On Friday, July 07, 2000 10:04 AM, Carl wrote:

> > ROFLMAO!  You're entitled to an opinion - but don't voice a half-assed
one
> > without knowing all of the facts.

> Here's a FEW facts which I am SURE you are not aware of!

> FACT:  You are now associating yourself with the most dangerous
> technical
> training agency around.

I trust - had JJ's invitation not been withdrawn - that you would have
proffered the same advice to him?  FACT:  It was NOT a TDI event.  FACT:  I
have been a vocal critic of TDI.  FACT:  I gave my word that I would attend.
(I can't answer for the organisers - but I value honouring my promises.)

> > The TDI guy is just the convenor and the bunny who's underwritten out of
his
> > own pocket the shortfall if the conference doesn't break even.  In terms
of
>
> Fact: When told that there wasn't sufficient funding for their trip -
> MONTHS
> AFTER it was promised, JJ and Robert Charmichael offered to PAY OUT OF
> THEIR
> OWN POCKETS!!!

> > sponsorships for the event, IANTD are also heavily involved as are a
number
> > of equipment manufacturers and other organisations.  (Other than the
GUE,

> Fact: One of the sponsors was recently taken to court and LOST, big
> time!

Fact:  Gilliam wasn't a sponsor!

> Can you name anyone of the sponsors who was recently successfully sued
> to the tune of approximately $2 MILLION dollars?

Yes!

> > the only Tek agency without a financial stake in the conference is
ANDI -
> > the one that I'm involved with!)

> Oh, really, and just how LARGE of a financial stake does ANYONE else
> have
> in it?  Since you brought it up like YOU are "in the know", lets see the
> financial backing information.

If you mean do I know who the sponsors were, then the answer's yes.  They
include:  Oceanic; Dive-Rite; Poseidon: Drager; Immersed; Abysmal Diving
Inc. Scuba Diver magazine; Sport Diving Magazine; Quest Productions; IANTD
Australia; TDI Australia; Dive Adventures; the CDAA and some others.

> ANDI - there's an organization I haven't heard about for quite some
> time.  Yep, you're REALLY "in" with the big boys now!

Not as much as you seem to be.

> > Also, as speakers, are a number of prominent authorities in their fields
> > other than just JJ - some of them are actually Australians!

> Tell me who else does dives anywhere NEAR the magnitude of the dives
> that JJ does.

Hold on a minute!  I'm as disappointed that JJ wasn't there as anyone.  But
I still wanted to hear people like Dr Simon Mitchell talk about advances in
the study of DCS;  Neil Vincent's presaentation on McCavity Cave; The RB
workshops that included the Inspiration and the Halcyon amongst others; ;
the deep wreck explorations taking place in Australia;  Olivier Isler - the
Swiss solo cave diver - and his RB2000 machine;  Developments in
decompression theory; Andrew Wight on some of the 'toys' that they get to
play with during filming; Nuno Gomez.  talking about exploring the
underwater caves in Namibia; new tech diving services in Truk and Bikini
Atoll and more..

>Not fair, OK, how about their setup crews - I won't even
> include ONLY the long setup crew, just about ALL of their gas crews go
> further/deeper than anyone else around.  It is a pure SCAM that a group
> on the cutting edge like this was not allowed to participate.

As you seem to be holding me in someway accountable to you, I'll repeat:
I'm as dissapointed as anyone that JJ wasn't there.

> > Now go back to your learn-to-dive manuals and don't involve yourself in
> > something that you only know about through the regurgitated opinions of
> > others.
>
> > And now I'm rushing out the door to catch a plane.

> And OFF TO THE STROKEFEST WE GO!!!

> > Strike
>
> Or is that "StrOke"?

Whatever gives you a warm and fuzzy glow.

> Carl

Or is that "Snarl"?

Strike