Abuaeden

I heard someone called a "douche canoe" the other day. I chuckled.

Ding! Fifteen minutes are up.

I was reading through the posts on their page and I got the impression that a student landed on it. Possibly one of the Qatari jumpers who was getting his instructions via translator?

I should probably stop but I can't help myself.

LOL! Busted! Check the date on our friend's post. This was posted on Skydive Lake Wales' Facebook page by another jumper. https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/68588_4565420579826_636332911_n.jpg Edited to provide the source of the photo.

Actually, the iris scans are being done from inches away.. not meters. Its not like the United States where we have to be subtle. You can set up a checkpoint, require everyone passing through the checkpoint to give an iris scan and fingerprint, enter their name next to their bio-data, and send them on their way. Then if/when they're arrested in connection with an event, they're scanned and their information is verified. Are the giving the same name as they were when they were enrolled? Where were they enrolled previously? What were the circumstances of their enrollment? Was it at a checkpoint or in connection to a different event in a different area? Do some Google searches for HIIDE and SEEK. Clever, eh?

Without getting into too many details and to preserve operational security, check this out: http://www.army.mil/article/51768/troopers-deploy-hiide-system-at-border-crossing-point/ A person can be entered into the database for any number of reasons. Maybe they were detained on suspicion of being involved in some sort of anti-coalition force activity. They could have been entered into the system during mandatory bio-enrollments. Maybe their fingerprints were found on ammunitions found in a weapons cache. The system is just a mobile device to check and see if anyone has put the subject into the system and why.

I'm baffled at your complete inability to take ownership of your actions. You didn't want to get the tattoo because you thought it was offensive? Someone else told you it was ok? Grow up and take responsibility for yourself. So you wouldn't have gotten the tattoo if you knew it was offensive to more people than those who recognize sharia law? Why is it, then, when you found out people WERE offended, you wouldn't make an effort to resolve the issue? I know when I find out I've inadvertently offended someone, I do my best to make sure they understand that it was unintentional and help ensure it doesn't happen again. That is just good manners and respect. According to your own words, Betty did not force you to leave. In your mind, making a statement was more important than compromise. That is fine.. everyone has their priorities. So how about some integrity in telling your story? A better description of what happened here seems to be, "Betty told me my tattoo was offending another group of customers and asked if I'd be willing to either put on long pants or cover it with tape. I said no and left." You're right.. in England a fag is a cigarette. I'm sure you wouldn't have any problem with someone wearing a shirt that says "I hate fags" and then claiming its an anti-smoking shirt he got from a trip to London when he gets kicked out of a business. Stop trying to sell the line that the word kafir is a simple declaration of non-belief. Your claim that it means "one without faith" in America is even more absurd. Americans are who have turned that word into what it means now. I think I've sufficiently demonstrated how the word is used in America earlier in this post. Enough about that. Finally, next time you tell this story, leave out the part about being a vet. Your behavior is embarrassing. You had a good run, but its over now. The whole story is coming out and people familiar with your antics are coming forward. I hope it was worth it.

The fifteen minute timer was about to ding.. you know SOMETHING had to be done.

/facepalm

Well, I can see this topic has been sufficiently beat into the ground. I've been lurking around the forums off and on for a few years now.. this topic was the first that prompted me to join the conversation because it dealt with so many things that are relevant in my life.. Arabic, tattoos (I have a couple Arabic language tattoos myself), skydiving and the Army. On a happier note, I should be home, back in the States, in a little over a month. I had already planned a vacation with the family down in the Orlando area in June. I'll be staying in Davenport and I just checked.. SLW is less than 20 miles away! I had already planned to spend at least an afternoon at a Florida DZ and it would be awesome if anyone from this thread, whether we agreed or not, wanted to meet up there for some tasty beverages after the beer light. -zack

I could point out that I am doing it, currently in Afghanistan, and have been for almost 16 years now but that would only serve to reinforce the idea that the jumpers veteran status is somehow relevant to this issue. Its not. Military service is not a free license to be a jerk.

Don't get sucked into believing that his tattoo was an innocent declaration of non-belief. It is a provocation, nothing more. http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=4467380#4467380

So here we go. I took about five minutes to find some images for those who believe the fun jumper was simply trying to tell the world he's not Muslim. THIS is how the word 'kafir' is being used. Notice the font is identical, to include the abnormally long space between the 'K' (the thing that looks like a less-than sign on the right side of the word) and the "A" (the vertical line connected at the bottom) in the word 'kafir.' http://carryingthegun.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/majorleagueinfidel.jpg http://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0168/7224/products/DECAL_INFIDEL_5INCH_large.jpg?243 http://img0.etsystatic.com/000/0/5607637/il_fullxfull.256168832.jpg http://product-images.highwire.com/2349177/infidel--ak.jpg http://rlv.zcache.com/ar_15_infidel_poster-rc6787addad4e4f709afefdd9b9eb6413_wi3_400.jpg http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSvtSWHFne8MlEse_QJHHtCIqewyX2xbadeChuGAj6klYK1c_D4 http://www.decalvantage.com/images/source/rifle_gun_infidel.jpg http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTpgYWtPwnDULsb4IA0rFt15XWt0aU1jH2FJdSCsqkVufkumBP6

Actually, in this instance, if he worked at the DZ, along-side another employee who was a Muslim, and the DZ did not require him to cover-up his tattoo, the Muslim employee could bring a discrimination claim against the DZ for creating and/or tolerating a hostile work environment. OK, pay me. Unless, of course, the Muslim employee were a combat vet with a Purple Heart and an ARCOM with "V" device himself. Then the only logical course of action would be to post something on his blog.