gjhdiver

The pink oboe.

Probably use it, but then he and Al Qaeda are not a nation state, and therefore free from the usual checks and balances that statehood usually implies. Even barking mad loons like Kim Jong Il understand the consequences of a nuclear exchange with another nuclear power. States like his and Iran aquire these weapons to use as baragining chips to secure more favorable treatment at the negotiating table. I personally can't see Iran for instance, developing a fisrt strike capablity with intention to use it against the US, as to do so would effectively mean the end of Iran as a nation state, and quite possibly as a location on a map. It's far more likely that they wish to aquire them as a hedge against being forced to endure the Pax Americana that this administration seems intent on pushing on the entire region. As such too, it seems to be working. You have to remember that nation states will act in their own self interest, whereas free organizations like Al Qaeda, driven by idealogy are free not to. There's enough free nuclear material floating around on he black market that they don't need to get it from Iran, and the technology available to them is only enough to make a radiological weapon. Bad I agree, but not catastrophic.

These people are called enlightened I believe. I don't need to know the tooth fairy, sasquatch, or Santa either to know superstitous horseshit when I see it.

I've known his wife Karen since she was on AFF. I saw both of them this Christmas, and with a new kid on the way, she looked happy and content, and so did he. This is just horrible. We'll need to be there for her for a long time....

I've jumped them a bunch in Europe. It's about the same capacity as an Otter, but surprisingly for a tailgate, it's both low and narrow. If you can get three people across it, it's a real squeeze. Having said that, it's a better choice for the DZ that wants to have a larger plane than a PAC750 IMHO, just on lift capacity and climb rate alone.

QuoteThanks for calming me down Gjhdiver. Unfortunately, it's my duty to tell others about my faulty rig because the next guy *might not* inspect his rig as well as you and me. Plus, there are some minor mistakes that make it through QC, and then there's MY rig. I still jump my Wings rig and I like it. Ya just gotta get out the magnifying glass and inspect the new ones. Constructive criticism only makes us smarter... Cya. Quote Yup. Couldn't agree more. That's pretty much what I was saying there.

Because like any high level CEO, she had a cast iron employment contract going into the job that guaranteed her payoff. Remember, in life you don't get what you deserve, you get what you negotiate. Her payoff is small fry compared to the NYSE's Michael Grasso, though that is under review.

Now now Jason, take a deep breath. No one in the industry likes to think that they let poor workmanship out of the door, but it happens. There isn't a rig made by any company that hasn't been sent back by a customer. No matter what QC is in place, there's going to be materials and construction issues that get by to the public. It's int he nature of any manufacturing process. As active jumpers, it's also up to us to inspect our gear too when we get it. You did, found the problem, and the Wings guys sorted it out for you at hopefully no expense, and as little inconvenience as possible. I see Mirage having an issue right now and dealing with it in a preofessional manner. Aerodyne had theirs recently and did the same. Sunpath just finished a directive on their students rigs. All of the companies want to keep confidence in their product high. The bottom line is that it's up to all of us to be involved in the quality control of every manufacturer. I know for a fact that no manufacturer wants to see a substandard piece of equipment go out the door, but if it does, it's up to us to spot it and hold them to a high level of product support. I believe all the major players step up to this.

Henri, Marko and the rest of the Wings crew are awesome about customer support. They really do actively respond to customer input and will revise designs based on information from the field immediately. No matter how much effort is put into design and testing, the general skydiving population will think of ways to extend the equipment into new and strange areas. It's how the companies respond to that feedback that really shows the committment to quality.

Wouldn't have mattered if he did. He would have been ignored like the rest of them were. An inept prosecution now bungled so badly, that they are either going to have to drop the charges and just release the guy, ot try to slot him into the military justice system so they can railroad him. Out of over 2000 people dragged off the streets after 9/11, there has not been one sucessful prosecution. Basically, rounding up assholes who run their mouths is not likely to make us any safer in the long run. The government is just too inept.

Why thank you Bonnie. You're not bad yourself. In the right light. When I've had a few. I'll stop now. Is it like the face he makes when he's choking a darkie ? If so, I think we've all seen it.

You just couldn't stand it, huh? Coudn't help it. I'd been good for all of three minutes, and I can't resist a good setup line like that, I'm only human. Baby steps you know....

Like we needed any further notice that authority in the country is in the hands of the truly idiotc. 9/11 was telegraphed for about a year beforehand, but these sock puppets wouldn't realise it if it happened again today. They're too busy shaking down nonentities to make themselves look busy.

Nonsense of course. The swastika that the Nazis used, and the ones that Hindus and Budhists use are different and would not be affected. Learn all about the correct use of the swastika here: http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a2_156.html Amd never underestimate how close to the surface the scars of WWII still are in Europe. It's got nothing to do with political correctness.

Millions of people fall for it. It's phishing scam. I get some that are so well done, they are actually better than the eBay and Citibank sites that they are spoofing.

Bowl movement after a good vindaloo and eight pints of Guiness.

Awww, he's taking a dump on a Safire. Bright kid.

Less pie fatty

She only talks to other Wings owners now. Can I take your order ?

For the third time

Well happy birthday there. I ws going to make a very funny joke about your greatly advancing years, but I've decided to be nice because your dog's ill. As for Rose, it's up to you, but I think that animals handle illness with way more equanimity than humans do. They sense when they have had enough and let go far more easily than we do, or want to let them. It pains me to see an animal kept alive by invasive means because we don't want to let them go. I made the decision that if and when my old cat needs to check out, I'm just going to make him as comfortable, warm and loved as he can be to ease his way out. I'll let him decide for himself when he's had enough and enjoy him for the time I have with him. Mind you, it was nearly his time this morning at 5:00 a.m. when he woke me up by sticking his paw in my mouth. I know that you'll do right by Rose though. She's a lucky dog and she probably knows that.

Bung it in the wash. What's the worst that could happen to it ? Hell, I've thrown my rig in the wash in the past.

Only if she agreed to lay off the donuts and trim her ass too.......

Isn't that a contradiction in terms? You'd be surprised what you could do given years of practice.

Hopefully, your presentations are more competent than your flat flying.....