Marineguy, That's some cousin-in-law! If anything that heavy is in my yard I want it to be eating grass, not mowing it. Off topic did you see where the Germans have been doing studies on migratory birds and they have found that the birds have specialized cells in their eyes that can "see" the magnetic lines of force of the Earth's magnetic field? Gives them the first version of a HUD for navigation. 'Course that just gets me thinking that someone in the Pentagon will want to cross a goose with a SEAL... I was going to ask you, how much extra ability and/or survivability does the Osprey give over the Jolly Greens? I'm always concerned about our reliance on high-tech and of course the Russians have some pretty amazing planes that fly without massive computer assistance. Also they are designed to operate out of some pretty crappy airfields. Add in the fact that the Chinese seem to be trying very hard to find ways of fouling up our technology... I know that American aviation has done well when it comes against Russian planes but I suspect that is as much to do with the quality of pilots as anything else. I'm sure its somewhat different but we had some Ukrainian docs over for an exchange/learning program. Let's just say if I'm ever in the Ukraine I don't want to get sick.

I used synthetic bags for years because down is worthless if it gets wet. Then I realized that I never had gotten a bag wet and switched to down to save weight and space. I've also heard that some of the new synthetics are almost as light and pack down almost as compact for the same warmth. I suspect that it is pretty close and that if you are at all concerned about getting damp, synthetics are the way to go. Do be careful about temperature ratings. At present, I have two types of down bags, a Campmor and an LLBean Mt. Katahdin, both rated at 20 degrees. However the quality of construction and warmth are very different. I've used the LLBean comfortably down to 30 degrees, and I doubt the Campmor would be warm enough below 45 or 50. The Mt. Katahdin comes in both down and Polarguard 3D. In a rectangular bag, the synthetic is about a pound and a half heavier, in a mummy bag, about a pound heavier. In 40 degree rated bags, the difference in weight is much less.

There are two separate issues here. There is the issue of food safety and wholesomeness. And there is the issue of fish stock protection and preservation. Monterey Bay Aquarium's mission is the second one and they use the first as one of the arguments to support their case. I'm interested in both issues and sympathetic to both. But, here of the food forum, I think safety and wholesomeness of what we eat is the main concern. I think it has been established that salmon raised in pens flushed by the tides with unlimited quantities of sea water and fed a carefully formulated diet are high quality fish. Wild salmon, like any other wild fish is also fine with me, but it is a notch below the farmed salmon in quality I believe. By feeding off natural organisms there is some chance of being contaminated by parasites or bacteria. Not enough to worry me much, but enough for me to prefer farmed salmon for lox and sushi. The freshness of farmed salmon is another point in its favor. There is no delay between harvesting and processing. Wild fish spend some time, maybe a little, maybe a lot, in the hold of a boat prior to being landed. Again, I am not against eating wild caught fish, but farm raised salmon can't be bear in that resepect. I do avoid pond raised catfish, tilapia and shrimp. I suspect those shallow, warm water ponds must be overcrowded and unsanitary. It's not at all like salmon pens in the North Atlantic or the North Pacific. Yet, from the point of view of the Monterey Bay Aquarium, pond raised seafood should be highly preferred. Jim

I am in the cabinet selection process for my new build home and have just received pricing back for custom Mullet cabinets in the kitchen and Wellborn Select cabinets in four bathrooms, pantry, laundry, wet bar. All will be painted. I am currently $8,000 over my allowance. The builder's designer said that if I go with all Wellborn cabinets including the kitchen, I will be $3000 over my allowance. I am wondering if this is worth the compromise. I will be looking at the Wellborn cabinets in a house tomorrow to see if I am happy with the quality and look. The designer keeps telling me that the Wellborn cabinets are maple doors but when I look at the Wellborn website, it appears that the Select series if MDF doors. I am okay with going semi-custom instead of custom in the kitchen but I want wood doors, all wood/dovetail soft close drawers. My other thought is that the factory finished Wellborn painted cabinets may hold up better than the painted finish on the custom cabinets. Thoughts from the group on whether saving $5000 is worth giving up the Mullet kitchen?