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Tree,

I respectfully disagree.

Our relationship with Fayetteville must remain symbiotic. If we as jumpers must surrender our civil liberties in order to pay to support the community of Fayetteville, then the relationship is no longer symbiotic; it is parasitic. Fayetteville's event destroys its host: BASE jumpers.

The BASE community offered suggestions for alternative safety and security measures. These were all rejected. Now, if the symbiosis is to be maintained, the community of Fayetteville must show its support for us. If we are truly important, then the community should change the representation on the Commission and vote for a more sensible security paradigm.

Every weekend in this country, cities of all sizes host sporting events that draw crowds like those in Fayetteville on Bridge Day. The athletes are not fingerprinted. The Boston, New York, and London marathons do not fingerprint their runners - even though each of these cities has experienced terror. The requests of the Bridge Day Commission are beyond non-sensical, and they should not be tolerated by any self-respecting citizen, whether a parachutist or not.

~ Chris LaVesser
BASE 1659 (if I remember correctly, that could be off by a few)

I was going to reply but seekfun did a great job already.

+1

They need us more than we need them. It's time they learned that.

seekfun just seriously pinned the tail on the donkey, spot on. its also pretty obvious that the BDC, and the local state cops do not want anything to do with the entire bridge day weekend as well. whether thats out of pure laziness, or dislike for the jumpers and the whole event remains to be seen.

let them sleep in their fucked up bed this year, and watch as they withdraw some of their police-state mentality after all the local businesses bitch and complain.
could go both ways. no more bridge day in any capacity, or a bridge day without fingerprinting.
i'm sure they might rethink things after 100,000 complaints.

Just out of curiosity, are you planning on trying to slime in on the event organizer position in the 11th hour?

If not, I respectfully disagree with you, and am happy to have an opportunity to understand your point of view better.

If so, you are a slimy traitor bitch with a capital C, and I resent your trying to come out to the base community preemptively masking your scumminess with care for base history.

Again if this truly is just your earnest feelings on an issue close to your heart then thank you for sharing your views.

+1

 

The Potato Bridge is orders of magnitude more important to the history of BASE than the Police State Bridge and represents its history far better.



Here, I fixed it for you.


Seriously, Mark, you do not "preserve" BASE jumping at the Police State Bridge by agreeing to make it a perp walk instead of a parachuting event, and I say that in large part because of the guy whose shoulders you principally reference (BASE #4, aka Sunshine Superman).

He is the guy who said "truth is radical" when talking about BASE jumping.

He is also the guy who said to me and the rest of the crew when the cops grabbed us at the Colorado Bridge: "Smile but do not cooperate."

And that is precisely what we need to do here:

Smile at the community that has -- as you correctly and importantly point out -- been so good to us in the past, but do not cooperate with their acquiescence to police-state politics and perp-walk policies -- because, in truth, it's time to get radical, which is why I support and am proud to see the so-far unified opposition to and promise to boycott those perp-walk policies and police-state politics.


44

Collateral damage is collateral damage. The locals will now be bringing the issue up with their local government. How the fuck are you willing to give up your freedom and be treated like a criminal in order to jump off a bridge that is legal ONE DAY out of the year? The community relationship is there, the mind set of the police providing "security" is the part that's wrong. Are you drawn to the 100,000 people watching you? Bring your GoPro to get famous too!

If twin decided to finger print each one of us that comes out there then yes, I'm sure there would be a lot of locals talking to them. The difference is that twin falls isn't arbitrarily illegal. Twin falls sees us as citizens until someone does something illegal. Wv sees us as criminals until we prove otherwise.

You have a fundamental misunderstanding of this whole situation. Nobody is aiming at local business, citizens, or the Chamber. We are simply exercising our RIGHT to not participate in this event.

If anyone is attacking these people it's the State police who have continued to create these problems for the people they are supposed to be serving. Maybe you should direct your words at them.

As was stated above, the Chamber, businesses, etc. are all collateral damage resulting from these police tactics. It has nothing to do with us. They named their price are we're simply not willing to pay.

Seriously...don't jump at BD in 2015. It's a super shithead move.

I owe the US a lot as far as who I am today. The US taught me how to BASE jump and 99% of my friends are Americans and the best people I know, so im not a European jumping on the bandwagon that makes fun of it as I truly love it there.

That's why I get so involved in US politics and why it annoys me a great deal to see this kind of crap happening. After my accident my fiance came to England with me, has lived here for almost 9 months and her eyes are open now to what freedom really is.

The public are brainwashed into "land of the free" when quite the opposite is true. I am glad that most BASE jumpers will be boycotting Bridge Day as it is a stand for all the right reasons. All I can think to even say is good luck and I sincerely hope this is a step in the right direction and the fingerprinting causes a backlash from the people of WV who ultimately suffer in the end.

Suck it, Tree

I'm curious if anyone will notice that we're not there, financially at least.

The jumpers are what interest the people, but the people will still come... this year. They won't know about the boycott, at least not most.

So will the vendors and area businesses lose out on business? I doubt it. I'd wager that they get even MORE business, because there aren't a lot of jumpers to watch so they leave and go to a restaurant, or buy an extra hotdog. And from a consumer standpoint, our 500 wallets aren't going to be missed.

You might not see a return on this boycott until 2016

By then it may be too late. Who knows.

If jumpers aren't showing up it will be in the news down there and all the local tourists will know. Vendors will know, some might make the decision not to rent space if they suspect the lack of jumpers will affect turnout. The only tourists that won't know are the ones that drive a couple of hours and are out the local media range. Really none of it is our concern, if fingerprinting is unacceptable to jumpers, jumpers go elsewhere.

Maybe it's worth renting a booth there and handing out materials as to why the BASE jumpers are all gone.

Booth might not even be necessary. Anyone live in the area that would be down to go as a spectator and hand out flyers?

Or even better- a full page ad in the local paper for the months leading up to the event. I know Jason has many contacts in the local media. Granted- I don't know if he is interested in going that far after 13 years organizing (but who knows). I do think informing as many of the event go-ers as possible will be important. The BDC needs to hear from a lot more than just jumpers if they are going to care.

What event?
Jason isnt organising one

Not sure if you are being sarcastic but Jason is (was) the BASE coordinator for the event of Bridge Day. Just because the jumpers don't come doesn't mean the event will end. I think it is important for the public to know WHY the event will not be featuring is primary entertainment this year. PR battles can be important in the court of public opinion....

Alan,
Sounded to me like he is about to run for BD event organizer. I smelt something too!

Tree,
Is going for umteen years jumping at BD worth shitting on all your friends? I don't know how you can go for a record if they didn't have BD after 911, are you going to put an astrix next to your "personal record"? Our civil liberties are worth a lot more than preserving the BD event or some record. Or is your hopes to 50 years down the line be like Brian Shubert and show up with the Discovery Channel, and finally gain that 15 seconds of glory! Worked out well for Brian didn't it??

Bludow,
I think your onto something about having jumpers there passing out flyers. We should bring some tar and feathers to make examples of those tools that decide to jump anyways.

Great idea handing out flyers, but wouldn't a booth require registering as a vendor and, hence, getting 'printed? Seems ironic.

Agree, but my thoughts were that a booth would attract attention. But like I also said, probably a few guys handing out flyers there could do the trick. I also like the idea of an ad in the local paper. That would be us simultaneously supporting a local business and getting our message out.

Quit jumping on Tree everybody. He offered a thoughtful and well-reasoned alternative position on how to handle the devolving situation at the Police State Bridge, which basically boils down to:

It's better to accommodate the Police State Bridge Commission than it is to give up Bridge Day parachute jumping.

Many and probably most of us disagree with his take on it (as I did above), but that doesn't mean it's fair to treat him as if he's one of the police-state tools demanding perp walks for jumpers, vendors and rappellers.

As for bluhdow's idea, the idea is fine, but the proposed execution is way too late.

It seems to me that a better use of our resources is to: a) leave Tree alone; and b) immediately contact as many vendors as possible from previous years, and the rappellers (the individuals, not their allegedly Associate Tool organizer), and encourage them all to join the stand we are taking for freedom and against police state politics.

It seems to me that if not just the jumpers but all of the people targeted by the perp-walk policy joined together, it would be far more productive than:

a) talking smack to a senior member of our community who has contributed more to BASE jumping than the people bagging on him combined (Scotty-Bob, your skillset and creativity are beyond effing awesome but you're still a new kid on the block compared to Tree); and/or

b) throwing a turd in the Bridge Day punch bowl by handing out flyers during the event.

We now have a solid "freedom foundation" on which to build a larger constituency in pursuit of our goals. It seems to me that it's better to think of ways to do that than to see who can take the ugliest shot at Tree.


44

Robin,
Tree is the one who decided to open his mouth and go against the grain. Ridiculous considering how much discussion has gone on about this. To give into them for the sake of keeping up an attendance record? Come on, he deserves ridicule if he cant put his own personal agendas aside for the greater good. If we can REALLY limit the attendance at BD our voices will be heard by our actions. But OLD glory hounds going against what has been laid out as a SOLID simple plan ( BOYCOTT BD) is asinine. TREE we the BASE community will give you a hall pass on your BD attendance record!

FINGER SCANS= NO BASE JUMPING AT BD 2015, PERIOD!!!!!!!!!!

JG,

You're preaching to the choir here; I didn't go to Bridge Day even when they "just" had the background checks -- even when I helped coordinate the Go Fast effort in 2002.

And if you want to ridicule Tree's ideas, that too is fine. You may have noticed that I cut him no slack on his ideas.

Moreover, his ideas may indeed be asinine, but putting them out there is not; as the old AI mantra goes: "Intelligence emerges from the interaction of conflicting elements."

Is a feature of police-state politicians and political correctness aficionados to ridicule not the ideas that are contrary to theirs but the people who dare to "open their mouths and go against the grain;" in the propaganda business, these are called ad hominem attacks and that is what is mostly happening here.

Your own comments, for example, attack Tree over a minor personal point he makes instead of addressing the larger issue he raises about Bridge Day as a historical and integral part of the BASE scene in America that should be preserved at all costs.

There is nothing ridiculous about Tree putting that argument out there; in fact, it's part of "due diligence" that thoughtful people apply to developing a position and plan of action about anything.

Moreover, his concern is in fact valid, for the reasons he set forth; it is the way he proposes to handle it that has some holes in it big enough to drive a tanker truck through.

And please don't misunderstand me: I think it is great that Alan and you and others show so much passion about this; I just think it's more productive to aim it exclusively at the Police State Bridge Commission and its perp-walk policies.


44

I have to agree that the first year of no base jumpers or very few jumpers will not cause a financial change this year for vendors. I am curious what this will do to the start up of tandem BASE jumps? Those guys have used bridge day to gain good exposure and acceptance. Those guys stand to lose on this.

Robin,

I agree that the best resolve comes from our "freedom" to share openly and discuss this quandary. I would have given Trees statements more clout if he hadn't mentioned his attendance record, but he did. I feel there has been good progress as to how to move forward but my main frustration is that with any kind of jumper turnout out our voices won't be heard. Sure people will come and vendors will have booths, what wife doesn't like a street fair. But if we can somehow stand together and not jump people will ask questions and just maybe the BASe community can have a positive effect on our civil liberties.

The thing is, even Tree's personal interest in preserving Bridge Day is not unreasonable data to consider, either, principally because some potential jumpers will give at least as much weight as they make their decision to their personal goals and desires as to the larger and more abstract goals of freedom generally and freedom from persecution specifically. Telling them they are all ***holes for disagreeing with us heroic freedom fighters is probably not going to win us many converts -- especially among the skydivers who have zero interest in BASE other than to do a bucket list jump from the Police State Bridge.

Politically speaking:

1) BASE jumpers are the base of this political effort; we are the most informed and most passionate and most committed to this course of action. We are equivalent to the hard-core activists of the Republican and Democrat parties.

2) All those skydivers out there who make up a significant portion of the Bridge Day crowd (Jason, do you have a breakdown?)... they represent the party "moderates" and the independents.

3) To create a winning coalition, we cannot just appeal to the base; and we can't disrespect the people outside the base who might share some of our passion and positions but not all of them. We need to educate and convince them of the correctness of our path, not chop their heads off for not immediately joining our jihad.

Tree is a case in point:

If we can convince Tree that standing firm this year (and taking a year off if the Police State Bridge Commission does not see the error of its ways quickly enough) will better preserve Bridge Day in terms of ambiance as well as access, then we have a chance to change his mind.

But if we just chop his head off, it makes it kinda hard to keep the conversation going...


44

I mostly agree that Tree does bring up a valid point. Bridge Day was really one of the most important events in BASE history. Robin, you know that in the first 10 years of real BASE at New River, 82-92, Bridge Day was the only worldwide event and we met jumpers from all over. With no internet, B Day was the most important event each year to spread the word about BASE and the latest knowledge about new techniques or equipment. Of late, I agree, Twin Falls and the excellent attitude of the community is great, but B Day was a very integral part of BASE history. Now, however, like much of our entire country, the BDC has cowed down to accepting the police state that is expanding. At some point, we need to say enough is enough. If BASE jumpers won't stand up for this principal, how can we expect other US citizens to try to resist this mentality. Tree, you need to remember not only was B Day important to our history, part of the spirit that began BASE was a super charged expression of personal freedom. If we succumb to ever increasing treatment of ourselves as criminals especially for a legal event that makes the locals money, we're giving in to the very spirit that started BASE and keeps it alive. If, as I hope, NO jumpers show up at B Day, there will still be a good crowd this year, but wait till next year if the word goes out there is no more jumping. In 82, we had about 40 jumpers and 10,000 spectators. Once word went out, the next year in 83, (as best as I recall, ha ha), we had about 100 jumpers but 100,000 spectators. It went to 200,000 for a couple years thereafter. They built the big hotels that were not there when we started. In 83, Boenish, Smitty, my brother Randy and I were talking to the Pres. of the Chamber of Commerce, Doug Maddy. I asked him if the jumping in any way detracts from what Bridge Day was supposed to be when it first started. He said without hesitation, "The jumping is Bridge Day." It's up to the locals to complain to their local police, council, State Reps, etc if they want to let the State Police know who's boss. If they wish to remain in a police state of mind costing their businesses the most profitable one day festival in the State, then they deserve their fate. Tree, believe me, I was at B Day and part of the staff for first 10 years and I hate to see it go, but the jumpers did not bring this on. The locals should stand up to the police via local politics and if they don't, it will likely cost them tons of revenue in the future.

You're random attack on the newer generation is irrelevant but if you want to pull rank, control your dumb shit "higher" rank buddy. We are all in this together and I don't believe any one persons love for this sport is greater than another. We all want the best for the future of this sport. If we all went back underground id be happy but this ideology far surpasses BASE. This is our chance as a community to show that we won't give up our rights for "safety.". Its time for all generations to see eye to eye for the greater good. If you don't like change, go back to your base rigs with reserves. You guys did no good for the legalization of national parks but our generation will be in office soon. We need our gen to do ewhat we will do. We will create and innovate and stick it to the man with the best of them. Our way. No bridge day, its just not worth it.

+100

Lets stand together on this and we will make history. Not even Tree is disagreeing that it is bullshit. We are not criminals and wont be treated or judged as such, period! United we conquer divided we fall, how does it go??

 

I think i can agree with everything except #2, It costs money to organize an event. No different than a marathon, you can run for free at home. If WVSP is really that bad, then why not try for more of a "quarantine zone" with police running bag checks at the entrance to the bridge area. Use a privet security team within the "arena" like any other sporting event, having fun means getting rid of the things that inhibit your good time, in this case its WVSP. The down side to added staff (privet security) is possible increased registration fees, money comes and goes, Ide rather pay a little more for a good time than pay a little less for a bad time. Look to the businesses that benefit from jumpers to sponsor, that may help with the added cost (hotels, restaurants, pabst blue ribbon). If BD is ever going to be saved it's going to need an organizer / front man, and we need to bring a well thought out alternative to the new system. The alternative not only needs to be fair to us, but needs to meet or exceed the safety standards / goals the BDC has set.

I believe, if we do this right, the police stand to lose influence and/or credibility. That's something.

~ Chris

 

I, too, have mixed feelings about bashing the police. They do have a tough job, and society isn't making it any easier to imprison actual criminals. Notwithstanding that, BASE jumpers aren't terrorists simply by virtue of being BASE jumpers. Fayetteville has no sensible argument that they are a greater terrorist target than many other sporting/community events. And I have no obligation to forgo my civil rights to protect anybody against their over-inflated sense of exposure to risk.

The influence the police have is their over-representation on the BD Commission. If we speak with our non-presence and our wallets, perhaps the police will lose a few seats on the Commission.

And the police must have some credibility with the town and the Commission, or they would have already been laughed off, voted out, and given less influence.

If we continue to show up, despite all that is done to us, we are endorsing the over-reach of police.

We can't use the historical significance of the event as an argument for laying down our rights; taken in other contexts, we could use the same argument to support slavery. Bridge Day was monumental in the early days of BASE, much like newspapers were monumental in the early days of civil liberties. Newspapers have had to change. So too should Bridge Day. Times are changing, BASE jumpers can meet anywhere in the world, and many places in the world deserve our money more than Fayetteville now does.

It's a free country. If you want to go to Bridge Day, go. I sincerely hope you have fun. But don't think you're losing nothing. And don't think your attendance doesn't pat the Commission on its back.

~ Chris

Spot on.

We have an opportunity to make ourselves heard here. If you go to WV and jump at BD 2015 you are consciously choosing to weaken the strength of the BASE community.

Suck it up for a year (or 2, or 3, or even 5) and sacrifice your PERSONAL interests for the greater good. If we can hit WV in the wallet they will recognize that we're not their tools here. BD is a partnership between the community and us, and we deserve to be treated as partners.

Dude, you made some good points but buried them in irrelevant poop, so I edited it for you:



44

Well said, bluhdow. We must also remember that we hold two huevos critical to this whole process and its outcome:

1. The FBI slapped down the perp walk policies of the Police State Bridge Commission.

2. The title sponsor quit.


1. Remember Jason's Post #59 on the Boycott Bridge Day Poll thread ?


What this means is:

The FBI shut down the Police State Bridge Commission background check policy. Full stop.

Which means:

If the police state tools can't ram the fingerprint thing down our throats, the FBI will not let them continue their perp walk policy of background checks.

The FBI is not exactly a citadel of civil rights protectors yet it declared the Police State Bridge Commission's policy to be illegitimate and will not allow it to continue. That is why it is so important to stand firm and refuse -- like the FBI! -- to cooperate with their desperate efforts to maintain their perp walk policy.

They cannot do those background checks and if we refuse to accommodate their desperate effort to "find another way" to implement that perp walk policy, they have nowhere to go.

So the goal, Tree, is to "just say no" to police state practices because... we agree with the FBI position that such practices are inappropriate.

That is why it is so critically important to stand firm this time around. Giving in now would be snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.


2. As Jason reported in post #165 on the Bridge Day 2015 Rumors thread:


Jason may know the exact numbers here, but generally speaking, a title sponsor for an event like this chips in tens of thousands of dollars per year. The Police State Bridge Commission is therefore in a huge hole -- with no way out because what potential title sponsor is going to throw tens of thousands of dollars at Bridge Day when the event's principal attraction may not even be there -- and the previous long-term title sponsor just bailed?

As Jason said, Subaru probably bailed in significant part because no title sponsor wants to be associated with an event mired in controversy and beset by uncertainty.

Moreover, getting a title sponsor usually has a pretty long lead time, which means that the uncertainty and controversy surrounding the main event attraction -- dutifully reported by local and state WV media -- is already scaring new title sponsors away. In fact, most big players on the title sponsor scene make their sponsorship decisions NLT than the December preceding the sponsorship year, so guess what?

In other words, to riff on the Reverend Jeremiah Wright, the Police State Bridge Commission's chickens are not coming home to roost; they are flying the coop -- and that creates the incredible opportunity for us that bluhdow mentioned, and not just to be "heard" but to fundamentally redefine our relationship with the Police State Bridge Commission because, as the old saying goes:

When you're holding their huevos, their hearts and minds will follow.


44

I think the phrase for that post is, "hits the nail on the head."

Tree, you are wrong here. You are blind to the fact that your attempt to save Bridge Day are the very actions that will kill it over the long run.

Let it fail in 2015. It needs to fail. Once it fails, we can rebuild it bigger and better than it's ever been before.

Also noteworthy:

http://officialbridgeday.com/sponsors/

Red Bull and Subaru are still listed as sponsors.

 

Failure = Reduced overall attendance, reduced revenue for the community, businesses, locals, etc. Sponsors walking away from the event. No BASE jumps made eliminating the primary attraction to the event.

Objective = A true partnership where BASE jumper voices carry weight and this is reflected in the event (more days/hours of jumping, less intrusive policies, etc.).

Bigger and Better = See "Objective"

If BD 2015 fails, completely or partially, the people, press, and businesses will speak up. If they speak up the commission will react accordingly.

I am not completely sure that WE will get what WE want out of a successful BD boycott. I am sure, however, that the BASE community loses if we don't stand together here.

It's clear to me that you've already made up your mind on the issue. It's also clear to me that the ENTIRE COMMUNITY disagrees with you (including Jason, the person closest to this event and with the most to lose). What are the odds that you're in the right here?

 

The BDC does not take into account the opinions of the event participants. This has been demonstrated. If you are correct in your assumption then they will not take into account the opinions of event sponsors or spectators either. Who are they accountable to? Nobody? Is there nobody on the planet that can influence these people?

Whether directly linked or not the BDC's behavior, I believe, is most likely to be impacted by the local community it's supposed to be supporting.

I'm not sure who has a financial interest here. I suspect that TandemBASE does business on BD though.

http://www.biometricupdate.com/201211/west-virginia-state-police-using-mobile-biometric-identification-solution-from-morphotrak

http://m.theet.com/web_exclusive/wv/retired-consol-worker-wins-religious-discrimination-suit/article_2fc7032a-b71a-53f5-8616-26f6bd62c8ef.html?mode=jqm


What about religious freedom angle not being scanned but offering ink and paper prints. Would be too much paper to even be worth the headache

Tree, I think you're overthinking this a bit because the whole boycott notion is simple and based on the central premise of any boycott:

Choke off the money until behavior changes.

Bridge Day is the "Black Friday" for most businesses in the Bridge area: Like Christmas shopping season for most retailers, the profitability of their entire year is determined by the revenues generated by Bridge Day visitors, whom history has shown come in large part to see the jumpers.

If Black Friday turns into Still-Red Friday, then the members of the Police State Bridge Commission will hear about it, and if the carnage is sufficient, at least some of them will not last long as either members of the commission or in the elected and/or appointed offices they hold... and they will be replaced by members who are more interested in maximizing revenue instead of kowtowing to police state politics.

Moreover, this whole boycott plan is still in the development stage, so it's a bit of a straw man for you to demand answers to questions for which answers have only been roughed out at best. Given the current status of the boycott plan, here are my rough answers to your questions, based on the input people have provided on the threads related to this issue:

1. The failure of Bridge Day 2015 can be defined as the absence of jumpers causing the community to suffer significant economic losses compared to previous Bridge Day revenue streams.

2) The objective of boycotting Bridge Day 2015 is to create that economic carnage so that the Police State Commission recognizes our actual value and, as bluhdow says, makes us partners instead of peons going forward, which then leads to "adjustments" in the way we are treated, to wit:
a) No fingerprinting, background checks or gear checks of any kind.
b) No police-state harassment by WVSP tools.
c) Payment to us by the Bridge Day Commission for providing the main attraction at their event instead of payment by us to the Police State Bridge Commission for the "privilege" of... being the main attraction.
d) Catwalk jumping on Friday and Sunday before and after the main event.

3) Bigger and better is defined as achieving goals a) and b) above and hopefully goals c) and d) as well.

As I said, these are rough answers for a still-in-development plan, but it's a starting point, so thanks for your input in helping to clarify some things. You be a good devil's advocate, monnn...


44

Good find. I've been told by the BD Commission for 2+ months now they would send me the make and model number of the fingerprint scanner they plan to use. I just "reminded" them again to send it.

In reading the spec sheets and other news articles on the MorphoIDent scanner, I found something interesting. The device itself may not store fingerprints.......exactly as the Bridge Day Commission has claimed. HOWEVER, in order for it to work properly, it has to connect to a PC or other device via bluetooth/USB that has an internet connection. The PC would then connect to a larger database. This means the PC or the servers hosting the database could potentially store your fingerprints. The device also appears to be able to operate alone with a database uploaded to its internal memory, but I doubt they'd ever use it in this manner.

I can easily see the cops saying "the fingerprint scanner doesn't store your info" while behind the scenes, the PC or server it connects to is actually doing the dirty work. And the cops would technically be correct.

Bottom line: Why WOULDN'T they collect your fingerprints?

It would be nice to find out what government official wanted to purchase and use this equipment and link this boycott to their name, I think that would be political suicide. I think that would be a better place to start than dealing with communist state police officers.

Jason , if by some odd chance the finger printing goes away or at least an alternate option is offered, would you consider trying to head up this again or are you walking away either way?
My biggest concern with finger prints is it gives the police 450 known base jumper finger prints to store and use against one of use the next time someone say jumps off of trump tower and is never caught.

If no one of experience is willing to step up IF a compromise occurs then bridge day jumping will go the way of the royal gorge jumps

My response to you is here. I don't want to promote this thread any more than necessary, so let's continue the chat in a more appropriate thread.

#5 NO state police on bd commission.

http://s2.quickmeme.com/...841b9fbc26df2b68.jpg

this last week I was in Fayetteville and decided to talk to some locals. they had no clue about a bridge day boycott. I explained our situation to a pretty large group of locals and they were all ears. I asked them to spread the word to friends and family. most were very suprised and upset that we are being treated this way.

Jason... My Point, Exactly.

It's been all over the papers, web sites, and TV here in West Virginia.

My Point Exactly...

...but again, like I said, we didn't have much time before that second vote.

Let me take care of something and I'll get the post I have wanted to write done. But like with your post, it won't be in this thread.

here is some new news!
when we gave our information to Jason for registration, it was stored.
everyone who has registered for bridge day now has a label attached to them.
I found this out this weekend when a FBI background check came back from an employer. the employer specifically asked about base jumping at West Virginia bridge day. You Have Been Labeled.

I would be kinda of mad about that. Can't you sue or something if they say they won't keep your info and they do?

edit for pic

Can you ask your employer for a copy of the paperwork? I would be very curious as to who conducted the background test and what exactly is released. More specifically, I'd like to run the same background check on myself. If it comes back as not clean, I smell a class action law suit...

sounds like the FBI kept the info that was submitted to them, not WVSP or the BDC. I doubt anyone got a promise from the FBI stating that the information would not be added to your "file" either, nore would they make such a promise in the first place. If a background check is ran on you, who ran the check and why is permanently attached to your identity.

You can check your FBI file.
http://www.wikihow.com/Obtain-Your-FBI-File

He He. That's outstanding!

We're gonna need a bigger boat!

~ Chris

WHY I DONT SUPPORT JUMPING AT BRIDGE DAY.

The WVSP told me that the best way they knew how to secure the bridge was to scan the participants. I told them what about the 100,000 people you don't check? I wasn't a Boston Marathon runner that detonated those bombs. It was two spectators, one of which WAS on a terrorist watch list. I asked them why not check the spectators too. The response was "we don't have the resources". I asked why not put the effort into the scans into checking the spectators. No answer.

It's very obvious that they don't really care about securing the bridge. It is very obvious that they want our info.

If you or anybody else can not see this. Then contact me and I will explain it better over the phone or in person.

Think about it. The best way to secure the bridge is to scan the jumpers and let 100,000 potential attackers loose on the bridge.

^this is exactly what happened.
every time someone runs an FBI background check on you, it is recorded on your file. who requested the info, the date, and for what reason. all inquiries are permanently saved on your record.

I have been saying this for many years. Just ANOTHER infringrment on our rights. It was never about security or will it ever be. At what point is enuff gonna be enuff? I am personnally fed up with this BS and I'm MAD AS HELL AND I'M NOT GONNA TAKE IT ANYMORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

"I'm sorry, last minute change of plans, we're not doing the pre-cleared list this year. Since you are already here, just a quick finger scan and you can go jump with your friends"

Tree,
I’ve never been to BD and have no plans on ever going. *For the record- I would NEVER jump anywhere that required me to give my up personal info..... (unless, I was paid)

BD is NOT a mandatory event & thank god I didn’t have 100k+ people watching me do my first jump. At Twin, I was never rushed..I took my sweet ass time and could come and go as I pleased....

I don’t think you can even compare a non NPS town like Twin with a police state and the NPS bullshit that happens every year at BD. (that’s another thread)

What kills me the most is why you couldn’t wait one (1) year.
Just one.

Why did every other organizer before you tell them to go fuck themselves? Because it’s a bunch of bullshit Tree. You know it.

Do what’s right people! This has been going on way to long.
http://www.blincmagazine.com/forum/search.php?searchid=922505&pp=&page=3