole thing and their buddies are getting rich off of it. How do the soldiers feel when they are getting minimum wage to protect the contractors getting $100 plus an hour tax free to drive trucks. A friend of ours is going to get $90,000 tax free for 12 months as a firefighter on a base! We are going to be there a long time and it is going to cost a lot, in both money and blood. Reagan and Wayne played dress-up and make believe on the big screen. Wayne was well known up in the San Juan gay commmunity and owned an Island up here. Gay clients of mine used to anchor with him on their yachts up in the Gulf Islands where he could get away from "prying eyes". I am more impressed with people who work, pay their taxes, take care of their families and speak their conscience. Wayne may fit that bill, but when it came time to stand up to the plate, Reagan "couldn't recall". Point is: Don't confuse the public with the private persona.

Wha, did you move on to Big Bros?!?

Ask GregW about the girls bathroom