KaskadskyjKozak

i remember the only reason i could finish w&p was my absolute and complete hatred of every single character and my desire to see all of them come to the worst possible end... Wow, pretty harsh. I find most of the characters to be typically bland/aristocracy mold. Nobody I hate yet. I am appreciating some of Tolstoy's insight into human nature - there's a gem or two in almost every few pages.

You've got a short memory. I was jabbing you with a barb that someone else used a few months back. Keep up the bragging, btw, it's real impressive. I told you already: with all the fuckhead assholes who bad mouth this country and our involvement in this conflict (and others), hate on American and everything it stands for, mock the sacrifices made by our soldiers, etc., I honestly don't see how anyone can serve. Personally, I'd rather see you all get fucked over by terrorists and rot in the aftermath, then lift a finger on your behalf. Must I repeat again?

*yawn* How about this - ONLY vets who saw combat can discuss Iraq - period. I'm sure that would exclude a lot of participants of this board. And let's apply this type of standard to other topics. Only home-owners can vote increases on property taxes. Only teachers can discuss education policy in the US. Only policemen can discuss law enforcement. Get my drift, asshole?

as a REMF, right?

I would never risk my life to preserve the freedoms of an ungrateful, anti-american a-hole like you.

Patriotism is not the issue, numb-nuts.

We have a volunteer army, and our government recruits. Nobody holds a gun to your head and forces you to enlist, and everyone knows if you do, you'll likely see combat in Iraq. That about sums up my position. YOU just want to make it into something else.

my son's school is starting a program like that - read one book together every month then meet with all the other participants in the program to discuss it.

I think a lot of viagra is sold to (older) guys who just want to have marathon sex.

You are right here. We need to have Birth control covered before Viagra/Cialis. Who cares if some horny old coot can't get it up, anyways. :-O

I believe this is because with Viagra you are attempting to correct something that doesn't work. With birth control you are trying to stop something that is natural. Similar to the fact that insurance generally doesn't, for instance, cover Rogaine to balding. Less Viagra = less need for Plan B.

WTF, he should be free-soloing that route!

Currently I'm reading a historical novel about this person: Roksolana in the original, as well as War and Peace (in English).

Yes, exactly. I was about 168 when I graduated UW, ballooned to 194 shortly after and stayed between 189 and 194 for about 10 years.

Just don't tax my booze anymore. you can tax all the low-end stuff all you want though...

I grew up with a set of encyclopedias, a dictionary, and about fifty years worth of National Geographics on the bookshelves next to my bed, and developed a similar habit. Still prefer the hard-copy format as I'm more likely to stumble over something while flipping through pages than in a directed search. +1

Unbelievable. Hey wait a minute here... Do we really want the government in our lives this way? Now they are the nanny who has to tell us over and over again that we need to eat right and move around? I don't think that is their responsibility, is it? I want my health plan to cover my docs and my meds. I'd like it if it (or my company) would help with my gym membership--or at least let me use my FSA/HSA to pay for it. But I don't need them telling me that I shouldn't get fat--especially after they deduct part of my pay check. Given that the "we bear the costs of your behavior, so we have the right to regulate it" argument has brought us compulsory seat-belt and helmet laws, it's not a stretch to imagine that there are those who would seek to use the same argument to grant the government the right to do the very things that you mention. Whether the government would actually do so is an open question, and it would be interesting to learn more about how other countries have managed to reconcile the imperative to cut costs with the necessity of maintaining personal freedoms that might be curtailed or regulated by the state - from what you eat to what you weigh. I'd have no problem with a private company rewarding healthy behaviors with lower premiums, and punishing unhealthy ones with higher rates, but placing a coercive power of this magnitude in the hands of the state seems fraught with quite a few more risks. Do those other countries with health care have as many lardasses as we do?

I lost 8 lbs on Rainier. I never found it again. :-)))

I used to be about 20 lbs heavier btw, and no doctor ever told me to lose weight.

If the gov't is going to manage health care, and I'm gonna help pay for it then, yes, I want the government to tell lardasses to exercise and eat better. That's a big part of the reason people have health problems in the US, and costs are rising.

What are your criteria for stupid? whatever they are, you've met them. So witty..... and in your case the wit is dim

what were you impressions of the 2nd book?

I recently finished Master and Margarita. It was a ... nice... adventure. :-) I liked some parts more than others - I'd say every scene in Yershalaim stood out the most though. That and the naked broom ride. :-O Others?

What are your criteria for stupid? whatever they are, you've met them.