-- thank you John Kerry.., US Secretary of State...

[ron l edmiston]

---"the best is yet to come.."

blue eyes & ronnie

[jscott]

You mean he's finally going to buy a made-in-Massachusetts bike?

[TTX1]

You mean he's finally going to buy a made-in-Massachusetts bike?

I bumped into Kerry at Belmont Wheelworks a few years ago. Back when they still sold Seven and IF. And there was Kerry with his Serotta. At this point, I would think he'd be a candidate for a Parlee...

[jscott]

I've had the opportunity to ride with him briefly a few times at PMC. He usually had the Serotta, though I think once I saw him on a Cervélo. Every time I'd think he was missing a major opportunity to promote his home state.

Anyway, Ronnie, I know I'm being a goof on a serious topic. I'm happy to hear good news out of the talks, and I hope that translates into something that helps the people of Iran.

[ron l edmiston]

--- damn.., secy of state Kerry was riding his off-orange serotta with his iranian counter-part..
had a gear problem and stopped in local bike shop --- speaks fluent french.., all fixed up.., no funds wanted, but the man paid a nice tip and a thank you --- then off he goes..
& he is 71 years old --- "a man's man & statesman.."

louis & ronnie "oh what a wonderful world.." oh yah

[gggross]

What are we thanking Kerry for exactly?

[joosttx]

Wwiii?

[ron l edmiston]

--- let's just say.., i am thanking him for being a intellectual rider of a "ben" at 71 years of age -- ronnie soon to be 72, & he can speak fluent french which i am unable..

ronnie with a smile

[sk_tle]

The problem is you can't even use the sidewalk if you are closer than 500m than him. Sure he ride bikes but his function makes that he bother the 99.99999999% of other riders when doing so. The bonus point comes from his security team forced to do some exercise.

[xjahx]

Agreed in regard to security, please stop vacationing on Nantucket. No one wants your entourage and waving like a king.

[davids]

I was behind him in line at a stereo repair store once. He was dropping off his receiver, all on his own. This was back in the late '80s, I'd guess. Before Teresa. But he was already my United States Senator.

And now I'm moving this to OT where we can have a civil discussion on the merits of the proposed agreement.

[ericpmoss]

The security is about the office, not the holder. I'm pretty sure he doesn't like it, either, but given the number of death threats those guys get, it's better than the alternative. My cousin was a 'B' celebrity new anchor, and got death threats every day -- couldn't send the kids to a normal school (as though rich people want to), couldn't just go jogging, etc.

That said, I didn't enjoy almost getting run over by Clinton's motorcade in NYC back in '96, or getting shoved out of my seat at the Green Mill when John Major's SAS guards showed up. OTOH, they did clear away the panhandlers in an 8 block area, so it was a tossup.

[Jonathan]

And now I'm moving this to OT where we can have a civil discussion on the merits of the proposed agreement.

It's been a tough couple of days for the far right. For some folks there is no better way to celebrate the resurrection of Christ than to hate gays and make war. And now the president is earning that Nobel prize he was previously given. They should give him another and really drive the nutters crazy.

In all seriousness, we are not even across mid field yet. So much more work to be done. I hope both sides realize peace can be good for all of our cultures and the nutters here and there don't get a chance to scuttle this. Maybe, just maybe if we can agree towards a de-escalation then at some point we can address a much larger goal of stability in the region which might help the moderates in Israel move that country towards a two state solution. I really do think this is the domino that needed knocking over first and the politics and anxiety around this nuclear deal kinda proves that. At the end of the day we will at least know who stands for peace and who doesn't. I support the president. His willingness to approach Cuba and Iran has been a net positive and potentially transformative wrt foreign policy.

[sonnybiker]

What are we thanking Kerry for exactly?

losing the election to bush? i'm so confused.

[theflashunc]

It's been a tough couple of days for the far right. For some folks there is no better way to celebrate the resurrection of Christ than to hate gays and make war. And now the president is earning that Nobel prize he was previously given. They should give him another and really drive the nutters crazy.

In all seriousness, we are not even across mid field yet. So much more work to be done. I hope both sides realize peace can be good for all of our cultures and the nutters here and there don't get a chance to scuttle this. Maybe, just maybe if we can agree towards a de-escalation then at some point we can address a much larger goal of stability in the region which might help the moderates in Israel move that country towards a two state solution. I really do think this is the domino that needed knocking over first and the politics and anxiety around this nuclear deal kinda proves that. At the end of the day we will at least know who stands for peace and who doesn't. I support the president. His willingness to approach Cuba and Iran has been a net positive and potentially transformative wrt foreign policy.

This kind of outreach is more in line with Washington's original vision for international relations for the country that he outlined in his Farewell Address.

Lots to be done, but this is an incredibly positive development, imo. Kind of surprising given our, um, complicated history with Iran.

[Andrevich4]

I would think he'd be a candidate for a Parlee...

As SecState, I'd expect a new bike choice would be heavily scrutinized. I suggest not just a Parlee but one of models made in Korea a nod to our trade and military ally in northeast Asia and perhaps a subtle message to Japan and China. Lightweight wheels from Germany, FMB tires from France (of course) and with Campy parts as a nod to Italy as the current leaders of the EU.

Maybe a brooks saddle to acknowledge the "special relationship" with the UK, too.

[Dallas Tex]

I don't see this deal doing anything but accelerating Iran's nuclear weapons programs. Do you have access to some details that I don't ?

[Mabouya]

How can a deal accelerate things any more than no deal? With no deal they do whatever they want, no inspections, nothing.

With a deal at least there are some limits on what they will do and where they do it.

It's not as if lifting economic sanctions (slowly) suddenly allows them to import nuclear warheads from Pakistan or Russia. If they were going to do that they'd do it sanctions or not.

[Dallas Tex]

Lifting sanctions allows Iran access to materials and equipment necessary to expedite their development of weapons.

[Dallas Tex]

As well as aiding the funding of such programs.