Paulipod

Members
  • Content

    601
  • Joined

  • Last visited

    Never
  • Feedback

    0%

Everything posted by Paulipod

  1. Yes I am still here... lol And no amount of figures can change the fact that.... You may get shot, and I am less likely. Am I likely to die in a robbery? Not really! Am I likely to regret never owning a gun here? Not really! Would I trade places with you in this regard? No chance... Was it a mistake to have arms in the constitution? well I have my opinion. I would swap places with you from a skydiving venue point tho Bodyflight Bedford www.bodyflight.co.uk
  2. You are absolutley right on a few points there JohnRich. Banning guns now is not a solution necessarily.... but I never said it was.... only that the position you are in now is a little poor. Yes there may only be thousands killed... far more injured. You dont need an automatic assualt rifle for sport surely?! or a high calibre? Really the feeling of power and awe of destruction is what drives those needs. I dont have a suggestion for what should happen to solve the problems the US has with guns, but there is a problem for sure. Here, criminals like to have guns and more are getting them.... but its still not easy to aquire for your everyday joe... there lies the difference
  3. The facts are cold and hard.... In the situations you describe (ie as it is right now in the US) More people do die. This is purely down to gun availability and people carrying them NOT the more violent nature of US people I am sure More people have severe injuries We have gun crime, but nothing on the scale that you guys see. How often do I encounter times here I wish I had a gun? Never so far touch wood. If someone pulled a knive? I would try to defuse the situation... it doesnt need to go a step high to start that talk down as you suggest. You clearly live in an environment where you feel you need a gun. My point exactly. Bodyflight Bedford www.bodyflight.co.uk
  4. Get a grip Kennedy, that kind of 'we won the war' stuff is bollocks. And the idea that loaned civilian weapons are / were necessary is a little bizarre too, although admittedly given the sort of weapons that some US citizens nowadays it may make more sense! I am sure alot of factors for and against combined to make the coalition effort successful during WW2 and despite what hollywood says... it was a coalition. Its a little disrespectful to all those that died to try and claim any national victory from those times... for either side. Certainly the family members I lost were fighting a war too... and for their efforts I am pleased I dont need to hold a gun now. Bodyflight Bedford www.bodyflight.co.uk
  5. I dont think I said that I would volunteer for a beating per-se but rather that than get shot... If you mean... carry a gun and prevent a fight with other weapons, I guess that when everyone thinks that way it comes down to who is the better shot and the likelyhood of death probably increases for at least one party... In a knive fight or a regular pick up a stick etc, yeah it may hurt but more often than not people get to see another day.
  6. I was so tempted to quote and reply to your last post JohnRich, but... I dissagree with it all basically, so I wont bother... Any sane view of a civilised society would not provide access to ojects thats only purpose is distruction. What else is a gun for? As I have said before... unlinkly only sport. Cars - Knives - etc have normal uses. And yes any object can be abused illegally but that is not the point. A guns only purpose is to injure and kill. I think that the freedom lost by people not having access to them is a small price to pay for safety... And coming from a country where although gun crime is rising (but still 300 times less than the US!) I can say that I cant accept that gun availability is not directly linked to the ease of availability. The only reason I can see that the US has so many guns is historical and therefore inbred culturally. And therefore I can see why we have such a difference of opinion. I have always agreed that it is people that kill not the guns.... but I wouldnt know where to get a gun here even if I wanted one! Peoples choice in owning deadly items designed for that purpose should not be an issues.... Gun licencing should be simple..... Q. Do you want a gun? If yes... you cant have one... If no... sure application granted Do if feel aggreived I cant own a gun? Not at all... Do you feel aggrieved you cant own an inter-balistic missile? I bet you do! Thats where we differ I guess Bodyflight Bedford www.bodyflight.co.uk
  7. I am aware of several incidents including Paralysis from tunnel accidents.... My partner (new to flying) went to high in Orlando and flipped in panic.... barrel role / head down straight through the door! (ouch!) None of that obviously intentional... she was only trying to learn stable belly position but it shows how easy it can happen. Easy solution to this one really - treat tunnels with respect! learn progressions slowly and thoroughly, and dont try to copy very experienced fliers in your first few hours!
  8. This is a common response... and given the choice... I'll take a beating with a bat.. a knive wound or a brick over a gunshot anyday! How can you miss my point? I dont think for a moment people in my country for example are less violent.... they just do less damage when they are! Bodyflight Bedford www.bodyflight.co.uk
  9. . And please remember, if it wasn't for American guns and the people that use them, you'd still be needing a Nazi visa to cross the English Channel. Oh please, is this harping on about wars really necessary? I dont see the relevance... I wasnt intending to get into a 'we won the war' 'My country is best' debate, after all nowhere is perfect... and if you think that is the case you are living a little blindly. Of course military stability is necessary... but civilian firearms? what's that got to do with it? Are you suggesting that the only reason the war was won was because American soldiers got to practice on the streets first? Basically, dont confuse policing / military enforcement with everyday gun-toting civilians! Bodyflight Bedford www.bodyflight.co.uk
  10. Ahh, I do love the American, 'Freedom Freedom' cry.. I agree in the principles of freedoms, however you have to protect the freedom of everyone... where do you draw the line? Should I be free to buy a nuclear weapon? (you get the point) Forget the statistics per say, I was trying to emphasise that more people die in your country than any other as a result of this freedom. And I would have to say that those dead people would dis-agree with the fact that their liberty is intact. I would suggest if I was an American citizen I would like the right not to be shot.... which, lets face it is alot more likely for you guys than it is for most other countries (barring Iraq maybe at present!) Dont get me wrong, there are many many things I love about time I spend in the US, the danger some weirdo has the right to hold a lethal weapon at will is probably the wackiest idea I think though.... Bodyflight Bedford www.bodyflight.co.uk
  11. Have to confess it does amaze me slightly in the US national fascination with owning guns.... In a country with more gun retailer outlets than Mcdonalds, and more people killed each year than in the twin towers, how big a hole do you need to make in a target for sport For most 200 year old bills/laws a re-write would normally be considered overdue, but for some reason the right to bear arms is a gospel Suppose I would need to have been raised in a different culture to understand Bodyflight Bedford www.bodyflight.co.uk
  12. We will be making 'official' announcments when we have crossed the T's and dotted the 'I's.... Concious that there in the past has always been false hopes, we have always tried to avoid selling pipe dreams! I will say at this stage that the current proposals are a real alternative to the funding that was lost previously. So, watch this space...
  13. Think everyone will probably tell you different stories so hard to guage what to expect I guess! I had my right knee ACL removed and was walking and fine within days... I know that reconstruction is harder tho... Alot depends on how lucky you are with your others and quads I have been told... Lifes fine for me without! (although I am careful around playing soccer!) Bodyflight Bedford www.bodyflight.co.uk
  14. Hi, Appologies to those that have tried to contact us, and been unsucessful... I wont go into the technicalities, but over the last two months our hosting company has lets say 'left the building' preventing us changing the site or receiving emails! arrggh!! We have unfortunately not proceeded with the renovation as yet, however do intend to do so. I know alot of people are awaiting a first tunnel in the UK, and hope that we can conclude our plans in the near future. I have been told that our email services will be resuming shortly (I wasnt aware that mails wernt getting through from the generic site addresses) but should anyone one want to discuss things I can be contacted on [email protected] Bodyflight Bedford www.bodyflight.co.uk
  15. PRESS RELEASE - Extreme Bodyflight Extreme Creations Ltd have unveiled its plan to open the worlds largest skydiving wind tunnel in Bedford UK. A former MOD testing site is currently undergoing a major renovation to create a world leading centre for skydiver and recreational use. With a diameter of 16ft and creating wind speeds capable of sustaining both flat and free-flight, the tunnel which is planned to open mid 2004 will be second to none. Although the Bedford VST (Vertical Spinning Tunnel) has existed since 1955 it has never been used for bodyflight. Planning permission has been granted for the project after several months research and development. By utilising an existing facility Extreme Creations will be able to offer an outstanding flight experience and incredible value for money. The tunnel will be the first of its kind in the UK and will host state of the art training facilities and recreational areas staffed by highly a skilled tuition team. Visit www.extremebodyflight.com for details and updates as the project progresses. Bodyflight Bedford www.bodyflight.co.uk
  16. Have heard plenty of people now refer to being given a 'bad spot' and landing off as a result... just wondering what people think about this, as I have always taken it as my responsibility to decide if I can see the DZ before I jump. My main reason for asking, is that on the occasions where I was not happy to jump... people have been upset at having to fly round or wait for me. Have seen alot of people herd out of the plane like sheep without knowing where they are! What dya reckon? Should I hold people up? Bodyflight Bedford www.bodyflight.co.uk