rob

Remember how they originally reported the AR-15 used by Adam Lanza had been found in the car, unused? And then they suddenly changed it and said he used an assault rifle, after all -- because that was a key component, in order to get assault rifles banned. But this one was done shoddy, that's for sure, and they most have not got the memo out to everyone. Last minute.

Lance who?

Yes, I absolutely think this is a hoax. I'm just surprised he didn't find a way to blame this on the terrorists, but I guess that trick is already played out. The colorado shooter they found to shoot up that movie theater didn't do the trick for some reason, so they had to cobble this one together quickly -- which is why we're noticing so many weird things about it.

Layton, I think you're kind of being a dick. When I was doing SAR stuff, I can't remember how many times doing grid searches my team (I don't mean MY team, I wasn't a leader or anything) would just stop and lay (lie?) down right where we stood until the sun came up and we could resume searching. Granted, it wasn't "on route" or anything. Even after joining mountain rescue and being on more "technical" missions, there were many times we would bivy in awkward places. Granted, they were also not "on route" but they were often in awkward locations (people tend to get hurt in awkward locations) and almost always in bad weather. For example, spending a cold night on a shelf at the Mt. Pugh saddle, above a subject who was stuck below, or a night in an awkward boulder field on Three Fingers while we waited to see if weather would improve enough to get a helicopter in. Regarding the OP, instead of using a synthetic overbag, I would prefer a down bag that was warm enough (no overbag needed), and a lightweight bivy sack to protect against weather. If it was going to be an extended stay (rare in my limited experience with rescue), I would opt for a synthetic bag instead, and still use the bivvy sack. If you wanted to go lightweight, you might consider a down bag with an eVent shell -- I think Feathered Friends will make you one. Then, if it gets wetter, throw the bivvy sack on. I have a mtn-hardwear bivvy sack that I really enjoyed, it has a see-through plastic window on the face (great for when you're in it and sitting up; you can see the weather or if it's daylight yet) and has openings for your line when sleeping anchored in your harness or just for venting.

100% plausible btw

I made this claim first, in the sandy thread. I WIN!~

Alaskan papaya

are you sure about that comparison?

And if you look at total government spending as a percentage of GDP and compared to other countries, US spending is actually not so crazy high, nor is the tax burden. In fact, we are pretty much right in the middle, and below the World Average on both counts. If we stopped our crazy wars and taxed capital gains properly, our budget would probably balance immediately with few other modifications. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Government_spending#

That's when a rescuer is lowered from a hovering helicopter and attaches a harness or litter basket to the Subject and the helicopter lifts both of them to safety a short distance away without bringing the subject or rescuer back up to the helicopter -- they dangle beneath the helicopter as it flies somewhere safer.

Our budget is only about 500 billion in the red (talking deficit here, not talking debt) -- the wars alone account for a THIRD of that. Balancing the budget is not rocket science, and Bill -- I don't think you give the U.S. credit for it's assets (massive GDP, etc.) when you start to go off about debt. Remember to balance assets and debt, right? Overall, we have tremendous assets and income, things don't have to be end-of-the-world bleak, bill. What have YOU been doing to encourage a balanced budget in Washington? There are several lobbies pushing for this that could use your help.

Keep dreaming bro......I voted. Glad to hear it!

Hey kev, I seem to remember you saying you weren't even going to vote this year. Government we deserve, indeed.

And no homeless and no unemployment

It's pretty awesome that Ron Paul has voted to remove background checks and waiting periods. GO RON PAUL!

I need a military-grade weapon with a high-capacity magazine and no background checks, it's the only way I'll ever be safe.

Seems like nearly everyone on this thread has conceded the rights of responsible, vetted citizens to own small firearms for the purpose of home defense?

You know what would be neat? A dengue fever vaccine!!

Hitler was actually a champion bowler

yeah, hopefully, right? LOL!!!