mikkey

Why do you think they sell all these expensive wine books? Man where do you start.... OK - If you like Australian Shiraz: You normally do not go wrong with Shiraz from South Australia. Shiraz can age very well but there is a close relationship between price and quality. Young Shiraz is "full on" and good with Steaks and the like, if you cellar it gets more soft and complex (dont try it with "cheap" ones, they are made to drink "now"). But again this is such a wide issue. There are a few good internet resources. For Australian Wine I can recommend this site. You can research regions and individual brands: http://www.winepros.com.au/jsp/cda/home.jsp --------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

I think the point needs to be made that it is not enough to just look at White/Red and grape. You really need to look at country and region. I have lived in Europe and now in Australia and have tasted a few Californian wines. A red like Shiraz can be completely different depending on where it is grown, e.g. France or Australia. (and for this one there is a big difference for the average Shiraz) When looking at wine / grape variety you have to look at: - Soil type - Climate - wine making methods (includes if wine is matured in tanks or barrel and if in barrel if it is French or American oak) these conditions vary from country to country and within countries region to region. On the other hand I know a few wine makers down here who have created wines that tasted like their "cousins" in a different country (e.g. my favorite Pinot Noir from the Mornington Peninsula near Melbourne tastes very much like a Burgundy Pinot Noir - but that is due to the wine makers skills and intentions). So when discussing which type of wine to recommend I would suggest to include region and probably even brand. Also, the price range is important. A $10 Australian Shiraz from South Australia is VERY different from a $80 Shiraz from the same region. --------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

I am not a statistician. Last time I knew something about Poisson was at University 25 years ago..... I just think that doing a likelihood calculation based purely on number of jumps for an event that is so dependent on skills (both freefall and packing) and the canopy type you are jumping is difficult. Sunday I talked to a guy doing his 300'th who just had his 4th cut-away due to a line over. I have seen him pack and I am not surprised. So saying that there is only 0.25% of chance that you had no mal at 3000 jumps seems very low. Thats one in 400. On the other hand saying that 36 out of 100 jumpers who have 500 jumps should have no mal seems quite high (based on personal observation). I think other factors like canopy type need to be included to get "realistic" numbers. But this is only based on "gut" feel on my part. --------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

oooooops... Note to self: Read all posts before asking questions.... --------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

Anybody know if the Skyhook will ever be available for other type of rigs? I have a Talon 3 that is quite new, but I would love to have the skyhook. When it comes to the crunch this one could really make a difference.... --------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

This can be a 2-edged sword if not handled carefully. If this is done as a "fire sales" to foreign companies it can not only upset the Iraq people, but also "the Arab street" creating perceptions of "imperialism" and "looting" and feeding the terrorist "pipeline". I just hope this is not done like the Russian "fire sale" of state companies in the early nineties. This resulted in people with "interesting" connections buying the assets for next to nothing. These people are now enormously rich with most of their money outside Russia and not that many benefits for the Russian economy and people. So I hope this will handled carefully. --------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

Attached is pic of the German Kohnke triangle student canopy. AFAIK it was only available for static line deployment. Picture is from the 70's (AFAIK). --------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

You are making some reasonable points. But after being hit with some stats before I did a little research. And I must admit the stats are difficult to compare. The most comprehensive site if you are interested in comparing countries go here: http://www.interpol.int/Public/Statistics/ICS/downloadList.asp#U When it come to guns the murder rate must be one of the more interesting one. I found some 2001 numbers. Murders per 100,000 in 2001: England: 1.63 Australia: 3.62 Canada: 4.1 France: 3.9 Spain: 2.9 Germany: 3.21 USA: 5.61 Note: the US rate has dropped dramatically in the last 10/15 years. From stable levels around 10 to this one. In 1995 it was still 8.22 People can read into it what they want and I will "butt out" of the gun discussion. It is a US domestic issue and for Americans to decide. --------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

Well, I never claimed Australia to be pinnacle of society - I do however claim that we and other regulated countries have less gun related crime. BTW have you spend any time down here? I have in the US and I can tell you I 10 times rather walk at night through the streets of Melbourne then the streets of Atlanta. Stats are always problematic. Victimisation numbers are problematic. If somebody plants his fists in your face at a pub you get charged for assault. "Assault" down here does normally not involve a gun. We were discussing gun related crime. And wehen talking about these type of stats you need to know how these tstats are collected and how the "crimes" are classified. Example - is domestic violence categorised as "assault" or domestic disturbance (I do not know but any difference in definition would be significant). So how do the 2 in 100,000 rate in murder compare to the US? Also talking about weapons: "The proportion of robberies where a weapon was used has fluctuated from 36% in 1994 and 1995 to 46% in 1998. Since 1998, this proportion has declined to 37%. For those robberies that involved the use of a weapon, the proportion of offences involving firearms decreased from 37% in 1993 to 15% in 2002." What is the rate in the US? In regard to how these numbers were used may I qoute: " Although Dr. Adam Graycar, director of the Australian Institute of Criminology, calls the NRA's figures misleading, he admitted in an interview with the Associated Press Tuesday that assaults in his country had indeed climbed since 1998 -- the most recent year statistics are available -- but added that "most attacks did not involve guns." Graycar also said homicides had decreased and rarely involved firearms. It is "enormously difficult" to gather accurate statistics on crime and weapons, said Graycar, because there are so many other factors involved" I would especially like to see US crime rate for urban areas. The reason being is that Australia is one of the most "urbanised" countries in the world. Over 90% of the population lives in 5 metropolitan areas, nearly half the population lives in Melbourne and Sydney alone. This is significant, because you have to compare apples with apples. Rural towns and smaller cities have always lower crime rates. I am sure if you compare the crime rates of cities with million plus population in the US with the metropolitan areas in Australia - you would get an interesting picture. --------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

Please explain. Australia has low crime rates compared to the US and it has tight gun control. They did tighten the laws after an incident in 1996, but it was always heavily regulated. Don't know crime rates in the UK, but I know they have less gun related crime. Street cops do still not carry a gun. So how do you come to your conclusion? --------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

I have difficulty following you logic - but that is probably my fault. Saudi and the other countries you mention have a very strong security "apparatus" - Iraq has not at the moment - it has been "dismembered" by the Americans. This is why it is so much easier for those guys to "roam" -there is administrative chaos and lawlessness in most of the country. BTW there have been terrorist attacks against western targets in Saudi not that long ago. Also, Iraq is "target rich" in regard to Americans everywhere - that is not the case in the other countries. The UN and many others like Suni clerics are also being attacked - my guess is to keep the country destabelised. --------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

The perfect politician Only difference - he is very smart - most politicians are not (anywhere in the world) --------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

The organisations SH was supporting with money were Hamas and a couple of others in regard to supporting suicide bombers in Israel. However - and we are now back to "facts" vs. "Spin" - Hamas and other suicide bomber squads are "local" terror organisations fighting against Israel and not directly affiliated with Al Qaeda who are working globally. It is Al Qaeda and its affiliates in e.g. South East Asia (Jemaah Islamiah) who are the biggest danger to US and allied interests. Not that we shouldn’t fight Hamas, it is just an issue that is not directly related to 9/11. --------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

Could you explain this please? I thought they are flowing in because there are US targets to hit, which would not be the case if the US had not invaded. What does this proof? --------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

I actually don’t think you should. I would feel bad about having a government that has an ideological driven amateurish foreign policy. I would feel bad about being lied to. But governments come and go. I am worried because everybody on this planet is affected by US policy – that does not mean I feel that the US “stands for shit”. I actually think the US at its best stands for freedom and innovation. They are just going through a phase where the current politicians are worse then usual (IMO). So don’t beat yourself up. --------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

Copied from Fox News web site

Smart politics. Why do you think 70% of Americans think Iraq was involved in 9/11? It is because GWB and his friends in the media wanted people to believe it by "spinning" the story. We are now in a situation where it is inrefutable clear that the claim is "dreamt up" and the best way of not being blamed for misleading people is to disown the claim. Smart. But maybe too smart, i.e. I think Americans are waking up to that the administration has been less then honest with them. It is beginning to backfire. I believe many people think like me: Getting rid of Saddam = good thing Being lied to regarding urgency, justification etc = bad thing. The outcome does not always justify the means. --------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

I do not want to get involved in your domestic gun debate. It is really up to Americans. But be careful when looking abroad not to trust "lobby" group arguments. As a general rule, gun control is strict in the "western" world outside the US and crimes involving guns per capita is lower then in the US, in some cases much lower. Now I am not saying that this means your crime rates will fall if you regulate guns, but the stats are a fact. There are some exceptions "to the rule" like Switzerland, but they have more complex circumstances. The following is an articel from the BBC web site explaining it: ------------------------------------------------ Guns are deeply rooted within Swiss culture - but the gun crime rate is so low that statistics are not even kept. The country has a population of six million, but there are estimated to be at least two million publicly-owned firearms, including about 600,000 automatic rifles and 500,000 pistols. This is in a very large part due to Switzerland's unique system of national defence, developed over the centuries. Instead of a standing, full-time army, the country requires every man to undergo some form of military training for a few days or weeks a year throughout most of their lives. Between the ages of 21 and 32 men serve as frontline troops. They are given an M-57 assault rifle and 24 rounds of ammunition which they are required to keep at home. Once discharged, men serve in the Swiss equivalent of the US National Guard, but still have to train occasionally and are given bolt rifles. Women do not have to own firearms, but are encouraged to. Few restrictions In addition to the government-provided arms, there are few restrictions on buying weapons. Some cantons restrict the carrying of firearms - others do not. The government even sells off surplus weaponry to the general public when new equipment is introduced. Guns and shooting are popular national pastimes. More than 200,000 Swiss attend national annual marksmanship competitions. But despite the wide ownership and availability of guns, violent crime is extremely rare. There are only minimal controls at public buildings and politicians rarely have police protection. Mark Eisenecker, a sociologist from the University of Zurich told BBC News Online that guns are "anchored" in Swiss society and that gun control is simply not an issue. Some pro-gun groups argue that Switzerland proves their contention that there is not necessarily a link between the availability of guns and violent crime in society. Low crime But other commentators suggest that the reality is more complicated. Switzerland is one of the world's richest countries, but has remained relatively isolated. It has none of the social problems associated with gun crime seen in other industrialised countries like drugs or urban deprivation. Despite the lack of rigid gun laws, firearms are strictly connected to a sense of collective responsibility. From an early age Swiss men and women associate weaponry with being called to defend their country. ------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

Looking from the outside I am getting the sofa and the popcorn ready in front of the TV to watch the US news channels. This is going to be so very entertaining. How does the GOP handle a 4-star general who actually has successfully demonstrated that he can work with the Europeans in solving international conflicts (Kosovo)? A "liberal" 4-star general must be a nightmare for GWB. Only question is if the Democrats with their tendency for self-destruction will stuff this one up. This is going to be fun to watch. I watched Fox last night our time and saw how they were struggling with the issue . Watching American politics is just so much more entertaining for an overseas observer then your sitcoms . --------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

What can we call this? full retreat? From todays media: WASHINGTON — Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld said Tuesday he had no reason to believe that Iraq's Saddam Hussein had a hand in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States. At a Pentagon news conference, Rumsfeld was asked about a poll that indicated nearly 70 percent of respondents believed the Iraqi leader probably was personally involved. "I've not seen any indication that would lead me to believe that I could say that," Rumsfeld said. He added: "We know he was giving $25,000 a family for anyone who would go out and kill innocent men, women and children. And we know of various other activities. But on that specific one, no, not to my knowledge." ------------------------------------------------------------ So do you at least believe your friend "rumsy"? (and he has first hand knowledge of SH - they used to be pals in the 80's ) --------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

Nope, not true AFAIK. I have also lived in Europe where gun control is even more strict. Same thing with the stats there. Trust me the stats thing is true. But again, it is your choice. I just know that the majorities in the countries I lived in are very happy with the gun controls. We agree - it is a cultural thing. --------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

I remember somebody saying that the fathers of the US constitution included the right to bear arms at a time when the most deadly weapon was a musket…. I wont try to discuss firearms with Americans. Seems to be a cultural difference between Americans and many other countries. I just hope that people know the crime statistics in regard to numbers of crimes per capita involving firearms, compared to countries that have strict gun control. But it is a choice Americans have to make. --------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

The way people see things depends on the way they are "fed" the news. I found this article from AFP today. Just shows there are always 2 sides to the same story: --------------------------------------------------------- CNN star reporter Christiane Amanpour has stirred a media hornets' nest by claiming US television networks, including CNN, were "intimidated" by the Bush administration in their coverage of the war in Iraq. "I think the press was muzzled and I think the press self-muzzled," Amanpour told former Vanity Fair editor, Tina Brown, on her CNBC talkshow. "I'm sorry to say that, but certainly television - and perhaps to a certain extent my station - was intimidated by the administration and its foot soldiers at Fox News," she said, referring to the conservative, Rupert Murdoch-owned network that has become CNN's main cable news rival. "And it did, in fact, put a climate of fear and self-censorship in terms of the kind of broadcast work we did," Amanpour said. "Christiane is a valued member of the team and one of the world's foremost journalists," Walton said in a statement. "However her comments do not reflect the reality of our coverage and I do not agree with her about this." A Fox News spokeswoman was quoted as saying: "It's better to be viewed as a foot soldier for Bush than a spokeswoman for al-Qaeda." Asked by Brown if there had been any story during the war that she had been unable to report, Amanpour said: "It's not a question of couldn't do it, it's a question of tone. It's a question of being rigorous. It's a question of really asking the questions. "All of the entire body politic in my view -- whether it's the administration, the intelligence, the journalists, whoever -- did not ask enough questions, for instance, about weapons of mass destruction. I mean, it looks like this was disinformation at the highest levels," she said. - AFP --------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

The amount of backslapping amongst the people with the "gun slinging" over zealous so-called "patriotic views" is interesting. Seems like bashing the UN and any other international institution is part of the membership ticket. I will dare to question how much you guys really know about the history and achievements of the UN and other international institutions. Just a couple of points: The UN has done some very important successful work through UNICEF and other organizations like the WHO. They have done enormous work to fight diseases, help children, development programs etc. You might not always hear about it but the UN is actually a very important organization. Even many peace keeping or peace enforcement missions have been very successful and prevented wars or enabled the ending long standing conflicts. Same goes for other many other international organizations, from the World Bank to the International War Crimes Tribunal. While working with and through international organizations can be difficult and frustrating, it is the best solution in most cases in the long run. The notion by many of the posters that the US should do everything on its own, be exempt from international law and always “knows” better, is both arrogant and encourages the view of the “ugly” American. It will not make you friends and it will work into the hand of those people we are supposed to fight . --------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

I can only say: danger, danger, danger. The terrorists have won, the day you start behaving like them. And bombing civilians, killing innocents is no different from 9/11. The Geneva convention is also extremely important as a "value" - are you fighting to protect you way of live, your constitution, your moral values, democracy? or do you just want to revenge? "Revenge" is what drives the terrorists. If you lower youself down to their level - you lost. This is why I am concerned about the detention of Al Qaeda suspects and taleban fighters on Cuba. Excluding them from both the Geneva convention and US law is problematic. 20 month without trial or charges. No presumption of innocense or rights you give any US serial killer. And we can not assume they all are big time terrorists. Be careful not to loose by winning..... --------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.