Astromart

July 21, 2005 05:28 AM Forum: Equipment Talk

Vintage Monolux....is this ethical?

It is perfectly ethical. Just because one guy is willing to sell it for $35 does not mean that it is only worth $35. If it is a good value at $185 someone will buy it and be perfectly happy. Just because you make an incredible deal does not mean you must pass on your good luck.

July 29, 2005 01:33 AM Forum: Politics

Judith Miller-take your pick

Posted By Tom Rodstrom

John Wemesfelder said:

Choices are:
1) lapdog
2) opportunist
3) professional

Of course, we'll have to wait for the grand jury to tell us who wins.

I'd say she's a 3, 2, 1.

August 20, 2005 08:53 PM Forum: Politics

Dead Wrong

Posted By Tom Rodstrom

"Dead Wrong" airs Sunday at 8:00 PM EST.

According to CNN Colin Powell says that the day he spoke at the UN making the case for the Iraq war was the lowest day in his life.

August 26, 2005 01:42 AM Forum: Politics

Another Question

Posted By Tom Rodstrom

I moved this response from James Lacey:
_________________________________________

Tom,

Good question. It's been asked during and after every war known to mankind most likely.

It assumes of course that pouring 500,000 soldiers into the country would have prevented the insurgency. I have my doubts given that the insurgency was planned for as much as a year before the invasion. I base this opinion on what I've read in the Iraqi Survey Group's final report. Original source material available on request Russ!

One thing is for sure, and that is that more troops in a given time-period (let's say one month for the sake of argument) *would* have meant more deaths in Iraq in that time period.

The reason is quite simple. More targets for combat deaths and more opportunities for accidental death and death by natural causes. It's one of those funny counter-intuitive things like how building more roads can actually make traffic worse.

Take Care,

August 26, 2005 01:48 AM Forum: Politics

Another Question

Posted By Tom Rodstrom

I don't think that this one has a simple answer, but I have to work for a couple hours before I can respond to James.

August 27, 2005 04:49 AM Forum: Politics

Obese Patient Sues Doctor

Posted By Tom Rodstrom

The problem is not with the doctor or the patient. It is with the legal system the allows or even encourages these frivolous suits.

If we had a system where the loosing party normally paid (reasonable) legal expenses for winning party, all this would go away.

On Edit: A big bunch of lawyers would also go away! grin

September 5, 2005 08:36 PM Forum: Politics

A new take on the subject

Posted By Tom Rodstrom

You might better ask anyone who owns property in Amsterdam. It is feasible to live below sea level, but the levee's need to be built to handle worst case events.

September 9, 2005 05:22 AM Forum: Politics