dbattman

Well, I hadn't been through Orange for about a year and a half. I wasn't expecting much since I experienced quite a bit of clique attitude last time from a good portion of the communitity. Well, I'm happy to say that both people and places change. I'm certain that I'm not the same jumper I was last time, and Orange isn't the same place. The attitude is more friendly, people are easier to talk to, politics and belligerence have disappeared, and you can actually get on a jump with someone without having to beg. They're even good about being civil to the people they don't like all that much instead of running them off. They get a point for the facility, a point for the cool jump plane, a point for the renewed communitity attitude, and a point for having a tiki bar, and actual 'beer light,' and lots of comfy places to crash. There are some various things I could dock a half point for, but I'll stick with an 'above average' rating. There's nothing really bad here that you won't find anywhere else, and it's worth a trip.

That sounds like something you'd read about in 'The Onion.'

Those models of the Javelin do have about 2.5 inches of exposed bridal running from the flap to the BOC. You can also consider velcro to hold the exposed bridal to the container. If you're still concerned about it, have the bridal cover installed as well. The velcro will hold tight with the bridal cover for additonal cosmetics/protection. I have one of these myself. An additonal concerm when freeflying is having a worn out BOC pouch that allows the pilot chute to be pushed out by the wind hitting it in sit fly. But of course, seek qualified rigging advice, preferably one with heavy freefly experience and exposure to the related concerns.

Does anyone know the actual 'obstruction of justice' acts that she was charged with? I could understand her being somewhat less than cooperative- I don't like being pushed around either.

Hey, you're not doing it right unless your breaking at least one sodomy law.

I think it's more of what the body type represents than how it actually looks. To say 'I want to look like...' is more implying 'I would like the physical properties of...' or what your goals are. Since I was a former 'butterball' in my youth physical fitness has become extremely important especially with the amount of travel that I endure. Personally I lean towards developing the overall package of lean muscle and sculpting rather than the brute herculean strength and size.

I don't understand the obsession with huge pumped up bodies. My interest is in being lean and strong, not just with being big. Given a choice, I'd look like this guy over Arnold any day. That's my goal when I structure my workouts. Charles Atlas

Okay. Ditka versus John Ashcroft.

I have no idea how else to respond to this, other than to recommend that you study some history. I would suggest starting somewhere around 1910 and working towards the present. They are different matters and can't be compared.

Thats a politicians answer, and anyway no it isn't. He's basically taking the line that one should never negotiate with terrorists. I'm questioning if he really stands by that in all circumstances. Here we go again with the fragments. No, it is not a politicians answer. I cannot stand politics. And yes it is flawed. The context of this discussion is the decision of the Phillipines to set a national policy of appeasement when placed under pressure. That should not be done on a national level. Appeasement has a bad track record on the world stage. It doesn't work well on the corporate level either, as companies who take the cheap way out and settle lawsuits get slapped with bigger and more aggressive lawsuits (hey, it worked last time- let's try again). I believe this the same as Tuna. But then again, I am neither a country nor a multibillion dollar corporation. Would I pay the buck? Probably, but then again I am just a man that loves his family.

Your example is unreasonable and flawed as a comparison to the Phillipine situation. Tuna is not the government of a nation. If you applied the same type of example to a government situation (Tuna is the president and has a personal involvement with the hostages) he would most likely be removed from the process, voluntarily or involuntarily.

Where's Johnny Cochrain on this one? If the beret does not fit you must acquit.

I hate lawyers too. However, the system depends on the accused having the best defense possible. Otherwise it would just be another kangaroo show court.

I went for mine and we were treated to a video all about our important roll as jurors. They put special emphasis on how critical it is to stay 'impartial' and that we should avoid discussing our case with anyone and avoid all media sources during our tenure as jurors. After the video was finished, someone came on the loudspeaker to let us know that we could buy a newspaper from the vendor for another 15 minutes. Heh! Wouldn't that be ironic? 'Why yes Mr. Prosecutor. I do know the defendant. I read all about him in the paper while I was siting in the jury pool.' Next!

Nice manifest timer. They'll be hardboiling some eggs later.

JHC Is everyone around here a friggin' comedian?

And if #1 to #6 hadn't happened, do you believe the coalition would have still formed and gone in?

1- Iraq invades Kuwait 2- Iraq refuses to leave Kuwait 3- US-led coalition pushes Iraq back out 4- Iraq is being overrun- nothing stands between the coalition and Baghdad 5- Facing total annihilation, Iraq heads to the negotiating table and reaches a cease-fire agreement 6- Iraq spends the next ten years thumbing their noses at the UN and the cease-fire. The UN continues to pass resolution upon resolution but is not willing to enforce them. Sanctions are ineffective since anything the top people need comes in through Jordan. 7- US goes on the offensive and finishes the job after Saddam refuses to step down from power. I don't think anyone WANTED to go to war.

All kidding aside, there are some issues with the military vote.

The lawmakers said in the letter that in a report released in June 2001, the US Commission on Civil Rights "found that the electoral process in Florida resulted in the denial of the right to vote for countless persons." I am still waiting to see these people being paraded around on the news. They've had three years to find them- where are they?

Sure- it happened with that Latorna woman.

Why a 14 year old? Dunno- why do 50 year old men go after sub-20 flat-bellied split tails?

Oh please. If Bush had a margin of 1 elector from the state of Montana and won by a few hundred votes from Paduka-whatzit county you'd be complaining about all kinds of things from up North. We'd even have stories about a cattle driving conspiracy to where a deliberate stampede disenfranchised voters by forcing them to drive back five miles to the next crossing. This thing has been picked apart for over three years. You analyze data hard enough and you'll get it to scream and tell you whatever you want, even if it's not really there. Fine. You win. Everything is all a republican plot. Every police car was perfectly positioned, every poll worker was pre-screened for maximum democratic damage, every half-assed busted up registration issue was all planned years in advance because the time-viewing device built by 'Evil Conservative Industries' gave perfect foresight on which specific polling places within a few counties would decide the election. Geez- there were even claims that a friggin police roadblock MILES from a polling place was deliberate because it happened to be a minority county. WTF? Peace out- I'm off to find a beer.

We now return to our scheduled program. "Getting on with your life after the 2000 election: A 12-step program for Democrats." Today we'll continue with step 2- putting out the candels and dismantling your bedside memorials.

After receiving medical-ordered counseling to deal with the extreme trauma of the ordeal, the boy returned to school where he was immediately hoisted up on the shoulders of his classmates and paraded around to chants of 'You da Man! You da Man, dog!'