reevesr1

Stupid internet. I'm basically sarcastic all the time, so it gets me in trouble too. Sorry for including you in the double barreled blast back.

Thanks.

So if true, that sucks. But sounds political on both sides. And really, where were they going to go in NO anyway? I don't think there was a shortage of doctors and nurses from the US who wanted to go, but where? As someone who's never been to Cuba, but would love to, do you think it will get worse after Castro? In what way? Not asking out of any preconceived notion, I am legitimately curious. I've never been to a communist country while it was still communist. I have been just after (very soon after) and the people looked to me, for the want of a better term, depressed. Everything was dirty, gray, and dingy, including the people (and man did they have bad shoes!) Are the people in Cuba happy? (again I am legitimately asking here) If they are, then I hope they continue to be so post Castro as well.

Ok, Here is the ranking per GNP (Gross national product??) Sweden Rocks!! Source: OECD Development Statistics Online last accessed Saturday, April 07, 2007 Sweden 1.03 Luxembourg 0.89 Norway 0.89 Netherlands 0.81 Denmark 0.8 Ireland 0.53 UK 0.52 Belgium 0.5 Austria 0.48 France 0.47 Finland 0.39 Switzerland 0.39 Germany 0.36 Spain 0.32 Australia 0.3 Canada 0.3 New Zealand 0.27 Japan 0.25 Portugal 0.21 Italy 0.2 USA 0.17 Greece 0.16 And who gets the money? 1. Iraq 2. Nigeria 3. China (WTF?) 4. Afghanistan 5. Indonesia 6. India 7. Ghana 8. Egypt 9. Vietnam 10. Sudan Now, speaking of hijacks, how was that? I had to get away from the Cuba thing cuz I was still shaking after LS's shot across the bow. Edit: Top 14 countries above European. I'll never make fun of them again. Except maybe France.

Oh yeah.... This is foreign aid by country to the International Monetary Fund (I think) Source: OECD Development Statistics Online last accessed Saturday, April 07, 2007 further details. In Millions USA 22,739 UK 12,607 Japan 11,608 France 10,448 Germany 10,351 Netherlands 5,452 Sweden 3,967 Spain 3,801 Canada 3,713 Italy 3,672 Norway 2,946 Denmark 2,234 Australia 2,128 Belgium 1,968 Switzerland 1,647 Austria 1,513 Ireland 997 Finland 826 Portugal 391 Greece 384 Luxembourg 291 New Zealand 257 Really, I don't know what this means, I just googled charitable contributions by country so the US could be first in something other than guns. (though the data when indexed to personal income is a bit depressing) Here is the link, in case anyone is masochistic enough to read it: http://www.globalissues.org/TradeRelated/D...ChartsandGraphs

Can someone explain to me how this could be 2nd degree murder. Isn't the only difference between 1st and 2nd premeditated? I guess how I could see how the first murder could be not premeditated, but the second, third, fourth, etc. Is the law different here?

So really, the first I ever heard of Northwood is what I read tonite. Chilling. But to put it in the context of the times, those people were really, really scared. They honestly thought getting blown up by Russia (like EVERYBODY blown up) was a real and maybe even imminent possibility and that Cuba was the possible jumping off point. I am in absolutely no way justifying the means, but they didn't follow through with it. Cooler minds and all that (or at least I fervently hope).

You know, I wrote a big long reply to the above and decided it wasn't worth it other than to say that no matter how many rude Canadians I meet (and the proportion of jackass canadians is the same as the proportion of jackass americans, or mexicans, or french, or whatever) I would never, ever, in a public forum call them loud and obnoxious nor call one of their cities a nightmare (particularly since I think it is Calgary's #1 travel destination?) I tried to make an actual reply to fisher's question about Cuba, from my perspective. I had a bit of fun with Weedy. Don't know what you expected to accomplish with the rude American comment, but offense taken. Edit: But what the hell, KingSalmon agrees with ya, so I guess your comment was ok (insert dripping sarcasm emoticon here)

Cuba and Venezuela are allies, or Castro and Chavez? Once Castro is out, is there anyone in Cuba to take his place and maintain the current regime? I don't know the answer to that. But my bet is that once Castro is out, they will turn in to something other than communist. You don't here of the "party" like you do in China. A change in leadership in China doesn't mean a change in system. I doubt the same is true of Cuba.

Get your parkas. The next ice age peaks in 80K years. Interesting article in the New York Times: http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html...752C1A9659C8B63

It is very telling that even though there have not been any real hostilities between Cuba and the US for 40 yrs or so, there are still no official relations. Obviously this has not just been a right wing policy. If it were, then relations would have been normalized during Carter or even Clinton. From what I can remember (I was aged 17-21 during Carter, and therefore drunk) there was never any real initiatives to do so during either administration. Speaks volumes to the political might of the Cuban exiles. But I do think that once Casto has passed and Bush is out of office, relations will normalize. Because really, the embargo makes no sense at all anymore and probably hasn't for 20 yrs, at least. Once it is lifted, expect LOTS of Texans on "agricultural missions" and a sea of extravagant hotels! Edit: and if I can get to Cuba via PR, maybe I could do a bit of reconnaissance there as well. I know it would be a sacrifice, but one I'm willing to make. Bonefish, anyone?

You just tryin to fire me up? It's not like it's hard enough for me to defend our foreign policy now, you gotta dredge up stuff from the 60s? And it's not like they ever followed through with Northwoods anyway.... And writer1, I don't think a group of drunk Canadians getting lost, finding themselves in Washington then accidentally burning down the White House is something you guys really need to be proud of! If I knew of any skeleton's in the closet of Canada, I'd surely bring them up now. But alas, my country didn't teach anything about your country, except that you like beer. Pity.

Dude, I was loadin' up the guns until I read that last part. You almost had me!!

My wife pulled up on that accident coming back from the movies with my daughter. I can't even begin to imagine what those families must be going through.

Absolutely no offense taken guys. Good subject. So basically from what I understand, when Castro took over (and remember, the US backed Castro over Batista and then he pulled a bait and switch on us!), he nationalized everything. Lots of really rich Cubans and richer Americans lost a lot of moola over that whole deal. Many of the Cubans either left or were kicked out (not sure which) moved to Miami, and either stayed rich or got rich again. They then formed a very powerful lobby who exert mucho power over the politics of Miami, South Florida, and even US Policy. So as long as that group is still alive (and like Castro, that can't be for much longer), we won't trade with Cuba/Castro. That and the fact they tried to move in Russian missiles. By the way fisher26, hope you generate lots of discussion but if I don't like it, I'll just hijack this thread later anyway!

John Bonham- dead Jimmy Page-63 JP Jones 61 Robert Plant-59 Rock on. Who am I kidding, I'd go in a second. I've had tickets to them twice. 1st time Plant's son tragically died. 2nd time John Bonham died. Odds are pretty good if they tour and I get tickets someone else will die. But looking at their ages, odds are pretty decent someone would die anyway.

This post has more twists and turns than an Oliver Stone conspiracy theory. So, to recap: Birchy is sad he can't fish I hijacked it to discuss my lack of skating ability Hijacked back to fishing, with a short detour to snowboarding Lynn tried, unsuccessfully, to hijack to scrabble Another short snowboard detour Lots of stuff about Mexico Then Lynn called Dave a whore (I am taking a bit of creative license here) Then a drunk (I think that came from Taco) Dave has a red ass and likes it Lynn and LS discussed doing Mexico I can't go to Cuba, but apparently all you people can Dave tried, unsuccessfully, to get the post back on Fishing in the cold If I missed anything, please let me know.

I'm still laughing....I can't get "I know my rights" and "my wife is gonna kick yer ass" out of my head.

Too classic! http://www.biggeekdaddy.com/humorpages/Mis...wnmowerDUI.html

Unfortunately, that's not true. As long as I carry a US passport, no Cuba for me. Stupid communists.

You're mean.

Now Lynn, I don't think it is fair to get on Dave about Tequila induced sex, when apparently you are planning on "doing" the whole Pacific side. Hello Pot, meet Kettle.

98 lbs? What were ya, 12 yrs old? Not an easy habit to kick, that's for sure. But Weedy has the right idea, do all you can to avoid people, places, activities you associate with smoking, at least for the first few weeks. Dave, I feel your pain buddy! I used to smoke like a chimney when I was in the field. Stress piled on stress.

Just making a joke myself. I didn't really think you were the guy in the tutu!! Not that there would be anything wrong with that.......

That is sweet. I don't even really know how much my cable is any more, like $75? 3X what you are paying. Hope it keeps up!