KaskadskyjKozak

Lots of marriages don't work out and lots of people have affairs... I think the wife having cancer part kind of puts this over the top though.

fits you well

Just to be clear: what is "socialized medicine?" Who has recently proposed it for the U.S.? Every participant in this discussion has a different idea of what "needs to be done". Look at my response to TREETOAD and Jim's response. I can guarantee that some of the participants have in mind just exactly the type of system that they have in Sweden.

This is a perfect example of thoughtless sloganeering. We're not talking about adopting "socialized healthcare" in the U.S. Maybe we should, but we are not. Not long ago, the French system was mentioned as a potential model but I don't remember anybody saying they want to adopt the system they have in Sweden. "thoughtless sloganeering" - piss off, dude.

and for once I agree with you.

Wow, GREAT POINT! You know who has really bad roads? Bolivia. That's just proof that WE SHOULDN'T HAVE ROADS! I have friends who work and live in Sweden, and have been for several years now. Their comments on the socialized health care system there is a mixed bag. If we are going to emulate (and talk up how great) other socialized health care systems, we need to realistically evaluate them - not paint a one-sided, idealized view of them.

Whoever gets elected, some things are gonna suck, some things will be good, but people will not focus on that, many things will definitely change, and yes, half the country (or at least 35% - enough!) will hate him.

yes, we need to trust in the God that is Big Gov't. It will surely save us!

whiskey

Private health care or private health insurance. Let's be clear wtf we're talking about.

I'm setting my expectations low. It's better that way

Uh-huh. Improvement rate from almost zero to ... of course it's a huge jump. Nothing to do with the mounties, but to personal experience and getting out.

Well, that's the problem. Group climbing classes assume a lowest common denominator of zero. The more you've been out before taking a class like that, the less you're going to get from it. Sounds like all you needed was to get out on some glacier routes with people. There is a debate on practicing rescue - I think it's useful (e.g. z-pulley), but there are glacier climbs you can do with a low risk factor without that. A Basic class is nothing more than that "basic". The climbing clubs I am aware of have basic classes and intermediate classes, but no *advanced* classes. The point is to get bootstrapped so YOU can get started and then where you go from there is up to YOU. Clubs, and classes, are not, or should not be about the totality of you climbing knowledge and experience. Helping newbies is a responsibility I think all climbers should strongly consider participating in - whether it's in a club, class, or just one-on-one mentoring. I would and have taken out newbs on climbs, but I am selective about it. I would not take a newb out on any route, but there are plenty that I would.

of course. you need to have plenty of grain at the bottom of your food pyramid

clearly, MLUs were in order

and I remember lefties calling Reagan the anti-christ - you know Ronald Wilson Reagan - 666?

he's been ahead in every poll for as long as I can remember. we're gonna be stuck with him. get used to it.

He needs to have one for it to go numb. And even if he was thus endowed, the dude doesn't cycle - or climb for that matter.

He could have been our VP and running for Pres today. And Obama has not announced his running mate yet.

Just wait. There'll be dirt on Obamalama and all the libtards will backtread on their attacks on McCain and his divorce.

Quick, shoot that bear!

Not making any judgments here, SS, just pointing out the facts. Any chance then that the shooter on Sauk has a history of torturing small animals? I have no idea, nor any idea why you think I would know that. Non sequitor. Well it is supposed to rain on saturday. Duh. You forgot to correct non sequitur!

Mmm, elk meat.

Zod kind of resembles a bear...