Posted By RichC on July 18, 2016
Two years has passed since a missle downed Malaysia Airlines Flight 17, yet 298 families are still without closure. In the US we’ve heard the slogan “too big to fail” when giving a pass to big banks, companies or their decision makers. When it is the powerful like Vladimir Putin and Russia, one wonders if they are just “too big to be held accountable?” Aviation lawyer Jerry Skinner hasn’t given up in holding those accountable for the downing of a commercial airliners over the Ukraine as he continues to accumulate evidence that even the political in his own country have denied or try to ignore.
When aviation lawyer Jerry Skinner stopped by his suburban Cincinnati office last Christmas, he found the door ajar and the interior trashed. The files for his latest lawsuit, on behalf of victims of the Malaysian Airlines flight MH17 crash, were missing.
“They didn’t take anything else but they turned the rest of the office inside out,” he remembered. “The police couldn’t say who did it – whoever came into the office was careful.”
Thirty days earlier, the white-bearded, friendly-faced lawyer had issued a threat. Weighing up all the available photographic, video and witness evidence, he decided that the missile that blew the passenger jet apart mid-air, killing all 298 people on board, must have been a Russian one. And that it had been fired from rebel-held eastern Ukraine by soldiers ultimately under the command of President Vladimir Putin.
MORE: MH17 anniversary: Meet the man suing Vladimir Putin, who now fears for his life
Category: Aviation, News |
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Tags: jerry skinner, law, legal, mh17, putin, russia
Posted By RichC on July 17, 2016
After buzzing down to Florida last week to show the condo in Delray Beach, I spent a couple days “hurricane prepping” Encore for the tropical weather likely to show up in a month or so (could happen any day now). My good friend Mark gave me a “sweaty” hand in getting the sails stowed away in the storage unit. It is so much easier with him helping … and they are folded much better than one person along can do (BTW, Encore’s oceans sails are much heavier than most other boats her size).
With the temperature closing in on 100 degrees and sunny, just hanging out on the dock or the boat is exhausting. Those who live in Florida say that this summer has been much hotter than previous years and there has been no relief. I can vouch for it being seriously HOT. I ended up rigging up my ShadeTree awning for the couple of days I was there and it helps. Unfortunately the fiberglass poles and bungee straps have seen better day — add some replacement to my list of things to do. The above photo is an iPhone panoramic looking aft from the center cockpit.
Category: Personal, Photos, Sailing |
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Tags: encore, florida, heat, hurricane, iphone, pano, prep, sailboat
Posted By RichC on July 16, 2016
Use these tips for properly charging and monitoring AGM batteries to maximize their efficiency, output and lifespan.
Source: Monthly Maintenance: All Charged Up
Category: Archive, Sailing |
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Tags: alternator, battery, charging, cruising world, maintenance, sailboat
Posted By RichC on July 15, 2016
It has been a long time in coming, but the PineA64 Kickstarter project that I backed in January finally arrived. As start-ups, this one 
was not as smooth as it could have been. The team promised deliveries in March, then April and finally no later than May. Eventually June and finally July for the last few Kickstarter backers (something to do with shipping from China and a few accessories some of us ordered — in my case the 64GB SD card with Remix OS).
Nevertheless it arrived and I quickly unboxed and fired it up with Remix OS … yuck .. I’ll be imaging Linux, although not sure of the flavor? No time at the moment to play with it so it will sit on the back burner for a while. More to come.
Category: Computer, Raspberry Pi, Technology |
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Tags: board, Computer, kickstarter, micro, pine a64, remixos
Posted By RichC on July 14, 2016
For Volkswagen fanatics who like travel and camping, there aren’t many better ways to show your VW love than a Dub-Box Trailer.
These lightweight trailers are unique and beckon back to day when the roads were open and free … so as long as you have a few bucks for gas and were not in a hurry (VW Camper Buses and Vans were not the fastest or safest vehicles on the highways). Pretty cool.
Category: Automotive, Recreation, Travel, Volkswagen |
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Tags: camping, cool, trailer, Travel, volkswagen
Posted By RichC on July 13, 2016
My son Taylor gets his after work exercise taking long walks or bike ride from his place in East Walnut Hills and sending or posting a few photos. It is surprising just how much beauty there is in Southwest Ohio that I take for granted. Nice!
Category: Archive, Personal, Photos |
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Tags: cincinnati, east walnut hills, family, ohio, river, riverboat, taylor
Posted By RichC on July 12, 2016
A week or so ago I posted a "to do" list item that I really should helped my dad with when he asked. He loved all old cars and in particular showing his off. 
I remember him asking if the Internet could be used to help search for a missing a trunk emblem for his (now mine) 1958 Packard Hawk. I regret now that I didn’t put in a little more effort into finding one for him — he would have appreciated it.
After my buddy Tim posted a link in the comments, I decided rather than take the easy way out and buy an aftermarket knock-off, that I would do a little more serious shopping to see if I could find an authentic emblem. The discussion on a few old car forums is that most re-makes aren’t even close to the original, so I really wanted to hold off a bit. As is common with older parts if you find them, they are usually less than perfect.
I found one on eBay from a guy who collects and sells them and decided to offer $15 and keep looking. Sure enough, he accepted the offer without even countering and didn’t even ask me to pay for the shipping? As a millennial would say, "SCORE."
I think with a little TLC that this one will be perfect. (thanks again Tim, your link was the swift kick I needed to put a little effort into searching).
Category: Automotive, Packard, Shopping |
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Tags: 1958, antique, cars, ebay, emblem, hawk, packard
Posted By RichC on July 11, 2016
Spent a few hours under our 2010 BMW X5 35d this weekend to finish up the rust treatment and before reinstalling the shields and skidplate. The procedure was the same as I used on the old Mercedes 300D Turbodiesel, Skyco’s Oxypho, except the BMW only has a little light rust on the frame. I’m really partial to the Oxypho product, particularly for treating after wire-brushing and/or grinding any loose rust and before paint.
Once completely dry, a light wiping with paint thinner then the black Miracle Paint in order to to protect the rust spots from reappearing all over again (new paint photo below). Too bad I didn’t take care of Brenda’s old Rav4 like this in the earlier years?
While under the car I also took a photo of the new stainless steel exhaust (left) after replacing a couple of parts (60 lbs worth!)
I think all the projects are finished for now … she is ready to drive.
Category: Automotive, BMW, Diesel |
1 Comment »
Tags: BMW, exhaust, miracle, oxypho, paint, rust, x5 35d
Posted By RichC on July 10, 2016
If liberal politicians really wanted to reduce gun violence, they would enforce existing law in the cities suffering the most … and the complicit left leaning media would be holding their feet to the fire. Instead, the ultimate objective is obvious: dismantle the 2nd amendment granting the right to bear arms to all law abiding citizens.
https://youtu.be/qgr2lj7jwr4
Category: Politics, Video |
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Tags: firearms, guns, law, NRA, youtube
Posted By RichC on July 9, 2016
What a beautiful night to hang out on the backporch with a fire in the outdoor fireplace. The air is cool, the moon out in a clear sky (in top of photo above) and bugs are at bay.
Unfortunately I’m looking at my iPad … hm, if I can only learn to put down these tech gadgets! 🙃
Category: Archive, Personal, Photos |
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Tags: fireplace, porch, relaxing, summer
