KMEM

g56- You might be right but I loved them anyway. Best regards, KMEM

Cheating on their SO? Best regards, KMEM

Thanks for the intro, Greg. I have heard the weather is very iffy and they will not launch if it continues. There could few things sillier than an airliner on a first flight with a mechanical problem and not able to see the ground. I am hoping for the very best for this flight and this airliner. Boeing, even with all their mistakes, is still an American company first and foremost and we should wish them well, at the very least. So, cross your fingers and remember, if it ain't Boeing, I ain't going. Best regards, KMEM

2.38 in Memphis today. Best regards, KMEM

Lookin- Becareful or BoN will get you. L2P- The US industrial might had nothing to do with our sucess, Madison Ave. did it all. I am just kidding but Madison Ave. certainly played a major role, as you describe. Best regards, KMEM

What? No cynics wish to speculate that the "real" reason Tiger is taking a leave of absence from golf is NOT to repair his marriage but try to keep his bank balance as intact as possible? I think some cynics think that is a distinction without a difference. Personally, I hope they achieve some semblance of order, for the kids if nothing else, although I don't believe kids benefit from parents being together that hate each other, that he returns to golf, preferably with some public comment or apology, and they get on with their lives. I certainly am willing to consider forgiveness, but no one involved has asked me yet. Best regards, KMEM

I have no problems with "English pricks" or most any other. However, I think I meant recant from any previous "convictions" as well as repent from his multitude of "sins". Thanks for your input which I thought much less than salacious. Best regards, KMEM

Of course, that is really difficult to assess. John Daly is immensely popular and he has run around on every wife and girlfriend he ever had as well as disgraced himself and pro golf with his drinking and gambling. One of the main differences between Daly and Woods is Daly wears his frailties on his sleeve somewhat as a badge of honor (dishonor?) while Woods has promoted himself and been promoted by others with a clean cut image. So, who is the bigger sinner? Woods no doubt is the bigger hypocrite but perhaps very little different as a sinner. Best regards, KMEM

I am sure you noted the proviso, "so long as he can win". He is still very young and should have a long career, physically, ahead of him. His problems are mental, not physical or economic. I agree that he likely will not be welcomed with open arms and loud cheering at the first tee of his next tournament. If he doesn't win, he will fade into whatever as PK has mentioned about various other athletes, but of those, only Kobe is still playing and winning and the NBA is not an individual sport (although Kobe makes it seem that way sometimes). If Tiger or Cheetah or Tomcat wins, it will be because he overcame his personal "demons". Some will give him credit for that, if it happens. I don't think Tiger is another John Daly who acquires and sheds wives with abandon. Best regards, KMEM

L2p- Tiger is in some serious trouble but so long as he wins tournaments and, especially major tournaments, his stock will rise again. So far, he mainly has proven that he is human. People forgive sinners all the time, especially attractive, young, athletic sinners and even more especially, those that recant. Tiger has yet to "completely" recant but that time likely is coming. Best regards, KMEM

L2p- Old saying: The cheapest way to "have" something is to rent it. That was purported to apply to cars, boats, airplanes and women. Using that as a theory then of course, Jackie et al were hookers and there are no "real" emotions from men. I would like to think we on this MB know differently. Best regards, KMEM

This incident has gotten WAY too much press as compared to, say, the 4 cops killed in WA but ML, I think you are correct, there is much more to come. Please don't mind if I tune out. Best regards, KMEM

As far as luck is concerned, I always say, I would rather be lucky than smart. Yes, luck is always a welcome passenger on any flight and I have had my fair share of same. However, when we arrive safely at our destination (and we always have, so far) I ALWAYS tell my passengers to be careful driving home because the SAFE part of their journey has already occurred. Best regards, KMEM

Lookin- You are something special. Can I put you upon a pedestal? In the USA we do expect to have role models and they invariably do have feet of clay. They didn't ask to be role models but we elevated them there anyway. One of the possible questions is, if one is paid a huge salary to be a sports figure, should that one live as a role model? Yes and no. There is nothing fair about being in the public eye and that includes those who willingly or unwillingly become "role" models. Personally I would just as soon remain incognito or at least only known to be a reasonable fellow within and among travelers who have gone down the same trail. Best regards, KMEM

So, an inexperienced 50 yo is red meat? In one sense, probably so. Chicken is also the name for "normal" restaurant sized lobsters (about 1-1.25 pounds). The chicken that is a fowl was once considered "Sunday dinner" but now has become a very common staple, so it follows that there chicken could become a "staple" in other uses in addition to food. Best regards, KMEM

I have always fancied a morning glory but not so much a shrinking violet. I am sure there is a plentitude of plants out there that would be in favor and some not. Best regards, KMEM

AS- There is always a risk/reward. That will NOT be news to you. I have to think that you are expressing what you believe is the public idea of "we must have safety or there will be no flight". Unfortunately, that has never been true in the absolute sense of the idea. There will always be risks with transportation, whether it be private automobile, horse drawn carriage, airliners, private aircraft or bicycles. We all have to, individually, decide what is worth the risk. Personally, going at a reasonably fast pace to my ultimate destination is worth SOME risk. No one can guarantee safety at no price. Best regards, KMEM

Boeing (and others) have certainly had their problems with composites (to say nothing of O rings), but there does seem to be "real" rewards for the use of lighter and stronger materials. I freely acknowledge that many times in the past that "improvements" have only meant more profit from making a part or a product cheaper, but a lighter, stronger airliner will burn less fuel and therefore be cheaper to operate, so long as there is no crazy increased maintentance cost. Naturally, there is no free lunch; we all have to find out what the cost vs. benefits truly might be and I don't think we know them presently. I, for one, am hoping that our American airline company, Boeing, will learn how to return their investment to American soil and also how to deal with technologies that are fairly new. Best regards, KMEM

g56- Not sure what you mean either. None of the "ranks" that you mentioned seem appropriate to any of the posters extant. If one has a high enough "rank", does that mean that nonsense from that person means something? Best regards, KMEM

I believe there is a slur intended but the words make no sense. But, not for the first time. Best regards, KMEM

Should Boeing have tried to shove those 3 down someone's throat? Sold them at a discount? I realize it is rare these days for a company to act responsibly but that is apparently exactly what Boeing is doing. Best regards, KMEM

You mean like Toyota, etc. who manufactures cars here now. Boeing was trying to be a world provider of togetherness, a silly thing to do. I agree that airline economics don't make sense. How can an extremely highly leveraged industry with billions of debt ever expect to make money without the "accounting" principles of using a snapshot today of how things are going. Without your asking, FEDEX will make money because they rescinded their contracts to buy the A 380 when it became obvious it could not and would not be delivered any where nearly on time. I think they will make money because they will snap up used ones for a pittance and convert them into freighters. As stated before, FEDEX doesn't need to carry 500 passengers from A to B. They only need to carry an enormous amount of freight from a few selected places to one of more of their hubs, of which MEM is the main. Best regards, KMEM

MsGuy- Boeing is a US corporation that has made a lot of products that have defended our national honor very well. William Boeing is someone who should be applauded vigorously, not only for his patriotism but for his business sense and his willingness to take a risk. Sound like an American businessman? However, they have made mistakes, not unlike any US corporation. One of those mistakes might have been to make fun of Airbus and their 380 fiasco. There is one US corporation that might make money with this aircraft and that is FEDEX. They will not have to put 500 passengers into this behemoth but only fill it with overnight letters or the like. The Memphis airport has already made improvements that will allow the 380 to operate here at the home of FEDEX. Only a few airports worldwide have done so and with good reason. I can only hope that Boeing will come to their senses, discontinue the foreign manufacture of parts to a very large degree and resume normal American production of superior aircraft. Best regards, KMEM

I think I am just as guilty. I manage to (almost) link every thread to something the government is doing TO us. I am really worried about what is happening in this country. I am not sure what I can do about it but perhaps if I just learn Spanish, it would help? Best regards, KMEM

Better a PR nightmare than having bodies strewn all over the world. Boeing has made plenty of mistakes over the years but generally has put out a superior product. And, it doesn't have the full force and faith of the US government backing it. At least, not yet. Best regards, KMEM