Not really feeling the rest day tomorrow...I think it's time for some double under practice for the next WOD that they pop up in. My DU's need major work.

21/M/209/6'

Hey everyone,

I'm kind of out of commission for another week or two due to a pretty bad quad contusion. I bought the CFJ article "Working Wounded." Does anyone out there have some more examples of programming used to train someone without the use of their right leg? Thanks!

Zach

I'm going to do "Grace" at my Olympic Lifting gym tomorrow. I usually use 75 but I'm going to try more tomorrow. Maybe 85? It's going to take longer but I want to step my game up.

Hey Zach-
During the Q&A at the BB Cert Rippetoe talked about working with injuries. He said it's good to start working as soon as possible. I sprained my ankle last month and started walking on it and squating lightly really fast. I healed a lot faster than my doctor said I would.
But before I started using it I did lots of pull-ups and situps.

Zach,
Just to comment, the reason working wounded helps is also to do with the release of testosterone and your body's ability to regenerate. (When you work your legs, your whole body gets testosterone) That being said, use as much of your body as you can, doing the largest motions that you can (in this case, esp. b/c your leg is injured) Bench Press and pull ups (maybe weighted) are a good start. Lots of muscles targeted.
Peter

That was one of the most detailed, informative book reviews I've read. Looks like something I'd like to read in future.

I saw many parallels with another book I've read, which I highly recommend anyone interested in this subject area; "The Birth Of Plenty" by William J. Bernstein. I think they address many of the same issues from different contexts, ie. political vs. economic. Bernstein proposes that consistent and substantial improvement in standards of living occur only with four preconditions, namely
1. Property rights
2. Scientific rationalism
3. Capital markets
4. Transportation/communication

Not only informative, but an engaging read.

I look forward to checking in on the discussions that ensue on this rest day topic. I wonder who's going to sink their teeth into the phrase "liberal democracy"?

p.s. thanks AllisonNYC, I've taken your convention of including age/bodyweight in my posting name. Good idea!

Sure are lots of pictures of guns lately. Guns are scary...

Wanted to pass on that a pair of our fellow Crossfitters (Tulsa police officers) were involved in a deadly force situation tonight in Tulsa. They both did their job and are going home safely. Knowing that this site is full of military, law enforcement, and fire personnel, I thought that I would pass it on.

Here is a link to the story and fox23.com actually filmed the shooting when it happened.

http://www.fox23.com/mediacenter/local.aspx?videoid=22544@video.fox23.com&navCatId=5

Cool video. It had K-Star, who has amazed me from the first time I ever heard him speak, and of course, my favorite Crossfit Goddess, Nicole. I could have sat in that lecture all day long.

What? Guns are great! Especially competitive shooting, which it looks like our man is doing in the picture - or some sort of law enforcement course.

My question is: where is that muzzle pointing and why? Doesn't look very tactically efficient or safe to me.

Mike # 6

It seems some Economic/Political philosophies have been around for a long time and are worth restating.

In the 1770's Adam Smith stated "The natural effort of every individual to better his own condition, when suffered to exert itself with freedom and security is so powerful a principle, that it is alone, and without any assistance....capable of carrying on the society to wealth and prosperity."

Additionally in "The Wealth of Nations" written in the 1770's, He identified
1)Capital accumulation
2)Free trade
3) an appropriate but circumscribed role for government
4) and the rule of law
as the keys to national prosperity.

But most importantly he recognized that to enhance the wealth of a nation, every man, consistent with the law, should be "free to pursue his own interest his own way."

The greater the productivity, the greater the prosperity. Competition motivates each person to become more productive. (A key tennant of Crossfit I'd say)

Just did the pull up WO

15 rds + 11
Weight vest on till 13th rd

Love that soap and water sting on torn up hands!

25 6'5" 250

Really enjoyed the video, but kept losing concentration on what he was saying for some reason. Need to watch it a few more times.

Nicole really looks great. Can you say that here?

We are having a great time with CF and telling everyone we know about it. You guys are brilliant! Great job.

I agree that the democracy in which we live has been one of the most successful forms of government and the U.S. needs to set the example. It took about 170 years of that success before the U.S. was able to establish itself on a global scale. Following WWII, after internationalist views were predominant, our government has had elections canceled that would have clearly resulted in a communist victory (Vietnam '56) and made sure others were not free and fair so that our choice could get in (Congo '60s). Regardless of whether this is right or wrong, it does not set the example globally that we want to be displaying to promote democracy with the ultimate goal of expanding U.S. markets.

I also agree that Arab countries, especially Iraq, are not ready for this rapid transition "because it depends on qualities and beliefs that can take a generation or more to acquire." The turmoil following the elections displays "a cautionary example of the difficulties and dangers of trying to build one [democracy] quickly and from scratch in conditions powerfully unfavorable to its establishment."

I'm going to take the rest day and learn to deadlift properly. I took a look at my form the other day and with open eyes I saw that my form was garbage. My excuse was that it was harder because of my height but really I've just spent years allowing my legs to get tight and they throw off the entire movement. The Canadian forces page that Coach Glassman and Nicole helped put together is absolutly brilliant. He says there that it might take three years or so to get good at squating. Sounds like now's the time to start. One thing I love about the CrossFit method is that it presumes weakspots so there is no shame, only potential.

M/5'9"/160#

Missed the pull up workout, going to do that tomorrow. Did my own workout today: A 30 minute continous mix of jumping rope with various calisthenics. Accomplished the crossfit "gold standard" for double-unders. I peformed a continuous 2:15 double under workout. I lost count around two hundred and five DU'S. New PR! That's after 3 days of rest. Rest really does pay off.

Nice video on the differences in core strength and control, and of course K-Star can do no better than having the superstar that is Nicole being his display model. (sorry if that sounds wrong)

I think America had the greatest model for the rest of the world although it has been diminished greatly. I also take issue with 'democracy's golden reputation.' I hardly think Operation Ajax, the CIA coup of the democratically elected Iranian President, is a golden reputation anyone would want to have (unless you're British Petroleum or Kermit Roosevelt), nor is arming Saddam Hussein in the 80s (unless you're in the weapons industry).

As for a liberal democracy, I'd say America is more a form of a fascist oligarchy with socialist elements disguised as a democracy (liberal or otherwise).

The socialist element is a big reason this country is going bankrupt such as Social Security. There's a ballpark figure of at least $50 Trillion in entitlements for when the chickens come home to roost. Add that to the $9 Trillion existing national debt, spending that is only sustained due to foreign lending, an economy headed for recession, rampant inflation, the Federal Reserve purposefully devaluing the US Dollar causing foreigners to stop lending to us, leads to....... Hey, are those clouds on the horizon? Or are those the chickens coming home to roost?

m/55/200

Guns aren't scary. I live in rural N.E. Nevada. Police response to an emergency call can take from 20 minutes to an hour. Having to rely on a telephone to defend my home and family is scary.

So I have this problem with my hands...

Whenever I do pullups, as my grip gets a little bit loose, the skin at the very top of the palm where the palm meets the fingers (which is heavily callused) actually folds and is compressed. Which is excruciating.

I tried gloves but hate the lack of grip strength... grippier bars hurt less, but I feel like I should be able to do pullups on a metal bar without this severe pain.

Any advice? My pullups are suffering! I hate stopping for no good reason!

#19

Wow, I never thought of it that way and it isn't an untrue statement.

#21 - Try pullups on your fingertips in the meantime. I periodically, though unconsciously, switch between full kung-fu grip pullups and finger pullups every few weeks. Are you shaving/filing down your calluses?

Great lecture clip from Kelly; makes me feel stupid that I haven't made it over to CrossFit SF, only an hour away.

#19 Nick S. - I feel your pain. I have been doing pull-ups for over 11 years now and have always had this problem. Yesterday, during the WOD, one of my calluses came off my hand...that hurt. I try to adjust my grip so the bar is directly under or just in front of the calluses...this then hurts my fingers. I have the same problem when I dead-lift.

I agree we should be able to workout without this pain...I have enough other pain post workout. The one thing I have noticed is that the pain does not worsen after the onset...it just plain hurts. So, since my hands already hurt, and don't really get any worse, I might as well finish what I was doing.

If you find out the solution to this problem please let me know. Hopefully someone out there has the answer.

Best of luck.

#16
hi nik
Looking at your deadlift, quite a good way to improve form and strenghthen and lenghten the hamstrings is to perform light stiff legged deadlifts, focusing on where you bend at the hip and making sure you keep your chin up to keep your back nice and flat, it would probably help to raise the weight off the ground a bit to prevent the top of the back hunching/rolling. Also have a look at doing good mornings as well-hope this helps

#11 Dave P - I would say the weapon is pointed in a safe direction, and his finger is out of the trigger well. My opinion is a weapon in this position is great. If I am reloading, or working on my weapon that is where I do it. I realize in the picture the shooter is looking to his left, but there could be many reasons for this. A weapon in this position enables you to work on it while keeping your eyes on the target. And tactically speaking, if I am shooting over an obstacle it may be more proficient to approach from this position vice a low ready.

Just my opinion. Hard to judge dynamic action on a static picture.

The US has never been a democracy. It was designed as a constitutional republic to take advantage of the useful aspects of democracy and yet maintain the voice of the minority (vis. the Bill of Rights).

But, indeed, since FDR's largely harmful social programs were imposed, the US has been moving towards an unfortunate mix of government-enforced monopolies, fascism, and socialism, all in the name of bread and circuses. And "congress shall make no law" doesn't have quite the influence it used to. I still wouldn't live anywhere else.

Oh, and guns aren't scary. Guns are tools and they don't operate autonomously. Bad people are scary. Scary enough for me to own guns.

Grace looks great, awesome what crossfit does to a girl!! Great video very informative.....Now its time for me to catch up on my WOD's!!

Off Topic - Is it just me or does the lad in the pic have his FINGER ON THE TRIGGER?

Just one of my pet peeves.

#21 Nick -

You're going to need to start maintaining your hands on a consistent basis as a regular CrossFitter. You should have calluses but they must be kept to a minimal profile to avoid them catching on the bar. You're experiencing what we call "rips."

Check the following link (WFS) for some helpful tips: http://www.beastskills.com/calluses.htm

Best of Luck,
David

No finger on the trigger and it looks like a training mag. I'm pretty sure TJ knows what he's doing!

Allison_NYC - Good to see you posting despite the rubbish recently on these boards. People, get a life

#29 Brent -- No, if you click "expand image" you can see his finger is safely along the side of the pistol.

Gaucoin -- guns are only scary if you are especially easy to scare.

#19
"As for a liberal democracy, I'd say America is more a form of a fascist oligarchy with socialist elements disguised as a democracy (liberal or otherwise)."

You sound like someone who has read several conspiracy theories. Maybe you could humor us and describe some of the ways in which our government falls more into the realm of fascism than it does democracy.

Fascism "A governmental system with strong centralized power, permitting no opposition or criticism, controlling all affairs of the nation (industrial, commercial, etc.)" (American College Dictionary, New York: Random House, 1957)

Socialism "a theory or system of social organization which advocates the vesting of the ownership and control of the means or production, capital, land, etc., in the community as a whole" (American College Dictionary). And I agree, social security does seem to be a socialist idea. But so what, its a good idea, possibly mismanaged, but that wasn't your arguement

Oligarchy "is a form of government where political power effectively rests with a small elite segment of society (whether distinguished by wealth, family or military powers)(Wikipedia.org). Further reading into the definition goes beyong percieved control, but into actual oppression of the remainder of the society. This oppression is legal exclusion from any part of the decision making process of the government, meaning- they cannot vote. Last time I checked if you are 18 or older and an american citizen (and maybe not even a citizen these days!) you are allowed to vote. Its unfortunate some people don't take advantage of it, but the opportunity is there.

My final point concerns your claim that our continued spending is only made possible by the "lending" of other countries. Lending implies that we have solicited their money when that is not the case at all. In fact other countries choose to "INVEST" in the U.S. due to our strong currency and ability to pay off our bonds. Countries have large percentages of their cash tied up in our economy as an investment, which means they are benefiting themselves. This kind of tells me that they have a little more faith in our country that you do.

I'm not saying that we don't have problems. However, the picture you have painted is more bleak than it really is. And for you to make such a claim, you are going to have to be a little more specific if anyone is going to buy it.

#8 gaucoin
Maybe I'm wrong but I thought there was a little sarcasm in your guns are scary comment...

Zach #2 --

I strained my vastus medialis in June and couldn't squat without pain for about 2 months.

I gently experimented every few days and found within a few weeks that I couldn't squat, but I could swing a light kettlebell.

A couple weeks after that, I found I could deadlift. A few weeks later, I set a PR on the deadlift.

Soon I found I could squat again and set a PR on "Fat Fran." Have since PR'ed on "Cindy" and "Murph" and equaled my PR for the 10K day before yesterday.

I'm still working my back squat numbers but progress continues.

John

josh newman from crossfit nyc on calluses:

It took me a long while of coaching to notice that people always rip their calluses *upward*. So, I started watching how people grip the bar. Turns out, most place the middle of their palms on the bar, close their hands, then rotate their hands down (think a 'revving a motorcycle' motion) to get to the right position.

Problem is, that rotating smooshes their calluses upward. And, apparently, the momentum of kipping is enough to turn that smooshing into tearing.

So, in short, the solution is all in initial hand placement. If you grip the bar in that 'right position' in the first place - by placing your calluses along the top of the bar and closing your hand, rather than starting 'wrong' with the middle of your palm at the top of the bar and then rotating - you're spared the smoosh, and then the tear.

We've had pretty good results. hope that helps.

#11
When engaging a target behind you, you first turn the head and upper body to obtain the target then turn the body. If you want to nit pick, the weapon should have moved with his head. Even in the high ready, the weapon should move in front of the face wherever the head turns.
But it's hard to look at a snap shot and gain too much info from it. Looks pretty good to me.

I have been doing Crossfit since February, with a couple weeks off here and there. This whole time I have been wondering how people tear their hands open. I have done up to 100 pull ups per work out on a regular basis and never had a problem - until yesterday.

13 Rounds, +12

I tried one more time for 14, and on my 6th - my hands split open in 3 places on each hand.

I finally feel like I am part of the group. Just wanted to say thanks.

#29 Brent, no he does not have his finger on the trigger. Initially I thought the same, but after enlarging the picture is it clear that his finger is not on the trigger.

Finger left in the trigger well is one of my pet peeves also.

#29 Brent

Nope, no finger on the trigger in that picture.

The article was good, and I don't comment on too many of the rest days reads. I couldn't help but think of what it must have been like in the early days of our great nation, before democracy had been tried and tested. For me--and probably most of you--democracy is a way of life that has been ingrained in my brain since birth. Imagine what it must be like in a sectarian regime where there's the potential of giving power to people you've been trained to hate your whole life. There has to be a huge fear issue involved. I'll be the first to say that I'm generally not as informed as a lot of the Crossfit community on these issues, and maybe I'm oversimplifying, but I think the bottom line is that there can be no democracy in a society where various factions have no respect for one another's viewpoints.

#29 Brent: I agree. One of my huge pet peeves too. Looks unsafe until you enlarge the picture, when you can clearly see he's F.O.T. (finger off trigger). I don't know about the rest of the country, but we teach our police recruits here in Massachusetts to scan the horizon for additional threats before holstering their weapon--although this is generally done with the weapon in the "Low Ready" position (muzzle pointed at a downward angle toward the last known threat). The upward angle of the weapon is a position we use for a "Tactical Reload"; that is, strip/rip the magazine and replacing it with a fresh one, all while looking over the front sight at, again, the last known threat. The gentleman in the picture is possibly doing a combination of both, which we don't really teach but that I don't have a problem with. I am curious as to the situation in the photo though.

Off to the Red Sox Victory Parade!!!!! Have a great day everyone.

Ahhhh! Caught by the spam Gods... stupid multiple exclamation points.

Who wouldn't use multiple exclamation points, though, when letting the Crossfit community know that they were spending their rest day at the Red Sox victory parade?

#29
It is just you.

had lot's of energy so I scaled Sundays WOD.

Run 200 meters
25 chair Dips
Run 200 meters
25 Push-ups
Run 200 meters
25 pike press

Scaled Sundays WOD:

Run 400 meters
25 chair Dips
Run 400 meters
25 Push-ups
Run 400 meters
25 pike press

#29 It's just you. His finger is safely out of the trigger well. Looks well and safe to me, but I'm no range master.

#29 It is just you. His finger is clear of the trigger well.
Not sure why this post was caught in the spam filter before.

Brent - No, he doesn't. Just you.

Looking forward to rest today. It's hard not go to the gym just for a little bit, but I really need a break.

I'm going to a O-lifting cert in 2 weeks. I'm sooo excited. I think I'll go and work on my snatch form "just for a little bit"... haha

Happy Rest Day Everyone!

Its just you. His finger is straight and off the trigger as it should be. Open in new window and you can scroll to it.

Brent #29
Look at the enlarged version. His finger is along the side out of the trigger well. Hope you feel less peeved.

I live in Scotland as you are probably able to guess and I find guns scary. We don't have a gun culture as such here and to be honest I don't really see why anywhere in the world should. You can shout all you like about needing guns because bad people have guns but the fact of the matter is if those weapons weren't as freely available as they are in your country then you wouldnt have so many bad people with them.

I am not saying Scotland is perfect, far from it - Glasgow is famous for the ammount of stabbings but the fact we actively try to keep guns to a minimum greatly increases the general safety of the population.

Also on a political note, I dont think we have a bad model here ourselves, the problem we have is a general apathy within the population that feels their vote doesn't count. Our system is sound, its the general population and lack of quality options that are the problem!!

Guns are scary and that's a fact. Anything which has the potential to kill another human being is scary.

Bad people have guns because they have easy access to them, the same way as good people over there do. If guns werent so readily available then there would be no reason for you to own one in the first place. After all a baseball bat has more range than a knife.

Good Video...

Going for some 80-90% work on the OHS today. Only 20 more pounds until bodyweight...then only 14 more reps.

Starting to be intelligent about really resting on rest days. Today? Rest day! Tomorrow? Will hit it twice as hard.

Scotland has the same murder rate as one of our more notorious crime infested cities...Chicago.

http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/scotland.cfm?id=1993102005

"Scots were three times more likely to be the victims of violent assault than in the United States, according to the UN report."

#3 AllisonNyc
Defiantly going to slow you down, or it does me any way... I did Fran with pood and half KB's and it added almost 2min to my best Fran time. It was killer. On the about the tenth or so thruster I thought this wasn't a good idea, but when I conquered it, all be it a little slower I was glad I stepped up my game! So hit it girl!

juggle on people...

"Absent a commitment to individual rights and the rule of law, elections have proven over the last several decades (just as the bleak history Madison invoked in Federalist 10 suggested) an excellent vehicle for the tyrannizing of minorities and the mobilizing of majorities for wars of acquisition and conquest."

This is the one part of the article that I am not clear on the intention of the author.

Perhaps someone smart can fill me in on what he is trying to say.

#17 Steven, 2:15 of DUs is an awesome achievement. So what"s your secret? Lend some advice to those that are a little DU-deficient. I can get about 20 in a row before I just spazz out and whip myself with the rope.

comment #50

Steven, this little piece explains why several people here in the US carry guns......

WHY THE GUN IS CIVILIZATION
By Maj. L. Caudill USMC (Ret)

Human beings only have two ways to deal with one another: reason and force.

If you want me to do something for you, you have a choice of either convincing me via argument, or force me to do your bidding under threat of
force. Every human interaction falls into one of those two categories, without exception. Reason or force, that's it.

In a truly moral and civilized society, people exclusively interact through persuasion. Force has no place as a valid method of social
interaction, and the only thing that removes force from the menu is the personal firearm, as paradoxical as it may sound to some.

When I carry a gun, you cannot deal with me by force. You have to use reason and try to persuade me, because I have a way to negate your
threat or employment of force. The gun is the only personal weapon that puts a 100-pound woman on equal footing with a 220-pound mugger, a 75-year old retiree on equal footing with a 19-year old gang banger, and a single gay guy on equal footing with a carload of drunk guys with baseball
bats. The gun removes the disparity in physical strength, size, or numbers between a potential attacker and a defender.

There are plenty of people who consider the gun as the source of bad force equations. These are the people who think that we'd be more civilized
if all guns were removed from society, because a firearm makes it easier for a [armed] mugger to do his job. That, of course, is only true if the
mugger's potential victims are mostly disarmed either by choice or by legislative fiat--it has no validity when most of a mugger's potential marks are armed.

People who argue for the banning of arms ask for automatic rule by the young, the strong, and the many, and that's the exact opposite of a civilized
society. A mugger, even an armed one, can only make a successful living in a society where the state has granted him a force monopoly.

Then there's the argument that the gun makes confrontations lethal that otherwise would only result in injury. This argument is fallacious in
several ways. Without guns involved, confrontations are won by the physically superior party inflicting overwhelming injury on the
loser.

People who think that fists, bats, sticks, or stones don't constitute lethal force watch too much TV, where people take beatings and come out
of it with a bloody lip at worst. The fact that the gun makes lethal force easier works solely in favor of the weaker defender, not the stronger attacker.

If both are armed, the field is level. The gun is the only weapon that's as lethal in the hands of an octogenarian as it is in the hands of a weight lifter. It simply wouldn't work as well as a force equalizer if it wasn't both lethal and easily employable.

When I carry a gun, I don't do so because I am looking for a fight,but because I'm looking to be left alone. The gun at my side means that I
cannot be forced, only persuaded. I don't carry it because I'm afraid, but because it enables me to be unafraid. It doesn't limit the actions of
those who would interact with me through reason, only the actions of those who would do so by force. It removes force from the equation...and that's why carrying a gun is a civilized act.

Gaucoin, I get it.

#3 AllisonNyc
Defiantly going to slow you down, or it does me any way... I did Fran with pood and half KB's and it added almost 2min to my best Fran time. It was killer. On the about the tenth or so thruster I thought this wasn't a good idea, but when I conquered it, all be it a little slower I was glad I stepped up my game... So hit it girl!

juggle on people...

Comment #50 - Posted by steven27scotland

Nice sentiment, but everytime someone suggest we take away all the guns the image of Luby's in Killeen Texas always comes to mind. George Hennard shot 23 people who were laying face down defenseless. If not for a police office confronting him he probably would have killed a lot more. Now let's say old George didn't have access to a gun, failed the litmus test of a background check. I'm pretty sure he would gone with the old stand by then, a big wooden bat, and might have clubbed 23 people to death.

The fact is there are bad people in the world, people ready to maim and kill you for nothing less then the change in your pocket. You better be ready to defend your self by any means necessary, and in my case that's a gun I carry.

I had to learn the hardway when a man tried to mug me on the train.

Thanks

Looking bad ass TJ!
Hope to see you Nov. 10th

I'm not being sarcastic, guns are scary because people use them to kill other people whether it's intentional or not. I'm not from a gun culture so when I see them on a fitness website three times in a week it gets me edgy, that's just how I feel and I'm not looking to open a debate. That being said, comment #32 is out of line and borderline insulting, if I was easy to scare I wouldn't be a firefighter or wouldn't be doing Crossfit.

Steve in Scotland your argument in the first paragraph has been addressed and refuted many many times. If a person is willing to commit a crime with a gun, don't you think they're willing to commit a crime to get the gun in the first place? Guns will always be available to criminals--no amount of laws will stop that, why not allow honest citizens to have them as well? I guarantee if I came to Scotland and could get inside the circles criminals run, I could find guns, and they wouldn't have been legally obtained.
Why aren't you afraid of knives, if Glasgow is famous for its amount of stabbings? If someone with a knife in Glasgow is standing oh, I don't know, 21 feet from you, and rushes at you with the intent to stab or cut you, what do you want to defend yourself with?

m/55/200

America for a good part of the last century stood as an example of hope for much of the world. Our reputation abroad was pretty sound. The last 40 years have changed that opinion. the pursuit of political and economic power at the expense of integrity is especially disheartening.

We have Generals acting more like politicians than soldiers. Afraid to make decisions that might adversely affect their careers. Case in point, Bin Laden. He is one of the most dangerous enemies of America since WWII. Almost 6 years after 9/11 he is still running around thumbing his nose at us.
Outgunned and trapped in the Tora Bora mountains, our inability to insert 600 men into the area, allowed his escape. Our best chance at him was lost through bumbling inaction from the top. I wonder how Patton would have handled that situation.

I served two tours in S.E. Asia and left that place with more questions than answers. I see strong similarities in Afghanistan. While working an executive protection detail a couple of years ago I met a recently returned special forces trooper. He told me his team had positive i.d. on Bin Laden in Pakistan. Requests for an airstrike were denied. Once again, questions without answers.

Sorry for the rant, but I received word yesterday, that my nephew was killed in action in Afghanistan. This was his second tour and he had been wounded before. It makes me angry that despite the sacrifices made by these men and women we seem no closer to bringing the key figure in this to justice.

steven #50
the only problem with your gun logic is that gun laws don't stop criminal, who break laws, from getting guns. If a product is wanted bad enough, someone will supply it.

Gotta say, subtitles would rock on these videos. Don't get volume at work...

Popular election of governmental representitives are an Anglo-American hallmark. Both systems evolved gradually; in the U.S., members of the Senate were not elected until the 1830's or so. Many states enforced restrictive access to the vote by requiring a voter be a property owner and until 1920 to be a male. The success of elective government in the U.S. and the U.K. rests substiantially on our economic liberties and prosperity; the Weimar government succame to the ravages of the Depression, and the survival of post WWII democracies in Germany and Japan can be attributed in part to the willingness of the U.S. to invest in the post war reconstruction of those countries in order to establish a stable economic climate. In other parts of the world, democratic elections are often a crap shoot. Witness Mubarak's nullification of elections in Egypt and does anyone doubt that free elections in Saudi Arabia wouldn't produce a pro-jihadist regime? Although I am proud of our democratic traditions, I have serious concerns. Most of the coverage of Presidential campaigns focuses on how much money candidates have raised as if money votes, but perhaps it does since the candidates will bombard the electorate with slick TV ads designed to scare the wits out of voters by raising fears of higher taxes or a ban on abortion rather than discussing more meaningful issues such as education, health care, budget deficits and our role in the war against jihadists. In the final anaylsis, our democracy is badly flawed and imperfect and, as Winston Churchill said, better than any other system of government. Sorry to ramble, my $.03.

#60 gaucoin
I grew up in the exact opposite situation, In my house there where always guns, we were taught to respect them the same way we were taught to respect the rattle snakes and moccasins that frequented our pound and creek. Guns where used for hunting and sport, some of the best memories I have as a kid are shooting with my dad, granddad, uncles, and brother. We still shoot on thanksgiving as fun and honored tradition which I look forward to every year. When I see people say that guns scar them and they ask me if they scar me I can honestly say NO they don't. I've never feared them but always have will respect them. Then I usually invite them out to the house to shot at my range. So if your ever in Auburn AL come on by we could do the WOD and then run a couple of mags through the shooters..
juggle on

#60 gaucoin
I grew up in the exact opposite situation, In my house there where always guns, we were taught to respect them the same way we were taught to respect the rattle snakes and moccasins that frequented our pound and creek. Guns where used for hunting and sport, some of the best memories I have as a kid are shooting with my dad, granddad, uncles, and brother. We still shoot on thanksgiving as fun and honored tradition which I look forward to every year. When I see people say that guns scar them and they ask me if they scar me I can honestly say NO they don't. I've never feared them but always have will respect them. Then I usually invite them out to the house to shot at my range. So if your ever in Auburn AL come on by we could do the WOD and then run a couple of mags through the shooters.
juggle on

Zach #2
I would also try running in a pool or eve swimming.. the movement will generate the blood flow that will help remove the blood from the bruise and get the testosterone going to help speed recovery.. and it feels good too. Bonus: great cardio

Zach #2,
I would recommend getting in a pool and running or swimming laps. This will aide in the recovery by getting blood to flow to the area to help reduce the bruise as well. Besides it feels good too and as a bonus you get a good cario workout in. Then doing light or body weight squats to "streatch" the quad to work your way back to full range of motion. This can be done in the shallow part of the pool or when you are done and just got out of the pool.

the guy in the picture does not have his finger on the trigger. It is on the other side of the barrel. enlarge the picture to see it.

Just got the Second Edition of STARTING STRENGTH by Coach Rip. Looks freakin awesome. Highly highly recommended for all xfitters.

-Tiburon

M/22/6'1"/185

Haven't read the article yet because I was running late for work.

I hate rest days so...
GHD Sit Ups 30
Decline Parallette Pushups 50
Squats 60
Atomic Situps 50
Deadlifts (135) 30
Row 1500m

13:52.85

Some punk kicked me in the knee in water polo this weekend. Hyperextended it a little. Kinda stings but it happens. Is it bad that I "accidently" hit him in the head with the follow through of my shot afterward?

Angry G, #53,

I think that is one of the critical parts of the article. The message is that elections cannot come before human rights; democracy is only a supporting mechanism for liberty, not it's cause. Furthermore, suffrage preceding liberty has been historically dangerous (Madison's, among others, contention).

The case of Hamas is perfect example. I've long thought that Jeanne Kirkpatrick's "Dictatorships and Double Standards" addressed this concern brilliantly. In this monumental work she distinguishes between authoritarian and totalitarian regimes recognizing that the path from autocracy to democracy is long and complex and that forcing the process can, and had, pushed regimes into the abyss of totalitarianism (eg Iran and Nicaragua).

#53 Angry G wrote:

'"Absent a commitment to individual rights and the rule of law, elections have proven over the last several decades (just as the bleak history Madison invoked in Federalist 10 suggested) an excellent vehicle for the tyrannizing of minorities and the mobilizing of majorities for wars of acquisition and conquest."

This is the one part of the article that I am not clear on the intention of the author.

Perhaps someone smart can fill me in on what he is trying to say.'

My take on this is that he is alluding to the election and re-election of the President of Venezuela, Hugo Chavez, and those like him. I can't list them off the top of my heads, but there have been a decent number of people put in power in different countries by majority rule who went on to use and abuse their status to give themselves more power and control until they definitely were no longer a strictly democratic leader. My guess is he is trying to point to the fact that majority rule isn't always the best case scenario, at least without any checks and balances in place.

Words are powerful.

Based on polling and focus groups, public relations advisers to Canada's Conservative government suggested Prime minister Harper stop using the phrase
"freedom and democracy" in connection with the presence of Canadian troops in Afghanistan.

The reason? Invoking "freedon and democracy" is too closely associated with George Bush and Iraq. And George Bush is almost universally reviled here in Canada, right across the political spectrum. People in Canada -- and around the world -- see a terrible disconnect between the President's freedom rhetoric and the reality of Guantanamo and Abu Ghraib. As for the idea that you can win a "hearts and minds" battle within the Islamic world by instantly imposing the American form of democracy at the point of a gun... ...well, it strikes many good people in many countries as well intentioned but hopelessly naive -- a perverse sort of idealism unable to see the world as it is. (I leave aside here ultra left arguments about evil capitalism, conspiracies, etc...)

Anyway, the Prime Minister took the PR advice. And now he's wavering on extending the Canadian troop commitment in Afghanistan beyond its scheduled expiry in 2009.

So that's George Bush's legacy: he will be remembered as the man who gave freedom and democracy a bad name. How sad.

no 55 Sean,

Your argument assumes its a one on one encounter. Take 2 bad guys, both armed and coming at different angles. The gun is not so much as an equalizer in that case. A bad guy can always out escalate you (if they really wanted to). Where does the escalation stop?

The real difference is really one of culture. In the UK we thankfully don't feel the need to go around tooled up for our own protection. I'm not saying its a better society for that, its just different.

Some parts of Glasgow are pretty unpleasant, but then you can have the same conversation with a Pakistani who wont go into some parts of Karachi, or a Kurd in Sulaymaniyah. Every city has places you don't want to be alone in at night. Just avoid them.

We just don't see the need to live in fear.

Jerry

comment 58 & 63

I have been mugged too, and that was with a knife - I was drunk and my solution was to punch him in the nose. A stupid solution I know and not the one that would come to mind if I was sober! I would never claim things here are perfect but the fact of the matter is the average guy in the street doesnt have a gun which makes it harder for someone to get one by comitting a crime.

If my argument is null then why is it that countries with more difficult access to firearms have lower murders then? If your suggesting that the reason behind this is not based on access to weapons then the only other variable would be the people of that country.

America certainly hasn't been the role model for democracy over the past couple decades. Not only have we interfered with countries that we have an economic interest in (Nigeria) but developing countries have tried to imitate the US Presidential system which statistics show is more likely to fail than a parliamentary democracy. Presidentail democracies more easily become dictatorships because of the relationship between the President and the military as well as the ever constant desire for more and more power (Hussein).

That's just my little bit

Angry G.:

Madison means that a pure and direct democracy can lead to abuses of power. For example, though our founding documents clearly state that all people have rights to life and liberty, legal slavery existed for a very long time. The tyranny of the majority of voters allowed for a violation of human rights, but a system of checks and balances, as well as representative republicanism, would help to prevent this tyranny.

Elections matter, but without restrictions on what the people and their elected representatives can do, then the people become tyrants. It is the republic, at least as much as the democracy, that preserves individual rights to life and liberty.

Like Ayn Rand said, "Individual rights are not subject to a public vote; a majority has no right to vote away the rights of a minority; the political function of rights is precisely to protect minorities from oppression by majorities (and the smallest minority on earth is the individual)."

And as regards the gun issue, another bit of wisdom from Ayn Rand:

"A government is the most dangerous threat to man's rights: it holds a legal monopoly on the use of physical force against legally disarmed victims."

and conversely:

"Force and mind are opposites; morality ends where a gun begins."

Methinks Coach is right:

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed,..."

I agree with Gaucoin. I live in Canada and I find guns scary. It is very difficult to own a gun in Canada and there is good reason for that.

Guns have nothing in common with Crossfit so why all of the gun pictures lately? I realize that many of you have a lot in common with these images and probably feel comfortable with them. I am not one of these.

I love the workouts immensely (somewhat obsessed in fact) but I sense from the photos and articles that I don't quite fit the Crossfit "culture".

Nice post, Coach. I have one along similar lines currently being held up by the filters (perhaps the filters now detect terrible grammar?). Good example in the very recent past with Hamas in the Palestinian cause. They were democratically elected, but that's about where the good stuff I can say about the current government and state of affairs over there ends, at least as far as I can see.

The only part of the article I found myself strongly disagreeing with was this one statement:

"Moreover, the rise of the welfare state--which moderately redistributed wealth to compensate for the vagaries of the marketplace while allowing the ambitious to make the most of their economic choices and to amass fortunes--ensured that not only the middle class but the rich and poor would have a stake in the state's stability and prosperity."

I'm anti the welfare state because all I've ever seen are the heavy burdens it puts on those who are trying to better themselves by working for a living and how much abuse is done by those who don't want to work for anything and are willing to let the government take care of them at other's expense.

Angry G.:

Madison means that a pure and direct democracy can lead to abuses of power. For example, though our founding documents clearly state that all people have rights to life and liberty, legal slavery existed for a very long time. The tyranny of the majority of voters allowed for a violation of human rights, but a system of checks and balances, as well as representative republicanism, would help to prevent this tyranny. Republic, Republic, Republic. Like Ayn Rand said:

"Individual rights are not subject to a public vote; a majority has no right to vote away the rights of a minority; the political function of rights is precisely to protect minorities from oppression by majorities (and the smallest minority on earth is the individual)."

And as regards the gun issue, two bits of wisdom from Rand:

"A government is the most dangerous threat to man's rights: it holds a legal monopoly on the use of physical force against legally disarmed victims."

"Force and mind are opposites; morality ends where a gun begins."

As regards the gun issue, two bits of wisdom from Ayn Rand

"A government is the most dangerous threat to man's rights: it holds a legal monopoly on the use of physical force against legally disarmed victims."

"Force and mind are opposites; morality ends where a gun begins."

Davidorr #66

Sorry to hear about your nephew. You have my deepest regrets and prayers for you and all of yours.

#79, Jerry

I appreciate you comment in reference to my post and I do wish that people did not have to walk around "tooled up" as you stated. However, crime is a fact of life and criminals prey on who they think that they can take advantage of. By arming oneself you at least put yourself on an even playing field if not in the advantage.

Now dont get me wrong, I am not one of these gun freaks who thinks the world is coming to an end. I am a police officer that never even fired a weapon until I was in the police academy. I just see so many victims, that could/should protect themselves from the maggots that prey on them.

In reference to beeing faced with two armed bad guys, the proper mindset ("win the fight"), proper training,speed, and aggression will overcome most scenarios.

Here is a little tid bit from Col. Dave Grossman about society and I trully believe this,

If you have no capacity for violence then you are a healthy productive citizen: a sheep. If you have a capacity for violence and no empathy for your fellow citizens, then you have defined an aggressive sociopath--a wolf. But what if you have a capacity for violence, and a deep love for your fellow citizens? Then you are a sheepdog, a warrior, someone who is walking the hero’s path. Someone who can walk into the heart of darkness, into the universal human phobia, and walk out unscathed.

Steven, Comment #80:

"If my argument is null then why is it that countries with more difficult access to firearms have lower murders then?"

That's simply not true. Every male up to age 60 in Switzerland has an assault rifle. They have no crime. Australia recently banned firearms. Every law-abiding citizen turned in their firearms. Gun violence is through the roof. It absolutely comes down to culture; apples to oranges.

Davidorr - My sympathies for your loss.

Sean, thanks for the article. I agree with it. I support enabling individuals to protect themselves. I am suspect of relying on the State for individual protection. Besides the fact that not all people will receive equal protection, it gaurantees a power imbalance b/w the public & the State.

'Democracy is two wolves and a sheep deciding what to have for dinner' - Ben Franklin (paraphrased). That one makes me laugh - 'cept when it happens which seems to be happening more and more frequently with the expansion of entitlement giveaways. check out http://abcrad.vo.llnwd.net/o1/levin/rss/frclevin.mp3

Still ...

"Democracy is the worst form of government, except for all those other forms that have been tried from time to time." - Winston Churchill, 1947

Derdy, I agree with your financial assesments. We have not been financially conservative. And that is a recipe for pain. We keep forestalling then paying of the piper, and we're just making it worse IMO. I don't agree at all with your political positions though. Bad actions aren't mandated by Democracy, they're only incidental. Democracy certainly has more built-in measures to curtail them, but it doesn't create them - individuals are too blame for that. Further, it is unrealistic and ridiculous to compare Democracy to an imaginary ideal and perfect society/gov't. If you want to be intellectually honest you should be compare it to the alternatives.

Another Canadian who would love to see the guns on another page so we can get back to talking about exercises and AllisonNYC (kidding).

#84 poolboy
I disagree with guns having nothing to do with crossfit. It's kinda like saying that Tony Blauer and the SPEAR system doesn't have anything to do with crossfit, to me crossfit has become so much a way of life that I integrate all types of other activities with a crossfit mindset, and shooting is one of them. I want to be real good at muscle-ups so I train muscle ups, I want to be real good at shooting so I train shooting. Plus so many people in the crossfit community are associated with firearms (military, police etc.)
So I invite you to my house and the good ol' shooting range as well. hahaha just let me know if you ever in Alabama.
I will agree with you about being obsessed with crossfit. My significant other asks as soon as I walk through the door what lady will I be cheating on her with tonight......ha

Speaking of injuries, I strained my back two months ago after being sent to the Corporal's Course for three weeks. We PT'd but mostly running, pull-ups, o-course, and I hit a filthy fifty coming out of it. I felt like I just got a good burn on the D-lifts, but then a week later, it really hurt to pull 135, and I had to stop because of a sharp pain in my lower back. I haven't D-lifted since, and my back is always sore for days after doing KB swings, and is real stiff all the time. It's not flooring me, but I'm not near 100%. Anyone else have any similar problems/remedies or advice?

Hey after reading all the great posts about the toronto cert last weekend Im getting really pumped up for my first cert.Jan in santa cruz. I live in chicago so im traveling quite a distance to attend.

Does anyone have any advice on how to prepare for the cert?

My standard advice with injuries that are not mechanical (i.e. muscular and not torn or ruptured somethings) is the hair of the dog that bit you. Do what hurt you in small doses as often as you can stand, erring of course on the side of caution.

I've hurt my back three times, and my standard rehab exercises were unweighted Good mornings (bend forward as far as you can, with stiff legs, while maintaining good abdominal tension), and light deadlifts. Sooner or later, you will find you want to add weight. Do it, but don't get too aggressive.

Try some light weighted back squats too. Focus on tight abs. Learn to feel the difference between doing it right--with a tight core--and doing it sloppy, because sloppy will hurt strong people with light weights.

I'll comment on the article later. I've had some long days recently.

I think the article is an interesting take on the democratization debate. To give it a more economic spin, it is the opposite to the "growth now, rights later" approach that has been employed in both economically successful and unsuccessful countries. What can't be overlooked, however, are the human rights abuses and poor labor conditions in even the successful emerging economies, such as South Korea.

Berkowitz seems to call for institutional reforms to guarantee liberties and personal freedom first, and then proceed with political reforms (instituting democracy).

I would say this is a good approach. Iraq is a case of democracy prior to institutional reform, and there are plenty of nasty issues.

So, securing liberties first, prior to democratization, and arguably market liberalization, seems to be a good path for emerging countries.

#66 Davidorr-
I am sorry for your loss.
You made good points in your post. Definitely more questions than answers lately.

John Wopat-
Excellent points in your post. I, too, am concerned about the way that our country seems to be heading. It does seem to me that we are watching the slow (well, in some aspects, not so slow) decline of what we used to be.

Andrew H. Meader-
Morals are in a person, the gun is a tool.

In the article it talked about Russia and possibly China evolving into the next democracy. My understanding of Communism is that it is democracy to the most extreme left, even if not exactly how we would normally view democracy, so it doesn't seem that far of a reach of the imagination that they would do that. They are both slowly building global domination economically.
If I am wrong, no worries, maybe someone can explain it to me so I can understand.

Kate

#79, Daniel Freedman, writes,

"So that's George Bush's legacy: he will be remembered as the man who gave freedom and democracy a bad name."

I really want to make sure I understand this. Are you actually suggesting that people's hatred of Bush is causing them to look askance at freedom and democracy? What precisely are these people proposing instead.

great video. I'm sure there is more of the presentation and I hope it is shared. Core, especially abs, are the most mistrained part of fitness. All these people doing crunches day after day looking for a six pack not realizing that isn't going to work and clubs, including the one I work at, perpetuating this myth because it is easier than educating people. Who is the presenter and how can he be contacted for presentations?

Interesting how you have Berkowitz writing about liberal democracies while at the same time he is an advisor for the presidential candidate with the least belief in liberal democracy.

For those suffering from pullup-induced hand injuries:

http://rifsblog.blogspot.com/2007/05/how-to-tape-your-hands.html

Kelly knows what he is talking about and it is great to see a video showing it. I spent months trying to get the snatch technique down and it only took 15 minutes with him training it at the flagstaff cert. for the lightbulb to finally come on! Great video.

Day 19 IR
4 rounds for time:
Row 500M/50 double-under

24:15

Shoulder hurts now...

#102, Matt,

I'm curious how you reached the conclusion that Rudy Guiliani has the least belief in liberal democracy. What specifically do you base this upon? In what ways would you compare him negatively with whomever you think better represents this ideal?

Did Jackie last night, 12 min using aclock at the gym. Haed to do Jumping PU's for the last 10. What is a "good" time for Jackie anyway. 6'2" 200 pounds 35 yo male.

Returned after a lower back injury.

I did yesterday's WOD today but forgot about using as many sets as necessary. I did strict pull-ups with no kip because of the lower back thing. I made it through 7 minutes and did 4 on the 8th minute for a total of 32 reps.

Also did some Shuttle Runs to work on sprinting and agility.

Did a rest day yesterday. Made up last Thursday's "Michael" today.

wow, lots of talk here.

Did the 10 x single reps of Cleans today.
145 lbs - PB by 10lbs

Did 10 x 55lb dumb bell swings in between sets.
Arms are still on fire from Pull up ladders yesterday.

Coach - thank you for clearing that up for me (I'm honored you replied to my post). I look forward to meeting the CrossFit crew at the Union City, CA cert.

Andrew - if morality ends where the gun begins, does that make it immoral to use a gun to defend oneself if their life is in danger?

I find that argument flawed, as a gun is a weapon sure, but I will never believe that a gun will shoot itself. Objects that are inanimate without a human behind them cannot by definition be moral or immoral. People's actions also need a reason to be moral or immoral. "Jack shot Jane with a gun" has no implication of morality except for what the reader imposes upon it. "Jack shot Jane with a gun because Jane was shooting at him with a gun and Jack was trying to protect his family and property" has a whole different ring to it, and now once again the reader makes a moral judgment based on their own beliefs (many people find it wrong to use guns at all, many think its ok for Jack to shoot back, and still others foolishly rely on the veiled protection of others to ensure their safety, i.e. Jack should have called the police and waited for them to stop Jane from shooting). That's the beauty of freedom - you get to choose how you view it.

I have always argued against pure democracy, because it has substantial flaws. Our Constitutional Republic (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constitutional_republic) resides in the framework of a democracy, but is not for good reasons a pure democracy and I would very much like it to stay that way. I think the problems people mainly have is that many times because of our elected officials deciding for the majority what gets done, we feel very left out of the process of our government. An example is Roe v. Wade. People aren't so mad about the decision, people are mad Supreme Court Justices decided for our entire nation what is best rather than people deciding for themselves. The price we pay in our country.

"And to the Republic, for which it stands...."

#16 - Nik

It seems like we're in the same ballpark as far as bodies go. Are you in service, or just a fitness junkie? Its rare that you find other taller crossfitters out there, so it caught my attention. Get some.

JB 6'5" 215

Here's a good article on the sort of thing we could have prevented, had we had an actually clear moral compass in the 70's:. http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/26/world/asia/27cambo.html?th&emc=th

Had the Communists prevailed in their efforts, the world would have looked like this. Never forget that.

RE: Back pain. I did something to my back the other day and have been out since Sat. Rest is my advice. As long as your eating is in check you shouldn't feel like to much of a slug. Rest and recover and slowly get back in to it.

I am a PE teacher and a CSCS trainer and I have incorporated CrossFit into the after school training program. The students are hooked. Thanks CrossFit.

#112 JB-  Well brother, it's certainly a pleasure to run into someone with whom I can see eye to eye.  
I'm not in the service, I'm just a fitness junkie. Have you run into any tall-specific challenges since starting CrossFit?
Personally I find it hard to find pull up bars high enough to kip without dragging my feet. Also since I can be spotted from anywhere in the gym it's impossible to not get starred at doing air squats or thrusters.
Also, my gym has posted a "train safe. ie. no cleans" sign and it's not like I can hide while doing them. I don't think the people manning the desk know what cleans are though so I should be okay.

Just stuck a 43" box jump. I know this is far from superhuman (OPT and Speal probably jump like 6'6") but it's a PR by 7", and my better half's not answering her cell so I had to tell somebody. Thanks for listening.

"Anything which has the potential to kill another human being is scary." True, but this is not specific to guns. planes are scary because they flew into the twin towers. Eggs and bologna are scary because they cause cancer - always a new food group that is bad for us. Cars are scary because unlike the control over a gun they are 2,000 pound metal boxes propelled at high rates of speed and most definatley kill more people then guns. Everything can be considered deadly and scary but we still leave our houses which could at some point and time fall and kill us. States where most carry guns have low crime rates compared to those where guns are not carried. If i get shot and live i hope i can fight back with more then a stick or capstun to throw back, and if someone breaks into my home with my children inside i dont care what their intention is i will protect my family with whatever force is necessary, scary or not.

#116 Doodlebug

Congrats!

Do you land in a squat? Or are your legs straight when you land?

Atta girl Wendy!!

#66 davidorr: I extend my deepest condolences for the loss of your nephew. I did a tour in Afghanistan a few years ago, and spoke with many a secret squirrel who echoed those exact sentiments. Our leaders have chosen to ignore the war that needed to happen for the one that didn't, and as a result we're further away from UBL than we should be six years into the fight. I just hope that when we do get him, we take him alive, because that's his worst case scenario. Stay strong.

Hey, just wanted to say a few things. This is mainly towards all of the winers out their. I am a 15 year old, who has been doing crossfit for 2 months now. I weigh about 150, and I am male. My main point here is that i am a juevenile diabetic who is very active. If I am a diabetic who has no problem with it and who is only 15, then your guys or girls have no excuse. Just get it done. I have no problem doing the workouts and most likely will not have a problem with them ever. For the people out their who decide that they are going to change the workout or modify it somehow, need to leave crossift. Not to be mean , but we don't want to hear it. It the great words of crossfit members... 3,2,1 GO!

Did Mondays WOD, then Sundays:

Got through 13 pulls, did 12 the next minute.

Sunday WOD: 22:35 HSP's took too long due to concentration on full ROM. These WOD's that concenttrate on a specific group of movements where you are wearing out specific muscles gets me every time. I have to take breaks due to lactic failure, but I never feel that sore after. How much building (stamina or strength) is this type of WOD doing?

#100 - Hari

I wrote:
"So that's George Bush's legacy: he will be remembered as the man who gave freedom and democracy a bad name."

And you replied:
"I really want to make sure I understand this. Are you actually suggesting that people's hatred of Bush is causing them to look askance at freedom and democracy? What precisely are these people proposing instead. "

To which I say:
I didn't mean to suggest that some people are so blinded by their hatred of George Bush that they would abandon the idea of democracy. They just can't stand the hypocrisy of Bush preaching a certain version of freedom on one hand, and being responsible for Abu Ghraib, Guantanamo and the erosion of constitutional rights on the other hand. They see Bush invoking "freedom" and exploiting terrorism to expand the powers of the presidency for naked partisan gain.They think he is cynical, if not evil.

I disagree. I don't share Bush's politics, but do not doubt his sincerity or integrity -- just his competence.
I think he is a small man in a big job. I also think he is clueless as to why the US is now seen as so threatening and undemocratic by hundreds of millions of people around the world. I remember seeing a TV interview in which Bush seemed utterly mystified as to why people elsewhere would be so hostile. He said something like: "I don't understand it, because I know how good the American people are."

I speak as a Canadian who lived for ten years in NYC and have acquaintances who were killed by the terrorists at the World Trade Center. And yes, I lived on the Upper West Side, where conservatives are almost an unknown species.

But I also travel in Canada and Europe. And I am astounded at the pervasive hostility to Bush -- and, more importantly, by the whole idea that the U.S. is an exemplar of freedom. I have heard these attitudes from bankers and business people, not just the usual gang of leftist malcontents.

And all this goes far beyond Iraq and terrorism. Europeans see a country where almost 50 million people lack health care insurance and wonder how they can said to be free. It all depends on what you mean by freedom. When FDR spoke of "economic freedom" he was referring to the right to join unions, have social security, and earn a minimum wage. When the Wall Street Journal speaks of "economic freedom" it is referring to abolishing those hard won rights...in the name of progress and freedom.

OTOH, Canadians and Europeans can be insufferably
self-righteous about their supposed moral superiority to Americans....even as the outsource national defense to the US because they are unwilling to do it themselves. Of course, they secretly love American culture and openness... and many would love to move there! Which doesn't stop them from sitting in cafes
and criticizing the perfidy of American foreign policy over a bottle of wine...

My only point is different people have different ideas of what freedom is. No one has a monopoly on truth or virtue...or hypocrisy.

Best,
-Dan

P.S. Is Dammit an actual person or a well trained actor playing a role? If I stopped by the Black Box next time I'm back in New York, is there a chance I could meet him?

Best,
-Dan

Running a bit off schedule lately. Too much Halloween festivities, doesn't mix well with Crossfit damn it!
Today I just modified a WOD from a few days ago to get me back in the swing.
for time:
400m (under 80 sec)
15 (feet elevated pike press)
15 regular bar dips
400 m (about 80sec)
15 pike press
15 dips
400 m (about 85 sec)
15 pike press
15 dips- then finished with max rep pushups 15
(weak!)
19:00min

That whole AbuGitmo thing is a Leftist trope that like almost all Leftist one-liners is nearly devoid of coherent content. The guys in Gitmo are there because we didn't kill them, but we didn't want to leave them loose. They are not American citizens, with the result that our Constitutional protections do not apply to them.

"Abu Ghraib" had been undone by the time it got reported. It was self policed by the military, and all that story did was inflame an insurgency and get thousands of people killed. Rather than a symptom of our hypocrisy, it is a symptom of the fact that Americans--like every other nation--are capable of evil, but exist within a system that prevents evil to blossom. Unlike many other systems which leftists prefer not to talk about.

I think he has made mistakes, but fundamentally I think Bush is acting in a way which over time will lead to greater peace. I was reading an article based on interviews with Arabs around the Middle East, and they draw a clear inference that screwing with America creates problems. Planes flew into the Twin Towers, Americans invaded Iraq. Bad for them, so don't screw with America. This is simple logic, and the sort of logic which in all times of history has dictated what people actually do. Deterrance works where reason does not, and Reason has historically been the exception, not the rule.

The article today in effect said--although they were careful not to put it this bluntly--that self government requires self restraint and social maturity. It doesn't work for irrational, childish people. They bicker like children, then they start shooting one another, then the strongest takes control. Look at Africa and most of the Middle East. Most nations in those areas are not ready for democracy. Why? They lack social maturity. They lack the capacity for empathy between groups, and for systematically putting their own immediate desires aside for the long term common good. They want what they want when they want it, and god help anyone who gets in their way.

This is the logic of suicide bombers. If someone disagrees with you, go kill them. It's emotionally gratifying, you get to stick your thumb in their eye and say "See, look what I did to you, you so and so". It's that simple. It really is.

We don't do that in America. Even in our Civil War, we had deeply principled, self controlled men fighting on both sides. It was not a war over slavery. It was a war over the rights of the States in the United States to determine their own destiny apart from the coercive authority of the Federal government.

The battles we fight are almost always worth fighting. In the current situation, we are in effect trying to spread the virus of self restraint, and looking to a greater good than that of your immediate tribe and ethnic group, in Iraq and Afghanistan. This flies in the face of many thousands of years of history, and that we have not succeeded fully in four years should come as a surprise only to those used to getting what they want when they want it. In short, the socially and politically immature.

And anyone who argues that our support of non-democratic regimes is hypocritical is living in fantasyland. The choices in the 20th Century were between non-democratic regimes who were amenable to American influence, and those who were under the influence of the Soviet Union. In the one case, progress was possible. In the other, it was not. Do you pick the one where progress is possible, or abandon a nation to an awful destiny of unmitigated tyranny, and pretend this is a moral act?

Morality, quite often, consists in choosing the better of two bad options. That there are only two options is quite often nobody's fault, and failing to make a choice is choosing the worse of two options. How can that be moral?

In reference to the question of why the picture of this man with a gun is on the front page, I followed the links and it seems that the folks who run CrossFit East also do weapons/tactical training. It seems that every now and then the picture is someone doing something cool or interesting that utilizes their CrossFit-ness. Seems to jive to me. (For the record, I don't own guns for self-defense, just hunting, and am not particularly interested in gun culture.) I do agree that there seems to be more than usual, but perhaps it's just coincidence.

117 - Wendy... I'm with you ;) I'd posted something similar, but longer, but it got eaten by the SPAM filter. You go girl...

#113 Mr. Cooper,

I just read the article you posted about the Khmer regime. You said that the world would look like that if "the Communists" had prevailed in their efforts. In the article, it states that, "Fleeing with other Khmer Rouge cadres when the government was ousted by a Vietnamese invasion in 1979..."
The Vietnamese government was communist in 1979, and they overthrew the Khmer Rouge. I don't follow your logic...would the world look like a place where genocidal governments were routinely overthrown? Can we expect Cuba to intervene in Sudan?

Matt

God Bless any video that draws attention to Nicole's body.

ROW: 20min 5224meter
StairMaster: 20min 308Cal
Eliptical: 20min 215Cal

Low Back Squat:
15X 135lbs
10X 185lbs
5X 235lbs
5X 235lbs
5X 235lbs
10X 135lbs

Shoulder Press:
10X 95lbs
5X 140lbs
5X 140lbs
5X 140lbs
5X 140lbs

4 Rounds:
20X Box Jump 24"
1 min Jump Rope
10X Ring Dip

Swim: 500yards

Guns.

Let me make something clear. I am the equalizer, not the gun. The gun is a tool. I would just assume mess a guy up with a lamp. Guns are just more effective.

Liberty is not to be feared. It is the appearance of liberty in an otherwise thug ridden environment, that proves dangerous. Votes can only be trusted in a secure environment and results can only be trusted in a trusted environment. Popular elections gone awrry are not the biggest threat, it is the inability to insure that the election was fair or that any subsequent elections are fair and regular.

Guns in the hands of the citizen protect that right. Guns being the optimal choice to project the seriousness of a situation that the common man can operate. If a "phaser" comes out that vaporizes, then that is the tool of liberty.

What people don't truely like is leverage, or atleast someone weilding leverage in an unjust manner. The gun is just an expediant method to employ leverage. If you can not convince a person with bad intentions not to wield leverage, through the threat of damaging or deadly force...they will.

The world is governed by the rules of the jungle.

Sharpen your claws.

Joey

Rest day... came up with a quasi-Murph/Lynne combo

.95 mi to gym then 5 sets max dip/pull (2-3 min in between sets)

5:07 run

Dip Pull
30 20
21 16
18 13
17 11
15 10

6:17 run

Puked in the gym trashcan after the first set but fought off puking the rest of the way. Much harder than a pushup/pullup "lynne" I tried last rest day, pullups really suffered... give it a shot CF nation

S/F

90 Sean,

There's a link between what people feel they need to have in order to feel safe, and the availability of those things in society.

If guns are widely availble to all, as they are in the US relative to the UK, then your average criminal is more likely to have one. So a concerned citizen may feel the need to carry one.

In the UK, its not so easy to get a gun as in the US (despite what the headlines say). However it is easy to get hold of a knife, so we have seen an increase in people carrying a knife for 'protection'. Its not legal to do this, but some feel the need to 'equalize the encounter' out weighs the risk of getting caught breaking the law.

I lived in Cambodia in 96-97. Back then everyone had a gun. Heck i even had one in the house. It was a modified short stock M16 and 10 full magazines, all rotated out in sequence to ease the pressure on the spring blah blah blah..

The only thing about having everyone armed was that most encounters were incredibly violent. Think 'grenades being thrown at wedding parties' type violent and you get the picture. So despite the gun being an equaliser, and bad guys still existing, the end result was not more 'fair' encounters, it was more dead people.

The solution was to get the guns off the streets. Life was just a lot better for everybody after that happened.

Cheers

Jerry

"Rest Day"

CFWU (3x 15 reps)

1000 meter - 3:24.3

Practiced HSPUs by doing mostly negatives, and doing pushups off the rail approx 4' off ground. The gym was a zoo, I really need to get a bigger apt to build a CF gym in my kitchen!

Took the weekend/ monday off because of a tweeking my hami.

Did Monday 8 minute followed by:

Dip x50
Push-Up x 50
Raises x 50

Probally sub some bike for running this week just to be safe.

Why should my 5'2" wife be at the mercy of a 6' 200+ lb thug if she can carry a tool that might help her fight off the bad guy? (hint: she isn't)

Why should Korean convenience store owners be forced to watch their shops being looted during the Rodney King riots, because they couldn't have the self-defense tools capable of keeping their life's work be ransacked by mobs of angry looters? (hint: they weren't)

Why should a woman eating lunch with her mother watch her mom and nearly 30 others die at the hands of some degranged idiot who methodically killed them in a restaurant? (Hint: her state wouldn't let her carry a firearm)

As trite as it sounds, guns don't kill people. People do. None of my guns have killed or injured anyone. They've never been angry, or sad. They are inanimate objects.

If you are afraid of an inanimate object, perhaps you should seek professional assistance. What you should be afraid of are the criminals who, by definition, will never follow our laws, and will use whatever means available to them to do you harm.

If firearms were not effective self-defense tools, why do (most) police carry them?

And, the self-defense issue aside, firearms in the United States play another important role: They guarantee every other part of our Constitution, including the right of people to burn flags, denigrate service personnel and put images of Christ into jars of urine.

There is no obligation in the United State for the police to protect you, none. If they happen to, lucky you. If not, they'll arrive in time to take a report, then perhaps actually find who killed or raped you.

I do not want to fight fair. I want to go home. If I get into a lethal force confrontation, it will not have been me who made to decision to get shot, it will have been the criminal who decided to do harm to me, my family or someone I care about. It is THEIR actions that will determine whether they walk away, or get carried away.

If I die during such a confrontation, that's ok. Everyone dies some day.

But some piece of scum is going with me.

So, why do I carry a handgun?
Because carrying a rifle is inconvenient.

#123, Daniel Freedman, writes,

"I didn't mean to suggest that some people are so blinded by their hatred of George Bush that they would abandon the idea of democracy. They just can't stand the hypocrisy of Bush preaching a certain version of freedom on one hand, and being responsible for Abu Ghraib, Guantanamo and the erosion of constitutional rights on the other hand. They see Bush invoking 'freedom' and exploiting terrorism to expand the powers of the presidency for naked partisan gain.They think he is cynical, if not evil."

Fair enough. What specifically was it that happened at Abu Gharib and what is happening at Guantanamo that Canadians find so repugnant as to brand Bush as "evil?"

What US Constitutional rights do Canadians see as being in jeopardy, and what do they see as an unreasonable expansion of presidential power by Bush?

"P.S. Is Dammit an actual person or a well trained actor playing a role? If I stopped by the Black Box next time I'm back in New York, is there a chance I could meet him?"

Dammit is real. I heard him read from his soon-to-be-published, novel a few weeks ago. He's a great writer, a hell of a CrossFitter, and an all around good guy. You definitely can meet him when you're in NYC.

(I also can arrange for you to meet an Upper West Side conservative.)

#128: I'm curious, were the Soviets liberated by the Nazis? Did the Spanish liberate the Indians conquered by the Aztecs and Incas?

Let's go down that road, though. Let's talk about the Vietnamese Communists. Please read this article, then explain to me the benefits of Communism, and how the liberation movement of South Vietnam--as we were told we needed to regard the Vietnamese War by hysterical hippies and beaded nihilists marching in the street--played out in the world where real people live, where food is needed, and where ideas actually lead to concrete results:

http://pjcountry.blogspot.com/2007/10/from-our-friends-at-veriseal.html

rowing training last night.
we did

30 of everything (2)

1. 30 pushups MB alt
2. 30 army burpees
3. 30 wall ball squats
4. 30 prone row db
5. 30 deadlifts
6. 30 bench jumps
7. 30 plate swings
8. 30 thrusters
9. 30 pull-ups
10. 30 dips
11. 30 military sit ups MB
12. 30 Ball slam

• 1 crew member rows at a speed >2.00m 500m for duration of above and then rotate.

hurt lots

I live in the metro DC area. The crime rate in DC/Maryland and Virgina is night and day difference. Virginia allows lawful citizens to carry firearms. DC/Maryland severely limits its lawful citizens. Though I heard DC's ban on firearms was found unconstitutional recently. I havent been there to know for sure.

This is the old debate. People think the government exists to take care of them. I feel it is my own responsibility to take care of myself. So while you are waiting for a chopper to drop you food and arrest thugs running the streets after the next natural disaster, I will be feeding and protecting my family.

Ref: Scotland "guns sacre me"
It may be a difficult idea for a person to understand, who is a "subject" of a nation that has had a long history of being a monarchy. We kind of been cleansed of that in the USA.

The USA bashing on here is hysterical. Everyone fails to see that these Secular Progressive governments are now electing pro USA Prime ministers and Presidents. Look at current events in France and Germany. How is this an indicator of Bush's legacy giving the USA a bad name? They are all turning pro USA in deviance? Give me a break. Only Canadian socialists, closet communists, democrats, and MSM are worried. We have a pro USA france rising and the US media is attacking them. Hmm, I wonder why...

MOMO-RUSS

Now here's a culture clash! Urban Canadian guy meets Mr. Alabama. That would be interesting.

It's funny you mention the girls. My wife thinks that maybe coach named the WODs after ex-girlfriends that he wanted to punish...

I'll never agree or understand your love of guns but if you CF as hard as I do, it would be my pleasure to eat at your table any night!

#125 - Barry Cooper

Sorry, but I must respectfully disagree with the contention that AbuGitmo is an overdone leftist trope devoid of content. Thoughtful people of all political stripes around the world are deeply troubled by US policy. As a result, US influence and prestige has diminished at a time when unity is required.

The central issue here the rule of law and lack of accountability.

The idea that Gitmo prisoners are dangerous terrorists detained on the battlefield is mostly a myth. By one account, only 5-10% fit that category. Some were foot soldiers in the Taliban or Al Quada. But many more are innocent people turned in by bounty hunters...sometimes from third countries. Remember, hundreds have been released
from Gitmo. (And, yes, a few of those released were genuine terrorists who went back to terrorism.)

Gitmo remains front page news to this day in almost every newspaper in Canada and Europe. Even close allies have called for its closure. It is seen as a symbol of US lawlessness. Remember, President Bush originally claimed the right to kidnap and detain
indefinitely without charge at Gitmo any citizen of any country -- and deny the detainees any right to challenge their detention. US courts and Congress have reigned the President in somewhat, but the world has neither forgiven nor forgotten what they see as indefensible American overreach.

There have also been cases of Canadian, US, Italian,
and British citizens being kidnapped by (or with the complicity) of US intelligence agents. Some have disappeared into secret CIA prisons, or have been turned over to foreign governments for imprisonment and torture. These cases are huge local stories, but are barely mentioned by the US media.

As for Abu Ghraib, I blame President. He signed off on torture memos (later repudiated and retracted) and the abuse followed. Was there a direct cause and effect relationship? Nope. But President Bush helped create a climate in which abuse become possible. So the "few bad apples" theory is unpersuasive to me.

Did longtime leftists and pathological America haters exploit all this for their own ends? Absolutely. What else would you expect them to do?

As I said previously, the issue here is a disconnect between American freedom rhetoric and the ugly reality of foolish and abusive policies -- policies that have handed propaganda victories to the enemy and facilitated its recruiting.

To many reasonable people around the world, fighting for freedom by employing torture and mercenaries doesn't add up.

The great challenge is how to preserve and enhance democracy, while fighting terrorism. It's not easy. But President Bush hasn't done very well.

#66 David: I'm so sorry that your nephew died in Afghanistan. Am I right to assume he's a fallen American fighting man? A US Soldier or Sailor or Marine?

It's really hard to lose a comrade, a young and beautiful man with a patiot's heart, and someone you lovingly watched grow from his infancy into a promising young man. I hope you and your family find peace.

#137 Mr. Cooper,

To enlighten your curiosity, the fascist Nazi's fought our Communist Soviet allies in WWII. And the Spaniards subjugated New World inhabitants in the name of Christ, gold/silver, prestige, etc.

I will read the article soon.

I tried posting this one earlier, but the spam filters keep bugging me for some reason:
http://www.opinionjournal.com/editorial/feature.html?id=110010686

I want to thank Crossfit. I am a Major in the US Army (Airborne Ranger Infantry type). I was introduced to Crossfit by my last commander and have been using it for about 7 months; I am now in the best shape of my 16+ years in the Army.

I am about to deploy to Iraq and I have used Crossfit to train my team of 11 men for the last 60 days, with great results. Crossfit (coupled with a combatives program) enabled me to physically toughen my men in a short amount of time. Crossfit has changed the way I look at PT and has helped me prepare my men for combat. Thanks Crossfit.

comment#140 Daniel Freedman

It is easier to criticize the treatment of terrorists in GITMO than it is to explain the cowardice of Canada/Europe. They have to pick a side. They fear Islamic-Facists more than our (USA) civil debate. Wake up and realize what you are being distracted from.

"the world has neither forgiven nor forgotten what they see as indefensible American overreach."

"The world" is a rather large place. Is it your contention that among the nations of the world there are no people or groups who understand that preemption is the only effective means of avoiding successful terrorist attacks? That we have no allies or sympathizers?

Moreover, are you contending that our policy should be based more on our perception of the perception of others than what we deem fit? What do you propose we do with people overwhelmingly likely to be guilty of committing, planning, or supporting terrorist activity, but for which we cannot produce evidence that would be sufficient to withstand the scrutiny of a professional American Defense Attorney? Let them go?

You do understand that if they are tried, and found innocent by reason of insufficient evidence, we will have to release them, and that if they actually are guilty, we will be in effect causing the deaths of innocent people?

If I were an American military commander, and were confronted with that scenario, I would take a lot less prisoners. I have said this before, but it's quite possible that the ruckus over Gitmo has led to more "human rights violations", not less, and made them less transparent to scrutiny, not more.

Now, as for the gun or knife issue: I have both, and at least one with me at all times. I refuse to be messed with, and I mean it. I do not live in fear. I live in the assurance that I will not be victimized, and that can put up a most unexpected and lethal fight. I may not win, but I'll up the cost for everyone. At my size, even with MA training, I am unable to effectively defend myself against anyone with minimal training unless I have a weapon. Even the most lethal of butterflies can do nothing against a lion, unless she's got her "girlfriend" with her. I named mine "Gladys".

I encourage everyone to read "Unintended Consequences" by John Ross. It's a great thrill ride of a novel that outlines the history of America's gun control laws. It's also an urban survival cookbook.

Spider Chick
That's an awe