TomAiello

I've used both methods (stowing just one side, and stowing on both sides). I can't tell the difference in the openings. In theory? Perhaps. In practice, I think Avery has it right. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

Not too much. The more you can simulate a BASE pack, the closer it's going to be. But by far the biggest difference is the bag, so using the same packjob you used for the Lightning is probably plenty close enough. If you have a mesh slider, that would be the other major component. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

Juanesky, Christelsabine, One liners that are just basically calling each other ignorant, uneducated or stupid don't really contribute to the discussion. You can both do better. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

That's a pretty good encapsulation of the stereotypical European view of Americans. There is some underlying truth to it, but stereotyping is still stereotyping. Do you think that all Germans are Nazi's and all Australians surfers, as well? -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

Me = Atheist = Republican. Actually, I'm more Libertarian than Republican. I do know plenty of atheists who vote republican, though. And plenty of religious folks who vote democrat. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

John Adams, first vice president of the United States. That was back in the days when the VP was the guy who came in second in the presidential election, so the VP really couldn't do much, because his boss (the president) was the guy who had beat him in the election, and most likely had very different views. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

Do you think doing that would have resulted in more or less than 300 deaths + 700 injured? I don't think you can analyze an incident like this solely as an isolated incident. It is important to also consider what effect your actions will have on the likelihood of such an event ocurring in the future. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

I just can't vote for someone like this. In fact, I'd say that, in my opinion, the worst thing about Kerry is probably his taste in running mates. Even the New York Times (first linked article), which is not exactly noted for it's conservative views, is far from complimentary. In Trial Work, Edwards Left a Trademark Edwards' Malpractice Suits Leave Bitter Taste Did Junk Science Make John Edwards Rich? Edwards Responds to Junk Science Allegations There are lots more if you hunt around for them. I just can't believe the Republicans are spending so much energy digging around Kerry's Vietnam record, and so little on Edwards' illustrious career as the nations leading ambulance chaser. A few quotes from the New York Times piece (the most balanced of the above): "Studies have found that the electronic fetal monitors now widely used during delivery often incorrectly signal distress, prompting many needless Caesarean deliveries, which carry the risks of major surgery." These monitors are now in widespread use, almost entirely because of Edwards' lawsuits. "He sued the American National Red Cross three times, claiming that the AIDS virus was transmitted through tainted blood products, and obtained a confidential settlement in each case." Making your fortune suing a charity--that's so cool. "Mr. Wells, a defense lawyer, said. "He paints himself as a person who was serving the interests of the downtrodden, the widows and the little children. Actually, he was after the cases with the highest verdict potential. John would probably admit that on cross-examination."" So, more a champion of his own bank account than a champion of the little people? "It was clear which evidence would be crucial: "I had to become an overnight expert in fetal monitor readings," Mr. Edwards wrote.... "It seems to me that only trial lawyers are experienced at reading fetal monitor strips and are able to tell me exactly when infants became asphyxic," or deprived of oxygen, said Dr. William J. West Jr., an obstetrician and the president of First MSA Inc., which administers health care savings accounts." As we all know, medicine is best practiced in hindsight by trial lawyers. It also makes health care far less expensive, I am sure. "Dr. Karin B. Nelson, a child neurologist with the National Institutes of Health, says the notion that paying greater heed to electronic monitoring will prevent brain injuries remains just that, a notion. "Evidence of high medical quality contradicts the assumption that the use of electronic fetal monitoring during labor can prevent brain damage," Dr. Nelson said." Hmmm, that's the same expensive electronic monitoring that Edwards trial work has virtually forced doctors to use--and it doesn't even work? "Mr. Edwards's former colleagues in the plaintiffs' bar certainly support his candidacy. His campaign is disproportionately financed by lawyers and people associated with them, according to the Center for Responsive Politics, which calculates that about half of the $15 million he has raised comes from lawyers." So, I'm tired of the endless Kerry/Bush/Vietnam discussions here. Anyone have any thoughts on Edwards? -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

Actually, that's almost exactly how I felt on my first wingsuit jump. I often feel that way on solo flights from airplanes, still. But it definitely gets better as you do more things. I bet you can find somewhere to rent or demo a suit and do 10 or 20 more jumps. That might be a better way to judge if it's really interesting to you or not. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

I'm not convinced that someone's jumping experience is terribly relevant to a discussion of politics. On the other hand, someone's willingness to state their real name is a reasonable criteria for evaluating them in a discussion. Nope. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

I can't stop laughing. That's one of the funniest things I've read on here in a long time. Thanks! -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

Some western nations have also had varying levels of influence from other places, the middle east among them. They are invariable better off as a resuit. Every culture/country/people/place has good and bad points. Cultural exchange enriches us all by letting us pick the good parts of various cultures. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

I'd love to hear them. But I admit I rather suspect that your thoughts on the cultural development of the middle east aren't going to agree with mine. Have you, for example, ever heard of Omar Khayyam? Or Ibn Batuta? -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

That's just to compensate for how much more entertaining your legislature is than ours. Every time I see the House of Commons on TV, I think it's got to be a comedy skit trying to spoof the House of Commons--but nope, that's the real thing. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

A bit windy today, but some jumping is still happening. Mornings and evenings are best. Accuweather is currently calling for high but jumpable winds (15-20, mostly) with best conditions in the morning and evening (as usual). -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

Perhaps, "if you have cancer, and I hold you down kicking and screaming, and cut it out of you without anaesthetic, then try to help you recover, will you be happy?" is more appropriate. I think I'd still be angry with you, and I'd still want to make my own choices, but you have done me some good. It's far from black and white, either way. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

That's the origin of the word, but if you look at how it's broken down. Actually, that's the dictionary definition of the word. Note the "now..." part giving the accepted current definition. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

I'm pretty sure Miller wrote a book about that. Speculating as to his motives is silly, when he's gone to great lengths to explain his outlook, in published form, available to all. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

CNN had coverage of it here among other places. They also have the transcript. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

Depends on if you're a prohibitionist or not, I guess. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

I dunno. It could be argued that re-enacting your own combat scenes while still in the war zone shows a certain lack of seriousness in character. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

If you compare the cost of the camera (then and now) to the average soldier's income (then and now), and the general widespread (or not) use of video cameras (then and now) it may make a difference. How many soldiers in Vietnam could afford to bring such an expensive toy? -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

Have you considered just calling up Clint and asking him what his experience was moving to Moab? He ought to be able to give you a rough estimate, anyway. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

Just remember that Miller speaks pretty clearly for a significant chunk of the American electorate. If you think he's nuts, you might be disturbed by the number of people nodding their heads in agreement. The man did not get an 85% approval rating by accident. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

Given that he's pretty much said he's retiring from politics, and he's the most popular politician (of either party) in much of the Southeast, I doubt that (a) he cares much, or (b) either party would reject him. Have you read his book? -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com