Turkey in radical revision of Islamic texts

Turkey recently announced that it is preparing to reinterpret Islam. Much like Catholicism and Judaism, Islam was founded thousands of years ago through common ancestry. The teachings of all three are based on beliefs and superstitions of people who have no knowledge of what we know to be true today. To them, a Bic lighter, a commuter jet, a telephone and such would seem "miraculous" to them. I am not saying that the word of Allah, God, Jehovah, is wrong. The words still speak a truth to countless billions. The underlying words will still apply, however, the interpretations of those passages should not be based on beliefs of mortal men from ages past. All religion should change and grow with society. Perhaps if they did, we may truly have peace in this world.

God bless Turkey in taking this first step. May all religions follow their brave path.

UCI may shun Paris-Nice

In the ongoing fued between the UCI and ASO (race organizers of the Tour de France), UCI president Pat McQuaid has stated that the UCI may withdraw support for the storied Paris-Nice race, also run by ASO. This fued stems from ASO's refusal to invite defending Tour de France winner, Alberto Contrador and his Astana team.

For those of you who don't know, the Astana team has suffered many dopping allegations of it's riders for both the 2006 and 2007 race season. Although I do not aupport performance enhancing drugs in cycling, Astana is the same team in name only. At the end of 2007, Astana replaced team management and all riders suspected of dopping. It has instituted extremely tight doppiing controls and as such, is probably one of the cleanest teams in Europe.

So why is ASO banning them from their races? It is my opinion that ASO is tired of the domination of teams run by Johan Bruyneel, winners of the last 8 Tour de Frances. Could it be because there hasn't been a French winner since 1985? Your guess is as good as mine. Perhaps French racers are not good enough to compete as they once could. This is no reason to ban a past Tour de France champion. If this ban stands, the Tour will forever be sullied in the eyes of the world. Come on France. Wake up!

Scot smashes world cycle record

And I think that the 100 mile Centuries I do are long rides. This guy rode around the world in 195 days.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/edinburgh_and_east/7245381.stm

Winning the hearts & minds

The US went into Iraq to help the Iraqi people. We destryoed their country and now wonder why the population is trying to kill our soldiers. What's the old military saying "We had to destroy the village in order to save it!" This is how the US should be helping Iraq. Why is it that these acts of kindness have to be done through individuals and not the government?

http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/meast/02/13/iraq.wheelchairs/index.html

Huckabee keeps on running, but why?

Don't get me wrong. I am all for the underdog. It's no coincidence, just look at my avatar on my profile. Yup, that's Underdog alright. What I can't understand is why Mike Huckabee keeps running in the Republican Primary race. He really has no chance of defeating Senator John McCain. Just think of the millions of dollars in advertising and general campaign expenses he is racking up. He should put that to better use. Maybe feeding the hungry, housing the homeless, increasing the literacy rate. He is from Arkansas after all! Mike, do the honorable thing and bow out! Oh, and could you come to New Hampshire and pick up all your political signs your supporters have have littered the highway with?

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/election2008/story/27578.html

High school calls all 2,550 students to detention

After reading this article, I couldn't help remembering my high school days at Coyle Cassidy HS, a Catholic school in Taunton, Mass. For those of you who are not familiar with Catholic school, think discipline. I spent many an afternoon wasting away the hours after school for some nefarious infraction such as not having my top button done, talking in class, chewing gum or some other such nonsense. There was nothing worse than sitting in Home Room before classes started listening to the morning annoucements with the Vice Principal reading the names of those who had to report to detention. Many was the time the announcements would finish and I would think that I was safe, only to hear my name read over the intercom as an after thought. Thank God I was never caught for any of the real infractions I was guilty of. ...but don't tell my children!!!

http://www.usatoday.com/news/offbeat/2008-02-12-fla-students_N.htm?se=yahoorefer

Deep freeze hits U.S. northeast

Somehow the weather in New Hampshire, although cold, rainy and icy, just doesn't seem so bad when you realize that International Falls, MN, now know as the Icebox of the Nation, hit -40 degrees!! Is that Celsius or Fahrenheit you might ask? Well, at that temperature it is the same for either.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/weather/02/11/minnesota.cold.ap/index.html

Clemens says he got B-12 shots; ex-trainer claims steroids

It is about time that the world wake up and smell the roses and investigate sports other than cycling for perfomance enhancing drugs. With the money involved at these levels, and the performance expectations of these athletes, I would be very surprised if there wasn't drug use.

Barry Bonds was one of the biggest users and should not be credited with the home run record. Roger Clemmons would not have gotten so many Cy Young awards without a little juice. If he is found to lie under oath, he should receive the stiffest penalty under the law. These athletes, whether they like it or not, serve as role models for our kids. They MUST be held to a higher level. I think the punishments should be at least as severe as those in cycling. It's the least they can do!



http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/02/13/steroids.baseball/index.html

Crowded out of half my airline seat

I recently saw this article on CNN's website. I have encountered this situation many times. I fly up and down the eatern seaboard for my job. Airline travel is difficult and stressful enough without having to feel crowded in your seat for long periods of time.

I am sorry that fate, genetics or too many trips to McDonalds have made some passengers too large to fit in the seat, but that is not my fault. I should not be held responsible by being forced to contort myself in order to accomodate some extra large individual. They absolutely should have to purchase an additional seat!!

http://www.cnn.com/2008/TRAVEL/traveltips/02/08/airline.seat/index.html

Iraqi women must cover hair, skip blush -- or die

The sign in the city center warns women that they'd better adhere to Muslim teachings or face the penalty. And all around the Iraqi city of Basra, women are showing up dead -- many beaten and beheaded. Some have been strangled to death, their faces disfigured; others beheaded. All bear signs of torture.

This is why the US should just stay out of the mideast. We, as a country, will never be able to effect change when people in these countries value life so cheaply. You can not reason with anyone who's beleif in their religion is so litteral that they would kill a woman for wearing make-up. I say the US just stay home and let the rest of the world go to hell!

http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/meast/02/08/iraq.women/index.html

Police to present alleged kidney ring mastermind

And all this time you thought it was an Urban Legend!!!

http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/02/08/kidney.arrest/index.html

Atlantis en route to space station

No matter how many times they launch a shuttle, I will always be amazed. What an awesome thing. I had the opportunity to see a night launch from Disney World in Orlando. Although it was 90 miles away, you would not believe how bright it made the night sky. Truly an awe inspiring sight!

http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/space/02/07/spaceshuttle.ap/index.html

CIA chief names 3 subjected to waterboarding

"It was used on Khalid Sheikh Mohammed. It was used on Abu Zubayda, and it was used on [Abd al-Rahim] al-Nashiri," CIA Director Michael Hayden told a Senate hearing.

Waterboarding involves strapping a person to a surface, covering his face with cloth and pouring water on the face to imitate the sensation of drowning. Critics have called it torture.

"The CIA has not used waterboarding for almost five years. We used it against these three high-valued detainees because of the circumstances of the time," Hayden said.

Why is it news when the US does things like this. Most countries subject prisoners to torture. The US shouldn't the only one required to play by the rules. I say give back what we get.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/02/05/terror.threat/index.html

The Tour de Cure - Kennebunk, ME June 22, 2008

I recently accepted the challenge of cycling in the American Diabetes Association's Tour de Cure fund-raising event for the third time. The Tour de Cure is a series of cycling events held in over 80 cities nationwide. The Tour is a ride, not a race; it features different route lengths from a leisurely 10-mile course to a demanding 100-mile journey. I will be riding 100 kilometers. Click here to visit my personal page.

If the text above does not appear as a clickable link, you can visit the web address:http://main.diabetes.org/site/TR/TourdeCure/TDC019028030?px=4024232&pg=personal&fr_id=4995&et=SMzqo79O9IKRlLYka6VFUQ..&s_tafId=165949

I am asking you to help by supporting my fund-raising efforts with a donation. Your tax-deductible gift will make a difference in the lives of more than 20 million Americans who suffer from diabetes and another 54 million people in the United States with pre-diabetes.It's fast and easy to support this great cause - you can make your donation online by selecting the "Click to Support Me" link above. Any amount, great or small, helps in the fight against this deadly disease.

I greatly appreciate your support and will keep you posted on my progress. If you want to do even more to help, please consider joining me in this great event. Our efforts will help set the pace in the fight against diabetes. For more information on Tour de Cure, please visit www.diabetes.org/tour.

FBI wants palm prints, eye scans, tattoo mapping

It's 1984 all over again! George Orwell was right! I am all for stopping terrorist before they start but there has to be some happy medium before personal freedoms are trampled on.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/02/04/fbi.biometrics/index.html

So true!

Never use your face as a brake pad.-Jake Watson What more can I add to that???

You Know You're a Real Bicyclist When....

1. You think that working on your bike is almost as much fun as riding it
2. At some point you caught yourself wondering if your bike might look good if you added fenders
3. You discover that you have forgotten to remove your reflective ankle straps hours after you have arrived somewhere by bicycle
4. You would recognize that threaded washer from a Presta valve stem anywhere
5. You KNOW what a Presta valve is
6. You make decisions about car purchases based on which one more easily accepts a rooftop bicycle rack
7. You skip that last beer because there is a group ride the next morning
8. You own any kind of purple annodized bicycle accessory
9. Colorado Cyclist sent you a Christmas card last year
10. Your bicycle(s) are worth more than your automobile
11. You know what the difference is between Ultrasensor, Core-Tech, and Microfiber jersey materials
12. "Once you try bibs, baby, you'll never go back!"
13. You can tell your significant other with a straight face that its too hot to mow the lawn then take off and ride a century.
14. Your bike rack and attachments are worth more than your car.
15. You pull up hard on the steering wheel trying to jump your car over a pot-hole
16, The first thing you ask when you regain consciousness is "How's my bike?"
17. You actually move farther from work so your bike commute will be longer.
18. You take a perverse pride in your mid-thigh and mid-bicep tan lines, and even more in that funny little circle on the back of your hand
19. Your learn you have some money left over after paying bills and the first thing you do is reach for the nearest bicycling catalog
20. Most of the tools you own are made by Park or Blackburn
21. Someone in a car asks for directions and you give them a route that bypasses freeways and busy surface streets

Yosemite & Alaska

These are some photos I took last year in Alaska & Yosemite

Some photos I have taken

This was from an airshow I went to this Summer in Portsmouth, NH.

Democrats Change tone

Democratic rivals Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama spent their last debate before next week's Super Tuesday contests pointing out differences on Iraq, health care and the economy -- but without all of the finger-pointing that's marked their campaigns. Are we looking at an Obama/Clinton ticket. Oh the horror!!!http://cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/01/31/debate.main/index.html