base428

Did you see James Dobson on Fox News Friday night regarding Spongebob supposedly being gay? His Focus on the Family NEVER made any reference to Spongebob being gay. Focus on the family was upset over the Teacher's Guides that were provided along with the video, saying the guides promote the acceptance of homosexuality among youth. Don't believe everything you read or hear folks. This is another example of media spin. Story Here ---------------------------------------- FULL STORY, FROM THE LINK ABOVE ---------------------------------------- Why is Dr. Dobson objecting to a video featuring characters such as SpongeBob? Question Why is Dr. Dobson objecting to the distribution of a video featuring such popular children's characters as SpongeBob SquarePants? Answer From the outset, let's be clear that this issue is not about objections to any specific cartoon characters. Instead, Dr. Dobson is concerned that these popular animated personalities are being exploited by an organization that's determined to promote the acceptance of homosexuality among our nation's youth. We applaud the ideal of championing to children the value and dignity of every human life as well as respect for our differences. What we vehemently object to is using these beloved characters to help advance an agenda that's beyond the comprehension of 6 and 7 year-old children, not to mention morally offensive to millions of moms and dads. The video in question is slated to be distributed to 61,000 public and private elementary schools throughout the United States. Where it is shown, schoolchildren will be left with the impression that their teachers are offering their endorsement of the values and agenda associated with the video's sponsor. While some of the goals associated with this organization are noble in nature, their inclusion of the reference to "sexual identity" within their "tolerance pledge" is not only unnecessary, but it crosses a moral line. We believe that it is the privilege of parents to decide how, when and where it is appropriate to introduce their children to these types of sensitive issues. The distribution of this video trumps the authority of mothers and fathers and leaves it in the hands of strangers whose standards may very well be different than the children they teach. By calling it to light this video and its affiliation with this larger organization, we are attempting to do for parents what their busy lives often prevent them from doing themselves--connecting the dots. (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

Did you see James Dobson on Fox News Friday night? His Focus on the Family NEVER made any reference to Spongebob being gay. They were upset over the Teacher's Guides that were provided along with the video, saying the guides promote the acceptance of homosexuality among youth. Mr. Dobson was quite angry at the media over the spin. And is it a surprise that the media spins another story and bashes Christians? PS. The Apple Computer story made me laugh....yes, it's a hoax. (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

BASE jumpers care a lot about Norway!!! (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

Dangerous stunts? Isn't everything from 9am-3pm at Bridge Day dangerous? Anything out of the "normal" needs to be OK'd by me beforehand. Jumps such as the Red Bull rope swings had to be OK'd with the NPS, since the NPS takes the lead role with the Bridge Day Commission regarding the type of jumps we perform. For example, Russel Metlitsky's special jump was also discussed with the "higher ups" and we built him a special platform for his exit. If you have an interesting jump you'd like to perform at Bridge Day, then I highly recommend you contact me about it. I would love to see more cool jumps take place. It just so happens that the Red Bull guys contacted me in early 2003 regarding this stunt and it was OK'd. So feel free to ask me about any of your special jumps - more than likely you'll be able to do them! Cya. PS. BASE in a sandbox? NOT! Bridge Day has probably had more crazy jumps than any other object (first tandem 1984, landing a Mr. Bill into the river in 2002, double Mr. Bill in 2002, tons of BASE CRW, wingsuit bridge jump in 2000, jumpers in boxes, and for many years the biggest group jumps in the sport....). I guess jumper stress builds up during the year. (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

Thanks Tom. Actually, I don't get hassled too much regarding Bridge Day. 99.9% of all jumpers are really cool and I think the NPS probably causes more friction than anyone. But, as the saying goes......"organizing BASE jumpers is like herding cats". I enjoy it quite a bit and will continue to organize it in the near future. Cya. (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

I've been told it's done and being duplicated right now. I'm sending a mass email out to all BD jumpers later tonight with more details. I've also uploaded about 3000+ Bridge Day 2004 photos to my website (click here) if you want to take a peek. The panoramic photos taken at the Holiday Inn and from the boom truck basket are also on the Bridge Day website as well. Cya. (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

Tom summed it up pretty well, so I'll only add a few comments. I've been jumping a 26 Lopo for about 10 years. I've also been on several 2 and 3 way jumps with other round jumpers with no noticeable difference in canopy inflation or opening times. If you don't routinely pull low, then you shouldn't have any problems. I've got an old, but still very applicable, round canopy packing video that was given to me by Rich Stein. It might be the only one out there. If you need a copy, email me. Good luck. (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

Funks, venting on this forum will do you no good. Our wonderful melting pot called "America" is now nothing but a spoiled bowl of mixed languaged, gender confused, religionless people with no morals. (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

So who has the most? Where were they done? I remember Ed Trick doing 20+ in about 6 hours in 2001 in KL. I know the following year he did even more. Just curious..... (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

You may already be gone, but have a good time nonetheless. We had fun throwing your butt off the New River Gorge Bridge at Bridge Day, so be sure to visit again later this year. Cya. (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

And I agree with both you and lawrocket. However, I was simply posting some info I found that related to my original post about being charged with conspiracy to commit aerial delivery. I'm not sure about there having to be two people for conspiracy (I'm not a lawyer), but if you read the definition of conspiracy, it doesn't mention anything about two or more. Maybe the law books define it as such. I'm sure the NPS defines it however they please. Anyway, at least we now know the NPS has used the conspiracy charge in the past. [/end NPS rant] (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

You betcha they'll attempt to charge you with Conspiracy. History shows us from this old post: --- UNITED STATES OF AMERICA VS. AVERY BADENHOP (1999) The Government had charged me (Avery Badenhop) with Aiding and Abetting and Illegal Aerial Delivery, additionally, I was charged with Conspiracy, apparently for my involvement with planning the protest. Initially, Dan Horner, an NPS criminal investigator contacted me by e-mail back in August of this year. The premise of the e-mail was about a rumor that there was going to be a mass protest jump in Yosemite, following the death of Frank Gambalie III at the hands of the NPS in June. At that time I had no involvement whatsoever with any plan to protest in Yosemite. NPS officials were aware of my standing in the BASE community, and sought me out as a go between the jumpers and the government. I did agree to take on the task. At that point, in privacy, I contacted various factions of BASE jumpers, to get the scoup on the mass jump. I was able to quell that situation, in exchange for a more structured one. I did inform the NPS that a protest, including jumps from El Capitan would take place on October 22, 1999. They did participate in the planning, and coordination of that protest. This was a protest of NPS policy, a policy of refusing to give permits to us, so we may jump from the cliffs in the National Parks. On the day of the protest, NPS officials did indeed set up a landing area for us in El Cap Meadow, and even went as far as placing an autographed ranger hat on the center of a target. In our negotiations, the NPS seemed sure that we would not be able to control our landings as well as we said. I am a National Champion in BASE Accuracy, and assured them I could nail the bulls-eye. I was to be the last jumper off El Cap that day, but my opportunity did not materialize. The first three jumps went without any glitches, all three jumpers, Henry Boger, Joe Weber, and Mick Knutson all landed in the designated landing area. The fourth jumper, Jan Davis then jumped, but failed to deploy her parachute. She died as a result. We did not ever contend that BASE is a safe sport, we contend that it is dangerous, but we have a right to participate in the sport nevertheless. I did not jump, I walked back off the mountain. My parachute was confiscated. The three men who jumped were charged with Illegal Aerial Delivery, and Conspiracy. Their gear was confiscated, they were cited and released, as per agreement previously by the NPS. (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

Sounds like a good time....I hope you guys have a ton of fun. If the locals didn't figure out that BASE is going on in Colorado after H.C. crashed through the hotel window, then they will never know. Protecting your objects is a phase we all go through, so don't worry too much kiddies! (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

PCA methods were discussed earlier this year HERE. (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

Simply packing my parachute in El Cap meadow in no way means a jump will be made. I've packed my base rig at many airport terminals in the past, but that doesn't mean I'm going to pull a DB Cooper. Perhaps one of the rangers who monitor this forum could enlighten us as to the type of charges that would be filed? Also, anyone who wears camo on a BASE jump is also asking for trouble. Unless you're a hunter, the wearing of camo is a dead giveaway in most parts of the country. (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

Anyone have a copy of this pamphlet? (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

I've heard that as well. I think it's one of those rules that isn't enforced that much. But my real question is what would they charge you with? There is illegal aerial delivery, but is there conspiracy to commit illegal aerial delivery as well? Anyone know the code on that one? I feel sorry for the newbie skydiver who stops by a National Park and forgets he's got a USPA sticker on his bumper and a Wonderhog in the trunk. (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

Having a "BASEXXX" license plate is one thing - but using that vehicle for ground crew is another. Yes, one of these days I'm gonna drive through Yosemite with my BASE428 license plate and then spread my Mojo 280 out in El Cap meadow and give 'er a good long pack job. I'm not going to jump though. They'd probably lock me up for that. (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

It's not the jumper that I'm worried about. However, grieving parents are notorious for pointing fingers at the BASE instructor, the fixed object itself, and even other jumpers on the load. They "try to prevent this from happening to other clueless jumpers". Grieving parents can be a BASE jumper's worst nightmare - they think we should all be saved from this dangerous sport and they would rather take away our jumping freedoms so they can justify their son/daughter's death. But lawsuits from jumpers and their families are most often covered when the jumper signs a waiver, which in most cases will deter a lawsuit. The real dilemma, in my opinion, is when a jumper hits a spectator in the LZ. THAT is my worst fear. (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

Good question. I carry no liability insurance for Bridge Day and have not been required to do so......YET. I've been laughed out of more than one insurance office after I asked them about insurance for a BASE jumping event. If you get hurt at Bridge Day and you (or your relatives) sue me.....well, shame on you. Here's another old story. After the previous Bridge Day organizers had difficulty finding Bridge Day insurance, the NPS didn't believe them. So the NPS spent one month trying to find someone to insure the event as well. They also failed. When the NPS fails to get insurance, you know it's gonna be hard. I've pretty much given up on finding insurance, but if the need arises, I'll do more research. It's too bad that the few jumpers who know the right places/methods to get insurance can't/won't tell us anything ($$$). Anyone have any good insurance leads? I think the main obstacle in getting a new legal event would simply be putting the time and effort into the project. If you ask enough object owners, there will always be one or two who'll say yes. Nobody is gonna just let you have 100 of your best BASE buddies over to jump a building.....you have to show the building owner how he can benefit from the event. PS. If anyone gets to the point of needing a good solid BASE event waiver, shoot me an email.....I can help. (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

I couldn't resist posting this. Here are two conflicting documents from the NPS. Maybe one of the more friendly rangers will someday smuggle "the list" out of the park and into the hands of a BASE jumper. NPS discrimination has got to stop. We do no harm to NPS lands and would simply like to enjoy our sport, just like the climbers and hang gliders. Conflicting Document #1 NATIONAL PARK SERVICE MORNING REPORT To: All National Park Service Areas and Offices From: Division of Ranger Activities, Washington Office Day/Date: Thursday, August 24, 1995 Broadcast: By 1000 ET 2) Information Request - New River Gorge is beginning preparations for Bridge Day, the annual October event which draws about 200,000 spectators and nearly 600 parachuting and repelling enthusiasts who jump from the 876-foot-high bridge. Due to increased competition for jumping sites nationwide, more and more parks are experiencing such activities. New River Gorge would like to hear from parks that have these activities to learn about their experiences and to develop a list of BASE jumping suspects that other parks would like them to keep a look out for. The park has had considerable success in apprehension, sentencing and extradition in the past. Contact Tony Liquori by phone at 304-574-0165 or via cc:Mail at "NERI RM&VP Canyon District". [Rick Brown, Acting CR, NERI] Conflicting Document #2 See attached letter (they have always stated that no list exists!). (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

Besides the removal of Christ from Christmas, I think another reason for the boycott is the political correctness issue. The majority must suffer due to the complaints of the minority. PS. Now that everyone has spent their 10 minutes researching the history of Christmas on Google and then spitting out the conflicting data within this thread, I'll repeat my statement from an early post - There is no other reason for Christmas than Christ's birth. (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

Isn't the burden of proof on the NPS in this case? Sure, it's wouldn't be easy to discern from 1994 and 2004 jump video in the park. But things such as date stamps and the type of media used (DVD) would definately prove the date. I don't think it's anything we need to worry about, unless the NPS starts raiding houses and cars looking for miniDV tapes. And since the NPS is probably reading this thread - let me say this...... I'll be jumping in your park legally one day (maybe not tomorrow, or next year, but definately before I die!) (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

Statute of limitations in National Parks is only 5 years. So feel free to post video of your Yosemite jump from 1999 or prior. This information was provided to me by a base jumping lawyer. Cya. (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

Dec 22 = Winter Solstice Dec 25 = Christmas The actual date of Christ's birth is unknown, but is celebrated on the 25th. If Christ never existed, do you think we'd have a Holiday for the Winter Solstice? (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted.