gregpso

Saw the new year in watching bloody security camera's at work. I tend to be a bit different. enjoyed my time in the sport or is it an industry these days ??

A work mate in 1981 suggested we give the weekend jump course at Pakenham a go. I got the shakes even thinking about it Have only done 44 jumps since 940 on round canopies) over 28 years in different stages but its one of the best things I have done. Still struggle with the safety aspects.. so many things can go wrong that can kill you Mals/low turns/canopy collisions/ reserve get wrapped around tail of plane/ mid air collisions/ etc etc. But I am happy with myself for overcoming that fear and have done 44 wonderful jumps. Prob will not jump again but very glad I did it and will still keep interested in reading about the sport. Who knows may do AFF one day. I tend to be a bit different. enjoyed my time in the sport or is it an industry these days ??

Talking cannot hurt any one. But with the extreme ideas of the Taliban I doubt whether the west can ever negotiate peace with them but its worth a try I tend to be a bit different. enjoyed my time in the sport or is it an industry these days ??

yes pull back a little. If I was a US taxpayer I would want my taxes going to help my own country not wasting 10 billion in iraq etc. Quite often the USA tries to do the right thing but ends up with egg on its face and no thanks from the rest of the world. Get your economy back in shape which will in turn help the stock markets around the world. That huge deficit has to be rained in. I tend to be a bit different. enjoyed my time in the sport or is it an industry these days ??

You will never convince the good folk in the USA to change their gun laws. Any politician that does gets thrown out of office. Its part of the culture their. The gun folksQuote will argue their should have been guns in the house so someone could have killed this horrible person before he finished his job. Difficult to argue against. If one of the guests had a gun within easy reach it could have been over quickly If no one was expecting Santa to turn up If IF IF only lots of things I suppose. Burn in hell you bastard. I tend to be a bit different. enjoyed my time in the sport or is it an industry these days ??

They deserve every bit of that and more for the work they do. Many in Australia as well as your country do not agree with the Iraq thing and weapons of mass destruction etc (lets not get into that at present) Thanks to all those who have served and are serving come home safe please. I tend to be a bit different. enjoyed my time in the sport or is it an industry these days ??

YEAH I agree the service in the US is second to none and I suppose tipping has to be one of the main reasons. When I ate in an Australian casino recently (not a buffett) we were served by a visiting native of Florida USA. Quite simply he put all the Aussive waiters to shame he was that good and attentive. Most tables including us gave him $10 which is large here because most never tip at that sort of diner because the waiters would be on $18 to $20 an hour and the price is built in to the food price. YEP EXCELLENT SERVICE IN THE STATES Do they still placed a glass of water on your table as soon as you sit down ? And do they still give you a million crackers to eat with your soup? I use to love that. Tipping annoys me when some service I do not need is expected. Like in Hong kong when you go to the toilet and come out and a bloke (man in Australian speak) has the sink filled up with a towel. (and expects tip) I mean I can easily do that myself. I lot of Aussies I know come back from the USA ashamed our our service because its not like yours . Dp not get me wrong its OK here but not like yours. I can understand why many USA folk (yanks as we fondly call them) are disappointed in the service here.. apparently its worse in Europe (I have not been there) Whilst on a holiday in the USA the tipping is OK because I factor in my budget I will tipping several hundred over a three week holiday. No worries but I think if I had to do it all the time it might be a different story. I tend to be a bit different. enjoyed my time in the sport or is it an industry these days ??

OK WE WILL HAVE A REST about health care and Michael MOORE (TOP BLOKE) Thank you for all your relpies and abuse thru pms it has made my week of nightshift enjoyable. Re the gratutity tipping thing. When I am in the States I play along and tip the required amount. (when in Rome do as the Romans do) I have always wondered what happens in taxis or restaurants or hotels if the customer does not tip.. do they receive a mouthful of abuse or not given service next time ? Are TIPS shared amongst the staff at diners or vegas casinos etc or do you keep it for yourself. DOES THE MONEY EVER GET STOLEN FROM THE DINERS TABLE because customers just leave the tip on the table and pay the bill (or cheque as you call it) and walk out. Does it drive you mad always tipping for everthing or is it just part of the game that you accept ? I notice that the tourist transport industry has big signs on their buses saying GRATUTIES GRATEFULLY ACCEPTED to remind non US folks I tell you what I do like in your diners the size of your portions. (never come out hungry thats for sure.) I ordered a fudge sundee and the size of the thing bloody hell was fanastic . From previous post you might think I am anti USA the fact is I love the people and the culture (we are saturated with it here) just think you should care more about each other.. if that makes me a Socialist left winger so be it

YEP THE AWFUL TRUTH DOES HURT DOESN'T. So many of you are so isolated and know nothing about overseas. Your are taught how great the country is (and it is in many ways but not all) thinking you have freedoms that no one else has. Well guess what we have just as many freedoms as you (except guns which the majority of Australians agree with .. democracy at work) PLUS A BETTER STANDARD OF LIVING FOR THE MAJORITY OF OUR CITIZENS. You can get angry about and throw garbage at me for daring to suggest it but I will say it again "Good country but I am glad I am here." You see over here we do not fear the government (like you do) THE GOVERNMENT FEARS US Our righter wing party which is far left of your republician Party got thrown out on its ass 12 months ago because it tried to introduce lower wages and more power to employers. It was called Work choices. No party in Australia will ever try that one again. I hope the USA can re invent itself but there is alot of work to do. I hope OBAMA can start the rebuild. I fear (really I do fear) the China Juggernant that is slowly taking over (but that is a seperate issue) Until then enjoy your freedom fries and safe jumping . I tend to be a bit different. enjoyed my time in the sport or is it an industry these days ??

I hope do tell the ass hole boss to shove his job and you do get a successful drop zone. I tend to be a bit different. enjoyed my time in the sport or is it an industry these days ??

Michael Moore now there is a true Amercian telling the AWFUL TRUTH I know a lot of you would not like to hear what Moore says facts are facts Doctors who work for health insurance companies (the compay not the ones treating patients in other words desk dwellers get paid more for denying claims and saving the company money BIG BONUS,S Yeah spent a month in the USA had to buy a huge amount of health insurance ($500 000) coverage because was warned about the outrageous cost there I tend to be a bit different. enjoyed my time in the sport or is it an industry these days ??

well raise taxation to pay for the programms and pay your way rather than leaving a massive budget deficit to your kids ! THE USA IS BORROWING A STACK OF MONEY OFF COMMUNIST CHINA UNBELIEVEABLE (to pay for the bailout of capitalism (what a bloody joke but I am not laughing) What happerns when China and the saudis want their money back. In a few years you will be caught up with militarily by China ( see their space programme) Then the whole free worls is in trouble. I tend to be a bit different. enjoyed my time in the sport or is it an industry these days ??

yes I work shift work so what I still get 9 weeks; We do not pay hefty taxes by international standards. If you want to be a true believer and not take a sickie bully for you. So what if there is a queue for medicare you still get treated FOR FREE IF YOU ARE A LOW INCOME EARNER I tend to be a bit different. enjoyed my time in the sport or is it an industry these days ??

You certainly win hands down on the service side of thing. We find the gratudy system a bit funny but the good folk in the USA are certaintly helpul and friendly our Aussie hospitality workers could take a leaf out of your book on that one. My son works as a dealer in the casino in Melbourne $22 per hour Dealer in vegas earns around $6 per hour plus tips. Slave labor. I tend to be a bit different. enjoyed my time in the sport or is it an industry these days ??

I get 15 days per year paid sick leave 5 of those can be taken without a doctors certificate. (The sickie is part of Aussie Culture) The 15 are added each year I now have 120 days paid sick leave up my sleeve. so in finishing in Socialist Aussieland (as alot of you would think) I get 9 weeks per year holiday (paid) 9% supperannuation paid on top of my salary 40 hour week (5 8 hour shifts) 3 months long service leave (paid) after ten years universal health care But I cannot get a handgun (I only can cary one at work.) $60000 per year salary for a security job with the Government(cause shift allownaces are paid for weekends nightshift etc) pretty good deal I think. i will go back to the USA to spend some of that money soon prob Disneyworld and vegas Best wishes and safe jumping to you all I tend to be a bit different. enjoyed my time in the sport or is it an industry these days ??

too much of the the Amercian export junk food Mc Donalds etc Problem is it tastes so bloody good. Seriously same as you kids do not exercise as much with computers etc. See the movie supersize me it applies here as well although the serving size in the States at resturants is unbelieveable (good value though) I tend to be a bit different. enjoyed my time in the sport or is it an industry these days ??

Do you good folk in the USA have long service leave ? ie after 10 years service govt workers get 3 months on full pay and private industry get 2 months full pay. Time to travel etc on full pay after 10 years work. Same again after another 10 years. Pretty good deal that Surely you get that ! I tend to be a bit different. enjoyed my time in the sport or is it an industry these days ??

Well said my friend I tend to be a bit different. enjoyed my time in the sport or is it an industry these days ??

You still have not addressed what happens to people who cannot afford or cannot get health insurance .. thrown on out the door of hospitals. Watch SICKO many examples. What about the poor soul who sawed his finger off 6000 dollars to pay. In Australia free immediate fix with a top neuro surgeon in a public hospital. Re OK its not free ... it is for people who do not earn enough to pay the medicare levy. Once you reach around $45000 per year you pay a levy. SO IT IS FREE FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE. RE YOU COULD GET A BLADDER TEST TOMMORROW IF YOU WANTED ONE So can I and pay around $100 if I so desired. RE IF THE GOVERNMENT REALLY CARED ABOUT YOUR HEALTH WHY DID I HAVE TO WAIT Simple we do not have unlimited resources here so things not considered urgent (decision made by doctor not govt official) take a litle while longer So what ! it gets done unlike the poor USA citizen who cannot get health insurance. re spending the 3 trillion a year The defence budget would take a fair whack of that and yeah you have some good social programs so why not universal health care.. because the insurance lobby is afraid they will loose money thats why. if universal health care is good enough for the rest of the civilised world why not the USA. RE THE 9 PERCENT SUPPERANNUATION SO THAT IS TAKEN OFF YOUR SALARY Actually no its not .. the employer pays an addittional 9 per cent into your super fund on top of your salary. Beginning to sound pretty good I is it not ? We get all the cable USA news over here so I do know a lot about your system Do not get me started about Fox news Fair and Balanced My ARSE !!! or as you would say My ASS !!!! As stated I like Amercians and alot of the culture and entertainment (thanks for that) its just the political system that is different. (Your right of course) Enjoying the debates thanks Greg ps we get a laugh over here about Fanny May (the company gone broke) Over here Fannie means a female sexual organ where over there its just a rear end. Good luck I tend to be a bit different. enjoyed my time in the sport or is it an industry these days ??

THE CURRENCY COLLAPSED BECAUSE ALL THE US DOLLARS IN AUST WERE CALLED BACK TO THE USA Our economy is going to suffer a bit but nothing like yours I tend to be a bit different. enjoyed my time in the sport or is it an industry these days ??

Every worker (over a certain amount ie low income earners pay nothing) pay around 1.5% levy for health care. The goverment pays the difference of course from revenue like income tax. From memory I paid about $12000 tax on a $60000 salary. I tend to be a bit different. enjoyed my time in the sport or is it an industry these days ??

It was a routine test if any pain or danger straight in for treatment. $700 a year is cheap for universal health care. I take your point about paragraphs. At 0500hrs one makes mistakes. People from Britain get the idea like us we think as we not ME I tend to be a bit different. enjoyed my time in the sport or is it an industry these days ??

We have discussed the gun issue now the health care issue. As I have said I have had 2 wonderful holidays to the States and love the friendly people and tourist stuff there. I cannot understand how a nation that is rich as the USA and can find 10 billion a month for Iraq cannot find the money for free universal health care.(thru taxation) In Australia we have had it for 30 years. I pay around $700 on a salary of $53000 medicare levy per year (that is deducted from my tax return) For that free hospital and around 80 per cent rebate on visiting doctors tests etc and the most you pay for any medicine on the PBS is $33. (stuff like viagra non essential stuff is not on the PBS) A month ago I had to have a test in the bladder. Waited about a month free test in hospital with an overnight stay. How much would that have cost in the States. Sure you have private medical insurance but if you are sick they will not insure you or find ways not to pay. I have USA folk say OOH the government cannot run a health system cannot have a BEAURCRAT making decisions about your health. ACTUALLY I WOULD RATHER HAVE A BEAURCRAT (WHOSE SALARY DOES NOT DEPEND ON KNOCKING PEOPLE BACK) MAKING A DECISION THAN A PURELY FOR PROFIT COMPANY WHOSE JOB IT IS TO PAY AS LESS AS POSSIBLE OR NONE AT ALL TO MAXAMISE PROFIT FOR SHAREHOLDERS . in private health jargin a medical loss In Michael Moore sicko dvd they have doctors who work for the companies whose job it is to decline medical treatment. The more they decline the more money the doctor earns WHAT SORT OF DOCTOR IS THAT. Our public system is not perfect and there is waiting sometimes even 18 months for non life threatening operations but we also can buy private health insurance if we wish for alot less than the States. Amercians are decent people so the only reason this prevails must be the dogma that rules over there that the free market is best at running everything (and look what has happened recently) and any government programme is Socialism I really hope Obama can deliver on this for you. oh yeah I work security for the goverment. (just building security patrols etc). will earn around $60000 this year WITH 9 WEEKS leave and a 38 hour week I thinK that would sound pretty good to many less well off USA folk. (particularly in the security industry) (we still have a strong Union system here ) yet we still have a budget surplus) Do not be offended I am just comparing your rigid pure capitalism to our capitalism with social ( mayber even socialist) modifications. PS our unemployment insurance never runs out if you are seriously about looking for work. maybe the above has something to do with crime than gun ownership.. too much of the haves and have nots. yeah we still have crime and poverty but there is no reason for it an unemployed couple with a child would get around $900 per fortnight enough to rent and eat. Our elderly pesioners struggle a bit with a single elderly pensioner only getting about $380 per fortnight. We also have compulsory supperannuation for all workers all employers must put in 9% of the workers salary into a superannuation fund . by law it cannot be touched until you retire.... any way I am sitting at work now at 0500hrs in the morning working hard (NOT) watching security cameras and surfing the net. Life is pretty good really. Like America but glad I live here I tend to be a bit different. enjoyed my time in the sport or is it an industry these days ??

Well done that man. 50 is not old anymore. I am turning 50 in 2 weeks and will be doing my 43rd jump spread over 28 yrs. Doing a tandem then AFF next year.. money permitting. At least being a lawyer money for jumping anf gear will not be a problem for you. Well done. Wait until you feel the freefall experience then it really gets going.Quote I tend to be a bit different. enjoyed my time in the sport or is it an industry these days ??

You will have a blast let us know how you go I tend to be a bit different. enjoyed my time in the sport or is it an industry these days ??