Ron

Then whats the problem? Whats better the SAFER way or the cheaper way? Nope, but S/L is even more profitable...One Instructor and 3 or more students. Don't know...I don't know all the DZ's around. I would bet that some require the tandem since some people will only ever do the one jump...why waste 8 hours of ground school on them if they are never going to return and just want to do it once? Yeah, but as an instructor how can I ensure that you will not freakout and kill yourself? Hey if I ran the world we would be doing: A tandem to give people a taste and weed out the ones that are never going to continue. 4 Static lines to work on canopy control and pulling. 10-20 minutes of tunnel time to work on body position and practice pulls. 5 single JM aff jumps. 15 coached jumps. 1 live cutaway with a tersh rig. I think the students would be much better than any other program available...But hey I don't run this place. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Interesting artical...I liked this part: And this one: A stitch in time saves nine.-Franklin "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Yes sorry I should have made it clearer. So? I mean I bet the family that makes 200K a year did something to earn that 200K. I don't hate Dr's or lawyers that get paid the big bucks...They earned it. Compassion has nothing to do with taxes. Lets look at my thoughts on each of your ideas (Cause I know you just HAVE ta know) By far the most "fair" tax. You only pay for the services you use...I don't have kids, so why should I pay for schools? Well I think we have a duty to our future generations..Adn I don't mind helping them to be honest. The problem with a "pay as you go" tax is that it would be a pain in the butt to do. It would be arecord keeping nightmare. And it would severly underfund some things...Schools are one, but public funded airports is another. This is a very fair tax structure....We the people pay for the government we voted for....However, some guesses of what that would be is around 12,000.00 per person. Well, that would kill some families. So It would not work. You owe "X" percent of your income to the government....I like this one best....Yes, the rich pay more taxes, but they can afford it most times. Not as fair as the other two, but very workable. There is no "penalty" for working hard and doing well...You owe "X" percent just like the guy working at Walmart Part time. I don't like this one since it punnishes the people that do well. Given the 4 choices (Which are the best 4 I could think of)... The third is a good balance between fair and ability and it is workable. What we need to do is eliminate some of the loopholes....I could have saved a ton of money if I worked it right...But I really don't care that much. I have a good life, and I make enough money, so I didn't mind paying the "extra" taxes I could have skipped out on. Maybe next year I'll do some.. but its alot more work than I care. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Hell, if you can get my sister to go out with you have at. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

The funny thing is I think we had this talk before...Except you didn't agree then..... Ya think you might think different when you are 31 with 7 more years in the sport and 2,000 more jumps...I do. You didn't back then....And I get more PM's from people who once called me an ass telling me they now understand...Man that is funny.... "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

While you can have an opinion...It is an opinion from someone with less experience...And it should be listen to with that in mind. You right to have an opinion is the same... The weight that opinion carries is not. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

If thats what the Instructors want then yes. No amount of training will prepare you for freefall. Oherwise we could just hand rigs to anyone that has a pilots license. You didn't need radio help since you knew about patterns...You had a good body position due to tunnel time. That makes you BETTER prepared, but not prepared to leave an aircraft in flight. I have seen well trained people just flat out freak out in freefall. And I have seen some people with almost no training I think I could have just handed thema rig and told them the handles to pull and they would have been fine. Its hard to tell. A tandem will help you know. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

The funny thing is when you did that, and others did what you are doing now....You thought they were assholes.... Now you think like they did...Man that kills me "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

When the Sabre came out it was the best and the first. It is also what 15 years old? Which is the better car a 1991 Mustang or a 2005 Mustang? The newer car is going to be better. The first of anything is going to have some problems... An interesting note...The Sabre was designed for people who wore much baggier and thus slower falling jump suits. The freefall speed has increased over the years...The Stiletto was designed to handle higher speeds (As is now almost all new canopies). To compare a new canopy to a canopy that was released 15 years ago (And which is no longer made) is nuts..... Tom has an issue with a Sabre since he has recieved an injury that he attributes to the Sabre. Well, he is a smart guy and while the Sabre may have played a part....He is engaging in a high risk sport. When Toms injury happend there were several slower opening canopies on the market...Why didn't he buy one? He is venting his anger at a problem that might have been atributed to a hard opening...But I suspect that it was a case of several openings, not just one...And he knew that Sabres have a tendency to open hard at times...He could have not jumped, or bought a new canopy at anytime. Simple fact is most people with a bunch of jumps have things that pop and make noises that probably should not. Something to consider...The human body was not designed to go through the repeated opening shocks we experience....You will wear your body out doing this. Oh yeah, when the Sabre came out it was hands down the best canopy on the market...And it held market share for 10+ years...That says a lot about the product...It not being made anymore also says that it's time has past....There is a reason they don't make 1957 Chevy Belairs anymore. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=38247 "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Agreed. Uh, well the child tax credits ARE a break...so your argument is moot. How about being fair on how much you have to pay...If I make more than you thats your fault, not mine...Why should I be punished since I worked harder? This is a typical Dem stance...You can afford more so you should pay more. Uh, how about a flat tax rate and my amount will be bigger than yours since I make more...Thats fair...Makeing me pay a higher % just cause you want me to is not. You are out of collage right? Well I don't have a degree....So you have greater potential than me (On paper) why am I makeing more than you? OH, I know why....Reference this post So you would rather jump than make money...But you complain about how others do what it takes to make money and you want to punish them for it? And as for this: Maybe if you didn't spend as much drinking you would not spend almost 100% of your funds. And if you used your degree to get a job that as you say is "commensurate with my level of education" you would be able to not spend 100% of all your money. Simple fact is you CHOOSE to be in the economic situation you are in..By picking to have a dead end job and drinking your money away. Your life goal may be to be a DZ bum, but don't punish me for wanting more and doing what it takes to get more. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Do your homework...Recount after recount Bush won. Gore tried to throw my and other military members votes out...Thats also proven. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

I go with Flat...Its not my fault I make more than some...It's not Bill Gates fault he makes more than me. Its fair, its easy...Its unrealistic to think that just cause I worked harder than someone else I should have to pay a larger %... You would be punishing me for doing well. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Once a Knight always a Knight. He is now retired from the military. Since he is retired he should have something from the military....I'm not sure to what extent. This is a tough time for MANY people. Please reserve this thread for updates and send well wishes to the other "Sticky" thread. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Nice car.... Don't fucking kill yourself with it. Watch the speeding...Tickets cost a lot and you will be paying for them for a LONG time with higher insurance payments. DON'T FUCKING DRIVE IT IF YOU HAVE ANY ALCOHOL AT ALL IN YOU!!!!!!!!!! A DUI will kill your future. BTW nice car. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

It was sent out by the USPA...They did a write up about ti back about 6ths ago in "Capitol Commentary" THEY admittted that it was sad that most joined cause they "Had to" "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

[Lounge Lizzard Voice]Thanks, you have been great, I'll be here all week. Be kind to your hard working web masters.[/Lounge Lizzard Voice] I don't kill koalas...I kill kittens So far in just this thread we have learned about me: 1. Its a right of passage to have me spank newbies. (I could really get into that...Ladies line up right over here) 2. I'm honest and truthfull (Write me in for Prez '04) and I tell it how I see it...Without the BS. Some like it, some don't. 3. People like me...well atleast the ones that know me...The others I strongly suspect are taking a collection for a hitman. 3. I clearly am much more hated than even I thought... I guess I should be prepared for UN action? I mean me against the WORLD and all. 4. I clearly both teach a lot of people , And don't at the same time with the same posts. Man I am really a complex guy. 5. I'm entertaining. And be honest its why we are all here. 6. I should come with a public service announcement....Wow a PSA of my very own...Quade you work in broadcast...work one up for me will ya?http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=1054518#1054518 Wow....cool huh? "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Yep....And really stupid. However both sides are to blame. The Dems bring up GWB's questionable NG time...So the Reb have to counter with Kerry's winter soldier testimony and his questionable practices in reguards to his anit-war movement. The thing that gets me is it is quite clear that most didn't care about GWB's time in service....We had elected him and before him we elected a draft dodger. I don't blame him for not wanting to go to war...Hell mmost GI's don't want to go to war, and if I were a powerful man I would do what I could to protect my son from war. As for Kerrys military record...I have no doubt he was a war hero...And having been in the military I can understand (But not excuse) his actions about trying to get medals, and his war crimes. So I agree with Sen. John McCain....They both served..shut up already. My issue is with Kerry's whole career as a wannabe Kennedy and his two faced actions...And really not so much his changing his mind...But how he claims he never did. Bush is not perfect but I trust the man, and he is a leader. And that is really what it boils down to for me. Oh yeah, its gonna be ugly. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

The USPA is little more than a magazine. In a poll most members said they were members cause they "had" to be to jump at most large DZ's. That makes a pretty fucked up statement about how they due business if most would not be a member if they could avoid it. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Ever hear of the whole political game you cliam to know about? You think they would be OK with that? Besides THEY did nothing wrong. You are showing your lack of ability to grasp international politics...This is not grade school "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

I agree....If they claim that the people wanted him...where is he now? "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

How could I forget that??? [Homer Simpson voice]Ummmmm wingload issues[/Homer Simpson voice] "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

We still have RSL's, AAD's and my current fav...Jump #'s do mean something "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

RSL's are bad "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Hey, you quit talking about how Bush didn't serve honorably...And I'll quit talking about Kerry and his war crimes (That he admitted to in Winter soldier 0. You quit saying Bush lied, and I'll quit pointing out Kerry being two faced. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334