Lofty Matters

Happy weekend to you!  Need a little good news for a change?  Me too…here are some uplifting current events I found in a browse around the ‘net.  Enjoy!

BASE Jumper With Chute Problem Survives Mile-High Mountain Fall

A Norwegian BASE jumper survived a horrible fall from a mile-high mountain.

Thanks to a camera attached to Hans Lange’s jump suit, there was video showing him struggling to straighten out his parachute before slamming into a rock wall and then crashing into a tree top. Miraculously, he survived with only one broken leg.

The accident happened Aug. 23 as he leapt off the 5,250-foot-high Bjoerketind peak. Apparently he was flying down the mountainside at almost 110 mph when he realized he was too close to the rock wall. He deployed his chute and tried to steer away from the wall, but it was not possible.

The fall ended abruptly when he slammed into a tree about 330 feet above the planned landing site.
He was rescued by a helicopter 45 minutes later.

“When I have recovered I will jump again,” he said. “It all comes down to better planning. It’s a fantastic feeling to fly along a mountainside.”

Scoutmaster’s Zeal Inspires Generations

Josiah Benator is an 86 year YOUNG scoutmaster who has been helping shape boys into men for the past 65 years.

He has the energy of a man in his 30s. He can hike over five miles easily. He can rappel a 60-foot tower with hardly any effort at all. The boys in Troop 73 are fortunate, indeed, to have the scoutmaster that they do.

Benator was 12 when he first became a boy scout in 1934. Scouting was considered one of the great youth programs of the time. He learned to tie a knot and read a compass and at the same time he honed his leadership skills. He became a junior assistant scoutmaster, then an assistant scoutmaster and next an acting scoutmaster. In 1943 he became an Eagle scout and also went off to war. He served for 3 1/2 years with the 10th Armored Division in the Battle of Bastogne.

Last year, the Atlanta Area Council of Boy Scouts of America, dedicated the 2007 Eagle Scout Class to Mr. Benator.

Phelps Uses Olympic Bonus to Start Foundation

Michael Phelps will use the $1 million bonus he earned for winning eight Olympic gold medals to start a foundation.

The Michael Phelps Foundation will begin an eight-city tour across the US during which Phelps will talk about his Olympic experiences with children.

Phelps has stated that he wants to help others realize their dreams and continue to grow the sport he loves.

Speedo pledged to give Phelps $1 million for at least tying the record seven gold medals his compatriot Mark Spitz won at the 1972 Olympics in Munich. Phelps surpassed that goal and went on to claim eight gold medals in Beijing.

The Dutch intelligence service is indicating that a US attack on the Islamic Republic’s nuclear program is imminent, according to a recently issued report.

The impending air-strike on Iran was to be carried out by unmanned aircraft “within weeks.” According to the report, several of the targets have been named (including “parts for missiles and launching equipment”).

Iran’s Deputy Chief of Staff General Masoud Jazayeri has recently warned that should the US or Israel attack Iran another world war would begin. It’s been reported that Israel has made a strategic decision to deny Iran military nuclear capability and won’t hesitate “to take whatever means necessary” to prevent Iran from achieving their nuclear goals.

According to the report, whether the US succeeds in thwarting Iran’s nuclear ambitions diplomatically, through sanctions, or by means of military strike…Jerusalem has begun preparing for a separate, independent military strike.