livendive

Note that the instructor is the same sheriff who discharged a loaded rifle in 2003 while teaching a gun safety class. This is a sad incident and I wish it hadn't happened. The timing (right before Obama's likely win) couldn't be much worse either. Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)

This was my first year of trying to implement the full ISP. It's proven troublesome in some regards, but I think it'll be worth it when we get the kinks ironed out and everyone on board. Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)

For the record, I'm opposed to most hate crime legislation. That said, I don't see how this would meet the definition. As far as I saw, there's no intent to intimidate or harm anyone on the basis of their race, gender, religion, etc. It appears to me to most likely be intended in fun (albeit poor taste), and at worst an expression of hatred toward an individual. If we consider hatred of an individual to be a hate crime, almost every murderer sitting in prison will need to be re-tried/sentenced as such. Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)

Just to play along with the metaphor here... if we were helping Mexico fight China, we'd probably be aware of what we were doing and would expect China to be none too pleased with it. If we had any tactical foresight... we would expect retaliation. Who is "we" in this metaphor? The state or some portion of the populace? Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)

I don't think there's a ton to learn from it, other than reinforcement of the maxim, "Discretion is the better part of valor." Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)

What he said. Encouraging violence and destruction has nothing to do with terrorism. Having a funny name like "Barack Hussein Obama" on the other hand...that's irrefutable proof. Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)

Police shoot and kill a young man who was married last week and expecting a child in December. His crime? Carrying a curtain rod out of his house to chase off some teenagers who had jumped over his fence while fleeing from an officer. Oops, their bad Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)

Can you show what makes this so clear to you? A factual description of a state of affairs is not necessarily a complaint. If I say the sky is clear, or it is cold out, that doesn't necessarily mean I want it to cloud or warm up. Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)

So when they kill US soldiers in a war zone, they are murderous terrorists, and when we kill them in a country not at war, we are heroes? You are confused. They are disguised as civilians hiding behind civilians and carrying no national flag although in this case they are mostly Syrians. Yes they are indeed terrorists. A country may say it's not at war but if it commits an act of war it undermines that claim. I refer you once again to Article 51, I suggest you read it. Again you are confused, you at once want to claim we attacked them when they were not at war yet claim they were attacking us in a war zone. That's teh central point isn't it and thanks for highlighting that. Article 51 is indeed a practical section of the U.N. charter that really helps cut through the bullshit. When someone's attacking you all semantics aside, you can go after them in the name of self defense. In this case that's what happened. A decent working relationship with Syria is not a practical option when they are training and abeting terrorists to attack Iraqis and Americans. We can wish for it all we want but if we let terrorist training and harbouring go on in the name of relationships it's a fools quest. You should read the broadcast testimony of captured Syrian secret service agents. They were training these guys to behead people on video and practicing on animals. That's not war or insurgency it's terrorism. You clearly misinterpreted my statement, I suggest you go back and read it. I didn't say "they" weren't at war with us, I said we struck at them in a country that is not at war. I also said it was a good hit. You do have me on the point that I don't consider combatants attacking military targets to be terrorists. You ignored the point that the US harbored *real* terrorists in the days leading up to Sept 11, 2001 ("terrorist" is loosely defined in my head as those who make indiscriminate attacks on civilian targets for the purpose of causing "terror" among others). Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)

Congrats Iwan...have fun & be safe out there! Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)

Mine too, but saying so isn't nearly as fun as claiming it...unfortunately Andy beat me to that. Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)

So when they kill US soldiers in a war zone, they are murderous terrorists, and when we kill them in a country not at war, we are heroes? Do you also blame the US for harboring the 9/11 terrorists (who actually intended to strike civilian targets in an area of peace, as opposed to military targets in a war zone)? It sounds like we hit a solid target, and I'm glad of that. Even better would be if we had a decent working relationship with Syria so that this wasn't such an affront to them. I imagine the chance of improving the relationship has suffered as a result. Hopefully it was worth it. Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)

Yes, and I have already received two votes for National Director. Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)

It's definitely a sad story, but I think I'll check "all of the above" as issues. The kid almost made it across, and likely would have if the officer hadn't been going nearly double the speed limit without lights and/or siren. Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)

Agreed. Bunch of fucking pussies. If football games can be played in the rain, and you take your chances throwing the ball, then these assholes should be able to play too. You might notice a baseball is a bit harder than a football. I've never seen a radar gun readout for a Brett Favre pass, but I imagine it approaches the receiver a bit slower than the average baseball comes in at a batter. You wanna step in against Randy Johnson's "Mr. Snappy" in the rain? I bet Ray Chapman wouldn't (if he could). Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)

I'd say Wing Man . . . Really? J's downright cool, even pinch-hitting as little spoon when necessary. Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)

He has specifically stated that he thinks the best reparations, and the only ones that will work in America, are those that involve investment in better healthcare for the poor, better schools in inner cities, and better training for the unemployed. Those are not specific to race, however they will disproportionately affect the black population. Personally, I'm not opposed to such reparations, provided they represent a leg-up for all of the needy rather than a handout just for the blacks. Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)

What he said. Her approach wasn't journalism so much as journalentertainment, ala the incredibly partisan talk show hosts who aren't so much concerned with getting to the truth as they are with entertaining their fans. See Rush Limbaugh, Al Franken, Ann Coulter, et al. While I think it's perfectly within a campaign's "rights" to go on such shows if they choose (though it would be dumb), it should be their decision, not an ambush pushed to them as a normal interview with the press. This woman seems to have a bright future with FOX news ahead of her. Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)

Without even getting past the thread title, you'll have to forgive me for assuming that a magna cum laude from Harvard Law who has worked as a professor of constitutional law just might have a better understanding of the Constitution than you do. Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)

I'm not sure exactly. Something about how "a king can marry a king" is what I've been hearing around here. Seriously? I would think they'd want to use the homonym "queen", but of course thinking about that might make their little heads explode. Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)

I don't have any experience with admirable politicians and may have expand my stereotypes to include such an oddity. Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)

I was out at the DZ yesterday and it was gorgeous...warm isn't what was needed, a simple pilot, some jumpers, and the 182 would have done just fine. Then again, I was ready for a break...I stayed home Friday and Saturday for the first time since March, and I gotta admit sleeping in, mimosas, red beers, and actually getting some non-skydiving stuff taken care of was a nice change of pace. Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)

I don't agree with that statement. Some young college aged racist who takes it upon herself to race-bait is not the same as McCain telling her to go out and do it. Afterall if McCain or his staff were actually behind it, it would have appeared much more authentic. You realize she was working a McCain phone bank, right? It's about the bottom of the ladder and I wouldn't attribute her actions to him, but it still doesn't look good. Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)

No, I don't think any hate crime, murder or robbery is a joke. What do you think is so funny about someone being robbed, murdered and carved on? I doubt if YOU had been either victim you would be saying "It's just a joke and you need to lighten up." So stealing Obama signs or spraypainting "nigger" on them or insinuating Obama is a fried chicken & watermelon eating, food stamp spending motherfucker is just a joke, carving "B" in someone's cheek is a hate crime, and the line is somewhere in between. Why do I suspect you put it right in between (D) and (R)? Edit to add: Looking at the picture, where are they getting the word "carved" from? I don't see where the skin is broken. That doesn't excuse the crime, but it does make the motivation somewhat suspicious. And I like how the youtube video describes Obama support as a "fascist takeover" Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)

So you don't think it's just a joke and you need to lighten up? Surprisingly enough, many crimes are committed every day by members of each of the political parties. Those convicted get to join the ranks of the "non-voter" party. Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)