http://ozreport.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=43279
Concerning Dennis Pagen
Davis Straub - 2015/07/16 13:59:22 UTC
And his impending retirement
Concerned Guys<<ridgeliftguys1>> writes:
This was sent yesterday to USHPA and blind copied most of the BOD and candidates.
The USHPA BOD Has a Big Opportunity to Improve Our Representation
In about a month BOD nominations will be over and at the fall BOD meeting one of the new board's actions will be to appoint at large directors. Our representatives need to be future forward and willing to work for the sport, not old fashioned and arrogant, using the organization to sell books and get free travel via CIVL.
Dennis Pagen claims that he nearly stepped down from USHPA four years ago "but everyone begged him to stay until he achieved 40 years in hang gliding". That's not the story we heard - apparently he's offended and overruled too many people and has become even more demeaning in his anti-woman ways in both our sports. But, at the last minute in 2011, the new USHPA leadership didn't want to take him on in a pissing contest as a major issue, so they agreed he could step down in four years. It's time now - but will Dennis keep his word?
2015 - is finally the year of his "40th Anniversary" and a lot of people can hardly wait for him to retire or be retired.
Paragliding is the growth area of USHPA. While Dennis touts that he co-wrote a paragliding book, he has not flown one in ten years. And despite his assertions that a "thermal is a thermal" the skies are different for paraglider pilots. And so is today's flying world, for all pilots, HG and PG, male and female, old experienced hands and beginners.
Dennis refuses to use any modern technology - all the apps and videos that are coming out are miles ahead of his paperbacks. He teaches seminars from flip charts with a Magic Marker - really?
Dennis has also missed some key safety calls at meets in the past four years (PG and HG) so at this point it's pretty obvious he only supports his CIVL and FAI connections, not the pilots or the USHPA. So what are we losing? But, make no mistake, - he will cry "victim" at the drop of a hat and pull every trick he knows to get his position extended yet one more time. Let's keep that from happening. Our organization is not a clique. Old dog, old tricks.
And everyone has been patient. When Jamie was first made the USA CIVL delegate in 2011, she got to the international Plenary Meeting and Dennis had already arrived ahead of her and designated her the alternate U.S. delegate so he could "show her the ropes". Four years later and either she has been shown all his ropes or he never had any intention of helping her. See "Til Death Do Us Part" from the Oz Report (July 19, 2011):
http://ozreport.com/15.141#4
Whether you personally like Davis Straub or not, he usually calls it like it is. Pagen has a history of saying one thing and doing another and it's likely his "four more years" promise is just a pledge he made four years ago to save his skin. Lately he's been telling people "70 is the new 40" and that makes us think he will hang on for dear life (no pun intended). It's all about control with him. He uses his USHPA appointment to bully the CIVL guys and he uses his CIVL position to make the USHPA let him overturn elections.
No one disputes that going up in a hang glider in 1975 took guts or that early on he encouraged pilots to better use an understanding of weather. Let's give him his due recognition for pioneering. But every dog has his day and his day is done. Have a "lifetime achievement" plaque made, thank him, toast his accomplishments and long service and give him a nice send off. That's better than his current "lifetime monopoly". When other countries gather he is our "chief" representative. We want Jamie instead, and more pilots like her.
This fall is the only real chance to see Dennis off gracefully. He brags about "always getting the first or second biggest number of votes" for an at large directorship at the USHPA BOD meeting and, more importantly, he watches closely to see who doesn't vote for him. So the way to accomplish this change without a lot of drama is to give him the plaque and toasting first and then everyone abstain from voting due to his "retirement". - That way he cannot single anyone out. Now is the time - we need someone whose agenda is bigger than their own ego and whose attitude is more inclusive than exclusive.
This move is long overdue. Frankly it was overdue in 2011. What did we gain by having him for four more years?
So let USHPA take the high road and facilitate positive change by thanking him and orchestrating a gold plated goodbye so that he has to honor his word. Have a party for him in Austin at the Fall BOD and present his plaque. To discuss this on the Oz Report or HG.Org, just call it "Old Dog Party". He doesn't read either one, hates Davis Straub and doesn't read what the pilots are talking about unless something becomes an "official issue" and he can issue an edict about it.
It's up to the BOD. You can't expect to have USHPA executive leadership rein in his behind the scenes maneuvering if you keep re-appointing him. If you think your responsibility is just to "help your region" then you are forgetting that you also influence who represents our sports nationally and internationally.
All you have to do is agree he deserves recognition while at the same time making room for some new representation. Let's pave the way for a bright future with new blood and team players. We've all waited long enough for the next generation to run things.
Respectfully and Patiently Submitted,
The Ridgelift Guys
Who are we? Three pilots who want to see change and know that our flying credentials will be pulled if we speak out openly. Sadly that is the kind of power and retribution we risk and we're not willing to never fly again. But we are willing to speak up and put this before USHPA BOD. And we feel there's been enough history for you as a group to want to make some changes. Just keep to the high road and remember, Dennis is the one who agreed he would step down on his 40th anniversary - so you are not forcing anything, just making sure the guy keeps his word. Do it up right and it can be a very smooth transition.
This was sent yesterday to USHPA and blind copied most of the BOD and candidates.
The USHPA BOD Has a Big Opportunity to Improve Our Representation
There's not much left for the u$hPa BOD to degrade. Maybe they're bored and we'll get lucky.
In about a month BOD nominations will be over and at the fall BOD meeting one of the new board's actions will be to appoint at large directors. Our representatives need to be future forward and willing to work for the sport...
Good freakin' luck.
...not old fashioned and arrogant, using the organization to sell books...
Fiction.
...and get free travel via CIVL.
Anything one-way available?
Dennis Pagen claims that he nearly stepped down from USHPA four years ago "but everyone begged him to stay until he achieved 40 years in hang gliding".
I know I didn't.
That's not the story we heard - apparently he's offended and overruled too many people...
Don't forget ripped off, lied about, ignored.
...and has become even more demeaning in his anti-woman ways in both our sports. But, at the last minute in 2011, the new USHPA leadership didn't want to take him on in a pissing contest as a major issue, so they agreed he could step down in four years. It's time now...
It was time decades ago.
...but will Dennis keep his word?
Dennis has never had a word good for anything.
2015 - is finally the year of his "40th Anniversary" and a lot of people can hardly wait for him to retire or be retired.
Paragliding is the growth area of USHPA.
No shit. 'Specially at Torrey.
While Dennis touts that he co-wrote a paragliding book...
Also touts that he co-wrote a hang/para glider towing book.
...he has not flown one in ten years.
He's also never towed in sync with any of the rot in his towing book.
And despite his assertions that a "thermal is a thermal" the skies are different for paraglider pilots. And so is today's flying world, for all pilots, HG and PG, male and female, old experienced hands and beginners.
...dead people of varying ages...
Dennis refuses to use any modern technology...
He told me about twenty years ago that computers were for linear thinkers. And why bother going with STRAIGHT pin releases when the bent pin jobs have such long track records.
...all the apps and videos that are coming out are miles ahead of his paperbacks.
Yeah, they tend to reflect reality a lot better than his fictional writing and fictional drawings.
He teaches seminars from flip charts with a Magic Marker - really?
Dennis has also missed some key safety calls at meets in the past four years (PG and HG) so at this point it's pretty obvious he only supports his CIVL and FAI connections, not the pilots or the USHPA.
Sure didn't support Tad in early 2009 or Bob in early 2015.
So what are we losing? But, make no mistake, - he will cry "victim" at the drop of a hat and pull every trick he knows to get his position extended yet one more time. Let's keep that from happening.
What are you gonna replace him with?
Our organization is not a clique.
Nah, it's a criminal syndicate.
Old dog, old tricks.
And everyone has been patient. When Jamie...
Fuck that thirty miles south of useless bitch.
...was first made the USA CIVL delegate in 2011, she got to the international Plenary Meeting and Dennis had already arrived ahead of her and designated her the alternate U.S. delegate so he could "show her the ropes".
Pro Tip: Always thank the tug pilot for intentionally releasing you, even if you feel you could have ridden it out. He should be given a vote of confidence that he made a good decision in the interest of your safety.
Four years later and either she has been shown all his ropes or he never had any intention of helping her. See "Til Death Do Us Part" from the Oz Report (July 19, 2011):
http://ozreport.com/15.141#4
Whether you personally like Davis Straub or not...
Anybody who doesn't personally despise Davis is also a sleazy piece o' total shit.
...he usually calls it like it is.
http://www.hanggliding.org/viewtopic.php?t=33069
Fatality @ Slide Mountain Nevada
Paul Hurless - 2015/06/29 17:19:46 UTC
What Davis Straub promotes is Davis Straub.
Suck my dick.
Pagen has a history of saying one thing and doing another and it's likely his "four more years" promise is just a pledge he made four years ago to save his skin. Lately he's been telling people "70 is the new 40" and that makes us think he will hang on for dear life (no pun intended). It's all about control with him. He uses his USHPA appointment to bully the CIVL guys and he uses his CIVL position to make the USHPA let him overturn elections.
No one disputes that going up in a hang glider in 1975 took guts...
No one? Anybody who does anything in aviation - outside of military combat missions - that requires "guts" is a total moron.
...or that early on he encouraged pilots to better use an understanding of weather.
Talk to a professional meteorologist about Dennis's Understanding of The Sky.
Let's give him his due recognition for pioneering.
Yeah. Let's. Tell me what the fuck he ever pioneered. Show me some of the gliders, equipment, procedures we owe to his early efforts. Show me a tweak he made to a release or tow system. Motherfucker won't even lift a finger to endorse anything developed by anyone outside of the US mainstream.
But every dog has his day and his day is done. Have a "lifetime achievement" plaque made, thank him, toast his accomplishments and long service and give him a nice send off.
I'm all for the send-off part.
That's better than his current "lifetime monopoly". When other countries gather he is our "chief" representative. We want Jamie instead...
I hope you're limiting the scope of that pronoun to the three of you.
...and more pilots like her.
She's not a pilot and we've already got tons of assholes like her.
This fall is the only real chance to see Dennis off gracefully. He brags about "always getting the first or second biggest number of votes" for an at large directorship at the USHPA BOD meeting and, more importantly, he watches closely to see who doesn't vote for him. So the way to accomplish this change without a lot of drama is to give him the plaque and toasting first and then everyone abstain from voting due to his "retirement". - That way he cannot single anyone out. Now is the time - we need someone whose agenda is bigger than their own ego and whose attitude is more inclusive than exclusive.
I thought agendas of any kind were totally prohibited from the sports.
This move is long overdue. Frankly it was overdue in 2011.
Frankly, it was overdue in the mid Eighties.
What did we gain by having him for four more years?
A few more needless deaths.
So let USHPA take the high road...
Yeah. Right.
...and facilitate positive change by thanking him and orchestrating a gold plated goodbye so that he has to honor his word. Have a party for him in Austin at the Fall BOD and present his plaque. To discuss this on the Oz Report or HG.Org...
Yeah, the only two shows worth talking about. And don't worry about any of the people who've had their wires cut by those two motherfuckers.
...just call it "Old Dog Party". He doesn't read either one, hates Davis Straub...
Can't be all bad.
...and doesn't read what the pilots are talking about unless something becomes an "official issue" and he can issue an edict about it.
I'd REALLY like to hear his official edicts on the Zack Marzec fatality and the New and Improved Davis Link that everyone and his dog immediately thereafter became ecstatically happy with.
It's up to the BOD. You can't expect to have USHPA executive leadership rein in his behind the scenes maneuvering if you keep re-appointing him. If you think your responsibility is just to "help your region" then you are forgetting that you also influence who represents our sports nationally and internationally.
All you have to do is agree he deserves recognition...
No problem there.
...while at the same time making room for some new representation.
Fuck anything I have to choose from.
Let's pave the way for a bright future with new blood and team players.
Fuck team players. See if we can get some competent aviators with actual principles.
We've all waited long enough for the next generation to run things.
It's doing it.
Respectfully and Patiently Submitted,
The Ridgelift Guys
Who are we? Three pilots who want to see change and know that our flying credentials will be pulled if we speak out openly.
Got that right.
Sadly that is the kind of power and retribution we risk and we're not willing to never fly again.
Don't worry, flying tends to fade to a distant memory after half a dozen years or so.
But we are willing to speak up and put this before USHPA BOD. And we feel there's been enough history for you as a group to want to make some changes. Just keep to the high road and remember, Dennis is the one who agreed he would step down on his 40th anniversary - so you are not forcing anything, just making sure the guy keeps his word.
I've never had much luck in that department.
Do it up right and it can be a very smooth transition.
Meet the new boss.
