Althouse: What is John McCain's favorite form of exercise?

November 19, 2009

What is John McCain's favorite form of exercise?

Wading!

(Page 286 of "Going Rogue," by Sarah Palin.)

70 comments:

John Stodder said...: Do you think she meant that as a kind of literary symbol to convey his lack of commitment to conservative ideals?

Or is she just talking about aquacise?

wv: exindbra = under-garment worn by your former spouse's sister.; 11/19/09, 12:32 PM
former law student said...: A form of resistance exercise like water aerobics?

I'm going to wait to read it till it's on the remainder table.; 11/19/09, 12:36 PM
JohnAnnArbor said...: Water resistance can provide good exercise, especially if you're injured, older, etc.; 11/19/09, 12:38 PM
Bissage said...: I wonder if Senator McCain ever did a photo shoot for “Wader’s World.”; 11/19/09, 12:41 PM
JohnAnnArbor said...: I mean, I hope this isn't mocking. The man can't raise his arms above a certain level and has other mobility issues related to having the crap kicked out of him by Communist vermin.; 11/19/09, 12:46 PM
rcocean said...: Our dogs like wading. But they don't like getting their bellies wet.

Kinda like John McCain.; 11/19/09, 12:49 PM
Shanna said...: "Wading" is a weird way to put it. Is she talking about walking through water, like some people doing running through the water?; 11/19/09, 12:52 PM
traditionalguy said...: John, the Crazy One, McCain liked to put his toe into the water and demand perfect compromises under his leadership skills before going in. A truly great Senator. But the frontier girl seems to be more like a Tennessee politician of some skill named Davy, Crockett. Davy a Jackson supporter of course, famously said about politics, "first be sure that you are right,and then jump in with both feet".That slogan was updated some by George S Patton who said "Never take counsel of your fears, or your fears will be making your plans for you".; 11/19/09, 1:01 PM
Skyler said...: I don't much care for John McCain, but if anyone is mocking him for getting exercise, that's really too much.

Whether you like him or not, he's quite old and infirm from injuries that are more horrific than most people you might know. The fact that he tries to get any exercise at all should be commended.

I don't know the context that Palin mentions this, but your bald announcement without any context leaves this whole issue a mystery.

Why is it important to point out that Palin mentions this?; 11/19/09, 1:10 PM
Meade said...: I think he said "waiting" and she misheard him.; 11/19/09, 1:12 PM
Meade said...: Btw, as I'm sure you recall, Ramsey Lewis recorded a superb Wade in the Water in 1965.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xE7rxL_x9d8&feature=related; 11/19/09, 1:16 PM
Meade said...: and an excellent version, a cappella, from my old stomping grounds:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhjGzBCOw88&feature=related; 11/19/09, 1:21 PM
The Drill SGT said...: JohnAnnArbor said...
I mean, I hope this isn't mocking. The man can't raise his arms above a certain level and has other mobility issues related to having the crap kicked out of him by Communist vermin.

When he was shot down he had both arms and 1 leg broken.

After he was pulled from the water, his shoulder was crushed by a rifle butt and he was bayonetted in the abdoman.

Later, the NVA bastards, used his broken limbs to torture him and set them incorrectly on purpose to cripple him.

then of course there were the beatings and stress positions, which were just normal abuse.

whatever you think of McCain's politics, his service and courage was outstanding.

You folks ought to be embarassed.; 11/19/09, 1:21 PM
John Stodder said...: Whoah. Are we sure this was meant as mockery? I don't have the book, so I can't tell.; 11/19/09, 1:27 PM
rhhardin said...: The Rio Grande, I assume.; 11/19/09, 1:28 PM
rcocean said...: I'd be embarrassed to mock McCain - if his supporters haven't spent the last 47 years telling us what a "War Hero" he was. Over and Over and Over again.

And using it to get elected Senator and nominated as POTUS. He's milked it long enough.; 11/19/09, 1:37 PM
vbspurs said...: I don't have the book, so I can't tell.

Did Ann mention it as a mocking anecdote by Palin? No. I'm not sure why people are jumping to that conclusion.

From the book page Ann handily posted:

"Meanwhile Cindy McCain broached the good idea of moving the debate prep to their ranch in Arizona. Todd went on ahead with the kids, and I planned to meet them there. I looked forward to seeing the comfortable home again where McCain family artwork adorned the walls. And especially getting to visit the creek: John once told a reporter that he liked to pursue his favorite form of exercise there: wading. The whole aura of the ranch was so refreshing that I asked if I could move the debate podiums outdoors."

...so you see, not even a hint of mockery.

But what's up with the McCain's hanging their own artwork on their walls? My dad did that with my first drawings, in kindergarten. :)

Cheers,
Victoria; 11/19/09, 1:41 PM
Aridog said...: I'm of conflicted opinion about Palin. First I despised her long before he VP candidacy, becasue of her wildlife policies that are absurd in a wilderness. For example: do you really need to shoot and kill wolves from aircraft over a trackless wilderness? Heck, do you need to kill anything from aircraft if it's not attacking you and yours?

I wasn't real impressed with her quitting the executive position she held on the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission. Why quit? After little more than a year? Stick around and make a positive impact.

Then, because McCain choose her, I figured there was more to her than I'd previously thought, so I supported her and my better half volunteered for the McCain/Palin campaign here. Then McCain & Palin bailed on Michigan. Palin said she'd come back...but didn't until she was on book tour, then to Dick De Vos "Amway country" where her Republican support (De Vos was near mute) was nearly zero in 2008. And she is not going to come back here, the Detroit Metro area, where she had the largest volunteer group who adored her.

I'm a "recovering Democrat" who kicked it in 2004 when "Lurch" (Winter Soldier)Kerry was nominated. As a veteran, from the same time and place, I felt to vomit over his hearsay war stories which he swore to before Congress...the man never saw a day in infantry in his life, nor had any clue what the grunt ROE's were.

Given that background of change I wasn't surprised by Palin's no show here, it seems de rigor in politics. Talk is it, no whiskey. Like Kerry. Then she up and quits the Governorship, too....apparently to write her book and then go on tour. Seems like when the heat in the kitchen gets hot, she bails for the living room. But maybe that's just me.

I will buy and read her book...at least it might keep my domestic peace, so to speak. I'm of the opinion currently that Palin picks her sound bytes to fit an audience...like a cheer leader. I'd like to be wrong, of course.

At this point, let's just say if she's nominated and elected for POTUS, we'd all best pay attention to who she takes along for VP...if she quits again.

I'd still like to know why she and Ken Salazar, Interior Secretary under Obama, are of one mind on wildlife and conservation. Maybe that will be in the book too.; 11/19/09, 1:44 PM
vbspurs said...: BTW, to show you how much I am tripling thinking anything tied to Palin, I actually had to go back and edit the word I typed: favorite.

I used reflexively the British spelling with the extra "u", but when I proofread it, I took it out JUST in case some Sullivan-wannabe saw this and said, "What the hell? Palin's so mannered, pretending to be British with that spelling."

And before you know it, it's a tempest in a teapot, a nonstory in the blogosphere...; 11/19/09, 1:44 PM
JohnAnnArbor said...: Thanks for the quote, Victoria.

Why the big deal and exclamation point, Professor? Palin was not mocking him.; 11/19/09, 1:47 PM
vbspurs said...: About the wolf thing, it's like foxhunting: what seems cruel to those who cannot fathom such treatment to any animal, is actually very sensible to those who live the countryside reality.

I cannot tell anyone how to feel about this practise, but I have countryside roots in the UK, and I know from experience that wildlife is not cute and cuddly -- it's vicious and their control is deeply helpful to other species.

Here is the 2003 CNN article on the topic:

"ANCHORAGE, Alaska (Reuters) -- Alaska hunters will be allowed to shoot wolves from aircraft for the first time since 1972 under a plan approved this week by the state Board of Game.

The board, which sets policy for state wildlife management, authorized the aerial wolf control program in limited parts of interior Alaska where local hunters say populations of moose and other game have been depleted.

"We've seen both wolf numbers increase dramatically and prey populations -- moose and caribou -- decrease dramatically," said Mike Fleagle, the board's chairman on Tuesday."; 11/19/09, 1:50 PM
vbspurs said...: JohnAnnArbor wrote:

Why the big deal and exclamation point, Professor? Palin was not mocking him.

I'm guessing because it's such an unusual exercise "hobby" to have.

In Scotland, one wears these whilst wading. In fact, they're properly termed "waders".

Does McCain wear them, I wonder, or does he rough it and just use shorts? :); 11/19/09, 1:54 PM
Unknown said...: Unfortunately, McCain's favorite exercise all too many times was reaching across the aisle to his friends in the Democratic Party. That's what cost him the election.

The Drill SGT said...

...

You folks ought to be embarassed.

Sarge, no one can doubt what McCain went through was barbaric, but I'm always impressed by the many vets who, when the subject of their service, particularly combat service, is mentioned, the reply is often, "I was there...", "Just doing my job...", or no reply at all, i.e., no big whoop.

The objection of some is that McCain used it as a marketing tool and, in their eyes, cheapened it.

tg, I hope you're not mocking Colonel Crockett. The man tossed his political career (President Crockett instead of President Polk, perhaps) for a principle. Guys like that are hard to come by.; 11/19/09, 1:55 PM
Shanna said...: I'm of the opinion currently that Palin picks her sound bytes to fit an audience...like a cheer leader.

Or a politician : )

In context the wading thing makes more sense but I still think that sentence is poorly worded.; 11/19/09, 1:58 PM
Bissage said...: Why the big deal and exclamation point, Professor?

Here, let me take a whack at it: Remarkable. See also Bloggable.; 11/19/09, 1:58 PM
former law student said...: what's up with the McCain's hanging their own artwork on their walls?

Both my sister and sister-in-law are talented artists whose work hangs in my home.; 11/19/09, 1:59 PM
vbspurs said...: Yes, my mother's a talented amateur painter too and she has even sold her paintings to friends (her "Prodigal Son" actually won a local prize).

But I suppose my point is, I didn't know the McCains were artsy. And that's a shame, because it's something which if an Obama family member had been, you know media would've reported on it immediately.; 11/19/09, 2:02 PM
hombre said...: fsl wrote: "I'm going to wait to read it till it's on the remainder table."

Yeah. 'Cause it'll never be a best seller. Good thinkin.' LOL!; 11/19/09, 2:02 PM
traditionalguy said...: Edutcher...I put Davy Crockett into the same class with Sarah Palin and George S Patton. That would be a great group to have dinner with and share war stories. Maybe we will see them in Heaven. No, that was admiration from me all the way.; 11/19/09, 2:03 PM
vbspurs said...: Edutcher wrote:

The objection of some is that McCain used it as a marketing tool and, in their eyes, cheapened it.

His referencing of his valiant wartime experience being tortured in the Hanoi Hilton ALSO grated on me.

But you know why he does this, right? At least in part why he does.

Because men like Jack Kennedy belonged to a time when people mentioned his bravery in wartime at the drop of a hat. It was understood in his era that his valour was part and parcel of what qualified him to be a national leader. He was therefore "allowed" to be modest about it (people don't give him more credit for being modest), by murmuring when asked time and time again by journalists, "tell us about your heroism in WWII again". "They just sunk my boat", he'd squirm uncomfortably.

McCain belongs to the post-Vietnam era of journalism. No matter how patriotic Americans are, and how deeply grateful many of us are to servicemen and women, the same attitude about valour in wartime just don't exist anymore.

That's why he feels like has to "milk" it. Because if he doesn't talk about it, few would, and certainly not media.

Cheers,
Victoria; 11/19/09, 2:08 PM
AllenS said...: "Wading" is different than "wading!"; 11/19/09, 2:09 PM
AllenS said...: Labels: wading lameness; 11/19/09, 2:11 PM
vbspurs said...: Wading is different than wading? It is?? Is it an Americanism I'm not getting??; 11/19/09, 2:15 PM
AllenS said...: Let me speak American: "Wading" is different than "wading!" Heavy regional dialect on !.; 11/19/09, 2:18 PM
former law student said...: 'Cause it'll never be a best seller.

So what? Clinton's autobio was a best seller, yet I saw stacks of them on the remainder table after the fans got through buying them. The greater the best seller, the more copies will be available in case the publisher gets overconfident.; 11/19/09, 2:18 PM
Shanna said...: Is it an Americanism I'm not getting??

I don't know, but in America I usually think of "waders" as a thing you use when fly fishing.; 11/19/09, 2:21 PM
vbspurs said...: Heh, AllenS and Shanna. Okay, we're on the same page. Waiting as a joke/wading when fly fishing, same as in Britain. ;); 11/19/09, 2:23 PM
vbspurs said...: What's up with the word verifications today? They all sound like prescription drugs. I've variously gotten:

Suctera
Lomoxia
Respirio

The first, let's see, perhaps a sugar substitute for diabetics. Lomoxia for bipolar syndrome sufferers, and respirio clearly for asthamatics.; 11/19/09, 2:25 PM
I'm Full of Soup said...: Having seen Cindy McCain, I'd guess John McCain enjoys giving her a regular breast exam.; 11/19/09, 2:32 PM
Unknown said...: vbspurs said...

McCain belongs to the post-Vietnam era of journalism. No matter how patriotic Americans are, and how deeply grateful many of us are to servicemen and women, the same attitude about valour in wartime just don't exist anymore.

That's why he feels like has to "milk" it. Because if he doesn't talk about it, few would, and certainly not media.

Your point is as devastating as it is true. I don't doubt your skill with the spur is limited to the written word.

PS British or Mexican rowel?; 11/19/09, 2:40 PM
Expat(ish) said...: @vbspurs "They just sunk my boat", he'd squirm uncomfortably.

If people had known that JFK avoided a court martial because of family political connections he'd have been doing a lot more than squirming. There are some fine books on JFK that are not as hagiographic as those penned by the family historian.

-XC; 11/19/09, 2:41 PM
Aridog said...: vbspurs said: "...actually very sensible to those who live the countryside reality."

I'm sorry, but suppressing wolf predation of ungulates man believes are reserved for him alone to kill and eat is the purpose in Alaska. The Alaska Board of Game is very clear on that subject. The belief is that man is the sole creature with a right to kill ungulates and thus wolves must be suppressed.

Now I said "trackless wilderness"...e.g., no people living there to require vector controls for overly habituated predators...thus the use of aircraft to acomplish the tasks.

Perhaps you got the idea I am squeamish, but I assure that's not the case, having hunted extensively and photographed wildlife as well. Even learned to slaughter and dress out domestic animals right there at the U of W Madison...don't even ask how I managed that from Engineering School...call it "elective" study.

Not squeamish here, but I try to live ethically. Shooting game of any kind from aircraft is unethical, period. It's lazy and leaves gut shot animals to die in the bushes frquently. It even distorts gene pools. I've no use for any hunter who shoots over bait piles, or hunts over garbage dumps, or doesn't track down their prey and dispatch it humanely. I can't write the words here I'd really use for aircraft shooters.

When one represents that they repsect life, are pro-life, that should mean all life as nature intended it, which includes predation by man and beast to survive. It does not mean husbandry of wild ungulates just so man has more to shoot. And it darn sure doesn't mean shooting from aircraft...unless at war, which I have been and know how to do that too. At peace it is plain unvicilized.; 11/19/09, 2:42 PM
vbspurs said...: OT, a sad sad day for those of us who loathe continental governments whom the populace did not elect to their position:

Belgian PM elected first "President of Europe"

The first Foreign Affairs Chief of Europe is Baroness Catherine Ashton of the UK.

I'm not a "one world government" conspiracist by far, but this just makes me deeply worried about the future of governance.

The one positive point? Herman van Rompuy, Europe's new president, is a blogger...

Cheers,
Victoria; 11/19/09, 2:44 PM
vbspurs said...: Edutcher wrote:

PS British or Mexican rowel?

Hmm? :)

Not squeamish here, but I try to live ethically. Shooting game of any kind from aircraft is unethical, period. It's lazy and leaves gut shot animals to die in the bushes frquently. It even distorts gene pools. I've no use for any hunter who shoots over bait piles, or hunts over garbage dumps, or doesn't track down their prey and dispatch it humanely. I can't write the words here I'd really use for aircraft shooters.

Forgive me, but there is nothing humane about extermination. You can say that my cousins who are crack shots when shooting pheasants and pride themselves on head shots are more humane than those who let the bird suffer and die with bad aim, and on some level, you are right.

But I am sick to death of people who are not from a specific region telling others that they are less humane. It's like they themselves are the lone enlightened ones, and the locals are unthinking, violent rubes.

People like Todd Palin were raised in Alaska to have a DEEP DEEP regard for wildlife, as is customary in tough environments like Alaska. I think Sarah Palin has enormous regard for the traditional values of Alaskan wildlife too, without having Native American blood, but this is as naught to people who object to the heartlessness of the killing methods.

I realise I am taking an unpopular decision, but take it I do.

Cheers,
Victoria; 11/19/09, 2:53 PM
vbspurs said...: Sorry, the second quote was by Aridog and not Edutcher. Just to be clear. :); 11/19/09, 2:54 PM
Anonymous said...: OED also defines "wading" as "to cause (a horse) to walk through water."; 11/19/09, 3:20 PM
Expat(ish) said...: @Aridog Shooting game of any kind from aircraft is unethical, period.

It's not "game" it is a predator. I hunt game with whatever the game commish says I can use during that season (we are currently "enjoying" black powder deer season). There are people who think black powder is unethical. There are people who think crossbows are unethical compared to a compound bow. Etc. I encourage them to only hunt with the most ethical of implements - more deer, geese, and ducks for me.

Nobody gets a turkey, so I don't count them.

I can shoot a coyote here at any time and in any way I feel I can. Ditto beaver. Ditto crows - though only on M, W, and Fri/Sat. (Weird.) Predators all. In more rural and western areas the rules are even looser.

I am glad you are ethical. Those people sit over there. People who own farms or ranches are usually out working.

For example, I love dogs and would hate to see one shot, but I'd support any rancher shooting a dog amongst the cows. Castle doctrine for domestic wildlife.

-XC; 11/19/09, 3:21 PM
Shanna said...: There are people who think black powder is unethical. There are people who think crossbows are unethical compared to a compound bow.

I don't see the point of worrying about ethics when you are shooting game for food. Humans have been hunting for food with whatever they had since the beginning of our species, whether it be rocks or M16's. The game is dead either way, you might as well kill them quickly.

Now if you consider killing wildlife to be a "sport" that's a whole different ballgame.; 11/19/09, 3:39 PM
Dust Bunny Queen said...: In Scotland, one wears these whilst wading. In fact, they're properly termed "waders".

They are called the same thing in my 'neck of the woods' and used for similar purposes. Duck hunters use them often and my hubby has several pairs but.....as a plumber, he doesn't get to wade in just plain old water, if you get my meaning. Much easier and cheaper to hose off a pair of waders than to throw away a pair of jeans or shoes.

BTW: I don't know where I learned this but I have to force myself not to write 'colour', 'behaviour', 'advisor' and practise. I wrote them this way ever since I was a small child and if I pay attention, I remember to correct it to the American spellings.; 11/19/09, 3:59 PM
Dust Bunny Queen said...: I'm sorry, but suppressing wolf predation of ungulates man believes are reserved for him alone to kill and eat is the purpose in Alaska.

Not necessarily. When the predator/prey population gets so far out of balance, with there being many more predators than the number of prey....the predators will migrate to where there is more food available.

This may be into the suburbs, or it may be onto another population of prey animals.

By culling either the prey (too many deer starving) or the predator (wiping out the breeding populations) people are trying to re establish equilibruim.

That you don't like it...means nothing.; 11/19/09, 4:07 PM
Penny said...: "OED also defines "wading" as "to cause (a horse) to walk through water.""

Well now. I LIKE this definition. Maybe John McCain liked it too, since he often saw himself as someone able to lead the congressional horses to water, even though he could never be sure they would drink. Perhaps he decided that wading them through the water, would have them work up a thirst for compromise?; 11/19/09, 4:11 PM
Phil 314 said...: I can't speak for Senator McCain but as a fellow Arizonan I read this quote: getting to visit the creek: John once told a reporter that he liked to pursue his favorite form of exercise there: wading. as a popular form of hiking the high country creeks of the Mogollon Rim (or higher) Even at 5,000 feet the summer days are hot and so its nice to walk through the creek.

anyway, that's the picture I had as I read this passage. Image here of such a creek near McCain's ranch.; 11/19/09, 4:14 PM
Expat(ish) said...: @Shanna - Well, it is both sport and food. I can actually buy any food I want to eat, but I tell people that I'm an organic renewable locavore preservationist. Because that is really what hunting is if you eat it.

Mostly though, for me, it is a way to be places where people can't call me and my fatherly responsibilities are temporarily abated.

FWIW, you would really not want to hunt deer with an M16 (or, more likely, the civilian version, an AR-15) - not enough 'oomph' to shoot a deer dead dead dead.

-XC

WV: cardowa - what Cornithian leather was almost called.; 11/19/09, 4:21 PM
TMink said...: While I do not care for Senator McCain's politics he is one tough hero and will always have my admiration and gratitude for his behavior in Vietnam. We are always reminded of his bravery and resolve then because it is worth remembering. Like another senator's behavior in Vietnam is worth being reminded about.

Frankly, if McCain endorsed a form of exercise, we would all be wise to follow it as he has considerable energy and appears to be in good health.

I would not have voted for him if governor Palin had not been on the ticket though.

Trey; 11/19/09, 5:03 PM
Jeremy said...: Mink - "I would not have voted for him if governor Palin had not been on the ticket though."

You might want to consider some form of mental exercise.

Maybe you could start by wading through a book or newspaper...?; 11/19/09, 5:13 PM
Penny said...: Is Jeremy suggesting that we expand our news sources beyond blogs?

I think he is!

However, I do wonder if he is also suggesting that we expand our news sources beyond those that seem to support our current PERSONAL views, be they books or blogs, national TV newscasts or TV commentary shows, ala O'Reilly AND Olbermann, not O'Reilly OR Olbermann.

Not meaning to put words in your mouth, Jeremy, but I personally would like a clarification. Just for now...forget all the Jeremy "haters". I am not a Jeremy hater, and I want to be sure I understand exactly what your views are on this.

Please talk to me.; 11/19/09, 6:35 PM
Penny said...: "According to the poll, 28 percent of Americans say Palin is qualified to run the White House, with seven in 10 saying the former Alaska governor and 2008 Republican vice presidential nominee is not qualified."

I love this quote, and the cowboy poll it rode in on, because...well...it's so BLACK hat or so WHITE hat!

Now if we were just a WEE bit more civilized, we might expect that "hats" be removed before we take on any serious discussion.; 11/19/09, 7:02 PM
Shanna said...: @Shanna - Well, it is both sport and food.

I meant that in the context of different types of bows and all that. Presumably people are concerned about giving deer some sort of sporting chance when they object to these things? If you are just killing for food, there is no good reason to give the deer a chance to get away.

FWIW, you would really not want to hunt deer with an M16 (or, more likely, the civilian version, an AR-15) - not enough 'oomph' to shoot a deer dead dead dead

Heh. I actually was about to say something about muzzel loading but then I didn't like the sentence construction so I just stuck in M16 instead. I don't hunt, personally, but I do eat the free deer sausage!; 11/19/09, 7:28 PM
mariner said...: Aridog:
I'm of conflicted opinion about Palin. First I despised her long before he VP candidacy, becasue of her wildlife policies that are absurd in a wilderness. For example: do you really need to shoot and kill wolves from aircraft over a trackless wilderness?

But you in the Detroit metro area, know that Palin's wildlife policies for Alaska are "absurd"?

Right.

I'd still like to know why she and Ken Salazar, Interior Secretary under Obama, are of one mind on wildlife and conservation.

Perhaps because both she and Salazar grew up in places where the animals have four legs and their management is of concern to residents?

Just sayin'.

>vbsprs:

Besides, the letter "u" is part of the word "vulva" and that would REALLY freak Sullivan ot. ;)

>Aridog:
It does not mean husbandry of wild ungulates just so man has more to shoot.

So YOU say. The people of Alaska say differently.

And the ungulates aren't just shot. They're eaten.

>vbspurs:
I realise I am taking an unpopular decision, but take it I do.

Not as unpopular as you think. Just underrepresented in the national discourse.

>TMink:
While I do not care for Senator McCain's politics he is one tough hero and will always have my admiration and gratitude for his behavior in Vietnam.

Yes!

As far as I'm concerned he can talk about his wartime experience all he wants. He damned well earned that right.

Isn't it interesting though, that many who don't like McCain's talking about his wartime actions didn't say a thing about that lying SOB Jean-Francois Kerry "reporting for duty"? (gag); 11/19/09, 8:05 PM
Titus said...: What is Art?

thank you.; 11/19/09, 8:11 PM
Penny said...: "What is Art?"

Given that I am more interested in personality, and all of its complexities, please don't make me say the obvious....

Hue are!; 11/19/09, 8:21 PM
Penny said...: Enquiring minds would love to know why you have a need to be so...

Shall we politely call it "colorful"?; 11/19/09, 8:28 PM
Expat(ish) said...: @Shanna - Ah, well, it sounds funny to say muzzle loader, but it fires an enormous slug out at a pretty good clip.

I knocked a good size doe off her feet and dropped her dead at 75 yards a few years ago. A much harder apparent hit than a 30-06. Plus a good cloud of smoke and a loud bang.

Satisfying for everyone except the deer.

-XC; 11/19/09, 9:06 PM
William said...: "Wading": McCain said it as a joke. Palin took it as a joke. She repeated it as a joke....Could it be that people misperceive Palin because they are stupid and just don't get her quicksilver wit?; 11/19/09, 11:00 PM
TMink said...: Mariner wrote: "Isn't it interesting though, that many who don't like McCain's talking about his wartime actions didn't say a thing about that lying SOB Jean-Francois Kerry "reporting for duty"? (gag)"

Exactly! That was who I was referring to. Happy Thanksgiving!

Trey
wv= snotswe, gee, I hope not.; 11/20/09, 9:17 AM
former law student said...: you in the Detroit metro area, know that Palin's wildlife policies for Alaska are "absurd"?

I'd like to point out that there are both wolves and moose in Michigan, giving even Detroit metropolitans some standing on this issue. What sort of wildlife is in your state?; 11/20/09, 11:20 AM
Aridog said...: I am fascinated by the conclusion jumpers here regarding my (in-)experience on ranches and in the wilderness. How could a "Detroiter" know anything about that. Hint: Haven't always lived and worked here....might have be a stint or two aboard cutting horses on ranches, or actual time around wolves and their ungulate prey in the wilderness. When wolves populated all of the lower 48 the ungulates were not wiped out...except for the American Bison, and human sport shooters did that. Regarding those who really want to know more about wolves, try reading L. David Mech of the University of Minnesota. You don't even have to get close to the "vicious" things...of storied and perpetuated myth.

Now as for "deer"...the population has exploded due to man's clearing and development of lands (deer fed on browse, not tree tops)...Michigan alone has more than double the population today than it had in 1709, or 1809....times when wolves were still around even though they failed to eradicate deer.

Finally, all y'all doubters cite Bro Todd's 1/8 Native American heritage as why he might understand a need to cull wolves in a trackless wilderness from aircraft. You might just research a bit of Native American history regarding wolves...e.g., it's the "whitey" 7/8's that thinks wolves need eradication where they are not, in fact, a vector control problem.

For the hunters who eat what they hunt, I have no problem, even if their means is not my preference. Humans are predators. Humans are also wasters of game all too often.

Vector control of predators, not just wolves, who become overly habituated to human activites, which will happen from time to time in the natural course of events along the boundries of settlement and wilderness, is necessary and I have no problem with that. Last June in Montana 3 2+ year old Cougars had to be shot, less than a mile from my cabin, becasue they had literally moved on to a retired ranchers lands and were endangering his grandchildren. So he had to shoot them. No objection from me for that, even though he felt badly for having to do so. Cougars have to leave their birth mother's side by age 2 or so (they are not "social" lions like the African Lion) and must wander to find new territory for themselves, some times in groups until they drop off individually on new lands for themselves. These 3 had wandered too far down the mountain and become habituated to human environs...so there was no choice. That is not the same as over flying a trackless wilderness to exterminate predators from the air.

For the record, I'd like to know how many of the critic commentors have ever actually seen a wolf reasonably close, or tried to even get close to one or a pack for that matter. If you managed it, did you feel fear, or did the wolves leave you alone or even trot off on your approach? (Very unlike bears who will happily invade your campsite if you leave food around)It should be easy since there is apparently an "over population", no?; 11/21/09, 7:49 AM
Aridog said...: Mariner wrote: "Isn't it interesting though, that many who don't like McCain's talking about his wartime actions didn't say a thing about that lying SOB...."

I couldn't agree more with that comment...it is why I referred to myself as a "Recovering Democrat"...his candidacy and lies, whihc implied me in their indictments, were my last straw.

Michigan is a funny place Republicrat and Demlican wise...heaviest taxing governor ever here (the SBT, a VAT by any other word, among his inventions...not to mention taking a temporary 2.4% income tax and making it a permanent 4.6% income tax) was a Republican, who held office for 14 years...and in his dottage formally endorsed Kerry for POTUS.; 11/21/09, 8:01 AM
Aridog said...: mariner wrote: " So YOU say. The people of Alaska say differently. "

Uh, not quite all of them...the majority voted down the concept of shooting predators from aircraft twice. The laws had sunset provisions, so once met, the Board of Game resumed their activites. BTW...not all members of the Board Agree with it, but a majority of the B of G do...if that counts as (all) Alaskans?; 11/21/09, 8:13 AM
Aridog said...: Expat(ish) wrote: " Ah, well, it sounds funny to say muzzle loader, but it fires an enormous slug out at a pretty good clip. "

Yep. They served early pioneers fairly well too. That fat slug is going to expend all of its energy in game when shot at reasonable distances. In that respect it is actually a good choice.

Those who feel to need quick 2nd and 3rd shots at the same game need not apply :-P; 11/21/09, 8:26 AM