pirana

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Everything posted by pirana

  1. A big lie. I'll agree that all deserve the same fundamental rights to express their potential; but adhering to an opinion that we all have the same potential is just silly. We are born with physical and intellectual differences that greatly influence our potential and what path we will take. Along that path our tendencies get reinforced and amplified from that unequal starting point. You do not have to cite the extreme example of being mentally retarded to see we are all born different and that those differences get amplified rather than suppressed over the course of a person's life. Might have hit on a significant flaw in socialism & communism - they seek to suppress differences and reduce the resultant consequences. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley
  2. Aside from the fact that every attempt has failed? That's jumping the gun though, and baiting. Simple fact is that humans do not possess the character traits (in mass) to produce such an outcome. Power corrupts, regardless of the system. As Churchill said "Capitalism is where man takes advantage of his fellow man. Communism is the other way around." Or something like that. You'd also get more credibility if you avoided the hyperbolic terminology. Do you really think the US is a Fascist state? " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley
  3. I think school shootings are already "limited." Maybe they meant "reduce." Zero would be nice. Humans being the complicated, fragile, egotistical, vulnerable, emotional creatures they are - not very likely to happen. We'd have to put a big chunk of the population in jail, severely limit the rights of those allowed to remain "free" and spend incredible amounts of money. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley
  4. Good stuff here - with the best advice (and action on your part) being to do the course. One more thing I didn't see mentioned. The tactic of finding the non-moving spot is very good; but be aware that the spot will change as you descend into lesser (or stronger) winds and your drive (glide angle) changes. What that tactic is doing is bringing your instinctual visual cues into the forefront - making them a conscious mechanical effort. You are breaking down and paying attention to the cues that will later be used to perform without having to consciously run thru all the steps. Kind of like walking. At first it takes much effort, and you maybe have to think about each step. After enough repititions and time spent consciously thinking about the mechanics you no longer have to look at your feet and decide what to do - you simply walk. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley
  5. My guess is that most DZ's would not let you jump, regardless of license or training, unless you are of majority age. They'll want you to sign a waiver, which is invalid if you are a minor as defined in that area's legal system. In other words, if you are not of legal age to be held to a signed contract, the license you get from a DZ willing to license you as a minor will probably be worthless at most other DZs. You could call a few and ask - but the better idea was from the person suggesting some tunnel fun and saving your actual jump money for when you turn 18. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley
  6. So who signed for the loan? Who is guaranteeing it to be paid back - on time? What is the repayment schedule? Even if it is some psuedo-corporate entity, someone had to personally sign on it's behalf or as it's representative? " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley
  7. Or, as a friend of mine used to like to say when bureacracies go bananas: "Who's fucking this dog anyway?" " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley
  8. STEP 1: Stop spending more than we make. STEP 2: Eliminate loopholes. The tax rates are just fine - it's the exceptions/credits/incentives/deductions/etc allowed that kill us. If all personal and business income actually got taxed the gov would be loaded. Missing from the big list of waste - subsidies for billionaire sports team owners. How can anyone with half a brain be OK with subsidizing the building of these castles by the public? " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley
  9. Properly stated, China does not take jobs. Positions in the US are moved there by the leadership of companies looking to maintain/increase profits. In their short-term glee over low prices for cheap crappy goods; consumers then fuel the death spiral of US manufacturing. Welcome to the dark side of globalization of labor. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley
  10. [Insert random remark about fat Americans and their man boobs] Yes, I know, cheap & easy I've also noticed fat guys with man-boobs are cheap and easy. Buy 'em a pizza, ply them with a few beers, and before you know it they're naked and rolling around in oil on a rubber sheet. Who needs a svelt and sexy lady when you can have fat pre-lubed man-boobs? " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley
  11. But look how far she's made it despite the assinine soundbites she's already spewed. I'm hoping she continues stumbling; but never underestimate the power of an ignorant but loud mob. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley
  12. he's taking the piss, but it's liberal baiting. Does that mean he's sacrificing liberals to catch bigger fish; or that he's fishing for liberals? " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley
  13. Yes, strongly agree. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley
  14. So this clears the way for... Michelle Bachmann? Who are the likely Republican primary candidates who are genuinely serious politicians? Is this the year Ron Paul finally gets the nod as the only possible nominee who is both well known and not a circus clown? I think we can practically count on Bachman alienating enough mainstream citizens with her foot-in-mouth dialog that she should not be a major factor (though still embarassing that even 5% of people think she should hold the office). Paul appears to be more lion tamer than clown - could be the man for the times. From just about everybody else, we are likely to get the same old-same old; special interest driven favor trading. The road goes on forever and the party never ends. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley
  15. I'll tell you what...If you can get, like...lets say, um...practically the whole freaking world as witnesses of kleptomaniac elves, you might have a point. Exactly my point. No witnesses, because there is nothing to witness. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley
  16. To a degree, yes. Problem with imposing costs on business is that although they will innovate, retool, invent, etc to a degree; there is a tipping point where more drastic measures - such as taking processes overseas - becomes the "best" choice. The Revenge Of Unintended Consequences is not limited to Technology. Everyone acting in what they percieve to be their own best interest would seem a good model for progress - and it is - but only for the short term. What we seem to lack these days are leaders motivated to improve the good of the whole over the long term. Our economic and political systems simply do not incent that behavior. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley
  17. I call it risk management - but if misguided cheapskate approach to economy works for you - that's OK. BTW - why is it misguided? Has the person that spends money for an AAD they never use been misguided out of their money, or is it just the person that dies and might have been saved by one was misguided into death? Or is anybody who chooses other than as you do misguided? But I digress. Haven't jumped with an AAD for about a decade now. Had one as a newbie, even moved it to my updated gear in my 4th or 5th year. But declined to buy another when it reached the manufacturer's planned obsolescence date. To me it is like paying $300 per year for insurance that is rarely needed, and even when it is, comes with no guarantee of being of value. There are what - about 3 million skydives per year - and roughly 1 in 100,000 to 150,000 result in a fatality - and for about half an AAD was irrelevant since they are people augering themselves into the ground under a perfectly good canopy. So roughly figuring; deciding never to hook turn does more to improve your chances of survival than wearing an expensive mechanical gizmo. Not sure how many AAD saves there are for non-student sport jumps, but I'd guess the numbers are similar - 20 to 30 firings per year in which the person would have died w/o the AAD. Bottom line is a person is paying a significant chunk of change to guard against an event that is highly unlikely, and with no guarantee the money spent will change the outcome. As far as being required - I'm sure a lot of people killed by head injuries in vehicle crashes would be walking around today if only the government would require full coverage crash helmets for all drivers. I do agree that tandems, students, and even the lower license levels (maybe A & B) should have them. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley
  18. Which is an answer to a completely different question than the one that was asked. Nice dodge. I'd be interested in knowing just what "proof" and "subjective evidence" you are talking about there. Got examples? I don't see anybody trying to convince you of anything. Since the existence of God is unprovable at this time, it would be pointless to attempt it, wouldn't it? Revisit Logic 101. Proof of existence is a perfectly rationale request. If the claimant can not prove so, then existence is not ruled out, but the credibility of their claim is weak, not even up to theory standard. Ideas that can not be tested or proven are just that - ideas. On the other hand, proof that something does not exist is not possible (other than things like my previous tongue-in-cheek example of a round square - which is just a labeling limitation). There is no burden of proof for something not existing. Put another way, prove invisible elves do not exist - and aren't stealing the produce from my garden at night. Not possible. However, if I claimed such events were happening, I'd have no credence whatsoever unless I could show evidentiary proof. Silly of us to apply logic to internally held faith-based beliefs. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley
  19. How about a round square? " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley
  20. What's the gripe on the older Comets? I owned 4 early to mid-60's Comets. Awesome cars - cheap to buy, incredibly easy to work on, good mileage (all had either the 144 or 200 straight 6), and real metal that did not dent when leaned on. Solid cars; way, way better than today's lower priced pieces of junk. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley
  21. I don't like the term, but figure using it makes the topic obvious. Who thinks the citizens of dictatorships rising up against despotic rulers is a bad thing? Apparently Michelle Bachman does. In a speech given in NC she "blames" Obama for the uprisings. I use quotes because it amazes me that she thinks the uprisings are bad and that someone needs to be blamed. Very bizarre person. Then she links it to Jimmy Carter "failing" to back the Shah. Perhaps if we would not have backed his regime (and others like him) for so long things in the Middle East would have gone down a path different than the radical jihad we see today. What I take from this is that she thinks we should continue to back heavy-handed dictators and that the citizens of those countries should stiop rising up against them? Is her brain plugged in? Don't the people that support her ever notice she can not speak past vague soundbites when pressed for details on her bizarre comments? " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley
  22. I'll go with the common thief of the common banker. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley
  23. Looks fake - but moderately funny. This is funnier: THREE ARGUMENTS THAT JESUS WAS IRISH: - HE NEVER GOT MARRIED - HE NEVER HELD A STEADY JOB - HIS LAST REQUEST WAS A DRINK THREE ARGUMENTS THAT JESUS WAS PUERTO RICAN: - HIS FIRST NAME WAS JESUS - HE WAS ALWAYS IN TROUBLE WITH THE LAW - HIS MOTHER DIDN'T KNOW WHO HIS FATHER WAS THREE ARGUMENTS THAT JESUS WAS ITALIAN: - HE TALKED WITH HIS HANDS - HE HAD WINE WITH EVERY MEAL - HE WORKED IN THE BUILDING TRADES THREE ARGUMENTS THAT JESUS WAS BLACK: - HE CALLED EVERYBODY BROTHER - HE HAD NO PERMANENT ADDRESS - NOBODY WOULD HIRE HIM THREE ARGUMENTS THAT JESUS WAS CALIFORNIAN: - HE NEVER CUT HIS HAIR - HE WALKED AROUND BAREFOOT - HE INVENTED A NEW RELIGION AND FINALLY, THE PROOF THAT JESUS WAS IRANIAN: - HE WENT INTO HIS FATHER'S BUSINESS - HE LIVED AT HOME UNTIL THE AGE OF 33 - HE WAS SURE HIS MOTHER WAS A VIRGIN, AND HIS MOTHER WAS SURE HE WAS GOD . " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley
  24. Boobies!! What? Am I the one legs and ass man in the entire house? " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley
  25. That's a wild visual. You could probably take someone's ear off really fast too. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley