algboy

For 50 minutes on 9-11, in direct contravention of established policy, no fighters were scrambled to intercept two outstanding hijacked airliners even though it was known attacks were in progress. In October 1999 at a time when there was no heightened alert, the ill-fated Lear Jet occupied by golfer Payne Stewart had an F-16 fighter and an A-10 attack aircraft flying beside it within minutes of losing radio contact and veering off course. Russian intelligence warned the U.S. last summer that as many as 25 suicide pilots were training for suicide missions involving the crashing of airliners into important targets. In an MSNBC interview on Sept. 15, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated he had ordered Russian intelligence to warn the USG "in the strongest possible terms" of imminent assaults on airports and government buildings before the attacks on Sept. 11. To quote 60 Minutes from Sept. 19, "Sources tell CBS News that the afternoon before the attack, alarm bells were sounding over unusual trading in the U.S. stock options market." A jump in UAL put options 90 times (not 90 percent) above normal between Sept. 6 and Sept.10, and 285 times higher than average on the Thursday before the attack. [CBS News, Sept. 26] A jump in American Airlines put options 60 times (not 60 percent) above normal on the day before the attacks. [CBS News, Sept. 26] No similar trading occurred on any other airlines. [Bloomberg Business Report, the Institute for Counterterrorism (ICT), Herzliyya, Israel citing data from the CBOE] Also ignored is the fact that the trading in United Airlines stock -- one of the most glaring clues -- was placed through the firm Deutschebank/Alex Brown, which was headed until 1998 by the man who is now the executive director of the CIA, A.B. "Buzzy" Krongard. [compiled from the website of gadfly extraordinaire, Michael C. Ruppert www.copvcia.com] " . . . .those who ask questions could face government charges". --Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld (referring to questions asking what the government may have known prior to 9/11) "A criminal is a person with predatory instincts who has not sufficient capital to form a corporation." -- Howard Scott

My 18-yr old daughter found this. I think it's hilarious, but you need to be able to play MP3s "A criminal is a person with predatory instincts who has not sufficient capital to form a corporation." -- Howard Scott

"Just make mine a Bud Light. It's simple that way, and available just about anywhere....." EEEEUUUUUUUUUUUUU!!!! IMHO: it seems to be the litter bugs' favorite brand. ;-) "A criminal is a person with predatory instincts who has not sufficient capital to form a corporation." -- Howard Scott

I really like your new site (inspired to tweak mine). The "fixes" look good. I enjoyed reading your latest addition (the 10-way account)! I love skydiving stories . . . "A criminal is a person with predatory instincts who has not sufficient capital to form a corporation." -- Howard Scott

"Coconino Plateau,, starts west of Flagstaff and runs almost to New Mexico,, one of the largest Ponderosa Pines stands in the country" FYI. the world's *largest* contiguous ponderosa pine forests surrounds us here in Flagstaff, AZ Also, if you see the "big hole" (G Canyon) you *gotta* hike--if only for an hour or so--below the rim. It's a whole new experience. Don't do the Chevy Chase "Vacation" thang: [look left--look right] "Alright kids, gotta go!" ;-) You've missed out if you don't stop by Sedona (red rock country) home of the "woo-woos", too And yes--Arizona rocks! "You're not drunk if you can lie on the floor without holding on." Joe E Lewis

I live in Flagstaff, AZ now--former Chicago native (Skydive Illinois). The great thing about Arizona is we have about 5-6 different ecosystems from low desert zone all the way to Alpine zone (Humphreys Peak @ 12000 ft MSL). We just got about 4" of snow last night here in Flagstaff @ 7000 ft. Eloy is at--as I recall--1500 ft MSL. It's strictly LOW desert. I'd like to know, too, how did you get your canopy stuck in a tree??? "You're not drunk if you can lie on the floor without holding on." Joe E Lewis

Here's the latest as of today from AP: TUCSON (AP) -- The pilot of a civilian plane that collided with an Army plane managed to regain control of his Cessna so the four English tourists inside could parachute out to safety before he made an emergency landing. However, the midair collision at 3,000 feet sent the Army plane crashing into the dry Santa Cruz riverbed in Marana, about 20 miles north of Tucson. Chief Warrant Officer 4 Lowell K. Timmons, 45, was killed in the Friday crash. He was piloting the Army plane for the Golden Knights parachute team, based in Fort Bragg, N.C. The pilot of the Cessna managed to land his damaged plane safely at Marana Skydiving Center, where the flight originated, said owner Tony Frost. The incident remained under investigation Sunday. The National Transportation Safety Board said it could take nine to 12 months before the agency determines the cause of the collision or who was responsible. Inquiries also are being conducted by the U.S. Army Safety Center of Fort Rucker, Ala., and the Federal Aviation Administration. Frost said the English tourists -- two men and two women ages 30 to 45 -- were experienced jumpers who were practicing for Marana's annual International Parachuting Competition this week. They jumped after the collision badly damaged the left wing and rear cabin of the Cessna 182, he said. Four of the Army's Golden Knights parachutists had already jumped from the UV-20A Pilatus Porter when it and the Cessna collided. Frost would not identify the English customers or the Cessna's pilot, but praised him for landing safely. "The plane was damaged enough that the young man who was flying it did an exceptional job of bringing it down. He had a parachute, too, so he could have just as easily jumped. But we try not to do that, only as a last resort," he said. "If he had jumped out, we could have had God knows how many fatalities someplace on the ground." Frost said his pilot did not appear at fault. Officials with the U.S. Army Recruiting Command said Timmons was "an experienced pilot, rated on eight different types of Army aircraft." He was a 16-year Army veteran. "You're not drunk if you can lie on the floor without holding on." Joe E Lewis

I somehow missed this post earlier. Anyway . . . I heard that *Cheryl Stearns* was on that Knights load and was already under canopy at 3500 when she heard commotion on the ground. The news report pissed me off, because they didn't make it CLEAR that she was ALIVE for quite a while. Sorry to hear anyone died, but it could've been SO much worse. "You're not drunk if you can lie on the floor without holding on." Joe E Lewis

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You ARE the man, Fruce!! That pic of the babe leaving the CASA is superb! Hats off! "You're not drunk if you can lie on the floor without holding on." Joe E Lewis

Son of a pilot and fascinated with anything aviation related. I remember reading any book I could find on the sport even back in junior high. I'm really dating myself, but my first jump was in `76 at college. For me, though, it was a combination of fascination, my adventure-craving nature, rebellion and expressing my freedom (2500 miles from M&D at college in LA). Parents said "no way" so it's "off-to-jump-today" . . . . I especially like the "realness"--the sensual experience--of the skydiving experience. Life is NEVER as interesting as when someone shouts "DOOR!" and the reality kicks you in the butt. ALL the senses get a workout, too: motion, sound, sight, smell--even taste (cottonmouth/biley taste). And when you hit the ground and bundle up that chute, well, life just about can't get any better! "You're not drunk if you can lie on the floor without holding on." Joe E Lewis

Bear this in mind--yes I don't know crap--I only have 20 jumps. HOWEVER . . . I don't think canopy sizing is necessarily a one-size-fits-all proposition. It depends on the pilot. While student jumping at both Morris, IL and Eloy, I noticed jumpers in the several-hundred-jumps category careening in like AFF students. HELLO? I'm sorry--there's almost NO excuse for coming in downwind! Do they even bother to check the winds before going up. Did they have a plan? Can they fly a basic downwind-base-final pattern and have it figured out at, like 2K?? It's kinda sad. Canopy flying seems to be the "bald-headed stepchild" for a lot of jumpers (IMHO). OK--here's where y'all are gonna think I'm a braggin' POS, but I stood up at least half and landed in or damn close to the peas on most of my AFFs and solos. My instructor would shake his head and say, "Are you a pilot or something?" Yes, I have done SOME flying, but maybe it's just a "feel" thing. I see a lot of bad landings out there. And no--I'm not planning to hook anything in for QUITE a while. OK-OK--what's my friggin' point? I would like to think that I'd be OK at 1.0 or slightly higher at my jump level. Those 230s feel like DOGS--even at Eloy's 1500 MSL! BTW--I'm about 230 out the door (gotta ease up on the brewskies, don'tcha know). Am I gonna do some wackass crazy s*** like buy a Stilleto 135 anytime soon? No way, Jose! I'm getting on the demo program at Eloy, but I'll bet I'll be around to enjoy beers for years as I downsize--intelligently--for me. OK--flame away . . . . ;-) Hey, Clay, I REALLY don't know shit!! hehehehehehe "You're not drunk if you can lie on the floor without holding on." Joe E Lewis

So you think there's gonna be elections in 2004? What an optimist . . . Raise a beer to the Fatherland--er, I mean--Homeland for me. "That which does not kill me makes me stronger."--Nietzsche

I hate to be the party-pooper for those who watch too many John Wayne movies. I wish to God I could remember this story better, but it was years ago in some non-mainstream rag: the father of one of the dead Rangers from the Somalia debacle walked up to Clinton at some "award" ceremony or other and basically said "you don't deserve to be the commander-in-chief of this country's armed forces . . . you are an embarassment to the office of President . . . blah-blaH-BLAH!" Clinton got all red-faced and the troublesome dad was whisked away.. I remember reading this following info a few weeks ago, but I had no end of trouble finding this information ANYWHERE (even on the "free" Internet) now that the movie is in full hype (here goes): In reality, McGregor's Grimes is based on real-life Army Ranger John "Stebby" Stebbins, who, aside from being a hero in the Battle of Mogadishu, is now a convicted child molester. The Army purportedly tried to hide that fact when Scott and company began shooting Black Hawk Down. Mark Bowden, author of the original bestselling book and its screenplay, told the New York Post he was pressured by Pentagon officials to change the name of Stebbins to Grimes to avoid the controversy. "As it happened, Stebbins got in trouble with the law," Bowden told the Post. "The Army asked us to change the name." Stebbins, now 36, tried three times to enlist in the military during the Persian Gulf War and was turned away before finally being accepted into the Army's formidable Ranger unit. Relegated to desk clerk duty and labeled "chief coffee maker" by his peers until called into action, "Stebby" reportedly surprised his fellow soldiers with his bravery and was eventually awarded the Army's distinguished Silver Star--one of the military's highest honors--for his heroism during the bloody battle. While he proved to be a tough fighter during the botched operation, Stebbins eventually ran afoul of the law. He was court-martialed on June 8, 2000, for sexually abusing a child under the age of 12 and sentenced to 30 years in Leavenworth military prison in Kansas, where he now resides. Despite the name change, Stebbins' conviction blanketed the movie in controversy. His ex-wife, Nora Stebbins, wrote an email to the Post objecting to the movie making a hero out of a convicted sex offender. "[Producers] are going to make millions off this film in which my ex-husband is portrayed as an All-American hero, when the truth is he is not," she wrote. Let's face it: the war-making machinery is pumping up again and getting ready to "fire up" Joe and Mary Sixpack to give the thumbs up for more incursions into Iraq, Somalia, Yemen, etc. I have TOTAL respect for the US armed forces, but they are being USED--follow the money!! "The enormous gap between what US leaders do in the world and what Americans think their leaders are doing is one of the great propaganda accomplishments of the dominant political mythology." --Michael Parenti "That which does not kill me makes me stronger."--Nietzsche

Speaking of that Ronald MacDonald clown, they've been collecting money for his "house" for years now. Just how big of a house does that clown NEED anyway?? [I admit it, I ripped off someone's bit] Dave T did die of liver cancer. One press report described him as "slightly overweight". Hello? And I just a like a sip of beer every now and then! "That which does not kill me makes me stronger."--Nietzsche

I read somewhere that they had an "on board" medical kit that the MDs used. Also, if I'd been sitting next to that MF, I would have had a handful of his hair, twisted it and him into the aisle and tapdanced on his windpipe. And then I'd REALLY get mean. "That which does not kill me makes me stronger."--Nietzsche

I'm not 100% on this one, but I think you might be talking about Mike McGowan's (Skydive Arizona's illustrious videographer) double recently. I think it was on "Real TV" or something. He was filming a ho-hum tandem when he had "no joy" on deployment, pulled reserve and--of course--main decided to inflate, too. He landed safely in the trees, then they gave way and he hit the ground from about 40 feet landing on his back! OUch!! I have to say--I think I'd work the trees, too! "That which does not kill me makes me stronger."--Nietzsche

I'm a caucasian scandinavian male who skydives, rock climbs, votes Libertarian, plays piano and reads books. That's gotta make me some kind of minority, too. Just a thought: aren't there MORE women than men? Makes men a "minority" doesn't it?? "Sacred cows--they're not just for breakfast anymore!"--Me "That which does not kill me makes me stronger."--Nietzsche

I have to add, Michelle, that I ,too, love your stories; I relive so much of what I went through during my tandem/AFF/solo days. Now you've passed me (bwaaaaaahh!!) and I haven't jumped in over a year (double-bwaaaaah!!). You've inspired me to sell the china, climbing gear--whatever it takes--and get back in the air. Good stuff! BTW: my first jump EVER (a S/L) with a 24' round in `76 was at Perris with J/M Dean Westgaard (may he R.I.P); 2nd jump was at Elsinore. FYI: in `76 Perris was kind of a po-dunk DZ, Elsinore was the happenin' DZ--funny how it's Perris that seems to have pulled ahead these days. Blue ones! Bruce "That which does not kill me makes me stronger."--Nietzsche

Hey--I only have 19 jumps--yet to get the big "A"--but I've had some cool jumps so far: started in `76 with two S/L jumps, 22-year layoff before three tandems, AFF and some neat solos. Jumped from 6 different aircraft and four dropzones to date. 1) What is the lowest you have intentionally exited an aircraft (i.e. no emergency, fallout etc)? 2500 ft on my first two static line jumps back in the "old days" 2) What is the lowest you have gone WayLow intentionally (i.e. no loss of altitude awareness) ? I waited until just past 3500 on a solo--under canopy by 2800 3) What is the most stupid/dangerous thing you have done in freefall? My first AFF (AFF 2) I got my container stuck in the door of the KingAir; MJM pushed me out but we lost the RJM, I was "back-to-earth" down to 8000. Don't know why I didn't do anything. I felt very calm (believe it or not) and just waited for my jumpmaster to flip me, the RJM re-joined us and it was a great ride after that. 4) What is the closest you have come to killing yourself? I have been pretty confident with my canopy flying since AFF 2, but on one of my early solos I set up a final approach that took me over the road with power lines/poles. I was so focused on hitting the peas that I didn't consider the approach. I was sweating bullets as I passed over the power lines--they seemed really close! 5) What gives you the biggest kick? Three things: hanging onto the outside of a plane B4 letting go, diving out the back of a CASA or jumping through "industrial haze". 6) How many times have you been grounded? Not yet 7) How long is the longest grounding Not yet 8) What do you get grounded for? Not yet 9) Any other comments?????? The thing I love about skydiving is the "3-ring circus" aspect to the sport (so much going on): the 20-minute call heebie-jeebies, the plane ride up, the exit, freefall, canopy ride, good landing (hopefully), the interesting people and the general DZ vibe. "That which does not kill me makes me stronger."--Nietzsche

Is it just me or is stories like that that help me remember why I generally can't stand cops! My recollection of most cops is that they were the dudes who were the "towel boys" or "bench warmers" in high school athletics who now get off on wearing a "piece" and being the "above the law" tough guys. Yeah--we need cops--it's just the dudes who fill the job slot don't generally impress me much. "That which does not kill me makes me stronger."--Nietzsche

Yeayuh! Ain't he grayyt! Ted--except for your predeliction for killing Bambi-types--I love your libertarian, sensible ass! Rock ON!! "That which does not kill me makes me stronger."--Nietzsche

Hey guys! Just a thought--I just got back from Maui yesterday (what an A-1 bitch going through those lines and hassles!) I don't think FBO oversight is the solution, it's keeping cockpit doors less easy to get into and re-training passive airline crewmembers who were trained to "make nice" to the baddies. On the way back from Maui we had a pilot who said straight up that "we" were P.O.'d and any potential baddasses were gonna get a bit of whumpass if they tried any funny stuff. I agreed. I was so P.O.'d after all the extra lines and security B.S. that I was ready to punch somebody right in the adams apple just for smiling at me funny. "That which does not kill me makes me stronger."--Nietzsche

Hi all--my 1st post I can't resist. This was the coolest jump in my short 19-jump career! My 3rd solo--out of a Twin Otter. I followed another solo jumper; saw him about 500 feet below me disappear into a solid bank of "haze". No time to be worried, quick alti check (11,000) and I, too, get sucked into the huge cottonball. After, what seemed like ages I see the ground. Quick alti check (10,000). WOW!!! That was wild. The rest of the jump went fine, but how many people have ever had THAT experience. BTW--2nd place jump goes to my 4th solo--out the back of a CASA with flaps not working, translation: FAST exit with lots of tumbling and WHAT a takeoff (sat next to the tailgate door)!! Too bad I didn't have any skydiving buds to share the thrill with as I'd just graduated from AFF and wasn't part of the "in" crowd. My whuffo friends/family wouldn't--still don't--even understand "That which does not kill me makes me stronger."--Nietzsche Bruce "That which does not kill me makes me stronger."--Nietzsche