grumpyoldman

I'm not going to debate the attitude of the people you have talked to, but my observation is that most people's lives haven't changed a bit. Taking off your shoes to fly in airplanes doesn't count. Speaking for myself and most people I know, 9/11 hasn't affected the overwhelming majority of our daily activities with the exception of our political griping. We do the same work, we engage in the same leisure activities, we spend our money the same way. Really, the only people that I know whose lives are substantially different are those who are in the military and their families, and they are a very small fraction of this country.

I'd be really disappointed if this is true. But I was also disappointed when Barry Bonds finally fessed up (well, he didn't exactly admit that he knew he was roiding, but he admitted taking them). I was even more disappointed about the story that the Pittsburgh Steelers of the '70s were among the NFL leaders in steroid abuse. Maybe we all just need to grow up and develop a certain indifference to the athletic accomplishments of others. Maybe we need to stop our emotional investment in teams and athletes.

An article in Sunday's New York Times revealed that the late French President Francois Mitterand personally approved the bombing of Greenpeace's ship Rainbow Warrior, resulting in a person's death. Does that make Mitterand a terrorist?

Well, the problem is I have to work. I might be able to get a work schedule that is 12 hours on and 12 hours off for seven days a week, but work every other week. Do you think it would be ridiculous to live in Bend or Redmond and on my work weeks keep a little apartment in Eugene?

I am considering new jobs in Medford and Eugene. Anybody have any recommendations regarding one over the other? I gather that both are about the same distance to Smith (one of my favorite places in the world and the reason why I am considering a move to Oregon). It would seem that housing is a lot cheaper in Medford, right? What else should I be looking into? Thanks, all.

Funny story: I'm a doctor, and sometimes I've been asked to operate on JWs without using any blood. Now, I think I'm pretty good and sometimes I think I can do some operations without losing enough blood to have to give you a transfusion, so I say okay. Here's the funny part. Often, when I meet in private right before the operation with the patient--who in front of his family and often his pastor said no way no how no tranfusions even if it kills me--he says to me, "Hey, Doc, if I really need it, give me blood." See, principles can be, well, flexible sometimes.

1) a military draft, probably starting with doctors, nurses, EMTs; eventually others 2) increase in taxes; finally have to start paying some bills 3) more encroachment by religion on public life; maybe some constitutional amendments to allow prayer and other religious rituals in places now off limits 4) more compromise of the environment in deference to economic interests; the air will get dirtier; asthmatics will be hospitalized more frequently; ANWR is toast; the only wolves that will be left in Alaska are those who performed in W's commercial--they'll be put in a petting zoo

Cool. Fire away when you're ready. BTW, what's the job (if I may enquire...)? I'm a doctor. I'll be interviewing for a job at Yakima Regional Medical Center. It sounds like a pretty good place. A lot drier than west of the Cascades, I bet, right? The closeness of the climbing and the rafting are perfect, and the skiing access would be great for my wife and kids. I hope it works out.

Thanks, Sobo. I will be interviewing next month. If I end up making the move, I'll write to you with some more detailed questions.

I am interviewing for a job in Yakima, WA. Anyone out there who can tell me something about it? Is Frenchman's Coulee the nearest crag? What is that place like? How are the bars/restaurants/night life? Any suggestions or warnings?