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IMO Finland and Sweden should be voted in and Turkey voted out. Sweden and Finland have given sanctuary to some Islamic members and groups that Turkey has issues with. Associated with the coup and the PKK. So Turkey is likely going to want accommodation for that. U.S. sanctions Turkey over purchase of Russian S-400 missile system

Common sense appears to elude you.

I can’t believe I just did that Wendy P.

Absolutely. You can't hold someones origins against them, even in extreme cases. For example, I know several base jumpers and freeflyers that became skydivers and they are the most wonderful peeps.

Hi folks, The following ( a rather long read, so you are warned ) appears today in the local newspaper & their on-line version of it. I consider it rather thoughtful. Possibly you will also. Jerry Baumchen By Therese Bottomly | The Oregonian/OregonLive After the historic leak of a draft U.S. Supreme Court opinion earlier this month, the issue of abortion rights leaped back into the news headlines. The court’s possible decision to overturn Roe vs. Wade, the 1973 ruling that said there was a constitutional right to abortion, means readers will be seeing a lot of coverage of the issue in coming weeks. That provides a prime opportunity to review our journalistic style guidelines for when The Oregonian/OregonLive’s reporters are writing news articles about abortion and abortion rights. Most news organizations follow writing guidelines for clarity and conformity. The Associated Press provides news articles to thousands of news organizations, and many follow its dictates on grammar, usage, punctuation and other points of style. Many newsrooms, like The Oregonian/OregonLive, have their own style guides, adapted to reflect local norms. For example, we tend to refer to Interstate 84, rather than the Banfield Freeway. Oregonians say “the beach” or “the coast,” while elsewhere in the country it might be “the shore.” Style decisions help readers by providing clarity and consistency and the right language choices make writing sound familiar and authentic to local readers. But style guidelines are also important because language choices convey powerful messages. Special interests of all sorts adopt language that helps make their case, softens harsh facts and – sometimes – cloaks the truth. Think of how businesses, perhaps even this one, inform you of rate changes: it’s not an increase, it’s an adjustment! I suppose it is the written equivalent of the television commercial listing all the nasty side effects of a medication while the screen shows smiling faces and jaunty music plays in the background. In the abortion context, The Oregonian/OregonLive largely follows AP style on word choice, with the primary goal being accuracy. The Associated Press Stylebook entry on abortion reads as follows: Use the modifiers anti-abortion or abortion-rights; don’t use pro-life, pro-choice or pro-abortion unless they are in quotes or proper names. So, to be clear, if we are quoting someone who uses the phrase “pro-choice” we would report their quote verbatim, but we would not use that label ourselves. Similarly, if “pro-life” is part of a group’s name, we report that, but we would not independently describe an anti-abortion group as “pro-life.” Some readers may disagree with these decisions, but once language has been co-opted by advocates on whatever side, it becomes politicized. For instance, think about the difference between “unborn child” and “fetus.” Fetus is the medically accurate term at a certain stage of pregnancy, but people who are anti-abortion tend to use “unborn child.” The AP Stylebook’s guidance on these terms reads as follows: Anti-abortion advocates say “fetus” devalues a human life; abortion-rights supporters argue “unborn child” or “baby” equate termination of a pregnancy with murder by emphasizing the fetus’s humanity. Write clearly and sensitively, using any of the terms when appropriate: Fetus, which refers to the stage in human development from the eighth week of pregnancy to birth, is preferred in many cases, including almost all scientific and medical uses… In scientific uses referring to the first seven weeks of human development after conception, use embryo. The context or tone of a story can allow for unborn baby or child in cases where fetus could seem clinical or cold… The abortion divide often is characterized as binary, when polling shows much more nuanced – and even contradictory – views among the American public. This is an area where journalists could do a better job in reflecting all of the shades of gray. For instance, a 2022 Pew Research Center survey found continued strong overall support for abortion rights: “More Americans say abortion should be legal in all or most circumstances (61%) than illegal in all or most circumstances (37%).” But here are additional survey findings, quoted directly: --Nearly half of U.S. adults (48%) say there are circumstances in which abortion is morally wrong but should nevertheless be legal. --Most people (72%) say that “the decision about whether to have an abortion should belong solely to the pregnant woman” describes their views at least somewhat well, and more than half (56%) say the same about the statement “human life begins at conception, so a fetus is a person with rights.” --And about a third of Americans who generally support legal abortion (33%) say the statement “human life begins at conception, so a fetus is a person with rights” describes their own view at least “somewhat” well. In times of high emotions and a politically charged atmosphere, when writing news articles journalists should lead the way in providing clear-eyed facts, solid data, and historical context. All of these contribute to accurate reporting of even the most divisive issues.

Maybe not... they might actually be looking for a logbook for judging. If so, I am guessing it might be a hard thing to find something prepared for that purpose. "Judge Logbooks Each Judge is required to maintain a logbook, in which is recorded the judging activity of the Judge concerned, together with details of the class of competition judged as well as details of any judging positions held (Principle, Event, Chief or Chief of Judge Training). Each entry recording competition judging activity must contain at least the following information: date of competition, name of competition, name of CJ, location, function, discipline(s) judged, and the number of jumps/performances actually judged in each discipline. The results (including written and practical test scores achieved) together with the location, discipline(s) and the number of all jumps/performances judged for all re-evaluations and/or training courses taken must be recorded in the same logbook and must be signed by the Chief of Judge Training. The required personal data includes, at a minimum: full name, a passport sized photograph, country of residence and NAC. The Chief Judge at each competition should sign for the authenticity and correctness of the activity recorded in the logbook. The Chief Judge may have his logbook signed by any Principal Judge, the Meet Director or the Organizer. Note: At the International FAI level, the Sporting Code, Section 5 requires that all entries in a judge’s logbook be in English."

That is not true. Like everything else about trump he likes to play both sides of any issue. Then play to his base. Then blame others. Feb 22, 2022 "Donald Trump on Wednesday called Russian President Vladimir Putin "very smart" for launching a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, suggesting that he supports a military conflict that will lead to untold civilian death. "I mean, he's taken over a country for $2 worth of sanctions. I'd say that's pretty smart," Trump said during a Mar-a-Lago fundraiser. "He's taking over a country, literally, a vast, vast, location, a great piece of land with a lot of people, and just walking right in." Despite praising the invasion, Trump also claimed that it "never would have happened" under his watch, saying that he knows Putin "very well … almost as well as anybody in this room." "March 1: “The RINOs, Warmongers, and Fake News continue to blatantly lie and misrepresent my remarks on Putin because they know this terrible war being waged against Ukraine would have never happened under my watch … There should be no war waging now in Ukraine, and it is terrible for humanity that Biden, NATO, and the West have failed so terribly in allowing it to start.” So they are to blame and not Putin? "March 15: “Now with what’s going on with Russia and Ukraine, among many other things, the great and wonderful people of Hungary need the continued strong leadership of Prime Minister Viktor Orban more than ever.” (Note that, among the NATO countries, Orbán has taken a uniquely pro-Russia stance. So Trump’s argument that “what’s going on with Russia and Ukraine” makes his election more important directly implies that Orbán’s refusal to support NATO’s response to the invasion makes him more valuable.) Only once did Trump use an active-voice construction to identify Russia as the aggressor (“If the Election wasn’t Rigged … Russia would not have attacked Ukraine”). On every other occasion, he has relied on verbal contortions to mask its author." Not once has trump called for Russia to get out of Ukraine. Not once has he called out Putin's crimes in Ukraine. Instead he praises Orban of Hungary. The sole European country refusing to limit Russian oil exports. trump would never have led, or allowed, any international effort to sanction Putin. That is a fact.

Your video must be very distressing for Russia. Imagine the embarrassment for the world’s largest country to be getting its ass kicked by a small effeminate high heal wearing Zelenskyy.

The hundredth monkey is a largely discredited theory; it’s more complicated than that. But more than anything, if true, the hundredth monkey is only the last one to take some outlandish idea on before it supposedly becomes general. He’s not the harbinger of truth. And an identification with a hundredth monkey kind of implies an outsized sense of one’s influence. This is my perception, not the result of detailed analysis but then most people who come here with lots of claims to true knowledge tend to have an outsized sense of their importance. Among other things, this is the not-quite-moribund political subforum of a skydiving website; it’s where the people who just couldn’t play nicely with the others were consigned to. Wendy P.

You would seem to be the only monkey.

Christians will get their reward in the Kingdom to come. This world is not for you, it is for those like me.

All about White Replacement Theory... er Great Replacement Theory. The shooter lived 200 miles away and chose that location because it had the highest number of Blacks. According to an internet search he did and his manifesto. "The Great Replacement” has made its way into mainstream consciousness in the past several years. From the chants of “Jews Will Not Replace Us” on the University of Virginia campus to then-U.S. Rep. Steve King’s tweeted protest, “We can’t restore our civilization with somebody else’s babies,” to Fox News’ Tucker Carlson’s complaints that the Democratic party is attempting to “replace the current electorate” with “third-world voters,” the racist conspiracy theory has well and truly arrived." Its illegal to yell fire in a movie theater. Yet the networks that preach White nationalism are promoted, idealized.

He's doing lip service, the bare minimum to condemn Putin because in truth he loves Putin. He can't hide it. But given how selfish he is, even he can see being linked to Putin isn't going to benefit him. And benefiting Trump is all Trump cares about. Even after the war started he was still heaping praises on Putin - that falls in the category of "these days". No, you're just telling yourself that because you dislike lefties more than you dislike Trump. Fine, dislike lefties, but lying to yourself won't do you any good.

And again... At least we can be confident that these Russian bots have not achieved any sort of self-awareness or self-consciousness.

Trump has certainly been flattering of Putin in earlier times, but you would do well to take an actual look at "these days"; Barely a month ago Trump was asked during an interview with Piers Morgan if he would now agree that Putin was a "...an evil genocidal monster?" and responded with "I do, for sure, and who wouldn't? What’s happening is horrible." , in addition to stating that he regarded Putin's threats of nuclear strikes as unacceptable and would counter them with reminders of the West's superior arsenal. Therefore; these days it's not the 'best mates' narrative that lefties continue to sell. I dislike Trump myself, I've said it several times, but he should be disliked for valid reasons rather than outdated narratives.

Russia attempted to establish a bridgehead with up to two BTGs of the 41st Combined Arms Army but sustained heavy losses at Bilohorivka. Three failed attempts and they lost most of two Battalion Tactical Groups including most armor. I watched the opening 20 minutes of "Enemy at the Gates" last night as a reminder. They haven't changed at all: political decisions mean local commanders will sacrifice thousands of troops in obedience just to save their own asses. As more sophisticated western arms flood in you have to like Ukraines chances.

She's an amazing woman. What the hell she sees in me...

Have you noticed that most people who make claims have some sort of verification? I have yet to see you do anything but make claims. Every one of them false. Back your claims up or shut the fuck up. Have a nice day

The main reason most directors are either DZOs or some other industry insider is that no one else is willing to do the job. It is not a plum position, the main reward is social interaction with peers and some self satisfaction for contributing. It is almost all boring tedious administrative chores. And taking criticism. All that said I guess Luke screwed up enough that yes, he should resign.

Oh, I completely agree with everything you said; both on the national director side and on the FAA side. It’s unacceptable, period. I’m not really for across the board term limits (experience does have some advantages), but most of our institutions, including USPA, go too far in the other direction, with, effectively, lifetime appointments Wendy P.

Be careful Brent, I think he's a troll.

The trick is to come up with something to sell. Maybe the separatist regions get circled with a sharpie and called a demilitarized zone and the population gets to take a UN supervised vote on statehood. If they vote to be a part of Russia, which seems likely, the EU might then fund the repatriations to Ukraine. New promises to be broken and lie filled proclamations are made and everyone pitches in on the clean up paid for by buying Russian gas and oil at a discount. The Canadians can turn the thumb screws on Putins squeeze a little tighter to get some inside support for the deal and the Germans can work with the Italians to free up his yacht so he has a place to hide for a while. Bada Bing!

One of the biggest problems with replacing a dictator is that a successful dictator has removed (usually permanently) anyone else capable of leading the country. That was a problem in Iraq in 03.

Putin is in an untenable situation from most reports. We like to think that by removing a 'bad man' from power (think Saddam Hussein), sweetness and light will prevail. Unfortunately, the despot in charge is often the best you are going to get, and the process of replacement can, and often does, result in much, much worse. 'Pravda' meaning truth and 'Izvestia' meaning news, the common observation was "in Pravda there is no Izvestia, and in Izvestia there is no Pravda." Having said that, if you wanted background on any news story, a Soviet citizen would then parrot back the story published in Pravda or Izvestia verbatim. Thus, about the best scenario for which we might hope is for Putin to be able to declare 'victory' ('Mission Accomplished,' anyone?) and somehow distract the populous otherwise. Everyone will know it's bullshit - but then again, isn't everything? - and they could then move on. Both Niccolo Machiavelli and H. L. Mencken observed that successful uprisings against tyrants were invariably preceded by a lessening of oppression, which is rightly or wrongly perceived as a sign of weakness by the opposition waiting in the wings. Various pundits have claimed that for Putin, retiring to a Dacha to write his memoirs is not an option. Whoever takes over would likely ensure their successful transition by the unfortunate and untimely death of the much loved president, whose memory will be cherished. I do hope that conflict in Ukraine draws to a close in the very near future, but have not come across a scenario that does not include a breathtaking level of ugliness in the meantime. BSBD. Winsor

This isn’t the place to find lots of skydivers any more; I wouldn’t use it as a measure. Really. Wendy P.