Boomerdog

Was looking for this question in past posts and just could not find such a question. I know collapsing my slider reduces a lot of noise from the "flapping" but there are other good reasons of that I am sure. Soooo...what are the merits/demerits of collapsing the slider once the main is deployed?

You mean "maroon"...with apologies to Bugs Bunny.

Hmmm.... The family claims to have documents proving they have a right to be on and using the land. There are unconfirmed reports that an overpopulations of the desert tortoise is resulting in tortoises being euthanized by the government. Apparently, this fight between the Bundy's and the BLM has been going on for 20 years. Why the govt. escalation with a bunch of snipers and other badges say...now! Perhaps because... The crony capitalism angle...Senator Reid and his son apparently have something going with ENN, a solar company from the People's Republic of China and tied to the People's Liberation Army desiring to put a solar farm on the contested land. Which seques into.... ...a few hours after this report about Reid's antics is released, the Federales stand down and leave the area...not to worry, they'll be back after Harry Reid hires some fixers to solve this immediate problem. Several militias from several states converge on Nevada...bringing their guns with them vowing to take a stand...with deadly force if necessary. So, we are supposed to be in the "enlightened" 21st Century and the same damn avarice, greed, tempers etc etc that we saw in the ranger wars of the 19th and early 20th Centuries are still alive and well. Seems we may not be that enlightened after all.

The govt. needs a bit more than just feelings. Life, liberty and property may not be taken without due process of law do the govt. better bring the proof.

FIRST Boogie? BEER!

Admittedly, I'm an old new guy if that makes any sense and looking at the number of jumps on my profile, you can see a pie event with me the center of attention is in my immediate future...quite possibly this weekend. First, I think it's all in good fun. 100 jumps is a milestone but it also seems like yesterday when I did my first. Those on the "giving" end are my friends so I know they mean the best for me and most of them have watched me progress. I'm certainly not critical of your position. The way I see it, pieing is both a right of passage and a means of your freinds saying..."You're doing good, we like you, we're glad you're jumping with us, we're glad you're here, but stay humble!" I love this sport, I'm hooked, etc etc. But it is a dangerous sport...a sport where a little bit of ego can produce disastrous effects both for the individual skydiver and those around them. I've seen ego in excess have negative effects in other endeavors. Keep the tradition...bring the pies!

Real heroes don't stand out they desire anonymity. when pressed to answer the question posited here in this thread, the likely answer you will get is that they are just ordinary people who got put into an extraordinary situation and saw it their duty to perform. Consider the following story about a janitor at the US Air Force Academy. A Janitor’s Ten Lessons in Leadership By Col. James Moschgat, 12th Operations Group Commander William “Bill” Crawford certainly was an unimpressive figure, one you could easily overlook during a hectic day at the U.S. Air Force Academy. Mr. Crawford, as most of us referred to him back in the late 1970s, was our squadron janitor. While we cadets busied ourselves preparing for academic exams, athletic events, Saturday morning parades and room inspections, or never-ending leadership classes, Bill quietly moved about the squadron mopping and buffing floors, emptying trash cans, cleaning toilets, or just tidying up the mess 100 college-age kids can leave in a dormitory. Sadly, and for many years, few of us gave him much notice, rendering little more than a passing nod or throwing a curt, “G’morning!” in his direction as we hurried off to our daily duties. Why? Perhaps it was because of the way he did his job-he always kept the squadron area spotlessly clean, even the toilets and showers gleamed. Frankly, he did his job so well, none of us had to notice or get involved. After all, cleaning toilets was his job, not ours. Maybe it was his physical appearance that made him disappear into the background. Bill didn’t move very quickly and, in fact, you could say he even shuffled a bit, as if he suffered from some sort of injury. His gray hair and wrinkled face made him appear ancient to a group of young cadets. And his crooked smile, well, it looked a little funny. Face it, Bill was an old man working in a young person’s world. What did he have to offer us on a personal level? Finally, maybe it was Mr. Crawford’s personality that rendered him almost invisible to the young people around him. Bill was shy, almost painfully so. He seldom spoke to a cadet unless they addressed him first, and that didn’t happen very often. Our janitor always buried himself in his work, moving about with stooped shoulders, a quiet gait, and an averted gaze. If he noticed the hustle and bustle of cadet life around him, it was hard to tell. So, for whatever reason, Bill blended into the woodwork and became just another fixture around the squadron. The Academy, one of our nation’s premier leadership laboratories, kept us busy from dawn till dusk. And Mr. Crawford...well, he was just a janitor. That changed one fall Saturday afternoon in 1976. I was reading a book about World War II and the tough Allied ground campaign in Italy, when I stumbled across an incredible story. On Sept. 13, 1943, a Private William Crawford from Colorado, assigned to the 36th Infantry Division, had been involved in some bloody fighting on Hill 424 near Altavilla, Italy. The words on the page leapt out at me: “in the face of intense and overwhelming hostile fire ... with no regard for personal safety ... on his own initiative, Private Crawford single-handedly attacked fortified enemy positions.” It continued, “for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at risk of life above and beyond the call of duty, the President of the United States ...” “Holy cow,” I said to my roommate, “you’re not going to believe this, but I think our janitor is a Medal of Honor winner.” We all knew Mr. Crawford was a WWII Army vet, but that didn’t keep my friend from looking at me as if I was some sort of alien being. Nonetheless, we couldn’t wait to ask Bill about the story on Monday. We met Mr. Crawford bright and early Monday and showed him the page in question from the book, anticipation and doubt on our faces. He starred at it for a few silent moments and then quietly uttered something like, “Yep, that’s me.” Mouths agape, my roommate and I looked at one another, then at the book, and quickly back at our janitor. Almost at once we both stuttered, “Why didn’t you ever tell us about it?” He slowly replied after some thought, “That was one day in my life and it happened a long time ago.” I guess we were all at a loss for words after that. We had to hurry off to class and Bill, well, he had chores to attend to. However, after that brief exchange, things were never again the same around our squadron. Word spread like wildfire among the cadets that we had a hero in our midst-Mr. Crawford, our janitor, had won the Medal! Cadets who had once passed by Bill with hardly a glance, now greeted him with a smile and a respectful, “Good morning, Mr. Crawford.” Those who had before left a mess for the “janitor” to clean up started taking it upon themselves to put things in order. Most cadets routinely stopped to talk to Bill throughout the day and we even began inviting him to our formal squadron functions. He’d show up dressed in a conservative dark suit and quietly talk to those who approached him, the only sign of his heroics being a simple blue, star-spangled lapel pin. Almost overnight, Bill went from being a simple fixture in our squadron to one of our teammates. Mr. Crawford changed too, but you had to look closely to notice the difference. After that fall day in 1976, he seemed to move with more purpose, his shoulders didn’t seem to be as stooped, he met our greetings with a direct gaze and a stronger “good morning” in return, and he flashed his crooked smile more often. The squadron gleamed as always, but everyone now seemed to notice it more. Bill even got to know most of us by our first names, something that didn’t happen often at the Academy. While no one ever formally acknowledged the change, I think we became Bill’s cadets and his squadron. As often happens in life, events sweep us away from those in our past. The last time I saw Bill was on graduation day in June 1977. As I walked out of the squadron for the last time, he shook my hand and simply said, “Good luck, young man.” With that, I embarked on a career that has been truly lucky and blessed. Mr. Crawford continued to work at the Academy and eventually retired in his native Colorado where he resides today, one of four Medal of Honor winners living in a small town. A wise person once said, “It’s not life that’s important, but those you meet along the way that make the difference.” Bill was one who made a difference for me. While I haven’t seen Mr. Crawford in over twenty years, he’d probably be surprised to know I think of him often. Bill Crawford, our janitor, taught me many valuable, unforgettable leadership lessons. Here are ten I’d like to share with you. Be Cautious of Labels. Labels you place on people may define your relationship to them and bound their potential. Sadly, and for a long time, we labeled Bill as just a janitor, but he was so much more. Therefore, be cautious of a leader who callously says, “Hey, he’s just an Airman.” Likewise, don’t tolerate the O-1, who says, “I can’t do that, I’m just a lieutenant.” Everyone Deserves Respect. Because we hung the “janitor” label on Mr. Crawford, we often wrongly treated him with less respect than others around us. He deserved much more, and not just because he was a Medal of Honor winner. Bill deserved respect because he was a janitor, walked among us, and was a part of our team. Courtesy Makes a Difference. Be courteous to all around you, regardless of rank or position. Military customs, as well as common courtesies, help bond a team. When our daily words to Mr. Crawford turned from perfunctory “hellos” to heartfelt greetings, his demeanor and personality outwardly changed. It made a difference for all of us. Take Time to Know Your People. Life in the military is hectic, but that’s no excuse for not knowing the people you work for and with. For years a hero walked among us at the Academy and we never knew it. Who are the heroes that walk in your midst? Anyone Can Be a Hero. Mr. Crawford certainly didn’t fit anyone’s standard definition of a hero. Moreover, he was just a private on the day he won his Medal. Don’t sell your people short, for any one of them may be the hero who rises to the occasion when duty calls. On the other hand, it’s easy to turn to your proven performers when the chips are down, but don’t ignore the rest of the team. Today’s rookie could and should be tomorrow’s superstar. Leaders Should Be Humble. Most modern day heroes and some leaders are anything but humble, especially if you calibrate your “hero meter” on today’s athletic fields. End zone celebrations and self-aggrandizement are what we’ve come to expect from sports greats. Not Mr. Crawford-he was too busy working to celebrate his past heroics. Leaders would be well-served to do the same. Life Won’t Always Hand You What You Think You Deserve. We in the military work hard and, dang it, we deserve recognition, right? However, sometimes you just have to persevere, even when accolades don’t come your way. Perhaps you weren’t nominated for junior officer or airman of the quarter as you thought you should-don’t let that stop you. Don’t pursue glory; pursue excellence. Private Bill Crawford didn’t pursue glory; he did his duty and then swept floors for a living. No Job is Beneath a Leader. If Bill Crawford, a Medal of Honor winner, could clean latrines and smile, is there a job beneath your dignity? Think about it. Pursue Excellence. No matter what task life hands you, do it well. Dr. Martin Luther King said, “If life makes you a street sweeper, be the best street sweeper you can be.” Mr. Crawford modeled that philosophy and helped make our dormitory area a home. Life is a Leadership Laboratory. All too often we look to some school or PME class to teach us about leadership when, in fact, life is a leadership laboratory. Those you meet everyday will teach you enduring lessons if you just take time to stop, look and listen. I spent four years at the Air Force Academy, took dozens of classes, read hundreds of books, and met thousands of great people. I gleaned leadership skills from all of them, but one of the people I remember most is Mr. Bill Crawford and the lessons he unknowingly taught. Don’t miss your opportunity to learn. Bill Crawford was a janitor. However, he was also a teacher, friend, role model and one great American hero. Thanks, Mr. Crawford, for some valuable leadership lessons. The rest of the story as they say...Mr. Crawford was captured by the Germans and a POW until the end of the war. Presumed killed in action and body never found, the Congressional Medal of Honor (CMH) was awarded posthumously to his father. In the POW Camp, Crawford learned that he had been awarded the CMH but was never presented it himself in a formal ceremony. That changed when in 1976 at the Commencment Cermonies, President Ronald Reagan formally presented the CMH to Mr. Crawford. On his passing in 2000, Mr. Crawford was buried at the Air Force Academy Cemetery. He is buried among the Air Force legends of Generals Carl Spaatz, Curtis LeMay and Viet-Nam fighter pilot and Air Ace Brigadeer General Robin Olds. He is the only non-Air Force member of the militray (Army) buried there. Google "medal of honor janitor at the Air Force Academy and you'll find out more about Mr. Crawford. REAL Heroes don't stand out...they don't want to!

Bravo! +1 By far, one of the best I've had the privilege to read and enjoy!

One jump is TOO many and a thousand will never be enough! Welcome!

+1 From another INTJ

In looking at all of the accidents in the last three months, the only accident where there is a clear indication an AAD might have made considerable difference is the fatality in Otay, CA. Pending any final reporting from Eloy, the cutaway was at a low altitude and perhaps at a descent speed where the AAD would not activate. Other fatalities resulted from collisions at low altitudes where recovery was not possible etc etc. I have an AAD and a MARD. It is my desire to mitigate as much risk as possible. Others have to decide for themselves. The problem is that there are meddling do gooders out there always with solutions in search of a problem and in a world of sound bites of 15 seconds or less, the press will have a hey day once they mix a little knowledge with sensationalism and turn the tide of public opinion against us "crazy" skydivers. For now, I think it's an individual's decision but as a community, we might want to give an ear to the grumblings of some of the whuffos out there who have no problem whatsoever in regulating everything...even where ya take a dump.

I don't hate the rich. It is I believe, a waste of my time along with the physical energy wasted along with the diversion of mental thought required when I could be working more on how to improve my lot. I have no sympathy for those who have attained their wealth by ill gotten gains. One could only hope the law will catch up with them. But there are those out there who have worked their @$$E$ off and legitimately made their fortune. Envy and hate are two sides of the same coin. In my belief, both are sinful and for those here who don't like the word sinful, here's another...EVIL. It seems to me counterproductive to engage an evil against those (the ill gotten gains types) who have also committed and evil in their actions and behavior. Two opposing evils does not produce righteousness.

Over time, we have redefined who is part of that "We the people..." It's been a struggle and cost the lives of approximately 650,000 Americans between the years 1861-1865. That struggle and debate continues to this day. But it should not be lost that even though the United States is very young compared to a majority of countries, we enjoy the longest continuity of government in recorded history. Right now, we are seeing the result of several decades of government where both parties are perceived to be paying much more attention to Wall Street and "K" Street (the street in Washington D.C. where most of the Lobbyists maintain their offices) than Main Street. The mood of the country right now is moving from "slow burn" to mad as hell and we just might see this play out in the next election coming this November. Sometimes, the people have to vote the bums out to send the message only to get the new bums in and the cycle continues. Is "We the people" valid? In the balance, yes. But also try to understand here, that from the day the Constitution was ratified by all of the States, America has been and will continue to be, an experiment in how a people collectively choose to govern themselves. We don't always get it right and the endeavor to form "a more perfect union" does not mean we will get to perfect, but the "experiment" is certainly worth the try.

So because it's in the Washington Post, it's the gospel truth? Scientists aren't that gullible are they? Say it ain't so!

Is the pretext a fact or of one's assumptions, biases etc? Big money operates on both sides so if you're going to vilify the Koch brothers, then an equal dose of indignation goes for George Soros and I think you can do that all in one breath. I might agree that a larger cache of political contributions favors a probable election victory by a given candidate, but probability is NOT a guarantee. Remember, David slayed Goliath, not with raw massive power but focused tactics and creativity.

Sadly, all I can say as a (Catholic) Christian is that the actions of this school represent a perversion in the name of Christianity. This school and the "christian" faith it purports to follow is nothing more than senseless leglism tantamount to the "zero tolerance" we see in the public schools and in both cases, common sense gets thrown under the bus.

+1 Midgets piss with greater affect than these stats!

What do you call in a cop in someone's house without a warrant? A BURGLAR!

I note with interest the date you posted your message. Let's just say I think there's a bit of humorous insincerity in all of it!

There's a lot of good people in those "Podunk" towns. Just sayin.'

Anytime there are budget cuts etc etc...the vets are ALWAYS the first to take it on the chin. But first foremost and always, DUTY, HONOR, COUNTRY, Service before self and Semper Fi!

"Evidence exists..." OK then let Wildstein PRODUCE the evidence. I'm no Christie fan but for gawd's sakes, produce the evidence or his accusers should STFU.

Well...I'll join your implicit request to have an independent investigation.

yea...this falls under "stolen valor," and us vets take a very very very dim view of $#!t like like this. This guy ought to be in jail.

Was it love-love at first sight?