Michele

8 months v. 8 years....that's an interestingly posed question. I will bifurcate it into before 9/11 and after 9/11. Before 9/11: There was not enough done, but I am not sure any more could've been done in the short time Bush was in office. I believe the beaurocratic, territorial nature of the defense groups (CIA, FBI, NSA, DoD) prevented a ton of information which, in hindsight, is very telling. This is not the first time territorial behavior has hogtied those departments; indeed, you see it on a local level as well, with PDs and Sherrif's and CA/DA's offices. Further, I think that there were many people in those beaurocracies which had not understood the depth to which AQ/OBL would go. When Bush took office, he had to handle a lot of detritus left over from the Clinton Administration. He was further saddled - hindered, in fact - by the way the election came about. He had made some starts, and clearly recognized that, unlike the Clinton Admin., terrorism cannot be treated as "criminality", ala WTC 93 - indictment, arrest, trial, incarceration. But to be able to change that mindset in time to take some action prior to 9/11 was impossible. Additionally, there is evidence that the plan had been set in motion - and cells inserted into the US - prior to 2000 (or in January 2001). With a plan like that, I don't think there was too much which could stop it once it started rolling. Post 9/11 The actions in Afghanistan I wholly approve of, and think have done wonders to quell the terrorist activity here in my country. I think that the taking out of the Taliban, the liberation of the Afghani people, the liberation of the women (a particular sweetness for me), and the beginnings of a new era in that country is amazing and, over all, about the best outcome from 9/11 that one could've ever expected. From tyranny to liberty, because of an horrific attack across the world - I don't think AQ expected that would happen. In the immediate moments after 9/11, with the freezing of the finances, the comprehensive naming of names, the interrogation of suspects, the recognizing and publicly indentifying the holes in our system, I couldn't ask for more. Closing those holes, though, seems to have gone more slowly than I would've hoped, but again, when you are dealing with a large area, with many different points of view, and with many different philosophical positions, I think it's gone as fast as it could've (although, like I said, not fast enough for my tastes.). In terms of capturing AQ, I think Bush has done rather well. While he hasn't yet gotten the head of the snake, I believe he will. I know the terrain over there is about as harsh as it gets, and I'm willing to let those men and women serving in the military to go at it their way, without second guessing from me. In the mean time, I think Bush's policy has both helped and hindered AQ, in that many have been captured, many cells have been disrupted, and finances, as stated, have been nullified. However, it has scattered them, driven those survivors further underground, and will make getting OBL himself a more difficult proposition. When you look at the large picture, however, it's pretty good. Overall, Bush did as well as could be expected, and better, in some regards, given the legacy of the Clinton administration and their balls-up treatment of AQ, OBL, and missing the imperative 90's issue: terrorism, homegrown and imported. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Agreed. My point was simply that the republicans weren't the only one opposed to it... And do you think Clinton did enough? Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

The ACLU was against it - stridently - at the time, as well. Don't forget them. They're heavy lobbyists, IIRC... And did Clinton, in your opinion, do enough to fight terror? Honest question. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

The deal is going gangbusters - very clean house, very nice sellers and simply wonderful buyers...I couldn't be happier. Except. Well. One of the realtors who lost (there were 5 offers, remember) called me this morning. She and I are good friends, and I like her very much. Their offer was good, but not good enough, and she understands that, as well as realizing the sort of market she's in. However. She opened the conversation with "I've lost all control of my clients..." and then proceeded to ask me to not open any mail I received from her buyers, and to ask that my clients not open any mail from her buyers. Turns out they're kinda furious that they didn't get the house. So now I get to expect hate mail. Oh fun. I don't care so much - it's a part of my job, I suppose, but my sellers are wonderful human beings and I don't want them to get splattered by the shit fan. I've emailed the sellers, and asked them to please not open, and to give to me immediately, any correspondence they may receive from the "buyers-to-be"...and they've agreed. Human nature being what it is, I suspect they will, after they've opened it and read it, get hurt by it, and feel badly. Sigh... Why do some people have to rain on others' parade? I mean, really. They were not even close enough to be offered backup position... Oh well. And so here I wait for hate mail.... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

According to my fall rate, it's what I have... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Mare Winningham. She's quirky, odd, and pensive, just like me. Not a 10 on a scale of 1-10, more like a 7, but her eyes are intriguing. Not that mine are, but hey, this is fantasy, so it's all good. Heck, I don't even make a 5, so I'm happy. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

And there I was, all set to name names and tell tales...when you go and say that. Bafooey on you, spoiling all my fun like that. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

I keenly climb out of bed each morning (well, most mornings, as least...) and then rock my way to the coffee maker. Does that count? (I smell a new website.....sniff...sniff...) Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

I don't doubt I'm an "outlier" in this particular case, but....am I really? And why? I know many people who don't have insurance. They haven't been as ill as I've been (thank you God), (and thank God your sinus issues aren't "serious"), but what about them? At what point do the statistics show that I'm not an outlier, an unusual unexpected rather rare case, but instead, a regular one, that happens with a predictable frequency? If the Dr.s, anesthesioligists, and all those participating in the health care industry have "cash" fee schedules, then is this a normal thing, or an outlier thing? (Granted, I negotiated lower pricing than even the cash fee schedule, but still...) And here's my question as well. If everyone has a "cash option", doesn't that imply that the fees insurance pays are higher? And if they do, is that a fair system? If you have insurance, insurance pays much more than the cash payor. Who's getting the deal at that point? Me or the medical system? Over all, I received excellent care, and am more than happy with the people I've had. One of the benefits of not having insurance is that if I didn't feel very very comfortable with my Dr, I could've picked up my happy ass and gone to the one I was happy with; that's not an option with most insurance companies. It's a difficult situation to be sure, and I don't have a solution. But I think there is one out there, lurking...just not one I know of, or understand how to employ. And I really was just sharing my situation to provide a different perspective to the conversation... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Karma. What you put out there, you get back. This is plain to see. Thanks, Michael. Thanks, JP. Yes, jumpers ROCK! (And Sparky is just plain cool!!) Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Yes, no doubt that's definitely true. Sigh...but I managed it. Funny, though, when I'm home alone, it's clothing optional, or teeshirt/jammies (like right now)...but if someone is around, I get shy... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Like I did. And am. And will be, for a while. And yes, it's gone onto my credit reports, even though the dr and I have an arrangement, the lab doesn't make them, the hospital doesn't make them, the anesthesiologist doesn't make them, and the pathologist's doesn't make them. I am in massive debt at the moment, because I can't afford the $300 per month it would take to cover me (yes, that's average for my line of work and lifestyle). And this is with everyone giving me "cash" discounts, too. And that's not including any prescription drugs, one that I take daily (expensive), one that I take 12 days out of the month (expensive), and the various other medications I've been on for the last 6 months... Jerry, it's not a few hundred bucks. It's more like $25,000 (+/-), when all is said and done...at least I can write it off. That's a bonus, isn't it? Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

I am very shy in front of anyone naked...very very shy. It's not like shut your eyes, closed the blinds, let's hide under the covers, but close. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Good bump, Wendy. The PLR I do saved my patoot again this weekend. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Goodness yes. Lew's such a wonderful lady...and Ed's pretty cool, too. And Cindi, thanks... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Yup, and catching them with my toesies. In the meantime, I'll just practice a whole lot in my imagination. LOL! Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

I answered yes, but I need to caveat that. I am not really good enough to intentionally land near someone if I'm not planning that up high (and even then it's iffy - and close for me is 40-75 feet). I'm also not good enough to be able to put myself down into a small spot, if there are obstacles around it. However, if it's at Elsinore/Perris, and it's "out" but not across the road or the like, I will follow them unless I see someone else doing it. If someone else is doing it, then my best bet is to land and get some assistence headed out from the people at the dz. When I am better able to figure out where I'm going to land on much shorter notice, then yes, I most certainly will. Until then, it becomes more of a question of will I contribute to the solution or the problem... However, I've pulled off the side of the road to watch a jumper land off, and then drive to them and make sure they're all right, and give them a lift in. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Absolutely. All the time. And I am amazed that I do it - that's almost as amazing as the sport itself - that I can do this. I do not skydive well, and most certainly not gracefully, but absolutely most amazingly. It's all still just a huge trip, you know? Unbelievable and amazing. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Wow, what a great photo. Thanks for sharing that. I've never done a tandem, and I'm beginning to wonder if I missed something... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Yup. Sobbing, quaking with fear, peeing in my underpants. YOU manifested me, and you checked with me to make sure I wanted to jump when it got dark, 'cause you know me's skeeeeeeered of the dark... ROFL!!!!!!!!!! It was great to see you, Aubrey. Thanks, guys. It's nice to be back. I had a really busy day, and all through it, I was back in the sky, bathed in the gold, playing with Lew. I had a wee smile on my face all day long, even when it wasn't going the way I wanted...why? Because I flew in the sunset, danced in the sky, and rode the last edge of the day into the coming night. How could I not smile? Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Wow, really? I guess you missed the block on SSRI's...you're badly misinformed, and promulgation of such malinformation is terrible to see from such a highly educated person. Tink, if you care to discuss - at length - the effects of SSRI's, this thread is not it. Maybe starting a new one in Talk Back would be wise. Sorry, BV, about the "hijack", but bad information needed to be corrected...I'm bowing out now. Forgive me. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

They added a second "Sunset" load, full of tandems and high pullers along with the tracking group. Couple of things to remember, people out there in internet land. If I wasn't all right with the conditions, I didn't have to jump. If it was too dark for my comfort, then I didn't need to leave the plane. The light was green, but that doesn't mean I have to jump...it means I can if I am comfortable with it. I reconsidered jumping when we were holding to the east of the DZ. I took into consideration the time, the light, and the dark, and likely "navigational twilight" (or whatever it's called) which can complicate the depth perception. I made the choice to jump, and had anything happened to me, I would be fully and wholly responsible - not Lew, not the pilot; ME, and me alone. It was a tad unnerving for those in the tracking group joking about having the pilot radio down to get car lights onto the landing area... All that being said, we have wonderful pilots, a wonderful ground crew, and they would've called the plane (there were 4 tandems on that load) if it really became too dark. Whatever the reason, the pilot did what he did because of safety, no other reason. I had fun, but I'm not sure Aubrey did.... That was probably a rather unnerving one for a first sunset load... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

"Daughters of the Downwind" - or, for those men, "Honorary DoD's", are those of us who screw up our landing pattern for whatever reason, and choose to take the downwind rather than turn low. It's more of a recognition of not turning low when you are downwind rather than intentional downwind landings. DoD started when Cora and I did a sunset jump, and she followed me in. I was downwind, she came in right after, both of us realized we were downwind too low to safely turn upwind, so took it the way it was....and performed spectacular PLFs to boot. LOL! Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Eggggggggggggggggzakkkkkkkkkkkkkly. Be very very careful, and listen to the Dr...the sky will wait. Hugs to you- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Happy birthday! And many many more! Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~