Ripley's Believe It or Not by Ripley’s Believe It or Not! for August 04, 2012
Transcript:
When dogs are retired from service in the US Military, they are difficult to put up for adoption due to their legal designation as military equipment! Garrett McNamara, a surfer from Hawaii, USA, surfed a 90 foot tall wave off the coast of Portugal on Nov. 1, 2011! Although he is blind, Steven Hopler of Rockaway, NJ, USA, is an excellent marksman!
BRI-NO-MITE!! Premium Member over 12 years ago
I don’t believe it.
Jogger2 over 12 years ago
I can believe these.But not the one about mice from a few days ago. I wish Ripley’s would offer an “I don’t believe it” challenge feature.
shel4 over 12 years ago
I choose not.
stuart_harrison over 12 years ago
Literally tons of “Military Equipment” goes through surplus stores every year – piss poor excuse to use when putting obstacles in the way of retiring 4 legged heroes to civilian life. All it would take is a compassionate individual at the right level looking for a way TO do it instead of a way NOT to do it.
Nighthawks Premium Member over 12 years ago
Sadly, Garrett’s body has never been found
Nighthawks Premium Member over 12 years ago
sure, Steve’s friends say his marksmanship is incredible. how’s Steve gonna know the difference.? Hell, tell him he freaking Annie Oakley if it makes him happy ;)
SKIPHO over 12 years ago
Steven Hopler only shot a gun once after he went blindand that was into his leg. All his guns were conficated by the police as he was considered a hazard.
cookies333 over 12 years ago
That’s not fair to the dogs!
Casey Southards over 12 years ago
Dogs should not be viewed as equipment.
Puddleglum2 over 12 years ago
Did Hopler ever drink himself blind?
Puddleglum2 over 12 years ago
Does he ever use a blind?blind – a shelter for concealing hunters or observers of wildlife
GeorgeJohnson over 12 years ago
What a nice way of saying the dogs are abandoned. That’s more like it. Remember all the “equipment” we left in Iraq? What happens is, the dogs are in service in other countries, when their time is up (if they’re over there) they are declared surplus equipment. As such, they’re not longer entitled to ride on military aircraft. So, no ride home. And after that, it’s VERY difficult to bring a dog “from another country” into the USA like that.So we put these fine, brave animals that have put their lives on the line countless times, and saved many, many lives, out on the streets to die a lonely hard, horrific death most of the time.And in places like Iraq or Afghanistan, dogs are not treated well at all. They’re considered “un-clean”, so it’s not like here where somebody will take them in and give them a good home.This is a HUGE embarrassment to the USA, the military, our government, and it’s people.And most people here are worried about the blind guy who shoots well? I guess that shows you why it’s still an issue. Good grief.
clouddancer143 over 12 years ago
The bit on the dogs is true. My hubby was a handler and when he retired we had to go through alot of paperwork to let us keep Cinnamon, his partner.
Stagger Lee over 12 years ago
What part of your body do you shoot if you drink too little?
Stephen Gilberg over 12 years ago
It just so happens that last night, I watched the episode of “Samurai Jack” with three excellent blind marksmen. It’s all in the ears, baby.
VegasJimmy over 12 years ago
Hopler looks like a cast member of the Sopranos or The Godfather Films.
rclake1963 over 12 years ago
Steven: How can you “aim” when you can’t see?I’d say it’s “blind” luck!
alan.gurka over 12 years ago
I understand that these dogs can be adopted, but it’s a difficult process, and they usually give the handlers first pick. That would make sense.
gocomicsmember over 12 years ago
There is nothing unbelievable about a blind shooter. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paralympic_shootingAll blind athletes (in whatever sport) practice to use their hearing as the guide to do things in which we would be guided by sight. This includes using baseballs that emit a sound and following another (sighted) runner who is making noises to guide you around the course.
gocomicsmember over 12 years ago
As for McNamara’s wave, judge for yourself from this article:http://www.theinertia.com/surf/whos-counting-gmacs-controversial-90-foot-wave/Estimates vary, but one examination of the high resolution pictures indicates possibly even a shade larger than 90 feet.