Michele

Yup, something I suspected and stated earlier in this thread. Today, it was confirmed that there was a ransom paid...which would completely explain why the Italians were not known to be in-country, and why they might've been taking evasive action and/or avoiding checkpoints. Damn it....paying a ransom only encourages these asshats. Watch for several more hostages...but not British/American...only those countries which have a track record for paying ransom. Furthermore, there are hints that AQ/Iraq AQ are trying to get the funds together to hit soft targets in the US....I wonder where the ransom money is going??? (yes, I'm being sarcastic. I can figure out where it's going...) Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Yes. Nope. Not at all. I need to take far more time with this thread and read through some of the links (I don't have all of them.)...that being said, I'd like to say two things here. 1. The Spanish muslims decrying OBL and AQ is a wonderful step, and should absolutely be supported. While the country has taken some action with which I disagree, that doesn't mean that they should always do everything I (or my country) wish. We are powerful enough to have made a statement (!!!) about 9/11...and iirc, when 9/11 happened, Spain stood solidly with us. While the country has since taken action which I wish they hadn't (as a result of the train bombings a year ago), the muslims do not run the country. Because of that, I think that the statement or fatwah from them is incredibly important, as it's the public making itself known; hopefully the government of Spain will listen to them. 2. I wish you all would stop bonking Skyrad. He's actually pretty fair minded about things. While I don't agree with him on some things, he almost always backs things up, and is a worthwhile voice with a different opinion about things. Hearing and listening to differing viewpoints is instrumental in seeing all sides of things, and thus having a "fair and balanced" opinion () on things. Thanks for the links, and this is a very interesting thread. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

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Maybe you're right...but I guess my point was more "I actively seek out gear checks" rather than waiting for someone to notice something's wrong. I always check my own gear, both before putting it on, as well as once it's on. However, that doesn't mean I've got everything covered...a second pair of eyes is invaluable for me. And while nothing has ever been discovered, that doesn't mean I'm perfect or infallible or whatever. It simply means that up until now I've not had a problem; it doesn't guarantee that I won't in future. To take it from being local, I jumped over Christmas in Oregon. I got two gear checks before I got in the plane (I asked) and then in the plane (I asked). I guess, again, that my point is those who ask receive, and those who don't may not receive. I'd rather be responsible and ask then rely on someone seeing something maybe perhaps if they're looking.... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Just to voice an opinion about gear checks - I jump at Perris, and have had experienced jumpers stop me and check gear; I've also approached experienced jumpers and asked for a gear check. I've asked instructors for gear checks there, and they've never done anything but said "sure." Condolences to all involved. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Yes, it's based on "if" but do you really think that the Italian Government will stand up and say "yes, we paid a ransom." ? Wouldn't that put all italians at increased risk for being kidnapped and held for ransom, if the Government did that? I should think it would. And I don't expect the Italian government to stand up and say they did...however, if one looks at news reports, the kidnapping of Italians in September '04 has the same sort of "rumor" around them...that a substantial sum of money was paid for their release. And even had they not (which I believe they have), doesn't even the mere appearance of such stimulate the kidnappers? Again, I should think so. As to the other aspect of the situation - the not notifying the United States checkpoint that they were coming through...in thinking about it, I think what may have happened was the Italians did not tell the US they were coming through because they would've had to announce that they had the journalist, and perhaps then the US would've stopped them, questioned them as to the location of the kidnappers and details of the release, and the Italians didn't want to reveal that at the moment. Perhaps part of the negotiations were to not reveal the kidnappers whereabouts until there had been time to leave the area, or something along those lines. I'll bet that we discover something along those lines in the near future. And I can't say I blame the soldiers for taking that action which they deemed appropriate to save themselves. And nor would I blame anyone should the same happen to one of our guys. I "predict" italian is kidnapped shortly, say within the next 3-4 months...and again, they won't be beheaded (as the British lady, the US guys, the Japanese (iirc) and others have been) but miraculously "released" or "rescued." One last note: it's pretty easy to find someone in the middle of Iraq "under the noses of the US" when they're in communication with the hostage takers...don't you think? Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Frankly, it seems that the Italians didn't notify anyone that this rescue had occurred, and did not request clearance (if such is the correct term) to pass through the checkpoint. I suspect it has far more to do with the $1,000,000 (+) ransom paid to rescue this journalist...as that is not something the US condones, and in fact encourages additional kidnapping activities, and puts significant monies into the pockets of these kidnappers (and to the group they are affiliated with). I doubt that the US would've done anything to stop the payment/rescue, but it would bring some significant diplomatic issues to the table that the Italians may have wanted to avoid. And if I recall correctly, this is not the first time Italians were ransomed....which would be a clear indicator as to why she was nabbed in the first place. Do I think this was a horrible tragedy? Of course. Could there have been mistakes? Of course. Do I think that there was something the Italians may have been hiding? Sure. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Jose beat me to it. LOL. Pm sent. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Have you read through the Q&A way at the bottom? Too funny. Thanks for sharing! Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Not really. If you consider the control aspect of both his daily work and his killings (Bind, Torture, Kill), it makes perfect, albeit creepy, sense. And I thought he was the dog catcher... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

I've heard it elsewhere, too, but can't find a thing on-line. There's something about Syria's troops being removed from Lebanon, but how can this happen? And also all Syrian nationals, too. This is gonna get very complicated very quickly. There was something about the last bombing in Israel (Friday, Tel Aviv) being directed by the Syrians, but I don't know about that. The Lebanese are rising against the Syrian occupation...and I wonder how this will affect the ME? Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

I'm hearing something on the news that the entire Lebanese government has just resigned. I can't find anything yet - can anyone confirm? It has something to do with Harwiri's assassination, but I just can't get more to the story. According to what I've heard, there was a parlament meeting to discuss the assassination, and Omar (something) tendered the resignation of the government there. If this is real, this is HUGE. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Talent can't save you. It can be a curse. Time can't save you. You just get more tired. Truth, too, can't save you. People believe what they want to, whatever fits their preconceived notion of "reality". Depression kills. Thanks for all the adventures and thoughts you've provoked, Mr. Thompson. Godspeed, and God bless. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

How sad. What a loss... Talent can't save you. Truth can't, either. Depression kills. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Nope, just scarysmart. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

??????????????? I'm sorry, I'm rather lost here... Other than what we've already discussed over the last year, I haven't got a foggy clue what you're talking about specifically (and indeed, your post leads me to believe it's something specific, and recent). I think this is likely a conversation needed for PMs though, so when you're ready, PM me...because I really don't know what you're referring to, Rosa. Wow. If we were dating, I'd say that was a break-up note. Fine, whatever....I have no idea what you're talking about. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Bullshit. Rosa, thanks for the post. Sometimes people need to be reminded to not sweat the small stuff, and that it is all small stuff. Hope you're well - and we never did do Margarita Mondays the other week...LOL, can I take a "raincheck"? Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Hi, Dr. John (Ret.). Please be aware that the antidiarhheral suggestion was simply because Dave is going to be stubborn and go to his appointment tomorrow regardless of how he feels, and as such, I figured he was better off not needing to run off to the loo on a regular basis...I don't keep AD in the house, because I agree with you - vomitting and diarhea are the ways a body can get rid of things that are toxic. I also didn't suggest trading off between IB and tylenol...although my MD has made that suggestion. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Tylenol is better at hitting fevers than is Aleve, in my experience and as per my Dr's recommendation. Keep getting the gatorade, water, and other CLEAR liquids in you...Imodium or another anti-diarhhial is going to be important. I think fever can be safely dealt with at home up to something like 103-4 as an adult, but if you have convulsions, please get into a Dr. immediately. Also see a Dr IMMEDIATELY if you can't think straight (well, worse than normal), have massive trouble with controlling your body (ie walking), or have any indication that you are having issues breathing. Best bet is off the computer, into bed, and let Morgan take care of you for a bit. Water, water, water (room temp is best with a bad belly), and even if you get "hot" because of fever, keep dry, warm clothing on. And I hope you feel better soon! Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

LOL, it may not have been, but it hurt nonetheless! LOLOL! Could'a been because I was tense and there was no "relaxing" and that was the reason it hurt more...dunno, all I know is that it hurt and I scared myself truly and well. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

LOL, love, you asked for our opinions. And not in the Bonfire, but here where things get contentious the moment we hit "post"! You asked if your opinion/reaction was right or wrong about something...not about why she's doing it, or if there was something to worry about (ala an affair). The information you gave was enough to make that determination. Hope you have a great weekend... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

LOL, MNM, you're completely normal. My first hopnpop, round about jump 11, was atrocious. not even a little bit bad, but really really bad. The ride up sucked. I hated sitting by the door *(that's changed now), I kept thinking I'd get sucked out or something. I did about a billion handle touches, and then, it was time. I know to count to 5 and then deploy. I got in the door as I was taught, took a deep breath, and hopped. And promptly went head down. Then rotated on my head. I was supposed to wave at the people in the plane, and that's all I could think of...waving. So there I am, plummeting towards the ground, waving at the retreating plane, and then realized I wasn't counting. So then I thought, well, don't count, just pull the sonofabitch. And I'm still head down...so I arch, and then pull, almost headdown (I think I'd started to level off). And yes, it hurt. Like a mf'er. I came back down, swore I would never do another hnp again as long as I lived, and got packed. I hurt so badly, and had such a "rotten jump"...but the truth is it was a fine jump. Everything opened, I landed, life was fine... One of my most favorite things to do now is a clear and pull...at sunset, last out, last down, gliding through the ending of the day....if I could only make one jump that day, that would be the one. You're normal, you scared yourself, you've learned that you can handle the fear. Now let's go play!!! Congratulations! Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Rob. Take a breath, and relax a minute. You and I know a fair deal about each other, right? We've been friends for a while now. Don't I always sign my pm's to you (and others I care about) with "hugs" or "big hugs" or "hugs and love to you!" ? Granted, you don't sign yours to me like that, but my point is... We women think differently about that. Men think love=love, while we think love=friends, dogs/cats, great shoes, massive amounts of chocolate, a great sunset, or an incredible piece of music. Ever hear a man say he loved a book? I can't recall that. I hear women say it all the time. When a jump is exceptional, guys are likely to say "wow, fuckin' fantastic jump! Yeahhhhhhhhhhh!" while we say "wow, fuckin' fantastic jump! I love you all!!!" That doesn't mean I want to have group sex right there on the landing zone, you know? Women express themselves with emotion descriptors far more than men do....take that into account when passing judgment on your wife. Another thing I've noticed is that she isn't saying "I love you, Fred." She's saying "Love Ya" or even "Luv Ya", which to anyone reading it it's clear that it's more a lighthearted friendship thing than a serious, amorous, romantic/sexual thing. A couple of other things I want to mention. ~That permission she gave you? It wasn't permission, exactly. It was "I'm fed up to here with you, do what you want." It wasn't saying "hey, let's get the folks on DZ.com's opinion, and take it from there." Your posting this is about being right, and not about finding out if "love ya" is an acceptable closing to an email or not. Hey, that's all right if you want to pay the cost...but do you know what the cost is? ~It "started out" as a request, but the moment she opened the discussion (or yelling, or ignoring) and didn't immediately agree with you, it became something more; it became about being right, her obeying you, her respecting your wishes, and so on. It left the realm of request a long while ago, and if you still believe you made a request, then you really need to learn how to make requests in an appropriate manner. ~You should NEVER read anyone else's personal correspondence, even if they've given you permission. I'd say that you and she need to take some time and really talk about what's going on. If you married your best friend, then you can get through this...as long as there's understanding and compromise on both parts on important issues. The "luv ya" isn't an important issue in the long run. Her respecting you, her trusting you, you respecting and trusting her - see, those are important. The "luv ya" thing is symptomatic of issues that only you and she know about. Look for those, work on those, and one of two things will happen if you're successful...you'll stop caring if she says "love ya" to a lifelong friend, or she'll start saying "hugs, peace, friendship, and all the rest of that shit" as she closes her emails. All that being said, "love ya, Rhino." Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Chris, I am so very sorry to hear of this. There is nothing certain in this life, we know that...but it's so very hard when the lesson is taught to us in this manner. You know I'm here when it's time to talk it through. Remember that you are dearly loved, and that you are in many prayers/thoughts. And know that I am adding my voice to those prayers. May she dance with angels, and may he heal with completeness and rapidity. Love to you from out here - Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Latest on the "explosion" is that it may be a construction blast, rather than a missle or a fuel tank falling off. I wonder what it is; one of the three, or...something else? This will be interesting to see what happens...scary interseting, but interesting nonetheless. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~