I say yes, you say no, OR People are Strange

QuinnCat

I was an Obama supporter 2008.  This may seem petty, but I really really hated the dodging sniper fire in Bosnia story.  Credibility means so much to me.

Chickadee

What you need is someone as devious and malicious as LBJ.  He made congress heel to his wishes because he was not afraid to out their felonious dealings in the back rooms.  He got in their face and basically intimidated them.  Unfortunately the Vietnam war was his achilles heel.  Still waiting for Caro to write the 5th book on the war and LBJ. 

QuinnCat

Chickadee - are you talking about LBJ's secret documents exposing the meddling by Nixon et al into the peace talks (that would have ended the Vietnam war before 1968)?  

1Athena1

Didn't think much of the husband either, Mr. "Poor me, it's all about me, but it's everybody else's fault" Reagan-lite who was responsible for doing away with some of the most effective Depression Era banking regulations - and who did nothing for Rwanda. The Monica Lewinsky scandal has next to no bearing on my opinion of him.

So there I finish off your surprise, Yorkie. :-) I cannot bear the Clintons.

My own Friday  moment right now is wondering whether the person who put together some information I am looking at was tortured, drunk or plain blind! Off to try making sense of the mess.

We need Obama, and an overwhelmingly dem. congress to get things done. Fix banking regulations, carve a new stimulus package, end the fiscally draining Bush tax cuts, complete universal health care and, in short, just get things done.

Interestingly, the most productive congress in this nation's history was the first one during the Civil War after the south seceded. Incredibly productive and beneficial to all.

Not suggesting anything, mind you.....:)

suzieq60

I love Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers - have all of their movies. Love the music!!!

You girls have been busy over night

Chickadee

Kam, I'm on book #3, LBJ's senate years. Confounding, impressive, infuriating man.

QuinnCat

Ok... I had just heard about this document in the LBJ library that was not suppose to be opened until 50 years after LBJ left office.  Handwritten by LBJ, about Nixon meddling with the Vietnam Peace Talks so he could be assured an election win in '68.  The LBJ librarian decided to open them in '92, but for some reason I hadn't heard about them until a month ago.   A la Carter Reagan Iran Hostages....argh.

1Athena1

Ok, I have turned into something only Escher could represent. Going home now, as brain is about to mutiny.

Sorry to change the topic, but what shocking news about Lance Armstrong, no? Imagine losing all of his titles after he was such a role model. http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/25/sports/cycling/armstrong-best-of-his-time-now-with-an-asterisk-george-vecsey.html?pagewanted=all

suzieq60

Steve and I do not believe that Armstrong would ever take drugs after the fight he won against cancer. They have no proof, just the words of a disgruntled team mate. Why have all of his tests been negative? We know he won. Also, how can the US drug thingy take away titles won in France???

pupmom

Athena, I dealt with a lot of negative feedback regarding my support for Hillary during the 2008 primaries. I'm used to her and Bill being criticized. I  thought it was sad, because we are all really on the same team. Anyway, once Obama was elected I supported him and still do. I am unhappy with many of his policies, but he's far better than the alternative.

1Athena1

Susie, I'm not following the story in detail and it seems rather unusual because the US doping agency apparently publicly said that Armstrong's decision to not pursue this further was akin to an admission of guilt - a bit surprising to hear that speculation from an agency.

I do know, though,  that "doping" these days is very sophisticated. One need not take drugs, strictly speaking. One can take things to enhanc the blood or use OTC ingredients without a medical need. It is all very high tech.

I have no idea/opinion on his guilt or innocence. JUst rather shocked. The Tour de France has been racked by those scandals - more so than most sports. It is all sad, really. Armstrong has been such an inspiration in some ways, and I am certain that whether or not he violated any laws he was the best cyclist in his day.

Chickadee

Kam, it ill be interesting to see how that issue turns out in the last Caro book. He's in his mid 70's and everyone is concerned he won't finish his life's work. The detail and minutia in his books sometimes is tough to plow through, leaving no stone unturned.

. As for Lance, outrageous. Oh and he lives around the weird Austin area too.

QuinnCat

Being an avid Tour de Francer (haven't missed one since 1991 and being an avid recreational cyclist in my past life), I still think Lance won those titles with or without drugs because everyone of his competitors were also using drugs!  The only reason the other cyclists came forward as witnesses to Lance's alleged use of drugs  (I believe there were more than one, though I haven't kept up on the story, only the discussions that took place during this year's TdF) was because they would have been "convicted" too without testifying.  Deals made. George Hincape was to testify against Lance!! George is Lance's good friend, or was.

Lance is still an amazing cyclist and provided many days of great cycle watching!  And regardless of any drug use, his VO2 max was off the charts! (Lung capacity) 

1Athena1

I've been reading a bit more since I posted, Kam, and I agree.

Chickadee

They supposedly have an additional ten witnesses including the disgraced Floyd Landis.



Lots of sour grapes in the bike world I guess.

QuinnCat

They're going to have go pretty far down the roster to find Lance's replacement for the title.  As some Joe Schmo said on Velo news, "I'll be signing autographs this Saturday at B&N in LA if anyone want to mee the new 7-time TdF champion."

208sandy

Gotta say that my take on Lance Armstrong is that "something" was going on - yes, George Hincapie was going to testify against him and they were like brothers - the USADA has been saying for years that they have evidence against Armstrong and it is conclusive - the feeling was that when the courts overturned Armstrong's suit against the USADA last week that it was all over - as for losing his Titles - that is up to the European Cycling Union and they have asked for the details from the USADA - doping is wrong, cheating is wrong and if there is hard evidence against Armstrong then he is wrong - it's not o.k. for olympians to use drugs or hype their blood so it should not be o.k. for others - these are people children look up to - what kind of values do we want to teach them.  (O.k. off my soapbox).

Chickadee

How many more drug tests do you think he needs to pass?

suzieq60

Just watched a TV news show which showed interviews with him and comments from the head of Cycling Australia. It looks like USADA has no jurisdiction over this.

Going to water the garden this afternoon - we haven't had rain for ages. Hopefully my rain tank has enough water. Was going to see my mother tomorrow, but just called a left a message I'm not going - my knee has decided to play up big time and I can't walk far.

It's like summer here at the moment - 27 C yesterday - lovely and warm.

rosemary-b

The news about lance Armstrong just makes me incredibly sad. I also think they were all doping, and, not to excuse him, that was the only way to win. I hate being so cynical. I hope most people look at the good he has done.

IllinoisLady

Rosemary....I'm with you.  Sad that after all these yrs. this is what you get for your efforts.  Seems disproportional delight in finger pointing, when each body is unique. When we have no more hero's will we be happy then.  I hope we get a grip.

Jackie

Anonymous

IF he tooks drugs, so did everyone else, and he still won.  Fox? Sour Grapes?  Who knows, what we do know is that he is an INSPIRATION to every one fighting cancer, was, is, and expect he always will be.  His 2 main sponsors are staying with him.  If I wore Nikes, I'd still buy'em.

crazy4carrots

This is my hero, Terry Fox, whose foundation has raised hundreds of milions (from around the world) for cancer research:

YramAL

I'm not sure how I feel about the Lance Armstrong issue, but I know that I wouldn't accept the excuse that "Everyone else was doing it!" from a child, so I certainly wouldn't accept it from an adult.

Terry Fox-I remember him. I remember being heartbroken when he passed away. He was a true hero.

Mary 

suzieq60

Just did a 41 minute ride 10.87kms - yes I'm counting in hundreths It was great going really early - it's only 8:20am and I've been back for 10 minutes. I was getting worried as it's nesting season and we have magpies that attack cyclists - saw one attacking an elderly gentleman in his mobility scooter yesterday. There used to be one at the back of our library right on the way to the bike path. The librarian told me they relocated it last year - no sign of him today, so maybe I won't have that as an excuse. We've actually had children lose an eye after being attacked, they are nasty birds when they are protecting their nest.

Steve gone to golf - what else is new - he loves his new clubs so is giving them a good workout. I should have gone to see my mother, but I really can't walk far and all we do, when I go, is shopping, so I'll go in a couple of weeks.

Cycling Susie

QuinnCat

Oh Susie - you have me intrigued with the Australian Magpie:

Magpies remember

Interestingly, most magpies which attack pedestrians attack the same few individuals over and over again. If they attack others, it's probably a case of mistaken identity, says Dr Jones. He believes such magpies may have had an early traumatic experience - perhaps someone who looked like these people had harmed the magpies chicks, or even 'rescued' a fledgling, something the parent mistook as predation. Magpies are able to recognise and remember individual human faces, even if the person wears different clothes! 

We have Magpies in the valleys of California, but I've never heard of them attacking people. I think they might be the same Genus, but a different species from yours.  They are a Corvid, which I recognized as a group the Stellar Jay belonged to.  As I said last week, after my cat came running through the cat door with a Stellar Jay in her mouth, I read that Stellar Jays exhibit some of this same behavior and will torment a cat, selective over another, for years, atleast for getting a baby Jay. Luckily, I have not seen this behavior toward my Ms Boo since capturing that adult Jay (I was able to get it away from her and he flew away). 

Chickadee

Mockingbirds engage in similar behavior. My DH had one kept banging into his bike helmet whenever he went by a certain tree. I've seen them go after our next door neighbors cats too. Persistent little devils.

suzieq60

The librarian said that if you get off the bike and walk you are OK - strange. Everyone wears cable ties sticking up from their helmet, but I don't think it really works as they just fly in from the side. A child was actually killed here in another state last year - not sure of the details - just what the librarian told me. My new cycling glasses seem to protect the side of the eyes, but I was going to try tying CD's to my helmet - my Aunt uses them hanging in the garden to keep birds away. Anyway looks like that one has stayed away, so hopefully I'll be ok. Here's a pic of an Aussie Magpie.

There is an area along the creek by the bikeway where there are lots of ducks - I stopped there for a drink on the way back and they have about 6 babies - they came right up to me looking for food - so gorgeous. I should take some crusts next time.

CLC

Susie...That is a gorgeous bird...too bad you have to worry about them attacking!  We don't have any attack birds here...our worry is black bears.  I run several times a week and I worry about them attacking...well, I worry about the dogs more than the bears, actually...  But either way, more things to add to the list of things to take running...pepper spray and dog biscuits.  Good luck keeping the magpies away...and happy biking...:)

QuinnCat

CLC- it is very unlikely that a black bear will go after you. Yes, it is known to have happened (more in Alaska), but they are usually afraid of people.  I worked in the woods for 15 years and saw them frequently.  The only time I would fear them in the woods was if I got between a mother and her cubs, which I did once and totally freaked!  Otherwise, I'm much more fearful of mountain lions (except Athena), here in CA.  I always watch my footing for Rattlesnakes and Yellow Jackets!

Brown bears are another story.  One summer I decided it would be cool to work in Alaska.  I got 5 minutes of rifle training and that was it.  Carried bear spray and a rifle, on top of wearing heavy duty rain gear...it was tough.  Ran into one brown bear, looking at me, about 200 ft ahead.  I went one way and he went another. My heart was beating out of my chest!  The local miner told me later he was a juevinile hanging around a moose corpse that I had walked by on several occasions.  Don't want to get between a brown bear and anything! 

Speaking of black bears, we have one in our neighborhood that raids garbage cans. A couple of weeks ago he ran between my house and my neighbor's at midnite (I was up)!  Heavy heavy panting!  It was only 10 feet from my bedroom.  The pounding and panting were so loud!