white_falcon

It is true, the bad places to live seem to be inabitied in LARGE majority, but the minorities. It is also true, that the people in those places have access to free public, and in some cases private, education to start them on the road to "betterment" and in LARGE percentages they choose NOT to take advantage of the programs in place. It has become a "status" symbol in some cultures to NOT take advantage of the opportunities provided and to simply resign themselves to mediocrity or less. Take for example the kid in HS that says, F that, I'm not studing for that test, I'm not goin to college any way. Or, I already get SSI benefits, so why do I have to worry about gettin a job, or the newest destructive trend for girls, the status symbol of, oh "I'm the mama of his FIRST baby" (My wife is a school teacher and I swear to you this is the new BIG thing in the minority teen quarter). Affirmative Action IS there for the minorites, there are COUNTLESS scholarships and grants I do NOT qualify simply because I am caucasian, and if the people they are intended for do not take advantage of them, or the thousands of dollars set aside as start-up funds for minority owned small business, etc etc etc, it is NOT the fault of the majority. If the minority refuses to accept the help / assistance that is already in place and, to continue to live with / in the circumstances that surround them, then THEY have made a choice. As for your Edit, I am not sure I understand what you mean, but if you are suggesting that AA is not FORCED on people, you are seriuously mistaken. Scott

Exatly my question Ron. Scott

Marz, Sorry to hear you are having issues at work but, you are the one in control of the situation. (not what you want to hear I know) I own a small business and it irks me to no end when an employee is late, FOR ANY REASON. As has been said before, you KNOW what time you have to be at work, BE there. As for the extra morning duties you are having to pull, sorry, no sympathy from me. I too have kids, and I am the one who gets one of them ready for his day (wife takes care of the other, there schools are in different directions) and I am NEVER NEVER NEVER late to work. Its called prior planning, and it truly prevents piss poor performance (being late in this instance). Having said all that, I understand things HAPPEN and I personally am not an ass about "things" happening. The problem you have now is that you ALREADY had issues with you manager and now you are just feeding her MORE ammo. Stand up, take responsiblity, and get to work on time. I hope you don't take this as a flame, it is NOT intended as such. It is only an attempt to provide a different view and, I truly hope you are able to resolve the situation. Good luck, Scott Edit to add: The argument about not taking breaks, and making up for bein late in the morning, or shortening lunch breaks don't wash. A start time is a start time, and you cant trade that, the same way you can't trade NOT taking lunch and/or breaks for being able to leave early. Sorry

What raparations?? AA has nothing to do with reparations. And as far as qualifications, I didnt say DONT hire the QUALIFIED minority, just dont impose ANYONE on the business owner / company.

Although I agree that racisim is alive and well (tounge in cheek there), a skunk by any other name smells just as bad, and AA is a (one) skunk. You nor anyone else, can justify to me the "rightousness" of a less qualified minority being employed over a more qualified applicant because of AA measures and, sadly, as I am sure you are aware, that happens all the time. (thus, the "other" skunk. Scott

I have seen it, and yes it is FULL of "sexual situations" but they are very discreet. This particular movie seems to be more about the love story between Peter and Wendy than about the action / acventure of the previous rendentions but make no mistake, this has ALWAYS been a love story. That said, I have absolutely no problems with my 5 year old wathching it. She absolutely LOVES the PAN. Scott

Hmmm, Gonna be a chilly 55 in FLA today, oh well, maybe ill c if they are gonna fire up the Cessna anyway. Although Sat, it was REALLY cold. it was 60 and that dam King Air let us out at 13500, it had to be 20 degrees.

I personally think skydiving on I-10 is a bad Idea, but to each there own.

This may sound hokey, but its what my family and I do. Contact one of the time share places. (once u contact them one time, youll forever get stuff on fax if you provide them a number). The deal is, you get 2,3,4 nights (whatever the current deal is) PLUS generally they INCLUDE park passes for two and, you get to stay in a 5 star resort. The ONLY catch is, you must give up about an hour and a half on ONE day to do a tour of the time share so that they can try to talk you into buying. It generally costs us only $99 per adult for 2 -3 nites and the accomodations are awsome. May sound chinzy, but it works for us. Also, a lot of times they will throw in additional places to go to as well, and you DONT have to do the tour at the additional ones, Its how we are going to Mexico for 5 days in the spring, all we had to do was provide our own transportation, and the 5 star resort is free. edit - except for the room taxes, but Im not complaining.

Hey, How far from Puerto Vallarta are you, and are you guys still gonna be there in March?? Scott

I would, w/o question, but I'm a 23 jump wonder, so what do I know. Scott

I have packed my own rig 3 times, all were supervised tho, (stood back and watched) and when I got thru I was asked, are you gonna jump that??? 2 of them I did, one my wife did, and we are both still here.

Hey Keith, Im afraid we might have to miss this weekend. My best friends acutal graduation ceremony is Friday in Gainesville and then we are going to look at another horse on Sunday, in Crystal River. Depending on whats going on Sat, we may or may not be able to squeeze in a cpl jumps, (I HOPE we can!!) Anyway, thanks for the reminder about the gloves, lol, My hands STILL hurt. Scott

I have Mutual of Omaha for my accident insurance. For those that are jumping without any kind of insurance, IMO, it's very irresponsible. Do you drive without insurance? Do those of us that are home owners not have home owners insurance? LMAO!!! I am an insurance agent in Florida, have been or 15 years or so, and you would be AMAZED at the people that DONT have auto or home insurance. It happens every day / year, tag is up for renewal and they come in for insurance, haven't ahd any auto coverage for the last, oh, 10 months. Or, bout every June, or when the first storm of the year gets named, I cant return all the calls for Homeowners insurance quotes. Then come Nov, guess what? Those HO policies start cancelling. People are the most IRRESPONSIBLE beings I know, in a lot of ways. But, thats just MY take on the situation.

I for one absolutely agree Keith. I know I am very new to the sport but all at the DZ have been nothing but good to my wife and I. We greatly appreciate all the time the experienced jumpers take to ensure we are safe and all the free advice that is readily given. We are very much looking forward to finishing up our student / pre licensing stuff so we can get in the air with some of the great people out there and really learn how to fly with others. We also had a blast riding the plane up on Sat afternoon with out Best friend and leaving just ahead of him doing his first tandem (a graduation present suitable for a lawyer, lol). Looking forward to seeing everyone again next weekend (just got to remember to buy gloves this week, my hands STILL hurt). Scott

Since when did Pukin' Buzzards start jumping and not sliding down ropes???

UGH!!! Is it truly inevitable?

I dont understand why anyone would attack an individual DZ here. And ASSume that the DZO there is the one behind this. It MAY in fact be true but w/o some factual backup, you are next to slandering my home DZ, and I dont appreciate it. That said, I can safely vouch for the fact that the DZO in Tallahassee is NOT opposed to dz parties, alcohol and fun. Jeesh people, quit looking for conspiracy everywhere Its supposed to be about skydivin and havin fun, a'int it?? edit-- and yes, I KNOW i am new and dont understand all that has happend in the past (it has been explained before) and that i dont understand "skydiving politics". And with any luck, I never will.

Sky, My reply, was knee jerk. It pissed me off royally, as I am sure you could tell. Anyway as I am sure you have ascertained, I am in full agreement w/ fryin the bastard. And now, back to your regularly scheduled programming, while I lurk in the background again.

Quote from Skydekker: So Ron, question for you. Let's say in your time in the military it was decided that Mexico needed to be invaded and only women and children were to be shot on sight. Would you have happily gone over and performed your "duty"? I and NOT Ron, Skydekker, but you are SO wrong with that question. That is actually the FIRST thing i have seen in this post to incite me. I too was a proud member of the 82nd ABD and I HAVE been on foreign soil, more than once, being shot at. You sir are TOTALLY out of line! The U S Military / Govt. would NEVER give the order you put out there and I take huge issue with the implication they would. sorry, had to get that off my chest.

OH, ok, thanks Whit. Scott

ROFLMFAO

Contact Cindy at School of Human Flight in Tallahassee (acutally Quincy). I think she will.

Thanks Dave for the insight, and Rob brings up and interesting point as well. Always an education on here.