kiltboy

Post-whore and surf. How many jumps is the bonus worth? Edited to say. Not curious about the money but consider how many future jumps you could miss out on. David

That's what I thought. David

I'm a bit confused about your reply to what I posted so I'll assume that you replied to the last in the thread. Lariam can screw with your mental state and that was why I was asking if anyone knew if it had been issued. I don't think it will have been but the guy may have been taking it anyway. I understand where you are coming from (I served as a reservist myself). David

Probably not relevant as I think I already now the answer but................. Does anyone know if anti-malaria medicine has been issued to US sevicemen? If so what is it? I don't believe it's been issued to UK troops in the region previously so I suspect it hasn't. Lariam is issued to UK forces and can have psychological side effects including but not limited to "having irrational thoughts" . I don't believe it's a factor here but I don't want to run to any conclusions. The Tornado downing poses another question. Why was a blip on radar, flying at a trajectory and speed not suitable for a missile and broadcasting IFF information engaged? David

Sorry arse? Apologies if you took my reply to Bill as an afront to your GF. Most of my friends have a PhD in chemistry, I may even have one myself in the near future. Quantum mechanics fried my brain. I 've seen tenured faculty lose their marbles and giggle at the lights in the elevator, from time to time I've thought I was losing the plot myself not to mention some of my friends. Nice to see that a sense of humour remains on these forums. David

I'm at UMASS though I'm jumping up in Orange. I'm getting out in a couple of months though. Suppose I'll have to get a job now. David

Bloody song's stuck in my head now. David

Oh go on please. Could you PM it if you don't want to post? David

Chances are after a PhD in Mathmatics you're bound to have a few screws loose. David

If you consider as well that the demo would be much more effective than reading the leaflet. David

Don't know about that argument. If the command and control has gone tits and scared Iraqi switches on TV then sees what's coming at him, wouldn't it add to the pressure for them to chuck in the towel or realise that the writing is on the wall and switch sides? David

That was my interpretation of why GW1 finished. Especially the "Highway of Death" (I know a guy in the Royal Engineers helped clean that up). Soldiers will act within the laws and customs of war but war is always the failure of diplomacy. Simply put I feel that there have been no teeth to enforce UN resolutions because of individual countries' political stance or an unwillingness to commit troops when not in their own interest. There lies the failure of diplomacy. SAddam had no intention of doing whtathe UN intended but the diplomacy failed when a concensus of those countries that could enforce the will of the UN chose not to do so. I don't agree with the historical references between 1939 and today, but yes SH is an evil guy. I also think the oil is going to stay with Iraq and not be stolen away. I also thought that taking out SH in GW1 would have screwed up the Arab nations in the coalition. I've read posts on this thread about sheep following orders and I will disagree given the debate that I've seen here and in other democratic forums. British Houses of Paliament, street of many cities in different countries etc. Sorry if I've addressed different points in a half-arsed way. David

My opinion is that it's stupid. There's a histoory of boycotting goods in the EU as the locals try to get money from a government department. Calais gets blockadad on a semi-regular basis. David

The Daily Show kicks ass. David

It would have to be a good thing. As Iraq is ruled by tyranny there will be little individual initiative for fear of upsettng the boss. So do we wait for the boss to tell us what to do? Therefore major inactivity or uncoordinated response which would then be ineffective. Hopefully it'll pretty much be decided before here can be a coordinated response. David

Sweet! the snow should have gone by then though it was pretty deep where it hadn't been cleared off. I think there may be bunk space (I've never used it so don't quote me but there are a shed load of mattresses around and there are showers. I did my AFF there and it's the only place I've jumped. The instruction is kickass plus the Otter is ex Norwegian military and still painted in camo. The weekend you mention is pretty much a recurrency weekend so it should be hopping but they'll look after you. David

I'm jumping at Jumptown, Orange. We even took the Otter up to 13,500 on Saturday. They had 8 loads with it Sunday. David

Didn't notice that I'd used that word. I have just came back from a beer run (Killian's anyone?) and it was a fantastic day so that's probably why I'm in a good mood. Spring is finally here. David

As a few people have commented on a wish to see happier thoughts I'd like to share mine. I'm now current again as of last weekend as I'd not jumped since Thanksgiving. The weather has only improved here in New England and today was no exception. Warm, no wind and clear blue skies. Half way through the week and I'll be jumping again Saturday. David

I was teaching chemistry here in the states and I received a classroom of blank stares because I pronounced it properly. David

Excellent post. Thank you for countering a genaralization with some resorced material. David

Sorry I don't follow your argument. I think the difference with regard to PIRA and private cittizens funding their activity is that there is proof in the public forum. Done on that thread. As I have said time and again there is an argument for action but GWB & co have presented it in a piss poor fashion. I have no political reasons for supporting or opposing what is about to happen so the political argument is a non starter. Calling up old presidents and innaccurate references to WW2 hasn't convinced me in anyway about what they are about to do. The diplomacy towards nations other than Iraq has been abysmal. The focus has been on the domestic audience with a half arsed attempt at getting a coalition together as the UN were dismissed from the get go. It's not about hating Bush, it's not about hating America but if Bush & co listened to the concerns expressed by other nations they could have intelligently countered them. I've seen better arguments presented on these boards than I've heard from members of the US and UK governments. David

Afternoon Rhino. I'm not sure what you would accept as proof, possibly a conviction in a court of law that someone associated with NORAID was a terrorist perhaps. I did a quick search and found a few dubious websites but I also found this one. http://www.buffaloirish.com/noraid.htm If you read through the text on it you see language referring to persons convicted under anti-terrorism legislation as prisoners of war. Notably Bobby Sands who was under UK law a convicted terrorist. I find it hard to argue that NORAID is not sympathetic to terrorism activity. Taken from their own webpage www.inac.org "Irish Northern Aid continues to support the struggle for a united Ireland and works with the Republican movement in Ireland to help former political prisoners. Through Coiste na n-Iarchimí (The Ex-Prisoners Coordinating Committee), we provide financial support for organizations that assist ex-POWs and their families with personal, family and career counseling, job training and support in fighting the social and economic discrimination they face because of their status as veterans. We continue to assist the families of current Republican political prisoners, as well as, the families of volunteers who have died for their country." I've read plenty here about people that support terrorists should go. Paying money to suicude bombers etc. How would you feel about folks supporting the people and families of the people held at camp x-ray? David

Or the ones that once got a postcard from a friend. THe organised crime is the main source of cash. Do you remember a series of killings claimed by a group called "direct action against drugs"? More like direct action against the competition. David

Did you ever see the movie where he played himself through ww2? David