gotta love Sarah Palin

She had me at hockey mom.

Loved the skiing photo.

I'M THE SECOND! BUT SERIOUSLY...THANK GOD IT'S A REST DAY. EVERYTHING IS SORE!

GoObama!!

Allison called it!

THE quote from the RNC was from Mike Huckabee: "Sarah Palin got more votes running for mayor of Wasilla, AK than Joe Biden did running for President of the United States."

GO MCCAIN AND PALIN...THEY WILL BE IN THE WHITE HOUSE NEXT!

Dang it, noooo. My 2nd day on CF is a rest day :( I'll just do upper body isolations or something.

again the endurance athlete gets all the press. yet I wonder how much he can press. outside needs to widen their search criteria.

Interesting note: Brock Gavery who is one of the athletes featured in the Fittest Real Men in America article in Outside magazines works out at Xplore CrossFit in Seattle. He stills does ultras but he has drastically reduced his training volume and increased his total power output tremendously. This is evidence in a general sense by his increased strength and work capacity and in sport specific terms by his improved race times.

#6 Playoff Beard: Love to say I told ya so!

No rest for me. I've been lazy. Running a 5k first thing in the morning.

Re: Outside Magazine,

There was a quote here a while back that said all a distance runner had to do was run for more than 10 minutes and he could escape a crossfitter.

I'm pretty sure in 10 minutes the CrossFit rockstars(man and woman alike) could catch and devour ANY of the endurance folks in that rag! ;)

PS Vote Irish: O'Bama!

This woman can bite - I hope she can finish as strong as she started. It's incredible to see someone throwing the Obamanonsense back in his face. Paul

Rest days mean only CFE WOD.
Check out Crossfit Endurance.
It's the gravy on top of the Crossfit biscuits.

PPS-
First Fran as RxD today.
12:55

I have extreme doubt that Palin was picked because she is the best candidate for the job. It's nothing more than a political move, and even then I can't decide if it is brilliant move or just irresponsible. Mayor of a town of 7,000 people and then Governor of a state with 660,000 people and she is next in line if by some crazy chance the 72 year old man who has had cancer 4 times dies?

Just wanted to note the spelling error in the link above; it's Biden not Bidin.

i'm scared for next week's set of workouts....

I have to say McCain's selection of Palin was the perfect choice for him. I back McCain, but I was worried that Obama would pull through, but I have much more confidence now going into the election

SARAH!

Great Picture

Obama and Biden #1 pick hands down! Although I feel McCain has the integrity and determination to improve the state of this country far beyond the current Bush induced debacle. It is nice to feel good about both candidates. Even if my man Obama loses we will still be in capable hands.

very interesting next sixty one days. i like the down home earthy feel palin brings but mccain gives me doubts. obama's pick of biden seems an appeasement tactic though at the same time. still not sure and really clear on each of the candidates taxation plans. the protesters though made for interesting tv.

Hurricane Sarah is going to wipe Biden off the map...Ouch.

Sarah Palin= a Pitbull + lipstick

Joe Biden =Another Democrat Lawyer + Meatstick

Seriously, does anyone know why every Democrat Presidential Contender is a lawyer and married to one as well?

That should tell you everything you need to know. The party of Ambulance Chasers and Trial Lawyers.

It is people who want to be victims and people that want to make victims.

Sort of a "Sado-Masichist" relationship.

Palin: The woman has her crap together. She has my undivided attention.

Let's not beat around the bush anymore!

http://www.americanthinker.com/2008/08/why_obamas_red_mentor_is_news.html

http://www.americanthinker.com/2008/09/a_2008_voters_guide_1.html

Biased or not, look at the straight facts and do your research.

Favorite quote: "Let me make something clear tonight: I'm not a Republican because I grew up rich. I'm a Republican because I didn't want to spend the rest of my life poor, waiting for the government to rescue me." - Huckabee at GOP Convention

Another famous quote by Lincoln (not verbatim): A nation that depends on the government can easily be overthrown by the government.

I'm not worried about the opinion of a magazine designed to sell products. Outside is nothing more than a catalog for fat city dwellers who want to plunk down cash for a Marmot fleece and an element so they can look "outdoorsy" while they sip a latte and pout about how someone has to do something about gas prices!!!

I would use that rag to clean sh!t off my shoe.

Sarah Palin is a religious nutter. She came out swinging in typical Rovian fashion: lots of deception, light on policy and facts.

Here are a few rebuttals and fact checks on her speech:

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/09/04/politics/animal/main4414049.shtml
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080904/ap_on_el_pr/cvn_fact_check
http://www.samefacts.com/archives/campaign_2008_/2008/09/palin_v_reality.php

Unfortunately she's pretty attractive. So I'm torn.

bite? HA that's a laugh, she's like a chihuahua barking at a chained Rotty. She's just an angry fundamentalist yuppie soccer mom. McCain's ideas and her neocon fascist ideas from religion to birth control will turn America into another puritan state that will oddly enough make us resemble Iran. I can bet some of you out there want that though, but I'll tell you what, if you or her want to stick their noses into my business or my family's...ahh...I don't even want to talk about it anymore...

anywho, yay for hurricanes on rest days...

haha, i say we vote for Dave Castro!

As for Mccain and Obama i go Mccain, as for the vice's, I would be terrified if Palin ever made it to presidency, since its a real possible occurrence looking at Mccains health,Do you really want Palin, whos biggest decision revolved around not building a bridge, really potentially leading America in a time of economic crisis and terroristic threat?

Can she handle it? We know Mccain can, but what if hes no longer there? I for one don't trust Palin

Funny video, but since when do we take fitness magazines seriously? Most of them are trash.

BELISARIO - way to get in a CF video..

steve shaw, Charlie 1/5 2004-2005

@ #29...my thoughts exactly...she is by far the most attractive thing in or about politics in a long time.

Anyone else find it kind of humorous how the Republicans are talking as if they are up against a entrenched incumbent democratic administration who has done terrible damage to the country? Where is taking responsibility for the mistakes? Republicans have been running things in Washington for 6 of the last 7 years. I've never witnessed such dishonesty at a political convention. Believe me, I'm not liberal either. I voted for Reagan twice, Bush I twice, Dole and Bush II twice.

Outside magazine has some great adventure stories from time to time, but what they don't know about fitness is lots! The endurance athlete is not the pinnacle of fitness by any measure! After only three months of CrossFit my wife and I just hiked 1106 stairs up 1200 vertical feet at about a 30 degree angle in 18 minutes without stopping once [on our second time up]. Yeah it got my wind up but within 30 seconds of stopping I was able to recover to normal breathing. The triathletes who do this run 4-5 times a week do the ascent in 13 minutes, but are sucking wind for 10 minutes after! CrossFit makes fit people!

#7 John Seiler:

Just FYI, that was a bit of hyperbole. Biden got some 79,000+ votes in the primary. Palin's town of Wasilla has a population somewhere between 5000 and 9000. So she obviously could not have gotten more votes than Biden.

Fact checker: http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/09/03/1338894.aspx

Substance or Fluff?

McCain = Substance

Obama = FLUFF

Not only is McCain more qualified than Obama so is Palin.

If you're looking for a man who can paint a pretty picture with nothing to back it up look at Obama.

If you're looking for a man who may not be the most eloquent man in the world but has character, integrity and American honor take a look at our next President John S McCain.

#14 Appoloswabbie
Palin is Obamaesque the same way that P90x is like crossfit. Clearly there are huge differences between the two.

Palin = the Best reason to vote for McCain
Obama = the Second Best reason to vote for McCain

So she has little "Major" executive experience, it's still more than Obama has. I believe that Obama wants the best for America, I just don't believe that the way he would go about it would produce the best for America. I am not a huge fan of McCain either, but come on at least he will attmept to allow me to keep some of the money I earn, and make sure I have a job to earn money with.

Adam Comment #17

I would MUCH rather have Sarah Palin run our country if she had to (if McCain were to be absent for any reason) then Obama or Joe Biden for that matter.

I really like this woman, she will make a huge difference this election.

An outdoor magazine saying mountain runners, bikers, etc. are the fittest people in America. Crap, if they wrote that people would,,,,, buy more outdoor magazines. Brilliant!

What a bunch of crap.

I wonder if Hillary sat and watched Palin last night in her pajama pant suit with a bucket of Ben and Jerry's catching her tears screaming "That should be me!"?

Just wonderin'.

#19 - I agree about next cycle's WODs. Anyone else a little worried about how many pullups we're going to have to do?

"The best social plan is a job"
"The goal of unemployment is to help people escape it, it is not a long term plan"
-Ronald Reagan

Politics? I'm disappointed CrossFit.com... I'm really getting sick of it all. It's bad enough that I'm in Afghanistan having to listen to all this nonsense, but now I can't even visit my favorite site without bumping into it. I'm sick of all the partisan bickering and assine comments made by both sides. Leave this crap for the water cooler and politcal forums. Now let's all come together and do a Murph. ;)

Wow.. all these talking points from both sides of the aisle. Lets get factual, not resort to "neocon this" and "liberal that".

McCain's speech was actually pretty good, and didn't go into attack mode like Biden, Obama, and Palin.

CCTJoey (Comment #26),

"Sarah Palin= a Pitbull + lipstick

Joe Biden =Another Democrat Lawyer + Meatstick"

Laughing my A$$ off! Classic!

Looking at your website, assume you are at the Louisville STS. I was a TACP at Knox in the early 90's. I now work for a contractor who employs quite a few former ST guys (my boss is retired CCT). We probably know some of the same folks.

1) Sarah Palin doesn't believe global warming is manmade.

2) Her attacks against Obama are flat WRONG: http://tinyurl.com/6e5lwg)

3) She's for teaching creationism in schools.

4) And she recently admitted that she didn't know exactly what it was the Vice President did.

But I'm still totally fine with voting for McCain, because there's no chance she'll ever take office, right? Right?

McCain just lost my vote.

I'm sick of politicians using God as a crutch to vote for them. Bush totally fooled the people by pulling the Christian card... Palin is doing the same thing. Both of them have no theological meat to what they say. Palin thinks its Gods will to be in Iraq... Yeah rite!!!! It's about OIL... McCain is a Bush wannabe he was totally kissing his ass especially the last 4 years. 3 years ago when Katrina hit it was McCain’s birthday and those two were sharing a cake sooo sadd!!! McCain’s will be a 3rd term Bush with the same policies. Just call him MCBUSH!!!!! Even McCain’s wife is a fan of Bush look who she distributes beer for anheuser BUSH... F the Belgins drink MILLER!!! lol jk about the last part...

#31 I second that vote for Dave Castro for president hahaha!

On a serious note, this is a good topic to discuss. My vote was heavily going to depend on the veep nominations by each of the presidential nominees. For the Democratic side, Senator Biden has a lot foreign experience, which will make for the lack of foreign experience that Obama lacks. Even though he is a plagiarist, I feel he has more of a leadership in him then Pain has.
For Palin, I dont think she would do so great. Before last week when she was nominated, no one ever heard of her name. Im not sure I would feel safe knowing that if something terrible does happen to senator McCain (hopefully nothing will), that she would take over the office. McCain is 72, and has a good numnber of diseases, there is a possibility that he may become ill. Palin was a mayor of a town of a state that is large in geographical means, but very small in population. I honestly dont think she could handle the pressure. Of course she looks good with a speech made up for her, and having time to reherse it, but in real time action I dont think she has what it takes.
I favor McCain over Obama, and I favor Biden over Palin, so I am kinda in a middle of a dilemma when it comes to my vote, I will have to wait until the debates!

as rx'd

24 hours

Hey Castro,

I love the raw emotion, thats how I feel a lot of the time.

Will they ever truly understand? I say who gives a S#it, we do.

For a man who says country first, and Palin 2nd. come on.

99% of the people out there never heard of her until last friday, and now they think she will be a great #2 if McCain goes down.

are you kidding me?

Dave, I canceled my Outside subscription 3 years ago when I couldn't get through the ads to read the articles. Its sad what has happened to that excellent outdoor enthusiast mag.

I noticed as you were looking at the "fittest" men that they were posing in clothes and gear for sale - more ads. More bullsht.

Long live CrossFit and the CrossFit Journal.

They are two sides of the same coin. Tell people what they want to hear, and then do whatever they want when they get elected. We should vote for Cthulu, the lesser of two evils.

Cool, we're going to have a fun rest day with this topic. Should be entertaining. I would be quite disappointed if the demos win. We can go back and forth with the "who has more experience". I just ask would you rather have a prez with no executive and foreign policy expereince or would you rather have a vp with executive and no foreign policy experience? That's an easy pick. The other test would you rather have more supreme court judges who think the right to bear arms can be outlawed by state/local gov like the DC case? And not to mention all the baggage the demos have. Judgement is not too good; Wright, Ayers, etc. And not to forget the fantasyland speech Obama gave last week. Come on now lets be rational and reasonalble.

Question for the folks who accuse Obama of being all fluff. Have you dug into his website at all and looked at his policy proposals?

#53 I feel the same way. I'm SHOCKED that anyone could like Palin.

I did a little digging, and check out what I found: http://www.crosscut.com/politics-government/17341.

Apparently she isn't so popular in Alaska after all.

Questioning the pick of McCain, how about Obama for picking a man who was run out of the 1988 Presidential race for plagiarism.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/special/clinton/frenzy/biden.htm

Now come on!!!

Fwiw my buddy is from Wassila and his younger bro is good friends w/Sarah Palin's oldest son who is going to Iraq. My friend said she was as down to earth as one could possibly get. I think the debates will be very interesting. Especially Palin vs. Biden. Lets hope that the majority of the American people vote for the tandem w/the best solutions. I think the majority of the folks here know the pair that has those ideas;)

# 57

Proposal- the act of offering or suggesting something for acceptance, adoption, or performance.

Let's talk about what he has done not what he "proposes" to do.

Again I say...FLUFF. Bring on the facts of what he has accomplished not what he proposes.

#26 CCT Joey,

Not all lawyers are trial lawyers and ambulance chasers. Some perform other functions that keep men from pulling guns on each other wild west style.

I'm not a lawyer but a veteran of 10 years in the military. I was a republican but have lost all faith after the Bush years. The lack of transparency in both international policy and energy policy was enough to make me see the light.

As for Sarah Palin, she gave a good speech.

However, I refuse to have someone tell me how to live my life when neither her or her child can adhere to their own advice. Apparently, her son was born 8 months after she eloped. So much for abstinence. But, don't even think about teaching about sex, we can learn all we need to under the sheets.

"Gov. Sarah Palin announced that she and her husband are celebrating their 20th wedding anniversary, which means they were married on August 29, 1988.

On April 20, 1989 – less than eight months after they eloped – their first son, Track, was born."

For a party that wants to claim the Morale High Road they sure are willing to take it into the mud.

As for the bridge to nowhere, she flip flopped on that. First she was all for it, then she wasn't because she couldn't come up with additional funding to make it reality. However, she kept the money that was earmarked for it.

http://www.newsminer.com/news/2008/aug/31/sarah-palin-supported-ketchikan-bridge-nowhere-dur/

The story about trying to fire a librarian for not censoring books she wanted removed from the library is a good one. I can't wait to find out if it is true or not.

http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1837918,00.html?imw=Y

The same with trying to get her LEO brother-in-law canned.

Apparently, she likes to throw her weight around.

As for supporting family's of special needs children. Well, she was against funding for them and actually cut spending 62% prior to having a special needs child of her own.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/09/04/politics/animal/main4414049.shtml

Palin is lucky to have CrossFit.com, because she is the laughing stock of the rest of the internet.

Does anyone on this site think the last 8 years have been successful? I have tried very hard and cannot. I have always been somewhat conservative, and consequently I have typically voted republican, but I am having trouble believing McCain is not going to take us down the same path for another 4-8 years. As for Palin, she didn't write that speech. You could take a soap opera actor and let them rehearse for a day and they would do just as well, if not better. So let's allow her to represent herself in a debate setting before we anoint her as the VP savior of America...

#7
Wasilla's 1996 Mayoral election:
Palin received 651 votes

Wasilla's 1999 Mayoral election:
Palin received 909 votes

In Obama and Clinton's home states, Biden received a combined 8,109 votes.

I read this earlier on another message board. It's so brilliant I had to quote it:
"Sarah Palin is the mind of James Dobson in the body of Karen Walker."

She definitely has some charisma though. And she's picking up the ultra-conservative slack that McCain is missing. This is going to be an interesting election!

Q. What's the difference between Sarah Palin and Dick Cheney?

A. Lipstick.

The really (really really) funny thing is watching otherwise-intelligent Republicans twist themselves in knots trying to explain why Sarah Palin is qualified to be VP (and quite possibly President someday). This is perhaps the most breathtakingly unqualified person to run in decades.

There are more people in Obama's state senate district than there are in all of Alaska.

She lied about the bridge to nowhere. And then repeated it. And she still left out the part about keeping the money the Feds gave her for the project.

Executive experience? What executive experience does John McCain have?

John McCain put politics ahead of country in choosing Sarah Palin. The man's a fraud.

alright, time for a not-so-political question, but still up for debate:

when it comes to situps, do you guys 'draw' your stomachs in (like with a stomach vaccuum) or just go through the motion without it?

cctjoey

to answer your question i would say that as long as this country is governed by the rule of law and not something else, lawyers will have have a very large role in government. seems like they know a few things about the law.

Dave Castro, you make me want to do back to back Fran's! Video was perfect, I was lead to believe we were going to find a CF guy or gal inside and then it went down a whole 'nuther path, I love Dave's reaction, who cares who wrote it, it's crap!

#62,
My brother didn't have premarital sex and his baby was born 7 months after his marriage. It was a premature birth.
It's possible that Palin had the cart before the horse but don't make too many assumptions.

The Republican Party doesn't represent limited government any more than the Democratic Party. The only difference is what area each party wants to control more. The Republicans want the government to control social issues, while the Democrats want to control fiscal issues. Pick your poison. The answer is made easy, though, because in recent history the economy has grown more and the national debt has shrunk during the terms of Democratic presidents( especially during Clinton term). So why would we want to give up social liberties in order to get a worse economy overall and much worse for the middle class. I like and respect John McCain and wanted him to be president in 2000, but he has started to sell out to the neocons and this pick for VP made it obvious that he no longer steps to his own beat. Following the party platform has become way more important than competence for the Republicans. They're a good mascot for middle america but no longer adhere to the values of limited government. "Apple Pie" has become more important than the Constitution. It's coaching and a good playbook that makes a team win, not their mascot and colors.

Hope and Change. Hope you have change after you get taxed to death!

Dave

Is funny to see the article in outside i skimmed that the other day. Although I have a huge amount respect for a Cat 1 road racers and triathletes. I also have even more repect for "us" as the CrossFit community. I've put a lot of miles on the pavement both on a bicycle and on foot. yet i was completly humbled and hospilized by one CrossFit WOD. It makes me laugh our mainstream media is so stuck on the LSD world. As we continue to be destroyed by our posted 10 minute varying workouts we can smirk at Outside magazines fittest athhletes and wonder what one of our girls such as "Fran" might do to their fittest athletes. Perhaps a challenge is in order? Good Video Clip.
Bryan S.
CrossFit Redding

Hmm..kids are sometimes born premature too.

Been laid out with flu for first time in 14 years ... Missed all of last 3 WODs.

Will be back on deck ASAP. Still lying in bed shivering!

BTW - biggest news in last few days about US Presidential Election here in Australia has been Palin's daughter's pregnancy to the hockey guy and McCain's fumbles when asked about birth control. I hope that's not drawing much attention in the US? Surely there are more important things to discuss?

Rasmussen is the most accurate pollster where he gets down to the nitty gritty, breaking the facts down. This is why he can even beat Zogby. Rasmussen last June called for McCain to pick Palin, where she would be the best choice for him.

Biden was a vocal critic of Obama on the campaign trail but what would you expect? Biden was picked because he is a principled supporter of Israel in order to dispel rumours Obama will not be as supportive. His choice was an impulse and didn't consider his campaign quality. He didn't electrify the crowd.

Going by the clips, you see why Rasmussen is right. You also see, and hear, that Obama should have gotten Gov. Sebelius instead and at least vetted Hillary. Biden just didn't bring the electricity.

I think I smell a CFT around the corner. ;)

#48 Jason:

Madness.

Is it also true that she wouldn't even support an abortion for her own daughter if she'd been raped?

You couldn't pay me to vote for that kind of insanity.

Obama and Biden are the winning ticket. After hearing Palin's negative and incorrect speech, I went and donated money to the DNC. Palin is not the leader nor the role model I want as the VP or possibly as the President if, G-d forbid, McCain were to pass away at his old age.

AllisonNYC just got hotter for #77 comment =)

How are there so many liberal maggots on the is site what is going on?

Daves a crack up, i don't believe there is an individual who should be proclaimed "The fittest man on earth" because like Bryan S from crossfit redding was saying, what would fran do to him? But i know for a fact that this program produces some of the most fit people on the planet and many will back that up.

Amazing how the dems can throw the heat but sure whine we Palin threw it right back @ them.

And if you continue to harp on Palin's preg daughter. If it was Obaman he would make her have an abortion. Well, that's what he said a few weeks back. Father of the year.

I always find it funny how Democrats and liberals, who spend a great deal of their time decrying "rich old white men," so easily look the other way when their own leaders are some of the most privileged, racist, and detached-from-reality examples thereof. (see: Byrd, Kennedy, Biden, Kerry...) What can anyone claim Biden brings to a ticket or the Senate except opportunities for running his mouth and dropping racist slurs?

Palin is a larger-than-life example of the American Dream. She represents the best of the conservative movement - outside the GOP machine, like another famous governor of years past... Yes she has a lot to prove still and some of the comparisons are premature. Whether she becomes VP this time around or not, I hope this is the start a great career! I think it's sad that so many liberals have become so radicalized that they can't even grudgingly respect her story.

ps. for all those saying "ooh look how old McCain is" ... he's got pretty good genes! Don't dare count 'im out yet!

AllisonNYC

I always love your posts... makes me remember my dad, a Yale/Harvard educated doc, who said to never mess with a women's sense of self.

#48.. typical... global warming man made?? Where is your evidence? Al Gore is only lining his pocket of this hysteria. This is not denying our affect but rather being 'real'.

CCTJoey... another motivating poster. A reminder of what work really means. I say this after visting Little Creek and the SEAL compound. To see true warriors is always a motivator.

nick m - "liberal maggots" i think i love you!

GO MCCAIN-PALIN!!!!!

Does anybody really believe that Palin is the best qualified Republican to be VP? Really? Silly me, I thought it was just a political gimmick to get the female vote. McCain's trump card was to bash Obama for being an empty suit and he throws it away by putting an empty skirt in behind him. Should have got somebody with a strong economic track record in my opinion.

Fittest Real Men in America, eh?

I wonder what one of those lycra pansies would do when confronted with a grumpy Master Sergeant coming home from Iraq?

Probably only three words: "FRONT BACK GO"

Real Men? heh. That's pretty funny, Outside magazine. Why don't you go on a nice little nature stroll and leave writing about athletics to, I dunno, athletes?

kthxbye

Obama supporters need to forget about criticizing Palin's experience. Obama is equally inexperienced and he's at the top of the ticket.

If they have any smarts, they'll stop demeaning the fact that Palin ran a small town and governed a lowly populated state. It's that exact elitist snobbery that turns people off of Obama.

They should also consider the consequences of making her out to be a "purely political" choice. Biden was unquestionably Obama's safe "political" choice because he was born in a white small town and is seen as one who can compensate for Obama's sparse resume.

Lastly, they could at least listen to their savior's advice when it comes to Palin's daughter: family's are off limits. Nobody actually knows what the details of that situation are, and it's just plain petty to make an issue of it.

This kind of stuff is the threat that Palin poses to the Democrats; by attacking her they invite equivalent attacks on the top of their ticket. By attacking her as they have they only highlight Obama's weak points while McCain goes untouched. Both policy sets are weak this election. I'm voting for character. McCain/Palin '08

#30 nutter comment. Could you fit any more Bush-style adjectives, i.e. fascist, neocon et al.

#46 right on!
#48 doubt he ever had your vote.
#77 Allison are you asking a question or making an unsubstantiated assertion?

#80 they like to be overtaxed and then get "free" government stuff and feel need for the world to like us. Conservatives like leaders, lefties like "role models".

I guess that is enough flame bait for now.

Ultramarathoners run for days at a time. Jason Khalipa won the CF games doing less than 15 minutes of work over two days. There are other valid definitions of fitness besides the CrossFit definition. Maybe an ultramarathoner can't get a sub-5min Fran, but ask a top CFer to run 140 miles in under 30 hours, and you may find a weak spot in his/her fitness. This self-congratulatory crap is nonsense, but whatever you need to tell yourself is your business. Ooh, but if you still need to assert your dominance, you may still be able to nominate people at: http://outside.away.com/outside/bodywork/200809/fittest-real-athlete-nomination.html (wfs, unless you're offended by fit people who are not raving CFers)

@ Tauger, #87

McCain had character in '00. This year, not so much.

These videos are totally skewed. We get two different videos of absolute crooks and liars instead of a video of one scum bag and one decent person.

I'm going to make my November picks now and say that tyranny and oppression will win this election and the American taxpayer is going to lose. Doesn't matter which party gets the White House...

Dave was the perfect person to comment on that article!

#88 Mark Fu:

I left you a big clue at the end of my sentence.

It's that cute little squiggly line with the dot at the bottom.

Dave Castro, my level of respect for you just went up. Way to call out the BS on a public video. I especially liked the mag toss and the who cares response. And what's up with those "fittest men" poses in the pictures? I'm just saying.

It's so funny everyone is a Palin expert... PLEASE you just heard about her just like the rest of America did... Unless your from Alsaka (You know Alaska which is by Russia so she knows foregin policy) Everyone is saying she's great this and that you have nooooo clue about her.. Now every ones a freaking expert about her track record. McCain said he met 2 days before the announcement. So funny he times his pick just after Obamas speach. Talk about shaddy and horrible political planning by carl rove. They say they suspended Mondays convention due to Gustav... Yeah right they needed a game plan to figuer out Jamie lynn Spears i mean Bristol Palin mis step.. do you still believe he realy checked into her??? Trooper Gate??? Don't think so this was just a ploy to attract conservative christians and jadded hilary voters. Did you see Bush or Dick hell to da NOOOOOO!!!! Why cause they don't want to remind the people that they helped pick 2 shady ass people...This whole covention was horrible. Which iddot has it during the first night of football good one Carl Rove!!!! Way to attract the most viewers. I can smell the Ben Gay and the stench of old people and not to mention can they keep a beat when they chant???

McCain/Palin: hmm, let's see, with that ticket we get zero economic knowledge; commitment to a dubious, poorly-prosecuted "war on terror" (i wonder if bin laden's cave has the cross fit basics) in which the only american to have infiltrated al-qaeda was hapless john walker lindh; and obeyance to fundamentalist religious beliefs -- never mind the case of palin's daughter and -- god forbid -- pre-marital sex. what a joke, no matter what racists feelings you harbor for the alternative.

It's real interesting to hear all the comments about Sarah Palin.

Everyone, both for and against, are mis-quoting her and even citing web sites that have incorrect information. I guess you always hear about the biased media (once again, both for and against) but you never really fully wittnes it until it hits closer to home.

I live in Alaska and I've been here for 20 years. I've met Sarah several times as a governor and once as Mayor of Wasilla. I can honestly say that I did not vote for her in the last governors race. I didn't think she had the experiance to be governor and negotiate our natural gas pipeline and promote drilling in ANWR. However, since she has been our governor, I have been very impressed with the job she has done so far. She is genuine, personable, honest, real, and is very intouch with the needs of the everyday American. She has always taken the time to genuinely listen to the middle class.

Having said that, I don't think she is quite ready to be VP. I think she should stay our governor and then move to the Senate before she takes on higher office. But I was wrong before.

Regardless, she has the tenacity, foresight, and courage to be a great leader, just not yet.
Reno

Reno for President 2016 enough said

#62 - Total lol

I'm voting for Nader.

#26, even your 'straight facts' are biased. give a different source and maybe i'll take you seriously.

Really? This is what constitutes a rest day?

Wow...

Now I have to see this BS here too..

Loss of respect happening as I type...

All of you that got sucked into discussions of "My guy's/girl's better because...blah blah blah... - For Shame - That will be 10 burpees for each comment posted Mwah hah hah! NO rest for you (spoken in Soup-nazi tone)

Jeeze, throw in a rest day and everyone becomes so political. Happy Friday!

I'm English so I'll stay away from your politics - amusing though it is.

Why get upset by the magazine? OUTSIDE magazine is surely going to favour sportsmen from OUTSIDE activities as they've got a lifestyle to promote ...

While I'm posting, am I the only one here who thinks AllisonNYC should win the innuendo prize?
(We'd all love to give her one)

Things like "I like the way a thick one feels in my hand" and "I need friction" certainly brighten my day!

GC

If being a POW in North Vietnam and 4x cancer didn't kill the guy, 4-8 years in the White House certainly won't be anything worse than a day at the beach. Sen. McCain spoke to me and my cohorts while we were waiting in line to get several shots within the first few weeks or so of basic training, back in 92. He was as inspiring then as he is today, and I feel without a doubt he's the best thing the Republican party has had to offer since Reagan.
Palin's abortion position, theocratic puppetering, and passivity to oil baron interests worry me. But, if they can keep Cheney alive, then McCain will be a breeze - so no worries!

McCain + Palin 2008!!!

I pretty much vote for whoever's got the 2nd amendment's back anyways so...

When our children and grandchildren are studying the Iraq War in the history books they'll read about how it was going ok, hit a big speed bump and then was won thanks to the courageous efforts of our fine military first and foremost, and Bush installing Gen. Petraeus and implementing the "surge" strategy. The books will also record the fact that John McCain had called for the surge strategy early, often and loudly.

Obama and Biden were both absolutely wrong when it came to winning in Iraq. Obama assured us all that the surge would fail (he's since changed his mind, go figure) and even recently said that he wouldn't change his vote if he could go back in time. As an added bonus, Biden's been wrong about virtually every single foreign policy issue during his 36 years in Washington.

McCain was right. Thanks in part to him, Bush and Petraeus literally changed the course of the world.

Obama and Biden were on the wrong side of history. And he's running on judgement?

In my humble opinion, the choice could not be any more obvious.

Richard, #89:

You may be right. But you may not be. Please, define fitness for us. Most people, including a lot of "fitness experts" have a hard time defining what fitness is. If what you're saying is right, then would you argue that Michael Phelps isn't fit, because he couldn't run 140 miles in 30-hours? Pick your favorite basketball player, gymnast, or decathlete and I'll bet money that they couldn't run an ultra-marathon, either. That does not make them un-fit. By contrast, your ultra-marathoners cannot compete any better in gymnastics, weight-lifting, sprinting, etc. than a Crossfitter could at an ultra-marathon.

Crossfit has a very specific definition of fitness. Maybe you should read the free journal article "What is Fitness?"
http://library.crossfit.com/free/pdf/CFJ-trial.pdf

If you've got any points that are more valid, or think you have a better definition of fitness, I'm sure that Coach and the rest of the community would love to hear about it. We're not here because we need to belong to a group, we're here because the training works.

If you don't like that, fine, you don't have to. But there's no need to come off like an ass to the rest of us.

#87

Great words, Nobama '08!

Oh, and thanks for the rest day. My legs are killing me.

Well so far she's been on the national scene for less than a week and so far she has read one speech written for her by a campaign speechwriter. She has yet to field a single question from the media or personally address any questions regarding her experience or background. For all the criticisms of Obama/Biden, at least they have been vetted in the media.

For being so concerned about national security it seems odd for the conservatives to be jumping up and down in excitement over the wisdom of this pick. Oh…but that’s right, she lives next to Russia so she has plenty of foreign policy experience. Talk about dropping the bar for your team folks. Does she even have a passport? Partisan politics at it’s best.

I have to admit that I think it’s quite amusing that the same conservatives that bashed the celebrity of Obama are the same ones swooning over the current spectacle of Palin. The republicans were so disgusted with the “cult of celebrity” that they decided to start up their own cult.

Vinnie , you are a ledgend, Glad we had so many days on the hill together!

God ditches the GOP
This just in: Even the Lord has abandoned the desperate, shameful Right

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/g/a/2008/09/03/notes090308.DTL&hw=mark+Morford&sn=001&sc=1000

Wow! I LOVE america...i've been in many places all over the world but only in America will you see the political banter, tirades on fitness, and smart ass comments from all over the U.S. and the world....all on the same crossfit site....and I LOVE the rest day....say what you will...but this is one of the reasons why America is so great and why many of us go to shit-holes to fight for her...FREEDOM!!!! (brave-heart voice)

Went from being a Hillary supporter to an undecided. The selection of Palin solidified my decision towards the Obama camp.

I hate the Obamatrons and these Obama sheep, but seeing this GREAT NATION go backwards with McCain's veep choice is too much to bear.

Oh, the madness of today's Republicans! How can they have the audacity to claim they are here to "fight the establishment?" THEY ARE THE ESTABLISHMENT!

How can you people still believe the lies of the GOP? Limited government and less taxes? Let's see, under a Republican Congress and Republican Pres. Bush, the government has grown exponentially, larger than it's ever been in history. If you call domestic spying, controlled speech, a foriegn policy that is bankrupting this nation, new federal departments, throwing more money at the old ones, and erasing our bill of rights one by one limited government, then yes, the Republicans are a great party for you.

The Republican philosophy of tax less, spend more is going to DESTROY this country. Not that the Democrats are MUCH better, their domestic budget would be about as hurtful. If you truly want less taxes and a budget that will make sense, vote Libertarian or stay home. And quit believing the lies that you are going to be taxed more under Obama than McCain. Unless you make over $250,000 a year, you will pay less taxes under an Obama administration than a McCain administration.

Palin is a religious NUT with no experience who was only picked to pander to women that would rather cast a bitter vote than actually vote on substance or issues. Who cares if your kid plays hockey or if you can hunt, what are you going to do for this country? And I'm a Christian man, and I believe God gave us free will. I don't like the government believing they have the authority to take our free will away. If you want to live under theocratic dictatorship, move to the middle east. Keep that B.S. out of American government, the way our FOREFATHERS intended!!!

Barr/Root '08

Does it really matter if the XO of the Titanic is right or left handed?

Then again, who doesn't love polished brass?

-D.

Pushing the brains until Pukie shows? GO REST DAY!!! Maybe we need "Uncle Migraine" t-shirts for the political discussions...

Reno gets it EXACTLY right. (Comment #97)

I am also an Alaskan. I voted for Palin as governor. But I am not convinced she is ready to lead the nation. Besides, I'd like her to stay our governor.

#48

When are people going to figure out we never went to Iraq for oil? If that was our sole purpose for invasion, then why in over 5 years have we not removed 1 single drop of oil from that country. It's amazing that people think there's a pipeline running from Baghdad to the White House. Not to mention oil is not a bad thing to fight for. It is the backbone of civilization, not just a way for rich white guys to make more money.

As for Palin, the only reason why the libs hate her is because she is a woman who made her own success and didnt need one of their social programs to do it. You have to remember that in liberals eyes the best people are those who live on welfare. If you have worked hard and been successful, you are a bad rich person and must be taxed to the max.

McCain isn't the good old Reagan conservative I would like to see, but at least he has done SOMETHING during his time in office. I guess nobody told "Barry" that to promote change as he wants he needed to actually put forth legislation to do it.

Obama can have Oprah, and the rest of the latte sippin' limousine ridin' hollywood elite. McCain will have the people, and thats what matters.

Now back to enjoying my rest day :)

First John McCain has proved througout his life that he does put America first!
Now for Outside Magazine. I tried the mainstream triathlon training program and failed. I have been doing Crossfit training consistantly for 2 months but have been doing it sporaticlly for about 8 months. I am 51 years old ad I am Leaner, faster, stronger after two months than I was after 1 year of the triathlon training the "mainstream way" When I was in Special Forces 25 years ago I was 175 pounds. I am now 180 and looking forward to being in the best shape in my life again. Outside Magazine has to start thinking "INSIDE THE BOX"!

The Marxists have their candidate and the moderates theirs. Finally, someone on one of the tickets that is one of us. Go Palin! (And whoever she's running with.)

I notice some here are saying that Palin has more experience or is more qualified than not only Senator Biden, but also Senator Obama. I assume that's a joke, or at least rhetoric of some sort.

In response to those describing Obama's leadership as "fluff":
The bipartisan Lugar-Obama bill to secure worldwide stockpiles of conventional weaons: http://tinyurl.com/9xl2l
The deactivation of 7,000 nuclear weapons and reemployment of foreign scientists to peaceful programs: http://tinyurl.com/6eqbqh
Remarkable ethics legistlation curtailing unhealthy relationships between lobbyists and lawmakers: http://tinyurl.com/32x3tm
Legislation on avian flu before it was a well-known subject: http://tinyurl.com/6rz443
And we can go on and on, of course. For veterans: he stopped the VFW from reopening and reinvestigating all full-benefit PTSD cases! Also, he backed Democrat Jim Webb with his new GI Bill, which -- as you recall -- McCain spoke against!
He's the most technological saavy candidate (has Lawrence Lessig's endorsement and for good reasons), he's in touch with the poor, with the real middle class; he's brilliant with a sincerely undertaken education (Columbia, Harvard...). And if his leadership and accomplishments within his relatively short span of government aren't convincing enough -- if you're truly worried about lack of experience, for some bizarre reason -- he's joined with Joe Biden (you know, who has done respectably as Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee).

I don't know what a 20-month governor -- formerly autocratic mayor of a strip-mall type suburbia with apparent interests in censorship and enforcing born-again christian strictures -- can do, at all, that would help us improve or protect our nation, our constitution, our freedoms, our culture(s), or our standing in the world.

I've thought about Palin a lot these last few days and have reached this conclusion.

Democrats, deep down in their gut, fear Palin, and Republicans rejoice her accendance to the stage, because... she's hot and confident. If Palin looked like Harriet Miers, Bush's failed female appointee to the Supreme Court, but had all her present qualifications and personality, she would be as relevant to the race as Biden, which is to say barely relevant.

To lay my cards on the table, I am a registered Democrat and an Obama supporter.

Greg #117 - the war isn't all about oil. It's about setting up more bases in the Middle East. It's about expanding our empire and influence. It's about a country that didn't play ball with us exactly as we wanted and we had to take out the leader we put in place a couple of decades ago when we decided we didn't like their last leader. Oh yeah, it's also about oil.

People don't like Palin because for the same reason a lot of Republicans don't like Obama: She's too inexperienced. She's also populist and a political tool used by McCain to court women voters. It has nothing to do with her upbringing. Sorry, but her "pulled herself up by her bootstraps" life story isn't any more fascinating than Obama's, who Republicans like to mock.

m/35/218/5'11

Yesterday's workout

Deadlift 3-3-3-3-3 reps
275-285-295-315-320(f)/315(f)

I think I psyched myself out. I just couldn'tget the bar off the ground again.

Did anyone notice that you can take all the letters in Obama and Biden first and last names and just about spell Osama Bin Laden.
I would take the Hockey Mom and Rich old guy anyday.
As a matter a fact - Dave Castro for Pres. A Navy Seal with an attitude would do us good.

This stuff drives me crazy. Name calling.... really? Grow the F' up. Both sides are so blinded by partisan BS they refuse or are too stupid see what is really going on.

Please note I say "stupid" not as name calling but as a literal description of low intelligence. Yeah that means you.

What really irritates me about the conventions is that this could have turned out to be the start of a good debate about the real, serious problems facing our country, both at home and abroad. Instead, both sides turned to sound bites, one-liners, and sarcasm(esp the GOP) to make their case. Since when did snide jokes make a speech better?
I had high hopes that Obama v McCain would be an honorable discussion amongst people who honestly disagree but have the best interests of the country at heart.
They still can change it, they still can rescue this election from being just like all the others of the past 20 years. C'mon, give it a shot!

The chances of that happening are about as good as me doing a 2 minute Fran.

It's amazing how deep these democrats are digging in an attempt to destroy Palin. I find it interesting the nitpicking you guys must do with her when Obama has freinds that are known America haters and terrorists. But I geuss it's hard to argue with someone you agree with. She has already accomplished everything Obama claims he would do if elected yet you claim she has no experience, come on. You pepole love attacking Bush so much, I truly believe there are some of you who are pissed that he had the nerve to defend America.

People are treating this election like sport or reality tv by blindly supporting their "team" no matter what. You can start with the PUMAs and go right on through to Evangelicals supporting Palin. If she were a Democrat on Obama's ticket, do you think they'd be applauding her daughter's pregnancy and holding her out as a model parent?

Wake up! THINK for yourself. Can we please have a dialogue (without the name calling and posturing) about Iraq or the environment/energy policy or taxes/economy, etc.? Who gives a shit if Sarah Palin is "likable"? Where does she stand on Israel?

We're coming to the end of 8 years of "leadership" from a guy who people "just wanted to have a beer with". How do things look to you? To paraphrase of Reagan, are we better off than you were 8 years ago?

The best thing about Sarah Palin is that she's hot.

President Palin? Way too scary to even consider.

FITNESS DEFINITIONS

Unfortunately, the political discussion is pushing aside a rather relevant debate about the definitions of fitness.

While CF is mobilizing to attack Outside Mag's emphasis on endurance, it does seem to cover up its own shortcoming with respect to really well-rounded fitness.

After having set aside an endurance training program for several months to do only CF workouts, I find that I can report increases in strength, especially explosive strength, but a noticeable decline in endurance. I find runs of more than 30 or 40 minutes much more challenging, same with bike rides of more than 90 minutes or 2 hours. Unless you continue to do at least one or more endurance workout per week, your endurance will decline on a strict CF/CFE program. Yet the ability to run for 45 min or an hour strikes me as a perfectly valid indicator of fitness. Also, it is a form of exercise that is enormously valuable for its pure, primal beauty. Running along a river or on a mountain trail for an hour connects us to our bodies in a way that a gym workout doesn't, simply because it is a way of moving that harks back to many thousands of years of human existence in the savanna. And, hey, it's still great fun, isn't it?

Don't get me wrong, CF is amazing at what it does and it beats every other gym centered activity out there hands down. But that doesn't mean we shouldn't include the fast movement of the human body through a natural setting for an extended period of time in our understanding of fitness or joy of exercising.

So you guys don't think that these world class athletes could do some of the crossfit WODs better than most crossfitters out there? You don't get to that level of endurance without a high threshhold for pain as well as a high level of discipline. If one of the athletes in the magazine came in to a crossfit facility and did a "fran" in the four minute range, which I think is pretty respectable, would that change your mind? How many of us could go do a 100 mile bike race, ironman triathlon, or run 100+ miles with athletes that do that particular sport everyday and put forth a "respectable" performance let alone finish? I hope Dave Castro was simply playing to the camera because his reaction was somewhat narrow-minded and childish. Did he really think that Outside Magazine was gonna get it right?

Frankly, we need a libertarian in my office.

I want to see Palin and Biden square off in a recreation of the CrossFit games, hosted by Dave Castro!

PS - I deify any enduro-athlete listed in Outdoor magazine, or its readers to put up times that comes close to comparing to any of the CrossFit games top 10 competitors. I bet their times will look more like Palin and Biden's!

hell yeah, snowboard season on the horizon. living in Manhattan makes those past 100 day seasons seem like very distant memories. Cant wait to use my 10 months of crossfit this year on the mountain.

Love the photo. Now I just want to strap on my board and ride the slopes. Pretty much the only thing I like about winter.

I'm just happy that the New York Giants took precedence over the political bruhaha going on in the States on NBC last night. Could we see a repeat this year??? We shall see.

GO GIANTS GO!!!

Dave

.....I am writing with no real purpose, other than to somehow release the frustration I have brewing right now. I have spent a good part of my 41 years running long distances, lifting and generally trying to so called "push myself".

While I am no where near the calibre of the guys in the Outside mag, I am an average Crossfitter. Even at that, I feel confident I can hang with these guys in most anything the hopper of life throws out. It is only because of Crossfit I would dare make this arrogant statement. Likewise, I KNOW Jason K, Jeremy Thiel, Speal, Dutch, yourself and all the other elites we watch daily would whip some a#*

As for the freakin idiots at Outside Mag who find themselves lost in the Eighties.....when will they ever have the guts to grab their "clackers" (my kid's version of ba**s) and compete aginst the best at the Crossfit games? As you have said before these guys would be standing there praying to themselves "I hope every event is a 26 to 100 mile run or I am screwed!" That is not fitness it is adaptation to a single physical action.

Again, no real point here just saying "Ditto" out loud. And wishing others would do some research before speaking. And an open invitation to those reading but not participating, to GET SOME!

Find an affiliate and dive in.

Democrats hate freedom, America, apple pie and babies.

Republicans hate freedom, poor people, non-WASPs, and everywhere not America.

Democrats would tax everyone, surrender in Iraq and Afghanistan, and surrender elsewhere just to be safe.

Republicans would attack Iran, Russia, Egypt, Barbados and Brazil. They dance too crazy.

Democrats want to get their energy from hemp and something they found at a Phish show called 'vibes'.

Republicans want to drill directly into your backyard and cover you with oil.

McCain would undo every piece of legislation not directly in the constitution over the past 230 years. 3/5 of a vote. No women could vote.

Obama would make abortions mandatory. Plus he's muslim.

You can tell(I hope) that I'm being sarcastic. These absurdities are not too far from what both sides are accusing of the other. Saturday Night Live won't have to work to hard-the campaigns are writing their parodies for them. I hope, in vain, for some rational discussions to ensue, both here and on the national stage.

Try and guess my political affiliation.

I am finally getting the lifting technique/form down and as a result I put up more weight. Also, this week I dedicated myself to performing an agressive crossfit warmup, which is a workout unto itself I am finding. I am also now working on technique (handstands)after the RXed workout.

As a result, I have no temptation to sneak in a workout.

I have reached a new level of fitness. My core is feeling powerful like I have not felt in many years. I knocked out 15 hanging "toes to hands" on the pullup bar with little effort yesterday followed by L pullups. These are exercises I could do previously as a triathlete, road biker, marathoner...but never with that kind of power, control and ease. That was a weird and exciting discovery. I am lifting weights greater than I ever have before and yesterday my final set of 3 Deadlifts was my last CrossFit Total PR.

My run time has suffered a little (as a Marine that has to run 3 miles). Over the last 18 years, I have maintained between 17:30 to a 20:00 minute 3 mile run, which is good for a clydesdale guy. I am interested to see if my speed returns as I continue to make gains in CrossFit.

McCain/Palin!!

On Dave Castro:

I'm having a hard time figuring out if there's a cooler guy in America than Dave Castro. Seriously. Nobody comes to mind. Nobody else compares. He's Steve McQueen cool.

Whenever anyone at CrossFit DC does something praise worthy, it's usually followed by a: "Holy Sh!t, I do look good in these!"

What Would Dave Castro Do?

I think the endurance athlete is the most fit athlete in the world. However, you have to look at how you define endurance athlete or athlete in general.

Crossfit always preaches an "anytime, anywhere" attitude...which I love. I think this applies to workouts. A true "fit" person should be able to do Fran one day, and then run a half marathon the next. Not saying this is easy, just that it should be the measuring stick for how we define "top" athletes.

Check out the Crossfit Endurance website. That is a blue print for how to perform not only in short intense workouts (i.e. Crossfit) but at a high level over a long period of time and I think defines what a true "fit" athlete is all about.

I've been training for a marathon for the last several months while still doing crossfit. I weigh about 182 lbs, can Deadlift 430, and run a half marathon easy. I'm amazed what I have been able to do with BOTH Crossfit and the interval training philosophies preached on the CFE website.

Thank you Brian Mackenzie!!!!

Both seem qualified to attend state funerals the President doesn't want to and break ties in the Senate. Hopefully, whomever is elected will reduce the power and influence of the VP back to its traditional (and constitutional) limits. That being said, I'm going with Palin.

Darn, this is tough. Either talk about politics or opinionate about what is fitness. OK. here it goes. Obama vs McCain, can I vote for coach G. to be President? and as President, Coach can have the dictionary people update their definition of what Fitness is? : ) On another note, Rest days are just as important to your health then a quality week of crossfit. Rest and heal.

#44 Kevin

I couldn't agree more. Besides, if more folks spent time and energy FIXING their local governments instead of TALKING about the feds, we'd all be better off.
Anyway, enjoy the rest day, Kevin. I think we're gonna need it.

Nothing better than politics to get people tearing at each other.

Go Sarah!!

too funny not to include in today's discussion.

http://www.thedailyshow.com/video/index.jhtml?videoId=184086&title=sarah-palin-gender-card

After watching Obama spout his messianic drivel I was further repulsed by the garbage that spewed forth from the mouths of the various power mongering ignoramous Republicans. Mental health the lot of them.

Well said, Dave Castro.

Let's have all 4 candidates do a CrossFit Total.

Whoever wins gets my vote!

And I bet i can guess who that would be.

#130 Dan

To answer your question it WOULD change our minds if one of the Ultra-marathoners came in and did a "4 min Fran", or any other benchmark that well, b/c without training in a broader more strength and Met-con oriented fitness program, there is No Way that could happen. They don't have the proper muscle development or phosphagenic/glycolytic metabolic pathways to do this. Its not a knock on their accomplishments, just a fact of human physiology. I beleive Coach has invited the "fittest-man" in to compete with some Crossfitters in Cali, only to be declined for obvious reasons. Now, if these guys trained CrossFit for awhile, I'm quite sure they would excel given their discipline and pain tolerance, but not without training this way. It won't happen, its like trying to say one of the laws of physics suddenly isn't true anymore, and I'd pay to see it proven with a prospective controlled study, since honestly I'm sick of the unsupported banter!

re: McCain-Palin

I don't support politicians, Just America! I like my religion, my guns, and my freedom. People who make more the 250K create jobs, if you want to work don't penalize them. I'm honestly becoming more Libertarian with age, all of these guys are blowing smoke up my a$$, but what choice do I have this year? As for Palin, I think she could kick most of your butts physically and mentally, whether she qualified, we'll see!

Everyone who is on the McCain/Palin wagon might want to do a fact check on her 'brilliant' speech from the convention. There are many stretched truths and flat out lies contained within. And why do you think she hasn't expressed what she stands for or how she's going to act on the issues that face you and I each and everyday??? Because McCain hasn't figured out what or where he stands on these same issues. Wait, I forgot....this election isn't about issues according to the GOP. There wasn't a lick of substance to her speech...unless you think throwing out one-liners and personally demeaning people who give their own personal time and volunteer to help the less fortunate get their lives back on track...like the people from Habitat for Humanity whom are community organizers, whom Guliuliuliani and Palin basically said are worthless. And to call Obama an elitist when all you saw at the GOP convention where republican elitists....please. And as far as the press personally attacking Palin's family and personal life...she should have thought about that before she threw them under the bus as fodder for her political gain. Listen, I'm not here stumping for one candidate or another, but do some research on this Palin woman. She's got some pretty significant skeletons in her closet. One such example, sending big oil lobbyist to Washington to secure $27 million in pork-barrel earmarks for her small town of 7000....even though McCain is against such pork-barrel earmarks and supposedly against the same lobbying......

Don't get caught up in Palin's sudden 'celebrity' (sound familiar), she's nothing more than a purely politically driven selection for McCain, whom is being force-fed what to say and how to say it (convention speech).

I'm not say'n....I'm just say'n.

#65, Milan:

I hope you're right about lipstick being the only difference between the VP and Gov. Palin. Cheney sits well in my eyes.

As for McCain's executive experience, one could say he subbed leading a squadron as an officer in the Navy.

Palin may be a strategic pick, but her policies are more favorable to me than Biden or Obama's.

#146.......Perfect.....Ha Ha...........Everyone has to watch that..........maybe if everyone wouldn't take themselves so seriously we could discuss more important things like....How to better your Fran time.......Have a good rest day

????????? I thought that politics was stricly verboten on crossfit!?! What is this post all about?

#16, Adam, writes,

"I have extreme doubt that Palin was picked because she is the best candidate for the job. It's nothing more than a political move, and even then I can't decide if it is brilliant move or just irresponsible."

By "best candidate" do you mean most capable of doing the job or most capable of being elected to the job? The former is neither necessary nor sufficient for the latter.

The reality that voters don't vote based on some shared objective standard of competence causes politicians to make political moves.

what's the point of that whine-y video. grow up.

as for sarah--how's that "just say 'no'" abstinence only program workin' for ya? dogmatic fool.

Outside started publishing a designer mag called, I think, GO. It's like GQ for "Outside". I threw it in the trash and dropped my subscription. Years ago the magazine had some pretty good articles but they have truly lost focus. It's a rag.....

Your my boy McCain.

im excited that everyone is fired up about the election. i heard about the following website on national public radio:

http://politifact.com/truth-o-meter/

i think it helps sort through the politcial BS.

PS I LOVE CROSSFIT!!!!

Palin is a good choice for V.P., even against Obama as President. There is no real change on the Dem ticket, and I don't see much on the GOP side either. I do like the seemingly breath of fresh air in Palin though.

Side by side, she has a resume that out shines Obama's any day. She has smarts, and an ability to stand for something she believes in...consistantly (and her speaches are better!). She doesn't care what folks think of her. No other fella on either stage can say that with a straight face.

I don't doubt for a minute that she was chosen to shake the campain up and expose true change of course, bias, media influence, to shore up the evangelical vote, and capture some Clinton votes as well. She is being used to some extent, I am sure of it, but she seems to understand that as well.

The #1 goal of politicians should be to serve the people, instead, it seems, it is to just gain power and be re-elected. I would vote for an outsider almost every time over the typical beltway brood.

Yesterday, I subbed 30 Muscle Ups because I missed the last go round. Will make up the Deadlifts on Saturday before the WOD.

Previous time: 7:31
Yesterday's time: 5:36

Gonna spend the rest of the day watching MU videos so I can get a full extension at the bottom.

M/25/5'10"/168/6mo.CF

Castro...beauty video, made my day.

I can't beleive Brian Clay wasn't even mentioned at least! You figure an American gold medalist in the decathalon would garner a little bit of recognition.

Congratulations to CAROLINA CROSSFIT on your 1 year anniversary http://carolinacrossfit.org/
An amazing facility and group of people.Thank you Coach Paul,Dorothy and all the great coaches and members.You have made me better in body, mind and spirit.If you live anywhere near Columbia SC, you owe it to yourself to get there now.They even welcome old farts like me and help us make great progress.
SEMPER FI.
Uncle Dan

Well, I am working a fixed post this morning, so I have time to bloviate on my own dimly informed, unsupported impressions. And the internet allows me to blast my misanthropic hyperbole all over the world, so here goes!

Palin is fluff. Smokin' hot fluff. What I have learned about her actual positions scares the living crap outta me. Anti-abortion? Check. Creationist nut job? Yep. Can we drill our way out of our energy mess? Well, you bethcha we can! And abstinence education has been proven to be really successful, right? Riiiiight. Umm, Mrs. Palin, allow me to introduce you to your daughter. And, oh yeah, to yourself however many years ago. How's that abstinence thing working out for you? I'm not ripping on her beautiful family, I'm saying that she is wrong on issues.

This speech was basically an extended introduction to the fairly limited, already-adoring audience that was gonna love her anyways. What in the hell does being on the PTA have to do with anything, for crying out loud. That is some thin, thin ice she is skating on out there. I think I wanna cry. But wait, she is hot..

Joe Biden. Ah, Joe. Umm, well, he IS white. Seriously though, he brings a solid resume of international experience and actual record of reaching across the aisle to get some stuff done. We need more of that, not less. Down side? Well, he is an egotistical blowhard with a penchant for saying really inappropriate things at times. Maybe we need more of that too, though. More downside? Biden brings nothing big to the ticket with respect to bringing in more votes in important swing states. And oh yeah, he's a bit of a douchebag.

John McCain is an American hero and he had my vote until the Palin nomination. I agreed with him on the Iraq surge and I agreed with him before he felt so beholden to the activist wing of his party. I was mortified he would vote against that veterans bill and I am disappointed he has thrown his green credentials under the bus. I am in disbelief that he thinks these tax cuts need to be permanent while we are in a damn war. I knew he would tack hard right to get the nomination but now I am afraid he won't tack back to the center like I had hoped. I'm getting a little nervous there.

Obama...
Well, let's hope to change for a better tommorrow while the change we hope for tomorrow may hope for tommorrow to change. Umm, hope. Is this thing on? Has this guy actually crafted a tenable position on anything? Anything at all except change and hope and tomorrow? Anyone, anyone? Only thing I can think of is that he has spoken against affirmative action as a viable tool. Seems to have a message of helping yourself. Dunno. This guy is an inch thin and a mile wide.

I would rather see McCain v Biden with the other two featherweights falling in behind for some on-the-job learnin'.

Now, I need to rewatch that Palin video and get a little "me time" in. Bro, she is HOT.

I gotta laugh at some of these comments about Sarah Palins obscurity. A lot of people never heard of Sarah Palin, well, those same people don't know s**t about Alaska...but now think they're experts! This discussion and postings about her flip-flop on the bridge to nowhere is actually a discussion about 2 separate projects: the Knik Arm bridge and Gravina Island bridge. I don't have time to educate the morons that think they know it all. As for experience, what would you know about what it takes to run the state of Alaska and how dare you, in your ignorance, relegate it to a position of nothingness! How far is AK from Russia? How muc foriegn trade goes through Alaskan ports? Those who scoff probably think it's right next to Hawaii and off the coast of California.
I'm not certain something will be pulled from the dregs to torpedo her candidacy (though I doubt it will) but come on....how can you not look at her story and see how uplifting it is for all Americans that success can be achieved from the simplest of folks in the smallest of towns? I think her selection lends a great deal of optimisim to women, our children, everyone.

As for Obama? Arrogant liar. Nuff said.

Why are people making an opinion about Palin like they know her so well??? You don't even know her.... It's a joke. Even all the people from Alaska here on the Crossfit site say she's not ready. You people have seen her for about 4 days a total about 40 mins. now everones a Palin expert. People are sooo gulible and easily swayed. Why don't you hear her debate first? Anyone can read a telapromter with a speach written by someone!!! Let's vote for Bush cause he's a christian.... I have a bridge in Brooklyn for ya too....

Palin is lucky to have CrossFit.com, because she is the laughing stock of the rest of the internet.

Comment #62 - Posted by: Ben Edelen at September 4, 2008 9:21 PM

-------------

According to the newest Rasmussen poll, she is actually more popular than Obama

Love the video, can't wait for part 2.

#165 comment wasn't there when I made my post. so it alaskan's for
obama 100
palin 1

Rasmussen poll are ran by republicans. So any polling by them is so biased it's not even funny... Take a look I mistaken it for John McCains site

PALIN: “In fact, I told Congress -- I told Congress, ‘Thanks, but no thanks,’ on that bridge to nowhere.”

REALITY: PALIN WAS FOR THE BRIDGE TO NOWHERE BEFORE SHE WAS AGAINST IT.

October 2006” Palin Supported Bridge To Nowhere. In 2006, Palin was asked, “Would you continue state funding for the proposed Knik Arm and Gravina Island bridges?” She responded, “Yes. I would like to see Alaska's infrastructure projects built sooner rather than later. The window is now--while our congressional delegation is in a strong position to assist.” [Anchorage, 10/22/06, republished 08/29/08]

2006: Palin: Don’t Allow “Spinmeisters” To Turn Bridge To Nowhere Project “Into Something That’s So Negative.” "Part of my agenda is making sure that Southeast is heard. That your projects are important. That we go to bat for Southeast when we’re up against federal
influences that aren’t in the best interest of Southeast.' She cited the widespread negative attention focused on the Gravina Island crossing project. 'We need to come to the defense of Southeast Alaska when proposals are on the table like the bridge and not allow the
spinmeisters to turn this project or any other into something that’s so negative,' Palin said." [Ketchikan Daily News, 10/2/06]

PALIN: “I suspended the state fuel tax, and championed reform to end the abuses of earmark spending by Congress.”

REALITY: ALASKA HAS REQUESTED $589 MILLION IN PORK SINCE PALIN TOOK OFFICE & AS MAYOR, SHE HIRED WASILLA’S FIRST FEDERAL LOBBYIST TO SECURE EARMARKS FOR THE TOWN.

Over $589 Million in Federal Pork Requests During Palin’s Tenure as Governor. According to Citizens Against Government Waste, www.cagw.org, under Palin’s tenure as Governor the state of Alaska has asked for $589,599,715 in pork barrel projects. [2007 and 2008 Pig Book, www.cagw.org]

Alaska Has Sought 31 Earmarks Worth $197.8 Million in Next Year’s Federal Budget. “But under her leadership, the state of Alaska has requested 31 earmarks worth $197.8 million in next year's federal budget, according to the website of Sen. Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), the former chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee.” [LA Times, 9/1/08]

As Mayor, Palin Hired a Washington Lobbyist to Help Get Millions in Earmarks for Wasilla – Lobbyist Was Former Chief of Staff for Indicted Senator Ted Stevens. “And as mayor of the small town of Wasilla from 1996 to 2002, Palin also hired a Washington lobbying firm that helped secure $8 million in congressionally directed spending projects, known as earmarks, according to public spending records compiled by the watchdog group Citizens Against Government Waste and lobbying documents. Wasilla's lobbying firm was headed by Steven Silver — a former chief of staff to Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens, a key proponent of the bridge project.” [USA Today, 8/31/08]

Under Palin, Wasilla Received $26.9 Million in Earmarks. “As mayor of Wasilla, Palin made regular trips to Washington seeking federal aid. The city received $26.9 million in earmarks during her tenure from fiscal year 2000 to 2003, according to the nonpartisan Taxpayers for Common Sense, which tracks pork barrel spending.” [LA Times, 9/2/08]

McCain Criticized Earmarks that Palin Sought as Mayor. “Three times in recent years, McCain's catalogs of "objectionable" spending have included earmarks for this small Alaska town, requested by its mayor at the time -- Sarah Palin… In 2001, McCain's list of spending that had been approved without the normal budget scrutiny included a $500,000 earmark for a public transportation project in Wasilla. The Arizona senator targeted $1 million in a 2002 spending bill for an emergency communications center in town -- one that local law enforcement has said is redundant and creates confusion. McCain also criticized $450,000 set aside for an agricultural processing facility in Wasilla that was requested during Palin's tenure as mayor and cleared Congress soon after she left office in 2002. The funding was provided to help direct locally grown produce to schools, prisons and other government institutions, according to Taxpayers for Common Sense, a nonpartisan watchdog group.” [LA Times, 9/3/08]

#41 ProPain: I believe Hillary would be eating Ben And Jerry's "Chubby Hubby"
(Ultra-Liberals only eat ice cream from the seat of socialism...Vermont) :)
Let the flames begin! :)

Comment #166-DEECEE: AND YOU KNOW OBAMA?!?!?!
Why can't he just produce a birth certificate and stop all the nonsense?

RE Outside Magazine

I'm not going to rip the mag, as Paul Scott's "The shape of your life" series back in 2002 eventually led me to CF. Also, Outside has featured Laird Hamilton as "fittest" at some point ( and from what I've heard, I think he could hold his own in anything CF could throw at him). I also scoffed at that issue when it came out, but if you look closely, they're using those guys to model clothes - CF'ers physiques wouldn't let those duds "hang" correctly in a fashion sense...

"People are sooo gulible and easily swayed."

So true; why do you think so many people swallowed the "Aw shucks, I'm just like you all" card when Bush was elected?

They're not; they've made their living stepping on other people to get into power. Palin is no different, so please, don't be so enamored by her.

And same goes for Obama; he pandered and walked on the backs of the poor to get into office. Seriously, what did he do? He teamed with people on a few issues, but whoop-dee.

And McCain? That guy is a dirtbag. He cheated on and ditched his first wife for someone 17 years his junior. That's a SERIOUS character flaw.

I don't know anything about Biden; he's too boring for me to be entertained by cruising for info about that guy. He's just guilty by association with the above presidential hopeful crowd.

C'Mon people, let's talk about the real issues - Abortion and Pull-Ups.

Anyone who wants to TAKE AWAY my RIGHTS can go suck an egg. Anyone who wants to ban stem cell research or have intelligent design taught to my brother in a public school can do the same.

We know Obama can do at least 3 pull-ups which is probably 3 more than McCain. But I think I'd put my money on the chick.. She's got my vote for this and nothing else. I also know that Dave and Coach can do more pull-ups than all of them and their family members (those with child and without) combined, but come on Manny #142 and Larry #49, Greg is busy leading a fitness revolution and Dave is busy leading the war on magazines...

I got a lot of heat from some of you for what you described as getting undeserved attention for being attractive. Where are you guys now? I agree that she's a hottie but I can't believe that McCain would think that some women would cast their vote because they want to see a person in a skirt as VP.. But based on one audience members sign, maybe he's on to something... "Soccer Moms for Palin". Oy

She's against abortion but opposes strict sex ed programs. Yeah, that's a good combo. Obviously worked for her 17 year old, unmarried, knocked up daughter.

And is it just me or are all the interruptions with the clapping just flat out annoying or what? I give the candidates credit for not grabbing the mic and shouting "Do you mind?! I'm tryin' to give a speech here!". I know I would.

What's her stance on immigration and welfare? (Yes, Mark Fu, this is a question)

One more thing...
Save the Polar Bears!

I have my issues with both candidates, neither are conservative enough for me.

But, we are at war here and it wouldn't be prudent to bring a rubber knife to a gun fight.

Good discussion everyone, I respect the civil discourse. Crossfitters are the coolest folks around!

Obama's birth certificate, http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn227/Polarik/BO_Birth_Certificate.jpg

Made public June 2008 http://www.snopes.com/politics/obama/birthcertificate.asp

And a little more about those GOP e-mails you receive... http://www.snopes.com/politics/obama/obama.asp

I hate talking politics, especially in a large discussion board like this. I mean everyone has their own "facts" that contradict others "facts," and I think its all BS. And more often than not, none of people's ranting or "facts" will change anyone's vote. In my opinion, everyone is stubborn when it comes to politics and everyone has to be right.

Wow – some good posts and factual information amongst the standard BS that occurs in the rest day comments. My compliments to those that are trying to educate and honestly discuss – not just spout rhetoric.

If the true purpose of rest day is to rest your body and engage your brain – do it by intelligently questioning the candidate you like. This is not easy. Scientists have done studies on people when they were exposed to information that did not jive with their current political viewpoint – and it was found that the emotion centers (not the logic centers) of their brain lit up.

If you like Palin – honestly question what she has been saying compared to her record. If you like Obama, Biden, McCain – question them as well. Hold your candidate up to a higher level of scrutiny than their opponent. If you don’t do this – if you blindly support one side of the other – you are failing your duty as a patriotic citizen of the USA.

Gov. Palin makes people nervous for all the right reasons-she supports limited federal government in favor of disseminating power to local governments-where law is made that reflects the morality and desires of it's citizens-even if it means the majority doesn't want a bunch of crap disguised as "literature" in it's public libraries.

Just because one makes a mistake, does not mean abstinence doesn't work. Anyone remember the AIDS/STD explosions of the late eighties/early nineties? However, if you in Manhattan want to hand out birth control to your daughters (and claim you want government to stay out of your personal lives, by the way), that's your (Manhattan's) decision, not Washington's.

As for foreign policy experience, what experience, specifically, does one need before he or she is capable of being the final arbitrator of American policy? I suggest there is nothing that can prepare one for that responsiblity, expect demonstrable ability to make decisions based on the best interests of the security of those one governs. The question is, are we going to talk it out with the enemy, or are we going to continue to draw a line?

Obama makes me want to throw up everytime I hear him talk! If there's not a written speech or que card in front of him, he can't even remeber how to pronounce his own name!

Outside Magazine...and others
3 years ago I ran a 3 hr marathon. Now I have a sub 3 minute "Fran" -- 7 min "Helen" -- 780 Crossfit Total. 95% of people I mention the Marathon to, say "you are in great shape." When I tell people about "Fran" or "Helen" they can't grasp the concept.
I am definitely more "fit" in the general sense of the word, doing Crossfit. Crossfit will get there and soon overcome the mainstream "Endurance Challenge"

#176 AllisonNYC

Your videos show you to be attractive, but that well written post is what makes you hot. Well said.

Well we know James Humphrey Jr. knows how to cut and paste!

Gov. Palin has supported limited government only when it serves her political motives. She does not do it at the behest of the public good; her track record speaks for itself. She's a BIG money spender when it has to do with the corporate level; the people be damned.

It's only when she gets caught with an unpopular, big spending ticket does she turn into Ms. Limited Federal Government.

I back up my arguments with as much information as possible. I'll quit posting though; the last thing I want to do is bug people and monopolize a free tool Coach Glassman has provided. And I mean that in the most sincere fashion. Peace out.

James Humphrey Jr.

You obviously have a lot of time on your hands, and I don't even want to go there about the issues you discuss b/c as I said ALL of these candidates are blowing proverbial smoke. But one thing I will take issue with is for you to say McCain has serious Character Flaws (even if its about divorce which always has 2 sides)!! Dude I don't care what your life story is you're a PUNK compared to what McCain went through for this Country. (and so am I for that matter) If you can't respect that you are just another Pundit.

FYI - Trooper Gate is WAY overblown.

The trooper, according to the OFFICIAL Alaskan State Troopers Union files, tasered his own 10 year old son, was caught drinking alcohol in his state trooper vehicle and threatened to put "an f-ing bullet" in Palin's father's head. Not to mention this happened 1 full year before Palin took office and 2 full months before she even declared her intentions to run for Governor of Alaska.

The reason why the guy is still a trooper: those lovely unions. The union who protects its own and keeps their own on the job, making ridiculous money.

Now, here's some interesting questions for everyone.

Do you know the name of Palin's son w/ down syndrome?
Do you know the name of Palin's pregnant daughter?
Do you know the name of the pregnant daughter's boyfriend and/or what the boyfriend does?

Everyone knows about Palin's family, trooper gate, or at least the "tainted" version as told by the media...a giant story of distortion and slander.

Now...find out why this story (of which Barack was a founding member and Michelle Obama was the Executive Director) hasn't been vetted or discussed...AT ALL.

Check out this story from Investor's Business Daily on the Obama's "Public Allies"...as reputable a source as you can find:

http://www.investors.com/editorial/editorialcontent.asp?secid=1501&status=article&id=305420655186700

Buck #179: Take it for what it's worth. Conversations like these will do one of two things:

provide you with new information or point of view which can change your opinion
OR
solidify your current stance

Both valuable. It's a win win.

#188: Jay M. in SC: I'd respect and appreciate your opinion if you chose to share it. But one thing I take issue with is you saying James is a punk.

Name calling is Never cool. Can't and Won't get Anyone Anywhere.

#155 Hari writes

"By "best candidate" do you mean most capable of doing the job or most capable of being elected to the job? The former is neither necessary nor sufficient for the latter."

I meant most capable for the job, it has no bearing on who wins the election of course. My sister's one friend voted for Bush last election, because she stated "He was cuter than Kerry." Clearly people give jack shit as to who is best for the job, but I care if she is qualified. Palin IS probably the best for getting in the white house, but what happens if for some reason she becomes President?

"The reality that voters don't vote based on some shared objective standard of competence causes politicians to make political moves."

I am extremely aware of that, but to what level do you sacrifice competence for votes. This is why I wrote McCain's decision maybe brilliant or irresponsible. Brilliant, because it was a ballsy move that could pay off huge(meaning he gets elected). Irresponsible because what if something does happen to him. I'm paraphrasing(poorly), but I believe it was John Adams who said,"The Vice Presidency is the most useless position ever created." I hope he is right and that MCcain, IF he takes office, does stay healthy.

AllisonNYC
I actually read somewhere a long time ago that McCain while in the POW camp could do a set of 100 pull-ups because it was the only way he could move. 100 beats 3, but Obama could school the shit out of McCain on a b-ball court(:

Don't you just love anti-choice candidates. I know I do.

Tom #189: Can you explain what their names have to do with it?

Obama / McCain Comparison

Big Govt Spending / Big Govt Spending
Welfare State (Socialism) / Welfare State (Fascism aka Corporatism)
Loss of Civil Liberties / Loss of Civil Liberties
Wasteful, Detrimental Foreign Policy (oh you thought he was going to bring the troops home? LOL)/ Wasteful, Detrimental Foreign Policy
Craps All Over the Constitution / Craps All Over the Constitution
Transparent High Taxes / Invisible High Taxes
Bullshit Rhetoric / Bullshit Rhetoric
Economically Clueless / Economically Clueless

Palin is only there to help McCain get elected by having more appeal to the Republican base. You think she is going to have any influence whatsoever on him after that? I guarantee that we don’t hear much at all about her after the election if McCain wins.

6 of one, half dozen of the other… next verse same as the first!

hey everyone i have a question to ask and i would like to hear your thoughts and suggestions. im currently a college basketball player and have been doing crossfit over the summer and at the end of the year last year so for about 6 months now. im feeling great and looking better then ever. the season is coming fast and i dont know what to do about crossfit. should i keep doing the WODS during the season along with the schools workout plan or should i take a break from crossfit all together?

Jay, I read. I don't watch TV. I work, CrossFit, teach CrossFit, and read. Oh, and I eat too, run a restaraunt with my fiance and very soon to be wife, walk my dog whenever possible because he's a good dog, take care of my widowed mother, and when I get free time, drink beer and bourbon and do some shooting on a friends 350 acres. Everyone has a lot of 'free time.' It's what we do with it that counts.

Just because John McCain endured significant hardship doesn't mean he should have free pass on character judgement. That doesn't make me a punk; it makes me a realist. What he did was no different an insult to women as what Clinton did when he abused his powers in the White House.

Allison NYC

If you'd read my post and the previous ones I think you'd find plenty of opinion there. Honestly I'm not looking for respect from you as CrossFit's youngest celeb. I find your posts amusing, but I wouldn't expect politics to be your strength, although CrossFit and fitness seems to be. As far as calling names, please note I called Mr. Humphrey and MYSELF a punk, IN COMPARISON TO an American War Hero. It's called using relativism for effect, not slander. I don't know Mr Humphrey except for what he's posted, don't really like or trust any politicians, and really wasn't trying to offend you or Mr. Humphrey except to defend one of our Military Heroes. (And for certain I'm not saying that qualifies him to run our country!!)

The way I see it we have a choice between Cancer or Aids... either way the country is in, and going further down a hole. And with these 2 we have a choice between a traditional Democrat (McCain) or a Marxist (OBama) with no other choices that have a shot in hell at winning. Clasical Jeffersonian Republicanism is dead in the main stream, and to me its just sad that the party that represented the spirit of our revolution has all but died out.

The founding fathers warned us against partisan divisions and a corrupted 2 party system with too much federal power. Because we have not listened to their wisdom or the wisdom of anyone else from that age of human rights we are destined to repeat the mistakes of the past.

In 20 years or less this country will be just as socialist as Europe... hope your all ready to start kissing Karl Marx's ass.

Dear American neighbors to the south.
You seem to have two very good candidates for your next president. So, whoever wins you will be better off than you are now. But your real issue is your divisiveness!! All great empires are brought down from the inside. This right vs left / republican vs democrat thing you are all buying into is destroying you and may ultimately be your downfall. We cant afford to let another super power take over... like China. Once that happens you will be wondering what all that right vs left stuff was all about! The media is thriving on this nonsense and you are all feeding into it. I know that all schoolkids in your country are taught the famous quote "together we stand, divided we fall" Its time to take that seriously!!!

#189 Tom

I checked out your post from the Investor's Business Daily and became suspicious as soon as I read the sentence “He calls his Orwellian program…” in the very first paragraph of the editorial.

A quick check on Investor’s Business Daily gave reviews saying its editorials generally take a conservative or libertarian stance. Not exactly “as reputable a source as you can find”

Palin v/s Biden

Biden: Senor member of senate with >30years experience, chairman of judiciary and foreign relations committees. Doctoral degree in Law and Professor.

Palin: Governor 2years, Mayor of a town with population 5,500 6 years. BS degree in communications-journalism.

I think I'll go with the old white guy.

For what's it's worth, and those of you that have been on here long enough to remember some of my posts know I'm to the right of Gengis Khan, I will not be voting McCain-Palin.

I think it's absurd that all these people are throwing their blind support behind someone they know nothing about. She's not this great reformer. She ran for GOV on a "build the bridge" platform, and instead of giving back all that money, when Congress de-authorized the bridge, did she give the money back to the American people? No, she used it for other Alaskan projects.

Other issues: she hired lobbiests for earmarks, she ran a pro-527 for Sen Ted Stevens, was appointed by "the good ole boy network" to the Alaskan energy board by the same governor that appointed his daughter to the Senate seat he vacated upon becoming GOV, and then she railed against him and defeated what Alaskans call "the worst GOV ever."

This is who she is. And I haven't even mentioned the human dynamic of having a 4 month old child with Downs, a 7, 12 and pregnant 17 year old and a son deploying to Iraq on 9/11 (nice OPSEC, mom). Does anyone-despite the bra-burning Gloria Steinems out there-think that her mind is going to be on the business of the American people's business 24/7/365, ready to step in at a moments' notice?

Oh, and Palin is a secessionist. There's video of her as governor this year praising the Alaskan Independence Party and welcoming their convention. That's enough for me. I'm not re-fighting the "war of norther aggression." :)

The bottom line is that I'm a conservative, twice "W" voter, Iraq Veteran, and I can't believe that I'm in the position of considering voting Obama just so that things get worse so we can have a shot at 2012. How did it come to this??

God help us all.

Allison.

Everyone knows the answers to those insignificant questions (at least IMO), but NO ONE really knows the important stuff. We already know about her family, her families personal issues that are all over the internet, but NO ONE knows what "Public Allies" are...that is what is scary about this campaign.

Read that article...but here's a quote from it:

Not all the recruits appreciate the PC indoctrination. "It was too touchy-feely," said Nelly Nieblas, 29, of the 2005 Los Angeles class. "It's a lot of talk about race, a lot of talk about sexism, a lot of talk about homophobia, talk about -isms and phobias."

One of those -isms is "heterosexism," which a Public Allies training seminar in Chicago describes as a negative byproduct of "capitalism, white supremacy, patriarchy and male-dominated privilege."

The government now funds about half of Public Allies' expenses through Clinton's AmeriCorps. Obama wants to fully fund it and expand it into a national program that some see costing $500 billion. "We've got to have a civilian national security force that's just as powerful, just as strong, just as well-funded" as the military, he said.

The gall of it: The Obamas want to create a boot camp for radicals who hate the military — and stick American taxpayers with the bill.

Honestly, does America really plan on electing a man who was the founding member of an organization and whose wife was the Executive Director, an organization that indoctrinates people into thinking that "heterosexism" is a byproduct of "capitalism, white supremacy, patriarchy and male-dominated privilege"?

Allison says she can't fathom voting for a ticket where someone is anti-choice, but I personally can't fathom voting for a man who believes that heterosexism is a result of "capitalism", "white supremacy" and "male dominated privilege".

Dissect the statement quoted above...notice what that really is saying and it's not something I can stomach.

#87 Tauger, You are way more wise than most 19 yr olds. I applaud you. Your post says a lot.

CAUTION: Some of these numbers/positions may
change between now and 4 November—we have seen several
changes thus far during the primaries. Therefore, I would
consider some of these points (not all) as fluid to some
degree. We really need to see the final positions the day
before election. i.e. not all positions seem to be locked
in concrete right now but this is the best guess at the
moment. You fill in your understanding of the talking
points as the days progress.

2008 PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE COMPARISON TALKING POINTS

ISSUE
JOHN McCAIN
BARAK OBAMA

Favors new drilling offshore US
Yes
No

Will appoint judges who interpret the law not make it
Yes
No

Served in the US Armed Forces
Yes
No

Amount of time served in the US Senate
22 YEARS
173 DAYS

Will institute a socialized national health care plan
No
Yes

Supports abortion throughout the pregnancy
No
Yes

Would pull troops out of Iraq immediately
No
Yes

Supports gun ownership rights
Yes
No

Supports homosexual marriage
No
Yes

Proposed programs will mean a huge tax increase
No
Yes

Voted against making English the official language
No
Yes

Voted to give Social Security benefits to illegals
No
Yes

CAPITAL GAINS TAX

MCCAIN
0% on home sales up to $500,000 per home
(couples). McCain does not propose any change in existing
home sales income tax.

OBAMA
28% on profit from ALL home sales. (How
does this affect you? If you sell your home and make a
profit, you will pay 28% of your gain on taxes. If you are
heading toward retirement and would like to down-size your
home or move into a retirement community, 28% of the money
you make from your home will go to taxes. This proposal will
adversely affect the elderly who are counting on the income
from their homes as part of their retirement income.)

DIVIDEND TAX

MCCAIN
15% (no change)

OBAMA
39.6% - (How will this affect you? If you have any money invested in stock market, IRA, mutual funds, college funds, life insurance, retirement accounts, or
anything that pays or reinvests dividends, you will now be paying nearly 40% of the money earned on taxes if Obama becomes president. The experts predict that 'Higher tax
rates on dividends and capital gains would crash the stock market, yet do absolutely nothing to cut the deficit.')

INCOME TAX

MCCAIN

(no changes)
Single making 30K - tax $4,500
Single making 50K - tax $12,500
Single making 75K - tax $18,750
Married making 60K- tax $9,000
Married making 75K - tax $18,750
Married making 125K - tax $31,250

OBAMA (reversion to pre-Bush tax cuts)
Single making 30K - tax $8,400
Single making 50K - tax $14,000
Single making 75K - tax $23,250
Married making 60K - tax $16,800
Married making 75K - tax $21,000
Married making 125K - tax $38,750
Under Obama, your taxes could almost
double!

INHERITANCE TAX

MCCAIN
- 0% (No change, Bush repealed this tax)

OBAMA
Restore the inheritance tax

Many families have lost businesses, farms,
ranches, and homes that have been in their families for
generations because they could not afford the inheritance
tax. Those willing their assets to loved ones will only lose
them to these taxes.

NEW TAXES PROPOSED BY OBAMA

New government taxes proposed on homes that
are more than 2400 square feet. New gasoline taxes (as if
gas weren't high enough already) New taxes on natural
resources consumption (heating gas, water, electricity) New
taxes on retirement accounts, and last but not least....New
taxes to pay for socialized medicine so we can receive the
same level of medical care as other third-world countries!!!

You can verify the above at the following web
sites:

http://money.cnn.com/news/specials/election/2008/index.html

http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/issues/issues.taxes.html

http://elections.foxnews.com/?s=proposed+taxes
http://bulletin.aarp.org/yourworld/politics/articles/mccain_obama_offer_different_visions_on_taxes.html

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/fact-checker/candidates/barack_obama/

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/fact-checker/candidates/john_mccain/

ObamaNation is just a mis-spelling of Abomination.

The Apocalypse is upon us!!!

I want to thank whoever posted/made that Outside vid.

You have wasted 2 minutes of my life I could have spent smashing myself in the fact with a hammer.

I can see the point.

Why train specificly and be successful in life an sport when you can do Crossfit and be mediocre in everything.

And jarheads need to worry more about looking pretty for their bosses the squids and quit making lame videos.

Dave-
Absolutely awesome video.
Can't wait to see the rest of it!
Keep up the good work.

PS: I think we should "care" who wrote the dumb article so we can invite him/her and all those named in the article to The Games next year, or even just an affiliate for one day.

Sean in Alexandria, VA

Best athlete in the world is Fedor Emilianenko! He is the Russian MMA fighter who is dominating his sport. MMA is the most demanding sport of all. It covers all aspects of fitness with toughness thrown in the mix.

All in all, I am sure we can agree that it is great to live in a country that allows use to have social discourse and diverse ideas. God bless America and those who fight for her freedom.

Oh, and someone might want to tell "Governor Sarah" that you wear the "Blue Star Pin" she's always sporting when her son is actually deployed. Not before. It's a disgrace to all Blue (and Gold) Star Families out there.

Dave, #106

I just said that it's absurd to belittle the accomplishments of incredibly fit people because they don't fit into the CrossFit definition of fitness. I'm quite familiar with the CrossFit definition, but we should keep in mind that that narrow definition is not the only definition, and it's okay if Outside magazine doesn't subscribe to it as dogmatically as we all do. I'm not trying to say that Crossfitters aren't fit, nor am I saying that an ultramarathon is the definition of fitness. I'm just saying that to call a list of fit people that includes cyclists and runners who do superhuman feats of endurance "a piece of trash" because it doesn't include anyone who does burpees for time is a uselessly arrogant, self-congratulatory act.

I think McCain/Palin might be able to shake things up.Not my first pick but no question in my mind that it will be better than Obama/Biden socialism.

Outside mag is still in the dark about true fitness it seems. Is anyone suprised? Tear em up Dave.

Bashing Outside magazine for naming long slow distance athletes as the 'fittest men' is a bit like bashing the New Republic for endorsing/covering conservative positions, or Mother Jones for endorsing/covering liberal positions. You know what you are getting into when you pick up the magazine.

Let's be realistic here. Between Obama and Biden there is no real work experience to speak of. Friends like Jeremiah Wright and William Ayers don't make me question his judgement. They have suddenly made the community organizer a very serious threat to the security of this great nation.

I was in need of some info. I am a wrestling coach and have been doing the crossfit workout with my athletes as a preseason conditioning program since about the begining of July (almost two months). I have noticed a difference in my strength and conditioning as well as most of my athletes. I was wondering, does everyone do the same workout on here? It seems that some people post a harder workout that they did that day. Is that published somewhere (the journal)?

"Honestly I'm not looking for respect from you as CrossFit's youngest celeb. I find your posts amusing, but I wouldn't expect politics to be your strength, although CrossFit and fitness seems to be."

I wouldn't call politics my strength. But I am capable of listening to and reading new information, thinking about it and forming an opinion.

Just curious what made you think that about me or why you found it necessary to say something like that.

I guess it's just another way of insulting someone and getting away with it. You got James and now you got me.

Sorry, my last post (#216) was in response to #197 Jay M. in SC

Has anyone else noticed how expensive ammunition has gotten? I gave .35 a round for 1000 rounds of .308 the other day. Damn glad I live in a country where I can though!
anyway...

I'm amazed at the amount of posters that agree with Obama's socialist agendas.
What happened to personal responsiblity in this country? Since when is it the governments responsiblity provide you with those things that you are not willing to go out and provide for yourself?

These social program are doing wonders for our community. We just had a transplanted drug dealer arrested who was a Katrina refugee and has been living on the government tit for 3 years. I think he was working on getting his GED.

I will be voting for McCain/Palin because he is a proven leader with unquestionable character and she is a NRA life member comes from a blue collar back ground, but I see this election as a vote for the "lesser of two evils" since my man Ron Paul got the "crazy" label. God forbid this country's elected servants of the people stand on the principles on which it was founded.
LEGALIZE THE CONSTITUTION!

Ok.. I'm going back to my room now to cling to my guns.

CBCS

It's no biggee, Alli, but thanks though. You're a sweet, young person and even though you may feel your opinion in political affairs isn't a strong point, heck, change that then. But you be the judge.

My opinion of McCain probably rubs people the wrong way. I just see him in a different light than most; the politician vs. the hero.

But he's lucky to be alive and not to have been torn limb from limb when caught. If he dropped fire on my neighborhood, I'd be pretty ticked.

The fact that all this McCain-Obama nut huggery/flaming takes place shoes that the media and the politicians are doing a great job at running the propaganda machine. They are playing all of you like a set of Aces. These elections aren't about who is for the people or any of that populist nonsense. This is about who will get the privilege to give ones friends access to our money.

To the McCain/Bush nut riders: There is nothing conservative about this war on terror. We are spending Billions of dollars that we dont have and will never have. China, Japan, and the Emirates own our debt. Maybe it does make us safer from Arabs with planes but in the end it won't matter because those buildings won't belong to us anymore. McCain has 22 years in the Senate and the lot of them have been poorly spent on things like Keating5 and McCain/Feingold and this whole idea that if you don't give to public service you are not a patriot. He;s a maverick in the wrong direction; he's a closet fascist.

To Obamaphiles: Socialism is Socialism...and Socialism is mass slavery whether you are pleased with its benefits or not.

I'm with AJ and Liberati. Libertarianism is the only political philosophy that respects freedom across all spectrum. Barr/Root 08 or atleast write in Ron Paul, maybe even Baldwin/Castle if you want to genuinely thump your bible.

McCain is no doubt a good man but not quite the maverick he's made out to be. More of a political pragmatist.

Palin was certainly not his first or even second choice as a running mate. Close friend and fellow Senator Joe Leiberman and former Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge were running #1 and 1-A in McCain's selection process. Unfortunately for him, Leiberman and Ridge are both pro-choice. This would have surely alienated the evangelical Christian right that forms such a influential segment of the Republican Party and likely would have cost him their support.

Both of these men would have made excellent choices for V.P. However, McCain has been compelled to placate the Christian right at the expense of his better judgement.

Just something to consider.

Comment #146 - Posted by: ken c at September 5, 2008 5:15 AM
too funny not to include in today's discussion.

http://www.thedailyshow.com/video/index.jhtml?videoId=184086&title=sarah-palin-gender-card

Ken C: Great video! Thanks for the link.

My "desert island" list is headed by Jon Stewart (Dennis Miller is my other guy. No others needed besides those two!) How much fun would that be!?

I'm voteing for a third party. I'm not sure if it will be Bob Barr or Chuck Baldwin yet, but both major parties have proven they don't have what it takes to run a free country.

Leadership is the ability to move people through an environment toward a common goal.

"Yes. I'm certain I once read that somewhere." (name the movie)

While good leadership, of course, requires technical expertise, sound decision-making ability, and good judgment, one cannot forget that good leadership ultimately means affecting human behavior. Wielding power is not leadership. Being "right" is not leadership. A person can have all the power and money in the world, and all of the best ideas in the world, but if that person cannot move others toward those positive ends, then that person will have failed as a leader.

A good leader can compensate for a lack of experience by relying on the opinions of those who have the experience. (Consider President Lincoln.) A good leader has the physical courage to get down in the trenches with those he is leading so that they will trust and follow him. (Consider President Teddy Roosevelt or Martin Luther King.) A good leader has the moral courage to learn from past mistakes -- which will inevitable occur -- and to use those lessons in future decision making. (Consider President Kennedy.)

What troubles me the most is how our anti-Federalist, two-party political system creates artificial distinctions among Americans and fools us into thinking that our nation, our people, and our governance is an "us vs. them" game. It's not! Most Americans share the same political values -- liberty, hard-work, service to others (hopefully), and moral leadership. However, most party politicians would have one believe that the other party is value-less and evil -- thus the personal attacks, sarcasm, and hyperbole.

As much as I resist touting a particular candidate in this post, I cannot conceal my disappointment in the recent leadership failures of John McCain. While I can forgive him his lack of executive experience should he seek it in the person who can and should be his closest advisor, he made a political choice in Sarah Palin because she appeases the party base and may steal some women voters. (Where is Mitt Romney?!) While I respect him for his service to the nation, regret the torture he endured as a POW, and have always loved him for returning with honor, one cannot mistake "survival" for physical courage. And, while having personally spent too many holidays and birthdays in Baghdad instead of my backyard, there could be no clearer mistake than this war in Iraq, and Senator McCain has to know that.

I'm not a registered anything, because I think a fair caricature (to risk the oxymoron) of the parties is that the left is condescending and the right is selfish. But I respect Senator Obama for working the streets of Chicago, (not a nice place at times,) and getting Americans involved in their communities. Self-governance is an American value. I respect Senator Obama for selecting Senator Biden as his running mate in order to surround himself with someone that has genunine and extensive foreign policy experience. And most of all, I respect Senator Obama for having the moral courage to center his campaign around challenging the type of two-party political gamesmanship that has derailed AMERICANS by derailing American governance.

Senator McCain used to be that man to me, but the spotlight has revealed some significant, disfiguring flaws. Good thing he, and the GOP, has provided the beautiful Sarah Palin to distract us...

Sorry for the long post.
TP

73 - Tony the Chiro
Yes, the media has been talking about that a ton in the U.S. too.
I find it funny that even the Aussies care about it.

2 things I like about Sarah Palin:

1. Choosing her shows how desperate the Mccain campaign and the RNC are... There candidates, even the one they nominated, are so uninspiring that they had to go to the farm leagues for what amounts to nothing more than a marketing gimmick.

2. Watching Republican politicians and their pundits perform mental gymnastics trying to justify her as a VP nominee... seriously, you can't make up comedy this good.

Zach

I'm a newbie to the CF Nation. I've been a Citizen for 3 months and there is no stopping the CrossFit Ticket for Me.

No politics no religion.

The only solution is to see which ticket can perform better at a Girls/WOD. Only then will we be able to truely get a grasp of who has real character!

Ouch,

This is like watching brothers and sisters fight.......a little painful, a little funny at times, and ultimately good for our relationship as a community.

On both topics: Politics and Fitness. Good points made all around......

If you feel that Bush is leaving our country better than he found it, then by all means vote for McCain. If you love book banning and a woman who is agaist teaching anything but abstinence in schools when she can't keep her own teenager's legs together, then Sarah is your gal!!! Last time I checked, the best way to reform a party is throw their ass out of power!! GO OBAMA

I think its amazing that for the first time an average joe (or rather jane in this case) is on the ballet for the presidential election and people overlook that. This finally shows that you dont have to be a wealthy, old suit from Washington to run for President.

When you hear a kid these days (and in the past) say that they want to be president of the USA, you almost always think to yourself, fat chance. It's almost something you get born into, that you need special privileges. Palin is an example that you don't have to be. I believe that even though Palin doesn't have a degree from a prestigious university doesn't automatically make her under-qualified in terms of education. Yes, she does not have a vast range of political experience. But hell, she got into politics to make a change.

And don't bring families into this election. No family is perfect, and if anything it shows that Palin is not the picture perfect image, but rather reflects the image of a REAL American family with real problems.

I just think people should give Palin more credit.

We've just seen the end of a four-day orgy of lies and gratuitous, harsh, baseless attacks. There's nothing like watching mean white people get all hepped up on Bloody Marys and Ovaltine and then attack anybody who doesn't look or act like them. (Anybody miss Rep. Westmoreland's "uppity" comment about Sen. and Mrs. Obama?)

Sure, I was moved by John McCain's recounting of his prisoner days. And the conclusion of his political speech was great political theater. But that's all it was: theater. Time to fight back, hard, and not by staying on the defensive.

Here are fifteen clear, forceful statements Democrats and independents can use to to counterattack. And the themes that should never be far from the conscious mind are: Electing McCain's too risky. He's compromised himself. Palin's an extremist. And, same old same old.
_________________________________

1. He's Big Government John now. As a Senator, John McCain has voted nearly all of the time with the president who has created the largest government and run up the biggest deficits in American history. That's not change you can believe in, my friends. He's 90% Bush, 9% Rove, and 1%That's-For-Me-to-Know-and-You-to-Find-Out.

2. She's Pork Barrel Palin. She's always been an expert in draining earmark money off the hardworking taxpayer. She submitted $197 million in earmarks - more per person than any other state -- in her current budget. And the citizens of her little town got fifty times as much federal pork as the average American! How'd she do it? She hired a DC lobbyist. That's right: A K Street shark to fill her Main Street coffers - and advance her career in the bargain.

If you don't like the way Washington does business, you don't like her. What's the difference between Sarah Palin and an old-style GOP crony? Lipstick.

3. McCain is actually more extreme right-wing about Iraq than Bush/Cheney: The Bush/Cheney administration has come around and accepted the Obama vision of a schedule for withdrawing troops from Iraq. Better late than never, I suppose. Yet McCain's last definitive statement on the topic was that we could be there for fifty or one hundred years.

4. McCain thought the Surge would fail! The press hasn't seen fit to mention this, but McCain said that he was "very doubtful that we have enough troops" there to get the job done. So if you believe "the Surge" worked, McCain's military judgment was wrong. And it also means he was more extreme about the war than Bush and Cheney. (See #3, above).

5. McCain's economy will be more of the same. If you like the economy we've got, vote McCain. Every time a Republican runs for office he pretends he'll do things differently. Bush said the same things in 2000. Look at McCain's voting record. Wonder what McCainonomics would look like? In the words of the old ad, you're soaking in it right now.

6. McCain has a massive new tax on the middle class, while Obama will cut taxes for 90% of Americans.McCain wants to make health benefits taxable for working Americans who are lucky enough to have health insurance. The tax credit he offers won't make up the difference after he's done making you buy insurance on your own (which is the other part of his plan.) And he'll help the rich get more breaks while leaving the rest of us where we are.

Obama will cut middle-class taxes.

7. McCain doesn't support the troops -- he fought against better benefits for returning vets -- and, perhaps as a result, the troops don't support him.

8. He may be too old. Don't be shy about saying it. It isn't ageism, and it isn't unkind, because it's not the years that concern us. Rather, it's how he comes across, his apparent lack of understanding of basic details (like Sunnis and Shi'ites), and his already reduced weekly work schedule.

If you want to elect a vital, dynamic, and clear-headed 72-year old Republican -- hey, Dennis Hopper seems pretty fit.

9. Who is this guy and what he has done with John McCain? The maverick's gone. He's sold out to the same group of "advisors" and special interests that have run the Republican Party for years. He'll do exactly what they want him to -- which is exactly what we've been getting.

10. What glass ceiling? The Democrats nominated a woman for VP a quarter-century ago! If they're only that far behind real change, I guess that's progress -- for the Republicans, anyway. During the civil rights struggle they were about a century behind. But stop pretending they've done something new -- or that they've done it for anything but cynical, poll-tested reasons.

11. Don't believe McCain's sweet talk about the environment. His very first executive decision was to pick an oil-company-friendly politician who doesn't believe in climate change to be his VP. Barry Goldwater said "extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice." But Palin's wacky climate theories are "extremism in the defense of Exxon."

The planet may not survive four more years of that kind of government.

12. Women must not lose control of their bodies. If your 14-year-old daughter was raped and became pregnant, Palin and McCain would force her to have the baby -- no matter what your family thought was best. Whose "family values" are those?

13. That Sarah Palin sure is an extremist. She doesn't like moderates, and apparently they don't like her. Did you know she spoke a few months ago to a radical separatist group whose founder said he hated the American flag and American institutions? That her husband was a longtime member? And that the party's founder died in an illegal deal gone bad -- to buy plastic explosives?

14. Experience? Did you know that Sarah Palin has more executive experience than John McCain? True, by the GOP's definition. But did you know that Barack Obama provided services to more than 90,000 people as a community organizer? That's more than 10 times the size of Palin's little town.

Obama's community organizing work was done for a faith-based initiative. Maybe he should've hired a lobbyist instead.

Obama's state senate district was more than 14 times bigger than Palin's town. And did you know Obama manages a budget in the hundreds of millions and hundreds (or thousands) of employees as head of the most successful political campaign in recent memory? That's effective executive experience.

15. Exploiting the dead and wounded of 9/11 with this video? Shame on them. It's like they'd crawl over graves just to win an election. Come to think of it, isn't that what they're doing?

At long last, sirs -- have you no sense of decency?

_______

I've always liked John McCain. But he seems to have fallen in with a bad crowd -- and he's letting them call all the shots. As the guy who shares 90% of McCain's political DNA once said, "Fool me twice, you don't get fooled again."

Actually, this would make the third time we've been fooled.

RJ Eskow blogs at:

A Night Light
The Sentinel Effect: Healthcare Blog
Future-While-U-Wait
RJ Eskow at the Huffington Post

McCain can't do fran b/c he can't go overhead, Charlie broke his shoulders. Guess that means McCain can't be prez.

Dave has on the New River Rendezvous shirt. Hells yeah. That makes me happy.

Palin, awesome choice, reminds me of Reagan... "What, you want WHO to be president (vice president)?" Then they subsequently do the best job of anyone in their position in recent history.

I mean come on, they said the same crap about Reagan... "Oh, he's just some hollywood actor, and had some experience as governor..." Heck, before he was governor, he didn't even have that... But the man utterly destroyed communism as an accepted form of government, freed hundreds of millions of people living in servitude behind the iron curtain, has statues and love songs written about him in former communist states, removed the constant worry of death from "the bomb", and is now known as the greatest president of modern times.

Palin talks and acts just like him. She willingly pisses people off when they're doing something wrong, even if they're republicans, or one of her supporters. This is going to be good.

And on the Dave Castro video, that was hilarious. "Oh look, I can ride forever and a day, I'm 'fit'". Whatever, at least we don't have such a nanny government that they make Crossfit illegal. But maybe if we keep electing socialists to congress (and that socialist/fascist bastard Obama to president), we can have a government that tells us how we need to work out too. Think it's farfetched? Years ago it'd have been crazy to think that government would tell doctors who they had to treat, what treatment they could use, where they could practice medicine, how much they can charge, etc... But today it's knocking on the doorstep, and it already exists in Canada.

Of course it was a political move for both VP candidates. Amazing how one side is bad but the other is good. Come on people. Imagine if McCain would have picked another white male as his VP. The Demos response would be "same old white male party" blah blah blah. The Palin pick was brilliant. No one would be talking about the McCain's VP. It would have been a big yawn. The Palin pick neutralizes the uniqueness of Obama; Non white male with great speaking skills. And of course when has the VP pick been so important to make your choice? How many people voted for Clinton or Bush because of their VP pick?

It looks to me like McCain/Palin are slowly isolating themselves from their own party to attract independent voters. They may win over a few independents in swing states, but doubt that they'll retain their Right Wing support.

I'm just waiting for Obama/Biden to highlight that Palin and her husband were members of the AIP (Alaskan Independence Party) until just recently. The AIP's objectives are to secede from the USA.

Several of Palin's attacks against Obama the other night were simply juvenile and childish. I think the Senator deserves more respect than to be mocked by a self-proclaimed "hockey mom pitbull".

How can McCain even attempt to run on the platform of being a "Maverick"? The man flat out lied last night when he said that he has been opposed to Bush's handling of the war. He first voted to invade Iraq, he voted against a timetable for withdrawl, he voted to support the troop surge. I just hope that undecided and independent voters don't fall for the same tactics as Bush has used to win the last two elections.

Save the polar bears starve the people.

And what the heck is with all these pinko commie liberals saying "oh he's giving tax cuts to the rich... Obama wants to cut taxes on the middle class..." Give me a freaking break.

Let me give you a little economics lesson here:
The "rich" got that way by sacrificing for years to make that kind of money (ever go to med school? it costs a lot, and takes a long freaking time, they could have made half a million dollars as a plumber in the time it took to go to med school). If Obama has his way, more people will say "well, I could go to school forever to do something great and make great money, only to have it taxed away, or I can go to school for a little bit and make decent money, and keep most of it..."

And also, the "rich" typically own businesses. Who pays business taxes? Do the businesses pay business taxes? No, YOU pay business taxes when you buy their product or use their service. You raise taxes on the "rich", and you just raised taxes on the POOR because product prices will go up to pay for these new taxes. Don't like it? Start your own freaking company and deal with the government bureaucracy and tax code, then tell me it's "fair".

I loved it when Obama said of Biden,when he introduced him as his pick, "He's ben working for change in Wshington for 34 years!" That was singlest dumbest thing I've heard him say.

Greg, your facts are wrong about McCain.

Palin represents the Average Janes and Joes in a world run by old, white men in suits from Washington. She's one of us.

I keep hearing about the voting record.
Lets see McCain voted 90% with Bush and Obama voted 97% with his party....hmmm

Obama is rated #1 most liberal senator
Biden is rated #3 most liberal senateor...hmm

Hate to inform you guys but America will not vote liberal in a prez election. Clinton was left center.

I love this, all the liberals can do to come back at Palin's comments are: *whine*... she just made childish attacks on our policies... *whine*

Give me a break. Democrats' policies should have been thrown on the ash heap of history long ago, along with their cousins socialism, communism, fascism, secular humanism, etc. They don't work, but they cling to the hope that somehow government is going to be the savior of the people, as if that's EVER happened in all of recorded human history. Sorry folks, free men and women have ALWAYS generated the best results for everyone (rich and poor alike).

I really get a laugh when someone points to Obama's campaign as evidence of his executive leadership. When you start stretching it's a rock solid sign you're argument is weak.

Memo to rant writers:

to make your nutter rants even more irrational, leave the the spell check off and ignore any kind of sentence structure. Works every time!

signed,

deecee

Why is it that Dems seem to not realize they've been in control of both the House and Senate for almost 2 full years?

Where was the end to the war? Where is the new energy policy? Why did the economy dip?

Blaming W and the Reps for all the ills of the country is an absolutely hilarious oversimplification.

This is the reason American business is moving overseas, their tax liability is rediculous. If America continues on this path of socialism, I might consider giving up on the working thing and just let these liberals take of me for a change. I think I'm done fighting for thier freedom and paying for thier programs.

NADER GONZALEZ '08!!!

Dems truly rule all comments sections on the internet. Maybe there's a link with 'community organizers'?

#237...great post.

Piggy back on this issue. During the Olympics Obama stated the reason why manufacturing companies are moving to China was due to the infrastructure investment. But Obama wants to tax the heck out of all businesses (big or small, ie corps)....hmmm Don't you think that will force companies to move out of the country. He is clueless. He is the Fantasyland prez nominee. Oh by the way YOU will pay more for products/services if companies are taxed more. In my company if we are surviving on a 10% profit margin and the gov increases my tax burden I have to raise my prices so I can survive. Or else I have to a) lay off workers b) close shop.

#124 Steven

If you take out the letters in the name Steven, you can just about basically spell out Satan. WHOAA!

I love how you mysteriously find an S in the names Obama and Biden.

Also, if we somehow elect somebody who voted with Bush 90+% of the time, then I seriously doubt our intelligence.

Finally, Palin may have more executive experience than Obama, but that also means she has more executive experience than McCain. So that argument is pretty dull.

Finally, I'm glad she gave her daughter the choice that she wants to keep from every other woman in America. Brilliant!

Allison nyc

I did not mean to insult you, and actually gave you 2 compliments in that post.(Crossfit Celeb and strong in CrossFit and fitness). I guess I was a little surprised for you to come down sooo strong on one side or the other, and on some very controversial issues, that's all. Also based on you're "fun-loving" history on here, just did not peg you as a pundit. God knows politics "ain't" my strength, and, really, I think thats a good thing. :) And as far as Humphrey and I, he knows what I meant and how to take it. Peace.

#191, Adam, writes,

"[T]o what level do you sacrifice competence for votes."

Why is a governor of Alaska assumed to be less competent than, say, a governor of Arkansas?

#237, Matt:
Is that how John McCain got rich?

On Palin (our topic):
It's no surprise that John McCain picked her: he always goes after the younger woman...just ask his first wife.

If John McCain (did you hear he was a POW?) really was a maverick, he would have picked Lieberman. Instead he bowed to his old masters and is groveling for votes by pretending to be something he's not. The guy's a fraud.

#176 Allison, I would say, and I am only guessing here, based on her other positions, isn't down with welfare or illegal immigration, but we will find out in the weeks to come.

One of the big differences between the two sides is taxes. I'm currently reading Gibbon's Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire and it got me wondering if a nation has ever improved after raising taxes. The induction of income taxes on the Italian peninsula and the subsequent constant increase in taxes/fees seems to mark the slowing of Rome's advance on barbarism and ultimately its retreat.

I think the real economic issues facing our country are actually very interesting. Such as creating inflation by printing money to tax the non-super rich/FIRE economy people (see Wiemer hyperinflation for an explanation on how it works) or how increased regulation and taxes helps insulate big businesses from competition by eliminating small businesses who can't afford a lawyer to handle signage regulations (see King St in Alexandria, VA). Makes me think if I were ultra rich I'd support the Dems for their help in eliminating competition. On the other hand, Bush has helped some in the FIRE economy hoard the nation's capital.

A coin expert told me how the inflation scheme was used by the Romans when the emperors kept re-minting coinage with less precious metal. They'd reclaim one denarius (sp?) and press two by adding filler. There is nothing new under the sun I guess. I bet they used regulations to prevent competition from sprouting up too.

# 139

Although I do think Dave is pretty cool, there is a list of people in the community that are cooler than Dave.

Andy Stumpf - lecturer extraordinaire
Nicole Carroll - Director of Training
Freddy C - CrossFit icon
Pat Barber - First CrossFit Action Hero
Kalista Pappaz - Future face and super athlete of CrossFit

just to name a few...

Dave is definitely in the top 50.

One other thing:

I'm a little surprised that only one poster here has mentioned two facts that should be distressing to this community, given it's relationship to our armed forces:

1. Sarah Palin revealed the deployment plans of American soldiers for political gain.
2. Sarah Palin wears a blue-star pin...why?

#256...

I am a U.S. Marine. I have a mother who is unbelievably proud of me. She wears the shirt that says Marine Mom. She has the license plate frame that says Marine Mom. She tells everyone about her son in the Marines.

Sarah Palin is first and foremost a mother. She is not using her son for political gain. She is simply proud of her son for being in the Army and wants everyone to know about it and be proud as well, AS YOU SHOULD BE.

I guess we can't escapte this b.s anywhere. Thanks for the terrible facts #26. I'm glad food choice and if you can kill a moose are both parts of your decision making process.

I appreciate CF trying to open up a discussion but the fact is there's so much b.s flying in this post I'll need to take another rest day just to deal with it.

#255
I 2nd Pat Barber for the title of FIRST CROSSFIT ACTION HERO!

My only question is WHERE can I BUY the FIGURINE?

The Ultra-marathoner vs. The Crossfitter: A Natural Comparison.

Under the Crossfit definition of fitness, the ultra-marathoner certainly is lacking along every fitness standard (10 physical skills, Hopper, Metabolic pathways). Surely, we as a community would find articles which describe ultra-endurance athletes as the pinnacle of fitness disturbing simply because it does not match what we have come to accept as our definition of fitness. Likewise, the ultra-endurance athletes will look at us perplexed as we strive for “increased work capacity across broad time and modal domains” because we do not run 100 miles in an outing. Being able to run (bike, swim) long distances is what they define as fitness.

The problem, then, becomes the definition of fitness. Because both communities (really any community involved in fitness) will set a goal (definition of fitness) and train to meet that goal, each man-made goal of fitness will be skewed to match their training. We must then move to a higher power (God, Nature, the Force, or whatever) for our definition of fitness. At our most basic level, every creature struggles to survive. Because of our rise to dominance as the ultimate predator and our relative life of ease in modern suburbia, we tend to forget that survival is the most basic goal of every living being. That being said, our rise to being the ultimate predator did not come because we are faster or stronger than most other animals. In fact, in many cases, we are the weaker being in a one on one fight. We have risen to dominance simply because of our intellect.

Digression aside, nature, at its most basic level, has given us a goal (suitable definition of fitness): SURVIVAL. Now, if you placed an ultra-endurance athlete and a Crossfitter in a situation where only one of them could survive, who would be the predator and who the prey? Controlling for outside influences such as intellect (assume equal level of cleverness), fighting skills, and weaponry, I would have to surmise that a Crossfit type athlete would rain supreme over the ultra-endurance athlete. Comparing these athletes to the natural world, we could use the example of the Lion vs. Gazelle. Ultra-endurance athletes take pride in “running like a gazelle.” Conversely, the Lion survives by exerting short burst of speed and power, making them more akin to the Crossfitter.

Now, short of an actual experiment (unlikely in today’s modern PC culture), proving this theory seems unlikely. I can only offer two bits of anecdotal evidence from my own experience. 1. Being a Clydesdale type Crossfitter (think a slightly smaller John Welbourne) I have yet to meet an ultra-endurance athlete I could not break in half simply by “farting in his general direction.” 2. As an Army officer, I have seen the positive correlation between Crossfitting and fighting ability played out on the modern battlefield (Iraq), and a negative correlation between running for long times and fighting well.

It seems that Crossfit, while not only advancing the case for constantly varied, functional and high intensity fitness in modern times, has also contributed to our ability to survive. Should a new predator try to take our place at the top of the food chain, Crossfitters will give it one hell of a fight.

As for politics, I’ll vote however Stephen Colbert tells me to vote.

Sorry for the long post.

Brian

#252

Are you against people who work hard to get "rich"?

I am voting for Ronald Reagan...

Hello Crossfit community!

I started following Crossfit´s WODs about two weeks ago, and my endurance and strength have increased terrifyingly quickly. Honestly, I look in the mirror and question whether or not the steriod fairy has been giving me nightly injections while I sleep. More important than how I look, however, is how I feel. I haven´t been this fit since I did crew at college! So the moral of my story is: hurray Crossfit! I look forward to learning more about and from this community.

Regarding politics, I must say that reading through today´s comments has frustrated me quite a bit. Passion + debate = irrationality. I think many of you would enjoy reading this article in the NY Times.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/05/opinion/05krugman.html?hp

The article has a slant, but it´s thoughtful and is based on facts. So can you guess who I´m voting for? Here´s a hint: he´s not Muslim, and he´s going to lower taxes for most Americans.

#261

Absolutely not. Hard work is how Barak Obama got rich.

John McCain is another story, though. He dumped his first wife (the one who waited for him while he was a POW) and got rich by marrying a much younger woman who happened to be an heiress.

Is that "hard work?" No, that's marrying into wealth. What does John McCain know about work at all? When was the last time he didn't get a government paycheck?

Hey all!

Listen, I am putting together a WOD, free, down at the oceanfront in Virginia Beach, tomorrow during the storm. Hard rain, 60 mph gust sound like a good time to me to be getting crazzy on the boardwalk and on the sand. I am frickin serious about this. So as much as I disagree with doing this, all of those in the VB norfolk hamton roads that want in on this call me at
757-581-1257 my cell.
Yes this is the real J, the same one who got thisng done up at Primal and Albany last year! Call me if you want in and we will decide where we want to meet and when. WOD will be predesigned and partnership with to CF facilities around here!!

THIS IS FREE> FRE FREE FREE! JUSt for f'n fun!
Call me and lets tear it up tomorrow!

~J~
Train HardroCk

this is why i'm an independent.

day 4/100 of the HDBC

For those on the right who approve of Palin, take a look at this article by a housewife in Wasilla whose known her for years and lived under her so called 'fiscal conservatism' - "A Letter About Sarah Palin from Anne Kilkenny". I think it will be more big government for the benefit of the already wealthy whoever wins.

http://mudflats.wordpress.com/

#264

He wrote a couple of books which made him "rich". Hard work or God giving talent?

So are you saying McCain is like John Kerry? Same scenario. So that's why you voted for Bush last time. So if you marry someone who happens to be wealthy that discounts you as prez?

Your definition of work: Being in the Navy and being a senator is not really working? But community organizer and being a senator is work?

Amy 37/63"/124

Nasty Girls - scaled
3 rounds
50 squats
10 assisted MU - had feet on floor the whole time except final extension
10 80# HPC
10:39

Good to work on MU. One of my goals is to get some solid MUs by the end of the year.

re #249: Choice? CHOICE? IT'S A #*(&ING HUMAN BEING, NOT A CHOICE. Let's get that straight. An unborn baby is a HUMAN BEING from the moment of conception. If you want to start arguing allowing the murder of a human being, so be it, but CALL IT WHAT IT IS.

I'm all for a woman being able to do whatever she wants to with *her own body*. But that baby inside her is NOT her body. It is another human being, fully deserving of human rights, and unless carrying that baby to full term would result in the death of the mother or *serious* permanent injury, there is no legitimate case for abortion.

It is pathetic to see people on here attacking those who disagree with them, and hurling insults at the candidates. The internet is like a Jerry Springer show gone wild. I had hoped that crossfit would be different, but evidently not.

McCain, Obama, Palin, and Biden are all good people trying to make our country better. They have different ideas about how to do that, and we get to choose who we agree with. That's what makes this country great. Your perspective may cause you to strongly agree with one side, but if you think that means the other side are evil or stupid, then you are probably the one with mental and moral deficiencies.

I'm voting for McCain because he has been my hero for years, and because I served in Iraq and appreciated that he backed us up when everyone else was falling all over themselves to take the easy way out. I think Palin's life story is awesome, and after a few years of OJT in the VP job she could make a great President. How's that for Girl Power! But that doesn't mean I think Obama is evil or Biden dishonest. Both are decent men who are every bit as well intentioned as McCain/Palin.

Man I can't wait for snowboarding season... sigh.

McCain/Palin '08

Politics brings out the absolute worst in people. Choosing this as today's topic is a lot like throwing a golden apple "to the fairest". It is an endless supply of amusement and irritation all at the same time. Every 4 years, a couple of clowns get on TV and promise the world. And everyone gets so damned fired up. Gotta love the sarcastic, condescending, rude, and irrational things people have to say to each other any time politics is the topic. Have fun bashing each other's brains in today. And hopefully you'll all respect each other in the morning.

Anyone for "Kelly" tomorrow?

or "Eva". I am game for either. Bring the madness!

Can anybody name a piece of legislation or reform that O'Bama has introduced into the Senate??

The guy doesn't spend enough time at a position to make a difference!

143 Days in the Senate before announcing his intentions to run for President.
All the time voting "Present" 100+ times! He didn't vote b/c he wants to flip flop however it suits him at the time!

McCain / Palin

Coming from a RECON Marine, I think its a necessity for a man to serve in the military to be eligible for the highest office in our country.

Semper Fi!

#248 trace,
Many small businesses would be unaffected by Obama's tax increases because they don't earn enough. Many would likely see a tax reduction. Tax increases at the top is an issue for investment and such, but that's a bit of a trickle-down theory.

#237 Matt,
Isn't a factor the matter of labor vs. capital? One accrues money on it's own, the other doesn't.

Oh whoops, here's the tax fact check:
http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/mccains_small-business_bunk.html

yesterdays deadlifts felt awesome,
worked on some pistols afterwords...
and last night i went for a run,
did a 5k in the dark as the evening was cooling down...

tried to really focus on efficiency in my running
as my legs were really sore from squats the day before and the deadlifts...
really felt like i had just the right amount of foward lean happpening as gravity pulled me along....

even with my rubber legs, i still managed to go below 16 minutes and it felt like i had so much left in the tank...

got me thinking about technique, technique, technique...

i am a crossfitter training on my own for 4 months now, but i think i am going to put some time in with a certified CF trainer in my area ( Ottawa ) and try to fine tune my lifting form...

goal is to run a 5k in 15 minutes and deadlift 500lbs by next summer... i am starting to think it is possible...
not bad for a folky singer/ songwriter...

as far as the politics go, i am Canadian,
so i have no place in this conversation.
our next election will be announced this weekend,
with a vote date of October 14th...
5 weeks all told from notice to voting...
hardly enough time to get poeple worked up about anything.... but perhaps that is the idea...

400 meter run
50 pull ups
200 meter farmer's walk with 50 pound dumbbells
50 dips
50 knees to elbows
50 situps
400 meter run

with 16 lb. flak vest

31:40

Pukie for president!

Where to begin?
Alison, I don't think that Jay was name-calling. This is coming from somebody who's been in a few arguments with the guy-- he was saying that most of what any of us have been through is trivial compared to what McCain went through. Whether you like the guy or not, 5-years as a POW is pretty damned severe and does make the rest of us look "like punks."

On to politics.
Compared to many other democratic nations, we have absurdly low voter turn out. It's not because we're lazy, it's because we're apathetic. Most of us would rather not make a choice because we feel that it does not matter. It's like, you say "I'm thirsty," so I offer you Pepsi or Coke. You say, "I'd just like some water, please." and you get laughed at for being a radical. To continue the analogy, neither the Republicans nor the Democrats have any real thirst-quenching value, they're both sodas with a slightly different flavor.

To me, the vast majority of "issues" in this and every other recent election are completely irrelevant. I don't care about somebody's religion, how many houses they own, whether they smoked pot in college, or what their under-age children are doing. Of equal unimportance to me are issues like who will to be taxed more, how our health care choices are going to be regulated and how we're going to spend money in other countries. Know why these things are unimportant to me? Because we shouldn't be taxed, my health care should be between me and my doctor only, and we shouldn't be spending money in other countries.

Now, give me a political party that says that they're going to limit government, repeal taxes, end unnecessary spending, protect my freedom (both from the abuses of government AND the abuses of giant corporations), and obey the rule of law. Well, now you have my vote.

This is what it comes down to: the purpose of government should be to provide the people with freedom. But we've become so blinded to the idea of real freedom that all we can see is "Pepsi or Coke?"

#129

I agree entirely with your post. When I'm in really good running shape, there is nothing more pleasing than going for an hour-long trail run along a stream. It makes you feel connected with the world in a way forgotten to most humans in modern society. At that point, I'm not running to be fit. I'm running because it's fun. If you get the chance, check out the movie "The Runner". It's about David Horton's record time on the PCT. The filmmaker that documented it is from Reno (JB Jenna). He just finished "UltraMarathon Man" (which I'm in for like 10 seconds. I'm famous!!!!)

When I finished my first marathon (3:57) in Honolulu, it was one of the most gratifying feelings of accomplishment I've ever felt.

Overall, though, I would say that running longer than 30 minutes is purely specializing. CF's goal is to make the most fit athletes in all aspects of fitness. So really, it comes down to semantics. What is fitness? I think that is something we should all answer for ourselves in our personal lives. Picking the "Fittest Men in America" is a lot like the vanity of picking the "Most Attractive Man in America". It's totally subjective based on your selection criteria.

#281

Nick Wise. Right on man! Well put... you crazy radical you!

I didn't get to post my workout from yesterday so i figure i'll throw it in today. i mean i hate to interrupt the incredibly fitness-oriented discussion that's going on here, but hey, why not.

Started Crossfit this week, and this is the first time i've done deadlifts in 5 years! Great to get back into it.

AM - CFE: 3600m

PM - WOD
Warmup
6 @ 135 to practice form
3 @ 225
3 @ 275
3 @ 275
3 @ 285
3 @ 325

I was using an overhand grip the whole time until the last set to work on grip, but i switched to an alternate grip and was able to crank out the last set. Felt good to do deadlifts again.

WHAT IS THE PRIMARY FUNCTION OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ACCORDING TO THE CONSTITUTION? NATIONAL DEFENCE! IF YOU THINK BIDEN AND OBAMA WILL FIGHT FOR OUR VALUES AND YOUR WAY OF LIFE YOU ARE WRONG. THE GOVERNMENT ISN'T HERE TO BABY AND PAMPER A SOCIETY AND PROVIDE FOR EVERY NEED. WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO INDIVIDUAL RESPONSABILITY AND HOLDING YOURSELF ACCOUNTABLE FOR YOUR OWN LIFE? I HAVE SERVED IN THE ARMY BOTH ACTIVE DUTY AND RESERVES 20 YEARS AS A COMMISIONED INFANTRY OFFICER. I HAVE BEEN TO WAR AND IT SUCKS BUT NOT STANDING FOR ANYTHING IS SCARIER. THERE ARE REAL AND PERSISTENT ENEMIES OF FREEDOM, OF OUR WAY OF LIFE, PULL YOUR HEAD OUT OF THE SAND. THE US HAS MADE MANY MISTAKES BUT HAD DONE MORE GOOD FOR THE WORLD THAN ANY OTHER NATION AND THERE IS NO COMPARISON. WE ARE THE WORLD'S LAST BEST HOPE. IF YOU HATE YOUR COUNTRY GET THE HELL OUT! I AM PROUND TO SERVE MY NATION ALONG SIDE ALL THE OTHER ARMED SERVICES. OUR SERVICE MEMBERS ARE THE REAL HEROS! THE CONSTITUTION SPEAKS OF LIFE, LIBERTY AND THE OF PURSIT HAPPINESS. WHAT GREATOR LIBERTY IS THERE THAN ACTUALLY HAVE A CHANCE TO LIVE? ABORTION IS MURDER! SUCK IT UP, YOU GOT PREGNANT IT'S NOT THE BABIES FAULT. CARRY AN INNOCENT LIFE FOR 9 MONTHS AND THEN PUT IT UP FOR ADOPTION, YOU WILL FEEL BETTER. IF YOU CHOOSE ABORTION GOOD LUCK LIVING WITH KILLING THE INNOCENT! AMERICANS ARE SOFT, COMPLACENT AND SPOILED. MAKE YOUR OWN LIFE WHAT YOU WANT IT TO BE. QUIT BLAMING THINGS, PEOPLE, THE GOVERNMENT, YOUR PARENTS ETC. AND WHO SAID YOU HAVE THE RIGHT NOT TO BE OFFENDED, GIVE ME A BREAK! TAKE RESPONSABILTY FOR YOUR OWN CIRCUMSTANCES, IT'S YOUR LIFE AND IT'S NOT THE GOVERNMENTS REPONSABILTY TO RESCUE YOU SO YOU CAN HAVE A BIG SCREEN TV. WHAT HAVE YOU DONE FOR AMERICA BESIDES RUN IT DOWN? THE STRENGTH OF THE NATION IS IN THE RURAL AREAS, WHERE HARD WORK AND TRADITIONAL AMERICAN VALUES MEAN SOMETHING. GO MCAIN/PALIN, NOT PERFECT BUT THE ONLY CHOICE. GOD BLESS AMERICA!

Please, pretty please, don't post in all caps. It's very hard to read...

Nick

Hello rest day pal. Thanks for understanding, and James Humphrey got it too.

You nailed it with your analogy and commentary!! See, we do agree on things! I'm becoming more and more Libertarian too,its a shame we really don't have that "Cold H20" option!

Nick...well said! Reminds me of John Locke point of view. There are so few of us out there!

Refractory period: the time interval between the intitiating event and the resulting action. Examples would include the electrical impulsein the cerebral cortex__snatch, advertizing campaign__purchase, or the first mention of a phenomenon or idea__public reaction, where __ = refractory period.

A couple of weeks ago I mentioned the Outside article and opined that we should, either as a community or from the affiliates, nominate candidates for the Outside series "Fittest REAL MEN (emphasis mine) in America". Dave Castro demonstrates in classic Dave Castro (and CF!) manner a level of disgust with the article and the men chosen as representative of America's fittest, a worthy reaction IMO. Richard #89 (and perhaps #211) scoffs at the CF definition of fitness and dismisses Jason Khalipa's win in the 2008 Games as merely "15 minutes of work over two days." Daniel at #130 is the first of several to specifically confuse the generalist with the specialist: "someone who trains to do this every day."

This is, indeed, a target-rich environment.

The definition of fitness is, and will forever be, problematic. Outside and many others define fitness using the narrow metric of endurance, specifically LSD like ultra-marathons and triathlons. What would our, and Outside's, reaction be if say Muscle and Fitness or some other strength-based publication posted a list of the "Fittest Real Men in America" and on that list were men with gargantuan feats of strength, men with jobs and families who did not make their living at being strong? We, and presumably Outside, would rightly say that virtuosity and accomplishment on the far strength side of the physical spectrum does not constitute fitness in a way that would allow those so accomplished to be called "most fit". And yet isn't the ability to perform equally gargantuan feats of endurance exactly the same, simply an attribute that resides on the opposite end of the physical spectrum? Of course it is.

Daniel #130 asks what our reaction would be if an ultramarathoner walked into a CF facility and threw down a sub-4 "Fran"? Well frankly we would be stunned, and furthermore we would demand proof that he had not trained CF. Why? We have seen the fittest of human beings crumble when they encounter CF for the first time. Remember the Delta Operator who got Rhabdo from "Helen" despite a rather mediocre time during his over-enthusiastic introduction to CF (FWIW, my "Helen" is better, and I am the definition of the middle of the CF bell curve)? Delta Force Operators, SEALs, CCT's and the like are quite simply unlike "real men"; they are the stuff of legend, cartoon-character super heroes physically. We will never see an ultramarathoner, etc. walk in and do a sub-4 "Fran".

If you take a selection men (or women), some accomplished endurance athletes, some accomplished strength athletes, and some accomplished Crossfitters and pit them against one another in a series of activities that measure "fitness" across the range of definitions available you will find the following:1) the endurance athletes and the strength athletes will perform their trained specialty measurably better than each other, and better than the Crossfitter. The difference between the Crossfitter and the specialists will be significantly smaller than the difference between the specialists. 2) If you test fitness that is general, requiring skill and accomplishment in several areas demonstrated simultaneously and chosen to avoid any advantage for either specialist the Crossfitter will outperform each specialist and the specialists will likely be relatively equal. 3) The relative difference between each specialist and the Crossfitter in the specialist's event will be measureable less than the difference between the specialist and the Crossfitter in any activity requiring more than one type of fitness. Who is more fit?

Prove it? Nah, this is my house. If you come here from somewhere else like Richard and make brash claims it's up to you to prove it. Now, if we wish to make a case at Outside it's probably up to us. So once again I'll pose this challenge or task: who in the Crossfit community is a better example of the "Fittest Real Men in America?" I would suggest again that we not nominate fitness professionals as all of the men in the article are men with non-fitness jobs, regular family life, etc. I would also probably avoid nominating anyone active in the SF community cause, come on, like I said above, there's nothing real about those guys--they have more in common with your average everyday X-Man than "Real Men in America"!

And oh yeah, Allison, why save the polar bears? What if they spoil? You know, global warming and all, we can't depend on refrigeration any more, right?

I say eat 'em now, while they're fresh...

#260 Brian,

Although well written, your post has issues I'd like to address. Who exactly are you describing when you say a 'crossfitter' and an 'ultra-marathoner' as examples? Are you using Jason K? OPT? Speal? What about Ultramarathoners? Pacheco? Karnazes?

Judging by your post, you have stereotyped both crossfitters and ultramarathoners when in reality the two can be more related than you think. You seem to assume that ultramarathoners are 120lbs soaking wet and can't lift anything heavier than a pencil. On the flip side, that crossfitters are all able to deadlift 300+lbs and run a sub 40 10k. Incorrect. Take a look at guy's like David Goggins or Brian Mackenzie. These guys are not feeble, flimsy, runners. They are crossfitters, and ultramarathoners. They are also not alone.

Be careful how you

AllisonNYC, I may have doubts about you in the past, they are gone. You have as much right to express your beliefs and opinions as anyone else on this board. You should enter into rest day discussions more often. Way to stand up for yourself. IMO, it's one of the more crossfit things I have seen in a while. Go girl!

Explore the issue's, get out and vote that your civic responsability and what the Armed force fight to protect.

wow. lots of neo-cons. what I don't get is how McCain says he's bringing change to Washington when he's been part of the Washington insiders for the last 20 years, and has voted with Bush almost every time. I totally agree with Joe (#34), the republicans are the ones that got us into the current mess we're in (not really referring to the war, more the economy). If you don't think we're in a mess, you're delusional. Plus, Palin's speech was SO full of inaccuracies it's ridiculous. I also love the irony that she cut state funded programs for teenage mothers, and now her 17 yr old daughter's knocked up. Did you see the father of the baby at the convention? Ever see a more uncomfortable look on a guys face? hah! I'd have to say that there's no one less qualified to run a country than a second term governor from one of the least populated states in the union. and the scary thing is that it is a very real possibility that if the McCain/Palin ticket goes through, old Johnny boy might not survive his term and in goes Palin. scary stuff.

AllisonNYC, just a FYI(I'm not trying to be an a$$) McCain can't raise his arms to shoulder level due to the whole plane crash and prison camp thing. not sure if he going for pull-ups...

as for the politics of today's comments I think everyone should remember this quote:

"All of us who are concerned for peace and triumph of reason and justice must be keenly aware how small an influence reason and honest good will exert upon events in the political field." ~Albert Einstein

I know everyone means well, but remember they would all eat a baby to win.

You people need to read a little. Neocon does not mean what you seem to think it does, and neither McCain nor Palin are anything close to neocon.

Also, Bush doesn't vote on legislation, so how could McCain have possibly voted with him 90% of the time?

Stop reading stuff in the media and repeating it, do soem research and learn something. Neither Obama nor McCain are as the media portrays them, it's simply the narrative they want you to follow.

#293 we're neo-cons and you are are neo-lib?

Biden been in the Senate longer than McCain so does that elimate the Hope and Change of Obama/Biden?

Economy. What will Obama do? Increase Gov Spending? How do you pay for it? More taxes. And the economy will crater. Oh and which party is the majorty for the Senate and House? Oh yeah the Dems. Oh, by the way did you notice the entire World economy is in a down cycle. Is Obama going to fix that too? How? Please tell.

#251 Hari writes
"Why is a governor of Alaska assumed to be less competent than, say, a governor of Arkansas?"

Alaska is mostly a snow covered wasteland with people scattered throughout the state. It is located 500 miles from Washington. It has a state status, but in reality it is still more of a territory. How would you feel if Puerto Rico became a state and the governor was the candidate for Vice President? Palin governed a state that has no border of any other state(I'm using "state" to strictly mean US state and not a country). I think it is fairly self-evident that governing Arkansas is more complicated than Alaska. I'm not saying she isn't competent, but she doesn't have the background that makes me feel she IS competent. I don't feel comfortable with her background in domestic politics nermind the fact that we are in a time period when international politics is relevant again and perhaps more crucial than ever. She has a minimal background in domestic politics (of an exclave state) and ZERO background in international politics and I am supposed to trust her?

#254

You may not have been around in the 92-2000 Clinton years. But as I recall I was paying more in taxes and the economy was doing real good.

I've lost more in the last two years of these excellent economic policies than I've paid in taxes.

Matt G. Long time no post. Sure wish you were posting your WOD times.

#270 Matt, nice of you to make policy on a women's body. I think you should sit this one out until you can conceive and carry a child.

Clinton had the advantage of an internet related boom, one which caused big issues when it ended, conveniently for him around the end of his term.

I wish I wasn't sick, I wanna WOD.

Jay M. in SC: That's awesome. I'm happy that I was confused. Thanks for clearing that up for me.

#291 SpiderMonkey: Thanks and I think I will. I'm happy to be part of a community where people have such strong opinions and share them with each other.

I learn a lot from everyone here. I appreciate the people who contribute even though I don't agree with all of them.

On another note, I've been trying to get motivated to go out for a run for about 4 hours. But all I want to do is walk to the park and take a nap on the grass, under a tree... on a blanket and surrounded by a bug net of course. . . I'm making progress. Baby steps.

#289 Bingo: Now that I think about it, Polar Bear bacon sounds pretty good..

I don't want to hear a word about that one Jeff Tucker!

This debate on abortion once again reminds us of the importance of E-prime. Sorry, but capitalizing things goes not impart the quality to the object. "Mozart is BETTER than Beethoven" does not impart the quality of better-ness to Mozart. "Mozart seems better than Beethoven to me" - now we're getting somewhere. We have qualified the subjective nature of the statement.

# 290 Astro,
As I typed the post, I judged the Crossfit Community and the Endurance community by an average of each community. For example, if each Crossfitter and endurance athlete were placed along a bell curve depicting their performance based on each community’s goals (definition of fitness), we would take the middle of each curve and place them in a situation where survival is paramount. By its nature as a GPP program, Crossfit would better serve the variety of tasks associated with survival (the hopper). The endurance athlete, being very well trained along SPP, would do well moving over long distances, far better than the Crossfitter.

Obviously, certain people do not fit inside easy definitions as either Crossfitter or Ultra-endurance athlete. Certainly, many people have used Crossfit as a means to advance their SPP (as seen with Mackenzie, etal.) and such SPP pursuits have spawned splinter Crossfit movements (CFE, Performance Menu for Oly Training, SS, etc.) that have advanced the cause of fitness even further. In fact, every Crossfitter will have certain strengths and weaknesses compared to other Crossfitters. I may fair well on strength events and not so well on runs. Someone else may be awesome at gymnastics and running, but really dread weight training days. It is not in our strengths that we as Crossfitters will win, it is in the fact that we recognize and train our weaknesses. This is the essence of GPP and Crossfit. Those in the endurance community who have failed to embrace any GPP training have taken stock of their strengths and weaknesses and decided to train their strengths (like us) while neglecting their weaknesses (unlike us)

Now obviously certain people would fair better, regardless of the training, but controlling for the outside factors I described in the first post, 9 times out of 10 the Crossfitter would be better prepared for survival.

Brian

that picture is getting me so fired up for ski season...

Bingo for President! And a 3-day-on 1-day-off work week for Outside Magazine employees!

TSCHANZY:
You're wrong.

First,
The Constitution puts forth six purposes in the preamble:
1) form a more perfect union
2) establish justice
3) insure domestic tranquility
4) provide for the common defense
5) promote the general welfare
6) secure the blessings of liberty for ourselves and our posterity.
Two of these, 3 & 4 include "national defense," neither of which is "primary."

Second,
"Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness" is from the Declaration of Independence, NOT the Constitution. While the Declaration is important, it was written 11 years before the Constitution, before our government was established.

Third,
I love my country and if I didn't, I wouldn't be here. There's a difference between love and approval, as there is a difference between patriotism and mindless obedience. My country gives me the freedom to question how it is run, to voice those questions to other citizens, and to implement changes. It is my civic responsibility to doubt politicians, and question and protest the erosion of my freedoms and the freedoms of my countrymen.

Fourth,
Few, if any of us, are unsupportive of military personnel, even if we strongly disagree with what those personnel are ordered to do. I don't believe that we should be in Iraq, but I grieve for and honor every soldier killed or maimed there.

As for exploring the issues and voting, I have explored the issues. They are unimportant to me, as I've already said; it's more of the same, no matter which of the popular candidates you vote for. Further, I live in California, so my vote is useless, this state is voting for Obama. I will vote, just because of the principle of the thing, but it won't be for either of the popular candidates.

Our system is broken and can only be fixed by a paradigm shift. Reject the status quo and make your own decisions. Start by turning your television off.

Jay, Pete, Reno. Thanks, good to know there are other like-minded individuals here, even if we disagree on some things. It's what unites us that is important.

#297, Adam, writes,

"Alaska is mostly a snow covered wasteland with people scattered throughout the state. It is located 500 miles from Washington."

So, you see, say, Delaware, by virtue of its superior climate and proximity to Washington D.C as a more "legitimate" state? Coincidentally, both these states have the same number of electoral votes (3).

#260 Brian
I liked the analogy of the lion and gazelle, but maybe instead of the lion you should have opted for the "Mess You Up" dog instead. :-) Kidding~

Moreso, I just wanted to let you know that someone read your post and wholeheartedly agrees. I sometimes find myself getting so frustrated in talking with the long distance running/cycling folk that I can hardly stand it. It's a different paradigm they have, and it's not my job to 'save' them by explaining CF. I'll give it a shot and, if they argue I'll simply close my eyes, smile and walk away to do my WOD.

Adam #297:

Not taking sides, really, but just calling you on a pretty weak position: wasn't the Governor of Vermont (slighlty fewer than 1 million people/slightly greater than 2 million cows and also fairly characterized as snow covered and with people scattered throughout the state) once a rather serious presidential candidate for the Democratic Party? Guy named Dean, wasn't it?

I'm jus sayin'...

You Lefties and Righties can stuff your "he said she said" gibberish. I'm going skiing. Great pic!

I'm for whomever is not Bush and Cheney. Turns out that's both tickets. McCain is not going to be a continuation of Bush/Cheney and I'm not sure why no one is picking that up. The conservatives hate him as much as the Democratic establishment hates Lieberman. McCain wants to be president and has jumped through the necessary Republican hoops to get there, which are supporting Bush during the last few years, kowtowing to the religious zealots. Without doing that he would never have been in the situation to be nominated by the Republicans.
Obviously Obama is not going to be a Bush Cheney re-do.

I think the people deserve an administration that will have more transparency and let loose the strangle hold of power the office has gained in the last 7 years. We need an administration that will truly put the country first and party, legacy, and cronies second. I'd like back some of my rights as well. Hell bring back habeas corpus while we're at it. Security is never a good enough reason to whittle away at the Constitution.

#308 Hari writes
"So, you see, say, Delaware, by virtue of its superior climate and proximity to Washington D.C as a more "legitimate" state? Coincidentally, both these states have the same number of electoral votes (3). "

Same number of electoral votes, but different population density. It's not about it's proximity to D.C.(btw I meant Alaska's relation to Washington state before, not sure if you thought I meant D.C.), but it's proximity to other states, who have shared climates, which means having to deal with the same problems.
BTW, in case anyone is from Alaska I don't mean to offend anybody, personally I love Alaska. I just think it is difficult for people in the lower 48 to relate to people in Alaska or Hawaii.

I'd like to mention on endurance v. CF that CF is far more joint friendly; believe me, this will matter as you become older. I remember an interesting post on the topic of the day here from a former triathlete/ultramarathoner who now believes it's crazy to pound your body and destroy your precious cartilage, and once it's gone, it's gone. Not directly on point of fittest person necessarily, but injury and damage to body is part of the equation.

Did Nasty Girls at CFCV
8m53s pr knocked out the first set in 2m33s then slowed down a bit, not bad for a big guy.

McCain's foolish, reckless and impulsive selection of Palin demonstrates why he is unfit for the presidency. If the Dems are smart, they will focus not on Palin's shortcomings, but on McCain's decision-making process.

McCain has gambled everything with the old Rove "mobilize the base" strategy. The problem is that the base is shrinking. Fewer and fewer people identify as Republicans.

So the mission of the convention was to appeal to independent, moderate, and centrist voters. It completely failed.

A small anecdote from a friend in a small Vermont town: Republican church ladies in their 60's manning a booth at a county fair were disgusted by the Palin selection. They thought it was tokenism, and felt insulted.

Palin's speech was funny. The zingers were great. She showed herself completely qualified -- for a reality series, or a guest spot on Oprah.

Republicans could have gone after Obama much harder on his big shortcoming: lack of national security expertise. Instead, they completely undercut that argument with the Palin pick.

On to the McCain speech. Weak and unconvincing, it will will be quickly forgotten. This was the Palin convention. If undecided voters tuned in looking for a reason to vote Republican, none was provided.

That's not just my assessment. It is shared by Michael Gerson, Bush's primary speechwriter in the first term. He said the policy section was especially disappointing.

There was no over-arching theme to the speech. It seemed to have been written by a committee and never edited. Instead, it was assembled, and then delivered woodenly. The speech clocked in an almost an hour, droning on far too long. (Several delegates fell asleep, never a good sign.)

This seemed to be the speech of a man accepting a lifetime achievement award from a veteran's organization. At times, the tone was wistful and elegaic. It did not look forward.

But one thing stood out above all else: McCain is an old and tired candidate from an old and tired party with old and tired ideas. There was a strong section in which McCain attacked his own party. But McCain looked exhausted -- like he was up past his bedtime and had to get through something unpleasant. Even worse, the audience was full of old white guys. There was a creepy green background for the beginning of the speech and cheesy taped fireworks at the end. It was as though a Democratic saboteur was in charge of stagecraft.

The contrast with Obama's speech could not have been more stark. Obama offered change in an electric atmosphere. McCain's talk of change seemed like a pallid imitation.

McCain tried to be statesmanlike. He mentioned Obama only six times, once favorably. He exhorted us to work across partisan divides -- but failed a specify a single good non-Republican idea he would adopt. Again, it was a failed opportunity to appeal to the center.

#310 Bingo
Hold on a second, I have a better point to make in me,I just can't find it yet. I'm counting on Hari to find a flaw in my arguement that will hopefully trigger my memory.

LOL at #270, I'm gonna go with #300 on this one.

Religion is the f---ing worst.

Also, just for #310 since it's the last one I saw. One of those states has 1.1 people / square mile, the other has 63.7 people / square mile (date from 1997). I'll let you figure out which is which...

#317:

Which is precisely why I didn't choose to use Rhode Island, which has an equal number of citizens but sadly not nearly as many cows...

Your wisdom and humor are, apparently, lost on me.

#315 And what was the change in the electrifying speech Obama gave? Tax the 10% of the population more to fund all the fantasy land new gov programs?

What Obama is depending on: if you take from Peter to give to Paul, you'll be sure of getting Paul's vote!

Re: Outside Magazine
I stopped reading fitness magazines a long time ago when I was just a skinny nerdy teen when I came to the realization that they were a)75% ads for expensive, unnecessary supplements b) full of workout routines that were designed to not work so that you had to keep buying the magazine hoping for the magic routine that did work. That said, their one sided article does not surprise me. Not that I think that endurance athletes can't be considered fit, it's just that I think that endurance athletes that don't follow CrossFit/CrossFit Endurance can't be considered even close to as fit as those that do. If you haven't checked out the CFE site I highly highly recommend it. The only fitness publication I have ever seen worth reading is called the CrossFit Journal.

Re: Political Nonsense
I have struggled with this and thought long and hard about my decision and I have finally decided not to vote in the upcoming US Presidential Election. My reasons are as follows:
A)I am Canadian and therefore not eligible.

Really, if you want to get some things done in the US you should just give up and become Canada's 11th province and let us sort things out for you. You know you want to. :)

#318 Bingo
Aha you made me remember my point about Alaska!Alaska lacks cows which means it has no RAW MILK, and that makes Mark Ripptoe cry. Wait a second can you milk a polar bear......(-;

Sadistically I hope the Republicans stay in power for some time. I just want to be alive when we start to spray the crops with a sports drink.

Ken C. , You always have the best video links. Gotta love Stewart and Colbert.

Bingo

Seriously man, if that day gig you got going goes south, you really need to write satirical comedies. BTW, aint this a lot more fun than some days of the "multifocal" circus we've created?

MC Warsaw

I'll spell it out for you...both of those statistics people/sq mi and cows are about as arbitrary as someone's argument that Palin is not qualified since she's the Gov. of Alaska. :)

Re: Adam v. Alaska

I think that's a pretty weak argument. Having shared climates only means shared "problems" in a very limited sense (i.e., weather). That's only applicable, IMO, if you're a fan of global warming which I could NOT care less about (unless, of course, I was Al Gore and pocketing millions upon millions of $$$ scaring everyone to death with my questionable and inconveniently slanted "facts").

Seriously, since when did shared "climates" mean shared "problems". Even if you stretch your words to make someone believe shared economic climates, even then that argument falls on its face. I've lived in 5 states the past 7 years and each of the 5 states had very distinct and unique economies that were not at all related to the previous or next one I lived in. There were no overbearing "shared" climates.

Sure, every state shares similarities, but every state also has it's own problems, it's own economy driven by it's own workforce and it's own tendencies.

All government and politics are local. Just because Palin did it in a state that is less dense (yes, I mean the pun therein) than Delaware is hardly a reason for/against someone.

Taking a $194/RT train ride everyday to/from Washington, though, certainly makes the other fellow the man for me.

The most fundamental right is the right to life. Obama is not interested in helping to secure America's newborns the right to live. Obama has said the first thing he would do in office is sign the "Freedom of Choice Act" which would nullify any state laws and Supreme Court rulings that restrict abortions. With so many important issues in America, it's crazy that this would be his FIRST priority.

Further, he did indeed OPPOSE the Unborn Victims of Violence Act, in effect saying that babies of non-successful abortions should not be saved, but left to die. His reasoning was that their mothers wished for them to die in the first place. But, after he denied doing this, calling the idea of doing so crazy, he said those that reported his voting record were liars, and then left his campaign people to quietly admit his lie, sweeping it all under the rug, the media not mentioning a thing.

He has referred to a child as a "punishment," but children are always a gift.

His lack of understanding as what it is to be human is astounding. He shows little regard for our most basic freedom to live.

A society will be judged by how it treats its most weak and vulnerable.

His lack of morals make him a non-choice.

#325

Oh, ok. I'll just get back on my bridge to nowhere, with my lipstick'd bulldog...

PS: Is earmark money / person a useful statistic? I'M NOT SURE

#204 trace, I see that you have doen your homework on the whole elecation process, very thourough.

Im all for McCain, but ot for Palin, I feel the only reason why McCain picked Palin for his veep, was to try to win some democratic votes for the people who were supporting Hillary Clinton during the primary race. I admit it was a bold move that he pulled, but in this scenario I dont feel it was a wise decision.
By all means if McCain does win, I truthfully hope that I am wrong about Palin, because the last thing this country needs now with all of the other problems (i.e. economic crisis, unemployment, and oil prices, to name a few), is someone who to take office who isnt fit for the position in which they are entitled.

All candidates flawed. None of them are onto what's important.

Great links #28 Ogre, Mike, & everyone. cept that SFGate one. That was a bunch of hyperventilating SF liberal crap.

Anywho, I have no doubt Palin's probably a slimy shiit. Just like Hillary. A power-hungry, vindictive, censoring, hipocritical opportunist ... just like Hillary. Plenty of hipocrasy and laughable irony to go around. Bottom line though, I'll take the slimy shiit over the commie leftist anyday of the week (2x on Sunday). Hope is a smoke-screen for surrender-monkey. No room for that crap. I'll take the Hockey-mom with fangs.

Re: #327

I had forgotten about how he labeled the babies a "punishment." Even if you're not at all religious, I can't fathom how anyone can OPPOSE the Unborn Victims of Violence Act.

Where is Ron Paul? Seriously, we need to get back to the Constitution and stop allowing the federal government to usurp state powers...or, better yet, reduce the government as much as possible under the Constitution.

#330 loves his mommy!

LOL, you can't surrender if you never go to war. Sigh...but yeah, let's keep spending billions of dollars on dumb wars for oil.

Wooooooo

#76 AllisonNYC

It is madness trying to "right" a wrong by killing a baby in an attempt to erase the effects of a rape. The effects can not be erased. If the child is killed they still will have existed. The woman will still have suffered the unthinkable violation of her body.

The child is not the problem. The rape was/is the problem.

A basic principle of moral law is that the ends do not justify the means. And, 2 wrongs don't make a right.

Surprised no one has mentioned Obama sitting in the Rev. Wright's church for 20 years. There seems to be no good explanation for that, and though no one is talking about this now, I think it will come back to haunt him.

#333

Yes, because now this woman should be forced to carry a baby to term, have it, probably be forced to pay for all the medical care out of pocket or by an insurance company, and then give it away anyway because she never wanted it in the first place, which may or may not have future implications on the life of that child...

Or...you can just abort it before it is even cognizant of it's own existance.

I'll CHOOSE #2. You can CHOOSE whatever you want, but please don't take my or anybody else's choice away.

Why do people who call for small government constantly try to impress upon other people their own morals and judgments?

It doesn't make any sense at all.

missed yesterdays deadlifts, so did them today

stretch
WU: 135, 225
5 sets of 3 @ 295

then tried a 1RM @ 345 for the hell of it, and got it! new PR by about 20 lbs

#335

There is no freedom to murder. Murder is not a right. You are confusing one's freedom with one's freewill, which is the ability to choose things.

Your argument seems to be that it is okay to murder before the person is capable of understanding, correct?

# 73 Tony the Chiro.
Unbelievable, that is the only thing the media has talked about in the last week. Speculation is constantly bombarding us that her downsyndrome baby is actually her daughters rather than hers. Criticisms about her daughter and accusations of a radical religious agenda abound. The media is criticizing her for her husband's DUI 22 yrs. ago and the National Inquirer actually ran a story about her alleging an extramarital affair. The media questions her ability to manage a family and the VP job. Also, she is criticized for using a speechwriter, as if no one else does the same thing. The media actually has the audacity to criticize her for having not adequate experience. Take the Sequoya out of your own eye media, if you know what I'm saying. The media has been absolutely shameless, baseless, and illegitimate.

#335 MC Warsaw

There is no freedom to murder. Murder is not a right. You are confusing one's freedom with one's freewill, which is the ability to choose things.

Your argument seems to be that it is okay to murder before the person is capable of understanding, correct?

I haven't read everything, but I find it between amusing and pathological how many posters are focussing on Palin's lack of experience when their own choice for Commander in Chief has only been an active participant in the Senate for something like 18 months (having spent most of the last 3 years since being sworn in in 2005 campaigning to be President). He was never in the military, his biological father (the topic of the book that got him the attention that led ultimately to his nomination) was a Communist, and his stepfather appears to at least have been on good terms with the Indonesian Communists. His mother was associated with Marxists her entire life.

That he is to the left of every other member of the Senate is for this reason hardly surprising. My question is how far further to the left would he go if he could? Currently, he can only vote yes to every liberal bill that comes to the Senate.

Economic experience? How on earth is anyone claiming economic experience for Obama? His degree is in law, and as far as I can tell he has never had a real job. I don't count law professor, Senator, or community agitator. In none of those positions are you accountable for anything. The same cannot be said for military service.

Palin is McCain's well considered effort to actually get elected. He can't do jack if he doesn't get elected, and the fact of the matter is every media outlet except Fox is almost openly campaigning for Obama. How many of you read USA Today? I've been spending some time in hotels, and they are publishing active propaganda.

The Dem's were supposed to be up 20 points right now. That they aren't shows that Obama is clearly the wrong choice. The Messiah has no clothes.

#333, #335, #340,

Let us drop the conversation of the morality of abortion. This is a very sensitive topic that no one takes lightly and it would probably be best to discontinue anymore talk before it gets out of hand.

I personally find the topic of abortion an important matter when choosing a candidate, but lets just leave it at that.

Keep in mind that this is CrossFit, not debate club (that is why I am very confused about todays rest topic).

I bet there will be a 15 km tomorrow. I am ready for it. Bring it on Coach!

Attack a woman for what her 17 yo daughter does...and mock a kid (Jamie Lynn Spears) who is not running for office. I hope you all face the same heat when your kid makes a mistake. Its a disgrace thats going to backfire on the Dems.

Leah,

murder
(mûr'dər)

n.

1. The unlawful killing of one human by another, especially with premeditated malice.

No, I don't believe my argument hinges on murder. I believe it hinges on a woman's choice to do with her body as she pleases. Ultimately, she should be able to choose whatever she pleases with the unviable organism inside of her.

Also, just to help you out...

Freedom - The condition of being free of restraints.
Free will - 1. The ability or discretion to choose; free choice: chose to remain behind of my own free will.
2. The power of making free choices that are unconstrained by external circumstances or by an agency such as fate or divine will.

I would argue that "being unconstrained by external circumstances or by an agency such as fate or divine will" is the same as being "free of restraints."

So, now obviously, please tell me the difference between freedom and free will, keeping in mind that I don't subscribe to fantasies such as Santa Claus or God.

GT

Welcome to CrossFit rest day discussions, where we stretch and test our minds as much as we do our bodies on the WOD's. Stick around for awhile you'll learn something, I sure have. In fact, I think I deepened a few gyri in my head noodle just in the last few hours, or maybe that's just that loose screw my wife's been complaining about. LOL

#342

I'm done, if only to spare myself time and sanity.

IN REFERENCE TO THE VIDEO...I BELIEVE THAT EVERYONE HAS THEIR OWN OPINION TO "WHAT IS FIT". THERE ARE DIFFERENT LEVELS OF BEING FIT, AND JUST BECAUSE THIS MAGAZINE EXPLAINS ONE, DOESN'T NECESSARALY MEAN THAT THEY ARE NOT FIT (AND TRUELY THEY ARE NOT THE FITTEST MEN IN AMERICA, IT'S AN OPINION). BY THE WAY, I AM 100% FOR CROSS FIT!

I had a nice "Active Rest Day" and did a 7K row. Really felt nice! Can't wait for the Three Days of Hell coming up!!!

If we reject Palin for her daugther I guess we need to reject Biden for his daughter http://articles.latimes.com/2002/aug/04/nation/na-briefs4.1 who was arrested years ago.

And while we are at it might as well reject Obama for using drugs when he was a young man and McCain for his dumb actions too when he was young....we could go on and on

LEAVE THE POLITICAL BS ON ANOTHER SITE!
How many military men and women who are stuck overseas because of despicable politics have to object before the rest of you will listen? They come here to get away from the garbage you are flooding this "fitness" site with

Sorry dude but this is America...freedom of speech and freedom not to read the free speech.

"If it was Obaman he would make her have an abortion. Well, that's what he said a few weeks back. Father of the year.
Comment #81 - Posted by: trace at September 4, 2008 10:01 PM "

Reference Please. I dont think I have heard obama ever say he would make someone get an abortion. Please cite a source when making a (what i suspect to be bullsh@t) accusation.

This was Obama's stance a few weeks back regarding the abortion issue.

"Look, I got two daughters, 9 years old and 6 years old," he said. "I am going to teach them first about values and morals, but if they make a mistake, I don't want them punished with a baby. I don't want them punished with an STD at age 16, so it doesn't make sense to not give them information."

Think I'll post again after november.

Palin vs. Biden - Totally off the issues (here because going into detail on why McCain/Palin are better choices would be like trying to convert a bodybuilder to CrossFit.) Palin reminds me of many of our female CrossFitters here at CF Ocean City - tough and tenacious. Biden reminds me of the old guys that join the local globo gym so they can meet up with their friends and talk while pretending to workout.

My gut tells me Palin is the better potential president. While Obama and Biden may have some strong points and I respect them for their views, I don't feel comfortable with either of them as president/vp.

BTW - for those who criticize Palin's wearing of the Blue Star Pin, she's correct in wearing it because her son is serving during time of conflict. He doesn't have to be IN the conflict, just serving. (tenacious D - you were wrong on that.)

McCain/Palin -'08

This was Obama's stance a few weeks back regarding the abortion issue.

"Look, I got two daughters, 9 years old and 6 years old," he said. "I am going to teach them first about values and morals, but if they make a mistake, I don't want them punished with a baby. I don't want them punished with an STD at age 16, so it doesn't make sense to not give them information."

I don't believe he said he would "force" her into the abortion, but he would keep the option open, after educating her.

You flat out lied in your previous post. period. end of story.

Jared

Beautiful response!

Obama is for abortion and he was defending his choice for abortion. His statement "I don't want them punished with a baby" in your opinion does not mean aborted? To me it does or why else would he respond to a direct question on abortion.

If I lied as you stated forgive me for interperting his response to aborition. That was my understanding to response.

Like everything with Obama you can't get a straight repsonse. Or it's above his pay grade.

ps...where is the apology for your statement "Please cite a source when making a (what i suspect to be bullsh@t) accusation." and "You flat out lied in your previous post. period. end of story"

Both are pretty rough statments.

#312, Adam, writes,

"Same number of electoral votes, but different population density."

So, your answer to my question about why being the governor of Arkansas (6 electoral votes) or a senator from Delaware (3 electoral votes) is more relevant than being a governor from Alaska (3 electoral votes) is that experience turns on the population denisty of the state?

"Hold on a second, I have a better point to make in me,I just can't find it yet. I'm counting on Hari to find a flaw in my arguement that will hopefully trigger my memory." (#316)

I think you're doing the best you can with what you have to work with.

Leah ~

I'm not sure which of your posts I should address with this, but it seems to me that the anti-abortion folks out there are not pro-life, but rather pro-birth.

This is an important distinction, because none of you seem to be around to help either the mother or, more importantly the newborn whose birth you so vehemently argued for.

Thought these should be part of today's debate, too....
http://portal.gopconvention2008.com/speech/details.aspx?id=84

http://www.demconvention.com/barack-obama/

#342 GT I appreciate your concern but Coach or the like obviously want CF to talk about hot topics.

#345 MC Warsaw

The organism may be unviable at early stages but it is science that tells us that the embryo, fetus, unborn and born baby are all different names for the one mammal named "human." Unless one can pinpoint when the fetus becomes human, on the first day of the four month of pregnancy for instance, or the last day of the eighth month...then one better darn well err on the side of caution if there is a possibility we could be killing our own race. Now it must be human at 5 1/2 weeks since some such fetuses have survived outside of the womb after premature birth at this stage. So, is it not human at 5 weeks? But, what when our medical technology improves and premature infants are living after only 20 weeks in the womb? Will the definition of human need changed continually?

Do whatever you want just don't force ME to pay for it...

some of you guys should consider getting a rabies vaccination

#360 Mark

You're certainly right that there is a real distinction b/t terms since pro-life could encompass opposing war, the death penalty, etc. So, perhaps pro-birth is a better term for the single issue of abortion.

Nevertheless, it seems to be a red herring fallacy, to address the very important issue of caring and supporting those born unwanted, when the issue at hand is whether the fetus is human. If one admits it is human one can hardly argue under the Constitution that it can legally be killed.

I think that picking Palin ( a charming, powerful woman to be sure) was a pretty cynical move by McCain. It reeks of desparation. When one plas from the lead they make safe picks (Biden), while when one plays from behind they should take chances (Palin). We'll see how this pick turns out, but I think that McCain will need more than a solidified base after debating Obama.

Osama for Obama!!

First of all, I don't consider myself a Dem or Republican and am not a fan of either candidate.

#104: "...I feel without a doubt he's [McCain] the best thing the Republican party has had to offer since Reagan.

What I love about you Republicans is your ability to aim so high. If Reagan is your people's measuring stick, it's no wonder the GOP has produced so many buffoon as of late. Reagan's Trickle-down Economics--there's some "brilliant" economic policy for ya.

I'd rather be taxed by the Dems and have a strong economy than get some $600 piss-in-the-proverbial-bucket "stimulus" check, yet possibly be out of a job because some illiterate puppet is running our country into the ground, not to mention getting our soldiers killed over oil. Hey Bush, that guy that attacked us back in '01 ran to Afghanistan. Thanks for protecting us with your eye-off-the-ball war on terror in Iraq, you dumbass.

Work day for me, catch-up WOD.

M/48/151

Row 1000M
Shoulder Press 75# 21 reps
Row 1000 M
Push Press 75# 21 reps
Row 1000M
Split Jerk (alt. sides) 75# 21 reps

22:22

Leah,

Just more proof how the fundamentalist right is so blinded by the right-to-life-issue. McCain had candidates that were eminently qualified to be V.P. but he was forced to appease this highly vocal and active minority.

And let's be honest. If Palin were a Democrat whose daughter was revealed to be pregnant out of wedlock, conservatives would crucify her. She'd be branded as a mother with no control over her family and morally bankrupt. Coulter, Limbaugh, and the rest would feast on her. Do no try to dispute that.

#365 Leah
"If one admits it is human one can hardly argue under the Constitution that it can legally be killed."

That's the central argument though, isn't it? The camps differ on when life begins, not whether or not the taking of a life is moral.

Let me ask you this, Leah: is someone who is in a vegetative state (ie Karen Ann Quinlan) and completely on life-support considered a "human"? How is it that we can skirt the Constitution and cut off life support for this person? Is this moral?

Hey Leah --> are you in Indy?!?!?!?!?!

Sorry -- I guess Latrobe.
Took me a minute, but I figured it out. Hahaahaha

I love how most if not all the Obama supporters are basically taking soundbites and catchphrases found everywhere from MoveOn.org to CNN. Try some original thought then get back to me.

What a political ploy to have a woman VP soccer mom with a pregnant daughter. This is not because she is qualified...it's stupid politics...the only reason I am voting demo is because God forbid we have another George Bush...Just my two cents

Palin is the hottest VP candidate ever. Not much else, but that is ok.
Outside, not suprising they choose the enduro set. If one looks at the sports that magazine covers (and rarely covers very well) they are almost all..... Outside!!!!! Most all outside sports are of a longer duration, hence endurance. Every heard of someone hiking intensely for 15 minutes? There are a few exceptions such as ski racing, but very few examples for the Outside target audience.
Does one pick up a copy of Milo and lament the lack of endurance training? It would be just as out of place.
General fitness is the next specificity.

Hey Kris C,

Why don't you get back to them when you turn off Fox and put down the National Review. Cuts both ways, my friend.

Trace,

I believe their is a distinction between respecting the right to choose, and forcing.

By you logic legalized abortion would mean that EVERY BABY IS ABORTED.

Perhaps he mispoke by using the word punished, but it is pretty obvious he meant he does not want an unwilling mother to give birth if SHE does not want to.

ps

no apology because you in NO WAY backed up your original statement

As for Palin, let's put it this way - she questions global warming and she believes that the war in Iraq was the "will of God". Enough said. She is pretty hot though, and she reminds me of an attractive librarian (she even talks like one).

Oh! Geeze. I can't believe I didn't think of this before! She is the principle on School of Rock, but hotter.

Mark

Doggonnit I said I wasn't gonna get into this abortion issue but really dude you're using a flawed argument. The comparison of an adult in a "vegetatative state", which I assume you mean has been declared nonviable from a central nervous system standpoint, is not analogous to a developing fetus in the uterus of a healthy mother. More appropriate would be be an otherwise healthy closed head trauma patient on life support with the expectation of full recovery spending that time on life support while they recover from the coma. Now, assuming they haven't made a living will to never use life support, would you see it as murder to stop that ventilator? Of course you would. Now, I admit the fetus is not viable apart from the uterus/placenta/healthy mom, but do we not expect full viability after full gestation, and is that not analogous to the recovering healthy adult in a coma on life support. Both are being "supported" by an external source, kept in a state that would allow future independent viability.
Furthermore, is it not interesting that we convict people of murder of 2 people if they kill a woman who is pregnant! Wow, now there's a double standard I'm not picking sides here, just leveling the playing field a little. Now you and Leah proceed, I'm enjoying this immensely.

Palin is one of the most divisive, sarcastic, and negative figures to emerge on the political stage in a long time. There is nothing I like about her.

#370 Turk

Certainly McCain wants to win and that's why he picked Palin. His campaign apparently thinks she'll be the best ticket to win. But, you seem to have a contradiction there. McCain would be pretty dumb to pick a VP that only a minority would like. Clearly, Palin appeals to a majority of ppl besides those against abortion.

#371 Mark

Correct, that is the point of disagreement. But, how long will people hide themselves from scientific evidence?

"In a vegatative state" is a term I will not use, since it degrades a person, comparing them to a piece of food that can be easily mashed up. Obviously this situation differs case by case, but my short answer is that yes that person is human. "Brain dead" has really been found to not be the end all definition of dead and new insights are constantly being found. It would depend if that life-support were "ordinary" or "extraordinary" means of keeping one alive. Ordinary would be food, extraordinary could be artificial breathing. I'm not quite sure what you were asking further than that.

Jared,

It comes down to personal responsibility. If you don't want to have the chance of getting pregnant, perhaps you shouldn't engage in the activity that would put you there in the first place. It's called consequences.

For example, if I go to a bar and get drunk, I did all of that by choice. If I later decide to get behind the wheel of a car and drive, again I did this by choice.

Now, as a consequence of my actions: 1) I can make it safely home 2) I can get into an accident, 3) I can get arrested, 4) All of the above or worse. However, all of this is a direct consequence of my choice and I can blame no one for it. I don't get to say, "Hey wait, why should I be punished just for making bad decisions?"

As for pregnancy due to willful acts of people who know that a sperm and an ovum conjoined make a baby: why does personal responsibility not come into play here? Why do we get to terminate the development of another human being because of our bad choices?

Whether you like it or not, facts are facts. You can have all the sex you want, but you have to fess up to whatever comes your way later.

It isn't a right to choose; it is taking another human being's life for the convenience of the mother. When a sperm and ovum conjoin, an entirely new set of DNA has been made and starts to develop. In order for that DNA to develop it has to be, GASP, ALIVE! Inanimate objects do not develop.

Since it is alive and developing and it comes from humans, it must also be an alive human being! The fact that it isn't "viable" is irrelevant. It is completely capable of living in its necessary environment. Once you take it out of that environment and halt its development, you terminate its life. That is killing in any other situation. But, for some reason some people find this to be okay.

As for Obama, he said what he said. It wasn't a poor choice of words. It was HIS CHOICE OF WORDS! I know that for liberals, taking ownership of anything you say or do is not part of the modus operandii, but Obama said what he said.

Me: 42yo/M/5'10"/172lbs/10.5%BF

Did active rest today working on ring muscle ups for about an hour. I can do bar muscle ups all day but I have yet to do a ring muscle up. Nick from Olympic Crossfit and Jason from Crossfit OKC helped me work on the transition and I am almost there. I will be doing negatives for the next few weeks during my warm up until I can pull them off easily going very slow through the transition. Thanks Nick and Jason, you guys make it look easy :>)

Have Fun, Train Hard,

Billy

29 yom 222# 6'1"

going to take a few days off here to celebrate the birth of our first daughter.
I have to give my wife credit for "tabata contractions"

I love crossfit and the community it creates Why bring politics into something so positive and uplifting? All this negativity between the parties is depressing to hear all the time and now it's here to. I'm so sick of this election. It's everywhere you turn. I don't need it in my gym.

Leah,

Uh, I say minority in terms of overall population. As far as the Republican population, they hold major influence, enough to change McCain's ticket. Out of all the people he could have picked (or wanted to pick), do you honestly believe she is the best person for the job? Or is she the most politically expedient one?

McCain is fine for most Republicans; military or corporate types or even those trapped in Blue states like NJ or MA. But he's not conservative enough for the Christian fundamentalists. Enter a christian, pro-life, pro-gun ownership, pro-creationist candidate and you have a "balanced" ticket. Hey, plenty of people will vote for Obama because of Biden's foreing policy credentials so both sides play this game.

I don't know if someone else posted this in the comments, but here is a link to a CBS interview with three of the "Fittest Real Men in America." To their credit, they obviously enjoy their sports and commit a lot of time to improving themselves. But the magazine itself caters to the hyperendurance crowd, and I can only respond by trying to redefine what endurance is. "How quickly can you do 100 pull ups? Linda? What are your final times when you do wind sprints?"
(wfs)
http://video.aol.com/partner/cbs/fittest-real-men-in-america/slOeX_Rsxs_fBLfLTCzDYtVtM1_qdH9e

Anyways, I got my first ever L-sit press to fully extended handstand on the rings today (without feet on straps.) Looked at some old records of when just before I started crossfitting 2yrs ago and I feel compelled to share.
Then v. Now. 28yo male, 5'10...

BW = 200, 170
Fran = 12:15, 4:40
Deadlift = 315 x 3, 365 x 3 (better form, thanks Rip!)
Press = 125 x 5, 150 x 5
Bench = 235 x 8, 225 x 8
5k = 30 min, 22 min
Pullup = 10, 28 (in a row, full range, no kip except maybe the last 2-3)
100 Pullups = 27 min, 11 min
Linda = 70 min, 43 min
Overhead Squat = 95 x 1, 175 x 1
Squat = 265 x 10, 285 x 5 (I squat real deep now and with better form.... thanks Rip!)
400m = 73 sec, 60 sec (better shape, not THAT much faster)
Helen = 19 min (dumbell), 11 min (kb)

CF has done a helluva lot for me. Thanks a million Coach, Lauren, Rip, Roger, CF community, and everyone else who put so much work into something that tremendously benefits us all.

And what's all this election talk? Didn't I just vote four years ago? ;-)

Wendi:

Deadlifts:
135 x 10
185 x 5
200 x 3
205 x 3
210 x 3
215 x 3
220 x 3 (f)

Stephanie

95 x 10
125 x 5
130 x 3
140 x 3
155 x 3
168 1/2 x 3 (whoops)
180 x 3

make up from yesterday

Greenville, SC

#381 Jay M
Lemme get this straight. You're saying we should treat the fetus for its 'potential,' independent viability, rather than treat it as it currently exists? This rationale simply blurs the line of discussion from "when life begins" to that of "when life will begin" (assuming "life" is defined as independent viability). I'm not sure I understand correctly.
Secondly, the 'vegetative state' example is precisely what I meant, but again you're using the expected outcome argument. I'm talking in specific points of time and you're running a movie. BTW, I cannot defend the double-murder example, and realize we live in a world of multiple standards, sadly so. Good point though.

#383 Leah
I've learned that I cannot have "no opinion" about a topic such as this because, simply put, neither side will allow it. I find it difficult at times to defend abortion when it appears its use is primarily a means of birth control. However, I also struggle with others mandating how a woman should live her life. About the only side of the argument I feel strongly about (and it appears you disagree) is in instances of rape or incest, and on this subject I cannot budge. I understand your argument of "two wrongs don't make a right," however my response to this would be "how can you tell a victim they have to be a victim again"? It seems as if the rights of the unborn outweigh the rights of the victim, and I cannot align myself with that thinking.

#388 Kyle

Congrats on the improvements! It appears you've made sizable gains in strength and stamina, and I think it's terrific you've shared these stats with others.

No doubt, looking back at where we were can serve as a positive lift to esteem and a great motivation for achieving goals.

Congrats again ~

Mark

That's exactly what I'm saying. Afterall, we are treating our head trauma pt for his POTENTIAL to recover and therefore live independently. I argue that fetal development is a process of cell development/recovery to its normal state in the same way the trauma pt recovers from his pathologic state. Both are "living" albeit supported by external sources. I think "life" has many meanings, just look at the world and the many unicellular and multicellular organisms. No scientist would argue that a paramecium is not alive!
Yes a human fetus is as much alive as that trauma pt on life support, and has as much potential in time to fully support itself and therefore, as much right to appreciate that POTENTIAL to live. Human development IS "a movie" as you describe, in fact our development continues both physically and cognitively outside the mother after gestation, a process as dynamic and "plastic" as well.... human CNS recovery from trauma!!

Joey,

I think your comments about trial lawyers are baseless. As a trial lawyer, I am proud of my profession and the work that we do. Wth jurors like you thinking everyone is a fake and the lawyers are greedy, we have a challenge with the legitimate cases. We are far too busy and have far too much at stake to invest our time and money filing frivolous claims.

Every state has rules against filing frivolous lawsuits. A frivolous suit can result in the following: 1. Being required to pay the other side's fees and costs, 2. $10,000 in sanctions, 3. ethics charges. I can't imagine anyone other than Mr. Fancypants risking his license and reputation for this.

A medmal case typically costs about $50,000 to litigate. Before I can even file suit, I need to get an affidavit of merit (AOM) from a doctor with the same specialty and in the same community. The AOM dr needs to provide a certification that malpractice occured and an explanation of the malpractice. It is a jailable felony to perjure oneself on these certifications. Getting the medical records and having a doctor review it can cost a few thousand. The filing fee here in NJ is $200.00 for State Court or $350 for federal. It costs about $50.00 per defendant to serve the Complaint. These costs are just to get the case started and we are already up to a few thousand. I don't do medmal cases, but I'm using them to illustrate my point.

The people who support tort reform are bullies who are afraid to take responsibility and be held accountable for their actions. I am very proud to be a trial lawyer.

ALISON_NYC. I'm in a committed relationship, but I'm developing a major crush on you. You are pretty in the videos. Your post demonstrate a fun, sexy attitude and a sense of humor. Now, today you show major substance with your opinions. I also think your opinions and posts (today and on other days) tends to be spot on accurate. Someone else wrote this is what really makes you hot!!! I was gonna write the same thing and he beat me to it. YOU'VE GOT MY VOTE!!!!

Hari
All right you've got me on this one. I've got jack, somehow I backed myself in a corner with a extremely s****y arguement. Until next rest day my friend....
-Adam

Adam

Classy tapout dude.....Hari's got game!

#393 Mike
While I have no reason to doubt your conviction of pride as a trial lawyer, I think you've generalized your profession as much as perhaps Joey did with his comment. Are you really defending ALL trial lawyers?

And while tort reform may be instigated and supported by 'bullies,' as you say, perhaps being required to pay the other sides' fees and costs in all cases, and not those limited to frivolous suits, would go a long way in convincing everyone of your professions' accountability.

#113 YES! Vote Libertarian or write in
Ron Paul. They are the only ones that will save our civil liberties, destroy the federal reserve and current monetary system, not want to rule the world and its citizens through MORE government.
A vote for them is a vote for true freedom and staying out of foreign countries business. Our foreign policies are the reasons they don't like us to begin with.

Leah: Man, I think we'll have to agree to disagree on this one. I'll never change my mind and it seems like you won't either. That's cool with me.

I don't for a second agree with using abortion as birth control. I've personally known plenty of girls who have had several abortions. Yesterday a friend told me his girlfriend just had her second abortion in 3 months. She's 18. Incredibly irresponsible.. But would it be better to have that girl who's THAT irresponsible with a baby?? I'd feel pretty darn bad for that kid. Talk about unfair. Most of my friends had babies before they were 18. Two of them had babies when they were 15. I believe this is a result of insufficient REALISTIC Sexual Education programs and poor examples in our communities.

But what it comes down to is a woman's right to choose. I've never had an abortion but you better believe I want that right. After watching Maury and Jerry Springer today I actually wish more people would take advantage of it... Kidding... sorta

The idea of turning a victim into a victim all over again by making her carry, give birth to and then care for a product of a rape?! That just seems so insanely, unbelievably, outrageous that it kind of frustrates me.

I'll just take it out on the protesters crying "murder" outside of the Planned Parenthood clinic next time I go to get a refill of the Pill.

#392 Jay

I'm really looking forward to tomorrow. An actual WOD and, moreover, a new topic to debate! Perhaps a subject a bit more benign, like religion....?

Hahahaha -- have a great evening Jay.

#398 - Crazy chick in NY

Ha-ha...love the Maury/Springer reference!

Hey guys, I just got a call from the crazy religious guy from the porn rest day discussion. He said he can't wait to vote for Sarah Palin.

I want to hear from the “West Coast” i.e. “9th circuit xfitters.”

Obama is impressive and seems sincere but I cannot bring myself to trust him. He seems weak. Although Hillary was a mean B.…, I think she has balls (figure of speech not literal) and would have stood up to our enemies. It’s about security for me. I am very disappointed with Bush but I am voting McCain/Palin. How will Obama make us safer?

comment #69 - holden... one of the best observations/statements on this entire board...

#401

Count me in!!

re #300, Jim: Nice of you to comment on murdering an unborn human being. Why don't you sit this one out until you have the experience of being cut into tiny pieces with scissors and vacuumed out of your mother's body?

Murder. It's murder, and if people can't admit that, they're purposely blinding themselves for convenience. Just like a "negro" was 3/5'ths of a person, and worthy of being "owned" by another human being years ago.

#379 Classy Jared,

I imagine you were the kid who kicked the board game when you lost.

Don't call me a liar and I won't call you a moron.

#402 - I don't think Obama is weak, but I do think he picks his moments. The other campaigns - Hillary's and McCain's included - will do whatever they can to own a particular media cycle. There's no such thing as bad press, even if the stunt used to gain press coverage turns out to be just that - a stunt. I like the strategic approach, and one strategic moment was last week during his acceptance speech. He nailed McCain squarely and effectively.

If you turn the strategic approach to our literal defense, I think it makes sense now given the fact that our forces are stretched thin. Marshal your forces, plot your strategy and choose your time and then hit them. It's smart.

People have been controlled by FEAR for millions of years. Fear is hardwired into us as human beings. The only chance we have of getting around this is through common sense, reasonable thinking, and using our brains to figure out what is actually going on in this world currently and historically. If not, you are ignorant, and you are a sucker.

Perhaps palin does have some value. She probably gives an okay blowjob. Here's a question...Is it better for our president to give or recieve head in the oval office?

#407 MP

That’s interesting. I hope your right. That’s the only issue I have. I find myself wanting to believe him (Obama) but I am not convinced.

#408 Roger: BOTH! ... kidding again... sorta

I doubt she does. Seems pretty uptight. But sometimes those are the freakiest ones!

#408

That's weak.

Turk, show me where I've made any soundbites like those found on FoxNews or other shows.

A couple of observations:
First, for everyone who (amazingly) looks to Ron Reagan as a "great" President, I should remind you that the man committed treason.

Second, for all the anti-choice nuts: if life begins at the moment of conception, do you think that criminal investigations should accompany all miscarriages? Seeing as how the life of a human being under the care of another was suddenly and without explanation terminated, shouldn't the police at least look into it?

Her son is "ENLISTED" in the Army!!! Need I say more??? That alone speaks volumes, of where she comes from; the normal everyday blue collar middle class red blooded Americans, like ourselves. She will sway every every military mother and father in this country. She is, without a doubt, going to lead the Republicans to another term in the White House. Furthermore, Sarah Palin,INMO,will be the the first Female President!!!! Watch out, to all you Liberal Democrats out there, your match has been met!!! :-)

the end of the video where he's humping the air with that lady and then the guilty look on his face when the vid stops is priceless...

"if life begins at the moment of conception, do you think that criminal investigations should accompany all miscarriages?"

I now feel dumber for having read that comment.

A miscarriage is not the fault of anyone. It happens.

But, willingly going to a so-called doctor and having a living being removed from your body and terminating its life is a willful act of taking another innocent human being's life.

44/m/238
my own Dirty Thirty (8:45)
30 push-ups
30 pull-ups
30 sit-ups (bicycles)
30 dips
30 air squats
didn't work out enough this week to deserve a Rest Day:-(

#416 - I think the recently drafted Republican platform is against abortion without exception - no exception for rape, incest or even to save the life of the mother. Do you agree with that, or are there instances in which you believe abortion should be allowed?

I believe a lot of people trying to look good, be healthy and lose weight would get much better results doing Crossfit than doing treadmill LSD. Therefore it seems reasonable that the definition of fitness that permeates society today, the one where the endurance athlete is the pinnacle of fitness is slowly changed to reflect a more crossfitty ideal.
That is if you believe in making a lot of people happier and healthier. So screw subjective definition of fitness and screw Outside Magazine.

"#416 - I think the recently drafted Republican platform is against abortion without exception - no exception for rape, incest or even to save the life of the mother. Do you agree with that, or are there instances in which you believe abortion should be allowed?"

First of all, that isn't the Republican platform, especially the life of the mother clause.

Secondly, I'm not a Republican. I'm not a Conservative. I'm a Constitutionalist.

In the instance of rape: why should we punish the child for the sins of the father? If anyone's life should be taken, it should be the father.

As for incest and the like, we are still talking about human life.

As for the safety of the mother, we are looking at less than 1% of all abortions. However, in these rare cases, you're talking about a fallopian tube attachment most times. In these cases, no one will live if the baby is not abortion. It is then an emergency medical procedure that must be done to at least save one life, although one has to go.

Please realize I'm not some heartless jerk. I cannot even fathom what a woman has to go through if she is raped. No one has a right to violate another person in that way, or any way for that matter.

The circumstances surrounding a person's coming into existence, however, should not be that person's fault. The jerk who decided to force that life onto the woman, on the other hand, deserves to have his abortion performed retroactively, if you know what I mean.

But, let me turn the question back to you. Would you be okay with abortions ONLY in the cases of rape, incest, and the saving of the woman's life?

#416
Really? So you're saying that there are deaths of a person that occur while under the absolute, total care of a guardian that should not even be investigated?

If a woman who just gave birth shows up the next day with her dead infant, do you think the hospital (and police) should simply say "it happens...no one's fault" and drop the matter without asking a single question?

Obama = good

McCreepy old man = bad

Nader in '08 !!!!

ha! nice!

I'm one of those rich old white guys...and I will be voting for Obama this year. Why? Because the republicans have turned into ideologues who have lost the ability to think critically. Palin? VP candidate? Please. She is a political light weight creationist (the ultimate example of disregarding facts in favor of ideology) who was chosen to appease the far social right of the party. Sad because otherwise, I would have seriously considered a vote for McCain. He lost me @ "Palin".

#416
Really? So you're saying that there are deaths of a person that occur while under the absolute, total care of a guardian that should not even be investigated?

If a woman who just gave birth shows up the next day with her dead infant, do you think the hospital (and police) should simply say "it happens...no one's fault" and drop the matter without asking a single question?

Milan, please quit trying.

"BTW - for those who criticize Palin's wearing of the Blue Star Pin, she's correct in wearing it because her son is serving during time of conflict. He doesn't have to be IN the conflict, just serving. (tenacious D - you were wrong on that.)

McCain/Palin -'08

Comment #356 - Posted by: Steve - CF Ocean City at September 5, 2008 2:32 PM"

Excuse me, Steve, but you're dead wrong on the Blue Star. It is tradition that during deployment ceremonies that deploying Servicemembers be given a Blue Star to give to their mothers/wives/husbands to display while deployed in combat. Sadly, sometimes that Blue Star becomes Gold. The notion that everyone with someone serving while the nation is in "conflict" is not correct. Not correct based upon the Blue Star Mother's charter, nor any anectdotal evidence from my four deployments. Now, that's not to say that family members and mothers won't bastardize the usage and wear of the Blue Star much the same way people don't display the flag properly and whatnot, but that doesn't make it right. Check it out for yourself:(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Service_flag)

Hell, I guess that I really don't give a s@#t in the end. What I do give a s@#t about is this wannabe Commander in Chief showing complete and total airheaded disregard for a little thing we call OPSEC. Now her son and his whole unit deploying to Iraq has a big bullseye on their back like Price Harry did in Afghanistan. I guess that's par for the course when people use wartime service for political gain (like the "Roger that" clip of SEAL Michael Monsoor, RIP Bro...).

Country first? How 'bout "Me First?" (or Alaska First for you AIP supporters)

To me it's a wash with Palin if you match with the star power of Obama. Funny how everyone thought he could walk on water. And within a week Palin is just as "liked". Funny thing about politics. Both are in the same boat in regard to experience. But she is the Veep and he is going for Prez. For those who discount her should more than discount him since he is top of the ticket. Remember America does not elect liberal prez/veeps. Middle America don't go for it.

Kris,
Or...you could simply answer the question.

Alternatively, you could address the issue: if the embryo inside the mother is a full-rights human being, why should the accidental death of *just those* members of our society be ignored?

Why don't you support criminal investigation of these deaths--if for no other reason than to rule out criminal behavior?

Why do you have a double-standard when it comes to the death of a child?

#420 Kris: So what about the MOM? Screw her?

She gets raped and then she's forced to have a baby?

-Go through the trauma of being raped and the psychological aftermath that comes with it.
-Then Carry a child - I can't speak for all women but the thought of growing a person in my body and then birthing it seems pretty dramatic to me. Wonderful if it's a choice, devastating if it's not.
-Then what? Keep the baby? A constant reminder of the violation she endured? Or she can give it up. I imagine that must be the hardest thing for a new mother to do.

That's one messed up situation. I can't think up any good solution.

Not heartless? Are you sure?

Just TRY to put yourself in a pregnant rape victims shoes.. You can't.

If you haven't felt a child in your womb, you don't know how it feels. If you've never been raped, you don't know how it feels. If you've never had an abortion, you don't know how it feels. I'm talking long term and short term.

I've experienced all three, all unrelated. I relish the joys associated with the former. I cry over the latter two, over the thing that was taken away from me, and the thing/person that I took away from myself. I can separate the latter two, in my mind, but I cry over both together sometimes. I had control over one, but not the other. I wish both could be undone.

Don't tell me about viability and choice. I've been there and done that, both sides over. A child is a child is a child. I'm thankful my mother didn't "choose" to end my life, as I'm sure most of your mother's made the same "choice" as well.

A regular poster, incognito.

I've got to get in on the abortion talk, because I think there are a few points missing.

Regarding a fetus being a "potential human," I think this is a slippery slope. If a fetus is potential, then so is a sperm and egg, and for that matter, so is an entire other human. By that rational, should somebody go to jail for attempted murder after kicking somebody in the crotch?

If a zygote is a human, then aren't all cells human? What's the difference between amputating a limb that you cannot support and "amputating" a child that you cannot support? We could tie this back to potential for life and all that, but it seems irrelevant.

Why would somebody be tried for double homicide if they killed a pregnant woman, yet miscarriage is not investigated as an accidental death? I think the difference is one of intent, murder needs to be willful and malicious, and is not a part of the normal life cycle in a law-abiding society. Miscarriage is a natural circumstance, an "accident" as somebody said, that nobody (arguably) has control over.

Along these lines, I think it's dangerous to legally define when life begins. If you define it as the moment when sperm meets egg, then you must investigate all miscarriages, and you must prosecute mothers who smoke, drink or otherwise endanger their unborn child. Where do we draw the line here?

Clearly, we should all be against murder, as it is detrimental to a productive society. But that does not mean that we should be against killing. Clearly, capital punishment is still allowed, and certain types of medical non-intervention could be considered killing. Personally, I think that a person should have the right to choose to end their life and be allowed to seek whatever help they need to do so. These are all types of killing that are morally justifiable (to some), and abortion is no different.

So, the question comes down to rights, I guess. Murder is illegal because it is taking away somebody's right to life. But we have to ask ourselves when we gain certain rights or freedoms. Some rights and freedoms are contingent on status, such as freedom of the press. Others are contingent on age, such as the right to vote. When does the right to live take effect?

That's a very deep question and I have enjoyed hearing arguments on both sides today. I'm proud of the CF community for being able to discuss this, even if some of us have gotten heated over it.

#416 - I'm pretty certain the most recent version of the Republican platform contains is against abortions, with no exceptions. Here's the actual language from the platform:

>> Faithful to the first guarantee of the Declaration of Independence, we assert the inherent dignity and sanctity of all human life and affirm that the unborn child has a fundamental individual right to life which cannot be infringed. We support a human life amendment to the Constitution, and we endorse legislation to make clear that the Fourteenth Amendment's protections apply to unborn children. <<

The "cannot be infringed" seems pretty definitive, and I've heard it interpreted as no exceptions. As to my own views, while I abhor the idea of using abortion as birth control, I don't believe I have the right to tell women what to do with their bodies. As a society, though, we should work to prevent unwanted pregnancies and promote alternatives to abortion.

Allyson, I'm sorry you feel that I might be heartless. It's hard to completely discuss this issue online.

As stated before, a rape victim has much more to deal with than I could ever imagine. Nonetheless, aborting that child does still take away its life through no fault of its own.

Had this conversation actually taken place in person, I would be able to more fully explain my position. Am I "okay" with abortions in the case of rape? Who the hell am I to say?!? I wouldn't be able to pass judgment on something like that.

You're absolutely right in what you said above. The trauma a woman would have to go through to endure such a trial would be more than most people could bare. I'm fully aware of that.

I don't have any personal experience in this field, but my wife has third-hand knowledge of such an experience. One of her friends whom I've never met because she lives in Dallas and we live in Tucson kept her baby that was due to rape.

She stated to my wife that while the conception was a brutal violent act, such a beautiful child is hers now.

Do I expect everyone to be that strong? Hell no! And, for a woman to go through an abortion due to rape does not make her weak either. Again, you're absolutely right in what you said.

But, like I said, the child still dies due to the sins of the father if he or she is aborted.

To conclude, I would never be able to condemn some woman who had to make such a choice. That doesn't mean that I would necessarily support it either. It just means that I can at least see how a person would go through with an abortion in that case.

Abortion for the sake of not owning up to your actions is a different story in its entirety.

MP, a fetus is not a woman's body.

MP,
Just a question (and this is meant in the spirit of conversation): do you know any women who have used abortion as birth control? I know women who have had abortions and it is about the most agonizing thing I've ever seen.

If human life starts at conception, then shouldn't we have funerals for children lost through miscarriage? Why do we ignore these most vulnerable members of our society when they tragically pass before coming into our world?

Could it be that the anti-choice crowd has an inherent inconsistency in their absolutist world view?

Milan,

What do you propose we do in the case of miscarriages then? Is it a crime scene, or an unfortunate event that does end the life of a person extremely early?

I answered your question before and I'll answer it again. A miscarriage is the involuntary termination of a developing person's life. An abortion, on the other hand, is the deliberate taking of another person's life.

As for funerals for miscarriages, go right ahead. I would think that many woman who lose their child through a miscarriage have it hard enough seeing their child's life slip away like that.

Should we try to rule out criminal behavior in a miscarriage? I guess if there were evidence that a crime took place, why not? Again, that isn't a miscarriage in its purist term.

If you force a miscarriage, I guess that would be a deliberate act to terminate the child's life: hence, abortion.

#427 - Tenancious D - sorry, bro, you're still incorrect. The link you gave discussed the banner not the star pin and it doesn't matter anyway. The charters for Blue Star Moms, Dads, etc. states, "Blue Star Mothers - A Mother or Stepmother (since the child was of the age of 13) who has a son or daughter who is serving, or has been honorably discharged from the Armed Forces of the United States." Says nothing about being deployed to be eligible, just that the member must be serving on active duty during time of war. Check out this link: http://www.bluestarmothers.org/mc/page.do?sitePageId=64171&orgId=bsma

Regards,
Steve

Libertarian for Obama.

Kris:
"Involuntary termination of another person's life"...ever hear of involuntary manslaughter?

This is the death of another person--where there's no intention to harm or kill, but the death is due to recklessness or criminal negligence (according to the all-knowing Wikipedia).

Shouldn't miscarriages be investigated for recklessness or criminal negligence? I'm asking you to say "yes" or "no" and explain your answer.

Kris_C - true, but up to a certain point in the pregnancy, it's not viable without the mother. We could discuss this ad infinitum, but I suspect we'd still disagree.

Milan - perhaps "birth control" wasn't the best way to phrase it, but what I mean is women who become pregnant and seem to have the wherewithal to raise a child but elect not to do so (and I have known some). My mom got pregnant when she was 19, and my dad was 21. They weren't married, but when Dad found out, they eloped. Abortion wasn't legal at the time, but it was available. I don't know why they chose to get married and have me as I've never asked - they don't even know that I know - but I really, really respect the choice (not that I'm an objective party). As to the logical inconsistencies, beliefs here are based on faith so logic may fail at times. I'm not saying it should, but it does.

It's late on the East Coast - thanks for the thoughtful discussion and have a good night.

Milan,

I've answered your question already. Yes, investigate a miscarriage to exonerate the innocent and condemn those who would kill their own babies.

I've heard of involuntary manslaughter, but in those cases, there is in many cases negligence on the other person's part.

MP, viability does not take away from the fact that it is still living.

Fair enough, Kris. We disagree but thanks for the conversation. It's late and I have miles to go before I sleep, so I'll sign off.

Roger 408, that the best you got? Real classy guy.

Bingo

I did not scoff at the CF definition of fitness, nor did I dismiss Jason's winning of the CF games. I just said that it's understandable if Outside magazine doesn't subscribe to CF's definition of fitness, and that's no reason to call an article praising extremely fit endurance athletes a piece of trash. I reread my posts and I failed to find a single brash claim, except that I suggested that some non-CFers could be incredibly fit and worthy of some praise as athletes, and that other tests of fitness could be as legitimate as CrossFit benchmark workouts. I'll stand by those claims, because as great as CrossFit is (and I honestly do love it) people have, do, and will get incredibly fit without it.

CrossFit Tulsa’s 6pm Crew’s
Voluntary Rest Day WOD:
“Baseline”
500m Row
40 Squats
30 Sit-ups
20 Push-ups
10 Pull-ups

Jason: 3:34
Susan M: 4:53
Meredith: 6:30
Brian: 4:48
Karen: 5:15
Robin: 5:17
Lance: 4:18
Jade: 4:52

Scale:
Advanced: 4:00 or Less
Intermediate: 4:01 to 7:59
Beginner: 8:00 (+)

INCREDIBLE EFFORT FOR TULSA’s EVENING CREW!!!

LEAH, YOU GO GIRL! YOU GOT MY VOTE!

Richard #445:

Are you the Richard of post #89? I'll reserve comment and reply tomorrow AM pending your response.

Mike Huckabee said "Sarah Palin got more votes running for mayor of Wasilla, AK than Joe Biden did running for President of the United States."
Palin got 616 votes in the 1996 mayor's election, and got 909 in her 1999 re-election race, for a total of 1,525. Biden dropped out of the race after the Iowa caucuses, but he still got 76,165 votes in 23 states and the District of Columbia where he was on the ballot during the 2008 presidential primaries. So, does that qualify as a lie?

A good set of discussion to remind me, once again, why I don't normally read or post on rest days.

#383 Mark

I appreciate your honesty.

We all have rights that come with corresponding responsibilities. Women may live their life however they please, however no person has the right to take away the rights of another. Rights are limited for the common good. (Ex: can't yell fire in a crowded theatre)

I understand your thought as:

-Woman is raped and now pregnant.
-To have baby takes away her right to freely go about her life as normal, especially since it's through no fault of her own that she's pregnant.
-Uphold her right to live her life and terminate pregnancy.

My thought:

-Woman is raped and now pregnant.
-Her right to privacy and her dignity have been violated. These violations of her freedom cannot be undone.
-She has the responsibility to uphold the right to life of the child she has conceived BECAUSE the child is a human, possessing dignity and worth as such.
-This is the same dignity and worth she possesses and why her rape was wrong.
-Unfortunately she has to bare this responsibility in order to uphold the right of another.
-While her right to freely choose how to live is being compromised, the right to life is the foundation of all rights. Therefore, to ignore the child in favor of her own rights ignores the base upon which she appeals for those rights.

Moral choices are not made by feelings, but by sound principles. If I may draw an analogy to Crossfit, it's not about if I feel like doing the 3 bars of death today. It's about the decision made long before to follow the WOD's or not.

We may not base decisions of rights and responsibilities on feelings.

A ton of angry, negative sentiment on this rest day. Give it a rest.

We live in the best country in the world. I've been to many others, I assure you, this is the best. We do good. We're doing good.

Enjoy. Be thankful. And, go get a good workout in tomorrow.

Cheers.

Front squat
205 x 3
215 x 3
225 x 3 (pr)
Back squats
225 x 12
225 x 9
225 x 6

AMRAP 10 MIN
100M Sprint
5 #45 DB Hang Power Clean
10 Pull Ups

9 rounds

#398

ANYC-

The pill? You trust that stuff? Maybe I've read too many med journal articles, but let's just say that none of those formulations are "paleo zone." :)

Nick, #307 reference mine # 285. I was wrong by misquoting the Declaration of Independence for the Constitution. It could be because, I am deployed to the sand box working 12-14 hours a day 7 days a week, risking life and limb so you can claim hollow allegiance to the troops. How exactly do you support us? Or is it just lip service? So you imply I am not Patriot but mindlessly obedient. Unfortunately we in the service of our country give up many rights and privileges when we serve. One luxury we don’t have is taking a pass when we don’t agree with national policy. Thank God there are some of us that keep you in the America hating crowd like Obama and his minions safe. Obama will select more liberal judges who have given Terrorist access to our courts, a another luxary I don’t have for I fall under the more stringent UCMJ. You have some valid points and your freedom of speech is what I am fighting for. And by the way I don’t watch TV and am in my second war on your behalf. As far as your assertion national defense is not the main function of the federal government you are wrong, not me.

The Constitution puts forth six purposes in the preamble:
1) form a more perfect union
2) establish justice
3) insure domestic tranquility
4) provide for the common defense
5) promote the general welfare
6) secure the blessings of liberty for ourselves and our posterity.

THREE OF THESE 3, 4 AND 6 DIRECTLY DEAL WITH NATIONAL DEFENCE AND NONE OF THESE WOULD BE POSSIBLE WITHOUT A COUNTRY.

Mike and all Lawyers,

Many of you are willfully misunderstanding or taking offense where none should be taken.

My comments are about a few things:

1. The Democrat Party loves lawyers. The more likely they are to resemble the quentisential "I will fight for every dollar you have coming!" television commercial the better.

Personally I think it is in the genes of liberals to either be the victim or take advantage of the victim.

Either way, I find it repugnant.

2. Just because you are a Lawyer or even the dreaded "Trail Lawyer", that does not necessarily make you a blood sucker. It just makes you more suspect.

If this looks like professional profiling on my part, then well.. it is.

I take pride in my Friendship with Dale Sarin, a gentleman, Patriot, and bad-ass. He has rescued more of my brothers from the Blood Suckers than any rescue unit has. If he is indeed a Blood Sucker then he is the BLADE of Blood Suckers.

Then the McDougald brothers. One ownes CrossFit Atlanta the other buster Dan Rather for lying about the President's National Guard Service. How cool is that?

Summation: I am glad there are lawyers. What I have a problem with is that so many of them seek to alter the law for their benefit and make it a train wreck for later generations. These types are generally liberal and believe the Constitution is a "Living Document" regardless of what the people and the representatives of the people say. Worse yet, the best performers of the bunch go on to become elected officials. further pandoring to the worst ideals in the weakest of spirits.

These people are hunters and everyone is victim. The weak, the tax payer, the law, the Constitution, our liberties...

What keeps the ACLU in business? A little known federal regulation that makes it possible for them to get paid by the Federal government for bringing a 'civil rights' case. This is regardless if they get paid or not. Guess who made this possible? That is right, there lawyer buddies who were democrat representatives.

Healthcare problems? HMO? All go back to the '70s to trial lawyers and their democrat lawyer friends in Congress.

Oil / energy problems? Again. Trial lawyers working for environmentalists and their democrat lawyer friends in congress. Started in the '70s

Housing sub-prime mortgages? 'Civil Rights" trial lawyers and their democrat lawyer friends in Congress. Started in the '90s

All the things that are messing with the economy, that several people are blaming on President Bush on this board, have direct and real consequenses to lawyers representing liberal 'causes'. What is sad is that people lay these things at President Bush's feet, yet do not have the intellectual honesty to identify where the policies got their start.

The Answer? Lawyers and Democrat Congress People scheming for cash and votes. Screw the consequenses, there are 'rights' to be fought for.

Of course those 'rights' were not outlined anywhere and Webster would call them 'entitlements'. However, thanks to legaleze and lawyer sleaze, we have an entire culture confused about just what their 'rights' are.

So, if you are a lawyer and still take offense, I am sorry. But you can't blame the above on-

Soldiers
Butchers
Bakers
Doctors
or Candle Stick-makers

You ARE the law. You now are the only ones who can speak it. Your profession has robbed the common man of his ability to protect his rights, proerty, or interest. Your profession has robbed Americans of a hand-shake deal, helping at the scene of an accident, or paying another's parking meter.

So do I hold you personally in disdain? No. Do I hold you suspect? Yes! Like a used car salesman with the power of a Park Ranger.

Sorry if that offends you.

Joey

Outside magazine is lame, unless browsing for some cool spots to visit in the world.

Im amazed at how people ignore the BS Biden has been involved in? pointing fingers at republicans? hello who is running congress now while our economy is going down hill? Blame Bush all you want and the republicans. The fact is both parties have been involved in scandals. It is time Washington gets cleaned up alright! ...Obama/biden ticket are not the people to do it especially with their histories.. integrity questioned with Palin? Do you realllllyy think Biden has any integrity??? Do you believe it in your heart Obama does?? one good thing to ask him- about the earmark 1 mil to his wife's hospital in where she immediately took a 200,000 raise. Corrupted? YEEEAAHH Everyone is making comments like McCcain will die after getting into OFfice? The man survived 5 1/2 yrs of torture and has a great bill of health. Is that the best you can come up with in terms of not to vote for him?? Even if that where to be so Palin would lead but with all the support of the cabinet!
Meanwhile look at all the ties linked to Obama. He has a corrupt past and terrorist ties.For all you new crosfitters looking to start up a new business..Obama's plan to spike up the taxes will have a big effect on you! do you think your business starting out can survive???? Obama will destroy our Country and ruin our Military. When Russia and China are jockeying for expanding their empire and Iran trying to go Nuclear. He already plans on using that money to fund his so called healthcare plan.Which means liquidating our military fund and forget about exploring new technology for our military and keeping us home safe- People put our america first- emotions shouldnt decide but actual facts! and end this bs party line crap. Vote for the one who really has the interest at heart of improving AMerica...not for the party you belong to and certainly not because one is more eloquent at speaking! You say you dont know enough about Palin? Most of us never heard of Obama until he started to run...Patriot? I dont believe in my heart that he is. Lets not forget his trip to the middle east. It was for publicity. He didnt even give the Soldiers the time of day! oh I can go on and on. Just please learn your facts. Dont get your education of politics on just the mainstream media....do yourself a favor. Go out and learn as much as you can about both candidates and God willing your decision will be a sound and educated one. One to lead our future into prosperity....Gob bless us all..

Freddie Eugene Owens, convicted of killing a Greenville, SC convenience store clerk in a Halloween night rampage in 1997, has had his date with the executioner set for Oct. 3, 2008---Com'on!!!

for all the numb-nuts who keep saying Sarah Palin is a "creationist":

http://littlegreenfootballs.com/article/31135

This is

For Everyone who keeps claiming that Sarah Palin is a Creationist:

http://littlegreenfootballs.com/article/31135

Dems thow out US Flags like they are Garbage...Patriotism?

http://blogs.denverpost.com/opinion/2008/09/06/republican-recycling/

On moving yacht all day - no dry land to be had. I did a cabin workout using Lifeline's Jungle Gym:

4 rounds for time:

25 body rows (as close to parallel with the floor as possible) using cabin door to hang the JG
25 full pushups with hand to shoulder touch at plank each rep
25 unanchored situps
25 ATA squats

17:01 - body rows killed me. Amazing that I can be so strong in a vertical pulling plane and so weak in a horizontal plane.

Pushups with a shoulder touch at plank were interesting on a moving boat...definitely required a little balance and more core stability to pull that on off without falling over.

Joey #464, Jason #47, Scott Anderson #164, Turk182 #387:

In an interview, Sarah Palin was asked if she believed creationism should be taught in public schools, and she answered, “Yes”. After a bit of a stink, she was interviewed again, and clarified that what she believes is that it should be discussed, but not be part of the curriculum. See

http://dwb.adn.com/news/politics/elections/story/8347904p-8243554c.html

I'll take Palin one step further. Creationism and Intelligent Design should be taught in the science curriculum -- as examples of non-science. Students need to know how and why these notions cannot be science so that they can resist such nonsense as Environmentalism, Margaret Mead, Sigmund Freud, Piltdown Man, ADHD, Cold Fusion, and Anthropogenic Global Warming. What a K-12 student should take from his schooling includes this modicum of science literacy.

#466

And this is bad because?? Please enlighten me.

Libertarians,

We've tried to discuss Libertarianism several times on this blog, to no avail. I tried to argue against the platform of the Libertarian Party, and got the response that that was not Libertarianism.

Obama got where he is in part because he was a blank slate. People could attribute to him all the virtues they might imagine.

So it is with Libertarianism.

If it is not an imaginary belief system, please supply not your list of its attributes, but an independent reference to which you subscribe.

My conclusion is that it is anarchical, including the utter unprincipled, anti-capitalist, impracticality of anarchy.

And do vote for Ron Paul. It's better for the country than playing pin the tail on the donkey with your pen.

http://www.investors.com/editorial/editorialcontent.asp?secid=1501&status=article&id=305420655186700

Falloutshelter #466,

Happy to enlighten!

1. Inserting creationism or ID into the science curriculum is bad because it promotes science illiteracy, and that makes the public susceptible to charlatans and quacks, including the likes of Al Gore, James E. Hansen, and Gavin Schmidt.

2. To say that Sarah Palin endorses 1 is bad because it is untrue, and political misrepresentations cause people to vote against their country's best interests.

Isn't the light blinding?

#470

What was I thinking trying to lock wits with a Glassman. I typed to fast.

Maybe it should be prsented as a belief but not as a science since it cannot be proven. As you say a non-science.

Jeff #468,

You've got libertarianism entirely wrong. I've always assumed that anarchy was the socialists take on libertarianism. I've read dozens of books on the subject and none liken it to anarchy.

David Boaz, executive director of the Cato Institute, wrote a wonderful intro to libertarianism for those in need. It is called, "Libertarianism: a Primer". http://www.amazon.com/Libertarianism-Primer-David-Boaz/dp/068484768X

My next stop would be William F. Buckley's "Happy Days Were Here Again, Reflections of a Libertarian Journalist". http://www.amazon.com/Happy-Days-Were-Here-Again/dp/0679403981

I'll shortcut you to understanding libertarianism: Take Jesus and lip service to reducing the scope and power of the Federal government out of the current Republican party, and you've got it. Our founding fathers were libertarians and their/our Constitution is a capstone American libertarian document. You are a libertarian and don't know it.

Libertarianism, with a lower case L, bears the relationship to the Libertarian party that republicanism does to the Republican party, and that democracy does to the Democratic party, and independence does to the Independent party: almost none.

Finally, there is no form of government more enamored or supportive of capitalism than libertarianism.

You're right about Ron Paul, however.

Right-to-lifers,

My sincere sympathies to you who think that the country is engaged in mass murder through abortion. If this were happening to any other group of humans other than pre-borns, I would be with you. It would have to be stopped at all costs.

However, the country, including me for what its worth, doesn't agree with you. As Milan #413 wisely pointed out, we don't treat miscarriages as human deaths. We don't have funerals, naming, death announcements, or wakes. The undeniable, long-standing American tradition is that the fetus and the embryo are not regarded as persons. The answer for me lies in the simple pragmatism that what we treasure and safeguard as life, especially human life, consists of self-awareness, not tissue reflexes.

Regardless, why do you agitate at the federal level when ordinary murder is not, in general, a federal crime? Do you want the federal law to preempt state laws on homicide? Don't we have too much of that already? Don't you see that this is the path to ending the great laboratory of federalism?

Why do you care what the President and VP think about abortion when they will not have anything to do directly with its banning or promotion? You might argue the President could bias his judicial nominees to favor right to life and reversing Roe v. Wade, but that is extremely unlikely. (a) Justices regularly surprise their sponsors. (b) Any nominee whose feelings are known on this subject will probably not be approved just for lack of judicial temperament. And (c) such a person would pretend to set aside precedent for his personal beliefs, and certainly lacks minimal JT.

Why do you argue about when life begins? No law about taking or protecting human life revolves around when life begins. What the law always safeguards is a human who has achieved the status of a person (albeit ill-defined), and not forfeited it.

And if you argue from the standpoint of when life begins, why do you start arbitrarily at conception? Why aren't the egg and the sperm human life in your world? Why not take the Catholic position that birth control is immoral? Why not write a law forbidding one to cast his seeds upon the ground?

In the end, politics, including the politics of abortion, begin with the concept of practicality, not morality. For a long time, abortion was banned everywhere in the U.S. The result, compounded by the burgeoning of sexual liberation, was what was called “back-alley abortions” and “coat-hangar abortions”, which successfully aborted the fetus (no PC here!) but far too often killed the mother, too. Now THAT was murder. The trade off, belatedly recognized, was between dead women and many, many more dead fetuses. For the American mentality, abortion rights have become accepted as the favorable alternative.

Birth control by abortion is fairly hideous. Birth control by abstinence is a lofty, moral notion, but more noted by its failures than by its successes. The old saw that one can't legislate morality is true enough, and implies even better advice. Don't try!

When your moral code is finally codified in the law (apologies to A Man for All Seasons), religious freedom will have been lost for everyone, except for you and the handful with whom you agree on everything. One of the greatest things about the U.S. is that notwithstanding the eye-bulging, church-on-every-corner surfeit of religion among the citizens, the government is secular. This distinction between the government and the people is a point lost on so many public figures, from George W. Bush to Bill O'Reilly and friends! It's a defining line separating religious conservatives from secular conservatives, kooks from constitutionalists.

There shall be no religious test for any office in the land. It's in the book!

My advice: if you object to abortion, don't have one, and if that's not enough for you, don't associate with those who abort.

Coach #472,

My commentary on libertarianism was a lament. Allow me to revise and clarify my remarks by asking for a reference defining libertarianism that is in the public domain, in particular, online, and not for sale. I have burned-out trying to gain a definition for libertarianism online. As much as I am attune to WFB and the Cato Institute, I don't want to waste time giving a critical reading to anything that is not freely available to the public. I am neither a Buckleyite nor a Catoite.

That's how Anthropogenic Global Warming works - cloistered papers, followers and true believers, Hansenites and Gorites.

So I admit you may be quite right that I've got libertarianism entirely wrong. But that's not from lack of reading. It's from lack of discovery of the definition. I also have learned for myself, as you point out, what libertarianism ISN'T.

Humpty Dumpty was a libertarian … .

I remember the GI in WWII who spent his waking hours picking up papers everywhere, saying “That's not it.” Finally, the medics let him go as a psycho. He picked up his discharge papers, and said, “That's it!”

Whenever I've urged some proposition about libertarianism, some libertarian will quickly point out, “That's not it!”. You, I submit, have done the same thing.

Since it's not the Libertarian Party, is the Ron Paul platform definitely it?

Let me be specific.

What I gathered from my readings, rightly or wrongly, is that libertarianism rejects a whole class of wars, generally preemptive wars (which I happen to find quite advisable). Where can I check the correctness of that impression?

I have yet to find a definition or defining discussion of libertarianism in which the federal government has a responsibility to ensure free markets, and to provide a reasonable infrastructure for entrepreneurialism. Where can I prove or disprove the correctness of that two-pronged impression?

From my readings, I'm not surprised that socialists consider libertarianism to be anarchy. This reminds me of the Democrats' slogan that poles show 70% of the public are in favor of ending the war. Why in blazes aren't 100% of the people for ending every war? We know what's wrong with Democrats, but what's wrong with the polls?

So, why don't constitutionalists, conservatives, and even libertarians think libertarianism is akin to anarchy? To the contrary, what is the affirmative purview of a libertarian federal government? What is the definitive libertarian tax policy?

Perhaps with the exception of the Japanese front in World War II, have the majority of libertarians supported any non-trivial thing that the federal government has done? Is even the concept of a consensus of libertarians viable?

Or is libertarianism a blank slate for negatives onto which every libertarian can write anything he wants to reject? You have not allayed my suspicions even a little bit that that is true.

Coach and Jeff, You are both wrong about Ron Paul. I have first hand experience with him. He is a meatstick of the first order.

He is a 9/11 troofer, a hate America first sympathizer, if he is not actually a racist, then he is a biggot who hangs out with rascists and anti-semites.

You may enjoy some of his "libertarian" leanings, but it was his crowd that was right along the Code Pink crowd claiming 9/11 was an inside job.

don't get suckered in. Character matters and though he may in fact BE a character, he does not have CHARACTER. Atleast not what many good people believe.

The libertarian party is a loose confederation of meatsticks, generally of the second and third order. Fruits nuts and flakes to the degree that Kellogs helps fund the conventions.

To whatever you may agree with them, you just can't let them around your kids. part hippy-part militia member- part villiage idiot.

Both exteremes exist and watching the fireworks between the anarchist/ 911 troofers and the camo wearing militia types is an event with $80 and the microwave popcorn.

Either way it is an immature political position that screams "let me act like a numb-nuts around fire, gasoline and sharp objects" which would be fine but they always forget the fire hose (which I will gladly bring!) and they want to get other peoples' kids involved.

Basically, the Bulshevics without organizational skills and a vision.

Joey,

We weren't endorsing Ron Paul; we're urging Obama supporters to vote for Ron Paul.

Coach...even better. Sorry for the confusion.

Couple things.

First off, there is no definitive answer to the abortion issue, in my view. What people seem to be missing, though, is the common interest we all have in preserving the Constitutional separation of powers that was violated by the Supreme Court in the Roe v. Wade (and other) rulings.

Remember, they ruled that they have ability to make abortion legal in all fifty states by referring to the Constitution, and prevent any effort to reverse this impossible, if conducted outside of the Supreme Court.

You all are arguing as if a Republican President or Congress could somehow enact legislation that would overturn the CONSTITUTIONAL LAW that was invoked in the Roe v. Wade decision. They can't and they won't. Yes, they can appoint more strict constructionists, but they can only work with the cases presented to them.

With respect to Sarah Palin, if the media paid 1/10th the critical attention to Obama that they are paying to her, he would be out of the hunt within a week.

--No military experience, but wants to extricate our nation effectively from two wars without damage to our national security.

--No practical or theoretical background in economics, but claims he can cure the economic contraction (which is categorically not a recession, despite the most fervent hopes of those who, uh, want the best for us).

--lifelong extreme liberal and associated of political radicals, but claims he is moderate and can unite the nation without recourse to party bound divisiveness.

One is forced to invoke social psychopathology to understand why his candidacy has lasted more than two weeks after his first appearance on Oprah.

With respect to Creationism, clearly it is not science, but neither is English instruction, or Political "science".

The ability to educate our children according to our own local beliefs and yes prejudices was built into the Constitution. Education was very intentionally left out of the mandate of the Federal Government, lest centralized control enable the sort of centralized indoctrination that has only been made possible by a generation of radicals deciding to propagandize in schools and "news" outlets, instead of spit on soldiers in the streets.

There is nothing in the Constitution about a separation of church and state. All it says is that the Federal will neither force you to join a State church like the Catholic Church, or the Church of England AND that it will not prevent you from worshipping as you see fit.

Science is not the only discipline which makes truth claims, and it is for that reason a species of disordered thinking to claim that only the beliefs of scientists should be presented to our children in schools we are all forced to fund through communal taxation. Rather, where multiple beliefs are held, they should be presented. Not all beliefs, of course, should be presented, but in the case of religious belief, we are an overwhelmingly religious nation, and the overwhelming majority of parents in nearly every school in the nation would like the option to have viewpoints like Intelligent Design presented.

Where a clear majority does not favor this, then it should not be taught. But law--particularly Constitutional Law--should NEVER to invoked to this purpose. The point of our Constitution was to generate as much freedom as possible.

The tastes of the minorities should never be used as clubs on the heads of majorities.

With respect to Creationism, clearly it is not science, but neither is English instruction, or Political "science".

The ability to educate our children according to our own local beliefs and yes prejudices was built into the Constitution. Education was very intentionally left out of the mandate of the Federal Government, lest centralized control enable the sort of centralized indoctrination that has only been made possible by a generation of radicals deciding to propagandize in schools and "news" outlets, instead of spit on soldiers in the streets.

There is nothing in the Constitution about a separation of church and state. All it says is that the Federal will neither force you to join a State church like the Catholic Church, or the Church of England AND that it will not prevent you from worshipping as you see fit.

Science is not the only discipline which makes truth claims, and it is for that reason a species of disordered thinking to claim that only the beliefs of scientists should be presented to our children in schools we are all forced to fund through communal taxation. Rather, where multiple beliefs are held, they should be presented. Not all beliefs, of course, should be presented, but in the case of religious belief, we are an overwhelmingly religious nation, and the overwhelming majority of parents in nearly every school in the nation would like the option to have viewpoints like Intelligent Design presented.

Where a clear majority does not favor this, then it should not be taught. But law--particularly Constitutional Law--should NEVER to invoked to this purpose. The point of our Constitution was to generate as much freedom as possible.

The tastes of the minorities should never be used as clubs on the heads of majorities.

Ummm... whoa... Easy now, e'rebody... so uh, how 'bout them Cowboys?

Thinking about it, I challenge any and all Obama supporters to find an American President with less experience and qualification for the office than Obama. I can't think of one in the 20th Century. State legislature is to Governor, as Senator is to President. Obama has a couple terms in the state legislature, and not one full term in the Senate. The bulk of our Presidents were either Governors, or multi-term Senators.

As far as Obama's Senate experience goes, he effectively started his campaign with his 2004 speech at the Democratic National Convention, before he was even elected to that office.

Is it just me, or are there possibly people and influencers with whom he has been colluding for quite some time to set this thing up? Soros is a given, but the latent picture appears to me much broader than that.

For whom is he the Messiah? Not the middle class. That's for damn sure.

This fact is so obvious that it should not have to be said.

Re Biden v Palin experience

A wise man once said something I've used here before, “Experience is what you get when you're expecting something else.” Biden has tons of that kind of experience. He is well known for the foreign policy experience of having been on the wrong side of just about everything, e.g., history (meaning I can't think of a counter example.)

From time to time I've met consultants with vast experience. Unfortunately, and probably the reason for them being consultants, is that they've strung together a long list of failures.

The resumé can be deceiving. In fact, that's its purpose, isn't it? What is harder to fake even than sincerity is the list of references. Palin and Obama are on everyone's short list -- of short resumés. But here is where Obama comes a cropper. His references, which he tries to whitewash, include Reverend Jeremiah Wright, Reverend Michael Pfleger, William Ayres, and Tony Rezko, and his most endearing, patriotic, community organizing, lawerly wife.

The question here is not just an accidental guilt by association, but a pattern. The issue is not whether a person has judgment, because few people find themselves incapable of making any kind of decisions. The proper question is what INFORMS a person's judgment. For Obama it is radicalism, including black separatism/black nationalism and the political underworld of Chicago ward politics. Obama's campaign has become an overt and obviously uncomfortable attempt to redefine himself, distinct from the Clintons and from his background of acceptance of Rev. Wright, and morphed into the traditional Democratic likes of Humphrey, McGovern, Dukakis, Mondale, and now his own running mate, Biden. Joe and Barrack, as he would be, are informed by the populism and group politics of the ultraleft. There is no one left to the left of them.

Palin is informed by the right, a brand of conservatism, which some have likened to Ronald Reagan, and others, the Party of Hate, naturally, would wish to tag as the extreme right. She seems to be informed by individualism, less government, and duty to the people. Her record, as skimpy as Obama's, would support this characterization as much as Obama's supports his.

McCain is a different story. He is informed by his captivity, an incredibly intense reality check, and by the honor of affirmative action, i.e., admiral's son finishes nearly last in his class in an academically challenged military school. Mac takes individualism to the extreme of isolation. He is indeed a maverick, but this arises from an apparent inability to take the advice of anyone, even when such advice is sorely needed, as in technology, warfare, and economics.

For example, McCain broke with his President on Global Warming. His President was well on the right side, though not quite far enough. Mac was against oil development in ANWR and off shore, a demonstrably short-sighted view still held by the left. McCain is still in favor of decreasing carbon emissions, of alternative fuels, and of hybrid electric cars. He broke with his own economic advisor who simply pointed out that the Democratic position was to encourage whining.

McCain gets credit for the surge. What he did was join the opposition to his President, but instead of calling for an immediate surrender, he called for more boots on the ground. This wasn't a matter of the Democrat's anything-but-support-the-President. He was actually motivated to win the war!

Think about it -- boots on the ground mean nothing! What counts first are the tactics, then we decide if we need more men. The mission needed to change, and the President outlined the things that then needed to be done in his address to the nation on 1/10/07. These included, among many other things, interdiction, holding territory cleared, entering previously forbidden areas, hot pursuit, and taking out enemy leaders. If these were Petraeus's ideas, they weren't in his Counterinsurgency Manual! Whoever was responsible, the new tactics all got rolled up into the surge, and lucky he who advocated merely more boots got undeserved credit for it all when the tactics won the day.

McCain admits to knowing little about economics, but he is clear-headed enough to know that tax rates should not be raised. Maybe he even knows the difference between raising tax revenues and the opposite, raising tax rates. But that's asking too much.

Notwithstanding his sizeable limitations, McCain is the right man for the job, and certainly the best candidate considered during this recent primary cycle. He wins because he has the right, honorable motivation on the key issues. In foreign policy, he is determined to win, while the opposition wants to lose. In domestic policy, he has learned the error of some of his positions on energy, and reversed them. He knows enough economics not to raise tax rates. On these, the prime issues of the day, he is correctly informed by good instincts, and stands in sharp contrast to his opposition.

McCain's choice of Sarah Palin is brilliant. I didn't know the man had it in him. The full implications of what he has done have yet to recognized anywhere, including the media and even on this blog. If people vote against Obama because he is black, they will be making the right choice for the wrong reason. So too if people vote for McCain because Palin is a woman, they will be making the right choice for the wrong reason. So be it.

What McCain has done is to recognize that with any of the probable male VPs, his election would have been old-white-boy mundane. In that case, the election would be historical only if Obama were elected. McCain changed the calculus: now if he is elected, that too will be truly historical.

When Bush'41 nominated Clarence Thomas to the Supreme Court, I rather imagined that he was snickering up his sleeve. He stuck his finger in the Biden's liberal eye, along with the other ultralefties, by filling the “black seat” with not just a black, but a black conservative. McCain did the same to the Dems and their femlib bloc, not just doing something Obama refused to do, nominate a female, but by nominating a female conservative. McCain scored a cluster of hits. He solidified his base, he attracted females from the left, he guaranteed an historical election, and he put a conservative female on the fast track to national leadership.

Daydreaming, I do rather wish the ticket were reversed: Palin for President, McCain for VP.

As a postscript, the Republicans might want to capitalize on a couple of other aspects to Palin's distinguishing qualifications. Neither Obama nor Biden has ever had the responsibility to fire someone (other than their personal staff), and neither has exercised the power to veto a piece of legislation. She, of course, has, and has done so rather spectacularly.

But it's not a matter of experience, or theories, or of making decisions, it's a matter of the principles that inform judgment. When the oil companies get the green light to drill offshore and to develop the shale oil, but then don't exercise that right, we want them to face Palin, not a plagiarizing, populist, corporation hating, ex-Senator.

Putin has made his first grab in Georgia. When he makes his next, when Ahmadinejad makes his, or Al-Asad, or Hamas or Hezbollah theirs, the man we want to back them down is McCain, not a left wing radical community organizer and civil rights co-attorney. McCain defied the worst kind of nightmare in North Viet Nam, at great personal sacrifice and risk. He's good at staring down evil.

These two have special, unique qualifications for the days ahead.

Barry #479,

Gotta take issue with you on the separation of church and state. Those specific words don't appear in the Constitution, of course, but what is there puts the federal government in a tight, church-free box. The original Constitution proscribes any religious test for any office in the land. This was reinforced by the Bill of Rights which didn't specifically do the things you suggest, but forbade the Federal government from making any law that respected the establishment of any religion, or the free exercise thereof.

Watch for the first Supreme Court test of the Bush's faith based initiative to result in it being overturned. Except for that and tax exemptions, the practical separation is a Constitutional chasm.

Re science, it makes no truth claims, and may not contain any beliefs. It is entirely about models of the real world which have predictive power. A person of faith would not want to see that happen to his religious tenets, to have God become secularly predictable.

Also science may not rely on anything supernatural. Science is exclusively about the natural and manmade worlds. Everything in science must be subject to facts, meaning measurements compared to standards. Science may not take the measure of the force behind Intelligent Design.

The difficult thing apparently to grasp is that no conflict exists between religion and science. But a profound conflict exists, in places, between science and scripture. However, we must recognize that some authorities hold that being religious is not about professing a belief in God, but instead a belief in the divine nature of scripture.

Also, and notwithstanding the preachings of the AGW crowd, science has nothing to do with majority opinions or consensuses. Science advances as models prove more and more reliable at making predictions. When a model makes a nontrivial prediction that proves out, it becomes a theory. When science has exhausted the implications of a model, and every embedded prediction has been validated, the model becomes a law. The rule in science is that at one time only one man knew or suspected the ultimate power of his model.

I would certainly not consider science a “belief” in the same sense that religion is.

Intelligent design promotes itself as a scientific hypothesis but produces no testable predictions and is really nothing more than a religious claim: hardly appropriate for science class. Unless of course they presented it as an example of non-science, as Jeff suggested. If I thought the majority of science teachers were competent enough to use this approach without confusing or misleading their students (which I do not) I would probably advocate this approach.

There is already an institution that enjoys broad tax exemptions and teaches religious truth. I see no reason to add more religious doctrine into school unless it is within the framework of an entire course on world religions. Do congregations not teach intelligent design/creationism or one form or another? In such an overwhelmingly religious nation I find it hard to believe it has been overlooked.

"My advice: if you object to abortion, don't have one, and if that's not enough for you, don't associate with those who abort."

That's like saying back when slavery was legal, "If you don't like slavery, don't own one..."

Milan's points on miscarriages is still comparing apples to oranges. A miscarriage terminates the life of a child, but it is not through the actions of the mother.

An abortion, on the other hand, takes away the unborn child's chance of living a full life!

Religion or not, abortion comes down to a right or wrong issue. If it is right or if it is wrong, why?

It's right because it's law. It used to be law to treat women and minorities as lesser beings, was that okay. It used to be law to be law to own black people as property. Was that okay since it was law as well?

Just because it is legal doesn't make it okay.

"But, but, you're pushing your morality onto me!"

All laws push morality onto people. That is what laws do.

George #28, and James Humphrey, Jr. #171, jonathan #293

I did a fact check on your fact checkers only to find nothing that held water.

Supposedly she was not against earmarks, specifically for the “bridge to nowhere”, because she would “continue state funding” for a couple of bridges. If the latter included the former, the factchecker didn't say. However, the criticism is well off the mark on its face. State funding is not federal earmarks.

One of your factcheckers says that she “slashed funding for schools for special needs kids by 62%”. This is a commonplace Democratic tactic of deceit. Demand huge increases, and when you win small increases, the difference is a cut! Your factcheckers didn't even quote actual year to year numbers as the charge requires.

In response to the criticism that Obama wrote no significant legislation, your factcheckers recite that he “helped pass” something, and “co-sponsored” something else. Helping pass and co sponsoring are moral support and taking undeserved credit, not bill drafting as alleged.

One factchecker says that “Obama plans to develop a lot more energy than John McCain does”. Obama's plan excludes nuclear energy, oil exploration, and present day coal exploitation. After those are excluded, what Obama might do would be a drop in the bucket. The factchecker's fact is hogwash.

One factchecker criticized Palin's juxtaposition of Obama's tax increases with her sister's gas station enterprise because her taxes wouldn't go up. Literally that might be true, but in reality all of Obama's tax increases will fall upon her as increased costs. Businesses administer taxes, they don't pay them. Obama's tax plan would be devastating.

One factchecker states that Palin disagrees with those who say we can't drill our way out of our problem. But he offers nothing by way of proof, and facts would contradict him. Just take shale oil for example. The cost is huge compared to conventional wells, but the reserve is immense. Underwrite that with federal funds, and we are likely to have done just what the factchecker has assumed can't be done.

One factchecker recites a bunch of spending bills Palin vetoed, characterizing them all as crucial. Nowhere does the factchecker show that any of this bills was even remotely necessary, let alone crucial.

One factchecker criticizes Palin for deficit spending, especially for a sports arena bond authorized by the voters, not Palin.

One factchecker criticizes Palin for a weak ethics reform bill, citing a critic who wished the bill had gone further, but admitted in was an apparently good first step.

One factchecker notes that Palin is under investigation for abuse of power when she used her office in an attempt to get rid of a state trooper who had maced his own child and threatened to kill Palin's sister and a parent with a gun. This factchecker needs some perspective in place of a megaphone on the rantings of criminal defense attorneys. The factchecker thought this story so important that he included it on his list twice.

One factchecker criticized Palin for being “close to the oil industry”, relying on the Sierra Club for authority. The Sierra Club!

One factchecker criticized Palin for collecting money from oil industry lobbyists, as if that were illegal, and as if there had been a quid pro quo. The factchecker had no facts to show what he would have his readers assume.

One factchecker headlined a story how Obama had “passed the most sweeping reforms”. His story then says Obama “helped pass” the measure. A long list then ensues of bills Obama passed. He passed no bills, of course, and apparently wrote none of any significance.

One factchecker tried to support Obama by noting the administration found that an imminent draw down of troops in Iraq was not only possible but safe. The factchecker did not recognize that Obama is like a stopped clock - right twice a day. The draw down has become possible because of the surge of new tactics, which Obama opposed, in part because the Iraq campaign could not be won militarily.

One factchecker says that Obama's tax proposal will not raise taxes. Then why is he proposing it? The factchecker seems complete befuddled by tax revenues vs. tax rates.

One factchecker attempts by juxtaposition to link Palin and her pregnant daughter to a black comedy about an “an immature, substance-abusing hick chick whose accidental pregnancy suddenly becomes elevated to a national political crusade by both fanatical anti-abortion and militant abortion-rights forces.” Such rot.

George, thanks for giving us all this insight into Palin's shabby credentials and the niceties of factchecking by the Party of Hate.

Kris, you're still working off the false assumption that everyone agrees that life begins at the time of conception. You equate the enslavement of men, women, and children with the destruction of a small cluster of cells? The majority of Americans do not agree and feel there should be a choice. And these are people who would certainly consider themselves to be moral.

http://www.pollingreport.com/abortion.htm

Like it or not, you are a minority trying to push your belief on the majority.

And a mother is most certainly responsible for the well-being of her growing fetus. If a mother takes excessive drugs or abuses herself in other ways she would most certainly be responsible for her miscarriage. I have yet to see a criminal charge in such a case.

#483 Jeff

What would you consider our record to be in foreign affairs involving military action to include paramilitary/clandestine operations post World War II? Is it clear cut? Your arrogant assumptions of guaranteed complete victory of any objective reek of the cheerleader. The men on the line know it to be a rough go, and relative victory to not always result in a trophy but usually in the question of "what will happen next" or "we'll see".

Evil?? Is this measurable or observable? What constitutes a person or idea evil? Is it if their over 50% evil or is it two-thirds? Or are you referencing a supernatural power?

TSCHANZY, #458,

You signed up to join the military, knowing that you might have to risk life and limb; I did not make you do it. And you get paid for it, have greater medical benefits than most of the people you claim to be fighting for, and will receive preferences and additional aid upon coming home. Additionally, you claim that you are a patriot, yet you confuse two of the most important documents in your country's history! This makes you sound petulant, though I'm willing to bet that you're quite intelligent and well disciplined. I guess what I'm trying to say is don't act so full of yourself; you are fighting for your country, but you're also fighting for yourself.

You make it sound like you and the rest of the military are the only ones doing anything for the country, which is very far from the truth. This isn't to say that what you're doing isn't dangerous or honorable, or that you are not deserving of respect. But there are people over here that are doing dangerous and/or honorable things, too and it's important for you to remember that we deserve respect, also.

I'm not against you, and I don't hate you or the people who sent you into "the sand box." I have friends fighting in Afghanistan and in Iraq, so when I say I'm supportive of the troops, I mean it. As far as the nature of that support, I'm not sure what you're asking. It is not enough that I vote for representatives who enact sound policies to keep you from having to fight for me and write to my senator and congress person to pressure them into bringing you home or giving you the equipment and manpower to complete your missions as safely as possible? It's not enough that I educate others about politics so that they, too can make a reasonable decision to support you? It's not enough that I stand up to people who tell me that my military friends are waging an unjust war? What would you have me do, send you cookies or something?

What I am against are the people who sent you into that sand box. This list includes fear-mongers, war profiteers, short-sighted politicians, religious extremists and those who undermine the rule of law.

As for the purposes of the federal government according to the Constitution, we could sit around and debate this all day. You argue that we wouldn't have a country without the military, and I say that we wouldn't have a military without a more perfect union, established laws and domestic tranquility. I'll give you 1 out of the 6, providing for the common defense. All of the others are either their own entity (establish justice), or a combination of other ideas-- domestic tranquility requires stable laws, people to enforce the laws and an economic situation that keeps people from starving or freezing to death, among other things.

This goes back to what I was saying, earlier. You should be proud of what you do, but don't take that pride to the extreme and assume that everything else is less important than what you do. It's just disrespectful.

I hope you don't hate me, or think that I "hate America" or whatever. We're on the same side, brother, and I honestly hope the best for you. While you're over there doing your job for me, I'll be over here trying to keep the streets safe for when you get back.

Kris_C #486

You missed most of the points.

Comparing abortion to slavery doesn't prove your point, it assumes it. Abortion is like slavery if and only if you're a right-to-lifer.

Your comparison of miscarriages to abortion is also well off my point, if not Milan's. The American attitude with regard to miscarriages proves a lot about the value placed on a fetus, and says nothing about the behavior of the mother.

Lots of things in the law are not just wrong, but immoral and evil. Affirmative Action is a prime example, and one that exactly fits your example. AA at once treats whites as inferior to minorities, and treats minorities as unable to fend for themselves. It is enforced racial discrimination. It is reparations. AA creates a permanent subclass, a beholden constituency. The only moral standard in my book is colorblind.

You say, “All laws push morality onto people. That is what laws do.” You're quite wrong on two counts. The current law says abortions are legal and moral. That is not pushed onto you, You can still make your own decision, just as Palin did and her daughter intend to do.

You fear that some anonymous poor soul in some distant city is having an abortion, which you consider immoral whatever her reason, I suppose. So you want the law to be changed to make that illegal. It is you who would use the law to push your morality onto other people.

Some modern Western nations, e.g., France and Canada, don't hold with free speech. You can be searched, have your property confiscated, and be jailed for writing something that simply disagrees with state policy, such as the law on free speech. Similar acts in Eastern cultures can be met with all of that plus amputations or being stoned to death. The law is not about morality, or even logic or common sense. It's about culture.

And this brings us back to the actual topic of the day, because as is likely to develop, the Democrats favor moral equivalency and multiculturalism, and the “change” they would institute in our depressed and recession prone and unequal culture to effect their utopia. Meanwhile the Republicans will be forced to articulate and laud the grace and freedom and power and success and good of the American culture.

#487 Jeff

thank you-that was so refreshing to read!

Dave Castro is an American Bad Ass.

I wonder who would win in a fight...Chuck Norris or Dave Castro?

Dave Castro of course.

With reference to the separation of Church and State, you have to also separate the powers of the Federal Government and those of the sundry State governments. In some states--Maryland was one, if memory serves--you had to be a Christian to hold public office. No one at the time objected to that. America was populated by people fleeing oppressive, coercive religiosity, and they came here wanting to structure their own governments--to rule themselves--according to their own beliefs.

Our Founders fully supported a great diversity of practices and legal structures among the States, and it goes without saying that basic moral instruction was standard practice in many, most, or even all public school curriculums for our first 150 years or so.

The demand that something be scientific (again, I am not making the claim that Intelligent Design represents a scientifically defensible position) is, to my mind, dangerous. I say this because I believe our nation of falling apart from the inside, into moral anarchy.

The only stable values taught in our schools are conformity to the dominant leftist proposition that tolerance is an absolute value, and that for that reason there ARE no absolute values. Implicitly, this is moral nihilism, and we are today beginning to see the effects of this.

Go into a video store and look at the movies people are watching. Go into a music store and look at the album covers in Heavy Metal, or Rap/Hip Hop.

Obama is an empty suit, with a big smile. Why do people worship him? Because he is a well trained agitator. What do agitators do? First they amplify your sense of alienation, and grievance. Then they offer salvation, available only through trusting in their leadership.

Moral nihilism prevents the forms of community that formerly characterized our nation when we could reliable assume our neighbors had been trained in the same Christian (or comparable) values we had. In their place, we get careerism coupled with hedonism, and leftists politics.

This is a witches brew that does not bode well for our nation, no matter who wins. The fact that Obama is in the hunt is a clear symptom that it is already late in the day, and we have mountains to climb yet, no matter who wins.

# 490 Nick of course I volunteered and am happy to serve, contrary to what you might think. In my civilian I am a professional Firefighter a LT on a Paramedic Engine Company in a busy, busy city. I serve because I love my country. Just because we get paid and have good benefits this somehow negates our service? Sure there are advantages for serving, something to offset the strong possibility we may die or be permanently handicapped in that service.
My error was grievous though won’t be repeated. I don’t happen to be as ignorant as you might assume. Because we are fighting for ourselves as well as our country somehow minimizes our sacrifice? I am not full of myself but have pride for those brother’s and sister’s serving with me in all the Armed Services. Everything we do is scrutinized and when one bad apple screws up the media is all over it and we have member’s of the liberal left in the Senate saying we are a bunch of baby killers? They support us but not our mission. This is pure lip service you can’t have it both ways, we are the mission. We are the protectors of freedom on the front lines.
Americans are serving back home too and many deserve respect, I was never taking anything away from them. I don’t respect those who have contempt for our country and the Armed Forces, those who believe in moral relativism, and want to transform our country into a socialist nanny state. Those that believe all religions are equal except have contempt for Christianity. I am happy to serve and believe in the cause of fighting the radial Muslims Terrorists who hate all religions and societies that are not Muslim. In the extreme form of Islam terrorist support an evil, dogmatic religion that treats women like property that places no value in human life. Terrorists that believe there are only three choice when dealing with non-Muslims, kill, convert or subjugate. Christian only want to convert through peaceful methods as a general rule. Oh I can hear it now what about the Crusades? Well if you check your history the Muslims attacked first and have only spread their religion through force. Terrorist that have always hated the west and are doing everything in their power to destroy us.
We were ill equipped against IED’s initially, because this is a new kind of war but now we have most of what we need and more is coming all the time. How can you better support the military? How about donating to Military service organizations, volunteer, write letters to troops, send packages, appreciate the fact without the military there would be no United States, regardless if you want to acknowledge this or not. Support the mission! At least those “fear mongers” don’t have their head buried in the sand! Is there anything worth fighting for? What happens when Iran get a nuke and uses it on the west or Israel. Let’s say we all come home and become isolationist, you will see the terrorist killing you and me on the streets just like the last time. Remember 911?
I don’t hate you and I respect your opinion. I wish you could read the secret Intel I have access to and you might see things a little more clearly. Did you know with the exception of old munitions and military equipment, Iran is funding and training the Insurgents and importing all the weapons and military hardware. They have stated they want Israel wiped off the face of the map and they are the leading sponsors of terrorism. It’s not a safe world brother; don’t bury your head in the sand. Being isolationist is not a realistic option but it would be awesome if the world was that safe! Take care Brother.
TSCHANZY

#494
that was an awesome comment! great explanation. many get mixed up the whole separation of church and state. What I believe that to be was that the government will not force you to be a specific religion-freedom of religion .it doesnt mean you can remove the word "god" from anything involving schools...i.e pledge of allegiance. yada yada yada. I like what you said Barry! very nicely put.

#495 TSCHANZY
Thank you for your service!
you dont need to apologize for being proud. You earned that right. I agree with you. I worked two months down in ground zero an saw with my own eyes the massacre. No body like wars but there are necessary for our freedom. My Son is a Marine. though he is home now he wants to re-enlist with the National Guard now to try something different. that is what he wants to do. God bless those that will go into harms way. There are useful idiots out there that think protesting the war is SUPPORTING our soldiers. BECAUSE they know what is best! those are the first to point fingers and call many names among that-fear mongers??? how many times should we turn our other cheek??? or just stay blinded. Our threat is not greatly exaggerated like the media will have you believe. there is a lot if intel not being released for safety reasons that is very alarming....but if you research papers,internet, magazines etc one can get an idea or a sense of what is not being reported. For those that dont get that part I suggest you do that before the elections so that you can make a wise choice on who you really are voting for!

#493 and #496 that was hilarious! a little humor injected...I get it! hahahaha veryt funny you!

Crossfit put up a link to a version of Palin´s speech that was slick and included an emotional standing ovation. It chose a very poor-quality Biden clip, with no real intro, no applause and constant background noise including doors closing and telephones ringing. I am not impressed. We´re not all going to agree, but let´s be fair.

On the Outside Magazine article, we could humble them with a Fran. They could humble top Crossfitters with a 40-mile hilly run. Let´s stop looking to others for validation and getting all p!ssed off when we don´t get it. If we´re truly confident in what we are doing and who we are, we won´t care. Dave, do you really think someone who´s done multiple ultra-marathons is not "fit"? He´s not fit across broad time and modal domains, but he´s got my respect and I´d still call him fit.

TSCHANZY - great posts. You come across as a very smart guy who has the brains to know that he´s making sacrifices and the b!lls to make them. I respect and support you. I don´t agree that I can´t support you without supporting your mission. It´s not a mission that I agree with. The world is not a safer place after the Iraqi expedition and the call for action against that country was weak. 46% of US troops immediately following the initial attack said they did it to avenge Sadam´s role in 9/11. Lots of people in the US also thought that was what it was about. It clearly wasn´t. We were up to our necks in bs. The Iraqi campaign has radicalised and alienated a lot of Muslims and it´s cost the US some moral high ground. If the US had suffered an invasion or occupation in the last 100 years - even by foreign troops there for what they saw as liberation - I think many would feel very differently about sending troops into another country. They might recognise the inherent and dangerous resentment that will build up when there are foreign soldiers billeted in your town, driving around your streets and stopping and searching your population.

For those on the fence in this election, 12 years for one party to control the White House would be heck of a long time, wouldn´t it? Unless of course, they were hugely, brilliantly successful for the first 8 years and everything was just great.

This Commentary article is a must-read for anyone who wants to mouth off about how the war in Iraq was an unnecesary, Republican war:

http://www.commentarymagazine.com/viewarticle.cfm/why-iraq-was-inevitable-11456

It needs to be said that Obama is entering the ring the beneficiary of a well orchestrated, well funded, and vicious propaganda campaign waged for 9-10 years against Bush (yes, I can do math), who I personally believe has done a very good, competent job.

It's quite likely both Gore and Kerry--had they been elected--would have done just what Bush did with respect to Iraq, with considerably less perseverance. In fact, with either of them we likely would have gotten the worst of all worlds: a war begun but not finished.

Obama lacks the integrity and fortitude even of those two. He has no business being Commander in Chief.

Oh, J1, from 1860 to 1932, if memory serves, only 2 Democrats were elected--Grover Cleveland and Woodrow Wilson. And even there Wilson was a fluke. TR's fight with Taft cost the GOP a sure election.

Democrats, of course, held the White House from 1932 to 1952. 1952 to the present (56 years), Republicans have held office 36 years.

If you deduct FDR's ascendancy during the Great Depression, it can be seen that Americans since the Civil War don't in general trust Democrats with their defense. They like them in the Congress, but not the White House.

I don't have time to cover this issue fully, but I would encourage all of you--particularly moderates who don't want to have Obama's baby--to Google Annenberg Challenge, and Mike Klonsky.

Here is one link: http://gatewaypundit.blogspot.com/2008/06/obama-throws-maoist-hardliner-and.html

Klonsky was a leader of the SDS in the 60's, and an overt Maoistic Communist in the 70's, who made multiple trips to China to tell them how wonderful they were.

And he was blogging for Obama, until the story broke, and they canned him.

I will say with perfect sincerity that I believe Obama's politics are something very close to those of Tom Hayden back in the day. Unless people are OK with voting in a man who would spit on soldiers if he could, they have no business giving this guy a moment's attention.

I will McCain were about 68. He isn't. But he's damn sure not a closet Communist or America hater.

Bottom line... McCain voted with Bush 90% of the time over the past 8 years. Can you people really want 4 more years of Bush. Despite what everyone seems to think you are not voting for "cult of personality" you are voting for policy. If "for profit" war by invading countries that did nothing to us at the cost of nearly 1 trillion taxpayer dollars and unspeakable death and destruction sounds like a good thing to you, well then I guess you do what you will. God help us.

Michael,

Read the link I posted, THEN, and only then, repeat the same propaganda all of us have been forced to endure for the last 8 years.

I AM voting for policy.

You also seem to have misunderstood the obvious point that there appears no reason to believe that what the people surrounding Obama (who are responsible for getting him elected) tell us he thinks, is what he actually thinks. His rhetoric is moderate, his history is leftists, as indicated both by his legislative votes, and who he has CHOSEN to surround himself with.

Me, I think he is an open and bald faced liar. Ayers was just "a guy in the neighborhood?" I was born at night, but it wasn't last night.

Barry, thanks for the Commentary article- good read. I remember Hans Blix's inspection attempts, but I started following the news on Iraq only after 9/11. I was unaware the story actually started in the Clinton years.

I mentioned in an earlier post (still held up- had a few urls) that I enjoy reading your thoughts, even though I sometimes disagree.

CCT Joey's 475 comment is a must read.

Dave - Don't hold back - tell us how you really feel!

I can't wait 'til CrossFit has its own televised league.

I missed a hell of a party here the last couple days - but had a grand time at home with my family.

Interested to see the Glassman to Glassman head to head ...

I think Libertarianism is defined easily - "The purpose of the govt is to defend the rights of the individual to include provision for the common defense." However, the interpretation of those principles is broad and not specfic at all and thus this definition will not help Jeff G.

McCain is a big govt lover at heart, he very much likes the idea of more legislation so he can do more 'good.' Obama is also, just much, much worse. It's been a long time since I've been able to vote any other way than against the candidate I fear most. I love all the fact checker stuff - face it, the only politicians who reliably speak in truth are former politicians. Here're two news flashes with equal relevance - "Politician A said something that was not quite the truth today!" and "Scientists Determine that $ex is Pleasant!" The dishonesty is only a matter of degree -

And I think Joey's right - whether or not you feel more lied to by the politicians of the left or of the right is mostly a genetic issue; reading a post like that from Michael, #500 above, only reinforces that for me.

No pullups for two full cycles - I smell some coming soon ...

Paul

Great Video... Way better than I can ever do, much props, but is anyone seeing a little opportunity for a longer pull on the clean, less arm break on the violent pull to maximize force transfer from the hips? Just a thought.

Barry Cooper #501, Apolloswabbie #505,

I used to think the left were like ants, mindless tools of a social imperialism. A more modern view is that they are the Borg. Their brains are networked; they all say the same thing, in sync. E.g., see Michael #500. Talking points, phrase matched. Unwinnable war. Quagmire. Corporations. Profit. Recession.

McCain may have indeed voted with Bush 90% of the time. But on everything important, McCain either opposed Bush, or when they did agree, they were both wrong. Examples: they disagreed on the war, on taxes, and on fighting global warming; they agreed on immigration. Bush instituted a surge in tactics, paid off McCain with some boots, and in disagreement, both took the credit for success.

McCain finished near the bottom of his class for a reason. But transcending all his stupidity that gives him the appearance of a maverick, as on immigration, carbon emissions, and drug companies, are some huge positives: his foreign policy is to win and pro-American/pro-Western in the long run, his economic policy is not to raise taxes, he has shown some emerging tendency to listen to those who know more than he, as with his selection of Sarah Palin, and most important of all, of everyone we know, he is uniquely the man to face Putin, Ahmadinejad, and all the other al-what's-'is-names.

Obama's academic achievements exceed those of Bush, who got further than McCain. But Obama has been schooled, not educated. Read Obama's Philadelphia speech of 3/18/08. What ails the African-American community exists not just in community minds, but are real problems that must be addressed through reparations. He doesn't use that word, of course, but instead, investment in schools and communities and better enforcement of civil rights and fairness in criminal justice matters and ladders of opportunity. These are the “disparities that exist in the African-American community today can be directly traced to inequalities passed on from an earlier generation that suffered under the brutal legacy of slavery and Jim Crow”, and segregation, and inferior schools, and legalized discrimination, and the “wealth and income gap”. He does mention the Civil War, civil rights, and Affirmative Action inconsequentially in passing, but not as positive, costly acts by his country to repair evils. According to BHO, the country carries a huge debt with no credit given for the Civil War, Civil Rights Legislation of the 19th or 20th Centuries, or Affirmative Action.

He stood apart, like a waif with his nose pressed against the window, in envy of the privileged people at the dance. Himself a Harvard Law School graduate.

This was Obama's speech to distance himself from the self-disgraced Reverend Wright. He said,

“The profound mistake of Rev. Wright's sermons is not that he spoke about racism in our society. It's that he spoke as if our society was static; as if no progress has been made; as if this country -- a country that has made it possible for one of his own members to run for the highest office in the land and build a coalition of white and black, Latino and Asian, rich and poor, young and old -- is still irrevocably bound to a tragic past.

“But what we know -- what we have seen -- is that America can change. That is the true genius of this nation. What we have already achieved gives us hope -- the audacity to hope -- for what we can and must achieve tomorrow.”

Notice all the plugs: "racism", “audacity to hope”, “change”, lowly member of society. But what progress made did Wright overlook? Nothing, is Obama's answer. Wright was right. The debt is real, and yet to be paid.

That was the old Obama. No longer Wright-like, today he has taken up the cudgel of conventional Democratic Socialism. Back to the Borg. He is indistinguishable, domestically or in foreign policy, from Mondale, Dukakis, Humphrey, and McGovern, even to the extent of promising a payback of $1000 to every citizen if elected. Somebody sound retreat.

The people of this country trounced McGovern et al., burying them each under a landslide. Obama might have been another New Democrat, a la Clinton, but the March 18 reparations Obama was going to be worse. Neither the Obama that found his identity through Wright, nor the Obama that took up the cudgel of McGovern, nor an Obama that can snap back and forth, can win in this country. Reparations vs. the Borg. He is already sinking like a stone on the polls, and even when the Palin bounce subsides, he will be lucky, in the end, to hold four states. That will be the genius of the nation.

Just out of curiosity, who here determines their candidate based on what they've read in books from the good ol' nonfiction section of the library?

got to be at least one other crazy person like myself.

#507

"You speak words of Iron that no paper can hold"
Ten Bears

It's been over 48 hours, and my posts are still held up. I'll try with modified links.

AllisonNYC

Abortion and Rights
abort73.com/HTML/I-B-1-personhood.html

Abortion and Rape
abort73.com/HTML/I-D-5-rape.html

#491 Jeff

Could you please provide your definition of "morality"? What is it based on? You draw a distinction between morality and culture. Does culture affect morality?

Would it be accurate to say that many prohibitory laws enforce someone's sense of morality on others (e.g. murder, rape, slavery)? Even allowing for some cynicism, would you agree that most laws are passed because the passers believed them to be right or to further a good purpose?

"The law is not about morality, or even logic or common sense. It's about culture." It appears that you would agree with #486 Kris_C that legality does not make something moral.

Would you advocate the abolition of immoral and evil laws (e.g. Affirmative Action, Jim Crow laws)? Even if "the country [...] doesn't agree with you" (e.g. "Eastern cultures")? Do you distinguish between what the law "is" and what the law "should be"?

Do you believe that law can affect a culture? For example, do you think the abolition of apartheid changed the views and opinions of some in the South? The children, if not the adults?

To answer your question at #473 ("And if you argue from the standpoint of when life begins, why do you start arbitrarily at conception? Why aren't the egg and the sperm human life in your world?"), fertilization is the biological beginning of an organism genetically distinct from the contributors of the genetic material. This organism naturally has the potential to, after gestation, survive independently from the contributors of the genetic material. Eggs and sperm are pieces of the contributors' bodies that have no natural potential to survive independently without fertilization.

FWIW, this is the consensus of the medical community:
abort73.com/HTML/I-A-1-medical.html

If "[t]he answer for [you] lies in the simple pragmatism that what we treasure and safeguard as life, especially human life, consists of self-awareness, not tissue reflexes," 1) what do you propose as the definition of self-awareness; 2) how would you distinguish it from tissue reflexes; and 3) how would you identify its beginning? (If you have a link to a free online resource, that would be appreciated.) Is it more practical to identify that point than the point of fertilization? Can the beginning of self-awareness vary from organism to organism? Could a severely mentally impaired infant go for days, weeks, or even years without self-awareness?

I enjoy reading your and Barry Cooper's thoughts, though I sometimes disagree.

sarah palin doesnt believe in blinking - this leads to dry eyes... such is the genius of our country

Sarah Palin- bad vision- bad for the country.

Nice New River Rendevous shirt Dave. I was actually at that one.