DanG

I have been fortunate in life. I've also chosen not to be a drug addict, or associate with low lifes. I'm sure there are some people who game the system, but to imply that everyone who uses government assistance believes that the government should provide them with everything on demand is disingenous. - Dan G

Nobody actually believes that. It's just a boogeyman that makes it easier for you to demonize everyone you don't agree with. - Dan G

If two parties sign a contract to conduct a business dealing in accordance with Sharia law, how are they circumventing the Constitution? - Dan G

A. Restrain your knee-jerk. I asked a fucking question. I'm sick and tired of having to explain that I'm pro-2nd amendment every time I get into one of these threads. B. I assume you are refering to this regarding solutions: I think everyone agrees. But as with anything else, the devil is in the details. Propose more stringent reporting requirements, and people will complain about privacy issues. Propose more mental health resources and people will complain about the budget. Do you have any actual ideas besides, "make things better?" - Dan G

I must have missed it. What other options are you refering to? - Dan G

As opposed to your belief that just about every climate scientist in the world is involved in a conspiracy so that Al Gore and GE can make money. - Dan G

Make sure to add bacon to everything. - Dan G

Ironic? Maybe. Awesome? Absolutely. - Dan G

I suppose I was influenced by an e-mail I received from a far, far, right wing co-worker about Chick-Fil-A Day. The e-mail had nothing to do with free speech, but was all about how the homos are destroying our country and we need to fight back. I really do think the majority of people supporting Chick-Fil-A are doing it because they don't like gay marriage, but you're totally right that I don't have any way to back up that feeling. Either way, I don't support Chick-Fil-A because I don't support their agenda, but I certainly do support their right to say what they want. I'm not going to give them any money however. - Dan G

I really don't understand the hang-up around the word, "marriage," but I appreciate your support of legal benefits for all couples. It would be nice if there were no legal recognition of any marriage, this wouldn't be an issue then. - Dan G

I don't support bigotry against Christians. However I don't think that people who support bigotry against gays and use the Bible as an excuse are really Christians. - Dan G

Which is exactly what I predicted would happen. And here we are. - Dan G

That right there is why I would never support Chick-Fil-A day. Most people in support are not supporting free speech, they're supporting Christian ideology, specifically Christian bigotry. If this were just about free speech, we'd see the same people 'supporting' the Ground Zero Mosque, the KKK's right to march, and the ACLU. People supporting Chick-Fil-A day don't give two shits about free speech, it all about anti-gay bigotry. - Dan G

Eh, I don't think it really matters when you turn it on. Discussed more below. I don't see the point of recording during your gear check. You won't be recording the check, you'll be recording the wall or floor of the plane while you do your checks. After a while you'll get sick of having two minutes of nothing before every dive. When I was jumping camera I turned the camera on after my gear check, and hit the record button a couple seconds before exit. I'm not saying that's how it should be done, but I don't get the idea of recording during your gear check. I do agree with the idea of building a routine. Just remember, if you discover something wrong during your routine, or get distracted, you need to start the whole routine again. The only problem I see with turning the camera on before your gear check is if you have a problem with the camera, you might run out of time to do the gear check. Do the gear check first, it's more important. When first starting out, this is excellent advice. It goes hand in hand with the idea that you shouldn't be holding yourself out as doing anything except filming for fun and education. If there's no pressure to get the shot for someone else, you're less likely to get focused on the least important part of the jump: filming. I very much disagree with this. It's the same mindset that inexperienced people have when they say they'll just strap on a GoPro and forget about it. Having a camera, especially a helmet or hand mounted one, can have an impact on your deployment technique and emergency procedures, and can create emergencies that you wouldn't have otherwise. You can't just forget you have something sticking out of your helmet, you need to remember that, and adjust your jump accordingly. I'd change that to: consider opening higher on every jump with a camera for the rest of your career. Getting used to the camera doesn't make it go away. Disclaimer: I haven't jumped in 2.5 years, and only had about 500 camera jumps during my career. - Dan G

The articles cited in the OP say Romney's plan will increase Fast's taxes. Do you disagree? If so, why did you seem to agree with GravityMaster? - Dan G

The nation has a cashflow problem. Cash flows both ways, in and out. Let's try to fix the cashflow problem. - Dan G

Those items are a drop in the bucket. SS, MC/MC, and Defense are the three big elephants in the room. And do you really want to get rid of the FBI, CIA, CDC, and FAA (well, maybe, but ATC is nice)? - Dan G

I know. Imagine the uproar if city tried to stop some Muslims from opening a community center! Oh wait, that assault on the 1st Amendment was okay. I don't think a city should stop Chik-Fil-A from opening restaurants, but I certainly support the right of individuals to speak out against their bigotry. - Dan G

Dude, you are the original "boy who cried PA." Everyone should just grow up and act like adults for once. - Dan G

Both sides of what? - Dan G

What year did Charles Whitman climb the bell tower? Pretty sure it was a few decades ago. There is nothing new under the sun. - Dan G

No, this is the cold sad result of a massive over-reaction to violence. - Dan G

Because felons and crazy people are not allowed to have guns. They are allowed (in some places) to vote. I don't. I don't. If you are on the rolls, yes. If not, no. If you don't like that, then make picture ID free and easy to obtain for everyone, and I have no problem requiring it. Oh, and don't pull bullshit like purging the rolls a couple months before an election, either. That's as reasonable as saying you are counting on voter disenfrachisement to win. - Dan G

Celebrating one's sexual identity is not an opposing viewpoint to keeping gay marriage illegal. One is political, one is not. The only reason marching in a gay pride parade is considered political is because gays are currently denied their political rights. Do you feel marching in an Irish Pride Parade on St. Patrick's Day is political? That being said, I'm not comfortable with people using their uniform outside of their duties, regardless of the type of event. - Dan G

Duh. They play basketball, too. - Dan G