ROK

How come? Some people may be uneasy about having their address and name being given to someone who no one knows. Sunny: what do you think might be an appropriate amount of posts for someone to participate? Make sure the address that the scary people are given is three thousand miles from where they live

Whenever someone asks for advice, the majority of those giving it will naturally air on the side of caution. To not do so would be in some instances not only wrong, but possibly criminal. It seems after reading hundreds of posts that there really isn't a "one size" fits all answer. The manufacturers post what they believe to be "safer" wing loadings. Bill has shared a list of tasks that make sense and should be followed as a stepping stone. Unfortunately there are probably a lot more people then we think who couldn't pass Bill's list if it were a test. To put into effect "laws" that would dictate exact wing loading limits would hold those back who naturally progress faster than others. It would also leave many open to liability if a defined wing loading was adhered to, and the individual damaged themselves anyway. Hence the word "suggested". I do believe that taking a canopy course should be a requirement for everyone. A big part of this sport is being self supervised after completing the requirements to obtain a license. The natural course makes an assumption that if you're going to risk your life, you better have some common sense. I'm fortunate enough to have a home DZ with a lot of true experts. People who will spend time with me and have let me know in no uncertain terms when I'm being stupid. People who know my skills, or the lack of. People who work with me frequently to improve on the things that I'm weak at. This is the way it should be. A higher wing loading may not kill you, but it certainly increases the odds of doing so. In a dangerous sport with very few definable laws, it takes common sense and team work to increase our odds of survivability (sp). Highly experienced people on this forum will do their best to share what they have learned with us, and try to keep us from increasing or odds of becoming a bag of jello, but it's up to us to seek out advice from those who have trained us, and know our skills. To not do so is just plain stupid. As far as "bounce bingo" goes, Karma can be a real bitch...

I'll do it. We need an address "keeper". Someone who can keep a database and direct where the animal should go at the end of each week. We also need somewhere to post the pictures, and possibly some "light" rules.

To enjoy freedom without discrimination of any kind, we need to tolerate that which others do when exercising that freedom without limiting them to our morals or beliefs. As soon as we forcefully impose our standards on others, we diminish that which we so passionately believe in, and fight for. The line is drawn when the exercising of my rights, removes yours. At the same time, using a little common sense may keep your ass from having a cap popped in it.

Women should carry their own stuff

I agree 100%. Just the term "idol" makes me cringe, but there has to be a better way of picking candidates that will allow a more even playing field. Boy the networks would cream themselves over a chance at "American President"

No, we would use the above to perform investigations into the background of each candidate. Mix it up and make the background checkers present what they find as a single entity. Have a redundant group that does the same checks at the same time also. I would love to see Limbaugh and Mayer on the same background panel, forced to agree on the information that they dig up. Not one dollar would be given by the individual, or any corporation. The playing field would be even.

Interesting notional idea. Seriously, let's play it out and see where it takes us.

Perhaps we should do away with the current system of electing officials and go to a system like American Idol. Take money out of the equation for the individual

Don't bring any clothes on trips. Find the local Good Will store when you land and spend 30 bucks for a weeks worth of clothes, toss them back in the GW box before you leave. Start a new fashion trend. It will make boogies and business meetings much more interesting Edited to add...you can write the returned items off of your taxes.

[/B] Don't take the same path that I did. Do everything you can to jump with others. Make solos few and far between. It'll make it much easier to transition into other disciplines if you get good on your belly with others to point out what you need to improve upon.

In my experience, an office full of women is a constant drama of alliances and hatred. I also believe that an intelligent passionate woman is better suited to be a leader than an intelligent man. If a woman ever decides to run for the highest office, I'll vote for her in a second. Until that happens, we have to pick one of the current candidates. PS- PM Thatcher was one awesome leader and individual.

Why brainwash kids at all? Why not teach them how to examine evidence and think for themselves so they can make their own knowledgeable decisions? "Brainwash" was the incorrect term to use. Meaning "reform", or "re-educate". [B]If I don't form, and educate my kids, something or somebody else will...[/B] Better?

If I don't brainwash my kids, something or somebody else will... If you raise your children correctly, they'll be self confident and choose accordingly when the alternatives are presented to them.

I woke up in the back of an old Ford van, which wasn't odd because if I drank to much, I'd crash in the back instead of driving. The odd part was that the van was moving from side to side. I opened the side door and there was a herd of cows grazing all around me. I had apparently driven over a barb wire fence into the middle of a pasture. No more drinking and driving for me

I just bought a brand new Sony HC96 on the web for $420.00 bucks (plus shipping). It's a little wide to side mount, so I paid $90 and top mounted it to my old open face Ion helmet. I also paid $40 for the chin cup conversion. The camera is awesome. PS- The lens set me back $160 too...

Has a study been done listing the percentage of concealed carry permit holders who have committed gun crimes? It would be interesting to see...

Depends on the state. In many states, there is no law against carrying on school property if you have a license to carry a concealed weapon. If he was in a state where it is banned, it's up to him to know that and behave accordingly. Yes, you are correct. Read through some of the states "laws". They get pretty scary!

It sounds to me like a classic case of "gay" trying to over compensate for your natural proclivities. It's the twenty-first century. Don't sweat it

Eating virgins has always been an accepted compromise

It depends on your definition of hero worship... I see people go crazy over sports figures, actors, preachers, politicians, etc. People wear jerseys with their hero's number on it, they rush to tell others who they got autographs from, they buy freaking items of clothes for thousands of dollars because it touched someones skin. Hell, some drink coolaid to go for spaceship rides! To me, this is all hero worship. I couldn't give a rat's ass about heroes. At the same time, we as humans are passionate animals. Group us together and the excitement is addictive. Adrenaline flows when the crowd gets charged up. It makes us feel better to a part of something.

You're smarter than I am (not a sarcastic remark), so let me see if I can answer you correctly. I agree 100%. The only way it will ever change is if we demand a set of choices that practice morals and greater ideals. Why do we put up with the "lesser of two evils" scenerio time and again. Precisely. Why should they be concerned about morality when we as Americans are just looking for someone who reflects our own ideals? If they aren't show casing our ideals, why do we vote for them? You lost me on this one...hero worship has always been a part of our lives. As far as "freaks" are concerned, that's about as easy a term to identify as "morally correct" is.

Let me preface my statement with the fact that I am a card carrying NRA member, and I also have a carry permit. I've had one for twenty years. According to the written law, they do have the legal power to remove our constitutional rights while on school property. Right or wrong can be debated, but in the end, they have the legal right. The NRA could fight every attack to the letter, but they wouldn't be wise to do so. If we force absolutes and never allow the gray areas the opposition will destroy us. Especially when you throw the word "children" into the mix. Using this tactic sets the stage for endless small battles like a tug of war contest with neither side being pulled into the abyss. Here's my belief... If intellectual America would stop for a minute and ask WHY people are picking up guns and committing crimes, and address the cause, we probably wouldn't need guns to begin with. This will never happen though. It isn't PC to address facts and root causes, so I'm staying L&L.

It's long. I guess the school district has to implement a specific policy to make it illegal to have a gun in your car in Florida. 790.115 Possessing or discharging weapons or firearms at a school-sponsored event or on school property prohibited; penalties; exceptions.-- (1) A person who exhibits any sword, sword cane, firearm, electric weapon or device, destructive device, or other weapon as defined in s. 790.001(13), including a razor blade, box cutter, or common pocketknife, except as authorized in support of school-sanctioned activities, in the presence of one or more persons in a rude, careless, angry, or threatening manner and not in lawful self-defense, at a school-sponsored event or on the grounds or facilities of any school, school bus, or school bus stop, or within 1,000 feet of the real property that comprises a public or private elementary school, middle school, or secondary school, during school hours or during the time of a sanctioned school activity, commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084. This subsection does not apply to the exhibition of a firearm or weapon on private real property within 1,000 feet of a school by the owner of such property or by a person whose presence on such property has been authorized, licensed, or invited by the owner. (2)(a) A person shall not possess any firearm, electric weapon or device, destructive device, or other weapon as defined in s. 790.001(13), including a razor blade or box cutter, except as authorized in support of school-sanctioned activities, at a school-sponsored event or on the property of any school, school bus, or school bus stop; [B]however, a person may carry a firearm:[/B] 1. In a case to a firearms program, class or function which has been approved in advance by the principal or chief administrative officer of the school as a program or class to which firearms could be carried; 2. In a case to a career center having a firearms training range; or 3. [B]In a vehicle pursuant to s. 790.25(5); except that school districts may adopt written and published policies that waive the exception in this subparagraph for purposes of student and campus parking privileges.[/B] For the purposes of this section, "school" means any preschool, elementary school, middle school, junior high school, secondary school, career center, or postsecondary school, whether public or nonpublic. (b) A person who willfully and knowingly possesses any electric weapon or device, destructive device, or other weapon as defined in s. 790.001(13), including a razor blade or box cutter, except as authorized in support of school-sanctioned activities, in violation of this subsection commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084. (c)1. A person who willfully and knowingly possesses any firearm in violation of this subsection commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.

Is part of your question whether it's ok to deploy your reserve without your main being cut away?