My Desultory Blog

Posted By RichC on January 30, 2018

It’s a long way to Mars and there’s "not a drop to drink" (author Mindy McGinnis) or "plop to eat" on the way … so what’s the plan?

Since astronauts are already recycling their urine into drinkable water, the next step should be obvious: "Goo made from their Poo." (in observing the current lab conditions at Penn State below, I’m not sure who is being asked to taste it? YUCK!)

Penn State researchers developed a system that combines microbes with human waste to help create food. Geosciences professor Christopher House describes the resulting substance as "a little bit like Marmite or Vegemite where you’re eating a smear of ‘microbial goo.’"

(more…)

Category: Human Interest, Innovation, Misc, Space | No Comments »
Tags: astronaut, food, mars, nasa, penn state, poop, research, science, space, Travel

Posted By RichC on January 29, 2018

My friend Jeff is planning on ordering a DJI Mavic Pro this weekend. I sent him a recent article that has him pondering models. Jokingly I sent him this ani.gif suggesting he let me borrow it when I head to the boat … to which he replied, “Sure, if you put down a $1000 deposit. “. Ha!

Category: Aviation, Humor, Sailing, Technology | No Comments »
Tags: ani gif, dji mavic, drone, jeff pitts, quadrotor, sailing

Posted By RichC on January 28, 2018

Delivering commonsense “tough love” clarifications and explanations of financial issues has always been a Dave Ramsey strength. After the Trump administration finally moved their tax plan through congress, Dave offered a 10 minute explanation as to whether it was a good thing or a bad thing.

If you are steeped in years of seeing things one way,  yet recognize many politicians and political group maintain their power by dividing people — blue collar verse white collar, labor verse management, black against white, rich against poor, Democrat against Republican, etc — then listen to this with an open mind. Economics in its simplest form isn’t that challenging as it all comes down to efficient use of money – but “government is always the least efficient.” Some believe more government control of your life will make life better for all, others prefer far less government involvement and money in their hands. Most of us who love America and believe in capitalism, recognize we need government and are just struggling to decide on how much appropriate and how much is too much.

Listening to the above video might help with this analysis — unless you are a naïve believer that socialism or communism could still work, in that case you need some serious help.

Category: Advice, Financial, Politics, Video | No Comments »
Tags: capitalism, communism, dave ramsey, economy, socialism, taxcuts, taxreform, youtube

Posted By RichC on January 27, 2018

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Category: Entertainment, Humor, Personal, Photos, Video | No Comments »
Tags: annalyn, brenda, comedy, drew, dunham, family, katelyn, richc, show, toledo, ventriloquist

Posted By RichC on January 26, 2018

We watched the premiere David Letterman series on Netflix with President Barack Obama the other night and both Brenda and I were impressed with the likeability our previous president exhibited – reminiscent of why he was elected in 2008 (Letterman, not so much).

Obama was baited numerous times by David Letterman to weigh in negatively on President Trump, but didn’t bite. He remains likeable as a person and even as a president … although his political philosophy and policies differ from most of us who prefer lower taxes and a small and less intrusive federal government. Where I definitely differed from David Letterman (and there were many areas) in his interview comments, was when he closed with "I’ve always respected the office of the president, but you were the only person I respected as president" [paraphrased]. Hm? Am I alone in seeing the "good" in all who have served as POTUS even when I disagree with their political philosophy and decisions in challenging times? To me, those who have served as president ALL patriotically desire to protect, defend and keep the United States a great country and "personally" are caring and compassionate people.

Category: Entertainment, Politics | No Comments »
Tags: interview, letterman, netflix, obama, opinion, president, united states

Posted By RichC on January 25, 2018

Throwback Thursday #TBT photos usually have to do with oneself or at least something from our own lifetime. I’m archiving a unique photo of this great American leader (the first known of him in 1840), as I wanted to save it to my blog.

Most of us study our US Presidents in school, but usually know “this,” our 16th president, differently – with a beard and a little older.

    How do you remember our “penny” president?

Category: Archive, Education, History, Photos, TBT, Tidbits | 2 Comments »
Tags: History, interesting, lincoln, Photos, president, TBT

Posted By RichC on January 24, 2018

As GE stock continues getting battered (although a 4.48% bounce back today), quite a few investors have been waiting for the bad news to end and new management direction to bring this huge ship back on course. (I’ve been buying, and selling) It is likely be too soon to expect things to change, but General Electric has some outstanding talent and a lot of excess waste/fat to start trimming. Their line up of products are to be admired, the economic conditions sound and with the right hand on the helm (John Flannery) should be able to run profitably again. Winning back shareholders and institutional investors may take some time, but writing them off is premature — just my gut call.

Today was a mixed day for investors, especially as the Trump administration announced tariffs on solar panels and washing machines from overseas. This could be a slippery slope, but understandable when trade has not been reciprocal. I’m hoping this is a one-off, warning shot … and will quickly be resolved by those country who continue to encourage and permit unfair trade practices.

All eyes on General Electric’s 4th quarter reporting before Wednesday’s open.

Can it possibly get any worse for General Electric Co.? Investors will find out when the struggling industrial conglomerate reports fourth-quarter results before Wednesday’s open.

The last quarterly report, was a big surprise for investors, as GE missed earnings expectations for the first time in 10 quarters, but the stock erased an early loss to end higher on the day of the report for the first time in eight quarters. Read more about how GE’s profit miss and the stock’s bounce was a shock.

However, the stock’s strength proved very short lived, as it fell for the next nine sessions—the longest losing streak in eight years. The outlook for the shares got even uglier after new Chief Executive John Flannery unveiled the company’s transformation plan in mid-November, with the stock taking a particular hit a shockingly large loss for its legacy insurance business was revealed.

LINK

Category: Business, Financial | 1 Comment »
Tags: finance, ge, general electric, investing, stock, tariff, trading

Posted By RichC on January 23, 2018

One wonders as to the legal responsibility of auto companies when "making a best effort" to correct the airbag issues in their customers’ cars? Are manufacturers held liable when using parts from their suppliers? 

Here’s a comparison: I took our 2006 Honda Pilot in a couple years ago after they notified me about the Takata Airbag Recall in cars they built. The correction by Honda was relatively quick and fixed with a minimum of hassles as soon as I received my recall postcard.

Currently it is believed that defects in “batwing” shaped wafers of Takata inflators allows moisture to infiltrate over time. This moisture modifies the chemical structure of the propellants. As a result the, propellants ignite too fast, causing the overreaction that ruptures the airbags and propels shrapnel into vehicle occupants. LINK

In contrast, BMW has been far less efficient in doing the same for my 2010 BMW X5 35d and suspect they knew of the problem but were not forced to implement a recall notice at the same time other car manufacturer did? Hence, I received my recall postcard in 2017 and called to schedule the airbag replacement. BMW of Cincinnati North took my call to schedule the replacement, but notified me that the parts required "were not in stock" and that "they would let me know when they were available" … that was several months ago. Yesterday I received an email from them requesting

I called 513-802-9444 as requested and "Ask for the Recall Department" in order to schedule my appointment.  I was told there were  2 recalls (driver and passenger airbags) but they only had parts for the passenger airbag – the reason for the new email contact. I relayed my point of calling several months ago and that I was waiting for the recall parts; they indicated "those parts are unavailable." I asked for clarification … "not available now at the dealership or not available to BMW in order to fix my vehicle?" She assured me that when they became available I would receive a call letting me know.

My question and concern is "How long does a manufacturer have to correct this problem and is BMW alone in "sluggishly" supplying the appropriate parts to their dealers for recalls? Where is the urgency or are they not being held liable for injury … therefore not really expediting the process in getting older vehicles fixed? This could come back to bite them.

EDIT An additional Question: How does BMW fix airbags after a collision if the "parts are not available?"

Category: Automotive, BMW, Financial, Health | 1 Comment »
Tags: airbag, BMW, cincinnati, consumer, honda, industry, legal, ohio, recall, takata

Posted By RichC on January 22, 2018

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Category: Personal, Photos, Weather | No Comments »
Tags: ani gif, annalyn, drew, katelyn, video, weather

Posted By RichC on January 22, 2018

After contemplating the purchase of Larry P Arinn‘s Churchill’s Trial at full price since it was published, but having too many unfinished books on my Kindle and reading table, the $1.99 price was exactly what I needed to download. I’m looking forward to the scholarly writing of Dr. Arinn as he delves into the trials that faced one of the most influential leaders in the 20th century. When I think of "statesmanship," I think of Winston Churchill and his challenges not only in dealing with the politics of his own country, but how he dealt with leaders on the international stage. 

Category: Books, History | No Comments »
Tags: book, hillsdale, History, larry arinn, winston churchill