question from a reporter about base

[guest]

I'm a reporter with the Orlando Sentinel in Florida. I'm researching a story about base jumping in Florida and wondering if there' s anyone out there who can help me with my article. I'm looking for anyone who knows anytihing about the base in Florida. Thanks Please email me at arippel@orlandosentinel.com or call me at 407-420-5736.

[guest]

Noone can BASE in Florida there are no legal objects.

[guest]

I know that doesn't stop people though....still looking for florida folks.

[guest]

Maybe they jump from tall cliffs, Florida's biggest mountain is in fu(king disneyland! The Florida BASE rig is called a Hummit and is also a piece of sh!t. Florida's most notorious jumper is John Vincent who is a total di(khed. Most Florida jumpers have shrunken gonads cuz all they get to do is climb hot towers. In Florida you can get your fudge pa

[guest]

There is a guy that frequently visits Florida that may be able to provide you with the info you desire.

I heard he was the first to jump several sites including what is known as the "mud hole" and "full-moon canyon".

Unfortunately, I can't remember the darn guy's name! The most distinguishing feature about him is that he was originally from Paraguay. You may be able to use that info to track him down..

SM

[guest]

It does stop people. Don't you remember that guy who got hurt a long time ago. Illegal jumps are too risky and generally people that do jump travel to the legal areas.

[base428]

Usually the bad reporters are the ones who don't tell us what they're really after, like this guy.

[guest]

Since you haven't actually taken the time to find out what I'm looking for and, instead, are simply making assumptions, I'll go ahead and tell you what I am researching....
I plan to write a news story about base jumping and how common it is. I want to talk to people who do this in Florida, both legal and illegal jumps. My main goal is to inform readers that this is a viable sport. I hope to talk to people who are new to the sport and people who have been doing it for years. I hope it will be a well-rounded article that helps people understand what it's all about.
...And that is what I'm "really after." Hope that helps.

[guest]

Yea, it is the same story as always.

Look, base is a myth. It doesnt happen. Find something real to do with your OWN life to report on and have fun. Leave us alone.

[guest]

what could/should be written that would make base jumpers satisfied? Since simply telling journalists not to report on it is not a solution (it doesn't deter us), could you possibly offer some constructive critcism that would allow us to fairly and accurately report on this topic.
thanks very much.

[base428]

No, you haven't taken the time to initially state the content of your article. Vagueness breeds caution in our sport. And for a little history, reporters who claim to be writing a balanced story usually end up concentrating on the negative side of BASE jumping.
Just a suggestion, but maybe you could write about all the cool, legal jumps we're making at the Perrine, Moab, or in Europe?

Jason Bell
BASE428
jbell@vertical-visions.com

[guest]

Amy wrote:

>what could/should be written that would make
>base jumpers satisfied?

We are already satisfied enough by our own participation in the sport. BASEically, nothing more is required to make us whole; as a consequence, you have nothing to offer.

[guest]

Boy, this one has an attitude. Every post she is impatient and demanding and insistent. You may not be deterred but quite simply you have to have something real to write about. Basejumping is kind of an inside joke that skydivers dreamed up. kind of like a drunken party game on the dropzone. If you drink enough, you suddenly get the inside joke. Jumping from planes, jumping from fixed objects. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH OH HOHOHOHOH AH HAHAHAHAHA, oh god i crack myself up. Who would jump off a fixed object. DUH! Go away lady....

[crispy]

>My main goal is to inform readers
>that this is a viable sport.

let's face it. BASE is not a viable sport for 99% of the people who will read your article. Hell, it's barely a viable sport for us as it is--The only thing your article would really do is bring unwanted attention to the sport, making more locks go on objects, more sites hot, and bring us one step closer to anti-BASE legislation.
Skydiving is a viable sport--do a story on it.
Thanks for the thought though.