Beerlight

{rubbing crystal ball} Guess only time will tell. Gentlemen, gentlemen.... Admit it, SH did wrong, and the coalition did right by going over there. Prisoner abuse aside, the coaltion is where it needs to be, although they could use additional assets (crystal ball was broke evidently). Is there anyone on here that truely believes that Iraq was not a haven for terrorist? If you say yes, please respond. thank you..... Buck

He had them in the past, and from a web excerpt: "Between 1997 and 2002, Iraq prevented UN weapons inspectors from entering the country and the resulting controversy at the beginning of 2003 was whether or not Iraq used their absence to develop weapons of mass destruction in violation of UN resolutions." - If SH didn't have anything to hide, why did he deny the inspectors entry? Did SH require more time to bury the WMD's/produce more? - This is easy. He didn't comply with UN resolution. Case closed. Can't be really much clearer than that. v/r Buck

Tracy, I'll respond to your request. - The U.S./coaltion wouldn't be IN Iraq if SH would not have attacked Kuwait in 90'. And, even if someone "was" lateral drilling Iraqi oil, is that reason to attack/kill/rape/steal from Kuwait????????????? Plenty of evidence to support that anywhere on this internet you wish to look.......I don't need to look. - Next, Iraq is a large country. They have many, many areas to hide WMD material. - As for a minority wreaking havoc upon the world? You do see that it is happening, right? I mean, these are Islamic fundamentalist, right? Islam is a religion based upon peace, so these few animals that are using terroist tactics, ie. car bombs, slitting of civilian throats....they are the minority, right? Dude, we are the Infidels. They are wishing to kill everyone not of them. That would include you also. - Now on this prisoner abuse. Any abuse upon Iraqi prisoners was from an untrained group, and a small group at that. Not sure how many guards the coaltion employ, but I'd guess it's in the thousands. So, when 7 or 10 individuals don't protect some prisoners, there should not be a full call to have Rumsfeld resign... I believe in the Geneva Conventions. I also believe when they were written, that noone EVER fathomed the type of "enemy" we would be up against today. People can say what they will, but there is evil over there, it's remnants of SH forces, and terror cells of Al Qaeda....and they must be stopped. sorry for the long post. Buck

Easy.... Nothing sounds better to a jump pilot after the last load is on the ground than hearing, "Hey Buck, the BEERLIGHT is on....!" Buck

Read my post. I said that info was geared to "pilots". I wan't taking a position. He was just looking for info, I just happened to provide. Although, I agree with you that I'd rather have a happy camper bailing out of my plane, than one that's on edge...... Buck

A. Are you a pilot? B. Can you update your profile cause, people that do not have an updated profile don't receive good responses on this particular site. Cheers! Buck

Just watching "your" opening was exciting....! Buck

Tonto, I grabbed this info from AOPA.org website. This info pertains directly to "U.S. FAA certificated" pilots. So, take it for what it's worth. But, info is info.... "Any drug that produces drowsiness or other central nervous system effects and experimental or investigational drugs are prohibited. These medications include narcotic analgesics, stimulants, sedatives, hypnotics, amphetamines, barbiturates, anti-anxiety drugs, muscle relaxants, tranquilizers, and antipsychotics (neuroleptics). Among the drugs classified as stimulants is Ritalin, which is used to treat attention deficit disorder (ADD); however the FAA has allowed the use of Ritalin in a small number of cases involving ADD. Lithium carbonate, used to treat certain types of depressive disorders, may also be allowed after careful case evaluation. All antidepressants, including the newer generation of selective serotonin reuptake inhibiting (SSRI) medications, such as Paxil, Prozac, Effexor, Celexa, and Zoloft, are currently disqualifying, regardless of the reason for their use. Drugs that cause no apparent side effects on the ground can create serious problems with only moderate increases in altitude. Even for general aviation pilots flying at relatively low altitudes, the changes in concentrations of atmospheric gases, including oxygen and nitrogen, in the blood can enhance the effects of seemingly innocuous drugs and result in impaired judgment, decision-making, and performance."

Not really, just reality. I said what I did because thats the way it is in general. I don't enjoy you calling people like me 'big headed' and all sorts of other things I have run across in your posts, just please keep that in mind. Its like any other thing Don. You want to learn to golf well, you can teach yourself or find a coach. It would be nice to help my friends at my own expense, but many times its simply not feasible. For me, and others just trying to make a living. Most skydivers are all too willing to help out young uns. I do my best to give back to the sport in any way possible. If I have to decline a fun jump with a friend with 20 jumps or do a coaching jump so I can eat McDonald's instead of Ramen, sorry buddy, I'm going to do a coaching jump. Hey Brittany, I'll take some coach jumps from you in the near future. I start AFF (again) at SDH this coming Saturday..... Help keep ya stocked in Mickie D's finest cuisine! I'm easy to spot, probably be the oldest guy in the class.....but I'll bring beer Buck

You aren't Jack Reeves by chance? And no, they haven't seen fit to put a jump pilot forum up yet. Not sure how much use it would get... Buck

They -can- be held responsible IF they let it known that the prisoners did not and would not be given the official status of Prisoner of War and all of the protections that come with that status. This -IS- what Rumsfeld did. To say he was not aware of the ramifications of that is to underestimate his IQ. Rumsfeld set the stage for this inevitable abuse. Rummy was also just a bit to cleaver for his own britches by thinkiing that he could hire outside "contractors" to do some of the dirty work and that would somehow keep the U.S. troops proper insulated from the dirty work they were going to do. (Of course, the "proper" way to do this is do what we "normally" do and hand them over to another country for questioning -- but that's another topic.) Our troops had no business being within eye or ear shot of any intensive questioning by "contractors". Using the term "dirty work" shows a true mind-made-up view. Again, the verdict is not yet in. When/if they are found guilty of abuse, then let the hammer fall....not before. B2

The buck stops at the top. It happened on his watch and it is a MAJOR embarrassment to the US. "Best" CEO's don't make statements like "We know where they are" unless thay actually do know where they are. Rumsfeld would resign if he had a shred of decency. So should Blair. There is absolutely no valid reason Rumsfeld or Blair should resign. That concept of "the captain goes down with the ship" does not nor should not apply here. There is no way a commander that high in the chain of command can have personal knowledge of every minute detail of a mission (ie. guarding prisoners) that is undertaken over 9,000 miles away! Again, some reservist and contractors screw up and people ask for resignations?!....absolute bs. Guess guilty until proven innocent is a factor here. Buck P.S. [Another analogy that may apply.] The janitor at a university is accused of abusing some students, does the President of the Uni resign? Heck no.

When the "trial" is complete was what I meant. And Rumsfeld is just being a good leader to take responsibility of subordinates actions. Analogy time, you don't fire one of your best CEO's when someone in the freakin mailroom fucks up....over "Still innocent UNTIl proven guilty" IMHO.. Buck

Bill, "when" the investigation is complete (the one that was ordered), and if found in violation of the rules of the Geneva Covention, only then is punishment due. When the reservist and contractors responsible for guarding those prisoners have their day in court, and a verdict is rendered, then everybody can/cannot point fingers......not before. A bunch of staged photos doesn't convince me that Iraqi war prisoners were tortured. sorry....i'll wait until it's official. Buck

WAR is HELL and Rumsfeld should definitely NOT resign. It would only weaken the nation.

I know I used to hate it when they would put a observer on my plane. In an emergency I knew I could get the jumpers out quickly (alt permitting), but then I'd have an observer to worry about. And I DID have an engine out (C-182) with an OBS onboard. I deadsticked it back to the DZ ok........ Buck

This was supposed to be opinion? Seemed like you were trying to state it as fact. I was just pointing out that you are basing your opinions on incorrect "facts" oh, ok.... Really though, I'm full of shit most days! Today, a little more than normal.......

Congrats! Which type/method of surgery did you have? Buck

What if you signed up for disability insurance with a company but was NOT actively jumping at the time? Then you start jumping at a later date? I don't remember anything in my new companys policy about that? yikes..... Buck

Actually, Hussein was just about the only leader over there to keep the terrorists in check. Prior to our invasion, there weren't any terrorist attacks inside Iraq that I recall. The same can't be said for any of the other countries in the region. Iraq did the invading, the US and coalition did the responding (Gulf War I). And sure SH kept things in check. Go against him and what did you get??? Firing squad. What a great "society" that was to live under. Look, it's simple. Everybody is totally entitled to THEIR OPINION. In my first post in this thread, it is/was my opinion. Thanks, Buck

Nope, no specific links. Maybe I can find it in the same links that said that Kuwait/US were "lateral drilling?" Oh comeone now, do you really believe there were NO WMD's in Iraq?!! Seriously, he gassed how many Iranians and Kurds? I guess those weren't WMD"s? Kinda like OBL can, eh? Takes very few freaks out there to change the course of something, don't you think? Method used against USS Cole? And I appreciate your questions! Buck

Thanks.....

-Already served- Just finished a 22 year active duty committment. But, if called again, I'd go in a heartbeat... Buck

Similarly, should we really be using Saddams old palaces for military HQs and stuff? We seem to be putting forth a "meet the new boss, same as the old boss" type of image over there. Ironic that in an effort to bring democracy to a country our image in the arab world has apparantly NEVER been lower, or so I heard in some polls the arab media ran. Image hell. That place is a terroristic cesspool. Let's remember the big picture here. They (Iraq) have been at the forefront of running terror in the Middle East for many, many years. IMHO, I could care less about how they "view" things. Again, UN resolution not met, we are there for that reason. Not any other. I'm sorry those prisoners were abused. Wasn't right. But to blame an entire chain of command because of a few soliders that probably haven't received much rest while they were worried about their own safety, is wrong. Iraq = terror..... and will be the downfall of the world if it's not put to rest.

Looks like the Senate Armed Services Committee is having a great time today (especially the Democrats) with questioning our CofC about prisoner "abuse". A whole bunch of Monday morning quarterbacking going on with this issue. Fucking guys love jumping on a bandwagon and should wait until the investigation is completed not before..... Buck Edit: to remove something stupid I wrote. Thanks Wendy.