Everon

You know, after having a day to reflect upon it, I look at it now as well needed experience - as I'm sure you do - I learned, and I guess that makes it worth it (and of course I still had fun). - Thanks to all for your useful input!. Cheers, Dale.

My thoughts will be with her - what a wonderful person. Here's to her safety and ability to do some good where help is desperately needed.

This afternoon, I attempted my AFF level 3 and failed miserably. I've heard level 3 is where some jumpers run into trouble, but not the way I did. The exit went beautifully and I concentrated on arch and body position while in the hill and was feeling confident and comfortable. I did my COA well (so I thought) and for the first time saw the videographer very close to me (I didn't see him on either of my first two jumps, as I was concentrating on other things). Dumbass that I can be mistook him for a skydiver too close (brainlock) and moved forward to get away from him. In the meantime I didn't do my PHTs, but was wondering why they were still holding me. My main JM shook my wrist and showed me a COA signal, and then shortly thereafter showed me her altimeter - but by this time I was on Mars and it didn't register. Then she shook my wrist again some seconds later and gave me the pull signal, and this did register - and the rest went smoothly. It wasn't until about 1000 ft. or so that it finally sunk in that I just made the biggest asshole of myself! The good thing is, I guess, is that I explained to them that my only brain cell malfunctioned and they were very understanding of this. In fact, the RS JM (5,200 jumps) asked me to look him up for a re-try, and the MS said she will jump with me again anytime. Both were very emphatic that my body position was excellent, and the videographer told me he would have paid to have such good body position at my level - so I am not discouraged by this jump (as I was for a few minutes after the disaster). Funny event aside, I have questions for which some of you experienced jumpers may have insight to offer. During training, I'm always a tad nervous, and my instructors can see this and are always telling me to relax. This is also true in the plane, but when I do the checks and step out, I'm no longer nervous at all (and wasn't today - I just brainlocked). I can tell you honestly that I am not nervous about the possibility of injury nor death, rather it's making a mistake that flusters me, as I am somewhat of a perfectionist even when I know I cannot perform to the best of my ability. If there is some way I can get over this, it would help me tremendously, because going from nervous to immediate relaxation still leaves me vulnerable to the brainlock I experienced today .

The problem is that FEMA, among others (the white house, state and local governments) knew for some time that the levees would be breached in a cat 4/5 hurricane. To be sure, there would have been those that had the "I'll weather it" mentality. But, having known this, as I've stated in another forum, somebody should have been emphatic and told the residents that death is a real possibility if you stay. They knew, and were not emphatic. I blame all of them. The ones that stayed and could've left would have thought twice if the truth was laid out emphatically.

Now now, settle down! Bushy comments not allowed

I'll be the first to admit there are many honest victims that, unless absolutely necessary, wouldn't do this. But this, THIS, makes me sick. www.wimp.com/orleans/

The fact is, plenty of entities knew that the levees would not withstand a cat 4. The white house, FEMA, state and local governments all knew. Some congressmen were pushing for much better funding to ensure NO wouldn't become part of the gulf. (Bush's dismal budget proposals were always upped by congress, and it was still woefully short of the needed amount to get it done in a timely manner). But the bottom line is why did none of these entities say "GET OUT NOW, THE LEVEES WILL BE BREACHEAD, YOU ARE LIKELY TO BE KILLED!" Perhaps this would have saved many more lives. IMO, they are all to blame.

A can of raid lady? Hausfrau ist wahnsinnig!

Wow, this thread full of bullshit is certainly going to distort my probability distribution function analysis of the probability of the word "bullshit" in these forums.

The poverty level has risen, and middle class income has dropped 5% since he took office. Yes, corporate America and the upper class are doing just fine. In the words of Warren Buffet: "I'm winning, and I don't like it."

In these recent cases of infiltration of god into the science classes, I have come to the conclusion that the best attack is satirical articles such as these - not to mention they are quite entertaining.

"A Wild Ride" - Non-fiction that is WAY better than fiction. Trust me!

Definitely a funny one!

What a wonderful way to teach our future leaders to respect others.

You and I disagree on gullibility, but, hey, that makes for a good debate. I do agree with you to some extent on your thoughts, though. I believe people here just accept what they're told as the "gospel." For example, approximately 76% of U.S. citizens is christian. And the vast majority that I have met have this "magic bullet mentality" and accept things they are told with no scrutiny. I'm not sure on the percentages on this one, but I guarantee you that very few have actually read the bible from cover to cover. I have, on my own volition, and this led me straight to atheism. Not only is it wildly inaccurate and unverifiable, it's the most repulsively disgusting book I've ever read. But they are unaware of the vulgarity of it because they've never read it. I have a master's in science, so I'm trained to accept nothing without solid proof or at the very least extremely compelling evidence - and this training flows over to all aspects of research I do - including sorting through what's reality and what's bullshit in the media. At one time, three quarters of the American public believed in a SH OBL connection. The first time I heard that one blurted out of sonny boy's mouth I couldn't stop laughing. Then to hear that 75% buy it? BEGGARS BELIEF! Not one of those people could have possibly done their homework on the relationship between the two.

I completely agree with you. I've been a U.S. citizen my whole life, and learned many years ago to take any information from the media here with a huge grain of salt. I always look elsewhere. The problem is that the people here are extremely gullible, and tend to believe anything thrown at them without even the slightest interest in doing any verifiable research. As far as 9/11 goes, Saudi Arabia is where one should look for links. And there will never be any ties found between SH and Osama bin Laden's network. After the Afghan war, OBL wanted to team up with Saudi Arabia to attack Iraq for invading Kuwait. The kingdom instead allied itself with the U.S. and let troops in. This infuriated OBL. By this point in time, OBL labeled SH an infidel, and remains one to this day. There is no way he would have ever worked with him. NO WAY.

!!!! That was a CLASSIC!

Hey, I joined before you. And I'm also involved in litigation against the Kansas moron board over intelligent falling (it's not gravity, it's god pushing us towards earth)!

If you can remember even just a phrase from any song, type "'phrase' lyrics" into your search engine and 99 times out of 100 you'll get the title and artist, then download away.

1) What's your name? Dale 2) how old are you? 40 3) Why did you decide to start jumping out of airplanes? The rides at Cedar Point just weren't doing it for me anymore. 4) Are you single or taken? Single 5) Do you have kids? No 6) What do you drive? 2003 Cavalier 7) Have you ever done a kisspass? No 8) Where do you live? Northfield, Ohio, just outside of Cleveland. 9) Do you have any pets? Yes, a standardbred racehorse. 10) How many jumps do you have? 2 11) What color eyes do you have? Brown 12) What is your nationality? German 13) Have you ever dated someone off the internet? No - never! 14) Favorite movie? Kill Bill Vol. 1 15) What do you do when you aren't skydiving? Take care of racehorses, spend time on the web, and brush up on any science (physical or mathematical) that piques my interest. 16) Have you ever BASE jumped? No 17) If not, do you want to? No interest as of now. 18) Do you have siblings? Yes, 1 sister, and another sister that we don't associate with . 19) Where do you want to travel? Deutschland, natuerlich! 20) What's your favorite color? A tie - royal blue and black. 21) Where was the last place you have flown? Every plane I've been in I have leapt from - twice. Nice to meet all of you!!!!

Go for it yourself - you'll know immediately if it's worth pursuing. Don't waste any more time.

Unfortunately, Cedar Point is not open on the 6th. I've only been there once this year - best AP on the planet!

Plan 9 from Outer Space Robot Monster Empire of the Ants Night of the Lepus Ahhhhh, gotta love the best of the worst. These 4 will have anyone in stitches!

Please don't give them any ideas!!!!

There's a skydiving video on a website that I can't make any sense of. It looks like the instructor led the student to pull his cutaway handle, but the canopy deploys just before the harness rips away. Could you more experienced guys out there explain this one? Also, it seems to me that this guy didn't receive enough training. Go to www.dailyfoo.com. On the left, click "Video," then scroll down to "very unlucky guy."