MikePelkey

**************************************** It would be nice if there were some way to actually get some good statistics about this... if there was one person (or organization) who people could report injuries to and this info could be analyzed over a few years - I think that's the only way we'll ever see any accurate "trends"... **************************************** There may be more recent statistics available, but Norm Heaton, then head of the "Parachute Club of America", (since renamed "United States Parachuting Association"]), stated in December of 1967 that: "50% of all skydiving fatalities are women, and 10% of all jumpers are women". Note that far from being a published report, Norm made this statement one evening in informal conversation in a bar after a day of skydiving in Taft California. But it's probably quite safe to assume that the PCA would have had access to fairly good data in this regard, just as the USPA would have today. Please also note that this post should not be construed in any way to be my opinion regarding female jumpers. It is simply a response to your query about statistics. I knew some extremely talented and competent female skydivers back in my days. Jean Boenish, Marta Eminotti, and Heather Swan, among others, are certainly icons in the sport of BASE jumping today. In theory, there is no difference bretween theory and practice. In practice, however, there is. - "RIP Forever Brian Schubert. Always remembered, Never forgotten" - Leroy DB http://www.johnny

Clair, Since you don't have to hide it, post a picture In theory, there is no difference bretween theory and practice. In practice, however, there is. - "RIP Forever Brian Schubert. Always remembered, Never forgotten" - Leroy DB http://www.johnny

Sorry Nick, Some of the very guys you are trying to keep the sport open for not only won't listen, they are actually offended by it. There are none so blind as those who won't see. You're a great friend, and a great friend to the sport. Mike In theory, there is no difference bretween theory and practice. In practice, however, there is. - "RIP Forever Brian Schubert. Always remembered, Never forgotten" - Leroy DB http://www.johnny

So you go and day blaze the Empire State Building (only the biggest icon building in NYC) at rush hour traffic in our post 9/11 environment that we now live in, and and you think we should now come together to stop what was inevitable by your selfish actions? We didn't seem to matter to you when you executed your plan. How did you think it was going to go down? Do you think if you had made the jump that the NY authorities would have thought, "neato"? Do you think that they would have looked the other way? Do you think the media would have revered you as a hero? Think back to how the NY city mayor responded to Thor Alex and a russian jumper when they jumped some high profile buildings in NY in 1999. He ordered the police to crack down on BASE jumpers. Even if you had gotten away, at the very least you would have made New York City HOT (as in burnage). But you ended up getting busted and you got yourself a high priced attorney to fight a misdemeanor charge. What did you think was going to happen if you beat the charges? Remember back when Hank Caylor had a building strike in Denver and was also charged with reckless endangerment. He also beat the charges BUT as a result Denver passed a law that specifically made BASE illegal in Denver. Someone also got busted in Atlantic City and it resulted in a law being passed that made BASE jumping illegal there with a very stiff fine. With this history, how could you not know that they might pass a new law? So I ask again, how did you think it was going to go down? What did you think would happen if you beat the charges like you did? After you were acquitted, even your own lawyer said this in the paper article link: http://www.talknyc.net/jumping-off-the-empire-state-building-now-allowed/ There are more BASE jumpers in this country that do not post online then those that do. The silent majority is very unhappy about your actions. You don't have a good track record either as you have day blazed other objects to get your picture in the paper so you can be famous. But at least you got to promote your 3triple7 shirts. You are a glory seeker who has disregard the welfare of local BASE communities just like John Vincent and Felix have. John Vincent was tared and feathered for it. But now since you have set into motion concerns with the New York authorities that will most likely result in a new law (like your own attorney predicted), you actually want us to back you. I sure hope they don't pass this law for our sakes, not yours. Even if a new law does not come about you have still irreversibly hurt the American BASE scene. I will keep making some jumps in a stealthy way, but the bust factor will be more risky. And the next time a glory seeker day blazes a high profile object, the authorities will consider your fiasco in dealing with it then too. If it ends up being a felony like it's proposed to be and a BASE jumper is out doing a low profile stealthy jump (like how Bs should be done) and ends up getting busted, instead of just getting charged with a misdemeanor, he will have a life changing felony on his record. It will mean he can't even vote. I agree with Mr. Heller that they will probably plug the legal loophole in NY. If jumpers want to help fight this then they should push for it to be no more than a misdemeanor. The idea that they will just drop it because BASE jumpers say BASE is safe or that there are laws already on the books that will cover these acts is delusional. Mr. Heller himself has shown them that the current laws are not sufficient for the law enforcers to stop what they perceive to be illegal. Mr Corliss, I read your comments in reply to this article http://www.brooklyngraphic.com/site/tab6.cfm?newsid=17829722&brd=2384&pag=461&dept_id=552852 One more thing Jeb, can you please not make it any worse by making arrogant statements like this I remember a time when BASE jumpers maintained a harmony with the police. We stay stealthy and most of them didn't care that we jumped. Your right Nick, those days are over. Basejumper, you're spot on with this one. A lot of base jumpers seem to forgive Jeb's destructive antics because he has achieved a huge level of fame and success through base jumping. I, for one, have written a few positive posts on Jeb's ESB attempt and now wish I hadn't after having reread your post on this thread. Thanks, Mike Pelkey In theory, there is no difference bretween theory and practice. In practice, however, there is. - "RIP Forever Brian Schubert. Always remembered, Never forgotten" - Leroy DB http://www.johnny

Obviously the Empire State Building was built with no concern whatsoever for public safety. People could be injured or even killed falling off it. Clearly Jeb's motivation was to point out the deadly flaw in its design. In theory, there is no difference bretween theory and practice. In practice, however, there is. - "RIP Forever Brian Schubert. Always remembered, Never forgotten" - Leroy DB http://www.johnny

You take your life into your hands every time you jump, no one needs to be responsible for you besides you...I think we have enough a$$holes in the sport, we do not need to diminish the memory of someone who seemed to have been a positive influence __________________________________________________ Thanks. The sport needs more guys like you. In theory, there is no difference bretween theory and practice. In practice, however, there is. - "RIP Forever Brian Schubert. Always remembered, Never forgotten" - Leroy DB http://www.johnny

Thanks, Leroy and Al, and my future thanks to anyone who might post after this. I'll be sure to remember this birthday well into my declining years In theory, there is no difference bretween theory and practice. In practice, however, there is. - "RIP Forever Brian Schubert. Always remembered, Never forgotten" - Leroy DB http://www.johnny

Thanks Johnny http://www.basejumper.org/forums/viewtopic.php?p=4594&highlight=#4594 In theory, there is no difference bretween theory and practice. In practice, however, there is. - "RIP Forever Brian Schubert. Always remembered, Never forgotten" - Leroy DB http://www.johnny

Thank you Belinda. You're a sweet girl. In theory, there is no difference bretween theory and practice. In practice, however, there is. - "RIP Forever Brian Schubert. Always remembered, Never forgotten" - Leroy DB http://www.johnny

You're progressing very well, except for wasting your time with the three skydives of course. I suggest you go directly to a wingsuit landing next. Congratulations on your decision to marry John Agos. I hope I'm invited to the ceremony. I haven't climbed to the top of the El Capitan in a long time. Keep up the progress, and don't let any of the naysayers try to tell you to slow down. You're doing just fine. In theory, there is no difference bretween theory and practice. In practice, however, there is. - "RIP Forever Brian Schubert. Always remembered, Never forgotten" - Leroy DB http://www.johnny

Thanks Chris, No, partying comes quite easy to me. It's like falling off a rock. In theory, there is no difference bretween theory and practice. In practice, however, there is. - "RIP Forever Brian Schubert. Always remembered, Never forgotten" - Leroy DB http://www.johnny

Thanks Nick. The party couldn't have been more terrific. I'm in the early stage of my second childhood and already have a great start at being a spoiled brat, thanks in large part to you and Julia. Everyone should be blessed with such a truly wonderful cluster of friends and family. In theory, there is no difference bretween theory and practice. In practice, however, there is. - "RIP Forever Brian Schubert. Always remembered, Never forgotten" - Leroy DB http://www.johnny

The "near west" country has even better beer In theory, there is no difference bretween theory and practice. In practice, however, there is. - "RIP Forever Brian Schubert. Always remembered, Never forgotten" - Leroy DB http://www.johnny

I'll be there Nick. and I will try my best to behave myself this time like a mature individual. I want to be on the ground crew this time. Thanks for the invite. In theory, there is no difference bretween theory and practice. In practice, however, there is. - "RIP Forever Brian Schubert. Always remembered, Never forgotten" - Leroy DB http://www.johnny

All the best to you Dave. In theory, there is no difference bretween theory and practice. In practice, however, there is. - "RIP Forever Brian Schubert. Always remembered, Never forgotten" - Leroy DB http://www.johnny