Kent

I think every America should attend Civics class and also a "ride along" with their local police force. Would certainly LOVE to hear the story with Fin hitting the pavement with his rifle. Did he lip-off to the Silverthorne cops when they cuffed him or did he follow their orders? Just like Powell said...you MUST respect authority. If not, it will be the Wild Wild West all over. Are some cops corrupt? Yes. But, that is the exception, not the rule.

I've had several lively debates about this one in the past few days. A bit torn on this. Obviously, the nature of this crime is a bit different...as is the protocol for sentancing based upon the situation (i.e. indentifying oneself as a predator). However, this is the United States of America. We have this little document called the Constitution. In my opinion, if you don't like it...you can either a) Leave the country or B) Send a letter to your Congressman. Within this lil document is something called the 5th Amendment. It says that you can't be prosecuted for the same crime twice. Furthermore, if you agree on a pleabargin, the charges are either dropped or generally held to a lessor charge. The the case of Jackoff, I'm unclear to the facts.....but yet feel that guy deserves some slack. Afterall, he's dead. I'm uncertain of this....but can a dead person be prosecuted...much less for the same crime? I don't want to know. I'm sure everyone on BOL has gotten in some trouble...some worse than others. After you pay your punishment, do you REALLY feel that you should continue to prosecute? Good grief....give it a rest! Sure..there are moral and ethical conversation that should occur....but the guy is dead and people won't let this go. Yet, they have "let it go" for the past few years when he was living the dream in Dubai. I don't understand. Certainly no denying that when OJ has his day that people will be taking about the glove rather than the touchdowns....but that's a bit different case. What's my point? There isn't one...other than to say if someone has paid the agreed upon fine/sentance, it's over. Like it or not...that is how the game is played.

Cool thread! Yep...started playing bass a month before Jaco was killed/died, whichever you prefer to call it. Traded one of my drum sets....and next thing I have more bass guitars than snowboards, which still holds true today. While I'm not a hugh Portrait of Tracy fan (duck for cover), I really enjoy Continuum and could never stomach Joni Mitchell without Jaco playing.... September 21st is a gloomy day for me.... <object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q9PWv6z6BFo&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q9PWv6z6BFo&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object> At this point, any bass player who plays staccato is going to be labelled as a Jaco clone....but that's cool. Jaco's influence is MUCH MUCH deeper than most people realize (or give credit). I met Adam at NAMM a few year's back. His playing is well.....speaks for itself. <object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SoLqaQmlx1Y&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SoLqaQmlx1Y&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

Anybody out there riding a Monster 69X? Looks like the front runner is a Ducati 696, although wondering if I'll want more nuts in the long haul. http://www.motorcycle.com/manufacturer/ducati/2009-ducati-monster-696-review-77793.html

What Cross frames do you have?

Really depends upon the application...and usually most important, cost. SRAM Rival (by a long shot) is the best combination of performance/price/features on the market today. Of course, that is comparing the wholesale price as your LBS price may be different. If I were building a budget bike, it would be full Rival with a Force rear derailuer (but take into consideration some LBS don't mix and match groupo). SRAM went from 0% to 35% market share of OEM bike sales in a matter of 3 years. THREE YEARS. wow. Red isn't getting chopped apart (minus the front derailuer - as it's a bit flexy b/c its lighter). Shimano 7900 cranks haven't been living up to the ole 7800 vintage and the new Ergo of Campy has been met with some resistance to those who don't bleed italian. Do you go to 11? Innovation typically means there is product improvement and SRAM is the only company meeting that promise. (No, I don't work for SRAM) For TT/Tri, I'd stay with Shimano as the SRAM levers "suck" and the new ones cost an arm and a leg.

Shame on you!!!!!! Paying taxes is an American responsibility. Not only do we need revenues to pay for the important stuff a government should do (fire, water, police, defense, roads, laws), we need MUCH MORE MONEY to do stuff that makes the USA a better place. While many point the finger at government "waste", there really is no such thing as waste because they are spending it somewhere! Often it's not inside the borders, but that is because the USA needs to finance hope around the world, even if its at the USA tax payers expense. Matter of fact, when everyone is bitching and complaining about their taxes and/or refund, I suggest you ask yourself "ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country" and PAY IN MORE THAN YOU owe or consider giving that refund back to the government. I asked that the government to take more of my hard earned money and give it to people who need it. Since I can't think of any other way to spend my money, I'm thankful that our government is 100% efficient at identifying the country's needs. Please delete thread and re-title to how BOL can contribute to the greater cause.....

While I'm in favor of doing all the warm fuzzy stuff (recycling, biking to work, less reliance on fuels, less destruction of environment, etc)...the reality is that the earth has rebuilt itself many times. Guess what? Sooner or later, regardless of our interference, the world as we know it will be wiped out. WWTDD? What would the dinosaurs do? Poor guys.

Why not take the trek over the Harris Cyclery? Can't get much more interesting than that for what you're looking for! http://www.sheldonbrown.com/harris/index.html#hours

I dunno about Bikram, but I'm a fan of hot yoga. I believe it's a notch down from Bikram. I do the C2 class at Core Power Yoga a few times a week. Wish I knew more about the different types...but whatever the c2 class I'm doing is exactly what I need. http://www.corepoweryoga.com/newtocorepoweryoga/classdescriptions.aspx CorePower Yoga 2 (C2) - intermediate, open (all levels) CorePower Yoga class, 93 - 98 degrees with humidity, 60 or 75 minutes

and girlfriend's car: Or my new motorcycle in the other thread... K

I dunno if this any motivation for the crew, but even the best endurance athletes in the world understand that weights are important (yet science says it's not necessarily a performance boost). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDawlrIeaVM

Whoa... Tough to see someone go.

Watching the Olympics certainly made me want to start racing again. VERY disappointed with the quality of BMX bikes these days. Sheeeesh...they all weigh 30 pounds! Looks like all the pros are riding custom gear. There are some good COTS 24" frames. Not sure if my back could handle racing a 20", but the old man's cruiser class looks like a blast. What is amazing is that some of the BMXers are putting out the same wattage as guys on the USA cycling track team. Very impressive stuff. On a side note, I sold a few of my VDC Changa Longs on eBay 2-3 years ago (was sponsored by them for a few years) and was shocked they went for over $1000. Wow.

This is shocking you would ever try posting this nonsense on BOL and I hope the Moderators will put this thread. The government ALWAYS has its' citizens best interest in mind. Big government and more government control ALWAYS means cheaper, better, more environmentally friendly products and services. In addition, simplifying options drives the costs of product down. This is all common sense......matter of fact, look at snowboards; today, there are only a handfull of alpine manufacturers and the entry point is so reasonable. Please remove. K

The 167 is plently flexy....completely different board than the 188s. I could rumble though a few dozens board bags in the basement...but pretty certain that I used the front inserts on my 167 and the rear foot went where-ever 18.75 would land (at the time). I'd now try to ride it a bit wider..19.5" or so. Fun lil board.

A bit of thread creep is going on....so I simply wanted to point out that "wearing a helmet" is a false sense of security. To that point, I'm against any mandatory use of anything which address victimless crimes. Why? Because people are generally stupid by nature. I can't tell you how many bad fitting helmets I've seen on little kids. Surprised there are not more broken necks. Do we need an additional law which states helmets just actually fit? Yes, a good friend was a glide tester for the US Women's Ski team and hit a shack at Beaver Creek going around 80mph....Boeri Profi, died instantly. RIP. Really sucks to hear about another death, but let's not pile on more laws in this country which don't address the issue. RIP Natasha.

I think we're making a lot of headway! Pretty soon I'll be posting my summer carve photos. Any year Monster to avoid? In my local Craigslist search.....there are quite a few. Perhaps take a trip to Detroit and drive one back (not kidding). Will look into the rice burners are well. K

Yep...thanks for that. After looking at the website, I'm looking at the SV or the Gladius. Price looks good. So....that said, would one prefer a used Monster for $5000 or a new Gladius for around the same amount? K http://www.suzukicycles.com/Product%20Lines/Cycles/Products/Gladius/2009/SFV650.aspx?category=standard

No problem.....that just makes me want a wussy bike that much more. I've hit my head so many times snowboard racing that I'd prefer to stay upright these days.

AP has given me his 2 cents, says the Monster is a girls bike. I'll see what Ryan has to say. The challenge is most of the friends are really sport bike gurus, so thinking they might be a bit biased....

That is actually an option and my original idea. For the Monster guys above..what is the issue with maintenance? Am I going to be sitting on the side of the road? Any years to avoid?

I won't race much USCF this year. I'll do 24 Hour Nationals Champs, Leadville, Ironman and Cyclocross Nationals Champs. So..mostly MTB, some road.

Did the Sport bike thing in the mid 90s (FZR) until I saw a friend go 200 feet into a corn field. Wasn't pretty. I'm now a bit less of a "risk taker" these days and getting the itch to toss my leg over a bike...and get me off my bicycles. Trouble is deciding on which "type" of motorcycle. Next challenge is brand. I'll maybe ride it to work, but it's mostly for weekend enjoyment. Since I'm riding my bicycle 10 hours a weekend, it doesn't leave a ton of time. A weekend fall motorcycle "trip" could happen...but mostly for leisurely rides out in the country and perhaps some errands around town. At this point, I'm leaning towards a "street bike", aka: Ducati Monster Moto Guzzi Griso Triumph Speed Triple BUT, I have a fondness of lower cruisers....like the Victory Vegas (although these typically come with a larger price tag). The last issue is used/new. A quick search on Craigslist can grab me a Monster for $5000, which is a nice pricepoint. Anything over that and it makes me want to be more analytical about an irrational purchase. So BOL...talk to me about motorcycles and the pros/cons of a "street bike" or perhaps an edgy cruiser. Open to any ideas and wisdom. Don't recommend (2) because I already have waaaaaaaay too many toys. Thanks!

Negative....and I quote a liberal publication: "But it's lame for Obama's aides to dismiss the 2009 budget as leftover business from the Bush era. He's the President. He wasn't elected to ignore the leftover business from the Bush era. He ought to be taking heat for punting — not only on the earmarks, but on the other $402 billion worth of government spending." Read the rest here: http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1883160,00.html