likearock

It's a "shame?" really, a shame? http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?do=post_view_flat;post=1971076

It's possible. Even probable. Post a gaffe from the RNC convention that is as good as the one above. Umm, how about the fact that Mr. Romney never even mentioned our troops in his speech at all?

Priceless!

Nope. People change their minds all the time. You expect anyone to make a statement and right, wrong or indifferent to go to their grave with it? Let's hope not. I guess it's a matter of degree. For instance, if someone's signature achievement in public office is health care reform (as is the case with Mitt Romney), it takes an extraordinary effort of self-betrayal to not even be able to mention that during the convention that just nominated him for president. In this case it's not just a statement he's flip-flopping on, it's the most significant milestone in his political life.

What about a significant issue? You have a problem with that by any chance? Abortion is not a significant issue; That's bullshit and you know it. That statement tells me how important you really feel this issue is. So it doesn't make you even a little uneasy that your shining knight has done a complete 180 on this - one of the most obvious flip flops in the history of politics?

What about a significant issue? You have a problem with that by any chance?

It's interesting how the truth reveals itself through humor.

Yep. Anyone that ran a single marathon is going to remember the time. Particularly the fitness buffs, which he undoubtably would be considered. No, he was counting on the fact that race records from that era weren't so well recorded as any 5k and up is these days. But it was a dumb move- for a 20yo doing his first, esp one that's more of a body builder type, 4:01 is perfectly respectable, if 1 minute slower than you'd like. But 2:50s invites attention...and now ridicule. While Republicans love to strip everything of its context, let's not forget that we're talking about the same guy that can't help himself when stretching the truth. He's a serial liar. Period.

"Clint Eastwood became huge star as a man of few words As a surprise guest on the Tampa stage he had too many words (I say as a friend)," - Tom Brokaw

Here's something I realized during one of Francesco's angle flying camps at the Ranch: The difference between a delta tracking position and head down backwards motion is really just a few degrees of angle - they're basically the same body orientation. Once you understand that, you can see just how similar this "delta" breakoff strategy for head-up is to the widely accepted breakoff for head-down. Take a look: Beginning Head-down: Turn 180 degrees while clearing your airspace. Head-up: Turn 180 degrees while clearing your airspace. Middle Head-down: Initiate movement away from the center of the formation by means of HD forward motion. Head-up: Initiate movement away from the center of the formation by means of HD backwards motion. End Head-down: Gradually transform the HD orientation to a flat track to distance yourself from the formation. Head-up: Gradually transform the HD orientation to a flat track to distance yourself from the formation. BTW, congratulations to all on the new HD record!

If the stats on the SkyVenture site are correct (12 ft., 875 HP), I'd say no. My general rule of thumb is you need to have the combined fans HP at least 100 x the diameter in feet to be able to comfortably freefly. Especially if you're a naturally fast faller.

In 2008, Romney released 23 years worth of past tax returns when he was being considered for McCain's vice president. Now that he's running for president, shouldn't the American people be entitled to the same level of transparency as he gave to McCain?

You seem to be saying here that of the following two crimes: A: Sexual abuse of a child B: Covering up the sexual abuse of a child for financial gain --you seem to be saying that A is the more serious crime. I'm not sure I'd agree with that assessment. Certainly A is one of the most despicable crimes imaginable. But I think a strong case could be made that B is even worse. I didn't read it that way at all. I read "primary responsibility" as referring to the fact that A was root cause of the situation, not whether or not it was a more serious crime. Clearly, the punishment meted out was due to B and not A.

In situations like this, I've always been in favor of the simplest solution that meets all the critical requirements. Here's my take on what those requirements are (and Simon, let me know if I've missed any): - clear your airspace above, below, and around you. - initiate forward movement away from the center of the formation in a way that does not result in changing the fall rate (so that everyone's relative levels can be maintained). - gradually transform that forward motion into a flat track and create adequate distance between yourself and the others before deploying your canopy. The current alternatives (front-flip to head down vs. feet first flock away) seem overly complicated and challenging enough to be prone to error - in a bigway, all it takes is for one person to screw it up and you can have a serious problem. So why not consider the following simpler procedure which seems, on the face of it, to meet all the requirements above? - Breakoff begins: Turn 180 degrees in the sit and while doing so, clear your airspace. - Transition to the delta tracking position (belly down, head positioned lower than feet). The delta position, when angled correctly, will maintain the prevailing (freefly) fall rate and will also provide the initial forward motion away from the formation. - Gradually decrease the delta angle till it becomes a flat track while adding periodic barrel rolls for extra safety. - Having tracked away the agreed upon amount and cleared the airspace above and near you, wave off and deploy. A number of my friends will be on the Crosskeys record attempts. It would be great if there could be agreement on a single breakoff strategy by then. Thoughts?

His sample size was 600 jumps with AFF students over 3 years. So how many unique students is that? If he does 10 AFF jumps with each student, then that's 60 students. And out of 60 students, how many are going to be over age 50? Maybe 10%, or 6 students. So his sample size could be somewhere around just 6 people. Therefore, all those bigger numbers about 3 years and 600 jumps really don't mean anything. It all boils down to a very small sample size of people, and that certainly is not 100% representative of everyone over 50 years-old. Regardless of his sample size, the fact that his main concern (questionable canopy ability) is completely unrelated to his recommendation (tunnel time) really exposes his bias.

Sure it can - just depends on the church.

I'm not saying my morality is right for anyone but me nor would I want to force my "values" on others. At the same time I don't want someone else's forced on me. Let consenting adults make their own choices. I'm not opposed to morals and values, I'm opposed to any legislation that makes certain acts between consenting adults illegal or criminal. So then why do you disagree with the rights of gays to marry? Doesn't that also full under the category of "acts between consenting adults"?

The flip side of that argument: should religion have the final say on what constitutes the definition of marriage? If all were civil unions, they or anyone else could call it and define it however they wanted within their group. I think eventually gays will get the right to marry, which is unfortunate as that will mean that the government is still involved and the next group that wants to recognize their union will have to go through all this again. Again, you keep complaining that government is too involved and my response is that religion is too involved. What "next group" did you have in mind, BTW?

The flip side of that argument: should religion have the final say on what constitutes the definition of marriage?

I'm curious about your response to 'work both sides'. why work both sides instead of just being focused on daffy with left or right leg in front always??? I dont surf switching up sides - I always have my right foot forward (its called a sex change btw and is a trick some people do mid-wave or on a skateboard midtrick). Same with snowboarding. So why is skydiving headdown different from that??? Why not always use your good side....its the GOOD side!!! curious...

Story: http://www.businessweek.com/ap/2012-04/D9TV0ME00.htm Prosecutors say Marine sold "Nobama" stickers By JULIE WATSON CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. A Marine is facing dismissal from the military for posting Facebook images of President Barack Obama's face superimposed on a jackass and for selling "Nobama" bumper stickers online, a prosecutor said Thursday. Sgt. Gary Stein, 26, acted irresponsibly and disregarded repeated warnings that his anti-administration postings violated Pentagon policy involving members of the military, Marine Corps Capt. John Torresala said during a hearing at Camp Pendleton. Comments that were prejudicial to good order and discipline were posted on the Facebook page used by military meteorologists and could have influenced junior Marines, the prosecutor said. Stein's security clearance was taken away and he has no future in the Marine Corps because he can't do his job, Torresala said. Backed by a team of lawyers and congressmen, Stein is fighting to stay in the military and test its longtime policy of limiting the free speech of members. His lawyers and the American Civil Liberties Union contend his views are protected by the First Amendment. Stein has rallied support since he was notified last month that the military was moving to discharge him after determining he was in violation of the Pentagon policy barring service members from engaging in political activities. "The military may be different from the civilian world, but it's not exempt from the First Amendment," said David Loy, legal director for the ACLU of San Diego and Imperial counties. "Sgt. Stein didn't say anything for which the Marine Corps has any right to punish him." The Marine Corps has said it decided to take administrative action after Stein declared on Facebook that he would not follow unlawful orders from Obama. In addition to being discharged, Stein said, he would have his rank reduced to lance corporal if he is proven to be in violation. He said he was removed from his job at the Marine Corps Recruiting Depot in San Diego on Wednesday and given a desk job with no access to computers. Loy said Stein did not threaten order or discipline or take positions that anyone would attribute to the Corps. Instead, the Corps is threatening loyalty and morale in its ranks by persecuting a Marine for exercising his free speech rights, Loy said. Stein, a nine-year member of the Marine Corps, has said he started a Facebook page called Armed Forces Tea Party to encourage fellow service members to exercise their rights. Defense lawyers began the hearing Thursday by asking board members about their understanding of military policy limiting members from engaging in political activities and the guidelines on expressing their personal opinions. California federal Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Alpine, a former Marine, wrote a letter to Stein's commanding officer stating the sergeant should not face dismissal for an opinion shared by a majority of Marines. Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Vista, also has expressed support for Stein. Stein said his statement about Obama was part of an online debate about NATO allowing U.S. troops to be tried for the Quran burnings in Afghanistan. In that context, he said, he was stating that he would not follow orders from the president if it involved detaining U.S. citizens, disarming them or doing anything else that he believes would violate their constitutional rights. The military has had a policy since the Civil War limiting the free speech of service members, including criticizing the commander in chief. Military law experts have said Stein may have crossed the line. Pentagon directives say military personnel in uniform cannot sponsor a political club; participate in any TV or radio program or group discussion that advocates for or against a political party, candidate or cause; or speak at any event promoting a political movement. Commissioned officers also may not use contemptuous words against senior officials, including the defense secretary or the president.

Article II; Section 1; paragraph 5. How adorable - a Donald Trump wanna be.

That would be a lot easier if the GOP would quit trotting out a bunch of power-hungry rich hypocrites speaking out of both sides of their mouths as candidates. No argument there. If Romney gets the nomination I will damn sure vote for him. You would vote for the first non-Christian POTUS? Do you fully understand the teachings of the LDS? http://www.christianpost.com/news/fla-evangelicals-mormons-not-christian-but-romney-is-ok-68332/ Hey, at least he's not a Muslim like that other guy!

When you google "Santorum", this link shows up high on the results list (it used to be first). Does Rick Santorum deserve to be shamed for comparing gay sex to bestiality?

http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/topoftheticket/la-na-tt-eastwood-rove-20120207,0,4416240.story Nuff said.