MajorDad

But the majority of Trump supporters don't see that as a bad thing, and you'll never convince them otherwise. True. But the "majority of Trump supporters" represents a minority of the American Electorate. If the rest of the Electorate isn't shocked and appalled by what has been happening and actually gets out and vote next month, then the USA is truly on the decline... Major Dad CSPA D-579

"US not invited to Canada's "Save the WTO Summit" of 13 'Like-Minded' Countries" https://business.financialpost.com/news/economy/u-s-not-invited-to-canadas-save-the-wto-summit-of-13-like-minded-countries An isolationist approach to Foreign Policy will result in less influence by the US around the world. And other countries will fill that vacuum. America Alone, indeed ... Major Dad CSPA D-579

Yep. NAFTA 2.0 rearranges the deck chairs a little but Trump can claim a victory by changing the name. In the process destroys the relationship. The US may find that "America First" means "America Alone" Good luck with that... Major Dad CSPA D-579

Word. The Republican Party is morally bankrupt. Any organization is a reflection of it's hiring practices. A talented asshole is still an asshole and will lead to a toxic environment. Hopefully this is a pyrric victory for the Republicans and they are just a distant, bad memory in 10-20 years. Major Dad CSPA D-579

I first met John over 20 years ago and our paths crossed many times over the years. He considered Eden North and SD Arizona home, even though he was from Vernon, British Columbia. He was well known on the national and international stage as a videographer for the Canadian Plaid Jackets (National CF Team) and the Tropical Fish (National FS Team). By the end of his skydiving career he had just under 5000 jumps and 50 hours of FF time. He will be missed by many as one of the true characters of the sport. BSBD, Major Dad CSPA D-579

This is a very Passive Aggressive way to govern. The Republicans control all the levers of power in the US (President, Senate and Congress). They have to F'n GOVERN! This is like moving into a house and not doing any maintenance on a house for year after year after year. Then blaming the former owner of the house for the sad shape the house is in... Elections have consequences and the vacuum being created by the US navel gazing and infighting will be filled by others. Good luck! Major Dad CSPA D-579

At first I thought this was the advance wave of Americans fleeing the coming Post-2016 US Election chaos.... You cant make this stuff up http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/windsor/floatdown-sarnia-americans-wash-ashore-1.3730792 Walls? We dont need no stinking walls!! Especially when you bring your own alcohol!!! Major Dad CSPA D-579

Ontario has had a run of bad luck lately. It seriously sucks to lose friends and people you know. It is time to walk away from skydiving when you no longer respect that it can kill you. It is time to walk away when it is no longer fun and it is just a job. It is only skydiving, we are not curing cancer. However, I have met so many wonderful people over the last 25 years, I would not change a thing. You just have to remember what is it about skydiving that you enjoy and just keep doing it. Blue skies Major Dad CSPA D-579

If so who and how is it working? Thx, Major Dad CSPA D-579

Word, John. Additional pipelines will be/ are being built to both the West Coast and East Coast.. Meanwhile, Oil-by-Rail is increasing at an ever increasing pace despite the reality it is more risky than by modern pipeline. Until the US starts to get serious about their own Carbon emissions (i.e. Coal) then this is all political dithering. If they don't want the oil, the Law of Supply and Demand will take care of it... People seem to forget that the World is going from 7+ Billion people to 9+ Billion over the next 25 years and the Chinese and Indians (original, not American) have been increasing their presence in the resource areas around the world... Just saying.... Major Dad CSPA D-579

Good thing the current US Politicians weren't in charge during WW2. Pathetic that a bunch of supposedly smart people cant make a decision in less time than WW2 took... Cant make a decision that goes against the polls or interest groups... Major Dad CSPA D-579

thanks, John! Major Dad CSPA D-579

Certainly made my Monday..... http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/11/world/middleeast/suicide-bomb-instructor-accidentally-kills-iraqi-pupils.html?_r=0 Check your training aids before class.... Major Dad CSPA D-579

Dr. Dave was an active Canadian Skydiver / Base Jumper who passed away Friday on a Base Wingsuit Jump into the Grand Canyon. Words fail me on what a great guy he was. BSBD Link to the CBC Story... http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/david-stather-calgary-doctor-dies-in-grand-canyon-base-jump-1.2512884 Major Dad CSPA D-579

a little early for April Fools... Major Dad CSPA D-579

We will! - So tired of Alberta Cold and Snow!!! Major Dad CSPA D-579

:-) yay for jaeger... Major Dad CSPA D-579

After a road trip through Perris/Elsinore and Tsunami, we are ringing in the New Year on the Las Vegas Strip. Alcohol may be involved.... just sayin' Major Dad CSPA D-579

Looking forward to it, Rich! See you the 26th

I am -6 in both eyes. I have jumped with contacts but have been jumping with my normal glasses the last few years. Wear your normal prescription and tell your instructors if you have any challenges. Had a case earlier this year where an AFF Student wore a prescription that "he thought" would help him judge when to flare but did not let him read his altimeter. Go figure, he had no clue he was going through pull altitude. When I quizzed him on his pull issues, he came clean as to why... Led to a discussion on priorities and glasses... Regards, Major Dad CSPA D-579

BSBD Major Dad CSPA D-579

http://cspa.ca/note/Barry_McAuley.pdf June-July 2013 Canpara Article – Written by Joe Ablitt An Epic Volunteer Journey – Barry McAuley It was in the seventies and early eighties that Barry began his volunteer career on three fronts: he became Chair of the BC Parachute Council; he obtained a riggers license; and he became a Judge. Little did he know in those early days just how extensive and far reaching a role he would play in the development of our sport. When Barry became Chair of the BC Council the organization was floundering. Working with a new Executive Board he helped restore the Council in the eyes of the Provincial Government to where it regained its funding and was able, over the next couple decades, to greatly benefit BC jumpers. The benefits included subsidized courses, equipment purchases, competitions, travel grants and Sport BC support and funding. From his position at the center of Council affairs, he carried out numerous other duties. For decades, Barry was the editor, publisher, printer and bottle washer for the Council magazine. As well, he became deeply involved in organizing the BC Summer Games for many years. He was also involved in raising lottery funds for the Council through casino nights. Barry qualified as a rigger. He became very knowledgeable in the field and in 1984 he was invited onto CSPA’s Technical and Safety Committee. Once on the Committee he remained a member for 30 years serving as Chair for the last 24 having only recently resigned. As Chair of a Committee so central to the well-being of our sport, the duties and work accomplished over such a long tenure are impossible to document. Suffice it to say it was an impressive commitment that included writing manuals and organizing demo ratings, rigging courses and seminars. As well, for many years Barry was the CSPA Rating Administrator for all the COP’s issued. When Barry started judging it was in this field that his volunteer efforts truly became immense. He worked his way up through the rating system to National status and then earned his FAI rating in 1981. With this experience he became a perennial Judge at our National Championships and numerous US Nationals as well. In 1982 Barry further expanded his duties by becoming CSPA’s Alternate Delegate to the International Parachuting Commission. With this toehold on the international stage, he then proceeded over the next thirty years to juggle a tremendous work load both as an extremely active judge and as an IPC volunteer. Due to his judging prowess and expertise he served on a number of IPC Committees including the IPC Technical and Safety Committee, the IPC Canopy Piloting Committee, the IPC Judges’ Committee and as Deputy Chair of the IPC Canopy Formation Committee. He judged almost continuously internationally from 1986 through 2012. Barry’s Judge Logbook contains over 50 international competitions. The entries include World Championships, Mondials, World Cups, World Air Games and numerous international Regional and National Championships. He has judged worldwide and performed every judging duty including numerous times as Chief Judge, Event Judge, Chief of Judge Training and International Jury Member. As well, he seems to have been the ‘go to guy’ when it comes to training new International Judges as he has been Chief of Judge Training at least 10 times over the years . The fact that he has been appointed to these responsible judging positions in multiple skydiving disciplines so many times over the years speaks volumes about the level of trust and respect in which he is held by his peers in the International Judging community. Due to his long service, Barry has received a number of awards over the years. In 1988 he received a CSPA Service Award. In 2004 he received CSPA’s highest honour for service – The Glen R. Masterson Memorial Trophy. Internationally he has received the FAI Paul Tissandier Diploma, an IOC Diploma, the FAI Leonardo da Vinci Diploma and was recently made an honorary lifetime member of the Golden Knights. CSPA is a volunteer run organization and Barry’s example of service is extraordinary. Few volunteers will ever do such heavy lifting as Barry has. But he is a shining example to all prospective volunteers who might contemplate volunteering for the sport and seeing just where it might take them. The song goes - ‘the wheels on the bus go round n round’ - when Barry got on that ‘volunteer bus’ so many years ago no one could have guessed how far and wide he would travel. I suspect he had no idea himself just how fast he’d make those little wheels go around. A hell of a ride. And he has also managed to log over 6000 jumps. A lfe well lived that left a very large wake behind him... Blue ones, Barry Major Dad CSPA D-579

From the CSPA FB Group Barry died yesterday after a battle with cancer. He was a giant in the community at both the national and international level. He was one of the best judges I have had the pleasure of meeting and headed up the National Technical and Safety Committee for eons.. Eternal Blue Skies... Sad day indeed... Major Dad CSPA D-579

From Facebook.... John Scott's family would like to inform you of a viewing to be held for family and friends. The viewing will be held tomorrow, Wednesday, May 8 at Serenity Funeral Services at 128 Queen Street in Spruce Grove, AB from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Eden North will be hosting a memorial in the very near future and will send out the details as soon as possible. Major Dad CSPA D-579

John passed away Saturday after a landing accident. He was a highly regarded skydiving instructor with over 9000 jumps. He became a full time skydiving professional after retiring from the military. His life's accomplishments are many: - Team Captain of the Canadian Army Skyhawks for 5 years - member of a number of Canadian National Teams competing at the world level, including last years Worlds - member of the 100 way CF formation over Lake Wales - Civilian Instructor of many Military courses and teams including the Skyhawks, the Canadian Forces Search and Rescue Technicians, Military Freefall courses, etc - Tandem Examinar and so on and so on. He lived large and leaves a big wake behind him. The legacy of all the instructors and people who he trained and mentored over the years can not be understated. Fly free, John BSBD Major Dad CSPA D-579