rmsmith

Thanks for the history lesson, mardigrasbob. However I still don't see where the U.S. has a financial obligation in a region where 50-years of previous aid has made little progress toward independence. It's clear that there is no such thing a casual discussion of middle east aid since we are dealing with raw nerves, and the money isn't a gratuity...it's mother's milk; note the tone of the responses. Eventually, as more U.S. baby-boomers move into their years of health problems, the U.S. government will be reviewing every negative cash flow; it may come down to who really should receive U.S. taxpayer revenue. While it appears an easy choice, it probably will be a nasty pork-barrel style fight.

The U.N. borders selected for Israel were not defendable. The borders Israel has chosen for its settlements following the six-days war are not defendable without huge annual subsidies from the U.S. taxpayers. This is what I have a problem with...namely the financial aid that appears must continue in perpetuity for Israel to survive. The lion's share of U.S. financial aid in the world is swallowed up between Egypt and Israel, and little progress has been. It is tough to find any products from the middle east on store shelves, a clear sign that subsides will have to continue far into the foreseeable future. Clearly, limits need to be established.

In addition, you seldom hear any U.S. political leader questioning our blind support for Israel's policies and their occupation of the territories that would be impossible without U.S. financial aid. And the average American cannot seem to make the connection either. Our blind support for Israel has been costing America its prosperity for years, and now its costing us our safety around the world and at home.

Sort of takes the fun out being a martyr doesn't it? Actually, I'm surprised by his friends still on their feet walking around sniper alley. Those RPG(s) fetch a tidy sum by either side. Usually it's the kids who forced to fetch them...expendable, and they made good Arab press as "Americans Kill Kids" propaganda clips.

If your interested in performance landings a canopy with a larger recovery arc than the Stiletto might be a wise choice since they will allow "turns-to-final" from much higher up. The Vengeance 170 or Crossfire 169 might be a good move from your Sabre 190 when you're sure you're ready. However, note that swooping is a very dangerous activity for experienced and novice skydivers alike. Being dead is probably easy to get used to, but being imprisoned in a crippled body is a life sentence of pain, unpaid medical bills, burden on the family, etc., not to mention the heavy psychological issues.

All it takes these days are a couple of suspicious e-mails sent from a mosque, and governments respond by spending huge sums of money shifting resources. Clearly, this cannot go on indefinitely. Eventually there will be more proactive measures, but it will cause internal political issues for the modern democracies.

You got that right! I just did 20-minutes in the Perris tunnel this past Thursday morning, and I'm still sore in the shoulders; the best workout I've had in years. It was also well worth the money to hire a coach for the training session. I'm an old timer from the "baggy suits with swoop cords" days, so it was nice to focus on modern leg control techniques. Unfortunately, I was on a business trip, so I didn't have my latest RW suit with its tight arms and booties. The optional video is a nice review tool. Overall, the Perris Wind Tunnel is a first class facility from the tunnel itself, the office, the clean rest rooms, and even the asphalt parking lot too. It's refreshing to see this sort of investment in the sport.

Yes, I would still join the USPA. However, the compulsory membership imposed by the GM-DZO program tends to diminish the pride of membership that should be the real motivation for joining and renewing, IMHO. Apathy is the null-vote cast by a captive membership.

Are you talking about the letter to John Ladenburg, the Pierce County Executive, or is there someone else willing to accept a letter? This next hearing is in the State's capitol some distance from Mr. Ladenburg's office. Unfortunately, I can't get away from work tomorrow, so I'd be more than happy to fax a letter this evening if there's another point of contact such as a judge. Thanks!

Look for your proof of purchase; L&B just might surprise you with a replacement and smile!

Well, as a U.S. taxpayer I'm not happy with the illegal settlements in the West Bank and Gaza. Without U.S. aid Israel would not be able to fund the military protection of these settlements, and quite frankly I'm surprised with the presidents recent endorsement and financial commitments for these terrible policies i.e., "They've had this stolen property for so long that it must be theirs because they've had it for so long!" The world has become a small and dangereous place for Americans due to this miserable part of the planet.

A Civil Engineering colleague who is now retired was invited to a wedding in Iran during the eighties. During the festivities two Iraqi prisoners were produced. The first was crudely beheaded with a combat knife while the second was forced to watch up close; he emptied his bladder in his trousers while the wedding party cheered, including the youngsters too. The second Iraqi was slaughtered likewise shortly thereafter. The engineer said it was the most barbaric act he'd ever witnessed.

The plastics industry has been producing very realistic feeling materials these days. However, that wand won't pay for the next round of drinks.

I'm roughly 240-lbs OTD, and I have the standard (larger) three ring setup for my three Racers.

Well, I have three "near-new" rigs in the closet and no time to use them right now with Homeland Security improvements in-progress. And, to answer your question: -- 1: Racer, PD-253r, Sabre2-210 2: Racer, PD-235r, Crossfire2-180 3: Racer, PD-218r, Crossfire2-149 -- BTW, I'm 6'2", wear a 48-inch jacket, have a 19-inch MLW, and I'm 240-lbs out the door!

Probably a combination of drugs and virtual reality equipment. You'd never know the difference, and you could experience anything you'd like...maybe ravish a top model after your skydive, then on to some ultra violence on the streets. It will be the biggest money maker in history, and very addictive for its participants.

My Sabre2 was fast inflating with little snivel, and then it slammed me real hard one afternoon. I talked with PD about it, and they made another slider that was 3-inches longer in the chord dimension, trading me for the stock slider. That little bit of extra material turned it into a predictable sniveler, almost like a Spectre.

Put your money desires aside, and donate your old gear to the DZ bar for display; this old gear should not be in circulation.

I'm an AOPA member since I believe that aviation activities need all the support they can muster. Freedom isn't free, and the law industry has lowered its standards to outright extortion since many of the industries that they used to suck blood from have moved their operations overseas.

The days of the small 182 dzo(s) on municipal airports are probably history. USPA membership is largely made up of those of limited means, so little lobbying power is available. This is a political problem, and money is the mother's milk of politics.

Has anyone tried these Wiley X SG-1 low profile goggles for skydiving? They're somewhat spendy. http://www.wiley-x.com/sg1.php

The main problem here is a lack of medical insurance, which should be part of your family's life plan.

Many parents are surprised to learn that their loved one is skydiving. They are of course afraid, but they often do little to ameliorate their fears. Rather than shy away, parents should become knowledgeable about the sport and buy their loved one suitable gear that is new or in top notch condition, i.e., do what they can to protect their loved ones!

I wasn't joking at all. Where do you think this sport will go without attracting the kind of people with disposable income? The customers on the slopes don't seem to have a problem with the waiver printed on the back of the lift ticket; you hit a tree and get hurt...you, your insurance, or the taxpayers must pay...not the ski slope operator! The slopes attract people with money because the comforts are there, which collectively make up the ski experience; it's not just the snow on a hill. I am a Level III PSIA instructor and taught at several major ski areas out west (utah and new mexico). I think you are in the dark as far as sueing/injuries go at ski resorts. Just in the year 2002/2004 season, there were several settelments (read millions of dollars) payed to people who were hurt at a certain resort that i worked for.. Also, there are quite a few deaths every year at ski resorts....they are very good and keeping it quit. the waiver doesnt mean shit. In the northwest, several folks went past danger signs this year into ungroomed unpatrolled areas where unstable snow buried them, or they simply became lost; both cases resulted in frostbite injuries or death. But, you are right, no follow-up to these stories are ever mentioned, which is probably part of the settlement deals. Large scale search and rescue operations were also mounted costing someone big money. However, these events don't seem to aggravate the industry or drive ski slopes away. I've been skiing for 35-years, and the sport continues to improve. While it is also a spendy sport, all I see is big buck investments everywhere I look around the slopes.

This is a good idea as the plastic nozzle on the end the vacuum hose becomes an charged insulator once the air is rushing into it.