NickDG

>> I can't comment without pissing a bunch of people off.

Really? I would think of a jump from officer to enlisted as a step up . . . NickD

Gypsy, I've always seen you as the strong silent John Wayne type, while I'm more the Lenny Bruce (without the heroin) type. And I'll tell you what, brother, this country desperately needs more of both of us . . . Thanks for the kind words. NickD

>>I wish there was an easier way but I am not the guy to think of one.

Freedom trumps security in my book. If I wanted to be almost totally safe I'd move to North Korea. (Of course my big mouth would have me standing up against a wall in short order). We can't totally prevent terrorism, that's why it works. Besides if the threat was as high as some want you to believe terrorists would be striking the everyday things. Like American supermarkets. That would terrorize every one of us and every single day. I know 9/11 was a seminal event in people's lives. But the advantageous element of surprise is gone now. A college kid, just recently, was hassled on a plane simply for doing his Arabic language homework. And sure, the death of 3000 on the ground is nothing to sneeze at, but it hasn't much to do with the dynamics of how it happened. Isn't not over reacting the "price of freedom" we Americans are so quick to brag about. We've always been glad to pay up. What happened to that ideal? Was it all just bullshit? What the hell did everyone die for in all the wars we've fought? Sure, we're likely to see more neerdowell wannabe shoe & underwear bombers but are those really something new? Prior to 9/11 there have been bombings for insurance fraud, hijackings gone wrong, and many plain garden variety crashes. People fly, people die. It's been that way since Orville Wright killed Lt. Tom Selfridge on a demo flight in 1908. It will always be that way. Play out the future in your mind. We are going to have to draw a line at some point or else be living in a country that more resembles Israel. With fences, checkpoints, and long queues. No, I don't want my sister blown up on a bus in New Jersey, but we’ve got to ask ourselves, how much of the "American Way" are we willing to abandon to prevent it? The American civilian population has been very lucky in that throughout all the major wars we’ve fought, except for some shortages on the home front, they’ve been unscathed. Compare that to the civilian populations of Germany, Japan, North Korea and North Vietnam. But nobody expected that streak of good fortune would last forever. So now the check (for freedom) comes to the table. And it’s worse in a way. This “war on terror” is pretty small in scope compared to other wars we’ve fought. And it seems the American people are already beaten, and not by enemy tanks, ground troops, or armadas of planes. We were beaten by something intangible, fear. What's American about that? Now I've been quite pleasant through all this, but now I'll blow it by adding this zinger. I got the memo, Sonny. I got it long before you were born . . . NickD

Local forums out of Oakland are saying the older guy is pretty well known around town as a mental case. And there's another Youtube vid of him (somewhere) getting Tasered by the police. A few other things I saw pointed out. The woman egging the younger guy on was the first one to say, "Now, we can sue!" after the beatdown. And she, or one of the other girls with her, stole the old guy's bag he left behind when he got up to move. And John might be right about the race card. Many are reporting the older guy started it all with the mention of, "shoe shining." NickD

TSA will now be swabbing the hands of random passengers looking for bomb residue. http://www.cnn.com/2010/TRAVEL/02/17/tsa.hands.swabbing/index.html?hpt=T1 Another bunch of bullshit (just for show) that will be welcomed by the all scaredy cats we've become. Dear god - please someone start up an no-security airline for people with some balls. They could call it, I don't know, "Real American's Airline!" NickD

Gee, the canopy looked demo-ish in size. Too bad there was no demo-ish brain to go with it . . . NickD

Sure, I read Dondi all the time. And that movie they made about him in 1961 was the originator of every too "cute" kid movie to come. NickD

It's one of the few ways this forum is like a real DZ in that people come and go so much over the years. What happened to PeacefulJeffery? Remember that big shitstorm about him wanting to kill the power company guys? Everyone was bagging on him for not living up to his name . . . NickD

Stand out front, where the incoming tandem riders can see you, with a big sign. "TANDEM SUCKS! - ASK ME HOW!" If you need talking points PM me . . . NickD

Take care of yourself. Don't want you beating me to the Blue Skies - In Memory Of thread. Oh, wait a minute . . . NickD

>>Classic comics of yore

>>Yup that was down at Otay late 70's I think. Guys doin a 4 way

I looked it up . . . (Unless I'm looking at the wrong thing.) Here's the original Law followed by an Amendment. The Act appears to deal specifically with claiming to have, wearing, and trading in medals, insignias, devices, etc. I don't see anything about wearing unauthorized uniforms. Except isn't there already a law against that? I think I recall back in the 1960s hippies would occasionally get popped for it. The Amendment to the law calls for a searchable database, open to the public, that lists everyone lawfully awarded said decorations. But I don't see anything about "legal" consequences for strictly being a vague bullshit artist. So I guess the only option there is still old fashioned blanket party justice . . . NickD >Title 18, United States Code, Section 704 (a) In General. - Whoever knowingly wears, purchases, attempts to purchase, solicits for purchase, mails, ships, imports, exports, produces blank certificates of receipt, manufactures, or sells, attempts to sell, advertises for sale, trades, barters or exchanges for anything of value any decoration or medal authorized by Congress for the armed forces of the United States, or any of the service medals or badges awarded to the members of such forces, or the ribbon, button, or rosette of any such badge, decoration or medal, or any colorable imitation thereof, except when authorized under regulations made pursuant to law, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than six months, or both. (italics added) (b) False Claims About Receipt of Military Medals. - Whoever falsely represents himself or herself, verbally or in writing, to have been awarded any decoration or medal authorized by Congress for the armed forces of the United States, or any of the service medals or badges awarded to the member of such forces, or the ribbon button, or rosette of any such badge, decoration or medal, or any colorable imitation thereof shall be fined under this title for imprisoned not more than six months, or both, (c) Congressional Medal of Honor. - (1) In general. - If a decoration or medal involved in an offense under subsection (a) or (b) is a Congressional Medal of Honor, in lieu of the punishment provided in that subsection, the offender shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not more than 1 year, or both. (2) Definitions. - (A) As used in subsection (a) with respect to a Congressional Medal of Honor, “sells” includes trades, barters, or exchanges for anything of value. (B) As used in this subsection, “Congressional Medal of Honor” means - (i) a medal of honor awarded under section 3741, 6241, or 8741 of title 10 or section 491 of title 14; (ii) a duplicate medal of honor issued under section 3754, 6256, or 8754 of title 10 or section 504 of title 14; or (iii) a replacement of a medal of honor provided under section 3747, 6253, or 8747 of title 10 or section 501 of title 14. (d) Other Medals -If a decoration or medal involved in an offense under subsection (a) or (b) is a Distinguished Service Cross awarded under Section 3742 of Title 10, an Air Force Cross awarded under Section 8742 of Title 10, a Navy Cross awarded under section 6242 of Title 10, a Silver Star awarded under Section3746, 6244, or 8746 of Title 10, or a Purple Heart awarded under Section 1129 of Title 10, or any replacement or duplicate medal as authorized by statute, in lieu of the punishment provided in that subsection, the offender shall be find under this title, imprisoned not more than 1 year or both. The Relationship Between 32 CFR §507 and 18 USC §704 To understand the meaning and impact of the law, it cannot be read alone: it has be reviewed in conjunction with 32 CFR §507.7 and §507.8 because the parenthetic statement “except when authorized under regulations made pursuant to law” refers to and is elaborated on by Parts 507.7 and 507.8 of Title 32 of the Code of Federal Regulations, which quoted in full below: 32 CFR §507.8: (a). The articles listed in paragraphs (a) (1) through (10) of this section are authorized for manufacture and sale when made in accordance with approved specifications, purchase descriptions or drawings. (1). All authorized insignia (AR 670-1 and AFI 36-2903) (2). Appurtenances and devices for decorations, medals, and ribbons such as oak leaf cluster, service stars, arrowheads, V-devices, and clasps. (3). Combat, special skill, occupational and qualification badges and bars. (4). Identification badges. (5). Fourrageres and lanyards (6). Lapel buttons. (7). Decorations, service medals, and ribbons, except for the Medal of Honor (8). Replicas of decorations and service medals for grave markers. Replicas are to be at least twice the size prescribed for decorations and service medals. (9). Service ribbons for decorations, service medals, and unit awards. (10). Rosettes. (11). Army emblem and branch of service plaques. (b) Variations from the prescribed specifications for the items listed in paragraph (a) of this section are not permitted without prior approval, in writing, by the Institute of Heraldry.

>>Because all those hard-core RUBs call the tow truck if they get a flat!

It's not too hard . . . You start with a gentle spin. When it stops mark the six o'clock position on the tire with chalk, and spin it again. When it stops the second time, if your chalk make is in the six o'clock position again that's the heavy side. But spin it one more time to make sure. (If out of balance it will always stop with the heavy side on the bottom.) If the chalk mark winds up in random places over a half dozen spins or so the tire is all ready in balance and you're done. If it's out of balance you place lead weight at the 12 o'clock position (opposite the heavy side.) You can use either the spoke type weights or the rim type adhesive ones. This will work on a home made machine only if you get it setup to spin with the least amount of friction possible. Also the wheel must have the brake disc (front tire) or brake disc and chain sprocket (rear tire) installed. Once the weight is on you spin it again and mark the bottom. Then spin it several more times looking for that random stopping point action. The only other thing is if it's a new tire it probably has a small red dot on the sidewall (placed there by the factory) and when mounting the tire on the rim that red dot should be lined up with the valve stem as the red dot is the lightest side of the tire. There is also a product out now that bypasses all this. It's called Dyna Beads and you actually put them inside the tire and it balances it out as the tire rolls. They're here: http://www.innovativebalancing.com/ They are are a bit too "new" school for me and if you get a flat and plug the tire to get home the beads will stick to the glue on the plug and really throw the tire dangerously out of balance. But everyone raves about them . . . NickD

>>Eat Sleep Skydive< And it's Azure Firmament\Dark Demise too . . . NickD

I've never heard of one either. So that means it's way overdue to happen. You're probably better off with your clothes on. NickD

I think there's a third angle. The population is getting larger and larger, so how long before the airlines start accepting that fact and begin making seats bigger overall. This situation probably happens a lot but doesn't always hit the news. Heck, I'm smaller than the FAA's mythical average sized person and the seats (in coach) are already uncomfortably small even for me. NickD

>>He is in his late 30's

>>He answered Four...

Yeah, I might just wind up painting the oil tank. Polishing might be too much work . . . I built myself a Hillbilly Wheel Balancer today! It's just two jack-stands, four small wheel bearings, steel strap and some round stock. It was cheap to make and spins like a dream. The only issue was getting the bearings. The local hardware store wanted 12 bucks apiece for them (Made in China) and I needed four. I'd bet they don't pay a buck each for them wholesale. Then I had brainstorm and went down to the local skate shop and got a pack of eight wheel bearings for $15.00! And these, the kid behind the counter assured me, are lubricated with Speed Cream, LOL . . . NickD

>>(not allowed because of gas)

I couldn't scroll down fast enough to mention Jimmy too, but you beat me to it. I'm waiting until the media forgoes doing research altogether and then I'm going to invent the telephone . . . NickD