jfields

God help the people that don't get that reference.

Jessica, I'm not an attorney, but my understanding is that they cannot do that. The landlord does have certain rights to enter the property for fire inspections, health inspections if neighbors are having issues, and serious issues like that. You should not have to put up with them coming into your place to show it, whether they knock or not. Read your lease carefully. If you have further questions, contact your local government. Most have some form of Tenant's Rights board or something. I was in a situation somewhat like yours. I was renting from a private owner, who decided to sell the place. Their realtor said, "Oh, by the way, I'll be putting a lockbox with a key on your door, so other agents from our company can show the place." That and the whole "knock first" thing also. I told them that if they put a lockbox on the door, I'd take bolt cutters to it and remove it. I also informed them that to open that door without a warrant (or the actual owner of the property and just cause), they would have to sign MY legal release form, which I wrote up. It basically said that if they entered without my permission, they would be liable for any damages to my belongings, up to $1,000,000, with a clause waiving both court and arbitration privileges on their part. So basically, if they came in without my permission, they'd have to pay strictly on my word. Then I verbally and informally told them that I was in the process of packing and moving, so the place was not in a condition to be shown. A day after my effective move-out date, they could do whatever the hell they pleased. It wasn't very long, and they finally saw the light and decided to wait. Good luck, and don't give in.

Affirmative Action is racism, and only serves to perpetuates racism. Does flipping the tables to repress white people really serve to end racism? No. It just makes a lot of angry white people with justifiable problems with black people. Let me throw a little quote excerpt your way: I don't see anything in there about repressing the prior represser to get back at them or to overturn a history of racism. Initiating a cycle of racial power struggles accomplishes nothing. Fairness and equality are the solution, not quotas, sanctioned racism and impossible reparations. Martin Luther King, Jr. had it right, in 1963. Many current leaders of the black community are disgracing his vision and working toward a "solution" that will do nothing but guaranty the very racism they claim to be striving to eliminate.

Speaking of spots, there is no way Skreamer could find a g-spot. His spotting is so bad he misses dropzones by miles!

I agree with you. But the law is more forgiving in this case, and is geared to help those who aren't willing to put in the effort of the people you mentioned. Even idiots deserve the accommodations, because that is what the law says. The people who lead full lives without the accommodations because of their perseverance and intelligence are the ones who get my respect.

Me neither, and it is ridiculous. But for those that did, I can enjoy the irony without supporting their idiocy. As for the interpreter for a licensed jumper, hell if I know. I guess they'd have to work something out between them. It would be better than going to court.

For what it is worth, the DZ probably could have gotten some assistance (perhaps after the fact) in paying for the interpreter. Steve, There was actually a case in Maryland years ago where a white guy applied for a black race-based scholarship, got it, and won in court to keep it. They laws may have been changed, but there is still hope for us heavily-opressed straight, white, educated males.

Bill, Skydiving really isn't the issue at all. The activity of the business (Skydive Hastings, evidently) is moot. The issue is the ability of a disabled person to get equivalent treatment and opportunity at a place of business. If it was a fish store and a blind person, they'd have to verbally describe the size, shape and colors of the fish. Being a requirement for modern life is why some of the things I mentioned were made into laws, but that is not a factor in the ADA. That said, I totally agree with you that deaf people can skydive, and most of them don't need these accommodations. Earlier in this thread, I described my two deaf uncles. I can tell you for certain that one would be fine with a notepad and paper for q&a with the instructor. The other would be like this lady making a huge fuss. Jessica, "When more complex or lengthy communications are needed, it may be necessary to provide a sign language interpreter.." from the ADA Small Business Guide. Pretty ambiguous. This whole thing is a breakdown in communication. Not relating to written, verbal, signed, or whatever. Basic communication between people. The DZ and the deaf people failed to communicate and work toward a mutually agreeable solution. Now the DZ finds itself in court and the deaf people have a DZ that is hostile to them. No winners on either side.

Therein lies the issue. I know the generalities, but not the exact wording of the law. They could probably argue that a set of written instructions does not qualify as equal accessibility, whether an interpreter is officially required or not. What if they have questions that aren't answered by the pre-printed instructions? Is their version of the typical tandem video subtitled? How will they communicate during the suit-up process and in any mock-up, if they do that? What about the advice from the specific instructor that isn't covered in the general info, or something they want to share with a student's specific needs? Regardless of the whole legal issue, it is sad that a group of people wanting to jump and a dropzone wanting to provide the service got off to such a bad start together.

To play the devil's advocate, why bother with things like... maternity leave, workman's compensation, wheelchair ramps, braille voting ballots, etc.? [sarcasm] Shouldn't those various people all just deal with their (permanent or temporary) disabilities at their own bother and expense? I mean, who cares if blind people can't vote? If you get pregnant and take off work, why should your company pay for that? And if you can't get your wheelchair over that big curb, screw it, you didn't need to go there anyway. Injured on the job, tough shit. Why did you get hurt? [/sarcasm] We have enacted laws for the "common good". The woman that is suing is being annoying as hell. No dispute there. But rather than discussing why she or the deaf group should have paid out of their pocket, lets ponder why the DZ isn't obeying the law. They are required to provide the interpreter, if someone is stubborn enough to demand one. It is a cost of doing business. If there is a problem with that, fix the law or don't be a business. Who knows what else went on in this situation. She had jumped there before, but maybe someone at the DZ copped an attitude this time. If people were hard-nosed about denying you something to which you were legally entitled, wouldn't you respond with a bit of attitude yourself? For this thing to end up in court means that both sides were already a bit unreasonable. Otherwise, they would have worked together to figure something else out. I'm not putting blame on either side alone. She and the DZ both made mistakes.

That is great! Anyone that gets the magazine able to throw a scan of the pertinent pages online? Bill, I assume you'll be owing beer for your first centerfold, even if it is in National Geographic.

I have two uncles that are deaf. The contrast between the two of them is incredible. One has a very "can-do" attitude, and works well in the hearing world. He is assertive in making sure he understands what is going on, but has a clue that the world doesn't stop on a dime to provide translation. He thinks it is great if there are interpreters at big events, but if there aren't, he'll ask to get a seat up front so he can read lips. He deafness doesn't stop him from doing what he wants to do. The other uncle is about the direct opposite. He has a "cater to me" attitude. He refuses to do things if there is no interpreter. He wails about civil liberties and the law, regardless of the fact that in some situations, people can't afford to pay for an interpreter. He has isolated himself in the deaf community. The person in the article is kind of silly to sue, even though she is probably completely within her rights to do so. In many places, the law does require the company to provide an interpreter. In the case of 16 deaf/hearing impaired tandems, I think the DZ could have gone to a little more effort. Make a few phone calls. Their is probably someone willing to do it for free/reduced fee. Some news or deaf organizations would foot the bill just to do an interesting story about so many hearing impaired jumpers.

I have "TDFTM". Too damned far to measure.

Raise your expectations... "Product Testing Division"!

Even though I have the copy you autographed as the subject matter expert?

Clay, Do films from Private count? They are European. http://www.prvt.com/

If you want to stand out, post naked pics of yourself (in a clearly labeled thread so I don't have to see) and you will definitely get the attention of the ladies. Whether you want that much attention remains to be seen. Good luck!

Promised and delivered. You go, Lisa!

If I still couldn't figure it out, probably. Hasn't happened yet. Of course, after that work, I'd probably just fudge it to balance again and leave the money there.

I am a big old electronic-banking dork. I love it! Every single account is exact, to the penny. It is really easy and all the transactions are automatically recorded and reconciled. I'll never go back to that icky paper stuff again.

You never get past Isle 6, Inflatable Farm Animals, Artificial Vaginas and Penis Enlargers. Expand your horizons some.

As to how much he makes, I really don't care. Scam artists preying on people in retirement homes bring in big bucks too. As do drug dealers. I don't respect them, or Rush. Now, somebody like... Ron Jeremy, that I can respect more than Rush Limbaugh (or most politicians). At least he is doing his job correctly when he fucks people.

Actually, yes. Either he is a total moron, or he is smart, but has decided to portray himself to the world as a moron, which is dumb anyway. Whichever it is, I don't respect him in the slightest. I'm not familiar with the others, but the same idea probably holds true.

I definitely see both sides of this issue, even though I wasn't there. Whether Don Kirlin has 6 Dolphin jets or one beat up skateboard doesn't matter. It is his business. The issue that I have with this is delivery on promises. Especially after prior jet snafus, I would think he would have all his ducks lined up before putting it into the "confirmed" category. Pilots, backup pilots, insurance, backup insurance, etc. Each year that big-draw aircraft don't show, more people decide to go to other events. Either they are closer, cheaper, or more convenient in some other way. When planning to take leave time and spend a lot of money going to a major boogie, people expect to see what is advertised and have things run smoothly. Eventually, people complain in the most effective way, by spending their money somewhere else. Once people go to other events, they have fun at them, and wonder if the WFFC is really worth it. All that said, I have already blocked time on my calendar for next year's WFFC. I made my travel arrangements, started my jump ticket fund and persuaded my wife to let me go, which is the hardest part. I plan to be there, jet or no jet. For me personally, that isn't the big draw. It is the chance to meet people from this website and get some quality "newbie" load organizing. The jet (or Connie) would just be a bonus. But I won't expect to jump it, (confirmed or not) until I am leaving the door on jump run.

Okay, okay. Enough already. The greenies and boss man decided "in", so in it is. It is ultimately Sangiro's call. The question of why is "need to know", and we really don't. But enough with the joyous tales of chivalry and valour. At this rate, we'll either have to knight him, beatify him, or pop his expanding head with a pin.