StevenSeagal

You are wrong. Northbound on I-5 in the morning is not bad. True enough...I guess I was thinking of the opposite, going to Edmonds in the PM=

Downtown, from Fremont/Ballard, is the only one of those that is anything less than totally fucked.

Joseph, this point may have some validity under certain contexts. Yet, if we're all just "priveleged white males", what role, then- if any- can today's white man (and woman) play in eroding the barriers between white and black, apart from self loathing for the actions of those in the past? Racism and prejudice is not new, it has existed since the dawn of time. It was not invented by whites or Americans. Demanding an end to racism in America by simply shaming white people into being quiet and polite may give the impression of progress to you, but such illusory cultural enlightenment isn't progressive at all. We're not going to get anywhere unless we talk openly about it. Here in America, great strides have been made in eroding the institutional racism that once pervaded our culture. I think it's utopian to expect that prejudice will ever disappear completely, but simply applying a muzzle on parts of speech, condoning some forms of cultural imitation while forbidding others, coddling everyone's sensitivities, and instituting a climate of fear that prevents open discussion, is not going to bring us any closer to that, it only causes people to crawl "under their rocks" for fear of being labeled "racist". Back to the original point, I'm interested in how you see the future of "racial harmony" in America, Joseph. When you see a black person, do you see an empowered person with infinite potential, or do you see an oppressed victim at an inherent, unchangable disadvantage? Which view manifests in your relationships with them? And most importantly, which one do you think does the most for that person's self empowerment? At what point does ceaseless advocacy for circling the wagons around one's race, religion, culture, nationality, etc, begin to speak of one's desire to not actually integrate but to remain separate and therefore at odds with others?

The point is being made- rightfully- that Imus abused his position in the media and his influence in the culture by speaking this way. Now I am in no way going to use the argument of "they say it so we can too"- I don't argue that- but I'd like to address a point that many people privately question. How much longer is the majority exposure of popular "black culture" in America going to be represented and conveyed to the public at large by rap artists and comedians who without any restraint use the words "ho" for women, and the N word for fellow African Americans (as a sort of term of endearment, no less)? It doesn't excuse people's lack of knowledge of history, but the younger people in this country weren't around when racism was an open and sanctioned thing in this society. They grow up hearing blacks speak this way and, no matter what the history, there's confusion about why it's okay for a black man to say it, but if a white man says the N word even in context of an explanation it's this horrible, oppressive, inexcusable deed. The fact that most people even while trying to simply discuss it called it the "N word" as I am doing indicates a fear of even uttering it, yet it's thrown about with so much abandon in the black community and in popular music. Yet...the influence of black culture on white youth is undeniable. Many black leaders are calling for an end to the use of the N word and also a change in the attitudes expressed towards women. I wholeheartedly agree with this call, and I think it would go a long way towards a unity of the black and white cultures, and also go a long way towards lifting the black community's perpetual message to itself of: you're a victim, you're oppressed, and most importantly, you'll always be oppressed. I'm white, and it may be easy for me to say this, but I don't believe any of those things about blacks. These days, anyway, people are as oppressed and as victimized as they want to be- or more accurately, as much as their culture tells them they are. The true racists are easily marginalized and outcast. Imus made a really ignorant, insensitive comment; maybe he should lose his job, maybe not. The listeners (or lack thereof) will probably decide that for him if the networks don't do it first. How does an old cracker like Imus learn the term "ho" anyway? Do you think he was influenced by black culture, because I am pretty sure it's not a white term. It in no way excuses his using it to describe these women he knows nothing about, but I really do think this guy honestly believes he was using cultural slang to be funny and cool, and it backfired bigtime. How many white people do you know who joke around using black slang and rap lingo, invariably including the n-word in hip hop context? Are we all supposed to absorb and appreciate this heavily marketed "black culture" but then expect no one to emulate it, because your skin color determines whether you are either authentic, or a hateful racist? The point I would make is simple: whites need to learn some history and better understand black sensitivities, and blacks, for their part, need to form and project a more empowering and respectful set of terms to describe themselves (and women) that everyone can freely use, if there's really interest in a meshing of our cultures. Unless, of course, everyone's preference is eternal polarization, ignorance, and the end result- racism.

It was a stupid thing for him to say, but at the same time, the level of hypersensitivity in this country is getting ridiculous.

Is this him?

Because Seahawks isn't sure if 2 dimes will fit in kevbone's ass.

Well, Seecocks is certainly a floater.

Do you think "screaming bloody murder" about the way Islamic fanatics brutalize their captives will make them change their behavior? It won't do a thing. The world expects that sort of barbarity from al Qaida, so what good does protesting it do? By your strategies, the only solution is to kill them all, right? If the US is indeed conducting, to use your words, "similar actions" on any level, is there any duty of our citizens to object, given that we as citizens make this country what it is, or at least, what it is supposed to be? The world doesn't expect to see the US- at least the image the US has had for the last 50 years- denying due process, torturing, and violating human rights, regardless of the nefarious actions of the accused. So is there a standard, or because al Qaida has taken the standards of human decency to a new low, we should sink down to that level? Cheering? I don't think so. But are we supposed to act surprised that the Iranian forces used fear and coercion to get the sailors to "confess"? Did anyone outside Iran believe for a second that the sailors were acting on their own free will? Is anyone surprised they were kept in the dark, bound and blindfolded? I'm not. What? I thought they were sacrificing their lives for my tax break?!? By the way, how much did you get back? Didja buy something cool with it?

Are we still gonna play Stonehenge...?

Please let us know if you find the Nodder.

I got my tax break, so I don't care.

Exactly what's wrong with this country- people like you are happy to get a tax break but expect unrestrained funding for billions of dollars for the war. Do you realize Bush is the first president to cut taxes during war time? Or are we not really at war? Do you realize the extent to which this country is now in debt? You brag about being out of debt so how can you extoll the gov't for giving you a tax break while running the country into massive debt? Bush is so far from fiscally conservative (except for his tax cuts) it's ridiculous. Democrats are tax and spend. He's no tax, but spend even more. Not very responsible. All this ignores the question of how you can be so happy about a tax break and be so in support of the war. What have you contributed to the effort aside from sideline cheering while you spend your tax refund and other people are killing and dying so you don't have to? Better yet, what has Bush asked of Americans to contribute to this war of apparently grave importance aside from "Shop more" (that's HIS words!)? Bush doesn't ask the country for anything, because he knows that there would suddenly be no support instead of the 30% he currently enjoys. Even most conservatives would be wavering on this (especially in light of the idiotic decisions that have been made in prosecuting this) if they had to sacrifice something for the effort. Comment?

Plenty of moderates out there have the same potential "issue". Crest Jewel in Yosemite for example...a 5.9 slab climber could probably flail through the 5.10a cruxes because they're well bolted, but on the 5.8's, would at best be totally gripped and at worst, take a 75 footer down a 60-70 degree slab. If you're a confident 5.10 slab climber, the 3-bolt, 50+ meter 5.8 pitches won't even make you blink. That's the beauty of varied FA artistry- you can pick your battles each day according to how bold you're feeling.

Hey! Welcome back FW!

That's funny, lately it seems like you and Seahawks are reciprocal toadies.

I think I've found it--- Seahawks Explained

That reminds me. The Mecca Cafe and Bar in Queen Anne has a marquee sign in front that often has sarcastic political humor on it. A few Easter's ago, it said: "Come in for Easter and get nailed" More recently it seems to have been homeland-securitied or something since for a long time now it simply says "Come on in, beer on ice".

I second that! This thread is hilarious! I had to leave my desk a couple of time for fear of really LOL. Oh. You thought I was serious ...

Hemorrhoids are pretty Hard to Kill, huh?

STFU shit for brains.

This is a great thread.

Given that you sound like someone who jerks off to his own photo, I'm not surprised you can't find a partner. If you're so badass, you should go solo some sick shit and show 'em all how it's done, Young Steve-to-be.

Oh come on kevbone, get some perspective. He could have climbed it stealth and no one would have noticed or cared aside from his friends who would have thought it was cool. Making a media spectacle out of climbing the potentially fragile Utah state symbol got attention from places hostile to climbers: the NPS and the general public. Like it or not the NPS is here to stay and we have to maintain a working relationship with them. This did not help access issues at all.

Not as silly as demanding a boycott of a clothing company because they torpedoed your fallen superhero's gravy train. STFU and have some self respect you sycophantic fluffer.