yoink

Because you have some evidence that the coin tosses were rigged? Wait. Belief isn't evidence? SINCE WHEN?

Which represents most people, I think. 6 of one, half dozen of the other... That split is however a complete absurdity and impossibility in Rush's world. As is the possibility of 6 coin flips going the same way apparently. It must be very simple to have a world view where people are entirely binary.

But can give other problems... I've landed out in the desert sans shoes after a minor miscalculation on exit. Never have I been wishing to be wearing shoes more than on that final. It took me weeks to pick the various prickles out of my feet.

What else do the patriots need? Bronzing lotion? Flip-flops?

The flip side to that coin is that maybe society is changing and the young folks who make up the future are part of that change. Stuff can't stay the same forever. Just because something always been a certain way doesn't mean it's the best way for the current time.

I don't understand why this show is so popular at the moment. I watched the first 2 episodes and was depressed by how entirely unlikable absolutely everyone in it is. The Averys. The Cops. The Judicial folks... I can't watch any more because I just don't care enough about anyone in the show.

Don't talk about skydiving with your family.

Make an example of 'em... How often have we heard 'we need our guns to stop an out of control government!' Lets see how those 2nd ammendment guns stop a 200lb laser guided bomb. NOTE FOR THE HUMORLESS: This is satire.

It has nothing to do with the 2 who were originally arrested. They've agreed to go back to jail peacefully and lawfully. The other bunch of hillbillies have just jumped on that as an excuse to protest the animal refuge expanding... I hope the government arrests them all and sticks them in jail for 20 years. Armed insurrection is not the way to protest something you don't like.

The same way it's done in the scientific community. Have the methodology and results and conclusions peer reviewed by civilians with no chips in the game and then published openly. There have been plenty of cases of scientific articles being found to be either flawed, biased or outright faked with this method.

Nope. That's not my job. Anything I came up with on the spur of the moment just for discussions sake would have dozens of holes in it and you know it... You'd then use that to bolster your own position and I'm not giving you that ammunition. At least I'm honest enough to know that my solutions aren't ideal. To come up with a set of laws that will work will require flexibility by politicians and voters that I just don't see. 'Ban all guns!' and 'Arm everyone!' are both dead arguments at the start and are only used to make political positions clear... there's no real drive to implement the change because everyone knows that neither of those things will ever happen. You and Ron are probably the 2 most pro-gun ownership people I can think of (and my family owns a gun store). I'd be interested to hear what, if any, regulation you would consider acceptable - it doesn't have to be specific - just generalizations to start a discussion. I'll go first: For me, the issue isn't about what types of guns are available, or the ammunition. The 'extended mags and assault rifles' laws that were passed were useless - just an exercise in a political win that has no real effect on reducing the ability of these sorts of incidents to kill large numbers of people. Equally, laws which apply to one state don't work unless draconian border-control is in place. Obviously a non-starter. That means any laws need to apply and be policed equally across all states. There's the first big stumbling block... I'd like to think about how that might be overcome and I suspect that it's only by separating the gun ownership discussion from the political grouping. I think the first step is to get all parties to say publicly 'we as a people believe there is a problem and that these types of incidents need to stop.' That's all... that's the first baby step in aligning people. The 'how' can come later. Until there is a consensus that there is a problem and a need to do something tangible to stop it any proposed solution is bound to have giant flaws in it.

I'm sure I saw a spoof video of a gameshow years ago where a jumper was getting wrong answers and was having to cut random lines on his canopy while he was under it as a result. The video was made as a laugh, but the lesson I took was how stable the canopy was even though one, two or even three lines were cut. Far more-so than I would have thought. Cutting the wrong line isn't insta-death and a lineover on a reserve can be super unpredictable. All things to consider.

Obviously they need more sarcasm! How about laws that work and are enforced? Remove the ineffectual ones and design ones that can be policed.

I'll take 6!

Nothing new to be learned here. move along.

It's only a requirement once you pass your A license. Before this point students jump without. Crap. You're right. It's been too long since my training. Is it still included in the FJC? It was when I did mine.

Where were you trained? I've never seen students given hook knives. Ever. It's a requirement in the UK for every jump. Students included. Sure, it's low probability to ever be any use, but it's a simple bit of training given the potential severity of the situation. 'Leave this knife where it is UNLESS you have a line over on your reserve. At that point identify the line and cut that one only.' That's it. It doesn't need to take much time at all but for me is worth including if only for the reason that most jumpers never go back and attach hook knives once they're trained. Far better to drill it into them from the beginning.

What do you imagine an AFF student should learn about using a hook knife? Mark How to clear a line over on a reserve?

Glad it went well! How did the guy who wants to sail across the ocean with you do?

That is not a dropzone I'd go to. I think it's a shitty attitude to have.

I don't get why you're trying to bring American politics into this... Can we go one thread that doesn't devolve into OBAMA! or gun control?

I'm going to guess that was just a weird coincidence. This attack wasn't put together in a day. I agree. And (shock horror) it may have nothing to do with the US at all...

Exactly.

Coordinated gun attacks on 3 bars in the center of town. Multiple explosions close to a full Stade de France. Terrorist assholes.

It can do - and like I said I really hope it does. I mean Nataly nothing but the best. However I have 3 divorced friends who got married within 6 months of meeting the 'love of their lives' who are data points otherwise. Not impossible, just unlikely. Hence a little caution.