Bad Press in Phila. Inquirer on Cross Keys Fatalities

[lawrocket 3]

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We do have to take care that we do not endanger whuffos,

Of corse, the easiest way to do this is to not endanger yourself by knowing how to spot, know the winds, etc. I guess Booth's Law #2 applies to this.

She raises some valid points but loses them in her rant.

My wife is hotter than your wife.

[jtval 0]

Taking the opposite extreme opinion is still well, an extreme opinion.
i AGREE with

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Shielding a child from the existence of drugs, alcohol, sex, mean people, death, and French Canadians doesn't make them disappear

But you can't expect non skydivers to "deal" with a fatal incident that landed in their yard.

It IS a shitty situation that gives reason for whuffos to make extreme "knee-jerk" opinions about skydivers.

All these people see are the "incidents" I would venture to say that even if they did read the article , they didnt see that there were 250,000 skydies last year. But I would bet that they did see that there was 27 deaths. thats just the way ignorant people decipher information.

Its a damned shame that the pair lost there lives but it does become a problem when skydivers land dead in a public area.

and that drunk incident sure does not make the rest of us look any better.

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[lawrocket 3]

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You guys are so out-of-touch w/ reality. Heck, I'd be offended if two skydivers insisted on bouncing in my front yard w/ my four-year old watching. Now try to explain that to a kid!

He/she/it needs to learn some time. Shielding a child from the existence of drugs, alcohol, sex, mean people, death, and French Canadians doesn't make them disappear, it just means that exposure will be more difficult to deal with when the unnatural dearth of said concepts suddenly comes to an end.

Well, now you are making a point that, though valid, loses reasonability in the same way the op-ed writer's point gets lost.

It makes no sense to unexpectedly expose a child to an exploded carcass so that they know what death is about. It's more likely to lead to PTSD than it is to an objective understanding.

It's bad enough when people crater in. It's much worse when people crater in in front of skydivers. It is worse on a logarithmic scale to crater in before an unsuspecting whuffo minding his or her own business - especially a child.

It is statements like that that make the general population get the sense that skydivers are ghouls.

My wife is hotter than your wife.

[grue 1]

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But you can't expect non skydivers to "deal" with a fatal incident that landed in their yard.

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Well, now you are making a point that, though valid, loses reasonability in the same way the op-ed writer's point gets lost.

It makes no sense to unexpectedly expose a child to an exploded carcass so that they know what death is about. It's more likely to lead to PTSD than it is to an objective understanding.

I don't mean that one should take a kid out and make 'em watch someone bounce, but the more aware a person is (IN GENERAL) of something, the less surprised they'll be when they see it.

cavete terrae.

[livendive 8]

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It IS a shitty situation that gives reason for whuffos to make extreme "knee-jerk" opinions about skydivers.

All these people see are the "incidents" I would venture to say that even if they did read the article , they didnt see that there were 250,000 skydies last year. But I would bet that they did see that there was 27 deaths. thats just the way ignorant people decipher information.

Off the top of my head, I think this makes 8 tandem students who have died since last August (2 "landing" incidents, 2 exiting their harness in freefall, 2 in the Otter crash at Quantum, one drowning, and this one). I'm knocking on wood as I type this, but that just might be enough to draw some attention.

Are we seeing a statistically significant increase in tandem fatalities or is it just an outlying year? I don't know.

Blues,
Dave

"I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!"
(drink Mountain Dew)

[ACMESkydiver 0]

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He/she/it needs to learn some time. Shielding a child from the existence of drugs, alcohol, sex, mean people, death, and French Canadians doesn't make them disappear, it just means that exposure will be more difficult to deal with when the unnatural dearth of said concepts suddenly comes to an end.

Grue you are completely full of shit. As a mother of three, it is MY decision, NOT YOURS when and IF I ever decide to tell my children that there are French Canadians in this world.

Heaven help the motherless son-of-a-pig that tries to introduce my babies to the horrors that exist north of our borders...

~Jaye
Do not believe that possibly you can escape the reward of your action.

[jtval 0]

True. and I guess if these people were aware of the DZ's proximity to their new home it may be a resaonable statement but I doubt that was topic of conversation with the sales agent.


"btw- we have a dz just over there, it may be possible that one day someone crashes through your home" I doubt that gets mentioned in the disclosure statement.


But I do Agree with your statement about educating people. and those people who dicide to educate themselves on the surrounding risk/activities are not the ones who we need to worry about. its the ones who sit and watch and pray for someone to get hurt or die jsut so they can damn us for being the rebel reckless drug addicts that the media make us out to be.


Somehow we got the left over stigma that the motorcylists used to have.

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[jtval 0]

It should be obvious but I am hoping that this is an anomaly and not a new trend.

I would be more concenred if they were the same type of incident.

If one more person falls out of a harness I don't think its going to have a nice effect on the media attention.


but I guess we're getting off topic.

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[Squeak 17]

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Somehow we got the left over stigma that the motorcylists used to have.

Well that sucks for us motorcycle riding skydivers

You are not now, nor will you ever be, good enough to not die in this sport (Sparky)
My Life ROCKS!
How's yours doing?

[jtval 0]

yup.


you're just a gang rapist, gun toting, drug pushing, violent ,criminal, loose cannon, careless, non-showering, rot-toothed, Bug eating, manic.


I think that sums it up.
BTW- I would ride, if I could afford it and if I didn't live in a town that is swarming with drunken tourists.

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[Squeak 17]

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yup.


you're just a gang rapist, gun toting, drug pushing, violent ,criminal, loose cannon, careless, non-showering, rot-toothed, Bug eating, manic.

.

Have we met

You are not now, nor will you ever be, good enough to not die in this sport (Sparky)
My Life ROCKS!
How's yours doing?

[jtval 0]

I've read enough of your posts...

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[normiss 891]

that is effin hillarious!!!!


ok...I caved and sent the bitch an e-mail...she actually responded...

me:
I'm writing in response to what should be on the opinions page as it is not
a news article, simply an opinion.
With your logic, I am amazed that you ever leave your house. What with all
the accidents in cars, public transportation, hell even in your own
bathroom! You can see much more carnage on this nation's highways any given
day but yet we continue to drive cars, in fact we drive around fatal
accidents during the investigation.
Imagine spending your Sunday morning watching the news and seeing the
foolish deaths in Iraq simply because of our misguided political views.
Imagine the carnage of the injuries and life changing trauma our servicemen
experience without a choice to be there or not.

We skydivers chose to live life as opposed to simply existing on the planet.
I'm glad people like you do not skydive, that's why we have bowling.

Your opinions are very uneducated as to the risks we take as well as to the
rights we have been given by the FAA and the USPA to have skydiving
operations on airports in this country. I also feel that your comments are
very insulting to the decedent's family and friends as he was doing
something he loved and you pass judgment on him and his choice.

Maybe we should start sending in news articles based on opinion of how
columnists should not be able to print their opinions in public forums too.
We look to news organizations for news, not opinions. You should apply for
employment with a tabloid.


her response:
Dear Mark,
I am a columnist, clearly identified as so in the paper -- my picture, the way the column is laid out on the page.

That said, thanks for the note. And, for reading. Appreciate both.

Monica Yant Kinney

[mpohl 1]

With skydivers like you, who needs enemies?

Great job on the public relations part; you certainly showed the "biatch" what real skydivers are made of!

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that is effin hillarious!!!!


ok...I caved and sent the bitch an e-mail...she actually responded...

me:
I'm writing in response to what should be on the opinions page as it is not
a news article, simply an opinion.
With your logic, I am amazed that you ever leave your house. What with all
the accidents in cars, public transportation, hell even in your own
bathroom! You can see much more carnage on this nation's highways any given
day but yet we continue to drive cars, in fact we drive around fatal
accidents during the investigation.
Imagine spending your Sunday morning watching the news and seeing the
foolish deaths in Iraq simply because of our misguided political views.
Imagine the carnage of the injuries and life changing trauma our servicemen
experience without a choice to be there or not.

We skydivers chose to live life as opposed to simply existing on the planet.
I'm glad people like you do not skydive, that's why we have bowling.

Your opinions are very uneducated as to the risks we take as well as to the
rights we have been given by the FAA and the USPA to have skydiving
operations on airports in this country. I also feel that your comments are
very insulting to the decedent's family and friends as he was doing
something he loved and you pass judgment on him and his choice.

Maybe we should start sending in news articles based on opinion of how
columnists should not be able to print their opinions in public forums too.
We look to news organizations for news, not opinions. You should apply for
employment with a tabloid.


her response:
Dear Mark,
I am a columnist, clearly identified as so in the paper -- my picture, the way the column is laid out on the page.

That said, thanks for the note. And, for reading. Appreciate both.

Monica Yant Kinney

[Squeak 17]

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her response:
Dear Mark,
I am a columnist, clearly identified as so in the paper -- my picture, the way the column is laid out on the page.

That said, thanks for the note. And, for reading. Appreciate both.

Monica Yant Kinney

i think they call the a brush off

You are not now, nor will you ever be, good enough to not die in this sport (Sparky)
My Life ROCKS!
How's yours doing?

[livendive 8]

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ok...I caved and sent the bitch an e-mail...she actually responded...

Opinion-piece writers design their pieces to provoke strong reactions, both for and against their position. You gave her exactly what she wanted, proof that people read and care what she writes.

Blues,
Dave

"I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!"
(drink Mountain Dew)

[airtwardo 7]

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ok...I caved and sent the bitch an e-mail...she actually responded...

Opinion-piece writers design their pieces to provoke strong reactions, both for and against their position. You gave her exactly what she wanted, proof that people read and care what she writes.

Blues,
Dave

Yeah...she'll need EXTRA BATTERIES for ole Bob tonight!

~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~

[2fat2fly 0]

To send or not to send.....Saved as draft right now.

"Ms. Kinney,

I was very disappointed after reading your "Skydivers Too Close For Comfort" story. While I realize that it is an opinion piece, not a news article, I still feel that you should feel an obligation to present valid facts and investigate both sides. The statement that you made, "the stories are nearly always the same, involving chutes that don't open or open too late, or divers who bump into each other in the air or get tangled.", is simply false and indicates that skydivers tempt death for fun with shoddy, unreliable equipment showing a disregard for our own safety and the safety of those around us. Nothing can be further from the truth.

Skydiving is not one-hundred percent safe. That is a simple fact. Skydiving is a managed risk activity and we do everything possible to minimize those risks. No equipment is fool-proof. Ours isn't, scuba gear isn't, I've nearly gotten a concussion when the head came off of a friend's three wood a few years ago. However, the gear is very reliable considering what we ask it to do. In over three hundred skydives, I have never personally had a major problem but I, just as the majority of other skydivers, continue to train and practice in case that happens. If I should experience one of those very rare equipment failures or, more likely, put myself in a position beyond my abilities I expect my friends to be in the air just as soon as possible following my demise. I wouldn't expect them to stop jumping any more than I would expect them to plow under the interstate should I die in a traffic accident.

The entire section titled , "Flying the Unfriendly Skies" is probably the most sensationalistic, uninformed collection of words that I have read in a very long time. I had to keep checking to be certain that I was looking at the Philadelphia Enquirer, not the National Enquirer. I realize that this is much more abrasive than I really mean it to be and I apologize for that. I would like to invite you to educate yourself on our sport. Go to a USPA dropzone and meet people, talk with the Jumpmasters and Instructors, get to know the culture and then write a piece about that experience. I'm not asking you to make a jump. Skydiving isn't for everyone, I personally don't like bowling, but I believe that if you take the time to learn about it, you'll become a little less hard line.

Best Regards,"

I am not the man. But the man knows my name...and he's worried

[ExAFO 0]

Send it.

Illinois needs a CCW Law. NOW.

[2fat2fly 0]

I don't know if I can take your advice. You jump a seven cell

I am not the man. But the man knows my name...and he's worried

[airtwardo 7]

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I don't know if I can take your advice. You jump a seven cell

Yeah...drunk and naked !

~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~

[jshatzkin 0]

I recommend that anyone send her an email (her address is at the bottom of the article). I sent her an email, eloquently disagreeing with some of her stereotypes and judgments. She actually read it and responded to me. I think you all should flood her with emails (stating your opinions). Remember, she already thinks we are a "wild bunch", no need to prove it.

Jen

[jtval 0]

if you do send it you may want to explain that a 3 wood is a gold club not scuba gear.

K.I.S.S.


you gotta rememebr who youre talking to

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[jtval 0]

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I recommend that anyone send her an email (her address is at the bottom of the article). I sent her an email, eloquently disagreeing with some of her stereotypes and judgments. She actually read it and responded to me. I think you all should flood her with emails (stating your opinions). Remember, she already thinks we are a "wild bunch", no need to prove it.

do you mind posting your email nad her response?

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[jshatzkin 0]

2fat2fly had a much better email than mine! I am sure the response she gave me was a "brush off" too. She probably did not even read my email, but it made me feel better***

-----Original Message-----
From: Jennifer Shatzkin [mailto:jshatzkin@yahoo.com]
Sent: Tue 9/12/2006 6:50 PM
To: Yant Kinney, Monica
Subject: Reply to your skydiving article

Dear Ms. Kinney,


I am writing in response to your article, "Skydivers too close for comfort". I am sure I am not the only one writing in response, so I will try to keep it concise.

Your stereotypes and judgments about skydiving and skydivers are erroneous and off the mark. You claim skydiving attracts "a wild crowd". A more accurate portrayal would be "a diverse crowd", with a small percentage of "wild" ones. I have never seen anyone jump drunk. I have never seen anyone jump naked (though stories abound they do). Is it no different than a skinny dipper? Many skydivers are actually educated (with many working in professional careeers), well-rounded, healthy individuals who enjoy living life to the fullest. Skydivers are, on average, people who are not daredevils, but who take calculated risks. I suggest you do more research into the community before labeling.
Skydiving is tasting the beauty of life. It is not playing with fate or having a death wish. It is about doing something extraordinary. There is nothing more spiritual or peaceful than freefall. Your assertions about a community of people is an unresearched, biased personal
opinion (untrue at best).

As far as the skydivers resuming jumping after the deaths: you fail to understand the ethos of the community. Is it no different than Disney World opening back up rides an hour after a death at their theme park?? Just one of many examples. And your ridiculous belief that this is traumatic for youth to witness: it is rare for this to happen, as you pointed out in your article. I am sure a child is more likely to witness a death in a car accident, than a skydiving fatality. Children are exposed to much more violence, more frequently elsewhere than a dropzone.

People who do not understand jumping or are not a part of our community should refrain from making such hasty judgments.

Sincerely,

Jennifer


Dear Jennifer,

Thanks for the note. And, your perspective.

Monica Yant Kinney

Jen