johndh1

I don't know who you've been talking to, but I've never heard anyone really complain about this. If the new students knew as much about USPA to make that call, they wouldn't have been duped by SR in the first place. I will also assert that the removal did little more than provide a symbolic gesture, no real damage. And before that statement is countered with "well, the courts found otherwise," the courts had little to do with it. Who are you kidding (I assure you, no one reading this, regardless of whose side they are on)? It was for no noble gesture towards the merits of being in USPA individually, and you know it - or have you forgotten about all the "fuck the USPA" threads and posts that recently disappeared from the P-ville forum (marked both pre- and post-settlement)? It's for the third-party liability insurance. I believe that's why most people are in USPA anyway. Well, isn't Chicagoland a proud member of the "network?" What does your warm reception there prove? To me, out of your own words here, you show that the anti-SR population at (at least) Cullman and the Farm still treat you with decency and respect as an individual jumper (and customer), and don't harass you for your association with the other dropzones - which is what you still seem to be pleading for. Which is one of the reasons those who dislike SR do, even though they are constantly thrown the line of "...if you're not a dzo, why do you care?" Unless you have some knowledge that has not been made public, this has not been shown yet. I'll wait until I know more before deciding who benefits most. Roll Tide Roll

I can see what you mean, but at the same time, I personally believe that the defendant side reps have more to hide than the plaintiff side (as far as the settlement, I mean). It is a complete slap in the faces of the existing and previous board members who made the decision that brought this suit in the first place. Roll Tide Roll

That was good, but she kinda scares me and reminds me of that chick in either "The Grudge" or "The Ring," I forget. Either way, where is her old Patagonia jacket and her Burton ride? Hippie snowboard chicks rock! Roll Tide Roll

You're right, especially with product liability, but this one I don't quite get. One thing that bothers me here: can you think of any reason the plaintiffs would want this in place? They won, so to speak, at least as far as this is concerned. They got what they wanted. Why would they desire confidentiality? They have bragging rights (so they think - what is so boastful about being a GM anyway?!). Now, had the (very few purporting to represent the majority of the organization of) defendants - the EC - required the proceedings to be kept in secret, well, that's another story. I still smell a rat. I think a full explanation is in order, and not this contradicting drivel posted on the USPA webpage (by "contradicting," I mean the whole tucked-tail attitude directly repudiates the previously highlighted so-called "ethics" clause, making it a useless portion of the agreement). Roll Tide Roll

With your man-of-the-world mesmerizing charm and your rapier's wit, I can't see why they aren't falling over each other to get to you and make you feel like you're in a Hustler centerfold... Roll Tide Roll

And Ellen was super-nice and cordial to W., unlike most of her contemporaries on the network talk-show circuit. Ellen is first-class in my book. I'm submitting a video birthday wish for her. Roll Tide Roll

I had to read the original post three times to make sure I wasn't reading it wrong - I had hoped the bold letters were referring to the entire thing and I was mistaken. So sad, so young, and such a good guy. Roll Tide Roll

Be sure to take care of and watch the condition of those scratches and cuts you mentioned - the reason being an alligator can carry really nasty infection. Roll Tide Roll

That may be, Frauline, as I don't know Katharine Ross or what "DOS 5.x" means. Basically, what I was saying is that if I were head of an organization whose interests I had been entrusted to protect, and if I felt that what I did would be the right thing for the majority of my constituents and paying members (all the while keeping anyone else I could from participating in discussion beforehand), why would I seem to attempt to suppress details of a settlement, when in fact, members and proprietors of the opposing party have been bragging in voice and in type about their satisfaction and elation with the settlement? If the negotiation I worked so diligently on for the benefit of those I represent, why wouldn't the complete details be made available by me to anyone interested? I would think that since the opposition agreed to any settlement, that they surely wouldn't mind, what with all the shouts of "Victory." Of course, it's possible I just posted in the wrong context in the wrong thread in the first place, and would make more sense elsewhere, in a more contemporary setting Roll Tide Roll

And neither is walking into a bank and passing the teller a note that states "give me all the money, I have a gun..." Roll Tide Roll

No, it's not fair, it's not correct, and it's not that simple. It seems you are trying to turn the issue - he referenced their inability to maintain profit margin by implementing your idea of ethical standards (like that would happen). Roll Tide Roll

Let's say that I am the Head Wanker (and NOT because of my red knees) of all of Mighty and Proud Wankerland. Now, let's just say that with staggering and staid effort I finally ended the assault of the evil and ravenous Bald Hairy Tacos that appeared at some point earlier to attempt to infest most of cherished Wankerland with their devouring and depraved ideology. If I believed that all the loyal-but-common Wankers who had any sense about them would laud my ingenious and selfless fortitude, wouldn't it make sense that I would waste no time in relaying the admirable details of my journey to resolution for the benefit of all of Wankerland to the Wankers who have entrusted me to protect them? (Especially when the Bald Hairy Tacos wasted no time highlighting their elation in scroll and voice - are the Bald Hairy Tacos not subject to the same elusive standard of secrecy? Why should they be - they seem to be happy with me, Head Wanker?) Mr. Garrison, that's at least a B+, ummm-kay? Roll Tide Roll

That is a matter of opinion. Many of the points you have made caused me to think for a moment that you were more wise to the facts and likely outcomes of this case than myself - however, this statement proves to me beyond a reasonable doubt that my presumption was in error, and I was right in the first place. To speak for USPA and their supposed (rational?) decision is quite a presumption on your part, considering the fact that only a portion of the EC negotiated and corralled this settlement, and considering the fact that only a portion of the BOD were part of the EC. In other words, a minority of a minority made the decision for the majority. So much for Representative Democracy. Basically, you are grossly misinformed. I can't say how soon it will be that you will be shown this to your satisfaction,...I can, however, say that at some point you will be, and you will be slapping your palms to your forehead in a "what was I thinking?" tone. If you are anything less than insane, you will, at that time, feel personally betrayed by those you have helped put in authority, either by your specific vote, or by default...I have to acknowledge that many of us are guilty of that. Roll Tide Roll

I'll have you know, it is my understanding, Sir, that there are TWO "n's" in his first name... Snap Roll Tide Roll

Me too, don't get me wrong, but right now I feel personally slighted and sold out by just a few people who have forgotten that they work for US. I am not against a national organization, I just feel this one has grown stale, and its direction and integrity have been compromised. I don't think this is as simple as "cutting of losses," or just "making the thing go away," or "cheaper to settle than fight." This is not a product-liability claim. This is a whole atmosphere of a nationwide organization being turned upside down - as evidenced here, on this "small and insignificant website" where "just a few people are continually making the same gripe." No, the conspiracy theorist in me thinks that this whole settlement was engineered by some who don't have the best interests of their constituents in mind. Roll Tide Roll

So, practically, what does USPA membership come down to for each person? Is it the magazine? But for the nice glossy shots (correct me if I am wrong, submitted by photographers, rarely any effort by the publishers themselves), to be honest, Skydiving magazine is much better reading for me, personally. As I stated before, the airport access defense is really not an issue for most - the DZOs I know are very appreciated by their respective airports. If I recall correctly, the only airport access case I am personally familiar with is one in Mississippi where the USPA deemed the defense unworthy (in a sense declaring him guilty by their position as a quasi-governing body), and the DZO took the burden of the litigation upon himself and won, without the help of the organization. When the case was mentioned in Parachutist, they left off the name of the victorious plaintiff, and the tone appeared to me to still be somewhat condescending toward him. Right or wrong, he proved his case to the satisfaction of the court. I wish the few decision-makers in this governing body had the same confidence and cock-eyed optimism. Still, I smell a rat. Roll Tide Roll

I think the statement is very fair, considering it could be read and interpreted either way, in the same sense that you and I disagree on the business itself. As for "brilliant," DB Cooper had a "brilliant" plan too (so did "Oceans 11,12,&13,", and Hannibal Lecter), but that doesn't mean it should be promoted, accepted and followed as a model. Would it please you had I stated Thanks, GC-taking DZs! You are a credit to the industry. ---out the door to a non-SRGC DZ and to pick up a chocolate pie from my mom--- Roll Tide Roll

One thing to remember is that if an independent cousel is looking at facts presented in a certain way, the fact that so many DZOs in the country - in every area of the country, disregarding actual state boundary - take the GCs, it could appear to give legitimacy to the operation of the plaintiffs in the claim. As has been said ad nauseam, if none of the DZOs took the certificates, it would look a whole lot better from the USPA side of the table. Thanks, GC-taking DZOs! You are a credit to the industry. Roll Tide Roll

That's Hot. Roll Tide Roll

Memberships, memberships. PADI, AOPA, EAA, USPA, just to name a few for myself. $39.00 here, $49.00 there. Even got the sticker, the hat, and the cheap bags to prove it. So what does my membership mean in USPA? The third-party liability insurance? Do I plan to visit that museum any time soon? The DZOs I know personally (all non-GC-taking) would never have an "airport access" issue that USPA's lawyers would have to tackle, but maybe I'm just a fortunate and unique case (my therapist thinks so). Got my USPA renewal card today - I'm bona-fide. Roll Tide Roll

That thread you are talking about was deleted because the original author clipped the major portion of the initial statement. The moderator probably felt they were assisting in courteous compliance with the author, considering the fact that the original post was deleted by them (OP) already, though it was in fact re-quoted twice and magnificently parodied by another witty and creative poster (turtlespeed). Perhaps we should wait and see what statement and explanation appears from USPA before deciding their worth, in spite of what we may have figured out already in our conspiracy-laden craniums, and go from there. I myself have little confidence in being happy with the outcome of this situation because my instincts are good - really good - but we shall see. Roll Tide Roll

Not everyone likes "TTDIDWYD." I just like Christopher Walken, Andy Garcia, and Steve Buscemi, and Treat Williams, I guess. Maybe it's the city and setting I adore. As for "..Suspects," you have to watch it without any chatterboxes around, and pay attention. What a clever movie. Roll Tide Roll

"Things To Do In Denver When You're Dead" or "The Usual Suspects." Roll Tide Roll

My godmother, or Celine!? Definitely not Celine! You could say that without my admonition applying to Cher or Streisand maybe, but not this enchantress. Maybe that will be said about her by the time her 2009 concert-goers redeem their tickets that went on sale last month... Roll Tide Roll

If you're smart and responsible, three condoms? Roll Tide Roll