| Author |
Message |
    
Treesloth
Registered Member
Username: Treesloth
Post Number: 2805
Registered: 07-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, September 05, 2010 - 09:10 pm: | 
|
I haven't been up to the Delaware Water Gap for many years. It is quite a distance (3 hours driving distance) from my house. |
Public_heel
Moderator
Username: Public_heel
Post Number: 12374
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, September 05, 2010 - 12:09 pm: |
|
T/S - I suppose you go here, too?
I don't think I've ever been there, but I'd like to see it. Something of a lesson in how complex geology can be... |
Treesloth
Registered Member
Username: Treesloth
Post Number: 2804
Registered: 07-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, September 05, 2010 - 11:48 am: |
|
Heel climbs Mt. Elbert, and this is where we hang out in New Jersey.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Mott_(New_Jersey)
It is one of the most beautiful days of the year, and we are going here for a family hike/picnic. I always went here with my uncle and cousins was a kid. For Mott has a bunch of deep dark tunnels that are a blast for kids. I just saw that it is on the Governor's closure list. What a shame. |
Treesloth
Registered Member
Username: Treesloth
Post Number: 2803
Registered: 07-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, September 05, 2010 - 11:32 am: |
|
Last night I watched Saving Private Ryan for the second time. Usually when I watch a move more than once nothing shocks me, but the first half hour left me in amazement for the second time. |
Super
Moderator
Username: Super
Post Number: 1701
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, September 04, 2010 - 05:44 pm: |
|
A seriously great radio program about breathtaking screwups:
NPR...OOPS! |
Tychobrahe
Registered Member
Username: Tychobrahe
Post Number: 7663
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, September 04, 2010 - 01:56 pm: |
|
I was surprised to hear mention of some looting in some of the earthquake reports. I wouldn't think Kiwis would be doing that. |
Ivan
Registered Member
Username: Ivan
Post Number: 2935
Registered: 07-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, September 04, 2010 - 12:54 pm: |
|
I've been to NZ. Very highly recommended. |
Super
Moderator
Username: Super
Post Number: 1700
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, September 04, 2010 - 12:43 pm: |
|
News from New Zealand today, all bad. Looking on the bright side, if you have the good luck to get killed in a New Zealand skydiving plane accident, at least you won't be bothered by the subsequent Earthquake. And either way, the scenery is nice.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100904/ap_on_re_as/as_new_zealand_plane_crash
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100904/ap_on_re_as/as_new_zealand_earthquake
http://www.leadingattractions.co.nz/adx/aspx/adxGetMedia.aspx?DocID=8,1,Document s&MediaID=6491&Filename=NZ+Leading+Attractions+Map+South.pdf |
Tychobrahe
Registered Member
Username: Tychobrahe
Post Number: 7658
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Friday, September 03, 2010 - 02:55 pm: |
|
I also think there's tremendous value in having a president who can speak when he meets with foreign leaders. When it comes to that, I think Obama's one of the best we've ever had. |
Tychobrahe
Registered Member
Username: Tychobrahe
Post Number: 7657
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Friday, September 03, 2010 - 02:12 pm: |
|
You show me a politician anywhere in America who says what he thinks regardless of its implications on the next election and I'll show you an ex-politician.
It's one of the problems of our system. Another is money.
As far as Obama's concerned, if it weren't for him being a secret Muslim and not being a citizen of the US and Michelle going to Spain, I don't think he's doing so bad.
Can anyone point to a particular thing he's done that was really bad? |
Super
Moderator
Username: Super
Post Number: 1698
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Friday, September 03, 2010 - 12:26 pm: |
|
Obama is an OK speaker although anybody would be an improvement over Bush. For my part I find him less inspiring now than I did initially and count more of what he says as empty rhetoric. That's the problem with being a politician, I suppose - as people get to know you they learn that you and your ilk pretty much have to and will say anything it takes to get elected and they learn to see the posturing and rhetoric for what it is.
I guess it's true that familiarity breeds contempt, or at least skepticism and lowered trust.
(Message edited by super on September 03, 2010) |
Miloandbono
Registered Member
Username: Miloandbono
Post Number: 1130
Registered: 08-2009
| | Posted on Friday, September 03, 2010 - 10:29 am: |
|
I wonder if gridlock in congress helps Obama's chances at re-election.
I was watching a bloppers video on youtube of George W. and it reminded me how unimpressive Bush was as a speaker. I wasn't nuts about McCain as a speaker either. Obama will be hard to beat. Of course Clinton was a good speaker too. |
Miloandbono
Registered Member
Username: Miloandbono
Post Number: 1125
Registered: 08-2009
| | Posted on Thursday, September 02, 2010 - 08:58 am: |
|
The movie is fictional... but the story was that people in Washington had intel saying there were no WMD prior to invasion. The press was used to help convince the public and the world of their existence. The goal was to get Saddam out and someone USA friendly in.
It was never mentioned in the movie but I'm sure Bush thought this whole thing would turn out to make him look good. |
Public_heel
Moderator
Username: Public_heel
Post Number: 12361
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, September 02, 2010 - 08:13 am: |
|
The movie pegs it as political motivation.
Could you elaborate? |
Miloandbono
Registered Member
Username: Miloandbono
Post Number: 1124
Registered: 08-2009
| | Posted on Thursday, September 02, 2010 - 07:26 am: |
|
"What the f..k did the 4500 young Americans die for?
The same thing 100,000+ Iraqis died for...
The movie pegs it as political motivation. |
Super
Moderator
Username: Super
Post Number: 1696
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, September 02, 2010 - 02:46 am: |
|
Ivan -[Anybody who thinks Iraq was about WMDs is naive]
Tell that to George Bush and Colin Powell. |
Super
Moderator
Username: Super
Post Number: 1695
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 01, 2010 - 11:06 pm: |
|
Mumba Snake
A guy was visiting his friend in the hospital who was "all torn up." "What happened?" he asked.
"Well, we were hunting the Mumba snake. It has yellow and black stripes. It likes to sun itself lying across a pathway in the jungle. You catch it by grabbing the tip of its tail with one hand and quickly running your other hand up the length of its body so you can grab it behind the neck."
"Go on," the friend said.
"Well, I sneaked up to the tail laying across the jungle path, grabbed it by the end, and rapidly moved my other hand upward ... just as the procedure goes."
"So why are you so beaten up?" the friend asked.
"Did you ever *goose* a tiger?" |
Public_heel
Moderator
Username: Public_heel
Post Number: 12360
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 01, 2010 - 10:38 pm: |
|
Afghanistan will probably be much worse. Iraq was an unnecessary war that we "won". Afghanistan is likely to become a necessary war that we lost... |
Tychobrahe
Registered Member
Username: Tychobrahe
Post Number: 7656
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 01, 2010 - 10:32 pm: |
|
How do we convince the troops and the families of those serving in Afghanistan that Afghanistan isn't just another oops, gee, I guess that was a mistake? |
Public_heel
Moderator
Username: Public_heel
Post Number: 12359
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 01, 2010 - 10:30 pm: |
|
What the f..k did the 4500 young Americans die for?
The same thing 100,000+ Iraqis died for... |
Tychobrahe
Registered Member
Username: Tychobrahe
Post Number: 7655
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 01, 2010 - 10:23 pm: |
|
OK, so it wasn't about WMD and it wasn't about oil and it wasn't about 9/11.
What the f..k did the 4500 young Americans die for? |
Miloandbono
Registered Member
Username: Miloandbono
Post Number: 1122
Registered: 08-2009
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 01, 2010 - 09:27 pm: |
|
There's a newer movie called "Green Zone" about the WMD topic. I thought it was good. It's a mainsteam type movie, not revolutionary by any means but I thought it was enjoyable. |
Public_heel
Moderator
Username: Public_heel
Post Number: 12357
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 01, 2010 - 08:28 pm: |
|
Anybody who thinks Iraq was about WMDs is more naive than I'd expect here.
Agreed. So is anyone who thinks it was about oil. |
Ivan
Registered Member
Username: Ivan
Post Number: 2933
Registered: 07-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 01, 2010 - 08:26 pm: |
|
Anybody who thinks Iraq was about WMDs is more naive than I'd expect here. |
Super
Moderator
Username: Super
Post Number: 1694
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 01, 2010 - 08:22 pm: |
|
I thought it was established that we went to war in Iraq by mistake. There were no WMD's to be found.
Even if one accepts that Saddam was enough of an asshole to justify going to war just to have the privilege of hanging him, once that was done we should have left immediately and not looked back. |
Public_heel
Moderator
Username: Public_heel
Post Number: 12356
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 01, 2010 - 05:08 pm: |
|
What's to talk about? Are they actually two sides to that topic? |
Tychobrahe
Registered Member
Username: Tychobrahe
Post Number: 7654
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 01, 2010 - 04:18 pm: |
|
They're talking about it everywhere else, even here in Bridgeport, so what the heck . . .
Was Iraq worth it?
I'm firmly on the "no" side. It wasn't worth 4500 American lives, countless more grievously injured for life, tens of thousands of innocent Iraqis dead or maimed, and a trillion dollars.
Attacking Iraq also took our eye off the ball in Afghanistan. As General Zinni said, "We had them in Afghanistan. Then we gave them a gift. We went to Iraq." It looks like we'll be paying the price for that for years to come.
So I vote 'no'. It wasn't "worth it". |
Tychobrahe
Registered Member
Username: Tychobrahe
Post Number: 7653
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 01, 2010 - 11:22 am: |
|
Just because I'm not encountering any Zulu women on the road or seeing Aborigines sitting around gas stations or buying insurance from the police chief's brother-in-law in Belize, that doesn't mean I'm not radical. I'm eating my Cheerios right now with an apple instead of a banana. |
Public_heel
Moderator
Username: Public_heel
Post Number: 12350
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 01, 2010 - 10:42 am: |
|
Gee, Tycho, I thought you might actually have left California. I don't want you to do anything too radical, now... |
Tychobrahe
Registered Member
Username: Tychobrahe
Post Number: 7652
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 01, 2010 - 10:16 am: |
|
Yep . . . Bridgeport, California.
I was here in 1963, at the Marine Corps Mountain Training Center that's about 20 miles away. Until a few years ago, the Bridgeport Inn was owned by a Marine. He had both the American Flag and the Marine Corps Flag outside.
I looked around for the "White Lady" but I didn't see her.
It isn't really very crowded here. Oh, there are people around, but not as much activity as you might think. I think the economy really is having an effect of the tourism business. Also, school is back in session in much of California.
How 'bout that SDRL! Thanks, K/N!  |
Super
Moderator
Username: Super
Post Number: 1693
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 31, 2010 - 11:59 pm: |
|
Bridgeport is on the east side of Yosemite and on 395 which goes to Vegas. Methinks Tycho is on a road trip. |
Public_heel
Moderator
Username: Public_heel
Post Number: 12345
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 31, 2010 - 02:46 pm: |
|
Ah, just up the road from one of my favorite place names, Lee Vining. Beautiful country, but must be kinda crowded right now... |
Bodega_bill
Registered Member
Username: Bodega_bill
Post Number: 829
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 31, 2010 - 01:49 pm: |
|
I think it's in Ca. Bridgeport is the seat of Mono County Ca.
 |
Public_heel
Moderator
Username: Public_heel
Post Number: 12337
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 31, 2010 - 12:28 pm: |
|
You're in Connecticut? |
Tychobrahe
Registered Member
Username: Tychobrahe
Post Number: 7651
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 31, 2010 - 11:37 am: |
|
Posting from here this morning:
 |
Super
Moderator
Username: Super
Post Number: 1691
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Monday, August 30, 2010 - 03:31 am: |
|
A video showing planets and known asteroids orbiting, with progressively more asteroids shown as new ones are discovered. Pretty cool.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_d-gs0WoUw |
Tychobrahe
Registered Member
Username: Tychobrahe
Post Number: 7649
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Friday, August 27, 2010 - 02:36 pm: |
|
Ah, yes, Siddhartha! That was a long time ago!
What about Hesse's Beneath The Wheel?
Bill, Has your daughter read Catcher in the Rye? Franny and Zooey is pretty good too. I bet she'd like both. JD just died recently. It's said that he wrote a lot of stuff that he resolved would not be published until after his death. It will be interesting to see what they find and publish.
(Message edited by tychobrahe on August 27, 2010) |
Super
Moderator
Username: Super
Post Number: 1685
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Friday, August 27, 2010 - 01:15 pm: |
|
How to tell if you are Mom's favorite |
Bodega_bill
Registered Member
Username: Bodega_bill
Post Number: 828
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Friday, August 27, 2010 - 12:54 pm: |
|
Ivan,
I just recently had a conversation with my teenage daughter about Siddhartha by Hesse, she is an avid reader and I told here about some of my favorites from years ago. I might just read it again soon. |
Ivan
Registered Member
Username: Ivan
Post Number: 2924
Registered: 07-2004
| | Posted on Friday, August 27, 2010 - 12:11 pm: |
|
Bodega - Painted Bird
That one greatly affected me when I read it in my late teens. Also Siddhartha (Herman Hesse) around the same time. |
