Michele

I am not sure how you are referencing "democracy". They already are a republic, and have been since 1968. Again, they already have one. Actually, there's one, and a rewritten one that hasn't been ratified yet... The first one was written and provisionally ratified in September 1968, and emploed as of July 1970...the rewrite was in 1990, but has not yet been ratified. Don't you remember Saddam Heussein getting 99% of the vote? For a 5th term, too! (Hey, maybe the rewrite included term limits, which would've given SH a reason to make sure it didn't pass....) Nope, more than likely there will be an interim government installed, and, similar to Afghanistan, elections will be scheduled. Irregardless of what we think it will look like, it will likely be very different from what we anticipate. For your reading pleasure, here are a few links... CIA Factbook 1990 Rewrite of the Constitution (I can't find the text of 1968's Constitution to contrast and compare wtih, sorry...) Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Nah...we ain't got the money!! And all our natural resources are protected by Congress... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

And you all wonder why I won't even consider a nekkie jump.....!!! (But I gotta wonder if it hurts, having your boobies inside out like that...) Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Nope. From Macy's, in the package and everything. [I]And, I don't even know him!! Well, haven't met him, at any rate...they're just the regular kind, anyway. I considered a tigerstriped thong for him, but decided that might bring some, ah, unwanted attention his way... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Nope. I don't need that worry and/or added risk, no matter how good they were/are. No matter how much I liked them. No matter what their reputation. If I suspected, I'd scratch. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Well, I went shopping....and because I was in such a bad mood (thanx again! Damn, will I ever get my one free flame???), shopping for myself just didn't do it. So I am now up to my eyeballs in goodies and underwear for a friend who's been shipped out. He'll get a goody package sent out in the next few days. As always, when I go outside myself, I feel better. When I do for others, I feel better. Know what? I feel better....!!!! (Now, if only I can do something about this hair....) Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Hye, you pixie! You'll be back in the air in no time, under that cute canopy of yours... They'll have her relined and back home as soon as they can, you know? Oh, and how'd your husband do at his race? I never heard! Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Thanks, Sinker....it is appreciated. Not as satisfying as opening a can of whup ass on a jackass, but still, it's appreciated.... Oh, I'm on my way shopping. It will get better... hugs back - Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Daaaaaaaaaaaaaaammmmmmnnnnnnn iiiiiiiiittttttttttttttttttttttt!!!!! Damn it all to hell and back. Twice! I have pms. I am having a very bad hair day. I have to work on my day off. I saw this thread. I whip out my poison pen and dust it off, all set to claim my one free personal attack. But nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo.... You all had to hijack it before I could go to work on this shakabazzaa jackass... [sarcasm]Thanks, guys. I really appreciate it. Now I am condemned to shopping, chocolate, and oversweet passover wine to deal with pms. And I thought you guys were friends....[/sarcasm] Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Um. Well. I shall consider that as an additional, unthought-of opinion. Hrmmmmmmmmmmm....... Well, here's the answer... NOPE! I am perfectly happy with my front bumpers, thank you very much. I have never received any complaints about them from others, either...... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

I didn't think I was...but I didn't get lost in the example, JG. And while I haven't originated many war posts, I have posted my share to them. It was aimed at a few. But how would you feel if I said "I am really sick and tired about hearing about all the reparatitions and American Indian genocide? I mean, really, people. I know my history!!! It's nothing I can't read in a history book...you can't tell me anything new" . (And before you get carried away, you know I am simply using an example, and it is not necessarily reflective of how I feel). Your position has been made clear, and those few who you were targeting are not the same I would target if I posted the identical issues. If what you are angry about is a few, why make a post which serves to stifle others' opinions, who you were not targeting? If you think it doesn't happen, then you're mistaken... As to not reading them, the example was more of personal responsibility. You made a post above about Jerry SPringer, and know what? If I don't like what I watch, I turn the channel. It has been many, many years since I watched Jerry Springer....or any reality shows for that matter. Not interested, not turning the channel to it. But I don't lobby to have it removed so that no-one can watch it. I change my channel...what I mean is, if you don't want to reply, don't! How hard is that? It's not like someone is forcing you to, right? Me too, on both sides....LOL! I do understand... But that's the effect your post has on folks...and the effect other posts have had, too. And I am not talking about those who you "were targeting"...I'm talking about me. And others, on both sides... Don't you think the feeling is on both sides of the fence? Yes, you have a brain, and you prolly did get it the first time. You're a smart guy, JG...but I hear the force feeding on both sides. Both sides. Yes, you do...as I have the same right to state my opinion. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

What they said, Kriss.... Know what? I'm sorry you're hurting right now, and I wish I could make it all go away. I'm not able to, but what I can do is let you know you are loved, you are a great friend, and wonderful mother. Kriss, it will pass. Until it does, know that we are here, loving you as much as we can. And if you need an ear, just let me know...I'll listen. HUGSHUGSHUGSHUGSHUGSHUGSHUGSHUGSHUGSHUGSHUGSHUGS!!!!!!! And... LOVELOVELOVELOVELOVELOVELOVELOVELOVELOVELOVELOVELOVELOVE. You rawk. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

You weren't thinking.....gevalt! You're messhugge, you know that? (Have you ever had a wine from that winery? I haven't...any good?). Besides, I was thinking of the oversweet Maneschewitz stuff I'm used to... LOL......yes, well, I wonder who you could be talking about! Um, Cora???? Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww, how sweet...thanks!!!

JG, you and I are friends here. You and I have spoken over the last few years, and we get along well. We respect each other for the most part. You and I have different opinions on many things...and this is one of those. Your post touched a nerve with me. I know that my views have been changed by information given out right here. Do you honestly want to deny me an opportunity to learn about things I don't know? Why? Nope. I have lots of people I can talk to. Some of them here. Some not. Some I do privately, some I don't...but intimating that people are lonely is the only reason a person posts something is pretty harsh, don't you think? I could, I have, and I would again if I thought it was necessary to demonstrate a point. So have others. Innumerable times. You are relying solely on the media you can get here in the US? How limiting for you...I value information, even if I don't agree with it. I was saying to someone earlier today, in a pm, that there is no-where else that I can talk to so many - geographically, mentality, religion, politically - different people, and learn an enormous amount from them. If I relied simply on one single source of information, then my views would be rather narrow...and while they are not necessarily wide, they widen daily with new information, given on these forums via personal opinions, links I'd never know to look for on my own, and newspaper articles from papers I didn't know existed. No. Sorry, and with all due respect, no. How about you simply not clicking into posts you know are war threads? That would completely solve your concerns. For example, as popular as the Tittee-bar thread was, it was simply not to my interest. You didn't find a post from me saying "don't post anymore pix"...as a matter of fact, the closest I have ever come to saying anything about that kind of thing was about 8 months ago. I posted a request for "packages" looking for parity, but nothing about "Stop, you're lonely, knock it off already, will it ever stop???"...I just didn't click into that particular thread. Your personal discomfiture is easily addressed by taking personal responsibility and not continuing to click on the threads you don't like, instead of asking the rest of us to change our behavior (with the exception of personal attacks - I just want to be clear on that...) as long as we are not breaking any of the rules. As do you in recent posts...as do you. Look, I know there are people on different sides of the issue. How excellent - that means I learn even more than if I only ever heard what confirmed my belief. I am intelligent - I am not, however, so intelligent as to not be able to learn things from others...I can think very well, but I cannot think of everything. I can project future events, but cannot accommodate all factors into the equation for it to be realistic...and thus I need feedback from widely divergent viewpoints. And I am clear on what I believe and why I believe it, but not so dogmatic as to not honestly consider other points of view. You already know what to do about that, JG. Just don't go to a thread you think you'll have to resist replying to. When there's a post "Possible Chemical Weapons Found In Iraq", you can be pretty certain that it's war related, and not about jumping...and if in doubt, pm me and I'll tell you what it is. Deal? I understand your position....I don't agree with it. As a matter of fact, I vehemently disagree with it...but I also think you have a right to state it. I have a right to state otherwise....(within HH's boundaries) Ciels - and respect - Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Will someone please send me flowers? And don't make me break my arm to get any, either. I am, sadly, old...and don't heal as fast as some young chicks and roosters... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Hi, David. No, I felt no uncomfortablility with your response (nor original post herein); should it come to a personal issue between me and anyone else, I generally can discipline myself to move it to pm's...(mostly, at any rate...sometimes I screw up, though). I appreciate your offer - I've had great exchanges between folks when I've gone to pm's, in certain cases. Your posting is not, for the most part, what I meant. Should it become necessary, rest assured I will pm you. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

I've been wondering about that...how does he explain the smoke in the sky, the rubble in the streets, and the disappeared buildings? On a more serious note, Hussein has a history of shooting the messenger. Something like 100+ of his inner circle were killed after GW1 because they brought him bad news. It might be that the disinformation minister is trying to save his own skin. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Kallend said basically the same thing, in another thread. While I think diplomacy failed years ago as well, I do not see that this is a moot discussion. There will come a time in the future wherein diplomacy becomes again vital, and understanding why it failed may prevent it failing again. The debate is vital, thinks me, to success in the future. This is an interesting article, and I appreciate Bodypilot putting it up. I personally have felt squelched in offering opinions and supporting documents here on these boards in recent weeks, and out of deference to HH, I haven't answered many many many posts that I wanted to. I have, on many occasions, stopped what I was typing and backed out - not because it was a personal attack, but because it was useless...a waste of time. Not because it was disrespectful, but because I would come under fire for saying it. Not because my opinion was wrong, but because of the arguing - not debating - which would follow. I don't know for sure, but I do believe that others may feel the same kind of muffling, on both sides of the fence, and so haven't bothered to put up a response. Just my take on things... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

I've heard many Palestinians speaking english. I have heard others who did not translated by interpretors. I've seen them in suits, and I have heard them propose ideas which are not uneducated in the least. I've heard their ideas, read their treatises, and understood their positions. Their message comes across... But I think there is a difference your lecturer left out....they wear explosives for belts and run into crowds of students and into stores and restaurants, and blow themselves and those around them into bits. This is a fundamental difference - not simply in the actions, but in the mentality of some. Just my .02... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Alain, that's an excellent thing to have around...and that's the kind of thing I meant! Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Hi, Jan. If there isn't any pain and/or headaches, if the spot doesn't seem to have gotten much larger, if your eye is not watering more than usual, and if there are no "new spots", then I think it's o.k. to jump. Don't worry so much if it seems to grow slightly larger...like a bruise is simply blood under the skin and it "spreads", it's similar in the eye. When I was getting ready for the surgery, I burst one in my eye. Scary as all hell, but when I called the Dr. at 6 in the morning, and he saw me early that day, he laughed....it wasn't anything even connected to the tumor, just one of those things. Might've happened when I sneezed, or blew my nose, or whatever. Any sudden increase in pressure around the eyes could've done it. Some people get them from pressurized cabins in planes for long times. Did you fly down to AZ? Also, when it gets exceptionally dry v. what you are used to (Seattle/Renton, right?? quite humid/wet) that might also create it, similar to getting bloody noses when it's really arid. And sometimes, it just happens, too. Lastly, if you are really concerned, there should be a Lenscrafters or something similar (inexpensive, glasses-in-an-hour kinda place) which should have a Drs office attached. Stop in and tell the receptionist your concern, and I am sure a quick peek by the Dr. will allay your concerns... And don't worry, they have good opthomologists and optometrists in AZ.... Have a great vacation, and yes, by all means, jump!!! Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Hi, Val. I think what the guy with the light sabre was meaning was how sucky would it be to end up with a cypress fire (or worse) because you had a 1/2 hour in the wind tunnel last week, and you were so intent on doing things that you forgot to check your alti when next you actually jumped from a plane, because you hadn't practiced that in the tunnel... It's a suggestion, and I think it's a good one for newbies learning during AFF or whatever. It cannot equate with real skydiving, but if you do like you would in a real jump, then it may be better for overall teaching. OTOH, as I've never been in a tunnel, I am not sure if you're allowed to wear gear like an alti in there. I know you can't wear your rig, but what about a wrist mounted alti? (Of course it wouldn't give you real alti...but still...)... I can't wait for Perris to get their tunnel up and running...I will for sure get some time. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

And, by extrapolation, proof of aliens...how else would they get to altitude? hop into this spaceship, folks... Or - just maybe - they were base jumping from the tops of those pyramids.... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

I jumped student gear exactly 2 times after I graduated AFF, and that was to downsize without jumping 40 feet at once. I then jumped the rental Spectre 230 for about 25 jumps, and then went to my own Spectre 210 during a canopy course. I've been there for 20 jumps, and expect to be there for about 200 more. At least!