TomAiello

I've seen a student BASE jumper launch so head low (on a PCA deployment) that they flipped through the risers and gave themself a step through. The system exerted virtually zero force on the jumper prior to reaching line stretch. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

These two statements seem to be at odds. Do you think it's a good idea to seek regulation from the authorities? Many BASE jumpers would argue that it was folks with "skydiver mentality". There's a largish cultural divide between the two sports. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

I wonder if they have one to "protect" you against the "high" from skydiving? -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

I certainly wouldn't classify those jumps as "reasonably safe". It's one of the reasons I'm so thankful that there were pioneers--otherwise we'd be learning from scratch. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

Depends on how you define "reasonably safe". He's apparently using some kind of old military surplus container. I'm not sure I'd class that as "reasonably safe." Still, you have some good points. The more people here who feel like they have something to gain from jumping, the more people will speak up to protect it. On the other hand, if a 17 year old girl who sees the sign at the tanning salon goes in with a total.... -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

Hmmm. How many? Where did you hear this? The reports I've heard have him telling various people that he's put somewhere between 50 and 400 people off (depending on which time you talked to him). -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

Do you know if it's possible to buy different strengths of break cord? Paragear only lists one kind, but surely someone, somewhere has needed lighter break cord for something. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

Oh, man, you crack me up. I really can't stop laughing right now. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

Involuntary servitude is wrong. No matter what the justification. Dude. I support the war, but that just doesn't sound right. We're not exactly "defending ourselves" in Iraq. It's more a use of military force as a tool of foreign policy. If we were in a genuine military self defense situation (i.e. a foreign power--not a terrorist group--was mobilizing troops against us), I've no doubt public support for the war would get the military all the manpower it needed. Um, weren't there a bunch of guys burning draft cards during Vietnam? -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

WTF are you talking about? Is this some sort of "clever" personal attack? Dude, you should chill about that. Wow. I never thought I'd agree with PJ about a moderating issue. But, what he said. Not really. _I_ am why that happened. No use blaming anyone else. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

Actually, I voted for Bush's Ego, because I thought it was the funniest choice. I mean, come on, the initial post was so obviously skewed, how could you react seriously? -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

Well, he did say he was heading to Norway. Y'all have fun over there, ya' hear? -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

Whereas having a gun pointed at you at some other time? -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

Yes Jeb has some serious talent. Actually, he once described himself, in conversation with me, as having "no talent at all". His point was that he has worked his ass off to gain the skills he has. It's one of the biggest reasons to respect him. He doesn't just go out and throw twisty flips off whatever--he has real coaches, real training, and real determination. He's one of the few Americans to actually get serious about training for this stuff, and it really shows. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

It might if you started an actual counter-campaign. For example, you started a group called "Extreme Athletes Against RedBull" or some such, maybe call your movement "Red Bull Clips Your Wings". You could write letters, appear at Red Bull events protesting. I think a well organized protest movement could accomplish a lot. I don't think we're there yet, but it's always a possibility. I wonder if you could get funding from Rockstar for it? -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

I do it on almost all my jumps. I've never done it on a skydive though. I've also hurt myself (dislocated thumb) doing it. The trick is to train yourself to grab after you are stood up. Since the risers are already under tension, they won't "snap" your hands after that point. I usually have my hands out and waiting just outside the risers, then grab once I feel myself putting downward pressure on the harness. Can someone explain why you would want to do this on a skydive? Maybe I'm missing something, but I've never really had a skydiving opening close enough to someone else to make the half second it takes to get your hands up there valuable. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

That's a generalization. The difference is that a generalization is used to target a group (hopefully for discussion of some policy issue or other). A specific personal attack against a poster here is a personal attack. Remember, I voted for (and will vote for again) Bush, too. If I say "the sky is red" and you respond to that post with "anyone who thinks that is an idiot", that's a personal attack. If you start a thread about a cult that believes the sky is red, that's a general discussion. In the same way, calling me, personally, a war monger is a personal attack, but saying that Bush voters (such as me) are war mongers is a generalization that ought to be responded to intelligently (say, by discussing why I am not a warmonger personally, or by listing famous republicans who are obviously not warmongers, or by actual discussion of the policies of the Bush administration). There's obviously a fuzzy line here. If you find yourself firing off a one line reply that includes only allegations of illiteracy or mental deficiency, you've probably gone too far. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

It's a part time job. Why would they get benefits? Most part time work doesn't offer benefits. If they get called to active duty (i.e. go full time), they get pretty much the same health and other benefits that regular active duty soldiers do. It sounds to me like your friend is twisting things a bit to wind you up. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

Quade, I applaud you for defending your friend, Cruella, in the face of such harsh criticism. I'd have stood up for her, too, if one of my friends was compared to Theresa Heinz. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

OK Jeff, are now starting to see what some of us are becoming very concerned about? Just so long as they don't find the BASE rigs. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

This is a personal attack. You might want to take some time to read this post of Bill's. In relevant part: Take some time to consider this. In fact, take the next seven days. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

QuoteTom you perhaps want to Split the SL to another tread?/reply] Ah, well, here we go again... -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

That's pretty much accurate. Except that this part, We'll have to see how it turns out. Edit to add: During out talk, JT told me that he was leaving town, and likely wouldn't be back this season. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

No. People should stop making threats of physical violence (like the one's I've edited out of this thread). And they should do it because it's not appropriate in this forum. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

Actually, I think "Legalize Freedom" might be more appropriate. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com