jfields

Besides, which is easier to get? Due to the requirements of "home defense", the guns are likely to be left out and unlocked. Because burglars are all homicidal maniacs that only come by when you are home, waiting with a gun in reach of each hand, you need to keep them out of pesky gun safes.

I have one batch bottled and dwindling rapidly as I drink it, another ready to bottle, and one I just brewed today. A raspberry ale, a hefeweizen and a chocolate porter. If the weather is too crappy to skydive, I might as well stay home and brew.

Lou, Although you weren't replying to me, I need to chime in. I agree with you that our debate will have no impact at all on our political leadership. But that in no way invalidates our having the discussion. We learn from each other. Through debate, we educate ourselves to new levels of thought that we wouldn't have come to on our own. It won't change what happens tomorrow, or next month. But it can change thing later, when we vote. Where you criticize us for being entrenched in our opinions, you are only half right. Some people are. Others aren't. When you said that you doubted any of us would change our mind if confronted with hard evidence, you belittle us and exhibit the very inflexibilty you accuse the rest of us as having. Then we are up to the whole "glass houses and stones" thing yet again. The bottom line for me on this whole issue is that I *hope* our government is doing the right thing, although I don't know that. As you said, I'm not privy to that much information. I *wish* our government was acting more openly, but I understand some reasons why they aren't. It doesn't much matter what any of us say today. All I can do is educate myself and continue going about my daily business. What's out of my hands is out of my hands, so while I might discuss it, I'm not really going to worry about it.

Gemini, Part of the difference of opinion is a difference of definition. Webster's: This is a much less militant definition, and one I choose as my interpretation. It says nothing of requiring a willingness to die. With this meaning of patriotism, many non-military people are included, and if we are honest with ourselves, many military people are excluded. As I stated earlier, I see it as an individual belief that defies easy categorization by type of service to country. Ah. In that case, I withdraw my reply to that particular statement. I thought you were directing it at me personally. No harm done.

On the days you can't go without complimenting yourself on your knockers, what exactly do you say?

Bake sale.

Gemini, I wasn't saying that teaching is exactly like the military. While there are similarities, there are also vast differences. I was illustrating how people can serve their country in different ways. The same is true even within the millitary. I don't think I said "all", as I don't think that either. Nor do I think the top military officer ranks are underpaid. I feel most for the lower enlisted folks. Is dying the qualification for patriotism? In that case, nobody posting in this forum qualifies, including you. I also disagree with the concept that military service is itself inherently more patriotic than many other forms of service to the country. Who does more for our country, a non-infantry enlisted slacker who scrapes by with minimal effort and no promotions, or a excellent teacher who inspires children and gives the only point of stability in the lives of some troubled children? There are patriots in the military. There are patriots outside the military. As much as I dislike politicians, I'd hope that many members of Congress and the Senate are patriotic. Lots of them were never in the military. Teachers, firefighters, police, and just about everyone else CAN be patriotic. What about a scientist that was born blind, but works for a defense contractor, building the better widget that may save some GI's life? They can't enlist. I'm not saying they all are patriotic, as I'm not saying all in the military aren't. It is actions at the individual level, not group affiliation, that determine patriotism. Aside from the unecessary personal attack, your comment doesn't make much sense. Because I didn't stay career military, I "became part of the problem"? Or is it because I use my brain enough to see value in the actions of many, rather than a cut-n-dried view of military moral superiority?

Forget the dish detergent. I humbly volunteer to swap Mujie's laundry soap with bubble bath. Who needs clothes anyway? Now, where do I get an airline ticket...

Gemini, I don't think that military service is the only way to express patriotism. There are plenty of people that never served in the military that helped our country more than many people that did. Lots of people enlist for the wrong reasons, and do a half-assed job. And if military service is a qualification to bitch in this discussion, then I'm entitled. I served as well. But my military service didn't mean shit for our country compared to the everyday work of my wife. She is a civilian, with no desire to join the military. She is a teacher. She endures petty administrators just as clueless as many military leaders. She endures low pay and working conditions worse than many military REMFs. She does plenty to help the United States, without ever donning a uniform. The fact that she does it year after year without the pretty military medals and victory parades makes all the more important. I respect the people that care to serve their country, in whatever capacity they choose. It is only those who never think to help at all that get my scorn.

** bump ** Bueller.... Bueller.... Anyone?

At least the Belgians make good beer.

Sunshine is a busy lady, so I was just helping her get some background information to better answer your question.

Dave, Make yourself useful and go help me in the graphics thread.

Simultaneously grossed out and turned on in New England, Does the hair color match that of the hot chick? Is the hair curly?

Whoah. Way more effort than I wanted you to put in. Sorry I wasn't clear. I'm not looking for the animation itself, which I'll do. Just a smooth sequence. If possible, the arm & leg positions moving as gradually as possible in a normal transition. For example, Images b f g y u i h b s a d e c v z Or something like that. From there, I'll put my similar (but not exact) images into an animation.

PM'ed. Still no go on the download for some reason. I've done it repeatedly, and keep getting a 329 bytle image. Freaky.

I tried viewing it in IE (with animated gifs enabled), and downloading and opening in animated gif creation software. It shows a single frame inside the gif. Upload the wrong one, perhaps? It is only 329 bytes.

Unless I'm missing something, that looks like a static image. What I'm looking for is the sequence. I actually have colored and differently sized versions of the figures that I'll link up with some other stuff into the animation. However, the ones I will be using are in the same body positions, so the cheat-sheet I posted showing them is accurate. Thanks.

The summary is: We don't know our ass from a hole in the ground, but we do know we don't like Osama Bin Laden.

Hey graphics gurus, I'm looking for a little bit of help with a small graphics project. I have software to take a bunch of images and make them into a GIF animation. The problem is that I'm sucking at figuring out the proper sequence of images to make something vaguely looking like realistic motion. I've attached a picture that shows all the images, with corresponding letters. I'd like to get a nice sequence of about 14-18 figures that I can link up to make an animation. They can be a little jerky, but I'd like the motions to be nice. The last image does *not* have to loop to the first, so it doesn't matter where the sequence begins and ends, just that it look as nice as possible through it. I'm not looking for anyone to actually make the animation, just help me by giving me a string of letters that represent a good order for the figures. Thanks!

If you want to go there, hijack the thread. Of course, I didn't just say that.

I'm not trying to pick a fight at all. I'm just trying to genty remove the rose-colored glasses that are obscuring the realities of the situation. Throughout this thread, there have been opposites tossed around. Good vs. evil. United States vs. Iraq. Technological ability vs. moral justification. The point I'm trying to make is that things are not so clear-cut. If you look through American history, we are guilty of just about everything we are accusing Iraq of doing. Have we hid the truth, even from ourselves? - Look at the FBI under Hoover. Have we imprisoned our own people? - Japanese-American internees during WWII. Have we used weapons of mass destruction? - Hiroshima & Nagasaki, not to mention things like firebombing. Have we sponsored terrorism? - Yes, through CIA funding of rebel groups, for example. Have we hurt our own people through deliberate actions? - Unknown and unconsenting drug testing on soldiers. I didn't say we are an evil empire. I'm just saying that as good as we are, we still have lots of room for improvement. I cherish the fact that I *can* make that comment, due to the freedoms we have. Arguably, one could cite the British. They are involved in just about every multinational peacekeeping mission around. I think they've learned their lessons on empire-building, and have grasped the true meaning of statesmanship. It isn't about forcing the entire world to do your will because of military dominance. It is about persuading other countries to work with you, to be a team player, and to try to prompt change peacefully before resorting to other options. I'm pleased that the Brits have decided to join us in pressuring Iraq. Their partnership makes it a more global force. Their input might help balance some of Bush's rough edges and lack of tact. It has been said by numerous people throughout this thread, that we aren't defending Iraq, but we want to try all other measures before going to war. The horror of war and the repercussions for our country can't be overestimated. It really should be the *last* resort.

Thanks for the info.

Pammi & Merrick, I'm in the same boat you are. For what it's worth, I think the fact that you question the whole issue is an indication that you are taking it seriously. Jump numbers don't tell the tale, or differentiate what you can and cannot do. What is important is your attitude towards safety, and the awareness you have of your limitations. I have over a hundred jumps, and almost all the requirements for my C license, but my currency (or lack thereof) keeps me with an "educated newbie" mindset. I have no intention of downsizing my canopy, freeflying or trying to swoop. I don't think I have a solid enough foundation bellyflying and canopy flying to progress any further. Half of each weekend I go is spent re-familiarizing myself, rather than moving forward with my skills. A few months ago, I was at a DZ, getting ready to do a simple 2-way RW jump with someone there. As it sometimes goes, the simple 2-way changed into a complicated 4-way. I expressed my hesitations on the jump, and the desire to keep it easy. I got told that with my jump numbers, I'd be fine. Then some more people piled into the jump, taking it up to something like an 8-way. The dive plan was changing dramatically at 2-minutes to boarding. Despite the fact that I was the one with the idea for the original 2-way in the first place, I bumped myself off the jump, because I wasn't comfortable with it. It was too much, and too late. Had the plan been an 8-way from the beginning, with me in a simple role in the base, with repeated dirt dives and good load organizing, I would have done it. The chaotic nature of the jump and the lack of practice were my deciding factors. You can continue to be an occasional jumper and enjoy the sport. You just have to be realistic in your expectations. Until my jumping gets a whole lot more frequent, I'll never be a swoop god. I'll never be good enough to be on a 4-way RW team. I'll never be on the cool really big jumps. However, nothing says I can't have fun. As long as I stay within my self-imposed limits and keep focused on safety, I think I'm okay to continue jumping. One of the jumpers that started well after me piled on like 500 jumps. He gave me his unrequested opinion, which was that I was an idiot and should just hang it up for good. He was young, full of himself, and thought he knew it all. I just shook my head and chuckled with some dark humor when I later heard he broke some bones on a botched hook turn or something. He had currency, but his ego outstripped his actual abilities. Be calm and conservative, and enjoy your jumps.