My Desultory Blog

Posted By RichC on June 20, 2005

I was listening to Wesley Clark on the subject of our stretched military, Gitmo and Iraq yesterday and found his insight very interesting, considering that he is NOT a lover of the current administrations policies. At the same time he doesn’t represent the leftist views that we remove and disengage the militarily from the the problems of this world. Clark did sound a bit more like John Kerry in that we need to include our allies to a greater extent. He did not endorsing the pullout of our troops or a timetable for Iraq, disagreed with those advocating closing Gitmo and believes we need an additional 90,000 troops on top of those that we are unable to attract in filling the needs today. (particularly in the Army)

In Iraq … now that we are there, he believes that our troops are necessary. (Although he is a big supporter of talks with surrounding countries and working to include our ‘so called’ allies in the war on terror.) His position is that it would be wrong to pull out or begin removal of troops as the Iraq forces are not capable of protecting their country from insurgency, whether foriegn or domestic to Iraq. He is seriously concerned with decreased enlistment in our armed forces and in particularly the Army. The retired general believes that we are going to find ourselves in a longterm and constant battle worldwide against terror (not just in Iraq), and that our military is going to play a primary role. Clark also was frustrated with the lack of ally understanding, involvement and support … and believes it is due ‘in part’ to the current administrations policies and ‘in part’ with the naiveté of our democratic allies to combat the threat.

He was particularly critical of the recent move against our military in Guantanamo Bay by the press, our own politicians and other countries believing we should close Gitmo. He would like to see evaluation and separation/sorting of the truly dangerous detainees from those we intend to eventually release. He also said that we need our allies to take on some of this duty of working with the detained as it is something those countries can do in the war on terror. Other countries may not have strong military or the desire to involve themselves on the front lines but they can support the efforts in handling the interogations, detainees and prisoners.

As for the military … he didn’t have answers as to how to encourage more enlistment, but noted that currently we are not keeping up with our needs OR are not poised to grow our forces to handle growing, continual and potential problems down the road. His evaluation was that we needed to add an addition 90,000 troops to the current ‘desired’ number, of which we are already not able to maintain the quality of the enlistee. He noted that the caliber of soldier is crucial to our advanced military and believes we might be able to attract ‘bodies’ but just as in Vietnam would not attract the quality soldier. It was a real concern for him in part due to his inside knowledge and background. I gained a new respect for him and those in the democratic party that see things from his ‘more realistic’ (IMHO) perspective. Unfortunately his party is being lead by several from farther ‘left’ like Howard Dean, DNC Chair and Senator Dick Durbin.

Of course … many will see these positions as ‘GOP-lite’ … and prefer the Moore, Durbin and Dean Democrat … a direction that in my opinion that will continue to divide the DNC and go way left of centerline America. If the Dems continue this approach, I unfortunately see the GOP even more ‘right winged’ than even I’m comfortable will. I hope they come to their senses if for nothing else forcing the GOP resist the rightwing extremes that does not represent most Americans.

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Posted By RichC on June 15, 2005

One of the first of its kind, a fuelcell motorcyle, was introduced to the press today. Its an impressively designed motorbike that at its core has an Intelligent-energy fuel cell.

Unlike many electric or hybrid style motorcycles, this one used a removable fuel cell that can also be used as a power source. (see WMV clip) For the full details see http://www.envbike.com/.

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Posted By RichC on June 14, 2005

Our EAA chapter was hosted by Jack and Kate Tiffany in their Spring Valley, Ohio shop last Sunday afternoon. (June 12, 2005) Jack and his two talented partners, Don Siefer and Herman Leffew, have been rebuilting an extremely rare Picairn PA-18 Autogiro from the 1930’s. If I were ‘twitcher‘ this ‘bird’ would be considered a ‘lifer.’ 🙂 Our visit to his shop was educational and super interesting; thanks Jack!

The short and ‘no’ runway aircraft have been the Holy Grail in aviation for many years. Pitcairn originally got a start building biplanes that flew much of the US Airmail in the 1920s and was very successful in securing contracts with the US government. Harold Pitcairn decided to move forward and make an investment of some $600,000 dollars in 1929 from Juan de la Cierva, the Spanish aviation pioneer that developed the autogiro. (history) The Pitcairn company then began development of the handful of autogiros in the Pitcairn series. Eventually the contract was not awarded to Pitcairn and the technology was shared with other companies. A long drawn out court battle between Pitcairn and the US Army lasted for years. (finally settled in favor of the Pitcairn estate) Jack recommended the book Legacy of Wings if we wanted the full Harold Pitcairn story.

Unfortunately I don’t do the full Pitcairn story justice and will have to rely on remembering the information that Jack and his talented partners shared. Below is the slightly larger PCA2 flying over Philidelphia; notice the flex in each of the wooden ribbed, cloth covered rotor blades. Unique to say the least.

Between these two was the PA-18 that we saw being restored in Jack’s out of the way’ shop. (the slippery drive up the slope made for an interesting place to be restoring antique airplanes. 🙂 )

Below is an original photo of Jack’s PA-18 Autogiro (NC12678) at Wings Field, Ambler, PA. It was owned by Anne Strawbridge of Philadelphia who is sitting in the front cockpit.

Our visit started with a bit of history as Jack explained how he acquired this rare bird and the excitement that ensued in the on again off again deal. The fairly intact autogiro was pack up along with another plane and trucked in from California. The three partners did an exceptional job of photographing, removing and cataloging every part removed. Jack continued to relay interesting stories about traveling to New Jersey to visit with Stephen Pitcairn (son of Harold Pitcairn) who also restores old Pitcairn airplanes. Interestingly, Stephen Pitcairn owns a PCA-2 known as “Miss Champion” that was originally purchased by the Champion Spark Plug company. This aerogiro will be flown this July to “Airventure” in Oshkosh, Wisconsion and will then reside permanently in the EAA museum’s Pitcairn Hanger at the Pioneer airport. (It made one past appearance at the Oshkosh airshow in 1986) It will be hangered along with a Mailwing biplane and a one of a kind Pitcairn PA-38.

Once we had a handle on the history of both the autogiro and Jack’s current project, we had an opportunity to see the almost completed plane. (and do I like to touch, feel and question … oh, and photograph.)

His project is coming along beautifully and is being restored to original condition at great pain and expense. Finding things like the special flat head rivets and matching colors precisely are all part of the process. Interestingly there have been a few safely improvements since this PA-18 will be flown. The first flight will be by our own EAA Chapters Red Stewart Field’s Emerson Stewart III. (I’ll try to update this fall) I recall one of the improvements was to replace the spot welding technique that was originally used to attach each of the rotor ribs to the single spar; the partners chose to epoxy each to the spar after noticing many of the spot welds had failed.

The engine has been fully restored and is being stored at the airport hanger, but from the photo alone, it is an impressive looking piece of hardware. I thought it looked extremely heavy, but Jack said it was about 300 lbs. and developed 160 hp.

The most unusual part of the autogiro is perhaps the number of cables and rigging and mast structure. Nothing is square as the rotors must be at 2 degrees from vertical. Obviously what makes the autogiro unique is the 4 ‘wings’ (rotors) that rotor at 120 rpm and develop enough lift to keep the PA-18 in the air iand shorten the takeoffs. Their are still short wings that develop the balance of the lift and ailerons/rudders that control the extremely smooth flight. Jack joked that he plans on flying it with a mohawk haircut as the rotors develop lift but don’t have a downwash like today’s helicopters. Below is a photo of one of the very flexible rotor wings in the paint booth.

The workmanship was exceptional and I can see that these three would be swamped if they took on many outside projects. For them this is obviously a project of love. The years of work and patience is evident.

In case you are reading this, thanks for having our chapter and including us in the select group of ‘lookers’ to a very rare restoration. I look forward to the first ‘official’ flight and someday sharing the story ‘that I was there’ when that museum quality restoration of a Pitcairn PA-18 Autogiro was being completed.

__

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Posted By RichC on June 13, 2005

Biodiesel was the topic on Trucks! (SpikeTV) this past weekend. The host, Stacey David is an addictive guy to watch, although can probably only be tolerated in small doses. 🙂 He did a nice job of explaining the ‘homebrew’ biodiesel processes and kept it simple; he also does a great job of ‘convincing’ his audience as to the viability of running biodiesel! His excitabilty in explaining how great biodiesel is might make the episode worth watching?

Unfortunately he seems to also be delivering an infomercial for the FuelMeister from FreedomFuelAmerica . It was a little over the top knowing what most do in the biodiesel circles. The “Fuelmeister” product is over-priced and underperforms IMHO. The company does a great job of marketing their product and suckers in the ‘newbie’ to homebrewing biodiesel. (an expensive lesson once you see there are better and cheaper processors) Remember, marketing can even convince some of you to buy products like Billy Bass?

Before you part with $3000, consider the ‘open source appleseed processor‘ as a comparison. Maria (GirlMark) Alovert is straight forward and has strong opinions and reasoning to support the “Appleseed” over the Fuelmeister. If not for cost, for safely and long term reliablity with all sorts of oils. (and eventual problems) You can find a ton of information on her site and I highly recommend both her workshops and book. One of the major disadvantages is that the Fuelmeister has a plastic reaction tank. In producing biodiesel, heat will evenutally be needed; hot oil and plastic are not a good combination especially in combination with methanol and electricity. There are few disappointed Fuelmeiser owners that have experienced a meltdown. That said, with the proper waste vegetable oil and a little care, it is possible to make biodiesel successfully. Read first and you might save a couple thousand and end up with a better processor. If you are interested in biodiesel be it commercial or ‘homebrew,’ I highly recommend the forums over at Biodieselnow.

For those of you interested in downloading a good quality healthy sized 24 meg/12 minute WMV video tidbit of the above show, right-click and save as here.

Category: Archive, Automotive, Biodiesel, Video | 42 Comments »
Tags: appleseed, biodiesel, david stacey, fuels, renewable

Posted By RichC on June 10, 2005

Reading a post this morning in a forum I visit regularly and daughter reading a tribute article about a figure skater got me thinking about ‘today.’ Am I making the most of each day?

To His Coy Mistress by Andrew Marvell

Had we but world enough, and time,
This coyness, Lady, were no crime
We would sit down and think which way
To walk and pass our long love’s day.
Thou by the Indian Ganges’ side
Shouldst rubies find: I by the tide
Of Humber would complain. I would
Love you ten years before the Flood,
And you should, if you please, refuse
Till the conversion of the Jews.
My vegetable love should grow
Vaster than empires, and more slow;
An hundred years should go to praise
Thine eyes and on thy forehead gaze;
Two hundred to adore each breast,
But thirty thousand to the rest;
An age at least to every part,
And the last age should show your heart.
For, Lady, you deserve this state,
Nor would I love at lower rate.

But at my back I always hear
Time’s wingèd chariot hurrying near;
And yonder all before us lie
Deserts of vast eternity.
Thy beauty shall no more be found,
Nor, in thy marble vault, shall sound
My echoing song: then worms shall try
That long preserved virginity,
And your quaint honour turn to dust,
And into ashes all my lust:
The grave’s a fine and private place,
But none, I think, do there embrace.

Now therefore, while the youthful hue
Sits on thy skin like morning dew,
And while thy willing soul transpires
At every pore with instant fires,
Now let us sport us while we may,
And now, like amorous birds of prey,
Rather at once our time devour
Than languish in his slow-chapt power.
Let us roll all our strength and all
Our sweetness up into one ball,
And tear our pleasures with rough strife
Thorough the iron gates of life:
Thus, though we cannot make our sun
Stand still, yet we will make him run.

No … probably like many, I squander my time with thinking of the past or the future far too much. Not that I disagree with planning for the future or learning from past mistakes, but spending our time reliving or saying “when I have time” is not necessarily ‘enjoying the moment.’

Today is my son Taylor’s 16th birthday. We have a great relationship for father and adolescent son in comparison to many. We have our challenging moment and times that I wish would never end. Life moves on. This year I’m planning to make the most in spending time with him. I have scheduled a trip to Canmore, Alberta as a father-son bonding time in the outdoors. We’ve lined up a trout fishing day and several day hiking up the three sisters.

Thankfully we also share a few common interests. Our MGB car restoration project is moving along slowly but in keeping with his learning to drive this summer. Hopefully by the time it is on the road he’ll have enough experience in driving to keep the paint free from dents. Another weekend trip this summer will be to Oshkosh, Wisconsin and Airventure. This year should be a great time as there will be a bunch of WWII exhibits that will interest Taylor and Space Ship One that will make his sister jealous.

I suppose this isn’t exactly living ‘today’ to the fullest, even though tonight we’ll be celebrating his birthday with Grandma and Grandpa, but I know the memories he and I will share this summer will not be regretted. As I contemplate how to spend ‘today’ and the next few years I am reminded of Scott Laio (see Sports Illustrated) … and how short life on this earth can seem, but yet how beautifully it can be remembered if you live it fully everyday. Try to end each day without regrets for what you could have done …

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Posted By RichC on June 9, 2005

Monday and Tuesday night of this past week, I watched pieces of the two part interview that Greta Van Susteren had with President Clinton. It was pretty much a ‘fluff’ interview, yet I appreciate the respect some reporters give to our presidents. All in all it was a lesson that Howard Dean and many democrats could use in how to grow and unite their party. (we would all benefit)

President Clinton did a masterful job of politely dancing around critical comments, as usual. He was able to communicate the failures and shortcomings in competing with Republicans in the past couple of elections. I saw some of what a respected biodieselnow forum poster, Mike Briggs, has communicated in regard to the Republicans only campaigning on ‘surface and image issues.’ It was exactly what President Clinton pointed to. (rarely do GOP candidates campaign with depth into issues; something many of us, if honest, recognized during the presidential debates.) Where Clinton differs from most of the democrats currently steering the party is that instead of denigrating voters, he was able place blame on his own party. (something few are doing in preference to placing the blame solely on the GOP, the weak-minded voters or lobbyist influencing decisions)

Clinton also recognized the mix of opinions within his party on vision and direction, and is obviously doing his part to credit popular Republican positions and complimenting, not done by many democrats. (probably to enhance Hilary or sell volume II of his book … or both!) He communicated respect for President Bush as a likable guy that he has good relationships with and even has even more gushing compliments for the senior President Bush. When asked if and why the two past presidents (Bush I and Clinton) seemed to get along so well, he politely said “it was all because his predecessor; President Bush (senior) took the initiative.” What a way to humble himself and continue to be likable; I is no wonder he remains so popular. He went on to communicate how even after he defeated Bush in ‘92, that there was a remarkable professionalism in the way the office was handed over and that he (Clinton) receive appreciated continuing support from George Bush senior throughout his term. He continued on with positive comments about our current President and how both men respected each other … even though their philosophy and ideas were different. He did very little to degrade our President (perhaps a courtesy all past presidents practice), but was able to pinpoint particular ‘dirty’ GOP attacks during last Fall’s election … all the while indicating that the GOP was “just better at campaigning.” He went on to comment that the tearing down of ones political positions was not dirty politics, but the tearing down of ones person was. (I had to agree) All in all, I found myself liking the man … not his politics, but the likable personal traits he has mastered so well. He would not comment on Hilary’s running in 2008, but was quick to point to her reaching out crossing the aisle and doing a great job as Senator. He is obviously going to be an asset if she decides to run.

After listening to the latest controversial comments by Howard Dean (DNC Chair), I can not understand why democrats continue to rally behind that kind of leadership. If he were demonstrated winner using derogatory statements it would be one thing, but he doesn’t even seem to win over many moderates in his own party let alone independents or Republicans? When will we see two parties that represent average Americans better … certainly neither party at the moment is doing a great job.

Category: News, Politics | 9 Comments »
Tags: bill clinton, george w bush, greta van susteran

Posted By RichC on June 8, 2005

* The photo above is a VW Golf TDI Rally car raced by Jon Hamilton of Marysville, Ohio. See team RallyVW.

I saw a forwarded email post to the CinciTDI.com group yesterday and want to share it … unfortunately only ‘rabid’ VW TDI owners and drivers will understand it.

1. When you meet a stranger in a TDI you start excitedly talking about mufflerectomies, ventectomies, and tire pressure and they look at you blankly, gather their kids and leave.

2. When you have your friends in your car and you make them look at the trip odometer when it shows 600 miles on the tank. (And you get a little mad when they just don’t really seem to care…)

3. You pretend to do the math on your tank when you’re filling up. As soon as you finish filling up, you excitedly proclaim.. “15.1 gallons.. 755 miles.. that’s 50 mpg!” just loud enough for everyone within 30 feet to hear.

4.You’ve ever gone to 5 places for motor oil and shake your head in disgust because the people there have never heard of the VW 505.00 specification, and then feel pretty good because you know what the 505 spec is– sort of…

5. You freak when someone tries to sound out TDI trying to figure out what it means.. “Turbo um… Diesel.. um.. something..” (NNnnoooo you idiot!!!– It’s Turbo Direct Injection) Even though you don’t know if there is a Turbo Indirect Injection or Turbo direct non-injection or whatever…) but you’re pretty sure there might be.

6. You find that for fun you drive aimlessly around for hours at a time.

7. Your 1 year old car has 37,000 miles on it— and that fact doesnt bother you.

8. When the light turns green you stomp the go pedal and leave everyone in your dust.. And when you get stopped at the next light and they all finally catch up, you rationalize it by thinking “Even though I did that… I STILL got better mileage than they did”

9. You’ve considered taking off necessary and legally required parts of your car just to get an 2 extra miles per gallon “hmm… Those mirrors… I don’t REALLY need them do I??? OR I wonder if the windshield comes out..”

10. You pull up behind another VW thinking at a distance that it’s a TDI and feel a bit sorry for the other driver when you don’t see TDI on the trunk. (sigh, maybe I can help them.. )

11. You’ve ever called your Vw dealer and asked when the Convertable Beetle TDI or Cabrio TDI is coming out.

12. You quickly follow up with “but it’s all about torque” after you tell someone that your car has 90 Hp. Even though you don’t know exactly what torque does.

13. You’re on a job interview and think it’s perfectly OK to work into the conversation that your car is a TDI, even though it has no relevence for the job.

14.. Cleaning your snow screen in the summer somehow makes perfect sense to you.

15. On long trips you actually get angry at yourself because YOU have to stop to go to the bathroom, 3 times before your car needs fuel.

16. You know when refueling that when the fuel pump shuts off, (the first time) that’s the signal that you should open all your doors and clean out your car. You understand the importance of Diesel Fuel Foam and know that it’s kind of like the sand in an hourglass. After 2 minutes it is once again time to resume pumping the last 2 gallons of diesel fuel into your tank.

17. You know Venting and Air Conditioning are two totally unrelated things.

18. You roll down your windows when you drive next to a wall, solid fence, or building just so you can hear the turbo whine.

19. You sometimes sing the theme song to “Convoy” just because you now stop at Truck stops for fuel. “Dark of the moon, on the 5th of June and a Kenworth pullin’ log, Cab-over Pete with a Reefer on and a Jimmy haulin’ hogs..” And scoff at people who aren’t “man enough” to use the high volume hose… (until you spill a half gallon of fuel on your shoes..)

20… The reason you know you’re obscessed with TDI’s is when you pull intoa gas station, you know 15 different ways to tell the attendant ” Yes.. I know it’s a Diesel pump” when they refuse to turn it on for you.

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Posted By RichC on June 7, 2005

Domestic automakers have had a tough slog this past year, of that there is no doubt. Poor planning on the part of executives at GM and Ford deserve the majority of the blame, although internal costs be they union (Europeon or domestic), the US economy and the high cost of oil are understandable excuses.

Chart comparing GM and Ford over 2 years

Nevertheless, the stock in both companies looks attractive to those desiring to generate better than average returns over the next few years in comparison to others in their industy. Rightsizing of companies is big talk but these changes will take time as the UAW contracts dictate pay even when plants are closed. The CEO of GM, Richard Wagoner Jr., although attempting to put a positive spin on management and labor working together, still see some large boulders to move. Healthcare cost is a major cost that is way out of balance. Negotiations have saddled automakers with some extremely large expenses in dealing with these healthcare costs.

Comparing Ford and GM, the inventory numbers are looking a bit better for Ford. They seem to be able to move cars without the extreme measures GM is attempting. Inventories at Ford are 11% higher than normal which isn’t good, but considering the predicament they are in might be considered ‘ok.’ Light truck inventory is a bit higher and a concern. (must be related to consumers concern over the high price of fuel?)

I believe that as both these companies ‘slowly’ grapple with operating in this sluggish economy and the higher fuel cost, most of the damage to stock prices has been done. The risk of these stocks moving lower is no longer the biggest concern; stagnation of price is highly probable. In talking to a couple automotive people, the consumer buying cycle for cars should be returning and IF Ford and GM can introduce some of their new models at an accellerated pace (this is the talk) they might be ready to attract these returning customers. I am investing ‘lightly’ in Ford with the anticipation of better 2 to 5 year returns than the S&P 500 over the same period.

Rich’s advice: Ford (F): Accumulate under $10 with 2 to 5 year outlook.

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Posted By RichC on June 6, 2005

With crude oil once again closing above $55.00/barrel and the potential for gasoline to rise closers to $3.00/ gallon, the pressure is being felt by congress to actually get an energy bill passed and sent to President Bush.

An article in today’s WSJ (subscription required) details some fo the components that have derailed the the bill these past two years, but with heavy pressure from voters the elected representatives and senators may feel obligated to compromise and present a bill. Senator Pete Donmenici (R) may have summed up it up when he explained that that he “is not inclined to spend too much time in search of the ideal” but insteads suggests that Republicans who control the Senate must shape a bill “always with an eye for votes.”

Since I have been following the energy bills from the biodiesel perspective, it is interesting to see how the crafting of the current bills are not at all that focused on this small piece (it wasn’t even mentioned in the WSJ article). Ethanol take much more of the limelight and the debate is not whether to incentify using it, but where to dervive the ethanol from. Currently the majority of our ethanol comes from corn and lobby support is heavy in the midwestern farm belt. Many in congress are hoping to also encourage and federally subsidized ethanol made from farm ‘waste,’ rice hulls and barley straw too. The use of ethanol in part is how the Senator Landrieu’s (D) commitee version of the the energy bill wants to cut our 20 billion barrel per day consumption of petroleum by 5% over the next ten years, or 350 billion barrel per year by 2015. There are no specifics, but the automotive industry will probably object to these kinds of reductions.

Must of the debate around the energy bill is focused on the exploration of new natural gas and oil reserves. Some like Senator Mary Landrieu (D) argue that “people have a right to know what is out there.” Interestingly this ‘exploration’ is not a partisan issue, but one that is location based issue. For example, Jeb Bush the Republican governor of Florida and Arnold Schwarzenegger, governor of California, oppose offshore drilling and are expected to make their voices heard on an further coastline exploration. ANWR will continue to be a major hurdle in developing more domestic capacity and was the big 2002 energy bill killer. This year the Republican will move that component out of the energy bill in hopes to avoid a Democrat-led fillibuster and get a bill to the President’s desk.

Interestingly there is more common ground than areas of disagreement. Most will support incentives and insurance assistance for new nuclear power plants. Clean coal is supported as are incentives for coal-gasification plants. (this removes some pollutes before using it to create electricity) After last years blackout, a bill will support new rules and incentives for both utilities and their investors to upgrade the power grid. There will continue to be support for renewable energy such as wind, solar, geothermal and farm waste for electrical production although most see this as a very small contributor toward contributing toward our nation’s energy use.

As for biodiesel, it was not mention in the WSJ article, but there does seem to be widespread support considering the current tax incentive that is in place. I doubt much time is spent or that most representative are even familiar with algae based biodiesel as a future fuel option, but it was mentioned that there is widespread support for incentives that encourage hydrogen power in vehicles.

My personal thought is that congress has spent several years discussing a new approach to our energy problem and that it is time they work out the differences and pass some kind of vision/bill for the sake of our country. With the 2006 congressional elections and continued high energy cost, now is the time to get a bill to the President.

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Posted By RichC on June 1, 2005

I’ve experienced my share of idenity theft and ‘thought’ I was savy to what information I was going to share again. Unfortunately when doing practically anything online, there is very little privacy.

Most people believe that the first step is to only do business with established and reputable companies, but are surprised at what is shared by online retailers. For example, LLBean privacy policy reads like this:

“We contract with other companies to provide certain services, including credit card processing, shipping, email distribution, market research and promotions management. We provide these companies with only the information they need to perform their services and work closely with them to ensure that your privacy is respected and protected. — From time to time, we make our mailing list (names and addresses only) and general shopping activity available to carefully screened companies whose products we believe will be of interest to you and whose privacy practices meet the Direct Marketing Association’s privacy standards.”

Of course they are not alone in sharing information they collect from you. JCrew’s privacy policy protects you like this:

Travel sites are not exempt either; Orbitz for example protects your privacy so securely (tongue in cheek) that they openly state that they may:

So next time you give up a ‘cookie‘ or share your personal information online … remember that just because a company has a “privacy policy,” that doesn’t mean that they are protecting your personal information. (and don’t even get me started on banks!)

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