dbattman

I've seen enough UK media propoganda when I was in Germany two years ago thank you. Every other story advertised on BBC was some anti-USA schlock. No, I do not see the point. First of all, no one is forcing anything on anyone here. Have we appointed permanent government? No- there are ongoing elections. The're going to take a while since voting without surrendering your ration card is a new concept to these people, but they're working on it. And plenty of countries have welcomed invasions by the 'allied' superior force, such as France, Germany, Italy, the Pacific Isles. Perhaps you've visited the cemetaries where we've buried our dead (the only thing we've asked for in the wake BTW). I made it a point to stop at a few when I was visiting- very well kept and manicured, staffed 365 a year. I was quite impressed. Yes it is, and it does matter quite a bit.

We're 200+ Billion in the hole plus a few tens of thousand wounded and about 2100 KIA. I must have missed something, fill me in. Actually, yes I do. Zarqawi (who's Jordanian), Al-Queda, and their ilk are imported and very finite in numbers. In Afghanistan they had a pretty successful anti-terrorist campaign involving inviting them out of their caves and giving them jobs. *** They are doing things that YOU don't think they should be doing. I seriously don't understand how you can expect to invade a country and expect everyone to smile and wish you welcome. It has nothing to do with what the leader of the country has done. Even if the invasion was justified and "good", one would have to be pretty stupid to think that all the people would wish the invasion welcome. These soldiers goes after some kids AFTER the demonstration has been resolved, and starts beating them up. There is NO reason to do so. When the kids get back home, beaten up by coalition forces who came to "secure peace, freedom, yada yada".. What impact do you think that has on people? Do you think they should be out there throwing rocks and bombs? A bunch of kids just organized themselves and put this one? I don't think so, but as the saying goes 'If you get them young the possibilities are endless.' It didn't look resolved to me-it looked like they were chased off. And they won't be getting back home- they'll be picked up by parents at the jail who (hopefully) will give them a few additonals to drive it home. I'm putting on my Johnny Carson Swami hat.......mmmm......I sense that you are no older than 22. Shall I open the envelope? Reason for asking is you sound just like I did the first time around in 1991. Hey, it's all good- we're entitled to our opinions and can voice them as we see fit provided we don't have some tin-pot 'dictator for life' in charge. Having said that I bid you good night.

Again with the 'invading force' rhetoric. Let's step back a bit. This whole thing had been building since 1991 when Sadaam had his forces invade Kuwait. After the majority of the rest of the world kicked him back he was allowed to remain in his position instead of removing him then and finishing the job. He spent the next ten years thumbing his nose at the rest of the world, kicking out inspectors, shooting at airplanes, and flying planes where he agreed not to. Unfortunately for him bad timing got the best of him when one of his cohorts decided it would be a good idea or organize the mass killing of several thousand people of various nationalities and religions in NYC. The result was an administration on the offensive not willing to put up with his crap anymore that decides to do what the UN only talks about. The country is still theirs. Nothing has been taken, the oil reserves aren't being pumped out, a government is being setup and local forces are being trained to take over. After WWII Germany was divided among the allied powers. The Western countries unified their pieces and created Western Germany to give it back to it's people. The same thing is happening here. What you have here is a scrap of video showing teenagers, probably stirred up by one of the local radicals, off doing things they shouldn't be doing. A couple of them get caught and there are some reprisals. Can't say I agree with kicking the kid in the nuts, but I wasn't there and I don't know if these guys were pulling their licks back a little. If I had the local Baptist whipping up his Sunday school class into a mob I can't promise not to be out with my broomstick either.

Really? Perhaps you should watch these and think it over. http://fdd.typepad.com/fdd/2006/01/alert_saddams_c.html

Hmm- sounded Arabic in the vid to me. Actually, yes. Based on my childhood a few licks is rather appropriate for extreme behavior like that. What you have preferred after throwing rocks and molotovs at other people? A time-out, perhaps?

If they were American troops the voice hollering orders on the radio would've been speaking English. More likely local security forces. Can't say I have much sympathy for the kids though. Pain is a wonderful teacher.

Cause FARK has just had a field day with the whole thing. Keep burning down your own neighborhood first

Why don't you post a description of your gear? Lots of people here cruise Ebay looking for stuff and stolen rigs have been recovered before based on info posted here.

I had this picture minimized in the corner of my laptop for several years. I used it as a reminder that there will come a time that, as an engineer, I MUST stand up to my management or the repercussions will be immense. This was not caused by mechanical failures, freezing temperatures, or O-rings. It was caused by engineers who would not raise their voices and put their butts out there when it mattered. They knew they were outside known and tested limits and expected the shuttle to blow up on the pad. The Thiokal engineeers have been on record, on videotape, describing the discussions leading up to the Challenger disaster. Basically, the engineers said 'no', the managers said 'you haven't convinced us so we're making a management decision' and then called NASA and said 'go ahead.' And then they went around the room full of Thiokal techies on the call with NASA and inquired: 'Does anyone have anything else to add?' Guess not. When Columbia went down I had just walked into the DZ and everyone was watching it. A little later after they had replayed and filled in the events leading up to it I said that when it was fully investigated it would turn out just like Challenger. The engineers said no we need more time, the managers didn't listen, and the engineers wouldn't stand up to them. From what I've been able to gather it's begining to look like that is the case here as well.

http://www.hedonistica.com/media.php?path=/videos/cat_jumpmiss.wmv

Well, Spence and his crew throw a periodic shin-ding where they terrorize the local yacht club. PM him and find out if he has any post-Dublin plans for a Spring Destin-invasion.

My friend Jack and I salute your friend.

What timing- Home Depot has shovels on sale right now so I'll be ready. Amanduh bdbrown BigM BillyVance (maybe) blueskyserenity ccowden Chaoskitty CieloDiosa CrazyRick crutch CSpenceFly and Mrs. RoamingDZ (aka, Julie) Darkwing David King dbattman and a shovel FlyDoc Fmmobley freefalle freelyflyn71 Gia Goofyjumper hisgoofyness jelloJ Jessie07 jumpingbean001 Jumpchikk katiebear21 Keith Kramer Lauraliscious Lisamarie McDuck & BoomBoom mcneill79 Micduran Missg8tordivr MOUTH Namgrunt Nanner Nate_1979 Pendejo & 1snowangel Popsjumper and BF's Psycho Bob & Patty RastaRicanAir revillusion selbbub78 skinnyshrek Skychick312 skymonkeyone Superman32 teamjenn1 The_Don & Jeannier whodamiss Wingnut vdschoor XenaSwampJumper Yardhippie & Hottieliscious Blue Skies, Art

Yeah, they're all being smuggled over on the fast ferry from Rochester, NY. That's about the only way they could get it to run in the black and not suck millions of taxpayer dollars out of the city. It's already folded once so now it's on the backs of the taxpayers.

Alright, I just haven't seen a definite 'you're illegal' or 'you're legal until...' Perhaps I missed it. For my own understanding tell me if I've got this right. OK, so if it's expired last month the tolerance of the lifespan of 12 years + 3 months. That would still make it OK from Airtec's regulations for another two months or the end of the current 120 day pack cycle. If you are on a 120 day pack cycle that would make you OK to jump it until your next repack. If you're on a 6 or 12 month cycle I take it you have to have your rig opened, take the Cypres out and get a repack before the pack cycle is up? It's just that more of these Cypres 1's are going to be expiring soon and it would be good to have a general understanding of where that puts the jumper. This would make a good Safety article.

Call a Canadian rigger and ask if it is still legal. Your regs are different than the predominantly US population of DZ.com. As far as being safe, jump it and let us know.

A CASA too? Oh, you all just suck.

So what're ya workin' on?

You could detach and check the main with your other luggage. That will save you about 3-4 kg. The big problems we've had with checked rigs have been from nosy security people that want to open the reserve. One fellow had bolt cutters taken to his reserve pin, and another had his reserve torn full of holes from someone shoving a probe down into his container. But I think others are right- unless they actively weight carryons and you have it looking like a backpack (like shoving it into a large school backpack) you will probably be fine.

In all honesty, rail service could become a great thing here in the states. Instead of reinventing the wheel we should look at other countries where this is a regular, comfortable, and successful mode of medium range transport and adapt their methodology and technology. Atlanta to Baltimore (two major population centers and I happen to have a customer in Baltimore) cost $102 each way on Amtrak, January 22-28. Taking a flight cost about $243 round trip. OK, so Amtrak is a little cheaper but what nails the coffin for me is the 14 hour one-way trip. On the other hand, going from BWI to Union Station in Washington costs $11 each way. That's a bargain to be able to sit and read your paper and not stare at some guys bumper. So, if freight is a big money maker and passenger service is a loser, could we combine the two to make it profitable? Maybe have a train that was 1/3 passenger and 2/3 cargo?

Good one! Hat's off to ya! Of course, all this is really a bunch of BS since the crooks and scumbags aren't going to abide by any of these laws anyways.

Oh, and good show guy.

Start here. National Marrow Donor Program I believe the procedure involves drilling about 40 tiny holes in your pelvis and sucking out the marrow. You'll probably be sitting in a pillow for a few days.

Just be honest and tell your boss you have an opportunity to save someone's life but you might need a few days off. Take it from there.

And a great Ramahaunakwansmas to you, too.