Free Republic

The repubs have a great opportunity here. They can step up to the mike tomorrow and say they are inspired by Obama’s speech. So inspired that they are removing every single republican sponsored ear mark from the spending bill, thereby saving millions of dollars. They can then invite the dems to do the same.

I am so glad you think so.

As I see it, if people are involved with their own money, they will make better decisions then the government that is “watching” out for them.

I am so glad you think so.

As I see it, if people are involved with their own money, they will make better decisions then the government that is “watching” out for them.

As I mentioned. I am told that the math is screwed up. But refine the numbers to what ever degree you want, it is better to send the money to the people, rather than the corporations that have screwed it up so bad.

I am told the math is messed up, but the idea is important!

Now if he would just repeal the 17th, a lot of other stuff could be fixed as well. The 17th is where senators became elected, rather than appointed by the states.

"...first, redeployment and transition of our troops out of Iraq; second, disarm the militia;...."

If we do the first, who is going to do the second?

I wonder if the muslims visiting the Vatican for the big conciliatory conference arranged by the Pope prayed with him?

I have to admire him for this, as I had commented on another thread that his trust should be in God, not in his security team.

I do hope he is safe through out his journeys.

I always find a more than a little irony in these types of situations. After all here you have a man who the church says is the most holiest man on earth and who has placed his absolute trust in God and yet needs to protect himself with armored cars and bullet proof vests.

I know, things happen, but wouldn't it actually be the will of God if something should happen to the Pope? So a better question would be who does the Pope trust?

I guess I will go find my flame suit.....

I would have to ask why the authorities decided to inspect his rectum.

I would imagine in another month or two the term "hot" won't be applying to the area, other than economically.

As for crazy insane, I would tend to think of the pipeline days and I am pretty sure it is nothing like that now. Still, the reports my lovely wife brought back reflected an enormous amount of growth and development in the two years since we left. I am sorry we missed it, because I always thought Fairbanks was just waiting to blossom out. I do hope that the boom cycles are over with up there though I tend to doubt it.

Are those anti-Bush protesters still hanging out on College & University?

I have heard that it was just booming up there now, but no one could tell me why. Some said it was the extra military being stationed there, others said that it was in prep for the gas line that may or may not get built.

It's really kind of funny for me. When I left the real estate market was rather slow, and it was EXPLODING here in Florida, and now the markets have reveresed in both locations.

It will be some time before any one could call Fairbanks a big city. While other cities with a 50K population might be considered large, most are surrounded by other towns with nothing to distinguish it from it's neighbors. Where as Fairbanks stands alone, all by itself in the wilderness. Unless you consider the sprawling metropolis of North Pole (grin)

The joke we had was the best bear gun was a .22. Just shoot your buddy's foot and run.

Then again, some would recommend that you always carry a bell that tinkles when you walk, so the bear is not surprised when you approach. It is rumored that griz scat is easy to identify, because of the bells in it (grin).

Yep, the poet laureate of Alaska so to speak. The man could paint some interesting pictures in my mind with his choice of words.

Been a while since I read him, I should dust off that book and give it a good read.

I sure miss the place, though I heard it has already snowed.

Just read a lot of BS being posted to you, and thought I would chime in.

I lived in Alaska for 25 years, 10 in Anchorage and 15 in Fairbanks. It is a place that just drives you mad, or it gets into your blood and you can't live without it. You will know after your 1st winter whether you will be staying or leaving.

Anchorage is the major staging point for most people starting out. It ain't such a bad town, but they say the nicest thing about it is that it is just 1/2 hour away from Alaska. I found the constant freeze/thaw cycle in the winter was a real pain in the rear. It is nice in the fact that you are closer to the water and major fishing then in Fairbanks.

Fairbanks has changed over the last couple of years. Once Home Depot decided to open a store, what some would call a flood of other followed. So there is now a line of "major" stores in one small section of town, along with the other stores in scattered areas around town. Rest assured, it does not come close to being Seattle.

My wife just visited family and friends there, and when she came back she wondered just how we had lived there for so long. She described it as a "town that barely survives winter". However, we met and befriended some of the best people I would ever hope to know there.

The major problem for visitors is the extremely limited road system in the state. The things you see from the road may be in Alaska, but that doesn't mean that is all of Alaska. It's all beautiful, but it is impossible to describe how incredible it is to step out of a plane on to one of the glaciers around Denali. Or to watch the thousands of caribou wander across the barren arctic slope.

If you are going north, take the Alaska Ferry and plan on stopping in some of the towns along the way for a day or two. The southeast is a completely different world than the cities and villages of south central and the north. The only problem you are going to have is that you almost have to drive through Canada once you get up north. I think there is a once a week ferry that goes across the flats to Valdez, but it may not fit in your schedule.

Alaska is something every one should see at least part of. Go with the thought of making life long friends, and I think you will find what you are looking for.

BTW, read the poem on my page here; it may give you an idea of why so many people love it. I know I would still be there if not for family concerns here in Florida.

I wish you well, and a safe journey into the Great Land!

Seems to me that both the Iranian and North Korean leaders should get a simple direct message from us and our allies. Basically tell them that if a nuclear explosion (test) is detected within their borders, the leaders and everyone within XX miles will annihilated within thirty minutes.

At least it is not named after billy jeff.

Not to mention the Fat Cat Cab which has gotten so horribly expensive. I think the price has doubled since I first tried it so many years ago.

Your points are taken and accepted, thanks again for the conversation.