Ron

Did you know they "Partied like Rock Stars" before you paid for the tandems? If so....loaning them the money was foolish. They could have not partied for a week or maybe two depending on the amount of partying they do. That was a bad investment risk. I have loaned people money on several occasions. I tend to not loan it to people I don't trust, or people I am not close friends with. I have had several cases bite me in the ass, one for about 500.00...But I let the cash go to keep the friend....However, they are not going to get another dime from me. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

You are taking the comments of a guy that works for the company as the end all? Thats not exactly the best source for information. Also they STILL have not covered the in air fire in DeLand, a country has grounded them, they had problems and ignored them, then they down played them...ect. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Interesting question: USPA stats show that around 23-25% of skydivers are women... Anyone want to take a WAG estimate what the % of GAY skydivers are? I'd venture maybe 7%...? What is the % of Gays in total? "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Most tunnels have at least one AFF I on staff. Try to find out who it is and try to get them hooked up. Go to the tunnel and watch a few flights. But either way they will learn stability and maybe turns if they progress that far. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Full face. Not many people will see a "tounge out" signal anyway. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

got more info on that? "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Anyone else see that one? "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Billy Idol "Craddle of Love"...I used to drive like hell when that came on. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Well lets look at some numbers. TB: 43790 threads, 839152 posts. SC: 1637 threads, 47817 posts. WO:1145 threads, 23130 posts. Dis: 55, threads, 544 posts. More people hang out and talk BS...Normal. A few talk politics, but talk alot about it...Again normal Women have "issues" they need to talk about...Normal Only 55 Threads about disabilities, and only 544 posts. Well there are few skydivers that have a disability. I bet there are fewer skydivers that are gay and willing to talk about it, than people with disabilities. Besides most Gay threads will most likely end up in SC anyway. So, it would not have enough traffic to warrent it, and many posts would get moved to an already existing forum. Skydivers with Disabilities barely warrents the seperate forum, except the information is critical, topical to this forum, and hard to find. Edit to add...SC is needed as a dumping ground for topics that are "hot" and not appropriate for TB. So while liberals and conservatives don't NEED a seperate forum to discuss hot topics, it allows for less clutter in TB, and a way for those who don't care to get involve a way to avoid it. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Getting a little silly there. I don't see how being Gay could affect your ability to skydive or factor into any aspects of skydiving. A womens forum? Well jumping while pregnant, how different female medications might influence a skydive, rigs that fit females better, jumpsuits that fit females better...Ect I can see it. Disabilities...I can easily see how that could effect a skydive and how it could be a resource to help others with the same problems. But being Gay should in no way effect a skydive. There might be a use in dealing with bias on a DZ, but that same bias is in EVERTHING, not just at a DZ. So it is not very skydive related. Of course some on here will just assume I am "Gay bashing". "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

The popularity of modern AAD's has reduced the number of fatalities due to high speed mals. The rate of AAD fires is greater than the number of fatalities pre-AAD. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Airspeed is great. I once hired a World Champ to coach a 4 way team. He was a 2 time World Champ...But a really bad coach. He just told us to do it faster, and we just needed practice. This was a long time ago, and he does not coach anymore. In fact most of those coaches don't last long. Anyone with anyname that is still around would be good. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Teams can be fun if you have the right attitudes. They can take all the fun out of it if you don't. Fall rates can be fixed much easier than a bad teammate or a teammate with different goals. I knew a team last year that had a pretty damned good jumper on it. She was a pain in the ass to deal with. It really screwed the team. Another team was looking for a 4th. They found a good skydiver with a good attitude. His lack of money ruined that team. In order: 1. Attitude 2. Finances/Goals 3. Skill (fall rate) "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Good question. Many people say that a slow speed mal is the worst. They ahve very good reasons to think that. The biggest has to be "I think I can fix it". However, I think the high speed ones are worse. The only reason I feel that way is that they are high speed, and you don't have time to think. 6 seconds per thousand feet is not a lot of time. Time distorts during any mal and while a slow speed mal might shift your clock into slow...A high speed mal does the same, but you have less time to deal with it. Even some of the low speed mals become high speed afetr a cut away. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Maybe the best post on here. Agree 100% "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Noble, but unrealistic. I really want you on my loads at next years nationals however. But like duce said, I doubt most are going to be willing to do that. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Like I said before I am now your enemy since you are mine. However, you might find this an interesting read...Ya know from me who hates all things gay and wishes you to burn. http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=970274#970274 I guess you really don't know me at all do you? "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

See you cut me off an attack. And with you attacking me, and belittling me...Which way do you think I'm gonna vote? You could have not been a pain and talked about it...Instead you attack and call me names, say I'm stupid. You are the reason that gays have an image problem. You do more to hurt your cause than I ever would, or even could. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

See, belittle my thoughts. Like it or not you represent ALL Gays when you attack people when they ask questions or give opinions. A. You know nothing about me. B. See the attack. You can't stop it. It kills you to not do it. You do more harm than good when you act like a child. See an attack. you claim I am the "Enemy". Neat little story. I don't make enemies...They make themselves. I don't wish ill on anyone. But you just called me your enemy....Quess what that makes you? My ememy. Silly person. Now insted of giving a shit what you say I don't care. With that attitude you will not be able to convince me you have any point. Your close minded stance and stupid actions have only solidified my thoughts on you. Now Keith has class. I will talk to him about this topic... But you are clearly a waste of my time. See, you make your own enemies...You just made one here. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

The problem is that at times when a person asks a question, or does not agree, the minority group attacks. When that happens the question does not get answered, or the minority tries to make the person feel invalidated like their opinion is bad, or wrong. Many times the minority causes more problems with that tact than they would if they listened. I don't have to agree that gays are OK to agree they deserve the same rights as straight people. But when they attack me, or belittle my thoughts. I'll be damned if I am going to go out of my way to help them. For the record: I don't have a problem with gay couples having the rights that hetero couples have. They should be able to make choices for their partner if they are sick or unable to make choices for themselves. They should be able to share property and have it transfer in the same method as "Normal" couples. I don't see it as a Marriage since "Marriage" is from a church. I have some issues with adoption. And with the anger I get from the "Gay Coalition" on here thats not likely to change soon. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Your ability to be closed minded and attack others for how they feel is one of the main reasons that there is a bias in the world towards gays. Ask a question, or give an opinion and you attack. You are a large part of the problem. You assume anyone that does not agree with you is a homophobe, or a religious zelot. That is a closed mind. You know nothing about me. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Yeah, he played it off and wanted me to keep it a secret. Maybe he was just a gay guy. But I felt preyed upon. And I don't have to be friends with people who make me feel uneasy around. He fostered trust. He got me drunk. He made sure we were alone. He made a move, and then later tried to keep it secret. What do you think? You don't know me. I have a few gay friends. I started with a female gay friend since I would not feel threatend. I also had a boss that was gay. I have spent many hours talking to them about nature vs nurture. In fact one of my gay guy friends thought I was "interested" since I started asking him about "Gaydar" and how he knows he can hit on a guy. He thought I was asking for tips. After I told him why I was asking...Just to learn more to make informed choices about things...He expalined maybe more information than I wanted. I wonder if these "Gay Champions" on here can have logical disscussions with straight people about this topic....Most I have seen on here cannot. They assume if you question it that they must attack. Stupid really, and it shows me that they cannot be open. It's OK for them to tell you what they think, but God forbid you say your mind. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Maybe you didn't understand? You are defending him since he agrees with your view, and attacking me since I don't. Maybe you should read it and assume he was trying to call me gay...Ya know that is an insult to straight men right? "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

When have I not replied to you? Yes, one is a feeling, the other an act. If you have the feelings but don't act on them you IMO are not gay. It takes the ACT to become gay, and that is a choice (Unless raped). If I WANT to kill someone...I am not a killer. If I kill someone THEN I am a killer. If I want to have sex with 1000 women, I am not Don Juan...IF I HAVE sex with 1,000 women I am still not Don Juan, (Hey but who cares right). If you want to have Gay sex..You are not gay. If you HAVE gay sex you are GAY...It is the act, not the intent. I think your failure to understand the simple concept that WANTING something does not make you anything...DOING something does make you it. And I think that is the source of your difficulty. Wanting to kill someone does not make you a murder anymore than wanting gay sax will not make you gay. It is the ACT. That gives you the definition. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

He was a youth counslor at the church. He was also a guy that was a good guy that I could talk to. His hitting on me made me feel like he was preying on me. I no longer could trust him, so I was no longer friends with him. BTW I didn't feel like a guy getting hit on at a bar. I felt like he got me drunk to try and have sex with me. It was not a case of "professing love"...It was a case of a guy trying to get someone drunk with the intent of making a move. Wrong in any case. And I felt I could no longer trust him. THATS why I stopped being friends with him. Ya know the feeling I got from this...Ya know those guys that give kids toys and candy and then start asking for sexual favors? Thats the feeling I got. VERY creepy, and I felt I could no longer trust the guy. If I can't trust someone....I don't stay friends with them. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334