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Scott, it's not that people don't care about USPA. It's that they don't care to get involved in the politics or the governance process. That is a distinct difference. For the most part, skydivers just want to skydive and know that USPA is supporting them in real-world ways. Skydivers DO want USPA to handle licensing, ratings programs, safety & training issues, and the infinite number of things that can screw up an otherwise great day of skydiving. They want us to keep the government out of their way, keep the A-holes from taking them out with bulletproof attitudes, and lead the administration of the world's largest (by far) skydiving organization properly. As a regional director I get several calls each week from members with questions or issues that require action on the part of USPA. As president, I see DZO's with airport access problems, airspace use complications, airport tenant conflicts, unreasonable or impossible venue requirements, and a million other things that threaten our sport and our rights. Skydivers also want excellent customer service from USPA and they get it. Call headquarters some time. You will notice that your call is answered by a real live human being, not a voicemail system. That is by design. Ask a member who recently turned in a license or ratings application how long it took to process. Most applications these days are processed within a week, and some within a few days. I've had members routinely report getting applications for licenses, rating, and awards processed within 24 hours of submitting them. Try to get that kind of customer service anywhere else. The list goes on, but you get the point. Most members don't realize what USPA does for our members until they need something. Then they just want their problem solved so they can get back in the air. The truth is there are many reasons members don't vote that have nothing to do with "not caring" about USPA. A lot of members are newbies who wouldn't know who to vote for without performing a lot of research. Some are lifetime members who have no active interest in current affairs. And many (most?) members who don't vote choose to sit out the elections for one very simple reason - they don't see anything significant that needs changed. I used to get irritated at people with apathy toward USPA, but after 6 years of service on the board and a front row seat watching USPA serve members with problems that need our attention, I no longer do. The fact is the average member doesn't know the insane amount of work that goes on behind the scenes, but they DO care that we are there doing the work - even if they don't realize it until they have an issue that needs solved. They also want a nice place to pack and a fridge that keeps their beer cold. We leave those items to the DZO's.

Lots of movies are funny in their time and place. People used to laugh at perfectly good blackface, after all. Sometimes “they” don’t get it right, and go too far. But sometimes “we” do, too. If someone is offended it’s worth listening to why. Might still not change what I do, but if I expect someone else to consider my standards, I should consider theirs. Wendy P.

That's simply asking way, way too much of brent (0.813 x 1.22 = 0.99186)

5539 total votes out of over 40 thousand USPA members. The message is clear; most skydivers don't care about USPA.

Comment from Twitter: "My wife, who works at our local Catholic school, was asked by a parent if the school intended to teach Critical Race Theory. She said 'explain to me what it is and I will tell you if I teach it.' The parent had no reply." Sort of a perfect encapsulation of this whole debate.

It will go live late night this Sunday! A great episode.

According to the right, people who don't think racism is funny are liberal identity-obsessed cancel culture warriors trying to erase the past, just because they think old comedies like Little Rascals are somewhat racist - and not that funny. You state sentiments similar to that all the time. If you have started to turn away from that - good for you!

Thank you. I think that Schiffer has stock of the book in their warehouse in Atglen, PA. Darren Schaefer and I recorded about two hours of material on 10.27.2021 and I believe he will broadcast sometime in the next 10 days.

I am really looking forward to your book too and your upcoming Cooper Vortex episode!

The CDC Definitions of Vaccine and Vaccination since September 1, 2021: Don't forget the 1796 definition: Vaccine: A preparation of the Vaccinia virus (VACV or VV) derived from the variolae vaccinae virus, the virus that causes cowpox. When injected, it causes an immune response that is protective against smallpox. So the conspiracy to deceive everyone, and to move those goalposts for nefarious reasons, must have started sometime between 1796 and August 2021.

Okay, so we agree racism's not okay. Where things diverge is when you think any attempt to so much as acknowledge the existence of it is fighting racism with racism, and that's just about the stupidest fucking idea I've ever heard. But there's obviously no changing your mind on this, and there's no shortage of links to online stories of extremists who you believe prove your point. Continue plugging your ears with your fingers and pretending that everything's just peachy, nothing to see here

They are more effective than predicted, a lot more effective. They were one of the most effective vaccines ever developed in human history actually. The problem is 45% of the entire US population is still unvaccinated and probably only 25% of the world population is vaccinated. That's kind of a problem when trying to get to herd immunity... If all this antivaxxer bullshit would cut the shit and get with the program, the virus would be extinct in the USA by now. I hope the vaccine mandates and restrictions for the unvaccinated keep piling on. The more pressure to get people to listen to science instead of Facebook, the better.