skysquiffy

Which of course you are entitled to do, but you really are being naive if you believe there is any victory or thwarting of ANY terrorist organization. You insist on talking about the western world. The U.S. was galvanized after 9/11, the U.S. are now aware and awake. Maybe it was smallish compared to what's BEING planned, right now while we sit here. I'm English. I currently live in the U.S. and have since 1984. I was in Knightsbridge, London during Christmas of 1983. My Mum and Dad and I were there to see a play. Personally, I find your "9/11 woke up the world" offensive and a typically isolationist American view. You're in the club now, but you're new inductees. The world didn't start caring simply because America walked through the door.

Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb "Gentlemen, you can't fight in here! This is the War Room."

I am, however, speaking specifically about AQ...who we weren't terribly scared of, according to our actions, through the 90s. They were seen as a threat, but since it hadn't materialized here in the US, it wasn't taken terribly seriously. I don't mean the US only, either. The Brits didn't get too involved in AQ, not militarily, nor did the Germans, French, Spanish, et cetera, until 9/11. It was on our soil, sure, but it was also a wake up call to the entire western world that if it could happen here, it could happen there. And we (globally) were galvanized by that attack. The fact that there hasn't been an attack on our soil - although many have been planned and attempted - since 9/11 despite AQ's clear determination to do so, to me, speaks to the efficacy of what the global efforts have yeilded. The western world has been awake, aware and dealing with these acts for many years. 9/11 was the U.S. wakeup call. The name of the group is irrelevant. They're interchangable. Al-qaeda, al-qaeda in Europe, Judean People's Front or the People's Front of Judea. All that matters is that at any given time, there are countless groups, cults, sects, that feel that the best way to make their point is with a very loud bang. Relative silence from a terrorist org doesn't necessarily mean defeat. On the contrary, it could mean lots and lots of planning.

No, I know it did not. But it was 9/11 which brought us (again, globally) to a position wherein we were willing to take some significant measures against terrorism, including the IRA, and other "western" groups (in funding, ease of movement, and so forth.). Thus that is what I was referring to; basically since then, rather than before (I know AQ was active in the 90's - I've been following them since the WTC '93 attack). And I do also understand the long term view, going back in history and seeing terrorist activities throughout the decades. But again, I was specifically referencing AQ and the battle against them. And I still think that we've managed to hinder them pretty well. I don't think anyone would disagree that if the hard targets were available, we'd have spectacular attacks on a regular basis. But the hard targets got harder, we got active and froze $$ and made some significant arrests, went into Afghanistan and overturned their government. AQ is no longer the big, bad, scary threat they were on 9/10, 9/11, and 9/12...that's all I'm getting at. And again, as I stated in my first post, I could be completely wrong; it is how I feel, however. By "us" you mean the U.S. The rest of the world has been combatting terrorism and it's realities a bit longer than 4 years. In fact, The U.S. has too. Cut of the head, the body will sprout 5 more. That's terrorism. It's a cancer, there's no curing it. Throw everything you want at it, it's not going away.

That's very positive, and probably a good attitude, but terrorism didn't start with 9/11. Go back through history, and look at the number of terrorist acts that occur in a 4 year time period. When al-qaeda fucks off (or any of the other countless terrorist organizations out there), there'll be another, equally dangerous and determined group to take their place. They'll feel equally justified and righteous about killing.

The people that work and live in the area couldn't give a fuck about the politics, religion and personal views of whoever did this. Likewise, they couldn't care less about the prattlings of a bunch of knobheads discussing how to fix this shit. The fact is, the people who did this are not in any shape, way or form living in the same reality as anyone who sees the evil in it. If it was al-qaeda or some related group, then I'd bet a million of anyone's currency that the members couldn't find Iraq if you gave them a fucking globe and pointed to the middle east. We're not safe, ever. There's always someone with a big stick, nothing to live for and a fanatical view around the corner. And that's all I have to say about that.

Hey, thanks for all the responses. I intentionally left out what MY opinion of this guy's comments were so I could get unbiased thoughts. I must say, I was shocked by his statement. I've been to several strip clubs, and I've ALWAYS had a positive experience. I've never felt any negative vibes from male patrons, in fact, quite the contrary. Interestingly enough I've found guys in strip clubs to be more respectful of me and the other women than in "regular" bars. Maybe it's because there are such rigid codes of conduct in strip joints? My general impression of this dude is that he's a male chauvenist (another guy friend who was there, stated that he thought that was maybe the most sexist comment he had ever heard). I'm really glad that people seem to think this guy has a rare attitude and he's not the norm. My thought was that he didn't like having to be reminded that the women were actual people. Anyway, the dancers seem to love us being there, and if you're game they'll use you as a prop Thanks for all the feedback!

I'd like the guys opinion on this please. A male friend and I were discussing what we did over the weekend. On Friday, I was at a strip club (I'm female) with some friends. A good time was had by all. His comment to me was "I don't want to see any woman in a strip club that isn't working". I'd like to know from the guys how they view female clientele in a titty bar. Thanks!

***Smoking is a useless compulsion/activity/habit, etc... Driving a car to work to keep the aircraft flying is useful and the world would come to a halt o everyone quit doing it I can, we all can pollute the air in the effort to get to work; we shouldn't pollute other people's personal space with carcinogens so we can perpetuate our compulsions. *** The earth would stop spinning on it's axis if we stopped driving and flying? Our society would certainly change, but actually, the earth's "health" would improve. It's easy to impose restrictions on actions as long as they don't inconvenience us. Either something is harmful or it isn't.

Here are 2 options: http://www.geocities.com/Petsburgh/Yard/4614/ and, http://www.petfinder.com/ Seriously, if you have the room and time for another pet, please adopt a cat that needs both.

No, there's limits...next thing you know, you'll go all "mod" on us. Wearing a suit and have a Vespa with a fuckload of mirrors on it. Hahaha OK, now I'm offended! Circa 1983-5 I spent every Saturday in my mid-teens hanging at the end of Carnaby street (London). You shoulda seen the scooters. Oh, and we mods were very fucking cool. BTW, I'm no rider, but I'm a hell of a passenger, which takes a certain kind of skill and a ton of trust.

Ok, I'm no mechanic, but how do they know he was going 174mph? Was he clocked doing that prior to the crash? Sorry if this is a silly question. Oh, and where is that?

There's a fantastic book called Emma & I by Sheila Hocken. It's the true story about a blind woman and her seeing eye lab, Emma.

It's a little risky to make assumptions about where someone was born (or raised). I've got a pretty distinct English accent, but it's changed since I've lived over here and my language contains American slang. I've had southerners ask if I'm from the East coast. Many people ask if I'm Australian. Anyway, what prompted this question initially was a written question in this forum. Of course you can't hear accents here and there are many international members. I've had people tell me they're English when they discover I am. When I ask where they were born, it's been somewhere in the U.S.. In my fairly well travelled experience, this is unique to this country.

How?

I really don't understand your aggression. I didn't slam the U.S. or the people. I didn't say anything was "right or wrong" so please don't put words in my mouth. I'm trying to understand the desire of MOST people that were born in the U.S. to identify with the countries that their ancestors were from. Why do you take that as an insult or an attack? I have found a lot of the posts to be very informative.

Well, in actuality, all those responses are correct for an English person. You do realize that there are several different countries in GB and UK? That's a political discussion though and not relevant to my question. I don't believe I stereotyped anyone. I've been in this country for many years and I've observed first hand that this is how MOST people respond. The question was prompted by the "get to know you" post. I didn't ask the question in Incidents or Safety and Training. Really, there was no offense intended, I'm sorry you took it that way. I'm not really sure why I elicited such a defensive reaction from you. My question was neutral. I passed no judgement or reason.

But isn't American a culture? It's not like Americans don't have their own identity. Why claim another one (or several) that they probably have little to no direct knowledge of?

As I said, I've got a bunch of stuff in my ancestry too. Most people do, regardless of the country they were born in. I still don't understand why American's don't just say, "I'm American".

I've found that American's, when asked their nationality, will answer with some ancestry breakdown "I'm, 10% Italian, 30% Polish, 3% Icelandic, 7% Cherokee, 40% Welsh and 10% German". When I first came here, I thought how on earth are these people born in more than one country? Please explain, I still find this baffling. I've got a lot of stuff in family tree too, but I was born in England, so I'm English.

I did figure that out, I was giving him a little shit And Ixtapa was amazing (again). Did a tandem with Sparky. Well and 7 other people....James, Rook, Missy, Sellwyn, Eric, Brad, Enzo....unfuckingbelievable. What a way to get back in the air after a year & 1/2 off.

It's one of the coolest docks in freefall. Does that help? i hate being the noob WTF is a noob?

It's one of the coolest docks in freefall. Does that help?

1. Whats your name? Emma 2. How old are you? 37 3. Why did you decide to start jumping out of airplanes? It's like most other things that I've done. I refuse to leave this world not trying something I think I would enjoy. 4. Are you single or taken? Married? Single. 5. Do you have kids? No 6. What do you drive? A beat up 1995 Corolla that I love (cause it's paid off and runs great) 7. Have you ever done a kisspass? Several, from both sexes. 8. Where do you live? Chicago 9. Do you have any pets? A huge grey lion of a cat (Mingus), a huge chestnut thoroughbred horse called Bill Me Later (Billy), and a feisty fish called Fish. 10. How many jumps do you have? 136 11. What color eyes do you have? Blue/Grey/Green 12. What is your nationality? British 13. Have you ever dated someone you met off the internet? No. 14. Favorite Movie/s? Life of Brian, Midnight Run, the Black Stallion, Dean Poets Society, Gladiator (guess why) 15. What do you do when you arent skydiving? Work, ride my horse 3-4 times a week, scuba, workout, play my piano. 16. Have you ever BASE jumped? No 17. If not... do you want to? No, but I'd love to be a spectator/support for jumpers doing the "E" part. They go to some of the most amazing natural places, and I'd get to watch my friends. 18. Do you have siblings? 1 brother, 1 sister 19. Where do you want to travel to the most? Been to a lot of places already, but I need to get to Alaska, Australia, Nepal and Peru. 20. What's your favorite color? Almost all of them. 21. Where was the last place you flew to ( not skydiving )? Ixtapa, Mexico

Actually, I'm more a vodka and juice drinker. I've been here on and off for about 15 years now. I go back a lot, but it's not enough. Obviously.