Serenity

The war was started mainly for several reasons. 1. We were in a defensive stance as a result of Al Qaeda's first strike initiative. 2. Terrorist organizations by their nature are decentralized, and are not a streamlined target such as a country, or a large conventional military is. 3. Iraq had strategic position. 4. It gave the bad guys a place to come kill us (and vice-versa), instead of waiting to see where/what they would hit next. 5. There were no good options. Turn the other cheek, and let's hope the bad guys go away is not a strategy. Look at Spain, they pulled out due to the terrorist threats, and Islamic factions continue to target them regardless. Let's not forget, that all this played into a broader geo-political strategy. Believe what you will.

Doug, could you please cite your clandestine credentials, assuming they are declassified, that would make you a SME on covert weapons shipments? Just kidding, don't feel like you have to come up with some sharp comeback.

You've never shaken hands with someone you secretly wanted to kick in the balls?

:noway: They aren't above mine. But this guy is. Judo Gene Lebell.

Anyone here an EMT or EMT-P for either of these companies? Mind answering some questions I have via PM if you do? Thanks, Serenity

I remember you telling me many times how enamored you are of the Mounties. Or was that all pillow talk baby?

Not sure what type of biking you are referring to, but climbing is much cheaper in comparison. MY DH race bike alone is around 6K and requires about 20% maintenance a year to maintain. Running offers concentric loading, but in the long term I think you are better off cycling as a form of sustained training to build extensive cardiovascular endurance. Mostly from the perspective that running is hard on the knees and hips, and for most people leads to degenerative effects in the long term. Although boring at times, a treadmill can mitigate the impact of running a bit, and still provides a way to maintain your heart rate. +2 for Cyclocross. Pure pain = pure ecstasy! Just my 2 cents.

Would be nice if we were leading the charge on stem cell research.

Oh, and leave it to the Euro's to do what our castrated/greedy car and oil companies won't do. I mean after all Exxon makes 2.5 BILLION in profit every 3 WEEKS. Why would they want to fix anything? It's only costing us our national identity, and the lives of 1000 americans a year to keep fattening them up. http://blog.wired.com/cars/2008/02/vw-unveiling-an.html

Oh dooood! You are so on a Saudi blacklist now! Don't even get me started on those losers in the Kingdom. IF THERE WERE A SINGLE REASON WE ARE INEXTRICABLY INVOLVED IN THE SHITTIEST MOST WORTHLESS REGION OF THE WORLD IT WOULD BE SO WE CAN PROP UP THE SAUDI'S AND THEIR OIL WEALTH. Actually our taxes are considerably less than the rest of the modern world. Except you can go into a health care clinic in Finland and actually receive treatment without going into bankruptcy or being treated like a welfare recipient.

Aa boo-hoo you poor Americans. You're so abused. WAAAAA!! I just figured we were finally after all these years paying the same price for gas that everyone else has been for fifty years. Oh, and the people who have been fighting to help us pay for our gas were dying by the tens of thousands all these years. Your sense of entitlement is unreal. Welcome to reality. Hurts doesn't it? Did you know that in 2005 there were over 16,000 Americans killed? By other americans or illegal immigrants murdering them!! That's roughly 15,156 more than were killed in Iraq. Sense of righteous indignation? Less than zero by this sites standards. In the same year there were 16,885 alcohol related deaths in the United States. Outcry on CC.com? Zero. I'm sure in some of your eyes, the current crop of Democratic candidates are like the second coming of John F. Kennedy, but I think in the long run you'll find they're just politicians like the rest of the shit dicks we are saddled with these days.

: Gene LeBell(notice proper spelling) choked out Steven Segal twice. Steven saw doing grappling take downs with other stunt men while on a break while shooting a film for Segal. Segal stated that no one could do a go behind on him and that he was the best martial artist in the world. Gene, 59 at the time, said it would be rather easy to do a go-behind on Segal, and Segal took up the challenge. Segal paid no heed to the fact that 'JUDO' Gene LeBell is the 'Toughest Man Alive'. Gene easily took Segal down and choked him unconciencious. Segal, after being revived, challenged Gene again, saying that he was not ready. this time as Gene went behind Segal, Segal attempted to grab LeBell by the groin. Gene snatched Segal up spun him around to avoid a curb and again choked Segal unconcious. This time Segal's bowels gave up and he messed his pants.

We should turn tail and run away. We're just a bunch of wooped American bitches! Decline and fall of our civilization is nigh! The end is near, head east on I-90!!! The sky is falling!!

Yeah, the Pratt river melted out around the base of Mailbox. Elevation around 800 feet. Dude, you can ski the top 400 feet of Rattlesnake Ridge right now. Get out there!

Cool report

The summer route crux is the razorback traverse down low on the route, loose, unprotectable. I haven't climbed it in winter, but I think it would be a cool objective. Post some pictures.

What is your question exactly? I would say if you are in good shape, have a head for exposure, and can read a map it should be no problem. The traverse is pretty obvious, the rock varies, and there are some spots that could be characterized as class 4-5. There's probably a few trip reports on here if you use some search-fu. Good luck.

Reality Bath

G, How's everything these days? I'll be there (Nice) from the 1-7 of July, throwing in a day or two in Chamonix during that week, then 8-14th I'll be racing the MegAvalanche at Alpe D'Huez. I'll send you an email and we can try and figure out a few times if you are going to be out there. Good to hear from you! M

WOW, that was fast! Thanks. I'll have to pull out my old copy of Masters of Stone with Ron Kauk climbing in those areas and check it out.

I have one or two days in Chamonix in July. What should I climb? Dent Du Geant comes to mind. I don't like to work hard, I just like checking shit out, so I'm not interested in Bonatti Pillar style suffering. Then I have about 5 days in Cannes, Nice. Anyone know of some good limestone crags close by? Thanks.

I'm overseas. If it looks good when I get home later this month, I'll take you up on that offer.

Was it everything you thought it could be? Better luck off the summit of Teneriffe down the NNE side and into the basin. Steep off the top and can be corniced. Sounds like the year for contrived ski descents. Mailbox was something I never got around to.

Mike Stanton, Ray Borbon and I had the same idea during a midweek cold snap December 2000. It was cool to hike up in the middle of the night and get a pitch or two in before heading to work, belay from solid trees. Nate Ruch and I hiked up from the other side mid winter one year (2002) freaking out some hikers who proclaimed us as reckless in our tennis shoes. Both times it was a short mixed climb. I think the whole thing is about 200 feet, and the crux is stepping out on the slab at the top. Crux, did I just say that?...BWAHAHAHAHA. Whatever, it was something to do close to home. Mclellan Butte would be interesting, but I'm not there to see it. I hear it's been puking lately. So maybe no avvie danger is the ticket. Also been skied for a few hundred feet from the saddle during 2001-2002. Bring rock skis.