Serenity

Kevbone, The Korengal Valley is a single terrain feature with some systemic arteries. Comprising a population of approximately 20,000 people. The last I checked the population in Afghanistan is approx. 25,000,000+. So if around .08% of any given population reacts negatively to an alien foreign presence, that in your mind constitutes making a blanket statement regarding the other 99.9%. That's just ignorant, or hides a personal bias. In the 4 years I have been here I have received nothing but thanks from the people of Afghanistan, and they want us to do more. Some of that report is bogus, dramatized. Much of the footage he is passing off as 'combat' footage, is training related. You shouldn't believe everything you see on Youtube. It is as equally dangerous for Taliban and foreign fighters to attempt to maneuver in the Korengal as it is for ISAF/US. They just hate EVERYONE. Imagine if some foreign troops showed up in Houston. How do you think they would be welcomed? Consider yourself educated.

Hola Matteo, Yep, that's pretty much what I was alluding to. I think one of my banned avatars is probably member #10 or close to it. The early assclowns set a decent standard IMHO. Even if the rudder on the big boat gets swung all the way over, the ship is only going to turn a few degrees. At any rate, I have optimism for the future. And I agree, we ALL need to belay this partisan bickering and get back down to the business of being good people. Plain and simple.

Agreed, that sap picture is pretty funny.

Gotta make room for a fresh bunch of assclowns. Kind of like this website did for all of you.

Dan, the convicted felon with the bad teeth was always sporting some interesting boulder problems. He had one where he could do a complete 360 rotation (as in going upside down on) utilizing a series of holds to the left of the wide crack on the north side of the rock. A young (at the time) college student by the name of Jens showed me a pretty hard problem called the "7 continents". It utilizes 7 of the largest single embedded rocks for a full 360 degree traverse. I'm sure you've seen it done previously.

Outstanding response! Gold star work!

I'll keep the phrase in mind when the VA comes around with the begging bowl. Clearly you are a total nut job.

Plastic mountaineering boots won't be much better. Head down to a reputable ski shop with a knowledgeable backcountry ski staff, and have them give you a personal run down on the types of randonee ski boots. You'd be surprised at how functional and comfortable a pair will be. Most good pairs will be able to perform multiple functions. Ski, slog, and even ice climb fairly well. Pick the jack of all trades, master of none style. I lived in a pair of Dynafits one winter. Got to the point where I regularly wore them into the restaurant, bar, driving to and from wherever, and never even noticed until someone pointed it out to me.

My guess for most positions would be: [img:center]http://www.billhicks.com/Michael%20Gibney%20sketch%20of%20Bill%20Hicks.jpg[/img]

Correct me if I am wrong, but I am of the understanding the President Elect Obama's tax plan is to lower taxes for middle income, and lower income families, while reinstating tax policies that raise taxes on the wealthy? I'll have to study up a bit when I get the chance. I do know this. Under President Bush, the biggest beneficiary of tax benefits was to those who earn 1.6 million or more a year. Which comprises something like less than .001% of the population. I don't think the trickle down theory has worked very well up to now. I say this coming from a bracket that received tax benefits, with the knowledge that I will see some if not all of these programs rescinded at some point.

Prole, My stance doesn't change regardless of who's in office. I've served under Reagan, Bush Sr, Clinton, Bush Jr, and soon Obama. I serve regardless of partisan politics, and special interest group voodoo.

Hillary is going to be my boss here shortly, so it would be imprudent of me to comment on her. She won't change her spots so to speak. I would say your guess of a political I.O.U. is pretty close to the truth.

I believe his core values reflect the core values of most Americans. 1. Improve education through reform a. More science and math b. Early education c. Longer school days d. More rigorous testing e. Improve teachers and the profession 2. Change our dependence on foreign oil a. Detrimental to our security b. Potential for supply disruption is too high c. Go green. Petro is a significant factor in climate change 3. Invest in alternate energy 4. A workable long term health care solution A lot of these things are like a running program. You'll never get it done until you approach it with honesty and realistic goals.

You incorrectly, and arrogantly, and perhaps even ignorantly assume that ALL people who were under the Bush administration were Neoconservative Republicans, or incompetent. You've simply advanced your distrust of all things government in the process.

The President Elect does not have the luxury of ignoring certain realities in the world, like some past presidential administrations have. The best person is the best person for the job regardless of party affiliation. Moreover, inspired by JosephH's continual mantra of understanding the incoming President Elect I have now read all of President Elect Obama's books. If you understand his message, or if I understand it correctly, it was, and continues to be that we as a whole need to break down these walls of partisan politics while learning to work together for a common aim. I don't think he is deviating from his stated aims at this point. Furthermore, as he begins to receive classified briefings that he was not previously read into, his understanding of a larger picture will grow. His, and his cabinets positions will evolve to suit the situation.

OH YEAH!

Lower Nash and Snakedance sure will be fun in the future. The terrain off the Mill Creek chair has pretty minimal vertical, but fun. I wish they would just rezone Alpine Lakes and let us build a gondola to the top of Snoqualmie Mountain.

That's one funny a$$ .gif image! Is that you with the boxing gloves on servicing your man?

I cant join B/C I'm brain dead and useless!

Prole did you get your shit pushed in again? Don't be so angry little guy.

Pakistan has little interest in seeing the current regime stay in place. They are a Pashtun dominated country, and as such they believe in their inherent supremacy. Anonymous, a retired CIA intelligence operative and analyst, says this about the Pashtun's. "The Pashtun's were not and are not going to abide a political relationship with minority groups they do not dominate." -pg 38 Imperial Hubris To better understand the Bush administrations approach to the initial invasion of Afghanistan reference "The Tenent Plan". A westernized view of the situation, which discarded the knowledge of years of research behind what is often referred to "As the most successful and long running clandestine program in US history". Also reference Charlie Wilson's war. Most of the unrest and the real fighting in Afghanistan, particularly Wazaristan takes place along a narrow series of mountain corridors dominated by Pushtun tribes, supplied and mentored by agents of Al Qaeda, as well as independent groups who fight only because that is the life they know and understand. The fighting in Pakistan and Afghanistan is every bit as intense and bloody as anything in Iraq. Often very personal at close quarters. Seasoned Iraqi veterans are often caught off guard by the lonely and isolated conditions they are enduring. The firebases along the frontiers are subject to constant probing and assaults. The tactics the current enemy uses differs very little from what the British faced along the frontier during Kipling's days. If you would like to study a microcosm of the current situation you can read this redacted report from the assault on the 173rd ABN in Wanat. The Waygal vignette is an example of just how distant victory is in Afghanistan. The Waigalis, at their heart, are isolationists. There are probably no Al-Qaeda members among the local insurgents and the actual Taliban influence, outside of the deobandist meta-narrative is negligible. PT1 PT2

Oh c'mon. Patience, persistence has an effect. The operation tempo is increasing. OBL is not a significant factor. He was just a catalyst, and now he is an iconic figure. You have to understand that Pakistan has always been the real problem.

Hey Braydon, very-very-very few BW guys would take even a nanosecond of their time to respond to a board like this. I only do so because I had a preexisting relationship here. You've already had two guys, AND an active SOF member respond to your post, as well as some insightful members. Take the good with the bad eh? I'm out.

Like I said previously, I hope President Elect Obama makes the right choices. I don't have any real issues with the party right now. I am keeping an open mind and hoping that things get worked out in our favor. I'm a pragmatist, but I think it's important to see the bigger picture and take it all in, not just the narrow field of view that is partisan politics. Somehow I don't see President Elect Obama forward deploying returning troops to Poland or the Fulda Gap. I think he's already indicated little willingness to stand by the countries that put their necks on the line and courted a ballistic missile shield to begin with. Only time will tell, after all this is all just speculation.

That's pretty cool.