tigra

Actually, I do see what Bill was getting at with his post. He was commenting on the blanket statement that harming "helpless" animals is wrong. I actually didn't really didn't see any "outrage" about the sentiments he expressed, just that they didn't apply to the case of the big man attacking the tiny cat with a sword. Animal shelters- I don't think most adults kid ourselves about what happens to unwanted animals there, we simply feel its a more humane alternative to a life and death on the streets as a stray. That said, I think I'd have to exhaust every possible alternative before I took any stray to a shelter, but I also have to accept that I can't provide a home or a happy ending for every homeless animal. Euthanasia- yes, I'm glad that's an an option for our beloved animal companions when their time comes. No, its not something I feel I can do myself. My hands would shake and my eyes would be blinded by tears. The best I can manage is to decide in my heart when the time is right, and take my pet to the vet and hold him in his final moments. Does that make me somehow a less worthy pet owner than the guy who can take his cancer stricken dog into the woods with a shotgun and pull the trigger?

In more recent interviews, she says she loosk forward to completing the series and her life "post Harry Potter". When Ann Rice tried to stop writing about Lestat, she claims that "he" would not let her. Maybe Harry and company will haunt JK until she gives in and starts writing about them again.

I view the last two as essentially the beginning of the end. A lot of questions resolved, more raised and its all leading up to Harry's final confrontation with Voldemort. Maybe if I read it as a stand alone book, I *might* have felt disappointed, but as the second to last installment of the series, I think it delivered exactly what it needed to. Could it be you are already feeling the let down of a) knowing it will be at least 2 years before the next one and b) the next one WILL be the last?

That's about the time I started reading them too. I wanted to see what all the fuss was about. JK Rowling is brilliant. Other books have captured me, but none like this!

Skydive Chicago runs a (mostly) tandem operation out of Carlos and Charlies during the winter. Experienced jumpers are always welcome too, and they usually have a boogie there in early February. You should contact them directly to find out when they'll be open and verify any specific requirements. You'll need your own gear, a *think* a B license or equivalent and flotation gear.

Oh I'm sure he's loving it, that really wasn't my point. Leaving the thread plays right into his hands!

Similar threads have been locked and removed. The line may be a little muddy but the topic's been covered before. Allowing this thread to stay is probably misguided payback for his crossing the line with Skymama, but I personally feel its a personal attack and as such shouldn't be allowed. We can't expect him to follow the basic forum rules when exceptions are made simply because he's the target.

I'm with you for whatever its worth.

Smartass!

I've got 2 Tony's and one Zute Sute. The Zute is my favorite, the other two just take up space in my locker.

Not JUST your opinion. And after a serial killer is caught and identified, stories always seem to come out about how that person was cruel to animals as a child, so you weren't that far off base there either. At the very least, the guy is a bully who is unable to control his rage. The arguments about butchering animals for food or humanely putting them down seem misplaced in this thread because its so obvious they don't apply. ....sigh.... Probably our esteemed moderator will correct me and tell me exactly how those arguments DO apply.

If he (or you) wants to argue that "putting down" your own animal for a valid reason (illness, or because its become dangerous) in a humane manner is OK, that's fine but that's obviously NOT what happened here. This guy chased a tiny cat around his apartment in a psychotic rage with a sword for no good reason. An animal that's just given birth is bound to act unpredictably if you get too close to her or her young. That doesn't make her a vicious, out of control animal, it makes her a good mother (and the adult who got scratched someone who should have either known better or at least accepted the consequences of her actions.) And if you look at the pictures, the cat is TINY- probably no more than 5 pounds! The guy looks like he's easily 250. Takes a really tough guy to torture and terrorize a 5 pound cat! (edited for spelling and typos- this is a tough room!)

I would rather drink less beer or no beer than cheap icky domestic beer!

Are you trying to pull a j0nes with this question?

Who knows? She might be telling the truth. She might not know where she came from or who her "real" family is, and her 48 year old lover manipulated her into making this claim. (She looks like she's a few fries short of a happy meal to begin with.) But since she's willing to take a DNA test, the truth will come out. It would be pretty cruel if she were lying, though.

Even worse- he's annoyed SkyMama!

i've considered this but it's too late already. for good or bad i've made my bed and must sleep in it. to cave now would only prove weakness in the eyes of my detractors. Dude- what can I say? You are starting to grow on me! If your "I Don't Care" and "You Rock" votes out number the "go away" votes, does that mean you will stick around?

I agree too! If you're going to dislike the guy or tell him to go away, at least do it for a good reason! Not filling in a profile isn't a good enough reason! Trolling and a superior attitude? ..........wellll..........

He's not the only one.

Unfortunately, it HAS been used against people. There are some really shitty people out there. Me- my profile is pretty complete, but I recognize anyone's right to keep their personal info private.

Nobody's opinion should need to be somehow validated by jump numbers or any other information in their profile. No one should feel the need to fill in identifying personal information in their profiles if they don't want to. And I can't believe I'm defending J0nes, but whether or not he fills in a profile should have no bearing on how welcome he is here! Rookie, you should know by now that the information in your profile CAN be used against you. Its his right to keep it private, and several "regulars" on this board have removed personal info from their profiles!

Is that a personal attack, or are you making a guess that he/she is from Wisconsin? Isn't that the same thing? Just kidding, some of my best friends are cheeseheads!

Nope- my guess is he's from the midwest and he's an experienced skydiver, possibly with instructional ratings.

Well, (s)he did just start a thread in the Women's forum!

And $10.00 left over for beer!