archenemy

It is a beautiful work. But it blissfully ignores the fact that not all who fight have merely been pawns in one person's war. Whole groups of men have collectively decided to attack other groups in order to take something from them. Those being attacked try to defend themselves if they can. It isn't pretty, but that's what happens. No, I don't support war. Of course not. Hell, I can't even understand the minds of the men who create it. And I identify with the women who are caught in the middle of all this and I feel for the children who have no idea what the heck is going on. But to continue to simply say, "Peace Brothers" just doesn't seem to do anything. And not having an Army to protect us is a frightening thought for many men, women, and children. This doesn't condone unprovoked attacks on others. But it does admit that having a trained militia is, unfortunately, necessary.

My God man, what are you trying to say?

Good one!

yah, a carpet bag

Amazing that groups our country have systematically disenfranchised and ruthlessly stigmatized are still willing to risk their lives for that very same country. I have great respect for people with that level of fortitude and devotion.

Hey, I want to float on a boxcar of pain meds!

Buy a new rope whenever you feel like you can't trust your old one. The distraction of wondering whether your rope is going to break when you take a fall (it most likely will not--but that ain't the point) will be detrimental to your climbing. I bought a new rope every year my first couple of years climbing; and I wouldn't use the same rope for rock that I would on ice. It made me feel better until I came to trust my equipment. Just buy your rope off season (like right now) and you'll pay a lot less than full price. It's worth the peace of mind.

Right answer!!!

I don't know what to post here now. But glad to hear you are healing that that you got junk in the trunk.

I don't know what to post here now.

You just made that up, didn't you?

Now that Porter is back and posting like a drug-crazed madman, I would like to retract my initial good wishes.

Outstanding work, Rob!!! I think if you look back at a thread started by CBS a long time ago about the climb we hated the most, I listed that corner. Fucking hate that climb. But the nice thing about Index is, you know you really did lead a 9. Right on!!!

I am not a parent, but I can imagine the "Lucky he died" comment not being intended as a barb--not only for the reason RumR mentioned, but also b/c the father died with his boy. They didn't die alone. That might sound really weird to a bunch of folks, but to people who believe in an afterlife it may not sound so bad. Maybe that's just what was meant to be... As for not putting his kid in harm's way--I don't get that. The kid was 12 and with his dad. More kids die in car wrecks every day than in climbing acccidents--yet I don't see people driving very carefully. I suppose it is easier for us to judge others than to look at the impacts our own daily actions can have on the lives of others. He was a fortunate boy to have a father who shared life with him like this. I'll bet that kid saw and achieved more in 12 years than some people ever do. And what a great father to have shared his life, his love, and his death with his child. He gave absolutely everything he had to his child--who could judge that so harshly?

I haven't read through all the posts on this; but if it isn't already said I'll say it here: Donate money to cc.com every year. And good for the site owners to have landed an advertising contract that makes some money (I assume). Proof that you provide a site that has value, fulfills a niche, and continues to improve. Good on ya!

Yeah, the mix of religion and sex always makes for good headlines. Hey, at least they got caught!

Next time you should email him w your request.

This is a common topic discussed in groups working with adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse. Those survivors live with the stigma of the abuse, and then have to live with the stigma that they too may turn out to be abusers. Although this is sometimes true with male survivors, it is far more rare with female survivors. Folks have been examining why in hopes that somehow male survivors can be treated, recognized, supported in such a way as to lessen the chance of becoming abusers themselves.

Yes, I am referring specifically to child abuse.

are you serious? Look anywhere you want. Here is a sample: It is estimated that as many as 40 million Americans, one in six people, experienced sexual victimization as children. • 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 7 boys will be sexually victimized before age 18. • The most common ages of children when sexual abuse occurs are between 8 and 12. • Child sexual abuse is seldom a one-time occurrence, and lasts and average of 1 to 4 years. • 75% to 80% of all children assaulted or abused were victimized by someone they knew. • One of five rape victims is under age 12; 10% of all are under age 5. • Over 80% of offenders first offended by the age of 30 years. http://www.turningpointservices.org/csastats.htm

I think I'll reicarnate into MIT. I wouldn't mind being the head poobah, but I'll take Professor if that's open.

I hate getting calls for donations. But what really bothers me is that everytime I make a donation to one group, my address is sold to a zillion other groups and my mailbox is full of requests. I actually go through most of them, but I sure wish they'd have an "Opt out" box somewhere easy to see and mark.

Why is then that most victims of sex abuse are female and most abusers are male?

I think a toenail necklace would be cool.

Yes. What angers me is the fact that they are not having *super fun*