pbleighton

Looks like politics to me, Mike.

"For what its worth, I like the stance that Murtha took on Iraq, however, I think that he's a poor choice for Majority leader. You can't run against the "Culture of Corruption", then place Murtha in a leadership position." In general, I'm not crazy about Murtha (pro-gun, anti-abortion, etc.). However, he is the best (and was the first prominent) Democratic spokesman on what is by far the most important issue of the next two years. Iraq determined the election result. Corruption was IMO a minor issue. It is after all historically quite bipartisan, and there is no doubt in my mind that the Democrats (after a while) will indulge in it (again). Peter

"Puff The Magic Dragon"

Disagree. A party has power for the first time in 12 years in the house, and you expect no contests for leadership positions? What planet are you from, boy :) I think this is a good move by Pelosi, and I hope she succeeds. Peter

"Ok I guess most if not all of you are saying the typical acbl online tourney is much worse than your local club game" Depends on which game - it is better than intermediate games. Compared to the local Saturday game - mostly LM, about 1/3 1,000 MPs plus, 10-12 tables: if you added 2-3 VERY BAD pairs to both sides, you would have the online game. A lot better than random MBC opps, for which I am grateful. Peter

"4♥ puts LHO into a different type of pressure, not necessarily into more pressure" Funny, I always feel more pressure the higher I have to bid in a competitive auction. Must be just me. Peter

"You would think after 40 years of Bond, James Bond, that the Brits have we could do a halfass better job here in the USA with human intuit." Nah, the countries which have imperial (or post-imperial) ambitions are so arrogant with respect to other countries that the lens is always twisted. There may be some countries which could do unbiased, accurate intelligence analysis, but if there are, their culture would prevent them from making effective use of it. Peter

I agree with Adam's points, but I still like the games. The fact that they are a further development in the devaluation of masterpoints, well, I don't think the ACBL has any integrity left to lose in that regard. I like 12 board tournaments. They fit my schedule. If faced with a choice of 24 board tournaments, or 12 board tournaments with half (or less) the current level of masterpoint awards, I'd greatly prefer the 12 boarders. The main reasons I like the tournaments is that: 1) They are so much more convenient than ftf, especially for someone with my schedule, and 2) While the fields aren't strong, they are a lot better than random MBC opponents. If I cared more about the integrity of masterpoint awards, I might share Adam's conclusion. But I don't. Peter

"I believe we are in a 40-60 year long war on terrorism. A real full blown war with death and bombs. A war that our children and grandchildren will fight and die in. I believe there will be many ups and downs over the years. I think our post Bagdad plans were nonexistant and almost not one of our leaders has been called out for this disgrace." I mostly agree with this. The war, however, won't (shouldn't) be with countries. Al Quaeda and its allies aren't governments, and in fact they hate Arab governments. We need to do two things: pursue and kill these people, and change our policies so that on the long run they attract fewer converts. Both are important, but in the long run the second is more important. "I do not think America is a mass murderer. I would hate America if I thought that is what our country does and stands for. To say such a thing and truly believe it and to do nothing about it leaves me cold." I don't see how you can ignore or mischaracterize some of our actions like this, but then there are lots of things I don't understand. BTW, I am NOT saying that on an individual basis we are more or less murderous than citizens of other countries, nor am I saying that we are the only (or the worst) country in that regard. It is futile to deny reality, however. "I believe many prefer to blame America as being at fault for 9/11 among most other things and would not mind to see America lose, however you want to define it." I don't know anyone who believes the U.S. is primarily responsible for or deserving of 9/11. It is, however, obvious to me (and others) that the reckless, violent, racist Mideast foreign policy we have pursued over the last 50-60 years has left us open to radical Islamic attacks, and that the same policy is partially responsible for the strength of the radical Islamic movement. Our main priority should be to change this misguided (and bipartisan) policy. This wouldn't make things better overnight, but it would make the coming decades less bad than they otherwise will be. To deny that the flaws in our Mideast policy has played a significant role in the development of radical Islam isn't patriotism - it is IMO a very self-destructive form of insanity. "I do believe we are at war with "radical Islamics" who love Death not "fundamental Islamics". " I don't think it's quite that simple (history, geography, and economics play big roles, and there are many Arabs who are somewhat Anti-American, but who are susceptible to having their minds changed), but I agree that the people we have to woory about mostly fit your description. Peter

"I see we as having 2 choices....victory or cut and run while trying to do the least amount of damage, which may not be possible." What is your strategy for victory? Come on, Mike, you ask a lot of questions, state your own position. Peter

"I was only trying to answer Phil's question of what will the Repubs do...." That's Peter, actually :) My question was political as well as policy. The Republicans made hay on Iraq in 2002 and 2004, then got absolutely whacked this year. "What should A do now?" is an interesting question for political junkies such as myself, regardless of political leanings. "Cut and walk" is a stupid, half-assed course of action, with no realistic chance of success (if the prersent level of troops aren't holding Iraq together, then gradually reducing them sure won't), but one which is fairly likely to be embraced by the Republicans. Also by the Democrats, but that's a different thread :) Peter

1H. I open 4M more than many players, but the good 4 spades argue strongly against it. Switch spades and a minor, and I bid 4H like a shot. 4H is reasonable, though, and I wouldn't be upset with a partner who bid it. Peter

"Incidentally this will be an highly unpopular opinion, but I would not worry about cheaters on BBO at all. If someone is so pathetic a human being that they resort to cheating in order to bolster their ego, then let them. After all as Nick points out, there are no sheep stations at stake here." I agree with this 100%. Peter

"IF you want the USA to win then you can define victory, if you need other people to define it for you ...they are avoiding the question." If it walks like a duck and talks like a duck, it's a duck :rolleyes: The reason I ask is that Bush's definition of victory changed over time, there is obviously more than one definition. There is now a civil war going on. Which side are we rooting for? Apparently, the side which likes Iran. Peter

What do you think it will be? Do you think the party can afford to go into the 2008 elections with large numbers of troops still in Iraq? Personally, I think "cut and walk" will be the choice... So much more dignified than "cut and run", don't you think? Peter

"I do not know how you can say this. Vietnam was much more so......" Yes, and your point is? "All I here about Iraq is people either want victory or they avoid the question....." I haven't heard you answer your own question. Do you think victory is possible, and if so how? In another thread, you didn't answer another question of mone, which is how do you define victory? "btw do you guys really believe Americans are mass murderers?" Sometimes yes, along with most other countries at some point in their histories. Vietnam and Iraq are recent examples of war crimes, more recent than those of many countries. Peter

"In any event does anyone really believe Iran does not murder Americans in Iraq?" No, but.. In any event does anyone really believe the U.S. does not murder Iraqis in Iraq? We have even less right than Iran to intervene in Iraqi affairs. Iraq is their neighbor, and (with U.S. aid and encouragement) Iraq invaded Iran. We have absolutely no room to talk when it comes to mass murder. Peter

Per Potter Stewart, "I know it when I see it". I see no difference in the definition at or away from the table. Peter

"But I must accept, that in the club, there are more and more social players. They are the overwhelming majority. So the good players leave the club one after the other and play online." Actually, where I play, many of them are getting too old to play or die. It seems to me that good ftf bridge club games will be mostly gone in 10-15 years. I'm not sure whether there will be good (organized) online games to replace them. As to the social/competitive split, I'm somewhat in the middle on this. I think: 1. Duplicate bridge needs rules, 2. There is a case that the rules could be somewhat relaxed, and 3. The behavior of some experienced players towards infractions of rules (or partner mistakes, etc) is terrible, and drives players (not just inexperienced players) away from ftf bridge in droves. Peter

Difficult. On a scale of 10: 3C: 8 3NT: 5 Double, then clubs: 4 Anything else: 0 Peter

3S is clear. How many tricks is that spade suit worth on defense? Peter

Taking 3H as a limit raise in diamonds, I bid 5D. On a more optimistic day, I cue 4H. Peter

I double, but 4S is acceptable, though you will miss slams occasionally. 1S is a big underbid. Peter

"Personally, I think that this election boiled down to a question of competance. I think that candidates that were able to articulate strong, principled, internally consistent positions did well regardless of whether they were liberals or conservatives, which gives me some faint hope." The election was primarily about Iraq. Without Iraq, the Democrats would have won in 2002 and 2004 (though probably narrowly in both cases). The Republicans used "soft on Saddam/terror" nonsense both times quite skillfully to win an election where other factors went against them. Without Iraq, I think voters would have handed the Republicans back some of the seats they would have lost in 2002 and 2004, and sent President Kerry a message that he needs to do more to improve wages for working people - after all, that was the main issue of the 2004 campaign, wasn't it? ;) Peter

I understand opening 2S with this hand (I might do it, even at unfavorable), but not passing and later bidding 2S. If I'm going to climb out on a limb, I want to do so before the opps aquire a saw. Peter