It is hard to believe this is still America. The expanding government is not only dictating what individuals or companies will purchase and provide, over an above the long list of taxes we pay, but are spending way too much time on the nitty gritty details of what once was personal liberty. I’m starting to wonder what this country is going to look like in a few years IF the Supreme Court isn’t willing to defend citizens from an overreaching bureaucracy trampling our constitutional rights.
The Senate voted 51-48 Thursday to reject a measure that would have let employers omit insurance coverage for health services they found morally or religiously objectionable, following a contentious debate on an issue that is reshaping the political discourse.
Hmm … I’ve never given much thought to filling out a U.S. Customs form when returning from space??? I found this one from the little trip by Apollo 11 in 1969 humorous (form below). Probably should have included “Bock” by name.
Just noticed this when cleaning out my inbox … 5 years on Twitter. Wow … it doesn’t seem as if RichC has been posting tweets that long until you see over 5000 of them! Hmm, but it looks like MyDesultoryBlog on Twitter is still a youngster?
In an odd turn of events, Sunday’s rain delayed big race was delayed further due to more rain for the Monday afternoon start, but eventually got underway Monday evening, much to the dismay of my wife (she would have preferred something other then watching cars turning left for several hours). The 200 mph bumper car race seemed to be set up for the normal finish, but with 40 laps to go Juan Pablo Montoya crashed into a safety vehicle during caution (not really his fault) … a jet engine track drier with 200 gallons of fuel. The following fireball on the new 10+ million dollar surface then threatened to end the race. Cooler heads prevailed and quick work from the fire and safety crews helped cleaned up … with of all things Tide laundry detergent and prevent real damage. After yet another delay, the red flagged race restarted. In the early Tuesday morning hours the race finishing without further delay and strong running Matt Kenseth held off both Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Greg Biffle to win for the second year in a row.
Besides racing, Twitter buzzed due to Brad Keslowski having his iPhone in his racecar. Although he wasn’t tweeting and driving … he was active and posted photos from the track during the red flag and grew his 60,000 followers to over 200,000 in about an hour. (yes I was one of them – couldn’t resist watching him with other drivers gathered around while the television cameras were rolling)
My EAA friend Steve posted this aviation history video to his site and I wanted to share and archive it on my site too. Probably should make a copy in case it disappears from YouTube …hmm?
The Dow once again inches past the 13,000 market, but somehow can’t quite close above this psychological level.
For a few moments Monday, it looked like it was finally happening. But the Dow Jones Industrial Average failed yet again to close above 13000.
The average ended down 1.44 points, or less than 0.1%, at 12981.51. It was the fifth day traders had toyed with the 13000 marker, a level seen as psychologically, if not technically, important to the market.
Katelyn and Taylor back in 1991 preparing for a road trip
While planning a couple upcoming trips after the recent jump in gasoline prices (over $3.50 and rising), I reflected on the “good ol’ days” when we would hop in the Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser station wagon and take off on long trips at what seemed like a moments notice. I’m sure we did a little more planning that that, but I don’t recall fretting about how much fuel would cost us. Nowadays, even with improved fuel efficiency, most young families have to think twice before buzzing over the river and through the woods.
I’ve reduced my sales call visits to customers and have been rethinking both my business travel and personal trips this past year. In fact, last week I even tweaked my “cost to drive” spreadsheet which now easily justifies renting a fuel efficient car for a couple longer upcoming trips. It just doesn’t make sense to drive my <20 mpg Pilot IF I can rent a 35-40 mpg car (with unlimited miles) and can keep the miles off my Honda – I didn’t even factor in mileage depreciation, oil changes or tires. Something to think about if you are planning a longish road trip. (below is the 2000 road trip comparison)
While cleaning out our KitchenAid refrigerator and freezer on Saturday, I wondered “what were the design engineers thinking” when they used corrosive fittings?
For all the years companies have been designing and building ice makers which operate in moisture prone environments, one would think someone might have suggested spending a few more pennies on stainless steel or even nylon fittings. I don’t think the rust has affected the taste of of the ice or caused any harm, but I can’t say the design flaw has me recommending KitchenAid appliances. Then again, the same can be said for the grade of stainless steel in our newish Bosch dishwasher(a little rust is appearing on the door edges — grr).
