RA1

There is no doubt that the "animal" side of humans has natural as well as un-natural tendencies. For instance, I do not consider murdering one or both of your parents "natural". But, as they say, looking is not against the law and neither is any arrangement agreed upon in advance between partners. Charlie PSP- I did not mean to ask a personal question. Please forgive me. Best regards, RA1

Russia and China "posing" just about says it all. Not that the official US is above same. Is "false confidence" better than no confidence at all? Right now I have less than zero confidence but then I never did have much more than zero. Best regards, RA1

Charlie- Do you claim your genes made you do it? Best regards, RA1

I completely agree with the thrust of this article. Expectation can supersede virtually all else. I have played this little game several times with folks who can afford expensive wines and others who just like to drink wine. A well chosen $12 bottle of wine was enjoyed just as much as a $100 bottle of wine when no mention of price was made. We may as well revert to something similar to Robbie the robot sampling the "rotgut" provided by the cook (Forbidden Planet) and then produced gallons and gallons of the stuff. Best regards, RA1

The list of countries being considered might not be as "bad" as they appear at first glance. My choice would be Iceland partly because I have spent a lot of time there. However, with Chavez gone and the Castros about to be gone, both Cuba and Venezuela likely will be very different countries within Snowden's natural life span. Eucador should be fine now. Obviously what they all have in common is no extradition treaty with the US. Otherwise, they are very different from each other. Best regards, RA1

This post suggests that monogamy can derive from one's gene pool. However, unlike homosexuality, monogamy more likely comes from adapting and using standards of human conduct whether based upon morality, religion or even fear. Don't blame me for my infidelity, blame my genes. Too easy. As mentioned there are many possible sources for being married from companionship to raising little workers for the farm to avoiding disease to actually being in love. It can be reduced to simple economics or raised to passionate love. But, they are all sociological in nature. Regardless of how many have strayed, virtually all of the social mechanisms offer some sort of redemption. Good. Best regards, RA1

What reporters? They are so few and far between, when you find one, please latch onto him or her and praise them at every opportunity. (I know you do.) The safest cities and the most dangerous ones are just a matter of statistics. But statistics are a matter of exposure, are they not? A wide place in the road with 100 population is less likely to do you in than a city of 1 million, no? However, one bullet, one knife, one hatchet, one hammer or the like used on you personally could have the same negative effect regardless of the relative population. So, be careful when in a crowd, defined as you + one or more other folks. Best regards, RA1

I don't think the question is, is Snowden a hero so much as it is, is Snowden a patriot? Heroes are made, not born; patriots have to decide where their interests lie. Best regards, RA1

I think some sex is pretty verbal. At least, noisy. Best regards, RA1

Of course. Best regards, RA1

I never felt threatened in FNT (Flint, MI) even though it was a fairly near suburb of DTW (Detroit). But then I never felt threatened in DTW either, largely for the same reasons Charlie PSP mentions. Also, as mentioned before, keep moving. Where have I felt threatened? Well, one time I delivered a small aircraft to a VW dealer in a suburb of PHL. He was very nice, did not present any problems, took me to the "inner sanctum" of the dealership (upstairs) where every thing going on could be observed, gave me a VW "racing jacket" and paid in cash. So far, so good. Then he bade me good-bye, "gave" me a clean up guy in an old pick-up truck and told him to take me to PHL. It was dark and I had 30,000 in cash and an "unknown" ride. Made me a little nervous but it was all up and up. However, when I arrived at PHL, there was a LOT of construction going on and walking from one terminal to another with nothing but dimly lit temporary lights and canvas between me and the elements once more aroused my WTF gene. Actually no problems other than my mind being cautious. BTW, a VW racing jacket then was a light blue overall jacket with vertical red and white stripes. I liked it but it was not my size. Best regards, RA1

Younger is better, isn't it? Best regards, RA1

If you never watch TV the only ways you could see an entire NBA game would be at a bar or friend's house or in person. Best regards, RA1

The only constant is change. Nextel, which I have had for 12 years mostly through inertia, is discontinuing last day of June so I was forced to choose something else. I suppose one thing to be grateful for is that there are many email selections that are still free of fees. Of course, adverts and the like pay the freight so some time is likely "wasted" in using them. Still........ Best regards, RA1

I thought black sheep made all the money (even if some of it illegally). I go to Kentucky a lot on business, mostly small towns in eastern KY but sometimes to such as Louisville. The terrain is pretty and I find the folks to be friendly. I used to think KY was just some place to overfly on the way from TN to elsewhere. Funny how your perspective and opinion changes when you spend some time somewhere, isn't it? Best regards, RA1

The media: Another example of technology run amok? One person or agency or network "sort of" "reports" something and the rest just spend their time and money agreeing or disagreeing, little real news gathering, never mind reporting. As had been said many times for many years, the news reader at 6 PM is so and so. I would prefer two tailed lobsters, thank you very much. Best regards, RA1

Has anyone really denied they are doing this or have they mainly just said it is legal to do so. Yes, I have heard BO make his pronouncements but for all I know that just mean he personally is not listening (to our conversations or much of anything else). No one has denied that they have the capability of doing what they are being accused of, have they? The entire "defense" seems to be, what we are doing is legal, we aren't doing what you think we are doing and anyone who disagrees is a traitor and doing something illegal themselves. Classic misdirection and political pandering. Best regards, RA1

Three choices: I either did not make the association implied, I don't remember it or it happened during the first 40 years and is therefore mostly irrelevant. Best regards, RA1

Maybe her rotten, two spoiled sons have off put you on her as well. "Fame" only goes so far. At some point one has to actually do something aka produce. Best regards, RA1

I think he might enjoy being SA's cell mate for a while, except for the cell part but I don't know him well enough to make that determination for sure. Best regards, RA1

It was a few years ago but I am pretty sure the front counter at the buffet was selling various spices she used. I may have known what it was then but I have forgotten now (somewhat on purpose). The flavor was identifiable in "everything" from the shrimp sauce to mashed potatoes to roast beef, etc. It was somewhat subtle but, in aggregate, eventually overwhelming, at least to me. It was pretty unreal how it took what I consider to be ordinarily good food and turned it not nasty but undesirable. Best regards, RA1

I wondered about this gal from the first time I saw her on TV a few years ago. She seemed, among other things, just too "local" to me. Then, when a casino nearby signed a contract for her food to be featured in their buffet restaurant, I sort of "had" to try it out. What I "discovered" was she used a "secret" ingredient in a LOT of her food and I was unable to abide eating it. Therefore I do not chastise her for using rude and racial remarks ( bad enough) but I do so for featuring food NOT Southern and "bad" for everyone. We all can make mistakes and use language inappropriate or that we actually do not mean but few of us can build a "career" upon something in totality very seriously notionally inept. Best regards, RA1

Personally, I have found the next 40 to be harder. Mentally, not physically. And, no, I am not 80 and working on my third 40. Best regards, RA1

How come Right is wrong and Left is right? Why is the west coast the Left coast when they both are? Except of course, for the South coast which is Right. Best regards, RA1

That was great. Best regards, RA1