From Russia with Hate

“What are your thoughts on the poisoning of the Russian defector who died in Great Britain? Reuters reports that polonium 210, some type of radioactive material, was found in his body:
http://today.reuters.com/news/articlenews.aspx?type=topNews&storyid=2006-11-24T153402Z_01_L23515828_RTRUKOC_0_US-BRITAIN-POISONING.xml&src=rss&rpc=22

Also, according to Breitbart.com via Drudge, Russia has started delivery of surface to air missiles to Iran, supposedly to be placed around their Russian built nuclear installations.

So while the ineffective UN scratches their head over what to do with Iran, Russia is building their nuclear facilities, giving them air defense systems and killing anyone who speaks out against Putin and the rest of his bunch.

It sounds like the post Soviet Russia is up to its old tricks.”

“Lies, lies... all lies I tell you!!!

How can you post such things about Bush's soulmate Vlad?


PRESIDENT PUTIN: ...Can we trust Russia? I'm not going to answer that. I could ask the very same question.

PRESIDENT BUSH: I will answer the question. I looked the man in the eye. I found him to be very straightforward and trustworthy. We had a very good dialogue. I was able to get a sense of his soul... I wouldn't have invited him to my ranch if I didn't trust him.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2001/06/20010618.html



Don't you ever contradict our Dear Leader again!
last edited: 11/24/06 11:56:50 AM”

“Well...it wouldn't be the first time Bush was wrong, would it?

But Bush's foibles aside, what's your take on Russia, and Russia's dealings with Iran?
last edited: 11/24/06 12:36:37 PM”

“Don't try to force V-man into a corner where he is found attacking a communist country. He might start biting and we don't want that now do we?”

“Every time the V-man snaps a loop down your leash when it hits your collar you all sit and start howling.”

“This is why the War on Terror is so dangerous.

As bad as Osama bin Laden is, he can't fundamentally threaten the United States.

Even if he got ahold of a nuclear bomb, he could only take out one city. The United States would survive.

We are faced by several very large challenges in the current moment. China is growing in power and influence. Russia seems to be getting its act together in a way not beneficial to U.S. interests.

The WOT takes our focus from the true challenges of our time.

This morning, I heard a conservative writer on CSPAN suggest that students in schools start studying Arabic.

I disagree. Our students should study Mandarin and Russian.”

“But I guess the upside is that Condo Rice suddenly becomes relevant. She must be excited.”

“As bad as Osama bin Laden is, he can't fundamentally threaten the United States.

As bad as Osama bin Laden is, he can't fundamentally threaten the United States.

Even if he got ahold of a nuclear bomb, he could only take out one city. The United States would survive.




Wow. Where to start ...”

“so, trail runners or full boots? i prefer trail runners. theyre lightweight, comfortable, and oh so trendy. thoughts?”

“troll!”

“oh im sorry. i thought this was where the interesting ppl were. my bad”

“I too prefer trail runners. But whether they are boots or trail runners the only brand that seems to like my feet are a very cheep brand and they really don't last long as far as trail footwear goes.”

“As usual, there's no "right or wrong"! Depends upon the terrain. Trail runners are lighter and can be pretty comfy, but... if you spend a lot of time hiking across rocky, uneven, scrabble-filled areas I really like the extra ankle support a full hiking boot affords me. Esp. solo, last thing I want to do is end up twisting the &^#$# out of an ankle miles from any help!
last edited: 11/24/06 4:51:04 PM”

“i think trail runners are fine for rugged surfaces, as they give you more agility than a full boot. however, the downside is that they are not as durable, and need to be replaced sooner”

“trail runners are fine in the midwest, boots are WAY over kill around here.”

“Hey Crash, you ever hiked acoss scrabble-fields of granite in the Sierra? You might change your mind about Trail Runners.

Everything has it's place.. I like Trail Runners sometimes, but sometimes they just aren't adequate.”

“no, but ive done the AT, which is reportedly more rugged than any of the trails out west. of course, if youre going off trail, thats a different story. i have done the hermit trail in the grand canyon, that is very much like being off-trail”

“btw, 2 more AT trailjournal entries coming in a few minutes”

“shessh crash, its been like YEARS.

wanderer is right. You NEED boots for the sierra.

The boots I brought with me from CA, which were perfect in the Sierra havent seen the light of day here at all.”

“i think all those nicely graded and switchbacked western trails have made you guys soft!

;-)”

“altho, i might have enjoyed the hiking in PA a little more if i had some actual ankle stability. the trail is full of nothing but ankle twisters”

“Crash, it's very obvious you've never been out here, I think you'd really like it a lot... dramatically different from what you're used to. When you gonna' do a Western Road trip?”

“maybe next year”

“actually, i have been out west a few times: the grand canyon, the rockies on 3 occasions, and the black hills. and anyone who thinks the east has only piddly little hills has never done the whites in new hampshire. genuine alpine-style mountains without the oxygen-debt”

“fuh! CB, it aint a mountain if it's not at least 10,000 feet ;)”

“Crash, my friend, I believe you're trying to compare apples to oranges to pineapples.

I love all the places you mentioned, I've been blessed to have been able to live & hike all over the country, the East, Midwest & West... they each have something to offer that is unique and specific only to that geography. Yes, the Rockies are nice, and almost anywhere in the East in the fall is great, and I think the Whites are simply gorgeous.

But there's a majesty to the high Sierra that those place just can't compare to.

Here are just a couple little "cut & paste" things I found when I tried to find some comparisons for you...


The Appalachian Trail, known simply as the "A.T." among those who hike on it, is a 2174.6-mile-long scenic mountaintop footpath (I didn’t call t a footpath, they did!)

(This is from GORP) - The Pacific Crest is the Appalachian Trail's rugged, loner sister. Designated at the same time as the AT, the Pacific Crest crosses more challenging terrain at higher altitudes—through the Sonoran and Mojave deserts then over the spectacular shoulders Sierra Nevada and Cascade mountain ranges from Mexico to Canada. It can be days between water sources in the tough Sonoran and Mojave deserts. In the high Sierra the trail crosses wilderness unbroken by roads for 200 miles. Then through the Cascade Range of northern California, Oregon and Washington, the trail explores a string of wildernesses in volcanic landscape. Trail thru-hikers find themselves racing to beat the winter storms as they near the Canadian border.

The White Mountain National Forest (WMNF) covers the majority of the region, encompassing 48 4000'ers, five National Wilderness Areas (Pemigewasset, Presidential/Dry River, Great Gulf, Sandwich Range and Caribou-Speckled Mountain), and lots of other stuff to enjoy.

Personally, my favorite places to hike are Alaska & Hawaii, but I'll take any of the above anyime I get the chance!”

“oh, im not arguing the AT is more difficult than the PCT. everything ive heard and read indicates thru-hiking the pct is more difficult than thru-hiking the AT, due to its remoteness and other logistical difficulties. but we were just discussing the actual physical trail itself, not hiking it. what ive heard indicates that the AT is a more rugged and steeper trail, while the pct is longer, more remote, higher altitude, more treachorous, drier, etc”

“Stormy, you are just scared of the PCT ;)”

“am not. when i get a chance, i want to do a thru of the jmt, as well as the colorado trail, the long trail, and the new england at”

“Not the PCT? I thought it wasn't as rugged or as steep (LOL) as what you were used to?”

“sorry. i only got enough time and resources for one half to three quarter-year hiking commitment in my lifetime”

“Lucky you! I feel thankful when I can pull off a 1 week trip anymore!”

“yea, i was lucky”

“So far I've learned that "Letsgogetkrunkdawg" thinks Violin snapped a leash on moonglo, reformed lurker thinks Russia and China should not be overlooked, and crash bang, wanderer, and spirit coyote aren't informed enough to understand or discuss the topic; therefore they behave like morons and try to stop what could otherwise be an interesting topic.

Reformed lurker you bring up some interesting points. I think the WOT started out good going into Afhganistan, but Iraq is obviously proving to be a mistake. That doesn't mean we should not declare war on terrorists, just that we should evaluate who our efforts should be focused on. As far as learning Arabic, Russian, or Mandarin, I say we keep speaking English and concentrate on making sure we counter the threats posed by hostile countries.
last edited: 11/24/06 9:05:31 PM”

“Stick: I don't know what to think. There is a lot that looks ominous here. I was really paranoid about Putin when he first came to power. I even wondered if he faked the big bombing by Chechen rebels that justified his new assault on Chechnya. Later I thought I was being too paranoid - now I really don't know. I wouldn't put the assasination past him given his history. I wouldn't put the sale of missles to Iran past him. He seems like an extreme opportunist with very ambitious designs and it appears he sees some opportunities. I'm interested in learning more and hearing more.

On the other hand, it's sad how when Violin brings up facts and evidence those who disagree with the thrust of what he's getting at just bash him. Few arguments here, just contradiction and insult.”

“crash bang, wanderer, and spirit coyote aren't informed enough to understand or discuss the topic; therefore they behave like morons and try to stop what could otherwise be an interesting topic.

no, i just thought it would be funny to see who would piss their panties over having their precious fuegthread degenerated. hell, even soorge knew what spirit to take it in. you dont wanna be a bigger stick in the mud than he is, do you?”

“I'm all for fun and games, and I sat by and watched for 4 hours while I worked around the house, but good Lord, I think we got the point after 23 posts. It's not like I'm some new guy coming in and stirring up #&%!$ or something.

Ped--
I don't mind V. bringing up facts and evidence. Facts are the same no matter what political beliefs one holds.
As for Putin and his agenda, the sale of the missiles was reported by itar tass itself, so that's pretty much established. The assassination story is pretty interesting though, because you don't hear of that kind of thing a whole lot now that the cold war is supposed to be over. I'm sure it happens, but it's just not in the news that often. Plus, would Putin kill a man just because he doesn't agree with him, or is there something else involved? I'm sure this isn't the first person to speak out against Putin. I haven't seen yet where the victim had sold or given any of Russia's secrets to the British, so what was the real motive?”

“Good questions stick. I didn't see you as ignoring V's facts. You acknowledged 'em and said what else do you have.”

“So far I've learned that "Letsgogetkrunkdawg" thinks Violin snapped a leash on moonglo

Thanks for telling me. The reason I have him on ignore is he's more interested in talking about me than the subject at hand. Looks like he hasn't changed.”

“On the other hand, it's sad how when Violin brings up facts and evidence those who disagree with the thrust of what he's getting at just bash him. Few arguments here, just contradiction and insult.” - pedxing

No, what is sad is you don't "get" what the problem is with his posts, probably because you do the exact same thing.

I'll spell it out for you ...

The problem with his (and your) posts is that you guys bite your tongue when somebody from a communist or socialist country is clearly in the wrong or clearly a bad guy UNTIL President Bush sides with them, even if it's only to be diplomatic.

You guys are both EXTREMELY quick to bash the United States, but you're strangely quiet when these guys/countries are in the wrong UNTIL you see an opportunity to say the republicans side with them.

And what's worse (as if that wasn't hypocritical enough), you cry out all the time for Bush to be more diplomatic in the world and to work with these guys UNTIL something bad happens like the murder of a "good" ex-KGB guy, then you're pointing fingers at them for being diplomatic to them (Putin).

What's sad is that you both clearly try to walk the thin line of trying to appear objective, but as soon as the opportunity presents itself, you jump ship for just enough time to point fingers, then when we look up, you're back on the line as if nothing happened.

You think we're too stupid to know the game you play pedxing, but you've been called out on it so many times - and each time you're like "What are you talking about?"

The joke is on you, and you're the punchline.



last edited: 11/25/06 6:11:25 AM”

“I prefer waffle stompers for politcal threads but for other types of hiking I prefer trail runners”

“i like pie”

“what kind of pie?”

“Moonglo - I never appointed myself referee or pretended I don't have a perspective. I've been very critical of Bush's enemies at times, and supportive of his friends when they made sense to me.

Bush did more than simply be diplomatic about Putin. Personally I'm more concerned with what Bush's policy towards Russia has been and I don't know enough to pass judgement. Still given that I keep seeing pictures of Kerry looking like a dork in that green suit long after the 2004 election, its hard to see Violin as being so out of line for qouting Bush's extraodinarily warm statement about Putin.”

“Knowing the US has been effectively neutered by it's own lefties, terror is back from all sides shouting loud and proud.”

“How has Bush been more than diplomatic about Putin, and when have you criticized him? Bush has been extremely critical of Russia the last three years. Did they not put that on ABC News?

I was criticizing Russia since before and throughout the Iraqi conflict. Where have you been?
last edited: 11/25/06 2:29:54 PM”

“Knowing the US has been effectively neutered by it's own lefties, terror is back from all sides shouting loud and proud.”
StoveStomper
3:11:38 PM
11/25/06

Its Bush and the neocons who have come close to neutering the US. If you hadn't noticed, they've been running things these past 6 years.”

“"I looked the man in the eye. I found him to be very straightforward and trustworthy. We had a very good dialogue. I was able to get a sense of his soul... I wouldn't have invited him to my ranch if I didn't trust him."

This is way more than diplomacy requires. It's way beyond, "We had a frank and useful exchange of opinions and I look forward to working with him. He represents a great and powerful nation and mutual cooperation is important for our two countries and for the world."

But I'm not going to bash Bush on Russia. I honestly haven't looked into our Russia policy enough to have clear opinion.”

“Here's the problem...

We are spending so much of our money and resources on Iraq that we have no viable force to use elsewhere.

Iraq is also first in line in terms of our diplomatic priorities.

This is why Russia can knock off its turncoats on the streets of London and Syria can assassinate its enemies in Lebanon.

They no longer fear us. And we have no means to stop them anymore.

So, Bush can talk tough, but his policies have left us completely exposed.”