Erroll

Dimples on the top skin?

How about Guy Fawkes?

Thanks for a sensible reply. Do you think there is a 'break-even' point - a point beyond which the cost in lives, money, goodwill, morale etc turns apparent victory into defeat?

I have asked this before in other threads, but no one has offered an answer. In your opinion, what would constitute winning and is it even possible to achieve whatever it is that constitutes winning this kind of war? The Russians couldn't win in Afghanistan, the Americans failed Vietnam, the Rhodesians and the South Africans lost their respective bush wars. In every case, the losers were far superior in equipment and armaments, training, facilities etc. The closest any nation has come to winning this kind of war was, in my opinion, when the British overcame the Boers. They accomplished this by following a scorched-earth policy, burning farms and destroying crops, killing cattle and horses, and the ultimate disgrace, confining the Boers' wives and children to concentration camps. When will America know that it has won the war in Iraq?

Indeed. But not for sissies.

I feel that you have an extremely arrogant attitude! Just because you skydive does not make you any braver or better than the next person. I know that I would much rather jump from an airplane than saw open a human being's skull and possibly be the reason why he never wakes up again. That takes an enormous amount of courage, self-confidence, skill and all the other attributes you feel you alone have. I also doubt that they lose any sleep over your pity.

The typical serious crime in this country (such as the frequent cash-in-transit heists) normally involves gangs of around 16-20 robbers, most of whom are armed with AK47 or R4 assault rifles and our police and security companies are virtually powerless against these gangs. The last of the military trained citizens are in their forties and fifties now - letting our citizens arm themselves equally is not an option. As we see happening in Iraq, throwing more guns into the mix is not solving anything. (I used the Iraq analogy on purpose because the fatality rate due to crime in SA is not far from the total fatality rate in Iraq). What is needed from our government is the political will to address crime. Unfortunately our President spends most of his time outside of the country, solving everyone else's problems. His (ex) deputy, when not in court facing rape and fraud charges (or showering to prevent AIDS), dances in the streets singing freedom songs. Corruption, greed, nepotism, incompetence and all the other attributes of an emerging banana republic are standing in the way of what should be one of the powerhouses of the Southern Hemispere. The 2010 Soccer World Cup - would you risk coming here?

Yup. Just for starters, he will have more than one mother-in-law.

Evolution, Creationism, or Intelligent Design? A whole new thread!

Quite the opposite, I believe. Streamers and Roman Candles were the better known mals on rounds.

And Scooby will insist it is a culture clash.

If there was more "skydiving stuff" the world would be a better place! We should be running AFF courses in Iraq, and forming 4 way teams, and teaching people to freefly and jump wingsuits. Then we'd see politics and sectarian violence! t Eish... and then all these new skydivers join Dropzone.com!!!!

Thank you..........In spite of what a lot of people might think..........I'm not up on my torture device terminology. Oh, I don't know..... There are a few racks that I wouldn't mind getting my head and hands into...

(All this skydiving stuff contributes nothing to the thread.) I have been following all the discussions on the war in Iraq, and I too would honestly like to hear how folks will answer Clay's question. Not only the Bush bashers and anti-war people, but also people like Clay and Max and other vets, who have an intimate knowledge of the situation. We down here in SA are far removed from all of this but it does still affect us in many ways, and I am quite interested in how people think this 'mess can be fixed'.

The really sad thing is that if the hijackers had been wounded they would have been taken to the Milpark or Sandton clinic, getting the best medical care available, while if your friend's husband had been wounded he would probably have ended up on a matress on the floor of Jo'burg Gen. Glad your friends are ok.

Linz, do you not think that this kind of reasoning might add to the racial tension? Here in South Africa we have had a so-called non-racial democracy now for 12 years. By and large most folks get on well, but there are still very many pockets of extreme racism through out the country. Almost without exception, the moment there is a black-on-white incident, all the right-wing whiteys shout RACISM, and every time there is a white-on-black incident, all the darkeys shout RACISM. I am pleased to see that you are teaching your child the right way, because that is the only way for the future adults to learn. When I look at the way my children interact with kids of other races, I often find it hard to believe how far we as a society have come. There is still a long way to go, and it is up to us as parents to show the way and educate the youngsters. I am in no way condoning what this kid did, but I believe he should be punished for what he did, not because of his colour.

And this does??? S A R C A S M

And this does???

Think you could help out against the Auzzies tomorrow?

No shit????

Soilders do not deliberately target civilians. That would cause many soldiers to be re-classified as terrorists. Dresden, London, Tokyo, Hiroshima & Nagasaki come immediately to mind.

I'd have thought that a guy would be too scared to ejaculate prematurely with Amazon.....

I'd have thought that a guy would be too scared to ejaculate prematurely with Amazon.....

My sentiments exactly. I am really having trouble with the number of people that fall for these blatantly obvious scams.

Our gangsters must have been practising:- South African murder rate hits scary high