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Showing content with the highest reputation on 05/21/2019 in all areas

  1. 1 point
    You're thinking CIA headquarters in Langley, VA, the George Bush Center for Intelligence. They should probably now specify "Sr." so people don't misunderestimate that it's named after his son.
  2. 1 point
    Soooo, here we are knocking on the 1 yr anniversary of a few members of the BOD voting to fund the continuing failed fiasco known as the ISMHOF. This scam continues to induct members into a fake museum that doesn't exist, doesn't have a location, building plan, time schedule or anything that cude be called, in the most generous way, a plan to actually get this project finished. To all the Geniuses that decided to divert members funds into this mess, please give us an update. Half a century and counting...…..
  3. 1 point
    PEEING ON MY FLOWERS A little old lady was walking down the street dragging two large plastic garbage bags behind her. One of the bags was ripped and every once in a while a $20 bill fell out onto the sidewalk. Noticing this, a policeman stopped her, and said, "Ma'am, there are $20 bills falling out of that bag.” "Oh, really? Darn it!” said the little old lady. "I'd better go back and see if I can find them. Thanks for telling me, Officer.” "Well now, not so fast," said the cop. "Where did you get all that money? You didn't steal it, did you?” "Oh, no, no", said the old lady. "You see, my back yard is right next to a golf course. A lot of golfers come and pee through a knot hole in my fence, right into my flower garden. It used to really tick me off. Kills the flowers, you know. Then I thought, 'why not make the best of it?' So, now, I stand behind the fence by the knot hole, real quiet, with my hedge clippers. Every time some guy sticks his thing through my fence, I surprise him, grab hold of it and say, 'O.K., buddy! Give me $20 or off it comes!’ "Well, that seems only fair," said the cop, laughing. "OK. Good luck! Oh by the way, what’s in the other bag?" "Not everybody pays."
  4. 1 point
    I agree with the concept of 18 months of national service. I served 13 years in the Canadian Armed Forces. I learned far more as a drunken sailor than I ever learned in university. The difference was that I dragged my hung-over body out of bed for bus tours, museum tours, the occasional skydive, etc. The first thing I did ashore was visit a local restaurant .... not because ship's food was bad, .... but it was boring after a month, and I wanted a change of flavours. I made a point of learning a bit of local history and local geography and a few words in the local language, etc. I also learned that enlisted men are always "put down" by their superiors. I also asked to many embarrassing questions. Clearly I was too bright for that line of work. But military service is not the only way to serve your country, Medical, fire-fighting, food, educating, old folks homes, etc. all provide ways to serve. With proper planning, students will emerge with new job skills. That "gap year" provides students with a chance to rethink their life plans. A year flipping burgers is a great incentive to study hard at college. Free tuition only becomes a problem when it becomes an entitlement. For example, the brightest 5 or 10 percent of French students used to get a free-ride through university. That makes perfect sense for the brightest 5 or 10 percent. They will become the most productive members of society and will eventually pay more in taxes than their tuition cost the country. Fair deal! But it becomes a problem when they grow entitled to a free-ride for the rest of their lives.
  5. 1 point
    I am 69 years old and in my 51st year of skydiving. I had two cutaways, one over Pope Valley CA in 1972 using military surplus gear and one over Rantoul Illinois using modern gear in 2005. I see skydiving as a very risky sport and see myself as a lucky cautious participant. Perry Stevens D-51 taught me how to jump in 1968. One bit of advice he gave me was: "when something looks marginal to you, take a pass on it, ALWAYS." Marginal planes, marginal gear, marginal jump plans, marginal weather etc. I've done nearly everything I can to mitigate risk. I jump with an RSL and a Cypres AAD. I don't swoop, wingsuit or BASE jump. I practice emergency procedures. I get gear checks before I board. I was a very early AAD user, buying an SSE Sentinal 2000 as soon as they hit the market. Back then experienced jumpers who wore AADs were ridiculed, but I didn't care. When I could finally afford a square canopy, I bought a conservative one (Triathlon) that would put me at 1.2 to 1 wing loading and never downsized even on subsequent buys. My reserve is almost as big as my main. If steady winds exceed 18 mph I wait for better conditions. I passed on manifesting for Twin Beech jumps on really hot days with loads that clearly exceeded max gross limits. I passed on really green Cessna piston jumpship pilots. I passed on having beer with lunch at a DZ where it was SOP. I could go on but you get the picture. I am not gloating or saying I am better than people who take more risk than I do. My point is that there are many things you can do (or more accurately NOT do) that will substantially reduce risk and still allow you to participate in the best sport on the planet. You won't be sharing granite skimming wingsuit videos with your friends but you can still have a great time.
  6. 1 point
    The best way to get your questions answered is to talk to your instructors. Most of this is best explained in person. Once you are off student status, take a canopy control course as soon as possible. Don't do anything I suggest before talking to your instructors/S&TA. I found this easier to learn by practicing up high. While flying straight at full flight, pick a point in front of you. If it's fixed, you will likely land there if you change nothing about how you are flying - ie no turns and no brake or front riser input. If it is moving down, you will land long. If it is moving up, you will land short. Now change something. Go to 1/2 brakes. What does the spot do? Go back to full flight, then pull down both front risers. What does the spot do? Go back to full flight, then pull on both rear risers. What does the spot do? Once you've "seen" it and practiced it a bit, you'll find it easier to apply when it comes to entering the pattern, knowing when to turn base and when to turn final. Once you are on final, consider yourself committed to wherever you are going to land (unless of course you would be landing in the swamp or power lines or trees...). Too much other stuff to think about and do. DO NOT DO S TURNS ON FINAL - or anywhere in the pattern for that matter. It can not only confuse other jumpers, it can be a cause of a canopy collision. In many cases it's better to overshoot. Flying in deep brakes on final will slow you down and confuse other jumpers. Practice flaring from brakes up high. Go to 1/2 brakes and then flare the rest of the way. Try it again from 3/4 brakes. Even though you really don't want to do it on final, someday you might have to - like when you really overshoot and are going to land in the swamp/trees/powerlines. It is an option, just not on final. Again, unless you are going to hit an obstacle. Don't. The jumpers behind you can't predict what you are doing. Unpredictable is the last thing you want to be in the pattern.
  7. 1 point
    >What's wrong with them publishing their votes? Nothing. What's wrong with you emailing them? Nothing.
  8. 1 point
    Not many of them read this site. Jan Meyer gave you the email address to ask all of them.
  9. 1 point
    OK, let's deal with just the facts. Who voted for funding this and who voted against it? Pretty ridiculous that we, as due paying members have to turn into detectives to even get this info. To any BOD, stand behind yer decision. Tell us how you voted.
  10. 1 point
    Clearly we have an elected board and some members are no longer acting in the interest of the majority of it's members. Hope that is being heard and remembered come this next election cycle.
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