Ron

Really? Some people say that a man can't fall in love with a man. Some relationships never have meaningful 2 sided conversations. Have you told this to clay? Some people don't believe in soulmates, some people believe in reincarnation....Some think that you can come back as an animal. What right do you have to claim they are wrong and deny them happiness? Nah, I get rejected enough by women, I don't need to increase my chances of getting rejected by adding men and farm animals. My point is that some one here claim several things based on emotion....Not fact. But the emotional argument does not stand up when other factors are put into play. Simple fact. If you encourage the right to change the definition of marriage to fit YOUR favorite definition, at the protest of others...Then you have to be ready to accept someone elses shoved onto you inspite your objections. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Its in the reserve tray. So its not like people can just pop it out. Its going to be a job for a rigger. But cheaper batteries is a good thing. The part about the checkup being done locally is a good thing since it will not have to be sent off in major markets. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

I NEVER compared them. I simply stated taht if you want to change the definitions of something to fit YOUR definition. Then you need to allow others to do the same, otherwise you become the thing you hate. So if you want to grant homosexuals the right to marry...Then you must also allow poligamy, the right for siblings to marry, and the right for "Bob" to marry his cat since he loves it so much. Because if you don't allow "anything" then you are in fact doing what you claim others are doing. I mean as long as the cat does not seem to mind, what right do you have to keep "Bob" from being happy? Why do they have to be adults? I mean in some countries 13 year olds can wed. Why not allow anything? "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Why becasue YOU say so? So its a case of your definition of what you want is better than anyone elses? Sorry, once you start defining things you ahve to also grant others the same right otherwise you become the very thing you claim to be against "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Not that easy. We already have one person on here saying he would cancel health insurance to his ee's since he would nto want to support a homosexual lifestyle. And by law he would not be allowed to only pay to provide healthcare to his hetero workforce. So it does effect more than you want to admit. show me one reference that adresses homosexuality in the US Constituition. I asked the same question with the Bible and no one was able to provide one.....So someone find me where in the US Constituition it says that Homosexuals have the right to marry. Here is a hint...There is nothing in there about marriage at all. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

The Constitution has a little phrase about all men being made equal. So nice try, but go fish. What is so hard about admitting you want a special right? "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Not true. They have the same rights I have. They choose not to exercise them and instead want special rights as defined by granting a minority something that the majority does not wish to have. Simple english here folks...You want to grant them the right? Don't pretend its equality they are after since they have the SAME rights I have. They want different rights. Call it wat you want, but it is special by definition. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

sure it would...The MAJORITY would not want it. Or multiple partners or animals....Remember if you change the definition to suit you...Then you need to be willing to change it to suit others dreams as well. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

While with time it would become "normal" the fact that 10% of the poulation according to many makes them a minority. So to grant something to a small segment is in fact special treatment However other studies have show that fiqure to be wrong and quite overblown. It should be noted that Kinsey used 1,400 people that according to todays standards would be classified as "Sexual Preditiors". Some think that Kinsey's use of this group as part of his study made the numbers skewed. Kinda like using Skydivers to see how many Americans use Aviation as a hobby. Alan Guttmacher Institute interviewed over 3,300 men throughout the country in 1991, found that only 2.3 percent of those interviewed admit to a same sex experience in the last ten years; only 1.1 percent say they have been exclusively Gay. Some other research: So being that it is a small group, asking for something applicable only to them....It is by the very nature *special* "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Equal they have, they have the same rights I do. I can marry a woman, so can any male. I didn't say "better" I said "special". if a gay man wants to marry a gay man, then that is a right that is not currently there. Therfore if they want it, then it is a special right. However they claim that all they want is "equal"...They have EQUAL, they want special. It is different in that one is legal, and one is not. Again I have said time after time that you have to be careful what you ask for. They have equal, they want special. They have the EXACT same rights you or I do. They want something else....That makes it a special right. Now you can debate their rights all day long...But its not equal they want, they already have that. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Hence they want *special* not equal. If you want to argue for them to have *special* rights....Please feel free. But don't claim its "equal" since it is clearly not. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

You claimed they anted equal...They have equal..They want special. You may think that thats OK...Fine, but don't claim it is something its not. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

One reason is that if the back piece goes over they have from the knee to the toe to get a grip. If you put the front piece over you have to be back on level to get the grip. Many times I have seen bootie grabs and foot docks at the close of the 19....All legal. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

They have the SAME rights....They want *special* I am not allowed to marry a man either. Neither are you. However, we being male are free to marry any female that is willing. Again SAME. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Who has more tunnel time and time teaching in the tunnel....Sally or myself, or a tunnel rat who's job it is to teach people to fly in the tunnel? I'd bet on the Rat, and I have over 100 hours of tunnel time. The rats take whuffos and put them in freefall in the tunnel ALL DAY, EVERYDAY. It is what they do...So I'll have to disagree with your thought that an AFF rated person is better in the tunnel than the people who teach everyday in there. For the level of instruction needed to pass level 4.....A rat could do as good, maybe even better than a coach. And thats coming from me, an AFF rated skydiver that just did 5 hours of coaching in the tunnel this past weekend, and I have another 10 hours next weekend. Plus, I can think of a few tunnel rats that ARE AFF rated. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Peep Fires round 5. They had a pretty big glitch that cost 2.9 seconds and STILL tied the high score!!!! WOW Also Fastrax in second ties with AS.... Impressive. Watch FT and look at the 19...I always wondered how that would go with the front always vertical. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

OK, but why then would you have a problem with people who think marriage is only between a man and a woman? Really its the same thing. You have a problem with how some define a marriage. Others have a problem with how you wish to define it. I hold the same feelings....However, when forced to vote on legalization of drugs....Which way would you vote and why? Same thing. Most people are not going to bother to picket anything ever. Most will not go to a rally FOR OR AGAINST anything. But most do have an opinion, and when asked to vote on it will voice their opinion...even if it is just long enough to punch a card...They will then go back to their daily lives. The only thing I don't like about all of this is how some think that since you don't agree with "X" then you are evill or uncivilized. People do that all the time. "You are not for the war? What are you a terrorist?" "You are not for Gay marriage, what are you a homophobe?, a religious zelot?" Ask enough people their opinions....And you are sure to find something to get upset about. Funny, but a valid line of thought. Once you start wanting to change a definition to suit your views, then you have to entertain the idea that others will want to change *your* definition to fit their views...even if you don't like them. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Whos at the next camp July 9 &10? "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Airspeed could show you things I can't. Airspeed could show me things (in fact we have Houston this mth for a weekend). Its a case of cost/benefit. You could learn tons from Airspeed, but you could also learn tons from several other coaches, and you might not pay as much. It really does not matter IMO. Its nice, but I don't care what they did....I am going to show them what to do and have them do it. http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=1343580#1343580 "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

I think the Swoop mode the ADD turns inactive once the main canopy is open. So if you were to open then cutaway...No AAD will fire. It was set up that way since some modern canopies could fire an AAD in a hook turn. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

I have the knife edge booties from Michigan and I love them. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

It will not matter if you use an AFF "I" or a tunnel rat to help fix your issue. Level 4 is one of the hardest levels for people to pass...... I know you are sick of hearing this....Relax. Its not normal to be falling towards a planet at 120 MPH. As for Paige...Nice person really trying hard to promote the tunnel. As for Sally...One of my best friends, former teammate, and my rigger. As good as both of these folks are....You will be served by either, or just by one of the tunnel rats. Never forget the rats train people to fly with NO experience. Tunnelcoach.com is a good program, but I am sure there are tons of other programs also. What more do you want? How much time? Which tunnel do you want to go use? All of these questions should be answered before people start throwing advice. Edit: Also, don't avoid the DZ. You can pass level 4 without tunnel....People did it for years before there was a tunnel. Talk to your Instructors. The point of skydiving is to skydive. edit AGAIN: Each session has a "Rat" with you. They can help with anything you need. You can pay more and get coaching from the tunnel staff (I honestly don't think at your level you will need more than the standard instruction...However, the tunnel rats are some of the best at flying period.) You can pay more and get a "contract coach". These folks get paid by you to be there. Some of them are people such as Sally, Paige, Solly Williams, and I do it as well. Their fees vary from free to a lot. The level of experience vary as well. Its kind of a "buyer beware" market. I have seen some really crappy coaches charging for coaching. Best bet is to ask around. Many people have recomended Sally's program already in this thread, and I just saw Paige in the tunnel and she knows what she is doing as well. Anymore questions ask...you can reply here, or PM me. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Just met with Karel Goorts this Saturday at the wind tunnel about the Argus AAD. I'm not sponsored, I'm not an owner...ect. So I have no reason to like it, other than what I have seen and what I have been told...(OK, they did give me a Tshirt, but its an XL...So the first big guy I see that wants it, gets it). It seems like a good unit. He sat down and showed me a test unit and it seems pretty damn easy to use. Some things I liked: Easy battery replacement, and its a battery that you can get for 10 bucks at Walmart. Seems like it will need to replaced every year, but at 10 bucks a pop its not bad. It can have several modes: Standard, Tandem, Student, Swoop. But it only comes with one. So you only have to stock one type of unit, and then you can load the other ones that you want. It costs more for the loads, but most people will not need them, so why have them? It will have a checkup that will need to be done. But it will be done locally by trained riggers with the right equipment. The company seems to be really testing the hell out of these things. They are going to release about 50 to jumpers that jump tons and send another 50 to a lab to get tested till destruction. The projected cost was less than both the CYPRES and the Vigil....But I'll wait to see when it actually is for sale to see if that stays true. The unit I looked at was still a prototype, and the proof will be in the testing. But it looks pretty good to me so far. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

The guy with 10 years knows more. The guy with two might have more skill. I knew a guy that was going to buy a new canopy. He had been jumping about a year and was jumping a lot...He thought it was a great deal..It was a NOVA. You can't call him experienced, even though he was skilled. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Who says I do? "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334