My Desultory Blog

Posted By RichC on July 22, 2006

Dylan Ratigan of CNBC hosted a special last week that I recorded thinking that it would focus a bit more on a variety of alternatives … it did sort of, but for the most part was disappointing. There were two brief mentions of biodiesel at about the 25 minute and 36 minute marks and considerable conversation about ethanol. (not all that informative or complete in my opinion) The GE plant video segment on wind turbines was interesting as was the debate on what we should be doing to reduce our addiction. The conclusion that conservation techniques could really make a difference in the US demand was good as was the debate about producing more domestic petroleum. I don’t recall any concern for environment but all guests seem to agree that depending on middle east oil was not healthy for America.

Note: This video clip requires quicktime and is 40 minutes long and a fairly large download. A broadband connection is helpful for streaming. (watching while downloading)

Category: Energy, Misc, Video | 4 Comments »
Tags: addiction, cnbc, energy, oil

Posted By RichC on July 21, 2006

Correction: On September July 29th New Zealand’s car owner and driver Maurice O’Reilly is going to attempt to show just what is possible with a diesel tuned for perfomance. He will attempt to break a speed record for a 1.9 liter turbocharged diesel in a 2001 Volkwagen Jetta TDI. The car is coupled to a 6 speed transmission and has successfully raced in Germany’s 24 hour race in Nurburgring.

The VW factory tweaked TDI has a prototype engine and uses a high quality diesel fuel refined to European standards, but the real secrets is something diesel owners already know: Torque. Diesel torque is the key to keep a vehicle accelerating in high ratio gears and this combination of high torque and appropriate gearing should provide Mr. O’Reilly the chance to achieve some very high speeds. I’ll try to report back after the September July run — stay tuned.

Maurice O’Reilly belongs to the Tauranga Mount Car club in New Zealand who is sponsoring the challenge. O’Reilly has ad a long career in motorsport driving most classes of vehicle including GP single seaters. He was the Bruce McLaren Champion in 1995 and now drives with international teams in 24 hour endurance events around the world.

*** Tauranga Club secretary corrected my post and informed me that the speed run is scheduled for July 29th or 30th depending on weather.

Category: Volkswagen | 8 Comments »
Tags: volkswagen

Posted By RichC on July 20, 2006

DaimlerChrysler’s new pitchman, Dieter (Dr. Z) Zelsche has been promoting the Jeep diesels even as the Liberty CRD is being discontinued. I found the ads remenicent of what Lee Iacocca did for Chrysler some years ago. Zelsche is obviously the new face for the company and about every television advertisement, public display (see racecar above) and website is taking full advantage of his unique face.

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Posted By RichC on July 19, 2006

A couple of days ago I commented that after donating our minivan to a family in need of a car and that we were need to replace it with something? I was not happy with my options since there were no commonsense ‘efficient’ diesels in vehicles with extra room; both my wife and I have small cars. As the 2006 year vehicles are liquidated, I was hoping for a better deal on something … we ended up with a Honda Pilot. Oh well, so much for waiting for a diesel.
🙂
(FYI — post from Palm Treo700p camera and used ’email to blog.’)

Category: Automotive, Misc | No Comments »
Tags: 2006, awd, car, honda, new, pilot, SUV

Posted By RichC on July 19, 2006

Quite the busy day today and I knew that there wasn’t going to be much time to post … so I’m posting this simple video clip from YouTube in advance. I found the mixing of video and song to be quite impressive while including a relevant message through song. (sad state of the world we’re finding ourselves in) I suspect that there will be a few who might not appreciate the creativity and talent it took to produce this video clip using President Bush as the subject, but I found it intriguing.

Category: Photos | No Comments »
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Posted By RichC on July 18, 2006

I’ve been saddened by the destruction and killing taking place in Israel and Lebanon while slowly coming to the conclusion that a negotiated peace is not possible. It is interesting to compare what is happening in the middle east to what is proposed by those in the US with a more ‘liberal’ point of view in dealing with terrorists and the nations that welcome them. (I’m referring to those with the political hands off or isolationist approach to world affairs)

I’ll start by assuming that ‘most normal people’ in the world want peace? To achieve this, there has to be some acceptance that they must live and operate with other countries, races, political views and religions on this planet. For decades now, peacemaker after peacemaker has talked with both the Arabs and Israelis in hopes to build a bridge to peace. They’ve worked with leaders on both sides time and time again to move toward some agreeable solution for people to live together. Ever since Israel’s ‘forced’ occupation, (6-day war when they were attacked), many have tried to negotiate their pull back from these territories and allow Arabs to freely govern themselves. It was not something Israel felt comfortable in doing … for the very reason we see today. Yet over time, each peacemaker convinced them that the only way to have a chance for peace was to give up control and this land. Slowly they made agreements and took multiple steps in giving those living in this area a chance. Unfortunately the agreements made on Lebanon’s part 6 years ago, and most recently the good faith on the Palestinians part have only allowed for a stronger terror element to operate freely within those areas. The radical arm grew, with support from other Arab countries, and they were permitted to take control with little more than lift of a finger from those desiring peace. (other Arab countries included)

Sadly in this area (and perhaps others), those Arabs desiring peace, must work and fight for to press for it. I’m referring to those decent Lebanese and Palestinians who by doing nothing allow Hamas and Hezbollah to operate and grow in their country. I’m also referring to those countries to those funding and supplying their weapons, although the assumption is that a significant number of people from Iran and Syria approve. No matter how you look at Israel turning policing power back over to Arabs, little was done to prevent terrorists operating within … or perhaps very few actually desired to stop them?

What can we (the US) learn from this?
First, a hands-off approach to countries permitting terrorists to infiltrate their country, train and carry out attacks doesn’t work. (Israel, under the guise of a peace settlement, was talked into trying this again and again — yes I know “Blessed are the peacemakers.”) Unfortunately when you’re negotiating with religious radicalism, one must realize they do not want peace. When you are negotiating with countries and leaders permitting terrorists safe-havens, you are often talking with people who beyond talk of peace are actually approving of what radical Muslims do to Jews and infidels. Unfortunately it is an issue that very little ‘leave them alone’ style peacemaking can change.

I’ve concluded that no real peace can exist in a country or territory that allows radical Muslims to spread their hate through terrorism. It is a cancer that must be removed before a country can govern itself or has the wherewithal to continue to eliminate the scourge.

Category: Uncategorized | 4 Comments »
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Posted By RichC on July 17, 2006

The space shuttle Discovery landed safely at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 9:14 AM after a successful 13-day mission and hopeful return to future flights. NASA has been overly cautious since the 2003 Columbia disaster. The mission demostrated the success of the new ‘arm’ that can reach all parts of the shuttle while in space permitting repairs if it should be necessary. According to NASA, the improve foam on the shuttles external tank worked well and most hope that problem is behind them. The six-member crew are in excellent spirits and if it were not for drumbeat of war in the middle east, America’s focus would have certainly offered them more attention. Nevertheless, congratulations from from this American on mission accomplished to both the crew and all who made STS-121 successful.

Category: Space | No Comments »
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Posted By RichC on July 16, 2006

Although I didn’t comment about the explosion and death at a Biodiesel Production Facility in Idaho, I’ve been following this accident on the Biodieselnow forum. The investigation that followed determined that the cause was the use of a torch in attaching a vent pipe onto a tank. The tank contained about “30 to 40 gallons of glycerin and methanol liquid mix.” Methanol, in particular, is extremely flammable and is perhaps the most dangerous ingredient used to produce biodiesel, although glycerin is also a fuel when near flames. According to an article from KTVB’s website, 25-year-old Blaise Black was killed by the explosion after lighting his torch.

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Posted By RichC on July 15, 2006

That was painful. I upgraded both my server and my version of WordPress blog software this weekend. Hopefully there will be a slight speed improvement as well as some added functionality. I’m maintaining the same ‘theme’ for simplicity and my ease of use. For those attempting to access this weekend … my apology.

Category: Uncategorized | 4 Comments »
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Posted By RichC on July 13, 2006

We’re semi in the market for a new vehicle to replace the family Goobermobile (Chrysler Town & Country Minivan) that we’re donating to a family in need of a car. Although I’m struggling to get a grip on new car prices, I realized that anything replacing my all-wheel drive Limited Edition van is going to cost my kids a couple years of college or require a mortgage bigger than that of our first house! So … as the list begins I might as well start at the top although I did just talk about the 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee.
According to my buddy Dieter Zetsche, head honcho over at DaimlerChrysler, the new BLUETEC 3.2L engine will be put in the E-Class sedan, the R-Class tourer, ML-Class SUV and new GL-Class full size SUV. While I’m interested in all 4, only two of them come close to replacing the cargo and people carrying ability of the minivan — and I really don’t want another van. It looks as if the GL offers the most room and a macho-ness that someone coming from a kid carrying minivan ‘needs’ when dealing with a looming mid-life crisis. With an outstanding towing capability, it also functions as a ‘real’ cargo U-Hauler for moving kids to college and from one apartment to the next. The diesel option, said to be coming sometime in the 2007 model year, looks to be the only option for me and my biodiesel desires. According to Zetsche, the Bluetec-equipped GL-Class will get 26 mpg. Not to bad for such a big vehicle. Who knows where the price will be, but like I said, I’m ‘just looking’ and starting at the top.

My second ‘just looking’ choice is the R-class cross over wagon-ish ‘tourer’ as Mercedes Benz calls it. It to will also get the Bluetec diesel sometime next year and if it is matched to the current 7 speed transmission should even improve on the GL’s 26 mpg boasting. The R class hugs the ground a bit more, offer tremendous amounts of space and comfort and offers a ride close to the S class luxury sedan. (driven a gas version) Its an impressive car and is currently the best vehicle for the money that Mercedes sells in my opinion. It will be worth a close look when the diesel arrives. Again no prices or firm dates.

All in all my search has just begun and there’s nothing like starting at the top and working your way down. (actually I’d like to know if VW is going to bring its smaller diesel Touareg to the US in the Touareg even better, the rumored Acura MDX Honda diesel … although I don’t think I can wait until 2009.) Looking is suppose to be the fun part right?

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