Ron

Would you like some cheeze with that wine? Feel free hero! Simple answer...quit reading them...Longer answer get a therapist. No, I reply to thread to help educate...I don't just post Boobies over and over. Thanks, I will write a book. As for falling into the Ron trap...I guess you think I care what you think about me huh? Fact is I get emails from people who support me all the time...And again if you don't like it, you can avoid anything I post. Ah pudd'in are you gonna cry???? I'll debate anyone....But you are showing a self rightous attitude here stud, not me. As for close minded...you very clearly don't know me. Oh yeah have a nice day...and a nice personal attack....But like I said you must think your opinon maters to me huh? "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Id rather go with the one I know, that the wannabe Kennedy "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

wow..you found www.johnkerry.com "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Here is mine. Your political compass Economic Left/Right: -0.50 Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: 2.41 "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Kerry being a two faced liar is very relevant...If he lied before for political gain he will do it again. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

I tried to stay out, but this was to great. So if Kerry thought he was telling the truth its OK. (More on this later), but if Bush thought Iraq had WMD's and they didn't he is a liar? OK, so he made a mistake in his past and we should forgive him.....But you guys don't want to forgive Bush? Irony at work folks. As for Kerry and his lies at winter soilder...Un he claimed to have seen and DONE deeds. So he either lied about them to get public support then, or he is lying now saying he never did those things for public support. You can't have it both ways...He either lied back then or he is lying today. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Why not he let the van bombing of the WTC slide. He let the USS Cole bombing slide. Recount after recount by different organizations has show that he WON. I find it funny that people keep bringing this up. And as for pulling strings, how about Gore trying to throw out all military absinetee ballots? "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

I have flown a jump plane for skydiving...ALL of the people on the plane were instructors and NO ONE paid for the lift.... It was a last load of the day jump for the regular pilot and the instructors and the DZO to have some fun. I flew since I was a rated pilot with a HP checkout, and I had been jumping all day. As for as I knew...Or cared for that matter it was legal since no one was being paid for the flight...In fact the DZO just ate the cost of the flight to reward his staff. That COULD be taken as compensation...Just as the flight time I got could be...But if the FAA wants to come after me for that, they are wasting my tax dollars. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Your experience may be worth something...But it is only THAT experience, to YOU. You don't have the larger scope of knowledge to understand how that would relate to other situations, and other personalities. Your opinion might be right for YOU in THAT situation. but it may not apply to anyone else in any other situation. I have seen people tell others on here that a smaller canopy is safer than a larger one. HUH? I have seen people on here tell a guy that a Sabre 150 at a 1.1 would be a fine canopy for him at 30 jums...Oh, but they didn't know that they guy is jumping in Colorado and they didn't take into account that they jumped a 1.1 loaded Sabre in Florida at sea level. WAY different situations. I have seen people on here try to teach another about the two stage flair...Great, but the student gear they learned on was a Navigator, and this guy has a Raven IV..Again WAY different. On of my favorites...A guy was looking for a new canopy...He got lead on a good deal. A "right sized" 9 Cell ZP canopy with 300 jumps on it for like 300 bucks!!! WOW! Several of his buddies thought it was a great idea and told him to buy it. What would you tell him? They ran to me to tell me about it....I asked him the name of the canopy...It was a Nova...Most of this newbie group knew nothing about the Nova...After I told them the story, they didn't think it was a good deal anymore. So while the advice or the experience is valuable For YOU and YOUR situation...It does not apply to others automaticly. There is MUCH more info that must be gotten...Some of which you don't even know about. How many on here really understand density altitude? There are other instructors out there...You have said yourself many times that you don't listen to me due to my approach...But I have others tell me to keep it up and it was what they needed. From a PM I got (With Permission) And I get several others..The fact is you may not respond well to my posts...But others do. Case in point http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=1052970#1052970 If I have to be seen as an asshole to some to be able to get the message to others...I'll live with that. I'm not here to be popular. I'm here to help keep people safe. Show me where I have jumped on someone for asking a question. I know I'll jump them if they ignore the answer and try to defend the positon they want...If they are not going to listen, why ask the question? If they share and experience thats cool...When they start giving bad advice I also jump in. You may not like the style I use...but it does work...Just maybe not for you. So go find other instructors that teach the way you like...Or just try to read my info and not read the rant part of it.... Either way all my posts are not intended for you. The are intended for everyone, and I hope some listen. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Very well said. I know I thought I was bullet proof at around 300-500 jumps... My first Instructor had 500 jumps and his license plate WAS "SKYGOD". "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

And what bothers me about you is the whole "Respect my experience because its worth something" But you think that means its worth more than just the experience itself. You don't see me argue and tell Kallend he is wrong about physics since I have read "Physics for Dummies". I'm over the top cause I'm sick of going to funerals. The cost of me being "over the top" is you will not buy me a beer...Fine. If it gets one person to think and be safer I'll live with that all day. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Well in FF you might very well be..I have no problem telling you that you are a better freeflyer than me. And so if you are giving freefly advice...I would listen. However if you were giving bad canopy advice I would jump in. Not if the advice was good. Here is an interesting story...One of my old teammates was a tunnel rat...He could skydive circles around me all day long....He didn't handle a mal correctly and he is dead now. Now he gave me RW advice all the time...But I would not let him give me or anyone else skydiving advice. Was he better at RW than me...Hell yes. But he is dead now. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

At one time you also didn't think you were dependant on any gear right? http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=1050533#1050533 But when I say that people do rely on those things...Some people say I am full of shit. Funny huh? "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Well given the fact that a good number of people will go to great lengths to hide their experience...So far as to flat out lie about how many jumps they have done....How do you decide who is what? The simple facts are that people are going to lie, or hide their experience. I can't get to know and jump with and evaluate every person I ever meet. I don't have that amount of time. There are certian "Profiles" that people fall into. A woman that is 50 with 500 jump and jumping a spector I'm not so affraid he is going to try to hook the pond. A 25 year old male with 500 jumps jumping a Velocity...Well he is at risk. It does not matter if you like it or not, profiling works. It leaves a bad taste in my mouth as well...But it happens. Then maybe you are not one of them...That does not mean that they do not exist. Well do you think the people that really suck think they really suck and are dnagerous? Very few that bounced thought they were going to die doing this. Depends on what you are saying...If you are talking about fear of skydiving, you might be a better source than me since you are newer. However if we are talking about 4 way block moves...I think I have you there. And if its an AFF question neither you or I are qualified...Thats BillVons department. So if you were giving advice on how to do a hook turn...Or what size canopy is OK for another guy..Well that is out of your realm of experience. I wil take you seroiusly based on your experience. I would not take you seroiusly if you started giving hook turn advice. But I know the difference between crap advice and good advice....A guy with 20 jumps thinks 70 is a lot and does not know enough to know that your advice migth be crap. I can tell your experience from what you write....Not everyone can. Well if they want to express an opinion than they should be willing to have their credentails checked. Mine are open to all who want to see them...I give opinions, but I also don't hide my credentials. Want to give an a opinion?...You should also give your expereince to back it up, not hide it to try and strengthen your position. Case in point..I have more jumps than Kallend...But he is a Physics Professor...So when it comes to *skydiving* (other than big ways) I might know more than him....But when it comes to design of a canopy, the effects of a venturi..ect he smokes me. He does not hide his PhD...I don't hide my jump numbers. Show me one newbie question that I jumped on them for asking it?...you will find I don't jump on them unless they refuse to listen..These people are "fishing" for the answer they want. When they don't get the answer they wanted they then try to defend the position they want. These people are not asking a question to learn, they are looking for permission to do what they already want. Think of the cost of a mistake...death. Given the choice I will error on the safe side every time. While a person who can read and think is qualified to give an opinion....That does not mean that they have a clue of what they are talking about. A good case of this is the 45 degree exit rule....Some think its a good idea. Qualifications are not the same as jump numbers...Just like I said Kallend is MUCH more qualified to to talk about how physics principals effect a canopy and its flight...I am much more qualified to teach someone to hook turn than him. BillVon is much more qualified to talk about AFF than me...Or electronics. But I would think they would listen to me talk about 4way. But the simple truth is that in MOST cases the guy with more jumps knows more about skydiving....Just as the pilot with 1,000 hours knows more than the guy with 100. A Dr. knows more about the subject he is in than a regular guy with a BA degree. I really don't see how that is a hard concept to grasp. And you yourself have sais that people like to think they are the "top dog"...Well the danger is taht while I might be able to see they guy is full of shit..You may not. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

You are more qualified to discuss those things than a guy that has 1,000 jumps and has never had any of those things happen. But the key word is QUALIFIED...Some people think they are qualified when they are not. And that is the issue. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Thats cause when you ask a question you really want to know, and you listen to the answer. You don't ask me if its OK at 10 jumps to jump a camera wanting me to say it is OK. And when I say its a bad idea you don't try to defend why you should be allowed. A lot of people on here ask questions and they already know the answer they want, and are trying to get justification to back the stance they already have. So they ask "Can I jump a Stiletto 97 at 1.5 at 100 jumps?" And I say "Hell no!" Then they say that I don't know them and they once in the third grade built a paper airplane so they know all about flying and I am trying to hold them back. Then someone else tells them its a good idea...That being the answer they wanted they now go and buy that means for their destruction. Now if I ever meet you,I would be honored to spank you "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

If you were female I would be all happy right now. As it was...Oh well. One thing you will see is I only "Spank" someone not when the aska question....But when they don't listen to the answer. My pet peave is someone saying "Well you don't know me so you can't say"...True I may not know that person, but I have known hudereds of people that have been in that same situation to include myself. So I do know what could, and what most likley will happen. And when you think about it success at skydiving is more than medals it is judged by survival. So the cost of not listening could very well be death. I feel all warm and fuzzy...If you were female it would be better. Oh well.... "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Not slamming on you but you did walk right into this... Here is an example of a guy that thinks he is better than his jump #'s. (And in truth he might be...And I am sure he is better than me at headdown). And he goes to great extent to show why he is better than his jump #;s indicate..And it might be true. But he didn't like the idea of people not listening to him just based on jump numbers....Well he only has 400+ jumps and that means 400+ canopy flights, and 400+ landings, 400+ openings, 400+ ect. So while his coaching, and tunnel time might make him fly in freefall like he has 600 jumps...He still only has 400+. And thats not alot. So while he might be giving good FF advice (Which I know nothing about so I would not mention) He might give crappy canopy advice...And I would call him to the carpet on it. Besides his only reason for not including jump numbers is his ego....Wanting to be taken more seriously than his jump numbers indicate.... Thats the wrong reason. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

I kinda knew that, but I have been accused of those very things...So defended them from a personal position. I took no harm from you, and I hope I didn't give you any. I tried to use MA as a basis since it is something you are quite skilled at, and I know something about. Just to prove a point that "Tokens" of experience be it jump numbers or colored belts do give some indication of who is trustworth or capable...While not 100% accurate it is a good start. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Very nice.... Kinda like the old aviation saying: Superior pilots use superior planning and superior knowledge to avoid having to use superior skill. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

And you don't see me do that here? And if your yellow belt tells you that they know better and that you are just jelious that they are better at that level than you were....then what? And do you see me just slam people for not having enough jumps? I only bring up jumps when they tell me I don't know what I am talking about. Thats the real beauty about jump numbers...More means more. I had martial arts students try to show me up when I was teaching. In those cases I would gently show them why I was in charge of the class. I once had a new "Student" (a guy from another Dojo) come into mine and want to take a class... we let people do that, but they are only allowed to spar with Black Belts or a small handful of Red. This guy came in and tried to "prove" himself. I asked him to show more control, and that was when he broke one of my ribs with a side kick. My next attack put him down and he was shown the door. In skydiving you can't wait for the guy to bounce to help him. I used to tell them I had a Black Belt in Akido...and the boots to match (Go john Candy). And that belts did a piss poor job of holding my pants up. However, a white belt showed respect to the guy with a green belt, and if he had a question he knew that most times the guy with the higher belt was the better choice to go to for information...Now the Instructor was the BEST source, but the difference between Martial arts and skydiving is in martial arts there is almost always a teacher for you...Skydiving not so much. The jump numbers should be there so that the new guy can tell the relative experience of the person giving advice. And just like you watchining your folks give advice to watch for bad information, BillVon, Hooknswoop, Bytch, Winsor...I, and many more try to do the same here...And I wish more would. Yep and different skill sets..I had folks that could fight well, but the Katas looked horrible. Just like I don't give freefly advice, cause I suck at freeflying. But many people don't feel that same way and we get people with 100 jumps giving canopy control advice. True, but it has always been that way. And it is no different in skydiving. However, just like ranks in martial arts jump numbers in skydiving are most times a good indication of skill. Instructor ratings are better, but jump numbers don't hurt. Other things...I was a Martial Arts instructor...notice I said WAS? I still have the cool diploma, and I still ahve the cute little uniform...but Im not current,and I bet my skills are crap...Notice I don't teach MA anymore? Simple fact is people should post jump numbers...the only down side is the fear that someone will not take you seriously...thats a small price to pay for the better of the group. I also find it funny that only those with lower jump numbers say jump numbers don't count. Yep I know just a place like that...They would guarenty a BB in 3 years. And they even had a correspondance course by mail. That made me sick. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

A good canopy pilot is someone that can do more than one thing under canopy. For example; I was on a 4 way rotations team, and have been in 16 way diamonds. I have a PRO rating and have done almost 100 live demos that required a PRO rating, to include several stadiums. I have swooped canopies as small as 69 square feet, and flown canopies as large as tandem canopies. I have jumped rounds. If a guy can swoop, but not do CReW he may be a better swooper than me, but maybe not a better canopy pilot. If a guy was on the World Record 70 way, but can't swoop a Velocity96 the same thing. I think that to be a good canopy pilot you should be able to do several different types of canopy flight. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

I'd hug her...Have you seen her picture? But I get the distinct impreasion that I would get a [miss piggy voice]"hasan chop"[/miss piggy voice] "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Great post...Exactly what I was trying to say. (Hell, I thought I was saying it...Oh well.) One small correction. AFF I does not have a jump # requirement...It requires six hours of freefall, not a jump number. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Correct, but now you have two people telling you two different things. You don't have enough experience to decide for yourself. One has 100 jumps and tells you it is a great idea. The other has 5000 jumps and tells you its a bad idea. Who would be the better choice to listen to? Would it be better to take sparring advice from a Black Belt, or a Yellow Belt? Ok, but making people post jump numbers just ADDS to the information, it does not detract from it. The worst thing is you would have to deal with someone telling you to shut up and that you don't know anything...Like I have said grow a thicker skin and ignore them. You think I cry at night when someone writes something bad about me? And in skydiving that is not an option. Ok good, but what do you do if a Yellow belt starts trying to teach your White belts? Thats what happens on here many times. Edit to add: Where you teach martial arts? Do you have cool colored belts? Why? Shouldn't the people just be judged by what they know? If everyone at the Dojo were wearing white belts you would be able to tell who knows what pretty quickly...I might be able to..But how is the brand new student going to know who to listen to? Jumps are just like belts...Most times the person with the higher number of jumps knows more than the guy with less...Just like the guy with the higher belt knows more than the guy with the lower belt. Yes, there are exceptions...I know guys with 500 jumps that are better with some with 1,000 just like I knew a few Green belts that were better fighters than some guys with red belts... But its not the norm. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334