Posted By RichC on August 16, 2006
As we continued our day trip up the 12 astronomical observatories on Mauna Kea on ‘the big island,’ we came across an alter used by some traditional Hawaiians in worship to their gods in this volcanic land. The views along this unbelievable climb from sea level to the Summit at 14796 feet were unusual. From
Posted By RichC on August 14, 2006
Beautiful day to arrive in Hawaii. Great flight for one that last 9.5 hours and changes 6 time zones! In the bus and checking out EVDO cellphone service. Hopefully the direct to blog is working?
Posted By RichC on August 14, 2006
By the time you read this post, my family and I should be on our way to Hawaii. My daughter completed her undergrad schooling this past month (graduating summa cum laude — proud dad here), so as a graduation gift to all … we’re celebrating together. I’ll not be posting the regular daily ‘desultory posts,’ but intend on using my Palm Treo and its ‘limited’ cell phone camera to post a few photos to the blog as long as Sprint provides a connection. Check in if you are interested, otherwise I’ll be back to normal posts next week if all goes well. (vacations Palm Treo posts will be under the catagory call “Cellphones.”)
Posted By RichC on August 13, 2006
A friend of mine sent me an article in Wired Magazine’s blog section on a mild hybrids, but the link that caught my eye was the BMW 2007 X5 preview article in Edmonds. I suppose I’m just dreaming that someday such vehicle with a diesel will be in the US? From what I’ve heard, RL, GL and M-class Mercedes will be here next year so it would sure be nice to have a diesel SUV entry from BMW too. The new 2007 X5 is a BMW at heart, and is said to handle “with all the precision of the critically acclaimed first-generation X5” … even fitted with run-flat tires. According the the Edmonds article, a BMW executive suggests that “It’s not the most comfortable in the class, but we’re confident the handling is as good as, or better than, the outgoing model.” Those who have driven a BMW “know” that is one of the reasons one purchases one is the legendary handling. They are without a doubt the finest driving car I have ever driven. In my opinion, they exihibit the perfect balance of comfort and handling.
The current diesel option is a 231 hp in common-rail diesel and should provide decent fuel efficiency for the upsized X5. Speaking of upsized, the new 2007 X5 is longer and 7.5 inches longer and 2.5 inches wider than the previous X5. Frankly I think it looks better in the photos although styling has changed little. To keep weight down, BMW said the uses more lightweight materials including aluminum in the suspension. One of the key features that will improve the already excellent sales in the US is the addition of a 3rd row seat to keep up with the Audi Q7 and Volvo XC90. Unfortunately like all SUVs with a 3rd row, one questions the comfort and how to actually pack a bag? Actually luggage capacity goes from 21.9 cubic feet to 7.1 cubic feet.
Over all, the new BMW X5 sounds great and I’ll really get excited if the diesel option comes to the US.
Posted By RichC on August 12, 2006
According to an Associated Press article forwarded to me from the Northwest Florida Daily News, Ford has indicated that it intends to eliminate the gas cap. The first model that will receive the ‘pressure flap’ will be the 2008 Lincoln MKS model according to an announcement made at a Michigan automotive conference. Eventually all Ford models will receive this new ‘flap’ that will seal itself preventing fumes from escaping.
According to Mark Fields, Ford executive vice president and president of the Americas, “It eliminates the inconvenience of forgetting to put your gas cap back on after refueling.” This new cap comes from Ford’s NASCAR racing and has been used on the Ford GT sports car. Company spokesman Said Deep indicated that there is no timetable when all cars will have the new flap.
Posted By RichC on August 11, 2006
I recently read that the responsibility for inspecting rides at amusement parks and fairs in Ohio falls on the Department of Agriculture. This surprised me when reading about a recent popular roller coaster accident at Kings Island Amusement Park. (outside of Cincinnati, Ohio) Hmm … been there a few times.
Posted By RichC on August 11, 2006
Although I heard about this when it happened, it wasn’t until I saw the photo above (click it for full size) taken by Mass Communications Specialist 3rd Class Nathan Laird made me want to include the bit of history in my blog. I grew up with a secret desire to be a Naval officer and would dream about both the sea and aviation. (I sort of still do — although the dreams are a bit more realistic) The one aircraft that stood apart was the F-14 Tomcat. Maybe it was just movies like “Top Gun” where Tom “Maverick” Cruise flew an F-14 … but then I’m not that young.
Late last month while completing Joint Task Force Exercises, the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN71) along with the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) launched the last of the F-14 fighters. A F-14D Tomcat (number 112) assigned to the “Tomcatters” of Fighter Squadron Three One (VF-31) was the last F-14 catapulted from the deck of the USS Theodore Roosevelt on July 28, 2006. Although this is the last scheduled launch, the Navy won’t officially retire the F-14 until September 2006. The F-14 Fighter has had 32 years of exceptional service. I would be remise to not offer a ‘thank you’ to all who had a hand in designing, maintaining and flying this tremendous aircraft; thank you for your service.
Posted By RichC on August 10, 2006
Traveling through Columbus, Ohio yesterday I missed the hubbub on Interstate I-70, but even caught up in it would have been as clueless as the police. On after a chase, resisting arrest and physical cuffing did police realize they had the former star Ohio State tailback Maurice Clarett in their custody. As an article in this morning Columbus Dispatch) states, “Only Maurice Clarett knows why he was wearing body armor and toting a loaded assault rifle and three pistols in a borrowed sports-utility vehicle on the Far East Side early yesterday.”
Clarett was arrested less than a mile from where a key witness for his upcoming armed-robbery trial resides and considering he had a loaded Smith and Wesson 9mm under the seat and was wearing body armor while running from the police didn’t make his case stronger. Nor does the fact that an AK-47 assault rifle was in the passenger seat, a .380-caliber handgun on the floor help his case. A few other items of interest were a .25-caliber handgun in a carrying bag, a hatchet and an open, one-third-full bottle of Grey Goose vodka. Interestingly they stated that he was in a ‘borrowed’ SUV. (registered to his uncle) We’ll see how defense lawyers craft the contents of the vehicle and the weapons ownership?
Personally speaking, considering that Clarett resides in northeastern Ohio and that he was arrested only a mile from a witness that ‘could’ put him away for 26 years in the previous armed-robbery charge while he was dressed and armed to kill, doesn’t not help is case. Thankfully police were able to step in and handle this situation professionally and before anything severe happened. All to often you hear the missteps police make — here is a clear case as to doing their jobs well. Kudos to the officers involved. (although we might as well assume a defense attorney will find something they did wrong)
Posted By RichC on August 10, 2006
Posted By RichC on August 10, 2006
Keith Olbermann, in his nightly news program on MSNBC called “Countdown with Keith Olbermann,” has taken to delivering a Nazi “Sieg Heil” salute this past year while placing a cardboard cutout mask of FoxNews counterpart Bill O’Reilly. The Anti-Defamation League has voiced opposition to Keith Olbermann using the Nazi reference and has written a letter to MSNBC that the ‘insensitivity’ be eliminated from the program. With the recent anti-Semitic comments from actor/director Mel Gibson and sensitivity on edge in Israel, perhaps Olbermann might tone down his publicity stunts?
Anti-Defamation League Letter sent to MSNBC – linkOlbermann competes with the #1 cable news show, “The O’Reilly Factor,” hosted by Bill O’Reilly who receives Mr. Olbermann’s constant jabbing. Both programs offer controversial views upsetting to one political view or another. In the Olbermann shows case, there are a significant number of verbals lashing pointed directly at Bill O’Reilly and his personal character, etc. In recent months this ‘feud’ (which has generally been one sided) has taken an even uglier turn. The Fox Corporation’s public relations department struck back in an article in the New York Times.
Spokesperson Irena Briganti commented:
“Because of his personal demons, Keith has imploded everywhere he’s worked. From lashing out at co-workers to personally attacking Bill O’Reilly and all things Fox, it’s obvious Keith is a train wreck waiting to happen. And like all train wrecks, people might tune in out of morbid curiosity, but they eventually tune out, as evidenced by Keith’s recent ratings decline. In the meantime, we hope he enjoys his paranoid view from the bottom of the ratings ladder and wish him well on his inevitable trip to oblivion.”