KaskadskyjKozak

My question right now is how will the Iraqis react to the government that they just elected rather than to the fact that they just got to vote? AFAIK, the results of the election are still not in and will not be for several days more. How will the Iraqis feel when they see the results - the composition of the resulting government. More importantly, how well will this government do at instilling confidence in the common ground and unity of purpose of their government for all Iraqis rather than inflame divisive ethnic and religious infighting.

Unfortunately the converse is not applied: every time you see a negative, doesn't mean the whole thing is a massive clusterfuck. It seems the opposition is fond of magnifying all problems, but conveniently avoids any and all evidence to the countrary. The occupation of Iraq and its concomitant post-war transition to "democracy" is hardly an utter failure; neither is it an "astounding success".

Kim Jon Il is in no position to comment on other people's hair style. Dennis Miller put it best: "Kim Jong Il must be ruthless because you usually don’t get to head up a country when you look that freaky. He’s like the Buddy Holly of the Pan-Pacific Rim. Weird hair -- like a Chia-Dictator. I hope if they eventually blow that head off, somebody has the good sense to put it in a jar and bring it back home, because I know I’d pay a nickel to see that up close in a tent."

...although we may have to face a Hillary vs. Jeb campaign. Pass me a bucket to puke in.

The president is not running for reelection, and the VP is not running either. There will be no "incumbent" advantage.

Not likely. 2008 is an OPEN election - the first since 1968. If you want change, get to work.

I believe you have the right to insist on a blood test (it is the most accurate), but I'm not sure if that is the current law in WA now (or ever was). Of the three, blood, urine and breathalyzer, the latter has the least accurate results.

This story broke several weeks ago...

Yeah, right, and the democratization of Japan and denazification of Germany were also "charades", I suppose.

I've read that the most dangerous drunk drivers are the "casual drinkers" not the "drunks". The former are those who go out a few times a year and indulge in a few adult beverages. These drivers have far less experience behind the wheel while impaired. I'm not sure what kind of BAL they would typically have, but would not be surprised if it was around 0.10...

He's on suicide watch - they'll prevent him from killing himself. Rather, they'll run him through the legal system and he'll rot on death row for a decade or two. Seeing as how he's in Cali, he'll probably die of natural causes in prison.

How is the political situation there? Stable/relatively safe?

They would already be sweaty.

So, if you are coming off a glacier climb with a base layer, climbing pants, and shell pants, and still have a 5 mile hike to the TH, and its about 30 degrees warmer than when you started for the summit, you prefer to drop trou', peel off your long underwear, pull on a pair of regular underwear, and put your climbing pants back on - and then finally zip off the legs to simply doing the latter? All this to avoid some kind of climber fashion faux pas? Now THAT'S something I'd expect from a chick...

ya tozhe ochen' lyublyu kavkazskiye blyuda - vklyuchaya shashlik. gruzinskoye vino tozhe mne nravitsya (konkretno kindzmarauli, khvanchkara). lyudi tam priyatnyye, druzheskiye

zamechatel'no!

spasibo bol'shoe.

Assuming I flew in to Peterburg, about how expensive would it be to get to Elbrus, do the climb and return to Peterburg? And how long would the climb take (Peterburg to Peterburg). I speak Russian with near-native fluency, so taking advantage of means to travel, booking reservations, etc would not be a problem... Other options I am considering are coming in from Tbilisi or Yerevan.

Is the walkup truly the only reasonable route up? And even if so, it is the highest point in Europe, and a unique experience to visit the Kavkaz. I have a personal interest in the area.

to each his own

Has anyone here climbed Elbrus? Did you use a guide service or go with your own party? How expensive was it? What route did you take? Was it a worthwhile destination? Any other thoughts?

That would be the a first: K2 - a nurturing environment

Your choice of derision is interesting considering the utter ineptness of RuMR's puerile barbs.

The age of pioneering is certainly not over! Consider: RuMR can be the first member of an all-gay, mentally-retarded team to summit K2. Then he can go on a lecture tour and make some cash as well!

Yes, it inspires me that some chicks can kick my ass by climbing K2.