archenemy

I have a hard time believing that our government would do anything that really, truly favors the little guy over big business. Geez I am getting to be a cynical old bag.

Frankenjetta, meet Frankengolf. Frankengolf, Frankenjetta.

Oh, that's a supercroc of shit.

According to my grandfather, the earth is only seven thousand years old.

Anyway, yeah, do some reading about why governments were first created. Basically, they were created to bring year long water supplies to communities that couldn't build the complex and difficult irrigation systems by themselves. Oh, and Pontifex --at least according to john gager, elaine pagels and peter brown, the leading scholars on this stuff-- was the title originally given to the dude responsible for the bridges over the tiber and the aqueduct system delivering water to rome. Interestingly enough, yes, when the water system brought by the aqueducts fails to work, citizens might well respond to the failure of the government by relying on the private sector to sell them water bottles. i thought that your basic statement was historically wrong, and while you might want to reduce the role of government to fit a particular viewpoint,it is my opinion that a firm understanding of the historical forces enjoined in creating government would be useful in discussing how Mr. Buffet chose to donate his money to Mr.&Mrs. Gates' foundation rather than to the Mellenium Challenge Corporation (the US gov'ts version). I did not seek to marginalize your opinion, I simply believe that any understanding of the role of government that does not include water supply is wrong. Having worked to found a private municipal water supply, my experience is that anybody who seeks such a thing is crazy. There aren't any in the USA and its for a very good reason. I have really missed discussions with self-satisfied patronizing assholes. thanks for making my day.

Wow, they spoke Latin in Iraq? I don't anything about Persian languages, but after six years of Latin I can tell you that Pontifex is to aquaduct as water bottle is to faucet. And the Fertile Crescent had plenty of water. And no pontiffs. I don't know how you reduced my already basic statement that a government isn't required for clean water to no labor specialization, but whatever. I drink almost all my water out of Silver Creek without a water filter; but I don't live in some dream world of self-sufficiency. Say whatever you want to marginalize my opinion, but I will still say that I believe gov't #1 priority is to provide security (justice) to its people.

Clean water comes out of the mountains; the government doesn't provide it, nor do we need them to. Everyday people are perfectly capable of designing, building, and maintaining water systems. The fact that we opted to have gov't oversee them doesn't mean that we are incapable of doing it ourselves.

The first job of the government is to provide security. that is a basic service.

Hmm, dumb accidents. I rode up to a friend, stopped, got off my bike, forgot to put the kickstand down. I still had my left hand on the handlebar when I realized the bike was falling over---away from me. Reflexively, I leaned forward and jerked the bike back up toward me. That bike was 156 lbs dry weight; I don't know how much it weighed with its fluids, but the fucker was heavy. I do know that my back and legs hurt for a couple of weeks after that stupid move.

Sounds cool. Too bad we don't follow that advice here.

Congratulations on your freedom.

Wait no, 1984

Isn't the "Room 101" reference John Barth's Floating Opera?

Remember that you will be competing with many other dirtbags who will be crossing the border for the 4th of July. Bring fireworks.

Good point. I feel better already.

Fished the Sky and Snohomish for four days. I am sunburned and the fish are laughing at me.

Holy shite what an idiot! Must have been a great sight to see though. Index was so packed last weekend I thought I was going to shoot somebody.

sounds like rad sex!! As soon as I figure out how to get laid while on lead, I will rule the world.

So you don't like my Avatar?

this sounds corny, but here it is: for all the talk of climbers dying, I don't really think that is what we are afraid of. I don't think overcoming the fear of death is that big of a step; however, overcoming fear of future suffering is a much stickier wicket. the times I've been scared climbing (I mean sewing-machine leg, lizard-brain blubbering, breath-less outta control afraid) have been leading slabbyish, traversish trad and thin, last-3-placements-sucked aid. I've been lucky in that I have a supportive partner who always says I can back off if I need to. That helps. of course, it also helps knowing that oftentimes my only option is to keep going. That is when I realize the phrase "suck it up" actually has some merit; I've usually either stopped breathing or am on the verge of hyperventilating. I pause and make myself breath right, and make myself think only of my breathing. I think it is easier to tell the body first that there is no reason to be scared, then tell the mind. Oh, and don't look down.

Yeah, we recognize "pretty quick" when we see it

If you think that's riled, honey, you're in for a treat.

ummmm, not all of us! Just cuz we're tougher then your average high heeled wearing chick whos afraid of the dirt and busting up their nails, doesn't mean we're insecure, masculine, or bitches..... I, for one, am an insecure, masculinized bitch. However, I do have a lot of high heels.

This thread should be upgraded to three stars

So would the terrorists Terrorists with ICBM's? You're right - showing your enemies that your defenses don't work is a smart idea. Works for dating. Maybe the japanese should try it.