I just wanted to tell everyone that I get to go back to the Red in KY in a couple of weeks. :) :) :) Here is a cool picture from a couple of years ago. I can hardly wait. My goal is to take one trip a month during the school year. I will try and send some pictures out.

I read an interesting article today. It talked about christians and their view on war. Now I know not all christians support war but a lot of them in this country are supporting it. From what I know, around the world it is the general consensus that they do support the war. Anyway, this person was making a comment on the bumper stickers that say "Pray for our troops." This person did not have a problem with it, but wondered what Jesus would have on his bumper sticker. First this person asked the question if Jesus would own a SUV. This person thought not. Then wondered if Jesus would own a car at all. You know, after have given all his money to the poor and hookers. But if Jesus did find his way to a used car lot on the bus or his bike, his sticker might say "Pray for your enemies." This writer talked about the sermon on the mount where Jesus made three main points when it came to war.

• Blessed are the peacemakers.

• Turn the other cheek.

• Pray for your enemies.

So, how many christian believe this war is the right thing? Is Jesus only right part of the time? Does what Jesus said trump what the old testament said?

How about treating people the way you want to be treated? Can people think for themselves? Instead of having a book or a person tell you what to think? How about getting ideas from books, people or media and then making up your own mind? And feel free to change your mind if you learn more. Seeing things in black and white gets people hurt. There is a lot of grey out there. Don't you think?

Hi All,
I have found this very cool web site called Your climbing.com. The address is http://www.yourclimbing.com/user/gssettles
Don't just look at my part, it has great photos and videos. You can also join for free and put your own stories, photos and videos. Please check it out. I believe Katie Brown is a driving force behind it. It is very cool.
Peace,
Geoff

Working at CASMAN
What a great school we have. I know, I may be a little bias but when you work with great people it is easy to brag. I believe that most people have worked in a situation where they can never get comfortable because they do not know what is coming or can't trust that people are going to take care of their responsiblities. So, I hope people can appreciate when you work with good people. People who know how to have fun, know when to get serious, addmit when they have made a mistake and then try and fix it. You can not buy chemistry or flow. I can not tell you how good it is to work with these kind of people.
Peace,
Geoff

Hi All,
Wow, I just read about Bush finally admitting to having secret CIA prisons. What are we doing letting a man like this represent the USA. He says we (I say we because we are letting him do this) are using "tough interrogation techniques." To me this means torture. What else could it mean? I am open to any explanations. I know torture is illegal and if they are doing it in foreign countries and will not tell us what is being done....one can only speculate. And based on their track record I can not believe a word they say.

When are we going to try something new? We have been trying for 1000's of years to crush people. And depending on what angle you are coming from it may have worked. If you think ruling people thru fear and intimidation is working. How about being truthful with people, treating them with respect, listening to them, try to approach them with love and peace in our hearts? If we truly have love and peace in our hearts and deal with people on that level they will see it and feel it. It can make a difference.

Change takes time; I have heard this from conservatives and liberals alike. To me war is trying to change things over night. The reason it seems like it take so long is because it does not work. It will never work. What do you think would have happened if 25 years ago Donald Rumsfeld went to Saddam and instead of giving him millions of dollars and technology for chemical and biological weapon and weapons of mass destruction, he went to him with a plan for peace with Iran. And around 18 months later instead of selling weapons to Iran to kill the Iraqis we where supplying with weapons, we went to them with a plan for peace and acceptance? I can't tell you there would be peace in the Middle East but I would bet things would look a lot different. And remember change take time. I am not saying we can't defend ourselves but I am saying we should get rid of this eye for an eye crap; this revenge crap. What am I supposed to tell the kids I work with? That if someone tries to beat you up, it is ok for you to beat them up? They get kicked out of school for that. But our "leaders" are doing it.

What we are allowing to go on is not working. Can we please try something else?

Peace,
Geoff

Bouldering at Earthquake Hollow in MO

Hi All,
This is my first foray into the blogging world. I am still learning, so be kind to me.
Some may wonder why I wanted such a title for my Blog. There are a number of reasons and I won't go into all of them but one of my favorites is how smart animals are. We have done everything in our power to exterminate coyotes, putting bounties on their heads and in many places these bounties are still in place. All you have to do is cut off thier ears and bring them in for money. But the coyotes are still going strong. If you want to know more reasons for the name of my blog read the book by the same name.

Again, please have patiences with me as I get used to this.
Peace,
Geoff