TriGirl

Okay, seriously now. I REALLY never thought I'd say this: Thank you, SC, for giving me the Voice of Reason (and reasonable discussion). Thank you for renewing my confidence in the intelligence of the public! You've made me feel so much better, after the 30 minutes of my life I will NEVER get back -- the time it took me to read what is supposed to pass as an "article" and subsequent comments. http://beforeitsnews.com/police-state/2015/05/the-coming-hellstorm-in-amerika-leaked-jade-helm-secrets-1390.html (no, I'm really serious. Reading SC on this topic actually did make me feel better!) See the upside, and always wear your parachute! -- Christopher Titus Shut Up & Jump!

{breathe} See the upside, and always wear your parachute! -- Christopher Titus Shut Up & Jump!

I think the initial test is more to determine whether you'll be able to complete the training. If you're already doing the job, you've proven you can physically do the job, therefore (perhaps) this is why continual (annual, semi-annual, whatever) evaluation is not done. Firefighters tend to notice if one of their teammates suddenly can't make it up the stairs during a call. See the upside, and always wear your parachute! -- Christopher Titus Shut Up & Jump!

okay, maybe a little guilty! See the upside, and always wear your parachute! -- Christopher Titus Shut Up & Jump!

Gorgeous, Dahling! Speedy recovery to you! See the upside, and always wear your parachute! -- Christopher Titus Shut Up & Jump!

Though I find your retort juvenile, I'll still post a reply. I'll say this as plainly as possible, so no one is confused. (ETA: although I really do appreciate the lighter replies of everyone else!) As I've said before, the part that the government gets involved in (inheritance, tax deduction for being a dependent, legal protection, spouse benefits) should be equal regardless of the genders of the two consenting adults. I have no problem with religious unions that want to involve more than two consenting adults (three or more) -- as long as those additional spouses don't get to collect additional social security, or count as more legal dependents, or any other extra benefits afforded by the government. Different religions already invalidate the "marriages" of other religions (or JP weddings for that matter), where it comes to matters of their defined religious sanctity. I'm not saying any religion has to change its policy. But when it comes to government benefits and privileges related to such a partnership, I have a problem with the inequality. Let the churches discriminate against practices outside their own communities for matters strictly religious, but leave the legal side alone. If the civil side of it gets changed to "civil unions," then it should be equal for all two-person, adult partnerships. Take "marriage/married" out of all government references, and replace with "spouse" or some other legal partnership term. See the upside, and always wear your parachute! -- Christopher Titus Shut Up & Jump!

And yet guys get the rep as being bad housekeepers. I like a (somewhat) squared away place. But don't look in my garage right now. And women are expected to be the good cooks! See the upside, and always wear your parachute! -- Christopher Titus Shut Up & Jump!

Many Turks do call it a massacre, but not a genocide (as defined by "ethnic" or genetic cleansing). Many Armenian people worked in the government and lived all over the country. Turks use as evidence for their point of view that those Armenians were not rounded up and killed. Therefore, (in their definition), it was not a genocide. However, many hundreds of thousands (again, Turkish point of view) WERE indeed killed. Therefore, they admit to massacre (and of course blame it on the Ottomans, not Turks in general). Not to mention, the Turks were pretty busy with the ANZACs landing on Gallipoli 100 years ago today (not something they let the Ottomans have as a victory, since Mustafa Kemal was one of the military officers fighting there). Glad I got out of Turkey well before this commemoration got too involved. It must be a nightmare there this weekend! See the upside, and always wear your parachute! -- Christopher Titus Shut Up & Jump!

To quote another esteemed DZ.com regular: Jesus Tittyfucking Christ! Assuming these briefs had to be filed by lawyers actually admitted to a bar association, I'd say some statute should exist that automatically removes from the bar any attorney who uses ridiculous "evidence" such as this to support a position under consideration by the Supreme Court. This is just embarrassing. See the upside, and always wear your parachute! -- Christopher Titus Shut Up & Jump!

We must be related! See the upside, and always wear your parachute! -- Christopher Titus Shut Up & Jump!

L -- "Hey, J. Zed called. The high consulate from Solaxiant 9 wants floor seats for the Knicks-Bulls game." J -- "Alright. Let's put in a call to Dennis Rodman. He's from that planet." L -- "Rodman? You're kidding." J -- "Nope." L -- "Not much of a disguise." See the upside, and always wear your parachute! -- Christopher Titus Shut Up & Jump!

Considering the ones that do look like Kermit don't seem to have enough (read: any) meat on them anyway! Totally not worth your time. See the upside, and always wear your parachute! -- Christopher Titus Shut Up & Jump!

AP Style Guide (though some, such as the Wall Street Journal, have their own style guides). As to the other comment, also note how it is spelled correctly earlier in the article. This leads me to believe that when the story was formatted for print, "skydiving" needed to be hyphenated to wrap half of it to the next line. The format will stay as such when posted online. Happens a lot. See the upside, and always wear your parachute! -- Christopher Titus Shut Up & Jump!

A friend in NOLA says everybody north of I-10 are damn yankees. Um, City Park is north of I-10 in NOLA! As is Carrollton. Still NOLA! Yankee territory starting at the north shore of the lake? Yeah, I'd buy that! See the upside, and always wear your parachute! -- Christopher Titus Shut Up & Jump!

And here's another example. These girls ROCK! (especially that 9-yr-old) The Warning SO cool. See the upside, and always wear your parachute! -- Christopher Titus Shut Up & Jump!

We need to find an equivalent tag line to this one from Save the Tatas: "Save a Life, Grope Your Wife!" Standing by to read the suggestions. See the upside, and always wear your parachute! -- Christopher Titus Shut Up & Jump!

Just as disgusting (unless blood really does taste like wine). Then again, at least the egg had a nice chocolate outer shell! See the upside, and always wear your parachute! -- Christopher Titus Shut Up & Jump!

Where's the [puke] icon? That's disgusting! (and freakin' hilarous!! ) See the upside, and always wear your parachute! -- Christopher Titus Shut Up & Jump!

I just got a bill for the first month and a half for my cable and internet (no choice -- my apartment complex is served by ONE company only). They're charging me for the "enhanced" internet (up to 12 Mps download), but I'm still getting only about 5. At first they said it was because I was online during peak usage times. Then they checked to find I was only connected for "up to" 6 Mps). They said they'd fix it within a couple of days. It's been two weeks. Of course, I should have followed up, but I have a job during the day, and don't always get online in the evenings or weekends. Getting the bill reminded me that I have to make a phone call.... See the upside, and always wear your parachute! -- Christopher Titus Shut Up & Jump!

See the upside, and always wear your parachute! -- Christopher Titus Shut Up & Jump!

(yeah, I know this wasn't directed at me, but after reading some other recent posts....) My story is much like many others'. Moved for work for three years, and thought about committing to a hiatus -- but leaving my rig behind and KNOWING I wouldn't be able to jump was killing me. Got three jumps in three years, and am again not current. However, I'm nowhere near ready to sell my rig and give it up. Just gotta get a long weekend when I can go home and get several jumps in, then I'll start skydiving closer to my current location. How my story is different -- if you're getting bored, especially if you've been competing (or thought about it AT ALL), consider becoming a judge. There's more to this sport that just being the one departing the plane in flight! I may not have been jumping much during the past few years, but I've still been involved in the sport quite heavily by judging. It's also a great option to consider if you're recovering from a health issue, or taking a break to have/raise children. It's probably what keeps me determined to get back in the sky! See the upside, and always wear your parachute! -- Christopher Titus Shut Up & Jump!

Here is another perspective on your anxiety: with the abundance of high-performance activities you seem to like, is it safe to deduce that you pick up new skills pretty quickly? I'm certain you've heard a lot of mention already of how you need to get things right in skydiving, because the consequences of mistakes are so dire. Part of your "fear" likely is performance anxiety -- you know you *need* to get it right, and instructors are watching you, so you worry about getting *everything* right. That lingering question may be, "what if I forget _____?" Again, totally normal. The good news is that the progression is designed so that almost anyone can learn it safely. There is no dishonor in repeating a level. Your instructors are there to help you learn. Relax and enjoy the journey! See the upside, and always wear your parachute! -- Christopher Titus Shut Up & Jump!

How was it? I don't have HBO, so I'll probably have to order this on Netflix. See the upside, and always wear your parachute! -- Christopher Titus Shut Up & Jump!

I so hope his nickname is Storm. Nah. It's "Gale." See the upside, and always wear your parachute! -- Christopher Titus Shut Up & Jump!

Lots of other news going on in the country today (not to mention the world), and the news channels can't seem to get off this guy's medications, eye problems, years-old suicidal gestures.... I'd really like to hear more about what else is going on in the world right now! (Note: post kept vague to keep this in BF). See the upside, and always wear your parachute! -- Christopher Titus Shut Up & Jump!