pbleighton

Pass. Pd has to have the perfect passed hand for us to have game, and my pds never do. Not vul, or at MPs, I might bid 2D. Vul at IMPs, I don't strain to compete for partscores. Peter

"I don't think we have the resources to actually win this war." What is "this war", and what is victory? Bush seems to think victory consists of intimidating the entire Muslim world. Were he king, Iraq would just be the start. Think how long the Crusades lasted (and Bush initially referred to his so-called "war on terror" as a crusade). Peter

So Mike, you are in favor of outlawing alcohol? After all, you are intellectually consistent, aren't you? :o Peter

"You think it does not reduce frequency?" 1. I am certain that it doesn't have a material impact on the number of people who use and abuse drugs (and I include alcohol as a drug, as it is one of the nastier and more addictive ones). For many people, the price increase caused by criminalization has some impact on the amount used, though not whether or not they use it. It also shifts use/abuse to some extent (though not much) from other drugs to alcohol. As to the price/usage issue, this can, and should, be addressed by taxation. Drugs have a negative effect on society, and should therefore have excise taxes. You're a closet liberal, Mike, you should know this by now :) Case in point: I smoked pot (at some points heavily) for a long time (a long time ago), then quit, and the legal status (including the effect on price) never had ANY effect on my usage, except that I smoked indoors. I know a LOT of people who have the same story. 2. I won't duplicate Richard's post on the costs of shifting costs, except to add one fact: we have the highest rate of incarceration in the world, five to ten times that of Western European countries, and half of our inmates are there on drug-related offenses. That's a hell of a price for all of us to pay. How do you justify this? 3. Did Prohibition work? 4. Why is it any of your business? Peter

"As I said it is not a victimless crime." This is what I asked you to explain. You didn't explain, you reiterated. Can you explain why this is any of your business? Can you point to any evidence that criminalization reduces frequency? Peter

I greatly dislike banning the PUBLIC wearing of clothes which hide the face. I dislike even more banning PRIVATE sex-for-pay and drug use. Mike, what's your rationale for banning private non-coerced adult behavior? Peter

2C. At imps I might bid 2H. Peter

1H-2D(F1)-2S(FG)-3D-3S(6-5)-3NT(oh well) Peter

"So if people want a bbo rating system why not include all games free or money for the chance to win BBO points" Better still, why not a direct pay-for-play: Novice: free Intermediate: $5/month Advanced: $10/month Expert: $15/month World Class: $20/month Peter

This is a HUGE hand, and I would bid 1H without any hesitation at all, even if my partnership style was to pass most balanced 12 counts. After 3NT, I bid 4H. Peter

Not vul I bid with 4-4. Fine bid by me. Peter

"at live events, does playing up require permission from a TD?" No, with a few exceptions at national events. In my experience, very few people play up. They don't want the masterpoint hit. Peter

"I am curious (not that I play ACBL tourneys) does this mean that ACBL get a ratngs system, but not the rest of BBO or am I missing the point here" The ACBL already has a rating system, which is cumulative masterpoints. The issue is whether to use that system in ACBL-sponsored BBO tournaments either with stratification or flighting. Currently, these tournaments ignore the rating. Peter

Agree with David, except that I will go 2x-2NT with most appropriate 15 counts. Peter

"i think we could go the flighted route instead, if people would prefer that" I am OK with flighting or stratifying, or keeping the tourneys as is. However, if you flight, PLEASE allow playing up. If I have to play in the lowest flight, this would ruin the tourneys for me. Peter

3H is Michaels (spades and a minor). What is 3NT? Peter

"The problem is most people seem to prefer IMPS." Is this really so? IMPs is the default for table setup. If it was MPs, I bet we'd see mostly MP tables. Peter

"I diid think of this but I have yet to come across anyone that plays ougust or is prepared to discuss it on BBO especially pickups" This isn't ogust, it is feature-ask. And yes, jb, I would bid 3NT if pd had the heart A or K. If I wouldn't, I would bid 4S directly, which as I said was a reasonable option. Peter

1. 2H (pass isn't bad, but this is IMPs after all). 2. 2NT, feature ask. If I hear 3H, I bid 3NT, otherwise 4S. I can understand a direct 4S on this hand. Peter

"Ok, how bad is this opening bid?" Fine, as long as pd knows you do this. Marginal but not terrible with a pickup pd. Peter

"Trent Lott as Minority Whip.....what acid trip caused this massive porklover to get elected?" In case you haven't noticed, the combination of a Republican-controlled Congress and a Republican President (except for a two year blip in the 50s, the first time this has happened since Hoover) has produced a historic high in pork - I believe at least triple previous levels, though I'm too tired to look it up. Taking a good look at the Republican party, it's not at all surprising that this racist porklover got elected. He fits right in. I vote Democrat 100% every election, in spite of the corruption, the spinelessness on Iraq, etc. (it's a LONG list). Whenever I waver, the Trent Lotts of the GOP (not to mention President Onward Christian Soldiers) bring me back to the straight and narrow. Peter

"And, I dont believe that the majority of pairs in the online games are reasonable, nor are they decent. There are relatively few decent pairs actually playing from what I have experienced. There may be many good players playing together, but very few good pairs who have actually spent much time working on system agreements, carding agreements, etc." I consider most LM/BLM (300-999 mps) pairs to be decent, though where I play most don't have much in the way of system agreements, carding agreements, etc., even those who have played together for a few years. You obviously have higher standards than I do. Good for you :P Peter

"If nothing else I hope with all the worldwide online players in the next couple of years you guys will feel the ACBL online games reach at least an average club game level." The issue isn't the lack of decent or better pairs (a majority of pairs in an onkine game are reasonable), it's the number of bad pairs, which is high relative to a good club game. Peter

"lol it is all..repeat all politics....so is war Simply an extension of politics" No. Negative ads don't cause thousands (or millions) of deaths. Peter

"Criticism of the war is not a criticism of the troops but of those who placed us in that position." Absolutely. Peter