MervGriffin

That little Slate article about Reagan by Christopher Hitchens and posted above was perhaps the most ignorant, mean-spirited piece of crap I've read in recent memory. Just a sample for those tempted to read the whole thing: " He was as dumb as a stump. He could have had anyone in the world to dinner, any night of the week, but took most of his meals on a White House TV tray.He had no friends, only cronies. His children didn't like him all that much. He met his second wife—the one that you remember—because she needed to get off a Hollywood blacklist and he was the man to see. Year in and year out in Washington, I could not believe that such a man had even been a poor governor of California in a bad year, let alone that such a smart country would put up with such an obvious phony and loon." And even his dog hated him....Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah Pure, unadulterated Hitchins should be ashamed of himself. The question is, what self-respecting periodical with any sort of credible standards would publish such manure?

"...yeah thats right, two bong rips and one final later and one more in 40mins, suck it beyotch!' Yup! Light that bowl, suck that joint and go bouldering! What a country!

"...and workplace urine testing was first brought in..." Sounds like you guys need it! Keep on coastin', Canada!

It's especially irritating to find some Canadians on this site pissing all over Ronald Reagan. Few Americans or anyone else in the world could probably even name the prime minister of that geopolitical powerhouse and economic marvel located somewhere north of us, and there is a reason for that. Canada has been riding America's coat-tails for decades and should be grateful that the likes of Ronald Reagan have allowed them to "flourish" relatively unmolested. So here's to Ronald Reagan, a great American: R.I.P. Ronnie

Dude....get a grip. Hank is dead. He died Sept. 4, 2001. Here's a little Hank Nasiff, Jr. Memory Garden: Gary Coleman, however, is still alive and ran for Governor of California.

What did this man do in the military?

The one thing this little "discussion" has revealed is that some of you have NO CLASS whatsoever as evidenced by your heartless comments. R.I.P. Ronnie

Hey Pope. Quit embarassing yourself with this pro-John F'ing Kerry nonsense. If most so-called Kerry supporters were honest, they might admit that the only reason they're voting for Kerry is because they don't like Bush. Who is really pro-Kerry because they actually think he is the best guy for the job? I think he's a BIG LOSER and once again the American people are presented with weakest possible choice since we got to select between Al Gore and Baby Bush. I'd vote for Gary Coleman before I'd vote for Kerry.

The man ROCKS! Boulderers and sport-clippers: you have INDEED met your match! Ever heard of 5.15b Hong-Kong-style?

Ask Merv.

Let him call!

The Associated Student Body of Hempwood High is proud to introduce the following for the upcoming 2004-2005 school year which promises to be the best ever! Let's give a warm welcome to the new Pep!-Team that will lead us in school spirit during our monthly assemblies and at all sports events: Next, our new Jr. Varsity cheerleading squad which will inspire the Hempwood Humpers to victory after victory! [P.S. Guys....TRY to keep your eyes on the game and not on the gals...tee hee.] Guess what! Our award winning debate team is back and Mr. Shapiro will once again be coaching. Kick 'em wear it hurts, guys....in the Robert's Rules of Order! Uh..some of you may be interest to know that the Diversity Committee has once again approved the charter for "THE GOTH CLUB". Whatever....next! GOOD LUCK FROM ALL OF THE STUDENT BODY LEADERS IN THE GRADUATING CLASS OF 2004. IT'S YOUR TURN NOW!

Dude...if you can't handle the Promised Land, get out. Don't Washingtonomize California. Or better yet, buy my new book and learn how to live the good life!

Portrait with self-timer: Me at my high school graduation party.

BRING IT ON!!!

Panhandling is becoming big business in the Northwest, second perhaps only to Berkeley where the average is perhaps three contenders per block. Accumulations of these neo-beggars tend to form in areas where there is a known quantity of suckers free with their cash. The University of Washington vicinity is quite popular. A couple of examples will suffice: there's a guy who hangs out at the back door of the UW Bookstore. He sits there with a pile of these little newspapers to raise money if not your consciousness. I used to give him a buck once in a while because I thought it was a temporary situation. Nope. A couple or three years later he is still there and in essense it has become his "job". Just sits there, and waits for the guilt-ridden elitist children to hand him some dough. The other example is the southbound exit to I-5 from 45th st. It's prime territory because it has a metered light. Two, three or more will work this spot and I have actually seen them change shifts on the half-hour. Apparently they can negotiate a system and maybe even barter or share the extra food they often request but which I have also seen tossed over the shoulder. Interesting culture. Requires further exploration. The only one laughing is you, pal! AND PLEASE DO NOT GIVE ANY CHANGE TO ANYONE WHO LOOKS LIKE THIS: And here's another growing (international) handout industry: Peruvian panflute players. I saw about four different troupes of these guys last time I was in Portabello Market in London: I, too, was tapping my toe and gaining an ethnic buzz.....for the first five minutes, and then they kept on coming!

You want some beta on High School? Here's some for ya! A picture of campus. "Hi Skeezoid. I'm Marcus, the Student Body President. Some of my friends call me Martian, the student BAWDY president. They mean no harm by that. They're just clownin'! Let's have some lunch! Would that be O.K.?" "Oh. I forget to tell you. It's "Take Your GrandPerson to School Lunch Day". That was my idea. Looks like the grandpersons showed up but the kids stayed at home. I knew that would happen! Note to self: Next year, tell the kids they have to come too. Uh, wait a minute, I won't be here next year. I'm supposed to graduate and go to Beaver Falls C.C. Oh well. Good luck to the next guy!" Meet Edwin the Janitor. He's the one who really knows what's going on around this joint! Just the other day he told me that he found two Snickers wrappers and a half-eaten box of Jr. Mints in the library. He Da Man!" "Hi Mr. Duckworth! It's Mr. Duckworth, the Math Teacher!" "Welcome to our school, Skeezer!" "We look forward to meating you."

new "free" route on El Cap.......blah, blah, blah Mt. Everest climbed by 90 year old dwarfs....blah, blah, blah I lost my swiss army knife (a.k.a. my "swizzle izzle knizzle") somewhere between the REI parking lot and the rock gym....blah, blah, blah. Now here's some real news!: Lance Armstrong won the final stage of the Languedoc-Roussillon on Sunday. So take that, you scoffers. Such races are mere training rides for Mighty Lance. Watch him win The Tour in July and go back to your boulders humbled. GO LANCE! GO!

Why that would be, Larry Williams, who played keyboards, saxes and flutes for SEAWIND.. Here is is in action: And here's the whole gang! (Larry on right). Nice of you to commemorate such a fine, talented musician with an "ode" about climbing. It must have been some sort of metaphor.

Uh....maybe they's just nots as dang wise and 'sperienced as you. Maybes they's justs gots their own system. Or maybe they's just been drinkin' somes of this:

I've met lots of folks who like to do that. Nothing wrong with it; they're having fun and adventure in their own way. IT'S NOT ANY MORE GOOFY THAN CLIMBING IN GENERAL. Check out these cats havin' a good time: Anyone can do it! Free-stylin'! "If you're happy and you know it clap your hands!....no, I take it back....never let go of your brake hand!" Cleaner than climbing up! It doesn't have to be a solo sport.

EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!! SEND IT, GUYS!!!!! eeeeeeeeeeeeeee!