livendive

A related clip by the participants covering some skydiving terminology, including advice to "grab grass". http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lnZLYpHvk_8&feature=related Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)

What he said...and good job to those involved. Edit to add: And their ad campaign works from a sales perspective too. Check out the links on the site. New Accord diesels coming out with 61 mpg freeway on the sedan, 58 mpg freeway in the wagon. Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)

Me neither. Such efforts are soooo immature. Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)

Track how much gas you buy next month, then start cutting back and buying less each month. Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)

If half the Democrats don't vote because their votes won't count, the Republicans will win in a massive landslide that prompts further Democrats to skip voting in the next election, and the DNC will at some point reduce their efforts to token at best. Similarly if a substantially higher percentage of Democrats vote than Republicans, the results will be closer than in previous elections and will encourage other Democrats to vote in future elections. Basically, if you don't vote, you're conceding the state in perpetuity. I live in a VERY Republican region of Washington state. In the last couple of election cycles, the Democrats haven't spent any real campaign money here, and in the last congressional election, they didn't even bother with a candidate. I've voted for myself as a write-in in the last two or three elections because I was as viable as anyone else running against our US Representative (the dishonorable Doc Hastings). Presumably there are also states that are almost guaranteed to swing for the DNC...and I think the GOP voters there should also make sure their voices are heard in every election. What makes democracy great is that the government is shaped by the people. If the people quit shaping, the government grows in an uncontrolled manner, thriving for its own purposes rather than the greater good of the constituency. Look at our government as it currently exists and try to tell me we don't have some serious weeding and pruning to do. If all the disenchanted choose to sit on the couch rather than pitch in, the tide will never turn. Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)

Speaking of Ron Paul, what's he up to? Today's email from his campaign mentions a rally in Missouri that everyone present will "long remember" and that those who show up will watch "history in the making." Is there the slightest chance that he's going to run as an independent? Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)

East Coast and West Coast racks...untie! Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)

I never encouraged my daughter to wait until marriage. I'd hate for her to do that and then marry some guy only to find out he's a lousy lay and completely untrainable. I encouraged her to wait as long as possible and try to have a strong emotional relationship before complicating everything with sex. We had numerous discussions about pregnancy, birth control, and STDs and we still talk occasionally about such obi-wan-kenobi related issues. I sincerely hope that her sex life is healthy and rewarding (both physically and emotionally) and have expressed as much to her. There's a certain level of detail that would be uncomfortable for both of us to discuss, but in general terms I'll still give her whatever advice she asks for (and some unsolicited). Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)

Yes, I laughed at Remi's post. It wasn't long enough ago to make me an old-timer though, was it? I thought it was just a few years ago. Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)

Not that it works for me, as I have a daughter, but a variant of your response could be, "Because I don't want to become one of those obnoxious parents who thinks everybody else wants to know everything there is to know about their kids." Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)

I'm not so sure I agree with that. The insurance company does not want to pay a dime unless there is a claim. I doubt they would be proactive in offering to cover any cost. Especially if the kids parents already have medical insurance that is covering the tab. I don't know about that. A few years ago I was involved in a car accident that was completely the other driver's fault. His insurance company called me a couple weeks later and asked how I was and whether I had any medical expenses. I said I was fine and no I had not gone to a doctor. They asked me to sign a release and I declined on the basis that such an action would not benefit me in any way. I then declined offers of $50 and $500 for my signature. When they offered $1500 I took the money and signed their paper. This was all with no injury. Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)

I took my daughter on a tandem a couple years ago and it was easily my favorite skydive to date. I was certain I'd be nervous as hell, but once we got in the plane I relaxed, and I couldn't wipe the silly grin off my face till early the next morning (after watching her video 30 or so times). Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)

Well, of course she'd qualify as an "m", but the "ilf" part would depend on her looks. Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)

If it was Rebecca the rigger-extraordinaire, please give her an extra thank you hug from me (and maybe pinch her butt while you're at it). Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)

Well, I guess that settles it for me. If Ron Paul sticks by his word that he will not run as an independent, I'll be voting for either Obama or myself. Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)

I gotta admit that was my first thought. Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)

:5:0 The weather was sketchy all weekend, so I only got 5 in (and landed with the plane once). One hop & pop after IADing 3 students, chased a 10-way when we didn't get enough altitude for the AFF I was supposed to be doing, one 3-way freefly, one tandem, and one tandem video (JasonRose taking his last up-jumper, next up is his first real student. ) Hmmm, if I'd done some CRW on one of these, I'd have nearly touched every base in only 5 jumps. Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)

I guess this question has been answered. Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)

I'm getting pubmatic.js pop-ups. Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)

Those who gave all have my heartfelt gratitude. Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)

Just re-quoting the part of your quote that really jumped out at me. Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)

Looks to be a real Catch-22 in that regard, as jcd said up-thread. Not really...he was talking about having absolute proof of guilt. I'm talking about having substantiated suspicion and/or probable cause. You can't just take some kids because they might later be subject to abuse. You should have to show that the potential is real and so immediate as to justify action without a trial. If the potential only exists some years in the future, normal adjudication should be required prior to action. Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)

The rape exam itself deters some women from falsely claiming rape. A decent ER nurse trained in such things can usually tell if sex was not consensual. The kit itself is nothing but evidence collection supplies, no more devious than fingerprinting supplies. Generally speaking, the police are tasked with investigating evidence of criminal activity and funding such endeavors, and this wouldn't appear to be significantly different than other such investigations, i.e. they should pay for it. That said, I can see the exam being broken into a two different categories, investigative and medical, with the victim being responsible for the latter. I don't know...if a rapist gives a woman an STD, does it qualify as a seperate crime or as a punitive enhancement to a sentence? If so, then the cops should probably pay for the STD screens too. If not, then I wouldn't treat them as any different than X-rays on an assault victim. Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)

According to CNN right now, Texas had no right to take the prepubescent children. They did not demonstrate that there was any immediate danger to the health or welfare of these children. From what I've heard of the case thus far, I think I agree with the court's ruling. Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)

I'm a very competitive person, but that doesn't mean that winning ALWAYS has to be the goal. I played on a softball team for 8 years where having fun was the primary goal, regardless of winning. My own team shouted far more insults at me on the pitching mound than the opponents and we took beers out to our positions. Whenever there was a significant run disparity we would switch positions each inning, and everyone who showed up healthy played every inning of every game...even those with a batting average below .100 and no defensive skill at all. One year we came within one win of the league championship by pure luck, and when we lost that game to a bunch of a-hole ringers recruited specifically for that tournament, nobody cared (possibly because we were absolutely smashed late in the second game of a double-header). I guess what I'm getting that is the team has to establish a goal. Winning is then defined by accomplishing that goal. If the goal is to beat your opponents as many times as possible, then winning on the scoreboard reigns supreme. If the goal is for everyone to play and have fun, accomplishing that makes for a successful season. Next year, I'd suggest the goal be established at try-outs or the first practice, and make sure everyone buys into it. Then at the end of the season, or whenever things get tough, remind yourself (and the team) of the agreed upon goal. Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)