Skeezix

Bush likes to tell the American people that we're at war, but the enemy is not a regular army of a state --so Geneva doesn't apply. If most of the detainees rounded up were innocent Iraqi citizens, then they're not "stateless terrorist members."

He also said there would be a transparent investigation ...because democracy is about tranparency. Does that mean you're going to reveal who met in secret meetings to advise national energy policy, George?

gotterdamerung sounds like an angry, arrogant, self-absorbed military lifer. I agree with the earlier comment --he needs to get laid.

No, the revelations of prisoner torture are a huge deal ...possibly bringing the whole Iraq war to a tipping point from which the U.S. will be unable to recover. We apologized, but the world is not going to "get over it." Dumsfeld's mismanagement has poured gasoline on the flames of terrorists' ire. When the planes flew into the towers (not that Iraq has anything to do with 9/11), we should have realized that security is an illusion. The best way to reduce terrorism is to promote positive relations with the arab and Muslim world. The G.I. Joe approach is a waste of lives, money, and precious resources.

Hey Martlet. Everybody who disagrees with your view is uninformed. You rush to insulting language when your opponent is using civil argument. Your tone is arrogant and ultimately unconvincing.

Oregon and Idaho are full of wierdos, but everyone in Washington is normal. That group they burned up in that house on Whidbey Island a few years back were just passin' through... Wait, I forgot about Tim Eyman. He's weird.

Most of the contract work for the park is done by Tony Reece of Hi-Line Helicopters out of Darrington. Tony is a great guy and he doesn't screw around. He drives a white Hughes 500D. Seattle City Light has a yellow 500D. What did the helo look like?

Consider giving to the North Cascades Conservation Council (NCCC). They were mostly responsible for the designation of a park in the N. Cascades, and they watch management policy in the North Cascades with an eye for promoting conservation.

I don't know ...I was just trying to figure out what pass Beck was referring to.

McCain does seem less restrained (than most politicians) by partisanship. And Powell likes to restore old Volvos in his garage ...so he can't be all bad. Is Dumsfeld too arrogant for the job of Sect'y Defense? Of course he is. Does Bush prove that he swims in the intellectual shallow end every time he opens his mouth? Of course he does.

A spirited discussion! I will wait and see how things go after we turn Iraq over in 60 days. Would I be guilty of hyperbole if I pointed out that, so far, things have not been going well? Bush and Dumbsfeld are in charge, and they're losing their grip of late...

Buck Creek Pass?

Anyone been to Gamma Hot Springs? What's it like?

The megamid is kind of awkward for three due to the center pole. It's fun to set it up on snow and then dig trenches inside (leave a pillar for the center pole) and trench an entry vestibule affair. It's also good to set up in the back yard and let the kids play under it.

Gotterdamerung --got yer dander up? I may be insane, but I was just trying to highlight the situational irony in Iraq. Another thing I wonder about is how enlisted men feel about mercenary private security personnel out-earning them 10-1 for equivalent work?

This war is insane. The average Iraqi in Baghdad doesn't have jack --dirt poor. But he picks up a rocket and shoots at a Halliburton truck driver who's pulling down $20,000/month. Theoretically, the truck driver is there to help the poor Iraqi guy with the rocket. You and I are paying the truck driver. It all adds up to ...insanity. What a wierd species we are!

If you're looking for a recommendation, the Boreal Ace is a good choice, and will serve you as you gain skill...

I used to get it all the time growing up back in Virginia. We had a bottle of tincture of lobelia in the medicine cabinet that we used to slather on the rash. It seemed to dry it up and relieved the itching somewhat. If it's burning, even the smoke can cause a reaction on contact to skin...

Spray=rhetoric. My vote is all I have control over, and it's going to Kerry. ------------------------------ Security is an illusion.

Did anybody answer the "Three Dicks" question? The answer is the Triad. Here's another NOCA trivia question: We all know that the North Cascades has attracted writers over the years, especially Beat writers Jack Kerouac, Gary Snyder, and Phil Whalen. What relatively well-known writer preceded Gary Snyder by about twenty years ...was hired by Marblemount Ranger Tommy Thompson to patrol and maintain trails between Marblemount and Stehekin?

Some people exit the traverse via Wiley-Eiley Ridge and descend to Beaver Pass. ...If you do go out Access Cr., stay on the S side of the creek as long as you can to take advantage of talus slopes and avoid some brush, but cross over to the N side of the creek near the bottom. Also, crossing Big Beaver can be tricky at some water levels.

When they tickle.

This Boy's Life in Concrete...

They also filmed a scene from "War Games" in the park ...near Bacon Creek along Hwy 20.

I ran into Stimson Bullitt in Boston Basin ten years ago. He was with some swarthy strapping Lithuanian climber that didn't speak a word of English. Bullitt chatted me up for ten minutes. I was pretty impressed with him. He had ratty old gear and a big smile --big personality. Cliff Leight scored with that photo. What a great shot!