pbleighton

"Absolutely yes. If there was an important question about nuclear physics which had scientists divided, I would not take sides without having read the research myself." What is the level of your scientific training? It must be very advanced. I had college-level physics and math, and I would never presume to second-guess a strong consensus (which is the case, "divided" is accurate but incomplete) in a highly technical field such as climatology or nuclear physics. One of my best friends is a molecular biologist, and after many conversations with him, I wouldn't do it in that field either. Peter

"If you want to know about global warming, you will have to go and read the reasearch, and decide whether you agree with the scientists' methodology and (if so) their conclusions. The information we think we're getting is really the result of a massive screening process: first of all by the individual scientist who wants to illustrate his own theory in the best possible way; then by the wider scientific community which decides which scientists are fashionable; then by the media who pick out whatever they think will appeal to their readers; and now by posters on BBF who pick out the media reports which suit whatever reason they have for posting. I'll bet that the end result of this process bears little relation to the reality. " Do you feel this way about nuclear physics, or molecular biology, or... Peter

http://www.cnn.com/2006/TECH/science/04/25...reut/index.html

"If i take out the majors i would increse the range. 11-15 or something like that could work imo" Then 1D promises a 4 card major and denies a 5 card major, 2m = 6+, or 5-4ms, and denies a 4 card major, and you have Matchpoint Precision (or something like it). Peter

Assuming 4NT is quantitative, 6NT (I bet I am missing something). I would have bid 3C my second time, in spite of my spade void. Peter

3D. 5C. If playing light openings, I would bid 1S. 3C. Peter

2D, I have nice diamond support and not much else. If pd has made a minimum strength off-shape double, maybe this hand will enlighten him ;) Peter

Hotshot: You are in the second seat, dealer opens 1S, you have KQxxx-A9xx-AKx-x. I routinely bid with hands which would make most players shudder, but I would pass here. What is your call? If you double, what do you do when pd bids 2C? Peter

1S then 2D. 3D would be OK. I do not hide 5 card majors, even this one. Peter

"I would try 2♥ and see what happens. In -THEORY- dbl and then hearts might be correct but in practice I think that bidding 2♥ with such a good suit can't be very bad. So I would experiment bidding 2♥." Agree, though it is close. 2H is an overbid, but if you double, you will never be able to convince pd you have this suit. Peter

Helene, another reason: We have not experienced a war on our soil in 140 years. Most European countries experienced far greater harm from the world wars than we did. I think that, in general, Europeans are more knowlegeable about the dreadful realities of war than are Americans. In the first Gulf War, I knew people who couldn't wait to rush home from work so that they could see the "cool" news. It was as if they were watching a movie with great special effects. They were good people. They just didn't connect the news with what was actually happening on the ground. We are in general a good nation (in some respects a very good one), but great military power and naivete are a bad combination. Maybe Iraq will teach us a lesson, and maybe it will stick for a while. Peter

5C, not really close for me. Mikeh reasons very well, but more simply: They might make, we might make, we both might make, and I'm void in their ten card trump suit. "Also, I am slowly learning that it really is a bidder's game: even when they should be able to take you for a number, somehow active bidding in relatively unlimited auctions survives more than it ought to" Agree, but in my case it might be the only bridge lesson I have ever really learned. I just LOVE getting away with stuff. Some little boys.... Peter

"Fighting the symptoms is not going to solve the problem" Well put. Peter

"Let Old Europe and and all the Old countries keep these people out, let Japan keep their race pure, so they will come here" This was my experience in California. Peter

"No to be honest I have not seen any good polls on this question in the USA. I see many on Iraq or how people hate Bush but none on the general question I first posted regarding War and is it critical we win it or not. Can you post any?" You wrote "Many including the President call it a War, a real, full blown war. I can only assume since he was reelected, but barely, that at least 51% considered it a real full War " In other words, you used Bush' reelection (popularity) as a proxy for whether people "considered it a real full War". It was in that context that I reminded you that Bush' popularity has gone way down. Additionally, the "war on terror", if there is one, is in real terms primarily Iraq (according to Bush anyway), and the polls I have seen show solid majorities now believe that the Iraq war has made us less safe, not more safe. But to answer your question, no, I have not seen any polls where your direct question was asked. Peter

"I can only assume since he was reelected, but barely, that at least 51% considered it a real full War" 1. You are only talking about the U.S. 2. Read the polls lately? Peter

"Do you truly believe the World is in a World War on Terrorism " No. Terrorism is a technique used by the militarily weaker side. This goes back thousands of years. The American revolutionaries slaughtered British families in their beds. The British, of course, considerd them savages. The U.S. funded, armed, and trained Al Quaeda in Afghansistan, when the Russians invaded. One man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter. "If you answer NO to either question then what the USA is doing must seem close to insane or genocide?" Yes. Insane. "Does anyone intend to see the movie next week Flight 93?" Depends on the reviews. I'm open to it, but if it is a standard Hollywood disaster movie, then I have no interest. Peter

"I live in a border state so I see the effects of this issue on a daily basis." Yeah, I lived in California too (for 18 years, right out of college), and this is what formed my opinions on this issue. Peter

"We cannot complain if kamikaze attacks us with the only means they have (kamikaze attacks) if we have no scruples bombing them, especially when we all know most of the issue revolves around oil and not humanitarian reasons." Chamaco, you obviously underestimate the power of denial. Peter

This post is written from the U.S. perspective. Others are welcome, I know that immigration is an issue in Europe, for example. Certain members of the Republican Party have recently been pushing harsh measures on illegal immigration (this could well be the result of their polling difficulties). These are primarily directed at the (mostly Mexican) immigrants who come over the Mexican border. There has also been a tightening up of legal immigration over the last five years. Illegal immigrants have been a fact of life, and of our economy, for decades. It is IMO a demand side problem - jobs are available up here which, while at the bottom of our economy, pay many times what is available in their countries. There has been a dual view in the U.S. - we have accepted the economic benefits of low wage imported labor, while a majority of the population has resented the people who do the work. There is also a historic resentment against the current crop of legal immigrants - see the attitudes against the Irish, Italians, etc. There is a large racial component in the attitudes of many of the harshest critics of the illegal immigrants, but the number of reasons is long. The negative measures proposed include legal sanctions against illegal immigrants, against people and companies who hire them, and building a 1,500 mile U.S. version of the Berlin Wall (they don't call it that, but that is what it would be) along the Mexican border. I don't think there is an "immigration problem" myself (though I would prefer to see legal immigration and work visas made far easier - for one thing, get rid of the current quotas - this would get rid of most illegal immigration), but a majority of voters disagree, and so therefore some legislation will probably be passed this year (it is likely to be both offensive and ineffectual, but that's politics). Do you think there is a problem, and if so, what do you think should be done about it? Peter

I would have bid 5C instead of 5H (4S is possible, as well). Now I am confused B) I greatly prefer to "involve partner", to have her make these decisions, instead of me. Given the auction, I pass. Peter

3S clear. Peter

1S, 3S, and 4S could all be right. Since it is favorable at IMPs, I am bidding 4S. I would have no quarrel with a pd who bid differently. Peter

Yes, I would double in both of these situations at matchpoints. I would also double in the second situation at IMPs, though it is close. Full disclosure: my doubles don't always work ;) I used to be a cautious doubler, then I developed a taste for blood. The judgement thing hasn't quite caught up, though. Peter

I am looking for information on this system (I believe they are the same, maybe not). Does anyone have information? Peter