LyraM45

Except it can't, because in the reverse there are no affected. Allowing gay marriage and calling it marriage has no effect whatsoever on straight marriage or what it is called. So, you can read the minds of every straight married couple, and know explicitly what harm has and has not been done. Did you suddenly grow Kallend's clairvoyance/time machine? Well, lets sample straight people here. What rights have you lost since gays have been allowed to marry? Or what kind of harm has come to you? Apologies for the spelling (and grammar).... I got a B.S, not a B.A. :)

I was just about to say anything FAA related that has been on the books and investigated will be available through FOIA request. And I agree, there is an element of trust that goes into things, specifically aircraft mx and stuff. One of the reasons why there is a bit of outrage when a dz is found neglecting their airplanes. Same for airliners, I guess. Question to the OP-- why do you feel the need to ask about this dz? Just in general its something you would vet no matter what dz you were going to? Apologies for the spelling (and grammar).... I got a B.S, not a B.A. :)

And honestly that is more than OK. Everybody is entitled to their beliefs. The second that your beliefs start working into law and forcing a certain group to have less rights because of those beliefs; this is where I have a problem. It's not just changing a definition . . . its changing what most of the country believes . . . just because of the "feel good" factor, disregarding the vast majority, and pandering to a small minority. All because people are to lazy to add a few words next to legislation. Well that and the "Na nya nya na" that the left gets to thumb at the population of the country. Is it really most of the country? I hear that the percentage of people who support gay marriage is higher than those who don't overall nationally. I know wikipedia isn't the best source, but seems to sum it up pretty well with the "majority" being in support of gay marriage in most recent years polls, even if by a small margin: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_opinion_of_same-sex_marriage_in_the_United_States Speaking of the minority, there are laws and processes we have that will protect the minority, particularly in situations where the majority is voting on an issue concerning their rights and what they can and can not do. I don't know if I'd call that pandering to a small minority, especially if it is in fact true that people against gay marriage are technically the minority. Apologies for the spelling (and grammar).... I got a B.S, not a B.A. :)

And honestly that is more than OK. Everybody is entitled to their beliefs. The second that your beliefs start working into law and forcing a certain group to have less rights because of those beliefs; this is where I have a problem. "An it harm none, do what ye will." Apologies for the spelling (and grammar).... I got a B.S, not a B.A. :)

I think somebody hit on this in another reply, but how is this true? There is a big difference between the two, especially when it comes to equal rights. When christians force their morality on others, like the current hot topic of not allowing gays the same rights as everybody else because it's "immoral" or "against God's law," it's disenfranchised a whole group because of your moral code. OTOH, if you allow gays to marry (which, according to some here would be forcing immorality on everybody), who is that disenfranchising? Who is that hurting in terms of equal rights? What rights would you loose if DOMA is "forcing immorality on everybody?" The answer is nobody and none. Big difference between forcing what one thinks is "immoral" vs. "moral" on everybody. Definitely not the same. Apologies for the spelling (and grammar).... I got a B.S, not a B.A. :)

I grew up in South Jersey (right around the corner from cross keys, coincidentally). Hamilton isn't bad. Kind of in the middle closer to central Jersey, Philly, and not too far from xkeys. Welcome to the land of good skydiving, Wawa, Cheesesteak, Hoagies, and Tastykakes! I haven't lived in Jersey for 11 years, but all of my family is still in Williamstown. Can you tell I miss the food? Apologies for the spelling (and grammar).... I got a B.S, not a B.A. :)

Okay...THAT's Funny! I try Apologies for the spelling (and grammar).... I got a B.S, not a B.A. :)

You are taking something and running waaaayyyy into left field with it! First and foremost-- EVERYBODY should be inspecting their shit whether you use a packer or not. Before I lay it out for a packer I am checking my breaklines, stows, toggles, canopy lines, canopy, bags, rig, and I make sure everything is stowed and slider unstowed before I lay it down for my packer. It's nice if your packer also checks that stuff, but it's not his responsibility, and I know that when I "hire" him. So, be responsible for your own shit like you should be. And then check it again when you pick the rig back up. If anything happens it's your fault, whether you used a packer or not. End of story. 1.) packers with no experience-- good for you if you want to use a packer with no experience, or somebody who just started packing yesterday. I personally vet my packers and get to know them before committing to them. I'm pretty sure many others do the same, at least at my dz they do. Also, if you see people packing on a mat who are not signed off and/or not under the supervision of the proper people on the mat, then say something. You're just as equally part of the problem by sitting there and letting it happen. 2.) spitting on the coals-- because I didn't give you a courtesy reach around and completely agree with you, that is spitting on the coals? You've got to get a thicker skin, mate! People are not always going to agree with you, and in this case lots of people didn't say you were completely wrong, but instead just didn't agree with you all the way. You basically said in your original post, "people are going to give me shit for my stance," and now you're upset that you got some? Get over it. 3.) Who said you're supposed to tip a walmart check out person? You're the only person who brought that up, and I responded (and another person as well) with a scenario where you tip a person from the service industry like a bar tender or waitress-- yet you completely choose to not tackle that one and brought the walmart worker back into the equation, which most people will agree with you that you don't tip. So.....how about that waiter or waitress instead of the walmart checkout? Apologies for the spelling (and grammar).... I got a B.S, not a B.A. :)

I hear you-- and my husband is the same exact way with everything. He'd rather have it done himself. Me? I don't mind treating myself when I need a break. Back to the dinner thing-- I love cooking. I cook a lot, and cook very involved meals that aren't quick. But, I also like to go out and get dinner and catch a that break. Yes, it's convenient more than anything on some nights, but it doesn't mean I don't know how to cook, or am too lazy to cook, or was never taught to cook. I just choose convenience that night, and when I choose it, I also make sure to take care of the people who gave me that service I opted for. Apologies for the spelling (and grammar).... I got a B.S, not a B.A. :)

This is where I think most people are not understanding this the same way I am-- why are folks automatically assuming since somebody is paying for packing that it's a necessity for whatever reason (because they don't know how,never learned, forgot how to pack, etc). As I stated in my earlier post-- it's a luxury and a privilege, just like going out for a meal is. Do you guys (and this is an open question not directed at you, airtwardo) also look down your noses at people who go out to eat or pay for any service that isn't a necessity? Can you look me in the eye and tell me you never go out for food, get a car wash, get a massage, have movers help you when you move, etc? Apologies for the spelling (and grammar).... I got a B.S, not a B.A. :)

...AND dinner??? Heck, just throw 'em the $1 and a side of beef and stand back. Packers...it's where the designation 'pack animals' comes from. LOL! Yea, if it's so busy they can't even leave to go grab lunch, I'll try to bring them something. All I know is my rig opens super nice most of the time, and my stuff is usually done before I come in looking for it.

I just had my first chop last weekend.... and the rig was not packed by me Was I mad or treat who packed it any differently? Nope. I pay for the pack job and not the opening. Apologies for the spelling (and grammar).... I got a B.S, not a B.A. :)

I'm a little defensive because I knew people would jump on the "oh, you can't pack but you can jump" train with that other post. I know it looks like that, but I'm giving plenty up on jumps too: no freestyle, no linked leg exits, jumping only in perfect winds for soft landings, etc. I had to say no to quite a few jumps this past boogie weekend. It's terribly frustrating! I wish I could pack without getting a little swollen and irritated, but it's just on the list of things, along with some of the jumps, that I can't quite do yet I guess. Apologies for the spelling (and grammar).... I got a B.S, not a B.A. :)

Do you ever go out to dinner? If so, you should look into learning how to cook exclusively at home so you don't waste money or tipping on something that you could be doing for yourself. Actually, you can save all of that money you spend eating out and pay for a 1 on 1 cooking class so you can cook at home better and faster. There are lots of reasons people don't pack. I have a friend who jumps and is pretty well off. Good for him if he can afford to pay a packer for each jump. For me personally I am too slow to pack for myself on camp days where we're turning loads quick, and right now I'm coming off of a tear in my knee and can't bend down all the of the way for packing. Well, I can, but it irritates the crap out of my still healing injury. So, I pay a packer and appreciate them doing something for me that at the moment hurts me to do. Seems like you assume since somebody is paying for packing its because they don't know how to pack for themselves. Wait What? You're not 'healthy' enough to pack...but you're ok to Skydive? Reread what I wrote-- I can do it, but out of jumping, packing, walking, etc, etc, it's probably the thing that irritates and stresses my knee the most. Yes, I am jumping, but I'm making the best choices to avoid things that could screw my still healing knee up again. My orthopedic cleared me to get back in to things, but make smart choices, so that's what I'm trying to do and if it means not packing because its irritating, then I choose to pay a packer for the next month or so until things heal up better. If it means not jumping if there is no wind and I could have a hard stomper, then so be it. I wish I was healthy enough to pack AND jump without any limitations. At least I'm getting to jump a little instead of being completely out of commission like I've been the last 3.5 months! Thanks. Apologies for the spelling (and grammar).... I got a B.S, not a B.A. :)

Do you ever go out to dinner? If so, you should look into learning how to cook exclusively at home so you don't waste money or tipping on something that you could be doing for yourself. Actually, you can save all of that money you spend eating out and pay for a 1 on 1 cooking class so you can cook at home better and faster. There are lots of reasons people don't pack. I have a friend who jumps and is pretty well off. Good for him if he can afford to pay a packer for each jump. For me personally I am too slow to pack for myself on camp days where we're turning loads quick, and right now I'm coming off of a tear in my knee and can't bend down all the of the way for packing. Well, I can, but it irritates the crap out of my still healing injury. So, I pay a packer and appreciate them doing something for me that at the moment hurts me to do. Seems like you assume since somebody is paying for packing its because they don't know how to pack for themselves. Apologies for the spelling (and grammar).... I got a B.S, not a B.A. :)

If you have to ask if it's enough, then you're already doing better than other people who don't tip at all!

Ditto what NW said-- I usually tip $1 a pack job, and I try to buy them lunch/dinner/beer/whatever. If it's a brutally hot and/or busy day and they are getting their ass kicked, I tend to throw in a few extra bucks. Those guys work really hard, and I appreciate them doing what they do for me. I also try to not be "that guy" who always needs their crap done 5 minutes ago when you drop it off, and I'm sure they appreciate that too. Apologies for the spelling (and grammar).... I got a B.S, not a B.A. :)

Did you just seriously equate a group of people who are pissed off with the current administration for various things, most of which don't have a damn thing to do with civil rights being infringed, to an age where people really did have their civil rights infringed and had to fight for them? Maybe I'm out of the loop......Did I miss things happening recently where all of the Obama supporters get to drink from a golden water fountain and everybody else gets sent to a separate and less equal one? As a Libertarian, I believe my rights are being infringed and I am aligned with others for whom that belief is shared. Obamacare, gun rights, amnesty for illegals, higher taxes, NSA, IRS, higher unemployment and the collapse of a falsely stimulated economy to name a few. BOHICA on steroids. I am a prepper and my wife and I are headed for an enclave to make a stand. OK.... I get that, but I wouldn't bring any comparison to the "civil rights movement," which was nothing like where you or your group is coming from. You are not persecuted for your beliefs, or your orientation, or the color of your skin, etc, etc. You may feel like you are at times, especially with the belief thing, but you can not look me in the eye and tell me it's the same as being told to drink from a different water fountain or ride a different bus because you're black. Which century are you living in? I thought we were all supposed to b beyond that part of history. Are you saying you cant get past it? So because I think somebody is comparing apples to oranges, it means I'm not passed it? You can respect a part of history and still have moved on from it, FYI. Apologies for the spelling (and grammar).... I got a B.S, not a B.A. :)

It seems that many believe only blacks see this kind of discrimination Have you seen the many threads on gay rights lately? Or the news stories? Apologies for the spelling (and grammar).... I got a B.S, not a B.A. :)

And I didn't say they were-- go back and re read: religion, creed, beliefs, orientation, etc, etc. Apologies for the spelling (and grammar).... I got a B.S, not a B.A. :)

Did you just seriously equate a group of people who are pissed off with the current administration for various things, most of which don't have a damn thing to do with civil rights being infringed, to an age where people really did have their civil rights infringed and had to fight for them? Maybe I'm out of the loop......Did I miss things happening recently where all of the Obama supporters get to drink from a golden water fountain and everybody else gets sent to a separate and less equal one? As a Libertarian, I believe my rights are being infringed and I am aligned with others for whom that belief is shared. Obamacare, gun rights, amnesty for illegals, higher taxes, NSA, IRS, higher unemployment and the collapse of a falsely stimulated economy to name a few. BOHICA on steroids. I am a prepper and my wife and I are headed for an enclave to make a stand. OK.... I get that, but I wouldn't bring any comparison to the "civil rights movement," which was nothing like where you or your group is coming from. You are not persecuted for your beliefs, or your orientation, or the color of your skin, etc, etc. You may feel like you are at times, especially with the belief thing, but you can not look me in the eye and tell me it's the same as being told to drink from a different water fountain or ride a different bus because you're black. Apologies for the spelling (and grammar).... I got a B.S, not a B.A. :)

Did you just seriously equate a group of people who are pissed off with the current administration for various things, most of which don't have a damn thing to do with civil rights being infringed, to an age where people really did have their civil rights infringed and had to fight for them? Maybe I'm out of the loop......Did I miss things happening recently where all of the Obama supporters get to drink from a golden water fountain and everybody else gets sent to a separate and less equal one? Apologies for the spelling (and grammar).... I got a B.S, not a B.A. :)

Should have quoted your reply Apologies for the spelling (and grammar).... I got a B.S, not a B.A. :)

Was he forced to create and give a speech he didn't want to give? I was second in my class, and very vividly remember being told that we were not allowed to deviate from our speeches. They would cut the mic in a second. That didn't mean we couldn't give the speeches we wanted to give. Hell, our valedictorian was the daughter of the lay assistant at the town Methodist church (very devout family), and she thanked god and talked about god multiple times in her speech. I've heard very similar speeches at other functions. Where is it reported that this school told this kid that he couldn't have a speech like he wanted, which I'm assuming had references to God or thanked God in it? Apologies for the spelling (and grammar).... I got a B.S, not a B.A. :)

Aahh, gotchya. I dunno, even in my brief stint working manifest many years ago, I still checked. Maybe I'm too anal Apologies for the spelling (and grammar).... I got a B.S, not a B.A. :)