Trent

The 3-D award is a pretty valid test of someone's flying skill. Granted having 2 pro freeflyers with you would kinda skew it a little, but even for some "pros" it's proven hard to get. If someone has really earned the 3-D award, they can't be too horrible. Yes the dive is challenging, and that's the point. If you can do it, it says a lot about your flying. That's not including people who may have the award but maybe didn't actually earn it. It would be much more viable if the USPA required video to get the award... Oh, hello again!

So a headline like "Arab Countries Unite Against Extremism" is on par with "Man Takes Out Trash, Scratches Butt!"? So I guess the fair and balanced ilk of CNN and all the others don't want us really to know that there is a dissenting voice in the arab world. I'd like to read about it without having to do a 7th page google search. In fact, CNN has a middle east section that would be a nice place for it. Wouldn't the "biased liberal press" want to portray the arabs as peace loving people? Wouldn't that be a nice story to back how horribly prisoners are treated? Instead, they'd rather print that the US is screwing up (opinion) and that the world hates us, especially arabs. We have more than enough dissenting opinions here in the US that are heard around the world. Why is it so hard to think that people wouldn't be interested in hearing an arab against extremism? Maybe, instead of joe-arab watching al-jazeera and getting excited about the fact that "everyone else" is joining islamic extremist movements, he'd see that a whole lot of people just like him are against terrorism and perpetuating violence. That isn't too much to ask for... again, if it exists on any scale worth mentioning. ...and as for the language barrier... our media has no trouble translating osama's statements for us. Why not translate some of the good stuff too? edit--- I would think that BillVon's arguments are just as interesting to hear, if not moreso, than some of the dipshits they put on as "experts". Oh, hello again!

Saudi Arabia is no exception. They're willing to let us hang out over there, but they have taken no leadership role in the ME to quell the extremism. Don't like that either. Oh, hello again!

So all the arabs speak enough english to understand that America is pure evil and anti-islam? It seems that we are generously provided with translations from the exremists by our infallible media... why not show us something to let us know not everyon is on board with them? Where are the giant gatherings of non-extremist arabs condemning Al-Qaeda and other wacko's? I'm sure they DO exist, but why do you think we're not shown that? Apparently the media cannot find anything worth reporting on, or they feel that we'd rather hear about who hates us, why, and how it's our own fault. You know my post was about more than the single murder. And yeah, I think a moderate arab would find the former Iraqi regime worthy of removal. But apparently once someone cries "Jihad!" none of that matters. I like your use of "civilian", and how you imply that the US actively seeks to kill them. Do you think that any dead arab NOT wearing an iraqi army uniform is a civilian? Do you think that any dead arab in iraq that had his weapon removed from his corpse is a civilian. Do you think that the US is to blame because people who lived in an area that was clearly a hotspot for fighting, stayed and got killed either by US fire or arab fire? Do you think that maybe the terrorists want you to see dead people on TV and believe that the "great satan" is indiscriminantly killing everyone? All I'm asking is that IF there is a viable voice of reason backed by a large following for moderate islam, why don't we hear it? And since we don't hear it, can't you understand that some people really think that most arabs are war-bent lunatics? Oh, hello again!

Well, where are they now? That's my point. Oh, hello again!

I have to say that it is so easy to understand why so many people want to take drastic action after seeing that video. I will not watch it, but I have seen similar ones from Chechnya. It is repulsive, but it makes me no more angry than hearing of any hostage being killed by any other means. Either way, these zealot wack-jobs deserve their martyrdom in the most painful way possible. I also understand how so many people can generalize the middle east based on what we've seen so far. Why do we not hear people like the arab version of billvon and kallend disagreeing with anything and everything these lunatics do? Why do we not see other arab countries actively trying to stamp out this brand of extremism? Is it not happening? Does the world media not report it? Instead, we see crowds of arabs chanting "DEATH TO USA" or "DEATH TO ISRAEL", dragging corpses through the streets, killing hostages, or just further spreading their bullshit rhetoric on al-jazeera. The same lack of coverage on arabs against miltant factions, is the very same reason that so many arabs think that they are a united people against the "Christian Crusaders". If all arabs see on the news are other arabs going nuts about killing the USA, they'll think that all arabs are doing it and it must be right. If all Americans see on the news is the same arabs acting like retards, we're going to have people thinking that all arabs are similar. So if you, the media, or the "peaceful" nations of the world want Americans to know that arabs are peaceful people, show them. Help people understand that the middle east has been a source of conflict for centuries because it's people are peaceful. Oh, hello again!

Just a minor point here... The Nazi's were stopped by, in large, 2 other "Christian" nations, among other "western" nations. The KKK has also been largely condemned by many Christian groups, and had their activities limited by the government of a largely Christian nation. Where's the "take care of your own" attitude in the Middle East? Oh, hello again!

I guess I just read it differently. An AK, or anything for that matter, in the hands of an untrained martyr-wannabe is really no match for someone who knows how to use the weapon. I just hope that having some real soldiers use the AK doesn't let the wacko-squads on to the fact that it can be used for something other than "spray and pray". Oh, hello again!

That's not what I meant. I mean why do people let the propaganda like this article that you posted get them all fired up? This is EXACTLY what the people posting stuff like this want. Seems like they'd be willing to send an army of little kids into a firefight just so they could get some pictures of dead kids to fire up the rest of the nutcases. They'd blame us for that too. It's silly to get manipulated like this, and so many are letting it happen. THINK. And as for your house being near Miramar, you knew it was there and you lived there anyway. If you thought it was going to get bombed, you'd probably leave, right? Why didn't these people do that? Well, either they were too proud, or they were told by their clerics or leaders that everything was okay and they should stay. I doubt Miramar is counting on your house being there to deter a military attack. The bad guys in Iraq win either way if people buy into their BS. Oh, hello again!

Sorry to digress, but Bill brought it up... I think the soldiers responsible for firing that missile feel really bad, they're also probably just as horrified that Iraq would put military installations deliberately in civilian areas. Terrorists and other chicken-shit armies use tactics like this for the express purpose of getting pictures of injured civilians. It helps their cause, doesn't it? The militant muslims get even madder, and people like you start throwing it around as a case against the war. Why do so many people let themselves be manipulated by tactics like this? Just in case you missed it... from the article: I bet a lot of the pictures we see al-jazeera and other militant arab leaders using to get their followers riled up are more the fault of their own (militants') actions than the coalition's. Oh, hello again!

We said bribes would be ACCEPTED... not that they'd do you any good! Thanks! The record was some of the most fun, stressful jumps I've ever made. Oh, hello again!

Yeah, I left my camera on the ground. Sorry. Oh, hello again!

The 2004 Spaceland Freefly League Starts THIS weekend! The first meet ONLY will be 2 weekends, to accommodate travelling jumpers. There is no fee other than $5 for camera flyer packjobs. Each meet is 3 jumps, 2 compulsories, 1 free round. We have over $2000 in prizes to give away. You must compete in ALL 3 MEETS to be eligible for final prizes. There will be one meet per month. Any questions? Email us! Here's the draw for the first meet! SPACELAND FREEFLY LEAGE MEET #1: May 8-9, May 15-16 COMPULSORY MOVES SITFLY ONLY CATEGORY Dual 360: A simultaneous 360 degree turn on the vertical axis by both flyers in a sit position. Horizontal Round: Both flyers are belly to earth, a double hand dock is performed while facing each other. Dual Front-Flip: A simultaneous full front flip by both flyers in a sit position. INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED CATEGORY Head-Down Hand Dock: Both performers are head-down. A hand-to-hand grip is taken. Dual Front-Flip: A simultaneous full front flip by both flyers in a head-down position. Totem: Both flyers in a sit position. One flyer docks with feet to the others shoulders. MOVES MUST BE DONE IN ORDER AS ON THIS LIST. WHEN YOU ARE READY TO JUMP PLEASE CONTACT TRENT, STEVIE, OR JED. WE WILL MANIFEST YOU FOR ALL YOUR COMPETITION ROUNDS. BRIBES WILL ALSO BE ACCEPTED. HAVE FUN! Oh, hello again!

Yep, that's Boel. She was on that big ass way too. Oh, hello again!

Yeah that's Adrian... he's got like 800 something jumps I think. I was docking on him the first day and we flew solid as anyone. Mad props to him. I couldn't even have THOUGHT about doing that shit at 850 jumps... which is also about what Gillian has. I just have to mention that Adrian and Gillian did better than standing out... they did their jobs, so no one really noticed them. That's the way you gotta be in bigways! Both of em are dope! Oh, hello again!

Even though you were kidding, it isn't the belly flying that's difficult... it's the speed changes. Makes everyone a better flyer which is the whole point of the league! Oh, hello again!

I'm responding to what you're posting about. If you can't see that you're summing up Bush's words in a manner that only supports your feelings about him, I won't draw the lines for you. You'd clearly rather this be another point you can attack Bush with. Yes, this is an internet forum so YOU can go back and read what you wrote. It doesn't take any imagination. Oh, hello again!

Holy cow, can you imagine what they woulda done to the kid if the rubberband gun had a collapsible stock, a pistol grip, and a bayonet/Fischer-Price flashlight attachment?? Oh, hello again!

Like I said, to me and many others, you could MORE reasonably have interpreted that his statement did not mean all fighting was done, but that our forces are no longer fighting to "take" the government of Iraq. You hear what gives you an argument. I hear what I think is a reasonable interpretation. But you're doing it. Oh, hello again!

This semantic debate is part of the problem with the way Americans get things done. If you had your way, everyone would have to write an encyclopedia about what they meant by saying "good-bye". Did you say that meaning "...until tomorrow" or forever? And what was that tone you used. Or how about the fact that coffee is hot and it might burn you, nah, we're all too stupid to know that so lets sue someone and make a warning label saying hot stuff is hot and will burn you. If you step back and take a breath, you could MORE reasonably assume that an "end to major combat operations" means that we are no longer fighting a concentrated and coordinated national army. Instead, you and others chose to hear "the fighting is over, no one else will die, I promise." As for your AP quote... if I'm arguing with a friend and then it becomes a "major fight", you'd probably get it, right? Put it into context... "major fighting" could resume IN FALLUJAH. Not in all of Iraq. You can't tell me that you're going to keep arguing that Bush said the war was over. Oh, hello again!

Wrong. UN allows sales of Iraqi oil, proceeds supposedly going for food and supplies for the people. Apparently some of the money went to the "honest at all costs, infallible" UN personal pockets of some and was used to build more golden toilets. "UN allows sale of oil for profits to buy food and supplies, but does not enforce it or really care where the money is spent - WRONG." Oh, hello again!

We debated doing this for our team suits. I figured if we could do the move right, we should just be flying a slot and using the grip as more of a touch to demonstrate that we we exactly where we want to be. Grips on suits can be helpful in things like the speed rounds, but you can just touch your hand to a leg and it's the same thing. Gripping on a helmet seems like an even worse idea since yanking around someones head and neck could be pretty painful. If you can't fly the slot without a grip, you shouldn't be flying the slot. Oh, hello again!

Check with Josh at www.aerialfusion.com, he's always getting really nice exit shots. Oh, hello again!

In politics, perception IS everything. If I'm doing something for the interest of my country and I need other nations' approval to do it, I need to give them the perception that it is good for them too. If you point a gun at me and say "Lie down!", and I do it... but not because you told me to, but because I was tired and wanted to do it anyway, I've given you and witnesses the perception that you made me lie down. The point here is not whether Spain gave in to the threats, but that it really LOOKS like they did. I'm sure that terrorist organizations will claim that they made Spain give in so they look more powerful to the uneducated pieces of shit that join their ranks. Whether or not it was gonna happen anyway, their timing is awful and it gives terrorists a dangerous glimmer of hope. Oh, hello again!

It's time again! Texas' first and largest freefly league is back with more prizes and teams than ever! Competition is for ALL levels of freeflyers and only requires you to have 1 partner to perform with. Video will be provided if needed. Team up, check out the moves, practice them, and get creative. Last year we gave away well over $2000 in prizes to the winners. See www.spacelandanomaly.com for specific dates and more info. The first meet will cover 2 weekends, May 8-9 and May 15-16. Don't Miss OUT! The Spaceland Freefly League, which consists of three meets held throughout the season at Skydive Spaceland, is designed to allow teams to hone their skills in preparation for competition at local, regional, and national levels. Each meet will consist of three rounds total, with two compulsory rounds, and one free round. There are no registration fees; however, an organization fee is imposed to offset the cost of videographers for teams that may need them. Scoring for each of the meets is unique in that each jump is judged based on a teams overall ability to perform well together. Fundamental factors such as proximity, smoothness, and timing will weigh more heavily than the number of points completed. Additionally, after the completion of the four SFL meets, teams will also be scored according to their overall improvement throughout the season. » League Sit Fly Compulsory Moves - Dual 360: A simultaneous 360o turn on the vertical axis by both flyers in a sit position. - Dual Front-Flip: A simultaneous full front flip by both flyers in a sit position. - Foot to Knee Dock: Both flyers in a sit, one places feet on the other's knees. - Hand to Foot Dock: Both flyers in a sit, one performs a single-hand dock to the other flyer's foot. - Horizontal Round: Both flyers are belly to earth, a double hand dock is performed while facing each other. » League Intermediate/Advanced Compulsory Moves - Dual 360: A simultaneous 360o turn on the vertical axis by both flyers in a head-down position. - Head-Down Hand Dock: Both performers are head-down. A hand-to-hand grip is taken. - Dual Front-Flip: A simultaneous full front flip by both flyers in a head-down position. - Spock: One flyer sitting and one head-down. The head-down flyer performs a single hand dock to the sit flyer's head. - Totem: Both flyers in a sit position. One flyer docks with feet to the others shoulders. - Horizontal Compressed: Both performers are belly-to-earth, each performer docks on the legs of their partner while side by side with heads facing opposite directions. Oh, hello again!