pbleighton

I rarely play SAYC any more, but I do play this in 2/1, where I play 1D-2C is F1: 2D, minimum, unbalanced, NF (could be a 4441 shape) 2M: unbalanced, GF (14/15+) 2NT: 12-14 balanced, NF, doesn't promise stoppers 3C: 4+ clubs, NF 3D: GF, 6+ diamonds 3M: splinter in support of clubs 3NT 18-19 balanced Peter

"And some historians think that it was the American victory in the cold war under Reagan that ultimatively defeated communism." I differ strongly with these folks. They ignore the history they purport to study. Communism fell victim to its "internal contradictions", to coin a phrase. It was an unsustainable economic system, whose major practitioner reformed itself peacefully. The big U.S. contributors to this reform were Nixon and Kissinger, whose detente policy opened up the Soviet empire to the political freedoms and superior economic performance of the West. These were so apparent that even a KGB trained dictator recognized what had to be done. Contrast this productive approach with the hostility shown by Reagan, under the "intellectual guidance" of Jeanne Kirkpatrick, whose "doctrine" was that a Communist state could NEVER, NEVER, NEVER reform from within. It was theoretically impossible, and that was that. The Reagan administration also intentionally lied about the economic and military strength of the USSR, and thus the threat level (sound familiar?). The existing estimates by the career professional at the CIA and the State Department didn't fit their needs, so they brought in new people to create new estimates, which turned out to be totally wrong. Bottom line: the Reaganauts try to claim credit for something they said was impossible. What a hat! What a rabbit! This may be the only thread I'll ever have anything nice to say about Nixon or Kissinger, so for those of you who are inclined to enjoy it, I suggest you do so :) Peter

I'm in agreement with Richard's suggestions. Using handguns at a range and storing them there is OK with me. As I've said earlier, I have no objection to most shotguns and rifles. Peter

You're clearly off your rocker. In fact, this guy is making me feel a LOT safer. It's heroes like him who keep this country safe from the U.N.'s black helicopters, which otherwise would come in and let the Trilateral Commission fluoridate our drinking water, which would drain our young men of their precious bodily fluids.... Peter

Yes, and I think it's extra enough to be forcing :) Peter

Undiscussed, I would treat this as forcing. A minimum opener should just pass 2D, going forward shows significant extras. Playing it NF isn't terrible, I just think that the standard meaning of any bid after pd has preferred to your higher ranking suit shows extras. Peter

I use it as new minor forcing, showing 8+ hcp and 5 hearts. Peter

A few months ago I was playing with a new pd. The auction went 2C-2D(waiting)-2S-3C-3S-AP. She bid 3C as a second negative, I thought it was a suit. I had AKQ10xx, and a great hand. The dummy came down, I thought we had slam easy. It turned out Jxxx of spades was on my left, and we were missing an ace (but had all 4 kings). Almonst everyone else was in 6S-1, 90%. "Just bridge" :D Peter

"Please note I make no claims there is any proof having 250 million guns would stop this in your country but that is all part of the myth here in the USA and why we seem to aim so low in reducing the homicide rates." Do you believe the myth, Mike? Peter

No. Don't play partner for the perfect hand. Someone said that. It's true. Peter

"you guys seem to think..scalping....raping..pillage is something from hundred thousand years ago...not....last month......... " You're very fond of red herring, Mike. You probably have low cholesterol :) Relevant comparisons are to the advanced industrialized democracies at peace. Why do you want to set the bar so low? Why are you so insecure about the virtues of the U.S. (which are considerable) that you can't deal with criticism with intellectual honesty, and have to resort to these ridiculous comparisons? The U.S. has less bloodshed than Uganda under Amin, or Yugoslavia in a civil war? Big deal! Peter

I'm not joking or exaggerating at all, Mike. Peter

We got asked about bad attendance on Saturday night sectionals. I've never had the opportunity to vote. I sent my (politely worded) opinions to the President of my District a few years ago regarding proposed changes to the GCC and MC, and received a polite f**k you back. Peter

"I do not care which side wins this debate but I do respect the Majority of dues paying members." I don't remember the ACBL ever asking me for my opinion. What makes you so certain that the various committees reflect the will of the majority? I'm not saying they don't, I'm just questioning the basis for your assumption. Peter

"Astronomical is a bit of an overstatement I would think" A 9/11 every 3 months? Versus one every year? Astronomical? I guess it depends on your telescope. It looks huge in mine. Peter

"We have reduced lynchings and scalpings which we had much more of than the other industrialized countries. I do have faith we can reduce homicides by guns perhaps with the help of immigrants such as yourself." And laws too, Mike :P Our homicide rate is astronomical compared to other industrialized countries. Guns are a significant part of it, but less than half IMO. I agree with you that both guns and homicide rates are driven by culture. They also reinforce each other. We're in Iraq for the same reason. I love Dirty Harry movies, but they're a bad model for life, and for foreign policy. Peter

It depends on the level, and of your minimum requirements for an overcall. In the U.S., it is pretty common for pairs to overcall with a decent 8 count, or even less. In that case, it doesn't make much sense (to me, anyway) to overcall with a decent 16 count, and many pairs top off their 1 level overcalls with a decent but not too good 15 count. Pairs with higher minimums tend to have higher maximums. On the other hand, most pairs will have at least 12 (maybe a little less with a 6 card suit) for a 2 level overcall. In that case, the upper level for overcalls will be 17 or so. Peter

I made a statement about legislation I proposed. I made no such statement about people who disagreed with me. You, OTOH, said: 1. You asked: I responded: You then replied: So I, and those who agree with me, are completely off my rocker. This is completely ridiculous. 2. You said: This is completely ridiculous. We do not think this. Peter

Don't worry, Gerben, things aren't as different in real life as they are in the Forums :( Peter

You misunderstood my post. Perhaps it is my fault. Let me explain. I wasn't saying that handguns or semi-automatic or automatic weapons couldn't be used for defense of the home. I said that rifles and shotguns were adequate for this purpose. Handguns are far more dangerous to society than rifles and shotguns, as they can be easily carried and concealed. Banning them will, in the long run (and I know it will be the long run) make society safer. Allowing the continued ownership of rifles and shotguns permits the continued use of guns for legitimate purposes. Peter

"Can't we just share our opinions? Its not like any of us have a life outside these forums where I need to be sifting through 'evidence' to support my views." You made two blanket, unfavorable, confrontational and IMO ridiculous statements about all people who disagree with your views. Did you really expect not to be called on them? Peter

This statement is absolutely false. I know many people whi favor gun control (my mother founded a gun control group) and none of them would agree with this statement. Nicely reasoned, Phil. Logic, evidence, the whole thing. BTW, he's bad, not mad. Peter

"Are you more afraid of legalized concealed weapons or Iran building a nuclear bomb?" Legalized concealed weapons, though Iran with the bomb is scary too. A key difference you chose not to mention: we don't have to start a shooting war to ban legalized concealed weapons. Peter

I would have opened 5C, which is what I bid now. Peter

Pass on the first, 3NT on the second. Peter