nacmacfeegle

"I think the U.S. will see some type of terrorist attack in October or early November in an attempt to influence our elections. If that happens, I will know the reason why." Ah, I see, terrorism is all caused by me challenging our leaders to be honest, and open, truthful even. Continued unrest around the world is down to me pointing out, back in march, that Uzbekistan was turning into another mire, or that people should maybe take a look at western Sudan, before its too late. Damn, I'm sorry, should have seen it coming, silly me. "Words have consequences." Absolutely, thats the whole point of them, words like 'weapons of mass destruction', 'clear and present danger', 'imminent threat to global stability'. Those words aren't causing any problems? mmm? Obviously not, it was us lefties all along...... -------------------- He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson

He's almost 2 Andi, and on the siblings front, I'm practising, all right?

Okay, its been a while, we moved house, lame excuse etc....So I reckoned I would post some pics of the bairn, at the request of certain 'Virtual Aunties'. You know who you are ladies.

"we are getting pretty good at turning the 3 way pieces too" Nice work Jim. -------------------- He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson

The thing to check, whenever you see an E extension to a Sony camera, is whether or not it will take digital input back to the cam. In this case you are good to go. Long story short, some European models, from Sony in particular, come neutered by disabling video inputs. As Squeak points out, E-models are PAL. Squeakster, I've not forgotten you, its just that I still haven't set up my burner for that wee favour.

"Then I was going to actually use the camera with the helmet in some of the other sports I participate in like climbing and if it takes me a long time IE next year to fly camera...videoing snowboarders with the camera on." Coolio, excellent idea. "I plan on starting my helmet and mount jumps around 100 and seeing how I do" I've never seen the point in doing his, my opinion is that it is the mounts and ringsights that represent the most risk (assuming almost universal uptake of D-box type enclosures). The reward for accepting that risk is the footage. In my opinion, there is no real benefit from flying empty mounts/d-boxes. Anyone care to discuss? -------------------- He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson

"" So give us a clue, what is this all about? -------------------- He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson

"Where do you draw the line between healthy debate and encouraging our enemies?" You see, this one of the things I hate about Americans. Why do you guys insist on having predetermined prescription for every eventuality. There is no line with everything on one side being tickety boo, and a howling disaster on the other side. There is no black or white in this regard, its a very wide grey area that is neither black nor white. Its a wide area (as opposed to a distinct line), bordered on one side by the correct opinion that you voice above, the other side of the area is where suppression of truth and free speech lives. In between is a wide and ever varying area that we sit on when discussing world politics, affairs of state, etc. "To put it in simpler terms for you: I don't think you have the right to yell "fire" in a crowded theater. " Of course I do, especially when the place is on fire, or about to erupt in an inferno. Continuing your analogy, its even more pertinent when we have already sat through several theatre fires and nobody had the balls to do anything about it until it was too late. From the amateur dramatic production company that brought us Ethiopia, Kosovo, and Rwanda, we are proud to present Darfur. -------------------- He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson

"Notice also how when asked at what point the criticism crosses the line between healthy debate and encouragement, the posters suddenly become deathly silent." Aye, but appreciate that some of us just go home, and don't log on again till the next day....that whole timezone thing. See ya tomorrow, the open door beckons.

Gun ownership...thats just cultural differences, Nobody, I believe, hates the USA over gun ownership. I might disagree with people telling me how great guns are, but thats just their personal enthusiasm, there are plenty Americans who dislike them as much as the next guy. "Another might be religious freedom. ...I think it was speaking of France. It concerned how their government was trying to suppress or eliminate non-standard religions in order to keep the traditional structure in place and dominant." It was France, they recently banned things like turbans, burkhas, large crosses, skull caps, etc basically any overtly religious symbol, in schools. I'm not sure if it was to keep the 'traditional' religion dominant, I think it was more of an attempt to eliminate discrimination and sectarianism in schools. But I agree with you, its pretty awful. This is part of the story I think you are refering to...http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/3483409.stm This link has more on the story, and related stuff. "Europe, in general, still has the feeling that a government official, once elected, is supreme in his station" I'd file that as a misconception, or misled opinion, we can chuck our govt out at any time we feel like it, and elect a new one. In the UK anyways....I think, if there is a crisis, a debacle, scandal etc, the opposition can call for a vote of no confidence in parliament. Successful or notable politicians are often appointed to our House Of Lords, which is a non elected body of people who have a limited say in keeping the House of Commons in check, an outmoded concept if you ask me, but hey-ho... Back to this jealousy you mentioned earlier, yes, a large part of global dislike, if you like, may be down to jealousy. I'd put it down to fear. Fear not in a sense that you will come and liberate Aberdeen for the sake of North Sea oil, I think its more a fear that your empire (lets just call it an empire the time being) will fail. If America crashes financially, it will drag down a lot of Europe, similar to the far east crash a few years back. Put it this way, who is funding your trade deficit? How will we get our money back, and lets not forget who our biggest customer is...... There may be the concept that the USA treats the rest of the world differently than their own assets. Compare the drilling for oil in environmentally sensitive areas such as the North Caspian, West Africa etc, and the restrictions on petroleum developments in your northern reaches. A NIMBY (not in my back yard)attititude if you like, meanwhile Chevron continues to spoil vast regions of the Niger Delta. Thats corporate, but its an image that is pasted onto people. Similarly, look at human rights, you have one set of rules for US citizens, and another for ferriners, Gitmo being an unpleasant example, for discussion elsewhere. -------------------- He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson

"They're the gateway drugs of the wine world." As are alcopops such as Smirnoff Ice and Baccardi Breezers. Take a look at some of these wines, they are made next door to a DZ. http://www.cairnomohr.co.uk/framepage/ourwinespage.htm Sotlands only winery (as far as I am aware). -------------------- He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson

To a stranger that I've never met, or don't know, I might, but only if I was sure they were suited to it. Harness size, deployment method (main and reserve), and wing loading being the primary factors Otherwise, if I'm not using it and as long as they ask, its all good with me. Of course, if they bend it they mend it. As you say, its a Karma thing, I've borrowed enough gear in my time to pay some back/forward. Ask Slappie who still has a spare sabre of mine, or Aggiedave who took a face plant a couple of years ago rather than get Texan mud on my brand new Javelin. -------------------- He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson

They are little cords that go (inside the suit) between the waist of your jump suit and your wrists, often looped around your thumbs. When you flex your wrist in a certain way, this causes the cord to become tight and forms a 'mini wing' from the slack material of your jumpsuit sleeve. This causes more drag and reduces your terminal velocity. They can make a big difference to well built jumpers who may wish to fly with their floaty assed skinny chums. They are normally only used for belly flying. They really come into their own when swooping (diving)down to a formation and you need to control your vertical speed prior to docking, hence the term swoop cords.

"there are a few of the wee beasties in Scotland now aren't there... " Aye lassie, there are, and they tease me too, fluffy little minxes that they are..... -------------------- He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson

So I see a website with the title 'basquemusem', eagerly upon which I click, expecting some quality vintage lingerie. What do I get? A damn caravan, thats not a basque, this (attached) is a basque! C'mon folks get with the programme..... Jeanne, stop teasing! -------------------- He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson

"I have it on good authority that you don't need a corkscrew to open a bottle of champagne." I'll second that, also once the cork is out for any period of time, its damn tricky to get it back in. Unless the bottle came with a plastic 'cork', but I doubt that Dom Perignon from 95 has this type of cork. -------------------- He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson

Are you exporting to the correct drive, and not somewhere on your c-drive)? Have you cleaned out all the old preview files? Try this, export to tape, then recapture, see what happens.... -------------------- He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson

"You guys/gals ever do this?" Uh, yeah, but I'd be more tempted to actually go to the place. I tend to reward myself with domestic luxuries after working particularly hard. EG I have my Nigeria Spectre, the Khazakhstan Javelin, the Texas Audi, the Cormorant beer fridge, etc. The next time I chuck the popcorn into my Mobil microwave (that job was actually at the bottom of a concrete shaft, below the seabed in the middle of the North Sea!), I smile and think it was all worthwhile.

Reagan was probably one of the most poular US presidents of recent years. Although his educational policies may not have been very effective. "Weather you re pro-Regan or not ,this IS a political thread!! unless you knew him personally." I disagree. If people feel a need to bash him, they can bash him over on speakers corner, tasteless IMO, but that is your right. People should take their issues there, as opposed to moving the thread. -------------------- He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson

There was a nice programme on the American Empire this weekend. The piece was by Niall Ferguson, author of "Colossus: The Price of America's Empire." from a somewhat partisan review... http://enjoyment.independent.co.uk/books/reviews/story.jsp?story=520951 "Ferguson's attack on this preposterous American self-image is more from the right than the left. A central argument is that it is better to be honest about US interests overseas than to pretend they don't exist or aren't important. Further, the world needs an empire - and the American is the only one on offer. The trouble is, he concedes, that it is a most peculiar empire. Its main weapons are the dollar, the bomb, entertainment and rhetoric, but not a lot else. It will do anything to avoid calling itself an empire; its citizens don't bother much about foreign languages and cultures, and it is not in the business of long-term administration of distant territories." The book looks like interesting reading and ostensibly argues that America is just about the best placed of all historic empires to actually make a go of it. Whether or not this is a globally popular role for America to adopt is probably at the root of this entire thread. -------------------- He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson

"Stronger than" can be a bit misleading, concrete is great in compression, not so good in tension, and not very good at all if you try and bend it. Anyways... syzygy Thanks folks, learn something new every day. I'm personally looking forward to tomorrow's syzygy between the sun , venus, and the Earth. We should get a good view for a change over here.

"but, when we trying to get more closer, we both start carves" Have one person pick a heading, and hold it, while the other attempts to close in. This is called the base position, the target should be going straight down at a constant speed, not turning, or sliding at all. This will give the person closing a stable reference to aim for. Try it turn about if you are both still unsure who is carving/backsliding etc. -------------------- He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson

So long Ronnie. Good work fella. -------------------- He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson

Grampa Joe was digging black stuff from deep under the ground in Lothian. Grampa Fergie was building ships on the Clyde. -------------------- He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson