glassgowkiss

because if you have almost 50% of working people uninsured, the system is broken.

FW, I think I have a very valid and straight forward question for you: have you ever been outside of this country and used a healthcare services outside of the US?

Yes, since 1987 I keep hearing how trickle down economic is good for me, and how healthcare system we have is the best one on the planet.

You still believe is principles of fair competition. That went out through the window with deregulation during the 90's and early 2000. How in the hell is a smaller company supposed to compete with such as GE, when GE gets more tax credits, then tax liabilities last year, and created no jobs? Corporations via media convinced gullible public about the nonsense of tax brakes creating jobs. There were nothing but tax brakes to these assholes- so where are these jobs? In China, Vietnam, or Indonesia. Small businesses are getting financial raping, while large corporations get all sorts of preferable tax treatment, which goes straight to the pockets of top executives, who by the way give themselves bonuses, while running the whole economy into the ground. I am all for tax brakes, but if they are across for everyone competing. Current system is nothing, but rigged by lobbying eliminating of competition of start ups.

I agree about 90%. Still, if you can figure out how to do it, please tell. Abrogate GATT, NAFTA, etc? Relax environmental regulations here at home? Abolish unions? Retrain service sector employees to work in all the new factories that are selling products to who exactly? Nixon thought that opening up China to the west would make it less of a threat. I guess the jury is still out. Unions and environmental are not the cause of production exodus. As an outdoor person you should know 2 things essential to healthy living: clean air and clean water. Living in something less polluted then Love Canal and getting paid for work a living wage is so much to ask for? Stop promoting "race to the bottom" mentality. I think the main issue is tax system and corporate lobbying. Tax system encourages job export and product import, and corporate lobbying is spending big $$$ to convince general and sub-edutated public this is the best and for our own good.

FW- in regard of building nukes by Teheran, US can do 2 things- jack and shit. The same went for N. Korea, Pakistan and India. Militarily Iran represents the smallest threat, as their military does not have long range delivery capability. Iran is not seeking world domination, nor destruction of this country. Looking back, going to war with Iraq, destabilizing the region, triggering religious civil war was the biggest gift this country could deliver to Teheran, and thanks to the hawks and GW crew we did. So instead now panicking over Mullahs with nukes, you should thank previous administration for creating this situation in the first place. And if you REALLY worry about national security, the first step would be moving production capacity back to this country. I would be far more concerned with N. Korea and China.

US foreign policy is on parr with a crazed firefighter, who was setting up blazes in Oregon in the 90's just so he can feel like hero fighting them later. FW doesn't like soviets, yet he really likes their methods. He seems to also neglect that almost every single crisis this country is forced to deal with, was in part created by the stupid and unwise politics of this very government. WWII, cold war, Vietnam, rise of Taliban, crazed Teheran rulers, and the list goes on. Let's add Panama to the list as well. The whole issue of cold war would not even exist if US and GB would not hand over eastern and central europe to stalin. So I am glad that for once there is an administration thinking in terms longer then 4 year election cycle.

No fucking shit. But still, you support a collectivized/centralized medical system here in your adopted country. Healthcare today, agriculture tomorrow? Like you said, it's the system. I'll take my chances with capitalism's invisible hand over the commie bureaucrats you seem so fond of. Not sure why you aren't making the connection. You can't have your cake and eat it too. (You'll have to look it up.) I am sure using PUBLIC roads, or sending kids to PUBLIC schools is like entering gates of hell of a road to communism. Another load of shit argument. First of all, there is no longer real free market system- it's weird hybrid of privatization of profits and socialization of loss. All the rest of developed countries has some form of regulated health system, it doesn't mean collectivization, that is some strange hyperbole of thinking- looks like your domain. Roads, no problem--although I will say that the lefties have spent a good deal of time and effort of late trying to get us all out of our private automobiles and onto buses and trains where we can be "less individual." As for public schools, well, sadly the record speaks for itself, no? Healthcare, however, is viewed by many (including me) as a step too far. Once the gloved hand of government is literally up your ass, all bets are off. Random wiretapping, illegal email surveillance is going too far- every item a shit results of fucked republican legislation, pushing this country into sovietization way more, then any healthcare law change. Thanks to GW this country is closer to soviet model then any leftist could ever accomplish. Back to the topic, I still stand by my statement, that soviets were far more radical and unpredictable, then Teheran ever was. And we should be paying far more attention to what is going on inside Pakistan, which already IS a nuclear power. Sending drones and killing civilians inside a sovereign country is not a wise foreign policy. We would not have to worry about radical islamist government in Teheran, if this country would not blindly support mass murdering maniac (Pahlavi), who was not any different from Hussein or current royal family in S. Arabia.

Heart of Darkness on Slessee.

No fucking shit. But still, you support a collectivized/centralized medical system here in your adopted country. Healthcare today, agriculture tomorrow? Like you said, it's the system. I'll take my chances with capitalism's invisible hand over the commie bureaucrats you seem so fond of. Not sure why you aren't making the connection. You can't have your cake and eat it too. (You'll have to look it up.) I am sure using PUBLIC roads, or sending kids to PUBLIC schools is like entering gates of hell of a road to communism. Another load of shit argument. First of all, there is no longer real free market system- it's weird hybrid of privatization of profits and socialization of loss. All the rest of developed countries has some form of regulated health system, it doesn't mean collectivization, that is some strange hyperbole of thinking- looks like your domain.

Like You're right, I could have chosen my words better. Not trying to defend the Soviet communist dictators in any way--bastards all. Especially Stalin. But I certainly don't think the people of the former USSR are or were "savages". Just people trying to get through life like the rest of us. The point I was trying to make was that Soviet leaders cared about their own physical survival in some manner. And since they weren't big professors of any sort of afterlife, it stands to reason they wanted to extend their lives as long as possible. Iran's leaders--including the now-gone Ahmadinejad--have professed a belief that their rewards lie in some sort of glorious afterlife. They have also stated publicly that Israel should be wiped off the map. They cannot be trusted with nukes, and I hope that BeBe takes out their program before it's too late. It's hard for me to fathom the darkness that steers someone like Ivan into moral equivalency arguments. Just plain dumb. The Soviets were atheists. If you believe this is "it", you are a bit more averse to launching armageddon than if, say, you believe 72 virgins await you in the afterlife for your righteous holy war Yes, I am sure Persians starved to death millions of their own people, they also built concentration labor camps, killing in the process millions as well. Soviets also wanted openly to wipe out entire US. And why in the hell do we really care so much about Israel? Wtf? the truth is communism killed more people then any other system put together. FW and KKK- you are totally re-writing history, nothing new here. Deep down inside you are just commie loving shitheads. Stalin did not do these atrocities by himself. He had millions of people following orders, they carried out the actions with prejudice. That justifies terms savages.

I trust Kruschev, Reagan, or Mitterand with a nuclear arsenal any day over Ahmadinejad or his successor. The military doctrine starting from the 50's in the entire Warsaw pact was small nuclear strikes followed by armored divisions within 4 hours. So much for your trust to russians. The doctrine you speak of was limited to Europe--more specifically, the Fulda Gap. Little to do with the intercontinental MAD strategy that saw nuclear-armed ships, aircraft, and submarines with specific target lists on patrol 24/7/365 for nearly fifty years. I still believe that we were safer back in the days when the nukes were held exclusively by the US, USSR. We kept them in check; they kept us in check. And we both cared enough about the collective fate of our citizens to avoid a nuclear catastrophe. I'm not sure this is true for the kooks running Iran. that is a load of shit. russians do not care about their own people, never did, never will. they are savages plain and simple, and they always carried out their policies that way. They go from one fucked dictatorship to another. trusting Kruschev?- same guy who was pounding his shoe in the UN? Maybe the only reason soviets never attacked is because of work of Kuklinski? I am not defending current rulers of Persia, but they are nothing in comparison to mass murderers from russia. your statement is just historical revisionism at it's best.

I trust Kruschev, Reagan, or Mitterand with a nuclear arsenal any day over Ahmadinejad or his successor. The military doctrine starting from the 50's in the entire Warsaw pact was small nuclear strikes followed by armored divisions within 4 hours. So much for your trust to russians.

Um, because even the Iranian people know their religious leaders are fucking insane? Still, gotta love your self-loathing lib thang. And that endless harping obsession with "fairness." Either way, your malady is likely more a sign of inculcation than an indication of a well considered opinion. Well, anyhow, there is the whole secular government (we) versus islamic government (them) perspective. Micro level, this is to say, I don't feel the least bit the hypocrite knowing that the alcoholic-insane-evangelical-antisemite-wifebeater guy who lives down the street doesn't have guns and I do. Makes for better sleep. Even if it's not technically fair. secular government my ass. When you have "In God We Trust" on your currency it clearly shows this is not a secular country. I think you are mistaking secular government with freedom of religion. At least in Persia they don't pretend.

Watching at about 3:07 you can actually see me in the shot, also few seconds later along with Bobbie Bensman.

http://watch.opb.org/video/2365124505/

Forget your fluent russian, you have hard time with grasping any concepts in your native language.

i think that what your mom said last night

Lindsey Vonn crashed yesterday. This is very unusual. what is so unusual about ski crashes? if you ride at the edge of your abilities, it's not the question if, but when and how often.

Did someone say T and A? your mom

panties bunch in a wad again?

Bob, as an engineer, I've been thinking about this. If Talk - Action is equal to zero...if we solve for Talk, adding action to both sides of the equation, it would follow that : T=A that is, Talk=Action What do you think? Me thinks that this whole thread should be moved rather quickly to spray, where it belonged in the first place. The best bet to get local route info is still your local crag.

Playground - you can brake bones in. I would recommend full face helmet and a neck brace, since your health insurance policy is only catastrophic. However it is a great place for honing your skills, the same way as Smiff is great for getting stronger. If you want to ride some good bike trails you should make a track to Bellingham. In the summer check some trails in Squamish- a great way to fill up your day- climb in the morning and ride pm.

shit, this topic should be in the spray section, just based upon the title.

T-A=0. Still haven't shown the goods. One of the best spots for sport climbing in WA is Equinox crag. Pretty much 11a and up.