BigMikeH77

I will say thank you, though, for bringing up the USS Liberty. I wasn't going to mention it.

Oh my god the delusions of evil islamists taking over the world are abound. Tell me again, who supplies, trains, fiunds rebel forces with weapons in hopes of overthrowing governments and replacing them with factions sympathetic to their own interests, disregarding human rights and moral obligation in the name of their own self righteousness?? USA! USA! USA! And what exactly are the motives behind our obligations to Israel? Is it ideological? Are we, the USA, somehow defending "God's Promise" by helping the poor, persecuted Israelis? Heck no.

I might be wrong, but I remember reading recently that Israel receives the most financial foreign aid than any other nation... Anyone know if that's true?

The Israelis aren't an innocent party. There ARE NO good guys in the region, and everyone at one point and another has brought about their own problems. My point of view on it is simply that the Israelis' own actions (including the events leading up to the 6 days war) have created their current and historical predicament and I feel no empathy for them. Does that make me an anti-semite? No.. I base my opinions on experience, not race or creed... Don't take my word for it though; "Every time Israel comes under international pressure, as it did recently because of the war crimes committed in Lebanon, it steps up the claim of anti-Semitism, and all of Israel's critics are anti-Semitic." N. Finkelstein, 2005.

EVERYONE has their own prejudices... Racists and bigots are punished by their ignorance... Sheep, on the other hand... well...

I didnt say my feelings were hurt, I said it was insulting that the assumption was made that I "believe everything they tell me." You don't know me, so how can that comclusion be reached? Stupidity is insulting to those around you. As far as thicker skin goes, I'm not the one complaining about being called out for making an incorrect assumption. This isn't even about the MSM's treatment of th ecurrent administration anyway, so it shouldnt have even brought up.

*** You trust your government so much that you believe everything they tell you. That's an insulting assumption and I don't appreciate being labeled as a sheep. I don't trust the government any more than I trust any single MSM source or, for that matter, my ex-wife. Smart people get their information from a variety of sources, sift through the BS, and come to their own conclusions.

Maaybe once people can actually think for themselves and see the Israelis for what they are, ideoligical idiots whom claim thet that corner of the desert is their "promised land" from God because some guy ate a cactus and had a conversation with a burning shrub a couple thousand years ago? They're no different from anyone else in the region and neither exempt from rules nor afforded special status. If enough people grow a pair and stop fearing being labeled as an antisemite then the way things are done in the UN in respect to Israel might some day change... But as it stands now, call Israel out on anything and you've immediately been labeled and you must be a huge prejudiced bigot. Hmmm.. Nice little setup they have going for them.

Step up and do what?

Seriously? You're blaming Obama and bitching about something that hasn't even happened yet? Why aren't you directing your frustration where it belongs... Israel.

I like it...

I like the Karma button idea...

Reports made public this week have “confirmed” that the national forces under control of Assad have, in at least one instance, used chemical weapons in an attempt to quell the rebellion. UN Security Council position is that providing arms to the situation is counterproductive as there is no military solution. Until now, France and Great Britain have been leading the way in military support. Germany is sitting this one out. Russian President Vladimir Putin met with U.S. President Obama at a recent G-8 summit and discussed the situation briefly. It is believed that Russia is or has been arming Syrian national forces. The reason McCain opened his mouth is because whenever there’s a little rebellion like this (let alone one right next door to Israel) the Americans have always rushed to arm the rebels and support their “freedom fight”. That’s the problem… It’s a very arrogant idea that everybody wants to be just like America. The rebels don’t want to be like us, they want to be like them and that doesn’t necessarily mean to have the U.S. as their BFF. However, in the minds of the warmongers, by arming the rebels and securing the ousting of Assad’s government, the newly installed “government” will immediately be grateful and an ally of the U.S., thus increasing America’s sphere of influence and securing Israel. But that’s not how it ever works out. Flood a country with arms, it becomes a war torn humanitarian rights disaster for 15 years, the new “government” becomes flush with corruption, and the people are worse off than they were and despise America even more. But since it’s easier to attack Israel than the U.S., that’s what they’ll do. The other reason McCain arose from the grave to speak is just to Obama-bash for a while. The U.S. and her allies need to back off and let this one be. This isn’t about oil or doing the right thing from a humanitarian perspective. This is about Israel.

What's his chosen MOS?

Good point... I heard that Alti-2 offers free calibration at certain "events" but I can't seem to find a schedule of where they are going to be... does anyone know?

What brings you to CO?

>that guy was an idiot to the highest order, with or without camera . I'll remember that line for later... >The reason I plan to start jumping with a camera is because it will be helpful as a learning tool. You are interested in learning from your own experiences, but not the experiences of others who have been injured and killed? Someone taught you a ground class did they not? Someone taught you EP's, and how to exit, yes? Someone taught you about landing patterns... You listened then - so what happened that made you want to stop learning from others and rely on your own mad skillz? >I'll be able to review my previous jumps and look more closely at my technique in slow motion How will you be able to see that your legs arent symmetrical, or that any one of a number of other things about your body position is off? (Hint.. You won't - First person POV isn't very effective IMO as a training tool for younger jumpers) >Back when I first started jumping, my instructors recorded all my AFF's and we watched the videos afterward to discuss what was going well and what wasn't - this was incredibly helpful My point exactly. See above. >It isn't realistic to expect someone to pay a professional camera person every jump or pay for a coach jump every jump. You get what you pay for. You want a training tool that doubles as a cool video to show off? Pay a little bit more, make friends with the videographers, and then - when you are more seasoned and have matured a bit - maybe... JUST MAYBE... one of them might help you to jump a camera safely and responsibly. I"m done trying to get through to you. Good luck with your life, I hope you don't get anyone hurt or killed.

I think I found the statistical data you've been droning on about.. proof positive that small format cameras are a distraction hazard and also proving the "chain of events" idea that folks are trying to get through to you. Remember this guy? Why is jumping a camera so important to you? My guess is that, assuming that you are in fact a skydiver, you are more interested in impressing others with stories and pictures of how amazing you are than in seriously pursuing this sport. If you want to impress someone, be humble. Then when it comes out in general conversation that you jump (if you in fact do), impress them with your knowledge of EP's, calculated risk, how a 3-ring release system works, and how you can turn an event (jumping out of an airplane) that will certainly result in death into an enjoyable, safe, and fun experience. Or you can join the Army. Or you can volunteer at an animal rescue. Or you can donate blood. You can be an organ donor, pick up trash along a trail, organize a fundraiser for breast cancer... Any of these are noble and impressive. Whining about the right to endanger yourself and others when otherwise unnecessary is not.

"Help! Help! I'm being repressed!... Did you see him repressing me? You saw him, Didn't you?"

That sounds to me like a Comprehensive claim. Your bike didn't collide with anything, it was damaged during a (criminal if it was a hit-and-run) act that was not of your doing. I'm assuming you have filed the appropriate police reports? Read your policy carefully, this SHOULD be covered by comprehensive insurance. Source: I dated an insurance professional for a few years

Heck, on one of my AFF jumps I grabbed my instructor's knee during the ride up and didn't even know I did it until he lifted my up and off. That gave us both a good chuckle and helped me relax too.. And then there was my first hop-n-pop, where one of my coaches had to pretty much hold my hand once the yellow light came on. Once I was out though, my training and pre-planned diveflow kicked in and all is good. I think that perhaps everyone experiences varying degrees of fear during varying stages of the jump at different times in their careers. You are definitely not alone I agree with Ron, though. The fear/anxiety/nervousness shouldnt be crippling. I liken it to when I was on partol in Iraq, and the fear I experienced there... It made me focus. That's one of the things I love about skydiving - I haven't felt that focused on anything since I was in Iraq.

Fooled me with that poker face, mr. stick your arm out the door as though you're driving down the highway...

Check out Namowal's skydiving duck cartoons :-) She puts it together so well - The threatening door, the "frog brain", and the "freakout-o-meter".. hahaha http://tailotherat.blogspot.com/2011_08_01_archive.html

I just finished my AFF progression and can very much understand what you're saying. I can't and shouldn't and won't give you advice on jumping - But I will share my experiences on the subject; First and foremost, I still get anxious/nervous sometimes. Heck, there was one AFF jump where I just completely flaked out, forgot my dive flow, EP's, exit, and called the whole thing off literally AT THE DOOR and rode the plane back down. For me, I discovered that tunel time helped with the anxiety enormously. Being comfortable in the tunnel makes me more comfortable in freefall - and thus reduces my apprehension about the whole jump. I also read "The Parachute and It's Pilot" by Brian Germain - It helps to explain the physics and carachteristics of canopy flight. I also insist on mocking up every single exit both with and without gear, with and without my coaches. I visualize the jump on the ride up (but not too much). I breathe, smile even if I have to force a fake smile, and remember that I'm there to learn and have fun! I think that if there weren't ANY anxiety, maybe we might not do what we do. But finding what works for you in bringing that apprehension down to a manageable level is something that you'll also figure out.

It really depends. Living in Colorado I can just go to the store down the street and get top shelf, "oh my god where was THIS when I was in high school", keep you occupied for a month kind of stuff. And yet I couldn't tell you the last time I did.. It's not a big deal and doesn't have the "stick it to the man" appeal anymore. That being said, what I received in the mail was probably some ditchweed from the midwest or the desert so I'd probably just throw it away.