livendive

Man, talking to you can be confusing. I put his exact quotes up there, including praise for American and admission of mistakes. Do I blame the US? Yes for some things, but no for the vast majority of things. I blame lots of deceased Americans for their participation in slavery. I blame lots of Americans for the current housing/mortgage fiasco. I blame the US for the internment of an awful lot of law-abiding American citizens solely on the basis of their Japanese heritage. I could go on, but the point remains. We've made some mistakes, but we've enjoyed far more successes. Hopefully we can learn from the former and continue the latter. Blues, Dave I will keep this question simple then. What does he BHO stand for? (the man not the letters) Exactly? What would he do (or said he would do) that makes him you choice for president? What experiences and accomplishments help qualify him for the office? So your questions in this thread haven't been about Obama's speech in Berlin yesterday (ala the thread title), but rather what my impressions are of him and why I think he'd be a better choice than JSM-III (which is what I presume you call the GOP candidate, given your insistence on BHO). I don't think my impressions of Obama are particularly germaine to the discussion, but I'll humor you anyhow. I think Obama is far more honest than most politicians. He doesn't seem to dance around difficult facts in order to patronize his audience nearly as much as most politicians. I think he wants to work toward a day when the minimum lifestyle in the US is reasonably tolerable (i.e. includes food, shelter, and healthcare). I think he wants the US to be respected throughout the world rather than disdained. I think the fact that he and his wife both came from humble beginnings lend them perspective on the life of the common man. That they each rose above their beginning to earn a J.D. cum laude/magna cum laude from Harvard Law speaks to their intelligence and work ethic. I think experience as a Constitutional Law professor is a terrific qualification for office in a time when we seem to be moving away from the design our framers intended, especially given the likelihood of USC nomination(s). I think Obama's tenure as a state and then federal legislator is just about the right amount...enough to get perspective on the machinations without being so much that he owes everyone and their deputy the shirt off his back and 14 pet pork projects. I most certainly don't agree with every one of Obama's policy positions and downright disagree with some of his personal opinions, but pound-for-pound, he might be the best (presumed) nominee I've seen the GOP or DNC put up in my lifetime. Is he perfect? Absolutely not, and to his credit, I think he'd admit that. He's just got much, much more upside than his opponent (or recent predecessors, for that matter). Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)

Anyone who doesn't think good communication skills are a necessary component of good leadership either doesn't listen or doesn't understand. Of course that doesn't make them the only requirement, but they are crucial nonetheless. Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)

Man, talking to you can be confusing. I put his exact quotes up there, including praise for American and admission of mistakes. Do I blame the US? Yes for some things, but no for the vast majority of things. I blame lots of deceased Americans for their participation in slavery. I blame lots of Americans for the current housing/mortgage fiasco. I blame the US for the internment of an awful lot of law-abiding American citizens solely on the basis of their Japanese heritage. I could go on, but the point remains. We've made some mistakes, but we've enjoyed far more successes. Hopefully we can learn from the former and continue the latter. Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)

Where in that quote do you see "blame the US bullshit" or "blame the US for the world's problems"? Here's what I saw in the speech, positive and negative, minus the frequent references to Americans airlifting supplies to Berlin in an unlikely rescue. Praise: "Tonight, I speak to you not as a candidate for President, but as a citizen - a proud citizen of the United States, and a fellow citizen of the world." "Look at Berlin, where Germans and Americans learned to work together and trust each other less than three years after facing each other on the field of battle." "In Europe, the view that America is part of what has gone wrong in our world, rather than a force to help make it right, has become all too common. In America, there are voices that deride and deny the importance of Europe's role in our security and our future. Both views miss the truth - that Europeans today are bearing new burdens and taking more responsibility in critical parts of the world; and that just as American bases built in the last century still help to defend the security of this continent, so does our country still sacrifice greatly for freedom around the globe." "But I also know how much I love America. I know that for more than two centuries, we have strived - at great cost and great sacrifice - to form a more perfect union; to seek, with other nations, a more hopeful world. Our allegiance has never been to any particular tribe or kingdom - indeed, every language is spoken in our country; every culture has left its imprint on ours; every point of view is expressed in our public squares. What has always united us - what has always driven our people; what drew my father to America's shores - is a set of ideals that speak to aspirations shared by all people: that we can live free from fear and free from want; that we can speak our minds and assemble with whomever we choose and worship as we please." Criticism: "As we speak, cars in Boston and factories in Beijing are melting the ice caps in the Arctic, shrinking coastlines in the Atlantic, and bringing drought to farms from Kansas to Kenya." "And if we're honest with each other, we know that sometimes, on both sides of the Atlantic, we have drifted apart, and forgotten our shared destiny." "I know my country has not perfected itself. At times, we've struggled to keep the promise of liberty and equality for all of our people. We've made our share of mistakes, and there are times when our actions around the world have not lived up to our best intentions." All in all, I thought it seemed like a fair assessment that modestly admitted our mistakes and still took pride in our accomplishments. Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)

I didn't hear him blame the US for the world's problems, I heard him praise the US for the help we've given and sacrifices we've made while also admitting that we have at times taken actions that did not live up to our best intentions. Admitting fallibility is a good thing in my mind. To think we're perfect is to be delusional. Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)

What he said. Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)

Exactly, a speech that said and meant absolutly nothing. But it made someone feel good. Just like many/most speechs from both sides I was thinking about this during a lengthy drive yesterday because I've been having inklings of agreement with the folks who don't listen to Obama speak, but rather dismiss them outright as pretty but empty rhetoric. Here's why I mostly disagree. Without fail, most recent Presidents have made campaign promises that they simply couldn't follow through on. Whether it's a free pass to gays in the military that gets watered down to "Don't ask, don't tell" or a promise of sweeping educational reform that becomes a failed "No child left behind" program, it is almost guaranteed such that the ideals touted on the campaign trail will be diluted by compromise. Additionally, if a candidate were to spend all his time discussing minutia like the ins and outs of his particular tax reform program, he'd be seen as an unfit leader with too narrow a view and no grasp of the big picture. Granted, the level of detail most people seem to want is of the, "What will you do for ME?!" variety, but I think you and I agreement that the opinion that promises of specific relief or welfare of any variety (social or corporate) is entirely too patronizing and shouldn't be the primary basis for electing our highest leader. This is where I think Obama succeeds. He's trying to get the job of President of the United States. The President steers the ship in the direction he thinks it should go, but has underlings who translate his ideals into policy. Do I think we need a CPA as President because he needs to be able to write a balanced budget? No. I think the President should have a grasp of the complexity of such a document, and the wisdom to direct people to spend in a manner most closely mirroring his ideals. So what we're really voting for (if we want a good leader, not a good source of concessions) is someone who can motivate a people and lead them in a positive direction. This "empty rhetoric" so many accuse Obama of is actually the opposite...it's him giving us his resume and highlighting his view of our nation and it's place in the world (foreign policy being one of the most important functions of the Presidency). With his skills as an orator and his ideals regarding treatment of others, I gotta say I think he'll be a fantastic improvement over the foreign policy failure currently residing in the White House or the increasingly lockstep twin who wishes to succeed him. Why do I think this? In part it's because he *isn't* falling prey to the accusations that his words are empty of any detail. Instead of buying our votes with promises of handouts, he's selling himself to us...giving us a better idea of who he is and how he thinks things should work from a big picture perspective. I appreciate that, but can respect that not everyone else will. Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)

that's hot Of course it is. It's just in her nature. You ought to hear her thoughts about NASCAR.

This is my fourth season in a row of keeping a trailer at the DZ, second of being there EVERY weekend, and first in my new fancy trailer. If I ain't in the hangar, I'm barbecuing and have beer in the fridge. Stop on by (of course, I'm a bit of a hike from The Farm). Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)

Dave: what works with your girlfirends may not work with dogs. Erin said that if I bring some younger, fluffier bitch home, she'll not only shun her, she'll eat her. Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)

Ha ha! I haven't reminded him of that in at least a year or two. Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)

I agree with you. I've never done a tandem without a connected RSL, but don't have an RSL on my sport rig. It's just a matter of comfort for me. Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)

Have you seen video of the speech posted anywhere? I'd like to watch it. Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)

I can't imagine a world in which I got sick of seeing nice boobies. Thankfully I get to look at a great pair on a daily basis.

I didn't point a finger of blame at the swooper or the non-swooper, just said that we had another fatal collision between them. Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)

Play with the poodle a bunch (and loudly) until the goldens get jealous. Spend a few days not giving the goldens attention except when they allow the poodle to be nearby. Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)

Well, we did have a swooper vs non-swooper double fatality AGAIN. Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)

I can think of one other RSL related fatality, coming up on 10 years ago. Student reached up and pulled the cutaway handle while the instructor was loosening the bottom straps. The RSL did its thing before the instructor had a chance to react. Lines came up between the tumbling instructor and student. The Instructor was killed and I think the student broke her leg (and sued, if I remember correctly). Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)

Any further reviews on this helmet? I've been convinced to get a hard hat for tandems and the occasional swoop and am looking for the best tool for the job. Is it quiet? Comfortable with an audible inside? Anyone know how big a melon the XL will actually (comfortably) fit? Got any pictures other than the manufacturer's stock photo (it looks kinda like a Bell in that one). Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)

Fixed it. Happy birthday my friend, glad you still ain't ded.

Everybody already knew this anyway.

Has a needle fetish. Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)

Don't make me sick Bolas on you (again). Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)

Is an expert on skydiving in exotic locations...especially tandem. (And yes, I should have rioted instead! ) Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)

There does seem to be an increase in the percentage of "prior" jumpers, but I don't generally care...some of them are quite cogent, or at least entertaining. My favorite was someone with two jumps telling me how I'm a ridiculously unsafe instructor. Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)