_BiB_

I would thank the Lord for answering my prayers.

Not even close.

I'm more concerned about Pakistan myself right now. Iran will be made to understand the implications, "diplomatic" deals will be struck and if they don't play, they will suffer the consequences. The rest of the world (UN) will pi$$ and moan, but that will be about that. North Korea is about in the same boat. This whole nuclear thing is about being the big kid on the block, more than any actual need to have the weapons themselves. Don't forget, there's also a big leap between thinking about having some, building some, and having some actually work as advertised. As they already have viable and deliverable weapons, regime collapse in Pakistan would not be a pretty site.

!@#$ the UN. As for us, it's called self preservation.

Interesting discussion. You guys honestly think we don't have something up our sleeve?

Guadalcanal, not Viet Nam Interesting parallels.

Could still go 14-2.... They just have to take what they got and use it to win. Other teams do it, look at Jacksonville. Get the best out of what you got. The Bills don't seem to be going there. Bledsoe is punch drunk, I haven't seen any extra effort out the O since maybe the middle of last season and the D puts up good stats, but folds when the pressures on. There's enough talent there, especially in this era of free agency to go 11-5, 10-6. No one not in pads is taking charge and making these guys play. Professional athletes in this day and age are by large, weak spirited. Yes, there are the exceptions-but someone needs to take these kids and make them do. That, to me, is the problem with the Bills.

Oh, to answer the direct question-they can be gotten around.

I thought I did? Another option I would look at hard is openning up a LTD in Hong Kong and shifting the final assembly theory there. Hong kong has a corporate tax of 17%, pretty well flat and an extremely stable exchange rate ($7.80 HK to $1.00 US, and never changes). As the LTD is an independant business of the parent, the parent's profits can be paid in terms of a structured royalty. The overall profit is hit for 17% HK, but after counting the beans the parent only pays US taxes on the royalties payed out by the LTD, instead of the full amount. This should go a long way towards offsetting the increased costs of splitting the business out. Thailand has a much cheaper skilled labor force than HK. You probably wouldn't want to shift full production there as it's incredibly expensive. On a reduced production scale, it could make sense. I would also think about Shanghai, but that gets pretty political.

Just a thought. I'd locate to a third party country within economical shipping distance not covered by the tarriffs and relocate final assembly there. Have the bulk built in Thailand, but get maybe 10% of the work done elsewhere. Lease the facilities, to avoid capital investment. 100% is rough. If you lose 10% to shipping and say 20% to overhead, you still come out 70% ahead of staying in Thailand. The final label could say "Manufactured in India", or what ever and there wouldn't be much that could be done about it.

Whatever happened to the FBI?

It sounds like fun, but I'm afraid it would get Bledsoe killed.

'Specially for ELP and Yes.

How about we dedicate a fire hydrant?

Business management and now I do WMD related National Defense planning. Lots of stories in between the two. 14 years in the US Army Chemical Corps had a lot to do with it.

You never know who will stop by. Frank Sinatra Stevie Raye Vaughn Dianna Krall Boston Pops Emerson, Lake and Palmer Ferranti and Teischer Al Jereau Marvin Gaye

Triple dog dare?

TSN. It came with the little cow shaped creamer. I can't believe in all this love lust you forget KRC's contributions here.

I call Savannah, Georgia home. I'm good with "Statesboro Blues". We've got a few acres out there in Bolloch County.

I wish McCain would wear his shirts a little looser. Looks like he cuts off the bloodflow from his head. You'd think a Senator could afford 5-6 placed buttons. 1/4 inch to the side...damn. 16 to a 16 and a half. Maybe he wouldn't look so red all the time.

I'm just glad someone remembers Led Zepplin. Music has died. There is nothing new. I had a chance to see the Beatles in Toronto and didn't go. My bad. Have caught Zepplin live, though. Buffalo and Toronto used to have some great concerts. ELP at the Aud. Zappa as well. Plenty of Jethro Tull. Lynard Skynard (before they Rosened in the airplane). I remember Harry Chapin (Rosened on the Thruway...) playing a benefit for McGoveren at the old Gilligans. No music anymore. Yeah, I'm an old fart.

Who TF would ever consider having a convention in Anchorage anyway? (Anchorage? Vegas? uh...let me think...) Seal clubbers of America? 50 each 90 year old Russian guys screaming "Steward's Folly"? They can't build igloos that high anyway, too much loading. And you have to carry a gun to keep the bears off. And, BTW, check your PM. I have an inquery.

LOL. You can marinade strawberries in it for your icecream too. T-Bone =Ripple? Cheap wine has gotten many of us through many a day. Haven't been to Mad Dog land since the 70's. We used to buy TJ-Swan by the case, though. Back about '72 a case of Mellow Nights would go for about 20 bucks. Anyone remember Maximus Super? Spent a weekend with a couple cases and my girlfriend. Came home with my fly broken. Maybe we need a nostalgic booze thread. No one under 40?

Woe be it to me to agree with your old grumpy ass, but Ed, this team has no heart. That has always been a trademark of the Bills, and got them through a lot. We've seen Joe Ferguson limp through a game on a busted leg to try to make the playoffs. Ed Rutkowski at QB. Kelly throwing a touch to Reed on a fourth and 18 to win a game with no time on the clock. They've tossed the legacy. I'll still root for them, never bet against them-but the spark is gone. It's a business now. TD has his corporation.

Although Leo's rocking can drive you crazy sometimes. Not a bad batting coach either.