Enjoy your weekend, everybody!

Mike in L.A.
www.valleycrossfit.com

im kinda new with the crossfit i just wanted to know what you post for each day is that all you should do for that day or should it be mixed in with another routine.. please email back thanks

Nolen #2 see the FAQ: http://www.crossfit.com/cf-info/faq.html#General4

or for even more info search the "Starting" Board.

No one religion can be any one thing. Islam is not ______(insert label here.) People who are Muslim can be violent antiamericans, patriotic americans, and everything in between and outside this dichotomy. My personal experience with Muslims confirms this fact. I have read the Quran extensively in Arabic and memorized many sections of it, and people who read it looking for justification of violence and anger will definitely find what they are looking for, as are people who are looking for love and peace. The same thing goes with the history of the Muslim world. Breathtaking conquests in the name of religion go hand in hand with unprecendented tolerance of Jews and Christians in Muslim-ruled societies (look up the history of Spain from 711 to 1492, and compare it to the history of Spain 1492 on.)

That said, it would be foolish to say that we don't have a serious, serious problem on our hands here. A lot of people talk of a clash of civilizations. I prefer to think of it as alienation of identities, with the potential for, but not inevitable outcome of a clash of civilizations. Muslims in Britain often identify more with their religious identity as Muslims than their national identity as British citizens. This is a problem. It is due both to Europe's alarming inability to assimilate them successfully both economically and socially, and their unwillingness to do so themselves. These two problems go hand in hand. Muslims in America tend to be much better assimilated, and still retain their religious identity. This is a main cause for the fact that we don't have to worry about domestic terrorism to the extent that Europe does.

I think that the main problem is two similar narratives in the West and in the Muslim world. In the Muslim world, it is a widespread belief that the West is at war with Islam. The Iraq invasion, Guantanamo Bay, Abu Ghraib, the U.S.'s policy towards Israel, the West's support of Shah Pahlavi, U.S. troops in Saudi Arabia, the Sykes-Picot agreement, the Balfour declaration, etc. are all attributed to a consistent pattern of the West attempting to destroy Islam. Similarly, in the West, many see Iran and Syria's current actions, Hamas, Hezbollah, Al Qaeda, the Iranian revolution and hostage crisis, and more as part of Islam's war on the West. The problem with these narratives is that as each sides actions confirm their counterpart's narrative, they worsen the divide between Islam and the West, and give further ammunition to the extremists to use as recruiting tools. The Iraq war has been a superb recruiting tool for Al Qaeda and other similar evil organizations. This is a problem.

I have been reading Bruce Hoffman's excellent book, Inside Terrorism, and I have noticed a pattern in terrorism. My example is specifically targetted at the U.S., but it also applies to most of the terrorism and insurgency case studies I have read about.

1. Islamic group attacks the West or Westerners with a terrorist attack.
2. People in West interpret it to mean that Islam as a whole is at war with the west, confirming their narrative.
3. The West responds harshly.
4. Muslims worldwide interpret this as further confirmation that the U.S. is at war with them.
5. Further alienation of Muslims from the West, more people sympathize with extremists, more people join extremist groups, and eventually, there are more terrorist attacks. The cycle continues until we have a full on clash of civilizations on our hands.

Note that I am not criticizing harsh action against terrorists. Once a terrorist act has been committed, it makes some sense to kill/arrest every related terrorist you can find, and those who fund them and supply them with weapons. It is certainly preferrable to doing what Spain did in its last elections following the March 2004 terrorist attack. My policy is you should convince as many people as you can, and kill/arrest everyone you can't. First ideological warfare, then actual warfare. Doing it backwards risks pitting you in a war against over a billion Muslims.

Our first and foremost policy must be preventing a 9/11, or something worse, from ever happening again. You stop step number 1, and steps 2-5 never have to happen. I am not convinced we are doing everything we can to prevent that from happening again. We don't have enough Arabic, Farsi, and Urdu speakers. FBI has 12 arabic-speaking agents, as of 2004 CIA had only 80 something Arabic speaking officers. We don't have enough CIA officers on the ground in the Muslim world. Prior to the invasion of Iraq we had no human intelligence in Iraq. That is unacceptable. You can't plan for a war if you don't have people on the ground who have a feel for what will happen upon invasion. Failing real human intel, we tend to rely on guys like Chalabi with lots of personal interests and biases and not a lot of recent experience on the streets of Baghadad. We don't have enough experts on the Muslim world working for the government.

I am scared to death of Pakistan. It is a nuclear armed country where Osama Bin Laden has a 65% approval rating and is controlled by a military dictatorship. One bullet in Musharraf's head and we have a big problem on our hands.

The bottom line is we must pay more attention to the threat of nuclear terrorism, we must stabilize Iraq no matter the short term cost, we must understand the ideology and strategy of our enemy better, and we need to make it clear that we are not fighting Islam, but Islamists. There is a huge difference.

The Hitchens article is excellent; read it. One-way cultural assimilation is equivalent to surrender in the face of not just Islamists, but also Dominionists (the Christian Taliban, those hard-core born-again types who call for the unification of church and state, imposition of God's law as parsed out of Leviticus, with highlights such as the execution of homosexuals and blasphemers).

The menace is not confined to Iraq or Iran, Pakistan or Saudi Arabia. We have as much to resist from fundamentalists of every stripe in our own Midwest as from the misguided and deranged ejecta of the Middle East. The price of freedom now as then is eternal vigilance.

Hitchens is an excellent writer.

#4 Russ
I must complement you on a very thorough analysis of the current problem. From an ideological perspective I think you have pegged the problem we face well. However there is one item that is often missed in the battle against terrorism, employment or lack thereof.
In europe it is a major contributer to the lack of assymilation of Muslim immigrants. As long as the immigrants dont have to buy into the system through employment and the countries continue to support them with welfare programs they have no motivation to assymilate and their anger can fester.
Lack of employment is also a major source of the violence in Iraq as many of us who have been there have seen. Otherwise good Iraqi's are enticed into the "insurgency" because they just need money. Many of them (Sunni) were supported by Saddam's gifts (read welfare) and did not need to work. However now if they want to survive they must work. But there is no work to be had, Iraq only has two major exports, oil and dates. Neither of which employ large segments of the population. In many places it is just far more lucrative to plant one IED than to go and find work. The Iraqi government with our (the west's) help must diversify and create more jobs.
The west must be willing to invest in many of these countries in unstable parts of the world. But how can you expect europe to invest in jobs for Muslims in indonesia or pakistan when they cant even invest in jobs for the Muslims in their own country.
For anyone engaged in terrorism or the genocide otherwise known as sectarian violence we should offer a bullet in the skull. To those who want to live their lives we must give options to make their lives better. We have done that in this country for the Muslims who have come here, but lets give them an opportunity over there.

Just out of curiosity, why is this evil and barbaric religion you speak of not including Christianity? For example, you keep talking about "people who want to find the excuse to murder and kill can find it in the Quran" but you make no distinction to the Bible.

Let me help you

You should not let a sorceress live. (Exodus 22:17 NAB)

Kill People Who Don't Listen to Priests

Anyone arrogant enough to reject the verdict of the judge or of the priest who represents the LORD your God must be put to death. Such evil must be purged from Israel. (Deuteronomy 17:12 NLT)

Kill Witches

You should not let a sorceress live. (Exodus 22:17 NAB)

Kill Homosexuals
"If a man lies with a male as with a women, both of them shall be put to death for their abominable deed; they have forfeited their lives." (Leviticus 20:13 NAB)

Kill Fortunetellers

A man or a woman who acts as a medium or fortuneteller shall be put to death by stoning; they have no one but themselves to blame for their death. (Leviticus 20:27 NAB)

Death for Hitting Dad

Whoever strikes his father or mother shall be put to death. (Exodus 21:15 NAB)

Death for Cursing Parents

1) If one curses his father or mother, his lamp will go out at the coming of darkness. (Proverbs 20:20 NAB)

2) All who curse their father or mother must be put to death. They are guilty of a capital offense. (Leviticus 20:9 NLT)

Death for Adultery

If a man commits adultery with another man's wife, both the man and the woman must be put to death. (Leviticus 20:10 NLT)

Death for Fornication

A priest's daughter who loses her honor by committing fornication and thereby dishonors her father also, shall be burned to death. (Leviticus 21:9 NAB)

Death to Followers of Other Religions

Whoever sacrifices to any god, except the Lord alone, shall be doomed. (Exodus 22:19 NAB)

Kill Nonbelievers

They entered into a covenant to seek the Lord, the God of their fathers, with all their heart and soul; and everyone who would not seek the Lord, the God of Israel, was to be put to death, whether small or great, whether man or woman. (2 Chronicles 15:12-13 NAB)

Kill False Prophets

If a man still prophesies, his parents, father and mother, shall say to him, "You shall not live, because you have spoken a lie in the name of the Lord." When he prophesies, his parents, father and mother, shall thrust him through. (Zechariah 13:3 NAB)

Kill the Entire Town if One Person Worships Another God

Suppose you hear in one of the towns the LORD your God is giving you that some worthless rabble among you have led their fellow citizens astray by encouraging them to worship foreign gods. In such cases, you must examine the facts carefully. If you find it is true and can prove that such a detestable act has occurred among you, you must attack that town and completely destroy all its inhabitants, as well as all the livestock. Then you must pile all the plunder in the middle of the street and burn it. Put the entire town to the torch as a burnt offering to the LORD your God. That town must remain a ruin forever; it may never be rebuilt. Keep none of the plunder that has been set apart for destruction. Then the LORD will turn from his fierce anger and be merciful to you. He will have compassion on you and make you a great nation, just as he solemnly promised your ancestors. "The LORD your God will be merciful only if you obey him and keep all the commands I am giving you today, doing what is pleasing to him." (Deuteronomy 13:13-19 NLT)

Kill Women Who Are Not Virgins On Their Wedding Night

But if this charge is true (that she wasn't a virgin on her wedding night), and evidence of the girls virginity is not found, they shall bring the girl to the entrance of her fathers house and there her townsman shall stone her to death, because she committed a crime against Israel by her unchasteness in her father's house. Thus shall you purge the evil from your midst. (Deuteronomy 22:20-21 NAB)

Kill Followers of Other Religions.

1) If your own full brother, or your son or daughter, or your beloved wife, or you intimate friend, entices you secretly to serve other gods, whom you and your fathers have not known, gods of any other nations, near at hand or far away, from one end of the earth to the other: do not yield to him or listen to him, nor look with pity upon him, to spare or shield him, but kill him. Your hand shall be the first raised to slay him; the rest of the people shall join in with you. You shall stone him to death, because he sought to lead you astray from the Lord, your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, that place of slavery. And all Israel, hearing of this, shall fear and never do such evil as this in your midst. (Deuteronomy 13:7-12 NAB)

2) Suppose a man or woman among you, in one of your towns that the LORD your God is giving you, has done evil in the sight of the LORD your God and has violated the covenant by serving other gods or by worshiping the sun, the moon, or any of the forces of heaven, which I have strictly forbidden. When you hear about it, investigate the matter thoroughly. If it is true that this detestable thing has been done in Israel, then that man or woman must be taken to the gates of the town and stoned to death. (Deuteronomy 17:2-5 NLT)

Death for Blasphemy

One day a man who had an Israelite mother and an Egyptian father got into a fight with one of the Israelite men. During the fight, this son of an Israelite woman blasphemed the LORD's name. So the man was brought to Moses for judgment. His mother's name was Shelomith. She was the daughter of Dibri of the tribe of Dan. They put the man in custody until the LORD's will in the matter should become clear. Then the LORD said to Moses, "Take the blasphemer outside the camp, and tell all those who heard him to lay their hands on his head. Then let the entire community stone him to death. Say to the people of Israel: Those who blaspheme God will suffer the consequences of their guilt and be punished. Anyone who blasphemes the LORD's name must be stoned to death by the whole community of Israel. Any Israelite or foreigner among you who blasphemes the LORD's name will surely die. (Leviticus 24:10-16 NLT)

Kill False Prophets

1) Suppose there are prophets among you, or those who have dreams about the future, and they promise you signs or miracles, and the predicted signs or miracles take place. If the prophets then say, 'Come, let us worship the gods of foreign nations,' do not listen to them. The LORD your God is testing you to see if you love him with all your heart and soul. Serve only the LORD your God and fear him alone. Obey his commands, listen to his voice, and cling to him. The false prophets or dreamers who try to lead you astray must be put to death, for they encourage rebellion against the LORD your God, who brought you out of slavery in the land of Egypt. Since they try to keep you from following the LORD your God, you must execute them to remove the evil from among you. (Deuteronomy 13:1-5 NLT)

2) But any prophet who claims to give a message from another god or who falsely claims to speak for me must die.' You may wonder, 'How will we know whether the prophecy is from the LORD or not?' If the prophet predicts something in the LORD's name and it does not happen, the LORD did not give the message. That prophet has spoken on his own and need not be feared. (Deuteronomy 18:20-22 NLT)

Infidels and Gays Should Die

So God let them go ahead and do whatever shameful things their hearts desired. As a result, they did vile and degrading things with each other's bodies. Instead of believing what they knew was the truth about God, they deliberately chose to believe lies. So they worshiped the things God made but not the Creator himself, who is to be praised forever. Amen. That is why God abandoned them to their shameful desires. Even the women turned against the natural way to have sex and instead indulged in sex with each other. And the men, instead of having normal sexual relationships with women, burned with lust for each other. Men did shameful things with other men and, as a result, suffered within themselves the penalty they so richly deserved. When they refused to acknowledge God, he abandoned them to their evil minds and let them do things that should never be done. Their lives became full of every kind of wickedness, sin, greed, hate, envy, murder, fighting, deception, malicious behavior, and gossip. They are backstabbers, haters of God, insolent, proud, and boastful. They are forever inventing new ways of sinning and are disobedient to their parents. They refuse to understand, break their promises, and are heartless and unforgiving. They are fully aware of God's death penalty for those who do these things, yet they go right ahead and do them anyway. And, worse yet, they encourage others to do them, too. (Romans 1:24-32 NLT)

Kill Anyone who Approaches the Tabernacle

For the LORD had said to Moses, 'Exempt the tribe of Levi from the census; do not include them when you count the rest of the Israelites. You must put the Levites in charge of the Tabernacle of the Covenant, along with its furnishings and equipment. They must carry the Tabernacle and its equipment as you travel, and they must care for it and camp around it. Whenever the Tabernacle is moved, the Levites will take it down and set it up again. Anyone else who goes too near the Tabernacle will be executed.' (Numbers 1:48-51 NLT)

Kill People for Working on the Sabbath

The LORD then gave these further instructions to Moses: 'Tell the people of Israel to keep my Sabbath day, for the Sabbath is a sign of the covenant between me and you forever. It helps you to remember that I am the LORD, who makes you holy. Yes, keep the Sabbath day, for it is holy. Anyone who desecrates it must die; anyone who works on that day will be cut off from the community. Work six days only, but the seventh day must be a day of total rest. I repeat: Because the LORD considers it a holy day, anyone who works on the Sabbath must be put to death.' (Exodus 31:12-15 NLT)

Let me tell you a little story. Back in the 60's I was living in the US when segregation for African-Americans was part of everyday life. So many people were intolerant of them and called them "colored people sent from the devil" and screamed out things like "Jesus hates negroes"

People just like yourself protested the stance against these people and wanted them out of the country. Keep in mind, these so-called Christians killed more African Americans than terrorists have killed US americans.

The bible tells you to "not judge as you would be judged" but it's apparent to me that once you take your own book out of the equation and sin against it, you just become lost in oblivion.

Good day
- Stevie

Uh, there's an upside down car in the background. Anybody?

Hitchens restates some points Ive held for a long time. 1. Secular and non extremist Muslims do not/will not deny the the extremists. 2. many muslims belive France and other parts of europe to be under or coming under muslim control. "we've already conquered France and they don't even know it" said one of our translators. (it's the "we" in the sentence that gives me pause) 3. we're financing a lot of this nonsense with our oil and opium dollars.
Our laws and inate sense of fairness are seen as weaknesses and tools to be used against us. The simple solutions are brutal and unacceptable. I.E. nuclear decapitation of Iran BEFORE their arsenl is operational. Halting imigration from muslim countries combined with a vigorous deportation program is less extreme but I'm guessing it wont find an audience in the U.S. until after we've had a nuclear device detonated in a population center. Russia is rumoured to had had outstanding success in Chechnya as a result of "pigging" the bodies of rebels. The Beslan school masacre after the Moscow theater incident pushed them over the edge. Now they're willing to do pretty much whatever it takes. The true religious zealot doesnt relish the prospect of being denied paradise and spending eternity in an unmarked grave with a pile of pig guts. It's all superstition to me but if it works? (listen for the atheist libs howling over that one) I predict a return to the popularity of citizen militias in the U.S. as people lose confidence in the governments ablilty and willingness to protect them.
I also believe that absent the prospect of easy colinization, the islamofacists will turn their attention to softer targets. My observation is that the rank and file aren't nearly as willing to face death as some would have you believe. K-

#6, I was wondering about that myself. Was parking there that bad?

maybe instead of tires, it was tabata car flips. :)

Comment #6 "Uh, there's an upside down car in the background. Anybody?"

Haha, that must have been one hell of a WOD!

#4: Very insightful...I'm also very interested in this subject (as I'm sure many on this site are) and I find your comments very well grounded and thoughtful, which is a breath of fresh air in some respects. I might not agree with every one of your interpretations of what we should do, but I agree wholeheartedly with your well-informed diagnosis of the issue we face.

#6/8:
possible new WOD - for time:
Move a tireless, gasless sedan 1 mile

THINGS TO FEAR, IN ASCENDING INTENSITY

Upside-down car? Pshaw.

Yellow police tape wrapped around everything in background (collapsed bodies? dehydrated from Tabata thrusters? vulture-pecked OHS-corpses rotting in the sun?)

Nicole (as instructor) is in the foreground, not smiling this time.

I'm not sure which generates more consternation in me.

Why are you posting anti-Islamic drivel on this site? Isn't this supposed to be about exercise? Far right Christian and Zionist extremists are as responsible for pain and suffering in Lebanon, Palestine, Gaza and the prisons of torture in Abu Gharab, Romania, Guantanamo, Iraq and CIA scattered throughout Eastern Europe.

Mohammed was a Prophet, just as was Moses and others. Mary, mother of Jesus, is mentioned 3 times more in the Koran than in the Bible. Stop this painting of Islam as an evil religion. Spend some time reading Rumi, the greatest poet of God, who was a Sufi. Islam has had transcendent holy men, just as all religions. I am not Islamic, nor Christian, nor Jewish, but follow the Native American spiritual path. Why don't you read some of the hard facts about Iraq, Lebanon, Palestine, and Gaza found throughout the Internet, especially Information Clearing House. Or George Galloway on YouTube. We have caused untold suffering in Iraq. From over 120 hospitals preoccupation to 12 now, all underequipped. 70% of Iraqis without clean water. And the abuse of Palestine and Lebanon by Israel for decades, while Israel claims victimhood. Or read about or talk to injured US veterans of Iraq who are going without medical care.

#6
I think it's a firefighter training base.

#13
About not having to discuss politics in a "fitness site" i disagree.
The people behind this training system and this site may have their opinion regarding the situation in Iraq like everybody else. And they are not forcing opinion on others, just inviting others to discuss, including you.
It's called, let me remember ... oh ya, freedom of speech.
There are a lot of bb sites with lots of boobs instead of anti-islamist drivel. I prefer to be here, where men are still men.

8,9,10 could be Lauren has stumbled on to the "miricale exercise" When I was acting 1stSGT of a cavalry recon troop I invented "humvee drills". Inspired by and modeled after SEAL boat drills. The miracle part was that we never had to do them. Anything in my AO that needed improving would get better at the mere mention of Humvee drills. ;-) K-

Kman, Russ, Dave, excellent posts. I like the whole article but the author's conclusions are just spot on. Very impressive article, and I'm not just saying that because I have previously articulated some of the same ideas before reading the piece.

Jeffrey, sounds to me like you didn't read the article. BTW, if your skin is so thin, go somewhere else on rest days - which isn't to say that I disagree with your assessment of Islam. It can provide an excellent path to the divine for those so inclined.

I look forward to Kate and the rest chiming in, they always have something to add.

Camp Vict Xfit is glad for the rest day, tweaked my back doing careless cleans. Aswab

I was always told that squating to a box can cause damage to your spine. I guess for demonstration...without weight...its no harm.

Whats everybody's thought on this...I know a lot of people do it...but I just assume they are trying to look intelligent.

#6,
The place is a fire department training facility, so the car is obviously a training prop, probably for the vehicle extrication people. In the bad accidents, people are not just pulled out the car. There are all kinds of ways they can be wedged in there what with the seats, steering wheel, dash panel, roof, and other structural parts that can wrap around them. It is no simple matter to quickly assess the situation and start snipping and bending the metal as needed to get them out of there safely and intact. Then of course, in the real world, there are problems with enough lighting and the vehicle location upside down in a steep ravine, in water, or in thick vegetation, onlookers, multiple vehicles stuck together etc.

#18- Thanks apolloswabbie! I still have to finish reading the article, started it last night. But first I have a meeting to attend. Stay safe.

I agree with what epsa #16 said. I always like to read the articles that Coach or Lauren picks for us. Even if I don't agree with the sentiments in the article I like to see the different view points being presented.

By the way, from that last 3 days I am now as sore as I was when I started a year ago! I'll have some asprin with a side of asprin, please.

Kate

Before I read the article and post my comments about it, I just wanted to say something to you all.

I have only been doing the WODs for a couple of months. I have been religiously visiting this site everytime I go online through the course of the day and reading posts/messages.
I realized the other day, when the video of Nicole was posted and the response that everyone had, that I have truly fallen in love with this community and philosophy.

I know that there are many disagreements as rest days prove out, for some reason though I do not think that there is any anger involved and that as soon as the 3 day WOD cycle starts, all is forgotten. At least it is for me.

Thanks to you all for adding some color to my life. I noticed the other day that as I get healthier, relatively of course, my views on things are changing. For instance, I notice that my taste in what I consider attractive is changing and I seem to be more aware of the little things going around me.

Just an appreciation post. Now I will go read the article and post my thoughts if I feel it necessary.

Thanks again everyone!

#7: try formulating an actual argument or opinion, rather than asking a silly question and then copy-and-pasting hordes of nonsense from another site. Name some acts of terrorism committed in the name of Jesus. I am not a Christian, but I believe your point lacks proper evidence and support.

Stevie, I don't know where I called Islam evil and barbaric, nor where I denied that other major religions have their problems as well. Perhaps you can help me out. I am convinced that interpretation is the most important aspect of religion, so that from the premises that the Torah/Bible/Quran contains violent sections or that Jews/Christians/Muslims have committed atrocities in the name of God, it does not follow that Judaism/Christianity/Islam is a violent religion. People who believe in them can be violent, but the religion as a whole can not be pegged down as one thing. Look at all of the various interpretations of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam for example: Reform vs. Orthodox, Evangelical vs. Catholic, Sufi vs. Wahhabi, to name just a few of the many groups within the major Abrahamic religions.

Jeffrey Walker, are you convinced that fanatic Islamists who are willing to die for their cause are not a threat to the stability of the world? Or do you simply think that their violence is legitimate? If you do think it is a problem, what do you think we should do about it? I am curious to hear your suggestions. Why is it so offensive to you to admit that there is a problem, and therefore discuss ways to deal with it? If you have a valid reason, feel free to avert your eyes from the comments section. No one's making you read this right now. If I were you, and I could put together a cogent argument against the Hitchens article or against the posts in this thread, I would jump at the opportunity to point out all of the flaws in the "Anti-Islamic" arguments and to put forth a more realistic opinion of my own. You might end up convincing people.

#9 kman
"many muslims belive France and other parts of europe to be under or coming under muslim control. "we've already conquered France and they don't even know it" said one of our translators. (it's the "we" in the sentence that gives me pause)"

Let me ask you this: have Hispanics "conquered" the southern States? Is California under or coming under Mexican "control," and if so, should we be worried?

The reason I ask is that the notion of Muslim control over France, for example, can't be taken very seriously. The only control any identifiably Muslim population has, unfortunately, is over the drug trade and petty crime in a few destitute, ghettoized suburbs. And even there, it has much more to do with rampant unemployment than Jihad.

France faces many challenges in integrating its North-African immigrants, and cultural differences --including Islam-- are indeed part of the problem. But the "Muslim invasion of Europe" is merely a slogan repeated by deluded men grasping for a sense of shared identity and power on the world stage.

If and when Africa and the Middle East get a taste of freedom and development, most of these tensions will subside naturally. Unfortunately, there's no simple way to help them get there.

PainStorm XX (one round through)

30kg bar/16kg kbell/25kg strict press

Total - 390 (110/122/75/83)

feck...

Quote of the day:

"people who read it looking for justification of violence and anger will definitely find what they are looking for, as are people who are looking for love and peace."

applies to any religious doctrine...thank you russ

#26,

As far as I know, there are no Hispanic areas of California or any where else in the US where the police are afraid to patrol. Compare this to the situation in France that preceeded the recent car burnings (Muslims immigrants insisted that they be the only law within their neighborhoods, and following these riots, they have gotten their way.)

I am also unaware of any incidents where Hispanics threatened anyone with death for drawing and/or publishing cartoons. I think there is a differnce between a country having a large presence of any one group of immigrants (e.g., Hispanics in California) and an immigrant group imposing its will on the majority.

re:upside down car.
The picture must be from the most recent Certification at the Fire training facility.

I'm all for free speech, believe me. And discussions are fantastic. Which side of this debate I'm on is, ultimately, an individual matter.

But the problem I have with the repeated references to what most would consider "right-wing" ideologies is that CrossFit (the system) is being associated, in my mind at least, with the ideologies, rather than standing apart as the system it is.

I love CrossFit. It's the best fitness system I've ever seen, bar none, and I've been in the game for over twenty years.

But because of the repeated association with these ideologies, I find myself reticent to share CrossFit with others, because I don't support the ideology that I assume the founders are in support of.

It's my issue, I understand — but it's a conundrum for me. I have a dream and a goal to start a CrossFit affiliate facility some day... but this issue just may keep me from it.

However, I am committed to walking through this issue, because I love CrossFit, and I want to feel free to share it again.

I just wonder if there would be wisdom in separating "church and state", if you know what I mean. Something to think about.

i was wondering if their is a video on excercises for muscle up development. i remeber seeing a pic in the beginning of the month but was looking for a video. anybody have a link? thanks

Very interesting discussion. I have only a brief observation to add. Dogma kills brain cells. The results are obvious when considering the actions of religious fanatics.

So.. that said, save us from the fanatics and pass the Kool-aid.

IIRC many of the animals in the Muslim enclaves in the US were beyond ecstatic watching the WTC towers come down, dancing in the streets with that dumb lalalal thing they do. That should have been the last straw. Round them up en masse and provide air express delivery back to the hellholes they come from, except the air transports do not land, the bottoms open up and we dump them at 35,000 feet. It will be better that we do this now rather than put the burden on our children to do it since this is the inevitable reality.

#7 Stevie K--

Are you serious? Have you ever heard of a little thing called context? Here's a very brief Bible lesson. Every one of the quotes you recited were from (or referring to) what's called the Old Testament Law when the Israelites were the only chosen people of God and were required to live by very rigid standards. These have absolutely nothing to do with what is called the Age of Grace which includes everything from the time of Christ until now. This age, as taught primarily in the New Testament books of the Bible, teaches us to try to live without sinning but that sin can be forgiven (ie. grace). Jesus never instructed his disciples (or us) to kill anyone. You are only embarrassing yourself when you post such uneducated blather.

I do not believe in the Quran, although I respect my fellow Americans that do peacefully. However, simple apologetics would clearly show that there are only two possibilities for the radical interpretation taken by these dangerous Islamists (or whatever you want to call them). Either they interpret the Quran as it was intended and the majority of the peaceful worshipers are living a lie in which case true Islam and the Quran are a threat to all those who do not believe it. Or this growing minority has misinterpreted the Quran and should be handled as the terrorists that they are. Either way, like the Bible, the Quran claims to be the one and only true way to live and is either right or wrong. It is not a collection of good ideas or suggestions. True Muslims and Christians believe that each person either knows and lives according to the truth or is lost and needs so be converted/saved. It's a matter of which truth you believe, and more importantly which truth is actually right. Whether it is one of these two or any other. The difference is these extremests resort to terrorism to convert or kill the non-believers.

Regardless, I've never seen any of the postings here say that all Muslims are terrorists. Why do the liberal posters keep saying this? That's almost as ridiculous as your claim that Christian's have "killed more African Americans than terrorists have killed US americans". Those that murdered so many innocent African Americans in the 1960's were just that...murderers. It should not surprise you that they were also uneducated, confused liars that claimed to be Christians in an attempt to lend credibility to their cause. Their words and actions were not Christian by any stretch of the imagination. Nor were the actions of the crusaders or others who acted out atrocities in the name of Christ.

I respect your right to a contrary opinion, but you're gonna have to bring it stronger than that to actually make a valid point here.

Off the subject, has anyone seen the new James Bond Casino Royale? The early (Parkour) chase seen is rad. After he captures the bad guy after about a good CrossFit 20min he suddenly stands up and has his mouth closed, not breathing hard at all. I suspect I know his workout regimen...CF!

#31, Adam,

"But the problem I have with the repeated references to what most would consider "right-wing" ideologies is that CrossFit (the system) is being associated, in my mind at least, with the ideologies, rather than standing apart as the system it is."

Are the "repeated references" you refer to those of the commentors or of the posted articles? In today's article, for example, there were plenty of references to people from the Left who are questioning whether they can continue to accept the growing threat to their own liberties.

Is it right-wing to seek to preserve the liberal ideal? Because that is what I think we are arguing about in general. How best can the Western World preserve itself?

To me, I find it hardly surprising that those who are willing to work and sweat to preserve their health also spend a great deal of time thinking about how to preserve their safety and freedom.

In general, the liberal ideal for dealing with speech that the listener finds unpleasant is to either rebut the speaker or walk away (i.e, not read the articles and not read the comments), not to urge the speaker to be remain silent.

#24 there is a wiki entry on Christian terrorists.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_terrorism

#13 Jeffrey - How dare you bring up the atrocities that we commit? Don't you realize, we can do anything we like, to anyone we like? We're the U S A for pete's sake! We're better than everyone else!

If we need to kill people to force our ideology down their throats, so be it. Even more so, they should just lie down and take it - how dare they try and do the same to us??!! The nerve of some people!!

That's the Red State, Middle America mentaility you are dealing with when it comes to the rest-day crowd. Enjoy!

#31 Adam, I feel the same way. Point them towards other GPP related training. Crossfit has created some fun workouts where you can compare your times to others, but they hardly have invented anything new.

#34 I assume you're joking. If not, how on earth can you blame them for wanting to kill us before we try and kill them? Seriously.

On a fitness related note, why does Greg look so out of shape?

Stevie K, #7,

All of those quotes but one (Romans) is from the Old Testament. In the New Testament, a new covenant is formed. That's why Christians don't follow Mosaic law. I know it only happened about 2000 years ago but try to keep up.

As regards that quote from Romans: have you ever read it? The passage is about God's judgement, not man's. It is immediately followed by the passage you reference later, "Therefore, you are without excuse, everyone of you who passes judgement." Oops!

Maximus, #36,

And in that entry you'll find, "Most mainstream Christians consider these acts to be egregious violations of the religion's ethics, and regularly condemn all acts of terrorism including those perpetrated by self-professed Christian terrorists." That the entry includes The Troubles in Northern Ireland is ridiculous. That is a political war whose roots can be more closely related to clan warfare, economics, and racism than to religious differences.

Marshall, #37,

It's a well known fact that Coach has a hard time exercising because his man-sack is big enough that he can post his thoughts under his real identity and email address.

John,

He should probably get that looked at by a doctor then - sounds serious!

Oh yeah, and my dad can beat up your dad. :-)

Marshall #37

Personal attacks are certainly not above you. Unfortunately as you try to minimize what Coach is offering here, for free BTW, you should realize that if you ever go to a cert seminar the vast majority have had little or no exposure to functional exercise. Therefore although I would agree Coach is not inventing anything here he is bringing thousands of people back to good old fashioned training but also explaining through results the benefits. In actuality as a country we have gotten so far away from function in pursuits of bodybuilding and machine training that CrossFit is a new idea for the majority of people. I hope you enjoy the website (for free), workouts (for free) and knowledge (for free), and moreso I hope you learn to appreciate the concept of CrossFit and how it can help you.

Peace.

#29

You are correct. Gang warfare has never been a problem in the US and the police have always effectively maintained order in all neighbourhoods across the country, while racial tensions and riots are unheard of.

You obviously have no knowledge of the actual situation in France, but I am sure that imagining a Muslim minority imposing its will on the rest of the country fits perfectly into your world view.

#39

Is it possible that clan warfare, economics and racism are also at the root of most conflicts involving Muslims? Maybe we should concentrate on those issues rather than religion if we really want to protect our freedoms.

I think that we should thank Crossfit for enabling us service members to do our job better.

It's all fine and dandy for everyone to discuss politics, and in their infinite wisdom, explain who is to blame for the world's problems... But in reality, the only thing that matters is the guy on the ground making the decision whether or not to shoot the bad guy. At that point, all the politics BS goes out the window, and the only thing that you are thinking about are the guys beside you. And Crossfit has helped a lot of those guys get stronger, physically and mentally.

Rest days are over-rated, let's do this!!

xxxCROSSFIT OR DIE!xxx

Ewan,

Absolutley! Historically, the U.S. and Europe have been abject failures at recognizing the history and cultures of arbitrarily created nation-states. Iraq is no exception. But I believe we should do both. As todays article suggests, we need to ally ourselves with the peaceful people of Islam. BUT, part of this entails the peaceful people of Islam taking a long, hard look at what is being done in the name of Islam and correcting it. Christianity has had more than its share of wrongdoing, but it has come light-years from those days. Islam can do the same.

#44, Ewen,

"You obviously have no knowledge of the actual situation in France, but I am sure that imagining a Muslim minority imposing its will on the rest of the country fits perfectly into your world view."

http://www.theage.com.au/news/World/Youths-set-passenger-bus-alight-in-Paris/2006/10/23/1161455635343.html

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,13509-2414175,00.html

Behind and catching up. 75 OHS posted there.
7 sets/12 max/14 min./75#

Will read through Rest Day later...

#44, Ewen,

"You are correct. Gang warfare has never been a problem in the US and the police have always effectively maintained order in all neighbourhoods across the country, while racial tensions and riots are unheard of."

What gang has ever succeeded in silencing the press in the manner that occured of the Cartoon fiasco? Does anyone believe it was sensitivity that supressed those cartoons, rather than a genuine fear for the lives of newspaper publishers and their employees? When the papers I read, including the NY Times and the Wall Street Journal, are afraid to provide their readers with the background of a major story (i.e., pictures of the actual cartoons), then yes, I believe that Islamofascists have imposed their views on me.

#47

Did anyone deny there was violence? But how are those two articles proof that a Muslim minority is imposing its will on 50+ million people? (And please don't attempt to "inform" me of events in France, oh, let's say over the past 10 years at least.)

In fact, both articles point to the social problems behind the violence and make no mention of Muslims trying to conquer the country --apart from that hardline police union; read up on them and on their political affiliations, and if you truly support their views, we'll have to agree to disagree and leave it at that.

#46
Agreed. There's a long way ahead of us/them.

#20- I think box squatting is perfectly safe, even with heavy loads. It is a great way to learn and ensure proper squat form and depth. I have heard that Westside Powerlifters squat almost exclusively off the box, with no evidence of damage to their backs. BUT, like any other exercise, it has to be done with proper form. If someone uses too much wieght and crashes down on the box, instead of using proper form and control, then yeah they will hurt their spine. But something similar could be said of any exercise. At least, that's my opinion on the matter.

Hari...

I like your style...cuts deep and quick...the other person bleeds but doesn't feel the cut. No long-winded blah...blah...blah. You just point out the obvious and don't let them make bogus moral equivalences.

I am going to party with you someday.

Joey

#52, CCTJOEY,

I'm looking forward to it.

Saturday at Brand X

CrossFit Baseball -- This is the favorite group workout at Brand X. About 20-25 people did the workout together. There was a lot of good fun competition and a lot of great team work. Added benefit, it's an outside activity!

Class divided into two teams -- 25 minutes of play time, to score as many runs as you can for your team.

Batting order - 1 member at a time performs 10 Pull ups for a hit then runs to the bases, stationed evenly around the building (240M perimeter). At each base perform the following:

1st base : 12 thrusters
2nd base: 15 squats
3rd base : 18 box jumps

at Home plate perform reps of the next exercise to score a run.

run 1: 10 burpees
run 2: 10 kb swings
run 3: 10 broad jumps
run 4: 1 rope climb
run 5: 5 HSPU

Team "We should have got David" : 34
Team "We got David": 30

Rest 5 minutes then Team Pull up Challenge -- Each team lines up and for 10 minutes one member at a time performs:

Big Dawgs: 3 muscle ups
Pack/Puppies: 5 pull ups or 5 jumping pull ups

Team "We should have got David" = 49
Team "We got David": 54

Final Score: 84 - 83 Team "We got David"

That was FUN! Nice work everyone. So many good pull ups!!! WOW!

PS David is one of our young men who is consistantly an oustanding performer. Usually Connor is place on a team opposite David to balance the advantage to the teams. LOL. CrossFit Kids at work. The scoring was hotly contested - in good clean fun. And Connor joined us for the muscle ups.

#49 -- dead right. Anyone silence this?
http://www.tomgrossmedia.com/ArabCartoons.htm

Some days it's understandable why the Israelis quietly maintain a stash of nuclear weapons. The sclerotic autocracies of the Middle East will do anything and destroy anyone to avert democracy... and in some respects, that may be better than the alternative (viz. Iraq).

In free and fair Saudi elections, Osama bin Laden would win in a landslide.

#20- Greg, here are some articles re. the box squat by Louis Simmons of Westside Barbell.

http://www.elitefts.com/documents/box-squat.htm
http://www.deepsquatter.com/strength/archives/ls9.html

Dan

Oops... the link for the last article should be

http://www.deepsquatter.com/strength/archives/ls9.htm

Sorry, Dan

I think the broader point of Hitchens' article is that extremism of any stripe must be fought. Hitchens is a proud atheist -- I'm sure he's as aware of the Christian Fascists as the Islamic ones. There are also Jewish and Muslim Fascists. A fascist in this broad sense is someone who is blind to argument, intolerant of other religions and traditions, and insists on forcefully imposing their way of life on everyone they possibly can. There are people like this in America on the left and the right. There are people like this everywhere, and where ever they gain power, those who believe in tolerance, religious freedom, and other fundamental individual liberties must protest with their voices, resources, or their lives if necessary. As such, our economic support of the Wahabi Saudi government is absurd. The right's dalliance with the Christian Dominion movement is a travesty of American ideals. And any extreme leftist collectivist tendencies are equally abhorrent. Hitchens article is about preserving the values of Western secular liberalism -- ironically, some of which we inherited from the pre-colonial Islamic world, which was at times an amazingly tolerant and diverse society. (Sadly, and I just have to throw this in there, it has proven to be the case that a massive military invasion of Iraq was not a good way to preserve Western secular liberal values.)

#58, Slink,

"[I]t has proven to be the case that a massive military invasion of Iraq was not a good way to preserve Western secular liberal values."

I infer that you believe Western secular liberal values would have been better preserved by our having left Hussein in power. (Perhaps this is an incorrect inference on my part?)

If we refrain from similar action in Iran and if Iran subsequently gets nuclear weapons and makes good on its president's threat to wipe Israel off the map (perhaps by having Hamas attach nukes to its arsenal of missles), will this too be a better way to preserve Western values?

#58 slink:
"Sadly,...,It has proven to be the case that a massive military invasion of Iraq was not a good way to preserve Western secular liberal values."

Yet.

Just a quick thought...someone said that a religion is as good as how it's interpreted. That being said, please consider the following question/thought:

Assuming that the Bible, Torah, Koran, maybe the Tripitaka (Buddhism), and maybe the Hindu holy scriptures all contain some teachings that espouse waging war on those not of your religion, it is still a mute point. In our world, I believe that it is increasingly accepted that those books are meant as spiritual guides and are NOT meant to be interpreted in a LITERAL sense. So...

Please tell me what the difference between Christians, Jews, Hindus, Buddhists, and Muslims is. It's easy - regardless of their official "beliefs", Muslims are the only group that is involved in the widespread killing and persecution of those who do not believe what they believe. All other groups, regardless of beliefs, of interpretation of their holy scriptures, of country of habitation...are peaceful and tolerant groups.

Furthermore, Islam believes and PRACTICES the very barbaric things that are so cherished by free and humane civilizations (no need to list them here).

So where does that leave the argument? While there are (SUPPOSEDLY) many Muslims who do assimilate into their given countries, and who do cherish freedoms that Western Civilization is based upon, they have been strangely silent over the last 35 years since modern terrorism has really taken root, and eerily silent since 9/11. If the vast majority are, indeed peaceful, it would behoove them to trample out the violent "minority"...for the good of their religion.

Another comment was made about France not being "taken over" by Muslims. It absolutely has been! While we saw a few news clips about the riots that happened there last year, in reality, what our media did not tell us was that the police over there have lost control and that 300-400 cars are torched every night across the country. And the "North Africans" and "Poor Immigrants" that are disenchanted and causing all these problems have one thing in common - you guessed it - they're all Muslim.

Final thought - what we are all engaged in on Rest Days is a miracle in most parts of the world. We disagree vehemently with each other, we disagree w/ our government, its policies, and we exchange ideas - and then as one very observant post mentioned, it is all forgotten when the next WOD is posted a few hours later.

Now THAT is a beautiful thing.

Good Night and God Bless, Everyone!

#59 Hari: our secular western interests (economic competitiveness with China, for example) almost certainly would have been better served by leaving a manageable, broken tyrant in power than by dumping a trillion dollars into a sandbox, yes. If nothing else, Hussein kept the Iranians occupied for a while.

At least the Kurds will get their own country after partition, though. (For perspective, a trillion dollars would fix our current healthcare mess and absorb the costs of making college tuitions deductible, with hundreds of billions to spare. Any reason why a country to whose oil we already had access is worth that amount? At no tangible benefit to American citizens.)

Israel has its own stash of nuclear weapons and most assuredly will be dealing with Iran; the mullahs are doing the dirty work of making a nonwar alternative ('diplomacy' aka have someone else attack them) palatable for our allies.

http://news.nationaljournal.com/articles/0118nj1.htm

It would be foolish, wasteful, and pointless to turn a cold conflict with proxy combatants into a hot war killing our soldiers (and likely our civilians, through Iranian proxies such as Hezbollah). Israeli interests should not be automatically accepted as our own. The Israelis are valuable allies and espouse many of our ideals, but when push comes to shove, we must put our own interests ahead of any other country's.

Tim T...

That would be because most of us agree with your in you basic theory...though your use of "Christian Taliban" is very much unwarranted. However, mostly it might be your post is pointless as to the topic of the day. Aside from the fact it is just stupid. Of course.

Slink...

"(Sadly, and I just have to throw this in there, it has proven to be the case that a massive military invasion of Iraq was not a good way to preserve Western secular liberal values.)"

seems to have worked so far...if only it would have been more massive.

Sorry to post off topic. Just got to the OHS challenge.

35yom175

95lb OHS - 36/20/19

Comment #61 - "If the vast majority are, indeed peaceful, it would behoove them to trample out the violent "minority"...for the good of their religion."

They haven't been silent. They speak out but they can't do anything about the criminals who share their religious beliefs. The US Govt. struggles to deal with these criminals. The poor mid-eastern guy who owns the 7-11 on the corner sure as hell can't do anything. It's like blaming the Italian guy who runs the NY Pizza joint down the street for the Mafia.

There are a billion muslims. There's a very small percent who are causing these problems. They don't live in democratic countries. So you can't blame the people for what their leaders do.

Tim,

I addressed that in the last Rest Day. People like you become intensely uncomfortable with ANY unambiguous expression of notions of right and wrong. This does not mean that those holding those views are doing anything "wrong", or that there is anything wrong with them working within the political system to get their views better represented in the national political process, in exactly the same way leftists do. With the difference that leftists also avoid the political process as often as they can, and use the Judicial Branch to create legal "rights" that are nowhere to be found in the Constitution.

I hate to be the one to inform you of this, but "homophobia" is legal, provided it is not expressed in violence. Just as betraying the country by openly supporting our enemies is.

I have more to say, but let's leave it at that for now.

"It would be foolish, wasteful, and pointless to turn a cold conflict with proxy combatants into a hot war killing our soldiers (and likely our civilians, through Iranian proxies such as Hezbollah). Israeli interests should not be automatically accepted as our own. The Israelis are valuable allies and espouse many of our ideals, but when push comes to shove, we must put our own interests ahead of any other country's."

Is this your answer to my question of how best to preserve Western values? If I understand you correctly, a situation where Iran uses Hamas to nuke Israel is really not our problem.

Just to make sure I follow your position: After Iran nukes Israel, would it be our problem if it nukes, say, Italy?

My previous comment, #68, should have been addressed to #62, Tim.

Jimmy #66...

"There are a billion muslims. There's a very small percent who are causing these problems. They don't live in democratic countries. So you can't blame the people for what their leaders do."

How about the London Bombings? Those guys were from Britian.

#38, It's like trying to mix oil and water, ain't going to happen. If anyone knows of historical precedent for these people acculturating into a predominantly non-Islamic society anywhere or at anytime, please let me know. Their history is so terrible, there has to have been a biological selection that genetically predisposes them to be deceitful and ungovernable rabble, you cannot deny the science. And you cannot deny the wisdom of our ancestors who faced much greater challenges than this, they would know how to fix this problem directly.

#38 Marshall...

Perhaps you would like to race Coach up a rope or compare numbers on the pull-up bar...or ring muscle-ups. Looks can be deceiving.

Typical for a guy like you to run his mouth in a forum established by others and insult the very people who give the opportunity share your opinion. Pretty low-rent. Must be nice to live so cheaply at the price of others.

This is why leftists can't figure out why many of those in the military have a harsh disdain for them...no matter how much they say "WE SUPPORT THE TROOPS". We know the truth.

Blah, blah, blah, there are Christian terrorists, too and not all Muslims are terrorists.

Very very true.

However, I STILL don't see Christians strapping explosives to their bodies and walking, or driving explosive-laden vehicles, into open-air marketplaces the blowing themselves up in the name of God.

Nor do I see Christian terrorists hijacking airplanes and driving them into skyscrapers.

I don't see Christian 'terrorists' doing any of the things that the Muslim terrorists are doing.

And, when Christians HAVE done these things, public outcry is very noticeable. The killing of the abortion doctors in Florida? Public outcry and the killer was convicted and sentenced.

Eric Rudolph's actions? Outcry by the community, a concerted multi-year manhunt for him. He now rots in the Supermax prison in Colorado, whining about how bored he is.

The Piss Christ exhibit at the museum didn't result in the death's of any museum curators, nor of the "artists". And it was paid for with an NEA grant. How is this different from the Muslim reaction to a couple of cartoons? Yeah...thought so.

In fact, the concept of religious wars withi Christianity ended...what?....several hundred years ago? Sure, some still advocate it, but they are WAY in the minority and are dealt with when they try to instigate this type of thing.

Where is the Muslim outcry against all the inhumanity their fellow Muslims have committed in the name of Allah?

What? Huh?

Yeah...their silence is deafening.

Until "Average Joe" Muslims start doing anything against those who perpetuate these violent actions, then nothing will change. And they will continue to be discriminated against, profiled, etc.

They need to get off their collective asses and stop the internicine bickering and killing, and start putting the true threat, the Wahabbist "Islamofacists" in their place, or none of this will ever change.

If mainstream Muslims view this as an attack on Islam, they they need to get overthemselves. It's not. It's an attack on violent, radical, death-dealing Islasmists, not Islam itself.

The West didn't start this idiocy....radical Islam did. And until Radical Islam decides they've had enough, then they need to be eradicated like the feral pigs they are.

TimW
Phoenix

Many different thoughts running through my head today about the article.
It seems like more and more a split is happening in the US. The Dems can not and are not willing to admit that they screwed up by letting Kohmenie (sp) take power and thus the start of modern day terrorism and hate the fact that the Republicans came in and cleaned up the mess and continue to clean up the mess. The wait and see approach doesn't work for leadership of a superpower.
Iran is not just staying in Iran any more, it is spreading outside it's borders and starting to take over Central Asia. Central Asia at this time is slowly being bartered over by China and Iran.
Interesting note about Bosnia and Croatia, if you look back in history, quite far in fact it is/ was a repeating pattern for them to fight and almost wipe each other out and then things calm down for a bit and then it starts all over again. It is the same with other nations trying to conquer Afghanistan, the attempt has been there time and again with no success. It will take studying of history and taking notes as to what they are doing and as to what isn't working now to start to fix the problem.
I did think that was a very interesting idea at the end of the article to fully support India. Could India become a more powerful nation with a protective hand? Would they be willing to have the US help or would it feel to much like British colonialism but a different flavor? I've been pondering that thought all afternoon.

#38 Marshall- Your vainity is showing! How embarassing for you.

Off Topic- Here's a functional fitness ability that I noticed today. (I love real life tests for CrossFit) I had to manuever our 15ish foot trailer down into our back yard (which is a hill with a decent grade to it) and got in a tight spot with the car, I just unhitched it and grabbed the chains and walked the trailer down the hill. A year ago I tried the same thing on a much less hilly surface and couldn't do it.

Kate

ran 3 miles, 23minutes.

TSC pullups: 10/9/8/10
TGU - 35# kb: 5/5
kb slingshot-tactical lunge-snatch:
26 x 10/10-10/10-10/10
35 x 7/7-7/7-7/7
44 x 5/5-5/5-5/5

Marshall #38,

Nothing new? While the elements are old the combinations are singularly unique to this program and its imitators. There's nothing new here in the sense that there are no new songs, books, or recipes because the notes, letters, and ingredients are ancient. This is a fool's argument.

Can you find an example of deadlifts mixed with running in a single workout prior to CrossFit?

Can you find gymnastics rings used in GPP prior to CrossFit?

Can you find another community where athletes have demonstrated the work capacity that ours have?

Do you know of another program that has won the widespread support of men whose lives depend on fitness?

The answer in each case is, "No!".

We've done more than "created some fun workouts where you can compare your times to others". What we've done is designed a vehicle for increasing work capacity across broad time and modal domains, packaged as a sport that even you in your limited capacities recognize as "fun" and provided an open source model to demonstrate, prove, and record same. No other GPP program can make that claim. Not yet. It would probably be easy, however, to find one that nicely coalesced with your pop grasp of fitness and politics. I think you are intellectually and physically out of your league here.

As for why I look so out of shape, I'm fifteen to twenty pounds overweight. That's due to my excessive intake of carbohydrate. The question is fair. I'm lucky that my deficiencies are quickly remediable. I'm blessed not to have your lot in life.

If Iran gets as far along as North Korea and maintains its pre-emptive stance towards Israel (or Italy, or any country not actively attacking Iranian borders), I have difficulty believing that the United States would face any resistance to regime change in Tehran. The mullahs are cagey enough to realize this, and their current actions represent everything short of open hostilities -- and just short, at that.

For the United States to take a lead role in escalating a cold conflict to a hot conflict with the most radical state sponsor of terrorism in the world could be disastrous. Why should we take that risk when Israel has far more to gain (and less to lose) by making the first move? It would be insane for the United States to fire the first shot in this conflict at this point in time.

Quoting Hari:

'Just to make sure I follow your position: After Iran nukes Israel, would it be our problem if it nukes, say, Italy?'

There are two problems with this strawman:

1) There won't be an Iran to nuke Italy if they deploy a nuclear weapon against Israel. Israel itself is quite well poised to attack Iran first, which is almost certainly the order of the day. But in the event that Iran places a nuke in the hands of Hamas or Hezbollah, Israel is not going to ask any questions before shooting.

2) Tied as it is to petro-Euros, Iran would be committing economic suicide by offending (let alone attacking) any country in the EU.

In Pakistan we find a nuclear power balanced neatly against another nuclear power (India). In Iran we have a soon-to-be-nuclear power (if they are not already) balanced against Israel. In North Korea we find a million-man standing army and no counterbalance. Given this, does it make sense to get bogged down in any more hot conflicts than we are absolutely forced to?

Our allies' interests must be secondary to our own self-interest. If the benefits of changing the Iranian regime begin to outweigh the considerable risks both inside and outside our borders, you'll hear no quarrel from me regarding the use of force to do so. At this point in time I don't believe that to be the case.

One bullet to Musharraf's head and we have much worse problems on our hands than the Iranians currently are set up to provide. A strategic truce by the Pakistanis already gives the Taliban indemnity and autonomy in Waziristan; why is the focus so tightly upon potential nuclear weapons when existing weapons are on the verge of falling into the hands of non-state actors?

This struggle with Islam has been going on since Muhammad and his "warriors" entered Mecca and slaughtered thousands of "infidels" for not accepting his "visions" when he first began preaching.

Muhammad was a member of the most powerful tribe in Mecca, the Quraysh. This tribe controlled the main place of worship in all of Arabia, the AL-Ka'ba. This was a temple filled with numerous idols that different tribes worshipped as "mediators" to the one Supreme God they all belived existed. As part of their worship rituals, these tribes would walk in circles around the Al-Ka'ba, know as the Cube, or Black Stone (they believed the structure contained a smaller stone fallen from heaven, that Abraham built a cube structure over as a memorial. Muhammad's grandfather had the honor of caretaker of the Al-Ka'ba and thus Muhammad witnessed these tribes' pilgrimages to the Black Stone.

As a young man, Muhammad detested the worshipping of these idols, although he too worshipped at the Al-Ka'ba as a Quarayshi to the one "Supreme God", yet detested the money-making by "businessmen" at the monument. He received his first of many visions from the angel Gabriel, he claims, telling him he was the chosen final, and greatest prophet, to proclaim that there is but one true god and his name is "Allah".

Muhammad was rejected by his tribe and the people of Mecca and forced to live on its outskirts while. His wife, Khadija, a woman 15 years his senior and the wealthiest woman in Mecca, was his first convert. Over a 13-year period he maintained a tolerant and cooperative relations with Mecca's leaders as his follwers from the slave and poor classes beacme converts to Islam. He was forced to flee to Median. In Medina he staed that Allah had given him permission to fight and wage war with unbelievers. During his 9 years in Medina his army grew and he had personally accompanied the fighters on 27 raids of Meccan caravans supplying Mecca with food and goods, nine of which he was on the battlefield fighting alongside his soldiers. Further revalations, as revealed in the Koran, called for spreading Islam by force. When he returned to Mecca, he had over 10,000 soldiers commanded by four division leaders and himself. Years earlier when the people of Mecca were harassing him in the marketplace of Mecca, Muhammad had warned them " O people of Mecca, I swear in the name of Allah I come as a slaughterer". He honored his prophecy and conquered Mecca by force.

The rest of his life he was engaged in establishing Koranic law from his revelations, conquering and slaughtering thoase who would not convert in cities throughout Arabia, marrying many wives (including his favorite, a 6-year old, with whom he consummated the marriage when she was nine, and threatening other empires and kingdoms with jihad if they did not convert.

Islam, was and always will be a "religion" of submission and punishment. Muhammad preached it, teached it, lived it, and demanded it. Why? Because Allah had told him.

You learn a movement's philosophy by its leader. Muhammad's was simple: Convert or die. "Islam" literally means "submission". The call is for all the world to submit to Muhammad's teachings and live without basic freedoms that we enjoy today.

Jesus said "Love your neighbor as yourself". "Do unto others as you would have done to you". "Love your enemies, pray for them". Jesus did not command us to convert and conquer. Why? His kingdom is not of this world. Instead his parting words were "Go into all the world taeching this Good News and baptizing in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit". We cannot convert, all we can do is reflect Christ in our actions and love, the Holy Spirit will convict the heart and redeem the person.

We will always have "religions" and ideologies that reject the God of the Holy Bible, and that's OK. He said this would happen and that evil is real and that there are evil forces that will resist the love He offers, even counterfeiting the Truth and appearing in form as the Angel of Light proclaiming another gospel. The ironic twist is that His Love will conquer all, yet he will do it through his people who are called to love one another.

May God richly bless all my Crossfitting friends!

#26 Ewen, I'd like to call your attention to the political climate in the american southwest. It hasn't been "conquered by hispanics" but local politics inlcludes more than a few politicians who pander to the "La Raza" and "reconquista" crowd. Some of them holding high public office. Mexican school children are taught that the southwestern united states is rightfully mexico's land, and that they'll have it back someday. the situation isn't religously oriented but it does bear some similarity to the muslims in europe issue. Sheer numbers are affecting change that would otherwise be unthinkable. K-

"If Iran gets as far along as North Korea and maintains its pre-emptive stance towards Israel (or Italy, or any country not actively attacking Iranian borders), I have difficulty believing that the United States would face any resistance to regime change in Tehran."

So, if Iran tests a nuke while it continues to threaten Israel, you will not be opposed to regime change in Iran? Fair enough. How do you propose the regime gets changed?

My previous comment, #82, should have been addressed to #78, Tim T.

Get over yourselves.Who started this whole thing?Wasn't it us who went over and colonized,sponsored coups,drew and redrew borders etc...You reap what you sew.You go over looking for a fight and you will get one.They're doing just what I would do if someone tried to occupy USA-kill every last foreigner till they get out.
Re. Steyn(read Stein),playing fear card,wants the US to do Isreals dirty work-freeloader.

Jaime

If you wanna get into the blame game, go back to the 1940's when the Brits (mostly) redrew the area.

Don't get me wrong...I don't think going into Iraq was the right thing to do. But the Islamofacists have been slapping and punching at us since the late 1970's, trying to get us to react.

It took 9-11 to provoke that reaction. And, well, to quote Strother Martin in Cool Hand Luke "...so you get what we had here today. He wants it....he gets it."

Pertinent as it has parallels to both the Islamists and the US immigration discussions. Just thought it was very interesting. Sorry I don't have a link to this so it will take up some space:

We know Dick Lamm as the former Governor of Colorado (Democrat). In that context his thoughts are particularly poignant. Last week there was an immigration overpopulation conference in Washington, DC, filled to capacity by many of America's finest minds and leaders. A brilliant college professor by the name of Victor Hansen Davis talked about his latest book, "Mexifornia," explaining how immigration - both legal and illegal was destroying the entire state of California He said it would march across the country until it destroyed all vestiges of The American Dream.

Moments later, former Colorado Governor Richard D. Lamm stood up and gave a stunning speech on how to destroy America. The audience sat spellbound as he described eight methods for the destruction of the United States. He said, "If you believe that America is too smug, too self-satisfied, too rich, then let's destroy America. It is not that hard to do. No nation in history has survived the ravages of time. Arnold Toynbee observed that all great civilizations rise and fall and that 'An autopsy of history would show that all great nations commit suicide.'"

"Here is how they do it," Lamm said: "First, to destroy America, turn America into a bilingual or multi-lingual and bicultural country." History shows that no nation can survive the tension, conflict, and antagonism of two or more competing languages and cultures. It is a blessing for an individual to be bilingual; however, it is a curse for a society to be bilingual. The historical scholar, Seymour Lipset, put it this way: "The histories of bilingual and bi-cultural societies that do not assimilate are histories of turmoil, tension, and tragedy." Canada, Belgium, Malaysia, and Lebanon all face crises of national existence in which minorities press for autonomy, if not independence. Pakistan and Cyprus have divided. Nigeria suppressed an ethnic rebellion. France faces difficult times with Basques, Bretons, and Corsicans."

Lamm went on: Second, to destroy America, "Invent 'multiculturalism' and encourage immigrants to maintain their culture. Make it an article of belief that all cultures are equal. That there are no cultural differences. Make it an article of faith that the Black and Hispanic dropout rates are due solely to prejudice and discrimination by the majority. Every other explanation is out of bounds.

Third, "We could make the United States an 'Hispanic Quebec' without much effort. The key is to celebrate diversity rather than unity. As Benjamin Schwarz said in the Atlantic Monthly recently: "The apparent success of our own multiethnic and multicultural experiment might have been achieved not by tolerance but by hegemony. Without the dominance that once dictated ethnocentricity and what it meant to be an American, we are left with only tolerance and pluralism to hold us together." Lamm said, "I would encourage all immigrants to keep their own language and culture. I would replace the melting pot metaphor with the salad bowl metaphor. It is important to ensure that we have various cultural subgroups living in America enforcing their differences rather than as Americans, emphasizing their similarities."

"Fourth, I would make our fastest growing demographic group the least educated. I would add a second underclass, unassimilated, undereducated, and antagonistic to our population. I would have this second underclass have a 50% dropout rate from high school."

"My fifth point for destroying America would be to get big foundations and business to give these efforts lots of money. I would invest in ethnic identity, and I would establish the cult of 'Victimology.' I would get all minorities to think that their lack of success was the fault of the majority. I would start a grievance industry blaming all minority failure on the majority population."

"My sixth plan for America's downfall would include dual citizenship, and promote divided loyalties I would celebrate diversity over unity. I would stress differences rather than similarities. Diverse people worldwide are mostly engaged in hating each other- that is, when they are not killing each other. A diverse, peaceful, or stable society is against most historical precedent. People undervalue the unity it takes to keep a nation together. Look at the ancient Greeks. The Greeks believed that they belonged to the same race; they possessed a common Language and literature; and they worshipped the same Gods. All Greece took part in the Olympic games. A common enemy, Persia, threatened their liberty. Yet all these bonds were not strong enough to overcome two factors: local patriotism and geographical conditions that nurtured political divisions. Greece fell. "E. Pluribus Unum" -- from many, one. In that historical reality, if we put the emphasis on the 'Pluribus' instead of the 'Unum,' we will balkanize America as surely as Kosovo."

"Next to last, I would place all subjects off limits; make it taboo to talk about anything against the cult of 'diversity.' I would find a word similar to 'heretic' in the 16th century - that stopped discussion and paralyzed thinking. Words like 'racist' or 'xenophobe' halt discussion and debate. Having made America a bilingual/bicultural country, having established multiculturalism, having the large foundations fund the doctrine of 'victimology,' I would next make it impossible to enforce our immigration laws. I would develop a mantra: That because immigration has been good for America, it must always be good. I would make every individual immigrant symmetric and ignore the cumulative impact of millions of them."

In the last minute of his speech, Governor Lamm wiped his brow. Profound silence followed. Finally he said, "Lastly, I would censor Victor Hanson Davis's book "Mexifornia." His book is dangerous. It exposes the plan to destroy America. If you feel America deserves to be destroyed, don't read that book."

There was no applause. A chilling fear quietly rose like an ominous cloud above every attendee at the conference. Every American in that room knew that everything Lamm enumerated was proceeding methodically, quietly,darkly, yet pervasively across the United States today. Discussion is being suppressed. Over 100 languages are ripping the foundation of our educational system and national cohesiveness. Even barbaric cultures that practice female genital mutilation are growing as we celebrate 'diversity.' American jobs are vanishing into the Third World as corporations create a Third World in America - take note of California and other states - to date, ten million illegal aliens and growing fast. It is reminiscent of George Orwell's book "1984." In that story, three slogans are engraved in the Ministry of Truth building: "War is peace," "Freedom is slavery," and "Ignorance is strength."

Governor Lamm walked back to his seat. It dawned on everyone at the conference that our nation and the future of this great democracy is deeply in trouble and worsening fast. If we don't get this immigration monster stopped within three years, it will rage like a California wildfire and destroy everything in its path especially The American Dream.

Tim W...
I used that quote last rest day but not as accurate and I did not know the character's name...thanks for the heavy lifting. Now I can use it correctly.

Joey

Re: Hitchens on the Islamist Menace

Grandiloquent. Recondite and pompous.

Tim T. #4 declares Hitchens to be an excellent writer. This would be an example provided excellence doesn’t include clarity, as long as writing is an art form and not a communication skill.

Hitchens and Steyn confound two distinct problems. They seem to be linked only by Islam. One operates on a time scale of hours, and the other, generations. They are indistinguishable viewed through the prism of culturalism.

Do you care whether the France or the US evolve into majority Moslem? If so, why? Is it naked chauvinism? Or, is it protection of western cultural mores, and if so, which? The way we combat this trend, and provide short term safety, is through immigration laws, public education (with dress codes), and citizenship requirements and privileges, and, of course, their enforcement. We should make certain to immigrants that their children will be thoroughly exposed to western culture.

To the extent the immigrants are breaking our laws, the solution lies in law enforcement.

The short term problem is a matter of warfare. It is solved by erradicating enemy leaders and depriving them of their assets.

Hitchen warns against considering the Muslim populations as one. He clarifies that Islam is fissile. But at the same time, and in the larger context including terrorism, he seems to treat Islam as a monolith. He speaks collectively of “the Islamists”, “the forces of Islamization”, “Islamist triumphalists”, the “Islamic project”. His cultural view confuses the two distinctly different phenomena: demographics and terror.

Hitchens talks about solidarity with and support for foreign nations. Such advise is for the Department of State. It is all meaningless and ludicrous once we surrender in Iraq. The Department of Defense must be successful first.

Suppose we retreat from Iraq. Soon the new regime will be rubbing out Kurds. What would we do then, Mr. Biden? Will you finally come up with a plan more rational than cut and run?

Hitchens coins the phrase “one-way multiculturalism” to describe the British attempts to defend their identity against the Islamic menace. Does culturalism have a direction? He might have called it monoculturalism. Either way, this is another example of his neologisms. It might better be called anti-multiculturalism to emphase that it is another strike against the nonsense of political correctness.

Hitchens recommends buying the Afghan opium crop to keep profits out of the hands of the warlords and Talibanists. This is economic nonsense, and with nothing more wouldn’t have the claimed effect. It would expand the black market from the streets of the west all the way to the farmers. Our buys would increase demand and prices, and profits. One solution is to confiscate or destroy the crops. Then if we wish to compensate the farmers, we might do so. The better solution is to make opium products legal. The best way to do that is to make these products available to registered addicts, by prescription and at subsidized prices.

JEEZ Jeff...Its early in the morning! Hitchens refers to "one-way multiculturalism” to describe the Muslim community's refusal to assimilate to British culture, not to the British defense of its culture. Also, Hitchens is a socialist, so his inclination would be toward wackiness such as buying the opium crop and using the profits for social programs. Remember the paraquat programs against Mexican and other marijuana crops? Lets try that again.

Kev Hughes #88 and one-way multiculturism:

Hitchens is speaking about the Labour Party's firmer position -- firmer than what? He cites Blair for a shift in policy -- from what to what? It seems to read like a shift away from the permissive, PC multiculturism into what Hitchens labels as one-way multiculturism that he sandwiches in the middle. You could be right, though I can’t read his label as applying to the Islamic culture.

Isn't multiculturism a social policy of governance, one of tolerance for various and alien cultures? Can it apply to each of the individual cultures?

I recognize that Hitchens was a socialist, and that he underwent a miraculous and unapologetic metamorphosis. I didn’t know that he evolved still a socialist! I thought that his psyche was just stained by his previously chosen dogma.

Relevant questions: do we or do we not have a "Western Culture"? An "American Culture"?

Would not a sensible strategy, in a war of ideas, be to reinforce who we are? This, to me, is the basic problem. We don't spend enough time just telling whiny people to shut up, learn about Shakespeare and John Locke, and get jobs. This is a nation founded by and for white people, which is unparalleled in history--the Islamic period definitely included, with the Jizya having the specific purpose of making even fellow "People of the Book" feel (and be treated) inferior--in its' toleration of minorities. Slaves have existed for recorded history, with the vast bulk of them held by peoples of color. There are still slaves to this day in Africa and parts of the Middle East.

I'm tired of feeling the need to apologize for being an heir to a legacy of the most humanistic, fair, and liberal nation in the history of the world. I do not have to surrender my identity in order to pander to social groups which are--let's be honest--inferior, at least when it comes to the creation of large scale social order based on principles.

Show me an example in history where a document even remotely as balanced as the US Constitution has arisen outside the Western tradition. I don't think it exists. There have been many checks on the power of kings, but nothing like a Bill of Rights.

The problem we have today, is no one wants to call it like they see it. We are paralyzed by the fear of being made out to be racist, evil, imperialistic, and that very fear is enabling the growth of evil ideas that are the very antithesis of who we are. That contain the seeds of the destruction of the very liberalism they claim to protect. It's stupid, stupid, stupid.

#77
Easy Coach.I love Crossfit,yet I think there is a grain of truth in what Marshall said.Seemed to be just an observation not an attack on you or your work.Its an open give and take civil forum.No need to try and destroy the guy.Lashing out makes you look defensive...and more.
#84
I'm aware it was the Brits, by "us"I meant the West.

"he wants it...he gets it"
uh the Sunnis are hitting us the hardest over there,they are the most secular of the bunch and had absolutley nothing to do with 9/11.The American people "want" to have a battle to death with them?for what?

Not quite done with the rant. Before I begin, though, I should comment that I live in a world where I judge people by the content of their characters, not the color of their skins. It's a great idea.

Multicultural "theorists" ( quotes because I don't actually think it's a coherent philosophy so much as an ingrained habit, based on the emotion of outrage, and the pervasive use in an astounding array of contexts of the notion "victim") paint a picture of the founding of our nation which seems to view the fact that our founders were almost entirely Anglo-Saxon and male as some sort of historical abberration, like a better result would have occurred with more Asians and Africans in the room. This neglects the obvious fact that the Constitutional Assembly was the logical outcome of a long period of cultural and individual preparation. It was an outgrowth and improvement upon an existing body of ideas and work such as existed nowhere outside the Western tradition, to my knowledge.

Nothing quite like our Constitution was created anywhere in the world before us, but was most like the existing English body of jurisprudence, from which it grew.

When leftists sniff about "dead white males" they are ignoring the obvious fact that in that context, no one else could have created that document, that enables them to be cynically antipathetic to that very tradition. That enables them to crap in their own cereal bowl.

Think this through with me: how many Americans understand their own traditions and history as well as Muslims theirs? How many are as dedicated to furthering their own cultural interests as the Muslims--especially in Europe--theirs?

When actual Americans talk the way Muslims talk--with a sense of self assurance, and confidence in the rectitude of our cause--we draw down a chorus of histrionics from people that are seemingly embarrassed by the abundance of our success.

jaime,

A grain of truth, a grain of wisdom, a grain of decency. More is required to be a part of this community. His email address and tone suggest he knows as much.

Jamie...

""he wants it...he gets it"
uh the Sunnis are hitting us the hardest over there,they are the most secular of the bunch and had absolutley nothing to do with 9/11.The American people "want" to have a battle to death with them?for what?"

Can you translate what the point of that paragraph is?

I also ask that you specify your comment particulary as to how you know the Sunni's are hiting us the hardest. As well a clear explaination of why you mention that they had nothing to do with 9/11. I don't recall anyone from this current administration claiming that anyone in Iraq had a direct link to 9/11. Are you saying that someone did?

This is the Global War on Terrorism...now it may not be named properly, but the indications are clear for those that pay attention. The indications were also made clear for all the dunces who could not figure it out with out sound bites.

1. Terorist groups will be hunted down.

2. Nations that knowingly harbor terrorists will be held accountable.

3. Based on the help we get from a government that has terrorists in it's borders determines the actions we take based off a wide variety of factors.

CCTJoey

I don't have exact quotes or stories, but as I recall it was well alluded to from the administration that reasons for going into Iraq weere, a) regime change, b) WMD and c) a link to 9-11. Perhaps someone here can bring up the specifics.

That said, we're there. Let's finish the job...which IMO means eliminating Sadr and the threat he poses. Very interesting that he's all-of-a-sudden wanting to stand-down when it looks like we'll actually go after him.

Too little, too late, IMO.

It's interesting how quick the big-mouths shut up when actual force gets used. Didn't take the Ethiopians long to get to Mogadishu, did it? What ended the Rwandan genocide? Does anyone remember? Bosnia? Kosovo?

Guns create peace, when used for that purpose. They rarely do much good in holsters, if the bad guys don't think they will ever be drawn. We could shut the Iranians up tomorrow, if we didn't have so many people in this country and the West eager to see a continuation of their religiofascist regime, with the regional instability that facilitates. To the extent of my knowledge, there are no torture chambers in Gitmo. They are plentiful in Tehran, from what I hear.

TimW, #95

Here’s an exact quote for you. The reasons for the Iraq camapign in the war on terrorism (as it was then called) are set down in Public Law 107–243, enacted 10/16/02, below (numbering added). Don’t believe anything else you might have heard!

1. Whereas in 1990 in response to Iraq's war of aggression against and illegal occupation of Kuwait, the United States forged a coalition of nations to liberate Kuwait and its people in order to defend the national security of the United States and enforce United Nations Security Council resolutions relating to Iraq;

2. Whereas after the liberation of Kuwait in 1991, Iraq entered into a United Nations sponsored cease-fire agreement pursuant to which Iraq unequivocally agreed, among other things, to eliminate its nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons programs and the means to deliver and develop them, and to end its support for international terrorism;

3. Whereas the efforts of international weapons inspectors, United States intelligence agencies, and Iraqi defectors led to the discovery that Iraq had large stockpiles of chemical weapons and a large scale biological weapons program, and that Iraq had an advanced nuclear weapons development program that was much closer to producing a nuclear weapon than intelligence reporting had previously indicated;

4. Whereas Iraq, in direct and flagrant violation of the cease-fire, attempted to thwart the efforts of weapons inspectors to identify and destroy Iraq's weapons of mass destruction stockpiles and development capabilities, which finally resulted in the withdrawal of inspectors from Iraq on October 31, 1998;

5. Whereas in 1998 Congress concluded that Iraq's continuing weapons of mass destruction programs threatened vital United States interests and international peace and security, declared Iraq to be in "material and unacceptable breach of its international obligations" and urged the President "to take appropriate action, in accordance with the Constitution and relevant laws of the United States, to bring Iraq into compliance with its international obligations" (Public Law 105-235);

6. Whereas Iraq both poses a continuing threat to the national security of the United States and international peace and security in the Persian Gulf region and remains in material and unacceptable breach of its international obligations by, among other things, continuing to possess and develop a significant chemical and biological weapons capability, actively seeking a nuclear weapons capability, and supporting and harboring terrorist organizations;

7. Whereas Iraq persists in violating resolutions of the United Nations Security Council by continuing to engage in brutal repression of its civilian population thereby threatening international peace and security in the region, by refusing to release, repatriate, or account for non-Iraqi citizens wrongfully detained by Iraq, including an American serviceman, and by failing to return property wrongfully seized by Iraq from Kuwait;

8. Whereas the current Iraqi regime has demonstrated its capability and willingness to use weapons of mass destruction against other nations and its own people;

9. Whereas the current Iraqi regime has demonstrated its continuing hostility toward, and willingness to attack, the United States, including by attempting in 1993 to assassinate former President Bush and by firing on many thousands of occasions on United States and Coalition Armed Forces engaged in enforcing the resolutions of the United Nations Security Council;

10. Whereas members of al Qaida, an organization bearing responsibility for attacks on the United States, its citizens, and interests, including the attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001, are known to be in Iraq;

11. Whereas Iraq continues to aid and harbor other international terrorist organizations, including organizations that threaten the lives and safety of American citizens;

12. Whereas the attacks on the United States of September 11, 2001 underscored the gravity of the threat posed by the acquisition of weapons of mass destruction by international terrorist organizations;

13. Whereas Iraq's demonstrated capability and willingness to use weapons of mass destruction, the risk that the current Iraqi regime will either employ those weapons to launch a surprise attack against the United States or its Armed Forces or provide them to international terrorists who would do so, and the extreme magnitude of harm that would result to the United States and its citizens from such an attack, combine to justify action by the United States to defend itself;

14. Whereas United Nations Security Council Resolution 678 authorizes the use of all necessary means to enforce United Nations Security Council Resolution 660 and subsequent relevant resolutions and to compel Iraq to cease certain activities that threaten international peace and security, including the development of weapons of mass destruction and refusal or obstruction of United Nations weapons inspections in violation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 687, repression of its civilian population in violation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 688, and threatening its neighbors or United Nations operations in Iraq in violation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 949;

15. Whereas Congress in the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution (Public Law 102-1) has authorized the President "to use United States Armed Forces pursuant to United Nations Security Council Resolution 678 (1990) in order to achieve implementation of Security Council Resolutions 660, 661, 662, 664, 665, 666, 667, 669, 670, 674, and 677";

16. Whereas in December 1991, Congress expressed its sense that it "supports the use of all necessary means to achieve the goals of United Nations Security Council Resolution 687 as being consistent with the Authorization of Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution (Public Law 102-1)," that Iraq's repression of its civilian population violates United Nations Security Council Resolution 688 and "constitutes a continuing threat to the peace, security, and stability of the Persian Gulf region," and that Congress, "supports the use of all necessary means to achieve the goals of United Nations Security Council Resolution 688";

17. Whereas the Iraq Liberation Act (Public Law 105-338) expressed the sense of Congress that it should be the policy of the United States to support efforts to remove from power the current Iraqi regime and promote the emergence of a democratic government to replace that regime;

18. Whereas on September 12, 2002, President Bush committed the United States to "work with the United Nations Security Council to meet our common challenge" posed by Iraq and to "work for the necessary resolutions," while also making clear that "the Security Council resolutions will be enforced, and the just demands of peace and security will be met, or action will be unavoidable";

19. Whereas the United States is determined to prosecute the war on terrorism and Iraq's ongoing support for international terrorist groups combined with its development of weapons of mass destruction in direct violation of its obligations under the 1991 cease-fire and other United Nations Security Council resolutions make clear that it is in the national security interests of the United States and in furtherance of the war on terrorism that all relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions be enforced, including through the use of force if necessary;

20. Whereas Congress has taken steps to pursue vigorously the war on terrorism through the provision of authorities and funding requested by the President to take the necessary actions against international terrorists and terrorist organizations, including those nations, organizations or persons who planned, aut