MervGriffin

And which Christians are those, Ratboy? Millions upon millions of Christians leave you alone. You and lots of others seem to think that the more vocal, activist and extreme elements represent the whole. Kind of like saying all Muslims are terrorists. And if those more active Christian-types got an idea to share that you don't care for, you can discuss why what you have to offer is better, or you can close the door when they show up, walk-away, change the channel, or vote for someone else. Look in the phone book under churches. You'll find a hundred selections in any big city and most aren't coming after you. And Billygoat say: Really? Is that why there are numerous definitions for the very term "religion"? They might be the same in certain key areas: living believers tend to breathe air and are members of the human species, otherwise, you got, for example, some folks who worship tree bark, or perhaps animal-headed gods, or make human sacrifices or live by themselves in caves where they meditate, etc. The diversity is amazing. By some definitions, science, which requires no God, would meet the requirements of a religion. Broad statements like yours rarely hold water.

Take your Christian-bashing elsewhere. If you substituted the word "Jew" for "Christian" in your diatribes, you'd be called anti-Semitic and run out of town. Where are the moderators? And by the way, the original post on this topic was both exceedingly simplistic and naive.

I watched some of them: And this one is SO provocative! Bush Doesn't Tip

"Time flies like an arrow, Fruit flies like a banana." - Groucho Marx

Yah, I have plenty of questions and some answers too. Your right to be a flaming A-hole in 2004 is built on a stack of bodies sacrificed by my father's generation (and maybe your father's as well) who fought in the 1940's so we can enjoy our spoiled existence today. Grow up and think before you post your thoughtless little Nazi comparisons. It's apparently something you simply don't understand.

You don't know from respect. Now get in your car and start driving south. The queue at the base of The Captain is growing and John Kerry needs you.

Actually, I'm very well educated on this subject. So what does this image say to you that isn't obvious to others such as myself? Never claimed my opinion wasn't subjective. Never claimed my opinion was universal. Never claimed to speak for you. Didn't think I needed to spell it out but lest you be confused: IN MY OPINION, IT'S OFFENSIVE, and I'm confident that I'm not the only one who would be offended by it, in fact, millions would be, although IN MY OPINION, there are likely few on this site. For example?

Not necessarily the most, but right up there. If you are genuinely clueless why that picture might really offend some people, then you are only semi-educated. Dredge up the old cc.com "baby Jesus" thread for a variety of insights. And what would that be? Looks like we're back in the school yard. Sorry, I already spent my lunch money so you'll have to shake someone else down.

Gee pal. Looks like you've moved way to the front of the line for one of the most offensive images ever posted on this site. Why don't you grab your big wall gear, get in your car and start driving to Yosemite to meet up with the other thoughtless clowns. And make sure you forward that picture to the Kerry campaign to show your love and support.

Dat True!

People be talking about it: September in Yosemite Dude! Come on by. Climb the North American Wall, hang out on a portaledge, crap in a pvc pipe and inspire all Americans to vote for the anti-Bush! Or just hang out and talk or watch slide shows. Awesome! "Three cheers for the Captain! We've seen the light!" And while you're at it, don't forget to include a few mimes. They are always effectual! A "Boulderer4Kerry" mime dismisses as irrelevent a "MercedRiverInnerTuber4Bush" mime at the base of Midnight Lightning in Camp 4.

Probably cuz some of them are mean little bastards. It would be interesting to see if some of these punks got the same kind of trashy attitude in "real" life. I can think of at least three, who based on their words alone, would qualify them as utterly loathsome. They got extra good reasons to hide behind a phony name like most everyone else. I ain't the one to out someone, though. Mean-spirited people tend eventually to find their own special rewards just by the way they conduct their lives.

Did anyone require you to read all this stuff? Are we all here solely to entertain YOU? [Answer to both questions: No] Pope: many of us our enjoying the Zappa poetry. keep up the good work.

My! How classy and speculative!

So are you saying that the sub-40's didn't show up? Maybe they're gonna vote for Bush or somebody else. Maybe all the hippies were smoking out underneath the bleachers.

Dude! Way to push the envelope! Local boy makes good! Allez! Maybe you'll make the cover of that hip, new bouldering magazine!

You want an opinion on The Mountaineers? Here's my short version in answer to a post above. Not so. Certain kinds of folks are attracted to hyper-organized, regimented groups. I've met few of the former, although I've heard rumors that more exist, and I have certainly encountered the latter. Fortunately, the average Mountaineer is so encumbered by rules, they are individually more benign rather than exceptional or dangerous. And who teaches some of these new students? Some of them are "experts" from the previous year's Basic Class; the inexperienced led by the barely experienced. And if "newbies" make the same mistakes over and over again, why isn't avoiding such part of the program? I've also seen a few disturbing examples of the Mountie's so-called "mentor" program. It was like the blind leading the blind. Most of the common complaints about the Mountaineers have to do with their organizational style: mass production of regimented climbers and the associated behaviors and outcomes. Some of the more obnoxious individuals are likely attracted to, or a product of, a system full of clipboards and rules. And that's a big part of the problem. Sometimes there is one BIG party on a given route and sometimes there are multiple groups from various Mountaineers or Mazama chapters. Many times, for example, I have traveled up the Icicle to find nearly every easy crag festooned with the top-ropes of the Mountaineers or similar groups. I take out beginners from time to time and I find myself having to compete with the mass takeover. (And years ago, the Mountaineers even arrived in chartered buses which let them all out at the Snow Creek parking lot...which is both funny and sad....but then again, maybe the bus was more efficient and less polluting than the dozens of vehicles parked on the roadside.) You want to meet some Mountaineers? Take a friend up the Tooth some sunny day and watch the chaos. And don't forget to wear your helmet; you might need it. See comments about the Tooth and Icicle Canyon above. And those ARE funny pictures. Requiring MOFA is at least one good thing the Mountaineers do. Also, their textbook, "Mountaineering: Freedom of the Hills", is outstanding, as are many of the other publications their press produces. If joining a group is your thing, and being taught and led by people of varying experience is O.K. with you, the Mountaineers can give you that. Their many rules will probably keep you safe as a beginner but if you harbor ambitions, you might find them a bit stifling. If you want to get a jump start, I'd recommend investing in a course taught by a professional and highly experienced instructors available through several good climbing schools in the Northwest. Even RMI can get you going good with their multi-day seminars. For example: Look for some good schools and instuctors here: American Mountain Guides Association (Find a Guide) And here's a couple of long-established schools: American Alpine Institute Rainier Mountaineering But then again, there is always The Mountaineers, who many people must enjoy because they seem to have A LOT of members. Good luck!

Can you imagine what it was like when Kerry had a rally open to everyone in Portland? This is what it would look like --

Huh? Reminds me of a cute little song from everyone's favorite musical, "Annie Get Your Gun". "Anything you can do, I can do better. I can do anything Better than you. No, you can't. Yes, I can. No, you can't. Yes, I can. No, you can't. Yes, I can, Yes, I can! Anything you can be I can be greater. Sooner or later, I'm greater than you. No, you're not. Yes, I am. No, you're not. Yes, I am. No, you're NOT!. Yes, I am. Yes, I am! I can shoot a partridge With a single cartridge. I can get a sparrow With a bow and arrow. I can live on bread and cheese. And only on that? Yes. So can a rat! I can drink my liquor Faster than a flicker. I can drink it quicker And get even sicker! I can jump a hurdle. I can wear a girdle. I can knit a sweater. I can fill it better! No, you can't. (Softly) Yes, I can. (Softer) No, you can't. (Softer) Yes, I can. (Softer) No, you can't. (Softer) Yes, I can. (Softer) YES, I CAN! (Full volume) New Boss: I can run 3 miles,during my lunch, Catbird: I can run 4 miles, up hill a whole bunch, New Boss: I pooped out up my first big hill, Catbird: And I a laughed at you cuz you had your fill." etc.

What pope said. Do you really think you know this for everyone? My 31 years of climbing experience, including a lot of soloing, says otherwise. And by the way, a lot of people don't realize the risk until they are in over their heads. I've done it myself more than once and am lucky to have survived those experiences. Best wishes to the young lady who fell.

Hey suckers! Hanalei Bay ain't on Oahu. It's on Kauai. Trust me. I wrote a book about it. By the way, this girl is the mayor:

QUESTION: WHY DO YOU HAVE TO LOOK AND DRESS LIKE AN UGLY A-HOLE TO BE IN A ROCK BAND? Just wonderin'.

Ritalin anybody?

"My tasteful scarf will put a fashionable end to all of this unsavory nonsense...by the way...may I have just a teensy bite of that fabulous brie? Just a smidgen....oh my! Yummers! Lest I forget: Guys.....just S-T-O-P, O.K.?" love, - Tom